Innehållsförteckning för October 2020 från Your Home

Pull the blankets out of their summer storage boxes and throw a rug on that chilly stone floor – autumn is here and it’s time to update our homes to match. This month’s eclectic Trend Alert (p22) is full of natural colours and textures that feel perfect for the change in seasons. Or for something bolder, turn to page 38 and discover how warm and inviting moody shades can be in Dark Drama. Find practical advice from the experts in our lighting masterclass (p42), in which we reveal how to create a cosy atmosphere, while in 8 Ways to a Warmer Home (p116) we learn how to keep the cold out and the heating bills down. A lot of us dream of an open-plan kitchen-diner that the whole family can…

FACT FILE A DIY kitchen renovation can save money, but it’s imperative that restructuring work is carried out with caution, as more than one in three Brits admit to having an electrical accident in the kitchen. Source NICEIC YH Fab find Commuting by bike is a great way to save money on car fuel and train tickets, plus it’s better for the environment. But with the nights drawing in, it’s essential to stay safe if you’re riding after dark. These rechargeable bike lights from Bookman will shine for up to 32 hours and the curved design casts a wide beam of light and can be seen from the front and sides. Visit bookman.se for more info. Savvy ways to… Save money on a new kitchen The kitchen is one of…

Mini trend: dark florals Shorter days signal the need for an autumnal update and big, bold, blousy florals in deep, dark colours are en vogue for the new season. Choose from an abundance of oversized blooms in a range of crushed berry and deep blues adorning a plethora of furnishings, from wallpaper, accessories and sofas to bedspreads, lampshades and wall art. Discover more of these moody botanicals on page 38 where we show you how to pull together a dark, dramatic scheme. Faoric fever Whether you’re planning to reupholster a chair or replace a set of curtains, Annie Sloan’s Tacit fabric in Old Violet, priced at £44.95 per metre, is a material lover’s dream. The patterned cloth takes inspiration from lino prints by designers and artists from the 1930s and…

THE DETAILS KITCHEN UNITS £3,991 WORKTOPS AND UPSTANDS £2,394 SINK AND TAP £968 APPLIANCES £1,318 PAINT £155 TILES £11.50 FLOORING £600 TROUGHS £80 HEATING £240 TOTAL £9,757.50 SHOPPING LIST Walls in Royal Navy intelligent matt emulsion, from £51.50 per 2.5l; woodwork in Shirting intelligent eggshell, from £32 per litre, both Little Greene. Infinity Plus Milano Contour Ermine kitchen units in Sapphire Matt with Gold, from £2,900 for eight standard units; Xena Quartz worktops and upstands in Ultra White, £2394; 400 x 450cm Ecuador stainless-steel undermount sink, £169; Insinkerator 3N1 hot water tap, £799; Bosch integrated fridge, £799; Neff integrated dishwasher, £519, all Wren Kitchens. White ceramic wall tiles, £5.75 per sq m, Wickes. Impressive Soft Oak Light laminate flooring, £23.99 per sq m, Quick-Step. 2-column Anthracite radiators, £119.99 each, eBay.…

THE DETAILS PAINT £76 KITCHEN UNITS £9,900 APPLIANCES £1,719 WORKTOP £1,800 SINK & TAP £270 FLOORING £323 TILES £100 LIGHTING £285 TOTAL £14,473 SHOPPING LIST Nobilia kitchen in Touch Slate grey and Touch Satin Grey, £9,900, Audus Kitchens. Arctic solid worktop, £1800, Worktop Express. Siemens built-in electric oven, £530; Siemens induction hob, £659, both Appliances Direct. Vellamo undermount sink, £189.99; stainless steel mixer tap, £79.99, Tap Warehouse. Signature Light oak herringbone laminate flooring, £17.99 per sq m, Discount Flooring Depot. Splashback tiles: Giardinetto tiles in Pond, Shrub and Petal, 86p each, Claybrook Tiles. Sleek Edison brass pendants, £29, Industville. Stella bar stools, £69; Beau & Elliot blush oven glove, £15, both Dunelm. Proppmätt chopping board, £2.75; Vardagen glasses, £4 for six; IKEA 365+ carafe, £2.50; IKEA 365+ jug with cork…

Don’t just rely on the ceiling light ‘While they may seem like a good idea, ceiling lights can sometimes only accentuate a room’s darkness. That’s because the light from a ceiling fitting will only travel downwards and won’t disperse. Instead, consciously layer your lighting. Combine ambient, task and accent lighting to maximise illumination and the versatility of the room. For example, lamps placed in corners can make a large space feel cosier when you need it to.’ Matthew Currington, Technical Director, The Lighting Superstore Use lighting to zone your space ‘Break up an open space by creating smaller, more intimate, independently lit areas. Rather than strong overhead lights, try using more localised lamps, or a pendant to highlight particular parts of the room, with a dimmer to give you options…

A hot take Bathrooms can become pretty chilly during the colder months, so it’s vital that you have a fully functioning radiator. For a distinctly contemporary way to warm your towels all winter, look no further than the Optic by Bisque. The sleek and simple design complements a neutral en suite and fits just as seamlessly in a colourful family bathroom. We love the luxury finish of the matt black offering, especially for a monochrome space. For a more understated look, opt for the white or chrome – prices start from £234, further information is available at bisque.co.uk. TERRIFIC TERRAZZO Forget calming minimalism, this tile trend is all about high-impact pops of colour and busy pattern. Porcelain Superstore’s new tile collection will bring a touch of Venetian-style terrazzo to your…

WHO LIVES HERE? Teresa Hinde, 49, an accounts manager, lives in this three-bedroom, semi-detached, 1950s home in Sandy, Bedfordshire, with her husband Andrew, 40, a housing advisor, and their two children, Daniel, 22, and Emily, 12. WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE OLD BATHROOM? ‘The room was quite poky and small for a family space. The large bathroom window was great, but made it awkward to design around and there wasn’t any room to include a separate walk-in shower.’ WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS? ‘Make use of every ounce of space and be prepared to compromise. Having the boiler and cupboard moved downstairs meant we lost storage space upstairs, but it has allowed us to have a proper, good-sized shower. Work out the layout in advance of buying any products and…

VINTAGE TEACUP CANDLES Upcycle pre-loved teacups into shabby-chic candles SHOPPING LIST Vintage cups Container candle wax Wick Metal wick tab Coloured dye Saucepan Double boiler insert or a heatproof bowl Scales Old spoon for stirring the wax Scissors Pliers Measuring jug Pencil Blu Tack 1 Fill the teacup with water, then pour it into a measuring jug – the amount of water in the jug, minus 10 per cent, is how much wax you’ll need. Put the wax into the double boiler or a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of water. Heat it on a low temperature to ‘steam’ the wax (never place the wax directly into a saucepan). Once the wax has melted, add the dye of your choice. A 10p-size piece of dye is enough for 100g…

Having exhausted all her attempts to add character to her pared-back, 1960s ex-council townhouse, Lily Sawyer eventually surrendered to the fact that her current family home couldn’t provide the interior goods she had long lusted after: charming period features. She decided to sell-up in the winter of 2013, with her sights set on a spacious family home in the same area of London, complete with easy access to the local school, a studio for her photography business and those all-important original features. But with such a particular list of requirements, the house search wasn’t all that straight-forward. ‘We put our house on the market and it sold within weeks,’ Lily says. ‘But every time we found a property that we liked we were pipped to the post by people with…

WE ARE Polly Geal, 37, a photographer (littlekin.co.uk); Oli, 38, a creative director; and our son, Raff, eight, and daughter, Elsie, six. OUR HOME Is a four-bedroom Edwardian terraced house, which we moved into in 2012, in Isleworth, south-west London. MY TOP TIP IS To use natural materials and earthy colours to create calm. I love mixing up pieces in wicker, wood, linen and ceramics. Also, baskets work really well for storing toys, toilet rolls, make-up and blankets, and act as decorative features. MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS The kitchen-diner and our bedroom have equal first place. Both have amazing light and sense of space, and were rooms we created from scratch.…

‘Prefabrication improves build speed, but it also improves quality, because you’re manufacturing in consistent conditions. Although most of the houses built in the UK are bespoke, the detailing is all repeatable. The manufacturer will always use the same window supplier, the same seal on the windows and so on. Another plus is that you’ve got a dedicated, consistent construction team – the same people are working with the same details. While you’re re-inventing the layout and bespoke elements, you’re not re-inventing the detailing.’ Nick Blunt, director of Urban Curve Architecture, who works with weberhaus.co.uk…

FURNISH YOUR FLOOR Autumn is here, which means it’s time to think about floor coverings to make your home feel cosy and inviting. And with the help of the Braided Rug Company you can keep things warm underfoot in a sustainable way. Its range of eco braided rugs are hard-wearing, machine-washable and made from recycled plastic bottles. What’s more, they come in a variety of colours, including Olive, Slate, Soot, Terracotta, Sand, Midnight, Sky and Dusty Pink. Eco braided rug in Apple, from £39, Braided Rug Company Saving goillas one sip at a time Gorilla Conservation Coffee supports the local people living alongside the gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda by providing them with training in sustainable coffee farming. This support helps to protect the critically endangered…

THINGS WE CONSIDERED ● Did it cook food well? ● Was it simple to use? ● How easy was it to clean? DIGITAL CRISP AIR FRYER, £89.99 , LAKELAND Sleek and compact, this air fryer looks sophisticated on the worktop. It cooks chips quickly and effectively to a nice crisp texture. The crisper drawer was slightly stiff to pull out and push back in, but it was easy to clean once removed. The LED touchscreen display is smart and simple to use, and it has eight different cooking presets for various types of food. NINJA AIR FRYER AF100UK £119.99 , NINJAKITCHEN.CO.UK This air fryer produces very crispy chips with just a tablespoon of oil. It’s easy to set up with clear instructions and has four functions:…

Along with contents and buildings insurance, many homeowners also take out boiler cover in order to keep their homes heated and maintain peace of mind. If something goes wrong with the boiler and/or the central heating, this insurance will help to pay for engineer call-outs, as well as the parts and labour needed to repair it. If you rent, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to fix any issues, so there’s no need to pay. But if you own your home, here’s what you need to know and how to find the best deal. HELPFUL HINTS A few things to keep in mind… ■ Insurers and their policies are all different, so make sure you choose the insurance plan that’s right for you. ■ Old boilers might not be insurable and most…

THE DETAILS CABINETRY £3,524 WORKTOP £1,055 APPLIANCES £1,164 SINK AND TAP £405 FLOOR £935 RADIATOR £360 TOTAL £ 7,443 SHOPPING LIST Ringhult/Metod white gloss kitchen, £165 for a 600mm base unit with shelves, for similar, try Vellamo Steel Horizon 1.5 Bowl Stainless Steel 1,000 x 520mm Sink & Waste Kit, £239.99; Vellamo Tasman dual lever Mono kitchen mixer, £79.99, both Tap Warehouse. For similar ovens, try Matälskare pyrolytic oven, £375, IKEA. CDA HVG720BL Gas on glass hob, £239.97, Ship It Appliances. CDA EVC4SS Designer 40cm chimney extractor, £469, Buywise Appliances. Prime Oak worktop, £76.50 per m, Worktop Express. City Cork Engineered Element Rustic Flooring, £49.40 per sq m, The Cork Flooring Company. Foto pendant light shade, £19, IKEA. Ximax Oceanus Duplex universal radiator, £341.22, Toolstation. Main walls painted in Pure…

Rebecca Shepherd, 36, an auditor, lives with her husband Chris, 36, and their two children, Chloe, six, and Alex, four, in her dream house in St Albans. But when she found it, she knew it needed a lot of TLC. After moving in, she and Chris started to plan an extension to make it more spacious. ‘We loved the house so much and although it needed a complete overhaul, we could see the potential. It hadn’t been decorated for decades and only had two owners, so it was well loved,’ she says. Every room was in dire need of redecoration, but none more so than the kitchen, which was so tiny that only one person could cook in it at a time. ‘The storage space was useless too, because the…

The cooler and damper days of autumn turns drying your clothes outside into a bit of a gamble. But why try to work out the odds of your washing drying before the rain arrives when you can dry them indoors with a tumble dryer? The energy-efficient models on the market today are kinder to your clothes and the planet, suit households of all sizes and won’t make your electricity bills skyrocket. Here are eight of our top picks… Hoover Dynamic Next DXC8TCE tumble dryer, £289.99, Very Load Capacity 8kg Size (W x D x H) 59.6 x 60 x 85cm Energy Rating B Your clothes will be ready to wear in no time with the Hoover Dynamic Next tumble dryer. This condenser model collects water from your clothes in a…

Is there anything as pleasing as a well-organised kitchen shelf, with everything clearly labelled, neatly arranged and right where you need it? We think not – and it’s not just about its visual appeal. With an orderly stash of cooking essentials, it’s easy to know exactly what you’ve got, reducing food waste and even the cost of your weekly shop. And the good news is, larder-style storage can be added to every kitchen, whether you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated walk-in pantry or want to boost storage in an existing scheme. Here’s how to create a larder you’ll want to take a #shelfie of……

Mode Austin free-standing bath, £769; Orchard Eden close coupled toilet, £94.99; Mode Austin Hinged shower door, £279; SmarTap shower, £789; Orchard Derwent bath shower mixer, £105; Orchard Derwent basin mixer, £52.99 all Victoria Plum. Prisma Orangeade towels, from £6, Christy. Bathroom frosted film, from £47 (100 x 60cm), Brume. ‘Love’ wall art, £30, Graham & Brown. Bath rack, £21.99, Wayfair. Burnt orange Egyptian guest towel, £3; white basket, £3.50, both Dunelm. Silk Oak dark grey vinyl Click Plus flooring, £37.99 per sq m, Quick-Step. For similar basin, try Mode Foster one tap hole semi-recessed countertop basin, £159, Victoria Plum. For similar tiles, try Brixton Albaster Mini Mica Mosaic effect tiles, £9.95 per sq m; gloss white wall tiles, £12.95 per sq m, both Walls & Floors. TOTAL COST: £2,998.50…

Thanks to this year’s industrial trend, concrete isn’t just for patios and building foundations. With its unique textured finish and neutral grey hue, this practical material makes for a real statement piece when used in unexpected ways, as with this edgy stool project. It’s got a purse-friendly price tag too – depending on the tools you already have in your DIY kit, the materials come in at under £20 per stool. 1 Protect the area you’re working in, ensure you wear safety goggles, a dust mask and gloves, and work in a well-ventilated space. Choose your timber dowel for the stool legs – we worked with both 18mm and 28mm dowels. Decide on the length of your legs and use your tape measure and a pencil to mark each of…

DIY painted wall arches have been cropping up all over the interiors scene this year. We love the idea of using this graphic shape at the end of a hallway to provide a burst of colour, or to flank your fireplace for a finish that feels architectural and contemporary. But painting one either side of your bed is definitely our favourite, and you can find out exactly how to do it on these pages. Choose a bold colour for a striking transformation, or select a tonal shade for a more subtle freshen up. Whichever colour you choose, your bedroom will feel like new in no time, as this is a quick and easy project. Once you’ve mastered this skill, you’ll want to start colour blocking all over the house! YOU…

WE ARE Lily Sawyer, 46, an artist, designer, educator and photographer; David, 43; our children Calla, 13, Isaac, 12, and Beth, 11; and Lily’s mother Lilia, 82. OUR HOME is a five-bedroom Victorian terrace in London, built around 1896. We’ve lived here since January 2014. MY TOP TIP IS Do your research before pursuing an idea and don’t be afraid to let others inspire you. FOR STYLE INSPIRATION When time permits, I have a good old scroll on Instagram and Pinterest. What really influences me are real home designs by normal people, such as myself, and interiors that look like they’ve evolved over time.…

3 ways with… Plums These seasonal fruits make delicious preserves, puds and more * For a warming plum cobbler, preheat the oven to 180°C. Combine 170g sugar, 15 stoned and sliced plums and ½ tsp cinnamon. Tip into a pie dish and cook for 15 minutes. Combine 150g plain flour and 1 tsp baking powder. Rub in 75g butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 50g caster sugar, 1 egg and 4 tbsp milk until just moistened. Drop the batter in large spoonfuls on top of the fruit mixture and bake for 30 minutes until golden. * For a delicious chutney, place 1kg stoned and chopped plums, 2 chopped onions, 100g sultanas, 1 tbsp each grated ginger, ground cumin and paprika plus 400ml red wine vinegar into a…

Food waste is a problem all year round, but at Halloween it’s especially bad – as many as 7 out of 10 carved pumpkins don’t get eaten. Environmental charity Hubbub wants more of us to eat our gruesome gourds. The charity has found that: In the United Kingdom, 15 million pumpkins are carved, but not eaten, at Halloween Laid end to end, the wasted pumpkins would stretch over 2,500 miles – that’s almost three times the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkin ends up in the bin each year after Halloween Visit hubbub.org.uk/ pumpkin-rescue to find out how you can run a Pumpkin Rescue event and help to prevent food waste. Before you cook a pumpkin that has been painted, you must make sure…

Pasta dough is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients, with flour being the main one. You can use most kinds of flour to make pasta, but some require more kneading than others to ensure there’s enough gluten in the mix. To help you choose the right flour for the job, here’s a quick guide to the most popular types of flour you can use… Type ‘00’ wheat flour This is high in protein (11-12 per cent), which helps create gluten in the dough and give it the elasticity needed to form the shapes. Choose ‘00’ for a very finely ground flour that will give your pasta a smooth texture. All-purpse and bread flour As a middling flour that’s used for all kinds of dishes, you’ll probably have…

When Christine and Duncan Penny decided to replace their piecemeal 1960s house in Berkshire with a bespoke new-build, they turned to German prefabricated home specialist Baufritz to help them turn their dream into reality. ‘We decided quite a long time ago that we’d like to build our own house, and eventually ended up at Baufritz as we were attracted by the quality of the build and the design,’ says Duncan. ‘We started off with a spreadsheet of requirements – four bedrooms, a study, a double garage and music room – and didn’t try to do our own floorplans. Our main criteria was that, having lived in America, we were used to open-plan style living and that’s what we really wanted to incorporate,‘ adds Christine. The couple opted for a full…

Prep veg quickly and effectively with the Gourmet Series Fine Julienne Slicer by Microplane. Thanks to innovative etched blades, it glides through ingredients precisely without snagging. Prepare uniform strips of carrot and courgette for a stir-fry or grate purple cabbage for a fresh ’slaw. It’s also a nifty tool for grating chocolate over your favourite dessert. The handle is ergonomically designed for ease of use and the slicer can be rinsed easily under the tap. Priced £24.95 from hartsofstur.com.…

PROS ■ Having annual service checks as part of your cover will keep your boiler running efficiently. ■ It avoids problems and breakdowns before they happen. ■ It also prevents any unforeseen costs should anything break down or stop working properly. CONS ■ Insurance plans can work out more expensive, especially if you don’t need to make a claim. ■ Some providers have hefty cancellation fees. ■ Not all providers are on-call around the clock or during weekends and bank holidays.…

When the Philpotts bought their house in April 2007, they had two children. But, after the arrival of two more and a dog, it became increasingly cramped. ‘The downstairs space just wasn’t working,’ says Bev. ‘The tiny galley kitchen lead to a conservatory that should have been our dining area, but it was too cold in winter and too hot in summer. The dining table ended up in our living area and we were all squashed into one space.’ The house is perfectly located for the girls’ schools, so the couple concluded that the best plan was to extend both upstairs and downstairs to create more space, including transforming the kitchen-diner into a family hub. STEP ONE Our goal was to create an easy-to-clean, minimalist kitchen-diner with maximum storage that…

When Ally Cluer and her husband, Adam, moved into their four-bedroom Victorian semi in Kent with their two children, Max and Mia, it hadn’t been touched for over 40 years. Although large, the existing kitchen-diner simply didn’t work for a busy family of four. ‘Thanks to a huge peninsula and bulky, ceiling-hung units, we were left with a tiny area for cooking, and the rest of the room felt totally disconnected,’ says Ally. The couple liked the idea of creating one big, open-plan space, so the solution was to rip everything out and start again. STEP ONE A lover of dramatic décor, Ally was keen for the new room to not only be functional and family-friendly, but also bold. She set her heart on a deep blue scheme and then…

Just as we use a combination of throws, cushions, colours and prints to add personality to a room, the secret to creating a pulled-together lighting scheme is all in the layering. A savvy mix of ambient, accent and task lights, with an assortment of pendant fittings, table lamps, wall fixtures and floor lights, will transform the look and feel of a space as well as providing practical light sources for everyday living. ESSENTIAL AMBIENTS Your ambient lighting is the foundation layer. As the main light source in a room it needs to illuminate the space without being overpowering. Ambient lights usually come in the form of ceiling pendants, chandeliers and wall fixtures, as well as floor and table lamps to add cosiness and depth. ATMOSPHERIC ACCENTS Accent lights are more…

Simon Bentley, Partner and Assistant Buyer for large electricals at John Lewis & Partners, goes through the things you need to consider before buying a new tumble dryer… Before purchasing a dryer, you must know the dimensions of the space you’re hoping to slot it into, especially if you’re planning on putting the dryer in an enclosed spot. Take the drum size into consideration before you buy. Go for a bigger option if you have a large family or a washer-dryer combination to save space. A large drum size is around 9kg-12kg. To save more money on your energy consumption, look out for models that have an A energy rating or above. A 9kg tumble dryer with a heat pump will be kinder to clothes as it doesn’t direct the…

Teresa and Andrew had been looking to move to Sandy, in Bedfordshire, for a while, as the relatively affordable prices in the area meant they could get extra space for their money. ‘We wanted more room and a bit of a renovation project too. So, when this three-bedroom property came on the market, we put in a ridiculous offer, which was accepted and we got the keys within 10 weeks,’ says Teresa. They were still renting and had a few months left on the lease, so used this time to renovate the kitchen and the poky bathroom. ‘The bathroom was one of the things I really disliked about the house. It was too small for family use and I wanted a walk-in shower. My brother is builder, so we asked…

Freshening up your bathroom doesn’t have to mean investing in an expensive new suite – rather than splashing the cash, try adding a splash of colour instead! It can be as simple as stacking a set of bright towels on a shelf, painting a feature wall or installing a blind in a vibrant print, and is an easy way to experiment with a new palette, pattern or trend before introducing it elsewhere in your home. Get started on creating your own quirky scheme with these bold bathroom buys. TRICKS FROM THE TRADE ‘Try tiling a wall up to a third of its height and leave the top two thirds painted in a striking shade. It’s easy to do and good for your budget as you’re not tiling an entire wall.…

* End feed stop end caps (22mm) * End feed straight couplings (15mm, 28mm) * Plant pot * Rapid-setting ready-mixed cement * Spray paint primer * Interior matt wood paint * Clear gloss spray paint * Interior varnish * Water * Light hardwood dowel moulding 18 x 18 x 2,400mm or 28 x 28 x 2,400mm (depending on the size of the stool you want to make) * Offcut mixing stick * Containers for mixing or setting concrete (plastic or silicone buckets offer some flexibility for removing the set stool) * Angled sanding block * Assorted sandpaper sheets * Chop saw or universal saw * Dustpan and brush * Masking tape * Paint brush * Palm sander * Tape measure * Pencil * Universal saw * Workbench * Dust mask…

Q I’m starting to think about my first renovation; I’ve had some recommendations for tradespeople, but how else can I ensure they’re reliable? Lizzie Squire, Morecambe A Ben Tanswell, owner of Ben The Plumber, says… One of the ways you can check out the tradespeople around your area is by going on an established and reputable online trade directory, such as Checkatrade. com. Members of Checkatrade will have had background checks on everything from their certificates to their insurance  and qualifications before they can be displayed on the website. Another thing you should consider before booking a tradesperson is looking at their previous customer reviews. This will give you an insight into the way they work and how well the job was carried out. Also, look out for scores from…

WE ARE Charlie Gooch, 42, a freelance nutritionist; my husband, Andy, 42, an engineer; our twins, Beatrice and Alice, aged 10; and William, six. OUR HOME IS A five-bedroomed Grade II listed, detached house, in Kent. Parts of the property date back to 1710 and encompass the old village forge. There’s also a 10-year-old extension at the back. MY TOP TIP Take time to time to research the look you want and don’t do anything too rash. I found that pulling together mood boards really helped me figure out the look and palette for each room. I spent hours searching through magazines, the internet and window shopping. MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS Our sitting room, the old village forge. The high ceilings, beams, exposed sandstone and massive fireplace make it a…

When Polly and Oli Geal started looking for a new home eight years ago, they wanted a place they could improve and extend. ‘Our son Raff was a baby and we were living in a flat in Wimbledon Village, but we knew prices for houses were high there and that we needed to look further out.’ The couple searched in Surrey and south-west London, and were attracted to Isleworth, on the River Thames. ‘We saw a three-bedroom house over two floors with a tiny galley kitchen and realised we could transform it into a substantial house in an area we love, close to a park and the river.’ Once they’d secured the house, the couple put in plans for a large extension out into the garden at the back of…

Pumpkin, chestnut and maple soup PREP TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 45 minutes SERVES 4 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 500-600g pumpkin, peeled and cut into chunks ✔ 180g pre-cooked chestnuts ✔ 3 tbsp pure maple syrup ✔ 1 litre vegetable stock ✔ 150ml double cream, plus extra for garnish ✔ 30g hazelnuts, roughly chopped ✔ Salt and pepper ✔ Handful chopped chives for garnish DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Put the pumpkin onto a baking tray, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper and bake for 30-35 minutes until soft. ■ In a large pan, bring the vegetable stock to the boil. Then, once it’s baked, transfer the pumpkin from oven to pan and add the chestnuts. ■ Continue to cook the mixture together for…

Sleek and sophisticated Clean lines and attention to detail unite in these made-to-order door sets from Maverick Doors. The online-only company helps you design your perfect door in a matter of minutes, with the frame, handle and architrave moulding all included. Choose from nine contemporary styles in a range of sophisticated colours and finishes – you’ll have your dream door in no time. Visit maverickdoors.com to find out more. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Increase your home’s kerb appeal with Brisant Secure’s ‘Sweet’ range of door furniture. Rusty and lacklustre door handles, knockers and letterboxes will be a thing of the past with this stylish rose-gold hardware. Coated in multiple layers of copper and nickel, the range is corrosion resistant, so it’ll stay pristine for a long time and make a…

● Head to buildstore.co.uk for info on and finance for kit homes and custom builds. ● Contact specialist lender ecology.co.uk to find a mortgage that suits your circumstances. ● Graven Hill near Bicester is the UK’s biggest self- and custom-build community, and is set to comprise up to 1,900 homes, gravenhill.co.uk. ● Swindon’s National Self Build and Renovation Centre has an expert hub, manufacturers, suppliers, tours and courses all under one roof, nsbrc.co.uk. ● Selfbuildportal.org.uk offers advice and support, and enables you to search for your local Right to Build register.…

Home is where the heart is, but it’s not always where the heat is. There are myriad ways our homes can lose heat, be it floorboard gaps or an inefficient boiler. Luckily, there are just as many ways we can make them cosier and save money on bills in the process. Get your home ready for winter with these energy-efficient solutions and tips from the experts, whether you’re looking to invest in home improvements or try some budget-friendly DIY. 1 DO THE SHUFFLE Having a furniture reshuffle is one of the easiest ways to boost the heating throughout your home. In front of the radiator may seem like the cosiest spot for your bed or sofa, but they’ll absorb heat and prevent hot air circulating around the room, making the…

Draught-proof your doors – average cost: £75 The gaps between doors can allow lots of air to escape if they’re not properly insulated. By working out which doors are letting in the draught and applying draught excluders around the frames, you can prevent the cold air from getting in and warm air escaping. These are a fairly cheap installation, at around £75, on average, to draught-proof multiple doors. Insulate your loft – average cost: £100 Putting insulation inside the loft will ensure that heat from the home doesn’t exit via the roof. Choosing to insulate your loft is also an easier job than insulating individual rooms, which can be a messy and long-winded task. Loft insulation procedures average out at approximately £100, but this cost is totally dependent on the…

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