Indholdsfortegnelse for May-22 i Your Home

Picking up paint swatches and choosing the shades for a new room redo is one of the most exciting parts of the whole project. But are you ever struck with indecision when faced with choosing just a few hues from all the beautiful options? I know I am, and it can put a real dampener on my enthusiasm! That’s where this month’s decorating quiz comes in (p42) – answer a few fun questions to find out what your signature colour palette is. It will help you focus your moodboards, meaning you can get the project underway more quickly! For further colourful inspiration, don’t miss our reader makeovers (from p30) – Lauren’s vibrant living room is full of daring combos, while Sameera’s luxurious bedroom uses heritage hues and patterns to create…

Into the looking glass I saw this gorgeous mirror in a charity shop for only £7.50 and instantly fell in love with it, but knew the colour wouldn’t work in my home. I sanded it down and painted it pale grey, then I accessorised it with some pieces I already had and I’ve received so many compliments about it. Lucy Eaglesham, Berkshire Sophie, Editorial Assistant, says: This looks so lovely Lucy – it goes to show that you don’t need to spend a lot to create bespoke pieces that are perfect for your décor. Fab styling, too! Crafty solutions Since moving into a new-build house, we were reluctant to put holes in the walls and units for small things like towel holders, so instead I tried this amazing idea I…

Healthy electric hot air popcorn maker, £24.99, Salter No butter or oil is needed for this popcorn maker; the middle chamber heats up and spins to pop the kernels – just don’t forget to fit the popcorn scoop on top of the machine, otherwise the corn will go everywhere! The chute means you do have to use a spare bowl – we found it best to hold it against the machine to catch flyaway pieces of corn. It’s fairly small, so produces less popcorn, but it’s easier to store. It felt quite hot once it was on and takes around 10-15 minutes to cool before you can pop another batch. Retro popcorn maker, £26.99, VonHaus This popcorn maker has bags of retro appeal, which makes it a fun addition to…

Are they always listening? Yes, as they’re waiting to hear your ‘wake’ word. You can use the mute button to turn the microphone off and you can also disable the camera. What about my privacy? While they listen for their ‘wake’ word, these devices can be recording. To help protect your privacy, Amazon suggests that you delete your Alexa recordings. Open the Alexa app, find Review Voice History and delete everything. You can also mute the microphone (though this will prevent use of the voice command) and make sure your wi-fi network is secure and password protected. Which is the best voice assistant speaker? Currently, the most popular options are the Amazon Echo, Echo Show 10 and Echo Dot, JBL Link Portable, Apple HomePod Mini and Google Nest Hub. Before…

After finishing university in Bradford, Lauren Vine came home to Sheffield and rented for a few years, but admits, ‘I hated the fact that I couldn’t put my stamp on these places. I was desperate to live somewhere I could decorate myself to truly reflect my love of colour and pattern’. After five years, Lauren decided to buy her own place, so she moved in with her parents while she saved. ‘Luckily, the mortgage companies were only asking for a five per cent deposit, so it took just six months to save what I needed.’ Lauren had her heart set on a Victorian terrace, and she got ‘the feeling’ as soon as she viewed this house, although it ticked the practical boxes, too: the house felt sturdy, was in a…

1 Which sofa do you like the most? A ■ Bailey large three-seater sofa in Relaxed Linen Putty, £1,149, John Lewis & Partners B ■ Freesia Chamonix Blush three-seater sofa, £1,249, Sofology C ■ Alpine two-seater sofa in Mustard Yellow velvet, £699, Danetti D ■ Honey pillow back four-seater sofa in Aqua, £699, DFS 2 Which patterns are you most drawn to? A ■ I usually prefer to incorporate natural texture over pattern B ■ Abstract forms in soothing tones are my go-to C ■ Retro designs in vibrant colourways always catch my eye D ■ Animal prints, botanicals and cascading florals… the bolder the better! 3 Which flowers would you fill a vase with? A ■ Pampas grass, dried bunny tails and baby’s breath B ■ Blowsy peonies, pink…

So, you’re drawn to a mid-century tone or two? Well, you’ve come to the right place as these saturated shades are ideal for splashing on a chimney breast or sofa for a dash of personality. ‘When adding an accent colour into your scheme, consider how you want to feel in the space. If your predominant palette is green and you want something punchy, choose a saturated tone that’s directly opposite on the colour wheel (a vibrant pink), whereas if you’re after a more sedate pairing, look next door on the wheel and bring in a tranquil blue. Keep 60 per cent of your scheme the main colour, 30 per cent the secondary tone and 10 per cent a contrasting accent, for a balanced approach,’ advises Joanna Thornhill, Interiors Stylist, Writer…

When thinking of the different textures and materials you can add to the kitchen, glass may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, with various colour and texture options available, there are many benefits to enhancing your décor with glazing. Tough, durable and easy to clean, its reflective surface creates a feeling of space and light in a small kitchen. Add a pop of bold colour with a bright splashback and tiles or personality with a statement chopping board. Look for antique shades and ribbed glass for a retro feel or sleek countertops for a modern transformation. Island escape ‘A central island commands the eye in any kitchen and when illuminated, reeded glass door fronts will help you achieve a contemporary, industrial-style look that is still highly…

Nuie square hinged Linton shower bath, £219.95; Arezzo Modern square thermostatic shower in Matt Black, £249.95; Brooklyn Black bath panel, £99.95; Brooklyn Black 1500 combination furniture pack (600mm vanity, 400mm cupboard, 500mm WC unit), £549.95; Brooklyn Black wall-hung two-door storage cupboard, 300mm wide, £199.95. Toreno Modern Black basin mono mixer tap, £79.95; bath filler tap, £119.95; Brooklyn square back-to-wall pan with soft close seat, £129.95; Ronseal one coat interior metal and wood paint, £11.29 per 250ml; for a similar towel rail try Diamond curved heated towel rail in Anthracite, £129.95 for 600mm x 1600mm, all Victorian Plumbing. Avenue Floors Bubblegum & Liquorice vinyl in Sagres 220659092, £30.60 per 2 sq m, Floor Mart. Point Gris wall tile and Point Blanco wall tile, both £33.48 per sq m, Tile Flair. Crown’s…

Set a relaxed scene on a patio, balcony or lawn with this coffee table-turned-planter. House hardy succulents, flowers or fragrant herbs in the trough, which you can line with plastic sheet to protect the roots – remember to snip some holes in the liner for drainage. Preserve your coffee table with wood varnish or give it a bright coat of wood paint as a colourful base for your plant tablescape. SHOPPING LIST ✔ 2 x square pallets, at least 90cm ✔ 1 square fence post, at least 150cm ✔ Crowbar ✔ Tape measure ✔ Pencil ✔ Set square ✔ Wood saw ✔ Screwdriver or electric drill ✔ 35mm wood screws ✔ Work bench ✔ Jigsaw ✔ Palm sander or belt sander ✔ Wood oil 1 Carefully dismantle the pallets with…

WE ARE Jenny Pitt, 41, a PR consultant, my husband, Rhys, also 41, who works in finance, our children, Noah, 10, Rosa, eight, and Lochlan, one, plus our dog, Vera, and two cats, Millie and Mo. OUR HOME IS A four-bedroom Edwardian end-of-terrace in south-west London, which we moved into in July 2014. MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS The kitchen-diner. Everything happens in there and it’s a lovely room to be in as a family and when we’re entertaining. In the warmer months the sliding doors are wide open all day long.…

Maple smoked salmon fishcakes YOU WILL NEED PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 35 minutes SERVES 2 ✔ 200g sweet potato, peeled and diced ✔ 50ml pure Canadian maple syrup ✔ Olive oil ✔ 2 banana shallots, finely chopped ✔ Handful of fresh dill, finely chopped ✔ Bunch of spring onions, finely chopped ✔ 150g hot-smoked salmon, flaked, skin discarded ✔ 50g plain flour ✔ 1 egg ✔ 50ml milk ✔ 100g breadcrumbs ✔ Cooking spray ✔ 2 baby gem lettuces, leaves shredded ✔ ½ cucumber, cut into half moons ✔ ½ lemon, juiced, plus wedges DIRECTIONS ■ Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and add the sweet potato. Boil for 10 minutes, or until soft. Drain thoroughly, then put back in the pan to steam dry.…

Welcome swathes of light and other benefits into your home by upgrading your windows and doors. Not only will they enhance your home’s appearance, the new glasswork will also improve its views, security and energy efficiency, and potentially increase its value. Everest, one of the UK’s largest double-glazing companies, puts the cost of a single window at between £500 and £3,200, depending on size, style, frame material and type of glass, so ensure the replacements are in keeping with your house and fitted by an approved installer to get the most out of your investment. 1 RAMP UP THE PERIOD APPEAL Probably the most desirable feature in period properties (as well as lookalike new-builds), sash windows consist of two glazed frames, usually split into a number of panes, that sit…

Q I’d like to arrange some plants in my dark living room – what types are best suited to dim light? Yasmin Kadeer, London A Maddie Porritt, Head Buyer at The Stem, says… Your house doesn’t have to be the sunniest space for houseplants to thrive, as some like indirect sun and light shade, too. One example is the Kentia palm, which is an indoor palm tree. It’s a great option to bring a lush, exotic vibe. Kentia palms are hardy plants that can tolerate some neglect (but not too much!), and are a great choice for low-light spots. They’re non-toxic to pets, and are handy air purifiers, too. The Kentia suits a living room – creating a statement piece due to its height, as well as its distinctive leaves.…

I needed to find a way to keep that obsession for having a beautiful desk… in a planet-friendly way Describe a typical day… There’s no typical day, really. Penny Laine’s is still growing and I also have a full-time job that I love in a very different industry, so each day really is varied. But it’s all a family effort – my husband has assumed the role of delivery driver and postman, Penny-Laine (my youngest daughter and business namesake) is my picking, packing and stickering assistant, and my oldest daughter, Poppy, observes us and generally eyes everything up for herself (she’s a bit of a climate activist, so she likes to keep me in check). What’s your favourite design trend? I adore – and I think I always will adore…

HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET John Lewis & Partners The ANYDAY range from John Lewis & Partners combines style and quality at an affordable price point and its spring/ summer 2022 collection is no exception. Add splashes of colour in primary hues and shun boxy styles in favour of rounded curves. Larger pieces of furniture, such as desks and cabinet dressers are available to buy in store and online, alongside on-trend lighting, textiles and artwork. MAIN IMAGE Sweep large sofa in Opulence Royal Blue, £599; Chunky knit pouffe in Chilli, £75; Aztec indoor and outdoor rug in Grey, from £80; Metal double arm floor lamp in Putty/Brass, £75; Orange tree cushion, £15; all ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners Magical makeovers Disney has launched its first dedicated home and interiors brand,…

HOW TO... spruce up your patio After a long winter and stormy weather, your patio may be in need of some TLC. Whether you have a petite paved area or a generous outdoor living space, you can easily style it up with our top tips… • Firstly, cleaning your patio will make a bigger difference than you might think. Give it a good sweep to remove loose dirt and debris, then fill a bucket with hot soapy water and scrub any particularly grimy areas with a hard-bristled brush. Rinse with clean water from a hose, leave to dry and inspect your handiwork – you may need to repeat this on some areas. Don’t be tempted to use a pressure washer, as this could damage delicate tiles. • Inject instant colour…

Make lasting family memories in the great outdoors that won’t cost the earth SAVE ON Family days out While a grand day out with the family will make you grin, the cost of travel, activities and feeding everyone can soon take the wind out your sails. Instead of watching your budget get blown at the ticket stiles, follow our low-cost tips and forward-planning hacks to make sure everyone’s a winner on your family day out. Keep it local. Check your local tourist information website for details of free events near you, from craft festivals and open-air concerts to family activities at museums. Plus, it’ll save on car fuel costs and the financial peril of the petrol station snack run. Spend those loyalty card points. Open your Nectar or Tesco Clubcard…

MINI TREND Freshly squeezed Serve up a slice of the good stuff with these fruity buys – they’re the pick of the bunch! Add Mediterranean charm with citrus fruits or tropical joy with pineapples. The dining table is an obvious place to start, as seen with the pretty drinks dispenser (opposite), but you can add zesty fun to other rooms with lighting and cushions. Main image: Azur ceramic drinks dispenser, £59.50, Oliver Bonas VEG OUT IN STYLE Sit back and relax on the brand-new Vegan collection of sofas and seating from DFS. Approved by PETA, the collection is a mix of mid-century and modern designs in a range of soft cloth, faux leather and textured weave finishes that are 100 per cent free from animal products. For your chance to…

WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Lauren Vine, 28. I’m a nurse and I share my home on Instagram @the.tiny. colourful.terrace. I bought my two-up, two-down Victorian terrace in Sheffield in January 2020, and I live with my kitten, Peachy. WHAT WAS UPDATED? I changed the flooring straight away, then over time added panelling, colour-blocking and built-in storage. WHY THE CHANGE? The whole room was covered in magnolia paint and an ugly 1980s marble fireplace dominated the room. There was no storage and the space just felt really unloved. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? It took six months from the day I moved in to make the space feel useable, then I kept doing jobs until it finally felt finished in December 2020. TOTAL COST £2,241…

WHO LIVES HERE? Sameera Stern-Gillet, 41, a chartered accountant, my husband, Bertrand, 41, our sons, Zayn, 11, and Rafi, nine, and our dog, Piper. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We added panelling, wallpapered and painted the walls, installed a plush new carpet and restored the original Victorian fireplace. We finished the look with metallic accents and plenty of foliage. WHY THE CHANGE? When we moved in, the décor was incredibly plain – not my style at all. So, after a period of settling into the space, I was ready to make my mark. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? The work itself took around three months to complete, but because of Covid delays it was around a year from start to finish. TOTAL COST £2,670…

WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Kopal Jaitly, 36, and I’m a fashion influencer (@petite_and_curvy), interior photographer and stylist (@pink londonhome). I live here with my husband, Manav Jaitly, 39, the director of revenue at a luxury hotel in London. We bought our four-bedroom, 1930s house in October 2019. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We didn’t keep anything from the old kitchen except the hatch opening that connects with the dining room. WHY THE CHANGE? There were only cupboards and a worktop down one side, the fridge-freezer was in the way of the door and the hob was too close to the sink. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? About 10 weeks to rip out the old kitchen and install the new one. TOTAL COST £14,890…

Clean, crisp lines and natural texture are more your thing, so try this minimalist scheme. Strip the look back with white and creams, minimal ornaments and add interest with texture rather than colour. ‘Neutral décor doesn’t have to be bland. Add elegance with contrasting coarse and fine textures and use natural tones like linens and taupe that complement each other. Organic fabrics such as wool and mohair will bring serenity to the design. Choose a textured wall covering instead of paint that wraps the design in a comforting blanket,’ advises Kunal Trehan, interior designer featured on BBC One’s Virtually Home series, and founder of touchedinteriors.co.uk…

The more colour the better, right? Bold emulsion, animal-print accessories and scatter cushions in unusual colour combos are your thing and we’re here for it. Ramp up the impact with intricate details, dark woods and metallic accents to make your vibrant colour choices truly stand out. ‘We all experience colour in different ways. Everyone has a favourite, or seven. Colour has a big impact on our emotions, so it should play an important role in interior decisions. We all have our personal feelings and reactions to colour, and our favourite shades of each. Look at colours with fresh eyes and listen to how they make you feel. If you have a colour that makes you happy, be sure to include a big dose of it in your home,’ shares Sophie…

Changing the bathroom became the number-one job for Hannah and Berran when renovating their 1970s detatched house. Due to problems in the property chain, they moved in uncomfortably close to the due date of their second daughter, so Hannah had to hit the ground running. A builder arrived the following day to change the boiler and radiators, but the bathroom itself was in desperate need of attention, too. ‘We knew it was going to be awful as there were no photos online,’ she says. ‘As well as the smell and the awkward curved blue bath, it had a shower with no head, so we had to do something fast.’ Hannah acted decisively, settling on a dark-grey scheme with a flash of yellow on the main wall. She found the fittings…

Molly and Vicky were excited to swap their one-bed flat for a generously sized, three-bedroom house in Bristol. ‘We’d outgrown our old place and were desperate for more space and a bigger garden,’ explains Molly. ‘We took advantage of the government’s 2020 equity loan scheme to help us with the deposit. The only catch was it had to be a new-build property!’ They found a development close to the city centre that ticked every box for them. ‘The property we were looking to buy hadn’t actually been built yet, but we looked at the show home and loved the proportions of the rooms and the outdoor space. Not only was it in the ideal location, but it was also within our budget,’ Vicky says. They had a few houses to…

WE ARE Gemma John, 42, an Interior Designer (alpineroseinteriors.co.uk), my husband, Henry, 44, a Commercial Manager, and our daughter, Rosie, 11, and son, Noah, eight. OUR HOME IS a four-bedroom, 1930s detached house in Enfield, north London, which we bought in May 2019. MY BEST BARGAINS ARE the original 1930s pendant lights above the dining table. These were just £30 each from a lovely local vintage shop called 171 Retro. With new fittings from Dowsing & Reynolds, they look rather smart. MY FAVOURITE ROOM I spend most of my time in the kitchen. I just love how well the space works for us a family, especially the walk-in pantry where I hide and eat chocolate! I also love our bedroom.…

Chicken and vegetable noodle jar PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 3 minutes SERVES 1 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 1 chicken stock cube pot ✔ 1 tsp dark soy sauce ✔ 1 tsp garlic purée ✔ 100g frozen mixed vegetables ✔ 100g chicken breast, cooked and torn ✔ 150g udon thick noodles, cooked and vacuum packed ✔ 1 spring onion, chopped DIRECTIONS ■ Using a sterilised Kilner or large jar, empty the stock cube pot into the jar. Add the dark soy sauce and garlic purée. Add the frozen vegetables, torn chicken breast and noodles. ■ Close the jar and store in the fridge until lunchtime. ■ Pour 100ml boiling water over the noodles and leave for 3 minutes to warm everything through. Stir to fully combine all the ingredients,…

‘Roof windows are a great solution for maximising daylight in your home and completely transform your space. Position your roof windows to follow the Sun’s movements so your room can enjoy sunlight throughout the day with light from above. Before starting any home improvement, use the Velux Daylight Calculator, a free-of-charge tool that helps you plan the number and size of roof windows to be installed, so you can get the light right.’…

The last few years have seen gardens, patios and balconies come into their own as extensions of our living areas and important entertaining and socialising spaces. Stoke up the warmth and comfort for your garden party guests with the help of an outdoor heat source, which will allow you to extend your celebrations as night falls. Outdoor heaters largely fall into three categories: wood-burning, gas and electric. ‘Out of the fuels available, a wood-burning heater tends to be the simplest to use as all you need for it to function is some wood. They tend to be the most cost-effective and guarantee a cosy campfire atmosphere,’ explains Declan Kingsley-Walsh, Managing Director of stove brand Morsø UK. The flickering flames of gas give off a quicker heat that you can control,…

We’re reading… A Greener Life , £20 If you’re interested in sustainable gardening but not sure where to begin, Jack Wallington’s guide is full of practical tips on garden planning, vegetable growing and creating environments to attract wildlife. We’re following… @thehouse.andme Laura loves using bold colours in the family home: ‘I add most of my colour with colour blocking, be that a wall, a stripe, or even a bath, to add dimension and fun to a neutral background. My eclectic house reflects my personality’. We particularly love the orange tub! We’re going to… RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 24th-28th May The iconic gardening event returns for four days with show gardens from renowned horticulturalists, expert advice, House Plant Studios and more. There are also shopping opportunities and plenty of…

If you’ve welcomed a four-legged friend into your home, your beautiful carpets and rugs may not stay pristine for long. Rather than scrubbing at them with spray and a cloth, tackle stains quickly with the BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser. It’s easier to grab-and-go than full-sized carpet cleaners, and leaves the carpet less saturated, too – so you can react to accidents quickly and prevent permanent staining. It costs £129.99 (much cheaper than a full-sized carpet cleaner) and also includes two cleaning formulas to get you started.…

Use voice command to play music, tell jokes or turn other smart appliances on. Here’s how to get started HOW TO... get the most from your smart assistant A smart, or virtual, assistant is a device that understands voice commands and can perform tasks for you, giving you hands-free control… • Available on most smartphones and tablets, as well as devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, virtual assistants listen for specific spoken words in order to answer back or perform certain functions. • You can wake yours up by saying ‘Okay Google’, ‘Alexa’ or ‘Hey, Siri’ depending on which one you’re using. Alexa is the voice behind Amazon’s Echo smart speaker while Google Home is a smart speaker powered by Google Assistant. Siri is found on Apple devices.…

From barely-there blush to radiant raspberry, in recent years we’ve seen pink evolve out of its box as a classic childhood favourite, with muted, delicate pinks becoming a sophisticated staple in interior design. Taking its cue from the rise in popularity of earth tones, dusky pink has become a mainstay, as seen with paint shades from Crown Paints and Benjamin Moore, and soft furnishings at Dunelm. Pastel pink has been given a modern rethink with shimmering finishes from Porcelain Superstore and Tile Mountain, while fans of maximalism will swoon over the rose offerings of Curious Egg and Graham & Brown. ‘Pink is set to become the new black, with searches rising for softer shades of rose and bubblegum as people seek to introduce the shade to their interiors,’ reveals Matt…

THE DETAILS FURNITURE £1,889 PAINT £62 FLOORING £240 MDF £50 TOTAL £2,241 SHOPPING LIST Vincent three-seater sofa in Petrol Blue velvet, £1,899, Swoon. Filskov flat woven handmade Grey/White rug, £65; Vittsjö coffee table in Black/Brown, £40; both IKEA. GoodHome Oldbury Grey Oak effect laminate flooring, £15 per sq m; Valspar paint in Flamboyant Flamingo and Summer Dusk, £31 per 2.5L, all B&Q. Sophia Blush Pink scallop chair, £120, Homebase. For a similar gold mirror try metal accent mirror, £48.99; Sonya 160cm floor lamp, £77.99, both Wayfair. Samba faux sheepskin rug in Powder Pink, £42; for a similar plant stand try round side table in Marble/Gold, £92; Allegra Parlavecchio Picnic at the Park Square art print, from £61; all Fy!. For similar faux fur throw try the Milan faux fur throw,…

THE DETAILS WALLPAPER £600 BED £600 SOFA £495 CARPET £600 PAINT £375 TOTAL £2,670 SHOPPING LIST Camille Oatmeal fabric and Oak king sized wooden bed, £559.99, Happy Beds. Artemis wallpaper in Off White, from £185 per roll, House of Hackney. Sofa, £495, Cult Furniture. Sheepskin rug, £35, Dunelm. Janik wire cage bedside tables, £99 each, La Redoute. For similar bedside wall lamps try Victor, £111, Pooky. Sofia Lind Still Waiting print, £79, MADE.com. Rustic Brown coffee tables, £64.99, Vasagle Furniture. Sleek Edison wall lights, £35 each, Industville. Black rattan chair, £199.99, H&M Home. Malm dressing table, £89; Ledsjö dressing table lights, £40 each, both IKEA. Heather dressing table chair, from £99, Cult Furniture. Carpet, £600, Online Carpets. Panelled wall painted in intelligent eggshell in Juniper Ash, £35 per litre, Little…

THE DETAILS CUPBOARDS £8,500WORKTOP £3,200SINK AND TAP £720APPLIANCES £1,600TILES £870 TOTAL £14,890 SHOPPING LIST Milano Contour Ermine kitchen in Rose Matt, from £3,701, Wren Kitchens. Arctic Starburst quartz worktop, £210 per sq m, Gemini Worktops. Gold 1.5 bowl sink, 670 x 440mm, £359.99; Spirale gold flexible spout tap, £379, both East Coast Kitchens. Jardin Rose Moroccan tiles and Madeira Green Moroccan tiles, both 20cm x 20cm, £60 per sq m, YourTiles. For a similar fridge try Samsung 510L American fridge-freezer, £947.98; for a similar hob try Hotpoint 58cm four-burner gas hob, £148.97; for a similar ceiling extractor try Elica Cloud ceiling extractor, £879.97, all Appliances Direct. Globe ceiling flush light in Brushed Brass and Blush Pink, £130, MADE. com. Pale Pink venetian blinds, £59, Blinds2go. Pink tea towels, £15, Amazon.…

Early morning sunlight cast across blush linen bedsheets and floral cushions – does this sound like heaven to you? Exude calmness and serenity through your home with pastel-toned furniture, wall coverings and pretty accessories. ‘Pastels might be the weakest of the shades, but don’t underestimate their strength; they’ll soften the mood in a few, unsaturated strokes. Pair pastels together to play with tone and help darker spaces shine. The lighter shades bounce light around and will make the space feel bigger. Throw in a bold colour to cut through the saccharine and give a surprise for the eyes,’ suggests Richard O’Gorman, Interior Stylist at @househomo on Instagram and contestant on Series 3 of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters…

THE HOMEOWNER I’m Hannah Hooper, 34, a beauty therapist, and I live here with my husband, Berran, 36, a design engineer, and our children, Ivy, six, and Grace, three. THE HOUSE A detached five-bedroom 1970s house in Wantage, Oxfordshire. We moved here in March 2019 and we’re renovating the whole property. I share my updates @oldandtired_ to_chicandinspired. THE PROBLEM The door opened the wrong way, and we took up the floor tiles and discovered the floorboards were soaked and rotten. There was a curved bath in the corner with an awkward gap we couldn’t get into, and I was also desperate for storage. THE SOLUTION We rehung the door, gutted the room and replaced the floorboards. We also added a black shower and stylish slimline storage.…

COVERED NOTEBOOKS SHOPPING LIST ✔ A5 notebooks ✔ Spare paper ✔ Tape measure ✔ Pencil ✔ Rattan webbing, open weave, 45cm x 1m ✔ Sharp scissors or shears ✔ Mammoth Powerful Grip Tape ✔ Black cotton ribbon 1 First, decide how you’d like to cover your notebook. We made two different designs – one that covered the front of the book in rattan, and another that featured a central strip that ran back to front. Measure the area you want to cover and cut a paper template to that size. 2 Lay your rattan webbing out flat, with right side (RS) facing upwards. Place your paper template on top, making sure that it is straight and aligned with the woven strands of rattan. Draw around the template with a pencil,…

Needle punching is a simple and therapeutic technique for which you need nothing more than a punch needle, some yarn and some cloth. You’ll find it’s quick to pick up and its repetitive action makes it a mindful pursuit. The punch needle, which is used for this technique, is a little like a normal sewing needle, but with a handle. The eye of the needle is the punching end, which you push through the fabric. You can use it on any loose-weave fabric, using either yarn, fabric strips or embroidery thread, and it creates a beautiful texture of loops and stitches, which are ideal for intricate wall hangings and even rugs. HOW TO needle punch 1 To start off, it’s best to secure your fabric to a wooden frame using…

‘We weren’t in a hurry – we had two small children and busy lives, and wanted to get it right’ Jenny and Rhys Pitt first spotted their end-of-terrace property seven years ago. It was in their dream location of Wandsworth, south-west London and even had a large garden. It also had a few flaws, but the couple was confident they could make it their own. ‘The downstairs was all wrong, with a tiny galley kitchen, plus it had an unused side return with a shed at the bottom,’ explains Jenny. ‘But there was a tremendous amount of potential and a large loft space begging to be converted.’ The pair lived in the property for a couple of years and got a feel for how they used it before drawing up…

WE ARE Molly (right), 27, a social worker, my wife, Vicky Rea-Seddon, 37, a social care practitioner, our dog, Mollie, a sprockerspaniel, and our cat, Barbra. OUR HOME IS A three-bedroom new-build in Bristol. We’ve lived here since March 2020, and share our décor progress on Instagram @incheerior. OUR BEST BUY The Habitat mirror in the kitchen, which was just £60 from eBay. OUR BIGGEST MISTAKE We didn’t use moodboards or a planning tool, which we would next time. WE’RE MOST PROUD OF The panelling in the bedroom and the overall look and colours of the room.…

3 WAYS WITH… peas Although frozen peas can be eaten all year round, fresh peas come into season during spring For a speedy chicken supper, heat 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan and add 4 chicken breasts. Cook for 5 minutes, flip and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add 2 sliced shallots and 1 clove of crushed garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in 200ml chicken stock, simmer for 10 minutes. Add 190g peas and simmer until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Stir in 2 tbsp crème fraîche and a small handful of chopped mint, then serve. To make a fresh pea pesto, blitz 200g peas, ½ bunch mint, 25g grated Parmesan and 100g crème fraîche until smooth, then season. Stir into freshly cooked pasta and top…

Georgie was looking forward to working on her first home, a three-bedroom house, in the West Midlands, but knew that installing new windows had to be left to the professionals. ‘I’d seen a new-build but found it claustrophobic. Whereas this 1960s house seemed really light and airy, despite the fact that the hall and landing were purple,’ says Georgie, who works in public relations. ‘The large windows really attracted me to the property, but I knew I’d have to decorate all the dated décor. As soon as I got the keys, I prioritised replacing the windows, as there was lots of built-up condensation. I knew they would need doing but when I’d viewed the house they’d been covered by curtains and hadn’t looked as bad.’ Aware of how busy tradespeople…

KAMINO CAST IRON OUTDOOR FIREPLACE, £1,299, MORSØ Crafted from cast iron to endure the elements, this tall, conical fireplace is a chic addition to your outside space. The high chimney reduces smoke in people’s faces and there’s space inside for the Tuscan Grill (£89; sold separately) so you can cook delicious meals while the flames burn. • Wood burning • Protective cover available • Weighs 77kg • Measures 50 x 180cm HEATLAB IPX4 FREE-STANDING ELECTRIC PATIO HEATER IN BLACK, £59.99, PRIMROSE.CO.UK Enjoy a drink or party any time of the year with this electric heater, which can be height-adjusted to suit your space and has a 3m cable. Three heat settings mean you can easily control the temperature, and the bulb provides a bright glow to keep the darkness at…

1. ‘I love these passport covers – they’re a brilliant gift for someone (or yourself) and let you keep track of where you’ve been.’ Chasing Threads Stitch Where You’ve Been silver passport cover, £25 2. ‘I’m a little bit of a dreamer, and these pencils fit that perfectly. They’re made from old CDs, so I like to pretend I’m using ones I sent to the charity shop.’ Vent For Change recycled CD case pencils, £3.99 for a pack of three 3. ‘These cushion kits are new in – and yes, I will be buying them for my own home.’ Cotton Clara Stitch Your Own Cushion kit, £34.99…