Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2023 i Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER I need to backtrack on a few things I’ve said here before. The first was when I stated we were definitely not going to tackle the garden this year, as we’d spent all our reno budget on the new kitchen. However, having installed huge sliding doors to give us an amazing view outside, looking out at what was, to put it kindly, a bit of an eyesore, wasn’t really what we’d had in mind! With very little funds left, we’ve given our outdoor space a pretty decent makeover without spending a fortune. We laid new turf so now we have a lawn not a patch of mud, and Mr Young has patiently built a deck in snippets of free time, and created a G&T terrace in the process…

DESIGN FOR LESS 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 more expensive without the big spend……

| DREAM HOME | HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Susanna Hawkins, content creator of Instagram@SHnordic and blog SHnordic, her husband and their two teenagers. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom renovated 1960s split-level bungalow in a secluded garden overlooking Bath. When Susanna first began documenting her design sense via her Instagram account and blog SHnordic, little did she imagine that six years down the line, her house renovations would be Instafamous. Today, her style in Scandinavian living inspires more than 754,000 followers on Instagram. In 2018, Susanna and her husband decided to move with their two children to the city of Bath. ‘Bath was always top of our list as we had spent our honeymoon there,’ she explains. They traded their red-brick Victorian house in west London for a 1960s split-level bungalow.…

Being inside my home is a sanctuary, but there’s something special about the outdoors, especially if it’s your own space. Family and friends all gathered round, trays of drinks, delicious food, bees, flowers… I can easily get carried away. I think the reason we, the British public, love the idea of outdoor living so much, is because we’ve traditionally done so little of it! However, I think the last few years have pushed us to embrace being outside more often. Pinners (Pinterest users) are continuing to get creative, saving ideas to their Pinterest boards for decking projects, multifunctional fire pits and decorative rain chains (more on these later). So, as we’ve recently taken to hosting people at home to keep costs down, it’s time to continue doing the same out…

MEET THE EXPERTS D’ARBY MAWSON, ASSISTANT DESIGNER, HABITAT KIDS ‘A great child’s bedroom is a space where they can develop their interests, play and unleash creativity without any limitations.’ FI CAMPOS, INTERIOR DESIGNER FOR LITTLE FOLKS FURNITURE ‘I always think that a bedroom a child wants to spend time in is a good sign of one that’s been well designed.’ MEDINA KING, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MK KIDS INTERIORS ‘I love it when a room reflects the child’s personality and is practical too – so no slides heading straight into walls!’ Come with us (if you dare) into the world of children’s bedroom design, where smart furniture choices, savvy storage solutions and the chance to reflect your offspring’s personality form the basis of a room that will last. But how and where…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Lisa Patient with her retired guide dog, Spencer. THE PROJECT A kitchen/dining room redesign in a 1930s mock-Tudor terraced house in south London. TOTAL COST £55,000 THE PROBLEM My kitchen was tired and dated and I barely used the separate dining room THE SOLUTION ‘I’d been unhappy with the kitchen for many years but didn’t know what to do with it, so I found local interior designer Nicola Burt (nicolaburtinteriordesign.com). Nicola started by sketching a few options for a new layout, one being the bold plan to pull down the dividing wall and open the space into a combined kitchen-diner with seating area. Suddenly, it seemed obvious that was the way forward. My brief was to create opulent room with a nod…

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As much as we all love being outside in the summer, sometimes we need a break from the sun. Whether you’re planning or revamping your garden or outside space, it’s important to include a shaded area somewhere for a bit of respite from those rays. However much you enjoy sunbathing, gardening or reading a book, it’s wise not to stay in the sun for too long – and it’s nice to be able to enjoy your lunch outside without feeling like you’re about to melt. You might need to consider younger and older family members too, who will be more vulnerable to the heat and need some shade to cool off. There are plenty of plants that prefer growing out of the sun, as well. When you’re thinking about buying…

I may be a natural homebody who loves spending time inside, but if the sun’s shining, you’re far more likely to find me outdoors. The benefits of time spent outside for our mental health are well known. I’m often at my happiest lounging in a comfy chair in a sunny spot, listening to the birds, preferably with an iced coffee (or a glass of cold rosé) in hand. A couple of years ago we finally bought some decent outdoor sofas (Havsten by Ikea) that honestly feel like relaxing on a cloud. I don’t know why it took us so long – they’re a worthy investment, given how much more time we all spend outdoors since getting them. In fact, I’m writing this on my laptop sitting out there right now!…

Without much sunlight, we are all a bit more restricted in what we can grow but sometimes that can be a good thing, narrowing the choices down a little. When I’m planning a border, I try to think in layers. What’s going to give us a silhouette against the sky? What will clad the walls or fence and what will fill the borders permanently just below? Then I think of temporary highlights — annuals, biennials and bulbs which scatter the area with flowers. And another layer down, the ground cover, plants linking everything together, forming a low carpet. This is how I design any garden space, but in shade we need to be cleverer with shapes and forms, rather than colours. To get dark spaces glowing and brighter than they…

MATT SIBERRY STYLE & TRENDS EXPERT As head of home at Pinterest, Matt is perfectly placed to spot the trends based on what we’re all searching for on Pinterest. NICKY PHILLIPS INTERIOR STYLIST & DESIGNER Nicky is a master of colour when it comes to decorating your home, from full room redos to easy tweaks. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of moneyweek.com. SARAH RAVEN GARDEN EXPERT Sarah is a gardener, teacher and writer, and her monthly Ideal Home column is packed with advice and inspiration for small gardens. THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Susanne and Jeremy Hewson live here with their two cats. They both work in television. THE PROPERTY A modern New Zealand inspired larch-clad house in south London. It has a kitchen-diner/living area, a further living room/en-suite bedroom, a master suite with walk-in wardrobe, two more bedrooms, three bathrooms and a garden cabin with shower room. Deck outside garden room ‘Jeremy built the deck using Millboard composite decking, a brand which is 100% wood-free, so it doesn’t need a capping shell to protect it. It's sustainable, you never have to clean it, plus it looks just like real oak.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Antique Oak decking, £100sq m, Millboard After 15 years in their Brixton terrace, Susanne and Jeremy Hewson decided to move to a house…

| STYLE HOME | HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Jess Alken-Theasby, a holiday property owner, (@cornishwife.cornishlife), lives here with husband Ash, who runs a construction company, and their two sons. THE PROPERTY A detached five-bedroomed new build in Cornwall. 1 “White acts as a blank canvas” ‘We use the sheltered courtyard as an extension of the house, where I have created a relaxed bohemian vibe. The corner sofa cushions are in an outdoor fabric so we can leave them out all summer, and I brought in an eclectic touch with accessories, such as the colourful cushions and the rug.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Pembrey modular sofa, £1,280, Neptune, would work in this space. Nomad Taurus indoor/outdoor rug, £575, Weaver Green. Try the Concrete-top coffee table, £458, The Furn Shop 2…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘When choosing an exterior colour remember it’ll tend to look lighter outdoors than it does inside. Order a sample pot and paint a large board to put outdoors to help you see how it will look in situ.’ ANNA HILL, BRAND DIRECTOR, FENWICK & TILBROOK ‘In the same way you would pair interior paint colours with fabrics and furnishings, consider the architectural elements of your exterior. Do you have red- or yellow-tone bricks, limestone or granite walls, and what colour are your roof tiles? Build this palette into your scheme.’ RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LITTLE GREENE ‘Metallic finishes on outdoor furniture create a luxurious look. When it comes to painting other furniture to use alongside, go for subtle neutrals to…

1. CLASSIC STOVE Whether or not you opt for a classic Aga, choosing a large, range-style cooker will give your kitchen a traditional farmhouse focal point. They’re often found recessed into chimney alcoves; add an ornate mantel or wooden beam above, and finish the look with a large station clock and stove-top kettle. R3 series cooker with twin hotplates, from £11,415, Aga 2. BUTLER SINK Adding a heritage-inspired sink ups the farmhouse factor. Team with a rustic rattan blind to filter light on sunny days and mismatched terracotta pots filled with herbs and cuttings for the perfect finishing touch. Bamboo small dish brush, £2; Country Fayre large hessian basket, £5; small enamel baking tray, £8, all Dunelm 3. PEG RAIL Attach a Shaker-style peg rail individually or run them around…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Simon Niven lives here with his wife Liz and their children, Louis, eight and Alba, six. THE PROJECT Enlarging and upgrading the family bathroom in a detached Victorian house in Newbury, Berkshire. TOTAL COST £16,500 THE PROBLEM A cramped and old-fashioned family bathroom THE SOLUTION ‘Our family bathroom was around 15 years old and although perfectly usable, it was badly laid out and poky. As part of a major revamp of our first floor, we wanted to make it bigger and more luxurious. We’d worked with Ripples before, and as this was an ambitious transformation, we wanted their expertise again. After scouring social media for ideas, we settled on a boutique hotel vibe. A freestanding bath was a must-have, along with…

Adding a deck to your garden is one of the most popular home improvements in the UK, because it immediately creates an extra living space out of doors. But the big question is, what decking material is best to choose – wood or composite? Both boast benefits as well as drawbacks, all relating to budget, style, maintenance and longevity. As a rule, composite decking costs more than wood decking, but hardwood decking, rather than cheaper softwood (more on that later), can be around the same price. It’s worth bearing in mind that composite decking is easier to maintain than its wooden counterpart, and will last longer. However, many professional landscapers prefer the natural look you only get with wood decking. Still confused? Read on to discover the pros and cons…

HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS John and Jane Taylor live here with their two young children. PROPERTY Three bedroom, 1920s end-of-terrace house in west London. ARCHITECT Merrett Houmøller Architects (merretthoumoller.com) TOTAL COST Around £250,000 (including the dormer) THE PROBLEM The house had been extended multiple times, resulting in a complex, impractical floorplan with a small kitchen THE SOLUTION ‘For our clients John and Jane, the house’s small kitchen was impractical, especially with young children. Instead, they wanted a spacious kitchen-dining-living area to function as a family hub, where everyone could have their own space, yet still be connected. Our solution was to remove the previous extensions and replace them with a full-width rear addition, which pushed out 6m from the back of the original house. Because the new extension is…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ It’s no secret that if you have a freezer, you can make ice cream by hand – but it is a boring, repetitive process. Ice cream makers freeze while churning, incorporating air into the mix, and they scrape down the sides to prevent ice crystals from getting too big. The result is soft and creamy, not crunchy. ■ Ice cream makers come in two forms – ones where you freeze the bowl for 12-24 hours in advance, and those that include their own freezing unit. ■ Pre-freeze models have bowls that contain a gel or liquid coolant between the inner metal layer and the exterior. This freezes solid, so when the ice cream mixture is poured in, it will start to cool rapidly. The bowl is…

Are you making the most of your savings? The cost of living hasn’t made it easy for anyone to save recently, but if you’ve been lucky enough to put some cash away, then you’ll want to make sure that your money is working hard for you. This month, our money columnist Kalpana looks into making the most of your cash savings. Interest rates have been creeping up over the last year, with the Bank of England’s base rate now at 4.5%*, but 47% of savers haven’t switched their savings rate in the last year**. Around 15% of savers still have accounts opened in 2017 or earlier when rates were low, and earning less interest. HOW MUCH INTEREST CAN I EARN? Rates change all the time, and some top ones are…

TOP TIP This coleslaw tastes best when left to marinate overnight in the fridge before serving Stuffed aubergines MAKES 4 READY IN 50 MINS, PLUS MARINATING ● 3 aubergines (about 250g each)● 50ml olive oil● 1 garlic clove● 150g feta● 15g flat-leaf parsley● 50g redcurrants● 50g cottage cheese● 3-4tbsp olive oilYOU WILL NEEDA cast-iron griddle plate 1 Cut the aubergines in half lengthways and then cut a diamond pattern into the flesh, leaving about 1cm around the edge. Prepare the grill for a medium to high indirect heat (180–200C). Place the griddle over a direct heat, close the lid and preheat for 8-10 mins. 2 Rub coarse sea salt over the cut surfaces of the aubergines and place them cut side down on a baking tray. Cover with clingfilm and…

CLEAR THE CLUTTER As with any reorganisation, the first step is to clear everything out and reassess the essentials. A cluttered space tends to gather more junk, so have a good clear out and either donate to charity, recycle or bin anything that you don’t want nor need. USE THE HEIGHT Unlike shed or loft spaces that often have very limited ceiling heights, a garage has the advantage of having a full ceiling height, so you shouldn’t let any of this precious storage space go to waste. Measure up the space and invest in some inexpensive shelving, and remember to secure the shelving to the wall for safety, so it doesn’t topple over. BOX IT UP Your new shelving is the perfect place for a selection of plastic storage boxes.…

The BBC presenter and Countryfile host lives in Cumbria with her children, Ernie, Louis and Elsie. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY AT HOME? Definitely early morning – that’s the calmest time of day in my house. I’ve always been an early bird because I grew up on a dairy farm, so the day starts early. I just like that stillness of the morning when everything is waking up. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? When the kids have gone to bed, that’s my time to switch off – just half an hour sitting in the bath. I’ve just gone from a freestanding bath to a fitted bath. I loved my freestanding bath before, but I quite like a fitted bath at the minute because you can put stuff…

SPOTLIGHT ON Archived designs Some designs are just timeless, looking as relevant in modern homes as they did when they were created. The Agnella by Brintons collaboration with the V&A draws on this with the Design Discoveries rug collection, inspired by the museum’s archives. It’s wonderfully eclectic, with influences spanning from the 17th century to the 1920s, including textiles from Armenia and the Pacific islands, Arts and Crafts wallpaper, and this lush botanical pattern adapted from copper-plate designs in the Bromley Hall album. IH LOVES... Citrus motifs Oranges Twig plates, £65 for set of four, &Klevering at Bøde Living What to do this month... LISTEN This is more than a podcast about planting – Alice Vincent is on a mission to unearth why it is that women garden, describing the…

| LOOKS THAT LAST | STYLE DIRECTION “Frame a garden view with pretty floral drapes – a soft, blousy print in gentle pastel hues brings the charm of summer indoors" HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR IN CHIEF STYLE DIRECTION “Choose your main floral fabric then add plains with texture or small-scale motifs in complementary tones " GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR THINK ABOUT SCALE When considering your overall scheme, mixing a variety of large- and small-scale floral prints is a good way to create a balanced look. Choosing one large, one medium and one small print is the ideal combination. Alternatively, opting for one large and two medium floral motifs works well. BALANCE PATTERN Remember to evenly distribute the prints throughout the room so that the eye has moments of rest between the…

Hang a mini bar Create your own private party area with the help of a clever pull-down bar, built from wooden pallets and lengths of chain. Give it a twist... Apply blackboard paint to the bar and swap out drinks for tubs of outdoor chalk and pens to make the perfect outdoor craft area for kids. Make a simple table decoration Fill terracotta plant pots with sand and press in dinner candles for a rustic table centrepiece, or pop them along walkways to provide extra lighting. Give it a twist... For a more contemporary feel, fill clear glass bowls with a base of small pebbles then add a layer of sand before finishing with church candles. Create beach bar vibes Attach brackets and a shelf to an outside wall beneath…

1 CREATE A COSY OUTDOOR CORNER Feeling the chill when the sun goes down? Make an open space feel more snug by placing outdoor furniture in a cocoon-like layout and layering up on plenty of outdoor rugs, cushions, throws and soft, cosy textiles. Double down on the warmth (and décor) by hanging a rug on the fence or wall behind. 2 SPRUCE UP WOODEN FURNITURE Give garden or conservatory furniture a new lease of life with a fresh colour. Use a stiff brush to get rid of any dust or cobwebs and then give the surfaces a light sand if there’s any old flaking paint. Wash down with soapy water and once dry use exterior wood paint in cheerful but contrasting summer shades to really make an impact. COLOUR…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH I f you’re planning on renovating your bathroom soon, you’re probably wondering where to spend your money and where you can save – and if cutting back in any areas is even possible. There’s no denying that bathroom renovations are costly, but if you’re committed to upgrading, you want to end up with a fabulous, long-lasting and durable space that will serve your home well for years to come. Fortunately, there are ways you can achieve your dream bathroom without breaking the bank. ‘When looking to renovate your bathroom on a budget, there are several items which, if you invest in them, can make your whole bathroom look and feel more expensive,’ says Lee Reed, head of design at Easy Bathrooms (easybathrooms.com). ‘And picking these items wisely…

S o you want a lush lawn that provides the perfect setting for a summer of barbecues and social gatherings (and the envy of all your neighbours)? Remember, that it’s unlikely this will happen naturally without a little help, but lawn maintenance is certainly not an arduous task either. ‘A healthy lawn is a happy lawn that can be enjoyed year after year,’ says Timothy Greene, grass expert at icanlawn.com. ‘And keeping your lawn healthy doesn’t have to be a difficult job.’ CUT IT WELL AND OFTEN ‘Mowing the grass regularly throughout the summer is one of the most important aspects of lawn care,’ says Jack Sutcliffe, co-founder at Power Sheds (powersheds.com). ‘Not only does it keep your lawn looking neat and tidy, but it also promotes healthy growth.’ If…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to clean your garden, a pressure washer is a must. Suitable for cleaning patio slabs or decking, garden furniture, rubbish and recycling bins and even bikes and barbecues, they’ll make light work of what might normally take you hours of brushing and scrubbing. What’s more, some models are also suitable for cleaning your car. ■ If you need an entry-level pressure washer, look out for models with lightweight designs and easy-to-use controls, so that you can focus on the task at hand. These smaller machines will be perfect for quickly refreshing your patio, decking or garden furniture. ■ There are two main types of pressure washer to choose between – corded and cordless. The former tend to…

“Each hand-sprung mattress is made to order so there’s no unnecessary waste” Home grown & sewn Like the sound of a luxurious handmade mattress packed with natural materials, all sourced in the UK? Feather & Black has you covered. The bed and furniture brand has introduced a range of mattresses created entirely from traceable UK farm-grown materials, such as Yorkshire wool, flax and hemp, which means the products are fully recyclable after use. Handmade by fifth-generation mattress makers Harrison Spinks, the range of eight designs, in a choice of tensions and types including zip-and-link, starts at £1,099 for a single. SMART SCENTS WoodWick, the scented candle brand with a wick that softly crackles as it burns, has launched a new collection made from a blend of soy and coconut wax,…