Innehållsförteckning för October 2019 från Ideal Home

I get that ‘back to school’ mood when summer changes to autumn, and I can’t help browsing for new shoes and coats to see me through a long, rain-lashed winter. I am more mindful of not just buying things for the pleasure of it now, though. Sorting out my dad’s stuff after he died brought home how easy it is to accumulate stuff we don’t need and isn’t designed to last. I can’t pretend to be an eco warrior, but I would prefer to leave behind things that can be passed on and used, or disposed of without damage to the environment, rather than the leftovers of my life ending up in landfill. If you feel the same, keep an eye out for our ‘One Small Step’ logo – it’s…

If you’re wondering where you’ve seen this trend before, it’s a revival of the Fifties art scene with a pinch of Bauhaus style thrown in – and it’s all over the high street. Perfect for the pattern-shy, the strong, sweeping curves and overlapping shapes are a simple way to add colour and interest to a room without being too bright or scary, and it mixes well with modern or mid-century furniture.…

‘Blush makes north-facing rooms much happier,’ says Dulux’s Marianne Shillingford. ‘Plus, if you have good light, it will fill the space with subtle energy and a hint of playfulness, making it a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms. However, it tends not to work so well in small, dark bathrooms, where it gets lost on the walls.’ ‘The charm of blush pink is that it is warm without being saccharine,’ says Farrow & Ball’s Joa Studholme. ‘It has also become one of the most popular colours in men’s shirts in recent years, so it can’t be accused of being a feminine colour any more,’ adds Marianne. ‘Team it with warm stone neutrals and a touch of black to reclaim it for spaces shared by both sexes.’ ‘Blush pink can…

Skinny vanity unit This 22cm-deep shoe cabinet from Ikea works as a dressing table in a tight space. We added leather handles to make it special. Alcove cupboards Built-in floor-to-ceiling storage puts alcoves either side of a bed to best use. Connect them with a full-width headboard in the same colour to give you a streamlined shelf for books and other bits. Bookcase-turned-bench Place a sturdy shelf unit on its side to create a bench with storage cubbies to sit at the end of the bed. Perfect for basketfuls of shoes or spare bedding. We added gold feet for a pretty detail. Wardrobe door storage Use over-the-door hooks, a key organiser and a kitchen rail with S-hooks to keep your favourite accessories ready to grab and go. Styling station Fix…

MY GO-TO STORES… FARROW & BALL Great choice of dark, dramatic, heritage shades. CHRISTOPHER FARR For modern rugs, plush prints and woven textiles. BESSELINK & JONES Classic English lighting, traditionally made. THE CONRAN SHOP Modern furniture, lighting and ceramics. STYLIST’S NOTE “Make a living room feel inviting by mixing rich textiles, from soft velvets and linens to embroideries and damasks”LISA FAZZANI , INTERIORS WRITER…

Once their children left home, Sue and David Mansfield decided to downsize, planning to build a purpose-built property in a field they owned next to the house. At a home-improvement exhibition, they met architect Mark Percival of Architecture:M and he designed a sustainable building, complete with a green roof, but the local planners decided it wasn’t innovative enough. ‘One of them suggested we convert a redundant barn on the site instead,’ says Sue. ‘Mark came up with a plan to extend the barn, which was used for storage, to create an eco-friendly house.’ The barn was virtually rebuilt, although a condition was that the original walls were retained. ‘We were able to replace windows and doors, but the back of the barn had to look as it had always done,’…

Stylists and interior designers will often tell you that curtains can really make a room, but only if chosen with care. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to make your selection – with heading type, fabric weights, length, pattern, colour and practical considerations all needing careful thought. So we asked three pros – an interior designer, a stylist and a curtain expert – to help us out with some professional advice… ARE CURTAINS EVEN IN FASHION? ‘Curtains are always in fashion in one form or another,’ says interior designer Yvonne Jones. ‘I think living in a colder climate means we like to feel wrapped up and having curtains frames the view.’ Sarita Sharma, a stylist, adds: ‘I think people used to see curtains as an investment buy, but with…

One of Runway Gallery’s newest members, award-winning photographer Jake Mosher works from his home in rural Montana overlooking the Rocky Mountains. He creates unique, kaleidoscope-like artwork inspired by the intricate patterns on butterfly and moth wings, observed through his camera lens at high magnification. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED BY NATURE. I grew up in northern Vermont, a stone’s throw from vast, unbroken woods in an era without video games, DVDs and text messages. Instead, I’d throw on a backpack and go out exploring, camera in hand. After leaving my career as an explosives engineer, I moved to Montana and found myself sitting by a lake in the Rocky Mountains and was struck by its beauty – a beauty that deserved to be captured. In that moment I decided to focus…

STEAM WORKS Food cooked with steam loses fewer vitamins and nutrients than other methods of cooking. A regular steam oven is great for cooking juicy fish and veg, but they don’t brown or crisp. A combination steam oven cooks with both steam and conventional heat to produce crusty loaves and perfectly browned joints. Or consider a standard oven with added moisture – often called steam-assist. They inject moisture during a regular fan cooking programme rather than full-on steam cooking. SMARTER COOKING Smart ovens can be controlled by an app on your phone or device. This makes for effortless cooking – you can browse recipes online, then upload the perfect oven settings instantly. You can also preheat the oven, so it’s ready to cook the minute you arrive home and adjust…

Call 0844 209 7330 or visit idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk and enter IHOCT at the checkout. TERMS AND CONDITIONS *Book before 24 November 2019. Tickets are £10 on weekdays (20-22 November) and £12 at the weekend (23 and 24 November). Normal adult price is £13 for weekdays and £15 for the weekend (booked in advance). On the door adult price is £19 on weekdays and £21 at the weekend. Concession discounts not included. A £1.70 transaction fee applies. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your company’s access charge. Children aged 15 and under go free when accompanied by an adult (max two). Ticket includes free entry to the Eat & Drink Festival.…

MIX AND MATCH Modern brassware is a natural fit in a contemporary space but sleek, minimalist fittings work well in otherwise classical bathrooms too. They are also easier to clean as there are no dirt-trapping details. HOT DESIGNS Brassware trends tend to be led by Italian and German designer brands like Axor, Gessi, Vola and Dornbracht. Happily, key looks – such as waterfall spouts and rainforest showerheads – soon filter down into more affordable options from the likes of Bathstore, Crosswater and Ikea. DESIGN TALENT Axor can list Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola and Antonio Citterio among its design talent. Lusso Stone is the place to head for jet black brassware with crisp silhouettes, while Drench offers an impressive range to ensure modern taps are accessible to all. A GOOD FINISH…

Susan Doherty lives here with her partner Tom Moore. Susan is an entrepreneur and Tom is head of product at a financial technology company. THE PROPERTY  A former coach house and stable built in 1850 in Edinburgh; now a modern, three-bed home. THE VALUE  The plot cost £127,000 in 2014. The property is now worth £450,000. WHAT IT COST Building work....£38,000 Joinery................£44,800 Plumbing and heating..... .............................£13,000 Electrics................£9,000 Roofing...............£14,000 Finishes................£8,000 Kitchen................£16,000 VAT......................£23,800 TOTAL..............£166,600…

Katharine Eaton lives here with her husband David and their children Poppy, 14 and Alfie, seven. Katharine is a school administrator and David is a director of a not-for-profit social enterprise. THE PROPERTY A three-bed detached Thirties house in Brighton, East Sussex. THE VALUE Bought for £591,000 in 2016. It’s now worth £795,000. WHAT IT COST Building works................ ...........................£72,000 Plumbing and heating...............£11,500 Electrics..............£7,300 Glazing..............£10,200 Decoration..........£6,700 Flooring..............£6,000 Tiling....................£1,500 External work.....£4,600 TOTAL.............£119,800 “We now have enough room for our children to find their own quiet spaces”…

“Although limescale can cause problems with conventional irons, steam generators have a larger water reservoir, making them simple to clean. Many even have easy-clean or self-cleaning functions, which can extend the lifespan of the product” PHOEBE GATEHOUSE, BUYING ASSISTANT, JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS For busy families Morphy Richards 332102 Auto Clean Generator Speed Steam in Mulberry, £249.99, Amazon The large 2L water tank works with the 7-bar pressure to deliver 160g of continuous steam for effortless ironing. It has three settings, plus the iron locks to the base when not in use, making it easier to store. THE BEST BIT The auto-clean function flushes limescale into the base tank, so you simply pour the waste water away. Lightweight option PerfectCare Elite Plus steam generator iron, £520, Philips This super-light model…

Hands up if your home decor is constantly evolving… Like fashion, we’re always on the lookout for something new to zhuzh up our look, from a complete room revamp to simply adding a little something we love to a room that makes us happy. Just as well that the big high street brands have come up trumps with a host of new trends to choose from this season! We’ve picked our favourite five new looks for you to draw inspiration from and help you give your home a little (or a lotta) lift, right through ’til Christmas.…

HEAL’S Playful silhouettes and deep jewel tones run throughout the Modern Nostalgia collection, which features ceramics in bold brights alongside curvaceous mouth-blown glassware. BUY THE KEY PIECES Balloon vases in Burgundy and Amber, from £70 each; Ripple vase in Heather, £45; Optic vase in Green, £39; City light vases in Blue and Burgundy, £35 each, all Heal’s HABITAT This decadent collection plays homage to Studio54 in its Seventies heyday, with an opulent mix of materials and finishes, from plush coloured velvets and shag-pile rugs to brassy metallics and bold statement pieces. BUY THE KEY PIECES Deco Pink velvet bed, from £550; Linen Khaki bedlinen, from £140 for a double set; Belle Black light, £90; Rainer vase, £35, all Habitat SWOON Deco meets mid-century with a collection of mix-and-match accent chairs,…

CALM NEUTRALS Keep to soft, muted shades of parchment and linen, mixed with taupe, stone and tan, with black as an accent. NATURAL MATERIALS Avoid high gloss and polish and keep to unfinished woods, leather, stone, concrete and burnished metals, mixed with basketware and weaves. UNFUSSY FURNITURE Avoid anything overly-rustic or ultra-fussy – instead go for simple shapes in smooth woods, with rounded edges and slim proportions. LAYER TEXTURES Busy patterns are out, so add light and warmth by layering up different textures and tone-on-tone patterns for a visual hit.…

See the shopping directory in the main issue for where to buy…

One Small Step SUSTAINABLE STYLE AT HABITAT The new Arianne dining table and matching console have tops made from chips of recycled beer-bottle glass. The resulting emerald-green finish looks striking with the minimal matt metal frame, making utilitarianism oh so chic. Arianne eight-seater dining table, £895, Habitat New from Karen Millen The gorgeous debut bedding collection from Karen Millen channels all the unfussy and classic aesthetic of its fashion ranges. The effortlessly chic looks are created with a timeless pin tuck, monochrome florals and smart navy stripes with a yellow pop. If you thought leopard print wasn’t your thing, the tonal take on the trend might just change your mind. Layer on accessories with co-ordinating boudoir cushions and accent throws to bring it all together. Need to Know INTRODUCING LUSOPHILE…

Yes “Grey walls remind me of grey skies – not a good look in the UK ” Liat Hughes Joshi, 45, lives with her son Luka, 14. They’ve recently moved into a four-bedroom Twenties semi in north London. Liat is the author of seven parenting books (liathughesjoshi.co.uk). ‘Our new house doesn’t have a single stroke of grey paint in it – and never will! When I was house-hunting, so many properties were top-to-toe grey, presumably because it’s on trend at the moment. But not only is it as dreary as a drizzly day, it’s so ubiquitous. In fact, it made me dismiss some houses. Yes, it’s easy enough to paint the walls a different colour, but when all the floors and fittings are grey, too, it could get expensive. Grey…

Having outgrown their canal house above a coffee shop in Amsterdam, Sophie and Diederik van der Graaf were delighted to find a spacious Twenties house close to The Hague, but in one of its greener suburbs. ‘The age and style of the house appealed to us,’ says Sophie. ‘It was light and spacious, with French doors opening onto balconies from two bedrooms, but I thought we should open up the kitchen and rearrange the upstairs layout.’ With 165sq m of floor space to play with, there were a lot of options to investigate. ‘We opened up the dark old kitchen by tearing down a load-bearing wall and adding a new beam,’ says Sophie. ‘Then we fitted a new kitchen with a breakfast bar, which we all gather around to hang…

Skinny vanity unit Wall in Pink Slip absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Hemnes shoe cabinet, £75, Ikea. Mustard leather handles, £4.50 each, Etsy. Pasadena Gold mirror, £219, Maisons du Monde. Umbra Trigem jewellery stand, £20, Hurn & Hurn. Nona Blue oval platter, £20, Habitat. Altum hand lotion, £20; salt scrub, £24, both Nordic House. Abstract Lemons candle, £11.99, Car & Kitchen. Metal photo frame in Gold, £8.99, H&M Home, is similar. Glass shaped vase, £25, Debenhams. Jute Ripple Circles rug, from £249, West Elm. Alcove cupboards Bamboo Garden wallpaper in Navy, £135 a roll, Linwood. Marais wardrobe doors in Aerugo Green, H236xW50cm, £220 each, Superfront. Skyscraper knurled handles in brass, L28cm, £31.99 each, Dowsing & Reynolds. Birch plywood, £68.59 for a 12mm-thick sheet, Travis Perkins; painted in…

The Row Good for halls and landings, this suits a series of same-size pictures in identical frames. Hang from a peg rail or hooks fixed to a batten. The Grid Works best with identical frames and matching artwork. Plan it out by sticking paper templates to the wall with masking tape for a faultless arrangement. The Circle A more relaxed arrangement that can be added to over time. Start with portrait rectangular frames in the centre and work outwards, adding squares at the edges. The Triangle Start with a line of frames along the bottom, using a sideboard or sofa back below as a guide. Build the display upwards. Staying monochrome will give a graphic effect.…

Plan in home improvements to reduce your energy outgoings and protect the planet, too. Q Where do I start? Insulate the loft and draught-proof doors and windows. You can insulate beneath downstairs floorboards, but don’t cover any ventilation bricks or air inlets. Rigid foam-board insulation can be fitted over a concrete floor. Q How about windows? Select A++ energy-rated, gas-filled, double- or triple-glazed units with low-emissivity (Low-E) glass for maximum benefit. Q What about heating? Upgrade an old boiler with an A-rated version, install thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) and turn heating down from your smart phone, using a device such as Hive (hivehome.com). Q Can I insulate my walls? New homes have cavity wall insulation or are built with SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels). In an older home, you could fit…

BAY WINDOWS ‘I’d always use a double- or triple-pleat heading on a bay window and hang the curtain under the track, not against it,’ says Yvonne. ‘This will allow the curtains to stack up better.’ BIFOLD DOORS ‘I’d suggest curtains with a wave header on a wave track,’ says Victoria. ‘These would draw back to a minimal stack when open, so wouldn’t cover up too much of your view.’ FRENCH DOORS ‘Keep the curtain pole as wide as possible so you can draw the curtains completely out of the way to get maximum light when open,’ says Sarita. SMALL WINDOWS ‘Make them look bigger by fitting a pole to extend further than normal,’ says Yvonne. SLOPING WINDOWS ‘Swap curtains for vertical blinds,’ says Victoria. ‘The louvres can be cut to…

Glossy green tiles and a striking floor teamed with matt graphite cabinets and oak worktops makes for a bold scheme…

Present your copy of Ideal Home in-store, or use code IDEALHOME by phone or online. Call 01747 834698 or visit nealsyardremedies.com TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please ask in-store or see online for details. *£10 off when you spend £30 applies in-store, by phone 01747 834698 or online at nealsyardremedies.com until 31 October 2019, while stocks last. Simply provide code IDEALHOME prior to confirming your order. One use per customer. Offer does not apply in other stockists. Excludes previous purchases, bespoke gifts online, gift vouchers & cards, email gift cards, therapies, courses, prescriptions and delivery charges. No cash or other alternatives. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Calls will be charged at your local rate plus your…

The right layout can make or break a bathroom. Draw up a scale plan or use an online planner, and don’t forget to ask your plumber or bathroom company to check your design is suitable for the space. Q Can I move the loo? It’s cheaper and easier to keep the loo close to the soil stack (a vertical pipe that takes waste from the loo to the main drain). It is possible to divert pipework, but keep the run short to avoid blockages. Q Where can the bath go? Give the tub prime position, centrally (if there’s room) or in front of a window. If you can’t fit in a freestanding bath, a back-to-wall style saves space but still looks luxurious. Check that the flooring will take the weight…

1 IT ADDS DURABILITY Scorching the larch cladding improves the longevity of the timber, removing the need for regular repainting. 2 IT’S AFFORDABLE European larch is relatively cheap and although it’s a softwood, it’s also dense, so it’s not too combustible. 3 IT WON’T CHANGE SHAPE OVER TIME Larch has slow movement – it doesn’t expand and contract dramatically. 4 SCORCHING AVOIDS UNEVEN WEATHERING Untreated timber weathers in different ways depending on how the sun and rain hits it. Scorching the timber avoids this and creates evenness. 5 IT SUITS BOTH TRADITIONAL AND MODERN BUILDS It’s a very versatile timber. In Susan and Tom’s house it reflects the historical use of the site by a coal merchant, as well as paying reference to the original stable doors.…

Contemporary lines Morsø 6140, £1,399, Stovesonline If you think a Scandi-style round stove would break the bank, think again. This 5.5kW rated, DEFRA exempt, EcoDesign Ready stove is good for small to medium rooms and measures H75xW45xD39cm. THE BEST BIT The elegant, cylindrical design means it has a nice, small footprint. Open-plan solution Beaumont 8WS, £1,800, Chesneys This slightly larger stove (H71xW64 xD40cm) is available as a 6kW or 8kW model, so good for larger rooms. The swept cabriole legs and corniced top are traditional enough to look at home in any interior, but the technology is totally modern. THE BEST BIT Pay an extra fee (£125 or £135 depending on colour) and you can choose from six shades. Compact classic Stovax Huntingdon 25, £1,149, Flames This classic-looking stove uses…

A  A449 Architects 07809 243388 a449.co.uk Abstract House abstracthouse.com Adventures in Furniture aif.london Also Home 01483 608611 alsohome.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Ambiente Direct 0870 0052275 ambientedirect.com Amtico 0121 745 0800 amtico.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Arket arket.com Arteriors arteriorshome.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Ashley Wilde 01707 635201 ashleywildegroup. co.uk Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Baileys 01989 561931 baileyshome.com Balineum 020 7431 9364 balineum.co.uk Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Baufritz 01223 235632 baufritz.com BC Designs 01206 827100 bcdesigns.co.uk Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Beautiful Halo beautifulhalo.com Beauty Bay beautybay.com Bedeck 0333 200 7331 bedeckhome.com Besselink & Jones 020 8689 9405 besselink.com Bhs 0344 411 6000 bhs.co.uk Blendworth 023 9259 4911 blendworth.co.uk Blithfield 020 7460 6454 blithfield.co.uk Border Oak 01568 708752 borderoak.com Bristan 0844 701 6273 bristan.com Byron & Byron 020 8344 7979 byronandbyron.com C  Cable & Cotton 01273 321332 cableandcotton.co.uk California Shutters 0800 195 0196 californiashutters.co.uk Caple…

See the shopping directory in the main issue for where to buy…

JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS Craftsmanship is at the heart of this collection. Rattan sees a timely return, paired with light oak and upholstery to give it a more modern appeal. Colours are kept neutral with beiges and barely-there pinks. BUY THE KEY PIECES Cane chair, £799; Ennis coffee table, £199; Santino bench, £299; Arched floor lamp, £295; Oriel throw, £100, all John Lewis & Partners MAISONS DU MONDE The In The Woods range blends rich brown tones, soothing beige linens and soft yellows to bring a look of minimalistic comfort. BUY THE KEY PIECES Horizon cut-out oak room divider, £219; Portobello solid oak vintage bedside table, £162.50; White faux fur throw, £110; Faux wood Scandinavian-style chair, £59.74; White bamboo pendant light, £71.50, all Maisons du Monde SWOON This sleek collection…

HABITAT Self-expression is the buzzword here with a lively collection of patterned pieces in punchy colours. Inspired by hieroglyphs and paper-cut collage, the bold designs look best offset by simple shapes. BUY THE KEY PIECES Clara dinner plates, £6 each; side plates, £5 each; bowls, £5 each; Fuji chopping board, £35; Turini black cutlery, £95 for 16-piece set; Gabby jute rug, £150, all Habitat WEST ELM A collaboration with British textile designer Margo Selby sees this vibrant range of cushions, rugs and blankets fusing traditional craft with a modern aesthetic, while furniture is kept streamlined. BUY THE KEY PIECES Crewel overlapping shapes cushion cover, £39; Cotton Cloud duvet cover, from £129 for a double; Margo Selby mix geo blanket, £129; throw, £39, all West Elm FURNITURE VILLAGE From mid-century design…

CONTRAST TONES Mix pale, blonde Scandi woods with Japanese-style black and dark wood accents to bring depth. FURNITURE MIX Bring in elements of both styles for a balanced effect, with soft, Scandi curves set against clean lines and structured Japanese pieces. MUTED COLOURS Keep to soft, calming tones of pale blue, green, light grey and pink with accents of richer shades, such as teal, indigo, rust, emerald and black. NATURAL ELEMENTS Both styles have a connection with nature so work in touches of greenery, from plants and blossom to Bonsai or bamboo.…

WHEN TO CHOOSE IT You love your home but don’t treat it as a showpiece and nothing is reserved for best. Furniture feels comfortable and inviting with sink-into sofas and sturdy tables built to sit at and gather around. You like a low-maintenance look with weathered woods, faded tones and time-worn finishes. WHERE TO USE IT Perfect for places with character, whether it’s a period property or a country cottage, this style sits well in combination with parquet flooring, exposed beams and bare brick. Style with a mix of vintage and new.…

And the winner of this year’s best sofa award goes to… Argos! Jon McMain from the design team says, ‘There has been an uplift in sales of mid-century-style furniture in the last year and velvet has grown in popularity, too. We think this cosy orange shade will brighten up winter nights.’ Jackson three-seater sofa, £649.99, Argos…

Snuggler, cuddler or oversized armchair, the romantically named love seat has just enough space for two (or you plus the dog…) and provides the perfect spot for some serious lounging. Bring on the box sets!…

Go all-over ‘The effect of blush pink strengthens over a large area to make rooms richer and more intimate,’ says Joa Studholme, colour curator at Farrow & Ball. In the mood Bring warmth to a pale living room with blush upholstery. ‘The mood it creates is like a warm embrace from someone you’ve got a crush on,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux. “Blush pink will work well in any light, but is particularly effective in west-facing rooms that enjoy the evening sun. These spaces are wonderfully welcoming to come home from work to”JOA STUDHOLME, FARROW & BALL Kitchen crush ‘My favourite use of pink at the moment is in kitchens, which people often want to be their lightest space but not white,’ says Joa Studholme, colour curator at…

HOW TO GET THERE Travel seasonally by Eurostar in just under four hours, from £90 return. Or fly from major UK airports, from £80. WHAT TO SEE AND DO Check out the 3D Print Canal House. The full-size dwelling was printed with bioplastic and can be completely recycled (or reprinted) as required. CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS There are lots of world-class museums, such as the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum. Plus, Anne Frank’s house is not to be missed. WHERE TO STAY The impressive Ambassade Hotel (ambassade-hotel. nl ) spans ten 17th-century canal-side townhouses, and is conveniently located close to all of the landmarks.…

When Katharine and James Howard needed to upsize to accommodate their growing family, the architecture of this house blew them away. ‘It’s early Victorian, with sweeping steps up to the front door, which were a big draw.’ The house had been let to students, so the interior was another story. ‘It had brown, cigarette-burned carpets and scuffed magnolia walls, but my mind began racing with ideas to bring it to life,’ says Katharine. ‘The deep cornicing, the lovely tall windows, the marble fireplaces – it had it all,’ she says. ‘Although the house felt big compared to our flat, we knew there was scope to make it more family friendly.’ The first move was to stretch the footprint of the property by adding an extension that gave them an all-in-one…

Wardrobe update Sand and prime the wood, before adding several coats of chalk paint. Once dry, add bold floral wallpaper to the door panels using a strong decoupage glue, smoothing any air bubbles.…

1 CREATE A FEATURE WITH PANELLING Wooden panelling will not only add interest, but also create a slim shelf. Paint in a contrasting colour to your walls, or simply add a dado rail and paint it and the wall below in the same shade. 2 ADD A CHARACTER PIECE A style that will work in almost any scheme, this mango wood chest would look just as good in a bedroom as a living room. Style with matt black, or add brass or rose gold pieces. 3 PAPER A WALL IN THE KITCHEN Patterned paper is a great way to jazz up a plain kitchen. Fit a sheet of Perspex or glass over the paper behind the sink and cooker, to protect it from splashes. 4 UPGRADE…

SARITA SHARMA, stylist (saritasharma.co.uk). Sarita has more than 20 years experience as a freelance stylist for both leading interiors magazines and commercial clients. She is London-based and styles many of the trends and decorating ideas you see in Ideal Home each month. VICTORIA WALKER, product manager at Hillarys (hillarys. co.uk). Victoria was snapped up by Hillarys after she graduated in textile design in 2012 and her fabric collection was used in a range of Roman blinds and curtains. She was later promoted to assistant product manager and then product manager, where she works alongside designers and brand collaborators. YVONNE JONES, interior designer at Chameleon Interiors (chameleon interiors.com). Yvonne specialises in creating luxurious and sophisticated spaces for private and corporate clients. She is Cardiff-based but has experience working across the UK…

With clever new functions, the latest built-ins give professional results – no slaving over a hot stove required! FEEL THE HEAT Ready2Cook cuts the need to preheat the oven, saving time and energy. AKZ9 6270 IX Absolute 60cm oven, £479.99, Whirlpool PERFECT RESULTS Intuitive touch controls are a breeze to use – and adjustable steam locks in nutrients. RMB45SCBL 45cm steam oven, £729, Rangemaster VIRTUAL SUPPORT Supported by an app that suggests meals using photos of your ingredients – impressive! KFW 3844 H IX Aria 60cm oven, £269.99, Indesit STEAMY NUMBER Five steam-assisted cooking functions, including turbo steam. SFP6604STNR Dolce Stil Novo 60cm steam assist oven, £1,949, Smeg “Select the meal you want to cook and your smart oven will set all the parameters required for perfect results”RUTH CORBETT HOUSES…

Embrace the magic of Christmas with a day out at the Ideal Home Show Christmas, sponsored by CLC World Resorts & Hotels. This year it’s open from 20 to 24 November, with more than 600 exhibitors across four show areas. As you wander around, you’ll discover the most imaginative Christmas products to make this year’s celebrations extra special. Whether you’re a traditionalist when it comes to decorations or you’re looking to update your festive scheme, you’ll find a host of fun festive ornaments and trinkets. Or, if you’re cooking on the big day and want your dining table to wow the relatives, pick up some creative tips from the free creative workshops. Shopping for gifts couldn’t be more fun, with jewellery, clothes, crafts, wooden toys and personalised items all waiting…

Welcome to my home Lucy Bennett lives here with her husband, Arun, and their two children, Cassidy, 11 and Jet, seven. THE PROPERTY A detached four-bed mid-century house in Keymer, West Sussex. WHAT IT COST “I love the finished bathroom so much – the huge corner shower is my absolute favourite thing ” Love LUCY’S GLAM TAPS? Turn to page 141 to shop the look…

MODERN EDGE Try a sleek concealed shower valve in a brushed black finish. Vos 1 outlet thermostatic shower valve, £359.99, Drench TRAD DESIGN Go for an extra-large fixed head for superior shower power. The polished gold finish looks classy. Round traditional fixed 200mm head in Gold, £195, Bristan TOUCH OF BRASS Set off a plain basin with this brushed brass stunner. Crosswater basin mixer, £198.84, Victorian Plumbing ROSE TINTED For stand-out style, choose this shiny rose gold finish. Hemsby shower with fixed head, £1,000, Heritage Bathrooms “Forget the ‘brassy’ finishes that were big in the Eighties, the latest look is subtler… think satin gold, matt black or polished copper”RUTH CORBETT HOUSES EDITOR HOT STUFF Make a statement with a column radiator in ultra-dark anthracite. Clarissa radiator, £269, Pure Bathroom Collection…

Take the plunge and inject a splash of colour into your bathroom design – from bold brights to calming neutrals, there are plenty of ways to give any scheme a lift. Q How do I choose a colour? Start with a colour wheel to see how shades interact with each other. Contrasting colours (those opposite one another) will make a statement, while harmonious colours (which sit together) are better for a relaxed vibe. Pick three colours that work together and use the 70:20:10 rule, which means the lightest colour will cover 70 per cent of the decor, the next will cover 20 per cent, and the boldest 10 per cent. If you want a calm scheme, stop it looking bland with two neutrals in a 70:30 ratio. Q Where should…

Brioche rolls with quailÕs eggs TAKES 1hr, plus proving and cooling MAKES 8 rolls INGREDIENTS • 7g sachet fast-acting yeast • 1tsp sugar • 100ml lukewarm milk • 2 eggs, whisked • 300g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting • 50g butter, softened and cubed, plus extra for greasing FOR THE GLAZE • 1 egg FOR THE FILLING • 12 quail’s eggs • 250g baby spinach leaves, washed and wilted • 3tbsp crème fraîche • 4 pinches of ground nutmeg 1To make the dough, put the yeast, sugar, milk and eggs in a mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix on low for 10sec and high for 10sec, then add the flour and ½tsp salt. Continue beating on high until the dough forms a ball. Add the butter and beat for 1min more until the mixture is smooth. 2Tip…

Marie, 39, an interiors stylist, lives in a three-bedroom 18th-century cottage in Yalding, Kent, with her husband Simon Ward, and their sons Albie, six, and Freddie, three. ‘This is my quiet space for thinking and coming up with ideas. Technically, that makes it a work space, but it doesn’t feel like work. This is the private hideaway everyone dreams of. I use it for trying out new styling ideas. Things get added, then taken away again on a regular basis. Simon sometimes complains about the number of twigs, bits of foliage and piles of cushions I have indoors. Here, I can do exactly as I please. Nobody can complain because it’s all mine! “My husband sometimes complains about the piles of cushions I have indoors, but here I can do…

JEWEL COLOURS Pick rich tones for key pieces, such as royal blue or ruby, mixed with warmer tones of ochre, rose and bronze. COOL CURVES Ditch angular lines and hard edges and choose shapely furniture with rounded curves and fluid shapes. PLUSH TEXTURES Velvet reigns when it comes to furnishings. Take it a step further with cording, piping, tassels and fringing. LUXE ACCENTS Layer on the bling with metallic touches – think gleaming gold, burnished copper, brushed brass and bronze.…

See the shopping directory in the main issue for where to buy…

See the shopping directory in the main issue for where to buy…

DEBENHAMS This season’s stylised ceramics and tableware capture this fusion of styles perfectly – the blonde woods of Scandi are married with Japanese-style prints. BUY THE KEY PIECES Bread basket, £15; place mat, £10 for two; pizza board, £45; chopping board, £30; large plate, £12; side plates, £20 for four; Black cutlery, £28 for a 16-piece set; napkins, £10 for four; storage jar, £10; dipping bowls, £15 for four, all Debenhams HABITAT Uncomplicated contours and a calming aesthetic are at the core of this collection of wabi-sabi-style ceramics and uncomplicated furniture. BUY THE KEY PIECES Manford dining table, £595; dining bench, £295; Larsa dining chairs, £130 each; Hotham LED ceiling light, £125; Savona spotty pasta bowl, £12; Mabel vase, £30; Ruby spotty vase, £30; Greta black jug, £25; Aztec wool…

MURMUR The Nara collection is all about texture with its raised circular stripe design on crisp white or cool grey bedlinen. Embroidered throws, pillow shams and bedspreads complete the look. BUY THE KEY PIECES Nara duvet cover, £95 for a double; Oxford pillowcases, £19 each; Ebba throw in White, £120; Cozy throw in Cloud Grey, £95; Nova cushion in Cloud Grey, £40; Skye cushion in White, £40, all Murmur MAISONS DU MONDE Comforting textures, soft colours and decorative details are key for textiles and bedding this season. Think quilted throws and bedspreads in washed linens and tactile weaves, and thick woollen blankets with plush fringing, tassels and trims. BUY THE KEY PIECES Red cotton blanket, £55; Orange fringed blanket, £55; Beige cotton blanket, £55; Solid oak chair, £215.50, all Maisons…

See the shopping directory in the main issue for where to buy…