Innehållsförteckning för 08-2015 från 25 Beautiful Homes

Blue, pink, red or yellow – do you know what your favourite colour is? And are the colours you use in the home the same as those you choose for your clothes? After having a wardrobe cull at the weekend, I noticed there’s a lot of blue in there, but I also wear greys and white, and sometimes red or pink, but never yellow or purple. I then realised our house is a bit the same. Some areas are blue, others are grey or stony shades, and there’s also deep red and hints of pink – a bit of a mix all round. But I’m definitely not someone who likes wearing black and white, with an interior to match. I know it’s easy, but I love colour and pattern too…

CREATING PRIVACY We are trying to decide on the best way to dress our dining room window, which is overlooked from the street. We don’t want a very fussy treatment – what would you suggest? GABBY JOHNSON, LONDON You could invest in café-style shutters – the slats can be tilted for privacy, while allowing light in through the upper window. Shutterly Fabulous (0800 012 6615, shutterlyfabulous.com) will make shutters to fit any window, prices start at £290sq m, while designs in custom colours such as this Elephant Grey hue start at £320sq m. A quick, affordable solution is window film. The Window Film Company (01494 854204, windowfilm.co.uk) has a number of solutions, including plain Frostbite film, W150cm, £24m. You might also like a blind – opt for a bottom-up version…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Grade II listed Georgian rectory with Victorian additions. LOCATION Herefordshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen, breakfast room, study, playroom, utility room, cloakroom, seven bedrooms (two en suite), five bathrooms PURCHASED 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a maisonette in Camden, London,’ says Jo. FAVOURITE SHOP ‘I love online store Hannah’s Treasures – it’s like walking into a virtual Aladdin’s cave of vintage wallpapers’ When Jo Pilkington and her husband Al Farquhar uprooted themselves and their three daughters Hope, 10, Edie, 8, and Romy, 6, from London, it was because they wanted the girls to grow up in the countryside. ‘Also, as a TV producer, I was doing long hours and I felt it was time for a change,’ explains Jo. ‘Luckily,…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A 1920s detached house LOCATION Södermanland, Sweden ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, dining area, family room, study, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, we lived in a flat in Stockholm,’ says Leila. Leila Lindholm’s Swedish home could have been built specially for her and her husband Mårten. ‘We were living in an apartment in Stockholm but needed a bigger place for our growing family,’ she says. ‘One of my requirements was a large garden, and here, there’s land on all four sides with a lake nearby, so it was the perfect fit for us.’ The house was special for another reason: it was built in 1922 by renowned architect Ragnar Östberg. ‘The property was clearly created by someone talented,’…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS  THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace LOCATION North London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, four bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a garden flat nearby,’ says Katja. FAVOURITE SHOP ‘We really like Twentytwentyone’s blend of stylish yet practical pieces. There’s some fun furniture and accessories for children, too’ Katja Ullrich-North and her husband Justin were fully aware that they home they had just bought needed lots of work doing to it, but before long they began to wonder if they had overreached themselves. ‘It was a world away from our initial idea of a place that was ready to move into,’ says Katja. ‘But finding the right property was so tricky that we became open to the possibility of a renovation…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Maisonette in a Victorian terrace LOCATION West London ROOMS Sitting/dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom PURCHASED 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I lived nearby with my parents,’ says Laura. DECORATING ADVICE ‘A blue-and-white palette is a timeless colour combination that always looks crisp and fresh’ Getting onto the property ladder can be challenging, and that was certainly the case for Laura Stafford-Deitsch. ‘I fell in love with several flats but none of them were quite right,’ she says. She was almost at the point of giving up when she found a Victorian maisonette in her price range. ‘The prospect of my own home on two floors sounded too good to be true,’ Laura says, recalling her delight when she saw the property. ‘I couldn’t believe…

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DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached Mid-Century cottage LOCATION Ojai, California ROOMS Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, studio, three bedrooms, two bathrooms PURCHASED 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before coming here, I was living in a rented house near Los Angeles,’ says Kitty. DECORATING TIP ‘Painting cabinets or fire surrounds black draws attention to the adjacent colours and makes them stand out more vividly, thus enhancing the sense of contrast’ Kitty Bartholomew was living in rented accommodation in a rural valley in California, when a trip to a local garage sale changed her life. ‘I’m an avid upcycler and adore foraging for old furniture to restore and paint in my studio,’ she says. ‘So when I heard there was a sale nearby I went along, but was more interested in…

Design ideas COORDINATED BOOK COVERS For a harmonious look that is pleasing to the eye, organise your books by recovering them with a similar coloured spine. The Pilkingtons have covered and coordinated their favourite books and displayed them on the shelves according to colour. This clever aesthetic approach is a clever way of toning down and unifying the appearance of bookshelves that can sometimes seem disorganised or cluttered. To keep the look simple, the Pilkingtons covered their books in two complementary red and rust tones – make sure to pick a shade that works with your scheme. SPIRAL STAIRCASE Laura Stafford-Deitsch has a statement spiral staircase in the corner of her dining room – an ideal space-saving solution. Not only is it a stylish addition to her Victorian maisonette, but…

MAGNIFICENT MEDINILLA Why buy cut flowers when you can get a gift that grows? The exceedingly rare Medinilla house plant is a sight to behold, with its beautiful, pendulous bubble-gum pink flowers measuring up to 20cm in length. Cascading over the side of the pot, the flowers make the plant look fantastic as a standalone specimen. Noted as the most glamorous house plant in the world and one of the prettiest tropical plants ever discovered and cultivated, this is a must for anyone who wants to make a pure style statement. Performing best in pots that are tall and statuesque, Medinilla’s bright pink flowers contrast against its thick, glossy evergreen leaves with grace and poise – each flower represents a year of growth, thus the plant should be viewed as…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom Victorian-style terraced house built in the 1970s LOCATION London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, drawing room/study, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, courtyard garden, three bedrooms (all en suite) PURCHASED 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before living here, we lived in a large terrace opposite Battersea Park,’ says Jo. DESIGN TIP ‘It’s worth investing in good lighting and, if you’re renovating or building a home, make sure you plan where they will go in advance’ After their son moved out, Jo and Nathan Birtle found they were using barely half the rooms in their large terraced property. This was brought home to the couple one day when Nathan happened to say: ‘Well, we appear to have carved out a lovely one-bedroom flat from our five-bedroom house!’ When the…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Semi-detached 1930s house LOCATION Southwest London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, cloakroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a Victorian house in Battersea,’ says Laura. While out running errands, Laura Butler-Madden came across the perfect renovation project – a rundown house on a wide, leafy street, just a stone’s throw from an pretty southwest London common. ‘My husband, Patrick, and I used to live in Battersea but with the overheated market in the capital, it was virtually impossible to find any properties, so we started to search further afield,’ says Laura. ‘One day, I saw an ugly-duckling semi on a road of beautiful houses so I decided to take a look around.’ The property,…

A Adventures in Furniture 0845 164 9062, chestofdrawers.co.uk Aga 0845 712 5207, agaliving.com Alexander & Pearl 020 8508 0411, alexanderandpearl.co.uk Alexander Interiors 01491 839958, alexanderinteriorsltd.co.uk Alexander Paul Antiques 01404 851298, alexanderpaulantiques.com Allposters.co.uk 020 8435 6555 Amara 0800 587 7645, amara.com Anna French 020 7737 6555, thibautdesign.com/AF Annie Sloan 01865 713089, anniesloan.co.uk Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476, anthropologie.eu Appliances Direct 0871 984 4416, appliancesdirect.co.uk Aram 020 7557 7557, aram.co.uk Archers 0141 892 0308, archerssleepcentre.co.uk Ardingly Antiques Fair 01636 702326, iacf.co.uk/ardingly Argos 0345 640 3030, argos.co.uk Art.co.uk 020 8435 6556 Art Republic 0345 646 1234, artrepublic.com Aspace 0845 872 2500, aspace.co.uk Aston Matthews 020 7226 7220, astonmatthews.co.uk Atlantic Shopping 0121 230 1644, atlanticshopping.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com Baileys 01989 561931, baileyshome.com Barnaby’s 01424 772221, barnabysofattle.co.uk Bath Kitchen Company 01225…

1 LIGHT THE WAY Nickel bird lamp with grey shade, £100, Melody Maison 2 PRETTY PAGODA Haven arbour, £549, Next 3 BASKET CASE Lantern, from £30, House of Fraser 4 BOWLED OVER Emma Bridgewater Water Lily French bowl, £19, John Lewis 5 REFLECTED GLORY Laura Oakes panelled boudoir mirror, £50, Debenhams 6 DIVIDE & RULE Flores screen, £850, John Lewis 7 SACRED STYLE Buddha ornament, £10, Dunelm 8 COMFORT AND JOY Designers Guild Plum Blossom cushion in fuchsia, £100, Amara 9 TASTE FOR TRADITION Darcy teapot, £55, Alison Appleton 1 0 SURFACE APPEAL Beijing coffee table, £495, 4Living…

NEW-BUILD HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached property, built in 2007 LOCATION Near Biarritz, southwest France ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen, playroom, TV room, six bedrooms (four en suite), bathroom, outdoor dining area, terrace PURCHASED 2007 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have an apartment in Paris, says Amélie. LESSONS LEARNT ‘It’s a good idea to work with local tradesmen who are familiar with regional materials and techniques’ Having spent many happy holidays in the French Basque region, Amélie and Numa Vernet had long nursed a dream of finding their own holiday retreat on the scenic Bay of Biscay. The couple have been together for 25 years and share an apartment in Paris. But despite their urban lifestyle, their love affair with this area of untamed beauty – where mountains meet…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached ranch house, built in 1977 LOCATION Laguna Niguel, Southern California ROOMS Dining room, sitting room/family room/kitchen-diner, library, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en suite) PURCHASED 2002 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a family house in the same neighbourhood, with our two daughters,’ says Nancy. DESIGN INSPIRATION‘We visited The Hamptons and it had such a big influence on the style of this place both inside and out’ Thirteen years ago, on the day Nancy and Dutch Nimmo’s youngest daughter Catherine graduated |from high school, the couple decided it was time to think about their own future. ‘My husband said to me, “If we’re going to be empty nesters then we need a plan, so let’s get a new home and…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 1920s house LOCATION Bath ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/family room, breakfast area, play room, utility room, cloakroom, larder, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms. Separate coach house annexe in garden PURCHASED 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here we had a five-bedroom terrace in southwest London,’ says Rebecca. INSPIRATION ‘We made a mood board using interior websites and interiors magazines to inspire our thinking’ Moving from London to Bath was a big but necessary step for Rebecca and Steven Hourston. ‘We wanted more space and a quieter life for our sons Callum, 8, Jamie, 6, and Alex, 2,’ says Rebecca. They found their large detached 1920s house through friends of friends and Rebecca was charmed by it from the first viewing. ‘There…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS  THE PROPERTY Four-storey Victorian terrace LOCATION Southwest London ROOMS Hall, sitting/music room, kitchen-diner, family room, basement suite, six bedrooms (three en suite), two bathrooms, PURCHASED 1996 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a cottage in Essex,’ says Sam. BEST BUY‘I love the juxtaposition of punk rock posters and classical instruments found in the sitting room’ Walking into Sam and Carl Osborne’s home is as uplifting as a blast of late-summer sunshine. ‘Even when it’s grey outside, we’ve got shots of hot pink streaming in from the garden, and tropical fish downstairs,’ says Sam. Then there are the white shutters throughout, angled to let in every inch of sunlight. And to complete the laid-back vibe, music is always playing. ‘Music is big in this house,’ explains…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Grade II listed Victorian cottage LOCATION Lincolnshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, four bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I used to live in a 1920s bungalow in Nottinghamshire,’ says Julie. Two years ago, Julie Hill decided to take the plunge and move home and business from Nottinghamshire to a historic town in the heart of Lincolnshire. ‘With my daughter Lucinda, now 24, settled at university, it was time for a fresh start,’ she says. ‘After living in villages all my life, I wanted to settle down in a town and enjoy a completely different lifestyle, but in a home that Lucinda would enjoy, too.’ Julie had visited the area many times and loved its open spaces, shopping and famous 17th-century buildings. Having set her…

1 MIRAGE VISION Copper hummingbird mirror, £185, Puji 2 CAMPFIRE TALES Fallen Fruit low-fire bowl, £68, WorldStores 3 GUIDING LIGHT Shipyard pendant in copper, £485, Davey Lighting 4 WILD WEST Pablo lamp, £580, Jonathan Adler 5 ARTISAN FINISHES Taratala horn salt and pepper shaker set, £19, Lizard Orchid 6 RUSTIC RANCH Wagon seat, £1,365, Ralph Lauren Home 7 DESERT LIFE Abigail Ahern great sandy faux cactus, £168, Rockett St George 8 SHADES OF SAHARA Tufted arrow cushion, £15, George Home 9 WIRE WORKS Yena shallow wire bowl, £15, Habitat 1 0 GO WITH THE GRAIN Saddle stool in oak and ash, £150, English Abode…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Four-storey Georgian semi LOCATION London ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, study, utility room, playroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms PURCHASED 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in Sydney before we bought this house,’ says Lara. DECORATING TIP ‘Display books, accessories and items you’ve picked up from holidays to express your personality’ Fashion designer Lara Wilkins and husband Jon bought their semi-detached Georgian house in London from author Martin Amis in 2011. ‘It was a supermodel-in-a-scruffy-coat kind of place in need of some sprucing up, but essentially gorgeous,’ recalls Lara. ‘We were living in Sydney at the time, so it wasn’t really the right time to be buying a house, but I loved it immediately and could imagine Sunday mornings with our twin…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached cladded house, built in the 1960s LOCATION Isle of Wight ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, five bedrooms (two en suite), bathroom, shower room, poolside chalets PURCHASED 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before living here, I had a small coastguard cottage as a weekend retreat,’ says Ceril. DESIGN TIP ‘I’ve dressed celebrities for over 25 years, and many of the same rules apply to interiors – it’s all about drawing the eye to the good bits’ Stylist Ceril Campbell has lent a dash of glamour to some of the world’s most famous people, from royalty to rock stars, so it’s hardly surprising that her striking house on the Isle of Wight oozes sophistication and elegance, too. Ceril, who has two grown-up children, Bella and…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Grade II listed Georgian house LOCATION Lincolnshire ROOMS Hall, drawing room, sitting room/kitchen-diner, study, cloakroom, six bedrooms, two bathrooms PURCHASED 2000 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before here, we lived in a Georgian cottage in London,’ says Karen. DESIGN TIP‘Panelled cupboard doors can be removed and replaced with chicken wire, and then backed with a pretty fabric for a feminine country look’ After Karen Burrows’ husband Jason was offered a job that meant relocating from busy London to leafy Lincolnshire, she had certain misgivings about moving out of the home they had grown to love. ‘I was sorry to have to leave behind our Georgian cottage in London,’ she says. ‘It was such a lovely building.’ So the search was on to find a period property that would…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Georgian townhouse LOCATION Edinburgh ROOMS Hall, drawing room, sitting room, kitchen-diner, sunroom, five bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms PURCHASED 2006 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this place, we lived in a Victorian house outside Edinburgh,’ says Claire. Moving house can be a very stressful time, so when Claire Carter was looking to move out of the family home just outside Edinburgh, after separating from her husband, she employed the services of house hunter Sheona Gordon. ‘With two teenage sons, Tim (now 25) and Mike (23), and having to hold down a new job in Glasgow, I just didn’t have the time to search for somewhere to live,’ says Claire. Knowing the market as she did, Sheona was able to preview suitable properties, filter them down to…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Third-floor Regency apartment, built in 1820 LOCATION Hastings ROOMS Hall, sitting room/ kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have a home in London,’ says Rose. After a weekend in Hastings last year, Rose Lam and her boyfriend Jos Lowette were inspired to find their own weekend retreat in the south coast resort. ‘We came down from London on a cold, rainy February weekend, fell in love with the place, and kept coming back to explore the vintage shops and seafront,’ recalls Rose. The pair viewed more than 60 places until they found the right one at an affordable price. ‘This Grade II listed flat had amazing views of the sea and the pier,’ says Rose. But the two-bedroom apartment in a…

Cruise ship Magellan is operated by a British company with a reputation for providing voyages of elegance and style at value-for-money prices. Combining high levels of comfort, sumptuous dining and a genuinely warm welcome from the crew, you’re sure to have a wonderful on-board experience. Magellan also offers well-appointed leisure and spa facilities, shopping outlets and much more to keep you busy. THE PRICE INCLUDES: Full-board accommodation on board Magellan from Tilbury Traditional British and international full-board cuisine Superb entertainment programme On-board leisure facilities including spa, gym, pools and Jacuzzis, shopping gallery, internet centre and library Book by 31 July 2015 and your second passenger travels FREE TERMS AND CONDITIONS Buy one get one free when booked before 31 July 2015, quoting promotional code WGFX4A. Offer can be withdrawn at…

NEW-BUILD HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Modern detached home LOCATION Surrey ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, utility room, cloakroom, playroom, study, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms PURCHASED 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Victorian terrace in the centre of Dorking,’ says Jenny. With three small boys running around, life in Jenny and Doug Branson’s period townhouse was proving a bit cramped. ‘We were bursting out of it,’ says Jenny. ‘We needed to upsize pretty quickly to accommodate our growing family – Jasper, now 7, and twins Kit and Jude, 5.’ Although the couple were on the hunt for another period property, they were willing to look at anything to avoid having to rent. ‘This house was a real surprise,’ says Jenny of the new-build they unearthed in…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Gamekeeper’s cottage, built in 1850 LOCATION Lincolnshire ROOMS Hall/kitchen, sitting room, dining room, study, utility room, cloakroom, conservatory, three bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 1997 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I lived in a flat in southwest London,’ says Annie. FAVOURITE SHOP ‘I adore Decorative Country Living in Stamford – it personifies everything I love’ Set in an acre of beautiful English gardens in Lincolnshire, you’ll find a Hansel and Gretel-style Victorian cottage owned by Annie Sharp. ‘Being a passionate gardener, I knew of this property because it belonged to a famous garden designer in the 1950s,’ says Annie. ‘It was created to look unmanicured and overgrown – just like the secret garden in the novel of the same name.’ Though Annie had always admired the…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY 17th-century thatched cottage LOCATION County Galway ROOMS Sitting room/ kitchen-diner, back kitchen, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2003 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before buying this place, I shared a three-bedroom semi in Galway City with my sister,’ says Karen. While living on a housing estate in Galway City, Karen O’Connor yearned for a unique home with character – a place to make her own. So, on 1 January 2003, she asked her sister, who co-owned the semidetached property they lived in together, if she would consider selling. She agreed, they put the house on the market and it was snapped up immediately, leaving Karen with limited time to find another place to live. ‘I knew I’d have to rent a home for a while and…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Brewer’s house, built in 1896 LOCATION Belgium ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, study, music room, boot room, utility room, basement studio, four bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a much smaller house in Holland before moving here,’ says Yvonne. After Yvonne and Boris Eijkenduijn sold their home more quickly than expected, the pressure to find somewhere to move to was on. ‘The new owners wanted to move in straight away, which was fine, except that we had nowhere to go,’ recalls Yvonne. So it was a stroke of luck when, soon after, a property magazine that came through the letterbox had an advert that caught their eye. ‘We saw this wonderful house that |once belonged to a beermaker, whose brewery…