Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i Style At Home

Now that spring is on its way, we can look forward to brighter mornings and warmer weather. I’m certainly excited about using a sunny scheme when I decorate my new home. If you, too, need ideas for this season, give our living room look (p88) a try – its pops of yellow really bring the space to life and evoke a happy feeling. Or if you need to give your house a blitz before you begin any major jobs, see our handy eight-page spring cleaning feature, starting on page 53, which is full of ideas to get your home spick and span. As we leave the colder weather behind, we want to freshen up our interiors, and what better way than to strip the carpets and introduce hard flooring –…

Garden charm Try your hand at drying and pressing flowers to create beautifully decorated accessories such as notebooks or bookmarks. Experiment with different techniques to find one that works for you. TIME TO HIT THE SHOPS Embrace leafy palms and a tropical feel with the new Indoor Garden range launching at Oliver Bonas this month. Mixing a lush green palette with bold geometric designs, the collection is the perfect way to spruce up your home for summer and have fun with seasonal styling. To find out more, head to oliverbonas.com GIVE IT A GO Rust-Oleum has added 26 new finishes to its range, including nine new chalky finish shades for creating a distressed, vintage look, as well as satin and gloss finishes to add a sheen to your project. Why…

ABOUT ME I’m Emilie Jacob, 33, and I’m an interiors blogger (stellaandthestars.net). I live with my husband Pete, and our 2 year-old daughter, Stella. MY HOME A four-bedroom townhouse in east London, which we bought in 2009. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The house was brand new and very white. The lack of period features was a shame, but it was a blank canvas for me to get my teeth into. AND NOW It’s a bit of a mad house! I would describe the decor as eclectic, fun and bold – every colour of the rainbow is featured somewhere inside and it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. STYLE TIP It’s so rare to find gorgeous pieces of furniture or accessories that you instantly love, so grab them while you can.…

METALLIC FINISHES ARE PERFECT FOR BRINGING A TOUCH OF LUXURY TO YOUR PROJECTS AS WELL AS ADDING A DESIGNER-INSPIRED FEEL Try your hand at our simple upcycling project to give your unwanted knickknacks a new lease of life. Raid your cupboards or a local car boot sale for small vases, trinkets and tealight holders and bring them bang up to date with a metallic finish. We chose gold for a luxurious look but why not experiment with on-trend copper for a chic and contemporary feel. It’s a simple way to turn charity-shop finds into luxury lookalikes without the designer price tag. HOW TO TAKES 3HRS* COST £18.98 • Old ornaments or trinkets• Newspaper or dustsheet• Rust-Oleum surface primer spray paint, £9.49 per 400ml, Amazon• Rust-Oleum Brilliant Gold metallic spray paint, £9.49 per 400ml, Amazon…

ALL IN THE DETAILS Sarah’s home is full of little trinkets and unique accessories that add charm and bring the look together. Try Notonthehighstreet.com and Etsy for quirky, one-off finds that will complete your styling, or search for second-hand items on eBay if you’re after something specific. BY THE SEASIDE Follow Sarah’s lead and create a coastal theme in your home with nautical decor. Try coastalhome.co.uk for seaside-inspired products and look out for natural additions, such as shells or driftwood to display in glass domes. SWITCHED ON Brighten up your space with statement pendant lighting that has a slightly rustic feel. Have a look at Next or Ikea for a wide selection of designs that won’t break the bank. FEATURE WALL Create a striking focal point and decorate with a…

Storage is one of the most important elements in a kitchen that’s short on space. By making the most of every spare inch, reorganising areas that don’t work as hard as they could and installing extra solutions where necessary, you can turn even the tiniest of rooms into a Tardis. To begin, have a clear out and remove any items you never use. Then, start thinking about how you use your kitchen and where everything needs to be, so you can decide what sort of storage you require. To help, we’ve rounded up our nine favourite solutions to organise your space. 1 On the rack If you end up binning out-of-date jars and spices because they’ve got lost at the back of a drawer, invest in a spice rack to…

TRY YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE STORE OR HAVE A LOOK ONLINE FOR TABLE LEGS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SUITABLE TABLE AT HOME TO UPCYCLE Get creative and have a try at making your very own vintage-inspired piece of furniture from a rustic wooden tray and a pre-loved table. We popped onto eBay to find this beautiful old wine crate, but keep your eyes peeled when you go to charity shops or car boot sales for something similar. Don’t forget to make sure the tray or crate is fairly shallow so you can keep pieces on show and within easy reach. HOW TO TAKES 2HRS COST £21.90 Wooden wine tray, £12.95, eBay Oak-coloured varnish Small wooden table, £3, local charity shop Screwdriver Fine sandpaper Amble Sea paint, £5.95 for a tester…

The ground-floor rooms of your home are often a challenge to keep clean. From food and drink stains in the kitchen, dining and living areas to mucky shoes, kids, pets and everyday clutter, these high-traffic spaces easily accumulate dirt and grime, but because they’re so often used, finding the time for a thorough deep clean is rarely possible. There’s no need to be daunted by the task – we’ve broken down the key elements into step-by-step jobs. Ensure you have the house to yourself so you can shift furniture around freely and really focus on cleaning. Put on some energising music to motivate you, roll up your sleeves, don the marigolds and get stuck in. Thanks to nifty new gadgets and quality cleaning products, it won’t take long to get…

From the garage to the greenhouse, from gutters to paving – it’s all too easy to neglect outdoor cleaning. But a little hard work before the warmer weather will reward you for months to come. Start by having a sweep up – rake dead leaves off gravel and turf, brush up debris from decking, paths and paving. Don’t forget to lift up plant pots and sweep away loose earth that may have gathered beneath. Next, break down the cleaning of your outside area into small, achievable jobs that you can do whenever the sun shines. It’s better to focus on one area than trying to do lots of things at once. CONSIDER HIRING A PRESSURE WASHER FOR TOUGHER OUTDOOR JOBS Spruce up your shed Take everything out of the garden…

CDS, DVDS, COMPUTER GAMES, ELECTRONICS Simply send in your items free to musicmagpie.co.uk and get same-day cashback SPECTACLES Charity Vision Aid Overseas (visionaidoverseas.org/recycle) donates old glasses to people worldwide LEFTOVER PAINT Community Repaint (communityrepaint.org.uk/ paint-to-donate) recycles paint (even half-full tins) OLD H&M CLOTHES Take a bag filled with unwanted garments to H&M for £5 off your next shop OLD M&S CLOTHES Take any item of M&S clothing to Oxfam and you’ll get a £5 off at M&S when you spend £35 or more OTHER OLD CLOTHES See wear2bank.co.uk/donate-clothing to find your nearest Salvation Army clothes recycling bank MOBILE PHONES Your local Oxfam shop will recycle your old handset if you take it into the store…

NATURAL BEAUTY As well as wood-effect ceramic and porcelain, you can find self-adhesive vinyl tiles and planks that look like timber. THE PLUS SIDE Quick to install, affordable and easy to clean, wood-effect floors are splash-resistant and hard-wearing, though may not be suitable for rooms with excessive heat. MEASURE UP Sheet vinyl comes in pre-cut sizes or can be cut from a roll. Look for a slip-resistant coating to use in bathrooms, acoustic properties for noisy areas, and extra cushioned qualities for living areas.…

BASIC CARE Sweeping and vacuuming regularly, and wiping up spills straight away, will keep flooring in tip-top condition. Use a wood-floor cleaning product, but never pour the solution directly onto it. Squeeze the mop as much as possible to prevent soaking the surface. Also, place a mat at outside entrances to reduce the amount of dirt tracked into your home. DEEP CLEAN Every now and again, your floor will require an intense clean – consider carrying this out in the spring or just before the winter holidays. Apply a liquid wax to oiled floors and a polish to lacquered floors. This will give it a new hard-wearing coat, while also filling in any minor scratches. EXTRA VALUE Some flooring comes with a durable pre-finish option, so consider whether it’s worth…

SCANDI STYLE Solid-wood Parawood flooring, £40 per sq m, Homebase; Gaser rug, from £80, Ikea INNER CIRCLE Engineered-oak White Wash, £70 per sq m, The Natural Wood Floor Co; Trug rug, £124.42, Rug Couture DARK MATTER Impressive Classic Oak Brown laminate, £19.99 per sq m, Quick-Step; Wave rug, £159, In-Spaces CONTRAST IT Engineered Oak Coffee, £32.40 per sq m, Kährs; Annabelle Copper rug, from £99, Darlings of Chelsea ARTISTIC FLAIR Colours Libretto Smoked Oak top layer, £23 per sq m, B&Q; Braybrooke rug, £375, Bluebellgray GREY EFFECTS Bianco wood-effect Crate tile, £49.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors; Venlo rug, £179, Made ETHNIC FEEL Home Choice wood in Ash Lemon Sorbet, £28 per sq m, UK Flooring Direct; Lines rug, £29, At No 67 GEO LUXE Fazino Maple luxury vinyl…

So you've found the ideal colour for your bedroom – it could be that pretty scarf you bought at a vintage fair, the teapot that belonged to your granny or a pencil case from your formative years. Whatever it is that's caught your eye, with Valspar's colour matching technology you can create your very own unique paint shade in minutes. Valspar can match any colour the eye can see – just head to B&Q to have your sample scanned and mixed into the perfect hue. But if you haven't found the ideal shade, there are 2,000 pre-selected ones, too. Plus, Valspar's Premium Paint & Primer in One is touch dry within an hour, making the transformation of your home quick and easy. The final finish Choose from matt, mid-sheen or…

ABOUT ME I’m Layla Jones, 38, a landscape architect and principal of Tudor Garden Design (tudor gardendesign.co.uk). I live with my husband Phil, and our two children, Josephine, 2, and Sebastian, 7 months, in Middlesex. We bought the house in 2014 and began modernising the interior a few months later. We added an extension to create a spacious kitchen-diner, renovated the bedrooms and remodelled the two bathrooms. MY CHALLENGE Previously, the house had a 1970s feel to it as it was decorated with lots of dark wood and a green carpet. The living room was also in major need of a facelift. MY WISH LIST I wanted to create a bright comfortable space that’s filled with life. It needed to be suitable for a young family, so the children could…

Lilac and copper A less sugary, but just as sweet, alternative to pink, lilac is a great way to introduce pastels without being too girlie. We love this modern pairing of lilac and copper, whose warm hues complement one another perfectly, and the on-trend metallic hit keeps things looking and feeling fresh. Lilac also works well with other tones in a similar spectrum, such as blues and purples, or for a more sophisticated twist, team with cool greys. RUSTIC CALM Conran Pinero lamp, £159; Jocelyn chair, £499; Babbington loveseat, £1,299; cushions, from £17.50; throw, £59; rug, £75, all Marks & Spencer ROUND UP Large metal circular mirror, £20, Wilko POPIN Ombre wicker baskets, £34.95 for set of three, Rigby & Mac LOVELY LINES Jonas wire copper light, £46, B&Q SOUK…

ABOUT ME I’m Janet MacGregor and I live with my son Richard, 18, in a four-bed late-Victorian terraced house in Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, which we moved into last April. MY CHALLENGE Creating a new corridor to make the bathroom accessible from the landing by taking some space from the guest bedroom next door. We also ripped out the very dated pink suite and completely re-jigged the layout. MY WISH LIST I really wanted to install a deep freestanding bath, separate walk-in shower and practical under-sink storage, plus showstopping tiles with Moroccan hammam finishing touches to remind me of holidays I’d been on.…

SPELL IT OUT Get the vintage look. Come In We’re Open sign, £29, I Love Retro at Notonthehighstreet.com CLOCKING OFF Choose an alternative to wall art. Millhouse metal skeleton wall clock, £99, Artisanti WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK Stop for a cuppa. Prestige whistling 2ltr kettle, £46, Red Candy NICELY SEASONED Add some flavour. Milly small red pepper mill, £18, Habitat ONE POT WONDER Leave on display. 3ltr cast-iron shallow casserole dish in grey, £45, Sainsbury’s TAKE NOTE Go old school. Rope-hanging chalkboard, £20.50, The Orchard at Notonthehighstreet.com MIXED MATERIALS Keep things cool. Marble and wooden chopping board, £12.99, HomeSense SLEEK HEAT Stay warm and cosy. CV radiator in silver, £426, The Radiator Company IN THE RED Wash up in style. Set of two Besa tea towels, £7.99, Harbour Living…

WHOLEWHEAT SPAGHETTIWITH PORK TAKES 50MINS SERVES 4 Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Whiz up 750g pork fillet, 1 chopped onion, 50g breadcrumbs, 2 garlic cloves, 1 deseeded red chilli, 2tbsp basil, 1tbsp parsley, 4tbsp skimmed milk, 1 egg beaten and black pepper. Shape mixture into meatballs, drizzle with 1tbsp olive oil and roast for 25 mins. Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan, fry 1 onion, add 1 crushed garlic clove, 1 deseeded chopped red chilli, 2tbsp chopped basil, 1tbsp chopped parsley, 400g can tomatoes, 500g carton passata and 1tbsp sundried tomato paste. Simmer for 10 mins. Cook 350g wholewheat spaghetti according to packet instructions. Serve meatballs on the spaghetti with tomato sauce drizzled over. CHEWY CHOCOLATE OAT SQUARES TAKES 50MINS SERVES 24 75g butter 175g light brown sugar 125g runny…

Fake it! Be part of the textural interiors trend without major DIY effort WALLPAPER You can paper a room in a few hours to achieve the look of planks, log ends, brick, metal or even concrete. Papering one wall or room section will create a focal point or a zone, and produce the effect you want without huge expense. Wallpaper Direct has a great range. PANELLED WOOD To get the look of a tongue-and-groove wall, try MDF panels that have embossed board edges and woodgrain lines – once painted, they feel just like the real thing. Use No More Nails to glue to the wall above the skirting board, and top with a dado rail. Homebase sells panels, £9.29 per 91.5 x 51.6cm. TEXTURED BRICK TILES If you’d love to…

1 Chisel off any grout around the slab then lift out. If there’s mortar on the bottom, chip it off. Unscrew a U-CAN mortar bag, pour 2.5ltr water into it. Squeeze out excess air, replace the cap, and lie the bag flat. Knead and flip it to ensure water is evenly distributed and mixed. 2 Cut off the top of the bag and add five blobs of mortar onto the ground – one at each corner of the slab and one in the middle, giving each space to expand. 3 Set the slab back in place and tap with a rubber mallet using a spirit level to ensure it’s flat. Finish by using a pointing trowel to fill gaps between slabs with excess mortar. U-CAN is available at B&Q, £8.68…

Cathy Forsyth ABOUT ME I’m 44 and I live in a 1970s semi-detached house in Clackmannanshire with my husband Robert, 46, daughter Lauren, 19, and son Aaron, 16. WHAT’S YOUR MOST RECENT HOME PROJECT? My bedroom, where I painted a feature wall with freehand flowers, and upcycled my old pine furniture with chalk paint. Samantha Beggs ABOUT ME I’m 38 and I live in a three-bedroom 1930s semi-detached house in Gosport, Hampshire, with my husband Graeme, 52, and our sons Josh, 12, and Ben, 9. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? My craft room, as it’s my own space – my husband has the shed! Living in a house that’s full of boys, I’ve made it look as girlie as I can. Amy Ossai ABOUT ME I’m 38 and I live…

OUTSIDE THE BOX Check out independent retailers for quirky finds. Some of Emilie’s favourites include Mineheart, MiaFleur and Hide & Seek, which have fabulous affordable accessories. FIFTY SHADES Paint a room in a chic shade of grey. Whether you want a darker finish or a dove grey, experiment with tester pots in different areas to see how the colour appears in all lights. We love Potters Wheel by Dulux paint mixing matt, £24.49 per 2.5ltr. BLOOMING LOVELY Keep your home looking fresh all year round with stylish artificial flowers. Try Bloom for a range of silk foliage. BOLD & BRIGHT Introduce pops of neon into your scheme for an on-trend look. Check out Oliver Bonas for neon accessories, such as glassware and candlesticks, to give your space an instant update.…

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had very fond memories of visiting the seaside town of Broadstairs on family getaways, so I knew this was where I wanted to buy a holiday home for me and my partner James, and our three kids, Daisy, Sally and David,’ says Sarah. ‘I love the area and instantly fell for the building when we viewed the flat. Although the decor was slightly dated and every room needed a complete overhaul, the property’s structure was sound, so I was able to see the shell I had to work with and could easily visualise how it would look. Getting started With a little bit of help from family and friends to keep the costs down, we managed to carry out nearly all of…

Perfect for summer decorating, the coastal trend is hot off the interiors-catwalk (or gangplank!) once again. Transform your home into a seaside haven with a few simple touches and introduce a palette of white, blue and pops of red. Embrace nautical motifs such as anchors and seashells, or go for a more subtle scheme using whitewashed furniture and classic stripes. We’ve rounded-up 12 of our favourites to make your styling plain sailing.…

This pretty granny square blanket is made by joining 77 individual crocheted squares. We’ve given the pattern for the first square, based on a traditional granny square, but visit cushienumber.co.uk to find the full pattern, including the other three squares plus the pattern chart to complete the blanket shown. HOW TO TAKES 32HRS COST £11.70 • Stylecraft Special DK yarn balls: 3 x teal (as Main), 1 x meadow (as Yarn A), 1 x lemon (as Yarn B), 1 x parchment (as Yarn C)• 4.50mm crochet hook GRANNY SQUARE (MAKE 32) Tension: 11.5 x 11.5cm. Using 4.50mm hook and Yarn B, make 6ch and join with ss to form a ring. ROUND 1: 3ch (counts as 1tr), 2tr in ring, 3ch, * 3tr in ring, 3ch; rep from * twice more, join…

ABOUT ME I’m Laurie Morgan, 27, and I own thatlightingshop.co.uk. I live with my partner Owen Kiel, 31. MY HOME A one-bed garden flat in a Victorian conversion in Surrey. We moved here in August 2013. WHEN I BOUGHT IT It was very spacious, but it wasn’t decorated to our taste. The kitchen and floors were tired, and the garden was dull. AND NOW It’s calm and stylish, with oak floors, neutral walls and pops of colour from accessories. STYLE TIP New kitchen worktops and units can have a huge impact.…

SHOP SMART Choose dinner plates that are both microwave and dishwasher safe if you’re planning on using them every day. Also check the dimensions of the plates before buying, to make sure they aren’t too wide to fit in your cupboard or too tall to fit in your dishwasher. BUDGET SAVVY If you’re looking to buy a whole new set of crockery, set out a budget before you go shopping. Price up individual pieces (dinner and side plates, dessert bowls and any additional serveware) as these can quickly add up. Consider buying a couple of extras if you go for a design that might not be easily replaceable. FINISHING TOUCHES Complete your tabletop styling by adding extra accessories such as a decorative table runner and a coordinating set of napkins.…

You want to unwind in your upstairs rooms, but nobody can rest peacefully in a grimy, cluttered environment. Steamy showers and baths, and frequent use makes the bathroom a haven for bacteria, mould and mildew to thrive in, while hair, fluff and dust gather quickly on moist surfaces. Bedrooms might seem clean, but you’d be horrified to see the dust mites and dirt that lurk in carpets, bedding and soft accessories. Once you’ve blitzed your upstairs, keep these spaces airy and fresh by installing an extractor fan in your bathroom and leaving bedroom and bathroom windows open when you can. WASH SHOWER CURTAINS ON A LOW HEAT WITH BIOLOGICAL POWDER TO BEAT SOAP SCUM AND MILDEW Soften up your water Are your taps covered with mineral deposits? If you're plagued…

WASH WINDOWS on a cloudy day as direct sunlight will dry cleaning solutions before you get the chance to polish the glass properly, leaving unsightly smears behind. REMOVE DIRT and cobwebs using a soft bristled brush first. USE WHITE VINEGAR with equal parts water on a microfibre cloth to get rid of dirt, then buff glass with newspaper. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE of a pane with horizontal strokes and the interior with vertical, to see which side has streaks. RUB GLASS in a zig-zag motion, starting in the top left, working your way down and to the right.…

The type of flooring you choose has a real impact on the look of your interior. A solid-wood floor will bring natural beauty into the home. From wide planks, narrow strips, small or large knots and grains to blonde woods and exotic timbers, there are so many variations to choose from. It may not be a DIY job, depending on your chosen material, but professional installation will give the perfect finish every time. If solid hardwood isn’t for you and you’re after something that’s easier to fit but just as durable, we also have the lowdown on other alternatives, such as laminate and engineered board, plus luxury vinyl and wood-effect porcelain. Our essential guide will equip you with all the information needed before you buy. You will learn All about…

SOLID WOOD Naturally beautiful, use it to add charm to an open-plan living area. ENGINEERED BOARD As it’s more structurally sound than solid timber, it’s ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. LAMINATE Use in a hall where there’s lots of wear – it doesn’t scratch easily. LUXURY VINYL TILE Scratch and stain-resistant, and waterproof – it’s great all round. SHEET VINYL It’s a cost-effective solution, perfect for a bathroom revamp. CERAMIC OR PORCELAIN Hard-wearing and robust, wood-effect tiles are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms – add underfloor heating if you can.…

CONTRASTING MATERIALS OR FINISHES CAN REALLY ADD WOW FACTOR – SO CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHAT STYLE YOU LIKE AND WHICH ROOM IT’S FOR At B&Q, the predicted trends for 2016 are vinyl chevrons, vinyl and laminate in light white planks and natural oaks with whitewash and greyish tones. You can also expect to see plenty of vinyl and laminate in reclaimed wood effects as well as tones of greige – which is a cross between grey and beige – for a minimialist Scandi look. Find your style According to The Natural Wood Floor Company, parquet blocks are still big news, while pale greys, whites and silvers are also key looks. If you can’t find the exact shade, buy an unsealed timber then apply your own colour after installation. For something different,…

De-clutter your home with a handmade coat rack, inspired by the playful design from Rose & Grey. Hang in a kid’s bedroom for a fun storage solution or in the hall for a quirky accessory. This project is quick, easy and suitable for DIY novices – so what are you waiting for! TAKES 1.5HRS COST £14.96 Wood measuring at least 60 x 9cm Junior hacksaw Sandpaper Drill & drill bit Antique White paint tester pot, £1.24, B&Q Paintbrush Ruler & black marker pen 5 x black zinc alloy hooks, £1.85 each, B&Q 10 x black screws, £2.68 for 25, B&Q Screwdriver 24mm vinyl number stickers, £1.79 for 30, Amazon Nails to hang 1 Cut the wood to measure 60 x 9cm using a hacksaw. Sand any rough edges and drill…

If you’re planning on redecorating or restyling your home, take a minute to check out our practical advice on where to start and how to get organised. With everything from using mood boards and deciding on a pretty colour palette to adding stylish details and getting creative, we’re here to show you how to personalise your space and introduce that very important professional finishing touch. Our top 20 tips will help you put together an interior look you’ll love and want to show off to all your friends and family. 1 Colour combos The first point of call for any stylist is to decide on a colour scheme. Whether you’re decorating a whole room or prettying up a display, the palette you choose is key when it comes to pulling…

PICTURE PERFECT Show off a selection of photos. Triomphe 12 multi-aperture frame, £9.99, The Range ANIMAL KINGDOM Add some originality. Orange porcelain giraffe vase, £22, Notonthehighstreet.com BR IGHT BUY Bring style to your space. Peruvian birds cushion, £19.50, Marks & Spencer TOUCH OF GLASS Display a bunch of flowers. Dartington Crystal Little Gems funnel flared vase, £20, John Lewis FLOWER POWER Create a striking centrepiece. Artificial giant lustre dahlia, £4.99, Dunelm SET THE MOOD Enjoy a romantic glow. Ornate burnished metal lanterns, £85 for two, Rockett St George ON PRINT Pop a holiday snap inside. Purple printed frame, £11.95, Graham and Green SURFACE MATTERS Keep beside the sofa. Range side table, £159, Made CAFFEINE HIT Use when guests come to visit. Ceramic teapot, £37.99, Rice…

Spring is here, so embrace nature with a gorgeous collection of painterly florals and a stylish conservatory feel that celebrates a mix of Arabian Nights meets Victoriana. Fresh feeling Imagine the look of opulent palm houses or antique flower presses and this sophisticated outdoor range from Sainsbury's really comes into its own. With lush botanical illustrations, brass finishes and a moody green palette, this cool collection is perfect for bringing a rejuvenated feeling to your garden. The accessories start from as little as £3, so this is the perfect choice for a new look to update your entertaining space this springtime. SOFA WORKS Palm leaf scatter cushion, £12 LIGHT UP Layered pillar candle, £14 TRIBAL TABLE Long melamine platter, £8 ROUND ABOUT Melamine outdoor dinner plates, £3 each GLASS ACT…

ON POINT Choose interesting, intricate designs. Umbra prisma mirror in brass, £80, Red Candy HOT STUFF Turn up the temperature! Victoria radiator, £398, Pure Bathroom Collection WRAP UP Inject a holiday feel with hamman-style towels. Honeycomb towel, £14, Ville et Campagne INKY HUES Jazz up a window ledge. Indigo ceramic vase, from £28, MiaFleur EASTERN INFLUENCE Add a funky pattern. Marrakech Catarina copper pattern tile, £14.99 per sq m, Tile Mountain FULL BLOOM Go for the easy option. White blossom artificial spray, £4.99 per stem, Dunelm SHELF LIFE Keep items within reach. Rubberised bamboo bath bridge rack, £28, John Lewis YOU’RE SO VAIN Curb bathroom clutter. Dalby single vanity console unit, £650, The Albion Bath Company CLEAN UP Smarten up your sink. Aztec soap dispenser, £12.95, Rigby & Mac…

Four years ago, when my husband Craig and I were house hunting, we came across a house just around the corner from where we lived. It was bigger than ours and it had a garden, but it needed quite a bit of work,’ says Sarah. ‘The two-bed new-build we were leaving hadn’t required any work, but this detached three-bed was quite different – it had good-sized rooms and plenty of space, apart from in the kitchen, however. The small galley-style design was tiled from floor to ceiling, with shiny dark tiles on the floor, tired cabinets and very little worksurface space. We love to cook and entertain, so this just didn’t suit us at all, but we liked the rest of the house so we went ahead with the sale,…

FOR A QUICK, HEALTHY DISH, COMBINE AVOCADO AND SALAD LEAVES WITH A CHILLI DRESSING HUEVOS RANCHEROS TAKES 30MINS SERVES 4 1tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 red chilli, sliced 1 red pepper, sliced 400g can chopped tomatoes 4 eggs 1 avocado, sliced 100g Cheddar cheese, grated Coriander 4 flour tortillas 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add onion, garlic, chilli and pepper. Cook for 5 mins, add the tomatoes, cook for 5 mins. 2 Make 4 holes in the mixture and crack the eggs in. Cover with a lid and cook for 5 mins. 3 Top with the avocado, cheese and coriander, season with black pepper and serve with warmed tortillas. SARDINES WITH AVOCADO SALSA TAKES 15MINS SERVES 2 1 ripe avocado 1/2…

1 Whip up a zingy salad vinaigrette by vigorously shaking 3tbsp olive oil, 1tbsp lemon juice, lemon zest and salt and pepper in a lidded jam jar. If you prefer a sweeter flavour, add 1tsp honey. 2 When frying mushrooms, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice added for the final minute of cooking gives a subtle taste kick. 3 Keep your fridge smelling fresh by slicing a lemon and sprinkling it with table salt. Put in a bowl and leave in the fridge for up to a week to keep it free from nasty niffs. 4 Lemon makes a great marinade for chicken, fish and pork. Simply cover food with juice, zest and slices for a couple of hours before cooking. Or pop a halved lemon inside a chicken when…

SPIRIT LEVEL FREE Free Rest your phone on a shelf and line up the bubble as you mark where to put brackets to ensure it’s completely level. FAMILY HANDYMAN 101 £2.29 An app with illustrative guides, tips from professionals as well as video lessons on how to do jobs that help you improve and maintain your home. SCREWFIX TOOLBOX Free By typing in the appropriate measurements, the project calculator can be used to work out how much wallpaper, paint, tiles or flooring you need for your project as well as information with heating requirements. Also, you can tap to search the online store to buy what you need, too.…

We are giving every reader the chance to claim 35 FREE* single flowering snowdrops, worth £20.98, for the cost of just £5.65 postage. Pure white, pendulous, bell-shaped flowers show their elegance, indicating winter has come to an end and spring is on its way. As the bulbs are supplied in the green, you are able to instantly visualise how they will look in your garden and ensure optimum growth the following year. NOW TRY THESE OTHER GREAT VALUE OFFERS SINGLE SNOWDROPS These native beauties look equally at home in an alpine garden, naturalised in grass or even when planted in window boxes. 25 bulbs in the green £14.99 50 bulbs in the green £24.99 – save £4.99 DOUBLE-FLOWERED SNOWDROPS All the beauty and charm of the better-known single varieties, but…

A  Abakhan abakhan.co.uk Albion Bath Company (The) 01255 831605, albionbathco.com Alexander & Pearl 020 8508 0411, alexanderandpearl.co.uk Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Amtico 0121 222 8283, amitco.com Andshine andshine.co.uk AO.com 0344 324 9222 A Place For Everything aplaceforeverything.co.uk Argos argos.co.uk Artisanti artisanti.com Art Rookie 020 8504 1030, artrookie.co.uk At No 67 Concept Store 07518 575580, atnumber67.co.uk Avenue Floors avenuefloors.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3357, diy.com Barfoot + Duggan barfootandduggan.co.uk Bathstore bathstore.com Berry Red berryred.co.uk Bhs bhs.co.uk Black By Design 01889 502716, black-by-design.co.uk Bluebellgray bluebellgray.com British Standards 020 7870 7688, britishstandardcupboards.co.uk C Carpetright 0330 333 3444, carpetright.co.uk CDA Appliances cda.eu Chandelier & Mirror Company (The) 01892 541355, chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk Christy christy-towels.com Cloudberry Living 0330 123 3301, cloudberryliving.co.uk Coastal…

#askSAH Q I have some lovely tea towels, but they’re just hidden away in a drawer – any tips for displaying them? JO WILSON, VIA TWITTER Yes, plenty! First and foremost, use pretty tea towels for their purpose – it’ll make drying up more fun. If you want to keep them pristine, however, then choose your favourites and pop them in simple frames and display in a pretty arrangement on the wall. Combine with other quirky collectables, such as fabric swatches, postcards and embroidery, to create a truly unique display in your home. 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…

Choosing artwork for your home can be a tricky process and it’s important to pick designs that reflect your personality and style. Once you’ve found the perfect piece, think about how best to display it – a framed print on the wall has a more classic appeal, whereas a modern picture ledge is ideal for contemporary spaces. Think outside the box and experiment with how and where to position your artwork; for example, use patterned washi tape to stick up posters in a child’s playroom, or try turning fabric art into a wallhanging above the bed for an alternative styling idea. Get creative Getting a gallery look in your home doesn’t have to be as traditional as a row of portraits. Try our ideas for using art imaginatively to personalise…

ABOUT ME I’m Sarah Craydon, 49, and I’m a counsellor. I live with my partner, James, 50, and our three children, Daisy, Sally and David. MY HOME A two-bedroom flat in Broadstairs, Kent. The main building was built in the 1800s and used to be a school. I purchased this place in 2013 as a holiday home. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The flat was in very poor condition and needed lots of work internally. You could tell it had been lacking a bit of TLC, but I could see its potential and was ready for a challenge. AND NOW The flat feels light and airy and makes good use of the space. The decor is quirky and unique, and the holiday-inspired scheme makes it a great place to relax after…

BY THE SEASIDE Work pebbles and shells into your styling; pop into glass hurricane vases or underneath dome jars. Make your own garland by drilling a small hole into individual shells and threading together with string or twine. HELLO SAILOR! Tie your nautical scheme together with rope. Upcycle an unloved table lamp by coating the base with PVA glue and wrapping around a length of rope. Trim and apply a light paint whitewash for a distressed feel. NOSTALGIC TWIST Collect retro seaside postcards to add character and charm to your decor. These playful prints can be framed as a gallery wall or showcased on a picture ledge for a fun focal point that will get your guests talking.…

BRIGHTEN UP WITH BLUE Inject colour into a dreary outdoor space by painting fences and sheds in a fun, vibrant shade, just like Laurie has in her garden. Try Beaumont Blue, £14.37 per ltr, Cuprinol Garden Shades at B&Q. STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT Add an industrial touch with contemporary lights, like the Diamond Lamp in Mint, £45; or the Vintage Globe bulb, £10, both That Lighting Shop. KEEP IT WARM For a neutral interior that doesn’t feel too cold, choose a more mellow hue. Laurie painted most of the walls in her flat in Dimpse estate emulsion, £39.50 per 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. GET THE VINTAGE LOOK Brick tiles give an instant retro feel. We recommed Topps Tiles’s Metro tiles, from £19.50 per sq m, which come in a range of…

The power of natural light, sunshine and brightness does wonders for our sense of wellbeing, so it’s no surprise that we all dream of having a bright and sunny home. It’s only now that the days are getting longer and we’re emerging from the dark depths of winter, that we’re reminded of what an important role light really plays in our homes and how we live in them. Whether your prefer to introduce artificial light or if you’re lucky enough to have big windows you want to make the most of, read on to discover a few tricks you can try at home to bring a little more brightness to your rooms. Pale and interesting Neutral walls don’t have to be ‘magnolia’ anymore. Add a touch of excitement by exploring…

Every home benefits from a proper deep clean once a year, and there’s no time like spring! The result is a lighter, brighter interior that sparkles with cleanliness and has that neat look that only comes from a good declutter. Cleaning the house from top to bottom might seem like a big job, but read on to see how we’ve broken it down in to easy-to-do tasks……

LEMON JUICE Slice a lemon, put in a bowl of water and microwave for 45 seconds to loosen baked-on food inside it. BICARBONATE OF SODA Make a paste with water, smear on a glass oven door and leave to break down grease. Scrub well afterwards. WHITE VINEGAR Combine with equal parts water to use as a multi-purpose kitchen cleaner. SALT Mix with hot water and pour down your kitchen plughole to banish grease build-up and nasty odours. OLIVE OIL Use with a soft cloth to buff stainless steel cookware.…

FOR UNWANTED ITEMS OF FURNITURE, CONSIDER GIVING THEM AWAY TO A GOOD HOME ON SITES LIKE FREECYCLE Most of us hold onto things we no longer need – items which take up precious space in the home, gathering dust, making cleaning more of a chore. Try to have an in-depth clear out at least once a year, where you reassess your possessions and cut down on clutter. Although it’s hard work, it’s also a very therapeutic process and you’ll love your newly-organised, tidy home afterwards. So roll up your sleeves and tackle your junk once and for all. Donate to charity Take unwanted clothes, books, toys, accessories, homewares, CDs and DVDs to your local charity shop. It’s the easiest way to recycle – you’ll be clearing out your clutter and…

WHEN CHOOSING A WOODEN FLOOR, TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE ROOM TO MAKE SURE IT ALL LOOKS GOOD TOGETHER Whether you’re replacing, restoring or laying a new surface, to determine which hard flooring is the most sutable for your home, you’ll need to consider both the overall look and also the practical benefits. Think about the room – how sturdy does your floor need to be and how much wear and tear will it go through? Once this is addressed, you can work out which timber is best for you. Solid wood Real wood flooring is made from single pieces of solid wood and is naturally full of character thanks to its varying grains and knots. It’s extremely durable, great for high-traffic areas and can easily be…

BRING HOME SAMPLES AND LAY THEM ON YOUR FLOOR FOR 24 HOURS TO SEE HOW THEY EACH LOOK AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY Before you start, you’ll need to work out how much flooring you’re going to need. To do this, measure the length of the room in metres and multiply this by the width to give a square metre surface area. You should also allow for wastage, so add 10 per cent to get a total figure. For irregular-shaped layouts, multiply the longest and widest points of the room. If you're looking at packs of flooring, just divide the number of square metres of your room by the square metres per pack. When it comes to fitting, the material and product you choose will determine whether it can…

Q Can I use LVT wood-effect flooring in the kitchen or bathroom? Karndean Designflooring is perfect for any room of the home, and in particular a bathroom or kitchen. As LVT is water-resistant, any spillages or water drips can be easily wiped over, without the worry of planks shrinking or warping over time. You should expect the natural beauty, unique grain and intricate knot details of real wood, without any of the practical difficulties. Q How easy is it to remove old floorboards and replace with new LVT wood flooring? As long as standard floorboards or tongue-and-groove designs are well secured, there is no need to remove old floorboards before installation. If there are any broken or worn planks, they’ll need to be replaced, and then a 6mm plywood installed…

BOTTLE-TOP PINS Revive vintage bottle caps for a cool and quirky look TAKES 5MINS COST £2.40 FOR 20 Clean bottle caps, £1 for 20, eBay Hot-glue gun Map push pins (with a 15mm spike), £1.40 for 20, eBay 1 Working on a flat surface, place the bottle tops face down. Heat up your glue gun and carefully apply a generous dot of hot glue to the centre. Be sure not to apply too much as this will cause the excess to run over the sides. 2 Take one bottle cap at a time and push the head of a pin into the glue immediately. Make sure it’s positioned in the centre of the cap and hold for a few seconds to set in place. Leave to dry thoroughly before using…

Before buying this house in Whitley Bay, I’d been living in a North Yorkshire village where I’m a primary school teacher, but with my son close to finishing his schooling and my daughter training to be a nurse, it seemed a good time to move closer to friends,’ says Janet. ‘I’d been travelling up to this area quite a lot anyway, as I play the fiddle with an eight-piece folk band. I chose this house because it was close to a Metro station and I loved its Victorian features. However, the bathroom just didn’t work. It could only be accessed via another bedroom, and the position of its door made it almost impossible to squeeze a bed into the room as well. Neither space was practical, so it needed some…

ABOUT ME I’m Sarah Cooper, 36, and I live with my husband, Craig, also 36. Together we run a digital marketing and PR recruitment company called thecleverconsultancy.com. We moved into our three-bed 1950s detached house in Godalming, Surrey, in September 2011. MY CHALLENGE We wanted to find a way to extend our small galley kitchen to create more storage and more room for entertaining, as well as including a breakfast bar. MY WISH LIST Contemporary units, light-coloured, wood-effect flooring, a proper cooker, space for a decent-sized fridge freezer, enough shelves for my cookery books and no more dark tiles!…

Most of us couldn’t imagine life without a washing machine, but choosing the right model for your home can prove tricky, especially if you’re on a budget. Showrooms are packed with expensive hi-tech designs boasting the best in laundry care, but you’ll be pleased to hear that if you shop clever, you’ll find machines jam-packed with energy-saving features, generous capacities, specialists fabric-care programs – for everything from cashmere to duvets – and even the latest in smartphone control. Look for models with features you’ll use, such as a hot wash for baby clothers or gentle hand wash, and try to buy the most energy-efficient design, such as A+++, to save money. An 8kg model is enough for a family of four, but larger 10-12kg designs – especially those with sensor…

ADD CHORIZO FOR A SPICY TWIST OR MUSHROOMS AND CHEESE FOR A VEGGIE OPTION SPANISH OMELETTE TAKES 20MINS SERVES 4 1 tbsp olive oil 200g spring onions 1 green pepper, deseeded and sliced 300g potatoes, such as Jersey Royals or Charlotte 6 eggs 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan. Slice the spring onions finely and fry along with the sliced green pepper for 5 mins until they are soft. 2 Boil or steam the potatoes gently for about 8 to 10 mins until they’re just cooked, then drain. 3 In a bowl, beat the eggs together and season. Add the cooked potatoes to the frying pan then pour over the beaten eggs. Cook for 5 mins until the base of the omelette is firm. 4 Heat the grill…

DOWN TO A TEA Encourage wildlife. Cup and saucer bird feeder, £10, The Orchard LIGHT THEWAY Brighten up a country cottage. Pair of cream candlesticks, £8.95, Melody Maison PICK OF THE BUNCH Add rustic charm. Reminisce lavender bunch, £4, Wilko BIRD’S EYE VIEW Pick cute details. Owl tealight holder, £10, BHS GLASS ACT Create a soft ambience. Mink hurricane vase, £5, Wilko COMING UP ROSES Embrace a botanical look. Button Floral cushion, £8, George Home CLEAN UP Bring style to your table. Beautiful Birds napkins, 99p for 24, Dunelm TAKE NOTE Coordinate your stationery. Botanist floral A5 notebook, £4, Sainsbury’s FEMININE FLORALS Keep clutter at bay. Grape Florence trinket pot, £3.79, Dunelm DRINK UP Update your glassware without breaking the bank. Embossed purple tumbler, £3, Matalan…