Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Style At Home

I’m full of the joys of spring. The garden is looking colourful again and the days are feeling brighter. I think colour is so important to how you feel. When I had a colour analysis done a few years ago, based on my hair and skin tones, I was told I suit a winter palette of icy blues, pinks and silver. But when it comes to my home, I’m drawn to a warmer springtime palette of soft pinks, corals, neutrals and cheery yellow and green. Our houses this month are big on colour – each in their own way – from Sophie’s soft pastels (page 14) and Abby’s elegant neutrals and colour pops (page 26) to Laura’s smart pink and navy scheme (page 38). We’ve also got colourful spring-decorating ideas…

Easter vibes Emma Bridgewater’s Easter collection has arrived. Fresh in for spring, there’s the Mini Eggs print on textiles and tableware, a Rainbow Hen border design that is set to become a classic and, for little ones, a Peppa Pig and George Pig print. 3 of the best FRILLED CUSHIONS…

For our first home we wanted a project – a two- or three-bedroom house with character that we could put our stamp on,’ says Abby. ‘If we’d bought a house that was already done up, we’d probably want to change things anyway, so the idea of starting from scratch really appealed to us. I grew up in Whitley Bay and luckily Matthew, who’s from Hull, loved the area too. At the time, the market was very competitive so we were outbid on three other houses. Thankfully our offer was accepted on property number four – a run-down three-bedroom 1930s semi. Getting started Four months later, in July 2019, we got the keys. We’d both been living with our parents separately and then together at my mum’s, which enabled us to…

1 TRY A TRIO Choose lighting that will look in proportion to the island it is hanging above, whether that means a single oversized statement pendant, a pair of lights side by side or a trio of pendants in a line above a long island. Ensure pendants are hung at a height that won’t block the view across the kitchen when sitting or standing – that’s ideally a clearance of around 75-90cm above the work surface and the bottom of the pendant. 2 HANG A CLUSTER With a short or square-shaped kitchen island, consider a cluster of lights hung centrally that will add impact without overpowering the space. Suspend from a central fitting, looping the cable so that the lights hang at staggered heights. Always opt for easy-to-wipe metal, glass…

1 Host an egg hunt Keep little ones amused over Easter by setting up an egg hunt. You’ll need eggs to hide, either real or plastic ones filled with mini treats, plus baskets and bags to collect them. Allow for 10-12 eggs per child, so everyone has a chance to find and collect some. Depending on the ages of the youngsters, you might want to write clues as a hint to where the eggs are hidden or set up markers around the garden to make it easier for little ones to find them. Add colourful bunting, bunnies and chicks to pretty up the space. 2 MAKE EASY BUNNY PLACE SETTINGS Fold cute bunny-shaped napkins to decorate place settings for breakfast. Grab a few square cloth napkins, some twine to tie them…

Dopamine-inducing brights may have been on a high for a while but this season they’re taking on a softer feel, while maintaining their vibrancy. As a general rule of thumb when it comes to creating a colour palette, tones of a similar saturation will form a balanced scheme. However, you do get to break the rules when it comes to pattern scale – for maximum impact, team bold stripes and waves with smaller-scale patterns such as colourful ditsy florals. The details are what make this look so pretty – look out for wavy, scalloped and bobbin detailing for a more feminine take on brights.…

Plan for success Layout is key – it’s all very well designing a kitchen that looks fantastic, but it needs to function beautifully too. Size and shape will play a major role when planning what to include, but a good layout isn’t determined by the size of the kitchen, it is one that makes the most of the available space and keeps everything well organised, with the most regularly used items to hand. Consider your needs Think about how you intend to use the space. If you’re a serious cook, extra worktop space might be a priority, or if you entertain a lot you might want to include an island where people can gather. Try to think about any potential changes in your household too, such as growing children or…

With a new season upon us, now’s the perfect time to spring into action. Make the most of the brighter days to freshen up your home and recharge tired spaces. Having a declutter is a good start, but rather than tackling an entire room, break it down into ‘micro-decluttering’ sessions and clear out just a drawer or a cupboard at a time. The task won’t feel so overwhelming, but the pay-off is huge. Create a spring bulb arrangement If you’re hosting family and friends over the Easter holidays, set some time aside to decorate your dining table ahead of the festivities. Go for a relaxed, rustic vibe with a display of spring blooms, arranged in a simple window box-style planter that can be popped outdoors afterwards. Use one long planter…

Chickens have so much personality, and this little lady is no exception. She’s useful for keeping doors open and looks great in the kitchen – and she isn’t egg-xactly difficult to make either. She’s also very versatile: try making smaller chickens for Easter decorations, (use beads or buttons for the eyes). YOU WILL NEED * Two pieces of cotton fabric (40.5x30.5cm) * Small pieces of contrasting fabric for the wings * Card * Pen * Side plate to make a template * Red ribbon * Red yarn * Toy filler * A pouch of rice, sand or craft pellets to add weight * Repositionable fabric adhesive spray 1 THE BODY TEMPLATE Make a template by drawing a circle around a side plate. Mark the centre of the circle by drawing…

BEST FOR UPHOLSTERY POLTI VAPORETTO SMART 100_B TYPE CylinderCAPACITY 2ltrDIMENSIONS H52.4xW32.41xD32.4cmWEIGHT 5kgPRICE £249 This cylinder model has a large 2ltr water tank that feeds the boiler, but you can pop the tank out at any time for a refill without waiting for it to cool down. The body boasts variable steam control and an anti-calc collector. It comes with a squeegee with a cloth cover for cleaning upholstery, plus a concentrator, scraper and two sizes of nylon brush. These are all great for cleaning but might be a bit much if you’re tight on storage space. The cleaner head comes with a floor glider and one cleaning pad. The design is practical and it feels weightless in the hand, so much so that you can lift it to clean windows,…

Give your table decor a spring refresh with this sweet collection of dinnerware from George Home. Decorated with a delicate floral and rabbit print, it can be paired with plain white or green pieces, or mix and match with a zingy gingham.…

We expected to live in our previous home, a three-bed Victorian terrace, for a long time, so we renovated it from top to bottom,’ says Sophie. ‘But when Covid hit, Ollie had to work from home and Esme and I were stuck in a house that didn’t have a garden. The limitations in travel also made us think about holidaying more in the UK and we wanted to get camping equipment and bikes, meaning a garage was also on our wish list. We really enjoy the renovation process and, having done up a few houses before, we were itching to do it again. Perfect choice This street is a hidden gem right by the racecourse in York and known for being a lovely residential area with the added bonus of…

1 TRY A BOLD COLOUR Create a wall that wows by extending the fireplace mantel to span the entire width of the room. Use the longline mantel to provide a visual dividing line and then paint the fire surround and wall the same vibrant colour. Putting a bolder colour on the bottom portion of wall will help ground your colour scheme, while a paler colour on top will add a sense of height and provide a backdrop for items on the mantel. 2 BRING IN GREENERY Create interest all year round by arranging a display of greenery in the hearth when the fireplace isn’t being used. Mix plants of different sizes, colours and leaf shapes, potted in an assortment of ceramic pots, pottery planters or woven baskets. Start the arrangement…

We weren’t sure about this ex-rental when we began searching for our first family home,’ says Becky, ‘but my estate agent cousin pointed out the positives in its location, the big garden and extended kitchen, reminding me I could change the aesthetics into any look I wanted. I began to look beyond the empty shell and magnolia walls. We started to see the benefits of the open plan kitchen-dining-living space and have a vision of what the house could become. Starting point A plus point was the size of the long kitchen with its utility-cloakroom at the end, but the layout was awkward. A breakfast bar faced the wall and the sink unit stuck out into the room. I also didn’t like it being cut off from the playroom. Before…

TRY THIS... Make cute animal toppers for Easter treat jars. Recycle old glass jam jars that you’ve finished with and decorate with plastic farm animal figures – you can pick these up fairly cheaply in most toy shops. Simply glue your figures onto the jar lids and, once dry, spray with coloured paint in a selection of pretty shades.…

Seasonal festivities are a brilliant excuse to get the decs out and prettify the house and if you want to do it in style this Easter, then this delightful hanging garland is a super-simple make that costs very little to put together. Decorate it with greenery and hanging ornaments – or why not get little ones involved, painting eggs or making chicks and bunnies, and decorate the garland using their handiwork? Claire Bassett, head of product at Lights4fun, explains how easy it is to make. YOU WILL NEED * 2.3m Easter Egg micro light garland * 6 wooden bunny and egg hanging decorations * Wreath frame (wooden or metal) * Florist’s wire * Satin ribbon * Scissors or wire cutters 1 ATTACH GREENERY Begin by wrapping the micro light garland…

THREE-INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE POTS MAKES 8 TAKES 15 MINS, PLUS CHILLING * 500g ready-made custard * 200g chocolate, chopped, plus a little grated for the topping * 300ml double cream 1 Gently heat 200g of the custard in a pan together with the chopped chocolate. Warm it until the mixture is completely melted and silky smooth.. 2 Whip the other 300g of the custard and the double cream together in a bowl until the mixture forms soft peaks. Fold into the chocolate mixture and then pour into eight small glasses. 3 Chill for two hours, then serve, sprinkled with chopped chocolate and topped with a few crushed mini eggs if desired. ‘THESE IMPRESSIVE-LOOKING DESSERTS ARE ACTUALLY SUPER-EASY TO WHIP UP AND CAN BE PREPPED WELL IN ADVANCE’ SPECIAL LEMON TART SERVES 6-8…

George Home ECLECTIC BRIGHTS Create a quirky scheme with playful motifs Matalan COASTAL FRESH Freshen up dining decor with a warm beachy vibe John Lewis & Partners CASUAL CLASSIC Create a laid-back look with timeless style Ikea SPRING BLOOMS Prettify your table with a gorgeous pastel blend…

1 ADD PATTERN IN AN ALCOVE If you’ve fallen for a bold pattern but don’t want to commit to wallpapering your entire room with it wall-to-wall, then limit it to a key area such as an alcove – either a single one, or a pair of alcoves either side of a chimney breast. You’ll only need a couple of lengths of wallpaper per alcove, so it can be a savvy way of cutting costs if you’ve picked a pricey wallpaper (you’ll only need a few rolls). 2 GO BIG WITH A MURAL Create a characterful space with a map mural as the backdrop to your living room. Opt for a vintage-style design in subtle sepia tones and a small-scale pattern repeat for an eye-catching effect that won’t feel too overpowering…

The house wasn’t to our taste at all when we moved in back in 2018,’ says Laura. ‘But that didn’t put us off. We knew it had potential and loved all the period features, plus once we could make the layout more open plan it would suit us perfectly. Despite craving a contemporary home that suits our sociable lifestyle, we were keen to preserve and highlight all the existing original features in the house as far as we possibly could. So we stripped back the carpets to reveal wooden floors, sanded these floors down, repainted fireplaces and repurposed coving, all to keep some of the property’s history intact. The house is a bit rickety but that’s what I love about it. Knocking through We entertain regularly and wanted to be…

Try colour drenching Let gorgeous furniture stand out by painting the walls, woodwork and ceiling in the same calm colour. If your dining set is a cool hue, choose a warm tone for the walls and vice versa. Give it a twist… Try using two shades of one colour for a more complex look that still lets your beautiful pieces stand out. Build a banquette A flat-pack storage unit run lengthways makes a neat dining bench when topped with a comfy cushion. Underseat cupboards give somewhere close to hand to store extra crockery and table linens. Give it a twist… Use a shelving unit without doors instead of a storage unit to create easy-access open storage cubbies instead. Turn basic storage into a wall display Used in multiples, ordinary wire…

Whether you like to nip in quickly in the morning or prefer to take time to wash and unwind at the end of the day, taking a shower can be frustrating if you can’t find your favourite shampoo or are tripping over bottles every time you step in the cubicle. Lack of space plus a shortage of shelves and ledges means that surfaces can quickly become overcrowded, so keeping things organised can be tricky. Shower storage tends to fall into one of two categories. Built-in storage, such as tiled alcoves, niches and fixed shelves; or portable storage that can be easily moved around, such as shower caddies and hanging organisers, hook-on racks or suction storage – both offer a tidier and more streamlined space with showering essentials on hand and…

‘THESE COLOURFUL EGGS CAN BE SET INTO CHINA EGG CUPS TO MAKE QUIRKY PLACE SETTINGS FOR YOUR EASTER TABLE’ DECORATED EGGS YOU WILL NEED * Pre-coloured eggs (use paint or food colouring) * PVA glue * Small brush * Cake decorating sprinkles, sugar crystals or glitter to decorate 1 CALL A HELPER Let little ones get involved with making these easy Easter decorations for the table. 2 GATHER YOUR EGGS Start with a few coloured eggs – these can be hard-boiled eggs dyed with food colouring (see the nest place settings for instructions) or you could use blown eggs painted in pretty pastel shades using watercolour or acrylic paints. 3 APPLY GLUE Once you have a selection of coloured eggs, gather together some decorations that the eggs can be dipped into. These…

CHICKEN BIRYANI SERVES 4 TAKES 1 HR 20 MINS, PLUS MARINATING * 2tbsp vegetable oil * 2 red onions, finely chopped * 500g skinless and boneless chicken thighs * 4 strands saffron * 200g basmati rice, washed * 4 cardamom pods * Small bunch coriander, chopped * 15g ghee or butter * 40g dried cranberries * FOR THE MARINADE * 2tsp ground cumin * 2tsp garam masala * 2tsp fresh ginger, grated * 120g natural yogurt * Juice of ½ lime, plus extra to serve 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the onions and fry gently for around 10 mins until softened and caramelised. 2 Transfer into a large bowl with the chicken and marinade ingredients, plus ½tsp sea salt flakes. Toss well then cover and marinate…