Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2019/January 2020 i HomeStyle

This is the season of celebration and entertaining. With an influx of guests coming into our homes, it’s important to make sure every room is looking its best. Our reader homes this issue are dressed in all their festive ÿnery and are packed with creative ideas to steal (p14). If you’re keen to update your decorations this Christmas then take a peek at page 58, where you’ll ÿnd this year’s must-have trends. We know that choosing the perfect present can be time-consuming, so on page 64 we’ve cherry-picked the very best gift ideas from all your favourite stores to help save you time and money. Whether you’re buying for your Mum, your nephew or your pet pooch, you’re sure to ÿnd something that fits the bill. Are you planning a…

• Always have a contingency and add 10 per cent to any quote you’re given. I was lucky that I bought a home at the bottom end of my budget so had money left to get all the work that was needed done in one go. • Décor-wise, I may have made some slightly safer choices, but I think I’ll be happier with them further down the line. • I didn’t have the best experience with my builders. They said the work would take eight weeks, but it ended up taking eight months! It can be pot luck sometimes, but if you do lots of research and speak to several ÿrms, you can save yourself problems later. See homestylemag.co.uk for more great real homes…

A bit about me I am Mohamed Hussen and I live here with my partner and our dog Wilbur. My Instagram is @fresh. lavender.style Where I live Our home is a three-bedroom 1960s semi in Coventry. We have lived here for just over two years. What I wanted to change The kitchen was tiny, but we wanted a utility room, walk-in pantry and cloakroom – so we extended. How I made it my own We travel overseas a lot and bring things back for the house. Every wall is white so we can add colour with accessories. My favorite part With about 40 plants in the kitchen, we have created a bit of an urban jungle! It’s all anchored around the orange island – our favourite feature.…

You will need * Wooden letters * Measuring tape * Pencil * Drill * MDF board * Saw * Sandpaper * Cloth * Wood glue * White paint * Fairy lights 1 Measure and mark points along the centre section of each wooden letter, spaced out equally, about 4cm apart. 2 At each point, drill a hole large enough for the bulbs of your fairy lights to ›t through. Work from the front for a neat ›nish. 3 Position the letters in the middle of the MDF board, and then neatly cut it down to size with a saw. Sand any rough edges on the letters and MDF board, and clean using a dry cloth. 4 Drill larger holes through the MDF only, behind the ›rst…

• Use a chisel to remove the existing tiles, then create a smooth surface for the new tiles using a hand sander. Remove any loose debris and clean with a sponge. • Measure the width of the re surround and mark the midpoint with a vertical chalk line. Apply your mixed mortar to small sections at a time so it doesn’t dry out and leave grooved ridges with a trowel to ensure the tiles adhere well. Quarter-inch tile spacers will create even gaps. For a smooth finish you will need to cut some of the edge tiles and the final row with a wet saw fitted with a diamond cutting blade. • Once the tiles have set, remove the spacers and wipe with a sponge. Use a vacuum cleaner to…

NATURAL SCANDI Want a stylishly pared-back Christmas scheme? Then choose this Nordic-inspired look, where the focus is on natural materials and a soothing palette of neutral colours. Go for wood, rattan and wicker furniture, but cosy it up with faux fur, felt and linen accessories. Keep the glitter accents to a minimum but add a touch of seasonal sparkle with metallic decorations and lots of inviting fairy lights. JOLLY HOLIDAY Kids, and big kids alike, will love this fun twist on the traditional Christmas look. Nutcrackers and retro-style decorations in bright red and green add a whimsical vibe, while sweet candy canes, modern ›r tree prints and novelty signs keep the look lighthearted. Inject an extra splash of red with some berries and, lastly, add pine cones in a basket…

Shop the moodboard (Clockwise from top left) Otishi wallcovering Indian green, £85 per roll, Romo. Decadent Decs burgundy glitter honeycomb decoration, £7, Talking Tables. Arthouse 3D decorative panelled wallpaper in navy, £9.99 per roll, I Want Wallpaper. Gold flamingo tree decoration, £3, Wilko. Floribunda Tapestry fabric, £34 per m, Blendworth. Linara Malachite fabric, £39.50 per m, Romo. Gold pineapple tree decoration, £3, Wilko. Filodendron fabric, £5 per m, Ikea. Reindeer head, £2, Hobbycraft, painted in Mad About You V700 emulsion, £28 for 2.5L, Valspar. Varese velvet fabric, £72 per m, F&P Interiors. Wisteria in Midnight Mint floral wallpaper, £110 per roll, Woodchip & Magnolia. Reindeer head, as before, painted in Hobgoblin claypaint, £18.86 for 0.75L, Earthborn. Reindeer head, as before, painted in Midnight Navy Breatheasy emulsion, £14.50 for 1.25L, Crown.…

A bit about me I’m Rebecca Norwood and I live here with my husband Patrick, our two daughters and our cat. Where I live Our home is a three-bedroom 18th-century cottage in Derbyshire. We’ve lived here for three years. What I wanted to change It felt dark, especially the poky kitchen, so opening up this space was a high priority. How I made it my own The house’s original features definitely inspired the look, so we opted for a neutral palette that wouldn’t overpower these elements. H&M Home, IKEA and Desenio are my go-to stores. My favourite part The beams and brick fireplaces are top of my list. Having them sandblasted has made them the central focus of each room.…

You will need * Paper or thin card in greens, red and white * Pencil * Scissors * Scoring tool * PVA glue * Cocktail stick * Hot glue * Hole punch * 12in rattan wreath 1 Download and print the paper wreath templates from homestylemag.co.uk. Draw around the holly templates onto the back of some green paper in one or two shades and cut out. To speed up the process, concertina the paper and cut out multiple leaves at once. 2 Repeat with the mistletoe template on light green paper, and some berry sprigs on red paper. The berries themselves are the holes – or chads – made by a standard office hole punch. 3 Score down the centre of each of the holly leaves and fold…

Wishford sofa in mustard, £1,445, Willow & Hall. Chou monkey cushion, £35.99; Ponti mirror, £70.24, both Wayfair. Turquoise Sanela cushion cover, £6; Aröd floor lamp, £50; Lövbacken side table, £45, all IKEA. Tretchikoff print, £40 (varies), King & McGaw. For similar rug, try cowhide rug, £189, Cowhide Rugs London. For similar brass ÿre surround, try eBay or a local selling site. Slemcka coal hod, £17, B&Q. For similar vase, try amber glass vase, £25, Cox & Cox. For similar hammered gold metal ceiling light, try the Pari, £90, Habitat. For similar armchair, try Flora Scalloped velvet armchair, £395, Oliver Bonas. For similar footstool, try Paloma footstool in Teal, £49, Cult Furniture. Curtains, £35 a pair, Dunelm. Peacock feathers, £4 for two; Gold Gleam hammered coupe glass, £9, both John Lewis.…

Try your hand at DIY Lauren was keen to have a coloured bath and decided to paint it herself to keep costs down. ‘I was nervous at the start, but watched a few online video tutorials to pick up tips’, she explains. ‘Once I felt confident enough to begin, I lightly sanded the surface of the bath before giving it two coats of primer and then three coats of pink eggshell paint. It was actually a lot easier than I’d first thought!’ Mix and match materials Panelling is well suited to Victorian properties and Lauren has used this classic wall covering at picture-rail height to emphasise the high ceilings. ‘I decided to run the crackle-glaze metro tiles behind the shower and along the back wall to make them more of…

Small but mighty Looking for a powerful heating option for a bathroom, kitchen or utility? Check out Vogue’s Quadrate Harmonique. It combines a seven-rail towel warmer with an inset flat-panel radiator, providing a whopping 1,003W heat output. Available in central heating, dual fuel or electric versions, the MD078 measures H1,200 x W500 x D105-120mm and is available in a range of finishes. CLEAN SWEEP If you’re tired of removing tangled hair from the brush of your vacuum, check out this innovative new product by Shark, which removes it as you clean. Anti Hair Wrap technology actively separates and removes hair with a unique bristle guard and comb – the ideal solution for those with long locks or pets. Even better, it has a Powered Lift-Away function, allowing you to detach…

Brussels sprout and parsnip gratin Prep and cook time 1HR 15 MINS Serves 6-8 Ingredients * Butter, for greasing * 500g Brussels sprouts, trimmed * 500g parsnips * 300ml double cream * 200ml full-fat crème fraîche * 4 garlic cloves, crushed * 4 bay leaves * 1½ tsp ÿne sea salt * Black pepper Method 1 Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6. Grease a deep 30cm x 20cm oven-to-table dish. Slice the Brussels sprouts. Trim the parsnips and slice very thinly. Layer up in the prepared dish. 2 Put the cream, crème fraîche, garlic and bay leaves in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. 3 Pour the cream…

How did it all begin? I was a latecomer to interiors. Until the age of 33 I had worked in HR recruitment and as a vice president at Barclays, but I needed a creative outlet. When I bought a dilapidated Edwardian house in 2014, my obsession began. I also fell pregnant and, uninspired by the nursing chairs in the UK, set up my brand, Baby Grey. I launched Three Boys and a Pink Bath in December 2017, initially to share my renovation journey, but I soon spotted the opportunity for it to become part of my business and brand. Describe a typical day In the mornings, it’s normal business activities – dealing with shipments, ordering fabrics and marketing. In the afternoons, I focus on the creative aspects – looking at…

A bit about me I’m Laura Grice and I live with my partner David and our two cats Pablo and Gigi. Where I live My home is a two-bedroom end terrace built about 1910 in Sevenoaks, Kent. I moved here in 2018. What I wanted to change The house was stuck in a 1970s timewarp with woodchip and old carpets everywhere. The kitchen and bathroom were in dire need of a revamp too. How I made it my own Rather than designing each room in isolation, I chose Dulux Heritage shades that toned well together. This helped to make the house feel more cohesive. My favourite part It has to be the dining room, as it was such a big transformation. I’m really delighted at how bright and airy it…

You will need * Timber * Measuring tape * Saw * Pencil * Drill * Sandpaper * Cloth * Wood varnish * Paintbrush * Jute rope * Scissors * Self-adhesive hooks 1 Measure and cut the timber to your desired length. Then measure and mark a pair of holes, equally spaced apart, at each end of the shelf. Drill holes at these marks, using a suitably sized drill bit for the width of the jute rope. 2 Sand any rough edges, and clean the shelf with a dry cloth. Apply a coat of wood varnish to the shelf, and leave to dry. 3 Cut two pieces of jute rope measuring 1m in length each. Thread the ends of each length through the holes in the shelf and…

• Planning the building work at the same time as the kitchen layout is important, to ensure that electrical, extraction, drainage and plumbing services are in the right place, so you won’t have to make any compromises on the layout at a later stage. • Once you have an idea of the size and type of extension you want, you’ll need to work out a realistic schedule. Factor in time to submit planning applications and party wall agreements if required, as well as time for the construction, which can take between three and six months. • Hiring an architect is a good idea – although not essential for smaller projects, where a structural engineer or builder may suffice. An architect will ensure your plans are sound, as well being a…

• Rub’N Buff is a handy little product to add antique gold highlights. I’ve tried using it on everything, even the plastic stands of my globes. A tiny tube goes a long way! • I love miniature things so I bought a doll’s house as a creative outlet for my ideas (@bighouseminihouse on Instagram). If I ever want to change something in our house, I try it out on my doll’s house first. • Re-loved items, such as charity shop finds, add character to a house. And I discovered, while breastfeeding, that you can get great eBay bargains at crazy hours of the night. See homestylemag.co.uk for more great real homes…

Assembling this industrial-style wine rack is so much easier than you might think – a quick twist cuts the pipes to length and then you just glue them together! Why not make one as a gift for a wine lover? Takes 3 hours You will need * Two 2m lengths of copper pipe * Tape measure * Marker * 15mm pipe cutter * Twelve 15mm copper solder ring elbows * Four 15mm copper equal tees * Epoxy resin * Strong fabric * Scissors * Sewing machine * Thread * Iron * Fabric glue * Sturdy needle 1 Begin by marking out the lengths of pipe you’ll need to construct the frame. These will be: six 11cm lengths, eight 24cm lengths and four 32cm…

Shop the moodboard (Clockwise from top left) Holden Décor Whispering Trees wallpaper in Dusky Pink, £12.99 per roll, I Want Wallpaper. GoodHome Lancon blue vinyl wallpaper, £18 per roll, B&Q. Pearl Dot Rosedust fabric, £31 per m, ILIV. Baubles, from £1, Wilko. Camille Rosedust fabric, £75 per m, ILIV. Painted Blush Brick-effect wallpaper, £75 per roll, Woodchip & Magnolia. Mache hanging tree decorations, £1 each, Hobbycraft, painted in (l to r) Rose Sugar Premium walls and ceilings V700 emulsion, £28 for 2.5L, Valspar; Lavender Quartz matt emulsion, £25.36 for 2.5L, Dulux; Powder Blue Breatheasy emulsion, £19 for 2.5L, Crown. Temperate Verdigris wallcovering, £70 per roll, Villa Nova. Forenza Abelia cotton velvet fabric, £64 per m, Romo. Pink car glass tree decoration, £8, Talking Tables. Get the look…

1 MIDAS TOUCH Go for gold and you can be sure of a failsafe scheme that will complement any interior. After all, nothing says New Year’s Eve like a little bling. So go all out with golden tableware, accessories and decorations – you can never have too much! Festooning ceilings and walls with balloons or swags is also a quick, easy way to nail the look. 2 SET UP A STATION It pays to get organised before the big event, so dedicate space to both bar and snack areas. We love a classic cocktail trolley for all those mixers and measures; or simply clear existing surfaces, such as a sideboard or table, so guests can help themselves to nibbles and drinks – leaving you free to get on with celebrating!…

• If there are any areas of dampness, these need to be investigated and fixed before you begin, as it can lead to rot or termite infestation. Any woodworm holes are likely to be historic, but if in doubt, call in an expert. • There are several options for removing old paint or varnish and returning old wooden beams to their natural state. Sandblasting is one way, but it can be messy and there’s a risk of damaging the wood. Soda blasting (using sodium bicarbonate) is a gentler option. There are also companies that offer an eco-friendly process, which involves using a low-pressure air system. • To finish, apply oil or natural beeswax with a soft cloth to create a protective layer, enhance the beauty of the wood and show…

STYLE ADVICE Opt for a dynamic duo Complementary colours make a punchy pair and add depth; Charlie teamed blue with orangey yellow and orangey brown for a striking look. Have it large Most people choose a rug that’s too small. Pick one that leaves only 20-50cm of bare floor to the walls; place furniture on the rug to make the space appear connected and larger. Keep your trim Decorative picture rails and skirting don’t go with the Seventies theme but they’re painted to blend with the wall rather than removing an original Victorian feature. ‘A glitzy spherical pendant crowns the room like a Seventies disco ball’…

Monday Braised pea, lettuce and ham tagliatelle Prep and cook time 25 MINS Serves 2 Ingredients * 2 tsp olive oil * 1 shallot, ÿnely sliced * 2 garlic cloves, crushed * 1 romaine lettuce heart (about 190g), trimmed and shredded * 60g shredded ham hock (from a 180g pack) * 150g dried tagliatelle * 75g frozen peas * 2 tbsp grated Parmesan * ½ lemon, zested Method 1 Heat the oil in a large, lidded saucepan over a medium heat. Add the shallot; fry for 2-3 mins until soft. Stir through the garlic and lettuce and cook, covered, for 5-6 mins until the leaves have wilted. Stir in the ham and season with black pepper. Remove from the heat, cover and set aside. 2 Meanwhile, cook the…

Gin, grapefruit and thyme cup Prep time 15 MINS Serves 6 Ingredients * 3 tbsp caster sugar * 9 thyme sprigs, plus extra to serve * 300ml freshly squeezed pink or red grapefruit juice (about 2-3 fruits) * 300ml Lyme Bay Pink Grapefruit Gin (or other citrusy gin) * Fentimans Natural Pink Grapefruit tonic water, to top * 1 lime, cut into quarter slices, to serve Method 1 Mix the sugar and thyme together in a small bowl, bruising the thyme as you go. Pour in 3 tbsp of just-boiled water and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool, then pass through a sieve into a serving jug. 2 Strain the juice into the jug, add the gin and stir. Chill until ready to serve…

NEW YEAR, NEW STYLE! * BRING LIFE INTO YOUR HOME WITH A LIVING WALL * REVAMP YOUR KITCHEN ON A BUDGET * HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT LIGHTING FOR EVERY ROOM * THE HOTTEST INTERIORS TRENDS FOR 2020! Be in HomeStyle! For your chance to grace our pages and win a fantastic prize, use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram and tell us all about your pad and home style! Get your copy! FEBRUARY ISSUE on sale 7th January 2020…

• Chimney breasts can be a lovely feature, but in a smaller property where every inch is valuable, they can sometimes take up too much space. Removing a chimney breast can make a room feel much bigger and lighter. Expect to pay about £1,500 to £2,000 for the work. • You don’t normally need planning permission to remove a chimney breast, unless you live in a conservation area or your home is listed. However you’ll need building regulations approval if just part of the chimney breast is to be removed (for instance, the ground-floor section) and the rest needs to be supported. If it’s located on a wall shared with a neighbour, you’ll need to serve them a party wall notice to get permission for the work. • Usually you’ll…

• We spent a lot of time researching, and sourcing things online to try to keep the costs down. In the kitchen, the units came from one place, the appliances from another, and the handles from elsewhere. We ordered the worktops online. • I think the mass of plants really brings something different to our home – they give it an almost jungle feel and brighten up the place. Plants do take some looking after though – we water them a few at a time in the sink. • Although we have renovated a house before, as this was a larger-scale project, we learned a lot about the planning-application process. It seemed a bit daunting at the beginning, but we got there in the end! See homestylemag.co.uk for more great real…

A bit about me I’m Lianne Kilroy and I’m married to Daniel. We have two sons: one is four and the other is almost a year old. Where I live My home is a five-bedroom 1930s detached house in Macclesfield. We’ve lived here since 2018. What I wanted to change The magnolia-and-mauve colour scheme had to go, and I was itching to revamp the mahogany fireplace in the living room. How I made it my own Every room has a slightly different feel, from monochrome, to French shabby chic. But there’s a green theme that runs through every room. My favourite part The guest bedroom probably reflects me best. It’s quite eclectic and features herons, which I’m slightly obsessed with!…

You will need * Paper * Fleece fabric * Fabric scissors * Pins * Sewing machine * Thread * Iron * Pompom makers, two sizes * Yarn, four colours * Fabric glue 1 Enlarge the stocking template at homestylemag.co.uk to your desired size and print on paper. Alternatively, draw out a stocking shape by hand. 2 Fold the fleece fabric in half. Pin the template on top and cut out two stocking pieces at the same time. Remove the template. 3 Re-pin the two stocking pieces together, right sides facing, and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top edge and a few centimetres at the top of each side open. 4 Turn the stocking right side out, and iron it flat. Cut a decorative edge…

Gift idea Perfect as a stocking ÿller for interiors fans, this fun little game contains postcards depicting different room styles. Are you contemporary, coastal or boho? Play to ÿnd out! Priced at £25, interiordesigntoolkit.com DO IT YOURSELF Why not adorn your door with a handmade wreath this Christmas? Add real or faux berries, extra foliage and some seasonal sparkle to this classic artiÿcial wreath. Get it at Dobbies, priced £3.99. Table triumph Goodbye crackers and hello homemade table favours. This 10cm gift box is just 95p. Simply add your unique trims, a nametag and a small gift. Find it at Paper Tree. Flower power Bold large-scale florals are taking the limelight in interiors. So, when Graham & Brown announced its Wallpaper of the Year 2020 as Bloomsbury Neo Mint, we…

Shop the moodboard (Clockwise from top left) Arbor wallcovering Andesite, £80 per roll, Romo. Great Leaf wallpaper in Prussian, £72 per roll, MissPrint. Mache Reindeer, £3, Hobbycraft, painted in Treron estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Botanist Garnet fabric, £22 per m, ILIV. Highland natural plank, £36.95 per sqm, Harvey Maria. Reindeer, as before, painted in Deep Poinsettia emulsion, £29 for 0.94L, Benjamin Moore. Superfresco country burgundy wallpaper, £16 per roll, B&Q. Reindeer, as before, painted in Hippo Hooray claypaint, £18.86 for 0.75L, Earthborn. Designers Guild Varese velvet fabric in platinum, £72 per m, F&P Interiors. Kora Tabasco fabric, £53.50 per m, Villa Nova. Sudbury Brick runner, £129 per linear metre, Roger Oates. Hanging fox and deer stag decorations, £2 each, Dunelm. Get the look…

• When renovating, labour is the major cost so if you can do some of the work yourself – such as painting and tiling – you’ll save a lot of money. My husband has the mentality that you can do anything if you put your mind to it, and often watches YouTube tutorials. Although we called professionals in to knock through the kitchen/diner and sandblast the beams, we’ve done everything else ourselves. • Upcycle and restore where you can. For instance, our utility room is made up of our old kitchen cabinets and the stove in the dining area was restored with specialist paint. • Stay true to your personal style and choose items you actually like, rather than what you think you should like, or whatever is the latest…

Go for an eclectic mix Sitting a scalloped Art Deco-style armchair next to an original Sixties side table atop a cowhide rug in a Victorian house really shouldn’t work. But by choosing to stick to a bold but simple colour palette of just two hero colours, and avoiding too much pattern, Charlie and Lee have pulled the look together to create a space that feels unique and sophisticated. Embrace the dark ‘We painted the whole wall, including the picture rails and skirting boards, in the same Hague Blue paint by Farrow & Ball. It adds an edge to the room and creates a dramatic backdrop for the strong colours and textures we’ve chosen. We were a worried that it might feel a bit enclosed but the ceilings are high, so…

‘The previous bathroom was so cold – snow would actually come in through the gaps around the window frame!’ My room... A bit about me I’m Lauren Winter, a secondary school teacher. I live with my husband, Freddie, and our Boston Terrier, Walter, in a four-bedroom Victorian semi-detached house in Leicestershire, which we bought in 2016. My problem bathroom The previous bathroom was dated in appearance and extremely cold in winter. After carrying out a kitchen extension downstairs, the installation of a new steel support unfortunately caused cracks to appear in the bathroom, so it looked worse than ever. How I made it work Under-floor heating and a new sash window mean it’s now toasty warm! I decided to go with a vintage scheme for the decor, and quirky features,…

Loft vibe We’ve given our home an industrial loft vibe. We removed our gas ÿre and surround, but doing so took some of the surrounding plaster off, which gave us the idea of having the bricks exposed. It took my husband 10 days to remove all the plaster, then clean up the bricks and seal them. But we’re so pleased with the ÿnished result. The large print that hangs next to the chimney is from Ink & Drop. @skullanddecor Looking up I instantly fell in love with this Victorian vicarage when we viewed it back in 2017. This space in it has changed three times since we moved in, as something was always missing! The dark ceiling and yellow accents complement the space while the shelves allow me to display…

Shallot Garlic cloves Romaine lettuce Shredded ham hock Frozen peas Grated Parmesan Lemons Red onions Small aubergine Rendang curry paste Light coconut milk Turkey breast ÿllets Green beans Red chilli Fresh coriander Reduced-fat pork sausages Onion Celery Carrot Spring greens Sweet potatoes Lamb leg steak Pack of watercress, spinach & rocket Tomatoes Reduced-fat salad cheese Crème fraîche Sliced prosciutto Pears Gorgonzola Balsamic glaze Want some more meal inspiration? For more delicious quick and easy recipes, head on over to the HomeStyle website!…

Best buy Get your bake on with the kids and use these fun festive creatures to top chocolate nest cakes – that’s if they don’t eat them first! Cadbury Dairy Milk Little Robins, £1.49 for a 86g bag. QUICK FIX It’s time to curl up at home with your favourite cuppa and we love Divine’s new vegan hot chocolate, which has a warming blend of ginger and cinnamon that gives a cosy kick to the creamy cocoa taste. Divine Winter Warming Spiced Hot Chocolate, £5. Fresh find There are so many things we love about Christmas dinner but one of the best is pigs in blankets, and these limited edition Chicken, Sage & Onion cocktail sausages from Heck will give the classic dish a tasty twist. Priced at £3 for…