Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i Style At Home

As I write, the sun is shining, the birds are tweeting and there’s a gentle breeze flowing through the door. I’m sat in my conservatory, soaking up the sunshine – our great British summer is on its way. And a good job, too, as this issue we’ve filled our pages with plenty to get your garden ready for alfresco dining, entertaining with friends or simply enjoying a good book. Head to page 53 and pick out an on-trend look for your outdoors. Plus, this issue’s Style School (p63) is full of gardening hints, including tips from Charlie Dimmock. Or if your conservatory needs a makeover, take inspiration from Georgia’s pretty floral and yellow scheme (p74), and be sure to invest in a new patio set (p78). If you’re thinking about…

Be inspired Can’t decide on the right shade of paint? Download the My Room Painter app by Crown Paints to help you visualise how your room will look before opening the tin. Available for Apple and Android via Amazon. TRY NEW THINGS Head to your local Hobbycraft store to join in with a crafts workshop and try your hand at a new skill. With free activities and inspirational demonstrations taking place every weekend, as well as paid classes, there’s something to suit every creative talent! Whether you’re keen to join in with the Knit and Natter session or want to explore the art of calligraphy, check out your local store’s page at hobbycraft.co.uk to see what’s taking place in your area. REFRESH YOUR DECOR With summer just around the corner,…

ABOUT ME I’m Sophie Crocket, 34, and I run Pineapple Retro, which sells original vintage homewares. I live with my partner Paul Barnes, 37, who works in IT, and our guinea pigs Ed and Dave. MY HOME A two-bedroom 1980s end-of-terrace with a conservatory extension in the New Forest. We bought it in October 2014. WHEN I BOUGHT IT It was painted throughout in magnolia with very neutral carpets, dark brickwork in the conservatory, and peach and terracotta tiles in the kitchen. AND NOW We’ve painted the conservatory brickwork in white and brightened the rooms with favourite pieces, including my giant, purple velvet sofa. We turned the second bedroom into an office and built a studio in the garden to use as a showroom. STYLE TIP Mix old and new…

SAVVY STORAGE Consider what you plan to keep stashed in your new sideboard. If it’s for a dining area, make sure there’s at least one drawer for cutlery and plenty of shelf space for stacking crockery. PERFECT PIECE Think about the visual weight of the sideboard within the room and remember that furniture with longer, thinner legs gives the illusion of taking up less space in a small area. Avoid anything too chunky or dark in compact spaces. TRAY CHIC Arrange your favourite objects and trinkets on a tray as a decorative display on top of your sideboard. Why not create a bar area styled with pretty glasses, attractive spirit bottles and a classy copper cocktail shaker.…

Tap into the appeal of the ornate and decorate your home with carved wooden pieces, just like Laurie has done. Mix either one statement piece, such as an armchair or mirror, or a few smaller accessories into your existing scheme to transform your look. We’ve scoured the high street and online for our favourites, from as little as £11.75.…

LOOK-A-LIKE Search around online for a bargain. Charlotte got her bed second-hand on eBay for £399, which originally came from Bedroom Furniture Direct. FANCY FRAME Give your bathroom a serious dose of style with an ornate wall mirror. Find a wide range of designs at Wayfair, prices start from £31.99. BE KIND Upcycling is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as it rescues furniture that might otherwise end up on a tip. Try Gumtree for pre-loved finds. SIMILAR SHADES Use a neutral colour in multiple rooms to pull the different schemes together. Try Wilko’s Coastline matt emulsion, £12 per 2.5ltr, for a cosy feel that’s not too dark. Charlotte has used this in her bedroom, dining room and on the bathroom panelling. SMART STORAGE Add built-in bench seating in an informal…

IT’S EASY TO ADAPT THIS PROJECT TO SUIT ANY THEME. CHOOSE FUN DINOSAUR OR PIRATE PRINTS FOR A PLAYFUL ALTERNATIVE! Head to your local charity shop or online for a bargain piece of furniture (ours cost £20 on eBay!), and then put your own stamp on it. This decoupage and painting idea instantly brings an item back to life and can be applied to any cupboard or cabinet. HOWTO TAKES 3HRS* COST £54.52 Old pine chest of drawers Sandpaper RustOleum chalk furniture paint in China Rose and Powder Blue, £6.66 for 125ml each, Amazon Paintbrushes Decopatch papers in Spring Bloom, Sweet Hearts, Blue Polka and Polka Rose Grey, £3.80 each, Hobbycraft Decopatch glue varnish, £6.50, Hobbycraft Ceramic crackle knobs, £1.95 each, Trinca Ferro 1 Remove the old handles and rub…

Fresh & fun Welcome friends and family with a striking doorway that’s sure to make an impact. The front entrance is the first thing people see when visiting your home – or even walking past – so make sure yours doesn’t let you down. Give it a little love and TLC with a lick of glossy paint in a bold primary colour – this dramatic red looks particularly stunning – and consider tiling your pathway for added charm. These simple updates won’t break the bank and will totally transform the look of your property. Rural charm Make your entrance a focal point by keeping your door in good condition. Regularly wash off scuffs and marks caused by everyday life, and refresh the paintwork from time to time so it always…

CONSIDER PLANTING SOME NASTURTIUMS IN YOUR VEG PATCH - NOT ONLY ARE THE FLOWERS PRETTY AND EDIBLE, THEY ATTRACT BLACKFLY AWAY FROM YOUR MAIN CROPS With so many different plants available, it’s hard to know which to choose and how to care for them. But we’ve scoured the garden centres and found a selection that are easy to look after and guaranteed to last. Plan ahead When you’re planting seeds and plug plants, try to ensure that you’ll have something in bloom for every month of the spring and summer. Most plants have care labels that indicate when to expect flowers (or a harvest for fruit and veg), so choose carefully so there’s not a gap without colour. If you’re sowing seeds, stagger your sowings and plant batches a few…

REGULARLY WASH DOWN GARDEN FURNITURE TO MAINTAIN IT DURING THE SUMMER, AND KEEP IT COVERED FOR PROTECTION IN WINTER Decorating isn’t just for your interiors – your garden is a blank canvas, too, and a fresh coat of paint can completely transform your space. But the process of reviving your outdoor furniture and walls can seem daunting, so make sure you’re prepared before you begin. When painting tables and chairs, turn each piece upside-down when dry and paint the feet underneath, too, as this is where moisture is absorbed. Untreated furniture will soon show the damaging effects of the weather. Try Sandtex’s 10-year exterior gloss paint (£28.99 per 2.5ltr). It’s also best to keep wooden furniture on a hard base, such as paving or gravel, and raise items up on…

COUNTRY COTTAGE Lavender Garden exterior masonry paint, £62 per 5ltr, Mylands; cushion, £14.99, Dobbies; Ashley Thomas glass, £3.50, Debenhams MOROCCAN BAZAAR Barleywood Garden Shades exterior wood paint, £22 per 2.5ltr, Cuprinol; cushion, £7, Primark; lantern, £29.50, Marks & Spencer TROPICAL FIESTA Sporty Pink garden and decking paint, £22 per 2.5ltr, Valspar; Flamingo cushion, £12, Sainsbury’s; wire lantern, £4, George ROCK ’N’ ROLL Juniper Ash exterior eggshell paint, £60 per 2.5ltr, Little Greene; floor cushion, £16, Sainsbury’s; metal sign, £16, Matalan GRAPHIC DETAIL Gentle Violet Aura exterior paint, £21.75 per 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore; geometric cushion, £18, B&Q; Aztec food cover, £8, Bhs SUMMER BRIGHTS Sun Dial garden paint, £15.68 per 1ltr, Ronseal at B&Q; Toucan cushion, £7, George; solar light stick, £1, Primark RETRO CHIC Frosted Lake Blue exterior masonry, £30…

MELLOW YELLOW Create a calm ambience. Oil lantern in yellow, £52.99, Wayfair BOBBLE FUN Snuggle on the sofa. Scion Taimi pom pom throw in teal, £95, House of Fraser SCENT-SATIONAL BUY Fill your home with a fruity fragrance. Melon and rhubarb candle, £3, Wilko PAIRUP Store items neatly. Wrapped seagrass baskets, £32 for two, Next PRETTY PRINTS Brighten a blank space. Set of four sunflower canvases, £45, Very PLUSH LOOK Get comfortable. Faux-velvet duck egg cushion, £5, George SUBTLE SHADES Add colour to your walls. Duck Egg matt emulsion, £32 per 2.5ltr, Laura Ashley ON THE WIRE Introduce some cute details. Bird cage, £12.99, HomeSense GO FOR GREEN Liven up your glassware. Congo green tumbler, £30 for six, Habitat…

There’s nothing more invigorating than spending time beside the sea, so why not refresh your interior and bring the essence of the coast into your home? Sailor style The new Coastal collection from Sainsbury's is inspired by the great British coastline. It features a fabulous range of accessories with organic forms and tactile surfaces in a muted colour palette that reflects the shades of the sea. Layer the look with soft washed linens, cosy cushions and decorative items with nautical-inspired motifs for a scheme that's relaxed and easy to live with. MAKE IT YOURS Want to know how to create a relaxed coastal feel in your home this summer? BE INSPIRED by Sainsbury’s great-value homewares and accessories in-store and check out the other stunning ranges while you’re there. TAKE A…

GIVE THESE EASY MAKES A TRY TO ADD SOME PERSONALITY TO A BATHROOM IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD A BIG REVAMP, OR IF YOU LIVE IN A RENTED HOME INITIAL TOWEL Customise a plain bathroom towel in next to no time TAKES 45MINS COST £8.49 Paper & pencil Scissors Patterned fabric remnant Bondaweb, £3.50, John Lewis White towel, £4.99, Dunelm Iron Sewing machine 1 Using a paper template, draw and cut out a letter from the fabric. Iron a piece of Bondaweb slightly bigger than the letter template to the back of the patterned fabric. Place the letter face down on the paper backing, draw around it and cut out. 2 Remove the paper backing and use an iron to stick the fabric letter onto the towel. Sew a zigzag stitch…

ABOUT ME I’m Maxine Brady, 38, an interior stylist and blogger at welovehomeblog.com and I live with my photographer boyfriend Jonathan Jones in a two-bedroom house in Brighton, East Sussex. This is our first home together, and the kitchen is the third room we’ve renovated after doing up our bathroom and living room. MY CHALLENGE Our kitchen looked tired and bland, and I wanted to inject as much style and personality as possible into the small room, as well as creating extra storage. MY WISH LIST I craved underfloor heating, statement wall and floor tiles, bespoke touches, integrated appliances, lots of storage and copper accents to add some warmth and character.…

FRAGRANT BEEF NOODLE SOUP TAKES 30MINS SERVES 2 100g rice noodles 2 beef stock cubes 1 small onion, finely chopped 3cm piece of root ginger, peeled and sliced 1 red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced 1 star anise 1 cinnamon stick 230g frying steak, trimmed of any fat 150g beansprouts 235g green pak choi, thickly sliced Handful of fresh coriander leaves 1 lime, cut into wedges 1 Place the noodles in a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave to soak for 15 mins, stirring once or twice to stop them from sticking. 2 Place the beef stock cubes, onion, ginger, chilli, star anise, cinnamon stick and 750ml boiling water in a large pan and bring back to the boil. Simmer for 10 mins. 3 Cook the steak in a…

ROUND ‘EM UP Go for intricate designs. Place mats, £10 each; coasters, £10 for four, Debenhams TIDYUP Curb clutter. Natural embossed storage jar, £10, Bhs PRECIOUS METALS Update your scheme with copper details. Eton candlestick, £4.99, Filigree Heart DON’T BLUSH Pop in a candle for romantic dining. Glass hurricane lantern, £8, Matalan INTO THE WILD Accessorise with themed ornaments. Small elephant figure, £6, Sainsbury’s HANGING OUT Complete the look with coordinating items. Copper geo hooks, £3.99 for two, Dunelm BOWLED OVER Introduce Moorish motifs. Barcelona small stoneware dish, £7.95, Dotcomgiftshop BOLD IMPACT Brighten up the bathroom. Christy Hygro towel in paprika, from £10, Very SPICE TRAIL Add pattern to wooden floors. Tanum rug, £5, Ikea PRINTS CHARMING Cosy up your home with warm tones. Sahara cushion, £5, Wilko…

Cat Dal ABOUT ME I’m 32 and I own a top-floor split-level flat in north London with my fiance Stuart, 32. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? It has to be the kitchen-diner. This area is the heart of our home thanks to the large industrial table teamed with stylish, low-hanging Tom Dixon pendant lights, a fig tree, and walls painted in a rich green. Katie Budd ABOUT ME I’m 40 and I live with my husband Graham, 39, in a one-bedroom house in Hertfordshire. WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT FOR YOUR HOME? I got the Allie storage stool from Habitat. As space is important in a small house, it’s a great way to store kitchen towels, and it also provides an extra seat for guests. Rachel Robinson ABOUT ME…

BE VERSATILE Sophie swears by the Kallax shelving units, from £20, Ikea. They can be used as office storage, for display, as room dividers or even as a sideboard. GO RETRO When that vintage treasure is just too expensive, get the look with an approved copy, like Sophie’s Eames Hang It All wall rack by Vitra, £199, John Lewis, or the replica set by Lakeland Furniture, £34.99. REFRESH AND RENEW Use colourful spray paint, from £4.50, PlastiKote, to add new life to old furniture – from bed frames to garden sets. BE YOUNG AT HEART Release your inner child by scooping a giant ice-cream cone from Pineapple Retro, £200, or an oversized Lego storage head from Comaco Toys, £14.49. COLOUR SPLASH Personalise your own space by painting one wall a…

Contrasting colours can be a tricky art to perfect but, done well, it can transform a space. Colours give a room character and reflect your personality, so think about what you want your space to say. Avoid using too many colours as this can make a scheme cluttered. At the same time, steer clear of having everything in matching shades – it’s about finding a balance. Take lighting into account when making colour choices. Natural light has a different impact on colour compared to artificial light, particularly on shades such as grey and white. Create moodboards with scraps of fabrics and paint samples in various hues so you can get an idea of what works together and what doesn’t. 1 Earn your stripes Break up a scheme with a stripe…

ABOUT ME I’m Laurie Reay, 33, and I have a business called Ruby Summers Country Home, painting and restoring furniture. I live with my husband Ben, 35, a paramedic, and our three children Riley, 9, Ruby, 7, and Flinn, 4. MY HOME A three-bedroom Victorian mid-terrace house in Highbridge, Somerset, bought in June 2014. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The place felt dark and dingy. There were brown carpets everywhere, and garish, modern wallpapers. AND NOW We’ve painted every room and changed almost all the flooring. The scheme is mainly white, with dots of pretty pastels, so the house is full of light and seems much larger now. There’s a casual, country feel, with lots of upcycled furniture and unusual, one-off pieces. STYLE TIP Keep an eye out for old furniture…

Whether you crave a more minimal interior or want some extra spaces to stash everyday items, it can be hard to figure out where to store the never-ending pile of household clutter. And if your living area is small, or you have little built-in storage, it can be hard to see how to improve things without spending some serious money. When space is at a premium, every extra bit of room counts, so by thinking outside the box (pun intended!), you can make a real difference to the available storage in your home. Read on for our tips on ingenious items and ideas to help maximise every square inch of your home. Treasure chest At first glance, this clever mirror appears like any other freestanding mirror, but turn the key…

There’s nothing like unwinding with the perfect brew, so make sure you serve up in style. Look out for designs that come with matching teacups for a coordinating set, or mix and match different pieces for a more eclectic collection. Pick a style and colour to suit your scheme so you can keep it on show and pretty up your shelves.…

The six lucky women whose homes we've featured in this issue are all members of our Stylists at Home club, and you could be part of it, too. Love Style at Home magazine? Got lots of styling ideas to share with other readers? Dream of having your home featured? Want to help create fantastic features? If you answered yes, then we want to hear from you! So sign up now and help us to make Style at Home the best magazine ever. It's totally free to join and you'll receive our fortnightly newsletter, bonus offers and other special treats. All you need to do is fill in your details at the below address and we'll get straight back to you. housetohome.co.uk/stylistsathome…

Lift patio pots and clean underneath Add a fresh layer of compost to all pots Plant hanging baskets, troughs and pots with bedding plants Prune trees and shrubs Mend fences and posts Refresh furniture Weed borders Tidy your shed Plant new shrubs Weed and clean up patios, paths and decked areas Lift and divide up overgrown perennials Protect plants from slugs and snails using pellets or homemade traps (fill a shallow bowl with beer) Sow grass seed on patches on the lawn Add manure to roses Stake tall, floppy plants…

THROW A GARDEN PARTY We can’t rely on the weather to play ball, so a gazebo is a great investment and will transform your outside space into a useable ‘room’ – whatever the weather. It’s handy on hot days, too, as it provides a sheltered, shady spot. UPDATE A SMALL SPACE Try a clever tiered solution on a patio, balcony or deck to make the most of every available inch. Having plants on shelves or ladders also makes them easier to water and maintain, which is ideal for people with bad backs. CREATE A VEGGIE PATCH Choose a sunny, well-drained spot for your patch and decide whether you want rows in the ground or raised beds. Dig over the soil, fork it and rake until fine. Plan the layout before…

KNOW THE BASICS For external lighting you need to install three different types: Task lighting for practical jobs, ambient lighting for everyday use and accent lighting to highlight features and set the mood. TASK LIGHTING A Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor security light is useful. It’s triggered by motion, so will flood an area with light when you pass by. We suggest the Litecraft Vanguard Outdoor 120W large round wall light with PIR sensor, £19, Debenhams. AMBIENT LIGHTING Give a gentle glow to the areas you use the most with wall lights. Garden Trading has a good range, from £25. Alternatively, hang a string of outdoor festoon lights above your seating area for a party – Festive Lights has a great selection. ACCENT LIGHTING Highlight paths, walls and border edges. Discreet…

We may not enjoy a balmy, equatorial climate here in the UK, but that doesn’t have to stop you introducing a fun and exotic feel into your home. Embrace lively colour, add lush foliage and finish the look with quirky details. 1 Art of palm A standout palm print wallpaper will anchor the look of a room, and this cheery yellow version is a new take on classic green leaves. If you live in a rented property, fill three large Stromby frames, £14 each, Ikea, with the paper and hang as a high-impact trio. 2 Nature’s bounty To achieve a warmer look, introduce natural textures into a scheme with items such as rattan lampshades, wicker armchairs and real wood furniture. Enjoy the outdoor feel underfoot, too, with natural fibre weaves…

Finding our ideal family home proved a challenge, so instead we decided to take on a project that we could tailor to our needs. Eventually my husband, Joe, and I settled on a 1980s house with plenty of space but little character,’ says Llinos. The property, while livable, needed updating. We agreed to make do with the kitchen as it was for a while, but our first task was to revamp the bathroom. The awkward bath and makeshift shower just weren’t practical with three kids. And although it’s a good-sized room, the existing design, complete with a bidet, bulky whirlpool corner bath and exposed pipework made it feel small and cramped. However, with some careful planning, I knew we could improve on the dated decor and squeeze in a separate…

MAKE SURE YOUR CHOSEN BLIND FITS THE WINDOW SPACE SNUGLY TO ENSURE MAXIMUM PRIVACY Compared to other rooms in your home, choosing a dressing for your bathroom windows can be more challenging and requires extra thought. So it’s worth looking into all your options before you begin. Not only does it have to suit the style of your space but it has to tick off many practical requirements, too. For instance, given that bathrooms tend to have quite high levels of humidity and moisture, it’s important to seek out a hardy material that can withstand these conditions. Roll up, roll up Roller blinds are a good option if you want to inject a splash of colour, as they offer plenty of choice when it comes to designs and patterns. Plus,…

SUNBLUSH PIZZA TAKES 15MINS SERVES 1 Preheat the oven to Gas 7/220°C. Put a baking tray in the oven to heat up. Spoon 4tbsp sun-dried tomato paste over the pizza base and sprinkle with 2 cloves crushed garlic. Add half the pack of mozzarella, thinly sliced, leaving a border around the edge. Top with 8 sunblushed tomatoes and 6 slices chorizo. Season well. Put the pizza on the baking tray and bake for 7-10 mins, until crisp and golden. Mix 1tsp olive oil and 1tsp balsamic vinegar and toss with a handful of rocket until covered. Serve on top of the pizza. COCONUT PANNACOTTA TAKES 25MINS (PLUS SETTING TIME) SERVES 6 600ml single cream 165ml coconut cream 15g fresh basil leaves 3 leaves gelatine 60g caster sugar Zest and juice…

NEAT & TIDY Fit a retractable reel for discreet storage. Vileda Cordomatic, £10.99, Amazon PRETTY PRINTS Banish plain plastic designs. Poppy clothes pegs, £4.95 for pack of 12, Dotcomgiftshop BEAUTIFUL BAGS Bring some cheer to the chores. Poppy peg bag, £6.95, Dotcomgiftshop DRY IN STYLE Fold flat when not in use. Garden Trading zigzag airer, £35, John Lewis…

1 Make some drainage holes in the base of the can with a bradawl, and a hole 2cm down from the top to hang the tin. Lower the top of the tin 1cm deep into Hammerite Rust Metal paint (£17.99 per 750ml). Turn the can upright and leave the paint to dribble down and dry. 2 For another pattern, dip a clean lolly stick in the paint and swirl paint over the tin, or do a splatter pattern. Leave to dry thoroughly for 24 hours. 3 Put compost in the bottom of the can then plant flowers. Thread an S hook into the hole in the can then hang up to display. Tweet the team at #askSAH with your photos, decorating dilemmas and tips.…

#askSAH QI live in a rented house and my walls are bare, how can I add some colour easily? JANE WILLIAMS, VIA TWITTER Firstly, lucky you! Having a neutral backdrop to work with is the best place to start, and it can easily be perked up with colourful accessories and soft furnishings. Whatever your budget, there are plenty of home decor buys that you can introduce – hang brightly coloured curtains, add scatter cushions, lay down a rug and display coordinating ornaments. And the best bit – everything can be taken with you when you move. Bonus! 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…

Are you looking for a practical yet pretty piece of furniture to add some handy extra storage space? Invest in a sturdy sideboard to stash your things away in, and choose a design that will complement your existing decor. Whether you prefer understated minimal style for your living room, or you want to add the wow factor to your dining space with a wonderfully colourful creation, we’ve rounded-up 10 of our favourite designs to get you started, all for under £500!…

CHOOSE A PRETTY TABLE LAMP BASE TO HOUSE YOUR NEW CREATION, BUT MAKE SURE IT’S LARGE ENOUGH TO BE IN PROPORTION TO THE 30CM DRUM SHADE Get creative with fabric and have a go at making a unique lampshade in a colour and pattern to suit your very own style. This straightforward project also works for ceiling lights and floor lamps, and is the perfect way to quickly update your space without breaking the bank. HOWTO TAKES 1HR COST £23.99 30.5cm cylinder lampshade kit, £14, Hobbycraft Verve curtain fabric, £9.99 per m, Terry’s Fabrics Fabric scissors Tape measure Iron 1 Open the lampshade-making kit – inside you should find two rings, a self-adhesive lampshade panel, double-sided tape and a lollipop tool. Cut your fabric to the dimensions shown and iron…

DON’T WASTE SMALL SPACE Alcoves can be made useful with nifty seating and storage. Cotswold Company’s Bourton cream-painted, solid pine bench is a steal at £275. TRY THE TILED STYLE Get the no-fuss look of real tiles with Shalimar vinyl flooring, from Best4Flooring. Choose from three colourways, £9.49 per sq m. SEE STARS These make a great theme for kids’ bedrooms. Mix The White Company’s Star reversible bedlinen set, from £11, with Next’s multi-star wallpaper, £15 per roll. DRESS YOUR BED A Victorian-style bed is perfect for creating a restful and romantic bedroom. Dreams’ Jasmine White double is great value at £199. LIGHT A CANDLE Flickering, low light ceates a mellow mood for relaxing. Try Marks & Spencer’s lantern selection, from £15 each.…

WHY NOT HAVE A GO AT THIS IDEA USING A STAR OR HEART TEMPLATE AS A CUTE ALTERNATIVE. MIX AND MATCH THE FABRICS FOR HOMESPUN CHARM Looking for a twist on traditional bunting? Go for a playful butterfly shape to decorate a kid’s bedroom or a country cottage living room. We chose colourful floral fabrics for our design but you can use any patterns and shades to suit your existing scheme. This straightforward make is ideal for novice crafters and doesn’t require any in-depth sewing skills thanks to the use of iron-on adhesive. And at only £5.75 what’s not to love? HOWTO TAKES 2HRS COST £5.75 Butterfly template (print from online) Paper & scissors Scraps of floral fabric Iron-on adhesive, £4, Hobbycraft Iron Pencil 3mm ribbon, £1.75 for 5m, Hobbycraft…

ABOUT ME I’m Charlotte Valentine, 25. I work from home in PR and run my blog thehomethatmademe.com. I live with my husband Joe, 27, and our children, Elsa, 3, and Rory, 1. MY HOME A detached five-bed in Christchurch, Dorset. It was built in 1882, and we bought it in 2015. WHEN I BOUGHT IT It lacked any character and wasn’t to my taste. I couldn’t wait to put my stamp on it. AND NOW Within a month, we’d redecorated almost every room. STYLE TIP Wilko’s matt emulsion is just as good as other costly brands.…

Whether you’ve got an outbuilding that’s ripe for conversion, or just a spare corner of lawn, adding a garden room or summerhouse can be an ingenious solution to getting the most out of your home. But there are some rules to be aware of. Our guide explains more… YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED… Q Will I need planning permission? This will all depend on what you want to use the building for. Constructing a room in your outdoor space won’t require planning permission as long as its use is ‘incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house’. For example, if it’s an added extra and not used as a main residence. A new house needs planning permission in the usual way – visit planningportal.gov.uk. Q But if I’m building in my garden,…

PRETTY COUNTRY Think floral motifs and rustic accessories for a quaint finish ADD ENGLISH CHARM Choose cute furnishings that feature birds, bugs and butterflies for a laid-back outdoor feel. GO FOR WEATHERED DETAILS Buy zinc or aged-metal containers that look like they’ve been around for years. CONSIDER YOUR PALETTE Soft sage green, lavender, blush pink and dove grey hues will create a relaxing space. AMAZON RAINFOREST Add a tropical burst with citrus shades and wild prints BE BOLD Pick patterns that are reminiscent of the Amazon, such as palm leaves, toucans and monkeys. EMBRACE ZINGY SHADES Yellows, limes and greens work well with this theme, especially combined with white. USE NATURAL MATERIALS Bamboo, rattan, mahogany and jute are the perfect options for an exotic vibe. SUMMER REGATTA Climb aboard the…

Giving your garden a summer makeover can be overwhelming. Long grass, weeds, overgrown borders and tired furniture – it’s easy to neglect your outside space and then suddenly, the sun comes out and you wish you’d started sooner. So now’s the perfect the time to don your gardening gloves and sort it out. If it seems like there’s a never-ending list of jobs, don’t panic – we’ve condensed all the best advice and tips into one simple guide. From sprucing up your shed to creating fabulous flowerbeds, we’ve got everything covered, so you’ll be sitting back with a cold drink in your hand, soaking up the rays and admiring your handiwork in no time! You’ll learn about Preparing your garden for a summer makeover Caring for your lawn Planting flowers…

KEEP IT HYDRATED Water your lawn with a sprinkler during dry spells and mow grass every week during the spring and summer. Walk alternately up and down with the mower for smart stripes. EXTRACT WEEDS Lift dandelions and their roots with ease from your lawn without disturbing too much turf with the nifty Speedy Weedy, £19.98, Greenfingers.com ENCOURAGE GROWTH In the warmer months, aerate your lawn with a spiked rolling aerator, £34.95, Lawnsmith. It allows rain to penetrate the grass easily and encourages deep roots for a thicker lawn. REMOVE LEAVES In the autumn, use a rake and a leaf blower (shown right), to get rid of any leaves, otherwise your grass may die and look patchy. FAKE IT Choose a faux lawn for easy maintenance or a grass-effect area…

MAKE A DEN Paint your shed and treat yourself to a hard-wearing sisal mat (such as the Osted rug, from £15, Ikea). Then add a comfy armchair to create a cosy space to relax in. WORK FROM HOME Find a compact desk and put up some shelves for paperwork to make a garden office. If you want to use it in winter, head to Shedworking.co.uk for tips on heating and insulation. CREATE A PLAY SPACE Kids will love a mini ‘house’, so paint your shed in cheery colours – perhaps with an internal blackboard paint panel so they can draw on it – sew curtains, and fit it out with small furniture for littles ones. We love the Kritter range from Ikea, from £10 for a chair. GO POTTY Make…

QI live in a flat with a compact balcony. How can I grow plants? You can create an attractive balcony by using pots and troughs – have a look at my new Poundland range. As well as flowering plants, try vegetables and herbs. You’ll need to regularly water and feed them, though – slow-release feed is easy and it’s worth adding moisture retention crystals (both £1, Poundland) to your compost. Q My back garden has a small, paved area with high walls all around it. How can I make it a more inviting, green space? Any plants will make the garden more welcoming. You could also paint the walls a pale colour to reflect light and highlight the plants you grow. Concentrate on growing climbers and wall shrubs, such as…

ABOUT ME I’m Georgia Field, 20, an art and design student, and I live at home with my parents Karen, 55, and Michael, 58, and our two labradoodles, Dexter and Duffy. We live in a four-bed Georgian house in the heart of the Kent countryside. MY CHALLENGE When we moved here in 2006, there was a gloomy lean-to made out of corrugated plastic, so three years later, we had it rebuilt. But years on, it was still being used as a junk room. I wanted to unleash its real potential and give it an injection of personality by adding new fabrics and accessories. MY WISH LIST To create an informal dining room and living area that we could use every day. When the weather is sunny, we wanted to be…

MIX AND MATCH WITH DIFFERENT-SHAPED BAKING TINS FOR ANY CELEBRATION – TRY HEARTS OR NUMBERS (THEY’LL LAST LONGER THAN A CAKE!) ALPHABET PLANTERS Spell it out in style with these fun, playful letters TAKES 45MINS COST £16 PER LETTER Small letter cake tins, £16 each, The Cake Decorating Company Compost Bag of moss Succulent plants of your choice for each letter 1 Fill each of the cake tins approximately three quarters with compost. Pat down so it’s compact. Decide how you’d like to arrange the plants in each tin and make a hole in the compost where each plant will sit. Position and plant the succulents. 2 Use moss to cover the compost in between the succulents by gently pushing it into place using your fingertips. Play around with the…

Give a plain cushion cover a modern twist with gold fabric paint and a funky geometric finish, inspired by the luxurious design from House of Fraser. As with most fabric paints, the inks may transfer so we recommend using these cushions decoratively in low-traffic areas of your home. TAKES 3HRS COST £24.49 Gurli cushion cover in grey, £2, Ikea 3 x Marabu Textil Design spray, £6.13 each, Fred Aldous Masking tape Paintbrush Seta opaque black fabric paint, £4.10, Fred Aldous 1 Iron your cushion cover to remove any creases. Working outside on a dustsheet, spray one side with the gold spray paint and leave to dry. Spray in slow, steady lines across the fabric for even coverage. Once dry, apply a second coat and repeat on the reverse side. Follow…

ABOUT ME I’m Llinos Roberts, 39, and I live with my husband, Joe, 43, and our children, Ela Wen, Sam and Jac. We bought our four-bed home in Chester a year ago, and are slowly updating the dated 1980s interior. MY CHALLENGE As well as being in desperate need of modernising, the bathroom didn’t work for us as a family. We never used the bidet and the huge corner bath meant there was no room for a separate shower. MY WISH LIST A light, bright space that, while modern, would still work for a growing family. Incorporating a spacious walk-in shower was a necessity, as was adding plenty of decorative interest to avoid the room feeling too stark and clinical.…

GIANT COUSCOUS MAKES A LOVELY ALTERNATIVE TO RICE AND IS PERFECT SERVED HOT OR COLD SEA BASS WITH COUSCOUS TAKES 20MINS SERVES 2 125g tenderstem broccoli 100g couscous 4 sea bass fillets 2tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 2tbsp pine nuts, toasted zest and juice of 1 lemon mint leaves 1 Put the broccoli in a pan of boiling water. Return to the boil, then simmer for 2 mins. Add the couscous and turn off the heat. 2 Brush the sea bass fillets with a little of the oil and pan fry for 2 mins on each side. 3 Stir the onion, pine nuts, lemon zest and juice, oil and mint leaves into the couscous. Serve with the sea bass on top. LAMB & MINT KOFTA KEBABS TAKES…

RASPBERRY MERINGUE STACK TAKES 1HR 30MINS SERVES 10 6 medium egg whites 300g caster sugar 1tbsp cornflour 4tbsp freeze-dried raspberries, powdered 25g butter 75g white chocolate 1tbsp golden syrup 400ml whipping cream 3tbsp icing sugar 400g fresh raspberries 1 Preheat oven to 120°C/Gas 1. Line 3 baking trays with baking parchment, each with an 18cm circle marked out. 2 Whisk the egg whites until stiff. Slowly add the sugar, then the cornflour and 3tbsp powdered raspberries. Spoon onto the trays and spread out to fit the circle. Bake for 1hr, then leave to cool. 3 Make a sauce by stirring the butter, chocolate and syrup in a bowl over a pan of simmering water until smooth. 4 Whip the cream and stir in the sugar. Place a meringue on a…

TRIP ADVISOR Free Read previous visitor’s honest reviews of hotels or destinations before you book, browse pictures and explore a variety of travel choices and planning features. READY SET HOLIDAY! Free Build up your excitement with an app that tells you how many weeks, days and hours are left until that long-awaited break will start. A prep checklist, temperature and weather indicator are built-in functions, too. BE PREPARED TO TRAVEL £0.79p This useful app includes handy checklists listing all the things you need to organise before you leave, essential items to pack in your suitcase and reminders about securing your home before you depart.…

Lavender is an easy-to-grow shrub with beautifully scented purple flowers. The nectar-rich blooms are particularly attractive to bees and the stems are ideal for cutting or drying to use their scent in the home. Your collection will contain 24 plug plants each of Munstead, height 45cm, spread 60cm, and Hidcote, height 60cm, spread 30cm. NOW TRY THESE OTHER GREAT-VALUE OFFERS... PETUNIA NIGHT SKY White speckles against a deep purple petal recreate a clear night sky. This trailing petunia spills from hanging baskets and patio containers. Height 25cm, spread 30cm. Buy 5 for £9.99 Buy 10 for £14.98 – save £5 LAVENDER PAPILLON These showy, nectar-rich flowers attract bees and butterflies, and flourish over a long summer. Ideal for patio containers or borders. Height and spread 60cm. Buy 1 for £14.99…

‘The past five weeks have expanded my interior design horizons and given me the desire and inspiration to learn more’CELINE DRUILHE, LONDON My Design School: Design Your Own Home Five-week online course: Monday, 6 June to Friday, 8 July 2016 Join us for five weeks in our international online classroom. You’ll be able to share your design problems, decor inspiration, and DIY projects with me and your fellow students. Bring our most current decorating project to the course – I’ll bring mine, too – and we’ll work through it as we stud the design process, finding our st le, colours, fabrics, window treatments, sourcing, lighting and accessories. There’s something new in the classroom to learn ever day, but you can carry out the work entirely when it suits our schedule.…

A  Amara amara.com Andrassy Living 07769 691202, andrassyliving.co.uk Appleton Weiner 020 7253 8387, appletonweiner.co.uk Apollo Blinds apollo-blinds.co.uk Arcadia Tiles arcadiatiles.co.uk At No 67 Concept Store 07518 575580, atnumber67.co.uk A Splash of Colour asplashofcolour.com B  Bath Empire bathempire.com Bathstore bathstore.com Bedroom Furniture Direct 01989 763343, bedroomfurniture.co.uk Benjamin Moore benjaminmoore.com Berry Red berryred.co.uk Best4Flooring best4flooring.co.uk Blanchon blanchon.co.uk Blinds 2go blinds-2go.co.uk Blooming Artificial 0800 977 7589, bloomingartificial.co.uk Bombay Duck bombayduck.com British Ceramic Tile 01626 834774, britishceramictile.com Button & Sprung 03333 201801, buttonandsprung.com C  Cake Decorating Company (The) 0115 969 9800, thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk Cape Table (The) thecapetable.com Christy christy-towels.com Coastal Home coastalhome.co.uk Collier Campbell 020 8964 5203, colliercampbell.com Comaco Toys comacotoys.com Contemporary Home (The) tch.net Cotswold Company (The) 0333 200…