Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER Here at Ideal Home, we’ve always been a little wary of interiors ‘trends’. Instead, we like to find ways to interpret the latest looks in a manner that will last longer than a single season. How we live in and use our spaces is much more important, which is why our expert panel’s predictions about how the way we use our homes will change in 2023 (page 94) certainly makes for a fascinating read. We all stayed home in 2020, but we were home alone, unable to entertain friends and family. This year, the reason we’ll spend more time at home again is different (the cost of living squeeze means many of us will be cutting back on going out), but this time we can open up our…

WHERE TO BUY…

“To stay MOTIVATED we found ourselves clinging to the SMALL WINS, like getting the first coat of paint on a wall or when a room was freshly plastered ” HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Emmie Vincent Sutter, an interior designer, lives here with her husband James Sutter, who works in finance, and their four-year-old Cockerpoo, Charlie. THE PROPERTY A renovated four-bedroom Edwardian house built in 1910 in Newcastle upon Tyne, bought by the couple in 2019. THE LAYOUT The ground floor rooms are all accessed from the entrance hall. On the first floor, over a split level, are three bedrooms and a family bathroom, and a further floor is home to the fourth bedroom. First-time buyers Emmie and James Sutter had been looking for a renovation project locally that would…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Darker tones of charcoal can be used to add drama anywhere in the home, from a living room to a bedroom or even a small hallway. With clever lighting and mirrors you can create a look that’s both strong and atmospheric. These dark greys are also the perfect strong background for small amounts of brighter colour, like chartreuse or mint.’ JUSTYNA KORCZYNSKA, SENIOR DESIGNER AT CROWN ‘Grey is often considered to be a safe choice for interiors; however, we should never feel that using neutrals or greys is unadventurous. In fact, working with the architectural “families” and their subtle colour variations can actually create a highly sophisticated scheme. Use softer greys in combination with deep, darker greys to provide a…

1 GIVE YOUR BEDROOM A REFRESH WITH BEDDING Add a breath of fresh air to your sleep space with beautiful, botanical-print bedlinen. Shades of green will lift your spirits and set you up for the day, as well as soothe and relax as you unwind at bedtime. For a super-smart feel, layer with a linen or velvet padded quilt and pile up plump cushions. 2 PAINT A BORDER AROUND WALL ART Create a focal point by giving a simple piece of framed artwork a colourful backdrop with a painted panel. Make it larger than the frame, in a bold, contrasting shade. Not only will this introduce a hit of colour, it’ll also elevate your art, too. If it is above a fireplace, make sure the panel is narrower than…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? India Hares live here with her husband Tom and two children, Honey, 10, and Rocco, eight. THE PROJECT Knocking down the wall of the adjoining loo to create a larger family bathroom in a four-bedroom 1930s house. TOTAL COST £13,000 THE PROBLEM The layout with a separate lavatory and lack of bath wasn't ideal with kids THE SOLUTION ‘Only one other family had lived in the house before, so the whole property needed fully updating. The loo was separate from the bathroom, and there was no bath – neither of which are practical for family living. We reconfigured the two rooms into one to allow space for a walk-in shower and blocked up the original loo window to create a recess shelf.…

'How to clean a coffee machine Whether you have a pod or bean-to-cup model, this guide shows you how to keep it working like new Small bathroom ideas Want to make more of your bijou bathroom? We have all the ideas and inspiration to help! From wall-hung furniture and neat storage solutions to décor ideas to make the space feel bigger, we have you covered 'Best blenders If you’re looking for ways to introduce more fruit and veg into your diet this month, why not invest in a blender? Our tried and tested reviews have highlighted the very best buys available right now 'Utility room ideas From making the most of a poky room to smart solutions, like practical drying racks and lighting ideas, we delve into the basics of…

Kitchen renovation may be at the top of our wish lists, but sadly something we feel we have to pass on because of its costly nature. Fortunately, pre-loved cabinets and worktops are more affordable than a brand-new kitchen, and can still help to create the space of your dreams. With second-hand units, you can shop for high-end pieces at a discounted price and, once they’re fitted, no one will be able to tell the difference. ‘Getting a good-quality kitchen can be costly and is often beyond financial reach,’ says Helen Lord, founder of Used Kitchen Exchange. ‘Buying pre-owned or ex-display is not only a savvy way to save money, but can also save around five tonnes of carbon (depending on size), making a family of four carbon neutral for at…

Twelve years ago I was living in a fourth floor walk-up apartment in New York City with a Norfolk Terrier puppy called Arthur. I got Arthur because I wanted another living creature to live with me, and he quickly made it his apartment, choosing his favourite spots (underneath my desk while I worked, under my bed at night) and generally walking around like he owned the place. I never stopped getting a kick out of watching this little cub-like creature on his patrols, butting open the bathroom door with his head, checking all was well in his territory. Since then, Arthur has lived with me in multiple homes: in my single-woman flat in London, then in a shared flat with my boyfriend, followed by a house, and finally a family…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Sunday Times columnist, Hadley has also penned four books. And her new house is keeping her busy! NICKY PHILLIPS STYLE EDITOR Nicky brings over 26 years’ experience to the table, and has been part of the Ideal Home family for 22 years. CHARLIE LUXTON ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER Charlie juggles his roles as director of Charlie Luxton Design, TV presenter and public speaker. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of themoneyedit.com. FEARNE COTTON BROADCASTER & AUTHOR TV and radio presenter Fearne’s Happy Place podcast is now in its 17th season, with over 40 million downloads. THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS…

Angel lives with her husband Dick and their two children, Arthur and Dorothy in Chateau de la Motte-Husson in the Pays de la Loire, France WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO THE SECOND YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR FRONT DOOR? Working from home, with two young children, a dog, and a wedding and events business means we walk through the door sometimes 100 times a day! So it depends on what’s happening at that moment. One thing is for sure, I always wipe my feet. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY? Probably between 6pm and 8pm. That’s when we put Arthur and Dorothy to bed. We have a routine of bath, bed, reading and chatting. Sometimes Dick and I watch a movie and we’ll have a glass of port.…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Katharine Maclean, a conservation architect and interior designer (centurydesignstudio.co.uk) lives here with her husband James and their daughter Martha, aged four. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom end-terrace house built in the 1960s, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. 1 “Simple units ensure a calm, bright scheme” ‘When we moved in, the old kitchen was so dark and murky that I wanted the complete opposite with white cabinetry to keep the scheme bright. This means the cheaper elements, such as tiling and paint, can be changed at a later date for a new look without impacting expensive elements, like flooring and worktops.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Half Moon cabinets in White and Market Mustard (interior), from £20,000, Pluck Kitchens. Bamboo porcelain tiles in Verdigris, £194.98sq m, Ca’ Pietra 2 “Visual…

STYLE DIRECTION “Burnished metals create an opulent dining room that’s made for entertaining. Try teaming with plush velvets to soften the shine " HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR START WITH YOUR BACKDROP This look deserves a rich wall treatment to make it shine. Try a copper or gold-effect paint, a beaten weathered metal-effect wallpaper or wall tiles with a molten appearance. These are all perfect for adding depth and lustre to a room’s décor. LUXE OUT WITH SMART UPHOLSTERY Soften those high-gloss metallic furniture pieces and accessories with tactile velvet and chenille fabrics in copper and rose-gold shades. Use those hero pieces in your room, such as an accent armchair, a statement bed, bar stools or a footstool. ADD SHINE WITH ACCESSORIES Burnished accessories can really bring this look together. Try a…

Create an organisation station Transform a simple rail into a hub of ordered bliss, by hanging Ikea’s Hultarp rails and adding baskets, pots and hooks to store all of life’s little necessities. Give it a twist... Create a living wall by swapping hallway bits and bobs for hanging pots filled with plants. Pick a half-and-half piece Choosing a cabinet with half-closed, half-open shelving means you can hide larger, less attractive bits behind closed doors, while displaying pretty baskets and boxes. Give it a twist... Use each shelf for belly baskets, labelling with luggage tags for each family member. Build slimline storage Double-stack Ikea Ekby shelf units and attach hairpin legs for a space-saving storage unit. Paint a section of wall above with chalk paint for shopping lists and reminders. Give…

MEET THE EXPERTS SARAH O’SULLIVAN, PARTNER & HOME PRODUCT DESIGNER, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS ‘Heading into 2023, entertaining at home is bigger than ever, as people look for ways to bring friends together.’ MATT SIBERRY, HEAD OF HOME PINTEREST UK ‘People will be using each room to its full potential – cooking up a storm in the kitchen, turning the spare room into a studio, or growing veg on the balcony.’ KATE USHER, SENIOR TREND CONSULTANT, TREND BIBLE ‘In 2023, I’m excited about more circular and recycled materials, with sustainability top of the mind for designers.’ Our homes have evolved so much over recent years; but what does the future look like? Just how will we be living – and loving – our interior spaces as we head into 2023?…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? May Simpkin, a nutritionist (@maysimpkinnutrition) lives here with her husband Guy and grown-up daughter Jade. THE PROJECT A kitchen refit and downstairs renovation in a five-bed 1930s detached cottage in Surrey. TOTAL COST £40,000 THE PROBLEM The kitchen was a walkway to the dining room and the layout didn't work well THE SOLUTION ‘I’d always wanted to change the downstairs layout and put the kitchen in the unused dining area. I paid a deposit on a Martin Moore kitchen but a week later lockdown started so I cancelled it. Two years later I saw the same brand on the Used Kitchen Exchange’s social media (@UsedKitchenExchange) – we weren’t ready to do the work so we stored the kitchen in a container on…

“Mezzanines – are they worth installing?” We mainly think about how our buildings are laid out via floorplans, whether during the design process or in estate agent’s particulars. This has a tendency to lead us to focus on floor areas and not to think in 3D. But when you do, there is quite literally a whole new dimension to consider. If you can lift your head, and start to think in this way, then one of the main tools in your kit is a mezzanine. The definition of a mezzanine is ‘a small extra floor between one floor of a building and the next floor up’. Effectively, a platform that relies on high ceilings to create a multi-level space, usually found in very large houses, industrial buildings and barns. If…

HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS Daniel and Sahar Robinson live here. Daniel is a barrister and Sahar is a consultant. PROPERTY Three-bed Victorian mid-terrace house in Leyton, east London ARCHITECT Daykin Marshall Studio (daykinmarshall.com) STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Blue Engineering (blueengineering.co.uk) TOTAL COST £330,000 THE PROBLEM This run-down mid-terrace house hadn’t been touched since the 1960s and there was no connection to the garden THE SOLUTION ‘Dan and Sahar bought this house as part of a probate sale,’ explains architect James Daykin, co-founder of Daykin Marshall Studio. ‘It was in a very poor state of repair and was in dire need of refurbishment. A lot of natural light and clean minimalist spaces were important to them both, so our brief was to put the house back together, improve insulation and services, and create…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Air fryers are less fryer, more mini convection oven, circulating hot air around the food. They typically come with an in-built basket that has space for air to get underneath your food, as well as cooking it from above and the side. ■ They tend to come in a variety of sizes and capacities. The bigger the basket, the more people you’ll be able to cook for. If you’ve got a family, then a 5-litre machine (which usually provides a chip capacity of around 800g to 1kg) is probably a must. But these do tend to be quite large and you might not want it sitting on your countertop. So if you’re looking for something less bulky that you can use to cook small meals or…

“Check out the Mini Floks collection which includes duvets and pillows in toddlers and kids sizes” Wool for the win Based in Yorkshire, Floks makes duvets, mattress toppers and pillows using British wool and organic cotton. As well as being thermoregulating (helping you maintain a consistent temperature while you sleep), the materials are naturally hypoallergenic, sustainable and biodegradable. All of the wool is sourced through the Traceable Wool Scheme so you can find out which farm the wool came from and the journey it took to the shop. There’s a wide range of sizes to choose from, as well as pillow firmness, to help you get the perfect night’s sleep. BACK TO BASICS These days, modern machinery plays a huge part in the creation of flooring. So finding designs that…

■ Find these recipes and more in How To Go Plant Based: a definitive guide for you and your family by Ella Mills (£26, Yellow Kite) Coconut rice with steamed greens SERVES 4 READY IN 35 MINS ● 1tbsp coconut oil ● 1 small onion, finely chopped ● 2cm piece of ginger, grated ● 2 garlic cloves, grated ● 1tbsp ground coriander ● Small bunch of coriander, stalks finely chopped, leaves reserved for garnishing ● 3tbsp desiccated coconut ● 200g basmati rice ● 400g tin of coconut milk ● 200ml hot vegetable stock ● 200g green beans, halved ●200g mangetout or sugar snap peas, trimmed ● 200g frozen peas ● 200g frozen edamame beans ● 2 limes, halved, to serve ● Dukkah to serve 1 Heat the coconut oil in…

AHEAD OF THE CURVE The colour(s) of the year What do the experts predict will be the colours to use in our homes for 2023? Well, it depends on who you ask! Leading paint brand Dulux announced its Colour of the Year as a warm, golden shade of barley called Wild Wonder, while the guys over at eco-kind Earthborn have pipped Lady Bug – a rich, jewel-toned burgundy – as their hot shade for the year. Shown here is Benjamin Moore’s offering, Raspberry Blush, a vibrant shade of coral. But our advice? Choose any colour that makes your heart sing, and decorate with gusto to create YOUR ideal home. IH LOVES... Joyful tea towels A Life More Colourful tea towel, £14, Bluebellgray W hat to do this month... READ As…

SAVER Style…

FAMILY HOME “Our builder thought we were crazy for PAINTING the entire house WHITE, but I am so glad I listened to my gut because I love how LIGHT andBRIGHT our home is”CHARLOTTE HOW, HOMEOWNER HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Charlotte How and her husband Charles, a surveyor, with daughter Clemmie, two. Charlotte is the founder of homeware brand Stone + Wood and luxury dog bed brand Teddy London. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom terraced house in Fulham, west London, built on the footprint of the original property. THE LAYOUT At the front of the house, glass doors open to a formal living room. The hallway leads back to an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, plus loo and utility room. Upstairs is the main bedroom, Clemmie’s bedroom, study and family bathroom. On the…

However much we love browsing our favourite homeware stores and vintage warehouses, we shouldn’t let easy ideas to redecorate homes for free slip from our minds. For example, interiors expert Laurence Llewelyn Bowen’s ‘furniture therapy’ involves placing everything in the middle of the room before putting it back in a new way. So take a morning for a furniture reshuffle, some shelf restyling and perhaps using leftover paint to make things feel brand new. Check out these tried-and-tested thrifty refreshes from the Ideal Home team, and other décor experts, to help you refresh your space for free. 1 GET CREATIVE WITH FRAMES Ideal Home’s editor, Heather Young’s favourite budget idea involves framing anything and everything. ‘I like to get creative with what’s displayed in my home,’ she says. ‘I save…

STRIPED BLUE & WHITE BASE While the main anchor colour of this room is the deep-blue hue in the various patterns and bed upholstery, it’s the pairing of the dark blue with crisp white in a stripe pattern that is the true focus of this scheme. In this case, the delicate wallpaper fern motif is designed to look like a stripe, which ties in beautifully with the ticking bedlinen. To recreate this at home, choose a wide-striped wallpaper and hang the pattern whichever direction you prefer. Vertical stripes suggest height, while horizontal stripes add width. SWATCHES From top: Bagru cotton in Pink, £108m, Molly Mahon. All White estate emulsion, £54.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Aspo Stripe wallpaper in Dark Blue, £53 a roll, Borestapeter at Wallpaper Direct PINK ACCENTS…

1. OPEN SHELVES Opting for shelves, rather than wall-hung cabinets, will make your room feel airier and more spacious, plus act as the perfect spot for keeping cleaning products out of reach from young children. If this is the case, choose to either decant them into prettier vessels and bottles, or stow them in larger caddies, storage boxes and baskets to keep them tidy. IH LOVES… ■ Ikea for smart easy-to-install shelves ■ Cox & Cox for pretty yet sturdy options ■ La Redoute for a range of sizes 2. WALLPAPER Just because it’s a practical space, it doesn’t mean it can’t look beautiful, and using wallpaper will add pattern and depth to an otherwise stark room. A neutral design is always a winner to create a calming and serene…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Sarah and Duncan Odd and their children Beatrice, three, Freya, six and Clementine eight. THE PROJECT A side return and new kitchen in a five-bed terraced house in Mortlake, southwest London. TOTAL COST £130,000 (including all building work) THE PROBLEM The kitchen was over 20 years old. It was cold and attached to an outbuilding THE SOLUTION ‘We worked with ABL3 Architects (abl3architects.com) to create a family and entertaining kitchen which incorporated lots of light and storage. Their plan involved knocking down the outbuilding and adding a side return extension to make a much larger area for an island, large kitchen table and pantry. We also made a utility room leading off the hall, to free up storage space in…

NEED TO KNOW MUST-HAVE KIT FOR HOME REPAIRS Before you get stuck into your DIY home repairs, there are a number of tools and accessories that you should stock up with. WHAT YOU NEED: ■ Claw hammer ■ Phillips (crosshead) and flathead screwdrivers ■ Sandpaper (or a circular sander) ■ Duct tape ■ A set of Allen keys ■ Measuring tape ■ Saw ■ Cordless drill ■ Spirit level ■ Pliers ■ Safety goggles ■ Adjustable spanner or wrench Look around and you can probably spot at least a handful of home repairs that need doing. Whether your home has been suffering from dripping taps, blocked sinks or loose door handles, the list of things that need fixing has probably been growing for a while now.…

Glass is already popular in rear extensions, conservatories and garden rooms for all styles of home, but it’s now growing in popularity as a material for partition walls and internal doors. These features will bring natural light into your property and allow it to flow through. Plus, you’ll have the double advantage of the aesthetic of a large, open-plan feel but with the practical benefits of smaller, divided spaces. THE ULTIMATE LARDER A glass partition works successfully with a walk-in larder or pantry connected to a kitchen for both aesthetic and practical benefits. ‘Having a glass partition means there is less delineation between the kitchen and larder, with a greater run of floor and ceiling space, so both rooms will appear larger,’ says Richard Davonport of Davonport Kitchen & Home…

“Some models only make soup for two, while others can handle family-sized volumes. Check before you buy so you don’t end up having to cook twice for one meal!"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Healthy and nutritious, warming and comforting, nothing beats a good bowl of soup. And with the help of a soup maker, it’s really quick and easy to make (and cheaper than shop-bought). ■ Soup makers can be used for all types of different soups, from chunky to super smooth, and even gazpacho. They can also make a great pasta sauce, or a topping for your curry, too. ■ There are two different types of soup maker – the first is a blender that cooks, while the other type is a standard soup maker. The…

Pension moves to make They’re often at the bottom of the list when it comes to prioritising your finances, yet pensions are the most important part of your financial planning to help secure an income when you stop working. And women in particular should pay close attention, with research showing, on average, women’s pensions are half the size of men’s.* This means women are more likely to have a shortfall income when they retire, due to taking career breaks and the fact we still have a gender pay gap. But, there are things you can do to get back on track with your retirement goals. BOOST YOUR POT One of the easiest ways to increase your retirement wealth is to take advantage of your workplace pension. When you pay in,…

I’m a second-hand-oholic. Nothing gives me a thrill like finding the ultimate bargain. It all started in my early teens when pocket money was tight and high street shops out of the question. Each Sunday, Mum and I would head to nearby Wembley Market to rummage for hours, both of us in heaven digging about for outfits and one-offs. And the euphoria has never left me. Whether you call it second-hand, pre-loved, vintage or sustainable buying, I absolutely love it. There are three reasons why I love a pre-loved purchase – from jackets and boots to cushions, mirrors, books, and more – and why I always will. Number one: Let’s start with the obvious – it’s cheaper. When you browse online or in second-hand shops you see that you can…

If you think it’s because you’re too busy or just not cut out for tidying, that’s simply not true. The only reason why you can’t tidy is that you haven’t made your feelings towards your possessions clear. You’re trying to store everything you have or throw things away haphazardly – without having a dialogue with them first. The actions involved in tidying are actually quite simple. Discard things, then decide where to store what you’ve kept. That’s it! So unless you address the root cause – your thoughts and emotions underlying the half-hearted tidying attempts and the struggle to pare things down – you’ll never be done with tidying no matter how you try to store things away. I’ve always said that 90% of tidying is in the mind. And…

DO YOUR RESEARCH If you have rooms with more than one role, investing in multifunctional furniture is a smart choice. A living room that’s also an office, a spare room that doubles as a playroom or a bedroom that’s used as a snug, will all benefit from pieces that can transform the space easily. I’m talking about coffee tables that become desks or a shelving unit that transforms into a bed. But it’s important to do your research. This type of furniture is often pricier as it has to work harder, so take a little time to search online using these useful terms: multifunctional, transformable, dual-purpose, extendable and convertible. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX Multifunctional furniture can really help transform all areas of your home, no matter what the size. Small-space…