Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2015 i Style At Home

As spring settles in, I begin to look at how I can give my home a refresh. It’s the bright mornings and that new-lease-of-life feeling that really get my creative cogs whirring. So if, like me, you’re inspired to make a change in your home then try the decorating ideas we have packed into this issue. Our 8-page Bank Holiday special is brimming with inspiration for sprucing up your home over a long weekend – fab if you’ve been putting off any tasks during the winter (page 29). If you love colour then you’ll adore our vibrant living room look on page 42, as well as cover star Nicola’s living-dining room. She’s used pretty pink accessories to create a warm and welcoming vibe (page 38). I’m going to be busy…

Many of us buy houses which, although in a liveable state, are in need of a cosmetic overhaul to suit our tastes. But don’t despair because dated, dark and dingy properties can be lightened, brightened and transformed into the home of your dreams! Follow our 10 tips to give your place a new look. 1 GO WHITE & BRIGHT A simple first step for a makeover is to paint a coat of crisp white emulsion onto the walls. This instantly freshens a space and creates a clean, blank canvas to work with. You will be amazed at how it brightens a room – just make sure you do the required preparation work so that your new white walls are smooth and well finished. To prevent an expanse of white wall…

Patterned-fabric noticeboard 1 Lay your ironed fabric, right-side down, onto a flat surface and place a pinboard on top in the centre. Trim the fabric so it’s approximately 5cm larger than the pinboard all the way around. 2 Starting at the centre point of one side, pull the fabric over to the back frame of the pinboard and staple-gun in place. Staple along the edge up to both corners, pulling the fabric taut as you go. 3 Repeat this process along all four edges. When you get to each corner, trim away any excess fabric and fold neatly inwards into a triangle shape before stapling into place. Paint kitchen cupboards CLEAN START Be sure to give your cupboard doors a thorough clean before you repaint them. Get rid of any…

Secondhand style success ‘I wanted a traditional kitchen to suit our house so I found a solid oak farmhouse-style kitchen on Gumtree and painted it in Rust-Oleum’s Heirloom White. It did take me a few months to paint all the doors properly, without any runs or patches, but it was worth the effort.’ Elaine Wilson, North Lanarkshire Pick of the pops ‘My beige bedroom had a chocolate suede-effect feature wall (trendy 10 years ago!) and I wanted a Pop Art-style room. So I painted all the walls white then added a bright pink block on one wall, with bold-coloured horizontal stripes across it. I then painted a green stripe around the headboard – I’m really pleased with it.’ Sabrina Jillah, Berkshire ’I decided to turn my old shed into a…

For any homeowner, building an extension can be a daunting prospect. But it can also totally transform your space into something that will better suit you and your family for years to come. Don’t be put off by the seemingly overwhelming size of a project, as many companies will do all the work, from design right through to construction. An extension out the back or on the side of your house can radically alter the function of a room – turn a pokey kitchen into a modern, multi-purpose open-plan diner, or you can add an extra bedroom to cope with a growing family. Getting started Be sure to use building contractors who you can trust and that come with a recommendation. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions along…

1 Starting afresh It’s time to give my cluttered, dated kitchen a makeover, so I start researching Shaker-style units. I’m disappointed by the quality of the kitchens on the high street so, on the advice of a friend, I check out Truly Bespoke. I discuss my plans with designer Zoe, and she tells me that what I want is within budget. I’m pleased with the clever layout she suggests, which maximises my small space. I’ll have lots more storage and, although that means I can’t fit in a double sink, I’m happy to compromise. 2 Appliance shopping While the furniture is made off-site, I choose my appliances. Zoe sources the gas hob, sink and tap for me and I look for a new, bigger fridge-freezer and built-in oven. I end…

Bread basket YOU WILL NEED 13cm x 13cm piece each of linen, lining & interfacing 20.5cm x 35.5cm rectangles of the above with one long edge of linen & lining cut on selvage Sewing thread Pearlised acrylic paint Pencil & paper Bias binding 1 Draw a 23cm diameter circle and a rectangle measuring the circumference of the circle in length and W13cm. Transfer to the wrong side of your linen square and rectangle and cut out. Transfer to the interfacing; cut out. 2 Iron the interfacing rectangle and circle to the wrong side of the linen rectangle and circle. Pin the short edges of the rectangle together, right sides facing, into a cylinder. Stitch a 1cm seam; press open. Repeat for the lining. 3 Stay-stitch around the lower edge of…

Saucy jalapeño meatballs TAKES 45 MIN SERVES 6 Mix together 500g pork mince, 25g fresh breadcrumbs, 3tbsp finely chopped jalapeños, 2tbsp chopped coriander and season. Roll into 15 even-sized meatballs and set aside. Heat 2tbsp oil in a large pan and brown the meatballs all over. Set aside on a plate. Add 125g chopped chorizo, cook until golden, drain any excess oil and add 1 finely chopped shallot. Cook for a few min, pour in 150ml red wine, bubble for 2 min then add 400g tin chopped tomatoes. Add the meatballs and simmer for 20 min. Salt & chilli calamari TAKES 20 MIN SERVES 6 Heat 500ml sunflower oil in a pan. Put 3tbsp cornflour, 6tbsp semolina, 1tsp salt, 2tsp hot paprika and 1/2tsp chilli powder into a bowl. Toss…

Bedside table Add a feminine touch for a pretty makeover YOU WILL NEED Damp cloth & paper towel Unit, £5, car-boot sale Paintbrush & stencil brush Antoinette Chalk paint, £18.95 per ltr, Annie Sloan Spring flower stencil, £10.75, The Stencil Library Stencil spray adhesive, £4.29, Hobbycraft DecoArt acrylic paint in Spun Gold and White, £1.50 each, Hobbycraft Glass melon knobs, £2.60 each, Trinca-Ferro Clear varnish 1 Wipe the unit with a cloth and carefully remove the handles. Apply two coats of pink paint smoothly and evenly, allowing to dry in between. Spray the back of the stencil lightly with adhesive (to stop it sliding) and stick on the unit. 2 Dip the end of the stencil brush in white paint and wipe most of it on a kitchen towel before…

Whether you’re upcycling a table or sewing a cushion, making things yourself not only gives you creative control but is a great way to decorate on a budget. Be sure to start a moodboard of your ideas – keep paint, wallpaper and fabric swatches and tear images from magazines to inspire you. Now you’re ready to dust off the sewing machine or dig out the paintbrushes and get crafting! 1 Get one step ahead and make sure your craft supplies are well organised before starting any project. See our handy feature on page 114 for our top craft room tips. 2 Take a look at our Style at Home Pinterest boards for lots of crafty ideas for your home. Visit pinterest.com/ styleathomemag for your style fix. 3 Start with small-scale…

A well-chosen rug can give any room warmth and personality, and really pull a scheme together. Wool designs can be expensive, so if your budget is on the smaller side, why not consider a rug in a man-made fibre, or a cotton flat-woven design? Be bold and take the plunge into a more colourful way of living – it’s amazing the impact a brightly patterned design can have on a room. We’ve done the hard work for you and picked 10 of our favourites from just £20. Style secrets Follow our advice so your rug looks right at home CO-ORDINATE WITH the other textiles in the room by choosing a rug in similar tones to your sofa, armchair or curtains. In Sam’s living room, the warm shades in her check…

1 PRETTY & PRACTICAL If you have an alcove in your craft room, put up simple floating shelves to help save space and keep your desk clutter free. Why not line the back of the alcove, or even the shelves themselves, with a quirky wallpaper for a fun finishing touch. Or try painting the shelves to match the wallpaper. FOR SIMILAR craft-inspired wallpaper, try the Takaria design, £22.99 per roll, Wallpaperdirect. 2 OFF THE WALL To clear table space it’s a good idea to hang items up on the wall. You can use specialist storage solutions such as a thread rack, along with products designed for the kitchen, like this spice rack and simple magnetic wall strip. FOR SIMILAR items, try the Bekvam spice rack, £3; Fintorp magnetic knife rack,…

ABC AEG 0344 561 1611; aeg.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645; amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168; anniesloan.com Anorak 020 8299 2416; anorakonline.co.uk Anthropologie anthropologie.eu Argos 0345 640 3030; argos.co.uk Arran Aromatics 01563 851826; arranaromatics.com Asda asda.com Atkin & Thyme 0844 409 9834; atkinandthyme.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 7781; barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Barnyarns 01765 690069; barnyarns.co.uk Bath Empire 024 7638 9052; bathempire.com Bathstore 0800 023 2323 Battlesbridge Antiques Centre 01268 769000; battlesbridge.com Berry Red 0845 450 3937; berryred.co.uk Bestbathrooms.com 0844 417 2561; bestbathrooms.com BHS 0344 411 6000; bhs.co.uk Bluebellgray 0141 221 0724; bluebellgray.com Bosch bosch-home.co.uk Cable & Cotton 01273 321332; cableandcotton.co.uk Carluccio’s carluccios.com Carole’s Crafts UK 023 9231 8097; carolescraftsuk.co.uk Cath Kidston 0845 026 2440; cathkidston.com Chandelier and Mirror Company (The) 01322 437112 Cico Books rylandpeters.com…

LOUISE BAKER ABOUT ME I’m 39 and I live in a barn conversion in Hertfordshire with my husband and our daughter, Tillie. We redecorated the entire property in just three months, which I’m really proud of. MY HOME TIP Buy LED bulbs – they last longer than regular ones so don’t need changing as often. MY LATEST PROJECT… was upcycling a barley twist table. I sanded it then painted the top. EMMA MAPP ABOUT ME I’m 41 and I rent a 1930s three-bed flat in south west London with my partner, Stuart. I buy most of the things for my home from flea markets, antiques shops and Freecycle. MY HOME TIP Don’t be afraid to mix several styles together – not everything has to be uniform. MY LATEST PROJECT… was…

Try your hand at our simple project for making these adorable butterfly canvases – it’s easier than you might think! You can adapt the colours to suit your scheme and play around with different papers. HOWTO YOU WILL NEED Large butterfly punch, £10, Hobbycraft Reeves 16in sq deep-edge canvas, £5, Wilko Dovecraft paper, pack, £3, Wilko Ruler & pencil Paintbrush Papermania paper pack, £7.95, The Range Glue Masking tape Matt emulsion tester pots in Sugar Sweet or Happy Yellow, £1 each, Wilko 1 Using the butterfly punch and patterned paper, punch out 56 butterflies. Choose colours that will stand out against your painted canvas. 2 Mask off the edges of the canvas and apply two coats of paint to the front, leaving to dry between coats. Use a pencil and…

Curate a photo gallery 1 Collect photo frames of different sizes and fill them with snaps of your choice. You could go for a random display of favourites, or for a more themed approach, select those with a shared subject matter, for example black-and-white family portraits, or stunning shots from your travels. 2 If you want a uniform and contemporary look, go for matching smart black or white frames or, for a more eclectic feel, why not use a mix of designs in various styles and colours? You could even try painting frames to match your room’s colour scheme. 3 Decide on the layout of the frames to create your gallery – lay them out on a flat surface and play around with the spacing and order until you’re happy.…

Give your bedroom a mini makeover with this intricate fretwork design, inspired by Victoria’s panel. We’ve gone for a design made up of geometric squares here, but why not try creating your own pattern, or using different coloured card? HOW TO YOU WILL NEED Pencil & ruler Card for template A1 White card, £4.50 per sheet, Paperchase Scalpel and mat A1 Grey card, £2, Paperchase Glue & eraser Virserum frame 50cm x 70cm, £18, Ikea 1 Copy the design in the photograph to make a 11cm x 11cm square window template. Cut it out and draw around it onto the white card. Leave even gaps between each square and draw straight lines joining them together to create a grid, as shown in the final artwork. 2 Use a scalpel and…

Think beyond traditional wall cupboards when it comes to kitchen storage. Open shelving is a great option if you’re the proud owner of an impressive crockery collection that you want to show off or like to have ingredients close at hand. It’s also worth considering if you have a compact kitchen, as a lot of wall units can make an already small space feel closed in. Having everything on display, however, is not for the faint-hearted as it requires a certain amount of dedication to keep shelves looking smart. Decanting your cooking supplies into matching jars yields a certain amount of satisfaction, and makes it easy to see if you are running low on any ingredients. If you’ve items of crockery or glassware that won’t fit in your cabinets, put…

Macaroni-topped mince TAKES 1 HR 5 MIN SERVES 2 2tsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, diced 400g minced lamb 400g tin chopped tomatoes 1tsp oregano 1tbsp sun-dried tomato paste 200g macaroni 1 egg 150ml Greek yoghurt 60g Cheddar, grated 60g feta, crumbled 1 Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onion for a few min to soften. Add the garlic and lamb. Cook for 10 min until browned. Stir in the tomatoes, oregano and sun-dried tomato paste and cook for 10 min more. 2 Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Cook the macaroni to pack instructions and drain. Beat the egg and yoghurt together and season. Spoon the lamb into an ovenproof dish, top with the macaroni and pour over the yoghurt mixture. Sprinkle over…

Spicy turkey wraps TAKES 25 MIN + MARINATING SERVES 4 320g turkey fillets 2tbsp harissa paste 4tbsp olive oil 1tbsp lime juice 2 garlic cloves, crushed 4 x 50g flat breads 1 red onion, sliced 75g salad leaves FOR THE TZATZIKI 5tbsp Greek yoghurt 2tbsp lemon juice & zest 1 garlic clove, crushed 1tsp dried chives 1 Mix the turkey with the harissa, olive oil, lime juice and garlic and season. Leave to marinate for 1 hr. Thread on to skewers and grill, for 8-10 min, or until cooked through. 2 Meanwhile, sprinkle the flatbreads with water and place under a preheated medium grill for 2 min to warm through. 3 Mix together the yoghurt, lemon juice and zest and garlic. Top one half of each flatbread with the salad,…

POWER New EU rules mean that vacuums must be 1600W or under, but this has simply meant that manufacturers have found new ways to ensure efficiency. The higher watt doesn’t guarantee better suction. Some manufacturers use Air Watts instead, so look for at least 100 for upright and 220 for cylinder designs. FLOORING Not all vacuums perform in the same way on different types of floors. Now compulsory labeling on new machines will clearly show the efficiency using a scale from A-G, so you can choose one that will work best in your home. WEIGHT Upright vacuums are harder to move than cylinders, so go for a light one if you can. If you have stairs, you’ll be carrying it up and down, so bear this in mind as well…

PHONE Call 0904 160 0654 and leave your answer, name, address and phone number. BT calls cost £1.53. Calls from other networks may be higher. TEXT SAHWIN1 followed by a space and your answer, then your name, house number and postcode to 87088*. Texts cost £1.50 per entry plus your network charges. POST Fill in the coupon and send to Twyford/SAH May competition, PO Box 502, Leicester LE94 0AB. ONLINE Visit housetohome. co.uk/competitions. Phone lines open on 31 March 2015 and close at midnight on 12 May 2015. Postal entries must arrive by 15 May 2015. Service provider: Spoke Ltd 0333 202 3390.…

Whether you are a creative enthusiast with a dedicated room or a casual crafter, you are likely to have masses of supplies cluttering your home. Not only can this look messy, but it can also make it impossible to find what you need for a particular project. It’s important to organise your stash and make an effort to always return items to their correct ‘home’ after use. When sorting, also view it as a chance to get rid of unused materials, such as dried-up paints; and collate tiny items like odd buttons and scraps of ribbon. A place for everything The trick is to find a system for storing different items that works for you. One way is to group items by activity; for example all of your knitting bits,…

Add a personal touch to your kitchen, like Sam has, and decorate a plain-white jug using Sharpie marker pens. This project takes next to no time and can be applied to other accessories, too. We used a fairly simplistic floral design but you could experiment with other motifs. HOW TO YOU WILL NEED Purity Collection jug, £7.99, Dunelm Clean cloth Sharpie markers in Green, Berry and Jellie Pink, £1.49 each, Rymans 1 Wipe down the jug using a soft cloth to remove any dust from the surface. Using the green Sharpie pen, carefully draw vertical lines of varying heights, starting from the base of the jug. Continue all the way round the jug. These will be the stems of your flowers. 2 Using the Sharpie pen in Berry, stamp little…

Bank Holiday projects Tackle (and finish!) a big DIY job over two or three days Build a shed First, create a solid, level base – concrete is ideal, but you can also use wooden frames or interlocking plastic squares. You’ll need at least two pairs of hands to construct the shed, plus a cordless drill. Once up, use Cuprinol Garden Shades £22 for 2.5ltr, B&Q, to protect the wood. Create a feature wall Inject personality into your bedroom with a bold wallpaper. Hang up an eye-catching design behind your bed to ‘frame’ it and give the room a focal point. Check out Wallpaperdirect. Spruce up bathrooms Check out Housetohome.co.uk for tile looks and ideas, then try your hand at tiling. If your tiles are in good condition but look tired,…

BE PREPARED HIT THE SHOPS Avoid the Bank Holiday rush and stock up on supplies the weekend before. Make a list of everything you’ll need for any decorating projects and get organised to avoid the crowds in the shops. STEP BY STEP Plan out exactly what needs doing and roughly how long each part of the project will take. Leave yourself extra time for things that may take longer than expected, or don’t go quite to plan. MEASURE UP Stay on schedule by taking measurements before starting your project. Whether it’s dimensions for a new pair of curtains or working out how much paint you’ll need to redecorate, plan ahead to make more time for the job itself. DE-CLUTTER Be sure to tidy away anything that’s going to get in…

Cushion covers 1 Give your garden bench a summer makeover with a new set of stylish cushions. Lay your fabric right side down on a flat surface and put the cushion pad on top. Measure and cut the fabric to 1cm wider than the cushion and double its length, plus 5cm extra. Put the cushion pad to one side. 2 Fold down a hem on the top and bottom edges of the fabric and press with an iron. Pin and stitch the hems with a sewing machine. Then fold the fabric in on itself so you have the overlapping flap facing up in the centre and pin the side seams together to hold them in place. 3 Run these two sides through a sewing machine and turn the cover the…

My room... ABOUT ME I’m Helen Neal, 42, and I live in a three-bedroom Edwardian semi in Keynsham, Somerset, with my two cats, George and Pepper. MY CHALLENGE The kitchen was dated and bland. With two windows, a back door and a radiator, there wasn’t a lot of space for wall units. As a result, the worktops were always cluttered. MY WISH LIST I wanted a good-quality kitchen that would last, with plenty of storage. Better lighting was a must, and I also liked the idea of an eye-level oven. When I started renovating my home about three years ago, I knew that the kitchen was going to be the biggest project,’ says Helen. ‘The existing layout didn’t function well at all and it put me off inviting friends round…

You don’t have to be a girly-girl to appreciate this pretty-as-a-picture trend that’s snuck onto the high street and into our hearts. Nor do you have to love pink, as this look is all about subtle rose and lavender tones lifted by opulent copper. Layer the look with beaded place mats, metallic platters and delicate floral dinnerware, adding marble finishes and putty shades for a stunning scheme.…

30+ RECIPES to try this month Rose-pink macaroons TAKES 1 HR 40 MIN MAKES 25 Put 150g icing sugar and 100g ground almonds in a food processor and whizz for 30 seconds, thensieve into a bowl. Whisk 3 egg whites to soft peaks. Add 75g granulated sugar in three batches, whisking between each addition to create a thick, glossy meringue. Add half the icing sugar mixture with 1tsp rose water and 1/4tsp pink food colouring. Gently fold in with a spatula, then fold in the remaining half. Spoon into a piping bag and pipe 50 x 4cm rounds on to lined baking trays, keeping them well spaced. Tap each tray on the worktop and leave in a cool, dry place for 30 min. Preheat oven to 190°C/ Gas 5 and…

Get ready for the new season by browsing the Spring/Summer 2015 Home Catalogue from Debenhams and be inspired to re-think your interior space. Create a relaxed modern look with a mix of texture and geometric shapes to ensure your schemes are effortless and easy to live with. Choose from throws, lamps, cushions and ceramics from world-renowned designers and exclusive British brands to finish off your scheme. And to kickstart your new look, you can enjoy 15% off your homeware purchase. Simply present the coupon, below, at the checkout in store, or enter the code ZC34 online. FOR FURTHER details and to see more ranges, visit debenhams.com or pick up your free copy of the Spring/Summer catalogue in any UK Debenhams store now.…

PHONE Call 0904 160 0650 and leave your answer, name, address and phone number. BT calls cost £1.53. Calls from other networks may be higher. TEXT SAHCOMP1 followed by a space and your answer, then your name, house number and postcode to 87088*. Texts cost £1.50 per entry plus your network charges. POST Fill in the coupon and send it to Premier Housewares/SAH May Competition, PO Box 502, Leicester LE94 0AB. ONLINE Visit housetohome.co.uk/competitions. Phone lines open on 31 March 2015 and close at midnight on 12 May 2015. Postal entries must arrive by 15 May 2015. SP: Spoke Ltd 0333 202 3390.…