Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2022 i Style At Home

What I love about the real homes we feature here is how the owners stamp their personality on their space. In fact, it inspired me to create a gallery wall that runs up our stairs as soon as we moved into our house. I got given a couple of much lusted-after art prints recently, and so it was time to extend the gallery. I added picture ledges to create space for a display that can be changed up whenever I fancy. It left me with more space to fill than I had artwork for, so with a limited budget I took my cue from our creative SAH homeowners to find some innovative, cheap ways to fill frames. Now my gallery wall includes one of the kids’ toddler T-shirts, a couple…

ABOUT ME I’m Victoria Thomas, 32, and I work at Aldi. I live with my partner, Luke Morgan, 33, a qualified carpenter and plasterer, and our two children, Amber, seven, and Cole, nine. I share our renovation story at@ourwoodfield3storey. MY HOME A four-bedroom 1920s terrace in Blackwood, Caerphilly. We moved here in November 2019. WHEN WE MOVED IN It was plain, white and boring, but as a blank canvas it made it easier to see the renovation possibilities. AND NOW We’ve added Victorian detail to every room and chosen a colour scheme that combines bold colour with neutral tones. STYLE TIP Stick to a contained colour palette to add cohesion and flow to your home.…

1 Make sure your ladder is structurally sound and able to hold the weight of your chosen decorations or accessories. 2 Make four pilot holes in each corner of the ladder with a bradawl and insert screw-in hooks. 3 Mark where your ceiling joists are, using a stud finder – this is an important step to make sure you don’t bring your ceiling down. 4 Line up the hooks in the ladder with the joists and drill four pilot holes in the ceiling. Insert some heavy-duty ceiling hooks that can hold the weight of your ladder. 5 Choose some chain the length that you want your ladder to hang down from, and attach to all eight hooks to complete the look.…

We bought our end of terrace, three-bedroom Victorian house three years after graduating from university in Leeds,’ says Hannah. ‘After finishing his studies in 2014, Ollie secured his dream internship at a hi-fi company based in Salisbury, and decided to make the move down south, where he rented a one-bed flat in the city centre. Salisbury is a beautiful medieval city, full of charming, cobbled streets and historic buildings, all surrounded by national parks and world heritage sites. I still had a year left to finish my degree when Ollie started, which was difficult, with a four-hour drive each way, but with each visit I fell more in love with Salisbury. After graduating I made the move down myself and we rented a two-bed property for a few years until…

WOODEN FLOORING HAS A WARM, NATURAL VIBE THAT CAN WORK WITH MANY LOOKS, FROM COTTAGE STYLE TO A VINTAGE-INSPIRED SPACE, OR EVEN A MORE CONTEMPORARY SETTING Timber flooring can strike just the right note in any style of home. It looks natural, warm and rustic in a country cottage and, in a contemporary setting, it can add texture and create an organic feel. What are the options? Solid wood flooring means that the planks (whatever type of wood) are solid all the way through. Some are suitable for installation as the structural floor, without needing a sub-floor beneath. Reclaimed timber can be bought as planks, boards or panels from salvage yards, or as whole floors from timber-flooring specialists. Multi-layered or engineered wood consists of a plywood base, built up with…

ABOUT ME I’m Ruth Stolerman, 34, director of Ruth Stolerman Design (ruthstolerman.com) and I live here with my husband William, 34, head of podcasts at Secret Leaders, and our Staffy cross, Toothless. MY HOME A two-bedroom Victorian railway workers’ cottage in northwest London, which we bought in 2017. WHEN WE MOVED IN The cottage was in a state of extreme disrepair! There were mice in the kitchen, pigeons in the loft and holes in the walls. But I knew it had potential. AND NOW We’ve knocked through downstairs to create a fun, light-filled living space and converted the loft into a serene bedroom suite. STYLE TIP Don’t be afraid to mix and match. More traditional pieces can be elevated alongside, for example, a modern light fixture.…

IF YOU FANCY DOING THE JOB YOURSELF, PLASTERING WORKSHOP RUNS REGULAR BRICKLAYING COURSES IN BEDFORD,FROM £169 Add some bare faced chic to your home with exposed brickwork. Whether modern industrial or rustic country, you’ll need to be prepared to put in some hard graft to get the best results – but it’s worth it! Are your walls suitable for stripping back to brick?  Deciding whether to expose brick depends on the age of your property. As a general rule, pre-1950s is best and the earlier the better. Exposed brick is a pretty bold statement - stick to one wall or a section of wall with natural start and finish points, such as a chimney breast or inside alcoves. Stripping back brickwork yourself  This is a job you can absolutely do…

1 Mock up a headboard panel Keep things simple by masking an area behind your bed and paint a rectangular panel of colour you can easily change, move or erase, for a cheaper and less bulky alternative to an upholstered headboard. Once you’ve painted your panel (we suggest going wider than your bed, as well as higher for maximum impact), try positioning a wall light in the corner as if it were attached to a real headboard. If space is tight, you could also add a short ledge or shelf, painted the same shade as the headboard panel to act as a neat bedside table. 2 CHOOSE A SHADE OF DEEP BLUE Struggling to sleep? Get yourself a pot of deep blue paint pronto. Dark, inky shades like this will…

ABOUT ME I’m Claire Douglas, 37, (clairedouglasstyling.com). I live with my husband Spencer, 40, and children Oscar, eight and Milo, three, in a 1960s three-bedroom detached house in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. We moved here in summer 2016. MY CHALLENGE The living room was part of a 1980s extension; it had no central heating and the layout was badly planned. It felt like it had been just stuck on – it wasn’t the multifunctional family room that we needed. MY WISH LIST We wanted to knock down the dividing wall to open the space but our budget couldn’t stretch, so we had to think of other ways to make it flow.…

1 Both the inside and outside of your microwave will need a good clean to remove any spills or dried-on food, and once a week is probably a reasonable frequency to ensure that this appliance remains in tip-top condition. 2 As baking soda is a mild alkali it’s perfect for cutting through grease and dirt around your home, and that includes any that might have built up in your microwave. 3 To get started you’ll need kitchen gloves and a clean cloth to hand. Firstly, remove your microwave plate and turntable ring. Sprinkle ¼ cup of baking soda around the base of the microwave. 4 Use a dampened cloth to work the baking soda into any stains. Rinse your cloth and wipe away any remaining soda. Do this twice if…

GROW HERBS AT HOME Instead of buying bags of herbs, try growing them for a constant supply. Make weekly sowings in pots on a warm windowsill, starting in February. It’s cheaper and saves on single-use plastic packaging. Know your soil Sometimes whether a plant will survive or not is predetermined by the conditions of your soil. Buy a pH test kit to check the pH in different areas of your garden. This way you will know which plants will thrive and what, if anything, you need to feed your beds and borders. REDUCE PLASTIC USE Wash and reuse your pots instead of buying new ones. Alternatively, look for pots made from recycled plastic or sustainable materials. Invest in stainless steel tools if you can – although they are more expensive,…

Too pretty to put in a cupboard, display beautiful ceramics on open shelving Make even weekday mornings feel like Saturday breakfast with George Home's Temperance tableware collection. Featuring a vintage pattern in timeless blue and white, guests will think you've brought out the fine china, rather than a supermarket bargain.…

Spring creates the perfect time for a fresh start and what better way to do that than choosing an uplifting colour palette, filled with nostalgic holiday-inspired hues, bringing positive vibes back into our homes. Pastel pink and sherbet yellow add feminine feels, while punchy coral and bold blue tones prevent the scheme from becoming saccharine. Finish with chrome detailing on furniture and accessories to highlight the look, giving it that extra lift.…

1 Choose your gold; imitation gold leaf is available from eBay or Amazon and cheaper than the real thing. Sand and prime your furniture and mask off the area to gild. 2 Apply a thin layer of water-based adhesive to the surface, then leave until it is almost dry, but still slightly tacky. Lay your gold leaf, tissue side up, and gently rub onto the furniture. Continue applying, overlapping the squares. 3 Leave until completely dry; this may take up to six hours. Use a soft brush to remove any excess gold leaf and leave for 24 hours. Protect with sealant, and leave for 24 hours before using your furniture.…

Tiled splashbacks are a great way to bring new colour and pattern to your kitchen or bathroom. An element of tiling in any room is a fun way to uplift a decorating scheme. Do the prep Clean the walls with sugar soap and cover worktops with plastic sheeting. Be sure to wait until the walls are completely dry before starting. Mark the centre point on the wall – draw another centre point at the top of the area to be tiled, and draw a vertical line between the two. Work out the width of the splashback in whole tiles, plus spacers and edging strips. Lay out the tiles and spacers flat to work out the full width. Apply the wall adhesive Start at the bottom and spread the adhesive in…

ABOUT ME I’m Hannah Heemsbergen, 28, a graphic designer, and I live here with my partner Ollie Marshall, 28, a technical project manager, and our springer spaniel, Evie. MY HOME A three-bedroom end of terrace, built in 1880 in Salisbury, which we bought in May 2018. WHEN WE MOVED IN The house was previously rented, so it was in a serviceable condition, but it had zero character, with magnolia walls and cheap beige carpet everywhere. The kitchen was dark and dated with a poor layout and the timber floor downstairs was rotten. AND NOW We’ve levelled the floor and laid reclaimed wood parquet. We reconfigured the kitchen, relocating the back door, and have installed a brand-new kitchen.…

1 PANEL OVER FEATURES Clad an unused chimney breast by building out a frame and covering it in two styles of panelling. Divide the feature at dado height to provide a display ledge; and why not add cubby holes at the side? 2 OPT FOR OPEN SHELVING Tongue-and-groove panels with shelves evoke a Shaker-style kitchen. Paint panels and shelving the same colour as the cabinets for a seamless finish. An earthy green will showcase colourful crockery. 3 TAP INTO RUSTIC Add texture with a shiplap wall behind a bed as a striking alternative to a headboard. The natural patina and silvered tones of antiqued or reclaimed boards create a characterful, rough-luxe finish. 4 ALTERNATIVE TO TILES Painted panelling is a great way to make a statement in a bathroom instead…

Creating flow between the rooms in your house helps the space feel put-together. Even if there’s a lot going on, repeating recognisable accents will ensure your design feels cohesive. Identify a colour scheme. Choose a palette of three key colours and decide on some accent shades. Paint the walls, buy comfy cushions and source crockery in your chosen colours. Choose a theme for accessories, be it travel, flowers or animals. A leopard print rug, an abstract safari print and a House of Hackney cheetah lampstand subtly hint at your scheme throughout.…

1 ADD A STATEMENT LIGHT This modern kitchen feels eclectic and characterful thanks to its combo of navy doors, white backdrop and single white open shelf. A glamorous chandelier is an unexpected stylish finishing touch. 2 CHOOSE BLUE TILES Blue tiles can help to get a stylish navy blue scheme, without going to the expense of buying new cabinets or the effort of painting old ones. Blending different tonal blues gives depth to the overall scheme. 3 ELEVATE A SCHEME A navy border around the edge of a white or cream kitchen lifts the colour scheme without overwhelming the look. Introduce matching colour through kitchen textiles, kitchenware and accessories. 4 PAINT A FEATURE WALL Dip your toes into the blue trend without making a long-term commitment with a navy painted…

DESIGN CHOICE It can be tricky to know where to start when choosing a wallpaper for your living room, but picking a design that you love and find exciting is a good place to start. CONSIDER ASPECT ‘It’s important to note whether the room is north or south facing. If the room faces south then it will get a lot of sunlight, allowing the use of the cooler colours in the spectrum, while a north facing room will need warmer colours to make the space feel cosy,’ says Zoe Hopgood, designer at Graham & Brown. SET THE MOOD How do you want to feel when you’re in your living room? Consider how the room will be used. Is it a place to entertain? To relax? Once you know how the…

SHOW OFF COLLECTIONS OF ARTISAN CERAMICS AND FAVOURITE TABLEWARE IN OPEN STORAGE SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

Claire used this simple trick to add ridged texture and interest to a plain coffee table. You could also try it on cupboard or sideboard doors or other flat surfaces. Clean your secondhand piece of furniture using sugar soap. Decide on a design and the effect you want. You could cover the whole tabletop or copy Claire’s idea with wide stripes. You’ll find a large selection of wooden beading at DIY stores and timber merchants. Measure and cut the individual strips of beading to size. Stick in place with a multipurpose glue. Prime the finished piece, then paint it in a colour of your choice. For a more durable surface and to protect your design, you could get glass cut to size for the top.…

Go for an oversized mirror The more natural light you can achieve in your bathroom, the better, making it much easier to apply your make-up and giving the whole space a more open and inviting feel. Choosing the biggest mirror you can fit on your wall will allow it to bounce the natural light around to more spots in the room, making the space feel bigger. Add a splash of bright colour ‘EVEN A SET OF NEW TOWELS CAN LIFT A BATHROOM SCHEME IN AN INSTANT, SO WORK WITH THE BUDGET YOU HAVE AND STICK TO IT’HOLLY WALSH, Features Editor Bringing in pops of colour with accessories is an affordable way to revamp your bathroom. Yellow works really well in a monochrome scheme so choose towels, bath mats and plant…

1 Painting floorboards is a quick, easy and affordable way to transform a room – particularly when compared to laying new carpet or the cost of replacing with brand-new hardwood. 2 To start, give the boards a light sanding. Vacuum off the loose sawdust, then, using a damp cloth (and sugar soap, if you prefer), wash off the finer particles. Leave to completely dry. 3 Apply white paint around the edges of the room using a brush, cutting in a few inches from the walls. Take a larger roller and paint the main part of the floor. Start at the farthest wall from the entrance to the room and move backwards towards the door. Leave to dry and apply another coat – two thin coats of paint will dry harder,…

BEST FOR SHEER POWER VITAMIX A2300IBLENDER TYPE Plastic DIMENSIONS H43.2xW20.3xD27.9cm JUG SIZE 2ltr POWER 1,440 watts PRICE £449 Suitable for making a wide array of dishes, from dips to desserts, this model has a more durable construction than you’d expect from your average blender – with a large base to find space for in your kitchen, plus a 2ltr jug with a wide spout that manages to be both lightweight and sturdy. And while there aren’t any programmes, it doesn’t lack options – it has 10 speeds plus a pulse button, a tamper to nudge ingredients towards its blades and an on-off switch so it’s not accidentally flicked into life. REASONS TO BUY Incredibly versatile; large 2ltr jug; smooth results. REASONS TO AVOID With its hefty price tag, you may…

SWEET POTATO AND SPRING ONION FRITTATA TAKES 50 MINS SERVES 4-6 500g sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 2tbsp olive oil ½ bunch spring onions, finely sliced 2 garlic cloves, diced 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 2tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped 2tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped 150g frozen peas, defrosted 100g feta, roughly crumbled 6 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Place the sweet potato on a baking tray and drizzle with 1tbsp olive oil. Season well, then roast for 30 mins until soft and charred around the edges. 2 Heat the remaining oil in a deep 20cm wide ovenproof frying pan. Add the spring onion, garlic and chilli and sauté for 5 mins until soft. 3 Add the sweet potato, herbs, peas and…

1 MODULAR FURNITURE Modular sofas are a great choice if you’re renting. They can be reconfigured to suit your space, or made bigger simply by adding modules when needed. When you move, simply take it all with you. 2 DECALS Revamp tiles or walls with stickers or decals. These will add character but can then be peeled off when you move out. There are lots of designs available. 3 WALLPAPER PANELS If you’re not able to wallpaper your home, you can get around the problem (and save your deposit) by adding wallpaper to plywood panels and leaning them against walls. Alternatively, try damage-free peel and stick options.…

SNOOP (SNOOP.APP) This app keeps a close eye on your bills by letting you know if it thinks you’re paying too much. It can help you get a better deal on anything from broadband to energy prices, so it’s worth keeping an eye on. EMMA ( EMMA-APP.COM ) Overspending or always in overdraft? Use Emma to get insights on your spending, budgeting tools and alerts for when you are heading into overdraft. YOLT ( YOLT.COM ) This clever app allows you to view all your accounts in one place and keep a close eye on your money. It even shows you all your spending on one single dashboard.…

George Home HAPPY BOHO Create an uplifting scheme using lively patterns and bright shades Matalan MODERN MONOCHROME Style a contemporary look with sleek curves and bold black Dunelm VINTAGE CHATEAU Team soft pastels and nostalgic shapes for a romantic feel The bench seat makes it ideal for a hallway and shoes can be tucked away on the shelf Next Home LUXE BLUES Combine deep hues and dazzling metallics for glamorous boudoir look…

Luke and I had been living happily for 11 years in our rented bungalow, but it only had two bedrooms, and once the children came along, we knew we’d need something bigger,’ says Victoria. ‘We decided the time was right to buy a property we could turn into a forever home. I get up at 4am most mornings for work, so didn’t want to travel far, and we wanted to stay close to the kids’ school. We initially kept just missing out on properties – we’d seen so many and lost out for various reasons, but in a way, I’m so glad, as it felt like this house was meant for us. And it was only a mile from our old home, which was a bonus. Unwelcome discoveries As soon…

DUNELM An affordable one-stop shop for everyday essentials, stylish accessories and quality furniture. TK MAXX The perfect place to find unique, one-off bargains that will add a touch of luxe to your home. MATALAN With lots of choice and styles to suit every taste, their kitchen ware is particularly budget-friendly. MAISONS DU MONDE Not the cheapest, but always bursting with stylish accessories and quality homeware that are bang up-to-date. FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE All styles, designs and price ranges of pre-loved furniture, perfect for upcycling.…

1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL DESIGN Position two smaller island units side-by-side to create one large central island. These units have space for stools on one side plus built-in shelves for storage on the other. Tornviken island, £250, Ikea 2 CHARACTER PIECE Choose a vintage style piece to add character and pick a suitable worktop. Wood is hardwearing and good on a budget, stainless steel is hygienic, while marble stays cool, so is great for pastry-making. 3 FLEXIBLE FRIEND For small or medium-sized kitchens, a portable kitchen island on wheels offers a more compact option. It can easily be pulled out for extra worktop space when cooking and can be tucked away when not in use. 4 SLIM FIT A work-bench style island unit gives lots of extra space for kitchen prep, but…

Find a piece of wood you like, whether it is salvaged or cut to size at a wood yard. Select a length of rail that fits your measurements. Choose solid wooden brackets so you can drill a hole through. Depending on the shelf length you may need more than two brackets. Measure the rail circumference and mark on each bracket exactly where the hole for the rail should be, then carefully drill to size. Finally, fit the brackets to the wall, secure the wood to the top to make the shelf and thread the rail through the prepared holes.…

When we moved back to England from Hong Kong, there were two things at the top of our wish list – to buy a house we could put our own stamp on and to find a rescue dog,’ says Ruth. ‘We’d been living in a lovely flat in west London, but animal rescue centres recommend you have a garden, so we started hunting. I found our railway workers’ cottage about three miles further north, close to where I grew up. Because these properties are so small, you can get a house here for the same price as a flat closer to the city centre. Surprise house guests To say the house was in a bad state when I looked round is an understatement! You could see daylight through the gaps…

ANTHROPOLOGIE If you’re after something a bit different, they have stunning accessories, like rugs and curtains, that can really bring a room to life. COX & COX For beautiful lighting and mirrors that will enhance any space, this is my go-to choice. LOAF I love their sofas! You can’t beat them for comfort – and they come in a great choice of styles and fabrics. ROSE & GREY Browse a selection of fun and quirky homeware that comes in a range of sizes to inject personality to any room.…

Transform shelves using pretty papers. Paint with two coats of chalk paint. Once dry, lightly distress using sandpaper, then finish with clear wax. Cut paper to fit the backboard. Apply PVA glue to the board, then stick the papers in place.…

Upcycle an old chest of drawers Finding a new home for old pieces is always super-satisfying; here an unused chest was upcycled into a beautiful kitchen island by adding a composite marble top. Give it a twist Remove drawers and paint the inside of the chest to create open shelving for pans and plates. Paint your kitchen cabinets Give old cabinets a new lease of life with a quick ‘no-prep’ coat of paint. This kitchen was given a makeover by removing the top cabinets too and replacing with open shelving. Give it a twist Be bold with colour choices, swapping black cabinets with a leaf green or a rust red. Hang display boxes If cupboards are at bursting point and worktops cluttered, display boxes can be a versatile storage solution.…

Although this house was in a poor state when we viewed it, we fell in love with its potential,’ says Claire. ‘The purchase process was tricky – it dragged on for over six months – and the stress just started there. Our new home was an ex-rental and had been empty for ages. The boiler was beyond repair and the toilets didn’t flush! Basically, every room needed urgent attention before we could move in. The work begins We had a new boiler installed within days, and the bathroom refitted within a couple of weeks. Next was the kitchen, which we replaced within four months. After all that, it was a couple of years before we had the energy to tackle the other rooms. Making progress In December 2018, we started…

Tub armchairs, £110 each; bench, £113; Bamboo side table, £29.99; Anthracite Grey column radiator, £270, all eBay. Paint shades DCO273 and DCO2001 colour match emulsion, £21.99 for 2.5ltr, Decorating Centre Online. Click-fit blinds, £319, Blinds2go. Tawny Chestnut click-fit laminate flooring, £20sq m, Howdens. Round mirror, £55, Dunelm. Wall lights, £32.99 each, Amazon. Lantern ceiling light, £45.42, Wayfair. Tall Green bottle vase, £12.50; Gold candleholder, £4; Grey face ornament, £3, all Jysk. Black and White cushions, £19.99 each; Yellow cushions, £3.99 each, both H&M. Round rug, £99, nuloom. Grey dinner candles, £5 set of five, Tusk Collection. Reed diffuser, £16.95, The Somerset Toiletry Co…

Spring has very nearly sprung and with a little more light on our sides, now’s the time to get stuck into those jobs you’ve been putting off since New Year. Get that scrubbing brush out and pay attention to kitchen appliance grime, before sweeping away the cobwebs that have built up around the windows. If you’re up for a larger project, painting floorboards will freshen up a room, or reimagine a bedroom nook with a DIY dressing table. If you’ve only got 15 minutes to spare, why not bounce around that welcome spring sunshine with a new wall mirror or rethink your hallway storage? Here’s how... Add flexible hallway storage Put an end to kicked-off shoes and abandoned coats with compact cubbies and baskets to stop clutter from escaping into…

Kitchens are the hub of the home for many of us, but the tricky thing when it comes to kitchen shelving ideas, is that we want it to look amazing, but it needs to be practical too. Open shelving is a great option if you are the proud owner of an impressive crockery collection, or are a keen cook who appreciates having ingredients close at hand. Having everything on display, however, requires a certain amount of dedication to keep shelves looking smart. While traditional base and wall cupboards provide a clean and classic look, open shelving gives an opportunity to add character to the room and display things that mean something to you. But think about different ways to execute this look and how to use it in your space.…

‘NOT GOT A WAFFLE MAKER? WHY NOT TURN YOUR BATTER INTO SWEET AND TASTY FRUIT-TOPPED PANCAKES’ BLUEBERRY, BANANA AND CHOCOLATE WAFFLES TAKES 20 MINS SERVES 3 160g butter, plus extra for greasing 250g blueberries 2 eggs 300ml milk 30g golden caster sugar 250g self-raising flour 2tsp baking powder 2 bananas, sliced 50g milk chocolate, grated 1 Put 60g butter in a pan with the blueberries and 2tbsp water. Heat very gently for 5 mins until the fruit just softens. Turn off the heat. 2 Heat an electric waffle maker. Put the remaining 100g butter in a saucepan and gently warm through until melted. 3 Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk in the milk until well combined. 4 Gently stir in the sugar, flour and baking powder. Pour in…

Wattage can work as a rough guide to how powerful a blender is, but higher doesn’t always mean a better blender. Take into account additional features that it uses to process food thoroughly, such as jug and blade design. Most modern jug blenders will have at least four blades. They tend to be angled, which helps them to whisk up pieces from the bottom of the jug and create a vortex to drag blender contents down from the top. Basic models tend to have just a few speeds while more feature-packed models will have several. Both will usually feature a pulse option for quick bursts of speed. A cleaning programme is a handy option, allowing you to run it filled with water and washing-up liquid. The jug itself will be…

Paint your fire surround in a happy shade and top with colourful accessories for a bright focal point. In an unused fireplace, stack logs in the hearth and paint cut ends to coordinate. Choose matt and eggshell for a contemporary look.…