Innehållsförteckning för November 2022 från Style At Home

Decorating our bedroom earlier this year was a total gamechanger. What had felt like a forgotten space suddenly became my favourite retreat. If I’m MIA from the chaos of family life going on downstairs, chances are I’ve escaped to curl up on the bed with a book (or more likely scrolling social media!). The room’s painted a plaster pink and the colour soothes me the second I step through the door. If it’s about time your bedroom got an update, we’ve got colour inspiration a-plenty in Style Book on page 55. And there are some genius DIY headboard ideas on page 66 to turn your bed into a real style statement. And finally, because there’s no point making it look the part if the comfort level isn’t up to the…

1 Get the kids involved Who needs to spend hundreds on art prints, when you have your own little Picassos at home? Set up an artist’s studio on the dining table and get the kids to paint or draw some originals for the wall. As wall display ideas go, it’s one of the most affordable and fun we know, plus it’s at least a couple of hours’ worth of peace and quiet for you! Keep it classy by sticking to one medium – so poster paints or crayons, not both – and by hanging each one in the same coloured frame. Have fun with the colour – this sunny yellow is a cheery choice to frame the delightful and wholly original art display your children will produce. 2 BUY OR…

There are myriad beautiful kitchen flooring ideas out there, so discovering how to choose the right option for your space will help simplify your design process. It’s a key decision from the point of view of style, practicality and budget. Look into the options The kitchen is an area of high footfall where we tend to spend a lot of time, so it makes sense to choose a durable material that’s also easy to maintain. Vinyl is inexpensive and withstands scuffs and stains. Porcelain tiles are easy to clean, (although they are pricier). Cork is growing in popularity as it’s natural and sustainable, while real wood is less practical as it’s easy to mark or stain. Choose the right look Decide whether you want your flooring to co-ordinate or to…

November can feel like a bit of a limbo month as we start building up to the Christmas countdown and more time is spent cocooning inside. Keeping warm is paramount, so bleed radiators to save energy and stay cosy. Making sure your home doesn’t succumb to damp is also a priority this season, along with giving your dishwasher an MOT before the festive rush. Why not revamp your bath with a lick of paint, or spend a happy afternoon sorting your dried goods? Grab a few jars, stickers and a marker – easy! Display pretty prints Sort through those art prints you’ve not got round to framing or children’s artwork that’s sat in piles and give them the love they deserve with this quick no-frame idea. Simply hang your favourite…

HAND PAINTED PUMPKINS YOU WILL NEED • Primer • Gold spray paint • Blue and white emulsion paint • Paintbrush • Gold pen 1 PRIME THE SURFACE Let your creativity flow with unique hand-drawn designs. Start by spraying your pumpkin with a primer. Once the primer is dry, spray the stalks of your pumpkins gold. 2 PAINT YOUR PUMPKINS Use white and blue emulsion to paint your pumpkins. Allow to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat. 3 DRAW YOUR DESIGN Use a metallic pen to draw on your design. Try leaves, flowers and free-flowing swirls for an organic look. FLORAL DISPLAY YOU WILL NEED • Mini gourd • Spoon • Small jar • Flowers Slice the top off a mini gourd or pumpkin and use a spoon to hollow…

John Lewis & Partners NATURAL SEVENTIES Team warm rust and cool mint in textural materials for relaxed style Marks and Spencer JEWELLED OPULENCE Pick velvety materials in rich gemstone hues for a luxe look Next Home COTTAGECORE AESTHETIC Cosy up your bedroom with ditsy country florals and mid-wood tones Matalan CONTEMPORARY COCOON Combine ginger and black with natural finishes and asymmetric shapes…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Elisha Utley (@eli_at_home), a receptionist for a kitchen company, and I live with my husband Darren, a window fitter, and our children, Imogen, 21, and Daisy, seven, plus pomeranians Poppy and Vivienne. MY HOME A four-bedroom townhouse in Brampton Bierlow near Rotherham, built in 2004. WHEN WE MOVED IN The house had previously been rented out so it looked a bit tired. However, the rooms were a good size. AND NOW We replaced the bathroom and the kitchen and decorated every room. STYLE TIP If you like to change things up regularly, neutral walls make the best backdrop. We’d been in our last home for 19 years, so it took quite a long time – plus countless decor changes – before I felt truly…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Leanne Watt, 36, a business development director for Frasers of Ellon. I live with my husband Calum, 40, a self-employed floor layer/fitter, and our sons Innes, seven, and Murray, four. MY HOME A three-bedroom former cobbler’s and farm workers’ cottage in Aberdeenshire, bought in 2013. WHEN WE MOVED IN The cottage had no insulation and was freezing cold and covered in floral brown wallpaper, but I’d always dreamt of living in an old cottage. AND NOW On a bright day the light streams in and the extension is the perfect place to spend time together. STYLE TIP I kept a scrapbook of magazine cuttings and love sharing ideas on social media – you can find me @our_wee_country_cottage. We love the lifestyle in Aberdeen (once…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Lorraine Maloney, 72, and I live here with my husband, Liam. I’m a retired teacher and Liam is a retired headteacher. OUR HOME A three-bedroom 1950s detached house in North Wales. We bought it in October 2019. WHEN WE MOVED IN There was only one bathroom and the house hadn’t been decorated in decades; it looked very tired and everything needed to be updated. AND NOW We’ve created an en suite by splitting the bathroom in two. We’ve also refreshed the kitchen and redecorated throughout, adding lots of colour to bring the house to life. STYLE TIP Don’t underestimate the power of colour. It can transform a room for the cost of a tin of paint. When my mum passed away four months before…

Follow tile trends Surfaces make or break a bathroom: one current style is for graphic ceramics – say, a patchwork of decorative geometrics or a striking hexagonal design. Think about room proportions – floor-to-wall decorative designs can be too busy for a small space, whereas they could be an ideal addition when laid as a feature wall or floor. Ask the experts Once you have your budget, design ideas, and bathroom plan together, visit a reputable showroom. Bathroom designers are experienced in helping bring your scheme to life. They’ll be able to tell you about latest materials and technology, and will have solutions for compact or awkward spaces. They’ll also have suggestions to maximise space while at the same time minimising costly mistakes. ‘REPLACING FITTINGS, WORN OUT FLOORING AND TILES…

MIXED BERRIES FRANGIPANE TART TAKES 1 HR 10 MIN PLUS CHILLING MAKES 12 • 150g cold butter, cubed • 150g plain flour FOR THE FRANGIPANE FILLING • 100g butter, softened • 100g caster sugar • 2 large eggs • 100g ground almonds • ½tsp lemon extract • Grated zest of 1 lemon • Handful of frozen mixed berries YOU WILL NEED • 18cm loose-based fluted tart tin • Baking paper and baking beans 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/ Gas 6. For the pastry, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in enough cold water to form a dough, around 1-2tbsp. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 mins. 2 Roll out the pastry to the thickness of a 50p coin and line the tart…

HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP TAKES 3HRS 40MINS SERVES 6 FOR THE STOCK • 1 leftover chicken carcass • 1 bunch of spring onions, roughly chopped • 2 carrots, roughly chopped • 6 peppercorns • 1tsp coriander seeds • 2 star anise • Thumb-sized piece of ginger, chopped FOR THE SOUP • Thumb-sized piece of ginger, chopped • 1 garlic clove, chopped • 4 chicken breasts (or cooked chicken) • 200g mixed mushrooms, sliced • 235g pak choi • 1tbsp soy sauce • 200g egg noodles 1 To make the stock for the soup, put all the stock ingredients into a large pan, cover with 3ltr cold water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and leave to bubble away for 2-3hrs, skimming off the scum that…

With its mottled brown and amber tones, tortoiseshell is still as effortlessly chic as it ever was. Making a well-deserved comeback, flecked faux tortoiseshell will easily slot into your decor and look right at home. Find it on everything from vases and lighting to tableware and bathroom accessories for an instant style update.…

During the winter, the bathroom becomes a place of comfort – a long bath on a dark evening provides a time to relax and de-stress. Colour is all-important when it comes to creating the atmosphere you want and it needn’t be expensive. Lift your mood For a stimulating boost, bold shades of warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows can really get you energised. This can be incorporated through different accessories against a more muted colour. Find your calm For a moment of serenity as we rush around in the morning, cooler colours that still have a bright element, such as lighter blue, purples and greens can help us feel we can handle the day’s challenges. Try upcycling You don’t need to buy new to achieve a new look. Try…

Lighting can make or break any room – and perhaps none more so than a kitchen. Discovering the best approach to planning kitchen lighting will make this aspect of kitchen design a breeze. Whatever kind of kitchen lighting you’re considering, there are a few universal guidelines to bear in mind. Plus, they can all be adapted to work in any style of kitchen, from ultra-modern to cosy country. How to plan your kitchen lighting The key to creating a successful lighting scheme lies in layering the effects, so you should try to zone the lighting according to its use – working (task), dining and mood (ambient) and creating wow factor (feature). It’s important to think about all three and consider dimmable solutions for even more flexibility. An open-plan kitchen usually…

Whether your kitchen looks dated and needs a speedy overhaul while you save up for a new one, or you simply fancy a fresh makeover, painting your kitchen cabinets will completely transform the heart of the home. How do I prepare my cabinets for painting? Remove any handles and hinges from the cabinets and drawers, so you’ll have a clear surface to work on and clean the surfaces with a degreasing detergent. Next, lightly sand or ‘key’ the surfaces to help the paint grip using a fine-grit paper. Once finished, wipe the dust off with a damp cloth and let surfaces dry. Do I need to use a primer? Yes! Primers create a base coat for the paint and will help to prevent blemishes or knots in wood from showing…

Paint the lower half of the wall Choose a deep contrasting shade to create a stunning backdrop for your bed. A picture shelf adds further definition and provides the perfect platform to display accessories. Give it a twist Swap out paint for a favourite wallpaper; it will save you having to wallpaper the whole wall. Attach wooden panelling Create a statement headboard using elegant slatted wood wall panels. Running the panelling to the ceiling makes a wow focal point and makes the space feel more expansive. Give it a twist Hang panelling horizontally instead of vertically and allow the panel to extend outwards beyond the bed’s width. Add leather strapping Attach lengths of soft leather to form straps to secure pillows to the wall. A simple and chic idea for…

COME ON IN! ABOUT ME I’m Lila Stevenson, 23, and I work in HR. I bought this, my first flat, with help from my parents in June 2021. It’s a one-bedroom, second floor flat in a 1980s block in Barnet, North London. THE CHALLENGE I needed to rethink the space, as with a big fridge-freezer next to the sink and a large overhead cupboard on the other side of the window it felt like everything was closing in. MY WISHLIST Timeless, classic units in a neutral colour and in a different layout, along with a green wall to make up for the lack of a garden. I also wanted a new spot for the fridge-freezer and the room to feel like it has a bit more personality. After living in…

Bathroom storage is essential for keeping your bathing space tidy and clutter free. If you’ve got a small bathroom or a large family – or both – then you are probably in need of some clever storage to help keep clutter behind closed doors and more attractive items out on show. However low-maintenance you like to think you are, there are so many essential bits and pieces in a bathroom that you just can’t store elsewhere: razors, hairbrushes, cotton wool pads, loo roll, spare soaps, toothpaste. All of these must-haves need somewhere to live and sometimes more than one set of bathroom storage is needed. SLOT IN A SLIM LADDER SHELF For versatile shelving, consider a freestanding ladder shelf. Narrower than standard shelf units it can be propped against a…

Jay Blades of BBC’s The Repair Shop fame, is the master of repairing, recycling and reusing everyday items. So if you’re looking to bring a new lease of life to your dining chairs, or have picked up a set from your local charity shop or boot fair that are in need of a little love, then Jay has just the trick. Some of the most widely available second-hand chairs are the type with wooden backs and upholstered seats, and it’s usually really simple to change the fabric to something that fits your decor. To really keep the costs down, use leftover fabric from a pair of curtains, or a well-loved duvet cover to give your chair a fresh feel. Plus you could always spruce up your chair first…

TIME AT HOME Household energy bills are soaring, an increase driven by gas prices hitting a record high. So finding ways to lower your gas bill is now a housekeeping skill that we all need to learn. It pays to understand how to conserve energy at home. Not only will this help you right now to save money, but you’ll also be playing a part in reducing the use of fossil fuels and the associated impacts of climate change. Review your energy bills While any savings you make are likely to be minimal, it is still worth looking at how to switch your energy supplier. Contact your supplier to make sure you’re on the best tariff for your home’s energy usage, and compare it with competitor providers – especially if…