Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i Ideal Home

I’ve made some of my most life-changing decisions from a sun lounger. Having a holiday, taking time out from the usual routine – whether it’s on a beach in Barbados or in your back garden – can lead to sudden clarity on all kinds of issues, from career changes to kitchen projects! So, this issue is the ultimate sun-lounger companion: if you’re wrestling with a home-related problem, you’ll find answers; if it’s simply escapism you’re after, turn straight to the real homes and gardens (Jonty and Melanie Rhodes’ Cape Town beach house is my favourite – page 20) and let yourself dream!…

HOW TO GET THERE British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from London for around £800 return. Shuttle services into the city centre cost £18. THE LOCAL AREA Perched between ocean and mountains and with a national park at its heart, Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa. WHAT TO SEE AND DO Ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for spectacular views, and sample award-winning wines at one of the city’s many estates. WHERE TO STAY More Quarters (morequarters.co.za) near Kloof Street’s many bars and restaurants. These hip apartment-style units are characterful and affordable.…

Dark to light ‘We chose a dark green for the TV room because we wanted a cosy and cocooning feel. Adding soft pink accessories has lifted the scheme,’ says Rachel. BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls, ceiling and bench painted in Green Smoke estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Frame Pink armchairs, £599 each, Made.com Rachel Nogueira has had a long love affair with Cornwall. ‘We used to camp on the beach here as students and I’d gaze longingly at the beautiful houses and say to myself, “one day…”,’ she says. Initially, Cornish properties looked beyond their budget, but Rachel kept an eye on the market and one day a house came up at a price they could afford. ‘We arrived early for the viewing. About 100m from the…

MY GO-TO STORES… • THE CONRAN SHOP It has an amazing range of tableware and lighting options. • THE WHITE COMPANY For crisp and classic bedding. • BERT & MAY Has a stunning collection of encaustic tiles. STYLIST’S NOTE “Touches of brass or copper will add a glamorous feel to this style and warm it up if it’s feeling a little cold ”HOLLY WALSH , FEATURES EDITOR…

Nick and Caroline Welch run the linhay as a holiday home. They live in their self-build house on the same land, with their daughters Sophie, 20, and Francesca, 18. Nick is a teacher and building services engineer, while Caroline works in sales and marketing. THE PROPERTY A one-bedroom stone linhay (farm building) in Braunton, Devon, built before 1840. WHAT IT COST Fees...................£4,400 Building work..£41,500 Glazing..............£3,900 Heating.............£2,600 Kitchen...............£1,000 Sanitaryware......£1,100 Furnishings.......£4,500 TOTAL............£59,000…

Designed to be discreet, you’ll only know a downdraft extractor is there when you need it, so it won’t disrupt your kitchen’s sleek design. Q What are the options? Often the cheapest choice is a static downdraft that sits flush to your worktop, usually with a lid or cover over the vent for a neat finish. Another option is similarly low level but built into the hob itself. More expensive versions glide up out of the worktop at the touch of a button – effectively positioning the extractor closer to the steam. Q Why should I get one? ‘Downdraft extractors don’t interrupt lines of sight across the kitchen, unlike a ceiling-mounted chimney hood, so are particularly suited to open-plan kitchens,’ says Sean Liddle, product manager of ventilation at BSH Home…

“Certain STEM toys (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) can help kids learn about coding through play. As they grow the ratio of coding to playing should increase, but start them slowly with toys that involve a simple track to build, movement, lights and noise. As they get older look for toys connected to smart devices that add more coding insight”PETER JENKINSON, TOYOLOGIST Science for artists Artie 3000, £69, Learning Resources Aimed at kids aged seven to 11, Artie is designed to develop both left (maths and computing) and right (creativity) sides of your kids’ brains. The wi-fi enabled robot can easily be programmed to draw patterns and pictures. THE BEST BIT Kids can start with the coding instructions included, but as they learn about angles and curves, they can get…

Entertain guests, eat meals outdoors and enjoy the very best that summer has to offer with Garden Trading. From good-looking pots and planters to furniture for every sized space, create a summer sanctuary to make the most of those long, lazy afternoons in the sunshine. Make room for friends and family with sofa sets suitable for every style and shape of garden. Layer up with cushions, settle in and stay comfortable well into the evening. For alfresco meals, mix and match the perfectly-proportioned Bistro collection, available in a range of fresh new shades that complement summer’s lush colour palette. Or, if entertaining feels a little too much like hard work, take some time for yourself with a hanging nest chair. Grab a book, a G&T, and while away the hours…

Swings and climbing frames have had their time – these days, a trampoline is a must-have in the garden. If you’re planning to buy one this summer, here’s what to consider.… Q Which size do I go for? Consider the age of the users and your garden size. Larger trampolines aren’t suitable for children under six, as they have a bigger bounce, so the frame is higher. While 12ft is the most popular frame size, all models should list a maximum weight limit (if you’re tempted to have a go…). Anything over that will put stress on the springs and shorten its life. Q Where’s best to put it? Choose a spot at least 2m away from buildings, fences and bushes, and away from overhead trees or washing lines –…

A  Aarke aarke.com Abode Living 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk Aga Living agaliving.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Anorak 020 8299 2416 anorakonline.co.uk Another Country 020 7486 3251 anothercountry.com Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Applecrates.co.uk applecrates.co.uk Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416 appliancesdirect.co.uk Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Banjo Carpentry b.ure@icloud.com Barber Wilsons & Co 020 8888 3461 barwil.co.uk Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Baufritz 01223 235632 baufritz.com Berg bergtoys.com Bert & May 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com Blinds 2Go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Blue Grey Beige 07973 368107 bluegreybeige.com Blueair Blueair.com Bora bora.com Border Oak 01568 708752 borderoak.com Bramblecrest bramblecrest.com BreathingSpace 01207 507 444 breathingspace.co.uk Bridgman 020 8804 7474 bridgman.co.uk BSH…

WE KEEP SEEING… BACKPACK COOL-BAGS Get picnic-ready with these hands-free finds They could be designer! Just launched at matalan.co.uk, these affordable but stylish accent tables come in all shapes and sizes. There’s luxe-industrial marble and terrazzo-topped designs or rustic wood and rattan. With Cleo’s powder-coated metal style available for only £20, a matching pair won’t break the bank. You won’t want to hide these babies in the corner. H&M’s new home If you love H&M’s homeware but struggle to find items in its shops, treat yourself to a road trip to its new location on London’s Regent Street. You’ll find two whole floors of wall-to-wall homeware, with inspiring styling and specialist areas dedicated to rugs, lighting and dining. The in-store florist, monogramming service and café make it a more immersive…

Go for tonal prints Not a fan of green? Sketchy palm prints in soft pink or neutrals still allow you to indulge in tropical pattern, but the desaturated palette will give an overall more calming and tranquil effect. Add a statement carved piece This rough luxe design is an unexpected way to introduce botanical style – the embossed leaves and brass detailing give the rustic wood a delicate touch. WHERE TO BUY Fern Chest of drawers, £599, Atkin and Thyme Try a boho colour mix The trick to this is not going for matching combinations, so clash colour and pattern scales like this relaxed trailing leaf wallpaper design with a formal spot. WHERE TO BUY Paule Marrot parrot wallpaper, £118 a roll (L84x46cm); Elza vase, £26; Rose Wilder vase, £42;…

Patio perch Get away from it all with a hanging chair for solo time with a good book (or a snooze in the sunshine) Serving station An off-the-peg bar provides a surface for food and drinks alongside your seating area. Just add lanterns and container plants to make it an intimate zone Stylist’s Note “Connect interior spaces to the outdoors with a natural palette of neutrals and terracotta touches”NICKY PHILLIPS , DECORATING EDITOR “Dress your deck with textural accessories that can be easily popped inside come rain, for a rustic, laid-back vibe”MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR…

1 Set up an outdoor living room Arrange your garden furniture in the same way you would your living room. Start with an outdoor rug, popping a coffee table on top, then placing your furniture around it. In a corner plot, angle the furniture to look out into the rest of the garden with the chair backs facing the wall or fence. 2 LAY A BESPOKE BORDER  Wooden railway sleepers are a great alternative to brick or concrete for creating raised beds and border edges for your lawn. 3 BUILD YOUR OWN BENCHES Create your own outdoor seating area using roofing battens or decking planks, by building a simple frame and covering with wood. If you’re in need of extra storage, make the seat part hinged so that it doubles…

If you’re considering building your own house, you don’t require any prior experience, as there is plenty of expert help available. What you do need is courage and dedication. And when you finally move in, the sense of achievement you’ll feel will be unbeatable. Q Where can I build? To find a plot, search online using a plot finding service, look out for brownfield or infill sites and investigate garden plots. Custom home companies may also come up with suggestions. Contact the local council to find out about getting planning permission; if your plot already has this, do check that the planning approval is still current. Neighbours also have a say in what you can build, so talk them through the plans to get them on side. Q Can I…

1 THEY CAN BE A DESIGN FEATURE Lantern rooflights can provide another perspective to the architecture of the building, while flat designs are hidden. 2 SLIM FRAMES ARE BEST Selecting slim frames will look sleek and maximise the amount of natural light in a room. 3 THERE ARE LOTS OF GLAZING OPTIONS A triple-glazed unit provides the best insulation and noise reduction. It will also boost your project’s green credentials and help to keep energy bills down. 4 THEY’RE IDEAL FOR VENTILATION Rooflights that open are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, where they can help to remove steam and cooking smells. 5 THEY MAY NEED UV PROTECTION If the room has lots of soft furnishings, glass with a UV coating protects against the impact of direct sunlight.…

Sarah Wood lives here with her partner Matt Williams and their three children, Maya, 19, Luca, 15, and Harry, 12. THE PROPERTY A four-bed end-of-terrace in north London. WHAT IT COST Kitchen..............£23,000 Appliances..........£8,464 Worktops and splashback..........£2,000 Flooring...............£2,500 Sink and tap............£500 Lighting...................£800 TOTAL...............£37,264 “The different zones are great for entertaining and for having teenagers hanging out here ”…

Whether you have young children or elderly parents moving in, planning a bathroom fit for the whole family can seem daunting. We’ve broken down the top tips you need to get going… Q Where do I start? Check out VictoriaPlum.com to identify your bathroom style. You’ll find options that meet your needs, and bathroom furniture that will make the space work for everyone in the family. Q How do I keep things safe for children? Fitted bathroom furniture is an ideal storage idea in a space that’s used by little ones. Sleekly integrating your basin and toilet, fitted units have a seamless look and feel, and maximise the available space. The combination of low and high-level storage makes it a great choice for families with children – store bath toys…

Modern pergola Zone a seating area with a wooden structure. Add a roof of rush matting or train climbers up it for shade Feature wall In the same way that you’d hang photos indoors, create a display of bird boxes, barometers and wire box shelves that leave plants open to the rain Private bar This Robert Dyas shed will hold your garden furniture in winter, then opens out to make a bar for garden parties and alfresco sundowners in summer Container garden Instead of spreading out pots, they have greater impact clustered into groups at varying heights to create pockets of greenery on your patio Living wall Horizontal fence panels turn the side of a shed, a stretch of bare fence or wall, or the side of a balcony into…

WHERE TO BUY 1. LANTERN Aldgate wall lantern, from £76.20, Där Lighting range, Wayfair 2. CUSHION Block stripe cushion, £12, Marks & Spencer 3. HURRICANE Kennington hurricane lantern, £25, Neptune 4. CHAIR Realto folding chair, £165 for two, La Redoute 5. CRATE Large rectangular wooden box, £19.99, H&M Home 6. BLANKET Cotton throw blanket, £20, Hurn & Hurn IDEAL HOME LOVES… WHITE FLOWERS Digitalis purpurea ‘Dalmatian White’ A semi-evergreen, biennial or short-lived perennial that will grow to about 60cm tall. It flowers in early summer. Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla’ This tender perennial is ideal as a bedding plant. It has pretty white and yellow flowers and a strong vanilla scent. Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ A vigorous, virtually thornless climbing rose that bears large, cupped creamy…

ASSESS THE PLOT There are two types of green roof: intensive, which is planted on a deep layer of soil that requires substantial roof support, maintenance and specialist installation; or extensive, which is planted on a shallow layer of substrate (from 5cm to 15cm). Extensive roofs are low-maintenance and suitable for DIY installation on sheds, garages and flat-roof extensions (check Building Regs with any occupied buildings). KEEP IT CONTAINED Extensive roofs thrive best on a roof with a slope of no more than 10 degrees – anything above will need support to prevent slippage. The roof needs to be lined with waterproof, root-proof material (such as pond liner), and insulation and drainage outlets added so excess water runs away. PLANT UP Before planting, a layer of substrate (rather than regular…

Elderflower & pomegranate refresher TAKES 5min SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS • 150ml elderflower cordial • 300ml pomegranate juice • 1L sparkling water 1 Combine the elderflower cordial with the pomegranate juice in a jug. Stir in the sparkling water. Pour into one (or more) air-tight bottles and chill until needed. Ploughman’s picnic loa f TAKES 15min SERVES 4-8 INGREDIENTS • 1 round cholla or white boomer loaf • 6tbsp mayonnaise • 200g Cheddar cheese, sliced • 4tbsp pickle • 2 Little Gem lettuces, leaves separated • 4 slices of ham 1 Cut the loaf horizontally into three pieces and spread each layer with mayonnaise. Arrange the cheese slices on the bottom layer, spread with pickle and top with lettuce. 2 Place the middle layer of bread on top and press down. Layer over the ham slices and then top with…

“I have a lot of space in here, which is lucky because I’m a messy, quite chaotic person and I consider that to be part of my creative process” Gail Grant, 60, an events manager turned professional crafter, lives in a four-bedroom Sixties house on a smallholding near Edinburgh with her husband, Keith, who manages a storage business. They have three adult daughters, including Rebecca, who runs a crafts company with Gail. ‘When Rebecca’s daughter was born five years ago, we started a company together so she could be a stay-at-home mum but still have an income. We make homeware and fashion gifts to sell at country fairs. It’s wonderful working together, in a practical and emotional sense, as we support each other’s ideas and balance out one another’s strengths…

Melanie and Jonty bought the house online four years ago, when they were based in India, where Jonty was coaching the Indian Premier League cricket team. ‘It was the kind of old-style, heritage house that I’m naturally drawn to,’ says Melanie. ‘It ticked the practical boxes, too, with a garage, garden and a natural spring. Having rented properties in the area, we knew and loved the fabulous coastal location. I was pregnant and we were looking for a permanent home in South Africa to accommodate all of our children. We wanted a relaxed, family space where we could all hang out together. I couldn’t wait to get in and see the place, but when I did – with six-week-old India in tow – I discovered it was a much bigger…

Yes “Dogs need to feel settled and happy” Amy De-Keyzer, 30, lives with her husband, Mark, and their dog, Sammy, in a four-bedroom, semidetached house in Horsham, West Sussex. Amy is a senior press officer for the RSPCA. ‘We got Sammy from a small animal rescue charity in November 2013, after he’d been abandoned. We knew he may have separation anxiety at first, but we were determined to give him consistent boundaries from the outset. Initially, I was adamant he wouldn’t be allowed upstairs and couldn’t jump all over the furniture. But that didn’t last very long… After he’d settled in, it became clear he was incredibly reliant on me and wanted to be with me at all times. So we relaxed some of the boundaries: he was now allowed…

Hallway The hallway is the perfect place for floor-to-ceiling storage: ‘I’m obsessed with managing space,’ says Christine. ‘Abundant storage is a must – there’s never enough in British houses.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Inverse Grey Salon tiles, £133sq m, Bert & May Receiving an unexpected marriage proposal was the cue that dramatically changed Christine Mason’s life, prompting a move from her own new-build home in Battersea to a larger property in Barnes with her new husband, Tim. Combining their collective offspring of Christine’s two boys, aged 14 and 16, and Tim’s four older children, the family settled on a Victorian house that needed extensive renovation. Christine took on the role of project manager and designer, but was helped with the layout and lighting scheme by experts. ‘I’d spent four years…

Anne Monroe, 67, lives with her husband Bill, 73, in a six-bedroom former rectory near Kielder Water, Northumberland. They are both art historians. ‘Bill and I got married in August 1987. It wasn’t a white wedding. We didn’t even have any photos taken. It was a relaxed occasion, with 50 or 60 guests, including some of Bill’s friends from Chicago, which is where he’s from originally. We were living in London at the time, but the wedding venue was never in any doubt. My parents bought the neighbouring rectory in 1950, and this is where I grew up until I left for university in 1975. It’s such a beautiful, tranquil place – just yards from the river, in the heart of Northumberland’s National Park and Dark Skies area. Greystead Old…

Gemma Firman lives here with her husband Lewis. THE PROPERTY A mid-terrace 1830s cottage in Exeter. WHAT IT COST Bath taps...................£50 Basin taps................£245 Shower tray and enclosure..............£1,295 Shower head..........£259 Wall tiles...................£120 Floor tiles................£250 Vanity unit.................£35 Wall lights..................£49 TOTAL.................£2,303 “What pleases us most is getting the look we wanted and sticking to our budget by shopping around and upcycling”…

Smart design Stadler Form Q fan, £189, John Lewis & Partners Admittedly, it’s an investment compared to your basic desk fan, but this elegant three-speed stainless steel fan (H43x W36xD15cm) by Swiss designer Carlo Borer is so stylish you’ll want to move to a hot country so you can enjoy it all year round. Plus, it comes in two finishes – stainless steel and brushed bronze. THE BEST BIT The protective grill can be removed to clean the blades. Spot clean Boneco P50 Portable Air Purifier, £49, breathingSpace Create a bubble of clean air with this desktop design (H17.8xW6.3x D6.3cm) – especially when pollen levels peak. Add essential oil to the Aroma Pad for a hint of fragrance. THE BEST BIT Plug in to your car’s USB port for cleaner…

Modern pergola Pressure treated timber Ultima pergola kit, 270x270cm, £371.06, Travis Perkins; painted in Valspar Inky Prose garden exterior paint, £25 for 2.5L, B&Q. Runnen outdoor floor decking in Dark Grey, £19.75sq m, Ikea. Charles Bentley Fisherman three-seater sofa, £300, Homebase. Milton round concrete stool in Grey, £95; Truro ceramic planter, £25; Becklen coffee table, £195, all Habitat. Dhatu outdoor rug, 140x200cm, £51; Veda outdoor pouffe, £77, both Maisons du Monde. Classic festoon lights, £70 for 20, Garden Trading. String and cane hanging basket, £48, Raj Tent Club. Stratton cement hanging plant pot, £15, Hurn & Hurn. (On sofa, from left) Tweedmill beehive yellow lap blanket, £28, Hurn & Hurn. Jute striped outdoor cushion in Lime, £25, Marks & Spencer. Harlequin yellow square scatter cushion, £18; Fawn square scatter cushion,…

“If the rain garden is on a slope, use soil from the initial dig to build a raised bank to help hold the water ” GINEVRA BENEDETTI , ASSOCIATE EDITOR WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN? A rain garden channels rainwater from hard landscaping, reducing the risk of flooding. Sited in a low-lying area, it’s filled with deep-rooted plants that help water to seep more rapidly into the soil. Water is directed away from the house towards the dip, via a roof downpipe and a series of rills or brick channels. Linking elements such as rain chains, water butts, stormwater planters or ponds can also be used. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? A rain garden absorbs up to 30% more water than a regular lawn and reduces the risk of flooding and…