Innholdsfortegnelse for Dec-2018 i Style At Home

I always start thinking about Christmas as soon as the schools go back at the end of summer, but the serious planning doesn’t really kick in until I’ve done The Lists: one for decs and crafty bits to make them; one for gifts, obvs, and one for food/booze. Ma Richmond, the Yoda of list-making, has sub-lists of lists, but I’m not at her level yet! So grab a notebook while you’re flicking through this issue, cos you’ll be seeing a whole lot of inspo for your home, yourself and everyone you love. There are loads of simple makes and styling tricks, for those special, sparkling touches that make it personal. If you see something you want to buy, don’t bother heading out and braving the crowds – just download the…

Red berry wreath, £10; Nutcracker room decoration, £5; Snow and berry mini tree, £4; Robin mug, £2.50; Stag, £5; Sitting deer, £3.50; Robin wreath bag, £1.50; Gold reindeer bag, £1.50; ON TREE Cone and berry hanging decoration, £2.50; Gold baubles, £3 for four; Candy canes, £2 for six; Merry Christmas baubles, £3 for four; Deer decoration, £2; Mouse decoration, £3.50; Postbox decoration, £3.50; Stocking decoration, £2; Santa scene bauble, £4; Christmas puddings, £2 for three; Cinnamon decoration, £1.50; Deer bauble, £2; Snowflake decoration, £1.50; Glitter trees, £2 for five; House decoration, £2; Telephone box decoration, £3.50; Foliage baubles, £3 for six; Tree topper, £4, all Tesco SOPHIE SAYS: ‘Tesco have brought a cute modern twist to a traditional look. I loved all the metallic and glitter touches’ @prettylittlepoppet SAH loves…

Superfresco easy plank wallpaper, £10.39 a roll; Sissi shaggy charcoal rug, £95; Ombre tinsel tree, £70; Small bar stool, £10; Traditional bauble bristle tree, £10; Red tealight holder, £3; Soft touch photo print stag in snow cushion, £10; Glass cloche gingerbread house, £12; Jingle all the way wooden wreath, £10; ON TREE Gingerbread decorations, £6 for nine; Clear glass ball with Noel sign, £3; Glass bauble with birds and deer cap, £3; Glass Nordic reindeer bauble, £2; Red hat birds, £10 for three; Plywood felt die cut letter, £2; Red and white metal heart bauble, £3; Red glass bird, £3; Red and white wooden tree decorations, £5 for three; Glass bauble white Scandi tree, £2; Christmas hanging ornaments, £15 for 24; Santa with internal snow glass bauble, £2; White metal…

ABOUT ME I’m Abby Cunane, 31, and I work in business development for a law firm. MY HOME A two-bedroom modern flat in Southampton, which was built in 2006. WHEN I MOVED IN The property was an ex-rental flat, so it needed lots of updating. It still had the original carpets, magnolia walls and was very tired, so everything needed redoing. AND NOW I would describe my home as very me! It’s light and airy with neutral, light colours. I like character and traditional features, which you don’t seem to find in new builds, so I’ve had to add what I can. STYLE TIP Buy things you really love as they’ll be with you for a while.…

I’ve lived in this area most of my life and I grew up with my parents and sister, Lisa, in one of these houses,’ says Lauren. ‘Lisa still lives there with her husband and family, so when I discovered the house two doors down was on the market, I was so excited. I’d always wanted to move back here with my husband Kevin. I knew it could be an amazing home for us and I just had to have it. Kevin never actually viewed the house – he knew it was my dream home, so he was happy to go along with it, but he had quite a shock on moving-in day, when he saw how much work was needed. The house was tired, old-fashioned and in a sad state.…

BATHSTORE A smart choice for fitting out small bathrooms – traditional or modern styling, good prices and space-saving designs DUNELM Well-made furniture with a classic but contemporary edge. Look for versatile anchor pieces or an eye-catching one off HOMESENSE A fab choice of accessories, cushions, artwork, mirrors and larger pieces in a constant flow of new bargains DOBBIES This garden centre stocks year-round deals for indoors and outdoors, and is a seasonal one-stop shop B&Q Reliable source of DIY supplies like timber, laminate flooring and wallpapers. Stockists of Valspar paints, which offer colour-matching to any shade…

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, which means an over-indulgence in all of our favourite things – Christmas carols, cake and, of course, crafting! There are so many great reasons to get creative this festive season and the possibilities are endless at Hobbycraft. Make it personal Hobbycraft’s huge range of great-value craft supplies means you can delight friends and family with beautiful bespoke gifts. Look online or in store for creative inspiration and pick up everything you need to make personalised presents and unique home decor. You’ll find blank baubles to fill with festive scenes, ceramic decorations to embellish and paint, and colourful papercraft supplies that are ideal for kids to make their own cards. If you prefer baking, whip up some festive cookies to personalise…

ABOUT ME I’m Sharron Blake Allan, 43. I live with my husband David, 44, and our son Elijah, 13. Our eldest son Ethan is in the Navy. MY HOME A three-bedroom detached house, built in 2005 in Ramsgate, Kent. We’re the first people to live in the house. WHEN WE BOUGHT IT The house was a bland, magnolia shell. There were no decorative touches and the kitchen was poorly laid out. AND NOW We’ve rearranged the kitchen as a sociable kitchen-diner and replaced the previous cheap bathroom with a more luxurious suite. The interiors are all grey and neutral with clean, simple lines. STYLE TIP It’s worth spending a bit of money on one or two wow-factor accessories to lift a room.…

Channel an edgy vibe with bold wallpaper and artworks, sleek furniture and a palette of cool greys, whites and neutrals. Sharron has kept the look consistent throughout so that each room flows into the next; with white walls, neutral carpets and grainy wooden floors creating a simple backdrop to showcase signature furniture and chic accessories. Feature wallpapers, statement lighting and bold artwork bring in colour, while tactile textures, such as woollen knits and faux fur, add a cosy Scandi feel.…

1 Create a rainbow Can’t decide what colour theme to try? Go for them all, with an easy ombre rainbow tree. Start with reds at the top, working you way down to purples at the bottom. Or if this is a bit uniform for you, just arrange your rainbow coloured baubles all over the tree instead, and don’t forget some twinkling fairy lights, too. 2 Dress the table with treats For a simple place setting that doubles up as a gift, wrap up a luxury bar of chocolate and attach a label stamped with your guest’s name. Just ask them to wait until after dinner before they unwrap! 3 GET CRAFTY Let little ones help make paper-chain swags to decorate the house. Use Christmas giftwrap cut into strips, then personalise…

For a similar wall paint, try Goose Down matt emulsion, £14 for 2.5L, Dulux. Whitemeadow Lyon extra-large sofa and snuggler in Riva grey fabric with walnut feet and zigzag cushions, £1,465, Bentalls. Shutters, £723, Plantation Shutters. Drew bamboo-and-white lacquer tall side table, £40, Habitat. White Aedesia chest of drawers by Mercury Row, £221.99, Wayfair. Velvet Ellsworth footstool, J by Jasper Conran, £430, Debenhams. Bramley Cream writing desk, £805, Laura Ashley. Talisman black-and-copper floor lamp with white marble base, £27, Iconic Lights. Strandmon wing chair in Nordvella Dark Grey, £180, Ikea. For a similar overmantel mirror try the Gold Leaf Overmantel mirror, £303.60, Exclusive Mirrors. Wild and Wolf Gold 746 telephone, £60, Paperchase. Navy velvet cushions, £19.50 each, Marks & Spencer…

ABOUT ME I’m Katrina Klijn, 51, a retail manager. I live with my husband Darren Roberts, 48, an electrical supervisor, and our two dogs and two cats. Our home is a Sixties former police house in Holyhead, North Wales. We’ve lived here since August 2014. MY CHALLENGE I was keen to give the original kitchen an industrial café feel, but we couldn’t afford a complete overhaul. So I took my time to come up with ideas that could transform the space by using what was already there. MY WISH LIST I wanted to give the space a complete update, change the colour of the cabinets and make the dining area feel like a part of the kitchen.…

‘IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOUR BATHROOM LIGHTING DOESN’T JUST LOOK PRETTY BUT IS PRACTICAL, TOO’ Ruth Corbett, Houses Editor Good lighting can change the look of a bathroom at the flick of a switch. Layers of lighting on separate switches work best. Task lighting is essential above the basin and on the ceiling, while ambient lights add atmosphere – think low-level fittings near the bath, or try a bathroom-safe chandelier for a touch of wow. Make a plan Think about when you use the bathroom and how much natural daylight there is. Do you want mood lighting? Where will task lights be most helpful? Assess your needs, then make a lighting plan. Safety first Gen up on IP ratings to stay safe. The bathroom is split into zones, with each one…

MAKE FUN MINCE PIE STARS WITH THE KIDS TAKES 25MIN MAKES 6 375g pack ready-rolled puff pastry 2tbsp fresh orange juice 411g jar mincemeat 1 egg, whisked 1-2tbsp demerara sugar Sugar shimmer dust or silver spray (optional) 1 Take the pastry out of the fridge 15min before you want to start making the mince pies. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°Cfan/Gas 4. Mix the orange juice into the mincemeat. 2 Unroll the pastry onto a lightly floured surface and, using a star-shaped cutter, make 12 stars (or as many as you can), re-rolling the pastry as necessary. Transfer half the stars to a baking tray, lined with non-stick baking paper. 3 Put 1-2tsp mincemeat onto each star and wet the edges with a little of the egg wash. Put the tops…

A MODERN TAKE ON THE TRADITIONAL WREATH, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO LIVEN UP YOUR FRONT DOOR Swap sprigs of traditional holly and ivy for on-trend succulents in a range of tones and textures. For an indoor display, mini succulents are perfect. If your wreath is for outdoors, use alpine plants like Sedum and Sempervivum, also known as house leeks. We recommend preparing your wreath in advance and leaving it flat for around four weeks to allow the plants and roots to settle into place. Dobbies Garden Centres explains how... YOU WILL NEED Moss Oasis ring 12 mini succulents or alpine plants Pins Florist wire Wire cutter 1 SOFTEN THE MOSS Start by soaking the moss in water (this will make it easier to work with) and use it…

CAPACITY 60L used to be considered huge for a single oven, but thanks to thinner, more efficient insulation you can now fit as much as 74L inside. If looking for a double oven, the second cavity is generally between 30L and 35L. LAYOUT Choose a design with multiple shelves to make the most of space. Also, ovens with slide and hide doors give you easy access to what’s cooking and prevents the dreaded oven door burn! HOBS If you’re buying an all-in-one cooker, choose from gas, electric, ceramic and induction rings. Induction and gas offer the fastest heat-up. Induction is by far the safest choice and comes with smart timers and even the ability to boil and simmer automatically. FUEL Gas ovens aren’t as popular today and are being replaced…

Danielle Parisi ABOUT ME I’m 36 and I live in a five-bedroom property in Milton Keynes with my husband Ian, 39, and our two daughters Lia, three, and Mel, one. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOMEWARES SHOP? I have quite a few favourites – Mia Fleur, Oliver Bonas, Zara Home, H&M Home and Ikea for pieces I can customise. Lucy Fisk ABOUT ME I’m 35 and I live in a Sixties two-bedroom bungalow in Kent with my husband Karl, 35, and sons Nate, eight, and Leo, seven. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR DECOR IDEAS? I live in Whitstable, which has a huge array of vintage furniture shops and I love to mooch around them, looking for pieces I can make beautiful again and use in my home. Kayleigh Wallace ABOUT ME I’m…

Back in August, the SAH team and our brilliant Style Makers – picked for their all-round brilliance on Instagram – spent four days ignoring the summer sun and immersing themselves in all things Christmas for our annual Christmas Tree Challenge. A big round of (panto) applause for our hero retailers: Dunelm, Tesco, HomeSense, George Home, Homebase and Matalan for their starring roles, and a huge three cheers for our Insta stars for doing such a brilliant job of styling their trees. Check out their looks, pick your favourite and let us know which gets your vote by sharing a pic on Instagram and tagging us using #SAHxmastreechallenge. Let us know your favourite by using the hashtag #SAHxmastreechallenge on Instagram. WANT TO TAKE PART NEXT YEAR? SEE PAGE 7 TO FIND…

Llama print, £14.99; Pom-pom garland, £12.99; Llama snow globe, £7.99; Felt llamas, from £3.99 each; Bauble tree, £24.99; Fuchsia pom-pom stocking, £12.99; Llama with scarf, £3.99; Tassel cushion, £29.99; ON TREE Baubles, from a selection, from £1.99; Pom-pom bauble, £3.99; Cactus decoration, £3.99; Pom-pom snowflake decoration, £2.99 for two; Furry llama with scarf, £3.95; Pink llama bauble, £3.99; Glitter bauble, £3.99; Wooden unicorn decoration, £4.99, all HomeSense. Caro wears: Ariella green mini dress, £39.99; Azarey silver reptile-effect heeled sandals, £19.99, both TK Maxx SAH loves CARO SAYS: ‘I loved these hot, bright colours and Mexican-inspired trinkets. I’ll definitely be adding a little taste of Mexico to my own festive decorating this year’ @thetwinklediaries…

Grace chair, £129.99; Hudson rug, £25; Faux throw, £45; Swan cushion, £12; Snowflake cushion, £10; Gift wrap, £5 for three rolls; Woodlike stag, £20; Frosted LED vase, £12; Wreath, £15; Geo tealight holder, £6; LED dome, £10; Frosted tealight holder, £5; ON TREE Pinecone decoration, £3; Shatterproof baubles, £8 for 20; Glass baubles, £8 for 12; Lace bauble, £3; Locket bauble, £4; Glitter bauble, £3; Icicle bauble, £4; Iridescent bauble, £3; Star tree topper, £8, all Matalan. Ebru wears: Top, £16; Trousers, £14; Shoes, £12; Necklace, £10; Bracelet, £6.50; Ring, £5, all Matalan EBRU SAYS: ‘The frosted beaded baubles and super-soft faux fur throw were my faves. I’ve already been out and bought them for this year’s Christmas decor!’ @mrs_rackley.home SAH loves…

Put your personality into a small flat or apartment with smart furniture, plush soft furnishings and plenty of chic finishing touches, just as Abby has done so stylishly here. With a one-level layout, go for light-coloured walls and pale flooring across all the rooms for a cohesive feel. Use lots of reflective surfaces – mirrors, glass and metallics – to bounce light around the rooms, and bring in plenty of tactile textures, from rich velvets and chenilles to faux furs and silky knits, for a luxe, cosy touch.…

ABOUT ME I’m Lauren Seager, 56. I live with my husband Kevin, 54, and youngest daughter Amelia, 27. MY HOME A three-bedroom Sixties semi-detached in Buckinghamshire. We moved here in January 2015. WHEN I MOVED IN Nothing had been touched for decades and the wiring and boiler were on their last legs. The layout didn’t work, there was a hideous fake stone fireplace in the sitting room, a horrible old bathroom and scruffy carpets. AND NOW We’ve extended the kitchen into a bright, sociable hub. Every room has been redecorated in my favourite neutral palette. We’ve got a lovely new bathroom, and we’ve added a shower room. STYLE TIP In the evenings, switch on lamps to create a soft, cosy glow.…

Add a personal touch to your table with paper stars. Fold a piece of brown paper in half and draw a star. Add spots using a white marker. Cut out, then sew around the shapes, 5mm from the edge, leaving one side open. Fill with treats, then sew up and wrap with twine.…

1 To make the base, cut a section of a log, making sure it’s level. 2 For the centre, use a thin piece of dowel, around 40cm long. Drill a hole into the base the same diameter as the dowel, put glue around the piece and insert. 3 Collect twigs in varied sizes, or thicker dowels. Cut from large to small sizes, starting at 20-25cm. 4 Drill a hole through the middle of each twig at the same diameter as the central dowel and slide on, starting with the longest piece. Twist them at varied angles.…

TRY A PATTERNED PAPER A panel of wallpaper at the end of a long hallway can reduce the length and make the space appear less narrow. Alternatively, if you’re worried that a bold design might overwhelm a small hall, go for a half-and-half treatment by adding a dado rail and papering the top section only. LAYER LIGHT LEVELS Use multiple sources of light to create a subtle, layered effect and cosier glow. Position lamps at different heights and dot them around the room to radiate light inwards. In a bedroom, try hanging two pendants, one either side of the bed, for a softer, ambient glow. MIX YOUR MEDIA Use a mix of framed pictures, wall hangings, sculptures, canvases and basketware for an eclectic look. Fill the area above the sofa…

Over the years, we’ve renovated other properties with the goal of building up enough money to eventually buy and do up our “forever” home – and this is it,’ says Cynthia. ‘We’d hoped to complete our sitting room by Christmas last year but, unfortunately, we missed our deadline. Thankfully, though, it’s now finished and we’re looking forward to enjoying a relaxing time together in our home this year. When we bought this house, there was something forlorn-looking about the sitting room. It had so much potential that wasn’t being exploited. We were confident that a few simple tasks like a lick of paint on the pallid walls and shelves, plus painting the wooden fire surround would transform the room – so that’s exactly what we did. My husband Matthew is…

Go for a modern geo print, Chevron cushion, £12.99, Very Buy now with Ownable For small spaces, choose pieces with clean lines, Drew side table, £40, Habitat Buy now with Ownable This multi-purpose stool doubles up as a coffee table, Zinc velvet footstool, £329, DFS Buy now with Ownable Set the mood with simple but chic lighting, Rayner industrial floor lamp, £40, Argos Buy now with Ownable Give a festive touch to the mantle, Large lights garland, £12.99, Homesense Buy now with Ownable Dress shelving with some personal touches, Glitter letter feature light, £20, Next Home Buy now with Ownable Choose a few statement Scandi-style pieces, Softline three drawer chest, £114.99, Argos Buy now with Ownable Create a cosy nook with a traditional wing back, Strandmon wing chair, £180, Ikea…

‘IF USING A DARK CHALK PAINT ON YOUR UNITS, COMPLETE YOUR PAINTWORK WITH BLACK CHALK PAINT WAX TO ENRICH COLOURS AND PROTECT SURFACES’ Annie Sloan, Paint and colour expert Like Katrina, you can update your entire kitchen look without breaking the bank by simply upcycling your existing units. Whether you want to try a completely new colour scheme or just revive the existing paintwork, this DIY task can be tackled in just a few days for a fraction of the cost of installing brand new units. Prep the cupboards Start by carefully removing the door handles and drawer knobs from all of the cabinets and putting them to one side. Then, use masking tape to cover the hinges as well as the edges of any glass panels, to avoid unwanted…

ABOUT ME I’m Jessica West, 30, a neonatal nurse, and I live in a renovated four-bedroom semi-detached home in Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, with my husband Mitchell, 32, a construction manager, and our house rabbit Teddy. We bought the house in May 2016 and in March 2017 we finally moved in, after all the renovations were complete. MY CHALLENGE The bathroom was originally downstairs so we built a side extension and moved it upstairs. MY WISH LIST I wanted a modern, freestanding bath big enough to relax in and gorgeous patterned floor tiles that I’d seen on Instagram.…

TRAD STYLING Jim Lawrence has a seriously classy range of IP-rated lighting, including period-style sconce designs, Art Deco inspired shapes and timeless glass globe pendants in antiqued finishes. TOP ADVICE Mr Light is the design professional’s go-to lighting guru. It stocks a huge range of IP44 rated lighting, as well as IP65 fittings for showers and wet rooms. SAFE INSTALLS Toptradespeople.co.uk is the place to go to fulfil Part P of the Building Regulations, which states that all bathroom electrical work must be carried out by a competent person.…

Get filtered water at home Swich from Abode is a clever device that works in conjunction with your existing kitchen tap, easily converting it into one that can deliver both filtered and unfiltered water. You’ll need some basic plumbing skills to fit the filter cartridge in place under the sink and the pipes from it to the tap supply. Then, all that’s left to do is fit then attach the ‘switch’ you flip to operate the system to your worktop or even in the cupboard below if you prefer. It also comes with two filters to suit soft or hard water areas. USE A WAX CRAYON TO DRAW THE CUTTING LINE ON A TILE BEFORE USING A WET SAW. UNLIKE PEN OR PENCIL, IT WON’T WASH OFF AS YOU CUT…

BUTTON-UP CUSHION YOU WILL NEED Scissors Patterned jumper Chalk Ruler Pins Matching sewing thread Cushion pad Four buttons 1 Cut through the side seams of the jumper and cut off the sleeves. Cut the shoulder seams to separate the front and back. 2 Use chalk and a ruler to draw horizontal and vertical lines to create two rectangular pieces. The width will be from the smallest part (at the armholes) to the cuffed hem. Cut along these lines. 3 With right sides facing up, lay the two rectangles on the floor with the cuffed hems overlapping. Pin them together. 4 Fold the two short edges to the centre to create a square. Pin, then stitch together, leaving a 2.5cm seam allowance. 5 Position the cuffed hems where you want them…

LEMON & BLACK PEPPER TURKEY  TAKES 3HRS 45MIN SERVES 8 4.5kg turkey 100g butter FOR THE STUFFING 1tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 140g lardons 2 garlic cloves, crushed 100g fresh white breadcrumbs 200g vacuum-packed chestnuts, chopped 2tbsp chopped parsley 2tbsp chopped basil Juice and zest of 1 lemon 75g polenta 454g pork sausagemeat 175ml white wine FOR THE GLAZE Juice and zest of 2 lemons, plus 1 lemon, sliced 4tbsp sugar 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/Gas 4. To make the stuffing, heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion and lardons for 10min. Add garlic and cook for a further 2min. Transfer to a bowl and stir through the remaining stuffing ingredients. 2 Fill the turkey cavity with the stuffing. Rub the butter all…

A  Abode 01226 283434 abodedesigns.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168 anniesloan.com Ao.com 0344 324 9222 Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Asda 0800 952 0101 asda.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Balsam Hill 01234 227155 balsamhill.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Beko 0345 600 4911 beko.co.uk Bentalls 020 8546 1001 bentalls.co.uk Bettys 0800 456 1919 bettys.co.uk Bissell 0344 888 3355 bisselldirect.co.uk Black by Design 01889 502716 black-by-design.co.uk C  Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk CDA 01949 862010 cda.eu Cheshire & Wain cheshireandwain.com Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk Cuisinart 0870 240 6902 cuisinart.co.uk Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com D  Debenhams 0344 800 8877 debenhams.com Desenio 020 3318 2047 desenio.co.uk DFS 0808 271 6297 dfs.co.uk Dobbies Garden Centres 0131…

Get in the festive spirit with George Home's novelty Christmas kitchenware. Store seasonal treats in the gnome biscuit jar, keep your teapot warm with a pudding cosy, and serve up hot chocolate in Mr & Mrs Claus mugs. 3 of the best… CHRISTMAS KITSCH BUYS…

5A Fifth Avenue geo wallpaper in Midnight Blue, £25 a roll; Ferne chair in grey, £269; Helsinki boucle throw, £30; Zen ombre cushion, £12; Ritz nest of tables, £119; Seven-foot deluxe western pine tree, £70; Quad sheepskin rug, £160; Sparkle twig star hanger, £5; Pine and eucalyptus wreath, £20; LED wooden star, £12; LED bell jar scene, £10; Sitting polar bear, £6; Gift wrap, from £2 a roll; ON TREE Embellished green baubles, £3 each; Skating boots hanging decoration, £4 a pair; Champagne pinecones, £3 for three; Grey plush deer hanging tree decorations, £3 each; Silver baubles, from £2 a pack; Pine cone tree topper, £5, all Dunelm HELEN SAYS: ‘The Northern Lights range was totally my cup of mulled wine! All those icicle blues and frosty twinkles, along with…

Six-foot snow pre-lit Christmas tree, £50; Glass top geometric side table, £79; Gold effect polka dot Champagne glasses, £6 for two; Pink shaggy cushion, £10; Pink velvet cushion, £5; Wire reindeer light, £15; Wrapping paper, £2 a roll; Gift bag, £1; ON TREE Pearl bead bauble, £3; Feather bauble, 75p; Metal high heel bauble, £3; Gold angel wings bauble, £1.50; Pink reindeer bauble, £1; Glitter baubles, £5 for 36; Gold star tree topper, £4, all George Home VICTORIA SAYS: ‘I love blush pink and gold, so the Ice Palace theme was a dream. From quirky tree decorations to the gorgeous colours, I can’t wait to recreate this look in my own home’ @victoria_aptno4 SAH loves…

Before I decided to buy my home, I had rented it for over a year – there’s nothing like try before you buy!’ says Abby. ‘Although I was aware that it needed a lot doing to it, I loved the size of the bedrooms, sitting room and windows – and the walk-in wardrobe just sold it to me. It also had the potential to add character and really make it my own. I moved here after my last home flooded and I lost the majority of my possessions, so it was like starting again with this place. It’s in a great location, too, as it’s close to the beach and the countryside, with lots of little surrounding villages. There’s also a motorway not too far away if I need to…

PLAY WITH MIRRORS Make a room feel bigger by positioning a mirror on the back wall, or the farthest point from the door – it will trick the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is. Or boost light levels by fixing a mirror opposite a window – it will reflect the light coming in and make the room appear brighter. REVAMP A CHEST Turn an old wooden or leather trunk into a coffee table by topping it with a sheet of glass. Measure the top surface for size before getting a piece of glass cut to fit at a local glaziers – the glass should cover the surface without extending over the edge. For safety, you’ll need to use tempered glass as it won’t shatter into sharp…

1 Either use a long branch, which should be completely dry, or source a long piece of wood. Lauren used a curtain pole, but even a mop handle would work. To disguise the wood, cover it by wrapping faux leafy garlands around the pole. You can fill in any gaps with real evergreen foliage. 2 Attach two or three screw hooks or screw eyes into the ceiling – how many you need will depend on the weight of your pole, with the greenery and decorations included. 3 Tie the same number of lengths of twine as the number of hooks around the pole, and then suspend it above a table. 4 Using fishing wire or decorative ribbon, hang baubles from your pole. For a bigger impact, vary the sizes and…

DRESS IT UP Lauren’s backdrop of carefully layered neutrals and classic furniture choices creates a strong foundation look that can be styled in a variety of ways. For a glam edge like Lauren’s, choose lighting and accessories with sparkle – cut glass, shimmering wallpaper and mercury vintage-style glassware are the perfect finishes to help give the modern country style a sophisticated twist. MOCK UP A WALL Disguise an unsightly or unused fireplace and add a cosy feel by covering a chimney breast wall with wood panelling. The natural warmth of the wood adds depth and interest and you can also hide cables behind the panelling if you’re going to mount your TV to it (as Lauren has done) to create a a smart and minimal finish. Treat with wood stain…

Christmas is an extra-special time for us, as it’s also our son Elijah’s birthday,’ says Sharron. ‘He was born in this house on Christmas Eve, just a few weeks after we moved in. My husband David and I had been renting before that, after a year of travelling with our eldest son Ethan, who was six. We were thinking about buying a doer-upper, but everything changed when we realised we were expecting. The pressure was on to get settled and I knew life with a small baby would be much easier if we weren’t renovating as well. Still, I didn’t really want a bland, boxy new build and I was hoping for something a bit out of the ordinary. A friend told me about a one-off house that had just…

HURN & HURN An online store with a brilliant range of quirky lighting and accessories by household brands and some lesser-known designers. HABITAT Affordable, pared-back furniture and accessories with a retro slant and functional style. DOWSING & REYNOLDS Well-priced, stylish lighting, as well as individual components for creating your own bespoke designs. DESENIO A massive offering of affordable prints, including slogans, nature themes and black and white photography. MAISONS DU MONDE Copper, gold and bronze accessories to add a hint of sparkle, from lighting and plant holders to bowls and wall art.…

the STYLE RULES Create a spacious feel with all-white decor Transform your Christmas table into a serene space, using intricate shapes and textures in fresh white. PICK SIMPLE TABLEWARE White tableware is a timeless choice and looks effortlessly elegant. Include icy motifs like snowflakes and stars. CO-ORDINATE FURNITURE Pick simple white furniture in contemporary shapes. Eamesstyle chairs with pale wooden legs are a classic choice. LAY LIGHT FLOORING A white laminate or vinyl floor increases the feeling of open space and is easy to keep clean. Dazzling WHITES Design an urban grotto in ice-queen ivory the STYLE RULES Swap traditional greens for a luxe shade of emerald Combine geometric patterns and touches of gold with monochrome and green for a striking, jewel-rich look. GO FOR…

ABOUT ME I’m Cynthia Hyams, 45, and I live with my husband Matthew, 52, and our son Henry, five, in a two-bedroom Victorian terrace in Middlesex. We bought it in 2017. MY CHALLENGE The sitting room looked dated and lifeless. The walls were painted cream and the decor was bland, especially the wooden fireplace surround. MY WISH LIST I wanted to create a cosy space that felt warm and welcoming for us and our visitors. Another challenge was to create a focal point and the shutters helped to achieve that.…

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Mode Harrison freestanding bath, £499; Mode Tate freestanding bath taps, £299; Orchard Eden closed cup toilet, £124; Orchard Wharfe one tap hole full pedestal, £54.99; Orchard Derwent round shower, £87.20; Mode Tate easy cleaning sliding shower enclosure, £299; Orchard Wave basin mixer tap, £39.99; Orchard Eden heated towel rail, £73.03; all Victoria Plum. Lofthouse Grey stone-effect patchwork ceramic floor tiles, £19.80sq m, B&Q. Shinto deep jade towels, from £8; ribbed tumbler, £5; ribbed dispenser, £7; all Dunelm. Spiral wall mirror, £30, TK Maxx. Lillholmen wall light, £12, Ikea. Bevelled brick white gloss tiles, £9.95sq m, Walls and Floors. Walls painted in Urban Obsession bathroom matt emulsion, £27.99 for 2.5L, Dulux.…

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BAGSY THAT Sort the small stuff with pretty fabric bags for youngsters’ sports kit, £19.50 for two, Oliver Bonas Buy now with Ownable HANDY HOOKS Brilliant in a bedroom, the Estique organiser can hang on a wall or hook over a door, £20, Red Candy Buy now with Ownable FURRY FRIENDS Put up these cute hooks within grabbing distance for little ones. Animal hooks, £15, M&Co Buy now with Ownable KITCHEN CHIC Stash sink-side scourers, sponges and bottles in this smart grey washing-up caddy, £20, Laura Ashley Buy now with Ownable PRETTY IN PINK Bring order to bedrooms and bathrooms with a couple of these woven rope laundry bags, £4.50, Primark Buy now with Ownable BOXED IN Squirrel away office odds and ends into these colourful cardboard boxes, £7 for…

REPAIR CHIPPED SINKS & BATHS Make waterproof repairs to chips in enamel, acrylic or fibreglass. Kitchen & Bathroom repair kit, £21.99, Ronseal Buy now with Ownable FIX FLAPPING WALLPAPER Ready-mixed glue to stick down lifted or torn wallpaper edges. Solvite Wallpaper repair adhesive, £4.58, Amazon Buy now with Ownable FOR TILING TROUBLES Use this adhesive to secure a wobbly wall tile, as well as grout to repair the joints. Polycell Fix & Grout, £4, ManoMano Buy now with Ownable…

However big your kitchen, one thing's virtually guaranteed: there will be an oven. To help you find one that suits your budget and the needs of your family we’ve tracked down the finest selection of different models available. Double or single? Single ovens are great if space is tight as they typically slot under-counter or at eye level. Remember you won't be able to cook and use the grill at the same time. Double ovens are good for families, with one large fan oven and a smaller oven with grill. Second ovens tend to be small, so check your cookware will fit before buying. Conventional or fan cooking? Conventional ovens tend to be found on basic models and have top and bottom heating elements. The top of the oven is…

Great things come in small(er) packages Set on turkey for Christmas lunch but don’t want to have to eat leftovers for weeks? Asda’s beautifully compact turkey parcel is filled with a spiced apricot, date and pork stuffing, wrapped in succulent turkey breast and bacon and finished with a glitter-packed sticky clementine glaze for a fab festive touch. What’s more, it serves eight, so there’s plenty to go round on the big day, leaving little waste. FOR A SUPER SWEET FESTIVE FIX,TRY KELLY’S OF CORNWALL’S STICKY GINGERBREAD ICE CREAM,£3.95 FOR 950ML, MORRISONS Pimp your parsnips Ross & Ross’s new range of Christmas dinner flavour boosters include three ‘dusts’, a rub, and flavoured oil to transform your festive feast. Packed with garlic, smoked paprika, ginger and celery salt, the umamirich flavours are…

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