Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i Ideal Home

…create calm for the year ahead with simple ways to find a balance – embrace home comforts with our edit of this season’s trends (page 10); create a detox toolkit to tackle air pollution in your home (page 146) and discover the best wellbeing gadgets that will help you on your way to a healthier lifestyle (page 166). Find out how to decorate with the perfect grey for your scheme (page 31); give your home a fresh look using subtle stripes (page 50); and ensure your bedroom leaves you feeling relaxed and rested with our decorating ideas on page 54. Plus, don’t miss our favourite restorative comfort-food recipes on page 156. Snuggle in – spring is on its way!…

Sturdy design Keep your tablet safe when you’re on the move Cork travel case for iPad, £28, Notonthehighstreet.com Cool coasters Protect your polished surfaces Cork coasters, £1 for four, Hema In the frame Display precious moments in time Metal and cork frame, £17.99, Zara Home Top it off Cork and ceramic is a winning mix Green vase with cork neck, £59, Notonthe highstreet.com Smart storage An easy and chic way to clear up clutter Saco cork storage basket, from £29.95, The Holding Company FOR WHERE TO BUY ITEMS SHOWN, TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Bright idea Hang it low over the dining table for statement style Easy-fit pendant in cork and metal, £27.99, Homebase Keep a lid on it Just the thing for storing pasta or rice Jadon small glass…

If you love the stylish schemes in Ideal Home, but aren’t sure how to transform your own rooms, we’re here to help. All great looks start with inspiring images, so indulge in a research session with our decorating section, then build a moodboard for your project. Find our moodboards and more inspiration over the page... Retro cool Go for mid-century style, page 40 Grey scale Find the perfect shade for your room, page 31 Honey tones Layer gentle gold and warm caramel hues, page 46 Subtle pattern Add interest with stylish stripes, page 50 FIND INSPIRING MOODBOARDS ONLINE AT housetohome.co.uk/moodboards…

1 THE 70-20-10 RULE For a balanced scheme, keep 70% of the elements (say, walls and floors) as one colour, then add 20% in a second colour (fabrics) and 10% in an accent (accessories). 2 THE PATTERN RULE When mixing patterns, use large with medium or medium with small, never large with small. Pick prints that share a colour in common. 3 THE PAINTED BOX RULE The look of paint changes according to the time of day and the light in a room. Paint the inside of a large box with a tester to create a miniature ‘room’ and see how the colour changes within a 3D space. AND FINALLY… Always add a surprise. A focal point – whether it’s a feature wall or a piece of art – is…

Subtle stripes Create a modern or classic mood with these designs 1 Muted tones Wide stripes in neutral contrasting shades have an elegant look Muse Stripes in Heather, £9 per roll, B&Q 2 Soft focus The coral colour and airbrushed finish feel fresh and contemporary Rasch Secret Garden Stripe 281415, £10 per roll, Wilko 3 Pair with pattern This traditional stripe has a metallic leaf motif for added shine Harvest Blue, £12 per roll, Graham & Brown 4 Modern barcode Perfect for a crisp, modern kitchen Contour Barcode Linear in Beige, £14 per roll, Wilko 5 Paint effect Liven up walls with this brushstroke effect Brush Stroke Stripe 863932 in green, £20 per roll, Albany range, Wallpaperdirect ‘Whether you prefer modern or traditional style, there’s a tonal stripe to cater…

Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric, indicating how closely woven it is. As a rule, the higher the count, the softer and more luxe the fabric. Natural cotton or polycotton? Natural fibres, such as cotton and linen, are breathable but tricky to iron. Polyesters are easy to iron, but don’t let moisture evaporate as well, which can cause overheating. Polycottons have some of cotton’s coolness but the easy care of polyester. Egyptian cotton is used to make the finest linen. It’s grown by the Nile, where the humid climate and rich soil produce long, delicate fibres. Percale is a closely woven, combed yarn, which gives a smoother finish. It can be made of any fibre, but most often cotton or a polycotton blend,…

BOUGHT FOR £525,000 SPENT £120,000 NOW WORTH £795,000 THE LOOK A three-bedroom, Grade II-listed, Regency town house in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The owners bought it in January 2012. WHAT IT COST Building work.........................£93,000 Decorating................................£8,000 Kitchen......................................£5,000 Furniture...................................£10,000 Shutters and blinds.................£4,000 TOTAL...................£120,000 WHO LIVES HERE Katie and Olly Morgan, with their one-year-old son, Louis. Katie is a solicitor and Olly is a professional rugby coach. THE LOOK Cool classic, with touches of shabby-chic style and a neutral, Scandi-inspired palette. LESSONS LEARNED “Good storage is essential when you have young children. Our builder custom-made units for each floor to keep our living spaces clutter-free.”…

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? ‘The kitchen wins. It’s a perfect space: light, warm thanks to the Aga, with a wonderful view of the terrace and garden in every season. It’s the centre of our family life.’ DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN FIVE WORDS ‘Refined, inviting, restful, modern, calm.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING IN THE HOUSE? ‘The light that floods the rooms at the back, where we spend most of our time and where I work. It’s always warm and bright.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ONLINE INTERIORS SHOP? ‘I like Rowen & Wren with its unique, carefully sourced, really lovely homeware in gentle, muted colours. All its pieces are both functional and beautiful.’…

‘The period features had been ripped out, apart from one original fireplace, which had been painted and boarded up’ ‘It’s a much more sociable space now, and you get light streaming in from both sides’ ‘We painted everything white to begin with, as I’d read it’s best to spend time getting a feel for the light before deciding on colours’ ‘We’d been looking for ages and there were so few run-down period houses on the market, plus we could just about see the potential’ Having looked for a renovation project for many months without success, Claire and Jamie McFadyen were delighted when they came across a three-bedroom Edwardian house in their ideal location, between Wallington and Carshalton in south London. ‘We were living in a new build at the time,…

Once all the guests have gone, presents have been put away, leftovers eaten and Christmas decorations packed up in the attic, thoughts turn to the new year, with its resolutions and air of promise for new beginnings. It’s also the perfect time to start planning a fresh look for your home, and the calming Neutrals trend from the new homeware collection at Sainsbury’s is the perfect choice to usher in the change of seasons. Create some calm After all the parties and decorative excess of the festive season, it’s good to give the senses a rest with a more peaceful, relaxed feel. Whether you’re thinking of giving a room a full makeover or adding some new pieces in preparation for spring and the longer days ahead, pick a palette that…

We love… …‘the new living area on the ground floor. It’s ideal for family life, cooking and entertaining’ When Katrin Davey first saw her plain three-storey house in Twickenham, Middlesex, she was less than keen. ‘I really disliked it,’ she says. ‘I was used to living in Edwardian and Victorian homes, which are full of character, and I found this Thirties house unappealing in comparison. However, it was pretty run-down, which was a bonus as I love a project.’ Katrin and her husband, Adrian, met five years ago, and were living in Chiswick when they decided to start a family. ‘We needed a larger home with a garden, and we looked at a number of properties,’ explains Katrin. ‘It was the location, the size of the plot and the proportions…

Many alterations can be made under Permitted Development, meaning you don’t need to get planning permission. For more information on planning and building regulations, visit planningportal.gov.uk and always check with your local authority before making any major renovation changes. Keep your neighbours informed at all stages, and you might need to obtain party-wall agreements, too. Check for advice on this at planningportal.gov.uk. For extensions and major remodelling, it’s usually advisable to employ an architect to draw up accurate plans: the Royal Institute of British Architects (architecture.com) holds a directory of approved architects. Get at least three quotes for all major purchases, including when you’re hiring tradesmen and, whenever possible, negotiate fixed prices for each job rather than paying a daily rate. It’s not usually advisable to undertake major roofing work…

THE PROPERTY A six-bedroom detached house in Stow-cum-Quy, Cambridgeshire. WHO LIVES HERE Vicki and Ed Ralph, with their sons, Jonah, 10, and Ryan, 12. WHAT THEY DID The couple knocked down the walls that separated the garden room and dining room from the kitchen, fitted folding doors leading onto the patio and redesigned the kitchen, creating an open-plan layout. THE LOOK Relaxed country with a contemporary edge. Rustic-style units have been teamed with cool colours and classic features, such as a Belfast sink. LESSONS LEARNED “If you have anything made bespoke, check the measurements two or three times before you go ahead. Check, too, how it will be fitted. Never assume anything.” THE LAYOUT A bank of units on the left of the kitchen houses appliances and the range, with…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, Victorian terraced house in Chiswick, west London. WHO LIVES HERE Liz Elmhirst and her husband Shail Thaker, with their twin daughters, Arya and Leela, five. WHAT THEY DID The couple extended the kitchen as part of a larger house-renovation project to create an open-plan kitchen-diner with a living area. THE LOOK Raw-edged industrial, with an exposed-brick wall, polished-concrete worktops and a breakfast bar made from reclaimed scaffolding boards. LESSONS LEARNED Take photos of restaurants, bars and hotels that you like wherever you go. It’s easier to refer to an image than try to describe what you want. THE LAYOUT An island divides the cooking and dining areas, with the appliances in a run of base units along one wall, and a dining table and living area…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, semi-detached Victorian home in west London, bought in February 2012. WHO LIVES HERE Heidi Woodruff, with her sons, Hugo, 20, and Bertie, 18. WHAT SHE DID Heidi extended out at the back and the side of the ground floor to create a spacious, light-filled kitchen-diner with access to the rear garden. THE LOOK Individual, with minimalist cabinets in grey, elegant marble worktops and vintage-style furniture. LESSONS LEARNED Rather than replacing your existing furniture, it’s worth reupholstering it in fresh colours to give it a new lease of life. THE LAYOUT The sink is positioned in the middle of a run of base units along one wall. Opposite, the hob is located in the island. There’s a larder unit beside the dining area…

THE PROPERTY A 16th-century, six-bedroom, converted Cotswold-stone barn, near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. WHO LIVES HERE Deirdre and Henry Boyle, with their younger daughters, Madeleine, 16, and Cordelia, 14. WHAT THEY DID The couple gutted the room, replaced the windows, installed underfloor heating and fitted a modern suite. THE LOOK Contemporary yet understated, with sleek fittings and a warm, neutral palette that’s in tune with the surrounding countryside. LESSONS LEARNED I wish we’d had motorised Venetian blinds installed for the windows, as it’s quite awkward to open and close them by hand. THE LAYOUT A curved wall conceals the shower enclosure in the corner as you enter the room. The loo and basin are opposite a freestanding bath…

THE PROPERTY A six-bedroom, detached, Fifties house in Ashtead, Surrey, WHO LIVES HERE Karen and Steve Winder, with their children, Jessica, 13, and Georgina, 11. WHAT THEY DID The couple ripped out the existing bathroom, replaced the window, replastered the room and added a wall-hung vanity unit for storage. THE LOOK Contemporary with a clever mix of mosaic and plain tiles, warm bursts of colourful accessories and characterful artwork. LESSONS LEARNED We realised that using dark tiles all around the bath and shower area would make the room too gloomy, so we added silvery-grey mosaics to bounce light around. THE LAYOUT The loo and bath are to the right of the door. The basin is opposite the door and there’s a radiator beneath the window…

Unhappy with a Christmas present or a recent purchase but not sure what to do about it? There are certain rights when it comes to getting a refund or making a complaint, and companies are legally obliged to act depending on the complaint. Here’s our guide to being a savvy shopper… KNOW YOUR RIGHTS The law changed in October 2015 – and so did your rights. Under the 2015 Consumer Rights Act, you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase if an item is of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described. After 30 days, you can opt for the retailer to repair or replace an item, including digital products such as films or music. If something you’ve bought develops a fault within six…

Roasted tomato soup with croutons SERVES 4-6 TAKES 40MIN 1 red onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped 1 red chilli, halved and deseeded 2 large red tomatoes, quartered 750g ripe cherry vine tomatoes, off the vine 3tbsp olive oil ½ ciabatta loaf, torn into chunks Handful of basil leaves 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7. In a roasting tin, mix the onion, garlic, chilli and tomatoes with 2tbsp olive oil. Season well and roast for 30min. 2 Meanwhile, place the ciabatta chunks on a baking sheet, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and bake, on the shelf below the tomatoes, for 15min, until crisp. 3 Ladle the tomato mixture in batches into a food processor and whizz until nearly smooth, then return to the pan.…

February is a great time to plant up lily bulbs for the summer and pick up any end-of-stock reductions. By now the bulbs will have begun to form roots at the base, which enables them to put on a growth spurt as soon as they’re potted up. • Plant three to five per container – use terracotta pots for display and plastic if they’ll be plunged into a border to fill mid-summer gaps. • Lilies need free-draining soil, so use a light compost, such as John Innes No3, and add horticultural grit to the base. • Taller varieties may need some support. I use short, branching hazel stems to make a protective framework. • Favourites of London’s Garden Museum include richly scented Lilium formosanum and the more delicate Lilium martagon.…

FEATURES WE LOVE 1 It’s not a boring black box Serif was designed by French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, who wanted to ‘craft an object that fused technology with our knowledge in furniture design’ and ‘break away from the usual themes of masculine, cutting-edge technology and extra-large size’. Therefore, it comes in three modest sizes of 24in, 32in and 40in and in three colours – red, white and dark blue. 2 You don’t need a stand… but it’s an option. Each TV is wider at the base and top, so that you can sit it on a shelf or stand it on the floor without needing a supportive base – although the two largest sizes come with a set of legs, too. 3 Standby mode has been reinvented The…

WHAT IS IT? The New Year is a time of resolutions and vows to live better. But diets and extreme exercise aren’t the only routes to a healthier you. Using the right tech, there are small, smart changes you can make that will turn into healthy habits you’ll be unlikely to break. WHY SHOULD I DO IT? Let’s start with sleep, as not getting enough won’t just leave you grumpy and baggy-eyed – it can lead to health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. Get yourself a sleep tracker – in app or wearable form – and you’ll be better placed to know you’re getting the seven to eight hours most adults need, and identify any triggers that could be leading to a poor night’s rest. Before you nod…

Space saver Sear & Stew compact slow cooker , Morphy Richards GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘The base and cord fit into the pot for easy storage, and the pot and lid are dishwasher safe’ Fast food Instant Pot Duo , Amazon.co.uk GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Uses up to 70% less energy than cooking on a hob and saves time – it can sauté curry ingredients, then cook them in 10 minutes’ Prep to plate Cuisine Companion , Tefal GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Doing the job of 10 gadgets, this can chop, crush, emulsify, whip, melt, beat or knead; then steam, slow cook or prove ingredients’ FOR WHERE TO BUY ITEMS SHOWN, TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

Budget blower Smart Ultra 6 , Vodafone GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Its dull design aside, this fab 5.5in phone has a dazzling display and the stamina for a full day’s browsing, texting and selfie taking’ Edgy looks Galaxy 6 Edge+, Samsung GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Phwoar! Everything looks good on the 5.7in wraparound screen, and the battery – which can be charged wirelessly – goes from flat to full in just two hours’ Invite only OnePlus 2 , One Plus GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘You’ll need an invite* to buy this 5.5in phone, but it’s worth a try for the fingerprint scanner, build quality worthy of handsets twice the price and a great camera’ FOR WHERE TO BUY ITEMS SHOWN, TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

= mail order available Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181; abigailahern.com AllPosters 020 8435 6555; allposters.co.uk Alternative Flooring 01264 335111; alternativeflooring.com Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Amazon.co.uk amazon.co.uk Amiska Décor 0844 357 1194; amiska.co.uk And So To Bed 0808 144 4343; andsotobed. co. uk Anecdotes Design 01303 487690; anecdotesdesign.com Annie Sloan 01865 247296; anniesloan.com Apple 0800 048 0408; apple.com/uk Art.co.uk 020 8435 6556; art.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410; artisanti.com Ashleigh & Burwood 01932 267060; ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Atlantic Shopping 0121 230 1644; atlanticshopping.co.uk Att Pynta 020 8692 2412; attpynta.com Authentic Furniture 01629 704704; authenticfurniture.co.uk Authentics 020 8891 9150; authentics.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9046; barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BasketBasket 01420 85112; basketbasket.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323; bathstore.com Bedeck 0333 200 7331; bedeckhome.com Beefayre 01858 434492; bee fayre.com Bella Bathrooms 0844 811 7017; bellabathrooms.co.uk Bert Frank 020 7164 6482; bertfrank.co.uk Biscuiteers 0870 458 8358; biscuiteers.com Black By Design 01889 502716; black-by-design.co.uk black-by-design.co.uk Bloom 0844 482…

Payday’s always a long time coming in January and February’s a frugal month, too (especially if I’ve got holiday plans to save for!), so I’ll be relying on free and cheap ways to shop, eat and get fit. HITTING THE CHARITY SHOPS At the start of every year, Ma Richmond and I gather our resources for The Big One: a mammoth sweep of the local charity shops, from one end of the high street to the other (via Costa for a chai latte and a loo break). It’s all in the timing. We know that the post-Christmas cleanup will trigger cupboard clear-outs across the county, but you have to allow a little time for things to come to fruition. The day we estimate that the shops are at peak bargain,…

Looking rosy These beauties are not your usual coasters Kivita gold and rose quartz coasters, £132 for two, Anna New York range, Amara Tidy trio A smart way to keep your office space organised Set of three brass drawers, £19.99, TK Maxx Gilded leaf Nature-inspired and metallic, for two trends in one Copper leaf tray, £15, House of Fraser Copper top Just the thing for your precious keepsakes Marble jewellery box, £19, Oliver Bonas Frame game Combines an urban shape with a glamorous finish Metal frame upholstered chair in Lustre Velvet Dusty Blush, £599, West Elm Pots of gold Fill with tealights or use as smart pen pots Ceramic votives, £25 for five, Bloomingville range, Amara Silver linings Shimmering finishes create a calming boudoir Silver-effect quilt and cushion cover, £180,…

John Sims-Hilditch and his business partner Giles Redman founded Neptune in 1996, selling hammocks and garden furniture. Now, the company offers everything from kitchens and furniture to accessories. ‘I like to think there’s a better way to do retail,’ says John. ‘We respect and look after our customers and in return they trust us.’ John’s entrepreneurial nature and eye for design, together with the creative flair of his wife, Emma, have resulted in Neptune growing into a company with more than 40 stores in the UK and Europe. THE COUPLE BEHIND THE LOOK John and Emma had similar rural upbringings. ‘I had an idyllic childhood,’ says Emma. ‘Dad grew vegetables, and Mum loved knitting and sewing. I can remember sitting with her as a child while she hand-carded fleece, then…

HONEYCOMB Mix gold and mustard tones for a warming scheme UF1248 flooring, £31.99 per sq m, Quick-Step. Ranger rug in Mustard, £149, Modern Rugs. Hand-woven bowl, £24, French Connection. Cushion covers made in (from left): Hudson Bay in Oatmeal, £66.50 per m, Linwood; Bird Hop in Saffron, £48 per m, Vanessa Arbuthnott. English Toffee oil-based eggshell, £51 for 2.5ltr, Zoffany range, Designerpaint. Ashfield in Maize swatch, £49.90 per m, Linwood. Marble apple, £10, John Lewis. Hexagonal dish, £14.95, Graham and Green. Glass vase, £37, Cox & Cox. For a similar white plate and bowl, try John Lewis FIND MORE MOODBOARDS ONLINE AT houseto  home.co.uk/ moodboards UPSCALE & TAILORED Add structure with monochrome stripes Audrey Night Fall runner with CCN9 Cotton Chenille Otter border, £649, Crucial Trading. Dinner Jacket matt…

Finding the right grey is exactly like buying a red lipstick: you choose one with the undertone that suits your skin shade. If you hold together a fan of grey paint charts, you’ll see how widely the tones vary. The cool end of the spectrum has blue undertones, passing through tints of green and yellow, ending up at warm shades with red bases that give them brown, pink or purple tints. Your journey starts with deciding on the ‘temperature’ of colour your room needs – cool or warm – then how dark you dare to take it… COLOUR PROFILE Cool, dark greys THE UNDERTONES From deepest slate to dark concrete, these greys have blue in their DNA. THE SPACE Avoid at all costs in a north-facing room. They’re perfect for…

Try it with… BLACK Up the luxe factor by teaming golden tones with dramatic black. Soften the look with steely grey accents In the dark Use on a feature wall Jewels Night 1 matt emulsion, £24.49 for 2.5ltr, Dulux Tactile touch Accessorise with deeply hued fabrics Ribbed plain furnishing fabric, £25 per m, John Lewis Golden hour Use damask for an opulent look Alexander gold wallpaper, £44 per roll, Laura Ashley Try it with… PALE PINK Put a modern spin on earthy mustard by teaming it with a blue-toned pink. Use a chalky finish for a contemporary feel, then add depth with statement wood-effect flooring Floor it Opt for a budget-friendly alternative to real wood Versailles UF1155 flooring, £31.99 per sq m, Arte collection, Quick-Step Pretty print Add…

THE COMPANY Drawing inspiration from its Scottish heritage, Voyage Decoration is a creative textiles and homeware brand best known for its vibrant printed fabrics and wallpapers. The designs are hand-drawn or painted by Voyage’s in-house team using watercolour techniques to enhance colour, depth and form. The original artwork is then digitally printed onto locally sourced natural linens in the company’s own printworks in Glasgow. THE NEW COLLECTION With a modern spin on traditional country style, the Rashieka’s Garden collection has an artistic feel thanks to interesting textural layers and craft techniques, such as heavy embroideries and appliqué fabrics. A confident painting style with generous brushstrokes adds an abstract quality to the printed fabrics, giving the illusion of movement. Co-ordinating wallpapers, including Hopea, Merapi, Rinjani and Sapur, help tie the collection…

IDEAL Stay neutral Pile on the cushions – just keep the colours co-ordinated Hopsack Stripe piped cushion, Ian Mankin Say it with flowers Bring in delicate pattern with this dandelion-clock design PS Maskros pendant lamp (diameter 80cm), Ikea Parisian chic Create a focal point with this oversized clock Honoré wooden clock (diameter 65cm), Maisons du Monde Fringe benefit Snuggle up under merino lamb’s wool Spot throw in Natural, Bronte by Moon range, Amara Well padded Doubles up as a footstool or seating Astor ottoman in Oatmeal (H40cm x W100cm x D80cm), Swoon Editions Tonal stripes Incorporate simple pattern in a neutral scheme Harborough four-seater pillow-back sofa (H95cm x W228cm x D102cm), Barker & Stonehouse GREAT DEAL Fine lines Keep it simple with slim stripes of white on taupe Striped Sham…

BOUGHT FOR £570,000 SPENT £150,000 NOW WORTH £950,000 THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, detached, Arts and Crafts house in Solihull, West Midlands, bought in 2011. WHAT IT COST Building work..........................£60,000 Loft...............................................£15,000 Kitchen......................................£30,000 Bathrooms...............................£15,000 Exterior.......................................£10,000 Flooring and decorating......£20,000 TOTAL.....................£150,000 WHO LIVES HERE Amanda and Gerwyn Rees, with their sons, Cameron, 11, Oliver, nine, and Caiden, six, and Rosie the cocker spaniel. Amanda is an artist and illustrator, and Gerwyn is an anaesthetist. THE LOOK Elegant, with a palette of greens, creams and blues, and lots of original woodwork, including wooden floors. LESSONS LEARNED “Ensure the major items in your home are in keeping with its age. We disliked the modern fireplace in the living room, but found an Arts and Crafts one that fits in perfectly.”…

‘Finding the perfect colour is one of the best ways to stamp your own style on a scheme, and having a spectrum of choice ensures the end result is unique to you’ MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR With the ability to define a room and transform a mood, paint colour is one of the most important elements when it comes to planning a makeover. No matter what your style of decorating, with Valspar you can express your personality with a paint that’s designed especially for you. Discover a rainbow of choice Thanks to its state-of-the-art technology, Valspar can match any colour the eye can see – that’s a spectrum of 2.2 million colours. Whether you’re inspired by a statement artwork, holiday souvenir or beautiful pattern, Valspar can help you make your…

BOUGHT FOR £289,000 SPENT £88,000 NOW WORTH £475,000 THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, Edwardian semi-detached house in Wallington, southwest London. The owners bought it in November 2008. WHAT IT COST Building work.........................£30,000 Loft conversion......................£20,000 Kitchen......................................£18,000 Bathroom...................................£6,000 Flooring......................................£4,000 Decorating...............................£10,000 TOTAL......................£88,000 WHO LIVES HERE Claire and Jamie McFadyen, with their children, Maisy, four, and Mollie, two. Claire and Jamie run a French vintage-interiors business. THE LOOK Modern traditional, with muted colours, natural materials, a French vintage feel and industrial touches. LESSONS LEARNED “I wish we’d done the loft conversion before we moved in. It would’ve been far less disruptive and given us proper eaves storage from the start.”…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, three-storey, detached Thirties house in Twickenham, Middlesex. WHO LIVES HERE Katrin and Adrian Davey, with their three-year-old son, Leo. Katrin is a stay-at-home mum, while Adrian runs an IT company. WHAT THEY DID The Daveys built a kitchen, dining and living-space extension, and reconfigured the rest of the house. WHAT IT COST The couple paid £990,000 for the property in 2012 and spent £320,000 extending and remodelling the house. It is now worth in the region of £2 million.…

Carnegie units in Sage Green and Mussel, £272 for a W600mm base unit; Belfast BFF720 double-bowl sink, £570; Eiger monobloc sink mixer tap, £197, Franke range; solid wood maple worktop, £526 for a 3m length; all Ridgeons. Elica CH60 extractor hood, £199, Magnet. Bianco Eclipsia marble worktop, price on application, Eadonstone. Dijon tumbled limestone floor tiles, from £42 per sq m, My Stone Floor. Bifold patio doors, £3,492, Country Hardwood. Dog gate, £1,627, Harlequin Woodcraft. Italian glass chandelier, £395, Graham and Green. Square pendant light in weathered brass, £462, Davey Lighting range, Lighting Matters. For a similar dining table, try the Portland, £535; Calhoun dining chairs, £280 for two; all Wayfair. Wexford Elite bar stools, £125 each, Shabby Store. For a similar armchair, try the Bingley, £650, Sofa.com. Curtains made…

Malmö oak-veneer units in Smoked Oak, from £255 for a W60cm base unit; bespoke concrete worktops, around £500 per sq m; Ratio professional single-lever kitchen mixer tap, £245, Abode range; single-lever hot water tap, £377; Form round sink, £69.47, Caple range; double dishwasher, £667; ActiveSmart French Door fridge, £1,490; double-door range cooker, £1,294; all Fisher & Paykel range; Neff microwave, £241; Mercury extractor hood, £1,000; all Imaggio Interiors. Reclaimed timber, £638, UK Sleepers. Copper globe pendant lights, £390 each, Holloways of Ludlow. For similar stools, try the Soho bar stool, £75 each, Rockett St George. City Grey floor tiles, £84 per sq m, Stone and Ceramic Warehouse FOR DETAILS TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

Metod units, from £15 for a W60cm base unit, Ikea; bespoke doors painted in Plummet Estate Eggshell, £53 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Honed statuario marble worktops, £1,260 per sq m, Marble City. JLBIDO914 double oven, £599; HK854320FB induction hob, £639, AEG range; RF610ADX4 fridge-freezer, £1,899, Fisher & Paykel range; all John Lewis. Oxygen C Monobloc mixer tap in brushed nickel, £227; Kubus large multi-bowl undermount sink, £464, Franke range; both Holloways of Ludlow. GrandDouglas flooring, from £99 per sq m, Dinesen. Walls painted in Slate II Household Emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. For a similar dining table, try the slate table, £1,100, Free Range Designs. Bobbin dining chairs, £942 each, Julian Chichester. Bespoke benches, £3,858, Kevin Andrews Upholsterers & Interiors. For similar gold letters, try Shane…

Bentley bath (with stand), £4,640, Imperial range; basin, £470, Flaminia range; for a similar loo, try the Verso Z50, £1,236, Catalano range; Tara two-hole bath mixer, £2,774; Tara Logic single-lever basin mixer, £516; both Dornbracht range; Toulon frameless shower enclosure, £3,545, Majestic range; shower tray, £919, Bette range; Meta 02 showerhead, hand shower and shower valve, £2,971, Dornbracht range; all Montpellier Interior Classics. Pacific white pebble wall tiles, £50 per sq m; for similar honed Travertine floor tiles, try the Alabastrino, £55 per sq m; both Mandarin Stone. Vanity unit with Molianos limestone top and mirror, £8,898, Joseph Interior Design. Louis Ghost chair by Philippe Starck, £203, Kartell range, Heal’s. For a similar bistro-style side table, try vintage markets. For a similar swing-arm mirror, try the Outline shaving and make-up…

Oberon bath, £717; Multiplex Trio bath filler, £273; Subway 80cm basin, £596; Subway loo, £588; Subway 2.0 vanity unit, £949; Subway 2.0 mirror, £968; all Villeroy & Boch. Water Square thermostatic three-control shower valve, £399; FH688C shower arm, £89; Zion fixed shower head, £169; Square wall outlet with handset and hose, £125; KH Zero three-basin monobloc tap, £249; Zest single ZT023C towel rail, £140; all Crosswater. Single panel STB800 bath screen, £575, Matki. For a similar stainless-steel radiator, try the Artena, £250, Reina range, Radiator World. Ash porcelain floor tiles in Natural; Ebony porcelain wall tiles in Natural; both £30.61 per sq m, Woodland range, Johnson Tiles. For similar mosaic tiles, try the Zinc Mosaic, £16.50 for a 30cm sq panel, Mosaic Village. Walls painted in Pure Brilliant White matt…

Q WHAT DOES SUGAR DO? It depends what type of sugar it is. Natural sugars, such as lactose in milk and fructose in fruit, are less detrimental to health. Released steadily into the blood stream, they also come with nutrients including fibre, protein and water. Refined sugars, which come from processed cane or beets, are found in, amongst other things, sweets, cakes and fizzy drinks. These quick-fix refined sugars cause insulin and blood-sugar levels to spike, leaving you wanting more. ‘The more sugar you consume the more you will want – beat the cycle by going cold turkey for 10 days,’ explains nutritionist Julie Silver. Q WHAT ARE THE DANGERS? According to nutritionist Kim Pearson, ‘Sugar intake is a leading cause of weight gain and type 2 diabetes. It’s highly…

To-do list for FEBRUARY PLANT snowdrops now. Order bulbs ‘in the green’ to plant out, or split up your own clumps when they’ve finished flowering, divide the bunches and replant with more space between them. PICK stems of the fragrant evergreen Daphne to bring inside. It’s also lovely in a pot by the front door in light shade. SOW onion seeds thinly in a well-drained spot under a cloche – try giant onions or heritage varieties. You get more choice of what to grow if you start with seed rather than sets and it takes about 22 weeks from sowing to harvest. Grow something beautiful… HELLEBORES Tough and adaptable, hellebores give invaluable early season colour. The most popular type are the Oriental hybrids, sometimes known as Lenten…

Looking to renovate your home or transform an outside space? My Design School at KLC offers a fun and innovative way to learn all the skills you need! Focusing on your own home or garden project, course tutors and guest experts will guide you through the creative process, giving you the know-how, confidence and inspiration to expand your ideas and develop your own design style. Presented entirely online, you can participate any time of the day or night, at home or on the move! Plus, the interactive online community allows you to chat with like-minded people, share sources and discuss trends. TO BOOK Visit klc.co.uk/mds  and quote IHI0116 for Design Your Own Home and IHG0116 for Successful Gardens or call 020 7376 3377 KLC is world renowned for…

Change isn’t always a good thing (anyone remember McFly’s cover of Don’t Stop Me Now?), so my eyebrows raised when I heard Libratone was redesigning its excellent Zipp speaker. I needn’t have worried though, as it’s the best reinvention since Victoria Beckham ditched the Spice Girls for fashion. New Zipp has gone multiroom in a big way – you can control up to 16 speakers from one app over Wi-Fi, and within that create groups of up to six speakers. Then it’s up to you whether to have all the speakers playing the same thing, or send different songs to different groups. FACT! 85% of mums admit to using tech to ÔbabysitÕ their kids while they get on with other tasks The Zipp has a battery life of up to…

Bed buddy SleepSense, Samsung GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘It sits under the mattress and analyses your shuteye, giving tips on how to improve it. In the future, it’ll also be able to switch off your Samsung TV when you drop off’ Posture police Lift, Lumo GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Protect yourself from a bad back with this discreet, lightweight clip and sensor. It vibrates when you slouch and tracks your path to perfect posture via an app – just charge it every five days or so’ Fitness coach Vivofit 2 activity tracker, Garmin GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘After an hour of inactivity, this guilts you into moving with bleeps and a red bar, which grows until you exercise’ Fresh air Aware air monitor, BlueAir GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Detects allergy…

SICILY See for yourself the ancient sites, breathtaking coastline and hill-top villages of this beautiful island at the toe of Italy. SELECTED DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2016. THE PRICE INCLUDES Return flights, taxes and transfers Seven nights in a four-star hotel with half board Comprehensive sightseeing, including Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, baroque Palermo, hill-top Taormina, Mount Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano – Monreale’s medieval cathedral and cloisters, and Siracusa – city of Archimedes Escorted by a tour manager BRUGES BY EUROSTAR There can be few places left in Europe where you can switch off from the pressures of modern-day living as you can in medieval Bruges. SELECTED DEPARTURES FROM MARCH TO NOVEMBER 2016. THE PRICE INCLUDES Eurostar and return rail from most mainline stations*, taxes and return…

Part of Ideal Standard’s showroom collection, the Tonic II range is a perfect example of the company’s commitment to design, beauty and function. The soft lines and chic palette of the pieces in the range are ideal for creating a serene scheme. With a focus on versatility, the Tonic II range has been designed to offer a host of space-saving solutions. The Tonic II basin unit includes a siphon that contours away from the middle of the basin, providing up to 20% more storage in the internal drawer below. Ideal Standard is offering Ideal Home readers the chance to win a bathroom suite, worth up to £7,000, from the Tonic II range. To find out more about Ideal Standard’s products, visit ideal-standard.co.uk.…

With comfort at the centre of everything it does, Secret Linen Store has developed a beautiful range of cotton duvet covers, pillowcases and sheets to help make your bed a cosy, relaxing retreat. Because having comfortable bed linen is vital for a good night’s sleep, all of the bedding at Secret Linen Store is designed to feel as good as it looks. The company’s founders, sisters Molly and Harriet, work hard to create exclusive bed linen, cushions and throws for much less than you would expect to pay on the high street. The range is designed in-house, and features plains and patterns, including stripes and ditsy prints, in a wide selection of colours that can be mixed and matched with ease. What’s more, you can enjoy a free sample service,…

To make a simple mug warmer, cut a length of felt to fit, then tie in place with twine. Add cinnamon sticks to stir in a little spice Softly does it Layer subtle textures for a comforting feel Lamb’s wool Herringbone cushion in lilac, £49.95, Bronte by Moon Warm touch Add some cute woodland creatures Owl Graphic mug, £6, Marks & Spencer Lived-in look Weathered wood brings rustic charm Tiger ladder shelves (H230cm), £245, Loaf See the light Ideal for creating a warm atmosphere Ceramic Onion lamp in White on White, £69.95, Dassie Watery glaze Hand-made ceramics add a homely touch Etta large bowl in Pale Jade, £65, Toast Seasonal shades Display purple heather in a contrasting pot for extra colour Dot textured plant pot, £28, Att Pynta FOR WHERE…

THE STORY SO FAR It was the colour of the Seventies across fashion and interiors, and it returned in the Nineties in faux suede and mocha walls. Now, brown is back in an array of decorating and shopping trends. WHERE WE’VE SEEN IT The rise in value of artisan crafts has brought an appreciation of the hand made, with earthy tones and natural, sustainable materials, such as visible wood-grain, leather and glazed and matt ceramics. See the Olio collection by Barber & Osgerby for Royal Doulton in terracotta for refined rustic style. The return of the Seventies has also brought with it a palette of warm brown and caramel tones to complement the modern metallics of brass and copper. For a more retro feel, look out for tan-leather seating with…

GET TO KNOW THEIR SIGNATURE STYLE Neptune has developed a distinctive look and style. ‘It’s classic contemporary,’ says Emma, without hesitation. ‘It’s understated, elegant, easy to live with, calm and comfortable,’ she adds. ‘We try to design items that are timeless and we’re not huge trend followers,’ says John. ‘A lot of our influences come from travelling in Europe and holidays spent in France and Italy,’ says Emma. ‘We’re both Europhiles and think we’re incredibly lucky to have the most incredible art, culture and architecture on our doorstep. John is fascinated by architecture and ancient buildings that have stood the test of time – a reflection of his belief in creating products that are built to last – whereas some of my greatest inspiration comes from films and set design.…

1 Choose your base colour Whether it’s flooring or a wall, the base colour will be the largest area of colour in your room, so place a generous sample of it onto your board. Including carpet samples will help you think about texture, too. 2 Add an accent tone A dramatic contrast or an accent just a few tones away from your base colour? Use your moodboard to play with options and layer it with swatches of fabric, scraps of wallpaper and paint colour charts. 3 Find the right accessories These will really set the tone in your room – go for ones that share an accent colour and stick to a single theme. Don’t mix styles, or your finished scheme will look messy rather than effortlessly eclectic.…

p 32 HALLWAY DECORATION AND FURNITURE Walls painted in Dinner Jacket matt emulsion, £21.98 for 2.5ltr, Valspar. Woodwork painted in Strong White Estate Eggshell, £53 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. For similar floor tiles, try the Capao Mato Grey, £27.67 per sq m, Topps Tiles. WFS7 Audrey Night Fall runner with CCN9 border, £649, Crucial Trading. Arundel console, £725, Neptune. ON/ABOVE CONSOLE Corinium small lamp with Oliver 20in shade, £100; Ashby pear, £6; Hanley pot, £50; all Neptune. Fine Stripe photo frame, £30, John Lewis. Bubble glass hurricane (used as vase), £45, Gray & Willow range, House of Fraser. Tealight holder, £8, French Connection. Faux-shagreen letter rack, £85, Oka. Simple cut-glass bowl, £12, Kelly Hoppen. Flag framed canvas print, £345, Loaf p 33 DINING ROOM DECORATION AND FURNITURE…

More than any other space in the home, your bedroom is the one place where you want to feel completely relaxed, comfortable and rested. With fewer practical constraints than other areas of the house, once you’ve covered the basics – ie, great clothes storage and a comfortable bed to sleep in – deciding on the décor is the fun part. Whether you’re after quick tricks that you can pull off in an afternoon, or are in need of ideas and inspiration for a complete bedroom revamp, we’ve come up with a host of bright ideas that we think will inspire you. Light it up Swap table lamps for hanging pendants to free up valuable bedside space. Opt for fabric shades to minimise glare and choose a lively accent colour that…

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR HOME? ‘The open, flowing, connected spaces.’ DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN FIVE WORDS ‘Clean, unpretentious, personal, simple, calm.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOMES BUY AND WHY? ‘The sheer full-length curtains. They soften the architecture, making the rooms cosy at night and giving an ethereal effect during the day.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ONLINE INTERIORS SHOP? ‘Keeping an eye on eBay has allowed me to buy high-end designer furniture. I love Made In Design for the big brands.’ WHAT INSPIRED YOU? ‘Minotti and B&B Italia’s roomsets for design details.’…

BEDROOM Added sparkle This vintage-effect crystal chandelier makes a stunning centrepiece Shamley 12-light chandelier, Laura Ashley In the pink Add a splash of colour with watercolour-print florals Voyage cushion in Peony Red, Oldrids & Co Soft option Dress your bed in calm and restful colours Scallop quilted double throw in grey, Next Bedside story We love the secret drawer just under the top of this chest Provence bedside chest (H65cm x W50cm x D42cm), Feather & Black Frond memory Go for a classic cachepot Long tom, Kew Gardens range, House of Hackney Polished act Make the bed the focal point Lockington sleigh double bed frame (H105cm x W155cm x L218cm), Wayfair Wall to wall Add character with a marine-style reading light Hanover wall light in antique brass/black, Ocean Lighting FOR…

Dreaming of adding a splash of colour to your home but not sure where to begin? With Valspar’s large 236ml tester pots, available in any colour at B&Q, you can get a feel for your palette and preview your choice in different lights, then use the leftover paint for an upcycling project. Choose a colour from the pre-selected range of 2,000 shades and use it to transform your furniture into a one-of-a-kind piece. Young Cactus matt emulsion, from £2.58 for 236ml, Valspar Snow in June matt emulsion, from £2.58 for 236ml, Valspar Quiet Interlude matt emulsion, from £2.58 for 236ml, Valspar For more information… FIND YOUR NEAREST B&Q STORE AND DETAILS OF VALSPAR’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS AND REVIEWS AT VALSPARPAINT.CO.UK…

IDEAL Factory cool Industrial-style lighting adds an urban edge Coolie enamel shade, Urban Cottage Industries Solitary stag Pretty up a plain seat with this sketchbook-style stag cover Stag cushion cover, Out There Interiors Chic grey Provides a contrast to a white table Suffolk dining chair in Charcoal, Neptune Warm wood Hide clutter in simple storage Marcel crate (H33cm x W60cm x D32cm), Maisons du Monde Picture perfect Ideal for a dining room Carving set 2 artwork (H85cm x W35cm), Yarrow Art & Design Lived-in look A bleached-wood tabletop brings weathered charm Baker Boy medium table (H76cm x L160cm x D95cm), Loaf GREAT DEAL High shine Buy two or three to hang over a dining table Tezz black pendant light shade, B&Q Into the woods Go realistic with a photo-print cover…

FRANKE 0161 436 6280; franke.co.uk The Omni four-in-one delivers 100°C filtered boiling and cold water, and mains hot and cold. Priced at £1,349 from kitchen retailers, the tap has built-in safety features, as well as an additional child safety clip. GROHE 0871 200 3414; grohe.co.uk Grohe’s Red taps deliver kettle-hot water. Choose the Mono Pillar if you only need kettle-hot water, or go for the Duo for kettle-hot water and normal hot and cold from a single faucet. Priced from £1,318, the taps are heavily insulated. INSINKERATOR 01923 297880; insinkerator.co.uk InSinkErator’s hot taps dispense at 98°C, which the firm says is better for tea and coffee than 100›C. From £630 for steaming hot only, or £849 for the 3N1, with hot,…

Clean lines and simple touches have given Katrin and Adrian’s extension a seamless look. It was constructed with timber joists and finished with glass-reinforced plastic fibreglass, concealed drainpipes and grey zinc edging to match the sliding doors. A roof light floods the space with light, while outside the roof line is unobtrusive. Flat-roofing systems have come a long way in recent years. The new modern single-ply membranes are well insulated and built to last. Employ a specialist to build a flat roof, which will usually be less expensive than a pitched one. It will have a slight fall to prevent water pooling and help drainage. A membrane is usually fixed on top of external insulation, with a void between the timber and the ceiling for electrics. Roof lights and lanterns…

WHAT IT COST Units...............................£11,903 Worktops.....................£5,000 Sinks and taps..................£851 Appliances....................£4,692 Floor tiles.......................£2,273 Reclaimed timber............£638 Pendant lights.................£780 Stools..................................£225 TOTAL..............£26,362 With a busy household that included young twin girls, Liz Elmhirst was at breaking point with her old kitchen. It had an awkward layout, there was very little storage space and the wooden worktops were rotting away. So when she and her partner, Shail, decided to renovate and extend the entire house, the kitchen was the first thing they planned. ‘We were desperate for a kitchen-diner where we could eat together and spend time as a family,’ says Liz. ‘I thought through where everything would go, so when we approached our kitchen designer, we already had a fairly good idea of the layout we wanted.’ Their extensive wish list included a large fridge,…

WHAT IT COST Units...............................£16,000 Worktop..........................£3,570 Sink......................................£464 Tap.......................................£227 Appliances....................£5,065 Flooring..........................£4,485 Table.................................£1,300 Bench seats..................£3,858 Dining chairs..................£1,490 TOTAL.............£36,459 Buying a property that’s midway through a massive renovation project isn’t for the faint-hearted, but a project was exactly what Heidi Woodruff was looking for when she decided to move from Derbyshire to London four years ago. And the four-bedroom, Victorian semi she found in west London certainly didn’t disappoint. ‘The previous owners had dug a basement and begun an extension, then had a change of heart and put it on the market,’ she explains. While it was the sense of space and light that first got Heidi excited about the property’s potential, it was the dream of a large kitchen that sealed the deal. ‘I loved the idea that I could really put my…

We tend to think that air pollution is something that happens outdoors, but there are factors that affect the quality of the air we breathe at home, too. Here are the main offenders and how to tackle them. SMOKING Cigarette smoke can damage the health of anyone exposed to it – not just those who smoke. A lit cigarette releases more than 4,000 different chemicals into the air, and studies show that the smoke from a single cigarette can linger in a room for hours, even with a window open. Carpets, furnishings and walls all absorb the toxins, gradually releasing them back into the air well after the smell of smoke has dissipated. Reduce the risk: Stop smoking. Failing that, smoke outside. HEATING Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO)…

To-do list for FEBRUARY EAT Merchant Gourmet’s new ready-to-eat Thai or Indian spiced mixed grains, which make an aromatic alternative to plain rice and are a great addition to salads, £1.39 for 125g, Tesco. DRINK Tea for Heroes – a bespoke blend of tea by The Rare Tea Company, £5.50 for 50g, Waitrose. 50p from each sale will go to the RAF Association’s Wings Appeal. TREAT a foodie to Rome: Centuries in an Italian Kitchen by Katie & Giancarlo Caldesi (£25, Hardie Grant) – a feast of delicious recipes, beautiful pictures and fascinating facts. Try a new taste... YUZU JUICE A Japanese citrus fruit, yuzu is used in both sweet and savoury dishes, and drinks. Sharp and aromatic, it tastes like a cross between grapefruit, mandarin and…

Helleborus Walberton’s Rosemary This semi-evergreen plant is very free-flowering and produces a profusion of blooms from January to April. Sunny spots in the garden rather than full shade. Don’t expect it to self-seed, as this is a sterile cultivar. Helleborus niger ‘HGC Josef Lemper’ Remarkably robust on well-drained soil, this pretty hellebore has a long flowering period starting in early winter. Brightening up a shady area with its white flowers that mature to green. Great with ferns and epimediums. Helleborus argutifolius Also known as the holly-leaved hellebore, this evergreen has spiny-edged leaves and clusters of pale-green flowers. Flower borders and beds in partial shade, or planted under roses. Doesn’t like exposure to cold winds.…

GIRL ABOUT TECH’S MANIFESTO I believe that tech should... Make your life easier Be super-simple to use Stand the test of time Look good and work brilliantly WHY WE LOVE THEM… As just 19% of UK adults get the NHS-recommended amount of exercise each week*, we could all use a boost from a gadget or two. A recent study revealed that 56% of UK adults think technology inspires them to exercise*, whether it’s a smartphone loaded with motivational music, a progress-monitoring fitness tracker, or even just a laptop. ‘You could try streaming a free workout online,’ says personal trainer Lonan O’Herlihy. ‘From yoga to weight training, there’s a class for everyone.’ But what if you want something more bespoke? ‘I even conduct PT sessions with clients over Skype,’ he adds.…

Soothing speaker Amora scent hub and Bluetooth speaker, Ashleigh & Burwood Add water and aromatherapy oil, and Harmonia will relax you with its mix of misted scent, mood lighting and chill-out tunes Mood tracker Mind and body tracker, Spire Clip the Spire to you and when it senses stress, it’ll tell you to breathe or meditate. It works with most iOS devices Calming clock DreamScience brainwave-oriented sleep companion, Oregon Scientific No normal bedside clock, it uses relaxing lighting and soundtracks to lull you into a deep, fulfilling sleep Foot massager Deluxe Shiatsu heated foot massager, HoMedics Forget faffy footbaths, this rubs tootsies with optional heat, without having to towel off afterwards…

“Pressure cookers used to be a kitchen staple, until tales of Die Hard-style explosions and Mr Microwave’s arrival saw many relegated to the loft or the bin. But could this electronic version trigger a revival? It fully automates the process, so there’s no danger of steamy blasts, and it’s turned out the best pulled pork I’ve ever made! It’s capable of much more, too, including sautéing, slow cooking and making porridge, plus it can create the perfect clear stock. Presets make it impossible to mess up a casserole, and it keeps food warm for two hours after it has finished cooking.” GIRL ABOUT TECH, TECHNOLOGY EDITOR AND BLOGGER FIND A balance MAKE COOKING HEALTHY FOOD FROM SCRATCH EASIER AND QUICKER…

BY PHONE Call 0905 652 2162 and leave your answer to the question on the coupon (below), plus your name, address and phone number. Lines are open from 28 December 2015 until midnight on 2 February 2016. Calls cost £1 per call plus your telephone company’s network access charge. BY TEXT Text IHWINB followed by a space and your answer to the question on the coupon (below), then your name, house number and postcode to 85088. Texts cost £1 per text, plus your usual network rate. When you enter by text, you may receive SMS marketing messages from Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and Ideal Home in the future. If you don’t want to, please end your text with NO INFO. BY POST Fill in the coupon (below) and send to…