Your Home October 2020

Pull the blankets out of their summer storage boxes and throw a rug on that chilly stone floor – autumn is here and it’s time to update our homes to match. This month’s eclectic Trend Alert (p22) is full of natural colours and textures that feel perfect for the change in seasons. Or for something bolder, turn to page 38 and discover how warm and inviting moody shades can be in Dark Drama. Find practical advice from the experts in our lighting masterclass (p42), in which we reveal how to create a cosy atmosphere, while in 8 Ways to a Warmer Home (p116) we learn how to keep the cold out and the heating bills down. A lot of us dream of an open-plan kitchen-diner that the whole family can…

Hidden Gem: Ondine A›h, Falmouth Abstract printed cushions, herringbone wool blankets and delicate hand-crafted ceramics are just a few of the wonderful goods on offer at Ondine Ash. Based in a charming Falmouth shop that combines Scandi-style with rustic influences, this is a homeware heaven filled with responsibly made, sustainable accessories. With a background in fashion buying, owner Ondine uses her expert knowledge of international sourcing to consciously collate a collection of unique products that are crafted with care. Slow and sustainable is her ethos. We’ve got our eye on the gorgeous selection of baskets, especially the White and Black Woven Basket, £59, made by women-led cooperatives in Rwanda and Ghana. Visit the shop at Old Brewery Yard, High Street, Falmouth TR11 2BY or online at ondineash.com On the mend…

A work of art I’ve recently had two weeks of annual leave from my job as a Triage Sister in my local hospital. Of course, I was unable to go away as planned, so I decided to do something creative during my time off and painted a corner of my garden. I’m so pleased with the outcome and friends have asked me to paint some of their garden walls too. All I used was normal masonry paint and my imagination! Di Clements, by email Your Home says Wow, this is incredible Di. You’re so talented – we only wish you could paint our back gardens too! Tiled and tested I hated my dark and dingy hallway and wanted to redecorate without the mess and cost of retiling. I decided to…

How to… Clean your home gym and workout equipment If you’ve spent these last few months of lockdown working out at home, chances are your home gym equipment is in need of a deep clean. On a seemingly endless list of household chores, wiping, washing and disinfecting your weights, mats and any other gear is something that’s all too easy to overlook. But it’s a quick and easy task – just follow these top tips… Yoga mats play a part in most people’s at-home exercise regimes. If you use your mat once a week, you should probably clean it about once a month. To disinfect your mat, spritz both sides with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar with a splash of tea tree oil, then wipe it…

THINGS WE CONSIDERED ● Did it cook food well? ● Was it simple to use? ● How easy was it to clean? DIGITAL CRISP AIR FRYER, £89.99 , LAKELAND Sleek and compact, this air fryer looks sophisticated on the worktop. It cooks chips quickly and effectively to a nice crisp texture. The crisper drawer was slightly stiff to pull out and push back in, but it was easy to clean once removed. The LED touchscreen display is smart and simple to use, and it has eight different cooking presets for various types of food. NINJA AIR FRYER AF100UK £119.99 , NINJAKITCHEN.CO.UK This air fryer produces very crispy chips with just a tablespoon of oil. It’s easy to set up with clear instructions and has four functions:…

Prep veg quickly and effectively with the Gourmet Series Fine Julienne Slicer by Microplane. Thanks to innovative etched blades, it glides through ingredients precisely without snagging. Prepare uniform strips of carrot and courgette for a stir-fry or grate purple cabbage for a fresh ’slaw. It’s also a nifty tool for grating chocolate over your favourite dessert. The handle is ergonomically designed for ease of use and the slicer can be rinsed easily under the tap. Priced £24.95 from hartsofstur.com.…