Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER Having experienced various periods of insomnia in my life, and then being hit by the sleep deprivation that came with having twins, it’s fair to say I am pretty passionate about sleep these days! Getting my eight hours of shut-eye is important to me, and I have fine-tuned my strict bedtime regime to maximise my chances of a good night’s slumber. “I have fine-tuned my bedtime regime for the best chance of a good slumber” Relaxing scents play a big part. I light a sleep candle, spritz my pillow with a lavender spray and apply sleep balm. It could be seen as overkill (!) but I like to make sure I’ve got all my bases covered, and at least it makes me an easy person to buy for…

As a bad sleeper, I am often told that I need to make my bedroom more peaceful. ‘A calming nest’ is a phrase I often hear, with plain walls, no pattern, no distractions, no excitement. Just soothing blankness. This is nonsense. I may not be able to speak on much with authority, but sleep difficulties are my Mastermind subject and, as such, I can tell you that the one thing a troubled sleeper does not need is a blank wall. When you find yourself tossing and turning at 2am and sleep feels like a foreign language you were never taught at school, the problem is not that your walls are too patterned, it’s that your mind is dancing around like a chimpanzee on speed. “One thing a troubled sleeper does…

STYLE HOME IDEAL HOMES HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Ruth Bond, a creative director, and her husband Jamie Kenward, a recruitment consultant, with regular visits from Ruth’s grown-up children, Zeb, 23, and Caleb, 21. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom 1880 tenement apartment in Glasgow, bought in 2018. “I’ve learnt to go with my INSTINCT. Eyebrows were raised with my DARK painted ceilings and bold tiling, but I am DELIGHTED with them” 1 “Get the feel of a space, before committing” ‘We almost didn’t look at this property as we thought it was over-priced, but we are so pleased we did. The original features, ceiling heights and room proportions were incredible, and there were stunning views of Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens. The surrounding trees created a dappled light that we could never have…

LOOKS THAT LAST STYLE DIRECTION“Both functional and beautiful, wood connects us with the natural world, creating spaces that enrich our health and wellbeing"SEAN SUTCLIFFE, CO-FOUNDER, BENCHMARK STYLE DIRECTION“Old or new, pale or dark, the warm and tactile nature of wood ensures that it enhances any style of home or interior"NICKY PHILLIPS, STYLE EDITOR MIX MODERN WITH VINTAGE Create an eclectic look by styling wooden furniture with vintage pieces. Try surrounding a salvaged-wood dining table with mid-century chairs, or display wood-turned dishware inside an heirloom cabinet. Mix wood furniture from various eras; the aged appearance ties them together. USE A VARIETY OF TONES If you’re not sure what colour to pair with wood furniture, other timber tones are a safe bet. Wood finishes often have undertones of red, orange, grey, or…

I’m no stranger to gallery walls – above a sofa, over a console, in a line or arranged in grid formation. And there are no hard and fast rules to creating one. You can tie them together with a theme or a matching frame, shape or colour palette. Some people like to keep it within a boundary, others prefer a looser display. I’ve been seeing a lot more whole gallery walls – ones that stretch from the floor to the ceiling, and wall-to-wall, even continue behind furniture (controversial!). No longer does a picture or dado rail stop you; it’s all about filling the space in abundance. I like to think of it as curated chaos, even working around existing features, such as wall lights, clocks, light switches and even windows.…

Yes, it’s a cliché, but first impressions do count – yet our hallways are so often overlooked. We chatted to three experts – an interior designer, a home staging specialist and a design leader – to help you make the most of your hallway, creating a space that works hard and sets the style for what’s beyond. WARM WELCOME ‘Hallways are an essential area when it comes to design as they set the tone for the rest of your home,’ says Camila. ‘They need to be inviting, functional and a showcase. It’s the space that welcomes you every time you walk in the door.’ Grant believes that post-pandemic, hallways are working harder too. ‘Previously unused areas are being stretched, by using the space under the stairs for a desk or…

A good night’s sleep has a huge impact on our health and wellbeing. As recent research and a slew of books has shown, ‘sleep hygiene’ is key. Our bedroom design and decor can improve this. From the furniture, bedding and accessories we choose, to what to avoid, there are plenty of ways to aid better sleep. ‘Think of your bedroom as a sanctuary. It’s where you go to unwind after a long day, so the space needs to be tranquil and soothing,’ says Adam Black, founder of Button & Sprung. ‘Not only will a relaxing bedroom reduce stress, it will enhance your quality of sleep.’ 1 HANG BLACKOUT BLINDS Waking up with the sunrise may have worked for our ancestors, but most of us prefer not to be woken by…

THE PROBLEM The original kitchen was cramped with limited space for the owners to cook or entertain guests. THE SOLUTION ‘We extended at the rear and into the side return to create a wraparound extension,’ explains architect James Bernard, director of Plus Rooms, ‘which involved moving the existing cloakroom in line with the stairs for a new utility room. Instead of a large opening onto the garden, we fitted a separate steel-framed door and window to help regulate traffic flow. The newly landscaped patio and garden has now become a natural continuation of the kitchen/dining room. The homeowners were keen to have a continuous glass ceiling so we created a pitched flat roof with sloped glazing, which opens the area up to the sky. The steel-framed glazing and exposed steel…

Recently, I was at a family barbecue and my cousin and I were talking about the level of perfectionism that runs through our female lineage. And how potent this need is to ensure that everyone sees how hard we’ve tried, how much effort we have expended, and how much we have given. My cousin recounted a conversation she’d had with her mum after a previous family party. She’d witnessed how stressed she had become in the run-up, making sure the food was perfect, the table looked incredible, the house tidy and smelling wonderful, but she had missed many of the moments of connection with the people she’d invited. These words hit home. I have done this so many times. I have spent hours ensuring every cushion is plumped, every scented…

IDEAL HOME TIP Make biber salçasi by blitzing 120g jarred red peppers, 2tbsp tomato purée, 2tsp paprika, ¼tsp cayenne & a pinch of cinnamon. ■ Find these recipes and more in Notes from a Small Kitchen Island by Debora Robertson, £26, published by Penguin Michael Joseph. Eggs benedict strata SERVES 6-8 READY IN 1 HR 30 MINS (PLUS CHILLING) ● Butter, for greasing the dish ● 6–8 slightly stale white muffins ● 70g baby spinach ● 4 thick slices of ham, torn ● 120g Gruyère cheese, grated FOR THE ‘HOLLANDAISE’ CUSTARD ● 160ml white wine vinegar ● 1 small shallot, diced ● 1tsp black peppercorns ● 1 bay leaf ● 8 eggs, lightly beaten ● 450ml double cream ● 160ml single cream ● Few fine gratings of lemon zest and…

EDITOR'S LETTER Renovating your home can be a veritable minefield of potential problems, stress and financial strain. It’s not all bad though. After the dust settles, the transformation it can have on your home and your quality of life can be phenomenal. Any complications you may have encountered during the build tend to fade away once you’re enjoying all the extra space and light. The trick to making a project work smoothly is to have a crystal clear idea of what you want and need, as well as arming yourself with all the information, rules and regulations before any ground is broken. And that’s where we can help. This booklet is packed with heaps of design inspiration and ideas, as well as the facts and figures you need to know…

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.…

High street heroes Now and then, the high street comes up with something so utterly fabulous, it looks as if it’s come from a designer boutique. Here are some of our latest discoveries that will make your home look expensive without the big spend... I also come in Ivory with Brass legs…

1. BUILT-IN BUNK Whether it’s to be used as a spare bedroom, home office or dressing room, factoring a bed into your box room set-up is a must that will make the space more flexible. Floor space is likely to be at a premium, so a double bed is out, but a compact single tucked against one wall will provide sleep space while still leaving plenty of room to manoeuvre. Opting for a neat bunk makes efficient use of floor and wall space and allows extra under- and over-bed storage to be built in. IH LOVES… ■ Ikea for modular storage options that are easy to adapt to your needs ■ B&Q for DIY materials, tools and paint ■ YouTube for plenty of ‘how to’ guides 2. MIX-AND-MATCH BEDDING Layering…

1 HOW TO PAINT A CEILING CANOPY Take a statement headboard up a level with a painted panel behind the bed and on the ceiling to create a cocooning feel. ■ Decide on your colour combination. Choosing a paler shade for the main wall and a darker colour for the canopy will add contrast and create a bolder effect. ■ Use a pencil and tape measure to mark out the area to be painted. Extend the line roughly 10-15cm either side of the bed so that the painted area is fully visible. ■ Work out how far you want the canopy to extend onto the ceiling. Try a shallow canopy for ease or cover the length of the bed for added impact. ■ Use decorator’s tape to give a crisp…

THE PROBLEM A tired kitchen with an awkward layout and nowhere for us to sit THE SOLUTION ‘Our old kitchen had a wide window and back door. We removed the door and centralised the window so we could run the sink, dishwasher and washing machine across that wall. We bought second-hand cabinets and appliances from The Used Kitchen Company, a classic design that reminded me of the DeVol kitchens I’ve always loved. While it was a bargain at £4,000, it could have been an expensive mistake and there was a moment of panic when it turned up. I’d never done this before so wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of its condition. I was so relieved a week later when it all started to take shape! The kitchen was…

Fireplaces and chimneys are a relic of a past age, when we needed to incinerate in our homes to keep warm. Few of us need to do so these days and now they fulfil very different functions, from visual stimulation – who isn’t entranced by a dancing flame – to the enjoyable pastime of chopping and stacking wood, as well as the fact that fireplaces provide an ambiance that is hard to beat. (I should probably use the word hygge at this point, but I’m trying not to!) I love an open fire or woodburner, but they do have fundamental issues. There are inefficiencies in how they burn fuel and often end up overheating one room while not heating the rest. A more pressing issue is air quality. Even modern…

“The new range features an underlay made entirely from 100% recycled plastic bottles” Green footing Carpetright has introduced its first eco collection with a range of flooring called People and Planet. Made from a variety of green materials including sustainable cork and wool, recycled discarded fishing nets and eco-friendly yarns such as Econyl, the range includes carpet plus responsibly sourced laminate and engineered wood. Colour doesn’t feature highly – the natural theme extends to the choice of subtle shades – but if you’re looking for neutral flooring that literally won’t cost the earth, you’ll be on to a winner. SWEET DREAMS Want to upgrade your bedding to something more eco-friendly? Check out Secret Linen Store’s gorgeous white organic hemp bedlinen. Hemp is extremely sustainable and quick to grow, and yields…

MAKE SPACE FOR SEASONAL STORAGE Lofts are great for storing items you don’t need often, such as suitcases and Christmas decorations, or out-of-season clothing. Don’t get into the habit of using it as a dumping ground and stashing items to avoid getting rid of them. Making ground rules is key when it comes to loft storage, otherwise it can turn into an area you never want to venture into. CLEAR THE DECKS Prep loft space first and get rid of any junk before you store anything else, so you can start with a clear slate. If it isn’t boarded already, consider doing this. Boarding provides a safe platform to walk on and increases available storage space. Simple wooden shelving around the edges is useful or try freestanding racking; remember to…

NEED TO KNOW Bring the outside in In response to the ever-growing desire to immerse ourselves in nature, Little Greene has curated a collection of paints and wallpapers, all of which reflect the natural world, and aptly named it Forest. While green has long been the go-to colour for our homes, being neither too cool nor too warm, this versatile shade is well suited to both period and contemporary spaces and has seen a big resurgence as we all strive to reconnect with nature. Whether it be by refreshing walls in shades of Citrine or Obsidian Green, or using leafy papers in alcoves, you can mimic the sense of wellbeing gained from time spent outside, and recreate it in your home. What to do this month... LISTEN The popular comedy…

IDEAS HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Gemma Ruse and Xavier Sherrif live here with their four-year-old son Raffi. Together, the couple run global design agency StudioXAG. THE PROPERTY A large four-bedroom Victorian terraced house in east London. THE LAYOUT The property is arranged over four main floors. The ground floor has a large living room, kitchen with playroom/snug area and an internal courtyard. Stairs lead up to a half floor with Raffi’s bedroom and to the first floor with the main bedroom, dressing room and en-suite shower room. Above, another half floor has the family bathroom and laundry. The top floor has two bedrooms/studies, plus a shower room. Finally, the flat in the basement (not shown) is rented out. Gemma Ruse and her partner Xavier Sherrif had been living…

Add leather strapping Attach lengths of soft leather to secure pillows to the wall for a simple, comfortable and chic headboard. Just switch the pillowcases when you fancy a change. Give it a twist… Mix up colours and patterns by swapping plain linen covers for something a little bolder. Use wooden panelling Create a statement with wall panels. Running the panelling to the ceiling makes a wow focal point and allows the space to feel more expansive. Give it a twist… Hang panelling horizontally, allowing the panel to extend outwards beyond the bed. Paper your headboard Use wallpaper, such as this vibrant collage-effect wallcovering, as an alternative to fabric, continuing the design around your bed base. Give it a twist… Continue the wallpaper in lengths from the floor right up…

What the experts say... Colour consultants share their views ‘Blackberry is a truly wild delight. It captures the essence of early autumn and is perfect for wrapping your walls in before snuggling down for winter.’ MARIANNE SHILLINGFORD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DULUX ‘As an alternative to the popular dark blues of the last few seasons, our Blackberry Wine is more visually interesting because secondary colours have richer undertones and catch the light in a dynamic way.’ HELEN SHAW, UK DIRECTOR AT BENJAMIN MOORE ‘Atmospheric blackberry shades ooze sophistication and maturity. Teamed with soft velvets and gold fixtures, they’re the perfect luxury finisher for any space, while damson is gorgeous on panelling.’ JESSICA PLATEO, MARKETING MANAGER, CRAIG & ROSE ‘It’s all about selecting the right tone. Purples with an underlying red, such as…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ An open-sprung mattress contains one long piece of wire coiled into springs. It also has wire in its border that gives the mattress a firm edge and helps retain its shape. They’re great value for money and lighter than other mattresses, so easier to turn. They can be turned in all directions, which extends their life. ■ Pocket-sprung mattresses are more luxurious, with up to 3,000 individual small springs housed in separate fabric pockets. They tend to have hand-stitched sides for strong, stable edges. The springs move independently to support your body. The mattresses come in a choice of tensions – soft, medium or firm – meaning good support whatever your weight. ■ Memory foam is a mouldable material, the most well-known type being Tempur, a…

THE PROBLEM The original en suite was badly designed with a tiny bath and no view THE SOLUTION ‘Extending the house on the ground floor meant we could expand upstairs, too. Stephen wanted a copper bath in our new bedroom en suite, so we found a stunning model at BC Designs and designed the space around it. I wanted the effect where you walk into the room and have a wow moment when you see the bath, and then another when you see the view. To achieve this, a central wall was built, with the bath on one side and the bed on the other. The wall was clad in large marble-effect porcelain tiles, which feel deeply luxurious. A huge new window gives us the incredible view we always wanted.…

Finding the best bank account for you It has been said that you’re more likely to get divorced than change your bank account. But if you haven’t switched your current account since you were a young adult, it may be time to see if another bank suits your needs better. Our money expert Kalpana Fitzpatrick explores whether it is time to see what else is out there. Whether you want better customer service, access to a branch or to cash cheques in via an app, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much is on offer. FREE CASH FOR SWITCHING The good news is that banks want your business and some offer free money – around £100 to £150 – for moving your current account. But, make sure it suits your…

Decorate with leaf découpage You can découpage onto a natural pumpkin or paint it first (following the steps in ‘draw on designs’ overleaf). GATHER a selection of dried leaves. Brush a layer of the Décopatch glue onto the pumpkin. Carefully press on the leaves then brush another layer of glue over the top. The flatter the leaves, the easier this will be. The glue will appear white but dry clear. Make it personal A tiny gourd with a paper and dried leaf combo makes a cute place setting your guests will love. CUT out the shape of an oak leaf from decorative paper. Use a gold pen to write guests' names or little messages on a dried leaf. Attach both leaves to the top of the gourd with a pin.…

The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades lives in Wolverhampton with his fiancée Lisa WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? Cor blimey, that’s a hard one. It’s all day, every day! I’m just so grateful for living right now. But really, it’s when I’m playing vinyl – and that could be any time. I love buying vinyl, especially reggae, soul and jazz. Then I like to do livestreams on MixCloud and Twitch. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? I’ve got a zero gravity chair and it would definitely be when I’m in that. It makes you feel as though you’re weightless and floating, which is great for me as I’ve got four ruptured discs in my spine. WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE? A full decanter of water and a…

1 EXTEND YOUR KITCHEN ‘Think of a kitchen extension as increasing quality not quantity, by adding the things the existing room is missing, such as natural light, ceiling height, an interesting view, access to the garden and so on,’ says Howard Miller of H Miller Bros. ‘You can transform an existing room by adding just three square metres if that space has a nice tall ceiling with a skylight, a big picture window or a beautiful view through a set of doors to the garden.’ 2 CREATE A SMART NEW PORCH If your front door opens directly onto the living room, or you have a small hallway, a porch is a great addition to your home. Expect it to cost from around £2,000 to build, depending on requirements.…