Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2020 i Style At Home

What’s on your bucket list for 2020? Maybe you’ve got a big project in mind, like a kitchen or bathroom redo, repainting your bedroom or picking a paper for a flamboyant feature wall. Or, perhaps you’re only up for a bit of a scatter cushion switch-up! Either way, you’ll find lots of beautiful possibilities in this issue, from the out-there (check out Sharon’s moody-colour-filled home on p30) to the classic (see Darren’s gorgeous country kitchen on p84). If you’re thinking more in terms of a big holiday rather than a big home-improvement project, do take a look at thecaribou.com. It’s a new site for people who love to travel by people who love to travel. It specialises in luxury, family and activity holidays to give you all the inspo you…

Who says a flamingo can’t be festive? Or that a Santa-hat sporting sprout isn’t seasonal? Well we’re here to tell you that traditional red and green shouldn’t be seen on giftwrap this year – not when there’s a riot of colours and patterns out there instead! Add buckets of personality and frivolous fun by choosing giftwrap, tags, bags and ribbons that bring whimsical characters, tropical prints and a rainbow of colour to the presents nestled beneath your tree.…

ABOUT ME I’m Sarah Brooks, 39, a lawyer, and I live here with my husband Gareth, 40, also a lawyer, and our two children, Charlie, 11, Daisy, nine, and our dog Betsy. I have an interiors Instagram account @hearts_at_claremont OUR HOME A four-bed Edwardian semi in the Wirral Peninsula. We moved here in September 2015. WHEN WE MOVED IN The kitchen was split into two small rooms and the whole house felt really unloved. AND NOW Painting everything white has brightened the house and changing the kitchen layout means it now works perfectly for family life. STYLE TIP Do as much decorating yourself as you can. Painting a wall is actually really simple and it helps to keep labour costs down.…

AMBER-ANAIS INTERIORS Specialising in French and Scandi furniture and accessories, and with a nod to modern country, there’s something for every room. INSPIRATIONS WHOLESALE Online store offering a selection of faux trees, foliage, blooms and garlands for any time of the year, at a price point to suit all pockets. COUNTRY ABODES This store offers a quintessentially British collection of unique luxury homeware and accessories. JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS The Christmas shop is the perfect one-stop for trees, decorations and festive delights to suit all styles. LIGHTS4FUN From pre-lit stars to fairy lights and battery-operated candles, an easy way to brighten your home.…

ABOUT ME I’m Sharon Lomas, 47, owner of interiors store Lomas & Lomas (lomasandlomas.co.uk), and I live with my husband Garry, 42, who runs a photography company. MY HOME A two-bed apartment within an Edwardian end terrace in Derbyshire. It’s above our store and we’ve been renting the whole place since June 2015. WHEN WE MOVED IN It was a bland rental painted pale grey or off-white. AND NOW After getting permission, we’ve gone for a black, white and grey scheme with splashes of green. STYLE TIP Shop your own home! My mum used to take the accessories from every room, put them on the table and then move them around. You feel like you’ve got something new, but haven’t spent any money.…

RE FOUND OBJECTS An eclectic Aladdin’s cave of rescued vintage treasures in Corbridge, Northumberland and online. MOTH With a cool boutique in Manchester and online shopping also available, it stocks the pared-back nature-inspired textures and colours Sharon loves. LA REDOUTE Great-value contemporary furniture, bedding and storage solutions make this one of Sharon’s go-to stores. LOVE FRANKIE Best for fabulous and funky colourful lampshades, patterned wallpaper, cushions and accessories at affordable prices. THE CONTEMPORARY HOME Sharon loves their white and gold Christmas decorations, but they also stock fun retro, Scandi, peacock, fairy tale and woodland themed items.…

After 11 years of renting in London, I was ready to move back home to Norfolk to live closer to my family. Although I loved my city life, I really missed them and I was keen to buy a home of my own,’ says Stacey. ‘I’ve always been attracted to the idea of owning a new-build property so that I could design it from scratch and inject my own style into it. So when this house came on the market, it was perfect! It’s close to both my family and the city centre, and the picturesque Norfolk Broads are only a short drive away. Sizing things up When I first viewed this house, it was still a building site. It was only a shell with lots of mud outside and…

1 Drill a hole at the bottom of the angled section of a wooden wall bracket, another hole directly above on the top horizontal piece of the bracket, and a third hole on the end of the same piece, furthest from the wall. 2 Source a plug-in-light pendant (try Vendimia Lighting Co for a selection), ensuring the flex is long enough to reach your plug socket from where you plan to mount the bracket. 3 Attach the bracket to the wall using screws and wall anchors. Safely remove the plug from your light fitting and feed the flex through the holes, starting with the first hole on the top of the bracket, then over and through the end and out of the hole in the angled section of the bracket.…

Smart MONO Style a sophisticated dining scheme in gold and grey the STYLE RULES Celebrate in dazzling style with gold accents Count down to the New Year with a sophisticated scheme in grey, white and gold. SET THE TREND Paint your walls in a contemporary dark grey shade and contrast them with a white marble fire surround and smart furniture. GO GLAM Layer on the luxe look with dining chairs upholstered in velvet. Gold accents add warmth and a hint of sparkle to the scheme. LAY THE TABLE Arrange simple white dinnerware with elegant gold candlesticks for a smart table setting. CREATE COHESION Pick a textured grey carpet to match the walls and centre the dining table on a co-ordinating geometric rug. Industrial VINTAGE Combine rustic…

This house needed a complete refurbishment but, as I used to be in the building trade, I knew I could handle most of the work myself,’ says Darren. ‘I knocked the dining room and kitchen through, replastered the walls and sorted out the plumbing and wiring. After that, I made do with what I had, while I focused on the rest of the house. My kitchen plans didn’t go completely on the back burner though, and I picked up pieces from markets in Europe and Sussex, and kept them in storage until I was ready to put my ideas into action. First moves With the two rooms knocked together, I started by fitting trifold doors at the far end, which open on to the garden. Next, I levelled the floor,…

Table, £400; benches, £100 each; vintage sign, £170, all Reginald Ballum. For similar sack blinds, try Land Stripe grain sack Roman blind, £139, Curtains Made Simple. For similar floor tiles, try Kashmir Indian Sandstone, from £25sq m, Stone Traders. Charnwood Island One woodburning stove, £1,812, Direct Stoves. Wooden stars, £19.99 for two; baubles, from £3.99, both Gisela Graham. Try The Mechanic clock, £140, Newgate Clocks. For a similar shelf, try the vintage-style rustic painted console, £369, Kubek Furniture. Wall cupboard, for similar, try the Provence French wall cabinet, £115, Bowley & Jackson. Sloane Square smooth gloss Grey tiles are similar, £19.95sq m, Walls and Floors. The Britannia Delphi 90cm range cooker is similar, £2,889, Currys. Similar units, from £12,000 for a complete kitchen, Old Oak Kitchens. Try the Lyon plate…

Eager to stay in the same expensive area of southeast London, but hoping to upgrade from a maisonette to a house,’ says Lu, ‘we had to take on a massive project. The whole house genuinely hadn’t been touched for who knows how many years. It wasn’t just a doer upper – it was a complete wreck. People thought we were mad to buy it (even the estate agent seemed unsure!), but for us it was a way of getting a substantial house in our preferred area. The only existing bathroom was tiny with a stained bath, a rotten window and grubby dark green tiles from floor to ceiling. I’d always wanted an en suite, and as everything was going to be changed or ripped out anyway, it made sense to…

Walls in Pure Brilliant White matt emulsion, £9.99 for 2.5L, Dulux. White Penny wall tiles, £37.50sq m, Tile Mountain. Terrazzo floor tiles, £100sq m, Mosaic del Sur. Vanity unit base, £60, eBay. Marble top, £100, Stone Age. Pink basin, £60; gold side lights, £30 each, all AliExpress. Toilet, £350, Victorian Plumbing. Shower screen, £180, Glass Warehouse. Shower, £150; radiator, £90; black basin taps, £90; door handles, £6 each; black bottles, £3.99 each, all Amazon. Black brace bar, £50; clamps, £17 each; ribbed window, £50; ribbed glass door panels, £60 for two, all The Wholesale Glass Company. Gold knobs, £6 each, Etsy. Mirror, £200, Graham and Green. Fifth Avenue Broadway silver hand towel, £10; bath towels, £20 each, both Dunelm…

Cover recycled glass jars in a layer of frosted spray paint. When dry, wrap black paper around the jar and cut to size so the ends overlap. Draw an outline of houses, trees and street lamps, cut out with a craft knife. Glue the paper silhouettes around the jars.…

INI ISE UILD-UP OF BURNT-ON DRIPS OF FOOD ON THE BASE OF YOUR OVEN WITH A HEA DUTY OVEN LINER, £3.99,THE RANGE 1 START WITH THE OVEN If you’re not blessed with a pyrolytic (self-cleaning) oven, or if you don’t clean yours regularly, your best bet is to use a specialist product containing sealable cleaning bags for oven racks, to remove all the burnt-on grime and dirt. Follow the instructions on the packet, scrubbing the oven cavity and ideally leaving it overnight to allow the chemical cleaner to work its magic. Next, remove the shelves from the bags and wipe away any cleaning residue from the cavity and shelves, before giving it a final wipe down with clean water. Don’t forget to wipe down the seals around the door, too.…

Flame academy Make your own mood lighting for the festive season and beyond with Handmade Candles & Smudge Sticks by Emma Hardy (£12.99, Cico Books). Crafting your own candles is not only satisfying, but can also be cheaper than buying. There are 35 projects to try, including the basics of mixing scents, dyeing wax and techniques from dipping to moulding. Try these silver birch-wrapped pillar candles for a rustic twist. There are also six smudge stick recipes to fill your home with cleansing scents. TRY YOUR HAND AT... MODERN EMBROIDERY MODERN EMBROIDERY IS OFTEN USED IN CRAFTIVISM (CREATIVE ACTIVISM) – CHECK OUT INSPIRING DESIGNS ON INSTAGRAM Embroidery is finding its way back into homes as modern makers reclaim this traditional craft. The stitches are the same, from simple backstitch to…

CITRUS TWIST If you like Earl Grey tea, you’ll love this aperitif. Serve over ice with equal parts prosecco, garnished with a few olives. Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, £29.95 for 70cl, Master of Malt WINTER WARMER Whip up a warming hot apricot toddy with this bittersweet orange-infused vodka, some apricot conserve, lemon juice, sugar syrup and hot water. Aged marmalade vodka, £38.50 for 70cl, Chase FRUITY FLAVOUR Celebrating Joules’ 30th anniversary, this special edition drink is delicious with tonic and a slice of apple. Limited Edition Joules Apple & Pear Gin, £40 for 70cl, Warner’s THE MAIN EVENT At just £8 a bottle, this classic vino is affordable enough to be able to buy in bulk – perfect for party season. Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva, £8 for 75cl, Amazon SUGAR…

A  &Living andliving.co.uk Aldi 0800 042 0800 aldi.co.uk AliExpress aliexpress.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Amber-Anais Interiors 0151 625 4896 amberanaisinteriors.co.uk Amtico 0121 745 0800 amtico.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Asda 0800 952 0101 asda.com Atrafloor 0151 305 7376 atrafloor.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Balsam Hill 01234 227155 balsamhill.co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200 bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Bloom & Wild 020 7352 9499 bloomandwild.com Blooming Artificial 0800 977 7589 bloomingartificial.co.uk Bombay Duck 020 8749 3000 bombayduck.com Bowley & Jackson 01653 697400 bowleyandjackson.co.uk Bradshaw Luxury 01626 886008 bradshawluxury.co.uk British Heart Foundation 0116 232 4195 bhf.org.uk C  Ca’Pietra 01380 735886 capietra.com Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Chase Distillery 01531 670049 chasedistillery.co.uk Clas Ohlson 020 8247 9300 clasohlson.com/uk Cole & Son 020 8442 8844 cole-and-son.com…

Ensure your New Year's party goes off with a bang and serve guests their fave tipples in these fun slogan glasses from the JD Williams Scandi Pop range. With a merry message on each, they make great gifts, too, so gather friends and raise a glass to a happy 2020! 3 of the best…  COCKTAIL ESSENTIALS…

GO ALL OUT WITH DECS Want to create the ultimate Instagram-worthy tree? John Lewis & Partners tells us the top tree trend this year is oversized decs, with squirrels, character baubles and neon lights all popular choices. The reason being, a large dec creates a focal point for your camera. Don’t miss its Party theme range, from £2 – the disco cassette is a team favourite! Sustainable steps The big brands are making moves towards a more eco-friendly Christmas, with plastic as enemy number one. Fully recyclable (not a plastic gift in sight), Dunelm’s woodland creatures are perfect for little ones and come with origami characters and instructions on how to make them, while Sainsbury’s Home’s foliage crackers will dress up the table for dinner. FESTIVE BEDDING Christmas jumpers, tick,…

1 Wire stars are widely available – Hobbycraft stocks a good-value 45.5cm one for £5. 2 Wind some battery-operated warm white fairy lights evenly around the whole of the wire frame, allowing the battery pack to finish at the side or top of the star, so that it will eventually be covered with foliage. 3 Gather your mix of real or fake leaves. These can range from sprigs of eucalyptus to fir branches, holly, or any festive branches you prefer. 4 Bind the foliage together at the top with some thin wire or garden twine, so that they will loosely drape down the side of the star, and then attach tightly to the wire frame with more twine, making sure that the battery pack is covered. 5 Add any extra…

Sarah has layered shades of white throughout her house – fresh and chalky finishes as well as warm, creamier tones on walls, upholstery and accessories. Accents of light wood and plenty of texture add softness, preventing the scheme from looking clinical. When using pattern, Sarah has chosen classic stripes and checks and unfussy prints to maintain a restful flow. At Christmastime, the addition of eucalyptus green and snow-dusted foliage creates a fresh and festive contrast to the calming white colour scheme.…

First, you’ll need a base for creating your hanging display. Sharon used an adjustable table hanger rack, £19.99, from Clas Ohlson, but you could try a thin café rod and attach it to the chimney breast. Ikea’s Komplement dark grey multi use hanger, £5, is another option or mount a garden trellis to create a full-on faux living wall. Look out for artificial trailing plants such as ferns, catkins, succulents, eucalyptus, ivy or sedum. Try Blooming Artificial, Evergreen Direct, Not on the High Street or Ikea. Amazon store Angel Lovely also has some artificial string of pearl hanging succulent trails that look just like Sharon’s, at £5.25 for two pieces. Mix things up a bit for the festive season by interspersing your faux trailing plants with baubles, hanging stars or…

ABOUT ME I’m Stacey Wright, 36, @House2Home77. I’m a marketing and social media executive for a shoe company. MY HOME I live in a two-bedroom semi-detached new-build house in Norfolk. I bought it in March 2017. WHEN I MOVED IN It was a brand new home, so I had the luxury of decorating it to my own taste, which was exactly what I was after. I loved being able to put my own stamp on the house by styling each room with different ideas. STYLE TIP Display all of your favourite items and knick-knacks on open shelving or in glass-fronted cabinets so you can enjoy them every day. There’s no point in keeping things you love hidden away behind closed doors.…

1 Lay a large sheet of tissue paper out flat and fold it in half, then fold it again lengthways, and then again widthways. 2 Cut the paper into 2cm-wide strips, stopping around 3cm from the folded edge. Carefully unfold the tissue paper once, and straighten out each of the pieces. 3 Roll the middle section of the tassel, straightening the cut strips as you go, and then twist the middle section to hold it in place. 4 Fold the twisted section in the middle and twist the two lengths together, leaving a small loop at the top. You may need to add a little glue to hold the twist together. Alternatively, wrap the twist with decorative tape or metallic thread for a festive touch. 5 Repeat until you have…

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘This look is all about modern elegance, from smart, tapered furniture legs to perfectly styled shelves.’ FEATURES EDITOR Holly Walsh ‘The white backdrop allows the characterful furniture and accessories to shine, and keeps it airy.’ STYLE EDITOR Michela Colling ‘Layering up the table and mantel with lustrous glass accessories adds extra sparkle.’ DECORATING EDITOR Nicky Phillips ‘Those striking, contemporary pendant lights, hung offset in a pair above the table, give it a modern twist.’ HOUSES EDITOR Ruth Corbett ‘The intense blues and greens envelop you to create the perfect space for an intimate party.’ SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Stephanie Durrant ‘Furniture with a distressed finish adds a laid-back, lived-in feel to the space.’ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vanessa Richmond…

ABOUT ME I’m Darren Peskett, 53, and I sell antique furniture and vintage pieces at my shop, Reginald Ballum. I live in a three-bedroom Victorian house in West Sussex, which I bought in May 2009. MY CHALLENGE The whole house needed gutting and renovating. The plumbing and electrics were poor, and the kitchen was old and rickety, with a loo in the corner. The dining room was a separate, adjoining space with an ugly, dated fireplace. MY WISH LIST I wanted to open up the space and make a one-off kitchen-diner. I wanted a unique design, mixing rustic and industrial with quirky pieces and aged colours.…

Comfortable, energy efficient and compatible with many floor coverings, underfloor heating is a smart way to warm your home. As the name suggests, underfloor heating is installed under the floor covering, offering a toasty feel underfoot. What types are there? Electric or ‘dry’ systems involve a series of electric wires, often contained in a heat mat or cabling system, installed beneath or within your flooring. Water-based heating, or a ‘wet system’, comprises of a series of pipes that are connected to your boiler and concealed under the floor – the circulating warm water heats the room. Which one is best for me? Dry systems are more affordable and less disruptive to install, but their running costs are higher, so they are suited to smaller areas, such as tiled bathrooms. Wet…

ABOUT ME I’m Lu Fitoussi-Findlay, 37, director of interior design studio, Plaster Fever. I live here with my husband Raphael, 33, a property manager, our French bulldog, Tank, and cat, Dolly. We moved into this four-bed Victorian terrace in southeast London in June 2018, ready to renovate. THE CHALLENGE I was really keen to have an en-suite bathroom, and the box room adjacent to the main bedroom seemed the perfect fit. MY WISH LIST A lovely big walk-in shower, some stunning floor tiles that would really stand out, a retro vanity unit made out of an old piece of furniture, and plenty of light and space.…

Swapping a pedestal basin for a vanity unit will add unique style as well as handy extra counter space to a bathroom. Plus, if you go for one with storage underneath, you’ll have somewhere to stash toiletries and cleaning kit, too. But if you can’t find a design that suits your style, why not consider repurposing a piece of furniture you already own? Can I use any unit? The first rule is to choose something solid and sturdy that will support the weight of the basin – remember that it’ll be heavier once it’s filled with water. Consoles, dressing tables and desks all make great bases – or consider a sideboard, cupboard or chest of drawers if you could use the extra storage. Just make sure the dimensions of your…

EASY-PEASY CHRISTMAS BISCUITS TAKES 1HR MAKES AROUND 20 200g butter, chilled 325g plain flour 125g golden caster sugar 2 egg yolks 2tsp vanilla extract Jam (optional) Icing sugar 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/ Gas 4. Put the butter, flour and sugar in a food processor and blitz to fine crumbs. Add the yolks and vanilla and blitz again to form a dough. Or, make in a bowl by mixing the butter and flour until crumbs form. Beat in the sugar, vanilla and yolks. 2 Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, knead lightly into a ball. Wrap in cling film, chill for 30min. 3 Roll the mixture out on a lightly floured work surface and cut out shapes with various cutters. Make ring-shaped biscuits with a fluted round cutter,…

Ready, steady, sort! MAKE A NEW TIDY RESOLUTION Start a new habit of quick five-minute tidy-ups every day and involve the family, so everyone pulls their weight. CLEAR UP FROM CHRISTMAS Sort through used giftwrap – kraft-style wrap can be recycled, the shiny, glittery stuff can’t. Or, better yet, reuse the lot! SORT THE CHILDREN’S CRAFT KIT If your kids got a haul of art materials for Christmas, invest in inexpensive containers to keep it all neat and tidy. PRECIOUS THINGS Perfect for jewellery, make-up, bestie mementos – any teen girl would love this. Jewellery box, £15, Sainsbury’s Home TOTAL SOFTIE Keep the festive spirit alive (and bits and bobs stored neatly) long after the big day has passed. Reindeer storage bag, £12, Next Home TREASURE BOX With space to…

FESTIVE FLORAL FIZZ TAKES 5MIN SERVES 6 150ml dry gin 12tsp elderflower liqueur Freshly squeezed lemon juice Champagne or sparkling wine 6 raspberries 1 Pour 25ml (1 measure) of gin and 2tsp elderflower liqueur into six champagne glasses. 2 Add a dash of lemon juice to each glass, and then top up with champagne or sparkling wine. 3 Serve with a cocktail stick-skewered raspberry resting on the rim of the glass for a garnish. MINI MEATBALLS TAKES 25MIN MAKES 16 SWAP THE SAUSAGEMEAT FOR QUORN MINCE FOR A VEGGIE VERSION OF THESE TASTY TINY TREATS! 100ml crème fraîche 2tbsp fresh dill, chopped (plus extra for serving) Juice of ½ lemon 8 pork and herb sausages 50g cranberry sauce 1tbsp olive oil 1 Make the dip by mixing together the crème…

SOMETHING DIFFERENT Fancy a change from the usual bird? M&S is so sure of the quality of its new roast beef, its gone as far as to call it: The Perfect Roast Sirloin. Ready to stick straight in the oven, this kilo of 21-day-matured sirloin comes with a deliciously rich roast beef butter. The Perfect Roast Sirloin, £25 for 1kg, Marks & Spencer MAIN COURSE MADE SIMPLE Sometimes life’s too short to be making your own stuffing from scratch and constantly basting a bird bigger than your head. Taking the hassle out of cooking, Waitrose & Partner’s new Slow Cooked Turkey Breast joint comes pre-stuffed and covered with a spiced sugar glaze. Slow cooked turkey breast, £28 for 1.4kg, Waitrose & Partners BRILLIANT BIT ON THE SIDE This tasty pork,…

Taking decorating the tree to the next level, @no40_home_renovation. Bravo! Can’t believe this is @thenotsobighouse’s first attempt at making a wreath! We love this bold green in @caradiseblog’s bathroom We reckon @makeovermarketst has all the winter cosiness boxes ticked here! Adding a velvet headboard to our bedroom wish list, thanks to @stylingmyhouse That gallery wall is a real stunner, @in_the_house_that_we_live Great idea to hang a light curtain at the patio doors @sophies.home.full.of.sparkle We’re certainly raising a glass to @miafelceathome’s gin-themed shelfie This show-stopping wallpaper lends a wow look to @wrightswoodcottage’s bedroom…

DUNELM Winter woodland Mix warming shades of amber with an adorable selection of forest friends SAINSBURY’S HOME Rainbow brights Bring Christmas to life with vibrant colour, quirky characters and sparkle WILKO Frosted palace Create an enchanted scheme with glittering doves and icy iridescent decs GEORGE HOME Merry modern Add a touch of whimsy with fun baubles and cushions in traditional red and green…

Before moving here we lived in a Victorian maisonette, but when the children came along, slightly earlier than planned, we needed more space,’ says Sarah. ‘We wanted to find our dream home, but didn’t want to rush things, so we sold up and moved into a rental property until we could find somewhere that ticked all the boxes on our wish list. We wanted something Edwardian in style, classic and timeless, and with a decent-sized garden, and in the end it took a year of searching, with a few lost properties along the way. Luckily, we both fell in love with this house as soon as we set foot inside it. We loved the character and the original features, and it felt like a house that gave you a hug…

When choosing white paint, consider whether the room is north or south facing. Warm whites have a red or yellow base, while cooler whites have green or blue. If the room doesn’t have much light, go for a warmer shade – a sunlit room can afford a cooler shade for a fresh finish. Introduce texture or pattern with natural wood, tactile fabrics, chunky knits and woven cotton, and combine with fine stripes or simple two-tone prints. For a relaxed country look, pair with powdery accent colours such as linen, eucalyptus green, blush pink, dove or zinc grey. Combine with zingy shades for a bolder finish, or black accents to add a Scandi or industrial edge.…

When I quit my job as an advertising manager for a magazine publisher in Manchester, it was the push I needed to set up my own interiors business in a lovely little Derbyshire village,’ says Sharon. ‘I’ve always been into interiors, and over the years I’ve taken a screen-printing course, taught myself to sew and completed a diploma in interior design. We quickly sold our house and decided to rent a cottage in Cheshire. ‘This meant we could focus on starting our own business and test the water at craft markets and interiors fairs. After a year we managed to find an empty shop with a maisonette above it, in Derbyshire. It was originally a butcher’s shop and the whole place was available to rent, so it seemed like we’d…

Use 3M Command Strips to hang photos. Or display items on a picture ledge, which means only two holes to fill when you move out! Try vinyl tile stickers to create a patterned splashback. You might assume that painting or wallpapering isn’t allowed, but check with the landlord; they might welcome the refresh! Update lighting. A statement pendant can transform a space. Paint or wallpaper a large piece of foam board to add a panel of pattern or colour. Extending tension curtain rods or no-drill blinds allow you to update window dressings.…

Make Christmas completely your own with Hobbycraft. With everything you need to craft a personalised celebration, it’s never been easier to set the seasonal scene to suit your style. Our Christmas collection brings you all of the latest trends and a flurry of festive favourites, ready to transform your home into a unique winter wonderland. From wooden and ceramic blanks that you can custom-decorate to fillable decorations that are ready to be hung on the tree, discover endless ways to create a celebration to remember. Set the scene We’re here for every crafter this Christmas, whether you’re looking to design a spectacular scheme to impress your guests or create your most special handmade gifts. Crafting experts can assemble an elaborate wreath or make the most of the cutting-edge technology of…

STYLE AT HOME SAYS… ‘Stacey’s furniture is perfect for a modern country feel, with painted finishes, simple fabrics and classic shapes such as the winged button-back armchair.’ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vanessa Richmond ‘Open shelving is a great way to define a display area. Grouping objects on the shelves makes sure that a growing collection doesn’t turn into clutter. STYLE EDITOR Michela Colling ‘Contemporary details like the bedside lights and black-framed prints give the bedrooms a modern feel.’ SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Stephanie Durrant…

1 Cosy up bench seating Ensure guests feel warm and comfortable at the dinner table by softening up hard wooden seating with some cosy natural textiles. A sheepskin rug works wonderfully draped over a bench seat and, for dining chairs, try the sheepskin seat pads, £15 each, Dunelm. 2 CLUSTER YOUR FAVE DECS As you trim your tree, put a few hero baubles to one side and gather in groups to hang from door handles or banister newels. 3 Give guests a festive welcome Dress your hallway and stairs to get guests in a celebratory mood as soon as they walk into your home. Hang paper honeycombs from the banisters, and arrange some on the floor underneath a console table featuring a Christmassy display. 4 MAKE YOUR GARDEN GLOW Delight…

1 Update units with paint – chalk paint, cupboard paint, eggshell, satinwood or gloss will all work, depending on the finish you want. 2 Swap old handles for ceramic, metallic, wood or leather ones. 3 Add salvage-style character by adding freestanding reclaimed larders, storage cabinets, dressers or a butchers block. 4 Rethink counter top materials. Try concrete, zinc or copper, or tops made from scaffold boards or reclaimed wood. 5 Replace doors – try Plykea, Husk, Superfront or Reform for designs to fit Ikea units. 6 Along with task lighting, try different styles such as a chandelier or statement pendant.…

THE FULL RANGE Warmup is a leading manufacturer of electric and water underfloor heating systems. Its website includes buying and installing guides for DIY enthusiasts. AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC Particularly well known for its well-priced electric systems, ProWarm also offers wet underfloor heating, and has fully qualified electricians offering technical advice by phone. SMART THERMOSTAT Program the time and temperature settings of your underfloor heating with an app-controllable thermostat from Heatmiser’s Neo range. It’s designed to be discreet and has dimensions similar to those of a light switch.…

TILES From geo to patchwork, Victorian to floral, there’s a wealth of tiles available to suit all styles and tastes. For a more subtle effect, choose plain tiles but in an interesting shape. VINYL Check out specialists such as Harvey Maria and Atrafloor for wide ranges of flooring designs. Atrafloor even offers a custom service so you can turn your own designs into flooring. SHOWER CURTAIN Replace yours with something decorative for an easy way to introduce pattern on a budget. Small, repeating motifs create a pretty, delicate look or you can add impact with an oversized design. TOWELS Use these essentials to inject pattern, whether it’s simple shapes and prints or brightly coloured look-at-me florals.…

Make an impression underfoot with geo flooring. Patisserie monochrome encaustic hexagonal tiles, £118.08sq m, Ca’Pietra Hang up a positive quote to start the day feeling great. Darling You Are Fabulous poster, £14.95 framed, Juniqe Pick vintage-vibe illuminations to display either side of a mirror. Joseph antique brass wall light, £65, Laura Ashley Introduce a touch of greenery with a display of fake plants. Large faux succulents in cement pot, £14, George Home Live on the wild side with animal-print towels. Leopard-design cotton towels in Grey and White, from £4 each, Marks & Spencer Add a contemporary look to an en suite with black taps. Austin crosshead wall-mounted sink tap, £149.97, Soak Treat hands to a luxurious lather. Scottish Fine Soaps geranium and lavender handwash, £15, Dobbies Combine a round basin…

CUTLERY MITTEN YOU WILL NEED GET CREATIVE AND ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH BY EMBROIDERING YOUR GUESTS’NAMES ON TO EACH MITTEN Fabric pen Old white jumper Fabric scissors Red felt White embroidery thread Pins Red button Embroidery needle 1 Draw a mitten shape so that the top cuff is the same width as the cuff of your old jumper. Cut out from a folded piece of red felt so you have two pieces. 2 Blanket-stitch the mitten shapes together using white embroidery thread, making sure to leave the top straight edge open. 3 Cut the cuff from an old jumper. Place the cuff inside the unsewn top edge of the mitten, so the raw edges are aligned. Pin and sew around the top edge of the cuff with a 1cm seam…

PARTY READY These sophisticated alphabet glasses will make great gifts for guests to take home at the end of the night. Alphabet gin glasses, £6 each; Gold champagne flutes, £26 for four; Gold wine glasses, £26 for four, all Next Home DECO GLAM For an elegant soirée, match all your glasses, from tumblers to flutes. Deco tumbler, £30 for four; Deco champagne glasses, £35 for four; Deco wine glasses, £35 for four, all JD Williams RETRO REVIVAL Gold-dipped cut glass updates a traditional style. Nomu decanter and tumblers set, £45, Oliver Bonas ROLL WITH IT Set up a drinks trolley as a makeshift bar. Small drinks trolley, £45; Gold dot champagne glasses, £18 for two; Boston cocktail shaker, £14.99; ice bucket, £29.99, all Dobbies POP EDIBLE GLITTER INTO AN ICE…

Super-sweet centrepiece Looking for a grand festive finale to your Christmas dinner this year? Then Aldi’s spectacular Specially Selected Exquisite Chocolate Bauble is THE treat to eat. Made from gingerbread-infused white chocolate, filled with a fruit and nut centre and with a selection of filled chocolates on the side, this beautiful bauble even has ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’ etched on the back. It’s almost too good to eat – but we will anyway! On sale from 5 December. The Christmas pudding alternative THIS CHRISTMAS, 17 JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS STORES WILL BE OFFERING PERSONALISED QUALITY STREET TINS FOR £15 AND YOU CAN EVEN PICK AND MIX THE CONTENTS WITH YOUR FAVOURITES! If your family aren’t fans of Christmas pudding, then head to Asda for a dessert…