Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 i Ideal Home

It only seems like five minutes ago that the summer holidays ended, but here we are on the home straight to Christmas already! The Christmas run-up can be hectic, so I’m looking forward to sharing the organisational burden this year (just one of the benefits of multigenerational living…). Pa Richmond will take care of untangling the fairy lights and sawing sticking-out branches off the tree with a bread knife. Ma is in charge of guest beds and bulk-buying essentials (we get through several tins of Quality Street before Advent even kicks in). I’ll sort out the meals, fill the drinks cabinet and stock the kids’ craft box with glitter and glue. Whatever your pre-Christmas ‘to do’ list, you’ll find loads of ideas and solutions in this issue – from new…

GO GLITTERY WITH A FESTIVE MESSAGE Merry Christmas garland, £22, Amara FOR HOT TODDIES & COOL COCKTAILS Copper hammered Moscow Mule mug, £5, Tesco Direct FULL-ON FABULOUS DECORATIVE FRAME Kalder distressed round gold mirror, £225, Libra A STAR BUY TO HANG UP ALL YEAR Glass star, £7, Marks & Spencer LINE A FEW UP TO MAKE AN IMPACT LED glass starry baubles, £12.50 each, Cox & Cox BLACK & GOLD = INSTANT GLAMOUR Glitter bauble, £4.99, H&M GET ONE FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER Alphabet decoration, £3.50, Marks & Spencer NOT JUST ANY CAFÉ CHAIR… Tolix copper café chair, £120 for two, My Furniture LUXE UP A SIMPLE SCHEME WITH COOL COPPER TOUCHES Izzy sofa, £1,440, Sofa.com. For a similar pendant, try the copper geometric, £69.95, Made With Love Designs. For…

M&S is flat-packing gifts (and they’re pretty awesome!) M&S has found a way to send festive cheer, (Christmas cards aside, of course). It sells three flatpacked evergreen gifts that fit through the letterbox: there’s a Noel wreath decoration (right), a frosted foliage garland or a ready-to-decorate mini tree, all at £25 each. Genius! What the…?! Just when we thought we’d seen every way to decorate a Christmas tree many times over, Paperchase throws us a curveball. Each year they embrace the ‘alternative’, but this year they’ve gone way beyond with their Mexican burrito and cacti decorations. While not exactly traditional, they certainly embrace the fiesta spirit in a colourful but kooky way! Brilliant or bonkers? THE SIX-PERSON CRACKER Talking Tables has reinvented the humble Christmas cracker by creating…

GET A HANDLE Copper-handle cheese knives, £25, Habitat POLKA FACE Black dot candle, £42, Kate Spade range, John Lewis TOUCH OF SPARKLE Pineapple beaded cushion, £45, Laura Ashley ROLL ON A PATTERN Engraved rolling pin, £24, Lemonbaum range, Etsy FANCY A TIPPLE? Gin, £47, Fishers range, Harvey Nichols LASTS A LIFETIME Mini cocotte, £89.95, Divertimenti TASTY TREATS Christmas gift box, £50, Bettys MODERN TWIST Skyline chess set, £95, The British Library SERVE UP IN STYLE Ines cake stand, £29, Oliver Bonas MAKES SCENTS Mind bath and shower oil, £48, Aromatherapy Associates range, Liberty SMART SET Black brogue dominoes set, £40, Ted Baker range, Wild & Wolf SWEET MESSAGE ‘Together’ framed poster, £45, The White Company PAMPER YOUR POOCH Pets Christmas gift selection box, £35, Cheshire & Wain SEE THE SIGHTS…

CUTTING IT FINE Veg out big time with this gadget, which whizzes up courgetti, or cucumber for a Thai salad, without endangering digits Spiralizer Express, £49.99, Morphy Richards THE BIG APPLE Swoon! The 5.5in 7 Plus will survive a dunking and its pro camera takes cool ‘sharp subject/blurred background’ shots iPhone 7 Plus smartphone, from £719, Apple FIT FASHION Fitbit’s new tracker loves to swim, and has lots of glam accessories to go with it Flex 2 fitness tracker, £79.99; with rose-gold bangle, £79.99; both Fitbit DING-DONG! See who’s at the door – and talk to them – via an app on your phone. At work? Tell the postie to leave that parcel next door Ring video doorbell, £159, Currys MIXED EMOTIONS Bring joy to mornings with this power blender…

1 START WITH A WHITE BACKDROP Let heritage pieces and one-off finds sing by keeping the walls fresh and neutral. It’ll maximise light and take the overall effect from calm to cluttered, too. 2 CHOOSE TRADITIONAL FURNITURE STYLES This look isn’t aggressively modern – stick to wooden pieces and farmhouse-style finds. 3 GO FOR SIMPLE FABRICS AND SCUFFED FINISHES The naturally distressed nature of linen, jute and chalk paint will all help to pull off that effortless, undone look.…

  Stylist’s note “ Don’t be afraid to mix gold tones – yellow, bronze, rose gold and gilver (gold in some lights, silver in others) layer beautifully ”NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR Easy-going glamour Use gold on the walls in your living room and it’ll feel warm and cosy but super-chic at the same time. Cool it off with creamy-white woodwork and pearl-grey flooring and upholstery, then add a soft pink accent to bring it to life (bolder colours will look garish) Stylist’s note “ Gold wallpaper will make a big room cosier, but it’s great for a small space, too – its reflective sheen boosts the feeling of light and space ”NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR Easy ways to take gold to the max Clockwise from…

WHAT I’VE LEARNED “Working with creative people has influenced my style. I always push things further now – for instance, why would a kitchen island be normal? Why don’t I engrave the light switches? It’s pretty exhausting, but so much fun!” More than 10 years ago, Holly Tucker teamed up with her friend Sophie Cornish to create online marketplace Notonthehighstreet.com. Enabling small businesses around the UK to sell unique homeware and accessories on one site, it became a huge success and earned Holly an MBE. She now serves as a board member and lives in St Margarets, Middlesex, with her partner, Frank, their son, Harry, and their border terrier, Mr Mudley. I’m constantly inspired by small businesses. I’ve dedicated my life to supporting the most creative businesses out there. Being…

STYLIST’S NOTE “Warm neutral backdrops and lots of natural textures will stop this eclectic style from becoming too mixed up ”MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR MY GO-TO STORES... • Ikea ‘Great for “filler” bits like bathroom accessories.’ • Odeon Antiques ‘This shop in Leek sells industrial and mid-century buys.’ • Scion ‘Lovely colourful retro-look fabrics.’ • Sofa.com ‘It has really great customer service and I love the sofa we bought there.’…

Layer soft colours in small spaces ‘When we moved in, the entire house was painted in dark colours,’ says Mariëlla, ‘so I wanted to create a lighter, more friendly and more spacious atmosphere.’ Her solution was a fresh palette of white and pale grey on walls, with blush pinks and taupes as warm accents. BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar sofa, try the Chatnap, from £2,465, Loaf. PS 2012 coffee table, £40, Ikea. For a similar pendant, try the large wicker hanging lamp, £370, Out There Interiors Overload on texture ‘When you’re decorating with pale shades, adding texture is super-important,’ says Mariëlla. ‘Knitted throws and sheepskins make sure the overall look is warm and cosy, not cold and clinical.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar sheepskin, try the…

Woodland snug Tree Bark wallpaper in Parchment, £42 per roll, Clarke & Clarke. Himalaya Ivory rug, £185, Flair Rugs. Ektorp three-seater sofa in Ramna beige, £295, Ikea. George armchair in Angus wool, £1,020, Neptune. Kaleng coffee table, £595; Kaleng side tables, £295; Manado mirror, £325; all Lombok. C5 wood-burning stove, £996, Charnwood. ON COFFEE TABLE Rustique wooden bowl, £35, Barker & Stonehouse. Burnt amber and orange potpourri, £10, Laura Ashley. New England tray, £20, John Lewis. Candle dish, £2.50; candle, £4; both Ikea. Joy Star side plate, £14.95, Emma Bridgewater. Mince pies, from a selection, Tesco. Sophie Conran teapot, £49, Portmeirion. White Wing vase, £19, Holly’s House. ON MANTEL Lantern, £70, John Lewis. Garland, from a selection, Gisela Graham. Candle, £6, Ikea. Robin tealight holder, from a selection, Gisela Graham.…

“There’s nothing better than coming home to a warm fire crackling in the hearth ” THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom Victorian cottage in Peebles, Scotland. VALUE Bought for £175,000 in 2013; now worth £310,000. As soon as Kerry and James Cowan bought their Victorian cottage in the Scottish borders, they knew that lightening up the house’s dark spaces was a top priority, as well as installing heating, replacing the wiring and fixing the wet and dry rot. ‘Initially I considered a modern look, but I felt this yearning to do what was right for the style of the house,’ says Kerry. ‘It was built in 1896 and lots of original features were intact, including the panelled doors and timber floors. But at the same time, I didn’t want to…

IDEAL NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS Moose trophy (L33cm x H53cm x W69cm), £49, Cult Furniture SIMPLY DOES IT White berry and cone garland, £35, The Contemporary Home DISCREET STORAGE Vince walnut coffee table, £350, Habitat PLAYFUL PATTERN Blue throat cushion, £60, Timorous Beasties SUPER-SHAGGY LAMB’S WOOL Flokati rug (240cm x 170cm), £165, John Lewis TRAD-STYLE ESSENTIAL Hound dog occasional chair, £745, Loaf GREAT DEAL SCALE DOWN FOR A BEDROOM Mini deer trophy (H35cm x W24cm x D18cm), £12, Rocket & Rye TRY A BIT OF SPARKLE Snowy Christmas garland, £20, Matalan BARELY THERE Kristal glass and walnut coffee table, £119, La Redoute ADD SOFTNESS WITH TEXTURE Elsa rug (230cm x 160cm), £94, The Rug Seller A TOUCH MORE MODERN Birdsong cushion, £45, The Art Rooms CLASSIC DETAILING Collette button-back armchair,…

1 Deck the hall Create a warm welcome with a full-on festive display. Decorate doors with garlands, top pictures with greenery and bedeck a hallway table with tealights, cards and paper-wrapped parcels. 2 Make your own Advent calendar Get crafty with a couple of lengths of string and a packet of paper luggage tags. Simply number the tags, secure a few holly sprigs and add some mini treats to jolly it up. 3 FAKE IT A little faux mistletoe (such as this mistletoe pick, £2, By Sainsbury’s) is great if you can’t get the real deal, or if you’ve got little ones or pets (as the berries can be poisonous). 4 DECORATE THE STAIRS Include the staircase in your festive decorating. Wind foliage into the base of the banister (on…

MENU Crab & tomato crostini Roast rib of beef with red wine gravy Smoked salmon puff Sautéed sprouts, sugar snaps & beans Rosemary roasties with garlic & chilli Peach & salted caramel trifle CREATE SPECIAL PLACE SETTINGS For each place setting, spray-paint a pear silver. Leave to dry, then apply a second coat. While they’re drying, write the name of each guest on a fresh leaf in silver pen. Attach the leaves to the stalks of the dried pears using florist’s wire or ribbon. Tie each set of cutlery together with a length of silver ribbon and lay on top of the napkin, placing the silver pear next to it on the plate or placemat. PREFER TURKEY? SEE IDEAL HOME’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS IDEAL HOME LOVES Table games ACTING…

Bespoke giftwrap No craft skills are required for this easy idea. Start by putting the present in an easy-to-cover box, then wrap it in some luxe metallic-finish, patterned paper. Trim with thin velvet or satin ribbon from the haberdashery department in an accent colour. Finish by adding a monogram glass bauble and embellish the parcel with gold upholstery tassels or fresh foliage. BUY THE KEY PIECES Giftwrap, clockwise from top left: Vivid Hare in cream/gold; Vivid Robin; Vivid Hare in red/gold; all £6 per roll; Partridge; Fruits; both £4 per roll; all Ruskin House range; monogram baubles, £5 each; Snowshill glam tassels, £3 for five; ribbons, from a selection; all John Lewis WATCH MORE ONLINE…

STYLE TRENDS MICHELA COLLING Style Editor Michela knows good homeware: ‘I love finding hidden gems on the high street and knowing what the next big thing will be.’ REAL HOMES RUTH CORBETT Houses Editor Our Ruth has made a career out of being nosy: ‘I spend my days peeking inside other people’s homes and I always come away inspired!’ ROOM DESIGN NICKY PHILLIPS Decorating Editor Watching Nicky put together a new look is fascinating: ‘I love using beautiful furniture and accessories to create gorgeous rooms.’ LIFESTYLE GINEVRA BENEDETTI Associate Editor Ginevra is our very own Martha Stewart: ‘My passion for home-making, organising and list-making borders on the obsessive.’ TECHNOLOGY AMY CUTMORE Technology Editor What she doesn’t know about appliances just isn’t worth knowing: ‘I get to play with gadgets and…

PICK A POCKET Tilly linen Advent calendar, £42, Rowen & Wren FLAT-PACK BUILD Advent calendar village, £9.95, Papermash MODERN LOOK Display box, £135, Bloomingville range, Out There Interiors DAILY FRAGRANCE Spiced orange and red berry Advent candle, £26.50, Plum & Ashby DESKTOP DESIGN Personalised Advent calendar, £32, Notonthehighstreet.com CLASSIC COLOURS Wooden houses Advent calendar, £40, John Lewis MAKE YOUR OWN Envelope Advent kit, £10.50, Cox & Cox SIMPLE SCANDI Advent calendar, £45, Ferm Living range, Connox…

GRAHAM & BROWN X 2 LOVELY GAYS The wallpaper brand is celebrating its 70th birthday by teaming up with this hot interior-design duo. Elements of archive papers have been used to create four modern print mashups. The Perry Rise collection, £50 per roll. SOFA.COM  X BARNEBY GATES The wallpaper and fabric designers known for twists on the traditional are the latest to collaborate with Sofa.com in their Design Lab. We love the old-school glamour of the Palm Trellis in jewel velvets. From £60 for a cushion, Sofa.com. ALTERNATIVE FLOORING X LIBERTY FABRICS The carpet company has used four signature Liberty Fabrics designs to create some of the striking floor -fillers in its Quirky B range. From £149 per m, Alternative Flooring…

PURE INDULGENCE Beauty Sleep hamper, £150, Harvey Nichols COCKTAIL HOUR Brass Barbell barware set, £198, Jonathan Adler PRETTY AND PRACTICAL Cast-iron round casserole dish in Mint, £145, Le Creuset range, John Lewis BOXING-DAY WINNER Luxury-edition Scrabble, £250, Menkind SOUND OF MUSIC RD-60 DAB radio in Fuchsia, £180, Roberts Radio range, House of Fraser CHILD’S PLAY Sea Salt play kitchen, £190, Great Little Trading Co SUPERSIZED CANDLE Une Nuit indoor-outdoor candle, £210, Diptyque range, Liberty COOL ACCESSORY Plato desk lamp, £165, Pooky SERIOUSLY CHIC Rebel decanter, £120, Waterford range, John Lewis STAR BUY Sky-watcher Explorer telescope, £479, Royal Museums Greenwich PERFECT FOR PAMPERING Ecru bathrobe, £120, The Linen Works MAKE A STATEMENT Mirrored Constellation mirror, £375, Laura Ashley WINTER WARMER Allover star throw, £140, Gant range, Amara ON YOUR BIKE Somerby…

Living room ‘The rooms were painted yellow, which wasn’t to my taste at all,’ says Anne-Claire. In this space, her palette was designed to offset the dark marble fireplace. ‘Original details are what make old houses interesting,’ she says, ‘but I didn’t like the fireplace at first. I much prefer it now with the pale green paintwork.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Croisette chair, £406, Smallable. For a similar rug, try the Athena, from £75, The Rug Seller. For a similar table, try the Fergie, £279, Swoon Editions Living room This space mixes elegant furniture with more informal pieces, such as the couple’s slouchy, linen-covered sofa. ‘My style is eclectic and I like to mix vintage pieces with luxe designer ones,’ says Anne-Claire. ‘But I also wanted the house to feel…

We bought this house in the countryside just outside of Lyon. We love calm village life, and now we’ve transformed the property into a relaxing home. Light and openness are both essential. The first thing we did was to knock down a partition wall between the two reception rooms to form a large open space. We put in French windows out to the terrace and painted all the walls and some floors in the house white. We particularly like white-painted wood for the light it adds to a room. It’s all about atmosphere. I like using candles and fairy lights to create a warm atmosphere and a comforting mood. Also, soft furnishings aren’t just for decoration – they can turn a room into a cocoon, which feels psychologically reassuring. Rugs…

WHERE TO BUY 1. MIRROR Small pebble mirror, £38, Oliver Bonas 2. WINE GLASSES Gold wine glasses, £24 for four, Next 3. PHOTO FRAME Starburst frame, £25, House of Fraser 4. CHAIR Barbara bronze chair, £628, Sweetpea & Willow 5. LAMP Moira table lamp, £200, Där Lighting 6. ICE BUCKET Ice bucket, £35, Debenhams 7. CUTLERY Gold cutlery set, £19.99, HomeSense 8. TUMBLERS Deco tumblers, £50 for eight, LSA International…

Keep it calm with plain white walls The key to mixing periods and styles is to offset the busyness they create. ‘Our mid-century furniture works well in the living room because the neutral backdrop helps to showcase the special pieces we’ve collected over the years,’ says Hannah. BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Great White Estate Emulsion, £39.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. For a similar rug, try the cowhide 8689 (1.78m x 1.72m), £290, Cowhiderugslondon.co.uk Let treasured pieces do the talking Hannah’s strategy is to ban pattern and colour on the walls. ‘We’ve collected lots of retro pieces over the years, and white walls mean that every accessory and piece of furniture is shown off in its full glory,’ she says. BUY THE KEY PIECES For similar flooring,…

Add a touch of black Red just shouts ‘Christmas’ but the latest way to use it is against inky black for a contemporary vibe. Team dramatic black tableware with robin-red napkins and throw in a little cut glass and crystal to lighten the look. WHERE TO BUY Tumblers, £4.50 each, Amara. For similar pendants, try the Brooklyn vintage, £69 each, Industville STYLIST’S NOTE “Ditch the tired Santa and reindeer patterns for graphic shapes or fun motifs that stand out from thecrowd” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR Give it an Alpine twist Update a classic silver and berry-red colour combo with cosy ‘ski-lodge’ accessories like tactile knits, raw-wood furniture and plenty of faux fur. WHERE TO BUY Faux-fur throw, £30; faux-fur cushion, £7; both George Home Choose full-on Victoriana The newest…

WHITE OUT Create your own  shimmering winter wonderland indoors Tree and decorations, all from a selection, George Home GIVE THE TREE A FOCAL POINT Iridescent snowflake tree topper, £18, The Contemporary Home DUSTING OF SNOW 7ft Icelandic king Christmas tree, £130, Homebase PUT ON THE GLITZ Glitter butterflies, £19.99 for six, Very SHIMMERING CENTREPIECE Large blue glitter stag, £8, Homebase PICK UP A PENGUIN Penguin scene bauble, £4, By Sainsbury’s ADD SOME TRENDY TEAL Blue bauble, £9 for 50, B&Q SNAPPY CHARACTER Cracker, £29.50 for six, Marks & Spencer TRANQUIL TONES Grey rosette and foliage wreath, £30, John Lewis FANTASY FOREST Snowglobe, £25, Marks & Spencer LOVE THIS LOOK TOO? FIND MORE LIKE IT IN IDEAL HOME’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS…

“ My favourite space is the living room – we spend a lot of time cuddled up in there, enjoying our cute home! ” THE PROPERTY A cottage built in 1890 in Friesland, The Netherlands. This small-but-perfectly-formed cottage is Mariëlla Houtsma and Tunno van der Graaf’s maiden decorating project. ‘It’s the first time we’ve been able to decorate how we want and the first time we’ve had to consider how to maximise a small space on an even smaller budget.’ Mariëlla and Tunno were childhood sweethearts, and at the age of 16 would often pass this house while riding their bikes through the village. ‘In our teens, we thought it was adorable and we imagined living here,’ says Mariëlla. ‘Now we actually do! Luckily for us, it…

With more than 40 suppliers competing for customers, there’s never been a better time to check your energy tariff and see if you could be saving money. Energyhelpline is one of the UK’s leading energy comparison sites, helping millions of households save on their energy bills. Running a comparison through the easy-to-use website takes a matter of minutes – and it’s free. The site will compare all the suppliers and tariffs on the market, so you can be confident you’ll find the best deal. This month, Ideal Home has teamed up with energyhelpline to help readers save. Visit the website below for more details or, if you would like someone to help you through the process in more detail, call energyhelpline’s free UK-based call centre and a friendly adviser will…

“Create an elegant dining table for family and friends with silvery accessories and plenty of candlelight ” HOLLY WALSH , ACTING STYLE& DECORATING ASSISTANT Creating a magical and stylish Christmas for you and your family couldn’t be easier, thanks to Laura Ashley. Whether you’re looking for a whole new festive look for your home, or just want to update your tree or tableware, the high-street favourite has all you need both online and in-store to make this Christmas the most memorable yet. GET YOUR HOME GUEST-READY Make sure your home is ready to welcome the endless arrivals of family, friends and well-wishers by ensuring it looks its best. Choose from Laura Ashley’s stunning range of beautiful glass baubles and twinkling fairy lights to decorate your tree, and dress…

“ We love eating together every morning at the island. Our kitchen is such a sunny space to be – it feels so inviting now ” Jane Beale lives here with her husband Steve and sons, Thomas, 11, and Charlie, eight. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Edwardian semi in West Malling, Kent. WHAT IT COST Units.....................£8,100 Worktop..............£3,797 Bifold doors........£4,400 Sink and taps.........£486 Appliances..........£6,672 Flooring...............£2,314 TOTAL.........£25,769…

“After having a shower cubicle, it’s wonderful to now use a walk-in shower, and I love the bench shelving inside it, too ” Chris Evans lives here with her husband Ray. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom detached house near Newbury, Berkshire, built in the 1880s. WHAT IT COST Shower.................£3,735 Furniture................£1,796 Sanitaryware........£1,235 Taps.......................£1,800 Tiles.......................£1,200 Radiator....................£216 Paint............................£54 TOTAL.............£10,036…

“We’re not afraid of a challenge, and we knew it could be our dream home ” Ann Watkinson lives here with her partner, Melise Jones. Ann is a retired consultant and Melise works in IT. PROPERTY A four-bedroom, Seventies chalet bungalow in Sheffield. VALUE Ann and Melise bought the house in July 2015 for £435,000. It is now worth more than £525,000. WHAT IT COST Building work.....£32,000 Roof ......................... £9,000 Doors andwindows ............... £10,000Larch cladding.......£3,000Kitchen.................... £4,500Bathrooms ............. £4,000Decoration .............£3,000TOTAL..............£65,500…

Q What is Black Friday? A tradition in the United States since the Fifties, Black Friday comes immediately after Thanksgiving and is when shops slash prices to encourage Christmas shopping. Asda and Amazon brought it to the UK in 2010 and other brands followed suit, but bunfights over bargains in some stores have led it to become mostly an online affair over here. Q Are the bargains as good as they seem? There are some great deals – last year we spotted a Nespresso machine, Lego sets and a Miele vacuum at less than half price. However, some retailers use Black Friday as an opportunity to clear out old stock, or even increase the prices of items beforehand to make the deals look better on the day. Q How can…

THE FRUIT & VEG KEEPER Organise your fridge and extend the life of fruit and veg with Oxo’s GreenSaver boxes – their carbon filters absorb the gas fresh produce emits, delaying decay From £14 for a 1.5ltr produce keeper, Oxo THE BOWL COVERS Less wasteful than clingfilm for protecting bowls of leftovers in the fridge, these reusable stretchy cotton covers are pretty enough to be seen on the dinner table, too £12.50 for six, Hen & Hammock THE ONION PRESERVER Got half an onion left that’ll stink out the fridge? Pop it in this handy holder £2.99, Dunelm THE HERB HELPER Make herbs last longer with this handy box from Cole & Mason. It fits snugly in the fridge door and has three removable partitions, you won’t mistakenly mix your…

The secret centre One for the younger crowd, this chocolate dome comes with marshmallow frosting and sugar holly leaves. Give it a piñata-style wallop with a spoon and the shell will crack open to release choc-covered malt balls and sugar stars on a chocolate-frosted sponge cake. A bit naughty, but very nice. The melting dome Another ‘hidden treasure’ dessert, Tesco’s Belgian gold-flecked chocolate dome comes with pot of caramel sauce that you heat before drizzling over the top. This instantly melts the crisp shell to reveal a rich, delicately layered dessert of chocolate brownie, mousse and hazelnuts. The festive message What this dessert lacks in theatre, it certainly makes up for in taste. We defy you not to like Sainsbury’s festive four-lettered dessert: a mix of milk and dark Belgian…

Makes A 20cm sq cake Takes 1hr 35min plus cooling time FOR THE CAKE • 225g salted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 4 star anise, broken into pieces • 225g caster sugar • ½tsp ground cinnamon • 2tsp vanilla extract • 4 medium eggs, beaten • 350g self-raising flour• 150g white chocolate, chopped • 4tbsp full-fat milk • Icing sugar • Paper doily, with a star cut out of the centre (try the Party Porcelain Gold, £4 for 24, Talking Tables) 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas 4. Lightly grease the base and sides of a 20cm sq cake tin, then line with baking paper. 2 Using a coffee or spice grinder, grind the star anise and 25g caster sugar to a powder. Tip into a bowl. Add the remaining sugar, butter, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Beat…

There’s nothing quite like a beautiful bunch of flowers to brighten up a dreary winter’s day. Thanks to bloomon’s delivery service, you can receive a seasonal bouquet at home as often as you like. By sending flowers directly from the grower to you, bloomon ensures its customers get the freshest and most in-season blooms, with flowers that last up to 10 days. In fact, bloomon is so confident that you will love your flowers that you can cancel or pause your deliveries at any time. Plus, as the bouquets are created from scratch by in-house artisans, each one is different from the last – from bright colours to pretty pastels, these individual seasonal arrangements ensure that every bunch gets the attention it deserves. This month, Ideal Home has teamed up…

FIND MORE BRILLIANT GIFT IDEAS IN IDEAL HOME’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS…

Ideal SMOOTH LINES Savoy Champagne flute, £32 for two, LSA International LUXE TEXTURE Beaten metal cutlery set, £80, House of Fraser ADD A LITTLE GOLD LEAF Contour gold willow plate, £15, John Lewis BRING HEIGHT TO YOUR TABLE Five-arm metal candelabra, £38, My Furniture UP THE GLITZ WITH PATTERN Silver glitter deco crackers, £30 for six, House of Fraser MAX OUT THE BUDGET ON CUT GLASS Lismore double old fashioned tumbler, £55, Waterford KEEP IT ELEGANT WITH PLAIN LINENS Grey linen napkins, £25 for four, Kelly Hoppen Great Deal VINTAGE STYLE Silver rim optic Champagne flute, £10, Laura Ashley …OR CHOOSE ICY GLITTER Christmas dinner plate, £3, Matalan CUTE DIMPLES Silver cutlery set, £32, Lorraine at Home range, Home Essentials OPT FOR HIGH SHINE Silver metal candelabra, £19.99, HomeSense KEEP…

ME-TIME DUO Tea set for one, £12, Next CAT LOVER’S DELIGHT Saskia cat salt and pepper shakers, £14 for two, Oliver Bonas SPOIL A LITTLE ONE Fraser bear, £18, House of Fraser FOR FESTIVE TREATS Joy Robin mince pie plate, £17.95, Emma Bridgewater FLOWER POWER Garden kneeler, £12, By Sainsbury’s GREAT FOR KIBBLE The Rabble storage tin, £14.99, Dogs Trust SIX LOVELY SCENTS Fragranced candle gift set, £10, Next MAKE IT PERSONAL Design Letters drinking bottle, £17.95, Cissy Wears TAKE NOTE Citrus Bloom A5 notebook with sticky notes, £17, Ted Baker range, Wild & Wolf TABLE TRIVIA Games Room Movie Buff game, £8, Ridleys range, Wild & Wolf SHAKEN OR STIRRED? Classic cocktail kit, £16.99, Dobbies Garden Centres SHOW YOU CARE Care Packages book, £14.99, Hardie Grant FRIEND OF NATURE…

BEAUTY TREATS Send a customisable box filled with five mini beauty products each month. December’s case doubles up as a make-up-brush holder From £10 per month (plus P&P), Birchbox CHEERFUL SOCKS Who wouldn’t want three pairs of snazzy socks delivered to their door every month? From £5.99 per month (available in a range of designs), Henry J Socks LOVELY CUPPAS Send a friend three leaf teas complete with notes, instructions and bags to be filled From £10 for a three-month membership, London Tea Club PRETTY PAPERWORK Filled with themed cards, notebooks and other paper products, these monthly boxes are the perfect gift for a stationery fiend From £9.95 per month, Papergang GOURMET CHOCS Delight a chocoholic with a monthly parcel from the Chocolate Club – you might want to sign…

“ We chose this house for its light and openness, but not its décor! The rooms were painted yellow, with varnished pine floors, and had no charm at all ” Anne-Claire Ruel lives here with her husband Nicolas and their children Anton, five, Scarlett, three, and Albertine, four months. Anne-Claire is a stylist and Nicolas is a sales manager. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, 1900s house in a village near Lyon, France. Take a quick tour...…

STYLIST’S NOTE “Pale aqua, teal and eau de nil really pop against crisp white – avoid a too-cool look by adding hints of copper and wood ”LISA FAZZANI , SHOPPING EDITOR MY GO-TO STORES… • Honoré ‘It sells bohemian-style furniture and cool lighting.’ • Le Petit Florilège ‘Full of beautiful crockery and porcelain bowls.’ • Notonthehigh street.com ‘Fresh, bold designs and great for new trends.’ • Zangra ‘I love its outsized light bulbs.’…

“ Just because we live in the country, doesn’t mean we had to have completely rustic décor ” THE PROPERTY A Georgian cottage in Brassington, Derbyshire. VALUE Bought for £245,000 in 2006; now worth £425,000. Hannah Waring and her husband Nick bought their cottage 10 years ago, when looking for a family home outside London. The property is made up of two one-up one-down worker’s cottages knocked together, and the couple saw its potential immediately. ‘We wanted to create a light-filled home that felt lived in,’ says Hannah. They went for a top-to-bottom renovation, rejigging the ground floor by moving the kitchen and turning two small rooms into one big living zone. They also added an extension to the kitchen-diner and another to the first floor, creating…

KIDS’ CORNER Give their bedroom a quick and easy festive update Decorations and bed linen, all from a selection, By Sainsbury’s MIX UP FUN BAUBLES Baubles, from £2.50 each, By Sainsbury’s THEY’LL LOVE CUTE CHRISTMAS CREATURES Woodland crackers, £17 for six, Sisters Guild LET THEM DECORATE IT 3ft Fraser fir tree, £39.50, Marks & Spencer HELP KIDS COUNT IT DOWN Advent boxes, £3.49 per set, Homebase A TREE TOPPER AND A TOY Hand-made angel, £14, The Contemporary Home THE SANTA IMPRESSIONS START HERE! Ho Ho Ho garland, £8, Talking Tables CHEERY CHARM Santa head stocking, £8, John Lewis SOFTER ALTERNATIVE Felt holly wreath with robin, £36, Hedgehog LOVE THIS LOOK TOO? FIND MORE LIKE IT IN IDEAL HOME’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS…

PRETTY IN PINK Gold adds warmth to this sugared-almond look Tree and decorations, from a selection, George Home TOP IT WITH A STRIKING STARBURST Gold tree topper, £12, The Contemporary Home SPARKLY & SNOW-KISSED Flocked pre-lit downswept pine tree, £180, Very JINGLE ALL THE WAY! Glitter sleigh bells, £4.99, HomeSense ADD A WARM GOLDEN GLOW Gold tealight holder, £9, The Contemporary Home GEM-STYLE GEOMETRICS Glass jewel decorations, £10 for four, Paperchase POP SOME ON THE TREE Crackers, £29.50 for six, Marks & Spencer BLING UP YOUR FRONT DOOR Champagne and crystal ball wreath, £7.50, Homebase SERVE UP A FESTIVE MESSAGE Merry & Bright dish, £10, John Lewis LOVE THIS LOOK TOO? FIND MORE LIKE IT IN IDEAL HOME’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS…

IDEAL NATURAL TEXTURE Bamboo bowl lampshade, £60.99, Ian Snow range, Wayfair YEAR-ROUND DECORATION Driftwood star garland, £14.95, Idyll Home HAND-MADE DESIGN Wooden Christmas tree, £39.05, Atelier 1053 range, Etsy FESTIVE GRAPHIC Gran cushion, £25, Shedquarters COOL & COMFY Jerry chair, £85, Habitat SWAP A TREE POT FOR A LUXE SACK… Storage bag, £19, Essential range, Amara CHUNKY FOR A RUSTIC FEEL Yarnscombe hand-knitted throw, £280, Lauren Aston Designs GREAT DEAL ADD SOME SPARKLE Glitter star wooden bunting, £5.99, Ginger Ray LIGHTER LOOK Bamboo lampshade, £9.99, Clas Ohlson WINTRY WHITE Wood-effect stick Christmas tree, £10, Matalan A CALMER OPTION Pine tree pillow cover, £11.91, Bead and Reel range, Etsy …OR GO MINIMAL WITH THIS Le Sac En Papier, £8, Peastyle PERFECT PAIRED WITH WHITE Dining chair, £69, Cult Furniture A FINER…

8 DAYS FROM £1,199PP; 15 DAYS FROM £1,799PP There are lots of ships cruising Europe’s rivers, but few can match the luxury and elegance of Riviera’s five-star vessels on the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhône or Seine. THE PRICE INCLUDES • Either return rail* and Eurostar or flights, taxes and transfers • Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout • Five-star cabins with hotel-standard beds, private bathrooms and river views • Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes Selected departures April to November 2017 TO BOOK OR ORDER A FREE BROCHURE, CALL 01283 744319 OR VISIT IDERIVIERA.CO.UK *Supplements applicable for certain regional stations. Cruise durations may vary. Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated…

LAKE COMO, ST MORITZ & THE BERNINA EXPRESS THE PRICE INCLUDES • Return flights, taxes and transfers • Seven nights at four-star hotels with half board • Includes St Moritz, the Bernina Express, Lake Maggiore, Bellagio Lake cruise and Villa del Balbianello Departures from April to October 2017 CLASSICAL SPAIN: SEVILLE, CORDOBA & GRANADA THE PRICE INCLUDES • Return flights, taxes and transfers • Six nights at three- or four-star hotels with breakfast • Tours of Seville, the Alhambra in Granada, Cordoba and Ronda with an experienced tour manager Departures from March to November 2017 POMPEII, CAPRI & THE BAY OF NAPLES THE PRICE INCLUDES • Return flights, taxes and transfers • Seven nights at three- or four-star Sorrento hotels with half board** • Includes Sorrento, Capri, Vesuvius, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast Departures from…

“ Dark, moody tones work well with pale worktops like Carrara marble or white quartz, which creates a clear and confident point of contrast ” KARON READ, SENIOR KITCHEN DESIGNER, NEPTUNE FEELS LIKE FURNITURE These Shaker units make a kitchen look like a living space – ideal for an open-plan layout CONTEMPORARY COOL Easy-access open shelving and ultramodern flat-fronted cabinets create a streamlined look STRIKING CONTRAST White worktops, high-shine knobs and glazed wall units make the blue look extra crisp MIX AND MATCH Soften dark blue by using it on base units only and painting wall cabinets in cream CONTINENTAL STYLE Modern Italian kitchen design at its finest…

“Wine coolers store wine at its optimum humidity of 60-70%, whereas standard fridges have a humidity level of just 30% ”TWARITA ARYA, PRODUCT MANAGER WHITE GOODS, HAIER As the evenings turn chilly and the festive season looms, there are plenty of excuses to crack open a bottle of wine. If you’re stocking up, it could be worth investing in a wine fridge – not only will it free up prime real estate in your fridge, it’ll also take special care of every bottle. Q Why buy a wine cooler? Unlike a standard fridge, a wine cooler gives the precision chill needed to keep your bottles at their best. It will have at least one temperature-controlled zone, which you can alter depending on the wine type you want to store…

When they were invented in the 1800s, roll-top baths were very much a status symbol and were usually elevated and placed in the centre of the room. Today, a roll-top still creates a dramatic statement, whether in a modern or traditional bathroom. Q Which shape is best? As the name implies, the rim has a stylish rolled edge, but they come in different shapes. The slipper is higher at one end for comfy lounging, while the double-ended bateau is ideal for two. Aim for a good width at shoulder level. Q Do they come in different materials? Enamelled cast iron is the most authentic, but you might have to get your floor reinforced to take the weight. They also come in copper and tin, and acrylic, which is less expensive,…

Aluminium windows Lee Vaughan, Anglian Home Improvements’ product development director, has the lowdown 1 THEY ARE GROWING IN POPULARITY Aluminium windows are increasingly being chosen for renovation and new-build projects, thanks to their strength, durability, low maintenance and contemporary design. 2 PRICES ARE COMPETITIVE Aluminium windows have a reputation for being more expensive than timber or UPVC alternatives, but prices are coming down and there are no repainting costs to budget for. 3 THEY OFFER SLIM FRAME EDGES… The strength of aluminium means that the window frames are discreet, so sightlines are less interrupted, more light is let in and they have a sleeker look. 4 …AS WELL AS BEING ENERGY EFFICIENT Aluminium once had a reputation for not being particularly thermally efficient, but with today’s modern designs this is…

THE CRUMB CLEARER This cordless hand-held vacuum cleaner is also great all year round for stairs, corners, the car and for those with hairy pets and food-flinging babies Multi, £149, Gtech THE HAND WIPERS Whisk these kind-to-the-skin baby wipes over mucky pups’ hands to prevent Christmas dinner being transferred to toys, chairs and door handles 80p for 80, Sainsbury’s THE BIN BAGS Keep one of these festive bin bags close to hand to shove used giftwrap, paper hats and food packaging into. And, yes, they’re biodegradable £10 for 12, Find Me A Gift THE SPECIALIST SCOURERS These non-scratch scourers are the best we’ve tried in ages – perfect for tackling quality crystal and dirty pans, as well as the turkey roasting tin £1.19 for a two, Marigold THE STAIN BLITZER…

1 THE INSTANT WHIZZ Can US brands such as Sudden and Voilà make instant coffee cool again? We’ll see, but for now, this machine can ‘upgrade’ your granules – add a scoop and some milk (it takes any kind), then twist a dial for a spot-on latte or cappuccino in less than a minute. It does a mean hot choc or mocha, too. Moments hot drinks maker, £100, Breville 2 THE SCIENTIFIC SIPHON In the crazy, mad-scientist world of coffee, siphon brewing is so hot right now. Your water goes at the bottom and grounds at the top. Then, as the water boils it’s forced into the upper chamber, where your drink brews before it’s sucked back down through a filter. The result? A coffee that’s aromatic, intense and utterly…

WHITE Heirloom Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, Australia 2015 The 2015 vintage of this organic wine is fresh and light, balanced with stone fruit and melon flavours. Just the thing to enjoy with a salmon dish £19.99, Waitrose SPARKLING Graham Beck ‘The Rhona’ Brut Rosé, South Africa NV A fantastic-value New World sparkling rosŽ, this is surprisingly complex for the price tag. Enjoy as an aperitif, as well as with a light seafood starter £15, Marks & Spencer RED Viña Ventisquero, Carmenère Root 1, Colchagua Valley, Chile Blended with some Syrah to add some spicy aromas, it features smoky and restrained oak notes. Packed full of flavour, it’s crying out for roast beef £8, Morrisons…

Make your shed magical Turn a garden room into a grotto by stringing up warm white berry lights, £13 for 120 at Homebase Light the way Reinvent an old jar (or buy 12 for £7.99 at Lakeland) by popping a tealight inside, then hang a few along the garden path Make your topiary twinkle Give a simple shrub a festive glow by covering it with a battery powered fairylight net, £12.99 at Lights4fun Greet guests Kids will love being welcomed by this light-up snowman figure, £40 from Wilko Have an outdoor Christmas tree Set the scene with a stately spruce – this one’s from a range starting at £19.99, with poinsettia clips, £3.99 each from Dobbies Garden Centres Adopt a reindeer Simply plug in Cox & Cox’s weather-resistant deer, from…

A Abode 01273 621116; abodeliving.co.uk AeroBed aerobed.co.uk Aldi aldi.co.uk Alternative Flooring 01264 335111; alternativeflooring.com Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Amazon.co.uk amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 713089; anniesloan.com Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476; anthropologie.eu Ao.com 0844 324 9222; ao.com Apple 0800 048 0408; apple.com/uk Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416; appliancesdirect.co.uk Argos 0345 640 3030; argos.co.uk Art & Parcel 0161 236 1302; artandparcel.co.uk Art.co.uk 020 8435 6556; art.co.uk Art Rooms (The) 01274 597909; theartrooms.co.uk Asda 0800 952 0101; asda.com Astell & Kern astellnkern.com Atkin and Thyme 0844 409 9834; atkinandthyme.co.uk AtNo67 01225 938059; atnumber67.co.uk B BakedIn bakedin.co.uk Balsam Hill 020 3368 6726; balsamhill.com B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9169; barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Basket Company (The) 01202 422600; thebasket company.com Bathstore 0800 023 2323; bathstore.com Baumatic 0118 931 1110; baumatic.co.uk Beko 0845 600 4911; beko.co.uk Berisfords 01260 274011; berisfords-ribbons.co.uk Berry Bros & Rudd 0800 280 2440; bbr.com Bettys 0800 456 1919; bettys.co.uk Bhs 0333 733 1000; bhs.com Birchbox birchbox.co.uk Bloom & Wild 020…