Innehållsförteckning för March 2024 från Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER March is my birthday month (don’t worry, I’m not fishing for presents and cards, I promise), and I never know what to expect from the weather. Over the years I’ve had hot, sunny birthdays, but I’ve also had a snowy birthday! It’s a tricky month to plan for when it comes to home projects, too. Will I be outside, finally making some much-needed progress in the garden (yes, I’m still very much a fair-weather gardener, despite my best intentions to up my commitment levels), or will you find me holed up indoors, most likely with a paintbrush in hand? “Will I be outside in the garden or holed up indoors with a paintbrush?” If it’s a new kitchen you’ve got planned for this year (or a makeover of…

LOOKS THAT LAST PATTERN CLASH Restricting the colour palette to simple leaf green and white creates a fresh scheme and allows you to mix different botanical prints on the walls and at the window STYLE DIRECTION “Geometric designs complement botanical patterns. Mix and match cushions to add interest to a plain sofa" HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NATURAL PARTNERS Pale oak furniture works beautifully with bold shades of green. Choose contemporary shapes to keep the look up-to-date STYLE DIRECTION “Matt black accessories and charcoal painted woodwork in a green room enhance the leafy hues" GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR FINE DINING Refresh your table with a checked tablecloth and floral tableware, scalloped linens and wooden handled cutlery to create a relaxed vibe ADD NATURAL ELEMENTS Take your inspiration from the great outdoors and…

MEET THE EXPERTS DEBRA HUTT, HEAD OF MARKETING AND PR, WREN KITCHENS ‘My favourite trend for 2024 is sustainability – there’s a definite move towards people and planet positivity, with considered buying.’ FRANCESCA FENDER, DESIGNER, JOHN LEWIS OF HUNGERFORD ‘In 2024, I’m excited to work with more earthy colours in schemes, focusing on natural and eco-friendly materials.’ KATIE PARRY-STONE, COSENTINO RETAIL EXPERT ‘This year, I’m loving veined worktops, which are timeless and elegant, and a great way to incorporate the quiet luxury trend within your kitchen.’ Today’s kitchens are so much more than just a place to cook. Within a heartbeat, we expect them to become dining spaces, home offices, family areas, laundry rooms, and so much more. And in order to keep up, kitchen design is moving at an…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Clare Bolger, an interior designer, and her husband Oliver, a solutions architect, live here with their children, Jack, 15, George, 12, and Henry, nine. THE PROPERTY A detached four-bedroom Edwardian villa in West Yorkshire. Although Clare Bolger and her husband Oliver weren’t looking to move, when they saw an Edwardian villa they had always admired come up for sale, they knew it had the potential to be their forever home. WHAT CONDITION WAS THE PROPERTY IN? ‘The kitchen and decor were about 30 years old; the doors and stairs were panelled with 1960s fibreboard; the original fireplaces had been replaced and there was Artex on the walls. It could have seemed daunting, but as a budding interior designer and launching my own company Nospacelikehome.uk, I…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Chantel Elshout, an interior designer, lives here with her husband and two children. THE PROJECT Planning and installing a bathroom in a four-bedroom new-build house, located near Cirencester. TOTAL COST £30,000 THE PROBLEM The original planned space for the bathroom was long and narrow THE SOLUTION ‘We bought the house off plan, but the layout didn’t work for us at all – every bedroom had a bathroom and they were all long and narrow. We changed the configuration completely, splitting the upstairs into two – one side has the master bedroom, dressing room and en suite, and the other has the children’s rooms, study and a family bathroom. I was very involved in the process, project managing and going on-site to make sure things were…

A luxurious kitchen can often feel like a pipe dream, something we don’t see as an attainable reality. We’d all love to make our kitchen look expensive, but probably give up at the prospect of having to break the bank in order to achieve a dreamy aesthetic. The good news is that you can create the illusion of a designer kitchen without spending lots of money. ‘Working to a budget does not mean you have to forgo dreams of a designer kitchen,’ says Ruth Lavender, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery (benchmarxkitchens.co.uk). ‘Clever combinations of cabinetry, worktops, lighting and appliances make it possible to create an expensive feel without overstepping on costs.’ 1 HANG YOUR CURTAINS HIGH Expensive kitchens typically have high ceilings and large windows, but there’s a…

Many people might laugh fridgescaping off as a ridiculous social media trend. However, knowing how to organise a fridge is a useful skill that will cut down on food waste and help you save money. The fact that an organised fridge can also be aesthetically pleasing is just an added bonus. According to environmental charity WRAP, we throw away 6.6 million tonnes of household food waste a year in the UK. Shockingly, the majority, 4.5 million tonnes, is food that could have been eaten. ‘A properly organised fridge can save you money and keep you healthy by preventing the growth of bacteria. It can also reduce the amount of food you throw out,’ says Joe Authbert, buying manager at ProCook. ‘Organising the contents of your fridge is also recommended to…

According to those in the know, the scent of your favourite candle or wax melt really can change the way you feel. Which means that your favourite home fragrance could be messing with your head – but in a good way. ‘Smell is the most emotive of our senses and scent definitely affects mood,’ says neuroscientist and wellbeing podcaster Tara Swart (taraswart.com/podcast). ‘The olfactory nerve goes from your nose to an area of the brain close to the memory and emotion centres. The nerves from all our other senses have to travel a longer distance.’ So, whether you prefer candles, oils or reed diffusers, quality is definitely a factor when it comes to using scent for aromatherapy. And, yes, this is a real, science-based therapy that has been used in…

WE KEEP SEEING Sunshine vibes Nothing heralds the onset of cheerful weather more than interiors inspired by warmer climes. This season it’s all about the Amalfi Coast, with fresh yellows, lush greens and lemon motifs popping up in stores all over the high street. Furniture Village has embraced this look to the max, with a vibrant new collection to add an Italian twist to your décor. Zesty ochre, mustard and olive green, teamed with natural materials and white-washed furniture, make the perfect combo for an uplifting, sun-filled scheme. IH LOVES... Patterned shades Callista table lamp in Distressed Green, £225, Oka W hat to do this month... LISTEN Decluttering Untangled with Heather Tingle is not your average tidying podcast. Following her own journey with ADHD and autism, Helen shows you how to…

If you’ve been anywhere near social media in the last few months, it’s likely you’ll have heard of at least one of the wealth-focused interior trends dominating the internet – be it #oldmoney, #stealthwealth, or #quietluxury. Although they often apply to fashion and beauty, these ‘understated wealth’ hashtags have also been used about interiors. The aesthetic is all about subtlety – ‘quiet luxury’ indicates a desirable home that looks expensive… in an understated way. For those who embody this aesthetic, the home doesn’t scream ‘I have money’ in obvious, showy ways, but gives it away in smaller details. It’s top quality craftsmanship, timeless design choices and smaller details that point to a rich and interesting life, such as unique artwork and antique furniture. But why is the concept so popular…

1 GO FOR A STAND-OUT SPLASHBACK Kitchens may be costly to change, but updating your splashback with new tiles is a simple way to add pattern or colour without the huge price tag. We love how these tiles add a hit of pattern, but also match the units and the painted panelled alcove. 2 CREATE A WALL OF VIBRANT PATTERNED PRINTS Can’t decide on a wallpaper? Why not have a few, by framing them and creating a gallery wall? The beauty of this idea is that you can go for the boldest designs without them overpowering your room. Frame papers using mounts and hang symmetrically to keep the look neat and ordered. WALLPAPER CHEAT SHEET FABRICS TO WOW 3 Position a no-drill, battery-operated wall light above artwork to highlight the…

1. ABSTRACT ARTWORK Think bold geometrics and blocks of colour on large artworks to create this look. Pattern stole its influences from the playful abstract expressionist art of the 1950s and 1960s, so go for one large graphic piece rather than lots of smaller frames. Mid-Century Abstract framed canvas, £290 for a 100x100cm design, Abstract House 2. STATEMENT LIGHTING Nothing gives your living room that finishing touch more than a statement light, whether you opt for a sculpted metallic design, grandiose chandelier or something more unusual. Globe, sputnik and retro-shaped pendants lend themselves well to this era, too. A floor lamp in a similar design will add to the look. Lexington three-seater sofa in Rust Velvet, £1,299, Atkin and Thyme 3. WOOD FURNITURE Mid-century style is known for its beautifully…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Simon Changer, his wife, Joanna, and their children, Dylan, 19, Amelia, 17, Elliott, eight, and Beatrice, five. THE PROJECT A kitchen refit in a five-bedroom Victorian terrace in west London. TOTAL COST APPROX £37,000 THE PROBLEM The old space was lacking colour and didn’t suit the family’s needs any more THE SOLUTION ‘In 2002, my wife bought a two-bed maisonette. We added another floor to it in 2013, then installed a plain, off-white kitchen. Later, we bought the ground-floor flat, too, with plans to turn it into a kitchen-dining room. We wanted the new space to feel like a cosy bar, and were inspired by Soho House and Riding House Cafés in London. The Main Company (maincompany. co.uk) took our design and realised it, and…

I t’s amazing what even the smallest amount of extra space can do to improve a small home. From smart loft conversions to slim side-return extensions, there are many options to improve a small house’s layout. The right renovation will add value, too. A single-storey rear extension is often the most planning-permission-friendly extension project, and can often be achieved under permitted development. But do keep in mind the balance between house and garden, as swallowing up too much usable outdoor space with an extension can reduce the property’s value. WHERE IS BEST TO EXTEND IN A SMALL HOUSE? ‘In small homes, every bit of space is vitally important,’ says Nick Varey at Studio Varey Architects (studiovarey.co.uk). ‘If a small home has outside space to the rear, that can be extended…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ There are two types of hot water tap – a true boiling water tap, which delivers water at 100°C and a tap that delivers water a fraction cooler, called a near-boiling (or instant hot water) tap. That degree or two cooler makes little difference if you’re filling a saucepan to cook pasta or making up a hot water bottle, but true 100C water is better for everything from making tea to sterilising baby bottles. ■ The taps tend to vary in how they work, but they usually require a small boiler (many with an added filter system) beneath your kitchen sink. The bigger the boiler tank, the larger the capacity. All of the models here have a larger capacity than a kettle, with some going up…

“The range is hand-finished in the Bristol workshop, reducing emissions as the finished product won’t need to travel far” Stylish & sustainable Specialising in the creation of doors for Ikea or Howdens kitchen carcases, Bristol-based Husk is now collaborating with furniture design company Another Country to create a range of timeless kitchen fronts made from sustainable materials. Everything is made to order to minimise waste, from FSC certified and sustainably sourced wood. The doors are available in either a natural ash veneer or painted in a choice of five earthy shades, from green to yellow, and every detail – including the door and drawer pulls – is unique to the range. Find out more at madebyhusk.com ECO TILE DESIGNS Looking for a greener choice for your kitchen or bathroom? Take…

I come in three sizes – go large for a big impact!…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Terracotta has a reassuring earthiness that exudes timeless simplicity. With the exception of “muddy” or burnt-orange shades, it can be surprisingly opulent too. Opt for rich, vibrant red or orange-toned terracottas for a warm, welcoming hallway.’ JAMES SIRETT, HEAD OF PRODUCT, FIRED EARTH ‘This shade reminds us of being abroad, deep sunsets and mosaic floors. It’s exciting and calming at the same time, and brings joy with a natural cosiness – perfect for modern and older homes.’ SOPHIE SMITH, FOUNDER, ZHOOSH PAINTS ‘Rich earthy tones add sophistication and warmth to any interior. Terracotta is versatile, pairing well with a variety of textures, such as natural fabrics, and other colours, such as biophilic greens.’ ANNA HILL, BRAND DIRECTOR AND COLOUR CONSULTANT,…

I’m part of a series of vase prints’…

Upgrade basic bunks Turn bunk beds into stylish, enclosed sleeping pods with a bespoke decorative frame. Paint the back wall to match and add a curtain to make them even more snug. Give it a twist... Personalise each bunk bed with different artwork, cushions and bed linen. Make a bookshelf house Cut-outs of left-over wallpaper create a wall feature and give simple cube storage the potential to be used as a doll’s house as well as hold toys. Give it a twist... Supersize the house by using multiple cube units and drops of wallpaper. Create a view on the ceiling Give little ones something to look up to by papering the fifth wall in an abstract pattern. With high ceilings, you could continue down to the picture rail as a…

STYLE HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Kasia Price, head of e-commerce at THG, lives here with her husband Sam, founder of Heatable, their baby son, Ralph, and Bedlington terrier, Penny. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom 1930s detached house in Warrington. 1 “Colour drenching feels like a big hug” ‘The warm terracotta used in the front living room was the starting point. I wanted this to be calm and cosy, in contrast to the open-plan kitchen space. Green is dotted around the house – it’s my favourite.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Walls painted in Red 03 emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Lick. Hendricks sofa, £1,400, Habitat at Argos. Rani rug, from £404.95, West Elm. Try Abstract Face vases, £18 for a set of three, Sass & Belle 2 “Rethinking the layout paid…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Lisa Potter-Dixon, her husband Theo Coyne, dogs Snoop and Diddy, and cat Little Kim. THE PROJECT An extension to create a big open-plan kitchen/diner in a three-bed, Victorian terrace in south-west London. TOTAL COST APPROX £110,000 THE PROBLEM The narrow and outdated galley-style kitchen was impractical for entertaining THE SOLUTION ‘Theo and I wanted a large, colourful, multifunctional room to host, relax and work in, and the key was creating more space. To do this, we added a side-return extension, with a long skylight, and a small rear extension with full-width, sliding doors, which flood the space with light and connect to the garden. As a make-up artist, I adore colour and at the heart of our kitchen is a huge, bespoke pink concrete island/dining…

I f you’re selling your home, you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to market your property. And if you’re buying, an EPC will tell you how energy efficient the new pad is – that’s good for the planet, and can mean cheaper energy bills. Homes with higher EPC ratings generally also have higher asking prices and are more attractive to potential buyers. WHAT IS AN EPC? It’s a standardised document prepared by an official assessor that measures the energy efficiency of a building. As well as an overall rating, an EPC shows the home’s estimated energy costs for the next three years. It also offers a potential score that could be achieved if its recommendations for improved energy efficiency are installed. EPCs were first introduced in 2007 and became…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ As a rule, a selection of saucepan sizes are required to cook a variety of dishes at once. Aim for a set that includes at least three pans (16, 18 and 20cm are best) for a good overall mix. Then after that, you may wish to invest in a larger stockpot for batch cooking or cooking pasta and a small 14cm milk pan, which is ideal for cooking custard, hot chocolate and more. ■ The majority of modern pans are made from stainless steel, with an aluminium disc built into in the base of the pan. Stainless steel is a durable and low maintenance material, while the addition of aluminium makes for a good heat conductor, spreading heat up through the pan quickly and evenly. Cast…

Savvy ways to help your home go green If you’re planning on doing some home improvements, you may also be considering making your property greener as you try to do your bit for the planet, and save money, too. But, did you know you can get thousands back in grants to help you make your home more eco-friendly? Our money columnist, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, shows you the grants and incentives you can take advantage of – you won’t want to miss out on these. SOLAR PANELS A great way to help reduce energy costs and your carbon footprint, solar panels cost on average around £7,000* to install. You’ll get the most benefit from them if you have a south-facing roof, although an east-facing roof can work, while north-facing is generally unsuitable.…

When I was pregnant I was so extraordinarily sensitive to smell that we didn’t cook anything in the house for at least my first trimester because it made my (already awful) morning sickness even worse. I don’t know whether that left me more sensitive to the different aromas in the home, or if I’m just more aware of our sense of smell and the impact it can have on a space, but I find it truly incredible the power that scent has over my mood – and how important it is to pick the right one when looking to channel a particular vibe. Let’s start with the positives. I have used scent to help me sleep ever since I started suffering from periods of insomnia a few years ago. Spritzing…

YOU WILL NEED ● A second-hand shelf unit ● Sandpaper ● Chalk paint ● Clear wax ● Wallpaper ● Wallpaper adhesive Lightly sand down the shelf unit and wipe away any residue. Next, paint the unit using the chalk paint. Leave to dry completely and then give it a coat of clear wax. Measure up and cut the wallpaper sample or roll to fit into the recess of each shelf. Stick the paper into place using wallcovering adhesive, then smooth out any air bubbles that may form. Leave to dry.…

Leftover soup muffins MAKES 4 READY IN 40 MINS ● 120g plain flour ● 1tsp baking powder● 1tsp garlic powder/granules (optional) ● 2tbsp olive oil ● 1 large egg, lightly beaten ● About 120ml leftover soup, puréed (more or less, as needed) ● 50g grated strong cheese (Cheddar, Comté, Gouda) ● A small handful of fresh chopped herbs (optional) ● 1 spring onion, finely chopped (optional) 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4 and line four holes of a large muffin tray with paper cases or baking paper. 2 In a mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, garlic powder (if using) and salt and pepper together with a fork. Add the oil and egg to the flour mixture and stir. Then add the soup – just enough to make…

The TV and radio presenter lives in southwest London with husband James Midgley, and their 12-year-old daughter Ella WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU GET HOME? Take off my shoes, hang up my coat and head straight to the kitchen. A cup of tea is often on the agenda, but like most people one of the first things I do is open a cupboard and wonder what I might eat! WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? I love my kitchen but, ironically. I am the world’s worst cook. I love how, whenever friends come over, they all gather in the kitchen and congregate around the island. It’s where the music is – so this is the room where everyone sings their hearts out when we have a party! WHAT’S…