Innehållsförteckning för September 2023 från Style At Home

I’m itching to get organised after the summer chaos. When the kids are off school it means endless rounds of washing up, piles of clutter in every room and the washing machine running almost continuously. Add in the fact that if the sun’s shining, I’m the first to neglect any chores (the cleaning schedule goes straight out the window!) so I can be outdoors in the garden instead. The upshot? Our house is a total disaster zone. It seems like a pretty daunting task, but I know how satisfying it will be to get everything back in order so I’m going to block out a weekend and dive in. I’ll kick things off with some of the great ideas on page 98 – there are some easy-to-follow steps to make…

1 Add a new loo roll holder Fashion yourself a stylish loo roll holder, with a shelf on top, ideal for holding bathroom must-haves like a scented reed diffuser, or your bath-time book. This resourceful hack uses an Ikea spice rack as the shelf – which you can paint to complement your decor. Screw a couple of cup hooks underneath the spice rack, with equal space left at either end, then attach a leather handle to each. Then all that’s left is to take a length of dowel, cut to size, to hold your loo rolls, and simply slot it into place. 2 USE A SUBTLE OMBRE PAINT EFFECT Open shelving is the perfect place to display favourite kitchenware. Create a cohesive look by setting against an ombre paint effect…

When we bought our Brighton home in June 2020, it was a renovation project and every room needed updating,’ says Gemma. ‘At the top of our to-do list was transforming the bland kitchen, which had beige units and dark worktops. It didn’t seem to matter how sunny it was outside, the room always felt dark and gloomy. Our idea was to install huge glass back doors and a new, larger window that would allow daylight to filter into the room – as well as fit a brand new kitchen. We hired our friends, who are contractors, to undertake the building works. The first thing they did was rip out the old units, appliances and floor. They also pulled down an internal wall to open up the under-stairs cupboard, and they…

TRY THIS... Create a mini kitchen herb garden by planting up your favourite herbs in enamel mugs, jugs and teapots. Use shop-bought herbs, popped inside the containers with a layer of grit at the bottom to help with drainage. Make tea-bag style name tags using squares of card, threaded with string and stapled to secure.…

GARDEN MAKEOVER When Ben and I moved into our home in West Sussex we weren’t really sure what to do with the garden, so we left it for a while and got on with decorating the house,’ says Katie. ‘It’s a rental property but luckily the landlord was fine about us changing the decor, so we carried on until finally we turned our attention to the outside space. The problem was that it had a long stretch of decking and a tiny bit of grass, but other than that it was quite bare. The decking was a light wood and it all just felt a bit boring and not very us. I did think about removing some of the decking to give us more lawn, but if I’m honest, neither…

Wayfair ECLECTIC MAXIMALISM Choose eye-catching prints, patterns and colours in luxurious finishes Joe Browns GLOBAL EXPLORER Create a well-travelled look with natural textures and animal motifs Dunelm NOSTALGIC BRIGHTS Update trad shapes and designs with bold, happy hues Next CLASSIC COUNTRY Relax into a homely scheme using soothing colours…

Ten years ago my husband Simon and I decided to up sticks and move from south-west London,’ says Mary. ‘We wanted to find a base for the business and a new home – and as soon as we visited Frome in Somerset we knew it was where we wanted to be based. It’s an independent market town with lots going on, surrounded by beautiful countryside. On the day we visited, I saw the For Sale sign in the window of a shop at the top of Catherine Hill and I knew I wanted it to be my shop. We knew Frome would make a great place to have a young family and so the next step was finding a house. We were after somewhere with period features, a garden and…

When we moved to west London from Essex for work, we wanted to find a house we could really make our mark on, and an unloved rental with bags of potential caught our eye,’ says Jenny. ‘It was in a really bad condition, but there was a large loft space that had never been converted, plus room to extend the kitchen and put in a garden office, which would tick all our boxes and mean we could have exactly what we wanted. It’s rare these days to find somewhere that’s quite so untouched – usually they’ve been snapped up by builders. First steps Once we’d secured the house, we set about finding both a designer and a builder to help us realise our plans. We were lucky because we found…

We almost didn’t view this house,’ says Becks, ‘as it was right at the top of our budget and three times bigger than our previous place. We’d bought a small terraced house in Leeds during our twenties before renting it out when we moved to London for eight years. Then, when our first son Sam was born, we returned to Leeds and lived there temporarily. However, a detached house with a large garden was the ultimate dream. It had to be in the right location, near to good schools and within a certain radius of the hospital for Martin being on call as a doctor. Looking ahead This house ticked all our boxes but had been on the market for over a year and required some serious vision. It had…

SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks SHAPELY FURNITURE WITH ACCENT DETAILING IN GILT, GLASS AND MARBLE GIVE THIS LOOK A LUXE, GLAMOROUS VIBE STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

The classic galley kitchen layout is long and narrow with units down one or both sides and a walkway down the centre. And, ideally, there should be a minimum of 90cm between opposing countertops. What about the working triangle? Galleys get their name from a ship’s kitchen with the same ergonomic layout, which, although space is limited, works super-efficiently with everything at close quarters and easily to hand. When it comes to the working triangle of hob/sink/fridge, in a galley it should be arranged with two of the areas on one side of the kitchen and the third on the other, roughly centred between the two. Think about the cabinets Galley kitchens may open into different rooms at both ends or be closed off by a wall at one end.…

Keeping small bathrooms ordered and tidy can be a challenge. Lack of space often leaves little extra room for storage, meaning that surfaces get cluttered with toiletries, and rails and hooks overloaded with damp towels and bulky bathrobes. Space-saving furniture and multitasking storage pieces are a must when bathroom space is tight or there’s a danger of the space feeling even more crowded and chaotic. Look out for slimline shelves and units that can squeeze into small gaps or slot in beside baths and shower cubicles. Or utilise wasted wall space with clever racks and rails over doors or neat shelving units that are designed to sit under wash basins or above the loo. STORE AND DISPLAY The area running along and above a bath can be put to use…

A gallery wall is a fabulous idea for showing off favourite artwork and can make an eye-catching feature in any room. But while putting together a gallery wall is fairly straightforward to pull off, knowing where to start can be tricky. ‘You don’t need to be a professional interior designer to create a breathtaking gallery wall,’ says Annica Wallin, executive creative director at Desenio. ‘There’s only one golden rule… you’ve got to love the art you choose! Whether that means choosing prints in a wide range of bright colours, or going for a more neutral and low-key look, that’s all down to you.’ YOU WILL NEED * Pictures and frames * Pencil * Tape measure * Picture hooks/nails * Hammer * Spirit level * Washi tape 1 CHOOSE YOUR ARTWORK…

It’s that time of year again. Summer’s at an end, the school holidays are over and the kids are back at school. If your home is in a state of disarray and you’re not quite sure where to start, then take a lead from TV’s Style Sisters, AKA best-friend duo Charlotte Reddington and Gemma Lilly, who can help you get sorted. With a celebrity clientele that includes Stacey Solomon and Amanda Holden, Charlotte and Gemma are on a mission to organise the UK’s homes, and these neat tidying tactics will soon have your home whipped back into shape again. 1 GET RID ‘First up is the detox, arguably the most important part of the organising process!’ say Charlotte and Gemma. ‘Simply ridding your home of anything you no longer need…

CROQUE MONSIEUR BAKE TAKES 55 MINS SERVES 6-8 * 70g unsalted butter * 2 shallots, very finely chopped * 70g plain flour * 600ml semi-skimmed milk * 1tbsp Dijon mustard, plus more for spreading on the toast * A good grating of nutmeg * 200g Gruyère or Comté cheese, or a mixture of the two, grated * Small bunch chives, chopped * 400g sourdough bread, sliced * 120g ham * 10-12 cornichons, sliced * YOU WILL NEED * 30-35cm baking dish, lightly buttered 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 6-8 mins until softened. Add the flour and cook, stirring for 2 mins. 2 Remove from the heat and whisk in the milk…

Decorating with dark colours can be tricky to pull off, but get it right and the results are super impressive. From deep greys to rich blues, these shades are a real mood enhancer. Size up the room Living rooms are where we go to relax, watch TV and spend time with family so dark colours are a great choice if you want to create a cosy and intimate mood. In large rooms, dark colours can help warm up the space and make it feel less lofty, and rather than make a small living room feel smaller, can actually stretch the space if you combine dark walls with dark paintwork, curtains and flooring. Focus on walls When it comes to decor, wall colour is the obvious starting point. If you’re unsure…

Classic black and white is a winning combination that never loses its appeal, from Art Deco glamour and 1960s chic to modern Scandi style. But decorating in monochrome isn’t without challenges. Here are our tips. Strike a balance Getting the colour balance right is key when creating a monochrome scheme. Instead of opting for a standard 50/50 mix, try using a 70/30 ratio as your starting point, with either black or white as the dominant colour and the other as the secondary accent. A large black sofa or grand upholstered bed set against a backdrop of dazzling white – or vice versa – will look striking alongside accessories in black, white and shimmering metallics. Change the tone Black and white can look one dimensional, so it’s important to create variation…

Having an island unit makes a stunning focal point in an open-plan kitchen, so getting the lighting right is a must. Whether your unit is your main prep space, or a spot for relaxed social gatherings, how it is lit will help define its mood and function. Consider your space When it comes to choosing lighting above an island or peninsula unit, think about what you’ll be doing there. If you plan to use the space for food prep, go for bright task lighting. If it’s more of a sitting and entertaining area, choose a fitting that gives softer, more ambient light. Pick a suitable shade For task lighting, choose a fitting that’s open at the bottom so the light is directed downward. To avoid circles of bright light, consider…

Paint a striped backdrop Brighten up drab render or dreary brickwork by painting bold bands of colour. Choose three toning shades as an alternative splashback for an outdoor kitchen area. Give it a twist Choose a sunnier combination of colours to bring a fun, holiday vibe to the space. Make a storage wall Upcycle a wooden pallet to create wall storage in a potting area. The perfect display and storage combo to hang tools, organise twine and keep essentials close to hand. Give it a twist Try in an outdoor kitchen area to store barbecue kit, cooking utensils and condiments. Bring beach bar vibes Attach some brackets and a shelf to an outside wall beneath an open window. Pull some bar stools up to provide the perfect spot for breakfasting…

Give a chest of drawers a fresh look with a decorative update. Simply attach wooden dowels in vertical strips to the drawer fronts to give a fluted finish. Use strong grab adhesive to secure the dowels, then paint to match the colour of the unit.…

Invest wisely While a designer kitchen with no expense spared might be the dream, the reality is often a compromise dictated by what we can afford. But there are still plenty of ways you can upgrade your kitchen that won’t necessarily cost a fortune, from opting for a dramatic colour choice to give a bold, upmarket look to investing in quality fixtures that give a high-end finish. Fit a new tap Upgrading the kitchen tap is an easy trick that can instantly make a kitchen look more upmarket. Choosing a standout design or luxurious finish can turn a functional item into a decorative piece. And as one of the most-used items, a good-quality tap will work more smoothly and likely last longer too. ‘UPDATING A KITCHEN SPLASHBACK IS A LOW-HASSLE…

September is a great time to start anew. Back to school for many means new routines, and as the weather cools and you head indoors it’s the perfect time to give your home a boost and prepare for the autumn months. Breathe new life into carpets and radiators to give your home a fresher feel. And employ organisational tricks to streamline your life: a spruced-up hallway will make the morning rush less chaotic, while labelling food shelves will make meal times much easier too. Spruce up the hallway The start of a new season is the ideal time to clear out coats and shoes from the hallway. Give summery sandals and jackets a clean and store them elsewhere to make way for boots and coats. Give each family member a…

STRAWBERRY AND ALMOND CAKE SERVES 8 TAKES 1 HR 20 MIN * 175g butter, softened* 175g golden caster sugar* 2 medium eggs * 175g ground almonds * 175g self-raising flour * 1tsp ground cinnamon * 500g strawberries, hulled and halved * Icing sugar, for dusting * YOU WILL NEED * A 23cm diameter loose-bottomed tin 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4. Grease and line your cake tin. 2 Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and 2tbsp warm water. Mix in the almonds, flour and cinnamon. 3 Spread half the mixture in the tin. Scatter most of the strawberries on top (reserve a few), then cover with the rest of the cake mixture and top with the remaining fruit. 4 Bake for…

BEST OVERALL NINJA FOODI DUAL ZONE AIR FRYER AF400UK SIZE H31.5xW38xD26.5cm CAPACITY 7.6ltr PROGRAMS Dehydrate, Reheat, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Max Crisp PRICE £219.99 The Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone air fryer has a huge fan following – and it’s easy to see why once you get your hands on one. You can cook two different foods in two different ways (pick from six functions including the ability to bake) at the same time, and then sync them up to finish at the exact right moment so that everything will arrive at the table still hot. What that allows you to do in reality is to experiment with a range of different food types at home that you might not have even imagined, such as dehydrated fruit snacks or a…

TIME AT HOME Keeping food fresh and frozen is a full-time job – just ask anyone who has had their fridge freezer give up on them after a big shop. There’s plenty you can do to cut costs every day as well as over its lifetime. The best starting point though is to identify how much you might spend on powering your fridge freezer in the first place. The easiest way to work out how much it costs to run a fridge freezer is to get a smart meter that can tell you in real time. However, if you don’t have one, a simple calculation will tell you. From July 2023 the energy price cap means the cost per pence/kWh of electricity is 30p. We’ve used this figure for the…