Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Ideal Home

When I tell people what I do for a living, most respond: ‘You must get to look around some amazing homes!’ And it’s true, I do. Hands down, it’s one of the best bits of my job. The team and I meet weekly to select the homes for Ideal Home, and it’s the highlight of my week. Not only do I get interiors inspiration in spades (I’m forever filing ideas away for my own home), but I also love the invitation to peek into another world. “I can’t be the only one distracted by people’s backdrops on Zoom calls” There’s an intimacy about looking around someone’s home and seeing how they live. Whatever their style, I get to share a little of the happiness these spaces bring to the people…

WATCH It’s the Emmy-nominated drama that got most of us through lockdown (according to Netflix, 82 million households worldwide tuned in to Season One) and now the second season of Bridgerton arrives on the streaming platform. So curl up with your Easter chocolate and indulge… LISTEN Holly Tucker MBE (one half of the creative duo who founded Notonthehighstreet, and now an avid supporter of small businesses through her own company, Holly & Co) brings us soulful chats and honest life lessons from the UK’s best-loved founders and figures, in Conversations of Inspiration. DO Plant herbs for summer. Start them indoors in small pots, then transplant into outdoor pots or beds. Herbs like basil, parsley and chives do best when bought as seeds, while others like mint and rosemary are best…

HARDWEARING More often found in commercial spaces, poured-resin floors are now being used in the home. There are two types: epoxy resin and polyurethane. Either can be added onto a concrete base to create a durable, easy-to-clean floor which withstands the scrapes and spills of family life. It can be used with underfloor heating and won’t crack. CONCRETE VS RESIN Like concrete, resin is poured on site for a smooth look, however it doesn’t need expansion joints like concrete, giving it a seamless appearance. Poured resin is warmer and softer underfoot than concrete, and a slip-resistant layer can be added. They’re available in every RAL colour in both matt and polished finishes. Flakes can be added for a terrazzo effect. COSTS The bigger the area, the cheaper a resin floor…

1 “I love fun space that are imaginative and thoughtful” “When we first saw the HOUSE we fell in love with its HIGH CEILINGS and beautiful PROPORTIONS” The couple wanted this to be a joyful part of the house for spending time with friends and family, so they knocked down a wall between the kitchen and dining area to open it up, creating a spacious kitchen. The room will soon be completed with wood burner, to be installed in the inglenook. ‘We decided it was too low to put the cooker there!’ laughs Anna. BUY THE KEY PIECES Bespoke kitchen, price on request, Thorington Joinery. Wall in Edith’s Eye absolute matt emulsion, £26 for 1ltr; kitchen island in Three Farm Green intelligent eggshell, £35 for 1ltr, both Little Greene 2…

What the experts say... “Derived from the oxidation of copper, this rich, STRIKING shade is back on trend due to the VIBRANCY it brings to a scheme”PETER GOMEZ, HEAD OF DESIGN AT ZOFFANY Designers and stylists share their views ‘Verdigris has a copper-green base, so although this colour appears to be happy and lively at first glance, it still retains a reassuring feel and underlying elegance. In north-facing rooms it will feel less dynamic, but more connected to nature.’ JOA STUDHOLME, COLOUR CURATOR AT FARROW & BALL ‘I love pairing verdigris with deep, warm reds and terracotta. The key is to make sure the colours balance. Generally, green is a cool, receding colour. However, the more yellow it is, the warmer it looks and therefore the more attention it attracts.’…

“Hand illustrated and coloured beautifully, the exquisite hummingbird print is my personal favourite”NICKY PHILLIPS, STYLE EDITOR Finding the perfect window dressings for your home can be a hard task to navigate, so we’re thrilled to partner with leading made to measure blind and curtain supplier Blinds 2go to make the job a whole lot easier. ‘Style Editor Nicky and I spent months working alongside Blinds 2go’s brilliant creative team to create this beautiful new collection of curtains and blinds, packed with our unique take on timeless style,’ explains Ideal Home’s editor Heather, ‘and we’re thrilled to finally be able to share it with you.’ STYLE FOR EVERY SPACE The collection features a wide array of window dressings in all styles and sizes. It ranges from super stylish roller blinds to…

LISA HONIBALL OWNER, HONEY INTERIOR DESIGN ‘A feature wall gives the eye a starting focal point before it moves on and takes in the rest of the room.’ BETHAN HARWOOD HOME DESIGN STYLIST, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS ‘When I see a room with one dominant wall, I’m itching to change up the other elements to balance it and bring the scheme together.’ JUSTYNA KORCZYNSKA COLOUR CONSULTANT, CROWN PAINTS ‘While painting or wallpapering a chimney breast or its alcoves is popular, we’re being much more creative with the feature wall.’…

“Not for the faint hearted - or at least, the colour shy - the art of stretching one single paint shade onto many surfaces is called colour drenching.” “A next step up from decorating in tonal shades, colour drenching makes a bold yet elegant style statement, and is suitable for any space, large or small. Using one shade for walls and woodwork (and even ceilings) blurs the traditional boundaries of a room, making walls recede and letting furniture and accessories take centre stage. As with all painted walls, the colour will change depending on the time of day and the amount of light the room gets, so don’t be put off by the idea that it will look too samey. Try it by expanding an already painted section of wall…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Lucy and James Greenwood live here with their daughters, Amelia, 21 and Saskia, 20 THE PROJECT Kitchen refit in a four-bedroom, 1930s house in southwest London. TOTAL COST £44,480 THE PROBLEM The kitchen was tired and dated, and had always lacked proper food storage THE SOLUTION ‘The kitchen was here when we moved in 16 years ago. Apart from painting the walls, we’d never changed it, so it was time for a refresh. I wanted a relaxed blend of old and new, and a more streamlined space, with better storage. I discovered Pluck Kitchens via Instagram. I liked that they were local, and their gentle colours and pared-back style were a great fit for our 1930s house. The building work took six months and the…

“Initially I looked at industrial styles but I ended up going for something softer and more feminine so I can really relax” • Wall-mounted bathroom taps are a sleek, stylish, understated choice. If you’re designing your bathroom on a tight budget, installing them can give a luxury feel to an otherwise inexpensive bathroom suite. • However, they can be more expensive to install and more expensive to buy. This is due to the fact that the concealed piping and washbasin drain have to be positioned in exactly the right spot for the plumbing to work correctly. • It is almost always possible to install a wall-mounted tap unless, for example, you have a window directly behind the basin. Some conditions also require extra work – for example where you want…

FUEL Most outdoor fires burn solid fuel – wood with a lower moisture content such as kiln-dried logs or wood briquettes emits less smoke, while charcoal gives a longer burn time, so is cost effective. Clean-burning bio-ethanol or gel firepits are another option but don’t radiate as much heat as those that burn solid fuel. ACCESSORIES Useful additions for an outside fire include a mesh screen to keep embers from flying out, a wood grate to allow for better air flow and grills or hotplates for cooking on. OPTIONS The most expensive type of garden fire is a built-in wall fire, set at seating height for maximum effect. Fire baskets or braziers are the most affordable option and require little set up.…

Some, but not all, garage conversions need the planning green light from your local council. Here’s what you need to know: LOCAL CHECKS Permission isn’t usually required for a garage conversion, provided the work is internal and doesn’t involve enlarging the building. However, you must seek advice from your local authority’s planning department first. LISTED PROPERTY Garages that are listed or in conservation areas will be less straightforward. In all cases, your conversion must comply with Building Regulations, so speak to your council’s building control department. EXTERIOR CHANGES Planning permission will be required by some councils if you’ll be substantially altering the exterior of your house. Check with the Planning Portal (gov.uk/ planning-permission-england-wales).…

One of the most important decisions when designing an extension or renovating a house is the type of doors you include. Glazed doors connect a room to the garden, and may also be used for upstairs rooms leading to a balcony if planning and building regulations are met for issues such as overlooking neighbours and safety. It’s important to plan ahead to make potentially tricky decisions about drainage and floor levels. The size and position of the door opening is a key part of a house’s plans, and any late changes may need planning approval and could be costly. Try to see doors in person before buying, rather than choosing from a brochure. Here’s our rundown of the types of glazed doors available. BIFOLD DOORS A popular choice for many…

“Multi-cookers can be tricky to operate if you don’t follow the instructions carefully. Start yourself off by cooking some of the recipes that come with the machine”GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY • Multi-cookers may be somewhat new on the appliance scene, but they’ve made a big splash and rightly so. Often combining pressure cooking with modes for slow cooking, baking, steaming and even air frying, these multi-cookers can really change the way you use your kitchen. • If you’re looking for the best multi-cooker to make stews and to speed up cooking times, you’ll be safe with an entry-level model. Most multi-cookers can pressure cook, so you’ll be able to enjoy cooking all types of meat and pulses with a range of functions to brown and then cook…

Could you save money by reviewing your mortgage? While we may all be doing some kind of spring cleaning right now, doing the same with your finances could give your bank balance a boost. For homeowners, this includes reviewing your mortgage. It’s likely to be your biggest monthly expense, and by reviewing it, you could save hundreds or thousands of pounds per year. Our finance expert, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, takes a look at what you need to think about if you have a mortgage and want to slash your costs. REMORTGAGE Last November saw a flurry of homeowners remortgaging in a bid to lock in new fixed rate deals, just before the Bank of England pushed up interest rates. Rates have crept up again since, but that does not mean it…

Go organic “UK marine conservation projects receive 1% of Liga’s profits” Looking to make the swap to more sustainable homeware? Check out Liga’s gorgeous offerings. The brand creates a wide array of products made from ethically sourced cork, organic unbleached cottons, recycled papers, vegan wax, compostable cloth, bamboo and recycled EVA plastics. We love the kitchen textiles – organic cotton tea towels with Scandi-style prints and matching eco-friendly dishcloths that are machine washable and 100% compostable. All of Liga’s products are packaged in recycled card, too. CHEMICAL-FREE CLEANING Want to clean your floors the natural way? Steam cleaning requires no solutions as it uses extremely hot water to sanitise surfaces while killing over 99% of bacteria. Shark’s latest steam mop can be used on sealed hard flooring, such as tiles,…

Scandi salmon salad SERVES 4 READY IN 15 MINS ● 2 Granny Smith apples ● Juice of 2 lemons ● 120g baby kale ● 4tbsp chopped dill ● 6tbsp soured cream ● 2tsp poppy seeds ● 300g hot-smoked salmon ● 150g sweet pickled baby beetroot, quartered 1 Quarter and core the apples then finely slice. Put into a small bowl and cover with the lemon juice. Set aside for 5 mins. 2 Toss the apple pieces, baby kale and 2tbsp dill together in a large bowl and divide between four plates. 3 To make the dressing, stir the soured cream and most of the poppy seeds into the lemon juice left in the apple bowl. 4 Top the plated salads with hot-smoked salmon flakes, beetroot pieces, soured cream dressing and…

Expert organiser Marie Kondo lives in California with her husband Takumi Kawahara and their three children WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? After I drop off the kids at school, I focus my energy to get all my housework done. This is my favourite time to tidy because it kick-starts my workday and gets me going. I wash the dishes from breakfast and tidy up the kitchen. Then I change the water in all the vases. I love looking at flowers – they spark so much joy! WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? The breakfast nook by the kitchen. I get lots of natural light through the window and it has a great view of our yard. My family often gravitate here, so it’s a great spot in the…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Guardian columnist and features writer, Hadley has also penned four books. She’s just moved house – a new project! NICKY PHILLIPS STYLE 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.…

Everything I have to beg my young children to do – finish their meals, have a bath, go to sleep – are the things I want to do all the time. Clearly, it must be in the teenage years when eating and sleeping make that crossover from being the mere interruptions into playtime that they seem to be in childhood to becoming the most important activities in the world. But at what age do we learn to appreciate the bath? “It was only when I got my own flat that I decided that having a bath was a luxury” I was a late-comer to bath appreciation, because I couldn’t understand why someone would want to sit in a tub of lukewarm water for hours on end, swimming in their own…

When interior designer Irene Gunter’s clients bought a 1950s house in London, the confused layout was a riddle that needed to be solved. ‘It had a decent amount of square footage in a nice location, and the beautiful brick walled garden was like a childhood fantasy,’ she explains. ‘Unfortunately it was so compartmentalised inside that it never really took advantage of those features. With a kitchen the size of a small bathroom, it wasn’t suited to how we live nowadays.’ After a lick of paint and the installation of a temporary Ikea kitchen, the couple lived there for 18 months while Irene and her team (gunterandco.com) collaborated with McGuinness Architects (mcgarchitects.co.uk) to plan a new layout including two new staircases and a six-metre ground floor extension. ‘Despite the relatively modest…

BEST FOR ADDING A BLUE HUE Palm Springs matt emulsion, from £14.50 for 1.25ltr, Crown BEST FOR EAST- OR WEST-FACING ROOMS Green With Envy interior paint, £23 for 1ltr, Benjamin Moore BEST FOR A COLOUR HIT Eucalyptus active emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Sanderson BEST FOR WARM METALLICS Betty matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Graham & Brown BEST FOR ADDING INSTANT WARMTH Florence chalk paint, £21.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC…

MINT BASE Pastel shades are great for bringing mood-enhancing vigour to a scheme and mint green is the perfect place to start. Use a pale shade as a base on walls, painting above the picture rail in white and choosing a deeper mint for soft furnishings. Mint also teams beautifully with blue pastel hues or, if you’re looking for a punchier colour combo, try pairing mint with dusty shades of lilac for a more sophisticated feel. ROSE ACCENTS Focal points of soft rose pink will add depth and warmth to a mint-based scheme. This is especially essential in a north-facing room, as the space may feel too cold without this cosy hue. Introduce a variety of shades, from barely-there blush to a warmer flamingo pink on furniture and accessories for…

• Panelling adds a subtle feature, while zoning sections of a large room. • Murals work best in rooms with high ceilings or large spaces. • A gallery wall looks amazing around a TV. Go one step further and swap it for the Samsung Frame or Serif TV. • Colour blocking with paint is a great way to divide up a large area of wall. • Why not consider neon lights? They act as ambient lighting and add personality with a quote or fun motif.…

PEACHY TONE Sandstone soap dispenser, £17.99, H&M OPAL GLASS Smaller Espere opaline glass and Antique Brass wall light, £144, Pooky GRAND STAND Contemporary basin with washstand in Gold finish, £618, Burlington STONE SPLASHBACK Real tumbled travertine mosaic wall tile sheet, £9, B&Q ITALIAN STYLE Arlo Light porcelain floor and wall tiles, £52.50sq m, Porcelain Superstore LUXE FIXTURE Burlington towel ring in Gold, £73.82, Victorian Plumbing PLUSH TOUCH Luxe towels in Pearl, from £16 for a hand towel, Christy MAKE IT CLEAR Broden bathroom wall light in Antique Brass finish, £28, Dunelm IN THE PINK Matte soap dispenser in Pink, £5, George Home CHIC CHEVRONS Pixel White herringbone matt mosaic wall tile sheet, £4.95, Walls and Floors GOLD STAR Milano Richmond basin and washstand in Brushed Gold, £309.99, Big Bathroom Shop…

• There’s a vast selection of second-hand, salvaged lighting dating from the 1900s onwards to be had: opulent chandeliers, or industrial, ex-factory metal pendants. Choose striking sputnik designs or ribbed, opaque and vividly-coloured glass numbers from the 1960s and ’70s. • Prices vary hugely. If you’re just after the right light, second-hand sources like flea markets, car boots and Ebay are good bets. • For genuine antiques, try websites such as Vinterior and Skinflint. Lights often come from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe or the US. Bear in mind delivery costs, as the items are often large. • Rewiring and inspection are essential before vintage lighting is installed, to ensure it is fully working and compliant with UK safety standards. A qualified electrician can make the required checks.…

Planning any room in your home can be a daunting prospect – and certainly not something you want to get wrong. Make designing your new bathroom a breeze by knowing in advance what things you should avoid when making decisions. There are many aspects of design which need to be considered. Getting them wrong can lead to costs – and stress levels – spiralling, so it’s key to know what to look out for from the start. ‘Whether you’re updating or completely renovating, plan perfectly and get the design right to make the most of your space,’ says Adam Chard of Victoria Plum. ‘Plumbing, ventilation, storage, lighting and colour are all things to consider to ensure your bathroom is as functional as it is beautiful.’ We’ve asked the experts to…

The use of external plaster or render goes back nearly 10,000 years. Its potential to effortlessly transform a tired old house into something sleek and sophisticated with a few waves of a plasterer’s arm is undoubtedly alluring. Combined with the use of external insulation this transformation can not only be aesthetic, but comfortable and sustainable too. The same benefits also apply to new builds but be warned, render is hard to get right and even harder to keep looking good. Where many materials soften and look better with age, render rarely does. The moment it’s finished and perfect is when the render is at its best. However this can be avoided by careful design and specification. To achieve your flawless vision you need to start with some physics and understand…

HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS Dave and Lisa Mason PROPERTY Four bedroom semi detached Victorian house in St Albans. ARCHITECT Sheldon Peever Studio (sheldonpeever.com) BUILDERS PS Halsey & Son (pshalsey.co.uk) TOTAL COST £150k THE PROBLEM The kitchen was dark and disconnected from the living spaces and the conservatory was cold and under utilised “Carefully consider the orientation and size of rooflights in relation to the path of the sun to avoid overheating”CHRISTINE PEEVER, ARCHITECT, SHELDON PEEVER STUDIO THE SOLUTION ‘Bringing natural light into the property presented a great challenge,’ says architect Christine Peever. ‘The south facing flank wall faces directly onto the street, so the option of adding windows was limited in order to prevent overlooking. The solution to bringing in more natural light was to install roof lights. The first large…

• ALUMINIUM Popular for modern homes, aluminium frames can be supplied in virtually any colour. They’re also lightweight, strong and maintenance-free. • COMPOSITE Made from a mixture of materials, composite doors are often more expensive. Those made from timber tend to be clad in a weatherproof material for a tough, low-maintenance exterior. • TIMBER These offer good thermal properties and a classic look. However, they’re also vulnerable to the weather, need treating and maintaining, and can be prone to warping. • STEEL Used in buildings since the 1930s, Crittall brand steel frames are back in fashion. They combine a slender look with the benefits of thermal performance, security, durability and easy maintenance. • uPVC Good value and weather-resistant, uPVC doors don’t need painting and are easy to maintain, and a…

• When you compare mortgage rates, make sure you take into account fees and charges, not just the interest rate. Take a look at moneyfacts.co.uk. • It’s worth speaking to a mortgage broker first, as they often have access to better deals and they can also advise you on what is right for you. Find one at unbiased.co.uk or vouchedfor.co.uk. • If you’re worried about your repayments, there is always help available. Speak to debt charity Step Change(stepchange.org/how-we-help/mortgages. aspx) or Citizens Advice for help and advice (citizens advice.org.uk/debt-and-money/mortgage-problems ). • Follow Kalpana on Instagram @KalpanaFitz…

START WITH SHELVES Sheds often don’t come with shelving or wall hooks, so measure up your space, plus what you need to store in it, and work out a shelving system, pronto! Racks are a smart way of organising a shed as you can make full use of both the height and width. I’ve recently used Rapid Racking shelving and it was so easy to put together. Don’t forget to hang a series of wall hooks, too, for longer tools that won’t fit on shelving. CREATE A SYSTEM Think about the things you use most often or what is most needed for the season. In winter, lawnmowers can be stored at the back of your shed, while rakes and garden brooms can be at the front, but come spring swap…

SURPRISE IN STORE John Lewis gives archive designs a modern twist Hinting at its source of inspiration, New Heirloom is the latest collection for spring 2022 from John Lewis & Partners, featuring layers of rich colour and texture, plus more coloured furniture options and styles than ever before. Delving into its archives, the design team have reimagined new patterns and shapes for their customers to explore, as well as expanding the distinctive show-stopping range of Bobbin furniture, which we think looks much more high end than its modest price tag lets on. IH LOVES... Statement Shelving Amsterdam semicircle shelf, £499, Next WE KEEP SEEING BOUCLÉ SEATING Love it or hate it, bouclé is here to stay. With its looped appearance, the fabric currently adorns chairs seen everywhere, from bargain buys…

THE BENEFITS As the burning process creates a layer of carbon, charred timber is more water-and fire-resistant than raw untreated timber, as well as being less prone to rot. The burning process – if timed just right – actually makes the wood stronger as the grains fuse more tightly together. WOOD OPTIONS Siberian larch is most commonly used for its combination of durability and aesthetics, while accoya is the most eco-friendly rot-resistant option. Although a black or graphite finish is very popular, burnt cladding can also be treated with oils to create different colour tones. MAINTENANCE Charred timber can last over 50 years but may fade sooner on a south-facing exterior. Sealing it with a protective oil and re-coating it every five years will improve its durability. COSTS Charred cladding…

STYLE DIRECTION “Build a scheme that is calm and soothing, colourful without being too bold, that will exude elegance in a new and sophisticated way”NICKY PHILLIPS, STYLE EDITOR STYLE DIRECTION “Pastels don’t have to be sweet and pretty. Combined with materials like concrete and metal, shades of palest pink look new and modern”JUSTYNA KORCZYNSKA, CROWN COLOUR CONSULTANT PICK A PATTERN When you’re thinking about pattern you don’t always have to choose a check, a stripe or a floral. Patterns can be found in natural elements, such as stone, marble, fossils and even cloud formation. So for romantic-inspired schemes, choose abstract patterns for a backdrop that suggests a skyscape or a sunset, to create a more gentle effect. CHOOSE AN ACCENT Using a palette of terracotta and blush pinks gives your…

Repurpose a shelving unit Transform an Ikea shelving side unit into a clever towel ladder. Attach jute webbing along its sides and rungs for a tactile finishing touch. Give it a twist… Paint with a complementary colour, or make it pop with a fun sunshine yellow or fuchsia pink. Mount wire baskets Keep your bathroom surfaces clutter-free and store toiletries and towels close to hand by using the back of the door. Give it a twist… Replace the baskets with a wire notice board and attach flannels, gowns, brushes and more with S hooks. Hang rope baskets for towels These textural woven baskets are a practical and decorative addition and can be simply screwed into the wall through holes in the weave of the basket. Give it a twist… Use…

The feature wall used to be so simple: a roll or two of wallpaper or a tin of paint and voilá! Yet times have changed, and the feature wall is certainly an aspect of design that hasn’t stood still – from murals to mirrors, gallery walls to panelling, there’s so much you can do, but where to start? We asked an interior designer, a home design stylist and a paint expert to share their thoughts. CONSIDER THE WHOLE SCHEME ‘What frustrates me is when they are a “tick box” exercise,’ says Lisa. ‘It’s not about picking one wall randomly and making it the feature. This might have been the original intention of the 2000s, but good design should be more thoughtful and purposeful than throwing everything at a single wall.’…

1. WINDOW DRESSING When you slip into that bubble bath after a long day, you’ll want to create a relaxing mood, no matter what’s going on outside. Make sure to fit a blind or shutters to your window to block out light and help with insulation, too. A roller blind is a good option as you can adjust it to stop direct sunlight in the summer. IH LOVES… • Blinds 2Go has quick delivery • Graham & Brown for recently launched blinds • California Shutters is one to check out 2. FOLIAGE Adding plants to your bathroom will bring in a bit of life and colour, too. They don’t even have to be real! While some plants will enjoy the humidity of a bathroom, others won’t like it,…

1 PAINT YOUR CEILING A DARKER SHADE Take wall paint up to and over the ceiling to give a bathroom a cosy feel. With white tiles, sanitaryware and woodwork, it looks fresh and adds warmth to a room that lacks soft textiles. Echo the flooring colour for a cohesive scheme. 2 MIX AND MATCH MATERIALS Make a feature of the basin and match it to your walls. Here, a stunning, smooth marble on the top half of the wall butts up against a textured concrete lower. The basin sits on a block of the same marble, cleverly tying the two together. Wallpaper would give the same look. 3 CREATE THE ILLUSION OF SPACE WITH AN OVAL BATH Don’t shy away from including a freestanding bath in a small bathroom. An…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Karen Burdon, @barnconversion_ northumberland_, lives here with her husband John. THE PROJECT The bathroom is part of the conversion of a chicken shed into a contemporary home. TOTAL COST £4,833 THE PROBLEM We were installing a bathroom from scratch out of the unique space THE SOLUTION ‘When we embarked on converting this former chicken shed, we had in mind that we would work with the exposed steels and columns to create an industrial, contemporary look, but when it came to decorating this bathroom I wanted it to be a softer, more embracing space. Top of my wish list was a freestanding bath, so I designed the layout around that. As it was a tight space of 2.6x2.1 metres, it made sense to have the bath…

Dubbed the new loft, the garage is the latest area of the house that is being considered for conversion by families who are running out of space, but who can’t – or don’t want to – move. Recent research* reveals that you could add an average of £45,000 to the value of your home if you decide to convert your garage and you don’t always need planning permission. “REVAMPING YOUR GARAGE WILL PAY DIVIDENDS” But before getting too excited about gaining all that extra space, do consider whether losing your garage will devalue your home. ‘For two-car families in an area where parking is zoned, with resident permits, or availability is at a premium, a garage will be more valuable to you than an extra room,’ says a spokesperson for…

1 CHOOSE YOUR NUMBER Consider how many doors and tracks you want to install, bearing in mind there’s always going to be a percentage of the glazing that can’t open. For example, four doors sliding on two tracks means a maximum of 50% of the area can be opened. 2 STAY FLUSH Create flush thresholds as this makes a difference to moving between the indoors and outdoors. You will need to include some drainage along the flush threshold to drain rainwater away. This drainage can also be flush and either made a feature of or minimised visually. 3 STRETCH IT UP Taking glazing to the ceiling elongates a space, maximises views and lets more light in. 4 GO FOR SLIM FRAMES Consider using slim frames so that when the sliding…

“Steam cleaners aren’t just for floors. They bring oven grills back to life and get taps squeaky clean – they’re really versatile”GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY • There are three main types of steam cleaner available: steam mop, convertible steam cleaner and cylinder steam cleaner. If you only want to clean floors, consider a simple steam mop that doesn’t convert to a handheld. It’ll be light, easy to manoeuvre and you won’t have to store fiddly tools that you’ve no intention of using. Convertible steam cleaners - or 2-in-1 cleaners - are upright steam mops where the steam generator can pop out from the middle to be used as a smaller, handheld cleaner. They come with various tools for steam cleaning smaller stuff. Finally, for the ultimate in…

Think of your favourite place, your happy place if you will. As well as the visual beauty, perhaps the feel of it, the sounds you hear, one of the stand-out sensations at play will be your sense of smell. My happy place is by the sea. There are some beaches on the south coast of England that take my breath away. As well as imbibing the wild beauty and feeling the breeze on my goose-bumped skin, I am enveloped by the scent of the seaside: salt and seaweed, coffee brewing in a cafe, tinged with suntan lotion. It’s a mix of aromas that hits you and relaxes every cell in your body. When creating a restful atmosphere in our homes, it’s not just colours, textures and lighting we should focus…