Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Style At Home

This is my favourite issue of the entire year and the team and I have planned it specifically to help you bring your Christmas in on time and on budget… and with maximum fun! It’s packed with best buys, gift ideas and simple style tricks to make it special – all without spending a fortune. I’ll be going big on personalisation this year, so I’ve been on the hunt for cute homemade gifts, bakes and wrapping ideas (check out the super-easy stamped giftwrap idea on page 81). If you’re looking for even more makes and styling ideas for your most sparkling Christmas yet, find us on social media (see below) or check out our sister title’s website, idealhome.co.uk – the videos are bound to get you in the festive mood.…

For four days this August, the SAH team and our brilliant Style Makers shunned summer and got their festive groove on for our annual Christmas Tree Challenge. And what a magical affair it was! Think Bublé on the iPod, the smell of pine trees, lots of oohing and aahing at all the amazing decs, glitter everywhere and the odd (ahem) glass of prosecco. A BIG thank you to all of our eight awesome retailers, Hobbycraft, Dunelm, George Home, Tesco, Homebase, Argos, Matalan and Primark for taking part, and a special thank you to our girls for doing such an amazing job at styling their trees. We can’t wait to show you the results… Let us know your favourite by sharing with us using #SAHxmastreechallenge on Instagram. WANT TO TAKE PART…

DANIELLE SAYS: ‘There was so much to love in George Home’s Dark Romance range! My favourites were the sequin bauble, purple bird and gold feather – Christmas must-haves!’ Pre-lit 7ft tree, £60; Noel letters, £8; crown tree topper, £7; purple sequin bauble, £2; gold pine cone decoration, 50p; leopard print bauble, £2; glittered icicles, £2 for 12; wire onion bauble, £1; gold wooden heart, 50p; gold wooden star, 50p; peacock sequin bauble, £2; glitter jingle bell, £2; angel wings decoration, £2; glitter snowflake, £1; Nutcracker decoration, £3; Watson classic wing chair, £149; champagne velvet cushion, £5; geometric side table, £79; gold wrapping paper, £2 a roll; star gift box, £2; Pop Fizz Clink bottle bag, £1, all George Home SAH loves…

ATHINA SAYS: ‘When I heard I would be styling a tree with Argos decorations, I knew it was going to look great. I’m definitely considering changing my usual white and gold festive theme now!’ Silver baubles, £9.99 for 50; red, white and silver baubles, £9.99 for 50; red bauble set (includes red tree topper and red snowflake hanging decoration), £8.99 for 100; 10 glitter snowman string lights, £12.99; Oskar fabric stag head, £24.99; dog stocking, £6.99; Isak Swedish gnome, £24.99; Graham & Brown jewel white wallpaper, £21.99 a roll; Hygena Makwa side table in Black, £29.99; Hygena chrome tripod floor lamp, £59.99; plate and mug, from 16-piece grey ribbed dinner set, £27.99; Broadford squares rug, £99.99; Hygena fabric pod chair in Black, £89.99; for a similar faux tree try the…

This bed in a bag rolls out to a squidgy cushioned mattress. Bed in a Bag, W70x L190cm, £120, Great Little Trading Company Slouchy single floor cushions that can be zipped together for a double mattress. Zip-up bed, W70xL189cm, £69, Futon Company Double-up with a footstool that opens out as a single bed. Jay-Be folding footstool bed, H46xW89xL183cm, £349.99, Wayfair Neater than a standard sofabed, this is super smart for a study. Rafael single sofabed, H28xW100xL192cm, £249, Very This self-inflating mattress in a bag has a built-in duvet, sheet and pillow, too. Bundle bed, W60xL190cm, £199, Bundle Beds Perfect for the family den, this Z-bed-style armchair folds out flat. Peggy single sofabed, H12xW74xL213cm, £129, Made.com Hide this guest bed in a cupboard when not in use. Jay-Be single guest bed…

Create a winter-wonderland hallway display. Decorate an artificial wreath with real foliage, pine cones and decorations then, using mini trees and a tiny house, build a frosty scene under a glass dome. Finish with a garland of bells and pinecones. 45cm wreath base, £5; wooden moose heads, £2 for a bag; wooden LED house, £3; bottlebrush trees, from £2; mini Swiss cottage, £1; Kraft brown gift wrap, £1 for 8m; all Hobbycraft IN PARTNERSHIP WITH…

Combine 1tsp salt and 1tsp baking powder with 275g plain flour and place in a large Kilner jar. Then layer up 75g cocoa powder, 250g golden caster sugar and 225g dark chocolate chips. Finish with a recipe label tied to pretty ribbon.…

May your Christmas be merry and bright with a vibrant mantel display. Make a fun JOY sign by filling wooden 3-D letters with pompoms, and for an alternative advent calendar, hang folded boxes made from colourful card. Wooden fillable letters, £4 each; assorted pompom pack, £5; green garland, £4; assorted card sheets, £3 for pack of 70, all Hobbycraft IN PARTNERSHIP WITH…

START CHRISTMAS DAY WITH A FESTIVE FLOURISH –TRY ASDA’S CHRISTMAS-TREE-SHAPED CRUMPETS FOR BREKKIE, £1 FOR SIX CHRISTMAS DINNER – WE’VE GOT IT SORTED! A big traditional turkey’s perfect if you’re feeding a crowd of eight or more, but what if you have a small family or fancy some festive nosh in early December? Co-Op has the answer with its Ready To Cook Christmas dinner – succulent roast turkey, together with pigs in blankets, stuffing parcels, cranberry sauce and all-important gravy on the side. All you need to sort out are the spuds and veg. Ready To Cook turkey and the trimmings for two, £10 (shown here with Christmas vegetable selection, £3), Co-Op POSH FISH FEAST FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY Want to give your Christmas meal a lavish start without breaking…

DOUBLE UP Never have room for dessert after your Christmas lunch? This fab puff pastry-based tart from Waitrose slices up into little squares for a small and sweet treat after your festive feast. Choose one of the choc-topped salted caramel cream-filled profiteroles or a vanilla crème pâtissière square... or just have both! Salted Caramel Profiterole Tart, £12, Waitrose. KIDS’ KIT CAKE So simple, even a child can make it, Asda’s fab vanilla-flavoured snowman cake kit is the perfect thing to prise the kids away from the TV this Christmas. Made in the microwave so it’s virtually faff-free, it comes complete with white and orange sugar paste and a black icing pen to decorate the finished cake. Snowy the Snowman Cake Kit, £4, Asda. WORK OF (EDIBLE) ART Almost too pretty…

Jacky Watts ABOUT ME I’m 56; I live in a three-bed detached house in Hampshire with my partner Brett, 43. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM? I love my bedroom, as it’s a mix of vintage floral Laura Ashley wallpaper and shabby-chic furniture in cream and ochre hues, with a variety of throws and cushions in different fabrics for a cosy feel. Cassie Whittell ABOUT ME I’m 45 and I live in a three-bedroom Twenties house in Surrey with my partner Brad, 46. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY? I’d remember the rule to measure twice and cut once! I’ve wasted effort, time and money doing DIY in a rush many times before, resulting in having to redo things when they go wrong. Reena Gill ABOUT ME I’m 30 and I…

ROBYN SAYS: ‘I was ridiculously happy to learn I was styling the Hobbycraft tree. I’m a DIY girl through and through so I loved all the fillable baubles and pom-poms!’ Pom-pom makers, £5 for four; glitter bow, £1; pom-pom garland, £3; fillable baubles, from £1; filled with bauble fillers, £1 each; polystyrene baubles, £2 for six; wrapped in yarn, from £1 for 50g; felt llama hanging decoration, £2; felt reindeer hanging decoration, £2; felt polar bear hanging decoration, £2; LED fairy lights, £8 for 1.2m; wrapping paper, from £1 a roll; ribbon, from £1 for 15m; mache pineapple, £5; Holly Jolly box frame bundle, £11; mache scalloped tree, £6; mache cones, £2 each; mache pineapple, £5, all Hobbycraft SAH loves…

EBRU SAYS: ‘Tesco’s Winter Wilderness theme was stunning. I loved the cool, glam look of the baubles, – I’m definitely going for a snowy tree this year!’ 6.5ft Alpine Snow tree, £50; silver wired tree topper, £4; filigree metal star lights, £9 for 10; clear fairy lights, £10 for 100; reindeer hanging decoration, £3 for two; ice skates hanging decoration, £2.50; frosted animal baubles, £2.50 for two; silver mix baubles, £5 for 25; white glitter snowflake decoration, £1.50 for four; clear snow-capped baubles, £2.50 for three; white pine cones, £2.50 for six; silver glitter snowflakes, £2 for five; nutcracker hanging decoration, £1.50; 2017 clear glass bauble, £3.50; white glitter sequin bauble, £3 for four; polar bear snow globe, £6; silver stag, £5; stag head canvas, £5; reindeer tea light holder,…

PIA SAYS: ‘I loved Matalan’s pastel and pale green baubles, plus the sequin colour-change cushion. It was all such amazing value and the quality really impressed me’ Star tree topper, £6; lace and diamante bauble, £3; silver heart bauble, £2; champagne bead bauble, £3; chandelier hanging decoration, £3; sugar green globe bauble, £3; Nutcracker hanging decoration, £3; purple leaf bauble, £3; pink grid drop bauble, £3; silver diamante bauble, £3; silver baubles, £6 for 16; ballerina hanging decoration, £3; lattice bauble, £3; pink heart bauble, £3; glitter star wrapping paper, £2.50; glitter word wrapping paper, £2.50; snowflake wrapping paper set, £6; heart wall decoration, £15; wreath, £25; large nutcracker decoration, £15; LED light, £10; white reindeer, £4; sequin cushion, £8; beaded edge cushion, £12, all Matalan SAH loves…

We viewed this house along with seven others in a single day,’ says Heather. ‘My husband Ben’s company wanted us to relocate from south London to Wokingham and we were under pressure to move as quickly as possible. We didn’t know the area at all, and our twins were still toddlers at the time, so we drove over for a full day of viewings before putting in an offer. I’ve always lived in old houses, but period properties in our budget were few and far between. This 1970s house had so much more space than our Victorian terrace, and it needed a complete renovation, which actually attracted us rather than putting us off. We love a project, so the idea of being able to start from scratch really appealed. First…

The character and sense of history you find in an older house has always appealed to me and it was definitely a factor when we chose this property,’ says Bek. ‘It was a bit beyond our budget and further from the town centre than we wanted, but the moment my husband Andrew and I walked in, we knew this was the one. The peaceful setting, quirky layout and the beautiful old wooden banisters and inglenook fireplace in the living room sold it to us. We really had to stretch our finances, but having seen it, we couldn’t let it go. We’ve redecorated every room since we’ve been here. To stay on budget, we tackled the painting, wallpapering and tiling ourselves, as well as building shelves and upcycling a few bits…

PART 8: Country Christmas Create a seasonal scheme that’s full of rural comforts. From cosy picks in traditional checks to Scandi designs with a folky feel, there’s a festive look to suit your home for winter and beyond... the STYLE RULES Update a traditional scheme with bold fabrics Layer up a neutral palette with seasonal accessories and traditional decorations. INTRODUCE AN ACCENT Start with a plain backdrop of cream and grey, then add a bold colour such as red. Change it up for Christmas with tartan cushions and check throws. THINK NATURAL Choose faux-evergreen garlands and wreaths with berry decorations, and a natural-looking tree. INCLUDE LOTS OF TEXTURE Add wool throws and cushion covers for a cosy look at Christmas, and use baskets for logs, toy storage and…

‘IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO UPDATE A MORE TRADITIONAL BATH,THEN CHOOSE A DESIGN THAT COMES READY TO PAINTIN ANY HUE YOU LIKE’ Tina Robinson, Heritage Bathrooms SPACE SAVER This bath has a straight edge to fit against a wall. Duchess acrylic oval freestanding bath, £378, B&Q (feet sold separately) CENTRE STAGE A classic tub with taps positioned centrally makes it easier to bath the kids. The Bath Co Dulwich roll-top bath, £389, Victoria Plum GRAND DESIGN Go for a luxe look – this French-style double-ended bath has a stylish plinth. Ascot slipper bath, £550, Soakology COLOUR CONTRAST A double slipper-style bath in a stylish matt grey finish with shiny chrome feet. Storm double-ended slipper tub, £550, Soak COMPACT CHOICE Shorter than a standard roll-top bath, so a great…

ALL THE TRIMMINGS Roasties, croquettes, parsnips, sprouts and carrots, all ready to heat and eat. Christmas veg box, £20, Mash Direct range, Ocado ROLL UP! Tasty balls of cauli cheese, cabbage and squash – with a little sparkle! Vegetable Christmas balls with edible glitter, £3.50 for 11, Waitrose EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE Stuffing parcels, Cumberland sausages and chipolatas, all wrapped in bacon. 3 Little Pigs in Blankets, £5, Tesco…

A  Aldi aldi.co.uk Amara amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168, anniesloan.com Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416, appliancesdirect.co.uk April Products 01535 613830, aprilproducts.co.uk Argos 0345 640 3030, argos.co.uk Art Rookie 020 8504 1030, artrookie.co.uk Asda 0800 952 0101, asda.com B  B&M 0151 728 5400, bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com Basket Company (The) 01202 422600, thebasketcompany.com Bathstore 0330 053 5661, bathstore.com BHS 0333 733 1000, bhs.com Black By Design 01889 502716, black-by-design.co.uk Boots 0345 070 8090, boots.com Boots Direct 0344 879 3483, bootskitchenappliances.com Boyalls Architectural 020 8941 0880 Bundle Beds 020 8610 9969, bundlebeds.com Burts 0333 772 0294, burts.co.uk C  Cath Kidston 0333 320 2663, cathkidston.com Chandelier & Mirror Company (The) 01322 476465, chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk Cologne & Cotton 0845 262 2212, cologneandcotton.com Contemporary Home (The) 0845 130 8229, tch.net Crown crownpaint.co.uk Cuckooland.com…

3 of the best… TRADITIONAL DECS…

GEMMA SAYS: ‘It was so exciting to be involved in this fun-filled day and great to meet the Homebase team and delve into their boxes of beautiful pastel decorations – I was spoilt for choice’ Emperor 7ft Snowy tree, £100; pink glitter ballerina, £3; silver glitter ballerina, £3; pink iridescent onion bauble, £3; blue and silver glitter stripes glass bauble, £2; shiny pink glass bauble with gem snowflake, £2; blue and silver glitter snowflake glass bauble, £2; clear ribbed glass onion bauble, £3; matt blue ribbed mercury glass bauble, £2; pink glitter swirl bauble, £2; pink and gold crackle baubles, £2 each; glitter iridescent white baubles, £3 for eight; large Champagne gold teardrop glass bauble with jewels, £4; pink heart glass bauble, £3; glitter pink baubles, £3 for eight; purple…

LAUREN SAYS: ‘Primark’s decorations were stunning – the quality, range of styles, designs and gorgeous products totally blew me away. I can’t wait to go shopping!’ Handbag decoration, £1.50; copper star decorations, £2 for nine; pink heart decorations, £2 for nine; bauble box, £6 for 50; bauble box, £3 for six; Disney baubles, £4 for four; tinsel, £1; copper lights, £4 for 20; large wire tea light holder, £6; caged tea light holder, £4; star bauble wreath, £8; copper wire tree topper, £5; 40 LED firefly lights (wrapped around tree topper), £2.50; copper wrapping paper, £1.50; heart copper wrapping paper, £1.50; sequin knit pink throw, £15; grey throw, £11; copper heart light, £4; mini LED dome, £3; copper house, £5; dip dye rose tumblers, £5 for two; metallic heart cement…

1 Christmas cheer Replace the pictures over your mantel with a framed Christmas greeting. Create your message using letters in different fonts and sizes, and print out on individual pieces of paper. Place in simple white frames and arrange on a narrow picture ledge. 2 Branch out If you’ve got offcuts of fir from your Christmas tree, use one of the bigger branches to decorate your front door instead of a traditional wreath. Dress with berries, foliage or mini decs, and hang from a ribbon. 3 SIMPLE IDEA Make a centrepiece for the table using a tiered cake stand and an assortment of glass baubles. Use toning colours and a variety of sizes, piling them up to cover the stand and tucking in fir or berry sprigs here and there.…

‘LAMINATE IS A STYLISH FLOORING OPTION THAT’S EASY TO LAY AND COMES IN GREAT DESIGNS – IT’S IDEAL IF YOU’RE ON A BUDGET’ Inga Morris-Blincoe, Lifestyle Floors A breeze to clean and easy on the eye, laminate flooring has improved a lot in recent years and is a credible alternative to solid wood and stone floors. It’s usually a fraction of the price of the real thing, too. Q What is laminate made from? Laminate consists of four layers of material that are sandwiched together. Construction starts with a base layer that helps keep it rigid during installation. Then comes a solid fibreboard core that makes up the bulk of the depth. Onto this, a thin design sheet is applied, which is a high-resolution photograph of real wood, stone or…

ROAST TURKEY CROWN WRAPPED IN BACON WITH ORANGE & HERBS TAKES 1HR 30MIN SERVES 8 1 lemon, grated zest and juice 1 orange, grated zest and juice 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2tbsp chicken seasoning 5tbsp olive oil 2kg turkey breast joint 8 rashers rindless streaky bacon Bunch of bay leaves, sage and thyme 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°Cfan/Gas 6. Combine the zest and juice from the lemon and half the orange with the garlic, chicken seasoning, and oil. 2 Weigh the turkey crown and calculate cooking time at 36min per kg. 3 Put turkey crown into roasting tin, resting on the herbs, reserving a few bay leaves for garnish. Arrange the bacon over the top in a lattice pattern. 4 Season and pour over the zesty marinade. Cover with…

Win £150! Post your snap on Instagram with next month’s #SAHmakeit hashtag and our favourite picture will win a Hobbycraft gift card worth £150!…