Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2015 i Style At Home

This morning, on my walk to Style at Home HQ, I felt a definite nip in the air – autumn is here! And I say it with glee, as the colours at this time of year are my favourites. I love styling my home in burnt oranges and deep reds as they add such warmth. Sadly when winter sets in, it’ll take more than colour to make you feel cosy – cue our ultimate guide to heating (p63). This handy pullout-and-keep mini mag is full of all the advice you need to ensure you’re heating your home efficiently, and our ideas on page 80 will see that you’re saving money on bills, too. I’m sure, like me, you’ll love cover star Jan’s kitchen-diner (p94), she’s completely transformed the space for…

OFF THE WALL Make a style statement and decorate a feature wall with a fun zigzag design. Use a pencil, ruler and painter’s tape to mark out a linear chevron design on the wall and paint between the lines to create the pattern. MODERN MONOCHROME Work chevrons into a black-and-white scheme to jazz it up. Choose accessories in monochrome shades to keep the look minimalist, or go for punchy neon brights for a truly colourful, super-modern finish. PATTERN HIT Have some fun with this cheerful design and introduce complementary patterns into your styling. Team bold chevrons with small polka-dot prints for a playful contrast, or mix different scales of zigzags for a smart look.…

In times gone by, when you were in the market for a secondhand bargain, you’d clear space in your diary and spend an afternoon at the auction houses, charity shops or car-boot sales. But now, so much is available at the click of a button. Even if you consider yourself a dab hand when it comes to tracking down a vintage Ercol table or an appealing stack of traditional old suitcases, picking out something similar online will take a whole new set of skills. Luckily for you, we’re here to help with these top tips so that you can buy what you want at the best price. Points to consider Nothing compares to seeing an item for sale in the flesh but, failing that, make sure that your computer’s colours…

Whether you’re looking for an industrial vibe in the kitchen or a playful feel in the living room, statement lighting will help bring it all together. Get creative when it comes to choosing your new pendant light and think about colour, style and material to get the perfect piece. We’ve done the hard work for you and have rounded up eight fab designs, all for under £100! STYLE SECRETS Take in our switched-on tips SIZE MATTERS Choose a pendant that works with the proportions of your room and fits the statement you want to make. A larger design creates drama, while smaller pendants are better when hung in a group. HANGING OUT Work out how low you want your lighting to hang before it’s fixed. If it’s in a hallway,…

Give your storage solutions a facelift with this simple weaving project, inspired by the beautiful Chindi boxes from Graham and Green. Whether you’re in need of somewhere to hide away your living room clutter or stash bathroom toiletries, these vibrant trunks will brighten up any room. TAKES 2HR COST £18.09* Small maize leaf trunk, £9.99, Dunelm 9m x 15mm Berisford satin ribbon in Emerald, 45p per m, Whichcrafts? 9m x 15mm Berisford satin ribbon in Fuchsia, 45p per m, Whichcrafts? Glue gun Fabric scissors 1 Starting at the back, tie the green ribbon to the trunk and weave it around the bottom of the basket. Cut and tie the ribbon once it has been all the way around and repeat with a pink ribbon, building up the layers as you…

As the seasons change and winter creeps slowly in, now is the ideal time to assess your home’s heating needs and upgrade or install new appliances if necessary. From radiators to woodburners, gas fires to underfloor heating, our essential guide has all you need to know before you buy, with top tips, practical advice, style trends and best buys. As well as heating the house, we also show you how to keep costs down, saving energy and money – ideal with Christmas just around the corner. You will learn How to find the perfect fire All about underfloor heating How to heat by room size Choosing low-cost radiators Smart heating solutions Benefits of woodburners Styling ideas for heating Best home buys for winter…

WHICH STYLE? Radiators come in a variety of fuel options – central heating, electric, dual-fuel and domestic hot water. Always check that the product is suitable for your home and size of the room before you buy. HOW MUCH HEAT? Always work out the required heat output for the size of the room. Many suppliers have an online calculator that helps you do this: take a look at aestus.co.uk and theradiatorcompany.co.uk. DUAL-FUEL Some radiators are connected to the central heating circuit, but also include an electric element, which enables you to run it as a single radiator without heating the whole house. This is ideal for drying towels on a heated towel rail during summer months. CONSIDER EFFICIENCY Radiators with less water inside will need less energy to heat them…

FEET FIRST Keep your toes toasty. Nordic slippers, £1, Poundland LIGHT SHOW Create a cosy glow on cool nights. Stag lantern, £6, Wilko LUXURY SCENT Light a candle and enjoy a long soak. Scented candle, £20, Sophie Allport STRAIGHT TALKING Stop cold air from coming in. Draught excluder, £14, The Contemporary Home WHAT A HOOT! Pop in your bed. Snow owl hottie, £19.99, Cotswold Trading TAKE A BREAK Get cuddly on the sofa with a comfy cushion. Catherine Lansfield knitted cushion, £15, Very COVER STORY Snuggle down. Folk bedspread in red, blue and white, £39, Made DRINK ME Serve hot chocolate. Färgrik mug, 35p, Ikea SOFT TOUCH Curl up to this chic blanket. Kelly Hoppen Alpine faux-fur throw, £63, QVC Don’t miss Style School! Last issue's The Ultimate Guide…

There’s nothing quite like a fire in the winter, when you’re tucked up under a cosy throw with the flames flickering in the fireplace. However, it’s not only the fire itself that can add a magical touch – the surround can also be turned into a fabulous showstopping feature. Dressing and accessorising the space around the fireplace, whether it’s real or faux, can be key to making the best of it. A large hearth offset by an arrangement of chairs and identical shelving either side is a tried-and-tested classic, and it makes an inviting setting to sit in front of. You could also try highlighting the chimney wall with colour and pattern, or with accessories. A strong hue can look great against existing mantelpieces – why not try a steely…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Becky Evans-Freeman, 31, a blogger at spiritedpuddlejumper.com. I live with my husband, Adam, and two children, Freddie, four, and Sasha, three, in a three-bedroom 1930s house in southeast London. MY CHALLENGE Our old bathroom was really cramped and dated. The toilet was in a separate room, so we knocked through to create one cohesive space, blocking up the old windows and fitting a new window. We also needed to move the water tank to make space for a walk-in shower enclosure. MY WISH LIST I knew I really wanted a roll-top bath but we had a limited budget. I searched high and low to find one online at the right price. Changing the bathroom was our priority – it was hideous and hadn’t been touched…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Nicola Anderson and I’m a teacher. I live in a five-bedroom 1920s house in the seaside village of Donaghadee, County Down, with my husband, Ray, 46, a quantity surveyor, and our daughters, Jessica, 18, Olivia, 15, and Amy, 12. MY CHALLENGE When the house came on the market, we were really pleased as we needed more space for us and the girls. However, the kitchen was tiny, designed in the days when it was purely the room where food was prepared, not where family and friends congregate. MY WISH LIST I wanted to create a practical, family space without compromising the period feel of this lovely property. Time is precious in a busy family, so I wanted the kitchen to be somewhere where we could…

Infinity bi-fold doors, £2,400, Bi-fold Door Solutions. Pre-painted unit doors, from £32 each, Kitchen Door Workshop. Mia oak handles, £16 each, Linda Barker at Wren Kitchens. Worktop, £50 per sq m, Woodworktops. Coco Mate tiles, £19.95 per sq m, Metro range by Urban Chic, Walls and Floors. Elk Antler wall paint, £25 for 2.5ltr; Kidney Bean utility unit paint, £25 for 2.5ltr, both Valspar range, B&Q. Kitchen unit paint, £50 from spray-paint garage. Flooring, £16 per sq m; blind and chairs in Roma Corolla Cerise fabric, £50 per sq m; Lloyd Loom chair, £150; Original 1960s freestanding unit, £110; Deante sink, £104, all eBay. Bristan Almond Monoblock mixer tap with pull-out spray, £72.49, Supreme Plumb. Table, £400, Habitat. Kitchen chairs, £45 each; glass storage jar unit, £20, all Ikea. Jars…

ANTI-FLOOD PROTECTION Should the hose that fills the dishwasher spill or leak, this feature prevents any potential flooding. USEFUL PROGRAMS Handy settings include economy and eco washes, intensive washes for stubborn dirt, and delicate for glassware, plus half load. DELAY START Set your machine to wash at night using economy electricity and to avoid disturbing anyone. ADJUSTABLE PRONGS AND RACKS These variable features will help you stack your dishwasher more easily, whatever the load. SENSOR WASH This clever feature detects how dirty the load is and adapts the temperature and wash duration, saving on water, energy and time.…

Now the days are getting chillier, thoughts turn to the upcoming winter months. To weave an enchanting magical spell in your home, Sainsbury’s new Winter’s Tale collection has all the elements you need. Fairy-tale setting Combining sparkling silver and glass with mottled, frosty finishes and an icy palette of white and grey, the nature-inspired range can be mixed and matched to create a stunning winter wonderland scene. So transform your dining table into a glam spot with these gorgeous sparkly buys. Stylists at Home SARAH SAYS ‘The neutral colour palette of these cool buys makes them easy to work into your existing decor. I love the silver fade glasses they look fab!’…

POTATO ROSTI WITH BACON, EGG & SPINACH TAKES 50 MINS SERVES 4 • 600g large potatoes • 3tbsp vegetable oil • 200g thick back or streaky bacon • 200g frozen peas • 100g baby spinach • 4 eggs 1 Cook the potatoes in boiling, salted water for 10 mins, until they’re becoming tender. Drain and cool under cold running water. 2 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6 and grease a baking tray. Peel away the potato skins, then coarsely grate each potato directly onto the tray to form mounds, season and drizzle with 2tbsp oil. Bake for 15 mins, add bacon to tray, then cook for 15 mins until the potato rosti and bacon are golden. 3 Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan, fry the peas for 5 mins, add…

CHOCCY MARSHMALLOW CAKE TAKES 45 MINS SERVES 12 • 125g butter • 175g caster sugar, plus 3tbsp • 175g light muscovado sugar • 2 eggs • 225g self-raising flour • 1/4tsp bicarbonate of soda • 50g cocoa powder • 284ml carton buttermilk • 300ml double cream • 200g plain chocolate, cubed • 1tbsp hundreds and thousands • 12tsp marshmallow fluff • 6 marshmallows 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Grease and line 2 x 20cm round cake tins. Put the butter and sugars into a bowl and cream together until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. 2 Add the flour, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa, then pour in the buttermilk. Stir until smooth. Divide the mixture between the tins. Bake for 25 mins, until risen. Insert a…

GREAT BRITISH CHEFS FEASTIVE Free Be inspired to cook festive meals to remember with this app, where 26 of the UK’s best chefs give their seasonal take on classic dishes, creating over 100 different recipes. CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES Free Be ready for visitors with tea and a freshly baked biscuit with the help of the 100+ recipes here, to ensure everyone has a perfect sweet treat to fill them with Christmas spirit. CHRISTMAS RECIPES Free Warm up on a cold day by following a recipe for a delicious spiced tea, infused wine or coffee-based drink. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic recipes are included, to suit all tastes.…

Cooks Professional Nutriblend Blender From £49.99 plus £3.95 P&P, save up to £70 Designed to keep in all the nutrients and vitamins from fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds at the flick of a button, the Nutriblend blender uses a 700w motor to chop and grind entire fruits and vegetables, including their skins, seeds and stems, so all the goodness remains in the juice. It also comes with a handy recipe book and tumblers, so you can either store for later or just blend and go! 10-piece set includes: Nutriblend power base, large tumbler (700ml), two small tumblers (350ml), blender blade, grinder blade, two tumbler handles, two stay-fresh lids. Just £49.99, was £99.99. 15-piece set includes: Nutriblend power base, three large tumblers (700ml), two small tumblers (350ml), blender blade, grinder blade,…

Tara Scholes ABOUT ME I’m 29 and I live with my boyfriend Joe, 31, and our daughter Amelie, eight months, in a rented two-bedroom flat in southeast London. WHAT’S YOUR LATEST HOME PROJECT? I’ve just finished upcycling a farmhouse table and chairs for our living area. I stripped the top and painted the underneath and chairs for a gorgeous new look. Aimie Longhorn ABOUT ME I’m 25 and I live with my partner Stephen, 28, in a three-bedroom Edwardian house in Surrey. WHAT’S YOUR LATEST HOME PROJECT? Since moving in we’ve completely redecorated and refurbished the house. It’s very contemporary in style but we’ve kept the original period features. We’re currently redesigning our garden. Laura Simmons ABOUT ME I’m 33 and I live with my boyfriend Chris, 36, in a…

ONE OF A KIND If you want items no-one else has, then look online for exclusive designs. We love Swoon Editions’ Sidney sofa, £749. SWITCH IT UP Swap standard white electrical lighting cable for colourful cord. Silk-covered three core flex, £4.50m, Re-Found. WALL ART We love the artwork above Polly’s bed. Art.co.uk has lots of similar prints that you can have made up on canvas, from £18.99. MIX UP PRINTS Introduce pattern with chevron and stripe fabrics, such as the Jacquard-weave cushion cover, £7.99, H&M. PERSONALISE IT Add character with letters. There’s a great choice at Notonthehighstreet.com, from £1.99.…

Writing on the wall A dark colour can make a fantastic feature in a room, and accessories look amazing against it. By using blackboard paint you’ll have a wall that doubles up as a noticeboard. And there’s no need to limit it to the kids’ drawings – grab your chalks and get creative yourself! Try Rust-oleum magnetic chalkboard paint, £14.99 per 750ml, Homebase. Store more Assign one wall entirely to shelving and store your possessions in an orderly fashion. Floor-to-ceiling shelving looks great if there are various sizes of cubby hole, and you could even decorate the wall behind the shelves with a contrasting paint or wallpaper to add colour and interest. Try the Cleo wide bookcase in White, £295, Habitat at Argos Blurred lines When using two or more…

COSY UP Nothing says vintage like a crochet blanket. If you don’t fancy making your own, have a browse of the selection on Etsy. BATHROOM GLAMOUR Add a touch of elegance to your bathroom with monochrome accessories, such as the George Home Butterfly Shower Curtain, £8. KEEP IT VIBRANT Add red accents to your kitchen, as Sarah has done, and update your whole scheme instantly at a fraction of the price of changing the units. Try Dunelm’s Red Spectrum cast-iron casserole dish, £29.99, for a hit of colour. STYLE TOUCH Recreate the look of the fun and stylish nursery by hanging felt ball garlands, from £16 at Pom Pom Galore. They’ll work especially well against neutral walls. COVER UP Paint floorboards in a pale colour for a light and bright…

STAY THE COURSE If you’re shopping on eBay, resist offers from sellers to go offline, even if they offer to give you a discount from their savings on eBay and possibly PayPal fees. eBay provides buyer protection and if a problem arises, it will adjudicate. And you have the leverage of leaving negative feedback. Without such safeguards, you may lose goods or, worse, money. BIDDING WARS If you’ve lost an eBay item at the last second, you’ve been the victim of a ‘sniper’. In auctions, as opposed to Buy It Now or Make An Offer, items can get stuck on a price for days and sniping software can be used to proxy-bid for you just before an auction closes. But it does cost you extra and takes the fun out…

MY HOME... ABOUT ME I’m Lisa Cowan, 33, and I live with my husband, Mark, 40. I’m a digital editor and blogger, and Mark runs an innovation agency called Happen. We have a daughter, Mimi, who is six months old. MY HOME A Victorian terrace, in Peckham Rye, southeast London, which we bought in August 2012. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The house was very dated and dark with lots of garish wallpaper, mismatched carpets and black-painted wood, not to mention a wood-panelled ceiling in the kitchen. It urgently needed to be brought into the 21st century! AND NOW It’s light, bright and comfortable – a very happy space for our little family to exist in. STYLE TIP Keep it simple and stick to neutrals, then add texture and colour with…

Open-plan living has become part of our everyday lives. From a home office within a living room to a kitchen-diner, these spaces should be well designed and able to utilise the best of the overall room in their function. Clever decorating and styling ideas will keep each area looking separate but seamless. Sound complicated? Well, fear not, as we have compiled our top five tips for making the most of your open-plan space, without breaking the bank. Hardworking storage There’s nowhere for mess or clutter to hide in open-plan living, so make clever storage choices. Doorless cupboards can add interest if you want to display accessories. Or choose freestanding storage, such as a shelving unit, in order to break up space and divide rooms. Metod kitchen with Veddinge white doors,…

9am THE MEET Laurie and Emily arrive at Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair in West Sussex (iacf.co.uk/ardingly), which is the largest event of its kind in the south of England and just an hour away from London. The sun is shining and there’s up to 1,700 stalls inside and out – so with plenty of treasures to discover, the girls start to browse for their bargain buy! 10am ON THE HUNT Torn between all the fantastic buys on offer, Emily spots a few chairs that would be great to revamp, while Laurie has her eye on an amazing decorative mirror and some vintage jelly moulds. 11am TIME TO HAGGLE It’s only when the girls see the beautifully ornate silver trays a few stands…

Whatever form of heating you go for – and perhaps you’ll have different types in various rooms – it’s essential to ensure you choose the most effective, cost-efficient and suitable kind for your home and family. However, with prices for electricity, gas and oil always fluctuating it can be tricky to know which method to pick. Maybe you’ve never even considered it before and have simply adopted a system that’s always been in place. So start now and really think about what will be best for you. Using less energy is the fastest way to cutting bills, but this doesn’t mean living in cold, dark rooms. First steps When it comes to fires – electric, gas or others – the first thing to consider is the size of the room.…

Fitting heating below your floor provides you with comfortable radiant heat and substantial energy savings. With a much lower operating temperature than conventional radiators, it spreads heat evenly across the whole floor with no cold spots. It will also free up walls, as there are no appliances taking up valuable space. And best of all, you could reduce your family’s heating and energy bill by at least 10 per cent. Which option? There are two main types to choose from – wet systems, which use heated water pipes beneath the floor, and dry, which have electric cables or mats. With a water-based system, a series of pipes connected to the boiler circulate warm water beneath the floor. It’s also possible to connect the pipes to a solar water heating system…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Gracie Hinitt, a business support services manager by day and jewellery designer by night. I live with my partner, Marian Grendel, in a three-bedroom cottage near Malvern. This is our first home together and we’re gradually putting our stamp on it, room by room. MY CHALLENGE My biggest obstacle was the fact that I wanted to cram so much into what is actually a pretty small room. That said, the space had been neutrally decorated, so it was a blank canvas. MY WISH LIST I wanted the look of a cosy, gentleman’s study – but with some industrial touches, and a moody, atmospheric colour. I looked at a number of blues, before settling on a shade by Farrow & Ball. I was in the process…

Traditional-style freestanding bath, £249.98; shower mixer, £38.75; Legend toilet, £99; heated towel rail, £119.95, all Compare The Bathroom. Basin, £169; basin taps, £59; wood-effect lino, £87, all eBay. Rigid Riser shower, £72, Tapstore. Walls painted in Manor House Gray Modern Emulsion, £42 per 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. White Metro tiles, £19.50 per sq m; Flexible grey grout, £39.99 for 10kg, both Topps Tiles. Window film, £100, Brume. Brights tumbler, £8; toilet brush, £20; soap dish, £6; soap dispenser, £10, all Bhs. Linea towels in Sunshine, from £8, House of Fraser.…

Kitchen units, £4,000, Ikea. For similar, base units, try The Freestanding Kitchen Company. For similar wall units, try Sonoma, £199 each, Marks & Spencer. For a similar range cooker, try Hotpoint EG902GXS, £1,265.98; for a similar splashback, try Bertazzoni 901051 with utensil bar, £199.97, both Appliances Direct. For a similar cooker hood, try Beko HB60PX, £179, John Lewis. For a similar microwave, try Sharp R82STMA, £129.99, The Co-Operative Electrical. For a similar sink, try Pyramis two-bowl sink and drainer, £194.99, B&Q. For a similar tap, try Ringskar, £80; Bjursta table, £190; Erland chairs, £40 each; Bekvam kitchen trolley, £35, all Ikea. Grey slate tiles, £79.99 per sq m; feature wall painted in Dove Grey Soft Sheen emulsion, £18.99 per 2.5ltr, all Homebase. Table and trolley painted in Paris Grey chalk…

Pretty up your kitchen-diner with some new colour-coordinated accessories. The grey-blue table blends seamlessly with the crockery and fabrics, while an azure pendant pulls the scheme together. Dinner is served! Stylists at Home TINA SAYS ‘I love this rustic kitchen, it creates a real sense of calm. Bench seating is great for saving space as you can easily hide it away under the table.’…

CHEESY QUORN & TOMATO BAKE TAKES 40 MINS SERVES 4 Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Cook 300g pasta in a pan boiling water for 8 mins until tender. While cooking, heat 1tbsp olive oil in a frying pan, add 1 crushed garlic clove, 350g pack of Quorn chicken-style pieces and 750g frozen chargrilled mixed vegetables and stir-fry until defrosted. Pour in 500g jar tomato and basil sauce, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins. Drain the pasta, add to the sauce with a handful basil leaves and mix well. Pour into a large baking dish. Scatter 125g shredded mozzarella over the top and bake for 20 mins until golden and bubbling. Season and serve with basil leaves. APPLE CHARLOTTES TAKES 1 HR SERVES 6 • 115g butter •…

Cosy-up and cold-proof your home As the temperature drops, make your home warm, welcoming and snuggly PAINT WALLS A DEEP COLOUR Dark walls will make a room feel immediately cosy, and graphite grey or rich deep blue are right on trend at the moment. Do the whole room for dramatic impact, or just a feature wall, but add pale accessories and natural textures on top to create a stunning contrast. ADD LAYERS TO YOUR BED Snuggling into a bed that’s deep with blankets, soft cushions and a thick quilt is a wonderful thing on a chilly night – as you warm up, simply kick off a layer. Getting cosy under a warm blanket is lovelier if you’ve made it yourself. Try an easy patchwork version by stitching together 20cm squares…

1 Slightly moisten the crack in the wall with a damp sponge, then squeeze a small amount of Tough Little Polyfilla directly into the cavity. 2 Smooth over with the end of the tube and allow the filler to dry (approx. 5 mins). 3 Paint over the crack for a seamless repair. Project and images courtesy of Polycell. Polycell Tough Little Polyfilla is available in a blister pack of 2x 20ml tubes from Tesco, Asda and all good independent stores, RRP £3.79.…

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Watch nature's own theatre unfold as the most spectacular light show takes centre stage Northern Lights evening excursion by air with expert astronomers Only £219.95 per person, selected departures from November 2015 to March 2016 Enjoy an amazing journey across a star-studded sky, distant galaxies and the Milky Way in a quest to experience one of the most spectacular natural phenomena, the Northern Lights*. Our guest astronomers will act as guides as you view the light show from the aircraft in a holding pattern north of the Shetland Isles. Price includes: Pre-flight illustrated presentation by guest astronomers Flight to the stars of approximately three hours duration Light refreshments on board Departure from 18 regional airports Airports: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham Tees, Humberside, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Doncaster, East Midlands,…

#askSAH Q I would love to hang log-effect wallpaper in my house but I’m not sure how I should style around it. Any clever ideas? LISA TAYLOR, SOUTHAMPTON The great news is that wallpaper is back in fashion and there are so many wonderful designs to choose from, including plenty of real-effect prints. The trick, when using a wallpaper with something like logs, is to keep the rest of the decor neutral. As we’ve done here, opt for creams and greys and give a nod to the woodland trend with a stag cushion. Got a burning styling question? Tweet it to editor Lizzie@styleathomemag. She’s on hand with all the answers! This month… Like us on Facebook and share your style tips and projects. Here’s one of our latest posts –…

Give your room an on-trend update with a homemade statement light that spells out a favourite word or slogan. We attached ours to a plywood base and kept it natural for a clean look, but why not play around with colour by painting or whitewashing the wood before you start? Practise writing the letters out before you begin so you can be sure you’re happy with the effect and that they all join up smoothly. HOW TO TAKES 2HRS COST £36.80 110 x 60cm piece of plywood (cut to size in store if necessary) Pencil & ruler Drill & 18mm drill bit 2 x packs of 15mm pipeclips, £3.40 for pack of 10, B&Q Hammer 25mm nails Rope light, £30, B&Q 1 With a ruler and pencil, draw a straight…

Follow Sarah’s lead and transform plain walls from drab to fab with this simple DIY project. Perfect for rental properties, these adorable decorations can be hung with removable hooks to avoid damaging the wall beneath, or on nails for a more permanent feature. HOW TO TAKES 1HR COST £18.59 3 x Rainbow Collection wool felt balls, £2.70 pack, Cloud Craft Salix 0.8mm silver-plated wire, £2.50, Hobbycraft Wire cutters Large-headed embroidery needle Small wire hooks, £7.99 for 9, 3M Direct (optional) 1 Lay out your pom poms so you can decide on a colour order before you begin. Secure the wire through the eye of your embroidery needle and then thread this through the centre of your first pom pom, bending the end over to stop it falling off. 2 Continue…

LOOK LOCALLY Add colour and personality through quirky artwork. Lisa picked up a cute Peckham-inspired design from Place In Print, which hangs proudly above her dining room table. FIT URBAN FIXTURES Industrial touches are hot news, especially in the kitchen. Check out Davey Lighting for maritime-inspired pendants, just like Lisa’s Dockside light. OPEN DOORS When Lisa had to replace all the internal doors, she opted for a modern design rather than the traditional Victorian panelled door. Find something similar at specialists, Todd Doors. SUPPORT TALENT Design fairs are great places to pick up original pieces, especially those by young, up-and-coming artists. Check local-area magazines and websites to find details of what’s on near you.…

We’ve really fallen for the statement chair in Lisa’s living room and have created a funky side table to tie in with the look. Using two wastepaper bins and a length of rope, this step-by-step project is perfect for beginner crafters and can be completed in an afternoon. If you want to add a splash of colour to your design, why not try dyeing the rope beforehand and alternating between different shades as you steadily work upwards? HOWTO TAKES 3HRS COST £25.88 2 x Fniss wastepaper bins, 95p each, Ikea Glue gun Cutting mat & scalpel Pencil 38 x 38cm piece of thick foam board 2 x 8mm sisal rope, £11.99 for 15m, Homebase 1 Turn one wastepaper bin over so the opening is face down. On the upturned surface,…

COPPER VASES Transform your unused vases into cute containers TAKES 3HRS COST £5.52 Old ceramic bottles or vases Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Copper Craft Enamel, £5.52 for 150ml, Transtools 1 Clean the vases to make sure they are free from grease and dust, then dry. Working outside on a sheet of cardboard, spray each vase with a layer of paint. 2 Apply several layers of spray paint, leaving to dry between coats. Allow to dry completely before handling. CHIC SIDE TABLE Channel an industrial vibe with this nifty piece of furniture TAKES JUST 1HR! COST £2.48 Metal wastepaper bin, 99p, charity shop Wooden lazy Susan, £1.49, charity shop Drill with metal drill bit Small screws Tape measure 1 Turn the lazy Susan over and unscrew the lower part so you are…

Flickering flames create the cosiest feeling in a home, and whether it’s real or artificial, an ambient glow can really warm up a room. ‘But which fuel type is best?’ we hear you ask. Read on and find out. Gas fires The most popular choice is gas, as it’s quick, clean, easy to control, highly efficient and available in a range of designs. The latest models can deliver heat efficiencies of up to 89% with heat outputs of 4.8kW, which is an ample primary heat source without the worry of expensive bills. Nowadays you don’t even need a chimney, simply go for a fire with a balanced flue, which only requires fitting through an outside wall. Latest trends include large landscape fires with stone interiors, double-sided fireplaces, especially for open-plan…

Q Which is cheaper to operate, a gas or electric fire? This depends on what you want to get out of the fire. If, for the most part, you just want the fire for effect and to create a cosy ambience, then electric is better. But, if you’re looking for a fire to actually heat a room, then gas does tend to be cheaper. Overall, it will depend on your energy tariff, but broadly speaking a kW of gas is half as much as electricity, meaning a gas fire would be the cheaper option when used to heat a space. Q Will turning radiators off in individual rooms save money? Yes, of course! It’s a waste of money and energy to heat a space when it’s not needed. It’s wise…

Stiffkey Blue estate eggshell, £38 per 2.5ltr; Charlotte’s Locks sample pot, £4.25, both Farrow & Ball. Dip-Dye copper vases, £8.95 each; copper coasters, £24 for a set of four; copper candle holders, £14 each, all Mia Fleur. Medina cushion covers in Ochre and Teal, £4.99 each, Dunelm. Chevron rug, from £30, Next. White metal star, £75, Baileys Store. Clock, £53, Butler & Sweatman. Find similar Illuminated letters, from £330 each, Graham and Green. Vintage suitcases, £40 each; tobacco storage tins, £20; vintage luggage labels, £35, all eBay…

SAVE WATER When making tea or coffee, most of us fill the kettle up and, as a country, we’re wasting around £68 million worth of energy a year, so fill up just to the level you need. COOK SPEEDY Pre-heating the oven when cooking makes sense. But don’t turn it on too soon – it reaches the right temperature in 10 to 15 minutes. COOL RIGHT Fridges run more efficiently when set at the ideal temperature. If yours has a thermostat, set it to between 3°C and 5°C. WASH ECO Turn the taps off when washing dishes and instead of using running water, use a bowl. UPDATE GADGETS Your old appliances, such as washing machines, fridges and ovens could be wasting a lot of energy. Replace them with Energy Star-qualified…

It’s time to make room in your kitchen for a dishwasher. Not only do most of the latest models use less water and energy than washing-up by hand, they’re also bursting with smart features to make life that little bit easier. Whether you go for freestanding or integrated for a sleeker finish, full-sized models at 60cm wide are best for a busy household. And, if you’ve an open-plan space, look out for designs with noise levels as low as 39dB. Flexible friend A ‘fill and forget’ model, this low-maintenance dishwasher has a self-cleaning filter to keep blockages at bay while the flood-protection feature shuts off the water if there is a problem and pumps out what’s remaining so you won’t come home to a wet floor. GV63214 Integrated dishwasher, £359.99,…

MAC ‘N’ CHEESE TAKES 20 MINS SERVES 4 Cook 250g macaroni to pack instructions. Add 1 sliced leek and 300g broccoli for the last 5 min. Drain and reserve 150ml water. Put 350ml milk in a jug, whisk in 30g plain flour and microwave for a few min until thick. Whisk in a little water to slacken the sauce if needed. Stir in 1tsp mustard and 40g grated mature Cheddar. Mix the sauce with pasta and veg. Pour into an ovenproof dish. Top with 5 halved cherry tomatoes, 8 slices of salami, 80g grated Cheddar and 1tbsp grated Parmesan. Grill until golden. SHEPHERD’S PIE TAKES 1HR SERVES 4 • 1tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, diced • 500g lamb mince • 2 carrots, diced 4tbsp thyme, snipped • 1tbsp plain…

1 Mix together 1 part wholegrain mustard, 1 part honey and 1 part white wine vinegar with 3 parts olive oil for a delicious salad dressing. 2 Make a crumb topping for fish by mixing together 11/2tbsp wholegrain mustard, 3tbsp breadcrumbs and 1tbsp chopped dill. Spread over the top of salmon or cod and bake in the oven at 200°C/ Gas 6 for 10 mins. 3 Swirl a spoonful of wholegrain mustard through mashed potato for extra flavour and serve with some grilled sausages. 4 Add a spoonful of wholegrain mustard to beef stroganoff to give the sauce some flavour. 5 Mix 1tbsp wholegrain mustard with 1tbsp mayonnaise and spread in a halved toasted ciabatta roll. Top with slices of freshly grilled steak for a yum sandwich.…

WIPE CLEAN Aloe vera and beeswax wipes clean, remove dust, fingerprints and grease. Lord Sheraton leather wipes, £2.95 for pack of 24, Tesco BUST DUST Vacuum crevices in leather seats or sofas, then wipe with a soft cloth. Microfiber cloths, from £2.49, Lakeland SOFTEN UP To disguise marks, apply reviving cream with a soft cloth, and buff. Stone’s Beeswax Leather cream & polish, £6.99, Lakeland…

A  Aga Stoves 0845 338 1365; agaliving.com Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168; anniesloan.com Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416; appliancesdirect.co.uk Appliances Online 0844 324 9222; ao.com Argos 0845 640 3030; argos.co.uk Art.co.uk 020 8435 6556 Aspace 0845 872 2500; aspace.co.uk B  Baileys 01989 561931; baileyshome.com B&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.com Barker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9133; barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200; bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Baumatic 0844 692 3605; baumatic.co.uk Beko 0800 917 2018; beko.co.uk Berry Red berryred.co.uk Bhs 0344 411 6000; bhs.co.uk Brume 01364 73090; brume.co.uk Butler & Sweatman 01531 631333; butlerandsweatman.co.uk C  CDA 01949 862012; cda.eu Christy 0845 758 5252; christy-towels.com Cloud Craft cloudcraft.co.uk Compare the Bathroom comparethebathroom.com Contemporary Home (The) 0845 130 8229; tch.net Co-operative Electrical 0800 280 0111; coopelectricalshop.co.uk Cox…