Innehållsförteckning för July 2021 från Ideal Home

As for many of us, my family’s summer holiday is set to be a staycation this year. It will be our first summer in our new home, so I’m banking on the novelty factor to make it special, but I’ve also been busy readying the house and garden to create as much holiday magic as possible. Our new outdoor sofa set (I plumped for the Havsten from Ikea) has to be my top purchase of 2021 so far – so comfy! I spray-painted an old coffee table black, invested in an outdoor rug, and voila, we have a living area that I suspect we’ll spend most of our time at home in, over the next few months. If you’re keen to follow suit, hotfoot it to our Summer Living section…

Well turned out Grouping tactile objects in pale-to-dark tones on a black sideboard creates a simple, striking display Layers of interest Softening a monochrome scheme is all about layering. Cushions in a toning palette with different weaves add texture and depth to a modern space Relaxed dining Create a space to host laid-back summer mealtimes with a blend of traditional and contemporary elements. Large, open-weave pendants create impact, while the black chairs keep the look fresh and modern Opt for artisan Calming warm neutrals, grounded by black accents, allow the beauty of these handcrafted pieces to shine through Take note Keep organised and tick the style box at the same time with a wall of blackboard paint. Use it like an oversized notepad for shopping lists, reminders or fun messages…

Pallet shelving An old pallet makes the perfect wall display and storage combo – simply remove sections of the panels to create handy shelves. Use it to hang small tools, organise gardening essentials such as twine, and keep seedling pots close to hand. Cup hooks and S hooks make ideal fixed and movable holders.…

MY GO-TO STORES… ● ABIGAIL AHERN I love her lighting and accessories – her style is a huge influence on me. ● DESIGN VINTAGE This has beautifully curated pieces. I’ve picked up great pots and vases from here. ● EBAY You can’t beat it for vintage and it’s a great place to source new products too. STYLIST’S NOTE “Fill an empty corner with greenery – floorstanding plants will add height to a display”LISA FAZZANI , ACTING FEATURES EDITOR…

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The products you need to bring order to your kitchen cupboards… so you can keep stock of supplies and have ingredients to hand 1 THE CLEAR CANISTERS Open shelves mean supplies that are easily accessible, but you need to be super-organised to keep them tidy. Clear containers are visually pleasing arranged and filled with decanted dry goods – and you can easily see when stocks are running low. Elements glass canisters, from £7 each, Dunelm 2 THE SHELF FILLERS Space is often wasted in cupboards with gaps between shelves. Double up with clever inserts that give another layer of storage for jars and packets. Variera shelf inserts, from £2 each, Ikea 3 THE GRAB-AND-GO CADDIES Organise the contents of a fridge or cupboard with these stackable containers.…

Jessica Davies lives here with her husband Christopher and their children, Olivia, ten, and Tom, eight. THE PROPERTY A detached, four-bedroom Victorian house in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. WHAT IT COST Washstand...........£2,395 Bath and basin taps........................£1,145 Shower kit...............£595 Floor tiles.............£2,495 Wall tiles...............£1,800 Crittall-style glass screen..................£9,000 TOTAL................£17,430 “The bathroom’s so cosy. It’s got a chic, boutique-hotel vibe – I totally love it”…

Though James Whyte and Tina Reiss had always loved the innate historic charm of their Victorian home, it needed work. ‘We knew when we bought the house that it needed a massive overhaul,’ says James. ‘It was delightful in its bones with lovely big rooms, but it was a bit old and ramshackle.’ The house provided plenty of space for the family of four but was disconnected from the garden, which was positioned half a storey lower than the main living area. ALL CHANGE ‘We wanted to create a large, open-plan kitchen with a spacious workbench the family could congregate around,’ says James. A seamless connection with the garden was also at the top of the wish list. The couple appointed Spencer Guy from Levitate Architects to handle the design.…

PUSH BOUNDARIES Allow your garden designer to take you on a journey that may nudge you out of your comfort zone – remember, nothing is set in stone until it is set in stone! BRING INSPIRATION Create a mood board or gather images of gardens you like to act as a visual aid for your garden designer to work with. They may also take a look at your interiors to give an idea of your tastes. THINK LONG-TERM How will you be using your garden in the future? Perhaps you have to factor children into your plans or maybe you will be planning to move away in a few years’ time and will need something with more universal appeal. GO FOR A PRO The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) is…

IDEAL HOME LOVES... OUTDOOR PAINT 1 REVIVE HARD LANDSCAPING SUCH AS WALLS, FENCES AND DECKING These elements are the backbone of a garden scheme, so give them a fresh coat of paint in a vibrant shade to take your outdoor space up a level and inject new life into tired surfaces. 2 CREATE INTEREST IN SMALL WAYS If you’d like to use a bold shade, but are nervous about using it on a large area like a fence, restrict it to smaller surfaces, such as furniture, planters and garden accessories. This way you can enjoy your chosen colour on a scale that suits you. 3 STICK TO A CO-ORDINATED THEME Pick out an accent colour, such as a pretty pink, from your favourite flower in the garden, and use it…

Automatic lighting Hue Appear outdoor wall light, £129.99 (£179.98 with Bridge), Philips Directing fully adjustable beams both upwards and downwards, the new Appear wall light gives you full control of your outdoor illumination, keeping your garden lit when day turns to night. If you’re not already familiar with Hue, it requires a separate device called a Bridge to connect to your Wi-Fi, but once paired you can link up to 50 Hue lights to it and control them all via your smartphone. THE BEST BIT Link the light to a motion sensor and it will automatically flick on if anyone is on your property. Hassle-free grilling Traeger Pro D2 575 wood pellet grill, £899, Dobbies This wood-pellet fuelled grill is part barbecue, part oven, part cook for hire. Once it’s…

SOFA.COM  MEETS JACK WILLS This four-piece collaboration combines preppy casual style with double duty design and storage solutions. The Harry is a modular sofa made for building, mixing and matching – create a chaise, lounger or modular sofa, all with a nifty stash space beneath – while the clever Woody coffee table comes with nesting stools that tuck neatly under it. Need to know Mango homeware We know fashion brands turning to homeware is a winning formula; H&M and French Connection case in point. Mango’s first collection focuses on textiles for living, bedroom and bathroom. Think laid-back Mallorcan vibes, rustic waffle and linen textures in a palette of warm neutrals and a striking cobalt accent. ‘Our customers have been asking for products for their homes. They want the same comfort…

Hook it up If storage space is at a premium or you want to avoid boxes lined up in the living room, look to the wall to help clear the clutter. Hang wall baskets for quick end-of-day tidy-ups for toys, books, magazines, tablets and other stuff that tends to lie about. Tech can be stored out of reach in the higher baskets.…

Add pattern Love a certain design but don’t fancy a full wall? Paper your stair risers for a smaller hit. Once you’ve fixed the paper, coat with a clear matt varnish to protect it from wear and tear. Dress to impress Blur the lines between indoors and out in a dining space and give a dresser an update with nature-inspired paper. Use a subtle pattern with a light background on the wall behind – try a trellis design for a modern country style. Revamp furniture Take a plain chest of drawers and give it a whole new look with a wallpaper side panel and some fresh knobs. Create a gallery Put wallpaper samples to use by hanging them in identical frames to create an inexpensive gallery wall. Add a white…

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY... Designers and stylists share their views “You can bring the scheme into focus and give it an edgy, unexpected element by adding touches of charcoal for definition”JUDY SMITH , CROWN COLOUR CONSULTANT ■ ‘If you’re looking for a colour to use with powder blue, then a fresh white will never go out of style,’ says Abby Hesketh, paint specialist at Graham & Brown. ‘I’d add in muted blush tones for a soft feminine touch or peach for some vibrancy.’ ■ ‘Powder blue works best in an east-facing room where the morning light (which is cooler) would flatter the colour,’ says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. ‘This shade would also work brilliantly in a south-facing room, where the nuanced undertones will become more pronounced…

Jenny and Steve Hughes live here with their two children, Elora, seven, and Felix, six. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom extended cottage on the outskirts of Leamington Spa, originally built in 1897. WHAT IT COST Cabinetry..............£8,100 Appliances...........£1,900 Sink and tap............£420 Worktop................£3,100 Breakfast bar..........£250 Floor tiles.................£120 TOTAL................£13,890 “We are both very particular and find it hard to buy exactly what we want off the shelf!”…

KEEP IT SIMPLE An ‘over-organised’ food cupboard can be a faff to maintain. Only bring in extra storage if necessary – baskets and carousels can be real space stealers. Tins and cartons line up neatly on a shelf – no storage needed! HAVE A SYSTEM Arrange food in your cupboards in categories as in a supermarket, so you can see exactly what you have. When you buy more, slot it in at the back so use-by dates are in order. DON’T OVER-BUY Bulk buying can make sense financially, but if you have nowhere to store it, it’s not the best idea. Either make space for bulk buys, or buy only what you have room for. DO A STOCKTAKE Go through cupboards once a month. It’s easy to buy things out…

“With the rise of open-plan living, internal glazing caters to a growing need to divide larger rooms while maintaining a sense of openness”ADRIAN BERGMAN, BRITISH STANDARD BY PLAIN ENGLISH As Jessica’s bathroom shows, glass ‘walls’ are perfect for en suite bathrooms, helping to keep steam enclosed without losing the feeling of space and light in the bedroom. Swapping solid internal walls for see-through can work wonders in the rest of your home, too. Q Where should I use it? To brighten an inner room – hallways are prime candidates – add glazing in the wall of the sunniest adjacent room. New internal glass beneath a skylight will also help spread light. Glass partitions can also be used to create quieter areas within an open-plan space. Use frosted or fluted glass…

James Whyte, a barrister, lives here with his partner Tina Reiss, a legal professional, and their two sons, Max, 12, and Joel, 10 THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Victorian linked terrace house in North London THE VALUE Bought in 2011 for £850,000; now worth around £2million WHAT IT COST Professional fees....................£92,175 Contractors and materials.........£712,045 Kitchen/joinery...£81,235 Plumbing...........£25,185 Glazing and accessories......£52,900 Flooring.............£18,760 TOTAL...........£982,300 “The light is fantastic. Even when the glass doors are closed, we feel like the garden is part of the house”…

WHERE TO BUY  1. PARASOL Square cantilever parasol in Soft Grey, £450, Cox & Cox 2. DARK FURNITURE Eos lounge armchair in Black, £240, Case 3. COLOUR POP CUSHION Sötholmen cushion cover, £12, Ikea 4. SIDE TABLE Rive Droite bistro tray table in Ink Steel, £25, Garden Trading 5. OUTDOOR LIGHTING Bondi garden lantern with TruGlow candle, £29.99, Lights4fun 6. SLEEK POT Ida black round pot, £24.99, Gardenesque…

Over the past year, our gardens have become invaluable outdoor rooms, but it takes a little planning and design know-how to make yours really deliver. If you’re planning a garden makeover, where do you start? We asked our favourite experts… “I love to see a garden full of plants – a cottage-style garden just makes my heart sing”SELINA LAKE STYLIST AND AUTHOR HOW DO I CREATE THE PERFECT OUTDOOR ROOM? ‘I’m not a huge fan of the term “outdoor room”,’ says Tom Massey, director of Tom Massey Studio. ‘A garden is an outside space and should focus on planting. Gardens need to perform a range of functions for humans, but also cater for local wildlife.’ Stylist and author Selina Lake says: ‘Start big with furniture. Then add accessories, and a…

Invest in some flexi-furniture This summer, we’re all going to be spending more time outdoors than in, so garden furniture that adapts to a variety of uses is a must. This smart Cornbury corner garden sofa set, £1,500, from Homebase includes two stools and an ingenious coffee table that rises up to become a dining table for alfresco meals. Try an eco fertiliser in your garden Want a plant-based, non-chemical fertiliser that is sustainable and peat-free? Pop to Waitrose & Partners for PlantGrow liquid natural fertiliser, £7 for 1ltr. Cook on the balcony If you’d like to make the most of your balcony, take a look at this sleek new electric barbecue. With an aluminium cabinet and cast iron grilling grid, it can sit on a table top or be…

Summer berry rosé jelly SERVES 10 READY IN 20 mins, plus overnight setting INGREDIENTS • 4 x 11g sachets gelatine powder • 300ml rosé wine or sparkling wine • 300ml cherry juice • 100g caster sugar • 1tbsp fresh lime juice • 500g mixed berries – we used strawberries, raspberries and blueberries • edible flowers YOU WILL NEED • 18cm bundt tin 1 Put the gelatine in a small bowl and pour over 50ml wine and leave for 5 mins. Heat the remaining wine, cherry juice, sugar and 300ml water in a pan, bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Add in the lime juice and gelatine, and stir to dissolve. 2 Add a layer of berries and a few edible flowers to the base of the bundt tin and pour over some of the jelly.…

I come in different colourways…

MY GO-TO STORES… ● SWOON For sleek, modern furniture with a glamorous edge. ● ROCKETT ST GEORGE Great for black accent pieces and quirky accessories. ● NORDIC NEST For simple oak basics and soft sheepskin furnishings. STYLIST’S NOTE “ Balance a cool, contemporary scheme with soft curves, plush textures and dusky tones on furniture and furnishings”LISA FAZZANI , ACTING FEATURES EDITOR…

Trish and Dan’s property was in a bad way when they bought it. The top two floors had been divided into bedsits in the 1970s, with three defunct kitchenettes still occupying the rooms. ‘There was a barely functioning bathroom and a tiny shower room, with a terrifying vintage electric shower,’ says Trish. The original windows had been replaced with ugly double glazing and the electricity was still connected to a coin meter. However, with its sweeping central staircase, generous proportions and original features, it was a beautiful house. ‘We knew that with some loving restoration, it could be wonderful.’ The ambitious renovation was phased over two years when time, energy and money allowed. ‘Everything had to be stripped back,’ explains Trish. ‘The plumbing and electrics were replaced, every wall was…

BEST FOR NORTH-FACING ROOMS Temple Linen Pure matt, from £25 for 1ltr, Fenwick & Tilbrook BEST FOR A MODERN SCHEME Hazy estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball BEST FOR CREATING A SENSE OF CALM Powder Blue matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5ltr, Crown Paints, Homebase BEST FOR A GREY ALTERNATIVE Novel matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Graham & Brown BEST FOR MAXIMISING LIGHT Borrowed Blue paint mixing matt, £30 for 2.5ltr, Dulux BEST FOR VERSATILITY Morning’s Promise vinyl matt, £23.40 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home at Brewers NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? HEAD TO OUR NEW FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC…

1 DECORATE WITH WARMER WHITE Bright white paintwork can feel harsh in a living room or north-facing space. Choosing a warm white with yellow undertones in a soft, matt finish will help it feel cosier. Add rustic weaves and natural textures for extra warmth. 2 GROW A LIVING WALL Connect indoor and outdoor spaces with a vertical backdrop of greenery on a wall or fence. Pick a sunny spot, close to doors or windows so you can enjoy the view whatever the weather. 3 GIVE BLOOMS SOME HEIGHT Group patio pots and planters together to give displays more impact, rather than just the odd pot here and there. Position taller plants at the back or use tiered planters and stands to add height. 4 CREATE A…

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We’re in love SO NATURAL Caesarstone’s new Calacatta Maximus quartz surface cleverly captures a natural form, with striking grey veining on a white backdrop and details in subtle copper and gold. It’s low-maintenance, durable and – red wine lovers will be thrilled to know – stain-resistant. In the mix An easy update for any kitchen scheme, this chic black tap has a 360-degree swivel spout, flexible hose and removable handset, plus variable flow options from a gentle stream to a powerful jet spray. On our wish list... Hurrah! deVOL has finally launched an online store for all its sublime kitchenware, from elegant crockery to gorgeous marble sinks SHAPE UP With most choices straddling between round and square, the bathroom basin is long overdue a style shake-up. So we’re…

1 A FLUSH THRESHOLD ISN’T EASY TO ACHIEVE Ensure the junction doesn’t allow rain to blow in under the door. You’ll also need to check the glazing frame drains properly, normally out via small weep holes. Large patio areas near the doors need to be well-drained and often the falls need to be steeper than you’d think, for periods of heavy rain. 2 ONE CORNER OPENED UP CONNECTS TO THE GARDEN This takes away the normal indicator of the structure of a ‘room’ and enables the internal space to flow out to the garden more freely. 3 FLOOR TILES PROVIDE THE BEST FLOOR FINISH Most internal tiles aren’t suitable for external use – they get too slippery and potentially crack in frosts. It’s better to go for a slightly different colour…

TOM MASSEY, DIRECTOR OF TOM MASSEY STUDIO (TOMMASSEY.CO.UK). London-based landscape and garden designer Tom has created award-winning gardens for private and commercial clients as well as international festivals and shows. Tom is also a designer on BBC2’s Your Garden Made Perfect. SELINA LAKE, STYLIST AND AUTHOR (SELINALAKE. CO.UK). Selina is the author of 10 books; her latest is Shed Style (£19.99, Ryland Peters & Small). Selina worked with Alitex at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 to design a gorgeous greenhouse that celebrities and the public loved. DANI TAYLOR, PRODUCT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT COX & COX (COXANDCOX.CO.UK) Dani has worked as product developer with factories in China, India and Europe, and across every category from Christmas baubles to furniture. Dani joined Cox & Cox in 2012, becoming buying director in…

Compact grill Cobb premier charcoal barbecue grill, £136.50, Lakeland Super lightweight at just 3.8kg, this stainless steel barbecue features a stay-cool base so you can use it on any surface. The domed lid allows you to slow roast, and all the fat drips down into a handy easy-to-clean moat. What’s more, it comes with a compact carry bag for easy transportation. THE BEST BIT The bowl, dome and non-stick grill are all dishwasher safe. Tabletop cooking Attitude 2go CV, £199, Campingaz Relatively lightweight at 13kg, this runs off CV470 Plus cartridges (the ones that look like mini barrels). Cook on high heat with the top open or low and slow with it closed – the built-in thermometer lets you keep an eye on the temperature without lifting the lid. THE…

SERVES 4 READY IN 1 HR 25 MINS, PLUS COOLING FOR THE PASTRY • 75g butter, cold, cut into cubes • 150g wholemeal flour FOR THE FILLING • 30g butter • 1tbsp light olive oil • 500g red onions, sliced • 1tsp caster sugar • 1tbsp freshly chopped thyme • 2 eggs • 170ml double cream • 1tbsp Dijon mustard YOU WILL NEED • 6 x 12cm tart tins; baking parchment; baking beans 1 Make the pastry by rubbing the butter into the flour and bring together using 2tbsp cold water. Chill, then divide into 4. Chill again. 2 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6, and put in a baking tray. Roll out the pastry and use to line the tart cases. Prick the bases with a fork, then line with baking parchment and baking beans. Bake blind for 15 mins,…

“ I like my interiors a little bit ‘extra’, so give me a tassel, a  fringed trim… any kind of embellishment. It’s the cherry on top that takes something from ordinary to extraordinary. And don’t get me started on a fringed lampshade – I love them in all their flapper glory! A fringe takes a piece from basic to beautiful.” STEPHANIE DURRANT , FEATURES EDITOR “ Along with many retro trends, fringing has made its way  back round, but I think this one will fade out of favour again. I appreciate it can look chic when paired with the right piece, but equally it can bring a dated, dare I say fusty, finish to a room, calling to mind all that was wrong with ’80s decor!” LISA FAZZANI ACTING FEATURES…