Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2017 i Style At Home

I was watching next-door’s cat having a funny half hour the other weekend (cat lovers will know what I’m talking about here). Something about the spring sunshine and the fresh breeze ruffling its fur made it repeatedly run up a tree, hang there upside down for a bit, then run down again. Anyway, I realised that I was in a similar mood! Waking up on that bright spring Saturday made me want to scrub the house like a woman possessed, paint stuff in bright colours, shop for quirky cushions and try out a new recipe or two – you know, just to shake things up a bit? If you’re in spring-cleaning mode too, you’ll find our pick of the best steam cleaners on p112 (get one – they’re a…

NEXT Luxe jungle Reap the riches of the rainforest with lush botanical hues HOMESENSE Stylish study Spruce up your home office using clever storage and chic stationery PRIMARK Hawaiian haven Transform your pad into a tropical paradise with exotic floral motifs GEORGE HOME Spring pastels Indulge your sweet tooth this Easter with candy-coloured buys Stylist at Home CASSIE SAYS ‘There’s something really exotic about the colour combo of teals and greens. It’s calming but always vibrant.’…

Cacti and succulents are back, and we still can’t get enough of these desert-dwelling plants in our decor. Whether you cover your walls with motifs of this spiny species or make a nod to the trend with one of the many faux varieties available on the high street (great if you have pets or children), this look is definitely a great way of bringing a little fuss-free greenery into your living space.…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Lucinda Mitra, 29, a teacher, and I live with my husband James, 30, who owns a recruitment business, and daughter, Sienna, one. MY HOME A four-bedroom detached house in East Sussex that we bought in February 2015. WHEN I BOUGHT IT Luckily, there weren’t any structural changes that needed doing, but there was a lot of cosmetic work to be tackled. AND NOW The house is cosy, and each room is decorated to reflect a different style that I love. STYLE TIP Take time to decide what looks you like, rather than just following trends, and make sure you get a feel for each room before you start decorating, so you don’t rush into any decisions that you might regret later on. Buying our…

TRY A NEW COMBO Don’t be afraid to mix designs from different trends, but limit your palette to three or four shades to ensure your scheme feels coherent. SET THE MOOD When opting for dark, statement wall colours, stick to white skirting boards and door frames to avoid the space becoming too gloomy. ADD DEPTH Mix and match textures – natural and pile fabrics, for example, will soften industrial light fittings, while lustrous metallic accessories will bring flat, painted walls to life. USE FLUORO FLAVOURS Add zing with pops of neon colour in the form of statement artwork and soft furnishings. CREATE A DISPLAY Are you a keen collector? Don’t hide your loot in a drawer – bring some personality into your home by putting your finds on display. Curate…

CULT FURNITURE This store is brimming with cult classics, including iconic furniture styles such as Eames and Wegner. The functional Scandi designs make each piece a classic, meaning your decor will never go out of style. There are great bargains to be had, too, with many pieces under £100. JOHN LEWIS You don’t have to go to the ends of the earth to find a great selection of globes. Zoe’s collection came from boot sales, but John Lewis has an extensive range, too. For colour impact, pick Wild & Wolf’s English Mustard, Goldfish Orange and French Blue, or the antique-look Nova Rico. ZAZZLE Combining prints is a key element to Zoe’s decor and when it comes to unique patterns, Zazzle is a one-stop shop. There are thousands to choose from,…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Nicole Pugh, 31, and I own Berrys & Grey, a home-furnishings emporium. MY HOME A three-bedroom flat in a converted factory in Norwich, Norfolk, that I bought in August 2014. WHEN I MOVED IN There was a tiny very basic kitchen. The lighting was virtually nonexistent – there were no fittings in the sitting room or hall, and just a couple of smaller side lights or spotlights in the bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. AND NOW I have a new kitchen and proper lighting, and my decor and accessories add a twist of elegance to the building’s industrial past. STYLE TIP Artificial flowers are so lifelike that they’re often mistaken for the real thing. They add interest, warmth and colour to an interior without the…

WHITE IS RIGHT This look isn’t just for spacious lofts. White walls and washed floors create a light and bright ambience that will open up even the smallest of rooms, and white furniture gives the illusion of a bigger space. GO FAUX Peppering the room with greenery adds colour and brings the look back to nature, making it less utilitarian. Plants with white flowers such as peace lilies and orchids especially complement this style. ADD A GLAMOROUS FEEL Combine sumptuous textures such as faux fur, velvet and silk with antique-look mirrored cabinets and brass accessories for added vintage glamour. LIGHT IT UP In spaces with high ceilings and lots of natural light you can be playful with lighting. Nicole has chosen two large chandeliers as a central statement, and then…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Sharon Tarling, 50, owner of clothes and gift shop refresh-crowthorne.com. I live with my husband Ray, 55, children Holly, 22, and Sam, 16, in a four-bedroom Seventies house in Lightwater, Surrey. We moved here in 2001. THE CHALLENGE Our modern living room had started to look bland and had little character. MY WISH LIST I wanted to lend a contemporary French feel to the room, giving it some personality and adding much-needed storage. I also wanted new flooring that looked attractive but was still practical for our two dogs, along with an effective window treatment, a few strong flashes of colour and a place to display my jug collection. Having lived in our house for 15 years, the living/dining room is a space we…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Ruth Garey, 38, and I live with my husband Ed and our two children, Holly, who’s four, and Stanley, three, in a four-bedroom terraced house in Archway, north London. MY CHALLENGE My ambition was to incorporate our unused dining room into the rest of our home. It was positioned right in the middle of the house and was a wasted area with no natural light coming in. We planned to turn it into part of a larger open-plan kitchen-diner and family space for us to enjoy. MY WISH LIST We hoped to create a large, bright combined kitchen and family room opening out onto the garden that would give Holly and Stanley space to play while we’re cooking meals. We also wanted to create…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Clare Rees, 35, and I live with my husband Al. MY HOME We live in Teddington, Middlesex, in our two-bedroom cottage, which we bought in 2010. MY CHALLENGE There were a few problems with the bathroom that needed fixing so that the room could function properly, and it desperately needed some style updates, too. We wanted to make the most of what we had, rather than buying new things for the sake of it, so the plan was also to revamp our existing things as much as possible to keep costs down. We were determined to create a beautiful space. MY WISH LIST I wanted a bath screen because we had a shower curtain that stuck to your legs, which I hated. I was…

ANGLIAN HOME IMPROVEMENTS (0808 256 3874; anglianhome.co.uk) Find PVC, timber and aluminium windows in many styles, including cottage, bay, sash and casement. EVEREST (0800 044 8252; everest.co.uk) Offers PVC, timber and aluminium windows with double- and triple-glazing options. SECONDARY GLAZING UK (01325 310520; secondaryglazing.com) Sells secondary glazing in various styles, all fully assembled and glazed ready for installation. VELFAC (01223 897100; velfac.co.uk) Its bespoke composite windows in timber and aluminium come in a range of contemporary styles. There are double- and triple-glazing options available, too. VELUX (01592 778225, velux.co.uk) This window specialist offers a wide variety of roof windows for both pitched and flat roofs, plus a range of blinds to fit.…

1 WORK OUT WHAT YOU’RE DEALING WITH FIRST It’s really important that you check with the manufacturer of your blinds before you start to tackle any cleaning job, as you could easily damage them if you clean them using the wrong method. If in doubt, do a spot test on a relatively hidden section of the blind first. 2 DEEP CLEAN YOUR METAL, PLASTIC AND SYNTHETICS Blinds made from aluminium, PVC or a synthetic material can be given a deep clean with a mild detergent, either in the bath or outdoors. Be sure to place a mat or towel underneath the blind to protect it from getting scratched, and never immerse the headrail in water as this may damage the internal parts. 3 GO FOR A DELICATE APPROACH ON WOODEN…

WEIGHT You’ll have to lug the cleaner around, so the lighter the better – remember that each litre of water adds a kilo. It’s most important for handhelds, as heavier cylinder cleaners move around on wheels. HEAT-UP TIME This depends on the size of the tank and the wattage – the higher your cleaner’s wattage, the quicker it can boil water. Speed things up by filling the tank with hot water. WATER-TANK CAPACITY The larger the tank, the more you can clean before a refill, but the heavier your cleaner will be. Capacity is less crucial if you’re spot-cleaning, but for large areas, consider a twin-tank model. This will let you clean almost nonstop, as you can refill one tank while the other stays hot. MAXIMUM CLEANING TIME Expect 15min…

BLUEBERRY, BANANA & CHOCOLATE WAFFLES TAKES 20MIN SERVES 3 160g butter, plus extra for greasing 250g blueberries 2 eggs 300ml milk 30g golden caster sugar 250g self-raising flour 2tsp baking powder 2 bananas, sliced 50g milk chocolate, grated 1 Put 60g butter in a pan with the blueberries and 2tbsp water. Heat gently for 5min, until fruit softens. 2 Preheat an electric waffle maker. Put the remaining 100g butter in a glass or plastic bowl, and microwave on high for 30 seconds to melt. 3 Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk in the milk. Gently stir in the sugar, flour and baking powder. Fold in the melted butter until the mixture is just combined. 4 Grease the waffle maker. Pour 100ml of the mixture into each side of…

CHEAT’S EATS! Can’t face cooking? Switch on the microwave and feast on this light, tasty Mushotto from Waitrose. It’s a riceless risotto, made with celeriac and mushrooms, in a cheese and white wine sauce, topped with steamed kale. Low in fat and carbs, it’s just the thing if you’re eating late. Mushotto for one, £3.30, Love Life range, Waitrose. GRAB YOURSELF AN APRON AND GET MESSY IN THE KITCHEN TO HELP SUPPORT THE AMAZING WORK OF COMIC RELIEF Kitchen kit for Comic Relief Red Nose Day lands on 24 March and if you haven’t started fundraising, you can still donate or contribute to the cause by buying one of the official Red Nose Day-branded products available from TK Maxx and HomeSense. A host of celebrities have joined in to raise…

A Aga 0845 712 5207, agaliving.com Alaris Avenue 01322 275511, alarisavenue.co.uk Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Amtico 0121 745 0800, amtico.com Andshine 07765 530607, andshine.co.uk Annabel James 0845 548 0210, annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 713089, anniesloan.com Argos 0345 640 3030, argos.co.uk Arthouse 01706 230077, arthouse.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410, artisanti.com Atkin & Thyme 0844 409 9834, atkinandthyme.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com Bathstore bathstore.com Bedmill 01924 470989, bedmill.co.uk Beko 0845 600 4911, beko.co.uk Berrys & Grey 01603 627505, berrysandgrey.co.uk Betty’s 0800 456 1919, bettys.co.uk Bhs 0333 733 1000, bhs.com Big Bathroom Shop 0333 331 5968, bigbathroomshop.co.uk Blinds2go blinds-2go.co.uk Bloomingville bloomingville.com Bluesuntree 0116 267 0267, bluesuntree.co.uk Brintons 0800 505055, brintons.co.uk British Fenestration Rating Council 020 7403 9200, bfrc.org Burgon & Ball 0114 233 8262, burgonandball.com Button & Sprung 03333 201801,…

Rae Thompson ABOUT ME I’m 43 and I live in a three-bedroom house in Alton, Hampshire. WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT FOR YOUR HOME? I picked up a Martini table from I&JL Brown – it’s functional, portable and lovely! I also bought some Designers Guild cushions that I plan to place throughout the house. Lucy Fisk ABOUT ME I’m 33 and live in a 1960s two-bed semi-detached bungalow in Whitstable with my husband Karl, 32, and sons, Nate, six, and Leo, four. WHAT’S YOUR BEST MONEY-SAVING TIP? Many charities have second-hand furniture shops. You can find really solid items at good prices and they’re ideal places to find an upcycling project. Lindsey Affleck ABOUT ME I’m 38 and I live in a two-bedroom flat dating from 1900 in the…

Winning wallpaper Graham & Brown has announced its Wallpaper of the Year – and we’ve fallen for it big time. Featuring blush and marble-look geometrics mixed with rose-gold metallic accents that shimmer in the light, ‘Reflections’ marries all our favourite trends in one. Get it before it’s gone! £40 per roll, grahambrown.com . They’re everywhere! SPECKLES Henry Holland is in Habitat Not for the fainthearted, king of the catwalk Henry Holland is back in all his technicolour glory with a personality-packed new range for Habitat. This is the designer’s second collaboration with the brand and the collection mixes folky florals, punchy ginghams and Romany-style embroidery. Throw caution to the wind and add a bit of Bohemia to your scheme. Shop the range at habitat.co.uk. GO TO BED…

HOMEBASE Add colour to a cream kitchen with blue splashback tiles. Homebase has lots of muted shades that will fit into a country scheme – we suggest looking at Laura Ashley’s Artisan range. MADE Add Broadway glamour to your living space with the fun theatre-style star and arrow light fittings from Made’s fabulous range of statement lighting. NEW ICONS OF PRINT With hundreds of typography prints from just £5 each to choose from, you’ll have collated enough for a gallery wall like Lucinda’s in no time.…

Enjoy the first signs of spring with these pure white, pendulous, bell-shaped single-flowering snowdrops that elegantly indicate that winter is coming to an end. Supplied as bulbs in the green, they allow you to instantly visualise how they will look in your garden and ensure optimum growth the following year. NOW TRY THESE OTHER GREAT OFFERS, TOO! SINGLE-FLOWERING SNOWDROPS Boost your free collection of snowdrops with these additional bulbs to create a carpet of pure white in your garden. Buy 25 for £14.99 Buy 50 for £24.99, saving £4.99 DOUBLE-FLOWERING SNOWDROPS Similar to the better-known single varieties, but with layers of petals and a wonderful honey scent. Height: 8cm; spread: 5cm. Buy 25 for £14.99 Buy 50 for £24.99, saving £4.99 ENGLISH BLUEBELLS Rekindle memories of springtime woodland walks with…

IKEA Create your own indoor garden with artificial foliage and realistic-looking silk flowers from Ikea. Priced from just 40p per bloom and £3 for a leafy potted plant, you can fill your home with exotic greenery on even the tightest of budgets. The best thing is, they’ll last forever and you won’t need to enlist anyone to water them while you’re away. BEDMILL Wake up in penthouse-style luxury every day with one of Bedmill’s round beds. Each one is made to order, with a choice of upholstery fabrics including leather and velvet. A range of circular mattresses and bed linen is available, too, so you can assemble your own bespoke boudoir centrepiece. DWELL Head over to Dwell to browse a great selection of statement lighting. Recreate Nicole’s look by combining…

the STYLE RULES Boho prints prove blooms aren't always girly This look is all about mixing bold floral prints in primary colours and traditional folky embroidered patterns for a vibrant eclectic look. BUILD ON A NEUTRAL BASE Let colourful patterned fabrics sing out against a white and wood background. GO FOR HANDCRAFTED STYLES Pompoms, weaves, embroidery and distressed or rustic finishes are your friend. BUILD IT UP This look gets even better over time, so mix old bits with new high-street buys for a scheme that’s full of personality and history. Folky FLORALS Combine clashing brights with painterly patterns the STYLE RULES Deep, rich shades create intensity and drama Mixing big bold florals and dark hues isn’t for the faint-hearted! This striking combo will create…

UNLESS YOU HAVE A STRONG PREFERENCE FOR ELECTRIC OR GAS,IT MAKES SENSE TO SIMPLY STICK WITH THE FUEL SUPPLY YOU ALREADY HAVE Not every kitchen has room for a range cooker, and not every cook requires that much oven or hob space. Does that sound like you? Then you might consider having a slot-in cooker. You’ll get more for your money than buying an oven and hob separately, and there’s a wide variety of styles available to you, too. Q Why buy a freestanding cooker? These all-in-one solutions offer value for money. Incorporating a hob, at least one oven and a grill, they come in a variety of widths, colours and fuel combinations. Prices vary between £300 and £700, although you could spend thousands on a true range-style cooker, such…

‘CHOOSE A SHOWER HEAD THAT CAN PRODUCE MULTIPLE SPRAY PATTERNS TO ENJOY A LUXURIOUS BOUTIQUE SPA EXPERIENCE AT HOME’ Michael Gray, Grohe Simulating the soothing patter of warm summer rain, a rainfall shower head delivers an indulgent spa experience that will leave you feeling pampered and relaxed. And achieving such decadence on a daily basis can cost less than you’d think. Q What is a fixed rainfall shower head? As the name suggests, this design is attached to the wall or ceiling, rather than to a flexible shower hose on a riser bar. The rainfall element refers to the large size of the head and the gentle water flow, which is designed to drench you softly from head to toe in the manner of a rain cloud. Q Why…

TAKES 30MIN SERVES 4 225g self-raising flour 1tsp ground mixed spice 1/2tsp ground cinnamon 75g soft butter 60g caster sugar 75g sultanas 40g mixed peel 1 large free-range egg, lightly beaten 3tbsp buttermilk, plus a little extra for brushing 100g golden marzipan 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/ Gas 6. In a large bowl, mix together the flour and spices with a pinch of salt. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs . 2 Stir in sugar, sultanas and mixed peel, then add the beaten egg and buttermilk. Using one hand, bring mixture together into a dough. Don't overhandle it – if it's dry, add a little buttermilk. Divide mixture into eight, then roll each piece into a ball. Place on a baking…

EARN YOUR STRIPES Every room could do with one of these handy gather-all hampers. Striped storage basket, £12, Not-Another-Bill HANG IT HIGH This hallway hero boasts handy hooks and a neat shelf for post. Estique hallway organiser, £15, Umbra range, Red Candy STORE & DISPLAY For all your decorative doodahs that you don’t mind being on view. Triangle ladder display, £79, Very HIDDEN TREASURE This low table features a versatile storage compartment, ideal for remote controls or toys. Troop storage table, £149, Made SEASONAL STASH Pack away your winter clothes for the summer in this neat underbed trunk. Romskog bed storage box, £39, Ikea CLEAR THE DECKS Rid your home office of stationery clutter with this smart two-drawer set. Metal storage drawers, £22, Sainsbury’s COUNTERTOP CADDY This tropical-style pot is…

1 STOCK UP ON SEED POTATOES You can’t just plant supermarket potatoes – you need to get hold of special seed potatoes from a garden centre or an online supplier. Each seed potato tuber you plant will send out lots of side shoots, which all swell and become individual potatoes. Ideally, you should plant at least three different types of seed potato – First Early, Second Early and Main crops, so you have potatoes all through the summer. 2 CHIT YOUR SEED SPUDS Before planting, place your seed potato tubers on trays (cardboard egg boxes are perfect) indoors – somewhere light and cool but frost-free, so they can ‘chit’ – sprout short side shoots. After about four to six weeks, each potato should have a good number of shoots. 3…

Low-cash kitchen revamp Desperate for a new-look kitchen, but can’t face the expense or upheaval of starting from scratch? Transform units with this revolutionary paint by B&Q that gives them an upgrade in a weekend. Preparation is minimal as no stripping or undercoat is required – just apply the paint with a brush or roller to wood, melamine or laminate doors. The finished surface is stain-and knock-resistant and will withstand frequent cleaning. Budget bespoke DIY Alcove Cabinets will make a unit to your measurements and supply it pre-drilled and flat-packed for you to assemble. Select doors, shelves, and handles to generate a price, then add measurements. They will call to confirm the details, then once the order is placed, your bespoke cabinet will arrive within four weeks. Contact diyalcovecabinets.co.uk for…

Style at Home has teamed up with Judge to offer seven lucky readers the chance to win a set of its new Classic stainless steel cookware worth £304 each. Whether you’re preparing a cosy dinner for two, or a family meal for four, cooking should be enjoyable and easy. Judge’s Classic collection pairs the hard-wearing resilience of traditional mirror-polished stainless steel cookware with cutting-edge non-stick, to produce the ultimate cooking experience with pans that will last a lifetime. Complete kit Each five-piece range includes one 14cm milk pan, a 16cm 1.4ltr saucepan, 8cm 2ltr saucepan, 20cm 2.5ltr saucepan and a non-stick 28cm frying pan. All come with a thick thermic base that is suitable for all hob types and is ovenproof up to temperatures of 180°C. A smart ergonomic handle…

TAKES 10 MIN 1 Open out a square fabric napkin. Taking the bottom edge, fold away from you, press along the fold with your fingers. Repeat to make a rectangle. 2 Fold left and right sides of the napkin down from middle to form an equal triangular point at the top with abutting edges, making a central join line. 3 Fold the bottom left and right corners into the middle to form a diamond shape. Try to keep all sides and folds equal. 4 Fold the left and right side corners in again to make a point, creating a kite shape. 5 Carefully turn the whole napkin over. Turn the whole top pointed triangle section down towards the centre creating an equilateral triangle shape with the point facing downwards. 6…

3 of the best... CUTE EASTER BUYS…

SIZE This style tends to be bulky, so check your room, doors, stairs and hall are wide enough to get it in. In a small room, consider an upholstered headboard on a compact divan base. FABRIC Choose hard-wearing weaves like damask, twill or velvet. Dirt-resistant and water-repellent microsuede is a good choice, and real or faux leather are both great wipe-clean options. Finally, remember that darker colours or patterns will disguise stains better. CARE Washable slipcovers are the most practical choice. Use a spot cleaner on marks and blot rather than rub. Wipe leather with a damp cloth and then a dry one to avoid watermarks. Vacuum any buttoned upholstery regularly.…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Zoe Pearson, and I work as an editor/marketing manager for Pinterest UK. I live here with my husband Neil, who is a risk manager at Deloitte, and our two rescue cats, Leno and Fizzle. MY HOME A two-bedroom flat in a converted Victorian house in Brockley, south east London. WHEN I MOVED IN We chose to rent the flat unfurnished so we could make it our own. In many ways the rooms were very similar then to how they look now. But our current second living room was a landing then and the owners had a massive black leather couch in the living room that wasn’t to our taste. AND NOW It’s full of vibrant, individual touches that reflect our styles and personality much…

CHOOSE WOOD Look out for mid-century pieces or high-street reproductions. The clean shapes add simplicity, allowing you to be playful with the rest of the room. FUN WITH FABRIC Mix up your prints – try a dinosaur cushion or watermelon bedding. Make sure your furniture stays sophisticated. THINK GLOBAL Old maps bring a nostalgic element to your decor and come in all different shapes and sizes to suit your style. ADD A COLOUR POP Jazz up metal chair legs by spraying with a bright shade – or give a different hue to each chair seat in a set. BE NATURAL Unpainted floorboards really set off this look and require little maintenance. For a hardwearing finish, treat wood to a coat of good quality varnish to seal.…

1 Colour refresh Revive a living room with a fresh palette for spring. Make your sofa the focal point by painting the wall behind it in a soft pastel shade and swap old sofa cushions and throws for a new line-up in pretty co-ordinating colours. Bluebell sofa in Taupe, £1,340, Sofa.com 2 Quick change Perk up a plain cushion with a colourful pompom trim. Buy sew-on fringing by the metre (£4.99 per m, Dunelm) or make your own pompoms and sew one on each corner – try Hobbycraft’s pompom maker, £5.90. 3 ‘SHOP’YOUR HOME Instead of going on a shopping spree, walk through your home and borrow items from other rooms or dig out forgotten treasures hiding at the back of your cupboards. Mixing things up and changing them around…

Looks are important when redoing a kitchen, but you also need great appliances that will make your life easier. That’s why Beko’s washing machines, tumble dryers and washer dryers are ideal for washdays, whether you’re a single professional or a busy family household of five. Beko offers large-capacity machines that wash up to 12kg in just 28 minutes – perfect for families facing large piles of laundry. With programmes including steam therapy, daily quick wash, anti-allergy, hand wash, extra rinse and pet-hair reduction, there are models to suit every household’s needs. And if you’re fed up with the sight of laundry drying on clothes racks and radiators, it’s time to invest in an energy-efficient dryer. With heat-pump technology, Beko’s tumble dryers use lower temperatures to dry the load, saving money…

SUPER SAVER Stainless-steel oven with a four-ring gas hob, plus lid. Save energy by heating only half of the twin grill. KDP60SES, £398, Indesit HI-TECH HOB This W60cm cooker has a touch-control induction hob that’s responsive and low maintenance, as is the enamel-lined oven. 601EDOMTi, £389, New World ROOM INSIDE Rustle up roasts in this large 74ltr oven, which has a fan for consistent heat. ZCV66030XA electric cooker, £450, Zanussi…

MAKE YOUR OWN EASTER DECORATIONS The Easter weekend starts on (Good) Friday 14 April, so there’s still plenty of time to make simple decorations for the table. Try creating our easy Easter Bunny napkins, seen on page 33. CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS Wipe away weeks of dust, cobwebs and grime by washing your windows, inside and out, to let the spring sunshine in. Want to save a few quid? Use a half-and-half solution of vinegar and tap water for a sparkling result. GET OUT INTO THE GARDEN While the weather may still be unpredictable, now’s a good time to get outdoors and assess your garden. Note areas that need work, tackling each issue when you have a free half hour. This way, everything’ll be ready to go once summer really starts.…

ONLY USE STEAM ON SEALED FLOORS. IF WATER DROPS DON’T SINK IN, YOU’RE GOOD TO GO Continuous steam This cleaner has a large (1ltr) tank, yet heats only small amounts of water at a time so it can deliver powerful steam fast, plus you can top up without having to stop cleaning. A built-in filter takes the hassle out of descaling. SC3 steam cleaner, £160, Kärcher WHAT’S IN THE BOX? Two cotton cloths; power/detail/hand nozzles; round brush; filling cup OTHER KEY FEATURES Weight 3.1kg; heat-up time 30secs; tank holds 750ml; maximum cleaning time 25min; cord length 4m Cleans and vacuums As the name suggests, this machine is actually a steam mop and vacuum cleaner in one. You can use the vacuum and steam features independently or together – say, for…

£13.94 Fallen Fruits Secrets Du Potager teapot bird feeder, AMAZON £39.50 Oak apple core bird feeder, Natural Wood Company at NOTONTHEHIGH STREET.COM £16.50 Birdy bird feeder, DESIGNIST £20 Acorn ball feeder, NATIONAL TRUST £19.50 Steel bird feeder, MARKS & SPENCER £12 Cast-iron mounted bird feeder, The New Eden at NOTONTHEHIGH STREET.COM £29 Umbra bird cafe feeder, RED CANDY £25.50 Copper nut bird feeder, THE FARTHING £6 Wild bird butter feeder, WILKO £39.50 Steam-bent oak bird feeder, Layertree at NOTONTHEHIGH STREET.COM…

HANG IT ALL Hanging strips fix frames to the wall with no nail damage. They’re easy to remove, and don’t leave marks, £3.39, Command ALL-ROUNDER Use this tough glue to securely join metal, ceramic, glass, wood, bricks and concrete. It’s waterproof as well as paintable, sandable and stainable, Gorilla glue, £5.89, Homebase EASY REPAIRS Sugru is a flexible, mouldable glue that sticks to almost anything, making it perfect for home repairs, £6.99, Sugru.com…