Innehållsförteckning för September 2020 från Real Homes

Do you find your bedroom is often one of the last rooms in the house to be given a makeover? Spaces like the living room, bathroom and kitchen typically get prioritised in any renovation or redecoration project, perhaps understandably so. As they’re rooms used by not just everyone in the house but also any guests, they can often feel more important as the focus of our attention than our bedrooms. One of the (many) things I’ve learned during the past few months, however, is just how much I appreciate having a relaxing space to retreat to when the rest of the house is so chaotic, which, quite frankly, has been all of the time due to the entire family being at home 24/7, and juggling work and home schooling. While…

With the last few months spent within the confines of our own four walls, apart from visits out to the Costa Del Garden, the Real Homes team has been discovering new hobbies and pastimes. Here’s what we got up to at home... Ellen Finch I love houseplants, but I’ve also discovered how much joy I get from a bunch of fresh flowers – I’ve spent hours faffing around with them and decanting them into little jars when they start to fade. Floristry, here I come… Alison Jones One of the life-savers of staying at home has been Saturdays spent in the Lockdown Arms, enjoying video chats and drinks with friends. I established a beer garden with comfy bench seat, table and, most importantly, a box on top to prop up…

Roof windows can come with a number of special user-friendly properties that are important to consider when including them in a renovation or retrofit. PASSIVE HOUSE WINDOW Passive House is a construction concept for a home that is energy efficient, affordable and ecological at the same time. The building components work together to prevent heat escaping. Passive House roof windows are certified to be incorporated into these builds: they consist of a triple outer glazing plus an additional inner double glazing, and are solar powered. Solar-powered shutters or awning blinds can also be added for increased comfort. SUPER SOUND INSULATION Perfect for homes near motorways or airports as the insulation cuts noise by up to half compared to a standard roof window. This is done through advanced triple glazing, laminated…

BRUSH OF COLOUR Tasteful neutrals give a calm, cosy feel…

BRUSH OF COLOUR Wine reds make a rich backdrop…

Usually the biggest bathroom in the house, if only by a few inches, the family bathroom can make or break the morning rush and/or bedtime routine. It needs to be loaded with storage, suitable for sharing (if only for toothbrushing and face-washing) and easy to clean. Oh, and it’s also the bathroom most likely to be used by overnight guests, if you’ve no guest en suite – damp towels and Dad’s underwear on the floor is not an option. In short, this isn’t a room you can simply tart up with some fresh paint and fancy towels, although you should do that, too. If your off-spring are still wee, or yet to be conceived, there are a few practical child-friendly pointers to consider. Choose flooring that can’t be stained by…

‘Four of us use this bathroom, plus Rupert the cockapoo, who is rather partial to a shower. It was much smaller and next to an unused box bedroom. We knocked them together to create one large bathroom with separate bath, walk-in double shower and the all-important ‘his and her’ sinks. The gorgeous glossy pink tiles from Bert & May provide the perfect pop of pink in a dark scheme. Lighting is key in a family bathroom. The electrician fitted the lights on three different circuits, for brightly lit ball-pit baths and low-lit, spa-like indulgence. The bath tap also has a shower attachment, which is really useful with small children. We had a stud wall built to separate the shower and included recessed shelving with integral LED lighting. Grab storage space…

The benefits of living in a period property are numerous: spacious, airy rooms, high ceilings and architectural features to name a few. Whether you have a Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian home, your property likely has features you’d want to keep– but you’re also probably familiar with the challenges. Damp, structural issues and layout problems are all obstacles to overcome. How you set about modernising a period home depends to an extent on the condition of the property. Bigger structural problems, like weakened ceilings or a damaged roof, will need remedying before you can consider ‘fun’ jobs like improving the layout and picking the interior finishes that will bring out the best of the original features. But once you’ve got over those hurdles, there are plenty of ways to transform your…

‘The property was dated in a 1990s kind of way, and was in need of some TLC and modernisation. It had been subdivided into flats before being converted back to a single dwelling, but there were still a couple of odd layout choices – the main bathroom was on the bottom floor while the bedrooms were on the top floor. ‘We renovated all four storeys, taking it back to brick. Structurally, the house was fine, but we reorganised three of the four floors, removing the bathroom on the lower ground floor and creating an open-plan kitchen-diner. There was a large bay window looking out onto the garden but no door – you had to access the outside through a small scullery – so we put in aluminium doors. On the…

DESIGN IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM How clever is this built-in, floor-to-ceiling wooden shelving? Why have an empty wall when you can fill it with personality? Nifty design ideas like this can transform the way you use your home, which is why we’re sharing some of the best. From savvy storage to creative room layouts, we’re touring every part of the home to reveal new and exciting ways to make the most of your space. Going green Cutting back your home’s energy use is not only kind to the planet, it’s also kind to your wallet. From heating to insulation and water use to electricity, we’re sharing the latest buys, tech and insider knowledge to help you save some £££s while helping the planet, too. Amazing giveaway This sleek DishDrawer from…

TURNING A CORNER When we sing the praises of the indoor-outdoor link, this is what we’re talking about. But before we get too excited, let’s go over the key points of the project: a small but effective side-return extension to link a once-isolated kitchen to the front reception rooms, increasing the house’s sense of space and flow. The cladding is black-charred timber, a traditional Japanese technique to preserve wood, and it contrasts perfectly with the London stock brick of the older building. Minimal corner sliding doors lead out to a patio with a gorgeous patterned tile floor and industrial-style wall lighting. It’s summer living in a picture. A similar project would cost around £125,000, including fixtures and fittings, excluding VAT. Cladding, Exterior Solutions. Floor tiles, Clavbrook Studio. A2studio, 020 7998…

FROM the outside, Rob and Paul’s 1930s house looks like a typical semi. Step inside, though, and you’re met with a light, bright, plant-filled kitchen-diner that’s full of character. Oak herringbone flooring and a mix of white and oak kitchen units act as a neutral base for pops of colour, from the metro splashback tiles to the bright block of green in the newly-extended garden room. Contemporary aluminium doors open up to the thriving garden the couple inherited from the previous owners – and there’s plenty of room for Rob and Paul, and their cat, Tigger, to while away the summer days. The kitchen Rob and Paul have created with their architect, Anna Parker, is an example of how an ordinary house is no obstacle to a beautifully designed home…

‘Do I need planning permission to change my staircase?’ ‘Planning permission for a staircase is not generally required,’ says Richard McLane, design director at Bisca. ‘But if the work forms part of a larger project, it would be best to check with your local planning department. If your property is listed, you may need to apply for listed building consent before any work is started. Building regulations are applicable to staircases and set out parameters to ensure a safe design. For a replacement staircase the same as the original, building control approval is not required. But a similar or new staircase in the same or new position would require approval. You can check this with your local authority. If your existing staircase doesn’t meet current building regulations, a replacement must…

If you’re anything like the Real Homes team, chances are you’ve been spending more time than usual in your garden during recent months, so if you want all the latest advice, ideas and must-have garden buys, make sure you check out our new website, Gardeningetc.com. Packed with inspiration for gardens big or small, you’ll find everything you need to create your dream outdoor living space…

YES ‘The build was go, go, go! The team of builders just whipped through it’ Pollyanna Green (@the_old_school_house) lives with husband Nick and their children in a Victorian schoolhouse in the Cotswolds ‘We had no choice but to do our renovation all at once. The house completely fell apart on us so we ended up stripping it back to just the main blue brick walls and the back wall. ‘It was built in 1855 as a schoolhouse and was sold in the 1970s to an architect, who trashed it. The layout was higgledy piggledy, the roof trusses weren’t safe and the stairs were held up by plywood. I must have had rose-tinted glasses on when I went round it. The problems were hidden away so we had no idea it’d…

BRUSH OF COLOUR Inky shades and tans hint at the tropics…

ONE Children have no respect for the sanctity of a good #shelfie. Ducks, dinosaurs and Dora the Explorer will all jostle for shelf space with your artfully curated faux coral. Time to up your Curver container game TWO Specialist bathroom paint is worth its weight in gold. Step away from the designer paint charts, step away. If it’s not scrubbable, wipeable and Sharpie-proof, it ain’t going on. Just kidding, nothing is safe from Sharpies. THREE It doesn’t matter how many towel rails, towel hooks, towel rings or towel hampers you include, the floor will always be their final resting place. On the plus side, yours will always be snuggly, warm and in prime position on the heated towel rail. FOUR No teen will get out of your spacious new shower…

Sometimes bigger is better, and when it comes to beautiful artwork, that certainly applies. Wall murals are a stand-out alternative to wallpaper, swapping a small repeated pattern for one large complete motif. Far from shy and retiring, they will proudly take centre stage in any room and transform your space entirely, so choosing the right design is essential. From elegant florals to geometric shapes, we’ve compiled an edit of the best, so you can colour outside the picture frame and create walls worthy of marvel. Abstract pastels This playful motif from Roomblush is a joy to behold. Combining geometric and floral elements to perfection, its unique design will bring fun to any room. These soft pinks, pastel greens and lilacs are soft and feminine, but the pattern is also available…

‘The lady who lived here before had kept lots of the original features, but she hadn’t changed the layout. We lived here for six months before moving to my parents’ around the corner, which allowed me to be on site every day to project manage. ‘We’d knocked through a few of the walls in our old flat and I wanted to create that open-plan feeling here. The house is on a hill and there was decking outside the kitchen with stairs leading down to the garden. I wanted to extend out at ground level so we could access the garden directly from the house, which meant bridging the 1.5m gap between the existing kitchen and the garden level. We ended up with a light, spacious, almost double-height extension. ‘The biggest…

This month was set to be a highly gripping instalment on drawer runners and hinges. Did you manage to contain your excitement? Well, I’ll cut to the chase. I went for Blum’s Legrabox drawers because they are a) easy to clean, b) smart looking and c) strong enough for me to sit in (should we ever run out of chairs). I’ve had fancy oak drawers with pretty dovetails before but, despite my cabinetmaker husband’s best efforts with sealants and lacquers, spilt honey and cast-iron pans ruined them. Sometimes it’s better to embrace newer tech, preferably German-made with Germanic precision. Anyway, before I do poor Nick out of a job, something far more exciting happened, i.e. lockdown. Now, I’m obviously not saying that a global pandemic could ever be a good…

1 FAVOURITE FURNITURE DESIGNER ‘Hans Wegner’ 2 THE PLANT I LOVE TO SEE IN OUR GARDEN ‘Amelanchier Lamarckii, a small spring-flowering tree that provides year-round interest’ 3 THE PERFECT ACCENT COLOUR ‘All shades of yellow’ 4 MOST LEAFED THROUGH COOK BOOK ‘Dan Lepard’s Short & Sweet’ 5 GO-TO SUNDAY MORNING SPOT ‘On sunny days, out on the patio taking in all the pots and plants. Otherwise, on the sofa in the garden room looking out into the garden. Always with fresh coffee in hand.’…

BEST FOR REUSE FANS This composite decking is made with 95 per cent recycled materials, including plastic and wood flour – a by-product of the wood manufacturing industry from FSC-managed sources. It’s a low maintenance, slip-resistant material that doesn’t rot, stain or decay, and the unique clip system means the deck sits flush and is free from unsightly fixings. HD Deck Dual, £11.94 per metre, Composite Prime BEST FOR EASY INSTALLATION These composite boards can be slotted and clipped together to create your deck so you don’t need to drill or use screws. They’re lightweight, too, making construction easier. The durable boards have a 20-year warranty, and just need to be cleaned with warm soapy water to maintain their appearance. FutureDek Silver Birch, from £45 per m2 , DeckPlus BEST…

TERRAZZO TIME Hands up if you’re getting tired of staring at the same plain old walls of whatever corner of your home has been designated your ‘office’. We’ve been seriously envious of all the amazing work-from-home set-ups we’ve seen on Instagram, but this one from Antonia Richards (@all_things_interior) might just be our favourite. Terrazzo is having a moment right now, and Antonia’s take on the trend is a quick, easy and effective way to add pattern to your space. To get the look, use two strips of masking tape to paint a line down your wall, marking where the plain part ends and the terrazzo begins. After that, it’s simply a case of creating the pattern with three or four different colours (you could use leftover paint or tester pots),…

BRUSH OF COLOUR Verdant hues can create a restful vibe…

BRUSH OF COLOUR Pair pastels with bursts of brightness…

SAKINA SAIDI (@HEYIMSAKINA) A plant-loving illustrator based in London, Sakina’s mood-boosting prints focus on ‘the beauty and diversity of womanhood. I love to represent the world around me using a cheerful palette and positive messages.’ heyimsakina.com ALJA HORVAT (@ALJAHORVAT) Alja’s illustrations are inspired by the 1960s and 1970s and everything vintage. ‘You could say I’m a bit nostalgic about a time I didn’t even experience.’ Since opening her business in 2018, she’s worked for brands including Anthropologie. aljahorvat.com…

‘The old bathroom wasn’t offensive – if you squinted your eyes and ignored the wall that didn’t meet the ceiling, laminated flooring that had seen better days, a hole behind the toilet for the waste pipe, and an area of exposed old plaster. We kept the original layout the same to save costs and because we were doing the work ourselves, but replaced everything else. The one saving grace was two floor-to-ceiling cupboards. Storage is key and should be the first practicality taken into consideration when designing a scheme. I wanted to get rid of the bath and install a walk-in shower with Crittall screens, but it wasn’t ideal with a four-year-old. After a lot of searching, I found a similar bath screen, which meant I could have the look…

‘I thought this house was too small when I first saw the estate agent’s photos, but Russell convinced me to have a look,' says Melanie. 'As soon as I saw it in person, I was smitten. The pretty door and driveway had kerb appeal, and inside the rooms had a lovely feel and were full of light. We put an offer in on the spot. ‘Previous owners had done all the hard graft, like changing the windows, and the house had been well cared for. However, all the rooms were painted beige or cream, so my plan was to add colour to reflect our personalities. I was on maternity leave at the time, so it was the ideal-sized project for us to take on. ‘We lived in the house for…

Save water We’re all trying to do our bit for the environment, and this innovative tap technology from Grohe can make that a little easier. With a built-in push and pull mechanism, you can choose the volume of water required for any task. Rinsing fine china? Choose the water-saving eco spray. Scrubbing muddy hands? Try the powerful jet spray. This allows full control of your water usage, choosing more when needed and saving when you don’t. Essence Smartcontrol tap, £434.40, Grohe VIRTUAL DESIGN SERVICE If the past few months have got you craving a new kitchen, channel your inner designer from the comfort of your couch with Magnet’s new online service. With the help of a kitchen design expert and one-to-one support, you can plan your dream kitchen on your…

Changing the balustrade is an easy way to transform a staircase. You might want to swap traditional spindles for glass versions or a wall of glass. Alternatively, you could choose uprights made from steel or another material with a lighter appearance. The handrail can be exchanged for a more tactile and attractive material than you currently have. Adding a new fascia to the risers and treads of the staircase is another possibility for an upgrade. If you don’t want to change the stair parts, consider painting the risers and/or treads, or features such as the spindles, handrail and newel posts. The choice of colours will determine the effect, which might be playful, dramatic or understated. If you’re not confident with a paintbrush, add stair stickers to the risers to bring…

MATERIAL MATTERS Decking can be made of softwood, hardwood or it can be a composite of wood and plastic. Softwood is the budget choice, but make sure you buy a product that’s been pressure treated with preservatives. Hardwood decking is costlier but more durable. Composite decking will also up your budget more than softwood, but a quality version has a long life span. CARE NEEDS The advantage of composite decking is that it will only need cleaning; wood also needs this regularly, but has other maintenance requirements, although these vary depending on the species of timber and where the deck is located. You’ll likely need to use a deck cleaning product every spring, then sand as necessary followed by treatment with an oil or stain. SUCCESSFUL PLANNING Be aware of…