Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i Ideal Home

In the very first edition, the editor wrote: ‘The policy of The Ideal Home is to cater for the wide circle of the middle class. Every matter of interest, from the designing of the house and garden to its finishing touches, will be explained and illustrated by experts.’ Today’s team is proud to uphold that pledge and hopes that you love this great old brand as much aswedo.Sincethatfirstissue, Ideal Home hasintegrated itself into British life: it gave away architectural plans to boom-time self-builders, then, in wartime, dispensed government information about rationing, blackout and air raids. Later, it converted London townhouses into modern show flats and even built a housing development in Peterborough. But, you don’t reach 100 years without having some people to thank: first in line has to be…

Now and then, the high street comes up with something so utterly fabulous it looks as if it’s come from a designer boutique. Here are some of our latest discoveries that will make your home look expensive without the big spend……

Next level feature wall Wallpaper in the kitchen… why not? A large-scale scene instantly adds a sense of depth to the space. A tone-on-tone colourway, plus a long, open shelf allows the patterned design to settle into the background. Finish with a low-level splashback to help protect it from any scuffs or water damage. MAKE IT LAST Reduce water damage risk by continuing the worktop a few inches up the wall behind the sink area…

STYLIST’S NOTE “A mix of graphic prints and elegant silhouettes elevates this opulent look without overwhelming the space”JESSICA TAVERNER , INTERIOR STYLIST MY GO-TO STORES... IN GOOD COMPANY For an incredible range of labels, such as Gubi and Muuto. HUB FURNITURE It stocks a great selection of international brands. GEOFFREY HATTY This beautiful store specialises in Italian and French mid-century pieces.…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Victorian property comprising barns and a cottage, with later extensions. Jill bought the property in 2015. “I didn’t want a cold and clinical contemporary look. I want people to feel cosseted as soon as they walk in the door” Ididn’t have the budget for a place with a sea view so I went inland,’ says Jill Stein. ‘Having worked on a number of client projects in the area, I knew the lay of the land well. This place was a wreck, but the right price, and it certainly ticked the “project” box! ‘Originally a Victorian barn and cottage with extensions, it was deceptively large once inside. It’s like a Tardis from the exterior; when you step inside, it goes on forever. It had been very neglected,…

MY GO-TO STORES… IAN SNOW Colourful pieces with an emphasis on recycled materials. ONE OFF TO 25 Great for finding cool original art. ROCKETT ST GEORGE I bought my tin tiles from here, as well as many accessories. SMITH AND WARES I love the bold prints. STYLIST’S NOTE “ Bring inky walls to life with an oversized mirror and shiny brass accessories – these high-sheen touches will bounce light around ”JESSICA TAVERNER, INTERIOR STYLIST…

BEST FOR TONAL SCHEMES Emanuella matt emulsion, £37 for 2.5ltr, Rockett St George BEST FOR PAIRING WITH NEUTRALS Beetlenut pure flat emulsion, £50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library BEST FOR A RESTFUL SCHEME Terracotta Warrior matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Fired Earth BEST FOR MED-STYLE WARMTH Flower Pot claypaint, £45 for 2.5ltr, Earthborn BEST FOR A SHADY ROOM Heat absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene BEST FOR SMALL SPACES Spicy Paprika flat matt emulsion, £29.16, Dulux NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM?  HEAD TO OUR NEW FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC…

Having built their own home in 2007, Kirsi and Janne Kemppainen craved another project. ‘I found this plot with planning permission, a 45-minute drive from our jobs in Helsinki,’ says Kirsi. ‘It was at the end of a high cliff road and we fell in love with the amazing views.’ Janne works in construction, so drew up plans for a 150sqm house. ‘We didn’t want to do it all ourselves, so we used a company which prefabricated the walls. We wanted a single-storey black wood house to blend into the landscape and created a wish list based on what we’d learned from our previous build. The most important thing was positioning the house so the living and dining areas had countryside views. Our children have their own kingdom on the…

HOW EMMA AND PETER DID IT ‘The kitchen, dining room and living room were all separate, but we wanted to cook, eat, socialise and relax all in one place, so we knocked them together and extended. I wanted a simple, classic kitchen with a fresh, modern edge. Our ‘musthave’ was a big island, inspired by our favourite tapas bar, which has food prep and storage on one side and seating on the other. We loved Higham Furniture’s high-quality, hand-built cabinets and we added quartz surfaces to keep the prep areas easy to clean. Peter loves cooking, so he helped plan the layout and chose the bespoke range and electric oven. A tall larder unit in the far corner is fitted with shelves, drawers and racks to keep his ingredients to…

HOW MALCOLM AND FIONA DID IT ‘We hire out our house as a location for shoots (6ixteenhouse.com), so we use the top floor as a private retreat when it’s in use. We made do with the old bathroom for six years while we did the rest of the house. I always thought the bath was in an awkward position in the middle of the room, and the shower wasn’t symmetrical. I really wanted a window in the sloping roof overlooking the fields at the front, as well as built-in wardrobes and panelling (which we’ve used throughout the house). We went for a simple look and nothing was very expensive. The work involved sorting out pipework, building out the shower walls, plastering, electrics, tiling, fitting the window and moving the radiator.…

Driven by the desire to reveal nature’s hidden intricacies, Evi Antonio’s work creates the same sense of curiosity and wonder that a museum specimen cabinet holds. From her studio in London, she combines digital technology with traditional oil glazing techniques to express her vision. I GREW UP IN NORTH LONDON AND DREAMED OF THE COUNTRYSIDE. I was fascinated by the images in early natural history books and always loved drawing. I can’t remember when I didn’t carry a sketchbook and pencils with me. After graduating with a degree in Scientific and Natural History Illustration from Middlesex University, I worked as a natural history illustrator. MY DREAM OF LIVING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WAS REALISED WHEN I MOVED TO WARE, Hertfordshire, where I ran an illustration agency with my husband from our…

THE ORIGINAL Formal but cosy, the mix of pattern and plush tones give this smart space a bohemian edge. Luxurious silk drapes and cushions teamed with decorative lighting, a mix of frames and unusual accessories shows the ‘Ideal Home’ 100 years ago was full of personality with an adventurous spirit. THE UPDATE Almost a century on and we don’t think there’s much to change. We’ve swapped the small formal sofa for a snuggler and the mahogany table has been given a new spin with a modern take on a traditional turned base. Classic paisley prints and a Persian-inspired rug never fail to bring a rich and warming layer of pattern to the room.…

Whether it’s a table for two, the fam or your bubble of friends, make it an occasion. Do things properly with crisp linens and pretty settings decorated with pine cones, dimmed lighting for a mellow mood and, if lunch segues into dinner, candles for cosy evening intimacy…

LUXE MATERIALS Ero velvet table lamp, £125, Oliver Bonas CONTEMPORARY CAGE Flaggskepp table lamp, £12, Ikea ORGANIC TEXTURES Tan spiked terracotta table lamp, £195, Rose & Grey OFFICE CHIC Curved table lamp, £189, Nordic House RUSTIC SCANDI Bloomingville table lamp in Blue, £45, Amara ELEGANT GLASS Simone table lamp, £105, Sweetpea & Willow GRECIAN INFLUENCE Foliage Gold table lamp, £95, John Lewis & Partners HAND-CARVED WOOD Perisphere table lamp, £175, Oka…

Teal blue This warm colour is perfectly balanced between blue and green. Any tone of wood or metal looks great against it, and you can get a really dramatic effect with white accessories. BLURRED PATTERN Softens and balances bold colour contrasts and strong shapes Matt black If you dare, it’s both cosy and classy on one or two walls. Leave at least two walls a light colour, but follow up the black on window and door frames and skirting. Mirrored sheet in alcoves will offset the darkness. DARK FIREPLACE Blends into the black wall and doesn’t dominate Dusky aqua A soothingly calm colour you can style simply with greys, or go for it with a mix of other blues, greens and pops of pink and purple. DARK ACCENTS Give a…

1 STATEMENT PENDANTS Supersize and solo or a few in a row over a table or kitchen island works best. 2 BANQUETTES Space-efficient seating for squeezing friends in, with classic diner-booth cosiness. 3 Jute and sisal mats Practical with natural, rugged good looks. 4 FALCONWARE Porcelain-fused steel makes for indestructible cookware that you can keep out on display. 5 An inspiring workplace Defy the daily grind by surrounding yourself with furniture, colours and little details that keep you comfy, calm and positive. 6 BERBER RUGS Traditionally made by hand in North Africa, the Berber is more than a design statement, it’s a piece of design history and craftsmanship. The real deal will be sourced from Berber villages, or, you could fake it with La…

Romantic revival This design of songbirds perched on branches is all about elevated elegance. Disrupt it with distressed furniture for a rough-luxe look. Georgian scrolls This pattern, recreated from a National Trust original, has been scaled down for smaller spaces. Offset the busyness with pared-back furniture. Rustic charm This distinctive owl design paper, inspired by an embroidered bedcover from 1905, gets a modern-country twist teamed with clean-lined, contemporary wooden furniture. Scandi classic Lift a neutral scheme with a traditional botanical print. The earthy colours add wow to white furnishings and furniture. Arts & crafts Use a historic William Morris print in dark tones to create a cosy look. Choose a modern bed to turn traditional on its head. Textural trellis Inspired by a Renaissance pattern, this complex but muted design…

March 1959 THE MURIAL FAMILY’S BUNGALOW, SURREY Winner of Ideal Home’s House of the Year award in 1959 this ‘excitingly planned’ home cost £3,750 to build. “This glass frontage paves the way for all the fully glazed extensions that are hugely popular today ”GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR January 1959 PRINCIPAL’S LODGE, NEWNHAM COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE This new home was built as a private residence for Newnham College Principal, Ruth Cohen. The interior decoration and furnishings were supervised by the architect’s wife, Dilys Osman, who used three items from the College’s early Japanese art collection as the starting point for her elegant colour scheme. “This scheme was working the ‘pops of colour’ trend way before it became a decorating standby. A single pop of vibrant yellow gives this otherwise neutral room real…

Trends come and go, but what are the perennial looks and authentic details that form the foundation of the most stylish homes? Interiors experts share their essentials for rooms that evolve but never date… THE FURNITURE DESIGN GURU Elena Paparozzi from Heal’s has these insights: I’d recommend investing in key pieces – such as a really beautiful dining table, or bedroom furniture – which will last you for years. Trend-led pieces are great updates and can then be changed as your taste evolves. Using accessories, such as cushions and art, offers a simple way to add colour and give a nod to certain trends, without investing significantly. Quality materials, such as solid wood or ceramic, will never go out of style, so are worth investing in. A ceramic-topped dining table…

1 WARM THINGS UP WITH NAVY Rework a neutral scheme that’s feeling a little flat by introducing a moody accent colour. Paint one wall to create a focal point, then bring in extra touches of colour on cushions, throws and accessories. 140 NOVEMBER 2020 | IDEALHOME.CO.UK 2 TRY A NEW WAY WITH PANELLING Go off grid with diagonal panelling. Great for alcoves or small areas, fix vertical wooden battens as your starting point, then fill in diagonally to create a chevron effect. 3 SQUEEZE IN A SHELF Find space for extra storage in a downstairs cloakroom by running a shelf (or two) in the space above the basin or behind the loo. Paint to match the wall so it blends in. 4 CREATE A COSY GLOW Bring warmth to chilly…

“This is our forever home, so we had to have a kitchen we would love long-term. This is it! ” Sophia Cook lives here with her husband Cookie, and one-year-old son Alfred. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, mid-terrace house, built around 1910, in Croydon. WHAT IT COST Units...................£14,250 Worktops.............£2,300 Appliances..........£8,263 Sink and tap..........£1,108 Flooring................£2,100 Wall tiles..................£800 TOTAL...............£ 28,821…

“When friends visit for the first time, they’re always wowed by the kitchen, which reminds us how fab it is. Every morning when I come in and make tea, it puts a smile on my face” Emma Knight lives here with her husband Peter. THE PROPERTY A 1920s, four-bedroom semi in Epsom, Surrey. WHAT IT COST Units..................£35,000 Worktops............£4,500 Appliances.........£13,969 Sink and tap..........£1,641 Flooring...............£4,000 Wall tiles..................£200 TOTAL................£59,310…

“Soaking in the bath is my treat. I lie back with the windows open, looking at the treetops outside” Carrie Steer lives here with her husband Ed and daughters Fleur, one, and Clementine, four. THE PROPERTY A six-bedroom, detached Victorian house in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. WHAT IT COST Bath.......................£1,427 Vanity unit............£1,003 Basins......................£597 Loo...........................£446 Taps.......................£1,497 Shower..................£1,126 Shower screen and tray.................£2,671 Tiles......................£1,300 TOTAL...............£10,067…

Malcolm Menzies lives here with his wife Fiona and children Mya, seven and Clara, four. THE PROPERTY A six-bedroom detached Victorian house in Beckenham, south London. WHAT IT COST Shower..........................£1,077 Bath and tap....................£815 Tiles.................................£730 Vanity, basin and tap.....£449 Wall lights........................£118 Radiator........................£90 Panelling....................£450 TOTAL....................£3,729 “I love the shower – it’s the biggest one in the house and you can enjoy the view through the roof window ”…

Amie Oyston lives here. Having previously worked in recruitment, she now owns her own massage company. THE PROPERTY A 145sq m, three-bedroom house in east London, originally built in 1924. THE VALUE Bought in 2017 for £400,000; now worth around £1,495,000. WHAT IT COST Building work and materials............£390,000 Staircases ............£25,000 Glazing .................£55,000 Kitchen and appliances .... ................................£19,000 Sanitaryware .........£6,000 Flooring ................£30,000 TOTAL ................£525,000 “From the outside the property seems small, low and quite boxy, but as soon as you walk inside the whole thing opens right up”…

“Our new bedroom has a floor-to-ceiling window and a skylight, which means we wake up with the natural light” Harriett Hindmarsh lives here with her husband Jeremy. Harriett is VP of a marketing and communications company and Jeremy is the creative director of a design business. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Victorian terrace in east London. THE VALUE Bought for £242,950 in 2006; now worth £900,000. WHAT IT COST Professional fees...................£96,000 Build costs......£221,000 Sliding doors....£10,000 Electrics............£12,000 Plumbing...........£15,000 Kitchen units..................£17,000 Worktop.............£5,500 Appliances........£3,500 Glazing............£20,000 Cladding..........£13,000 TOTAL...........£413,000…

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The products you need to bring order to your kitchen, so supplies are on hand and essentials in their place 1 THE CORNER CAROUSEL Larger appliances that are used every day are fine living out on work surfaces, but for those used less frequently or for bulky items that eat up space, store them out of the way in low-down cupboards so they can be pulled out when needed. A rotating carousel will give easy access to hard-to-reach corners. Utrusta corner base cabinet pull-out fitting, £110, Ikea 2 THE ‘SLOT IN’ RACK Flat items, such as baking trays, lids and chopping boards, often get shoved in a drawer or cupboard, but unstacking them every time you want to use one is a pain. Organiser racks – similar…

Top quality audio Ambeo, £2,199, Sennheiser At more than a metre wide, and tipping the scales at 18.5kg, the Sennheiser Ambeo isn’t exactly petite, but it will make your living room sound like a premium movie theatre. It’s great with movies and is also a fine music system too, effortlessly filling the largest of rooms with sounds. THE BEST BIT It features multiple inputs so you can connect it to any TV. Slick multitasker Sonos Arc, £799, John Lewis & Partners The booming bass on Sonos’ latest soundbar is satisfyingly rumbling, while dialogue is crisp and clear and explosions punchy. It’s a lengthy 114cm, so it sits better under a modern 55-inch TV, rather than anything smaller. THE BEST BIT Both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built in, so…

Black Velvet MAKES 12 glasses READY IN 5 mins INGREDIENTS • 75cl bottle of champagne • 2 x 330ml bottles of stout Half-fill each glass with champagne, and top with the stout. Loaded mini jackets SERVES 6-8 as a snack READY IN 1 hr INGREDIENTS • 1kg baby potatoes • 2tbsp salted butter • 2tbsp double cream • 2-3tbsp vegetable oil FOR THE CRAB FILLING • 1 dressed crab • 2tbsp creme fraiche • 1 red chilli, chopped FOR THE CHEESE AND BACON FILLING • 80g Cheddar, grated • 200g smoked bacon lardons, cooked • 3 spring onions, finely sliced 1 In a pan boil the potatoes for 20-25 mins, until cooked but firm. Leave to cool. 2 Preheat the oven to 220C/ Gas 7. Halve the cooled potatoes, and scoop out the flesh – we did this using a melon baller.…

The hero piece NEPTUNE’S ARDINGLY CABINET This storage stunner may be posing as a drinks cabinet, but we think it has plenty more to offer. With bespoke options for shelving, it can be used to camouflage a TV, as a compact kitchen larder or a hideaway home office. A piece like this that adapts to your needs as life changes is in it for the long haul – and worth the investment. We keep seeing… Wonder weaves These stylishly complex designs beat your average basket We’re in love… SELF-CARE STARTS HERE Simply lighting a candle can become a daily time-out ritual for a mindful moment. Our new favourite scented-candle sources are boutique brands Our Lovely Goods and Oré Mi, both of which have warming fragrances that are perfect for winter.…

With 100 years of trend-spotting behind us, we know a classic when we see it. Add energy with bold outlines and graphic prints, along with a colour mix of monochrome, primary shades and pastel accents.…

STYLIST’S NOTE “Mid-century modern furniture lends itself well to a minimalistic scheme. Choose black dining chairs with sculptural profiles to contrast bare wood” JESSICA TAVERNER, INTERIOR STYLIST ECO-CONSCIOUS ELEMENTS Canopy vase, £22, LSA International FEET UP Soapbox footstool in Raspberry brushed cotton, £455, Loaf SOFT UPGRADE Osternas leather handle, £10 for two, Ikea DECADENT DECOR Yellow velvet cushion cover, £6.99, H&M Home PEARLY SHIMMER Kuta pendant light, £165, Maisons du Monde STYLISH STAPLE Cast aluminium casserole, £49.50, M&S NORDIC CHIC Mater Nestor dining chair in Black, £503, Amara DOUBLE-SIDED DESIGN Acacia wood serving board, £24.95, Sous Chef MY GO-TO STORES… DESIGNERS GUILD Great for colourful fabrics and vintage-style furniture. ANDREW DOMINIC This British designer has a studio in Cape Town making bespoke furniture using hardwoods. SIGMAR LONDON I love this…

Built in the Victorian gold rush era, Belinda and Patrick Hall’s home is in one of Melbourne’s oldest tree-lined suburbs while its heritage as a former dairy gives it much character. ‘When we first viewed it, I loved the traditional brickwork, stately front rooms and original floorboards,’ says Belinda. ‘There was an extension at the back with a modern kitchen, living room and bathroom, which offered a lovely feeling of light and space, too.’ While the neighbourhood norm was to retain the elegant front rooms and erect a ‘white box’ rear extension, the Halls felt that more structural changes weren’t necessary. ‘We saw it as a blank canvas and set about adding meaning to the space,’ says Belinda. ‘I wanted a unique interior that felt inviting and relaxing. The design…

Suszi Saunders and her husband Nat moved with their toddler son, Teddy, to this double-fronted house in London’s Corbett Estate from a cramped flat in nearby Lewisham. ‘I’d wanted to take on a wreck, but Nat was worried it would be hellish to live in while doing it up. And he had a point. So what we got instead was something cosmetically bland, with holes in the walls and a gross, studenty kitchen. Not a wreck, but still with plenty for me to do! The house was wide but not deep, but there was room to push out into the garden. ‘With the help of Minifie Architects (minifiearchitects. co.uk) we knocked two reception rooms and a galley kitchen into one big living room, incorporating tall steel and glass doors to…

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY... “These warm tones work well in kitchens and family areas. Rust shades will bring lustre to cool, north-facing rooms and lift the cool light” NICKY PHILLIPS , DECORATING EDITOR. Designers and stylists share their views ‘In nature, we often see terracotta boldly contrasting vibrant greens,’ says Jane Rockett, founder of Rockett St George. ‘Do this with accents such as houseplants, Tamegroute pottery or a green jute rug – or you could paint your doors and frames in a silky woodland-green tone. The contrast is spectacular and reminds me of the painted buildings in the souks of Marrakech.’ ‘Use darker shades in north-facing rooms and more watered-down versions in south-facing ones where the light has had a chance to reflect back,’ advises Irene Gunter of Gunter &…

ELENA PAPAROZZI, SENIOR FURNITURE & BRANDS BUYER FOR HEAL’S (HEALS.COM) Heal’s has always supported great design, championing and commissioning emerging talent since 1810. JOHN SIMS-HILDITCH, CO-FOUNDER OF NEPTUNE (NEPTUNE.COM) Specialising in made-to-measure cabinetry from its Wiltshire-based workshop, as well as furniture and home accessories. BUSOLA EVANS, ASSOCIATE EDITOR & SUPPLEMENTS EDITOR Interiors journalist, working on our sister titles, Livingetc and Homes & Gardens. CLAIRE LLOYD, EDITOR OF HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING Renovation expert and member of the Homebuilding & Renovating team for over a decade. CARLA CHASES, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND OWNER OF CARLA DESIGNS (CARLADESIGNS.CO.UK) Family-run business, offering bespoke, high-end interior design. BHAVIN TAYLOR, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND OWNER OF BHAVIN TAYLOR DESIGN (BHAVINTAYLORDESIGN.COM) Colour and pattern lover, winner of The Evening Standard Home Design Awards, 2019. RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, MARKETING DIRECTOR…

HEX APPEAL Our love for brass is showing no sign of abating, and it’s not surprising with on-point designs like this tap from Abode. The monobloc mixer’s hexagonal detailing will add industrial style. It’s all about the antique brass finish with a patina that will only get better over time. Hex tap in antique brass (H36.9xW22cm), £339, Abode On our wish list... Freshen up your clothes without washing them with the new AirDresser cabinet which uses JetSteam. Samsung, £1,999 VIPP STYLE Danish company Vipp has unveiled a grey version of its modular kitchen. The design is made from powder-coated aluminium, has a highly durable stainless steel worktop and is raised on legs for easy cleaning. Think of the kitchen as building blocks – there are four modules to choose from,…

IDEAL FRESHEN UP THE LOOK WITH ON-TREND GREEN TILES GLAZED OVER Lime Green field tile, £159.95sq m, Original Style BOLD & BRIGHT Colour Pop tile in Bosque, £80.40sq m, Ca’Pietra GREAT DEAL…

Instant boiling water taps are the biggest kitchen innovation since the dishwasher. Once purchased, many homeowners vow never to buy a kettle again. Q Are the worth the hype? If you’re short of time, or impatient, instant hot water taps are definitely for you. And it’s not just about making hot drinks. Boiling pasta, rinsing cooked rice, sterilising baby bottles; you’ll be surprised how many uses you’ll discover. Q How do they work? An electric hot water tank with a 13amp plug is connected to your mains water supply. It heats and stores the water ready for use as soon as you turn on the tap. Most units include a water filter that needs to be replaced every six months. Q Are they affordable? The initial outlay is undoubtedly higher…

IDEAL GREAT DEAL KEEP IT SLEEK WITH A MODERN TUB BUILT TO LAST Stain-resistant qualities. Vetralla bath, from £2,330, Victoria & Albert Baths DESIGNER LOOKS Includes an integrated overflow. Milano Irwell bath, £599.99, Big Bathroom Shop…

Call them what you will, windows that are installed into your roof offer a lot more than just extra light. Q What’s the difference between roof windows, roof lights and skylights? Roof windows are installed in line with the surrounding roof, whereas roof lights have a ‘pop-up’ appearance as they’re fitted with an upstand. A skylight is typically bigger and made from a combination of roof lights and windows. Q Will I need planning permission? New roof windows are normally allowed within permitted development. They should be no more than 150mm from the existing roof plane and lower than the highest part of the roof. In a conservation area or on a listed building, you may need traditional, conservation-style roof windows. Q How do I choose the size? As a…

1 THEY’RE BANG ON TREND Steel-framed windows and doors – especially those with panelled glazing – are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners as a way to bring in light and make a design statement. 2 THEY’RE VERSATILE New steel doors are widely accepted by local authorities for refurbishment and new-build projects, as well as extensions, and are also an ideal choice for listed buildings and conservation areas. 3 THEY’RE LONG LASTING Steel doors and windows have been used for many centuries and are strong, hard-wearing and low maintenance. Modern benefits include double-glazing, draught excluders, and efficient locking mechanisms – protecting against both the weather and would-be intruders. 4 THEY’RE FOR INSIDE, TOO Glazing isn’t only for outside walls – metal-framed doors, windows and fixed screens can also be…

1 IT MAKES A SPACE LOOK BIGGER By using the same material in the same size module inside and out, it enhances the sense of space. 2 THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS Some materials are better suited for use indoors and out, such as tiles, polished concrete or brick pamments. 3 CHOOSING THE RIGHT MATERIAL IS KEY Ensure that any material used outside is easy to clean and has a good slip resistance. The two often don’t go hand in hand. 4 DETAIL MATTERS If using tiles, aim to match the shade of grout to the colour of the tiles to get a smooth, continuous effect. 5 NATURAL ISN’T BEST Natural products, such as wood and stone can be used, but require careful selection and maintenance.…

Control energy use Rather than simply switching your boiler on and off, Vaillant’s Senso control works out the exact amount of energy needed to heat a room to the desired level, saving energy and money. Senso ComfortRF controls, from £165, Vaillant Help your fridge keep cool Clean between the compressor coils at the back of your fridge with Ikea’s Blaska dustpan and brush set, £1. Get on-the-spot heating Working from home? Want some warmth without wasting energy? Dimplex’s Cadiz 3kW oil-free radiator features twin panels that can be turned off independently, so you can switch the one facing away from you off, perfect if it’s just you in the room. Dimplex Cadiz CDE3Tie oil-free radiator, £169.99, Argos Hide an unsightly radiator Hate your ugly radiators? My Furniture’s super stylish covers…

ASSESS YOUR STORAGE My rule of thumb is to only bring in extra storage if really necessary. You’ll be surprised after a good declutter at just how well your kitchen stores things without much help. Baskets are great for storing loose items, but take up space. BE A SAVVY SHOPPER Organise food cupboards like supermarket shelves, with everything lined up and labels facing forward so you can see what you have. Get into the habit of putting new shopping (with longer use-by dates) at the back. CREATE ZONES Organise the kitchen by activity so it’ll be easier to navigate. Tea and coffee should live near the mugs, cups, teaspoons and kettle. Likewise, keep oils, spices and utensils close to the hob for easy access. WORK OUT WHAT YOU HAVE Go…

Scandi style Lagom in Ceramic, £2,199, Arada Bring a touch of Nordic style to your scheme with this chic wood burner. The 4kW output makes it ideal for an average-sized room, while the choice of colours – classic black and ultra-modern white – gives it a super stylish edge. THE BEST BIT The handy integrated storage section below the stove will ensure your fireplace remains clear of any clutter. Petite option Aspect 5 Compact, £1,079, Parkray Made in Devon, this 5.5kW neat wood-burning stove has a shallower depth than most so is a great choice for smaller rooms. Its advanced air system gives you complete control over the heat within, so you can easily reduce a roaring flame to a little flicker. THE BEST BIT The large viewing window takes…

WIN ALBANY PAINT AND WALLPAPER Albany is also celebrating 100 years of beautiful paints and wallpapers, which are available online through wallpaperdirect.com or online and in-store at Brewers Decorator Centres. Wallpaper has always been at the heart of Albany, since its creation in 1920. Today, there are many styles and patterns; from colourful tropical prints to traditional damasks, bold geometrics and natural textures – Albany has a wallpaper to suit any space. Albany paint is made to a trade grade recipe that contains high levels of pigment and better-quality ingredients for a superior finish. It’s available in several finishes and thousands of shades; you can even colour match a sample (bigger than a 50p piece). YOU COULD WIN Your choice of Albany paint and/or wallpaper up to the value of…

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