Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2019 i Style At Home

I’m so excited for summer this year because I’ve finally got the outdoor sofa I’ve always wanted, which means I’m all fired up to get the patio set up like an open-air living room. I’m upcycling some side tables I found in the loft (lots of things didn’t make the cut when I bought a house with my parents and we merged our stuff…), I’ve rolled out a rug (it’s woven plastic, in case of a rosé spillage!), and dug out the rain-resistant cushions I bagged in last year’s summer sale at West Elm. There’s so much gorgeous garden furniture and homeware out this year, you really can create a space as stylish as your indoor living room. This issue is heaving with ideas and good-value finds, so enjoy getting…

SPACE SAVIOURS You won’t need a loft-sized apartment for the new industrial Nomad range at Argos. The display cabinet will work in just about any room, £229.99, with shelves reserved for your best bits and cupboards to hide any mess. Plus, the nifty dining table, £249.99, can be squeezed into small spaces as the chairs slide right underneath the table. Wedding decs for a pound?! With the national average bill for the big day reaching an eye-watering £17k, according to wedding app Bridebook, Poundland’s new nuptials range will help keep costs down. Simple but chic, the white and gold table numbers, favour boxes, pom-poms and more, should meet the standards of even the most demanding bridezilla! IT COULD BE DESIGNER! This glam little number would make a dainty bedside table…

SHINE BRIGHT Alexa pendant, £49.99, Ideal Home range at Very LAYER ON LUSTRE Wine glasses, £29.99 for four, Ideal Home range at Very AIR OF ELEGANCE Lily mirror, £119.99, Ideal Home range at Very FINE FRINGING Verona cushion, £14.99, Ideal Home range at Very TRUE GEM Fleur lamp, £59.99, Ideal Home range at Very SMART ANGLES Faceted vase, £17.99, Ideal Home range at Very GO FOR GLOSS Bilbao lamp table, £119, Ideal Home range at Very…

1 Gather the items you’d like to display: a selection of prints, photographs, mirrors or clocks. Mix up sizes and shapes to add interest. 2 Lay out your arrangement on the floor or on a table. The final shape could be grid-like or random, just keep an equal space between each piece to create an even finish. 3 Use different ways to hang your artwork – vary frame styles, use hooks and chains, or rest against ledges. Try this style graduated up a staircase or arranged in a cluster at the top or base of the stairs.…

Having already moved once from our family home into a smaller property in the centre of town, we decided we’d like to downsize again,’ says Phyl. ‘The plan was to pay off our mortgage so that I could give up work and go to university to study fine art, just because I’d always wanted to. Plus, we wanted to release some capital to help our daughters purchase their own homes. As I unluckily fall into the age group of women who have had their pensions delayed, this also helped to supplement our income and gave us some money towards doing up our new home. Living minutes from the sea, with Southsea seafront a short walk away, was a big bonus for us, so we were keen to stay in the…

Paint walls a light or soft white shade throughout to create a neutral backdrop for your furniture. Use an open-shelving unit, console or the back or side of an L-shaped sofa as a room divider, to help zone the different areas. Maintain a flow by keeping the same flooring throughout. Light colours will give the illusion of even more space. If you do want to introduce a different type of floor, the best place to switch styles is between the kitchen and dining area. Add mood lighting, such as table and floor lamps, or hang low pendant lights over a dining table to create a cosy atmosphere.…

When my husband Andrew and I first viewed this house back in 2012, it was dated, rundown and needed pretty much everything doing to it,’ says Kate, ‘but I fell in love with its period features, high ceilings and good light. And as renovation is my line of business, I wasn’t too worried about having to do all that work. We were keen to get cracking as soon as we moved in, so we drew up plans, chose a builder from a shortlist of three local companies and started work just before Christmas. Big plans The kitchen was at the back of the house in an extension that was like a shed. It had no foundations and a narrow scullery leading off from it. Our plan was to create a…

1 Cover the floor, protect the skirting and unscrew sockets. 2 Determine the height of your line, ideally making it above or below the key furniture pieces. 3 Mark and measure the desired height with a pencil, and then measure up and mark at regular points across the wall. Join the marks using a spirit level to ensure a straight line. Mark the line with low tack decorators tape. 4 For a balanced finish, use a darker shade for the lower half of the wall. Start painting below the tape with either a brush or mini roller, followed by a larger roller for the remainder of the lower wall. 5 Try a gloss or vinyl silk for added impact and a contrasting finish to matt emulsion. These can also work…

the STYLE RULES Introduce a light and bright forest feel Step into a space full of structured fern prints, teamed with timeless off-white furnishings and classic shapes. EMBRACE IMPERFECTIONS Choose wallpaper with a simple leaf repeat on an off-white background. A painterly print creates an organic feel. KEEP IT LIGHT AND BRIGHT Pick classic furniture pieces in chalky white. Instead of colour, let features like turned legs and carved details add interest. CHOOSE NATURAL MOTIFS Accessorise with textiles that echo the wallpaper – think fern prints and leafy-hued linens. the STYLE RULES Combine ornate pattern with luxe tactile fabrics Embrace heritage prints like those from Morris & Co, inspired by botanical elements, and pair with furniture and accessories in bright jewel shades. GO DARK ON WALLS…

ABOUT ME I’m Hayley Thomas, 44, and I live with my husband Mark, 45, and our two daughters, Daisy, eight, and four-year-old Betty, in a Thirties three-bedroom detached house in Warrington. MY CHALLENGE Extending and reconfiguring the old-fashioned, dingy galley kitchen to create a bright, inviting family room with doors leading out to the garden and space for a large dining table. MY WISH LIST I really wanted an island where friends and family could congregate because I knew we would spend most of our time in here. I also wanted to incorporate a brick wall into the design.…

Vinyl flooring is hard wearing, durable and easy to lay. It is also much softer and warmer underfoot compared to stone tiles. Plus, it’s more forgiving and a breeze to keep clean. A recent surge in popularity is bringing more modern, trend-led designs to the market. What is it made from? The core material is a man-made synthetic called polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC). Vinyl flooring once contained harmful volatile ingredients that, understandably, put homeowners off but now it’s completely safe and can even be recycled. Should I choose tiles or sheet vinyl? Sheet vinyl, aka rolled vinyl, comes in one piece that’s cut to the size of the room. It’s typically the cheaper option, although the new breed of custom-printed sheet vinyl (try Zazous or Atrafloor) is costlier but worth…

ABOUT ME I’m Emma Paterson, 29, and I live with my husband Mark, 35, in a Thirties four-bedroom semi-detached house in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. We moved here in March 2016. MY CHALLENGE I wanted to give the bathroom the same thought and style that we had given the other rooms in the house, while also making sure it was a functional space. It was about getting the balance right with a limited budget! MY WISH LIST The room had a great bath but no shower, so that was on the top of our list. It’s a big room so we knew we had the space for it. I also wanted try dramatic, dark colours in at least one room in the house.…

Panelling is a simple way to bring architectural shape to featureless rooms, while protecting walls from the general wear and tear of family life. Available in a wide range of mouldings, from subtle tongue and groove to grand period designs, there’s a panelling style to suit every bathroom. What are the benefits of panelling? Besides looking fabulous, panelling is a quick-fix solution for uneven, patchy walls. As long as the plaster isn’t blown, and you’ve dealt with any damp, panelling can be popped right over existing walls for an instant neat finish. In the bathroom it makes a warmer alternative to tiles. Does it have to be made from MDF? Wood is the traditional material used for wall panels but if you’re going for a more modern painted finish, MDF…

TAKE THE WREATH DOWN AND GIVE IT A SOAKING EVERY FEW DAYS OR DAILY IN HOT WEATHER This seasonal wreath is deceptively easy to make and creates a pretty feature for a party. Welcome guests with the heady scent of fresh herbs and flowers. YOU WILL NEED Sheet moss Wire wreath base, Dia40cm Potting mix Fine copper wire Selection of lobularia and thyme plants Hook, for hanging Galvanized wire, 1mm diameter 1 COVER THE WREATH WITH MOSS Soak the root balls of all the plants in water for 10min. Lay pieces of moss on a table in a circular shape, with the green mossy side facing down. Place the wreath base on top of the moss and add more moss to cover both sides of the base. 2 ADD THE…

ELDERFLOWER DRIZZLE CAKE TAKES 45MIN, PLUS COOLING SERVES 12 225g butter, softened 225g caster sugar 4 eggs, lightly beaten 2tbsp milk 225g self-raising flour FOR THE FILLING 300ml double cream 3tbsp elderflower cordial 2tbsp icing sugar 4tbsp gooseberry jam FOR THE TOPPING 225g icing sugar, sifted 6tbsp elderflower cordial Edible flowers 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/ Gas 4. Line and grease 3x20cm cake tins. Cream the butter and sugar together until soft, add the eggs and milk, then fold in the flour. 2 Divide the mixture between the tins. Bake for 20min, or until risen and springy to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 5min, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool. 3 To make the filling, whip the cream with the cordial and…

From ditsy markings on handmade ceramics to classic polka dots on upholstery and abstract blots on wallpapers, anything goes when it comes to adding a cheeky spot or two. Not just for children’s rooms, dots and spots can look sophisticated when formally arranged in a monochrome and metallic palette, or whimsical when displayed in random formations. You just need to find the perfect spot for your favourite dot!…

When Mark and I began discussing our next move, I didn’t have a particular type of house in mind as I like a mixture of different looks,’ says Lisa. ‘We’d renovated our current home and were ready to take on another project, so I was open to any possibilities. The handy location and potential of this house sold it to us, as it was a real “doer-upper”. Sadly, all the original period features had been ripped out, and it was in quite a poor state inside, but that didn’t put us off. It was mostly cosmetic changes, with no major, expensive structural work to do, and we knew we could rise to the challenge and turn it into something special. We were determined to do as much ourselves as we…

1 Source faux sheepskin from a haberdasher’s; you will also need a wooden stool and a staple gun. Alternatively, you could cut up an old faux sheepskin rug, and use a glue gun to attach the fabric to the base of a plastic stool. 2 Use wadding or toy filling and place on top of the stool, and staple it down to keep it in place. 3 Lay the fabric over the stool to roughly cut it to the size needed, ensuring it overlaps. 4 Turn the stool upside down and place in the middle of the underside of the fabric. 5 Pulling the fabric taut, use the staple gun to attach to the underside of the stool.…

ABOUT ME I’m Phyl Payne, 64, a retired lecturer, and I live here with my husband Paul, 68, a retired engineer. We have two grown-up daughters and three grandchildren. OUR HOME A one-bedroom ground-floor flat in an Eighties block on a private estate in Portsmouth, which we bought in August 2016. WHEN WE MOVED IN There was nothing structural to be done – the windows had been replaced and the main room was open plan, which is what we wanted. However, the kitchen and bathroom hadn’t been updated since it was built and the whole flat felt dark and gloomy. AND NOW We have done all the work ourselves on a tight budget, installing a kitchen and bathroom, and decorating throughout, to create a light, bright space. STYLE TIP Invest…

H&M HOME Full of sumptuous soft furnishings, crockery and lighting, this is a great place to visit for on-trend inspiration. IKEA Who doesn’t love this store for all those useful bits and bobs? NEXT HOME With a great selection to choose from and next-day delivery, shopping online is so convenient. The seasonal themes are good for updating your home from one year to the next. HOMESENSE Pick up all your home essentials in one go-to store, especially bath products, towels, bedlinen, throws, cushions, crockery and glasses. EBAY The couple’s vintage French chandelier was bought from eBay at a bargain price because it was in pieces. Phyl spent some time cleaning and restringing it, and now it looks totally fabulous!…

ABOUT ME I’m Kate Whitfield and I own interior design company An Artful Life (anartfullife.co.uk). I live here with my husband Andrew, who works for the Ministry of Defence, and our eight-year-old twin sons Archie and Stanley. MY HOME A three-bedroom Victorian terraced house in north Essex that we bought in 2012. WHEN WE BOUGHT IT The house was in a dire state and required a total overhaul. Plus the old kitchen extension needed replacing. AND NOW We have a large, light-filled kitchen-diner opening out onto a lovely courtyard garden. And the house has been decorated throughout in a quirky, modern style that we all love. STYLE TIP Lighting is so important. It should be a feature in itself rather than just for illumination.…

TOM DIXON Good quality, beautiful furniture. I usually have to wait for the sales before I can buy anything though. HOUSE DOCTOR Clean, contemporary, Scandinavian style at affordable prices. IKEA You just can’t beat them on style or price for basic storage and the occasional larger pieces of furniture, plus accessories. TOM PIGEON I buy a lot of prints from here. I like them because they are so graphic, full of shapes and plenty of bold colours. FERM LIVING A wide offering with a nice colour palette and at various price points. RETROUVIUS Great for reclamation pieces and a good source of inspiration for unique and interesting ideas.…

1 Bold impact Add vibrant colour to your outdoor space with seating that packs a punch. Bright pink looks effective as it really contrasts with green grass and shrubbery. Pick a new set in this hot shade or update an old one with spray paint. 2 Build it yourself Create your own outdoor seating by recycling fence panels. Build a wooden frame, then box out the seating with cut-down fence panels or slim planks of wood. Give it all a coat of colourful paint and top with cushions. 3 DECORATIVE PLANTERS Pretty up a windowsill by planting blooms in wooden seed boxes. Make drainage holes in the bottom first, line with gravel then add some soil. 4 Space savers Raised beds are easy to tend and can be made bespoke…

Start with your key shade, such as the main wall colour or kitchen units, as this will help determine which colours to pair with it. Use the colour wheel. Shades that sit diagonally on the wheel combine well for a bold contrast, colours that sit next to each other still have impact but work as a more subtle, softer combination. Saturated, vivid shades make a stronger impact alongside white backgrounds, making the room feel airier and allowing colours to pop. As a general rule, three key colours are an ideal mix but you can bring in softer shades of one of your chosen colours for variety. Rethink where to use colour: cushions, wallpaper and window dressings are an obvious choice, but you can introduce colour with furniture, lighting and upholstery.…

Bring a burst of sunshine to your breakfast bar. Los bar stool, ochre, £39, Dunelm Cheat the look of a rustic brick wall with an inexpensive wallpaper. Farm brick, £16.99 a roll, Wallpaper Direct Bring some tropical greenery indoors. Faux plant in pot, £8, George Home Great for serving up nibbles, cakes or using as a chopping board. Natural acacia wooden board, £20, Creative Tops Reflect light into your kitchen space by hanging a mirror. Gold sunburst mirror, £60.95, Melody Maison Keep sweet treats hidden away. Orla Kiely linear stem enamel storage tin, £28, Andshine For a striking display above a breakfast bar, hang three of these chrome pendant lights. £59 each, Made.com Use to display flowers, or to keep coffee pods or washing tablets inside. Green glass globe vase,…

1 To upcycle a cast-iron or acrylic bath, start by removing any rust or flaked enamel and thoroughly clean the surface. 2 Prepare the area by covering the floor. If you have an acrylic bath, remove the feet or tape them up to protect them and turn upside down to make it easier to paint. 3 Rub the surface of the bath with a fine sandpaper and wipe to remove any dust. 4 Apply a primer such as Zinsser B-I-N white primer sealer, using at least three coats and lightly sanding between each one. 5 For a matt finish, an eggshell paint is a durable option. Apply with a quality paintbrush or small foam roller. Apply two to three coats, lightly sanding between each one.…

Contrast block colour with a standout pattern, Geo Indigo towel, from £5, Dunelm Pair amber accessories with blue, Calm hand wash and hand lotion, £5 each, Marks & Spencer Keep to a simple style with a round mirror, £79.99, Zara Home Brighten up a room with a glass shade, Opal Grey ceiling pendant lamp, £119, Hurn & Hurn An easy way to introduce a hit of vibrant colour, Red Orange indoor plant pot, £9.87, Homebase Add plants and natural textures to your bathroom with a macramé tassel plant pot, £20, Asos Create a striking shower feature with Deep Metro Dark Blue tile, £30sq m, Tile Giant Bring in character with a quirky print, Warm Welcome, 30x45cm, £14.95, Juniqe Go for timeless finishing details, Holborn lever basin mixer tap, £155, Frontline…

Ready, steady, sort! AUDIT YOUR FREEZER Clear it out, binning anything unlabelled or unrecognisable and make an inventory of the contents. SORT THROUGH THE KIDS’ TOYS Ask them to tidy their stuff, donating at least three unused toys to charity. ORGANISE ‘THAT’ DRAWER You know the drawer where you keep spare batteries, fuses, light bulbs, etc..? Clear the lot out, buy a box to store it, label, and put in the shed or garage. KEEP IT FRESH Store your fruit in this stylish wire bowl so it lasts longer. Wire bowl with wooden base, £5, Primark BOX CLEVER Squeeze this natty unit under the eaves or beneath a staircase. Step Cube storage unit, £44.99, Studio.co.uk BOOKUP Get the kids to store their favourite books on this neat display shelf. Made…

Make your decor sparkle Add some razzle-dazzle to your decor with the help of Rust-Oleum’s new interior glitter paint range. Depending on whether you’re looking for a tamed twinkle or striking statement, you can glam up everything from walls to furniture with Glitter Subtle, Medium or Ultra Shimmer in silver, gold and rose. Subtle Shimmer is a clever glitter additive – just mix into any emulsion for a hint of sparkle, while the handy Ultra Shimmer aerosols are perfect for smaller projects. Refresh garden walls Smarten up weathered garden walls in time for summer with Bradstone’s easy-to-install natural stone walling slips. Simply add Bradbond walling adhesive to stick the Z-shaped panels to any structurally sound brick or concrete backing wall. Perfect for giving your outdoor space an instant refresh, there…

Pimp your burger! As part of its new summer ranges, Asda has launched a genius new burger that has us thinking ‘why did we never think of this before?!’ Called the Donut Burger, it’s pretty much everything you want a quality beef, pre-prepared whack-on-the-barbecue-burger to be, except the addition (or omission?) of the hole in the middle allows you to be a bit creative with your fillings. Try it with an egg, chopped jalapeños, a dollop of crushed avocado… the choice is yours… Try a new quick-cook Itsu kit JOSEPH JOSEPH’S DOORSTORE RANGE (FROM £25), FEATURES A SET OF KNIVES, CHOPPING BOARDS AND UTENSILS WHICH COME WITH RACKS THAT YOU HANG ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR CUPBOARD DOOR The Asian-inspired takeaway restaurant has already launched a number of supermarket home-cook…

A  Abigail Warner abigailwarner.com Al-Murad 0113 322 8075 al-murad.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amtico 0121 745 0800 amtico.com Andshine 01736 366568 andshine.co.uk AO.com 0344 324 9222 Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Asos asos.com Atrafloor 0151 305 7376 atrafloor.com Avenue Floors avenuefloors.co.uk B  B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Bay and Box 07484 662126 bayandbox.com Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Best4Flooring 0800 170 7123 best4flooring.co.uk Bloc Blinds 0800 107 5535 blocblinds.co.uk Bosch 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk Brick Slips 0844 567 8811 brickslips.co.uk Bushboard 01933 232272 bushboard.co.uk C  Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Cath Kidston 03333 202663 cathkidston.com Chase and Wonder 01886 853819 shop.chaseandwonder.com Cico Books 020 7025 2200 rylandpeters.com Clarke & Clarke 01706 242010 clarke-clarke.com Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk Creative Tops 01536…

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MORRISONS Soft glamour Create a restful space with watercolour prints and pretty florals in powdery hues PRIMARK Global fusion Be inspired by Eastern patterns and prints in fresh, natural colourways DUNELM Calm coastal Combine soft neutrals and waterside motifs for a serene scheme HABITAT Modern colour Make a design statement using abstract patterns and lively colours…

1. Bring in a little gloss Shiny finishes enliven gentle colour schemes and a smart gloss piece of furniture will add a contrasting effect. Choose a mink shade for a sophisticated take on standard white. 2. Layer up cushions Be generous with cushions to dial up the feeling of luxury. Stack them neatly for a chic hotel-style look, and stick to plain colours in luxe velvet for classic, understated elegance. 3. Pare back the palette Combine soft layers of mid-greys and chalky pastels with a white vase. Choose ceramics with a bit of texture or some raised pattern to create extra interest. 4. Welcome back chrome We’re used to seeing brass and copper as the metallics of choice, but silver accents in lighting and furniture are edging their way back…

ABOUT ME I’m Lisa Marvin, 46, a self-employed bid writer (@blue_ piccadilly). I live with my husband Mark, 47, a property developer, and our border terrier Dexter. MY HOME A three-bedroom Thirties semi in Exeter, Devon. We moved here in 2004. WHEN WE MOVED IN The house needed complete refurbishment. The kitchen was tiny and the bathroom suite looked like it had been there since the Thirties! AND NOW We’ve modernised right through, putting in a new bathroom and kitchen. I change things often, but there’s always plenty of colour. STYLE TIP Test before you invest! A colour can change in different light, so hang samples painted on lining paper around the room.…

Introduce colour in pastel tints and warm neutrals rather than strong colours for a gentler contrast against a white backdrop. Texture is key: layer on textiles such as fluffy Mongolian cushions, chunky knit throws or sheepskin rugs to add a warm, cosy depth. Add vintage or rattan furniture, textured wicker, warm wood grain pieces or chalk-painted finishes for standout appeal. Break up expanses of white wall with artwork or mirrors. Brass or chrome frames add a glam touch, black frames make prints pop and pale wood gives a Scandi feel.…

The absence of too many competing colours has meant that Phyl’s open-plan home feels bright and airy, but still has plenty of character. Walls painted white make the space seem larger and touches of copper help to warm up the scheme. A variety of textiles and accessories add texture, while wall art adds personality to the space and mirrors are used to reflect light throughout her home.…

1 Vacuum the floor and check the blocks are firmly fixed. Replace damaged blocks with new matching wood. If laid on a concrete floor, you may want to fill any gaps that have occurred with movement. 2 Seal any doors to stop dust escaping and wear a dust mask plus eye and ear protection. 3 Using a professional drum belt sander (follow safety instructions), start with a 40 grit paper or lower and sand at a 45-degree angle to the grain, straight down or across. Finally, use an edging sander to go over the edges of the room, and then a corner sander for any hard-to-reach nooks. 4 Vacuum the floor, then repeat step three once or twice with a finer grit sandpaper and manually smooth any rough spots with…

Shaker kitchen in Midnight Blue, including Aspen Ice Quartz worktop, sink, tap, appliances and extractor, from £6,260, Wren Kitchens. Olde Bayswater Blend brick slips, £44.98sq m, Brick Slips. Herringbone vinyl flooring, for similar try Signature Select parquet luxury vinyl flooring in Barn Oak SSP-003, £24.95sq m, Flooring UK Ltd. Ochre Los bar stools, £39 each, Dunelm. White Finn dining chairs, £55 each, Danetti. Conny arched nickel matt floor lamp, £113.99; Excel handwoven natural rug, from £75.99, both Wayfair. Emerald green Sunburst wallpaper, £81 a roll, Wallpaper Direct. Trika chrome ceiling lamps, £120 each, Swagger Incorporated. Ink Blue Rust-Oleum chalky furniture paint, £12 for 750ml, Homebase. Blue velvet armchair, for similar try the Rockford soft velvet swivel chair in navy, £375, Crushed Velvet Furniture. Metropolitan Thomas Kent Campbell clock, £95, Red…

Melbourne vanity sink unit, £329.99; Georgia traditional toilet, from £119, both Soak. Bertie floor tiles, £26.47sq m, Al-Murad Tiles. Classic hinged shower screen, £359, Crosswater. Manor House shower tiles, £19.95sq m, Walls and Floors. Cooke & Lewis Brean chrome plated bath mixer tap, £75; Brean 2 lever monobloc basin mixer tap, £57; Acova radiator, £210, all B&Q. Home mirror, £25, Argos. Sunbathe print, £295, by Steven Quinn, Curious Duke Gallery. Panelling, £160, Leigh Timber Yard. For a similar paint colour, try Hague Blue estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.…

TAKES 1HR, PLUS CHILLING SERVES 8 300g shortcrust pastry 500g mascarpone 75ml double cream 2tsp vanilla extract 750g strawberries, hulled and quartered Small mint leaves, to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Use the pastry to line a 20cm greased, loose-based flan tin, leaving an overhang. Chill in the fridge for 15min, line with foil and baking beans, then bake blind for 20min. Remove the foil and beans, then bake for a further 5-10min until lightly browned. Trim the edges and leave to cool. 2 Mix together the mascarpone, cream and vanilla. Spoon into the case and spread evenly. 3 Arrange the strawberries on top and sprinkle over the mint leaves. Serve immediately.…

Easy as ABC! We tend to take the beauty of letters for granted as they are everywhere we look; however, in her new book, Letter Crafts (12.99, Cico Books), Clare Youngs celebrates their diversity by showing how to use different typefaces to create stylish home decorations. There are 35 makes to try, with step-by-step instructions and techniques including paper craft, printing, fabric and mixed media. Initials are ideal for personalised pieces – these neat cutout notebooks make fabulous gifts. THE BIG SHOW Head to Birmingham's NEC from 28-30 June for the ultimate crafting event. The Creative Craft Show is a buzzing hub for knitting, stitching, paper crafting, jewellery, dressmaking and more, offering a one-stop shop for the latest tools and supplies. There will be plenty of industry experts on hand…

Move over tofu, there's a new meat alternative in town! Jackfruit seems to be EVERYWHERE right now. It's not particularly high in protein but the texture when cooked is just like meat. Waitrose & Partners has introduced several dishes with this new ingredient but our fave by far is this biryani. Lightly spiced rice with jackfruit, veg and fried onions in a tomato and mint sauce, It's the perfect meal for one and is ready to eat in less than four minutes. Vegetarian Jackfruit Biryani, £3.99, Waitrose & Partners…