Innehållsförteckning för May 2023 från Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER When we launched our One Small Step campaign in Ideal Home back in October 2019 we used the logo to flag up products, services and ideas designed to help you make your home more sustainable, ethical and green – one step at a time. What started out as a small logo has grown into a regular feature, and this month we’ve given the whole issue a sustainable interiors theme. All of our real homes have eco credentials at their core - proving you don’t have to sacrifice style to make greener choices. As a big fan of pre-loved pieces (my happy place is mooching around a car-boot sale), I love how Lynne has used vintage furniture to give her light and airy home character, while channelling a clean,…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Katie Robinson, her husband Niall and their three-year-old son. Katie is a trained architect and a holistic interiors specialist and Niall is a product designer. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Victorian terrace in south Bristol. “Our home provides us with small MOMENTS of daily JOY, whether it’s an ergonomic cup or a piece of artwork. It’s a space that feels UPLIFTING”KATIE ROBINSON, HOMEOWNER THE LAYOUT Off the entrance hall, there is a living room and dining room, with a kitchen housed in an existing rear extension. On the first floor there are two bedrooms, a study and a main bathroom, while a loft extension on the second floor has made room for a bathroom and two conjoined rooms designed for flexible use. As a young couple,…

| LOOKS THAT LAST | STYLE DIRECTION“One or two key pieces and a sympathetic scheme can create a relaxing look that feels fresh and modern"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR STYLE DIRECTION“Position your desk in the middle of the room, where you can place a low-hanging pendant light to illuminate your work area"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR SELECT THE RIGHT WOOD Oak, beech, elm and ash are all popular choices for a mid-century look, but the wood most synonymous with mid-century furniture is teak. Dark and durable, it pairs beautifully with bolder coloured schemes, while oak, with its paler tones, can work with the cooler shades of mid-century modern design. INVEST IN A CLASSIC Know what you are looking for by doing a little background research before visiting a specialist dealer, vintage fair or…

Tidy up bathroom bits Create a spot for your beauty essentials, hanging one rack upside down and stowing a hand towel over the bar – perfect for a small bathroom. Give it a twist... For a streamlined look, hang a neat row of racks end to end across the wall. Organise your necklaces Prevent tangles as well as creating a pretty display by hanging jewellery from an upturned rack. Finish the look with decorative accessories arranged on the ledge. Give it a twist... Free up bedside space by looping the cord of a light bulb lamp through the rack. Create a gift wrap station Build a storage system for wrapping paper, string and ribbons. Attach to the back of an office or hallway cupboard and grab what you need in…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Kelly Black lives here with husband Jon and their children Violet, six, and Wilbert, one. THE PROJECT An open-plan kitchen/living space in a four-bed 1950s detached villa in Dorset. TOTAL COST £23,000 THE PROBLEM This dark, cramped kitchen wasn’t big enough for modern family life THE SOLUTION ‘We bought the house for its huge garden so we could build a double storey extension. The open-plan space was super-important for our family – somewhere to cook, eat and hang out, but something pretty to look at too! We put in for planning, with the vendor’s permission, before we owned the house and it was approved just before we exchanged. The build went remarkably smoothly although we had to pivot a few times on plans…

EXTENSION PROJECT HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS Sam and Jess Wilson live here with their three children. PROPERTY A six-bedroom 1930s house in Guildford, Surrey. ARCHITECT Stylus Architects (stylusarchitects.co.uk) BUILDERS Green Sheen (greensheen.co.uk) TOTAL COST £500,000 THE PROBLEM The dated property was not thermally efficient and didn’t allow in much natural light or meet the family’s needs THE SOLUTION ‘While designing this project, it was important that we were sympathetic to the existing property. The owners wanted to extend and remodel the entire house to maximise its green potential and make best use of the garden. The main part of the new open-plan kitchen-living-dining space benefits from a vaulted ceiling, more than five metres high at the ridge level, and corner glazing, which dissolves the boundaries between inside and…

Finding the right seating for relaxing, entertaining and dining alfresco will transform your outdoor space, and extend your living area onto the patio or decking during the summer. However, there are so many options available and choosing the right type can be daunting. So what should you be looking out for when you shop for outdoor furniture? We’ve asked the experts to share some of their industry know-how on what to check when parting with your cash. 1 LOUNGING OR DINING (OR BOTH?) Begin by deciding what you plan to use your outdoor furniture for. Is it merely for soaking up the sun, relaxing with a book and a drink? Then a lounging set is best. If you plan to have garden parties focused around a barbecue, pizza oven and…

I would say I’m a fair way off being classified a ‘neat freak’, but there’s no denying the sense of calm that a clean and tidy house brings me. A couple of weeks ago I cleared out our junk drawer (AKA the drawer of doom), and it’s been giving me a warm, fuzzy glow inside ever since. I reckon I’m probably as likely to show off the beautiful organised drawer to guests right now as I am our brand new kitchen! Keeping your home clean and tidy is good for your physical and mental wellbeing – there’s plenty of science to back up the link between poor mental health and a cluttered, messy environment. An untidy home can be really distracting. It makes it hard to focus, which can lead…

To successfully grow flowers for cutting in a small garden, or even a decent-sized window box, there’s one characteristic that every plant you select needs to share. The plants should be what is known as cut-and-come-again varieties, where you cut a handful of flowers and within days they grow back. It’s like an ever-filling cup. The more you pick, the more flowers form, right until the end of their season. They should be harvested correctly – cut just above a pair of leaves and, within days, an axillary bud will start to grow in the angle between the stem and leaf. And this develops into another bloom. This is gardening for the optimist and for the person who loves their garden to be full of colour – and their house…

MATT SIBERRY STYLE & TRENDS EXPERT As head of home at Pinterest, Matt is perfectly placed to spot the trends based on what we’re all searching for on Pinterest. CHARLIE LUXTON ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER Charlie juggles his roles as director of Charlie Luxton Design, TV presenter and public speaker. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of themoneyedit.com. SARAH RAVEN GARDEN EXPERT Sarah is a gardener, teacher and writer, and her monthly Ideal Home column is packed with advice and inspiration for small gardens. THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS…

Debra and John Egan were already familiar with the beautiful stretch of coast at Camber Sands in East Sussex when they got wind of a run-down beach-front property that was going on the market. Having often visited friends in the area, the couple had fallen under its spell and were thrilled when they saw this prime spot up for sale. After a difficult buying process, Debra and John completed the sale in 2014 and, determined to use local companies where possible, found Rye-based architects RX Architects (rxarchitects.com). Its contemporary design – to replace the existing three-bedroom dwelling with a sleek cedar-clad eco-conscious new-build – appealed. The couple wanted their new home to maximise the views of the beach and offer a functional space for their grown-up children and granddaughter to…

Sustainability, once seen as a new trend, has become embedded in all areas of life, from fashion buys to what mode of transport we take to work. We are thinking about how our decisions today may impact future generations, with a communal responsibility making us keen to do our bit. And although many decisions in the home tend to feel more long lasting, there’s still new ideas we can adopt to avoid damaging the planet. As home and interior enthusiasts, the environmentally friendly choices available to us are really rather large. From the pleasure of upcycling, to buying from B Corp-certified businesses (which meet high standards of social and environmental performance), investing in energy-saving insulation, or choosing furniture made with sustainable forest-friendly wood, or cork, jute or coir. We’ve seen…

Our homes are very personal, they are special and unique to us, so when we look at what makes a feelgood space, remember that there’s not a ‘one happy home suits all’ theory. But there are plenty of ways you can boost your home’s mood, as our three experts – a colour and design psychology specialist and two interior stylists, both with a passion for creating mindful homes – share here… FIND YOUR OWN HAPPY ‘A happy home isn’t necessarily about that clichéd idea of bright colours or bold, playful designs (although it could mean happy to someone),’ says Joanna. ‘For me, it’s about a space that is filled with meaningful pieces that I love, either due to design or sentimental attachment.’ And Pippa adds, ‘It’s about having that home…

OUR JUDGING PANEL HEATHER YOUNG EDITOR IN CHIEF GINEVRA BENEDETTI DEPUTY EDITOR THEA BABINGTON-STITT ASSISTANT EDITOR, DIGITAL MOLLY CLEARY ECOMMERCE EDITOR KITCHEN OF THE YEAR WINNER PLUCK Ritzy kitchen ‘We love how this colourful kitchen has loads of storage yet, with a thin-profile island, still feels light and airy.’ HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR HIGHLY COMMENDED SANDFORD KITCHEN BY WICKES BEST CLASSIC KITCHEN RANGE WINNER OLIVE & BARR Handmade Shaker kitchen ‘The baker’s table is a fab take on a classic island, providing storage while creating a feeling of space.’ THEA BABINGTON-STITT, ASSISTANT EDITOR, DIGITAL HIGHLY COMMENDED BELSAY SMOOTH KITCHEN BY SECOND NATURE BEST USE OF COLOUR WINNER BURBIDGE KITCHEN MAKERS Haddon in English Red and Plaster ‘We loved how the pale plaster pink acts as a neutral when paired with this…

PROJECT PLANNING Every garden has the potential to become a beautiful, natural space that plays a crucial role in improving and supporting the wellbeing of people, wildlife and the planet. The Royal Horticultural Society (rhs.org.uk) says: ‘A sustainable garden will limit use of concrete and other hard landscaping products, use a minimum of irrigation and maintain fertility with a minimum of bought-in fertilisers and manures, using composting to generate nutrients. ‘Sustainable gardening protects the environment from damage, flooding and contamination,’ says the RHS. Eco-friendly gardening limits production of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane, and captures carbon in the garden soil, helping to counter climate change. ‘Use of scarce resources such as water is also reduced by sustainable gardening practices.’ 1. BALANCE HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING ‘Choose a design…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Pizza is traditionally cooked in a wood-fired oven for that signature smoky flavour. However, some pizza ovens have gas burners that will get your oven cavity up to temperature much quicker. Charcoal and pellet burners are other options. ■ Some models are dual fuel, so you can switch between gas and wood depending on how quickly you want to cook your pizza. ■ The temperature of your oven will peak somewhere between 400-500C, and the better your oven maintains its temperature, the more pizzas you can produce from one ‘firing’. ■ Getting the oven hot enough is key to avoiding the dreaded soggy bottom. A small oven will take around 10 minutes to heat up if you’re using gas; closer to 20 minutes if you’re opting…

How to save money on your groceries Earlier this year, food inflation hit a record 17% * – with everyday items, such as milk and eggs, driving the increase – and you’ve undoubtedly felt the pinch during your latest trips to the supermarket. But there are ways to help keep your food bills low. Our money columnist Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares her top tips and tricks to help you reduce your grocery bill at the checkout. USE THE CHEAPEST SUPERMARKET It’s no secret that budget supermarkets will help slash your costs, and according to Which? (January 2023), Aldi topped the list as the cheapest supermarket, coming in at £26 less for the average basket of goods. But, since budget supermarkets do not stock all your favourite brands, it…

HAVE A CLEAR OUT AND BE RUTHLESS! Before you try and organise an overflowing wardrobe, sort out what clothes you actually want and have a big declutter. There’s no point taking time to organise clothing that you’re not going to wear again, so be realistic and give it away to charity. SORT CLOTHES INTO CATEGORIES Either do this by season or by occasion, then within that, by sleeve length and colour for better visibility. Hang items worn often in an easy-to-reach spot, with pieces you don’t wear much to one side. KEEP THINGS VISIBLE We don’t mean keep all of your clothes on show but don’t go stuffing shelves so full that you forget what’s at the back. INVEST IN SHELF SEPARATORS These make better use of shelf space, and…

Banoffee pie SERVES 6 READY IN 45 MINS, PLUS CHILLING FOR THE BASE ● 175g digestive biscuits ● 65g butter FOR THE TOFFEE FILLING ● 115g butter ● 115g light muscovado sugar ● 2 x 397g cans full-fat condensed milk FOR THE TOPPING ● 3 bananas, sliced ● A little fresh lemon juice ● 300ml double cream ● A little grated Belgian milk or dark chocolate, for sprinkling 1 To make the base, put the biscuits into a polythene bag and crush them to crumbs with a rolling pin. 2 Melt the butter in a small pan, remove from the heat and stir in the crushed biscuits. Mix well. 3 Spread the mixture over the base and sides of a 23cm deep loose-bottomed fluted flan tin. Press the mixture with…

NEED TO KNOW TILES FOR THE FUTURE Made from 60% recycled stone, Reform tiles from Ca’Pietra boast incredible eco credentials and, in rich shades with a tumbled finish and lightly rounded edges, look simply gorgeous too. The fact they are also made in a carbon-neutral factory means that updating a tired bathroom suddenly got a whole lot more planet-friendly. Available in three tile formats and in 12 beautiful shades, including Aqua, Emerald Green and Salmon Pink, they can be used on walls, floors and surfaces, inside and out. IH LOVES... Recycled-plastic pots Origami self-watering planter, from £16, POTR Pots W hat to do this month... RECYCLE Take unwanted textiles, such as towels, bedding and curtains, to your local Dunelm and it will recycle, donate or reuse them. Simply bag clean…

| STYLE HOME | HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Lynne Huitson, film art supervisor and interior designer (@lintel.studio). THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom detached new-build in Deal, Kent, built on the site of Lynne’s bungalow 1 “Allow your style to evolve” ‘I’ve acquired a lot of the furniture over many years and it just so happens it all fits well in my new home. One of the things I sourced recently, however, was the dining table as I needed something to fill the bigger space. My previous table would have looked ridiculous here! I found this three-metre-long antique table on eBay and matched it with antique chairs from Kempton Market.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Try Finn extendable dining table, £930, Perch & Parrow. Bloomsbury geometric rug, £195, Habitat, would work in…

It’s that time again when we begin our search for the UK’s best homes and gardens – and we want to hear from you! It stands to reason that our readers have gorgeous homes, so if you think yours might inspire others, enter our Reader Homes Awards 2023. We’ll feature the winning spaces in an issue of Ideal Home, and the winners will win a cash prize of £1,000! THE CATEGORIES ■ BEST HOME ■ BEST GARDEN ■ BEST MAKEOVER WE WANT TO SEE ■ Period homes to smart new-builds ■ Country houses to cosy cottages ■ Conversions packed with character ■ Stunning before and afters ■ Beautiful, traditional gardens to modern outdoor living spaces THE PRIZES! ■ Our winners will be announced in the November 2023 issue ■ The…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Bright colours are great for delivering a dose of energy and yellow is a good example of a dopamine colour, evoking a connection to the sun.’ HELEN SHAW, UK DIRECTOR, BENJAMIN MOORE ‘Yellow isn’t suitable for restful spaces like bedrooms, but is fantastic as a colour pop on kitchen cabinetry or to combat the cool light in a north-facing room that can often look a bit drab.’ ANNA HILL, BRAND DIRECTOR AT FENWICK & TILBROOK ‘It’s the perfect shade for a hallway or a front door, providing a warm welcome. It’s also a great colour for spaces such as kitchens that have a high level of activity – noise, laughter and fun.’ RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT LITTLE GREENE ‘If…

1 PAINT A CHEQUERED KITCHEN SPLASHBACK Swap tiles for paint as a smart splashback idea and create a classic chequerboard. Paint the white background first; it may take a couple of coats. Once dry, use a pencil and decorator’s tape to mark a grid and paint squares black in alternate rows. 2 ADD IMPACT TO YOUR HOME OFFICE WALL Small shelves – we’ve used smart brass designs – dotted around a painted panelled wall allow you to showcase books in an artistic way. Or you could replace books with framed artwork or decorative objects for a less ‘officey’ feel. Get creative with paint and personalise it with geo shapes in toning colours. COLOURS TO WOW 3 Clean your windows until they sparkle with a solution of one part…

The current and historically high cost of housing is causing a shift in the way we live. Whether it’s boomerang kids leaving and then returning home for years on end, or the cost of social care making living with ageing parents a necessity, the multi-generation home is making a comeback. For thousands of years, as it remains in many parts of the world, large inter-generational homes were the norm. Sharing resources, from food and income to childcare and manual labour, made everyone living together more cost effective and, in the past, was the only option for all but the wealthy few. It’s becoming increasingly common for families these days, too. It is estimated there are over 1.3 million households that have a grandparent living with them. A recent survey found…

Brilliant budget garden ideas Get your space summer-ready without breaking the bank with our neat tips, tricks and ideas. Easy DIY projects for the weekend Feel like you need a little decorating pick-me-up? We have a whopping 58 ways to update your home that you can tackle over a weekend. From paint tricks and upcycling projects to DIY jobs that will completely transform a space, all without a great deal of effort. How to clean a concrete patio They’re super durable and fairly maintenance free, but if your concrete slabs are looking a little green in places, or you’ve moved planters only to discover rings, then follow our guide to get it looking good as new. How much does it cost to run a hot tub? Find out the factors…

A Over the last two years, our passion for gardens has been renewed as they have become such crucial parts of the home. This year, we’ll still be enjoying our outside space as an extra room to our homes, whether we have a neatly-kept balcony with just enough space for a table and chairs, or an acre or so with summer house, dining space and fire-pit to enjoy. However, Andrew Duff MSGD, co-chair of the Society of Gardener Designers (sgd.org.uk), says that this year our gardens are going to have to work much harder, to respond to the effects of climate change and support sustainable gardening practices. The biggest garden trend he’s predicting is ‘a much-welcomed return to the original cottage garden, remodelled for 2023, where function and aesthetics work…

Former Olympian and sports presenter Denise Lewis lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband and four children, aged between 20 and four. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? It’s night time. Despite being up early with the kids to do the school run, I am a real night owl. I tend to potter about then, getting things done that I haven’t had a chance to do when the kids are up. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? I love my bed. Even though I am up late, I know that having eight hours sleep is essential – even if I don’t always get it. WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE? Books! I love reading but, with a four-year-old, it’s often tricky to find the time so I tend to…