Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Ideal Home

Women our age know that the key to a stress-free Christmas is a solid list, made as early as you can manage. I used to scoff at Ma Richmond when she’d audit the bedlinen and tableware at the end of the summer holidays, but now we do it together. When it comes to organising, I’m Luke Skywalker to her Yoda. Calmly cherry-picking the special offers over time and cruising into Christmas week with the boring bits sorted has one clear – and very selfish – benefit: the time and money saved can be spent on quality me-time and gin respectively. The team has worked hard to cram this issue with simple solutions, best buys and gift ideas, so you can nail the list and spend more time on the fun…

SPELL IT OUT Letter board, £45, Papermash SWITCHED ON Shoreditch table lamp, £39.99, Ideal Home range, Very WRAP IT UP Grey pom-pom throw, £50, Laura Ashley TIME FOR BED Cloudy Face cushion, £35, Unique & Unity AND RELAX... Spa relax diffuser, £35, The White Company COOL CUPPA Circle tea-for-one set, £45, LSA International range, Selfridges ON YOUR BIKE Apana handcrafted pink and turquoise bike basket, £69, The Basket Room HANDMADE WITH LOVE Wooden bear clock, £47.50, Furniture Magpies range, Notonthehighstreet.com THE WHOLE PACKAGE Pink floral gift box, £100, Whitebeam Boutique Gift Boxes GARDENER’S DELIGHT Rustic wooden lean-to plant pot ladder, £49.95, The Farthing A MINI CLASSIC Pendleton Bayley balance bike, £80, Halfords COCKTAIL HOUR Biba marble bar set, £50, House of Fraser CHEESE LOVER’S TREAT Croft marble cheese platter, £35,…

JUNIOR TABLET This clever device comes with a year’s access to thousands of free children’s books, movies and apps Fire 7 kids edition, £100, Amazon FASHION FIT A calorie-counting, heart-rate-monitoring tracker is just what you’ll need to get in shape after Christmas Alta HR, £129.99, Fitbit DIAL UP Gorgeous and good value, this smartphone is lightning fast with a great camera for pro-quality pics OnePlus 5, from £449, OnePlus CLASSY CANS Crafted by hand in Paris from super-soft lambskin, these headphones sound every bit as good as they look VK-2 headphones, £330, Aëdle SMART SWITCH From dimming lights to turning up the heating, this little wi-fi-powered button can practically run the house Flic, £30 each, Flic UPDATED POLAROID The iconic camera gets a makeover and also now stores pictures on…

MY GO-TO STORES… • THE ART SHOP & CHAPEL ‘This creative shop in Abergavenny, Wales, is full of artistic inspiration’ • DAYLESFORD ‘It has stunning rustic pottery and vases – definitely worth a look’ • THE WHITE COMPANY ‘For beautiful throws, bedcovers and textured blankets’ STYLIST’S NOTE “Add warm accents to cool neutrals – trad reds, golds and dark greens will look great ”STEPHANIE DURRANT , SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR…

A John Lewis Christmas takes a year and a half from concept to shop floor, and takes Dan, who has worked for the company for more than 20 years, on trips all over the world. But home is his seaside escape in Broadstairs, Kent I always have an ‘experimental’ Christmas tree. I use it to try out one of John Lewis’s planned themes for the following year. Last year I tried out the ‘Into the Woods’ trend, so I put the tree in my conservatory. I put my trees where the theme of the decorations looks best. I have three real trees every year and each one has a different look. Apart from the experimental one, I also have one that’s covered in just white and clear decorations, and a…

Rustic-luxe snug Walls painted in Bronze Red absolute matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Blade copper rug, from £129, Modern Rugs. Baya coffee table, £615, Lombok. Luxor armchair in grey, £289, Ideal Home range, Very. Dalton side table, £199, Marks & Spencer. Arianne Graphite console table, £305, Lombok. Devonshire fireplace, £1,530; Shoreditch LS Five series woodburner, £1,440; cast-iron panel, £870; all Chesney’s. Fire tools, from £86, MorsØ. Nordman 7ft unlit faux-fir tree, £419, Balsam Hill. ON/NEAR COFFEE TABLE Khushi aluminium tray, £29.95; Dusk hurricane (used as vase), £27.50; both Parlane International. Dillie champagne saucers, £38 for four, Rowen & Wren. Crackers, £25 for six, Debenhams. Tealight holder, £7.95, Lombok. Star wrap, £12.50, Cox & Cox. Metallic wrap, £9 for four, Debenhams. Gift boxes, from £4.50 each, Paperchase. ON SOFA…

MY GO-TO STORES… • NORDIC HOUSE ‘A cut above similar companies, as its homeware is a little bit different.’ • SWOON EDITIONS‘‘When its pieces arrive, they’re even more beautiful than I remember.’ • COX & COX ‘Unique, eclectic, beautiful – each time I see its products, I want to change my rooms!’ STYLIST’S TIP “ All rooms benefit from a pop of black to give a sense of focus to a space ”RUTH CORBETT, HOUSES EDITOR…

Create an outdoor living space The family use this covered dining space all year round, adding fairy lights and cosy faux-fur throws when it’s chilly. BUY THE KEY PIECES Similar Indonesian teak table, stacking chairs and bench, from £500, Amazon. Paper cut white snowflakes, from £3.95 each, Pipii Start simple The couple used oak planks for the floor and white claypaint on the walls. ‘Painting everywhere white buys you time to think where you want colour, if any,’ says Stine. BUY THE KEY PIECES Dining table, £995, John Lewis. Similar reproduction Eames dining chairs, £50 each, Fusionliving. Similar Jara pendant shade, £3, Ikea. Gift bags, from £1.40 each; silver candlesticks, £7.95 each; all Pipii Mix wood finishes The couple used pine for the house’s beams, but combined it with oak…

“The room’s perfect for us and I love our friends’ reactions. When guests visit, they’re always bowled over by how it looks! ” Welcome to my home Cara Doyle lives here with her husband Gary, daughter Betsy, three and son Joseph, two. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom Thirties detached in Stourbridge, West Midlands. WHAT IT COST Units.....................£8,243 Appliances............£5,026 Sink..........................£250 Tap...........................£220 Worktops.............£3,835 Flooring...................£450 TOTAL................£18,024 HOW CARA & GARY DID IT ‘First, the wall came down and the windows were replaced – the building work cost £3,500 and took four weeks. I was keen to get the feel of a single space, but with distinct cooking and eating zones. I decided to keep the original parquet in the dining room, so our kitchen designer sourced matching flooring for the kitchen side…

“Not only are range cookers a great design feature but they also evoke a warm and cosy family life that’s centred on the kitchen ”KATHRYN LOWE, MARKETING MANAGER, RANGEMASTER NEAT FIT This dinky 90cm model has a generous single oven with three fans and is available with a gas six-burner hob or induction top Portofino in white, from £2,399 for a gas hob; £2,899 for an induction hob, Smeg GLOSS FINISH A multifunction oven with a separate fan oven and easy-glide grill. The hob’s six gas burners will help you cook up a feast Elise 110 in stainless steel, £2,289, Rangemaster RESTAURANT-STYLE FEATURES Cook like a professional with the first ever range cooker from Miele. With six gas burners plus a griddle on top, this workhorse can handle…

“I can easily see myself buying things from Dunelm for years to come ”EIMEAR VARIAN-BARRY , STYLIST & INSTAGRAMMER Christmas to me is all about tradition,’ declares Eimear Varian-Barry, ‘and this living room oozes that gorgeous, cosy look.’ Styled using Dunelm’s furniture and decorations from its new Enchanted Lodge range, the rustic, nostalgic feel echoes Eimear’s childhood. ‘This is the Christmas I love,’ she says. ‘It’s the Christmas you see in the movies, the Christmas you remember having as a kid... and it’s definitely the one I want to recreate for my children.’ COMFORT & JOY Timeless and traditional, Dunelm’s evocative Enchanted Lodge range features warm, cosy shades of berry red, rust and chestnut brown together on classic tartan patterns and nature-inspired decorations. ‘At this time of year, I…

This Christmas, Cox & Cox has launched five key looks, featuring trees, decorations, lighting and gift wrap designed to delight and inspire you for the holiday season. So it’s time to take advantage of our 20% discount for Ideal Home readers. Inspired by vintage glamour, the Classic Luxe look features a luxurious tree with berry red and gold baubles, while the Traditional with a Twist style takes a whimsical approach to time-honoured decor, featuring felt decs and jewel bright hues. For a contemporary look, try the Festive Botanical trend, which mixes golden olive and mustard tones with deep greens and leafy motifs, while the Copper Opulence and Natural Elegance looks have more understated, but equally stylish effects with soft metallics and muted hues. And not only is it about decorations,…

TESCO: CHRISTMAS TREE PIÑATAS, £10 FOR FOUR Smash your way into these fab puds, which hide rich brownie cake topped with chocolate and caramel mousse, vanilla fudge pieces and honeycomb nuggets. WAITROSE: HESTON BLACK FOREST PANETTONE, £12.50 Heston Blumenthal has raised festive elevenses to another level with his new Black Forest Panettone for Waitrose. His take on the fruity Italian treat has been baked with cherries and topped with lush dark chocolate, and more kirsch-soaked cherries. Time to pop the kettle on! MORRISONS: STUFFING CRACKER, £4 Everyone loves stuffing but it’s not much to look at, is it? Until now. We love Morrisons’ super-festive The Best Stuffing cracker. Puff pastry-wrapped pork stuffing, finished with a sprinkle of cranberries and poppy seeds. Serves four. ASDA: HALF SERRANO HAM (Price unconfirmed at…

= mail order available A  Aëdle aedle.net AEG aeg.co.uk Aga 0845 712 5207; agaliving.com Alexander & James alexanderandjamessofas.com Also Home 01483 608611; alsohome.com Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100; andrewmartin.co.uk Andy Thornton 01422 376000; andythornton.com Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476; anthropologie.com Aristocraft Kitchens 01384 262710; aristocraftkitchensandbedrooms.co.uk Argos 0345 640 3030; argos.co.uk Arlo & Jacob 0333 220 9892; arloandjacob.com Art Shop & Chapel (The) 01873 852690; artshopmaterials.co.uk Atkin & Thyme atkinandthyme.co.uk B  B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Balsam Hill 02033 686726; balsamhill.co.uk Barker & Stonehouse 0333 331 5248; barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Basket Room (The) thebasketroom.com Bean Bag Bazaar 0800 988 1286; beanbagbazaar.co.uk Belling 0344 815 3746; belling.co.uk Berry Red berryred.co.uk Black By Design 01889 502716; black-by-design.co.uk Bolsius bolsius.com Bose 0333 300 0112; bose.co.uk Brintons 0800 505 055; Bramwell Brown bramwellbrown.com Brighton Bathroom Company (The) 01273 567770; thebrightonbathroomcompany.co.uk Brissi 01225 319058; brissi.com Britannia 0344 463 9705; britannialiving.co.uk Button & Sprung 03333 201801; buttonandsprung.com C  Candle & Cake…

TURN TO page 162 for the tableware to match…

Living room ‘When you look out of the window, it looks like old Paris with the mansard roofs and dormer windows opposite,’ says Jo. ‘It feels more European than Victorian, so we’ve given the interior a cosmopolitan mix.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar wall colour, try Strong White modern emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. For a similar chaise longue, try Very velvet, £620, The French Bedroom Company Hallway The original encaustic tiles already gave the hallway lots of drama, but there was no obvious focal point until Jo added a stone console, ornate mirror and a pair of lamps to give it hotel-lobby grandeur. BUY THE KEY PIECES Bonham lantern, £238, Jim Lawrence. For a similar console table, try the Imperial, £1,468, Sweetpea & Willow. For…

Stylist’s note “ This shade really brings out texture, so it’ll look great if you have lovely grained-wood furniture ” NICKY PHILLIPS , DECORATING EDITOR GOLDEN ACCENT Really glows against the grey-green wall Modern country chic Eucalyptus green is a classic country colour. Keep it trad with touches of brass and darker shades of green, or make it more contemporary by mixing in smart stripes, touches of teal and warm yellow Laid-back dining Simple furniture and rustic textures – wood, stone, sisal and linen – create a modern-country mix. Dress it with fake foliage in mixed greens and touches of gold for the festive season Stylist’s note “This green works with the whole spectrum of neutrals, so mix in greys, whites and creams for contrast ” NICKY…

Keep it white The house was originally decorated in shades of purple, green, yellow, red and orange. ‘I want my home to be light, fresh and calm,’ says Sabine, ‘so white is the basis of the decor now. Adding wood, felt and sheepskin creates cosiness, even in a white space.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES  For a similar sofa, try the Arthus in Cygnet Grey, £299, Made.com. The vintage lampshade, £65, Folly & Glee range, Notonthehighstreet, is similar. For a similar rug, try the felted fleece, £85.37, StudioNamenia at Etsy Mix simple pieces Sabine combines mismatched furniture, both vintage and contemporary, in the dining room – and it works, because each piece is simple in design. BUY THE KEY PIECES Nur LED pendants, £752 each, Artemide range, Made In Design. For…

“Stick to tones of one colour (grey or taupe) and avoid bold accents for a really sophisticated space. Just use lots of texture and detail to stop it looking flat ”NICKY PHILLIPS , DECORATING EDITOR THE HERO PIECES CRUSHED-VELVET SOFA The star of the show in a super-luxe living room. ACCENT CHAIR Keep it sharp with a trim, boxy shape in smart stripes. GLASS TABLES A barely there look to let statement upholstery stand out. HEAVYWEIGHT CURTAINS Full drapes in a moleskin-feel fabric for an opulent touch (and great for blocking out draughts). SMART LIGHTING Elegant column bases give a nod to Art-Deco style, while mercury finishes add glamour. PLUSH TEXTILES You just can’t have enough velvet or faux-fur accessories. SMART SEATING Choose stripes for a sophisticated look Zinc…

“It’s a joy to live in now it’s finished – we can all relax together here, and enjoy the views ” THE PROPERTY A three-bed new build in Forest Row, East Sussex. VALUE Three- to four-bedroom properties in the area start from £750,000. Stine Degmeier-Nielsen and Toby Douch’s home sits on the site of an old dairy farm. Long dilapidated, it was bought by the couple in 2002. For Toby, who runs a sustainable construction company, it had always been a dream to build his own home. ‘We got planning permission in 2012 to demolish the original house and build an eco home,’ explains Stine. ‘Building from scratch gave us the freedom to do exactly what we wanted, so we opted for sustainable materials with low running costs,…

WHERE TO BUY 1. CLOCK The Croupier’s clock, £80, Newgate Clocks 2. LIGHT Brooklyn light pendant, £89, Industville 3. RADIATOR Anthracite triple panel vertical radiator, £249.99, Soak 4. WORKTOP Royal real stone worktop, £680sq m, Lundhs 5. CHAIR Rochelle oak dining chair, £199 for two, Made.com 6. WALLPAPER Brooklyn Tin wallpaper, £120 a roll, Debbie McKeegan 7. TABLE New Frontier X leg extending table, £815, Barker & Stonehouse 8. DRAWER PULL Victorian brass cupboard knob, £2.59, Homebase…

“The black is so soothing – it’s a lovely relaxed environment to unwind in at the end of the day ” Welcome to my home THE PROPERTY A four-bed Edwardian semi in Teddington, Middlesex. WHAT IT COST Shower....................£1,320 Sanitaryware............£1,118 Brassware...............£1,645 Wallcovering .........£2,500 Radiator.....................£300 Paint........................£43.50 TOTAL................£6,926.50 HOW LEONIE AND RAVI DID IT ‘We have renovated seven houses now, and at first we just painted them all white, but over time we’ve become more daring with darker colours. We looked into the most practical finish for the walls, without using tiles, and opted for a Moroccan plaster effect called Tadelakt, which has to be done by a specialist. Ravi found the roll-top first, so when it came to the basin and loo, we went for simplicity and they’re the perfect fit.…

“ We wanted to take advantage of the beautiful views and get as much light inside as possible ” Welcome to our home THE PROPERTY The original two-storey three-bedroom granite farmhouse was built around the 1880s, in Bogindhu, Aberdeenshire. THE VALUE Bought in 2004; now estimated to be worth around £800,000. WHAT IT COST Building work....£251,500 Roof & cladding...£57,500 Flooring.................£4,000 Kitchen & bathroom............£36,000 Painting & decoration..........£65,500 Heating...............£29,000 TOTAL...........£443,500 When Wayne and Lorrie Bilsborrow saw this granite farmhouse at Bogindhu in Aberdeenshire, they bought it on first sight. ‘It was ideal as it is away from any roads,’ says Wayne, ‘and the views are amazing.’ THE PLAN Having lived in Aberdeenshire for 30 years, the couple were looking for a few acres, a nice setting and a house they…

1 TEXTURE IS IMPORTANT There are hundreds of finishes that determine whether the brick is smooth, sandy, textured or rough. The Ibstock engineering bricks we used for the exterior have a smooth, consistent appearance. 2 THERE ARE MANY COLOUR OPTIONS A consistent colour brick-to-brick gives a more modern look; ‘multi’ (such as London stock) has variations in colour. Get samples of the bricks to see them in reality. 3 MORTAR JOINTS AFFECT THE OVERALL LOOK Flush mortar between the bricks works well for a modern aesthetic, especially when it is used with a smooth, dimensionally stable brick. 4 A STRETCHER (RUNNING) BOND IS MOST COMMON But there are a number of different ways to lay brick depending on the pattern and look you’re after. 5 YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY…

1 GREAT ALL-ROUNDER With its clean lines and chic aluminium frame, this affordable 4K TV ticks all the boxes, with 4K Ultra HD resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR), smart features including YouTube and Netflix built-in with their own buttons on the remote and a dedicated gaming mode. XE70, £699, Sony 2 HI-TECH, LOW COST Last year, you’d have been hard pushed to find a 4K resolution TV for less than a grand, but this 43in Ultra HD Smart TV with built-in wi-fi, Freeview HD and Freeview Play catch-up services comes in at less than half that price. While not as polished as some brands, you get all you need to play and stream all your favourite shows, and even record directly to a USB drive. Toshiba 43U6763, £399 3…

1 TOP QUALITY, TOP TECH Boasting the very latest in cooking technology, this black A+ rated oven (H57.9xW55xD54.7cm) from the Discovery range has a 76L capacity, five rack levels and nine professional modes, including gentle/intensive bake, plus its fingerprint-proof finish makes for easy cleaning. H2265B, £599, Miele 2 STEAM MACHINE Finished in brushed black stainless steel, this 73L oven (H59.5xW59.5xD56.4cm) has convection, steam-assisted and pure steam cooking, so you can enjoy more recipes than ever. The Twelix is loaded with pre-programmed steam functions to help take the guesswork out of cooking, and it also has pyrolitic cleaning for effortless maintenance. Twelix Artisan, £2,300, KitchenAid 3 THE PRO'S CHOICE Ask the professional chefs what they look for in a cooking appliance and they’ll say accurate temperature control. That’s what you get…

Christmas pudding Takes 5hr 45min, plus overnight soaking Serves 6-8 INGREDIENTS • 100g dried apricots, finely chopped • 100g dried cranberries • 200g sultanas, raisins or currants • 100g prunes, finely chopped • 75g blanched almonds, roughly chopped • 50g mixed candied peel, finely chopped • 50g candied ginger, finely chopped • 1 Bramley apple, cored and grated • Zest of 1 lemon • Zest and juice of 1 orange • 100ml rum, whisky, brandy or sweet sherry • 75g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 75g light muscovado sugar • 1 large egg, beaten • 125g self-raising flour, sifted • 1tsp each mixed spice, ground nutmeg and cinnamon • Brandy butter, to serve 1 In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the Christmas pudding up to and including the alcohol. Cover and soak overnight. 2 Beat the butter and sugar in…

1 Verify payment details. Payment details are extremely unlikely to change during the course of a conveyancing transaction. Nor is it likely that a solicitor would advise you of a major change like this just by email. When transferring large sums online in any business transaction, always call the person you’re paying first to verify the bank details. 2 Never give out personal or financial details It could be a scam. Instead of trusting the person who’s asking, contact the company they claim to be from, using a known email or phone number. 3 Keep an eye out for anything odd about an email or text Don’t click on any links or files, as this could be a trick to give fraudsters access to your personal or financial information. Be…

Say it with a sparkle For a homespun finish, use watercolour paper and tear the edges. Paint a layer of glue on the bottom and dip into glitter, once dry, add another thin layer of glue. Punch a hole at the top and tie with twine or ribbon. Finish it off by writing names with a metallic calligraphy pen. BUY THE KEY PIECES Daler Rowney watercolour paper sheet (35x50cm), £1.70; gold glitter shaker, £1.50 for 20g; clear glue, £2 for 300ml; gold double-faced satin ribbon, £1.80; Manuscript gold and silver italic marker pen, £3; all Hobbycraft…

TOP TIPPLE Hortus Artisan London dry gin, £15.99, Lidl HANGING OUT IN STYLE Copper and marble jewellery stand, £8, George Home PAMPER A PET Aesop animal wash, £25 for 500ml, Liberty BEAUTIFULLY ORGANISED Lively floral desk planner, £12, Papermash CHIC DOCKING STATION Iris marble phone amplifier, £25, Made.com FOR A FOODIE FRIEND Herb planter, £12, Cath Kidston HAPPY COMMUTER Fika and Espresso Brew cork editions, £20 each, KeepCup INSPIRING READS Little People, Big Dreams books, £9.99 each, The Hambledon LOVELY LATHER Trio set of soaps, £20, Liberty REACH FOR THE STARS Star keyring, £4.50, Oliver Bonas FELINE FIND Kitty storage sack, £18, Sophia Victoria Joy range, Etsy MOTIVATIONAL MEME ‘Dream Big Little One’ banner, £14, All By Mamma FLORAL NOTES Sara Miller Jasmine, Lemongrass and Ginger soya candle, £25, John…

TOAST IN 2018 Perrier-Jouët 2006 Belle Epoque Rosé champagne, £185, Amazon COOK’S DELIGHT SMF01 stand mixer, £360, Smeg range, Very PERFECT HIDEAWAY Teepee cabin bed, £395, Cuckooland MEMORY BOX Leather case, £125, Meminio FESTIVE COMFORT Stripe sequin floor cushion, £120, Monsoon MODERN LIVING Solo table lamp, £115, Ines Cole FIFTIES INSPIRED Mid-century turned leg planter, £149, West Elm DREAM CAR Grey ride-on car, £120, My 1st Years FAMILY HEIRLOOM Round casserole dish, £199, Le Creuset range, The White Company TOUCH OF LUXURY Grey Alaskan fox faux-fur throw, £150, Tielle FOR THE CONNOISSEUR Islay whisky connoisseur set, £300, LSA International SEASONS IN TIME Copper weather clock, £360, Bramwell Brown MAKES PERFECT SCENTS Chalk room diffuser, £100, Haeckela TUNE IN DAB radio, £180, Roberts Revival range, Argos CHOCOHOLIC’S DELIGHT The Adventures In…

We got the flat in October and our children were coming home for Christmas, so we were on a deadline! The interior was tired, but I loved the period details and high ceilings, and didn’t want to make any structural changes as it would have required planning consent. So I worked with what I had and did what I could to make an impact with design. Quality doesn’t have to cost the earth. I really like nice things, but they can be so expensive. I browse eBay a lot – that’s where our dining chairs came from – and shop in the sales for unusual pieces like the Julian Chichester cabinet in the living room (below left). It was purple when I bought it, but I painted it a chalky-white…

WHERE TO BUY 1. DESK LIGHT Wild Wood task lamp, £72, Wild & Wolf 2. PICTURE Butterfly print, £29, Graham and Green 3. STOOL Fabric stool, £48, Maisons du Monde 4. BOWL Textured print bowl, £6, Marks & Spencer 5. BAUBLE Glass bauble, £12 for six, National Trust 6. WREATH Eucalyptus wreath, £32, House of Fraser 7. ARMCHAIR Hendricks green velvet armchair, £995, Habitat 8. THROW Geometric green throw, £18, B&Q 9. RUG Botanical rug, L240xW170cm, £950, Cox & Cox…

“When we moved in, the only part of the decor we liked was the wooden floor!” THE PROPERTY A single-storey, four-bedroom farmhouse built in 1917, in the village of Altforst, the Netherlands VALUE Similar properties in need of renovation start at about £500,000 It’s hard to believe that this stunning family home, with its tick-the-box combo of clean lines, serene colours and snug styling, was once decorated in shades of purple, green, yellow, red and orange. ‘When we moved in the only part of the decor we liked was the wooden floor,’ says owner Sabine. ‘It was a long way from the natural, warm, Scandinavian look we wanted.’ They bought the property in October 2014 and have been renovating it gradually ever since, as time and money have allowed. ‘We…

 THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom Grade II-listed cottage in Mousehole, Cornwall. “I pinch myself sometimes – I can’t believe this cottage is ours, and I’m overwhelmed when visitors love it, too ” VALUE Bought in September 2015 for £470,000; now worth around £650,000. The Salt House is a Grade II-listed fisherman’s cottage, just yards from the sea. ‘We waited five years for a house on the seafront to come onto the market,’ says Gloria. ‘We have stunning views on our doorstep and it’s so relaxing and quiet because no cars can come down here.’ ‘It has lovely original features – low beams and exposed stone walls – but needed to be completely modernised throughout. The rooms felt very enclosed and oppressive because of the heavy wooden beams…

1 Get your bed winter-ready Pile on the extra layers and create a cosy spot where you can cocoon yourself away and enjoy long winter lie-ins. Start with warm, brushed-cotton bedlinen and a heavyweight winter duvet, topped off with fleecy faux furs, knitted throws and a stack of plump pillows. 2 BAG A GIFT Buy a pack of low-cost brown-paper sandwich bags to use for gifts. Decorate with washi tape, fancy tags and coloured ribbon. 3 HANG NIGHT LIGHTS IN YOUR HALLWAY Trim jam jars and lanterns with offcuts of fir and pine cones for your porch or hallway. Or, you could just buy this cute set… Tea light holders with pine cones, £22 for four, National Trust Shop 4 Decorate your dresser Add festive sparkle to your display shelves…

“Transform your home into a cosy hideaway by adding super soft throws and plenty of candlelight ”HOLLY WALSH , FEATURES EDITOR Established in 1865, Dobbies has been inspiring families ever since with brilliant garden buys and expert advice. But did you know it’s also the perfect place to shop for beautiful homewares, decorations and gifts, too, – especially at Christmas time? MAKE IT MAGICAL Getting the best out of Christmas is all about good planning. Make sure everything is ready in plenty of time, from decorating your home for family and friends to enjoy, to sending out Christmas cards and buying and wrapping gifts. As well as British-grown Christmas trees, Dobbies has a huge range of luxury decorations including twinkling lights and gorgeous glass baubles to decorate them with. In…

“I took my time and didn’t compromise, so it was a lot of work to find what I wanted, but I’ve created a unique kitchen that I love ” Welcome to my home Antiques trader Darren Peskett lives here. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom late-Victorian house in Worthing, West Sussex. WHAT IT COST Cabinetry.............£2,000 Appliances..........£2,000 Tiles.......................£1,240 Sink and tap............£500 Worktops................£850 Lighting...................£260 TOTAL.................£6,850 HOW DARREN DID IT ‘When I moved in seven years ago, the whole house needed gutting and renovating. I knocked the existing kitchen, dining room and cloakroom together, then completely rewired, replumbed and replastered. I used to be in the building trade, so was able to do much of the work myself and keep labour costs down. I also installed folding doors to the garden…

WHERE TO BUY 1. CHANDELIER Frou Frou chandelier, £125, The French Bedroom Company 2. SOAP DISPENSER Gold Geo soap dispenser, £5, George Home 3. MIRROR Decadent gold mirror, £180, Decorative Mirrors Online 4. BUDDHA Ceramic Buddha in black, £14.99, Very 5. BASIN Laufen Pro basin with chrome stand, £665, Victorian Plumbing 6. BATH Baby Buckingham cast iron bath, £1,195, Heritage Bathrooms 7. TOWELS Amersham towels, from £12, John Lewis 8. TILES Polished tile, £32.95sq m, Walls and Floors…

1 IT WON’T RUST It’s non-porous, so it doesn’t rust thanks to its oxidised film coating. It doesn’t react to other materials or degrade, either. 2 IT’S ECONOMICAL The 0.4mm-thick stainless steel was the same price as the proposed 0.8mm zinc roof. It’s often thinner than other metal roofing materials, making it more cost-effective. 3 IT’S 100% RECYCLABLE As the most recycled material in the world, it’s very environmentally friendly. 4 IT’S ENERGY EFFICIENT It reflects more than 90% of the sun’s radiation without generating heat – this offsets global warming. This also means the interior needs less heating and air-conditioning, which also reduces costs. 5 IT CAN BE CUSTOMISED Stainless steel is malleable and offers a range of design options – it can create airtight finishes and weatherproof joints,…

WHERE TO BUY 1. WINE GLASSES Pantograph glasses, £25 for four, Marks & Spencer 2. PLACEMAT Silver metallic placemat, £6 for two, Sainsbury’s 3. PLATTER Dove grey calico platter, £30, Burleigh 4. NAPKINS Linen napkins, £24.95 for four, Tolly McRae 5. CRACKERS Luxury silver crackers, £20 for six, Laura Ashley 6. CANDLE HOLDER Pillar candle holder, £25, The White Company 7. TEALIGHT HOLDER Glass tea light holder, £6 for three, George Home 8. TABLE RUNNER Snowflake table runner, £14.99, TK Maxx 9. SERVERS Damask spoon; cake slice; fork; £15.99 each; all Zara Home…