Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i HomeStyle

This month, it’s all about creating those good-mood vibes by bringing the outside in and the inside out! Style a place to relax outdoors with a garden room set-up that invites you to sit and sip a sundowner, get out the grill or simply eat al fresco, then stay outside long into the evening to make the most of the warm summer nights (p84). Don’t have an outdoor table, or need a few extra chairs? Grab some from indoors and repurpose what you already have. Inside the home, focus on bringing those sunshine colours and summer motifs into your existing scheme (p60), so your spaces feel bright and beautiful whatever the British weather decides to offer up! You don’t need to spend a fortune either, this season the high street is…

Treat yourself to the finer things this summer with a look that’s inspired by exclusive hotels and secret getaways. Key to making this trend work at home is to pay attention to the details, without letting them take over – the effect should be intricate yet unfussy. The trick is to pair each embellished piece with a few plainer designs to create a bit of balance. Try elaborately woven rattan placemats with a simple tablecloth, or embroidered bedding with plain pillowcases. Finish off your scheme with glistening, gold metallics for an opulent look. Use a limited palette to let texture take centre stage. Opt for gentle shades of beige, cream or pink and use touches of rich brown to create definition. Then, pile up accessories with fringed, tasselled and embroidered…

TOP TIP If you’re feeling confident you could add a strip of ric rac trim all the way around the edges of your headboard for an additional playful touch YOU WILL NEED ● 10mm-thick sheet of MDF or plywood ● tape measure ● pencil ● jigsaw ● sandpaper ● utility knife ● fabric ● 2.5cm-thick upholstery foam ● fire-retardant wadding ● scissors ● staple gun and staples ● iron ● combi drill ● 2 pairs of interlocking headboard brackets INSTRUCTIONS 1 Firstly, decide what size you would like your headboard to be. We recommend making the headboard 15cm wider than the bed frame and at least 60cm high, but you can choose to go higher for a luxurious boutique hotel look. Mark out your measurements onto a sheet of MDF…

TOP TIP Use dried flowers for longevity, but if you decide to swap in fresh flowers, remember to allow for the weight of the water YOU WILL NEED • wooden shelf • tape measure • pencil • drill • small drill bit • cup hooks • 0.8mm jewellery wire or similar • wire cutters • round nose pliers • a selection of miniature glass vases or small jars • dried flowers INSTRUCTIONS 1 Draw a pencil line along the length of the centre on the underside of the shelf. Measure the length of the shelf. Divide the length between the number of vases you have chosen to hang, so they are around 10cm apart. Make a small pencil cross at each measured position along the central pencil line. 2 Attach…

TOP TIP You could paint the beading in a different colour to make the drawers look even more bespoke YOU WILL NEED ● chest of drawers ● sandpaper ● wood filler (optional) ● multi-surface paint ● paintbrush ● tape measure ● pencil ● rattan webbing ● craft knife or sharp scissors ● metal ruler ● spray adhesive ● lengths of wooden beading ● clear grab adhesive ● mitre saw ● combi drill and wood bit ● decorative knobs INSTRUCTIONS 1 Begin by sanding the chest of drawers to remove any old paint or varnish and create a key for the new paint to adhere to. If you are planning to replace the existing handles with new knobs, you will need to fill the old handle holes with wood filler. Allow…

1 Bring your own sunshine Let in the light with trending yellow shades. Butter yellow was the colour of the moment this spring, adding a pastel touch of brightness to gloomy days. Now that the seasons have changed, turn up the heat and go for golden tones to bring rich warmth to your schemes instead. We love using it in the garden to create the illusion of a blissfully sunny afternoon, whatever the weather! 2 Put this season in the frame Rethink how you display art and create space to show off must-see designs. Vibrant prints of iconic summer faves, such as fruit, ice creams and seaside scenes, look fantastic right now, but can feel unseasonal later in the year. Get the best of both worlds by propping up your prints rather…

Style idea Arrange a few sheaves of dried or faux pampas grass in a floorstanding pot for a decorative flourish…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

If your windows have seen better days and budget allows, consider replacing them or giving them a makeover this summer. Not only will this improve the aesthetics of your home from the inside and out, but an upgrade can also increase your home’s value and save on heating bills come the winter. Whether it’s a completely new window or just the glazing that needs replacing, or you need to tackle those costly draughts or replace the latches, addressing these problems now can save you time and money in the long run. 5 reasons to upgrade your windows this summer 1 Increase your home’s energy efficiency ‘Installing A-rated double glazing in a single-glazed, gas-heated, semi-detached house could save around £140 annually on energy bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 390kg,’…

HOMESTYLE LOVES! Bathe in beauty This eye-catching tub is part of an exclusive collaboration between Fired Earth and British artist Frances Costelloe. Frances has hand-painted Fired Earth’s Florence bath with a bearded iris leaf-to-leaf pattern repeat. This limited-edition bath will set you back £5,225, but you could create a similar painterly border yourself. Practise on paper, or use a stencil if you’re not confident painting freehand. Use Fired Earth’s eggshell in Blue Ashes, Taos House, Weld Yellow, Duck Egg, Carragheen, Wild Olive and Selva to copy this scheme, then follow with a clear water-resistant topcoat. Brekkie on the go Give your morning açaí bowl – the trending Brazilian breakfast bowl made with açaí berries – the best presentation with one of these Go Bowls. They’re available in four colours: Pink,…

Fruity number GREAT GIFT IDEA Petal power Picnic pretties Bowls of plenty PERFECT FOR DIPS Tropical treat Poppy fields Algarve living Ocean’s bounty…

CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 Passage, 5 Bake Off, 9 Sheen, 10 Spectator, 11 Eat, 12 Ellis, 13 Patio, 14 Sword, 16 Cassis, 18 Tin can, 19 Timid, 22 Puppy, 24 Chess, 26 Tea, 27 Extrovert, 29 Romeo, 30 Shallot, 31 Pleased. DOWN: 1 Possess, 2 Sweetcorn, 3 Annie, 4 Easily, 5 Brews, 6 Kit, 7 Octet, 8 Furious, 13 Plait, 15 Diary, 17 Sometimes, 18 Topless, 20 Diamond, 21 Feet up, 23 Pitta, 24 Cheat, 25 Serve, 28 Owl. MYSTERY WORD: SUMMER WORD SCRAMBLE There are more than 50 wellknown words – anything over 25 is excellent! SUDOKU WORD SEARCH Did you find them all? SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 1. The throw on the sofa is yellow 2. The cushion is pink 3. The sofa legs have gone 4. The blind has…

JOHN LEWIS X JOHN COOPER Mono mood Sculptural forms in classic black and white are bold, beautiful and oh-so contemporary ‘The opportunity to create my own line of homewares with John Lewis, as a prize for winning BBC’s Interior Design Masters, has been an incredible experience’ GET THE LOOK John Cooper, the winner of series 6 of BBC’s Interior Design Masters, has teamed up with John Lewis to deliver a collection that’s as enduringly stylish as it is cutting-edge cool. A grown-up palette of monochrome with touches of toffee ties the edit together, ensuring you can incorporate one of John’s pieces in every room. Think a candle and towels in the bathroom to lamps, wall art and textiles in the living room. Make a statement with one key piece, or…

Welcome to my home A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Jodie Kemp, a colour coach for interiors and fashion (@the_colour_ rebel) and I live with my children, Alexis, 11, and Archie, 9. I document my style and use my house as a location shoot – you can see more on Instagram @poproundtomine. WHERE I LIVE My home is a four-bedroom detached 1930s house in Farnham, Surrey, which we moved into in June 2021. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE I wanted every space to feel bold, joyful and full of character. But it wasn’t just about aesthetics – I also had to think about how the layout would evolve with my family. With two young kids, I needed a design that worked for the chaos of today, but that would still make…

Welcome to my home A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Amelia Deacon-Hunt, 31, an illustrator @ameliadeacondesigns. I live here with my husband Ben, 31, who works in digital marketing, and our very pampered poochon, Django. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a two-bedroom Victorian terrace house in Hackney, London, built in the early 20th century. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The previous owners had opened up the downstairs to create an open-plan living and dining space, extended the kitchen and added bifolds leading out into the garden. We loved it all, but the decor needed to reflect us and I wanted to add warmth, personality and character into every space. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I’m really proud of how much character we’ve added. Every room has been thoughtfully designed…

And relax A Holiday at Home digital art print PDF by Jayde Perkin, £3.50, Gathered Shop Life’s a beach Seashell Symphony poster by Shatha Al Dafai, from £6.95, Juniqe Best on zest Blue Door & Oranges, Mediterranean Courtyard poster, from £9.90, PosterBox Caffeine boost La Dolce Vita print, from £11.95, The Little Jones Small fry Sardines De La Mer print, from £3.57, Desenio Bright and breezy To the Shore by Francis Henry Newbery (1855-1946) print, from £15, Art UK Shop In the swim Mid Century Swimming Pool by Layla Oz poster, from £6.95, Posterlounge Raising the bar Matisse Cosmopolitan Cocktail print, from £16, Laboo Studio…

Dean’s dining room ‘I’ve just moved into a new home with my first proper dining room. I enjoy entertaining year-round and I’d love a fresh, timeless space like belarteSTUDIO’s green dining room that’s perfect for summer brunches and cosy autumn evenings.’ Dean’s budget is £1,500 and our resident interior designer, Rochelle Dalphinis, has accepted the challenge! CHAMPAGNE TOTAL £6,435 LEMONADE TOTAL £1,484 Effortless entertaining with an elegant edge Dean’s inspiration image by belarteSTUDIO perfectly blends Scandinavian wood tones with mid-century Italian flair, creating a fresh yet luxurious dining and hosting space. 01 Mix and match seating Full sets of upholstered dining chairs can be costly, especially for seating six to eight guests. To keep the look luxe on a budget, I’ve suggested investing in two statement chairs for each end…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

TOTAL £4,750 BEFORE My problem garden The garden was a small, irregularly shaped strip, and it sloped slightly down and away from the house. It was little more than a concrete backyard when we moved here in 2018, and it was dominated by a very high brick wall and a scruffy old garage. How I made it work Although it’s small, we decided to pack it with fun and features. We cleared the whole space and created separate zones for eating, storage and play. Everything is practical, family-friendly and low-maintenance, and I went for an ‘outdoor room’ effect around the dining area as it’s closest to the house. My favourite part The fireplace was unused inside the house and now we’ve given it a new lease of life outside. It’s…

Roofing expert for HomeHow Technical manager at Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) Property and construction expert for MyJobQuote Technical and compliance manager at British Pest Control Association (BPCA) Q How do I check if my roof is in need of repair? Eric Black is a UK-based roofer with over 15 years’ experience in the industry, and a roofing expert for HomeHow – a one-stop location for advice on home improvement. He says… ‘Visual signs of a potential roof issue are missing, damaged or slipped tiles or slates. A sagging roof can indicate issues with the timber structure underneath the tiles, slates or other roof covering. Blistering, pooling water and moss growth on a flat roof are also signs that repairs could be needed. Leaks will typically appear as a…

Sleep easy All duvets are not made equal, and the new Nature’s Blend Duvet by sustainable bedding brand Larke is filled with 100% pure eucalyptus fibres, sourced from FSC-certified forests. These silky-soft fibres are naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, and have moisture-wicking properties, to keep you cosy in winter and cool in summer. Wrapped in 100% cotton with a 280 thread-count, there are three tog ratings to suit every season. We tested the 4.5 tog during a hot spell and found it super soft and cosy, while managing to keep us cool. The best bit – at the end of its lifespan, the duvet is 100% biodegradable (and so is the packaging it arrives in!) so you can sleep easy that you’re buying better. wearelarke.com Dishy cloths Cath Kidston is bringing…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Blackcurrant pavlova PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 1 hour 15 mins SERVES 8 INGREDIENTS ● 4 large egg whites ● 225g caster sugar ● 2 tsp cornflour ● 1 tsp vanilla extract ● 1 tsp white wine vinegar ● 450g blackcurrants (fresh or frozen) ● 3 tbsp caster sugar ● 300ml double cream ● 200g carton half fat crème fraîche ● mint leaves METHOD 1 Preheat oven to 130°C/110°C fan/gas mark ½. Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper and draw on a 23cm circle. Turn over. 2 To make the meringue, put the egg whites into a large, clean bowl and whisk until stiff. Add two-thirds of the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, whisking between each. Mix 1 tsp cornflour into the…

Founded in 1967, British glassmaker Dartington Crystal is renowned for blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. The new Artisan Collection is a perfect example, inspired by the Dartington archive, and the result of a collaboration between head designer Hilary and some of the company’s young glassblowers. Between production meetings, catalogue planning and drawing for bespoke projects, Hilary takes time out to tell HomeStyle why she loves working with young makers, and why you can never have too many vases… Did you always want to specialise in glass design? I loved all parts of art and design, but I won a design competition that was sponsored by Dartington Crystal. Part of the prize was a trip to Sweden to visit the glass factories there, and the other part was a summer…

Style idea Add a dash of animal print in unexpected places ‘I’m drawn to colourful patterns with bags of personality’ 3 OF A KIND… SLOGAN PRINTS…

Stuck on you Love the drama of wallpaper but don’t have the time or budget for a full refurb? Wall stickers are a brilliant way to add pattern and texture in minutes! So simple to apply and affordable too, these Cherry Blossom fabric stickers from Stickers4Walls will perk up plain decor in no time, producing a stylish wallpaper effect with no paste or tricky pattern-matching in sight. The peel-off design means that if you don’t get the positioning right first time you can just remove and reattach with ease. Please be seated Bold is beautiful is the message we’re getting loud and clear from this latest collab between MADE and design house Harlequin. The collection features MADE’s iconic curved sofa, Avalon, and smart Harlow chair in six Harlequin fabrics, carefully…

As daylight lingers and we find ourselves at the heart of the holiday season, celebrate summer by updating your home decor with a few quick wins to make the most of the sunshine. To guide you, we asked 21 pro interior designers for their most valuable decor tips that they use in their own homes. With unique decorating ideas, thrifty upcycling hacks and clever styling suggestions, read on to discover their expert advice to inspire your seasonal makeover. 1 Flex your creativity ‘Upcycling furniture is a fun way to freshen up your home for the season, plus it saves money and prevents pieces ending up in landfill. Buy a few tester paint pots in your favourite colours and add lines, dots and squiggles to highlight drawer fronts, mouldings or other details.…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

Panel show Smarten up your garden with minimum fuss and maximum gain with LuxeLine fencing from Walls and Floors. Each panel comes as a full kit, eliminating the need to buy boards, posts and rails separately, making it super easy to install. But what really puts the cherry on the cake is that the panels are reversible, giving you a natural woodgrain texture on one side for a classic look and a sleek brushed finish on the other for a more contemporary take. If you need further persuasion, LuxeLine is resistant to fading and rotting too. GET THE PARTY STARTED! Keep your summer sips ice cool and delicious! Feeling groovy We love a product that has a dual purpose, and can’t stop gazing at the tactile ridges of this desk-based…

Summer is the perfect time to get some jobs done around the house, so follow these maintenance tips to ensure your home is as safe as possible all year round… 1 Check your smoke alarms are in good working order, and replace the batteries if necessary. It’s also worth considering having hardwired ones installed for peace of mind. 2 Book your local chimney sweep while your fire or log burner is not in use, and before the colder months set in. This is important for both safety and efficiency reasons, and a yearly sweep may also be a condition of your home insurance. 3 Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide alarm, or get one installed if you don’t already have one. A battery-powered model can be fitted yourself, just…

HOMESTYLE RECOMMENDS… summer bug busters Keep pesky bugs out of your summer entertaining plans with these handy buys 1. Not only is the scent of a zingy citronella candle quite lovely on a summer’s evening, it also helps to mask the smells that attract mosquitoes and other flying insects to your garden. 2. To use these eco-friendly traps, simply fill with fruit juice or sugar water and hang them up. Wasps will find them hard to resist, getting stuck inside and leaving you alone! 3. Entice pesky flies to sit on these sticky blooms, rather than entering your home. Easy to position and remove, they last up to three months and are a discreet alternative to fly tape – pop one by each window. 5 EASY STEPS TO… maintain tip-top…

5 delicious summer dinners to try this month Monday SWEET CHILLI SALMON WITH ASIAN SLAW PREP TIME 25 minutes COOK TIME 8 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 4 salmon fillets, skinless ● 2-3 tbsp Tropical Sun Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce ● 1 tbsp neutral oil ● sea salt ● 1-2 tbsp sesame seeds For the slaw ● 125g each red and white cabbage (⅓ cabbage head), grated ● 3 carrots, cut into matchsticks ● 8 spring onions, sliced ● 2 red chillies, sliced ● 30g coriander, leaves and stems chopped ● 30g mint, leaves chopped ● 30g Thai basil, leaves chopped For the dressing ● 4½ tbsp rice wine vinegar ● 6 tbsp light soy sauce ● 4½ tbsp Tropical Sun Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce ● 3 tsp sesame oil…