Innehållsförteckning för May 2024 från Style At Home

I love to get outside in the garden at the first opportunity, so now that the weather is warmer and the days are longer, I’ll be tidying up outdoors, sprucing things up and planning a new to-do list to keep me busy over summer! Bank Holiday weekends are the perfect opportunity to get a head start on decorating and DIY projects and in this issue we’ve got plenty of ideas and inspiration to get you motivated, from creative ways to use paint indoors (p58) to outdoor facelifts using garden paint (p102). Brighten up a porch or patio with a summer planter display (p106) or if your garden shed needs a clear-out (like mine) check out our tidying tips (p98) so you can get things better organised. Enjoy the extra time…

1 TRY A PATTERNED WALLPAPER Wallpapering the ceiling can be a great way of grabbing attention upwards and giving a room an added decorative dimension. Alternatively, in rooms with sloping walls or ceilings such as attics and loft bedrooms, using wallpaper can be a clever way to disguise any awkward angles, merging walls and ceilings into one so that any slopes are less noticeable and dramatic. 2 GO FOR A LUXE FINISH Add drama to any room by covering the ceiling in a metallic finish. Guaranteed to create maximum impact, try it in a small space such as a cloakroom or hallway or go big in a bedroom to bring a boutique vibe. Metallic paint in warm gold or copper is an easy option that gives the look of metallic…

After managing to get on the property ladder early, I’d spent 11 years in a modern apartment in Plymouth before getting the moving bug,’ says Cotty. ‘It was lockdown that did it for me. I suddenly desperately wanted more space and a garden. I needed to stay in or near the city for work, so I looked at various options, but decided a new build best suited my needs. Something low maintenance where everything was recently done was ideal. What I didn’t want was a secondhand house that would end up needing a lot of work. Being energy-efficient was also a big plus as it would be cheaper to run in the long term. Finding the spot A small development of houses, within easy reach of the major roads out…

Add character with strip panelling Highlight a window, create a feature wall or give a fancy bath the backdrop it deserves using reclaimed wood to add warmth and texture to a white space. Give it a twist… Fix the panelling with the strips horizontal rather than vertical to make a narrow wall seem wider. Tile a simple splashback Tiling behind the washbasin is an easy way to add pattern, colour and interest to white bathroom walls. Use large format tiles if you’re a novice at tiling, as you’ll have fewer joints to grout. Give it a twist… Save money by combining basic plain white tiles with a patterned strip. Use spice racks as mini shelves These small racks work best in multiples to form compact display and storage. Use them…

Create a pot-pourri using gathered herbs and flowers. Carefully pick apart leaves, petals and buds, and place on a lined baking tray with a few citrus slices. Put in the oven at a low heat (110C) for a few hours, checking often to ensure petals don’t catch.…

If you have extra time at home over the Bank Holidays, make it count by ticking a few tasks off the hit list. Whether it’s spring cleaning, decluttering or general freshening-up of your rooms, tackling a task or two daily can be a great way of getting ahead. Or, if you’re keen to get out into the garden, why not make a start with tidying the shed and garden equipment so you can enjoy your outdoor space fully now that the weather is warmer. Look after your houseplants Help indoor plants thrive by making sure they’re in the right spot. Plants need sunlight – a windowsill will have plenty, but check labels as some plants prefer indirect light. Choose a regular day of the week to water plants, so you’ll…

As the weather gets warmer and the garden starts to come into its own again, now’s the perfect time to bring some early colour to your outdoor space with a cheerful planting arrangement in an upcycled container or tub. Visit any garden centre during the summer months and the huge selection of plants on offer can seem overwhelming, so for this project we’ve suggested a list of plants that will work together well – you can either follow the list like a recipe or use it purely for colour inspiration. YOU WILL NEED * Large galvanized metal tub * Hammer and heavy-duty nail (optional) * Drainage crocks * Potting mix * 2–3 Argyranthemum ‘Aramis Fire’ (marguerite) * 1 Lychnis flos-cuculi ‘Petite Jenny’ (ragged robin) * 1 Rosa ‘Morsdag’ (rose) *…

HUEVOS RANCHEROS MAKES 4 TAKES 25 MINS * Olive oil * 1 small red onion, ½ chopped, the rest finely sliced * 1 garlic clove, crushed * 400g tin tomatoes * ½tsp dried oregano * ½tsp smoked chilli flakes, plus extra to serve * 400g tin black beans, rinsed and drained * 2 limes * 2 small ripe avocados * Handful coriander leaves, roughly chopped, plus extra whole leaves to garnish * 2-3 pickled jalapeños, plus extra for garnish * Sunflower oil * 4 medium eggs * 8 small flour/corn tortillas, toasted on a hot griddle * 50g Lancashire or feta cheese, crumbled * Green or red salsa, to serve 1 Add a glug of oil to a frying pan. Fry the chopped onion and garlic with a pinch of…

H&M SPRING HAZE Freshen up a neutral palette with splashes of green and yellow M&S OCEAN DRIVE Hints of blue and coral will give your kitchen-diner a beachy vibe La Redoute SUNSHINY DAYS Enliven your decor with joyous golden tones Dunelm RIPPLE EFFECT Set a soothing vibe with pastel shades and scalloped details…

RETRO INSPIRED Bring vibrant colour to your rooms with the latest Milan fabric collection from Prestigious Textiles. Taking cues from fashion trends, the 1970s-inspired hues and range of leafy prints, fruity motifs and bold abstracts are ideal for making a statement on upholstery and curtains. Child’s play Create a fun bedroom scheme that little ones will love with B&M’s latest kids’ collection. From spaceman and rainbow-motif bed sets to cute storage baskets and cheery wall art, prices start at just £2.50. So you can kit out a whole room without breaking the bank. MADE @ NEXT We’re big fans of Made’s fabulous designs and contemporary pieces and The Modern Studio collection, just in at Next, doesn’t disappoint. Expect lots of playful shapes, punchy colours and plush fabrics on sofas, chairs,…

We were fed up with renting in our home town of Brighton,’ says Amy, ‘and were thinking about having a baby, so desperately needed more space for our growing, blended family. When we spotted this 1930s semidetached house had come onto the market in a village on the outskirts of the city, it ticked all our boxes. The property was surrounded by lots of green space, was a short walking distance to the local school and shops, and with only a short drive back into the centre of Brighton it felt like we would have the perfect balance of everything. Perfect potential The house itself was a typical 1930s property, with three good-sized bedrooms, separate kitchen, living and dining rooms, a double driveway and a large south-west facing garden. However,…

1 TAKE IT INSIDE Have fun with a patterned wallpaper and use it to revamp a kitchen cupboard or display dresser – it’s an inexpensive fix that will give a tired piece of furniture a fresh look. Simply use leftover lengths of wallpaper to line the back panel, shelves and inside doors, securing it in place with grab adhesive. Cover the surface with a layer of clear varnish to protect it from scrapes. 2 TEAM WITH TILES Avoid damaging wallpaper by positioning it away from danger areas such as the sink or hob. Using a cheery wallpaper above a tiled splashback can give the pop of pattern needed, but with an easy-clean area below that can take the brunt of steam and splashes. Just choose a decorative design that ties…

1 Plant up a hanging basket Bring instant colour to your outdoor space with a cheerful hanging basket potted up with in-season blooms. Follow the gardeners’ rule of ‘thriller, filler, spiller’ when planting containers or baskets. Start with a statement ‘thriller’ plant that will act as a focal point – try busy lizzies or begonias. Complement this with a few ‘filler’ plants in small flowering varieties like erigeron and nemesia, alongside some contrast foliage. Finish off with ‘spiller’ plants that will trail over the sides, such as ivy or lobelia. 2 REFRESH YOUR COLOUR SCHEME Perk up a tired-looking bedroom with an uplifting colour combo, like this pretty peach and zingy mint green. Soft peach walls make for a relaxing backdrop that allows brighter shades to pop – and adding a quirky…

We left a two-bedroom, finished flat to take on a tired bungalow where everything needed doing,’ says Ellie. ‘But we knew we’d have to go for a renovation job to get a bigger property. It ended up being an eight-month project, where we removed most of the walls downstairs and converted the loft, but it was worth it. We couldn’t have lived there while the major work was going on but, luckily, we could stay with my nan round the corner. We’re a good team when it comes to a big project, as James is very handy at DIY and he trusts my judgement on decor and colour schemes. We both wanted a lovely big open-plan kitchen-diner as a top priority, where we could entertain people and still be able…

Create a mini ‘shelfie’ with a selection of favourite items arranged on a ledge. Give your display a theme by choosing pieces of a similar colour or in the same material, such as these recycled glass pieces. And select items of differing sizes to give your arrangement height.…

Although the go-to paints for outdoor spaces have traditionally been white or off-white, as a nation we’re becoming more adventurous with our paint choices, embracing bolder colours and being creative. ‘Maintaining and refreshing exterior masonry and woodwork not only protects the surfaces but it is a great way of creating an impression, particularly if you embrace colour,’ says Helen Shaw at Benjamin Moore. ‘Choosing the right exterior paint for your garden can be complicated, as there are a range of surfaces needing different finishes. Happily, there’s an exterior paint to suit every type of surface and choosing a bolder colour is a great way of creating a standout look or transforming outdoor features.’ 1 LIVEN UP A FENCE Give a dull and uninspiring boundary fence a colour boost by painting…

STRACCIATELLA CANNOLI MAKES 12 TAKES 20 MINS, PLUS SETTING * 12 brandy snaps * 75g dark chocolate, melted * Chopped nuts, desiccated coconut, freeze-dried strawberries and chocolate vermicelli, to decorate FOR THE FILLING * 250g ricotta * 100g mascarpone * 2tbsp limoncello (optional) * 2tbsp icing sugar * YOU WILL NEED * Piping bag with a 1cm star nozzle 1 Dip the end of the brandy snaps in melted chocolate then into one of the toppings and leave to set. 2 For the filling, whisk together the ricotta and mascarpone and, with the beaters on, add the remaining melted chocolate, whisking so it sets in tiny strands. Stir in the limoncello, if using, and the icing sugar. 3 When ready to serve, transfer the filling to the piping bag and…

We got the keys for this place the day before lockdown, so it was just me, Stephen, and a load of boxes on moving-in day as no one was allowed to help,’ says Alana. ‘Initially, I had a few days of panic because the house was in such a state. In fact, it was so bad that we didn’t even bother with a survey as we knew we’d have to strip everything out and start again. But even though the 1970s hadn’t been kind to the house, and everything was extremely dated and badly maintained, I was excited by the idea of bringing character back into it and replacing the Edwardian features that had unfortunately been ripped out. After the panic subsided Stephen and I made a plan of action,…

1 MIX AND MATCH PATTERNS With a fail-safe colour combination like this, mixing patterns is easy, especially against a backdrop of calm white walls. Vary the scale of your patterns to give a lively look, otherwise your scheme may feel flat. Try one large-scale pattern on curtains or a rug, teamed with a mix of medium and small-scale designs on soft furnishings like cushions and throws. 2 USE BLUE AS AN ACCENT Smart navy blue makes a wonderful accent colour that will give a neutral scheme added edge, used on furniture, artwork and accessories. Bring in natural weaves and a few soft sandy shades to add warmth and texture to your room and to help prevent the scheme from feeling cold. Layer tactile cushions and throws to help make the…

SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks ‘WHEN CREATING A NEUTRAL SCHEME LIKE THIS IT’S IMPORTANT TO LAYER TEXTURE UPON TEXTURE – MORE IS MORE’ STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

While hot water taps are brilliant for speedy tea making, they can also help to reduce water wastage as, unlike with a kettle, you heat only the amount of water you need. They can be great time savers when cooking too, with instant hot water dispensed into pans for cooking pasta and noodles or steaming veg. Think about temperature There are two types of hot water tap: a true boiling water tap, which delivers water at 100°C, and a tap that provides water a fraction cooler, which is called a near-boiling (or instant hot water) tap. That degree or two cooler makes little difference if you’re filling a saucepan to cook pasta or making up a hot water bottle, but true 100°C water is better for everything from making tea…

One of the busiest spots in the kitchen – from food prep to cleaning and washing-up – it’s no wonder that the sink area can quickly end up looking messy and cluttered. Aside from draining space, the sink is also home to assorted detergents, sponges, scourers and gloves which more often than not are wet and slippery too. Hiding everything away in a cupboard isn’t necessarily the best option with kit like this, as it’s constantly in use and you’ll need to be able to grab it speedily. Plus, opening doors with wet hands isn’t ideal. Dish cloths can also harbour germs and start to smell if not allowed to dry properly, so racks and open storage that allows items to drain and dry with decent air flow is a…

Add a dash of colour to plain walls by painting a striped border just above skirting height all around the room. Go for a punchy colour combination that contrasts with the wall shade and paint two bands: one 8cm deep, the second 4cm.…

BEST OVERALL GTECH MULTI PLATINUM HANDHELD VACUUM WEIGHT 1.5kgRUN TIME Up to 30 minutesDUST CAPACITY 0.4ltrATTACHMENTS Crevice tool, brush tool, brush bar hair removal tool and extension tubeDIMENSIONS H24xW12.1xL38.6cmPRICE £269.99 There’s no denying that this model is an expensive option but at this price bracket you get thoughtful design as well as features and accessories that you won’t see on other handheld vacuums. It has only one suction power level, but its versatility comes from the accessories, including a long crevice tool that’s neatly stored in the back of the machine. The long brush makes easy work of reaching high cobwebs and the power brush speedily spruces up stairs and upholstery, effectively picking up hair and debris. The suction is powerful and you can even buy scented cartridges (£13.99 for…