Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2021 i HomeStyle

Warmer days and simpler times are what we’re looking forward to this month, so this issue is full of beautiful ideas to inspire your decorating, whether it’s currently in full flow or on hold until after lockdown. From 2021’s fresh take on florals in our decorator’s moodboards on page 67 to three of the hottest spring style trends on page 74 – a vibrant take on vintage, primary colours reimagined and new look neutrals – you’re sure to be buzzing with ideas about your next project. Over on page 84, we’re excited to reveal the latest tiling trends and we show you how to make the most of your metros, with clever layouts for a contemporary twist on this design classic. As always, we have more inspiring real homes for…

When painting wall murals, always paint over the masking tape in the colour the wall was originally. Then let it dry before putting your new paint colour over it. This helps to get a clean, crisp line when you peel off the tape. Don’t be afraid to give things a go yourself. It’s amazing what you can learn online and the money you can save by not having to pay tradespeople is a bonus. We learnt to lay the wood floors upstairs by watching the fitter do the living room and we can now fit lights, hang wallpaper and lay a patio thanks to a bit of research online and advice from our trusty DIY dads. Figure out exactly how much everything will cost for each room, list it all…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Britt Spurr, 31, a beauty and nail technician. I live with my husband, Joe, 35, a biomass engineer and our French bulldog, Opie. WHERE I LIVE My home is a three-bedroom 1930s semi in Mansfield and we moved here in December 2019. I Instagram about our home at @opiewinstons_house. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Because of the modern extension, there were no original features in the house and it felt characterless, like a building full of white boxes. I really wanted to add some of our own character to it and make sure it reflected our taste as a couple. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I used my love of bold colours to paint everything I could, including the stairs and kitchen cabinets, and…

You will need • 1.5m white cotton fabric • Cardboard • Elastic bands • Fabric dye • Measuring jug • Water • Salt • Bucket • Measuring tape • Scissors • Iron • Sewing machine • Thread • 50cm cushion pad 1 Cut a 5cm strip off the length of the cotton and set aside – this is for the cushion ties. Soak the remaining fabric in water and ring out the excess. Fold the fabric in half, and then in half again, leaving a long strip. Next, fold the corner over at one end of the strip, and continue folding accordion-style in triangle shapes, going from front to back. 2 Cut two small triangular-shaped pieces of cardboard and sandwich the fabric between. Wrap rubber bands around to…

Find out if the walls you’re removing are load-bearing. If they are, it means they’re supporting the floor joists, walls and the roof. Non-load-bearing walls are quicker, easier and cheaper to take out, but load-bearing structures will require the installation of a RSJ (rolled steel joist) or I-beam to take the weight of the upstairs. If your home has original features – such as fireplaces, plaster mouldings, beams and original windows – try to incorporate them into your new design by blending them into the new space or making a statement of them. For a matching look throughout your open-plan space, use the same flooring across the room. It’s also worth considering getting underfloor heating as such a large space will need efficient heating. It’s a cost-effective solution that also…

Although paint can be easily changed, take your time with bathrooms and kitchens. We rushed the basement rooms, so ended up hating the fully tiled wet room, which will be expensive to change. Upcycle charity shop furniture where you can. You can make a statement piece out of an old unit with a bit of wallpaper découpage. I love Farrow & Ball’s dramatic colours but their paint is very expensive. I like to colour-match to Johnstone’s Paint as it’s good quality and the match is always spot on. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

Love lemons Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle with bicarb and use as a scourer to blitz your dirty pots and pans after cooking. You can use this same method to clean water marks and soap scum from your shower screen. Trusty tea bags Remove grease marks in the kitchen by rubbing a damp, used teabag over the area, leave for a while and then wipe clean. Used teabags are also great for removing baked-on food. Fill dirty dishes with hot water, add a used tea bag or two, leave to soak for a few hours or overnight and rinse. Versatile vinegar Liberally spray bathroom mould patches with white vinegar, leave for around 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. White vinegar is handy for removing most household stains,…

This tablecloth is a very clever way of making something out of relatively small pieces of fabric – ideal if you’re upcycling old linens. For a large gathering, when you need an unusually long table and never have a tablecloth big enough to cover it, this tied cloth is the perfect solution. YOU WILLNEED • Cotton fabric • Sewing machine • 3.2m of 12mm-wide ribbon • Needle and thread • Scissors • Tape measure 1 Measure the length of your tabletop and decide how wide your three finished pieces of tablecloth need to be (A). Measure the width of the table (B) and the depth of the overhang required (C). Cut out three pieces of fabric to the width of the table (B) plus twice the overhang (C), times the…

‘Warm up neutral-coloured schemes with accessories in a mix of materials’…

UPGRADE ESSENTIALS ‘If your ugly radiator is on show like mine was, then it’s worth replacing it with a designer one – we went for the Milano Windsor triple column radiator from BestHeating – and turning it into a feature in your room,’ says Erika. If you don’t want to buy new, you could always update your radiator with a cover or paint to make it blend in with – or stand out from – your walls. Swapping standard radiator knobs for prettier designs is also a quick and easy way to upgrade this home essential. PICK HARDWORKING FURNITURE Used as a working from home space and the hub of family life, Erika’s living room space needs to work hard, so she has picked furniture that has more than one…

Start small With all-over pink wall tiles, Karen has fully committed to the candy-coloured look, but you don’t have to be so daring. A few brightly coloured accessories – try a shower curtain or bath mat – can go a long way in making neutral backgrounds pop. Think of the whole picture If you want to be really bold, paint elements that are already in the space, like the door, ceiling or even the toilet. Painting these features in bright shades is a great way to cram even more colour into your space. Break it up If – like Karen – you’ve gone top-to-toe with coloured wall tiles, try breaking the look up with a piece of wall art or even a leafy houseplant to help lift the scheme.…

Brilliant bamboo We’ve all heard about recycled toilet roll, but Bumboo are taking their eco-friendly approach to your kitchen with bamboo kitchen roll. Made from sustainable bamboo fibres, each plastic-free roll is super absorbent, perfect for all of your kitchen spills. A box of 12 unwrapped rolls costs £23, or £24 for 12 wrapped in paper. RAVISHING ROLLS Pastry and pie fans rejoice, as those clever folks at Wall’s have launched a collection of meat-free meals encased in a mouthwatering hot water crust pastry to accompany their popular vegan snack rolls. Liven up a lunch break with a jumbo vegan roll or savour a BBQ jackfruit snack roll when the afternoon slump hits. Priced from £1.25 in the chilled aisle at Aldi, Asda and Tesco. Crunch time! Make the most…

Habitat THROW SOME SHAPES Playfulness meets practicality with these colourful, retro-inspired pieces HOW TO style the look 1 Practical, space-saving but plenty of fun, this new line plays on the popularity of the mid-century trend. The look can be achieved by incorporating several key accessories such as a side table, rug or even a cushion or two. Alternatively, go bold with a statement piece such as this orange armchair. 2 Balance the striking primary colours that make up this trend with a calming white canvas. White walls make the best backdrop if you want a mix of colourful items to pop. Matalan WOVEN WONDERS Go back to basics with these soothing, natural textures George Home BLOOMIN’ MARVELLOUS Welcome spring with open arms with these candy-coloured, floral pieces and…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Carla Elliman, 28, a graphic designer@carlaelliman. I live with my partner, Fraser Edwards-Cleaves, 27, who works in sales, and our cat, Bramble. WHERE I LIVE My home is a three-bedroom 90s semi in Chester, which I bought in 2015. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The house was bland but liveable, so I could wait a while before redecorating. It was all beige carpets and magnolia walls, so I wanted to add colour and personality to it. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I’ve gradually added colour through feature walls, colour blocking and stripes, as well as upcycling furniture and adding lots of houseplants. The existing bathroom and kitchen have been given a budget makeover and we’ve replaced the flooring and lighting throughout. MY FAVOURITE PART…

You will need • A3 black frame • A4 and A3 white paper • A3 yellow paper • Sharp scissors • Ruler • Glue stick 1 Type your chosen slogan in a bold font – we used Avenir Black in size 150 – and print on sheets of A4 paper. 2 Carefully cut out each 3 letter using sharp scissors. Cut the yellow sheet of paper down by 2cm on each side then arrange the letters in the middle of the paper. When you’re happy, stick them in place. 4 Remove the backing board and glass from the photo frame. Place the A3 sheet of paper on the backing board, and then place the yellow sheet in the middle – use a little glue to secure in…

When choosing your pattern, bear in mind that some stencils come as a single tile design while others have repeating patterns, which allow you to paint four or more tiles in one go. Also, think about the size of your tiles and proportions of the area being stencilled when choosing the size and design of your pattern. Fill and sand any cracks and thoroughly clean the tiles, making sure they’re free of grease and dirt. Prime the tiles with a base coat and leave to dry for at least 24 hours. It’s best to use a small roller so that you avoid leaving brushstrokes. Do a few tests first to practise your technique, then attach the stencil to the wall using a low-tack masking tape to avoid the base coat…

Don’t rush a project. Take your time to plan, create moodboards and gather ideas on Instagram and Pinterest to see what will work best in your space and what style you like. Lighting and electrics are really important when you’re extending or renovating. I didn’t realise how important until we started to work on the kitchen layout and I had to decide quite early on where the sockets needed to go and where I’d like the placement of ceiling lighting, which is quite hard when you’re working off plans. It’s great to try and do the creative touches yourself – it gives your home an individual feel and it also saves money. I upcycled an old lampshade in the bedroom by adding pampas grass and then used the leftovers to…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Rachel Runciman, 32, and I work with my husband, David, designing interiors for our property renovation business. We live with our son, Rudy, five, daughter, Patti, who’s one, and Susan the cat. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom detached Victorian house in Sale, Manchester. We bought it in November 2016. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Some rooms hadn’t been decorated since the 70s and the bizarre layout meant walking through the dining room and a corridor to get to the kitchen at the side. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN Although our previous house had the odd colourful feature wall, I’ve been more daring here by hand-painting wall murals and wallpapering ceilings. You can see more on my Instagram page @runcis_at_no9. MY FAVOURITE…

You will need • Kraft paper • Scissors • Ruler • Double-sided tape • Bamboo canes • Glue gun • Spray paint 1 Cut two pieces of kraft paper measuring 50 x 70cm long. Start by folding a thin strip along the longer 70cm side of one of the pieces. Turn the paper over, and fold another strip back the other way. Continue folding accordion-style along the whole length. Repeat with the other piece of paper. 2 To make the spikes, cut a diagonal section off each end of the folded paper sections. Fold each section in half lengthways and secure with double-sided tape. 3 Attach the two sections together with more tape, and then attach a bamboo cane to the back with a glue gun. Top…

Get in the groove It might not be the sexiest design feature, but grout has a huge impact on the overall look of your tiles. Using grout that is a similar colour to your tiles will make the tiled area seem larger. The grout blends in to create a seamless look, with little definition between the tiles. Using grout in a colour that contrasts with the tiles will create a more defined pattern. It will pick out all the edges of the tiles and make them into a style statement. Grout expectations This perfectly pink scheme is an example of carefully considered grout. The grout gently blends into the colour of the tiles for a smooth and ordered look. The warm tone makes for a cosy bathroom and is an…

Set the mood Different textures will help create different atmospheres in your space. Natural materials like rattan, wood and raffia give schemes a laid-back bohemian feel; silks and rich velvets have a luxe, decadent look while layers of fine fabrics and embellished accessories have a delicate, feminine style. Have a balance Create balance by pitting contrasting sensations against each other – think a thick pile rug on a polished floor or shaggy cushions on a cotton bedspread. Think outside the box Use the actual room itself. Wooden floors add instant texture, while textured wallpaper and paint or wall panelling gives another layer of interest.…

‘A neutral backdrop – think white walls or floors – will make accent colours pop’…

EMBRACE COLOUR For colour ideas, look beyond bathroom brochures and take inspiration from what’s around you, like Karen whose imagination was sparked just by looking in her wardrobe. ‘When choosing colours for your bathroom, think about what shades you love wearing and use them in your scheme with tiling and accessories,’ she says. If you’re worried about going OTT on the colour front, balance the look – like Karen has – with matt black detailing, a monochrome floor or build colour up with accessories. BE SWITCHED ON Before you decide on lights, think about how you use each area and what kind of atmosphere you want to create. For example, bulbs over and to the side of a mirror are great for doing make-up; exposed pendant bulbs create a contemporary…

A Albert & Moo albertandmoo.com Aldi aldi.co.uk Allen Braithwaite allenbraithwaite.co.uk Amazon amazon.co.uk Anna’s Attic annas-attic.com Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthroplogie anthropologie.com AO ao.com Argos argos.co.uk Arighi Bianchi arighibianchi.co.uk Arthouse arthouse.com Asda asda.com ASOS asos.com Atomic Interiors atomicinteriors.co.uk B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q diy.com Barker And Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse. co.uk Barry’s Cactus Club barryscactusclub.com Beaumonde beaumonde.co.uk BestHeating bestheating.com Better Bathrooms betterbathrooms.com BHS bhs.com Bio-D biod.co.uk Bissell bisselldirect.co.uk Bluebellgray bluebellgray.com Bombay Duck bombayduck.com Bower Collective bowercollective.com Brume brume.co.uk C Cambridge Imprint cambridgeimprint.co.uk Caoba caoba.co.uk Cath Kidston cathkidston.com Celina Digby celinadigby.co.uk Cheshire Antique & Salvage Fair asfairs.com Chickidee chickidee.co.uk Choose Tiles choosetiles.co.uk Cielshop cielshopinteriors.com Claybrook Studio claybrookstudio.co.uk Clean Living cleanlivingint.com Coffee & Cloth coffeeandcloth.co.uk Collective-Stories collective-stories.com Cormar Carpets cormarcarpets.co.uk Courthouse Interiors courthouseinteriors.com Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Crown Tiles crowntiles.co.uk Cuckooland cuckooland.com Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Curious Egg…

LATEST RELEASE Paint company Little Greene’s new collection offers warmth, tranquillity and harmony – the perfect combination for these cold months. Their new line, ‘Stone’, has been made in collaboration with the National Trust and includes 36 colours, 11 of which have been created following research within National Trust properties. The palette is made up of eclectic shades, inspired by a mix of grand and humble spaces, from the statement wallpapers of entertaining halls to the subtler shades of more homely and modest quarters. These paints are earthy, cosy, and rich in history. Prices start at £47. littlegreene.com PLANT PALS Barry’s Cactus Club is a mini plant subscription box that delivers a different potted cactus or succulent to your door each month, along with a super cute ceramic pot and…

Tile paint is one of the best ways to get rid of a colour or pattern you don’t like. Give your tiles a thorough clean with sugar soap and wipe down with a lint-free cloth. High-gloss tiles may need a light sand too. Place masking tape around the sanitaryware, window sill and skirting boards before painting with a specialist tile paint like the Rust-Oleum Tile Transformation kit. Use three thin coats to avoid brush marks and to give a longer-lasting finish. For a modern look, use a black, grey or coloured grout pen too. If you prefer a patterned look, try stencils from Dizzy Duck Designs or Stencil Library. Amazon and Etsy have lots to choose from too. Tape down the stencil and use either a roller or sponge, being…

Sometimes mistakes happen, and that’s okay. I originally papered the kitchen wall with a green palm print, but it really didn’t work, so I stripped it off and painted the wall green. If it goes wrong, don’t panic as you can usually just start again. To get a good finish when you’re decorating, patience is essential. I had to paint four coats in the kitchen and three undercoats on the splashback, but it was worth it, as I know the cabinets won’t chip and the splashback won’t wear away. Not everything has to be vintage. I’ve found some great, quality furniture on the high street that looks fantastic and complements my original pieces perfectly. There are great options to be found in so many places, so don’t limit yourself. See…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Lindsey Hindson, 34, a financial advisor. I live with my husband, Mike, 41, and my daughter, Ellie, 14. Mike’s daughter, Seren, 13, stays with us a lot so she has her own room too. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bed Victorian semi-detached house in Southampton. This is our first home we’ve bought together, and we moved in 2016. I post interior updates on my Instagram@hillside_ave_. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Everything! The house was an awful sight when we bought it. There was a red lounge, purple hallway, suspended 1970s office ceilings and purple glittery worktops. You name it, they had it. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We stripped the place bare in the initial stages. Creating an open-plan kitchen-diner and a…

You will need • Paper • Pencil • Masking tape • 2mm-thick aluminium wire • Wire cutters • Jewellery cement 1 Write your words at the size you’d like on paper or print them off the computer, and then tape the paper to your work surface. 2 Practise spelling out the words with a length of yarn until you are happy with the arrangement and direction of each loop. 3 Start bending the wire with your fingers following the word on the paper. Cut sections if needed – such as the crosses on Ts – with wire cutters, and fix these sections in place with jewellery cement. 4 Hang the words up on the wall using 3M Command decorating clips. Top tip Make your wall hanging…

Thinking about the style and age of your home is a good place to start. Barn-style sliding tracks can look great in a country cottage while frameless doors are perfect for an ultra-modern look. French doors will suit most styles of home and with a wide opening you could opt for fixed side panels with double doors in the middle. Sliding pocket doors – where a cassette is built into the wall – are a great option for a flush look as the doors disappear when open. Although they can be added on, if you’re tearing down walls and building new ones, that’s the time to plan the work needed to accommodate them. Aluminium Crittall-style doors are popular with fans of the industrial look, but they can be pricey. Consider…

New Romantics This vibrant look breathes new life into vintage styles with bright and unexpected colours. Bold and optimistic tones help to cast off the darkness of winter and create an energising interior scheme. HOW TO WORK this look The key to creating a multi-layered, maximalist look like this, without it becoming a mess, is to stick closely to one colour palette. Your palette can be based on anything, an old photograph, a piece of fabric or even an image from a magazine. Once you’ve made the decision though, be strict with yourself about adhering to it. It helps to take your palette with you while you’re shopping, this way you can check that potential buys match your scheme. Then you’ll have a beautifully pulled-together look with plenty of balance.…

Was there ever a year to have a good spring clean, this surely has to be that year. Wash, sweep and spritz 2020 out of your home and usher in a brighter, fresher, hopeful start to spring. A thorough spring clean will not only give your home a much-needed detox after the dark days of winter, it can provide you with a healthier and more positive outlook too. Yup, experts say that restoring order and cleanliness to your personal space can help reduce stress and give you a sense of achievement. Plus, the physical act of cleaning can have wonderful therapeutic benefits, not to mention burn off a few calories. Pass the mop! The feel-good factor doesn’t have to end there. If you switch your everyday chemical cleaners for eco-friendly…

Box of delights Make your storage as cute as your craft projects with this adorable set of drawers from Flying Tiger Copenhagen, £2. This dinky plastic unit is perfect for tidying away all those fiddly bits and pieces, while also keeping them close at hand. We love its ice cream colours! CHANGE YOUR SPOTS Hobbycraft’s Artisan collections make the most of the creative talents of its brilliant store colleagues. This vibrant set of five Tropical Leopard cotton fat quarters, £7, was designed by Bethany Salt, who works in the Chesterfield Hobbycraft store. Get stuck in This set of five, soft-toned washi tapes from Wilko, £2.50, make a stylish addition to your DIY supplies. They’re great for finishing off projects with a crisp edge. Use them to brighten up the edges…

WARM UP WITH TEXTURES A neutral palette doesn’t have to be dull – pair a subtle colour scheme with plenty of textures in similar pared-back shades for a warm and cosy feel. Lottie has piled on layers of sheepskin, raffia details, rattan and wood accessories plus pampas grass and leafy houseplants to add interest and create a feeling of comfort and warmth. MAKE SOME SHAPES Draw attention to different areas with simple designs on the wall. To highlight the window, Lottie has painted a border of scallop shapes, using a paper plate as a template. She has also used the same rose pink shade – China Clay Deep by Little Greene – to zone and add interest to the desk area, painting an oversized circle behind the floating shelves. Small…

Keep it simple Stick to the Scandinavian ethos of less is more with a select colour palette – teals and yellow give instant Nordic vibes. Also, a calm base will make accent colours pop – you can never go wrong with fresh white walls or floorboards. Tailor to your taste Give your own colourful twist to Scandi-style pieces. Paint the legs on a set of wooden chairs; swap the shade on a lamp for a brighter alternative or decorate a plain cushion with patterned block printing. Make a statement Instead of cramming in lots of furniture, give special thought to a couple of key pieces. A stand-out sofa, footstool and accent chair – like Erika has – are more than enough to make a big impact in your space.…

‘Define the colour pop look with matt black details and metallic finishes’…

MONDAY FIVE-SPICE PORK STIR-FRY PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS • 225g pork fillet • 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice • 1 tbsp plain flour • 1½ tbsp vegetable oil • 4 spring onions, sliced • 3cm piece ginger, peeled and finely grated • 2 garlic cloves, finely grated • 100g green beans • 100g Tenderstem broccoli • 1 red pepper, cut into strips • 300g pack cooked egg noodles • 1 tsp soy sauce • 15g fresh coriander, chopped METHOD 1 Cut the pork fillet in half lengthways, put on a board and cover with cling film. Bash with a rolling pin to flatten it to 8mm thick then cut into strips. 2 Mix the five-spice and flour in a bowl. Add the pork strips…

How did it all begin? I began my career as an interior stylist, which I loved, shooting for various interiors magazines and commercial clients. I hadn’t planned to become a designer but had been drawing in my spare time since leaving art school. One time, I thought an owl illustration I’d been working on would work better as a pattern on a wall, so I tried it. Luckily, it sold really well so I just carried on and the business has grown organically from there. Describe a typical day My days at the moment aren’t typical! I’m a single parent to identical twin babies so I currently work around them. On an efficient day that means emails super early in the morning, then concentrating on more creative design work or…