Innehållsförteckning för August 2024 från Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER I’m on a mission to weather-proof our garden. As we all know, the ever-changeable British weather means sunshine is by no means guaranteed over the summer months, and having worked so hard on my garden, I want to be able to enjoy it as much as possible, even on the rainiest of days. Plus, if I’m honest, I’m absolutely fed up of constantly having to shift the outdoor sofa cushions. We have two big Ikea sofas with enormous cushions that make them super comfy, but having to lug them all off and back on again every time it rains is a workout in itself. I’m dreaming of a large covered pergola, with decking below. Creating an outdoor kitchen, incorporating a grill area and pizza oven, is still very…

LOOKS THAT LAST COLOUR BALANCE Keep the walls light to maximise the feeling of space and add colour with richly textured, woven upholstery fabrics in bold teal and warm sunset hues STYLE DIRECTION “Add colour to the walls with oversized abstract canvas prints in deep desert hues"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NATURAL WARMTH Add depth to a muted sandy colour palette with a rustic tan leather sofa. Look for boxy shapes and soften with tactile, fringed neutral cushions STYLE DIRECTION “Celebrate the architecture of the building to add texture to your scheme"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BE INSPIRED BY NATURE For this look let the wild prairie landscape be the starting point for both your colour scheme and the textures you use. Combine cool cactus green with warm earthy neutrals, dusky sunset tones…

Make a handy bench unit A pair of wooden step-stools and a couple of wardrobe doors is all it takes to make a media bench that fits your space perfectly. Simply attach the planks to the stools for stability. Give it a twist… Paint the stools first to add colour to your space. Elevate a simple sideboard Give a cabinet a glam-over with gold legs and handles. Use it as a feature piece that’s worthy of a display moment, instead of a blend-into-the-background basic Besta cabinet. Give it a twist… Customise the top by adding faux marble sheet, such as Ikea’s Lysekil wall panel, £40 for 0.65sq m. Repurpose picture ledges Ease congestion in cupboards or on worktops with slim picture shelves. Fix cup hooks underneath for mugs and tea…

I’m made with 82% recycled plastic…

IDEAS HOME HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Ambrice Miller, an antiques dealer and interior designer, lives here with her husband Ben Joyce, a pensions actuary, their two-year-old son Hendrix, and their two dogs. THE PROPERTY A six-bedroom Grade II-listed 17th-century former malt master’s house in Suffolk. alabama-born Ambrice Miller fell in love with England when she first visited at the age of 20 so it was no surprise that she leapt at the opportunity to return for work a few years later. After meeting husband-to-be Ben Joyce, the couple rented a flat in north London. However, when the landlord decided to sell up, they began to search for a home of their own in the countryside. WHY DID YOU BUY THIS HOUSE? ‘While driving back from a viewing in Somerset,…

Adding a pergola can transform an unused area of your garden into a cosy dining space, a shaded hang-out zone, or even a spot for a hot tub. Building your own pergola is an affordable alternative to a professional installation – it’s not expensive and it’s relatively straightforward – but there are some things you need to consider. THE BASICS It’s highly unlikely that you’ll need planning permission to build a pergola unless you live in a conservation area, the property is listed, or you plan to build a pergola that’s more than half the size of your garden. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to check with your local council before you start buying the materials. There is a limit on the height of the pergola that…

It’s not so bad now that my twins are teens, but the summer holidays are always stressful. As well as the obvious child care challenges (or in my case with teens, the endless mum-taxi requests), the house itself comes under pressure from all directions. You’ve got more people sharing the same space, more noise, more food consumed, more washing-up and more general mess accumulating in a seemingly endless cycle. I don’t know about you, but the stack of dirty dishes next to my kitchen sink multiplies as if by magic, and I’m blown away at how many different pairs of shoes it’s possible to wear and discard in the hallway every day. I challenge anyone not to feel just a little bit frazzled over this period. Now that my two…

“Each house comes with information on the best place to hang it in your garden” Welcome home Based in the Ribble valley in Lancashire, Wuddl makes a host of cute, compact and brightly coloured houses for insects and animals to help you protect wildlife by creating a sanctuary for them in your garden. With different styles for bees, butterflies and birds, each house is made from solid wood and hand-painted. Priced from £12.95 for a mini bee house to £60 for a super smart bird house, they’re the perfect addition to any garden this summer. SPEEDY COMPOST If you live in an area where your council doesn’t collect food waste and you can’t compost in your garden, you’ll be sending a whole lot more waste to landfill. Hozelock’s latest Bokashi…

The Fletchers’ Family Farm stars live in the Peak District with their children Marnie, Milo and two-year-old twins Mateusz and Maximus WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WALK IN THE DOOR? KELVIN Shoes off and jackets on hangers that we can’t reach because whoever lived here before was much taller than us. LIZ Follow a trail of kids-created mess! WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? L The kitchen, when it’s quiet, tidy and I’m on my own having a cup of tea, but it’s also my happy place when everyone’s here and it’s all happening. ANY HOMEWARE ADDICTIONS? K Storage solutions. I was in B&Q this morning and nearly bought some more giant plastic boxes. I like to be organised! L Candles and vases; you can never have enough. We…

SURPRISE IN STORE Elevated al fresco Our summers can be short-lived, but we say all the more reason to invest in chic, comfortable garden furniture that helps you enjoy it while it lasts! As well as ticking all the style boxes, the new collection by Freemans is more reasonably priced than it looks. We love the smart Suntime Seville dining set (above) with its cement table top and rope-detail chairs. Plus there’s an impressive selection of outdoor lighting for after dark; choose from lanterns, lamps, festoon lights and this on-trend pendant. IH LOVES... Summery serveware Electric Coast Sun serving bowl, £40; Electric Coast Palm Tree dinner plate, £14; both Eleanor Bowmer at Pure Table Top W hat to do this month... READ Reduce your impact on today’s throwaway culture with…

It’s the same every year – at the first sign of sunshine, everyone behaves like we live in a tropical country. But a girl or guy can dream, no? We are all, it seems, wishing ourselves away to warmer climes and the latest interiors micro trend feeds off that wanderlust. Desticore – short for destination core – is the look that has people turning their homes into relaxing havens away from the stress of daily life. It’s summed up by spaces that echo the look and feel of being on holiday, whether that’s on Italy’s Amalfi coast, a Caribbean island or being surrounded by the hot, saturated hues of Morocco. The rise of this trend is not all that surprising. At the end of last year, Pinterest published its trend…

1. OPEN-PLAN SHELVING Wherever you live, emulate a country setting with your design choices. Forget streamlined – in a cottagecore kitchen, open shelving is key. Show off chopping boards, artisanal ceramics and storage jars, with copper pans and linen tea towels for a slow-living vibe. Mali teapot, £60; mugs, £32 for two; Nalbari boards, from £35; Kitto storage jars, from £30, all Nkuku 2. PATTERNED TEXTILES Cottagecore style offers scope for bringing in colour and pattern with fabrics to create the quintessential warm, cosy look. Whether a skirted sink, blinds or a tablecloth, play with prints that offer a true country feel. Ginghams, stripes, florals and animal motifs all work well; combine a few prints for layers of interest. Arlington in Sage, £39.50m, Vintage Weaves collection, Prestigious Textiles at Jane…

1 CREATE A RAISED VEG GARDEN Keep everything you need for home-grown summer salads close to hand in a neat trough planter. Being raised helps to ward off pests and makes it easier to plant and pick. Paint the planter then stencil or write on the names of your crops so you know what’s what. 2 MIX UP OUTDOOR RUGS Who says your outdoor rugs need to be matching? Opt for a couple of designs that are similar in either colour or pattern to add interest to decking or a patio. Don’t worry about keeping them spaced out, either – overlapping them works just as well and creates a cosy feel just as it would indoors. OUTDOOR RUG CH EAT SHEET 3 Pretty up your porch with some potted plants…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Laia Ros lives here with her husband Graham and their two children. THE PROJECT Creating a modern yet relaxed family bathroom, which incorporates plenty of storage space. A new layout makes space for a larger shower and laundry storage. TOTAL COST £9,000 When Laia and Graham first moved into their house 20 years ago, the bathroom needed replacing almost immediately and they chose a neutral scheme that worked well for family life. But when the underfloor heating broke last year it prompted a refresh. ‘After all that time the space felt a bit tired, and the floor tiles we had originally chosen made it feel dark, even though it’s a bright room. They showed dirt and hair so were hard to keep clean,’ says Laia.…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ A firepit can be a style statement in its own right and make a great centrepiece for a garden. But aside from wanting a stylish addition to an outdoor space, the price, fuel type and whether it doubles up as a barbecue or practical table are important things to consider before you buy one. ■ Regarding budget, firepits range wildly in price, from as little as £50 right up to £1,000 plus. As a general rule, the larger and more sturdy designs tend to be more expensive, but they’ll likely see you through many more summers than cheaper varieties. ■ Fuel-wise, firepits can burn wood, natural gas or propane. Wood is a great choice if you want to keep costs low. Gas and propane will cost more…

Stepping into a garden almost instantly soothes anxiety, calms a busy mind and eases tension. But what if we want to take this blissful experience a step further and practice mindful gardening? ‘Mindfulness is simply being aware and in a state of alert attention that allows the mind to go quiet,’ says Holly Farrell, RHS Wisley-trained horticulturalist and author of Gardening for Mindfulness (£14.99, Mitchell Beazley). ‘Put simply, mindfulness is paying attention.’ And when mindfulness is applied to gardening, it’s been found to improve mental and physical health. According to a survey by the RHS in 2021, people who garden everyday have wellbeing scores 6.6% higher and stress levels 4.2% lower than those who don’t garden at all. The RHS is now undertaking research on the benefits of ‘therapeutic horticulture’…

HAPPY HOMEONE SMALL STEPUPCYCLE PROJECT YOU WILL NEED ● Section of tree trunk, small cabinet or wooden crate ● 4 locking castors ● Outdoor paint This is a great project if you’ve just had to remove a tree in your garden, but it works just as well with a wooden crate. If using a tree stump, remove the bark and make sure there are no sharp bits around the edges. Turn your stump upside down and screw the locking casters in place. Drilling pilot holes first will make it easier to add the screws. Finally, cover the top in outdoor paint to finish. If you don’t have a tree stump to hand, contact a local tree surgeon and see if they have one available you can use…

‘What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Colours used outdoors need to be a little darker than normal, as sunlight makes them seem pale. In a north-facing garden, a fresh colour, such as cream or off-white, on walls helps to brighten the space, while subtle pale pink or terracotta adds warmth.’ FRANCESCA WEZEL, FOUNDER AND PAINT EXPERT, FRANCESCA’S PAINTS ‘We know how “bringing the outdoors in” revitalises our interiors, but it’s just as important to think about how colour enlivens our outside spaces. Consider colour placement to ensure your garden is packed with as much personality as your home.’KEN JENSEN, SENIOR TECHNICAL CONSULTANT, SANDTEX ‘Blue and green are colours most regularly seen in nature, and are perfect for creating harmony and elegance in your garden. Rich, darker…

Our gardens have become so much more than a patch of lawn, a place to grow plants or to sit in the sun. Many of us are now turning our plots into extensions of our homes, creating outdoor kitchens, dining areas and living spaces. But getting an outdoor living room right can be tricky; there are many more things to factor in and more decisions to make than when planning our rooms indoors. We asked a trio of garden experts to share their top tips on creating an outdoor living room that’s right for you. RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME ‘The perfect outdoor living room – for me – has to be in the right place, the right size, surrounded by greenery, with space for friends and family,’ says Helen, while…

I’m eco-friendly, my fabric is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ BTU (British Thermal Unit) describes how many units of heat an air conditioning unit can suck out of the air per hour to cool down an indoor space. Portable units tend to start from 5000 BTU and can go up to a substantial 23000 BTU. The higher the BTU, the larger the space that the air con unit will be able to cool and the quicker it will do so. However, a higher BTU also means a higher price tag, and likely higher running costs. ■ While they may be billed as portable, most are both bulky and heavy, weighing from 20kg for a ‘lightweight’ unit to 30kg plus for more powerful units. Check that your preferred unit comes with built-in wheels to help you move…

GARDEN NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Rebecca Lindsay and Bob Ellis, live here with daughters Mia, Sophie, and son Angus. THE PROJECT To create a quiet natural retreat, full of herbs and insect-friendly plants, where the family can relax and play together. TOTAL COST £20,000 When Rebecca and Bob bought their new home off plan, they knew the small, overlooked garden wasn’t going to be ideal, but they were keen to embrace the challenge. ‘This house was the only one in the area with enough bedrooms for our family of five, so we went for it knowing that working on the garden would be our priority when the house was complete and we moved in,’ recalls Rebecca. As it happened, they had plenty of time to plan the project as the…

Knowing how to make a poky outdoor eating space feel bigger is a little touch of magic that turns a compact garden into an oasis. We asked a host of garden experts to share their top tips on making the most of a small space, whether you’re hosting friends and family for a special occasion, relaxing at the end of the day or enjoying your morning coffee. 1 USE MULTIPURPOSE FURNITURE As in other parts of the home where we’re short on space, pieces that work hard are key. ‘Benches with built-in storage or tables that extend to seat extra guests are excellent options for small spaces,’ says Jeannette Hudson, furniture expert at Online Sofa Shop. Cassandra Leisz, senior creative director at Ruggable, suggests that ‘Outdoor coffee tables can offer…

How to save more money for the future While we all know that saving is important – whether for a rainy day, a renovation, or maybe to fund early retirement – putting money away is not always easy. Research shows that around a third of consumers are focused on their immediate finances but are unable to think about future savings*. If you’re struggling to save or just not sure where to start, then these top tips and tricks will help. UNDERSTAND YOUR SPENDING If you don’t know where your money is going each month, then you’re not in control of your finances. Aim to get a clear view of what is coming in and out of your bank accounts to help you manage your money. Get started with a pen…

If you’ve watched a ‘room reset’ reel on social media, you’ll have seen people tidying, straightening cushions and wiping down counters. These videos show the how and the what, but they don’t explain the deeper purpose and the positive impact a room reset can have, not only on your home, but also your life. Basic tidying and cleaning keeps a room at the status quo, but it doesn’t address the functionality of the space itself. ‘A reset is especially beneficial when a room has begun to stray away from its original use, for example, a dining room table slowly becoming an office desk,’ says decluttering life coach Beth Lennon (destinationdecluttered.com). ‘This also indicates that there might be a work/life imbalance.’ Having a reset is different from cleaning or decluttering. While…

Chicken traybake with garlic & cherry tomatoes SERVES 4 READY IN 1 HR ● 8 chicken thighs ● 3tbsp extra virgin olive oil ● 3 sprigs of fresh oregano, leaves chopped ● 3 sprigs of rosemary, leaves chopped ● 200g olive sourdough, cut into 2.5cm cubes ● 1 garlic bulb, cloves separated ● 500g mixed cherry tomatoes on the vine ● 100ml chicken stock ● 2 handfuls of basil leaves 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Place the chicken thighs in a shallow roasting tray. Drizzle with half of the extra virgin olive oil and season well. Sprinkle with half of the chopped herbs and turn each chicken thigh over to coat well on both sides. Rearrange the chicken so that all the thighs are skin-side up. Place in…

Now that we’re in the thick of summer, it’s fair to say that we’re all probably guilty of shoving everything in the garage at the end of a long sunny day. After time, all this stuff builds up and it’s not long before you prise open the garage door and it’s full from floor to ceiling. Tempting as it is, the answer is not to close it and run away. There are plenty of decluttering methods you can try, but they all start with setting a clear goal and timeline for tackling the mess at hand. Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve helps. ‘Begin by setting some inspiring goals that will motivate you to get into action,’ explains Helen Sanderson, author of The Secret Life of…