Innehållsförteckning för July 2024 från Style At Home

Summer’s finally here! And as I work from my desk at home it’s so lovely to have the doors open and be able to nip outside for a quick coffee or lunchtime bite and take in the garden in the sunshine. The homes in this issue all have a sunny indoors/outdoors vibe that we hope you’ll enjoy and be inspired by. From our cover star Pia’s bungalow with its gorgeous courtyard (p18) to Sophia’s light-filled kitchen diner (p30) or Laurie’s earthy and natural colour scheme (p42). And for garden inspiration, we’ve got plenty of bright ideas to help zone and organise outdoor spaces, from cosy seating areas to relax in, colourful cocktail bars and gazebos that are perfect for entertaining, to fun and easy-to-make pallet planters and hanging baskets. Enjoy!…

High-street stores are so laden with oranges and lemons you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the Amalfi Coast this summer! Why not recreate this Mediterranean vibe at home? Team these colourful zesty shades and fruity designs with blue tile-inspired patterns and natural linens – think lazy lemon-grove lunching. Or if colourful and kitsch is your thing, there’s plenty of fun citrus-shaped tableware out there too!…

1 ADD COLOUR IN AN ALCOVE Create a colourful dining nook in a family kitchen-dining area. An alcove makes the perfect spot for built-in seating, while painting the walls a bright, punchy shade helps to define the space and set it apart from the rest of the room. Add a banquette bench topped with cushions and a handy shelf above for stashing recipe books. Bespoke Stripes fabric, £75m, Colours of Arley 2 CORNER OFF AN AREA Try an easy update for a children’s room by painting the corner of the room in a lively, contrasting colour. Perfect for an all-white bedroom, a corner section makes a brilliant backdrop for a child’s cot or single bed and, in a warmer shade, helps to cosy the space up a little. Alternatively, position…

My husband Owen and I started looking at properties seriously five years ago,’ says Laurie, ‘as we were keen to move from our renovated one-bedroom flat into a bigger place. We wanted to stay local, and even looked at buying a bigger flat next door, although we really wanted a house. Quite by chance, I spotted one after I’d scrolled a long way down the estate agent’s site. Initially I was told the property had been on the books a long time because the owner was determined not to lower the price. The rooms were painted in bright colours and it needed a lot of work, but that didn’t put us off, even though we couldn’t afford it. I could see the potential, and over time we wore the owner…

Paint tonal panels Four plain walls can look flat, while patterned wallpapers may feel overwhelming. The middle way is to paint faux panels in tonal shades onto white walls. No skill required – just a paintbrush, roller and good-quality masking tape. Give it a twist… Create subtle stripes by using three or four soft pastel shades. Use a stripe to outline a doorway This trick is a great way to highlight ornate door frames and panelled doors in a period home. Pick two shades of the same colour for the stripe and wall for soft contrast. Give it a twist… Try painting the door, frame and skirting in a third shade of the same colour to create a layered look. Turn shelves into a style statement Open shelves become more…

Combining two big projects can be more cost effective than doing them one by one,’ says Sylwia. ‘Ben and I had already decided to build an annexe at the side of our Victorian property for my retired mother, Aneta, who’d become very isolated in Poland during lockdown. But at the same time, we were unhappy with our kitchen, which was out of proportion with the size of the house. It only had a tiny area for a table and lacked storage space. Plus, there was nowhere to house the washing machine and a lean-to the other side of the kitchen had become a bit of a dumping ground. Design process Some friends recommended a local architect, Mitch Temple, of New Space Architects, so we got him over to ask his…

There’s nothing nicer than eating outdoors with friends and family when the weather is warmer. If you often cook outdoors over the summer months, then having an organised cooking set-up can be a big help and great time saver, with essentials stored within easy reach so there’s less to-and-fro indoors and out fetching stuff. Bespoke outdoor kitchens can be tailored to suit any space, but can work out pricey. For a cheaper option, consider modular concrete units that can be configured to suit the space or try steel flat-pack furniture that can be easily moved around if needed. Alternatively, go down the DIY route and build your own brick or timber storage for a bespoke look without the high price tag. RE-FASHION A POTTING BENCH Cut costs by repurposing a…

Pallets have become a hot upcycling material in recent years – just a quick browse on the internet will show plenty of ways you can turn a discarded pallet into something more useful. A great budget-friendly raw material, pallets can be taken apart and the wood used in a completely different way – or for a super-easy project, simply chop one in half to make a vertical pallet planter like this one. Here’s how… YOU WILL NEED ✻ Pallet ✻ Spare pieces of wood for the planter bases (or use the other half of the pallet) ✻ Measuring rule ✻ Pencil ✻ Saw ✻ Drill driver with ✻ wood drill bit Wood screws ✻ Hammer and crowbar ✻ Palm sander or sandpaper 1 SAW IN HALF Use the pencil to…

BEST ELECTRIC WEBER LUMIN FUEL ElectricCOOKING AREA 1,562sq cmWEIGHT 16.5kgPRICE £579 without stand, £679 including stand This barbecue has the potential to suit so many people, which is just one of the reasons we think it’s an excellent buy. First up, it’s perfect for those without a garden, who want a barbecue for their balcony or terrace instead (provided you have a plug socket to connect to nearby). In testing we found it was as easy to use as a regular oven and it’s packed full of clever features to make it worth the hefty price tag, including accessories that allow you to turn it into a steamer, smoker or food warmer instead of just using it as an average barbecue. Its ease of use and fantastic versatility makes it…

B&M CHILLED COASTAL Relax into a seaside scheme, with shell shapes and stripes Matalan COLOURFUL FIESTA Use dazzling turquoise, pink and orange for a punchy pairing H&M ZESTY HUES Freshen up your dining scheme with zingy lime greens Joe Browns INDIAN OPULENCE Indulge in magnificent animal and floral prints in pigment-rich hues…

FESTIVAL VIBES Sleep under the stars in style this summer with George Home’s stylish new collection of camping buys. The range includes this eight-person Yurt tent, double camping chair and Aztec outdoor rug as well as sleeping bags and campfire cooking sets. Taste of summer Bag a bargain for your garden with Tesco’s new outdoor homeware range. Promising a pick of purse-friendly buys, grab a colourful bistro table set from £70, al fresco tableware, starting at £1.75 for a pack of tumblers or cute outdoor cushions from just £8. 3 of the best SUMMER PITCHERS BEDTIME STORY If you’re a fan of Secret Linen Store’s bedding, don’t miss its new children’s range. Featuring fun polka dots, florals and pastels, choose from cot and single bed sizes, with fab blankets and…

When Neil and I took on this three-bed semi, it hadn’t been touched since the 1990s,’ says Sophia. ‘It had a large living-dining room, plus a kitchen complete with a serving hatch, patterned carpets throughout and inch-thick wallpaper on every wall, the remnants of previous owners who ran a wallpaper shop! Upstairs, the bedrooms were dated and the bathroom was separate from the toilet. It needed a lot of modernisation but we could see the potential. Making plans We moved in in December 2017 but didn’t do anything for two years so we could save up to do what we wanted. We did decorate our bedroom so Neil and I would have a nice place to escape the chaos though! Our big idea was to create an open-plan kitchen-diner by…

1 TRY AN OMBRE STAIRCASE Draw the eye in and upwards by painting stair risers in an ombre paint effect using sunny shades of yellow. Start by painting the bottom riser in the darkest shade you have, then work your way up getting lighter every time. Use tester pots in different shades or tint your own paint by adding small amounts of white to lighten it each time. Leave treads and bannisters white for contrast. 2 GO FOR SLEEK SLATS Make a design statement by opting for a modern, Scandi-style staircase with slatted spindles made of extra-long lengths of timber (similar to Laurie’s bespoke design on page 46). An eye-catching treatment that needs little else in the way of decoration, slats stretch from the stair treads up to the floor…

1 Organise an outdoor drinks station If you’re entertaining outdoors over the summer months, set up a self-serve drinks station so that guests can grab their own drinks if you’re busy barbecuing (or taking a breather!). Invest in a couple of sturdy drinks dispensers or large pitchers with covers that you can fill up in advance. Go for crowd-pleasers like Pimm’s and lemonade, iced tea or fruit squashes that can be made up in batches (making sure alcoholic drinks are out of reach of little ones). Add ice and slices of fresh fruit to garnish and elevate on a stand to make serving easier. 2 SPRUCE UP EXTERIOR TIMBER Easy upcycling projects are a great way of adding colour outdoors and if you use old finds from the garden, then…

When it’s warm and sunny outside, ticking off the checklist of outdoor jobs becomes the main focus to ensure patios, gardens, equipment and furniture are all in order and looking their best for the summer. If eating al fresco is a must, whether for entertaining or everyday, Lynsey Crombie’s cleaning tips offer some brilliant time-saving ideas, plus we share how to screen off seating areas with greenery. Use plants to keep bugs away While it’s lovely being able to spend more time outdoors when it’s warmer, having to ward off gnats and mosquitoes can be unpleasant. Avoid an overload of chemicals by using natural remedies that will ward off insects and are kinder to be around. Many plants have strong scents and insect-repellent qualities that can help. Lavender looks pretty…

RIBBON AND FLOWER CHAIR BACK YOU WILL NEED ✻ Covered craft wire ✻ Selection of coloured ribbon ✻ Florist’s wire ✻ Selection of flowers 1 POSITION WIRE Create a chair decoration from ribbons and flower stems. Take a length of craft wire and wind it around the top rail of a chair, keeping it tight to give a good grip for the flowers – we chose to do a wide blanket stitch around the chair for stability. 2 COVER WITH RIBBON Next, take a length of ribbon and wrap it around the chair rail to cover the wire. Cut a few long lengths of ribbon and attach two or three at either end of the chair back so that they drape elegantly. 3 ARRANGE FLORALS Snip flowers to a neat…

CHICKEN SHAWARMA SKEWERS MAKES 8 TAKES 20 MINS, PLUS MARINATING ✻ Juice 2 limes ✻ 1tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle ✻ ½tbsp pomegranate molasses ½tbsp shawarma spice blend (we used Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients) or ras el hanout ✻ 8 boneless chicken thigh fillets, approx 750g, cut in half lengthways ✻ 2 small red onions, peeled and each cut into 8 chunks ✻ 8 pickled chillies (optional) to serve ✻ ½ cucumber, deseeded and cut into half moons, to serve ✻ 1-2tbsp pomegranate seeds ✻ Handful chopped parsley, to serve ✻ Lime and/or lemon wedges, to garnish ✻ Greek yogurt, with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of sumac, to serveYOU WILL NEED ✻ 8 wooden skewers, soaked in water 1 Mix the lime juice, oil, pomegranate…

Moving from London back to my home town in Buckinghamshire made complete sense,’ says Pia. ‘My husband, who is an amazing chef, had been offered an opportunity to run a pub near my parents’ home, and I had unexpectedly fallen pregnant, so it was the perfect time to relocate to be near family and find a larger home we could put our stamp on. We were instantly attracted to this vintage bungalow, just a few streets away from my parents. Its unusual U-shaped layout meant it had a cute courtyard in the centre, and we could imagine ourselves sitting out there enjoying al fresco meals. And while the retro features, like the parquet flooring in the living space, were a dream, I knew we could inject the property with our…

1 RUN SHELVES ACROSS A WALL Go for multi-tasking living room storage with built-in shelving that stretches across one wall. Whether you have lots of books, vinyl or media to store or simply want to use the space for display, shelves are a versatile option that can be built in a depth or width to suit the available space. Paint shelves to match the walls for a super-sleek look or in a stand-out shade to make a feature. 2 WORK AROUND A WINDOW If living room space is tight, try to make use of every available inch to squeeze in extra storage. Using wall space more efficiently will help keep the floor clear so that the room feels less crowded and more spacious. Try this built-in treatment for a window…

SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks ‘KEEP A PASTEL PALETTE FROM LOOKING SACCH ARINE BY TEAMING IT WITH NATURAL MATERIALS AND PLENTY OF FRESH WHITE’ STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

Choose your style Whether you want to create a spa-like retreat to bring restful vibes, or are after a standout shower area that will be a talking point, take time to think about your choice of wall covering and it’ll mean that you’re less likely to grow bored of it. Whether you make a statement with brightly patterned tiles or team panelling and wallpaper for a classic look, there are endless options to consider. Pick a bold pattern Tiled walls are a bathroom go-to in terms of practicality, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t look fabulous too. There are so many eye-catching designs, from colourful patterns to bold shapes, that used creatively will give walls pizazz. While patterned tiles are pricier than plain, limit them to just a feature…

It’s a shame to throw old things away once they’ve outlived their original purpose – often with a little ingenuity you can find a new use for pretty much anything. Old metal kitchenware like sieves and colanders can easily be repurposed to make hanging baskets for the garden – with ready-made drainage provided. Making colourful beaded hangers to suspend planters from, then filling the planters with cheery trailing geraniums, takes them from functional to fun and is super-easy to do. For geraniums to grow and produce flowers well into autumn, these easy-care plants need plenty of space. As most kitchen sieves are unlikely to be deep enough in the long term, we recommend only using these upcycled sieve planters as a temporary geranium container, moving them into larger baskets as…

PIMM’S ROULADE MAKES 8 TAKES 35 MINS ✻ FOR THE SPONGE ✻ 4 medium eggs ✻ 100g caster sugar, plus ✻ 1tsp 1tbsp Pimm’s ✻ 100g plain flour ✻ 1tsp baking powder ✻ Zest ½ orange, plus extra to garnish ✻ FOR THE FILLING ✻ 2tsp caster sugar ✻ 100ml Pimm’s ✻ Juice of ½ orange ✻ 1 sprig mint, plus extra to garnish ✻ 150g strawberries, plus extra to garnish ✻ 300ml whipping cream ✻ 120g cucumber, peeled, deseeded and diced, plus extra to garnis h ✻ YOU WILL NEED ✻ 22x33cm Swiss roll tin, lined with baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. For the sponge, in a bowl, whisk the eggs, 100g caster sugar and Pimm’s until thick. Fold in the flour, baking powder…