Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2020 i Ideal Home

If you love a ‘before & after’ story (and who doesn’t?!), this issue will really hit the spot. There’s so much innovation out there – we’re in a golden age of home improvement, so we’ve showcased some of the amazing things that can be done to even the most ordinary houses. From a terrace with a swimming pool in the basement to a house with its own pub in the garden, and even one with a granny annexe in the driveway, we’ll open your eyes to some ingenious possibilities. Of course, transformations can be achieved without architects and builders: savvy storage can literally be life-changing (see our solutions for small bedrooms on page 116); and adding colour and pattern can bring so much joy – check out the real homes…

Surprise in store COLOURED PIECES AT JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS We’re used to adding a colour pop with cushions, but what about furniture? Show Wood is John Lewis & Partners first colourful cabinetry collection, transforming drawers and side tables into unexpected hero pieces. Dip in a toe with subtle Nougat or go all in with Jade Green. Clarissa Hulse is now at Blinds 2go Made-to-measure curtains and blinds have been given the Clarissa Hulse treatment at Blinds 2go. The textile artist has added her signature botanical silhouettes and colour-drenched ombres to Blinds 2go’s designers collection. Among the 11 options are delicate meadow flowers prints and painterly botanicals, alongside energetic tones of vibrant teal and jade, coral and fuchsia. Prices start at £25.60 for a roller blind. BACK IN TIME AT…

French curves Update a vintage cabinet in a romantic dusky pink. Unscrew handles and knobs, then lightly sand and prime the surface. Take out the drawers and paint the cabinet with several coats of chalk paint. Once dry, reattach the handles.…

Plate scatter Choose plates in different sizes, but for an arrangement that feels cool, calm and considered, measure the same distance between them. Hat parade A line of pegs fixed alongside a doorway will give you a place to store and show off a collection of characterful hats. Boho basket art A loose grouping of large and small woven trays, positioned on the wall asymmetrically, will add texture, warmth and colour to a white-painted room. Beautiful boards Why hide away the gorgeous grain and colour of your wooden chopping boards, when you can use them to add style to your kitchen or dining area?…

STYLIST’S NOTE…

Dual-aspect fireplaces boast serious wow factor. Popular in open-plan rooms, they can be used to help zone different areas without losing the sense of space, light or socialness. Q Why should I get one? Besides their striking looks, double-sided fireplaces are usually double-depth, so they will kick out a lot of heat. Around 8-13Kw is the norm. The larger grate means you can put on bigger logs, or more coal, so you won’t have to add fuel as frequently. Q Can they heat two rooms? If you install one between two rooms, the heat will spread further into your home. It’s important to get the right heat output for the whole space – your installer will advise. Double-sided stoves are often only controllable from one side, so make sure the…

Ronny, a professor of economics, and Daphna, an occupational therapist, had lived in their three-bed Victorian house in north London with their children Neeve, 14, and Iddo, 20, for more than 10 years before they decided to tackle the loft. ‘We used to chuck everything in the loft, so it was a bit of mess up there,’ says Ronny. ‘Another reason for converting it was to make the upstairs brighter.’ Local planning restrictions meant they were unable to extend the attic. ‘We worked with Amos Goldreich Architecture (agarchitecture.net) to create a design that would maximise the space we had,’ says Ronny, ‘and incorporated lots of storage into the lower part of the roof.’ “Having an expert on hand was important – sometimes it’s okay to pay more to manage any…

1 PLANNING PERMISSION IS ESSENTIAL Roof terraces are excluded from permitted development so you will almost definitely need planning permission. 2 IT’LL NEED TO COMPLY WITH BUILDING REGS External balustrades need to be 110cm high, rather than the domestic 90cm – planners won’t tell you this so make sure you don’t get planning permission for something that doesn’t comply. 3 DON’T GIVE UP IF YOU DON’T GET APPROVAL Planning policy on roof terraces has changed many times, so if don’t succeed at first, it might be worth another try later. 4 THE MORE THERE ARE LOCALLY, THE BETTER Your best allies in any application are other terraces on your street. Once the principal is established it gets a lot easier. 5 AVOID OVERLOOKING This is…

Retired couple Stuart and Margaret Waldman had lived in their two-bedroom bungalow in Paisley, near Glasgow, for years, but the property began to feel too large for their needs. “We’ve moved just a few feet away and are near to our loved ones. We were a close-knit family before, but now we’re even closer ” Having decided they wanted to move to a smaller home, their search was restricted by a desire to stay near their family. One of their daughters came up with an innovative solution: she would buy the bungalow and, by demolishing the garage next to the property, a self-contained annexe could be built for Stuart and Margaret. Their new home, built by The Wee House Company, is around four times smaller than the bungalow, but the…

Bunches has been in the business of delivering happiness for more than 30 years – sending exquisite bouquets, long-lasting houseplants and gourmet gift hampers all over the UK. As part of its commitment to making a difference to the world we live in, as well as the people in it, Bunches is striving to become a plastic-free and more sustainable business, while continuing to support charitable projects both close to home and abroad. Why not take a leaf out of Bunches book and use this exclusive discount to send a little love to a friend or relative’s home in the form of a beautiful bunch of spring blooms – there doesn’t need to be a special occasion to let someone know you’re thinking of them. Or, practise a little self-love…

Invisible cupboards Paint a row of wall-hung cabinets the same colour as the top half of the wall behind, then use the bottom of the cupboards as the level for a lower band of colour, to help the storage blend in. Styling station A panel of corkboard fixed to the wall above a chest or vanity unit is a clever way to hang jewellery and clear surface space. Loop necklaces over smart pins, while earrings can be pushed into the cork. Open wardrobe Fix a basic drawer unit (minus the drawers) to the wall to provide deep storage for clothes and shoes, and save precious floor space. Adding a length of dowel creates a useful hanging rail, too. Storage headboard Not only does this headboard provide handy shelves and hidden…

Check your pressure The bigger the showerhead, the better coverage you will enjoy, but make sure your water pressure and hot water supply can cope. If you have a low pressure system, you’ll need a compatible showerhead – designed for use with 0.2 bar pressure or less – or invest in a pump. Add a hand shower Fixed heads can make it hard to avoid getting your hair wet, and aren’t terribly good at hosing your shower enclosure clean. Adding a hand-shower with diverter controls is a simple yet effective way to make your fixed shower far more practical. Height adjustment To accommodate varying user heights, choose a model with an adjustable mounting arm that lets you direct the shower spray higher or lower. This option is also handy in…

The big one Retro fridge-freezer (H188xW84.5x D81.3cm), £2,995, Big Chill For a free-standing fridge that’s packed with personality, this A+ rated, frost-free Americana-look range comes in a choice of six colourways. From black, white and red to pastel shades of pink, blue and green, it has a whopping 611ltr of combined internal storage. THE BEST BIT Complete your kitsch kitchen look with a matching wall-hung oven, £1,295 and cooker hood, £1,495. Waste reducer Candy CMNR 6184XKWIFI Bello Wi-Fi fridge-freezer (H186xW59.5xD63.5cm), £499.99, Very A++ rated and with a touch control display, this neat 317ltr fridge-freezer keeps a special inventory of the food within, alerting you when something is nearing its expiry date. Plus, it can be controlled remotely via an app on your phone – handy when you need to adjust…

Contemporary artist Jeff Muhs is known for his innovative, abstract style. From his hand-built studio in Southampton, New York, he works primarily with oil on canvas, but also experiments with concrete to create striking sculptures. I TAKE ARTISTIC INSPIRATION FROM MY SURROUNDINGS I grew up in the Hamptons and my father was a hunting and fishing guide, so I was out on the water with him as a young child from sunrise to sunset. I’ve always been passionate about drawing and painting, so it seemed natural for me to study at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where I learned the traditional techniques of oil painting. I moved back to the Hamptons afterwards and have lived and worked here ever since. SOME PEOPLE SAY MY PAINTINGS LOOK LIKE STONE…

In 1933 we were… COOKING ON GAS These ladies-who-lunch would have been well jel of their friend’s compact, easy to clean, cast-iron oven. Solid fuel was so last decade! The constant temperature meant food could be left to cook without monitoring, leaving housewives (or their hired help…) free. In 1937 we were… SEWING TO CELEBRATE THE CORONATION When Edward VIII abdicated and his brother became King George VI, Ideal Home gave away this fancy commemorative embroidery pattern. In 1945 we were… INDULGING IN POSTWAR PLANS AND DREAMS We celebrated VE day on 8 May 1945, so after years of just surviving, this issue was all about indulgence and big ideas, like leather wall panelling, painted scenes and even photo murals. In 1923 we were… HATING THE IRONING Hated then and…

STATEMENT STYLE Zuma Aztec cushion, £80, Sweetpea & Willow MAKING SHAPES Elements triangle crewel cushion, £14, Dunelm LUXE LEOPARD Gold and Green leopard-print cushion, £65, Audenza ABSTRACT PRINT Cove cushion, £75, Laura Slater at Soho Home BOHO BEAUTY Pink woven stripe cushion, £22, Notonthehighstreet.com BOTANICAL BRIGHTS Plant and palms cushion, £29.95, Mint & May DECORATIVE DETAILS Eli patchwork embroidered cushion, £25, M&S WATERCOLOUR WONDER Muralla Azure cushion, £85, Bluebellgray…

Anything goes ‘Green sits right at the centre of the colour spectrum and works with every other colour and material you pair it with. Try it yourself – place a green plant in any room and in front of any colour you like and it will never look out of place.’ Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux Easy mixing ‘There are so many greens and some have little in common. When combining different shades, stick to using either yellow-based or blue-based greens. Otherwise, you’ll have a very uncomfortable scheme. The closer together the greens are, the better.’ Annie Sloan, colour expert “Whites with yellow or brown undertones work better with greens. For impact, use a pure white to give the richness of the green more punch – the contrast is…

Olga Delwa fell in love with the location of the property first: ‘The flat itself had little character and was in need of an overhaul,’ she says, ‘but it’s in a great spot in Berlin, so I put up with it for a few years.’ There was woodchip wallpaper everywhere, heavily varnished wooden floors, plastic window handles and a bog-standard bathroom. The kitchen was poky and dark, too. Keen to give the apartment personality and colour, Olga was at a loss as to where to start, so called on architect Sandra Bruns of Atelier Raumfragen (raumfragen.de) for help. ‘We came up with a mood board that had clear objectives: Soho House style, English flair, colourful but coordinated, honest materials and custom-made features. Sandra suggested a colourful and intense scheme, and…

Yes “They pick me up when times are tough” Jane Hawkes, 44, lives with her husband Andrew in a four-bedroom new-build detached house in Gloucestershire. Jane is a mystery shopper and customer service blogger (ladyjaney.co.uk). ‘Everywhere I look in our house, there’s a quote to inspire me. The place is packed with them – mainly on little wooden signs and slates on rope hangers. I buy them myself, but friends and family buy them for me, too – and then they take on extra significance, as they become connected with the person who bought them. It’s hard to pick a favourite quote. Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle and She said she could, so she did are among my top picks. And a sign my mum bought for me never…

1 PAINT A BAND OF WARM COLOUR Wrap your room with a touch of peachy-pink, by painting from the skirting boards up to the middle of the wall and finish with a crisp, straight edge. Go for a darker shade to create a bolder look but keep the top half of the wall bright white, as well as the ceiling too. 2 THINK PINK WITH A NEW BATHROOM TAP Updating your fixtures and fittings is a great way to give your bathroom a new look, but why just stick to chrome, brass or black? Inject some colour and fun into your space with a pastel pink tap that will instantly transform your basin, too. Also available in Mint Green and White. 3 MAKE A HANGING DISPLAY Mirror botanical bedding by…

Knowing they’d need more space for their sons Hal, 13, and twins Albie and Benny, 11, Jen, who is a nurse, and Fred, an entrepreneur, had to choose between moving out of London to a larger home or adapting the one they had. ‘We converted the loft when the twins were born, but hadn’t made any changes since,’ says Jen, who was keen to rejig the space they did have. ‘We wanted to create a house that allowed some flow and calm.’ ‘I’d seen a project by Ade Architecture (ade-architecture.co.uk) in a magazine that I liked,’ says Jen, who went on to hire the team. ‘They asked what my fantasy home would be like, so as a joke I said it’d be great to have a basement pool.’ Together, they…

1 PLENTY OF HEADROOM IS ESSENTIAL If the existing height from the floor to the underside of the roof ridge is more than 2.2m, it’s likely a conversion is possible. Otherwise, it is possible (but costly) to lower the floor below. 2 EXPERTS ARE NEEDED The existing floor and roof structure should be reviewed by a professional to ensure the building can accommodate the extra structural load. 3 YOU MAY REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION Most often you won’t need it, but if your property is listed, in a conservation area or in an area with an Article 4 direction, you will need to seek advice.…

When Ellie and Kevin Duffey, a marketing manager and a managing director respectively, bought this house in north London, they loved its double-fronted span. But, in order for the house to work for family life with their children Hannah, now 20, and Luke, 11, they knew they would need to extend the downstairs space out the back. ‘There was nowhere for the whole family to sit down and enjoy a meal together,’ says Ellie. ‘On the ground floor we had two reception rooms, plus a little kitchen and a small, dark dining corner. Everything was old-fashioned, with lots of small rooms. We like hosting and entertaining, so our objective was to create a large, open-plan space.’ The couple brought in Mulroy Architects (mulroyarchitects.com) to design a supersize rear extension. ‘We…

1 THEY’RE GREAT FOR FAMILY LIVING They make ideal first homes for adult children and are an excellent solution for independent elderly relatives. 2 VAT IS APPLICABLE While there are a few exceptions, annexes are generally subject to VAT at 20%. 3 IT’S TREATED AS PART OF THE MAIN HOUSE Planning conditions often stipulate that your annexe cannot be sold or let independently. 4 YOU DON’T NEED TO RUN NEW UTILITIES It’s cheaper to connect into utilities from the main dwelling and use submeters. 5 YOU’LL NEED TO PAY COUNCIL TAX Additional council tax is applicable on the annexe.…

There are so many options when it comes to windows: wood, metal or plastic is just the start. What casement style is best and what will look appropriate to the age of your property? When you’re spending so much, you want to love them forever, so we asked a property expert, a timber windows specialist and the co-founder of a design practice for their advice… “I hate to see missed opportunities. Think outside the box instead of replacing like for like – for example, could you reduce sill heights to allow for larger windows?”HELEN BELTON, RAUM CAN WINDOWS AFFECT PROPERTY VALUE? ‘Absolutely,’ says Georgina Burnett, property and DIY interiors expert. ‘Putting in the wrong type of window creates a very bad first impression to prospective buyers. While on paper it…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom converted coach house in Surrey. WHAT IT COST Bath.......................£2,251 Vanity unit and basin....................£6,805 Loo.........................£1,333 Taps......................£2,864 Shower.................£8,080 Tiles......................£5,756 TOTAL...............£ 27,089 “Relaxing in my bath is heavenly. There’s a speaker in the ceiling, so I put music on and switch off ”…

Head southwest from central Paris, and in little short of an hour you’ll find yourself approaching the sprawling Rambouillet forest – a wooded region home to deer, wild boar, and, curiously, wallabies. Despite being just a hop, skip and jump from the city, the area feels gloriously off-grid, which has made it catnip for city dwellers looking for some free-range roaming. Where do they stay? Le Barn, a smart, hip, new country hideaway combining rural tranquillity with stylish boutique hotel credentials. For the horsey among us, riding in the deep woods is a uniquely enchanting experience and horse whispering classes provide something a little different from your local stables. Guided cycling tours showcase the best of the landscape, and indulgent Nordic baths provide that hit of total relaxation. La Serre…

A  A New Tribe 07815 534545 anewtribe.co.uk Abstract House abstracthouse.com Ade Architecture 020 7993 8542 ade-architecture.co.uk Also Home 01483 608611 alsohome.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon.co.uk Anglian 0808 115 1275 anglianhome.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168 anniesloan.com Another Country 020 7486 3251 anothercountry.com Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com AO.com 0344 324 9222 Archipod 07512 307896 archipod.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk Audenza 01162 986393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Beautify beautify.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Benuta 020 3608 0595 benuta.co.uk Beut 01225 292088 beut.co.uk Beyond France 01285 641867 beyondfrance.co.uk Big Chill bigchill.uk Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Blithfield 020…

WHERE TO BUY: Nirvana rattan bar chairs, £99 each; clear glass shoulder vase, £8; small Green glass leaf vase, £8; tall fluted tulip vase, £8; tall Green glass leaf vase, £15; medium Green reactive glaze canister, £8; small Green reactive glaze canister, £6; Colleen glass pendant light, £35, all Dunelm…

‘Use a colour that softens the green,’ says Emilie (interiordesigncollective.co.uk), ‘such as a pink or yellow. This will tone the dark green down.’ ‘Green really pops with gold or bronze touches that will enhance its warmth,’ says Judy. ‘Or try something unexpected, like turquoise.’ ‘Match greens with red for opulence,’ she says. ‘My favourite pairing is green and blue – the colours of nature.’ ‘The shade you choose matters,’ says Emilie. ‘East-facing rooms that don’t get much light need a green that’s not too muddy.’ ‘North-facing rooms need richer greens,’ she continues, ‘which give you a feeling of being enveloped in colour.’ ‘Grey-green should be your go-to neutral,’ says Victoria Yardley of Victory Colours. Annie agrees: ‘Grey-greens are a forgiving base. They are luxurious and refined, but never cold.’ ‘My…

HOW TO GET THERE Ryanair and Easyjet both fly direct from the UK for around £50 return. THE LOCAL AREA At Bebelplatz, stop to see the sunken library – a memorial to the 1933 book burning. Enjoy some shopping along the elegant arcades of Friedrichstrasse. Further along you’ll find Checkpoint Charlie. WHAT TO DO AND SEE The Humboldt Forum, opens in September and will host concerts, talks and interactive exhibitions – a must for culture vultures. Climb the Reichstag for the city views. WHERE TO STAY Art’otel Berlin Mitte (artotelberlinmitte.com) is a contemporary, city-centre hotel, with a great cocktail bar. Rooms from £88.…

Having lived in a new build for 13 years, Katrijn and Wim Berkelmans fell for a detached 1960s house just 10 minutes away from where they were living, that was crying out for a revamp. ‘I liked our previous house but it was hard to make it one of a kind,’ says Katrijn. ‘With this house, we fell for the location, charm and possibilities. It was a project I could put my creativity into. It was a spontaneous decision, but within two weeks we had sold our home and bought it.’ The couple soon got stuck into making the house work for their way of life. Downstairs, doors were removed to create a more broken-plan (flexible) layout, to link the kitchen, living room and dining room, while the four bedrooms…

1 THEY’RE A GREAT SOLUTION WHEN YOU’RE SURROUNDED If you don’t have room to extend outwards, a basement will give you the space you need, while adding value to your property. 2 THEY’RE SUPER VERSATILE From an extra bedroom or utility room to a gym, cinema room or swimming pool, a basement can be used for anything. 3 YOU WILL NEED TO SEEK APPROVALS If it’s a space to live in, you’ll need planning permission and building regulation approval. 4 WATERPROOFING IS KEY TO SUCCESS Waterproofing should be top priority when excavating a basement to prevent flooding by ground swell or water damage. 5 YOU WILL NEED PARTY WALL AGREEMENTS Get your neighbours on side before submitting a planning application. If they object, you may…

Shafraz Jetha, a stay-at-home mum and Andrew Reynolds, a finance director, share their five-bedroom home with their daughter Hanaa, 15. They lived in it for 20 years before deciding to give it a complete overhaul. ‘The house was falling apart,’ says Shafraz. ‘The electrics, plumbing and boiler were all going. We had damp everywhere and it was a dark, cold place to live.’ The house did have a kitchen extension with steps leading down from the rear bedroom, but it left the side return as wasted space. ‘The kitchen was long and had a leaky skylight. It was a poky set of rooms at the back,’ she explains. ‘I wanted an expansive, light-filled house to create a sense of openness.’ The couple brought in Paul Archer Design (paularcherdesign.co.uk), which came…

1 YOU MAY NOT NEED PLANNING PERMISSION If your home isn’t in a Conservation Area, then permitted development rights allow you to extend terraced houses by 6m to the rear and detached houses by 8m, with a single-storey structure. A loft extension of up to 40 cubic metres can be added to a terraced house, or 50 cubic metres to a detached home. 2 YOU CAN GO UP, TOO You can also add first-floor extensions no higher than the existing eaves and 2m or more away from the side boundaries. Under permitted development rights, two-storey extensions may only be 3m deep. 3 PRIORITISE NATURAL LIGHT Very deep extensions will make the existing house dark and poorly ventilated. Only expand where you need to and take care to…

HELEN BELTON, CO-DIRECTOR AT RAUM (RAUM. CO.UK) Raum is a contemporary design practice based in Mumbles, Wales, which specialises in private residential architecture and interiors. PAUL MARTIN, MARKETING MANAGER AT TIMBER WINDOWS (TIMBERWINDOWS.COM) Paul has worked in the marketing team of Timber Windows since 2012. The company has a network of 42 showrooms nationwide, dedicated to the supply and installation of timber windows and doors. GEORGINA BURNETT, PROPERTY AND DIY INTERIORS PRESENTER (GEORGINABURNETT.COM) Georgina is a BBC and ITV presenter, property and DIY interiors vlogger, writer and property developer, otherwise known as The Home Genie. She’s also written a book, The Street-wise Guide to Buying, Improving and Selling your Home (£14.99, Edward Everett Root).…

IDEAL GREATDEAL SHOW YOUR STEELY SIDE WITH AN ICONIC CHAIR WIRE WORK Vitra DKR Eames chair, £375, Nest OPEN FRAME Moda chair, £99, Cult Furniture…

WATERFALL EFFECT Switch to a water blade for a luxurious, waterfall-style flow. LIGHT FANTASTIC Hydro-powered LEDs promise a bright start every day. CLASSIC ROSE The timeless charm of a traditional rose-style head will always be in style. MADE TO FIT This space-saving design is great in smaller enclosures. GET DRENCHED Buck the trend with a smart, square, brushed brass design “Look out for the type of fixed showerheads that enrich the water with air to achieve a more powerful shower without wasting water”RUTH CORBETT, HOUSES EDITOR SLEEK ALL-ROUNDER This super-slender design will work with any plumbing system. DREAM TO CLEAN Keep the water flowing smoothly thanks to easy-clean silicone nozzles. LOW-PRESSURE HERO Designed to perform at low flow rates, this model is small but powerful. STARRING ROLE This striking starburst…

Any child would love to have their own secret garden den, but equally, it’s a must-have for parents who dream of a play space with no screens in sight. Q Why go bespoke? A tailor-made playhouse can be built to fit an awkward space or corner. You can also specify a style that blends into your garden, echoes other garden buildings or even matches the style of your home. Quality craftsmanship will ensure a solid, durable structure that can withstand adverse weather. Q Do I need permission? As long as the playhouse is a modest size, you generally won’t need planning permission. However, if it’s close to a public boundary, overlooks a neighbour or is a considerable size, it’s best to check with the council. Talk to your next-door neighbours…

Scandi beetroot knots TAKES 50 mins SERVES 12 INGREDIENTS • 7g sachet easy-bake yeast • 300g strong white bread flour • 100g light spelt flour • 20g salted butter, softened • ¼tsp salt • ½tsp sugar • ½tsp caraway seeds FOR THE BEETROOT PASTE • 150g ready-to-eat beetroot • 65g creme fraiche • 1tbsp horseradish sauce FOR THE GLAZE • 1 egg yolk TO SERVE • Pickled herring • A few sprigs of dill 1 Mix the yeast in 275ml of tepid water. Add the flours, butter, salt, sugar and caraway seeds into a bowl. Using a mixer with a dough hook, add the water and mix for 10-15 mins. Pop the dough into an oiled bowl covered with a tea towel, and leave somewhere warm to prove for 1hr. 2 To make the beetroot paste, blitz all the ingredients together in a…

THE ORIGINAL The brown walls, burnt orange curtains and mid-toned teak furniture take us straight back to the 1960s, while the full-length curtains, sleek floor and gold elements give this dining area a smart but not too formal finish. THE UPDATE We’ve kept the monochrome statement tiles, but picked a design that can be laid in an irregular pattern for a more modern look. Metallics are back big time, so a brass pendant is a keeper, plus there’s a flash of gold on the cabinet. The dining chairs still have a retro shape but the velvet finish brings a luxe twist.…