Innehållsförteckning för July 2020 från Ideal Home

Well, I can’t say that the ‘new normal’ is feeling very normal yet. And, after 21 years of commuting into central London to work, maybe it never will. I certainly never imagined that I would spend my evenings sewing Harry Potter fabric face masks for the littlest Richmonds! Ideal Home HQ is becoming a distant memory, but there are upsides (like having the cat as a warm and fluffy wrist rest as I type). We’re trying to keep things reassuringly familiar for you, with the usual mix of inspiration and project inspo, but if you find lingering in the magazine aisle at the supermarket or newsagent stressful, take a look at our brilliant subscription deal on page 129 to get every issue delivered to your door.…

GLAZED OVER Ceramic reactive glaze pitcher, £25, John Lewis & Partners BIRD OF PARADISE Passaro jug, £39.50, Oliver Bonas STATEMENT STYLE Hobnail jug in Blue Smoke, £95, Petersham Nurseries COASTAL COOL Patterned glass jug, £8.99, H&M Home RAFFIA WRAPPED Boho spice glass pitcher, £33.75, Talking Tables GOING GREEN Jochen Holz glass jug, £39, Hay at Amara BRIGHT STROKES Hand-painted floral jug, £12, Matalan SUNSHINE BURST Tall textured jug, £8.99, Homesense…

Add some drama ‘Pairing a moody colour like inky blue with white will create the illusion of tactility and texture,’ says Natasha Pettit, colour designer, Craig & Rose Change the mood ‘Add dark blue to starker whites, silvers and neutral tones to keep it cooler in sunny rooms and south-facing spaces. If you’re using dark blue in a north-facing room, add texture and warming tones – stones not whites – to make the space a calm sanctuary,’ says Cathy Dean, interior designer “With pattern, you don’t need the cushion, curtains and wallpaper all to match; pick a key print and accessorise around it”CATHY DEAN, CATHYDEANINTERIORDESIGN.COM Warm up the contrast ‘Blue and white is a classic combination and will stand the test of time. The colours contrast beautifully, but pick an…

Rammed-earth walls are a joy to behold and environmentally friendly on many levels. Offset the expense of decorating, and they needn’t cost the earth. Q What is rammed earth? It’s an ancient building technique where you compact damp earth, chalk, lime and other substrates, to create solid walls. Celebrated for its sustainability, building with rammed earth is gaining popularity in the UK. Q Are there any benefits? One of the main plus points is its effective humidity regulation, which is beneficial for asthma sufferers. Walls are also naturally soundproof, fireproof and non-toxic. Environmentally, the use of local soils supports sustainable construction and the earth is reusable post-demolition. Q What are the downsides? “Rammed-earth finishes are warm and welcoming, and offer softened acoustics, moisture control and breathability”CLARE WHITNEY, MARKETING MANAGER, CLAYWORKS…

Fresh fireplace Fill an empty fireplace (or any niche) with a variety of potted plants. Different heights add visual interest – mix up plants with different leaf shapes and colours for an abundant display Gallery wall Arrange succulents on small metal box shelves grouped with framed botanical prints – the differing depths create look-at-me focal points Alternative wall art Perfect for rooms where available wall space is limited, duplicate identical plants in pots in a vertical row for impact and to add a sense of height Living wall Swap a mirror above the fireplace for a wall-hung pocket planter filled with a verdant display of ferns and trailing vines…

Unlike functional shared spaces, bedrooms are places where you can truly indulge your style and create a look and feel that's all about luxury. WHAT ARE THE BEST WALL COLOURS FOR BEDROOMS? “Cushions standing on their corners should be banned. They just ” look wrongEMMA MORTON-TURNER INSIDESTYLISTS.COM ‘This will always depend on what colour season you are,’ says stylist Emma Morton-Turner. ‘If you complete a colour questionnaire, then nine times out of 10 if you are a “summer” personality, you will be drawn towards pastel colours. If you are an “autumn” – like me – you’ll pick a deep aubergine or navy.’ Fionnuala Johnston, senior designer at John Lewis & Partners, says, ‘If you want to achieve a relaxing ambience, then choose restorative tones, like soft, warm neutrals.’ Interior designer…

1 HANG BASKETS ON THE WALL If you’re losing the battle with clutter, target where it collects with this idea – great for quick end-of-day tidy-ups. Use hooks that can take lots of weight. 2 UPDATE YOUR HALLWAY WITH FLOOR TILES This high-traffic area can quickly look tired and grubby but replacing carpet with patterned floor tiles can give a welcome lift – and tiles are easier to keep clean. 3 GO FOR BOLD WALLPAPER IN THE BATHROOM If your bathroom is in need of a revamp, but you don’t want to spend too much, a cost-effective way to get a new look is with a gorgeous statement wallpaper. 3 ACCESSORISE WITH PLANTS Whether you have plants in your home for their air-purifying benefits or for visual appeal, treat them…

Since launching in 2017, Runway Gallery has grown from a portfolio of 14 contemporary artists to an ever-changing line-up of roughly 24 from all across the world. It’s the brainchild of Daniel Syrett, whose unique work also features on the site. THE VISION FOR RUNWAY GALLERY stemmed from my background in the fashion industry. There’s been a big discussion in the art world as to whether fashion should be within the arts, which seems ridiculous – of course it should be. Creating a fashion-focused gallery seemed like a natural thing for me to do, and it also seemed like an interesting way to select artists. INSTAGRAM HAS BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN FINDING NEW ARTISTS TO FEATURE, such as Bruce Atherton, formerly the portrait painter at the Vatican; Pandemonia, a six-foot inflatable…

Oversized planter Wrap a length of corrugated steel into a circle and fix with roofing bolts through pre-drilled holes for an industrial-style planter that's the perfect size for small trees or tall bamboo. Sociable seating Built-in banquettes are space efficient and turn a patio into a place for the whole family to hang out together. Foam seat pads and cushions make them comfy all evening. Cosy corner Create an outdoor living room with comfortable armchairs and side tables to put drinks and snacks on, all grouped around a fire pit. Cushions and blankets will make things extra toasty. Storage wall An old pallet makes the perfect display and storage combo – hang tools, organise twine, and keep small seedling pots close to hand. Simple centrepiece Fill terracotta pots with sand…

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The products you need to store and organise all your garden tools and DIY paraphernalia, for an orderly outbuilding 1 THE FLEXIBLE SYSTEM Keep the garage floor clear from clutter and invest in a system than can store everything from bikes and garden furniture to picnicware and more. Use a combination of adjustable hooks, shelves and clear plastic boxes (so you can see what’s in them) to store outdoor toys, sports equipment and camping gear. Elfa starter kit, from £45, Store 2 THE TOOL CLAMP Keep all your garden tools in one wall-mounted place with this tool rack. Adjustable clips slide along the track, allowing for any size handle, and a simple push of the hand secures tools in place. Adjustable tool rack, from £16.99, Burgon &…

Pizza oven Ooni Pro multi-fuel outdoor pizza oven with gas burner, £568.99, Ooni Traditionally fuelled by wood pellets or charcoal, the Ooni outdoor oven can now also operate with gas. It cooks 16-inch pizzas in just one minute and can be used to roast fish, meat and veg, too. Plus, the website is packed with recipes tailored to get the most out of the oven. THE BEST BIT Measuring H79x W49xD74cm, it’s easy enough to move around when not lit and can be popped in the car boot when going on holiday. Smart barbecue SmokeFire EX4 GBS wood-fired pellet grill, £1,199, Weber Combining a top-notch wood-fired barbecue with the latest in smart technology, Weber’s new SmokeFire makes it just as easy to slow roast at 95°C, as it is to…

THE ORIGINAL This scheme feels just as fresh by today’s standards as it was then. The signature, mid-century furniture feature of tapered legs, slim profiles and clean lines influenced by Scandinavian style are teamed with primary colour pops with monochrome accents. Textile prints are simple but bold with graphic stripes and abstract shapes. THE UPDATE We’ve swapped the bright colour accents for softer alternatives of pink and green, a combination that we’re seeing all over the high street right now. Monochrome remains a timeless marker of modern style. Leggy wire planters have made a big comeback and are a creative way to lift house plants to new levels.…

Escape the cabin fever for a garden hideaway that’s all your own. No man-caves here – this summer’s all about the she-shed, so plan it your way with all the home comforts you need to rest and recharge……

Being on the warmer side of the blue spectrum, these inky shades can be cocooning – colour expert Annie Sloan agrees: ‘Blue is one of my favourite colours because of its calming, recessive qualities. My bedroom is decorated in Aubusson Blue chalk paint and it sends me into a dreamy sleep every night.’ It can be used in small rooms too as our northern light enhances its pigments, as David Mottershead of Little Greene explains: ‘Our eyes have difficulty tuning into the depth of navy hues and for this reason, the colour gives a sense of endless space and opportunities.’ ‘In a blue and white kitchen I’d add wood to inject some texture,’ says Cathy Dean. ‘Soft stone colours work beautifully to ground the space as well.’ Annie Sloan has…

GOLD FINGERED A diamond shape and gold frame – it’s glamour in a pot. Umbra Trigg wall planter, £20, John Lewis & Partners SIMPLE CURVES Its shape and colour makes this the coolest of planters. Murus tall wall planter in Mustard, £19, Dwell COUNTRY CHIC This romantic container is rural-meets-industrial. Galvanised heart-shaped wall planter, £14, Dibor DESIGNER LUXE Sumptuously styled in oak and earthenware. Morvah wall planter by Tom Raffield, £275, Heal’s…

Exterior The design of the house is simple, symmetrical and ultra-modern. ‘We’ve achieved an open and light home, with almost no dividing walls, yet by playing with the lines and angles, it still feels cosy and inviting,’ says Martijn. Seating area ‘We fell in love with this eye-catcher of a sofa,’ says Martijn. ‘The house is strong and industrial looking, so this powder pink is a welcome feminine accent.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Try Karson Dusky Pink sofa, £499, Made Building their own home wasn’t part of the plan when Saskia and Martijn Dijkstra bought a plot of land three years ago. ‘The plot was in an idyllic spot and included a property, so the initial idea was to extend and build on to the existing house,’ says Martijn. However,…

EMMA MORTON-TURNER ( INSIDESTYLISTS.COM ) Emma is an interior stylist, writer and founder of insidestylists.com, a hub for interiors stylists. She has over 19 years’ experience on homes magazines as well as commercial clients. FIONNUALA JOHNSTON ( JOHNLEWIS.COM ) Fionnuala has worked in the homes industry for over 20 years, for a range of companies including Selfridges, The Conran Shop, Woolworths and B&Q. She joined the John Lewis Partnership in 2013, and today manages the Future Trend team within the Home Design Studio, covering macro, style and colour trends for the home. ANNABEL GRIMSHAW ( ANNABELGRIMSHAW.COM ) Annabel runs a small and approachable design studio, Annabel Grimshaw Interior Design, near Bath, where she works on residential projects, mainly in London and the South West.…

“We can sit at the island and read a paper, watch the news or chat while the kids play around us. It really is a fun place” Nick and Rosie Richards live here with their children, Arnie, two, and Wilbur, 10 months. THE PROPERTY A five-bed Victorian terraced house in southeast London. WHAT IT COST Kitchen units.....£9,000 Worktops..........£2,000 Flooring.............£2,800 Range cooker.....£1,950 Water boiler tap...£400 Tiling.....................£250 TOTAL.............£16,400…

Geraldine Tan lives here with her husband Trevor Sikorski and their children Jojo, 19 and Michael, 14. THE PROPERTY  A five-bedroom Victorian terrace in north London. WHAT IT COST Bath.......................£1,995 Vanity unit...........£3,000 Shelf unit.............£2,500 Basins..................£2,904 Loo...........................£557 Bath and basin taps.......................£4,360 Wall tiles..................£855 Floor tiles.................£150 TOTAL................£16,321 “It’s so light, bright and uplifting – just walking in here makes me feel happy”…

“Opening up the back of the house to make the most of the view has changed the way we live” Jane Jones, a freelance marketing consultant, lives here with her husband Simon, the MD of a design company, and their sons Harry, 21 and Charlie, 19. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom detached barn conversion (originally built 100 years ago) in a village near Bath, Somerset. THE VALUE Bought in 2011 for £790,000; now worth £1.4m WHAT IT COST Building work.................£60,000 Professional fees....................£6,000 Kitchen............£40,000 Glazing............£25,000 Flooring.............£5,000 Landscaping.....£5,000 TOTAL............£141,000…

Robot mower EasiLife robotic mower (H23xW38x D55cm), from £649.99, Flymo Easily controlled via the app or keypad display, you can schedule this clever mower to cut every inch of your lawn. Plus, it will automatically override the schedule in bad weather. THE BEST BIT It trims the tips of each blade of grass to form mulch, which it then releases onto the lawn to feed it so you never have to empty it of cuttings. EXPERT TIP ‘If you have a large garden, opt for cordless designs to eliminate the need for an extension lead’ GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tree trimmer Gardena TCS Li-18/20 Accu-Telescopic tree pruner (H60xW20xL20cm), £185.16, Amazon.co.uk If the job doesn’t require a professional, you can trim back your tree branches with this handy helper.…

KEEP FLOORS CLEAR Try and keep as much as you can off the floor and, instead, make the most of wall and ceiling space. Solid wire shelving is great for garages, but be sure to safely attach them to the walls and store heavy items on lower shelves. LABEL EVERYTHING Things can easily get lost in garages and sheds, so ensure you label as much as you can. Even for things you rarely use, labels will help you locate items more quickly and will remind you what you already have, so you don’t double up on buying the same things. PROTECT VALUABLES Although lidded, clear plastic boxes are great for storing things like sports equipment and garden games, for things you don’t want to fade, such as outdoor cushions, keepsakes…

When we think of the Channel Islands it tends to be Jersey and Guernsey that come to mind. But, a little way across the water is a lesser-visited island that offers an even more intriguing travel experience. Alderney is far smaller and less developed than its more famous sisters, with a population of just 2,000. Defined by its sub-tropical climate, pale sand beaches, and tiny, distinctly French-feeling town, Alderney’s personality is a mix of Cape Cod, Île de Ré, and the most charming of Cornish villages. Visitors come for the miles of coastal paths, bike routes, empty beaches, bird-watching opportunities and the plentiful supply of fresh seafood. The island has just a few small boutique hotels, the newest of which is The Blonde Hedgehog in Saint Anne, Alderney’s only town.…

The hero piece… LUXE LOUNGER We didn’t think Cox & Cox could top last year’s luxury hanging bell tent for the ultimate in garden lounging, but its new Paros swinging lounger has definitely beaten it. A hammock, cabana and swing rolled into one, once you’re in it’ll be tough to leave. Plus, it has room for two so you can hang out with your bae (or the dog). Buy a makeover at Sofology Need a shortcut to a living room redo? Sofology’s new Accents range of furniture and accessories takes the hard work out of putting a look together. Choose your favourite style via the ‘Shop the Room’ webpage, and pick everything you need, from furniture to finishing touches, all in one place. PLASTIC-FREE PICNICWARE A double take…

Yes “We make much better use of our garden now” Jess Cook, 45, lives with two of her three sons – Otto, 11, and Freddie, seven – in a three-bedroom Victorian semi in Cheltenham. Eldest son Sam, 23, is away at university. A former garden designer, Jess is now PR manager and trustee of the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society (rwrhs.com). ‘I must admit I was initially really against the idea of artificial lawns. But, as they’ve grown in popularity, the quality of them has improved, too. They look like real grass and they’re easy to maintain. I didn’t have time to keep mowing our lawn. And with two dogs digging it up, as well as the boys playing football, it ended up looking like a mud patch in…

IDEAL GREAT DEAL…

Living room A palette of white, brown and soft blue has been used for a feeling of peace and tranquillity. ‘The sun shines in and it makes me happy to sit here in a quiet, clean house,’ says Marieke. BUY THE KEY PIECES For similar, try the Dallas three-seater sofa in Outback Tan, £1,399, Made After 11 years in the same house on a street known locally as ‘the street with the wooden homes,’ Marieke and Alexander moved to a corner house across the road that had a bigger garden for their children. ‘Although there were several potential buyers, the elderly couple who’d lived there for 40 years had seen our children growing up and wanted us to buy it,’ says Marieke, founder of luxury travel website maison-m.nl. ‘It was…

Jen Taylor lives here with her husband, Hari Phillips, and their sons, Dylan, 12, and Teddy, four. THE PROPERTY A two-bed mid-century house on the Dulwich Estate, London. WHAT IT COST Appliances........£3,500 Lighting..............£2,025 Cabinetry........£24,000 Tiles.....................£1,150 Windows and doors..................£7,500 Underfloor heating..............£4,000 Flooring.............£3,350 TOTAL.............£45,525 “This room is always filled with food, friends and family – all of my favourite things ”…

The Richards used double-glazed panels, but it’s more usual to buy purpose-made roof lights, especially if you want them to open. Q What are roof lights? Roof lights, or skylights, are fitted on an upstand or kerb, making it easier to get wide expanses of almost frameless glazing. Roof windows differ as they are pitched on the same plane as the surrounding roof, think Velux. Roof windows are inexpensive, off the shelf and supplied in standard sizes. You can fit several side by side to get the effect of roof lights for less. Q Why are roof lights fab for side-returns? Side-return extensions tend to be built in line with a neighbouring wall or high fence. Regular vertical windows will let in little natural light, so looking upwards to let…

Bespoke furniture can prove a saviour in smaller bathrooms as well as providing clever solutions to awkward spaces. Q Is it expensive? Bespoke furniture is more costly than off-the-shelf. Time spent designing, plus more expensive materials mean you’ll probably pay £650-£1,000 for a 60cm-wide vanity unit, not including basin and taps. Q What are the benefits? The main reason to go bespoke is for the space-saving benefits. A vanity unit can be made in any size and built into a space to avoid dirt-trapping gaps. A good designer will offer savvy ideas like space-saving sliding doors, for example. Q What are they made from? The world is your oyster, but bathroom furniture must be moisture resistant. Save on the bit you won’t see, with a carcass made from melamine-faced moisture-resistant…

1 YOU CAN SUPERSIZE THEM Sliding glass doors can be installed in wide panels up to four metres. 2 THEY HAVE SMALLER FRAMES THAN BIFOLDS The narrower frames on sliding glass doors offer slim sightlines, allowing more light in. 3 THEY HAVE NEATER CORNER OPTIONS You can choose open corners (two sets of doors that meet at right angles without the need for a corner post) as well as pocket doors (that retract into a compartment in a hidden adjacent wall). 4 THERE ARE A VARIETY OF GLAZING OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM You can go for acoustic glass to reduce exterior noise, tinted glass for added privacy and even solar control glazing to reduce heat. 5 THEY CAN BE AUTOMATED If installed with a motorised system, you can open and…

IDEAL GREATDEAL PALM PRINT Watercolour palm print outdoor cushion, £14.99, Bean Bag Bazaar HOTHOUSE VIBE Urban Nature outdoor scatter cushion, £7, George Home…

Timballo Siciliano TAKES 1 hr 15 mins SERVES 8 FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE • 2tbsp olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • Small bunch of basil (reserve a few leaves) • 4 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes • 1tsp caster sugar FOR THE PASTA • 500g anellini hoop pasta, macaroni or rigatoni • 120g unsalted butter • 100g Parmesan, finely grated FOR THE FILLING • Oil, for frying • 4 aubergines, 1 sliced lengthways, 3 chopped into cubes • 100g Parmesan, finely grated YOU WILL ALSO NEED • 20cm round cake tin, lightly greased 1 Make the sauce by heating the oil in a pan with the garlic for a few mins. Add the basil and cook for 30 secs, then add the tomatoes and sugar. Simmer for 25 mins, until reduced by half. Remove from the heat. 2…

A  Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon.co.uk Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk Ann Carrington anncarrington.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 770061 anniesloan.com Another Country 020 7486 3251 anothercountry.com Anton & K 07875 911776 antonandk.co.uk Antonis Cardew 003 366 267 7832 antoniscardew.com Arbol House 01244 329643 arbolhouse.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisans of Devizes 01380 735888 artisansofdevizes.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Aspenn Furniture 01937 843386 aspennfurniture.co.uk Audenza 01162 986393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com BBQWorld.co.uk 01200 421010 Bean Bag Bazaar 0800 988 1286 beanbagbazaar.co.uk Bedeck 0333 200 7331 bedeckhome.com Beliani 0870 495 2749 beliani.co.uk Benchmarx 01372 385915 benchmarxkitchens.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Benuta 020 3608 0595 benuta.co.uk Bert & May 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com Big Green Egg 0843 216 2805 biggreenegg.co.uk Blakes London 020 3771 8208 blakeslondon.com Bridgman 020…