Innehållsförteckning för December 2024 från Ideal Home

EDITOR’S LETTER I can clearly remember the moment I thought about starting Christmas prep this year. It was back at the start of October, when the festive period seemed an age away. Then I blinked, a month had passed, and my prep? Not exactly on target to guarantee me a stress-free run-up to the big day! There are still quite a few (OK, a LOT of) things on my to-do list, but luckily, this issue is absolutely packed with brilliant ideas that I can steal to help me get back on track. Let’s start with decorating the house (my favourite part!). While I’ll be project managing the decs, I fully intend to do some strategic delegating to make sure we have both the outside and inside covered. We need plenty…

Wreaths Traditional or with a twist? Giftable baubles Adornments with personality to keep or give Stockings These look even better filled with treats Tree toppers Add the final flourish to your masterpiece Tabletop trees Nestle on a table, sideboard or windowsill…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘A deep green is the ultimate grounding colour, as it reflects nature and immediately connects to the outdoors. It is calming and contemplative, and works brilliantly in most rooms, complementing other colours and providing a lush backdrop.’ SOPHIE SMITH, FOUNDER, ZHOOSH PAINTS ‘This classic tone is a reminder of our environment, and brings a feeling of the outside in, breathing life into a room. When finishing the overall look, consider how you will combine accessories and materials; organic dark green works particularly well with natural woods and metallic accents.’ HELEN SHAW, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING (INTERNATIONAL), BENJAMIN MOORE ‘Green is a universally compelling colour, and deep forest green ushers in the soothing appeal of nature. It perfectly captures the verdant shades…

MEET THE EXPERTS SUZY HUMPHREYS, FOUNDER OF LAYERED LOUNGE ‘Creating a celebratory table is a key part of the big day. I always want something special that will be remembered.’ DEBBIE MARKS, LUXURY EVENT PLANNER, DECOR EXPERT AND FOUNDER OF QUBE LUXE ‘I like my Christmas table to be a real statement – I want a reaction from guests when they see it.’ EMMA MORTON-TURNER, INTERIOR STYLIST & FOUNDER OF INSIDESTYLISTS.COM ‘If you have lots of young kids at your table, sit them at one end so that they can chatter and play.’ If we can turn attention away from the tree and gifts for a moment, how you dress your Christmas dining table can often cause a headache – you need it to look special, memorable and stylish, while…

KITCHEN NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Ben Warren lives here with his wife, Rocio Warren, and their sons, aged six and 10. THE PROJECT To extend and redesign the rear of their Edwardian terrace and integrate it with the garden and the rest of the house. TOTAL COST £200,000 When Ben and Rocio moved into their Wimbledon home, the layout was typical of a terrace: two adjoining reception rooms, a skinny kitchen at the back, a toilet-utility room between the kitchen and living rooms and a side return. ‘While it was liveable, the rear of the house was in need of refurbishment. The place was dark and had a bulky concrete staircase from the kitchen down into the garden,’says Ben. Because the terrace is in a conservation area, the only way…

If kitchens are seen as the heart of the home, then the kitchen island is the heart’s centre. Howard Miller of H Miller Bros agrees: ‘Kitchen islands are the modern-day equivalent of the traditional farmhouse kitchen table, where the family activity and kitchen work centred on one big table in the middle of the room.’ 1 MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SPACE FOR ONE ‘Kitchens need to be as functional as they are beautiful and sacrificing floor space to include an island will just result in an awkward, uncomfortable look,’ notes Tom Howley, design director of kitchen firm Tom Howley. ‘A kitchen island will only work proportionally if it is the right size for the space around it, as you also have to consider walkways, cooking zones, pull-out drawers and appliance doors,’…

Bringing a little luxury to your everyday life, an en-suite bathroom is a space for relaxation and indulgence. Not only does it provide you with a calm place to unwind and refresh away from the busy family bathroom, but it can also increase the value of your home. ‘The presence of an en-suite can add around 4.5% to your property’s value,’ explains James Forrester, managing director of estate agent Barrows & Forrester, so this relatively small addition can make quite a big difference. 1 START BY PLANNING THE LOOK As it’s fundamentally a private space, you can have free rein to go bold and be more adventurous with the decor – bright colours, intricate patterns and beautiful finishes all have a place. ‘Decide on the colour scheme you’d like to have,…

PINES Pines are loved for their long needles and glossy colouring especially when used for garlands or wreaths. When planted in well-drained soil in full sun, this conifer will thrive – just remember that they can reach heights of well over 15m. 1 EUCALYPTUS Carried on wiry stems that interweave easily with other plants, this silvered foliage features a heady scent. Most eucalyptus plants need regular hard pruning in spring to keep to a manageable size. The leaves make a welcome addition to wreaths, swags and garlands at Christmas, and year-round in bunches of flowers. 2 IVY Pliable stems and the huge variety of variegated foliage patterns and shapes make ivy a top wreath and garland plant. A drought-tolerant climber, it can be easily trained over fencing, while snipping back…

With its signature red petals and deep green foliage, no houseplant is perhaps more festive than the poinsettia. We’ve gathered some top tips on how to keep yours looking lush well into 2025. CHOOSE CAREFULLY WHERE YOU BUY IT FROM For the plant to last as long as possible, it’s important to buy one that’s in good condition. Stick to a reputable store or a garden centre, where they’re more likely to have been cared for correctly. Be wary of outside shops or stalls as lower temperatures will reduce the shelf life of the plant. Check the compost before you buy, making sure it’s neither dripping wet, nor totally dry, and look at the leaves and flowers – dense foliage and yellow-green budding flowers in between the coloured bracts are…

“The beauty of recycled glass lies in the small bubbles that form on the surface, giving products a unique look” Seasonally sustainable If you’re upgrading your glassware this season, or you’re in the market for new glass decorations for your tree, then the most sustainable choice would be to pick something made from recycled glass. The majority of the glass that Nkuku uses in its ranges – from glassware and serveware, lighting and Christmas decorations – is made from waste glass. Once melted down, the molten glass is reshaped either using traditional hand-blowing techniques or placed in bespoke moulds to create beautiful new products from what was once discarded. FESTIVE GLOW UP This season, Cox & Cox has lots of sustainable and eco-friendly festive products to choose from. For starters,…

The presenter and author recently returned to London after many years of calling Los Angeles ‘home’. She lives with her Irish actor husband Chris O’Dowd and their children, Art and Valentine WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE FESTIVITIES? I’m all about the food, so sitting down for my absolute favourite meal – the most elevated roast with flavours we haven’t seen all year: nutmeg, cinnamon, lashings of gravy and a perfect turkey with more sides than we need. Having everyone together, people digging in, pouring endless glasses of wine and chatting away with a silly hat on after snapping open crackers and telling jokes. WHAT’S YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLE MUST-HAVE AT CHRISTMAS? Turkey and roast potatoes. Being married to an Irish man there were early conversations about ham and mash, but…

ALLDAY GOODS alldaygoods.co.uk AMANITA LABS amanita-labs.com ANNABEL JAMES annabeljames.co.uk A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING aplaceforeverything.co.uk ARRAN arran.com ATT PYNTA attpynta.com AVALON HOME avalonhome.co.uk BARKER & STONEHOUSE barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BERYLUNE berylune.co.uk BLUEAIR blueair.com BOHEMIA DESIGN bohemiadesign.co.uk BUMBLES ONLINE bumblesonline.co.uk CAMBRIDGE IMPRINT cambridgeimprint.co.uk CAROLINE GARDNER carolinegardner.com CELTIC & CO celticandco.com CLARITY BLEND clarityblend.com COLE & MASON coleandmason.com CREATE GIFT LOVE creategiftlove.co.uk CULT FURNITURE cultfurniture.com DASHEL dashel.co.uk DESENIO desenio.co.uk DEXAM dexam.co.uk ECOJIKO ecojiko.co.uk ECO SKINCARE ecoskincare.co.uk EDEN PROJECT SHOP shop.edenproject.com EMBER uk.ember.com EMBER EDGE CREATIVE emberedgecreative.co.uk FRENCH BEDROOM frenchbedroom.co.uk FUNKY CHUNKY FURNITURE funky-chunky-furniture.co.uk GOZNEY gozney.com HANDMADE IN BRITAIN handmadeinbritain.co.uk HOLLY & CO holly.co HUNDRED HOUSE COFFEE hundredhousecoffee.com JAMJAR EDIT jamjaredit.co.uk JYSK jysk.co.uk KINDRED FIRES kindredfires.com KLEAN KANTEEN kleankanteen.co.uk LAMP LDN lamplondonhome.com LOLA & MAWU lolaandmawu.com LORNA FREYTAG lornafreytag.com LUKS LINEN lukslinen.com LUMIE lumie.com MERI…

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SURPRISE IN STORE Natural beauty If you find Christmas a bit excessive, but still love to impress, then a tablescape with an organic feel that’s low-key enough for family meals but eye-catching enough for entertaining could be the solution. Cue the winter woodland terrarium – to make your own, line a glass jar with stones and bark. Add moss and Christmas tree trimmings (or other foraged foliage), then cute woodland characters for a whimsical look. You’ll find all of this and more at Dobbies to help you create the perfect seasonal centrepiece. IH LOVES... Classic crackers Ivy crackers, £38 for six, Nancy & Betty 'What to do this month... READ Discover how to celebrate the season naturally and sustainably with Jen Chillingsworth’s book Green Christmas (£18.99, Quadrille). Featuring projects and…

1. CHEERFUL DOORMAT This month, it’s likely you’ll see more guests than usual, so add a seasonal mat outside your front door to welcome in friends and family. Pop some lanterns either side, along with a mini tree, and you’ll have a festive entrance to be proud of. Vihaan doormat, £19.99; lantern holders, £129.99 for a set of two, both Wayfair 2. WINDOW DISPLAY Why not put up some Christmas decorations that you can see from inside and outside your house? Whether it’s baubles hung from ribbons, paper angels or a frosted snow design, spread some festive cheer to passers-by with your very own window display. For similar paper angels, try Etsy 3. MULTIPLE CHOICE We all know that hanging a wreath on your front door can add a festive…

Wrap it up in a bow Cut satin fabric into long strips to create supersize ribbons. Tie them first, then use florist’s wire to attach them to the mantel shelf, wall lights or the corners of an overmantel mirror or picture. Give it a twist… Match the bow fabric to your aesthetic: hessian or ticking for a rustic look or red velvet for trad style, for example. Assemble a snowscape Start with drifts of fake snow before positioning snow-filled clear glass vases, white baubles, ceramic and brush trees, fairy lights and fresh or faux eucalyptus. Give it a twist… Gold baubles, gold-sprayed foliage and faceted glass tealight holders will ramp up the glamour and sparkle. Craft a fabric festoon Cut satin or velvet fabric into squares, fold in half diagonally…

GIFT CARD WRAP For a special way to wrap a gift card, cut out four 12cm-diameter circles from a piece of sheet music, and one 12cm square from some metallic card. Fold all the circles in half, then open them out. Overlap the circles so that the folds form a square in the centre. Keeping them in place, glue the circles together, then stick the square on top. Pop the gift card inside, then fold the other, outer halves of the circles into the middle and tie with a ribbon. Take a feather, paint some PVA glue onto its tip then coat with glitter. Tuck the feather under the ribbon and finish with an initial sticker. SNOW GLOBE Transform a cloche or some old glass jars into a beautiful wintry…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Jules Morris lives here with husband Ben and three children, Poppy, Eliza and Sam. THE PROJECT Reconfiguring and updating the main bedroom en-suite bathroom in a detached Georgian house in Oxfordshire. TOTAL COST £18,000 After making the move from London to a village just outside Oxford, Jules and Ben found this recently decorated Georgian house. They ended up living in it for several years before starting to update rooms to their taste. ‘When we moved in, there was only a shower in our en suite so the key thing I wanted from our revamp was a bath,’ says Jules. ‘As the room is on the back corner of the house, it has windows on two sides – although that’s lovely, it means there isn’t much…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ If it’s a barista-style, coffee shop-worthy brew you’re after, there are a number of machines that you can plump for, with pod, ground coffee and bean-to-cup machines all widely available. If quantity of coffee over quality espresso is more your bag, then look for a drip coffee machine instead. Budget-wise, pod and ground coffee machines tend to be the most affordable. If it’s super-fresh coffee you’re after, you’ll need to grind your own beans, so you’ll have to factor in the added cost of a coffee grinder. Bean-to-cup machines, however, have built-in grinders, so the extra expense of buying the pricier machine may be worth it in the long run. ■ Size-wise, pod machines are usually the smallest option, but add a milk frother to that…

CLEAN | ORGANISE | SOLVE Turn over to page 142 where you can DISCOVER ways to give back this CHRISTMAS, plus how and where to recycle old furniture; while on page 144, you’ll find invaluable advice on how to BUDGET for the festive season; on page 147, we’ve listed how smart tech can enhance your FESTIVE experience at home; and on page 149, you’ll find must-have ORGANISING tips on how to clear your kids’ room of clutter before Santa arrives with a new haul...…

Once all the stressful build-up to the big day is done with, Christmas is a time for family, friends and relaxing. And what better way to relax than to not have to deal with time-consuming tasks like making playlists and faffing with light switches? We’ve rounded up a list of the best products to add to your smart home set-up to make your Christmas run smoothly. Smart festive lighting When it comes to decorating at Christmas, you’re lost without lighting. Brands like Twinkly, Philips Hue and WiZ all have impressive ranges of decorative festive lights with a difference – from fairy lights to festoons, to reindeer and trees – that can be controlled via an app, set to specific schedules and even sync to any music playing, meaning that they’ll…

Hosting can be hard for a perfectionist. I absolutely love having people over, but the build-up is often fraught and I put a lot of pressure on myself to have the house looking ‘just right’, from a deep clean right through to pulling out all the stops to add wow decorations. Reading our feature on how to reduce Christmas stress (page 162), I spotted ‘let go of perfection’ on the list, and so this year I’ve given myself three ways to be a bit kinder to myself. 1 The first one is easier said than done, but to keep me on track, some more rigorous planning is really a non-negotiable. Just telling myself not to leave it til the last minute isn’t enough (will there ever actually be a year…

YOU WILL NEED ● 23 used envelopes ● Blu Tack ● Adhesive numbers or colouring pens ● Gold glitter card Choose envelopes in different sizes and colours. If you can only find white envelopes, decorate some with a variety of pattern and colour. Place notes inside each one – clues to hunt out Advent gifts, positive affirmations, daily tasks or fun activities. Lay out the envelopes to create a Christmas tree shape, then use Blu Tack to stick the envelopes in place on your wall. Use adhesive numbers to randomly number the envelopes 1 to 23. Cut out a star shape from gold card, position at the top and add the final number 24. DAILY COUNT Alternatively, peg envelopes to suspended string…

1 ADD WARMTH WITH COSY HUES Forest green and terracotta orange are both trending this season, and for good reason. Cosy and cocooning, these saturated statement shades will make a room feel instantly welcoming. Introduce them to an existing scheme on furniture and cushions in luxe velvet finishes. 2 Introduce some colour into breakfast, lunch and dinner times with this smart new tableware. 3 CREATE A SMART READING CORNER Nowadays, finding time to decompress in our busy lives is a must. Make use of an empty corner in your home by adding a relaxed lounge chair, like this beauty by Habitat, along with a cosy cushion or two, for a stylish place to switch off and zone out with a few chapters. 4 HOW TO ADD COLOUR TO A NEUTRAL LIVING…

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STYLE DIRECTION“Mix up styles; combine vintage-look decorations with more contemporary pieces"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ADD TEXTURE Soften the look of metallic finishes by layering up with feathery green foliage on the mantelpiece, textured bouclé upholstery fabrics and silky sheepskins SET THE SCENE Soft brushed brass accents, teamed with a marble-top table and neutral linens, create a contemporary look. Keep the tree simple with warm white fairy lights and subtle bling INCORPORATE GREENERY Festive foliage grounds a metallic scheme; weave foraged eucalyptus, ivy and spruce amongst baubles and lanterns on a mantelpiece; or add moss around the base of a twinkling candelabra. Use glittery gold and silver ribbons to tie fir sprigs to the banister and decorate with shining stars to bring winter magic to a hallway. LAYER UP TEXTURE Contrasting metallic…

1 GIVE GUESTS A TREAT At Christmas time, part of the fun is styling your table and making each place setting a little special. Why not add some extra ‘wow’ factor with these sweet ceramic tree jars, where you can hide a treat for each guest, whether it’s a few chocolates, a mini gift or even a lottery ticket! 2 CHANGE UP YOUR FURNITURE Instead of squeezing a Christmas tree into a corner, use it as a chance to move furniture around so the tree becomes the focus. Maybe seating can be angled differently – or you put an item of furniture in another room. You may even want to keep it like that long after the tree has gone! FABRIC CHEAT SHEET 3 Swap an old lampshade for a…

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE I don’t need an excuse to give my home a refresh, but if I did the seasonal switch from summer to autumn is most definitely a worthy one. I’m always guilty of neglecting my home over the long days of summer, and so I love heading back indoors to show it some love once the nights start closing in. I’m more than ready to dive into cosy season. For me, that means creating a warm sanctuary to snuggle up in, whether that’s for evenings curled up under a blanket on the sofa, or sat round the table with friends for dinner. THE JOY OF BROWSING Scrolling my favourite places online is one thing, but nothing beats browsing in person, when you can pick things up and see them…

As the saying goes don’t move, improve. We’re all in favour of affordable improvements that can add value to your home and maximise how you use your living space. And that’s especially true at this time of year when you want your home to look its best, but you lack the time and budget to take on anything too transformative. Whether you want to upgrade the shower in your bathroom, add a skylight to the bedroom, or repair your original Victorian hall tiles, these mini renovation projects will get your home looking its best at the most wonderful time of the year… and year round, too. 1 DO UP OR DITCH YOUR FRONT DOOR Start with the front door to make a lasting impression, because it’ll add instant kerb appeal.…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Anyone who’s spent ten minutes kneading bread dough or hand-beating cake mix will know that it’s a lot of arm work. Not only will a stand mixer do it faster, but it’ll often do a better job thanks to the range of speeds available, along with the assortment of attachments that are made for baking, as well as a wide range of kitchen prep. ■ How much you spend depends on whether you’re buying with a view to keeping it long-term. Basic mixers can be picked up for £50. But for one that will last, budget for a minimum of £100. Beyond £150, most of what you’ll be paying for is a greater choice of colours and styling, extra features or accessories. ■ Unlike some small…

Children’s toys tend to make their way into every corner of every room in the house. And even if you succeed in containing playthings in their bedroom, then the challenge is keeping that space looking tidy and organised. Of course, your child’s bedroom is a place where they can surround themselves with their favourite things and have fun. But without some order, it can soon become chaotic and cluttered, to the point that it might not be enjoyable for them to be in. ‘Kids’ bedrooms need to be both functional and fun,’ says Siân Pelleschi, professional declutterer and organiser, owner of Sorted! and president of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers. ‘When children are having fun, they’re at their happiest, so to stop a playroom from being chaotic and…

■ REPAIR STRUCTURES Did you know that the winter months are the perfect time for you to do some (literal) damage control around your garden? ‘If you have damaged fences, gates or trellises that will have climbing plants all over them come spring/summer, now is the best time to fix them up,’ says Craig Wilson, co-founder and in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream. ‘Making repairs while plants are dormant will be less likely to cause any harm.’ ■ FEED THE BIRDS ‘Winter can be tough for wildlife, and birds in particular benefit from extra food when the temperatures drop,’ says Craig. ‘I’d recommend setting up bird feeders in your garden and keeping them stocked with seeds and nuts. Not only will this help the birds, but it will also bring…

The rush towards the festive season can feel overwhelming with so much to do, but there are ways to take the stress out of your Christmas prep. We spoke to wellbeing experts to find simple tips to help you plan what you want, get ahead with preparations, and find some much-needed me time amid all the celebrations. 1 DO A DECLUTTER Decluttering may not be the first thing you think of when you’re trying to reduce stress, but having some physical, mental and emotional clarity can really help you feel calmer and more in control. ‘My advice is to reduce, simplify and plan,’ explains psychotherapist, interior designer and declutter expert Helen Sanderson, author of The Secret Life of Clutter (£16.99, Little, Brown). ‘Remember, the less stuff you have, the less…

Maple glazed turkey SERVES 8 READY IN 2 HRS 45 MINS, PLUS RESTING ● 4kg turkey, giblets removed ● Juice of 1 clementine (reserve the squeezed fruit) ● 4 bay leaves ● 2tbsp vegetable oil ● 80g maple syrup ● 30g butter ● 2tbsp light brown soft sugar ● Herbs for garnishing (optional) 1 Bring the turkey to room temperature. Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. 2 Prepare the turkey by tying up the legs and placing the reserved squeezed clementine and bay leaves into the cavity. Pat the skin dry, rub the vegetable oil over it and season generously with salt. Roast in the oven for 2 hrs 30 mins, basting every 25 mins with the juices at the bottom of the pan. 3 Place the maple syrup, butter,…

There’s not much I don’t love about Christmas. From the colder weather and the twinkling lights, to the slow build-up and the chance to catch up with friends and family, it’s easily my favourite time of year. But putting all the (sometimes fraught) prep to one side, it’s the present-giving that I enjoy the most. There’s nothing I love more than the planning, hunting and eventual wrapping of festive gifts for my loved ones. Birthdays don’t give me anywhere near as much joy - Christmas, in my mind, is when I get to treat everyone. That’s why I find gift guides so useful. We’re all not superhuman - few of us have to time to spend trawling through the shops, both physically and virtually, to find that perfect something for…

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WHERE TO BUY…