Innehållsförteckning för May 2021 från Your Home

All being well, it looks like garden socialising is back on the cards, so now’s the time to spruce up your plot and get it ready for a few guests. Head to page 116 to find out what to plant this month, page 114 for cute cottage garden finds and, if your yard lacks a spot for socialising, learn how to build a pergola on page 68. We’ve got loads of ways to help you improve your home indoors, too. If you’re planning a room revamp then, before you do too much work, turn to page 38 to take our quiz and find out what your signature style is. (Mine is half ‘Period Charm’ and half ‘Modern Update’!) Keep reading for quick and easy ways to transform your staircase on…

COLOUR POP During lockdown three I’ve been on a redecorating mission. I wanted to brighten up my staircase from the dull colour it was before, so I’ve gone for this gorgeous yellow, which I’ve paired with a peachy pink wall. I’ve added more prints and homemade bunting to my gallery wall and of course lots of plants – it’s now my favourite area in my home! Lauren Drake, by email Your Home says: Wow, Lauren, what a joyful space! We love the vibrant colours and eclectic mix of prints. ★ Lauren’s letter has won her a Clean Living Complete Cleaning Kit, worth £43.99!…

SAVE MONEY on streaming subscriptions Take advantage of free trials Most streaming services offer a free trial so you can try before you buy, ranging from seven to 30 days. Make sure to set a reminder for the end of the trial period so that, if you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel it before the first direct debit payment. Find your best-value service Do you love a bingeable crime series? Are rom-coms your movie night go-to? Check out what’s on offer from over 20 streaming services using the free online tool, Just Watch (justwatch.com), to discover which ones offer the best value for your viewing tastes. It includes free services too, such as BBC iPlayer, so you might find you don’t need to pay extra for a…

With spring comes fresh blossom, warmer weather and a newfound sense of hope. So now’s the time to adorn your home with pretty pastels that are guaranteed to put a spring in your step. ‘Pastels offer the ultimate antidote to lockdown blues and a quick and easy way to give your living room a spring refresh’, says Lauren Harris, DFS Senior Designer. This trend is all about colour, so feel free to go all out with curious combinations and colour blocking, but remember to keep the hues on the delicate side. We’re talking soft lavenders that reawaken memories of childhood Parma Violets, seafoam greens that encourage a sense of calm and lively lemon yellows that’ll bring some much-needed sunshine into your home. And don’t forget pink! With this look, you…

SHOPPING LIST Mode Hardy free-standing bath, 1,600 x 750mm, £374.25 (now £599), Victoria Plum. Britton Hoxton floor-standing brushed brass tap, £594.15; Metro close coupled modern toilet, £169.95; Arezzo brushed brass round thermostatic shower pack, £429.95; Arezzo matt black grid frameless pivot shower door, 1,970 x 700mm, £309.95; Mira Flight low square shower tray, £124.94; Arezzo brushed brass 90mm high flow shower tray waste, £59.95; Arezzo brushed brass unslotted click clack basin waste, £42.95; Clearwater white click clack bath waste, £50.15, all Victorian Plumbing. Jill Teak and Ceramic vanity cabinet 80, £475, Tikamoon, varnished in Ronseal Diamond hard floor varnish in Clear Stain, £40.85, Toolstation. Britton Hoxton basin mixer tap, £129.99, eBay. Ca’ Pietra Neapolitan porcelain tiles in Pink and Blue, both £56.25 per box, Style Ideas Direct. Harbour Status flat…

Eager to begin your stitching journey but don’t have the know-how when it comes to zipper foots, bobbins and free arms? Worry not, as all will become clear with this guide full of expert advice. Deborah Shepherd, Creative Director at Janome UK, reveals what first-time buyers should consider. ‘Ask yourself, is this going to be a regular hobby or is it just for occasional projects? If the former, then it’s worth investing a little more money at the start so you don’t quickly outgrow the machine.’ With a first machine, it’s equally important to choose a model that has the right built-in features. To help you find one that caters to your needs, Deborah explains what to keep an eye out for: ‘An automatic adjustable stitch length is useful as…

Bespoke hand-painted European pine units painted in Dulux Jurassic Stone diamond matt emulsion, £40.87 for 2.5L, Paint Shed. Oak block worktops, £6,500; Belfast sink, £175, both Country Life Interiors. Dual-lever traditional kitchen tap, £69.95, Victorian Plumbing. Leisure CLA60CEC 60cm electric ceramic cooker in Cream and Black, £499, Currys. PSLMO65FLSW 60cm Conventional Cooker Hood is similar, £94.97, Hotpoint. Free-standing RF60309OC-L fridge-freezer in Cream, £699, Gorenje. Provence Cabris square tiles are similar, £200 per sq m, Fired Earth. Sima Red Quarry floor tiles are similar, £22.49 per sq m, Crown Tiles. Cream shabby chic dish drainer is similar, £28, Dibor. Pastel Green saucier by Riess Kelomat, £28.93, Wayfair. Shanghai garden tea towel in Mint Green is similar, £22, Anthropologie. KitchenCraft Living nostalgia English Sage Green three-tier cake tin set is similar, £35,…

Q My family and I are looking to upsize soon. What are some small changes we can make to add value to our current home before we sell? Georgina Harris, Devon A Jonathan Hey, founder and CEO of Aliwood Roof Lanterns, says… One thing I always suggest is to apply for planning permission! This can increase the value of a home by up to 10 per cent depending on what the permission is for. It’s also important to consider the property’s kerb appeal. If a home is attractive from the outside, it’s immediately going to garner a lot more interest, so consider an update to your front door or driveway. An extension or conservatory will up a home’s value too, but it’s worth considering a roof lantern as a cheaper…

‘When we saw this gorgeous two-bed Victorian terrace we made an on-the-spot offer. The house was in a very bad state, but we were keen to have a project.’ Creative couple Carey Mann, a coffee shop owner, and Johan Karlberg, a music producer, had a budget of £125k when they were looking for a home together in the popular seaside town of Margate, Kent. ‘We thought we would only be able to afford a flat,’ remembers Carey. ‘So, when we saw this gorgeous two-bed Victorian terrace we made an on-the-spot offer. The house was in a very bad state, but we were keen to have a project that involved renovation – everything from the ground up.’ It’s no exaggeration: the house was completely gutted in August 2015 when they moved…

Once they decided to move back to their roots in the Midlands nearly three years ago, Sarah and Colin Sephton wasted no time in changing their teaching jobs and looking for the right house. ‘We’d been living in Oxford for 15 years because of my job,’ said Sarah, ‘but we were both keen to move closer to family and friends, so we started looking around Nuneaton. We knew we’d get a lot more for our money there and both our grown-up sons lived in Birmingham, so it all made sense.’ Sarah is a keen gardener with a thriving Instagram @thecuriousglasshouse, so outdoor space was a major driving factor in the search for a new home. ‘It had to have a big garden, and we also wanted a solidly built property…

WE ARE Tiffany Irving, 34, a photographer (tiffanyirvingphotography.co.uk), my husband, Ed, 39, a business development manager, and our children, Riley, 11, Astrid, nine, Asa, four, and one-year-old Rafferty. OUR HOME IS A Victorian semi-detached house in Manchester. MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS The bathroom. It’s now a great space to spend time in with the kids. OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS The delay in finishing the extension due to the lead time on the doors, which meant it was boarded up for weeks.…

Herb-roasted chicken with watercress, sun-blushed tomatoes and salsa verde YOU WILL NEED ✔ 1.5kg whole chicken ✔ 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ✔ Salt ✔ Pepper ✔ 2 tbsp thyme, chopped ✔ 1 tbsp rosemary, chopped ✔ 1 tbsp oregano, chopped ✔ 2 garlic bulbs, unpeeled and separated into cloves ✔ 300ml dry white wine ✔ 75g sun-blushed tomatoes ✔ 75g black olives, pitted ✔ 1 tbsp sherry vinegar ✔ 150g watercress For the salsa verde ✔ 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped ✔ 1 bunch basil, finely chopped ✔ 6 anchovy fillets, finely chopped ✔ 1 tbsp capers ✔ 8-10 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ✔ 1 tbsp lemon juice ✔ 1 tsp mustard ✔ salt ✔ pepper DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas Mark 7. Rub…

Sitting pretty Kick back and relax with a breakfast coffee or afternoon cuppa in a beautiful botanic deckchair from We Love Cushions. Featuring classic Georgian illustrations, the delicate designs will look right at home in a cottage garden or prettify a patio as the weather turns warmer. Choose from Echinacea, Sweet William, Phlox, Passion Flowers and Water Lily, with matching outdoor cushions available to rest your feet upon, too. Cushions start from £49.99 and deckchairs are £139.99. Shear perfection Snip your flowering borders, unruly shrubs and raspberry canes back into shape with the new range of Solid pruners from Fiskars. Precision-ground blades and an ergonomic grip combine for easy, smooth cutting, with a handy sliding lock for protection from the blade when not in use. For more experienced gardeners, the…

Describe a typical day I am lucky enough to have my studio in my home, so my morning commute upstairs is nice and short. I sit at my desk for an hour and sort through all my admin; I check that the website is up to date, deal with customer enquiries and update my accounts. Next, I move onto whatever commissioned piece I’m working on. This usually involves sanding, painting and my favourite part, applying the decorative finish using tools like my trusty marker paint pens. A large part of my day is also spent styling furniture, taking and editing photographs, and updating the website and social media accounts. Outside of lockdown restrictions, my workday usually ends at around 3pm when I collect my children from school. What is your…

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ella’s picks ‘Prints can make a huge difference to the liveliness of your décor scheme. After a grey winter, I love to incorporate vibrant prints into my home that add pops of colour and pattern to my somewhat lacklustre neutral walls. Warm-toned hues and abstract floral motifs are my go-to – the gorgeous Tunis print by Astrid Wilson is at the top of my wish list!’ DESIGNER Beth’s picks ‘I love switching out my dark winter tableware for a light and fresh look for spring. I tend to change my table runner for something more neutral and textured, then I add pastel pops of pink, blue and green to complement the season.’ STAFF WRITER Sophie’s picks ‘Flowers in all forms are my go-to at this time of year.…

Marcus Jarvis, Painter and Decorator at Harris Brushes, explains why, once you’ve chosen your paint, picking the right brushes is essential… ‘Whatever you spend on paint, you won’t get great results unless you use quality decorating tools. With rollers, the sleeve is a big contributing factor when it comes to the finish, as how it holds the paint and then “lays it off” determines the smoothness and the time it takes to achieve. It’s the same with the filaments of a paintbrush. Harris offers plenty of choice, and our NO-LOSS technology means no loose bristles. Harris also has specific tools for different tasks, designed to make jobs quicker and easier. Comfortable handles and long-reach brushes help you enjoy painting for longer. When precision is key, choose an Ultimate Walls and…

Light has the ability to transform the atmosphere in our homes. From gentle dappled sunlight to the warm glow of a table lamp, flooding a room with light can instantly make a space feel fresher, brighter and altogether more inviting. Whether you’d like to refresh your window with stylish yet practical curtains or blinds, or rethink your lighting options with an on-trend statement shade, here we offer handy hints and tips to make the most of the light in your home this spring. TOP TIP ‘Use a variety of light sources to illuminate darker corners to blend in with areas exposed to natural light. Blending light sources creates an illusion of a naturally lit room.’ Rohan Blacker, Pooky founder TOP FIVE LIGHT-ENHANCING MIRRORS TOP TIP ‘Dimmer switches allow for full…

BOILING WATER TAPS Sparked by the demand for instant hot water during the last year, specialist taps are 2021’s must-have appliance. Dispensing hot water super-fast, they use less energy than a kettle, making them a sustainable investment, too. Choose from on-trend finishes such as black and brushed gold, or classic stainless steel. TEAM GREEN Bringing a sense of drama and luxury, dark colours have become the new neutrals in the kitchen – and green is tipped to be the most popular for 2021. From rich forest and emerald to pale sage, these nature-inspired shades bring the outside in and lend themselves well to opulent or rustic finishes. Balance with smoky glass and latte-brown tones, or add warm metallic touches for a luxe, sleek scheme. Consider pale worktops as a way…

Q I’m looking to install some plantation shutters to help control the light in my new kitchen extension. The windows are tall – what do you recommend? Sheryl Pearce, Mansfield A Sam Tamlyn, General Manager at Shutterly Fabulous, has the following advice… When considering shutters for the kitchen, full height and café-style designs with adjustable louvres are versatile options that will allow you to control sunlight. When the window is open, shutters allow air to circulate around the home while maintaining privacy – helpful during spring and summer. Shutters work well in the kitchen as they allow the light to stream in and, if any cooking splashes occur, they can simply be wiped clean. Offering a vast selection of styles and designs, Shutterly Fabulous’ products can be installed into the…

Now that our gardens have become a hotspot for relaxing with the family or having some well-deserved downtime once the Sun comes out, it’s the perfect time to reassess your garden seating, tables and loungers for the ultimate chill-out zone.…

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY Wilko’s Country collection is here to help you boost your home on a budget. With homeliness at its heart, the range is full of calm neutrals, cosy textures and characterful accents. When it comes to colour, the look takes cues from the natural world – think mellow greys, gentle beiges and touches of terracotta. The pompom cushion, £8, is one of our favourites and will instantly perk up a plain sofa! Clean lines and minimalist furniture ensure the look has a modern edge while being rooted in rustic charm. The wire table with tray top, £12, will help to maximise storage while adding a hint of metallic to your space. Instagram inspiration When decorating your home, you don’t need to religiously stick to one theme. Take…

HOW TO... get your garden furniture in shape for summer Once you’ve brought your garden furniture back out into the daylight after a long winter, it might be looking a little worse for wear. But fear not. With a little love and care, you can freshen it up just in time for long days whiled away in the sun… • For wooden furniture, start by dusting off any excess debris that has built up. Then, clean the furniture with soapy water and a scrubbing brush. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before lightly sanding down rough areas. Protect the wood and preserve the colour by treating it with a sealant. This should be done every couple of years to keep the wood looking its best. Turn to page 70 for…

Frequently asked questions... Which type of policy is best for me? There are three main kinds – choose the one that’s right for your pet and your pocket. Basic policies tend to have a time limit for treatment per condition of a year and a maximum payout. Once you reach either of these, you won’t be able to claim for the same condition again. Mid-level insurance generally covers treatment to a maximum sum per condition of around £3,000, with no time limit. Comprehensive cover offers the highest payouts as well as lifetime cover. Are there any dog breeds that are hard to insure? Yes. Some dog breeds that are considered to be more aggressive won’t be insurable and certain pedigrees – like French Bulldogs and German Shepherds – may also…

Emily Mason, 48, who lives in a four-bedroom Georgian villa in Worthing with her husband, Dominic, 51, and their two children, Loïc, 15, and Bea, 10, had desperately wanted to give her family bathroom a much-needed makeover. They had bought their home from a property developer midway through its renovation and had little influence over the end result. Shortly after moving in, they discovered that shortcuts had been made, and the interior didn’t match their style so needed work. The couple spent their time and savings making good, concentrating their energy on the kitchen and living spaces and sharing their updates on Instagram @themasonlodge. However, the bathroom slipped to the bottom of their to-do list. ‘It was badly designed with an impractical layout. I hated the dark brown wall tiles,…

SHOPPING LIST Walls painted in Basalt intelligent matt emulsion, £53 per 2.5L, Little Greene. Dartrey Black rhombus floor tiles, £65.64 per sq m, Topps Tiles. Old Havana Bauta wall tiles, £70 per sq m, Claybrook Studio. For similar tiles, try Architect matt White 5 x 20cm wall tiles, £23 per sq m, Tiles Direct. For a similar bath, try Orchard square-edged double-ended bath (1,800 x 800mm), £219; for a similar toilet, try Orchard Balance close coupled toilet, £159.20; The Bath Co. Camberley Satin Grey vanity unit with basin, £305; The Bath Co. Camberley white wall cabinet, £279, all Victoria Plum. For a similar bath screen, try Arezzo matt black folding bath screen, £219.95, Victorian Plumbing. Lusso Luxe three-way thermostatic shower set, £595; Lusso Luxe monobloc basin mixer tap, £140, both…

1 Which sofa do you like best? A Cara sofa, £1,390, Living It Up B Luna velvet sofa, £895, Oliver Bonas C Herton right-hand facing small chaise end sofa, £699, MADE D Burghley two-seater sofa in Bexley Sea Spray, £1,484, Parker Knoll 2 Which colour combos are you most drawn to? A I like my scheme to feel classy with rich reds and purples. B Whether it’s sunny yellow or dark navy, I love shades from all ends of the spectrum. C I keep it light with white, grey and soft accent colours. D Sage green, duck-egg blue, pale pink and parchment cream is my favourite blend. 3 How many pictures would you have in your living room? A 5 – carefully selected gild-framed paintings are a must. B 10+…

There are a lot of technical terms out there for sewing machines, but here’s what you need to know if you’re a beginner. Automatic thread cutter This means that you don’t need to cut any of the threads by hand, simply press the button and it will cut the bobbin and needle threads for you. Advanced needle threader Threading a needle can be fiddly, so save yourself the trouble with this mechanism. Drop-in bobbin Also known as a top-loading bobbin, this means that there’s a sliding plate underneath the needle that you can remove to literally ‘drop in’ the bobbin. The alternative is a front-loading bobbin, but neither feature is generally better than the other – it’s up to your preference. Presser foot This is an attachment that is used…

Shortly after moving to a beautiful Victorian cottage in Bushey, Hertfordshire, Louise had a career shift from working in the NHS to becoming a seller of all things vintage. This cosy cottage feeling and preloved vibe are elements that inspired Louise’s classic kitchen makeover. When Louise embarked on her revamp, it presented a testing challenge – how to fit everything into such a compact space. ‘Cost was a major factor so I didn’t want to rebuild the kitchen, and also extending the rear of the space would have caused loss of light in the middle of the house, which has happened in neighbouring homes. I didn’t want to lose precious garden space either’. However, the space wasn’t the only issue Louise faced. ‘The previous kitchen was very outdated and much…

It’s no coincidence that the bathscaping trend has emerged at a time when we’ve never appreciated our bathrooms more. It’s all about dressing the room – in particular the area around the tub – to enhance your bathing experience while you switch off from the world and unwind. The beauty of it is that you don’t need to splash out – the essentials are a little imagination and some inspired buys including plants, candles, fluffy towels and your favourite bubble bath or oil… GREEN FINGERS ‘The bathroom is often the room that plants love the most, as many thrive in a humid environment and absorb the steam when you have a bath or shower. Most bathrooms are moderately light and airy as well, with good circulation that any kind of…

OUR HOME IS a two-bed Victorian terrace, located a 10-minute walk from the beach in Margate, Kent. WE ARE Carey Mann, 50, a coffee shop owner, and Johan Karlberg, 39, a music producer. We live with Granny, our dog, and Terminator 2, our cat. OUR BIGGEST MISTAKE was drilling into the wall where the main room of electricity cables goes from downstairs to upstairs. We had to break the newly renovated wall open to repair the damage. OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE was working every day for a month on plumbing and getting the humidity levels under control, with very little visual reward. THE EASIEST JOB was painting the outside of the house a light blue. For a week’s worth of work, it instantly made the house look beautiful. OUR BEST BARGAIN…

WE ARE Sarah Sephton and my husband, Colin, both 55-year-old teachers. Outside of lockdown, we are frequently visited by sons, Joshua, 30, and his wife, Katy, and George, 28, and his partner, Georgia.. OUR HOME IS A three-bedroom, 1930s semi with an extension added in 2010, on the outskirts of Nuneaton in Warwickshire. MY BEST BARGAIN IS The pink cabinet in the dining area, bought for a few pounds from a local antiques centre. It was a mess, but with a bit of Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink paint it has come up a treat. MY TOP TIP IS To make a detailed plan before you start on anything, and get the basics, such as electricity sockets, in the right place before even thinking about decorating. TO RELAX I…

Hang ceiling pendants above a kitchen island to make it a focal point Go for plush, textured fabrics to add a touch of luxury to a sofa or bed Choose rugs designed for high-traffic areas, like this Berber-style design Like Tiffany, add colour and fun to a child’s bedroom with animal-themed posters A toiletries shelf with a metal bracket detail will bring industrial style to a bathroom In pared-back, pastel schemes, introduce rattan and other natural tones for warmth…

Fruit scones YOU WILL NEED ✔ 350g plain flour, plus extra for dusting and cutting ✔ ½ tsp salt ✔ 1 tbsp baking powder ✔ 85g cold butter, cut into cubes ✔ 4 tbsp caster sugar ✔ 175ml milk, plus extra to glaze ✔ 1 tbsp lemon juice ✔ 35g mixed dried fruit ✔ 40g sultanas DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas Mark 7. Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper. Put the flour in a bowl with the salt and baking powder, then stir to combine. ■ Add the butter and rub together with your fingertips until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs, then stir through the caster sugar. Make a well in the centre of the mixture. ■ Heat the milk in a small pan or…

‘Adding colour to your shed will make it feel less like a shed and is a quick and easy revamp. You can afford to experiment with a theme in a small space like a shed or summer house, so get onto Pinterest for small space ideas. The Nordic look works particularly well as you can use pale whites and greys – paint that you’ve probably already got and used in your home – and add faux furs and chunky knit blankets for warmth and texture. Add fairy lights and a couple of hurricane lanterns and you can create a cosy retreat.’ Steph Briggs, interior designer, TV presenter and co-founder of La Di Da Interiors…

Win a gift box of eco-conscious goodies from Percy Langley 10 LUCKY WINNERS Design hub Percy Langley boasts a unique mix of heritage brands, established artisans, and independent makers, all based in Britain. Percy Langley has a keen eye on conscientious consumerism and sustainability is key. Working with brands like Wild & Stone and Ecoliving, the selection of wooden household products not only looks beautiful, but significantly reduces the amount of single-use plastic in the home. Ten lucky Your Home readers will win a gift box of goodies from Percy Langley, worth £54, featuring a selection of eco-homeware, plus a bar of chocolate and a designer candle by ARTHOUSE Unlimited. 100 per cent of the ARTHOUSE Unlimited revenue goes to support a collective of artists living with epilepsy and learning…

1. ‘This is an adorable matching desk and chair I recently upcycled. It would make a lovely focal point in a little one’s bedroom.’ Matching desk and chair, £245 2. ‘I love the lilac and green hand-drawn pattern on this wooden gazelle. It has a splash of colour that will brighten up any corner of a room.’ Large botanical painted gazelle, £43 3. ‘This navy chest of drawers is one of my favourites. It shows off the folk art aesthetic – I love the colours and the decorative lilac handles.’ Blue folk chest, £445…

SLEEK JAPANDI A simple Scandi vibe combines with the dark accents of Japanese décor to produce a scheme that is refined and practical. Introduce a hint of texture with rattan and seagrass pieces to add interest to any room. EQUATORIAL Embrace the bold and beautiful equatorial trend by introducing muted hues of pink and green, or step it up a gear with strong shades of coral, emerald and bold blue. Look for banana leaf patterns and motifs of jungle creatures to bring character to the space, then add depth with textures on all things including furniture, wall hangings, cushions and light fittings. This is a chic look which will take you effortlessly from spring through to summer. SOFT SEA A spectrum of blues and neutrals with plenty of texture will…

Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene, shares her clever ideas for getting that colour choice right first time ‘Start with the most important considerations; look at the light and the orientation of the room, the proportions of the space, what time of day you use the room most, together with the atmosphere you want to create. Choosing colour is really down to personal taste and how the shades make you feel, so focus on specific tones for the atmosphere you wish to create in a room, rather than current trends. Sampling is essential when it comes to choosing colour. Order sample pots and paint large swatches onto A4 pieces of paper. Place them on different walls throughout the day to see the impact of the varying natural light on…

Yvonne Keal, Senior Product Manager at Hillarys, offers some valuable advice… ‘As many of us spend more time indoors, natural light in the home is very important. It can be enhanced by layering different window treatments. For example, voile curtains or sheer blinds are perfect for offering privacy, but still allow plenty of natural light to come into the room. In spaces that are devoid of natural light, it can be helpful to move furniture to optimise how much light can access the room. Pleated blinds are also perfect for rooms that don’t have much light, as they allow privacy when down but, when open, don’t take up much space. This means that more light can enter the room. For naturally bright rooms, ‘Day and Night’ roller blinds offer the…

BATHROOM BUYS Create your own Insta-worthy scheme with on-trend contrasting pink and green tiles – lay them in blocks of colour or try alternating them in a striking contemporary pattern. Introduce matt-black industrial accents for a bold monochrome look. This enclosure pack includes two screens and a low-profile tray to create a minimalist walk-in shower. A bold countertop basin is an easy way to add a pop of colour to your bathroom. Choose an unusual shape or a contrasting shade to your vanity unit for maximum impact. Elevate a freestanding bath with statement brassware. A rich brushed-gold finish brings a sense of luxe and elegance to the bathroom. Update your scheme with a fresh coat of paint. This dusky pink shade partners well with soft grey or white sanitaryware to…

In order to enjoy your outdoor space as early in the year as possible, it’s a good idea to invest in a garden heater or firepit. Along with creating instant ambience, perfect for sitting around with a bite to eat and a drink, the warm glow will also shed light onto your patio and lawn area, too. ‘Firepits have taken over from chimeneas over the years, as they tend to be more affordable,’ says Declan Kingsley-Walsh, Managing Director at Morsø UK. ‘Smaller in size, freestanding firepits also take up less space and so are ideal for compact outdoor areas and gardens. Look for cast iron models, which won’t rust like other metals.’ When you want an eco-friendly heater, a product like Gtech’s HeatWave uses radiant heat, which travels long distances…

Floor MOPS Things we considered: Was it easy to use? Was it effective? Was it lightweight? UMI. mini spin mop and bucket, £29.99, Amazon With a highly absorbent microfibre pad and nifty bucket, this space-saving mop is effective on most hard surfaces including laminate, wood and tiles. Although it’s not the easiest to get to grips with, the adjustable handle means that you can mop comfortably no matter your height and the swivel head feature helps to wring the water out well. While this mop could benefit from clearer instructions, it does come with a spare mop head that is machine-washable, too. Ultima self-wringing mop, £14.99, Addis For a lightweight mop that’s easy to manoeuvre and does a thorough job, this Addis one is a winner. It’s super easy to…

MINI TREND: Artistic arches For a contemporary touch that can be incorporated in a number of ways, try out the arch trend. Arches are having a moment in homeware this year, especially when it comes to pieces such as mirrors, vases, lamps, candles and wall art. To update your space with this craze for spring, look out for these furnishings in soft colours, as well as light wood and metallic accents in black and gold. The YH team loves this unique oak-framed mirror from Rose & Grey – it’s ideal for creating a focal point in your living space or bedroom. SHOP SMALL Interior stylist Kel Harmer, founder of independent store Oh So Kel, has released a beautiful range of homeware accessories, including candles, trinket trays and pet bowls. Each…

SHOPPING LIST Walls painted in Dulux Easycare bathroom paint in Brilliant White, £20 per 2.5L, B&Q. For similar wall tiles, try Linear gloss brick tiles in White, £17.95 per sq m, Tons of Tiles. Lily pad wall tiles, £69.12 per sq m, Artisan of Devizes. Hexagonal white floor tiles, £42.17 per sq m, Tiles Direct. For a similar bath, try Brooklyn free-standing bath, £649.95; Nova sink, £209.95; JTP Solex matt black swivel spout basin mixer; £209.94; Arezzo round matt wall-mounted bath tap, £199.95, all Victoria Plumbing. For a similar shower, try Arissa black round thermostatic mixer shower set with exposed value, £179.97; slimline shower tray, £89.99, both Better Bathrooms. For a similar towel rail, try Crosswater MPRO heated towel rail, £288.99; Vellamo LED illuminated mirror, £319, both Drench. For a…

Heather Craig, 34, bought a four-bedroom, 1940s house in Dunfermline with her husband, Brian, 40, which had already been extended, and she couldn’t wait to make the home their own. ‘All the rooms were very bland, which isn’t me as I love colour,’ says Heather, who shares snaps of her vibrant home on Instagram @heatherrosieolivehome. ‘The bathroom was particularly depressing, with brown walls and beige tiles that had been tiled over twice. The vanity was too big and too high – we think it might have been a kitchen cupboard.’ As their children, Rosie and Olive, were small when the couple moved in, they didn’t start on the bathroom straight away. Then the shower broke a couple of years later, becoming the catalyst for their new-look room. ‘We knew the…

The staircase is one of the most high-traffic areas in the home, but, as it’s one we spend very little time in, it often comes way down on the decorating to-do list. Connecting spaces and floors, the staircase should tie in with the décor throughout the house to create a harmonious flow from room to room. Luckily, you don’t need to spend a fortune to step up your staircase scheme. A lick of paint on the walls and woodwork, a few light-enhancing tricks and trendy accents are all that’s needed for it to be a stylish part of your abode. Steps ahead They’re the star of the show, so make your stairs the centre of attention with colour and print. Paint the staircase in a welcoming, sunny yellow for a…

SILHOUETTE JAR SHOPPING LIST ✔ Glass jar with lid ✔ Mod Podge in matte finish, Hobbycraft ✔ Paintbrush ✔ Découpage paper, we used Décopatch Anandita Collection No. 3, Hobbycraft 1 Before you begin, make sure your glass is free from dust – wipe down with a damp cloth if necessary. Draw your own template or print out our bird template from yourhomestyle. uk and cut out, you can adjust the size of the template to fit onto any size jar. Use this template to trace around using a pencil. Carefully cut out the shape using sharp scissors. 2 Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the area you are going to place the paper. While still wet, place the bird design onto the glued area. The paper should be…

Lined with brushed gold, this luxurious lampshade makes a statement in the main bedroom Carey’s jungle look is enhanced with animal-themed furnishings Carey adds comfort to bare floorboards with plenty of Swedish sheepskins Woven artisanal baskets bring texture and interest to every room of the house Plants aplenty make for a truly inviting, life-affirming space A solitary black chair with gold tips adds glamour…

‘The 1990s décor needed a refresh, but we could visualise how lovely it could be, and saw the potential to create a huge family room out the back.’ From the carefully chosen furniture, artwork and textiles throughout the house, to the jaw-dropping kitchen, living and dining space, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the owners of this beautifully renovated Victorian terrace have lived in their home for many years, curating that perfect blend of vintage-inspired and fresh, contemporary pieces. The truth is, however, that photographer Tiffany Irving and her husband, Ed, completely updated its tired interior and added the transformative side return extension in just under two years. ‘We’d been living in a smaller Victorian house nearby,’ explains Tiffany, ‘but with three children, we felt we’d outgrown the space. While…

Working from home during the pandemic forced many of us to come up with creative solutions to a lack of office space. Even before lockdown, freelance interiors stylist, writer and author Joanna Thornhill was struggling to work out of a tiny box room in her London terraced house. ‘There was no work-life separation and I felt I just needed to get out of the house during my working day,’ she explains. When her partner, Paul, became home-based for work too, finding an alternative location became even more of a necessity for her. Although their garden is small, the couple realised there was room for a reasonable sized shed that Joanna, using all her design skills, could transform into a comfortable place to work. Researching online, she settled on a 3.5…

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Like many of you, I’ve got my fingers crossed that fun, feel-good days are not too far away! With that in mind, I hope this guide helps you get your home looking fresh and cheerful, to match the extra dose of optimism that spring brings this year. Discover the switches that all of us on the Your Home team look forward to making when the weather warms up on page 4. From bold art prints to floral accessories, there are some things that we just can’t live without come springtime. Keep reading for SS21’s key decorating trends (p8) and its big kitchen and bathroom looks (p18) – perfect if you’re planning a renovation. Or, for more instant updates for your practical rooms, we’ve got quick and easy ideas aplenty on…

Q I’m giving my kitchen a little revamp and want to update the window area. What are the best window treatments for this room that will look stylish despite the heat and moisture the kitchen produces? Gill Kelly, Gloucestershire A Yvonne Keal, Senior Product Designer at Hillarys, on picking what’s right for you… The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it’s important to create a welcoming environment there. While there are masses of designs to choose from, it’s not all about looks when you’re picking out window dressings, you should also think about how they cope with grease splatters, moisture and heat. In lots of homes, the kitchen window is situated above the sink. If this is the case for you, then splash-proof Teflon-coated roller blinds are a…