Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Ideal Home

“Our house is flexing once more and our 2022 plans include a kitchen extension” The thing about living with kids is that your home is in a constant state of flux (and chaos, or is that just me?) – shifting to suit the next stage of family life. When my twins were small it was all about open-plan living, with the aim that if we could keep them within sight, we might stand a chance of swooping in before any major mischief went down. Once they went to bed, the toys and mess would be cleared away into the myriad of storage options we shoe-horned into the room – shelving, baskets, chests – to give the impression of a kid-free zone for the evening (oh how I miss the days…

Dulux has announced its Colour Of The Year for 2022, and we’re feeling the freshness. Powdery-blue Bright Skies captures a hopeful mood, as creative director of Dulux UK Marianne Shillingford explains: ‘People want to feel revitalised and enjoy the freedoms that are returning to them. What better inspiration can we take than the endless skies around us?’ It can be paired with deep blue or mid green, or teamed with off-white and sandy neutrals for a calming finish, with touches of charcoal for definition.…

BOLD NOTES A variety of elements set the graphic tone. For example, in the kitchen area, a deep-set picture window framed in black metal, looking out to the garden, creates a simple but strong statement. It is complemented by the bi-fold corner door that opens fully to the outside from the snug, plus a narrow floor-length window by the sofa. In the dining area, a half-height glass balustrade provides a view into the hallway beyond. STRONG LINES Architectural pieces have been picked out decoratively throughout Mark and Claire’s home, starting with the large kitchen island wrapped in marble. Furniture, too, makes for eye-catching silhouettes, including plush modern sofas, oversized round mirrors, industrial-style lighting and circular washbasins. COOL HUES Impactful monochrome schemes also add a graphic touch, from deep navy in…

“It would have to be a really AMAZING property for us to move. This is PRETTY PERFECT for us” 1 “Beams and bricks create texture” ‘Along with any type of timber, brickwork adds a real sense of character in a home. Here, light parquet flooring adds a contemporary feel, while letting original architectural elements shine. For me, houseplants are a must, too, as natural greenery softens a space that has few soft furnishings. The grey drawers are one of my favourite upcycling projects; they started life as school art drawers. I gave them new life with a coat of paint.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Clay Grey herringbone engineered wood flooring, £49.99sq m, Flooring Supplies. Tree and pot, from £65, Blooming Artificial. Print of York map, from £150, Francis Frith. Try…

What the experts say... “Using an OFF-WHITE on a CEILING can reduce its dominance and draw the eye to other ELEMENTS in the room”TOM BALCH, DIRECTOR AT ROSE OF JERICHO Designers and stylists share their views ‘To check whether the shade you’ve chosen is warm or cool, try contrasting it with pure white. Hold a painted sheet of paper or a colour chip against a true white (such as printer paper). This will help you to see the undertone of the colour.’ ANNA HILL, BRAND DIRECTOR, FENWICK & TILBROOK ‘Paint two coats of your sample paint onto lining paper or card, leaving no white border. This will become a clean, moveable colour swatch which you can play with on different walls throughout the day.’ PATRICK O’ DONNELL, BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR…

“I love how simple it is to transform any room in your house using nothing but a tin of paint; it’s the perfect way to make a big impression on a budget. Painting an arched panel to make a look-at-me feature in a room where there isn’t a natural focal point, or the walls are devoid of character, is one of my favourite tricks. Plus it’s easy to achieve. Start by using a pencil, tape measure and spirit level to draw a panel on your wall. Measure where the middle of your panel is, about one quarter of the way down from the top and use masking tape to attach a length of string half the width of your panel with a pencil tied to one end, to that middle…

• Bathroom lighting doesn’t have to be kept to the ceiling. Use it in other places, such as under the basin and in recesses to add a different dimension. • Have the flexibility to change the colour of lighting from warm to cool white for your use and time of day. • Choose dimmable lighting to create different moods depending on how you’re using the room or how you feel. • Due to water and vapours in bathrooms, check the IP (ingress protection) rating of your lighting. A rating of IP44 is recommended.…

THE PROBLEM ‘ A large and unused drawing room with a collapsing ceiling. THE SOLUTION ‘We couldn’t figure out how we would make the large drawing room work until we realised its potential as a kitchen/living area – the ultimate family hub. We worked with kitchen designer and maker, Dan McClark, who had a vision for the room. I knew I wanted bookcases but the ladder was the icing on the cake. Taking the leap to go pink was a gradual process but we got there in the end! The project took around eight months from start to finish. The damaged ceiling came down, but we managed to preserve the original ceiling rose and much of the coving and skirting. I love having such beautiful storage for all my books…

• Wallpaper is often considered risky for use in bathrooms because of its aversion to moisture and humidity. However, with good ventilation, such as an up-to-date extractor, and the right tools, wallpaper is a safe bet. • Vinyl wallpapers with a splashproof, wipeable surface that’s resistant to moisture are one option. However, the choice is limited. If you do end up falling for a design that isn’t splashproof, simply avoid using it near wet zones, such as around the bath or washbasin, and only paper the top half of the walls, with either tiles or panelling protecting the lower half. • Use a strong wallpaper adhesive to ensure longevity and durability. And for extra protection, finish with a coat of clear matt decorator’s varnish, which will further protect the paper…

Over the last few years a new phrase has started appearing in building circles, ‘fabric first’ or a fabric first approach. It is a simple concept for making comfortable, sustainable and affordable-to-heat homes by focusing on insulation, putting in good windows, reducing draughts and optimised orientation and design to capture as much of the sun’s heat as possible. In other words getting the stuff that the building is made from, fabric, right rather than the technology of how you heat it. It is one of those logical ideas that is so obvious that you already know it! Despite this I am constantly amazed at how often the plans we hear for sustainable homes, whether from the government or homeowners, focus on low carbon technology for heating – heat pumps, bio-mass,…

When space is tight or when an outward or inward-opening hinged door is inconvenient, a sliding pocket door makes a neat, sleek solution. The ultimate space-saver, a pocket or barn door creates a cute, cabin-like feel, and is a great go-to if you are trying to squeeze in an en suite or creating a cloakroom or office under the stairs. “A SURFACE-MOUNTED SLIDING DOOR MAY BE THE SOLUTION” WHAT IS A POCKET DOOR? This is when a door slides sideways into a cavity (or pocket) in the wall adjacent to the door; the door will be hidden from view when the entrance way is open. The wall needs to be deep and wide enough to be able to accommodate the width of the door. There are 10 standard door sizes…

REDUCE Swap out your usual laundry detergent for TruEarth’s super-compact laundry strips to reduce your reliance on plastic packaging. Each strip dissolves completely in the wash and it comes in zero-waste compostable packaging. From £13.99 for a wash pack of 32, TruEarth. RECYCLE Super-stylish rugs and runners made from recycled clothes? What’s not to love? Reversible and suitable for underfloor heating, each rug in the Aztec range is made from at least 19 cotton T-shirts. From £35.99 for a L180xW60cm runner, Flooring Superstore. REUSE Save space in your kitchen cupboards, while avoiding single-use plastic containers and bottles, with the Cupple. Part coffee cup, part water bottle, when you’re finished drinking from both receptacles, they stack neatly, Russian doll-style, into one single bottle. Genius. £38.50, Cupple.…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Guardian columnist and features writer, Hadley has also penned four books. She’s about to move house – a new project! NICKY PHILLIPS DECORATING EDITOR Nicky brings over 25 years’ experience to the table, and has been part of the Ideal Home family for 21 years. CHARLIE LUXTON ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER Charlie juggles his roles as director of Charlie Luxton Design, TV presenter and public speaker. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of themoneyedit.com. FEARNE COTTON BROADCASTER & AUTHOR TV and radio presenter Fearne’s Happy Place podcast is now in its ninth series, with over 40 million downloads.…

We’re not just getting more adventurous with colour in living rooms and bedrooms – bathrooms and kitchens are getting a bolder treatment too. A big new look for these spaces is to drench walls by painting and tiling in one shade. Perfect timing then for the partnership between tile experts Bert & May and paint favourites Little Greene. Their colour-matched collection of paint and tiles can be used to create a seamless, immersive cocoon. The range includes eight of Little Greene’s classic colours on Bert & May’s signature tiles – think soft, chalky cement squares and glossy, glazed clay herringbones. Among the colours are delicate blush Chemise (above) and versatile French Grey, along with rich Royal Navy, the dreamy washed-forest green, Livid, and warming yellow Bassoon.…

“I’ve realised that house décor cliches are like opinions: I only like my own” Because I spent most of last year house-hunting, I became extremely well-versed in the current home décor trends, many of which I think are appalling. But one, well, one is more complicated. The number one trend that really needs to end now is greige walls. Why do so many British people insist on painting their homes in awful muted grey-brown-blah colours? Is it to match the sky outside? Do they think it looks chic? Well, allow me to disabuse that notion now: it does not. It is depressing. I blame paint companies and their weird colour names, although it’s not like they didn’t warn us, naming them things like Elephant’s Breath. Have you ever smelled an…

BEST FOR A SOFT BACKDROP Milk Bottle kitchen matt emulsion, from £25 for 2.5ltr, Crown BEST FOR ENHANCING WARMTH Marbles clay paint, £47 for 2.5ltr, Earthborn BEST FOR A LAID-BACK LUXE Fine Cream matt emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltr, Dulux BEST AS AN ALL-ROUNDER Dandelion pure matt, £50 for 2.5ltr, Fenwick & Tilbrook BEST FOR A FRESH, SCANDI VIBE Sweatpants flat matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Coat NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC…

LILAC BASE As a pale and gentle colour, named after the delicate flower of the same name, lilac gives a feeling of tranquility. Different shades of lilac can be used to create colour schemes that work for particular rooms. A dusty lilac with grey undertones creates a sophisticated feel for a living room, while more sugary lilacs work well in a bathroom or children's bedroom. Being one of the paler hues of the purple family, it can also look good paired with olive and ochre from the green and yellow families. TEAL ACCENTS A mix of blue greens in different saturations lend themselves to this scheme when used in small amounts. Soft teal adds pockets of energy to bring the look to life. Add pops at varying places around the…

1. HEADBOARD Adding an upholstered headboard to your bed will elevate it instantly, bringing a sense of elegance and grandeur to the room. Easy to fit retrospectively, choose a fabric with either a bold design to make a style statement, or a more muted pattern, allowing you to match it with bedding. A plain luxe velvet in a vibrant, jewel tone would bring a touch of contemporary glamour to your space too. IH LOVES… • KD Loves for show-stopping designs • Neptune for customisable options • La Redoute for stand-out styles 2. BASKET Perfect for storing extra blankets or a bundle of guest towels, baskets will help to keep your room clutter free and give everything its own place. Choose a wide but shallow style that can be…

• Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are still relatively new in the flooring world. Both practical and durable, they’re water resistant, low maintenance and easy to look after, plus work with underfloor heating. • Softer and warmer underfoot than tiles, LVT can emulate wood and stone finishes, without the cost. • Many LVT styles are available as planks or strips, with an inventive click system meaning they are easy to install and create a seamless floating floor with a smooth, authentic finish. • Although LVT is more expensive to buy and fit than sheet vinyl, its super durability means that it will last much longer.…

Need more space? There are many good reasons to convert or extend your loft. For a start, it’s possibly the largest square footage of unused space in your home, yet often the least disruptive to convert. Plus it’s certainly more cost effective than moving house. And all you may need to do is strengthen the floor, insulate and add windows. ‘Interest in loft conversions is increasing as homeowners look to add more space to their properties,’ explains Adrienne Minster of Rated People. ‘Converting your loft can not only provide more space, but it can also add value to your home if you decide to sell.’ ASSESS THE SPACE There are certain head-height requirements you must adhere to. As a rule of thumb, if you can measure 210cm from the floor…

THE PROBLEM “A window seat or fixed glazing next to a set of doors can create more spaces to sit during the colder months”MIKE TUCK, ARCHITECT The house was prone to overheating and had a ground floor bathroom THE SOLUTION ‘During a collaborative design process we proposed a bespoke, robust timber framed glazed façade extension, which could offer shading to the windows while allowing ambient light deep into the rooms. The kitchen now runs the width of the building rather than sharing space with a dining room, while the ground floor bathroom has been transformed into a loo and utility room. It sits next to the new extension which hosts a spacious dining area. The client also had a bespoke concrete sink made for the new first floor bathroom that…

BEFORE YOU BUY • Food processors vary greatly in price and number of accessories, so how much you spend will depend on how much you plan to use it and what you need it for. A basic machine can cost as little as £40, while models with built-in scales, timers and heating features can be £500 upwards. • One of the defining features of modern food processors is how much kit they can potentially come with. Standard accessories include a chopping blade for dicing, mixing, mashing and puréeing. There will be a dough hook for kneading, which works by stretching the dough rather than slicing through it. Then there might be one or two discs with a spindle, which will shred, slice and grate cheese and vegetables. “Storing blades and…

How do you go green with your finances? Climate change, pollution and the environment are officially our biggest life concerns – second to coronavirus – and it’s the strongest we’ve felt about this since 1989, according to research*. While our concerns have led us to consuming less meat, seeking out eco-friendly alternatives and buying electric cars, the real power to make an impact lies with your money. Our finance expert Kalpana Fitzpatrick shows you how your cash can help save the planet. BANK FOR GOOD When you put money into a bank, it is used to invest in various companies and projects, but not necessarily ones you would be happy about. A report from Greenpeace and WWF UK found that banks and asset managers were responsible for financing the output…

I am a pretty sensitive person. I’m affected by the people I’m with, the words spoken and energetically what’s going on around me. Luckily, in our homes we can manipulate the feel and energy close to us with colour and print. With a simple brush stroke of paint or newly upholstered chair, we can create totally new atmospheres and choose how we want that room to make us feel. “I’ve realised that colour and pattern, rather than neutrals, can create a heavenly tranquillity been” When we moved into our family home nearly eight years ago I felt mentally overwhelmed with the prospect of a wedding a month away (what were we thinking?) and an 18-month-old in tow. My brain overload led to a rather neutral palette in our home in…

Brussels sprouts tartines SERVES 4 READY IN 15 MINS ● 100g Colston Bassett Stilton, crumbled ● 125g full-fat crème fraîche ● 30g walnut pieces ● 150g bacon lardons ● 450g Brussels sprouts, bases trimmed, cut into quarters ● 4 chunky slices of sourdough bread ● Handful of lamb’s lettuce 1 Using an electric whisk, mix the cheese until smooth, then stir in the crème fraîche. 2 Toast the walnuts in a non-stick frying pan until golden. Remove from the pan and fry the lardons until cooked. Remove the lardons from the pan, but leave the fat. Add the Brussels sprouts to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, then stir occasionally for 10 mins, or until golden. 3 Meanwhile, toast the sourdough bread under the grill. 4 Spread the blue…

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? Definitely really early in the morning, around 6am. I love being up just before the sun breaks. That silence and stillness before all the world kind of wakes up. There’s a really lovely, gentle energy to that time of day. I never used to be a morning person but because of This Morning, I’ve learned to embrace it! WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? We’re very lucky that we have beautiful woodland surrounding our home. I just love being out there. I’ll sometimes lie down in the middle of the woods and just look up to the sky through the trees for about ten minutes and completely relax. WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE? Well, there’s my portable phone charger which I bought about…

The homeware haven, based in Norfolk and now online, began in 2014 to bring together Birdie’s experience as an interior designer and antiques dealer. It’s easy to see how her background has resulted in such a strong, elegant-bohemian aesthetic. The collections are designed in-house and created with artisans she’s encountered on her travels. The latest, Wanderings, blends folk-inspired designs from Romania to China via Russia and East Africa; discover one-of-a-kind artwork alongside eclectic homewares. We love the colourful jute footstools, woven wall baskets and plethora of patterned cushions that are just made for mixing.…

YOUR BEST DECORATING DECISION? Keeping the fresh plaster in our living room unpainted. We’ve always loved its colour and texture in previous renovations, and this time we felt brave enough to leave it exposed. It is so warm, raw and beautiful. YOUR SECRET STYLING IDEA? Pin or save images with colours that make you happy and pull out all the ones that feature again and again. Stick to these tones in your home and everything will work together. FAVOURITE CORNER OF YOUR HOME? Our kids’ reading nook which I created out of an unused cupboard! We all love how cosy it is in there. AN ITEM IN YOUR HOME THAT SPARKS JOY? Our Ikea toy kitchen which I upcycled as a mini version of my own dream kitchen: fluted cabinets…

HARDWOOD It’s easy to look after, natural and porous and so less prone to buckling. Even better, it looks amazing, will increase your home’s value and can be sanded back if scratched. LAMINATE A great budget option that’s ideal for growing families. Good-quality mid-range laminate should be scratch- and stain-resistant, although it’s best avoided in bathrooms as it can become slippery when it is wet. VINYL Easy to install and with a huge range of colours and patterns available, vinyl is a great spill-resistant option. RUBBER This option is soft underfoot, deadens noise and has shock-absorbing qualities, so it’s perfect for when children are young.…

STYLE DIRECTION “Combine different tones of green in a hallway to help the space feel both serene and energised”NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR STYLE DIRECTION “Mix green with blue to create a feeling of calm in a living room, then add shots of terracotta – this accent shade will bring the space to life”NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR PICK A PATTERN Green will bring a tranquil feel to any room, so use it with subtle patterns and prints that complement its serenity and evoke a sense of wellbeing. A simple ticking stripe, a watercolour print, or a subtle geometric design all make the perfect companion to a green painted wall. CONSIDER SHADES AND TONES The great thing about green is that all shades work beautifully with each other, so don’t be afraid…

Hang box shelving  If cupboards are at bursting point and worktops cluttered, display niches can be a versatile storage solution. Give it a twist… Try wallpapering the back of the boxes, or use sticky-backed vinyl, to add colour or a pop of pattern. Go for floor-to ceiling colour Match your wall colour to your kitchen units, and paint the section of wall above wall units, too, for extra impact. Monochrome works with any style, and acts as a base for a pop of colour. Give it a twist….. Try the tuxedo trend with wall-mounted cabinets in white and base units black, or vice versa. Paint a blackboard Mark out a rectangle using masking tape and fill it in with blackboard paint, to make a feature that is part memo board…

Dreaming of a spa-style en suite or family-friendly shower room? There’s plenty to consider when it comes to designing these often small, hard-working spaces. We asked an interior designer, a bathroom designer and a tile expert just what it takes to create the perfect shower room. DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT ‘Think about whether you want a wet room, where the whole space or showering area is fully open and designed to get wet, or a shower room, where, quite simply, there’s a shower, which is either open or enclosed,’ says Richard. ‘Unlike a traditional shower room, a wet room will forgo the shower tray (and sometimes the screen), in favour of an entirely waterproofed space with flooring laid on a gradient to drain without spilling into the wider room,’ adds…

1 HOW TO HANG A CLOTHES RAIL FROM THE CEILING Turn a small box room into a dream dressing area with a wall-to-wall run of drawers, plus a ceiling-hung rail. • Measure the space between the ceiling and either the top of the drawers or the floor, to see how low you can hang your rail. • Next work out how wide you’d like your rail, make a mark and attach ceiling hooks. • To make a bespoke rail, use either a length of chain or rope fed through a copper pipe or even some slim plastic piping spray-painted to match your scheme. Attach each end to the ceiling hooks and adjust accordingly. 2 EMBRACE CHINOISERIE IN A DINING SPACE Bring a touch of elegant oriental design to your home…

THE PROBLEM The original down airs bathroom was cold and , uninviting THE SOLUTION ‘Our first job was to move the downstairs bathroom to a more convenient spot upstairs; fortunately, an unused bedroom was ideal. With the room feeling lovely and bright thanks to the two large windows, we knew it would cope with a dark, rich palette, so we teamed slate-effect floor tiles with light grey brick tiles, and painted the walls, woodwork and ceiling in Little Greene’s Lamp Black – a stunning inky colour that has real depth. To ensure the room didn’t feel too gloomy, I hunted for a wallpaper that would energise the dark tones. As a bespoke stationery designer for weddings and events (@lrstationery), I adore fresh floral designs, so I knew this striking wallpaper…

ACCESS Building regulations stipulate that if the loft is to be turned into a bedroom, bathroom, study or playroom, it must have a permanent staircase. The most minimal arrangements resemble a fixed ladder, while a spiral staircase offers an attractive solution where space is tight. INSULATION Part L of the building regulations insists on a good standard of insulation. The main reason for this is that loft spaces can be subject to extreme temperatures, getting very hot in summer and feeling extra chilly in winter. FIRE REGULATIONS These regulations should be incorporated in your earliest plans. Building materials must comply with standards of fire resistance – check if your builder has this in hand. Find out more at firespace.org.uk/. If there are several rooms in your conversion, you need to…

1 SOLAR CONTROL GLASS allows sunlight to pass through a window but reflects and absorbs heat to keep internal spaces cool. 2 A COATING is pre-applied to the glass; it’s ideal for south-facing windows and highly-glazed structures. 3 COLOURS used to be limited to silver, blue or brown but you can now get some good neutral colour coatings. 4 COMBINE THE POSITION of windows on the inner face of a deep window reveal and solar control glazing to effectively prevent overheating. 5 NO SPECIAL MAINTENANCE is required, and the special coating can help reduce cooling bills. It is available in different levels depending on the needs of the property.…

BEFORE YOU BUY • A bed, and therefore its mattress, should be 10cm longer than the tallest person who will be sleeping on it, so a king size is the minimum for someone 6ft or more. To check if a mattress is supporting you properly, lie down and slide a hand beneath the small of your back. If your hand fits easily, it’s too hard; not at all, and it’s too soft. • The base will affect how the mattress feels. A sprung divan will make a mattress seem softer than a solid divan or slatted base. You might want to consider changing your bed base as well as your mattress. • Many modern mattresses don’t require turning, which is ideal because they can be incredibly heavy. If it does,…

• Ethical banks are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, meaning £85,000 of your savings are protected should the bank go bust(fscs.org.uk/check-your-money-is-protected). • From April 2022, you can apply for a £5,000 grant using the Boiler Upgrade Scheme if you replace your gas boiler with a low-carbon heat pump. The scheme will be available via a supplier – but do note, it won’t cover all the expenses as replacements can cost in excess of £10,000. • Reduce your energy bill with tips from the Energy Saving Trust (energysavingtrust.org.uk). • Follow Kalpana on Instagram @KalpanaFitz…

Clean air clean planet “Operate the Briiv via the companion app or use voice command with either Alexa or Google Assistant” Air purifiers are enjoying huge , popularity right now due to our rising awareness of airborne pollution. And while they don’t use a great deal of energy, the filters that they use do need to be replaced and no brand has yet created one that can be recycled. Until now! Made using 90% natural and renewable materials, Briiv filters the air to the equivalent of having 3,043 houseplants in your room and as the filters are made from moss, coconut, carbon and silk, they’re completely biodegradable after use. WASTE NOT Vacuum food storage preserves food for longer by removing the air and oxygen that circulates around it. So if…

WORK OUT WHAT YOU WANT Understairs cupboards, AKA cupboards of doom, often aren’t utilised and the brilliant storage they could provide is overlooked. Or I find that they are so full of stuff, clients have no idea what’s actually in there! Before you start tackling this space, take out everything to see what you’ve been hiding, and ask yourself what you need to store in there that can’t be stored elsewhere. Can shoes be kept in a bedroom? DIY gear in the garage? Paperwork in an office? You should be left with a lot less that actually needs to be stored. THINK LONG TERM Without any sort of format or plan, understairs spaces are vast, dark and a tricky shape so don’t just do nothing and hope for the best.…