Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2022 i Ideal Home

“My kids are unlikely to remember that I matched all the wrapping paper to the decor” I’ve been reminiscing about some of my more memorable Christmas moments, and it’s funny the ones that stick out for me. There was the year my younger brother and I were given hamsters as a surprise, only my brother’s bit him the moment he put his hand into the cage, causing a major meltdown on my brother’s part. Another year we were having drinks with some friends, I popped home to get something and ended up locking the keys in the house, so my dad had to break in with a crowbar. Or there was the time we had a BBQ planned (as a family we usually did food on Christmas Day a little…

WE KEEP SEEING ‘Brown tones This colour trend has been ticking away for some time, but it’s warmed up in a big way for this season. Earthy-tinged neutrals have steadily slipped in to bump cool grey and white off the top spot, while bolder accents of rich chestnut, terracotta and deep chocolate brown are taking their place in finishes for flooring, furniture, upholstery and textiles too. Day Birger et Mikkelsen Home has embraced these sumptuous shades, teaming them with quilted velvet and raw silk and a little ’70s bohemian flair for a double dose of cosiness. We love the addition of white and raspberry for a modern, refreshing lift. IH LOVES... ‘Door jewellery Vine leaf and buttercup drawer handles, £40 each, Alex Monroe SURPRISE IN STORE ‘Roomy larder cupboards at…

“Happy and calm doesn’t mean greige – ever - but maybe some rich greens and pale blues” New year, new home. As I write this, according to my builders – with whom I now have a closer relationship than an in utero baby has with its mother – I will absolutely, definitely, positively be able to move into my new home in January. This is good news, although the bad news is this means that I absolutely, definitely, positively won’t be able to move in before Christmas. Oh, the pain, the pain – has anyone ever known pain like mine? No, they absolutely, definitely, positively have not. Still, back to today’s subject: new year, new home. I have become a little jaded about New Year’s resolutions and the potential they…

CONCRETE LOOK  A poured-concrete floor is highly durable, but expensive. Try concrete-effect ceramic tiles as large as you can find to create a seamless finish with as little grout as possible. STAIR RUNNER  Opt for a stylish bold stripe to make a statement of your stairs, but in a hard-wearing material for this high-traffic area. Wool or nylon Berber style are both good, stain-resistant options to choose from. FIND YOUR PATTERN Easy-to-clean engineered wood flooring is a great option with children, and choosing a chevron pattern gives it a designer look. It can make a room look larger and takes less time to install. COLOURFUL RUGS As well as bringing depth and joy to a room, a vibrant patterned rug is also a much better option than a pale neutral…

Set on the edge of a working arable and livestock farm in rolling fields in the heart of the Cotswolds, the Old Hay Barn is one of five barns that owners Polly and George Phillips set about converting back in 2017. ‘The barns formed part of George’s family farm, the nucleus of which is next door and is still used as the main farm building,’ says Polly. ‘Due to larger farm machinery and a need for bigger grain stores, these buildings were no longer fit for purpose. But they are beautiful Cotswold stone buildings, and there are wonderful views of the countryside. So we decided that turning them into boutique holiday properties (biburyfarm.com) would give them a new lease of life and give guests a chance to explore this wonderful…

Wrap gifts with style Match your gift-wrap to your room scheme. Midnight blues and inky blacks feel luxe with pops of copper and gold. Give it a twist….. Use inexpensive wallpaper or off-cuts of fabric as an alternative to gift wrap. Set up a pop-up cocktail station Line up an elegant drinks trolley with a sleek brass frame to become the perfect mobile bar. Sparkling glassware and a cascading fairy light garland create a glam and fun party vibe. Give it a twist….. If you haven’t got a drinks cabinet, empty a bookshelf or a section of open shelving and fill with glasses and spirits. Create a cosy dining nook Make dinner a relaxed affair with plenty of cushions and twinkling candlelight. A dark tablecloth adds drama, then group candlesticks…

• A TV needs to be at the correct height in relation to your sofa – you shouldn’t need to look up to view. Ideally, place it central to the sofa. • Before you start work on your family room or snug, think about the audio systems and TV that you have so you can conceal any cabling. • The size of the TV is a personal choice. Don’t rule out concealing your TV – you can even fit a projector in the ceiling, which drops down when in use, as well as concealed built-in speakers.…

1 HOW TO PAINT A STRIKING TWO-TONE WALL Turn away from tradition and don’t just be guided by a dado or picture rail when it comes to painting your walls. Instead opt for a fresh, contemporary finish that really packs a punch. • Prep your walls by filling any dents or scuffs with filler, sanding down any lumps and bumps, and giving woodwork such as skirtings and door frames a light sand, then clean with a damp cloth. • Paint your wall from ceiling to floor in your first chosen colour, preferably the lighter one. You may need two coats to achieve the desired finish. • Once completely dry, use a spirit level, ruler and pencil to lightly draw a horizontal line across your entire wall, continuing over doors, door…

THE PROBLEM ‘The bathroom was small, decrepit, and in the wrong place THE SOLUTION ‘This house hadn’t been updated in decades, and the existing bathroom wasn’t suitable, but we felt that the old-fashioned kitchenette would make an ideal family bathroom. I planned to reflect the period vibe in the house, but I’m a bit of a style magpie and I wanted vibrant jewel tones and a mix of old and new, with plenty of texture and interest. Top priority was a big, beautiful, copper bath, which fitted perfectly in the bay window. This was our first renovation project (@love_littlecote) and it proved more challenging than we’d expected. We had to fit new plumbing and ventilation, and level the wonky floor but fortunately our fabulous contractors, Armstrong Installations, were up to…

Party walls are a fascinating insight into how people can co-operate and make life easy for themselves or not. Like planning it brings out the best and worst in people, occasionally resulting in simmering resentment or outright war. A party wall separates two adjoining buildings. It also includes ceilings between flats and garden boundary walls, essential structures that are shared between two properties. The idea of a ‘shared’ anything can be problematic so there is government legislation, The Party Wall Act, designed to protect and control what can be done to this jointly owned thing. You have rights to repair or adapt these structures provided it doesn’t damage or impact your neighbour. If it does, then you need to make good for any damage that has occurred due to your…

“‘Unless your blender will be out 24-7, choose one that’s easily dismantled, light enough to lift and won’t take too much cupboard space”GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY • Wattage can be a rough guide to a blender’s power, but higher doesn’t always mean better. Take the design of the jug and blades into account. • Most jug blenders will have at least four blades, sometimes with mini ones nestled around the stack. These help to whisk pieces up from the bottom and drag contents down from the top. • The number of speeds will vary. Most models have a pulse option; some have programmes for blitzing specific foods, such as soups and smoothies, and for crushing ice. • The jug will be glass or plastic. Glass is sturdy…

1 Need help with budgeting? Take a look at MoneyHelper’s budgeting tool. It’s a great way to understand where you can make savings. (moneyhelper.org. uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner) 2 Transfer credit card debt to a 0% interest balance transfer to save on interest charges. You could get 22 months interest-free with M&S Bank**. Before you apply, ask the credit card provider for a ‘soft search’ to avoid impacting your credit score. 3 Overdrafts can now cost as much as 40% in interest. If you occasionally need some wriggle room, use a bank that gives you an interest-free buffer – both First Direct and M&S Bank can offer £250 interest-free overdrafts**.…

Blooming brilliant “From hand-tied bouquets to subscription flowers, Arena will plant two mangrove trees in Madagascar with every purchase” Christmas brings its fair share of packaging waste but companies like Arena Flowers are helping to reduce that burden, encouraging a more sustainable footprint in every area of its business. All of the company’s packaging is recycled, recyclable or compostable, and by the end of 2021, it’ll be a completely carbon-neutral business, too. It doesn’t hurt that Arena’s entire range of fairtrade wreaths and flowers, including letterbox flowers and subscription bouquets, are utterly gorgeous and long lasting, too. ECO-SY SOFAS Top sustainability marks this month go to the oh-so-clever design team at Dunelm which has created The Edited Life, a new range of gorgeous sofas that rock a bucket load of…

KEEP IT SIMPLE When it comes to organising toys, make things as straightforward as possible. If your system is too complicated and detailed, or has too many steps, kids (and adults!) won’t stick to it. Creating niche categories for tidying quickly becomes tedious and little ones can’t keep it up. HAVE REGULAR CLEAR OUTS Kids grow out of toys and games, so have a regular clear out. Involving them in decluttering from a young age will help them get used to the feeling of letting go, which can be a healthy process. Donate toys to charity shops, nurseries or family centres so your kids know that they’re going to make other children happy. CHOOSE CLEVER STORAGE FURNITURE Pick pieces with built-in storage: bedside tables with drawers, beds with space beneath,…

TV and radio broadcaster Edith Bowman lives with her husband Tom and their two sons in Gloucestershire. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? I love weekend mornings – being surrounded by sleepy, cuddly, hungry kids with everyone in their PJs, getting ready to make a special breakfast. I love that relaxed sleepy nature, not being in any rush to go anywhere, just existing as a family, really. That’s a lovely time. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? We’ve got a bench outside our kitchen on our decking and I love sitting out there – whether it’s a beautiful summer’s day or a cold, crisp sunny winter’s day – with the sun on my face and a coffee in my hand; just taking time to have a breath,…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Guardian columnist and features writer, Hadley has also penned four books. She’s about to move house – a new project! NICKY PHILLIPS DECORATING EDITOR Nicky brings over 25 years’ experience to the table, and has been part of the Ideal Home family for 21 years. CHARLIE LUXTON ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER Charlie juggles his roles as director of Charlie Luxton Design, TV presenter and public speaker. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of themoneyedit.com. FEARNE COTTON BROADCASTER & AUTHOR TV and radio presenter Fearne’s Happy Place podcast is now in its ninth series, with over 40 million downloads.…

DO Check out Go-giv.com, the platform supporting various charitable causes. Choose, donate to and follow fundraising progress, while using your daily activities as a personal target to raise your own funds, for example by swapping your post workout coffee for a donation. READ Paula Sutton upped sticks, leaving London and the fashion industry for Norfolk. This new book follows her modern manor style, recipes and decorating tips, £22 (Ebury Press). LISTEN In Adrienne Herbert’s Power Hour podcast she speaks to coaches, creatives and innovators, discovering how their morning routines and daily habits could transform your life. WATCH Escape to sunny LA for season 4 of Selling Sunset. See how the other half live in million dollar mansions. From 26th November on Netflix.…

I'm made from mercurised glass…

This dream home was a long time in the making. Although Celin Trana purchased the land in Stavanger on the southwest coast of Norway as far back as 2006, she and her family continued to divide their time between London and Copenhagen because of work commitments. By the time construction finally began, Celin had spent four years planning every inch of her home – right down to the scatter cushions. ‘I’ve always loved the clean simplicity of California beach house architecture,’ she says, ‘particularly the way it blends with its surroundings. So my first step, once we’d purchased the land, was to team up with an architect. We then spent over a year working on the exterior design.’ The upshot is a sleek modernist concrete structure, punctuated by swathes of…

STYLE DIRECTION“Hunker down, chalet style, with a bouclé sofa, rich neutrals and touches of jet black and brass for drama”NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR STYLE DIRECTION“Brown, grey, taupe and charcoal create a warm welcome all year round in the hallway”NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR CONTRAST VINTAGE WITH MODERN The simplicity of a neutral scheme sometimes has the potential to feel a little soulless. Counter this by mixing warm blonde woods with darker tones, and show off family heirlooms alongside your favourite high street finds, to create balance and depth. INDULGE IN TEXTURE When it comes to using a sumptuous combination of upholstery fabrics for the Scandi-luxe vibe, linens, velvets and wools are just the start. For extra design points, elevate those textures even more by incorporating embroidery, tufting and tassels on cushions…

“Big, bright, and beautiful, balloons have always screamed party to me, but not just for birthdays – any celebration or gathering can benefit from these joyful, floating orbs. Perhaps traditionally associated with children’s birthday parties, balloons have become big business for weddings, engagements and baby showers alike. Not only have they been supersized, but they now come in a variety of finishes and styles, from foil to matt and even feather-filled if that’s your thing! Seeing as last year’s seasonal shindigs were a little flat (to say the least), this year I plan to go all out for the festivities and decorate the living room with a showstopping display of luxe balloons in all the colours of the rainbow! Be sure to fill them with helium just before your guests…

What the experts say... “It’s sometimes hard to see SUBTLE variations on small SWATCHES , so make sure you use a larger SAMPLE ”HELEN HARLOW, INTERIOR DESIGNER, PAINTBOX Designers and stylists share their views ‘If you’re brave enough to paint your walls and woodwork black, something magical happens. The delicious contrast between lighter objects against a dark background emphasises unique qualities and finer details you might have missed in a light-filled space.’ MARIANNE SHILLINGFORD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DULUX ‘Black works well with strong, jewel colours – orange, fuchsia, turquoise, lime – but it doesn’t always need to be paired with standout shades. It’s equally wonderful with soft neutrals, blush pinks and sage greens.’ HELEN HARLOW, INTERIOR DESIGNER, PAINTBOX ‘When teamed with white, black can be used anywhere. However, it’s crucial to…

THE PROBLEM  cramped A small, kitchen out-dated that all wasn practical ’t at THE SOLUTION ‘Our original kitchen was old-fashioned and worn out, and we couldn’t entertain in it, or even be together as a family. We’d always dreamed of having a kitchen, dining and living area in one big space, with doors opening onto the garden. Style-wise we love clean, simple lines, clutter-free surfaces and a hint of industrial style. ‘Creating the new space was a once-in-a-lifetime project and we researched everything, from appliances to lighting, ourselves. We designed the layout with free online 3D image software, and then chose the cabinetry from Wren Kitchens. We moved out for ten months, as there was so much disruption during the remodelling and extension build. Now we have the space we…

“NEW GLASS TECH MAKES THESE DYNAMIC STRUCTURES POSSIBLE” From modern barn conversions to period properties in need of extra space, glass extensions always deliver when it comes to extending your living space and adding more natural light. For spaces large and small, a glass extension is one of the most exciting ways to open up the layout of your home. As the popularity of open-plan kitchen and dining areas increases, so does the demand for stunning glass extensions. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? A dramatic glass structure across the side return of a terraced house, a modern ‘glass box’ in a courtyard or an elegant traditional-style conservatory can all revitalise the feel of your home, making it more suited to 21st-century living. Advances in glass technology mean it’s possible to create…

SPECIALIST ADVICE Before you start, make sure you talk to a specialist. There are guidelines set out by The GRO Green Roof Code which will help you establish which kind of planting scheme suits your roof and your lifestyle. WEIGHT As many roof structures haven’t been designed to bear a heavy load, it’s essential that a structural engineer designs your green roof so that load capacity is considered. You’ll also need to think about waterproofing, a root barrier, protection mat, drainage layer, filter sheet and planting. PERMISSION Green roofs on sheds and other outbuildings are usually fine without planning permission. However, if the building is occupied or is attached to one that is, you should contact your council’s planning department to make sure you’re within the law. DRAINAGE ‘The green…

REDUCE Washing clothes isn’t good for them or the planet. Synthetic fabric sheds plastic particles into the water, dry cleaning uses solvents and clothing shrinks and discolours the more you wash it. The ingenious portable Bosch FreshUp device, uses plasma to dissolve odours, so you can wear an item time after time. £249.99. RECYCLE Whether you’ve baked too many mince pies or have leftover wrapping paper, share the love with your locals. Post a picture of your item on the Olio app (olioex.com, iOS and Android). Fellow Olio users in your area will contact you if they are keen to take it off your hands, collecting it at a time that suits you both. Free. REUSE New to the eco naughty list this year are single-use Christmas crackers. Make sure…

How to care for your poinsettia Read our expert tips and advice on how to look after everyone’s favourite Christmas plant Decorating with Christmas lights to add festive sparkle  If you’re looking for creative ways to decorate with lights, we have some show-stopping Christmas ideas to light up your home. Be inspired by our simple but effective decorative ideas for festive lights and look forward to a magical season Ideal Home Approved: buying guides & reviews  Getting excited about the Boxing Day sales? From stand mixers to sofa beds, we share our best-rated buys and the top deals Lay the perfect Christmas table Your tree’s dressed, the house is decorated, and all that’s left is to get the dinner table ready with our easy step-by-step guide Christmas party ideas for…

@thevitaminseaproject YOUR BEST DECORATING DECISION? We’ve just embarked on a big move to the Kent coast. We’ve got ambitious plans that we’ll tackle slowly over a two year period. YOUR SECRET STYLING IDEA? In our last home (see @thevitamindproject), I wanted a freestanding stone bath. Budget got the better of us, so I created a cost-effective alternative by using terracotta tiles on the floor and up a custom bath panel. FAVOURITE CORNER OF YOUR HOME? We work hard to give attention to detail, that means no corners go unloved and there are pockets of joy all around the house. AN ITEM IN YOUR HOME THAT SPARKS JOY? My vintage theatre chairs (pictured). They’re so unique, and I love that they take up hardly any space when not in use.…

After buying an all-white Victorian villa 11 years ago, Alicia and John have transformed every room with bold and cheerful colours. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO REVAMP YOUR HOME? ‘The house had been done up to sell so we didn’t do any work at first, but when the children grew up, the renovation seemed more of an option. We approached Miltiadou Cook Mitzman Architects (mcma.design) to neaten things up and create extra storage, but once we started, it snowballed! ‘When the architect introduced us to interior designers Angela Simpson and Laura Voyle (simpsonandvoyle.com), I was so inspired by the possibilities they suggested. Colour is in my DNA and I love mixing it up. However, while I love wearing red and am very confident choosing clothes, with the house I needed…

1 . HEAVY CURTAINS Swap out your voiles or lightweight cotton curtains for a thick, heavy pair to dress your windows for winter. Not only will they help insulate the room and keep cold draughts out, they’ll also help with soundproofing, so lashing rain, howling wind or even the neighbour’s dog, shouldn’t disturb you while you’re curled up inside. IH LOVES… • Curtains2go have lots of thermal-lined options • Dunelm for budget-friendly ready-mades • Hillarys for velvet styles 2. LAYERED RUGS A thick wool rug underfoot will keep toes toasty and help with any chills coming up through floorboards. For an extra level of comfort, and to help zone off your cosy corner, layer a smaller rug of a different texture, such as a sheepskin or thick berber, on…

We have a confession: we’re big fans of having a grown ups-only living room and a separate family space that takes more than its fair share of rough-and-tumble and cosy movie nights. It’s okay not to want chocolate on your velvet sofa or a TV dominating a wall where you’d imagined a mirror or piece of statement art. But how and where do you start creating an inviting family room or snug? We asked two interior designers and a sofa expert just what makes this kind of room a success. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED ‘We always recommend having a separate TV/family room or snug,’ says Céline. ‘This often ends up as a more casual space than a formal living room, often doubling as a playroom. Nowadays, we tend to…

BEST FOR A SOFT BACKDROP Graphite wall paint, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Annie Sloan BEST PAIRED WITH MUTED SHADES Liberty Good Home durable matt emulsion, £17 for 2.5ltr, B&Q BEST FOR A COSY INTERIOR Paean Black estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball BEST FOR TEAL UNDERTONES Midnight Regal Select flat, from £24.50 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore BEST FOR PITCH BLACK Jack Black absolute matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC…

• Classic sliding doors consist of large glass panels mounted on a track so that one can slide behind the other. Depending on your space, you can have up to four sliding panels. • uPVC sliding doors start at around £700, making them a good-value option. They’re lightweight but their wide frames can look intrusive. Aluminium frames are the main alternative and they create a more contemporary effect. They are very rigid and can therefore be slimmer, allowing for more glass, which in turn gives you more light and bigger views. Standard aluminium doors start around £1,700. Bespoke doors in either material will cost extra. • They can be double or triple glazed, and some also incorporate insulation, minimising further heat loss. Laminated or safety glass boosts security, as do…

NOTIFY NEIGHBOURS If you’re building right up to a boundary wall, you’ll need a party wall agreement and written consent from your neighbours. If they decide to object or don’t reply, you will require a surveyor to oversee the process, to ensure you’re not damaging any neighbouring property. These rules are even less generous if you’re in a conservation area or live in a listed property, and you may require extra consent. HIRE AN ARCHITECT Use the services of an architect on a major build to provide design inspiration, plan the space, draw up accurate plans and ensure the project is compliant with planning rules. MANAGE THE BUILD Decide who will manage your build. Any home renovation TV show highlights the cons where this is missed – it never ends…

1 BESPOKE TIMBER JOINERY can infuse warmth and texture. Here, the latticed roof brings wow factor into what is a fairly small space. 2 FOR ANY PIECE OF JOINERY, plan it carefully with your designer and builder in advance. Make sure you’re on the same page about the aesthetic you want to create. 3 WITH CAREFUL DETAILING, metal fixings and bolts can be subtly concealed. 4 CONSIDER THE FINISH carefully. Here, we chose a durable white wax to stop the birch ply fading to a yellowy colour. 5 SPOTLIGHTS can be used to illuminate the timber structure overhead. They can be discreetly positioned above the lattice to light it up, without being on show.…

“Cooking bacon in an air fryer ensures the fat drips away while the meat crisps, for the best bacon sandwich”GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY • Air fryers work by circulating hot air around a basket or drawer evenly from every angle, replicating the results of a deep fat fryer but without all the oil. That means any fat you add to the air fryer will circulate around your chips, chicken or fish as it cooks, making it crisp and crunchy. • Because a fan keeps the hot air moving, air fryers also cook much more quickly than a regular oven, so they’re great for speeding up meals and cooking frozen food. Unlike the original air fryers, the best air fryers now preheat in no time and even remind…

I’ve got no spare cash! How do I save money? More than a third of us say we would like to save more*, yet never seem to have any spare cash to stash away. Whether you’re looking to build a financial cushion, trying to put something away for a few home improvements or maybe towards that well-deserved holiday, building good saving habits can help. Our money columnist, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, shares her top tips to help you get started. Only ever use reputable cashback sites – they are free to use so do not pay to join AUTOMATE YOUR SAVINGS If you bank with digital-only banks, like Monzo or Starling, for example, switch on the ‘round-up’ feature that automatically rounds up your spending to the nearest pound and shifts the money…

“When you say goodbye to clutter and mess you’re saying one big hello to a much clearer mind” I dread/love January. I know it’s going to be cold, and the excitement of Christmas will be in the recycling bin along with all the boxes, but I also know that it’s going to be a bit of a reset and I look forward to that. Although I rarely make it to midnight on New Year’s Eve, I usually struggle to sleep deeply that night knowing that the next day I can cleanse my whole life to mark the start of a new year. It’s full-on clear-out anticipation. Before I can even think about putting a single Christmas gift away in its new home I look through every cupboard, toy box and…

Coconut prawns SERVES 6 READY IN 40 MINS, PLUS FREEZING ● 50g plain flour, plus salt and pepper ● 500g raw, shelled king prawns ● 600ml vegetable oil ● Sweet chilli sauce FOR THE BATTER ● 50g plain flour ● 1tsp baking powder ● 1/2tsp garlic powder ● 1 egg ● 120ml beer (you can substitute with fizzy water for non-drinkers) FOR THE CRISPY COATING ● 100g shredded coconut ● 100g panko breadcrumbs YOU WILL NEED Baking tray lined with parchment ● 3 shallow bowls 1 In the first bowl, put the plain flour with salt and pepper, for dredging. In the second bowl, whisk the batter ingredients together until combined, so that it resembles pancake mix. In the third bowl, mix together the coconut, breadcrumbs and a pinch of…