Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2019 i Style At Home

This might be the September issue (technically autumn?), but we’re stretching out that summer-holiday vibe with plenty of outdoor-living inspo and project ideas! My own big summer-holiday project – revamping the shed – quickly came unstuck when we discovered it was falling apart – bowing walls, wonky roof, the works – due to being built on a too-small base and stacked to the rafters with heavy stuff. You live and learn! Clearing it out sparked a Marie Kondo/Mrs Hinch-inspired purge that spread to the utility, understairs cupboard and even the loft. Thank you HomeSense for your kick-ass storage department – the house has never been so organised and calm! We’re ready for whatever craziness the autumn brings… SEND US YOUR STYLING SNAPS ON INSTAGRAM #SAHSTYLISTS - WE LOVE TO SEE…

We didn’t need any convincing to buy this house,’ says Emily. ‘Initially, my partner Dean and I spotted it online, and set up a viewing straight away. That was all it took – we knew we loved it and that it was meant to be our home the second we saw it. However, on reflection, we were naive in underestimating just how much work it would needed to get it the way we wanted it. Looking back, I can say with certainty that renovating our cottage is an experience I’ll never forget! Updating the old The house hadn’t been touched in quite some time, so it needed a lot of love. We got the keys in January 2018 but we decided to spend some time doing it up before we…

COX & COX Muted homeware, all with a contemporary take on classic country interiors. The gorgeous rugs aren’t to be missed. OLIVER BONAS Cute and colourful accessories, plus a small range of statement furniture. Don’t miss the cool and kooky lighting. PERCH & PARROW Made-to-order furniture in the fabric of your choosing, plus a vast array of decorative items. THE FARTHING Online boutique that stocks furniture and homeware with a vintage, industrial and distressed vibe. THE LITTLE BOTANICAL Stocks a small, but wonderful, range of house plants which are delivered to your door in pretty pots.…

‘Having lived in rented flats for many years, buying our first house together was really exciting for my husband Russell and me,’ says Katie. ‘We’ve lived in central St Albans for many years, and we both love the array of shops, bars and restaurants on offer, so we were keen to stay in the same area if we could. We discovered this detached Victorian house, and fell in love with its spacious layout straight away. There were three bedrooms, a bathroom and an en suite, plus lots of “bolt-ons”, such as a kitchen and loft extension. We call the house the Tardis, as you really can’t tell how big it is from the outside. While the tired decor needed updating, it was a project that didn’t involve any major structural…

From navy, slate and black to forest green or rich purple, pick up plenty of testers to find the right shade for your space. Dark walls can add drama and height in a small room, and they can make a large room feel cosy. Paint a gallery wall dark to make artwork pop, particularly if the picture background is white. Add accent hues. Black and grey are versatile and work with most colours. Add metallics and woods for a sophisticated finish. White ceilings and woodwork create a sharp contrast but for an enveloping scheme, continue the dark shade over skirting, picture rails and coving.…

ABOUT ME I’m Anne Marie Stoltman (but everyone calls me Ania), 36, and I work as a fund administrator and blogger at verymeinteriors.uk. I live here with my partner, Robert, 49, an engineer, and our children, Zuzanna, who’s 12, and Kacper, who’s seven. OUR HOME We live in a three-bedroom Sixties ex-council terraced house in Nottingham. We moved here six years ago. WHEN WE MOVED IN It was in a liveable condition but the decor wasn’t to my taste. We repainted the whole house right away. AND NOW It’s creative and colourful, and makes us all happy. STYLE TIP Invest in good quality flooring and lighting from the start.…

Champion a feature wall behind a bed or sofa, as an easy way to add pattern without committing to doing up a whole room. Choose a hero colour for your patterned scheme – for example, if you go for blue, then choose patterns featuring navy, teal, cobalt and pastel blue. Introduce a pop of another colour. A good rule of thumb is to pick a shade that’s either opposite or directly next to your hero colour on the colour wheel. Work in some plains to give patterned pieces the chance to shine. Whether it’s a block colour accent wall, or pairing a patterned cushion with a plain throw, it will balance out busy wallpaper. If you have a large-scale print on the wall, go for a more sparse or smaller…

Create a garden feature by customising wooden bird boxes. Take a blank bird house (available from craft shops and garden centres) and paint different sections with Cuprinol Garden Shades to complement your outside decor.…

‘We’d been renting in London for eight years when my husband Lee and I decided to return to Leeds, where we’d met at university,’ says Margy. ‘After renting for a couple of years, we found a dilapidated Victorian terrace on the market. However, the tiny galley kitchen was so small, it needed a pocket door. Luckily I never had to use it, because we knocked through to the dining room straight away. Our first kitchen Having three doors off the space, plus a low window, limited our layout options, as there was something on every wall that restricted where we could put units. We knocked out an ugly stone fireplace and chose a large central island joined to the chimney breast, alcove shelves and a run of units on the…

1 Cut two 120cm and two 60cm lengths of timber. Sand smooth any rough edges. 2 Assemble the frame using strong wood glue. Make sure all edges are flush, and use a right angle and spirit level to ensure the frame is level and square. Clamp the corners until dry, then drill in a screw on each corner. 3 Use lengths of wood to create your shelf arrangement (using the pic above for reference). Mark their position on the frame edge, then screw each piece in place. 4 Drill four evenly spaced holes near the front edge of the vertical sides of the frame on both sides. Thread a bungee cord through the top left corner, out the other side. Continue by threading down and across until you reach the…

A handmade planter brightens a dull spot. Hanging lily pad macrame pot, £19.50, M&S Go for bold geometric prints in black and white. Nahira cushion, £18, Maisons du Monde Hang an oversized pendant above a kitchen island. Moxley ceiling shade, £35, Habitat Save cupboard space with rustic shelving. Ingrid shelf, from £61.99, Dowsing & Reynolds Pull up a seat at the breakfast bar. Tanner industrial metal swivel stool, £89, Cult Furniture Make fast work of washing up. Cooke & Lewis Kareena side lever pull out tap, £87, B&Q A stylish way to prepare a cuppa! Kone kettle in black, £80, Le Creuset Keep food fresh. House by John Lewis clip-top jars, from £3.50, John Lewis & Partners Simple lines combine with Scandi style. Essentials Mino dining table, £199, Made…

Plan a place to go to the loo if yours will be out of action. Often your old one can be kept working right up until the new one is fitted. However, if a new floor is being fitted or the waste is being relocated and you don’t have another one, it might be best to decamp to a friend’s house. Find another place to shower. If you’ve been thinking about joining a gym, now’s a great time, as you can use the showers there while your bathroom is out of use! Some offices also have showers and if you’re good friends with your neighbours, they may let you use their facilities for a short while. Minimise the inevitable mess. Cover stairs and hallway floors with old sheets to protect…

Create a zoned living area, using a pergola or sail canopy. Work with colour – paint adjoining walls and fences in a dark grey to create an inviting corner, or white paint for a fresh, Med feel in a sunny spot. Long metal planters or tall pot plants can create temporary walls to cosy up and screen the space. Opt for living room-style furniture – outdoor sofas and lounge chairs, garden side tables, coffee tables and shelving will all evoke the sense of a room. Accessorise the space as you would a living room. Bring in lanterns and tealight holders, ornaments and statement planters, an outdoor rug and cushions. Make it a place to relax in the evening with a fire pit or chiminea and hang atmospheric lighting such as…

DEEP PAN SALTED CARAMEL MOLTEN COOKIE TAKES 35MIN SERVES 6 90g butter, cut into cubes 175g golden caster sugar 1 egg, beaten 1tsp vanilla extract 150g plain flour, plus extra for dusting ¼tsp bicarbonate of soda 3tbsp salted caramel spread Vanilla ice cream, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Put the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, flour and bicarbonate of soda in a food processor. Pulse until mixed. 2 Divide dough in half. Roll out half on a 21cm disc of parchment to fit a greased 21cm cast-iron frying pan. Chill for 10min. 3 Microwave the salted caramel for 10sec and spread over the cookie base. 4 Roll out remaining dough on to another 21cm disc of parchment and place on top of the caramel. If you prefer,…

START PICKING WHEN RIPE AND ENJOY YOUR HARVEST THROUGH TO OCTOBER Bright, homegrown chilli peppers add a delicious (and fiery!) kick to cooking. Create a fun display by turning a kitchen colander into a hanging planter with inbuilt drainage! Or simply pick up a young chilli plant and start from step four. YOU WILL NEED Seed tray Seed & cutting compost Chilli seeds 9cm pots Propagator Plant labels Multi-purpose compost Colander Metal chains S hook 1 PLANT YOUR SEEDS Fill the seed tray with seed & cutting compost, firming the surface lightly. Scatter a few chilli seeds on top, then dust over a light covering of compost or vermiculite and stand the tray in water for a few minutes to dampen the compost. 2 KEEP THEM WARM Label the plants…

STEAK WITH CHILLI TOMATO SALSA & DUKKAH TAKES 30MIN SERVES 4 2 large sirloin or rump steaks Little olive oil FOR THE DUKKAH 85g sesame seeds 50g coriander seeds 25g cumin seeds 100g skinned hazelnuts FOR THE SALSA 4 spring onions, finely chopped 2 ripe large tomatoes, deseeded and finely chopped 1 handful fresh coriander, finely chopped 4tbsp mint leaves, finely chopped 1 large green chilli, deseeded and minced 1 garlic clove, crushed Juice of 1 lemon 1 First, make the dukkah (an Egyptian nutty spice mix). Toast the sesame seeds, then set aside. Now toast the coriander and cumin seeds and add to the sesame seeds. Toast the hazelnuts and finely chop. Grind the seeds together in a pestle and mortar, then stir in the nuts and some salt…

A Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Andshine 01736 366568 andshine.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168 anniesloan.com Another Studio another-studio.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Beautify beautify.co.uk Birkwood 01796 482506 birkwoodscotland.com Bohemia Design 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk C Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk Cuckooland 01305 231231 cuckooland.com Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com Cuprinol 0333 222 7171 cuprinol.co.uk Curiosity Allotment instagram.com /curiosityallotment D Daisy Park 01769 579077 daisypark.co.uk Debenhams 0344 800 8877 debenhams.com Design Vintage 01243 573852 designvintage.co.uk Discount Flooring Depot 0161 641 9996 discountflooringdepot.co.uk Dobbies Garden Centres 0131 561 6406 dobbies.com Dowsing & Reynolds 0113 8199985 dowsingandreynolds.com Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com E eBay ebay.co.uk…

Bring a floral fiesta vibe to alfresco dining with Talking Tables' range of paper partyware. Ideal for the last of those summer barbecues with friends, they'll make the clear-up a doddle. Lay an outdoor rug under the table to catch any stray sausages or falling falafels. 3 of the best… PAPER PICNIC PLATES…

ABOUT ME I’m Emily Young, 28, and I work in admin. I live here with my partner, Dean, 31. MY HOME We live in a two-bedroom cottage in Suffolk. We got the keys in January 2018, and moved in two months later. WHEN I MOVED IN It was outdated, unloved and just a shell, with no personality whatsoever. It needed a total refresh. AND NOW It’s homely, and full of life. It blends classic country elements with modern decor. STYLE TIP Don’t run with the first idea you have. It may well be the best one, but give yourself time to think it over. Collect samples, create mood boards and be certain before you commit.…

ABOUT ME I’m Katie Seidler, a fashion buyer. I live here with my husband Russell, a bid manager. MY HOME A three-bedroom Victorian detached house in St Albans. We moved here in 2017. WHEN WE MOVED IN The house was in good order, with no major renovation work necessary, but the decor was dreary and not to our taste at all. AND NOW We laid down pale oak flooring from top to bottom, refurbished the kitchen and painted throughout. Giving the house a mono colour scheme and bringing in lots of cosy textures and Scandi accessories has given it personality. STYLE TIP Look at how you can best utilise your space and then create well-defined areas that make daily life easier.…

1 Use a thick plywood sheet – around 18mm – for the base. Cut it to your required size, and sand any rough edges or corners. 2 Measure out the holes, evenly spaced, using a ruler and pencil. 3 Using a spade bit attachment, drill the holes, ensuring the diameter matches up with the size of the dowels you’ll use as hooks or shelf brackets. Sand to smooth the edges and prevent splitting. 4 Cut dowels with a hand saw, leaving enough length to fit into the back of the holes. Smooth off any rough ends with sandpaper. 5 Work out how many shelves you want, ensuring the depth is only 1-2cm longer than the dowel length, and cut to fit.…

STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ ‘Ania’s modern touches, such as her black feature walls, bring her vintage furniture bang up to date.’ EXECUTIVE EDITOR Heather Young ‘Ania has mixed it up in the kitchen, using a fun combo of vibrant blue and soft grey to paint the units, creating an eclectic feel’ HOUSES EDITOR Ruth Corbett ‘Yellow sits opposite blue on the colour wheel, so it’s a great accent here with lots of impact’ SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Stephanie Durrant ‘White walls and floors keep the bedrooms nice and bright’ FEATURES EDITOR Holly Walsh…

SOSTRENE GRENE Sleek, Danish designs at surprisingly affordable price points. Think decorative pieces, dinnerware and DIY supplies, plus some furniture. IRUGS UK Your go-to for fab rugs of all descriptions and prices from vintage and Moroccan-inspired, to modern and outdoor. LUSH ECLECTIC Vibrant and empowering portraits created by artist Marta Hutt. EBAY One of the nation’s favourite haunts for second-hand homeware, eBay is ideal for snagging low-cost furniture and project pieces. ANNIE SLOAN DIY and decorating supplies for those keen to get hands-on with their homes. Annie Sloan’s chalk paint is considered by many a seasoned upcycler to be one of the best on the market.…

Family ZONES Bring everyone together in a multifunctional space the STYLE RULES Create zones in an open-plan room Maximise space and break down boundaries by making one large space work hard, rather than having lots of little rooms. THINK ABOUT SHAPES A corner sofa works well in an L-shaped room as it mirrors the shape, as well as creating extra seating and space to lounge. LET THE LIGHT IN Position a long dining table with mismatched chairs in front of a wall of glass or bifold doors to make the most of natural light. ADD A DARK WALL Painting just one wall in a dark, moody shade will help define the space. Try it behind the sofa. Different LEVELS Get creative with ceiling and floor heights…

ABOUT ME I’m Margy Forshaw, 39, an interior designer at Ikea, and I live with my partner Leigh Harrison, 39, a graphics artist, and children Bella, seven, and Robyn, four, in a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Leeds. We moved here in 2013 and we’ve re-done the kitchen twice. MY CHALLENGE Re-designing the disjointed layout to improve flow and to make use of the alcoves, with an emphasis on clean lines and simple, functional design. MY WISH LIST I wanted lots of worktop space, more storage and a new hob in the chimney breast so we could do away with an obtrusive extractor that dominated the space.…

Less expensive than solid wood, but offering similar warmth, texture and natural charm, plywood is making waves in the kitchen this year. It can also be made from responsibly sourced, sustainable timbers (ask your supplier) so you can invest with a clear conscience. What is plywood? Made by gluing thin layers of wood together, modern plywood is light, yet surprisingly strong. This is because the layers are laid with the grain cross-laminated (running at right angles to each other), providing strength and restricting movement. The thicker the ply, the more rigid it will be – three-ply or five-ply is typically used for kitchen cabinetry. Is it expensive? There are various grades of plywood, but birch is most common in kitchens as it is good quality, yet attractively priced. Compared with…

After the kitchen, the bathroom is probably the most important room in the home in terms of resale value. As we want more from our down time, the status of the bathroom has been raised – no longer driven by purely practical needs, many of us are renovating ours with relaxation and pampering in mind. As well as simple renovations, extra bathrooms and en suites are also proving very popular. Whatever your reason, installing a new bathroom is a serious undertaking and can often be deceptively tricky, requiring quite an array of fittings and skill, often in a very compact space. Careful planning from the start will prevent costly mistakes down the line. Shower room Don’t have space for a bath? A wet room or shower is a modern, luxe…

My husband Brett and I chose this house partly because we loved the garden,’ says Nicole. ‘It was amazing to find such a brilliant space in an urban area like this. The big patio and lawn were ideal for our three children, but I wasn’t sure how to handle the huge, disused wooden fish tank on the patio, and the large, paved circle in the grass. After prioritising other changes inside the house, I needed to come up with easy, low-cost fixes for the garden. Starting point I always try to see potential and re-use whatever I can, but I kept looking at the fish tank, wondering what on earth to do with it. It was stained brown, with rough wood on the inside walls, a sand floor and beams…

Walls and fence in Garden Colour Dark Smoke and Buttermilk exterior paints, £14 for 2.5L, both Wilko. Soft play sand, £3 for 15kg; Westland bed and border chipped bark, £6 for 70L, both Homebase. Polished white Chinese decorative pebbles, £15 for 5kg, B&Q, Brown cubic chairs garden furniture, £200; White patio set, £239, both eBay, Bamboo slat fence panels, 400x100cm, £14.99, Thompson & Morgan. Paddling pool, £70, Argos. Feiren outdoor swing chair, £69.99. Amazon, Karo outdoor rug, £45, Modern Rugs…

GRAB AND GO Drape your favourite scarves and belts on this stylishly simple stand. Tankvard clothes stand, £45, Ikea FILE IN STYLE Introduce some order to your kid’s desk. Pretty Dashing A5 peach storage box, £6.50, Paperchase STORE AND ORDER Built to last with plenty of storage space. Tyburn bamboo and white lacquer compact desk, £175, Habitat NEAT AND TIDY This handy cubby will help keep your hallway clear of clutter. Umbra Estique organiser, £15, Utility Design TWO TONE Use it to sort your washing, the kids’ toys or anything else! Laundry bag, £5, Primark EGG CADDY Free up much-needed space in your fridge by storing your eggs on the countertop. Basket, £15, Garden Trading LEAVE IT OUT This box has oodles of space to store folding chairs, cushions and…

We’re fans of a dark feature wall with yellow accents like @sarah_lee_home’s A hanging seat is top of our wish list after seeing @housenumber10’s Nice little coat hook upcycle from @theglobehq to create utility storage A well-organised hallway pleases us no end @hallie_and_harrisons_house @home.of.four showcases blue at its best in a boho bedroom This is a clever way to squeeze in a dressing table @meet_the_fosters_ @louloux.x.x’s living room manages to be fresh, bright and cosy all at the same time The shelves. The green plants. The calm vibe. Top marks @boom_blab Built-in alcove cupboards in @amblerhill’s living room with a log store. Perfection…

1. Pick warm wood accents A classic country-style chest or bedside table in warm oak introduces a smart edge to balance folky patterns and acts as an anchor point for a country look. 2. Layer up different florals No matchy-matchy florals here, mix painterly designs with ditsy prints on bedding, throws and cushions, or look for a reversible duvet cover that features both. 3. Add a button-back headboard An affordable way to update a bed without investing in a new one. Give this smart style a fun and surprising twist by choosing a sunny colourway. 4. Use baskets for storage Cotton, seagrass or wicker – baskets are the perfect boho solution for hiding clutter. Opt for ones with fringing, tassels or pom-poms for a nod to global style. Eclectic Boho…

1 Cut four wood strips to the width of your chosen print – two pieces for the top and two for the bottom. Sand the ends of each strip so they’re not rough, using medium to fine grade sandpaper. 2 On the back piece of the top hanger, screw in eye screws at either end of the wood, about 4cm from the edge. Tie either string or leather cord through the eye screws to create the hanging loop. 3 Affix strong adhesive magnetic strips to the back pieces of the top and bottom hanger – one either end and another in the middle for additional hold. 4 Apply the connecting magnetic strip on top of the applied strips, peel off the backing paper and place the front piece of wood…

Give plain cushion covers the Midas touch using stencils. Slide card under the fabric, then use a low-tack adhesive to stick the stencil in place on the cover. Apply fabric paint using a sponge or stencil brush. Leave to dry, then set with a warm iron.…

STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ ‘Luxe materials such as velvet, leather and sheepskin make sure the living space feels inviting.’ DECORATING EDITOR Nicky Phillips ‘Simplicity is key in Katie’s kitchen, with the light wood adding a Scandi twist to minimalist monochrome.’ FEATURES EDITOR Holly Walsh ‘Dark bedlinen looks great against the moody feature walls in the bedrooms, continuing the sense of drama and impact from the ground floor of the house.’ EXECUTIVE EDITOR Heather Young…

This property came up quite early on in our search,’ says Ania. ‘It appeared to tick most of our boxes, but we refused to go and see it because it wasn’t in the area we had wanted to live in. However, after many disappointing viewings of properties in our ideal location that just didn’t have the space that we needed, we reconsidered and decided it was worth a quick look. To our complete surprise we fell head over heels for the house right away. The biggest selling point was that it had three double bedrooms, which could comfortably accommodate our family of four and fix any arguments between the kids about who would get which room. Wanting to test our feelings about the house to make sure it was the…

1 Ensure the walls are prepped, smooth, and any recent base coats have been given at least 48 hours to dry. Remove obstructions, such as shelving, from walls and cover any furnishings that cannot be removed in protective sheeting. 2 Settle on a stripe thickness. Starting at the top left corner, use a pencil and tape measure to mark an X every 15cm to map out the top line of your stripe. 3 Then, measure vertically, marking out a lower line by placing an X parallel to each one on the top line to ensure the stripe’s thickness stays consistent. 4 Using a spirit level, connect the pencil X marks on both the upper and lower lines. Carefully lay masking tape just outside of the pencil lines, and press down…

1 Add unexpected colour hits Add interest to a white kitchen-diner with pops of paint on table legs and chair legs, skirting and around the doorframe. Tie it in with bright textiles and accessories. 2 BE ORGANISED An inexpensive trolley has a million uses, from stashing craft supplies and groceries to storing toys and barware. Just wheel it into place whenever you need it! 3 Rearrange cluttered drawers Pick up a couple of kitchen utensil drawer organisers and use to keep your craft, make-up or stationery drawers in order. Alternatively, make your own sections using recycled cardboard boxes. 4 Use the space under windows From benches for taking off your shoes, to built-in cubbies for toys and games, the area under a window can be a handy storage spot without…

Kungsbacka kitchen doors, £22 each; Ekbacken laminate worktops, £40 for 186x2.8cm; try Havsen two bowl sink, £205; Almaren tap with pull-out spout, £95; Eldslaga gas hob, £225; Anratta oven, £500; Anratta microwave, £400; Koldgrader integrated fridge freezer, £800; Dalfred bar stools, £30 each; try Skurup pendant lamp, £15, all Ikea. Moxley bamboo dome ceiling light, £120, Habitat. Island worktop, £260; shelves, £160, both Curiosity Allotment. Try Living 6mm natural oak laminate flooring, £6.99m, Discount Flooring Depot. Try Metro XL white matt tiles, £20.66sq m, Tons of Tiles. Try the jute macrame hanging planter, £14.50, Maisons du Monde. Rustic wood dining table is similar, £479.99, The Yorkshire Furniture Company. Try vintage leather dining chairs, £130 each, JN Rusticus…

ECO CREDIBILITY The Colourful Kitchen Company uses bamboo-made plywood, which takes just four years to reach full growth, making it super-sustainable. TOP-NOTCH DESIGNS Uncommon Projects’ background in design ensures no two veneered plywood kitchens are the same, with inspirational, high-impact results. SUPERIOR QUALITY Naked Kitchens tracks down the highest quality plywood. Featuring thicker layers of solid birch, the Scandinavian plywood creates rigid carcases that are virtually indestructible.…

Read through the guidelines at planningportal.gov.uk to make sure you don’t fall foul of regulations. Don’t have a loo opening directly off a kitchen, dining or living room. Also, if you only have one loo, it shouldn’t be accessible just from a bedroom. Contact the building control office at your council planning department if your project will include changes to the soil stack or your hot water system. Consider ventilation, especially if the bathroom doesn’t have a window that opens to the outside. Installing an extractor fan to remove steam is a good idea. Speak to an electrician or your bathroom designer about lighting before you buy fittings, to avoid costly mistakes. Any lights you fit must have the correct IP rating for the bathroom zone they’re in.…

ABOUT ME I’m Nicole Deutsch, 39, and I live here with my husband Brett Tomsett, 47, and our children Aimée, eight, Helena, six, and Leon, three. Our home is a Thirties four-bedroom semi in Surrey. We moved here in February 2016. MY CHALLENGE The garden felt bare, with an enormous, abandoned fish tank dominating the patio. There was a dated-looking paved circle in the middle of the lawn and a couple of rickety sheds. MY WISHLIST I wanted a low-maintenance garden with plenty of things to see, as well as places to play, eat, relax and entertain.…

Replace kids’ plastic swings with something a bit more stylish, like this natural hanging chair, £145, Beaumonde Add some tropical tones to your garden with this Bermuda leaf cushion, £12, JD Williams Keep guests warm well into the evening with this Blooma Etinas cast iron chiminea, £64, B&Q Create a cosy glow in your garden after dark with this large black metal lantern, £25, Argos Hide a tired patio or weathered decking with a floorcovering like this Twin Malta outdoor rug, £29.99, Modern Rugs Pop plants in pretty baskets to give your patio a decorative feel. Monochrome basket, £15, Dunelm Decorate your outdoor dining table with natural accents. Palm fibre place mat, £6, Gisela Graham Pick seating in simple shapes with clean lines like this rattan garden chair in Chocolate,…

Make a statement on floors Add wow to floors with popping patterned vinyl from For the Floor & More. Ditch traditional wood and stone effects in favour of dotty designs, contemporary geos and fun florals – just the thing for making a statement in bathrooms, kitchens or any space that needs a colour injection. All patterns are custom printed and can be tweaked to complement your personal decor style. Let the light in Frosted window films are an easy way to jazz up your window panes and help you retain privacy while still letting in natural light. Illustrator Jane Foster has teamed up with The Window Film Company to create a collection of over 25 nature-inspired designs brimming with mid century flair. Prices start from just £30, so they’re a…

Perfectly imperfect In a world obsessed with perfection, the Japanese ethos of wabi-sabi is a welcome breath of fresh air. The concept focuses on embracing natural imperfections, which extends to all things handmade in Wabi-Sabi Sewingby Karen Lewis (£15.99, FW Media). The book includes 20 projects for thrifty stitchers who love to recycle fabrics and use up scraps to make beautiful things. There are techniques to try, including sashiko, patchwork and hand dyeing, so embrace the perfectly imperfect. TRY YOUR HAND AT... DECOUPAGE Derived from the French verb ‘to cut out’, découpage may sound fancy, but it’s actually as easy as its translation. Although specific découpage papers are readily available, you can also cut shapes from wrapping paper, napkins and magazines, then simply glue them onto a surface so the…

Fresh flavours Fans of Charlie Bigham’s are bound to be pleased by its two delicious new chicken dishes. The Deep South-inspired Cajun Chicken features chicken breast marinated in Cajun spices, stuffed with creamy corn and topped with a Cheddar and tortilla crumb. The European fusion dish of Chicken with Pancetta and Cheese has a spinach and cheese topping with a Cheddar and parsley crumb on top. Just pop in the oven! CHEAT’S EATS! Kabuto has launched the perfect solution for a quick after school meal – a range of instant noodles for kids. Made from natural ingredients and with no preservatives or additives, the two new flavours are milder than the original ranges and the pots are shorter too, to reduce the risk of spillage. They come in two choices…