Innehållsförteckning för August 2020 från Ideal Home

This summer’s challenge: learn how to do nothing (without feeling guilty about it). Instead of rushing around a European city ticking off the sights, or chugging through a stack of bestsellers (intermittently checking work emails) from a sunlounger, I’m hoping to reboot my busy brain by staring at clouds, listening to albums from beginning to end instead of streaming playlists, and just talking about old times with Ma Richmond. If you’re ready to slow down, too, we’ve chosen the dreamiest real homes in the lushest locations, and the prettiest gardens, to really take your time over. I hope you’ll find a sunny spot and relish every moment……

When Eva-Marie Wilken first viewed her flat in Copenhagen, she was blown away by the bay windows and decorative ceilings. To the front are large formal living spaces, including a hall, living room, dining room and studio. Smaller rooms at the back are split into a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and second office. ‘My work as an interior stylist (evamariewilken.com) takes up a lot of space,’ she says. ‘I’d outgrown my apartment and needed somewhere bigger.’ Eva-Marie lived here throughout the two-year renovation. ‘I used the old courtyard loo during the bathroom refurb,’ she says. ‘And while the kitchen was being done, I used the bathroom as a makeshift kitchen, which was pretty hard. As it’s a listed building, the renovation had to be carried out carefully and I’ve kept many…

Calm down busy spaces Going all-white on walls and furniture will lessen the impact of clutter in a kitchen – and even turn pretty tableware and food storage into a display. Make natural textures the star No need to add an accent colour, just bring in beautiful weaves, such as cane, straw, wicker and seagrass, to provide contrast and warmth. Work in a warm grey Nothing brings white to life like a dirty neutral. The grey-painted flooring here works beautifully alongside the white with cane or rattan furniture. Highlight a feature A classic interior-design trick: go immersive by painting walls, surfaces and shelving pure white, allowing a favourite piece (like this pro barbecue) to be the hero. Smooth out uneven lines All-over white is a great way to camouflage sloping…

MY GO-TO STORES… MCM HOUSE The furniture and homeware ranges are so beautiful, natural and comfortable. KOSKELA A favourite for colourful rugs and artwork. LOOM RUGS Great quality handmade rugs. ASTRA WALKER For contemporary bathrooms. STYLIST’S NOTE “If a monochrome palette feels a bit stark for your space, add in pops of mustard, blush pink or olive green to introduce some colour and warmth”HOLLY WALSH, FEATURES EDITOR…

Al fresco dining Paint the inside, outside and bottom of a large, clean flowerpot with several coats of water-based eggshell paint. Once dry, knot a length of rope at both ends and push it through the hole of the upturned pot to create a handle. Use as a plate cover to keep insects off food.…

1 CREATE A SIMPLE WALL PANEL EFFECT Add interest with a subtle feature wall. Attach lengths of six inch-wide MDF or wood to your wall, from floor to ceiling. Position the lengths six-to-ten inches apart from each other. Then paint the whole wall in the same shade. 2 ADD COLOUR TO YOUR BED WITH A THROW While plain bedding can look chic and sophisticated, sometimes a bit of colour can be just the ticket to lift your mood. Plus, a throw will come in handy on chillier evenings. 3 INTRODUCE MODERN HERITAGE PRINTS WITH A BLIND Unlined Roman blinds are a great choice at the front of the house, as you can enjoy some privacy, while still letting in a little light. 4 UPGRADE YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN Create a lush…

Switching out white sockets for fancy designer ones is a quick way to achieve a smart, coordinated look. It’s also a chance to include options that take care of charging devices. Q Does one size fit all? Face plates are a standard size to ensure fixing screws align with the back box, which is sold separately and embedded in the wall. However, some modern flat plate and screwless designs require 35mm-deep back boxes, while back boxes for standard white sockets are 25mm deep. Q What if my walls are wonky? Modern flat-plate sockets are aimed at modern, flat walls and may not sit neatly on older, uneven walls. Designs that stand proud of the wall are much more forgiving and more in keeping with period homes. Q How do I…

Originally installed to protect walls and hide damp, panelling is enjoying a style revival. We love the instant character wall panelling can provide, especially in featureless rooms. And of course it is a practical way to keep scuffs at bay. Q Why do I need it? Panelling is a fantastic way to jazz up your walls, but it can also be used to hide a multitude of sins. Patchy plasterwork? Ugly exposed radiator pipes? As long as you’ve dealt with any damp, panelling will cover it all. You can also have sockets moved to a more convenient location, without having to get walls re-skimmed to hide cable channels. Q What is it made from? Traditionally, panelling was made from natural wood, often with ornately carved mouldings. Modern versions tend to…

O wning a piece of art is as easy as clicking a button with Runway Gallery. This digital platform gives you the chance to snap up inspirational prints and designs for your home. Annecy-based artist Belinda Frikh is one of the gallery’s much-loved artists. WHEN DID YOU START DRAWING? For as long I can remember, I was drawing, always drawing, to the exasperation of my parents. I drew on anything and everything: cereal boxes, books, official documents, letters from school complaining about me always drawing… As I hit my teens, my work became a little less about the destruction of all plain surfaces and more about channelling it all into a portfolio. It dawned on me that this may be an acceptable vocation when I won a drawing competition at…

Creating a garden that serves as an outdoor room has never been so important, but how to make the best of what you have? We asked three experts – a landscape architect, a stylist and a garden centre owner – to share their knowledge… WHAT’S TRENDING FOR GARDENS NOW? ‘Lots of people are looking to create a liveable garden – another room of their home,’ says Nigel North, owner of Middlecombe Nursery. ‘Outdoor kitchens, built-in seating, striking architectural plants and interesting features are all regular customer conversations.’ Landscape architect Victoria Wade has seen a rise in the outdoor kitchen, too: ‘People are also wanting to be more connected to nature, to make their gardens eco-friendly to attract wildlife, which is fantastic,’ she says. Stylist and author Selina Lake believes we…

Automatic watering system Gardena AquaBloom solar-powered irrigation set, £90.95, Amazon.co.uk If you have a tendency to forget to water your garden, this handy little gadget will be a lifesaver for both you and your plants. It’s solar-powered, so you don’t need to plug it in and it’ll keep up to 20 plants watered via a choice of 14 set watering programs. THE BEST BIT It doesn’t need a water tap to work (it automatically draws up water from a bucket), so it’s ideal for use at the end of your garden. Hidden speakers Atrium Garden System, £599, Polk If you love to listen to music outdoors, then an upgrade to Polk’s Atrium Garden System is a no brainer. This two speaker (Sat300) one sub woofer (Sub100) combo delivers…

A  Abakhan 01745 562133 abakhan.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon.co.uk amazon.co.uk Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Astra Walker astrawalker.com.au Aura 020 7351 3211 aura-id.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Bang & Olufsen 0800 138 0525 bang-olufsen.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Big Bathroom Shop 0345 122 7569 bigbathroomshop.co.uk Blakes London 020 3771 8208 blakeslondon.com Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk BoConcept 020 7388 2447 boconcept.com Bombinate 020 3950 3532 bombinate.com Buster + Punch 020 3176 5871 busterandpunch.com C  Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk CFS 0116 296 3800 choicefurnituresuperstore.co.uk Charnwood 01983 537777 charnwood.com Clara Shade Sails clarashadesails.co.uk Co op coop.co.uk Cole & Son 020 8442 8844 cole-and-son.com Corston Architectural Detail 01249…

‘SWOON SELECTS’ HAS GONE LIVE ONLINE Swoon has added a design-led marketplace to its website, choosing brands that pair perfectly with its own furniture. Showcasing up-and-coming UK interiors names alongside established designers, the site now features Stitched curtains and blinds, Piglet and Undercover bed linen, and designer Niki Jones’ cushions and throws. Sweet new mix at Original Style Original Style has given its Victorian Tile collection a twist with the addition of pick ’n’ mix pastels. The soft shades of Carnation Pink, Hawthorn Yellow and Spring Green combine perfectly with its existing authentic colourways, chic greys and neutrals, for a finish that will freshen up a Victorian renovation or give traditional character to a modern space. We keep seeing… RAFFIA The humble palm leaf has beautifully reformed We’re…

MY GO-TO STORES… FERM LIVING For a great range of understated hooks, handles and hardware. MERCI This French shop in the Marais quarter is a great source of inspiration when visiting Paris. EBB & FLOW This is the place for classic, enduring lighting designs with a modern twist. STYLIST’S NOTE “Create directional light by using long cables and ceiling hooks to take pendants to a corner of the room”MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR…

With a wide range of styles to choose from – including Venetian, vertical, roller, Roman, and pleated blinds, as well as curtains, conservatory blinds and even shutters – you’re sure to find the perfect made-to-measure window dressing for each room in your home. Not forgetting, there is an array of ground-breaking designs on offer from Blind 2go’s house of brands, such as the beautiful William Morris collection in collaboration with the V&A, contemporary pieces from Clarissa Hulse and timelessly stylish designs from Emma Bridgewater, Orla Kiely, Harlequin, Sanderson and Scion. HOW TO ENTER Follow @blinds2go on Instagram and tag a friend in the comments of the competition post. Visit blinds-2go.co.uk for lots of window dressing inspiration. TERMS AND CONDITIONS One entry per person. Entries from UK and Ireland only. Competition closes…

Bounce light around ‘A colour that has touches of pink or red, however subtle, will be warm, whereas the same level of blue or green will create a cooler look. I particularly like cooler pastels because they reflect light and give an expansive and open atmosphere to a room,’ says Judy Smith, colour consultant, Crown Team with grey ‘Blush pink pairs beautifully with dove greys, muted blues and natural wood furniture and floors. The rich tones of natural wood help to warm up cooler shades of powdery pinks, providing a natural and earthy tonal palette,’ says Sue Kim, senior colour designer, Valspar “Pastels are hugely versatile – they can work well in contemporary spaces, giving nuance and interest to an otherwise blank canvas, or alternatively they can add a softer,…

MY GO-TO STORES… CULT FURNITURE It stocks so many great iconic design replicas at excellent prices. GARDEN TRADING  I love its lighting, plus all the garden bits and bobs. LASSCO  Most of my reclaimed wood, such as the panelling, comes from here. STYLIST’S NOTE “Reclaimed wood, natural weaves and hammered metal finishes lend texture to a monochrome scheme”STEPHANIE DURRANT, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR…

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The solutions you need to turn a busy, cluttered bathroom into a serene, spa-like space 1 THE FREE-STANDING SHELVING Open shelves provide an instant overview of the products you have and those you are running low on, as well as giving you quick access to the items that you use frequently. Keep daily-use items, such as soap and toothbrushes, at hand height and stack spare towels lower down, for a pleasing display. Vilto shelving unit, £55, Ikea 2 THE OVER-DOOR RACK If surface space is limited in your bathroom, use the space on the back of the door. With four sturdy, wire shelves to house everything from shower caps and facecloths to perfumes and hairbrushes, it’s perfect for storing everyday essentials. Over door rack, £10, Wilko 3…

Richard Ball lives here. He works in technology sales. THE PROPERTY A detached two-bed Victorian workshop in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. THE VALUE  Bought in 2013 for £250,000; now worth £700,000. WHAT IT COST Building work.....£87,000Roof...................£32,000Floor, wall and ceiling finishes...............£51,000Joinery and fittings...............£62,000Plumbing and heating.......£45,000Electrics and decorating.........£45,000Fees and external works.................£45,000 TOTAL........£367,000…

GREAT FOR SUMMER COLOUR Verbena officinalis var. grandiflora ‘Bampton’ – a bushy, upright perennial with fine branches and small purple-pink flowers from mid-summer through to mid-autumn. GREAT FOR SUMMER BORDERS Rudbeckia triloba ‘Prairie Glow’, also known as brown-eyed Susan – a short-lived, bushy perennial with dark stems and daisy-like red-orange flowers, tipped with yellow. GREAT FOR YEAR-ROUND COVERAGE Coprosma – small evergreen shrubs with tiny leaves, which have attractive foliage and colour combinations. Try Coprosma kirkii ‘Variegata’ for a low-growing variety.…

WHERE TO BUY 1. TILES Black Split Shift Two tiles, £5 each, Bert & May 2. PLANT POT Elho Red plastic plant pot, £67.99, Wayfair 3. SHELF Concrete sliced shelf, from £144, Lime Lace 4. TAP Yttran mixer tap, £60, Ikea 5. PLANT POT Terracotta square pot, £12.99, Homebase 6. PAINT Angie masonry paint, £69.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene…

Summer berry prosecco TAKES 10 mins SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 1 bottle prosecco, chilled • 6tbsp raspberry liqueur • Raspberries, strawberries and small thin slices of melon 1 Pour the liqueur into the base of each glass. Pop a few raspberries, strawberries and melon slices in the glasses. Top up with chilled prosecco. 2 Serve immediately, preferably in the sun! Beef salad with porcini toast TAKES 20 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS • 6 slices of ciabatta • 1tbsp porcini mushroom in white truffle paste • 1tbsp grated Parmesan, plus extra shavings for serving • 100g thinly sliced rare beef, either cold or warm • 2 handfuls of mixed salad leaves • Handful of mustard and cress • 2tbsp sherry vinegar • 3tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • Handful of chopped parsley or basil, or a dollop of fresh pesto 1 Preheat the grill…

WATER WASH Effervescent waves with a swirling, painterly finish create a dynamic yet sophisticated look in any room. VIBRANT CORALS Inspired by antique botanical prints, classic corals in warm orange-red stand out on a neutral block-printed background. FLUID LINES This beautiful freehand drawing is based on an original 1960s archive design and lends a relaxed feel in monochrome. DEEP NEUTRALS Intricate illustrations on a russet background will bring an elegant feel to a coastal scheme. RETRO BIRDS Welcome a year-round summer ambience with this mid-century take on soaring silhouetted gulls.…

Yes “I love my job and I love where I live” Lauren Peacock, 39, lives with her partner Ben and their son Harry, four, in an 18th-century, three-bedroom, terraced cottage in the Yorkshire Dales. Lauren runs a consultancy helping parents improve their children’s sleep (littlesleepstars.com). ‘Working from home allows me to get the best of both worlds. Before Harry was born, I was a lawyer and commuted to an office in Leeds. I was out of the house for 12 hours every day. Nowadays, I still work 40-plus hours a week – but doing it from our little country cottage makes it far more palatable. When the COVID-19 lockdown began, things inevitably changed. Suddenly Ben needed to work from home, too, and we had to start juggling work and childcare…

‘Blush pink has quickly transformed from the go-to accent colour to the latest on-trend neutral, bringing a rosy warmth to our homes,’ says Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar. Hayley McAfee, design director at Villa Nova, agrees: ‘These subtle hues are effectively becoming the new neutrals’. Try a tonal look. ‘Team varying intensities of the same pastel tone, enhancing rather than detracting from the basic shade,’ advises Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. Or pair with stronger colours, says Sue: ‘Neutral pinks and emerald greens are a classic combination, while cobalt blue and mustard yellow accessories will bring an edgy energy to the room. Powdery shades of blue are the perfect companion to fruity orange hues.’ ‘If you have deep grey walls, introduce pastels in the form of…

All in a row Create a linear display on a narrow shelf above your kitchen splashback. Plates in the same colour palette as your room scheme will give a calm and co-ordinated look. Set and match Display a matching set, mixing sizes and even two colourways. Painting your shelving in a complementary colour will set them off to perfection. Bold backdrop Painting the backing of a unit (or the wall between shelves) in a contrasting colour will make plates pop and highlight their shapes. Group effort Whether it’s a triangle, square or circle, a shaped grouping will give the look of a single piece of wall art.…

IDEAL GREAT DEAL…

Catherine Williams lives here with her husband Matthew and children, Hugh, 14, Alfred, 11 and Hattie, eight. THE PROPERTY A six-bed Victorian semi in Bedford. WHAT IT COST Carpentry............£3,000Tiling.......................£500Paint.........................£400Lighting...................£250Fixtures and fittings.....................£350Sink tap....................£420 TOTAL.................£4,920 “It’s airy by day, but at night the kitchen feels like a bar when we get our disco ball out!…

Cat McCauley lives here with her husband James and son Finn, two. THE PROPERTY A five-bed detached Victorian home in south Liverpool, Cheshire. WHAT IT COST Tiles.......................£1,000Vanity......................£989Basin and tap..........£469Loo...........................£272Wallpaper and paint.........................£650Bath filler.................£999Bath......................£1,500Shower....................£980 TOTAL.................£6,859 “I splurged on the wallpaper because I love it. It reminds me of Victorian florals, but is modern and totally in keeping with my style”…

ONLY BUY WHAT YOU NEED The items that cause the biggest mess and stress to my clients are without a doubt toiletries and beauty products. You don’t need six different types of shampoo cluttering the side of the bath, so make sure you use up what you have before buying new. THROW OUT THE OLD Not knowing what you have lurking at the back of the cupboard means things frequently get wasted, as many of us don’t want to use products that might be old. Visit checkfresh.com or checkcosmetics.net and type in the product codes to find out what’s still in date. Keep the usable items visible in pretty baskets to encourage you to get through them while you can. STORE SPARES IN CATEGORIES Try not to overbuy anything (even…

1 THEY IMPROVE SECURITY Controlled, fresh air is provided to living spaces with no need for unsightly or inefficient window ventilators. 2 THEY FILTER THE AIR The incoming air is filtered, which reduces pollen and other allergy issues. 3 THERE’S NO NEED FOR NOISY EXTRACTORS Stale air is removed from kitchens and bathrooms without the need for loud or unsightly extractor fans. 4 THEY CAN REDUCE HEATING BILLS In winter, the warm air extracted can be used to heat the incoming air, therefore reducing heating bills. 5 THEY IMPROVE THE HOME ENVIRONMENT They create a balanced environment within rooms – limiting hot and cold spots by good air circulation.…

WHERE TO BUY 1. PARASOL Ubud parasol, £161.50, Maisons du Monde 2. TABLE St Mawes garden table, £945, Cuckooland 3. TRUG Green trug, £5, Wilko 4. JUG KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia jug, £14.95, Amazon.co.uk 5. PLANTER Malmesbury planter, from £40, Garden Trading 6. CLOCK Chandler antique brass indoor/outdoor skeleton clock, £77, Artisanti IDEAL HOME LOVES… PRETTY BLOOMS Aconitum napellus Grows well in full sun or partial shade Verbena Perfect for bringing height to a border; attracts butterflies ‘Olivia Rose Austin’ David Austin English shrub rose with an exceptionally long flowering season…

NIGEL NORTH, OWNER OF MIDDLECOMBE NURSERY (MIDDLECOMBENURSERY.CO.UK). Nigel has more than 40 years of experience in horticulture and landscape gardening. Middlecombe Nursery is a family-run business in north Somerset, set up by Nigel and his wife Isy in 1988. VICTORIA WADE, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT (VICTORIAWADE.CO.UK). Victoria and her husband Joe are multiple RHS Gold Medal-winning garden designers, who love making the most of the outdoor environment that surrounds them, blurring the boundaries between inside and out. SELINA LAKE, FREELANCE STYLIST AND AUTHOR (SELINALAKE.CO.UK). Selina is the author of 10 books – her latest, Shed Style (£19.99, Ryland Peters & Small) is out now. Last year, Selina worked with Alitex at RHS Chelsea Flower Show to design a gorgeous greenhouse that celebrities and the public loved.…

THE ORIGINAL Piped, tuxedo sofas, a glass coffee table and bold contrasting colours are all markers of the contemporary, loft-living style of the era. A few country elements have snuck into the scene with a floral cushion and accessories to give the space a more homely vibe. THE UPDATE Black and red may have been a signature style of 1980s interiors, but the colour combination hasn’t stood the test of time. We’ve swapped the dark sofa for a neutral shade for a softer contrast and kept the warmth running through the look with warm rust accents.…