Innehållsförteckning för February 2020 från Ideal Home

There’s a culture clash going on chez Richmond, which gets worse at this time of year when I’m in full-on decluttering mode: Ma Richmond is pro-clutter and has a raging knicknack habit to prove it; I love a clear surface and keep shoving said knicknacks into cupboards. As a result, our big project this year will be built-in storage on a grand scale! If you’re project-planning, you’ll find an extra helping of ideas in this issue. Or, if you’re thinking about a bucket-list holiday this year instead, I recommend new site thecaribou.com – it’s made for people who love to travel by people who love to travel. Happy planning!…

Situated in Leiden, a city to the south of Amsterdam, the house was built in the 1900s and was typical of the terraced houses built for labourers and their families. ‘We chose the house for its charm and character but also for its peaceful location,’ says Misia. ‘Despite it being practically in the city centre, it’s located in a quiet lane, so you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a small town or village. It’s away from all the hustle and bustle.’ The layout featured a living room on the street side and a kitchen and dining area overlooking the back garden, which didn’t have the open feel the couple wanted. ‘Rather than extend and renovate it, we decided to demolish the house and re-build it on the same…

Technological advances are giving us a feast of beautiful printed designs, textures and shapes to choose from. Whether you’re planning a full-on redo or just replacing a splashback, where should you start your tile journey? We asked our favourite experts… I’M UPDATING MY KITCHEN – WHAT TILES ARE BEST FOR THE FLOOR? ‘There’s been a swing away from natural stone due to the maintenance it needs,’ says Rob Whitaker, creative director at Claybrook. ‘Terracotta, stone and marble are all natural products that can be porous (although you can mitigate that through sealing). This leaves porcelain. New technology means that you can’t tell the difference between stone and its porcelain lookalikes, which makes for an effective and easy-to-clean floor.’ WHAT ARE THE SAFEST COLOURS TO CHOOSE? ‘Mid-range colours seem to work…

From her studio in Brighton, Simone Webb – one of the latest artists to join online Runway Gallery – combines traditional and modern techniques to create striking artwork. Full of elegance and intrigue, and inspired by the natural life cycle of flora and fauna, her work draws inspiration from botany, horticulture, entomology and taxidermy. I WANTED TO BECOME AN ARTIST FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER As a child, I’d catch the bus into town, which passed the local art college. I’d always say, ‘I’m going to go there one day.’ And I did. After that, I studied for a degree in graphic design and illustration at De Montfort University. This didn’t incorporate as many traditional mediums as I was hoping, but I have no regrets. It’s led me…

Hardwearing, easy to clean and dust-mite resistant, it’s little wonder polished concrete flooring is so popular. The industrial look is very on trend too, plus it holds the heat well so works brilliantly with underfloor heating. Q What is polished concrete? Flooring made from concrete, left in its raw natural state or coloured then polished and sealed to create a nonporous surface. Diamond-polishing tools are used and floors are commonly finished to a grit level of 800, 1500 or 3000 – the higher the grit, the shinier the floor. It costs £80-150sq m, depending if it’s levelled by machine or trowelled by hand. Q How is it installed? Techniques vary but most are poured in a single layer, 10cm thick. Next day expansion cuts are sawn into the floor to…

When redesigning a bathroom or adding a shower room, it’s important to consider your own space and requirements before choosing fittings. Here, we give you the lowdown on the various options for shower enclosures, from quadrants to walk-ins. Q What’s the best option between a walk-in shower and a wet room? Walk-in showers are a great way to add minimalist contemporary design. They are more suited to larger bathrooms, but can work in a smaller space, with many designs, like VictoriaPlum.com’s Mode walk-in shower enclosure, right, fitting the footprint of a standard bath. Consisting of a shallow tray and open glass screens, it feels spacious without the expense of a wet room. Wet rooms are complex as the room needs to be waterproofed, but they can fit in any shape…

Stephanie Rakowski lives here with her husband, Arthur and their two children, 20 and 18 THE PROPERTY A Victorian end-of-terrace in south west London. WHAT IT COST Bath and taps.....£1,978 Basin and taps...£1,083 Shower...............£1,488 Tiles...................£2,000 Surfaces............£8,320 Radiators............£1,100 Paint......................£200 Shutters.............£1,000 Wall lights..........£1,886 TOTAL.............£19,055 “We even added a TV and speakers to complete the spa experience!”…

Carole and Paul de Lacroix live here. The couple are retired and their children, Louise, Joanna and Nicholas, have left home. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom, Grade II-listed, 17th-century detached house in a village near Stroud, Gloucestershire. THE VALUE  Bought for £186,000 in 1986; the property is now worth around £1.1m. WHAT IT COST Architect...........£35,000 Building work..£175,000 Roof...................£25,000 Electrical work...£12,500 Plumbing and heating.... ..............................£7,500 Glazing..............£35,000 Landscaping.....£20,000 Kitchen..............£40,000 Wine cellar.........£20,000 TOTAL.............£370,000…

Super-stylish choice Nest Hello (H11.7xW4.3xD2.6cm), £229, Google The slimmest design we’ve found and the one that looks least like a video camera, the Hello is a very clever device. This wired system records constantly (instead of relying on motion detection), so you’ll never miss any visitors. Add facial recognition via the subscription service and it will only alert you to strangers. THE BEST BIT If you live on a busy street, you can get constant alerts, but Hello lets you pinpoint the area it records, so you only get people right at your door. Wide-angle view Ezviz video doorbell (H13xW4.6 xD21cm), £135, Ezviz Thanks to a 180-degree vertical viewing angle, you can see visitors from head to toe, even if they’re close to the door. Amazon Alexa and Google Home…

In 1946 we were… SETTING UP HOME AFTER THE WAR Young couples marrying and buying homes after World War Two might have been inspired by this bright and colourful advert for Tala kitchenware – and you might recognise the designs of many of the products, as they’re still available. In 1939 we were… WEARING ASBESTOS This newfangled material was used for everything from fire extinguishers to aprons and oven gloves that ‘enable hot dishes to be handled with safety’. In 1973 we were… GOING INTO EUROPE IH asked editors from Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, and Norway, ‘How will it affect the British housewife? Will we start to “think” European?’ In 1950 we were… HAVING BANK ACCOUNTS OPENED FOR US This ad for Lloyds Bank encouraged women to open a separate…

Add ‘quiet’ pattern Pick a tone-on-tone neutral mix: ‘It allows you to add pattern and texture via wallpaper without the risk of feeling overwhelmed by it,’ says Helen Shaw, director of Benjamin Moore UK. Work in wood furniture ‘Natural materials introduce real texture, detail and warmth. Without these, neutral rooms can feel a little flat,’ says Fiona Duke, founder of Interior Design Collective. Put texture on the walls Try bare plaster, concrete or a lookalike wallpaper, softened with layered textiles. ‘Natural finishes vary enormously and their imperfections only add to their simple beauty,’ says Fiona. Use black for definition Add some structure: ‘The contrast of black against neutral tones creates a statement without clashing and overpowering the room,’ says Philippa Prinsloo, head of design at John Lewis & Partners. Add…

OUR GO-TO STORES… TIKAMOON Everything from artisan ceramics to statement furniture. URBAN OUTFITTERS For a fab range of rugs and tapestries. FARROW & BALL High-quality, eco-friendly paints and wallpapers. STYLIST’S NOTE…

The first priority when installing a new or revamped staircase in your home is that it must be practical and safe, but it’s also an opportunity to create something that’s altogether more interesting. Q How do I begin? Think about the style you’d like and how it will blend with the architecture of your home. The choice could range from a sweepingly grand staircase to a contemporary minimalist design. Most staircases are made with a timber, steel or concrete frame, then finished with a choice of components. Replacing traditional staircase elements with frameless glass panels will allow more light to flow through your home, while metal features, such as steel handrails, add dramatic style. Q Can I renovate my existing staircase? If the structure is sound, replacing the balustrade and…

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ROB WHITAKER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF CLAYBROOK (CLAYBROOKSTUDIO.CO.UK) Rob oversees buying and style direction of the brand, which sells tiles, wood flooring and bathrooms from its Shoreditch base. JORDAN CLUROE AND RUSSELL WHITEHEAD, INTERIOR DESIGNERS AND FOUNDERS OF 2LG STUDIO (2LGSTUDIO.COM) Jordan and Russell’s practice is based in southeast London. The duo offers residential and commercial interior design, consultancy and styling services. They were part of the team behind Deco Tayberry – Original Style’s Tile of the Year 2020. ANA REZENDE, SENIOR DESIGN CONSULTANT AT RIPPLES (RIPPLESBATHROOMS.COM) Ana joined Ripples in 2017. Ripples was founded in 1988 in Bath, and now operates as a franchise, employing over 25 highly talented bathroom designers based at 15 showrooms around the UK.…

SET OFF YOUR SCHEME WITH A LUXE METALLIC TAP IDEAL FLAWLESS FINISH Marple Traditional brushed Gold instant boiling water tap, Victorian Plumbing GREAT DEAL WARM MATERIAL Fortuna tap in Bronze with White handles, Wren…

Complex islands One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to islands as we all have our own specific needs. Consider a modular design with space for storage, utility and seating. BUY THE KEY PIECES Alderley kitchen in Bone, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers Raw wood Wood kitchens lost their mojo for a few years but they’re back with a bang, albeit slightly paler than before. Combined with cool white appliances, worktops and tiling, raw wood is great for adding texture and character without heaviness. BUY THE KEY PIECES Ricco Collection Mellow Oak kitchen, from £8,000, LochAnna Kitchens Reeded glass Much loved in the 1950s and 1960s, reeded or fluted glass is making a real comeback, thanks to the popularity of glazed wall cabinets (less blocky in small or dark kitchens).…

MAKE A STATEMENT WITH GEOMETRIC FLOORING IDEAL CHECK MATE Soho Decor porcelain tile, £46.50sq m, The Baked Tile Co GREAT DEAL SHADES OF GREY Mardi Gras 97 Cubes sheet vinyl flooring, £15.99sq m, Carpetright…

Perfect for winding down in at the end of a busy day, relaxing after exercise or treating yourself to a spa-style experience, a steam room is a useful – and indulgent – addition to your bathroom. Q What is a steam room? Also known as a Turkish bath or hammam, it’s similar to a sauna, but humidity reaches 100 per cent and the temperature is around 45-48°C. You relax on a natural marble or stone bench, allowing a cloud of warm steam to envelop your body, soothing tired muscles, helping with decongestion and eliminating impurities in the skin. Q How much space do I need? “The most popular place to install a steam room is in a shower, because no extra space is needed and it’s usually 90 per cent…

1 THEY’RE NOT JUST FOR NEW BUILDS They can be built into an existing, furnished, ground-floor room and planning permission isn’t required unless it’s a listed building or the property is in the London borough of Kensington & Chelsea. 2 A HIGH WATER TABLE ISN’T A PROBLEM Engineers will calculate the correct reinforced concrete base specification to counter any water uplift, while the cellar is fitted with a waterproof liner. 3 THEY’RE NOT CHEAP! Prices range from £24,000 to £70,000 depending on type and depth, which can range from 1m to 2.5m or 3m. 4 THEY’RE QUICK TO FIT They can hold up to 1,900 bottles of wine and take less than two weeks to install. 5 THEY PROVIDE IDEAL CONDITIONS They incorporate a system of natural, passive ventilation, so…

Quick grill Entertaining grill (H16x W50xD42.5cm), £175, Cuisinart Perfectly portable, so ideal for use on a kitchen countertop, teppanyaki-style in the middle of the table at a dinner party and even outdoors as a summer barbecue back-up – this new grill from Cuisinart is a must for a busy home. The grill plate features two cooking zones with fully adjustable controls so you can cook at the same or different temperatures between 90-260°C, while all excess fat and oil drains down into a discreet drawer beneath the cooking plate. THE BEST BIT The grill plate is both removable and dishwasher safe for easy, fuss-free cleaning. Compact multi-cooker Health grill and air fryer (H23.5xW35.6xD45cm), £199.99, Ninja Following the launch of the Foodi crisping pressure cooker last year, American brand Ninja has…

Lemon meringue squares TAKES 40min, plus chilling MAKES 16 INGREDIENTS • 90g digestives • 90g plain flour • 60g desiccated coconut • 100g unsalted butter, melted FOR THE LEMON LAYER • 397g tin condensed milk • 5 egg yolks • 150ml lemon juice • Grated zest of 1 lemon FOR THE MERINGUE • 2 egg whites • 175g caster sugar • Sugar sprinkles 1 Preheat the oven to 180ºC/ Fan 160ºC/Gas 4. Blitz the digestives in a food processor until crumbs form. Blend in the flour, coconut and butter. Press the mixture into an 18x28cm greased and lined tin and bake for 10min. 2 Set the oven to 160ºC/Fan140ºC/Gas 3. To make the lemon layer, whisk together the condensed milk, yolks, lemon juice and zest. Pour over the biscuit and bake for 20min. Cool and chill for 1hr. 3 Turn the…

Pulling up outside the renovated Victorian mansion, you’re greeted by impeccably dressed staff, eager to valet-park your car, whisk away your bags, and welcome you into a weekend of total relaxation at Beaverbrook. Styled by Susie Atkinson (of Soho House fame), the public areas ooze refinement. This is, after all, the former home of media baron and high society don Lord Beaverbrook, who once hosted luminaries from the worlds of politics, literature, and film. The decor in the 18 bedrooms takes its cues from the house’s past visitors – the Elizabeth Taylor suite, for example, is swathed in chic pastels, while the Ian Fleming room sports masculine monochrome. Perhaps most beautiful of all is the luxurious new spa, where the treatments are informed by a holistic, natural philosophy. And, in…

A A New Tribe 07815 534545 anewtribe.co.uk ABC Home abchome.com Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com Abode 01226 283434 abodedesigns.co.uk Abraham Moon & Sons 01943 873181 moons.co.uk Abstract House abstracthouse.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon amazon.co.uk AO.com 0344 324 9222 Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Ark One 020 8960 6870 arkone.co.uk Asda 0800 952 0101 asda.com Ashley & Co shop-uk.ashleyandco.co Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com Austin Design Works 01453 836393 austindw.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Bamix bamix.com Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Bert & May 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com Blooming Artificial 0800 977 7589 bloomingartificial.co.uk BMF Store 0113 266 0096 bmfstore.co.uk Bombay Duck 020 8749 3000 bombayduck.com Boots 0345 609 0055 boots.com Brabantia 0845 602 4877 brabantia.com Bricks & Velvet 07810 055223 bricksandvelvet.co.uk Brintons 0800 505055 brintons.co.uk Buy Me Once uk.buymeonce.com C Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Castlegate Lights 01642 714444 castlegatelights.co.uk Chloe Alberry…

We keep seeing… TRANQUIL DAWN Dulux has nominated this fresh shade as its Colour of the Year. This washed pastel sits between mint and sage - go tonal and team it with shades of deeper green; use it to highlight charcoal and dark blue for a contemporary edge or create a soft colour combo with lighter shades like dusky pink, oatmeal and dove grey. Laura Ashley brings florals to Brintons This second collaboration between the two brands includes 12 new designs, featuring soft blossoms, smart stripes, elegant scrolls, damask patterns and bold blooms. The Agnes print may give you either the ‘wow’ factor or the ‘whoa’ factor but we think this timeless floral pattern combined with a contemporary dark background can add a little modern romance to a room when…

COFFEE TABLE WITH STORAGE The top comes off to reveal a large cavity inside for out-of-season cushions and throws, magazines, the printer, toys, etc. Great for a living room, seating area in an open-plan kitchen-diner or storing junk in a teen’s den or bedroom. Fulton fabric coffee table, £149; Grayson three-seater sofa, £599; Damien floor lamp, £79, all Dunelm VERSATILE TRUNK A piece like this can go wherever it’s needed – at the end of a bed, in a hallway, living room or home office to store bedding, shoes, paperwork and clutter. Amsterdam light storage trunk, £375, Next Home SEAT WITH STORAGE No space for a side table? This chair is also available as a corner, two- or three-seater sofa, and you can choose which side to mount the shelf.…

mix of buttery beiges, dusky pinks and soft greys. These subtle yet sophisticated shades are timeless and particularly suited to a characterful home.’ ‘Don’t be afraid to add colour to neutrals,’ says Fiona. ‘If you aren’t one for bold colour, add natural foliage and greenery instead.’ ‘Blending neutrals will stop a room looking cold,’ adds Anna Del-Molino, buyer at Carpetright. ‘You can make ‘Go for darker neutrals in a room that lacks natural light,’ says Fiona Duke (fionadukeinteriors.com; interiordesigncollective. co.uk). ‘Colours with more pigment feel far warmer and less grey, while only a bright, sunny room can take the lightest whites and neutrals.’ ‘Move away from white and taupe,’ says Philippa Prinsloo. ‘The new neutral palettes are warmer and tonal, with a contemporary it inviting and relaxing by mixing tactile…

Hallway wall storage Multiple shoe cabinets in a grid format give you slim storage plus a display surface. Keeping the floor clear by wall-mounting them helps the space to feel open. Living room media centre Fix an MDF panel to the wall and mount your TV and two floating shelves on it. A drawer unit and drum storage stools under the lowest shelf give you an extra hiding place for junk! Small-stu ff hanger This wall rack is actually a set of webbing-mounted bed slats hung from a couple of wall hooks. Just add S-hooks for hanging bits and bobs. ‘Built-in’ kitchen bench Back-to-wall seating means you can push your table back. Two tall dresser units either side will turn it into a cosy nook with tons of storage over…

Soft stripes Create positive vibes by painting the walls in wide bands of uplifting colours. Gentle pastels mix well, are easy on the eye and won’t feel oppressive in a small space. Use the walls Free up your desktop space – and give yourself something to look at – by mounting stationery on the wall. Arrange the pieces in a loose triangle shape for a sense of order. Decorative boards If you’re adding an office nook to a living room or kitchen-diner, going for soft shades and introducing pattern will help it integrate sympathetically with the space. Cover noticeboards with pretty fabric in the same colour as the wall paint. Colour theme Sweep piles of books, brochures, papers and stationery into matching storage boxes for a calm and organised look.…

1 LAY A ‘RUG’ Vinyl tiles are easier to clean under a dining table than a crumb-trapping rug and do a great job at zoning off your dining area in a multipurpose space. Plus, they’re a smart way to introduce a little pattern and wow factor into your room – especially if it has simple white walls. 2 PICK AN ACCENT BLIND Add a surprise in a neutral room and give the calm colour scheme a hit of happy colour. Rich yellow is perfect for a bedroom – zingy in the morning, mellow at night. 3 SORT THE HALLWAY The hallway can quickly become a dumping ground for the whole family, so put a stylish stop to it with a selection of baskets to hide away shoes,…

Sustainable hard wood flooring One of few companies to offer sustainably produced wood flooring, Ark One can trace back every piece of wood it uses to the European forest it was grown in. What’s more, they only use natural glues, oils and varnishes in the finished product – making it as natural a product as possible. Manhattan oak flooring, £98sq m, Ark One Flooring Sleep on a sustainable mattress Silentnight’s new Eco Comfort Breathe mattress is foam and chemical-free, and made using recycled plastic bottles. It costs £409 for a single size; £549 for a double. 3-ECO-FRIENDLY PAINTS ECO ALL-ROUNDER Made from natural pigments. Brick emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer ODOUR FREE No added toxins or additives. Lady Grey original paint, £16.95 for 750ml, Frenchic BREATHABLE PAINT Great for…

THE ORIGINAL There’s a healthy dose of 1980s minimalism here, with sleek pale wood finishes and a pared-back palette that keeps this look simple. The storage unit and foldaway table wouldn’t look out of place now – perfect for small-space living. THE UPDATE We’ve added relaxed character with plenty of texture. Hand-finished touches, such as tassels, rattan chairs and artisan-style ceramics also soften the space. The black accents update the neutral scheme with an industrial twist.…