Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2023 i HomeStyle

April is the ideal time to throw open the windows, air our homes and have a good, old-fashioned spring clean. I like to declutter every couple of months but this time of year is when I really take stock, whether it's looking over my summer clothes and letting go of the items that I no longer fit or wear, or clearing out old paperwork, which seems to pile up no matter how organised I try to be! The sticking point for many of us is knowing where to start; then, once we've dedicated a weekend to spring cleaning our homes, the challenge is how to keep it this way. So, this issue, we asked our favourite cleaning and clearing experts: Stacey Solomon, Mrs Hinch, Marie Kondo, Lynsey Queen of Clean…

JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS Easter lunch For an on-trend table setting, go for gingham prints, pretty pastels and sweet detailing – perfect for a celebration this spring! HOMESTYLE LOVES! DUNELM Urban cool Perfect for small spaces, this trend champions multifunctional furniture and open storage. After all, why would you want to keep your fave pieces hidden away? SERVE DRINKS IN STYLE FRENCH CONNECTION Easy living Inspired by Ibiza, this look is all about sun-drenched colours and an eclectic mix of fabrics and textures. Wish you were here… HOMESTYLE LOVES! HANG ABOVE A BEDSIDE TABLE NEXT Bed of roses Refresh your space for spring with Next's oh-so-pretty trend. Featuring florals, subtle shades and curved shapes, it ticks lots of this season's style boxes…

SCAN ME to shop these products at your homestyle.uk…

style idea Lavender and lemon hues add instant sunshine SCAN ME to shop these products at yourhomestyle.uk…

Refresh your home for spring with a window makeover! We've teamed up with Blinds 2go to give away three £500 vouchers to spend on blinds or curtains of your choice. Blinds 2go offers a large range of online made-to-measure blinds and curtains – from sleek wooden blinds to luxurious flowing curtains, there's something for every home. It has a fabulous selection of branded window treatments, too. Choose from the bright and beautiful botanicals of Clarissa Hulse, timeless William Morris prints in collaboration with the V&A or the delightful motifs of Emma Bridgewater, and so much more. Browse the beautiful patterns in a range of blinds and curtains; it's the perfect way to add a touch of designer style to your space. You can even add smart technology to your home…

COMES IN TWO SIZES ECOFRIENDLY…

If your wardrobe doors and drawers are becoming hard to shut, then a spring declutter is in order. Not only will you feel great about passing pre-loved pieces on, but you'll have more space to organise the things you keep, so that choosing an outfit in the morning is less of a chore and more of a pleasure! MAXIMISE SPACE Velvet hangers are not only kinder to your clothes than plastic ones, they're also thinner so take up less room. For drawers, buy some dividers or boxes to separate items and make everything look neat. USE COLOUR Categorise your wardrobe by colour. It will create a space that looks tidier and makes it easier to pick out something to wear each morning. ‘Categorise your wardrobe by colour. It will create…

The Shine Squad These cleaning experts and influencers are part of The Clean & Tidy Home Show team, and love sharing tips and tricks with their followers Jennifer Hall @hall_at_home 39 Most places can be cleaned with a decent cloth and washing up-liquid. They's versatile, great at braking down grease, and budget-friendly, too! Lucy Mitchener @cleanwithlucy 40 I write down everything that i want to do in the time i have and i tick the jobs off as I do them. This helps me plan my clean and keep it effivient. Ellen Houghton @ellenh1986 41 Dishwashers tablets aren't just for dishwashers! Use one to soak a pan, baking. You can also use them to freshen up uour plugs. Penny Moyses @pennymoyses 42 When the coils at the back of the…

EDWARDIAN HEIGHTS My home style is modern with a vintage twist, and living in an Edwardian home I always try to be sympathetic towards the era with pre-loved vintage furniture and art work. The great advantage of having a home with large rooms and high ceilings means I can play around with bold colours, textures and patterns without overwhelming the space. Mixing old with new is one of my favourite things to do in our home and you'll often find me in an antique shop or scrolling through Facebook Marketplace to find beautiful secondhand items. @edwardian_house_interiors WIN A PRIZE! Sponsored by… bunches Congratulations to everyone featured in this month's #myHSHome – you've each won a beautiful Secret Garden bouquet, worth £31.50, from family-run online florist Bunches. Use our hashtag on…

go with the flow We've always loved the on-trend hardware from Plank and it's just expanded its offering to include stylish mixer taps too. The curved Portman and the angular Armstrong tap designs are available in four gorgeous finishes, including matt black and stainless steel to fit seamlessly into your existing kitchen. serious treats Spring is the season for special occasion bakes. Pretty cakes and elegant tarts make fantastic centrepieces for your Easter table or, thoughtful gifts for the mother-figures in your life. When you're hoping to achieve that perfect bake, having reliable bakeware makes all the difference. Durable, hard, anodised aluminium tins evenly distribute heat across their surface, so that you get a show-stoppingly even bake every time. Glass storage jars help you know when to stock up! lush…

About me I'm Lois Connors, 39, an interiors content creator @colourfulleopard. I live with my husband, Nick, 45, a digital director, and our two boys, Nolen, 13, and Heath,10. Our home is a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Macclesfield, Cheshire. We bought it in April 2021. TOTAL £2,295 BEFORE My problem bedroom The original décor was grey and white. It wasn't particularly offensive, but it really didn't sing to me. Although the floorboards were exposed, which looked gorgeous, they were really noisy. I was also initially unsure how to make the industrial-look brick wall work with my maximalist aesthetic. How I made it work It was important to start with a classic, neutral base that would complement any scheme as I wasn't sure initially how to decorate the room, although I…

So, you're ready to paint – but now you have to select your paint finish. What do they all mean? We talk you through them below… MATT Flat matt or matt paint is used on walls and ceilings, and because it absorbs light well, it's a useful choice if you want to hide small bumps or imperfections. EGGSHELL Perhaps the most popular type of interior paint, an eggshell finish reflects light well with a slight sheen, yet is durable enough for high-traffic areas (for example, hallways). SATIN Use satin paint on interior woodwork, such as window sills and skirting boards – it often has too much of a sheen to paint an entire room with. GLOSS As the name suggests, this is the shiniest finish of the bunch. Use it…

KATIE DUTTON Staff Writer ‘I like to bring out my most colourful tableware to create a pretty tablescape for spring breakfast and brunches’ KATIE NICHOLLS Senior Production Editor ‘I know pastels look great at Easter but I'll be going for bright and bold colours and even a dash of neon, if I dare!’ HANNAH TRIBE Staff Writer ‘I'll be pairing clusters of faux-grass rabbit ornaments with ceramic lettuce plates for the ultimate bunny lunch!’ CATRIONA BURNS Features Editor ‘Bunny ear napkins, pretty name cards and plates piled high with hot cross buns will be a hit for a catch-up date with the girls’…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Charlotte Coleman, an interior stylist and content creator. I live with my husband, Chris, and our children, William, seven, and Cecelia, four, plus our chickens and cat, Boris. WHERE I LIVE My home is a five-bedroom house in Wiltshire, part of which dates back to the late 1800s. We've lived here for six years and you can see more of my home on Instagram @wiltshirewonderland. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The entire house needed work to make it liveable. The kitchen wasn't fit for purpose and the bathroom was from the 1970s – basically everything needed an update. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I put in a new kitchen and bathroom plus a new roof! I love pastels so I decorated throughout with soft,…

TOP TIP You can also mix acrylic paint with plaster of paris to make a chalk paint substitute for this project and expand your colour options YOU WILL NEED •chalk paint in different colours •washing-up liquid • washing-up sponge •glass bottles and jars •paint brush INSTRUCTIONS 1 Select your vessels for display. You want a mixture of short and tall items for a balanced look. Unusual shapes and details, like inset panels and fancy rims make nice focal points in your finished assembly. Dried flowers or grasses look great when added to some of the bottles or jars, too. 2 Thoroughly wash your display pieces, wiping down the outsides with a soapy washingup sponge to make sure they are grease-free. White spirit is great at shifting stubborn labels. Leave to…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Sade Onyeji, 38, a homemaker. I live with my husband, Richard, 48, a photographer and fitness consultant, and our three children, Teighan, 19, Malachi, 15, and Carter, six, along with Bonnie, our five-year-old Labrador. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom semidetached house in Basildon, Essex. We bought it in 2008. You can see more of my interior style on Instagram @sade_home_life. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The house was a new-build and had been built the same year as we moved in, so it was very plain throughout and needed some personality. HOW I MADE IT WORK We gave every room a makeover, painting in neutral and monochrome colours, and bringing warmth to the scheme with lots of texture, such as plants and…

SAFETY TIP Before you drill into your wall, check there are no wires or pipes behind it with a pipe and cable detector device. Buy one from Amazon for under £20. YOU WILL NEED • Hultarp 7cm hooks in Black, pack of 5, £4; Burhult 59 × 20cm shelf in White, £3; Hultarp 60cm rail in Black, £5; Sandshult shelf bracket in Aspen × 2, £4 each, all IKEA • picture hanging plate in Black, set of 2, × 2 Amazon • spirit level • pencil • drill INSTRUCTIONS 1 Hold your shelf up against the wall where you want it to be placed. Use a spirit level to check it's straight, then draw a pencil line onto the wall all the way along the top of the shelf. 2…

SCAN ME to shop these products at yourhomestyle.uk…

WITH EXPERTS STACEY SOLOMON • MRS HINCH • MARIE KONDO • LYNSEY QUEEN OF CLEAN The benefits of spring cleaning and organising our homes go beyond a tidier house – and the rediscovery of many lost socks – research by psychologists and health experts shows that a spring clean and clear can help to keep our immune system strong, boost our mood, promote focus and reduce stress and depression. In fact, improved mental health tops the list of additional benefits. But where to start? We asked the professionals to share their top tips for getting tidy, staying tidy and giving our homes a dust and dirt detox that's bound to put a spring in our step… Simple, stress-free ways to declutter and spring clean…

Malini Shah is an HR Executive for a charity in the accounting sector Tried & tested ‘Fyio has made my life much easier. I had so much paperwork taking up space in my home. Making it all digital with fyio has changed everything for the better. The app is very user friendly and you can categorise your documents into different folders, making them easier to locate. It's great to know that all my important information is in one place and I can access it anytime, anywhere. You can also set reminders to renew documents and, as the app has a sharing function, I can easily share documents with my family if I need to.’ ORGANISE YOUR PAPERWORK WITH FYIO'S HELP ‘For every piece of post you receive, ask yourself: do…

SCAN ME for more wallpaper inspo at yourhomestyle.uk…

style idea Paint window casements for a splash of statement colour that doesn't overwhelm a space TOTAL £1,651 My problem kitchen The house wasn't even built when we bought it, so when people talk about a blank canvas, that really is what we had! It was a case of completely starting from scratch, which sounds ideal, but it meant we had lots of decisions to make and it was hard to know where to start. How I made it work I chose neutral fixtures and fittings so that I could take my time to decide on the final style and colour scheme, which came when I was playing around with some bright pink neon spray paint. It inspired the whole look. My fovourite part Adding the panelling was really transformative…

Elevate animal prints by pairing them with warm, rich hues, like ochre GET READY IN STYLE LOIS ‘Bring some fun and flamboyance to your bedroom scheme’ LUXE GOLD = INSTANT GLAM SCAN ME to shop these products at yourhomestyle.uk Lean against the wall for a contemporary, relaxed look 3 OF A KIND… WALLPAPERS…

A powerful, reliable vacuum cleaner that can make easy work of a variety of surfaces from laminate to carpets and upholstery, is an asset to any home. Brands are aware that this is a competitive market and it's an area of home cleaning regularly announcing new technology designed to make your home dust and hair free. There are products for all levels of budget, but do they all perform as they claim? We tested eight machines, assessing comfort, weight, manoeuvrability, hair removal and noise. Alongside powerful suction, we also considered what attachments came in the box, charging and run times (for cordless cleaners) and whether you're getting value for money. If you're preparing for a spring clean and your vacuum's seen better days, our guide will help you pick the…

Food news ‘This month we've been eating more fermented foods did you know that a portion a day is not only good for your gut, it can also boost your mood and support heart health?’ Future farming North Yorkshire-based online meat retailer, Farmison & Co, has announced the launch of its Farming the Future campaign. Using its #tracebettermeat QR code, the system allows buyers to access information about the breed of animal, the farm and even video footage of the land where it was reared. ‘We've already encouraged people to Eat Better Meat and now we are encouraging people to Trace Better Meat,’ says Farmison & Co founder John Pallagi. farmison.com THE FUTURE OF EATING OUT There have been some big changes to the way we eat out in recent…

Easter bakes Simnel cake has been eaten since medieval times and is traditionally topped with 11 marzipan balls to represent the 11 apostles of Jesus, minus Judas Hot cross bun Swiss roll with clotted cream V PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes + cooling COOKING TIME 12-15 minutes SERVES 8-10 INGREDIENTS ● 4 eggs ● 120g caster sugar ● 120g self-raising flour ● 1 tsp ground cinnamon ● ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ● ¼ tsp fine salt ● 1 orange, zest ● 40g Trewithen Dairy unsalted butter, melted and cooled ● 50g raisins ● 200g Trewithen Dairy Cornish clotted cream ● 100g mascarpone ● 1 tsp vanilla extract ● icing sugar, for dusting ● 50ml salted caramel sauce ● 100g marzipan, rolled into 11 even-sized balls, to decorate METHOD 1 Line a 25 ×…

Lara Berry gives the lowdown on the latest releases from the interiors world on page 12… ‘I'm going to make a centrepiece from foraged foliage. I'll add fun to the table with bargain pastel buys, while gold cutlery will bring warmth to the look.’ Interiors stylist and content creator Charlotte Coleman invites us over for a home tour on page 20…'I'll set the table with scalloped plates and bowls in pastel colours. Then I'll decorate with jars of mini eggs, colourful streamers and an Easter cake.’ We catch up with surface pattern designer, Kate Merritt, on page 120…’ I love to get the kids involved by making an Easter tree and using it as a centrepiece. To finish I add some fresh spring flowers, and a pretty floral tablecloth.’…

AVAILABLE IN SEVEN COLOURS BRIGHTEN UP A DARK CORNER…

SCAN ME to shop these products at yourhomestyle.uk…

Children grow quickly, so it's important to choose functional furniture that can be adapted – but that doesn't mean it can't look good, too. We've teamed up with Ickle Bubba to give away two Tenby Scandi 3-piece furniture sets in Scandi White, worth £999 each! Boasting a clean style that's perfect for a modern nursery, the soft white base is paired with wood-effect accents and rounded corners, bringing a fresh two-tone look to your baby's room. Catering for babies from birth until they reach four years old, the Tenby Cot Bed has three height positions, allowing you to lower the cot mattress as baby learns to sit and stand. As little ones develop, the convertible design can transform into a toddler bed to take them the rest of the way.…

TOP TIP Upcycle fabric scraps and off-cuts for a pleasingly eclectic finish, or cut strips from a worn-out duvet and sheet set for a more tonal wreath YOU WILL NEED • fabric strips (approx. 1.5m total length)• 14in metal wreath frame (with 4 inner wires), £3.14, BurlapAndBows88s on Etsy • rotary cutter • cutting mat INSTRUCTIONS 1 Cut your fabric into strips of about 4cm wide × 20cm long. This is easiest to do with a rotary cutter and cutting mat, but you can use scissors and a ruler if you prefer. 2 Loop a strip of fabric around the two wires on the outside of the wreath frame. Line up the two short edges so the strip is sitting centrally on the frame, and tie into a knot. 3…

Before a spring clean, spend time having a spring clear. Minimising the items you need to clean (and clean around) will save you time and effort in the long-run. Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but with some clever hacks and a bit-by-bit approach you'll soon start to see order restored, making for a happier home life for everyone. Plus, you'll feel motivated to tackle the spring clean with gusto! ‘Use stackable storage for a win in fridge clearance, so you can see everything you have then actually use it all and fit more in!’ Stacey Solomon, @staceysolomon Stacey Solomon TV presenter Stacey shares tidying tips on her BBC One series Sort Your Life Out, in her best-selling book Tap to Tidy and on her Instagram @staceysolomon. Here are four of our fave…

Now that you've decluttered, spring cleaning will be so much easier. Before you start, it's a good idea to write a list of what you'd like to clean and then break this down into smaller jobs you can fit into your day. This way, you can feel satisfied as you tick off the jobs as you go and avoid the overwhelm of trying to get everything done at once. Happy cleaning! Mrs Hinch Sophie Hinchliffe, better known as Mrs Hinch, shares her top cleaning tips on Insta @mrshinchhome and is the author of four books, including: Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul. Here are five of our fave Mrs Hinch hacks 1 Clean dust and grime from radiators by spraying…

SCAN ME to shop these products at yourhomestyle.uk Shower power If you're on CleanTok (yes, cleaning TikTok is a thing!) then you're likely to have come across these cool acrylic shelves in the many ‘organise my shower with me’ videos. They look sleek, and are really practical too! Not only will they keep your most-used products stored away neatly, but they adhere to the wall with a special glue or suction cups, included with the caddy, making them easy to remove and totally renter friendly. Currently priced at £38, Amazon. CHECK ME OUT! Pots of style Checked prints have been dominating the décor sphere for quite some time, but now they've officially made it onto ceramic tableware – and we're loving it. Delicate, dainty and ideal for the season, add…

TOP TIP Benches fit more bums on seats than dining chairs, perfect for a large gathering! 01 bring the outside in Dress your table with an array of spring flowers, such as crocus, daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, lily of the valley and bluebells. Create an impressive table centrepiece with a rectangular steel container that's full of flora and dot a few around the rest of the table in little ceramic pots. Add some white tapered candles and Easter-themed crockery and linen for the full ‘in bloom’ effect. 02 make it personal Make everyone feel extra special this Easter with personalised egg cups, eggs, mugs, chocolate and cakes. It's a lovely way of giving gifts, too, as guests can take them home with them afterwards. Fill mugs or egg cups with eggs, chocolates…

STACKABLE FOR EASY STORAGE CUSTOMISE KITCHEN CUPBOARDS ‘Turn the kitchen into your happy place with sunny shades’ SCAN ME to shop these products at yourhomestyle.uk Keep cupboards neat and tidy with stylish storage 3 OF A KIND… GLASSES…

Joanne Hay Owner of JOANNE HAY DECORATING @joannehay decorating Marianne Shillingford Creative Director at DULUX dulux.co.uk Victoria Yardley Founder of VICTORY COLOURS victorycolours.co.uk Marcus Jarvis In-house painter and decorator at HARRIS BRUSHES harrisbrushes.com What tools do I need to paint a wall for a pro finish? Brush up on your painting knowledge, with some help from Marcus Jarvis… Successful painting is all about a smooth finish and good coverage – ideally in the shortest possible time. Two things are vital to ensure satisfying results: using the right tools for each task and good preparation. The Harris Ultimate range includes tools for preparing and repairing flat and curved surfaces, all with soft grip handles for easy working. There's also a selection of Seriously Good Sanding Blocks, suitable for use on plaster.…

74% ENERGY SAVING COMPARED TO THE OVEN Healthier cooking We've all been just a little bit obsessed with our air fryers of late so we were very excited to meet the new kid on the block, the Air Pro Cook from Turkish homeware emporium Karaca. This fab design offers six energy-efficient modes, and can be used as a slow cooker, oven, grill, reheater, dehydrator, air fryer and even as a homemade yoghurt maker! Sleek and space-saving, the 4-litre model features a large, single-drawer cooking basket, with room to cook a healthy meal for up to 12. It's available in grey-black, red and cream from karaca.uk. OUR FAVOURITE… EGG CUPS We love a boiled egg and soldiers, especially when served in a cute cup Split, pit and slice avocados safely and…

Monday GF SOBA SALAD WITH PRAWNS AND CABBAGE PREP TIME 10 minutes COOK TIME 20 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 170g frozen peeled king prawns, thawed • 180g 100% buckwheat soba noodles • 200g green cabbage, very thinly sliced • 1 carrot, shredded For the dressing • 3 tbsp rice vinegar • 1 tbsp sesame oil • 1 tsp sriracha sauce • 1 clove garlic, grated METHOD 1 Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the prawns and cook for 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the prawns to a colander and rinse with cold water. Set the prawns aside. 2 Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook according to pack instructions. Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water. 3 Meanwhile,…

Interview H ow did you start in pattern design? Originally, I was a children's book illustrator and an art editor working for a magazine publisher in London. In 2011, I took a year off and moved to Paris. I started working from home and during that time I discovered some fantastic online design courses, including one called Make it in Design. It was one of my favourites as it introduced me to all things surface pattern design. I started experimenting with patterns and motifs and fell in love with the process. Describe your style in three words… Decorative, bright and bold. How does living in France influence your designs? I live by a beautiful river on the outskirts of Paris, where I can find so much inspiration for my patterns. If…