Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i HomeStyle

Welcome to your May issue – it's filled with exciting ideas for the new season, as well as the decorating tips and tricks you need to bring your design ideas to life. Flip to page 68 for our experts’ advice on how to create the perfect colour palette to suit you and your home. On page 62 you'll find our 10 affordable DIYs to help you refresh your decor for less – they're the ideal projects for those bank holiday weekends. And on page 55, discover how to revive your interiors with the shade of the season in our Decorator's Moodboards – from Mediterranean to modern coastal looks, blue hues will add freshness and a relaxed vibe to any scheme. For inspiration on a grand scale, turn to page 74…

HOMESTYLE LOVES! TIDY AWAY CLUTTER IN STYLE…

TOP TIPS Applying the self-adhesive vinyl first means that any gaps in the mirror tiles won't show up as easily. Gently flex the mirror tile strips before sticking down YOU WILL NEED • craft knife • Styrofoam cone • holographic silver glitter self-adhesive vinyl • pencil • round dinner plate • Styrofoam hemisphere (or sphere cut in half) • 5x5mm self-adhesive square mirror tiles • scissors cocktail sticks • super glue INSTRUCTIONS 1 Use a craft knife to slice the top few centimetres off the Styrofoam cone to create a flat surface. 2 Place a sheet of self-adhesive vinyl backing side-up on your work surface. Use a pencil to trace around a dinner plate to create a circle. This will be used to cover the base of the hemisphere and…

Inspiring homes EXPERT ADVICE Snug ‘This is a little relaxing sanctuary for Daniel and I to enjoy in the evenings when the kids are in bed. I wanted to give the original part of the house – the living room and front bedroom – an edgy Art Deco kind of vibe with a moody palette. To restore it to its former glory, we invested in sash windows from Elmsley Curtains and Blinds for all the front windows and added sills to replicate the original ones. We also re-instated the picture rail to complement the original coving, installed a reclaimed fire surround and put panelling up around the bay window and in the alcoves. At first we went for navy walls but I didn't like it. Instead we chose Charcoal by Rust-Oleum…

Style idea Zone an open-plan space using a divider…

COST: £62 Transform your kitchen cupboards There's no need to break the bank in order to revive kitchen cabinets that are looking past their best. All you need is a can of paint and some elbow grease STEP 1 Before you start painting, remove the handles from your cabinets and keep them in a safe place. If you're planning to replace the handles, fill in the holes with wood filler and sand it smooth once dry. STEP 2 Cover your working area with a dust sheet to protect it. Give the surface of the doors a good scrub with sugar soap to remove any dirt, grease and grime. If you can, remove the doors to paint them as it will make the job easier. If not, don't worry, you can still…

Create a modern Regency effect with these chalky colours in creamy pastel shades. Mix and match any or all of these colours for a perfectly curated period scheme.…

1 Gold glow up Add some zing to your mouldings, like Laura has done with the wooden beading on her fitted wardrobes and doors. You will need to buy a gold leaf kit online. ‘Brush on the glue, leave it to go tacky, then add the gold leaf, which I simply rubbed on,’ says Laura. ‘At first it looks messy, but trust the process, as when it's brushed off the finished effect looks beautiful – though I am still finding bits of gold every time I clean the room!’ 2 Dopamine decor Decorating with warm colours, such as pinks, reds and oranges, can help us feel happier, so Laura loves to embrace lots of joyful colours and bold pattern in her interiors. ‘I chose plenty of tactile materials to add…

1 Place rugs above hard flooring or invest in padding beneath carpet, to help reduce footfall noise. This can be particularly beneficial on stairs and upper floors. 2 Hang heavyweight curtains in front of windows and your front door, as a barrier to block out sound. 3 Upgrade cabinet door and drawer hinges to soft-close mechanisms, or add adhesive bumper pads to help absorb impact and prevent slamming. 4 Strategically place large pieces of furniture – such as bookshelves or sofas – against shared walls to act as sound absorbers. Also try to seal cracks and gaps around the skirting with caulking, to prevent noise travelling between the walls. 5 Establish mutual quiet hours with your adjoining neighbours. Night hours are generally accepted as being from 11pm until 7am. Being…

PRIMARK Ditsy prints Brighten up your bedroom with the latest drop from Primark – the spring range features pretty pastel shades and an array of wildflower designs HOMESTYLE LOVES! Style idea Combine pastel pink and pale blue for this sweet spring look GET THE LOOK Scalloped edging is an on-trend look which is showing no signs of going anywhere. Bring it into your bedroom by adding this finish to your bedding, curtains, or even on a rug. Reversible bedding is an easy way to switch up the look of your bedroom. Simply turn it over to reveal whichever design you're in the mood for! Don't be afraid to pattern clash either – just stick to a tight colour palette for a cohesive look. Enjoy flowers without having to keep fresh…

Whether it's called ridged, ribbed or reeded,this tactile finish will add much-needed texture to sleek and contemporary spaces, which might otherwise feel a little Stark. The clean geometry of these thin, repeating lines is an elegant way to introduce pattern without making your room feel fussy. For a cohesive look, use this effect in more than one area in your space — for example, matching your glassware to the light fittings or cabingiry. HOMESTYLE LOVES! POP IN A PINK-TONED PLANT…

Style idea Semi-flush fittings are ideal for low ceilings HOMESTYLE LOVES! EDITOR'S CHOICE…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Lorna McMahon, 33, a bank manager, and I share my interiors on Instagram @atthemacs. I live here with my husband Rob, 36, a plasterer, and our three year old son, Henry. WHERE I LIVE We've lived in our five bed, 1930s detached house in Shoeburyness in Essex since October 2021. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE When we moved into this house, our plan was to renovate it from top to bottom, eventually replacing the bathroom and building a new kitchen extension. We couldn't afford to do the building work straight away, so in the short term I decided to makeover the most-used rooms to turn them into a family-friendly space that we could enjoy. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We tackled most of the…

TOP TIP If you have leftover material, you could craft a matching candle holder. Make a shorter centrepiece, then curl around a hurricane candle holder and secure YOU WILL NEED • length of green rope • floral shears or secateurs • selection of fresh or faux foliage • green floral tape • selection of fresh or faux flowers • florist's wire • decorative picks (optional) INSTRUCTIONS 1 Measure a piece of rope to the length of your table. For a luxurious look, add 60cm so the rope drapes 30cm off each end of the table. 2 You can use either fresh or faux foliage and flowers to create your runner, or a mixture of the two. Cut down the stems on the foliage to various lengths and arrange different types…

Style edit 3 SECRETS TO THIS SCHEME GO TO EARTH Ground soft denim shades with earth tones. Rich sandstone and peachy terracotta will add warmth to prevent the look from feeling stark or cold. Opt for pale beige wherever you would normally use brilliant white – like on ceilings and woodwork. ABSTRACT THINKING Look out for abstract prints that reference organic forms. Think spinning dandelion clocks, swirling shells and rain-drenched flowers. These will add subtle, natural texture to your look MOVE WITH THE FLOW Choose furniture with gentle curves to create a welcoming vibe in your room. Mix and match these curves with rustic pieces. Look out for tables with obvious joinery or live-edge shelving, which retains the bark of the wood. Style idea Try distressed finishes and crumpled linen…

LOOK ONE: LA DOLCE VITA Hannah's problem kitchen ‘I love to bake, but I don't love spending time in this kitchen! It feels dark in here as there isn't much natural light. I'd like to know how to brighten up the room and add colour and personality, plus lots more storage. I prefer a modern vibe, rather than a classic country kitchen, and love green, although I'm open to trying new colours.’ LIKES: Up-to-date interiors with a unique twist DISLIKES: Chintzy, fussy details and country style Why it works This Med-inspired scheme is all about laid-back sophistication with a playful twist. Repainting the base cabinets in sea blue, adding blue-green tiles, and finishing with pops of terracotta pink, fun motifs and natural textures will lift Hannah's dark kitchen for getaway…

Best for… tight budgets ‘One of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to add colour to a bathroom is through painting and upcycling. Why not pick up a secondhand vanity unit and give it a new lease of life with some specialist furniture paint?’ Rikki Fothergill, bathroom style expert, Big Bathroom Shop Best for… busy people ‘Some bathroom reno projects can be time consuming, however, there are some quick ways to add colour. Installing a coloured basin, for example, will enrich your bathroom in a short amount of time. Similarly, replacing a tap can take as little as one hour, making it a really speedy update.’ Hannah Saunders, design expert, Victorian Plumbing Best for… small bathrooms ‘The latest furniture collections are a great way to add on-trend shades to your bathroom…

Style idea Create a boutique hotel feel and layer throws and cushions on the bed USE IN A DRESSING AREA ‘For me, these bright, warm tones raise my energy levels’ Style idea Break up a bold colour palette with plenty of pattern 3 OF A KIND… GOLD WALL LIGHTS REVERSIBLE DESIGN…

POPPY BENNER, ECO CHAMP Bags of joy Add a pop of colour to your weekly shop with the new statement totes from Kind Bag. More than just a pretty design, these ecofriendly shoppers are made from RPET fabric which comes from 100% recycled plastic. In fact, each bag saves six plastic bottles from ending up in landfill or the ocean. Easily foldable into a handy pouch, they're super-strong too, holding up to a whopping 20kg! ECO SWAP Sustainable smiles You're probably already aware of smol's dishwashing and laundry products, but did you know the brand also makes bamboo toothbrushes? According to smol, 256 million toothbrushes are thrown out in the UK every year. Bamboo is recyclable, has a lower carbon footprint than plastic, and regrows quickly, making these stylish toothbrushes…

1 Clean the toaster Turn off the toaster and leave it to cool down, then remove the crumb tray and shake it out into your compost bin. For any leftover crumbs inside the toaster, use a brush to dust them away. Wash and dry the tray thoroughly before putting it back. 2 Paper purge Quickly blitz each room in the house looking for old newspapers, magazines, birthday cards, junk mail, or any receipts no longer needed. Separate into piles, ready for donation, shredding or recycling. 3 Sanitise switches Light switches are regularly used but not often cleaned, and can become a hotspot for bacteria! To banish those germs, spritz a microfibre cloth with antibacterial spray and give each switch a quick wipe down.…

Simple springtime suppers to make on repeat! Monday TAGLIATELLE WITH ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS PREP TIME 10 minutes COOK TIME 20 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 40g salted butter • 1 medium onion, finely choppe• d 150g chestnut mushrooms, wiped and finely choppe• d 200g lighter soft cheese with garlic and herb• s 150ml single crea• m 100ml white win• e 6g fresh parsley, finely choppe• d salt and peppe• r 400g tagliatell• e 2 x 100g packs asparagus tip• s 20ml extra virgin olive oi• l 40g Parmigiano Reggiano, to serve METHOD 1 Melt the butter in a wok or large frying pan and sauté the onion for a minute. Add the mushrooms then cook for another couple of minutes. 2 Add the soft cheese, single cream, white wine and parsley. Season with…

You may have seen Sophie on the latest series of BBC One's Interior Design Masters as a guest judge, or you might have heard her co-hosting the chart-topping podcast The Great Indoors. Now, Sophie has teamed up with DFS to create a capsule collection of sofas, armchairs, footstools and scatter cushions in her signature style of bright hues and bold patterns, with the aim of encouraging us to dial up the dopamine in our decor and make our homes all the happier for it. In-between her busy diary of launch events, expert talks and her own design workshops, we were excited to chat to Sophie about the new range, and ask her tips for adding maximum colour with minimal fuss – and which hues to avoid at all costs. We…

Get Harry's style We are just a little bit obsessed with the latest interiors collab between Rockett St George and Next, in particular the Harry's House collection – a kaleidoscope of bright colours, bold pattern, and sassy shapes designed to inject a pop of Harry Styles’ exuberant personality into our homes. As well as standout pieces like the Banana side table and Luscious Lips pink velvet sofa, the collection features coloured glassware, maximalist monochrome patterns on cushions, upholstery and bedding, and showy accessories including a statement chandelier in Pantone's hottest shade, Knockout Pink. Flamboyant, fearless and fun, these pieces are sure to boost your mood and your (Harry) style status! Sweet seasonal scents Fill your home with the scents of the season without breaking the bank, thanks to a new…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Katherine Atkinson, 47, (@theoldforgeincolour on Instagram), and I‘m assistant director for the county council. I live with my husband Tom, 47, an electrical engineer, and our children, James, 17, and Charlotte, who's 13. WHERE I LIVE My home is a six-bedroom detached house in Maidstone, Kent, built onto the side of an old forge. We've lived here since October 2016. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE I wanted to make the most of the original features while also showcasing the extended 1960s part of the house HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I love a vintage vibe, but don't want my home to feel like an ode to retro living, so I've balanced the look with pieces of sleek, modern furniture. MY FAVOURITE PART Our bedroom…

COMES WITH SHADE…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Louise Landry, 36, and I live with my partner Daniel, 35, a painter and decorator, our daughters Bella Crosbie, 10, and Ofelia Berry, three, and our British shorthair cat, Yogi. I work part-time at Penhaligon's perfume shop and have a home styling business. WHERE I LIVE A three-bedroom Edwardian semi-detached house in Formby, Merseyside, which we bought in June 2021. You can see more of my home on Instagram @altcar_edwardian_renovation. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE It hadn't been updated for decades, there was no bathroom upstairs and the kitchen was tiny. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I wanted every room to have a different feel but there's a brass thread that runs throughout the house and a real mix of old and new. MY…

TOP TIP Create the petal templates on design software and print out if you're making a group YOU WILL NEED • stiff scrap card • lightweight (176gsm) coloured card • pencil • scissors or craft knife • glue gun • wooden spoon INSTRUCTIONS 1 Begin by making the templates for the flower petals from scrap card – an old cereal box is ideal. Make your petal-shaped templates to the following measurements, with a curved edge at the top and the sides tapering down to a straight edge at the bottom: extra large petal 19x25.5cm; large petal 14x19.5cm; medium petal 10x13.5cm; small petal 7.5x10.5cm; extra small petal 6.5x9.5cm. You can scale these measurements down to make smaller flowers. 2 Lay your templates on the coloured card and trace lightly around them…

• Before painting, thoroughly scrub your tiles to remove any dirt, grease and grime. Rinse with clean water and allow them to dry completely. Next, lightly sand the tiles to create a rough surface that will help the paint to adhere. • Not all paints are suitable for tile surfaces. Look for specialist paints designed for tiles. These paints are durable, moisture-resistant, and will adhere well to the smooth surface of the tiles. • Applying a good-quality primer is essential when painting tiles. Primer helps your tile paint adhere better and ensures a smooth and long-lasting finish. Apply the primer evenly with a brush or small roller and allow it to dry completely as per the manufacturer's instructions. • When painting the tiles, use a high-quality brush or roller for…

‘Reliable, solid and well-loved, blue is probably not the first shade you think of when imagining hot, new trending colours, but don't underestimate the power of this versatile hue. Blue's steady, go-with-everything attitude is exactly why it's so popular at the moment and we love this all-seasons shade in any room’ THIS MONTH'S THEME INTO THE BLUE Refresh your look with three new ways to use trending blues in your home, whatever your style…

Style edit Make an entrance Create a sense of drama from the moment you step into your home with elegant faux floral displays and ornate patterns. The hallway is an often overlooked area but it's a great place to set the tone for the rest of your home – even if yours isn't quite on the same scale as this one! As this is a space you won't spend long in, you can get away with going all out with pattern and colour, without it feeling overwhelming. Match your colours with the patterns you're using for a cohesive look. Get your beauty sleep Spoil yourself with high thread count cotton bedding. These luxurious sheets are more densely woven than ordinary bedding, creating a slightly heavier fabric and, when woven with…

About me I'm Laura Hall, an interior designer and content creator, and I live with my husband Graham, a software developer, and our two boys, Ben, seven, and Rory, five. Our home is a four-bedroom 1930s end-terrace in Woolton, Liverpool, which we bought in October 2015. I share my reno story on Instagram @thehexagonalhouse. TOTAL £3,660 BEFORE My problem bedroom We originally had three bedrooms, but I knew that the boys would eventually want a room each. We wanted to retain a spare room so that family and friends could visit, which meant finding a way to create a fourth bedroom. How I made it work We decided to convert the loft space to make the extra bedroom. Although the loft wasn't boarded out, there was plenty of floor space…

PAULA HIGGINS CEO of HomeOwners Alliance NICK DONLON Housing expert at Citizens Advice ANNABEL CLARK Dispute resolution partner at Keystone Law ESME WHEELER Pet welfare expert at RSPCA Q I want to raise the height of my fence for privacy, but my nosy neighbour wants the space left open – do I need their approval? Paula Higgins, CEO of HomeOwners Alliance, which exists to give practical help to homeowners across every aspect of buying, owning and selling, says… ‘Most residential properties can have a fence up to two metres in height – including trellis – without requiring planning permission. If you plan to install a higher fence, then you will need to seek approval from the planning department of your local authority. If this is the case, then your neighbour…

Laundry sheets offer a plastic-free alternative to liquid detergents, but how effective are they at removing stains and keeping whites bright? Do they make your washing smell nice, and are they good value for money? I put three to the test… Best for removing stains I found these laundry sheets performed well, even on a white t-shirt that was a bit stained. I thought the ‘Uplifting’ scent was very fresh, and I was pleased with the overall clean they gave. They left my clothes and towels feeling really soft, too. For their eco credentials (less packaging so lower carbon footprint, biodegradable materials and naturally derived stain removers), I think they're worth the 37p per sheet and would use them again. Best value I was pleasantly surprised by how well these…

Sharing recipes Peri peri wings PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes, plus marinating time (optional) COOKING TIME up to 40 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 1kg chicken wings ● 4 tbsp peri peri seasoning ● salt and black pepper ● 4 large red chillies, roughly chopped ● 4 red birdseye chillies, roughly chopped ● juice of 1 lemon ● 6 tbsp olive oil ● handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped, to serve (optional) METHOD 1 If liked, cut the wings into 2 pieces (called the drumette and the wingette). You will end up with more pieces of chicken, which is a great way of feeding a crowd. Alternatively, leave them as they are. Put in a mixing bowl and season with 3 tbsp of peri peri seasoning and salt and pepper. 2 Put all the…