Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 i Style At Home

Party planning is in full swing in the Hudson household. I’m welcoming family and friends for celebratory drinks to see in 2017 – I think everyone’s really excited, especially my dear mum who gets a year off of hosting duties! I’ll be going all out with my party decor and, of course, setting up a cocktail bar. You’ll find ideas for creating your own on page 34. Just like a magpie is drawn to glinting silver, I can’t get enough of emerald green. Its richness lures me in – decor, clothing, you name it, I’m sold. If you’re a sucker for this beautiful shade, too, then you’ll love our new Colour Class regular (p52). Each month we showcase one hue and this issue it’s emerald – yes! If you’re looking…

SIZE MATTERS Measure up the area for your new chair to ensure it fits well in the space Go for a compact design in smaller rooms and make sure dining chairs will slot under the table comfortably. PRACTICAL CHOICE Consider buying dining chairs that are either stackable or foldable if you’re looking for a few extras to seat additional guests for celebrations. They can then be stored away easily when not needed. FINISHING TOUCHES Once you’ve found your dream design, finish the look by styling it with coordinating accessories. Look out for a pretty seat pad for a new dining chair, or invest in a cosy throw to make an armchair extra inviting.…

MIX AND MATCH COLOURFUL FABRICS FOR A STATEMENT OFFICE LOOK – WE USED THE BATIK, BAHIA AND DITA DESIGNS, ALL FROM PRESTIGIOUS TEXTILES Follow Sophie’s lead and give your space a bright update with our easy DIY storage project. These look great in any room; just choose a fabric to suit your scheme. Pick PVC for wipe-clean boxes for kitchen and bathroom. HOW TO TAKES 2 HRS COST £34.07* Assorted square paper mache boxes, £15 for five, The Little Crafty Bugs Company 1m Batik fabric in Jaffa, £14.99 per m, Prestigious Textiles Fabric scissors Pencil & ruler Bostik fast tak glue spray, £4.08 per 150ml, B&Q Double-sided tape 1 Put aside the lid of your box. Lay the fabric right side down with the box on top. Lightly draw onto…

USE ANOTHER LENGTH OF YARN TO HANG THE DESIGN ON THE WALL, BY TYING THE ENDS ONTO THE WOODEN DOWEL ROD. SECURE THE ENDS WELL TO STOP THE YARN SLIPPING OFF We love Lucy's Boho wall hanging and just couldn't resist making our own for Style at Home HQ! Macrame continues to be a hot trend in to the new year and, once you've got to grips with how to knot the yarn, it's a great project to do on the side during an evening. Experiment by using different types of yarn, too – T-shirt yarn is great for using in macrame and comes in all varieties of pretty patterns and colours. Give it a go! HOWTO TAKES 2 HRS COSTS £8.14 Simply Chunky yarn in Slate Grey, Mustard Yellow…

DISCO BALL DEC Turn a balloon into a sparkly ceiling globe TAKES 3HRS + DRYING* COST £25.18 12” balloon, 99p, eBay Newspaper Paintbrush Wallpaper paste Plasti-Kote metallic silver spray paint, £7.39, Amazon Hot glue gun** 14 boxes of silver Craft Factory hologram sparkles 20mm, £1.20 per box, Hobbycraft String 1 Inflate the balloon. Tear newspaper into 4cm x 20cm strips. Mix the paste in a bowl. Paste a section of the balloon and stick newspaper strips on top, brushing more glue over the top and overlapping more strips. Repeat to cover the whole balloon, leaving 6cm bare from the knot. 2 Sit balloon in a glass bowl overnight, then turn and leave for a day to dry completely. Pierce the balloon and neaten the top edge. Spray the ball silver,…

NEVER STIR NON-DRIP PAINT, EVEN IF IT’S LUMPY, AS STIRRING DESTROYS ITS NON-DRIP PROPERTIES GREAT IDEA Stick paper samples on the wall and live with them for a week to help you decide Interior walls are usually painted with an emulsion, acrylic or water-based paint. For areas like bathrooms or kitchens where humidity builds up quickly, an eggshell paint is advised. A non-drip paint is the best choice for ceilings. For woodwork, an oil-based gloss gives a good finish and is highly durable. ECO CREDENTIALS More paints are becoming environmentally sound and have been reformulated to minimise fumes. Use eco-friendly paint in a child’s bedroom or if anyone in your home is allergic. WALLPAPER PREP Make sure all wallpaper rolls have the same batch number for a perfect match. Some…

COTTON Probably the most common natural fibre, cotton is extremely hard-wearing and not too prone to fading, however it can stain easily. It’s ideal for most items, including curtains, cushions and bedding. Choose a thicker cotton blend or weave to upholster high-usage furniture such as sofas and chairs. LINEN This has a rougher texture and creases easily, so lends itself to a less-formal look. Whether it’s in natural tones or muted dyed colours, linen is a trendy choice right now. Use it for curtains, tablelinen, bedding and cushions. Linen slip-covers for sofas and chairs give a charming shabby-chic look. SILK The unique shimmering appearance of silk is down to the prism-like structure of its fibres which allows it to refract light at different angles. Expensive and delicate, silk is often…

Q What are the latest trends in flooring? Carpets are becoming deeper and softer. With hard flooring, there are now so many options, such as woods with different grains and colours. In vinyl it’s all about pattern, especially the latest geometric-styled ones. In tiles, a Moroccan trend is popular just now. Q I need to change my flooring, what is the cheapest DIY option? I’d go for a laminate as you can buy it a box at a time to minimalise wastage, and it can be laid over floors in various conditions so you don’t have to worry too much about preparation. However, for the best results I would always recommend using a professional fitter. Q Will fitting a floor myself save me money? It’s a false economy in my…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Pauline Gregson, 54, and I’ve been living in my three-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Liverpool for a year now. It wasn’t exactly in the best shape when I first moved in, and there was a lot of work to be done, but I’ve been slowly updating it, room by room, and the bathroom was the last job on the list. MY CHALLENGE Not only was the bathroom suite tired and dated, but the space was very cramped, with little room to manoeuvre. My aim was to find a way to make the most of the existing area and create a feeling of spaciousness. MY WISH LIST Getting the new layout right was absolutely vital, and while everyone I knew advised opting for an all-white scheme…

COURGETTE ROSTI WITH SPICED YOGURT TAKES 20 MINS SERVES 4 400g courgettes, spiralised 75g peas 1 spring onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, diced Pinch lemon zest Few mint leaves, chopped 1 egg, beaten 2tbsp plain flour Spray oil 100g 0% fat Greek yogurt Pinch each saffron, cayenne pepper & chilli powder 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5. Put the courgette into a heatproof bowl covered with cling film and cook in the microwave for 30 seconds. A third at a time, wrap the courgette in a kitchen towel and squeeze out any excess water. Put the peas in a bowl of boiling water for a few mins to soften, and then drain. 2 Mix the courgette, peas, spring onion, garlic, lemon zest, mint, egg and flour together. Shape into…

Jacky Watts ABOUT ME I’m 55 and I live with my partner Brett, 43, in a rented three-bed detached in Andover, Hampshire WHAT’S YOUR NEXT HOME PROJECT? Our kitchen is due for an update, but as our home is rented, we can only paint it. We’re planning to create a fresh look with country cottage-style accessories in muted blues and creams. Rachel Bluck ABOUT ME I’m 42 and I live with my husband Timothy, 43, daughter Megan, 12, and son Josh, 8, in a three-bedroom semi in Bridgend. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR DECORATING INSPIRATION? My ideas come from magazines and home trend sites. I also follow home design accounts on Instagram and Twitter, and I love Pinterest. Vicky Pearce ABOUT ME I’m 38 and I live in a 1930s…

CHEAP CHIC Create a high-end look by sourcing reproductions of classics. We love Cult Furniture’s Charles Eames DSW chair, £59, and triangle dining chair, £29. LAYER UP It’s easy to turn your home into a cosy winter retreat. Drape Ikea’s Tejn rug in white, £10, over the arm of a chair, or layer a soft grey blanket, £24.99 from H&M, at the foot of a bed. WARM WELCOME Clusters of candles make for a homely feel. Dotcomgiftshop’s etched Antique Glass tealight holder, £2.95, and the scent of Eucalyptus or Mint candles, from £7.99, TK Maxx, are our picks. READY TO GO Keep a set of sparkling glassware for impromptu guests. Ikea’s Svalka Champagne flutes, £2.50 for six, or Hederlig wine glasses, £1 each, are ideal. LOW KEY Pair neutral bedding…

LAY LARGER-FORMAT TILES OR PLANKS TO CREATE THE ILLUSION OF SPACE IN A SMALLER ROOM SOLID-WOOD PLANKS OVERVIEW Made from solid timber planks, this flooring has a natural look and texture that make it both beautiful and durable. There’s a huge range of plank sizes and timbers available – rustic or reclaimed wide planks will work well in a hall or in a country kitchen. BENEFITS Hard-wearing and resilient, wooden boards are easy to fit and great for high-traffic areas, as long as the sub-floor is properly prepared. Oiled or waxed regularly, or sealed with lacquer, the floor will look good for decades, although varying temperatures in high-moisture areas can warp it. Depending on your choice of timber, prices range from £20 per sq m to upwards of £100…

MY HOME... ABOUT ME I’m Sophie Keegan, 28, and I run a handmade clothing business (Instagram: @prettylittle poppet). I live with my boyfriend, Curtis, 28, who works in finance. MY HOME A two-bedroom maisonette in a 1970s property in Sutton Coldfield, which we bought in May 2014. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The property lacked character and needed an injection of personality. The kitchen and bathroom were already done but other rooms needed some TLC. AND NOW The space is light and we’ve decorated it with a beachy, boho feel that suits us as a couple. We’ve gone for bright pastel shades that link the whole space together. STYLE TIP Use tools like Pinterest for inspiration rather than trying to copy an exact look. Mix ideas and pieces that you love…

SHOP SMART If you’re buying the machine for a hobby or the odd repairs project, avoid an overly complicated model. You’ll likely only be using a limited number of stitches and settings, so be practical about what you buy. KNOW YOUR NICHE Machines vary in terms of what type of needlework they are best suited to. Someone who does machine embroidery will need a different machine to someone who makes clothes or curtains. TRIED & TESTED Before buying your new machine, do plenty of research in shops and online. Read reviews from other users and take note of their feedback as to the pros and cons of each model to help you make your decision.…

MY HOME... ABOUT ME I’m Lucy Jones, 37, and I run an interior styling company and blog called Make Me Loved. I live with my husband Owen, 36, and our triplets Joe, Grace and Elsie, 7. MY HOME A 150-year-old, four-bedroom Welsh cottage, which we spent a year renovating. The house is on the farm where Owen grew up and we moved in six years ago. WHEN I BOUGHT IT It was almost derelict, completely uninhabitable and had just two bedrooms. We renovated it throughout and made it extremely energy efficient, too. AND NOW It’s very spacious, with airy and sociable rooms, and an eclectic design style. STYLE TIP Always go with your gut feeling. If I’ve ever been unhappy with my choices, it’s because I didn’t go with what…

AU NATURAL Organic textures, such as rattan, seagrass and wood will give your room a rustic, relaxed feel. Upcycle old wicker furniture with a lick of paint to work it into a new scheme. GO GREEN Incorporate greenery into your styling and display plants in bright pots to complement this style. Cacti and succulents are great low-maintenance choices, or fill a corner of a room with a larger houseplant. FINISHING TOUCHES Boho-style interiors call for plenty of whimsical accessories, so display feathers, dream catchers and macrame wall hangings around your room for a cohesive look.…

WHEN SANDING A SMALL SPACE OR DRILLING HOLES,CATCH THE DUST BY TAPING AN OPEN ENVELOPE WITH MASKING TAPE UNDER THE AREA Like most things in life, good preparation is key to success. If you are planning to wallpaper or paint walls, first assess them to see if there are any serious underlying problems, such as damp or loose plaster, which would need to be dealt with by a professional. If you plan to remove the wallpaper, it is advisable to hire a steam stripper and follow the directions closely. It can be a slow and messy process but the finished results will be well worth it. Show a little TLC Once your walls have been stripped, next repair any holes, marks or small cracks with filler, leave it to dry…

B&Q Expert advice on prepping your walls and how to resolve problems. B&Q also sells most items you need. Go to youtube.com and search bandq for a selection of videos. WALLPAPER DIRECT Wallpaperdirect is your one-stop shop for wallpapers to suit all budgets, and has lots of video tutorials including tips on hanging pattered paper. Go to wallpaperdirect.com and click How to. CROWN A quick, practical guide to painting walls. The Crown Paints site also has other great tutorials on painting furniture and trickier areas. Go to crownpaints.co.uk and click Advice.…

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE UNDERLAY,IT CAN INCREASE THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR CARPET BY UP TO 40% As far as hard flooring goes, vinyl is right back on trend because of its durability and design, value for money and ease of installation. LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles) are a pricier option and create a realistic wood effect or ceramic look. They come in planks or tiles. If you want an instant wooden floor, engineered wood is hard-wearing, functional and practical and comes in varied designs, colours and styles. It’s a great alternative to a real wood floor as it’s more affordable, easier to install (often a click-system) and also suitable to use in all areas of the home. It also works in conjunction with underfloor heating. A wood alternative Laminate is the more…

ABOUT ME I’m Luba Lapsanska, 30, and I live in south London with my boyfriend, Tom, and our two dogs, Phoebe and Rory. We live in a rented terrace house that we moved into in 2015. I’m a doctor and also a blogger at stepoutandexplore.com. MY CHALLENGE The spare bedroom was a small, blank, empty room when we first moved in, but we really wanted to make it work as both a guest bedroom and a home office all in one. MY WISH LIST In terms of the decorating scheme, we decided early on that we wanted a travel theme to run through the room. We are both very keen travellers and wanted the space to reflect our passion and document our adventures together.…

MY ROOM... ABOUT ME I’m Jane Cox, 43, and I'm a journalist. I live in a four-bed 1930s semi in Hove, East Sussex, with my husband Ian and our two children Xanthe, 9, and Kenzie, 8. MY CHALLENGE When we bought the house in December 2014, all the rooms needed decorating, a new bathroom fitting, and the kitchen was a health hazard. The lino floor was stained and torn, the units were greasy and the old gas oven was so lethal we got a specialist to cap the pipe. A side door led to a damp loo and rotten cupboard, and the wall between the kitchen and dining room housed a wide chimney breast that ran up through the house. MY WISH LIST We wanted a large open-plan kitchen-diner with…

TASTY CHANGE Milk chocolate coins, £2.77 (400g), Morrisons BEARY NICE Polar bear pals, £2 (300g), Marks & Spencer SPICE IT UP Spiced Christmas shortbread, £4.25 (210g), Bettys MINT CONDITION Peppermint candy canes, £1.50 for a box of 12, Sainsbury’s EDIBLE ELVES Elf gingerbread biscuit pop, £1.25, Co-op SWEET SURPRISE Chocolate truffle sprouts, £3.50 (150g), Tesco CHOCOHOLIC’S DREAM Comet Does Caramel chocolate slab, £3.85 (100g), Hotel Chocolat FRUITY NUMBER Fruits of the forest nougat, £1.79 (100g), Lidl OLD FAVOURITES Retro sweets box, £4.99 (300g), Lakeland MELT IN THE MOUTH White chocolate snowman, £5 (150g), Waitrose…

Join up for our fabulous free newsletter, The Home Stylist, and keep up to date with what we’re doing here at Style at Home HQ on a weekly basis. You will receive news of our favourite shopping finds, tons of decorating ideas, tours of our readers’ homes, plus lots of craft projects and recipes, exclusive offers and competitions – all delivered straight to your email inbox, and it’s all free! Simply sign up at housetohome.co.uk/ thehomestylist and don’t miss a thing! GO DIGITAL Get the latest issue on your tablet or phone Visit housetohome.co.uk/digital-editions/styleat home to find out more. Or, take out a subscription for as little as £14. 4 99, saving up to 48% – and receive the digital version free, too! Sign up free at housetohome.co.uk/thehomestylist…

This month… Like us on Facebook and share your style tips, makeovers and crafty projects. Check out our latest posts Ð full of ideas for decorating your home for a New YearÕs Eve bash #askSAH Q I would love to try out something daring in my kitchen. Do you have any inspiring ideas? MARIE HAMILTON, DONCASTER Why not go all out and paint one wall entirely in blackboard paint? No longer just for the classroom, blackboard paint is super on trend for home interiors. It’s impressive, but practical for the family, too. Rust-Oleum makes a great chalkboard paint that has a writeable-erasable finish and will create a chalkboard on just about any surface. B&Q stocks tins for £11. Have fun! Got a burning styling question? Tweet it to our editor…

A   Aga agaliving.com Amara amara.com Amtico 0121 745 0800, amtico.com Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Ao.com 0344 324 9222 Appliances Online 0844 409 9834, atkinandthyme.co.uk Art Rookie artrookie.co.uk At Home In The Country athomeinthecountry.co.uk At No 67 Concept Store 07518 575580, atnumber67.co.uk A Rum Fellow arumfellow.com Atkin and Thyme atkinandthyme.co.uk B   Barista & Co baristaandco.com Barnaby & Co barnabyco.com Blakemere Village blakemerevillage.com Boundary DIY Kitchens 01273 414876 Brewers Home brewershome.co.uk Brintons brintons.co.uk British Hardwoods 01535 637755, britishhardwoods.co.uk Buttonbag buttonbag.co.uk C   Card Factory cardfactory.co.uk CarpetRight carpetright.co.uk Cath Kidston cathkidston.com Clare Loves clareloves.co.uk Clarke & Clarke clarke-clarke.com Clas Ohlson clasohlson.com/uk/ Cole and Son cole-and-son.com Contemporary Home (The) tch.net Conran…

WHY NOT GIVE YOUR STAR A MODERN FINISH IF THE VINTAGE LOOK ISN’T FOR YOU? TRY SPRAY PAINTING IT IN SHIMMERING GOLD OR GO FOR A STRIKING BLACK Looking for a quick and simple craft project to tackle this weekend? Give our 3D barn star tutorial a go and update your rooms in just two hours. These versatile vintage-style stars look great hanging on the wall or leaning on a mantelpiece or bookshelf, and are perfect for filling any empty spaces in your styling. They're a great way to keep a festive look going in your house after Christmas, too. Why not make several stars in different sizes and cluster them together on the wall for a playful piece of art? HOW TO TAKES 2 HRS COSTS £2.48 A4 sheet…

PATTERN HIT Transform your room in an instant with a statement rug, just as Sophie has done in both her living room and studio room. We love the Fyfe multi-coloured wool rug, £150, from Habitat. PICTURE PERFECT Follow Sophie’s lead and decorate your walls with printable designs. Take a look at Printablelovers on Etsy for a wide range of downloadable print-at-home art from just £2.75. NEW LOOK Update a chest of drawers or sideboard by changing up the knobs for something a little more unusual. Try Trinca-Ferro for handles and drawer pulls in all sorts of colours and designs. TROPICAL TOUCH Love Sophie’s leafy bedroom look? Invest in the cactus print duvet set, from £30, Urban Outfitters, for a speedy, purse-friendly update. COSY UP Complete your sofa styling with a…

1 STACK UP Get creative with a drinks display centrepiece – the ultimate decadent touch. These glasses are specifically designed to be stacked on top of each other to create a tiered pyramid. LSA Tower Champagne in assorted pastel tones, £85 for a set of 10; LSA Tower Champagne in clear, £50 for a set of 10, all Houseology 2 Art of glass Your drinks area doesn’t have to be just a functional and practical space – that sparkling glassware is begging to be shown off. Arrange some fairy lights to add to the party mood. Pulcinella tumblers, £48 for set of four; Pulcinella large wine glasses, £52 for set of four; Pulcinella tumblers, from £44 for a set of four; 40 LED fairy lights, £6, all Oka 3 Act…

ADD FEATURE WALLS Introduce a quirky feel with rustic-style wallpaper like Lucy has. Pastel Library wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham and Green. NICE KNITS Lucy’s funky wall hanging looks great against a dark backdrop, take a look at Etsy for a range of crochet wall hangings. DEEP SHADES Don’t be scared of dark colours – they can create a cosy feel. For a similar dark shade try Down Pipe estate emulsion, £39.50 for 2.5 ltrs, Farrow & Ball HANG IN STYLE Add a cute touch to a child’s bedroom with home-sewn bunting or garlands. Visit Hobbycraft for all your materials to make a pretty garland. REPAINT A CLASSIC If you have a favourite piece of furniture that doesn’t quite match your scheme, give it a fresh lick of paint for…

Redecorating is the easiest way to completely change the look and feel of a room, but it can take a lot of time and planning to get right. One of this season’s hottest trends is to go dark – from charcoal grey to deep jewel tones such as purple, and even black, there will be a combination to suit all tastes. Don’t be afraid to go for a dramatic look, as these colours can be added slowly with accessories or to unexpected places, such as floors or ceilings. Midas touch Make your gold accessories pop by displaying them against a royal blue wall. For a seamless finish, paint the skirting the same colour as the walls. To complete the look and create an eye-catching feature, hang an empty gold picture…

This month, we've put a spin on the beautiful Malachite X vase from Jonathan Adler. Try your hand at our simple designs. This technique is perfect for beginner crafters, and it's easy to keep adding to the design until you're happy with the result. Pop these stunning vases on a side table and fill with fresh blooms to get a truly luxe look for less. TAKES 2 DAYS COSTS £16.50* Greaseproof paper Salong vases, from £7.50, Ikea Marabu Porcelain paint in Gentian Blue, Apple, White and Metallic Gold, £3 for 15ml, Hobbycraft Plastic spoon Pin Plastic takeaway pot Fine paint brush 1 Cover your work area with greaseproof paper. Wash and dry the surface of the vase, then take either the blue or green paint and spoon, in small quantities,…

GREAT IDEA Contrasting dark and light shades makes a hallway an interesting space Starting the New Year is all about turning over a new leaf and making good changes to our lives. It’s also the perfect opportunity to reassess your home and decide which areas need attention. And, if you’ve recently moved to a new home, now’s the time to put your own stamp on it. Get cracking on all those big jobs that need doing, like redecorating scruffy walls and floors, and updating dull and dated schemes. Be brave and do it yourself - it’s time to grab hold of that brush and roller and get stuck in! Here we show you how to get started and, along the way, offer a few insider tips. You’ll be sitting back…

TABLE AND BRUSHES A wallpaper table and brushes are essential pieces of kit. Folding paste table, £10; wallpaper paste brush, £3; wallpaper hanging brush, £4.72, all B&Q PAINT TRAY, ROLLERS AND PAINT BRUSHES Invest in paint brushes in various widths, plus a new roller and tray set. Harris No Loss brushes five-pack, £9; Value 9” roller set, £3, both Homebase FILLER AND SANDPAPER Pre-mixed filler is easy to apply and dries quickly ready for sanding. Eight-pack assorted sandpapers, £1; Polycel Flexible Gap filler, £3.50; Ronseal filling knives set, £1, all Wilko…

100% PURE FABRICS LIKE SILKS, LINENS AND VELVETS ARE ALWAYS MORE EXPENSIVE,LOOK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE IN A FABRIC BLEND, MORE LIKELY TO SUIT EVERY BUDGET Using different fabrics is the most immediate way of injecting texture and colour into a room. Most of us rely on a quick fix with the addition of off-the-shelf cushions and ready-made curtains, but there is a whole variety of exciting fabrics out there if we take time to look. Before you fall for a certain fabric, however, it’s important to understand which types are suitable for which kind of usage. Knowing this will open up an exciting world full of interior design possibilities allowing you to get more creative in your choices. Does the fabric fit? Consider where the fabric you pick will be…

NATURAL FIBRE Wool is the softest fibre. Highly durable and stain resistant, it’s also the eco-friendly choice. LOOP PILE Suited to high-traffic areas, loop pile is usually a mix of synthetic fibre with wool. Loops can be different lengths. TWIST PILE Practical, hard-wearing and easy to maintain. SAXONY This has a longer pile, which gives a deeper, more luxurious velvety look and feel. Saxony is perfect for a bedroom. SISAL, COIR, JUTE, SEAGRASS These are hard-wearing grass weaves in various textures and patterns. But watch out for spills.…

ALFRESCO ENTERTAINING Celebrate under the stars with an outdoor party. Keep blankets to hand, and buy an outdoor speaker like the aGLOW Bluetooth which has an LED light, £99, Cuckooland Balloons Highlight the occasion by tying some very cool silver giant helium number balloons to your chairs. £6.99 each, Card Factory CANDLES Light some before guests arrive to fragrance your home and set the scene. We love Voluspa's Makassar Ebony and Peach scented candle, £35, from Amara. It's made from coconut wax, which is infused with black ebony wood, ripe peaches and apple blossom fragrance for a spiced aroma DINNER PARTY Treat guests to a sit-down meal if you’re a keen cook, or serve nibbles throughout the evening for a more relaxed vibe. Style up your tabletop with pretty crockery,…

Is your spare room really spare? Most of us utilise the extra space as an office or somewhere to store clothes, and rightly so. But it would be nice not to have to spend too long getting it ready for guests, so it’s worth planning for this when buying furniture. Think about built-in storage for tidying away all your paperwork, or a pull-out desk that can slide away when not in use. If you’re using the room for storage, choose wardrobes with compartments and allocate a section for your guest to make them feel at home. Out of sight A clever, inexpensive way to keep bedroom clutter out of sight is to put up a pretty curtain for visitors to draw and hide it (or themselves) away. Mossflox curtains, £20;…

PEA & PANEER FRITTERS TAKES 10MINS MAKES 20 1 egg Squeeze of fresh lemon juice 3tbsp plain flour 1/4tsp baking powder 1/4tsp garam masala 100g peas, half puréed 75g paneer cheese, diced 1tsp sunflower oil 1tbsp chopped fresh kaffir lime leaves Handful mini poppadoms 3tbsp Greek yogurt 2tbsp mango chutney 1 Whisk the egg, lemon juice, flour, baking powder and garam masala. Stir in pea purée, remaining peas and paneer. 2 Fry teaspoonfuls of the mixture in a little oil for 2 mins, until golden. Add the lime leaves to crisp up. Serve each fritter with a piece of poppadom, a dollop of yogurt, a little mango chutney and lime leaves. MACKEREL & APPLE CROSTINI TAKES 10MINS MAKES 20 Put1/2 268g pack of peppered mackerel fillets, 50g cream cheese, juice…

NUTTY NOUGAT CHEESECAKE TAKES 20 MINS + SETTING SERVES 12-15 100g unsalted butter 225g digestive biscuits, crushed 4 gelatine leaves 1kg mascarpone 400g full-fat cream cheese 150g icing sugar, sifted 1tsp vanilla extract 125g mixed toasted nuts, chopped 75g nougat, chopped TO DECORATE Almond nougat, broken Handful pistachios, finely chopped Handful nougat pieces, cubed Edible white glitter Reindeer cake topper sticks 1 To make the base, gently melt the butter in a pan, then add the crushed digestives and stir together well. Press the mix evenly into the base of a 20cm loose-bottomed tin and leave to chill in the fridge until firm. 2 Meanwhile, make the filling. Put the gelatine into cold water to soften, then dissolve it in 50ml water simmering over a very gentle heat. Set aside…

To-do list A few things to try this month... REORGANISE YOUR ROOMS Embrace the new year with a freshening up of your decor. If you don’t fancy a total overhaul, then simply change the layout of your furniture. Moving the sofa, coffee table or position of the TV can give a living room a totally new look. Elsewhere, move your bed to face the window, or add a table in the kitchen, and enjoy different areas of your home in a whole new way. DISPLAY FRESH FLOWERS Now that the colder winter weather is here, the days can feel dreary and dull. Daylight hours are much shorter and we can often feel low and tired. Boost the look of your home at the same time as your mood by introducing…

WORTH £34.95 *JUST PAY £5.65 POSTAGE This collection of impressive and varied perennial flowers will create a rich display of pretty colours and shapes to make an amazing scene in any garden. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the long-lasting hues of these beautiful repeat bloomers each and every year. The exclusive collection includes: Lupin x 4, Echinacea purpurea x 4, Eryngium planum x 4 and Kniphofia x 2. BOOST YOUR BORDERS WITH THESE, TOO ROSE ‘SCENT FROM HEAVEN’ A repeat-bloom climber, this is Rose of the Year 2017. It boasts a strong perfume and apricot-orange flowers. Supplied as bare roots. Buy 1 for £14.99 Buy 2 and get 1 free for £29.98 HELLEBORE ‘BLACK SWAN’ This classy performer makes for a star winter attraction, holding…

GLITZ AND GLAMOUR Sequin cushion, £7, George Home CLEARLY SPECIAL Stag wine glass, £4, Matalan THE HANG OF THINGS Mini Glitter scallop garland, £7.50, Sisters EASY ELEGANCE Ornate paper napkins, £3.50 for 12, John Lewis SEE STARS Radiance bowl, £3.50, Sainsbury’s LIGHT UP Silver tealight holder, £1.99, Dobbies SUCK IT AND SEE Mix & Match silver straws, £3 for 30, Talking Tables SHINE BRIGHT Standing silver star, £10, Wilko JINGLE JANGLE Silver Bells table scatter, £2.95, Dotcomgiftshop FINE DINING Snowflake plate, £12.99, HomeSense…