Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2015 i Ideal Home

…prepare for the new season ahead by bringing Scandi style to a home office (page 10); embrace urban luxe with chic, industrial designs (page 18) and discover how to decorate with pattern on page 90. This month, the Ideal Home team has been busy compiling the best storage solutions, so calm and order can reign in your home once more. Find family friendly storage ideas for every room (page 78); see how one family seamlessly incorporated bespoke storage into their compact flat (page 114) and check out our essential edit of smart products that make staying tidy easy on page 138. Let’s banish the clutter for good! READ THIS ON YOUR TABLET Download your digital edition at housetohome.co.uk/idealhome magazine…

Fancy flourish Add opulence with an intricate shade Inlight cut-glass single pendant, £25, George Aged appeal Get the country look Butterfly print with mirrored frame, £225 for four, Graham and Green Caged beauty Display a house plant inside it Extra-large teal birdcage with stand, £40, BHS Sweet tin Brighten up a kitchen shelf Vintage Pharmacie tin with anemones, £10, Berry Red Wild flowers Beautiful blooms Amelie double bed linen set, £49.50, Marks & Spencer Time to reflect An elegant, frameless design Large Art Deco mirror, £25, Oliver Bonas Faded blooms Bring soft colour to a white sofa Beatrice cushion, £55, Laura Ashley For the mantel …or a bedside table Lyon Art Deco mantel clock, £59, Atkin and Thyme Pretty pair Complete the table Pink lustre candle holders, from £8.50 each,…

IDEAL Sit back This oak and leather chair is a timeless choice Loft armchair (H80cm x W70cm x D80cm), John Lewis Striking style Screen-printed by hand on natural linen Geometric print cushion, Peris & Corr Tri it on Sturdy solid-ash tripod legs look great with an oversized shade Tripod floor lamp, West Elm Subtle good looks White and wood is an easy-to-live-with combo Wood/metal desk lamp, Out There Interiors Steel yourself The low back and steel-grey upholstery are super stylish Margot sofa in Loch (H75cm x W210cm x D65cm), Sofa.com Shelve it We love its handy contrasting shelf Bampton coffee table (H46cm x W105cm x D50cm), Conran range, Marks & Spencer GREAT DEAL Double take An affordable copy of a classic Hans J Wegner-style GE 290 armchair (H74cm x W75cm…

ASK CELINE WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR HOME? ‘That the space and furniture suit the needs of the whole family, without compromising on aesthetics, such as our elegant sofa that’s also sturdy enough for the kids to bounce on.’ DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN FIVE WORDS ‘Elegant, considered, sensual, practical and authentic.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOME BUY? ‘The wood burner – there’s nothing quite like a fire to make you feel at home.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE INTERIORS STORE? ‘Home Address. Every product it sells has been thought through and earns its place in the home.’ WHICH ROOM DO YOU LOVE MOST? ‘My favourite space is the kitchen, dining area and living room, which all flow into one.’ BEDROOM Colonial cool Keep the window treatment unfussy with white shutters White…

ALL THE IDEAS AT A GLANCE SLIMLINE SHOE CABINET Keep frequently used shoes out of the path to the front door by stowing them in a shallow unit. PEG RAIL FOR COATS Leave just one jacket per person in the hallway – move out-of-season coats to a bedroom wardrobe. WALL CUBBY UNIT Hang a cubbyhole unit in the hallway to keep pens, diaries, notebooks and sets of keys close to hand. BASKET FOR THE CAR Store the kids’ wellies in a basket that you can easily pop into the car. ALL THE IDEAS AT A GLANCE UNDERSEAT DRAWERS Choose a hard-working bench that provides deep storage for extra kitchenware. PULL-OUT BASKETS Put spare cushions and table linen in easily accessible baskets that can be tucked beneath furniture. ORGANISER PEGBOARD Keep…

Whether it’s glazing a big batch of freshly made buns or dusting icing sugar onto a plump Victoria sponge, there’s a special sense of achievement that comes from making your own pastries, breads and cakes. From kitchen novices to confident cooks, Laura Ashley’s new Sweet Briar range has something for everyone to get baking at home. Featuring measuring cups, utensils and jugs, the extensive selection of bakeware is the ideal way to indulge in your favourite hobby, while enjoying the best of Laura Ashley’s quintessentially British style. The range also offers co-ordinating accessories, including a stunning apron, an owl storage jar, a floral rolling pin and a worktop pastry guide, as well as a selection of handy baking tools. So, whether you are spending the afternoon trying out a new…

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…

THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, detached Seventies chalet bungalow in a Somerset village. WHO LIVES HERE Angie Faulkner and her partner De Carlson. Angie works in finance and De is a dietetic assistant. WHAT THEY DID Extended the loft space with two dormer windows, converted the garage, extended to the side and rear, and fitted bifold doors to the garden. Some internal walls were removed, and the bungalow was also rewired and replumbed throughout. WHAT IT COST Angie and De paid £350,000 for the bungalow in 2009 and have spent £150,000 extending and remodelling the property, which is currently valued at £750,000.…

To-do list for SEPTEMBER EAT roasted Savoy cabbage. Cut a cabbage into wedges, brush with oil and roast until charred. Top with a mix of toasted breadcrumbs and chopped mint or parsley, plus a drizzle of cheese sauce. DRINK Pimm’s Frozen Summer Crush, £2.99 for 250ml, Tesco. Perfect for summer parties, it’s a grownup Slush Puppie in a pouch – simply freeze it for up to eight hours before serving. TREAT yourself to a day at the Thame Food Festival in Oxfordshire on Saturday 26 September. For details, visit thamefoodfestival.co.uk. Try a new taste... SILKEN TOFU Popular in Japanese, Chinese and Thai cooking, tofu is bean curd made from soya protein and is packed with amino acids, iron, calcium and B vitamins. Regular tofu and the creamier…

Much as I love summer, I always look forward to the feeling of transition and new beginnings that September brings… GETTING COLD FEET I know summer’s on the wane when I start wearing socks in bed again. As someone who always seems to have icy toes, there’s a brief window between June and September when the bed socks are cast aside (although if the summer is particularly ‘British’, that might not happen at all). I discovered the Holy Grail of bed socks in January and I’m glad to see they’re still available, and in more colours, too: washable cashmere from Marks & Spencer, they’re a guilty pleasure at £30 a pair, but – ooh – are they a treat (especially if you’ve had your heels on). THE GREAT ANNUAL CLEAR-OUT…

Pure and simple Stack these individual boxes in a combination that fits your space PS 2014 storage modules, £20 each, Ikea Peg it Hang up tape and scissors above a desk X Holes Round, from £84, Kukka Cool curves Ideal for scarves Mobe hanger, £11.99, Dan Hoolahan range, Great British Designs On display Show off your favourite clothes Genevieve hanging rail (H176cm x W114cm x D50cm), £399, Bethan Gray range, John Lewis Tidy corner Made for a compact hallway Cutter mini wardrobe, £225, Skagerak range, Hus & Hem THE STORY SO FAR From wall hooks to entire modular systems, furniture designers are redefining storage as something to admire rather than just a practical necessity. And with the need for multi-use spaces more pressing than ever, why not make a feature…

Keep the look pared back and industrial with unfussy pieces in wood, leather, metal and stone. TRY IT IN THE DINING ROOM Barker & Stonehouse’s Savannah dining-furniture range balances sleek, contemporary shapes with an aged-oak, salvaged feel. …OR IN THE BATHROOM Add character with Dunelm’s chic accessories in smoky glass and distressed wood and metal. …OR IN THE LIVING ROOM A statement leather chair from House of Fraser has the right chilled-out vintage vibe. All square Blocky wood furniture is ideal for an industrial feel Dining set, £1,143 for a table, three chairs and a bench; display cabinet, £959; all Savannah range, Barker & Stonehouse On the shelf Get stylish bathroom buys Storage bottles, from £3.99 each; trinket tray, £3.49; wet room sign, £1.99; all Salvage Collection range, Dunelm Feeling…

Born in 1972 in Consett, County Durham, Sue moved to Darlington when she was three. She studied Textile and Pattern Design at Cleveland College of Art and Design. Her first job was as a freelance textile designer. Sue moved to London in 1997 and worked for Marks & Spencer. She joined House of Fraser in 2004 and has since launched seven home brands. The most recent, Gray & Willow, goes on sale in September. Sue lives with her husband, Jack, and their children, Albie, four, and Wren, one.…

When Celine and Jim Lynch bought their four-bedroom, end-of-terrace house in west London a decade ago, they knew they had a big job on their hands. ‘This building had been a rooming house and it was a mess, but the advantage was that we could rip everything out and start from scratch,’ says Celine. ‘I’d renovated our two previous homes, so I had a pretty good idea of what would be involved.’ The house occupies a wedge-shaped plot, which the previous owners had taken advantage of by adding a rear extension at an angle to the original property. ‘When we bought the house, the extension was used as a dining room, but I transposed the kitchen and dining areas, and demolished the wall that divided it from the rear living…

Treat yourself to a copy of Ideal Home – the nation’s favourite homes magazine – every month with this amazing offer. As you know, we pack each issue full of style ideas, expert decorating advice and unmissable buyer’s guides and what’s more, as a subscriber you can enjoy your very own sneak preview before each issue hits the shops. We know how much you demand value and quality, so we’ve come up with a fantastic offer this month. Make sure you never miss an issue of Ideal Home by subscribing now! Subscribe today and get 12 issues of your favourite magazine from just £27.99, which is just £2.34 an issue! Plus you’ll get every magazine delivered straight to your door. Subscribe to Ideal Home today Never miss an issue of…

IDEAL Perch perfect Add extra seating around the table with this neat stool Penn oak stool, Made.com Sculptural shape Make this oak ribbon-effect pendant the focal point of your room Skipper pendant light, Tom Raffield range, Amara Weigh in Keep these traditional scales out on your kitchen worktop Vintage retro-style mechanical kitchen scales, Salter Artisan style Colourful painted ceramics will brighten up shelves With a Twist teacup, Anthropologie Space saver Folds up when not in use Suki folding dining table (H84cm x diameter 100cm), Habitat Dual purpose The wooden lid doubles up as a bread board Bread bin, Nigella Lawson range, Unique & Unity GREAT DEAL Take a seat Get a set of two stools for less Natural wooden kitchen stool, Argos Curvy detail Create a similar effect with this…

ASK MICHELLE WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR HOME? ‘The fact that every opportunity has been taken to bring the outside environment and lots of natural daylight into all of the rooms.’ DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN FIVE WORDS ‘Calm, clean with unfussy lines.’ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE NATIONAL OR ONLINE INTERIORS SHOP AND WHY? ‘Julian Chichester, because its design ideas are strong and robust.’ WHAT’S YOUR DECORATING SECRET? ‘Use decorators who also understand the creative side of their work.’ WHAT INSPIRED YOUR COLOUR SCHEME? ‘I tried to avoid the expense of changing my furniture, so I chose wall colours that would work with all my existing pieces.’ LIVING ROOM Made to last A trad scroll-arm sofa in a neutral shade of grey is a classic choice Helena large scatterback sofa…

LOVE IT Feel-good Scandi prints can bring an uplifting feel to any room in your home, whether you choose to use energising bold brights or laid-back, muted, mid-century tones. USE IT wherever you want to add a sense of light-hearted fun. Lively, graphic prints work well in larger rooms that are used for entertaining, such as living rooms and kitchen-diners, while kids will love to see upbeat pattern in a bedroom or playroom. You could even use a cheerful motif-print wallpaper in the hallway to welcome guests as soon as they step through the front door. WHERE TO BUY IT Hus & Hem has a huge selection of patterned cushions, while the bed linen at Mini Moderns is ideal for an instant Scandi update. For fabrics, check out the graphic…

1 Elephant trail This jolly motif will brighten up a playroom Elephants & Trees in cream, green and orange, £9 per roll, B&Q 2 Streets ahead Colourful houses on a pretty pink background Happy Street Pink Multi WP31255, £9.95 per roll, Fun4Walls range, I Love Wallpaper 3 Explore all avenues Encourage your child’s adventurous streak with this fun navigational map Forager wallpaper, £10 per roll, Graham & Brown 4 Road block These brightly coloured trucks and cranes are ideal for mini engineers Road Works Ahead 11051, £12.50 per roll, Holden K2 Kids range, Wilko 5 Jurassic world A delightful prehistoric print for dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages Dinosaurs wallpaper, £20 per roll, Laura Ashley 6 Robot wars Computer-crazy kids will love this character Reggie Robot 110532, £32 per roll, All…

Golden glow Display on a white console Calabash table lamp, £125, Oka Country appeal Fill with white blooms Large off-white ceramic jug, £34, The Contemporary Home Gilded cage Pop a candle inside Gold lantern terrarium, £30, Oliver Bonas Button up Relax in elegant, classic seating Natasha chair, from £840, Delcor Rule botanica Adds a formal touch RHS Lillian Snelling print, from £50, John Lewis Looking good Choose from a white or antique-silver finish Madison wall mirror, £195, The White Company Natural charm An abstract floral print Yellow bloom cushion, £65, Woven Oak Mellow yellow Choose white and gold accessories Arabella bowl cup, £6.50, Houseology This soft shade of yellow has a brown undertone that makes it richer than bold lemon or egg-yolk tones, but fresher than mustard or ochre. Mellow…

OLD GOLD & WHITE Create an elegant look with mellow hues Fabrics, from top: Plain Check Hay, £46 per m, Vanessa Arbuthnott; Harewood Acacia, £24 per m, Clarke & Clarke; Cheslyn Citron/Cream, £53 per m, Sanderson. BS116 carpet, £73 per sq m, Crucial Trading. Ming Gold matt emulsion, £39 for 2.5ltr, Sanderson. For a similar print, try the Leaf 4, from £14.95, Deborah Schenck range, King & McGaw PUNCHY PATTERN Go bold with statement prints Fabrics, from left: Mariam Sorbet, £19 per m, Clarke & Clarke; cushion cover made in Stockholm Stripe, £48 per m, Vanessa Arbuthnott; cushion cover made in Pink Stars, £19 per m, Clarke & Clarke. Maison frame, £18, John Lewis. Wild Meadow vase, £14 for two, Next. Swatch of linen sofa fabric, Graham and Green LOFT…

REAL HOME IMPROVEMENT ‘We installed energy-efficient triple glazing’ As part of a remarkable eco-conscious renovation that turned a draughty Fifties house into a low-energy home, Rob and Karen Rickey swapped their existing windows for triple-glazed designs. The couple used Rationel AURAPLUS® windows, made from timber frames with external cladding attached by clips. The windows were installed in projecting plywood boxes that were aligned with the external wall insulation to prevent cold bridging (when a break occurs in the insulation, resulting in heat being lost). Window openings were enlarged on the south side of the house to take advantage of the sun. Rob, who is a consultant in Passivhaus design and sustainable building for LHC (lhc.net), explains: ‘If you position the majority of your glazing to the south, the windows will…

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 changes. Keep your neighbours informed at all stages and you might need to obtain party-wall agreements, too. Check the advice given 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 on a…

1 Storage divider Teresa designed the double-sided storage unit to partition off the kitchen from the dining area. She can access the kitchen equipment and tableware stored inside it from both sides For a similar shelving unit, try the Aspen, £695, Habitat ‘I worried about combining my office and my home, but sliding doors mean I can make the work space entirely separate when I need to’ 2 Sliding doors The entrance hall leads to Teresa’s office. When clients visit, she slides the doors across to screen off the rest of her home For a similar desk, try the Malm, £99, Ikea 3 Built-in desk The hallway has a slimline, built-in workstation, open shelving and a drawer unit. White-painted built-in cupboards at one end…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, Fifties house in Hampton, southwest London. WHO LIVES HERE Caroline and Tim Norris, with Tim’s daughter, Maya, 14, Caroline’s sons, Stanley, 10, and Ted, nine, and their daughter, Ada, two. WHAT THEY DID The couple knocked down a conservatory and built an extension across the back of the house to create an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. THE LOOK Simple and contemporary, with high-gloss units and textural tiles. LESSONS LEARNED “I was worried that a north-facing extension would be too dark, but thanks to a good architect, cleverly angled Velux windows and bifold doors, it’s constantly light.”…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, detached Thirties house in north London. WHO LIVES HERE Debbie and Lee Collins, with their daughters, Millie, eight, and Amber, five. WHAT THEY DID The couple knocked through the kitchen, dining room and living room, and extended across the back of the property to create an open-plan kitchen-diner and living space with glass doors leading out to the garden. THE LOOK Sleek and contemporary, with glossy, oak-effect laminate units, plus antiqued mirrored touches for interest. LESSONS LEARNED “Take wall units up to the ceiling. My old ones stopped short and became a messy, dusty spot for storing unused jugs and vases.”…

THE PROPERTY A 100-year-old, granite-built farmhouse in Padstow, Cornwall, bought in 1986. WHO LIVES HERE Hazel and Stephen Perry. WHAT THEY DID The couple built an extension to house an open-plan kitchen with living and dining areas, then installed a traditional hand-made kitchen and modern appliances. THE LOOK Classic Shaker style, with blue tones and limestone flooring that create a laid-back seaside theme. LESSONS LEARNED “It’s vital to get on with the people you employ to do your build. I made a point of baking biscuits and buns for everyone on site each time we visited. They appreciated it and we think they worked even more enthusiastically as a result.”…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Victorian villa on the East Sussex coast, bought in October 2013. WHO LIVES HERE Jessica and Mark Bannister, with their daughters, Amelia, six, and Olivia, five. WHAT THEY DID The couple moved the door to the bathroom so that it became an en suite to the main bedroom. They installed new sanitaryware, moved the basin and bath, tiled the floor and painted the walls white. THE LOOK Timeless style, blending classic and contemporary elements to create a calm, soothing space. LESSONS LEARNED “I learnt that you shouldn’t overcomplicate the fabric of a room – keep it simple if you want to create a timeless look.”…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, detached house in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, built in 1980. WHO LIVES HERE Claire and Robert Finley. WHAT THEY DID The couple stole wardrobe space from the main bedroom to make the en suite a square shape, tiled the floor and some of the walls in marble and replaced the suite. THE LOOK Luxurious, with marble tiles and contemporary fittings. LESSONS LEARNED “Keep it simple. The natural beauty of the marble can really shine, because it’s not competing with lots of fussy details.”…

To-do list for SEPTEMBER PICK sweetcorn when the silks dry up, the ears are filled out and the end is rounded rather than pointed. Cook soon after harvesting to avoid starches building up. PLANT container-grown shrubs and trees before it gets cold. Soak the root ball and add water to the planting hole. Allow to drain before planting the tree or shrub. Water thoroughly again. SOW forget-me-nots in beds, borders and pots. They grow best in moist, well-drained soil, in sun or part shade. Rake the area and remove weeds. Remember to thin out young seedlings. Grow something beautiful… SALVIAS Valued for their brilliant colour options and long flowering time, salvias are a great choice for sunny areas in the garden. There are hundreds of varieties in…

Meet Amy, our expert blogger: she’ll keep you one step ahead in the ever-changing world of tech 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 WHERE WE HAVE SEEN THEM… It all started with smartphone ‘personal assistants’ – Apple’s sultry Siri, Windows Phones’ wise-cracking Cortana and then know-it-all Google Now for Android. Now TVs allow us to search for our favourite show or genre just by saying its name. And if Waitrose has its way, we’ll be adding items to our online shopping order by talking into one of its Hiku devices. WHY WE LOVE THEM… There’s no more tedious typing – simply start a sentence with ‘OK Google’ or ’Hey…

Flexible friend Hue starter pack, Philips Colour-match it to anything from a cushion to your eyes and program it to come on and off as you please Warning sign Lifx Wi-Fi Intelligent light bulb, Maplin Works with other Smart gadgets, such as Nest Protect. The bulb flashes red if smoke is detected Loud lighting Playbulb Original, Mipow As well as lighting up, this Bluetooth bulb can play the music stored on your phone or tablet Bulbs galore Osram Lightify Gateway and colour bulb, Tesco Control up to 50 bulbs, including coloured ones and spotlights, from one app over your home’s Wi-Fi…

Does your washing machine sound like it’s taking off? Then this new model will be music to your ringing ears. It reaches just 66dB on a spin, whereas most hit 78dB – big news given that a 6dB drop is perceived as roughly a halving of loudness. What’s more, the water and detergent are pre-mixed before spraying, meaning less rinsing is needed, plus the drum has been reconfigured, so laundry is less likely to get caught, keeping your clothes looking good for longer. GIRL ABOUT TECH TECHNOLOGY EDITOR AND BLOGGER…

Pen friend Surface 3 10.8in 2-in-1 laptop, Microsoft Devices GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘This well-designed tablet is available with a responsive Pen stylus (£44.99), handy for taking lecture notes. Opting for more memory and 4G ups the price, but this entry-level model is good value’ One to watch Transformer Book T100 Chi 10.1in 2-in-1 laptop, Asus GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘With a tablet that connects via a strong magnet, this hybrid runs full Windows 8.1 and has an eight-hour battery life and a decent screen for watching HD videos’ Into the fold Satellite Radius 11.6in convertible laptop, Toshiba GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Instead of a detachable keyboard, a 360° hinge lets the screen fold back into five positions. Battery life could be better, but it has a bigger display at…

Dream machine L89499FL ÖKOMix washing machine , AEG GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘It’s the only machine that pre-mixes water, washing powder and fabric conditioner before spraying into the drum’ Clever closet Styler , LG GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘This cabinet refreshes your clothes with steam, shakes out creases, then dries them with warm air. Let’s hope it will be available in the UK soon’ Pressing matters IS5042 CareStyle 5 steam generator iron , Braun GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Lets you move from one item to the next without having to touch a temperature dial, and holds water for two hours of ironing’ Magic wand Instant Steam IS3361G0 garment steamer , Tefal GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Ever wished you could wave a magic wand and the ironing…

A Acer 0371 760 1020; acer.co.uk AEG 0844 561 1611; aeg.co.uk Aga 0845 712 5207; agaliving.com Alki 00 33 559 298 417; alki.fr Allposters.co.uk 020 8435 6555; allposters.co.uk All Things Brighton Beautiful allthingsbrighton beautiful.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Amazon.co.uk amazon.co.uk Ambientedirect.com 0870 005 2275; ambientedirect.com Anglepoise 023 9222 4450; anglepoise.com Another Country 020 7486 3251; anothercountry.com Anthony Richards Construction 07971 477206 Anthropologie 020 7870 4821; anthropologie.eu Ao.com 0844 324 9222; ao.com Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416; appliancesdirect.co.uk Argos 0345 640 3030; argos.co.uk Arlo & Jacob 0333 122 1537; arloandjacob.com Ashley Wilde 01707 635201; ashleywilde group.com Asus 0845 089 6479; eshop.asus.com Atkin and Thyme 0844 409 9834; atkinandthyme.co.uk Atlantic Shopping 0121 230 1644; atlantic shopping.co.uk AtNo67 07518 575580; atnumber67.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9046; barker andstonehouse.co.uk Bathroom Sensations 0116 251 5111; bathroom sensations.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323; bathstore.com Bedroom Design Studios 01923 274430 Berry Red 0845…

IDEAL HOME Shopping Spy See Acting Style Editor Michela’s edit of what’s in the shops this month Sharp styling Ideal for keen crafters Iron and brass-plated scissors, £13.80, House Doctor range, Sisters Guild Old school Retro style in American white oak Stockholm desk dressing table, £299, Tesco Direct Neat as a pin Keeps tape and string tidy Giant gold safety pin (52cm long), £19.99, Papermash Tea run Expect colleagues to covet this two-tone mug Koichi mug, £19, Toast Rubbish collection Even the most utilitarian items can be attractive Wire basket, £14.99, H&M Brush off Designed to clean both keys and screen Computer brush, £20, Labour and Wait Keep it together Pretty and practical Gold numbered bulldog clips, £8.50 for 10, Papermash Desk tidy Made from FSCcertified wood Maple pencil pot,…

FOR WHERE TO BUY ITEMS SHOWN, TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY 3 of the best PLANT POTS Show your metal Copper accents add glamour Copper plant pot, Mia Fleur Cunning disguise Dress up any old plant pot Dot Dash print storage pot in Indigo, Bohemia Design Galvanised finish This comes ready aged Metal plant pot, H&M LOOK WHAT WE FOUND! Hang it in the utility room ‘One load at a time’ laundry bag, The Contemporary Home See more finds on Michela’s blog homeshoppingspy.com IDEAL V GREAT DEAL Minimalist design Top the trend charts with this marble and brass model Marble wall clock, Menu range, Heal’s Against the grain Cool and contemporary, with slim silver hands Marble wall clock, Laura Ashley…

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES For a similar bed, try the Charlie low-end double bed frame (H129cm x W148cm x L208cm), £645, Barker & Stonehouse. For a similar bedside table, try the Industrial kitchen trolley, £249, Rockett St George. ON BED Bed linen in white and grey, from £27 for a pillowcase; wool sham cushions, £49 each; wool throw, £119; all in green/grey; washed sham cushions, £49 each; washed bedspread, £149; both in grey; all Urban range, Lexington Company. For a similar small vase, try the small bottle vase, from £3.50, Lindsay Interiors. For a similar bottle vase, try the glass vase, £5.99, H&M. ON BEDSIDE TABLE For a similar lamp, try the Truman table lamp, £35, Made.com. For a similar marble pot, try the ceramic bowl, £6.99, H&M. ON WALL For…

WRAP UP WARM Ideal for keeping cosy Basket knit throw, £100, Gray & Willow range, House of Fraser DISH IT UP Comes in a range of sizes Rectangular roasting dish, from £30, Gray & Willow range, House of Fraser CREATE A STIR Put these out on display Acacia utensils, £12 each, Gray & Willow range, House of Fraser FINAL COURSE Serve cheese in style Marble cheese board with dome, £55, Gray & Willow range, House of Fraser…

BOUGHT FOR £630,000 SPENT £150,000 NOW WORTH £1.8 million THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, Victorian terraced house in west London, bought in 2005. WHAT IT COST Building work.........................£83,000 Kitchen....................................£30,000 Roof, windows and garden..............................£37,000 TOTAL...................£150,000 WHO LIVES HERE Celine Lynch and her husband, Jim Prior, with their children, Maisie, 15, and Rory, 10. Celine owns online interiors store homeaddress.co and Jim works for a design and branding agency. THE LOOK Cool and calm, with a palette of soft greys and neutrals, elegant displays of artwork and a mix of traditional and mid-century pieces. LESSONS LEARNED “ I discovered a combination of slab units and granite worktops was best to create a timeless look in the kitchen.”…

Anna Tobin and Justin Plasett bought their two-bedroom cottage in Barnet, north London, over a decade ago. ‘We could have gone for a sensible four-bedroom, new-build house with lots of rooms in one of the many developments just outside London,’ says Anna. ‘Instead, for the same amount of money, we opted for this tiny, run-down cottage, which didn’t have a hallway, let alone much else.’ Soon after they moved in, baby Ella arrived, and when Anna became pregnant with Lily a few years later, they put the house on the market, as they were already outgrowing the property. ‘It was on the market for six months and everyone who viewed it said the same thing: they loved it, the price wasn’t a problem, but it was too small and wasn’t…

When Michelle Johnston retired as a financial services consultant in 2006, she embarked on a new career in property restoration. Having revamped a Seventies house in Bath using glass and steel to great effect, she started looking for a contemporary property for herself. ‘I wanted a modest house with a view,’ she says, ‘but all I could find were large manor houses or properties that had been extended piecemeal and lacked coherence.’ After years of looking online for her dream home, she came across a tired Thirties bungalow overlooking the stunning Sheepscombe valley in Gloucestershire. ‘I already knew the area and was attracted to the site as it was on a private road, so building work would cause disruption to just a handful of neighbours,’ says Michelle, who decided to…

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. We’ll show you how on page 100. For all the inspiration you need, turn the page... FIND INSPIRING MOODBOARDS ONLINE AT housetohome.co.uk/moodboards…

p 78 HALL DECORATION AND FURNITURE Cykel 111100 wallpaper, £38 per roll, Scion. Rubber studded flooring in Peppermint Cream, £49.95 per sq m, Harvey Maria. Norwich runner, £169, WovenGround. Hemnes shoe cabinet, £80, Ikea. Pigeonhole wall shelf and hooks, £80, Great Little Trading Co. ON/NEAR WALL SHELF (from top, left to right) Personalised framed picture, from £60; child’s drawings/messages framed pictures, £65 each; all Sarah & Bendrix. Umbra owl cannister, £15, Debenhams. Notebooks, from £11.50 each; Swedish clogs, from £62.50; all Hedgehog. Tealight lantern, £11.95, Orla Kiely range, Wild & Wolf. Vase, £8, Ben Di Lisi Home range, Debenhams. Tealight lanterns, as before. ON/NEAR SHOE CABINET Hector medium dome table light, £150, Original BTC. Cuckoo clock, £49.95, Muji. Owls personal organiser, £16, Paperchase. Rice storage basket, £29, Cloudberry Living p…

THE COMPANY Founded in 1946 by paint pioneers John Farrow and Richard Ball, Farrow & Ball started life in a factory in Dorset. Since then, the company has supplied paint for Ford Motor Cars, Raleigh bicycles and even the War Office, later developing a series of National Trust paints. A selection of artisan wallpapers followed, which were produced using block and trough printing methods to create the luxurious textures the company is now famous for. THE NEW COLLECTION Inspired by Farrow & Ball’s rural beginnings, the Latest and Greatest collection features hazy grasses and pretty blossoms, each in a range of seven colours. A large-scale border, Feather Grass, has been included for the first time, with a natural print reminiscent of idyllic meadows. The statement Hornbeam design features the bold…

Try it with... PALE GREY Put a contemporary spin on old gold by teaming it with grey. A lustrous wallpaper will add glamour and lemon accents will help shades of gold to shine out Flock on This print has a modern feel Flight fabric in Lemon Gull and Chalk, £39.50 per m, Scion Circle line Add subtle pattern Persia wallpaper in Smoke, £22 per roll, John Lewis Cool hue A light grey will set a tranquil feel Tuffet Claypaint, £35 for 2.5ltr, Earthborn Try it with... BLACK & WHITE The fail-safe pairing of black and white is given a punchy edge with the addition of old gold. Combine plain white upholstery and flooring with gold walls beneath the dado rail. Add bold pattern, using black as an accent…

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.…

Angie and De’s main bedroom has two new dormers, clad in stained larch boarding. Extending upwards into the loft can be a cost-effective way to add space without encroaching on the garden, and is often the cheapest way to create extra room. By installing dormer windows in the roof slope, you can increase head height and get the maximum amount of usable space in your room. Dormer windows can create a statement in their own right, and can be clad to match the house or in contrasting materials. A loft conversion is considered permitted development and doesn’t require planning permission, provided that certain conditions are met. See planningportal.gov.uk for details.…

THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom apartment in Rome, Italy, built in 1958. The owners bought it in 1989. WHO LIVES HERE Teresa Paratore, with her husband, Fabio, and their son, Gianmarco, 13. Teresa is an architect and Fabio is a civil engineer. THE LOOK Sleek, with plenty of clever storage ideas ensuring it stays free of clutter. Bright artwork and furniture add colour to the all-white décor.…

Integra Astral White units, from £4,502 for a kitchen, Magnet. Cemento Silestone Spa worktop, £713 per slab (L306cm x W140cm x D3cm), Granite Quartz Store. For a similar sink, try the Subline 700-U, from £528, Blanco. Fusion square tap, from £1,150, Quooker. Black quartzite maxi wall tiles, £57.46 per sq m, Mandarin Stone. Wet Bianco floor tiles, £56 per sq m, Tiles of Wisdom. FAB30LFA fridge-freezer, £1,124; SI3644D hob, £548; SFP140 single oven, £729; all Smeg. For a similar cooker, try the three-oven dual-control, from £9,775, Aga. For a similar fridge-freezer (utility room), try the RS7667FHCWW, £879, Samsung range, John Lewis. Bifold doors, £5,600, Metal Window Renovations. Spinning BH1 pendants, £229 each, &Tradition range; Base Copper floor lamp, £845, Tom Dixon range; all David Village Lighting. Art bar stools, £99…

Kuhlmann handleless mirror gloss Fina Metal and wood-effect Finn Oak Wenge cabinetry, £500 for a W600mm base unit; Snow Storm quartz worktops, £4,000; antiqued-glass splashback and wall cladding, £1,000; all Wilson Fink. For similar ovens, try the HB78GB270B, £977 each; for a similar induction hob, try the EH845FL17E, £669; LD97AA670B cooker hood, £1,529; all Siemens range, Ao.com. For a similar microwave, try the CM633GBS1B, £773, Siemens range, BHS Direct. For a similar fridge-freezer, try the RF540ADUSX4, £2,100, Fisher & Paykel. Linus-S tap, from £355; Subline 700-U sink in Silgranit Alumetallic, £528; both Blanco. Basic boiling water tap, from £850, Quooker. For similar floor tiles, try the Florence, £39.95 per sq m, Spacers Tile & Wood Flooring. E wall lights in Rose, £56 each, Kartell range; Bombo bar stools, £399 each,…

Bespoke units, from £500 for a W600m unit, Woodchester Cabinet Makers. Granite worktops and upstands, from £400 per linear m, Trebarwith Stoneworks. Wave splashback, £1,622 per sq m, Steve Robinson. RUX110 sink, £243, Franke. Oberon U tap in Pewter, £358, Perrin & Rowe range, Just Perrin. For a similar range cooker, try the F1092DXEISS/C-EU, £3,855, Falcon range, Homecare Supplies. For a similar extractor hood, try the FHDSE1092SLN, £1,540, Falcon range, Appliances Direct. For a similar dishwasher, try the SN278I01TG, £999, Siemens range, Ao.com. Dijon tumbled limestone flooring, from £42 per sq m, Mandarin Stone. Flight blinds, from £35 each, Scion range; Coastal Stripe curtains (on bifold doors), £25 per m; Pemberley chairs, £99 each; all John Lewis. Norden extendable table, £275, Ikea. For a similar artwork, try the St Ives…

Bayou bath, £1,499, Bathstore. Austen wall-hung loo, £295; Project washbasin, from £128; both Saneux. Kappa50 flush plate, £101, Geberit range, Bathroom Sensations. Elite single bath/shower mixer, £563, Hudson Reed. For a similar basin mixer, try the Storm side action, £151, Roper Rhodes range, Tap Warehouse. East Hampton marble tiles, £115 per sq m, Fired Earth. Mirrored cabinet, £125, John Lewis. For a similar mirror, try the Wilton Carlyle beaded grey, £173, One World Trading Co. For a similar sheepskin, try the Ludde, £30, Ikea. For a similar basket, try the iron storage basket, £49, Rockett St George. For a similar tree ornament, try the metal windswept wall art, £29.99, Primrose FOR DETAILS TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

Starlet Oval bath, from £1,800, Bette Baths range; for a similar vanity unit with basin, try the 646mm Royal Reflex in Truffle, £1,035, Keuco range; 210mm Rainshower shower, £237; for a similar shower valve, try the Atrio Jota thermostatic, £485; for a similar handheld shower, try the F Digital Euphoria, £974; all Grohe range; for a similar basin mixer, try the Silver 1 Hole, £223, Ideal Standard range; Designer bath wall shower with hose and handset, £95.21, Crosswater range; Laufen Pro wall-hung loo with flush plate, from £577; all UKBathrooms. Classic Royale polished marble tiles, from £34.62 per sq m, Mandarin Stone. Walls painted in James White Modern Emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Blinds made in Bella in Aqua 04791/04, £86 per m, Manuel Canovas range; lined in…

Plum & white chocolate traybake MAKES 15 SQUARES TAKES 20MIN PLUS 45MIN IN THE OVEN COSTS 71P PER SERVING 75g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing 200g white chocolate, broken into pieces 125g light muscovado sugar 3 eggs, plus 1 extra egg yolk 175g self-raising flour 250g ricotta 65g caster sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 300g plums, pitted and cut into wedges 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas 5. Grease and line the base and sides of a shallow baking tin measuring 28cm x 20cm. 2 Melt the butter and chocolate in a pan. In a separate bowl, beat together the muscovado sugar, whole eggs and flour to make a paste. Stir in the melted chocolate and pour into the prepared tin. 3 Beat the ricotta with the sugar, egg yolk…

Most bulbs can be grown in garden soil or in containers, and they should be ordered now. Highly scented and with a good vase life, daffodils flower in March and April. Avoid the trumpet daffodil and go for more refined Triandus types, such as N. ‘Hawera’ or ‘Thalia’, which cope with light shade or full sun. Tulips follow in late April or May; lily-flowered varieties perform from early May. The vibrant orange T. ‘Ballerina’ clashes brilliantly with T. ‘China Pink’. Tulips can be left until November to plant. Rosemary Alexander VMM (RHS) is principal of the English Gardening School at the Chelsea Physic Garden…

FEATURES WE LOVE 1 Pizza stone This smart-looking steel and ceramic-brick oven comes with a pizza stone, so you can bake an authentic crispy-based margherita in minutes or rustle up your own flatbreads. 2 Smoker facility You can use it to smoke fish, meat and more – just add smoked wood chips soaked in water to the removable smoker box, and it will keep food moist while infusing it with tasty flavours, such as hickory, apple or maple. 3 Warming ability Not just a brilliant oven, this will give off enough radiant heat to keep you warm all year round, so you could even dine alfresco in winter. 4 Handy extras There’s a condiment rack, plus a lift-up table where you can put hot dishes that have come straight out…

Din-free dishwasher SMS69M12GB SuperSilence Plus freestanding dishwasher, Bosch GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Works at just 38dB, plus its efficient Auto Wash senses how dirty the dishes are and uses the right amount of water and time to clean them’ Considerate cleaner USENERGY UltraSilencer cylinder vacuum cleaner, AEG GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘This runs at just 61dB, compared to an average of 76dB. It’s also A-rated for dust emissions and tells you when the bag needs changing’ Hushed hood Aria NRS cooker hood, Falmec GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Although you pay a high price for its silence, this extractor works at 37dB as a minimum, and cranks up to a barely noticeable 53dB’ FOR WHERE TO BUY ITEMS SHOWN, TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

“Acer’s latest laptop-tablet hybrid is ideal for students, not least because of its price and a Gorilla Glass screen that’s very difficult to break. Available in six colours, it packs a powerful processor – ideal for students who want to watch videos, browse the web and type an essay all at the same time without a glitch. It comes preloaded with Microsoft Office 365 Personal, meaning Word, Excel and PowerPoint are all present and correct, and the Snap Hinge makes it easy to go from laptop mode for writing coursework to tablet mode for when they want to take a well-deserved break. Plus, the impressive 12-hour battery life is more than enough to get them through a full day of lessons.” GIRL ABOUT TECH, TECHNOLOGY EDITOR AND BLOGGER…

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? I’m sure I’m not the only one that has a dry-clean-only top languishing at the bottom of my laundry basket, or a dress I’d wear far more if it didn’t need ironing. Nor am I the first to have the colour run from new jeans, wrecking the whole wash. Well I can’t be because, according to recent surveys, 27% of our clothes go unworn because we can’t be bothered to press them*, and we’ll damage £3,969 worth of garments over a lifetime of washing.** WHY SHOULD YOU WORRY? Just like it’s worth investing in a trusty LBD, buying a few gadgets to take care of your outfits will save you money in the long term. Let’s start with washing machines – older models aren’t only less energy…

Founded in Japan in 1980, Muji was created to sell durable products made from the most suitable raw materials, which are sourced from around the world. Closely linked to the traditional Japanese aesthetic of ‘su’, meaning plain or unadorned, the idea behind Muji’s practical, uncomplicated homeware is that simplicity is not merely modest or frugal, but is possibly more appealing than luxury. With its high-quality products ranging from stylish storage and home accessories to comfy clothing and great beauty buys, Muji concentrates on providing natural, innovative designs that will stand the test of time. By eliminating wasteful packaging and unnecessary production methods, Muji is able to provide consistently low prices on its high-quality products. Ideal Home has teamed up with Muji to offer readers 20% off its products in store.…

For more than 10 years, Dwell has focused on making the experience of updating a home easy. With the simple aim of creating great pieces of furniture that don’t cost a fortune, the company launches hundreds of products each year, so there’s plenty of choice for customers looking to revamp their rooms. Whether you’re searching for a big-ticket item, such as a new bed or dining table, or something more decorative from Dwell’s signature range of home accessories, there’s plenty to tempt you. From chic, comfy sofas and streamlined sideboards to smart storage solutions and standout statement lighting, Dwell has all the furniture you need to create a striking contemporary look in your home. Ideal Home has teamed up with Dwell to offer readers 20% off its products either in…

1 CAMASSIA ‘MAYBELLE’ This compact cultivar flowers in late spring. The buds at the bottom open first, with those at the top flowering up to a month later. It’s a good choice for heavier soils in sun or partial shade. Plant 10-15cm deep, 23cm apart, in groups of five or more. Leave the plants undisturbed for several years for the best blooms. After that, offsets can be removed and replanted in late summer or early autumn. PLANT September-October BUY £6.50 for five, Avon Bulbs (01460 242177; avonbulbs.co.uk ) 2 NARCISSUS ‘OAKWOOD’ An award-winning variety, this flowers in March and April, and has a smaller-than-average yellow cup. At about 40cm tall, it’s a good choice for pots and borders. Plant the bulbs in fertilised soil in a sunny spot…