Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2019 i Ideal Home

Not long ago, someone posted a photo of a page from one of our real home features on Twitter. They commented on the fact that the homeowner had turned her books around (spines hidden), to work with her all-neutral room. Personally, I thought it was a cool solution if colour-coordination’s your thing. The Tweeter and his followers thought otherwise and their mockery went viral. The homeowner was incredibly sanguine about it. Savvy lady that she is, she understood that social media respects no boundaries. For my team and I, it made us defiant about what we’re here to do: to bring ideas of all flavours to the table – no snobbery, no judgement, just the pure joy of making a home in your own way. In fact, it inspired us…

IDEAL HOME LOVES… Glam buys at Very.co.uk “Layer a few shades of grey, before mixing in the softest chalky pastels for an elegant scheme that feels cool, but has a grown-up, feminine edge ” VANESSA RICHMOND , EDITOR IDEAL HOME loves Velvet sofas  Great for grown-up glamour and comfort factor…

HOW TO GET THERE Ryanair flies London to Olsztyn-Mazury, from £9.78. Your best bet is to combine a Lakeland visit with a trip to Warsaw, taking the train between the two. THE LOCAL AREA The main lakeside centres are Gizycko, Mikolajki and Wegorzewo. All the lakes are linked by an extensive system of rivers, canals and waterways winding between the lush forests. WHAT TO SEE AND DO There are ancient fortresses and historic churches to visit, as well as Hitler’s former military HQ. Plus all the water-based activities you could hope for. WHERE TO STAY Hotel Galery 69 (hotelgalery69.pl) is a 20-room lodge with spa, restaurant, artwork and an exhilarating mix of outdoor activities. Rooms from £95 per night.…

Kitchen ‘White units won’t date and I can add interesting accessories if I want a change. I group things differently to keep it looking fresh. I don’t spend much, but mix textures, heights and finishes,’ says Clare. BUY THE KEY PIECES Chichester kitchen, £710 for a 600mm base cabinet, Neptune Kitchen mezzanine ‘This snug is all about natural and painted wood, shaggy textiles, old glassware and fresh greenery. I often change things around, but the secret is in the different textures. It’s a restful spot for reading or chatting.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Recycled pine counter chest, £999.50, Maisons du Monde is similar. Antique mirror, from a selection at Noah Valentine “Our furniture is mostly vintage items, or things I’ve been given, but each piece has a history. It’s not…

Yes “It makes our home far more sociable” Steve Moore, 44, lives with his wife Abi, 42, their daughter Jess, 14 and son Austin, five, in a five-bedroom Thirties semi in Surrey. He works in publishing and Abi is in advertising. ‘We’d lived here for six years before deciding to go open-plan. We got rid of the conservatory and added a single-storey “box” at the back of the house, with an open-plan kitchen and dining area, which has a breakfast bar and huge bifold doors opening out to the garden. We love it and spend most of our time there. I think open-plan homes are far more sociable and even improve relationships. Even when we’re doing different things, we can enjoy each other’s company. Abi works from home at the…

Sleeping platform This purpose-built bed has a shelf-depth backing board and wooden dividing struts to create book nooks Door-frame box shelves Ask a carpenter to use the space around a door by building deep shelves around it Dado shelf Got high ceilings? Use that wasted space in your living room with a full-width shelf on one – or all – of the walls Baskets for open shelves Stops your living room or office shelving looking chaotic and unifies the varied book cover colours Wall-mounted baskets Hang in a group of four to hold cookbooks on the kitchen wall above the worktop Picture-ledge library Turn coffee-table books into wall art with a column of basic Ikea ledges, painted to match your wall so the covers can steal the show…

SOFT APPROACH Pale grey tones will work with neutral schemes. Facade, £29.95 a roll, Galerie Wallcoverings LOW STRESS Spongeable surfaces are easy to wipe clean. Fresco Red Brick, £20 a roll, Graham & Brown ALL ABOARD A vintage-look subway style. District Line, £120 for 5.62sq m, Debbie McKeegan REAL FEEL A realistic embossed finish. Dax dry stone wall slate brick effect, £13.99 a roll, I Want Wallpaper…

ECO CREDIBILITY Colourful Kitchen Company only uses plywood made from sustainable bamboo, which takes just four years to reach full growth. The colourful fronts are natural, too. UNIQUE DESIGNS Uncommon Projects ensures no two of its veneered plywood kitchens are the same – with guaranteed inspirational, high-impact results. TOP QUALITY Naked Kitchens tracks down the highest quality ply for thicker than standard layers of solid birch, for carcasses that are virtually indestructible.…

Check your pressure The bigger the shower head is, the better coverage you will enjoy, but make sure your water pressure and hot water supply can cope. If you have a low-pressure system, you’ll need a compatible shower head – designed for use with 0.2 bar pressure or less, – or invest in a pump. Add a hand-shower Fixed shower heads can make it hard to avoid getting your hair wet if you don’t want to, and aren’t terribly good at hosing your shower enclosure clean, either. Adding a hand-shower with diverter controls is a simple yet effective way to make your fixed shower far more practical. Add adjustable height To accommodate shower users of varying heights, choose a model with an adjustable mounting arm that lets you direct the…

Judith Moody, a retired heritage garden designer, lives here. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom detached house in East Sussex, built in 2009. WHAT IT COST Wood cladding....£1,000 Doors....................£1,600 Decorative doors..£1,200 Porthole window.....£120 Flooring................£1,200 Pendant light.............£75 Ladder......................£150 Loo.............................£99 En suite fittings....£1,704 TOTAL...................£7,148 “I love my garden and the views are great from the garage. It’s the best room in the house! ”…

Pea & prawn risotto Takes 45min Serves 4 INGREDIENTS • 900ml best-quality fresh fish (or vegetable) stock • 2tbsp olive oil • 3 shallots, finely chopped • 250g risotto rice • 125ml dry white wine • 300g peas, fresh or frozen • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon, plus 2tbsp juice • Handful of pea shoots, plus extra to serve• 150g cooked prawns • 3tbsp 0% fat crème fraîche 1 Put the stock in a pan and bring to a simmer. In a separate, medium-sized pan, heat the olive oil over a low heat. Add the shallots and cook gently for 5min, until translucent but not coloured. Increase the heat slightly and stir in the rice, making sure each grain is coated in oil. Pour in the wine and stir until it…

A  Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com Addis 0800 515 300 addis.co.uk Air Uno 0113 201 2240 airuno.co.uk Also Home 01483 608611 alsohome.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk Anglepoise 02392 224450 anglepoise.com Ania Światłowska behance.net/aniaswiatlowska Anna Jacobs 07813 321496 annajacobsart.com Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416 appliancesdirect.co.uk Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair 01636 702326 iacf.co.uk/ardingly Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Aston Matthews 020 7226 7220 astonmatthews.co.uk Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barbican Centre 020 7638 8891 barbican.org.uk Barham and Sons 01638 561978 barhamandsons.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Beautiful Halo beautifulhalo.com Bert & May 020 3744 0776…

A  1909 Kitchens 1909kitchens.co.uk Alusplash alusplash.com Annie Sloan 01865 803168 anniesloan.com B B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 01642 426357 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bohzaar 01531 553000 bohzaar.co.uk C  Christy 0845 758 5252 christy.co.uk Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk Craig & Rose 01383 740011 craigandrose.com Crown Paints 0330 024 0281 crownpaints.co.uk D  Danetti 020 3588 1380 danetti.com Dar Lighting 01295 672200 darlighting.co.uk Debenhams 0344 800 8877 debenhams.com Designer Paint 01323 430886 designerpaint.com Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk E Earthborn 01928 734171 earthbornpaints.co.uk Ercol 01844 271800 ercol.com F Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com G  Galerie 01892 700730 galeriehome.co.uk George Home 0800 952 0101 george.com Gisela Graham 020 7708 6396 giselagraham.co.uk Graham & Brown 0808 168 3795 grahambrown.com H Habitat 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk Harlequin 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/harlequin I Ikea…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU KNOW YOUR HUE Neither sugary nor sweet, plaster pink is really more of a neutral. Soft, earthy, with undertones of grey, it’ll give a room a layer of subtle colour and texture that blends in rather than contrasts and is at its best in rooms with plenty of natural light. TRY A PAINT EFFECT Use chalk paints or flat, matt finishes to replicate the look of freshly plastered walls. Or apply a rough skim and a paint wash, building up the colour gradually for a mediterranean-style stucco effect. GET THE BACKDROP RIGHT With its faded tones and aged patina, plaster pink makes a good background colour for antique furniture, washed woods and weather-beaten metals including old gold and gilt. Team with glazed terracotta, earthy encaustic…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU GET THE MIX RIGHT Light, airy and fresh, aqua is an energising shade midway between green and blue. It’s uplifting in bathrooms and home offices, or if you want to cosy it up a notch in a living room or bedroom, try teaming it with warmer tones of putty grey. PLAY WITH PATTERNS Use modern geometrics, chevrons and multi-stripes for a contemporary look or go classic country with pretty florals, leafy sprigs and repeat motifs. Patterns are a great way of introducing other complementary colours into a scheme. SIMPLIFY YOUR STYLE Keep furniture simple and understated to avoid making a country scheme too twee, working in warm oak, ash and elms in low-sheen, oiled or washed finishes rather than anything too highly polished. Or try…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU STICK WITH TWO SHADES A pared-back palette is what gives this look its impact, so stick to just one shade of deep blue and a pure, bright white. Don’t be tempted to add more colours – if you mix in too many blues or neutrals you’ll lose the effect. STAY NEUTRAL Natural woods work brilliantly with blue and white, whether it’s warm oak or teak or more rustic washed and weathered finishes. Or try white-painted furniture and lacquered pieces to bring a smart Hamptons coastal vibe. MIX AND MATCH PATTERNS Choose patterns that share a theme when it comes to soft furnishings, whether it’s boho batik and ikat designs, tailored stripes and geometrics or more relaxed ombre and dip-dye effects. BE SELECTIVE This look lends…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU KNOW YOUR TONES An easy combination to work with, dusty rose pink and muted berry behave almost like neutrals, so they go beautifully with natural wood finishes and shades of grey. The slightly yellow undertones will warm up a north-facing room or choose a pink with blue undertones for sunnier spaces. GET THE MIX RIGHT Much like a neutral, muted rose and berry will work well in any setting. Use rose as an immersive backdrop, tempered with equal measures of berry on soft furnishings, furniture or flooring. Soften with white or grey as an accent colour. FOCUS ON THE FINISH Simplicity is key with this look, so forget about busy patterns and focus on your textures and finishes, with washed linens, plush velvets, brushed flannel…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU FIND THE RIGHT BLUE Denim looks relaxed in any setting. Choose your signature shade depending on the look you want to create, whether it’s a relaxed, well-worn vibe in faded chambray and washed linen or a smarter, grown-up style in inky indigo or dip-dyed ombre. DOWNPLAY PATTERNS Give your scheme depth by layering blues to build up the colour gradually. Keep pattern sparse with easy-on-the-eye ticking stripes and a few inky ikats mixed with slubby weaves and textured twills. WARM IT UP WITH NEUTRALS Pair denim with neutral tones on upholstery, furniture and flooring to take the chill off its blue-grey tones. Try softer shades of chalk, off-white or ivory rather than a harsh brilliant white. DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS Bring in plenty of natural…

WE KEEP SEEING... GRASSES Rethink spring blooms in favour of this ethereal foliage – it’s very much having a moment Magnet goes bespoke When it comes to off-the-peg kitchens, one look doesn’t always fit all. The launch of Magnet Create means you can choose from 20 colour options, plus a selection of handles and worktops, to give your kitchen a personal spin. The classic Dunham and modern Soho ranges can be transformed, depending on the finish – try Forest Walk green (see page 102) or blush-tinted Pebble paired with a grey terrazzo top. Space-saving furniture at Marks & Spencer Channel your inner minimalist with the latest pieces from Marks & Spencer’s Loft collection, which is all about being compact, contemporary and, importantly, accessible in the price department. With modern Scandi…

Add natural colour elements Take the clinical edge out of an all-white scheme by working in some rattan lighting, artisan-style vases, a chunky wool rug and rustic raw wood table. WHERE TO BUY Cadini leather sofa, from £1,480, Rom Fit your windows with simple shutters Blinds can be bland, curtains can be fussy – but shutters are the smartest solution for a window treatment that looks streamlined, yet characterful. WHERE TO BUY Full-height shutters with mid rail in Natural, from £166sq m, California Shutters. CH24 Wishbone chairs, £670 each, The Conran Shop Invest in a Scandi icon String shelving is a timeless classic with an economic design that’s totally in tune with the minimalist aesthetic. WHERE TO BUY String pocket shelf, £122; String cabinet with sliding door, £327 each, both…

IDEAL GREAT DEAL…

Old meets new This space used to be the rear reception room, but now leads into the new extension. Poured concrete flooring unites the two areas, with concrete cladding giving the original chimney breast a modern update. BUY THE KEY PIECES Mags soft lounge modular sofa, £744, Hay range, Clippings Vintage collection The couple’s mid-century furniture gives the white-painted dining area colour and character. ‘When we first met, Stephen would drag me around furniture fairs,’ says Miranda. ‘I used to dread it, but now it’s rubbed off on me.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Vintage Ercol table and chairs, price on request, Everything But The Dog. For a G-Plan sideboard, try eBay “ The front of the house is more traditional, but the back is an ode to modern…

1 Fit statement pendant lights Whether you use your kitchen island for meal-time prepping or meal-time munching, hanging some statement lighting above it can really change the feel of the room, especially if you have high ceilings. Ask your electrician to put the lights on a dimmer switch so you can control the light levels for different tasks. 2 COSY UP FLOORS WITH A RUNNER No underfloor heating? Give your feet a treat with a floor runner to break up chilly tiles or flagstone. 3 REPLACE SHABBY OR DATED HARDWARE A quick way to give your kitchen a smart new look is to update sticky, tired-looking cupboard door handles with some on-trend copper or brass options. Try your local ironmonger, DIY store or browse online at Handles4Doors. 4 Cheat a…

Karen Evans lives here with her partner, Steve Cairns, and their children Joseph, six, and Daniel, three. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Forties semi-detached house in Balcombe, West Sussex. WHAT IT COST Doors and drawers................£5,200 Internal units.......£3,600 Worktops..............£3,162 Appliances...........£3,812 Tap............................£130 Tiles..........................£193 Flooring.................£1,708 TOTAL................£17,805 “The moment when all the fronts were fitted onto the carcasses was so satisfying – we could finally see the creation come together. It’s the modern, unique look we wanted ”…

Katy Lavis lives here with her husband Mike. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. WHAT IT COST Basin and taps........£210 Shower....................£632 Shower enclosure..£365 Wall cabinet............£279 Floor tiles................£300 Wall tiles..................£210 Paint...........................£78 Shutters..................£500 TOTAL..................£2,574 “The space we’ve designed is one I love to relax in after a busy day now. The roll-top bath is the ultimate luxury! ”…

The Tarbetts knew they were taking on a vast project when they purchased this property. Several poorly designed extensions had been added over the years, resulting in a dysfunctional ground-floor layout starved of natural light. ‘We wanted a big family space that would let us move freely between the inside and outside,’ says Claire. PLANNING A REBUILD The couple were careful to keep neighbours on side and the proposal sailed through planning permission. They worked with Giles & Pike Architects (gilespike.com) on the new design. ‘There was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, as we kept changing our minds!’ says Claire. ‘Our builder kept us on time, though.’ LOVING THE NEW SPACE The build has only added about 5sq m of space, but it has completely changed the way the…

Looking for the latest interior colour trends or innovative ideas on how to create a larger living space? Or maybe you want to give your outdoor space a fresh look? The Ideal Home Show, sponsored by Zoopla, is the world’s longest-running exhibition and renowned for bringing new ideas into interiors. The show returns to celebrate its 111th birthday at Olympia London from Friday 22 March to Sunday 7 April 2019. The event will feature more than 600 exhibitors, a first-of-its-kind show home, and celebrity guests, including garden designer Joe Swift, chef Rosemary Shrager, drinks expert Olly Smith, presenter Nick Knowles, presenter David Domoney and property guru Phil Spencer. There are eight areas packed with ideas and inspiration for homes and exteriors, from interiors to gardens and gadgets. Attractions include Room…

WHERE TO BUY 1 Gaston armchair in Oatmeal, £549, Swoon 2 Burley raw steel pendant light, £64.99, Dowsing & Reynolds 3 Kubu medium basket with leather handles, £34.99, The Garden Furniture Centre 4 Bardem silver metal trunks, £513 for three, Artisanti 5 Fejka artificial potted plant, £40, Ikea 6 Portobello painted dresser, £649, The Cotswold Company HANG LEAF PRINTS FOR A GARDEN GALLERY IDEAL A NEW LEAF Urban Botanicals fern print, £55, Rose & Grey GREAT DEAL GORGEOUS GREEN Botanica fern print, £4, Primark…

“I often come here just to read a book, put the kettle on and make a cup of tea. I can lock the door from the inside!” Hazel, 42, a writer and media trainer, is married to Bob, a warehouse worker. They have two daughters, Clementine, seven, and Gilda, five. They live in a three-bed, end-of-terrace, Twenties house in Huddersfield. ‘We moved to this house pre-children, so having a space of my own wasn’t an issue until they were born. I needed to work but didn’t want to leave the house for long periods and so spent a lot of time doing conference calls in noisy cafés or else with kids in the background. It was quite stressful trying to act professional and I became desperate for my own space.…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU SET THE MOOD The right green can calm or energise a room. Earthy forest and fern greens have a grounding effect when mixed with woods and deeper tones and, although dark, can be deceptively restful and easy to live with. USE WOOD AS A NEUTRAL In a mainly green scheme, wood can act as a base note, bringing in warm tones on furniture, worktops, trims and flooring. Go for lighter grains, such as oak or beech, for a rustic look or try darker walnut or wenge for a contemporary feel. MIX IN REAL PLANTS Green is an ideal backdrop for foliage and greenery. Display house plants and succulents on shelves and surfaces in glazed pots and ceramic planters or under glass bell jars and in…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU KNOW WHERE TO USE THEM Dark rooms need warming up – yellow-toned greys create a cosy, enveloping feel, that’s ideal for living rooms and bedrooms. Break up expanses of grey with highlights of ivory or a warm-toned white on ceiling, trims and floors. PLAY WITH PATTERN Grey needs pattern to bring it to life. Mix formal stripes and toiles on a background of ivory for a smart, tailored look or go more eclectic with relaxed weaves, herringbones, soft geometrics and Berbers. TURN UP THE HEAT A small amount of accent colour will add a visual pop to this subtle palette. Flashes of mustard, olive green or softer tones of nude or blush work well with any yellow-toned greys. STYLE YOUR WINDOWS Avoid anything too frilly…

“There’s no need to stick to one type of tile in the same room. Try mixing different textures to add impact and a luxurious feel ” HARRIET GOODACRE, BRAND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, TOPPS TILES How do you take a room from finished to fabulous? The design experts often rely on tiles – not only are they practical for any area, from a humid bathroom to a busy hallway, they can also introduce texture, colour and pattern. Even better, the options are virtually endless. At Topps Tiles, you can choose from real stone, gloss or matt finishes and a huge variety of shapes and colours. Plus there are multiple layout possibilities, so you can make your home truly personal to you. STAND-OUT STYLING Tiles are ideal for creating a feature in…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU CREATE HARMONY Colours that work as one in nature will be harmonious inside, too. Sandy shades and pebble tones with slate and steely greys give a perfect balance of warm and cool tones for an easy-on-the-senses scheme. BRING BALANCE How much you use of each colour depends on the look you want. With sand as a base colour, add in small accents of slate for extra definition. Having a greater proportion of slate will sharpen the look and create an altogether more structured scheme. LOSE BUSY PATTERNS Pattern complicates this look, so add visual interest by bringing in different materials and interesting textures. Mix different surfaces and finishes, from rough matt stone to high-sheen gloss and granites. ADD POLISH AND SHINE Metallics like warm gold,…

IDEAL GREAT DEAL…

Helen Chan, 44, lives with her husband Ray and their two sons, Stevie, four, and  Thomas, two, in a two-bedroom Fifties bungalow in Fulford, Staffordshire. Plans are underway to convert the house into a four-bed property this summer. ‘When Ray and I moved to Hong Kong to teach English in 2005, we thought we’d be there forever. Within a few months, we’d bought the perfect property: a 17th-floor flat in a high-rise complex called Island Resort in a bustling area that’s popular with expats. The complex housed a three-floor shopping mall, bowling alley, bar, gym, tennis courts and two swimming pools. There was also a bus station on the ground floor and plenty of cheap taxis, so we could get anywhere we wanted very quickly. The only downside – not…

Tower of treasures Squeeze in a tall, small-footprint display unit for cookbooks, tableware and favourite pieces that tell your family’s story, sprinkling colourful items here and there to catch the eye Slow dining A classic farmhouse table and mismatched seating creates a dining area with a laid-back feel, designed for long, lazy weekend breakfasts and wind-down weeknight dinners Stylist’s Note “Nude pink upholstery adds gentle colour, but you can treat it like a neutral because it works with any accent colour you choose ” NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR “ White walls are the perfect backdrop for reclaimed wood pieces with textural finishes ” NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR…

MY GO-TO STORES… • EBAY This is great for original pieces of furniture from brands like G Plan and Ercol. • JEALOUS GALLERIES Its limited edition prints and artist collaborations mean you’ll find unique pieces. • PAINT & PAPER LIBRARY A top range of paint colours we love. STYLIST’S NOTE “Don't rule out vintage or previously owned pieces in a modern renovation, pre-loved items can bring warmth and character ” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR…

There’s nothing quite like original exposed brickwork to celebrate a home’s history. And the good news is, for many lucky homeowners, achieving a brick feature wall costs nothing more than a bit of hard graft… Q Which wall should I choose? Exposed brick is a pretty bold statement and will be the room’s focus, so it pays to stick to one wall or a section of wall with natural start and finish points, such as a chimney breast or inside alcoves. A wall without doors, windows or radiators will be the easiest to strip. Q How do I do the work myself? Drill a test hole in the plaster to check the brickwork. If it’s damaged or the colour isn’t your bag, accept defeat and refill the hole. If you…

Born from a family business in a seaside town in the south of England, wallpaperdirect.com’s dedication and passion for wallcoverings started all the way back in 1904. Having expanded massively since its humble beginnings, its dedicated team of wallpaper experts now offers a choice of more than 15,000 different wallpaper patterns – including all your favourite designs from leading brands such as Cole & Son, Little Greene, Harlequin, Scion, Christian Lacroix and many more big names. Finding your perfect paper is simple thanks to the easy-to-use search facility where you can filter by colour, brand, price or theme. To make sure you get it right first time, order a few samples and then use the wallpaper calculator to work out how many rolls you will need of your chosen design.…

Less expensive than solid wood, but offering similar warmth, texture and natural charm, it’s no wonder plywood is making waves in kitchens this year. It can also be made from responsibly sourced, sustainable timbers (ask your supplier) so you can buy with a clear conscience, too. Q What is plywood? Made by gluing thin layers of wood together, modern plywood is light, yet surprisingly strong. This is because the layers are laid with the grain running at right angles to each other, providing strength and restricting movement. The thicker the ply, the more rigid it is – three-ply or five-ply is best. Q Is it expensive? There are various plywood grades, but birch is most common in kitchens because it is decent quality, yet affordable compared with solid wood. And,…

WHERE TO BUY 1 Rushbury small sideboard painted in Urban Slate, £579, Wooden Furniture Store. 2 Traditional cast iron balance kitchen weighing scales, £79.99, Lakeland. 3 Cooke & Lewis Bilbrough chrome finish spring neck and spout tap, £147, B&Q 4 Modo radiator in Anthracite, £415, Frontline Bathrooms. 5 Rich brick slip-effect tiles, £32.95sq m, Walls and Floors. 6 Smeg 90cm dual-fuel range cooker, £899, John Lewis & Partners ADD A SLICE OF STYLE TO YOUR WORKTOP IDEAL UPPER CRUST Four-slice NewGen toaster in copper finish, £199.15, Dualit GREAT DEAL TOASTY TONES Four-slice toaster in copper effect, £25, Wilko…

WATERFALL EFFECT Switch to a water blade for a luxurious cascade-style flow. Sabre fixed head with water blade, £140, Frontline Bathrooms DREAM TO CLEAN Keep water flowing smoothly thanks to easy-clean silicon nozzles. Clean 65 fixed head, £35, Bathstore LOW-PRESSURE HERO Specially designed to perform at low flow rates, this model is small but powerful. Kiri Satinjet fixed shower head, £32, Methven MODERN INDUSTRIAL Rivet details add an edgy, factory-style accent. Linea square shower head, from £158.82, Aston Matthews “ Don’t forget to add the price of the shower mounting arm to your budget – they’re usually sold separately to the head ” RUTH CORBETT HOUSES EDITOR GET DRENCHED This 30cm-wide head provides all-over drench-style showering. Dominion ceiling fixed shower head, £40, Wickes STARRING ROLE This striking…

Steven and Amanda Ivil live here. The couple run an events company. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom former bungalow in Hampshire. THE VALUE  Bought for £500,000 in 2013. Now worth £1.25 million. WHAT IT COST Contractor..............£174,000 Architect..................£16,000 New drains................£8,000 Glazing......................£17,000 Kitchen and bathrooms..............£30,000 Landscaping...........£20,000 Misc...........................£15,000 TOTAL..............£280,000 “The view into the garden from our new sitting room is so peaceful. I could sit there for hours looking outside, the fire crackling ”…

THE PROPERTY  A four-bed terrace in Surbiton, Surrey, built in around 1900. THE VALUE  It was bought in 2014 for £875,000; now worth around £1.2 million. WHAT IT COST Architect...........£27,000 Construction....£170,000 Kitchen............£26,000 Glazing............£38,000 Flooring and installation........£9,000 TOTAL...........£270,000 “ We love being able to appreciate the garden throughout the seasons thanks to all the glazing ”…

“Noise levels are important, especially in an open-plan scheme, so look for ratings ideally below 60dB (the best is around 38dB) to ensure the extraction won’t kill off the conversation ”GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR Chandelier style Vesper, £1,169, Rangemaster This remote-controlled polished stainless-steel recirculating extractor (H130.5xDia51.5cm) has powerful charcoal and aluminium grease filters and three speeds for effective cleaning. THE BEST BIT It can be set to filter air for 10 minutes out of every hour, ensuring the air is fresh at all times. Hidden in the hob Bora Basic, £2,256, Bora This innovative four-pan induction hob means you don’t have to spoil the look of a large space with a ceiling-mounted extractor. Hidden inside the glass top is a powerful 647m3/h (max) extractor that catches all grease, vapour and…

Owning a piece of art is as easy as clicking a button with Runway Gallery. Showcasing exciting, contemporary work, this digital platform gives you the chance to snap up affordable, inspirational prints and designs for your home. Annecy-based Belinda Frikh is one of Runway Gallery's new featured artists. When did you start drawing? I can’t pinpoint the exact time because, for as long I can remember, I was always drawing – much to the exasperation of my parents, since I drew on anything and everything – cereal boxes, books, official documents, letters from school complaining about me always drawing at school… Much later on I went on to study at L’École Supérieure d’Art in Annecy, then the École d’Arts Appliqués in Lyon. Does your French background have an influence on…

We all know that colour can affect our mood, so it stands to reason the shades you choose for your home can help transform it into a space you love. We’ve narrowed down a selection of endless colour choices to create our 15 favourite schemes, with expert advice on how to introduce them to your home. So whether you’re up for a complete redec or simply want to add a touch of colour to an existing scheme, this booklet could be the perfect starting point to transforming your home this spring.…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU STICK TO ONE STYLE The most dramatic of colour pairings, black and white is always striking. Monochrome schemes work best with one strong theme rather than a mix of styles, whether it’s a rustic Scandi-inspired look or a classic period piece in smart black and white. DON’T OVERDO IT Too much black can be overpowering, so start with white or ivory as your base, introducing black gradually. White walls make a perfect backdrop for black frames, artwork or black-and-white photography. TRY A PATTERN MASH-UP When it comes to pattern, you can go big, small or use a mix of both – from bold, oversized ikats and damasks, to small-scale pinstripes, chevrons or hounds-tooth checks for a more tailored look. WORK IN WARM WOODS Bring balance…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU PICK THE RIGHT YELLOW For rooms that have little natural light, sunshine yellow is the perfect way to fake it and will turn a gloomy space into a warm and welcoming one. Where all-over colour might be too overpowering, such as in living rooms and bedrooms, team yellow with soft white to calm it down a notch. BUILD ON A NEUTRAL BASE Use a neutral as your starting point, whether it’s sisal matting, wooden floorboards, an upholstered sofa or headboard, and build up your colour palette from there so you don’t overdo the yellow. Taupe linens, leather, weathered woods and rattan all sit well with sunny yellow. BRING IN AN ACCENT Strong yellow needs an accent to tone it down. Shades of grey work well,…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU SHOW A SOFTER SIDE Ink is the darkest of the blues – dramatic and immersive when used on its own, but taking on a softer, more feminine edge when paired with rose pink. While delicate rose feels more grown up and sophisticated set against inky blues. MIX THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH Balance this glam colour combination with large areas of grey-toned neutrals for an easier-to-live-with look. Go for a rough-luxe contrast in the space by choosing a poured concrete floor, marble worktops, areas of bare plaster or even polished brickwork. GO FOR SHAPELY FORMS Colour is key, so don’t complicate this scheme with fussy details. Shapes should be smooth and streamlined, bold and sculptural, so the colours stand out rather than blend in. ADD…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU KEEP IT CASUAL Sage is a soft, serene, silver-green and works with brown and grey-based neutrals so is the ideal pairing for oak in a modern country setting. Compatible hues include charcoal, dark green and blush pink. LOSE THE SHINE This look is all about the raw and unrefined, with bleached and unfinished woods, weathered worktops and chalky matt paintwork. Team with raw linens, washed cottons and faded velvets. BLUR THE LINES High-definition colours and overly busy patterns will jar in a mellow scheme like this, so opt for muted weaves, soft, sludgy colours and prints that merge into each other so there are no hard lines and edges. ADD AN URBAN TWIST Work in a few industrial elements to give this soft scheme a…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU WORK OUT WHERE TO USE IT Not quite a brown, but not a grey, either, taupe falls somewhere in between the two. Go for warmer taupes in rooms where you want to create cosiness, and cooler taupes where you need a calm feel, such as a bedroom or bathroom. WORK YOUR WALLS To give a room added depth, try a wallpaper with a tone-on-tone pattern. Keep skirting boards and paintwork white to lift taupe’s ashy tones and create a softer, more feminine vibe. PILE ON THE TEXTURE To avoid colours merging into one and looking bland, layer on the texture with lots of tactile finishes and weaves with plush damasks and chenilles on curtains and upholstery. BRING IN SOME BLING Invest in good-quality lighting to…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU CHOOSE COLOURS THAT COMPLEMENT Traditionally used in studies and drawing rooms, this dark grey-green is unapologetic in its masculine feel, but when partnered with softest blush pink it takes on a softer, prettier look, creating a restful vibe that’s perfect for rooms where you want to relax. FIND THE PERFECT SPOT Dusky greens work best in airy, spacious rooms with high ceilings, or in smaller rooms when used as an accent colour. In bright spaces, painting walls a flat, matt green will reduce the glare and promote a mellower mood. PLAY WITH FINISHES Green and blush are great partners for natural tones, working well with most types of woodgrain and shades of stone. Light-reflecting surfaces, such as glass and metal, will stop expanses of green…

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU CHOOSE CONTRAST TONES A subtle blush with earthy undertones, coral is just a shade away from being a neutral and will add a degree of warmth to any room. Contrast with grey-toned sky blue to bring definition and keep the scheme from feeling too flat. LIGHTEN UP Balance coral’s softness with lots of cool white, with painted skirtings, ceilings or glossy white-lacquered floorboards against warm-washed walls. Hang floaty white sheers at windows or layer crisp cotton blinds and curtains in a mix of prints and plains. WORK IN MOROCCAN ELEMENTS Accentuate the earthy, sun-baked tones and cool blues with vibrant splashes of colour on textiles, rugs, tiles and ceramics. Layer pattern-on-pattern with jazzy stripes, chevrons, fretwork and geometrics in turquoise, burnt orange, ochre and teal…