Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2025 i Your Home

June is here, and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves, grab a paintbrush (or a roller), and dive into all things happy home! Whether you’re dreaming big or working wonders on a tight budget, this month’s issue is bursting with sunshine-soaked ideas to inspire you. Start with 30 easy updates for £30 or less (p22) – it’s full of summer updates that will make an instant impact. Thinking bigger? You’ll love the six real renovations in ‘We took our homes from ugly to lovely’ (p13). If these stories leave you ready to take on your own project, don’t miss our guide, How to buy a fixer-upper (p88) – essential reading for savvy renovators. This month’s real house tours also make for inspiring reading, including Pip’s larger-than-it-looks two-bed terrace (p52), Paula’s…

COME ON IN… Katherine and Adrian Woodcock ( @edwardian_vignette, @vignette.interiors) moved into their three-bedroom Edwardian semi in Chester with their then one-year-old son in 2015. They’ve since welcomed a daughter, too, and the house has kept them just as busy. Initially bringing it up to modern standards, a three-month reno blitz concentrated on rewiring, new central heating and radiators, replastering, fitting modern laminate flooring and neutral carpets. They also knocked the kitchen and dining rooms into one open-plan space, which required underpinning and a new steel – and a new kitchen! ‘We planned to renovate other parts over time, as and when we could save up the money,’ says Katherine. How much did you pay for the house? £230,000. What state was it in? Very dated and in need of…

‘Our new kitchen is one of my favourite rooms because it’s just a hub of activity at all times of the day. It’s the room that all the family will be in, enjoying each other’s company, while having the space to be cracking on with our own thing’ COME ON IN… Temi and Eugene Lorant ( @home.chest.of.dreams) and their two children are reaping the benefits of their meticulous side and rear kitchen extension, to create a polished look in their four-bed Victorian semi in Surrey. The couple lived in the house for a few years to figure out how they wanted the renovation to look and feel, and looked at the planning portal online to see how neighbouring properties had gone about their extensions, even viewing a few finished houses…

CHALK IT UP Upcyclers rejoice! Colour queen, Annie Sloan, has just released five new shades of her legendary chalk paint. The collection includes three brand new colours, Rococo White, Jaipur Pink and Sandalwood Red, as well as wall paint favourites, Tyrian Plum and Canvas, in the creamy chalk paint formula. ‘These five colours work beautifully together because they all have warm undertones’ says Annie. ’Use the brights in this collection to add an eye-catching pop of colour or use the neutrals for a sophisticated elegant look.’ See all the paints at anniesloan.com. Rococo White Canvas Jaipur Pink Sandalwood Red Tyrian Plum, all £26.95 for 1L, Annie Sloan…

SUSTAINABLE STYLE Do you want a kitchen that not only looks good but also does good? Then look no further than the new Carina collection from Moores. This range is made from 100% recycled wood that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. ‘Developing a range crafted entirely from recycled materials is a huge milestone for Moores and proves that eco-conscious design can be both stylish and innovative,’ says Andy Story, head of product development at Moores. The collection is available in 10 finishes – four smooth and six textured – so whether you prefer a contemporary or a more classic look, there’s plenty to choose from. Discover the whole selection at moores.co.uk.…

According to Energy Saving Trust, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, making them very energy-thirsty. There are simple ways that you can reduce this energy usage, such as only running full loads, washing at lower temperatures and using the eco setting if your appliance has one. Fridges and freezers use energy continuously, and can make up a significant percentage of the average household’s energy bill. As with all appliances, checking the energy label before you buy is a must, as there can be a big difference between models. Try not to open your fridge or freezer door more than necessary, as this will let the cold air out. Your oven can make a big contribution to your energy consumption. Use a microwave…

SHOPPING LIST ● Old chest of drawers ● wood filler (optional) ● palm sander or sandpaper and sanding block ● tape measure ● scallop wooden self-adhesive border trim, £12 for a 30cm length, Dunelm, or similar MDF alternative ● pencil ● hacksaw ● grab adhesive (optional) ● multi-surface paint in your chosen shade ● paintbrush ● screwdriver or combi-drill ● new handles (optional) HOW TO… 1 Begin by carefully removing the handles from the chest of drawers and setting them aside. If you plan to replace the handles with new ones, you may need to fill the existing holes with wood filler, allow it to dry and sand it smooth. 2 Use a palm sander, or sandpaper and a sanding block, to rub down the surface of the chest to…

SHOPPING LIST ● Selection of statement faux flowers, such as: roses, hydrangeas, peonies ● selection of faux foliage, such as: amaranthus, eucalyptus, aralia, lavender, asparagus fern ● floristry wire ● secateurs or wire cutters ● 30.5cm wreath base ● pliers HOW TO… 1 Choose your colour scheme or theme for your flowers and lay them out to see how they work together. Gently open out the petals of each flower, starting at the centre and working outwards, then fan out the foliage to make sure they look good and as ‘real’ as possible. 2 Oganise your faux foliage into nine groups, each of around five stems. Use a variety of foliage in each bunch as this will make your wreath evenly full all the way around. For a natural effect,…

SHOPPING LIST ● Patterned fabric ● plain fabric ● matching pre-made piping with 1cm flange ● bolster cushion pad ● thread ● sewing machine ● dressmaker’s scissors ● pins ● tape measure ● iron ● covered button kit ● needle ● zipper foot HOW TO… 1 Measure the length of your cushion pad and add 2cm to determine the length of the cushion cover body. Next, measure around the circumference of the cushion pad and add 3cm for the body’s width. 2 Using these two measurements, cut the body of your cushion cover from patterned fabric. Cut two strips of pre-made piping that measure 10cm longer than the width measurement of the cushion cover body. Cut two circular end pieces from plain fabric with the same diameter as the ends…

Finding a home that needs work can be a very cost-effective way of getting onto or moving up the housing ladder. According to portal Rightmove, the average fixer-upper sells for 12% less than a similar property in good condition, and estate agency Yopa recently revealed that this type of home is more in demand than any other. As long as the renovation is carefully planned, costed and executed, you’ll be able to design it to suit your taste and lifestyle and boost the property’s value, rather than paying for improvements a previous owner has done. 1 Establish your boundaries Risks are inevitable when buying a doer-upper, as unexpected issues always crop up. But these risks are generally worth the rewards and you can iron out many potential problems in advance by…

PLANT A RAINBOW Turn your garden into a riotous rainbow with the latest book from genius gardener and author, Lucy Bellamy. In Colour in the Garden: Stylish ideas for Year-Round Colour (£25, Octopus Books), Lucy shares easy and joyful ways to fill your borders with all spectrum of hues – from subtle, in-between shades to bright and beautiful displays. Follow her inspirational planting guides and find advice on packing colour into containers, small gardens and larger plots. Your backyard will never look drab again.…

After spending many hours preparing, planting and nurturing plants, flowers and vegetables, you’ll know that regular watering is essential to make sure they are given the best chance to thrive – especially during warm and dry spells of weather. From filling your watering can with rainwater from a barrel, to clever sprinklers with adjustable settings, the system you choose is likely to come down to the size of your garden, as well as the types of plants you grow and their watering needs. We’ve chosen some of the best options available, to help your garden bloom this summer. Irrigation made easy If you have a large garden, or are a keen vegetable grower, keeping on top of daily watering can be a tough task. Setting up an irrigation system or…

Pimm’s deluxe ■ PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes ■ SERVES 1 YOU WILL NEED ✔ ice cubes ✔ 50ml Pimm’s ✔ dash of elderflower cordial ✔ sliced strawberries, orange, lemon and cucumber ✔ well-chilled prosecco, to top ✔ mint sprig DIRECTIONS ■ Fill a glass with ice cubes and add the Pimm’s, elderflower cordial and sliced strawberries, orange, lemon and cucumber. Stir well. ■ Half-fill the glass with prosecco. Stir gently, then add the rest of the prosecco. Lightly crush the mint sprig and drop it in the top, to serve. ■ If serving this for lots of people, make a pitcher ahead of time – this will also help extract more flavour from the fruit; add the ice, prosecco and mint just before serving. For a 2L pitcher, use 400ml…

CHECK HOW WELL YOU DID find the answers on page 128 CROSSWORD Solve the clues then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell the name of a sport (6) SUDOKU Fill the grid so each row, column and 3×3 box has numbers 1 to 9. Which 3 numbers sit in the shaded squares? ACROSS 1 Puffed maize snack (7) 4 Impersonate (5) 7 Make bigger (7) 8 Ballroom dance (5) 10 Second-hand (4) 11 Educated guess (10) 12 Item found in a wardrobe (10) 13 Ready money (4) 17 Fondant that tops a cake (5) 18 Not sweet (7) 19 Recorded in writing (5) 20 Part of a brush (7) DOWN 1 Citrus rind (4) 2 Garden bird with a bluish top to the head (9) 3 Immediately…

CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 Popcorn, 4 Mimic, 7 Enlarge, 8 Tango, 10 Used, 11 Estimation, 12 Coathanger, 13 Cash, 17 Icing, 18 Savoury, 19 Noted, 20 Bristle. DOWN: 1 Peel, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Right Away, 4 Mate, 5 Minus, 6 Cloudier, 9 High chair, 10 Unanimous, 11 Election, 14 Swift, 15 Aged, 16 Tyre. SOLUTION: TENNIS WORD SCRAMBLE There are 64 words in total – anything over 15 is excellent! Find puzzles on p126! SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 1. Dog doorstop is gone 2. Cake has strawberries 3. A row of windows in the wooden house is removed 4. Candle from decorative bottle is gone 5. Green flower candle is larger 6. Handle on jug is white 7. Throw over chair is orange WORD SEARCH Did you find them all? SUDOKU…

‘We made lots of mistakes, which included dreadful wallpaper, ugly tiles that had to be taken down within hours of being put up, and a bathroom that ended up looking exactly the same as the original version!’ COME ON IN… Rob Evans and his husband Paul Morgans moved into their semi-detached, five-bedroom house in Cardiff when they adopted their son just over a decade ago. Turning five small downstairs rooms into one big kitchen-diner and snug was the ambition. ‘It was very much a ‘do everything, everywhere, all at once’ kind of plan!’ says Rob. ‘As you can imagine, this did not work out very well.’ Despite a few false starts with decor, the couple found their groove and now have a beautiful, smart city pad. How much did you…

COME ON IN… Claire Appleton ( @making_a_home) always loved ‘the house on the hill’ in Cowling, North Yorkshire, never dreaming she’d eventually live there with her own family, especially after being outbid on her first offer. Claire and her husband, Matthew, and three children moved into the four-bedroom property in 2021 to 20-year-old decor, then got quite a shock: it needed a full refurb. Initially, the couple prioritised urgent repairs to the roof and focused on the children’s bedrooms. The plan for the first phase was to update the bathroom, skim and rewire every room and add a bath in the main bedroom. Next up: the kitchen. How much did you pay for the house? £385,000. What state was it in? On the surface it just looked dated but, once…

TOP TiP With any leftover timber, make up box-shaped shelves to dot elsewhere around the garden for continuity 1 For this project, you will need 2 pieces of rough sawn treated whitewood spruce stick timber measuring 1.8m long × 150mm wide × 22mm thick; three 120 × 10mm London shelf brackets; a pack of 4.0 × 50mm single thread countersunk Pozi screws; a combi-drill; a tape measure; and a jigsaw. 2 Measure and divide the plank of wood into six sections of the following lengths: 1 × 80cm (main board), 1 × 50cm (shorter shelf), 1 × 40cm (shorter shelf), 4 × 15cm (uprights). Use a jigsaw to cut the wood following your measurements. Use a sanding block to smooth any jagged edges. 3 Use a pencil to mark the…

GROUND YOUR SCHEME Mix bright colours and a variety of patterns with natural elements, like rattan and wood, to ground the scheme. Pip has used this combination throughout her home…

Even the smallest outdoor space can be transformed with the right seating. Corner off an area and create a cosy hideaway in which to socialise, serve drinks and nibbles, or just sit back and relax with a good book. This wooden seating is made from cheap pallets and leftover wood scraps, and you can put it together in a single weekend. The bonus is that it has a planter attached to the end of one side, so you can enjoy a little privacy and screening from the greenery. Add a few fragrant flowers and enjoy the scent of summer while relaxing in your garden. SHOPPING LIST ✔ 9 equal-sized wooden pallets ✔ 8 long pallet boards ✔ 5 fence boards ✔ cordless jigsaw ✔ 6 lengths of flexible wire ✔…

MY GARDEN PLAN WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Liz Hoad and I live here with my husband, Tim, and we’re both retired. Tim used to be a director in the family shoe business, and I was a part-time PE teacher. We have three grown-up children and seven grandchildren who love to visit. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We have completely reimagined the garden, as it was an overgrown wilderness when we moved in. We cleared the trees, laid winding paths, added stone steps and created zones with patios, seating areas and a lovely summerhouse. WHY THE CHANGE? We wanted the garden to be an extension of the house – practical, welcoming and full of charm. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? The work was done in stages and took place over several years. TOTAL…

TASTE THE SIZZLE Barbecue season is in full swing – make sure you pack yours with the best of British produce! Family-run, Yorkshire-based company HECK has a huge range of favourites, including these new Minted Lamb burgers. They’re packed with high-quality meat – 85% in fact – and are seasoned with lamb’s best friend, mint. Plus, they are gluten-free, so even more people can enjoy the rich flavour. Simply top with tzatziki and serve with a side of feta fries for a Greek flavour. Available at Tesco for £4.75 for two, tesco.com.…

Your June to-dos Create a cold drinks station in your kitchen or living area with jugs of iced water or lemonade, and some pretty glasses or beakers. It’ll encourage everyone to help themselves and stay hydrated! Shake out rugs and doormats, then thoroughly vacuum and steam-clean them (with a touch of essential oil) to make your home feel fresher and more welcoming. Streamline your kitchen sink area, cutting down to the essentials such as washing-up liquid, handwash and a sponge or brush. A small tray will keep it neat and contained. Replace heavy curtains with sheer or light cotton ones. This allows more natural light to enter while still maintaining privacy, and creates an airy, breezy feel in the home. Make some small containers for flowers or herbs using old…

Say no to fussy apron strings and try this fabulous cross-back design instead. It has practical pockets for your cooking tools, and comes in a hardwearing, washable fabric in striking blue Transfer marinated meat or prepped pizza toppings outdoors in Kilner’s Fresh Storage tubs. They have sturdy clip-top lids to keep flies away, and are made from durable, heat-resistant glass Enhance your cooking area with this non-slip mat made from high-quality silicone, and keep your tools within easy reach, while protecting surfaces. It’s heat-resistant up to 250°C (500°F) and can be rolled up for storage You won’t have to keep hungry guests waiting – with this skewer, you can cook three kebabs at the same time. Plus, it’s flameproof, unlike its wooden counterparts Stay protected with this BBQ glove, made…

We’re reading… Master the art of colour, Tash Bradley, £25, Quadrille Confused by colour? Let Lick’s paint pro take you by the hand with her practical and friendly advice. We’re following… @leafs_at_home Lauren’s gorgeous interiors first caught our eye when she sent us an email earlier this year, and we are loving watching her ideas bloom. ‘My decor style is inspired by my love of plants and flowers,’ says Lauren. ‘I adore floral wallpapers and add a lot of green colours to my home.’ We’re going to… Handmade Oxford Immerse yourself in contemporary craft at Waterperry Gardens, Oxford, 12th-14th June. This bumper festival will be packed with inspirational makers, workshops and irresistible buys. handmadeinbritain.co.uk…

COME ON IN… When college administrator Victoria Butler ( @mybrightonhome) decided to downsize in 2022, she chose a 1930s bungalow close to her family in Brighton. The four-bed semi-detached chalet-style home had a large garden, a modest kitchen extension and a small loft conversion with two bedrooms – however, the owner had lived there for 50 years, and the interior was dated to say the least. After turning one of the smaller bedrooms into a large bathroom on the first floor, Victoria went to work stripping everything back – walls, floors and ceilings – and added a new kitchen, as well as fresh radiators, sockets and light fittings. How much did you pay for the house? £514,000. What state was it in? It was immaculate, but it hadn’t been updated…

‘Reflecting on our journey fills me with immense pride. We’ve transformed our dreams into a beautiful reality. The countless hours of hard work and the financial sacrifices we made over the years were worth it’ COME ON IN… When Anatolia Elamradi ( @my_dolce_casa) moved into her three-bedroom, terraced house in Newham, London in 1997, she knew it needed work. The house only had one bathroom and a small kitchen extension. Anatolia and her husband, Frank, decorated while raising their young family, and life went on. A decade passed before they started renovating – first they added a bathroom on the first floor. Then, in late 2020, amid the second lockdown, the couple embarked on their most ambitious project: demolishing the old back extension and replacing it with a spacious room…

There’s something in the air and it’s the salty scent of one of this year’s biggest trends wafting in on the tide. Coastal cool is always a big hit for summer, but in 2025 it’s more sophisticated than we’ve ever seen it before – it’s gentle, subtle and super chic. Think delicate stripes, stylish shellfish and a refined, pared-back colour palette. If you’re worried about your look feeling too themed, use your seaside motifs – such as boats and shells – on elements you can switch out, like table linens and bedding. Then stick to weather-beaten texture and sun-bleached colours elsewhere. £5 AND UNDER Get the look for less with these quick updates THE MOODBOARD Net these buys for a chilled-out seaside scheme…

Q What should I use to wash up with to help reduce my single-use plastics? Laura Harnett is the founder of cleaning brand Seep, which is on a mission to eliminate 1 billion plastic cleaning items from landfill by 2030. She says… ‘Many people don’t realise that the microfibre and yellow and green sponges they use to wash up are made of plastic. They end up in landfill and release microplastics into the water every time they are used, which is bad for the environment and your health. When the green part on your sponge scourer goes bobbly, that is the microplastics coming out of the sponge, coating your plates and cutlery. ‘There are plastic-free alternatives available that are made from bamboo, loofah or wood pulp, which can be home…

EASY EXTENSION A motorised awning can transform how you use your home, turning an unusable space into a dining area, party zone, outdoor office or shaded play area for the kids. Made from robust fabrics in a fabulous range of plain and patterned fabrics, Hillarys’ awnings can even be adapted with decorative valances, infrared heaters and LED lights for a bespoke finish. Create a gorgeous extension to your home, without any messy building works or associated costs. Visit hillarys.co.uk for more details and to discover how you can fully customise your awning to match your lifestyle, home and garden. See her progress at @minimidcenturymakeover_ Our expert says… ‘During a time when property prices are becoming challenging for many aspiring homeowners, buying a doer-upper can seem like a plausible alternative. However, it…

DUO DESiGN Relax on this solid wood bench while surrounded by nature. Finished with water-based varnish to protect from mildew and fading, it also has drainage holes to keep your plants healthy INVESTMENT PiECE This flexible seating is part of a larger modular range, so you can add to it over time. It features a 15-year anti-rot guarantee along with wooden trellis for a little privacy CHiC SEAT Made from durable dark red meranti wood, this cute little bench is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by while enjoying your morning coffee…

EDITOR’S CHOICE…

Avocado and smoked salmon salad YOU WILL NEED ✔ 2 Clarence Court hen eggs ✔ 2 tbsp sesame seeds ✔ handful cherry tomatoes ✔ 2 spring onions ✔ 1 ripe avocado ✔ ½ lime, zested and juiced ✔ 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses ✔ 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ✔ salt and freshly ground black pepper ✔ handful of salad leaves ✔ coriander leaves ✔ 150g smoked salmon DIRECTIONS ■ Soft boil the eggs in boiling water (6-7 minutes). Once cooked, remove from the heat and plunge into a bowl of iced water. ■ Meanwhile, heat a small frying pan, add the sesame seeds and toast for a few minutes or until golden, then tip onto a plate and set aside. ■ Quarter the cherry tomatoes; trim and slice the…

BEST ON TEST Outdoor pizza oven with accessories, £159.99, VonHaus This pizza oven was quick and easy to put together – you just fold out the legs, screw on the chimney and slide the door in place. Plus, it came with a stone, peel, chopping board, cutter and a cover – ideal for first timers. To start cooking, you load up the small charcoal chamber and wait 15 minutes for it to reach its optimal temperature of 400°C. However, the instructions said to use a heat gun to check, as there isn’t a gauge, but I didn’t have one so I had to guess. But the first pizza looked and tasted the part – it took a little longer than the 90 seconds it should have taken, but it was…

HOW TO… plant and care for a herb garden A bountiful herb garden looks and smells wonderful, plus it’ll also help you save money on the weekly shop and bring a fresh and flavourful touch to home-cooked meals • Most herbs need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to survive, so start by choosing a lovely sunny spot in your garden – south-facing if possible. Herbs prefer well-drained soil, so ensure the area doesn’t hold water after rain – raised beds are ideal, as are wall-hung planters and pots. Test your containers to make sure the soil drains well and add more drainage holes if necessary. • Herbs thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). You can improve your soil by mixing in compost or…

Every letter featured wins a prize! Thanks to 4lite, our star letter writer will receive the fabulous prize of an Antheia solar portable table-top lantern and an Antheia solar tall portable lantern. And our runners up won’t go empty-handed: they will each receive an Antheia solar portable table-top lantern. Check out 4lite’s full range of bright ideas for lighting at 4liteuk.com. Sunshine seating My parents decided to replace their kitchen chairs and ditch the old folding ones, but I thought they could make great patio chairs instead. My friend donated an old duvet set to me and, with the help of my lovely husband, I used the fabric to re-cover them. I feel you would agree that the tropical vibe makes them perfect for the patio. All we need now…

A Abigail Borg abigailborg.com Agriframes agriframes.co.uk Amazon amazon.co.uk Anthropologie anthropologie.com AO ao.com AR Design Studio ardesignstudio.co.uk Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk artfables artfables.com Avalana Design avalanadesign.co.uk B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3357 diy.com Bathroom Mountain bathroommountain.co.uk Bathrooms to Love bathroomstolove.uk Beach House Art beachhouseart.co.uk Bean Bag Bazaar beanbagbazaar.co.uk Beliani beliani.co.uk Benjamin Moore benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk benuta benuta.co.uk Berry Useful berryuseful.co.uk Better Bathrooms betterbathrooms.com BHS bhs.com Blinds 2go blinds-2go.co.uk Bright & Bright brightandbright.co.uk Brown and Ginger brownandginger.com Burgon & Ball burgonandball.com By Haleys byhaleys.com C Caple caple.co.uk Clarke & Clarke clarke-clarke.sandersondesigngroup.com Click Style clickstyle.co.uk Cole & Son cole-and-son.com Complete completeproperty.co.uk Cornish Sea Salt Company cornishseasalt.co.uk Cotterell & Co cotterellandco.com The Cotton Bunting Company cottonbunting.co.uk Cox & Cox coxandcox.co.uk CO2 YOU co2you.com Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com D daals daals.co.uk Danetti danetti.com där lighting darlighting.co.uk DBS…