Innholdsfortegnelse for Jan-2019 i Ideal Home

Yonks ago, when I was in my twenties and working at the very chic Red magazine, the team was asked to give quotes for a feature about how they spent Christmas Day. I was embarrassed to take part, because everyone else’s involved smoked-salmon and Champagne brunches, bracing country walks and polite, post-lunch present opening in front of the Queen’s speech, all done while wearing fancy cashmere sweaters. In contrast, Richmond Family Christmases were an unfettered binge of slobbery and self-indulgence, with prezzies ripped open before dawn, selection-box breakfasts in tea-stained reindeer PJs and semi-comatose movie sessions in the afternoon, because by then everyone was feeling too tired, farty and argumentative to leave the house. Even Pa Richmond, usually a moderating influence, was happy to abandon all the normal rules just…

SILVER FOX Fox ornament, £25, Jonathan Adler range, Trouva POSH POT Eau de Nil satin Camellia teapot decoration, £20, Fortnum & Mason UNDER THE SEA Beaded pink lobster decoration, £4.50, Yonder BLING BAUBLE Georg Jensen brass holiday ornament, £31.77 for two, Amazon GIN O’CLOCK Gin-gle bells decoration, £5, Debenhams PRINCE OF POP Prince bauble, £16, National Theatre Bookshop CLASSIC COLLECTIBLE Large snowflake decoration, £25, Wedgwood CUTE FOR KIDS Lord Olly & Lady Lolly mice decorations, £8.50, White Stuff…

It was the stunning vaulted ceiling that clinched it for Rachel Coppens when she first visited this ramshackle barn just outside Lille. While the dilapidated structure needed a huge amount of work, for Rachel and her now ex-husband, the exposed beams, stunning vaulted ceiling, vast open-plan space and countryside location far outweighed any negatives. ‘We were living in the centre of Lille, but wanted to move out into the countryside,’ says Rachel. ‘The large, open interior and outdoor space was everything we needed.’ They undertook much of the renovation work themselves, conserving and restoring the barn’s original framework and adding a timber extension. The original 95sq m outbuilding houses the living and dining space and connecting kitchen, while the main bedroom, en suite, two additional bedrooms and bathroom are in…

Add some country cosy Get an informal, rustic look by layering a printed linen tablecloth over a plain one and use log slices as chargers. – perfect with white tableware and amber decorations. WHERE TO BUY  Autumn Leaves tablecloth, £35; acacia wood and bark place mat, £18 each, all John Lewis & Partners Get a modern rustic vibe Dress up your everyday crockery with classic taupe linen napkins, simply tied with a piece of satin ribbon. WHERE TO BUY  Metal star candle holder, £39.99; glass tea light holders, £1.99 each; wooden star, £2.99; star tea light holder, £1.99, all Dobbies Go big on greenery For a laid-back but striking finish, mix relaxed displays of faux greenery with foraged foliage in glass jars and vases. A plain colour scheme of wood,…

Grey French-style furniture and sleek silver accessories are a sophisticated start, then add greenery for a festive flourish IDEAL FAUX FOLIAGE Frosted pine and berry wreath, £65, Cox & Cox NICE KNIT Sira grey cushion, £65, Sweetpea & Willow SITTING PRETTY Antoinette smoke grey dining chair, £119.99, My Furniture PUT YOUR FEET UP Feather standard fabric footstool in white linen, £822, Darlings of Chelsea MID-CENTURY MARVEL Nickel table lamp with grey faux-silk shade, £199.99, Allissias Attic TRAY CHIC Cosford round mirrored tray, £101, Artisanti COMPLETE COMFORT Faux sheepskin rug, £60, Oliver Bonas GREAT DEAL MARBLE TOP Lindi dual-source table lamp, £59.99, Very SILVER SERVICE Decorative silver tray, £29.99, Zara Home SUPER SOFT Faux sheepskin rug, £30, Next Home SEASONAL BLOOMS Frosted pine and berry wreath, £12.99, HomeSense CUDDLE UP Grey…

DOUBLE DUTY There’s room for two on this fun, fringed woven hanging seat. Reelak double swing seat in poly cotton, H150xW130xD82cm, £179, La Redoute COOL CURVES Wicker-look resin and polyester cushions make this outdoor-friendly too. Ibis hanging chair, H112xW104xD66cm, £294.50, Maisons du Monde GO GREY Relax in this synthetic wicker chair with a soft, weathered grey finish. Dante pod hanging chair with iron stand, H196.5xW94.5xD94.5cm, £399, John Lewis & Partners HANG OUT This sturdy black metal indoor/outdoor chair comes complete with a hanging stand. Cannock hanging chair in polyester and metal, H198xW96xD96cm, £230, B&Q SUPER BOWL Channel Sixties style with this woven rattan bowl-shaped chair. Hanging indoor bowl chair in rattan, H108x W108xD83cm, £625, Out There Interiors “If you fancy something that’s fun, frivolous, and has a hint of Seventies…

UPTOWN CHIC LIVING ROOM WALLS painted in Cornforth White estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Mad Men Collection rug in Cracks Dark Pine, from £349, Floor Story. Eden large sofa in Ocean, from £1,629, Sofa Workshop. Dax buttoned armchair, £790; Ashbee mirrored coffee table, £380; Ziggy side table, £185, all Graham and Green. Curtains in Extravagance Sapphire, £42m, Harlequin. Blinds in Asuri Pigeon, £52m, Romo; trimmed with Ida Braid, £49m, Osborne & Little. ON SOFA Cushions, from left: Riva emerald green bumble bee cushion, £16; Wouf Amazon velvet cushion, £79, both Trouva; made in Omega Pacific (front); and Omega Azure (back); made in Omega Azure (front); and Omega Grass (back), all £46.70m, Linwood. ON COFFEE TABLE Collector’s House hexagon tray, £20; Peacock gin glasses, £9 each, both John…

1 Dress the table for a party Make meal times more magical by adding a sparkly runner, battery-powered fairy lights and a few paper party hats and poppers to the table top. 2 Fill vases with lush greenery For a chic but subtle way to festively decorate a sideboard or mantelpiece, display sprigs of eucalyptus in glass vases of varying heights. Add silver or glitter sprayed thistle if you still want to add a bit of sparkle to the arrangements. 3 SPRUCE UP PLAIN TABLEWARE To give a plain white set of crockery a more celebratory feel at your next dinner party, invest in some special place mats to glam up the table top in an instant. Go for matching coasters to really ramp up the bling. 4 DIM THE…

WHERE TO BUY 1. FRIDGE FREEZER FAB32L fridge freezer, £1,699, Smeg 2. LIGHT J by Jasper Conran white marble pendant light, £50, Debenhams 3. CHAIR Hester stackable dining chair, £95, Habitat 4. FLOOR TILES London Soho Decor tiles, £54sq m, The Baked Tile Company 5. JUG Embossed tin jug in cream, £6, Wilko 6. CABINET Westcote Blue extra-large sideboard, £499, The Cotswold Company 7. SHELF Ekby Hensvik/Ekby Osten wall shelf, £13, Ikea 8. KETTLE Traditional kettle in Marseille Blue, £90, Le Creuset…

Sometimes you’ve just got to fake it to make it when budgets are tight. However, in the case of natural marble worktops, many find opting for faux marble over the real deal is actually the better option, regardless of cost. This is because marble is a relatively soft stone that can stain and scratch without due care. So if natural ageing doesn’t charm you, faking it could be better a choice for you. Q What is the cheapest option? Laminates are without a doubt the most affordable choice. Plus, improvements in photographic and printing techniques mean there are now some very realistic designs on the market. To suspend belief a little further, look for laminates with a textural finish, that mimics the tactile softness of real marble. But laminates can…

Sarah Jarman-Alexander lives here with her husband Paul. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, three-storey townhouse in Leeds, built in 1886. WHAT IT COST Tiles.......................£1,500 Bath..........................£749 Basin.........................£271 Taps.........................£303 Shower....................£648 Shutters..................£400 Wall lights.................£110 Mirror.......................£300 Radiator....................£170 Loo............................£140 TOTAL..................£4,591 “I really enjoy looking out over the garden while I’m soaking in the tub! ”…

Archie and Tricia Macdonald live here with their dog Hector. THE PROPERTY  Was a one-bed converted farm outbuilding; now a three-bed, 156sq m home, in Musselburgh, East Lothian. THE VALUE  The refurbished property is now worth £600,000. WHAT IT COST Preliminaries..........£24,000 Building work.........£72,000 Roof and exterior ...£34,000 Joinery..................£120,000 Finishes..................£20,000 Plumbing................£28,000 Electrics....................£9,000 Painting....................£6,000 Kitchen....................£10,000 Architect’s fees......£25,000 TOTAL..............£348,000 “We have space for family to stay with minimal disruption now! ”…

THE PROPERTY A four-bed Victorian terraced house in southeast London. THE VALUE Bought for £490,000 in 2012; now worth over £1.3million. WHAT IT COST Extension........£70,000 Kitchen............£25,000 Stone floor.........£4,000 TOTAL.............£99,000 “ I love entertaining in our new kitchen because it’s exactly how we’d imagined it – light, spacious and welcoming ”…

THE EASY-PEASY DECORATION SWAP There’s not a great deal of time between hosting Christmas and a New Year’s bash, so it’s worth investing in some jolly decorations to help you switch up the mood. These showstopping paper decs from Talking Tables are easy to put together and hang, so you can get your home party-pronto in a jiffy. Giant honeycomb baubles, from £14.99 each; giant paper metallic fans, £15 for three; assorted honeycomb decorations, from £7 each, all Decadent Decs range, Talking Tables THE DINNER DOODLER Keep small kids happy (and even a few adults!) at the table with these colouring-in city scene place mats in six designs, with 24 in a pack for multiple mealtimes. Pencils not included. City Colouring place mat set, £18 for 24, The Conran Shop…

1 FLEXIBLE FREEZING Haier’s A++ rated Cube has a whopping 610L of space. The bottom right compartment can switch from a fridge to a freezer or rapid chiller, while the main fridge has a high-humidity zone for fruit and veg, and low-humidity drawers for meat and dairy. Cube HTF-610DM7 (H190xW90.8xD73.8cm), £1,200, Haier 2 AMPLE SPACE This 758L five-door A++ side-by-side design has a 48L compartment that can be set between -18-3°C, and a concealed 4L water dispenser that appears from inside the door when you place a cup in front of the sensor. There’s also a rapid-chill and fast-freeze zone, plus a nine-way shelf layout. Karakuri SJ-WX830F (H185xW90xD79cm), £3,690, Sharp Home Appliances 3 CLEVER STORAGE An A+ 499L design with three drawers – one of which can be used as…

THE HIGHLAND FLING This limited edition single grain Scotch whisky is as giftable as it is drinkable. The Tweeddale Grain of Truth, £50 for 70cl, Isle of Raasay Distillery THE DRINK WITH HERITAGE Distilled in Bermondsey, south London, this gin is made to an 1840s recipe. The Liberty bottle looks gorgeous, too. Old Tom Gin, £30 for 500ml, Liberty THE HIPSTER TIPPLE Made from corn, this sweet, nutty bourbon hails from New York. Hudson Baby Bourbon, £49.95 for 70cl, Master of Malt THE POSH TEQUILA Skip the shots – this vanilla-hinted tequila should be chilled and sipped. Enemigo 89 Añejo Cristalino tequila, £59.95 for 70cl, 31dover.com THE WINTER WARMER Whip up a warming hot toddy with this orange-infused vodka. Aged marmalade vodka, £38.50 for 70cl, Chase THE HARD…

This digital gallery curated by artist SYRETT showcases 14 celebrated artists, who exhibit internationally, including Astrid Vos, Bruce Atherton, Louise Dear, Dara Vandor and SYRETT. Prints start from £200 for limited edition prints. Artist SYRETT also runs the Soho Salon Supper Club – where you can talk to artists and view their work. Tickets cost £45 and include a cocktail, life drawing class and three-course dinner at Soho’s Scarlett Green restaurant.…

THE GIN ALTERNATIVE Along with rooibos, juniper and camomile, this drink features buchu, which is thought to be a miracle herb! Ceder’s Crisp non-alcoholic spirit, £19.95 for 50cl, Amazon THE NO-BOOZE FIZZ Raising a toast just doesn’t feel right with a glass of cola – that’s where the superbly named Nosecco comes in. Nosecco alcohol-free spumante, £2.98 for 75cl, Asda THE CRISP TIPPLE This award-winning cider contains no more than 1 per cent alcohol, and pairs perfectly with a turkey sandwich. Low alcohol cider, £1.19 for 500ml, Waitrose & Partners THE CHRISTMAS MORNING DRINK Feel left out when the Bucks Fizz comes out on Christmas morn? This is for you. Non-alcoholic Bucks Fizz, £2.50 for 750ml, Marks & Spencer THE REFRESHING COCKTAIL Designated drivers rejoice! The only thing this citrus-,…

TAKES 45min SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 1tbsp olive oil • 300g cooking chorizo, sliced • 2 red onions, sliced • 2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into chunky pieces • 500g cooked turkey, torn • 1½tsp smoked paprika • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes • 100ml dry sherry • 2 x 400g cans butter beans, drained and rinsed • 1tsp brown sugar • Small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, torn 1 Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based pan. Brown the chorizo in batches over a high heat, then remove from the pan and set aside. Add the onion and peppers and fry for another 5min. 2 Return the chorizo to the pan. Add the turkey, paprika, tomatoes and sherry. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer, with the…

A  A449 Architects 07809 243388 a449.co.uk Abode Living 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk Allissias Attic allissiasattic.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Andshine 01736 366568 andshine.co.uk Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisans of Devizes 01380 735888 artisansofdevizes.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Asda 0800 952 0101 asda.com Aspen & Brown 0845 371 1171 aspenandbrown.com Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk Atrafloor 0151 305 7376 atrafloor.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Balsam Hill 01234 227155 balsamhill.co.uk Barisieur barisieur.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Beck & Black beckandblack.com Benuta 020 3608 0595 benuta.co.uk Bespoke taps 0333 202 4362 bespoketaps.com Bodahl bodahlmoebler.dk Bohemia Design 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk Borrago borrago.com Bosch 0344 892 8979 boschhome.co.uk Boutique Camping 07967 134870 boutiquecamping.com British Standard 020 7870 7688 britishstandardcupboards.co.uk Britton Bathrooms 01322 473222 brittonbathrooms.com Bushboard 01933 232272 bushboard.co.uk Buster+Punch 020 3176 5871 busterandpunch.com C  Christmastreeworld.co.uk 01257 754795…

Green fingers not required… Using a trough planter, position large pillar candles, equally spaced, across the bottom of the pot and fill around them with either sand, gravel or soil to keep the candles in place. Top with moss or additional greenery, such as ivy or even succulents for a more decorative display. BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar planter, try Zinc edge silver trough planter, L40cm, £9.99, Primrose; Fenomen pillar candles, 99p each, Ikea; green reindeer moss, £2, Hobbycraft…

WE KEEP SEEING... ALL THINGS COSMIC Find a new frontier with these celestial finds ROCKET MAN Jet Mars Explorer bauble, £12, John Lewis & Partners STARRY NIGHT Trinket dish, £22 for two, Debenhams MOON SHINE Foil Moons cushion, £30, Oliver Bonas OUT OF THIS WORLD Astronaut snow globe, £8, George Home There’s a new designer at Debenhams Cutting-edge lighting designer Sarah Colson has joined the gang, and we’re loving her Gem collection, inspired by quartz crystals and designed to add a little sparkle as table lights and pendants, or hung as clusters for even more impact. Is brown coming back? Just when you’ve got to grips with grey walls, Dulux announces its colour of the year and it’s… brown. Yup, Spiced Honey is an orangey-caramel tone that sounds delicious and…

“Full-on power glam not your thing? A gorgeous metallic lamp is all you need to give a room more polish ” VANESSA RICHMOND, EDITOR SET THE SCENE FOR ENTERTAINING Go for metallic-finish accessories, cutlery and glassware to upgrade your everyday white crockery. Sparkle glass place mat and coaster, £39.99 for a six-piece set; rose gold and black cutlery, £34.99 for a 16-piece set, all Ideal Home range, Very IDEAL HOME loves Velvet sofas So soft, so decadent, a little luxury you’ll love every day…

IDEAL STATEMENT LIGHT Muuto Unfold white pendant light, £155, Rume NATURAL MATERIALS Bamboo mirror, £100, Abode Living POSITIVE INFLUENCE Happy poster, £9.95, Desenio HIGH CLIMBER Tall rustic ladder-style shelving unit, £195.95, Melody Maison SHAGGY TEXTURE Isha cushion, £40, Cox & Cox REALISTIC LOOK Lene Bjerre Flora cactus, £215, Sweetpea & Willow MACRAMÉ DETAIL Indira mango wood stool, £99.74, Maisons du Monde GREAT DEAL ARTISAN PICK & klevering bamboo mirror, £43.50, Printer + Tailor BE INSPIRED Do More poster, £5.95, Juniqe RUSTIC WOOD Aldsworth narrow shelf ladder, £165, Garden Trading CHILD FRIENDLY Fejka artificial potted cactus, £90, Ikea GLOBAL INFLUENCE Fringe black and white cushion, £15, JD Williams WOVEN STYLE Wooden pink-and-cream stool, £29, Boutique Camping INDUSTRIAL TOUCH Stourton enamel ceiling light in white, from £69.99, Dowsing and Reynolds…

“Use glass lanterns as mini display cases and fill with decorations, foliage or lights as simple centrepieces ” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR “Raid the garden for evergreen foliage to dress the table, using metallic spray paint and fairy lights to give it a glam upgrade ” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR “If you love candlelight at the table, try LED pillar candles and tea lights. This safe option won’t drip wax on to the table and you can keep them twinkling away all night ” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR…

Elegant living Simple, square-lined sofas in richly coloured velvet stand out beautifully against pale grey walls for an opulent, salon-style living room Dramatic dining space Dark grey walls provide the perfect backdrop for simple, striking furniture, glam gold accents and lots of festive sparkle – perfect for grown-up entertaining MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU COLOUR PALETTE Modern Deluxe…

Check the maximum weight capacity before you buy, as it can vary between 120–200kg. If the hanging chair doesn’t come with its own stand, think about the best place to hang it. You’ll want somewhere it can hang without causing an obstruction and where it won’t bang into any walls. It should hang about 90-110cm above the floor. Hang your chair pivot-style, which will let you rotate it 360 degrees, or hang from two ropes to rock back and forth. If hanging hardware isn’t included, you’ll need a specialist screw-in hook for the ceiling, plus a heavy-duty chain or rope to hang the chair from and connecting carabiners or S hooks, – all must be able to support at least 140kg. If you’re not a DIY pro, chair hanging is…

Sue Stacey had been planning her dream home for years. But living in Singapore, due to her husband Matt’s job, meant she’d had to put her plans on hold. ‘Although we’d been living abroad for five years, I’d amassed a collection of tear sheets, pins and screen grabs,’ she says. By the time the family moved back to the UK, Sue was itching to put her ideas into action. But even after finding this double-fronted Victorian property in south London, she had to bide her time while interior designer Nicola Hicks worked with builders to complete a major overhaul of the house. Nicola understood what Sue had in her mind’s eye. ‘I had a clear vision,’ says Sue. ‘But it wouldn’t have come together in this way without Nicola.’ Typical…

HEAVY USE CRL Stone’s Ceralsio ceramic worktops promise even better heat, scratch and stain resistance than quartz. It comes in several veined marble designs, all with a guarantee. AUTHENTICITY Formica’s Axiom True Scale laminate worktops avoid obvious pattern repeat, common on standard worktops. NEAT JOINS Corian’s solid tops can be seamlessly jointed on site, as well as sculpted around corners and even into sinks. We love the swirly new Grey Onyx design for a fresh take on classic marble.…

WHERE TO BUY 1. MIRROR Slim round black-framed mirror, £275, Cox & Cox 2. LIGHT Chiswick wall light, £40, Garden Trading 3. FLOORING Starburst tile vinyl, £59sq m, Atrafloor 4. PRINT Beetle print, £2.95 unframed, Desenio 5. BASIN Miami countertop basin, £69.95, Victorian Plumbing 6. PLANT Faux potted fern, £62, Audenza 7. BATH Saturn bath, £960, Britton Bathrooms 8. TOWEL Grey bath towel, £8, M&Co 9. SIDEBOARD Solid oak vintage sideboard, £799.50, Maisons du Monde…

1 MEET BUILDING REGULATIONS Any new extension should comply with current building regulations and shouldn’t negatively affect the energy performance of a house. 2 CONSULT AN EXPERT Extra radiators can be added to your existing heating system only if the boiler has the capacity, so consult with a certified plumber before making changes. 3 UPGRADE IF NEEDED Installing an energy efficient boiler can be a relatively expensive option, although the cost of replacement is often offset by savings in running costs. 4 GO ELECTRIC An electrical heating system is fairly simple to expand, and plug-in electric panel radiators or convector heaters may be suitable for a smaller extension. 5 CONSIDER LAYING UNDERFLOOR HEATING Look out for underfloor heating that can integrate with an existing heating system without affecting wall space…

Baby roasted potatoes with herb salt Takes 1hr Serves 12 INGREDIENTS • 500g small new potatoes • 2tbsp olive oil • 2tbsp crushed pink peppercorns • 2tbsp each of chopped fresh thyme, parsley and chives • 40g sea salt flakes 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°Cfan/Gas 6. Scatter the potatoes in a roasting tin, drizzle with olive oil and shake the pan so they are fully coated. Roast for 1hr or until golden, turning once or twice during cooking. 2 For the herb salt, mix together the peppercorns, herbs and sea salt flakes in a bowl. Tip potatoes into a serving dish and serve with cocktail sticks for dipping into the herb salt. Hedgerow velvet Takes 20min Serves 6 INGREDIENTS…

With a background as an illustrator in trend forecasting, Astrid Vos began posting her fashion drawings and portraits on Instagram in 2016 and captivated top designers and industry creatives. Now in demand as the world’s go-to artist for capturing backstage looks at global fashion events, her lively model sketches sit alongside her private portrait portfolio. We caught up with Astrid to discover what inspires her. Q What’s your art background? I studied drawing at the Fashion Academy in Arnhem, then for 13 years I worked in Paris for a top global trend-forecasting agency. After this I settled in Amsterdam where I drew for various advertising companies before launching my work on Instagram. by Louise Dear Q How do you describe your style? A bit edgy and dangerous. I like to…

TAKES 1hr 35min plus cooling SERVES 10-12 250g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing • 250g soft light brown sugar • 100g blackstrap molasses • 300ml full-fat milk • 350g plain flour• ¼tsp ground cloves • ¼tsp ground nutmeg • 1tsp allspice • 2tsp bicarbonate of soda • 2 eggs FOR THE ICING • 180g unsalted butter • 375g icing sugar • 180g cream cheese • Fresh fruit, to decorate 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°Cfan/Gas 4. Grease two 19cm cake tins and line with parchment paper. 2 Melt the butter, brown sugar and molasses in a saucepan over a low heat. Remove from the heat, add the milk, then set aside until lukewarm. 3 Sift the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Crack in the eggs and stir to combine.…

CHRISTMASSY BED LINEN FROM DEBENHAMS “The buildup to the big day starts here! This folksy tree-print set is stylish, not garish, and will give your bedroom festive feels and a cosy vibe you’ll love all the way to Twelfth Night” SPOTTED BY… STYLE EDITOR MICHELA COLLING…

Anne-Laure has the final say on every Maisons du Monde product, as well as the look of the company’s stores and concessions. She lives in a three-bed apartment in Paris with her husband and two children. Our home is decorated in just two colours – a bright, milky white and a charcoal shade. I think the combination of the two creates a soft, cosy feel. I’ve added linen textiles to bring even more comfort to each room. Layering up textures is a great way to add depth. It’s easy to give a sofa or armchair a makeover just by adding throws. Layering weighty fabrics will create a sumptuous look, while linens and cotton will give it a relaxed feel. My whole career has revolved around textiles. Before Maisons du Monde,…

UPTOWN-CHIC LIVING ROOM Going for glamour? The crucial element is plush texture, so pick a velvet-covered chair, a brocade curtain, a silk cushion – or all three! Furniture should be metal and glass, but if wood works for you, go for dark walnut… or just paint old pieces dark grey to make them fit SCANDI-SNUG COUNTRY DINING You’ll never regret investing in classic oak furniture as it can form the foundation for all kinds of modern-country looks. Sheepskins, woven rugs and simple, artisan tableware all bring comfort and gentle colour to a room, creating a relaxed, Nordic scheme that suits a family space…

NEAT NESTING Seymour side table, £229 for two, Swoon TROPICAL TOUCH Tropical parrot on a perch, £42, Rockett St George PLUSH FINISH Margot two-seater sofa in Peacock, £499, Made.com SIZED UP Black and gold ceiling diffuser, £289, Graham and Green DARE TO DISPLAY Calvo bookcase, £895, Habitat BOHO GLAM Moroccan filled faux leather pouffe, £126, Bohemia Design SOFT GEOMETRIC Sami rug in Carbon, 170x240cm, £725, Villa Nova MY GO-TO STORES… • ROCKETT ST GEORGE For a curated collection you can't find on the high street • THE CONRAN SHOP A great mix of lighting brands like Davey Lighting and Anglepoise • ABIGAIL AHERN A favourite as I love her maximalistboho style STYLIST’S NOTE “For an immersive colour effect, paint skirting boards the same colour as walls, it also makes a…

Alex Evans lives here with her husband Tom and their children Seraphina, 13, Pipsy, nine, and Atticus, four. THE PROPERTY A 1914 terrace in southwest London. WHAT IT COST Units.....................£6,900 Handles...................£220 Worktops................£604 Sink and tap...........£506 Appliances...........£2,257 Flooring...................£552 Lighting....................£157 Total....................£11,196 “Tom found the colour for the units – Deep Space Blue by Little Greene – and it looks fantastic! ”…

Anna Lawrenson lives here with her children Naomi, 10, Mali, nine, Rafi, seven, and four-year-old Remi. THE PROPERTY A first-floor, five-bedroom flat in an Edwardian semi in New Malden, Surrey. Her parents live in the flat below. WHAT IT COST Units......................£4,227 Worktop................£4,256 Taps..........................£350 Belfast sink..............£228 Hob...........................£400 Oven and combi microwave oven...£1,000 American fridge freezer...................£1,800 TOTAL.................£12,261 “We can all spend quality family time together in a comfortable space now, cooking, eating or just hanging out ”…

The location is what Vivi and Sam Conniff Allende fell in love with when they bought their two-bed Victorian home, but it needed some renovations so it could work for their family. TIME FOR CHANGE ‘The whole house was in an awful condition and the small kitchen overlooked the side return,’ says Vivi. ‘There were storerooms to the rear of the property, so we thought that by knocking these down, we could extend the kitchen out to give space for a dining area with sliding glass doors leading to the garden.’ EXPERT HELP ‘We found Plus Rooms (plusrooms.co.uk) who could tackle the whole design and build for a fixed price,’ says Vivi. ‘We worked with them to design the pitched roof kitchen extension, which has three rooflights and a large…

GRAND TOUR OF CHINA 16 DAYS INCLUDING YANGTZE CRUISE FROM £2,599pp DEPARTURES FROM MARCH TO OCTOBER 2019 PRICES INCLUDE • Visit the astonishing Great Wall of China • Discover the world-famous Terracotta Army • Tour of the Panda Breeding & Research Centre with a local guide • Marvel at the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace in Beijing • See the man-made wonder of the Longshen Rice Terraces • Enjoy a full-board, five-star Yangtze River Cruise • City tour of Shanghai • Guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City • Travel from Shanghai to Beijing on a 186mph high speed train • Cruise the world-famous Li River and visit the riverside town of Yangshuo • Return flights from the UK, plus all hotel transfers • Hand-picked accommodation…

ON FIRE Flaming prosecco stirrers, £12, Lakeland STATEMENT STYLE Space water/wine glass, £50 for two, LSA International WASTE NO MORE Metal straws, £7 for four, Sainsbury’s Home SHAKE IT UP Pineapple cocktail shaker, £32, Paperchase METALLIC FINISH Lowell table light, £60; hexagonal wide cabinet, £760; barware, from £12, all Debenhams LONG POUR Bottle pourer, £2, Sainsbury’s Home PARTY MUST-HAVE Pineapple bottle opener, £8.50, Talking Tables LINE ’EM UP Gold-effect shot glasses, £10 for four, Next Home WHEELIE GOOD Odyssey bar trolley, £299, Atkin & Thyme GET A HANDLE Gold fish jug, £12.50, HomeSense PINK ‘N’ PRETTY Prosecco cocktail napkins, £2.99 for 16, Lakeland TRES CHIC Round mirrored gold tray, £19.99, HomeSense TROLLEY DASH Kitchenware, from £9.99; rug, £59.99; decorations, from £9.99; Christmas tree, from £119.99; alcoholic beverages, from £24.99, Very…