Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring Special 2025 i Your Home

Easter is on the horizon and that means two things: chocolate eggs, and a long weekend for all your home and garden projects! Find quick and easy ways to transform your space in Weekend decorator (p34), refresh a tired piece of furniture with a fun upcycling guide (p104) and before you pick up that drill, make sure you read 9 DIY mistakes and how to avoid them (p100) to avoid any expensive mishaps. Turn to page 107 to get your outside space ready for spring. Follow planting tips from our garden expert (p108) and take style inspiration from our makeover (p112) – Sarah turned her empty new-build plot into a contemporary retreat. We also have a kitchen reno story for you – after years of waiting, Joanne finally created the…

We’re reading… Better Than New: Tips for Upcycling and Refinishing Furniture, Chloe Kempster, £18, Bloomsbury Give your furniture a new lease of life, save money and help the planet. Furniture artist and upcycling expert, Chloe brings you 15 fab projects in this illustrated guide. Go to p104 to try one yourself! We’re going to… Ideal Home Show, 21st March – 6th April, Olympia London Keen to discover the latest trends in home, garden, cleaning and organising? Then head to the UK’s biggest home event in London this April – a great chance to get up close to the celebs and brands whose style you covet! We’re listening to… How to Home with Maxine Brady and Gemma Gear Don’t miss this podcast from professional interior stylists and ‘decorating agony aunties’, Maxine…

If your laundry appliances are in the kitchen, consider giving them their own corner. Stacking can be useful here to save space, and hiding them away behind tall cupboard doors will ensure they don’t encroach on the style of your kitchen decor. Incorporate some shelving too, which will help to keep detergents and cleaning products neat and tidy. Valuable space under the stairs is often boxed in to create a cupboard that can end up become a dumping ground, so why not give it a more useful purpose? If plumbing is available nearby, it could instead be transformed into a utility area, housing a washing machine, tumble dryer and storage for ironing equipment too. A garage or basement can be the ideal location for utility appliances. Very few of us…

PERFECT HARMONY Make your style sing with the new ‘Concerto’ collection from Graham & Brown. It’s a symphony of gorgeous mix-and-match styles, many of which have been hand-painted by its team of in-house artists and designers. The range includes on-trend stripes and lush floral designs in easy-to-use coordinating colourways. View the whole range online at grahambrown.com.…

AIRO DYNAMIC Add a contemporary look to your kitchen with this Airo tap from Abode in its new PVD Gunmetal finish. This monobloc tap is made from stainless steel and has an anti-splash spout, plus it is supplied with flexible tail pipes to provide fast and simple installation, and its 5-year warranty promises added peace of mind. The Gunmetal colourway fits perfectly in the latest kitchen trend of darker finishes too. It’s available from abodedesigns.co.uk and is priced at £379.…

After being told that the rental property they’d been living in was about to be sold, Amanda West and husband Des started searching in earnest for somewhere to buy. ‘We wanted to stay in central Plymouth, but all the properties we looked at had a tiny third bedroom and only a courtyard garden,’ explains Amanda. ‘When we walked through the door of this house, we saw the black-and-white checked tiles in the hall, the high ceilings and the space, and we knew straightaway it was the one for us. It was like the house was giving us a hug.’ Having grown up nearby, designer Amanda was keen to stay close to the moors and the coast, which are the inspiration for her illustrations, fabrics and wallpapers. The house, on the…

Expectations were low when Tara and Mark Graffagnino arranged to view the 1920s house that would become their home in 2018. ‘We only booked because we were seeing another house around the corner and weren’t expecting it to be up to much,’ admits Tara. ‘However as soon as we saw it, we could really imagine ourselves living here and loved the period features that were lacking in our 1990s home.’ Located in the Victorian town of Clevedon in Somerset, the setting also won their hearts. ‘We wanted somewhere that had more of a community with lots going on and a bit more greenery,’ says Tara. ‘So, the location looking out across the Bristol Channel was perfect and the woodland to the back felt very calm.’ CREATING CHARACTER Restoring the property…

INSPIRED BY IKEA While wandering around an IKEA store, do you love popping into the showrooms and imagining living in those setups? Of course, you can buy most of the products directly from them, but what about the paint? If you want to recreate the whole look, then you need to check out Paint Zero’s ‘Inspired by IKEA’ collection. The sustainable decor paint brand has launched six colours to complement the room settings and photography, giving you the showroom look at home. Find the entire palette at paintzero.com; they’re all £29.90 for 2.5L too. Our expert says… ‘The good news is that most decorating mistakes can be rectified with a little effort and knowledge. While it can often be painfully annoying to revis project that you’ve already spent hours, if…

Every so often you come across an old piece of furniture in desperate need of attention, and this was true for this pre-painted mid-century set of drawers. This project will show you how to transform secondhand furniture with creativity and style! Wallpaper is an amazing way to update a tired piece, and here we will be using textured paper (Anaglypta) to add a contemporary twist. SHOPPING LIST ✔ Degreaser ✔ sandpaper ✔ sanding block ✔ tack cloth ✔ painters’ masking tape ✔ water based primer ✔ flat paintbrush ✔ mini roller & tray ✔ eggshell paint ✔ PVA glue ✔ textured wallpaper ✔ squeegee tool ✔ scissors ✔ sharp utility blade ✔ clear top coat ✔ foam brush or roller ✔ wood oil ✔ lint free cloth or kitchen sponge…

GOOD VIBES In the mood for a snack but can’t decide between chips or crisps? Well, thanks to this latest innovation from McCain, you don’t have to. They’ve created a hybrid potato snack called Vibes – they are crispy on the outside but light and fluffy in the centre. They come in two flavours – Salt & Vinegar and Firecracker Chilli – and cook in just 10 minutes in the air fryer, or 20 minutes in the oven. Find out more at mccain.co.uk or grab a packet of Vibes from your local Iceland, Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Morrisons for just £3.…

TOP BANANA To caramelise banana, carefully melt 50g caster sugar in a pan. When golden, remove from the heat, and gently stir in about 25g butter and a little water. Add banana slices, cut side down, and leave for 1-2 minutes on each side to absorb the colour How to make ■ PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes ■ MAKES 1 You will need ✔ 35ml Mermaid Spiced Rum ✔ 20ml vegan banana liqueur ✔ 15ml vegan chocolate liqueur ✔ 75ml oat milk To garnish ✔ caramelised banana (see tip) ✔ vegan chocolate DIRECTIONS ■ Melt some of your chocolate in a wide bowl. Upturn a coupe glass and roll the rim around into the chocolate – dip once for a neat straight edge, or double dip for a more organic dripped…

Wonder wall When I downsized into my small flat, the walls were grey and made the space feel cold and unwelcoming. I didn’t want to replace my old orange sofa bed, so I went online and found some wonderful wallpaper. It took two days to put it up, but it was worth the effort. It makes me smile every day. Hooray for colour! Nicola Perchard, Jersey Beth, creative designer, says: We agree! This wallpaper looks fantastic, Nicola. It’s a really clever match with your sofa bed. Tree of life Trees and nature play a big part in our family’s life, so it’s nice for them to be in the decor of our son Jack’s bedroom. We used a mural to decorate his nursery before he was born and now that…

SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL! Your Spring to-dos Clean windows, inside and out, follow our expert tips on page 17. Clear out the fridge, wipe down the shelves and dispose of expired items. Locate the drain hole at the back of the fridge, usually behind the salad drawer. If the hole is clogged, unblock it with a cotton bud. Declutter your garage or garden shed. Sort through tools, seasonal items, and old equipment. Clean the floors, wipe down the shelves, and reorganise your items using storage bins. Refresh upholstered furniture. Dust or vacuum, then treat any stains with an appropriate cleaner. Finish by steam-cleaning the fabrics in situ, or wash loose covers in the machine if you can. Put away winter clothes and shoes, as well as heavy duvets, storing them in…

Put the idea of a spring clean on your WhatsApp chat and you’ll find it will divide a group of even your closest friends! Lovers will be counting down the days, tooling up in anticipation. Others might dismiss the spring clean as an out-of-date notion. Who has time, right? However, most of us will admit that our home could do with some TLC, and what is clear is that finding a manageable solution for you is the only way a spring clean will be beneficial. Whether you blast it within a few days, or break it down into bite-size chunks, armed with our handy hacks, plus some super tips from the professionals, you can make this the best spring clean yet. 1 Gather your tools Industry expert Lynsey Crombie, The Queen…

24 hours or under Seize the day and get a new look before bedtime Paint internal doors Spruce up doors to add unexpected colour into your space. Doors are a great place to bring in tones that you really love but could be overwhelming across the whole room. It’s a large enough area to make an impact, but small enough not to dominate. Painted doors are also a nice way to tie together a whole-house colour scheme, either paint each door the same shade, or reference colours used elsewhere in the house. Use a hard-wearing formula for this, ideally something that’s satin or gloss finish so that it’s easily wipeable. If you’re painting a panelled door, paint all the nooks and crannies first using a brush. Then use a roller…

Zoning rooms in the home, particularly open-plan spaces, has been a popular trend for a while. And with kitchen designs becoming more open themselves, creating ‘stations’ for specific meals or tasks is both a practical and stylish option. Whether you want a more relaxed morning with a dedicated breakfast or coffee station, a bar space for an evening tipple, or a baking area for Sunday morning bread-making, follow our inspiration to create your ideal space. The breakfast club Get everyone fed and out the door fast with a breakfast bar EXPERT TIP ‘An ideal baking station setup combines ample counter space with smart storage solutions close by – having things like measuring cups or scales, utensils, cake tins and mixing bowls to hand is essential. Decant dried goods like flour or…

SHOPPING LIST ● Tape measure ● spirit level or laser level ● pencil ● masking tape ● wallpaper ● craft knife ● metal ruler ● wallpaper paste and bucket ● wallpapering brush ● decorative wooden beading ● eggshell paint ● paintbrush ● junior hacksaw ● mitre block ● grab adhesive ● panel pins ● hammer How to… 1 Start by measuring the area that you’d like to work with as the ‘frames’ for your walls. Use a tape measure and spirit or laser level to make sure your lines are straight and mark them lightly on the wall using a pencil. Once you’ve measured and marked your rectangular frames, create the borders with masking tape. 2 Next, cut your wallpaper to the correct size to fit within the frames using…

SHOPPING LIST ● 30cm drum lampshade kit ● double-sided tape ● light-to-medium-weight fabric ● dressmaker’s scissors HOW TO… 1 Start by cutting your fabric to the correct size. It should be a few centimetres bigger on both the long and short sides of your shade frame, but the instructions on the lampshade kit will give exact cutting instructions. 2 Next, place the self-adhesive panel from your lampshade kit on the back of your fabric. The panel should already be the correct size for your shade so just line up the edges with your cut fabric. Glide your hand over the surface to smooth out any air bubbles or creases. 3 Now you need to peel away the top and bottom sections of the backing panel. Do this carefully to avoid…

SHOPPING LIST ● Sheet of stencil acetate ● dinner candles ● permanent marker ● cutting mat ● craft knife ● metal ruler ● hole punch ● masking tape ● gold acrylic paint ● paper plate ● stencil brush HOW TO… 1 Begin by making a polka dot stencil. Wrap a sheet of stencil acetate around your dinner candle so the edges overlap by 5mm, mark the measurement with a permanent marker, and cut to size on a cutting mat, using a craft knife and metal ruler. 2 Use a hole punch to cut holes from this sheet at regular intervals. Wrap the acetate sheet tightly around the candle and hold in place using masking tape. 3 Squeeze a little gold paint onto a paper plate and dip your stencil brush into the…

With the Easter and May bank holidays on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to start planning that DIY project that you’ve been itching to get started. But before you begin, it’s good to know the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. The saying ‘fail to prepare and prepare to fail’ is never truer than household renovations so we’ve got all the info you need with inside intel from the experts to ensure your plans run smoothly. Here are the nine most common mishaps and what you can do to avoid or repair them… 1 Damaging walls with drills Whether you’re putting up shelves or a cabinet, avoid the temptation to drill into the wall willy-nilly. The last thing you want is to drill into a water pipe or…

SWEET SCENTS If you love sweet peas, then now’s about the time that you can direct sow them into your borders – just make sure that there are no late frosts on the horizon. We love this new seed mix, sweet pea ‘scentsational mix’, £2.99 for 25, from Thompson & Morgan – not only does this blend of blooms give beautiful fragrance and colour, but the varieties included have sturdy stems, making them ideal for cut-flower displays. See more at thompson-morgan.com.…

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE You can use the spice rub to marinate and flavour any Sunday roast joints, whole fish and trays of veggies. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME 1 hour 40 minutes SERVES 8-10 Fragrant Easter lamb leg and gravy YOU WILL NEED ✔ 3 celery stalks, roughly chopped ✔ 1 large onion, roughly chopped ✔ 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped ✔ ½ × 20g pack rosemary ✔ 8 dried bay leaves ✔ 1 garlic bulb, halved lengthways ✔ lamb leg (approx. 2.15kg) For the rub ✔ 16 dried bay leaves ✔ ½ tbsp freshly ground black pepper ✔ 1 orange, zested and juiced (1 tbsp) ✔ 1 tbsp fine sea salt ✔ 8 garlic cloves, crushed ✔…

HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET John Lewis & Partners Get set for spring entertaining and dining with new pieces from John Lewis. This collection sees classic pieces of furniture offset by soft green hues and natural materials such as jute and rattan, as well as warming pops of rich red. Refined and elegant, with a touch of Scandi influence, this range also extends to the living room and bedroom, bringing a calm and considered feel to the whole home. FOR STOCKISTS SEE p128 Happy Birthday! This year marks the 35th anniversary of the invention of chalk paint – Annie Sloan’s revolutionary furniture paint that’s a go-to for upcyclers the world over. ‘Wow! 35 years. I am overjoyed!’ says Annie. ‘When we launched in 1990, there was always a grand plan,…

8/10 BEST VALUE Vacmaster Easyclean carpet spot cleaner, £99.99, Robert Dyas I tested this spot cleaner on a sofa that had water marks from a leaking skylight. I filled the tank halfway for a small clean, as marked on the tank, and it was ample to clean the whole sofa. I found it tricky to get the right angle on the brush so the soapy water wasn’t immediately sucked up, but the spray worked well, and the suction was impressive -the sofa was dry in an hour and marks gone! It is recommended to use the Vacmaster cleaning fluid, and a bottle is included. It was good, though a measuring device would be handy. It’s easy to empty and clean with the provided tool. It is quite bulky, but there…

Q I don’t have much space, but I’d love a tumble dryer – how can I fit an extra machine in? Lucy Baxter is marketing manager for Bosch Group, and has spent most of her career learning all things home appliances. She says… ‘For homes with limited space, integrating a tumble dryer is still a practical option. One effective solution is to stack it on top of your washing machine using a suitable stacking kit. Designed for stability, these kits secure your appliances during operation and often include features like pull-out shelves for folding clothes. Always check your appliances are compatible and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for installation. If stacking isn’t an option, heat pump or condenser dryers are a smart choice. Unlike vented dryers, heat pump and condenser dryers collect…

Welcome spring into your home, and garden, with this beautiful trend that embraces a light and refreshing colour palette to wake up your surroundings. Think pastels, ginghams, bunnies, eggs and bunting to bring the look to life. Whether you’re hosting an Easter garden party for family and friends, or a smaller gathering to make the most of the sunnier days, use paper decorations, floral garlands and wreaths to dress the space. Striped or checked tablecloths can transform a garden table and pastel-coloured cushions will soften the look, with a little comfort too. Look to high street stores, such as Matalan, George Home and John Lewis, for some cute decorative pieces, as well as online shops Meri Meri and Ginger Ray, for affordable and beautiful party essentials that will help you…

EDiTOR’S CHOiCE…

It’s often the advice when it comes to bathroom design to avoid following trends. But here’s the thing, trends are influenced by our surroundings, the events that are going on in the world and impacting our everyday lives and so, many trends are more than just a fad. Molly Woodward-Moor, interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore, agrees, ‘The upcoming trends are much more than fleeting styles, but are rather reflections of broader lifestyle shifts. In 2025, we are embracing design that fosters balance with timeless looks, nature-inspired palettes, and touches of authentic emotion at their core.’ It makes sense that the very space we create in our homes to feel relaxed, as well as revived, is one that feels like a safe haven and what all of these…

BIRDS OF A FEATHER Chinoserie decor often features birds of prey, such as Amanda’s herons, or a phoenix because they are symbols of peace and prosperity…

OUTDOORS IN If you’ve worked hard on your garden, like Kamila, why not flow nature inside your home too? Try faux plants to start…

Andy Kille from Andy Kille Building, winner of the 2024 Checkatrade awards, says, ‘DIY, although an appealingly low-cost option, can be more difficult than it seems. As a rule of thumb, stay away from anything involving water, gas, electricity and anything structural. If mismanaged, these projects can cause extensive damage to your home and might even land you in hospital. This includes knocking down internal walls, fiddling with bathroom fittings and bricklaying. Experts have trained for years for a reason so let them take on the jobs vital to your home’s stability. Purely aesthetic jobs carry less risk. While donning the toolbelt yourself may not land you a perfect finish, painting, plastering and tiling are safer options to tackle. Always make sure you are properly prepared with the correct safety…

Caramel & ginger hot cross bun bread & butter pudding ■ PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes, plus chilling ■ COOKING TIME 35 minutes ■ SERVES 6 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 6 hot cross buns, each sliced into 4 ✔ 3 large eggs ✔ 300ml whipping cream ✔ 300ml milk ✔ 1 tsp vanilla extract ✔ 75g golden caster sugar ✔ 3 balls Opies Stem Ginger with Syrup, finely chopped, syrup reserved ✔ 3 tbsp Carnation caramel sauce ✔ fresh custard, to serve DIRECTIONS ■ Arrange the sliced hot cross buns in an ovenproof baking dish ■ In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whipping cream, milk, vanilla extract, caster sugar and 2 tbsp stem ginger syrup. Pour the batter evenly over the hot cross buns. Scatter over the chopped stem ginger,…