Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Ideal Home

We talk a lot in Ideal Home about classic style and timeless choices, because we’re not into wasting money or trends that only last a season. That sits comfortably with me, being more of a planner than a spontaneous type, but the older I get, the more I appreciate the joy of acting on a whim! And, looking around my home, I realise that while the well-researched buys that have paid off over time give me solid satisfaction, it’s the things I bought or did without over-thinking them that give me daily heart-pings of joy – like the silly gold pineapple sippy cups I added to an Amazon order with my nieces in mind, but now use for workday water, the frame I painted around my bedroom window with some…

‘Reena’s calm grey scheme means she can layer up lots of interesting textures and accessories.’ Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor ‘Feature tiles, a rustic mantel and a chic mirror have turned this fireplace into a focal point’ Ruth Corbett, Houses Editor ‘Reclaimed wood, like Reena’s butcher’s block, gives any room an instantly well-loved, lived-in look.’ Michela Colling, Style Editor ‘Touches of black add drama and cosiness to Reena’s white-painted bedroom.’ Nicky Phillips, Decorating Editor…

“Tapered legs are key to this style. Add thin metal-framed furniture and skinny legs on pieces for a modern take ” MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR “Walnut was the wood finish of choice but now oak, mango wood or white finishes in iconic mid-century shapes add a contemporary edge ” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR “Avoid too many patterns in one space. Opt for just a couple of prints in abstract designs, geometric shapes or block colours ” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR…

Plant life Nothing gives a positive vibe like plants! Use them to fill spaces large and small, choosing baskets for larger specimens (they’re easier to move around that way) and grouping little ones into tidy clusters Cushion review Swap out your winter faux furs and wool-covered cushions for a pristine parade of crisp cotton covers with simple, bold prints that will give your sofa a new lease of life. Keep a basket for throws to hand still, though – the chilly weather’s not over yet! Stylist’s Note “Rethink your artwork to ring the changes with touches of pretty colour and natural motifs. If you’re undecided how or where to hang it – don’t bother. Propping frames on surfaces means you can switch them around whenever you like ”…

Basket art If perfectly spacing frames feels like a faff, go freestyle with a group of woven platters that’ll give a white wall natural texture and warmth Hang loose Use simple black frames, but mix black-and-white with colourful prints for an informal and eclectic gallery wall arrangement Go with the grain Instead of storing wooden chopping and serving boards, hang them up in a group for a characterful kitchen display Working triangle In a small space where you want to get a streamlined, formal look, arrange prints in a tidy triangle Mix prints Choose identical frames, but alternate colour and black-and-white photos to give your wall a subtle tint Beautiful botanicals Metal box shelves for displaying succulents and simple botanical photographs work together for fresh, modern style Photo clusters Hang…

IDEAL ELEGANT SHAPE Vintage portrait mirror, £70, Amara ADD A FUN FIND Smoky glass pineapple sculpture, £39, JD Williams FAB FADE Vintage king rug L180xW120cm, £125, French Connection Home MINIMALIST DESIGN Annular pendant light, £299, Nest SMOKY TINT LSA lantern vase, £50, John Lewis & Partners TIMELESS DESIGN Troket café chairs, £385 for two, La Redoute ADD SOME POLISH Extra large cupid coffee table, £225, Cuckooland GREAT DEAL HANG A TRIO Hattermorn pendant, £110, Pooky PERFECT WITH PINK Nomadic Traveller glass vase, £14, Argos CLASSIC CURVES Bjuran chair, £80, Ikea INJECT GLAM METALLICS Panatella copper coffee table, £154.99, My Furniture FRAMELESS STYE Bevelled edge mirror, £18, Dunelm BOTANICAL GLAM Gold pineapple ornament, £23.99, Maisons du Monde ANTIQUED EFFECT Heriz Oriental Medallion Blue rug L165x W120cm, £70.99, Carpetright…

HOW EVELYN AND TOM DID IT ‘The dining room was never used and we knew that if we knocked down the dividing wall we’d have to replace the flooring in both rooms. The kitchen units were worn and poor quality, so everything culminated in a decision to remodel the entire space. We wanted a warm, light and comfortable place where we could sit down and eat together. We felt out of our depth, so asked an interior designer, Maya Wilson (mayawilsoninteriors.co.uk), for advice. The kitchen was made bespoke and the units arrived ready painted. The same company also made the dresser to fit the old fireplace in the dining area. The building work and installation cost £21,000 and took 12 weeks. We ‘camped’ upstairs with a hotplate and microwave, but…

HOW ANNIE DID IT ‘I bought my home as a new build and the bathroom, though functional, was never a style I would have chosen for myself. I asked several companies to submit plans, but it was Rosie Proto’s of The Brighton Bathroom Company that impressed me the most. I gave her a budget to work to and she stuck to it. There were no structural or layout changes, which kept the costs down. I wanted the colour scheme to work with my bedroom and Rosie suggested a yellow patterned tile to create an accent wall, which I love as it really draws the eye. In a small space, colour gives it soul, but you have to choose tones that complement rather than contrast with each other. The installation cost…

Jono and Maria Hey bought a two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow in 2015 with the aim of increasing the living space to accommodate their young sons. They created two new bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor as well as adding a side extension. SPOTTING POTENTIAL ‘We’d been renting a flat in Twickenham but wanted to find an affordable family house with a garden,’ says Jono. ‘We saw a bungalow for sale in the next street. All the rooms were on the ground floor, but it had a large loft and a wide plot with huge potential. CLEVER DESIGN ‘We were looking for an all-in-one design and build service. We chose to work with Plus Rooms,’ explains Jono. ‘They built a large dormer and installed a staircase, which is illuminated by…

Rachel, 36, is a digital marketing manager and blogger. She lives in a modern detached house in Cornwall with her husband, Martin, and their children Annabel, six, and Thomas, two. ‘One of the reasons we moved from North London to Cornwall last year was that we needed more space and couldn’t afford it in London. Living with my husband and two small children in a tiny two-bedroom flat in London left me craving a space that I could call my own. I just wanted to be able to have a desk which no one would touch where I could do the things that I like doing – writing (my blog, thelittlepip.com), crafting and photography. It isn’t just for work; it’s a space for me as a person, not just me…

WE KEEP SEEING... RATTAN It’s back again, striking a balance between boho and trad A John Lewis sofa for £299! The House collection at John Lewis boasts furniture that’s practical for small-space living and multi-use rooms, all without a hefty price tag. The range has an on-trend palette and fresh designs throughout, but a piece that’s really caught our eye is the Sweep sofa, which proves that bijou pieces can be beautiful. Beautility on a budget We’re not claiming the Housekeeper range from Dunelm will make cleaning any less of a chore, but it will make it more stylish. There are smart storage tins to help restore some order under the sink or hide away ugly cleaning bottles (from £7), and the traditional feather dusters, dish brushes and wooden airer…

IDEAL GREAT DEAL…

Lorenza Bacino, 52, lives with her husband, Francis, their son Max, 15, and daughter, Isabella, 13, in a four-bedroom detached Thirties house in the suburbs of north London. Lorenza’s parents bought the house in 1968. ‘Mum was English and Dad was an Italian writer and journalist 20 years her senior. They met and fell in love in Paris in the Fifties. After living in France for a while, they moved to Rome, which is where I was born. And that’s where the story stops sounding so exciting and bohemian! In 1968, when I was two years old, we left Italy and moved to a large detached house with a big garden on a nice street on the outskirts of north London. Growing up, I was desperate to escape suburbia and…

their own design, with the help of an architect. ‘Because we were living here, we knew where the light came in and where we wanted to live and work. For instance, the kitchen was where the family room is now, but there was much more light in the middle of the house, so we swapped them around to get a light-filled kitchen.’ The architect came up with a design for the barn and planning permission went smoothly. ‘We built on the existing footprint,’ says Tracy, ‘and were considerate of our neighbours by building a one-and-a-half storey property rather than two storey. I knew what I wanted – the architect designed the shell and I did the rest. It had been in my head for a long time!’ For example, Tracy…

Building your own home is, quite literally, one of the biggest and bravest moves you’ll ever make. Our guide to the basics covers how to get started and what you can expect from your budget. Q How do I find a plot? Firstly, decide where you’d like to live then contact local agents and sign up with online plot search portals. It’s also worth driving around to identify any in-fill sites. Also check the local councils for new planning applications – then approach the applicant direct to avoid estate agent fees. And don’t discount plots with properties on them. If they’re unsafe (and not Listed), the planning office should support demolition of the site. Q What will it cost? On top of the plot fee, and any resultant legal costs,…

Living room ‘Dark colour is a wonderful way to make a room feel cosy and homely,’ says Kate. ‘But we’ve been careful to keep floors and ceilings light to balance it out so the effect isn’t gloomy.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Maritime marble matt emulsion, £46 for 2.5L, Mylands. Munich sofa, £1,099, Swoon Dining area ‘Hanging a trio of pendants gave this part of the open-plan living-dining space a clear purpose,’ says Kate. ‘They’re a beautiful feature and boost light in the middle part of the house.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Bell pendant in rose, £230, Naken Interiors. Ginestra white pendant, £136.51, First Choice Lighting. Slope pendant in grey, £259, Nuastyle “We wanted to create a modern family home with a cottage feel that suits the age…

1 Embrace a pop of colour Be bold in a bathroom and choose wall tiles in a vibrant hue to bring energy into the room. Use a fresh white grout for contrast and keep flooring to a neutral or monochrome design to allow the walls to really shout. Speculo lagoon tiles, £130sq m; Mendel mosaic tiles, £144.33sq m, both Topps Tiles 2 Plump for a rustic-style plinth Upgrade your washstand to a piece with a bit more character, like this chunky wooden one. Ask your builder to make a simple timber frame, or upcycle an old table or sideboard, setting your basin on top. 3 SHINE UP YOUR HARDWARE Refresh your bathroom by swapping limescale-covered taps and shower heads for smart new brushed brass or copper ones. Or give existing…

Isobel Spandler lives here with her husband Mark and their children, Jasper, 15, and Anna, 10. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom semi-detached 1880s farm worker’s cottage in Wiltshire, bought in May 2008. “I love our kitchen’s unusual nooks and crannies, but they made refitting it a real challenge ” WHAT IT COST Units...................£21,000 Worktops.............£3,200 Sink..........................£300 Tap...........................£800 Appliances...........£3,910 Lighting...................£405 Flooring...................£869 TOTAL...............£30,484…

Evelyn Marlowe lives here with her husband Tom and their sons, Luke, six and Benjamin, three. “It’s just what we needed – a warm, light and comfortable kitchen where we can sit and eat together ” THE PROPERTY A five-bed Victorian semi in Hammersmith, London, which the couple bought in 2011. WHAT IT COST Bespoke cabinets and worktops............£37,000 Appliances (excluding fridge)..................£2,944 Belfast sink...............£174 Tap...........................£275 Boiling water tap....£700 Tiles.........................£500 Flooring...............£6,000 Dining furniture...£4,500 Paint.........................£900 Lighting.................£1,400 TOTAL...............£54,393…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom terrace built in 2002, in West Sussex. WHAT IT COST Shower area................£1,964 Basin area...................£1,606 Loo..................................£304 Tiles..................................£771 Panelling...........................£37 Towel rail........................£478 Paint............................£130 TOTAL...................£5,290 “All the small, space-saving changes really added up to make the room seem so much bigger ”…

Sophie Wiltshire lives here with her husband Matthew and their two sons. THE PROPERTY A three-bed detached property in Surrey. THE VALUE Bought for £997,700 in 2014 and now worth £1.6million. WHAT IT COST Building work......£123,858 Kitchen..................£32,125 Bathroom................£8,594 Electrics..................£8,550 Plumbing...............£19,839 Decorating...............£7,412 Cladding..................£5,991 Roof........................£10,709 Fixtures, decor and fittings...................£92,479 TOTAL............£309,557 “We were going to knock it down and rebuild, but we fell in love with it! ”…

Jono and Maria Hey live here with their two sons, Lewis, six, and Thomas, four. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Fifties semi in Twickenham. THE VALUE Bought for £665,000 in 2015 and now worth more than £950,000. WHAT IT COST Building work and materials.......£156,000 Kitchen............£16,000 Doors and windows ......................... £21,600 Bathroom..........£4,400 TOTAL...........£198,000 “ It’s ideal for a young family now. Adding so much space and light has given this old house a new lease of life ”…

Safety first N 70 T46FT43X0, £779, Neff Ideal for a busy family, this Neff (H5.2xW59.2xD52.2cm) has a removable magnetic control knob that not only gives you a physical dial to turn – like a gas hob – but can be removed making the hob completely safe if you have children. THE BEST BIT The four variable temperature zones (1.8-3.7kW), 17 levels and double-quick boiling boost. Extraction included P784ICHNE, £2,399, Bertazzoni Ideal for island installation, this 78cm model (W78xD52cm) has four large heat zones (1.6-3kW) with nine power levels and the added bonus of a built-in A++ rated recirculating extractor fan that can clean up to 720m3/h of air – perfect if you have an open plan kitchen. THE BEST BIT The space-saving built-in extractor fan. Guided cooking SmartCook induction hob…

Give it an industrial vibe Take a typical mid-century sofa – low, square lines and tapered legs – and combine with metal framed furniture. WHERE TO BUY Fulton sideboard, £179; Doria table lamp, £32; Prague three-seater sofa, £349; Roots stripe cushion, £16; Fulton coffee tables, £119 for two, all Dunelm Choose an abstract print Try the trend by choosing bedlinen in mellow colours on a white background and add plush velvet cushions. WHERE TO BUY Barcelona double duvet cover, £50; pillowcase, £20 for two; velvet patch cushion, £40, all Debenhams Buy a work-of-art vase… or three For a low-clutter look, display a curated collection of stoneware vases mixed in with modern objets. WHERE TO BUY From top: drawers, £10; sloth ornament, £8; origami rhino ornament, £12; frosted vase, £4; matte…

Dining area ‘We created a combined kitchen, dining and living zone so we could all happily use the same space but do our own thing, too. Our old house had separate rooms, but we didn’t communicate much!’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Spinning BH2 pendant in matt dark grey, £263 each, Haus. For similar try the Crisis table by Piet Hein Eek, £642, SCP Sitting area ‘We wanted the interior to be quite calm as it’s such a busy house. We earmarked a lot of space for built-in storage and chose a white colour base for all the rooms,’ says Tessa. BUY THE KEY PIECES Mags three-seater combination five sofa, from £2,963, Hay. No 411 reading lamp, £395.25, Lampe Gras Kitchen-diner ‘The bar stools get used a lot,’ says Tessa. ‘The…

MY GO-TO STORES… • HAY Its modern Danish designs work perfectly in contemporary, Nordic-style homes. • RAFA KIDS For unique, design-led and eco-friendly wooden furniture for kids rooms. • FARROW & BALL I love all of the quintessentially classic paint colours with high pigment levels. IN THE FRAME Portland picture frame, £39, Made.com STEP IT UP Bekvam birch step stool, £13, Ikea FAKE IT Faux eucalyptus stem, £6.75, Gisela Graham NATURAL TEXTURES Mini weave cushion, £30, John Lewis & Partners LIGHT DIRECTION Spinning light low in matt grey, £263, Rume FIRST SERVE Acacia long serving board, £20, Creative Tops CARRY ON Wooden tray with metal frame, £10, Sainsbury’s Home FLOOR FILLER Nadia ivory rug, £179.99, Carpetright STYLIST’S NOTE “Fresh and faux greenery is key to this look to make sure…

Living in a barn conversion was a dream of mine,’ says Tracy Head. ‘I kept a photo of one I had found in a magazine and fallen in love with – it totally inspired me.’ Tracy was living in an Edwardian house in a suburb of Reading with her husband Steve and sons Toby and Max when they decided it was time to move to a barn. ‘We looked throughout the area but there weren’t any around.’ Then the couple came across a Colt timber-framed bungalow that was in a rural location not far away. ‘We fell in love with the area – it was in pretty countryside, but within easy reach of Henley-on-Thames and trains to London. We came down the track to the house to view it and…

FREE ADVICE Potton’s one-day Introduction to Self-Build & Finding Land is one of many free seminars at the company’s Cambridgeshire HQ. FINANCING YOUR BUILD BuildStore explains self-build finance options and includes guides on how self-build mortgages work. Its mortgage brokers can also help secure finance. FINDING A PLOT PlotBrowser.com is a free online search portal that includes links to local authority planning application searches so you can easily check on a plot’s planning status.…

Kate and Gregory couldn’t believe their luck when a house on one of their favourite streets in their local neighbourhood went on the market within their budget. ‘It was in close proximity to one of the local outstanding primary schools, too, which was at the top of our priority list,’ explains Kate. ‘The house offered the space we needed and the scope to put our own stamp on it without the need for much renovation,’ she says. Structurally, all the couple did was remove the downstairs loo to open up and connect the living, dining and kitchen areas. ‘We knew that an open-plan layout would be best for our young family,’ says Kate. ‘We love to host friends and family, too, so linking the spaces was important so we can…

Yes “Kids need the freedom to relax ” Stacey MacNaught, 33, lives with her husband, Michael and their two sons, Oliver, three, and Ethan, two, in a three-bed semi in Oldham. She works as a freelance SEO consultant. ‘I strongly believe that children should be entitled to their own space in which to wind down and relax. And, let’s face it, watching TV is one of the main ways in which kids do that. So, while they’re both a little young at the moment, it’s inevitable that Oliver and Ethan will want their own TVs in their bedrooms before too long – and I won’t stand in their way. Of course, there are legitimate concerns about children having too much screen time or watching inappropriate programmes. But technology can…

Classic white marble is one of the most popular choices for worktops. Just scroll through Pinterest and you’ll see shot after shot of gleaming white marble surfaces showcased in every style of kitchen, from traditional to uber modern. Q Why should I choose it? Marble has a luminosity, brightness and smoothness that sets it apart from other natural stones. A metamorphic rock, formed when sediment crystallises under heat or pressure to form hard rock, marble is a form of limestone. Marble is a poor conductor of heat, meaning it stays cool to the touch, so pastry chefs love it, as the cool surface is great for working dough. Q Are there any drawbacks? The porosity of marble means it’s susceptible to staining, with red wine and oil most difficult to…

WHERE TO BUY 1 Framed Spotty Fish print, £24.95, Graham and Green 2 Moda kitchen dining chair, £75, Cult Furniture 3 Festival Folk jug, £21.99, Katie Alice 4 Bevelled brick white gloss wall tile, £9.95sq m, Walls and Floors 5 De’Longhi Distinta Flair four-slice toaster, £124.99, Lakeland 6 Miami extending oak-effect dining table, £249, Argos 7 Oriental bamboo pestle and mortar, £14.50, Sainsbury’s Home A BRASS PENDANT ADDS AN INDUSTRIAL EDGE IDEAL RUSTIC APPEAL Butler pendant light in antique brass, £79.90, Jim Lawrence GREAT DEAL SHINE BRIGHT Foto pendant light in brass colour, £22, Ikea…

IDEAL CLEAN LINES Edgeworth wall mirror, £149, Wooden Furniture Store TRUE TO LIFE Artificial string of nickels plant, £18, Gisela Graham SLEEK DESIGN MPRO basin two-hole set, £269, Crosswater OVAL DESIGN Formoso countertop basin, £379, Clearwater TIMELESS PIECE Daylesford Stone Grey chest of drawers, £399, Cotswold Co RUSTIC EFFECT Courchevel bleached oak-effect floor tile, £46sq m, The Baked Tile Company SOLID WOOD Hibberd oak bath mat, £35, Made.com GREAT DEAL FAUX FOLIAGE Fejka artificial potted plant, £6, Ikea PERFECT IN PINE Tramline pine mirror, £14.99, The Range CHIC CHROME Grohe Essence wall-mounted mixer tap, £119.95, Victorian Plumbing SMOOTH LINES Cooke & Lewis Nessa countertop basin, £62, B&Q FINER FINISH Jannah oak-effect floor tile, £29.95 sq m, Walls and Floors CLASSIC SHADES Vienna three-drawer chest, £189, Dunelm NATURAL MATERIAL Bamboo duck…

1 THEY CREATE HEIGHT A dormer is a vertical window with its own roof. They offer a great opportunity to achieve headroom where it might otherwise be limited. 2 THEY CAN BOOST LOFT SPACE A dormer loft conversion can be an ideal solution to a two storey extension if you can’t get planning permission. 3 DESIGN MATTERS There are lots of styles of dormer but the key is good detailed design, quality materials and a good builder. 4 POSITIONING IS KEY Planners require dormers to be lower than the existing roof ridge. To make traditional looking dormers, you may need to place them slightly lower than halfway down the roof. 5 THEY CAN IMPACT THE INTERIOR LAYOUT Planners often require them to be set in from the walls, which can…

1 THEY MIGHT REQUIRE PERMISSION Most balconies or platforms higher than 300mm need it, but Juliet balconies are allowed under permitted development. 2 POSITIONING IS CRUCIAL A balcony doesn’t need to be south facing – it’s possible to build onto the east or even the north to enjoy the view. Be aware that a new balcony shouldn’t cut off light from the floor below. 3 SIZE CAN VARY Some balconies may be just large enough for a single chair, others might extend around a building – size is usually only restricted by supports. 4 THEY CAN BE HUNG OR SUPPORTED Cantilevered, steel-framed balconies jut out with no visible support; hung balconies use wall-fixed cables, stacked balconies stand on supporting vertical posts. 5 PRIVACY IS AN ISSUE Glass is the obvious…

“With open-plan living, people are more conscious of how the impact of several appliances will affect their day-to-day living space and busy lifestyles. For instance, why blast a 105 decibel hairdryer when there are equally powerful new models out now that are 30dB less? ”POPPY SZKILER, MD QUIET MARK Robot vacuum Scout RX2, £700, Miele Miele’s new robot cleaner has a powerful motor for such a small appliance (H8.5x Dia35.4cm) and thanks to the large sweeper arms it can collect more dust, pushing it in front of the brush bar for efficiency. Combined with app-control, 60-minute battery life, seven sensors and two cameras, it can map out your house with ease. THE BEST BIT Better than being quiet, you can set the Scout  to clean while everyone’s out so you’ll…

Caramel eclairs Takes 1hr Makes 18 INGREDIENTS • 60g butter • 80g plain flour • 2 eggs, beaten • 300ml double cream • 3tbsp icing sugar • 150g caramel sauce 1Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Bring the butter and 175ml water to the boil. Add the plain flour and stir quickly. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. When it reaches room temperature, beat in the eggs. 2Spoon into a piping bag with 1.5cm hole and pipe 8cm lengths onto a lined baking tray. Bake for 25min until golden and dry. 3Whip the cream until it peaks, whisk in the icing sugar then pipe into each eclair. Chill for 30min. 4Put the caramel sauce in a bowl and dip in each eclair. Place on a serving dish and chill until ready to serve.…

A  Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com AEG 0344 561 1611 aeg.co.uk All Things Brighton Beautiful allthingsbrightonbeautiful.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amtico 0121 745 0800 amtico.com Annabel James 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk AO.com 0344 324 9222 ao.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanne 07780 956935 artisanne.co.uk Artisans of Devizes 01380 735888 artisansofdevizes.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Baufritz 01223 235632 baufritz.com Bedeck 0333 200 7331 bedeckhome.com Bertazzoni 0330 053 9185 uk.bertazzoni.com Blinds 2 Go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Bosch 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk Boyden Tiles & Bathrooms 020 8683 6000 boydentiles.co.uk Braverman 01923 244255 bravermankitchens.co.uk British Ceramic Tile 01626 834774 britishceramictile.com BuildStore 0345 223 4888…