Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2024 i Your Home

EDITOR'S LETTER Autumn is cosy season and this issue is full of ways to help you make your home as stylish and snug as can be! Discover easy seasonal switches in How to get cosy on a budget (p26), get that glow with affordable lamps for every scheme (p32), and find your dream sofa in our buyer's guide (p34). Handily, all the seating in this round-up is available for delivery before Christmas… Yes, it's coming! Whether you're already in festive mode or just dipping your toes in, it's time to get ahead of the Christmas rush. Dive in with recipes to prep now (p113), bag yourself a stylish Advent calendar (p122) – trust us, they won't be in stock for long – and, before the shopping spree begins, check out…

FOR STOCKISTS SEE p120 HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET IKEA Spruce up for autumn with IKEA's characteristically Scandinavian take on cosy. Its newest range of textiles features patterns inspired by traditional Swedish weaving techniques in warm, earthy tones. The collection includes delicate botanical prints too. Pair these fresh designs with streamlined, practical furniture in wood and metal for a pared-back but comfortingly rustic effect. FABULOUS FLORALS Make your look bloom with I Love Wallpaper's latest design, ‘Gorgeous Gardenia'. This retro floral print is available in Lemon and Blue colourways and is perfect for adding a little vintage style to your schemes. Pick up your favourite style for £18 per roll at ilovewallpaper.com. 5 OF THE BEST… Top of the Scots Celebrate St Andrew's Day on 30th November with these Scottish…

BEST FOR DUVETS Vacuum storage bags, £4 for 2, B&M This roomy storage bag has ample space for a double duvet and a couple of pillows, or a stack of chunky jumpers. It comes with a slider that you push along the opening of the bag to seal it up, then you simply undo the valve cap, place your vacuum over the valve and turn it on. Once your items have fully shrunk down, turn off and remove the vacuum and replace the cap. The packaging claims that the storage space needed will be reduced by 75% when using this bag, and I found this to be accurate on my test. It only took around 30-60 seconds to shrink down a medium-thickness double duvet, and it did expand a little…

A BRUSH WITH NOSTALGIA You don't need to wait until next year to see Lick's hero palette for 2025 – it's already here! The New Nostalgia collection features retro tones, including two of this year's controversial break-out shades – brown and purple. ‘We've reimagined these nostalgic colours for modern interiors, creating a palette that's both emotionally resonant and surprisingly contemporary,' says Tash Bradley, Lick's director of interior design and colour psychologist.…

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KITCHEN IDEAS Colour watch ‘Deep pigment-rich hues work wonders in kitchens all year round, but really come into their own during the cooler months when being cosy indoors is a top priority. As blues are receding colours, they will not make the room feel too cramped, even with a lot of kitchen equipment' Marianne Shillingford, creative director, Dulux The kitchen is often said to be the hub of the home, but what do you do to make it feel spacious yet cosy when it's a little on the small side? The solution is to make the most of every inch while also avoiding an overcrowded look. Invest in space-saving storage for walls and cabinets, double up with multifunctional appliances, consider foldaway furniture and choose your colour scheme carefully. It's also…

I made the cosy seating area myself by ordering voile, fake ivy and string lights' SHOPPING LIST ● 40cm diameter bamboo embroidery hoop ● old newspaper ● white spray paint ● 5m voile or mesh fabric ● iron ● sewing machine ● tailor's chalk ● thread ● tape measure ● scissors ● pins ● needle ● 1m ribbon ● safety pin ● 15 strands of faux ivy HOW TO… 1 Remove the inner ring from the embroidery hoop and put it aside, as you won't need it for this project. Cover your work surface with old newspaper to protect it. Spray the outer bamboo hoop with two coats of white paint, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats. 2 Cut the fabric into two 2.5m lengths. Place one cut piece on…

WE ARE Callieanne Major @ourvictorianhome1875, 34, a practice nurse and fine art photographer at callieannemajorphotography.com. I live here with my husband, Sam, 33, a chartered surveyor, our children Millie, six, and Forrest, 20 months, and our black Labrador, Mabel. OUR HOME IS a four-bedroom detached Victorian home in Spalding, Lincolnshire. We bought it in September 2021. MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS Millie's bedroom. I really wanted a doll's housestyle bedroom with a granny-chic feel. MY STYLE IS definitely more vintage than contemporary. I love anything that is in keeping with our period property. I believe I'm more a minimalist than a maximalist, but I do love large floral displays and lots of artwork.…

‘Looking for a rental during the pandemic was really tricky,' says Kanza Borthwick, who goes on to explain, ‘myself and my husband, Alex, were initially living in the centre of Durham but we were keen to move out of the city and get closer to nature.' The couple were viewing as many places as possible but finding a property with the countryside environment they longed for was tough. ‘Luckily, we finally found a place in a location we loved and managed to move in between lockdowns,' she says. The couple would have preferred a period property but couldn't find one within their budget. However, Kanza adds, ‘this place was clean, which is so important when looking at rentals, and it was a blank canvas, being a new build, so was…

GET ON TOP OF IT Save utility space by putting your dryer on top of your washing machine. Haier UK's universal stacking kit offers efficient laundry organisation by placing two machines in one space. It is secure and stable with a safety strap and wall mounting, and installation doesn't require a drill. Plus, it features a sliding shelf to make loading and unloading the dryer less of a strain, supporting up to 12kg. Choose Black or White to suit your style. Available at haier-europe.com/en_GB from £64.99. Our expert says… ‘Once solar panels are installed, optimise their efficiency by using smart tariffs and battery storage to store excess energy from daytime production for use in the evening or on cloudy days. During winter, when solar generation is lower, batteries can be…

What are the best pest control options for dealing with mice? Natalie Bungay is technical manager at BPCA, providing technical support to members, writing best practice documents and delivering training. She says… ‘Mice are a public health pest, carrying dirt and bacteria, then transferring it to countertops, cabinets and anywhere they travel. They breed rapidly, so an infestation needs dealing with swiftly. Prevention is better than cure, so keeping your home clean and tidy, emptying bins regularly and wiping up food spills immediately are key to ensuring you don't attract mice. Simple steps such as plugging gaps around windows, doors, exterior cables or pipework with wire wool and quick-drying cement can also be effective. If mice do get in, we recommend contacting a professional pest controller with the knowledge needed…

FINISHING TOUCHES If you prefer an un-iced cake, brush with apricot jam and gently push candied fruit or nuts onto the cake PREPARATION TIME 45 minutes COOKING TIME 1 hour 30 minutes SERVES 12 slices VEGETARIAN Christmas cake YOU WILL NEED ✔ 350g dried mixed fruit ✔ 50g mixed peel ✔ 1 tsp mixed spice ✔ 175g soft brown sugar ✔ 150g glacé cherries, chopped ✔ 50g walnuts, chopped ✔ 110g butter ✔ ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ✔ 300ml milk ✔ 350g self-raising flour, sifted ✔ 2 eggs, beaten To decorate ✔ 4 tbsp apricot jam, warmed ✔ 400g ready-rolled marzipan ✔ icing sugar for dusting ✔ 1kg ready-to-roll fondant icing ✔ 1 egg white, beaten ✔ edible white glitter DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/ gas…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Oven-baked Normandy chicken and apple casserole ■ PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes ■ COOKING TIME 50 minutes ■ SERVES 2 YOU WILL NEED ✔ Olive oil ✔ 250g diced chicken thigh ✔ 1 tsp flour ✔ 1 apple, chopped into wedges and core removed ✔ 1 brown onion, peeled and chopped into wedges ✔ 2 garlic cloves, roughly crushed ✔ 1½ chicken stock cubes ✔ 15ml Chinese rice wine ✔ 20g wholegrain mustard ✔ 50g soft cheese ✔ 80g fine green beans ✔ salt and pepper ✔ 2 ciabattas ✔ 5g chives, chopped DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. Boil half a kettle. ■ Heat a drizzle of oil in a large hob and oven-safe casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the…

Every letter featured wins a prize! Thanks to Tree2myDoor, our star letter writer will receive a Lemon Tree Gift (worth £55) and the runners up will each receive a mini Olive Tree (worth £28). Check out the full range of beautifully gift-wrapped trees at tree2mydoor.com. Sitting pretty I loved the cushions made from IKEA tea towels by Vivienne Finch in your September 2024 issue. I previously had the same idea. I wanted William Morris patterns, but the material was too expensive. However, I found William Morris tea towels at the V&A museum for a fraction of the price and covered my chair seats with them! Sarah-Jane Lee, Worthing Beth, creative designer, says: We love this hack, Sarah-Jane. You've created a lovely set of artfully mismatched chairs. Hanging out My husband…

We're reading… Expressive Interiors by Jo Berryman Get inspired to embrace individuality over conventionality with the gorgeous, glamorous houses featured in the pages of this daring book, including Jo's own designer home. We're following… @new_build_forever_home Kate's account is a masterclass in how to add character to a new-build home. Her down-to-earth approach to decorating is so refreshing. 'I'm inspired by mid-century modern, vintage and industrial styles,' says Kate, ‘but Instagram is the place I go to find new ideas.' We're going to… The Creative Craft Show Head to the NEC in Birmingham on 31st October – 3rd November to find everything you need for your winter crafting projects. From needlecrafts to papercrafts and jewellery making in between, you'll be able to stock up on ideas, supplies and decorations for the…

Release your creativity to create this richly layered and personalised look. This trend is largely inspired by Charleston House, which, in the early 20th century, was a gathering point for a group of creatives known as The Bloomsbury Group. Its main residents were painters, and they didn't restrict their art to canvases. The walls, doors and furniture of this country cottage are covered with beautiful designs, and you can still go and visit them today. A century later, this look retains that eccentric energy. Details like panelling and cosy upholstery feel nostalgic and comfortingly old-school, while other touches, such as hand-painted murals, are unconventional. It can often feel intimidating to give yourself permission to experiment, but we hope that over the next few pages you'll find something that will inspire…

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CLUTTER-FREE LIVING Give your favourite items room to breathe by putting some into storage, rather than having everything out at once, to achieve Holly's streamlined look – that way, you can swap them out when you fancy a change…

SHOPPING LIST ● Selection of flowers, berries, grasses and foliage ● long plastic florist's brick tray (if using real flowers) ● biodegradable floral foam brick ● florist's tape ● craft knife ● secateurs ● scissors ● ribbon HOW TO… 1 If using real flowers, you'll need to soak the foam in water first. Use a sharp craft knife to cut the floral foam brick to fit into a long tray. Then soak the floral foam in a bowl of water to allow it to absorb the water slowly. When you've placed the soaked floral foam back in the tray, use florist's tape over the foam and under the tray to secure it in place. If using faux or dried flowers, simply cut the foam bricks to fit your mantelpiece. 2…

SHOPPING LIST ● Old newspaper ● Blu Tack ● tape measure ● spirit level ● selection of prints, paintings and postcards ● selection of frames ● pencil ● ruler ● picture hanging kit ● Command strips (optional) BEFORE YOU START… The size of artwork you choose can make an impact in your space in different ways – lots of small prints will create a playful feel, while a handful of medium-sized designs will look curated. Or, to make art a focal point of your scheme, go for a dramatic look with one or two oversized pieces hung in prominent locations, such as above a sofa, dining table, sideboard or mantelpiece. HOW TO… 1 Choose art in the same palette or style. All of the artwork in a room doesn't have…

Unless you've recently installed an entire new heating system, there are always improvements you can carry out to boost efficiency and keep bills as low as possible while enhancing the look and feel of your home. Maybe you're keen to cosy up a living space by installing a fire or stove. Or perhaps you're sick of the sight of ugly radiators that jar with the decor! Does your central heating require a complete overhaul, starting with the boiler, or are you looking into reducing your carbon footprint by using renewable energy? From minor enhancements to major revamps, these are the upgrades to consider. 1 Gas or electric fires A gas fire is a practical alternative to a real fire or stove, but it does require a little more work than some…

Creating a unique look in your home doesn't have to mean shelling out for expensive carpentry services – you can make your own bespoke pieces on a budget by using flatpack IKEA products. Here's how to transform four iconic pieces from the retailer – Hemnes, Billy, Pax and Kallax. You just need a bit of know-how and an open mind. These hacks are ideal for keen DIYers – simply follow our experts' tutorials… From humble Hemnes to boho shoe storage Recreate a high-end look on a budget like Claire Champion (@charnwoodtowers) ‘I love the mango wood chest of drawers from Oliver Bonas, but my budget is about £600 short, so I set myself the challenge of recreating them as closely as possible using paint' SHOPPING LIST ● Hemnes shoe cabinet…

FLAVOUR EXPLOSION Scientist Shelly Nuruzzaman swapped the lab for the kitchen when she started her business BANG! Curry. She grew up on London's Brick Lane and experienced all its wonderful curry houses during her childhood, and now she wants everyone to get a taste of the Bangladeshi cuisine she enjoyed. BANG! Curry meal kits are made of 100% natural ingredients and are set out in three simple steps – prep it, spice it, cook it – making it a fuss-free process for any cook. And now, Shelly has launched a Samosa and Pakora kit to help people recreate the iconic street food snacks at home. The kits are available via bangcurry.com, Amazon and are now in-store at Waitrose.…

CHEF'S TIP The longer you leave this mix to mature the better it will be. Do strain after 3 months, but for the richest possible flavour, bottle up your sloe gin this year for gifting next How to make ■ PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes, plus freezing and maturing ■ MAKES about 1.5L You will need ✔ 500g ripe sloes ✔ 250g sugar ✔ 1L gin Optional spices ✔ 2 cinnamon sticks, snapped ✔ 1 star anise ✔ 3 cloves ✔ a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg DIRECTIONS ■ Rinse the sloes well and pat dry with a tea towel. Bag and freeze them overnight to break the skins down. ■ The next day, sterilise a large, airtight jar (or 2 medium-sized ones) and tip the sloes in. ■ Add the…

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Your November to-dos✅ Give lighting fixtures an MOT. Dust lights, lamps and sockets, then test each bulb and replace if necessary. Tidy the spare room. Clear away junk, sweep under the bed, pop on a fresh new duvet cover and add some cosy cushions and throws so it's ready for guests. Clean bathroom grout to lift the look of your bathroom, using a scrubbing brush and mildew remover. For stubborn stains, go over the grout using a grout pen. Tidy the hallway to make more space for big coats, winter boots and wet umbrellas, adding baskets as extra storage for hats and gloves. Plant out spring bulbs. Brace yourself for half an hour in the garden to fill your flowerbeds with daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and tulips to ensure an abundant…

BEFORE STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? I'm Hannah Hooper @5bed_to_a_shed, 37, a beauty therapist, and my children, Ivy, eight, and Grace, five. We moved into our detached, 1970s house in Wantage, Oxfordshire in March 2019. WHAT WAS UPDATED? I installed a wood burner, decorated, changed flooring, and brought in furniture and accessories. WHY THE CHANGE? I didn't like the magnolia walls, the Artex ceiling, the orange pine joinery or terracotta floor tiles. A gas fire had an ugly surround that took up most of one wall. Basically, it was a dull room with zero character. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? About three months in total because I did it in stages, so didn't do the work all at the same time. TOTAL COST £3,630 Hannah Hooper was drawn to this…

TIP TOP TAPS Looking for a tap that's both stylish and reliable? Bathroom brand GROHE's new CUBEO range offers just that. It has a modern design with soft square edges, and you can choose from classic Chrome or this Matte Black colourway to bring a touch of contemporary sophistication to your bathroom scheme. The tap will stand the test of time too. It's been designed to deliver silky-smooth operation for years to come. To see the full range, visit grohe.co.uk; prices start from £125.35.…

Making the move from London to the countryside had been on Holly Scott's mind after her first daughter Amelia was born. ‘We had a one-bedroom garden flat in Clapham, which was fine for the two of us, but London wasn't somewhere we wanted to bring up children,' she says. ‘I grew up in the countryside around Henley and I was keen to give that experience to my children.' The couple still needed to be able to get into London for work, so started looking along the M4 corridor and landed on the village of Benson in Oxfordshire. ‘It had everything a village should have, including a good school, and it ticked a lot of boxes.' The couple purchased an end-of-terrace, four-bedroom house which had been extended, and spent the next…

Adding value to a ‘stepping stone' house and using the profit to buy the type of home they really wanted was a shrewd move for Callieanne and Sam Major. ‘Our last home was a modern house built in 2000, which isn't my style, but we bought it at a good price to do up,' says Callieanne. ‘I've always wanted a period home, so I knew our next home would have lots of character.' The couple's next step up the ladder, a detached Victorian house in Spalding, couldn't have been more different. ‘It was the second property we saw, but had more period features than the first one,' recalls Callieanne, who works as a practice nurse in Peterborough. ‘Even though it had been painted all white by a property developer who'd…

It's fair to say that sometimes the best heating solutions aren't always the most attractive, but by adopting a mix and match approach, you can minimise disruption to your home and won't have to sacrifice style for energy efficiency. Stoves and gas and electric fires function independently from the boiler, and heat pumps should be paired with underfloor heating or radiators. ‘Heat pumps work at lower temperatures than conventional boilers and heat a room to a lower temperature as well,' explains Nick Duggan, managing director of The Radiator Centre. ‘Radiators with more surface area are best as they transfer heat more effectively into the surrounding space.' If you're interested in renewable technology, you'll be pleased to know that there's no need to replace an existing gas boiler, as both systems…

Nadiya's chickpea and chicken traybake YOU WILL NEED ✔ Oil, for frying ✔ 4 cloves garlic, minced ✔ 2 red onions, cut into chunks ✔ 1 medium aubergine, cut into chunks ✔ 2 x 400g tins chickpeas, drained ✔ 1 lemon, topped and tailed and thinly sliced ✔ 2 tsp coriander seeds ✔ 2 tsp cumin seeds ✔ 1½ tsp salt ✔ 2 tsp paprika ✔ ½ tsp ground turmeric ✔ 8 chicken drumsticks To serve ✔ fresh coriander, chopped ✔ tahini ✔ chilli oil TIP Don't throw away the liquid from chickpea water – use it to make vegan meringues DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas mark 4. Pour a generous drizzle of oil into the base of a large roasting dish. Then add the garlic,…