Innehållsförteckning för March 2021 från Ideal Home

Confession time: I’m an impulsive decorator. I start a project with great intentions to take my time to plan and research the best buys and solutions before jumping in, but many years (and a few properties) down the line, I’m ready to accept that’s not my decorating nature. Some might call it impatience (my OH definitely does), but I’m going to embrace it and repackage it as enthusiasm. The great thing about the ideas in this issue is that there’s no use-by date, so you can work at your own pace. If painting is involved, why not try the Colour Picker tool we’ve created with Dulux for idealhome.co.uk? See a colour you love, click on the image, and you’ll have the name of the closest Dulux paint shade. How quickly…

WHERE TO BUY : 1 Bloomingville Leonie mirror, £55, Sweetpea & Willow 2 Macario turquoise vase, £35, Curious Egg 3 Brights Velvet Geo cushion, £25, Next 4 Whitney wall lamp, £55, Made 5 Sophia Scallop occasional chair, £99, Homebase 6 Libellula Dragonfly wall mirror, £99, Dwell 7 Sunrise coffee cup and mug, £12.50, Ciel Shop…

FOREVER SUMMER Add uplifting colour to walls with a Scandinavian-inspired repeat depicting vibrant rhubarb plants. Rabarber in Cream, £59 a roll, Borastapeter at Wallpaperdirect CLASSIC BLOOMS Bring a nostalgic feel to your decor with large-scale blowsy cabbage roses in romantic hues. The Rose in Tuberose, £54.40 a roll, Designers Guild at Jane Clayton EXQUISITE DETAIL Set on a dark backdrop, this intricate design boasts classic motifs in a contemporary colour palette. Lisa in Midnight Blue, £93 a roll, Sandberg at Jane Clayton RURAL SIMPLICITY Linear wildflower stems in delicate pinks and purples on white create a modern country feel. GoodHome Bifora Purple Floral, £16 a roll, B&Q PAINTERLY POSIES Hand drawn flowers and foliage are set on a modern geometric background. Emilie in Aqua, £68 a roll, Designers Guild at…

Paint a panel Create a zone of colour around a room’s main focus. Indulge yourself with a shade you love (but wouldn’t want on all four walls…) Frame a knock-through Using spot colour is a great way to define two connected-but-separate spaces – signal the divide with an accent colour. Deepen your skirting Draw attention to decorative woodwork by picking it out in an unexpected colour (not white!) and carrying the colour further up the wall. Create a stripe This is a new twist on the feature wall idea: a band of colour around the centre of the room. In a dark room, try colour on white; in a bright room like this, reverse it. Go for half and half A band of colour around the bottom half of the…

MY GO-TO STORES IKEA From drawers to kitchen units, it opens up the possibilities for affordable storage. MADE It meets our no-fuss aesthetic – we love the collection of design-led planters. ALICE IN SCANDILAND For the selection of prints from Fine Little Day and other illustrators. STYLIST’S NOTE “Create seamless lines by incorporating storage with flush fronted doors and handleless designs” MICHELA COLLING , STYLE EDITOR…

Living room A colourful rug zones the main seating area. ‘The first thing people notice in here is always the colours, but then they start noticing all the interesting bits and pieces everywhere,’ says Sofia. BUY THE KEY PIECES Find similar antique kilim rugs at Rugstoreonline.co.uk. For a similar coffee table, try the Barcelona square table, £263.63, Pop Furniture Living room The supersize sofa is slouchy but smart, thanks to its boxy, tailored style. Its textural velvet upholstery contrasts beautifully with the fresh, flat finish of the cool blue-green walls. BUY THE KEY PIECES For similar sofa, try the Denver in Turmeric easy velvet, £1,799, Swoon Dining area The kitchen-diner is off the central living space. ‘I really appreciate that it is closed off separately, unlike most apartments in Stockholm,…

Library corner Turn hardback books with stunning covers into wall art by installing a column of simple, low-cost picture ledges. Paint the shelves to match your wall so the covers really stand out. Add further interest with a couple of framed prints or bud vases interspersed among your lovely books.…

Vintage container Add a couple of handfuls of grit to a tureen and mix in compost to about 5cm from the rim of the pot. Place bulbs on the surface of the compost, spacing about 5cm apart, with the pointed end facing upwards, or insert plants down to the white part of the stem. Then fill with compost to the rim of the pot.…

Jess McKenzie lives here with her husband Mark, their son, Mason, two, Mark’s daughter, Miya, 11, and Jess’ mum. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom 1970s detached house in Benfleet, Essex. WHAT IT COST Units....................£19,475 Worktops and splashback..........£5,500 Appliances...........£2,749 Tap............................£165 Flooring................£2690 TOTAL...............£30,579 “There were challenges along the way, but I don’t think there’s anything else that could make this space work better for our family…

CARLA CHASES, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND OWNER OF CARLA DESIGNS (CARLADESIGNS.CO.UK) Carla is a vibrant and passionate interior designer, who works exclusively with private clients. She specialises in the luxury residential market providing full project service and co-ordination. CLAIRE LLOYD, EDITOR OF HOME BUILDING & RENOVATING Renovation expert and member of the Homebuilding & Renovating team for over a decade, Claire has just completed her latest renovation project and always has an eye on the latest home trends. LAUREN FOULDS, PRODUCT MANAGER AT HERITAGE BATHROOMS (HERITAGEBATHROOMS. COM) With a well-trained eye for scoping out the latest design trends and as someone who is passionate about all things interiors, Lauren thrives on taking products through their life cycle and seeing them come to life in retail spaces and people’s homes.…

1 IT TRANSFORMS THE SPACE This type of glazing adds character and a whole new dimension without compromising on light or space. Doors like this add a touch of wow factor. 2 IT MAXIMISES LIGHTFLOW Gridded glazing can be used for internal partitions as well as for exterior doors. Glass dividers allow the light to flow right through. 3 IT CAN ADAPT TO YOUR STYLE Johnny and Jo chose hardwood frames for their doors, but you can use metal if you want to go for the industrial style. You can alter the width of the gridding, too – thinner grids create a sleeker look, while wider glazing bars give an industrial aesthetic. 4 IT CAN BE PAINTED Timber gridded glazing offers an economical alternative to metal…

WHERE TO BUY 1. LANTERN Large Slate Grey garden lantern, £29.99, Lights4fun 2. MIRROR Fulbrook mirror, £150, Garden Trading 3. GARDEN PAINT Cuprinol Garden Shades exterior paint in Seagrass, £18.96 for 2.5L, Toolstation 4. CUSHION Waterproof outdoor garden furniture seat cushion, £7.99, Amazon 5. JUG AND GLASSES Coastline picnic drinks set, £15, Argos 6. BISTRO SET Eve folding metal bistro set for two, £50, Argos IDEAL HOME LOVES… BORDERS Hydrangea These flowers are happiest planted in a cool, semi-shady part of the garden. Lady fern Athyrium filix-femina Looks great planted in bold swathes with other shade-loving plants. Cosmos Perfect for adding a loose, pretty finish around the edge of your lawn area.…

Secure the shed Masterlock Biometric padlock, £89, masterlock.eu There were more than 23,000 shed burglaries in 2019, many of which weren’t covered by insurance because they were left unlocked. This weatherproof biometric padlock records up to 10 different fingerprints so all the family – and the gardener – can get access. THE BEST BIT If the battery goes flat, it can be given a quick jump start using a standard 9V battery. Easy installation Linus smart door lock, £219.98, Yale This design takes just a few minutes to install as it fits over your existing lock. Once connected, it uses Bluetooth (or Wi-Fi with the Connect Bridge, £69.98) and opens as you approach. You can give timed access to visitors, open the door remotely (via Wi-Fi) and check comings and…

SERVES 12 READY IN 1HR INGREDIENTS • 150g unsalted butter • 100g black treacle • 100g golden syrup • 275g self-raising flour • 2tsp ground mixed spice • 2tsp ground cinnamon • 2 eggs, beaten • 3 medium ripe pears, peeled cored and sliced • 3 balls of stem ginger, roughly chopped, 2tbsp syrup reserved • 3 ripe plums, destoned and sliced CRUMBLE TOPPING • 40g butter, softened and cut into cubes • 30g demerara sugar • 75g plain flour 1 Gently melt the butter with the treacle and golden syrup in a pan and set aside to cool a little until lukewarm. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4. Lightly grease a 20cm square cake tin and line the base with non-stick baking parchment. 2 To make the crumble topping, rub together all the ingredients until they look like breadcrumbs and…

“Every room needs a focal point and what better way to  make a statement than with a super-sized headboard? It screams design confidence and offers the feel of a trendy boutique hotel. Don’t rule it out, even if you have low ceilings, just take a rectangular headboard all the way from floor to ceiling.” NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR “Apart from the struggle of having to commit to such a  bold design for years to come, there’s something a bit OTT about such a big headboard – dare I say garish even?! I want a bedroom to feel like a calm, sanctuary-like space and be somewhere to relax – an oversized headboard just feels a bit shouty.” MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR…

WHERE TO BUY Bronwyn four-seater scatter back sofa in Woodland Moss, £1,559; Nordic coffee table, £299; Nordic lamp table, £249; Heath mirror, £129; Camden collection bolster cushion, £59; Luxe cushions in Truffle and Mink are similar, £24 each, all Furniture Village…

1 Litanie mirror, £70, La Redoute 2 Lyra pendant, £240, Indigenous 3 Heidi serving set, £30, Anthropologie 4 Spalted elm vase, £60, Ash & Plumb 5 Wooden trinket box, £12, Dunelm 6 Ray wooden and stone jar, from £20, Kagu Interiors 7 The Face wood decor, £55, Beaumonde 8 Walnut wood spice bowls and spoon, £29 for set of three, Bohemia Design…

Lift dark decor Lighten the effect of deep-grey, blue or green walls by using plants as accents: a floor-standing specimen or a cluster of succulents as a centrepiece. Create a gallery Arrange a group of botanical prints for lots of impact. They’re ideal for creating a focal point above a fireplace, sofa, bed or sideboard. Mix botanical fabrics Add extra character to a neutral space by layering different floral and foliage patterns on fabrics or ceramics. This trick will also work well if your walls, floor and sofa are in block colours. Style up shelving Soften hard lines with a selection of plants. Choose trailing varieties and frothy foliage, mixing different heights and shapes to bring a bookcase to life. Hang a panel of pattern Add a vibrant botanical theme…

Sofia Wood lives here with her husband Andreas Sjöstrand and their children: Ruby, nine, Otis, six and Selma, two. Sofia is a cookbook author and food blogger/podcaster. Andreas is Head of PR at a communications agency. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom apartment in a 1920s building in a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. THE VALUE Bought for around £532,650 two years ago. Now worth around £621,450. “I instantly fell in love with the apartment, it has such a warm and friendly vibe. It’s relaxed and happy here…

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY... “Clay paint is particularly suitable for buildings that may have suffered from damp problems, because it allows walls to breathe”CATHRYN HELSBY , MARKETING MANAGER, EARTHBORN Designers and stylists share their views ‘Many modern acrylic paints are made from plastic with chemicals added to make them stick to walls and dry quickly,’ says Emma Bulmer, director at Edward Bulmer. ‘Their manufacturing process is also carbon intensive, and waste acrylic paint needs to be consigned to a licensed tip. Fortunately, there is a new generation of paints made from natural materials, using a process that is not polluting. Natural paints are also good for buildings as they let the walls breathe, which helps improve indoor air quality.’ ‘Eco paints that contain virtually no chemicals make for a much…

Jessica and Alex Kemp, both lawyers, live here with their children Meredith, seven and Tabitha, four. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Victorian house in south east London, bought in January 2015. WHAT IT COST Cabinetry...........£35,000 Ovens...................£2,099 Sink and worktop................£5,018 Lighting....................£507 Flooring................£2,394 Tiles.........................£559 Tap........................£2,740 TOTAL................£48,317 “Some of the best things were little moments like finding a nook for a gin cupboard”…

Marble is one of the most popular choices for worktops right now, with gleaming white and veined surfaces trending in every style of kitchen. Q What’s the story? Marble has a luminosity and smoothness to the touch that sets it apart from other natural stones. It stays cool to the touch, which is why pastry chefs love it as it’s great for working dough. Q Are there disadvantages? Its porosity is one of the downsides, as it is susceptible to staining. Red wine or oil will seep in and are difficult to get out. It’s also easily damaged by acidic liquids, like lemon juice, and is prone to scratches. Q What about finishes? When it comes to worktops, there are two main types: honed, created by sanding the surface to…

As part of the renovation of their Victorian house, Jo and Johnny planned to transform the kitchen and dining area by adding a contemporary glazed extension. ‘I wanted a side extension with a glazed roof,’ says Johnny. ‘One of our other goals was to create a view through the house, so we could see the kids playing in the living room at the front.’ PROGRESS ON SITE Once the design was finalised, the extension sailed through planning. ‘It was a complete back-to-brick renovation and extension, so we moved in with parents while the work was being carried out,’ says Johnny, whose company Morningside Construction (morningside.group) took care of the build.. The interior design was handled by Minnie & Grouse (minnieandgrouse.com). ‘They were skilled at bringing me back to the original…

Minimal noise IonFlow 2.0 Signature, £469, LightAir More of a sculpture than a small appliance, this Scandinavian design can clean up an area in almost total silence (21dBmax). It uses ionising technology to negatively charge the pollutant particles, so they stick to the collector, instead of remaining airborne. THE BEST BIT It works just like a magnet for air pollution, removing 99.94% of pollutants. Space saving MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76x5, £195.95, Meaco Hugely impressive Wi-Fi connected, app-controllable air purifier without an exorbitant price. Relatively compact and discreet (H497xW303xDia270mm) it uses a H11 HEPA filter that removes 95% of harmful particles from the air. THE BEST BIT Its traffic-light system changes colour according to the air quality and its night mode is whisper quiet (25dB). Brilliant value Pure Air 300, £279, Vax…

Surprise in store BERBER RUGS AT GEORGE HOME This shaggy, Moroccan style may have been a big hit in the 1970s, but it’s certainly having another moment. George Home has introduced three new designs to its spring collection and, although it’s the rug du jour, the monochrome combo, simple pattern and cosy texture make it a timeless choice. All the trimmings Whether it’s a chic upcycle or the cherry on top for some new upholstery, Villa Nova’s first collection of trimmings and tie-backs will add a bespoke upgrade. Jazz up a blind with a tassel trim, add a flash of colour to a neutral curtain, or embellish plain cushions with playful pom-poms or decorative braids. Blind in Koshu in Travertine, £40m; trim in Textured Fringe, £32m; lampshade in Kasian in…

ELEGANT CURVES Angula pouffe in Au Chico, £93.99, Wayfair MODERN SCANDI Hampton small round pouffe in Mountain Grey, £119, Made BOHEMIAN FOLK Bloomingville Cara pouffe, £162, Sweetpea & Willow SIMPLE OPULENCE Agra velvet pouffe, £40, Habitat TASSEL TRIM Global Explorer Dash Pom Pom pouf, £45, Amara COSY COASTAL Outdoor knitted pouffe in Navy, £85, John Lewis & Partners SOFT GLAMOUR Martha Rose Dawn velvet stool, £125, Beaumonde GLOBAL INFLUENCE Black/Natural jute pouffe, £80, Next…

MY GO-TO STORES TINE K Channelling Scandi simplicity with a rustic edge, it has great bamboo lights and linen cushions. CURIOUS EGG It hand picks work from artists, designers and makers from the UK and Europe. ANDREW MARTIN For custom headboards in scallop-edged designs featuring endless fabric and colour choices inspired by global designs. STYLIST’S NOTE “Use dark shades and a statement headboard to create drama, and then team with softly crumpled bedding and low lighting for a cosy finish”…

BEFORE The foundations have been laid and the first stage of the house’s steelwork is being fitted DECEMBER 2018 A site visit from the family when all blockwork was finished to roof height and insulation stacked ready to install JANUARY 2019 The first floor is completed ready for the internal walls to be erected – they are shown marked out in red on the floor JULY 2019 The plywood staircase and wall panels – a key feature – are fitted at the end of the build, to avoid them getting damaged…

Wall scheme Create a statement wall in an open-plan space by continuing contemporary kitchen tiles into the seating area for chic bistro style. Hang ornately painted ceramic plates at varying heights as a focal point, and install wall lights above to highlight the designs.…

MY GO-TO STORES… TROUVA It always feels like I’m discovering something new from independent boutiques SVENSKT TENN A treasure trove of print and colour, mixing heritage designers with new talent, such as Luke Edward Hall. LA REDOUTE Their washed linen bedding comes in so many colours. STYLIST’S NOTE “A Kilim rug creates visual interest. Repeat these shades and textile styles throughout for a cohesive finish” MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR…

BEST FOR EXCEPTIONAL DURABILITY Thunder Natura flat, £28 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore BEST FOR BEING HIGHLY BREATHABLE Eiderdown ultra matt emulsion, £43 for 2.5ltr, Earthborn BEST FOR NATURAL INGREDIENTS Cuisse de Nymphe Emue, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer BEST FOR MAXIMUM COVERAGE Otter Ecosphere Colour, £81.47 for 4ltr, Graphenstone BEST FOR BEING CARBON NEUTRAL Home Grown flat matt paint, £40 for 2.5ltr, Coat BEST FOR UPCYCLING FURNITURE French Linen wall paint, £41.95 for 2.5ltr, Annie Sloan NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? HEAD TO OUR NEW FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC…

1 DISPLAY GREENERY ON THE WALL Freshen up your bedroom for spring with a pretty arrangement of houseplants hung vertically in a row. Make your own wall hanging using an old wooden shelf, adding a hook for each planter. 2 FILL A GAP WITH MINI SHELVES Make use of wasted space at the end of a run of wardrobes by adding a stack of shelves. Choose narrow shelves so they won’t be in the way when you open the doors. 3 SLOT IN A DRESSING TABLE Put an alcove to good use by installing a floating drawer to act as a dressing table. Add a wall mirror and shelf to give a little extra storage and display space. 4 TRY A FREESTANDING MIRROR Bring some glamour…

Bathrooms are becoming more of a sanctuary than ever before, as we look for ways to relax and treat ourselves at home. But when it comes to their design, style, fixtures and fittings, there are some exciting new developments. Whether you plan to give yours a full makeover or a mini facelift, where should you start? We asked the experts… WHAT ARE THE TRENDS IN SHOWER SCREENS? ‘Black-framed shower screens are hugely popular,’ says interior designer Carla Chases of Carla Designs. ‘They bring an element of high style to any bathroom.’ Lauren Foulds, product manager at Heritage Bathrooms, expects their popularity to continue: ‘We’re seeing more manufacturers bringing new options to the market.’ At the other extreme, minimal, barely-there screens are also trending, says Claire Lloyd, Editor of Home Building…

Johnny Lovett, co-founder/owner of Morningside Construction, and his partner Jo, a full-time mother, live here with their two sons Stanley, four, and William, two. THE PROPERTY A four/five-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Fulham, southwest London. VALUE Bought in 2019 for £900,000; now worth around £1,700,000. WHAT IT COST Construction work......... .......................£324,000 Kitchen..............£18,000 Glazing..............£12,000 Flooring..............£6,000 TOTAL...........£360,000 “The glass roof is fantastic, especially on days when the sun’s out and there’s a blue sky ”…

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The kit you need to get set up at home for an organised workspace where order reigns and everything has its place 1 THE ‘ON-THE-GO’ UNIT If your desk set-up changes by the day – depending on who’s at home and who’s nabbed the best spot – then invest in a mobile storage unit so you can keep all your essentials organised and in one place. This self-contained unit on castors will slide neatly under a desk or dining table. Shadow storage, £149, Bisley 2 THE CHIC FILING CABINET Set a ‘clear-desk’ policy at home so that office clutter doesn’t encroach on your living space. A compact filing cabinet will give plenty of storage, but forget standard-issue office furniture and opt for a stylish painted piece or…

Crispy salmon with pea purée SERVES 4 READY IN 25 mins • 300g frozen petits pois • 1tbsp pine nuts • 4tbsp creme fraiche or natural yogurt • Zest and juice of 1 lemon • Few sprigs of fresh mint • 2tbsp sunflower oil • 4 salmon fillets, seasoned • Steamed new potatoes and pea shoots, to serve 1 Put the peas in a sieve and run under boiling water from the kettle to thaw them. Whizz them to a chunky purée in a food processor with the pine nuts, creme fraiche or yogurt, lemon zest and juice, and mint. 2 Heat the oil in a frying pan until really hot then cook the salmon, skin side down, until crispy. Flip it over and cook on the other side for a few mins more. Microwave the purée until…

SERVES 6 READY IN 3HRS 40MINS INGREDIENTS • FOR THE STOCK • 1 leftover chicken carcass • 1 bunch of spring onions, roughly chopped • 2 carrots, roughly chopped • 6 peppercorns • 1tsp coriander seeds • 2 star anise • Thumb-sized piece of ginger, chopped FOR THE SOUP • Thumb-sized piece of ginger, chopped • 1 garlic clove, chopped • 4 chicken breasts (or leftover cooked chicken) • 200g mixed mushrooms, sliced • 235g pak choi • 1tbsp soy sauce • 200g egg noodles 1 To make the stock for the soup, put all the stock ingredients into a large pan, cover with 3ltr cold water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and leave to bubble away for 2-3hrs, skimming off the scum that rises to the top as you go. Strain into a large bowl and remove any…

A Alice in Scandiland shop.aliceinscandiland.com Also Home 01483 608611 alsohome.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com amazon.co.uk amazon.co.uk Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168 anniesloan.com Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Appliance City 0115 965 1937 appliancecity.co.uk Aqata aqata.co.uk Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Ash & Plumb ashandplumb.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200 bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Beaumonde 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Bisley 03333 583856 bisley.com Block Design 01503 230003 blockdesign.co.uk Bohemia Design 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk Bombay Duck 020 8749 3000 bombayduck.com Boots Kitchen Appliances bootskitchenappliances.com Bowles & Wyer 01296 662439 bowleswyer.co.uk Bridgman 020 8804 7474 bridgman.co.uk Brisant brisant-secure.com C California Shutters 0800 195 0196 californiashutters.co.uk Canvas Art…