Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER One of my biggest hang-ups when visiting other people’s homes (sorry, friends and family!) is bad lighting. Aside from regular meltdowns about clutter levels, lighting is the one thing I get antsy about in my own house, and it really comes into play over the winter months when the days are so short. If you pop round to my place, you’ll find that I very, very, very rarely have the main overhead lights on. They’re on for specific tasks (like cleaning), but generally I’m all about pools of cosy light from wall lights and lamps (usually a combo of floor and table lamps). And my lighting obsession doesn’t end there. I’m also funny about the hue of the light: cool, white light puts me on edge with its…

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What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Deep teal is a calming, balanced shade. It’s a beautiful combination of green and blue – two colours that are prominent in the natural world. It evokes wellness and helps you switch off, making it a perfect choice for rooms where you want to relax, such as living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms.’ JUSTYNA KORCZYNSKA, SENIOR DESIGNER, CROWN ‘Use this shade to create moody, yet comforting interiors. Ideal for kitchen cabinetry, where it contrasts well with warm neutrals and wood. Alternatively, lean into its coolness by pairing it with greys or whites for a restful blue scheme, particularly in south- or west-facing rooms.’ FRED HORLOCK, DESIGN DIRECTOR, NEPTUNE ‘Dark teal infuses spaces with sophistication and drama. Its rich hue adds an…

While we’d all love a whole floor of guest bedrooms where we can tuck Great-Aunt Flo away, the reality is making up beds in living rooms and finding space for the kids to bunk down together, especially as we head towards Christmas. We asked two design experts and an interior stylist/writer just how to survive a house full of guests. START EARLY ‘Before we get into the tips, tricks and techniques, it’s worth remembering that your guests are coming to spend quality time with you and your family,’ says Claire, ‘and if making everything “perfect” is going to stress you out to the point of exhaustion and mean you can’t actually relax and enjoy the company of your guests, it’s arguably better to offer a slightly more relaxed approach to…

STYLE HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Emer Gillespie, founder of lighting company Spark & Bell, her husband Brad Guin, a product developer, their children Lochlainn, seven, and Laoisha, 21, and French bulldog Duke THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Hove, East Sussex 1 “We created a cosy diner” ‘In this dining space, our banquette seating is upholstered in dark green cord, a hard-wearing material with a texture that echoes the fluted wood in our kitchen. The artwork was created by Hove artist Shyama Ruffell, who happens to live on our street; our large collection of plants was her inspiration. The 3.8-metre-high ceiling makes this the perfect spot for the trio of beautiful pendant lights made from spalted beech.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Bespoke upholstered banquette, Lou Richardson.…

DREAM HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Geologist James Brett lives here when he is home from his globetrotting day job. THE PROPERTY A beautifully renovated and extended three-bedroom stone cottage in Northumberland. James Brett was brought up near the cottage where he now lives, on the beautiful Northumberland coast. His parents still live in the village, and once he graduated and became established in his career, which involves a lot of international travel, he realised he wanted to have a base near home. His mother had previously worked with interior designer Cathy Dean of Studio Dean, and James was lucky enough to be introduced to her at just the right time. ‘I’d bought a dated cottage and wanted to revamp it into something a bit more unique,’ he explains.…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Tanya Chancellor, interior designer and founder of (@mouse_ interiors), her fiancé Richard Parnes, their daughter Mitzy, one, and dog George. THE PROJECT A new bathroom as part of a loft conversion in an Edwardian terrace in west London. TOTAL COST £10,000 THE PROBLEM With a baby on the way, Tanya wanted a luxe retreat for guests THE SOLUTION ‘We deliberately bought a house without a converted loft – we’d seen so many bad ones that we wanted to build our own. The house needed a full renovation and we were advised to start at the top, plus with a baby on the way we wanted somewhere for our parents to stay and help in the early days. My deadline for…

With energy prices through the roof, quite literally, now is an opportune time to invest in the fabric of your home by installing loft insulation. According to the Energy Saving Trust (energysavingtrust.org.uk), if installed correctly, roof insulation will, on average, cost £590 to insulate the loft of a mid-terrace house. However, that initial outlay should pay for itself many times over in its 40-year lifetime. In fact, in that same housing type you’d be saving an average of £330 in energy bills per year. The government has offered loft insulation grants to help cover the cost. ‘As heat from our heating systems rises, it escapes through the roof,’ explains Matthew Jenkins, heating and insulation expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk. ‘Loft insulation can retain this heat, helping to lower heating bills significantly,’ he…

There are lots of things I love about late autumn/early winter - cosying up under blankets on the sofa, bright frosty mornings - but the shorter days are not on the love list. I’m usually a morning person, but waking up when it’s still dark feels miserable (cold, dark, wet morning dog walks are the absolute worst), and then the day’s over before you even know it. And while I’m a big fan of twinkling candles and mood lighting, I need a decent serving of natural light to keep my mood buoyant. Going into hibernation mode is all very well, but my to do list isn’t going anywhere and I still need to be productive. As the natural light levels dip so does my motivation and my ‘get up and…

Sticky BBQ chicken noodles SERVES 4 READY IN 25 MINS FOR THE CHICKEN ● 2tbsp light soy sauce ● 1tbsp mirin ● 1tsp cornflour ● 4 boneless chicken thighs, chopped into chunks FOR THE NOODLES ● 4 nests fresh or dried thick wheat noodles ● 2tbsp neutral oil ● 2tsp Shaoxing rice wine ● 4 large garlic cloves, grated or crushed ● 1 courgette, chopped into batons ● 2 spring onions, finely shredded ● 1tbsp toasted sesame seeds FOR THE SAUCE ● 2tbsp light soy sauce ● 1tbsp mirin ● 2tbsp apple cider vinegar ● 2tbsp gochujang ● 4tbsp shacha sauce ● 2tbsp maple syrup ● 1tbsp toasted sesame oil ● 1tsp chicken bouillon powder ● 1/2tsp sea salt 1 Combine the light soy sauce, mirin and cornflour in a…

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. MICHELA COLLING SHOPPING EXPERT A trends enthusiast, Michela searches out hidden gems from the high street and independents that will add the final flourish to a room. THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS IDEALHOME.CO.UK…

LOOKS THAT LAST STYLE DIRECTION“Paint walls in plum, teal or navy to allow brighter jewel tones on fabrics and accessories to really pop"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIGHT IT UP Choose eye-catching and unconventional light fixtures to contribute to an overall maximalist aesthetic BOLD & BEAUTIFUL Celebrate excess with colourful combinations, and an abundance of pattern and texture STYLE DIRECTION“A fearless colour palette needs furniture to match, so choose a hero piece - a showstopper sofa or chair"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR JEWELLED BRIGHTS Showcase your personality by displaying an array of decorative items like sculptures, vases, figurines, and trinkets MIX AND MATCH Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles, eras, and design elements. Combine modern and vintage and unexpected pairings to create a rich tapestry. Use a variety of patterns from…

Choose a mural that wows Start with a bold wallpaper and use it as a guide to select colours for upholstery and accent cushions. Give it a twist... Wallpaper the ceiling with a statement mural, leaving the walls plain, to create a perfect gallery space for artwork and open shelving. Give your staircase personality Apply wallpaper to the risers of your stairs for a striking visual effect. Give it a twist... Choose three or four different wallpapers in the same colourway, but a different pattern, and repeat them. Line the back of open shelves Cover the inside of wall mounted cube shelves to give the illusion that they are floating, creating a seamless backdrop for displaying items. Give it a twist... Choose a contrasting paper to make the shelves and…

READER HOME AWARDS BEST HOMES 2023 BEST HOME WINNERMARINA & TIM CALLAND There’s so much to love about the Calland’s stunning terraced home in south west London. Marina and Tim undertook a complete renovation, transforming the property from top to bottom. They reconfigured the space, bringing in loads more light and extended upwards instead of out. From the wonderful use of wood throughout, to the rich, deep colour palette, their home feels instantly welcoming. “The house is amazing now, utterly beautiful. I have to pinch myself that it's our home” BEST GARDEN WINNERREBECCA LINDSAY & BOB ELLIS Located in Peebles in Scotland, Rebecca and Tim bought their four-bed new build in late 2021 and set to transforming the unloved garden instantly. Tim designed their new space himself, breaking…

Spiralling energy prices are leaving many worried about how they’ll get through the colder months. Although it’s certainly not the solution to the cost-of-living crisis, learning how to lower our energy bills is something we can all do. We can find ways to make our homes more energy efficient. For example, there are apps that tell you how much gas you’re using and when, and you may even be able to cut costs by simply turning down the water temperature on your boiler. In July this year, the energy price cap made the average annual direct debit energy bill £2,074. The steps below will help you understand how to lower your energy usage, while also playing a part in reducing the use of fossil fuels and the impacts of climate…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Budget at least £250 for a good-quality cordless with decent cleaning power; however, you can spend up to three times as much on premium models. More money can buy you powerful suction, longer battery life or better tools and, if you can afford it, it’s worth spending the extra. Extra power and a longer battery life will pay off in the long-run, and the convenience of a cordless vacuum cleaner won’t be outweighed by limited power. ■ It can take anywhere from three to six hours to charge a cordless vacuum between uses. If you plan on using it as your main vacuum cleaner, you need to opt for one with the battery life to make it through your home before you have to recharge. Some…

STYLE STATEMENT Modern Deco designs Effortless style is never about following fashion. It’s always about those classic pieces that simply won’t date. George Home’s autumn/winter collection celebrates just that, mixing pieces from different eras for a melded look that somehow works seamlessly. It’s a clash of heritage-style florals, abstract and geometric prints and Neoclassical shapes. This boldly striped bedlinen has a Deco edge to it, which together with the geo rug and feminine pinks looks fresh and striking. Swoon! IH LOVES... Shearling Bronx Oslo Natural accent chair, £225, Next What to do this month... LISTEN We all know that curbing the clutter will streamline our lives, but where to start? In Cas Aarssen’s podcast Clutterbug, she explains how to take control, lightening the load for an easier day-to-day. It’s a…

The modern living landscape is always evolving, with technology rapidly advancing and our social priorities shifting. One remaining constant, however, is that the living room is the cornerstone of our homes, and more than just a space filled with furniture and décor. It is the sanctuary where our families bond, friends connect, and memories that stick with us forever are made. The concept of the living room is very personal. While it’s a consistently designated area on a floorplan, it can embody values and traditions which have been cherished for generations, or represent newly created ones. Often unassuming spaces, living rooms have managed to withstand the test of time, despite our fast-paced lifestyles seemingly making the outside world a more preferred place to ‘live’. So, this isn’t just a call…

1 COSY UP A LIVING ROOM FOR WINTER Make your living space all set for a cold snap with lots of tactile textiles and warm wood furniture. Layer rugs on hard floors, add cosy textured cushions to your sofa and include some blankets and throws that you can snuggle up in on chilly evenings. Checkerboard prints are big this season, so it’s a great excuse to invest in a couple of new additions! 2 TRY THE TREND FOR COLOUR DRENCHING From the floor to the walls, window dressings to accessories, drenching a room in the same – or a similar – colour is a great way to embrace a hue that makes you happy. Deep, dark shades like this rich blue will create a bold, luxurious look that’s full…

1. NATURAL MATERIALS Invite a connection to nature by choosing furniture and accessories in warm woods, wicker and rattan. Woven materials and artisan ceramics will give you that boho feel, while organic shapes and textured pieces will all add interest to your bedroom. Zuiver cane tripod floor lamp, £228.65, cuckooland.com 2. RELAXED BEDDING This style should feel relaxed and informal, so steer clear of impeccably dressed beds. Choose layers of lightweight bedding and casually draped blankets. Again, natural materials are key, so invest in some 100% cotton, linen or bamboo bedding. Tufted or textured designs are ideal for this look. Assa Boho tufted 100% cotton duvet cover, £38, La Redoute 3. PLAYFUL ELEMENTS The essence of boho style is carefree and free-spirited, which translates into interiors with playful pieces. It…

STYLE HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Olive Haller-Nuaman, a building contractor, and her husband Mejd, a technical consultant, live here with their two dachshunds. THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom ex-council house in south-west London. 1 “Open-plan spaces suit modern living” We knocked through the three small, dark rooms on the ground floor of our 1950s ex-council house and added a small two-metre extension at the back to create an airy, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. The house lacked period features, but this gave us free rein to completely re-imagine the space. BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar stool, try the Mango wood side table/stool, £195, Rose & Co. Zara Home’s large round basket with lid, £79.99, is a close match to this one 2 “Getting our lighting right…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Meg Gold, a property interior consultant, with her children Jamie, 18, Alex, 16, Sophia, 12, and labradoodle Marly. THE PROJECT A side return kitchen extension and knock-through in her five-bedroom Edwardian seaside villa in Hove, East Sussex. TOTAL COST £78,000 THE PROBLEM The kitchen was small, it felt closed off and we didn’t spend time together there THE SOLUTION ‘Extending into the side return and linking the dining room created an open-plan space for a new kitchen, relaxed seating and dining area, with bifold doors that flooded it with light. After much researching, I knew exactly how I wanted the kitchen configured, with a mix of open shelving and cabinets, a walk-in pantry, integrated appliances and a generous island. I wanted it to be a…

HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS John and Susan Yates live here, both are in their fifties. PROPERTY A two-bedroom 1930s brick and white rendered bungalow. ARCHITECT Chambers McMillan cmcmarchitects.com CONTRACTOR Orocco orocco.co.uk TOTAL COST £227,000 THE PROBLEM The layout was awkward, the whole house was dark and cold and had a poor energy performance (EPC) rating THE SOLUTION ‘The house is on a northfacing sloped site,’ says Ian McMillan, co-founder of Chambers McMillan Architects, ‘and the back garden was overshadowed by the building itself, so we came up with the concept of designing a long kitchen and dining extension out into the garden, which catches afternoon and evening sun. From the new front door, a 15m linear rooflight draws you into the garden, and brings in light to all…

Buying guide BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Dual zone air fryers do everything a standard air fryer can do, times two. So you can cook with the same time and temperature across both drawers (doubling the capacity) or control either drawer independently. This enables you to air fry your roast vegetables in one drawer, and your chicken breast on an entirely different setting simultaneously. ■ Make the most of the Sync or Match modes, which will either ‘Sync’ the finish times of your food to make sure everything is ready at the same time or ‘Match’ the cooking settings from your first drawer across to the second. ■ Look for easy-to-use controls for both temperature and time, as these are the most important features on any air fryer. Auto-stop and keep…

Save on car insurance Car insurance costs jumped by an average 16% in the first quarter of this year, according to the Association of British Insurers (abi.org.uk), but some drivers have seen an even bigger jump when renewing their policy. While car insurance is a legal requirement, there are ways you can save on costs, says Kalpana Fitzpatrick. DON’T AUTO RENEW While automation is often a great way to manage your finances, it’s not the case when it comes to bagging the best price for car insurance. Instead, firmly note the renewal date in your diary and shop around at least three weeks ahead of your existing policy’s expiry date to see if you can save by switching. You can compare prices using comparison sites like confused.com, moneysuper market.com or…

“Not sure which colour to choose? You can order up to six free fabric swatches at nkuku.com” Save us a seat Always striving to make its business more sustainable, Nkuku has just launched a new range of upholstery in recycled cotton. Available in a choice of 12 shades, the innovative eco-friendly fabric has been made from landfill-rescued, pre-consumer waste and is now available on all of the brand’s made-to-order sofas and armchairs. Furthermore, the washable, brushed natural upholstery features an ‘EcoElite’ coating – a plant-based repellent specially developed for the textile industry – which makes it both stain repellent and easy to clean. A FRIENDLY FINISH With a company history that dates back almost 140 years, paint company Mylands is looking to the future as it launches a brand new…

So often a dumping ground for coats and shoes, children’s school bags and sports equipment, a hallway can be a nightmare to keep neat and tidy. It’s a clutter hotspot that needs organising and quickly, too. So what’s the solution? Well, certainly not spending a fortune on ‘helpers’ you don’t actually need – we can tell you that much for free. While it’s true that some shop-bought organisers do make life easier, one of the biggest decluttering mistakes people tend to make when home organising is bringing in more items than they’re throwing out. We get it. Some of those stylish hallway storage ideas can be hard to resist. But you can still achieve great results without buying a whole array of new boxes, baskets, shelving units and hooks. ‘A…

The Spice Girl and radio presenter lives in north London with her husband, Jade Jones, their sons, Beau and Tate, and dog, Bubba. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO THE SECOND YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR DOOR? Kick my shoes off, get my comfy slippers on and make a cup of tea. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY AT HOME? It has to be on the weekends when my family is around and there’s nowhere we’re rushing to be. It’s lovely to relax. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? Definitely the kitchen – it’s the hub of our house. It’s where we cook and eat together, listen to music and connect. WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE? Always a good book and night cream. Plus our Kit & Kin Magic Salve. It’s…