Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i HomeStyle

Welcome to your April issue – it's bursting with decorating ideas and expert advice to help you find the interior style that suits you and your home, so you can create a space that's perfectly you. Dive into this issue's three stunning real home tours for our cover star Jo's masterclass in laid-back luxe on a budget (page 20), Charlie's sophisticated modern country makeover (page 32) and Emily's 90s inspired artsy colour pop revamp on page 44. Next, flip to page 57 where we're taking our cue from the catwalk and exploring the key trends stepping straight off the spring/summer 2024 runways and into our homes, from Miu Miu's Perfectly Preppy to Chanel's chic Balletcore look. And over on page 64, we've curated four on-trend schemes to give your living…

ON-TREND SCALLOP DETAILING SIP DRINKS IN STYLE HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

Inspiring homes A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Jo Lemos (@two.men.and.a.semi), a training and development coach, and I live with my husband, Chris Gilheaney, and our two dogs, Olive and Lola. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom 1930s semi in Prestwich, Manchester and we moved here in November 2019. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE It was a pretty sad house as it hadn't been updated for decades. The decor was stuck in the 80s, with carpet in every room, walls covered in woodchip wallpaper, and Artex on all the ceilings. There was also a gaping hole in the ceiling of the spare bedroom. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN After repairing the ceiling we plastered every room, reinstated the fireplace in the living area, and then designed and built…

TOP TIP Experiment with using the end of a paint brush, cocktail stick or even the rim of a plastic container to move the paint around the canvas and create different marbling effects Style idea Creating your own artwork allows you to use colours that perfectly match your decor YOU WILL NEED • plastic dust sheet or old newspaper • stretched • canvas feather brush artist's paintbrush • glazing fluid • 2 or 3 shades of acrylic paint • clear polyurethane varnish INSTRUCTIONS 1 To create the marble effect on your canvas, you'll need at least two different shades of acrylic paint. You can make your own shades by mixing colours with white acrylic paint. 2 Before painting, protect your work surface with newspaper or a plastic dust sheet. Prepare the…

Style edit STYLE INSIDER Spring cleaning is enough of a chore without using unsightly homewares too. Pick out items that you can't wait to use, and it'll make the task a whole lot easier. Paying a little bit more for a joyful ironing board cover or a cute canister to pop your laundry pods in is worth it in the long run – particularly if you're short on storage space – as you can display them in pride of place.…

Style edit Style idea Evoke preppy sports with vintage tennis-inspired prints and wooden accents 3 SECRETS TO THIS SCHEME LINE IT UP Get your ruler out, as this look demands neat, clean stripes – it doesn't matter how thick or thin you'd like them to be. For the most bang up-to-date effect, consider skipping white stripes and opting for multi-coloured instead. PLAY WITH PATTERN Nail the 'old money' aesthetic by choosing patterns that evoke grand country houses. And if you don't have an enviable collection of books to display, pick some up secondhand or fake it with digitally printed wallpaper. ANTIQUE CHIC Accessorise with objects from a range of different eras. This layering of styles gives a quirky, eclectic look to your scheme. Head to your local charity furniture shop…

Style edit CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY Relaxed and welcoming, the contemporary country look is a huge trend this season and it's ideal for laid-back get-togethers with family and friends. Combine natural materials, scalloped silhouettes, simple ginghams, stripes and soft linens with a calming, timeless colour palette of pale neutrals and soft sage greens. A generous refectory-style table surrounded by wooden benches and eclectic vintage chairs is the starting point for this look. LUXE TOTAL: £1,265.99 LESS TOTAL: £840.50 MODERN URBAN Recreate the feel of dining in a high-end restaurant with this elegant scheme. A circular table is a useful space saver for small rooms and is ideal for gathering around. Keep the colour palette pared back to dark, moody neutrals and use luxurious finishes such as marble, metallics, mirrors, smoked glass and…

Add personality with a papered border Borders are a cost-effective way to introduce pattern if you don't want to commit to a full wall. Break up a painted wall by adding a length of border above a dado or picture rail. Or try giving a doorway more impact by adding a border around the door frame – but make sure you mitre the corners for a professional finish. To do this, cut both sides to 45 degrees and fit them together neatly. Zone a creative nook using wallpaper In a large or open-plan room, wallpaper can zone off and delineate a particular area such as a home office, play corner or yoga space. Choose a design that sets the right mood. For example, something restful and soothing for a reading…

BECKY RACKSTRAW Director and head of creative at Protek Woodcare TOM BUTLER Glass and glazing expert at myglazing.com GRANT FINDLEY Director of Findley Roofing CHARLIE MCNEILL Managing director of Rainclear Q Can I paint the exterior of my house if there's rain forecast the next day? Becky Rackstraw, director and head of creative at Protek Woodcare, says… 'Ideal painting conditions often means good weather, however, an exterior wall can be painted the day before rain if the temperatures are suitable. In warm, dry conditions, Protek Royal Exterior and Wood Stain and Protect will easily be touch dry in a couple of hours. We do, however, recommend avoiding painting at 5°C or below, or above 30°C. The paint will cure better if the wall is dry in the first place, although…

1 Get your cables under control with this neat pair of boxes. The bamboo lid makes a great shelf for a small pot plant, and the set also comes with cable ties, clips and wire for sleek storage. 2 Perfect for a desk, bedside, or next to the TV, this stylish wooden stand will comfortably hold a tablet, remote control and phone, keeping everything in one place and easy to reach. 3 Whether you're taking your tech on the go or want to keep things tidy at home, a roll-up organiser is just the ticket. 4 Formed from moulded paperboard, this organiser fits into a shallow drawer and is a great solution for smaller items like cables and USB sticks. 5 Set up an entire work-from-home area that folds away…

TO ENTER It's so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the 'Win' tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 2nd June 2024 at 11.59pm To celebrate the return of the Clean & Tidy Home Show, we've teamed up with the event planners to give away cleaning, organisation and home goodies, plus professional styling and organisation services and show tickets to three winners! At the show, you'll discover all the tips, tricks and tools you need to clean and organise your home and wardrobe. Each prize bundle includes weekend tickets for two to the show at ExCeL London on 19th and 20th October, an overnight stay for two in London on 19th October with breakfast the following day, and a selection of cleaning…

Fancy something different for dinner? Try these tasty recipes Monday GRIDDLED HALLOUMI WITH SALSA VERDE DRESSING PREP TIME 15 minutes COOK TIME 5 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 30g fresh flat-leaf parsley • 30g fresh basil • 15g fresh mint • 1 tbsp Opies capers, rinsed, drained and finely chopped • 2 tbsp Opies mini gherkins, finely chopped • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • ½ garlic clove, crushed • ½ lemon, juiced • salt and pepper • 2 × 225g blocks of halloumi, thickly sliced •salad leaves, griddled peach slices and pitta breads, to serve METHOD 1 Remove the stalks from the parsley, basil and mint then finely chop the leaves and add to a bowl. 2 Add the capers…

IN CONVERSATION WITH Interview Known for her modern reinterpretations of classic historical style, US-based interior designer Kelee Katillac is no stranger to bold colour and pattern with her love of maximalism at the heart of her interior designs. Her upcoming book, Historic Style: Honoring the Past with Design for Today, shares her process of restoring a historic home, Henry Blosser House in Missouri, as well as inspiration on how to approach a fixer-upper yourself. When the new owners of the house enlisted Kelee's help to renovate their 1880 property, her vision was to restore their home for modern living. Through her new book, Kelee aims to inspire us to restore our own properties, albeit on a smaller scale, while still adding personality. She took time out of her schedule to chat with…

HOME BARGAINS Coastal cool The Rebalance collection is all about giving the classic coastal look a contemporary update with modern shapes and finishes. Its subtle colour scheme will add harmony to your home HOMESTYLE LOVES! Style idea Dried flowers and foliage stems are a long-lasting and low maintenance option for filling vases GET THE LOOK Warm up blue tones by combining them with sandy hues in furniture and on the walls. This is a classic palette for a reason – it works! Follow the interior designer's trick of mirroring striped patterns on textiles and accessories with ribbed and fluted textures on furniture and lighting. This clever matching of styles will help to modernise your look. Choose furniture with curved edges and rounded profiles to give your scheme a relaxed and welcoming…

Celebrate Iris Apfel's iconic and joyful interior design style with an interior scheme filled with bright colours, clashing prints and luxe finishing touches. Renowned for her visionary fashion sense and flamboyant style, this is a scheme for the bold! Look out for feather and bird-themed accessories and mix new pieces with vintage treasures for a look that's uniquely yours. GLAM CLAM DESIGN…

Style idea Choose bedding with a reversible design for two looks in one!…

'Fashion and interior design are all about aesthetics, form and function, so it's no wonder that both inspire one another. Here are some of this year's hottest looks' THIS MONTH'S THEME ON THE RUNWAY We're taking our cue from the catwalk and exploring the key trends stepping straight from fashion's SS24 collections into our homes…

It doesn't have to cost a fortune to give your home a unique statement look. Whether you prefer to use wallpaper or paint, or even a combination of the two, there are lots of creative ways that you can reinvent your rooms for less. And, you don't have to splash out on litres of paint or copious rolls of costly wallcoverings because, with our clever decorating hacks, small changes can make a big difference. All you need are a few tester pots or tins of leftover paint, or a single roll of wallpaper, to give your walls and furniture the wow factor without breaking the bank.…

LOOK ONE: SECRET GARDEN Poppy's problem bedroom 'I hate the creamy wall colour, I've gone off the headboard (which I re-covered myself), and I'm never sure what to do with the wall above the bed as it feels like such a large area. I've always wanted a rattan headboard, but I worry it won't be comfy. I'd like to know how to give this space a more puttogether, designer look.' LIKES: natural materials, rich colours and a luxe feel DISLIKES: stark, minimalist schemes and cold shades HOLLY PHILLIPS why it works A calming yet fresh palette of chalky neo-pastels, planted with stylised flower motifs and nature-inspired patterns will re-energise Poppy's feminine bedroom with a breezy, modern country vibe. Playful, contemporary scalloped silhouettes stop this look from being too twee, while…

Avoid dreaded mould spots in your home with these top tips… 1 Inspect hidden areas Check behind furniture, particularly against exterior walls, where dampness is likely to accumulate. Move furniture away from walls periodically to avoid moisture build-up. 2 Examine your windows Look under and around windows for signs of condensation, water stains or mould growth, as these can be indicators of potential leaks or poor insulation which contribute to dampness. 3 Invest in a damp meter If your property is prone to damp spots, then it may be worth purchasing a damp or moisture meter to measure moisture levels in different areas of your home. This can help you identify any areas that need treatment. 4 Use a dehumidifier These can combat excess moisture quickly and help maintain optimal…

Take a stand If working from home has taken its toll on your posture over the last few years, you're not alone. One way to tackle this is with a standing desk, which can help reduce back pain, improve posture and even boost productivity. Luckily, they're now more affordable than ever and come in sleek designs like this one, with its spacious worktop that can rise from 72cm to 118cm. It has handy USB and USB-C ports to keep devices charged up, and is super-simple to operate. It's a stylish, sensible, back-saving addition to your WFH space! 3 OF THE BEST… DOORMATS Clean kit Wash and waterproof muddy clothes in a single cycle with this multipurpose formula – so you'll save on time, energy and bills! TOP OF THE MOPS…

Brunch recipes VEGETARIAN Indian eggy bread PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 12-15 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 5 eggs, whisked ● 25ml milk ● ½ red onion, finely diced ● 2 green chillies, finely diced ● 2 tbsp fresh coriander, finely chopped ● 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated (or ginger paste) ● 1 tsp salt ● 6 slices white bread, halved ● 2 tbsp vegetable oil METHOD 1 In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients (except the bread and oil) and whisk until well incorporated. 2 Lay one of the slices of bread in the bowl and dunk it under the mixture, then use a spatula to turn it over. 3 Heat some of the oil in a pan and when hot, add the soaked bread, two slices at a time…

USE INSIDE OR OUTDOORS HOMESTYLE LOVES! Style idea Jute rugs dial up the style in high-traffic areas…

Style idea Use your vase to display fresh eucalyptus stems or add colour with spring blooms TOP TIP Try layering two different shades of stone-effect paint on your vase to achieve a mottled look YOU WILL NEED • vase • white spirit • old rag • dust sheet or old newspaper • Rust-Oleum Surface Primer spray paint in White, £14 for 400ml, B&Q • Rust-Oleum Bleached Stone spray paint, £14 for 400ml, B&Q INSTRUCTIONS 1 Place the vase in a well-ventilated space and cover your working area with a dust sheet or some old newspaper. You may want to cover the surrounding area with additional dust sheets or newspaper to protect it from spray mist. 2 Wipe the surface of the vase using a damp cloth, or if the surface of…

TOP TIP If any paint comes away with the painter's tape when you remove it, use a small artist's paintbrush to touch up where needed YOU WILL NEED • shelving unit • lamp with shade • old rag • painter's tape • paintbrushes • artist's paintbrush • white multi-surface paint • black multi-surface paint INSTRUCTIONS 1 Begin by wiping the surface of your shelving unit with a damp cloth to remove any dust and dirt. Allow to dry. 2 Paint the whole unit with two coats of white paint, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats. If your shelving unit is already white, you can skip this step. 3 Use strips of painter's tape to create wide stripes of varying widths on the outer and inner surfaces of the shelving…

Style edit SAVE Spend Modern vintage Embrace classic good looks with this trend that combines vintage florals with timeless stripes in a soothing palette of pinks, blues and one of this year's most popular shades – moss green. Look for tassels and fringed edges on cushions, throws and lampshades to bring texture and detail to the finished look. Add a few seasonal blooms in striped bud vases, or hang a wreath, to ring the changes. Style idea Add flora and fauna detailing to bring the look to life Roaming home This eclectic, boho-influenced trend combines natural rustic elements, such as wood, terracotta and seagrass, with splashes of pink and golden tones. Mix 'worn out' patterns with plain leather, chenille and bouclé, and introduce dried floral arrangements and pampas to soften…

Zone a space with colour blocking Draw the eye around your home by adding an unexpected splash of colour. A painted bannister, door edge or archway can all create movement in a relatively pared-back scheme, and will only take a couple of hours. Use painter's tape to mask off your desired area to ensure your painted edges are crisp and clean, and use a spirit level or plumb line to ensure your lines are perfectly straight and level. To make a space feel really cosy and intimate, try painting the ceiling and top part of the walls a deep hue for a cocooning effect. Add personality with a painted border Painted borders add an element of fun to your decor and they're kind on the purse strings too, as they're…

Kitchen ideas Keep it box fresh There's nothing like the freshness of pure white for a modern look that will stand the test of time. Add character by teaming with wood or wood-effect surfaces, and you'll have a scheme that not only looks the part but will brighten up your small kitchen. We love how the combination of white and mint green provides the perfect backdrop for pops of pastel accents. Dakota kitchen in White matt slab, from £983 for an eight unit kitchen, Wickes We're not all fortunate enough to have a spacious kitchen – but the good news is that with a little creative thinking and some clever design tricks, you can transform even the most bijou room into a kitchen that's not only practical but super stylish…

10 top tips to help you declutter and stay tidy 1 First things first, write down all the jobs that need doing. Take time to number your tasks into priority order, with number one being the most urgent, and so on. Breaking things down into a list of smaller tasks will make spring cleaning feel less overwhelming. You'll soon start to tick jobs off as you complete them, which will help your motivation and spur you on to do more. 2 When deciding on an area to declutter, think about how long it'll take you. Try not to fit too much into too short a time. Be realistic about what you can achieve in the time you have – whether that's an hour, or a full weekend. Working in smaller…