Ideal Home 2023-07-04

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EDITOR’S LETTER
Falling in love
with my garden...
I need to backtrack on a few things the process (it’s in the spot that gets idealhome.co.uk
I’ve said here before. The first was the end-of-the-day sun = bliss). THIS MONTH
when I stated we were definitely not And the other thing I’m taking DON’T MISS...
going to tackle the garden this year, back? I’ve always proclaimed that I’m Plenty of garden
as we’d spent all our reno budget on not a gardener. And yet... Something advice and
“
the new kitchen. However, having has changed this year, possibly kicked inspiration, plus
installed huge sliding doors to give off by my first trip to the Chelsea expert tips and our
I’m not
us an amazing Flower Show; best-rated buys for
view outside, possibly thanks to a surviving a
heatwave
sure how, but
looking out at closer link now
what was, to put it between our house
SIGN UP TO OUR
I appear to
kindly, a bit of an and garden. I think I
NEWSLETTER
eyesore, wasn’t might have caught
”
Scan the QR
have caught the
really what we’d the gardening bug. I
code to enjoy
had in mind! have a thriving herb
Ideal Home in your
gardening bug
With very little patch that I lovingly inbox with our
funds left, we’ve tend, and I even email newsletter.
given our outdoor planned, created and
space a pretty decent makeover planted up new, woodland-themed
without spending a fortune. We laid borders in a much-neglected area.
new turf so now we have a lawn not Will this passion last beyond the
a patch of mud, and Mr Young has warmer months? Who knows! But at
patiently built a deck in snippets of least I now have a lovely garden to
free time, and created a G&T terrace in enjoy spending time in this summer.
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
Ideal home experts
MATT SIBERRY NICKY PHILLIPS KALPANA SARAH RAVEN

STYLE & TRENDS EXPERT INTERIOR STYLIST FITZPATRICK GARDEN EXPERT
As head of home at Pinterest, & DESIGNER MONEY EXPERT Sarah is a gardener, teacher
Matt is perfectly placed to Nicky is a master of colour An award-winning financial and writer, and her monthly
spot the trends based on when it comes to decorating journalist, Kalpana is a regular Ideal Home column is packed
what we’re all searching your home, from full room guest on TV and radio, and with advice and inspiration
for on Pinterest. redos to easy tweaks. editor of moneyweek.com. for small gardens.
THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
AUGUST 2023 3 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

CONTENTS
In the 40
August
issue
NEW & NOW
11
HOME NEWS Stylish finds
15 DESIGN EDIT High-end looks
on a high-street budget
16 ◆ 20 UNDER £20
IDEAL HOMES
20 ◆ SEVENTIES REVIVAL An
ambitious project wins the
IH Best Home award 2022
30 UPWARDS & OUTWARDS
Bringing a Thirties family
house into the 21st century
40 SCANDI VIEWS Nordic style
creates a sense of space, calm
and light in this renovated home
50 ‘MY STYLE IS RECLAIMED
COASTAL’ Vintage treasures
Gorgeous
ensure a relaxed beach vibe
in this Cornish new build
ROOM DECOR real homes

64 ◆ HERITAGE FLORALS STUNNING HOMES
Welcome the summer indoors TO BE INSPIRED BY,
with charming designs FROM P20
71 TREND TALK Pinterest’s ◆
Matt Siberry on embracing
your home’s outside spaces
50
73 ◆ IDEAL VS GREAT DEAL A
tropical theme for your garden
76 COLOUR EDIT Exterior paints
to spruce up your outside space
70
On the cover...
PRODUCTION MONIQUE VAN DER PAUW
PHOTOGRAPH TON BOUWER/
COCOFEATURES.COM

CONTENTS
78 ◆ CLEVER DECORATING Ways

to transform an outside space
84 PLAN THE PERFECT...
Children’s bedroom
90 ROOM RECIPE Creating
a country-style kitchen
97
97 ◆ EASY STYLE UPDATES Mini
décor projects on a budget
126 IDEAL VS GREAT DEAL
Give your bathroom a refresh
78
RENOVATION
109 KITCHEN PROJECT Updating
Subscribe!
on an Art Deco-inspired theme
115
BATHROOM PROJECT Chic
terrazzo revives a family space
122
PROJECT PLANNING New A GREAT GIFT OR A LOVELY
bathroom? Here’s where to TREAT FOR YOURSELF,
spend and where to save SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND
128
◆ PROJECT PLANNING RECEIVE A SET OF FOUR
Choosing garden decking ORLA KIELY MUGS, WORTH
132
◆ GARDEN PROJECT Discover £35. TURN TO PAGE 94
the IH Best Garden 2022
VISIT MAGAZINESDIRECT
136 ◆ PROJECT PLANNING Light .COM/IHAUG23
up your garden after dark
141
EXTENSION PROJECT The
109
redesign of a family home
144 ◆ PROJECT PLANNING Keep
your lawn in tip-top condition
148 ◆ PROJECT PLANNING
Creating shade in your garden
WHAT TO BUY
70
◆ SUMMER PITCHERS
74
◆ HANGING CHAIRS
151
◆ SAVE 20% AT
GARDEN TRADING
HOUSE MANUAL
154 ◆ ICE CREAM MAKERS
156 PRESSURE WASHERS
158 ◆CONSUMER ADVICE
Solutions to everyday hassles
160 ◆
16
MONEY MATTERS How to
make the most of your savings
161
TECH SOLUTIONS The latest
gadgets for your bathroom
162 HAPPY HOME Why being out
of doors is good for you
163 THRILLING GRILLING
Delicious barbecue specials
167 ONE SMALL STEP Eco ideas
168 GARDEN NOTES Sarah Raven’s
shade-loving plants
171 TIDY HOUSE TIDY MIND Get
your garage in order
Visit facebook. Check out See our Be inspired at Sign up to our
178 ◆ HOME TRUTHS Up close com/ideal tiktok.com/@ latest snaps pinterest.com/ newsletter at
with presenter Helen Skelton home.co.uk idealhomeofficial @idealhomeuk idealhomemag idealhome.co.uk

fresh
ideas
DISCOVER INSPIRATION
AND ADVICE FOR YOUR
HOME WITH A SUBSCRIPTION
TO BRITAIN’S BESTSELLING
HOMES MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBE ON
PAGE 94 FOR
YOUR MONTHLY
INTERIORS FIX
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BE CANDLE SAFE Enjoy the special touch that candles add to your home; but take care to use them safely: Always place lit candles well
away from foliage, furniture, curtains and soft furnishings, and always out of draughts. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Never
leave a burning candle unattended. Keep candles away from hair and clothing. Always place candles upright in suitable holders that can’t
easily fall over. Always be sure that candles are properly extinguished.
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new
now
INSPIRE | INFORM | DISCOVER
Talwin rug, £725,
Agnella by Brintons
collaboration with
the V&A, Brintons
IH LOVES...
Citrus motifs
Oranges Twig plates, £65 for set of
four, &Klevering at Bøde Living
W hat to do
this month...
LISTEN This is
more than a podcast
about planting –
Alice Vincent is on
a mission to unearth
why it is that women
garden, describing the garden as a place
where stories are buried and life unfolds.
While Alice chats to well-known guests
on Why Women Grow, they cover a wide
range of topics such as motherhood,
spirituality and saving the planet.
READ It’s no big

surprise that sales
of camper vans have
soared since the
pandemic. Like
our editor in chief
Heather Young
has done, Dee Campling transformed
her own Volkswagen Crafter with a
Scandi look, and has included it in her
SPOTLIGHT ON
Archived designs
book Camper Heaven (£25, CICO
Books), along with other inspiring case
studies and plenty of van-life advice.
Some designs are just timeless, looking as relevant in modern homes as
DO Head to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
they did when they were created. The Agnella by Brintons collaboration at Ashton Court Estate, 10-13 August.
with the V&A draws on this with the Design Discoveries rug collection, The event offers early morning ascents
inspired by the museum’s archives. It’s wonderfully eclectic, with influences and night-glows with hot-air balloons
spanning from the 17th century to the 1920s, including textiles from Armenia lighting up to music, plus entertainment
and the Pacific islands, Arts and Crafts wallpaper, and this lush botanical for kids and live music. Admission is
pattern adapted from copper-plate designs in the Bromley Hall album. free; visit bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk.

NEW & NOW
Marley outdoor Rosehip, Oak, Willow Bough, IH LOVES
A great catch
lounge chair Acanthus, Chrysanthemum,
in Blue, £499, Honeysuckle and Holland
for summer
Urban Outfitters Park Stripe, all £115m,
Outdoor-Performance
collection by Morris & Co at
Sanderson Design Group
tablescapes,
these four
fun tumblers
have different
designs and
the set stacks
neatly when
not in use.
Fish stacking glass tumblers
set, £28, John Lewis & Partners
NEED TO KNOW
Beauty meets utility

The new Morris & Co Outdoor-Performance collection
of fabrics taps directly into the celebrated 19th-century
designer William Morris’ ethos that you should not
have anything in your home ‘that you do not know to be
useful or believe to be beautiful’. Combining charming,
exquisitely toned nature-inspired prints with a versatile
textile that can be used inside and outdoors, the fabrics,
in a wide variety of designs and colourways, are UV- and
water-resistant, wipeable, colourfast and antimicrobial.
SURPRISE IN STORE
SAIL AWAY
ON SEASIDE
STRIPES
Inspired by the British seaside,
Piglet in Bed’s latest collection,
Chapter Two: A Jolly Trip to
the Coast, evokes all those
nostalgic memories we have
of the beach when we were kids
– from striped beach huts and
sandcastles to dripping ice
lollies and candy floss. Designed
to be mixed and matched, the
Desert Sand Seersucker
collection features a deckchair- Stripe cotton bed linen,
style wide stripe in bold hues, from £45 for a pillowcase
as well as this finer stripe in pair, Piglet in Bed
softer ice cream shades.

NEW & NOW
STYLE STATEMENT
Use-anywhere rugs
The Silk Road rugs from Weaver Green really are up to the
task of being used in any space, thanks to their super-durable
yet luxurious-feeling yarn, made entirely from recycled
plastic bottles. The rugs not only add a wonderful shot of
colour but can withstand heavy use and even be chucked in
the washing machine, making them a practical choice for
hallways, kitchens or even outdoors. There’s a Persian-style
ogee motif, a Swedish-inspired geometric design and this
nomadic Anatolia pattern, all in a glorious Sky Blue.
WE’RE FOLLOWING
@myoldpub
BEST DECORATING DECISION?
Reorganising my utility room – it works
more efficiently now and it looks so much
more like the rest of the house.
SECRET STYLING IDEA? I always try to
store things in beautiful or unusual objects.
For example, my spare plastic bags are in a
lovely woven wall-hung bag in the kitchen.
FAVOURITE CORNER OF YOUR
HOME? The big inglenook fireplace. It is
so cosy in the winter and is what made me
fall in love with the house in the first place.
FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

AN ITEM THAT SPARKS JOY? I have
Anatolia rug in Sky
a map of London from 1905 that my
Blue, from £235, granddad used when he lived there. It’s
Weaver Green framed and hung on the wall; it makes
me think of him every time I see it and
it’s such a beautiful object, too.
IH LOVES…
If you love biophilic

design, but your
plant-rearing skills are
lacking, these sleek
and stylish self-
watering planters
could be the answer.
Balcony self-watering planters,
from £75 each, LSA International

NEW & NOW
2 New for 2023,

I’m also available
in purple
DESIGN 6
High street heroes

FOR LESS
THE DESIGN EDIT

Now and then, the high street comes up with something so
utterly fabulous, it looks as if it’s come from a designer
boutique. Here are some of our latest discoveries that will
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH
make your home look more expensive without the big spend…
WHERE TO BUY 1 One More Drink poster, from £9.95, Desenio 2 String pocket shelf, Green, £148,
Haus London 3 Dixie table lamp, £89, Urban Outfitters 4 Zinacantan cushion in Aqua Blue, £235, Wicklewood
5 Elsie Pink rug, £130, Walton & Co

20
| EDITOR’S CHOICE |
Party ice
bucket, £9.99,
Homesense
UNDER Metal flower pots in

Blue, £11.94 each,
£20
Søstrene Grene
Blue glass oil jug,

£9, Primark Home
Everyone loves a bargain –

and our editor in chief
Heather has hand-picked
her fave buys for this month Rattan charger
in Natural, £16,
Rebecca Udall
Rectangular
acacia serving
board, £14,
ProCook
Fox & Ivy Blue

leaf nibble
bowls, £4 for
two, Tesco
Anyday leaf deckchair
Natural woven sling, £10 (frame not
straw bucket included), John Lewis
bag, £11, & Partners
Primark Home

NEW & NOW
Style
SAVER
Moroccan
Souk Blue
Pressed glass egg paper garland,
cup in Blue, £8 for £10 for 3m,
Out of Office four (in various Talking Tables
cushion, £10, colours), Wilko
George Home
Bright floral tea

towel, £12, The
Moonlit Press
Garden solar table

lantern, £12, Wilko
Melamine
tableware
salad
servers,
£4,
ProCook
Maplas
photo
frame, £20,
Sweetpea &
Willow
Summer stripe
print vanilla
scented candle,
Creamer jug in Blue £6, M&S Home
Sgraffito Stripe,
£18.50, Basalt &
Dune Homestore
Toy storage
basket, £19.99,
H&M Home
Manhattan Geo
cushion cover,
Mono stripe £2, Studio
basket, £10,
B&M

ideal homes
EXPLORE | EXCITE | INSPIRE
IDEAL IDEA
Wall-hung
bedside light
Channel a hotel bedroom
vibe at home by ditching
your reading light in favour
of a wall-hung design
instead. It’ll free up space
on your bedside table and
looks stylish and blissfully
PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
clutter-free, too.
HEATHER YOUNG,
EDITOR IN CHIEF

BEST
HOME
2022
HOME NOTES
WHO LIVES HERE?
Susanne and Jeremy Hewson
live here with their two cats.
They both work in television.
THE PROPERTY
A modern New Zealand
inspired larch-clad house in
south London. It has a kitchen-
diner/living area, a further
living room/en-suite bedroom,
a master suite with walk-in
The bold redesign,
complete with balcony, wardrobe, two more bedrooms,
has enhanced the three bathrooms and a garden
views and improved cabin with shower room.
access to the lush
sub-tropical garden
revival
| BEFORE & AFTER HOME |
SEVENTIES
SUSANNE AND JEREMY HEWSON HAVE TRANSFORMED A

CONFUSED MID-CENTURY BUNGALOW INTO AN
AMBITIOUS, KIWI-STYLE CONTEMPORARY HOME
IDEAL HOMES
Deck outside
garden room
‘Jeremy built the deck using
Millboard composite decking, a
brand which is 100% wood-free,
so it doesn’t need a capping
shell to protect it. It's sustainable,
you never have to clean it, plus it
looks just like real oak.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Antique Oak decking,
£100sq m, Millboard
A
fter 15 years in their Brixton Jamaica, and he had planted it with palm trees, to
terrace, Susanne and Jeremy remind him of home. Initially he had accepted an
Hewson decided to move to a offer from a developer who was going to demolish
house that offered more space, and it and build six three-storey townhouses on the plot.
scope to take on a remodelling The neighbours were up in arms. They stopped it
project. ‘That, and the fact that our from happening, which meant that we got to buy it.’
lovely neighbours had announced they were
moving away gave us the impetus to look for FAMILY PLANNING
“
something new,’ says Susanne. ‘Jeremy began ‘Jeremy’s dad, Dennis Hewson, is a retired architect
searching online and discovered this interesting living in New Zealand, and during a visit in 2018,
detached property. The pictures we were discussing how to
were unintelligible, and the make sense of the space,’ says
house looked very weird, but we Susanne. ‘Dennis sketched out a
were intrigued.’ The couple fell
for the place immediately. They Dennis’s IDEA design and produced his vision
to transform the place into a
knew they could make the
property fabulous eventually, of a big round Kiwi-style open-plan, modern
home, with light pouring in,
but it was the spectacular
PORTHOLE and views onto the garden. We
window
garden that nailed the deal. hired a local firm, Taylored Lofts
(tayloredlofts.co.uk), to carry
overlooking the
ASSESSING THE LAYOUT out the work. It was an unusual
‘The house was a mishmash of project which took them out of
main garden
styles, but essentially it was a their comfort zone a few times,
1970s chalet-style bungalow but they totally delivered.’
was a LOVELY
surrounded by a huge exotic
garden,’ says Susanne. ‘There RAISING THE ROOF
”
touch
was no obvious front door Upstairs, the builders removed
and strangely, no doors which everything, leaving just the
opened onto the main garden. ground floor intact. ‘Within a
The kitchen and living area were couple of months the timber
separate rooms, which didn’t framework for the new upper
work for us, as we love entertaining. Upstairs the floor was in place and a flat fibreglass roof was
rooms were built into low-ceilinged eaves, making installed,’ says Susanne. ‘There’s now a bedroom,
them dark and poky, and the en-suite bathrooms en-suite bathroom and a multipurpose room. The
were decorated in garish, 1970s pink and green.’ dark, low-ceilinged landing is double the original
height, with bifold doors opening onto a balcony.
GARDEN CHALLENGE ‘We’re waiting for Jeremy’s dad, Dennis, to
‘Despite the potential the house offered, it was the come and inspect his creation, hopefully soon!
garden that really blew us away. It was so unusual,’ It’s been an incredible experience to design and
says Susanne. ‘The previous owner was from build this renovation as a family.’
BEFORE AFTER

IDEAL HOMES
Dining room
‘An Edwardian roll-top was
replaced with a modular yellow
shelving from Tylko that you
can design yourself online to
suit your needs. We’ve got all
our vinyl in there.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
For a similar table try Cloé solid
teak extending table, £699,
Tikamoon. Upholstered dining
chairs, £595 for two, Cox & Cox,
are similar. Shelving, Tylko
LIGHT TOUCH
An open wooden
staircase teamed with
a transparent banister
allows maximum light to
bounce around the room

Living room
The addition of large picture
windows, sliding doors and
a rooflight ensure that this
space is flooded with daylight.
‘We tackled the downstairs first,
tearing out the kitchen wall to
create an open-plan kitchen,
dining and living room, which
we kitted out with a mix of old
and new furniture.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Noguchi style coffee table,
£499, Etsy
The space has been

TRANSFORMED into an
AMBITIOUS modern
“
home with LIGHT
”
POURING IN

IDEAL HOMES
THE BUILD IN
PICTURES
The couple moved in May 2017.
Work began in October 2018 and
was completed three years later
The original small, grey steel

door was underwhelming, so the
builders knocked it through and
installed one double the size, with
full-length glazing, to allow plenty
of light to flood into the hallway.
The exterior of the main bedroom

was finished in warm-toned timber
cladding; inside a cedar ceiling was
added, a design decision that
Susanne and Jeremy are proud of.
The porthole is a unique touch.
Upstairs, the remodelling work

began in October 2020, with the
whole top floor being demolished
brick by brick. Despite the harsh
winter weather, it was water-tight
within a couple of months.

We sacrificed a bedroom
for the GARDEN ROOM, but it suits
“
”
how we LIVE and use the SPACE
THE BUILD IN PICTURES
Originally a separate room, the wall Once the timber framework was in place, The main bedroom, with sloping eaves
between the kitchen and living area the flat roof at the front and sloping and traditional windows, now has a
was removed for a more open-plan vibe. roof at the back were covered with zinc. porthole window and timber ceiling.

IDEAL HOMES
FOCUS ON….
COMPOSITE DECKING
It’s slip-resistant, splinter-free and low carbon, which is why the
Hewsons created their deck from this superior fake…
WHAT’S IT MADE OF? pros of longevity and virtually no

A man-made alternative to real maintenance, you can never change
timber, composite decking is usually its colour, so always choose carefully.
made from a mix of wood fibres,
plastics and bonding agents, which WILL IT LAST?
is made into plank-like lengths. It’s Many brands offer guarantees of 25
denser and stronger than wood, and years. The initial outlay is more than
comes in a range of colours and real wood boards, but the reduced
textures that resemble different spend on maintenance after that is
woods and finishes. impressive, so it may prove more
economical over time. To preserve
LESS FUSS THAN WOOD it simply sweep regularly, and if
Composite decking is resistant to necessary, remove dirt by scrubbing
damp, mould, rot, fading and with a brush and soapy water.
insect damage, making it a durable For more detailed info on decking,
choice. However, despite the turn to page 128.
Garden room
‘Rebuilt to exploit the view, the
room was pushed out to encompass
a cantilevered corner with huge
sliding glass doors, giving us
uninterrupted views. It makes for
a spectacular guest room too.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Sliding doors, DWL Windows.
Havsten armchair, in/outdoor,
£269, Ikea. Rug, cut to order,
designer-carpet.co.uk
Kitchen
‘We kept the existing units, and
added a breakfast bar, and a new
skylight as it was quite shady. We
laid luxury vinyl wood-effect tiles
and extended these into the
living area for a cohesive look.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Hockley mirror gloss handleless
kitchen, Howdens. Classic Oak
flooring by Karndean, £35sq m,
Best at Flooring

Main bedroom
‘Dennis was keen for us to have
an island bed, which we had
made to measure, with fitted
shelves at the back for book
and shoe storage, as well as
integrated side tables.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Fusion Matteo double duvet set,
£25, Next. Paloma throw, £35,
Habitat. Plain Gonove cushion
covers, £17.99, four-pack, Lions
Home. For similar bed try
Stylform Doris modern floating
bed, £1,305, Head2Bed
Main en suite
‘We didn’t want tiles, so we
decided to cover all the
walls with microcement. Our
plasterer Dimitiri was so skilled,
he did the job to perfection.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Picasso compact dual finish
freestanding stone bath, £1,895,
Nuvo. Round countertop stone
basin, £212; Infinity complete
walk-in shower enclosure, £895,
both Lusso Stone. Microcement
in Titane, Arcane Industries
THE LOWDOWN FEATURE RUTH CORBETT PHOTOGRAPHS DAN DUCHARS STYLING SARA BIRD, BOTH
BEST DESIGN DECISION

‘The deck extending from the garden
room has transformed the house more
than any other feature, giving us an
outside space in which to hang out,
entertain, and enjoy the garden.’
THE CONTENTED NEST PLAN RICHARD HOOKWAY
BIGGEST CHALLENGE
‘Tackling the upstairs. It was a major
project, but in October 2020 we moved
downstairs, a temporary roof went up
and the demolition started above us.’
FAVOURITE SPACE
‘The room we created by splitting the
main bathroom. It’s a spare room at
Christmas, an office for private calls and
a place to curl up with a book, on the
pull-out sheepskin daybed.’

IDEAL HOMES
THE LAYOUT
Susanne and Jeremy removed the wall between the kitchen and living room
to create an open-plan kitchen-diner/living area. They extended a second
living room out into the garden, raised the roof to remodel the upper floor,
created a balcony, a front porch and added sliding doors to access the garden.
WALK-IN
WARDROBE
GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR
PORTHOLE
WINDOW
Not all windows
have to be
rectangular.
A different
shape can be
integrated within
a redesign

UPWARDS &
| FAMILY HOME |
outwards
AFTER LIVING IN THEIR
HOME FOR SIX YEARS,
KIRSTY AND STUART
HASLAM EMBARKED ON
AN INSPIRED EXTENSION
TO FUTURE-PROOF IT FOR
THEIR GROWING FAMILY
Garden
‘Since knocking the old garage
down, we get the sun here all
day in our outside kitchen area
with its pizza oven. In the future
we’d love to have a projector for
watching movies and a hot tub.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Urban extendable dining table,
£689, Inside Out Living, is similar.
Milano 750 pizza oven kit, £840,
Pizza Oven Supplies. Try Festoon
Classic lights, £45, Garden Trading

IDEAL HOMES
“
We wanted to
create a house that
the kids would
LOVE to invite their
friends to. So now
we have a PIZZA
OVEN and sunken
trampoline, as well
as a separate
PLAYROOM that’s
just for them
”
KIRSTY HASLAM,
HOMEOWNER

W
hen Kirsty and Stuart Haslam were expecting
their first child in 2015, they felt it was time
to sell their loft apartment in Manchester’s
Northern Quarter and find a family home.
Although they weren’t looking for a
doer-upper, they noticed a three-bedroom
house in Cheshire with potential but that needed full
renovation. And, after researching the area, they realised
that it would be the ideal place to start family life.
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE?

‘With a leaking conservatory, an avocado bathroom and
peeling wallpaper in the en suite, we had our work cut out
for us. We made it liveable to start with, then re-plastered,
HOME NOTES fitted new carpets and replaced the bathrooms before our
second son was born. We then saved enough to create a
Kirsty Haslam, a stylist three-storey side and a single-storey rear extension.
and content creator Unfortunately, Covid struck after the builders started.
(@houseofhaz) lives here with Delays combined with spiralling costs made the process
her husband Stuart, co-owner incredibly stressful, especially as part way through the
of a cloud data consultancy, eight-month project I gave birth to our third child.’
and their sons Sebastian, six,
Ellis, four, and Finlay, two. HOW DID YOU CREATE YOUR FAMILY HOME?
THE PROPERTY ‘There was a huge double garage taking over most of the
A five-bedroom 1930s rear garden, so we knocked it down and built an outdoor
detached house in Cheshire. kitchen with a pizza oven and pergola, leaving the lawn
for the boys to play. Because we then wanted to add a new
garage on the side, we thought we may as well build above
it. This gave us a first-floor main bedroom suite and the
THE LAYOUT upper floor guest bedroom with a balcony. We also

changed the floor plan, flipping the living room and
As you enter the hall, the playroom is kitchen and making this area open plan. It allowed us to
on the right at the front of the house, fit everything we wanted in the kitchen, including a
with a large open-plan kitchen and breakfast pantry, while the footprint of the old leaky
living/dining area spanning the rear,
conservatory was incorporated into the space.’
and a utility room created from the
back half of the garage. On the first
floor there are three bedrooms, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE DÉCOR?
including the main bedroom suite, ‘My style is modern with an elegant, classic
with dressing room and en suite, plus twist. For instance we have a traditional
another dressing room, office and BEDROOM
Shaker kitchen but in a contemporary shade,
family bathroom. The top floor houses
two guest bedrooms, one with a BEDROOM
which could be re-painted in the future. And I
balcony, plus another bathroom. want each room to have a different feel when
you enter it. Our navy-blue bedroom feels like
a cosy boutique hotel, whereas the family
SECOND FLOOR
KITCHEN
bathroom is more light and airy.’
BEDROOM OFFICE WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

LIVING/
DINING AREA ‘Building up rather than out is cheaper, and
DRESSING
ROOM
living in a property and working out what you
DRESSING
ROOM
need for your family is key. Then you can add
wow-factor elements, such as our gable-end
UTILITY
ROOM
TOILET
PLAYROOM MAIN window in the kitchen area. Also, zoning the
BEDROOM
BEDROOM new heating system has meant our bills
GARAGE/
STORE
haven’t gone up that much. My husband says
that no home is a “forever home”, so I think
GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR we may well still have one more build in us.’

IDEAL HOMES
Kitchen
‘We call this area at the back
of this space, with its tall gable
end-style window, “the pod”. As
the rear of the house didn’t
have period features, we chose
modern aluminium frames.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Barcelona chair and footstool,
£9,192, Knoll at Nest. Bronx tray,
£32, Next. Mayla linen throw,
£175, Nkuku, is similar
CONTEMPORARY
STYLE
Match furniture to your
overall scheme, with
metal legs tying in with
the minimal industrial
vibe of the windows

QUARTZ
WORKTOPS
Bevelled edge
detailing on the island
gives an elegant
touch, while rounded
corners are more
family-friendly
Kitchen
‘This area is very practical and
versatile; not having the sink on
the island means that when we
have parties, the washing-up is
tucked away behind the fridge.
And the breakfast pantry is
perfect for the mornings.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Aisling kitchen, price on request,
Kitchens by Portfolio. Painted in
Shadow Core eggshell, £40 for
2.5ltr, Valspar at B&Q. Fisherman
pendant, £68, Online Lighting Shop
Dining area
‘I didn’t want traditional flooring
which might have made the
space look dated, so chose
narrow planks in a neutral
colour. Laid diagonally, they
have a fresh modern look.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Flooring, Polyflor bevelline
2813 in Blond field ash vinyl floor,
from £28.49sq m, Flooring UK

IDEAL HOMES
“
I like to style the
kitchen with
different LOOKS: a
vase of huge blooms
has a MODERN feel,
while sunflowers
”
give a COUNTRY vibe
Diner/family area
‘We created a feature wall with
curved panelling painted in
different shades of white.
And the framed wall-mounted
TV can be used to display
art when it’s switched off.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Marshal extending table,
£729, Arighi Bianchi. Lilt 115 LED
MoodMaker linear pendant light,
£149, Lampsy. Frame TV, from
£1,099, Samsung. Hector floor
lamp in Antique Brass/Black,
£150, John Lewis Partners

Family tv area
‘It was a last-minute decision to
turn the old kitchen window
into this bigger picture window;
we can now see the children
playing in the garden. We
picked a neutral sofa so the
window would be the focus.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Hatton corner sofa, £4,345,
Arighi Bianchi. Butler’s tray, £26,
Love Tiki. Knot cushion, £125,
Design House Stockholm at Amara
OTTOMAN
FOOTSTOOL
Add a smart
contemporary wooden
tray and use as
a coffee table
“
As the OPEN-PLAN space is
also our living ROOM, we chose
kitchen appliances that
”
are as QUIET as possible
IDEAL HOMES
NEED TO KNOW
POWDER-COATED
ALUMINIUM GLAZING
All you need to know about these smart, stylish
and contemporary window and door frames
WHAT IS IT? and weather resistant,

These aluminium frames have making it suitable for coastal
a polyester powder coating locations. Look out for a long
which protects them from the guarantee when you are
elements. It is applied in a considering your options.
special process then cured in
an oven. The glazing comes WHAT ABOUT COST?
in a wide range of colours Aluminium is a much cheaper
and finishes, but is commonly raw material than steel, which
found in an anthracite shade. is used for the timeless
industrial-style windows
WHAT ARE produced by Crittal, the
THE BENEFITS? brand which many products
Powder coating can last up mimic. Expect to pay around
to 40 years as it’s highly £500 per unit for aluminium
durable, low maintenance window designs.
Office
‘The kitchen company created
a floating desk with a double
thickness worktop, which spans
the length of one wall in our
working-from-home space. We
added the panelling ourselves
to create a smart Scandi look.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Brady office chair, £119, Dunelm.
Gladom tray table, £19, Ikea. Try
Coffee poster, from £8.95, Desenio
Guest room
‘A lovely shade of olive green paint
zones the seating area of this
welcoming space, with its doors
leading out on to the balcony.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Wall in Green 05 Rome House matt,
£45 for 2.5ltr, Lick. Try Dakota dark
mango eight-drawer coffee table,
£284.99, Casa Bella Furniture. Harvey
acacia wood and brass drinks cabinet,
£850, Perch & Parrow, is similar

Boys’ bedroom
‘Our two eldest sons, Sebastian
and Ellis, love sharing but they
have the option for their own
rooms in the future. They have
bunk beds each with a play space
beneath, but we fit in another two
beds when they have sleepovers.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Kura reversible bed, £189, Ikea.
Wall mural painted in Payne’s Grey
and Papyrus, both 1829 chalky
emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Craig & Rose
Boys’ bedroom
‘This graphic monochrome
wallpaper provides a neutral
backdrop for accessories with
punchy colours. And the design is
versatile enough to work equally
well as the boys get older.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Zara Mono Geometric wallpaper
in Soft Grey and Silver, £20 a roll,
I Love Wallpaper, has a similar look.
Rainbow Keyboard hooks, £14,
Argos. Lustigt wall shelf, £8, Ikea
‘The rocking chair in

Finlay’s bedroom is my
mother’s that she used
when I was a baby. We
painted the scallops on the FEATURE KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE PLANS RICHARD HOOKWAY
wall with leftover paint.’
IDEAL HOMES
PANELLING
Pine half-dowel
moulding strips will
create a similar look
Main bedroom
‘We decided to go dark and
cosy with this scheme; it’s a
large space and this deep
restful blue works very well.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls in 2am flat matt, £49 for
2.5ltr, Coat. Try BTFY rattan
bedside table, £73, Von Haus.
Lyon Chesterfield bed, from £999,
Luxury Bed Company. Flamingo
poster, from £15.95, Desenio
FAMILY MUST-HAVES
INSPIRED BY KIRSTY AND STUART’S HOME
PLAY TIME
CHIC SHAPE Children’s
Presley dining grey teepee
chair, £149, play tent,
Cult Furniture £119.95,
COOL FOR KIDS
Cuckooland
Nico bunk bed
frame and mattress,
£475, Habitat
VERSATILE PIECE
Wooden tray, £16.99,
Homesense

| DREAM HOME |
HOME NOTES
WHO LIVES HERE?
Susanna Hawkins, content
creator of Instagram
@SHnordic and blog SHnordic,
her husband and their
two teenagers.
THE PROPERTY
A four-bedroom renovated
1960s split-level bungalow
in a secluded garden
overlooking Bath.
views
SCANDI
IN THE CITY OF BATH, SUSANNA HAWKINS AND
HER FAMILY HAVE REVIVED A 1960S BUNGALOW
WITH CONTEMPORARY EXTENSIONS, CLEAN
LINES, NEW TALL WINDOWS AND NORDIC STYLE

IDEAL HOMES
garden
‘Creating a patio was very
high on the wish list. I wanted
a large creamy sofa to create
this relaxing, cosy outdoor
space where we can all enjoy
spending lots of time.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Herdanza blue rug, £249,
Ruggable. Extendable Festoon
Drop outdoor lights, from £60, Cox
& Cox. Hampton corner sofa, from
£2,800, Cox & Cox, is similar
snug room
To maximise cosiness, Susanna
added a chunky blanket,
textured cushions and candles.
‘I love watching TV with my
family on the corner sofa.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Tasselled cushion cover, £17.99,
H&M. Hector sofa, from £2,308,
Love Your Home
VARY TEXTURES
Mix different fabrics
to create depth and
interest
w hen Susanna first began

documenting her design sense
via her Instagram account and
blog SHnordic, little did she
imagine that six years down the line, her
‘Bath was always top of our list as we had spent
our honeymoon there,’ she explains.
They traded their red-brick Victorian house
in west London for a 1960s split-level bungalow.
‘It was in good condition but the decor was
house renovations would be Instafamous. Today, rather tired-looking.’ They had to acknowledge
her style in Scandinavian living inspires more that internally it had significant limitations –
than 754,000 followers on Instagram. there had been no upgrades since the 1990s,
In 2018, Susanna and her husband decided to the rooms were all small, corridors narrow,
move with their two children to the city of Bath. windows too small and too high: ‘We couldn’t

dining area
Decorative elements such as
the wall prints, candles and
macramé pendant light add
personality and warmth to the
open space. The dining table
is an upcycled Ikea piece.
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Wanda pendant light, £200,
Bloomingville. Desenio prints,
from £5. Salcombe Moonbeam oak
flooring, £91sq m, The Woodpecker
GALLERY SPACE
Enhance a blank wall
with artwork for a
homely feel
STYLISH GLASS
Extra tall windows
make a statement
and add extra light
Kitchen
Large sliding doors give the
kitchen direct access to the
garden and connect the two
areas. ‘It’s ideal to have outdoor
seating close to the house.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
British Standard Kitchen, cupboard
from £470. Rounded Wicker
counter stool, £350, Cox & Cox.
Units in Pink Ground modern
eggshell, £81 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
IDEAL HOMES
Kitchen
A relaxed sofa is where the family
hang out. Textured cushions and
a macramé hanging add interest.
‘Texture is more important than
pattern to me,’ says Susanna.
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Macramé wall hanging, from £190,
Whole Lotta Knots. Larsen sofa,
from £1,360, sofa.com, has this look
COMFY SPACE
Placing a sofa and
rug in a shared space
is a great way to
define a seating area
“
“
If you want beautiful OPEN SHELVING you
need to select only one or two COLOURS
even see outside when we were seated,’ she might want to make. Then, with planning
says. The layout was also badly configured, permission granted and a builder chosen, they
necessitating walking through one bedroom moved out to a small two-bedroom flat. They
to access another, but the garden and views had anticipated they could survive well enough
captivated them, winning their hearts and for the six months the renovation would take
persuading them that the house had lots of with the children in school and with weekend
potential. ‘We absolutely loved the plot as it was trips away. This proved challenging when the
so secluded and surrounded by big trees.’ pandemic meant all four had to share its space
Their first year was spent living in the house, for work and schooling 24/7, and slowed
getting to understand what modifications they supplies extended the time to nine months. ‘It

IDEAL HOMES
En-suite
bathroom
A large window frames the
stunning view and adds a
dramatic effect. ‘I wanted a bath
next to the window to enjoy the
view over the city of Bath. It is
the most relaxing setting.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Ellipse bath, £2,695, Waters Baths.
Hayek Hex white floor tiles, £1.16
each, Claybrook Studio
“
“
The most IMPORTANT is how your house makes
you feel. Mine makes me HAPPY and CALM
was a bit of an adventure, but it turned out difference. Every morning I go to my kitchen
all right in the end,’ says Susanna. and look over the fields and the city of Bath.’
The renovation brief achieved all their Colour selection for the kitchen was key as
hoped-for alterations – almost all internal walls the family mostly gathers there. ‘Finding the
were knocked down, ceilings were stripped right colour for the cabinets took ages. We tried
back to the beams and an entire new floor was many palettes and to my surprise the right
added above one section of the house. colour was pink! It took me a while to be
Pleasingly, the newly installed tall windows persuaded but now I absolutely love it.’
revealed the wonderful views that were Susanna’s house is largely a blend of Nordic
previously not visible. ‘It made a massive minimalism and comfort. ‘I added lots of warm

Main bedroom
‘Our bedroom was a blank
space. Without the wood
panelling it would have looked
huge and plain,’ says Susanna.
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Panelling in Elephant’s Breath
modern eggshell, £81 for 2.5ltr,
Farrow & Ball. Blanket, from £145,
The Chunky Needle. Hampton
four-poster bed, £1,980, Cornish
Bed Co. Ava rug, £130, La Redoute
ADD IMPACT
Wood panelling
creates depth
and interest
IDEAL HOMES
En-suite
bathroom
‘I didn’t want the bathroom
to have a “new build” feel,’ says
Susanna. ‘Adding a wooden
vanity, vintage style mirror and
rattan shelves softens the look.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Rho concrete basins, price on
request, Kast. Rise mirror, £295,
Cox & Cox, has this look. Try Infinity
900 Drawer Unit, £950, Crosswater
“
“
Add a splash of bright COLOUR to make
muted tones more INTERESTING
pink to my muted colour palette to make it style, Susanna replies, ‘I don’t really care about
PHOTOGRAPHS BÉNÉDICTE DRUMMOND
more interesting. Texture to me is also essential following the latest trends or being outstanding
when it comes to interiors. I like to mix rough – I just want to be happy in my home.’
fabric with smooth and knitted to add softness.’ Susanna and her husband have both ongoing
FEATURE SUSAN WALKER
Susanna suggests that for a successful layout, projects and future ones planned. ‘We are
keep the colour palette limited – and as a currently extending and doing our front garden,
further tip, she adds that when her bedroom so we are having our existing patio clad with a
felt too large she had wood panelling installed. new composite decking. It is very similar to my
‘It would have looked empty without it,’ she floor colour so I think it will look lovely and
explains. Asked how she would describe her will unite the two areas. I’ll keep you posted!’ n

| STYLE HOME |
HOME NOTES
WHO LIVES HERE?
Jess Alken-Theasby, a
holiday property owner,
(@cornishwife.cornishlife),
"
lives here with husband
Ash, who runs a construction
company, and their two sons.
THE PROPERTY
A detached five-bedroomed
new build in Cornwall.
reclaimed
MY STYLE IS BUILT ON THE
SITE OF HER
GRANDPARENTS’
coastal"
BUNGALOW,
JESS ALKEN-
THEASBY’S
IDYLLIC HOME
CHANNELS A
RELAXED BEACH-
HOUSE VIBE
1
IDEAL HOMES
“White acts
as a blank
canvas”
‘We use the sheltered courtyard as an
extension of the house, where I have
created a relaxed bohemian vibe. The
corner sofa cushions are in an outdoor
fabric so we can leave them out all
summer, and I brought in an eclectic
touch with accessories, such as the
colourful cushions and the rug.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Pembrey modular sofa, £1,280,
Neptune, would work in this space.
Nomad Taurus indoor/outdoor rug, £575,
Weaver Green. Try the Concrete-top
coffee table, £458, The Furn Shop
2
IDEAL HOMES
“Architectural
features add
character”
‘Fabulous vaulted ceilings and
interesting elevations draw the eye.
In the kitchen area, the brick alcove and
wooden mantel over the range cooker
create a rustic focal point, and we
chose the textural pendant lights to
enhance the height of the space.’
TRIO OF BUY THE KEY PIECES
PENDANTS Henley cabinets in Snow, price on
Striking lighting request, Neptune. Try Round rattan
creates the wow pendant lights in Natural, £245 each,
factor, plus is a Barker and Stonehouse
practical addition

We DESIGNED our new-build home
with a Hamptons BEACH house style,
“
and wanted it to feel as old as possible so
used a lot of RECLAIMED materials
3
STATEMENT
BAR STOOLS
Bold, industrial style
injects texture
and drama to an
all-white scheme
“Cladding
creates an East
Coast vibe”
‘I didn’t want plastered walls as they’re
too pristine and would feel too new.
So we dressed some rooms top-to-toe
with cladding for texture and warmth.
We didn’t use a refined boarding so it
doesn’t matter if it gets damaged a little
– this would just add more character.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Bank bar stools, £2,252 each (excluding
fabric), Howe London. Try Narwana
leather round stool, £250, Nkuku
CONTRASTING
BACKDROP
Painting the back of open
shelving a dark shade creates
depth and gives treasures on
display a chance to shine
4
“Choose
woven
materials
for texture”
‘We opted for storage with drawers,
open shelves for display, and textural
wicker baskets. The natural fibres are
carried through to the jute rug for a
beachy, laid-back aesthetic.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Pembroke storage, from £950, Neptune.
Similar chair, £375, Love Antiques. Try
Jute round rug, £125, The White Company
5
IDEAL HOMES
“Earthy
colours
introduce
a cosy feel”
‘We love to sit in the lookout area to
admire the view. It has a cosier feel
compared to the vaulted space because
of the low ceiling and the feature wall,
made with bricks salvaged from my
grandparents’ bungalow, which had
stood on this site. The vintage bureau
with leather club chairs create a study
vibe, and it’s a lovely spot to read.’
6
BUY THE KEY PIECES
The leather club chair is vintage; for
similar, try Leather studded-front club
armchair, £1,295, Home Barn. The rug
is vintage; for similar try Antiquarian
Antique Hadschlu rug in Red, from £428,
Louis De Poortere at The Rug Seller.
Baldwin desk lamp in Antique Brass,
£60, John Lewis & Partners, has this look
“Reclamation
finds are the
starting point”
‘At the heart of our home is the boys’
playroom, which we can close off at the
end of the day with the reclaimed sliding
door that we found at Retrouvius. We
made sure that we included plenty of
accessible storage for toys and books,
while the wall was salvaged from an
Indonesian ship, with the fragments
of old paint giving it real character.
Textural surfaces like this help make
the interiors feel older.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Abbeville storage shelf units in White,
£235 each; Rope storage baskets,
from £21 each, all Great Little Trading
Company. The Dreamer play mat, from
£140, Totter and Tumble. The chairs are
vintage; for similar, try Chiem industrial
dining chairs, £199.95 each, Furnwise

7
“Ocean blue
is my go-to
accent shade”
‘In the all-white open-plan living area,
we wanted to bring in pops of colour
and some contemporary seating with
washable covers. The blue of the sofa
is inspired by the seascape painting by
my great-grandfather JHC Millar and
carries through the coastal vibe.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Lily Shuffle corner sofa in Cadet, from
£795, Jo & Co. Try Petit Royale ottoman,
£595, La Residence Interiors. Andalucia
Paloma rug, from £165, Weaver Green

IDEAL HOMES
“
I love to buy VINTAGE finds and mix
them with INHERITED pieces, like my
great-grandfather’s oil PAINTING

“
There’s something
CALMING about
a white scheme, the
blank CANVAS you can
add to and change with
DIFFERENT accessories
8
“The sliding
door brings
rustic appeal”
‘We continued the simple beach
house theme of light and fresh in our
bedroom, saving space with a sliding
barn door, which was a reclamation
yard find. I like the way the white-
washed cladding echos the ticking
stripes on the upholstered bed.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Foxcote bed, £3,595, Soho Home.
Ikat shade, from £36, Pooky. Latham
bedside table, £429, Rowen & Wren
FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES RAM,
ALEXANDER J COLLINS/NEPTUNE

IDEAL HOMES
NATURAL
LIGHT
Wonder Bell
ceiling shade,
from £60,
Sofa.com
WEATHERED
WOOD
Bastille
side table,
£375, Loaf
Style
SAVER
SUNSHINE
YELLOW
Hiva cushion,
from £8, B&Q
STYLE
MUST HAVES
9
CURVED DESIGN
BE INSPIRED
The gentle contours of BY JESS’S HOME
this cot, painted white,
create a soft, lighter look
than a standard design
TRAD STYLE
Nomad Taurus
“a rug helps to
rug, £575,
Weaver Green
transform a room”
‘I was keen to add impact to the pale, calming
backdrop so painted the tongue-and-groove wall in
the nursery a pale green. I brought in texture and
tone with the rug, which features the same shade. I
love this green – it reminds me of my grandmother’s
garden in the spring. This room now has a quaintly
English meets Hamptons beach house theme.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Wall painted in Apple intelligent satinwood, £83.50 for TEXTURAL STORAGE
2.5ltr, Little Greene. Try Earthy flatweave rug, £414, Grey-wash square rattan
Retrouvius. Katie cot, £309, Tutti Bambini basket, £49, Marquis & Dawe

room decor
TRANSFORM | UPDATE | CREATE
IDEAL IDEA
Blooming
inspiration
PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/DOMINIC BLACKMORE
Give your home an instant

lift by decorating with an
abundance of flowers, from
floral motifs and prints to
vases full of the real thing.
Stop it turning twee by
adding a co-ordinating plain
on flooring or a painted wall.
HEATHER YOUNG,
EDITOR IN CHIEF

| LOOKS THAT LAST |
Add fragrance with scented

candles and stems of blossom
and pop a piece of pretty
floral wallpaper behind.
Hansa pinch pot, £4, Rowen
& Wren. Wallpaper, Aire. Glass FABRIC
ring box, £19.50, Oliver Bonas Abelia Print, £35m,
John Lewis &
Partners
PAINT
Green Blue estate
emulsion, £54.50
for 2.5ltr,
Farrow & Ball
WALLPAPER
Massingberd
Blossom in
Mineral, £109 a
roll, Little Greene
florals
HERITAGE
TRENDS COME AND GO, BUT HERE’S HOW
TO GIVE THIS LOOK TIMELESS APPEAL
ROOM DECOR
“
STYLE DIRECTION
Frame a garden
view with pretty floral
drapes – a soft, blousy
print in gentle pastel
"
hues brings the charm
of summer indoors
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR IN CHIEF
POPS OF PLAIN
Select a single floral cushion
and place it in front of a
variety of plains specially
selected to flatter it
Eva medium sofa, from £2,995, Neptune. Mila large side table in Blush, £250; Herringbone wool pouffe
in Blush, £75; Luna medium rug in Blush, £525, all Cox & Cox. Curtain in Floriana, £93m, Nina Campbell
at Osborne & Little. Holcombe Green and Peach cushion (left), £69; Beardwood Grey and Coral cushion
(centre), £69, both Aire. Linen cushion cover in Dusty Pink, £29, Nordic House. Washed velvet cushion
in Toasted Almond, £36, French Connection Home
Aurora hanging egg chair, £394.99, The
Rattan Company. Curtain in Bonheur
41170129, £110.09m, Camengo. Similar
table, round gold and glass side table,
£95, Cox & Cox. (Clockwise from left)
Ruffle cushion in Grey, £48, Also Home.
Hanawa cushion, £119, Black Edition.
PERFECT Cushion in Rêve, £86.20m, Camengo.
HANGOUT Shearer sheepskin rug in Grey, £70, Loaf.
A rattan chair is an ideal Brass watering can, £22.49, Amazon
summer sanctuary,
adorned with soft
cushions and throws for
comfort and flair
“
STYLE DIRECTION
Choose your main floral
fabric then add plains with
"
texture or small-scale motifs
in complementary tones
GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR
ROOM DECOR
LIFT IT WITH
LIGHTING
Pretty green hues
paired with soft blush
pinks create a serene
scheme, while brass
wall lamps give it a
sophisticated twist
Flora Fantasia wallpaper, £140 for a

180x200cm panel, House of Hackney.
Pick wall lights, £110 each; Rattle regular
table lamp base, £109, both Pooky
THINK ABOUT BALANCE ADD PLENTY CHOOSE

SCALE PATTERN OF PLAINS YOUR COLOUR
When considering your Remember to evenly Make sure that you PALETTE
overall scheme, mixing distribute the prints accompany pretty florals For a soft, airy, summery
a variety of large- throughout the room with plenty of solid feel opt for floral patterns
and small-scale floral so that the eye has colour. For example, printed in pastel shades
prints is a good way to moments of rest between if your curtains are on a white background.
create a balanced look. the floral pops. Keeping in a large-scale floral For a more sophisticated,
Choosing one large, the pattern all in one print, then choose a plain cosy look go for saturated
one medium and one area can make a scheme colour for the walls or colours on navy or dark
small print is the ideal look unbalanced, while furnishings. Use colours grey. When mixing colour
combination. Alternatively, too many floral prints found in the floral print combinations in different
opting for one large clustered together will as your starting point prints, the key is to use
and two medium floral feel chaotic and jump for the coordinating plain tones that have the
motifs works well. out in the décor. tones in the scheme. same intensity of hue.

ROOM DECOR
Beatrice wallpaper,
£79 a roll, Jane
Churchill. Carter desk,
£1,700; Somerton
basket, £78, both
Neptune. Nilsolle
stool (cut down and
painted), £50; Forsa
lamp, £19, both Ikea
FEATURE NICKY PHILIPS PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/DAN DUCHARS, DOMINIC BLACKMORE

CREATIVE CORNER
A soft blend of green, gentle
pink and charcoal in a subtle
painterly design is perfect
for a relaxing bedroom or
calm home office space

Curtains in Enys Garden in Blush/
Jade, £85m; blind in Rubus in
Raspberry, £85m; bolster cushion
in Foraging Embroidery in
Meadow Violet, £129m; wall
painted in High Sea emulsion,
£49 for 2.5ltr, all Sanderson
RESTFUL NOOK
Curtain off an alcove or
around a built-in window
seat to provide a lovely
hideaway to escape to
“
STYLE DIRECTION
Consider adding
bold, colourful stripes
as a confident backdrop
"
to an array of floral
print fabrics
ROOM DECOR
I’m available
in six sparkling
jewel-like colours
2
The shortlist
SUMMER
PITCHERS
Serve up the sangria in style
and pour on the punches
with a statement pitcher
6
Style
SAVER
4
5 WHERE TO BUY
1 Hobnail glass pitcher,
£109, Fenwick 2 Hand
painted water jug, £26.99,
Pretty Tiffin 3 Cream and
Green stripe jug, £12.50,
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH
Matalan 4 Primrose Hill

glass jug, £55, Sazy
5 Tangerine bold pitcher,
£42.99, Softstore
6 Ceramic jug, £30, Lucy
Tiffney range, Next

ROOM DECOR
TREND TALK
“
PINTEREST’S HEAD OF HOME MATT SIBERRY SHARES THE TOP FIVE TRENDS
DOMINATING THE JOY OF LIVING OUTSIDE THIS SEASON
Extend your home into

the great outdoors
Being inside my home
is a sanctuary, but
there’s something
special about the
outdoors, especially
” Follow interiors
rules and use pale
colours to make a
space feel larger
if it’s your own space.
Family and friends all
gathered round, trays
of drinks, delicious
food, bees, flowers… I can easily get
carried away. I think the reason we, the
British public, love the idea of outdoor
living so much, is because we’ve
traditionally done so little of it! However,
I think the last few years have pushed us
to embrace being outside more often.
Pinners (Pinterest users) are continuing
to get creative, saving ideas to their
Pinterest boards for decking projects,
multifunctional fire pits and decorative
rain chains (more on these later). So, as
we’ve recently taken to hosting people at
home to keep costs down, it’s time to
continue doing the same out of doors.
ZONING OUT We’re seeing people look to

create outdoor spaces that can be used for
a variety of activities – and the easiest way
to do this is to divide it into different zones.
This may be done by using materials like
pebbles to create a clear separation
between a seating area and a lawn, for
example, and it helps your outdoor space
feel larger, with each section having its own
function and mood. That said, if the amount
of space isn’t on your side, multifunctional
outdoor furniture can be arranged to
create separate zones. Look for pieces with
compartments to keep things tidy, storing
cushions, outdoor rugs and blankets but
keeping them easily accessible.
NATURE WITHIN NATURE Why ruin the

A potting
outdoors with synthetic materials? Our shed cabinet
Pinterest data shows that people are doubles up
increasingly searching and saving natural for storage
garden ideas, incorporating elements

ROOM DECOR
such as stone, wood and water features

into their outdoor areas. Not only do
these create a peaceful and relaxing
environment, allowing you to truly
connect with nature, but they also
encourage wildlife.
Water conservation projects are also
booming on Pinterest. This is something we
saw in our future-gazing Pinterest Predicts
report at the start of the year, and one of
my favourite trends. The Rainscape trend
also sees people investing in interesting
ways to harvest rainwater, whether that’s
through the design of their garden, a rain
chain to channel rainwater from their roof,
or plain and simple water barrels.
MODERN LIVING IN THE WILD While

it’s good to escape tech at times, you can
certainly integrate it into your outdoor
space. Whether that’s outdoor speakers, a
Wi-Fi extension or even a projector, it will
allow you to enjoy your time in the garden.
Lighting systems will not only extend warm
evenings but also help amplify the space
and make it more inviting. Use festoon
lights, lanterns and spotlights to help
highlight different garden areas and create
a warm and inviting atmosphere.
SMART DESIGN Interiors rules very much

apply to the exterior, too. Use light colours,
such as white or pastels, to make your
space feel larger, with pops of colour from
accessories or planters to add visual
interest without overwhelming. Similar to
Different zones and an lighting, outdoor mirrors help make it feel
outdoor mirror increase
like there’s more space than meets
the sense of space
the eye. Place them against a wall or
a fence, to reflect your garden and
double up the illusion of space.
CHEAT SHEET… Style up a
QUICK FIXES
corner with a BETTER TOGETHER While Pinners
display, like you have also been looking to the front of
would indoors
n Need somewhere to store your our homes as an alternative to back
outdoor seat cushions? A blanket gardens, it’s also time to celebrate
box, a storage bench or an outdoor the communal outdoor space.
cabinet are excellent solutions. Since the start of 2023, we’ve seen
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/DAN DUCHARS,
searches for ideas related to

n Waterproof portable Bluetooth
community gardens and allotments
speakers are perfect for outdoor
increase on Pinterest. While their
sounds without having to worry
about the weather. Try the function still remains focused on
Sonos Roam, Bang & Olufsen’s produce, we’re seeing people
Beosound Explore or JBL’s Flip 6. consider bringing in tables, benches
and fire pits as part of their allotment
n Always plan for some shade, redesign, so that they can share and
DAVID GILES, LIZZIE ORME
especially if you’re eating outdoors. enjoy what they grow.

Try a parasol, shade sail or awning Hosting outside offers a different,
(turn to page 148 for more ideas). special dynamic, while also allowing
n Add interest to a wall or fence with you to keep costs down. So bring out
an outdoor mirror to reflect light and the blankets and lanterns, because
make your garden feel more spacious. living outdoors is all year round! n

ROOM DECOR
IDEAL vs GREAT DEAL

Breathe new life into your outside space with a bold tropical vibe
PARADISE LUSH
FOUND GREENERY
Tropical Tropical
outdoor shower-
cushion, £25 resistant
set of two, cushion,
M&S £10, B&M
ECO POWERED
Solar festoon classic
lights, £65 for 20, LIGHT FANTASTIC
Garden Trading Solar outdoor festoon lights,
£18 for 20, B&Q
FRAMED PLANTER
SUPPORT POWER
Straight Narrow
lattice trellis
wooden planter,
planter in £35 set
Grey, £45, of two,
Habitat Studio
MELLOW STRONG
YELLOW STRIPE
Outdoor Marina Korsning
stripe rug in indoor-outdoor
Yellow, from £139, rug, £65, Ikea
Ruggable
TOP
SIDE ORDER TABLE
Rive Droite bistro Hornsyld
tray table in end table
Lemon, £30, in Curry,
Garden Trading £15, JYSK
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
BOLD PATTERN SERVE UP

Ikat multicoloured Painted print side
side plate,
£79 set of six, Sazy
plate, £4.50,
Primark Home Style
SAVER
The shortlist
HANGING CHAIRS
Swing your way through balmy summer evenings
Double egg chair,

£499, Dunelm
ROOM DECOR
I come
in three other
colourways
3
Style
SAVER
WHERE TO BUY
1 Gwen hanging egg chair, £675,
Sweetpea & Willow 2 Gjern
natural hanging chair, £349.99,
JYSK 3 Innovators round Ibiza
hanging chair, £279, qvcuk.com
4 Chester double cocoon
hanging chair, £799, Dobbies
5 Esentepe hanging chair 4
5 with stand, £829.99,
Wayfair
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH

Exterior paints
| IH COLOUR EDIT |
THIS MONTH, OUR COLOUR

EXPERTS PRESENT EXTERIOR
PAINTS AND SHARE HOW TO
USE THEM SUCCESSFULLY IN
YOUR OUTDOOR SPACES
Far wall in Mazarine;

right-hand wall and
island in Yellow-Pink;
ceiling in Shirting, all
intelligent masonry
paint, £79 for 5ltr,
Little Greene
ROOM DECOR
W hat the
experts say...
Designers and stylists share their views
‘When choosing an exterior colour remember it’ll
tend to look lighter outdoors than it does inside.
Order a sample pot and paint a large board to put
outdoors to help you see how it will look in situ.’
ANNA HILL, BRAND DIRECTOR,
FENWICK & TILBROOK
‘In the same way you would pair interior paint
colours with fabrics and furnishings, consider the
architectural elements of your exterior. Do you
have red- or yellow-tone bricks, limestone or
granite walls, and what colour are your roof
tiles? Build this palette into your scheme.’
RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR,
LITTLE GREENE
‘Metallic finishes on outdoor furniture create a
luxurious look. When it comes to painting other
furniture to use alongside, go for subtle neutrals
to complement either brass or chrome.’
AARON MARKWELL, COLOUR CURATOR, COAT
Summerhouse
‘Black might seem like a bold choice. However, if exterior in Smokey
you have a modern garden filled with pots and Grey; interior in
foliage, why not frame it with a fence painted in China Clay; stripe
classic black? It will add a distinct graphic quality in Clouded Yellow,
and make everything in it pop!’ all £19.20 for 1ltr,
MARIANNE SHILLINGFORD, COLOUR EXPERT The Royal Exterior
range at Protek
AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DULUX
“
‘In a south-facing garden, white paint can be too
A SIMPLE idea, such as a

bright, so go for paler, softer pastels. They’ll work
perfectly alone or paired together. For more
drama, team them with a dark-grey or black fence.’
MANDY RIPPON, PRODUCT MANAGER, FRENCHIC
band of COLOUR like yellow
pulling against a backdrop
”
‘The front of your property is the first thing that
welcomes you. It’s an opportunity to express your
of grey, will ELEVATE a space

personality and transform an otherwise
overlooked area into something truly joyful.’
TASH BRADLEY, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND
COLOUR PSYCHOLOGIST, LICK BECKY RACKSTRAW, DIRECTOR, PROTEK
the edit EXTERIOR PAINTS
BEST FOR FENCES BEST FOR A BEST FOR A BEST FOR SMALL BEST FOR GARDENS
AND SHEDS COUNTRY GARDEN CONTEMPORARY GARDENS FACING NORTH
FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS
Black Cuprinol less Biscuits For Breakfast OUTSIDE SPACE Marrakech ultimate Daffs alfresco paint,
mess fence care, exterior paint, Blue 06 exterior paint, masonry, £64 for 2.5ltr, £17.96 for 500ml,
£13 for 5ltr, B&Q £69 for 2.5ltr, Coat £45 for 2.5ltr, Lick Fenwick & Tilbrook Frenchic
NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC

Outdoor
| CLEVER DECORATING | Hang a mini bar
Create your own private
party area with the help
of a clever pull-down bar,
built from wooden pallets
and lengths of chain.
Give it a twist...
SIX CLEVER WAYS TO TRANSFORM Apply blackboard paint to the
bar and swap out drinks for
YOUR OUTSIDE SPACE THIS SUMMER tubs of outdoor chalk and pens
to make the perfect outdoor
craft area for kids.
FRESH PICKINGS
Keep potted herbs close to
hand for garnishing drinks
or cooking on the barbecue
(On shelf) Hansa terracotta

pinch pots, £4 each, Rowen
& Wren. Ripple small glasses,
£39 for four; Fein small
spoon, £9, both Ferm Living.
(On bar) Abeeko tumblers,
£22.50 for four, Nkuku.
Handcrafted black aluminium
tray, £50, Design Vintage.
Natural linen napkin, £42 for
four, Rowen & Wren. Ripple
champagne saucers, £39
for two, Ferm Living. Rattan
ice bucket, £72, Kalinko
ROOM DECOR
BUG OFF
Use candles that
contain citronella
essential oil to
deter pesky flies
and mosquitoes
Make a simple
table decoration
Fill terracotta plant pots
with sand and press in
dinner candles for a rustic
table centrepiece, or pop
them along walkways to
provide extra lighting.
Tablecloth in Terracotta, £46.99; Give it a twist...
napkin in Terracotta, £9.49, For a more contemporary feel,
both LinenMe. Afilia dinner fill clear glass bowls with a
plates, £70 for six, Cox & Cox. base of small pebbles then add
Mossed redstone plant pots a layer of sand before finishing
and saucers, £13.50 each, Trouva with church candles.

ROOM DECOR
Wall in (top) Slaked Lime and (bottom) Juniper

Ash intelligent masonry paint, £79 for 5ltr; stools
in Vulcan Tom’s oil eggshell, £41.50 for 1ltr, all
Little Greene. For similar stools, try Tolix-style
metal bar stool, £59, Cult Furniture. Similar rattan
shade, The Twister pendant, £389, Flo & Joe
ARINETMCIPHUESAT
LPO M SDH
EE
LO Create beach
bar vibes
TEUR
Silver Birch Attach brackets and a shelf

garden shades,
to an outside wall beneath
M
£25 for 2.5ltr,

Cuprinol an open window. Pull up
Cornflower some bar stools to make
fence life plus, a fabulous spot for eating
£16 for 5ltr, breakfast in the sun.
Ronseal
Give it a twist...
Use a stencil in a faux tile
Green 02 design to help transform
exterior, £45 for an outside wall into a
2.5ltr, Lick mosaic masterpiece.

Display garden
paraphernalia
Make a feature wall on the
side of a shed or fence
by hanging garden bits
on hooks and nails. Try
an array of bird boxes, a
barometer and wire box
shelves filled with herbs.
Give it a twist...
Attach an iron or powder-
coated utensil rail above a
potting table and hang garden
tools using S-hooks.
Larchlap close-board dip-treated fence panel,

183cm sq, £59.26, Travis Perkins; painted in
Valspar garden exterior paint in Carriage
Wheel, £48 for 2.5ltr, B&Q. Farringdon metal
box shelf, £40; St Ives barometer, £40,
both Garden Trading. Copper-plated plant
mister, £8.99, Crocus. Dovecote nest box,
£54.99, Waitrose & Partners. Planting ruler,
£10.99; Sophie Conran bird food tin, £22.49,
both Burgon & Ball. Wirework holder and
string, £15, Folk Interiors. Small potting
table, £205, The Worm that Turned
WALL
PLANTERS
Old loaf tins
make great
planters – just
drill holes
for drainage
Design a
gallery wall
Create a display of frames
and wall-hung planters on
an exterior wall in the
same way that you would
hang pictures inside.
Give it a twist...
Fix a picture ledge or shelf
along a wall above a garden sofa
Abari caged hanging planter, and arrange potted plants and
from £75, Nkuku. Taino bench, outdoor sculptures on it, for
£595, Taylor & Baines. Similar an outdoor living room feel.
velvet cushion, £60, Oka
ROOM DECOR
Weber Q1400 Build an

outdoor kitchen
electric barbecue,
£320, B&Q. For a
similar pizza oven, Extend your cooking area
try the Ooni Karu into the garden by adding
multi-fuel, from
£299, Lakeland.
a slim worksurface along
Stello outdoor tiles, one side of a patio. Tile
£70.45sq m, Topps directly onto a painted
Tiles. For a similar sleeper wall to create a
stacking crate, stunning splashback.
try Knagglig pine
box, £13, Ikea Give it a twist...
Wrap the worksurface, shelf
and splashback with sheet
metal for a modern bar feel.
FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/TIM YOUNG,
DOMINIC BLACKMORE, JOANNA HENDERSON, JEMMA WATTS
EET
AT SH 2
E
CH
E
TIL
1 3
TILE CHEAT SHEET

1 Black Star Night, £38sq m, Metro Tiles 2 Santona in Forest Green,
£79.75sq m, Bert & May 3 Getting Square Pink, £156sq m, Otto Tiles

Children’s
| PLAN THE PERFECT |
room
DREAMING OF CREATING KID-APPROVED SPACES
TO LAST, BOTH IN TERMS OF STYLE AND FUNCTION?
WE ASKED THE EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR TIPS
FUN CORNER
‘Zoning the room helps with
creating a space for work,
rest and play,’ says Medina.
Liewood Enzo bed canopy,
£99.95, Soren’s House
ROOM DECOR
MEET THE
EXPERTS
D’ARBY MAWSON, ASSISTANT
DESIGNER, HABITAT KIDS
‘A great child’s bedroom
is a space where they
can develop their
STARRY NIGHT
interests, play and Create a magical scheme
unleash creativity with wall stickers filling
a blank space above
without any limitations.’ the bed. Moon & Stars
wall sticker, £98,
FI CAMPOS, INTERIOR One Trick Pony Design
DESIGNER FOR
LITTLE FOLKS FURNITURE
‘I always think that a
bedroom a child wants
to spend time in is a
good sign of one that’s
been well designed.’
MEDINA KING, CREATIVE
DIRECTOR, MK KIDS INTERIORS
‘I love it when a room
reflects the child’s
personality and is
practical too – so
no slides heading
straight into walls!’
C
ome with us (if you dare) into experiencing a major transformation with puberty –
the world of children’s bedroom suddenly it appears their tastes have matured. They
design, where smart furniture need a room that suits their preferences and meets
choices, savvy storage solutions their needs for study, time alone and with friends.’
and the chance to reflect your
offspring’s personality form the GROWING PAINS
basis of a room that will last. But how and where ‘We expect children’s bedrooms to serve this
do you start with this balancing act? We asked three multitude of purposes – and that’s a lot of jobs for
children’s room experts – a product designer and one room,’ says D’arby, ‘so when I’m designing, I’m
two interior designers – just what makes a room always looking at pieces that are going to adapt.’
for a school-age-through-to-tween child a success. Medina adds, ‘Storage – and a lack of – is always
a problem. We resolve this with multifunctional
A SPACE TO CALL THEIR OWN pieces.’ Fi says, ‘Try using the walls for shelving and
‘The sign of a truly excellent kid’s bedroom is one totes, and make use of underneath the bed, too.’
where the child feels that it’s their own personal For tricky spaces, Fi recommends a mid or
space,’ says D’arby. ‘Functionality should be at its high-sleeper bed, ‘with a desk, storage and bed built
core, as the space needs to do lots of things, whether in. This way you can properly zone the room with a
that’s work, rest or play.’ study station, storage place, chill-out zone and
Fi agrees: ‘Depending on the child’s age, this may sleeping area. Some mid-sleepers have furniture
look like a room with a small area to play, a study options that can roll in and out from under the bed
station, a chill-out/reading nook and a comfy bed – useful as they can be moved around the room.’
that’s warm and inviting.’ ‘It’s about taking a piece of furniture and stretching
When designing for tweens, Medina says don’t what it can do – for example, a cabin bed with a large
ignore the hormones. ‘At this age, children are handy cupboard and shelving underneath,’ says

PRACTICAL
SOLUTION
Combine pieces to
create a built-in design
around a bed. Nidi
bespoke bedroom, from
£2,500, Nübie Kids
“ "
Involve kids in choosing COLOUR schemes and
FABRICS to give them sense of OWNERSHIP
MEDINA KING, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MK KIDS INTERIORS
D’arby. ‘What you choose depends on if you are

ALL-IN-ONE planning to move house in the future, and also
A high sleeper offers budget,’ says Medina. ‘Bespoke fitted furniture can be
space below for study. expensive, while freestanding shop-bought pieces
Harry high-rise bed can be easily moved.’ D’arby says to keep things
with desk and wardrobe, simple. ‘Neutral tones and materials allow parents to
£575, Cuckooland feel confident about adapting them, even if the child’s
tastes change as they get older. Children’s ranges
don’t have to look childish – you can have stylish
mixed with an element of fun, such as neutral
furniture with handle designs children will love.’
‘High-quality beds and furniture, such as those
made from hardwood, last much longer,’ says Fi, who
also says to avoid anything too themed. ‘Timeless,
beautiful, classic beds and furniture will look great
no matter what the interior scheme.’
STYLE SETTERS
‘A neutral palette, including warm white – or even
black – will stand the test of time,’ says Fi. ‘If you
prefer to avoid redecorating every few years, sticking
to pastels and neutrals can help. If your child likes
bold colours, let them pull in a few of their favourites
with brighter accessories to accent the space. These
are easier – and cheaper – to switch up in years to
ROOM DECOR
SWEET DREAMS
NEED TO KNOW… Room for two? Hire a
carpenter to help you design
SHARED and create a bespoke set of
bunk beds. Design details,
BEDROOMS such as an integrated ladder
and under-bed storage, ensure
Medina King of MK Kids Interiors the very best use of space
shares her top tips
n Avoid themes. Finding something
both will agree on is difficult, and one
might grow out of it sooner than the
other. Design the space based on their
personalities instead.
n Rather than following trends, listen
to their ideas and involve them in
choosing colour, lighting and fabrics.
n Give each child a practical workspace
for homework, with ample lighting.
n Go for full-sized beds that they can
grow into rather than smaller ones
you’ll have to replace; bunk beds or
mid/high sleepers are great choices.

DOUBLE ACT
‘Shared bedrooms can be
tricky. My top tips would
be to keep the palette
neutral and not try to
theme the room,’ says Fi.
Edit single bed, £275,
Little Folks Furniture
“
A child’s room should include TREASURES, from
holiday SOUVENIRS to a FAVOURITE teddy
FI CAMPOS, INTERIOR DESIGNER FOR LITTLE FOLKS FURNITURE
"
come.’ Small changes to a neutral base are simple, way of making them feel special in a room.’ D’arby
says D’arby. ‘Try a different light shade or rug, while adds, ‘Larger pieces of furniture and storage solutions
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/DAVID GILES, JAMES FRENCH
new bedding is a quick refresh offering a different should always be attached to the wall, while smaller
look at an affordable cost,’ she adds. toy boxes and bedside tables can be freestanding and
Fi says it’s important to involve the kids in the easily moved around. Being adaptable is really
design. ‘Show them the beds you are considering important at this age.’
online, pull together a mood board on Pinterest and
discuss things like paint colours and bedding so they BACK TO BASICS
feel included. You could let them draw their dream ‘Carpets are usually a great choice for children’s
bedroom; the likelihood is that it won’t be achievable bedrooms,’ says Fi, ‘helping with soundproofing and
but there may be a few requests in there that you can adding warmth. Otherwise, painted floorboards or
turn into reality.’ D’arby says, ‘Let them pick a colour click-together vinyl are great alternatives. If going for
or theme and use their ideas for the start of your a hard floor, I’d always add as big a rug as you can get
FEATURE JENNIFER MORGAN
scheme – they are guaranteed to love it at the end.’ away with for play and popping little feet onto on
‘Totes and storage are great ways of hiding all the those chilly winter mornings.’
visual clutter, but if your child has some favourite ‘Kids’ rooms are often the smallest in the house, so
trinkets that they like to have to hand, it’s essential use the walls for storage with long rails or scaffolding
to make them feel part of the room too, so consider plank-style shelves. This way, you aren’t impacting on
leaving them out on display,’ says Fi. ‘A stylish the footprint of the floor (that precious play space).
shelf highlighting a few of their treasures is a good And don’t forget storage under the bed too,’ says Fi. n

ROOM DECOR
RAINBOW BRIGHTS
‘A colourful room is fun, playful
and inviting – a space where a
child wants to spend time,’
says D’arby. Kids Mini Estelle
beanbag in Mustard, £60;
Rainbow canvas box, £18;
Tufted Star bedding set in
Pink, £18, all Habitat

Country kitchen
| ROOM RECIPE |
THESE SIMPLE DESIGN INGREDIENTS ARE ALL YOU

NEED TO CREATE A FARMHOUSE-STYLE KITCHEN.
COMBINE RUSTIC DETAILS WITH TIMELESS ESSENTIALS
FOR YOUR VERY OWN COUNTRY RETREAT
Feliz rattan
dining chair
in light wood,
£275, Habitat
ROOM DECOR
1 2
3
1. CLASSIC STOVE
Whether or not you opt for a classic Aga, choosing a
large, range-style cooker will give your kitchen a
traditional farmhouse focal point. They’re often found
recessed into chimney alcoves; add an ornate mantel
or wooden beam above, and finish the look with a
large station clock and stove-top kettle.
R3 series cooker with twin hotplates,
from £11,415, Aga
2. BUTLER SINK
Adding a heritage-inspired sink ups the farmhouse
factor. Team with a rustic rattan blind to filter light on
sunny days and mismatched terracotta pots filled with
herbs and cuttings for the perfect finishing touch.
Bamboo small dish brush, £2; Country Fayre
large hessian basket, £5; small enamel
baking tray, £8, all Dunelm
3. PEG RAIL
Attach a Shaker-style peg rail individually or run them
around all four walls in your kitchen. They’re perfect
for providing extra storage for chopping boards and
utensils or simply used as a way to display decorative
finishing touches. Paint to match your walls or leave in
a natural wood finish for contrast.
For similar, try Hambledon peg rail, £35,
Garden Trading

4
5
4. OPEN SHELVING
Opt for open wire shelves to create a counter-top
pantry and keep baking essentials close to hand.
Decant ingredients into glass clip-top jars and enamel
canisters to transform store-cupboard essentials into
an attractive display. Finish the look with wooden
chopping boards and rustic crates.
Anyday clip-top storage jars, from £4.50
each, John Lewis & Partners
5. EXPOSED BRICKWORK
The country kitchen look is all about rustic textures
and tactile finishes. Exposed brick and wooden beams
are ideal, but if that’s not an option, try brick slips as an
easy-to-install addition to a focal wall. Finish with chunky
wooden furniture or kitchen island to add warmth.
Blue pattern mug, £4.50; Blue woven placemats,
£7 for four, all Matalan
6. DINING AREA
Adding somewhere to sit will transform your kitchen
into the hub of the home where everyone
congregates. A chunky wooden dining table and
mismatched chairs are perfect for creating an inviting
eating zone, or if you’re short on space, try a bench,
which can be tucked away when not in use.
For a similar dining chair, try Traditional Windsor
carver chair, £300, The Wainhouse Company

ROOM DECOR
6
FEATURE ALI LOVETT PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/
“A kitchen dresser provides

plenty of storage as well as a “
place to display a mismatched
crockery collection
ALUN CALLENDER, POLLY ELTES
NEED INSPIRATION? HEAD TO IDEALHOME.CO.UK FOR MORE KITCHEN IDEAS

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receive a free gift!
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Bring a contemporary
retro look to your kitchen
with this set of four
mid-century-style mugs
from Orla Kiely, with a
graphic flower design in
four bright colourways.
Worth
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ROOM DECOR
Weekend
| EASY STYLE UPDATES |
decorator
CLEVER TRICKS TO MINI
DECOR PROJECTS… WE
ROUND UP THE SIMPLEST,
QUICKEST WAYS TO MAKE
YOUR HOME MORE
BEAUTIFUL NOW
CREATE A COSY
OUTDOOR CORNER
Feeling the chill when the sun
goes down? Make an open space
feel more snug by placing outdoor
furniture in a cocoon-like layout and
layering up on plenty of outdoor
rugs, cushions, throws and soft, cosy
textiles. Double down on the warmth
(and décor) by hanging a rug on the
fence or wall behind.

2
Table in Burgundy
chalk paint, £26.95
STYLE TIP for 1ltr, Annie Sloan
SPRUCE UP Painting both window
WOODEN frames and brickwork
in a cheery shade
FURNITURE will freshen up a
Give garden or conservatory conservatory or lean-to
furniture a new lease of life with
a fresh colour. Use a stiff brush to
get rid of any dust or cobwebs
and then give the surfaces a light
sand if there’s any old flaking
paint. Wash down with soapy
water and once dry use exterior
wood paint in cheerful but
contrasting summer shades to
really make an impact.
COLOUR CH
EA
T
2
SH
EE
3
T
COLOURS TO WOW
1 Beach Blue matt exterior wood paint, £16 for 1ltr, Cuprinol Garden Shades
at B&Q 2 House Points exterior eggshell, £69 for 2.5ltr, Coat Paints 3 Raspberry
Ripple matt furniture paint, £19.99 for 750ml, Rust-Oleum at The Range

3
ROOM DECOR
Transform
Try Quiet Reflections
Waves Petal
Signature cotton
a chest of fabric, £18.35m,

Spoonflower
drawers with
new knobs. Try
Dunelm and
Anthropology for
a great selection.
4 UPDATE YOUR
KITCHEN WITH A
NEW SPLASHBACK
Turn this area into a feature
by adding tiles with a
pattern in colours that
complement your units.
You can install them over
existing tiles if they’re
securely fixed to the wall,
ensuring the area is clean
and dust-free first.
5 HOW TO
MAKE A GARDEN SHADE SAIL
Perfect for a sun-trap
balcony, south-facing patio or a bright
courtyard, an outdoor shade sail will
add welcome shelter on hot days.
and cut out a triangular shape.
■ Fold a hem line and pin it into place.
Using a sewing machine, follow the
hem line and sew all edges.
■ Begin by measuring the area you ■ Add a large eyelet to each corner of
want to cover and check the surfaces the shade sail by cutting a hole in the
you will be attaching your shade sail to. fabric and pushing together the two
Wildflower Rose Add appropriate hooks: for example, a eyelet pieces until secure.
tiles, £55.84sq m, screw hook will work if you’re attaching ■ Tie a piece of rope into a loop and
Living collection it to a wooden pergola but you might secure each corner to your hooks. The
by Original Style need to pre-drill holes in a brick wall. rope can be adjusted at each point
at Hyperion Tiles
■ Lay your fabric out, measure it until you get the desired effect.

6 ADD COLOUR TO A HALLWAY
WITH EYE-CATCHING ARTWORK
If your entrance is lacking a little colour or pattern, try
pepping it up with vibrant artwork. Complementary prints and
matching frames hung at regular intervals up the stairs will create a
co-ordinated result, or mix and match designs for a more eclectic look.
Shipwreck A2
screenprints,
£150 for set of
three, Tom Pigeon
Shelving made
from a pallet;
1
find similar on Etsy
7
or at vintage shops
HOUR
SET UP A MINI
HERB GARDEN
Grow your own
herbs in individual pots to
snip off as you need them,
to add to summer salads
and recipes. Choose a
sunny spot on a windowsill
or use a wooden shelving
rack attached to a garden
fence, and fill with small
terracotta pots with
drainage holes. Buy young
plants that are easy to grow
and won’t get too big, such
as chives, basil, thyme and
mint, and plant them up
8
with potting compost.
Upgrade a tired garden shed by painting it in

a bright colour. Cobalt blues and vibrant coral
shades will really pop against summer planting.
ROOM DECOR
9 HOW TO
PIMP A
PERGOLA
This structure is a great way to
zone an outdoor seating area
and create a garden focal point.
■ If you don’t already have one,
head to your local garden centre
for a wooden pergola kit,
available in different sizes and
shapes. After installation, sand
down and paint with a charcoal
colour for a dramatic outline.
■ For extra shade, add a shade
sail or train climbing plants, such
as jasmine, to create dappled
light. For instant impact, hang up
planters with trailing ivy.
■ Choose festoon lights suitable
for outdoor use and which can be
left out all year; solar-powered
ones will eliminate cables.
■ Add a dining table or sofa with
cushions, an outdoor rug and
planters in zingy yellow shades to
contrast against the dark pergola.
For a similar pergola,

try Sculpted wooden
garden pergola kit,
£595, B&Q

11 Freshen
up your
patio or front
path by giving it a
deep clean with a
pressure washer.
12 MAKE THE
MOST OF
AN ALCOVE
Instead of ignoring these
small, awkward spaces
around your home, adding
shelves will turn them into a
usable and attractive space.
Carefully measure up and
add shelves which have
been cut to size, then style
with plants, prints, books
and a radio to create a cosy
corner to relax in.
Miami Natural garden
1
corner bench,
HOUR
10
£1,899, Danetti
HOW TO
FAKE A LIVING WALL
There’s no better mixture of plants to create a realistic
way to hide an ugly wall or tired effect. Blooming Artificial has a wide
corner of your garden than with range of options, from Fern with
screening and a wall of greenery. bright-green fronds, to Tropical with
■ If you love the look of a living wall, grasses and colourful anthuriums.
but aren’t so keen on the installation Make sure your faux living wall has
costs and maintenance, it’s easy to UV protection to prevent fading.
achieve the look with faux panels. ■ Work out how many mats you need
■ Start by adding screening or a before ordering; they can be cut to For similar, try Rustic
simple wooden frame to prevent size for awkward spaces. Clip them floating shelves,
from £36, Ben
damage to a brick wall. If you’re together and attach to your frame Simpson Furniture
planning to add an outdoor sofa or using hooks, cable ties or a staple gun.
dining table, ensure there’s enough This is easier with two people – one can
space to create an L-shaped ‘room’. hold the faux wall in place while the
■ Opt for faux panels that feature a other secures it to the frame.

13
ROOM DECOR
Aralia mural, from

£193, Sandberg
ADD GREENERY
WITH NEW
WALLPAPER
The trend for foliage and plants in
the bedroom is a growing one, and
this pretty ivy print wall mural adds
a garden vibe without the need to
be green fingered. Accessorise
with fern prints, ivy motifs and
floral patterns on bedding and
artwork to finish the look.
FEATURE ALI LOVETT PHOTOGRAPHS TON BOUWER/COCOAFEATURES.COM,
FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/MAX ATTENBOROUGH, DOMINIC BLACKMORE,
HEAT SHEET
RC
JOANNA HENDERSON, DAN DUCHARS, DAVID BRITTAIN
PE 2
A
LP
WAL
1
3
FABULOUS WALLPAPER
1 Summer Ferns wallpaper in Acid, £73 a roll, Ohpopsi 2 Aquafleur
wallpaper, £219 for three rolls, Mind The Gap at Dowsing and Reynolds
3 Herbal Branch Leaves wallpaper mural, from £32sq m, Wallsauce

| PROMOTIONAL FEATURE |
let the light in

GET HELP PLANNING YOUR RENOVATION PROJECT
WITH A VELUX DESIGN ADVISOR
While roof windows

brighten up the darkest
of rooms, VELUX blinds
allow you to adjust that
light to your liking
“ Exposure to
A roof window
lets plenty of
natural light raises

daylight into a
bedroom, while
serotonin levels,
still maintaining
your privacy
boosts your mood
”
and makes you calm
and happier
GINEVRA BENEDETTI,
DEPUTY EDITOR
U
ndertaking a big renovation specifications, prices and technical
project can feel like a daunting details for your installer. Finally, the
prospect at times and it can be VELUX team will help you to find
difficult to decide on the best way to a VELUX Certified Installer and will
bring daylight into your home. VELUX co-ordinate the process for you. You
has stepped up to help with its online can then sit back and relax and let the
Advisory Service, which guides you VELUX team of experts guide you
through the process of introducing roof through your renovation journey.
windows into your home, from design
all the way to installation. BUILD BRIGHT SPACES
To bring even more daylight into your
TAILORED DESIGN home, why not try the VELUX 2in1 roof
Start by filling in a short form online window? Where there is space for one
about your project. You can explore roof window, there is often space for
different roof window combinations two and this new design will help you
to suit your space and upload images maximise views and double the daylight.
and floorplans. Your personal Design The 2in1 roof window comes with one
Advisor will then give you a quick fixed and one openable roof window for FOR MORE INFORMATION
call to check that they have all the ventilation. Thanks to the unique design To discover more about the VELUX
information, before they schedule your of the 2in1 roof window, it has never Advisory Service visit velux.co.uk/design
design consultation to take you through been easier to get the right amount of
FEATURE AMY HODGE
your free personal design proposal. daylight in one go. So whether you’re
replacing an existing VELUX roof
STEP-BY-STEP ADVICE window or starting a new project,
During the consultation you’ll see VELUX is there to guide you for a
visualisations of your project, product smooth process from start to finish.
trending on…
IDEALHOME.CO.UK
How to get rid of Drought
annoying wasps tolerant garden
Lower the risk of wasps crashing ideas
your garden party this summer Want to create a space
with our must-have tips. that can cope with the
hottest, driest summers?
From minimal watering to
well-mulched soil that
retains as much moisture as
possible, we reveal the
essentials required to
ensure your garden thrives
throughout a dry spell, a
heatwave, a hosepipe ban,
“
or worse...
We have heaps of
advice and ideas to help
”
Small kitchen you enjoy your outdoor
ideas space this summer
Desperate for some
genius ideas to make the HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR IN CHIEF
most of your teeny
kitchen? We explain how
to maximise your small
kitchen with plenty of
expert layout tips and
space-saving design
solutions.
How much does

it cost to run
a fan?
PHOTOGRAPHS RUSSELL HOBBS; FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/POLLY
Best BBQs
ELTES; PHOTOWORD/COLIN POOLE; TIM YOUNG, CHRIS EVERARD
With energy bills still quite

high, we reveal how much a Discover our favourite
fan will cost to run at home tried-and-tested electric, gas
24-7 to keep you cool. and charcoal grills.
CONNECT WITH US FOR MORE GREAT IDEAS
Visit facebook. See our Be inspired at Find us on Check out

com/ideal latest snaps pinterest.com/ flipboard.com tiktok.com/@
home.co.uk @idealhomeuk idealhomemag @IdealHome idealhomeofficial

renovation IMPROVE | EXTEND | CONVERT
IDEAL IDEA
Tall picture
window
If natural light is important
to you, consider cutting
some costs by installing a
full-length picture window
alongside patio doors.
You’ll still benefit from the
light flooding in without
spending a fortune.
HEATHER YOUNG,
EDITOR IN CHIEF
PHOTOGRAPH FRED HOWARTH

RENOVATION
KITCHEN PROJECT
Art Deco
PROJECT
DETAILS
revival
WHO LIVES HERE?
Lisa Patient with her retired
guide dog, Spencer.
THE PROJECT
A kitchen/dining room
redesign in a 1930s
mock-Tudor terraced
house in south London.
LISA STAYED TRUE TO HER HOME’S
TOTAL COST ORIGINS WHEN SHE RENOVATED HER
£55,000 AWKWARD KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM
‘The beautiful herringbone oak

flooring feels warm and natural
and enhances the overall
Art Deco style of the scheme.’
Porto Shaker-style kitchen in
Forest Green, £17,000,
Chalk Kitchens. Matteo kitchen
stool in Teal and brass, £149, Cult
Furniture. Whiteriver engineered
block flooring in Darwin Oak,
price on request, Floorstock
BEFORE

THE PROBLEM THE SOLUTION bold plan to pull down the removing a supporting wall
My kitchen ‘I’d been unhappy with the

dividing wall and open the
space into a combined
and installing a box frame
and RSJ. I loved Nicola’s
was tired and kitchen for many years but kitchen-diner with seating ideas and energy. I’d never
dated and I
didn’t know what to do with area. Suddenly, it seemed have chosen Forest Green
it, so I found local interior obvious that was the way cabinets on my own but as
barely used designer Nicola Burt
(nicolaburtinteriordesign.
forward. My brief was to
create a warm opulent
soon as she showed me a
sample, I knew it was right
the separate com). Nicola started by room with a nod to the for my kitchen. It really has
dining room
sketching a few options for 1930s when the house the wow factor. Nicola
a new layout, one being the was built; work included has totally nailed it.’

RENOVATION
FOCUS ON
HERRINGBONE
FLOORING
This classic and versatile design works in both
traditional and contemporary interiors.
n Made of rectangular of space, which is ideal
pieces of wood set at in smaller rooms.
90 degrees to form a n Some products simply
distinctive pattern, these click together for easier
floors come in dark or light installation, meaning
tones. Once only available glue isn’t required.
in solid wood, more
affordable engineered n Herringbone flooring
board is now available. adds a touch of class to
your room, whether simply
n This flooring has a as an eye-catching feature
reputation for strength in a kitchen’s cooking area
and durability, while the or used more extensively
pattern creates a sense of to create flow in an
movement and an illusion open-plan space.
ABOVE ‘The rich orange colour RIGHT ‘Clever storage

of the velvet sofa in the seating solutions in the new kitchen
area is subtly mirrored by the include the larder, which has
gold kitchen unit handles and pull-out drawers at the bottom
the tap on the island.’ for groceries, while the marble
Brooke velvet sofa in Rust shelf above helps to keep eggs
Orange, £1,100, Perch & Parrow. and fruit cool and fresh.’
Franke Omni Classic 4-in-1 boiling For a similar fridge freezer,
water tap in Gold, £399.99, try RF24FSEDBSR/EU
All Your Appliances, is similar. four-door 510ltr fridge
Try Hydra pendant light in freezer, £2,099, Samsung
glass and brass, £220, Pooky at Appliance Electronics

RENOVATION
METAL-FRAMED
BIFOLD DOORS
Give the new space a
1930s feel and are key
to the overall look
ABOVE ‘Nicola was able RIGHT ‘Knocking

to visualise how the space through into the old
and colours would work, dining room created this
and she seamlessly wonderful living area,
integrated the possessions with the table in front of
that I wanted to keep with the new bifold doors.’
lovely new items that she Botanic Rainbow cushion
selected for me.’ by Christian Lacroix, £95,
Classic quartz marble Jane Clayton. Try Victor
carrara worktop, price on coffee table, £835,
request, Chalk Kitchens Robert Langford
“
KEY SURFACES
I wish I’d taken
down the dividing wall
between the kitchen
and dining room when
I first moved in. This
FEATURE RICHARD WEBBER PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS SNOOK
”
is now my favourite
space in the house! LEFT TO RIGHT Flooring Whiteriver engineered block flooring in
Darwin Oak, price on request, Floorstock Cabinetry Porto Shaker-style
kitchen in Forest Green, price on request, Chalk Kitchens Worktop
LISA PATIENT, HOMEOWNER Classic quartz marble carrara worktop, price on request, Chalk Kitchens
KITCHEN SOURCEBOOK
Kitchen and worktops, Chalk Kitchens (chalkkitchens.com). Flooring, Floorstock (floorstock.co.uk). Fridge freezer, Samsung
(samsung.com). Lighting, Pooky (pooky.com). Tap, Franke (franke.com). Furniture: Perch & Parrow (perchandparrow.com),
Robert Langford (robertlangford.co.uk), Cult Furniture (cultfurniturecom). Cushion, Jane Clayton (janeclayton.co.uk)

RENOVATION
‘The new layout allowed

for a walk-in shower, with
PROJECT terrazzo tiles for impact.
DETAILS It’s out of the way, so
there’s an easy flow
around basin and bath.’
WHO LIVES HERE? Cifial Techno 465 satin
Simon Niven lives here with gold shower kit, £1,352.68;
his wife Liz and their children, The Shower Lab View 19H
Louis, eight and Alba, six. shower screen, £1,396,
both Ripples
THE PROJECT
Enlarging and upgrading the
family bathroom in a
detached Victorian house
in Newbury, Berkshire.
TOTAL COST
£16,500
BATHROOM PROJECT
Stylish &
spacious
SIMON AND LIZ NIVEN’S CHIC NEW
BATHROOM HAS THE SPACE, STYLE AND
STORAGE TO SUIT THE WHOLE FAMILY
BEFORE

THE PROBLEM THE SOLUTION before, and as this was an and we liked the idea of
A cramped
ambitious transformation, a double vanity unit too.
‘Our family bathroom was we wanted their expertise Our contractors, JK
and old- around 15 years old and again. After scouring social Builders and Maintenance,
fashioned
although perfectly usable, media for ideas, we settled did a great job of fitting the
it was badly laid out and on a boutique hotel vibe. bathroom in four weeks. We
family
poky. As part of a major A freestanding bath was all love the new space – the
revamp of our first floor, a must-have, along with a children’s bath time is much
bathroom we wanted to make it
bigger and more luxurious.
walk-in shower. Our two
children use this bathroom,
more enjoyable and it’s calm
and comfortable for adults
We’d worked with Ripples so it had to include storage, too. It’s just what we wanted.’

RENOVATION
FOCUS ON
Adding texture
with tiles
Your all-white bathroom need not look flat and
clinical – time to get clever with tiles
n A herringbone or Alternatively, restrict
basket-weave layout can textures to the inside of
transform budget-friendly a shower enclosure, or
metro tiles into a statement. behind a basin or bath,
For a hand-made effect, to zone your space.
try beautiful, Moroccan n Design choices range
glazed zellige tiles. from linear, reed-like
n Textured porcelain or effects that create a crisp,
ceramic tiles bounce light contemporary vibe, to
around, softening lines and large, fluid, wave shapes to
adding character. Liven up offset hard angles. Smaller,
a room with floor-to-ceiling textured geometrics give
NEAT coverage, or opt for bands a detailed, decorative feel,
STORAGE and panels that break up as do hexagonal, circular or
Inset alcoves large, plain areas. fan-shaped mosaics.
alongside the
bath are the
perfect space
for display
items and bath
products
ABOVE ‘The bath is practical RIGHT ‘We spotted the

as well as being a bold style terrazzo-style tiles on social
statement. It’s roomy enough media and felt they were
for the children, very relaxing perfect as they’re subtle,
for adults to soak in, and the but still add impact, and they
wall-mounted taps are smart look great with the gold
but discreet.’ fittings. I love their vibrancy
Laufen Val freestanding bath, and the contrast against
£1,584; Cifial Techno 465 satin the plainer tiles.’
gold wall-mounted bath mixer, Piazza Porcelain Geo Pearl
£826.14, both Ripples. Louvre terrazzo-style wall tiles,
Porcelain Blanc matt floor tile, £67.70sq m, Ca’pietra
£69.50sq m, Ca’pietra

RENOVATION
ABOVE ‘We chose the RIGHT ‘The double

wall-mounted taps for vanity unit was a key
their simplicity. The element. The drawers
brushed gold really are roomy and I’m very
brightens the room.’ happy with the rich
Cifial Techno 465 coffee colour – it adds DOUBLE DUTY
satin gold bath mixer, weight and definition.’ Wall-hung vanity unit
£899, Ripples. Bamboo Dansani Urban range maximises the feeling
porcelain white mosaic two-drawer vanity unit, of space
tile, £195sq m, Ca’pietra £1,550.60, Ripples
“ Always double- KEY SURFACES
check measurements!
I confused the length
and width of the new
sash window, so it
FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON WHITMORE
didn’t fit and we had
”
to wait several weeks
for the replacement LEFT TO RIGHT Floor tiles, Louvre Porcelain Blanc matt, £69.50sq m;
shower tiles, Piazza Porcelain Geo Pearl terrazzo, £67.70sq m; wall tiles,
Bamboo porcelain white mosaic, £195sq m, all Ca’pietra
SIMON NIVEN, HOMEOWNER
BATHROOM SOURCEBOOK
Freestanding bath, shower fittings, shower screen and tray, wall-hung vanity unit and basin, taps, mirror and wall-hung toilet,
all sourced by Ripples. Floor and wall tiles, Ca’pietra (capietra.com.)
Bathroom design and installation, Ripples (ripplesbathrooms.com)

| PROMOTIONAL FEATURE |
GET CREATIVE
WITH TILES
TRANSFORM YOUR BATHROOM INTO THE PERFECT
RELAXING RETREAT, WITH HELP FROM VICTORIA PLUM
Calcolo Malham
Slate Black and
Calcolo Comet
Light Grey tiles,
£31.46sq m,
Victoria Plum
W
hen it comes to updating
Wall tiles behind your bathroom into a
shelves: Calcolo luxurious and stylish
Villanelle Grey space, choosing the right tiles is key.
glazed porcelain From sleek monochrome designs to
tiles, £41.37sq m, eye-catching patterns and textures, tiles
Victoria Plum
offer endless decorative possibilities.
Victoria Plum, the UK’s largest online
only bathroom retailer, has explored
the latest tile trends in bathroom
design to give you plenty of inspiration
for your bathroom revamp.
MONOCHROMATIC ELEGANCE
Black and white combinations never
date. Whether you choose a classic
chequerboard pattern or a simple
herringbone, monochrome tiles will
add an air of elegance to your space.
NATURE-INSPIRED SERENITY
Bring the tranquillity of nature into
your bathroom with tiles inspired
by organic elements. Try wood-effect
“
tiles for a warm and rustic feel or
go for marble-inspired designs to
add a touch of affordable luxury.
Whether you’re after ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

a relaxed style or a Make a statement using decorative tiles
dynamic look, your choice

that showcase your unique style and
personality. Look for geo patterns,
of tiles will ultimately

intricate mosaics and colourful motifs –
”
they’re all on-trend looks that allow you
inform the overall feel of

to experiment with a variety of exciting
shapes, sizes and colours in your space.
your bathroom BETWEEN THE LINES

Coloured grout offers limitless
GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR
possibilities and with a range of
contrasting or harmonious colours to
choose from, it will enhance the overall
appearance and cohesion of your space.
FIND MORE AT VICTORIA PLUM

Whether you love a pared-back look
or prefer to make a bold statement,
Victoria Plum offers a wide range of
options to suit your style. So don’t settle
for a boring bathroom - unleash your
creativity and design a bathroom that
reflects your unique style, while
providing a sanctuary of relaxation
and comfort in your home.
FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit VictoriaPlum.com today to discover
Calcolo Maxi the wide variety of tile ranges to help
Metro subway you transform your bathroom
sage bevelled
gloss wall tiles,
£25.58sq m,
Victoria Plum
PLANNING A BATHROOM
Where to
Go for a timeless affordable
suite. Clarity II basin and
WC, £165; bath, from £145,
Victoria Plum
spend & save

OUR GUIDE TO WHAT TO SPLASH OUT ON
AND HOW TO SAVE IN YOUR NEW SCHEME
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
I
f you’re planning of marketing at bathroom specialists
on renovating your Utopia (utopiagroup.com). ‘It’s nearly
bathroom soon, always a false economy to cut corners
you’re probably because a bathroom is subject to daily
wondering where to wear and tear and any compromise in
spend your money and where you can quality will soon make itself noticeable.’
save – and if cutting back in any areas is
even possible. There’s no denying that
bathroom renovations are costly, but WHERE TO SPEND
1
if you’re committed to upgrading,
you want to end up with a fabulous, TAPS AND MATCHING
long-lasting and durable space that FIXTURES
will serve your home well for years to Bathroom taps need to be robust
come. Fortunately, there are ways you and durable. They are the most-used
can achieve your dream bathroom element of a bathroom so they need to
without breaking the bank. last. Look for designs with ceramic
‘When looking to renovate your discs, which don’t wear out like rubber
bathroom on a budget, there are several washers do, so you won’t find yourself
items which, if you invest in them, can having to screw the tap ever-tighter to
make your whole bathroom look and turn it off. Anti-limescale technology is
feel more expensive,’ says Lee Reed, worth considering, too, to prolong a
head of design at Easy Bathrooms tap’s lifespan. New taps might also save
(easybathrooms.com). ‘And picking these water if they incorporate a spray, which
items wisely means you can look to save consists of lots of tiny individual outlets
on other areas and products.’ that produce gentle drops.
An essential component of planning As for looks, opting for taps in
a bathroom is looking at which aspects something other than the standard
are worth splurging on, and which you’re chrome finish – such as brass or gold
able to cut back on. To save money, it’s – will help transform the practical
important to assess how your bathing components of the bathroom into a
space will be used and prioritise stylish part of the design. You can then
accordingly. Is a bathtub really match other metalware, such as the
necessary, or will just a shower suffice? door handle, loo seat hinges and
This decision in itself could save you radiator valves in the same finish for an
heaps of money, and you could look at instantly more luxurious feel.
investing a little extra in the shower area ‘When it comes to bathroom design,
Splash out on
to make this the stand-out feature. a few carefully selected pieces of matching taps
‘It may sound obvious, but aim to buy brassware can make all the difference,’ and fixtures for a
the absolute best that your budget will says Barrie Cutchie, design director at luxurious touch
accommodate,’ says Helen Clark, head BC Designs (bcdesigns.co.uk). ‘If your

RENOVATION
Choosing classic,
durable lacquer
storage will mean
it won’t date
shower wall panels to highlight

the shower as a focal point in the room.
This works especially well in small
bathrooms where there may not be
space for a bath. ‘Shower wall panels
create a fully watertight system, with
a seamless, solid and durable surface,’
says Steph Harris, product manager at
Showerwall (showerwall.co.uk). ‘They
can be installed on either a clean
plastered wall or over existing tiles, and
budget is tight, choosing to either scratches can be easily polished out. it’s up to six times faster than tiling,
update brassware or go for more So if you know your bath will get a lot which keeps labour costs down and
expensive brassware compared to your of use and you like the idea of it being speeds up your bathroom renovation.’
4
ceramics can provide a luxurious and a focal point in the room, make sure
high-end finish to your bathroom.’ you allocate a good chunk of your STORAGE
2
budget to a stand-out tub. We all need more space to stash
3
COMPOSITE BATHS our two-for-one shampoo offers
For those who love long soaks, SHOWER ENCLOSURES these days, but storage should be well
it’s worth investing in a The best shower screens come made, complementing the bathroom
composite or cast-stone bath. Cast with pre-coated glass protection scheme instead of detracting from it.
stone, a mixture of natural minerals, for easier cleaning, and as it’s an area Go for wood veneer where possible or a
pigment and synthetic resin, is warm with a lot of condensation, this is key. hard-wearing lacquered finish – neither
to the touch and provides natural Also, thicker glass is less likely to crack. will date or look cheap. And make sure
insulation to help retain water Look for around 8-10mm on flat panels any interior shelving is durable. Cabinets
temperature. The surface will resist and 6-8mm on curved glass. If your with ply or board backing won’t last in
“
wear and tear in the long term, too, as budget will stretch, consider adding such a damp environment.
there are ways of achieving
”
your dream bathroom,
without breaking the bank
WHERE TO SAVE A smart enclosure
1
will retain its good
looks. Try Mode
BATHROOM LIGHTING panel, from £269,
Although lighting is often an Victoria Plum
afterthought in bathrooms, your
budget doesn’t need to stretch to a
professionally designed scheme. Nor do
you need to have expensive lights, as it’s
unlikely they’ll be used for a prolonged
period of time. The best bathroom
lighting can be as simple as fitting a
dimmer switch, so you can transform the
mood at a twist of a button. Consider
also buying a mirror with lights built into
the sides, an inexpensive statement
feature. ‘Adding in LED lights around a
mirror will help create softer lighting for
that all-important sanctuary feel,’ says
Lee Reed from Easy Bathrooms. ‘They
are also a practical edition, as the even
amount of light that is distributed from
them creates no shadows on your face,
making it perfect for tasks like applying
make-up, shaving and any type of
grooming.’ Whatever you decide, make
sure that the lighting has a suitable
IP rating to withstand the humidity.
2
WALLS AND FLOORS
New printing processes can create
highly realistic representations
of natural stone, marble and wood on
ceramic tiles, so you can save hundreds
on the cost of tiling your bathroom perfect, cost less than authentic stone maintain. A mop and a little bathroom
without sacrificing the overall ‘luxe’ look. tiles and don’t have the maintenance cleaner every now and then will ensure
issues that real stone does.’ it remains looking as good as new.’
3
‘You can save a lot of money when
doing up your bathroom by investing in Using mosaic tiling is also a great
some of the extremely realistic stone- option for modern bathrooms: it’s on BATHROOM SUITE
effect tiles that are now available,’ says trend, but also cost-effective, as you If you’re on a tight budget, buy an
Helen Clark from Utopia. ‘They look don’t need to use much of it to make an entry-level suite and allocate the
impact. Cut sheets in half or use fine majority of your funds towards premium
strips between larger plain tiles to fittings, such as the shower and taps.
Pick tiles that create vertical features behind a basin Choose a design that’s as pared back as
resemble stone,
or horizontally around a bath. possible so there’s less danger it will
like this marble-
effect design You can also upgrade the floor on date – you can always make a fashion
a budget, which will make a huge statement with towels or a striking basin
difference to the room. ‘Vinyl or mixer tap. The suite is often the most
laminate flooring can be extremely costly part of a bathroom, so keeping
hardwearing and is available in lots of it as simple as possible will make the
contemporary styles to suit a range of biggest difference to the overall cost of
budgets,’ says Ruth Foster, interior the project. For instance, you could get
designer at Victoria Plum (victoriaplum. a budget shower system fitted, while
com). ‘The great thing about vinyl or installing an expensive showerhead to
make it look more high end. n
“
laminate flooring is that it’s easy to
lighting does not have
”
to be expensive to create
the most impact
RENOVATION
Create a high-end
look with a mix
of floor and wall
tile designs
Durable brass
lighting, matched
to fixtures, creates
a classic look
NEED TO KNOW
STYLISH
SAVINGS
Ruth Foster, interior designer
at Victoria Plum, gives
her top budgeting tips
n Contemporary, on-trend
lighting fixtures, such as durable
brass, can be found at affordable
prices. I’d also recommend wicker
or rattan for an inexpensive,
Scandinavian-style option.
Consider sleek pendant lights,
wall sconces or minimalist down
lighting to create a stylish and
well-lit bathroom ambience.
n With tiles, explore cost-effective
options that still offer elegance.
Consider wood-effect tiles for an
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/NATHALIE PRIEM, ANNA STAHAKI,
organic appearance, geometric
patterns in playful colours or
marble-inspired tiles for a
luxurious and stylish design.
Tiles also have a multitude of
beneficial characteristics: they’re
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI AND AMY CUTMORE
hardwearing and stain-resistant

JAMES FRENCH, JANE BOWLES, LESLEY AGGAR
and so great for family bathrooms.

n Choosing a simple budget-
friendly suite will allow you to
focus your remaining funds on
other fittings. It will also act as
a strong foundation for more
exciting products. By prioritising
elements such as high-quality
taps, an enclosure and storage,
you can enhance the functionality
and look of your scheme.

RENOVATION
IDEAL vs GREAT DEAL

Beautify your bathroom with luxe accents and boho style
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
SHELFIE READY UPON

Esun ash shelf REFLECTION
with mirror, £395, Hübsch mirror
Tom Raffield and oak shelf, £85,
Folk Interiors
ON THE FRINGE NAUTICAL STRIPE

Zennor hammam towel Cabana towel in
in Sky Blue/Grey, £30, Royal Blue, £24.95,
Ebb Flow Cornwall Annabel James
BRASS DETAIL
WALL MOUNTED Jadipai brass
Mode Spencer round bathroom tap in
brushed-brass basin Gold, £199.99,
mixer tap, £269, Dowsing &
Victoria Plum Reynolds
RUSTIC PERCH EXTRA SURFACE

Gert teak wood stool Yumbi foot rest,
in Natural, £65, Sazy £44.50, Kave Home
HOLD ALL
Adelphi towel
THROW AND GO
ladder in Black
Menu towel ladder,
steel, £90,
£360, Nest
Garden Trading
at Olivia’s
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
SPA-STYLE STORAGE TIDY AWAY

Rattan Bathroom Spa tray Utility rattan storage
in Chestnut, £26.50, basket, from £10,
Must Have Bins Marquis & Dawe

PROJECT PLANNING
Garden decking
CAN’T DECIDE
BETWEEN A WOOD
OR COMPOSITE
SURFACE? WE
EXPLORE THE PROS
AND CONS OF EACH
SUNNY SPOT
Natural wood decking
works better in a
south-facing garden as
it stays cool even on the
hottest of days
RENOVATION
ELEGANT SETTING
Designer Val (@No5_
thehouse) chose
Enhanced Grain
composite, from
£140.08sq m, Millboard
A
dding a deck to your confused? Read on to discover the pros NEED TO KNOW
WHAT
garden is one of the and cons of each material to help you
most popular home decide on your ideal decking.
improvements in the
UK, because it WHAT’S YOUR BUDGET? MATERIAL
immediately creates an extra living
space out of doors. But the big
Between composite and timber decking,
wood is nearly always less expensive.
IS SAFEST?
question is, what decking material is The most affordable softwood timber n BARBECUES Regardless of the
best to choose – wood or composite? decking will cost a fraction of the price material you choose for your
Both boast benefits as well as of composite so if you’re looking for a decking, you should always take
drawbacks, all relating to budget, quick fix, softwood decking will be your care with decking around your
style, maintenance and longevity. best bet. But, remember to always check barbecue. Make sure that your
As a rule, composite decking costs if it’s from a sustainable source. Wood, grill is on a raised stand and you’re
more than wood decking, but hardwood however, isn’t always the cheaper careful with charcoal or embers.
decking, rather than cheaper softwood option. High-quality hardwood decking n FIREPITS & CHIMINEAS
(more on that later), can be around the from a sustainable source can While it’s unlikely that composite
same price. It’s worth bearing in mind sometimes cost around the same as decking would melt or a timber
that composite decking is easier to composite decking. surface would catch fire, you
maintain than its wooden counterpart, Something else to note is that wood should be careful of flying sparks
and will last longer. decking is easier to lay too, so it will as they can mark the surface of
However, many professional cost less in time and money to fit. both types of decking.
landscapers prefer the natural look Leigh Barnes, retail sales manager at
n SLIP RESISTANCE Unlike
“
you only get with wood decking. Still Jacksons Fencing (jacksons-fencing.co.uk)
timber, composite decking has a
”
non-slip surface, so will be safer to
choose decking from

walk on in wet weather. Plus, it’s
splinter-free, so it’s a safer choice
a sustainable source
if you have children.

explains: ‘Cuts can be easily made
in wood decking and then smoothed to
make perfect edges, which means you
can be more flexible with the installation
and any hurdles it may bring.’ The initial
upfront cost for composite decking can
be a lot higher than timber. But because
it’s relatively low maintenance, you
might feel that the initial outlay is offset
by the long-term savings.
LOOK & STYLE

Ultimately, the choice between the two
different materials depends on personal
taste and the style of your garden. If
you want to create a strong design
statement, composite decking is a good
choice because it’s possible to create
neat edges, sweeping curves and
contrasting colour features, while
bringing in matching complementary
touches, such as deck railings.
Timber decking, however, can be
stained different shades, so if you get
bored or want to re-think your garden
design, it’s easy to update. However,
once you’ve chosen a composite
decking colour, that’s it for life.
Also, it may seem an odd
consideration, but if you’re planning to
move house in the near future, think
about what buyers would prefer. MINIMAL UPKEEP
Property experts say a well-planned
Trex Transcend
deck can add up to 10% on the value of
composite decking in
a home. If you’re in a traditional village
Lava Rock, from £115sq
setting, for instance, a natural wood
m including fixings, Trex
deck might be the popular choice. On
a new-build development, with modern
low-maintenance gardens, composite preservative-based stain or decking oil
decking is likely to be favourite. every 12 months. So although it’s a
Comfort underfoot is also worth cheaper initial outlay, the cost of the
SEATING AREA
thinking about. Wood decking feels treatments required for wood decking Keep wooden decking
comfortable even on the hottest of days, can add up. Not to mention the time in prime condition by
while composite decking can become and ability it requires to keep the wood cleaning regularly and
too warm to walk on comfortably, for looking good. What’s more, you’ll be treating with oil
both humans and pets. So if your fighting a losing battle if you lay timber once a year
outdoor space is south facing, and decking under large trees or in damp
you experience intense summer areas of the garden, because moss will
temperatures, wood decking might take hold. Moss makes wood decking
be the more sensible choice. slippery and dangerous, and will also
contribute to rot.
MAINTENANCE & CLEANING As for which material is easier to
Between the two, composite is far easier clean, composite wins hands down.
to maintain. ‘Composite decking doesn’t All you have to do is scrub with a soft
need the regular cleaning and oiling that bristle sweeping brush (or a pressure
timber does, so it can be enjoyed washer on a gentle setting) and warm
without the added costs of upkeep,’ soapy water several times a year. Wood
explains Nathan Gamba, director at decking needs scrubbing, too, but as
Protea Gardens (proteagardens.co.uk). mentioned, it also demands regular
Timber decking, however, requires maintenance. That all said, if wood
regular maintenance, which means it decking is damaged, it’s easy to repair a
ideally needs to be treated with a patch, or replace a board. Scratches on

RENOVATION
COSY CORNER
The wooden decking in
this urban outdoor
space can be stained
a different shade for a
FEATURE JAYNE DOWLE, GINEVRA BENEDETTI PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/

change of style
ROBERT SANDERSON, CLIVE BOURNSELL, DARREN CHUNG, FRENCHIE CRISTOGATIN

composite decking, in comparison, are guarantee against warping and fading,
quite difficult to fix as you can’t sand it of between 10 and 25 years.
down to deal with superficial damage. If you choose composite decking,
you’ll be making a statement about your
LONGEVITY & SUSTAINABILITY eco-credentials. ‘It’s usually eco-friendly,
Even with regular care, wood decking and made of reclaimed plastic, reducing
will last between 10 and 15 years, the need for new resources or cutting
according to experts. Composite down trees,’ says Nathan from Protea
decking can last at least a decade Gardens. ‘However, you should check
longer, manufacturers say, with that the decking was manufactured in
“
reputable companies offering a an environmentally friendly way.’ n
composite usually costs
”
more than wood, but is
easier to look after
BEST
GARDEN
2022
SMART CHOICE
Pale, porcelain paving is
non-slip and easy to clean
GARDEN PROJECT
Contemporary
coastal redesign
CAROLINE WHITTINGHAM HAS REVAMPED HER
GARDEN WITH A MODERN LOOK, ENTERTAINING
SPACES AND SEASIDE-FRIENDLY PLANTING

RENOVATION
PROJECT
DETAILS
WHO LIVES HERE?
Caroline Whittingham and
her partner Bill Baines.
THE GARDEN
An urban plot behind a 1980s,
three-bed semi. The garden
slopes slightly and a garage
wall dominates one side.
THE PROJECT
To create a contemporary space
with seaside-tolerant planting,
for relaxing and entertaining.
TOTAL COST
£27,700
Horizontal and vertical

structures give the garden its
modern look. ‘The plot isn’t
square, so getting everything
to look straight was a
challenge,’ says Caroline.
Symphony Classic Buff
paving, £55sq m, Marshalls

LINK TEXTURES
Off-white rendered
walls blend with paving,
and add extra texture
w
hile Caroline awkward, and the coastal location garden was to be a colourful ‘living
Whittingham and presented yet another challenge. wall’ flanked by Venetian-style,
her partner Bill ‘It’s windy, salty and damp,’ says horizontal wooden battening to hide
Baines were both still Caroline. ‘We’d always struggled the garage. Rendered rectangular beds
working, their garden with planting and only knew a few would frame a small central lawn.
was not a priority. ‘We enjoyed it, varieties that would flourish here.’ Decking and paving would create
FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE
especially for entertaining, but Caroline and Bill researched online step-free pathways, and planting
never did much with it, design- and visited shows, looking for design would include tough grasses, bay trees
wise,’ says Caroline. ‘We always ideas. Caroline wanted a clean, and tolerant perennials for year-round
planned a rethink once we’d retired contemporary style, with plenty of colour, texture, height and movement.
and had more time.’ texture, and a palette of pinks, blues The work included cabling for
The garden had barely changed and purples. Lighting for evenings lighting and an irrigation system.
since the house was built 40 years and seating zones were important, ‘Once the structures and rendering
ago. There was a tired concrete patio but the top priority was to disguise were done, I could see it was all
and a step up to lawn bordered by the unappealing garage wall. coming together really well, but I had
shrub-filled beds. A bare, rendered The couple enlisted the expertise a bit of a wobble when the digger first
garage wall dominated the view of garden designer Roger Hines, went in,’ says Caroline. ‘It just looked
from the house. With no direct path (studio-perfectus.co.uk) after seeing such a mess, so the transformation
from the corner barbecue area to how his simple, linear designs chimed has been incredible. It’s perfect now
the kitchen, the layout was also with their own ideas. The focus of the for entertaining or just relaxing.’

RENOVATION
FOCUS ON…
living wallS
Caroline’s lush living wall is the hero feature of her
new garden, so what does it involve and could it
be an option for your plot?
SPACE SAVER Living attached to the wall at the
walls make the most of top and bottom. Some
small, urban spaces, include irrigation tubes
using vertical surfaces that work with a water-tank
and hiding bare fences or hosepipe connection.
or ugly walls. There are
freestanding options FOR ALL SEASONS
available too, for a balcony Maximise your wall in
or even for indoors. summer with insect-
friendly bedding plants,
ALL BUDGETS Priced grasses and edibles such
around £20, multi-pouch as strawberries, herbs and
felt planting bags simply salads. For winter colour,
hang from hooks in the mix pansies, hellebores
wall. Pricier but more and violas with evergreens.
substantial systems have Plant in rows or blocks for
rows of planters fixed to a contemporary impact,
wall-mounted battens, or or try natural-looking
vertically stacked troughs, diagonal drifts.
A new side path

conveniently connects the
barbecue area to the
kitchen. Box hedging and
slender bay trees provide
permanent structure
The living wall consists

of horizontal rows of
planters fixed onto
wooden battens. The
top row has an irrigation
system so water filters
down through the wall
The seating area now has

low-maintenance decking.
Antique Ash New Forest
composite decking,
£80sq m, Stokes and Gravel
PROJECT PLANNING
Outdoor
lighting
WANT TO ILLUMINATE YOUR
OUTDOOR SPACE AFTER DARK?
HERE’S HOW TO CREATE A WARM
AND WELCOMING SPACE
N
ot only does lighting wish to highlight,’
play a huge role in she continues,
adding decorative ‘both for practical
design detail to your and aesthetic
garden, terrace or reasons. Layer
outside space, but it is also a highly your exterior
practical addition, providing safety lighting and use
and security. There is a vast array multiple sources
of lighting solutions available for the of light, including
great outdoors – some of which can small lights to
be added as necessary, while others guide walkways,
will require a bit of planning. uplighters for
So, whether you’re currently highlighting
landscaping your garden or wanting to beautiful plants
add some light to your existing space, and trees, subtle
there are plenty of options to choose lighting for
from, whatever the size of your outdoor ambience and wall
area. From festoons suspended above lights and pendants in areas set aside
a seating zone and uplights that for eating and socialising.
accentuate architectural features, to ‘It is also important,’ Marketa says,
smart spotlights on walls and along ‘to ensure the lights are independently
pathways to light your way, there are controlled, as well as installing dimmer
endless ways to illuminate your plot. switches for each one, if possible, to
1
allow for a wide variety of moods to be
PLAN IN ADVANCE created throughout the evening.’
2
If you’re revamping your garden,
you have the advantage of being CONSIDER SOLAR
able to plan your outdoor lighting from DESIGNS
scratch. ‘Approach your garden lighting Whether it’s the eco-friendly
in the same way you would your interior aspect, the freedom that comes from
lighting scheme,’ advises Marketa being wireless or the sleek, industrial
Rypacek, managing director at look, a solar-powered light is the
Industville (industville.co.uk). ‘To simplest option for hassle-free garden
accomplish a well thought out and lighting ideas. Solar-powered lighting
welcoming space, you need to embrace has come a long way in recent years.
the complete range of lighting types The strength of light you can get from Magical outdoor
available and vary the designs to create them is far brighter, while the designs lighting by Susie
little pockets and pools of illumination are more varied and stylish, too. Reed Thomas of
around your garden. Work out which ‘To save energy and money, solar- Twilight Trees
elements of your outdoor space you powered lights are highly efficient and

RENOVATION
can light up your garden without using

any electricity,’ agrees Paul Collins, head
of technical services at NICEIC (niceic.
com). ‘Solar lanterns can also be a good
choice, providing a portable warm glow
that can be positioned wherever you
need it around the garden.
‘Fairy lights are also a popular choice,
with their smaller LED lamps (bulbs)
needing only a small amount of sunlight,
enabling them to work even following
the gloomiest of days,’ he continues.
‘Emitting an ambient but dim glow, they
have the benefit of less environmental
impact and light pollution yet serve as
a pretty backdrop for get-togethers.’
As solar technology advances, so do
the choices for creating a number of
looks in your outdoor space. Choose
designs for deep within the foliage for
an internal glow, or for lining up loud
and proud along a path.
3
LOCATION, LOCATION,
LOCATION
Just as important as the styles of
the lights themselves, is the positioning.
This will usually depend on the layout of
your garden and what you are hoping to
illuminate. ‘Think about the direction of
each light to ensure you are highlighting
areas of your garden that you wish to
draw attention to,’ advises Marketa at
Industville. ‘Exterior lighting can
Festoon lights accentuate the architecture, colours and
and wall uplights textures of your property for an outdoor
create a convivial living space to be proud of.
atmosphere ‘Make sure you experiment with a
selection of different positions before
you decide on the final
placement,’ she continues.
‘You can use a large torch at
varying angles to see where
a light is likely to shine. For
glow without glare, opt
for downward-facing
wall lights that create a
relaxing atmosphere.’
Not all lighting is there to
add atmosphere, however.
For instance, if you’re going
to be barbecuing around
dinner time in the early
evening, then you’ll need to
set up some brighter task
lighting that you can switch
off when it’s time to sit down
and eat. And low lighting is
Traditional always sensible around paths
lanterns from and steps, too. In short, it’s
Davey Lighting
important to consider what it
form a focal point
is you need the light for and

Light up your
garden pathways.
Ash solar lamp,
£489, Bridgman
where, before you embark on dotting

lights about the garden, or enlisting
your local electrician.
‘When it comes to planning your
garden lighting, you can illuminate
virtually anything from architectural
features to the decking, trees and
planting, ponds or fountains, pergolas,
patios or paths,’ says Kate Barker,
light and wellness advisor at
4lite.com (4liteuk.com).
‘However, just because you can
illuminate virtually anything, it doesn’t
mean you should,’she says. ‘Paint a
picture in your mind of the lighting
proposal you wish to install by viewing
the garden environment in its entirety,
rather than just considering individual
or local features on a one-by-one basis.’
What’s important is that you create a
mood and ambience for the area that
matches the functionality and need
required. First, think about what you’re
planning on doing on the patio. If it’s lots
of entertaining then you’ll want to enjoy
the outdoor space for longer into the
evening, so you’ll need brighter lighting
options – festoons give an immediate
party feel and cast plenty of light.
4
CHOOSE DESIGNS THAT
ARE WEATHERPROOF
Permanent garden lighting –
designs that you plan to leave out all
year round – need to be able to
withstand whatever challenges the
weather throws at them. ‘Carefully Suspend mirror
consider the placement of your lighting balls to reflect
ambient light for
as this will determine the design, as well a romantic feel
as the IP rating you will require,’ explains

RENOVATION
6
AVOID ANYTHING
TOO BRIGHT
As a rule, super-bright lights in a
garden are for security only. These have
their place when you’re deterring
intruders or specifically searching for
something but a floodlight is in no way
suitable for lighting a garden when
relaxing or entertaining. ‘When
choosing light fittings for your garden,
consider LED and compact fluorescents,
which produce light more efficiently, last
longer and create zero toxic elements,’
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/ALUN CALLENDER, MAXWELL ATTENBOROUGH

advises Michael Meiser, lighting expert
at Lumilum (lumilum.com).
‘Opt for warm-white light bulbs of
around 2700 degrees Kelvin in colour
temperature,’ he says. ‘These aren’t too
harsh but create enough soft, yellowish
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI, TAMARA KELLY AND LIZZIE HUDSON

light to illuminate outdoor areas when it
gets dark. Also, consider the brightness:
50 Lumens is plenty for low background
lighting, 100-200 Lumens works for
lighting up a path and up to 700 Lumens
is enough for a small patio.’
Much like in a living space, consider
distributing the light around your
Vary lighting as garden, instead of using one single light
you would indoors, source for illumination. Adding pools
like these designs of light in well-placed areas around a
from Solar Centre
garden, together with the warming glow
that a fire pit, chiminea or candles can
Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky day can become a dramatic feature at cast on the space, is key. It’s really all
(pooky.com). ‘Use IP44 damp-rated night with clever lighting,’ explains about finding the right level of glow for
fixtures for sheltered spaces – such as Piero de Marchis, director at Detail the activity or area you need to light. n
under pergolas – while for the more Lighting (detaillighting.co.uk). ‘By aiming
exposed areas where there could be a wide beam of light from below or
direct or indirect contact with rain, you above, a wall can be washed with
will need IP65 wet-rated fixtures. illumination and bring it to life.
‘Apart from functionality, also opt for Alternatively, positioning the beam
materials that are not only eye-catching closer to the wall can catch and
but robust. Brass and chrome always accentuate the natural texture of the
age well outside and on a bright day, wall itself using light and shadow.’
they catch the sun beautifully.’ That said, wall lighting may not be a
5
wise choice for every type of property.
LIGHT UP ‘If you have a contemporary home
VERTICAL SURFACES with a “perfect” finish, any slight
Exterior wall lighting provides a imperfections and undulations in the
great layer of security to the outside walls would be exposed by placing
of your home as well as adding a hefty the light close to them. So consider
dose of style, too. ‘Outdoor lighting the position of your exterior lighting
can also be highly effective at creating carefully – possibly even experiment
something from nothing. A wall that you at night using a wide-beamed torch
“
might not think twice about during the to see how light affects the surface.’
create little pockets
”
and pools of illumination Drape a tree with
Solar Fairy Lights,
around your garden £29.99, Lights4fun

RENOVATION
John and Jane wanted the

cladding to give the
extension a unique edge,
so they chose fish scale
slate tiles to coordinate
with the new dormer
EXTENSION PROJECT
Inside job
ROBERT HOUMØLLER, DIRECTOR AT MERRETT
HOUMØLLER ARCHITECTS, EXPLAINS HOW A REAR
EXTENSION CREATED A MORE FUNCTIONAL LAYOUT BEFORE

HOME NOTES
HOMEOWNERS
John and Jane Taylor live here
with their two young children.
PROPERTY
Three bedroom, 1920s end-of-
terrace house in west London.
ARCHITECT
Merrett Houmøller Architects
(merretthoumoller.com)
TOTAL COST
Around £250,000
(including the dormer)
replace them with a informal living areas are

THE PROBLEM THE SOLUTION full-width rear addition, arranged around the
The house had ‘For our clients John and which pushed out 6m from courtyard, creating the
been extended
Jane, the house’s small the back of the original open-plan feel that the
PHOTOGRAPHS FRED HOWARTH, ALAN WILLIAMS
kitchen was impractical, house. Because the new Taylors wanted, while
multiple times, especially with young
children. Instead, they
extension is quite a large
structure, the plan became
maintaining a sense of
separation between each
resulting in wanted a spacious incredibly deep, so to zone. The internal
a complex,
kitchen-dining-living area avoid ending up with a courtyard and sliding glass
FEATURE REBECCA FOSTER
to function as a family hub, dark, stagnant space in the doors leading to the back
impractical where everyone could
have their own space, yet
middle of the house, we
incorporated an internal
garden magnify the
property’s connection to
floorplan with still be connected. Our courtyard to bring in nature and the outdoors,
a small kitchen
solution was to remove the plenty of natural light. enhancing that all-
previous extensions and The kitchen, dining and important feeling of calm.’

RENOVATION
The black terrazzo on the FOCUS ON

Internal courtyards
island coordinates with the
upstand and porcelain tile
splashback in the kitchen,
continuing the theme of Robert Houmøller, director at Merrett Houmøller
1
pattern from the exterior Architects gives us the lowdown
tiles to the interior space
SMALL DESIGN, evenings. It’s also a great way
BIG RETURN Even to highlight plants and
a small courtyard architectural features that
provides an effective way of can be seen from the space
4
bringing light and air into around the courtyard.
what could otherwise be a SIZE ISN’T
2
dark, dank space. EVERYTHING Your
CONSIDER courtyard doesn’t have
DRAINAGE Ensure to be habitable, which means
you install an adequate it can be quite small. The
drainage system, as rainwater main thing is that it’s sized in
needs somewhere to go. This proportion to the rest of the
5
will help to prevent any spaces in the extension.
3
flooding issues. INCLUDE PLANTS
ADD EXTERIOR Incorporating plants
LIGHTING Exterior and trees is a great way
lighting can help create to bring nature into the home
a welcoming glow in the for an indoor/outdoor feel.
An internal
courtyard helps
to bring light
into the space
Living in the house before

the project gave the Taylors a
good idea of how they wanted
Composite window
frames, with timber the space to work as we went
through the design process
inside and aluminium
on the outside, add
warmth to the space
ROBERT HOUMØLLER MERRETT HOUMØLLER ARCHITECTS

PROJECT PLANNING
Lawn care
FROM LUSH ON-TREND LOOKS TO GENERAL
MAINTENANCE, WE ASKED THE EXPERTS HOW TO
SHOW YOUR LAWN SOME LOVE
GREEN PARTY
With a little TLC,
your lawn can become
the pride and joy
of your garden
RENOVATION
NEED TO KNOW
HOSEPIPE
NEAT & TIDY
One of the best ways to
BANS
keep your lawn healthy These days, they’re a regular
is to mow it regularly occurrence, so here’s what to
throughout the do to save your lawn:
growing season n COLLECT ‘GREY’ WATER Make
use of as much household water
S
that would usually go down the
o you want a lush fear not. ‘Ensure your mower is on a plughole to top up your lawn. For
lawn that provides setting that will cut around 25% of instance, while you wait for your
the perfect setting growth, and leaves around three shower to heat up, position a
for a summer of centimetres of grass length,’ says bucket to collect the water, and
barbecues and Jamie Shipley, gardening expert and transfer it into a watering can to
social gatherings managing director at Hedges Direct tackle dry patches on your lawn.
(and the envy of all your neighbours)? (hedgesdirect.co.uk). ‘If your lawn is cut n MOW WITH CARE In dry
Remember, that it’s unlikely this will too short, there is less leaf area to take weather, it’s important to keep the
happen naturally without a little help, in oxygen and sunlight, slowing root height of your lawn high to avoid
but lawn maintenance is certainly not development, and the blade could also weakening the grass.
an arduous task either. ‘A healthy lawn damage the crowns of the grass plants.’ n USE A WATER BUTT Consider
is a happy lawn that can be enjoyed
investing in one so when it rains
year after year,’ says Timothy Greene, IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE you can preserve the water for
grass expert at icanlawn.com. ‘And Where lawns have become very
future periods of dry weather.
keeping your lawn healthy doesn’t compacted and are not draining well,
have to be a difficult job.’ use a lawn aerator; a very simple tool nCHECK YOUR WATER
that has hollow prongs you push into the COMPANY’S RULES ‘Although
CUT IT WELL AND OFTEN lawn like a fork. This will remove small you won’t be able to use a hose,
‘Mowing the grass regularly throughout plugs of soil which can then have lawn each water provider follows its
the summer is one of the most important sand brushed into them, helping the own set of rules, so it’s best to
aspects of lawn care,’ says Jack Sutcliffe, lawn to drain faster. It can also be done double check,’ says Carlos Real
co-founder at Power Sheds (power by pushing a garden fork into the lawn of Total Lawn (totallawn.co.uk).
sheds.com). ‘Not only does it keep your and wiggling it around to break the soil n SWAP TO A WATERING CAN
lawn looking neat and tidy, but it also and reduce the compaction. You can still use a watering can to
promotes healthy growth.’ If you have a wet, soggy lawn, plunge water your lawn during a hosepipe
If you have ‘let the garden grow’ and a fork into the ground all over your ban. Admittedly, if you’ve got a
“
your lawn is looking a little unkempt, patch. Go as deep as possible every large garden this might not be
”
practical, but if you have a smaller
the best time to feed A

space you’ll be able to keep it
looking healthy. Remember to
lawn is before it rains

water at cooler times of the day.

30cm or so, and it will help with
drainage and encourage healthy grass
root growth. ‘This simple process can
rescue your lawn if it’s been suffering
from compacted soil, as it improves the
flow of nutrients, air and water,’ Jamie
from Hedges Direct explains.
REPAIR PATCHY GRASS

If you mow the lawn and it’s looking a
little worse for wear, sow some seeds for
new grass to grow in damaged areas.
Rake the earth until it’s crumbly, then
scatter seed according to the packet
instructions. Water the area well and
don’t walk on it for several weeks. ‘Sow
new lawns or repair bare patches on
ground that has been pre-prepared,
levelled and firmed,’ Marcus Eyles,
horticultural director at Dobbies
(dobbies.com), advises. ‘If you’re laying
new turf, leave it undisturbed for a few
weeks to allow time for new roots to
establish.’ Josh Novell, director at
Polhill Garden Centre (polhill.co.uk),
says, ‘Spread the seeds by hand or use a
grass seed-spreading tool. It all depends
on the surface area of your lawn and
how meticulous you want it to be.’
TOP-DRESS THE TURF

For a really well-kept, well-fed lawn, use
top-dressing, a mixture of soil, sand and
well-rotted compost, available as
pre-mixed bags. Brush it over the grass
at least twice a year: once in the spring,
and once in the autumn, to correspond
with the lawn’s natural periods of
rejuvenation. If you buy it in bulk, you
can keep it in your shed for years to lawn, as this can cause scorching.
come, and dip back into it at the If you want to promote wildlife in your
appropriate times. Apply it in two goes, garden, avoid using weed killers on the
allowing a few days between each to let lawn and allow clovers, bugle and tiny
the mixture settle into any holes and trefoils to populate the grass, all of
dips. This will also encourage grass to which give bees something to feed on.
thicken and put down more roots.
GET RID OF MOSS
FEED IT WELL AND OFTEN Moss likes nothing more than damp
‘You should feed your lawn in the same conditions with poor drainage. One of
way that you’d feed your plants and the best ways to remove it from your
flowers,’ says Steve Chilton gardening lawn (and prevent it from returning) is
expert at Leisure Bench (leisure to scarify it. This process involves
bench.co.uk). ‘The best time to feed your removing and breaking up layers of
lawn is just before it rains. This is so that dead matted grass (thatch) and moss by
when it does rain, the feed gets washed raking in different directions, to loosen
right down to the roots.’ it and pull it up from its roots. You can
Lawn feeds encourage grass to ‘green do it manually with a garden rake if you
up’ and look healthy. Once you start have a small garden, but if you have a
feeding lawns they become dependent larger lawn, you might be better off
on it, so it’s important you don’t stop. using a machine scarifier, which you can
Start in spring and get into a weekly hire from places like HSS Hire (hss.com).
routine during the main growing ‘The process of scarifying removes all
summer season but don’t over-feed your the dead grass that prevents sunlight

RENOVATION
PATCH UP
If your lawn looks a little
worse for wear, scatter
new grass seed in the
damaged areas
“ ”
to help wildlife, avoid
using weed killers
and nutrients reaching the grass and steps to making your own, according to
its shallow roots, and which ultimately Pip Probert, co-owner of Outer Spaces
BEST PRACTICE causes issues such as moss and weeds,’ (outerspaces.org.uk).
explains Peter Chaloner, managing ‘First, remove all traces of the existing
For a healthy lawn get
director of Cobra Garden (cobragarden. grass. You don’t want large clumps of
into a routine of
co.uk). He recommends scarifying lawns grass growing through your tapestry
mowing, feeding,
in spring and autumn. lawn at a taller height than your chosen
aerating and scarifying
Afterwards, aerate the lawn by poking plants. Use a rotavator to turn over the
holes in the lawn using a garden fork ground ready for planting your new
(as mentioned before) and reseed it to tapestry lawn. This will allow you to pick
encourage new growth. out any remaining grass and weeds too,
cutting down on the potential for
FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/RENE STOELTIE, JAMES MERRELL, COLIN POOLE, POLLY ELTES

TRY A TAPESTRY LAWN self-seeding. Then you can add nutrients
These patchworks of low-growing, often to prepare the exposed soil for the
flowering plants are textural, colourful tapestry plants. Do this with a layer of
FEATURE MILLIE HURST, JAYNE DOWLE, GINEVRA BENEDETTI PHOTOGRAPHS
and great for wildlife. ‘A tapestry lawn is compost or enhanced topsoil. Before
perfect if you’re after something a bit starting to plant, add some grit to the
different for your garden,’ says Nick soil. Most plants suitable for tapestry
Wood, brand manager for plant sellers lawns do better in coarse, free-draining
Gardening Express (gardeningexpress. soil. Follow planting instructions and try
co.uk). ‘It’s also good if you’re after to plant in groups of three or five, this
something a little more low-maintenance will help to create the most naturalistic
as they require less care than a look. Consider colours, and theme your
traditional lawn. The mixture of different tapestry lawn as you would a border.
elements means a tapestry lawn is more When placing plants, think about how
drought tolerant, as it can adapt to they will work next to each other.’
changes in the weather.’ Once planted, your new tapestry lawn
FEED THE BEES The diverse habitat of a tapestry lawn will be thirsty at first as there will be a
Allow other plants, such brings enhanced benefits for wildlife, lot of plants in one area fighting for
as clover and bugle, to with big advantages such as shelter and hydration. Also, bear in mind that it will
thrive in your lawn to food for all kinds of insects, including probably take around a year for your
encourage pollinators pollinators, and benefits for birds, which new lawn to establish. But if you do it
feed on the insects. Here are the key now, it’ll be ready for next summer! n

PROJECT PLANNING
Garden shade
FROM PLANTED PERGOLAS, TO PARASOLS AND
SIMPLE SAILS, HERE’S HOW YOU CAN ENJOY
YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE FOR LONGER
A
s much as we all love provide a beautifully natural shaded area.
being outside in the Choose climbing plants that flower, such
summer, sometimes as honeysuckle, clematis and wisteria, for
we need a break from colour and scent, too.
2
the sun. Whether
you’re planning or revamping your CHOOSE A SHAPELY
garden or outside space, it’s important SHADE STYLE
to include a shaded area somewhere Awnings and sun shades are often
for a bit of respite from those rays. thought of as dull, or too commercial for
However much you enjoy sunbathing, a private garden. Add some personality
gardening or reading a book, it’s wise not to yours by exploring the various
to stay in the sun for too long – and it’s decorative options. As well as pretty
nice to be able to enjoy your lunch colours and prints to complement your
outside without feeling like you’re about planting, there are shaped styles available,
to melt. You might need to consider too. A curved shade sail will add softness
younger and older family members too, to your space, while still working hard to
who will be more vulnerable to the heat provide coverage. Find out if the material
and need some shade to cool off. There is an outdoor fabric that can
are plenty of plants that prefer growing offer a degree of protection
out of the sun, as well. against harmful sun rays.
When you’re thinking about buying Specialist outdoor fabrics are
garden furniture, consider what kind of designed to be showerproof
shading you’ll need that will give you and stain-resistant, plus
plenty of coverage while seated. Look UV- and fade-resistant.
3
for options that have integrated parasols,
roofs or covers. Creating shade outdoors INVEST IN A
is easier than you might think. Here, we HARD-WORKING
showcase a whole range of options for PERGOLA
all outdoor spaces, small or large, from Pergolas are a great option
permanent shade structures to for adding shade to a garden.
temporary ‘high summer only’ solutions. Consider a design which
1
offers more options than just
WORK WITH ANY protecting you from direct
OVERHANGING FOLIAGE sunlight, such as those that
While many of us see overhanging feature versatile vented roof
trees and hedges as a nuisance, it is shutters so you can choose
possible to work with rather than against how much sun or shade you
them to enjoy the naturally shady spaces want. This style of pergola
they create. This can work just as well in often has the option of side
front gardens as at the back and it can screens, so that the shaded
be a simple and affordable way of adding area will be protected from
some shelter. Work out which area of the other elements, like rain
your garden gets the most shade from and wind, as well.
4
overhanging plants and plan around it,
adding fencing or a trellis to support the PLANT TREES Weave fairy lights
greenery. Supplement with extra planting FOR SHADE through a pergola and
for deeper cover if you feel it’s required. For a more natural train plants to grow up
Encourage climbing plants to take up solution, you could and over the top
residence on a terrace pergola to incorporate overhead

RENOVATION
Parasols are so
versatile and can
be placed (and
repositioned)
“
anywhere in a garden
Be mindful of not
”
blocking out all the light
when adding shelter
a bright colour will make it a ‘destination’ depending on the time of day. This is
in a large garden too. Outdoor fabrics an ideal solution for patio areas that are
are usefully showerproof, stain-resistant, at a distance from the house or in
UV and fade-resistant, but an improvised gardens and outside spaces where there
shade in a sturdy fabric (that is, not one is no convenient tree, wall or vertical
that’s designed to be used outdoors) will area from which to hang an awning.
8
stand up to occasional use, too. Simply
attach the fabric to surrounding trees ATTACH AN AWNING
using lengths of thin rope. TO SHADE A PATIO
6
A sail shade is ideal A parasol can be perfect but you
for adding shelter FLOAT A SIMPLE SAIL will need to find space to store it out of
from the sun when Create a small shaded spot with season. Instead, consider a smart,
you want to eat
the placement of a sail shade retractable awning to cover garden
outdoors
gazebo. A lightweight sail shade is quick decking or a patio area. Fixed to an
to assemble and will fast become a exterior wall, an awning will provide you
planting into your garden design, so that garden essential, perfect for a whole with shade as and when you need it,
you know there will always be some form range of outdoor events, from family often in a matter of minutes. Many
of a shady spot to retreat to. Whether gatherings to spontaneous barbecues modern awnings are now electrical,
that’s shaping shrubs or trees to provide and more. Look for designs that boast making the job of rolling it out and back
a canopy of lush green or simply robust, powder-coated steel frames, even easier. The price of a basic design
rethinking a layout so the patio is near which are rust-resistant, and durable starts at around £200 and can range up
existing trees, be mindful of the light canopies for protection from the to around £8,000 for motorised versions
quality when planning your layout. elements. Come rain or shine, a sail that will automatically retract themselves
5
gazebo has you covered. if the wind starts to get stronger.
7 9
CREATE AN AD HOC
SHADE CANOPY MOVE WITH THE SUN SEEK SHADE WITH
Garden shade doesn’t have to be THROUGHOUT THE DAY A GARDEN ROOM
complicated or expensive. A simple A freestanding, lightweight parasol Timber structures have long been
fabric canopy provides shade wherever gives you the freedom to follow the sun, popular as garden shelters, and there
and whenever it is needed, and choosing because you can move its position is a vast choice of styles beyond the

RENOVATION
standard summerhouse. Whether in a

traditional or contemporary style, timber
garden rooms offer a private place to
relax out of the sun, as well as away from
the gaze of neighbours. They can be
attached to a garden or house wall
or freestanding and can even be fitted
with lighting, too.
10
WEIGH IN WITH A
FIXED PARASOL
Often used by restaurants
and hotels, a fixed parasol makes a
practical solution for a patio and won’t
topple over as soon as the wind picks up.
A sturdy concrete base is best for
supporting standing parasols, while
wall-mounted parasols are a great
solution for smaller spaces as they free
up floor area while offering flexible
protection from the sun.
11
ADD AN ARBOUR FOR A
TRADITIONAL TOUCH
In a country-style garden, an
arbour makes a charming spot to seek
out a seat in the shade. These wooden
structures add character to the A covered corner
surrounding garden and can be made seat sheltered from
even more inviting by adding a host of the sun and wind is
outdoor cushions, making a relaxing the perfect escape
“
experience all the more comfortable. n
”
Consider designs that offer more than
just protection from direct sunlight
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/DAN DUCHARS, LIZZIE ORME, CLAIRE LLOYD-DAVIES

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI, TAMARA KELLY
Rome Blue awning,

from £2,499, including
measuring and
fitting, vibration wind
sensors and motorised
operation, Hillarys

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Buying guide
Ice cream makers

PASS UP SHOP-BOUGHT ICE CREAM AND GELATO AND MAKE YOUR
OWN AT HOME WITH ONE OF THESE SUPER COOL MACHINES
BEFORE YOU BUY

n It’s no secret that if you have a
freezer, you can make ice cream by hand
– but it is a boring, repetitive process.
Ice cream makers freeze while churning,
incorporating air into the mix, and they Check if the model
scrape down the sides to prevent ice
crystals from getting too big. The result comes with a recipe
is soft and creamy, not crunchy.
book. If you use other
recipes, you’ll have to
n Ice cream makers come in two forms
– ones where you freeze the bowl for
adjust the quantities

12-24 hours in advance, and those that
include their own freezing unit.
n Pre-freeze models have bowls that
contain a gel or liquid coolant between GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR
the inner metal layer and the exterior.
This freezes solid, so when the ice
cream mixture is poured in, it will
start to cool rapidly. The bowl is also
insulated, to minimise thawing.
n Self-cooling makers have integrated
cooling units and need no pre-freezing,
so you can make ice cream whenever
you like. The bowls are made from
metal with a paddle that rotates from
below. They may have a fixed bowl with
a removable second bowl or only a
removable bowl, and perhaps different
paddles for varied consistencies.
n With pre-freeze models, if you keep
your bowl in the freezer all the time,
you’ll only need to find space to store
the lid and paddle. But if freezer space
is in short supply, you’ll need to plan
ahead if you fancy ice cream the next
day. You’ll also need to make sure the
bowl fits in your freezer drawer.
n Self-coolers are great for making
batches but they are pricey, heavy and
need plenty of worktop space to use.
Removable bowls can be washed soon
after use; fixed bowls must return to
room temperature before cleaning.
n Prices vary hugely, from around £20
for basic models to hundreds for large
all-in-ones. Deciding which to buy often
comes down to how much you’ll use it.
Consider whether you’re happy to plan
ahead or keep a bowl in your freezer.
HOUSE MANUAL
BEST FOR KEEN ENTERTAINERS BEST PLAN-AHEAD ONE

SAGE THE SMART SCOOP CUISINART ICED
MACHINE TYPE Self-cooling DESSERT MAKER
CAPACITY 1ltr PRICE £369.95 MACHINE TYPE Freezer bowl
As if making your own ice cream wasn’t fun CAPACITY 1.4ltr PRICE £140
enough, this machine is packed with features One of the more compact models
that make it even more joyful. It has 12 presets, out there, this is a mid-price option
which translates to three hardness settings for that makes more than just ice
ice cream, sorbet, gelato and frozen yogurt. cream. In testing it turned out
There’s a three-hour keep-cool setting so you delicious frozen yogurts, and the
won’t have to dash away from guests, and a extensive recipe collection gave us
manual option with a timer from five minutes lots of scope for experimentation
to three hours. The bowl isn’t dishwasher safe, – there were even vegan options.
but the paddle and lid are, and the parts are The machine features a refreshing
simple to handwash with the included brush. metallic mint exterior, and it’s easy to
All in all, it’s a really easy, mess-free machine. assemble and store. The bowl
REASON TO BUY Smart and self-monitoring has a 1.4-ltr capacity and fitted
REASON TO AVOID The large footprint comfortably into the bottom freezer
RATING 5/5 drawer, where it needs to be left
overnight before use. Our ice cream
was made in just 25 minutes, so while
the prep took some time, the result was well worth it.
REASON TO BUY Easy to use and clean; great recipes
REASON TO AVOID It needs to freeze overnight
RATING 4.5/5
BEST FOR COMPACT KITCHENS

MAGIMIX LE GLACIER 1.1LTR
MACHINE TYPE Freezer bowl
CAPACITY 1.1ltr PRICE £50
A smaller version of the 1.5-ltr Le Glacier by Magimix,
this model is no less of a churning champion and it’s
Tried &
the ideal size to squeeze into a busy freezer. It
Tested comes with advice and recipes to make sure

every batch is the best it can be, but it’s worth
We believe that any product noting that the recipes have been devised
should be simple to use, stand for the larger model, so you’ll have to reduce
the test of time, look good and the ingredient quantities accordingly.
The machine consists of a one-piece
FEATURE RACHEL OGDEN MAIN PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES
work brilliantly to make your

coolant-filled bowl that needs
life easier. Our testing team put
to be frozen ahead of time; it’s
each product through its paces
compact size also means you can
at home, over several weeks, keep it in the freezer all year
pitting them against everyday round. The lid, motor unit,
situations. Those products that spindle and paddle simply slot
make the mark are awarded a together and twist into place
star rating. And on top; the removable parts
the very, very EST.
ES T. 1920
need to be washed by hand.
best are awarded REASON TO BUY Affordable
our ‘Ideal Home REASON TO AVOID Freezing
Approved’ APPROVED
 overnight means a lot of prep
recommendation. RATING 4/5
FOR MORE ICE CREAM MAKERS, VISIT IDEALHOME.CO.UK/BUYING-GUIDES-REVIEWS

Buying guide
Pressure washers
RESTORING YOUR GARDEN, PATIO AND
OUTDOOR FURNITURE WILL BE A CINCH WITH
ONE OF THESE POWERFUL CLEANERS
BEFORE YOU BUY

n If you’re looking for a quick and easy
way to clean your garden, a pressure
washer is a must. Suitable for cleaning
patio slabs or decking, garden furniture,
rubbish and recycling bins and even
bikes and barbecues, they’ll make light
work of what might normally take you
hours of brushing and scrubbing.
What’s more, some models are also
suitable for cleaning your car.
n If you need an entry-level pressure
washer, look out for models with
lightweight designs and easy-to-use
controls, so that you can focus on the
task at hand. These smaller machines
will be perfect for quickly refreshing Check the water pressure
your patio, decking or garden furniture.
n There are two main types of pressure and flow rate of a pressure
washer to choose between – corded and
cordless. The former tend to be more washer before you buy it
powerful, yet being tethered to a cord
may prove tricky when cleaning your car. GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR
n Ideally you want a machine that
boasts both good pressure and a
reasonably high water flow rate to
ensure a powerful cleaning action.
n Cordless models usually run off
rechargeable batteries that are
interchangeable across a number of
different power tools, either from the
same brand (for example Karcher or
Worx) or across several brands (the
Power for All battery system works
across Bosch, Gardena, Flymo and
Husqvarna machines). One of the most
expensive components of a garden or
power tool is the battery so buying the
machine without a battery – if you
already have one – can save you a lot.
n Accessories are important to consider,
too. The more accessories and
attachments your pressure washer has,
the more jobs you can use it for. The
bare minimum you’ll need is a variable
fan jet nozzle, but extras like a brush
attachment, a patio cleaner and
telescopic handles come in handy too.

HOUSE MANUAL
BEST PRESSURE WASHER OVERALL Tried &Tested

KARCHER K4 PREMIUM HIGH We believe that any product
PRESSURE WASHER should be simple to use, stand
the test of time, look good and
DIMENSIONS 41.4x30.6x58.8cm PRESSURE (max)
work brilliantly to make your
130bar FLOW RATE (max) 420ltr/hr PRICE £399.99
life easier. Our testing team put
Super versatile, this powerful model aced our each product through its paces
at-home tests. It comes fully equipped to deal
at home, over several weeks,
with everything from dirty garden chairs to
clogged gutters and filthy barbecues. Our pitting them against everyday
reviewer powered through the three pressure situations. Those products that
settings, getting surfaces back to their original make the mark are awarded a
colour. It’s kitted out with everything you star rating. And
need to sort both your garden and your car, the very, very EST.
ES T. 1920
and enabled our reviewer to easily clean best are awarded
her glass patio doors, car, stone patio and our ‘Ideal Home
wooden sleeper pathway. Priced just shy of Approved’ APPROVED
£400, it’s expensive but if you want a 
recommendation.
pressure washer that can take on practically
any surface, then you’re onto a winner.
REASON TO BUY Accessories for
home and car included
REASON TO AVOID It’s heavy and
not cordless RATING 4.5/5
BEST AFFORDABLE
PRESSURE WASHER BEST
BOSCH AQUATAK CORDED CORDLESS
PRESSURE WASHER 1.3KW PRESSURE WASHER
3600HA7F01 WORX 20V
DIMENSIONS 37.5x40cm PRESSURE
HYDROSHOT CORDLESS
(max) 110bar FLOW RATE (max) 330ltr/hr PRESSURE WASHER
PRICE £59 DIMENSIONS 8.5x24.5x9.2cm PRESSURE
If you’re looking to clean your patio or (max) 22bar FLOW RATE (max) 120ltr/hr
drive on a smaller budget, this might be PRICE £199.99
the one for you. It comes with a rotary This ‘ingenious’ cordless pressure washer,
and a variable fan jet nozzle, as well as according to our reviewer, makes cleaning
a high pressure detergent nozzle outdoors much more accessible thanks to
which delivers cleaning solution the portability features, which include an
while you spray. It’s not really onboard water tank and battery power.
suitable for larger gardens, nor is It’s a lightweight and compact tool; however,
it equipped for a wide variety while it is perfect for smaller jobs, it probably
PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/COLIN POOLE
of tasks, but it still packs a lot won’t quite hit the mark if you are in need of
of punch for a small price tag. a heavy duty pressure washer to take on
REASON TO BUY large patio cleaning jobs.
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI; MOLLY CLEARY
Small, affordable; REASON TO BUY Lightweight and

patio cleaner and portable
accessories included REASON TO AVOID Not suitable for
REASON TO extensive patio areas
AVOID More RATING 4/5
limited than others
RATING 4/5
FOR MORE PRESSURE WASHERS, VISIT IDEALHOME.CO.UK/BUYING-GUIDES-REVIEWS

LIFE ADMIN
NO-NONSENSE SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY HASSLES
ORGANISING
Sort your pantry
A tidy pantry is a streamlined one, so it’s worth
investing in some lidded glass containers or jars
to keep food fresh and restore a sense of calm
and order to your shelves. Decant any cereal,
pulses, flour, sugar, pasta, dried fruits and spices
out of their original packaging into the jars or
containers. Try Ikea’s 365+ range for a wide
choice of kitchen food storage. Whatever you
choose, make sure the lids have rubber seals to
keep the contents airtight and fresh. Arrange in
groups according to the type of grocery, and
stick labels on them so you know exactly what’s
in each one, although this may not be necessary
for obvious items like pulses and pasta. Make a
note of best-before dates – a sticker on the base
of the jar is ideal – and store smaller items,
such as stock cubes, in small baskets or plastic DIGITAL
Must-have free
containers so they’re easy to lay your hands on.
travel apps
1
Our top picks to check out this month...
PROPERTY
what are the best
PACKPOINT
Q
This app suggests a weather-appropriate
holiday rental sites?

list of what to pack for you based on a
few questions (such as your destination,
2
length of stay and activities) and you
Planning a city break for half term, and would love to can add or tick items off as you pack.
stay in a ‘home away from home’? While virtually
everyone knows (and uses) AirBnB, there are some XE CURRENCY CONVERTER
great alternatives to try. Vrbo (vrbo.com) or If you’re not a maths whizz, don’t rely
Vacation Rentals By Owner, generally offers higher on guesswork. This app will convert any
3
spec homes to rent than you’d usually find on AirBnB. currency into sterling in a flash, based
They also tend to be larger, which is a bonus for on up-to-date rates.
families. Book with Sonder (sonder.com) and you’ll
have the boutique hotel experience in cities GOOGLE TRANSLATE
all around the world, with complementary toiletries. Download this app and speak like a
Finally, the Trip Advisor-owned Flipkey (flipkey.com) local. It can translate up to 38
offers a whole host of home rentals from apartments languages, either written or spoken
to holiday homes, all across the world. into your smartphone’s mic. Point your
phone camera at the foreign text and
it’ll translate it before your eyes.

HOME MAINTENANCE
Fix a dripping tap
TURN THE WATER OFF
Find your stopcock and turn it clockwise to
turn off your water, then turn the dripping
tap on to drain any water left in the pipes.
REMOVE THE TAP HEAD
Loosen the screw hidden beneath the decorative
tap head, then remove it by hand.
TAKE THE TAP APART
Using an adjustable spanner or screwdriver, loosen
the screw holding the tap together and remove
the valve cover with the spanner. Then remove the
CLEANING
Any tips
Q
nut and washer to reveal the tap seat.
for washing
CHECK THE TAP SEAT
Clean the tap seat of any limescale or waste that
machines?
has built up, or replace it with a new tap seat.
REPLACE THE RUBBER WASHER
Next, replace a worn-out rubber washer with a You wouldn’t wash in a dirty bath or
new one by unscrewing it or sliding it off. Finally, shower so it’s important to keep your
reassemble the tap and turn the water back on. washing machine spick and span so it
can do the job of laundering your
Consider this to be your annual

clothes efficiently. Start with the
detergent drawer. Remove it
reminder to get your boiler completely and tackle it with an old

toothbrush and a domestic cleaner.
serviced. Regular maintenance Clean inside the drawer cavity, too.
Next, the washing machine filter is
lengthens its lifespan usually located along the lower edge
of the machine, behind a hinged
cover. Open it and remove any fluff
and dirt, then place a bowl or pan and
a towel on the floor beneath it.
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI AND JENNIFER EBERT ILLUSTRATIONS EMMA JACKSON
SAVE ENERGY Carefully pull the emergency drain
Smart meters:
tube out (the small cap next to the
filter cover) to allow any trapped
water to drain off.
the lowdown Unscrew and release the filter and

give it a good clean under the tap.
WHAT ARE THEY? Any debris should run out with
The meters record your energy use while trapped water, but check inside the
simultaneously transmitting the readings to filter cavity to be sure.
your supplier so it can bill you accurately. Next, put the machine on a 60C
cycle while empty, adding detergent
WHAT ARE THE PROS OF HAVING ONE? or a shop-bought washing machine
You can see exactly how much energy you’re cleaner directly into the drum.
using, when you’re using it. Most models (installed Finally (and if possible, do this after
free by your supplier) are compatible with other each wash), use a damp cloth to give
suppliers if you decide to switch in the future. the door seal a gentle wipe and that
AND THE CONS? should be enough to keep this part of
Accurate readings means you’ll be charged more the machine in good nick. It also
in winter and less in summer, instead of estimates means your clean washing doesn’t
that balance out at the end of the year. pick up dirt as you take it out.

MONEY MATTERS
IDEAL HOME’S COLUMNIST AND DIGITAL EDITOR OF MONEYWEEK.COM
KALPANA FITZPATRICK SHARES HER FINANCIAL WISDOM
Are you making the

most of your savings?
The cost of living hasn’t made it worth considering whether your bank
easy for anyone to save recently, still suits your needs. If you are always
but if you’ve been lucky enough to in credit, you could switch (or open
put some cash away, then you’ll another account) to a bank that offers a
want to make sure that your money decent linked savings account. Chase
is working hard for you. This month, (chase.co.uk/gb/en) and Santander
our money columnist Kalpana looks offer cashback on spending.
into making the most of your cash savings.
Interest rates have been creeping up over the LONG-TERM SAVINGS
last year, with the Bank of England’s base rate now If you are putting money away for the future,
at 4.5%*, but 47% of savers haven’t switched their consider investing to make your money work
savings rate in the last year**. Around 15% of harder. But as investments can go down as well as
savers still have accounts opened in 2017 or earlier up, you should only ever invest money you do not
when rates were low, and earning less interest. need for 10 years. This gives it time to grow and
ride the ups and downs of the stock market.
HOW MUCH INTEREST CAN I EARN? Investing should form an essential part of your
Rates change all the time, and some top ones are savings plan, because unless interest rates beat
discontinued quickly. Look around, and you may inflation, your cash is losing value as it’s not
be pleasantly surprised to see banks offering growing at the same pace as the cost of goods.
above 5% interest. Let’s say you have £5,000 in My book Invest Now: The Simple Guide to
cash stashed away. An account with 0.1% interest Boosting your Finances (£9.99, Heligo Books) is
would give you an annual gross interest of £5. But a beginner’s guide to help you start investing.
any Easy Access account paying 3.5% would give
It is always worth considering

you £178; a 5% interest rate would offer £256.
if your savings or current bank

WHICH ACCOUNT SHOULD I PICK?
The savings account for you will depend on your
account still suits your needs

needs and how much you want to save.
Easy Access If you may need your cash at any
time, then opt for this type. You could find an
Opening an account?
account paying 3.82% AER* via Chip (getchip.uk).
Regular Saver These accounts allow you to put
away cash each month (usually a maximum
n Before you open a new account, whether savings or
*AT THE TIME OF WRITING **SHAWBROOK BANK
amount). First Direct offer 7% AER* on its regular

saver account, and you can pay in up to £300 a current, make sure that it is protected by the Financial
month – a great way to build savings. Services Compensation Scheme, which protects your
Fixed Savings If you’re happy to lock your savings cash for up to £85,000 if a bank goes bust. Check to
see if you are covered at fscs.org.uk.
ILLUSTRATION EMMA JACKSON
away for a year or two, then some banks will pay

you a bit more interest, such as 5% AER*. But n Keep an eye on the latest interest rates and the
remember, if rates go up, you’ll be locked into the best savings accounts via MoneyWeek.com.
lower rate until your fixed period ends. n You can also check the latest base rate and current
level of inflation at the Bank of England’s site,
CURRENT ACCOUNTS bankofengland.co.uk.
If you haven’t changed current accounts since you
were 18 (don’t worry, you’re not alone) then it’s Follow Kalpana on Instagram @KalpanaFitz

HOUSE MANUAL
TECH SOLUTIONS
SMART BATHROOM TECH
Bathrooms have never

been so futuristic,
thanks to some clever
innovative gadgetry...
W e’ve been hearing so much lately

about making our bathrooms more
of a sanctuary, a welcome place to
escape to at the end of a busy day.
But how can tech help? Here, we explore the new
innovations in bathroom gadgetry and how
introducing them to your home can transform
your daily bathing experience.
MULTI-TASKING MIRRORS
RELAXED LIGHTING Your humble bathroom mirror can even be given
Having the right lighting in your home is proven to
a futuristic update. My Smart Mirror (£350,
have a positive effect on both your wellbeing and
mysmartmirror.co.uk) is part-mirror, part screen,
mood. In a bathroom, lighting is all the more
allowing you to stream your favourite TV shows as
important – you need to be able to switch quickly
you relax in the bath, or catch the headlines or
from bright task lighting to soft mood lighting,
weather forecast as you bathe first thing in the
depending on what you’re doing. Smart lighting is
morning. It features a demister (so you can always see
the perfect solution to this dilemma, with Philips Hue
your reflection clearly) and it’s voice controlled, too
(philips-hue.com/en-gb) offering a number of suitably
(via Amazon Alexa and Google) with the added
IP-rated bathroom lights that can be adjusted as and
option of connecting it to any other smart devices
when you need them, allowing you to programme
you may have in your bathroom.
settings to either energise you in the morning or
relax in the evenings, as well as brightening or
INVISIBLE WATER SAVERS
dimming on cue.
Tech also plays a part behind the scenes, with water
and energy-saving functionality integrated into the
VOICE CONTROLLED GADGETRY
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI ILLUSTRATION EMMA JACKSON
design of a whole host of taps and showers. They

If ever there was a type of tech that could improve
aerate the water that flows through them, which
your bathing experience, it’s the ability to control a
reduces the flow by up to 50% without compromising
variety of devices without lifting a finger (or dashing
on the water pressure. According to the Energy
out of the shower and soaking the floor). Smart
Saving Trust, switching to an aerating showerhead
lighting can obviously be controlled via an app on
and tap could save you up to £70 and £30 a year on
your phone, but you can also link it up to be
your energy bills respectively.
controlled by your voice, too. The same goes for a
variety of Bluetooth speakers with IP ratings that
allow you to bring them into the shower. Special
mention must also go to Aqualisa’s ingenious
Utilise smart tech to your
Q Smart range, which features smart connected advantage and control
devices hands-free while
showers that work with Amazon’s Alexa and Google
Assistant. You can ask for them to turn on at specific
relaxing in the bath

temperatures, which is convenient for most, but also
a great safety function for the very young or elderly.

happy
HEAD OUT FOR BETTER MENTAL
HEALTH, SAYS HEATHER YOUNG
I may be a natural homebody who

loves spending time inside, but if the
sun’s shining, you’re far more likely to
find me outdoors. The benefits of time
spent outside for our mental health are
well known. I’m often at my happiest
lounging in a comfy chair in a sunny me if I tried it in January. Finally, we come to
spot, listening to the birds, preferably with an iced gardening. I am a brilliant mother of indoor plants
coffee (or a glass of cold rosé) in hand. A couple of (even if I do say so myself), most of which thrive
years ago we finally bought some decent outdoor under my care. But for some reason, the same can
sofas (Havsten by Ikea) that honestly feel like not be said when I step outside. I’ve never got the
relaxing on a cloud. I don’t know why it took us gardening bug (I suspect it’s something to do with
so long – they’re a worthy investment, given how my lack of patience), but I know that tending a
much more time we all spend outdoors since growing space encourages a slower pace and some
“
getting them. In fact, I’m writing this on my laptop time out, so I’ve planted a small herb garden by the
sitting out there right now! patio and I’m determined to look after it this year.
I’m at my happiest
One of the (many)
things that I love about
”
lounging in a sunny
our new kitchen are
GREEN FINGERS
the huge sliding doors ‘I love this recycled set
spot in the garden

(they stretch across four of Eden self-watering
metres and run floor to herb pots, £32, A Place
ceiling) that open up the For Everything.’
back of the house. I hated not being able to see
out to the garden from the old kitchen and now,
after the renovation, I can feel like I’m outside,
even when I’m not. GOLDEN
I try to take time to sit and look out at the MOMENTS
garden everyday for a little mindful moment. ‘Handmade
I usually do so when I’m having breakfast, wine glass, £15,
British Colour
and I have noticed it helps me to start my day
Standard.’
with a positive, calmer vibe. The increase in
natural light is also a great mood booster.
I read earlier this year how walking for five
LOUNGING AROUND
minutes barefoot outdoors can reduce stress and ‘Our Havsten outdoor
make you feel happier. It releases endorphins sofa, £200, Ikea, is like
which improve your mood, and research has also sitting on a cloud.’
shown that barefoot walking can help increase
antioxidants, reduce inflammation and improve
sleep. Also known as ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’ this
is obviously much easier and more appealing over
the summer months, so I’m doing it as much as I
can now. I’m not sure how happy it would make

Thrilling
HOUSE MANUAL
grilling
Cooking on gas?
Explore your
culinary options
outside of sausages
and burgers, with
help from Weber’s
Gas BBQ Bible by
Manuel Weyer
STUFFED
AUBERGINES
See page 166
for recipe

HOUSE MANUAL
CORNFLAKE-
CRUSTED CHICKEN
See page 166
for recipe
TOP TIP
This coleslaw
tastes best when
left to marinate
overnight in the
fridge before
serving

TOMAHAWK STEAK &
BBQ POTATO MASH
See page 166
for recipe
n Find more than

250 recipes for
every occasion
in Weber’s Gas
BBQ Bible by
Manuel Weyer
(£30, Hamlyn)
HOUSE MANUAL
Stuffed aubergines Cornflake-crusted chicken Tomahawk steak & bbq

MAKES 4 READY IN 50 MINS, PLUS SERVES 4 READY IN 25 MINS, PLUS potato mash
MARINATING MARINATING SERVES 4 READY IN 1 HR, PLUS
● 3 aubergines (about 250g each) ● 50ml FOR THE CHICKEN ● Zest and juice of RESTING TIME
olive oil ● 1 garlic clove ● 150g feta ● 15g 1/2 unwaxed orange ● 4tbsp soy sauce FOR THE POTATOES ● 6-8 floury
flat-leaf parsley ● 50g redcurrants ● 50g ● 8-12 chicken inner fillets ● 4tbsp flour potatoes ● 2 onions ● 50g butter ● 2tbsp
cottage cheese ● 3-4tbsp olive oil YOU ● 2 eggs ● 2 handfuls cornflakes ● 3-4tbsp
potato & vegetable spice mix (see
WILL NEED A cast-iron griddle plate oil COLESLAW ● 1/2 white cabbage below) ● 6 sprigs flat-leaf parsley FOR
1 Cut the aubergines in half lengthways
(about 800g) ● 1 carrot ● 1 small onion THE POTATO & VEGETABLE SPICE
● 2tbsp white balsamic vinegar ● 4tbsp MIX (makes about 3tbsp) ● 1tbsp fine
and then cut a diamond pattern into the
clear honey ● 1tsp mustard ● 100g sea salt ● 1/2tsp white sugar ● 1/2tsp
flesh, leaving about 1cm around the edge.
mayonnaise ● 50ml buttermilk ● 25g curry powder ● 1tbsp sweet paprika
Prepare the grill for a medium to high
flat-leaf parsley MAYONNAISE (makes ● 1tsp onion powder ● 1/2tsp dried lemon
indirect heat (180–200C). Place the
around 250ml) ● 1 egg ● 1tsp mustard peel ● 1tsp dried parsley FOR THE STEAK
griddle over a direct heat, close the lid
(medium hot) ● Juice of 1/2 lemon ● 1 tomahawk steak (1–1.5kg and 3–4cm
and preheat for 8-10 mins.
2 Rub coarse sea salt over the cut
● 200ml rapeseed or sunflower oil YOU thick) ● 1-2tbsp oil for rubbing ● 1tbsp
WILL NEED A cast iron griddle plate coarse sea salt ● 2tbsp chopped mixed
surfaces of the aubergines and place
and 8-12 bamboo or wooden skewers, herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, sage)
them cut side down on a baking tray.
soaked in water for at least 30 mins YOU WILL NEED A cast iron griddle
Cover with clingfilm and leave to stand
for about 15 mins at room temperature. 1 Prepare the grill for a medium to high 1 Prepare the grill for a medium indirect
Then wipe off any excess salt with direct heat (180–220C). Preheat the heat (180-200C). Scrub the potatoes
kitchen paper and brush the cut surfaces griddle with the lid closed for 12-15 mins. under cold running water and pat dry.
with half the olive oil. 2 In a bowl, mix the orange zest and Place the potatoes on the grill over an
3 Drizzle the remaining olive oil on the juice with the soy sauce, then season indirect heat, close the lid and cook for
plancha and add the aubergine halves, with pepper. Lay the chicken fillets in the about 40 mins until soft. About 15 mins
cut side down. Close the lid and cook for mixture, cover and leave to marinate in before the potatoes have finished cooking,
5-8 mins until golden brown. Turn the the refrigerator for about 10 mins. add the unpeeled onions over an indirect
aubergines and cook for a further 4-5 3 Meanwhile, make the coleslaw. Trim heat, close the lid and cook until soft.
mins. Remove the aubergines from the the cabbage and remove the stalk and 2 Meanwhile, pat the steak dry, rub it all
grill and leave to cool slightly, then cover slice into very fine strips. Peel the carrots over with oil and coarse sea salt. Cover
with clingfilm and leave to rest for 10 mins. and slice into thin strips using a knife or a with baking parchment and leave at
4 For the topping, peel and finely chop mandoline. Peel and finely dice the onion. room temperature for about 25 mins.
the garlic. Cut the feta into 1cm cubes. 4 To make the mayonnaise, put the egg, 3 Remove the cooked potatoes and
Rinse the parsley, shake dry and chop mustard and lemon juice in a mixing bowl onions from the barbecue. Prepare the
finely. Sort through the redcurrants, and season well. Use a stick blender to grill for a high direct heat (220-240C).
discarding any that are mushy. Mix process the mixture, adding oil drop by Put the steak over a direct heat, close
all the prepared ingredients in a bowl drop at first, and then in a steady stream. the lid and grill for 2-3 mins on each side.
with the cottage cheese. This will keep for three days in the fridge. Then transfer to a medium indirect heat
5 Scoop out the flesh of 2 of the 5 In a large bowl, mix the vinegar with (180-200C), close the lid and continue
aubergine halves with a spoon and place the honey, mustard, mayonnaise and cooking for 12-14 mins.
in the bowl, discarding the skins. buttermilk, and season with sea salt and 4 Meanwhile, combine the ingredients
Carefully remove the flesh from the pepper. Add the cabbage, carrot and for the potato and vegetable spice mix.
other 4 halves, leaving about 1cm of flesh onion, and stir to mix. Cover and leave Cut the warm potatoes in half and spoon
RECIPES TAKEN FROM WEBER’S GAS BARBECUE BIBLE BY MANUEL WEYER
around the edges, and place in the bowl. to infuse for about 10 mins. the flesh onto a cast iron griddle. Halve
6 Take the chicken out of the marinade
PHOTOGRAPHS MATHIAS NEUBAUER FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
Thoroughly mix the ingredients in the and peel the onions and cut them into
bowl and season with pepper to taste. and pat dry. Put the flour in a bowl and strips. Mix the butter, onions and 2tbsp
6 Stuff the filling into the 4 aubergine beat the eggs in a separate bowl. spice mix with the potatoes. About 10 mins
halves and place them on the grate over Crumble the cornflakes until you have a before the steaks have finished cooking,
an indirect heat. Close the lid and cook fine crumb and put them in a shallow put the potatoes over an indirect heat,
for 12-15 mins until the filling is heated dish. Coat the fillets in the flour first, then close the lid and leave them to warm,
through. Remove from the grill, drizzle dip them in the beaten egg and finally crushing occasionally with a wooden spoon.
with olive oil and serve warm. roll them in the cornflakes. Thread the 5 Take the steak and griddle off the grill.
fillets lengthwise onto the skewers. Place the steak on a chopping board and
7 Carefully coat the hot plancha with scatter over the herbs, then leave to rest
the oil, then add the skewers and grill for for 6-8 mins. Detach the steak meat from
6-8 mins with the lid closed, turning once the bone and cut it across the grain into
or twice. Take the skewers off the grill 1cm thick slices. Season the cut surfaces
and leave to rest for 3-5 mins. with sea salt flakes and pepper to taste.
8 Serve the skewers alongside the Sprinkle the potato mash with chopped
coleslaw, scattered with chopped parsley. parsley. Serve with the potato mash.

HAPPY HOME
ReNew candles,
from £26.99 each,
WoodWick
IDEAS FOR A SUSTAINABLE HOME

SMART SCENTS
“ Each hand-sprung mattress

WoodWick, the scented candle brand with a wick
that softly crackles as it burns, has launched a new
”
is made to order so there’s collection made from a blend of soy and coconut
wax, called ReNew. The plant-based, dye-free wax
no unnecessary waste is infused with essential oils to create six delicious
aromas: Cherry Blossom & Vanilla, Ginger & Turmeric,
Lavender & Cypress, Tomato Leaf & Basil, Incense
& Myrrh and Blackcurrant & Rose. Available in two
sizes, each candle comes in a jar produced using
55% post-consumer recycled glass, topped with a
cork lid made from responsibly sourced trees. What’s
more, all the packaging is fully recyclable too.
This month...
REDUCE Seeing as ‘staying in’ is the new
‘going out’, having dining chairs that are as
comfortable as they are stylish is a must.
The ergonomic Varier Social chairs, from
£369, Back in Action, are specifically made to
be recyclable and contain
between 55 and 75%
post-consumer plastic from
European household waste.
REUSE Every single
Owen mattress, from
Kukoon rug in the Renuu
£2,099 for a double,
range is made from 80%
Feather & Black
recycled cotton, machine
Home grown & sewn

washable, and delivered in
recyclable packaging. From
just £19.95 for 50x80cm.
Like the sound of a luxurious handmade mattress packed with natural RECYCLE Made using
lead-free stainless steel, the
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
materials, all sourced in the UK? Feather & Black has you covered.
new Crosswater 3ONE6
The bed and furniture brand has introduced a range of mattresses bathroom taps, bath fillers,
created entirely from traceable UK farm-grown materials, such as showerheads and matching
Yorkshire wool, flax and hemp, which means the products are fully accessories are 100%
recyclable after use. Handmade by fifth-generation mattress makers recyclable after use and
Harrison Spinks, the range of eight designs, in a choice of tensions have a 15-year guarantee.
and types including zip-and-link, starts at £1,099 for a single. From £89 for a toilet roll holder.

garden
notes
GARDEN EXPERT SARAH RAVEN TALKS US
THROUGH WHAT TO PLANT IN AREAS THAT
LACK DIRECT SUNLIGHT
w ithout much sunlight, we are all a bit

more restricted in what we can grow
but sometimes that can be a good thing,
narrowing the choices down a little.
When I’m planning a border, I try to think
in layers. What’s going to give us a silhouette against the
THE FLOWERY DIVAS
Annuals and biennials In shade, there’s a limit to what will
grow well. In autumn, we plant as many white and soft-pink
foxgloves as we can fit, letting them settle in over the winter
sky? What will clad the walls or fence and what will fill the (they’re totally hardy) before the demands of flowering.
borders permanently just below? Then I think of temporary Once the frosts are over, we add Nicotiana sylvestris and
highlights — annuals, biennials and bulbs which scatter the Nicotiana alata ‘Grandiflora’, which are happy in shade.
area with flowers. And another layer down, the ground cover,
plants linking everything together, forming a low carpet. BULBS
This is how I design any garden space, but in shade we For spring, we stick with pale colours – you can have the
need to be cleverer with shapes and forms, rather than lightest scattering of another colour (such as blue) but the
colours. To get dark spaces glowing and brighter than overall effect needs to be white. We plant ‘Exotic Emperor’
they truly are, white or eau-de-nil, soft pale green are and ‘Purissima’ tulips, as well as the delicate white daffodils
your best flower colours, alongside strong leaf shapes. ‘Thalia’ and ‘Silver Chimes’. In summer and autumn, we
Here, based on 30 years of gardening, are my shade- move onto the lilies, Lilium regale ‘Album’ and Lilium
tolerant favourites. speciosum ‘Album’, leaving all these perennial bulbs in from
one year to the next, to flower up our dappled shade.
THE TOP LAYER
Amelanchier My current number one for the top layer is a GROUND COVER
compact Amelanchier or Snowy Mespilus, which we have If you have any space between all this abundance there
planted against a north-facing wall here, where it gets sun are a couple of plants worth seeking out to knit everything
only for a few hours a day – and it’s thriving. together and prevent weeds. The first is a white periwinkle,
(Vinca minor f. alba ‘Gertrude Jekyll’) with evergreen leaves
THE MIDDLE LAYER and white flowers from spring to
Hydrangeas Ballooning up from ground autumn. I also love sweet woodruff
level there can be no better family for a (Galium odoratum) with a confetti of
shade border than hydrangeas. We have white scented flowers all through spring.
the huge-headed Hydrangea ‘Incrediball’ To help you sleep, like lavender, you can
with H. ‘Limelight’ planted outside our pick sweet woodruff and pack it into
kitchen window and I’m often fooled into cotton bags.
thinking someone is coming to the door.
SHADE CONTAINERS
Acanthus If I only had room for one As well as the bulbs already mentioned
shade-loving perennial, Acanthus and the tobacco flower, Nicotiana
‘Rue Ledan’ would be my choice. It dies ‘Grandiflora’, which are brilliant for pots,
down briefly in winter but emerges with Hydrangea ‘Little Lime’, which has a
The ‘Chic et Choc’
great gusto in early spring. In May, huge honeysuckle is beautiful progression of flower colour, is
flower spikes, like jagged edged spears, perfect for a good- a great choice. We also love ‘Chic et
erupt up to nearly my height covered sized pot in the shade Choc’ honeysuckle. It grows to just over
with ivory napkin flowers all summer. a metre and is beautifully fragrant.

HAPPY HOME
1 2
CHEAT SHEET…
Shade
garden
plants
1 Amelanchier arborea ‘Robin
Hill’ I love its simple, airy blossom
in spring and berries in June.
3 2 Acanthus ‘Rue Ledan’ 4
A handsome, sculptural plant.
3 Hydrangea ‘Incrediball’ with

H. ‘Limelight’ Its huge, ivory
green flower globes are stunning.
4 ‘Exotic Emperor’ tulips These

shine light into any gloomy space.
FEATURE SARAH RAVEN PHOTOGRAPHS JONATHAN BUCKLEY

tidy
HOUSE MANUAL
house
tidy
mind GET YOUR GARAGE
LOOKING SHIPSHAPE FOR
THE NEW SCHOOL TERM
CLEAR THE CLUTTER As with any
reorganisation, the first step is to clear everything out
and reassess the essentials. A cluttered space tends
to gather more junk, so have a good clear out and Elfa shelving starter
either donate to charity, recycle or bin anything that kits, from £129, A
you don’t want nor need. Place for Everything
USE THE HEIGHT Unlike shed or loft spaces that
often have very limited ceiling heights, a garage has vertically, rather than propped up against a wall, taking
the advantage of having a full ceiling height, so you up floor space. Ceiling pulley systems are also available
shouldn’t let any of this precious storage space go to – these raise bikes above the ground, taking advantage
waste. Measure up the space and invest in some of redundant space in the centre of the garage.
inexpensive shelving, and remember to secure the
shelving to the wall for safety, so it doesn’t topple over. TIDY YOUR TOOLS A clean and tidy toolkit is
one that you will use again and again. Decide on a
BOX IT UP Your new shelving is the perfect place dedicated spot for your tools, whether that’s a box, a
for a selection of plastic storage boxes. It doesn’t tool bag or a wall-hung rack, and tidy them away after
matter if the contents are messy, as long as they’re every use. Don’t ram everything in or leave it in a mess
boxed up neatly and labelled clearly. – you may need a tool in a hurry one day and if your
HANG HOOKS Sturdy hooks for bicycles and toolbox is tidy, you won’t have to have to waste time
scooters can be fixed to the wall so they can be stored digging around trying to find it.
STACK’ EM UP
Smartstore 50 litre
ALL IN ONE waterproof storage
Heavy duty tool box, £23.99, Charlies
bag, £14.99,
WHEELIE GOOD VonHaus
Bike rack for three
bikes, £59.60,
GearHooks
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
CARRY AWAY
Stanley Sortmaster
tool organisers,
£13.71 each, B&Q

hometruths
HELEN SKELTON GETS UP CLOSE AND
PERSONAL WITH HER HOME
The BBC presenter and

Countryfile host lives in
Cumbria with her children,
Ernie, Louis and Elsie.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE
TIME OF DAY AT HOME?
Definitely early morning – that’s the
calmest time of day in my house. I’ve
always been an early bird because I grew
up on a dairy farm, so the day starts early.
I just like that stillness of the morning
when everything is waking up.
WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY

PLACE AT HOME?
When the kids have gone to bed, that’s
my time to switch off – just half an hour
sitting in the bath. I’ve just gone from a
freestanding bath to a fitted bath. I loved
my freestanding bath before, but I quite
like a fitted bath at the minute because IN THE
you can put stuff around the edge like HOT SEAT
candles and a glass of wine. Shoes – on or off? Off
Eat at the table
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOP or on laps? Table.
TO BUY HOMEWARE FROM? Lighting – bright or
Anthropologie, because you don’t expect moody? Moodily lit!
to see homeware among the clothing. Quick shower or long
I’ve tried to buy the furniture that they bath? A long bath.
display stuff on so many times – like the Colourful or neutral?
actual shop fittings – because they’re It depends on the room,
so cool. They’ve not let me buy any yet, they won’t get pocket money if they don’t, so I go for both.
but I'm still working on it! but somehow they wangle their way out of it. Neat or creative chaos?
Creative chaos!
WHAT CHORE DO YOU DO YOU TRY YOUR HAND AT DIY? Music, radio, TV or
LOVE DOING? I regularly try. I’m not good at it, but I’m not quiet? I have the radio
This is gross, but I really like taking the terrible at it. I built some garden furniture at on all the time.
hair out of the shower drain – it’s so the weekend, and I do have a big bathroom
satisfying! And cleaning the shower mirror to go up, but it’s so heavy that I need a
screen using a window wiper – it doesn’t ‘proper’ person to put it up. I try little things,
take very long but it has an immediate but I wouldn’t trust myself with a nail gun! n Helen Skelton is the
impact. In fact, I just ordered a Kärcher first brand ambassador
FEATURE REBECCA KNIGHT
window vacuum cleaner for the job! DO YOU THINK YOU'RE A GOOD HOST? for bathroom retailer
Yes, I do. I’m a good host in that I’m Victoria Plum,
…AND WHAT CHORE DO YOU HATE? welcoming, I’ve got good music on and I’m representing the brand
on a range of activities,
All housework. I hate putting dishes away relaxed about my home. That said, I’m not a including community
and I hate cleaning the kitchen. I try to good cook. My friends always bring their own and sustainability
encourage the kids to do chores and say food when they come to my house! projects across the UK.

9000 9032

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T H E H O M E O F G R E AT I D E A S F O R 1 0 0 + Y E A R S

HOW TO YOUR HOUSE

HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR

Ideal home experts

MATT SIBERRY NICKY PHILLIPS KALPANA SARAH RAVEN

THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

AUGUST 2023 3 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

ROOM DECOR real homes

AUGUST 2023 5 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

78 ◆ CLEVER DECORATING Ways

AUGUST 2023 6 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

ISSN 0019-1361 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR

Printed by Walstead Peterborough Ltd (UK)

READ It’s no big

AUGUST 2023 11 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Marley outdoor Rosehip, Oak, Willow Bough, IH LOVES

Beauty meets utility

AUGUST 2023 12 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

If you love biophilic

AUGUST 2023 14 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

2 New for 2023,

High street heroes

THE DESIGN EDIT

AUGUST 2023 15 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

UNDER Metal flower pots in

Blue glass oil jug,

Everyone loves a bargain –

Fox & Ivy Blue

AUGUST 2023 16 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Bright floral tea

Garden solar table

AUGUST 2023 17 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

AUGUST 2023 19 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

SUSANNE AND JEREMY HEWSON HAVE TRANSFORMED A

AUGUST 2023 22 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

AUGUST 2023 23 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

The space has been

AUGUST 2023 24 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

The original small, grey steel

The exterior of the main bedroom

Upstairs, the remodelling work

AUGUST 2023 25 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

THE BUILD IN PICTURES

AUGUST 2023 26 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

WHAT’S IT MADE OF? pros of longevity and virtually no

AUGUST 2023 27 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

BEST DESIGN DECISION

AUGUST 2023 28 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR

AUGUST 2023 29 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

AUGUST 2023 30 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

AUGUST 2023 31 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE?

THE LAYOUT upper floor guest bedroom with a balcony. We also

BEDROOM OFFICE WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

AUGUST 2023 32 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

AUGUST 2023 33 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

AUGUST 2023 34 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

AUGUST 2023 35 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

WHAT IS IT? and weather resistant,

AUGUST 2023 37 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

‘The rocking chair in

AUGUST 2023 39 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

78 ◆ CLEVER DECORATING Ways