Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i HomeStyle

Welcome to our inspiration-filled April issue. This month, we want to encourage you to think big – regardless of the size of your budget. Because, of course, deep pockets are nice to have but most of us are working with more modest funds. So, your issue is packed with brilliant ideas to help you make those funds go further. With our clever hacks and a few basic DIY skills, you really can bring those grand design ideas to life! Discover 12 decor updates guaranteed to give you a luxury look for less on page 66, while our Weekend Decorator ideas on page 84 include 9 easy DIYs you can achieve in a weekend (make use of those bank hols!) so you can refresh tired spaces, add character or install some…

CLASSIC DESIGN ON-TREND STRIPES…

'We painted every room in bold tones and styled with colourful artwork' TEXTURED GLASS ADDS INTEREST 3 OF A KIND… TYPOGRAPHIC ART PRINTS KIDS' ROOM WINNER…

'I’m drawn to neutral shades and a cosy, vintage-inspired look' NEAT, COMPACT SOFA 3 OF A KIND… FANCY CUSHIONS VINTAGE-STYLE GLASS YEAR-ROUND DECOR…

Interior icons Rockett St George’s new collection with Next is live! This season offers even more vibrant pops of pink, alongside an expanded selection of leopard prints and stripe designs. This collection also includes the brands’ first-ever collaboration on home fragrances: Ooh La La and After Party. Treat your senses! Garden room Here’s a neat idea: MADE’s new garden sofa, Avarna, is so sturdy (and pretty) you could use it indoors in a conservatory or open-plan kitchen-diner for the bulk of the year, too. A truly versatile piece that’s worth the investment. Make it summer all year round! Jump on the jungle trend with tropical palms and leopard print MID-SEASON THROW Quilted treasures Try adding a little handcrafted heritage style to your scheme with JYSK’s new Nordic Mood collection, full…

FINISHING TOUCHES Just the thing! Let these pretty pieces elevate your space HOMESTYLE LOVES! KITCHEN KEEPERS Stylish accessories and tools for a well-appointed cooking space GLAM UP YOUR WORKTOP SET THE TABLE Spruce up your dinnerware for the season ON-TREND GINGHAM LITTLE LUXURIES Pamper yourself or a loved one with these affordable home spa treats HOMESTYLE LOVES! GARDEN TIME Get a garden glow up with these blooming bargains CLASSIC FRENCH DESIGN GO, GO GADGET Handy kit to make your day easier BEST IN SHOW Prize strawberries and more! Get in on the fruit and veg trend HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

It’s difficult to give precise measurements for the ratio of paint to water, as each piece of upholstery is different – the fabric may be thick, textured, and not too absorbent or thin and very absorbent. Use more water, rather than too much paint, and mix up your colour on a MixMat. Test your dye on a piece of fabric first as some fabrics have a barrier on them which means they can’t absorb dye. Testing first also helps you gain confidence with the technique. FLIP TO PAGE 129 TO READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH ANNIE…

1 Unless you live on a private road, in most cases the pavement and grass verges beside roads and footways up to the boundary wall, hedge or fence are part of the public highway and the Local Authority (LA) is responsible for maintenance and repair. 2 It is the LA’s responsibility to mow grass verges, remove weeds and vegetation, lop overhanging trees, replace broken or missing slabs and fix potholes. 3 It’s worth noting, however, that the LA’s maintenance schedule is likely to be infrequent with a focus on safety rather than amenity or aesthetic. Each LA will have an online portal or helpline for reporting cracks, potholes or overgrown vegetation. 4 Works to the pavement outside your property will require LA planning permission. However, homeowners can choose to mow…

If your kitchen has seen better days but you don’t have the budget, time or energy to start again, there are plenty of ways to enhance what you already have. A few simple swaps for handles, your splashback and tap, a fresh lick of paint for walls and cabinet doors or even just a couple of new accessories added to the worktop can give your space an instant lift while adding value to your property if you’re thinking of selling up. So, whether you just want a speedy spruce-up that you can do over a weekend or a longer project that needs some basic DIY know-how, you’ll soon fall in love with your kitchen again. 1 Change cabinet doors If you have IKEA’s Metod or Faktum kitchen units but fancy…

Nature's finest When it’s time to upgrade your wooden spoons and salad servers, we love the premium olive wood tools at Stellar. They’re beautifully crafted, durable (finished with oil and beeswax for heat and stain resistance) and safe for you and your cookware. Wood is naturally antibacterial and gentle on non-stick pans. Salad servers, £17 for a 2-piece set; stirring, cooking and slotted spoons, £8 each, Stellar Wake-up cup If there’s one thing that makes getting up a little easier, it’s a fresh coffee waiting for us. Make your get-up-and-go smoother with the timer function on the Instant Grind and Brew Coffee Maker, a marvellous machine that gives you barista-style results from the comfort of your own kitchen. It’s fully customisable with five grind settings and three brew strengths so…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Rhubarb and ginger crumble bars PREP TIME 15 minutes COOK TIME 40 minutes MAKES 16 INGREDIENTS ● 400g rhubarb, sliced ● 200g strawberries ● 3-4 tbsp caster sugar ● 2 Opies Stem Ginger balls, finely grated ● 2 tbsp Opies Stem Ginger Syrup ● ½ vanilla pod ● 250g plain flour ● 125g soft brown sugar ● 125g butter ● pinch of sea salt ● 30g oats METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas mark 5. 2 Place the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, vanilla, ginger and syrup into a small saucepan. Add 60ml water and cook until the fruit becomes soft and starts losing its shape. Leave to cool. 3 Line a square baking tray with greaseproof paper. In a blender, pulse the sugar, flour and…

HOMESTYLE LOVES! JOHN LEWIS X SANDERSON Heritage home Icons of British design team up for their biggest collection yet GET THE LOOK If it’s good enough for a royal residence, it’s good enough for us! Sanderson has long been associated with the British monarchy, decking out palaces in its fabrics, paints, and wallcoverings. This look is all about time-honoured opulence, maxxing out on delicate prints, with plenty of plush furnishings. Blend timeless florals, botanicals and expert artisanship to create a scheme that's layered with textiles and cosy upholstery. The look is levelled up but lived in -your own country pile! Keep the palette rich yet refined. Think blue and white china, burgundy stripes and Easterninfluenced toiles with a black or ivory base. NEXT Global garden Weave your travels into an…

Transform your space with this rustic but refined trend. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic which is centred around the appreciation and acceptance of imperfection and impermanence. It can look extremely simple, but it has none of the harshness that minimalism can sometimes portray. Instead of clean lines and glossy surfaces, it’s full of texture and detail. The wabi-sabi look is a great trend to embrace when you want to create calming rooms, which feel spacious and serene. Part of the wabi-sabi approach is to stop striving for perfection, which is why wabi-sabi spaces feel so soothing – they’re beautiful but not over-styled. These rooms feel lived in and loved, so they’ll take a little untidiness. You won’t need to constantly fluff up the cushions or straighten up the bed for…

TOP TIP Love craft? You may wish to create your own felt balls to get the exact size and colours you're after. You can do this with a technique called needlefelting YOU WILL NEED • old metal or wooden coat rack • dust sheet • gold spray paint • felt balls • sharp craft knife • hot glue gun and glue sticks INSTRUCTIONS 1 As you will be using spray paint for this project, work outside if possible. If you're working indoors, make sure the area is well-ventilated. Lay a dust sheet down to protect your work surface. Clean the surface of the coat rack with warm soapy water to remove any dust and grime and allow to dry. 2 Lay the coat rack wrong side up on the dust…

TOP TIP To remove stickers on old jars, soak them in warm, soapy water, or boiling water and vinegar. Use rubbing alcohol or a baking soda/oil paste for stubborn bits YOU WILL NEED • tape measure • pencil • jigsaw • palm sander or sanding block • reclaimed wooden shelf or pallet boards • clear matt varnish • paintbrush • 5 pairs of vintage-style brackets • laser or spirit level • combi drill • wall plugs • screws • old jars • self-adhesive printer labels or chalkboard labels INSTRUCTIONS 1 Begin by measuring and cutting the wooden boards to your desired size. Use a jigsaw to cut the boards and sand the edges smooth using a palm sander or sanding block. You can make these shelves to whatever width you…

SLEEK, CHIC DESIGN 'Colour and funky patterns feature strongly in my home' 3 OF A KIND… COLOURFUL MUGS UPDATE YOUR HOME OFFICE…

UNDER £5 Antique pink Embrace a rosy outlook with this chic shade. Pink is one of the greatest trend stories from the last decade – it’s escaped from being confined to children’s bedrooms and now you’ll find it in every room in the home. There’s a huge range of pink tones to choose from, but this season’s most sought-after shades are warm, dusty and soft. Get the look Fresh lilac Soothe your senses with a shapeshifting shade. Purple is experiencing a bit of a comeback, and after big brands championing shades of mulberry and damson last season, this softer approach feels perfect for spring and summer. Its combination of blue and red hues means it can be used to make rooms feel both fresh and cosy – ideal for our…

LINEN DRAPES WELL Lift the curtain A failsafe way to update your decor for spring and summer is to switch out your heavy curtains for a breezy, lightweight option, like these linen beauties from La Redoute, available as a single curtain or a pair. Let the sun shine in and soak up that Vitamin D. Pro-active Protek With the promise of sunshine and longer days, we can tick the garden jobs off the to-do list. Now’s the time to get outside and give your patio furniture a refresh. Protek wood stain and paints are our go-to for this sunny job, with a huge range of colour options to choose from, plus peace-of-mind eco credentials for that added feel-good factor. Make it a bright and colourful nesting season Natural beauty For…

Charity shops are full of chairs in perfect condition, but with upholstery fabric that may not work with your decor. You might not have the time or skills to re-cover a chair with fabric, but by creating your own Chalk Paint dye wash, you can transform your piece. Brush the Chalk Paint dye onto your fabric in smooth strokes. Think of the process as staining, not painting. Use a paint colour that will cover the fabric underneath – it is hard to cover a dark pattern with white or light pastel shades. Natural materials such as cotton and linen will absorb the dye better. This is also the perfect method for adding a pattern, stripes or small areas of colour as I did on this simple little dining chair. If…

Best for… small kitchens ‘Maximising a small kitchen’s potential is all about smart design and clever upgrades. Invest in multifunctional features like pull-out storage or integrated appliances to enhance functionality, then brighten the space with reflective surfaces such as glossy tiles or mirrored splashbacks to create the illusion of a larger room. You can add further value by incorporating space-saving elements like a slimline breakfast bar or foldable table, and ensure you have good lighting with layered options. These thoughtful updates can make even the smallest kitchen feel stylish and efficient. Finally, opt for light, neutral tones on walls and cabinets to keep the space feeling open and airy.’ Helen Lord, founder, Rehome Best for… galley kitchens ‘Updating key elements of a galley kitchen can deliver a fresh, stylish look…

For most of us, the bathroom is the most compact room in the house, but size isn’t a barrier to achieving a well-thought-out space with hard-working features that make the most of the room you have. Create a relaxing sanctuary for your daily cleanse in even the most bijou of bathrooms by following some key design tips, including compact, slimline fixtures, cutting the clutter and clever light-boosting hacks to enhance the sense of space. And, of course, a small bathroom doesn’t have to be boring – it’s the perfect place to dial up the style and get creative with colour, tiling combinations and statement accessories that you might shy away from using in bigger rooms. Read on for our practical tips to help you maximise every inch of space and…

HOMESTYLE RECOMMENDS… 3 essentials for a garden clean up Give your garden and exterior a spruce-up with these must-haves 1. THIS BROOM IS MULTI-PURPOSE, with natural bassine bristles for sweeping up dry garden debris, and PVC bristles for wet. There’s also a steel scraper to remove stubborn dirt and moss. 2. CUTTING BACK DEAD FLOWERS, foliage, stems and branches couldn’t be easier with these handy garden snips. Get clean cuts every time, for happier plants. 3. USE THIS LIGHTWEIGHT CART to load and transport garden waste. With its handle and wheels, it’s easy to manoeuvre. It's useful for all kinds of other jobs, too. 5 EASY STEPS TO… Protect your home from moths Moths become more active in the warmer months, often between spring and early autumn, though warm indoor…

Monday AIR FRYER LAMB KOFTA WRAPS WITH MINT AND GARLIC YOGHURT PREP TIME 20 minutes COOK TIME 15 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS: • 500g Scotch lamb mince • 1 red onion, finely chopped • 2 tsp cumin • 2 tsp ground coriander • ½ tsp allspice • ½ tsp cloves • handful of chopped parsley • salt and pepper • olive oil spray • handful of finely chopped mint • large garlic clove, crushed • 50g tahini or any smooth nut butter • 100g low fat natural yoghurt • juice of 1 lemon • 30g pistachios, roasted and finely chopped • 80g pomegranate seeds • 4 wholemeal wraps or pitta breads • 60g rocket METHOD 1 Put the lamb mince in a large bowl with the red onion, spices, parsley and a…

'I decided to turn my hobby into a business and haven't looked back since' Originally a fine artist, Annie Sloan is considered one of the world’s leading authorities in paint, colour and style. When she launched her range of now-famous Chalk Paint in 1990, she revolutionised the upcycling world, inspiring us to pick up our brushes and transform everything from tables and chairs to doors and floors. Annie’s latest book – her 27th about paint, pattern, colour and design – is packed with creative DIYs, perfect for revamping your space on a budget. In between hosting painting retreats in India and releasing a new podcast series, Annie took time out with HomeStyle to talk colour and why there’s always something new to paint. Congratulations on your new book, Colourful Living.…

Nina Campbell brings her classic style Add a sophisticated update to your scheme with the new spring/summer collection from Nina Campbell x Next. This is an elegant range of timeless pieces, including furniture, lighting, bedding, kitchenware and more. Known for her iconic botanical and Bracken check prints, these designs have been given a refresh for the season with a vibrant palette of raspberry, blue and green. You can also introduce natural touches with Nina’s bamboo and rattan lighting solutions for an elegantly crafted feel. We love the vibrant upholstery – an accent chair or small sofa in this print would look stunning in a sunny conservatory or living room. Shop the collection now, with prices starting from just £12. next.co.uk Windows to wow The latest collaboration set to transform our…

Welcome to my home A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Suzanne Hurst, a childcare assistant and soap maker. I live here with my children, Summer, 10 and Joby, nine, and our terrier, Milo. I document my home on Instagram @thatcotswoldhouse. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom Victorian semi in Gloucestershire. We’ve lived here for seven years. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The decor was tired, and the kitchen and bathroom needed replacing. There was also a downstairs toilet that I wanted to convert into a utility room. Everything needed a refresh. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I’ve painted throughout in Farrow & Ball’s Drop Cloth to add warmth and cohesion and updated the kitchen and bathroom to make them work better for day-to-day family life. MY FAVOURITE PART…

COLOUR BLOCK DETAIL…

TOP TIP Pop your painted vase in the oven when it's cold before curing it and remove it once the oven has cooled down – this reduces the risk of heat shock and cracking YOU WILL NEED •old white vase •white spirit •old cloth •artist's paintbrushes •painter’s tape (optional) •Pebeo Porcelaine 150 ceramic paints •bunny tail grasses •Dylon dye •old plastic bucket •rubber band •dust sheet INSTRUCTIONS 1 Begin by wiping the surface of the vase with white spirit to remove any traces of dirt and grease. 2 Using a fine artist’s paintbrush and blue ceramic paint, draw vertical lines all the way around the vase. If you’ve not got a steady hand, you could use strips of painter’s tape to help keep your lines straight and regularly spaced. Allow…

These clever tricks are an interior designer’s go-to when they want to make the budget stretch further. If you’re looking to give your decor a quick lift, pick one or two to add the luxury look you’re after. If a full makeover is on the cards, stick to a cohesive colour palette and theme, and include as many of these techniques as you can to give your new scheme a designer edge. 1 Layer rugs Large-scale rugs are a stylist’s secret for adding a chic, finishing touch to a room scheme. They can help to zone or ground your design, so avoid choosing one that's too small in scale as it can portray a cheaper finish. With bigger rugs comes a bigger price tag, so cheat the look by layering smaller…

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BANK HOLIDAY WEEKENDS! Add 'wow' to your windows If your windows are looking a little lacklustre, window film is a great way to make a feature of them while adding a layer of privacy at the same time. There are hundreds of stylish window films to choose from -everything from etched-effect heritage designs to cute animals for kids’ rooms – and it’s one of the easiest DIYs to do! Simply fill a spray bottle with a solution of washing-up liquid and water, and use it to clean the glass. Measure and cut your film (you can also buy it cut to size), then wet the window again with your spray solution. Spray the back of the film as you remove its protective liner, then attach…

Q My neighbour is starting a holiday let in their garden. I'm worried about noise and security. What can I do? Simon Waterfield is a partner in the Dispute Resolution team at law firm Nelsons and has extensive expertise in a range of property disputes. He says… ‘First off, it’s important to understand that holiday lets don’t require formal registration, and there’s also no governing body that oversees them, which gives property owners a lot of freedom. However, your neighbours will need planning permission and building regulation approval for any building that accommodates overnight stays. There are also legal obligations not to cause a nuisance. Holiday lets can lead to increased traffic, noise, and a constant flow of new people which can be disruptive. If you’re worried, it’s a good…

Awash with colour The dopamine colour trend is making its way through the house to even the smallest rooms – in fact, it might be the best place to start as a weekend project. Look no further than Earthborn’s range of eco-friendly claypaints, which offer excellent coverage with just one coat and are formulated to let your walls breathe. We love Delilah – a fresh coral shade that sits between orange and pink. Marbleous! Tick the marble trend with Walls and Floors’ gorgeous new Himalayan Honed Pink marble mosaics, which offer that coveted veining across popular hexagon tiles. Crafted from real marble, each velvety smooth piece is unique, creating an indulgent and bespoke look. Bring extra creativity to the kitchen Coffee-shop vibes To get some café culture at home and…

About me I’m Sarah Mulkerrins, 41, a sports broadcaster @renovationlearningcurve. My home is a three-bedroom Edwardian terrace in south Manchester, which I bought in May 2022. TOTAL £12,928 My problem kitchen Apart from needing a complete update, the U-shaped kitchen also had a wall and door separating it from the dining room. I wanted to open the space up, not only to make it more sociable, but also to make the most of the light flooding in from the south-facing garden. How I made it work I replaced the internal wall with a supporting beam, installed doors out to the garden, and did a complete re-fit of the kitchen. I chose green cabinets, as it’s always been my favourite colour and the most dominant shade in my wardrobe, and added…

Offering everything you need to create a luxurious bathroom sanctuary, and to celebrate its springtime launch, Bathrooms to Love is giving you the chance to win this sophisticated Matt Green ‘Edin’ bathroom furniture package, worth £2,511! Sure to make a design statement in any bathroom space, the classy Edin furniture range blends a velvety matt finish with a tranquil shade of green. Wall-hung cabinets are packed with flexible storage space to keep everything neat and tidy, featuring an oak-effect interior for a stunning contrast to the calming green hues. The base units also belong to Edin’s space-saving range with a reduced depth of just 218mm, making them perfect for small spaces, enhanced by the wall-hung look that frees up floor space. And you’ll find five practical shelves in the Edin…

GREAT GIFT IDEA EMBOSSED DETAIL…

A Abigail Borg abigailborg.com After Noah afternoah.com AluSplash alusplash.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com/en-gb AO.com 01614 701100 ao.com Appliances Direct appliancesdirect.co.uk Argos argos.co.uk Artfully Walls artfullywalls.com Artisan Tile Company 01302 591465 artisantilecompany.co.uk Audenza audenza.com B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3357 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse.co.uk The Basket Room thebasketroom.com Bathroom Mountain bathroommountain.co.uk Bathrooms to Love bathroomstolove.uk Beach House Art beachhouseart.co.uk Bean & Bemble beanandbemble.com Ben Simpson Furniture bensimpsonfurniture.com Benjamin Moore benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Bowl Sisters bowlsisters.co.uk Brabantia brabantia.com Braided Rug Company braided-rug.co.uk Bushboard bushboard.co.uk C Casa by JJ casabyjj.com Chalk Interiors chalkinteriors.london Cirio cirio1856.com Claybrook claybrookstudio.co.uk Click Style clickstyle.co.uk Clothes Doctor clothes-doctor.com Color & Co colorandco.co.uk The Cotswold Company 0333 200 1725 cotswoldco.com Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com D Daals 0247 718 0023 daals.co.uk…