Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Your Home

Throw open the windows, grab your duster and don your Marigolds…it’s spring-cleaning season! Whether you love it or hate it, we’re here with hundreds of tips and tricks to help you refresh your home with ease. Banish the clutter with stylish storage solutions for every room on page 32; find the best air fresheners and chemicalfree cleaning hacks from page 13; discover surprising ways to hide screens, cables and other unsightly tech on page 96; and glean expert tips for your deep clean on page 100. Our real homes are full of spring style, from cover star Laura’s vintage-filled fourbed (p66) that’s bursting with soft pinks and floral patterns, to stylist Bee’s cosy bedroom makeover (p36), which sings with greenery and creative ideas. Read on after each feature to find…

HOW TO… Clean in fifteen! When time is short, get your house looking spick and span by focusing on key tasks and using your time efficiently. Here are our top tips for blitzing a room in just 15 minutes! • Tidying is the first step, so do a quick sweep of the room, putting any obvious rubbish into the bin or recycling, and storing away any items that need to go in cupboards. Now fill a box or basket with items that need to be relocated to their rightful rooms, ready to sort out later. If you’re blitzing the kitchen, do the washing up, or empty and load the dishwasher to clear the decks. • Start cleaning from the top of the room and work downwards. Grab a fluffy feather…

Your March to-dos Air out your mattresses in a dry, sunny spot, and rotate or flip them over when you put them back. Wash your curtains on a gentle cycle to refresh them for spring. Clean the windows inside and out to let the spring sunshine flood in. Tidy up your wardrobe and store away winter clothes in vacuum bags. Do some pest control, checking for insects, rodents and moths. Eco ideas Celebrate nature with these beautiful ecofriendly pebble soaps. Made from soap off-cuts with a decorative felted cover, we love the fact that they’re less slippery to handle than soap alone. What’s more, the felted surface works to gently exfoliate your skin as you wash, while also helping the soap last longer.…

1 Choose a reversible duvet cover and you’ll have two looks for the price of one. Each time you change the bedding, alternate the side you have facing up 2 Personalise your lighting by choosing a basic lamp and giving it a little creative flair. Paint the lamp base in a colour to suit your scheme, or swap out the shade for something brighter 3 Get cosy all over with versatile faux sheepskins. They’re cute as small area rugs, or as snuggly seat pads Top tip! Save money on expensive floral arrangements by filling vases with branches cut from your (or a friend’s) garden. If the stems are soft and bendy, hang them upside down for a few days to let them dry straight, before placing them in a vase…

EDiTOR’S CHOiCE…

Shaker-style kitchens are an enduring choice, as this simple yet stylish design will never go out of fashion. If you’re planning a whole refit, there are plenty of affordable Shaker kitchens with foil-wrapped or MDF doors, but if you just want to bring this timeless feel into an existing scheme, then think wall panelling, neutral paint shades, a Belfast sink, wooden peg rails, stools and chopping boards. Even replacing a pendant light or window blind can add Shaker style, so there’s something for every budget. HIGH tech ‘We are starting to see traditional Shaker-style kitchens seamlessly blending with the latest cuttingedge technology, from refrigerators that integrate unique temperature controls for less food wastage, to more energy-efficient appliances and voice-activated assistants to control multiple kitchen functions.’ Dawn Filkins, head of creative…

SHOPPING LIST • Sheet of paper • pencil • ruler • masking tape • self-adhesive lead strip • boning peg • Pebeo Vitrail glass paints • artist’s paintbrush HOW TO… 1 if possible, remove the glass panel from the door so you can lay it flat to work on it. If this is not possible, carefully take note of its dimensions and draw this onto a sheet of paper to make a template. 2 Using a pencil and ruler, draw your desired design onto the paper template. Geometric designs with straight lines are the easiest to work with. 3 Clean both sides of the glass thoroughly to ensure it is grease, dirt and debris free. Use masking tape to stick the template to the exterior side of the glass -…

SHOPPING LIST • 1m plain fabric for the cushion cover • scissors • pom pom trim • sewing machine • matching thread • pins • selection of plain and patterned fabric scraps • fusible webbing • iron • ironing board • tailor’s chalk • embroidery thread • needle • 40cm cushion pad HOW TO… 1 From the cushion cover fabric, cut a square measuring 43cm × 43cm for the front and two rectangles measuring 43cm × 28cm for the back. 2 Take one of the back pieces and fold one long edge over to the wrong side by 1cm. Fold it over again by 1cm and pin. Sew a 1cm seam along this edge and remove the pins. Repeat for the other back piece. 3 Place the fabric scraps for…

SHOPPING LIST • Selection of fresh flowers • Flower press or an iron (see instructions for details) • Baking paper or greaseproof paper (optional, see instructions for details) • Blotting paper • Glue stick • Glass picture frame HOW TO… 1 Gather your flowers ready for pressing. Flat-headed flowers work best for pressing and will achieve the neatest results. Daisies, pansies, ferns, buttercups, marigolds, cosmos, zinnias and nasturtiums are all colourful choices and will look beautiful when pressed flat. 2 Press your flowers by placing the flower heads and stems onto a piece of blotting paper, making sure they have enough room around them to flatten out when they’re pressed. 3 Place another piece of blotting paper on top and place in the flower press or under a stack of…

Our expert says… ‘To create the perfect kitchen flow, use the kitchen triangle theory, where your most-used appliances (or areas) are placed or fitted so that if you drew lines to connect the three, you’d get a triangle. For example, position your sink, main worktop space and oven in a triangle to avoid too much movement and congestion. This idea works especially well in smaller kitchens, where space is limited, but is also logical for large kitchens.’ Darren Watts, showroom development and design director at Wren Kitchens Our expert says Our expert says… ‘Choosing your cabinets is arguably one of the most important decisions, as they’re often the focal point of the space. If you’re finding the variety of styles available overwhelming and are struggling to choose, opt for a…

TOP TIP Make an easy Easter centrepiece by collecting fallen twigs and arranging them in a vase. Use these to display pretty hanging decorations…

FOR STOCKISTS SEE p113 HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET matalan Turn up the heat with the Moroccan atmosphere created by Matalan’s Artisan range. These ornate pieces celebrate pattern and texture in warm earth tones, creating hardworking homewares that you can build whole schemes around. Try using the pink in this bedding to paint your walls or, let the arched slats from the lantern inspire your lighting choices. Marvellous Minerals Add texture to your table with the new Minerals collection from Portmeirion. This dreamy range of tableware contrasts reactive glazes with unglazed areas, which lets the natural beauty of the clay shine through They’re also microwave and dishwasher safe, making them pretty practical too! HEALTHY HOME A little exercise can make a world of difference but, it can be hard to motivate…

9/10 BEST FOR PURIFYING To battle unpleasant smells and purify living areas, this spray is well worth its price tag. We were impressed by its ability to eliminate persistent strong smells like pet odours. Initially it gives a very intense, medicinal fragrance, which might not be to everyone’s taste, but after a few hours this fades to leave the room smelling clean. The instructions advise six sprays in each corner, but we found a spritz or two per room was enough to banish powerful pongs, so, although it’s on the pricey side, the product lasts well. It’s vegan, and safe to use around pets and those with asthma. 7/10 BEST FOR CONVENIENCE This small bottle was handy to pop into the cleaning caddy and easy to store in the bathroom…

• Clean your microwave the easy way! Chop up two lemons and put them in a bowl of hot water, squeezing out some of the juice as you go. Pop the bowl in the microwave for four minutes so the citrusy steam can work its magic, then take it out and wipe the inside of the microwave clean with a microfibre cloth. Put the bowl of lemons back in for one more minute to freshen and deodorise. • To deep-clean a wooden chopping board, sprinkle some salt onto it and use half a lemon to ‘exfoliate’ the board. The abrasive salt and bacteria-busting lemon work together to shift any ingrained food and leave your chopping board hygienically clean and fresh. • Banish limescale on taps by sticking half a lemon…

NATURAL BEAUTY Homewares and lifestyle brand, Sophie Allport, has created a brand-new capsule collection of solvent-free, low-VOC paints in collaboration with COAT. The 12 colours, with names inspired by the brand’s Lincolnshire roots, work in harmony with the quintessentially English watercolour designs of Sophie’s existing patterns. We’re rather taken by Witham Blue (pictured) — a classic duck-egg blue that pairs perfectly with her Spring Chicken and Bees designs. Matt emulsion, £57 for 2.5L; eggshell emulsion, £36.50for 1L; peel-and-stick swatches, £1.50 each. COMING SOON The range launches on 12th February. Shop at sophieallport.com and in stores…

BATHROOM IDEAS There are a lot of questions that come up when planning your family bathroom, and the answers will be different from household to household. How many children do you have? What ages are they? Are there elderly family members? Do you have space for both a bath and a shower? Accessibility, storage, and maintenance are all important factors to consider, as well as the overall design. ‘Just because a bathroom is used by all ages, doesn’t mean it has to look like a children’s nursery,’ says Ruth Foster, interior designer at Victoria Plum. ‘Start off by looking at bathroom trends and think about how you might like to incorporate these into your own space,’ she adds. ROOM to grow ‘Take some time to consider what you may need…

OLD MEETS NEW Finding a swoon-worthy vintage sideboard at a knockdown price is the dream, but clever styling is key. Mid-century furniture looks on-trend juxtaposed with modern art prints and accessories, but style with one or two vintage classics such as a retro lamp or vase as a nod to its past too…

Installing a new kitchen is a big investment of both time and money, so you want to make sure you do all the necessary preparation before jumping in headfirst. From making a list of all the things you want and need - as well as deciding what you definitely don’t want - to setting a budget and choosing the perfect style, colour and layout, our handy guide will see you through the planning process step by step. By breaking it down into sections, you can create the stress-free and stylish kitchen transformation you’ve always dreamed of! 1 MAKE A WISHLIST Any good kitchen designer will take time to discuss your needs and lifestyle before starting to design your kitchen, so do this yourself as a first step. Think about how many…

À LA MODE The bestselling Bronx range of furniture includes this stylish coat rack, as well as a sideboard, TV cabinet and coffee table Bronx coat hooks in Dark, from £28, Next HALE AND HEARTY Hand-cut, sanded and waxed solid, grade-A wood, this coat rack is available with any number from two to 11 hooks Reclaimed coat hooks, from £35 for two hooks, TheWoodShackUK.etsy.com HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE Handcrafted in the heart of the New Forest, this chunky, rustic style suits many interiors from Scandi to country cottage Solid wood coat rack in Natural Clear, £156.99, Rustic Dreams…

Q In what order is it best to spring clean the house? Ava Wilson, chief-editor at Unclutterer, says… I would approach a spring clean in this order: 1. Begin by decluttering each room. This makes cleaning easier and more efficient. Sort items into categories: keep, donate, or discard. 2. Clean from top to bottom. Dust ceiling fans, light fixture^and shelves first, then work your way down to furniture and floors. This prevents dust from settling on already cleaned surfaces. 3.Tackle one room at a time. This method ensures each area gets the attention it needs without you feeling overwhelmed. 4. Pay special attention to areas that don’t get regular cleaning, like under the furniture, behind appliances, and inside cabinets. 5. Clean windows, windowsills, and walls. These areas often get overlooked…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Sweet potato burritos ■ PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes ■ COOKING TIME 25-30 minutes ■ SERVES 4 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 600g sweet potato, peeled and cubed ✔ 2 tbsp olive oil ✔ 1 tsp oregano ✔ ½ tsp paprika ✔ ¼ tsp cinnamon ✔ ¼ tsp cayenne pepper ✔ salt and pepper ✔ 4 tortilla wraps ✔ 100g warm cooked wild rice ✔ 100g warm cooked kidney beans ✔ 2 spring onions, finely sliced For the dressing ✔ 1 large avocado, chopped ✔ 1 garlic clove ✔ juice of 1 lime ✔ 2 tbsp olive oil ✔ 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt ✔ pinch cayenne pepper Directions ■ Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C fan/gas mark 6. Place the cubed sweet potato on a baking tray and…

Plantastic pots Every month I buy your mag, I love it. I’m always looking for more ideas, inspiration for what I can do next. I like being busy, whether it is upcycling furniture, sewing and so on. I am a flower lover and thought I could make my pots more attractive. I hope you like them! Annetta Szczukocka, via email Beth, creative designer, says: What beautiful pots you have now, Annetta! It’s fantastic that you’ve used so many different techniques and materials. Pop of colour I brightened up the downstairs toilet with a statement wallpaper from B&Q and picked out the orange for a few decorative photos and accessories. It’s gone from a dull dark and boring room with no natural daylight to a colourful and fun little space! Kerry…

Perfect for both indoor and outdoor bins this magic powder not only eliminates odours, it also soaks up liquids that can turn into bad smells Absorb food aromas with this fragrance-free, gel-filled pod. It uses natural seaweed extracts, and is completely safe in a food environment Designed to fit any vacuum, these scented air fresheners neutralise pet odours and other smells with their TechNOdour technology…

One-stop shop for SAVINGS Get access to rewards and benefits for a monthly fee Female-led technology platform pirkx is aimed at making wellbeing benefits accessible to all, including the self-employed, contract workers and small-to-medium businesses, who don’t typically receive great employment benefits. Its membership package, which costs £4.50 a month for pay as you go, gives access to over 40 benefits including on-demand GP and prescription services, 24/7 counselling and mental health support, over 4,000 shopping discounts, 40% off cinema tickets, money advice, debt help and a free monthly lottery, as well as discounted gym membership and skills training courses, all via a flexible self-service platform at pirkx.com or via the app. You can cancel at any time and the average saving a member makes is £1,912.79 per year. There’s…

BEFORE STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Bee Holmes, 39, a photographer (@beeholmesphotography). I share my three-bedroom Victorian terrace house in Worthing with my partner, Adam Hoskins, 39, a carpenter, our daughter Emily, five, and our cat Edwina. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We stripped away woodchip and replastered. Adding lots of storage was also key to keep the room clutter-free, and I wanted a dark green colour scheme. WHY THE CHANGE? When we moved in, the main bedroom was my worst nightmare as it was decorated with beige walls, and it had an Artex ceiling and zero storage. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? We had to squeeze the work in at weekends, so we worked for five months to get the whole thing done. TOTAL COST £2,825 While this Victorian terrace…

ZEN MOMENTS The new Limit range from Crosswater embraces the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which encourages us to slow down from our fast-paced world, be in tune with nature, and accept imperfections. This double drawer unit boasts a new finish, Warm Stone (£2,415), which pairs beautifully with the soft curves of the Circus countertop basin (£1,045) and Infinity illuminated mirror (from £375) in Brushed Bronze, evoking a soothing atmosphere that’s perfect for a bathroom scheme.…

Having scrolled past this Edwardian semi when house hunting online, Katherine Woodcock was finally persuaded to view the run-down property that would become her first home. With plans to grow their family, the pair wanted three or more good-sized bedrooms, along with an open-plan kitchen-diner or the potential to create one. They were very much drawn to older houses, as they loved their rented 1930s home and were keen to stay in the same area of Chester. ‘The previous owner had lived here since 1962 so there were green carpets everywhere, embossed wallpaper, lots of dark, varnished wood and old gas fires in both reception rooms,’ says Katherine. ‘I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as the amount of work needed was a little bit daunting, but the room…

When Laura and her husband were looking for their dream property, they knew they wanted somewhere they could turn into a bright, fun family home, but it also needed to be in the right area and at the right price. ‘We put in a lot of time and effort to find the perfect place to live and when this property came on the market, we jumped at the chance to buy it,’ says Laura. ‘It was in an ideal village location to suit the children, near our families, and it was a great price too.’ While it needed a major update, as the couple visualised a big extension, they knew it would eventually be the perfect place to call home. The couple knew that the price was so low because…

GO WITH THE FLOW If you love the idea of having ultra-modern, time-saving tech in your kitchen, but find that hightech gadgets can look a little harsh, the Pronteau Scandi-X tap is a gamechanger. This 4-in-1 tap with its sleek, matt finish and beechwood handles produces hot, cold, filtered cold and 75-98º steaming hot water, so you can ditch the kettle and save space on your worktop. Either follow the helpful videos and written guides to install it yourself or, if plumbing is a little out of your comfort zone, you can handily book installation as you buy. Pronteau Scandi-X 4-in-1 instant hot water tap in Matt White, £929, Abode.…

MODERN KITCHEN Pros • Sleek and minimalist with clean lines • Makes the most of every inch • Lots of integrated storage • Feels airy and spacious • Can incorporate the latest cooking technology as well as smart features • Soft-close doors and drawers Cons • Can be more costly as well as difficult to keep clean • May appear too cold and stark • More suited to larger spaces CLASSIC KITCHEN Pros • Enhances a period property or adds character to a new-build • Brings warmth to your space • Ideal for those who enjoy baking and cooking with a large range cooker • Fewer gadgets and smart tech means more energy-saving Cons • Not as quick and easy to clean • May not be able to incorporate the…

TAKE YOUR PICK Whether you fancy a refreshing long drink or a celebratory cocktail, Belvoir Farm’s new Pure Fruit Cordials will add a tasty twist. They’re made with no added sugar for a naturally sweet choice, and are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. Choose from Sicilian Lemon & Lime, Exotic Mango & Passion Fruit, and Elderfower & Apple, priced at £4 a bottle from Waitrose & Partners and Sainsbury’s.…

A-ha honey honey! TOP TIP Unopened, this batch will stay good for a month in your fridge. Once it’s opened, keep it refrigerated and finish within a week How to make ■ PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes ■ SERVES 10 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 100ml Irish honey, like OpenHive ✔ 2 tbsp boiling water ✔ 500ml gin, like Ornabrak Single Malt Gin ✔ 220ml cold water ✔ 160ml freshly squeezed lemon juice ✔ lemon peels, to garnish DIRECTIONS ■ Pour the honey into a large heatproof jug with the boiling water. Stir for 10 seconds before adding the gin, cold water and lemon juice, then blitz it all up with a hand blender. ■ Decant into a clean 1L swing-top bottle. Label it with the name and date and stick it…

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