Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2016 i Style At Home

Wow, what a corker of an issue! We’ve plenty to inspire your styling, for indoors and out. I love looking at photos of your decorating and room schemes and sharing them with other readers – so please keep sending them in. This month we have three gorgeous house tours for you to enjoy. If you like bright colour, turn to Rebecca’s home on page 28, see Sophie’s semi-detached (p42) for muted shades, or look inside Katie’s vintage interior (p16) if retro’s more your thing. Not sure of your style? Take our fun colour quiz on page 37 – I’m definitely Bright and Bold. Dining outside on a tartan blanket in summer is my idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon, and if you feel the same, you’ll enjoy our picnic special…

#askSAH Q I really love the copper look but can’t afford to replace all my chrome items. Do you have any sneaky tips to save me money? SALLY REEVES, VIA TWITTER I love the copper trend, too, but understand that changing all the metal fittings in your home can be costly. Try a can of Rust-Oleum Bright Copper Metallic spray paint. You can bag a 400ml tin on Amazon for only £9.49 – you’ll cover most size of items with it. It’s fast-drying and can be used indoors and outside, so it’s perfect for lots of DIY projects! 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…

My first house was a Victorian end-of-terrace with original features and I decorated it traditionally, with a red living room and wallpaper,’ says Katie. ‘My husband Martin and I wanted a more rural location for our children, Olivia, 15, and Kian, 9, and we must have viewed 20 houses before settling on this cottage, which is very light and open, and retains its period features. When we first moved in, we painted the walls white and that was the start of a new style for me. White is a blank canvas, so you can keep changing what’s in the room. If I want to bring in another colour, I do it by adding cushions and decorative bits. Creating the look My passion for interiors goes back to my childhood, when…

Love Rebecca’s vibrant bedroom look? Then why not be a little daring and go bright and bold this summer with your home accessories. An array of zingy, colourful cushions will give your decor scheme an instant lift. From contemporary patterns to seasonal tropical motifs, we’ve scoured the high street and online to find 10 of our favourite designs to style up your sofa in a flash, starting from as little as £5!…

ENSURE YOU USE ENOUGH GLUE TO HOLD THE PIPES TOGETHER SECURELY AND TAKE CARE TO WIPE AWAY ANY EXCESS TO AVOID MARKING THE COPPER Looking to add a statement side table to your living area? Have a go at making your very own piece with our simple to follow step-by-step project. Top tip: Use a small dab of ketchup and a cloth to clean away any fingerprints from the copper pipes for a professional finish. HOWTO TAKES 3HRS* COST £34.47 35 x 35cm piece of wood for tabletop Paintbrush & ruler Chalk paint tester pot (colour of your choice) Two 2m x 15mm copper tubes, £5.84 each, B&Q 15mm copper pipe cutter, £10, B&Q Eight 15mm copper elbows, £1.54 for two, B&Q Four 15mm copper equal tees, 94p each, B&Q…

ABOUT ME I’m Sophie Luis-Madsen, 33, and I live with my husband, Tom, 33. MY HOME A three-bedroom 1940s semidetached in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. WHEN I BOUGHT IT It had been untouched for many years and had no central heating, no kitchen to speak of, a very basic bathroom, crumbling windows, swirly carpet and a jungle of a garden. AND NOW Two small rooms have been turned into a kitchen-diner and a modern bathroom has been added, while every room has been renovated sympathetically to the period of the house. STYLE TIP If your floorboards are sound but you don’t like the colour, why not change the look with a stain, which is much cheaper than replacing them.…

VISIT A NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY THAT DATES FROM A SIMILAR ERA TO YOUR HOME FOR SOME HISTORICAL INSPIRATION Every house has its own particular charm and this often stems from the original features that link the building to the era in which it was built. In the 1980s and ’90s there was a fad for ripping out these ‘dated’ design elements. Nowadays, we appreciate that these special interior elements make our homes unique, and are keen to preserve them without being a slave to period style. Read on for our best house-history tips. Floor to ceiling One of the first places to turn your attention to should be the flooring. Most old houses have beautiful wooden floors, either in regular parallel boards or in a parquet style. You often will…

The seven 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 weekly newsletter, bonus offers and other special treats. All you need to do is fill in your details at the address below and we'll get straight back to you. housetohome.co.uk/stylistsathome…

BUNTING PENDANT Add character to a plain shade with a pretty patterned print TAKES 2HRS COST £7.25 La De Dah washi tape, £5 for a pack of four, Hobbycraft 12” white paper lantern, £2.25, The Hanging Lantern Company Small paintbrush Clear glue & scissors String or twine 1 Cut triangles from the washi tape and stick them into place on the lantern along the wire lines. Space them about 6cm apart and use alternating patterns. 2 Starting at the top of the lantern, use a small brush to paint clear glue just below the wire then press the string on top. Follow the line until all the bunting is linked. Stick any pieces of washi tape that haven’t adhered properly. Leave to dry. PHOTO LADDER Make a bright and personalised…

PINTEREST This is the easiest place to save those room sets, fabrics or makeovers you find and love all in one place online. HOUSETOHOME.CO.UK For everything interiors, from styled rooms to the latest accessories. INTERIOR DESIGNERS Follow your favourite designers’ websites, get inspiration from their latest projects and keep up to date with the newest trends at the same time. INTERIOR BLOGS These are often the first place where bloggers share their interior finds – great to see where they source items from. INSTAGRAM Follow magazine stylists’ accounts for behind-the-scenes looks at photoshoots and sneaky peeks at press launches.…

WHAT A SQUARE Get comfy. Texture weave cushion in light green, £12, Next LIGHTEN UP Create mood lighting. Rope jar glass lantern, £14.99, Dobbies CHIRPY BUY Be kind to animals. Orla Kiely engraved birdhouse, £27.95, Annabel James SAY IT WITH WORDS Hang on a fence. Personalised sign, £32, Delightful Living at Notonthehighstreet.com BREAK TIME Fill with homemade lemonade. Set of six milk bottles in crate, £9.95, Dotcomgiftshop GREY MATTER Perk up a shed. Still Grey garden colours woodstain, £27.99 per 2.5ltr, Sadolin BOWLED OVER Bring colour to your table. Tropical double injection salad bowl, £5, Sainsbury’s RUSTIC FEEL Plant pretty blooms. Aged terracotta pots, from £6.95 each, MiaFleur EXOTIC VIBES Look to nature for decor ideas. Maui furnishing fabric, £16 per m, John Lewis…

Whether you’re lucky enough to have picturesque rolling countryside right on your doorstep or maybe you’re planning an urban excursion in the heart of your city, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to the perfect picnic. From our top tips, scrumptious recipes and the best buys to enjoyable games and key locations, we’re here to make sure you have everything you need for an idyllic day out with your friends and family. A family picnic is the perfect excuse to head out and enjoy the great British summer. It’s a brilliant way to keep the kids occupied, while also encouraging them to be closer with nature. So get your blankets and baskets out of hibernation and head out into the wilderness for an alfresco exploration – or if you don’t want…

OCEAN CRACKLE Welcome a touch of sparkle. Mosaic tumbler, £3; soap dispenser, £5, both Wilko ANIMAL MAGIC Introduce fun accessories. Metal candlestick, £12.99, H&M HANDS OFF Keep your skin soft. Morris conditioning hand wash, £10, Heathcote & Ivory LOOK AT ME Hang a statement piece. Croft collection oval mirror in grey, £65, John Lewis SHELF LIFE Display items in style. Blue storage unit, £34.99, HomeSense HEADS UP Express your personality. Buddha sculpture in XL, £70, Next ALL WHITE Set the mood with ambient lighting. Wicker lantern, £20, George MODERN PRINTS Create a focal point. Capao Mato Square mosaic tile, £144.33 per sq m, Topps Tiles DRY AS A BONE Pick a strong colour. Dual towels in teal, from £3.99 each, Dunelm…

Style at Home has teamed up with Ideal Standard to give away bathroom furniture and fittings from its stylish Tonic II collection, worth up to £2,000 to one reader. Tonic II is part of its showroom range and is an example of the British manufacturer’s commitment to design, beauty, form and function. With a refined soft geometric finish, its clean, beautiful lines aim to create calm and serenity, transporting you to true relaxation. Tonic II offers a broad choice of solutions and furniture combinations thanks to its focus on technology and versatility. With subtle, pure lines and a chic palette its products work harmoniously in any surrounding, creating the ideal space and atmosphere. What’s more, Tonic II provides seamless space-saving solutions, including a new siphon that contours away from the…

MINI CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS TAKES 30MINS MAKES 16 500g beef mince 1 red onion, grated 1 carrot, grated 1 apple, grated 1tsp smoked paprika 2tbsp olive oil 4 slices cheese cut into 4 squares 2 packs of mini bread rolls Mayonnaise 4-6 tomatoes, sliced 1 In a bowl, mix together the mince, onion, carrot, apple and paprika. Shape into 3cm patties. Brush with oil. 2 Heat a barbecue or griddle pan to medium and cook for 3 mins on each side, until cooked through. Top each with a square of cheese and allow to melt, set aside and keep warm. 3 Fill each roll with a dollop of mayonnaise, slice of tomato and mini burger and serve on a platter. BOURBON BEEF RIBS TAKES 2HRS 15MINS SERVES 4 Put 1 rack…

HADDOCK BAKE TAKES 30MINS SERVES 4 Thickly slice 500g new potatoes and add to a pan of salted boiling water. Cook for 10 mins and drain. Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. Put a roasting tin in the oven to heat up. Add the potatoes, drizzle over 1tbsp oil. Season and scatter over 2tsp cumin seeds. Roast for 10 mins. Brush 4 haddock fillets with 1tbsp olive oil. Add 8 quartered tomatoes and put the fish on top. Add a few sprigs of dill. Roast for 10 mins. Whisk 2tbsp olive oil with 1tbsp balsamic vinegar. Drizzle over the fish and serve with rocket. LIGHT & EASY MERINGUE TAKES 1HR SERVES 4 300g frozen raspberries Handful fresh raspberries 125g natural yoghurt 500ml natural frozen yoghurt 5 meringue nests, broken 1…

These hardy perennial pinks are perfectly proportioned for placing at the front of sunny borders, where their silvery-green foliage stays evergreen throughout the year. These varieties are Award of Garden Merit winners, and you’ll receive two of each 30cm plant. Plus, you’ll also get a free pair of snips, handy for cutting fresh flowers for indoor arrangements. NOW TRY THESE OTHER GREAT-VALUE OFFERS DIANTHUS (PINKS) YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW Sweet scent, vibrant blooms and perfect for patio containers. Height and spread 25cm. Buy 5 for £8.99 (was £9.99) Buy 10 for £11.98 (rrp £19.98) – save £8 MIMOSA (ACACIA DEALBATA) This shrub produces bee-and butterfly-friendly lemon-scented pom pom blooms on evergreen foliage. Supplied as 9cm potted plants. Height 8m, spread 5m. Buy 1 & get 1 FREE for £12.99 PETUNIA PURPLE…

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Hot off the press If you’re looking for inspiration for your next upcycling project, pick up a copy of Crafting with Mason Jars by Hester van Overbeek (CICO Books, £12.99). Featuring over 35 simple projects to revamp glass mason jars, you’ll learn how to transform them into anything from a desk lamp to table settings in next to no time. Available from Amazon and leading bookshops. GIVE IT A GO The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers is running a Covent Garden Experience day on Friday, 29 July. Visit the huge wholesale flower market in Nine Elms, then learn to arrange your blooms into beautiful hand-tied bouquets. The day runs from 8am – 4pm and costs £240 (flowers and materials included). Visit academyofflowers.com or call 020 7240 6359. SEASONAL IDEA Why…

ABOUT ME I’m Katie Sutton, 39, an event stylist (thevintagehousethat could.blogspot.co.uk). I live with my husband Martin, 46, our daughter Olivia, 15, son Kian, 9, and Slinky the sausage dog. MY HOME A three-bedroom, semi-detached Victorian mill worker’s cottage in Birmingham that we bought in October 2005. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The house was in a good condition as its previous owner was a builder and had done a lot of work on it, including adding an extension. Inside, there were beige carpets and colours that made the house feel quite dark and dull. AND NOW The bathroom and kitchen have been revamped and the house is light and bright with white walls and wood floors. I’ve finished it using painted furniture and decorated with vintage treasures. STYLE TIP Never…

“HANG A COLLECTION OF VINTAGE MIRRORS AS A QUIRKY ALTERNATIVE TO A PICTURE GALLERY WALL – IT WILL ALSO INCREASE THE SENSE OF SPACE” A magpie eye can often lead to a jumbled assortment of colours, prints and patterns that results in a chaotic look that’s far from the calm haven you’d like to live in. But don’t let that stop you from hunting through junk shops and collecting vintage homewares, fabrics and furnishings. We reveal all the tips and tricks you need to achieve a stylish and coordinated interior. Fresh start Planned well, you can turn your love of all things shabby chic into a sophisticated and smart scheme. Begin with a clean, simple base by stripping any existing wallpaper and painting all walls in a bright white hue.…

ABOUT ME I’m Rebecca Marriott, 35, and I own an events and styling company, We Love This (welovethisltd.co.uk). I live with my husband Lee, 36, a company director, and our son Albie, 6. MY HOME A four-bedroom 1930s semi in Leeds, which we bought four years ago. WHEN I BOUGHT IT The house was a blank canvas, and not to our taste at all. AND NOW Lee and I are passionate about design, so not only did we redecorate every room but we’ve turned the kitchen into an open-plan space, converted the loft and also landscaped the garden. STYLE TIP Keep walls plain and neutral so you can mix up a room scheme whenever you want with new accessories.…

MIX & MATCH Be brave and mix up different hues and patterns to create an eclectic collection of cushions that reflects your style. Experiment with a variety of combinations, but tie the look together by choosing ones with a similar colour scheme. Finish it off with a matching throw. COLOUR BLOCK Keep your look balanced by using a few block-coloured cushions to break up groupings of patterns if necessary. Let bright shades take centre stage by mixing more muted tones into the background. BE INSPIRED Looking for more exciting ideas on how to style up your sofa? Then head online to pinterest.com/ styleathomemag and take a look at our creative moodboards to get your decorating juices flowing.…

FLAWLESS FLOORS For a traditional carpet in a modern colourway as in Sophie’s hall, try the Rowan Dove in 100 per cent wool, £76 per sq m, Ulster Carpets. DRAW THE EYE Try a feature wall in a dramatic print, like the Sanderson Dandelion Clocks, £46 per roll, Wallpaper Direct. COVER UP An attractive way to conceal ugly radiators is to go for a made-to-measure cover like the one in the hall, which cost £120 from Jali, and can be painted in a colour of your choice. GO PALE A neutral base is a great start for a room, and Sophie has kept to Slaked Lime absolute matt emulsion in the kitchen-diner, £38 per 2.5ltr, Little Greene. BOTTLE IT A large vase, similar to the Deco Diamond Bottle, £36 from…

GEORGIAN These properties usually had bare wood floors, so give yours a fresh varnish and accessorise with a wool rug – many shops sell designs that bridge the gap between period and modern. Evoke the refined feel of the era with a light palette of muted pastels, including pea green and dusky pink. 1930S Homes from this period often have wooden wall panels. If you’re not a fan of this look, but want to be sympathetic to the design, try painting the wood either in white or a daring 1930s-inspired hue such as teal. Parquet floors and stained glass are also common in houses built around this time. VICTORIAN Mid-to-late 19th-century homes often have ornate plasterwork and cast-iron fireplaces. If the fireplaces in your Victorian home have been ripped out,…

ALLOTMENTS If you want some outdoor space or an extra spot to grow fruit and veg, then a kitchen garden is the answer. Visit The National Allotment Society at nsalg.org.uk to find out everything you need to know. Bug house An insect hotel is a great way to encourage friendly creatures into your garden. This cute design from Kaleidoscope, £20, will be a welcome addition. COCKTAILS Get the garden party started with refreshing watermelon margaritas. Rub the rim of two glasses with a slice of lime and dip them in salt. In a food processor, add 4 tbsp tequila, the juice of 1 1/2 limes, 2 tbsp vodka, 1 tbsp triple sec, 2 cups of watermelon (remove the seeds first), a quarter cup of sugar and 3 cups of ice,…

AS A RULE OF THUMB, STICK TO ONE LARGE PATTERN FOR 50 PER CENT OF THE ROOM, WITH SMALLER DESIGNS OR PLAIN TEXTURES FOR THE REST OF THE ROOM When it comes to introducing patterns in your home, the first decision you need to make is how much you can handle. Do you want to go all out and mix and match completely clashing designs, or do you want just one or two simple elements for a stronger look? Are you a fan of big bold prints or do you prefer subtle designs that will add texture to your room? Once you know which look appeals most, you can begin to create your room around those elements. And since pattern is the defining design feature, that’s the place to start.…

GO MONO By using just two colours, you can coordinate perfectly every time. The easiest way to do this is with monochrome. It never goes out of style and you won’t tire of it. You can use different scales and designs with your patterns and they’ll still work seamlessly. BEST OF THREE Study a colour wheel to create an analogous colour scheme – this is achieved by choosing three colours that sit beside each other on the wheel, such as red, orange and yellow. OPPOSITES ATTRACT Complementary colour schemes are created by combining two colours from the opposite ends of the colour wheel – like red with green, purple with yellow, or blue with orange.…

Q How can I get a good balance when using different patterns? It depends on the scale of the room. You might think patterns wouldn’t work in a small space such as a downstairs loo or hall, but they can create more balance – a black-and-white design wallpaper sets off colourful art and patterned lampshades. Q Can I mix up large and small prints? This is absolutely the way to go, as it creates a more interesting mix. In my living room, I’ve used a large-scale multi-coloured rug and cushions with three different-sized patterns. If you are scared of too much colour then stick with just one palette and add texture as well. Q How can I decide on patterns that will work well together? Are there rules? Having a…

ABOUT ME I’m Alix Tomason, 26, and I recently bought my first home, a small two-up two-down end-of-terrace in Cheshire, with my partner, Grant, 27. MY CHALLENGE As soon as we moved in, we built a much-needed single-storey extension. However, the building works had left our garden full of rubble and in a state of disrepair, and we had a limited budget to transform it. MY WISH LIST I wanted to create an inviting, low-maintenance courtyard garden that would be suitable for entertaining and relaxing in summer, but also be practical and provide all-year-round storage for bulky bikes and sports equipment.…

ABOUT ME I’m Toni Scarr, 34, and I live with my husband Chris, 33, and children, Kai, 14, Cade, 12, Maisie, 5, and Cole, 3, in a four-bedroom listed house in Thanet, Kent. MY CHALLENGE Our period home is part of a larger mews complex, set around a central garden, which had been divided up to serve each property. Some neighbours had erected makeshift screens, but our tired patch was completely on show. MY WISH LIST I wanted a secluded courtyard where we could entertain and eat. We don’t have much time for gardening, so it needed to be easy to maintain, yet still look good.…

ABOUT ME I’m Karen Garfield, 40, a customer liaison manager for an electrical company. I live with my three daughters, Ella, 9, Lily, 7, and Mia, 4, in a four-bedroom semidetached in Ashford, Surrey. MY CHALLENGE The bathroom and WC were separate and the bathroom was particularly cramped. It was a real challenge bathing the kids and there was no separate shower. Overall, both spaces appeared quite dated and I was desperate for a fresh new look. MY WISH LIST It made sense to knock through the rooms and create one large area. I wanted to install a shower over the bath, and give the decor a clean, contemporary feel.…

Metals are a hot trend for kitchens right now. From the warm gold, brass and copper details to the more cool chrome, nickel and stainless steel furnishings, adding a few glimmering details instantly creates a glamorous feel. But it’s important to know how to use them so you don’t go overboard. The trick when using metallic accessories is to mix it up with different, softer textures to help balance the look. We show you how to work this uber-cool style into your home. On tap Choose fixtures and fittings in copper, gold or brass as opposed to the usual stainless steel or chrome designs for an en vogue look. This chic wall-hung option gives a rustic, industrial feel to this kitchen, but if you prefer, you can find more traditional…

PASTA SALAD TAKES 15MINS SERVES 4 300g pasta 250g cherry tomatoes, sliced 1 garlic clove, diced Grated zest 1 lemon 75g pitted black olives 2tbsp capers 1tbsp umami paste (tomato paste) 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil 140g rocket leaves 200g tin tuna, drained 1 Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 10 mins. 2 Put the tomatoes, garlic, lemon zest, black olives and capers in a large bowl. Stir in the umami paste and olive oil. 3 Drain the pasta and refresh under cold running water. Stir into the tomato mixture. Fold the rocket leaves and tuna through the pasta salad. FISHCAKES TAKES 25MINS SERVES 4 500g baking potatoes, cooked 2 x 200g tins tuna, drained 2tbsp capers, drained and chopped 1/2 bunch spring onions, sliced Zest and juice…

1 Add a splash of elderflower cordial to a glass of Champagne for something to celebrate. 2 Whip 142ml double cream to soft peaks and stir in 2tbsp elderflower cordial for an alternative filling for a Victoria sponge cake. 3 Slice up some strawberries, peaches, blackberries, melon and grapes and pop in a bowl with 1tbsp elderflower cordial for a delicious fruit salad. 4 Put 4 seabass fillets on a large piece of foil. Slash the skin, then drizzle over 4tbsp elderflower cordial. Add a couple of slices of lemon and scrunch the foil together to seal. Cook on a barbecue for 20 mins or until the fish is cooked through. 5 Make crumble by mixing 3tbsp cordial into 450g prepared sweetened fruit before adding a crumble topping. Bake for…

Clean like your granny did Scrub up with store cupboard remedies instead of chemicals – the old ways are the best! BICARBONATE OF SODA Remove tea stains from crockery Sprinkle onto a warm, dampened cup, rub over stain with a cloth, then rinse. Clean the oven Apply a thick paste made with water to the inside, leave overnight, then scrape off and wipe clean – a great result with no chemical smell. Get showerheads sparkling Tie a sandwich bag with a mix of soda and vinegar over a showerhead overnight. Scrub off deposits then flush through. Get a clean loo Spray bowl with white vinegar then sprinkle with soda. Allow to fizz and react, then scrub and flush. LEMONS De-scale taps Wrap a cloth soaked in lemon juice around taps…

1 Dig out the pothole to a depth of around 60mm. Brush out any grit or debris from the hole and spray the vertical edges with Tarmac Edging and Jointing Spray, £5.62 per 150ml, B&Q. 2 Fill the hole two-thirds with U-Can Pothole and Driveway Repair, £12.84 per 10kg. Slope the edges away from the sides of the hole then pour in macadam to fill the hole to 15mm above the surface. 3 Compact the mixture with a good whack with the back of a shovel until the edges are level with the surrounding tarmac. U-Can is exclusively available at B&Q stores nationwide and online. Tweet the team at #askSAH with your photos, decorating dilemmas and tips.…

GREEN FINGERS Stay on-trend with stylish gear. Gardening gloves, £5.99, HomeSense LET IT GROW Plant herbs from scratch. Sophie Conran seeds, £9.95, Annabel James SCRUB UP Keep hands soft. Exfoliating hand wash, £7, Heathcote & Ivory DIGIT Kit yourself out with outdoor essentials. Select hand trowel, £2, Dobbies BLOOMIN’ LOVELY Choose pretty picnicware. Wild Meadow outdoor mug, £8, Laura Ashley PRETTY ADDITIONS Style up your outdoor space. Painted wooden garden sign, £5.99, Gisela Graham VINTAGE TWIST Tie your garden look together with accessories. Orla Kiely Flower Stem string tin, £9.95, Amara SMART STORAGE Get your shed organised. Garden tool tidy, £9.99, The Oak Room HOMEGROWN CHARM Mark out your veg patch. Daisy garden stake, £2.95, Dotcomgiftshop TWEET HOME Welcome feathered friends into your garden. Nostalgia bird house, £9, The Orchard…

Maggie McAlister ABOUT ME I’m 61 and I live in a two-bed ground-floor flat in a listed Georgian converted church in Paisley. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? I’ve just renovated my whole home and I’m so happy with it all, but if I had to choose, I’d say my guest bedroom – it’s been transformed into a bright, contemporary space, complete with en-suite shower room. James Richardson ABOUT ME I’m 28 and I own a first-floor two-bedroom apartment in north Yorkshire – it’s my first home! WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOP? I’ve got some great pieces from Abigail Ahern who is my favourite designer. Her animal heads are so tactile and look fantastic. I have two cow heads, a giraffe, a donkey and two sets of blue antlers. Jess Pilkington ABOUT…

FABRIC GUIDE Cath Kidston is your first port of call for bright vintage-inspired fabric and oil cloths. Clarke & Clarke’s Vintage Classics collection is a more budget option, from £14 per m. KITCHEN CLASSICS Enamelware is key to Kate’s look. If you haven’t time to hunt down original pieces or prefer to buy new, Typhoon’s Vintage Kitchen range is excellent and they also do three scales designs. PAINT TRANSFORMATION An old drawer unit can be revived with paint. Annie Sloan’s tutorials give some great tips. If you’re on a budget, use up spare emulsion paint and mix your own colours. PRETTY PIECES Garlands, bunting and pom poms are great accessories for vintage-style interiors. For paper and fabric decorations, try Pipii, and for fairy lights from £5.99, try Lights 4 Fun.…

IF YOU’RE FEELING EXTRA CREATIVE, FIT A SMALL WOODEN LEDGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE UNIT TO STORE PIECES OF CHALK WHEN NOT IN USE Make the most of your kitchen space by neatly adapting your cabinet to double up as a chalkboard. This technique can be applied to any piece of furniture in your home that would benefit from being multifunctional. Try it out on a toy chest in your kids’ playroom or on the side of a filing cabinet in your home office, for instance. You could even add an extra dimension by painting it with magnetic chalkboard paint (try Rust-Oleum) so you can display notelets and postcards, too. HOWTO TAKES 2HRS COST £11.99 Wooden cabinet Masking tape Paintbrush or mini roller Rust-Oleum chalkboard paint, £11.99 for 750ml,…

CHOOSE MOODY BLUES Keep walls neutral using a subtle hue, then pair them with a darker shade to create a feature wall. Rebecca has chosen Farrow & Ball’s Lamp Room Gray and Hague Blue estate emulsion, both £39.50 per 2.5ltr. LIGHTEN UP Inject an industrial feel with some urban-style lighting. We particularly like the Nostalgia Twisted Flex pendant set in Midnight Blue, £42, Rose & Grey. MAKE A STATEMENT Treat yourself to some bright curtains and then pick out a few colours to dress the rest of the room, just as Rebecca has done in her living room. Sanderson Rainforest fabric, £36.32 per m, Fashion Interiors. LUXE LOOKS Add sumptuous velvet cushions in striking shades to introduce colour. Have a look at the range at Oliver Bonas, £32 each. ON…

Bright and bold COLOURS Saturated vivid hues are the way to go for this look. We love peacock blue, fuchsia pink, teal and orange – they work wonders when combined together. Lime green and yellow can work well as additional highlights, too. Get experimenting with colour! FABRIC Go for patterns that contain the colours from your scheme. Retro print designs are a good choice as they are often big, bold and bright. Don’t be afraid of using larger repeat patterns for a statement focal point. FLOORING If your walls and furnishings are packing a punch, keep flooring neutral to stop the scheme becoming overwhelming. Pull the look together with a statement rug containing your chosen hues. LIGHTING Table lamps with glossy and colourful bases are functional and attractive, and pendant…

Add impact to your room by introducing a patterned wallpaper, inspired by Sophie’s look. Whether you want to decorate a feature wall, an alcove or an entire room, we’ve rounded up nine natty designs to suit every style and budget, with rolls starting from as little as £9.99! Before you buy, order a sample of your paper to test it out in your chosen room – just like paint, wallpaper colour can vary in different lights. Calculate how many rolls you’ll need before buying, allowing for a little extra in case of mishaps. And if you plan to paint the other walls, pick out a hue from the paper for a cohesive scheme. £12 Hop to it and get decorating with the adorable Nell mustard wallpaper, B&Q £39 Choose the…

THIS PROJECT WOULD MAKE A LOVELY GIFT FOR FRIENDS,FAMILY OR NEWLYWEDS AND CAN EASILY BE ADAPTED TO SUIT ANY SCHEME Have a go at making your very own framed piece of art to personalise your space with this cute vintage-style playing cards idea. Choose a backing paper that suits your theme – we went for a fun postcards print to represent romantic love letters. You could also try making a pretty collage using scraps of different papers from your craft stash. HOWTO TAKES 1HR COST £6.99 Pack of vintage Lexicon cards, £6.99, eBay Frame to fit your words* Scissors Offcut of wallpaper or wrapping paper Double-sided tape 1 Play around with the Lexicon cards to decide on a phrase or word to spell out in your artwork. Make sure the…

This month we’re loving the beautiful Kite wool kilim rug from West Elm and have been inspired to make our own by painting a chevron motif onto a plain rug. TAKES 3HRS* COST £38.99 ColourMatch cotton rug in flint grey, £14.99, Argos Masking tape Tape measure 8 x Dylon white fabric paint, £3 each, Hobbycraft Paintbrush 1 Use a strip of masking tape at each short end of the rug to paint on a straight line as a border. Divide the rug into four equal vertical sections by masking out three lines. Paint on these lines with two coats of fabric paint. Leave to dry between coats and peel off the tape straight after painting. 2 Once these lines have dried, mask out your chevron pattern so there are even…

DO start your scheme by choosing the patterned element first. Everything else in the room will need to work with this. DO create one strong focal feature. Bold wallpaper can be complemented by curtains and cushions in a softer design. DON’T choose more than three or four hues in a room. More colour equals less style. DO decide on one bold pattern when mixing and matching designs. Two or three smaller matching patterns can make up the rest of the scheme. DO think about where you want your bold pattern to be – a sofa with a huge floral design may not work but curtains might. DO use similar colours when mixing and matching patterns. Start with one design and match all other elements to that. DON’T forget flooring. Tiles,…

WORRIED YOUR FA VE TREND WILL GO OUT OF STYLE? AS LONG AS YOU LOVE IT, YOU CAN MAKE IT WORK IN YOUR HOME There are five main pattern trends hitting the high streets and we can’t get enough of them. Read on to discover the popular patterns of the moment and start thinking about how to work them into your home… BOTANICALS is a firm favourite. Anything featuring green foliage, bright butterflies or feathered friends is a winner. We’re seeing lots of fern and palm tree wallpapers and fabrics on both pale and dark backgrounds. ABSTRACT patterns are a hop, skip and a jump from the geometrics we’ve been loving over the last few years. These designs are softer with more muted shades and blurred lines. OVERSIZED FLORAL designs…

Building an extension may have transformed the interior of our home, but neither myself nor my partner Grant were prepared for the effect it would have on our garden,’ says Alix. ‘We loved the idea of the proposed secluded area created by the renovation, so were more than happy to sacrifice a little space outside. However, we both expected the garden to survive the work relatively unscathed, which wasn’t the case. Owing to foundation and pipework excavations, it soon became clear that the only surviving area outdoors would be beyond the extension, so we needed to rethink our plans and budget. Starting from scratch As Grant and I had never owned a garden before, designing it from scratch was very daunting, especially as our initial research soon confirmed we couldn’t…

Period properties can throw up anomalies but, for us, it wasn’t the interior that was problematic, but rather the exterior,’ says Toni. ‘Having inherited a small garden overlooked by our neighbours, our plot felt a little bit exposed, so entertaining or relaxing outside wasn’t really an option. What’s more, at just 6 x 3 metres, it was hardly the largest space to work with and, while privacy was an overriding priority, we were worried that adding the high fencing we craved would result in a cramped and claustrophobic courtyard. However, with our family reluctant to spend time in the open area, we decided to bite the bullet and go ahead with our plans. New fencing Our first task was to remove the rotted fencing and fit new panels. I purposely…

This house has been my home for almost 12 years and after getting divorced, I wanted to redecorate to give the interior a fresh new look that was more to my taste,’ says Karen. ‘I decided to start with the bathroom because it was most in need of attention – it was a daily struggle sharing such a small space with my three daughters. Knocking through into the toilet next door would give us more room. Getting the layout right in such a tiny space proved difficult. I received three different quotes, but it was Matt Curle from MC Plumbing and Heating who came up with the best ideas. For instance, because I could only have a bath that was 1,500mm long rather than the standard 1,700mm, Matt suggested I…

ABOUT ME I’m Petra Burton, 35, a behavioural therapist, and I live with my husband Luke, 36, and our two children, William, 8, and Sofia, 6, in our three-bedroom semidetached house in Middlesex. MY CHALLENGE We instantly fell in love with this house but knew it needed lots of work to make it ours. My main priority was to create a big enough space for our large family table so we could enjoy meals together. The old kitchen was also separated from the rest of the living space, but I preferred open plan. MY WISH LIST I wanted a family kitchen everyone could enjoy and which was connected to the rest of the living area. The kitchen hadn’t been updated for over 30 years and I was after a fresh…

WEIGH IN Go for a retro look. Cream scales, £10, Wilko CRACK IT Store eggs. Dickins & Jones egg tray, £10, House of Fraser IN ORDER Get cooking. La Petite Rose recipe tin, £9.95, Dotcomgiftshop ON A ROLL Perfect for pastry. Rose wooden rolling pin, £6, George WHITE OUT Organise your shelves. Set of two baskets, £8, Wilko TEA TIME Think country. Salt and pepper pots, £8; tea pot, £12; two mugs, £8; biscuit jar, £14; cake stand, £16, all Next FLOWER POWER Serve afternoon tea. Novella 12-piece dinner set, £30, Next STACK UP Be accurate. Flower market measuring cups, £6, Sainsbury’s IN FULL BLOOM Pick stems that will never wilt. Faux peony arrangement, £50, House of Fraser GET MIXING Bake some banana bread. Ceramic 2lb tin £7, Sainsbury’s SORBET…

CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE TAKES 30MINS SERVES 4 2tsp oil 4 chicken breasts 30g butter 500g mushrooms, sliced 4 garlic cloves, crushed 200ml white wine 200ml double cream 2tbsp chopped parsley New potatoes and kale to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 180 ° C/Gas 4. Heat the oil in a frying pan, season the chicken and fry for 2 mins on either side. Place on a baking sheet in the oven for 20 mins, or until cooked through. 2 Melt the butter in the frying pan, turn up the heat and add the mushrooms and seasoning. Fry until browned slightly, then add the garlic and wine and bubble for a few mins. Reduce the heat and stir in the cream, simmering until the sauce has thickened slightly. 3 Stir…

BERRY & COCONUT FROZEN YOGHURT TAKES 10MINS (PLUS FREEZING) SERVES 8-10 160g can coconut cream 375ml cocount milk yoghurt 3tbsp runny honey 300g mixed frozen berries 1 Whisk the coconut cream, yoghurt and runny honey together until well combined and smooth. Stir the frozen berries into the mixture and crush some of them slightly. 2 Put into a freezer-proof container lined with greaseproof paper and freeze for several hours, or preferably overnight, until firm to the touch. 3 To serve, remove from the freezer and allow to soften at room temperature for at least 30 mins. Or try these... WAITROSE LoveLife raspberry and blackcurrant frozen yogurt, £1.99 (500ml) MORRISONS Mixed berry, tropical and strawberry frozen yogurt lollies, £2 for six THE COOPERATIVE Greek style mango and passion fruit frozen yogurt,…

COLOR POP EFFECTS Free Convert your photos into black-and-white images, and then select a part to stay in the original colour for a dramatic and eye-catching effect. PIC COLLAGE – PHOTO EDITOR Free Combine your photos into a fun collage, use a neat grid layout to display various pictures together, or add stickers and texts for personalised pics to share with your friends and family. PHOTO EDITOR BY AVIARY Free In this one-stop shop for photo editing, you can enhance colours, remove blemishes, add filters, and choose from 1,500 frames, overlays and stickers to make the best of a simple snap.…

A  Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk Apollo Blinds apollo-blinds.co.uk Argos 0345 640 3030, argos.co.uk A Splash of Colour asplashofcolour.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com Bemz bemz.com Blendworth blendworth.co.uk Blinds 2go blinds-2go.co.uk Bohzaar bohzaar.co.uk Bombay Duck bombayduck.com Boutique Camping 020 3394 2986, boutiquecamping.com C  Candle & Cake 01508 489361, candleandcake.co.uk Cast Iron Radiator Centre 0800 294 8603, castironradiatorcentre.co.uk Chirpy chirpystore.co.uk Clarke & Clarke clarke-clarke.com Cloudberry Living 0330 123 3301, cloudberryliving.co.uk Coastal Home coastalhome.co.uk Coconutgrass coconutgrass.com Collier Campbell 020 8964 5203, colliercampbell.com Contemporary Home (The) tch.net Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Cuckooland.com 01305 231231 D  Daisy Park daisypark.co.uk Decorator’s Notebook 0845 474 1747, decoratorsnotebook.co.uk Dobbies dobbies.com Domu domu.co.uk Dotcomgiftshop 020 8746 2473, dotcomgiftshop.com…