Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2016 i Ideal Home

Storage of all kinds is currently an obsession, so this issue’s storage-ideas supplement couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. MAKING SPACE FOR MA AND PA The parents Richmond have moved in (we’re having a stab at multigenerational living and could probably make a fortune if we put up cameras and turned it into some kind of Big Brother-style social experiment). Fitting the contents of two three-bed houses into one three-bed house (eventually to be four, loft conversion pending…) is going to be my life’s great achievement, especially when we have very different attitudes to clutter (they’re ok with it; I hate it. Or, at least, I like an outward appearance of calm, even if there’s a stuff-alanche every time I open a cupboard door). ATTACKING THE HOARD We’re…

‘The lid lifts up and slots into the base to serve as a headboard, giving it the appearance of a proper bed’AISSA GONZALEZ, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND BUYING MANAGER, SOFA.COM When space is at a premium, guest rooms are a luxury. Sadly, that doesn’t help when you need a spare bed. Endless sleepover requests from the kids? Grown-up children coming home for an overnight stay? Friends or family visiting for the weekend? The need is there. Airbeds might have buoyed your favourite childhood sleepovers, but they’re a little too makeshift for when the in-laws arrive for a weekend stay. Sofabeds are great, but not everyone has the space for an additional sofa. Something compact but sturdy would be ideal. Well, it seems the design team at Sofa.com has been on the…

HIDE AND SEEK The middle compartment flips up to reveal a hidden mirror, so it moonlights as a dressing table, too Stroller desk, £379, Made.com MODERN MUSE This desk’s sleek and slender shape makes it the perfect smart console table for a hallway Florence desk, £450, Oliver Bonas INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Made of American oak, the extra ledge at the back is the perfect place for a display of artwork or row of succulents Brunel desk, £495, Heal’s MAKING SHAPES Vinyls, books, CDs, tiles – store them all with this modern desk’s tower of handy built-in shelving S desk, £185, Corsica range, Next STANDING TALL Small enough for a hallway or cloakroom, this narrow desk boasts a deceptive amount of storage Knotten standing desk, £115, Ikea CHILD’S PLAY With three height…

TEAL & TRIBAL PRINTS Cherokee fabric in Carmine (background), £83 per m; Highlander Palm fabric, £17 per m; both Clarke & Clarke. Sisal Herringbone Hockley carpet, £43.10 per sq m, Alternative Flooring. Picture frame, £19.99, Zara Home. Lima cushion cover, £52, Yonder Living. Alpana trinket box, £7.95, Myakka. Elephant candle, £12, John Lewis. Vardo Estate Emulsion, £39.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball DESIGN YOUR MOODBOARD Cheat your way to a professional finish 1 CHOOSE YOUR BASE COLOUR Whether it’s flooring or a wall, the base colour will be the largest area of colour in your room, so place a generous sample of it onto your board. Including carpet samples will help you think about texture, too. 2 ADD AN ACCENT TONE Want to try a dramatic contrast or an accent…

Bold basics Contrast a standout pattern with a soft, delicate palette 1 Pale honeycomb Cheat an intricate tile effect with this global-inspired print Brasillia Natural, £15 per roll, Wilko 2 On the horizon Soft silhouettes of trees create an ethereal setting Mirage Grey, £17 per roll, Graham & Brown 3 Delicate damask A neutral background is overlaid with shimmering pearl for a lustrous effect Pearl Scroll, £22 per roll, Next 4 Book club Ideal as a backdrop or feature wall in a study Library Shelf HT17161, from £27.95 per roll, Hit The Road collection, Galerie 5 Natural look An elegant archive print featuring dainty birds and flowers Summer Palace Taupe/Ivory/Floral, £40 per roll, Laura Ashley 6 Structured stripes A mix of decorative and plain panels in simple shades has a…

Ruth and Andy Preston didn’t have to look far when they began their search for a spacious new family home; they discovered a detached Victorian house with lots of character and plenty of outside space just a few streets away from where they were living. ‘We wanted a combination of modern colours and an imaginative mix of old and new furniture’ ‘It was a wrench to leave our old home, as our children were born there and it was full of special memories, but it was clear that we were going to need more space,’ explains Ruth. ‘When we viewed this house, it was full of great features, with original tiles in the hallway, large well-proportioned rooms and old school-style radiators. It was decorated beautifully, but it was quite neutral…

Florence Bories and Romain Benita loved their first-floor apartment in Paris, France, when they bought it in July 2004. It had wonderful views of the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral, and although it was rather small (only 50sq m in total), the flat had everything the couple needed. ‘It was perfect already, so all we did was paint it,’ says Florence. ‘However, four years later, I was expecting our son, Lucas, and we knew we would need more space.’ The couple used a palette of white, taupe and grey, then added warmth with vintage furniture, polished wooden floors and textiles to include pops of colour and pattern The flat contained a spacious living room with a dining area and balcony; a kitchen; a shower room and separate…

Dan and Liz chose Juliet balconies for their bedrooms. They don’t provide a walk-out space but they also don’t cut out light in the room below. Made from wrought iron, they add to the timeless character of the property. A balcony doesn’t need to be south facing, but it should bring in light rather than blocking it in the rooms below. Size is usually only restricted by the strength of the supports on which it is built. Balconies, verandas and raised platforms above 300mm do not fall under permitted-development rights, and most new balconies require planning permission, so check with your local planning department first. Juliet balconies are often used as safety guards to first-floor French windows. Cantilevered steel-framed balconies protrude from the face of a building without any visible…

The original kitchen in Caroline and Chris Mills’s Sixties home near Thatcham, Berkshire, was small, dark and at the front of the house, while a conservatory at the back basked in natural light. The couple decided to move rooms around, replacing the conservatory with a kitchen-diner. ‘We really wanted to have daylight from morning until dusk,’ says Caroline. Inspired by the simple style of contemporary hotels they’d enjoyed on holidays, the couple chose soft-grey kitchen units and paired them with a timber breakfast bar and black granite worktops, as well as some distinctive distressed brickwork. ‘We wanted to have a feature wall and I think that the raw, reclaimed bricks lend a little hint of the industrial,’ explains Caroline. ‘The room is now what I call “Continental meets Scandi-chic”. It’s…

When Tanya Dunbar moved into her three-bedroom semi in south London two decades ago, she planned to live with its tired old kitchen for just a couple of years. The right time to tackle the job never seemed to arrive, though, and Tanya ended up waiting 18 years for her opportunity to refresh the space. ‘I was desperate for a change, and thought I’d install underfloor heating to get the ball rolling, but when the builder came to survey the job, he suggested knocking the kitchen down and starting again,’ she says. Following her builder’s advice, Tanya set to work planning a bright and open space. ‘I wanted to make more of the garden, so I opted for floor-to-ceiling glazed doors and added roof lights to flood the room with…

Buying an old rental apartment in Brighton, East Sussex, gave Jessica Stephens and Jonny Ayres the chance to work with a blank canvas when it came to the bathroom. ‘It was a small, windowless room that had been created by stealing space from the living room,’ says Jessica. ‘It had basic sanitaryware, magnolia walls and cheap linoleum flooring, so it really lacked personality and imagination. I wanted the new bathroom to look bigger, without doing major structural work.’ Topping the couple’s wish list were a shower and a bath. ‘Jonny was adamant that he wanted a low-profile walk-in shower, plus we wanted a roll-top bath,’ says Jessica. ‘The main challenge was how to work these two large items into a small space, so I went for a compact bath and…

Buying a Seventies house with rooms that hadn’t been updated for more than 30 years meant that Rachel and Shaun Stacey had plenty of scope for making improvements. ‘For a family of five, the main bathroom was not at all child friendly,’ says Rachel. ‘The décor was old-fashioned and the bath had a leaky showerhead. The window was a good size, but any natural daylight was absorbed by the gloomy cream and black tiles.’ Rachel’s main priority was to incorporate a practical walk-in shower, but she couldn’t see how to accommodate one in such a small space. The bathroom also needed to be easy to clean and maintain and have plenty of storage. ‘The old room was full of dusty nooks and crannies, but its saving grace was the large…

To-do list for SEPTEMBER EAT a tasty ready meal from Marks & Spencer’s Spirit of Summer South American range, such as Peruvian Saltado steak and chips with soy, cumin, chilli and garlic (serves one), £5. DRINK a Dirty Cow Martini. Shake Black Cow vodka (yes, it’s actually made from milk!) and dry vermouth over ice, then pop in a couple of green olives. Black Cow vodka, £25.75 for a 50cl bottle, Black Cow. TREAT yourself to a trip to Truro for the Great Cornish Food Festival, which is held on 23-25 September. Visit greatcornishfood.co.uk/ festival for more details. Try a new taste... DUKKAH An aromatic North African spice, herb and nut mix, dukkah (which means ‘to pound’) is traditionally served with flat bread and olive oil –…

TO DO THIS MONTH... • ASSESS YOUR GARDEN and plan what needs moving, cutting back or dividing. Sedum, dahlias, heleniums, rudbeckias and ornamental grasses will all continue to flower through autumn and add winter interest, too. • BUILD A BUG HOTEL to increase biodiversity in your garden. Simply pick a flat area with a mix of sun and shade. Layer up some wooden pallets, then fill in between them with bark, bamboo canes, broken tiles, straw and leaves. For more ideas, visit wildlifetrusts.org. • ENCOURAGE OTHER WILDLIFE into your garden. Asters and Michaelmas daisies, which are in flower now, are ideal nectar and pollen sources for butterflies, moths and beetles. Finches will feast on their seeds in later months. Visit rspb.org.uk for more suggestions. • PLANT SPRING BULBS , such…

MEAN MACHINES If you’re emotionally attached to your slow cooker, just wait until you try these brilliant gadgets. They’re a bit of an investment, but these countertop cookers will take the work – and the thinking – out of making your family favourites THE PIZZA OVEN Ideal for parties – simply make your pizza then cook it in this clever rotating oven Smart stone-baked rotating pizza maker, £89.99, House of Fraser THE COMPLETE SOLUTION This absolute all-rounder chops, blends, cooks and stirs, plus there are more than 200 recipes on its accompanying app The Kenwood KCook, £330, Kenwood THE TABLETOP GRILL Let guests cook their food at the table, so they can do it just the way they like it Artesa hot stone grill, £31.94, Kitchen Craft range, Lakeland THE…

As the summer holidays come to an end, keep the fun alive for children with new furniture, accessories and toys. Great Little Trading Co. designs its products to grow with them from nursery upwards, so whatever age your children are, you’ll find something to suit. Help them enjoy imaginative play with the company’s exclusive wooden toys, which include play kitchens and cafés, and detailed doll’s houses. For older children, there are back-to-school essentials and accessories to help them keep desks in order. There are also plenty of furniture options to keep mum and dad happy, including the flexible Northcote storage range, which will help create a calm room and teaches children how to be tidy. When it comes to enjoying late-summer weather outside, they will love hanging out in a…

FACT! 20% of freshers have never washed their own clothes, 25% have never budgeted, 69% have never paid a utility bill and 14% can’t boil an eggSOURCE: SAINSBURY’S FINANCE/OPINIONPANEL What I wouldn’t give to relive my uni days with today’s tech in tow. A lightweight laptop or smart pen could have saved me hours writing up lecture notes, and I’d have happily handed over my brick phone for a smart one loaded with study-savvy apps. I’d even have been tempted to swap my sandwich toaster for a soup maker! Whether you’re sending offspring out into the big wide world or you’re a mature student learning later in life, the fact is that when it comes to gadgets, the class of 2016 is spoilt for choice! STUDY SMARTER Given that most…

RENTR Free for iOS and Android Use this to search for properties, book viewings, and sort contracts, deposits and ongoing maintenance with a landlord safely and quickly. LAUNDRY DAY £0.79 for iOS Those students tackling their laundry for the first time can take a snap of any item’s wash label and this app will translate those puzzling symbols into clear instructions on how to clean their clothes. LOOT Free for iOS Students can set up a free bank account with Loot, and get a prepaid Visa debit card linked to this app. From here, they can set budgets, record spending and earn cashback and vouchers. REFME Free for iOS and Android Scan the barcode of the book that’s being quoted or enter a website’s URL, and it will create references…

EVOKE C-F6 ALL-IN-ONE MUSIC SYSTEM, £350, PURE BLUETOOTH AND SPOTIFY CONNECT When you want music fast, you can send tracks wirelessly from your mobile or tablet over Bluetooth. There’s also Spotify Connect, which lets you stream music straight from the Spotify app. This means that your tunes will keep playing if you answer a call, watch a video or take your phone out of Wi-Fi range SPEND LESS If the C-F6 is £100 over your budget, opt for the C-D6, which is the same size but forgoes Spotify Connect and Internet radio, bringing the price down to £250. Compact cutie the C-D4 is half the size and costs £200 INTERNET RADIO Connect this stereo system to Wi-Fi and you’ll get instant access to thousands of radio stations from around the…

1 ASSESS YOUR IRONING PILE If you tackle bed linen or a large laundry heap in one go, a steam generator is a good bet, while little-and-often ironers will find a nimble steam model more convenient. The fabrics you iron will also make a difference to your choice – a design with high-pressure steam will loosen the fibres to help smooth cottons and thick textiles with deep creases, while delicate materials will benefit from an iron with fabric settings or automatically adjusting temperatures. 2 KEEP EASE OF USE IN MIND Ironing for long periods can be tiresome, so factor that into your search. Standard steam irons are mostly light, compact and easy to store, and you can get cordless models. Steam generators produce more steam for longer, and won’t need…

mail order available Find the perfect products with the help of our expert stylists at housetohome.co.uk/ product-finder A Abigail Edwards 07946 455277; abigailedwards.com  Acer 0371 760 1020; acer.co.uk Aerobie Shop 01273 254072; aerobieshop.co.uk Aflair For Home 020 8789 7377; aflair.co.uk Alexander & Pearl 020 8508 0411; alexanderandpearl.co.uk Alexe Meddings 07721 655755 Alluring Bathrooms 01606 602603; alluringbathrooms.co.uk Alternative Flooring 01264 335111; alternativeflooring.com Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Amazon.co.uk amazon.co.uk Andrew James 0191 377 8358; andrew jamesworldwide.com Andshine 07765 530607; andshine.co.uk Anthony Burrill anthonyburrill.com Ao.com 0844 324 9222; ao.com Ashley Wilde 01707 635201; ashleywildegroup.com Ashton & Bentley 01902 837436; ashtonandbentley.co.uk Aspace 0800 021 9015; aspace.co.uk Atkin and Thyme 0844 409 9834; atkinandthyme.co.uk Attic 020 8943 9626; discoverattic.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Bang & Olufsen 0118 969 2288; bang-olufsen.com Bard & Brazier 0121 270 2222; bardbrazier.co.uk Barisieur barisieur.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9046; barkerandstone house.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323; bathstore.com Baytree Interiors 0808…

Antique bottles are a quirky way to display your favourite photos from the summer or a collection of nostalgic family snaps Have a heart Hang on the door for a warm welcome Driftwood wreath, £18, Coastal Home Fuzzy feeling Add an irresistibly cosy touch Grey mongolian cushion, £8, Matalan Evening hues Subtle greys and inky blues feel calm and restful KAI514-02 cushion, £26.95, Kai Take the floor Create a laid-back vibe with a woven pouf Hogla floor seat, £120, Oggetto Go green Wonderfully wonky for an organic feel Recycled-glass bottle, £22.95, Nordic House Cute caddy Add candlelight at sundown Chicken wire square lantern tealight holder, £6, George Home The coast is clear Go for beachy wood and glass to re-create the holiday vibe Alis glass pendant, £65, Cox & Cox…

  Break up blocks of colour with geometric prints Colour theory Add some vivid artwork Elements print; aluminium frame in natural (H40cm x W30cm); both House range, John Lewis Sixties throwback This bold vase packs a punch Teal faceted vase, Elements range, Dunelm What a corker Include a few minimalist accessories Judd cork tealight holders, Broste range, The Goodhood Store Smooth lines Think simple Scandi style Finede side table, Ikea Perfect pleats The folded shade creates a beautiful pattern of light Kura floor lamp, Habitat Chunky knit Soften the look with a bit of texture Claudine grey rug (170cm x 120cm), Colours range, B&Q Mint and teal A cool colour combo Puzzle Dash cushion, House range, John Lewis YOUR RECEIPT Print and frame, John Lewis.....................................£25 Floor lamp, Habitat...........................................£50 Side table,…

The PALETTE PATTERN #1 A delicate take on damask Scrolling Plaster Effect wallpaper, £28 per roll, Albany Sussex Gardens range, Wallpaperdirect THE PAINT With chalky undertones Lady Char’s Lilac Pure Flat Emulsion, £42.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library PATTERN #2 Add focus with an elegant, wistful print Entwine fabric, £68 per m, Harlequin OUR STYLIST SAYS “Give ornately patterned wallpaper and Provençal furniture a lived-in feel with layers of slubby linens” NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR TRY THESE COLOURS WITH DUSTY LAVENDER • MINK Matching the main colour’s dusky tone, this harmonious hue will look luxe when used on silks or velvets • SILVER Whether it’s a shimmering wallpaper or an antique mirror, use pearlescent shades for a fast track to elegance • MULBERRY Worried it’ll all look a…

THE COMPANY The country’s best-known department store has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small drapery in 1864. Now offering everything from fashion and homeware to sports and electrical items, John Lewis still prides itself on its extensive wallpaper and fabric department, featuring both well-known brands and its own stylish designs. THE NEW COLLECTION The store’s in-house design studio has launched nine new wallpapers and fabrics for autumn, taking inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement, botanical etchings, abstract art and modernist architecture. Complementing its existing selection of simple and natural soft furnishings you’ll find Xander, a small-scale geometric, Pot Plants, a quirky, nature-influenced design and Orb, a simple dot pattern that’s part of the modern House range. For an eccentric, English country feel there’s Ravensworth,…

BOUGHT FOR £320,000 SPENT £39,700 NOW WORTH AROUND £650,000 THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom, 16th-century cottage in Cranleigh, Surrey, bought in October 2013. WHAT IT COST Building work..........................£15,000Exterior.......................................£2,600Sandblasting and floors........£2,900Kitchen......................................£10,000Bathroom...................................£2,000Furniture and furnishings......£7,200 TOTAL......................£39,700 WHO LIVES HERE Kim Low lives here. THE LOOK Country charm meets modern open plan, with a muted neutral colour scheme, stripped wood beams and a mix of modern and antique furniture. LESSONS LEARNED “ As long as your home isn’t listed, you can paint beams in a pale shade, which lessens the oppressive feel of low ceilings.”…

THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom duplex apartment in Paris, France, built in the Thirties. The owners bought the original flat in July 2004, then purchased the studio above it in May 2008. WHO LIVES HERE Florence Bories and her husband, Romain Benita, live here with their sons, Lucas, seven, and Oscar, three. Florence is founder of a children’s textile brand and Romain is a website consultant. THE LOOK Pared back and smart, with a white, taupe and grey colour scheme warmed up with wood and yellow accents. Clever ideas make the most of the compact space. LESSONS LEARNED “ A home has to adapt as your circumstances change. We’ve moved rooms around to suit our growing family – it means that the layout is a little quirky, but it works for…

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

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, Sixties detached house near Thatcham in Berkshire. WHO LIVES HERE Caroline and Chris Mills live here, with Chris’s children, Freddie, 20 and Kate, 18. WHAT THEY DID The couple extended an old conservatory, fit brand new cabinetry, added a brick feature wall and installed new flooring. THE LOOK Modern country, with exposed brickwork, bleached-wood flooring and subtle industrial accessories. LESSONS LEARNED Use a compass in planning. We positioned Velux windows to capture more sunshine.…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, Thirties house in Southwick, West Sussex. WHO LIVES HERE Lucy and Leigh Brand live here with their two children, Elliot, eight, and Phoebe, seven. WHAT THEY DID They knocked the kitchen and dining room into one, and extended into the garden for a large kitchen, dining and living space. THE LOOK Bright and contemporary, with sleek high-gloss units in a pared-back palette. LESSONS LEARNED The dirt has nowhere to hide when you have a white floor! Next time I would choose grey instead.…

THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, Victorian, semi-detached house in Balham, south London. WHO LIVES HERE Tanya Dunbar lives here with her daughter, Amelia, 15. WHAT SHE DID Tanya replaced an old rear extension with a new side and rear extension. New kitchen units, underfloor heating, bifold doors and skylights were installed. THE LOOK Urban industrial, with organic textures and lots of glazing. LESSONS LEARNED A good builder can make the whole experience of building work easier – even enjoyable!…

THE PROPERTY A one-bedroom apartment in a Regency building in Brighton, East Sussex. WHO LIVES HERE Jessica Stephens and her partner, Jonny Ayres, live here. WHAT THEY DID The couple raised the ceiling, moved the door to the left of the room and fitted new sanitaryware. THE LOOK High glamour, with white tiles, simple sanitaryware and gold accent details for a luxury effect. LESSONS LEARNED Don’t underestimate the maintenance of your new bathroom. Only once the work was complete did we realise how much of an effort upkeep would be. I now spend a lot of time buffing the gold taps!…

Full of flavour Crisp and refreshing, this juice has a lovely fragrant taste with a hint of sweetness Pink Lady apple juice (750ml), Waitrose Good with food A deliciously dry juice pressed from Grenadier apples, this is great paired with cheese Grenadier apple juice (750ml), Watergull Orchards Fine blend A mix of Cox’s Orange Pippin and Bramley gives a sweet/sharp flavour Cloudy Apple juice (1tr), Sainsbury’s…

Gather seeds from your garden now to plant next spring, always collecting them when it’s dry as wet seeds will rot. Hardy annuals are the most prolific, such as cornflower, calendula, poppies, cosmos, ammi and nicotiana. Look for swollen pods that are about to split or papery seedheads that rattle when shaken. Select ripened seeds that have changed colour. Cut them singly or on stalks, and pop the seeds into Ziplock bags to take inside. Place the seeds on plates somewhere warm, such as on a windowsill, to open and dry. Alternatively, put cut seedheads in a brown-paper bag, secure the neck of the bag loosely with an elastic band and hang in a warm place to dry. When the seeds have dried out, clean them from the chaff (or…

AUTO PEELER Forget faffing around with a hand-held peeler, this will do all the hard work for you Zipeela, £24.99, Lakeland ROBO STIRRER Tired of slaving over a hot stove? Try this battery-operated tool for a dish that needs constant stirring Stirr automatic pan stirrer, £16.99, Üutensil ONE PAN FITS ALL Save on the washing up and take up less hob space with this pan that’s split into four sections Four-way pan, £19.95, House of Bath…

‘Are you wondering if summer blockbuster The Secret Life of Pets is based on true events? If so, set up this monitor and you’ll be able to watch a live feed of your home on your phone. It has a two-way microphone for chatting to the cat when you’re at the office/gym, and footage is stored on a memory card – good news if you want to save clips and are a bit nervous about having them in the cloud.’ HELLO! "I’m Amy Cutmore, Technology Editor… but you can call me Girl About Tech. Summer’s coming to an end, so I’m printing out my holiday snaps and framing them before I forget. Jump online and you’ll find my favourite photo printers, and tips on how to display your pics more…

1. QuietComfort 25 noise-cancelling headphones, £250, Bose ‘These are a bit steep for a student budget, but they’re worth the investment, as they’re so efficient at blocking out noise that wearers could probably revise on a building site!’ 2. Power+ solar charger, £55, WakaWaka ‘This lightweight unit can charge a smartphone in less than two hours (after 12 hours sat in the sun). With loads of chargers out there, I love that this is an eco-conscious, bill-busting option.’ 3. Evernote app for iOS and Android, free ‘Every student should have this app, which lets you organise notes in digital folders so they’re easy to find. Laptop dead? They can write notes on paper, take a photo with the app and upload it to the folder.’ 4. Livescribe SmartPen 3, £130,…

ALL ABOUT THE BASS MHC-V11 high power home audio system with Bluetooth, £200, Sony GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Sony’s bassy beast is the ideal party speaker, with built-in lighting that pulses in time with the music. It also streams songs over Bluetooth and has a cool karaoke mode’ SAVES YOUR CDS SC-ALL7CD Wi-Fi music system, £380, Panasonic GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Pop on a CD, or insert your disc and download the tracks onto this system’s 4GB of storage. There’s space for up to 25 albums and you can stream them to other speakers’ SIMPLE SHARING Izzy BM50 wireless multiroom music system, £200, Philips GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Technophobes take note – you don’t need a password, app or even a router to link up to five of these together…

Undercover treats Preserve jam in jars with retro fruit-design lids Jars with fruit lids, £9.99 each, Kilner range, Dunelm Stylish staple Sow some inspiration for next year’s allotment plans Fruit and veg tea towel, £4.99, The Oak Room Farm fresh Fill with milk to stand alongside your morning bowl of cereal Farmers Market jug, £14.99, Dobbies Garden Centres Top pick Great for a garden harvest Wooden produce tray, £14.95, Dotcomgiftshop Turn up the heat Just the thing for taking roasted veg out of the oven Allotment double oven glove, £14, Seasalt Wake-up call Start the day with a hot brew Farmers Market mug, £4.94, Creative Tops range, Harts of Stur Classic update Display this summer’s English blooms in a creative way Churnie, £45 for three, Loaf Apples and pears Add…

THE STORY SO FAR Move over chevrons, the grid design is the latest graphic print to hit the shops. Unlike the cosier classic check, the grid works best with modern, minimal styling, whether it’s a graph-paper-like fine line or a thicker illustrated style. ON THE GRID We first saw the windowpane design in 2014 as a fashion trend from clothing brands such as Chloe, but Marimekko has recently picked it up for its Pikkuruutu (little check) and Iso Ruutu (big check) fashion collections. Other Nordic brands embracing the print in homeware include Ferm Living, with its Grid storage basket and wallpaper, and Hem, which is doing a peach and monochrome textile for cushions and table linen. In Dulux’s ‘The Grid and Letting Go’ paint trend, the grid represents a grounding…

GET TO KNOW HER SIGNATURE STYLE When asked about the inspiration behind her designs, Nicky replies: ‘Mid-century all the way! After the war, the Fifties became an amazing era for architecture, art, science and design – anything seemed possible and everything was new and exciting. I’m an avid collector of that period’s furniture.’ In her teens, she became slightly obsessed with all things Sixties. ‘I loved Mary Quant, Biba and André Courrèges, and wanted to follow women like Jean Muir and Zandra Rhodes into a career in fashion, until I discovered product and packaging design,’ she says. Nicky’s love of animals has also been a source of inspiration for her. ‘I’ve been a vegan for more than 12 years and I’m hugely interested in all aspects of British wildlife and…

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to reclaim the house, take stock, regroup and get organised. With the family spending less time outdoors now that autumn is in the air, inside space is at a premium and under a bit more pressure. Children’s rooms raise a unique set of problems depending on which life stage the kids are at – from the pre-schooler with an ever-expanding collection of toys to room-sharing siblings staking their claim over floor space. Or how about the super-busy teen who needs a versatile space that caters to sleeping, studying and socialising all in one? Whether you’re looking for practical solutions, storage-savvy tips, easy projects or decorative inspiration, our ideas will make sure it’s their best room yet. CHOOSE A MOVABLE…

IDEAL Cool cluster Make a statement with an industrial-look pendant Glass and copper cluster light, Aflair For Home Flower power Break up a calm scheme with a hit of fantastic colour Emaline cushion, Boeme range, Heal’s Classic style Create a homely feel with a curvy leather armchair Hepburn vintage leather armchair, Oldboot On show Place a favourite trinket inside Glass dome bell jar, I Love Retro Vintage vibe Choose a chic and understated table Cross design bedside table, Feather & Black Sweet dreams Opt for luxury with a button-back headboard Richmond bed, The White Company GREAT DEAL Wire cascade Add visual height to a room with a multilayer cluster light Tower pendant light, Brewers Home Bright blooms Soften your interior with a floral print Hanging garden cushion, Ted Baker range,…

LIVING ROOM Branch out Ideal for a small room, this compact table extends to give more surface area Jacque extending glass coffee table, Dwell Get comfy Pop a throw on the sofa for cosy nights in Houndstooth wool throw, Ville & Campagne Gorgeous glow Fill the space with subtle scent London Luxury scented candle, Next Sound the bell Try an old-school alternative to a doorbell Byron mechanical butler’s bell, Screwfix All tied up Netting round the base gives this lamp a more informal feel Rope glass lamp, George Home Time for tea Keep it casual with rustic trays Wooden serving trays, Houseology Cool classic Add a little relaxed elegance with a curvy grey button-back sofa Grey two-seater sofa, HomeSense SEE MORE ONLINE   FIND MORE READER HOMES AT housetohome.co.uk/house-tours FOR…

CHILDREN’S ROOM Star buy String up on walls or hang from a bed Star garland, Numero 74 range, Smallable All grown up Match their furniture to yours with a mini version of a classic Charles Eames kids DAW chair, Cult Furniture Shelf life Give favourite toys pride of place Cube shelf set, Great Little Trading Company Cool head Add a playful touch with this friendly face Basile polar bear head, Wild & Soft range, Birdkids Sky at night Ditch the Disney for this chic starry bed linen Stars Charcoal single duvet set, Secret Linen Store Bed & board Choose a design with storage to save space Wizard bed, Flair Furniture range, Cuckooland.com FOR WHERE TO BUY ITEMS SHOWN, TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…

IDEAL Times three Pick a mid-century classic Nest of tables (H40cm x W67cm x L51cm), Ercols Originals range, Heal’s Puppy love Add a cute touch to walls Bull Terrier and Dachshund Puppy framed print, King & McGaw Step on Made of polypropylene, so it’s suitable for indoors or out Diamond rug (W183cm x L274cm), Dash & Albert range, Amara Horse around Add an equestrian touch Grey horse cushion, Gallop Guru Take a stand Go for chic contemporary lighting Adriana floor lamp, John Lewis Sit back and relax Has headrests for easy lounging Vinci corner chaise (H78cm x W272cm x D108/156cm), Furniture Village GREAT DEAL Double up Keep it neat in oak veneer Skandi oak nest of lamp tables (H46cm x W57cm x L40cm), Dunelm Furry friend A lovably lifelike watercolour…

THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, detached house in Newbury, Berkshire. WHO LIVES HERE Dan and Liz Burgess live here, with their children, Sebastian, 11, Katya, eight, and Josh, six. WHAT THEY DID The couple extended the 200sq m bungalow upwards with a timber-framed first floor, doubling the property’s size. They also remodelled the interior, installed new windows and clad the property’s exterior in oak weatherboarding. WHAT IT COST The couple paid £620,000 for the bungalow in 2006 and spent around £220,000 transforming the property. The house is now worth more than £1.5 million.…

“ Our builders added a large extension to the rear of the house, with French windows at the far end and Velux ceiling lights. We designed the glass doors so that they open straight onto decking at the same level, and I asked our kitchen designer to create a layout that links the indoor and outdoor spaces. The result is the long central island that points towards the garden. The whole project lasted a year, with the kitchen itself taking four months. The installation cost £3,000.” NEED TO KNOW MATCHING FLOORING Link inside to the outside by choosing flooring with the same finish as decking…

"Our builders started the extension by creating the shell of the new kitchen-diner, knocking down the back wall of the house and installing a steel beam across the rear of the property. We decided to move into my mum’s spare room, as we had no boiler, heating or water. It took two months for the shell to be completed, then the builders fitted the internal wall and installed the kitchen. The whole project took four months, and we paid around £3,000 for the installation." NEED TO KNOW PORCELAIN TILES Prevent cleaning solutions from drying on the tiles’ surface to achieve a streak-free look…

“ I love Plain English’s units, but not its price tag. I discovered that its sister brand British Standard offers the same units for a more affordable price, as you do the planning and painting yourself. I spent hours carefully measuring up, plus I project-managed the rest of the work. We set up a temporary kitchen in our breakfast room, but the cooking facilities were basic so we ate out a lot. The most dramatic change was when the ceiling was raised to accommodate the bifold doors. The project took four months, and the building work and installation cost around £50,000.” NEED TO KNOW USEFUL ISLAND If you opt for an island, ensure it provides handy storage and a practical worktop…

“To create more space, we made the stud walls thinner, took out the false ceiling and moved the door to make room for a shower. We laid the floor tiles at an angle, so we wouldn’t need a shower tray, and added underfloor heating. As it’s our only bathroom, the loo was replumbed every evening and we showered at the gym. The Brighton Bathroom Company were behind the design, the work took three months and installation cost £8,088.” NEED TO KNOW GOLD METRO TILES Clean metallic tiles with a gentle solution of 240ml white vinegar in 5ltr water…

“Looking after three young children, I simply didn’t have time to manage builders, so I hired Rebecca Corley Interiors – she worked out a new layout and gave me the confidence to choose the vibrant mosaics. As we were having the whole house renovated, we temporarily relocated back into our old home, which we’d been renting to tenants, and returned eight months later once most of the work had been completed. The bathroom’s design and installation cost £7,400.”…

Vegetable jalfrezi SERVES 8 TAKES 1HR • 1tbsp sunflower oil • 1 red onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1cm root ginger, peeled and grated • 2 red chillies, deseeded and chopped • 450g ready-made jalfrezi sauce • 400g tinned chopped tomatoes • 650g butternut squash, cubed • 1 cauliflower, broken into florets • 200g frozen peas • 2tbsp fresh coriander leaves 1 Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Fry the onion for 5min to soften, then add the garlic, ginger and red chilli, and cook for 1min. 2 Pour in the jalfrezi sauce and the tinned tomatoes. Fill the tin with warm water and pour into the dish. 3 Add the butternut squash and cauliflower, season and stir to combine. Cover and simmer gently…

Perfect for creating movement and long-term interest, these plants are at their peak of beauty from July to October. In autumn, plant varieties from cooler climates, such as deschampsia, festuca and stipa. Position them in low-angled sunlight, creating a magical effect, and leave foliage for winter interest before cutting back in February. Take care as some varieties can be invasive – thin them out to stop them running amok GROW SOMETHING beautiful…

STACKING STEAMER Layer up rice, fish or chicken, and your favourite vegetables, for a healthy meal in minutes Multisteamer, £10.99, Lakeland MESS-FREE BARBECUE Steam-cook healthy skewers, without the mess and fuss of doing them on the barbie Brochette, £19.90, Lékué OMELETTE MAKER Whisk your eggs, then tip the bowl onto its flat edge to cook M-Cuisine microwave omelette bowl, £8, Joseph Joseph CAKE IN A MUG Need a quick treat? Make this tasty bake in just two minutes Cuppa Bake, £3, Marks & Spencer…

FIVE BEST… AMERICAN FRIDGE-FREEZERS UNDER £1,000 These fridge-freezers don’t generally come cheap, but there are some bargains to be had. I’ve picked my favourites WHAT’S NEW? THE LG SMART GARDEN With its big-screen TV and app-controlled irrigation, this techie plot was the star of the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show WHAT’S NEW? DENMARK’S CHIC BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS Bang & Olufsen, Vifa and Libratone are rocking the world with their sonically superb portable speakers WHAT’S NEW? THIS COFFEE-MAKING ALARM CLOCK Wake up full of beans with the Barisieur – this mad scientist’s dream rouses you with freshly brewed coffee!…

QUIET REVISION Switch Alpha 12 hybrid laptop, £599, Acer GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Rather than using a fan, this laptop has a liquid cooling system, so it will keep shtum in the library. There’s an optional stylus for traditional note-taking. Top marks!’ STAY CHILLED Mini fridge, £130, Husky GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Some halls won’t allow these, but if theirs does, this is a wise purchase. It’s compact, energy efficient (so cheap to run) and great for late-night study snacks’ NO MORE CUP-A-SOUP 7-in-1 multifunctional soup maker and blender, £50, Andrew James GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Chuck in some chopped veg and chicken stock, and this will deliver piping-hot soup in 30min – it can also crush ice, blend a smoothie or boil eggs for breakfast’ MOBILE MUSIC UE Roll…

1. Transfer them to a computer using a USB cable Attach your phone to a computer using the data cable it came with – if you’re an iPhone user, check that iTunes isn’t open or the next bit won’t happen! Your computer will then detect any photo/video files and make them available in a folder, just as if you were using a portable hard drive or memory card. Search for the DCIM (Digital Camera Images) folder – the default folder that digital cameras use to file images – and find all the images from the phone ready to be copied straight onto the hard drive. 2. Use iCloud and Photo Stream on your iPhone Apple users have iCloud (5GB free; 50GB for 79P per month) to back up their digital…

Best for SPEED Sensixx’x DI90 Motorsteam compact steam-generator iron, £120, Bosch GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘Just a few minutes ironing with this smart hybrid and you’ll realise why it deserves its high price tag. It picks the temperature and steam by itself so you can whizz across different fabrics without missing a beat, and it doesn’t leave those annoying shiny patches on your favourite clothes.’ Best for VALUE Ultraglide Anti-Calc FV2660 steam iron, £49.99, Tefal GIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS ‘It’s not just the fast heat-up function that makes this model perfect for regular ironing. Thanks to its removable calcium collector, you can easily make sure the Ultraglide is always performing at its best, while an anti-drip function means it’s ideal for use on delicate fabrics.’ Best for LARGE LOADS 32006…

Your work or home situation may mean you’re not in a position to own a dog, but don’t be disheartened. An increasing number of people are willing to let you ‘borrow’ their dog to take on walks or look after while they’re on holiday. You’ll get all the fun of making a new canine friend, while the owner knows that their dog is being well cared for. Q HOW DO I FIND A DOG? Offer to walk a neighbour’s dog on a regular basis or join an online ‘dog-matching’ site – the biggest in the UK is BorrowMyDoggy (borrowmydoggy.com). Sign up to see available dogs in your area, then message the owners to arrange a meeting – borrowers pay an annual subscription of £9.99. Consider what size and age of…