Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i Ideal Home

Tech is taking over my life at the moment, with a big purchase on the cards, a digital-photo overload to tackle and some rather exciting developments to share with you… TALKING TECH If you’re a ‘flick-fromthe-back’ kind of magazine reader, you’ll have noticed that our technology pages look a bit different this month. It took a lot of head scratching and a bit of bickering, but we’re mighty pleased with our do-over. Ideal Home’s tech expert, Amy, has also rebooted her blog to match, so visit girlabouttech.com for no-nonsense buyer’s guides, tech tips, best buys and solutions – they all come with a jargon- and geek-free guarantee. STARTING A WISH LIST Amy and I took an early morning tour of the technology department at John Lewis’s Oxford Street store in…

“Time to update your little one’s bedroom? Give it lasting style and a fun feel with a Scandi look featuring pastels, pale woods and cute motifs”HOLLY CATFORD, ACTING STYLE & DECORATING ASSISTANT Prickly pal Teach them how to tell the time with the help of this cute critter Spike natural wooden hedgehog wall clock, £20, Habitat Green stripe Soften hard flooring for comfy playtime Striped cotton rug, £14.99, H&M Wrap star Keep kids cosy after bathtime Grey star-print dressing gown, £14.99, H&M Sleep tight They’ll want a sleepover every night with this super-stylish bunk bed Perch bunk bed, £1,195, Oeuf NYC range, Nubie Striking light Go for a modern night-light Lightning bolt light, £65, White Rabbit England Stand tall A stylish way to record how fast your little ones are…

‘My grandfather believed that when he founded the company, he was founding a dynasty’ Founded in 1920 by Lucian Ercolani – an Italian who moved to London at the age of nine – Ercol has since firmly established itself as one of the leading furniture companies in the UK. Producing beautiful wooden pieces, it still makes many of its original designs, such as the iconic Butterfly chair. Nearly 100 years on, Lucian’s grandson, Edward Tadros, is now at the helm of the company. ‘My grandfather believed that when he founded the company, he was founding a dynasty,’ he says. ‘Now my son, Henry, works for the company, too.’ Two years ago, Rachel Galbraith joined the Ercol team, having previously worked with big-name brands such as John Lewis, Tesco and Marks…

1 CHOOSE YOUR BASE COLOUR Whether it’s flooring or a wall, the base colour will be the largest area of colour in your room, so place a generous sample of it onto your board. Including carpet samples will help you think about texture, too. 2 ADD AN ACCENT TONE Want to try a dramatic contrast or an accent just a few tones away from your base colour? Use your moodboard to play with options and layer it with swatches of fabric, scraps of wallpaper and paint colour charts. 3 FIND THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES These will really set the tone in your room – go for ones that share an accent colour and stick to a single theme. Don’t mix styles, or your finished scheme will look messy rather than effortlessly…

p 30 KITCHEN DETAIL DECORATION AND FURNITURE For similar tiles, try the Fenlands, £240 per sq m, Fired Earth. ON SHELF Salt and pepper mills, £10 each; copper canisters, £5 each; all George Home. Core dinner plates, £12 each; salad plates, £10 each; pink side plates, £13 each; all Murmur range, Bedeck. Picardie glasses, from £6 for six, Heal’s. Greenwich jug, £20, Neptune. ON WORKTOP White jug, £14.50, Design Vintage. Paddle boards, from £16.50 each, Garden Trading. Copper jug, £48; marble board, £28; mug, £18; all Rowen & Wren. Rolling pin, £25; saucepans, from £55 each; pestle and mortar, £30; all Debenhams. Napkins, £5.49 each, LinenMe. Porcelain colander, £66, Holly’s House. Amberley jug, £18, John Lewis. For a similar stainless-steel colander, try the T340901C, £19.50, Marks & Spencer p 31…

Knowing what to do with all those accessories that personalise your home can be tricky. Whether it’s nostalgic artwork collected over the years, precious family photos or trinkets picked up on holidays, these treasures deserve to be enjoyed and appreciated, not put in the loft or stuck in a cupboard – but how do you show them off to their best advantage? Creating a smart, carefully curated display is the perfect way to showcase all those treasured keepsakes – it can also give a room focus and add real character to a scheme, while serving as a regular reminder of wonderful memories. How you decide to display items will depend on what they are and how much room there is for them – for example, a wall in a large…

IDEAL Glass act For a modern update on a traditional glass design Tasman lantern, The Lighting Company Show case Go for roughed-up glamour with a cool, distressed finish Large cabinet (H212cm x W148cm x D44cm), Out There Interiors Winged beauty Add a vintage feel with a framed butterfly print Mirrored butterfly frame, Graham and Green Magic carpet This plush pad is inspired by vintage Persian carpet patterns Rectangle carpet cushion, French Connection Simple style A classic shape looks timeless Amesbury three-seater sofa in Linen Oyster, Willow & Hall Gorgeous grain Made from sheesham wood Java coffee table, BHS Furniture GREAT DEAL Light up Its ornate details and floral motifs feel refined St Jean lamp, Maisons du Monde Slightly smarter Put treasures on display in this striking painted unit Malsjö cabinet…

LIVING ROOM Fringe benefits A subtle print adds interest to a monochrome palette Pattern-weave cushion cover, H&M Back to black Pop next to the hearth for a stylish way to stow fire wood Round wire storage basket, Vincent and Barn Hang on Team with photo frames for an eclectic wall display Gaze round mirror in brass, Eclect Design Go green Give your room a natural touch Faux plant in basket, Debenhams Daisy chain A pretty way to break up a white wall Daisy wreath (diameter 35cm), The Contemporary Home Shine on Pick a workshop lamp for an industrial feel Signal two-arm desk light, Jieldé range, Clippings.com New angles Go for a rustic feel with a wooden frame Case Stanley sofa in Miriam Natural (H72cm x W155cm x D90cm), John Lewis…

IDEAL Go with the grain A contemporary style in traditional materials Siena four-door sideboard in antique oak (H68cm x W190cm x D48cm), Heal’s Table talk Based on a Fifties classic Kimble nest of tables, Ercol range, Marks & Spencer Abstract view Wow your sofa with this bold colour-block cushion Geo cushion in Clementine and Steel, John Lewis Grand scale A fun oversized lighting option Type 75 Maxi floor lamp in Graphite Grey, Anglepoise Take the floor Try this chic chevron design in hand-tufted wool Chatham CHT 715D rug (L244cm x W152cm), Kelaty Crowd pleaser The perfect sofa for open-plan spaces Stella medium corner sofa (H90cm x W258cm x D98cm), Sofa.com GREAT DEAL On the dark side Rich walnut veneer and a brushed-steel rim create a clean, simple look Nox sideboard…

DINING AREA Inside story Concealed drawers hide away cutlery and table linen Hana oak dining table with storage (H75cm x L180cm x D90cm), Habitat Go grey Choose a sofa in a neutral, suits-all shade Jackson sofa in Dash Silver (H91cm x W176cm x D91cm), The Basics range, John Lewis Artistic arrangement Create a gallery wall with prints in matching frames All of a Twitter framed print (H30cm x W22cm), King & McGaw Pitcher this Serve drinks in vintage style Set of four glass carafes in carrier, Dotcomgiftshop Neat idea Keep Ideal Home to hand Rack magazine holder, Scandinavian Design Center Colour pop Perk up a plain sofa Marbella cushion cover, Maisons du Monde Orange crush Introduce some contemporary cool with an iconic design Victoria Ghost chair in orange, Kartell range,…

Many alterations can be made under Permitted Development, meaning you don’t need to get planning permission. For more information on planning and building regulations, visit planningportal.gov.uk and always check with your local authority before making any major changes. Keep your neighbours informed at all stages, and you might need to obtain party-wall agreements, too. Check the advice given at planningportal.gov.uk. For extensions and major remodelling, it’s usually advisable to employ an architect to draw up accurate plans: the Royal Institute of British Architects (architecture.com) holds a directory of approved architects. Get at least three quotes for all major purchases, including when you’re hiring tradesmen and, whenever possible, negotiate fixed prices for each job rather than paying a daily rate. It’s not usually advisable to undertake major roofing work on a…

WHAT IT COST Units............................£20,000 Worktops......................£2,855 Sink.....................................£598 Taps..................................£1,477 Appliances...................£5,935 Flooring.........................£4,305 Lighting.............................£300 TOTAL.................£35,470 When they bought their home in Streatham, London, in 2011, Louise and Ben Young knew the narrow patio area at the side of it was wasted space. ‘It made sense to bring the space inside and use it to open up the kitchen,’ says Louise. Taking out the external wall next to the patio, they extended sideways to create a large, open-plan room with the kitchen and dining areas separated by an island. ‘We have doubled the space and now I wonder how we coped before, especially with three children,’ she says. The style of the new kitchen was influenced by Louise’s time spent in the US. ‘I lived in New York for a while and spent a few…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, detached Edwardian house in Weybridge, Surrey. WHO LIVES HERE Becky Cawthorn-Smith and her husband, Paul Maguire, live here with their children, Jed, nine, and Kitty, six. WHAT THEY DID By rejigging their upstairs space, the couple turned a dated bathroom with a difficult layout into a luxurious en suite. THE LOOK Vintage glamour, with high-quality sanitaryware, antiqued glass tiles, nickel brassware and touches of pretty colour in the accessories. LESSONS LEARNED "Consider how to make something work in your room. I really wanted a wall of glass tiles, but they didn’t fit. There was no way we were going to cut the tiles, so we built out the wall to accommodate them instead."…

There will be a host of celebrations across the country this year to commemorate the Queen’s 90th birthday. A street party will be held on The Mall in London’s St James’s Park on Sunday 12 June – a date which coincides with The Big Lunch ( thebiglunch.com ). This annual event aims to get people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours, so it’s a great excuse to hold a street party and get to know yours better. Q WHY HOLD A PARTY? Street parties have been a British tradition since 1919, when they were held as ‘Peace Teas’ for children as a treat after the First World War. Today, they are still a great way to build community spirit and share resources, for example, a…

WHITE VINEGAR Mix with equal parts water for a cheap-as-chips glass cleaner Sarson’s distilled white vinegar (568ml), £1, Sainsbury’s VACUUM CLEANER Give dirt the dust off with this handy rechargeable machine WV2 window vac, £59.99, Kärcher TELESCOPIC BRUSH Extends to a length of 1.9m 3-in-1 window cleaner with telescopic handle, £26.95, Leifheit range, Amazon.co.uk SPRAY SOLUTION Used by picture framers across the UK for its smear-free results Nilglass glass cleaner (500ml), £3.98, Lakeland PRO-STYLE KIT Take window cleaning seriously with this smart set Window-cleaning seven-piece kit, £24.99, Screwfix CLEANING CLOTHS With just water, one lifts dirt, the other adds sparkle Window pack, £8.99 for two, E-cloth range, John Lewis MINI SQUEEGEE The perfect little tool for removing filthy water off small or multi-pane windows Mini squeegee, £5.50, Oxo FRAME CLEANER…

Celebratory fizz A good non-alcoholic alternative to Champagne for weddings and parties Wild elderflower bubbly (74cl), Luscombe range, Riverford Organic Farms Delicate cordial Containing a hint of rose, this tastes great used in cakes and long drinks Elderflower & rose cordial (500ml), Belvoir range, Waitrose Luxury liqueur This tasty tipple comes in an ultra-stylish bottle and is excellent in cocktails or simply poured over ice St-Germain elderflower liqueur (50cl), Tesco…

“HELLO! I’m Amy Cutmore, Technology Editor… but you can call me Girl About Tech. As you can see, my pages have a fresh new look that I hope you’ll love. And if you’re suffering from a tech-related trauma, feel free to tweet me @girlabouttech – I’m looking forward to hearing from you!” Meet Sky Q – a premium subscription of on-demand and live TV that lets you do clever things like pause a film, then pick up where you left off on another screen (say, the TV in the bedroom). You can even download shows from your planner to your tablet to watch offline later. FIND OUT MORE AT GIRLABOUTTECH.COM ON GIRLABOUTTECH.COM  RIGHT NOW HOW TO… GO ON A DATA DIET It’s time to dump the excess data…

HANDSOME HARD DRIVE Backup Plus ultra-slim hard drive, £59.99, Seagate GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘This stylish little storer can hold a mighty 2TB of your most important files – that’s roughly 320,000 photos or 240 hours of HD video’ FLEXI TIME R11 Chromebook, £230, Acer GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Not only does this device boot up in seconds, but its reinforced hinge also lets you use it as a laptop or tablet, or in presentation-friendly “tent” mode’ MASTER KEYS K380 multi-device Bluetooth keyboard, £34.99, Logitech GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Connects to up to three devices at once, so you can move seamlessly from working on a PC to controlling your Apple TV box or bashing out an email on your phone’ SAFER SURFING Osprey 2 Mini 4G Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot,…

1 SIZE IT UP A 7-8kg machine is ideal for one or two people, but families should aim for at least 9kg. The biggest drum available is 13kg, which is handy if you run a b&b, but will take an age to fill otherwise. Not sure how big to go? Think of each kg as an outfit, including your smalls! Most machines are 600mm wide but vary in depth – smaller ones can be as shallow as 500mm, while an 11-13kg model can be 700mm deep. Worktops are usually 600mm deep, so measure up carefully for a flush fit. 2 DECIDE IF SPEED IS KEY Most machines have at least a Quick Wash cycle, but 15-minute programmes are only designed to handle small loads (around 2kg). Thankfully, more machines now…

Liven up your garden this summer with colourful fuchsias. These hardy, long-lasting flowers are easy to grow and are ideal for hanging baskets. Your nine free plants include ‘Dollar Princess’, a double bloom in cerise, pink and purple; ‘Shrimp Cocktail’, featuring a fusion of marbled hot-pink petals with a candy blush; and ‘Delta’s Sarah’, which has purple-blue flowers. Whether in borders or on a patio, this bright range will create real impact from June to November. AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OTHER GREAT OFFERS... FUCHSIA ‘BEAUTY QUEEN’ These hardy white blooms have pink sepals, giving a dramatic contrast. Ideal for bringing a bright splash of colour to patio pots and borders. Height and spread: 60cm. Supplied as Postiplugs. BUY THREE FOR £9.99; BUY NINE FOR £14.99 – SAVE £14.98 BEGONIA…

‘What could be more rewarding than turning a drab, unexciting building into a totally unique home? These 15 real-life makeovers are each an inspiration in their own distinct way, and they include a previously derelict henhouse, a barn and a chapel, as well as traditional semis and bungalows. With a wealth of unusual and practical ideas, they offer a fascinating insight into how to transform a building into something completely out of the ordinary.’…

Extending upwards by building an extra storey on a bungalow or above a garage can be a cost-effective way to add more living space without encroaching on the garden. Some upwards extensions can spoil the proportions and character of the original, though, so careful design is important to make sure that the building still works as a whole. Before adding further weight to the walls of a building, it’s important to check the structure can bear the added load, and that the foundations are suitable and stable. An architect or design professional can advise on the best design and assist with a planning application, as well as producing structural calculations. Timber frame is more lightweight than conventional brick and blockwork, and is a popular choice for adding a new storey…

“Create a light, fresh space to enjoy sunny, drawn-out days. Team natural woods with easy-going greens and touches of classic pattern” MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR Mirror image Bounce lots of light around the room Bamboo circle mirror (diameter 50cm), £40, Next Light relief A clever space-saving storage solution Buxton floor lamp, £180, Next Rule of three Display them in a row for maximum impact Stack vase trio, £45, LSA International Time for tea Add texture with accessories Natural canvas teapot, £60, Denby Take a leaf Include a splash of zingy green on a sofa Mercia trees cushion, £14.99, Dunelm Snuggle up Keep a cream fern-print throw close to hand Botanist woven throw, £14, Sainsbury’s Nature’s table Bring the outside in with a botanical print Fern Panel 1 framed in natural…

“These serene designs are inspired by naturally formed linear patterns”MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR  THE STORY SO FAR The natural elements are the story behind the latest trend for soothing pattern, with designers citing the disordered layers seen in clouds, seascapes and landscapes, as well as agate and precious stones as their inspiration. The result is flowing and organic linear patterns in watery ombre and marble effects. Colour palettes vary from the cool, pastel tones of icy landscapes to the deep hues of dusky sunsets, with rose quartz, pale amethyst and earthy ochre all playing a part. FABRICS AND WALLPAPERS This fluid theme lends itself beautifully to ethereal fabrics and wallpapers. Bluebellgray’s recent collection, Impressionist, takes its inspiration from Iceland’s landscape and uses the signature watercolour style to create lovely cloud-like…

GET TO KNOW HER SIGNATURE STYLE Working as design director, it’s Rachel’s job to ensure that Ercol retains its cohesive look at every level of the business. In order to achieve this, she finds that it helps to draw inspiration from almost every aspect of daily life. ‘My mum is a dressmaker and an artist, and I often take a look at her patterns for ideas,’ she says. ‘I’m also influenced by architecture – I particularly love Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and the way he balanced everything with nature.’ Rachel has worked on all types of furniture design, but it’s the ethos behind 19th-century Shaker furniture makers that she has the strongest affinity to. ‘I think the Shaker principles of honesty, utility and simplicity are synonymous with its furniture and…

1 THE 70-20-10 RULE For a balanced scheme, keep 70% of the elements (say, walls and floors) as one colour, then add 20% in a second colour (fabrics) and 10% in an accent (accessories). 2 THE PATTERN RULE When mixing patterns, use large with medium or medium with small, never large with small. Pick prints that share a colour in common. 3 THE PAINTED BOX RULE The look of paint changes according to the time of day and the amount of light that is in a room. Paint the inside of a large box with a tester to create a miniature ‘room’ and see how the colour changes within a 3D space. AND FINALLY… Always add a surprise. A focal point – whether it’s a feature wall or a piece…

Delve into the archives Go for a modern take on heritage prints 1 Oriental inspiration This print originally had birds beside the branches Pussy Willow in Natural, £40 per roll, Laura Ashley 2 Sixties revival Celebrating its 52nd birthday this year Unikko, £56.95 per roll, Marimekko range, John Lewis 3 Art-Deco delight First designed in 1901, this print now comes in five colourways Morris Seaweed, £62 per roll, Archive III Wallpapers collection, Morris & Co 4 Nature revisited An 18th-century botanical painting inspired this beauty Woodland Chorus, £58 per roll, Woodland Walk collection, Sanderson 5 Top table It was a 19th-century Wedgwood tea set that evoked this elegant print Fabled Crane 005, £80 per roll, Wedgwood Home collection, Blendworth ‘Ensure you choose a print you love for its look and…

‘The previous owners had a lot of colours on the walls. We had to close our eyes and try to imagine the house without them. It was hard to do!’ A house that’s bought as a family home can soon seem empty and lacking in life once the children have flown the nest – but that’s certainly not the case with this wonderful property. Lisbeth Bindesbøl and her husband Henrik Stig Møller bought their beautiful villa on the outskirts of Copenhagen 17 years ago, when their children were aged just 10 and 15. Now the kids have grown up and have homes of their own, but there’s still a real sense of warmth and welcome as you enter this characterful five-bedroom property. ‘We were looking for a family home that…

‘I truly think that living with less frees you up practically and emotionally, and that a tidier space means a tidier mind’ After expanding their search radius from the outskirts of Manchester to more rural areas beyond, Sara Tasker and her partner, Rory O’Neill, discovered their new home. ‘We weren’t supposed to love this house,’ says Sara. ‘We couldn’t afford it, but once we’d seen it, there was no going back. The speed and intensity with which we loved it shocked us. We ran around the house literally squealing with delight – it was so perfect for our family.’ The house was converted into its current state in the Seventies, having previously been a wool mill, then three separate dwellings and finally a sweet shop. ‘It had been on the…

‘The house had been beautifully maintained and was immaculately kept, but it was like walking into an Eighties museum’ Paul Kettlety was looking for a completely fresh start when he set out to find himself somewhere new to live. His previous home had been a 17th-century coach house, so this time Paul wanted to find a property that was different in every way and really make it his own. ‘I wanted to move into the centre of Bath in Somerset, but so many of the properties there are Georgian townhouses, which are beautiful, but not what I was looking for,’ he explains. ‘I was abroad when I saw this property come on to the market. I knew exactly where it was and contacted the estate agent straightaway.’ Built out of…

‘For the ultimate light, bright bathroom, steer clear of coloured suites and stick to white walls, floor tiles and sanitaryware’ Whether you’re planning a new bathroom from scratch or you’re just thinking about replacing your old sanitaryware, it makes sense to invest in innovative, top-of-the-range products. With its sleek, modern design, Geberit’s AquaClean range of shower toilets combine the functionality of a loo and the cleaning properties of a bidet. Keep clean in comfort Representing the next generation of loos, the AquaClean Sela will fit seamlessly into any bathroom scheme thanks to its streamlined design by Italian architect Matteo Thun. Simple to operate via buttons on the side of the loo or with a remote control, the AquaClean Sela cleans with a gentle, airy water spray set at body temperature…

‘We feel so much more connected to the garden’ Madeleine Wilson wanted an extension with wow factor for her semi in Kew, London, but her plans were restricted as she lives in a conservation area. Architect Paul Wiggins (020 8878 4850; paulwigginsarchitects.com) came up with the clever idea of an angular conservatory. ‘Because it’s a non-solid structure with a diminishing shape, we got permission to extend further into the garden,’ says Paul. By replacing the dark and narrow kitchen in the middle of the house and the poky living/dining room at the rear, the family of four now spend most of their time in the open-plan kitchen, dining and living space. Frost-proof porcelain tiles cover the entire floor and extend out onto the patio, while the two-tiered garden has been…

THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, detached Sixties house in a Hampshire village. WHO LIVES HERE Sue and Terry Austin live here. WHAT THEY DID The Austins expanded the house with a two-storey side extension for a new main bedroom and a single-storey rear extension along the back of the house to create an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space. They also reconfigured the rooms on the ground floor. WHAT IT COST The couple paid £630,000 for the house and spent around £340,000 extending and remodelling the property, which is now worth more than £1 million.…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, Victorian, semidetached house in a conservation area in southwest London. WHO LIVES HERE Louise and Ben Young live here with their daughters, Mya, 19, Florence, seven, and Minnie, five. WHAT THEY DID The couple doubled the size of their kitchen by extending sideways into a former patio area, and added glazed metal doors along an entire wall to let in sunlight. THE LOOK Relaxed New England style with an elegant rustic twist. LESSONS LEARNED " Make sure you know the lead times for any products you order. The glass doors took 15 weeks to be delivered, which delayed everything. Had I known how long it was going to take, I would have ordered them much earlier."…

Muted, classic paint colours have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people using them to turn their homes into calming havens to escape to at the end of each busy day. With this in mind, new paint brand Hemsley has focused on creating a range of timeless shades designed to bring effortless colour harmony to your home. Choose co-ordinating shades Thanks to uniquely blended pigments, the water-based, premium-quality paint has exceptional depth of colour and a lovely ultra-flat matt finish. The range is made up of 56 beautiful colours that have been collated in 14 collections of four co-ordinating tones. They’ve been grouped in this way to give you the confidence to use a mix of different shades to transform your interiors. By taking the confusion out of…

• Freshen up slightly dirty windows – ones that have the odd smudge or smear – using a cleaning spray and a cloth. However, if you haven’t washed the windows for months, get a squeegee out and do a proper clean. • Wash them on a cloudy day. Sunshine will create glare on the glass, making it harder to clean. It could also dry the cleaning solution before you have a chance to wipe it off, leaving unsightly streaks. • Start with the frames first, so you don’t drip dirty water on clean panes. A wipe with a wet sponge should do the trick, but if they’re very grubby, use mild detergent on wood or specialist cleaner on UPVC. • Clean the panes of glass by sponging them down with…

Poached egg pots SERVES 2 TAKES 25MIN • Small handful of baby spinach • 4tbsp reduced-fat crème fraîche • 2 eggs • 2 slices of crusty white bread • Butter for toast • 25g smoked salmon, cut into strips 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas 4. Wilt the baby spinach in a bowl in the microwave for 30sec on a high heat, then drain. 2 Divide the crème fraîche and wilted spinach between two ramekins. Season with freshly ground black pepper, then crack an egg into each one. 3 Place the ramekins in a baking tin and half-fill the tin with warm water. Bake for 15min until the eggs are set with runny yolks, or bake for a further 5min if you prefer your eggs to be completely set.…

Oh, to work from home, where you can wear fluffy slippers to meetings and won’t get a face full of armpit on the commute. Sure, staying focused when it’s time for Homes Under The Hammer takes willpower, but with the right kit and attitude, you can be motivated and productive, and won’t even miss out on office gossip. LOG IN If you haven’t already been assigned one, you’ll need either a desktop or laptop computer. The former will be cheaper, but the latter more convenient if you travel a lot. There is a third way – to get a desktop and either an affordable tablet or Chromebook that you can take out and about. With a Chromebook, you can access and edit documents wherever you have Wi-Fi, but no hard…

VONAGE EXTENSIONS Free for iOS and Android If you have a Vonage call plan, this lets you take landline calls on your mobile using Wi-Fi, so you won’t miss out if there’s no mobile reception. SLACK Free for iOS, Android and desktop (Mac/Windows) This messaging app unites emails, to-do lists and docs – name a ‘channel’ based on a project, then the team can chat, upload files, work on presentations and more. TRELLO Free for iOS, Android and web A sort of ‘Pinterest meets to-do list’, Trello lets you set up Projects, which you can invite everyone involved in to view, then add ideas, to-dos or annotations, such as images, diagrams and notes. DROPBOX Free for iOS, Android and web If you don’t already use Dropbox for cloud storage and…

BUILT-IN WI-FI Download the Panasonic Imaging app and control your camera remotely from your phone screen (useful in low light, where holding the camera steady is key), or share snaps straight to social media BUILT-IN VIEWFINDER This helps to conserve the camera’s battery, as you won’t need to use the screen as much, and encourages you to hold the camera in such a way that it’s less likely to shake and ruin your shot 4K VIDEO/PHOTOS Records super-detailed Ultra-HD footage, from which you can select stills and save them as high-quality photos 30X OPTICAL ZOOM LENS Your smartphone can’t compete with the zoom on this camera. Use it to shoot wildlife – or your child’s next birthday party – from a safe distance CONTROL RING This ring around the lens…

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‘Open up a kitchen or dining room to your outside space with glazed bifold doors, or go all-out with a glass extension to really bring the outdoors in’ VANESSA RICHMOND, EDITOR Whether you are looking to replace windows to improve your home’s kerb appeal or add a show-stopping extension, get the most from your property this spring. With two decades of expertise in the double glazing industry, Network VEKA offers a range of options to modernise your home. Ask the experts This year marks Network VEKA’s 20th birthday, and the home experts behind the scheme have seen a lot of changes in interiors trends since they set up the company 20 years ago. Today, homeowners are confident enough to transform their homes inside and out by taking on exterior makeovers…

The Singhs opted for a sweeping skylight at the front of the property that lets light into the hallway. The 7m x 1.2m double-glazed skylight is made from 12mm toughened glass and 6mm toughened energy-efficient glass. Glass-to-glass joints are fixed with silicone sealant, while the glazing is fixed in with stainless-steel channel sections. New skylights don’t normally need planning permission as long as they don’t protrude more than 150mm beyond the plane of the roof slope and are no higher than the highest part of the roof. Skylights on side elevations should be obscure glazed and either non-opening or more than 1.7m above the floor level. If in doubt, check with your local planning authority. Skylights can be fitted from the inside or outside of a property, by a roofer,…

Sophie and Mark chose to render the external walls of their build, as its plastered finish has a smooth appearance. The couple’s extension was built from blockwork set on a red-brick plinth to match the original part of the house, which was built in the Twenties. The blockwork was then finished off in a cream through-coloured render. Render is usually built up in two or three coats. This results in a series of layers, which are less likely to develop surface cracks. Today’s finishes are a world away from the grey pebbledash of post-war housing. Through-coloured products means the pigment is added in the manufacturing process, which colours the entire render rather than just the surface, so walls don’t then need to be painted. Much like plastering, rendering is a…

“This basic building material has been totally transformed. Its smooth surface gives objects a sleek, industrial edge and also taps into the trend for raw materials”HOLLY CATFORD, ACTING STYLE & DECORATING ASSISTANT Shine a light Hang over a dining table in an industrial-style scheme Grey Aero pendant light, £70, BHS Solid buy The leather handle adds an artisan feel Concrete storage jar, £20, Object Style Mint chip Can also double up as a chic vase Concrete candle holder, £23, Henrik Ilfeldt for Korridor range, Clippings.com Sitting pretty Use inside or as an outdoor side table Galet cement stool, £50, Habitat Sturdy style Tough storage for magazines Concrete magazine rack, £115, Lyon Beton range, Amara Coloured corners Line up on a windowsill or mantelpiece to make a smart display Concrete candle…

HESSIAN & COPPER For similar flooring, try the COM1451, £49.99 per sq m, Quick-Step. Linen runner, £19.99; Rosa Stonewash napkin, £8.99; both LinenMe. Gold Titanium cutlery, £99 for a 16-piece set, Very. Pestle & mortar, £30, Debenhams. Side plate, £13; bowl, £10; both Murmur range, Bedeck. New York City Winter matt emulsion, £21.98 for 2.5ltr, Valspar. Knowle Leaf tile, £7, Rowen & Wren TEAL & TOMATO IMU1858 saw-cut laminate flooring in Oak Grey, £19.99 per sq m, Impressive collection, Quick-Step. Cushion covers, from left: made in Mendoza Lagoon, £40.50 per m; made in Milani Jasper; piping in Milani Sumac; both £55 per m; made in Asuri Natural, £47.50 per m; all Romo; piping in Plains One Marine, £31 per m, Scion. Rectangular tray, £29.95; bowl, £20.95; both Harley & Lola.…

Having a strong foundation of key pieces in your home will allow you to dip into decorating trends as they come and go, without being a slave to them. But what makes a ‘beautiful basic’? SIMPLE LINES It’s easy to be seduced by a pretty pattern or decorative device, but detail dates. Bland and boring? Maybe, but these pieces are just the skeleton of your scheme – detail can be layered on in the form of accent pieces, artwork and accessories. Simplicity means versatility in terms of spinning different looks around them and using them in different rooms and different ways. NATURAL MATERIALS Avoid choosing trend-influenced finishes and, instead, try to stick to untreated hardwoods (which are more durable than softwoods), metals, marble, stone, glass, ceramics, wicker and rattan, cork,…

Try it with… YELLOW Give your scheme a fresh feel by teaming a teal backdrop with pale oak furniture and mustard accents Feeling fruity Try a summery hue Crushed Pineapple Colour Vibe emulsion, £17.69 for 2.5ltr, Johnstone’s Pattern play Use on accessories to add interest Jazz Blue fabric, £35 per m, Spira range, The Swedish Fabric Company Bee’s knees A bright, nature-inspired design Honeycomb Honey wallpaper, £20 per roll, Kath & Kath Studios range, Graham & Brown Try it with… WHITE Create a pared-back bedroom with teal walls and dark wooden flooring. Bed linen in crisp white will lift the scheme and give it a cool, modern look Natural touch Upholster cushions in stone-coloured fabrics Isamu fabric, £37 per m, Wabi Sabi collection, Scion range, Wallpaperdirect Floor it…

PRINTS CHARMING  Navy and white gives this ornate pattern a smart, modern feel Ashley Damask wallpaper, £89 per roll, Damask Resource 4 collection, Thibaut THE COMPANY Originally founded as a wallpaper company in 1886 by Richard E Thibaut, this US brand has evolved over the last 130 years into a design house, now producing a wide range of fabrics, too. Each year, the company launches between eight and nine collections, with new designs often featuring fresh interpretations of archive patterns, as well as exclusive artwork created by the in-house team. Never one to shy away from bold, uplifting colour and striking, graphic patterns, it’s easy to see why the brand has such universal appeal. THE NEW COLLECTION Thibaut launches two new wallpaper ranges every year under its Resource Collections umbrella.…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom detached house in Hellerup, Denmark, which was built in 1910. The owners bought it in January 1999. WHO LIVES HERE Lisbeth Bindesbøl and her husband, Henrik Stig Møller, live here. Lisbeth owns a fashion boutique and Henrik is a lawyer and the managing director of a commercial-property company. THE LOOK Cool and elegant, with white walls acting as a backdrop to wooden floors, furnishings in natural tones and unique accessories. LESSONS LEARNED "Don’t feel frustrated if you can’t get the look you want immediately. It took us time to find the right decorating colours, but now we’ve found a balance that’s right for us and the house."…

BOUGHT FOR £220,000 SPENT £2,550 NOW WORTH £260,000 WHAT IT COST Tool hire.........................................£500 Paint..............................................£1,000 Kitchen accessories...................£200 Furniture.........................................£350 Electrics.........................................£500 TOTAL.........................£2,550 THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom, three-storey Georgian wool mill, near Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, bought in the summer of 2014. WHO LIVES HERE Sara Tasker and Rory O’Neill live here with their daughter Orla, two. Sara is a freelance writer and photographer, and Rory is an assistant head teacher. THE LOOK Rustic minimalism with a calm white palette and original features. LESSONS LEARNED "Think ahead. My decision to sand the floors came after we’d painted the walls, which was too late. We’ll need to wait and redo them both in the future."…

BOUGHT FOR £380,000 SPENT £85,000 NOW WORTH £550,000 THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, Thirties, end-of-terrace house in Muswell Hill, north London, bought in 2010. WHAT IT COST Building work.........................£70,000 Kitchen........................................£3,000 Bathrooms..................................£1,400 Flooring......................................£2,500 Furniture.......................................£8,100 TOTAL......................£85,000 WHO LIVES HERE Josephine Lecouflé-Vinet and her husband Nicolas Vinet live here with their sons, Alexis, nine, and Oscar, six. Josephine is a designer and Nicolas is a software development manager. THE LOOK A melange of French and British style, peppered with vintage finds, designer pieces and splashes of uplifting colour. LESSONS LEARNED "The children stayed with family in France during the summer while the work was going on. This put the builders under pressure for a completion date and silly mistakes were made with the final touches."…

SIMPLE TO OPERATE You can adjust the temperature and intensity of the water spray using the discreet hidden panel or the handy remote control. PERSONALISED FUNCTION Thanks to an integrated user-identification function, the water starts heating automatically as soon as you approach the loo. ECOFRIENDLY OPERATION When the toilet isn’t in use, it switches to standby mode, which means that it will save money and be kind to the environment. For more information… FIND YOUR NEAREST STOCKIST AND FURTHER DETAILS OF ALL THE AQUACLEAN MODELS ONLINE AT GEBERIT-AQUACLEAN.CO.UK…

Need help choosing? Check out these top five names… DIRECTDOORS.COM  01968 671681; directdoors.com This online-only retailer offers both timber doors and low-maintenance composite and UPVC doors. To prevent heat loss, doors with glass sections can be double or triple-glazed. Free delivery for UK mainland orders; prices from £207. HOWDENS JOINERY howdens.com Offers a wide range of timber doors and designs in both hardwood and softwood. Go online and type in your postcode to contact your local depot for a quote. Prices on application – trade only. JELD-WEN 0845 122 2891; jeld-wen.co.uk Manufactures engineered wood, which tends not to shrink or swell, and composite doors, made from fibreglass, which won’t dent, rust, or splinter. Find a retailer by entering your postcode on the website. Unpainted…

Sue and Terry chose to lay the same large-format, matt, porcelain floor tiles in their rear extension and outside on the patio, with a flush threshold and a small slot floor drain for an uninterrupted appearance. Not all materials will suit an outdoor environment, so choose carefully. Look for a low porosity level, which means that the tiles won’t absorb dirt and water, making them frostproof and stain resistant. Find large-format porcelain tiles at Stone & Ceramic Warehouse (020 8993 5545; stoneandceramic warehouse.co.uk). Other indoor-outdoor flooring options include stone, slate and concrete. Alternatively, consider matching timber floorboards indoors with co-ordinated decking outside. Your builder or architect should be able to advise on floor levels and drainage to make sure that the flooring complies with building regulations. Contact your local planning…

COLOURFUL MAGAZINE FILES Use gorgeous giftwrap or wallpaper offcuts to transform plain files. Go to housetohome.co.uk/videos to see our step-by-step video. WHAT YOU’LL NEED • Wrapping paper or an offcut of wallpaper • Pencil • Scissors • Old newspaper • Spray adhesive • Soft cloth 1 Lay your chosen giftwrap or wallpaper pattern-side down on a flat surface. Place a magazine file on top, with the side you want to cover facing down, and position over the part of the paper’s pattern you’d like to see. Mark around the edge of the file using a pencil. 2 Repeat for the remaining files, making sure you butt the edge of each file against the previous template edge to ensure the pattern matches when the files are lined up. Cut out the shape. 3 Lay newspaper down to…

• PITCOMBE Bring seasonal greenery inside with this fresh, nature-inspired collection of Pear, Orchard, Pea and Garden – great for a country kitchen. • YENSTON Mirror the colours seen in a spring sky with this collection of blues that includes Air, Day and Sky, as well as the more dramatic-looking, moody Tide, which would be perfect for creating a striking feature wall. • LOVINGTON Versatile grey continues to be popular. This collection includes Cloud, Flint, Pewter and Grey, which will suit all room schemes. • CHERITON Fans of pink will love this collection, which ranges from the delicate Blush and Bloom through to the bolder Berry. Use it for the prettiest bedroom.…

To-do list for MAY EAT The Foraging Fox’s hot beetroot ketchup – infused with chilli and horseradish, it’s just the thing to perk up a bacon sandwich or barbecue, £3.49 for 255g, Ocado. DRINK Biostilla amaretto, a deliciously smooth Italian organic almond liqueur, £25 for 70cl, Vintage Roots. Try a dash of it in an espresso. TREAT yourself to a selection of British charcuterie, £29, from Market Porter – an online retailer championing artisan cheese, meat and chocolate producers, with new products each month. Try a new taste... FREEKEH Made from roasted green wheat grains, freekeh has a rich, smoky flavour and has been served in the Middle East for centuries. Simply simmer it in water or stock for 20min, then use in stir-fries and salads. You can also buy…

TO DO THIS MONTH... • REUSE RAINWATER Keep plants hydrated over the summer using precious rainwater captured in a water butt. Original Organics has a range of designs available, from rustic wooden barrels and sleek steel tanks to colourful slimline models. • TACKLE YOUR WEEDS As the weather warms up, nasty weeds will begin to take hold. Mulching now with compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure will help restrict their growth and keep moisture in the soil. • PLANT UP HANGING BASKETS Try using colourful foliage, such as cordylines and grasses, or edible herbs or nasturtiums for an unusual display. Ensure that you have plenty of plants to cover the container and be sure to water them well, as hanging baskets dry out quickly. • PLANT SUMMER BEDDING Lift your…

EncorePro HW301N binaural headset, £99.99, Plantronics ‘Being “hands free” is crucial for me – talking to colleagues or clients while making notes is 70% of my role. I’ve tried various headphones before, but this call-centre-style headset is easily the best so far.’ BetterSnapTool app, £2.29, iOS ‘This lets me “snap” multiple windows on my Mac screen, so I can have an email in one quarter, and a web browser, document, and calendar in others. It ups my productivity tenfold – such as when I need to check an email against a diary entry.’ HoMedics Shiatsu massager, £114, Amazon.co.uk ‘You can easily sit in the same position for hours when you’re having a busy day. This massage chair allows me to keep working while getting rid of the…

The latest bedroom and bathroom accessories from luxury brand Christy are perfect for updating your home this spring. Christy has a rich history dating back to 1850 – Queen Victoria was one of its first loyal customers. The original Christy terry towel is still known for its quality and long-lasting softness, and such high standards extend to the company’s beautiful bed linen, too. Christy is offering Ideal Home readers an exclusive 20% discount on its huge range of bed and bathroom linen and accessories. Choose from Christy’s wide selection of 100% cotton towels, bath mats and robes, or invest in one of its on-trend bedlinen collections, which have a high thread count and feature intricate embroidery and lovely woven designs – just the thing to guarantee you a luxurious night’s…

LITTLE BIG SHOT PowerShot G9 X, £379, Canon GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Ideal for beginners stepping up, this is tiny and has excellent image quality and auto modes. Again, you can control some settings using the ring around the lens’ PRO CHOICE RX100 IV, £759, Sony GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘If money is no object, this is the one to beat. It takes pro-quality photos day or night, has a viewfinder and shoots video in super slo-mo – should you fancy yourself as the next David Attenborough’ MONOCHROME MARVEL X70, £549, Fujifilm GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Great for street photography, with spectacular results in black and white. The 28mm lens gives a great wide-angle view – there’s no zoom or viewfinder, but the screen can be angled for selfies’ ALWAYS…

Fill your beds and borders with colour and interest with this stunning collection of herbaceous perennials. Blooming year after year, these plants can also be cut to create a beautiful flower arrangement. The collection includes: 1 Digitalis ‘Dalmation Mixed’ (foxglove) Height: 50cm. Spread: 40cm. 2 Aquilegia ‘Swan Mixed’ (columbine) Height: 30cm. Spread: 25cm. 3 Delphinium ‘Pacific Giants’ Height: 150cm. 4 Coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’ (tickseed) Height: 45cm. 5 Erigeron ‘Stallone’ (Mexican fleabane) Height: 30cm. Spread: 100cm. 6 Echinacea purpurea ‘Pink Parasol’ (coneflower) Height: 90-120cm. 7 Armeria ‘Mixed’ (thrift) Height: 50cm. Spread: 30cm. 8 Dianthus ‘Ever-blooming Mixed’ (carnation) Height and…

‘Join us for five weeks in our international online classroom, and share your design problems, inspiration, and projects with me and your fellow students. Bring your latest decorating project to the course – I’ll bring mine too – and work through it as we study the design process, finding your style, colours, fabrics and window treatments, sourcing, lighting, and accessories. Though there’s something new in the classroom every weekday, you can do the work entirely when it suits you. And if you feel uncertain about your online skills please don’t worry. Jump in, and I’ll help – technical support is a feature of the course.’ Morwenna Brett, My Design School tutor TO BOOK Visit klc.co.uk/mds  and quote IH0416 for the Early Bird offer MY DESIGN SCHOOL: DESIGN YOUR…

Enjoy a day out walking and foraging for something delicious to cook, just keep in mind the basic rules: know what you’re looking for, wash everything well (especially if you forage on popular dog-walking routes) and never eat anything unless you’re 100% confident it’s safe. Don’t pick leaves if there aren’t many left – always leave some behind – and avoid foraging close to roads, on industrial sites or on farmland, where pesticides or pollutants might be in the soil. 1 NETTLES You’ll find stinging nettles almost anywhere that’s been left to grow wild. Only pick the tips and discard woody stems. Wear rubber gloves, tucking your sleeves into them, to avoid being stung, and don’t go bare legged! Once they’ve flowered, nettles don’t taste as fresh. Their earthy, spinachy…

1 Gas and electric work 2 Replacing windows 3 Installing double glazing 4 Building extensions and/or conservatories 5 Plastering walls 6 Installing a kitchen 7 Laying a carpet or floor 8 Loft conversion 9 Knocking down internal walls 10 Laying decking or a patio For more information… DISCOVER MORE ABOUT NETWORK VEKA’S FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT NETWORKVEKA.CO.UK…

“ Multiple floor-to-ceiling glass doors let natural light flood in while also helping to retain a cosy, homely feel ” JOHN OGILVIE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, NETWORK VEKA ‘Everything changed so quickly – we enjoyed a new milestone each week’ Clare and Jim Mansell decided to put down roots and create a family home for themselves and their son, Theo, but the squat, 100-year-old bungalow they ended up buying in West Sussex couldn’t have been less appealing. ‘We called it “the ugly bungalow”, but we knew we could turn it into something more exciting, to make the most of lovely views across Chichester harbour to the Isle of Wight,’ says Clare. ‘As a family, we needed more space, but the loft was too cramped to convert, and the garden isn’t huge, so…

Lisa and Tony completely altered the shape and pitch of their home’s roof to transform the look of the property. Changing the roof involves major structural work, which can be expensive and disruptive. Modifying the shape of a roof has a huge impact on the look of a house. Most period and new houses are built with pitched roofs, but flat ones are becoming more popular for ultramodern new-builds and extensions. Flat-roofing systems have come a long way since the Sixties and Seventies, when bitumen and asphalt leaked and needed to be frequently replaced. Modern single-ply roofing membranes are insulated and built to last. Planning permission isn’t usually required for reroofing your house, subject to certain conditions, but you might need approval if you want to completely change the roof’s…

Vicki and Nick’s new extension is massively insulated for energy efficiency, with solar thermal and photovoltaic panels on the roof for added sustainability. The old part of the building has been externally insulated using 100mm of expanded polystyrene, which was attached to the front of the house and finished with Weber’s one-coat external wall insulation system (0870 333 0070; netweber.co.uk). This through-coloured mineral render will extend the life of the building by keeping the structure warm, and can be applied directly to all major insulation types. The existing wall cavities and loft space were also insulated and all windows have been replaced with high performance aluminium units from Velfac (01536 313552; velfac.co.uk). Large areas of glazing, including full-height windows and glass doors, are positioned in the south-facing rear elevation, with…