Innehållsförteckning för October 2023 från Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER I’m very aware that it feels like autumn made its appearance rather prematurely this year, after the disappointment of what ended up being (let’s face it) a washout summer. But after chatting to some of the Ideal Home team, I’ve made the call to reframe it into a positive, because I realised that many of us actually love autumn. So I’m throwing out an open invite to the autumn fan club, if you want to join us? I’ve compiled an ‘Autumn Top Three’ celebration list that I’m going to relish ticking off this month. “ I’m throwing out an open invite to the autumn fan club, so why not join us? ” 1. Forget spring cleaning, for me it’s all about an autumn deep clean, so that’s where…

“How decor helps you get a good night’s sleep” The bedroom is a curious room in the home. It needs to be functional – a comfortable bed will have to be its most important feature as it’s impossible to escape the need for sleep. On the other hand, with homes becoming increasingly social, we need personal space for rest and recreation, so the bedroom has evolved to be the full epitome of relaxation. This means it presents itself with quite a few design challenges – in fact, it’s one of the most searched rooms for inspiration on Pinterest, and if you sway towards either functionality or self-reflection, it may end up disrupting your quality of sleep. So one key thing before considering decorative elements, is the simplicity of the set-up.…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH 1 REFRESH YOUR KITCHEN WITH WALLPAPER Kitchen cabinets might be expensive and tricky to change, but wallpapering the space above a worktop will update your look in a matter of hours. Choose a boldly patterned design that contrasts with your existing unit colour. Finish with a new wall shelf to display favourite pieces. 2 ADD PATTERN TO YOUR WORK SPACE Make your home office feel as appealing as possible with colours and patterns that’ll boost your mood. Whether your go-to choice would be soothing neutrals, or you’re more drawn to happy, vibrant shades, use the blinds on your windows to add a hit of colour and pattern that creates decorative interest and brings the room to life. FABRIC CHEAT SHEET 3 Add stick-on LED lighting to a…

WHERE TO BUY…

| STYLE HOME | HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Enni and Teemu Äijälä live here with son Väinö, five. They have a design company, Äijälä & Äijälä Oy, and Enni works at Aalto University as designer in residence. THE PROPERTY Three-bedroom self-build semi in Helsinki. 1 “Choose a flexible sofa” ‘Our modular seating can be adapted to suit our needs, as its sections can be separated and reorganised however you wish to arrange them. Even the arms and backrests can be used to sit on, while the tough leather means it’s super practical for family life. The rich brown colour also makes it so cosy.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Neowall sofa by Piero Lisson for Living Divani, from £6,100, Nest. Missoni Home cushions from £135; throw, from £482, all Amara…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Manissa Patel and her daughter Jaine, six. THE PROJECT Kitchen refit and extension in a four-bedroom detached 1930s house in Shenfield, Essex. TOTAL COST £65,000 THE PROBLEM Light-starved, dated kitchen, awkwardly located in the middle of the house THE SOLUTION ‘I wanted a sociable kitchen that was light and airy with a good sense of flow: a space that reflected the 1930s aesthetic of the house but was not too modern or too country in style. An intensive search brought John Lewis of Hungerford to my attention. Designer Rebecca Nokes thoroughly explored what I wanted and we devised a scheme located in the large, new extension. The kitchen now opens onto the patio, and light floods in through large aluminium-framed doors and…

HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS Mary and Dean Briggs. PROPERTY Five-bedroom Victorian terrace in south London. ARCHITECT Yard Architects, yardarchitects.co.uk. BUILDERS PC Construction & Renovations, pcconstructionltd.co.uk. TOTAL COST £240,000 THE PROBLEM The property’s layout was confused and disconnected from the garden, with no natural light coming in THE SOLUTION ‘When we started this project,’ says Simon Graham of Yard Architects, ‘the owners, Mary and Dean, were planning to have a family and wanted a home that would grow with them, including a large, sociable kitchen next to the garden. However, the ground floor layout was convoluted at the back – divided into a small bathroom and utility with a poor connection to the outside space. There was a 1.5-metre gap in the side return, which was unusable, plus the kitchen was…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Synthetic filled duvets are filled with man-made fibres, such as polyester and polyamide made from petroleum-based plastics. They are the most affordable, easy to care for as they can be washed at high temperatures, and anti-allergenic, which makes them a popular choice for children’s bedding. ■ Next there’s wool. It’s insulating, breathable, temperature regulating, hypoallergenic and durable. It’s a sustainable and renewable resource, and biodegradable at the end of the product’s lifespan. However, not all wool duvets can be washed, so it pays to double-check the care instructions. ■ Down, long thought of as the Holy Grail of duvet fillings, creates a plump, squishy and super-soft duvet. This natural filling is also far more breathable than a synthetic, making for a cooler sleep. However, sourced from…

How good are you at talking about money? Conversations around money can be awkward, whether asking a friend for what they owe you, telling a loved one you’re in debt or attempting to help family members manage their finances – it certainly isn’t easy. Around 12.6 million* people admit to falling out with friends who have more money, and it’s also the biggest cause of arguments between couples. If you’re worried about money ruining relationships or are unable to talk to family about your finances, here are my tips on how to open up the conversation. WHEN FRIENDS OWE YOU MONEY Around one in five people lend money to friends and one in three end up waiting over a year for it to be paid back*. We’ve all been there…

Babka chocolate braid SERVES 15 READY IN 1 HR 35 MINS, PLUS PROVING AND COOLING FOR THE DOUGH ● 190g bread flour● 140g white spelt flour or plain flour, plus extra for dusting● 6g instant yeast● Pinch salt● 40g caster sugar● 180ml whole milk● 1 egg● 40g unsalted butter, softened● Zest of 1 lemon● Zest of 1 orange● 1/2tsp ground cardamom FOR THE FILLING ● 100g dark chocolate (54% or 70% cocoa solids, to taste)● 60g unsalted butter● 60g soft light brown sugar ● 2tsp ground cinnamon● 1/2tsp ground cloves● 30g cocoa powder● Apricot jam for glazing 1 For the dough, put all the ingredients in a bowl and, using your hands or a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, mix the ingredients together. Then knead the dough for…

Now that we’re in the home stretch of 2023 and the weather has us spending a lot more time indoors, the urge to redecorate begins to surface. But if time and money are tight - and they usually are at this time of year - a room makeover might not feel like a possibility. Thankfully, there are plenty of other ways to give your most used spaces a style refresh if you’re both time and money poor. This brilliant booklet is packed with over 50 great decorating updates to help you revamp your home with minimum spend and effort - all easily achieved in a wet weekend.…

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. NICKY PHILLIPS INTERIOR STYLIST & DESIGNER Nicky is a master of colour when it comes to decorating your home, from full room redos to easy tweaks. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of moneyweek.com. AMY LOCKWOOD SHOPPING EXPERT As Ideal Home’s online Decor Editor, Amy is our go-to for advice on buying everything from sofas to air purifiers, mattresses to duvets. THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS…

LOOKS THAT LAST STYLE DIRECTION“Focus on creating a warm, inviting and elegant atmosphere that reflects the charm and character of a country retreat"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR IN CHIEF STYLE DIRECTION“Add a rustic feel with wooden floors and furniture, using reclaimed or distressed pieces for an authentic look"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR MIX OLD WITH NEW Make heritage the focus, from handed-down treasures to vintage finds. Incorporate antique furniture and accessories to add character to your space. Hunt for unique pieces like a vintage writing desk, an antique wardrobe or a statement chandelier. Browse flea markets, antiques shops or online platforms. THINK ABOUT LIGHTING Create a soft and ambient lighting scheme with a combination of table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces. Opt for warm-toned bulbs or add dimmer switches to control the…

IH COLOUR EDIT What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Damson brings a warm and inviting feeling when used as an immersive colour across walls and woodwork. Incorporating a lighter shade on the ceiling will give a feeling of height – avoid a harsh white and choose a co-ordinating lilac instead.’ ANDY GREENALL, HEAD OF DESIGN, PAINT & PAPER LIBRARY ‘Reminiscent of the Renaissance period, this rich hue creates the perfect balance of opulence and drama. Pair it with accents of brushed brass and velvet for the ultimate glam scheme.’ HELEN SHAW, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING (INTERNATIONAL), BENJAMIN MOORE ‘Sitting between purple and red, shades in the damson palette are wonderfully versatile and can work in all property styles, from contemporary kitchens to stately drawing rooms.’ PATRICK O’DONNELL,…

PLAN THE PERFECT Do you think of your bedroom as a sanctuary; that one place you can escape to at the end of a hard day? Chances are you’re not giving it the help it needs to ensure you rejuvenate and feel refreshed if you have piles of washing, mountains of clutter, on-the-go tech and even WFH essentials all part of bedroom life. As we head into autumn, we asked three people in the know to share their insider tips… TIME FOR TOUGH LOVE ‘If your bedroom isn’t feeling like a space where you want to relax and feel at ease, quite bluntly, it’s time to stop using it for everything else,’ says Suzanne Roynon. ‘A bedroom should be respected as a welcoming oasis of rest, romance and rejuvenation.’ Anna…

OUR JUDGING PANEL HEATHER YOUNG EDITOR IN CHIEF GINEVRA BENEDETTI DEPUTY EDITOR AMY LOCKWOOD DECOR EDITOR BEST BED WINNER SOFA.COM Sunday bed ‘The pillowy, cloud-like design and the hidden storage make this bed a clear winner.’ HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR IN CHIEF HIGHLY COMMENDED BACK IN ACTION DORSOO BED; DREAMS ALANA UPHOLSTERED SHADOW OTTOMAN BED FRAME BEST MATTRESS WINNER DREAMS Brookfield pocket sprung mattress ‘Top marks for combining the thermoregulating properties of wool with a pocket sprung design.’ AMY LOCKWOOD, DECOR EDITOR HIGHLY COMMENDED PANDA HYBRID BAMBOO MATTRESS BEST BED (KIDS’ ROOM) WINNER NEXT Rainbow upholstered daybed ‘Kids and adults alike will love this cute, velvet upholstered design. Such a sophisticated choice for a kids’ room.’ GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BEST FLOORING WINNER THE WOOD FLOORING CO No-Vinyl Tiles…

Living room ‘We left the original windows on view and added classic white shutters below them to create a serene and welcoming space.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Squisharoo chaise sofa in Thatch House fabric, £2,625, Loaf. Elstead Joan 1 wall light in Midnight Black and burnished brass, £210, Olivia’s HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Ali and her husband Alex Poggiale, who are both solicitors, live here with their baby boy. THE PROPERTY A three-story, five-bedroom detached Edwardian townhouse in southwest London, built circa 1890. THE LAYOUT A double reception area off the hall opens onto a kitchen/dining space. There is also a study, utility room and cloakroom on the ground floor, with a mini cellar leading off it. There are three bedrooms on the first floor with en suite and…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Claire Joannides lives here with her husband and two children. THE PROJECT A family bathroom refit in a five- bedroom house in Dorset, which was built in 1910. TOTAL COST £15,000 THE PROBLEM There was no bath and the pipework was jutting out of the walls THE SOLUTION ‘When we bought the house in 2015, the main bathroom hadn’t been decorated since the 1990s, it needed new electrics and there was no bath. I really wanted a practical bathroom with plenty of storage, a shower and a freestanding bath for a feeling of luxury. We began looking at bathrooms almost a year before we started work but every showroom we visited seemed quite generic, and we were told it would…

This is the one job around the house that we all should do, as cold draughts are a sign that things aren’t working efficiently. ‘Most houses, particularly old ones, have cracks and gaps where warm air goes out and cold air blows in,’ says Natasha Collins-Daniel, campaigner at the Centre for Sustainable Energy (cse.org.uk). ‘Draught proofing is easy and any competent DIYer can fix gaps,’ she continues. ‘Check floorboards, around windows and doors, through the letter box, where pipework comes through external walls, around the loft hatch, and around electrical fittings.’ There might be a clear source of a draught, but if there’s no obvious culprit, have an air pressurisation test done. ‘This gives an air leakage value for the property and tells you what proportion of heat is being…

HOME MAINTENANCE How to fix a leaking toilet If you have a standard toilet with a visible cistern, simply lift the lid. If your toilet has a concealed cistern, such as a back-to-the-wall or wall-hung design, you need to find the access point for maintenance. This might be behind the flush plate, or you might have to remove some tiles or panels that are covering it. Once you have a clear view into the cistern, flush the toilet and look to see what is happening to the water and the mechanisms inside the cistern. One of the most common causes of a running toilet is when overflow water is leaking down into the bowl from the tank through the overflow tube. You can adjust the water level by changing the…

Time for a reality check… if I haven’t had enough sleep, I am not a pleasant person to be around! Family and friends agree that it’s best to avoid me if I’m hangry (hungry-angry) or overtired, and they’re spot on. My stress and anxiety levels spike quickly and I’m likely to snap at people. I’m a walking example of ‘waking up on the wrong side of the bed’. There’s plenty of ongoing research into the connection between mental health and sleep, and how the various stages, particularly REM sleep, aid the brain’s processing of emotional information. This has a big impact on mood and our emotional wellbeing and you can get stuck in a sleep-deprived mental health low, where anxiety keeps you from having good-quality sleep and so you can’t…

TAKE AN INVENTORY ‘First, remove everything from your pantry and do a purge,’ says Jacqueline McLeod, founder of Bancrofts Organisation Services (bancroftsorganisationservices.com). ‘Check expiry dates, and consider whether you’ll use items that are still in date. If not, why not donate them to a food bank.’ GIVE IT A GOOD CLEAN Once it is completely empty, dust and wipe over the shelves. If shelves are adjustable, make sure any new storage jars or canisters fit in comfortably. If not, adjust the height so they do. DECIDE ON STORAGE Plan how you will divide up the space and what you’ll use to store items. Don’t just pick storage jars because they look good – they need to be practical, too. Stacking plastic containers will help make the most of a small…

IN THIS SECTION • Highlight a feature Use paint to draw focus to a fab feature in your room • Make a wall hanging Transform a favourite piece of fabric into artwork • Distress a mirror Create a super stylish foxed mirror on the cheap ...and much more 1 CREATE A FOCAL POINT IN YOUR LIVING ROOM Change up the look of your living room by hanging new artwork on the wall behind your sofa. Go for either a landscape design or two portrait shaped pieces of equal size side-by-side. Most people hang pictures too high; you shouldn’t have to strain your neck to see them. Aim to make the centre of the picture roughly five feet from the ground. 2 DECORATE IN SOOTHING TONES Greys and whites…

IN THIS SECTION • Make a decorative cafe curtain Create privacy (and style) without blocking all the light • Add new fixtures Replace the handles on your kitchen cabinets • Install a pet cubby Set up space for the family’s four legged friends ..and much more 24 HOW TO TILE A KITCHEN SPLASHBACK Add pattern and colour to your space with a smart new splashback. It doesn’t have to be huge, just large enough to protect the wall behind your sink from splashes. ■ Clean and dry your walls, then apply tile adhesive using a notch trowel. Start at the base, where the wall meets the worktop, only applying enough for the first line of your tiles. ■ Stick each tile with firm pressure to the wall, using tile spacers between…

COLLAB ALERT Ruggable x Morris & Co Combining beauty and utility was at the heart of 19th-century designer William Morris’ ethos, and it’s that very same concept that makes the collab between Ruggable and Morris & Co bang on the money. Pairing Ruggable’s modern and practical rug materials (stains and water are no match), with Morris & Co’s timeless designs is the perfect marriage. Rugs with Morris & Co’s recognisable heritage patterns, like Strawberry Thief and Pimpernel, that you can just chuck in the washing machine. At reasonable prices too! IH LOVES... Autumnal feels Orange pumpkin wreath, £30, Matalan What to do this month... LISTEN The Secret Mum Club podcast is the place to share those parenting mishaps and dilemmas, that we wonder whether we should keep to ourselves! From…

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Make alternative wall art Use framed plant pockets indoors to create a vertical garden with wow factor. Wall-mount the frame, or lean against a wall for a more casual effect. Give it a twist... Use faux alternatives for a longer lasting arrangement. Maximise space Plants always enhance a workspace, but can clutter up a desk. Hanging them vertically is the perfect answer. Create plant pot holders using wooden storage crates and leather strapping. Give it a twist... Paint the crates with blackboard paint so plants can be labelled or memos left. Boost dark décor Moody blues and deep greens make a striking background for plants. Use a trailing string of pearls or frondy asparagus fern to soften shelving’s hard lines. Give it a twist... If an all over dark unit…

1. PRACTICAL FLOORING From muddy shoes to rain-soaked coats, boot rooms are a high-traffic area so flooring needs to be a practical choice. Terracotta tiles can be sealed to ensure they stay looking their best. Opt for a herringbone laying pattern for an on-trend modern country vibe. Marlborough terracotta brick, £78sq m, Artisans of Devizes 2. PEG RAIL A Shaker-style peg rail isn’t just handy for hanging coats, bags and umbrellas but also adds a decorative element when used along the length of the entire wall. Finish the look with a rattan shoe storage bench – also the ideal place to sit down to pull off those wellies. Try Shaker oak coat rack in light grey, £36, John Lewis & Partners 3. BOOT RACK Freestanding racks which allow you to…

| BEFORE & AFTER HOME | HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Kate Andrews, a creative manager at END. clothing, and Jake Willmore, brand director for Lavenham and George Cox, live here with their children Rafferty, nine, and Ferdie, six. THE PROPERTY A renovated Georgian semidetached house in North Yorkshire. See more at @richmond_reno_project. Snug ‘We haven’t changed much in this room yet apart from adding the comfortable pink velvet sofa, which we already owned.’ BUY THE KEY PIECE The sofa was from Sofa.com but is no longer available; try the Holly small corner sofa, £3,280, Sofa.com, for a similar shape kate and Jake lived in London for 15 years before moving to North Yorkshire with their growing family. ‘It made sense to move back towards where I grew up. I…

With the huge amount of materials, colours and patterns available, finding the right style of carpet within your budget can be tricky. Plus, balancing style with functionality adds another layer of compromise. Not all carpets are suitable for use in every room, as certain types will last better in specific areas, depending on what the room is used for and how much footfall it gets. Carpet is a big investment too – erring on the side of caution with a practical choice is often best so that it lasts as long as possible. You’ll also want it to outlast changing trends. A carpet forms the foundation of your room, setting the tone for a colour scheme and any patterns used, so a versatile option will help you get more out…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Sharing a bed can have a big impact on potential sleep disturbance, so it’s important to consider when choosing a mattress. If one of you tends to toss and turn or get up in the middle of the night, then opting for a mattress with good motion isolation can prevent a lot of night-time disturbance. ■ A pocket-spring mattress features a layer of coiled springs topped with either foam or natural-fill padding. They tend to be the firmest mattresses and the most bouncy. This can make them the easiest to change position on and make getting out of bed easier, as your body doesn’t sink into the surface as it will with a memory foam mattress. ■ A hybrid mattress is the mid-ground between a pocket-spring…

“British grown ash has a far shorter journey to the factory floor from forests that are responsibly managed” Timeless & sustainable While timber is often considered to be a more sustainable option for furniture production, unless it hails from an FSC certified source, there’s no guarantee it has been grown with the good of the planet in mind. British brand Ercol, based in Buckinghamshire for more than 100 years, has just launched two of its most popular designs – the Marino chair and the Pebble nest of tables – both from sustainably grown British ash, in collaboration with the Grown in Britain scheme (growninbritain.org). GREENER CLEANER Toothbrushes are notoriously difficult to recycle, with four billion used ones ending up in landfill or the oceans every year. While electric toothbrushes offer…

The actress and author, 90, lives in Belgravia, central London, with her theatre producer husband, Percy Gibson, 58. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU GET HOME? Kick off my shoes – whether they’re ballet flats or boots, they come off. I’ve always done it. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME? I particularly like the morning. My husband makes us a coffee - we like instant coffee, believe it or not - I’ll then read three or four newspapers in bed and watch some morning TV. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? In the south of France. We try to visit my place every summer. It’s so relaxing. There’s no traffic, it’s right in the middle of the hills of Provence and has a fantastic view. I can see the sea in…

IN THIS SECTION Upcycle a wardrobe Refresh your bedroom furniture with rattan panels Paint a radiator Go for a contrasting shade or match your walls Hang wall lights Free up your bedside table with hotel-style lighting ...and much more 43 COCOON YOUR SPACE BY PAINTING THE CEILING It’s a great way of bringing interest into a bedroom using just a simple lick of paint. It can also can really change the feel of a space and make it instantly seem cosier. Whether you opt to use the same shade on all four walls as well as the ceiling, or leave the walls a muted shade and go bold up top, it’ll make a big impact. 44 EMBRACE BOLD COLOURS There’s a tendency to always choose muted colours for…