Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i Ideal Home

To be honest, I’m a bit of a coward when it comes to home improvement. It took all of my courage and about 15 tester pots just to paint the living room yellow. And when we put in a downstairs loo last year, my anxiety level was off the chart. And I do this for a living! I’m amazed by some people’s fearlessness in tackling big projects – just look at the extended kitchens in this issue (from page 112) and Ali’s radical bungalow transformation on page 142. It just goes to show what problems you can overcome when you’re determined to create the best living space possible. If you’re in the throes of a project, don’t forget to take lots of ‘before’ shots and share the results with us…

Start with a statement sofa A striped sofa like this – which also has a floral motif at each end – sets the ‘English Eccentric’ vibe for a characterful coastal scheme. WHERE TO BUY Joules Burnham cotton stripe three-seater sofa, £1,899, DFS Earn your stripes Always add striped textiles – narrow for a country, ticking look or wide for a smarter, nautical feel. WHERE TO BUY Circle spot Bobby duvet, £59; Relaxed stripe bedlinen, £49.50; cushions, £19.50 each, all Marks & Spencer Update your walls and floors Swap boring flooring for rustic parquet. For wall cladding, try horizontal planks instead of classic tongue-and-groove for a country-cabin look. WHERE TO BUY Kahrs Oak Chevron light grey floor, £119.99sq m, Carpetright Swap crisp cotton for linen Forget starched bedding and regimented regatta…

WHERE TO BUY 1. LIGHT Treviso Optic Lined and Olive Green pendant, £99, Swoon Editions 2. PAINT Aquamarine absolute matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5L, Little Greene 3. WALL ART Silver Dollar watercolour print, £19.23, Color Watercolor at Etsy 4. VASE Green glass bubble vase, £6, George Home 5. MUG Wonki Ware green striped mug, £16.25, Trouva 6. CUSHION Nocturnal Arthouse cushion, £30, Costwold Trading 7. FAUX PLANTS Potted faux succulents, £10 each, Debenhams 8. CHAIR Candy retro chair in Sage Green with copper finish legs, £79.99, My Furniture…

SMART BUT SIMPLE HOW TO… create a multipurpose family room, squeezing a lot into a small space without it looking cluttered, crowded or lacking in character. MODERN BOHEMIAN HOW TO… put together mismatched furniture, wood tones and vibrant colours for a room scheme that can evolve as your tastes and possessions change. RELAXED SCANDI HOW TO… choose key pieces for an adaptable bedroom and use colour and texture to make it feel calm and comfortable, but never bland or boring.…

Stylist’s note ‘Choose a yellower pink for north-facing rooms to warm them up, or go for blue undertones in sunnier spaces’ Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor…

THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom Victorian maisonette in Blackheath, London, bought in 2014. VALUE The property is worth around £950,000. “I think my personality, and Jeff’s, shines through in this house Matt Gates had a vision for the decor as soon as he moved in. ‘I wanted to bring the grandeur back to this property without it being ostentatious,’ he says of the two-storey home he shares with his husband, Jeff. It’s a light, bright garden maisonette, with the entrance hall, living room and main bedroom at street level, and a guest bedroom, bathroom, study and kitchen-diner on the lower-ground floor. The building is early Victorian but the proportions are Georgian, with spacious rooms and high ceilings. ‘It had the original shutters and deep skirting but other period features…

Hesha Dell lives here with her husband, Steve, and their two daughters, Ada, 13, and Olive, 11. THE PROPERTY A three-bed flat in an Edwardian building in Muswell Hill, London. WHAT IT COST Units....................£6,580 Appliances..............£940 Sink and tap............£587 Worktop.................£1,145 Floor tiles.................£624 Wallpaper................£156 Light fittings............£140 TOTAL................£10,172 “The daylight flooding in here really raises everyone’s spirits – it’s such a lovely place to hang out ”…

Ohana Banerjee lives here with her husband, Ben, and their children Anissa, nine, and Sebastian, seven. THE PROPERTY A five-bed Edwardian farmhouse in Lewes, East Sussex. WHAT IT COST Kitchen units........£6,100 Worktops, sink and tap.................£2,992 Appliances...........£4,351 Table and bench.....£730 Lighting...................£465 TOTAL................£14,638 “I spent hours meticulously planning the kitchen, and the result is a beautiful space that’s really easy to keep tidy ”…

Susanna von Saher lives here with her husband, Michiel, and their sons, Ruben, 11, and Felix, nine. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, mid-terrace Victorian house in west London. WHAT IT COST Units....................£19,565 Appliances...........£6,537 Sink and tap.............£170 Worktop...............£2,987 Tiles..........................£198 Flooring...............£2,262 TOTAL.................£31,719 “I was concerned it wouldn’t live up to expectations, but I needn’t have worried – it works so well for us as a family ”…

Josh Wise lives here. THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom flat in a Victorian terrace in Putney, west London. WHAT IT COST Shower….…..........£2,081 Bath…....................£1,475 Bath taps…...........£1,299 Basins and taps.…£1,046 Loo…………….......……£440 Wall cabinets.......…£398 Towel radiator…......£223 Flooring…..........……£570 Wall tiles……........….£600 Under-basin storage.................£2,070 Wall lights………......£309 TOTAL.................£10,511 “It’s my favourite room in the house – and when people visit, they love it, too ”…

HOW DONNA AND ROBERT DID IT ‘The bathroom had last been revamped in the Eighties and was very dark and dated. The bath stuck out into the room, the loo was too close to the door and the flooring was torn. It wasn’t very welcoming – plus the joists were unsafe and the pipework was leaking. But the biggest challenge was the awkward room shape. We wanted to have practical fittings, like useful storage and good lighting, which would make us feel pampered and cared for. We chose Ripples to help us design the room because the company is local and has a great reputation. Our installers were brilliant and managed the project, which took around five weeks, from start to finish. My favourite feature is the niches – they…

My sister, Anne, bought this cottage some years ago and I moved in to live with her,’ says Kate Williams. ‘The kitchen developed a leak, and it turned out that the roof needed replacing. Extending the kitchen into the side return seemed like a logical step, and we decided to convert the loft at the same time.’ ONE STOP SHOP Kate and Anne contacted design and building company Plus Rooms (plusrooms.com), after reading about one of its projects in a magazine. ‘As we both work full time, we felt that having someone else to organise everything – from gaining planning permission to decorating – would be invaluable,’ says Kate. SPACE AND LIGHT Converting the empty loft space added a fourth bedroom with an en suite for Kate. The smallest bedroom…

Blueberry, banana and chocolate waffles Takes 20min Serves 3 INGREDIENTS • 160g butter, plus extra for greasing • 250g blueberries • 2 eggs • 300ml milk • 30g golden caster sugar • 250g self-raising flour • 2tsp baking powder • 2 bananas, sliced • 50g milk chocolate, grated 1 Put 60g butter in a pan with the blueberries and 2tbsp water. Heat very gently for 5min, until the fruit just softens. Turn off the heat. 2 Heat an electric waffle maker. Melt the remaining 100g butter in a microwave on high for 30 secs. 3 Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk in the milk. 4 Gently stir in the sugar, flour and baking powder. Pour in the melted butter and gently fold it in, until just combined. 5 Brush the waffle maker with butter to grease.…

A  Allposters.co.uk 020 8435 6555 allposters.co.uk Alpine Aluminium Doors & Windows 0113 350 2942 alpinealuminium.co.uk Alternative Bathrooms 020 3375 9009 alternativebathrooms.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Appliance World 01793 618656 appliance-world.co.uk April Blinds 0800 328 8024 aprilblinds.com Ardesia Design 020 7792 4274 ardesiadesign.co.uk Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artifact Lighting 02381 943014 artifact-lighting.com Artisanne 07780 956935 artisanne.co.uk Ashley Johnson 07810 865715 Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk Atlantic Blankets 0845 658 5194 atlanticblankets.com Avenue Floors 0845 226 8273 avenuefloors.co.uk B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9321 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore 0330 053 5661 bathstore.com Beko 0345 600 4911 beko.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Bert & May 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com Better Bathrooms 0844 484 7678 betterbathrooms.com BHS 0344 411 6000 bhs.co.uk Blueair.com blueair.com Bold & Noble 01462 339011 boldandnoble.com Bosch 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk Brewers 01323 411080 brewers.co.uk Brintons 0800 505055 rugs-by-brintons.co.uk C  California Shutters 0800 195 0196 californiashutters.co.uk Carpetright…

“ For a bolder design, adding pattern to surfaces and textures to floors and walls is an easy way to make your kitchen stand out ”HAYLEY SIMMONS, HEAD OF MERCHANDISING, MAGNET “ A faux marble work-surface implies the inherent veining and beautiful pattern associated with natural stone but features the practicality of a quartz composite ”GRAEME SMITH , HEAD OF RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL DESIGN, ALCHEMY “ For a more dramatic look, darker shades such as slate greys and deep blues inject sophistication into any space ”HAYLEY SIMMONS , HEAD OF MERCHANDISING, MAGNET Echoing the look of New York loft-style apartments, with exposed brickwork, reclaimed flooring and steel beams, industrial style takes kitchens back to basics. Pick and choose a few key pieces to help translate the trend…

Ultra-thin composite worktops work beautifully with handleless doors. To make a real statement, use an extra-deep profiled worktop in a bold colour to create a contrast with the units below. Make sure you test your handle-pulls before you buy. Some recessed or J-pull designs aren’t very deep and can be difficult to open, particularly if you have long fingernails. Door fronts on some heavy built-in appliances such as dishwashers can be tricky to open without handles. Look out for models from companies such as Miele that feature push-open mechanisms to make things easy. The alignment of doors is particularly important in a linear design as it’s obvious if they’re even slightly out. Make sure that the door hinges and drawer runners are sturdy to prevent them dropping from repeated use.…

“ There is a strong move towards a classic look which is calmer and more orderly with a modern interpretation ”GRAEME SMITH, SENIOR DESIGNER ALCHEMY KITCHENS “This year we will see the introduction of more colour, most noticeably across the neutral palettes, with softer, more delicate influences coming through ”JOANNE EMERY BURBIDGE DESIGN EXPERT “ Changing a Shaker-style kitchen couldn’t be easier - just alter handles or worktops to make it classic or modern ”YSANNE BROOKS , EDITOR, BEST NEW LOOKS FOR KITCHENS Shaker continues to be one of the most popular kitchen styles as it’s so versatile. While ‘in-frame’ Shaker designs are usually found in handmade, bespoke kitchens, its popularity means that almost all manufacturers have a Shaker-style door in their collection. So, whether you’re looking…

1909 Kitchens 01325 505539; 1909kitchens.co.uk A  Alchemy Kitchens alchemykitchens.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 247296; anniesloan.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery 01372 385915; benchmarxkitchens.co.uk Bert & May 020 3744 0776; bertandmay.com Blum 0800 917 5550; blum.com Britannia 0844 463 9705; britannialiving.co.uk Burbidge 024 7667 1600; burbidge.co.uk Bushboard 01933 232272; bushboard.co.uk C  Caple 0117 938 1900; caple.co.uk Caesarstone 01706 863600; caesarstone.co.uk Charlie Kingham 020 7935 2255; charliekingham.co.uk Christian Blake Bespoke Kitchens 01525 720120; christian-blake.com Crown Imperial 01227 742424; crown-imperial.co.uk F  Farrow & Ball 01202 876141; farrow-ball.com H  Harvey Jones Kitchens 0800 389 6938; harveyjones.com Holloways of Ludlow 020 7371 1787; hollowayskitchens.com I  Ikea 020 3645 0000; ikea.com J  John Lewis of Hungerford 0700 278 4726; john-lewis.co.uk L  Lacanche 01202 733011; lacanche.co.uk La Cornue lacornue.com Lifestyle Kitchens 01227 742424;…

Spot the fake! This is the kind of fake news we don’t mind. The trend for faux plants is taking root and the high street is upping its game with some seriously convincing artificial greenery. Next has a whole host of new varieties, so bolster your botanical displays with a trailing succulent or a potted grass. LOAF’S A SHADE BRAVER Furniture company Loaf has already nailed calm neutrals and pared-back pastels, and now it’s daring to go darker. Check out the 24 new upholstery fabrics, bright velvet cushions and Natterbox dining chairs in four new colours. Cath Kidston turns 25 Whether you’re into vintage florals or not, it’s unlikely that Cath Kidston’s cheery slice of nostalgia has escaped your attention. A new limited edition range celebrates 25 years of her…

Fashion blogger Joanne Hegarty (thestylistand thewardrobe.com ) lives in this house with her journalist husband Edward and their son Archie, four. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian terrace in southwest London. THE VALUE Bought in 2009, for £760,000; now worth £1.2 million. “The first time we walked in, we thought it had a lovely feel. We could see it being a great family home ” When Joanne Hegarty and her husband Edward moved into their new home in southwest London, the property was already liveable. The decor was neutral, the doors had been stripped and the original Edwardian cornicing, hall tiles and stained glass had also been beautifully conserved. ‘We loved that all the old original features were intact,’ says Joanne. ‘The house was presentable but…

Having started out in fashion before moving into interiors, Karen’s CV features many of the high street’s biggest names including Sainsbury’s, Arcadia Group, and of course, Marks & Spencer, where she leads a team of up to 15 designers. Karen lives in London with her partner Andy and their sons, Sam, 13 and Jack, 11. I lean towards Scandi decor, with a mash up of other influences… a little bit industrial and vintage. Industrial, because I love our Loaf metal and wire coffee table, and vintage, because you’ll find the odd antique through the house, like an old school desk in my son’s room and a limed wood mirror in our bedroom that I upcycled years ago. The joy of working in the industry is that my style continuously evolves.…

IDEAL HIGH SHINE Harris copper wall light, £93, Maisons du Monde STAY NEUTRAL Lyle natural textured two-seater sofa, £995, Habitat TROPICAL Baja wallpaper, £23.99 a roll, Albany range, WallpaperDirect MODERN MARBLE Chloe marble coffee table, £556, Perch & Parrow DESIGNER CLASSIC Windsor quaker chair, £405, Ercol FAUX GREENERY Artificial succulent in pot, £15, The Contemporary Home JUST JUTE Lene Bjerre Karna rug (150x 125cm), £250, Sweetpea & Willow GREAT DEAL HOTHOUSE STYLE Arthouse Tropical Palm wallpaper, £13 a roll, Wilko CONTRAST FINISH Dean wall lamp in wood and brushed copper, £45, Made.com RELAXED STYLE Soderhamn three-seat sofa in Finnsta White, £395, Ikea BRASS EDGE Low Jinks coffee table, £345, Loaf FLOWER POWER Zira Jury 001 natural circle rug (Dia150cm), £189, The Rug Shop KITCHEN CHIC Kentucky chair, £99.99 for two…

Welcome to my home “Even though the house is newly built, it’s still bursting with as much style and character as you would expect from an older period property THE PROPERTY A single-storey new build in Viksberg, near Södertälje, southeast Sweden. Take a quick tour... When Pella Hedeby and her two young sons moved into her boyfriend Andreas Backman’s house a year ago, she didn’t imagine it would become their permanent home. ‘Andreas built the house five years ago to live in himself with his daughter, Filippa,’ explains Pella. ‘The original plan had been to build our own place, but actually, the longer we stayed, the more comfortable I felt about living here.’ ‘It has its own look and character. The building is more rustic in style than I would…

Stylist’s note ‘Stick to oak, black and white finishes for your key pieces to give you a foundation for adding colour and detail’ Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor…

Smart but simple dining room Walls painted in Midnight Thyme matt emulsion, £66 for 5L, Paint by Conran. Floor in Basket Weave Natural SBW, £44sq m, Crucial Trading. Naimo large rug, £400, Habitat. Nicholl dining table, bench and three Croft chairs, from £599, Barker & Stonehouse. Svalnas wall-mounted storage combination with desk, £135; Svalnas wall-mounted shelf combination, £70, both Ikea. Blinds in Herbarium Heather/EbonyF1089/03, £36m, Clarke & Clarke. Small 7380 black pendant light, £335, Original BTC. ON TABLE Emil natural linen table runners, £24.99 each; Emilia mauve linen napkins, £7.99 each, all LinenMe. Glass Stockholm carafe, £8, Debenhams. Jars Poeme purple dinner plates, £24 each; dessert plates, £23 each, all Amara. Croft recycled wine glasses, £5 each; Scandi small wood bowl, £15, both John Lewis. Black candleholders, £15 each, Toast.…

MY GO-TO STORES… • SCP ‘It has a great range of accessories and furniture with occasional one-off vintage pieces.’ • HEAL’S ‘This store has a good cross-section of designer pieces and its own collections.’ • TOM DIXON, ‘Great for industrial accessories and lamps with metal accents.’ STYLIST’S NOTE “A flash of colour on the alcove walls adds energy and interest to invigorate an all-white living space ” HEATHER YOUNG, ACTING DEPUTY EDITOR…

WHERE TO BUY 1. WALLPAPER Whimsical Secret Garden wallpaper, £78 a roll, Cole & Son 2. LIGHT Austin cluster pendant in copper, £89, Made.com 3. CHAIR Tori cool grey dining chair, £69, Danetti 4. KETTLE Home translucent stove top kettle, £18, Argos 5. WORKTOP Ekbacken concrete-effect worktop, £40, Ikea 6. TAP Kigal chrome finish monobloc tap, £75, B&Q 7. TABLE Henry floating-top table, from £950, John Lewis 8. BREAD BIN Bread bin in cIay, £28, Garden Trading…

WHERE TO BUY 1. PENDANT Dar Lighting Urban easy fit ceiling shade, £50, Castlegate Lights 2. HANGING RACK Rectangular ceiling rack, £105, Wayfair 3. TABLEWARE Nara 12-piece dinnerware set, £89, Made.com 4. SHELVING Gamleby wall shelf, £50, Ikea 5. WALLPAPER Exposed real brick wallpaper, £75 a roll, Limelace 6. TUMBLERS Ceramic tumblers, £25 for four, Mini Moderns 7. SCALES Living Nostalgia scales, £35, Very 8. CABINET Pagnol recycled pine unit, £1,149, Maisons du Monde…

“Hidden extraction will remain popular. However, the demand for focal cooker hoods is also growing, as they come in impressive designs that conceal their true function ”IAN PATTISON, PRODUCT MANAGER, MIELE A cooker hood is a key kitchen appliance, clearing the air of grease, steam and odours, and helping to keep the whole room clean and fresh. Here’s the lowdown on the newest, most stylish, hi-tech designs. Q What’s new with extractors? They’re much quieter than they used to be. Today’s cooker hoods are all about being seen and not heard. So while their looks can be increasingly sculptural and dramatic, improvements in motor design and insulation mean that they can run well below the volume of normal conversation. Q Extraction or recirculation? Extraction, where a cooker hood is set…

Donna Trapnell lives here with her husband, Robert, and their children, Reuben, eight, and one-year-old Hardy. THE PROPERTY A six-bed semi, built in 1901, in Bristol. WHAT IT COST Shower..................£1,694 Bath.......................£1,229 Basin vanity...........£1,133 Loo.........................£1,053 Taps.......................£1,305 Radiator...................£444 Wall tiles...............£1,340 Floor tiles..............£1,508 Armchair..................£289 Lighting....................£614 TOTAL................£10,609 “This room wasn’t very welcoming, but now it’s really cosy and inviting…

Ali Kittermaster, who is a photographer and joint-owner of greetings card business hh Designs, lives here with her husband Johnnie, a headmaster, and their two children, Katie, 17, and Harry, 14, plus their pet cockapoo, Hugo. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom bungalow built in the Fifties in Hawkhurst, Kent. THE VALUE Bought in 2016 for £415,000; now estimated to be worth around £795,000. WHAT IT COST Building work....................£99,000 Garden...............................£15,000 Kitchen..............................£21,000 Windows & door...............£10,000 TOTAL...........................£145,000 “I love one-storey living and wanted an ‘ugly to lovely’ project. This place is on a corner plot and had bags of potential ”…

THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Wandsworth, London. VALUE Bought in 2007 for £471,000; now worth around £950,000. WHAT IT COST Building work and materials, including boiler and underfloor heating..........£134,000 Windows and doors.........£13,600 Kitchen, installation and flooring............£25,000 Sanitaryware.....£2,600 Patio....................£5,100 TOTAL............£180,300 “ We use the kitchen so much more now – we just love the light and space ”…

Perfect perches Keep a clear prep space and items in easy reach with picture shelves. To store mugs, screw in cup hooks about 5cm away from the front of the shelf. To attach spice jars, mark the centre of the underside of the lid and then screw through the bottom of the lid into the shelf. Use a screw the same length as the depth of the shelf to avoid the sharp end poking through. BUY THE KEY PIECES Mosslanda 115cm picture ledges, £8.50 each, Ikea; painted in Whisper Grey chalky finish, £5 for 250ml, Hobbycraft. Shouldered cup hooks, £1.29 for 10, The Range. For a similar plant pot, try the Vinter mug, £1.50; Dinera mugs in Beige and Grey-blue, £1.75 each; Pokal glasses, £2 for six, all Ikea. The…

“Zone your kitchen space so that the island becomes a transitional area used for rinsing and food preparation ”GRAEME SMITH, HEAD OF COMMERCIAL DESIGN, 1909 KITCHENS “Wallpaper is often thought of as a no-no in a kitchen but it can add a touch of grandeur. If you want to use wallpaper in an area close to water, protect with a piece of glass ”CHRISTIAN BLAKE, FOUNDER OF CHRISTIAN BLAKE BESPOKE KITCHENS “ Combine classic and modern by opting for plain drawer panels, a ceramic sink and a contemporary colour scheme ”MELISSA KLINK , HEAD OF DESIGN, HARVEY JONES Before 1926 and the advent of the Frankfurt kitchen, generally recognised as the first ‘fitted’ design, kitchens were more freestanding. In smaller homes, they’d amount to not much more…

Pick a range oven with modern styling in a bold primary colour to contrast with painted cabinetry in neutral shades. Add wooden accents with timber butcher’s blocks or breakfast bars. For added versatility, think about a chopping block on an island or a timber-topped wheeled trolley. Get the finish right. A durable matt eggshell paint on cabinets is the perfect way to show off the clean, simple lines of Shaker furniture. Include a versatile larder in your design with internal solutions that are tailored to your needs. If you’re a keen baker or cook, it could store all your ingredients in one easily accessible spot. If you’d like it to double as a simple breakfast station then you can just add plug sockets inside. Choose a modern floor option that’s…

ACCENT VASES BRIGHT CUSHIONS CHIC TABLE TOP HANDY BASKETS ‘WOW’ PENDANTS TASTEFUL ART MODERN RUGS SHAPELY MIRRORS…

MY GO-TO STORES… • COX AND COX ‘I love its selection of accessories’ • GRAHAM AND GREENE ‘Fantastic, stylish homeware’ • THE CONRAN SHOP ‘Irresistible for inspirational browsing’ • SWOON EDITIONS ‘Purse-friendly designer furniture and chairs’ STYLIST’S NOTE “Soften the look by mixing industrial features with blush pink and dove grey accents ” STEPHANIE DURRANT, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR…

Stylist’s note “This soft green goes with both brown-based and grey neutrals, so it’ll work with wooden flooring and wood or grey-toned furniture ” NICKY PHILLIPS , DECORATING EDITOR RAW WOOD  Unpolished finishes look gorgeous against this green Mixed greens Layer succulent green with similar hues – think dark pine for definition and mid-tone sage for a harmonious, textural effect in a simple white kitchen PRETTY CHALK-PAINTED STOOLS Matt, non-shiny, paints suit this natural look Creative corner If you love the mellow combination of succulent green, soft pink and charcoal, try them all together in a wallpaper like this painterly design. Perfect for an uplifting look in a bedroom or home office WHITE TRIM Stick to white, not creamy tones, on woodwork for a crisp contrast Stylist’s note…

ideal STATEMENT ART Dogma art print by Love Warriors, £95, Design Vintage LADDER STORAGE Skagerak Nomad rail in oak, £299, Cloudberry Living COMFORTABLY BUILT Dillon large sofa in Graphite, £1,049, DFS FLOOR SHOW Brooklyn lamp, £166, Element One House IN THE RIGHT VEIN Nestor marble coffee table, £595, Habitat SHOW PIECE Molten cube vase, £52, LSA International TACTILE TOUCH Beekman sheepskin rug, £138, Amara GREAT DEAL PHOTO FINISH Joga Naga art print by Gosia Janik, £15, King & McGaw HANGING RAIL Hambledon towel ladder in raw oak, £95, Garden Trading CASUAL STYLE New Ashdown three-seater sofa in grey, £380, Argos SQUARE CUT Acute coffee table, £119, Danetti BIG DEAL Bronx floor lamp, £129, Made.com WARM ACCENT Dark grey sheepskin rug, £59, Modern Rugs ON DISPLAY Flower Garden blossom vase, £19,…

Stylist’s note ‘This isn’t a “playing it safe” kind of look, so upholstery in a non-neutral colour is essential!’ Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor…

Set the right mood ‘When we moved in, the walls were violet and blue,’ says Matt, ‘but I wanted an earthy, minimal setting to calm the senses. My plan was to strip all that away and give this place the classic townhouse look it deserved.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES The alcove wall is painted in Vardo estate emulsion, £43 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Gold Sunburst mirror, £215, The Forest & Co Find a ‘hero’ piece ‘Build the decor around it,’ says Matt. ‘Every room should have one or two investment items, then you can save money elsewhere. In the living room, it was the sofa. Once that was in place, I could see what else the space needed.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Nomade 2 sofa, from £3,525, Ligne Roset.…

1 Choose a statement shower curtain In a bathroom with simple, plain flooring and walls, adding a patterned shower curtain brings immediate interest and colour to the space. It will also absorb sound, making the room less echoey and stark – double win! 2 INSTALL FEATURE SHELVING Hang shelves above the loo or beside the shower to display artwork, house plants and candles. 3 GIVE TAPS THE MIDAS TOUCH For a super-glamorous bathroom refresh, update hardware such as taps, showerheads and light fittings from tired chrome to beautiful brass or gold. 4 Embrace global style Change the feel of your bathroom by adding some global-style accessories – try zigzag towels, woven baskets and an Aztec patterned bath mat. 5 Jazz up a plain window Window film is a great alternative…

HOW SUSANNA AND MICHIEL DID IT ‘After we’d lived here for eight years, the conservatory at the back of the house started falling apart as the result of a leak and we decided that enough was enough! We really wanted to incorporate the side return into a new extension, as it was just a dingy patio area. A local company, Ardesia Design, managed the whole process for us – the plans, planning permission, builders and sourcing the units. The project took four months, and we moved out for three of them. The kitchen fitting cost £2,000 and wasn’t straightforward, as the house has uneven walls, so it took an extra day’s work. We chose white walls, floor and worktops, and I think the soft grey units soften the whole look…

HOW JOSH DID IT ‘When I walked into this room for the first time, I knew I’d have to give it a total makeover. It was really run down, with dated fittings and a drab colour scheme. I had a rough idea of what I wanted – large-format tiles and a big walk-in shower were top of my list. The shower is the bit I use most, so it had to be right for me, sleek and classy with a modern feel. I hired Grand Design London to carry out the whole project and, thankfully, the company was flexible, as there was a bit of a wait between the tiling and the new bath arriving. The fitting cost £2,500, and the project took a few weeks, alongside a refurb of…

WHERE TO BUY 1. WALL LIGHT Greenwich bathroom wall light, £36, Garden Trading 2. SHUTTERS White louvred shutters, from £200sq m, Shutterly Fabulous 3. WALL TILE Graphite porcelain tile, £50sq m, Walls and Floors 4. STORAGE UNIT Inga floating console, £95, My Furniture 5. ORCHID Orchid in two-tone vase, £6, Wilko 6. TOWELS Margo Selby Bilbao towels, from £14 each, John Lewis 7. TAPS Select freestanding bath/ shower mixer, £280, B&Q 8. BATH Cube2 bath, £1,585, Frontline Bathrooms…

Besides looking neat, the biggest advantage of wall-hung loos is that they are so simple to clean. There are no nooks and crannies where dirt can linger, and a mop or vacuum will easily sweep the floor below. Q How are they attached? The most common solution is to install a special steel frame, which also houses the cistern and flush, against an existing wall. A new wall, or half-wall, is built in front to hide everything. The loo is then connected onto the steel frame through the false wall. Do install a flush plate for access to the cistern for easy maintenance. Q Are they really safe? Many people are put off by a wall-hung loo because they fear it will fall off the wall. ‘If it is correctly…

1 THE HEIGHT IS VITAL Make sure enough of the loft has sufficient headroom to be converted – look for a useful area that is at least 2.2 metres high. 2 THE SHAPE CAN CHANGE If space is limited, then consider extending this area by building dormers or creating a raised flat mansard section. Any substantial alterations to a roof structure require expert advice. 3 THERE ARE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO FOLLOW Building regulations approval is required to convert a loft or attic, but a loft conversion is usually considered to be permitted development – so it doesn’t need planning permission. 4 ACCESS NEEDS THOUGHT You need an area on the floor below for the loft access staircase, ideally a continuation of existing stairs. Allow headroom of at least two…

1 SMART OPTION Not only does this 9kg heat pump condensing dryer boast massive capacity and an A++ energy rating, it also has 13 cycles to tackle everything from wool to towels and lingerie. Being part of the Siemens Home Connect family means you can control the dryer remotely using a smartphone. WT4HY790GB heat pump smart tumble dryer (H84.2xW59.8xD63.4cm), £1,059, Siemens 2 BRILLIANT VALUE A remarkable tumble dryer given the bargain price, this award-winning 8kg model features the latest super-efficient heat pump technology and sensor drying that ensures you don’t waste electricity over-drying. As a result, it has a class-leading A+++ energy rating and 16 main programmes, including a dedicated Jeans mode and quiet Night cycle. DPH8756 (H84.6xW59.5x D60.9cm), £499, Beko 3 WOOLLY WONDER This heat pump condensing dryer has…

WHERE TO BUY 1. COFFEE JUG Glass coffee jug, £24.99, HomeSense 2. NAPKINS Linen stripe napkin in red, £15, The Conran Shop 3. RAMEKIN Porto stoneware heart ramekin in white, £12, The White Company 4. DINNERWARE Falcon dinnerware in red, from £26, Heal’s 5. CHOPPING BOARD Edha chopping board, £9.95, Nkuku 6. TUMBLERS Pulcinella short tumblers, £54 for four, Oka 7. JAM POT Stoneware jam jar and spreader, £30, Le Creuset 8. EGG HOLDER Porcelain egg holder, £13.50, Amara…

Designing a new kitchen is one of the most satisfying home projects but it can also be extremely confusing. There are so many things to consider that it takes a lot of time and thought to get everything right. From refining the layout to picking the perfect cabinetry, there is a multitude of decisions to be made. To help you we’ve picked our favourite trends for 2018, from loft-style industrial to classic, clean-lined Shaker – whatever your taste, space or budget, there is a kitchen design to suit you. So, whether you’re updating or extending for a brand new space, sit back and be inspired. FIND INSPIRATION ON OUR WEBSITE Visit idealhome.co.uk to discover more of the latest kitchen design looks, ideas and advice for every style of home…

“Combining understated elegance with ultimate functionality, the trend for linear minimalist kitchens with matt cabinetry is proving very popular ”DARREN TAYLOR MANAGING DIRECTOR, SEARLE & TAYLOR “For surfaces, consider the way sleek laminates, elegant composites and solid wood draw the eye and also invite people to touch, creating a lasting impression” TORI SUMMERS, HEAD OF DESIGN, BENCHMARX KITCHENS AND JOINERY “ To create the perfect contemporary kitchen, keep things simple. A streamlined, uncomplicated effect oozes sophistication ”MELISSA KLINK, HEAD OF DESIGN, HARVEY JONES If your tastes run to fuss-free kitchen design with plenty of storage to hide unsightly clutter, then a contemporary flat door or handleless design could be for you. Looking as good in period properties as they do in new-builds, minimalist door designs are…

Opt for a Belfast or butler-style sink to give a real farmhouse vibe and add bridge mixer taps with white ceramic handles – try Perrin & Rowe – for a retro feel. Choose your worktop to match your style. A granite- or quartz-look composite in white will create the atmosphere of a grand manor while rich woods have more of a country kitchen feel. Choose vintage accessories such as zinc containers, wirework baskets and enamel serveware. Make a feature of a range by positioning it in a recess and surrounding with a grand mantlepiece supported by decorative corbels. Wooden slatted potboards on islands and peninsulas look the part and are a great place to display large decorative mixing bowls and jugs. Collections of blue and white pottery were a feature…

“Pale grained woods have a traditional heritage, but can also feel ultra modern. It’s a look that never dates ”RICHARD MOORE, DESIGN DIRECTOR, MARTIN MOORE “Kitchen furniture trends in wood now include sophisticated styles that are more in touch with nature, and oak is leading the way ”DOUG HASWELL, FURNITURE MANAGER, CAPLE “ A vertical wood grain adds warmth and character to the kitchen, with a timeless appeal that simply won’t date ”STEVE TOUGH, COMMERCIAL SALES DIRECTOR, MASTERCLASS Wood kitchens have always been a favourite, but styles wax and wane. Now, rich walnuts and the unusual linear patterns of wenge and zebrano are making way for paler textural timbers. Wood suits contemporary and classic schemes, from smooth flat-fronted modern cabinetry to rough-sawn country style units, so there…

Horizontal wall units and open shelving will help to give depth to an all-wood kitchen. Placing a wine or plate rack between cupboards will also help to break up an expanse of timber. Add a few steel accessories to give timber a modern edge. Try steel bar handles for a vibrant look or choose brushed metal for a softer feel. A range cooker looks great in a wood kitchen. For a modern feel choose a sleek, steel model or opt for a bright, colourful range to add an extra sense of fun. Cabinetry with curves will help to show off a wood’s natural grain. Or add a circular end-grain chopping board to an island to give it character. Add a bold accent such as a colourful splashback or feature wall.…