Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i Real Homes

One of the very best things about working for an interiors magazine is having a nosy around other people’s homes. Let’s be honest, there are few things more enjoyable than taking a tour of a friend’s new flat, glimpsing someone’s front room as you walk past their house, or even browsing Rightmove to marvel at (or judge) the, ahem, interesting choices people have made. I wish there was something like the National Garden Scheme but for houses, where you could traipse around, admire the surroundings and enjoy a bit of homemade cake ( just me?). I’m lucky to be immersed every day in a style-savvy community that has a never-ending supply of innovative, budget-friendly ideas that we get to share with our readers. So it’s with much excitement that we’re…

DIY outdoor living Ever wondered how to make your own planter? Fancy fashioning some seating out of a few wooden pallets? If you’re planning to exercise your DIY skills this summer, head to our garden hub for helpful advice and projects to try. realhomes.com/garden We’re following… @ourlondonlistedhome. Follow Emily and Hugh’s renovation of their Grade II-listed property and drool over their calm colour palette and carefully curated finds. We’re in love… FINE DINING It can be easy to neglect the ol’ dining room once the sun’s out and we’re eating al fresco, but if yours could do with a freshen up before indoor hosting starts again, head to our dining rooms page for inspiration and shopping picks: realhomes.com/tag/dining-room GET INVOLVED Fancy being featured on our IG – or even the…

Did you delve into a new creative hobby over the lockdowns of the last couple of years? More of us have found joy and a sense of escapism in arts and crafts, from sketching the view from your garden window to taking up crochet and making yourself a new wardrobe. One such craft that’s been brought into the spotlight is embroidery. Mindfully stitching your way through a new pattern is the new slumping on your sofa with a box set – plus you get something beautiful out of it. This month, we’re focusing on two ways to interact with embroidery. The designers we’ve featured create their own works of art for you to put on display and treasure – but some of them also sell kits and patterns (the latter…

On-trend details A freestanding screen or room divider that incorporates a partially see-through material can bring texture to a space. Consider replacing glass with on-trend warm wood inserts such as rattan, cane and bamboo. Make a feature A fitted wood slat wall is a more permanent way to break up a space. While it may feel counter-intuitive, this linear design can help an open-plan space make up for its practical shortfalls. SET THE TONE WITH LIGHTING Layered lighting Swap a centrally positioned ceiling light for a combination of overhead pendants and well-placed floor, wall and table lamps to conveniently switch up the mood. A balance of bright and lower-level lighting is key. Draw attention Ceiling lights are an effective way of emphasising a zone and work well to ground furniture.…

From hitting the snooze button first thing in the morning to winding down with a book at night, your bedroom sets the tone for your day and, of course, your sleep – so it makes sense that a messy or dated space can leave you feeling dissatisfied. Fortunately, making over your bedroom doesn’t have to cost too much time or money: if you can afford it, fitted furniture and a top-grade mattress is great, but you can achieve the look you want for less. One of the cheapest – in fact, completely free – things you can do to a bedroom is to switch up the layout. Rearranging your furniture can make a world of difference and help you see the space in a whole new light. Your bed should…

LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT @LIFE_OF_ISATU 1 ‘Don’t follow trends too much, or you’ll constantly be changing things. It takes a while to find your style. Once I realised I liked warm, neutral colours, I replicated that in every room, including the bedroom, where the scheme makes it feel like an escape.’ 2 ‘Use a mood board to pull ideas together before you start. I choose a specific thing as a starting point – for my bedroom, it was a paint colour I loved. I use Canva to pull in ideas from magazines and Pinterest. Planning in this way means you can put more thought into important things like lighting – we decided to integrate sidelights as well as a main light for a more relaxed feel.’ 3 ‘The bedroom is a…

1 ESTABLISH YOUR WALL TYPE Stud walls and plasterboard? Use a two-pin picture hook. For a heavier picture, locate the studs using a stud detector for extra support. Brick and masonry? Use a masonry drill or hammer drill with wall anchor and screws. Rented home? Use Command strips or hooks, weighing your artwork first to find the right strength. 2 FIND THE BEST HEIGHT When you’re hanging a picture frame, you want your eye line to be roughly two-thirds of the way up the picture. But if it looks like a good height to you, you’re on the right track. 3 MEASURE IT UP Mark the centre position at the top of the frame, then flip the picture around and measure the distance between the hanging wire or cord and…

1 KEEP IT SIMPLE The first and probably best known rule for saving money when renovating a bathroom is: if the layout works, don’t change it. Unless you absolutely can’t avoid it, try to put your new toilet, sink or bath in the same position as the old ones so that you don’t have to move the pipework. Complicated rearrangements of plumbing will cost you in labour and new parts, and that money could be better used on refreshing the things you can see. 2 Plan ahead Being totally clear with what you want and where you want it will save you time and, ultimately, money. Get advice from the professionals to plan everything out and to tell you whether your dream bathroom can be realised, or if you need…

THERMAL COMFORT If you’re going to be using the space for long periods of time and during the cooler months, it’s worth investigating how you can make the room thermally efficient from the beginning. This means installing double glazing and making sure that the floor and walls are well insulated. All you might need is a small space heater or AC unit to add a boost of warmth on chillier days and cool the space down at the height of summer. GLAZING AND SHADING As with an extension or house renovation, the placement of windows will have a big impact on how the space feels. Openings don’t necessarily need to be solely on the walls of the structure: you can create a beautiful space by designing in standard rooflights. These…

When you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen, things can get messy. Blenders gone wild with smoothie spurts, bubble-trouble saucepans, water fights while washing-up, and spitting frying pans; all wanting to mark their territory on surfaces and walls. But worry not – there’s a stylish defence at hand. Like knights in shining armour, splashbacks and upstands protect walls in ‘danger-zone’ areas like the cooking station and the kitchen sink. Upstands create a border around the hob area. Choose a heat-resistant material such as granite to withstand the cooker-pressure inferno when the heat turns up. Splashbacks do the same job, but on a much bigger scale. Available in a variety of materials, ranging from toughened glass, marble and aged metallics to acrylic and ceramic tiling, you can extend your splashback…

Framing your garden with new sliding doors is one of the most effective ways to bring the outside in. Thanks to their slim sightlines and large expanses of glazing, sliding doors are opted for by many of us who have extended, or who simply want to create more of a sociable space in the kitchen-diner. Installing patio doors like this makes moving to and from your terrace a more seamless experience, especially if you opt for a flush fit (we’d highly recommend that – no one wants a trip hazard when they’re carrying drinks or lovingly-prepared BBQ sides from the kitchen to the garden!). One of the most common questions about patio doors is ‘sliding or bi-folds?’ We’re big fans of both, but they have clear advantages and disadvantages that…

BEST FOR STYLE Make your television an integral part of your decorating scheme with a television framed by a bright band of colour. Loewe’s new We.See TV is an Ultra HD LED streaming TV with a screen in elegant matt black, and a splash of vibrant Coral Red, Aqua Blue or Storm Grey running along the bottom. Wires are hidden out of sight by a fabric cover to enhance its sleek looks. They cost from £899 for a 32” BEST FOR A CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE If you want to fashion your own media or games room, a big screen could recreate the feel of a cinema at home. The most common large screen sizes go up to around 65” to 75”, but if you have the money and the space, you…

Smart storage There’s nothing we love more here at Real Homes than a good Ikea hack – and this stunning transformation by Jen Rothbury (@crack_the_shutters) has got us reaching for the decorative moulding. If you’ve got a weekend spare and fancy some DIY, follow the instructions below to create your own unique piece of furniture for less. You will need: ■ Ikea Havsta unit ■ 6mm MDF sheet ■ No More Nails glue ■ Reeded decorative moulding ■ Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-based primer ■ Paint colour of choice (Jen used Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon) ■ Brass handles ■ String ■ Measuring tape ■ Decorating caulk What to do: 1. Build your Havsta unit following the instructions. 2. Using a piece of string and a pencil, measure out and cut two arched…

Alison Jones Assistant editor ‘I’m supporting independent makers selling things on behalf of Ukranian causes, and donating where I can.’ Emily Smith Senior art editor ‘Buying the guy who sits in my local Costa, who is homeless, a £10 gift voucher so he can have something warm to eat and drink.’ Amelia Smith Acting style editor ‘Donating 15 inches of this long hair to The Little Princess Trust – and raising around £700!’ Lindsey Davis Editor in chief ‘I gave a police officer my space in the M&S food hall queue. His need to get back on the beat trumped my need for Percy Pigs.’ Holly Phillips Content editor ‘I’m sending a postcard to a friend to make her smile…

JENNI DAVIS, HOPE & HART @hopeandharthq ‘I create beginner-friendly hand embroidery kits, plus one-of-a-kind ultrasound and bridal embroidered keepsakes,’ says Jenni. ‘I originally started out in leatherwork. After a traumatic baby loss in 2018, I went back to my first creative love of embroidery, which has this wonderful ability of being able to calm the mind while making something beautiful. I wanted to share that joy with others, so through simple instructions and beautifully, decorative, designed pieces, anyone can proudly display their finished pieces.’ hopeandhart.com SAM MCFARLANE, POINTY END EMBROIDERY @the_pointy_end_ embroidery ‘My embroidered mixed media landscapes focus on the beauty of nature and how humankind has shaped the land,’ says Sam. ‘I’ve been sewing since I was young. A friend bought me an embroidery kit for my birthday a…

Lilac is an unusual and somewhat underrated colour that’s packed with meaning and symbolism. It shares its name with lilac the flower, which has the shortest spring-time bloom period of just three weeks and is adorned with the most delicate lilac- and pink-edged petals. Lilac has come to represent the start of spring and the hope of a warmer season. ‘Lilac has a spiritual, dreamlike quality, too,’ says Marianne Shillingford at Dulux. ‘In Buddhism and Hinduism, the sacred lilac lotus is a symbol of beauty, rebirth and enlightenment.’ In 19th-century Europe, lilac was worn after black to indicate that you were in the final stages of mourning – another sign of moving forward and looking to the future. After the last few years, we’re all very ready to start looking…

ENERGY ADVICE Q How can I make my home more energy efficient? A As well as being better for the planet, an energy-efficient home is kinder to your wallet, too. ‘There are plenty of ways to create a more sustainable home, for big budgets and small,’ says Nick Stockley, design director for architectural service Resi. ‘For those with the money, you might consider generating your own energy through solar panels, heat pumps, or a biomass heating system.’ For those of us without that option, there are other ideas to try. › Add insulation and save around £275 a year in energy bills, according to the National Insulation Association. › Install a thermostat to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and use your heating more efficiently. › Plant a green roof to add…

When Sharon and Garry Lomas moved to the Lake District in March 2020, it was the second time they’d upped sticks for a complete change of lifestyle. ‘We holidayed in the Lakes all the time, but it was getting harder and harder to go back home,’ says Sharon. ‘Then I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and we took the opportunity to reshape our lives.’ The first time the pair made such a big move was back in 2015. Sharon left her job as an advertising manager in Manchester and the couple started an interiors store and gallery in the Derbyshire village of Hayfield, renting an apartment above. ‘I’d had enough of my job and it was something I’d always wanted to do,’ says Sharon. ‘Although we had an amazing five…

Culture corner GROW 5: Simple seasonal recipes for small outdoor spaces with just five plants by Lucy Bellamy (£22, Octopus Publishing) Looking to make the most of a compact garden? This book is for you. Award-winning author and gardening editor Lucy Bellamy has come up with 52 super-simple planting ‘recipes’ using a palette of just five plants. You’ll find inspiration for every small space, even if you just want to curate a medley of pots for a courtyard. THROW AND GROW Unleash your inner gardener by scattering seeds that’ve been given a head start in growing. Seedballs contain wildflower seeds protected by clay with peat-free compost for nutrition. The balls can be dropped onto soil, where they get moist and warm and nature does its thing. Get them in grab…

EXPRESS YOURSELF Introduce a little magic to your bathroom with tiles inspired by the rainbow shades of mythical creatures. The pretty pastels of Ca’ Pietra’s new Unicorn ceramic tiles won’t appeal to everyone, but if you love a romantic look over pared-back neutrals, they will fill you with joy. Each tile is a mix of colours for an iridescent effect, softened by a matt finish. Home on the range For cooks who like a responsive, easy-to-clean and energy efficient hob, induction is usually the answer. Fisher & Paykel has launched its first freestanding range cooker with induction technology. There are five cook zones on top, while the cooker has 10 oven functions. The ranges cost from £4,300 for Contemporary and £4,500 for Classic. A dash of pebbles The soothing feel…

1 OUR FAVOURITE FAMILY MEAL ‘Make your own pizzas.’ Wooden bamboo pizza cutter, £19.50, Oliver Bonas 2 THE FIRST SONG ON MY KITCHEN PLAYLIST ‘“We are Family” by Sister Sledge. The kids love dancing round the island to this!’ 3 I WOULDN’T BE WITHOUT… ‘Our built-in gin bar!’ Mila etched green gin glasses, £34.95 for two, Rose & Grey 4 MY GO-TO KITCHEN GADGET ’The hot water tap.’ 5 FAVOURITE RECIPE BOOK ‘It has to be one of my many Mary Berry baking books.’ Simple Cakes by Mary Berry (£16.99, BBC Books)…

Glossy tiles add a reactive edge, bouncing light and adding interest, while creating a light and airy feel Install an open shelf at the point where your splashback meets the wall above and create a beautiful display of pantry-style storage jars Channel Scandi simplicity while adding warm texture with light wood panelling as an alternative to tiles Make your splashback pop against a hero shade on cabinets and walls. Use kitchen paint made from a durable, protective formula to withstand everyday life…

SPACE SAVERS If you don’t have the expansive rear wall to make the most of full-width glazing, fear not: smaller extensions are perfectly suited to sliding doors, because you can get the space-enhancing, light-boosting effects with just two panes. Think of these aluminium doors as a much more modern take on the plastic patio doors of old – smaller sightlines, more glazing. CUTTING CORNERS Nothing makes your garden feel more like an extension of your home than corner-opening sliding doors. Opening your house up on two fronts, they create a wider entrance for people to come and go. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll lose two lots of usable wall space against which you could have placed furniture or artwork. TWIST ON A CLASSIC For a different take on the…

Real Homes tech writer Caroline Preece reveals what you need to know when buying a new TV Q WHAT SIZE SHOULD I BUY? A To work out the size of TV that will fit your space and let everyone watch comfortably, divide the diagonal width (in inches) of the TV by 0.84 and you’ll get the optimum viewing distance. With a 65 inch TV, for example, you’ll need to be sitting at least 6.5ft from it – something to bear in mind if yours is a smaller room. If you replace an HD TV with a 4K one of the same size but don’t change your viewing distance, you won’t see an improvement – either buy a larger 4K TV or stay the same and pull your sofa nearer. Q…

Paint a brighter future New feel-good paint brand YesColours is on a mission to tackle the UK’s paint waste issue. It’s replacing the traditional tins with a fully recyclable pouch and an airtight screw lid that’ll keep paint fresh for longer. It’s vegan and cruelty-free with no added VOCs, and there are 47 colours to choose from, inspired by the world around us. This Electric Blue is the very first shade they created, inspired by the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech. Sitting pretty Blur the boundaries between inside and out with a scattering of weather-proof cushions in the garden. You won’t need to dash out to rescue them if it rains as they’re often made from water-resistant polyester or recycled plastic bottles to withstand the elements. They’ll brighten up your garden…

BEST HOME Sponsored by Sunflex UK Made over your home from top to bottom? Embarked on an ambitious extension/loft conversion combo? We’re looking for impressive full-house before-and-afters, full of cost-cutting ideas. SUNFLEX UK is a renowned maker and supplier of premium quality German-designed bi-fold doors, ultra-slim sliding doors and advanced glazing products, working with a selected network of distributors across the UK to provide the best possible service for renovators. BEST GARDEN Sponsored by Millboard Found a green-fingered streak within? We want to see beautiful outdoor spaces for socialising, alfresco dining or simply living in a plant-filled sanctuary. MILLBOARD Hand-moulded from natural timbers, Millboard decking looks like real wood but outperforms it: it’s slip resistant, doesn’t need regular sanding, painting, staining or oiling, and won’t rot or splinter. Available in…

BREATH OF FRESH AIR There’s nothing like the great outdoors to stimulate the mind and boost creativity, so bring your home office as close to it as you can. If you’re blessed with a work room that leads onto your garden or balcony, blur the boundaries between inside and out by scattering pot plants all over for a jungle feel. Vibes pink round pot, from £8.99; Alder wall canvas, from £32.99; women’s head icon, £34.99; Adyan glass vase, £34.99; Jonas black lantern, £22.99; blue and white stripe basket, £14.99; Dhadit throw £29.99, all Dobbies EMBRACE THE POWER OF PATTERN You can’t go wrong with a larger-than-life floral pattern. A celebration of nature itself, this bold wallpaper brings all the leafy greens and vibrant flowers, without any pressure to keep the…

Naturally versatile If there’s one furniture trend we still can’t get enough of, it’s rattan. Whether it’s the natural material, warm tones or 1970s vibes, this trend seems to be holding strong. If you’re yet to embrace your rattan side (where have you been?), we think we’ve found the perfect piece to start your love affair. This Dunelm foldable shelving unit won’t just bring your room bang up to date – the space-saving concertina-style design makes it the perfect buy for renters and the serial movers among us.…

Ever feel like your room is lacking something? Walls looking a bit bare? Perhaps you need a hero piece – or even pieces – of art. ‘Art can completely transform a home,’ says Will Ramsay, founder of the Affordable Art Fair (affordableartfair.com), ‘whether it’s a bold statement piece that lights up a room or a gallery wall of curiosities.’ But if you’ve shied away from art in the past, thinking it out of budget, panic not – there are lots of ways to make art a part of your home without blowing all your cash, and places to discover it, too. The Affordable Art Fair was born in 1999, out of a wish to make art accessible to all. ‘I also wanted to demystify the art buying process, while supporting…

Three years ago, Rosie Money-Coutts left a fast-paced job in central London to set up her own company. With her new business thriving, she finally had time and budget to tackle her large, unloved garden. Initially Rosie had no idea where to start. ‘I had bi-fold doors fitted to the garden and suddenly had a view of a big, neglected jungle,’ says Rosie. She entrusted the team at TJG Gardens with the task of taming it. Now, the plot is a structured, well thought-out space with areas for morning coffee and entertaining friends. It’s the perfect finishing touch to Rosie’s flat renovation. ‘I’ve been peeking over the neighbour’s fence with rose bed envy for years,’ says Rosie. ‘Now I can be proud of my own!’ FEATURE TREE Recycled whelk shells…

BUILDING REGULATIONS A set of standards that should be adhered to when renovating or building a new property PLANNING PERMISSION A request made to the local council to carry out building works on your property or garden PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT Works that can be undertaken on a property or garden without needing to request planning permission OFF THE SHELF An item that’s in stock rather than made to order and customised. It’s usually cheaper than a bespoke option LISTED BUILDING A building that’s recognised as being of special historical or architectural importance MODULAR A way of building something with standardised items that can be combined and added to in different ways to create custom results…

Q Do the bi-fold sashes have a size limit? A The minimum width of a single sash will depend on the configuration you choose. Sashes can be manufactured as narrow as 325mm, as wide as 1200mm and as tall as 3000mm. Some bi-fold door sashes can have a minimum height of 1500-1700mm. However, Origin can manufacture sashes from 400mm high so that they can be used as bi-fold windows. Q How do you work out the correct number of sashes for the space? A Opting for bespoke bi-fold doors, which can be created in custom sizes, will offer you the flexibility to choose the number of sashes you would like in your space. But there are a few limitations. The minimum number of sashes you can have is two. There…

Build £45,000 Kitchen and appliances £30,000 Glazing £10,000 Flooring £3,000 Furniture £3,000 Professional fees £1,500 Decorating and tiles £1,000 Interior designer Wolfe Interiors, 07920 585270, wolfeinteriors.co.uk Builder H Register & Son, 07980 562675, hregisterandson.co.uk Architect DK Designs, 07591 206852, dk-designs.co.uk Doors and glazing 1st Folding Sliding Doors, 020 8997 2448, 1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk Kitchen Concept Interiors, 0114 285 2762, conceptinteriorsltd.co.uk…

‘I chose green patterned tiles for my kitchen splashback to complement the pink and green theme I chose to style my home. The green Moroccan-style tiles sit beautifully amid pink cabinets, and provide a lovely contrast to the floor tiles, which are pink, green and white in colour. The sink, kitchen tap and trims are in gold tones, which look stunning against the green splashback. ‘I took a lot of time to decide on this colour and pattern because interior designers and magazines usually advise that you should use pattern either on the floor or the walls, but not both. I decided to break this rule and choose what made me feel happy. I chose this particular pattern because it reminds me of my travels to Spain and Portugal a…

Q HOW MUCH DO THEY COST? A We recommend budgeting a minimum of £600 per square metre for aluminium sliding doors. Q DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION? A Adding new doors is normally classed as permitted development (PD). However, you might need to check with your local planning authority in a Conservation Area. You’ll need permission if you live in a listed building or a flat – the latter doesn’t have PD rights. Q WHAT MATERIAL SHOULD I OPT FOR? A Like bi-fold doors, sliding doors come in four main materials, varying in appearance, maintenance and price: › Metal, like aluminium, is hardwearing and easy to care for, plus it’s great for a modern look. It’s the best material if you want minimal sightlines – aluminium is strong enough to…

How to make and style the perfect patio…