Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i HomeStyle

Welcome to your colour-drenched May issue! This month, we're all about making the most of the warm weather outdoors, as well as bringing those summer vibes into your interior schemes with mood-boosting colour choices and a few affordable updates. For the hottest new-season trends, head to page 8 to shop the latest collections hitting the high street from George Home, B&M, Habitat and more, then flip to page 14 for our fresh pick of fruit- and veg-themed decor ideas, with buys from just £4! And, on page 58, our Style Editor shows you how to make the most of three stunning new looks, guaranteed to bring the sunshine all year round. This month is also the perfect time to get creative outdoors. Choose your favourite garden style on page 98…

Tantalising Thailand With a new season of The White Lotus comes a whole new interiors look to transform our homes. Channel Thai-inspired tropical elegance and a tranquil aesthetic with a few well-chosen buys. Mediterranean mood From colourful citrus fruits to crisp blue and white finishes, give your home a touch of the Amalfi Coast to evoke that holiday feeling. Get another fruit burst on page 14… Wild West Embrace the spirit of the frontier with warm earthy tones, tactile suede, leather finishes and animal print to transport you to the terrains of Texas in lived-in comfort. Flip to page 58 for more prairie vibes……

TOP TIP Practise your design on paper first so you can apply the paint to the plate with confident brushstrokes. You're aiming for a naturalistic finish, so don't worry about making every leaf exactly the same, as a little variation in size and shape will add to the effect YOU WILL NEED •wite glazed ceramic plate •white spirit •old cloth •artist's paintbrushes •Pebeo Porcelaine 150 ceramic paint in Olivine Green INSTRUCTIONS 1 Start by wiping the surface of the plate with white spirit to remove any traces of dirt and grease. 2 Using a fine artist's paintbrush and green ceramic paint, draw the three main stems in the centre of the plate, allowing an even spacing between each stem. Give each stem a slight curve for a more natural, fluid…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Freya Snow, 26, a textile designer @freyasnowstudio. I live with my fiancé, Louis Kimber, 27, a mechanical engineer, plus our boxer dog, Posy. I post about my home on Instagram @freyaelizabethsnow. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom, 1970s end-of-terrace in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire that we bought in July 2023. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE We had the space we needed and liked the layout, but the silvery-grey decor felt cold, uninviting and dull. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN Warm paint colours, vibrant art and a mix of tactile furnishings were a must to make the rooms feel welcoming and homely. MY FAVOURITE PART I love the open-plan living and dining area as they tie together so well, yet we've also successfully made them…

BUDGET BEAUTY DRESS YOUR WINDOWS…

Get vacay vibes at home by zesting up your space with an Italian-inspired scheme. Lemon motifs are inescapable on the high street at the moment, and they instantly bring to mind warm weather and afternoon tipples. Pair these sun-drenched fruits with fresh pops of blue to create that unmistakable Mediterranean feel. Let these bold shades set the tone for your whole scheme by using pale stone as your base colour and you'll create a holiday atmosphere all year round. Sicilian Sunshine Squeeze the most out of life with this juicy Mediterranean look STYLE IDEA Make a fuss-free foliage bouquet with trimmings from the garden A quick refresh Get the look in no time with these brilliant buys The full works Revamp over the weekend with these decorating essentials STYLE IDEA…

GREAT FOR EXTRA GUESTS!…

RUSTIC CHIC LOOKS…

HUE GOT THIS! Light & space Aside from planning streamlined storage and keeping clutter at bay, choosing the right paint colours for your walls is a tried and tested technique for making your home appear more spacious. Tikkurila is offering a helping hand with its six colour families designed to open up your space and create the illusion of light. From warm yellows to gentle blues, there are shades to suit every room's aspect and aesthetic. Nature's best Wherever you look, nature-themed homewares are weaving their tendrils into every corner of our homes. Biophilia – meaning a desire to connect with the natural world – is both a design choice and a way of life. Even without filling every inch of your home with houseplants, you can create a calm…

Head financial coach at Octopus Money Founder and CEO of Nous Money-saving expert at Money Wellness Head of home insurance at Swinton Insurance Q Is it worth paying for extended warranties on household electricals? Ali Poulton is head financial coach at Octopus Money, a money advice brand that provides financial coaching to people across the UK, and is passionate about helping people take control of their money. She says… ‘Whether an extended warranty is worth it depends on your household insurance coverage and your personal risk tolerance. For big-ticket items or less reliable brands, it can provide peace of mind, but always check the fine print, as some common faults may not be covered. Research suggests that extended warranties often aren't worth it for smaller white goods and electricals, where…

Tools of the jade Hokan bowls are the ideal all-rounder for any home cook. You can use them in the freezer, fridge, oven or microwave, or simply for serving at the table, plus they stack! This Green Jade colour is the latest hue available at hokanbowls.com, among a range of seven shades – so you can choose the perfect match for your kitchen. These bowls are far too stylish to hide away in a cupboard! Tray bien Be clean and green thanks to Ideal Standard's new shower tray, the UltraFlat Evo. Crafted from StoneTech, an advanced material containing 35-40% recycled content including marble and production waste, these trays are entirely fibreglass-free and 100% recyclable. At the end of their life, they can be repurposed for road bases or construction projects.…

Eau so tasty Buying bottles of sparkling water can feel like an expense, plus it generates a huge amount of plastic. The solution? Make your own fizzy water so you have it on tap! The Bubbla from CO2 YOU is a new carbonation system so you can make your own at home. Plus, when you buy your Bubbla, you can also sign up to the company's gas subscription service to have refills delivered the next day. Waste not want not When it comes to keeping food fresh and seeing what ingredients you have to plan your meals, these new Silicone Reusable Bags from OXO have you covered. Safe to go in the dishwasher, microwave and freezer, these storage bags are as convenient as single-use versions, but are made from durable…

Tray bakes are super easy to pull together for quick weekday dinners Monday CHICKEN, RHUBARB AND POTATO TRAY BAKE PREP TIME 10 minutes COOK TIME 1 hour SERVES 2-4 INGREDIENTS •500g small new potatoes (halve larger ones) • 3-4 stalks of rhubarb • 4 chicken thighs or legs • 6 cloves of garlic • 8 Opies sliced lemon slices • 2 tbsp Opies cocktail onions • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp Opies cocktail onion brine • few sprigs of rosemary METHOD 1 Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6 and place the potatoes in a roasting tray. Slice the rhubarb into thin slices, scatter over the potatoes and nestle in the chicken pieces and garlic cloves. Place two lemon slices on each piece of chicken and scatter over the…

HOMESTYLE LOVES! GEORGE HOME Fiesta siesta Brighten up your bedroom with a celebration of colour and pattern Style idea Drape a piece of fabric above your bed to create a relaxed canopy GET THE LOOK Bring a Mediterranean summer holiday vibe into your home, balancing the boldness of wide stripes with the fun, whimsical nature of fruit patterns. The key is to carefully layer bedding and accessories so the combination feels cohesive, not chaotic. Complement the vibrant patterns with tactile touches of embroidery on textiles, and ribbed textures on glass and ceramics. Freehand lines keep the look playful. Style your space with natural materials such as wood, rattan and bamboo, to help ground the vibrant colours and patterns. HOMESTYLE LOVES! SØSTRENE GRENE Fresh growth Turn any outdoor space into an…

Bring the outdoors in and update your kitchen with allotment-fresh, vegthemed accessories. From softening the room with an under-cabinet curtain to adding essentials such as oven gloves and tableware, these vegetable-print touches will bring an earthy elegance to your kitchen, without going overboard. Add wicker and rattan storage baskets to complement the styling. If you're ready to go all-out and fully embrace the trend, then a statement wallpaper is ideal. Create a feature wall, or use it to zone your room to avoid overwhelming the space. Consider painting the skirting boards and door frames in a coordinating colour, for extra impact. Zesty wallpapers will bring an uplifting feel, while vegetable prints will introduce a sense of calm. Give your bedding a fruit-themed update – it's an easy way to bring…

Style idea This pebble-shaped mirror has a mid-century look and adds extra interest GREEN & PINK ADD ZING ‘I chose plenty of textures to add softness and a bit of luxe’ 3 OF A KIND… FOODIE WALL ART ON-TREND SCALLOPS…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Derya Huseyin, 41, a home stager for my husband's estate agency, I Am Real Estate, and I share my home and work on Instagram @myhome.andstage. I live here with my husband Ismail, 43, and our three boys, Temel, 15, Reis, 13 and Deren, six. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom detached house in Hayes, Kent, built in 1991. We've lived here since 2020. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE We planned to paint over the bland magnolia walls and rip up the 30-yearold carpets. We wanted to update the two bathrooms and the kitchen on a small budget. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We decorated the house throughout, adding pattern and colour into every room to give our home a modern country look.…

As we head towards the summer months, the nautical trend picks up pace. Choose classic blue and white for a maritime vibe in your bathroom, while fish motifs add a playful hint everywhere, from oven gloves to wall art THIS IS THE PLAICE Good knock Classy claws Shake it up All together Be my lobster Butter me up Snug fit Fish dish…

The hit BBC show – and a HomeStyle favourite – Interior Design Masters is brightening up our Thursday evenings once again, as judge Michelle Ogundehin and host Alan Carr put 10 talented interior designers through their paces. What are you looking for in an interior designer? I love this question – I'm looking for a point of view. I want to know what the designers stand for, because quite often people think they can be interior designers because they love a style. So, they're like, ‘Oh, I'm really modern, or post-modern’, or ‘I'm a maximalist’, but that isn't the same as knowing what you stand for. So, what's your perspective? Because that's what actually makes a designer. Does your role as judge on Interior Design Masters come with a lot…

SAVE Spend Summer blooms Capture the essence of summer with this vibrant and colourful living room look. Think bold florals and pastel stripes to embody a playful feel that's a joy to come home to. Pinks and greens feature heavily in this trend as we bring a touch of the outside in. Steer clear of ditsy florals and use larger designs with a folk-inspired finish to adorn everything from curtains, cushions and rugs, to artwork, vases and lighting. Pick designs that are similar in scale, as well as the same depth of colour, for a considered yet fun-loving room scheme that reflects the season. Style idea Go bright and bold with floral prints this summer Regency flair Take inspiration from popular period dramas to recreate an elegant retreat for the…

Rodney's bedroom ‘I recently bought this house and, with most of my budget spent on the purchase, I have limited funds for renovations. I want to start with the bedroom and create a calming space for relaxation. I've been inspired by this ‘Moody Bedroom’ design by Topology Interiors, but I'm unsure if I can achieve a similar look with a budget under £1,000.’ Rodney's budget is £900 and our resident interior designer Rochelle Dalphinis has accepted the challenge! CHAMPAGNE TOTAL £3,712.20 LEMONADE TOTAL £762.86 How to get a luxe look for less The contemporary ‘quiet luxury’ image Rodney selected has a calm and serene feel. It is beautifully curated, with a limited yet thoughtfully chosen colour and material palette. 01 Frame your bed on a budget The headboard is often…

USE OUTDOORS WITH AN LED…

WINNING CLASSIC STRIPES…

LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW Get creative and experiment with free-form murals. A thin line of colour takes this painting design from ordinary to extraordinary – and makes it truly personal, too. Using up leftover paint from other rooms means that it will pull your whole house scheme together, giving you an elegant sense of flow. If you feel daunted by the idea of drawing a line like this freehand, you can create a guideline by cutting the shape from a long roll of paper and tracing this onto the wall along the cut edge. This will give you plenty of opportunity to reshape your design on paper before cutting it out. If wiggles aren't to your taste, add texture and colour with dots, dashes and spots instead. SHAPE UP Harmonise…

Saving money can feel like a challenge, but these small changes can add up to make a big difference… 1 Take a look at your bank account and you may be surprised at the number of direct debits coming out for subscriptions. Cancelling any that are rarely used, such as gym memberships or streaming services, could save you £££s. 2 When it comes to food shopping, try to plan your meals for the week ahead, then make a list, be disciplined and stick to it. This should avoid too many treats creeping into your basket! 3 If you can't resist an impulse buy, try delaying your purchase – you'll often find that sleeping on it for a night or two before making a decision could change your mind. 4 Limit…

HOMESTYLE RECOMMENDS… 3 curtincare essentials Freshen up those heavy winter curtains and hang your summer sets 1. Give your curtains a summer refresh using a handheld steam cleaner. It's quicker than washing and can help shift bacteria and dirt, all with the natural power of water! 2. When you swap heavy winter curtains for lighter summer ones, you'll need a storage bag for them. Fold or roll your curtains up carefully, then pop them into this zipped bag to keep them safe from damp or humid conditions. 3. A gentle detergent is a must for a thorough curtain clean. This non-bio works on short cycles and low temperatures, so you can ensure no shrinkage. Plus, you can use it for washing by hand. HOW TO… Minimise pollen in your home…

Summer style incoming H&M Home has just unveiled its dreamy summer 2025 interiors collection, and we are diving straight in! Resort Escapism features a mix of satin blues and earthy nougats, stripes, playful frills and geometric patterns that blend together to create a stylish and effortless look. The holidayinspired range includes daybeds and floor cushions, palm leaf beach towels, fish napkin rings, sculptural vases and shell serving bowls, as well as plates, glassware and serving platters, so you can conjure laid-back poolside vibes in your home and garden. We're picturing cocktails by the paddling pool followed by pizza al fresco for the ultimate staycation vibes! hm.com New brand alert! Elevate your home with stylish, luxury pieces from new online store Kardamom. Based in Devon, the brand was inspired by a…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Tahira Resalat, 27, @tahiras.home, a product designer. I live with my husband, George Nightingale, 26, a software engineer. WHERE I LIVE A modern four-bedroom end-ofterrace in Crewe, Cheshire. It was built in 2009 and we bought it in August 2023. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE We love entertaining, but the internal walls broke up the flow of the kitchen, diner and living space so we knew there would be a bit of building work. The cold white-andgrey gloss kitchen also had to go, and I wanted to inject some colour into every room. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We had lots of ideas but having never done a reno before, we took it slowly. After having the walls knocked down, we did all the…

Top Tip If the painter's tape peels any of the paint off when you remove it, use a fine artist's paintbrush to touch up any areas that need it, before applying the varnish YOU WILL NEED • plain lamp base • 40mm foam roller and tray • emulsion paint in your chosen shades • tape measure • painter's tape • paintbrush • clear matt varnish INSTRUCTIONS 1 Use a small foam roller to paint the entire surface of the lamp base with your chosen base shade – a conker brown colour will look similar to Tahira's lamp. You could use a brush, but a roller gives a smoother finish. Allow this base coat to dry thoroughly. 2 Using the tape measure, evenly space out and apply the painter's tape vertically…

CREATE THE ILLUSION OF SPACE STORAGE ESSENTIALS ‘I love bringing nature into my home with floral touches’ Style idea Enjoy gorgeous blooms all year round with realisticlooking fabric flowers 3 OF A KIND… FLORAL WALLPAPERS SEASONAL UPDATE…

TOP TIP Decoupage paper is ideal for this project as it's thin, which allows the light to filter through, but strong so it doesn't tear when wet and can be smoothed out easily YOU WILL NEED • glass lantern • patterned decoupage paper or patterned paper napkins • pencil • scissors or sharp craft knife • Mod Podge decoupage glue • cling film • foam rubber brush • battery-powered tealight INSTRUCTIONS 1 Place the lantern on a flat work surface and lay a sheet of patterned decoupage paper or paper napkin over the top of the first glass panel with the wrong side up. Use a pencil to carefully trace the outline of the glass panel onto the paper and cut out using scissors or a craft knife. Repeat for…

Wall flowers We're always looking for gorgeous new ways to add drama to our walls, and if we can make sustainable choices at the same time then that's a win-win. Luxury Scandinavian wallpaper brand Feathr has recently launched a new range of eco-friendly wallcoverings using recycled fibres and also grasscloth. This natural material has a soft texture and is best suited to lowtraffic areas, whereas the designs made from recycled materials are great for busier spaces in your home. Make a statement Patterned headboards are having a moment. Almost like large-scale artworks, they create an eye-catching focal point and define your bedroom. You can buy ready-made headboards, of course, but if you want to inject unique personality, you can attach a throw to your existing headboard. Weaver Green sourced a…

About me I'm Stasia Buckle, 41, a landlord and content creator @stasiabuckle. I live in a two-bedroom Victorian conversion flat in Bristol. TOTAL £2,750 BEFORE My problem living room When I moved in, this room lacked any personality no matter how I styled it with my belongings. After putting up with the dull decor for a while, I decided to give it a colourful makeover, creating a space that is ideal for hosting. How I made it work I painted the walls in blocks of colour and added stripes in the alcoves. I put up shelving so I had a display space for my books and accessories. My friends helped me paint the ceiling mural because it was a tricky DIY job, and I furnished the room with lots of…

ENJOY PRIVACY & DAYLIGHT HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

Tidy away those awkward bits and bobs in a pair of cute handmade baskets. This little-andlarge duo feature rolled cuffs to show off the contrasting prints and they're fully reversible so you can choose which side to show off. A bit of clever folding gives them a square-based structure, making them sturdy and roomy. TOP TIP Display your new baskets side by side, but showing off both of the two prints. Then, fill them with all the materials you need for your next project! HOW TO MAKE A FABRIC STORAGE BASKET YOU WILL NEED ● 1.5m White printed cotton (Fabric A) ● 1.5m Pale Pink printed cotton (Fabric B) ● 1.5m stiff iron-on interfacing ● matching sewing threads ● tailor's chalk INSTRUCTIONS Large basket 1 Press both fabrics before starting.…

The bathroom is often one of the hardest-working rooms in our homes – a place in which to get ready in the morning and unwind after a long day. But, with space usually at a premium, we need to get a little creative when it comes to making this room as multi-tasking as possible. If you're renovating, recessed cubby-holes or boxed-in pipes to make shelving can work well. Alternatively, if you're simply looking for a few quick fixes, adding accessories, such as hanging shelves or hooks, can also go a long way to boosting much-needed storage. Here are our top tips and tricks for keeping your essentials in check. ADD STYLISH ACCESSORIES A quick and affordable way to bring both storage and a splash of style to your existing scheme…

Broccoli and Stilton quiches PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 30 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 150g shortcrust pastry ● 15g butter ● 1 small onion, peeled and chopped ● 75g small broccoli florets ● 50g Stilton, crumbled ● 1 egg ● 100ml milk ● salt and freshly ground black pepper METHOD 1 Roll out the pastry and use to line four 10cm-diameter flan tins. 2 Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the onion and cook gently for 3-4 minutes until softened. 3 Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Pour into a sieve, rinse under cold water and drain. 4 Divide the onion, broccoli and Stilton between the four tins. 5 Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C fan/gas mark 7. Mix together the egg and milk.…

Fenwick & Tilbrook was set up by Anna's mum, Clare, and stepfather, Simon, in 2016 and the artisan paint company offers an extensive range of colours in six finishes, all proudly made to order in Norfolk using only the finest ingredients. After nearly 12 years working in merchandising for both UK and international brands, Anna made the move to Norfolk to join the family business, swapping the fast-paced corporate world for a completely different lifestyle, though no less busy! Anna took time out from her schedule to tell us about her favouite colour schemes, the colour trends we can expect to see this year and Fenwick & Tilbrook's exciting next steps… Tell us a bit about your role at Fenwick & Tilbrook? My mum and stepdad, Clare and Simon Tilbrook,…