Innehållsförteckning för January 2024 från Style At Home

The festive run-up can be hectic, so we’ve packed this issue with seasonal ideas and inspiration to take away the stress and help get Christmas done on time and under budget. There’s easy dining room decor(p56) and fast fixes for mantels (p66), plus lots of low-cost, last-minute decorating tips and tricks. And don’t miss the delicious party food and cocktail ideas (p106). This month’s houses are full of colour and sparkle– none more so than Mel’s stunning home (p18). I was moved by Mel’s story and how her home has helped her heal after the loss of husband Pete. Time at home with loved ones is what the festive season is really all about… never mind if things don’t go to plan. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and New Year…

SPACIOUS NEW BUILD They say everything happens for a reason, and that certainly applies to how we found this home, which was our first step on the property ladder,’ says Emily. ‘At the time, we weren’t really looking to buy, but in the middle of lockdown we saw that there were some new houses being built in our area, so we thought we’d go and have a look, just to be nosy really. Although we’d been saving for a while, we didn’t think we were in a position to buy at that point, but thought it couldn’t hurt to see what’s out there. We weren’t fully sold on the idea of buying a new build either, as we thought it could be small and dark with tiny windows. But as…

1 Organise a wrapping station If hastily-wrapped presents are not your thing and you prefer to devote some proper time and effort to the task, then set aside an area you can dedicate to gift wrapping. If you have a surface that can be left set up with all the essentials to hand, that’s ideal. Alternatively, consider kitting out a mini-trolley or a basket with supplies you can grab as needed. Gift wrap, tape and scissors are obvious musts, alongside ribbon, string, gift tags, tissue paper, gift bags and boxes. 2 MAKE CITRUS TEA LIGHT HOLDERS Looking for an easy idea to brighten up place settings? These cute tea light holders look delightful and will smell delicious too. You’ll need some small oranges or clementines, cloves and a few tea…

A full kitchen refit can be expensive, but if you’re happy with the layout and your cabinets are sound, why not consider sprucing up what you’ve got with a lick of paint. And it’s less costly if you do the work yourself. Check the cabinet finish Most specialist cupboard paints are suitable for wooden and acrylic cabinets, but it’s important to bear in mind that non-solid wood finishes, such as stainless steel, vinyl or laminate are more difficult to paint, as paint can chip or peel. Laminate-finish cabinets require a special bonding primer before painting. Pick the correct paint The paint you use depends on the door type and desired finish. For laminates, the safest option is a specialist multipurpose paint designed for wood, melamine and MDF. Eggshell or interior…

Spending time with loved ones over the festive season is fun, but if you’re hosting a houseful, there are added pressures that come with it. Ensuring that guests are comfortable and finding space for everyone can be tricky, so it’s always worth planning ahead so things run smoothly. And while cleaning and tidying are never a favourite, being prepped will ensure you can blitz through the task and have the house looking its best again in no time. Organise a buffet table Whether you’re hosting a Boxing Day brunch or New Year gathering, a well laid-out buffet table is a must. Try to position things strategically – stack plates at the start, with cutlery, napkins and sauces at the opposite end for when guests have filled their plates. Elevate key…

CHEESY FONDUE WITH MINI ROASTIES TAKES 35 MINS SERVES 6-8 * 750g baby new potatoes, washed * 2tbsp olive oil * 3 sprigs of fresh thyme * 100g Comté, grated * 100g Gruyère, grated * 100g Emmental, grated * 2tsp cornflour * 1 garlic clove, peeled * 350ml dry white wine * Small glass of Calvados or kirsch 1 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Tip the potatoes into a large roasting tin, drizzle over the oil, and toss with the thyme and a pinch of sea salt. Roast for 20-25 mins until cooked and golden. 2 Meanwhile, mix together all the cheese and cornflour. Rub the base of a pan with the garlic then discard. Add the wine to the pan and heat until simmering gently. The trick is…

BEST SMART MACHINE LAVAZZA VOICY TYPE OF COFFEE PodPRESSURE 19 barNO. OF CUPS 1 cupPRICE £299 It’s not cheap, but this machine has the bonus of having an Alexa smart speaker front and centre, which will make you a fresh brew if you simply command it to do so. Ask for a hot coffee, which will boost the temperature, or a long coffee, which will deliver a lungo instead of a cappuccino. What’s more, if you pair your Lavazza Voicy with your Amazon account you can use it in the place of a regular smart speaker. This is ideal for playing your favourite podcast while you do the washing up, or checking the time when you are in a rush. REASON TO BUY Has a built-in Alexa speaker, customisable coffees…

Tesco JOLLY TIMES Team nostalgic prints with bright pops of colour Dunelm STARRY NIGHT Midnight blues studded with metallic glints make for a dramatic scheme Wayfair JEWEL TONES Combine rich, gemstone hues with opulent hints of gold M&S COSY NEUTRALS Subtle and textured, this trend fits a pared-back scheme…

VICTORIAN TERRACE After 10 years of living in London, I got the opportunity to move back to Manchester at just the right time,’ says Mel. ‘It was 2010 and I’d been working as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic Airways when I met my future husband, Pete, in Ibiza. He was DJ-ing at Space nightclub and it was love at first sight. Our worlds collided and we knew we were supposed to be together. My dad had just evicted yet another bad tenant from a property he rented out in Sale, and offered us the house. He’d had some terrible tenants over the years, so he’d had enough of being a landlord. Faced with the choice of struggling in London where house prices were so high or going back to Manchester,…

SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks ‘USE SUGARY SHADES AGAINST A RICH, DARK HUE ON THE WALLS, TO REALLY MAKE THEM COME ALIVE’ STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

TRY THIS... Stock up on a few cocktail-making essentials for festive soirées. A cocktail shaker is a must, along with stemmed glasses, tumblers and hi-balls. A drinks measure is useful to get proportions right, plus stirring spoon, strainer, ice tongs and a muddler, which can be used to crush mint or spices. Then just add your favourite tipple!…

FRAMED POINSETTIA DISPLAY YOU WILL NEED * Old picture frame M* etallic paint * Mini plastic test tubes * Florist’s wire * Gold string * Baubles * Selection of wrapped gifts * Poinsettia flowers 1 PREP YOUR FRAME Fill an old, empty picture frame with a glittering display of blooms and baubles. Start by carefully removing the glass and backing, and spray it with metallic paint. 2 TIE WITH STRING Next, wrap the tops of the test tubes with a piece of florist’s wire (for hanging). Attach lengths of string to each and then suspend the test tubes from the frame, spacing at staggered heights and tying to the top of the picture frame to secure. 3 FINISH WITH BAUBLES Fill the rest of the frame with hanging baubles and…

CHAMPAGNE NEGRONI TAKES 5 MINS SERVES 1 * 20ml Opihr Spices of the Orient Gin * 20ml Discarded Sweet Cascara Vermouth * 20ml Campari Ice cubes * 40ml Champagne * Orange peel, to garnish Y* OU WILL NEED * Cocktail shaker * 1 champagne coupe, chilled 1 Take your cocktail shaker and shake the gin, vermouth and Campari with ice. Pour into a chilled champagne coupe and top up with champagne. 2 Garnish with a twist of orange peel and serve straight away. SMOKY OLD-FASHIONED TAKES 5 MINS SERVES 1 * 1tsp sugar * 3-4 dashes bitters * Ice cubes * 60ml The English Smokey single malt whisky * Cinnamon stick, to garnish your drink * YOU WILL NEED * 1 lowball glass 1 Add the sugar to a lowball…

VICTORIAN DETACHED We bought this house without actually seeing it ourselves,’ says Carrie. ‘Ed and I were on the way to the airport for a short holiday, when he spotted it online. When he showed me, I just thought, “Wow, I want to live there!” ‘We’d been house-hunting for a while, as we were expecting our first child and were on the lookout for somewhere family-friendly, with an open-plan layout and a garden. We called my parents, who went to view it and guessed that we’d fall in love with it. On the strength of photos and floor plans, we made an offer. Relaxing start Luckily for us our gamble paid off. The previous owner had remodelled and extended downstairs to make a big, all-in-one kitchen-dining-living zone with glass doors…

Bauble line-up Jazz up a mantel mirror with an array of sparkly baubles suspended from satin ribbon. Cut the ribbon at different lengths to create a staggered effect and tape securely in place at the back of the mirror. Give it a twist Pick baubles in a single colour and tie with matching velvet ribbon for a co-ordinated look. Stylish stockings Hang a row of festive fabric stockings along the mantel filled with fancy ribbon-tied gifts. If you’re crafty, make your own stockings using fabric remnants in colours and patterns to complement your decor. Give it a twist Add an initial letter to each stocking using contrasting coloured ribbon. Sew in place or use iron-on tape to secure. Flash of neon Go for traditional meets modern with an eye-catching neon…

As soon as I walked into this cottage I fell in love,’ says Beth. ‘It was cute and quaint, and while it had some modern touches it still had wooden ceiling beams and lots of character, which was the big appeal. While the rest of the house had been modernised, the kitchen looked dated. The bulky appliances were all white and stuck out like a sore thumb, and the worktops and sink didn’t scream “cottage”. I didn’t have the budget to replace the kitchen units, but I love a challenge so I did a few rough drawings and came up with a plan that would involve upcycling the doors with wood, replacing the appliances and worktop, and adding some extra character. Making it work As soon as I moved in,…

With the inevitable influx of toys at Christmas time, finding space to store your children’s favourites can be a challenge. Before you start the big tidy-up it’s always worth going through toys to see if there are any that little ones will part with, either rehomed with other youngsters or donated to a charity shop if they are still in a good condition. When it comes to toy storage, easy-access options are the way to go, with open shelves, tubs, baskets and caddies. Some closed storage is also worth considering too, so smaller odds and ends that look messy out on show can be hidden away out of sight. TOTE AROUND Tubs and baskets are a winner when it comes to tidy-ups as toys can be shoved in speedily and…

DRAW ON BROWN PAPER YOU WILL NEED * Brown Kraft paper * Black marker pen * Brush trees * Baker’s twine 1 PICK A DESIGN Create a super-cute ‘driving home for Christmas’ wrap using black marker pen on brown Kraft paper. You could even match the car to the recipient if they have a classic model. 2 SKETCH ON Start by wrapping your gift in brown paper. You’ll need a flat surface to draw on, so put any squashy gifts in a box first. Then draw your vehicle design directly onto the paper, sketching it with pencil first and then going over with black marker or metallic pen when you’re happy with the design. 3 TOP WITH A TREE Finish off by adding a small brush Christmas tree to the…

GLUTEN-FREE HONEY RICOTTA CHEESECAKE TAKES 5 HRS SERVES 12 * 200g gluten-free biscuits, we used Hobnobs * 100g toasted walnuts * 150g unsalted butter, cubed FOR THE FILLING * 350g full-fat cream cheese * 250g ricotta * 45g icing sugar * 3tbsp honey, plus extra to serve * 1tbsp vanilla extract FOR THE DECORATION * 1-2 figs, cut into thin wedges * 30g pomegranate seeds * 15g toasted walnuts, chopped and coated in edible glitter * YOU WILL NEED * 18cm springform cake tin, approx 7.5cm deep, greased and lined 1 In a food processor, blitz the biscuits and walnuts to fine breadcrumbs. Melt the butter, then pour into the biscuit and nut mix, and combine. Press into the tin in an even layer. Set aside in the fridge for…