Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i HomeStyle

Now that we’ve finally packed the blankets away (anyone else have to get theirs back out of hibernation after the weather turned winter chilly again?), we’re bringing warmth into our homes with colour-rich patterns and prints. On page 74 we show you how to mix and match patterns to really make them pop in your home, whether you love botanicals, geometrics or heritage classics. In preparation for warmer nights, on page 88 you’ll find our sleep better bedroom buys to help you keep your bedroom cool and comfortable in hot weather. May is also the ideal time to give your home and garden a health check to make sure you nip any problems caused by harsh winter weather in the bud, saving you time and money in the long run.…

You will need • Picture frame • Tropical wallpaper • Pencil • Scissors • Pink paper • Heart template • Glue • Large alphabet stencil • Sheet of paper • Black marker pen 1 Remove the backing board from the picture frame and place it on the piece of tropical wallpaper. Draw around the board with a pencil, and cut out with scissors. 2 Use the template on yourhomestyle.uk to cut out a pink paper heart. Stick to the middle of the wallpaper with glue. 3 Practise stencilling your chosen slogan on a spare sheet of paper. When you’re ready, stencil the slogan in pencil on the wallpaper/heart background paper. 4 Go over each letter with a black pen for definition, and then place the picture inside…

When buying off-plan, you might be able to change some aspects of the house, as well as negotiating a discount. Make sure your conveyancer checks the freehold or leasehold status, and compiles a list of what you expect to be included, which can be written into the contract. Once you’ve paid your reservation fee, contracts are normally exchanged within 28 days, so you’ll be tied into the sale. If you spot your dream property elsewhere and want to pull out, you’ll lose your deposit. Not all lenders offer mortgages on off-plan properties, so it’s better to go through a broker. Most mortgage offers only last six months, so you might have to reapply if your property takes longer to build. The lender might also do a second valuation when the…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Dodo Flügge, 41, a multidisciplinary artist. You can find me on Instagram@diedododa. I live here with my partner, Mark, 35, creative director of a signage branding consultancy and our cat, Udon. WHERE I LIVE My home is a one-bedroom Victorian apartment in the centre of Edinburgh. We moved in a year and a half ago. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The flat lacked character and was a bit too formal for me, so I wanted to make it a more liveable, cosy space. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN The flat was in good condition, so I only needed to make decorative changes. I started by zoning the living room by painting it in two distinctive colours, and then I decorated throughout, adding my own…

You will need • 2m leopard-print paper • Spray adhesive • Ruler • Scissors • Beading wire • Pink yarn • Cardboard 1 Fold the length of wrapping paper in half. Open out again and spray the adhesive over one half. Refold, and neatly stick the two halves together, smoothing out any air bubbles. 2 With a long ruler and the back edge of the scissors, carefully score the paper at 2cm intervals along the length and then fold in a concertina style. Tie some thin beading wire around the middle of the folded paper, and then carefully separate the folds, creating a fan. 3 To make the tassel, cut a 10cm-wide x 15cm-long piece of cardboard. Cut a 10cm piece of yarn. Place along the top…

Work your angles Make light work of mitred corners with Mitre Box from Minotaur, priced at £4.98 from Toolstation. The angled cutting guides give you the control to saw accurately at 45° and 90° and the integrated rulers help you to get a clean cut and sharp corners every time. PERFECT PETALS Sprinkle a touch of nature on your projects with the Native Collection of preserved flora from Resin8. This collection of dried British plants is ideal for creating timeless resin pieces or for decorating scrapbook pages and glass photo frames. Prices start at £4.50 for a selection of delicate petals. Floral fancies Refresh your look for summer with Blendworth fabrics. Their daring prints will lift your schemes with a burst of colour. Use polyester fabrics like Floribunda Carnival (…

‘Natural materials with light finishes give the space a rustic, outdoor feel’…

‘Matt black and metallic finishes give a modern edge to the pretty polished style’…

‘Forget the matchy-matchy look and celebrate contrast with a mix of accessories’…

BUFFALO TOFU AND BLACK BEAN FAJITA BOWLS PREP TIME 20 MINS COOK TIME 15 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 396g pack tofu • 1 tbsp soft dark brown sugar • ¾ tsp smoked paprika • ½ tsp ground cumin • 20g butter • 2 tsp Frank’s Red Hot Sauce • 1 lemon, juiced For the fajita bowls • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing • 1 red onion, sliced • 2 red peppers, thinly sliced • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 2 x 400g tins black beans, drained and rinsed • 1 small avocado, thinly sliced • 2 Little Gem lettuce, leaves pulled apart and washed METHOD 1 Drain the tofu and pat dry with kitchen paper. Wrap the tofu in a clean tea towel and…

TOUCH OF GOLD Our overall style is hard to pin down, however we would describe this corner of our home as mid-century with a dramatic luxe twist! We love how the rug has softened the room while adding colour and texture. We aren’t huge fans of over accessorising but love our upcycled mirror. Although style is very personal, we think it’s always important to let the building era of your home dictate the way you choose to decorate and style it up. @buckinghamrenovation SUNNY SIDE UP Our home style is warm, joyful and natural. We chose furniture in bold colours such as yellow because it brings warmth and playfulness to the space. We also love our abstract rug as the shapes and colours contrast beautifully with the sleek lines of…

Whether you’re looking to give your kitchen or bathroom a quick refresh with a lick of paint and some well-chosen accessories or ready to go for a full refurbish with new units and a brand new scheme, choosing the look that’s right for you is a big decision, so we’re here to help. In this special mini mag you’ll find six wow-factor looks to inspire your kitchen and bathroom transformations, along with fresh ideas for stunning tiling, beautiful flooring and on-trend lighting – all chosen with style, practicality and affordability in mind. You’ll also find plenty of tips from the experts, including NEFF’s essential guide to choosing an oven, plus all you need to know about bathroom-safe lighting. I hope you enjoy this special issue.…

Kitchen lighting Whether it’s industrial-style metal, glass or wicker, pendants are a continuing trend this year and can add real impact to your kitchen, working just as hard in the style stakes as they do in functionality. Consider hanging your lighting where you need it most – such as over an island unit or dining area, rather than centrally in a room, adding spot or wall lights as a secondary source of task lighting. Pooky founder Rohan Blacker has seen a continued trend for pendant lighting: ‘The beauty is you can get creative with shapes, sizes and mix-material finishes. We’ve seen all kinds of amazing kitchen lighting ideas, from fitting two or three pendants at the same height above kitchen worktops, to staggering clusters.’ Bathroom lighting There’s real scope to…

HOW TO style the look 1 These outdoor furniture items replicate the natural tones of a summer garden. Keep accessories pared back and let plants and flowers take centre stage. Nestle plant pots around seating and tables to create a relaxing garden hideaway. 2 Transition seamlessly from day to night with lanterns and candles. Dot them around on the ground and on tables for extra impact. You’ll soon lose track of what time it is! H&M Home GARDEN GOALS Make the most of your outside space with H&M Home’s new Plant & Grow range. Wayfair CHIN CHIN Raise a glass with these summery accessories, suitable inside or out! HOW TO style the look 1 Blue rooms can sometimes look chilly, so add an earthy shade such as…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Emma Parkes, a special needs educator. I live with my daughter, Poppy, 17, my son Ralph, who’s seven years old, and our new kitten, Ned. I tell the story of our home on my Instagram@tallulahcottage. WHERE I LIVE We live in a rented three-bedroom semi-detached Duke of Sutherland cottage just outside Telford in Shropshire. We moved into the house in August 2020. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Before we moved in, the landlady kindly decorated the whole house, but it was all in neutral colours. It wasn’t me at all and I knew that I would change the whole space, but it was great to have a blank canvas. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I was upfront from the start about what I wanted…

You will need • Drum lampshade • Jute twine • Glue gun • Scissors • Potato • Kitchen paper • Pen • Knife • Black acrylic paint • Paintbrush 1 Using a glue gun, stick one end of a ball of jute twine to the inside of the lampshade. Begin wrapping it around the shade, pulling the twine taut as you go. 2 Continue wrapping the shade in twine, and when it’s completely covered, cut the end and glue to the inside of the shade, as before. 3 Cut the potato in half, and discard one piece. Wipe off the moisture with some kitchen paper, then draw a triangular shape in the middle. Carefully cut around the sides with a knife, to create a stamp. 4…

If you’re pasting or sticking on your mural, you’ll want to make sure that the wall is free of lumps and bumps so before you do anything, fill and sand any dents, if needed. Clean the wall and remove any flaking paint, then finish with a coat of primer. If you chop and change your mind a lot when it comes to décor, consider peel-and-stick panels. That way, you can easily remove them when you want to change up your look in the future. Make your mural personal. If you’re a nature lover, there are lots of beautiful botanical designs to choose from. You could even enlarge a family photo or your favourite Instagram pic to fit the whole wall. Online sites like Photowall are a good place to start…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Siobhan Murphy, 42, an influencer and stylist. I live here with my husband, Nick Wilson, 47. You can see more of my home style @interiorcurve. WHERE I LIVE My home is a 1930s four-bedroom Art Deco-style house in Castleford, West Yorkshire. We’ve lived here since August 2019. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE It was magnolia from top to bottom and in need of some colour and character. Revamping the brown, dark kitchen was my priority. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I gave it a playful, vibrant makeover inspired by the Art Deco movement but with a modern, flamboyant twist using lots of bold colours and prints. I’ve filled my house with a mix of designer high street and vintage finds. I’m constantly decorating and…

Prints Charming Our eyes are drawn to pattern in the same way that our ears are drawn to sound. Patterns grab our attention so that we become captivated by spaces. Getting to grips with how to use prints and patterns in your home will help you create a wonderfully coherent look that truly reflects your unique style. You can use a pattern to highlight parts of the room you would like your eyes to focus on. Using a patterned wallpaper at the end of a long corridor will make it seem shorter. Your focus is quickly drawn to where the corridor ends, rather than lingering on the surrounding walls. Prints can also be used to enhance architectural details like alcoves and arches. Papering the inside of an alcove will turn…

It’s the secret ingredient to making your bedroom a tranquil, cosy place to be. But unlike the fluffy socks and faux fur throws we might snuggle into in winter, achieving ambience in summer requires a slightly different approach. Oil diffusers and scented candles can help to banish unwanted smells from open windows and houseplants with air-purifying properties are good for our health and look great too!…

We’ve all got a few odd plates lurking at the back of the cupboard and, with just a few paint pens or some self-adhesive vinyl, you can transform them into on-trend positive affirmation plaques to display on your wall. TAKES 50 MINS YOU WILL NEED Vintage china plates Scrap paper HB and 6B pencils Masking tape Uniball Posca marker pens, from £3 each, Hobbycraft Cricut Basic permanent gloss vinyl, £10 for six sheets, Hobbycraft Cricut Maker digital cutting machine or a craft knife Weeding tool or sewing needle Cricut transfer tape, £7 per roll, Hobbycraft Scraper tool or old credit card 1 Clean the surface of your plates thoroughly to remove any traces of dirt and grease. Print your chosen phrase onto paper. Use a 6B pencil to cover the…

Blank canvas To get that cool, calming feel from the off, start with a neutral backdrop. Rustic wooden floorboards and white-painted walls will help reflect natural daylight, creating a bright clean background to work from. Subtle style While the traditional seaside theme features nautical stripes and seagulls, this look has a more pared-back style. Stick with soft colours, like cool pastels and washed-out whites and keep motifs to a minimum. Foraged finds For accessories with rough-around-the-edges charm, keep an eye out for unwanted pieces to be saved on the street or at reclamation yards as well as natural materials found on walks, such as driftwood and shells.…

Finishing touch Break up blocks of colour with metallic accents and matt black details. Not only do they add definition, but subtle, stylish details will bring a sleek, modern edge and added interest. Balancing act Bold colours bring warmth to a scheme but keep it looking rich rather than loud by toning down bright shades with clean lines and simple shapes. If you want to go for a bright-coloured ceiling or walls, take inspiration from Lucy and offset it against a run of white wall tiles. Keep it neat and tidy Make sure everything has its place with clever storage solutions. Recessed shelves and built-in cupboards are great for creating a streamlined look, while wicker baskets and pretty crates are handy for keeping bathroom essentials, like a stack of towels.…

Have a common thread To stop the style looking too busy and chaotic, tie your scheme together by picking accessories in similar colours. Desert- and sunset-inspired hues – think ochre, burnt orange, dusky pinks and sandy browns – all go together well for a cohesive feel. Curated collection It’s easy to think more is more but be careful not to overcrowd your space with too much. The goal is for the space to look interesting and homely, not confused and cluttered. Show off Make room to display your pick ‘n’ mix of things. Open shelving and wall hooks are great for showing off kitchenware and trinkets and a gallery wall can be used to display prints and other personal pieces.…

Sho refreshing Quench your thirst while picnicking with friends or lazing in the garden with a stylish, eco-friendly SHO 2.0 reusable bottle. With a super-durable powder finish, the bottles come in a range of vivid colours and patterns, with the option to personalise your bottle with different-coloured lids and carabiners. You can even add an engraved name or message too. Prices start at £19.99 for a 500ml bottle from shoreusable.com SOMETHING SWEET If, like us, you’re a big fan of cookie dough, then you’ll love the new range of Lite Bites from Doughlicious. These moreish cookie dough nibbles are vegan, gluten-free and made from the finest organic ingredients. Bursting with fibre and protein, the range comes in six flavours including Apple Crumble, Orange Chocolate and our favourite, Lemon Raspberry. Priced…

Midnight blue TOP TIPS Dramatic and sophisticated, we can’t get enough of the indigo trend. Adding depth to any space, this luxe shade is incredibly versatile: think of it as a little black dress that can be styled up or down. • Create a sophisticated, streamlined scheme with matt handless doors and sleek white marble worktops. Add interest with a statement ceiling light and a wow-factor parquet floor for more impact. • Ramp up the glamour for a modern luxe look with a pink feature wall offset by opulent materials such as swirling black marble and metallic brass or copper hardware. • Put a fresh spin on traditional Shaker-style cabinetry by painting the walls bright white. Tie in pale accents via pendant lights and accessories displayed on open shelving. Forest…

The latest tiling trends bring colour and texture centre stage. So whether you’re a pared-back princess, or a cottagecore queen, you’ll be able to create your ideal scheme for your home while still looking fresh and up-to-date. The Rustic trend embraces natural beauty to give us perfectly imperfect tiles. The Classical trend is all about bold lines and timeless materials, and the Patterned trend creates new opportunities to play with different designs. SIZE MATTERS Deciding which size of tile to use on your walls and floors can be tricky. Here are the benefits of big versus small... • Large format tiles are great for creating the illusion of more space. You can enhance this by using the same tiles on walls and floors. Fewer grout lines mean that your room…

‘What we concern ourselves with most in bathroom lighting is whether a light has an IP44 rating, which means it offers protection against a spray of water from any angle but cannot withstand high pressure jets or submersion,” explains Peter Legg of där lighting. ‘A bathroom is split into zones. Zone 1 is above the bath or shower, to a height of 2.25m. In this area IP65 should be used if there is a shower head or handheld shower attachment. Zone 2 is within 60cm either side of the bath or shower, and a 60cm radius above sinks, where a minimum of IP44 is required.’…

Yellow and grey HOW TO GET THE LOOK… The hottest colour combo for 2021, yellow and grey has been taking our interiors by storm this year and the bathroom hasn’t missed out on this colour injection either • Look for soft furnishings in these two stand out shades – towels, bath mats, shower curtains and blinds are all an affordable way of changing your space without the need to pull out the power tools or to make a mess. • For a well thought out look, keep to the same shade of yellow wherever you use it . There are a host of different tones from mustard to pastel, but keeping to the same depth of colour will offer a more appealing finish. • Use white and grey as your…

Always ask the landlord or letting agent before you change anything. If you’re a long-term renter, it’s a good idea to keep photos of your homes so you can show off your style and quality of decorating to any new landlords. If you get the all-clear, go for it! Just because it’s a rental doesn’t mean you need to be subtle, and paint effects are easy to cover up if you move. Choose removable decorating tricks, such as washi tape, which is great for decorating furniture, and use vinyl strips or self-adhesive wallpaper, which can also be removed, to decorate larger areas. Tile stickers can be a game changer in a kitchen or bathroom, or even a floor, and they come in a huge range of styles to suit any…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Sarah Johnson, 30, a PR officer. I live with my partner, Justin Burton, 32, a financial controller, and our French bulldog puppy, Bertie. WHERE I LIVE A four-bedroom detached new-build in Manchester, which we bought off-plan in September 2018. I post interior updates on my Instagram@thenorthernhome_. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The kitchen layout wasn’t big enough for a four-bedroom home, lighting points weren’t where I wanted them and we needed new flooring in every room of the house. I also wanted to bring a bit of colour and personality to the space. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN It was a blank canvas, so I’ve really enjoyed putting my own stamp on the house by painting walls in the living room and bedrooms, upcycling…

You will need • Glass lantern • Small stones • Horticultural charcoal • Soil • Mix of houseplants • Sheet moss • Figurine 1 First, clean the glass because once your plants are inside, it’ll be difficult to remove any smudges. Next, place a small layer of stones or rocks at the base to create a buffer zone. This area is to hold run-off moisture and to keep your plants’ roots from sitting in water. Use a spatula to even out the stones. 2 Place a layer of horticultural charcoal on top of the stones to increase the buffer but also to help reduce impurities that can build up. 3 Put in the soil. Once the soil is set, decide where your plants will go and then…

Classic Art Deco colour palettes span from soft neutrals – creams and beiges – and black-and-white monochrome combos to gaudy brights, so you won’t feel pigeon-holed. The primary colours, plus pinks, were all popular. Chrome, gold and silver accents were common too. Art Deco is associated with streamlined, symmetrical and geometric designs, so think no-frills furnishings and motifs featuring triangles, sunbursts and chevrons. Curved features on furnishings and in architecture, like Siobhan’s landing wall, are important parts of Jazz Age design, as is animal artwork. Velvet and leather are the upholstery fabrics of choice, and animal print, particularly zebra, gives a big nod to Art Deco interior design.…

About me I’m Ruth Melton, 34, and I work for the ambulance service. I live with my husband, Ben, a firefighter, and our daughter, Erin, who’s six and, when he’s back from university, Ben’s son, Rylee, 19. We live in Saltdean, Brighton. My room... MY PROBLEM BEDROOM The room had very little character. It has a lovely bay window, but with outdated metal blinds installed, I wasn’t making the most of the light. Generally, it felt cold and uninviting and was in need of some personality and warmth. HOW I MADE IT WORK I removed the fitted cabinets, created a rustic feature wall and made more of the window by adding a dressing table and new roller blinds. I painted the room white for a fresh look and added warmth…

‘Everyone should give DIY a go. Seeing your before and after photos is so inspiring’ About me I’m Lucy Young, and I own Homefolk, – thehomefolk.com – an interiors boutique. I live with my husband, Leon, our daughter Florence, three, and Leon’s children, Dylan, 18, and Phoebe,16, who stay every other weekend. Our home is a four-bedroom Victorian semi in Whitchurch, Shropshire. I post on Instagram about our renovation journey at @twosunsetview. My room... MY PROBLEM BATHROOM The original space was extremely dated with badly fitting louvre doors and a large water cylinder in the room, which was too small for the amount of people and size of the house. The shower water always hit the door, so there was water damage, and the room was badly designed. HOW I…

MONDAY HADDOCK FISHCAKES PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 30 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS • 250g potatoes, peeled • 2 fillets MSCcertified skinless and boneless haddock • 1 boiled beetroot, peeled and cubed (optional) • 1 tbsp parsley, chopped • 1 organic egg • 1 tbsp wholewheat flour • Salt and pepper • 2 tbsp rapeseed oil • 60g rocket • ½ lemon METHOD 1 Chop the peeled potatoes into small chunks and boil for 15 minutes, until tender. Once cooked, drain and mash into a smooth consistency, then place in a large bowl. 2 Poach the haddock in a saucepan of simmering water for 5 minutes. Drain and leave to cool. Meanwhile, in another saucepan, boil the beetroot until tender, if using. Drain and set to one…

KITCHEN GARDENER Instead of throwing leftover vegetable scraps into the compost bin, why not regrow them from their cuttings with this cute and clever regrow kit from Brabantia? Simply fill the pot with water, stick the stalk ends in the holder and watch as your scraps grow into veggies again. You can replant bigger vegetables, such as avocados, in soil afterwards too. The kit comes with a small and large pot to fit a range of herbs and veg, plus floating rings that mean your vegetable stalks always get the right amount of water to grow. The kit is ideal for regrowing celery, cabbage, leeks, spring onions, garlic sprouts, carrot tops and more. Create your own window sill vegetable garden and save money and waste in the process! £23.75, brabantia.…

HARD-WEARING LAMINATE It’s pretty easy to pick up a reasonably priced quality laminate, and just as easy to install, and to maintain, making it a popular choice. But pay careful attention to where it is suitable for – make sure you pick a water-resistant one that can survive a splash in the bathroom. When it comes to picking a design, one of the hottest trends for wood-style floors is alternative laying patterns, such as chevrons or herringbone. If that’s not for you, then how about taking it back to basics with a stripped-back, washed Scandi-style wood or polished concrete, both popular styles for kitchens and bathrooms. CLASSIC WOOD Sitting at the higher end of the scale, engineered wood may seem pricey but it is a worthwhile investment, giving you the…