Innholdsfortegnelse for Apr-2018 i Style At Home

I’m on a mission to get more colour into my home. I’ve always been a neutrals-with-colourful-accessories kinda girl, but the older I get, the more fearless I am! And once you start, it’s hard to stop… Last weekend, inspired by a real home in last month’s issue, actually, I painted the bit of wall inside my bifold doors bright yellow – and it looks awesome. More importantly, it makes me happy every time I see it! Whether you’re the Queen of Colour or prefer to play it a little safer, you’ll find tons of ideas in this issue to make your home a more colourful place. From feature walls and funky flooring to painted furniture and a rainbow of accessories… I can feel a project or two coming on! And,…

DUNELM Impressionist pastels Combine painterly motifs with feminine shades for a spring-ready look GEORGE HOME Industrial adventure Step into the great outdoors by marrying natural elements with man-made materials LAURA ASHLEY Country grey Create a soft scheme with yellow accents and butterfly motifs NEXT Spring Scandi Surround yourself with simple designs in harmonious shades for a fun, fresh feel Style Maker CHRISSIE SAYS ‘Use a range of textures and delicate patterns plus a pop of colour to make a stunning but homely space.’…

Forget bland black and white, the hottest new colour pairing is pink and green, and we love its tropical, jungle vibe! While it might feel like a brave choice for your home, these two shades complement each other perfectly, so go for lush green cactus and leaf motifs, mixed with pops of flamingo pinks to achieve this bright and botanical look.…

Starting with a clean palette is the perfect base from which to build up this look, just as Jane has done in her home in Chester. Introduce woods such as oak or ash when it comes to flooring and furniture for a natural feel, and keep walls white to open up the space and provide a calm backdrop. Grey tones work well in Scandi schemes and Jane has used pops of ochre, copper and turquoise to lift the look. Finally, add layers of texture to create a homely vibe.…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Michelle Burridge, 38, and I live here with my husband Chris, 47, and our son George, who’s five. MY HOME A modern two-bed fourth-floor flat in Manchester. WHEN WE MOVED IN It was dated and looked like a formulaic apartment that had been designed with no love or style. AND NOW After updating the kitchen and bathrooms, replacing tiles and flooring, and decorating throughout, we’ve created a sunny home full of colour and personality. STYLE TIP Plan really well. Do a spreadsheet of costs and measure everything properly. Don’t leave anything to chance, or you’ll pay for it twice in the long run. My husband Chris and I moved to Manchester from London three years ago,’ says Michelle. ‘I’m originally from here, and when…

Whether you’re renting a flat, buying your first home or planning to move into a bigger property, tiles offer a versatile option when it comes to decorating. Not only are they a practical solution, offering durability and longevity, but they also allow you to add a striking and stylish finishing touch to your home, without paying a fortune. These days it’s not just your kitchen, utility or bathroom you would use them in either. Wall and floor tiles can also help you to create an amazing space in your living, dining and even bedroom. Changing the style, shape or colour of tiles in any room is a really quick and easy way of updating a space, too, creating a whole new look in a cost-effective way that doesn’t involve expensive…

When we moved house, we stayed in the local area and bought a same-sized house that was in desperate need of renovation,’ says Claire. ‘The property wasn’t really fit for habitation but my partner Richard and I found a builder, who came highly recommended. In fact, he originally told us he could do the upstairs in just three weeks. It was great timing because it was the Easter holidays, so we went away for a couple of weeks during the renovation, then stayed with friends. However rather than being able to skim the walls, as we first thought, everything had to be stripped back to the bare brickwork and replastered, adding another two weeks to the project. Neutral territory When we first viewed the house, it was so drab and…

Before moving here, me, my husband Rob, and daughter Emily were living in a two-bedroom Sixties house, but with Emily toddling we needed more space,’ says Chloe. ‘But getting a bigger house in the area we wanted meant taking on a project. We could see this house had loads of potential. It had a tired galley kitchen and was generally in need of redecorating, but we bit the bullet and took on the challenge. As soon as we moved in, I became pregnant with Esme, which accelerated the need for the planned kitchen extension, and the building work was completed just before she was born. When Emily was three we decided to go ahead with a loft extension, so that both the girls could have good-sized bedrooms, and finally we…

TAKES 2HRS 30MIN SERVES 10 FOR THE CHOCOLATE LOAF 125g butter, softened 125g golden caster sugar 2 eggs 1tsp vanilla extract 100g self-raising flour 40g cocoa 1-2tbsp milk FOR THE VANILLA LOAF 175g butter, softened 175g golden caster sugar 3 eggs 2tsp vanilla extract 125g self-raising flour 1-2tbsp milk 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin with baking paper. 2 Cream together butter and sugar until light. Add eggs and vanilla, then fold through the flour and cocoa. Loosen with milk if needed. 3 Spoon into the tin and bake for 45-50min until sponge is springy to the touch. Cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice the cake into 6 pieces and cut out a rabbit shape from each using a…

‘FILL A BATH WITH WATER BEFORE SEALING AROUND THE EDGE TO STOP IT BREAKING AWAY FROM THE SEALANT WHEN IN USE’ Upcycle in style Turn a plain, flat-packed, wooden chest of drawers into an eye-catching centrepiece using Rust-Oleum’s brilliant new Colour Wash paint. It adds soft pearlescent colour, while allowing the timber grain to shine through. Use a tape measure to mark the vertical centre point, then apply masking tape to create a series of chevrons. Next, use a paintbrush to fill in the chevrons, alternating between pink and blue, then allow to dry. Re-mask the chevrons and paint again (some sections will have two layers of paint). Once dry, remove the tape and, finally, fit the handles for a fab finish. Hang tough Normally, heavy items like TVs and…

LEARN HOW TO MAKE A TRENDY MACRAME PLANT HANGER IN YOUR CHOICE OF YARN WITH GEO FLEUR’S DIY KIT, £15 Houseplant heaven With many of us finding ourselves lacking an outdoor area to call our own, the phenomenon of indoor planting has taken over. In Alyson Mowat’s new book, Terrariums & Kokedama , she shows the less space-fortunate how to create stylish yet low-maintenance displays (and how to keep them alive, for those without green fingers!). From tropical terrariums to stylish succulent gardens, this stunningly illustrated title will have you potty about planting. SHOW TIME! Pop down to ICHF Event's The Creative Craft Show between 19-21 April for the latest hobby supplies and ideas. Taking place at Excel London, you'll find everything from kits and patterns to yarns, threads and…

JOSEPH JOSEPH’S HANDHELD SPIRALISER, £16, COMES WITH THREE BLADE OPTIONS TO CREATE HEALTHY MEALS IN MOMENTS Your Easter Sunday breakfast sorted... Trust good old Marks & Spencer to come up trumps with perfect breakfast options for Easter Sunday with the family. These adorable (and mouthwateringly tasty) mini loaves are a twist on classic hot cross buns, bursting with sultanas, dried cranberries, and toasted coconut, with plenty of the ‘squidge’ you’d expect from a bun. Toast under the grill to save wrestling with the toaster, and enjoy with lashings of butter and jam, for an indulgent start to your morning. CHEATS EATS! We all know fish is good for us, but sometimes the thought of preparing and cooking it can seem daunting – especially on a school night. Thankfully, The Saucy…

Christina Bray ABOUT ME I’m 43 and I live in a three-bedroom new-build semi in Birmingham with my son Kofi, 15. WHAT’S YOUR BEST HOME STYLE TIP? I like to try to use pieces as accessories that weren’t meant for that purpose. For instance, a vintage gin bottle makes a great vase, and an old Belfast sink looks lovely in the garden, filled with flowers. Laura Avey ABOUT ME I’m 25 and I live with my boyfriend Ben, 28, in a one-bed new-build flat in Hertfordshire. WHAT’S YOUR LATEST HOME PROJECT? I hand embroidered a gold bumblebee, which took me more than 30 hours! It’s framed on my sitting room wall, along with prints from different artists I discovered on Etsy. James Richardson ABOUT ME I’m 28 and I own…

MODERN METALLICS Introduce copper pieces for an on-trend feel, just as Jane has done through her use of lighting and small accessories. The rich tones help to warm up white spaces and add a luxurious edge to your styling. CREATE A FLOW Jane has used the same flooring throughout the downstairs of her house to help her style continue into each room. White walls act as the base for the overarching scheme and she has then added character through furniture and accessories to complement her Scandi-inspired theme. ROLL UP, ROLL UP Highlight the window in each room by hanging a statement blind – a bold pattern, such as chevrons, stripes or geometrics will create a contrast against neutral walls and draw attention to the lightest part of the room. Go…

FAKE IT Follow Emma’s lead and add interest to your walls by hanging textured wallpaper. Brick-effect designs will instantly give any room an industrial feel without the hassle and expense of tiling or having original brickwork exposed. OFF THE WALL Bring your space to life by displaying photos and artwork in unusual ways. As well as collections of beautiful frames, Emma has also used clipboards to showcase prints in her home office. This inexpensive idea is simple to recreate and means artwork can be swapped easily. MIX & MATCH Don’t be afraid of combining several different styles to create a unique scheme. Choose one key look to ground your design and then accessorise with elements from other looks to reflect your personal tastes, rather than trying to religiously recreate a…

the STYLE RULES Choose a soft colourway for a textural effect Be clever with colour and pattern to style a masculine space that draws the eye. MUTED BACKDROP For depth, choose a wallpaper with a subtle 3D effect in muted hues. GEO PATTERNS Combine geo prints like triangles, chevrons and zigzag patterns on cushions, rugs and wall art. GO FOR GREEN Contrast a mono scheme of black and cream with a vibrant accent shade such as emerald green. SIMPLE LINES Look for furniture and accessories with linear shapes in industrial materials like wood and metal. Modern GEOMETRIC Get a simple but strong look with lines and shapes the STYLE RULES Embrace a classic combo of white and midnight blue Combine traditional tile patterns with fresh…

When we bought this house we knew that, in its current state, it was completely unsuited to our lifestyle,’ says Miffy. ‘Having said that, we could also see that it had huge potential. It had good foundations, three decent-sized bedrooms, a reasonable footprint downstairs and a garden, too. However, the small kitchen and separate reception room made the ground floor feel enclosed. We envisaged an open-plan space that looked onto the garden. The hard graft Gareth is a builder, and has his own company, Shaw Property Developments. He had ambitious ideas for renovating large parts of the ground floor to give us the room we wanted, and proceeded to knock down the walls between the kitchen and rear reception room, and extended into the garden to create a generous-sized kitchen-diner/sitting…

‘WALLPAPER IS A GREAT CHOICE FOR THE BATHROOM - IT LETS YOU EXPERIMENT WITH PATTERN AND COLOUR, AND WILL BRING THE ROOM TO LIFE’ Donna Riley, senior brand manager, Graham & Brown From delicate damasks to ditsy florals and bold geographic patterns, wallpaper is making a splash in the bathroom. It can prove more affordable than tiling, and the latest ‘paste the wall’ and ‘peelable’ papers are easy to switch up when you’re ready for change. Q Is wallpaper wise in the bathroom? There will always be naysayers, but the general consensus is that a properly ventilated bathroom, with a window and extractor fan, will happily accommodate wallpaper. Do keep it away from direct contact with water. The odd splash is okay on a washable paper, but no manufacturer will…

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George Home's floral dinnerware from the new Rooted range conjures the feel of a relaxed country cottage, filled with fresh, wild blooms, and a soft, pastel palette of pale pinks and buttercup yellows, perfect for spring dining. 3 of the best… FLORAL SPRING BUYS…

Childhood is all about games, toys, playing – and dreaming. What better place to bring all of those things together than in a bedroom they can call their own? With spring in the air, it’s the ideal time to refresh your child’s room, and a new coat of paint is the simplest and most effective way to quickly transform it. The neutral tones in this scheme by Crown Paints achieve an air of calm and tranquility that encourage a good night’s sleep as well as a suitable space to have fun in thanks to its breatheasy formula. Try it for yourself by highlighting different areas of the room using shades of the same depth of tone, like these soft greys – that way you can use three or four colours…

When looking for our new family home we dismissed this house many times, as there was so much that needed doing,’ says Jane McKean. ‘But after looking at lots of properties, my husband Ben and I couldn’t find a house as big or with as much potential as this. We loved the location as it was just a short walk to our boys’ schools, so we made a family decision to take on this renovation project. Hidden potential The property wasn’t in a great state and hadn’t been decorated for many years, which I think had put off a lot of potential buyers. We could see beyond the bold walls and cramped layout, and could visualise how to make it a family home. Every single room needed work. The walls…

I’ve always believed that if you like your immediate surroundings, it makes you a happier person,’ says Emma. ‘Having rented for many years, I always tried to put my own stamp on my home, but I couldn’t wait to buy, as there are limits to what you can do with a rental property. When I met my partner Geoff, he was living rent-free in a bungalow on a golf course where he worked. Giving up my rented flat and moving in with him meant we could save as much as possible for a deposit. Although Geoff had owned a property before, I was a first-time buyer and had my heart set on a Victorian, Edwardian or Thirties home with lots of character. However, I was shocked when everything we viewed…

STARTING POINT Use a statement wallpaper to act as the base for your room’s colour scheme, as Michelle has done in her two bedrooms. Pick out one or two key shades from the print and echo these throughout the space in elements such as bedding, lighting and accessories. LAYER UPON LAYER Like Michelle, make your sofa styling a focal point of the living room by curating a collection of statement cushions. Combine different colours and prints to build the look and try mixing different sizes for added interest. SPACE SAVER Consider using small stools rather than dining chairs as extra seating in a compact kitchen to avoid making the room feel cramped. Michelle has chosen two mismatched designs for an extra burst of colour and both can be neatly slotted…

1 Clear winner The perfect solution to ensure privacy in your bathroom without having to forgo natural light, window film is cheaper and easier to install than shutters, plus it allows you to have way more fun with pattern. Simply cut to size and apply to the glass in seconds. 2 Let it shine For a super-glamorous bathroom refresh, update hardware such as taps, showerheads and light fittings from tired chrome to beautiful brass or gold. Or give your existing ones a good going-over using a limescale remover. 3 SPACE SAVER Turn the wasted space beneath the bath into a handy home for your cleaning essentials or spare toiletries by adding a sliding end or side panel. If your bath is freestanding, try a low-level caddy or baskets instead. 4…

‘A RECLAIMED WOOD KITCHEN WILL BE TRULY UNIQUE, WITH HEAPS OF RUSTIC CHARACTER AND A SENSE OF HISTORY’ Alex Main, Director, The Main Company Besides reducing your carbon footprint, incorporating reclaimed wood will create a fashion-forward kitchen that’s loaded with laid-back, rustic charm. Q WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS? Reclaimed timber is low-maintenance and ages beautifully. It comes in various forms, such as old flooring planks, scaffolding boards and railway sleepers, so the scope for creating an individual kitchen is endless. You can also rest assured that no new trees were cut down on your behalf. Q IS RECLAIMED WOOD EXPENSIVE? The answer depends on the type of timber. Old scaffolding planks and sleepers are generally cheaper than solid oak beams for example. Timber that cost less to begin with,…

It’s always hard to leave your furry friends at home when you plan a weekend away, but there’s no reason they shouldn’t enjoy the British beaches or countryside along with you. Thankfully, the UK has a wealth of beautiful hotels where your pooch can join in the fun, and we’ve partnered with three of them to offer an amazing deal on one-night to three-night stays. Choose from a seaside escape in Devon, the stunning scenery and pretty villages of the Cotswolds, or the nature and wildlife of Oxfordshire. With fresh air and plenty of space to run around in, it’s a sure thing that your pet will enjoy it almost more than you do! But don’t worry, your needs haven’t been forgotten, as the luxurious hotels on offer also have…

Ready, steady, sort! GO THROUGH YOUR JEWELLERY BOX and untangle necklaces. Use a silver dip on tarnished pieces AS THE WEATHER BRIGHTENS , make extra cash by selling unwanted gifts and unused bits at a car-boot sale DELETING WATCHED SHOWS from on your TV planner will free up storage and increase speed IF YOU HAVE PETS , gather their toys in a basket and put any cleaning or grooming necessities or medication in a box safely away from children INDUSTRIAL CHIC Hang rustic-look shelves as an on-trend solution to displaying trinkets. Mareo pine and sisal shelf, £32, La Redoute NOVEL IDEA Give everyday clutter a happy ever after hidden in these charming pastel book storage boxes, from £6.99 each, TK Maxx RECORD STORE Organise your vinyl collection with the help…

EASTER EGG DECORATIONS YOU WILL NEED Pencil Card Scissors Coloured paper Staple gun Butchers’ twine 1 Make a template by drawing an egg shape on card and cutting it out. Draw around the template and cut eight egg shapes from coloured paper or thin card. 2 Fold each egg shape in half lengthways, open out and place on top of each other to form a pile. Staple a couple of times down the spine of the stack, then fan out the sides to make a 3D egg. 3 Sew a length of butcher’s twine or narrow ribbon through the top, then repeat these steps to make more egg decorations. 4 Hang your egg baubles from an Easter tree made by placing stems of cherry blossom or pussy willow in a…