Innehållsförteckning för May 2017 från 25 Beautiful Homes

At home, we’re about to redecorate rooms that haven’t been touched for years and I’ve come to realise that I find it much harder to create a new look in an existing scheme than to start from scratch. With a blank canvas, I find it easy to choose colours and fabrics that sit well together, but when I’m changing an existing look I’m conscious I might end up altering the mood of the room, which isn’t always what I want to achieve. I’ve therefore resolved not to begin until I’m clear about what should stay and what should go. I sometimes wish all our rooms were painted white so all I had to do was to change fabrics and accessories to introduce fresh, uplifting colour. White, however, works best on…

PAINTING BRICKWORK I’m about to refresh my tired country kitchen and would like to paint the exposed brick chimney breast. Do I need to apply a specialist primer first? JO ROBERTS, BY EMAIL The team at Dulux (0333 222 7171, dulux.co.uk) advised cleaning and drying the brickwork first, before applying a primer, such as its Primer & Undercoat for Multi Surfaces, from £7.69 for 250ml. Use a roller with a medium to long pile, and a brush to get primer into the places the roller cannot reach. Let it dry before painting with a water-based acrylic using the roller and brush in the same way as the primer. Exposed brick is porous so you will need at least two coats, allowing each to dry before applying the next. OWL WALLPAPER…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian semi-detached house LOCATION West London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, study, utility room, cloakroom, five bedrooms, three bathrooms PURCHASED 1996 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a small cottage nearby,’ says Lorraine. Having local knowledge was a definite advantage when Lorraine and Craig Leckenby decided to move from a small terraced Victorian cottage in west London to a larger family home. ‘We had lived in this area for several years and knew we wanted to stay here,’ says Lorraine, ‘so we had already picked out our favourite roads.’ The couple had not been looking long before an imposing red brick and rendered property on a tree-lined road came onto the market, and they jumped at the chance to buy it. The house had…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A 1960s single-storey house LOCATION Denmark ROOMS Hall, sitting room/ dining area, kitchen, office, laundry room, home cinema, three bedrooms, two bathrooms PURCHASED 2007 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this place, we lived in an apartment in another city,’ says Jane, ‘but we longed for more space, privacy and a garden.’ Viewing their typically Danish single-storey home for the first time was an underwhelming experience for Jane Lund Bach and her husband, Esben. ‘It was dull and old, and nothing like what we’d dreamed of,’ recalls Jane, ‘but there was something about the area and the garden that really got to us on that summer’s day – we knew we could bring the outside in.’ Newly qualified as a construction architect, Jane immediately began sketching a floor…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached house, built in 2012 LOCATION Surrey ROOMS Hall, drawing room, dining room, sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, study, cloakroom, utility room, games room, five bedrooms (all en suite) PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in another house on the same plot, which had been converted from two 1950s cottages,’ says Louise. Louise and Patrick Edwards took drastic action when planners told them they couldn’t extend their Surrey home – they demolished it completely. ‘We’d been living in the house for about four years and had always felt it was in the wrong position,’ explains Louise, ‘as we weren’t fully able to enjoy the fabulous views and sunsets. ‘So we decided to build our dream home from scratch – almost doubling its size and turning it through…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached estate cottage LOCATION Near Llandeilo, west Wales ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, three bedrooms, family bathroom MOVED IN 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a 19th-century house close by,’ says Kate. With the sale of her house nearing completion, Kate Glanville was under pressure to find a new home for herself and her three children, Harry, 17, Daisy, 15, and Tomos, 12. ‘I was looking for a rental property with plenty of character in Carmarthenshire,’ she recalls, ‘then I saw a cottage in the grounds of a large country house that I thought would be wonderful to live in. It was very quaint and romantic and in such a lovely, quiet place.’ Although Kate, an author and ceramics artist, had never…

1 IN THE SWIM Life ring wall decoration, £40, House of Fraser 2 CATCH THE DRIFT Driftwood wall mirror, £185, Oka 3 BEACHCOMBER Wood bird ornament, £14, M&Co 4 MAKE A SPLASH Cornish Harbour set of three nesting tins, £12, Creative Tops 5 CAPTAIN’S TABLE Cockles bowl, £14.95, Emma Bridgewater 6 QUAYSIDE COMFORT Seaspray throw, £50, Laura Ashley 7 SHIP SHAPE Adirondack Falun lounge chair in white, £187, Wayfair 8 DRINKING VESSEL Large bottle vase, £65, The White Company 9 SAILOR’S STRIPES Raffia baskets, £65 for small; £95 for large, Ross & Brown…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Semi-detached townhouse, built in 1890 LOCATION Southwest London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, family room, TV room, cloakroom, boot room, five bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms PURCHASED 1997 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were living in Los Angeles in a beach house,’ says Natasha. House hunting took on a new urgency when Natasha and David Sharpe, a music company executive, returned to the UK after living and working in the USA. Natasha learnt she was pregnant with twins – James and Stephen, now 19. Suddenly, their rented flat in Wimbledon no longer fitted the bill and the search was on for a large, family-friendly home. ‘We loved having the wide open spaces of the Common on our doorstep, so decided to remain here in the village,’…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Former Georgian baptist manse LOCATION South Oxfordshire ROOMS Drawing room, sitting room, kitchen-diner, three bedrooms, two bathrooms PURCHASED 2000 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a medieval, two-bedroom house just around the corner,’ says Jo. Keen to remain in an attractive, historic market town in Oxfordshire, Jo and Simon Beavan felt thwarted at every turn when they tried to buy a larger house back in 2000. ‘Places don’t come onto the market very often and we adored the medieval house in which we’d lived for six years,’ explains Jo. ‘But it was just too small once Maisie, now 17, came along, and we knew we wanted another child, so we started looking.’ But, after losing three houses to sealed bids, their spirits began to flag. Jo,…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Semidetached house, built in 1890 LOCATION London ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, family room, study, utility room, five bedrooms (one en suite), three bathrooms PURCHASED 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a five-bedroom house nearby,’ says Fiona. When Fiona Peregrine and her husband, Tim, viewed this five-bedroom Victorian semi in west London, they knew they had found a home with the potential to give them the comfortable family space they had always dreamt of. ‘There was a basement, which housed the utility room,’ says Fiona, ‘so Tim and I came up with a plan to extend this under the entire house and into part of the garden. It took a year, but we got exactly what we wanted: a huge area containing a large family…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace LOCATION Northamptonshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, two bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 1999 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, I lived in a Victorian townhouse in St Albans,’ says Gill. There’s something reassuringly solid about Victorian houses that makes them the perfect canvas for a creative makeover. So when Gill Lockhart’s landlord gave her first refusal on the terraced house she had been renting, she knew she could not turn it down. As this was her third renovation, she took its refurbishment in her stride. ‘When I moved in, there was no kitchen – just a sink, a few old plug sockets and a light bulb dangling from the ceiling,’ recalls Gill. ‘Freestanding designs were just coming into fashion, so I…

Whether you’re planning a new-build or reworking an existing scheme, a striking staircase makes a statement. Step by step Planning a staircase involves a delicate balance between practicality, utility and aesthetics. If you’re starting from scratch, your design should meet with building regulations and a structural engineer will prove invaluable. Consider making your staircase a focal point, whether it’s a simple straight wooden flight or a dramatic spiral. Start by looking at what approach is most appropriate for your home. New-builds are a great blank canvas and a chance for you to design something unusual, but don’t forget to consider proportion: bold, glass staircases are perfect for the centre of large, open-plan spaces, but smaller layouts will benefit from a more compact design. Open-tread stairs add the illusion of space,…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Late 18th-century farmhouse LOCATION Oxfordshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, playroom, four bedrooms, plus three-bed barn available for holiday lettings PURCHASED 1998 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I used to live in an older house in a nearby village,’ says Sonia. Sonia Spencer just knew she was going to like what she found at the end of the long, tree-lined road in rural Oxfordshire she was travelling down. ‘The farmhouse was just what I was looking for and was surrounded by four acres of land,’ she says. Sonia, who grew up in the countryside, was living in a small house in a nearby village, and needed more space for her growing family – Olly, now 22, and Georgie, 9. Plus, she had a menagerie of…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS PROPERTY Former village pub dating from 1850 LOCATION Oxfordshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, family room, snug, pantry, laundry room, four bedrooms, four bathrooms PURCHASED 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a barn-style new-build in a nearby town,’ says Gill. The dartboard was still hanging on the wall when Gill and Richard Peet first viewed the formerly derelict pub in Oxfordshire they now call home. ‘It was a snowy January day, the building was boarded up and the interior had a strong smell of alcohol and stale cigarettes,’ recalls Gill. ‘But when the viewing was over, Richard said, “Let’s make an offer,’’ so we did.’ The couple grasped the opportunity to renovate the property and create a stunning home. ‘We had been searching for some time to…

Design ideas BRANCH LIGHT In their contemporary dining room, Jane and Esben Lund Bach have created an industrial-inspired light installation by suspending bare bulbs from a simple wooden branch. This style of light fitting works particularly well in a minimalist setting, where it can be shown off to its best advantage. A tree branch stripped then stained and sealed is also a great way to bring nature indoors, and even a beautiful, sinuous piece of driftwood would work well. Trendy filament bulbs, suspended from a fabric cord, are ideal for this kind of design and will create an inviting ambient light for evening meals. The addition of a dimmer switch would be an excellent way to control light levels and reduce glare. BATHROOM SCREEN In the Croakes’ smart bathroom, a…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS PROPERTY Three-storey house LOCATION South London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner/living area, two cloakrooms, four bedrooms, four bathrooms PURCHASED 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a terraced house in west London before moving here,’ says Maggie. When Maggie and Andrew Colvin moved into their new house, it felt like the answer to their prayers. ‘In our old place, we both worked under artificial light in the basement,’ says Maggie. ‘As we run our own businesses from home, having desks facing outdoor space was our dream.’ So the couple were delighted to find this property in south London, with its unexpectedly abundant garden in which the previous owners had planted wisteria, palms, roses and peonies. ‘There was also an apple tree, which reminded me of the orchard on…

Roof lanterns are ideal for creating a bright, naturally lit interior. Styles vary from minimal and virtually frameless, which complement modern schemes, to more ornate, providing an eye-catching statement in period homes. They often reduce the need for artificial light, while recent improvements in insulation help to protect against heat loss, too. Choosing the right design Home extensions are increasingly popular, whether it’s making use of a side return, adding to the rear of a house or transforming a flat roof. But a common consequence is the loss of natural light, especially to original back rooms where an extension has been added. Roof lights – whether a contemporary option like the one in Laura-Ann Barr’s home, a flat roof design or an ornate lantern added to an orangery – can…

1 FUTURE HEIRLOOM Chinoiserie trio side table, £285, Oka 2 IN BLOSSOM Oriental floral cushion, £7, Wilko 3 TOUCH OF GOLD Marrakesh tie-back in chartreuse, £17.49, Swish 4 TASTE OF THE ORIENT Ginger Jar table lamp, £129, Furniture Village 5 BIRDS OF PARADISE Quilt, £125, Graham and Green 6 SILK ROUTE STYLE Boho & Co Chinoiserie parrot tray £22, Angel & Boho 7 TEA CEREMONY Kitchen Craft Le’Xpress teapot, £29, Sophie Charles 8 KYOTO CONNECTION Maple leaf faux bonsai tree, £39, Bloom 9 BE SEATED Chippendale dining chair in white lacquer, £695, Jonathan Adler…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 1930s house LOCATION North Devon ROOMS Hall, sitting room/ kitchen, utility room, study, cloakroom, four bedrooms, bathroom (one en suite) PURCHASED 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I moved here from a larger family home nearby,’ says Trisha. Trisha Bond has been in this pretty part of north Devon for a number of years, having previously lived in a nearby house with her husband and sons. But when she went through a separation six years ago, she knew she wanted to stay in the area and started to look around for a new home. ‘I was already familiar with this property and had always loved it. It is on a large plot in a fantastic position on a cliff overlooking Woolacombe Bay, plus I knew the owners,’…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 1970s bungalow LOCATION Devon ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, conservatory, four bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY 'We had been renting locally for a couple of years,' says Katey. After waiting patiently for the right property to come up, Katey Korzenietz and her husband, Simon Wannop, thought they had finally found their dream family home. That was until their plans went awry at the last moment. ‘The sale suddenly fell through, which only left us a month to find somewhere else to live,’ explains Katey. ‘As a result, this property was a bit of a panic buy, but when we saw it, I knew I could do something with it.’ Katey and Simon’s fall-back choice was a roomy 1970s bungalow. Its garish decor and…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached farmhouse dating from 1675 LOCATION Derbyshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, snug, study, utility room, cloakroom, six bedrooms, three bathrooms PURCHASED 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving into this place, we lived in a nearby period cottage,’ says Sarah. When Sarah and Gary Croake began restoring a rambling farmhouse in Derbyshire, one of their priorities was to preserve its period features, particularly a stone pillar. ‘During our first viewing we were amazed to discover that a pillar in the kitchen had been created using stone from a medieval castle – the remains of which are in the garden,’ says Sarah. Back in 2015, the couple had been living in a cottage nearby, with their son Sidney, now three. ‘This is a super…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace LOCATION Nottingham ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I moved here from a house in Lincoln,’ says Serena. It’s amazing how a few tins of paint can transform a house,’ says Serena Simmons, who took up her paintbrush in a bid to stamp her personality on her Victorian terrace in Nottingham. ‘The structure was in great condition, considering its age,’ she says. ‘The previous owners had made it a really good, solid little house with a new kitchen, double glazing, a lovely slate floor and log burner. It gave me a sound base on which to layer all the accessories I adore.’ Serena only stepped inside three houses before finding this one and instantly falling in love…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached house, built in 1905 LOCATION Hertfordshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, family room, office, utility room, cloakroom, cinema room, playroom, gym, five bedrooms (three en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a minimalist Georgian house in London,’ says Carly. Above a grand Gothic-style staircase, a show-stopping chandelier hangs low in Carly and Ben Wood’s panelled hall. ‘It took ages to find the perfect piece,’ says Carly, who had the light fitting shipped over from America. ‘I love seeing it in all its glory every time I come home.’ The house Carly shares with husband Ben, five-year-old twins Bella and Betsy, and baby Poppy, features all the grandeur of a Tudor-inspired build, but with some twists…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Former mill, dating from the early 1700s LOCATION Northumberland ROOMS Two halls, drawing room, dining room, kitchen, snug, office, games room, laundry room, six bedrooms (two en suite), three bathrooms PURCHASED 2003 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘A Georgian farmhouse, which we renovated and added a radical modern extension,’ says Claire. Claire and Andrew McAlpine had scarcely finished work on an extension to their farmhouse, when word reached them that a riverside mill close by was about to come on the market. One phone call later and Claire had secured an invitation to visit. ‘Our sons, Freddie, Fergus, Henry and Archie, were small at the time and the woodland setting was too good to be true,’ she says. ‘I had to call my husband to say: “Thanks…

SITTING AREA  The couple have created a comfortable space beside the wood-burning stove. UTILITY ROOM  For a humorous touch, an old peat shovel serves as a knocker on the door. GUEST BEDROOM  This country-chic scheme combines metallic wallpaper with a rustic-style wooden bed made by Richard. BATHROOM  A vintage washstand is paired with a contemporary walk- in shower. GUEST BEDROOM  A brass bedstead, an eiderdown and floral bed linen create a sense of nostalgia in this restful scheme.…

FIVE-STAR EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES Eight days from £999pp; 15 days from £1,899pp DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2017 & 2018, INCLUDES: Return rail* and Eurostar, or flights, taxes and transfers Five-star cabins with hotel-standard beds, private bathrooms and river views Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout Extensive and fully inclusive touring SICILY Eight days from £869pp DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2017, INCLUDES: Return flights, taxes and transfers Seven nights in a four-star hotel with half board Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, Palermo, Taormina, Mount Etna, Cloisters and Siracusa Escorted by an experienced tour manager LAKE COMO, ST MORITZ & THE BERNINA EXPRESS Eight days from £799pp DEPARTURES FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2017, INCLUDES: Return flights, taxes and transfers Seven nights in a four-star hotel with half board St Moritz,…

Compact and floriferous, Lavatera ‘Barnsley Baby’ is a dwarf version of a cottage garden favourite and is ideal for patio containers and small plots. Its well-branched habit and saucer-shaped soft pink blooms will certainly draw the attention of bees and butterflies and, once established, this tough, vigorous plant needs very little looking after and will even tolerate short periods of drought. Supplied as a 7cm potted plant, which grows to a height of 75cm with a spread of 60cm. HOW TO ORDER BY PHONE Call 0844 573 1686 and quote 25BH11Z – lines open 9am-8pm (weekdays) and 9am-6pm (weekends) ONLINE Visit www.thompson-morgan.com/25BH11Z BY POST Fill in the coupon below TERMS AND CONDITIONS Lines open 9am-8pm (weekdays) and 9am-6pm (weekends). Offer available to readers on the UK mainland only.…

A Adam Elliot Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture 01446 677171, adamelliot.co.uk Allissias Attic allissiasattic.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645, amara.com Amtico 0121 745 0800, amtico.com Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100, andrewmartin.co.uk Angel & Boho 0845 2000 723, angelandboho.com Anna Craven 01636 636465, annacraven.com Annie Sloan 01865 247296, anniesloan.com Argos 0845 640 3030, argos.co.uk Artfinder 0800 133 7434, artfinder.com Asda 0500 100055, asda.co.uk Aston Matthews 020 7226 7220, astonmatthews.co.uk Avoca 00 353 12 746900, avoca.com B B&Q 0845 609 6688, diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 01642 230988, barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathstore 0330 053 5661, bathstore.com Benchmark 01488 608020, benchmarkfurniture.com Benchmarx 01372 385915, benchmarxkitchens.co.uk Bensons for Beds 0808 144 6160, bensonsforbeds.co.uk Bert & May 020 3744 0776, bertandmay.com Black Country Metalworks 0800 688 8386, blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk Bloom 0844 482 2332, bloom.uk.com Bolia.com 00 45 51 505122,…