Innehållsförteckning för March 2023 från Style At Home

You’d think after so many years working on homes mags, I’d have developed a really strong sense of my own style. I wish that were the case, but I see so many fab ideas that I end up chopping and changing! Take the three gorgeous homes in this issue for example. I love the retro touches in Sian’s house (page 18), as I’m a big fan of vintage. Then I turn to Carey’s home on page 30, and immediately want to wallpaper my hallway in an Arts and Crafts inspired pattern! Finally there’s Elise’s modern space (page 44), full of graphic shapes and typography prints. So much inspiration - I want to do it all! The biggest takeaway for me is what I think all our homeowners have in common:…

PAINTED STOOLS Give a mismatched set of kitchen stools a new look by spray-painting in chic complementary colours. Clean, lightly sand and prep with primer first. Then apply several light coats of spray paint a few minutes apart and allow to dry.…

TOTAL £6,791 TURN OVER FOR MY SHOPPING LIST I moved here from a three-bedroom house in nearby Teddington,’ says Abi. ‘My eldest son, George, had already moved out and Henry was planning to rent a flat as well, and it was time for me to free up some capital to travel and do some of the things that I really wanted to do. I’m a passionate skier, so plenty of skiing was top of my list. A flat was the obvious move, and I found one in nearby Twickenham with a reasonable garden, a train station nearby, an easy walk into Richmond and plenty of potential. Making plans The major issue with the flat was that the kitchen was plonked right in the middle, with a small living room on…

It might be the smallest room in your home, but the downstairs loo likely plays host to the most amount of visitors. A godsend when guests pop by, having a loo downstairs is also a bonus when there are little ones around with all the frequent and speedy dashes throughout the day. One of the major downsides of having a downstairs loo, though, is that they can often become a dumping ground, the place that outdoor belongings get shoved, or toilet essentials and cleaning products stashed. In such a tight space, maximising storage is a must. By choosing compact, streamlined or space-saving pieces you’ll be able to stay beautifully organised. UTILISE WASTED WA L L SPACE Small cloakrooms often have awkward recesses that can be tricky to know what to…

Succulents are unique and beautiful on their own, but combined in an eye-catching hanging arrangement like this, they make a real showstopper. Lowgrowing, rosette-shaped plants work best for this project, as they help maintain the display’s spherical outline, but you could also try adding a few trailing plants near the bottom of the globe to create a living waterfall effect. Display the globe in bright, indirect light, turning it in between waterings to ensure all the plants get plenty of sun. The globe will be heavy, especially after watering, so make sure to hang it from a secure point able to take the full weight of the display when saturated. YOU WILL NEED * Small succulents, such as echeverias and sempervivums * 2–3 trailing plants, such as Curio rowleyanus *…

Furniture Village RIVIERA CHIC Team classic stripes with beach-inspired colours Next RAINBOW BRIGHTS Clash colours for a vibrant and uplifting scheme B&M BEACH VIBES Combine sandy shades of shell and stone with natural textures Dunelm MODERN INDUSTRIAL Kit out your kitchen with smart accessories in anthracite and teal…

PERIOD COTTAGE My passion for collecting vintage furniture and accessories saved me a fortune when decorating my first home,’ says Sian. ‘I started collecting retro homeware at car-boot sales about 15 years ago when I was a student. At the time I was living in a rented flat in Brighton and money was tight, so shopping secondhand was one of the ways I could afford to decorate my home. I brought many of these pieces with me when we moved into this cottage, and over time I’ve added more collectibles from the 1960s and 1970s. House hunting When my husband Eddy and I started looking to buy our first house, we had to go further afield than Brighton to be able to afford a place with a garden. I spent…

Tired of our busy London life and looking for a new adventure, my husband Johan and I decided to relocate to the coastal town of Margate back in 2015,’ says Carey. ‘At the time, we wanted to get on the property ladder, which was something we couldn’t afford to do in London. We had friends who lived in Margate and we really enjoyed our visits to the seaside town, with its inspiring views, sandy beaches and the artisan vibe… There’s something extremely special about Margate; it has an energy you can’t help falling in love with. At the time, we had a five-year plan, part of which was making sure we had a very low mortgage, giving us the freedom to explore other opportunities. Property in Margate was much cheaper…

With our first baby on the way, we felt it was time to leave our small rented flat in north London and buy a more affordable property near our families,’ says Elise. ‘Our flat in Islington was open plan and we didn’t even have an internal door we could close! Although my husband Michael and I had met in London, our families only lived a mile away from each other in the North East, so it was the perfect time to move back to be near them. We’d both lived in period properties before and loved their character, but I was drawn to a more modern and practical type of property. This led us to buy a new-build house off-plan on a Taylor Wimpey estate in Whitley Bay. We loved…

1Create a chequered floor Breathe new life into shabby bathroom floorboards with a smart chequerboard paint effect. You’ll need a neutral base as your starting point – either natural timber or painted boards are fine – with the tile effect created in a brighter contrast colour. Use a pencil, tape measure and masking tape to mark out and line up the area to be painted and then fill in your top colour with a small brush and roller, working in alternate rows. Leave to dry and apply another coat if necessary. Once thoroughly dry, seal with clear lacquer to protect. 2 GO BIG WITH A BOLD WALLPAPER While regular wallpaper isn’t recommended in damp, humid spaces, specialist bathroom wallpaper is designed to cope with steamy conditions. Contour wallpaper has a…

When it comes to kitchen renovations, cabinetry may feel like the main style decision, but worktop choice can be just as important. Along with the flooring, worktops sit on a horizontal plane, making them highly prominent and it’s often the worktops that bear the brunt of wear and tear. Know your budget While good looks are a must, your worktop has to be able to withstand everyday usage – from food prep, spills, marks and heat damage. The most popular materials – laminate, wood, granite, quartz and composites – have different advantages and price points – so what you choose will depend on what you have to spend. Study samples The best way to get an idea of how a material will look is to view different samples in situ.…

With the worst of the winter weather behind us and warmer days on the way, now’s the perfect time to tackle some early spring cleaning jobs. If muddy footprints have left floors in need of some TLC, then downstairs areas like the hallway or kitchen are a great place to start. Give beds a seasonal once-over too, putting away any heavy bedding that’s no longer needed, or go for speedy tasks like cleaning out the toaster and kettle. Make tiled floors sparkle Kitchen floors come in for a pounding, from dirt walked in to cooking spills. Sweep or vacuum to get rid of grit which can cause scratches, then give tiles a thorough mopping over. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scourers that might damage the glaze and try a solution of…

Whether hanging up coats and scarves in the hallway, tidying toys and sports kit in a playroom or organising tea towels and tools in the kitchen, you can never have enough hooks around the home. If you’ve mastered a few DIY basics and are handy with a saw and a drill, then this simple wooden hook rack will be a doddle to put together. Plus, it will add a cheery touch to your walls. The only materials required are a piece of wood – an old floorboard is ideal – some paint to spruce it up with and a few single hooks and wall fixings. We used colourful double hooks for our rack on a whitewashed piece of wood, but it would work equally as well with smart brass hooks…

BEST LOOKING TOASTER RUSSELL HOBBS EMMA BRIDGEWATER POLKA DOT 2-SLICE TOASTER DIMENSIONS H22xW17xD27cm SLICES 2 COLOURS Polka dot FEATURES Defrost, reheat, cancel PRICE £69.99 We’re a little obsessed with this toaster. Its patterned exterior is sure to add a sunny start to your day, and there are matching kettles, mugs and even plates available for those who want to add another element of co-ordination. The retro-style design is carried through to the rather simple controls, which include a 1-5 dial as well as an eject, frozen and reheat setting. When you push down the lever there’s no lift-to-look, but we did think the Russell Hobbs toasted evenly and we were very happy with how it performed in testing. These slots are extra wide, so those who like a wedge of…

It’s been on our radar for a while, but terrazzo is a trend that looks like it’s here to stay. Popular in the 1970s as a floor covering, this colourful composite material is filled with chips of marble, granite, quartz and glass creating a flecked effect that is super chic and popping up on everything from kitchenware and lighting to soft furnishings and even wallpaper.…

Rather than buying new, sourcing and buying secondhand offers a more sustainable way to shop that can save cash and give new life to something that might otherwise be thrown away. Know the specifics It’s easy to lose hours scrolling online looking at pieces that just aren’t suitable, so save time by being clear about what you’re looking for and know the size, style and function before you start. ‘Remember to always measure the piece, as well as the space at home, so you don’t fall for an item that won’t fit,’ says Harriet Wetton at marketplace app Narchie. Cast your net wide Finding the perfect piece in your local charity shop is the dream, but be prepared to cast your net further afield. For furniture, try the British Heart…

Whether your kitchen is large or small, with plenty of cabinets or only limited space, well-organised interior storage will make the contents easier to find. From corner carousels to shelf steppers, often it’s the simplest of ideas that are the most effective. Make full use of doors Utilise wasted space inside kitchen cabinets with door-mounted racks or pockets. Strategically positioned so that they don’t bash into shelves, narrow racks are ideal for spice jars and loose items that often get lost at the backs of cupboards. Go for easy-grab caddies Lift-out storage caddies and baskets are great for smaller jars, cartons, condiments or even cake-decorating kit – grouping ingredients together makes sense so you can grab everything in one hit when prepping or baking. Buy in an assortment of sizes…

When it comes to a plain room where there isn’t a natural focal point, use paint to create a bold look-at-me feature that will add another dimension to the space. If you want to zone a space to create a separate WFH or vanity area, a colourful painted arch makes the perfect backdrop for a desk or dressing table. Start with a plain, pale background If you have plain walls, painted a fairly light colour, then you’re halfway there. If not, or your background could do with a touch up, then give walls a fresh coat of paint. Pale background colours work best, with a bolder contrast colour on top. Size it up Decide on the width and height of your arch before you begin. Cut a long length of…

Set up a hallway hub If hallway space is tight it makes sense to go for multifunctional storage that fulfils different needs and takes up less space. Modular storage can be adapted, with open cubbies giving easy access for shoes and outdoor belongings, plus closed caddies or baskets for hiding clutter. Give it a twist Add names to caddies so everyone has their own storage. Build a bespoke storage unit Create your very own boot room area using Ikea Lack shelves as uprights between a TV and wall shelf unit. Choose a fun graphic print wallpaper as the perfect backdrop and finish with coat hooks. Give it a twist Paint each recess a different colour to personalise a storage area for each person. Slot in a slim console Make a…

SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks DECORATE YOUR OFFICE SPACE IN AN EARTHY COLOUR SCHEME PUNCTUATED WITH ANTHRACITE ACCENTS TO ADD DEPTH STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

Don’t move, improve Location is everything. So if you love the area where you live, but could really use the extra space, then extending your existing property could be the perfect solution. From super-slim side and single-storey extensions to loft and garage conversions, there are plenty of options for small properties that can add valuable extra living space. Seek expert advice While it isn’t essential to bring a professional on board, an architect or designer’s vision will help make the most of the space you have available. Their insight on positioning, structural systems and building materials can make a huge difference too. Having an expert involved can also help when construction begins, particularly if you encounter any unforeseen issues. ‘GOING BY WORD OF MOUTH IS A SMART WAY TO FIND…

Aim for a blast of colour to herald the arrival of spring. Choose a mix of spring bulbs and long-flowering plant varieties like pansies, primulas and wallflowers to create some wow factor in pots and planters. Blend colour, texture and shape for eye-catching results, layering up the look as you go for a long-lasting display. Adding pockets of colour will lift your garden at a time when there’s not much else happening, so position your planters where you can enjoy them. 1 MAKE A PLANT THEATRE Raise your collection of spring bulbs to eye level so you can better appreciate them. Tiered shelving is the perfect stage for a spring bulb display, and you can switch pots in and out as they fade to keep the interest going. Either…

TIME AT HOME DOUBLE DECKER TART TAKES 1 HR, PLUS SETTING SERVES 12 FOR THE BASE * 20g unsalted butter * 35g soft toffees * 40g marshmallows * 1tbsp cocoa powder * 60g crisped rice cereal * 125g crunchy peanut butter FOR THE NOUGAT * 550g caster sugar * 140g liquid glucose * 3 egg whites * 250g mixed nuts FOR THE GLAZE * 100g dark chocolate, finely chopped * 2tbsp golden syrup * 25g unsalted butter, cubed * Edible gold leaf (optional) 1 Melt butter and toffees in a saucepan, mix in the marshmallows and cocoa powder until melted. Stir in the crisped rice and spread over the base of a 23cm greased springform tin. Leave to firm up for 15 mins. Spread over the peanut butter. 2 For…

BREAKFAST QUICHE TAKES 1 HR 15 MINS SERVES 6 * 320g ready-rolled puff pastry * 150g baby chestnut mushrooms, halved * 100g smoked streaky bacon, chopped (3 rashers reserved), * 1 leek, finely sliced * 10g parsley, chopped * 50ml full-fat milk * 150g half-fat creme fraiche * 2 large eggs * 1tsp nutmeg * 4 quails’ eggs YOU WILL NEED * 25cm fluted tart case Baking beans 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Unroll the pastry and line the tart case. Trim the excess. Prick the base all over with a fork, line with foil and baking beans. Blind bake for 20 mins; remove baking beans and cook for a further 5 mins. 2 Fry the mushrooms in a pan for 5-10 mins until golden. Remove and set…