M a k e yo u r d r e a m h o m e a r e a l i t y

Real 50
REALHOMES.COM

under
HOMES
MAKE IT
£50 GIFT IDEAS FOR THE
WHOLE FAMILY

best
SPARKLE buys
wood
flooring
special touches
fridge
for festive freezers
entertaining Kitchen and
bathroom
updates

OPEN-
PLAN
LIVING
Get it right with
our expert tips
The magic
of Christmas
STYLISH DECORATIONS TO
FILL YOUR HOME WITH JOY

CELEBRATE AT HOME
beautiful spaces packed with enchanting ideas
 A t the time of writing this, I have to
admit I have no clue how we’ll be
spending Christmas this year.
Will it be on our own as a
family of four or will we get
the chance to host our extended family,
from the editor

too? While there’s much uncertainty

over the who, where and how at the
moment, one thing I can say with
certainty is that many of my best-loved
Christmas traditions will still be part of
our celebrations. Whether it’s making
Christmas puddings, decorating the
tree with the kids (and then swiftly
redecorating it once they’ve gone to
bed as I can’t cope with their random
bauble placement), snuggling up
and watching festive films, being
surrounded by twinkling Christmas
lights or tucking into a steady supply
of mince pies, it’s the combination
of all of these little things that makes scoured the shops, internet and
this such a magical time at home. independent makers to find the best
As we’ll be spending more time ideas for family, friends and even pets.
here than usual this Christmas, I plan On a more personal note, I want
to go all out with the decorating and to say a heartfelt thank you to all of
make sure our home feels as festive as you who have supported Real Homes
possible – it’s all about the seasonal magazine this year, going out to buy
sparkle after all! I’ve been eyeing up a copy of the new issue whenever
all the latest trends in our Christmas you could, downloading our digital
feature on page 43, plus Karen and version or subscribing – see below for
Adam Griggs’ stunning home (page this month’s fantastic deal. It’s kept the
22) shows how to create a magical team going knowing that our readers
space for the festive holiday. have been enjoying the magazine
I’m also determined to be more during this somewhat crazy time.

organised on the present front (even
though I say this every year) and avoid
a last-minute dash to the shops. If
you’ve got the same good intentions,
make sure you check out our amazing
50 gifts under £50 (page 53). We’ve
REALHOMES.COM
So wherever and however you
spend the festive season this year,
I hope this issue inspires you to fill
your home with some seasonal joy, and
Beth Murton
I wish you and your families all the very Editor
best for a happy and healthy Christmas. @BethMurton

hristmas essentials
my c
READER
Show off those
homemade mince
pies on this Milano
marble cake stand,
£45.95, CielShop OFFER
I’d love to come Subscribe for £29.99
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Perfect for needed! The
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snuggling up for Winter Puddings
a festive film. Sleekster, £22.95,
worth £29.99.
Damson Gin Hotel Chocolat See page 8
wool throw, £69 for details.
Tolly McRae
 ntents
co
Inside track
Style agenda
41

style maths
Get the latest guest bedroom
94

13 news looks for £300 and under

This month’s hottest new
homeware and design ideas 43
christmas crushes
19 trending trees The Christmas trends of 2020
If faux is your way to go, here’s and how to get the look
our selection of the best
51 Designer spotlight
21 Delicious dinner sets The independent makers we’re
New plates and dishes to dress loving for Christmas gifts
your festive table in style
53
22 real home Gift guide
See how Karen and Adam’s The best presents under £50
former worker’s cottage comes for even the pickiest recipients
into its own at Christmas
58 43
39 would you SET entertain at home
CHRISTMAS... ... and stay jolly. How to fine-tune
as a deadline for your project? your home for the festivities
Readers share their thoughts
64 creative ways with
93 let’s be friends wall displays
Follow us on social media Adorn your walls with
unique accessories for
a space full of personality

35
REALHOMES.COM

137 spotlight on
kitchen islands 15
On-trend designs and advice
157 for the hub of your home 53

137
READER
OFFER
Subscribe for £29.99 and
get a set of three Joules
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 ntents
co
22
home life
71

Favourite Corner
Natasha’s living room is cosy in
project advice
35 project news


The latest ideas and essential
purchases for your renovation

dark blue with brass accents 85

Guide to going
72 real home OPEN PLAN
Decorating with Danish-inspired We show you how to open up your
pieces has put the heart back space to suit modern family life
into Katie and Russell’s home
125 extension of
94 Real HOME the month
Decked out in jewel colours, Sue An impressive addition with
and Matt’s house is perfect for clever corner-opening effect
an atmospheric Christmas
127
106 HOW TO KEEP kitchen and
MOMENTUM bathroom news
Key ways to power on through The latest buys and design ideas
a major renovation project for a stylish and practical space

110 Real home 143

Bringing country features back wooden flooring
into their converted barn was A guide to choosing the
a priority for Calista and Tom right design for you
41
120 real bathroom 151
Charlie created her en suite of focus on fridge-
dreams in an extended loft freezers
Store all that festive food
130 Real KITCHEN with our top buys
13

See how Helen knocked through
for the modern industrial 155 The edit
kitchen she’d always wanted The latest patterned
splashbacks and bath taps

110 162 Sunday Project

Create a gorgeous garland
masterpiece for your staircase

going
Eco
Look out for this logo
43 on our favourite
sustainable picks
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 EDITORIAL
Editor Beth Murton

Re a l
s
Deputy Editor Ellen Finch

e
Assistant Editor Alison Jones

Ho m
Style Editor Anna Morley
Deputy Style Editor Amelia Smith
realhomes@futurenet.com 0330 390 6508

ART
Head of Art Billy Peel

just
Senior Art Editor Emily Smith
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REALHOMES.COM
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a
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ISSN 1464 - 4061

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11
 INSIDE
Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love…
track
Decorations, from
£3; warm white lights,
£8; Forest Dawn
tableware, from
£3.50, all Sainsbury’s
Home. Winter’s cabin
pom-pom garland,
£15; cutlery, £20;
Highland Lodge grey
pendant light, £30, and MAGICAL
Beni dining chairs, £100 MOMENTS
for two, all Argos Home
Ensure your dining table pops like
a cracker when the 25th rolls around
by creating the perfect tablescape.
By layering fresh tableware, sparkling
glassware and festive candlelight,
you’ll set the celebrations off
beautifully. Sainsbury’s Home has
pulled out all the stops with its latest
ranges to take your table to
the next elegant level.

Sahara pink
carafe, £15, pink
tumbler, £4
REALHOMES.COM

Midnight dinner
plate, £4.25; cereal
bowl, £3.75

easy Dutch Glam

living velvet pouffe, £35

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

Sahara bar tray, £25

Feast your eyes on these Electroplated
additional table toppers nibble bowl,
and plush accessories £2.75 each
from Sainsbury’s Home Dutch Glam
for an ultra glam look Mongolian faux
fur throw, £35

13
 Pikes gold four-

}
piece bar kit and
TREND marble stand, £60,
Brass ice bucket SPOT
Rockett St George
and tong, £59,
Marquis & Dawe
BARWARE
Anything from the Whether you’re
trolley, dear? If you’re after design ideas
keen to put your for every room
mixologist skills into in your home,
practice, get yourself the latest deals
some shiny tools to on homeware or
showcase those inspiration for
talents and create a those finishing
Metallic stars
Rose gold little cocktail theatre. touches, you’ll
highball glass,
metal straws, £10, John Lewis find it all at
£3.99, Beautify & Partners realhomes.com

}
Brushed gold drinks
tray, £19.99, VonHaus

Stainless steel
cocktail strainer,
£7, ProCook DECK
THE HALLS
Creating a cool yule doesn’t have
to cost a fortune, and Poundland’s
2020 Christmas decorations are
simply spectacular. Looking every
bit the part for a magical winter
scene, there are frosty baubles
galore, not to mention gift
wrap, LED candles and
seasonal touches.

Bookworm
The Home Edit Life:
The complete guide to
organising absolutely
everything at work, at
home and on the go by Clea
Shearer & Joanna Teplin
(£18, Octopus Publishing)
With 1.5m followers on
Instagram already, this
organising duo are pretty
well established. Their second
book could help you get your
home in shape for Christmas,
and all while helping you
leave the guilt behind when it Baubles, gift
comes to owning things. We wrap, Christmas
would happily let them rifle accessories, from
£1, all Poundland
through our drawers.

14
 RICH
CELEBRATION
If ‘tis the season for a room refresh,
Graham & Brown has just announced
Pink gin bauble,
its annual colour and wallpaper of
£3, Matalan
the year. With the brand approaching
its 75th anniversary, it has delved
into the archive to create Timepiece,
an amalgamation of Art Deco design
with floral prints. It’s complemented
by Epoch, an indulgent emulsion
that would make a statement
in any space. Festive
sandwich, £8,
Paperchase

Caviar tree
decoration,
£16, Ella James

MINI
TREND

Plastic pickle
QUIRKY
bauble, £1.50, BAUBLES
George Home Adorn your tree, or any
blank spaces, with
some festive frivolity.
Gone are the days of
basic baubles: now you
Timepiece Amethyst can hang Christmas
wallpaper, £60 per roll; sandwiches, pickles
Epoch Resistance ultra or even tins of caviar.
matt emulsion, £44 for These make great
2.5ltrs, Graham & Brown gift tags, too.

SEASON’S Frosted Pines

FEASTINGS
REALHOMES.COM

plates, £42.50
Bringing out decorated for four; Frosted
tableware is a fun and Pines candy bowl,
lovely tradition that £18.50; Celestial
dinner plate,
can really start the
£66 for four, all
countdown to Christmas.
Sara Miller London
Dinnerware aficionado
Sara Miller has released
this brand-new Frosted
Pines collection, which
would be perfect for
parties or displaying
mince pies for ol’ Saint
Nick himself.

15
 Think pink
Embrace the accent of the moment, blush, that’s coming to a Christmas
near you. Combining the luxurious, bejewelled, marble and animal print
trends, Cocktail Kisses from Wilko will provide a sprinkling of glamour Light Up tree
and romance in your space this season. Celebrate this decadent trend woven wall
and add a touch of elegant glam to your home this holiday. hanging, £55,
Cox & Cox

Novel Noel
Here’s a new way to hang
out this December – Cox
& Cox has introduced
an ingenious tree wall
hanging complete with
LED lights, so you can feel
instantly transported to
a cosy alpine lodge, but
without losing floor space
en route. Effortlessly cool,
Twilight 6ft spruce tree, it can be hung anywhere
£60; baubles, from £3; for you to enjoy some
glitter hanging trees, snow-frosted magic.
£2 each; organza pink
tree topper, £2; gift
bags and wrap, from
£1; baubles tree, £8; SPECIAL
stocking holder, DELIVERY
£3; sequin stocking,
£2; velvet cushions,
Who doesn’t love flowers arriving
£8; mirrored metal and
directly to their door – especially at
glass tray, £8, all Wilko
this time of year? Bloom & Wild has a
wondrous collection of foraged fancies
just ready to be boxed up and posted
to brighten someone’s day. Its
ranges also include advent
trees and decorations. Think
Laundry Days
wax candle, £40
RELAXED of it as one less package
NOSTALGIA for Santa.
These stocking
filler-sized goodies
from Loaf are set
to encourage fond
memories. The
collection of
essential supplies
includes smelly
candles with
names like Country
Muggins mug Boozer and Granny’s
in Burnt Garden, stoneware
Custard, £12 mugs, artwork,
throws and lighting. The Hari, £42,
Bloom & Wild

16
 Slim 5ft rainbow
tree, £30, Wilko

PRE-LIT
Frosted Mountain
spruce 7ft
Christmas tree,
Snowy Derry 6ft £279.99, Lights4fun
premium pre-lit SLIMLINE
Christmas tree,
£125, Homebase

FLATBACK

Chelsea flatback
6ft tree, Silver Tip 6ft
£219, Balsam Hill fir Christmas
PRE-LIT tree, £130.99,
Imperial pre-lit ManoMano
Christmas tree,
£119, Dobbies

White lustre-
effect 6ft tree,
£49, Dunelm
REALHOMES.COM

F E ST I V E
Slimline blue
spruce 6ft
Christmas tree,

REFRESH
£79, John Lewis
& Partners
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

Celebrate the season with the quintessential SLIMLINE

Christmas showpiece. If you go faux, here’s our

pick of corner dwellers, waiting to be adorned
19
 1

14

12

13

NEXT MONTH – TAKE A SEAT ON OUR PICK OF THE BEST BAR STOOLS
5
4

11

10

REALHOMES.COM

S E A SO N ’S S ERVIN GS
If you’re hosting the main event this year, step up to the plate and present
your gathering with delicious tableware that’s sure to delight
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

1 Mallory leopard print earthenware 12-piece dinner set, £50, Habitat 2 Fusion pad print 12-piece dinner set, £30, Wilko
3 Corrib dinner plate and bowl, £35 each, Craft Editions 4 Vardo 12-piece satin glaze dinnerware set, £69, Made 5 Ren 12-piece dinner
set, £42, Next 6 Abstract dinner plate, £3.50; bowl, £3.50, Matalan 7 Christmas pine plate, £9.99, Lakeland 8 Folky Animals 12-piece
dinner set, £30, George Home 9 Tribal print 16-piece dinner set, £45, Homebase 10 Plant print 12-piece dinner set, £25, Marks & Spencer
11 Strimmig pink plate, £2.50; bowl, £2, Ikea 12 Pale grey stoneware plate, £16 for two; small bowl, £9, Maisons du Monde 13 Fox & Ivy
Azzurra dinner plate, £4.50; side plate, £4; bowl, £4, Tesco 14 Dots spotty side plate, £12; nibble bowl, £12, Rose & Grey

21
 Ashbourne kitchen
units painted in
Indigo, Howarth
Timber. Worktops,
Worktop Express.
Knox shelf brackets,
Dowsing & Reynolds.
Astini sink, Taps UK.
Crockery, Habitat.
Cakes made by Cake
Girl, York. Rustic cottage renovation
serviette holders,
Old Forge York
Forest Crafts

Winter

FOR MORE EXTENSION IDEAS AND ADVICE, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS

WARMER
With its rustic character and cosy interior,
Karen and Adam Griggs’ former worker’s
cottage comes into its own at Christmas

Why we love Karen’s cottage

Karen Griggs faced a huge learning curve when she and Adam
renovated a series of outbuildings at their family home near
York. After ‘parting company’ with the first builder, Karen
decided it was easier to manage it herself – and what better
way to achieve exactly what she wanted than to be as hands
on as possible? Before long she was climbing onto the
roof, laying bricks and learning new skills from a team of
tradespeople who were happy to share their knowledge and
make sure everything was done to her exacting standards.
Karen’s main focus was the renovation and extension of
#SOREALHOMES

a former worker’s cottage, which had previously been a village

pub, a post office, an antique shop and a printing press for
choral music. Through her previous job as a healthcare nurse,
Karen knows the positive impact beautiful surroundings can
have on people’s lives, and she set out to create a home full of
interesting textures, colourful textiles, beautiful smells and
visual delights that would lift the spirits of visitors.
She has achieved this by using recycled and reclaimed
materials, including old bricks, painted wood, rustic beams
and stone flags, along with colourful fabrics from India, quirky
wallpapers and paintings, and an eclectic mix of furniture and
accessories that reveal her eye for a stylishly unstructured
finish. Karen’s attention to detail and sense of humour are
threads that run through every room, but it’s taken tenacity
and vision to transform the neglected old outbuilding into
a stunning rural hideaway. We found out how she did it…

23
 Over to Karen...

‘
We had to remortgage to fund our
dream of transforming this property.
It was a big undertaking, involving
demolishing the back of the old
cottage, renovating the front
section to create a vaulted open-
plan living area, and building a
corridor to link the two bedrooms,
each with double doors opening
into a private courtyard.
‘We created the kitchen-dining
area by knocking two rooms together
and stealing from a small hallway,
an old store cupboard and some
courtyard space. We installed the
log burner against a Corten steel
panelled wall, which was handmade
and fitted by a local blacksmith –
it’s a lovely contrast and works well
with the beams. We were keen to use
natural and local materials, so the
huge stone hearth going across the
floor is made from Yorkshire stone.
‘We insulated, boarded and
skimmed the wall on the right-
hand side with magnetic plaster,
then painted in chalkboard paint
to provide somewhere to draw,
create and mess about. The industrial
design of the kitchen is quite simple,
but we included the Knox brackets
and open shelves on the brick wall
to display our collection of artwork,
crockery and stoneware. I love to
‘
fill the cottage with local produce
and crafts, and Christmas always
includes a sumptuous afternoon
tea made by Cake Girl York.’

Right Walls painted in

Charbonne, Paint & Paper
Library. Dining table and
benches, Storm Interiors. For
similar dining chairs, try Next.
Woodburning stove, Esse. Steel
panelling, handmade and fitted
by Flaxton Forge. Candlesticks,
Rustic Rose Interiors. Decorations
and garlands, Old Forge York
Forest Crafts

WORDS AND STYLING HEATHER DIXON PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID BURTON

Costs & contacts BEFORE

Build work £86,000

Plumbing £20,000
Electrics £10,000
Kitchen and bathroom £10,000
Windows £7,000
Professional fees £6,000
Flooring £6,000
Decorating £5,000

Windows Lowther Aluminium Systems, 01904

400535, lowtheraluminiumsystems.co.uk
Paint Paint & Paper Library, 0845 880 5844,
paintandpaperlibrary.com

24
 GO TO REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS
TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS
Profile
THE OWNERs
Karen Griggs, who runs a
holiday cottage and rural
crafts business (oldforgeyork.
com), her husband, Adam,
an accountant, their children
Chloe, 21, and Freddie, 16, and
two dogs, Boris and Bobbi

GO HOME,
THE PROPERTY
A two-bedroom 19th-century

PERIOD
former worker’s cottage
near York

ADVICE,
project COST

YOUR
£150,000

FORMORE
FOR#SOREALHOMES IDEAS AND
IDEAS ON UPDATING
MOREEXTENSION
WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA MURRAY

25
‘
The original plasterboarded
ceiling made this room feel
small and cramped, so we
created the vaulted ceiling
and restored the original
beams, supporting them with
new ones made by a joiner
using traditional methods.
It’s as if we’d given him a 3D
jigsaw with half the pieces
missing and said, “Make new
pieces and finish this off!”
‘We desperately wanted to
keep the exposed brick wall. It
had to be assessed for sound
purposes, which couldn’t be
done until the building was
roofed. The interior was put
‘
through rigorous sound tests.
We were delighted that the
building passed and the
brick wall could stay.

Woodland angel tree topper

made by Freja Madeley for
Old Forge York Forest Crafts.
Sofas, DFS. Footstools,
La Redoute. Rug, French
Connection. Wall lights,
Dowsing & Reynolds. Pencil
Lady picture, Rockett St
George. Sheepskin throws,
Ikea and Hide Rugs UK.
Cushions, handmade with
William Morris fabric.
Curtains, made with Flynn
fabric, Prestigious Fabrics
27
#SOREALHOMES FOR MORE EXTENSION IDEAS AND ADVICE, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS
 ‘ I took apart the pallets used
to deliver build materials and
used a nail gun to fit them
to the back of these vintage
wooden lockers from Etch
Interiors – they help create
TOP TIP ‘
a divide between the main
Hone your DIY skills by living area and the entrance
recycling inexpensive lobby. I added coat hooks
pallets to create for practicality, too.
rustically charming
furniture or panelling Stool, Dilly Dally in
for indoors or out Pocklington. Artwork by
Leah Pendleton. Wreath,
Old Forge Forest Crafts
‘
The budget was running tight
by the time we got to this
courtyard, so we used black
painted reclaimed softwood
instead of burnt larch for the
feature wall, and paved the
courtyard with stone salvaged
from inside the cottage. I also
made the giant wreath in my
Old Forge studio, which is in
a converted barn next to the
cottage. There’s nothing more
relaxing than being able to
fling back the doors in the
‘
morning and enjoy a coffee
in the privacy of a cosy
courtyard, whatever the
time of year.

FOR MORE EXTENSION IDEAS AND ADVICE, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS

Windows, Lowther. Sofa
and coffee table, Ikea.
Plants, Vertigrow. Cushions,
Laura Ashley. Wreath, Old
Forge Rural Crafts

#SOREALHOMES

29
‘ There’s one original Crittall
window in the main house,
but we love it so much we
included similar style
aluminium windows and doors
from Lowthers in the new-
build part of the property. The
double doors draw masses of
natural light into the rooms
and open directly into the
sheltered courtyard. On a
‘
sunny Christmas morning,
there’s nothing I like better
than opening the doors to
bring the outside in.

Bed, Dreams. Throw Natalia

Wilmott Styling. Dressing
table, La Redoute. Mirror,
Ikea. Fringe chandelier,
Rockett St George. Bedside
lamp, Made. Wreaths (on
trellis), Old Forge Rustic Crafts
‘ We decided not to go dark
in the bedroom because we
worried it wouldn’t feel like a
calm, relaxing space. Instead,
we opted for Farrow & Ball’s
Elephant’s Breath. We were
going to keep it white but it
felt like the room needed
warming up. The design is
quite Scandi, with lots of
wicker and beige tones.
We wanted a toned-down,
chilled-out room where we
can unwind at the end of
the day. All the furniture in
‘
here we brought from our
old house, so there’s nothing
‘
We’ve travelled a lot and one
of the biggest influences was
our honeymoon in Mexico.
At that stage, we knew we
were looking for a project,
so from there on in we had
more of an eye on the interiors
of the places we visited.
The foundations of the
rooms are neutral, minimal
and light, and we brought in
‘
natural materials like wood
and rattan, plus the concrete,
to warm up the scheme
and add interest.
Bed, Futon Company. Ceiling

FOR MORE EXTENSION IDEAS AND ADVICE, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS

new except the baskets light, Ebay. Black floor lamp,
and the lampshade. Ikea. Side table, Vinegar Hill.
Green vase, HomeSense
Walls painted in Elephant’s
Breath, Farrow & Ball. Carpet,
Vogue Carpets. Bed, Laura
Ashley. Prints, New Icons of
Print and Mark Spain limited
edition from Bradbury Graphics
of Belfast. Woven wall-
hanging, La Redoute.
Bedside tables, Ikea

#SOREALHOMES

31
 ‘ The main bathroom and twin
room en suite are positioned
to the back of the cottage,
off a corridor that links all
the rooms. This is quite a
small bathroom, but you don’t
need a lot of space to create
something amazing. We put
taps in the centre of the bath
‘
to make it more luxurious,
and made use of every inch
of space to get the best
out of the room.

‘
Wall tiles, Mandarin Stone.
Bath, Carronite. Shower
screen, Paul Hargreaves
Plumbing. Shower, taps
and basin, Hudson Reed.
Lights, Industville. Floor
tiles, Topps Tiles. Flowers,
Blooming Backyard
THE PLANS
GROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR
BEFORE AFTER
Right I wanted twin beds
or a super king in here and
couldn’t find anything that
worked on our decreasing
budget – until I found these
on Etsy. I also wanted them
to be on castors so I could
move them about easily. The
bedside tables are stacked
vintage suitcases and the
shelves and sliding door along
the back wall were made by
a joiner, using wood from the
parts of the cottage that were

EN
‘
demolished. I called on some
designer friends – Fresh Start
Living and Making Spaces – to
STORAGE

STORAGE BATH
STORAGE ROOM SUITE help me pull it all together.
KITCHEN/
DINING/ BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM Beds, Storm Interiors. Sofa,
BEDROOM
STORAGE Ikea. Throws, AmaDablam
Cashmere. Pheasant feather
wallpaper, Woodchip &
COURTYARD
Magnolia. Pendant lights,
Contract Lighting. Flooring,
Howarth Timber

32
 TOP TIP
Play with a room’s
dimensions and carry
the wallpaper up and
across the ceiling
when decorating for
a striking effect

FOR MORE EXTENSION IDEAS AND ADVICE, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS

‘ Because Mike comes from

a design background, he
#SOREALHOMES

was able to visualise how

the house might look on some
3D software – we could play
around with the layout. The
bathroom is slightly different
to the rest of the house in
the materials we’ve used. The ‘
large-format tiles are timeless,
and the wall behind the basin
is Travertine plaster by Oikos.

Wall and floor tiles,

Dimensions Bathrooms of
Frome and UK Bathrooms.
MDesign shower curtain,
Amazon. Bath mat, Zara

33
 PROJECT

NEWS
THE LATEST IDEAS, TRENDS
AND ES SENTIAL BUYS Franklin knurled
button knobs,
£6.95 each
FOR YOUR HOME IMPRO
VEMENT PROJECT

Franko knurled
handles, from
£14.95 each

FEEL THE HEAT

‘Tis the season of the stove, and if
you’re installing one, you don’t want all that Can you
precious heat escaping past the sealing plate
and through the brickwork. The stove box is a
handle this?
clever device that stops this – instead pushing
heat back into the room and using fuel more Pull out all the stops to
efficiently. The stove box slots into a new or create a good impression
existing chimney breast, surrounding the this Christmas. Festive
stove and insulating all around it. It looks like
prep now extends to
a typical fireplace, with interiors of brick,
freshening up tired décor
stone or plaster – choose whatever suits your
room. A stove box costs £140 plus VAT. that can’t be hidden
With a false chimney breast kit, it is by the tree or artfully
£480 plus VAT, The Stove Box draped in fairy lights.
FEATURE ALISON JONES *HEATING STATS ACCORDING TO RESEARCH BY CONFUSED.COM

These tactile beauties

from Plank will update
drawers and cupboards,
adding a stylish edge to
anything you need to pull
open. Knobs start from
£6.95 and handles from
REALHOMES.COM

£8.95, Plank

on reflection
Radiators deliver a warm hug in a room, but
aren’t always pretty to look at, especially
when draped in still-damp socks. Turn yours
into a showpiece with an Art Deco-inspired
radiator cover. The Anastasia is covered
22%
OF PET OWNERS
with hand-cut, bevelled mirrored panels, WILL SPEND MORE
Anastasia mirrored
to add a real shot of glamour. The strips
stop little fingers touching hot metal
radiator cover,
£219.99, MY Furniture
ON ENERGY JUST TO
while thin gaps in between let air circulate.
KEEP THEM WARM*
35
 Granite
See it laid Go high
for your
Highland

Planning on installing new

health
ECO flooring? Sometimes it’s
CHOICE a stretch to visualise how
small sample pieces will
look covering the whole Grant Sneddon, the product
floor. With Amtico’s newly manager for Velux (velux.co.uk),
Volcanics
updated room visualiser, reveals how the right roof
Tambora
you upload a photo of window can improve how you live
your room then pick your
GREEN ON flooring product and How can windows help to
THE SURFACE apply it to the space. Try create a healthy home?
different patterns and Two of the key components
We love to improve our home environment colours, and when you to creating a healthy home
while still being kind to the global one. have a look you like, use it environment are daylight
HI-MACS has stepped up its commitment to as a guide for ordering and ventilation.
sustainability with a selection of new recycled the real thing. Find the Vertical and roof windows
colours in its acrylic surfaces. New to the visualiser at amtico.com are an easy way to incorporate
Granite collection are Cotton Field, Windy Hill both these elements. We
and Highland, joining Santa Ana, Tambora and recommended that glazing
Gemini in the Volcanics range – all certified as
covers 15-20 per cent of
containing up to 16 per cent recycled material
a room’s floor space to
and produced to high environmental
standards. Durable, colourfast and achieve maximum daylight.
hygienic, HI-MACS surfaces start
at £300 per linear metre. What benefits do roof
windows offer?
A combination of roof and
vertical glazing is paramount
in any healthy home as roof
Fresco Herringbone, windows help daylight travel
£161.94 per m2,
further into a room. This is
Havwoods
especially important in open-
plan living spaces and single-
storey extensions, where
a room with a former exterior
wall line might no longer
have any vertical windows
pointing directly into it.
Installing roof windows
will also increase the amount
of ventilation you can bring
into your home, and having
as much fresh air as possible
circulating around it will ensure
your indoor environment
stays healthy.

How can roof windows

and smart tech create
a healthy environment ?
Smart technology and healthy
homes go hand in hand.
Velux Active with Netatmo
features sensors that
continuously monitor the
temperature, humidity and
CO2 levels in your room and
Grey area will open and close your roof
windows automatically to
Get ready to embrace the grey. We love a good neutral, and used well, help maintain a healthy
they’re anything but bland. On-trend grey is a sophisticated colour that’s climate inside.
wonderfully versatile. A pale grey can be cool and edgy, a smoky grey can What’s more, the system
be warm and soothing – or you can mix 50 shades of it for a complex and can be operated using an
vibrant look. Havwoods wood flooring has more than a hundred different app, so you can control your
grey timbers, from subtle silvers to something darker and more intense. roof windows at home from
The wood even comes in ready-made patterns for an easy-to-lay design. anywhere in the world.

36
 BAT E
I G D E
TH E B
WOULD YOU SET
A CHRISTMAS
RENO DEADLINE?
Is a festive finish for your project a target
to aim for or is it piling on more pressure?
YES
Two readers reveal their approach
‘Having a deadline
focuses you to
make decisions
and get it sorted’
Kirsty Whyte (@thewhyteplace) and Paul
Tanner live in a Victorian terrace in London
‘We only moved in a few weeks ago and this will be
the first Christmas not going back to my mother’s.
She is coming down here, so I’d love it if we could
treat her for a change. We’re trying to make a
decision on a new kitchen and Christmas will be
upon us before we realise it. And we have another
deadline in that we’re having a baby in January.
‘We stayed in our old flat while we had a
loft conversion and side extension done, moved
the bathroom upstairs, and had new windows,
electrics and floors. During lockdown, when the
tradespeople stopped coming, we decorated it all
ourselves. We have a makeshift kitchen of a couple
of units, hotplates, a microwave and kettle. We
thought we could live with this set up, but we’ve
quickly realised it’s not practical or sustainable.
‘Paul and I work well under stress. We’ve
always had busy jobs and a side hustle of a watch
business. With the renovation it’s been quite a
big workload, and quite high pressure – but I’m
a creative consultant and I’m used to managing
timelines. Having a deadline definitely focuses
WORDS ALISON JONES
you to make decisions. Now we’re like, “Okay, we
need to get this sorted!” We can’t really live like
this and Christmas is coming really quickly.
‘We want it to be nice and for us to be
properly settled in, not living out of boxes.
It’s a set point that really focuses you.’
NO‘You’ve got to step
back and ask why
people are coming
to see you’
Janina Monaghan (@styleatthehutch) lives
with husband Matt and their two children
in a 1960s detached house in Nottingham
‘If you’re setting a deadline of Christmas to finish
a project because you want to avoid hazards or if
NEXT MONTH: ARE YOU HOOKED ON RENOVATING HOMES?
there’s a hole where the window should be, yes you
need to strive to get those things completed. But
if it’s from a cosmetic point of view, don’t put that
pressure on yourselves. You’ve got to step back a
bit and ask why people are coming to see you at
Christmas. It’s not because you’ve installed a new
bath – it’s because they want to be with you, in the
warmth of your friendship and hospitality.
‘Last year we embarked on a rear extension
and some internal alterations. The structural
work was completed by August and we gave
ourselves three months for the cosmetic changes.
Then I had news of a redundancy and we halted
progress. We’ve been left with a concrete floor, no
tiling, no plinths and lots of stuff still to be done.
‘I think striving for this notion of perfection is
dangerous territory. It can be really unhealthy and
lead to feeling unhappy and unfulfilled, and no one
wants to feel like that at Christmas. Sometimes
imperfections can be discussion points. We’ve got
this unfinished concrete floor in the extension and
“
friends have said “Why not polish it up or leave it?
It looks very industrial.” It’s an opportunity to
innovate. I threw down some rugs I had in the loft
to create a sense of warmth, and people have said
it looks really nice, really eclectic. Working within
boundaries, you have to be creative.
‘Last year we had my parents and my in-laws
both round for Christmas and it was joyful. The
incompleteness of the space didn’t impact on our
enjoyment. If anything it’s a talking point. It’s just
life. We’ll get there. These things are sent to try us,
but how we deal with them shows our resilience.’
REALHOMES.COM
Striving for perfection can lead to
feeling unhappy, and no one wants
to feel like that at Christmas
39
 STYLE
maths
Multiply your guest room’s style for under £300 with our edit
of the latest schemes and how to create them on a budget

Chinese money
Ferm Living
TRANQUIL plant, £15,

=
round shelves,

+
TONES Leaf Envy
£119, Amara

£278.49
Buoyant bedside
table, £114.99,
Wayfair + Green throw, £29.50,
Oliver Bonas
+ £21.51 LEFT
OVER TO
MAKE THEM
FEEL AT HOME
WITH GUEST
SLIPPERS

FRENCH
+ Jordan mirror,

=
BOUTIQUE £110, Sweetpea Apricot pink
& Willow boudoir cushion,
£38, The French
Bedroom Company

Le Marais chest Pineapple

+
of drawers, blush pendant,
£130, Argos £22, Dunelm
£300
+ EXACTLY
RIGHT! YOUR
WORK HERE
IS DONE
REALHOMES.COM

Dutch Glam floral

+ Kopardal

=
MODERN
PURPLE bedding set, £16, bed frame,
Sainsbury’s Home £115, Ikea

Afuly floating
shelf, £22.99 for
two, Amazon
Lorena Canals
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

rug, £139,
Cuckooland £292.99
+ +
£7.01 LEFT OVER
FOR A FANCY BOX
OF CHOCOLATES

41
CHRISTMAS
CRUSHES
What’s top of your Christmas decorations wish
list this year? A magical snow-inspired
look or a sumptuous midnight blue scheme?
Whatever your style, check out the
season’s must-have trends

43
 ECO
CHOICE
›

Mercury star
lights, £14, Next
Recycled star
Fabulous gold paper tree
›
eucalyptus style wreath, topper, £10,
£35, Rockett St George National Trust

Hanging frame
with ribbon,
£4.50 each,
Oliver Bonas

›
Pink feather bauble
› and pink glitter

›
leopard print bauble,
£3 each, Matalan Pink cocktail glasses,
›

£48 for four, Audenza

›

Eucalytus garland,
£29.99, Dobbies Magical fur hanging
bauble, £2, Wilko

›
Nili brass metal
candle holder, £5;
Sinead brass
Gold and white candle holder,
light-up Lavender dried £25, Habitat
Christmas tree, flowers, from £6,
£6.99, Homesense Urban Outfitters

›
›
FEATURE COMPILED BY ANNA MORLEY, AMELIA SMITH AND EMILY SMITH
› ›
Glitter lightning
superhero mask,
£8, Bobby Rabbit

BLUSH LUXE
Adorn your space with this season’s key colour trend. Adding flourishes
of gold and mauve to pale pink creates a fun yet elegant tone
Main image: Snowy cone pine tree, £270; Gisela Graham tree topper, £15; various tree ornaments, from £15; various Christmas decorations,
from £6; Slamp fringe table lamp, £335; Nordal coffee table, £450; metallic acid cowhide rug, £400; JA Botanist Ganja cushion, £325; Eva Sonaike
Okuta cushion, £69; Pols Potten vases, from £109; Villari mirror tray, £565; Bloomingville ridged spherical glass vase, from £37; Lund London luxe tray,
£85; glass reindeer ornament, £30; XLBloom Laps candle holder, £85, and A by AMARA Spike marble side table, £250, all Amara

44
 Glass mini
cloche, £11,
Sophie Allport ›
Broste
Copenhagen
large paper
angel, £19.90,
Beaumonde Fir tree cluster
baubles, £22
Snow globe, for six,
£10, Debenhams Murrine bauble,
Cox & Cox
£12, Garden
Trading

›
Ice skate, £1,
Poundland
›

Wine glass,
Yellow glass £6 for two,
candlestick, £25; George Home
blue glass Frost star,
candlestick, £20, £4, Next
Urban Outfitters

Winter Sky
blue mixbox
baubles,
£9.99, Dobbies
›

Navy gift tags with

ribbon, £3.95,
Cambridge Imprint
Pearl and diamante
band bauble,
Kaleidoscope
£3.50, Matalan
LED tree
decoration,
Forest Dawn
£29.99, Studio
lantern holders,
from £14, Argos

Six gold rustic

baubles, £22,
›
Marquis & Dawe
REALHOMES.COM

I C E PA L A C E
Sprinkle a liberal dusting of icy touches for an enchanted white Christmas.
Sparkling lights, delicate blues and frosted finishes create a snow globe scene
Main image: 100 LED micro light string, £11.99; oversized Osby star, £32.99; 7ft frosted Norway spruce Christmas tree, £369.99; glitter LED Christmas
bauble trio, £6.99; ceramic LED bauble, £4.99; distressed silver Truglow pillars, £24.99 for three; snowy mini Christmas tree, £11.99; eucalyptus & white
berry garland, £56.99; large Osby star, £14.99; 23cm Osby star, £7.99, and silver metal filigree leaf micro lights, £9.99, all Lights4fun

45
 Maddox star, £10,
Garden Trading

Twig wreath
with gold glitter
seaweed branch, Jolene grey wine
£37.99, The glasses, £30 for
Contemporary four, Habitat
Home

›
Rococo Bloomingville
eucalyptus mango wood
bauble, £1, Wilko tray, £33,
Cuckooland
›

Wooden Scandi
tree, £175,
Cox & Cox
Rustic wooden
star, £39,
EllaJames

Black star nibbles bowl, Stud gem

£18; eucalyptus garland, bauble,
£22, Marquis & Dawe £6, Next

LED silver
and grey star
Monochrome decoration,
concrete wax Willow eucalyptus £24.99, Studio
sets, from £35, wreath, £85,
Concrete & Wax Hudson Home
› Felt star garland,
› £12, National Trust
›

SCANDI STYLE
If relaxed, rustic Christmas décor is your scene, opt for pared-back woods, whites
and sooty blacks. Achieve this look by celebrating elements found in nature
Main image: Stag tableware, from £3; black wooden star, £8; wooden star with scene, £6; ceramic candlestick holder, £6; wooden
triangle LED tree, £10; faux sheepskin rug, £25; wooden tree ladder, £12; antler hurricane lantern, £18, all Matalan

46
 LED wooden
› reindeer, £29.99,
Lights4Fun
›
›

Core berries Large red swirl

garland, £12, Maddox star, baubles, £25 for
Wilko from £8, four, Cox & Cox
Garden Trading

Red wooden
bauble set, £3,
George Home
›

Wooden triangle
Gold deer
LED tree, £10,
ornament, £5,
Stripy glitter Matalan
Debenhams
red & white candy
cane decoration,
£1.99, Dobbies
Korbus Champagne
hammered metal tea
light, £10, Artisanti

Christmas crackers with

Scandi folk portrait, £36
for six, Nancy & Betty

›
Wreath with red berries
and cones, £44.99, The
Contemporary Home

Wood house advent

calendar, £27.99,
Gisela Graham Scallop stripe
stocking in
Chunky knit throw
raspberry, £46,
in mulberry,
Tori Murphy
£210, Christy
› ›
REALHOMES.COM

N E W T R A D I T ION A L
Nothing says Christmas quite like classic red, so breathe new life into the scheme
with fresh whites, soft woods and hints of gold for a touch of sparkle, too
Main image: Harlow dining table, £200; Skandi dining bench, £70; double sheepskin faux-fur rug, £35, all Argos. Pop-up 6ft snowy tree, £50;
Nordic large felt hanging snowflake, £4; Nordic decorations, from £2; Nordic Red serve bowl, £12; Nordic Red tea towels, £6 for three;
Nordic Caribou reindeer, from £4; table-top trees, £8; cast iron casserole dish, £35, all Sainsbury’s

47
 Post Impressionism
sequinned butterfly
clip, £6, John
Lewis & Partners
›

Multicolour painted
glass finial decorations,
Enchanted gold
£15.99 for four,
decoration, £2,
The Contemporary Home
Sainsbury’s Home
Peacock
champagne
Asian handicraft saucer, £26 for
decorative jewel two, Red Candy

›
bauble, £36 for a Peacock feather
set of four, Amara scalloped glass
bauble, £3.50,
Daisy Park
›

Plant Christmas
Faux flower, Lavender and
decoration, £7.50,
£2.99, lime wreath,
Oliver Bonas
Homesense £120, The Real
Flower Company

Rococo star,
£1.50, Wilko

Southwold
stocking in
Forest Green, £15,
Gold plant beetle
Garden Trading
wall decoration,
›

£54, The French

Turquoise, Bedroom Company
purple or red
velvet bauble,
£4.99 each, Snowflake
Dobbies decorations with
jewels, £4.99 each,
Gisela Graham
›

MAGICAL GARDEN
Need a little extra magic this year? Let your imagination run wild with jewel
colours and elaborate designs for a mystical Christmas that’s fun and unique
Main image: Peruvian Pine unlit 6ft Christmas tree, £199; embroidered velvet Christmas stocking in green, £18; Post Impressionism assorted
shatterproof baubles, £10 for a tub of 30; Post Impressionism cheetah with wreath figure, £25; Post Impressionism palm leaf spray, £8;
hand-knotted traditional Ikat Berber rug, £525, all John Lewis & Partners

48
 Blueberry candle wreath
£15, Marquis & Dawe

›
›
Piglet tablecloth
in navy,
£83, Swoon
›

›
Naughty & Nice
Claus baubles, luxury crackers
£10 for £38 for six,
Blue glitter leaf pick,
two, Habitat Rockett St George
£1.99, Gisela
Graham London

Art Nouveau tree

›

bauble, £7, John

Lewis & Partners

›
Silver Rain bunch
›

of grapes clip-on
decoration, £19
Pink Pampas,
for two, Amara
from £36,
Pampas & Bloom
Grossgrain ribbon
in navy blue, £5,
Nancy & Betty
Velvet Christmas
baubles, £16.95
for four,
Lime Lace

›
Peacock glitter-
filled glass ball,
£3.40, Daisy Park
Star ceramic
planter, £19.50, Cocktail Kisses
Oliver Bonas blue bauble,
Succulent & eucalyptus
garland, £45, £4, Wilko
Cox &Cox

› ›
›
Hanging star,
REALHOMES.COM

£8, Matalan

M I DN IG H T O P U L E N C E
Discover your dark side with decorations in a palette of
inky blues, jet blacks and touches of pink and gold
Main image: Four-taper black candleholder, £12; white tapered candles, £4.99 for 10; MKSA Julie red wine glass, £12.99 for four; Hella brown
glass covers, from £19.99; elephant figurine, £9.99; hanging decoration above table made from assorted artificial stems, from 99p; Highland
blue 6ft tree, £89; velvet and sequin butterfly tree decoration on clip, £3.99; glass parrot ornament with clip, £4.99; baubles, from £2.99;
velvet bird with beads, £9.99 each; 80mm ombre glass onion, £3.99, all Dobbies

49
 designer
spotlight
Support independent businesses
and meet the creatives making
waves in the interiors world. This
month: thoughtful festive gifts
for the love of the north

As any savvy shopper worth artist will create a quirky

their salt knows, the UK’s
creative talent isn’t limited
to London – there are gems
to be found all around the
country. That’s just what Lucy
and Paul set out to show when
they created For the Love of
the North. Showcasing artistic
talent from across the north
east, their offering is packed
with all the colour and
personality you’d expect to
find in the region. We spoke
to them to find out more.
interpretation we’d never have
thought of. We could give the
same brief to five people and
get completely different things!
Q What are you excited
about right now?
Our Christmas collection! We
commissioned artists to create
pieces based on their take
on the Angel of the North.
We’re also really proud of our
calendar – we did our first last
year and wanted to do it again
for 2021. Each month has a
It’s Grim up North
A4 unframed
print, £20
our business going. It gave
us something to focus on
in what’s been a difficult
time. We’re so proud of our
community, and so grateful
for our customers – when we
had to close our shops, like
many other indie businesses,

Q Lucy, Paul – it’s lovely

to meet you. Tell us
about yourself!
We work with artists across
the north east of England to
produce gifts, cards and prints
that instil a sense of pride in
the region and showcase the
WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE (BEAUTIFUL HOMES IN THE NORTH)
piece from a different artist
on the place in the north east
that means the most to them.
they supported us
in their droves. Wor Roman
angel, £28
Q How has the last
year been for you?
Q Final
question
– what do you want for
A bit of a rollercoaster. We’re Christmas this year?
proud of the fact that during To be able to hug our niece

talent of the area. lockdown, we pivoted and and nephew! It’s been a really
worked with our artists to hard year and all we want is

Q What’s your favourite
part of what you do?
Getting to work closely with
such a bunch of exciting,
creative people. Often, we’ll
come up with an idea and the
create our ‘Love will get us
through’ prints, with 25 per
cent going to Northumbria
NHS Trust’s Bright Charity –
we raised over £5,000, got
money to the artists and kept
to know that everyone’s Bone china
mug, £12
okay at the end of it.
Follow @loveofthenorth
on Instagram and visit
their shop online at
fortheloveofthenorth.co.uk

Gifts with OUR LOVELY

GOODS
THE DRIFTING
BEAR CO
meaning @ourlovelygoods
Set the tone for a cosy
@thedriftingbear
Based in south Devon,
Christmas with owners award-winning The
Meet two more
Ebi and Emmanuel’s Drifting Bear Co
businesses with
gorgeous candles, with wintery scents creates personalised prints, cushions,
the perfect
like Into the Woods and The Old ceramics and crafty wooden gifts,
Christmas gift
Library. Want more? Shop their range including beautiful memory boxes –
offerings…
of beautiful products, from homeware the perfect present for the kids
to skincare. ourlovelygoods.com in your life. thedriftingbear.com

51
 UNDER
£10

Wilma orange mugs, £30 for Tufted mustard spot throw, Alphabet letter, £6.50
a set of four, Habitat £22, Argos Home each, Oliver Bonas

50 GIFTS

£50
UNDER
Oli woven cat house,
£49, Made

Looking for unique, affordable and stylish

Christmas gifts for friends and family? Of
course you are! We’ve done the hard work and
Fiasconaro X Dolce & Gabbana found the best buys – you can thank us later
panettone 1kg, £39.95, Sous Chef REALHOMES.COM
FEATURE JESSICA TAVERNER

Dark olive crochet dinosaur, Ultimate dog pamper kit, £40, Marimekko Louhi cushion with
£14.99, Belle & Butter at Etsy Norfolk Natural Living pad, £39, Abode Living

53
 The Gentleman craft beer
selection, £19.95,
eastgiftingoutfit.co.uk

Coffee bag clips, £9.99 for a

set of three, Barista & Co

STOCKING
FILLER

Subscribe to Real Homes magazine

The animal alphabet, The rabbit jigsaw plate, £42.50, – the perfect gift for you or a friend.
£20, Paper & Bean The Wood Life Project See page 8 for details

Crinkle squeak Christmouse

pet toy, £4.99, Dobbies

Dream water bottle, Reindeer noses 150g,

£36, Rebecca J Mills £8.95, Fortnum & Mason

Embellished bee box, Plantable wildflowers Merry Christmas Ladies socks in greenhouse,
£9.99, Oxfam card, £4.50, Summer Lane Studio £9.99 for three pairs, Dobbies

54
 Make and sew suitcase, Cheeseboard with jars
£19.95, Rex London and knives, £10, Wilko

Mr Fox carry caddy, £27, Limited-edition gin gift box, Make your own macramé
Great Little Trading Co £27, Martin Miller’s Gin vase kit, £10, Hobbycraft

Eco-friendly products gift set, £23.99, Mini Memphis daily planner, £35, Santa log family chew for small
Project Eco21 at Amazon Notjustashop.arts.ac.uk animals, £5, Pets at Home
REALHOMES.COM

UNDER
£10

Letterpop Happy incense gift set and Wireless charging pad in

Love incense gift set, both £9.75, Bombay Duck Rainbow Cheetah, £49, Casetify

55
 Biscuiteers DIY gingerbread
house kit, £36.99, Selfridges

Jonathan Adler Versailles playing

cards in box, £30, Amara

UNDER
£10

Grapefruit and sugar cane candle Christmas pudding all-butter biscuits, Plant gang for newbie plant parents,
150g, £24, Ore Mi Candles £8, Whittard of Chelsea £32, The Little Botanical

Ginger spice candle

making kit, £30,
Selfmade Candle

Oil and salt bottle, Nordic star light, £8,

£16, Next Sainsbury’s Home

Cocktail candies gift box, £18.95, Theo oak table lamp Leopard plant mister,
Ask Mummy & Daddy with bulb, £25, BHS £12, Albert & Moo

56
 Vilac little wooden Men’s Fisherman’s Feet box,
drum, £27, Liberty £22.95 for four, Seasalt

Vibrant vegan sack, £45, Propagation station, Pink Flamingo cocktail mix,
John Lewis & Partners £20, Leaf Envy £9.99, Uberstar

Scallop makeup bag, £14, Plant Tribe by IgorJosifovic & Judith Stationery Lover’s gift box,
Brownstone London De Graaff, £25, Waterstones £42, Cambridge Imprint
REALHOMES.COM

STOCKING
FILLER
Mini project
pack, £29.95,
Annie Sloan

Animal cable tidy,

£12, Boden

57
 Entertain
AT HOME (AND STAY JOLLY)
So, you mooted a Christmas party in a moment of post-lockdown bonhomie
and now people are descending on your gaff? Don’t panic: we’ve got the skinny
on how to fine-tune your home for festive entertaining and revive your party spirit

S
econd Covid spike notwithstanding, this festive season
is set to be ALL about entertaining at home. Possibly
in fewer numbers than past years, but even if you could
afford to go out out, the potential risk of picking up a
killer virus on the dancefloor (will there even be dancefloors?)
is a major buzzkill. The fact we’ve barely seen friends and
rellies this year should take the pressure off hosting at home,
too. Your guests will be so pleased to see you, and escape
their own four walls, they’ll not notice/care if the champers
glasses don’t match. Yippee!
Instead, the focus will be on finding space for guests to let
their hair down without feeling claustrophobic. Easy if you live
in the Playboy Mansion – but in a ‘normal’ home, the secret is
to spread out and identify multiple opportunities in which to
celebrate the end of this traumatic year. Try setting up rooms
according to use – for example dancing in the kitchen (complete
with disco ball, obvs) and chill-out zone in the snug.
If space is really limited, you may need to get creative.
For dinner parties, perhaps banish the sofa or coffee table to
the shed/garage to make way for a longer dining table. A piece
of MDF covered with a tablecloth is an inexpensive way to
extend a table; use Ikea trestles to carry the ends if necessary.
Dancing is easier to accommodate, and often only requires
the right music and enough alcohol to get limbs moving.
Removing breakables from shelves will help you relax and go
with the flow. And don’t forget dimmable lighting – nobody
will get their groove on if the light levels are Village Hall-grade
glarey. If you’ve barely room to swing a cat, why not take the
party outside? A bonfire party is always a hit with the kids
(and pyromaniacs), not to mention a great excuse to go to
town on the mulled wine – for warming purposes only.
Naturally, we’re not suggesting you should fill your house
to the gunnels; social distancing blah-blah-blah. Some of the
most memorable parties are more intimate affairs, gathered
around the dining table and ending in a good natured (ish)
fight over Trivial Pursuit. And the very best ones – the ones
that go on until 4am, where nobody can remember what
happened to their shoes come sunrise – are largely unplanned.
This is the year to go with the flow, ride it out, and party like
it’s 2022 (when, surely, lockdown will be a distant memory).

party hard
Pimp up your pad with these party-appropriate pieces and get ready to dance the night away
WORDS LINDA CLAYTON

Decorative feather Sahara ice bucket Wanna Disco glitter wall Rockefeller drinks trolley, Tall holly wreath
name card holders, and tongs, £14.50, art, £55, Oliver Bonas £299, Atkin & Thyme scented candle,
£40 for four, Oka Sainsbury’s Home £3.99, Homesense

58
 Monique table lamp, £160,
with 36cm tall tapered shade
No sophisticated soirée is in Buttercup velvet, £56;
complete without a cool Tremmers single wall light in
cocktail corner. Providing a brass, £66, both Pooky. Harper
dedicated drinks station for armchair, £750, Sofa.com.
guests to help themselves is Walls painted in Tara 1270
an easy way to impress while Aura Eggshell, £30.50 for
helping to take the pressure 940ml, Benjamin Moore
off the host. A home bar can
be as simple as a shelved-out
alcove – mirrored glass behind
the shelves will add instant
glamour – or mobile drinks
trolley. Print out your favourite
cocktail recipes to encourage
guests to get mixing and
stock up on different types
of glassware, from highball
to martini – charity shops are
a good source of glasses in
unusual shapes and colours.

NEXT MONTH – CAN A MINIMALIST SCHEME WORK WITH CHILDREN?

REALHOMES.COM

There’s nothing like a roaring fire

to guarantee a warm welcome,
especially if you haven’t got the
central heating installed/fixed
yet. A woodburner burns more
efficiently than an open fire and
is safer with all that tinsel around.
They can be left unattended for
longer and the heat is easier to
control. If pyromania isn’t your
thing but you have an original
fireplace, max its focal point
potential with a mix of foliage
and fairy lights along the mantle.

59
 Right Cricket
corner sofa in
Cricket Velvet If you’re struggling for dining
Mix Purple, space, banquette-style seating
£2,299, could be the answer. Built in
Sofology or just pushed tight to the wall,
banquette seating is great for
boosting space. Paired with
While it may not be possible
a long, narrow table, it will
to seat every guest, do make
allow several guests to line
the most of the seating
up without taking up much
available. For example, if
floor space. Boost your
your living room sofas usually
storage by choosing lift-up
face the television, consider
seats or built-in drawer units.
rearranging so that guests
A medium-firm foam cushion
are facing each other while
will add comfort – go for a
chatting. Corner sofas are also
washable cover if possible.
more convivial on the eye-
Mix with freestanding chairs for
contact front. Drag in any extra
the less able; not everyone can
chairs from around the house
easily slide along a bench seat.
to boost numbers; garden or
camping chairs might not look
glam but are preferable to Right Arundel 245 oak
standing for hours. Bean bags table, £1,695; Somerton
work well for younger guests, baskets, £80 each; ceiling
and you can also seat a few clad in Cranbrook rough
bums on bar stools around your boarding in Shingle,
kitchen island or peninsula. from £53 per m2; wall
panels painted in Shingle
eggshell, £54 for 2.5ltrs,
7ft frosted Norway Spruce all Neptune. Interior
Christmas tree, £369.99; design by Sims Hilditch
glitter LED Christmas bauble
trio, £6.99; ceramic LED
bauble, £4.99; Osby oversized
star light, £42.99; mistletoe
wreath, £14.99, all Lights4Fun

When entertaining, the

focus of your lighting scheme
should be devoted to creating

Five things... you’ll realise when

atmosphere. That means
anything above 40 watts, or you entertain at home
the LED equivalent, can stay
off. Overhead lighting is also
best left off in favour of lower ONE TWO THREE
level lamps and wall lights that No surface is sacred. You don’t have enough You can never have
will help set a more intimate Considered placement plates, glasses, mugs or too much booze. Fact.
mood. Make it extra festive of coasters, placemats cutlery. Luckily, paper Even if you’re part
with strategically placed fairy and door mats is a waste plates and cups are back squirrel and have been
lights – actually, forget strategy, of time when the in favour thanks to their stockpiling supermarket
there’s no such thing as too bubbles start flowing. Covid-friendly, non- deals since Christmas
much sparkle. Battery powered Contemplate going full germ-sharing status 2019. Consider learning
candles might not be quite as Dexter with crime scene- (check eco credentials how to home brew; after
romantic as the real deal, but style plastic sheeting. to avoid a forestry 10pm nobody will care
you’ll be grateful you took a Definitely roll up and devastation lecture what they’re downing.
safer route once Uncle Tony’s hide your favourite rugs. from cousin Ruth).
hitting up the eggnog.

60
 Automatic
wine opener,
£45, Cuisinart

HOME & LIFESTYLE BLOGGER

HANNAH COLEY
‘We were adamant that we wanted a garden
that felt like an extension of the house –
another usable “living room” to entertain in.
I wanted a space that was always ready to go
– meaning not having to cover it or panic that
cushions are going to get wet in the rain.
All of our furniture lives outside all year
round. For the outdoor fire, we settled on gas
because it’s instant and really kicks out some
heat. You quickly notice the difference when
you turn it off on a cold evening! The only
downside was the ugly gas canister, but we
bought a cover in the same material as the
firepit and had a smoked glass top made, so
now it doubles up as a side table for drinks.
We use the seating around the fire pit for
drinks with friends. My top tip is a stash of
blankets. They look gorgeous and are lovely
to wrap round your shoulders on a cold
evening – but be aware, the comfier your
guests are, the harder it is to get them
to leave!’ @wilshereinterior

Channel Scandi style for

a seasonal look that’s a
little more restrained.
Simple, restful materials
like wood, slubby linens
and natural stone are chic
yet cocooning. A tone-on-
tone palette needn’t be
boring. Different textures
will add interest, while
reflective materials like
glass and mirror will help
FOUR FIVE the heart-warming glow
Nobody cares if your Your Spotify playlists are of candlelight go a long
loo roll holder doesn’t a disgrace and should way. At Christmas you can
match your towel ring, never be allowed to see get away with being a little
but they will care if the the light of day. Delegate extra but keep it classy; try
loo roll runs out. A neat the music to someone in tying simple rustic sprays
stack in clear view will the know, or invite guests to the back of dining chairs
be appreciated far to bring their own and or suspending a low-slung,
more than any fancy try not to spend the holly-strewn branch above
finger bowls or wine night muttering ‘they the dining table.
glass charm. just don’t make music
like they used to…’.

61
 If you want to try and
keep guests in the living
room, swap your regular
coffee table for an
outsized piece that can
be loaded up buffet-
style. Go for a naturally
distressed surface that
can handle wear and
tear and won’t leave
friends and family
nervously reaching for
the coasters. A tray-style Cushions and Don’t let the knee-knocking
top will help contain any throws in various cold stop you from entertaining
major drink spillages. 100 per cent acrylic outside. As long as guests are
If you have an outdoor outdoor fabrics pre-warned to double up on
rug, consider bringing from Sunbrella’s socks, hats and scarves, it can
it inside to help protect Bengali, Chartres, turn out to be an incredibly
carpets, since they can Lopi and Heritage festive experience. Pile up
usually be hosed clean. collections; prices seating with woolly blankets
from £58 per metre and throws, and get a cracking
bonfire going on – load your
summer firepit with logs or use
an incinerator bin to protect
your lawn/decking. String
Open-plan layouts come into outdoor fairy lights from the
their own when entertaining. trees and serve cockle-warming
The most obvious bonus is that food like stew or chilli in
hosts and guests can chat while earthenware mugs. Don’t
prepping, cooking and keeping forget the mulled wine and
the buffet stocked up. If you marshmallows for toasting,

} }
have an island, use it to serve then get everyone dancing.
food – position dishes at the
front of the island to deter
guests from wandering into the
‘hot zone’ of the main kitchen
behind. Noise and echo can be
an issue in bigger rooms but
textiles help absorb sound so
don’t skimp on the tablecloths,
runners, rugs and cushions.
Decorating an open-plan room Gingko Halo
benefits from restraint; a little One Bluetooth
goes a long way when it can speaker in walnut,
be seen from every angle. £139, Amara

Don’t forget
Langton kitchen
in Mink and Putty,
from £18,000,
Burbidge TO CRANK UP THE TUNES

‘We usually host a Christmas party in early December

and both families on Christmas Day, so it’s a busy house
this time of year. I have quite a relaxed attitude to hosting
and love the house to be festive and inviting. Last year
I created a grazing table on the kitchen island, which
worked a treat for the party and are so easy to do.
There’s a vast amount of ceiling space above the dining
table and it felt a bit empty, so I decided to fill it with a
decorated branch a few years ago. It was only supposed
to be up for the Christmas period, but four years on it’s
INTERIOR STYLIST still here and ready for its next makeover! I love to go
big and sparkly, hanging baubles and décor at different
LEOMA lengths to give a cascading feel. When dressing a festive
HARPER dining table, start with the centre and work your way
out. I love a good centrepiece, with lots of candles and
sparkle. I usually create this with a foliage base and
then accessorise with candles, tea lights and baubles.’
@styletheclutter; styletheclutter.com

62
 A DV E RTOR I A L

CREATE YOUR Aurora Ambience,

PERFECT
decorations and
gifts, from £2.99

CHRISTMAS
Switch up your space and give
your home a unique twist
with fun festive trends Statement

O
stag’s head,
ur homes have become £4.99
our havens and we’ve spent
many hours arranging them
so they work better for our needs. We
have made them more multifunctional
out of necessity, but we’ve also tried
to make them fun places to be, that
we can relax in and enjoy.
Now Christmas is coming, we’re
getting ready to do it all over again,
transforming rooms into the winter
wonderlands of our dreams.
Homesense allows you to switch
up your space to celebrate Christmas in
style, and create a colourful, welcoming
and special atmosphere for your family.
It has everything you need to
celebrate all under one roof – whether
that’s original gifts, cookware to serve
up a delicious dinner, glasses to enjoy
a cheeky cocktail or squashy sofas for
a post-lunch nap. And at up to 60 per Shake your
cent less than the recommended price, pom-poms
wreath, £9.99 Cactus
Homesense has Christmas wrapped up. bauble, £4.99
So if your tinsel is looking tired
and your baubles are broken, head
into Homesense for some fabulously Carlos the
festive decorating ideas. candle
protector, £7.99 Scandi wicker
Christmas carnival basket with
Prepare to party with decadent pom-poms, £16.99
decorations and festive pom-poms.
It’s OK to go OTT with this trend, with Aurora ambience
its bright clashing colours and mix of Reach for the stars with a celestial- White house
patterns and textures. Get crafty and inspired Christmas. This trend candle holder,
make your own eclectic pieces to hang, combines cool tones, soft up-lighting £12.99
drape or display for a personal touch. and contrasting scatter cushions.
Touches of whites and blues give a
Scandi seasonings frosty feel while iridescent accessories
Embrace the calming look of neutrals add sparkle. Homesense’s majestic
and make your home a warm woodland decorations and spherical lamps will
retreat. For a lounge turned luxury make homes look out of this world.
Lois the
lodge, it’s all about natural hues,
llama, £4.99
lots of wicker and a relaxing vibe. With fresh festive deliveries up till
Layer on the rustic wreaths, Christmas Eve, if it’s new you’re after,
artificial foliage, soft candles and visit your local store today. Homesense
whimsical ornaments, then snuggle is part of the TK Maxx family, with 76
under a chunky throw with a warming stores nationwide. Find your nearest
sip of mulled wine. at homesense.com/find-a-store

63
 CREATIVE
WAYS WITH

WALL
DISPL AYS
Looking for something a little different? Take
inspiration from these fun design ideas and
embellish your wall with accessories for
a stand-out, quirky space

W
hile paint and
wallpaper are
great for colour
and pattern, sometimes
a room needs depth and
texture beyond what they
can offer. And so we’re taking
the feature wall to a whole
new, three-dimensional level
with accessories. Just like
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH PHOTOGRAPH @ELI_AT_HOME

adding jewellery to an outfit,

these key final flourishes can
elevate your room for a space
that says ‘complete’. From
plates to plants, and from
mirrors to baskets, we’re
sharing the latest, on-trend
ways to put the things you
find beautiful on display, for
a home that showcases and
creates happiness every day.

64
Frame fun
Why should paintings,
photos and slogans get all
the glory? It’s time to put
picture frames centre
stage and let them
become the artwork. From
ornate vintage designs
like this to contemporary
black frames or even a
rainbow of colours, keep
those frames empty for a
quirky, mysterious gallery
wall with a difference.
Floral cushion, £7; fringe
cushion, £9; pleated velvet
cushion, £9; purple floral
velvet shade, £25; pink
velvet stool with gold
trim, £25, George. For
similar frames, try Etsy
design on the floor
first and take a photo.
Use this as a guide
when marking out the
position of your pieces
Festive
features
Looking for a stylish way
to display your Christmas
cards? Free up your shelves
and create a heartwarming
feature in your home by
looking to the walls. Simply
string up fairy lights in a
zig-zag fashion and peg
on your cards in between
the lights for a Christmas
statement wall filled with
love and twinkles. String
of 20 copper wire lights,
£3; pack of 10 Christmas
cards, from £2, Tesco
TOP TIP
Lay out your
on the wall
Ceramic
showcase
Decorative plates
deserve to be seen by
more than just your
biscuits, so put them
REALHOMES.COM
on display by hanging
them across your wall.
Position your plates
carefully to curate
your own artistic
feature, attaching
securely with plate
grips. It’s the perfect
way to add interest
and charm to a rustic
kitchen diner. We love
how this display by
@eli_at_home sticks
to a palette of blues,
whites and yellows
for a cohesive look.
65
 Shelves up
A shelving wall can show off your whole family’s
personalities, with trinkets and treasured items
all artfully displayed. Treat your shelves like
a canvas and decorate with items that make
you happy, for a bespoke and personal 3D wall.
Hintat speckled blue vase, £25; Mariel orange
patterned vase, £15; Holland rabbit head objet,
£30; Sian large black etched vase, £30; Dimitri
terrazzo bird objet, £20; Orlando copper wire
candle holder, £12, all Habitat

TOP TIP
Vary shelf sizes for a
playful, abstract look.
Add extra impact with
wall colour, too

Basket
bounty
OVER TO YOU
REALHOMES.COM

Basket weave is an art

form in itself, so why
should we limit it to Want more wall display inspiration? These ideas on Instagram are leading the way
storage and bags? Wall
baskets are a fun, boho
way to introduce texture,
nature and pattern to
your space. These flat,
tray-like baskets have
intricate designs as pretty
as any picture. Mandala
large wall basket, £30;
floral large wall basket,
£30; small white spiral
wall basket, £30, all @miffyshaw @champagne.chaos @theplantroomrocket @___duundich__
French Connection

67
Plant party Soft
Does it feel like your plants
touch
are taking over your house? A fabric wall hanging
Getting rid is not an option is a great alternative to
(obviously) so gather them a statement art print
up and settle them into as it brings a warm and
a new home, set back cosy feel to a space.
against one well-lit wall so Chunky fabric designs
you can keep an eye on can also help to dispel
them. Hang planters from noise, making them
your ceiling and use tiered perfect for kids’ rooms
open shelving for a living or playrooms. Don’t
wall that’s fresh and full. have a wall hanging?
Stratton pots, £20 for a set Display a patterned
of two; Stratton hanging rug on your wall
pots, £15, Garden Trading instead – trust us, it
works a treat. Rainbow
wall rug, £99; Lion rug,
£75; Retro doll bed, £70,
all OYOY Living Design

REALHOMES.COM

Mirror mirror
There’s something quite mystical about a display
of mirrors, especially where they’re as ornate as
this collection from Rebecca Hughes Interiors.
Combine various shapes, sizes and designs
for a whimsical wall that’s full of charm and
character. And the added bonus? Mirrors reflect
light, making a room feel brighter. Place them
opposite something beautiful, like a piece of
artwork or wallpaper, so you can see and enjoy
it even more. For similar mirrors, try Audenza.

69
 homes r
al ea
re d

home
er
s
‘
MY FAVOURITE

li fe
CORNER
Natasha Wood
(@woodsintothewoods),
a nursery teacher, lives
sh

in a three-bed Victorian
re
a

detached house in Glasgow

a e
spa lov with her husband, Ben,
ce they a regional manager,
golden retriever Cheddar,
and cat Lancelot
‘I was completely set on a
period home when we moved
from Cheshire to Glasgow
for Ben’s job, and this house
gave me that goosebump
feeling. The living room was
freezing and the décor was
pretty horrible, with white
wallpaper and a dirty green
carpet, but we loved the
high ceilings and beautiful
cornicing. We wanted to
inject warmth and cosiness
into here. After getting the
walls and ceiling re-skimmed,
we sanded the floorboards
ourselves and uncovered
hidden window panelling –
a nice surprise. The fireplace
had been bricked up, but
we had a new Chesney’s log
burner installed by Scottish
Stove Centre. It’s great –
we could sit here in our
shorts if we wanted! Our
best bargain is the reclaimed
surround, which cost £20
on Facebook Marketplace.
I’d always wanted a dark room
with brass accents. We picked
Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue,
and kept the features white
so they pop. I’d badgered
Ben for the mustard velvet
armchair and footstool for
ages as I loved it so much
WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE

– now he’s the one who always

sits there. Behind it we’ve got
maps of Berlin and Barcelona,
which remind us of holidays
together. We did have a
Persian rug, but it felt very
Chesney’s log burner,
busy, so we relaxed it with this
Scottish Stove Centre. big natural rug instead. We
Walls painted in Stiffkey didn’t need the distraction
Blue, Farrow & Ball. on the floor, and this is
Armchair, Sofa.com. great for hiding pet hair.’
Maps, Juniqe. Mirror, John
Lewis & Partners. Rug, Ikea

71
 Victorian makeover

NATURAL NOEL
Decorating with Danish-designed pieces, natural materials
and lots of tactile textures has put heart and soul
into Katie and Russell’s stylish home

The living room is part of the

open-plan space, with a door
to the kitchen on the left, and
the dining room to the right.
‘Whoever is in the living room
is near enough to the kitchen
that we can still chat to each
other,’ says Katie. The pine
cupboard has been painted
black and is used to house
blankets and wine. The window
used to look out over the
garden before an extension
was added for the kitchen
prior to the Seidlers moving in.

Armchair and log holder, both

Ikea. Lamp base, H&M Home.
Lamp shade, Ferm Living
Sofa, Made. Rug, Nordic Knots.
Artworks, Studio Paradisi

72
 Profile
THE OWNERs
Katie Seidler, an interior
designer at @hello_haus, her
husband Russell, a marketing
director, and their French
bulldog, Henry
THE PROPERTY
A three-bedroom Victorian
detached house in St Albans
project COST
£17,800

73
C
hristmas is a family affair in the Seidler
household. With the big day spent with loved
ones, the lead-up is full of cosy nights in for
Katie and her husband, Russell, with a glass
of red wine and a mince pie or two in front
of the woodburner. However, Katie, whose
Victorian house is in the busy market town
of St Albans, will admit that she likes to
keep the decorations simple and minimal,
with lots of natural elements that fit in
with their home’s pared-back Scandi style.
Having bought the three-bedroom
property back in 2017, after many years of
renting, the couple were keen to make their
mark on the place and fill it with their love
of Scandinavian design. ‘Although the house didn’t need any
structural work, the interior was very plain and hadn’t been
used to its full potential at all,’ says Katie. ‘I could instantly
see how we could transform it to make it work for us. Not only
was it in the ideal location for us, being close to all our friends
and family, but the large kitchen and original sash windows
really sold it to me – along with the internal window from the
living room to the kitchen and all the bolt-ons, like the loft
extension. We call this house the Tardis as you really can’t
tell how big it is from the outside! I loved the size of all of the
rooms and could see that, with some clever space planning
and the right furniture, it could become our perfect home.’
With no major works to be done, painting was carried
out and a new wood floor installed. Katie wanted to ensure
the house was cohesive, light and serene, and describes her
vision as a mix of ‘Japanese style and Scandi design’. Her
love of Danish furniture, clean lines and lots of texture were
the focus when designing each room, with her eye for detail
ensuring every corner and nook has been well planned.
The Seidlers’ living and dining space was previously
used as one large living area, but Katie quickly turned it into
a more functional room where they could entertain as well
as relax. ‘Zoning is key,’ she says, ‘I look at a space and work
out how to make the best of the light and furniture placement.
I’ve used rugs to turn the two areas into distinct spaces.
Everyone needs their home to work for them and I think
we need to ensure it’s how we want to live right now and
not necessarily worry about future owners.’
The biggest job the couple had to contend with was the
kitchen, where they ripped out the old grey granite worktops
and took off redundant wall cabinets to open up the space.
The worktops were replaced, the walls were tiled and a new
sink, hob, extractor and wall shelves added. Originally, Katie
gather round
Copy Katie and choose a dining bench so you can squeeze more people around your Christmas table
Clover grey bench, Bromley dining bench,
£429, Danetti in mint, £199, Made
74
went for a much starker monochrome scheme, but she soon
realised it wasn’t for her. ‘The dark walls felt oppressive in
my home and wasn’t the vibe I wanted,’ she says. ‘Beige and
natural is “me” and that’s how I love to live. I changed the dark
walls for more muted tones and a neutral palette, including
lots of natural materials. We also ran the same flooring
throughout, top to bottom, to bring the rooms together.’
Nowhere does Katie’s love of natural materials and
wood come into play more than in the home office, where
Russell has recently installed wooden batons onto the wall
for a slatted effect. It adds a warmth to the room that’s calm
and subtle, while adding impact, albeit in a more natural form.
Keeping to the same colours in each room also means
they flow from one to the other seamlessly and enables
Katie to move furniture and accessories around easily,
as they work in every space. ‘Danish brands are my go-to
when it comes to furniture and accessories; Ferm Living,
Hay, Normann and Takt, for example,’ she says. ‘I love buying
from independents that I find on Instagram, too, especially
when it comes to ceramics and prints. My favourites are
Map Stores, Nest, Earl of East and Studio Paradisi.’
With the interior complete, the Seidlers were able to
turn their attention to the exterior, where they gave their
compact garden a neat refresh. They employed the help
of a local company, who landscaped it and built planters
around the edge, which took around a month. ‘I’d love a
bigger garden so I could build my dream garden office,
but we’ve made the best use of the small space,’ she says.
Asked about her finishing touches, Katie confirms
that she still has a huge list to go. She’s constantly tweaking
the small things and helping the house evolve. ‘I’m not the
most patient person and there’s been so much I’ve wanted to
change in the house, but it takes time,’ she says. ‘It can’t all be
done at once – creating a home you love can be a slow process.
I’m so pleased with what we’ve achieved, though, and I’m
looking forward to showing off our hard work at Christmas.’
Clockwise from top left At Christmas, Katie
sticks to a monochrome palette mixed with
natural tones, green foliage and the occasional
burnished bronze or antique gold decoration.
The exterior of the house reflects the neutral
colours within
Chino pendant lights, Amazon. Rug, West
Elm. Table, Made by Wood. Chairs, TAKT. Art,
The Poster Club. Cushions, Sunday/Monday.
Reversible Kraft paper gift wrap and velvet
ribbon, Nordic House. Candlesticks, Normann
Copenhagen. LED lights, Nordic House
Plonk kitchen bench in Chelmwood reclaimed wood
Earthy Red, £395, Loaf bench, £189, Modish Living
 TOP TIP
For natural chic under
the tree, parcel up your
gifts then wrap with
twine or ribbon and
embellish with sprigs
of eucalyptus

FOR MORE DECORATING INSPIRATION, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

#SOREALHOMES
WORDS LAURIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE

75
 The slimline tree from Balsam
Hill is perfect for popping behind
the dining table, out of the way
but still in view from the living room.
‘The previous owner had the living
and dining room as one large living
room, but I sectioned it off and
centred the sofas around the log
burner,’ says Katie. ‘I think we’ve
achieved a light, open, uncluttered
Below Hooks in feel that’s still warm and homely.
the hallway give the It’s a real mix of Nordic hygge
couple a place to mixed with Japanese wabi-sabi.’
hang coats and
bags. An oversized Paper Christmas tree decorations,
door wreath adds Broste Copenhagen. Coffee table,
Christmas cheer. Bloomingville. Artworks, Studio
Paradisi. Umbra wall mirror, Hurn &
Dot hooks, Muuto Hurn. Garland, West Elm. 6” pre-lit
at Magasin. Door BEFORE
Norway Spruce, Balsam Hill
wreath, Homesense.

Costs & contacts

Garden £5,000
Flooring £4,500
Decoration/furniture £3,000
Kitchen fittings and appliances £2,500
Exterior painted £2,000
Bathroom refresh £600
Home office £200

Tree Balsam Hill,

02033 686 726, balsamhill.co.uk
Furniture Tiptoe Design, tiptoe.fr
Christmas wrapping and lights
Nordic House, 01872 223220,
nordichouse.co.uk

76
77
#SOREALHOMES FOR RENOVATION INSPIRATION, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS
 TOP TIP
Dark grout is a
practical choice in
the kitchen. It hides
the dirt from steam or
splashes and makes
white tiles pop

In the kitchen, Katie changed

a few elements, such as
the worktops, handles and
appliances, but has plans
to switch it up for a softer,
more natural look in the
future. Instead of a narrow
tiled splashback, the white
tiles (with black grout) have
been taken up from the top
of the cabinetry all the way
to the ceiling, creating a neat
and ordered appearance.

Counter unit, Ikea. Tiles,

Tile Mountain. Hanging
wall planter, Homesense.
Bracket, B&Q

78
 ‘I love open shelving in
the kitchen as I believe
this space doesn’t have
to be purely functional,’
says Katie. ‘I can display
my favourite ceramics
and plants alongside the
useful items such as coffee
pots and cook books.’

Shelves, Ikea

XXXXX
Right Part of the
kitchen has been
painted beige to
bring warmth to the
space, while a small
wood table provides
an additional dining
spot. Overhead,
the pendant light
is made of 80 per
cent recycled PET
fibres and is said
to enhance the
room’s acoustics.

Walls painted
in Packed Sand,
Valspar. Dining
table and chairs,
TAKT. Plant pot,
Made. Under the
Bell pendant
light, Muuto

79
Right Katie’s inspiration for styling
comes from many different sources –
cafes, clothing stores and, of course,
Pinterest and Instagram. ‘I’m also old
school,’ she says, ‘and nothing beats a
great interiors magazine to flick
through with a coffee!’ In the master
bedroom, her dressing area has been
kept simple, with Katie using levels to
add interest. ‘By using a small wooden
platform and wall shelves I am able to
use plants and vases to add in texture.’

Dressing table, Homesense. Stool,

Skagerak. Shelf (on dressing table),
LSA. Mirror, Broste Copenhagen

Left Creating the

Above The calming,
neutral tones
continue upstairs,
where the banister
offers another place
to arrange some
festive decorations.
Shelf unit, Wayfair.
Print, Made
panelled-effect wall
was an easy DIY
project that has
made a big impact.
‘I love the natural
feel in the office,
which was created
simply by gluing
wooden batons onto
the wall,’ says Katie.
‘It gives the room
warmth and a
statement wall that’s
calm and subtle.’
Office chair and
cupboards, Ikea.
Walls painted in
Overtly Olive
emulsion, Dulux

80
The muted palette continues upstairs,
with a beige wall framing the bed and
two shelves for bedside tables to
keep the spacious feel. Katie advises
using a mix of light sources, from
wall lights to table lamps, floor and
ceiling lights, to create ambience.

Wall painted in Packed Sand, Valspar.

Penn bed, Made. Pendant light,
Crea-Re Studio. Bedspread, Ferm
Living. Artworks, The Poster Club

TOP TIP
Layer up in winter
with a bedspread over
the duvet. It’ll add
texture and colour to
your scheme, and it’ll
keep you snug

81
Right The desk
in the second
bedroom fits Katie’s
brief for furniture
that is simple in
design. ‘I use a
muted, minimal
colour palette and
combine Japanese
and Scandinavian
style,’ she says.
‘Both cultures
believe in longevity
in design and the
use of natural
materials. I ensure I
have lots of layered
texture, natural oak
and organic shapes
throughout my
home which delivers
on the “Japandi”
aesthetic.’

Desk, Tiptoe
Design. Chair, Ikea.
Lamp, Homesense

Left Pale colours have

been used in the bathroom
as a backdrop for artworks,
plants and accessories.
‘By using paint effectively
and changing up the
small accessories and
little details, you can
totally transform a
space,’ says Katie.

Shower curtain, Ferm

Living. Mirror, shelf and
hooks, Gejst Design

82
 ‘The loft room was where
we tried to fit three goals
into one room,’ says Katie.
‘It needed to be a spare
bedroom, have storage
space and include a home
office for me. It’s probably
one of the most practical
rooms in the house.’

Parchment emulsion,
Craig & Rose. Malm bed,
Ikea. Bedside table, Wayfair.
Bedside light, Clas Ohlson
TOP TIP
For a Danish-inspired
headboard, create
your own, like Katie has,
using a curtain pole,
leather straps and
linen cushions

Bought house Flooring installed Garden refresh

February 2017 April 2017 July 2019

PROJECT Moved in
February 2017
Kitchen update
January 2018
Painted house
June 2020
TIMELINE

83
 A GUIDE TO

Going open plan

Is your home made up of a series of closed-off, disjointed spaces? Increase
its liveability with an open-plan layout – our guide will tell you how

A
wall-free floorplan
can make a space
feel instantly bigger
and is one of the most
popular renovation choices
among families, especially
those with younger children
– think being able to keep
an eye on the kids while
you’re prepping their
dinner. But it also works
well for couples and singles
who like to socialise at
home, enjoy cooking and
love entertaining guests:
an open-plan setup means
you can easily prepare
meals while chatting to
friends without having to
WORDS IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI PHOTOGRAPH ANGUS BEHM/SQUARE FOOT MEDIA

run between kitchen and

dining space. It’s often less
disruptive, time consuming
and costly than extending,
too, making it an even
#SOREALHOMES

more tempting prospect.

Celebrations and
gatherings might not be
back to normal just yet, but
it pays to be prepared – so if
you’re considering how an
open-plan space could work
in your property, read on for
our top tips and inspiration
from three homeowners
who’ve already done it.

TURN OVER TO SEE HOW THIS HOMEOWNER TRANSFORMED A CRAMPED FLAT INTO A SPACIOUS HOME

85
 real home 1

GRAND BUILDING REGULATIONS

If your house isn’t a listed
OPENING building, it’s unlikely that you
will need planning consent in
order to create that coveted
Jenna and James reconfigured open-plan space. You will,
their Victorian flat in leafy however, need to adhere
Inverleith to create a family- to Building Regulations,
friendly space that flows particularly those around
from room to room important safety issues like
escape routes in case of an
‘We moved to Edinburgh from emergency, such as a fire.
Sydney to start a family, and soon There are some instances
where the design you choose
after that stumbled on this first-
could mean you’ll be required
floor flat. Being new to the city we to install a sprinkler system.
weren’t so familiar with the features
offered by purpose-built Victorian
tenement buildings. However, when
one of our friends mentioned she
was looking to sell, we realised her
property would be perfect for us.
‘After six years in Australia we'd
become used to light, contemporary
properties, and while we loved the
bones of this flat we also knew there IN THE ZONE
was the potential to reconfigure the In order to stop the space
rooms to create more of a flexible from feeling like a vast
floorplan. Typical of many older expanse it’s worth designing
in zones. This can easily
Edinburgh flats, the original kitchen
be done with open-plan
was in a small, north east-facing kitchen-diners, especially if
room with no real space for a dining you’re incorporating an island,
area. Developing a large open-plan which visually delineates the
kitchen-diner in a large light-filled cooking from the dining area.
south-west room was the main driver Other moveable furniture in
for the renovation project. living-dining setups can also
‘We knew we wanted to open help differentiate the space:
up the wall between the living room an armchair and a rug with
and kitchen-diner, and we asked our a floor lamp signals a living
area, for example, while a
architect Justine to help us work out
dining set with a different
the best way of connecting the two style of flooring indicates
spaces. Our favourite part is how a a space for eating.
line of symmetry has been created
between the living room fireplace,
the new opening, the island and the
range. The master stroke here was
the wall-to-wall bookcases Justine
designed, which frame the view
back into the living room.
‘We wanted to maximise usable
space so we made sure every inch was
used when we designed the kitchen,
using the old doorway footprint to
PHOTOGRAPHS ANGUS BEHM/SQUARE FOOT MEDIA

create a built-in storage unit. The

kitchen needed to make an impact so
we opted for a striking monochrome
colour scheme. We wanted to create
something lovely but life-proof – and,
fingers crossed, that’s what we’ve got.’

COSTS & CONTACTS

Kitchen Naked Kitchens,
01328 838854, nakedkitchens.com
Architect Fernandes Binns,
07717 745897, fb-architects.co.uk
Project cost £150,000 (Kitchen £20,000)

86
 CAN I REMOVE IT?
It’s best to call the experts BEFORE
in to check whether a wall
that you’d like to remove is
load-bearing – a good builder
should be able to tell you this
upon inspection. All is not
lost if it is, but you’ll need
your builder or a structural
engineer to calculate what
size steel support will be
required for the opening.
You can also opt for exposed
timber beam posts if you’re
in a period property and
want to keep as much
character as possible.

FLOOR THEM
Some people choose to install
the same flooring throughout
their open-plan space, which
creates a sense of continuity.
This flooring can also be
chosen to match the outdoor
area, helping to link indoors
and out and make a patio
REALHOMES.COM

feel like a natural extension.

Other renovators will opt for
a different covering in, say,
the kitchen and dining area,
such as stone tiles (which
might be more resistant to
spills), and choose a softer
timber, which can be covered
with a rug, for a living space.

87
 real home 2
BEFORE

FAMILY LIVING
NOISE CONSIDERATIONS
Architect Ruth Campbell opened Open-plan spaces mean
that you’ll have less privacy,
her family home from front to
and if your living area and
back to create a kitchen-diner kitchen space are combined,
with room for the kids to play consider whether you’ll
find it disruptive to have
‘When we moved into this house the dishwasher or washing
it was a series of generously machine running in the
proportioned spaces that were background while you’re
unfortunately quite separate from trying to settle down for a
each other. There was no access film night. It’s also sensible to
from the kitchen to the garden, think about how each family
member will use internal
so making that connection was
spaces, especially as younger
also really important. children become teenagers
‘We wanted to improve the link – would it be worth keeping
throughout. The joy of the house is a front room closed off?
in its width and the view out into the
nature trail and garden at the back,
so we wanted to maximise that.
However, we really couldn’t decide
whether to open up the sitting room
to the front of the house or keep it
separate. In the end we kept the front
room as a space for adults, which is
perfect for how we live as a family.
‘We reconfigured three of the
four ground floor rooms, removing
two walls and infilling one doorway
to create a kitchen-dining room that
spans the whole width of the back of
the house along with a playroom that
runs from the front to back – a large
open-plan L-shape within the square
house. We closed up the kitchen
door and redesigned the space so
that it faced out to the garden, and
then dropped the sills on all of the
windows at the rear of the property
to make three different openings on
to the deck and maximise the views.
‘The work took about 10 weeks
in total. It’s transformed how we
use it: the space feels completely
interconnected and we flow out from
the kitchen to the garden with total
ease. The deck beyond pretty much
doubles our floorplan size, and being
able to spill out so easily is perfect.
We’re also so pleased that we kept
the sitting room totally separate
– while it would have been lovely for
parties, in day-to-day life it's nice
to have that quieter space separate
from the busy heart of the house.’
PHOTOGRAPHS PENNY WINCER

COSTS & CONTACTS

Architect Campbell Cadey,
020 7965 7347, campbellcadey.com
Builders Cherrywood Projects,
020 8505 0150, cherrywoodprojects.co.uk
Joinery Jacob Alexander Studio,
020 7639 0736, jacob-alexander.co.uk
Project cost £40,000

88
 CLEAR THE AIR
Avid cooks, especially those
who love to experiment with
herbs and spices, will know
that the lingering odours of
last night’s dinner won't smell
so welcoming the next day, so
an open-plan space should be
well ventilated. Consider what
type of extractor fan will be
most effective and where to
place it. It's not just functional,
either: with so many stylish
designs out there, it can be
a statement piece, too.
SLEEP SPACE
You may have seen open-plan
bedrooms executed to great
effect in a hotel – a roll-top
bath at the end of the bed,
or a simple glass partition
between the en suite. While
this can be a fantastic
space-saving solution in the
short term, is the lack of
privacy something that you
will be able to live with day
in, day out? Arched, open
doorways or a simple
screen can create a sense
of everything being in one
room while maintaining
some separation.
REALHOMES.COM

STORE IN STYLE
With a lack of walls, you’re
going to have less space to
hang pictures or shelving and
to place furniture against, so
plan in as many cupboards
as possible using as much of
the available wall space that
you can. If there’s an island,
can you incorporate more
shelving, or hang storage
overhead from the ceiling?
Freestanding furniture and
seating with storage will
come in handy and can help
outline designated areas.

89
 real home 3

FULL REVEAL COST CONSIDERATIONS

Removing a wall to create
a bigger space can usually
save more money, costing
A spacious design with flexible
thousands, rather than the
touches makes Darren and tens of thousands it can cost
Michelle Jones’ Victorian end-of- to extend. You won’t need to
terrace perfect for entertaining apply for planning permission
and might not need to
‘This house had been rented out to engage an architect. Expect
sharers for a couple of years, so it was costs to climb if there is a
tired but not in a state of disrepair. need for a structural engineer,
The main oddity was the half open- but bear in mind that their
plan layout of the ground floor. The advice and opinion will pay
dividends in the long run as
internal wall between the hall and
they will provide effective
the room at the back of the house BEFORE solutions and – most
had been removed. Meanwhile the importantly – will ensure your
kitchen was located down two steps home is structurally sound.
in the extension – it needed to be
replaced, but was usable.
'We lived in the house for nine
years, vaguely dissatisfied about how
the ground floor worked, and then
the kitchen began to fall apart. We
were going to have to replace it and
that was our chance to rejig the long,
narrow room. Our architect, John
Foat, suggested we move the kitchen
out of the extension to the main
ground floor instead and go fully
open plan. We’d be able to use every
inch of the ground floor all the time.
‘Our daughter was seven at the
time and opening up the space would
mean we could all be doing our own
thing, together but not on top of each
other. We’d be able to invite friends
for supper and enjoy cooking.
There’d even be space for a roller
disco if our daughter wanted one –
or to play ferocious ping-pong. And
taking away the barriers between
house and garden would bring in
the light. The space is filled with
light, even in winter.
KEEP IT TIDY
‘Our favourite thing is the view Key to the success of your
from the kitchen table. Fi and Tom project is the design, and
from HØLTE, who designed the within that, what happens
kitchen, built us a curvy window to all the clutter that comes
seat in the front bay window and with actually living in a space.
the fabulous and enormous kitchen Think about where you’ll be
island with its razzle dazzle terrazzo placing elements like the
and wheels, which make it easy to sink. Are you and the other
occupants tidy? Will there
move it out of the way. Seeing people
be dishes left out overnight,
react the first time they come here
and do you really want to
is a thrill. It’s a space that welcomes, sit staring at them from the
and it has made us more open and dining table in the morning?
welcoming, too. Walking downstairs Is there space for a separate
PHOTOGRAPHS SARA HIBBERT

each morning brings us joy.’ utility area and pantry that

can help you keep the
space looking uncluttered?
COSTS & CONTACTS
Kitchen HØLTE, 020 7041 6015,
holte.studio
Architect John Foat, 07931 259 055,
johnfoat.com
Project cost £52,000

90
 STYLE UP
The hugely important and
perhaps most challenging
aspect of any renovation is
the finish. You’ve worked hard
to create the foundations:
now the space needs to
look and feel like your home.
Some renovators engage an
interior designer to help them
navigate this element, while
others are happy to go it
alone. It’s often easier to start
by choosing a theme, whether
it’s industrial, contemporary
or maybe the colour green.
Your kitchen might prove to
be the deciding factor, with
the colour and style of the
units or the worktop giving
you a starting point.

WARM AND COSY

With fewer walls to work
with in an open-plan layout,
underfloor heating is an ideal
solution to the lack of radiator
space, especially if you’re
taking up the flooring to
create your new scheme.
Remember, though, that
there will be a build up in
height that could affect
doorways. Alternatively,
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pair a wood-burning stove

with radiators to establish
a cosy environment.

91
 THE PRICE
IS RIGHT
Things might look
a little different this
year on the shopping
front, but with huge
events like Black
Friday still going
ahead online, now’s
PROJECT ADVICE the time to bag that
bargain. We’re here
Whether you’re getting the to help with non-
ball rolling with that long- stop coverage of the
awaited extension or you’re very best buys, from
part way through a renovation washing machines
that feels like it’s never going to vacuum cleaners
to end, we’ve got advice, inspo – keep your eye on
and product picks for (almost) our feeds for more.
everything you could think of. realhomes.com/
Helping you with the actual, deals
physical work? Not so much

g
– but we’re rooting for you!

ndin
realhomes.com/extensions

#now tre
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JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON

FOR ALL YOUR HOMES

INSPIRATION AND ADVI
CE

Etta chair in
pink, £95,
Habitat

Smart
buys
Need help choosing the perfect
coffee machine, desk chair or
PHOTOGRAPH MALCOLM MENZIES (TOP)

The future is here

accessories to complete your WFH
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we’ve got the buying guide for drip filter
…and it’s looking smart. Smart home tech is on the you online. realhomes.com/ coffee machine,
rise thanks to its uncanny ability to make our lives buying-guides £179.95, Smeg
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you actually need? Head to our dedicated jargon- The Design
free smart home hub for expert advice that’ll Anthology reed
clear things up, once and for all. Amazon Echo diffuser, £30,
in blue, £89.99, available at Argos. Ashleigh & Burwood
realhomes.com/technology

93
 Victorian renovation

POLISHED GEM
Decked out in jewel colours and flashes of gold, Sue and Matt’s precious
home feels just right for an atmospheric Christmas celebration

94
Opposite image This entire
back section of the house was
reworked and glazed to make
the most of the view. ‘Now,
the garden seems to flow into
the whole house,’ says Sue.

For a similar table, try Good

Wood Home Designs. Metal
chairs, Graham & Green. Pre-lit
5ft Christmas tree, Gisela
Graham. Flower arrangement,
Brian Kirkby Flowers

TOP TIP
Embracing an urban
look? Strip off the
plaster to reveal the
original brick. If the
quality’s not good,
try brick slips

REALHOMES.COM

‘I knew I wanted this kitchen, in this

colour, right from the get go,’ says
Sue. Style additions such as the brick
wall and the canary yellow stools came
later. ‘They give a kick of vibrancy that
lifts the whole look,’ she adds.

Kitchen, DeVOL. For a similar cabinet

paint colour, try Down Pipe, Farrow &
Ball. Stools, Vintage Industrial Metal.
Pendant, Industville. Framed palm
prints, French Connection Home.
Vases, Habitat. Cake stands, House
of Fraser. Panettones, Carluccio’s and
Selfridges. Glassware, Sainsbury’s Home

95
Sue was drawn to the Asian
feel of this geometric wall art.
‘But I also find it feels quite
Christmassy, too,’ she says.

Footstool, Loaf. Rug, Margo

Selby for Habitat. Wall art,
West Elm. Throw and cushions,
Liberty. Mini Christmas tree,
wreath, white candles and
sheepskin, The White
Company. Disco ball tree
topper, Rockett St George.
Vase and knitted tree,
Habitat. LED stars and fairy
lights, Lights4fun. Faux-tree
decorations, gold glitter trees,
Nutcracker ornaments and
gold candles, Gisela Graham

96
 S
WORDS JO LEEVERS PHOTOGRAPHY DAVIDE LOVATTI STYLING JO BAILEY
Profile
Above In this smallest room,
Sue evokes memories of the
tropics, with added city
gleam. ‘You’ll notice I love
THE OWNERs Cole & Son – they do the
Sue Stacey, her husband, wittiest wallpapers,’ she says.
Matt, and their children,
Anya, Dylan and Joe, plus Basin and washstand, The
kittens Iris and Zola Water Monopoly. Wallpaper,
Cole & Son. Wall lights,
THE PROPERTY
A five-bedroom Victorian Holloways of Ludlow
townhouse in south London
97
ue has done Christmas in the tropics after spending five years
in Singapore, and it’s not always a pretty sight. ‘In many ways,
it’s fantastic. But try cooking a roast dinner in 35-degree heat
– madness!’ she says, laughing. Then there was the Norwegian
spruce tree, imported at great expense. ‘It barely lasted until
Boxing Day and was wilting before our eyes,’ she says.
Since moving back to London after five years abroad,
Sue and her family have found their Victorian townhouse
far more fitting for a traditional festive season. Decked out
in an atmospheric mix of deep blues, shimmering teals and
FOR MORE RENOVATION INSPIRATION AND ADVICE, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS
gleaming gold and bronze, it’s a stunning feat of design, but
it took a huge project – including an extension, reconfiguration
and a good dusting off – to turn this double-fronted gem into
a setting fit to handsomely host Christmas for Sue, husband
Matt, and children Anya, Dylan and Joe.
Before that could happen, a major overhaul was needed.
The couple hired Qualitas to take care of the redesign and
construction, which eventually extended over all four floors.
On the ground floor, a dated layout meant that the area at
the rear was squandered on a storage cupboard and a WC. ‘It
wasn’t the most inspiring sight when you walked in,’ says Sue.
And true to their Victorian roots, the rooms lacked any sense
of openness or flow. This included the kitchen, which was a
narrow room at the side of the house that overlooked a brick
wall and had no view out to the garden. ‘Because we have three
children, the garden was a big reason for moving here and
we wanted to be able to use it all year round,’ says Sue. Now,
a bold expanse of Crittall glazing serves as a third wall at
the rear of the house, drawing light into the ground floor.
An L-shaped kitchen-diner works as a sociable space, while
an internal glass wall opens into a study, a jewel-box of a
room that feels more opulent than your average work area.
Upstairs, three bedrooms were reconfigured with
en suites, making them luxurious versions of their old
Victorian selves. The build also dug down to the cellar,
creating a lower-ground floor that’s destined to grow into
a teen zone, with a cinema room and games area. ‘Soon
enough, we’ll have three teenagers who’ll want to do their
own thing, so we wanted to plan ahead,’ adds Sue.
The family stayed in a house two roads away while the
work was going on, but the renovation was a remarkably
smooth process. ‘I’d heard stories of nightmare builds, but
ours was a good experience. The team always found ways
to do what we wanted and never tried to convince me to do
something easier,’ says Sue. ‘We were on the same wavelength.’
Other design touches and the bespoke joinery were by
interior designer Nicola Hicks. ‘I had a clear vision for this
home, but I know it wouldn’t have come together in this way
#SOREALHOMES
without Nicola,’ says Sue. The couple also wanted to reinstate
the house’s period features such as fireplaces, cornicing and
ceiling roses. ‘We wanted to make it modern, but also pay
homage to its past,’ she says. Then came her opulent colour
schemes, which feel just right for the house’s improved and
elegant proportions. Warm metallics and rich blues rule in the
living spaces, while the more urban, stripped-back textures of
brick, steel and bronze keep the kitchen-diner contemporary.
But what gives this home true character is the sprinkling
of unexpected touches. The Narnia-style wardrobe doors in
Joe’s bedroom open to reveal a secret hideaway. The dazzling
mosaic in the hallway, which could be mistaken for a Victorian
throwback, is a fresh tessellation of brighter blues and greys.
And the vibrant cloakroom rustles with exotic palms as a
faux-parrot peeps out from his perch. Maybe there’s a touch
of the tropical about this house after all…
 Left and right Sue
couldn’t resist the
op-art meets animal
print of this rug.
‘It adds a dash
of humour to the
sophisticated
space,’ she says.

Walls painted in
Hick’s Blue, Little
Greene. Rug,
The Rug Company.
For a sofa and
armchair, try the
Margot collection,
Made. Try Moroccan
Bazaar for a similar
pouffe. For a floor
lamp, try the
Hobby, Lamp &
Light. Pre-lit 7ft tree
and garland over
TV unit, Balsam
Hill. Baubles, Gisela
Graham. Pom-pom
garland, Habitat.
Stockings, Rockett
St George and
Debenhams. Fairy
light domes,
Lights4fun. Glasses
and crackers,
Sainsbury’s Home

98
99
REALHOMES.COM
BEFORE

100
Left With the help
of interior designer
Nicola Hicks, Sue
added a fresh tile
pattern to the hall
floor. ‘It echoes
a Victorian style,
but the colours
are zinged up
a bit for modern
life,’ she says.

Tiles, London
Mosaic. Stair
runner, Marlows
Carpets. Fairy light
baubles and LED
fir garland, Balsam
Hill. Eucalyptus,
Wyld Home.
Rosemary garland,
The White
Company. Fairy
lights, Lights4fun.
Paper decorations,
Rockett St George.
Gift wrap, Sophia
Victoria Joy via Not
on the High Street.
Ribbons, Gisela
Graham and
Hobbycraft. Gift
bags, Debenhams

TOP TIP
Right A glass wall Floating shelves are
and door to the perfect for creating
office means Sue picture galleries
can get on with where you can easily
paperwork without change or layer up
REALHOMES.COM

feeling shut away. your artwork

Flow-through
flooring and
shelving that
echoes the glazing
make this a
coherent space.

Flooring, Cheville
Parquet. Bespoke
joinery, designed
by Nicola Hicks
and made by
Lethbridge Lines.
Byron wallpaper,
Cole & Sons. LED
star, Lights4fun

101
Decorative trims frame
this bathing space, from
the detailed cornicing to
the tile border and a subtle
ribbon that runs around the
base of the roll-top bath.

Wall tiles, Fired Earth.

Basins, Villeroy & Boch.
Roll-top bath, BC Designs

Contacts
Redesign and construction
Qualitas, 020 8432 1520,
qualitasltd.co.uk
Interior design
Nicola Hicks Designs,
07801 700723

102
 REALHOMES.COM

‘I wanted a slightly green-

hued paint shade for
this bedroom, so you
immediately feel relaxed
when you walk in,’ says Sue.

Kartell bedside table,

John Lewis & Partners.
For a similar bed, try
Lombok. Walls painted
in Steel V, Paint & Paper
Library. Cushions and
throw, Liberty

103
 TOP TIP
For extra wow in your
colour scheme, paint
your door, surround,
skirting and coving
in a matching
bold shade

‘I’d spotted this wallpaper before we’d even

moved here, so when Anya said she wanted
a turquoise room, it was a shoo-in,’ says Sue.

Shadow Floral wallpaper by Florence Broadhurst,

Signature Prints. Door painted in Blue Ground,
Farrow & Ball. Bed, John Lewis & Partners. Bedside
table, Habitat. Cushions and throw, Liberty

104
 eep
o k
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o
o
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in g th
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it h , kee tha t ren
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t f ast lo p the s, brin
g
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 R
enovation fatigue may
not be an actual medical
condition, but the problem
is real. ‘In 2020, this has
been even harder as
we have had to balance
other work, schooling,
lack of supplies and trades as well as
uncertainty – the physical strain as well
as the mental one is greater than ever
before,’ says Andrew Briggs, head of
creative at Spaceslide (spaceslide.co.
uk). If you’ve taken on a project that’s
merrily rumbling past six months,
chances are you’re a victim of this
painful ailment. The symptoms are
varied, but include: 1) refusal to even
look at a paintbrush, let alone pick one
up, 2) an irrational dread of all builders/
trades entering your home, 3) a fervent
desire to sell up and move into a freshly
completed new-build, despite loathing
new-builds and your building site of a
house currently being worth around
96p. If you’re struggling with the
monotony of having builders in your
house, everything covered in dust
and no end in sight, it could be time to
reframe the situation and seek coping
mechanisms that will help power you
through. Ideally before you have to sign
up for AA or accidentally murder a spouse.
TREAT YO’SELF
It may sound counterproductive but
consider taking time out. Stepping
away from the building site, literally,
and enjoying some dust-free fun is
often just the tonic you need to reignite
enthusiasm. Long-term renovators
Annika and Rachel Overton-Hope
(@victorianadventure) believe in a
holiday-based reward scheme to help
keep their mojo levels up. ‘We didn’t
want to end up resenting the property
we fell in love with, so we included R&R
in our schedule, including three weeks
off in December to enjoy Christmas
without dust-laden tinsel,’ says Annika.
‘I think it’s important to step back and
enjoy life around the madness. If you
wait until the reno is complete to live
your life, you may well end up waiting
forever.’ If you can’t afford posh hotels,
WORDS LINDA CLAYTON ILLUSTRATION GETTY IMAGES
look for cheaper ways to escape the
rubble. Offer to house-sit when family
go on holiday or go wild camping on a
sunny weekend. Even allowing yourself
just a few hours sat by the sea or a river
with some egg sarnies (sans guilt, of
course) can be all it takes to rediscover
the love of tiling/plastering, etc.
LESS HASTE, MORE SPEED
In a similar vein, taking the actual work
a bit slower can make it a lot more
bearable. And, with the likelihood of
fewer mistakes made by not rushing,
you could well end up reaching the
finish line at a similar time than if you
were going at it full bore. ‘If you push
yourself too hard, you’ll burn out,
get sick of it all and want to stop,’
explains Russ Pike, owner of Exeter
Bench Joiners (@just_a_lick_of_paint).
‘Taking it slower and not getting in
a stress about progress makes the
experience more pleasant. Or at least
less dreadful.’ Russ also recommends
creating good Spotify playlists if you’re
working on your own, or catching up on
podcasts. ‘There are no two ways about
it, renovating can be very boring and
monotonous, but I enjoy discovering
new music and it makes the jobs more
bearable,’ he adds. Sophie Lewis, owner
of Husoe Home (husoehome.com),
also likes to take a slow but steady
approach. ‘With a big project, it’s very
easy to become overwhelmed and
lose focus,’ she says. ‘I find that it helps
‘If you push yourself too hard, you’ll burn
out, get sick of it all and want to stop’
to break down the tasks into smaller,
easy to manage mini-projects that
are quickly achievable to give a visible
demonstration that you are indeed
moving forward. For instance, don't
focus on the finished kitchen, focus
on the plastering, the painting, the
cupboard units and tick them off
as they're done.’ Ticking off lists can
be very rewarding mentally. Don’t miss
out the quick wins, like touching up a
skirting board or hanging curtains;
every little helps. Myles Shaw, MD
of Run Rug (runrug.com), suggests
interspersing dull DIY with joyful
moments. ‘Letting yourself focus on
a part of the project you’re genuinely
excited about is a great way to stay
motivated,’ he says. ‘Go for something
that adds colour or texture, like some
patterned tiles or a bright stair runner,
to keep spirits lifted as you tackle more
mundane tasks.’ It doesn’t have to be
something you install right away if
the dust levels are still Saharan grade;
just bagging a bargain sofa that’ll
be delivered in 12 weeks can provide
vital mood boosting therapy.
TAKE CONTROL
Often the main reason renovations
turn sour is because we’ve lost control
of the schedule and/or budget. If Grand
Designs has taught us one thing, it’s
that both timescale and budget need
to be doubled. But what if you’ve been
extremely generous on both scores and
it’s still all going to hell in a handcart?
107
Peter Ungar, director of Ungar
Architects (ungararchitects.com)
believes communication is key to
getting back on track, especially if
you have a builder or contractor. ‘Keep
yourself informed on progress. Your
builder should submit a programme
at the beginning of the project on what
they are doing every week and follow
it,’ he says. If there isn’t one in place
from the get-go, it’s never too late to
instigate. ‘Monitor progress closely
and keep notes during meet ups to hold
them accountable. If there are delays,
make sure that you know about them
and why,’ he adds. It can also help to
have a building contract in place, even
on smaller projects. A simple contract
can be downloaded from the RIBA
[architecture.com/knowledge-and-
resources/resources-landing-page/
riba-domestic-building-contract].
‘This will define the end date of the
project and your builder will know
that late completion may mean that
deductions can be made from their
overall bill – unless you caused the
delays, of course,’ explains Peter. ‘And
make sure your builder realises that
this is your home and you want it back!’
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE
Sophie from Husoe Home suggests
creating a moodboard to help keep
your spirits up. ‘Sit down for five
minutes at the end of a long day with a
cup of tea and look over your original
dreams and plans. This will not only
help you to stay focused but also keep
your passion for the project dialled up
to full throttle,’ she says. Also check
out the visionary power of augmented
reality apps, which are increasingly
available since lockdown. ‘Tools like
Dulux’s Visualizer App, which lets you
REALHOMES.COM
take a photo of your room and see your
chosen colour on the walls, can also
boost your enthusiasm, even if you’re
not ready to paint yet,’ adds Michael
Patterson, director of We Buy Any
House UK (webuyanyhouse.co.uk).
‘It may also save time – there’s nothing
more demotivating than having to
repaint a newly painted room because
the colour is all wrong.’ Finally, try a
little time-hop visualisation. Imagine
yourself and your family in one (or five)
years’ time, enjoying the fruits of your
labour. Just like actual labour, this too
shall pass, and the pain and trauma will,
eventually, be forgotten. Until next time.
 Period renovation

CLASSIC
COUNTRY
Bringing the rustic country features back
into their converted barn was a priority for
first-time buyers Calista and Tom

110
 A previously off-centre fireplace has
been widened to make it symmetrical,
with a charcoal feature wall tying
together the new shelves and chimney
breast. The whitewashed green oak
beam has sentimental value as it came
from Tom’s late uncle, who built his
own house in Cornwall. ‘We added
a new log burner because the
previous one was too small for the
room,’ says Calista. ‘We spend a lot of
time in here – we love the open feel.’

Corner sofa, Sits Furniture. Rug,

Homesense. Feature wall painted
in Coal Tipple, Valspar. Burnt orange

FOR MORE PERIOD RENOVATION IDEAS, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

cushions, Matalan. Woodburner,
Flames of Hull

REALHOMES.COM

111
 W ith only one Saturday off in nine months to go
TOP TIP
Use glass in
unexpected places, like
stair bannisters, to help
bring natural light into
darker spaces, such
as hallways
Above Traditional spindles
were replaced with modern
glass panels for an entrance
with impact. ‘I wanted a shoe
cupboard here,’ says Calista.
‘But Tom was so sick of DIY by
that point that we just chucked
lots of logs in there instead.’
Console table, Cotswold Co.
For similar, try Croft Collection
wicker storage basket, John
Lewis & Partners. Stair glass
panels, T4 Design. Bannister
painted in Shale, Neptune
112
to a friend’s wedding, Tom Bendell and Calista
Hutchinson Jones have put in the hard graft when
renovating their first home together. The pair were
eager to get on the property ladder as Calista had
been renting in Leeds after finishing university and
Tom was living with his parents in Huggate, near York.
‘I’d done the city living thing and, although we
hadn’t been together very long, we were ready to settle down,’
says Calista, who’s originally from York. ‘Tom came across a
converted grain store for sale in his village.’ Built in 1884 as
part of the old manor farm and originally owned by a Sheffield
steelmaker, the building was converted into a house in 1995.
‘Fully renovated barn conversions were way out of our price
range, so it had to be a project, says Calista. ‘Thankfully Tom
had the vision to reconfigure the space using a software app
called Room Sketcher, which was a life saver. He’ll have a go at
anything, and figured a lot of things out with YouTube videos.’
The key change was knocking through the kitchen,
dining room and utility to make a sociable open-plan space
that would fit a big island. Calista and Tom wanted to make
more of the building’s heritage and uncovered many beams
that had been boxed in with plasterboard. Upstairs the
master bedroom was enlarged by stealing space from the
adjoining room, which became a smart dressing room, and
the bathroom and en suite were given a makeover, too.
Luckily the couple were able to live with Tom’s parents
while working on the house every evening and weekend. ‘It was
a horrible slog, especially in the winter with no central heating,
so it was great having them so close,’ says Calista. ‘Although
we needed a builder to extend the fireplace, a plumber for
the central heating, an electrician and a plasterer, we did
everything else with help from Tom’s parents and friends.
Tom and his dad even fitted the kitchen themselves. It would
have cost double if we’d used professionals for everything.’
Calista describes their style as the perfect hybrid
of traditional and modern with inspiration coming from
Neptune Home. ‘We used Neptune’s pebble colour palette
on the walls and woodwork as it suits the country look and
makes the house feel warm and homely,’ she says.
The house has been dressed with handpainted
furniture paired with premium marble tops to create stylish
yet personal pieces. ‘We’re conscious of not modernising too
much and ensuring we protect the original features,’ says
Calista. ‘I’m also a big believer in doing things myself and
making things look more expensive than they are. Some of the
candlesticks are just from Hobbycraft but I’ve painted them.’
Although they’d hoped to be in by Christmas, it was the
following April before Calista and Tom could finally move in
properly. ‘We ended up going around 30 per cent over our
WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE
original budget, mostly due to the kitchen cost and investing
in good-quality sofas,’ explains Calista. ‘But we saved money
with our staff discounts, as well as buying ex-display beds
for the spare bedrooms and making some of the furniture.’
Having done such a good job of future-proofing the house
by adding ample storage and a timeless look, Calista and Tom
reckon their first home could possibly be their forever home.
‘We might want a bigger garden in future – but I don’t think
we’ll ever find anything like this again,’ Calista says. ‘Going
from having everything on your doorstep to not being able
to get a phone signal is a bit of a lifestyle change, but I love
country living now. We’re so grateful for what we’ve got –
though looking back, we were crazy to do what we did!’
To save money, a pine
dining table that belonged
to Tom’s parents was upcycled.
‘Tom’s mum kindly painted
the legs and whitewashed
the top,’ says Calista. ‘People
comment on it the most but it
didn’t really cost us anything.’

Lipstick dining table, La

Redoute, is similar. Dining
chairs, Made. White lantern,
Homebase. Candlesticks,
Hobbycraft. Ashcroft
jug, Neptune. Artwork,
Profile

FOR MORE PERIOD RENOVATION IDEAS, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

Etsy. Frame, Desenio
THE OWNERs
Calista Hutchinson Jones
(@thebarnatmanorfarm),
a marketing communications
manager for Moore’s
Furniture Group, lives here
with partner Tom Bendell,
head of marketing and
operations for Marble
Building Products
THE PROPERTY
A four-bedroom semi-
detached barn conversion
in Huggate, York
PROJECT COST
Around £43,000 (with
trade discounts)

REALHOMES.COM

113
Below ‘As we both work in
the kitchen industry we see
lots of gorgeous designs,’ says
Calista. ‘It’s undergone the
biggest transformation and
has the most wow factor.’

Units and appliances,

Caple Kitchens. Superwhite
splashback, Marble Building
Products. Ladder, Homebase.
Vase and clock, Homesense

Ladder
1 2 love 3 4

Bring a fun yet practical element like Calista has

and hang throws, towels or plants on a ladder

1 Hambledon towel ladder,

£110, Garden Trading
2 Curved bamboo ladder, £48, Rose & Grey
3 Galvanised metal planters on
a lean-to ladder, £78, Gisela Graham
4 Nook ladder rack, £200, Nest

114
‘We wanted a traditional
look but with modern
elements like the
induction hob on
the island,’ says Calista.

Beams painted in watered

down Silver Birch, Neptune.
Superwhite worktops,
Marble Building Products

FOR MORE PERIOD RENOVATION IDEAS, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

TOP TIP
Future-proof your
home by building in
plenty of storage, like
full-height cupboards
– perfect for
family living

#SOREALHOMES

BEFORE

115
As there was previously no
shower in the main bathroom,
the couple installed a P-shaped
shower bath to make it more
guest friendly. ‘There are four
slabs on each wall rather than
tiles, so it looks like one big
piece of stone,’ says Calista.

For a similar bath, shower

screen and vanity unit, try
Victorian Plumbing. Dark wall,
Ceramic Pietra Grey, and light
wall, Snowy Ibiza Silestone,
both Marble Building Products

Costs & contacts

Kitchen and appliances £15,000
Other building work £9,279
Oil tank, boiler and radiators £7,859
Sofa £4,348
Flooring £2,700
Log burner £1,320
Dressing room wardrobes £1,319
Bespoke blinds £825
Internal doors £350

Kitchen Caple Kitchens,

0117 938 1900, caple.co.uk
Worktops Marble Building Products,
01759 373352, mbpltd.co.uk
Flooring Egger, 01434 602191, egger.com

116
Below ‘We wanted to keep
the décor calm and simple
in the master bedroom,’
says Calista, ‘with a dark
feature wall for interest.‘

Wall painted in Coal Tipple,

Valspar. Bed, Sofas & Stuff.
Lamps, Made. Line drawings,
Etsy. Try August Grove Loyd
cotton cushion cover, Wayfair.
Throws, John Lewis & Partners

XXXXX

By your side
Keep essentials handy at night with a stylish bedside table
1 2 3 4
1 Foldable side table,
£79.99, Zara Home
2 Barcelona one-drawer
bedside table, £50,
Argos Home
3 Essentials Ooty bedside
table in teal, £99, Made
4 Noah one-door bedside
table, £99, Next

117
Below Beams were uncovered
throughout, including in the
guest bedroom. ‘Some had
woodworm and others were
covered in grime,’ says Calista. Below and right ‘The full-height
‘We spent ages sanding them mural formed the basis for the rest
back and whitewashing them.’ of our bedroom,’ Helen says.

Bed, Next. Wall painted in Bed, Swoon Editions. Pendant lights,

Charcoal, Neptune. Try Oxide West Elm. Bedside tables, Next Home.
velvet cushions, Boeme Design Wall mural, Anthropologie. Walls
painted in Cromarty, Farrow & Ball

Above The pretty converted barn

offered country living, so Calista
and Tom embraced that style inside,
with a contemporary twist

Got the keys Fireplace finished Internal doors and Finishing touches
August 2018 October 2018 en suite fitted April 2019
January 2019

PROJECT Stripped and removed

internal walls
Plastering
completed
Kitchen installed
March 2019
TIMELINE September 2018 December 2018

118
 loft conversion

CLASSIC DESIGN

DESIGN
PROCESS
‘Because this house is
a Grade II-listed building,
it was essential to find
the right architect for

When Charlie Gooch got the go-ahead to extend the loft the loft extension. We
asked around the village

in her family’s period home, she was determined that the until Tim’s name came
up more than once, so

large en suite would be full of character and colour we arranged to see him.
We were impressed by his
ideas – they were practical
and he could see a way of
giving us the larger bath

TAKING on a quirky period

property was a leap
of faith for Charlie and husband Andy.
and separate shower we
wanted in the en suite.
He’s been brilliant and
They immediately earmarked the loft very patient with us.’
space as their own and drew up plans
to extend and create a proper master
bedroom with a sizeable en suite.
The existing bathroom in the loft was
jammed in, with just a shower over the
bath, not the separate one they craved.
A year on, the extension gave them
a much bigger bathroom, but they had
to wrestle with the awkward shape: a
slim rectangle with seriously sloping
roofs at either end of the room and
a door in the middle. Despite the
challenges, Charlie was determined she
was going to have a walk-in shower and
a roll-top bath, and by enlisting the help
of architect Tim Marshall, she’s created
her dream space. Here’s how she did it…

FOCAL POINT
‘The bath was always going
to be the showpiece, and
I fell in love with the large
boat shape of this roll
BEFORE top. I’m not one for a
really contemporary look,
particularly in a house like
this, and this was the bath
of my dreams. There was
lots of room to put it under
the window to let it shine,
and it comes unpainted
so you can make your own
decision on colour later.’

120
 Profile
THE OWNERs
Charlie Gooch, a freelance
nutritionist, her husband,
Andy, an engineer, and
twins Beatrice and Alice,
nine, and William, five
THE PROPERTY
A five-bed Grade II-listed TOP TIP
detached house, partly The humble hook can
dating back to 1710, in Kent be the answer to your
storage problems. Hang
project COST
baskets from them to
£23,949
hold your bathroom
bits and bobs

GETTING IT
RIGHT
‘Finding sympathetic
builders to do the loft
conversion and en suite
was the first task, and
Tim also helped us with
that. We needed someone
who was used to the quirks
REALHOMES.COM

of old houses, with walls

not being straight. Andy
has only recently left the
army so we have been
used to living in military
accommodation. We were
really excited about owning
our own house again and
putting our stamp on
something. We knew it
was going to be a major
project to do the whole
house, and we were looking
for solid, classic design
since we’re not planning
to move in a hurry.’

121
 Costs & contacts
Build cost £7,000
Sanitaryware £4,410 SHOWER POWER
Plumbing £4,000 ‘The shower was the most
Electrician £2,000 complicated bit – there’s
Shower enclosure £1,839 only one section of wall
Carpenter £1,800 that you can actually put
WORDS STEPHANIE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE

Windows £1,600 it on and it’s right slap

Tiles & decorating £1,300 bang in the middle of the
room. I wanted a walk-in
Architect Marshall Carley, style, with minimal chrome.
07718 122255 It took some looking, but
Designer Uplift Your Home, our designer sourced a
07747 150720, @upliftyourhome solution from Roman
Builder LJ Fletcher Builders, 01580 Showers. It has two panels
892137, ljfletcherbuilders.co.uk either side and a pivoting
section in between, so
you can walk into the
shower at the front.’
STORAGE
SOLUTION
‘We desperately needed
storage in the en suite for
everything from towels to
toiletries. There was a huge
unused section to the right
of the toilet and shower
under the sloping roof,
so we got the talented
carpenter who works with
the builders to create an
L-shaped section of low-
level units that provide
a fantastic amount of
cupboard space. I like
to see the towels out
on show and it’s also an
opportunity to put lots
of plants on top, which I
love to see in bathrooms.’

122

TOP TIP
A shelf inset in a shower
is perfect for keeping
body washes and
shampoos tidy. Make
it stand out with a
contrasting tile
STYLE ADVICE
‘I took on a local interior
designer who’d been
recommended – Danecia
of Uplift Your Home – who
really helped me find my
style. After not being in
charge of my own décor for
so long, I needed guidance.
I was determined not to be
beige and boring, but she
helped me see that some
of my initial ideas with
acres of marble were a bit
too bold. We focused on
layout and the larger items
like the bath and shower
first, and it started to come
together. She drew out my
love for Morocco, which
influenced the floor tiles
and was key to drawing the
whole scheme together.’

ADDING
COLOUR
‘With the main pieces in,
it was time for the fun bit:
adding character and
colour. Danecia knows all
REALHOMES.COM

about my love for Morocco,

so rather than have the
colour on the walls, we SHOPPING LIST
honed in on Moroccan floor Bespoke shower enclosure
tiles in stunning patterns and tray, Roman Showers.
and colours. The one I Floor tiles, Original Style.
chose from Original Style Wall tiles, Topps Tiles.
has gorgeous rich blues, Insert tiles, Fired Earth.
which informed the colour Bath and basins, BC
for the bath and the Designs. Brassware,
cabinets. I chose a cream Heritage Bathrooms.
brick tile for the shower Toilet and towel rail,
enclosure, but brought Hudson Reed. Cabinets
the blue back in with some painted in Stiffkey Blue,
distressed tiles from Fired Farrow & Ball. Baskets,
Earth in the shelf insert.’ Mille & Rose Designs

123
 ed spa
orm ce
sf
an

r
t

at
o j e c
r
pof the m onth

e
ey
u r
th
at’
s c au g h to

Small but
mighty
We’ve said it before and we’ll
say it again: an extension
doesn’t have to be huge to

XXXXX
be effective. Case in point:
this smart design from
Loader Monteith, which was
built in response to a client’s
lack of connection to their
garden. A few square feet
REALHOMES.COM

of space create a perfectly

proportioned dining area
WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPH ROSS CAMPBELL

with a direct link to the

outdoors. The sliding doors
open out right to the edge
for the effect of a corner
opening without the extra
expense. And that dormer?
The architects added the
balcony as a peaceful space
to enjoy the garden from
above. It’s the perfect
serene setting to take a
break from a very chaotic
year. Project cost: £50,000.
Loader Monteith, 0141 370
0887, loadermonteith.co.uk

125
 PATTERN PLAY

KITCHEN & BATHROOM A simple palette

NEWS
leaves room for
creativity, so max out
on monochrome in
your bathroom by
choosing clashing
patterns and using
them all over. This
modern scheme by
Crosswater combines
three very different
linear patterns for
a playful yet cohesive
space. Kai 600 white
gloss double drawer
unit and basin,
£575, Crosswater

LATEST ID EAS, TR EN DS AND ESSENTIAL BUYS

TH E
FOR YOUR KITCHEN AN
D BATHROOM

Bathroom
beauty
Contemporary
lighting company
Houseof has
launched a new
collection of unique,
quirky lights that are
bathroom-suitable,
and we are head over
heels. Featuring the
signature style of its HIGH
original pieces, and GLOSS
with a range of
ceiling, wall and
corner lights available Inspired by the old techniques of
in charcoal or brass, Majolica pottery, the latest tile range
these lights will revive from Topps Tiles – Zellica – blends
any space. Looks inconsistent colouring, high shine and
pricey, you say? deep, rich tones to perfection. We’re
At just £160, this loving this warm ochre, used on
charcoal grey angled an entire wall to create an eye-
ceiling light is a catching backdrop. Zellica
complete steal. ochre tile, £68.75 per m2,
Topps Tiles
REALHOMES.COM

On a ROLL
Whether you save or splurge, create more cooking space with an industrial kitchen trolley

SAVE SPEND
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

Metal and wood Vasagle baker’s Darby butcher’s Jai 2 metal basket
kitchen trolley, rack with wheels, block with marble kitchen island,
£100, Argos £139.99, Mano Mano top, £399, Made £649.99, Wayfair

127
 Portofino 3 OF
chimney cooker THE
BEST
hood in red,
£579, Smeg

Coloured
cooker hoods
Keep your kitchen
smelling fresh and
looking bright with
an extractor hood
in a bold hue

Smart Deco
cooker hood
in mustard,
£495, Franke

Falcon 1092
super extract
hood in China
Blue, £1,269.97,
Donaghy Bros

EMERALD
LUXE
How gorgeous is this colour? Brand new
to Utopia’s fitted furniture collection is
the Roseberry in Emerald Green. With a
nod to nature, this warm shade is perfect
for a calming space. We’re loving it
combined with metallic gold finishes
and accessories for a rich, luxurious
look. Roseberry painted furniture
in Emerald Green, £4,130 for
units shown, basin, WC
and mirror, Utopia

Hidden
surprise
Add some fun to your
hand washing with this
modern tap with built-in
LED lights. Illuminating
red or blue for hot or
STARRY SKIES cold, it’s powered by
a dynamo so no need for
Looking for something a little different? An array of exposed bulb pendants like this brings a an electrician. Vellamo
magical element to this kitchen – particularly apt for the festive period. Attach a bracket to Reve waterfall basin mixer
your ceiling and mix bulb heights, sizes and shapes to mimic the majesty of starry skies and tap with LED lights, £156,
keep your festivities going well into the night. Country kitchen in Winter White, £5,754, Wren Tap Warehouse

128
 kitchen extension

ROUGH LUXE
By knocking through rather than extending, Helen McLean now has the
modern industrial kitchen she’d always wanted for a fraction of the cost

AFTER eight years living with

a dark and gloomy
kitchen, Helen McLean finally has the
sociable open-plan space she’s always
dreamed of. Although she’d be the
first to admit how stressful it was to
go through, the transformation has
changed how her family lives – and
all without the need for an extension.
With a busy family life and several
pets, carving a new utility room
from the garage has also been
a boon and gets used every day.
Here, Helen reveals how
knocking two rooms together and
reconfiguring the existing space has
given her a light-filled industrial-style
kitchen-diner and living area, lifted
by metallic and neon touches.

BEFORE

WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE

The industrial feel of the

brick slip wall and scaffold
board shelf is warmed by a
bronze tap and accessories.

Sink and tap, The 1810

Company. Worktops,
Stadium Stone. Shelf, Barrel
& Bird. Print, Desenio. Gold
planters, TK Maxx. Hand
gesture candle, Candlehand

130
‘Because our colour palette
is quite neutral, I try and
create interest with texture,
pattern and quirky home
décor,’ says Helen. ‘The
island tiles from Mandarin
Stone were a bold decision
but they’re one of my
favourite features, along
with the brick slip wall.’
Kitchen units, Ellerton by
Second Nature, painted in
slate. Appliances, AEG.
Island tiles, Mandarin Stone
131
Profile
The owners
Helen McLean (@mamofboys),
a beauty salon owner, her
husband Stewart, a police
officer, and their children
Benjamin, 18, and Alexander,
11, plus Cocker Spaniels Indie
and Finn, Bengal cat Rafferty,
and Arlo, the bearded dragon
The property
A four-bedroom detached
1990s house in Sunderland
project cost
£25,060
REALHOMES.COM
 Left and right A vertical
radiator and tall units
housing an oven and
fridge-freezer have made
the most of the space.
‘We chose handleless
doors as the clean lines
give the traditional shaker
units a contemporary
twist,’ says Helen.

Ovens, AEG. Radiator,

Victorian Plumbing

1 2 3
Step three
Step two
Step one

OUT WITH THE OLD BIG PLANS OUR WISH LIST

‘After outgrowing our previous
home – a three-bedroom house in
the next street – we moved up to a
four-bedroom detached house with
scope for improvement,’ says Helen.
‘Having a separate kitchen, dining
room and conservatory at the rear
wasn’t ideal. The kitchen felt pretty
dark and we needed to put the light
on even during the day. I would’ve
liked a separate utility room, too. As
the birch units we inherited were good
quality, I initially painted them using
Farrow & Ball’s Pavilion Gray eggshell.
This temporary quick fix pacified
me for a number of years while we
patiently saved up to replace it.’
‘Eight years after moving in, we decided
to remove the wall separating the
kitchen and dining room to really open
up the space. To resolve the light issue,
we planned to knock down our existing
conservatory and replace the kitchen
window and patio doors with bi-folds. It
made sense to utilise the garage space
– previously a dumping ground – to
create a separate utility room, too. We
had to move the back door slightly and
work around the existing boiler to save
money, but it was worth the extra work.
A structural engineer was brought in
before making the alterations, but it
was much cheaper than an extension.’
‘I’m a bit of an interiors junkie so I
got lots of inspiration from Instagram
and my long-term addiction to homes
magazines. A kitchen island was a
must and I envisaged traditional
Shaker-style units with a modern
edge. Just when I was beginning to
think that style of unit didn’t exist,
we discovered the Ellerton range by
Second Nature Kitchens. I think at
first Stewart would’ve preferred a
more modern style, but thankfully
he’s pretty happy to trust my
judgement. It only came in a few
standard colour options so we
paid extra for a bespoke dark grey
to match the anthracite bi-fold
doors, with pale grey for the utility
where there’s less natural light.’

132
By sticking to black, white and
metallic prints, but mixing up
the frames, Helen’s quirky
gallery wall has a cohesive feel.

For a similar sofa, try the

Scott, Made. Monochrome
cushion, H&M Home. Alana
ceiling light, Där Lighting.
Northern Grit print, Vinegar
& Brown Paper. Script prints,
Jessie M Design. Photo Booth
illustrations, Tiny Bison.
Plant stand, Matalan

REALHOMES.COM

133
 ‘The one thing we
did splash out on my
was our neon sign,
kitchen IN

5
which I absolutely
love,’ says Helen.

Neon sign, Bag &

Bones. Wall light,
Industville. Rise &
Shine canister,
Anthropologie
£12.99, Sundaygirl
Leopard print
oven gloves,
1
OUR GO-TO
WINTER MEAL
‘Cowboy dinner – essentially
oven-baked veggie
sausages, mash, chopped
onion, chilli powder and
beans with cheese on top.’

2
THE FIRST SONG
ON MY KITCHEN
PLAYLIST
‘Something by Snow Patrol,
The Script or Pink.’

3
MY FAVOURITE
ACCESSORY
‘My Let’s Stay Home neon
sign by Bag & Bones.’

4
I COULDN’T LIVE
WITHOUT… Enamel
‘Our kettle for a cuppa.’ stove kettle,
£40, Garden

4 5
5 Trading
THE FEATURE I LOVE
‘The gorgeous tiles on the
front of the island and the
brick slip wall.’
Step four

Step five

Harlequin Decor 7
porcelain tiles, £40.80
per m2, Mandarin Stone

THE HARD WORK All in the details

‘We refer to our renovation as “reno
hell” since the entire downstairs of
our home was in disarray! With the
exception of our builders, who were
brilliant, we experienced quite a few
issues. The kitchen fit was supposed
to take a few days but took nearly two
months as the wrong colour units
were delivered and certain parts were
missing. Then our new radiator fell
off the recently plastered wall!
‘To save money, Stewart laid the
floor tiles and attached the brick slip
feature wall. He worked tirelessly
between shifts and was nearly a broken
man by the end! My electrician brother
carried out the electrical work. By the
time it was all finished, we were really
underwhelmed and it took a number
of months to finally appreciate it.’
‘I believe it’s the small stuff that really
makes the difference. I still remember
our plumber’s face was when I told Costs & contacts
him how much we were spending on
brass radiator valves. Because we were Kitchen £12,020
massively over budget, I had to forgo Build work £7,400
the brass-coloured boiling water tap Glazing £4,000
I desperately wanted and we had our Decor £680
existing oven professionally cleaned. Flooring £660
‘It’s lovely when people Lighting £300
compliment what we’ve achieved.
Builder Chris Robson of Robson
Guests often refer to our “extension”
Property Services, 07789 221330
and I remind them that we haven’t Structural engineer
actually extended. This space is Christine Smith, 07446 422965
now the hardest working area in Electrics Fusion Electrical Contractors,
our home, whether it’s laundry in 07703 825002, fusion-contractors.co.uk
the utility, cooking in the kitchen, Plumbing Saved by the Bell
homework at the table or lounging Plumbing Services, 07821 106679
in front of the TV. It really brings
everyone together.’

134
 SPOTLIGHT ON

KITCHEN
ISLANDS
The hub of the kitchen, centrepiece to
culinary delights and the stuff of dreams
for many, we’re sharing our top design AHEAD OF THE CURVE
ideas for a space that’s perfect for you Rounded edges are so on trend, and when applied to kitchen islands
they save space and allow you to swerve smoothly round corners. We love
this burnt orange colour and perfectly-placed built-in wine rack. Carnegie
kitchen in Terracotta Sunset and Scots Grey, £12,000, Masterclass

FOR MORE STYLISH IDEAS, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/KITCHENS

OPEN SHELVING
Let your personality shine through by displaying ceramics and books you
love. Open shelves on your island let you do this at a low level, adding fun
and colour without dominating the space. Halfmoon White, Ruskin Blossom
and London Plane wood veneer kitchen, from £10,000, Pluck Kitchens
ZONE YOUR ISLAND
Our kitchens are more multifunctional than ever, so divide your worktop
into cooking and socialising zones with mixed materials. Here, marble is
for cooking while a wooden addition creates a bar for relaxing. Milano
Elements kitchen in metallic slate, £5,286 for these built-in units, Wren

Five things... you need to know about choosing an island – for

#SOREALHOMES

a dream kitchen that’s as functional as it is stylish

ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE

Consider how you want
your island to function from
the start of your planning
process. If you want it to
include appliances, like an
oven or worktop extractor,
you’ll need an electrician to
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
A kitchen island is
a perfect excuse for a
colour contrast. If you’ve
got neutral surrounds, a
striking statement, such as
blue, orange or even pink,
will make a real feature in
Installing a new kitchen?
Work out exactly what
you’ll store and where,
so you can design a space
that fits everything you
need. Will your island need
to fit pots and pans or have
You don’t want your island
to look like a disconnected
piece of furniture in your
kitchen, so ensure there is
a level of consistency
between it and your
cabinets. When mixing
With kitchens used as
dining rooms, studies and
playrooms, it’s no wonder
we’ve seen a rise in islands
on wheels. You can quickly
switch up your layout –
bring your island closer to

advise where these will be
best placed. If you want a
sink or dishwasher, extra
plumbing will be needed
to reach the island.
your room. If you’ve already
got an island, revamping it
with a fresh coat of paint
is an inexpensive route
to a kitchen facelift.
drawers for cutlery? Or will
it include open shelves to
hold recipe books and
bowls? This will define your
island style, so think carefully.
colours and textures, keep
either the style of cabinets,
the handles or the
worktops the same for a
coherent space that flows.
garden doors in summer, or
tuck it away to make room
for dancing at parties.
Alternatively, butcher’s
blocks can easily be lifted.

137
COMPACT AND CUTE
Think your kitchen is too small for an island? Compact freestanding styles
or butcher’s blocks are great for adding extra storage and worktop space
without losing too much footprint – and they can be moved for layout
changes. Slab kitchen in Cadet and Dove Grey, from £25,000, 1909 Kitchens
SPLIT LEVEL
If you want a relaxed dining vibe, sometimes bar stools just don’t cut it.
Lower half of your island to table height and keep worktops consistent
for a kitchen-diner that’s space efficient and comfortable. Cambridge
kitchen in Indigo Blue and Smoked Steel, from £14,000, Mereway Kitchens

SHAPE UP WATERFALL WORKTOP

In a square room, a slimline L-shaped island, rather than a larger square If you’ve found a worktop you love, display it with a waterfall. Flowing the
island, creates ample worktop space and storage without overwhelming surface down the side of your island makes your space more like a living
the room. This also frees up the floor, making the kitchen feel bigger. area. It works well with the wood grain here, and we love the look with

} }
Locano kitchen and island in Sea Blue, from £5,000, Lifestyle Kitchens marble, too. Brancaster Marshes kitchen, from £21,000, Naked Kitchens

Stoves Sterling
600e electric
cooker in black,
£649, John Lewis
Did you & Partners

Splendor brass know?

pendant light, We’ve got a kitchens
£117, Lime Lace
hub on realhomes.com,
jam packed with ideas
and inspiration to turn
your kitchen into a
Fresh Citrus stylish culinary space.
No.2 poster, Check it out now!
from £8.95, Palm Springs turquoise
Desenio porcelain tiles, £66 per
m2, Porcelain Superstore

138
 COMING
NEXT On
sale
MONTH
in your new
26 November
PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE

Revealed: the inspiring winners of the

Real Homes Home of the Year awards
Get your 2021 project underway with our
expert advice and ideas for every budget
Discover how to create your dream kitchen-diner
Plus! Style advice, latest trends and best buys
141
 A GUIDE TO
Wood flooring
Wood flooring is enduringly stylish and suits both contemporary and
older homes. Find out how to choose the right version for your rooms

W
ood has created hard- Visby solid
wearing, practical and wood flooring,
beautiful flooring down £43 per m2, B&Q
the centuries. And our love affair with
it shows no signs of abating despite
the ever wider range of alternatives
on offer. But while you might know you
want a wood floor, there’s actually an
array of options on offer, including solid,
reclaimed and engineered versions.
Then, of course, there are different
wood species to consider, alternative
finishes, and boards of different
widths, plus the patterns of parquet.
What you go for will depend
on the room it’s destined for, your
household’s make-up, and the look
you want to create. We’ve put
together all you need to be able to
choose, as well as showing you some
of the latest options to inspire you.

TYPES OF WOOD
FLOORING
You’ll need to choose between
solid, engineered and reclaimed
wood when you’re buying a floor.
Here’s what you need to know.
ENGINEERED WOOD flooring
is made from wood, and shouldn’t
be confused with lookalikes such as
laminate. The difference between
this and solid wood flooring is in
its construction. Layered sections
are used to make engineered planks.
They’re built up so that the natural
grain of the wood runs in a different
direction from the next layer. This
WORDS SARAH WARWICK

is because wood naturally expands

and contracts in response to
atmospheric humidity. The layered
structure of an engineered board
reduces this tendency and makes

143
 ECO
CHOICE

Solid natural
vertical bamboo
flooring, £55.22
per 2.21m2 pack,
The Bamboo
Flooring Company

the planks strong. The top layer of an

engineered floor is solid wood, but pay
attention to how thick this layer is as
this ranges depending on the quality.
Below, the layers can be made of
plywood, softwoods or fibreboard. Once
an engineered wood floor is laid, it can
be hard to tell it from a solid wood floor.
SOLID WOOD flooring is made
from (the clue’s in the name) solid
hardwood cut from a tree and made into
planks. You’ll be able to find it from a
variety of tree species, in different plank
sizes, and a choice of finishes. If solid
wood does get dented or scratched,
it can be sanded and refinished.
RECLAIMED WOOD flooring is
made with wood that’s had a previous
life. You’ll find different wood species
available, including oak and Douglas
fir. It’s characterful, and it gives you
the opportunity to reuse rather than
adding new timber to your home.
You’ll find both engineered and solid
reclaimed wood flooring on offer.
BAMBOO isn’t wood, but you
might want to consider it as an
Above Kahrs Classic
alternative. Bamboo is actually
Oak Nouveau, Charcoal
a grass, but don’t underestimate Wood, £74.99 per
the wood’s score when subject to the
it – it’s very strong and eminently m2, Carpetright Janka hardness test, which measures
suitable as a flooring material. Its its resistance to denting and wear. If you
other advantage is it grows fast want to invest in solid wood in just some
compared to hardwood trees, so areas to make your budget go further,
it can be a sustainable choice. consider opting for it in the hallway
and living area so you can appreciate
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE its appearance as well as enjoy its
BEST WOOD FLOORING practicality. You might like to consider
FOR MY SPACE? reclaimed wood for these spaces, too,
Even in a busy family home with kids as it’s likely to be a costlier investment
and pets doing their worst, you can pick than other types of wood flooring.
from solid, engineered, and reclaimed For living spaces, bedrooms,
wood flooring for most areas. If you’re kitchens and hallways, engineered wood
buying solid wood, you could check out flooring can be a great option, and could

144
 Left Khars
Scandi Premium
Oiled engineered
wood flooring,
£87.99 per m2,
Lifestyle Floors

NEXT MONTH – OUR EXPERT GUIDE TO CARPET FOR YOUR HOME

save you money compared to solid
wood. It can also cope with spaces
Below Tall Ship prone to larger temperature changes
Brown engineered and therefore fluctuations in humidity,
oak wood floor, such as basements or conservatories.
from £93 per m2, You’ll need to think about what
Indigenous colour your wood floor is, too. For
maximum light reflection white or
grey-toned boards are a good idea,
but are best for spaces with the least
foot traffic if you don’t want to be
cleaning up all the time. They can
look contemporary. You’ll find
plenty of choice if you want mid-toned
wooden boards, and this warm finish
won’t go out of date, plus it can keep
rooms feeling open and spacious.
Dark wood floors can pull off the
clever trick of looking traditional or
highly contemporary, depending on
which you choose. They’re ideal for
helping to create a cocooning room
perfect for evening use, or can be
teamed with light-coloured modern
furniture for a contemporary look.
Also vital to the appearance of
your wood flooring is the width of the
REALHOMES.COM

boards you choose. Floors made up

with one piece boards create a calm
ambience with the widest boards
enhancing the effect. Wide boards
are usually best appreciated in larger
rooms, or in open-plan layouts, while
narrower boards can help make a
small space feel larger. Two and three
strip planks have two or three rows
respectively in the width of a board
so the effect is more attention-
grabbing than one-piece versions.
Rather than boards, you might
want to bring pattern to the floor with

145
parquet flooring. This is made up
with small blocks or strips of wood.
Herringbone and chevron patterns
are popular, but there are plenty more
possible parquet designs that will make
a highly decorative feature of your floor.

WHAT FINISH SHOULD

I CHOOSE?
Wood flooring can be finished with
oil or lacquer. The latter – the
contemporary equivalent of varnish
– will protect the floor, enhance the
grain and colour of the wood, and can
make the floor shiny. It’s a sound option
for heavy-traffic areas and gives the
floor some water resistance as well.
Oil will penetrate the wood below
as well as protecting the surface. It can
keep the wood looking its most natural,
but there are coloured versions, too.
It does have good scratch resistance,
but an oiled floor will likely need more
maintenance than a lacquered version.
Paint can be a great for rescuing
old and lesser quality boards you might
find under a carpet. Use a specialist
paint to stand up to the foot traffic; Above Woodworks
you may need to apply primer first. Rare Finds Dark Colonial
Teak reclaimed wood suppliers may also recommend
HOW SHOULD I INSTALL flooring, £356.34 specialists to install their products.
per m2, Tedd Todd
WOOD FLOORING? Engineered wood should prove
It is possible to lay wood flooring Below Walnut lacquered speedier and easier to fit than
yourself if you’re handy. Calling engineered wood solid wood.
on a professional? Go for someone flooring, £84 per m2, Be aware that most solid wood
with demonstrable experience; The Natural Wood flooring needs to be fixed to a subfloor
Floor Company
because of its tendency to movement.
Most engineered wood flooring can
be installed as a floating floor, so won’t
need to be nailed or glued and it can
be laid over a wide range of subfloors.
Generally, it’s engineered wood you
need if you want a timber floor over
a wet underfloor heating system.
However, Junckers solid wood
flooring can be teamed with
an underfloor heating system.

HOW CAN I MAINTAIN

WOOD FLOORING?
REALHOMES.COM

Wooden floors aren’t hard work to clean

and care for, but a few precautions are
a good idea. Put down door mats at the
entrances to your home to cut down
on the dirt that’s tracked into the
room, and outdoor shoes off is always
a good idea. Pads on furniture legs
will also help protect the floor.
If you spill something on a wood
floor, wipe it up straight away. Sweep
up debris and vacuum regularly to pick
up dust, dirt and pet hair. You can clean
a wood floor with a soft mop or cloth
but they should be just damp enough

147

MHSK Smoked
Oak engineered
wood floor, from
£90.99 per m2,
Traditions collection,
Kersaint Cobb
to pick up dirt; don’t wet the floor. If it
Champagne still needs more, clean it with a product
engineered recommended by the floor’s supplier.
European Oak,
If a wood floor is damaged, it is
£61.14 per m2,
possible to sand and refinish it, but
the Pureplank
smaller scratches can be repaired
collection, Havwoods
without sanding the entire floor.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Engineered wood flooring can cost from
around £30 per square metre to more
than £90 per square metre. If you’re
going for solid wood, expect to pay from
around £25 per square metre for pine;
or from around £40 per square metre
for hardwood, but prices can be £100
per square metre and more. Reclaimed
wood flooring can vary widely in cost;
speak to a specialist for guidance.
148
Q&A
YOU ASK,
WE ANSWER
Can I lay wood flooring in
my kitchen or bathroom?
‘The kitchen is often
considered the heart of
the home and wood flooring
is the perfect choice as it
adds warmth and character
to a room that already has so
many positive connotations,’
says Robert Walsh, founder
and owner of Ted Todd Fine
Wood Floors.
‘Wood ages beautifully
and, if properly cared for,
will last a lifetime. It is warm
underfoot, acoustically
comforting and lends itself
perfectly to modern and
traditional kitchens alike.
Wood floors are one of the
cornerstones of any interior
and are versatile enough
to adapt to any scheme.
‘We would always
recommend taking good
care of your flooring,
especially in the kitchen
where spills and high levels
of moisture are more likely.
‘A combination of regular
sweeping to reduce the
amount of debris on the
surface of the floor and
specialist hardwood floor
cleaners to provide a deeper
clean will normally keep wood
in top condition. To mop up
spillages, we’d suggest using
a rag or paper towel to soak
up the bulk of the liquid first.
‘Don’t be afraid of having
a wooden floor in a bathroom.
Unless you’re expecting
a swarm of children to
be splashing around in
the bath every day, water
damage won’t be a problem.
A wood floor can bring
comfort and relaxation to
your bathroom, making it
a calm, peaceful sanctuary.
‘This is particularly
effective in rooms that
want to be more than just
a bathroom: we’ve seen
spaces include a seating
area and en suites where
the flooring flows directly
from the bedroom.
‘Of course, you should
protect your floor against
water and splashing as much
as possible, so well-placed
bathmats and a quick wipe
round will always be helpful.’
 FOCUS ON
Fridge-freezers
‘Tis the season to stock up on food. Whether you’re freezing meals ahead
or packing in the party nibbles, we look at the best options for your needs

BEST FOR ECONOMY BEST FOR

If you have a compact kitchen but need to store food for a family, the CONNECTIVITY

NEXT MONTH: WE COME CLEAN OVER THE BEST DISHWASHERS TO BUY

Indesit frost free fridge-freezer has a generous 245 litre capacity in a
narrow 540mm width. Its No Frost technology prevents build up, so it If you like your chilled drinks just
doesn’t need defrosting. A dedicated crisper drawer keeps fruit and so, Hoover’s AXI HMNV6202WK
veg fresh, and there are four freezer compartments for bulk buying or smart fridge-freezer with voice
cooking ahead. With an A+ energy rating, it costs from £349.99, Indesit. assist has an Ice Drink Coach on
its app. You can tell AXI what
drink needs cooling, it’ll work
out the ideal temperature and
tell you when it’s ready. You’ll
never suffer warm wine again.
The fridge holds 257 litres of
food and drink, and the freezer
94 litres. Priced at £699, Hoover.

BEST FOR
PRESERVING
The Whirlpool 4 doors fridge
freezer has a sixth sense for
creating the best environment
for keeping food – a FreshLock
system to detect and control
any temperature variation.
You can pack lots into its 591
litre capacity. The freezer
has three settings, from
soft freeze to deep freeze .
A holiday mode minimises
energy waste and stops
bacteria thriving. It costs
around £1,999.99, Whirlpool.
REALHOMES.COM

Three TOP TIPS Make sure your fridge-freezer can meet your needs, whether
you like to batch freeze or want fresh ingredients for cooking

TYPES TO SUIT PICK YOUR PROPORTIONS ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

The freestanding fridge-freezer is the most A 50/50 split gives an even division of fridge Frost free or NoFrost technology means there’s
familiar style and offers the widest choice and and freezer space – handy if you freeze as no build up of frost in the freezer that needs
range of prices. The frequently used fridge is much as you chill and don’t have a second thawing. Look out for low noise levels to cut
FEATURE ALISON JONES

typically above the freezer. Less intrusive is a
built-in fridge-freezer that’s hidden behind unit
doors. American-style fridge-freezers are often
double-sized, with ample space and statement
looks, but are more expensive to buy and run.
freezer. There are 60/40 and 70/30 splits, with
more room for keeping fresh foods. Useful if
you don’t freeze a lot, or you have another
freezer for bulk buys and just want quick
access to frozen foods you cook most often.
the constant hum of it working. Fridge-freezers
are low energy users relative to other appliances
– an A+++ rating is the most energy efficient.
Some fridges have lighting that mimics natural
sunlight to preserve fruit and veg for longer.

151
 BEST FOR SPEED FREEZING
If you need your food frozen fast to lock in Finishing
healthy nutrients, the Bertazzoni French door
refrigerator will do it 20 per cent faster than a
standard version. Designed with Italian flair, this
touches
has a fridge capacity of 412 litres and the freezer Need somewhere extra
120 litres. Adjustable shelving inside makes it easy to keep your favourite
to fit big or tall items. An open door alarm will tipple cool? Get them
alert you if you’re accidentally letting the cold a fridge of their own
out. It costs £2,199, Bertazzoni.

BEST FOR FLEXIBILITY

If you have to pack in more food over Christmas,
a flexible zone in the bottom compartment of the
Fisher & Paykel quad door fridge-freezer means Generous measures
you can increase the fridge capacity in an instant This wine fridge can store 46 bottles
– from 50 up to 75 per cent of its overall 496 litres. across two temperature-controlled
An intuitive control panel makes it easy to modify zones, all ready to pour. CDA
the way you use it, while flat steel doors give it a stainless-steel wine cooler,
sleek fit. It costs from £2,700, Fisher & Paykel. £629, Wickes

BEST FOR
COMBATING BACTERIA
Nothing will ever smell ‘off’ in the
Haier Cube Series Slim HTF-520IP7
fridge-freezer. Its T-ABT (anti-bacterial
treatment) neutralises 99.9 per cent
of bacteria to remove odours and
maintain freshness. The built-in water
dispenser and ice maker can hold up
to 8kg of ice. Slim for a four-door, it
has a 489 litre total capacity, and
there are three temperatures
to optimise storage conditions. Its
A++ energy rating means it uses 40
per cent less energy than one with an
A rating. It’s £1,399, available at Currys. Sleek style
In a compact kitchen, this Electriq
slim wine cooler with blue LED
BEST FOR lighting can hold up to 20 bottles.
£379.97, Appliances Direct
A DASH OF
COLOUR
Keep things bright and
cool in the kitchen with
a fridge-freezer with
exchangeable fronts. The
Bosch Serie 4 KGN36IJ3AG
Vario Style can be changed
to suit your scheme or to
add a bold splash. Clever
tech inside includes a
VitaFresh compartment
with humidity control, Made to fit
so food stays fresh, and For seamless integration into your
sensors to monitor the scheme, the JLWF608 38-bottle
temperature and keep it stainless-steel under-counter
constant. It has a 237 litre wine cooler has reversible doors.
fridge and 87 litre freezer. £899, John Lewis & Partners
It is £849, with additional
door fronts at £149, Bosch.

152
 THE EDIT
Patterned splashbacks
Spread some cheer with a bold kitchen tile for a
playful culinary space that oozes personality

1 2 3

FOR MORE KITCHEN IDEAS, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/KITCHEN

4 5 6

#SOREALHOMES

7 8
1 Pink Pradena tiles, £5.50 per tile,
Bert & May. Arbor kitchen, from
£20,000, Harvey Jones
2 Optiks tile, £59.95 per m2, Topps Tiles
3 Harlequin mix tile, £36.30 per m2,
Porcelain Superstore
4 Adorne Santiago tile,
£50 per m2, Tile Giant
5 Contour Shadow hexagon tile,
£32.95 per m2, Walls & Floors
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

6 Winchester Residence Manoir Fleur

tile, £3.38 per tile, Original Style
7 Swing Decor blue tile,
£28.99 per m2, Tile Mountain
8 Brompton Clarence porcelain tile,
£65.10 per m2, Ca’ Pietra

155
 THE EDIT
Bath taps
Escape the Christmas mayhem with a long hot soak in the tub, and make
it all the more pleasurable with one of these elegant designs

1 2 3

FOR MORE BATHROOM IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/BATHROOM

4 5 6

#SOREALHOMES

7 8
1 Solar matt black deck-mounted
bath tap, £82.39, ManoMano
2 Hemsby bath pillar taps, £165,
Heritage Bathrooms
3 Pegler Strata wall-mounted bath filler,
£255.36, UK Bathrooms
4 Milano Nero freestanding bath shower
tap, £419.99, Big Bathroom Shop
5 Arezzo industrial-style bath filler,
£149.99, Victorian Plumbing
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

6 Mode Spencer wall-mounted rose

gold tap, £145, Victoria Plum
7 Belgravia lever bath filler taps,
£185, Crosswater
8 Butler & Rose Carlton deck-mounted
bath filler, £99, Tap Warehouse

157
sunda y
project
Stuck for ideas this weekend? Get your DIY
fix and delve right in with our quick and
easy ways to update your home for less

You’ll need:
GARLAND n A long simple base garland

GLORY n Eucalyptus (real or faux)

n Paper decorations

How’s this for a warm and festive n Baubles

welcome home? Often at the very n Ribbon

n Scissors
centre of the house, staircase bannisters
n Paperclips
are the perfect place to up your Christmas
cheer with a decorative garland that everyone
(even the postman!) will see. Create a statement What to do:
design worthy of marvel by giving it the same 1 Wrap your base garland
around your bannister, between
love, care and attention as your tree. Fairy
the spindles, over the hand
lights? Optional. Christmas songs while you
rail and down to the floor.
decorate? Essential. Paper decorations,
2 Insert eucalyptus stems evenly,
Rose & Grey. Baubles, Cox & Cox,
ensuring they face various
Garland and eucalyptus, directions. Secure with
Ava Event Styling paperclips if necessary.
3 Hang paper decorations
from your branches – we
used a warm palette of
golds, coppers and reds.
4 Tie decorative ribbon to
your baubles and hang on
alternating branches. Attach
paperclips for extra security.
5 Step back to check all your
decorations are on show, and
not hidden behind branches.
Tweak where required.
6 Enjoy your festive
masterpiece!

PHOTOGRAPH MALCOLM MENZIES WORDS AND STYLING AMELIA SMITH

FIND PLENTY MORE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WEEKEND

DECORATING PROJECTS AT REALHOMES.COM/DESIGN

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