Innehållsförteckning för September 2023 från Real Homes

After speaking to many different colour and paint experts about powder blue, one thing everyone agrees on is that it’s a calming and delicate shade that’s especially well suited to the bedroom. ‘Due to its serene properties, powder blue can actually help to promote sleep,’ says Dr Katherine Hall, the sleep psychologist at Happy Beds. ‘Having a feature wall of powder blue that’s in your vision when you are in bed and getting ready to go to sleep, is a great way to maximise the calming psychological benefits of the shade.’ This soothing quality could explain why we have seen an increase in popularity of the shade over the past year. Sue Jones, luxury interior expert and co-founder of OKA, has found that the phrase ‘powder blue bedrooms’ has seen…

SUCCULENTS ‘Building a wooden frame for the lawn stopped it spreading over onto the paved areas. In the gap, I planted lots of succulents among gravel chippings. These plants are low maintenance and attract insects and bees when they flower. They multiply and spread out quickly.’ LILIES ‘Growing plants in pots makes it easier to keep track of how happy your plants are. Every so often, I shift them around to change the appearance of my garden, and to move them in or out of the sun. This painted plant pot is from Homesense.’ TOMATOES ‘I have grown all my salad and vegetables from seed. These tender plants love a warm, sheltered, sunny spot, so they are perfect on my patio area where they get lots of sun. I was…

Petite plots Dobbies’ experts reveal their top tips for a small garden GO POTTY ‘Colourful pots are great for elevating your outdoor area, and can be mixed and matched to suit your space,’ advises Lynsey Abbott, senior buyer at Dobbies. ‘Group different sizes and styles for a fuller look, and inject vibrancy with new-season plants. If you favour a minimalistic design, try ferns styled in neutral pots, or, for a country garden feel, plant your favourite perennials in terracotta pots of different sizes.’ THINK VERTICAL ‘Climbing plants are another great way to add charm without sacrificing space, as are hanging baskets and window boxes, which can be filled with seasonal plants for a cheerful display,’ adds Marcus Eyles, horticultural director at Dobbies. ‘If you are looking to brighten up your…

KATIE MITCHELL, BY-ME Q Can you describe your business in a sentence? I’m a designer-maker specialising in macramé and dried flower hangings, hoops and wreaths – selling pieces as well as running workshops teaching people to make their own. Q How did you get to the point of starting it? My mum had a soft furnishings business, and I studied textile design at university before working in visual merchandising, so I’ve always loved being creative and hands-on. I discovered macramé when I moved to London in 2016 and joined a local craft group. After filling my home with my work, I started making plant holders and wall hangings to take to local markets and festivals, then I set up a website to sell through Etsy and Instagram, People kept asking…

Club tropicana Retain a slice of paradise and savour that happy holiday vibe with the hottest trend from the tropics. Palm tree prints and pineapple homewares are heating up our homes, and bringing the warmth of summertime, all year round. The buying team at John Lewis & Partners has sourced something for everyone – from statement wallpapers, tropical print cushions and glassware, to pineapple laundry baskets and cocktail shakers. These fun decorations and accessories are easy ways to go all in or just dip your toe into a mood-boosting scheme. Finish the look and bring the outside inside with lush green houseplants and natural materials. SET THE SCENE With the recent release of Wes Anderson’s latest film, Asteroid City, there is, yet again, a surge in home interiors inspired by…

ECO-CONSCIOUS TRANSFORMATION PROFILE THE OWNERS 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 The concept of sustainability is no longer seen as a passing fad, but an essential way in which we can all help to protect and preserve our environment. When it comes to housing, taking a sustainable approach will not only help to future-proof our homes, but make them beautiful, too. Sharon and Lucas’ renovation of a neglected Victorian house in south east London is an exciting example of how building well with green materials and techniques can create a home with longevity. ‘We love it because it shows that eco can be about cool, contemporary design –…

OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE When you can’t stand the heat, get into the outdoor kitchen! Whether it’s out on the patio, at the end of the garden, or a portable setup, an open-air kitchen is the ultimate way to take the inside out. A well thought-out garden cooking space will feel like an extension of your home. First consider how you want to use the space; what you want to include (a pizza oven or barbecue, sink, storage, seating and lighting); and measure out the floorplan. Do you want it super-sleek, industrial, rustic or colourful? And how can you create cover to protect you from the weather? If you can’t afford something bespoke, look at ready-made modular units, or build something yourself in brick, concrete or wood. Read on for our…

Vibrant and fresh, a healthy dose of colour in the bathroom can lift your mood and stir the senses. The obvious place to inject colour is on the walls, be that via tiles, paint, wallpaper, or all three. As it’s well below sightline, bathroom flooring can also prove a good place to experiment with bold statements if you’re not ready to make a big splash from floor to ceiling. Colourful furniture and fittings require commitment, but introducing it through textiles and accessories, such as blinds, bath mats and towels, is a top tactic for testing different shades and colour combos before investing in more permanent fixtures. Picking any colour palette isn’t easy, especially if you’re aiming outside your comfort zone. It can help to establish what feel you’d like the…

EXPERT ADVICE ‘When choosing a bathroom blind, pick one able to withstand a high level of moisture and humidity. The best are made from materials that are water-resistant or waterproof, such as PVC fabric which can be wiped clean. Faux-wooden blinds look like the real thing but won’t warp and are budget friendly. Avoid Roman blinds in natural materials that could shrink if they get wet or exposed to condensation,’ says Oliver Hudson, blind expert at BlindsbyPost…

LOUNGE AROUND Bring holiday vibes to your patio with a relaxed furniture arrangement. Position between lush foliage for a natural screen, and with the use of a low-level coffee table and armless lounge chair, create an easy, kickback-by-the-poolside feel. BREAKFAST ALFRESCO Set up a table for two to create a quiet oasis in a corner of your garden or patio. A bistro set takes up only a small space, but will transform an empty nook into the perfect place to take a coffee break. TWILIGHT GATHERING Harness the power of light to define an evening gathering spot. Using a variety of sources at varying heights will keep the look relaxed. String overhead, place on tables or stand on the floor for an ambient outerior. OUTDOOR CINEMA Grab your popcorn for…

STYLE AND EFFICIENCY Franke’s new Maris range of appliances offers the brand’s familiar quality of design and function, but at a keen price point. Easy to use and reliable, the collection, which is in black glass and stainless steel, includes two 71-litre ovens in pyrolytic and hydrolytic options, a compact combi oven, two induction hobs and two gas hobs – all ideal to meet the demands of a busy family kitchen. Maris appliances cost from £560 for the 65cm induction hob. Made you look With their signature retro curves, the Smeg fridges and freezers are an iconic piece of kitchen kit. Instantly recognisable, it’ll become the focal point of your scheme. Smeg has introduced four chic new colourways for its award-winning FAB28 fridge, inspired by the landscape in and around…

Best dressed windows Go with the faux in the bathroom, with wood-look shutters that can withstand a steamy atmosphere, and splashes from sinks, baths or showers. Shutterly Fabulous has introduced a new faux wood shutter range that offers all the appeal of hardwood, but they are suitable to hang in any room in the house – including ones with occasionally humid air. This water resistance means the shutters can even cope with condensation in the winter months. The faux wood shutters come in Snow White and Silk White, to work with any colour scheme – blending with neutrals and standing out against bold hues. They are priced from £419 per m2. Bespoke bathrooms Build up the perfect arrangement of bathroom storage for your needs with customisable furniture. The new Hackney…

EXPERT ADVICE ‘A well-kept driveway has real kerb appeal. Gravel, pebbles or shingles create a rustic look and are fast to install, though not suited to slopes. Concrete is cost-effective and long-lasting. Cracks caused by extreme cold and tree roots, can be an issue, but concrete block paving will allow you to replace damaged sections. Permeable paving in classic setts, vintage-style cobbles or block paving gives an elegant finish, and comes in an array of attractive colours, shapes and patterns,’ says Anna Hampshire, head of marketing at Marshalls…

KEEP COOL When it comes to interior trends, Scandi has proved enduringly dominant in recent years. Emphasising clean, simple lines, minimalism and functionality, it is all about creating uncluttered, calming environments. This grey laminate is cool and contemporary, adding a touch of dark drama when combined with neutral shades. Part of the Tergola range, the Amazone Oak Dezent laminate, £49.99 per m2, from Carpetright, has the look of a natural wood floorboard with a smooth, wear-resistant finish. TOUCH OF NATURE One of the beauties of laminate flooring is its ability to mimic other materials. This Muse Collection Botanic Concrete laminate has elements of a classic terrazzo floor that’s dappled with wildflowers. Designers used actual flowers to create the effect of flora and foliage captured on a chipped stone surface, for…