Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i HomeStyle

April is one of my favourite months as milder weather – maybe even some warm days if we’re lucky – means a chance to throw open the windows, tidy away winter blankets and bring the outside in with a sunny bunch of daffodils. Patterns are the perfect way to freshen up for spring so check out our three different looks with tropical prints in this month’s decorator’s moodboards on page 65. If you fancy switching up your curtains between seasons, or just giving your windows a bit of TLC, our handy guide to curtains, blinds and shutters on page 80 will help you find a look you’ll love. With Easter on its way, you’ll also find gorgeous ideas for Easter table settings on page 86 and keen cooks will love…

Stay away from too much trend-led stuff. There are so many designs I love but I know it’s not my core style and it wouldn’t be right for me long-term. My fave items that have the most character aren’t brand new, but vintage treasures found at antique markets and car boot sales. The only massive splurge was an upholstered bed from West Elm along with a top-end mattress. We really couldn’t afford it at the time, but I don’t regret it at all. I sleep like a dream every night – it’s definitely worth investing in your bed. Don’t go to the same shop for all your furniture as it becomes a bit ‘matchy.’ I’ve been guilty of that in the past and it annoys me now! Now I buy…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Raya Pierzak , 30, a visual merchandiser. I live with my boyfriend, Aaron, 31, an activities supervisor. WHERE I LIVE Our two-bedroom semi-detached house is in Kilburn, Derbyshire, and we moved here in October 2019. I’m not sure when it was built but it’s an old house and we love its character. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The house had lots of potential, but it had dated décor and needed new flooring and replastering. We wanted to update the old kitchen too. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We spent time decorating it ourselves, giving it a quirky vibe and turning it into a space that we like to spend time in, whether it’s entertaining or cosy nights in for the two of us. MY…

Only buy one or two plants at a time so you really get to know them. Find out the dos and don’ts of each plant; where it likes to live, how much water and sunlight it needs, what temperature it prefers. See your plants as something that need individual care and attention. Find a watering schedule that suits you. First thing in the morning is usually best – especially during summer – as your plant can absorb the water before it gets too hot. If you have lots of plants it might be worth writing a watering plan, as all plants are different, and a regular routine will keep them healthy. Consider where to place your plants. Large architectural and hanging plants work well in an empty corner and, as…

Talk with your builders about the small stuff. It didn’t cross my mind to question where the radiator should go or how many light switches there should be, but this is all important. Although I’ll choose the most expensive thing when I look in a magazine, it’s important to be careful with financial planning when it’s your own home. With a little compromise you can still make a gorgeous home on a budget. Be patient. I wish I hadn’t rushed into the kitchen design as I think if I’d given myself more time, I might have taken different decisions, but I was in a hurry to get it finished so we could move in. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

Shutters are an investment purchase. They can be expensive upfront, but they add value and loads of kerb appeal to your home. Unlike curtains and blinds, all shutters are made bespoke. This means you can get them millimetre perfect to suit your windows and your home. Experienced installers can find solutions for unusually shaped windows too, so they’re a great option for windows you’re struggling to cover. Some companies offer a DIY shutter service. This allows you to measure the windows and fit the shutters yourself. They’ll make the shutters to your measurements and deliver them to your door – but the rest is up to you. DIY shutters can be up to 40 per cent cheaper but you need to be extra careful to take accurate measurements for a…

Branch out Get creative this Easter and upcycle a fallen branch or twigs into a stunning centrepiece. Rub the branches down with a dry cloth to remove any loose bark or debris. Stick them into a plant pot filled with sand to hold the branches steady while you coat them with matt white paint. Or, instead of painting, you could tightly wrap the branches with white duct tape to create a similar effect. This will be easier to do with thin strands of tape, so be prepared to cut them down to size. Once the branches are completely white, they’re ready to decorate! White pre-lit tree, £8; decorations, from £3.50, all Dunelm. A BRUSH WITH NATURE Paintbushes at the ready! The stunning paint collection from Farrow & Ball and The…

A Hold the latch hook in your main hand. Even though the latch hook has a handle, it is usually easier to hold it further down, nearer the hook, as this gives you more control. B Pick up one of the short strips of fabric in your other hand. Hold the top of the strip between your index and middle fingers and the bottom of the strip between your fourth finger and thumb. The part of the strip between your fingers should be taut. This is the part you will be hooking onto on the underside of the burlap. C Hold the strip of fabric under the burlap in the location where you would like to begin. Insert the hook into your chosen hole from the top of the burlap…

PERSONALISE YOUR KITCHEN Buying everything from the same kitchen range can feel a bit samey, so Margy has added individual touches. ‘A local company made the shelving, as well as the plywood and formica island worktop,’ she says. ‘I love having open shelving as it’s less obtrusive than the cabinets that used to be on this wall, and the Kilner jars help me see what I’ve got at a glance so I don’t buy things I don’t need.’ UTILISE A CHIMNEY BREAST Margy created a handy ledge behind the hob, on the chimney breast, for cooking essentials. ‘It’s my favourite part of the kitchen,’ she says. ‘The units had to be pulled slightly forward to accommodate pipes, so I thought I’d make a feature of it. I also love how…

Strong shapes Simple doesn’t have to mean boring. Choose functional, no-frills homeware with strong, deliberate outlines to add interest. Curved lightshades, line-drawn wall art or sculptural ornaments can help otherwise plain pieces stand out in your scheme. Welcome nature Both Japanese and Scandi lifestyles value nature. Bring a feeling of the outside in with natural materials such as bamboo, organic linen and statement houseplants. Have purpose Everything in the scheme should be intentional so be considered about what pieces and colours you include. It should have a functional purpose, bring a certain aesthetic to the space or simply spark joy.…

• Walls in Micro Cement Cardiff, £36 per sq m, Impera Italia • Veneto bathroom vanity unit, £595; Luxe wall-mounted basin mixer tap, £235; Luxe three-way shower set, £595, all Lusso Stone • Mode Tate wall-hung WC, £259, Victoria Plum • Ideal Standard Tempo bath, £370, Modern Living Direct • Deco bath screen, £560, Drench Showers • East Haven herringbone floor tiles, £119.86 per sq m, Claybrook Studio • Hay Strap mirror, £215, HUH. Store • Menu Carrie light, £135, Skandium • Bisque Deline towel radiator, £171, Nationwide Bathrooms • Classic Single Pocket door system, £294, Eclisse • Shaker four-panel door, £100, Howdens • Nichba Denmark bath shelf, £95, Nest…

George Home GLOBAL INFLUENCE Liven up your home with exotic patterns and colours HOW TO style the look 1 Indigo blue conjures up exotic images of Greek islands, Moroccan palaces and the Mexican home of Frida Kahlo. Pair this joyful colour with the purest shade of white, or with a pop of sunshine yellow to bring the holiday vibes home. 2 Wave farewell to minimalism and embrace lavish, intricate patterns, inspired by eastern designs. Whether it’s through tiling, crockery, soft furnishings or glassware, these designs will whisk you away to another land. John Lewis MODERN CHATEAU These are classic accessories with a contemporary twist, reminiscent of a holiday in a French chateau. Your home is your castle after all! B&M TRANQUIL TERRACOTTA Pair stripped back textures with warm…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Sam Thompson, a fashion influencer and one half of@londonstylesisters. I also work in finance. I live here with my husband, Will, and our children, Lexi, nine and Amelie, six. WHERE I LIVE We live in a four-bedroom, new-build end-of-terrace house in north London. We bought it off the plans seven years ago. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Being a new-build house, there was originally little storage. We wanted to create more room for the kids’ stuff and to make sure that the space worked well for us all. It was also pretty much a blank white box, so we wanted to add some personality. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We turned our downstairs toilet into a utility room and put practical storage into the…

Prep your walls and make sure they’re clean and smooth. Then, using a spirit level, mark with a pencil where you’d like your panelling to sit. Consider how much space you want between each panel. Take some decorative wood beading and cut it to your desired lengths using either a hand saw and mitre block, or a mitre saw power tool. Apply wood glue to the back of each beading and stick them to your wall, using your spirit level to ensure they’re straight. Once you’re happy with them, apply pressure to each piece of beading to make sure they’re stuck on firmly. Once the adhesive is dry, use caulk to fill any gaps between the beading and the wall and tidy up the edges. Lastly, paint your walls and…

We discussed getting rid of the parquet but I’m so glad we didn’t. I can now love certain features that I wouldn’t ordinarily like and appreciate what they add to the character of the space. Don’t rush into things. It was a good idea getting some building work done before we moved in, but actually, if we’d lived in the space first, I might have made better long-term decisions. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We had lots of ideas and colour choices that we just brought over from our last renovation, which saved us time and money. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Charlotte Anderson-Fox, 33, a cake designer and maker. I live with my husband, Matt, 34, a greenkeeper, and my son, Archie, who’s 14. I Instagram about our home at @acraftylittlefox. WHERE I LIVE We live in a three-bedroom Victorian end-terrace in Benfleet, Essex. Myself and Archie moved here in May 2015. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The whole house had been renovated apart from the kitchen, which felt dirty and unsafe, so completely redoing it was the first thing on my to-do list. The living room and Archie’s bedroom were tiny so we wanted to create more living space. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I knocked down the walls to create a bigger kitchen space and then eventually we added a two-storey extension on.…

You will need 1 If your pots are glazed, then give them a quick wash and move straight to step two. If they’re unglazed then you’ll need to seal them with PVA to stop the spray paint soaking in and giving a dull finish. To do this, mix a solution of half PVA glue and half water in a bucket and stir well. Lie a piece of thick cardboard onto your work surface and place the plant pots on top. Paint a thin coat of the PVA and water mix onto the outside of the plant pots – make sure you brush out any drips so the surface is as smooth as you can get it. Leave to dry for at least three…

We recommend following the measuring instructions carefully for the specific blind you want to order and the situation you want to fit it into (such as a bay window, patio door or standard rectangular window). Use a metal measuring tape as fabric tapes can stretch or give inaccurate measurements. You’ll also need to decide which side you want the blind controls on for convenience of use. When deciding where to place your blind, check whether your window has a recess or not and also what obstructions there are to fitting the blind inside the recess, such as handles, window fittings and the direction the window opens. If there are no obstructions, then it depends on personal preference, but most people prefer to fit their blinds inside the recess and curtains…

WALK THE LINE I’ve paired mid-century lighting with modern furniture; I love mixing the old with the new. Choosing well-designed items for your home will have a timeless impact. Colour blocking with an earthy tone adds warmth and creates a striking backdrop for monochrome features to pop against. I like clean lines, mirroring symmetrical angular features of a period home, while staying sympathetic to period features that should sing for themselves. @geordie_jens_abode SLEEP EASY I think it’s best to describe our home as continuously evolving. My go-to colours are blue, pink, green and grey. As I’ve grown in confidence, so has my love of colour and pattern. When redecorating our bedroom, I struggled to find a bed that would be timeless and versatile to accommodate my changing taste. My solution…

This striped rag rug is a simple but effective design, whether you’re making your first rug or are a veteran of the craft. Neutral coloured fabrics are some of the easiest to track down and this rug uses solid colours and patterns in a palette of black, grey, cream, navy and white – a little bit of sparkle would look great too. The rug is made using the traditional technique of shaggy rag rugging. It’s fabulously textured and tactile – rugs made in the shaggy style are the kind you just can’t wait to sink your feet into! Shaggy rag rugging tends to be more fabric-intensive, on average you’ll usually get one or two rows out of a medium-sized garment, so keep this in mind when gathering your fabrics together…

About me I’m Kate Jane Watson, a photographer. I live with my two daughters, Poppy, 13, and Lola, who’s 15. We live in a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Stroud and we moved here in 2016. My room... MY PROBLEM OFFICE During the first lockdown the girls were using the dining area – my usual office space – for their home schooling and Zoom lessons, but I was still trying to work on projects and needed a quiet space to edit my images to meet my deadlines. We were all getting in each other’s way and none of us had any quality space to concentrate on our individual tasks. HOW I MADE IT WORK I decided to convert an under-used en suite into a dedicated office space. I ripped out the…

Think long-term Before you buy a desk, think about other ways you could use it, in case our WFH circumstances change. A piece that you could use as a workspace now and as a dressing console or coffee table later will be a worthwhile buy, no matter what happens. Room with a view If you can, set up beside a window to let the light and outside view boost productivity. If that’s not an option, hang a mirror on the wall above your desk to reflect light, shapes and movement from the space around you. Chill-out zone Working from home can be stressful, so create a relaxing, calm environment by lighting candles and surrounding yourself with a few houseplants.…

• KUNGSBACKA kitchen doors, £24 each; EKBACKEN laminate worktops, £55 each; for a similar sink, try the HAVSEN two bowl sink, £223; ÄLMAREN tap with pull-out spout, £90; ELDSLÅGA gas hob, £225; ANRÅTTA oven, £450; ANRÅTTA microwave, £399; KÖLDGRADER integrated fridge-freezer, £799; DALFRED bar stools, £40 each; for similar pendant, try the SKURUP pendant lamp, £15 each, all IKEA • Island worktop with plywood edge, £520; three matching shelves, £160, both Curiosity Allotment • For similar flooring, try Living 6mm natural oak laminate flooring, £6.99 per sq m, Discount Flooring Depot • For similar tiles, try Metro XL flat white matt wall tiles, £19.99 per sq m, Tons of Tiles • For a similar table, try the Long Island industrial dining table, £324, Maisons du Monde • For similar chairs,…

About me I’m Sina Luck, an interior designer at s-i-l-u.com. I live with my husband, Gavin, in a two-bedroom maisonette in south London. My room... MY PROBLEM BATHROOM Our old bathroom was cold, old-fashioned and often messy as there was no storage. Even worse, it was disproportionately big and sandwiched between the kitchen on one side, and the garden door on the other. Walking through the bathroom to get outside just didn’t feel right. HOW I MADE IT WORK We took a slice off the bathroom with a stud wall and created a passage directly from the kitchen to the garden door, with a new sliding door into the bathroom. We made the space more user-friendly, with white sanitaryware, offset with black brassware and a herringbone tiled floor. MY FAVOURITE…

BAG THIS Founded to reduce single-use plastic, Kind Bag is a brand to keep tabs on thanks to their stylish and eco-friendly approach to reusable shopping bags. Each bag is made from six recycled plastic bottles, and in their first year alone the brand has recycled over 1.5 million plastic bottles! Their latest spring line includes a gorgeous range of must-have prints, from paisley and stripes through to floral, gingham and geometric. The sustainable shoppers come in either a mini or medium size, priced at £8 and £10 respectively. A medium bag can fit up to a whopping 20kg – that’s what we call a successful shopping trip! Available from selected indie shops and kindbag.co Clean conscience Meet Raindrop, a fresh new eco-cleaning brand for 2021. Combining chic aesthetics with…

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB STUFFED WITH FETA, OLIVES AND PISTACHIOS PREP TIME 40 MINS COOK TIME 80 MINS, PLUS MARINATING AND RESTING SERVES 8 INGREDIENTS • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 2 lemons, 1 juiced and 1 sliced • 1½ tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp dried oregano • 2kg leg of lamb • 100g feta, crumbled • 2 tbsp pistachios, roughly chopped • 2 tbsp pitted black olives, roughly chopped METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas Mark 7. In a bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon juice, 1 tbsp of the oil and the oregano. Rub over the lamb. Cover and chill for a minimum of 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. 2 In a bowl,…

LATEST RELEASE The new Sunset Pastels range from Carpetright is a tempting collection of carpets, vinyls and vinyl tiles inspired by the warm tones of a dwindling summer’s eve. It may still be nippy outside, but inside you can create your own sunny getaway thanks to this light and inviting colour scheme. Pair their blush pink carpet with rose gold and copper accents for a cosy feel, or for something a little more natural, go for their citrine shade, which works wonderfully in an entrance hall or landing as it stands out in airy, light-filled spaces. With prices starting at just £9.99 per square metre, this is a great way of brightening up your home in preparation for sunnier days to come. carpetright.co.uk NEW COLLECTION When it comes to the…

New-builds are often fitted with spotlights, which – although handy – don’t do much for setting the mood. Add warmth with different lighting options, such as ceiling pendants, wall lights, and desk and floor lamps for a warm and cosy atmosphere. Just because your house is new, doesn’t mean everything in it has to be! Fill it with things that are personal to you or that tell a story, such as page-turned books, favourite art pieces and special souvenirs from places you’ve visited. Also, include vintage and reclaimed furniture – search sites like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for bargain finds – to create a lived-in look. New-builds are often described as plain white boxes, so the quickest way to add a bit of character is with colour. Consider painting your…

Be brave – paint can always be changed, so don’t stress over it too much. Also, the colour you like first is probably the right one. Be unique and don’t be put off from doing something you like just because it’s different to what other people are doing. It’s your house and it’s important to love where you live. Always test paint on the wall first before buying. Seeing the perfect shade in the shop or a colour book isn’t always the same as how it looks when you get it home and put it on your wall in different lighting. Buy a tester pot before you invest in a big tub of paint! See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Dani Sandels, 34, a content creator. I live with my husband, Tom, 33, and our two children, Cooper, two, and our four-month-old daughter, Banks. We have two dogs, Beau, a Dogue de Bordeaux, and Ruby, a French bulldog. WHERE I LIVE My home is a three-bed Georgian maisonette. It’s part of a conversion of old dormitories in a renovated boarding school in Ottershaw, Surrey. We’ve lived here since June 2018 and I’ve recorded my interiors journey on my Instagram @danisdomain. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Being a conversion in a large building meant the bones of the place were sound, but the décor was really old-fashioned; think red carpets and gold fittings and you’re there, which is really not my style. HOW I MADE IT…

You will need 1 Go to yourhomestyle. uk and print the half shell templates onto two pieces of paper. Carefully cut out and stick together to form a whole shell shape template. 2 Fold the velvet fabric in half with right sides together and pin the template in place. Cut out, then remove the template. 3 Pin the pieces right sides together again, and sew all the way round the edges leaving a small opening at the bottom of the shell. 4 Turn right side out and fill with polyester stuffing, making sure all the curved edges are filled. Neatly stitch up the opening. 5 Hand sew the ridges of the shell on the front…

Firstly, prepare the area. Protect all the floors and furniture with dust sheets or old blankets and make sure the wall or surface is completely clean and dust-free; sugar soap will get rid of any dirt and grease. Always make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure you have given the paint a really good stir. Then completely cover the wall with the copper-effect paint using a roller to give even coverage. Once this first layer has dried, paint another layer over it and while the paint is still wet, create a rough effect using a sponge or cloth to dab or rub off sections, or a brush to give a more textured effect. Once this has dried, use the copper patina solution that makes the effect come to…

1 create an under-stairs playroom With a lick of paint and a little imagination, you can give a cluttered storage space a whole new lease of life over a long weekend. Bold colours and simple painted geometric shapes will transform an under-stairs cupboard into a snug hideaway for the kids, complete with a curtain they can pull across to make a den, and that keeps any clutter concealed when playtime is over for the day. You will need Screwdriver Sandpaper and cleaning cloth Polycell Polyfilla Sugar soap and sponge Wall paint in three colours (pictured: Dulux Easycare matt emulsion in White Cotton, Banana Split and Dusted Fondant) Wood paint (pictured: Dulux quick dry satinwood in Pebble Shore) Stirring stick Small roller and tray Paintbrushes Tape measure and pencil String and…

For kitchens and bathrooms Waterproof shutters are designed especially for rooms with high levels of moisture and humidity. Made from waterproof ABS, they hold their shape and colour in warm, damp conditions. In the bedroom Solid shutters are ideal for bedrooms, as they’re superb at blocking out external light and noises, making your bedroom totally sleep-friendly. For the garden Most of our shutters can be fitted at patio or French doors, although we recommend full height shutters. For bi-fold doors, sliding doors and other wide expanses of glass, we recommend tracked shutters. These clever shutters are made up of panels that run along a floor track and concertina shut.…

Despite the budget blow-outs we’ve all seen on TV property shows, a major project doesn’t have to cost the earth. You can ensure everything stays on track and on budget by planning ahead, pricing up and working out where to make savings without cutting corners. Do your sums Your first step is to calculate how much the work will cost. At the very minimum, you’ll be paying for materials and labour, and if you’re extending or extensively remodelling, factor in fees for an architect and possibly a structural engineer. Planning permission applications and building regulations approval can also incur charges, as can a party wall agreement, which is required if the proposed work affects a wall shared with a neighbour. To get an idea of what you…

A Hold a number of fabric strips together with the ends aligning and place the strips against the gauge, with the tops aligning with the groove (as per the illustration). It doesn’t matter if the strips are different lengths. B Wind the strips around and along the gauge until you reach the ends. Shorter strips can be secured into the gauge by wrapping the longer strips over them. Overlap the edges of your strips slightly as you wind so that you cross the groove at the top of the gauge vertically. Crossing the groove diagonally creates slightly longer pieces and gives you less space on the gauge. Try not to pull the fabric too tightly as any material containing elastic will stretch, creating shorter pieces once cut. C Use sharp…

THE PERFECT WORKSTATION It’s important to have a well-designed workspace to encourage good working habits and productivity. A comfortable chair that protects your back is key, though don’t forget to move around every 20 minutes. Good lighting is also important, whether natural or a bright desk lamp; and encourage a tidy desk while keeping everything to hand with a pegboard, then finish with a pinboard to display inspiring pictures and prints. CUSTOMISED CUPBOARDS The IKEA IVAR cupboards are great quality, easy to put together and quick to customise. Kate used tester pots to paint the geometric design on each door. ‘My tip when doing this is to remove the masking tape while the paint is still wet to prevent bleeding,’ she adds. Kate then attached the hairpin legs to turn…

About me I’m Margy Forshaw @margyforshaw, an interior designer at IKEA. I live with my partner, Leigh Harrison, a motion graphics artist, and our children Bella, nine, and Robyn, six. Our home is a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Leeds. My room... MY PROBLEM KITCHEN When we first moved in, we knocked a wall down and swapped the kitchen and dining room around. However, having three doors off the space plus a low window really limited our layout options. Our first attempt at redesigning the room was a bit rushed and having the island attached to the chimney breast just wasn’t functional as it divided the room in two. HOW I MADE IT WORK By moving the basement door, we could use one alcove for a fridge-freezer and high-level ovens. Flipping…

£30 Garden Trading Here’s to filling up the Linear jug with a pitcher of Pimm’s! £29.99 for three Curated Pieces Store yummy leftovers – and lunch on the go – in these bamboo canisters £9 HomeSense From your morning cuppa to afternoon brew, serve it in style with this modern-look teapot £18 Heavenly Homes & Gardens Keep this leaf-shaped serving board out on display £29.95 John Lewis & Partners Make your washing up view a little brighter with a set of Eden self-watering plants on the windowsill from £12.95 Desenio Get a clear view of the year ahead with the Calendar poster print £35 MADE.com Go au naturel with the Hector curved bamboo lampshade – perfect over the dining table £5 The Joy Edit For extra…

CONSIDER DIFFERENT WALL TREATMENTS ‘I felt tiles could look too busy, so I opted for a specialised waterproof micro cement coating, which gives a smooth, seamless finish,’ says Sina. ‘It’s applied in layers, so it took about a week to do, but I’m so pleased with it. It lets the herringbone floor tiles – that I had fallen in love with and had to have – stand out. The floor tiles were quite expensive, but they’re really special and it’s such a tiny area that they didn’t blow my budget.’ PLAN CLEVER STORAGE ‘Storage was a priority as I would rather not have toiletries and cleaning materials on display,’ says Sina. ‘This was a tricky corner with a slanting ceiling, so a made-to-measure, built-in cupboard meant there was no wasted…

Smart storage Reducing clutter is key, so make it easy to keep the space neat and tidy with lots of storage options. Hooks on the backs of the door, a shelf stretching across the bath or pull-out baskets are just some options. Free up space Built-in bathroom furniture can look bulky, so swap for free-standing pieces. Whether it’s a rolltop bath, countertop sink or floating shelves, stand-alone pieces will increase the sense of space and create a streamlined look. Work with what you’ve got Instead of buying new, consider upgrading what you already have. A new tap on the bathroom sink, swapping out the shower curtain for a sleek screen or fixing new door handles can make a big difference.…

MONDAY CARAMELISED ONION RAREBIT PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 2 onions, sliced • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp soft sugar • Salt and black pepper • 100g Cheddar cheese • 3 tbsp single cream • Worcestershire sauce • Half a French baguette • Salad leaves • Small handful of pine nuts METHOD 1 Gently stir-fry the onion over a low heat in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Stir in the sugar and some salt and pepper and fry for 20-25 minutes. Once caramelised and dark brown, remove from the heat and set to one side. 2 Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C Fan/ Gas Mark 5. Finely grate the Cheddar into a bowl. Add the cream and mix with a fork to…

Easy doughs it Swap up your Friday takeaway with a plant-based pizza from The White Rabbit Pizza Co., who have launched a delicious vegan Arrabbiata to satisfy those pizza cravings. With a wood-fired wheat base, it’s loaded with spicy chicken-free strips, succulent sun-dried tomatoes and lashings of creamy vegan ‘mozzarisella’, and costs £4.50 from Sainsbury’s and Ocado. FEELING JAMMY Proving that reduced sugar doesn’t mean reduced tastiness, Fearne and Rosie is on a mission to bring a healthier dose of sweet stuff to the whole family’s breakfasts. Take your pick from Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry and Blackcurrant jams, which contain 40 per cent less sugar than standard jam. We’ve been enjoying their Honey and Chocolate spread straight from the spoon! From £2.50 from fearneandrosie.co.uk Nice as pie Make midweek meals even…

A Abigail Ahern abigailahern.com Abstract House abstracthouse.com Affordable Art Fair affordableartfair.com Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Anthroplogie anthropologie.com Argos argos.co.uk Arket arket.com Art Republic artrepublic.com Asda asda.com B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q diy.com Big Bathroom Shop bigbathroomshop.co.uk Blacks blacks.co.uk Blinds Direct blindsdirect.co.uk Block Design blockdesign.co.uk Bloomingville bloomingville.com Bohemia Design bohemiadesign.co.uk Bombay Duck bombayduck.com Britannia Rose britanniarose.com C California Shutters californiashutters.co.uk Calligaris calligaris.com Carpetright carpetright.co.uk Castle Gallery castlefineart.com Cath Kidston cathkidston.com Clarissa Hulse clarissahulse.com Chelsea Prints chelseaprints.com Claybrook Studio claybrookstudio.co.uk Commodore Kitchens commodoredesign.com Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Crown Paints crownpaints.co.uk Cuisinart cuisinart.co.uk Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Curated Pieces curatedpieces.com Curtains 2go curtains-2go.co.uk D Denby denbypottery.com Desenio desenio.co.uk DFS dfs.co.uk Discount Flooring Depot discountflooring depot.co.uk Dobbies dobbies.com Drench Showers drenchshowers.co.uk Dulux dulux.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Dwell dwell.co.uk E Eclisse eclisse.co.uk EKO Home…