Innehållsförteckning för September 2022 från Style At Home

I’m waging war on the daily chaos and clutter at home. How many times can I watch family members walk past the pile of stuff left on the stairs before I break and take it upstairs myself ? Dare to open the Tupperware cupboard door and I’m assaulted by a barrage of projectiles (aka boxes and lids). Other skirmishes include continual extraction of dumped school bags in the hallway, the recovery of dirty plates from bedrooms and the relocation of empty toilet rolls from the bathroom floor to the recycling bin. Getting (and staying) organised is the ultimate prize. Storage wins are the name of the game, and we’ve got some great solutions in this issue. Here’s hoping the clever DIY storage hacks on page 66 will be my secret…

1 Make an impact with deep purple Create a comforting, cosy vibe in your hallway with beautiful rich tones, such as the berry colour on this panelled wall. This look is super snug and wintry, with a draught-excluding curtain that will keep your home wonderfully warm. Mix in blues and whites, like the blue and white leaf-print curtain pictured to make sure it’s more than suitable for the sunniest of seasons, too. This colour works a treat for a rustic look with natural wood flooring and distressed furniture, but it’s also great for smarter styles. Give it a glam edge with gold details and accessories and a plush runner on the floor. 2 GO FOR SOFT GREYS Make a great first impression in your hallway with a calming, soft grey…

Many of our homes lack the bedroom storage we really need, but fitted wardrobes will max out every scrap of space, whether a made-to-measure or budget-friendly, off-the-peg solution. Should fitted wardrobes go from floor to ceiling? In general they do, although in a period property with high ceilings, coving and picture rails, it’s best if they didn’t cover over these architectural features. How deep should they be? According to Hammonds, the minimum internal depth for hanging clothes is 55cm, which seems to be the industry standard. A manufacturer that designs its own fitted furniture can create any depth of wardrobe to suit the customer’s needs. Can you paint them? Having fitted wardrobes installed is a big investment, so you may choose to play it safe and opt for a neutral.…

STORAGE Only a few years ago, working from home was something most of us did very rarely, if at all. But how things have changed! Now, and possibly forever, our routines will involve some element of home working – meaning keeping your office-related essentials neatly stored at the end of the working day is vital in ensuring you keep your home and study space separate. Almost any space in our home can work as a place to do business. But regardless of whether you have a separate study, are conference calling from a desk in the bedroom or are working on the kitchen table, good storage will make things a lot easier. HIDE EVERYTHING IN A ‘CLOFFICE’ The latest WFH trend, a ‘cloffice’ is a combination of ‘closet’ and…

If you have a preloved deckchair in the shed that’s seen better days, then now’s the time to give the seat a revamp so it can have its time in the sun again. Make sure to choose a hard-wearing outdoor fabric, such as cotton canvas, to ensure it withstands the elements and your efforts last for years to come. YOU WILL NEED ⋆ Deckchair frame ⋆ Sandpaper Clear varnish * Canvas fabric ⋆ Tape measure ⋆ Fabric scissors ⋆ Sewing machine ⋆ Strong thread ⋆ 100-110 machine needle 1 REMOVE THE FABRIC Detach the existing canvas sling seat from the wooden frame. Either dispose of it if it’s unsalvageable or use the material for other projects. 2 PREPARE THE FRAME Give the frame a good clean with warm, soapy water…

George Home SANTORINI BLUES Be inspired by the fresh whites and vibrant blues of a Greek getaway Next CLASSIC COUNTRY Combine pale wood and bold ochre for a timeless look La Redoute SEVENTIES VIBES Team retro shapes with blush and mustard tones Habitat DOPAMINE BRIGHTS Choose happy hues for a scheme brimming with positivity…

We’d been renting a modern three-bedroom semi in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, for about eight years when the landlord decided to sell it,’ says Emma. ‘Searching for another place wasn’t easy, as anything decent gets snapped up quickly. However, this three-storey house in nearby Todwick came up. Although it was a bit shabby and needed decorating, which put other people off, the village is lovely and the location was perfect, as it’s right by my daughter’s school. With four bedrooms, it was also much bigger, which was brilliant as I got the opportunity to buy more furniture! Getting started The lettings agency said we could decorate and I can always re-paint the walls in more neutral colours if we move on in future. Since getting the keys in March 2021, I’ve decorated…

When we first saw our 1920s home in Torquay, South Devon, it’s safe to say we needed a fair amount of vision,’ admits Antonia. ‘We’d been renting a one-bedroom flat and were keen to find a bigger property and start a family. The whole house resembled a bad 1970s sitcom, with walls covered in flocked, shiny peach wallpaper, a sea of pink shagpile carpet, and Artex covering every ceiling. There were also sinks in each room, the kitchen was small, dark and cut off from the rest of the house and, to top it all off, the bathroom had an avocado green suite! Plus side However, there were some plus points that really sold the house to us. First off, it was in a great location, close to the sea…

After a few dramatic life twists and turns, including a new job and divorce, I was loving single life and decided to take on a challenge with a new house that required major renovation,’ says Anna. ‘When I found this house in August 2017, I decided on the spot I wanted to buy it! Despite it being incredibly dated, I could see the potential immediately and fell in love with the chequered floor in the hallway. I knew it was a huge project, but I felt ready to do it, and over the next five to six months it became a labour of love. Starting from scratch Even though the property was really run down, I still paid around £275,000 for it, but I knew I had a reasonable budget…

SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks ALLOW A BUSY PRINT ON WALLS TO REALLY POP BY FRAMING IT WITH PLAIN PANELLING BELOW STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

GARDEN MAKEOVER When we moved house in 2017, we realised the rear garden had been glossed over in the particulars,’ says Emily. ‘It had broken fence panels, depressing flagstones and some sad-looking pots. It needed to be given a new lease of life and some personality added to it. Luckily, I began studying garden design in 2018, so the timing was right to use our own garden as a case study for the course. Perfect vision I knew I wanted an outside room that felt spacious and connected to the modern rear of our house, with lots of exotic plants that would transport us somewhere far away and dreamy… a complete contrast to the cottage garden at the front. I started developing my wish list, which included having an area…

As summer draws to a close, you’ll want to continue to enjoy your home, indoors and out. Set aside a dry day to scrub up your decking, and try our natural deterrent to keep dozy flies at bay. How about creating a movie night outdoors? And if you’re in the mood for a bit of DIY, spruce up your front door with pretty house number planters. Choose a headboard with storage If bedroom storage is in short supply, ditch the usual style of a metal or upholstered headboard in favour of a wooden design with a shelf for storage and a surface area where you can place things. This means you can do away with bulky bedside tables, as you’ll have a convenient spot to stash your bedtime reading. Go…

For those looking to swap out single-use food coverings like cling film and plastic sandwich bags, reusable wax wraps are the perfect eco-friendly alternative. Once coated in a thin layer of beeswax, the cloths become waterproof and flexible to fold and mould around food items or containers. The heat of your hands will help release the natural adhesive to create a tight but breathable seal that will keep food fresh. If your wraps start to lose their stick, don’t throw them away! You can easily refresh your homemade wax wraps every six months or so simply by repeating steps 2-5. Your wraps will be as good as new again! YOU WILL NEED ⋆ Cotton scrap fabrics ⋆ Pinking shears ⋆ Baking tray ⋆ Baking paper ⋆ Wax drops ⋆ Paintbrush…

BEST COMPLETE SECURITY SYSTEM CAMERA NETATMO WELCOME POWER WirelessRESOLUTION 1080pTWO-WAY AUDIO? YesEXTRAS Compatible with AlexaDIMENSIONS H15.5xDia4.5cmPRICE £180 The standout feature of this cylindrical design is the ability to identify faces, not just react to noise and motion. As a result, you can be told when the kids get in from school, whether they’ve come back with ‘new’ friends and even receive a text when the cleaner shows up. The face detection technology isn’t flawless but it is reliable once it sees a face a few times and you can set the camera to only record unknown faces, so you don’t feel spied upon once you’re all home. Full HD 1080p video quality is great even in low light and thanks to the 8GB MicroSD card, you can store a week’s…

TIME AT HOME Your television can be the most power-hungry of all your entertainment equipment, particularly the largest sets,’ says Brian Horne, senior insights and analytics consultant at the Energy Saving Trust. ‘The larger a TV screen, the more energy it will consume, regardless of its energy rating. ‘Even the most efficient 60-inch TV is still more expensive to run per year compared to the lowest-rated 32-inch model. By choosing a smaller TV, you are generally saving more energy.’ TVs are rated for energy efficiency on a scale of A–G, but since the scale was revised in March 2021, most will have an E-G rating. For an idea of energy usage, look at the kWh/1000h number on the label to work out how much it’ll cost to run over an…

INSTAGRAM @styleathomemag #sahstylists FACEBOOK facebook.com/styleathomemag PINTEREST pinterest.com/styleathomemag EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work very hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email the Editor at styleathome@futurenet.com or write to The Editor, Style at Home , 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.…

Whether you go for wall-to-wall colour or pick out a few pieces to perk up your place, parma violet and mint green will bring you a little peace and tranquillity. If you’re searching for a feminine scheme but are bored with blush, then this is for you. The soft, muted combo is saccharine yet fresh, creating a soothing and restful space that’s pretty perfect.…

Not only do they look seriously impressive, a well-planned island unit can make light work of delivering dinner. Factors such as size, shape and special features all play a part in the price. How much does a kitchen island cost? It’s possible to bag a freestanding design that will add prep space, storage and room for stools to your kitchen, for less than £350 (hello, Ikea’s Vadholma!). How much will a bespoke island set me back? As with anything that is made uniquely for you, it will always be more expensive than something mass-produced. There are too many variables to give an exact figure, but be prepared to part with upwards of £5,000 for something special. Can you buy a kitchen island on its own? Yes. As long as space…

You might feel your living room needs a bit of a redesign, or have plans to invest in new furniture or storage. Or maybe you’re looking to rejig what you have to give your space a style boost. Either way, there are plenty of tricks that can help you make the most of its potential. Begin by thinking about how you use the room You may use the space for watching telly, the kids doing homework, reading a book as well as entertaining friends. Considering its function will help you understand what lighting, seating and storage you need. Choose a focal point ‘In a family room, a TV will likely be the focal point,’ says Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf. ‘But it’s also one of the things I hate to…

While a roomy kitchen is the dream, the reality is many of us are stuck with a small space to work with. But there are lots of visual tricks and clever ideas to make a small kitchen look bigger that don’t involve knocking down walls or a major refurb. How do I make a small kitchen look bigger? ‘Think about the work triangle,’ says Lizzie Beesley, head of design at Magnet. ‘One of the benefits of small kitchens is that you can easily access all working areas, making cooking and cleaning efficient. Try to place your cleaning, cooking and preparing areas into three separate zones, with plenty of floor space in between.’ What colours work best? Light-reflecting colours make a small kitchen feel bigger, so a combination of pale walls…

Hang shoe cabinets in the hallway Attach in a grid format to give a wall of slim storage, plus a display surface. Wall-mounting keeps the floor clear and opens up the space. Give it a twist Build in an upholstered bench and hang a double row of cabinets so they form a back rest. Make a designer-look media unit Fix an MDF panel to the wall and mount your TV and two floating shelves on it. Hide junk in a drawer unit and drum storage stools. Give it a twist Painting the area black or slate grey will camouflage the television. Attach bed slats to make a hanging rack This wall rack is a set of webbing-mounted bed slats hung from a couple of wall hooks, providing space to hang…

DRESSING ROOM MAKEOVER Our spare room has never really been used as a bedroom, but it also didn’t do its job as a dressing room particularly well,’ says Laurie. ‘We’d put in a wall-hung open rail system and in my mind, the room was going to look lovely and sophisticated. In reality, it just looked messy and the middle of the room was empty. And unless you have a carefully curated capsule wardrobe (which I definitely don’t), the clothes don’t look ordered or neat. Coming up with a plan After doing lots of research on Pinterest I knew I wanted something smarter, where my clothes were hidden away but easily accessible. That’s where My Fitted Bedroom came in… They sent a designer round who gave us lots of advice on…

From creating the perfect patio to delightful decking spaces, these grass-free garden ideas are perfect for those who don’t have the time, space or energy for a lawn. After adopting one of these no-mow schemes, you can sell or give away that mower, freeing up space in the shed. Pile on the patio tiles For a contemporary way to cover your garden, use extra-large paving slabs. You will cover the ground fast, with minimal gaps between where weeds might grow. If you want to take a patio further, run limestone paving slabs throughout, with paths leading to individual areas for dining, sunbathing and pottering with plants. Use flower beds to soften the landscaping. Opt for easy-care decking If a small garden is something you’re struggling with, choose easy-to-care-for decking. Hard…

The satisfaction of picking your own fresh produce is unbeatable. It’s the healthier option too, as you can grow things organically. Planting veggies is a great way to get the freshest greens on your plate, and just because we’re most of the way through summer doesn’t mean it’s too late. There are plenty of crops you can grow that will go on through the cooler months. Opt for easy vegetables like cut-and-come-again winter leaves. They’re frontrunners in the time/reward ratio. Planting in raised beds or troughs is a good idea, as it adds a layer of protection if the ground freezes. Some easy-grow veg have the added benefit of aesthetic appeal. Swiss chard has lovely ornamental value, while kale can be worked into mixed planting, so they both can be…

TIME AT HOME BLACKBERRY OLIVE OIL BIZCOCHO TAKES 1HR 25 MINS, PLUS COOLING SERVES 10 ⋆ 125g natural yogurt ⋆ 150ml extra virgin olive oil (we used Picualia) ⋆ 275g caster sugar ⋆ 3 eggs ⋆ Zest of 1 orange and 2tbsp orange juice ⋆ 375g plain flour ⋆ 1tbsp baking powder ⋆ 175g blackberries ⋆ Icing sugar, to decorate (optional) YOU WILL NEED ⋆ 23cm loose-bottomed cake tin, greased and lined with baking parchment 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, olive oil, sugar, eggs, and orange zest and juice. Beat for 10 mins using an electric whisk. 2 Sift in the flour and baking powder, and stir gently until smooth. Gently fold in the blackberries, then tip the mixture into the…

MUSHROOM CHILLI TAKES 35 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ⋆ 750g mixed mushrooms ⋆ 2tbsp olive oil ⋆ 1 onion, diced ⋆ 3 garlic cloves, chopped ⋆ 2 carrots, diced ⋆ 1-2 red chillies, chopped ⋆ 1tsp cumin seeds ⋆ ½tsp smoked paprika ⋆ 3tbsp tomato purée ⋆ 150ml red wine ⋆410g tin of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed ⋆ 400g tin of chopped tomatoes TO SERVE ⋆ 500g potato wedges ⋆ Soured cream ⋆ Grated cheese ⋆ Salad 1 Slice 250g of the mixed mushrooms and set aside. Blend all of the remaining mushrooms in a food processor. 2 Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion, garlic, carrots, chillies and spices. Cook on a low heat for 5 mins. Add the sliced mushrooms, turn up…