Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2016 i Style At Home

I’m in the midst of house hunting, and the thought of finding my own dream home makes me so excited. I’ve even planned the decor of each room before I’ve actually found anywhere! This year’s spring/summer trends have certainly whetted my appetite and I’m sure they’ll inspire you, too. Our homes editor, Laurie, has scoured the high street and online to bring you the best for 2016. From country charm to earthy tones and beach blues to Easter delights, she’s found the latest looks for your home (p52). If your kitchen or bathroom is top of the to-do list, our bumper special is where you should start. Flick to page 87 and you’ll find four fabulous real-life makeovers, appliance reviews and buys for bathrooms. Gone are the days of magnolia,…

#askSAH Q I really want to use pastel colours in my home this spring, but I’m worried the result will look too girlie. Any tips on how I can make the look work? LISA SHORE, LEICESTER When using soft colours like pastels, it’s best to combine them so the look doesn’t become too sickly sweet. Gentle shades of yellow, pink, blue and mint green work so well together, particularly when they’re combined with a soft grey, and can actually be a very sophisticated palette. Got a burning styling question? Tweet it to our editor Lizzie @styleathomemag – she’s on hand with all the answers! This month… Like us on Facebook and share your style tips, makeovers and crafty projects. Here’s one of our latest posts – adding colour to create…

After living in 10 different rented homes over the last decade, it’s been great to finally put down some roots and be able to decorate exactly how we like,’ says Sara. ‘Once I’d graduated from Newcastle University, I met my husband Iain, who was studying at Sunderland Uni. Eventually, we moved to London where we bought a flat together, but over the next 10 years our jobs took us all over the place, including Vancouver in Canada and then Bristol. When our first son Oscar came along, we knew we’d never be able to afford our dream family home in London, so we decided to move up north to be closer to Iain’s family in Gateshead. Initially we rented, but when I fell pregnant with our second son Farley we…

Showcase your prized pieces on a stylish bookshelf and make your space your own with a collection of books, family photos or your favourite trinkets. Get creative and try arranging the spines of your books in colour order, or mix in vases and candles for a homely touch. We’ve picked out 10 favourite designs, from as little as £39, to satisfy the bookworm in every reader!…

USE HEAVY BOOKS TO WEIGH DOWN THE CADDY WHILE THE GLUE IS DRYING TO MAKE SURE THE PIECES ARE FIRMLY STUCK TOGETHER Unwind in style with a handy caddy to store bathtime essentials and bring a spa-inspired feel to your space. It’s perfect for propping up the latest issue of Style at Home for a little light reading! HOW TO TAKES 3HRS COST £15.20 2 x stripwood pieces to fitthe width of your bathJunior hacksawMedium sandpaper3 x stripwood mouldingpieces 4.45 x 90cm,£1.42 each, B&QRuler & pencilGorilla glue, £5, B&QQuick Dry satin varnish,£5.94 for 250ml, B&QPaintbrush 1 Measure the width of your bath and cut two pieces of stripwood to fit to size using a hacksaw. Sand any rough edges and put to one side. Measure and cut approximately 14 pieces…

ABOUT ME I’m Michelle Blair, 30, a project manager, and I live here with my husband Jonny, 34, a graphic artist, our spaniel Charlie, and guinea pig Mr Tickles. MY HOME A 1950s, three-bedroom semi-detached in Belfast, which we bought in February 2011. WHEN I BOUGHT IT Although the house was structurally sound, it needed some cosmetic work, but the well-proportioned rooms were a great backdrop to work with. AND NOW By redecorating throughout and using a few tricks of the light we’ve made this into a bright, stylish home. STYLE TIP Classic-style decor will never date, so always bear this in mind when redecorating. Our Mid-Century look is as fresh today as it was 60 years ago.…

TAKE YOUR PICK Head online and check out websites such as Artfinder to pick up pieces of authentic art for affordable prices. Artfinder sells original creations from independent artists around the world and with designs ranging in style, medium and price, it’s easy to find something to suit every look and budget. UNDER THE HAMMER If online shopping isn’t for you or you want to experience the buzz of an auction house, consider going to a local auction to find your perfect painting. Be sure to check the condition of the piece before bidding and ask for a condition report on the lot, which is prepared by the auction house and is available on request. BBE INSPIRED Make the most of the art-buying process and visit The Affordable Art Fair…

As soon as I walked into this flat, I could imagine myself living here,’ says Maria. ‘It’s in a really vibrant part of Glasgow, right next to the Botanic Gardens, and has a bit of a hipster feel. There’s a real sense of community and I’m just a stone’s throw from gorgeous little lanes that are lit at night by strings of fairy lights, and lots of independent shops and cafes. I bought this place with the help of my parents while I was still at university in the city, and when I moved in I had always envisaged it being a fairly temporary move. As it is, I’ve ended up living here, first with flatmates and more recently with my boyfriend, Ben. Making it home When I first moved…

The great thing about modular sofas is that you can easily customise their shape to suit any space. Think about how many units you need to make up the length, which side you need the corner to be placed, and whether you want to add a footstool to extend the design outwards into a chaise style. We've done the hard work and rounded-up our top 10 designs, so you can sit back, put your feet up and enjoy choosing your new sofa!…

THIS SIMPLE PROJECT IS AN INEXPENSIVE WAY TO CHANGE A ROOM SCHEME TO SUIT THE SEASONS AND CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY FABRIC Looking for an easy DIY project that will have a big impact in your home? Our country-chic curtain tutorial takes less than one hour to complete and will transform your room in an instant. And what’s more, our simple project doesn’t even require a sewing machine! This classic floral design will pretty up any space for spring and can be styled with coordinating pastel accessories to bring the final look together. Simple clip fittings make for easy hanging, too. HOW TO TAKES 1HR COST £32* Tape measure Nancy fabric from the Nostalgic Prints collection, £14 per m, Clarke & Clarke Fabric scissors Iron Hemming web,…

Looking to renovate your home? My Design School at KLC offers a fun and innovative way to learn all the skills you need! Focusing on your own home project, course tutors and guest experts will guide you through the creative process, giving you the know-how, confidence and inspiration to expand your ideas and develop your own design style. Presented entirely online, you can participate any time of the day or night, at home or on the move! Plus, the interactive online community allows you to chat with like-minded people, share sources and discuss trends. TO BOOK Visit klc.co.uk/mds  and quote SHI0216 for Design Your Own Home My Design School at KCL KLC is world renowned for the quality of its design training, offering a range of qualifications and…

TONAL Dark blue + pale blue Try mixing different tones of the same colour together for a multi-layered scheme with lots of depth. Use dark navy blue, pretty cornflower blue, and rich royal blue in equal amounts for an evenly balanced outcome. TIP Soften a tonal scheme by adding a neutral shade, such as pale grey. HARMONIOUS Blue + green Combine dark moody blues with fresh vibrant greens for an elegant scheme that channels colours found in the natural world. If you’re struggling with ideas, think of leafy plants and azure waters for a little bit of inspiration. TIP Try zesty lime green with rich indigo blue for a contemporary, on-trend look. CONTRASTING Blue + yellow Choose two contrasting colours for a really powerful scheme that is bold, daring and…

MAKE A MATCH Cut up colour cards and arrange the shades next to one another and visualise how your scheme will work. Place them on white paper and view in natural daylight, beside a window. GO BIG! It’s easier to get a true feel for a colour if you have a large swatch that’s at least A4 size. Once you’ve looked at paint cards, order tester pots in your favourite shades and paint A4 pieces of paper. Label them as you go. HANG THEM UP Use masking tape to fix the paint swatches, and any wallpaper or fabric samples, to your walls or woodwork and leave them there for at least a week, looking at them in different lights and at different times of day. Compare the swatches and see…

Getting the perfect paint colour for your next home revamp couldn't be simpler. Whether you pick your favourite shade from more than 2,000 pre-selected colours by Valspar, or if you've picked up a tile, a vase or even a T-shirt in a hue you love, Valspar can create a paint in the exact same shade. Simply take it to the colour mixing centre at your local B&Q where it can be matched to any colour the eye can see (that's 2.2 million shades!). Not only does Valspar offer such a huge variety of colours, but the generous tester pot sizes (236ml) mean you can easily try out shades around your home and even use them for upcycling projects. FIND THE LIGHT Adjust your shade to suit the light level in…

Our house belonged to my husband’s grandparents, Peggy and Jim. He lived with them when he was a teenager and looked after them later on, so it’s very special to him,’ says Claire. ‘James and his sisters were left the house after their grandparents passed away, and his sisters agreed to be bought out, as they knew we intended to renovate the place. We moved here in August 2012, with plans to add a kitchen-diner on the ground level and a bedroom and en-suite shower room on the first floor. We lived in the house for a while, painting everything white and ripping up the carpets, while we decided on the best use of the space. Replanning the layout When we began work on a two-storey extension, we earmarked an…

I fell for this house as soon as I saw it,’ says Sabine, ‘as it’s the perfect size for us, with some beautiful original features, although the interior did look old-fashioned, and felt tired and unloved. In less than two years, we’ve put in new plumbing, replaced the kitchen, decorated every room, and completely transformed the bathroom. Surveying the space Having a beautiful bathroom to relax in, or for when guests are staying, is important to me. Even so, this room felt too big, and I’d have liked more space in our bedroom next door, for a walk-in wardrobe. Kenny and I spent time devising a plan to reduce the size of the bathroom by about a third. With a brand-new layout, we could still fit in a bath, a…

SURFACE APPEAL Fake it with texture. Arthouse white brick wallpaper, £5.99 per roll, The Range LIGHT RELIEF Keep it bright. Belid Magnum white metal pendant, £181, The Lighting Workshop SILVER SERVICE Take a break. Bialetti Venus induction stovetop coffee maker, £34, John Lewis WELL CONTAINED Use this as a dustbin or for recycling. Knodd bin with lid, £12, Ikea BOWLED OVER Brighten up breakfast time. Loft cereal bowl, £3, Marks & Spencer BAKEAWAY Present tasty treats in style. Cake stand, £6.99, HomeSense SUPER PANTASTIC Get chic, durable cookware. Heart of House copper five-piece pan set, £149.99, Argos COVER UP Protect and serve. Apron, £7.99, H&M PICK ‘N’ MIX Colour-match appliances. Chef Sense stand mixer in pastel blue, £449.99, Kenwood…

BRING ME SUNSHINE Light up your life. Collins table lamp in Ochre Yellow, £25, Made SERVE IT UP Get colourful with crockery. Sintra dinner plate, £10, Habitat OFF THE WALL Go retro with your artwork. New York (The Wonder City) poster, £13.30, Zazzle SOFTLY, SOFTLY Jazz up simple seating. Geo cushion by Ellie Hyde, £40, Lime Lace ON A WIRE Fill with exotic fruit. Neon pink round wire bowl, £11, Oliver Bonas HOT BUY Brighten up breakfast-time. Regent toaster in Traffic Yellow, £190, Red Candy TOP OF THE POTS Be bold with acccessories. Orange curved-edge pot, £15, Kelly Hoppen MELLOW YELLOW Spice it up. Glass splashback in mustard, 100 x 75cm, £192, British Ceramic Tile IF THE GLOVE FITS… Handle with care. Premier Housewares Ella double oven gloves, £9.99, Amazon…

AROMATIC CHICKEN CURRY TAKES 40MINS SERVES 4 Soak the nuts in 200ml cold water for 20 mins. Fry 4 onions in 2tbsp oil until lightly browned. In a blender, blitz nuts with the water, onions, 2 deseeded chillies and 25g coriander to a thick paste. Fry 1tsp ground coriander, 1/2tsp ground cumin, 6 crushed cardamon pods and 25g grated fresh ginger. Add the chicken, chopped into chunks, plus the paste, 200ml water and few drops of rose water. Simmer for 15 mins. Mix a chopped chilli, coriander and juice of 1 lime to scatter over. Serve with pilau rice. APPLE & BLACKBERRY PUFFS TAKES 40MINS SERVES 15 50g butter 50g caster sugar 3 apples, peeled, cored and diced 100g blackberries 320g ready-rolled puff pastry 1 egg, beaten 1-2tbsp granulated sugar…

Do a proper spring clean Get into all those nooks and crannies for a really deep clean TACKLE DUST BUNNIES Pull furniture out to clean behind it. If impossible, reach under with a cloth or vacuum hose, or use a flexible wheel mop on hard floors. CLEAN YOUR BED Strip the bed, vacuum the mattress and turn it for even wear. Duvets that can go in the washing machine should go on a 60°C cycle (check the label) with about a third of detergent. Others may need to go to specialist cleaners, and ensure pillows are laundered, too. BE READY FOR THE FINE WEATHER If you have sliding glass doors, clear the tracks with an old dry toothbrush to loosen debris, then use a vacuum hose to remove it. Finish…

1 Mark lines round the room where the edges will be. Cut the coving to fit, with mitre cuts in the corners. Apply adhesive to the flat edges, but not in the central groove as this won’t be in contact with the wall or ceiling. 2 Press firmly into place and remove any excess adhesive with a filling knife, or wipe any on the coving with a damp cloth. 3 Tap in nails to support the coving as the adhesive dries. Work your way round the room, and when finished, fill any gaps or joins with adhesive. Once dry, sand with fine sandpaper.…

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All-white idea Say hello to spring and spend an afternoon on a country walk, admiring the flowering snowdrops. Take your camera to snap the scenery, then warm up with a hot chocolate. Check out the National Trust website for a list of the top spots near you to plan your visit. MUM’S THE WORD! Treat your mum to something extra special and make her a gift this Mother’s Day. Cook up a batch of treats or try your hand at making lavender pouches for a homespun present. If you’ve left it till the last minute, why not arrange a bouquet made from her favourite flowers and some ribbon. We’ve rounded up lots of ideas at pinterest.com/styleat homemag to get your creative juices flowing! TIME TO HIT THE SHOPS Furniture store…

ABOUT ME I’m Sara Durie, 34, a full-time mum. I live with my husband Iain, 35, a web designer, and our sons Oscar, 4, and Farley, 2. MY HOME A three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear. We moved here in December 2014. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The Victorian-style decor was quite dark and gloomy with gaudy bottle-green wallpaper, mustard stripes and dated gold chandeliers. As both the kitchen and the bathroom were in reasonably good condition, however, we knew it wouldn’t cost a fortune to transform the interior. AND NOW We’ve installed patio doors that lead through to the kitchen and playroom, added shutters and redecorated the interior throughout. We’ve even painted two of the original fireplaces, and put up vibrant feature wallpaper. STYLE TIP Don’t be…

NEW HEIGHTS Go for a tall bookshelf if you have a compact space but lots of books to store – this is the best way to make the most of wall space that might otherwise be wasted. Alternatively, consider a space-saving corner unit. PLAN AHEAD Work out what items you’ll display so you know how much shelf space is needed and whether the units have to be a certain height. Try a design with adjustable shelves if you change your display frequently. MULTI PURPOSE Consider an open bookcase that can double up as a stylish divider in spacious living areas. Place it at right angles to a wall to create a partition between two parts of the room and style the shelves with items on display facing both ways.…

OFF THE WALL Installing shelving above a sofa is a great way to the make the most of the space. We love Tikamoon’s Palisander accent shelf, £125.99, from Wayfair. CLOCK ON If you aren’t as committed to Mid-Century style as much as Michelle is, why not add smaller pieces, such as a Bakelite dial phone. Try the 300 series, from £180, The Old Telephone Company. MAKE A STATEMENT Michelle’s vintage G-Plan sideboard makes a real focal point in the living room. Try Fusion Living’s Scandinavian retro-style lightwood and white sideboard, £699, for an alternative. LIGHTBULB MOMENT Free up space on your bedside table with wall-mounted lights. We like the Junction wall lamps, £115, Heal’s. MODERN LOOKS Bring a little bit of contemporary elegance to your home with a tripod floor…

You only need to look on Pinterest to see that house plants have never been more fashionable. From retro 1970s-style hanging creepers to blowsy, beautiful blooms there’s sure to be a plant to suit your style. Indoor plants fell out of fashion briefly in the 1990s, but we’re happy to say that they’re back, they’re beautiful, and they’re bringing vibrancy and colour to our homes. Plus they also freshen the air, filtering out pollutants and releasing oxygen. Keep it simple If you’re not green-fingered, don’t despair. Thankfully, some of the most good-looking house plants are low-maintenance types, such as sleek succulents and cute cacti. These long-lasting plants have fleshy leaves and stems that retain water, so can survive with very little moisture, making them super easy to care for. Smaller…

ABOUT ME I’m Maria Ure, 23, owner and founder of The Glasgow PR Girl. I live with my boyfriend, Ben, 23. MY HOME A two-bedroom ‘noughties’ flat in Glasgow’s West End. I bought it in April 2011. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The flat was beige, and lacking character and warmth. The last owners had made some updates and put in a new kitchen, but it needed a bit of soul. AND NOW I made the flat look more lived in by accessorising, adding colour, papering and painting. STYLE TIP With your first home, it’s about working with what you’ve got and what you can afford. Don’t throw lots of money at pieces that won’t work if your tastes change – allow your style to slowly develop.…

MEASURE UP Choose a sofa that fits into your space and doesn’t dwarf other furniture. Check the dimensions, and mark out where the sofa will sit with masking tape so you can see it in the context of the room. SHOP SMART Work out how many units you will need to create your design and set a budget. Each one may be sold separately, so account for the body plus any extensions. AFTER CARE Check your sofa has removable covers that can be washed. Or go for a colour that will last – darker shades are better if you have kids. Invest in a lint roller to de-hair sofas if you have pets.…

Choosing which colours to use in your home can be daunting – partly because there are so many options available. But knowing what combinations work well and being able to select the best hues for your interiors are not mysterious secret arts – they’re simple skills that we can all learn. Once you’ve mastered the basics of the colour wheel, becoming your own decor consultant is easier than you think. So it’s time to brush up your skills, get creative with colour and completely transform your home! You will learn How to use the colour wheel Cool and warm hues – how and where to use them About creative mood boards All about the emotional power of different colours How to master monochrome Where you can stock up on the…

RED This exciting hue has a physical effect, raising the pulse and activating our ‘fight or flight’ instinct. It’s lively, stimulating and powerful. Use it in a bedroom to spice up your love life. ORANGE A warm, comforting colour that focuses the human mind on food and shelter. Try it in the dining room – it’s used on food packaging as it’s thought to stimulate the appetite. YELLOW This cheery, optimistic shade is a strong colour that can lift our spirits and self-esteem. Use it in your main living areas for a happy home. GREEN Restful, refreshing and in the middle of the spectrum, so it helps us feel balanced. Greenery suggests water, so we’re reassured by green on a primitive level. Try it in your bathroom for a restorative,…

Q What is colour and how do we see it? It is light, which travels to us in waves from the sun. When light strikes any coloured object, the object will absorb only the wavelengths that match its atomic structure and reflect the rest, which is what we see. When light reaches the human eye, the wavelengths do so in different ways, influencing our perceptions. In the retina, they are converted into electrical impulses, which pass to the part of the brain that governs our hormones. Q So, different colours affect our feelings in different ways? Yes, the colours of our environment affect our behaviour and mood. When yellow daffodils, bluebells and colourful crocuses appear, we immediately begin to feel livelier; when grey skies and rain or snow surround us…

Q Is it true you shouldn’t use dark colours in small spaces? No, not at all. While dark colours generally don’t make a room feel airy and open, they do create a more intense space that’s quite cosy. Dark inky blue is very on trend right now, and this particular shade (left) does actually help us to focus and concentrate, so it’s a good choice for a snug reading corner. Offset a dark scheme with pops of bright yellow for a vibrant contrast. Q I need some inspiration for colour schemes to liven up my sitting room, can you help with ideas? Think about how you want to feel in the space and select colours that link to that mood or atmosphere. You can recreate memories and make your choices…

Give your unloved glass vases a new lease of life and have a go at our simple upcycling project, inspired by the beautiful Batik vases from LSA International. Raid your local charity shop for bargain vases in all shapes and sizes, then decorate your own collection to create a chic display. TAKES 1.5HRS COST £13.49 Glass vases Plasti-Kote glass frosting spray, £8.99, Amazon Small paintbrush Marabu Glas paint in Marine, £4.50 per 50ml, Hobbycraft 1 Clean the vases and make sure they are thoroughly dry. Working outside on a dust sheet or large piece of cardboard, turn the vases upside down so the openings face the ground. Spray with several light coats of glass frosting spray, leaving to dry between coats. Be sure to keep the pressure and distance the…

Clothing littering your floors, piles of messy make-up and out-of-control laundry mountains aren’t exactly conducive to a restorative night’s sleep, and when your belongings overtake your boudoir, it can’t exactly feel like a relaxing sanctuary. If this sounds like you, it’s high time for a storage makeover. From key furniture pieces to cleverly utilised nooks, learn how to make the most of every square inch of your bedroom and get that clutter under control once and for all. Ready for morning Setting aside five minutes every night to put away your clothes and hang out your outfit for the next morning will help you get off to a stress-free start the next day, not to mention killing the habit of piling clothes on the backs of doors or chairs. Brilliant…

ABOUT ME I’m Claire Clark, 40, a PA for a property company, and I live with my husband, James, also 40, a digital print supervisor. We own a four-bedroom 1930s house in Epsom, Surrey. We bought the house in August 2012. MY CHALLENGE Our bathroom was very old-fashioned and cramped with a separate loo next door. We wanted to turn it into a modern space with a proper shower. MY WISH LIST A statement roll-top bath, a contemporary vanity unit and a separate walk-in shower were all on my list, along with sleek tiles and a bold wall of colour.…

ABOUT ME I’m Sabine Kennard, 50, and I live with my husband Kenny and grown-up son Rudi in a four-bedroom period house that we’ve completely renovated, in a village in Somerset. MY CHALLENGE The bathroom was looking a bit dated and wasn’t really to my taste, especially the fully tiled walls and fussy suite. It was also just too big, and felt cold and uncomfortable. MY WISH LIST I wanted to have an inviting, easy-to-clean bathroom with a classic suite, separate shower and some pretty touches. I was after a smaller room with a more intimate feel, but at the same time, I wanted to create some extra storage space in our bedroom next door.…

This was the only two-bedroom flat available in my price range as I’m a first-time buyer,’ says Beatriz. ‘It was an ex-rental property and, like a lot of my fellow house hunters, I was initially put off by the amount of potential work involved, as it definitely needed TLC. However, a friend in the trade was quick to point out that it was mainly cosmetic, so I thought I’d try my hand at some light renovation in order to bag a bargain. The kitchen was my only area of concern, due to a slight damp issue, but luckily this was remedied relatively easily. The work did eat into my funds, though, so I looked for alternative ways to update the space. Getting started The kitchen units were in surprisingly good…

We’d always wanted more space, and after several years in our home we had enough equity to borrow against the house for a loft conversion and kitchen extension,’ says Carrie. ‘With a separate reception room at the front, plus a kitchen connected to another room at the rear, my husband Simon and I were always swapping around the living and dining areas, but it still never seemed to really work. Worst of all, the small U-shaped kitchen didn’t have enough storage space and felt too dark, with no room to sit and eat casual meals. Master plan We decided the best solution was to extend out by two metres across the back of the house to make a massive L-shaped kitchen with breakfast bar and seating area that links to…

HAM&CHEESE PANCAKES TAKES 20MINS SERVES 4 1tbsp sunflower oil 480g ready-made pancakes 8 slices smoked ham 8tbsp grated Cheddar or Emmental cheese Chopped chives 1 Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan, then add the pancakes, one at a time, from a 480g pack of ready-made pancakes. Turn over each one and top with a slice of smoked ham, 1tbsp grated cheese and a few of the chopped chives. 2 Cook until the base is firm. Slide out of the pan, fold in half, cover and keep warm until you are ready to serve all eight. MEXICAN MINCE GRILL TAKES 45MINS SERVES 4 Heat a large frying pan, add 500g fresh mince and 1 chopped onion. Let it brown for a few mins, then add 1tsp each ground coriander…

1 To soothe sore throats mix one part ginger cordial with some hot water and add a slice of lemon and 1tsp honey. 2 Make your own granola by warming up some honey and mixing with oats, nuts, dried fruit and a little oil. Spread mixture out on a baking tray and bake in a cool oven for 25 mins until golden. 3 For a tasty breakfast take a bowl of Greek yoghurt and swirl through a spoonful of honey. Top with some of your homemade granola. 4 Jazz up a plain salad with a sweet honey dressing. Mix 1tbsp honey, 3tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1tbsp olive oil and 1tsp wholegrain mustard. This goes particularly well with grilled chicken or salmon. 5 As it's naturally sweet, honey can be a great…

FUN FACTOR Add character to fairy cakes with a stripy case, a swirl of icing, sprinkles and a moustache topper. Barber shop moustache set, £5.95, Dotcomgiftshop MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU Any Star Wars fan will be delighted with a biscuit treat that’s shaped as one of their favourite characters. Star Wars heroes cookie cutters, £9.95 for four, Lakeland MAGIC WAND Give all of your bakes a pretty sprinkling of icing sugar without covering the worktop! Oxo Baker’s dusting utensil, £10, John Lewis…

WOOLSAFE CARPET STAIN CLEANING GUIDE Free Simple solutions to remove common stains from carpet, effective product suggestions and contact details for a professional should you need any extra help. STAIN DEVILS Free Step-by-step instructions and ‘how-to’ videos by Dr Beckmann to help you remove stains from lots of fabrics. Plus you can buy Stain Devils products with free P&P directly through the app. TRAVELER’S STAIN REMOVER 79p Learn how to tackle stains when you’re not at home using everyday items. Substitute cleaning products with items you can pack while travelling, find in a local shop or order via room service.…

With spring on its way, what better way to give your garden a lift than with some gorgeous plants. These sword lilies are so easy to grow – just plant the bulbs and enjoy the abundance of Gladioli flowers from mid-summer. They are perfect for adding height and structure to your borders and can make fresh cut flower arrangements for indoors, too. Supplied as 10/12cm corms. This month Style at Home has teamed up with Thompson & Morgan to offer readers 40 free Gladioli, worth over £28 – just pay £5.65 postage. Add some colour Your Gladioli collection will include 10 of each of the following varieties: Princess Margaret Rose Oscar Wine and Roses Nova Lux OTHER GREAT SAVINGS FOR YOUR GARDEN... GLADIOLI ‘GREEN STAR’ This is a stunning take…

Claire Boylan ABOUT ME I’m 40 and I live with my husband Paul, 33, in a three-bed terraced house in the Midlands. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? Our living room, since we knocked down the wall and made it into an open-plan space. It’s very cosy, with pastel colours and shabby chic distressed furniture. I really love vintage style. Lisa Sharrock ABOUT ME I’m 30 and I live with my partner, Jamie, 31, in a three-bed 1930s semi-detached house in Greater Manchester. WHAT’S YOUR LATEST PROJECT? I’m always working on home revamps. My last one was upcycling some 1930s bedroom drawers. I bought them for £20, painted them pink and waxed them to finish. Elsie Steel ABOUT ME I’m 29 and I live with my boyfriend, Simon, 24, in a…

FLY AWAY If you’re a fan of bird motifs, just like Sara, try Notonthehighstreet.com. Our favourite design is the Stacked Birds print by Paper Moon, £16.50. GO NATURAL Sara has hung planters on the wall to add life to the bathroom. Urban Outfitters has a geometric teardrop terrarium for £25 that’s bang on trend. FLOOR FILLER A chevron rug is a great anchor in the living room. By choosing a neutral shade, you can use bold accessories. Try Wayfair’s Safavieh Chat grey rug, £107.15. ON SHOW Chunky floating shelves look fab against a feature wall. Ikea’s Lack shelves come in three sizes and 10 colours to help you get the look for less, from £5. LOVE METALLICS Copper details in the living room give a chic touch. We like the…

Children’s rooms are the perfect place to let your imagination go wild. Bright colours, quirky furniture and playful accessories will create a personalised area. Choose a colour scheme and functional furnishings that can be adapted as they grow and have fun doing the decorating together! 1 Go for grey Yellows, blues or pinks are usually the go-to colours for a nursery, but why not consider a grey-and-white colour scheme instead? This combination is not only timeless, but can be customised by adding extras, such as painted stars, which can be changed as your child gets older. 2 School’s out Encourage creativity by painting a wall with blackboard paint, so they can make their own feature wall. Brighten up the space with bunting and crisp, fresh bedding. 3 Pretty with patterns…

Choosing the right artwork is key when it comes to putting your own stamp on a space – it pulls your decor together and can reflect your personality and style. From acrylic to watercolour, canvas designs to digital prints, paintings don’t have to cost the earth. We’ve rounded-up 10 beautiful designs from £9.99 to help you pick a painting that’s priceless.…

TRY ADDING MULTIPLE BUTTONS FOR A DIFFERENT DESIGN, OR GO FOR A PATTERNED FABRIC TO SUIT YOUR EXISTING COLOUR SCHEME Spruce up your sofa or bedroom this spring with our charmingly simple DIY cushion project. We’ve gone for a contemporary feel with this on-trend colour palette, but you can choose any fabrics that take your fancy. Why not get creative and make a series of these cushions with a rainbow of colourful buttons, or add a button to the back panel of the cover, too, to make a reversible design? HOW TO TAKES 2HRS COST £17.29 1/2m of Panama Saffron& Graphite fabrics,£13.99 per m,Prestigious TextilesMeasuring tapeFabric scissorsPins & ironSewing machineCotton threadSelf-cover button, £1.80for five, HobbycraftInner cushion pad,£1.50, Ikea 1 Measure and cut out a 42 x 42cm piece of yellow…

GO FOR ALL-OUT GIRLIE STYLE like Maria has with a pastel tea service. We love the Belle teacup and saucer, £14.95, and teapot, £29.50, Bombay Duck. ADD A POP OF RASPBERRY PINK with soft furnishings. Take a peek at Dunelm’s Fuchsia blackout curtains, £32.99, and cushion, £4.99. BRIGHTEN A NEUTRAL SCHEME with sunshine-yellow accessories. We love Dunelm’s Revival throw, £29.99, and patchwork felt cushion, £9.99. FOR A MODERN TAKE ON TRADITIONAL country style, hang a quirky stag’s head. The Cardboard Deer Trophy from Lazybone, £12.99, is a thrifty update and is available in both white and brown. GET THE COUNTRY CHIC LOOK on a budget with Coloroll’s Pippa Floral wallpaper, £8.50 per roll, from Wallpaper Direct – the perfect addition to a feminine bedroom.…

Country classics If you’re looking for a timeless design to work into your scheme, go for a traditional floral print in a pared-back palette. This works really well in a quaint cottage or period home and its long-established popularity will stand the test of time. Choose a print that has large blooms rather than a small repeat pattern, and is realistic in its design and style for a truly elegant finish. Retro prints For a bolder floral statement, try introducing a fifties-inspired design into your interior. Embrace graphic prints and abstract blooms and go for vintage shades such as mustard yellow or punchy teal. This versatile style is perfect for adding character to modern properties and can be teamed with vibrant block colours in coordinating hues to tie the final…

IDEALLY,ALL DECORATING SCHEMES SHOULD INCLUDE A MIX OF BOTH WARM AND COOL COLOURS FOR A WELL-BALANCED LOOK Before planning a colour scheme, professional interior designers fan out a spectrum of coloured swatches into a colour wheel. This is a disc that displays primary (red, yellow, blue), secondary (green, orange, purple) and tertiary (blue-purple, blue-green, yellow-green, yellow-orange, red-purple) colours in a flowing order, arranged according to their different wavelengths, just as you can see below: How to use the colour wheel By using this simple tool, you can put together three types of scheme: 1 TONAL SCHEMES To achieve this, combine different tones of the same colour. Try it: Team a rich navy hue with pale forget-me-not blue. 2 CONTRASTING SCHEMES Match shades that are directly opposite one another on the…

If you’re planning a makeover, it’s useful to gather inspiring paint swatches, fabric and wallpaper samples, photos from magazines and even small tiles, ribbons or props in order to plan colour schemes visually before you commit to one combination. A mood board helps you see whether your chosen colours sit well together or clash. It also gives you a small taster of what the finished room will look like. Craft your board 1 Use a foam board (five A3 size boards from Hobbycraft cost £9) and small drawing pins to compile your chosen elements, so you can easily layer swatches together and add or remove items as your ideas evolve. 2 Stock up on inspiring elements – cut out pictures from magazines, print images off Pinterest, order free fabric, wallpaper,…

CHOOSE FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES WITH STRIKING OUTLINES AND BOLD PATTERNS FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT IN A BLACK-AND-WHITE SCHEME Black and white are opposites and no two colours contrast so sharply or dramatically. Cool, Scandi-style interiors often have a pared-back monochrome theme, because white reflects light and Nordic countries have limited sunlight during the long, dark, winter months. Despite the cold climate, Scandinavian homes often look warm and welcoming, despite their simple black-and-white decor. So, what’s the secret? How can you make monochrome feel inviting? Where to start One trick is to incorporate plenty of natural materials and textures to add warmth. Include faux fur, wood, leather, wool and linen, which will introduce warming rich browns into your scheme. Another easy way to make this type of scheme less cold-looking is to…

EGG BUNTING Use old paint swatch cards to make a cute pastel-toned Easter garland TAKES 45MINS COST £5 Paint sample cards Plain card & pencil Scissors Papermania pastel twine, £5 for a pack of three, Hobbycraft Tapestry needle 1 Draw an egg shape onto a piece of card (measuring about half the height of a paint sample card). Draw around the egg shape onto a paint sample card and cut out. Repeat to make a series of eggs. 2 Lay the shapes out to decide on the colour order and thread a length of twine onto a tapestry needle. Push the needle up through the back of each egg and back through until all the eggs are on the twine. Space them neatly and hang. PASTEL SIDE TABLES Refresh unloved…

WATERY WORDS Hang up this cute wall sign. Wall plaque, £5, Wilko FRESH & FLORAL Treat yourself to pretty products. Lily of the Valley shower gel, £7, Heathcote & Ivory GREEN FINGERS Go for a quirky look. Geometic grey pots, £49.50, Pasinga at Etsy WORK WONDERS Protect your walls. Platinum Source bathroom emulsion, £25.49 per 2.5ltr, Crown Paint SOFT TOUCH Add new towels for a quick update. Aire Zero Twist cotton towels, from £14, Made IN THE WASH Lighten the load with a stylish laundry basket. Grace Aqua basket, £45, Berry Red PERFECT PATTERNS Make a statement with bold tiles. Marrakech Bellisa wall tile, £14.99sq m, Tile Mountain SET THE MOOD Scent your space. Skandinavisk Fjord candle, £25, John Lewis HOME SWEET HOME Have a place for everything. La Ville…

LOOKING GLASS Add some Art Deco flair. Seriana mirror, £220, Laura Ashley BEAUTY BUY Scrub up spa-style. Ragdale Hall Invigorating shower scrub, £6.50, Marks & Spencer SMALL SIGN Place on a shelf or hang on the door. Vintage-style tin sign, £2.95, Live Laugh Love PRETTY IN PINK Throw a soft glow around the room. Candle holder, £2.99, H&M TIMELESS CLASSICS Turn on the glamour. Solitude wash basin taps, £35.98, Bathroom Takeaway SOFT TOUCH Opt for linens in classy hues. Casa Couture towels in Smoke, from £11.20, House of Fraser IT’S A DRAWER! Stash your bottles in style. White faux-wicker storage unit, £59.95, Scotts of Stow FEET FIRST Pick light tones for a relaxed feel. Concrete wood laminate, £19.99 per sq m, Quick-Step PERFECTLY CHARMING Display in a group for a…

ABOUT ME I’m Beatriz Sant Mora, 28, and I moved to Britain from Spain five years ago. Having settled on the Kent coast, I decided to put down roots and buy my first home, a small two-bedroom flat, in 2015. As an ex-rental, it was tired and dated, so I’ve learnt lots of DIY skills. MY CHALLENGE The compact kitchen felt neglected and there was evidence of damp, which meant bringing in the professionals. I knew I had to keep the existing units and layout, due to limited funds, but the room still needed a completely new look, extra storage and new tiles. MY WISH LIST I wanted a stylish, functional space, complete with dining area. The kitchen is quite long and narrow so space-enhancing shades and finishes were a…

ABOUT ME I’m Carrie Nichols, 40, and I live with my husband Simon, 41, and our children, Catriona, 11, and Maillie, 8, in a four-bed semidetached Edwardian house in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside. We’ve lived here for 11 years. MY CHALLENGE The kitchen was linked to a second reception room by double doors, making a long, thin room along the back of the house. It felt cramped for a family of four, and with doors on three sides, there just wasn’t enough cupboard space for everything we needed. MY WISH LIST I wanted a sociable room for the family to hang out in and for parties. There also had to be enough space for me to paint and upcycle vintage furniture, which I sell online (facebook.com/ carriemcnicholsdesigns).…

Nothing says Easter like pastel tones, spring flowers, and sweet treats, of course! This table has been beautifully laid for an Easter Sunday afternoon tea, with informal bunches of daffs, cute bunny confetti, and candy colours. Two slices for us, please! Stylists at Home ALIX SAYS ‘To create Easter themed confetti on a budget, cut out bunny and egg shapes from free paint-colour sample strips.’…

CRUSTED COD & MUSHY PEA MASH TAKES 25MINS SERVES 4 600g potatoes, peeled and quartered 350g frozen peas 8tbsp garlic breadcrumbs 1 egg white 2tbsp chopped fresh mint 2tbsp chopped fresh parsley 4 x 125g cod fillets 16 cherry tomatoes on the vine 1tbsp olive oil 3tbsp skimmed milk 1 lemon, cut into wedges 1 In a pan of water, boil the quartered potatoes for about 10 mins, adding the frozen peas for another 5 mins. Heat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. 2 You can buy ready-made breadcrumbs, but to make your own, take a semi-stale loaf, tear into chunks and whizz in a food processor along with a chopped clove of garlic. 3 Mix the breadcrumbs, egg white and herbs, and spread over the fish. Bake for 10 mins,…

A  Acrylic Splashbacks 020 7193 4537, acrylic-splashbacks.com Agnes & May agnesandmay.com Alexandra Snowdon 01457 763112, snowdondesignandcraft.com Amara amara.com Andshine andshine.co.uk Annabel James 0845 548 0210, annabeljames.co.uk Appliances Direct 08719 844416, appliancesdirect.co.uk Artfinder artfinder.com Arthouse arthouse.com Art of the Loom 0120 042 7744, artoftheloom.co.uk Atlantic Shopping 0121 230 1644, atlanticshopping.co.uk B  Barker & Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathrooms.com 0845 154 2636 Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200, bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Bathstore bathstore.com Bella Housewares 0345 467 6743, bellahousewares.co.uk Bemz bemz.com Berry Red berryred.co.uk Blooming Artificial 0800 977 7589, bloomingartificial.co.uk Blue Suntree bluesuntree.co.uk Bombay Duck bombayduck.com Bosch bosch-home.co.uk British Ceramic Tile 01626 834774, britishceramictile.com Brume 01364 73090, brume.co.uk C Caple caple.co.uk Carron Phoenix carron.com Christy Towels christy-towels.com Clarke & Clarke clarke-clarke.com…