Innehållsförteckning för November 2023 från Real Homes

Around this time of year, there’s a noticeable divide among people. Some begrudge the darker nights, dread the chill winds and go into mourning for the end of the sunny days of summer. Others, however, are excited by the change in season. They look forward to getting snug under a knitted blanket with a hot chocolate, or going for a crisp autumnal walk in boots and gloves. As for us, we both belong to the latter group of people. But for those who don’t love the coming of winter, we hope this issue will inspire you to see the joy in it. Colder days and longer nights mean we inevitably spend more time inside, and so we turn our attention to making our nests as cosy as possible. And this…

‘In the living room, use overhead fixtures or recessed lights for overall illumination, with table or floor lamps in reading nooks and seating areas,’ says Mara Rypacek Miller, managing director, Industville ‘Having adjustable light bulbs, such as dimmable or smart bulbs, is a easy way to change the mood of the lighting in a room,’ says Ellie Fennell, lighting buyer, John Lewis & Partners ‘Always vary the lighting in a room to create little pockets and pools of light. Choose handcrafted, high-quality fixtures to bring a touch of luxury and add some texture,’ says Mara Rypacek Miller, Industville…

Summer may be over, but there’s no need to let the great British weather stop you from entertaining, eating or simply relaxing outdoors. What you need is a garden pod. Quick to install, waterproof and warm, these compact buildings allow you to enjoy your garden all year round. They look great too, with a wide range of stylish, ready-built and capsule-shaped pods available. If you’re on a budget however, you don’t have to buy a purpose-built pod – summerhouses, sheds and even greenhouses can all be modified with seating, lighting and insulation to give the same effect. Whatever style you opt for, it will probably need to sit on a level, concrete base; and if you want lighting or heating inside, you’ll need an electrician to lay a weatherproof power…

MOTION SENSITIVE If you haven’t got a hand free to turn on your tap, just wave your hand over the TG7BL gesture-control tap from CDA, and the water will flow. The kitchen tap has a sensor, as well as a standard lever, for ease of operation, and it also displays the temperature – so you’ll know exactly how hot the water is. The swan-necked TG7BL is finished in matt black or gunmetal, and has a pull out spout to direct the water where it’s needed. The tap costs £249 from CDA. Quietly impressive Cotswold-based kitchen maker Hush is embracing the ongoing interiors love for all things Scandi with its new range – Lugn. Named for the Swedish word that means quiet, calm, tranquil and composed, the kitchen has a pared-back…

BATHROOM BUYER’S GUIDE Soaking in a bubble-filled tub is seriously relaxing, which is just as well since buying one can become fraught with stress. Baths are available in a bewildering array of sizes, materials, shapes and installation styles – great in terms of design flexibility, but not great for making quick decisions. But narrowing down your options with pen and paper will help avoid you getting into a lather. Start by deciding where it’s going, which will determine the size and shape of bath you can accommodate. Do you want a double-ended tub (perfect for couples and families) or will single-ended work better with the layout? A direct replacement in the same spot will reduce the amount of plumbing required, but don’t be afraid to upgrade your bathing experience with…

EXPERT ADVICE ‘First pick a light that’s a third to a quarter of your door’s height – as the light fittings will look smaller from a distance. Front door lights approved by DarkSky International are designed to minimise lighting impact on your surroundings – and neighbours. Incandescent wattages can be kept in the 25-40 watts range (200-500 lumens). For multiple fixtures, stay close to 200 lumens each,’ says Anthony Clements, director at Juice Electrical…

Winter planters Containers are a wonderful way to bring colour and interest to gardens during winter and can be filled with an array of hardy plants: from evergreen shrubs and sculptural grasses to bedding flowers and seasonal vegetables. For dazzling displays, combine at least three different varieties, mixing structural plants with foliage fillers and bright statement plants. You can put them in a single container or try them separately in pots of different heights clustered together. Follow our planting suggestions for the best show… SHAPE AND STRUCTURE Evergreen shrubs such as box, holly, bay and small conifers, bring form and height to winter planters. For sculptural interest, try ferns or grassesINSTANT COLOUR You can’t go wrong with hellebores, cyclamen or winter-flowering violas and pansies. Lacy heathers come in a variety…

Clear the clutter Tired of squeezing all your product bottles and tubes onto every shelf and surface in your bathroom or en suite? The Chester collection from VonHaus has all the storage solutions you need to turn the space into a tidy, relaxing sanctuary at a budget-friendly price. The range includes a vanity unit for under the sink, a tallboy and small cabinet, all with an appealing slatted oak-effect finish. The slim storage offers plenty of space to hold everything from towels to toilet rolls, while the tallboy includes two shelves to show off your best beauty products, or display a few moisture-loving plants. Priced at £59.99 for the cabinet, £69.99 for the undersink unit and £89.99 for the tallboy, Chester is perfect for giving the smallest room an affordable…

EXPERT ADVICE ‘Fridge-freezers can help people save money on their food bills by aiding batch cooking and meal prepping. This allows for single cooking sessions to deliver many meals for the week or to be quickly frozen, limiting waste. If you have space, consider a large capacity freezer, as this gives greater flexibility in what you can freeze. For instance, a narrow freezer might not be able to accommodate the Christmas turkey or XXL pizzas,’ says James Bethell, cooling product manager at Haier…

Calm & cosy There is no denying that it’s officially time to start cosying up our homes for the changing season. And while it might be getting greyer outside, there is no reason why things can’t be bright and snug on the inside of your home. From rich velvets to cosy wool throws, the latest collection from Habitat has us head over heels. We especially love this burnt orange sofa, creating the perfect haven to hide away from the chilly weather. Joel three-seater sofa, £540, Habitat DESIGNS OF YORE Adding layers of textiles is a brilliant way to warm up your space, while mixing and matching patterns and colours. Classic Heritage is a new AW23 story from Marks & Spencer that celebrates heritage-inspired design for the modern home. Soft furnishings…

U, L, G… no, we’re not watching Countdown, we’re talking kitchen shapes. Throw in galley, island, peninsula, single wall and hidden, and it certainly feels like it’s a bit of a conundrum. To figure out which layout will work best, assess the space and your needs. Look at where doors and windows are and note alcoves or the chimney breast. Think about what will suit you and your family. ‘If you often socialise, ensure an area to entertain or if you love cooking, incorporate storage for smaller appliances and ingredients, such as a pantry,’ says Ashleigh Hanwell, senior designer for Second Nature Collection. You can change the layout, but relocating plumbing and electrics can be costly, so check your budget. Plan the kitchen layout in tandem with room reconfiguration so…

Whether it’s a familiar red brick three-bed semi or an open-plan home with large windows creating a connection with nature, there are millions of people living in mid-century homes – and busy adapting them to modern-day tastes and needs. Low housing stock led to a post-war building boom that reshaped the suburbs and towns, as new homes for families shot up. New design ideas and building materials came in along with the latest comforts, such as fitted kitchens, and driveways and garages to accommodate newly bought cars. These modernist properties reflected a new-found desire for practical and efficient interiors that promoted health and wellbeing. Designers began experimenting with layouts and prioritising natural light. Moving into the 1960s, unnecessary embellishments were removed and open layouts with lots of glazing gained popularity.…

NEED TO KNOW + ‘When it comes to curtain headers, pinch pleats utilise more fabric and are hand-sewn in for a luxurious, tailored look,’ says Thomas Bird of Fabric Online. ‘Box pleats have distinct, even folds that create a structured, box-like appearance. The pleats conceal the pinch points for a neater, more contemporary aesthetic. Tab Top curtains have an exposed loop of fabric at the top that wraps around the rail. They are a vintage style, predating modern track systems, making them perfect for older homes. They are also more affordable, using less fabric. Tie Top curtains tie the top of the fabric into a knot or bow around the curtain rod. These curtains are typically made with lightweight and sheer fabric and can suit modern living rooms or children’s…

OLIVIA BURNS, AT OLIVIA’S HAVEN Q Can you describe your business in a sentence? We’re a home fragrance brand telling stories through scents – we sell hand-poured, beautifully-packaged candles, wax melts, rooms sprays and reed diffusers that smell as good as they look. Q How did you get to the point of having your own business? I studied marketing and management at university, before working in branding for companies such as Hasbro. I often gave friends and family candles as gifts, but they were all fairly uninspiring, with plain labels. I realised there was a gap in the market for home fragrances made with thought, love and care. I worked on my idea in the evenings and weekends for over two years. My scents were inspired by poems written by…