Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Your Home

With the fresh energy of spring comes fresh inspiration to revamp our homes and gardens, and this issue of Your Home is bursting with ideas to help you do just that, with hundreds of tips and tricks for indoors and out. All of our decorating features this issue embrace the spirit of the season. Discover folksy influences (p24), joyful updates for your dining table (p28), and bigger decor projects in Bring in Spring (p30). Get ready for floral motifs, pastel hues and feel-good designs galore! Elsewhere, we invite you to step inside our fab real homes. From cover star Mandy, who gave her ex-council property a cosy farmhouse makeover (p56), to Grace, who transformed her Victorian semi with a colourful scheme (p66), they are full of creative ideas. Find more real…

HOW TO... clean curtains and blinds These often-forgotten areas of your home can soon accumulate dust and grime. Whatever window treatments you have, keep them spick and span with our top cleaning tips... • Dust your window treatments every two weeks to prevent build-up. Make sure blinds are lowered first, so that they cover the entire window, then dust from the top down. The best tools for this are either a microfibre cloth, a duster, or the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. Don’t forget to dust the back, too! • Keep Roman blinds in situ when cleaning them, as taking them down is fiddly and the cords can easily become tangled. Once they’ve been dusted as above, spot-treat any stubborn stains with a suitable stain remover and a damp cloth,…

To make your own ironing water, add a teaspoon of your favourite essential oil to a tablespoon of witch hazel and shake well. Add a large mug of distilled water, shake again, and you’re ready to spritz!…

GET READY to buy As mortgage rates ease, it’s a good time to get on the property ladder. Alan Davidson, personal finance distribution director of Together, shares his application tips... First-time buyers need to provide documents on income, employment status, and any debts or expenses. Having the documents ready means you can move quickly when the time comes. Most banks depend on automated lending decisions, so check your credit score to spot unfamiliar items, address them with the provider and resolve outstanding debts. A mortgage broker helps buyers with the products available. They can also help those with irregular incomes or buyers of houses deemed non-standard. Check out togethermoney.com. Did you know? New car registrations are released March to April so this is a busy time for car financing. If…

Featuring whimsical images of forest foliage and blooming flowers, the current trend for folklore-inspired design has us transported to an enchanting woodland glade (and we’re certainly not complaining about it!). Inspired by storytelling, traditional folk designs draw inspiration from all kinds of themes: from nature and animals, to ancient fables and mythology. It’s a trend that is relaxed and welcoming — where mixing and matching patterns, colours and textures is greatly encouraged. This season the classic homespun style is reinvented, swapping traditional moody hues and classic motifs for fresh pastel shades and contemporary floral designs. Think pops of sage green and peach, paired with embroidered textiles, faux foliage and playful patterns steeped in fairytale magic...…

Swap out the soft furnishings Whether it’s the cushions and throws in the living room or the bedlinen and blankets in the bedroom, it’s time to pack away the current soft furnishings in vacuum pack bags and introduce some new season solutions. Swap the chunky knit for lighter cotton or linen, and pick colours and patterns that reflect the time of year - floral and botanical designs in a palette of pinks, light greens, yellows and soft blues are both refreshing and comforting for either of these spaces. With the days getting brighter and flowers beginning to bloom, it’s the time of year when we like to have a spring clean and a decor refresh. From switching up the bed linen, to painting a feature wall or simply adding a…

SHOPPING LIST • Sheet of 20mm planed kiln dried timber (this can be cut to size online) • 70mm × 45mm × 2400mm kiln dried timber • 25mm × 38mm × 1800mm kiln dried timber • tape measure • pencil • jigsaw • sandpaper • drill with 9mm and 5mm drill bits • 2m × 9mm dowel • wood glue • screws HOW TO... 1 Cut a piece of 20mm timber to measure 400mm × 400mm for the seat; four 600mm lengths of 70mm × 45mm timber for the legs; and four 160mm lengths of 25mm × 38mm timber for the foot rests and front and back seat supports. 2 Lay two leg pieces parallel to each other on your work surface. Position one foot rest 10cm up from the…

SHOPPING LIST • Plain plastic shower curtain liner • flat king-size bed sheets for the base • 2 x flat single sheets for the ruffles • thread • tape measure • dressmaker’s scissors • needle • pins • sewing machine • marker pen • eyelet kit and applicator tool • hammer HOW TO... 1 Cut your king-size sheet so it measures 188cm by 178cm (check that this will fit your bath and adjust the measurements accordingly). Mark one of the short sides to be the top. Hem the sides and bottom edge of the curtain by folding each edge over by 1.5cm to the wrong side (WS), then 1.5cm again. Pin, then sew each edge in place. Leave the top edge unhemmed. 2 To make the ruffles, first measure and…

SHOPPING LIST • Candle mould • pressed, dried flowers • measuring jugs • pillar candle wax pellets • cotton wicks to match the mould size • Blu Tack • kitchen scales • fragrance oil (optional) • thermometer • large heatproof bowl • large saucepan HOW TO... 1 Measure out your wax using the kitchen scales 350g is usually sufficient for an average pillar candle, but refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your mould. 2 Place the wax in a large heatproof bowl, then place this on top of a saucepan of water to create double boiler. Place the pan on the heat and slowly melt the wax. 3 Prep your mould. Use Blu Tack around the base of the pillar candle mould to hold the two sections firmly together to…

Our expert says... ‘Moulding trim is typically found in more traditional homes and has been used throughout architectural history to add elegance to walls and ceilings. To DIY your own moulding trim, measure and map out where you intend to install the moulding. If you’re a new DIYer, I advise sketching out a plan to help visualise your desired layout. When cutting the moulding to fit, use a mitre block with a hand saw to make precise angled cuts and cut the moulding at a 45° angle.’ Nick Ee, product and training manager at Black+Decker WHEN IS A NEW STAIRCASE WORTH THE COST AND HASSLE? Michael Martin, director of Architect Your Home UK, has this advice... ‘Don’t always think about this in monetary terms relative to the cost of the…

SAVE THE PENNIES This wallet-friendly option has a 1-metre high lattice backing, and is ideal for a mixture of plants, including climbers like ivy DIVIDE AND CONQUER This large trellis planter is excellent for sectioning off garden spaces, for seating areas or hot tubs. Braked castors can be added on request BEST OF BOTH The staggered slats either side of this screen enables plants to be trained up both sides, so it can be used in a central position…

One-pot herb-crusted roast chicken YOU WILL NEED ✔ 1.5-1.8kg chicken ✔ 2 tsp fine sea salt, plus extra to season ✔ 2 onions, thickly sliced ✔ 4 garlic cloves, peeled but left whole ✔ 2 tsp fennel seeds ✔ 4 tbsp olive oil ✔ 60g butter ✔ 1 lemon, halved ✔ 100ml white wine or water ✔ 1 tsp dried oregano ✔ 1 courgette, sliced into 5mm rounds ✔ 2 × 400g tins or jars of butter beans ✔ freshly ground black pepper ✔ Parmesan, to serve (optional) DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to as high as it will go (about 260°C/240°C fan/gas mark 10). Season the chicken all over with the salt, and set aside for 30 minutes. Then dab the chicken with paper towels to remove any moisture…

FOR STOCKISTS SEE p112 HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET Matalan Bring a breath of fresh air into your home with Matalan’s newly released SS24 collection. The range features a palette of minty greens and light cream tones perfect for achieving a country-style look in your own space. There’s also plenty of wood and wicker pieces to add texture, plus we love the on-trend scallop detailing found throughout. Easy peasy If building flat-pack furniture makes your head spin then you’ll be pleased to hear that John Lewis has launched a line of Easy Klix furniture, designed to be assembled 10 times quicker than conventional furniture. In fact, most pieces simply need to be clicked into shape! CRYSTAL CLEAR To honour over 50 years of glassmaking heritage, Dartington Crystal is reintroducing some of…

9/10 BEST FOR SPEEDY BAKING A smart choice for small kitchens, this diminutive mixer really punched above its weight. To begin with, the slow setting moved at a comfortable pace – it didn’t send clouds of flour outside the bowl. As we moved through the speeds, we were impressed by how powerful it felt. Unlike other the mixers in this test, it didn’t come with dough hooks, but the whisking beaters that are supplied are dishwasher safe, making clean-up quick and simple. We love that the grey plate used to cover the fan at back of the mixer doubles as a neat cable tidy. 8/10 BEST FOR BATCH BAKING With its tasteful matte finish and wood effect details, this is a super stylish option. We were a little worried that…

Your April to-dos Organise and tidy a well-used storage space, such as the shed, loft or garage Spring is a great time to bleed your radiators and get rid of any air pockets Give wooden doors a deep clean, fill in any holes in the wood, and replace old hinges Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Empty out the ash in a fireplace and give the whole area a good sweep ECO idea The brainchild of botanical designer, James Whiting, and the experts at Soil Ninja, this new peat-free potting mix will keep your plant babies happy-and therefore your air quality healthy! Suitable for most leafy indoor plants, Lush Dirt not only provides great aeration, drainage and natural sources of nutrients, it also comes in a…

CONSUMER NEWS Frequently asked questions... What are the new tax rules on selling? Digital platforms such as eBay, Etsy and Vinted are required to pass on data to HMRC, but only if you sell 30+ items a year or earn £1,000 or more in a single tax year. If you're only earning a few hundred quid, it’s nothing to worry about. It’s not a new tax, it’s just a new law that gives HMRC more visibility over your income. Anything totalling under £1,000 is a tax-free trading allowance, but anything over will likely need to be declared on a self-assessment tax form. Should I be worried about scams? It’s safest to be paid in person, in cash. If you’re buying an item online, use their recommended payment methods. Don’t make…

THE MOODBOARD Inject soft colour and painterly pattern into your home with these practical interior buys…

BEFORE STEP INSIDE... WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Amy Davies, an interior and lifestyle content creator (@littlehouseinlondon). My home is a 122-year-old Victorian, three-bedroom, mid-terrace home in East London. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We stripped the room back and drew up a plan for the new layout. I called in a professional to help me design the perfect space. I wanted to enjoy cooking again, and make the most of the light at the back of the house. WHY THE CHANGE? The kitchen was dated, dull and almost unsafe. I had no real storage or organisation, which meant doing anything in the kitchen became a real chore. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? The building team sorted the plumbing and electrics, and fit the units and vinyl flooring in a couple of weeks.…

SET IN STONE Give yourself a decadent bathroom without the designer price tag with the new marbleeffect porcelain tile range from Quorn Stone. This collection of three designs - Albareto Viola (pictured), Treviso and Lucca - replicate the look of real marble for a fraction of the cost. They also won’t require the expensive sealing or specialist cleaning that marble demands, so it’s win-win! Albareto Viola marble effect porcelain tiles are available from £65 per sq m, from Quorn Stone.…

BATHROOM IDEAS Stripes are proving popular this year with many of our favourite high street shops showcasing stripy bathroom decor that goes beyond the classic coastal look - check out organic and imperfect lines, in particular. Not only are stripes on trend, but they can be used to our advantage, particularly when decorating a small room - vertical stripes draw the eye up, making a room look taller, while horizontal designs can make space seem wider. Whether you are looking to create a subtle look with small pinstripes or a contemporary finish using big bold bands, we have plenty of inspiration and practical tips to get you started... EXPERT TIP EXPERT TIP ‘Stripes visually elongate interiors, which is great for smaller bathroom spaces. Striped tile designs are not limited to…

When we move into a house, we usually focus our attention on refreshing the main rooms. We don’t really think about the staircase, but it is one of the focal points as you enter your home, so you want it to make a good first impression, and to be a welcoming sight for you and your family. The easiest way to update it is to change the carpet or runner for a new design. You can transform the spindles and banister by painting or replacing, as well as giving the treads and risers a fresh look with a new paint colour or stencilled print. 1 Paint the spindles and banister The most affordable way to give your staircase a whole new look is to paint the spindles and banister. This works…

Q Can I paint the exterior of my house if there’s rain forecast the next day? Becky Rackstraw, director and head of creative at Protek Woodcare, says... ‘Ideal painting conditions often means good weather, however, an exterior wall can be painted the day before rain if the temperatures are suitable. In warm, dry conditions, Protek Royal Exterior and Wood Stain and Protect will easily be touch dry in a couple of hours. We do, however, recommend avoiding painting at 5°C or below, or above 30°C. The paint will cure better if the wall is dry in the first place, although our microporous formula will let the moisture out. Ensure the wall surface is ready to take the paint, for example no major flaking or loose cement on brick walls. There’s…

Take a seat My daughter-in-law asked if I could upcycle this telephone table. I painted, waxed and sanded it for a shabby chic effect. I reupholstered it in Orla Kiely. It’s now my granddaughters’ story chair. Cathy Smith, Bala Megan, production editor, says: You’ve given this unloved telephone table a fairytale ending, Cathy! A step change I read your magazine every month and finally took the plunge to make the bold move with my stair banister. I wanted to go black but didn’t know if it would work. It looks fantastic and has made such a huge difference to the room. A bit of masking tape and a steady hand! Absolutely chuffed with how it turned out! Rebecca Grice, Lincolnshire Beth, creative designer, says: What a steady hand you have,…

This cleverly designed bowl is essential for keen bakers. The rim features small indents for better grip, while the flat planes around the base allow you to tip the bowl comfortably onto a surface, so you can get more air into your whisking Spare yourself from the splatter with this smart silicone guard. Pop the beaters through the hole and it keeps your ingredients in the bowl Get that oh-so-satisfying clean-bowl with a silicone spatula, it’s amazing how much leftover mixture it manages to gather up. This design is adorable and has a both a curved edge and a straight one, for maximum scraping potential…

• Distilled white vinegar is a brilliant way to get rid of limescale, as it’s gentle and cheap! Descale showerheads and taps once a month to prevent blockages and low water pressure. Unscrew the showerhead, put it in a large plastic bowl and cover with vinegar. For taps and non-removable showerheads, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie over the fitting. After soaking for 1 hour (only 30 minutes for brass), scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse with water, then polish with a soft cloth. • If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, try using fresh lemons or citric acid, which can be bought from DIY shops. To descale a kettle, half-fill it with water, switch off and unplug it, add 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid or…

PICKLE COTTAGECORE Get ready for spring with the latest ‘At Home with Stacey Solomon’ collection available from George Home! If you liked the pumpkin-filled debut that Stacey created with George last autumn, then you’ll love the bunny and bluebell motifs, set against soft lilacs and rich greens, in this range. ‘It is so important for me to create collections that complement each other,’ says Stacey, ‘so you can build on what you already have, and I believe this range does just that. It brings that touch of fresh springtime to the home at great value’. Prices start from £1.…

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS IF NEUTRAL HUES BRING YOU MORE JOY THAN BOLD BRIGHTS. LET NATURAL TEXTURES BRING THE BLISS…

EDITOR’S CHOICE…

After years of moving from one rental property to another, Mandy Naldrett and her husband Andy dreamt of buying their own home in their beloved seaside town of Eastbourne. ‘Andy and I were absolutely fed up with renting,’ explains Mandy, ‘we’d paid out thousands over the years to landlords and really wanted to invest in a house locally and get on the property ladder.’ The couple had worked hard to save for a deposit and, in 2009, were finally in a position to start looking around. ‘Our daughter Amy was six at the time and our son Ryan had just turned one, so finding a threebedroom property near to a good nursery and primary school were our top priorities,’ says Mandy. After an initial search, the Naldretts realised that their…

After living in London for nine years, Grace Halliday and Luke Morris decided to start a new chapter of their lives, 200 miles away in south Manchester. ‘We wanted a bigger house and a bit of a change,’ says Grace. ‘Some friends had moved to Manchester a few years prior and during lockdown we just decided to go for it.’ As an actress, who now works in freelance event management and oversees press junkets, Grace is used to travelling for work, so wasn’t fazed by a big move, and Luke could do his IT role from home. Having completely renovated their two-bedroom 1970s excouncil flat in Hackney, it sold within 24 hours and the pair could begin house hunting. In their search for a three-bedroom Victorian house with a decent-sized…

Megan Conway knew how she wanted her new home to look before it was even built. ‘Home decor has been a passion of mine since I was little, and my style leans towards modern country interiors because I love soft, warm shades and natural woods,’ she explains. ‘I was excited to give our first house a cottage-inspired makeover.’ RENOVATION RETHINK Megan and her partner Josh lived with her parents while saving up for a deposit. Their dream was to own a period property which they could renovate together. ‘We started house hunting once our mortgage was approved,’ recalls Megan. ‘We were keen to buy a renovation project but with our busy work commitments, it soon dawned on us that we didn’t have the time to tackle a big house project…

SLATS FANTASTIC Give your home a high-end look in as little as four weeks with the new faux wood range from Shutterly Fabulous. These waterproof styles have the look of painted wood but are made from high-quality uPVC, making them perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms. The quick turnaround time is down to the fact that these shutters are made in the UK, and with a whopping 10-year guarantee, they’re well worth considering for your next big project. Shutterly Fabulous Faux Wood Shutters are priced from £419 per sq m.…

Give your garden the wow factor and transform old pallet wood into a new two-in-one planter and privacy screen for your garden. You can build it to any custom size to fit your space perfectly, and finish it with stain or paint, depending on your style. The planter itself can be made shallow or deep, depending on what you plan to grow. Aromatic climbing plants are an excellent choice for a planter like this, teamed up with herbs and salad items to keep your kitchen well stocked. The trellis screen on this planter offers a subtle barrier between your garden and next door’s, and, if you train plants up each side, it can offer both you and your neighbour a beautiful display and delightful scent, all year round. SHOPPING LIST…

REACH FOR THE SKY If one of the climbing plants on page 100 takes your fancy, then you’ll need a trellis to help it reach its potential! For a deciduous plant, choose a pretty design so that when the branches die back over winter, the supporting structure still brings beauty to your plot. Look for one that suits your garden’s style there are modern, geometric designs as well as ones that are designed to work with container plants, but for a classic, country garden aesthetic, we love lvyline’s outdoor leaf trellis, £59.99, with its aged bronze finish.…

SPRING SPIRITS Turn any gathering into a spring celebration with premixed drinks from Niche Cocktails. Order a box of these clever canned drinks (from £15 for 3), pop it in the fridge and you’ll always be ready for a party. Mix and match your favourite drinks at nichecocktails.co.uk- fruity Strawberry Daiquiri and classic Negroni have just been added to the lineup too!…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Pink grapefruit and coconut squares ■ PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes ■ COOKING TIME 50 minutes, plus 2 hours chilling ■ MAKES 16 squares YOU WILL NEED For the shortbread base ✔ 150g plain flour ✔ 50g icing sugar ✔ salt ✔ ¼ pink grapefruit, finely zested ✔ 50g desiccated coconut ✔ 100g unsalted butter, melted For the topping ✔ 2 pink grapefruit, juiced and finely zested ✔ 300g caster sugar ✔ 2 tbsp plain flour ✔ 5 eggs ✔ ½ lemon, juiced ✔ red food colouring (optional) ✔ 50g desiccated coconut DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3. Grease and line a 20cm square baking tin. ■ For the base, sieve the flour, icing sugar and a pinch of salt into a bowl.…

A A Place for Everything 01244 680 501 aplaceforeverything.co.uk Abigail Borg 0121 330 2652 abigailborg.com ad&i 07985 412277 adandishop.co.uk Amazon amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 770061 anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com AO 0161 470 1100 ao.com Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416 appliancesdirect.co.uk Arabella Jane arabellajaneinteriorsonline.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Asda 0800 952 0101 asda.com B B&M 0330 838 9000 bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Beach House Art beachhouseart.co.uk The Bedroom Centre 01226 288289 bedco.co.uk Beko 0333 207 9710 beko.co.uk Beldray beldray.com Belling 0344 815 3746 belling.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk BHS 0333 005 0070 bhs.com Bohemia Design 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk Brabantia brabantia.com The Braided Rug Company 01654 767248 braided-rug.co.uk Brewers 01323 576555 brewers.co.uk C Cambridge Imprint 01223 921 991 cambridgeimprint.co.uk Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Claybrook Studio 020 7052…

TOP TIP Get inspired by the colours of the plants in your garden and choose pieces in the same hues everything goes with green!…