Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2021 i HomeStyle

Now that the evenings are drawing in, we’re all about upping the luxe factor to make our homes as comfortable and inviting as possible. On page 79, you’ll find 15 quick and simple ideas to cosy up every room, from clever buys to easy makeovers you can do in a weekend. And to help you create just the right mood, our lighting feature on page 94 is full of both stylish and practical schemes, with ideas for accent, ambient and task lighting, indoors and out. If, like me, the ceremonial scoffing of the last marshmallow on Bonfire Night marks the ‘official’ start to your Christmas countdown, you might also be thinking about getting your home guest-ready. From welcoming friends and family into a stylish hallway – head to page 88…

1 Take to the walls! Try your hand at a feature wall, a quicker and more budget-friendly option to painting a whole room. We love the scallop design above, or you could get more creative with a detailed mural to extend the jungle theme. 2 For a fun and playful children’s bedroom, choose a palette of primary and secondary colours to create a lively scheme they’ll love. 1 Blue bedrooms promote calm but they also provide a great canvas for more daring colours to shine. Add pops of pink and mustard to warm up the shade and make things cosier. 2 Don’t believe the old saying ‘blue and green must never be seen’! Houseplants look great against a blue backdrop and add to a serene vibe.…

Style idea Combine contrasting tones, such as teal and orange, for a look that really pops…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Emma Brown and I work in the legal profession. I live with my husband, Chris, a business analyst, and our cat, Ronnie. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a two-bedroom Victorian semi in Royal Tunbridge Wells, and we’ve lived here since 2019. You can see more corners of my home on Instagram @stove_pipe_house. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE When we first moved in, the house looked gaudy. The dining room was painted bright turquoise, there was green carpet in the spare room with cream and red paper on the walls, and some of the light fittings were hanging loose off the ceiling. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I painted, wallpapered, panelled and carpeted, until every room in the house felt like a real extension…

We learned so many new skills, such as fitting skirting boards, tiling and even installing the kitchen. It’s amazing what you can learn from YouTube videos. Now when we get our forever home, we’ll have so much more DIY confidence. It’s worth spending more on the key features in each room, such as tiles and lighting, but saving money by finding accessories in charity shops. For instance, the patterned floor tiles in the kitchen were quite pricey but we just made a feature of them in a smaller area. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

You will need 1 First, clean and dry the ceramic plate. Cover your work surface with newspaper, and then start applying a coat of pink acrylic paint to the bottom section of the plate. Allow to dry. 2 Next, brush some green paint around the sides of the plate, and leave to dry. 3 Take the stencil and cut around the letter you need. Place it in the middle of the plate, and using a small sponge, apply a small amount of gold paint over the letter. Lift the stencil and allow to dry. 4 Use a thinner paint brush to apply some gold paint around the edges of the plate, and leave to dry. 5 Finish off with…

1 One-coat wonder Cosy-up your living room in a weekend with Dulux’s Simply Refresh range. These paints do what they say the tin! They have a rich formula that’s guaranteed provide a fresh new look after just one coat. Choose from 30 modern neutral shades or 15 rich vibrant statement tones. 2 A hug in a mug Make time for warming cups of tea with a set of beautifully wobbly mugs. This new range of ceramics from Primark is coated with a reactive glaze, which means that every piece is unique. 3UP LAY Transform your dining table by creating a gorgeous tablescape. With bright, fresh colours inspired by an Indian summer, this mood-lifting arrangement will look great all season. 4 Natural beauty Bright and sparky dried flowers pack a real…

Peter Legg, Lead Designer at Där Lighting has this advice for creating a light, bright hallway ‘Hallways come in all shapes and sizes. As the entrance to the home, it’s vital that this space makes an impression and isn’t under or overpowered. If you have a long hallway, place ceiling lights at either end; this will showcase the elongated space and naturally invite guests into the rest of the home. For an elegant, traditional entry way, consider using a hall lantern or, if you’re looking for a more modern twist, a single ceiling pendant. Layer your lighting scheme to frame interest areas, such as console tables or artwork. Should you be short on space, wall lights will help to draw the eye upwards, giving the impression of higher ceilings. Crucially,…

Stylish, sustainable and purse-friendly – what’s not to love about shopping second hand? As well as the chance to pick up unique pieces, anything you re-home is saved from ending up in landfill and buying preloved saves on the materials and energy required to produce something new. Here’s how to make the most of preloved homewares… Styles to look for A great choice for modern lifestyles is mid-century style as it fits in a variety of settings. We don’t always stay in one house forever, we move around, so it’s good to have that versatility. I’ve lived in a Victorian terrace and I’ve just moved into a new build, and that look fits in both properties. When you’re shopping, look out for design classics and brands that were known for…

‘I love bright and cheerful colours, so we decided to paint the space fuchsia for a dramatic transformation’ About me I’m Kerry Lemon, a content creator @my_colourfulsquares. My home is a three-storey four-bed detached house in Telford. I live with my husband, Kyle, and our six children, Jake, 19, Tristan, 13, George, 10, Leon, nine, Dorothy, five and Grace, 20 months. My room... MY PROBLEM HALLWAY Our hallway was looking lacklustre and unloved. I wanted it to match the rest of our colourful home. HOW I MADE IT WORK I painted the walls pink and decorated with bold wallpaper, animal prints and gold leaf. MY FAVOURITE PART The gold staircase risers, which I did myself with gold leaf. They bounce light around the hallway and have a wow factor. MY…

BUY SECOND-HAND ‘Vintage stores, antique fairs and charity shops are a treasure trove of characterful, unique pieces that cost far less than buying new, and often support a good cause. I enjoy thinking about the history of a pre-loved piece, and recycling and reusing furniture and accessories is something I like doing. This chest of drawers was only £20 and it’s now full of Play-Doh. The candelabra is from 1010 Vintage and the peacock fireguard was a lucky find in a British Red Cross charity shop.’ CREATE A COSY LOOK ‘This part of the house is the modern new-build, and it was quite box-like to start with, so I wanted to make it feel more worn and lived-in. The cream, distressed-effect tiles break up the white walls to stop the…

Bold as brass Nothing screams Victorian style like copper accessories, so pick light fittings, pots and pans, taps and kettles in this muted metallic. Even if it’s only for decoration, it will earn extra style points. Hard-working furniture Many Victorian kitchens had a main work surface in the centre of the room, so think about having an island, complete with a sink, or a large well-worn table in the middle. Out in the open Open shelving was a key feature of kitchens in the era. Even when you run out of shelf space, display bits and pieces on worktops and windowsills, hang kitchen utensils where you can see them and fill kitchen dressers and cabinets with accessories.…

• MDF panelling, from £8.97 per sheet; Unibond No More Nails adhesive, £4.50 for 180ml; panelling painted in Valspar Premium Blend V700 Wood & Metal paint in Shadowed Ivy, £34 for 2.5L; doors painted in Ronseal interior varnish, £20 for 0.75L, all B&Q • Scenario cotton single lined blackout curtains in Powder Pink, £45; washed linen plain duvet cover, £90; Kumla cotton muslin cushion cover, £12, all La Redoute • Chunky Blush knit throw, £44, JD Williams • For a similar light shade, try the Modern Blush Pink velvet light shade, £25, Blind Logic • For a similar bedside table, try the Venetian Mirrored bedside table, £139, The Furniture Market • For a similar table lamp, try the Gomes table lamp, £62.99 each, Wayfair • Wing design plush velvet headboard…

W e’ve packed your bonus mini magazine with on-trend inspiration to help you cosy up your home in style. Whether you dip into this season’s latest looks with a few savvy buys for an instant update or feel inspired to get your paintbrush out and try a bold new scheme, we’re sure you’ll love this winter’s hottest trends as much as we do. Turn to page 4 for three stunning seasonal colour palettes – Autumn Gold, Winter Greens and Very Berry – and over on page 12 you’ll find four gorgeous looks to help inspire your next decorating project – relaxing Modern Rustic, snug Scandi Chic, boho Bloomsbury Style and elegant Hollywood Glam. There’s also the chance to win a set of luxe accessories worth £1,159 from Oak Furnitureland –…

MILK CHOCOLATE COCOA BOMBS MAKES 3 COCOA BOMBS INGREDIENTS • 340g tempered milk chocolate • 3 tbsp drinking chocolate powder • 15-21 mini marshmallows • Milk chocolate vermicelli sprinkles To serve • Hot milk of your choice (allow about 235ml per serving) METHOD 1 Use 285g of the tempered chocolate to make 6 cocoa bomb half-shells and remove them from the moulds. Reserve the remaining tempered chocolate for drizzling. 2 Prepare 3 small cupcake cases on a parchment-lined baking sheet, or use a clean silicone mould turned upside down. This will hold the bombs in place as you assemble and decorate them. 3 Warm up a pan or plate – you will use this for sticking the half-shells together. 4 To fill your cocoa bombs, spoon…

Painted kitchen chairs never go out of style Make a statement with an ar tistic table Gloriously old fashioned, but marvellously modern, knobbly details are a must-have addition to any on-trend interior. Wobbly vases and candlesticks have a joyously retro, Seventies vibe. Whereas elegantly shaped furniture harks back to traditional methods of woodworking – perfect for cottagecore looks. Use these smooth curves in bedrooms and relaxed living areas to create an atmosphere that’s both classic and unexpected.…

LUXE LINENS If you’re on the hunt for some snug and stylish new bedding, check out Katie Piper’s gorgeous debut range with Bedeck, which features uplifting colourways and beautiful designs that are inspired by nature. We love the unique touch of adding positive wording on to each bedding design so you can wake up and go to sleep with a mindful reminder. A soft fluffy robe, warm chunky throws, pom-pom cushions and a weighted blanket – perfect for chilly evenings – are also included in the collection. The new range is available to buy from Next, Very and Wayfair as well as Bedeck Home, with prices starting at £20. bedeckhome.com ALL AGLOW We must confess we’re a little excited for cooler days, especially if it means cosying up and adding…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Alice Greenway, 26, a mural artist. I live with my partner, Marcus, 26, a PE teacher, and our Labrador, Roy, who’s 18 months old and still a massive puppy! You can see more of our home on my Instagram @aliceincolour. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a two-bedroom flat in west London. It’s on the top floor of a converted 1960s house. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The kitchen and bathroom were a bit dated and the whole flat wasn’t really to our taste. I wanted to give the place some colour and retro style. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We changed everything except for the wood floor in the living room and bedroom. We had a new bathroom installed, and then we revamped…

Cut out a circle from a piece of card the size you want your scallop to be. Draw a line along the middle and cut the card in half so you have a semicircle. This is your template. Scallops are essentially half circles, so the smaller the circle, the more scallops you will need to draw out and then paint. Using a spirit level, draw a level line along the length of your wall up to where you want the scallops to sit. Place the flat edge of your template so that it is sitting on the line and draw around the shape in pencil. Then repeat along the wall until you get to the end. If you want to go around a corner, press your template into the space…

We’ve teamed up with professional home security brand ERA to offer four lucky HomeStyle readers an ERA Protect Alert Kit, the first British Standards Institution (BSI) IoT Kitemark-approved security system that puts you in control of your alarm from anywhere in the world. Featuring a battery-operated siren, two PIR motion sensors and two door/window sensors, it’s easier than ever to get everything wirelessly linked up to the ERA Protect Hub so that you can manage any alerts, and arm or disarm your home remotely via an app on your smartphone. The kit also comes with two remote controls for those who prefer to arm and disarm their system manually. Thanks to the 4G roaming back-up SIM, which connects to the strongest network signal, you can also rest easy that your…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Meg Yapp, 27, a marketing lead, and I live here with my fiancé, Jack Young, 26, a legal recruiter, and our dogs, Ella and Peach. I also run a lifestyle blog, megmonde.co.uk and @megmonde on Instagram. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a two-bedroom, mid-terraced Victorian cottage in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. We bought it in March 2020 and moved in two months later. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE With damp peeling wallpaper, ugly electric heaters and damaged floorboards, the house needed a lot of work. The only positives were a fairly new boiler and a wood-burning stove. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We’ve gone for shades of pink, green and blue with accents of yellow and mint. New quirky accessories from shops, such as Oliver…

Style idea Give your pastels some punch with forest green and deep blue accents…

MINDFUL MOMENTS Our home style is a blend of boho and the Scandinavian practice hygge – I love the feeling of being cosy all year round! I have many houseplants and candles, which make my space feel calm and tranquil. I love how you can easily change up your style using inexpensive decor and furnishings that can be changed throughout the seasons. At the end of the day, I love nothing more than to get into the bath and unwind in one of my cosiest rooms. @_home_with_the_onyejis_ GRAND ENTRANCE We live in a new build three-storey townhouse and the outside is always covered in colour and faux flowers! The flower wall is made on trellis panels, so it can hook on and off and change for each season. Autumnal flowers…

Video star Arlo smart video doorbell, from £179.99, John Lewis & Partners See who’s at your door the smarter way with this wireless design, which notifies you when a visitor presses the bell or motion is detected. You can interact with whoever is at the door, send auto-recorded responses or even let visitors leave you a voice message if you’re not able to answer. It’s simple to set-up, connects to your home’s wi-fi and is powered by a rechargeable battery, but there’s also a wired version available. We love: The built-in smart siren, which you can trigger remotely to deter any intruders. High alert Eufy video doorbell 2K with HomeBase, from £179.99, Robert Dyas See your visitors in sharp detail with this doorbell’s Sony 2K sensor and professional-grade lens. You…

Emmie Brookman, Interiors Expert and Creative Director at Silver Mushroom has this sage advice for creating a warm and welcoming hallway ‘We are all familiar with the saying “first impressions count” and a hallway is no different! Often hallways are the most neglected room in our homes because they lack natural light and tend to be on the smaller side. Adding a large mirror is one way to create the illusion of a larger space, and it also reflects any natural light coming in. Adding a statement doormat gives a welcoming first impression and is a practical choice as they trap the dirt before you step into your home. Choose a doormat with a cute saying to make people think fondly of your home before they even cross the threshold.…

For this wooden lamp base, Annie was inspired by raku, a type of Japanese pottery that’s characterised by a fabulous crackled effect. If, like us, you’re a fan of The Great Pottery Throw Down, you’ll have seen the contestants get creative with this centuries-old technique. Annie has created a raku effect using paintwork and crackle-varnish, which involves applying two layers of paint, which are then sanded smooth and treated with her two-step crackle varnish. YOU WILL NEED Small oval bristle brush Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Florence, Château Grey, Duck Egg Blue and Graphite Medium-grade sandpaper Annie Sloan Craqueleur Step 1 and Step 2 Small flat brush Hairdryer (optional) White wax 2 small wax brushes Clean, dry, lint-free cloths Clear wax 1 Use the oval bristle brush to paint irregularly…

GO FOR GOLD Sand your stairs smooth, and make sure they’re free of any dirt and dust. Paste specialist gilding glue directly on to the stair risers. Wait 15 minutes for the glue to go tacky, then gently pat on your imitation gold leaf sheets. Once they are stuck in place, rub them lightly with a lint-free cloth or soft brush. Use decorator’s varnish to stop the gold from tarnishing and to protect it from foot traffic. FAKE IT Thought stained-glass windows were out of your reach? Think again. Go for stained glass-effect film, like Kerry, as an affordable alternative to the real thing. Film will turn an ordinary window into a work of art in minutes, while providing privacy and letting daylight in too. The best thing about it…

Decorate your door The inside of your front door is often overlooked but pay it some attention and it can make a big impact. Paint it a bold colour, customise it with a stylish handle or hang wreaths and other decorations from it, as Kerry has done. Off the wall If your hallway is too small to do anything with the floors, focus on the walls instead. Decorate with bold wallpaper, put up wall-mounted storage and curate a gallery wall. The everyday Have things that make your day-to-day life easier, like a side table where you can store post or keys, a mirror to check your look before you step out the door, or a rack to store your shoes as soon as you get home.…

• Stately kitchen by Chippendale Kitchens, 600mm painted base unit, from £260; CDA SK210SS 76L built-in electric single oven, £249; stainless steel CDA 60cm chimney cooker hood, £125; CDA HG6351SS 58cm gas hob, £189; all Sheppards DIY • Duropal Torino Oak laminate worktop, £68, Solid Surface Kitchens • Slate Multi MT floor tiles, price on enquiry, Tilelook • Schock Lithos 1.5 bowl black granite sink, £159.99, Taps UK • Swirl Fiore mono mixer tap, £64.99, Screwfix • Cast-iron brackets used for shelves, £18 for two, eBay • For a similar dining table try the Cavendish extending table, £599.99, Furniture Choice • For similar dining chairs try the Farmhouse Fiddleback chair, £68.28, Trent Furniture • For a similar floor lamp try the Madrid Ball floor lamp, £135, Lighting Room • For…

‘For luxe lighting, mix glam pendants, bedside lamps and candles’…

BATHROOM WALLPAPER IDEAS Colourful statement wallpaper has seen a resurgence in popularity recently with more of us taking the plunge with bolder and brighter walls. Even bathrooms are receiving the wallpaper treatment, and though it may not feel like an obvious place to use it, wallpapering your bathroom is actually an easy and budget-friendly way of refreshing your room. With the right hanging techniques, wallpaper material and maintenance, your wallpapered bathroom will look as fresh as can be. For reels of wall inspiration and where to buy, head to our website! Go to bit.ly/bathroomwalls A WEEKLY DOSE OF HOMESTYLE INSPO Take a peek inside real reader homes and keep up to date with the latest interior trends, best bargain buys and exclusive giveaways with our newsletter, delivered to your inbox…

GRANNIE ANNIE’S CHRISTMAS CAKE PREP TIME 20-30 MINS COOK TIME 4½ TO 5 HOURS SERVES 12-15 INGREDIENTS • 170g butter • 170g brown sugar or margarine, softened • 3 eggs • 225g self-raising flour • 225g sultanas • 225g currants • 60g raisins • 85g mixed peel • 30g dried or glacé cherries, chopped • 60g chopped almonds or ground almonds • ½ tsp mixed spice • 1 tsp dark treacle, molasses or golden syrup • 1 small glass brandy (or other spirit), plus extra for feeding the cake METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°CFan/Gas Mark 2. Grease and line a 22-23cm round tin with baking paper. 2 In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar to a cream. Add each egg separately and beat after…

A Abode Living abodeliving.co.uk Abstract House abstracthouse.com Aldi aldi.co.uk Amazon amazon.co.uk Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com Antipodream antipodream.co.uk AO.com ao.com A Place For Everything aplaceforeverything.co.uk Appliances Direct appliancesdirect.co.uk Argos argos.co.uk Arighi Bianchi arighibianchi.co.uk Artisan Homeware artisanhomeware.co.uk Asda asda.com Audenza audenza.com B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q diy.com Barker & Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse. co.uk Beanbag Bazaar beanbagbazaar.co.uk Beaumonde beaumonde.co.uk Bedeck bedeckhome.com Benjamin Moore benjaminmoorepaint. co.uk Benuta benuta.co.uk Bert & May bertandmay.com Best 4 Flooring best4flooring.co.uk Best Tile besttile.co.uk Blind Logic blindlogic.com Boh Home bohhome.co.uk Bombay Duck bombayduck.com Breville breville.co.uk C Carpetright carpetright.co.uk Cave & Cove caveandcove.co.uk Cérulien shopcerulien.com Clarrisa Hulse clarissahulse.com Clickbasin clickbasin.co.uk COAT Paints coatpaints.com Cosy Coco cosycoco.com Courthouse Interiors courthouseinteriors.com CP Lighting & Interiors cplights.com Create Ikohs ikohs.com Crown French Furniture crownfrenchfurniture. co.uk Cuckooland cuckooland.com Cuisinart cuisinart.co.uk Cult Furniture…

COLOUR CRUSH AUTUMN GOLD From yellow, amber and mustard to burnt orange, copper and terracotta, a rich harvest of tones inspired by falling leaves creates a warm, welcoming ambience STYLE THIS LOOK • Terracotta Xxxxx and mustard are ideal for living rooms, dining rooms and north-facing spots that could do with extra warmth. Use strong tones for accents, and more muted shades for all-over wall cover. • Mix copper and rust with touches of dark wood and brass or gold to ramp up the comfort factor. Alternatively, make a bold statement with flashes of shades from the opposite side of the colour wheel such as deep blue. • Contrast orange and amber with crisp white or soft cream to ensure the scheme looks fresh and bright without becoming overwhelming. For…

YOU WILL NEED • Half sphere 5-6cm diameter 6-cavity silicone mould (to make 3 bombs) METHOD 1 Dip the back of a metal dessert spoon into your tempered chocolate and begin evenly applying chocolate to the half spheres from the bottom up. Run the back of the spoon from the bottom to the top edge of each cavity repeatedly to get a thick chocolate layer, making sure the chocolate doesn’t pool at the bottom. If you have trouble using a spoon, you can also paint the chocolate in using a pastry brush. 2 Once filled, clean off the excess chocolate by scraping the top of the mould using a chocolate scraper or metal spatula to give the shells clean edges. 3 Place the mould in the fridge,…

To temper the chocolate to make your moulds, put two-thirds of the amount of chocolate for your chosen recipe in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Heat for 35 seconds on high, then remove and stir. Heat for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Repeat the process for 15 seconds, then 10 seconds thereafter, continuing until the chocolate is melted. Now add the remaining third of unmelted chocolate and stir until thoroughly combined. If you have a sugar thermometer, milk chocolate melts at 40-45°C. The melted chocolate is tempered and ready to use when it cools to 31-33°C. If you prefer, you can temper the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, just follow the same method, starting with two-thirds of your chocolate.…

Habitat WILD WONDERS Let you and your childrens’ imaginations run wild with these fun and funky new homewares Homebase TIMELESS TREND Refreshing a room or making over a new home? You can’t go wrong with this classic style IKEA INTO THE BLUE Take the edge off winter and dive into these cosy bedroom must-haves B&M SOAK IN STYLE Dip your toe into this relaxing bathroom aesthetic…

WEEKEND PROJECT Instant headboard Get your guest rooms ready for seasonal visitors with a burst of confident colour. This vibrant asymmetrical headboard project can be painted using leftover tester pots for a budget-friendly refresh. To see the full tutorial visit https://bit.ly/painted headboard. Quick win MAKE IT SNAPPY Queen of dark design, Abigail Ahern, has brought her dramatic, maximalist style to Freemans this autumn. The exclusive collection of textiles, accessories and statement furniture is full of rich texture and timeless tones. These low-key but high-impact pieces will give your home an effortlessly luxe designer feel for a high-street price. See the full range at freemans.com. GET READY FOR ... Stir-up Sunday Aprons at the ready! It’s time to start the Christmas prep. Stir-up Sunday is a traditional, annual event which sees…

First you need to find your inspiration. What do you love? Have a browse through Instagram and Pinterest and start to create a moodboard of the kind of murals you like. Draw out your design. Whether you use a sheet of paper or your iPad (Procreate is a good app to use), it’s important to sketch your design beforehand to get a real feel for how you are going to do it. Prep your wall and make sure it’s ready for painting. Fill and sand any holes, and paint the background colour if you have one. Painting a mural onto a matt surface is easier than painting onto a silk emulsion, so choose your paint accordingly. With your rubber and pencil at the ready, draw out your design. H pencils…

Buy what you love when you see it, and then decide where it will go. Rearrange or move it if necessary, but if you love it, it will find its place in your home. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good furniture. Sometimes, spending less by buying second-hand gets you something far more unusual and often of a higher quality as older pieces are frequently better made. My house will never be finished as I almost see it as an extension of myself. It’s always evolving, and I like the authenticity of showcasing things in my home because they make me happy. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

A good way to work out how much light you need is to measure the space in square meters and add up the combined wattage of every light source, preferably around four. You should be aiming for around 25 watts per metre. Do a walk-through of your home to create a lighting plan. This way you can mark out the most practical places for light switches, analyse how each room will be used, and see how much natural light you already have. Specific tasks need particular lighting. Hollywood-style mirrors with bulbs are the most flattering for applying make-up, while bulbs that mimic daylight are ideal for close-up tasks like sewing or reading. Use accent lighting to create a dramatic effect. For instance, LED spots inside cabinets or wall lights that…

We’ve teamed up with brand new premium paint brand, zhoosh, to offer 10 lucky HomeStyle readers £100 worth of paint for their next decorating project. Zhoosh is a company with a focus on the future – yours and the planet’s. Passionate about mindful living, it has created a range of 23 earthy paints, designed to calm the senses and soothe the soul. Each colour has been carefully created to reflect nature and encourage mindfulness, with an initial palette that includes whites, pinks, blues and greens. Manufactured in the UK, it has minimal VOC (volatile organic compounds) content, with virtually no odour. The paints are safe and easy to use and all the tins are completely recyclable. Zhoosh paints are top quality and affordable, providing the best backdrop and base palette…

The hallway is usually the first room of your home that visitors see, so it’s important that you create the right impression from the get-go. With more guests than usual likely to be coming round in the lead up to Christmas, make time now to give it a quick revamp in readiness for the festivities! LOOK BEHIND YOU When decorating the hallway, the back of the front door is often forgotten, or simply painted white. Give your hallway the ‘wow’ factor by making a feature of the door with painted geometric shapes. This is ideal for small, narrow hallways where bold patterns on the other walls could be too overpowering. This dramatic design draws the eye along the hallway and creates a wonderful feeling of space. TAKE A PEW If…

LIVING ROOM Consider all the things you do in this space: perhaps you enjoy reading in a comfy armchair in the corner, or you like watching movies with the lights down low... The living room is a multi-tasking space, so your lighting needs to be flexible. Consider multipurpose lighting options, such as a two-in-one light and speaker, or perhaps a floor lamp that doubles up as a shelf. A cordless, portable lamp that you can move around with ease is also a handy addition. SAY WATT? Once you have your selection of stylish light fittings you need to choose the right bulbs. Wattage determines the brightness of a lightbulb, so the higher the wattage the brighter your lightbulb will be. Standard lightbulbs range from 25 watts to 100 watts, whereas…

SORBET SHADES According to research undertaken by plumbing and heating suppliers, PlumbNation, interest in pink and green bathroom schemes has grown a whopping 155% this year! Get the look with bold, tropical wallpaper for an update you can do in an afternoon, or take the plunge with new tiles in refreshing ice-cream tones. TRAD WITH A TWIST The straightforward good looks of metro tiles make them perfect for experimentation with different laying patterns. We love this combo of the blue traditional ‘brick’ or ‘running bond’ style with the ultra-modern white ‘vertical stack’ layer. The Rhian tiles from Walls and Floors come in gloss and matt finishes, and 14 on-trend tones. See the full range at wallsandfloors.co.uk TURN THE TIDE Coastal-inspired designs aren’t just for summer. Give your kitchen a stylish…

• Walls painted in Dulux Berry Smoothie matt emulsion, £18 per 2.5L, B&Q • Door painted in Milk Thistle, £24.50 per L, Little Greene Paint Company • Jungle Is Massive wallpaper, £42 per roll, Lust Home • Leopard print vinyl, £4 per roll, I Love Vinyl • Welcome To The Jungle print, £30, Ink & Drop • Neon lips, £11.98; Neon lightning bolt, £12.99; Imitation gold leaf, £4.99 for 100 sheets; Neon love sign, £8.99, all Amazon • Sunflower wreath, £44.95, Shelly’s Creations • Zebra print rug, £19.95, Kukoon Rugs • Small Pink Leopard rug, £89.50; medium Gluggle jug, £27.50, both Courthouse Interiors • Prints, from £6 each, from a selection at Hey Dottie • Round shelf, £40, Next • White metal trunks, £66 for two, Maisons du Monde •…

‘Mix utilitarian features with ornate details for an eclectic look’…

DIY PANELS ‘The panelled wall feature makes such a statement, and it was so easy to do. My first step was to work out how large I wanted my squares – 39.5cm – and how thick I wanted the strips – 14.5cm. I drew the squares and frame with a pencil on the wall and applied No More Nails glue to the back of the strips and fixed them to the wall, using a spirit level to ensure the fit was straight. Then I sanded the MDF to smooth out the surface and left it for 24 hours until the adhesive was dry. To finish, I painted the panels in Shadowed Ivy by Valspar.’ BEAUTY SPOT Jo loves her Hollywood-style light-up dressing table that she bought on eBay. She has…

Pile on the pillows Nothing makes your bed feel more plush than having more pillows than you actually need. Choose them in luxurious fabrics, such as silk, velvet and faux fur before plumping up on a freshly made bed. Take a seat Having more seating options than just your bed will maximise your chill-out time. A comfy chair where you can curl up with a book, or a loveseat where you can cosy up with a movie will encourage you to relax. Stylish essentials Be selective about what’s on your bedside table. A favourite book, small vase with flowers and a table lamp is all you need. You can store everything else out of sight but within easy reach in a drawer.…

Mood lighting If the darker days tend to get you down, a daylight simulator lamp could help. There are plenty of options available, but we have our eyes on this clever new therapy light which simulates different levels of sunlight throughout the day. From a warm sunrise glow to peak daylight and a relaxing sunset effect, the Perfect Day Therapy Light from Beurer can help to energise you, keep you focused and encourage you to unwind at the end of the day. £79.99 from lakeland.co.uk Wilting veg? Place paper towels under leafy greens in your fridge to make them last longer. Cult cleaning range This affordable line, just landed in the UK, is made with deliciously scented essential oils. We love the Basil surface cleaner, which will have your home…

Jolly good ham Independent, family-run brand The Jolly Hog has launched a new sliced-ham range, which includes a festive Black Treacle, sweet and savoury Honey Mustard and classic Dry Cured ham, all made using pork from British Outdoor Bred and RSPCA-assured farms. And for every pack you buy The Jolly Hog will donate 3p to food poverty charity FareShare. Packs are priced £2.75 in Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. TOP OF THE POPS Countdown to Christmas with one of Popcorn Shed’s two new advent calendars. The gourmet option, Jingle Bell Pop, £20, includes 24 bags in six flavours, such as Salted Caramel; the Vegan Mini Pop! calendar, £18, includes 24 bags in six vegan, dairy and gluten-free flavours. From popcornshed.com, Amazon and Harvey Nichols. By Heck, they're tasty HECK’s new Flexitarian…