Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i HomeStyle

From lounging by the pool with a favourite book to beach days and balmy evenings, summer holidays are a blissful break from the everyday, but the feeling doesn’t have to end when you get home. We’ve packed this issue full of vacation vibes, with decorating schemes inspired by favourite travel destinations including Ibiza, Mexico, Thailand and Morocco (p58). This month’s Shop the High Street is also full of sunny finishing touches designed to bring a global feel to your interiors (p8), and this issue’s 101 stylish buys under £21 includes a host of pretty and practical ways to make the most of summer – indoors and out (p71). For the ultimate holiday-at-home, this summer’s hottest trend is an outdoor kitchen – we show you how to create the best setup…

Flowering forms have long been a staple in home design trends, but this season we’re taking it up a notch with brighter colours and layered printed fabrics. Pinks, oranges and purples can be found among the palette of organic greens, as you would naturally find within a garden blooming with roses, dahlias and lavender. In fact, this look can extend into your own outdoor space, as you style up your garden for summer hosting. Don’t worry if you’re not a natural gardener – stick to fun floral prints and faux plants to get the same look. Another way to test the waters with pattern and colour is with your window dressings. Framing your windows with fabric can instantly add visual interest, and by picking a botanical print you’ll always have…

TOP TIP Keep all the pieces for each letter in separate piles to avoid them getting mixed up YOU WILL NEED ● printer and printer paper ● cutting mat ● craft knife ● pencil ● A4 sheets of woodgrain-effect card ● A4 sheets of beech-effect card ● A1 sheets of coloured card ● ruler ● spray adhesive ● picture frame INSTRUCTIONS 1 Start by finding a suitable font for your wall art. Look online for free downloadable 3D sans serif shadow fonts, such as Billboard Shadow, Sans Serif Shaded or Zacatecas 1914. Once you’ve chosen, print each letter onto an A4 sheet of paper, ensuring it fills the page as much as possible. Make sure all the letters are the same font size. 2 Next, starting with the first letter…

TOP TIP You could use a stencil to add the flowers, or try the decoupage method by cutting patterns from napkins or tissue paper to glue on and then seal YOU WILL NEED ● old wooden chair ● palm sander or sandpaper and sanding block ● 38mm paintbrush ● damp cloth ● eggshell paint ● fine artist’s paintbrush ● tester pots or acrylic paint ● sealant, such as Rust-Oleum clear satin multi-surface sealer, £7 for 125ml, B&Q INSTRUCTIONS 1 Start by sanding the chair with a palm sander, or sanding block, to remove any old paint or varnish and to give the surface of the chair a key for the paint to stick to. Once you’ve finished sanding, wipe away debris with a damp cloth. 2 Using a 38mm paintbrush,…

Style idea Add a green or white pillar candle to stay on scheme ‘I love using natural elements to create a calm family home’ 3 OF A KIND… PHOTO FRAMES COSY COMFORT TIME FOR A NEW LOOK…

Fresh colour combos Turn up the volume on 2025’s hottest pattern – chunky stripes. This classic print is a styling stalwart, so it’s a great foundation when you want to try out a bold new look but don’t want to go too far. Lust Home has just brought out its Signature Stripe wallpaper in seven new colourways for you to experiment with. Not up for wallpapering? Try framing its super-sized £1.50 samples to bring this trending pattern into your space instead. Do-everything paint Colour-drench without limits with the new Lick Supreme ultra flat matt paint. We love the cocooning effect of all-over colour but buying different tins of paint for different surfaces can feel expensive, and sometimes wasteful. Lick’s new formula is suitable for walls, woodwork and even radiators, so…

BUNDLE UP IN BLUSH…

BLOOMING GORGEOUS!…

TOP TIP Source local stone from quarries or garden centres to match your surroundings. Combine with any spare rocks or tiles you may already have, to keep costs down Adding a focal feature to your outdoor space is a trick used by garden design pros for good reason. Not only does a focal point bring interest and hierarchy but it helps to guide the eye away from less attractive features. It can transform a run-of-the-mill garden into something special without a huge amount of effort. You don’t need a big budget or an expansive plot – a well-positioned ornament, a stylish planter or statement piece of garden furniture can achieve striking results. If you’re keen to encourage wildlife and enjoy all the benefits that brings, there are lots of options…

Spokesperson at Silentnight Co-founder and creative director of Secret Linen Store Deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity Sleep expert The Sleep Geek Q What type of pillow is best to prevent snoring? Sally Bonser, spokesperson at Silentnight, has plenty of expertise in all things sleep-related. She says… ‘The position you sleep in can be a main reason for snoring, therefore an adjustment that you can make to your sleep is by laying on your side, as this position helps to keep your airways clear. You could also try an anti-snoring pillow – these position your head in a supportive way which opens your airways to help improve your breathing. Silentnight anti-snore pillows use an ergonomically shaped foam core which allows your head and neck to sit in the correct position…

AVAILABLE IN 3 OTHER COLOURS! Let it sink in Fancy a change from stainless steel or white sinks? We love this new colourway from Rangemaster. ‘Pebble’ is a light beige-brown with soft undertones, perfect for creating calming, natural spaces. Plus, as it’s a subtle neutral, it will work well in kitchens with both light and dark cabinetry. This sink is made of igneous granite, so not only is it super durable, it’s also naturally antibacterial, resistant to stains, scratches and heat, and it repels odours. Grate work! Rotary graters are a viral sensation! Social media has gone wild for this gadget that makes light work of hard cheeses, topping pasta in seconds. Now you can get your hands on a chef’s quality version thanks to Microplane. The funnel-shaped, ultra-sharp blade…

‘Pink and green are a dream team! Perfect for any kitchen’ 3 OF A KIND… … MEASURING SPOONS TIME TO TABLESCAPE…

HOMESTYLE RECOMMENDS… Holiday packing essentials Take the stress out of packing and get into vacation mood with these handy holiday buys! 1 A luggage strap helps keep your suitcase secure, makes it quick to spot on the carousel, and easier to close. You can also use one to strap bags together on the go. 2 Travel smarter with a keyless combination padlock. Made from durable zinc alloy, it secures your suitcase with a simple 3-digit code – no keys necessary! 3 These colourful cubes keep essentials sorted and make packing a breeze – plus, their bold prints pair perfectly with each other for a coordinated look. 5 EASY STEPS TO… fix a leaky hosepipe Leaks can spring from all sorts of issues – kinks, twists, or exposure to harsh weather…

5 fresh and healthy recipes to try this month Monday GRILLED RADICCHIO WITH CAPER AND ANCHOVY SAUCE PREP TIME 10 minutes COOK TIME 4-5 minutes SERVES 2 as a main, 4 as a side INGREDIENTS ● 100g tin anchovy fillets in oil 30g capers, drained ● 1 lemon, halved ● 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to coat the radicchio ● 1 head purple radicchio ● salt and pepper ● handful of parsley, roughly chopped, to serve METHOD 1 First, make the sauce: put the anchovies and oil from the tin, capers, the juice of half a lemon and the olive oil in a blender and blend until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little water to loosen it. 2 Trim the radicchio stem, keeping the core…

JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS Mediterranean charm It’s easy to imagine you’re dining by the Amalfi coast with this al fresco collection GET THE LOOK A tonal palette of rich, earthy hues adds an element of sophistication to the playful motifs found in this outdoor entertaining collection from John Lewis & Partners. Inspired by travel, the range draws inspiration from hotter climates and has got us dreaming of jetsetting to a balmy coast. But while we’re still at home, we’ll create our own escape by starting with neutral, sandy beiges and adding in pops of terracotta and green. As for the details, a tropical print will bring holiday vibes or you can embrace ‘La Dolce Vita’ with some quirky illustrations of good food and wine. GET THE LOOK Nina Campbell’s latest…

Stripe up your life Habitat folding metal garden chair in Pink & Red, £15, Argos Lounge about Ubberup lounge chair in Black, £30, JYSK Time to recline Verona zero gravity chair in Rust, £79.99 for 2, VonHaus Hang out OHS outdoor floating garden hanging cushioned egg chair in Cream, £144.99, Tesco Café culture Sophie Robinson café bistro chair in Cobalt and Watermelon, £99, Dunelm FOLDABLE FOR EASY STORAGE A modern classic ANYDAY acacia wood deck chair frame & striped sling in Natural/Blue, £69, John Lewis & Partners Mellow yellow Ibiza stackable garden chair in Amnesia Yellow, £45, Peppermill Interiors Take it easy Jutholmen outdoor easy chair in Dark Grey with Kuddarna seat cushion in Light Grey-Beige, £85, IKEA…

TOP TIP If you’re struggling to draw an even heart shape, download a free design online, which you can scale up on your computer, then print out to use as a template YOU WILL NEED ● old cardboard box ● pencil ● cutting mat ● craft knife ● dust sheet ● foraged sticks ● hot glue gun and glue sticks ● secateurs ● White matt chalk spray paint (optional) ● 3M Command strips INSTRUCTIONS 1 Draw a heart shape to your desired size on a piece of cardboard from an old cardboard box. Place the cardboard on a cutting mat and cut it out using a craft knife. 2 Cover your work surface with a dust sheet and place the cardboard heart on top. Begin by gluing a selection of…

RELAXED IBIZA Even if you haven’t been up partying all night, the easy-going look of Ibizan interiors will give you space to relax. Start by recreating the effect of white-washed walls – use a pale matt paint with a hint of cream. Then bring in furniture and accessories made from natural materials, like pale wood and rattan to add a sun-bleached quality. Finish off with pale blue touches – these will evoke the cloudless blue skies and shining shore of this island. COMFORT & STYLE VIBRANT MEXICO Spice up your life with inspiration from bold and brilliant Mexican design. The key element you need to bring this style home is colour. Choose bright shades of pink and orange and use these as highlights around your space. Wherever you need contrast…

FEEL THE HOLIDAY VIBES…

❤ HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

1 Use a sundial or weathervane to direct the eye through your garden. This one comes in multiple colours to suit your space. 2 Frame a garden mirror with climbing plants or position one near a bird bath or pond for a stunning focal point. 3 Create a beautiful after-dark display with plant and tree lights. 4 Inject some fun and break up your planting with a sculpture or ornament – they’re especially useful for adding interest in the winter months. 5 A large eye-catching container can transform a boring border or neglected spot.…

Warmer nights can disrupt your sleeping patterns – follow these handy hints for an uninterrupted night… 1 Try a cooling pillow such as this copper-infused design which is breathable, has a cool touch surface, and has anti-bacterial properties. 2 Keep out the early morning sunlight by investing in blackout blinds or curtains. Keeping these drawn during the day will also help to keep the room from becoming too warm on sunny days. 3 Keep your bedroom as cool as possible. This affordable fan is easy to move around from room to room and also has a built-in aroma tray so you can add your favourite scent for a fragrant breeze. 4 Try to keep to your usual routines, and during a heatwave, remember that most of us can still function…

1 Lemon Grove cool tote bag, £24.99, Lakeland This insulated tote bag is spacious, with a 25L capacity that easily accommodated a picnic lunch for four. It’s sturdy too, with zip fastenings and a shoulder strap that meant our picnic items stayed upright, and it was easy and comfortable to carry. I took the tote on a couple of days out. Without freezer blocks, our food was still cool and fresh after 4 hours. With three slimline freezer blocks added (my own), the tote kept our food fresh and cool all day. The tote measures H36.5 × W21× L36cm and is part of Lakeland’s lovely Lemon Grove range which includes a matching bottle cooler, mini tote and picnicware, all affordably priced. I would have liked an internal pocket or divider, but…

The art of staying in The new Postcards From Home collaboration with broadcaster Laura Jackson’s curated interiors brand Glassette is online at Secret Linen Store. It’s a celebration of slow summer days, layered comfort and everyday luxury. The brands want to take us from morning moments to afternoons of linen swaying on the line, picnics on colourful quilts and comforting bedtimes. Each luxe piece is designed to be lived with, a bit nostalgic and made to last. From Cecilia’s checks to the zingy colour of Vine, the table textiles are inviting, while the bedding includes the zig-zagged Freida, classic Teddy Stripe and quilted Stella. Dreamy. secretlinenstore.com Retro rules Vintage lovers will adore the new collection from Hovia in collaboration with Toronto-based print and pattern designer, Elizabeth Olwen. These retro wallpapers…

BERRY SWEET! ‘I’m a real believer in the joy that colour brings into a home’ Style idea Bold stripes and florals are a classic combo 3 OF A KIND… FLORAL PRINTS Style idea Choose a common colour to run through your decor so you know it’ll blend together…

‘I love a pink, blue and green scheme. It’s all over my home!’ 3 OF A KING… BOW MUGS CHECK IT OUT!…

Welcome to my home A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Naomi Reed, 42, previously a social worker and now a stay-at-home mum, @homewithdevon. I live with my husband Gary, 51, a painter and decorator, and our children, Harrison, six, and Charlie, five. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a 1970s detached house in Exeter, Devon, and we moved here in July 2017. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE This was much more than a cosmetic makeover; virtually the whole house needed rebuilding, including a new kitchen, bathroom and extension, and after starting the reno with a view to selling, we decided to transform it into our family home. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN After initially going for dark greys and gloss tiles, I’ve slowly been updating the house with neutral shades…

Amanda Holden is best known as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, as well as co-host on the Heart Breakfast radio show. In recent years, she’s been exploring her passion for interior design, through her renovation series with Alan Carr, which first aired in 2022 with Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job, and her luxe-for-less homeware range with QVC. How did BundleBerry come about? QVC approached me about working together and I think everyone assumed I would either do a fashion or make-up range, but I went into my phone and I showed them hundreds and hundreds of pictures of wallpapers and fabrics and rugs and hotel rooms and I said: ‘This is what I would love to do. It’s my passion, it’s what I absolutely love.’ What inspired your new…

THE EARLY YEARS Adopt a playful attitude for their first room. A palette of pastel tones with bright pops of red and mustard creates a vibrant space, without becoming overstimulating. Make your money go further by choosing clever furniture. A cot bed is a great solution and offers the most longevity – removing the sides transforms it into a small bed that will see them into the next stage. Introduce storage solutions to encourage them to look after their belongings. Wall hooks hung at their level will help them to hang clothing, while baskets and built-in toy storage keeps things in easy reach. ‘In the first four years, little ones change fast, and their room should keep up. Furnish their nursery with longevity and adaptability in mind. Choose timeless styles,…

❤ HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

Café society Café curtains are having a moment, and it’s easy to see why. Adding softness and a dash of relaxed farmhouse charm, an under-sink curtain like this one from Tori Murphy is a neat way to break up a line of cupboards. This chic solution also works by hiding clutter and tangles of exposed plumbing. Meanwhile, a classic stripe brings a cheerful, cottage-inspired feel, blending seamlessly with both modern and traditional decor. Easy to install with a tension rod, you can either whip up a simple curtain on your sewing machine or buy one ready-made. FLOWER POWER! Keep your furry friends cool and entertained all summer Swing into serenity Get set for some serious downtime with this sleek hammock on a modern stand from VonHaus. Perfect for porches, patios,…

Dominique’s conservatory garden room ‘I’ve struggled to decorate this space. I use it as a dining room, but I’d love it to feel more like a garden living room. I want to create the feel of an Italian château orangery, filled with greenery and light, where I can relax.’ Dominique’s budget is £1,000 and our resident interior designer, Rochelle Dalphinis, has accepted the challenge! CHAMPAGNE TOTAL £19,243 LEMONADE TOTAL £942 Bringing the outdoors in Dominique’s inspiration image by ZAA captures the feel of a Tuscan orangery, bringing the outdoors in with large sofas and armchairs set among lush greenery. Terracotta pots filled with tall plants surround the space, creating a serene sanctuary inside the home. 01 Lush foliage for less Large plants can be costly, especially when trying to echo…

Ride the wave Cool blue Scandi sleep Luxurious & leafy Pretty petals Oasis of calm Soft & squishy TRENDING TEXTURED FABRIC Two-in-one…

TOTAL £13,585 About me I’m Cara Martin, a speech and language therapist. I live here with my husband, Rik, a buyer for an electrical company, and our son, 11. Our detached, four-bed home in Antrim was built in the late 1990s and we moved here in April 2021. I share more on Instagram @yellowbrickcourt. ‘The room feels like a proper multifunctional family space now’ My problem kitchen Cream cupboards and white tiles were too plain. The beige tiled floor didn’t match the wood in the living area and dining room, and the L-shape layout lacked flow. I wasn’t keen on the hob being at an angle in the corner or the storage finishing by the utility room door. How I made it work Streamlining the layout and adding a breakfast…

Tangle-free technology We adore our pets but we’re less keen on the hair they leave, so we were excited to test the new Airfinity cordless vacuum cleaner by Beldray. It did not disappoint! The 29.6V motor was powerful enough to remove pet hair from our carpets, rugs and sofa, and its tangle-free technology meant the brush bar remained clean, so no need to pause to remove hair knots. Switching between the handheld and floor attachment is easy and the LEDs on the floor brush are a clever addition – we see you dust ball! We also found the ‘Eco’ mode ideal for dusting. It’s also fitted with a HEPA filter (plus a spare) to remove allergens and its rechargeable battery lasts up to 45 minutes. It’s a 10/10 from us.…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Raspberry and madeleine ice cream terrine PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes + freezing overnight SERVES 8-10 INGREDIENTS ● 225g punnet fresh raspberries ● 4 × Bonne Maman Madeleine, roughly chopped ● 75ml Cointreau or Grand Marnier ● 2 × 460ml tubs good quality vanilla ice cream ● 50g pistachio nuts, finely chopped, plus extra to decorate ● small handful fresh basil, finely chopped, plus extra to decorate METHOD 1 Very lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin and line with baking paper. Reserve a few raspberries for decoration. 2 Put the remaining raspberries in a bowl with the madeleines and sprinkle over the Cointreau or Grand Marnier. 3 Spoon about one third of the ice cream into the lined tin. Press down and level with a spoon. 4…

CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 Disturb, 5 Faux pas, 9 Shard, 10 Brigadier, 11 UFO, 12 Reins, 13 Sieve, 14 Sleet, 16 Pastry, 18 Chalet, 19 Lasso, 22 Based, 24 Chain, 26 Egg, 27 Arthritis, 29 Lie in, 30 Empower, 31 Amnesia. DOWN: 1 Discuss, 2 Soap opera, 3 Under, 4 Bobbin, 5 Fries, 6 USA, 7 Prime, 8 Surgery, 13 Snail, 15 Trend, 17 Tasteless, 18 Cabbage, 20 Organza, 21 Nausea, 23 Set up, 24 Cater, 25 Nylon, 28 Row. MYSTERY WORD: UMBRELLA WORD SCRAMBLE There are more than 25 well-known words – anything over 15 is excellent! SUDOKU WORD SEARCH Did you find them all? SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 1. The cooker hood has changed 2. The artwork on the wall is different 3. Some of the tiles on the splashback…