Innehållsförteckning för April 2024 från Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER I need a gold star! We’ve finally finished another room in what is turning out to be the longest house renovation ever. I mean, I’m into the idea of slow living, but we’re doing a very good job of taking slow renovating to the extreme. Our latest project – our tiny downstairs loo – sums it up. How can a room so small take us so long to do? At least we’ve ended up managing to turn what was a very drab glorified coat cupboard into a really fab bijou space. “ I’m taking slow living to the extreme, with the longest house reno ever” We added faux panelling, shelving and painted it a beautiful terracotta red. I embraced the colour drenching trend and even painted the ceiling.…

STYLE DIRECTION“An abstract mural turns a bland wall into a work of art while white painted floorboards continue the art studio look"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STYLE DIRECTION“Rugs are a less intrusive way to add large-scale pattern to a neutral space as they keep the interest below the line of sight"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BE BOLD WITH SCALE Painterly brushstrokes look fab when supersized; look for large-scale murals for wow walls and big-print curtain fabrics to frame a window, or get out your widest paint brush and have a go. Though the scale is bold, the brushstroke shapes are soft and flowing so the feel will still be organic and relaxed. CHOOSE YOUR PALETTE A delicate mix of watery blues, greens and pinks brings subtle colour to this painterly style for a…

So you’re planning a room makeover? It’s time to give your windows some love, says our trio of curtain and blind experts. It’s important to think of practicality as well as style, with the shape and size of your window and the room’s function as important as the fabric, heading and lining choice. ‘So many people forget to include window treatments when planning a new look. Windows take up a huge amount of space within a room and are an ideal canvas for expressing your creativity,’ says Yvonne. A NEW BOLDNESS ‘Compared to 20 years ago, our choice of window dressings is relatively safe today,’ says Deirdre. ‘Back then, we were confident about having pelmets and curtain tiebacks, as well as lots of pattern. Then we had the grey Scandi-inspired…

1 PAINT KITCHEN BAR STOOLS Inject some colour into your kitchen by refreshing wooden bar stools (or dining chairs if your space is open plan) with a coat of paint. You could match your seating to the cabinets for a unified look by going for a similar shade, as has been done here with this soft duck-egg tone, or create a point of difference with a bold contrasting colour instead. 2 CREATE A HALLWAY NOOK Hallways aren’t always given the attention they deserve, so show yours some love by carving out a scheme, however large or small the space may be. Wallpaper is ideal for a warm, welcoming look so be confident in your choice and, if there’s room, add a spot to sit and put on shoes, plus hooks…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Susanne Sutton lives here with her husband, Toby, their twin daughters, May and Alice, eight, and five-year-old son, Barnaby. THE PROPERTY A three-bed, two-storey detached house in Armadale, Melbourne. It was built in the 19th century. THE LAYOUT An archway leads to a long, covered verandah on the approach to the front door of this Victorian property. The living room is off the hallway; carry on past the staircase to the family room, downstairs loo, utility and, at the back, the large open-plan kitchen-diner. Upstairs, the main bedroom is at the front of the house, leading on to a wardrobe space and en suite. The family bathroom and another two bedrooms can be found off the main walkway. When the Sutton family relocated back to…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Carla Collins lives here. THE PROJECT Relocating the bathroom in a three-bedroom detached Edwardian house in New Malden, Surrey. TOTAL COST £14,000 THE PROBLEM A cramped and tiny bathroom with space only for a shower THE SOLUTION ‘This pretty house is ideal as the first home I’ve owned by myself but with the main bedroom across the front and two smaller ones across the back, the bathroom squeezed onto the landing was never a selling point. I wanted a luxurious space with modern, clean lines and a separate bath and shower. The solution was to turn the box room into the bathroom. The space was quite narrow, which was resolved by Simply Bathrooms (Surrey) (@simplybathroomsltd), who designed all the fixtures down one side with an…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Keeping your home clean can feel like an uphill battle, but having a handheld vacuum at the ready makes it quicker and easier to do. What’s more, these models can get into tight spaces that you might not be able to reach with a full size one. ■ While many cordless vacuums are multipurpose and can convert to a handheld mode, these versions are smaller and slimmer so they won’t need to be tucked away out of sight in a cupboard. They’re also super handy for cleaning the car. ■ When you’re looking to buy a handheld vacuum cleaner, handle comfort, ease of emptying and ease of use are key factors. The supplied accessories also play a big part; these include crevice nozzles, duster brushes, pet-hair…

Doing good often feels good too - rewarding you with a nice dopamine hit through doing something that helps others in some way. The science backs it up. An act of kindness will give you the same rush of endorphins – those feel-good chemicals that give us a happy high – as you get after exercise. It’s often dubbed ‘helper’s high’, and refers to the little mood boost and the other positive emotions that are brought on through selfless acts of kindness. I get a helper’s high every time I visit my local zero waste shop. Not only am I supporting a small business, but I’m shopping more sustainably and reducing the waste our household produces at the same time. I get my first buzz when I’m in the shop…

If your cleaning cupboard is a disarray of products that spill onto the floor every time you open the door, you’re not alone. But you can turn that clutter into calm by implementing a bit of order. Whether you store cleaning supplies under the sink or in a utility room, it’s easy to throw them in at random after each use. However, this sort of chaos doesn’t help our chores run smoothly and risks us forgetting about products and replacing them unnecessarily. ‘People tend to find the easiest path to follow, so if there are more than two stages to a process, that can be a big enough deterrent to starting the task,’ says Katherine Blackler, professional organiser, SortMySpace (sortmyspace.co.uk). ‘So if you’re not a fan of cleaning or it…

The colour wheel is a visual representation of where colours sit on the spectrum and the relationship between them. It’s made up of 12 colours, half of which are warm (reds, oranges and yellows) and the other half cool (lilacs, blues and greens). The colours on the wheel are categorised into these groups: HARMONIOUS (OR ANALOGOUS) COLOURS These sit next to each other on the colour wheel. ‘This colour scheme allows you to experiment with grouping colours which you know complement one another,’ says Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director at YesColours. CONTRASTING (OR COMPLEMENTARY) COLOURS Those that sit directly opposite each other on the wheel. Examples include red and green, yellow and purple and blue and orange. TONAL COLOURS Different shades of one colour. Also known as monochromatic, this…

ALL ENCOMPASSING The decorative art of stretching one single paint shade onto multiple surfaces – from your walls and woodwork, to fitted furniture, radiators, fire surrounds and sometimes even ceilings – that’s colour drenching. It’s a fast way to achieving a trend-led space. STANDOUT APPEAL ‘Using one colour in a room,’ explains decorating expert Nicky Phillips, ‘blurs the traditional boundaries of the space, making the walls recede and allowing the furniture and accessories in the space to take centre stage.’ EXPAND YOUR SPACE Tash Bradley, director of interior design at Lick, is a big fan of the paint technique. 'Even if you have a smaller room, colour drench it,’ she says. ‘It opens up the whole space and you don’t notice the edges of the room. So, if you have…

SURPRISE IN STORE Mix and match at M&S It’s no secret that to create a classic (but not dated) scheme, you need to take an old-meets-new approach. What is surprising though is this season’s cleverly curated collection at M&S which will do the hard work for you, fusing traditional trims and details with contemporary flashes of colour. Tap into the vintage style with its wavy-edged tableware and napkins, while elsewhere in store the frill-seamed Blenheim sofa and scalloped coffee and side tables have your living room covered, too. IH LOVES... Cut-out chairs Lucilla Orange Umber bouclé dining chair, £169, Dunelm What to do this month... LISTEN If you want to know what’s worth watching, and what’s not, take the time to catch Richard Osman and Marina Hyde on their podcast…

At the end of last year, trend tracker Pinterest released its predictions for the upcoming year and the one that we can get wholeheartedly behind is #Kitschens. Also known as, Kitsch Kitchens. TREND ORIGINS Let’s face it – these days, as a result of the cost of living crisis, going out is rather expensive and more of us are entertaining at home. These gatherings however, aren’t dressy, posh dining room affairs. They’re far more informal, relaxed and… well, fun. And where better to host your friends than in your kitchen-diner? Suffice to say that because of this new-found love of kitchen entertaining, homeowners are taking more pride in their surroundings. This means that plain white kitchens are being eschewed in favour of décor that sets the scene for lively get-togethers,…

Upcycle a chest of drawers A single or twin chest can be customised with a slab of worktop. Holes will need to be cut in the surface and top drawer’s base to fit the basin’s waste trap. Give it a twist… Switch glam marble for classic black granite or rustic oak. Put up a hanging rail A ceiling-fixed rail can be used to display hanging plants but also to hold containers or baskets for storing toiletries, loo rolls and towels where floor space is in short supply. Give it a twist… Swap industrial black metal for gleaming brass or gold to add a glamorous touch. Tile a simple splashback Tiling behind the basin is an easy way to add colour, pattern and interest to white walls. If you choose large…

It’s never too late (or too early) to learn how to create your ideal outdoor space. Regardless of your budget and how much workable area you’re blessed with, having a clear idea of exactly what you want in your garden and how to deliver it will ensure you don’t make mistakes down the line which could result in having to do it all again from scratch. ‘When planning your garden, you should always define the main purpose of your space,’ explains Jody Crichton, owner and managing director of AOS Outdoor Kitchens (aoskitchens.co.uk). ‘Is it a place to entertain guests, eat meals or unwind with family? Then you can start to plan accordingly.’ MAKE A GARDEN WISH LIST Garden designer Pollyanna Wilkinson (studiopollyanna.co.uk) agrees that before you reach for a shovel,…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ In a nutshell, dual zone air fryers do everything your usual air fryer does, times two. So you can cook with the same time and temperature across both drawers – effectively doubling the capacity of a single drawer design – or control either drawer independently. ■ Just like a single cavity air fryer, a dual zone model works in the same way as a convection oven, circulating air around the food and cooking it evenly from every angle. So any fat you add to the air fryer will circulate around your chicken, making it crisp and crunchy. ■ For instance, you can air fry veg in one drawer and a chicken breast on an entirely different setting in the other drawer, and set the cooking times…

“For more information on the Conscious Choice range and to shop, visit dunelm.com/info/conscious-choice” Style with a second life Here’s your friendly reminder to check out Dunelm’s excellent Conscious Choice range. Now in its second year, the collection features homeware and furniture made from sustainable raw materials – think organic and responsibly sourced cotton, as well as recycled polyester, polypropylene, metal, paper and glass, to name just a few. What’s more, the brand will reuse any suitable textiles you donate via its Textile Takeback scheme – simply bag up your pre-loved textiles, drop them off in a participating Dunelm store and the company will reuse or recycle them. HAPPY EVER AFTER If carpet and flooring can’t be reused or recycled, chances are it’ll end up in landfill. That is until now,…

The TV presenter and radio personality lives near Hackney Marshes, in east London WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU COME HOME? The lighting. I hate ceiling lights so I have a lot of side lights. I’ve got a beautiful salt lamp; they give off the most glowing, healing light. It is a comfort thing. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? Dusk. I live on the River Lea with a view of water and so much sky. I can almost tell the time of day by the sky, which feels ancient and beautiful. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? My office. It’s full of framed pictures, including magazine covers I’ve done with Mum [TV chef Andi Oliver]. There’s a photograph of my Grandma Maria and one of…

VISUAL COLLECTION Not sure where to start when planning a new room scheme? One way to make the job easier is using moodboards. If you like to get hands-on, a physical board is great for building up with fabric swatches, wallpaper samples and images cut out from magazines and brochures. Alternatively, you can create a digital version on your phone or tablet using screenshots of your favourite pieces of furniture, décor schemes, colours and patterns. Creating a visual collection of all the different design elements together in one place will help you to focus your style and imagine the space as a whole. Canva.com, Pinterest and Milanote.com are all good for creating a digital moodboard. SAVE FOR LATER Even if you’re not starting a new decorating project, whenever you see…

WHERE TO BUY I look like ceramic but I’m actually summer-ready picnicware…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Sky blue’s ability to brighten and uplift rooms makes it an ideal choice for creating an airy feel where space is at a premium. It’s a shade that can harmonise with contrasting colour palettes too.’ ANNA HILL, BRAND DIRECTOR & COLOUR CONSULTANT, FENWICK & TILBROOK ‘As a lighter, brighter shade, sky blue pairs perfectly with darker tones for an inspiring and energising environment. Use with a grey hue such as Steel Pole and navy Lido Blue or contrast with rich reds to enliven your space with bold colour-blocking.’ FLORA HOGG, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND COLOUR CONSULTANT, CRAIG & ROSE ‘Drawing inspiration from the landscape, sky blue shades work brilliantly within natural palettes of sun-kissed yellows, terracottas and pinks, stone-coloured neutrals and…

1. SHOWER BATH When space is at a premium, get the best of both worlds with a shower bath, which works whether you’re after a speedy shower or a more leisurely soak. This design combines the traditional looks of a roll-top bath, with a modern brass shower and screen, while an alcove provides a handy spot for toiletries. Abingdon 1500 roll top shower bath with white ball feet and 6mm easy clean brushed brass framed screen, £679.99, Bathroom Mountain 2. WALK-IN SHOWER The family bathroom is a hub of activity in the morning, so make things a little speedier with a walk-in shower that’s easy to access. No climbing into bath tubs, or opening a sliding door, plus, being so roomy, you can always add a shower seat in as…

STYLE HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Sharon Lee, a trainee psychotherapist, and Lucas Dussurget, an IT executive, live here with their cat, Archie. THE PROPERTY A three-storey Victorian semi-detached house in south-east London. 1 “Wood adds a warm glow” ‘When it came to the nuts and bolts of this house, sustainability and natural materials were essential. Douglas fir from viable forests in Wales forms the exposed timber structure of the kitchen extension and much of the joinery. Its warmth gives a lovely rosy glow. Breathable lime plaster walls, insulated with sustainable wood fibre panels, have a soft texture in the changing light.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Try North American Douglas fir, price on request, Timbersource. Walls in Saint-Astier Eco R50 plaster, from £35.52 for a 25kg bag, Womersley’s 2…

PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE? Astrid Trügg, an artist, @astridtruggart, lives here with her husband Paul Bekkers, their children, Tobias, 15, and Isabel, 13, and two Border collies. THE PROJECT A multi-room remodel in a converted Victorian villa in North Berwick, East Lothian. TOTAL COST APPROX £30,000 THE PROBLEM The kitchen was cramped and narrow while the hallway was overly large THE SOLUTION ‘We gave the new layout a lot of thought as we were upgrading our home all over. My brother-in-law, Rolf van Boxmeer, is an architect in Holland, where I am from, and I’m an artist, so I sent him lots of sketches which he worked from to draw up the plans. Opening the huge hallway to the adjacent small office and music room enabled us to create…

Any bathroom refurb will benefit from strategically placed illumination that’s fully flexible, mood enhancing and satisfying to look at, whether it’s switched on or off. ‘The best bathroom lighting scheme relies on light coming from several sources, each controlled separately, so that it creates a relaxed and warm atmosphere that is functional too,’ says Grazziella Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra (capietra.com). ‘Your choice of lighting also has an impact on the overall room design and is a great way of illuminating key features.’ It might sound complicated but dedicating a little time to planning your lighting properly, before you so much as buy a light bulb, can make all the difference. FIND AN ELECTRICIAN If you’re installing lights, adding circuits or just moving things around, you’ll need to…

Cleaning with vinegar is more than just an old wives’ tale – Instagram and TikTok are full of people rediscovering the power of this versatile, affordable product. ‘Whether you’re into natural eco-cleaning or want to cut the cost of cleaning your home, white vinegar is a must-have kitchen staple,’ says Emily Barron, cleaning expert at Property Expert (propertyrescue.co.uk). A spritz of a diluted white vinegar solution will help get rid of everything from stains and grime to limescale and mould. For tough jobs, mix vinegar with bicarbonate of soda to create a powerfully active paste. Considering you can pick up a five-litre bottle of cleaning vinegar on Amazon for around £6, it really is one of cheapest ways to tackle so many areas of the home. 1 FRIDGE White vinegar…

Reclaim money that you’ve forgotten about It’s easy to fall behind with life admin, but this can result in losing track of your finances, too. So much so, that at least three in 10 people* think they’ve lost money by holding it in a dormant account or by simply forgetting about it. It’s estimated that over £50 billion sits in ‘lost’ accounts. Could some of it be yours? PREMIUM BONDS National Savings & Investments (NS&I) premium bonds are hugely popular, but millions of prizes go unclaimed, at least five of them worth £100,000. Many people lose track of their bonds, often when they move home and don’t tell NS&I. If you have your holder’s number, you can find out if you’ve won at nsandi.com/prize-checker. Otherwise, write to NS&I, Sunderland SR43…

Lemon drizzle cake SERVES 8 READY IN 45 MINS, PLUS COOLING ● 150g softened butter ● 200g caster sugar ● 4 eggs ● 142ml pot soured cream ● 275g self-raising flour ● Zest of 2 large lemons ● 3tbsp Limoncello FOR THE FILLING ● 300g full-fat cream cheese ● 150g lemon curd FOR THE TOPPING ● Zest of 1 large lemon, plus 2tbsp juice ● 125g icing sugar, sifted 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Grease and base line two 20cm sandwich tins. 2 In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Gradually whisk in the eggs one at a time until smooth, then fold in the soured cream, flour and lemon zest. Spoon into the two tins and smooth the surface. 3…

All great room schemes begin with inspiring images and this mini magazine is packed with heaps of ideas and creativity to help you start your decorating journey. Whether you’re redecorating an entire room or just sprucing up a space with a few changes, we’ve highlighted five of the hottest trends right now, with details on where to buy the look on the high street, as well as where (and how) to use it in your home. And if you’re looking to master some key decorating techniques, we’ve covered six of them inside, to help you make that inspiration a reality.…