Innehållsförteckning för Jul-22 från Your Home

Here at Your Home , we love to see your decoration, DIY and craft projects, and I really do believe that you are the most creative lot. Like our cover star, Karen, who turned an unloved garage into a gorgeous garden room that’s tailor-made for parties in the sun. She squeezed in a kitchen, shower room and an outdoor bar, all on a tight budget! The transformation is packed with ideas to steal, so turn to page 36 to take a look. I also think Bryony’s three-bed Victorian terrace (p84) is fab – she’s found the perfect balance between colourful and classic, with her timeless décor choices. Their homes are sure to inspire you to pick up a paintbrush, and we have lots of creative ideas you’ll love to try…

In tune My beloved vintage radio was in a terrible mess, with the leather-effect cover peeling away. So, I took it all off and very carefully painted the material underneath with fabric paint. I’m really pleased with the result, which Minnie, my Lakeland terrier, also approves of. Sally Dearlove, Lancashire Sophie, Editorial Assistant, says: You’ve made it look as good as new, Sally, so we’re not surprised Minnie is a fan. Tropical twist I decided it was time to replace our dark-oak display cabinet with something more modern to match our living room. As always, I began by looking in the second-hand ads and found exactly what I was looking for, at just £10! I spent another £10 on a roll of wallpaper to decorate the back to match the…

SAVE ON daily living costs £55 Save up to £55 on your annual electricity bill by turning your appliances off standby mode – games consoles and televisions drain the most energy while on standby. Source Energy Saving Trust With the price of everything from energy and fuel bills to Netflix subscriptions on the rise, direct debits are going up for many of us. Bring these increasing costs down with these lifestyle and energy-saving changes to make your money go that bit further. Limit the half-loads. Wait until your washing machine or dishwasher is full before starting the cycle and wash at 30°C – this can save up to £28 a year on your laundry bill. Give your washing an extra spin cycle once the wash is finished, which should reduce…

THE DETAILS GARDEN FURNITURE £739 KITCHEN £2,500 SHOWER ROOM TILES £555 BAR £465 TOTAL £4,259 SHOPPING LIST Egg cocoon sofa, £439.99, Very. Ross rattan effect garden chair, £100, Argos. County Monochrome rug, £60, Wilko. For a similar egg chair try Ariana single hanging rattan egg chair, £700, TJ Hughes. For a similar bar try Förhörja kitchen trolley, £129, IKEA. Anaxagore Hanging Shelf, £110, La Redoute. For similar bar stools try solid wood kitchen stools, £50 for two; for a similar leather sofa try Jackson 4-seater leather sofa, £1,075, both Habitat. For a similar mirror ball try glass mirror ball, £19.99, mirror-balls.co.uk. No Riff Raff sign, from £25, Worldy and Wild on Etsy. For a similar outdoor rug try the Dash & Albert indoor/outdoor rug, from £70, Heugah Interiors. Andes Blanco…

THE HOMEOWNER I’m Mel Sinclair, 38, a hairdresser and owner of a business making dried flower arrangements (@the.naturalstylist). I live here with my husband, Greig, 40, a gas technician, and our children Abbey, 11, and Mila, nine. THE HOME A three-bedroom, detached house, built in 1997, in Fife, Scotland. We bought it in November 2021 and I share my renovation story on Instagram @its_all_ about_the_house. THE PROBLEM It was a small, narrow space and felt difficult to move around in. A large radiator made it feel even narrower and when you opened the door it would hit the side of the bath. THE SOLUTION The aim was to make it feel more spacious with clever design and layout tricks. Adding a sliding door, moving a radiator, and opting for a…

‘I’m not a fan of the often-upheld advice that you should live in a house for six months before doing anything. I just like to crack on with it!’ This house only had one previous owner before Rosie and her husband, Ray, took it on, and the fact it had been kept in such good condition was a big plus for the couple. ‘We fell in love with it on the first viewing,’ Rosie says. ‘The house was built in 2014 and we loved the immaculateness of it. It was in move-in condition, painted magnolia throughout, which is not my favourite colour, but it was a perfect blank canvas. We knew that we would be able to quickly put our personal stamp on it.’ She didn’t hang about when it…

WE ARE Bryony Critchley, 27, a Senior Product Designer at Waitrose, my partner, Mark Willis, 33, a UI Design Manager, and our cat, Binky. OUR HOME IS A three-bedroom, Victorian terrace in Bristol. We moved here in October 2018, and I record our renovation journey on Instagram at@bryonycritchley. MY FAVOURITE ROOM I love the living room, and even though it’s the first room we did, Mark and I still agree there’s nothing we would change about it. We both find it really cosy and welcoming, and still love our colour choices. WHAT I LEARNED Do your research. We made a few mistakes by not measuring properly, or not using the correct product. Although these errors didn’t add massively to the costs, they took time to put right. OUR BEST IDEA…

What do hanging a picture, replacing a fuse and tightening a loose floorboard all have in common? Well, apart from probably being on your to-do list, they can all be taken care of with a trusty tool kit and some DIY knowhow. If you don’t have a tool kit, or the kit you do have is lacking a few essentials, then read on for our round-up of the best sets around. Emma Bailey, workshop and body repair buyer at Halfords, has this advice when it comes to buying a tool kit: ‘If you’re just starting out in the world of home or vehicle maintenance, a tool kit is an efficient and cost-effective way to purchase the tools you need to complete the task at hand. A kit will probably also…

If you plan to take on DIY projects that involve a lot of cutting, a jigsaw is a must. Jigsaws have a reciprocating blade that can cut through many materials, including wood, metal and ceramic tiles. The slim blades makes them especially useful for cutting awkward shapes. This Bosch 290W corded PST 800 PEL jigsaw is compact, offers great control for precise cutting and has a transparent cover that pairs with a vacuum cleaner to ensure sawdust is extracted efficiently.…

HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET Matalan Transport yourself to the White Island for a summer of entertaining with Matalan’s Ibiza summer 2022 range. Marine blues combine with rattan, jute and macramé for a laid-back, coastal-cool feel. Layer the look with an outdoor rug and lots of greenery to bring a holiday vibe to your summer gatherings at home.Tall woven grey vase, £25; oil and vinegar pouring bottles, £8; runner, £12; jute cushion, £12; lined basket, £5, all Matalan Smooth as satin Revamp wood and metalwork with Annie Sloan’s new range of satin paint. The soft-sheen formula differs from chalk paint, as there’s no need to apply wax or lacquer after painting. Choose from neutral hues such as Canvas, or the rich tones of Carnaby Yellow and Knightsbridge Green.Satin paint in…

Bold and beautiful This vintage kitchen cabinet was going to be thrown away, but I cleaned and sanded it down as I thought it would make a good coffee and storage table for my lounge. I painted the doors with Valspar interior wood and metal paint, and upholstered the cabinet with some Frida Kahlo fabric by Alexander Henry. I added retro-style copper legs and a pom-pom trim to finish it off. Katie Conlon, Gloucester Michelle, Acting Deputy Editor, says: We love that you saw the potential in an old cabinet and transformed it into such a fun and colourful piece, Katie. It’s thrifty and stopped the piece from going to landfill – win, win!…

HOW TO... make sure you’re fully covered International travel should be easier this summer but there’s no guarantee. Always check the entry requirements for the country you’re planning to visit before you leave and make sure you have adequate insurance that covers you for Covid-19. • For current advice, check the Foreign Office website (see ‘Useful contacts’ below) and the website for the British embassy of the country you’re visiting. The Foreign Office’s wording can affect travel insurance if you need to cancel. For example, if it advises against ‘all but essential travel’ or ‘all travel’ and you ignore this, you may not be insured. • If the travel company cancels a package holiday, you should get a full refund within 14 days. When a flight is cancelled, you’re due…

Seek solace from the blazing sun and ensure your decorating efforts stand the test of time with the strength of stone. From luxurious marble favoured by ancient Greeks and modern boutique hotels alike, to grey granite that’s a mainstay of minimalism, raise your home’s style foundations with these cool-to-the-touch materials. Sculpt a new bathroom with sanitaryware from Victorian Plumbing; reimagine your kitchen with marble-effect splashbacks from AluSplash; create a grotto with Wallsauce and Lust Home wallpaper prints; and sink back in comfort in tonal seating from Marks & Spencer. Summer 2022 sees a softened palette of dove grey, cream and pale blue for a breath of cool air. £10 AND UNDER Get the look for less with these quick updates THE MOODBOARD Engrave a wealth of character into your…

Create a laid-back holiday vibe in your garden with Monika’s budget-savvy hacks 1. Use stencils and paint to revitalise an old patio and get the look of patterned tiles, rather than spending on new slabs. 2. You’d be surprised at what you can make yourself – we built our garden bar with the help of online tutorials. Start small with a planter to develop your skills. 3. Add a roof to a pergola to create a sheltered patio or decking area for lounging and socialising. It’s a fairly simple DIY job using polycarbonate roofing sheets.…

Milano Irwell bath, £674.99; Milano Ballam toilet, £223.99; Milano Bexley Dark Oak wall-hung open shelf cloakroom vanity unit with basin, £349.99, all Big Bathroom Shop. Single-lever wall-mounted swivel bath filler, £199.99; for a similar tap try solid-brass single-lever monobloc basin tap in Brushed Gold, £129.99, both Homary. Flute wall tiles in White Décor, £59.85 per sq m, Topps Tiles. Hendrix Ivory hexagon floor tiles, £77.78 per sq m, Mandarin Stone. Corben flush ceiling light, £90, MADE.com. For a similar mirror try Gold metal arch mirror with shelf and hooks, £115, Oliver Bonas. Ferm Living Haze wall cabinet in cashmere and reeded glass, £335, Huh Store. Griege cotton bath towels, £17.99 for two; for a similar lantern try large seagrass lantern, £19.99, both H&M. For a similar vase try Athena Grey…

Have you ever thought about etching glass before? Etching is not only quick and fun, it allows you to add unique visual and textural sparkle to glassware, so is great for sprucing up charity shop finds. It does involve handling acid cream, but with a bit of care and the right safety gear, doing so is not nearly as difficult or as scary as it sounds! You can find all of the materials needed for this etching project at your local craft store and online, so it’s easy to get started and really addictive too. Don’t say we didn’t warn you... SHOPPING LIST ✔ One glass swing-top bottle ✔ Glass beakers ✔ White vinegar or glass cleaner ✔ Paper ✔ Sticky-back plastic ✔ Masking tape ✔ Cutting mat ✔ Scalpel…

WE ARE Rosie Connor, 42. I work for a charity called The Lilias Graham Trust that supports families in poverty. I live with my husband, Ray, 48, a Quantity Surveyor, and our daughter, Poppy, 10, along with our cockapoo, Ollie; a guinea pig named Cookie; and Twiggy, the hamster. OUR HOME IS A three-bedroom terrace in Doune, Stirlingshire. We bought it in 2016. I share my decorating progress on Instagram @rosie_connor_at _home. OUR BIGGEST MISTAKE was painting the garden fencing black. I have seen this work in gardens down south, but not in our chillier Scottish climate! FOR INSPIRATION I visit the seaside. A day at the beach is always a treat for the whole family and I love the colour palette of pale blues and yellows.…

Mediterranean vegetable and goat’s cheese galette YOU WILL NEED PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes, plus chilling COOKING TIME 30 minutes SERVES 6 ✔ 300g plain flour ✔ 150g chilled salted butter, cubed ✔ 3 tbsp cold water ✔ 150g soft goat’s cheese, sliced ✔ 1 pack of prepared Mediterranean vegetables (approx 400g) or a mix of fresh vegetables, chopped into chunks ✔ 1 egg, beaten DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/ Gas Mark 7 and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. ■ In a large mixing bowl, rub together the flour and butter with your fingers until a crumb consistency is achieved. Add the water and stir together to form a pastry dough. ■ Tip the dough out onto the lined baking tray and roll out into a…

Ratchet screwdriver A screwdriver with a mechanism that allows you to wind the screwdriver back for another turn without releasing it from the screw head or letting go of the handle. Precision screwdriver Similar to a standard screwdriver, but with a smaller head and handle to make it easier to work on more intricate items. Socket wrench A wrench handle with interchangeable sockets to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. The handles often feature a rachet mechanism, like rachet screwdrivers, to allow continuous turning without releasing the socket from the nut/bolt. Socket extension These are lengths of metal that can be attached to a socket wrench to extend its reach and give extra leverage for turning the socket on seized or stiff nuts and bolts. Universal joint Connects to a…

BUDGET BUY Although this square teepee (L118 x W118 x H154cm) isn’t designed to be left outside in wet weather, its colourful fabric cover does have a splashproof coating to cope with light showers Wild Wonders teepee, £50, Rex London ROOM WITH A VIEW This 91.5 x 94 x 155cm den has glazed, child-safe windows. You can treat it with wood preservative and install the raised floor if you plan to set it up outdoors Wooden teepee playhouse, £99, Big Game Hunters PLANET FRIENDLY The perfect hideaway for little ones, this 113 x 113 x 170cm teepee is made from sustainably sourced wood and can be decorated with your choice of treatment Children’s wooden teepee hideaway, £329.99, Plum Play…

1. For Your Eyes Only The charm of this floribunda rose is in its profusion of single blooms, which adorn the plant in various shades of apricot, salmon, pink and peach. Each flower has a distinctive darker blotch in the centre and golden yellow stamens that lure in pollinators. £24.99, rhsplants.co.uk 2.Scabrosa Huge red hips follow the large, deep-pink blooms of this Peter Beales shrub rose in late summer/autumn. This is a versatile, older rose variety that copes well in shade, poorer soils and is robust enough to use as a hedge. £24.95, classicroses.co.uk 3. Flower Carpet Amber A useful ground cover rose that will stretch across the area it’s planted in. Rich amber flowers mature to softer tones of blush peach from July to September. It’s disease resistant and…

I love having plants in my home and watching them grow … Plants remind me of places, experiences, family and friends Describe a typical day… My day usually starts with getting up and walking the dogs – I have a beautiful greyhound and my partner has two dogs. After a much-needed coffee, I head over to the shop for the early morning rush and prepare for the day with my team. Our plant deliveries arrive early in the morning, and we price and display plants to get them ready for their new homes. On a daily basis, we have an eclectic mix of customers buying plants, flowers, coffee, tea, wool and anything from ribbon to buttons. What can we find at your shop? The Plant Alchemist is a bit quirky:…

We’re reading… Propagate: How to Regrow your Houseplants, £12.99 Learn how to regrow a range of houseplants from cuttings with step-by-step instructions, photography and illustrations. You don’t have to be a pro already, as there are lots of projects for beginners and minimal equipment is needed to get started. We’re following… @thewilliswoodyhouse_ Sam loves to bring a room to life with colour and texture. She says: ‘Bright and colourful spaces are my vibe, but I’ve also created a neutral nursery and will add texture and colour over time. My style is about choosing good colours that you can keep adding to so that you never get bored of a space.’ We’re watching… The Great Garden Revolution Discover inspiring tips and tricks to spruce up your garden with the return of…

HOW TO... transform your front door After creating your dream interior scheme, the front door might look a little flat next to your fresh décor inside. But a new door can be costly, so follow our top tips to give your existing one a makeover… • Firstly, clear away dirt by giving the door a thorough dust with a dry microfibre cloth. Spray hinges and locks with WD40, then wash the door with warm soapy water and dry with a clean cloth. • For a quick style update, switch out any old, rusty hardware with co-ordinating handles. Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas, either – add a splash of colour with faux or real flowers for a cheery welcome. • If you have glass in or above your door, why not…

Can I get a refund for extra costs if I’m quarantined overseas? For unforeseen expenses, such as extra accommodation or a new flight home, start by asking your travel agent to see if they can help. You might be able to claim the money back through your insurance, which is why it’s important to choose the most comprehensive Covid-19 cover. Look for a policy that includes ‘disruption to travel’. If everything is closed when I arrive, can I get any money back? Only if you purchased a package that included a specific attraction and that was the main reason you booked the holiday. In this case you could argue that the attraction being closed counts as a ‘significant change’ under the Package Travel Regulations. If my cruise is cancelled or…

THE DETAILS PAINT £50 FURNITURE £371 GRASS £50 UPCYCLING MATERIALS £30 ACCESSORIES £200 TOTAL £701 SHOPPING LIST Corner sofa, from £189, Aldi. Egg chair, £149; Michigan bar stools, £18 each; plants, from £5, all B&M. For a similar throw try Jenson herringbone throw in Coral, £12; for a similar parasol try 3m Royal Craft crank and tilt parasol in Ivory, £75, both Dunelm. Cream plain throw, £10, The Range. Garden rug, £25, B&Q. Wicker chairs, £20 each, Facebook Marketplace. Bamboo tray, £7.99, JYSK.…

THE DETAILS SUMMER HOUSE £2,000 TILES £90 PAINT £67 FURNITURE £355 ACCESSORIES £109 TOTAL £2,621 SHOPPING LIST Regency Acapulco summer house, from £2,212, Elite Garden Buildings. Solstice Woven rattan 2-door sideboard, £280.50, Maison du Monde. Bamboo-effect 4-seater garden sofa set (only chair shown), £400, Argos. Bordeaux Arcachon floor tiles, £45.82 per sq m, TileFlair. Diamond Pink throw, £42, National Trust. For a similar crate try Beautiful wooden crate, £17.99, Premium Wooden Crates on Etsy. For similar desk try Sienna two-drawer desk in Ice Grey, £370, Perch & Parrow. Arles wicker-wrapped glass jug, £25; Arles wicker-wrapped glass, £6.50, both John Lewis & Partners. Yellow checked seagrass storage basket, £22.50, Oliver Bonas. For a similar ladder try bamboo ladder, £35, Next. Anchovies decorative storage tin, £9.95 for two, The Northern Line. Chalk…

USE NATURAL MATERIALS Plants – real or faux – aren’t the only way to tie your garden room in with the rest of the outdoor space. Layer up natural materials, such as jute, bamboo and rattan, for plenty of texture. PILE ON SOFT FURNISHINGS Bring home comforts outside with plenty of soft furnishings, but choose durable, outdoor-friendly materials (and bring them inside during bad weather). ADD CONTRAST WITH BLACK I’ve tied my Crittall doors into my scheme with lots of black – I love how the contrast brings out warm wood tones and greenery.…

‘We both enjoy decorating and we tend to earmark a weekend and then get the work done in one go’ ‘Before we bought this place, I was living with my mum just outside of Bristol,’ explains Bryony Critchley, ‘but, as I was spending most of my time at my partner Mark’s house in North Bristol, we decided it made sense to get a place together.’ The couple were looking to move closer to the city centre, but wanted something with a bit of outdoor space, too. Luckily, they found a property that provided everything they wanted – all it needed was a décor spruce-up. ‘When we came to view this place, the street looked really nice and the garden was a good size,’ recalls Bryony. ‘I loved the little quirks…

WE ARE Catherine Chowler, 51, a stay-at-home parent, my husband, David, 54, a Company Director, and our children, Harvey, 22, Libby, 20, Max, 16, and Ned, 13. OUR HOME IS an extended five-bedroom, 1960s terrace in Oxted, Surrey. We moved here in July 1999. I Instagram my interiors journey at @interiors71. MY STYLE IS neutral, but to prevent it looking two-dimensional and bland, I layer lots of subtle, patterned throws and cushions to soften the look. I also add accessories with texture and shape, such as candlesticks and faux foliage. MY FAVOURITE BUYS are one-off pieces that add a bit of individuality to my home. I shop on the high street all the time, but it’s important to have personal pieces to create a space that reflects me. FOR INSPIRATION…

VEGETARIAN Asparagus focaccia PREPARATION TIME 2 hours (including 1 hour 40 minutes for proving) COOKING TIME 40 minutes SERVES 8 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 500g strong bread flour ✔ 7g fast-action yeast ✔ 2 tsp fine salt ✔ 3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for the tin ✔ 2 echalion shallots ✔ 150g British asparagus ✔ 200g vegetarian mozzarella, drained ✔ 2 tbsp fresh green vegetarian pesto ✔ Pinch of sea salt DIRECTIONS ■ In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, yeast and salt and make a well in the middle. Add 2 tbsp olive oil to 350ml lukewarm water and stir to make a sticky dough (you may need slightly more water). ■ Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until…

When Emily Champion bought her two-bedroom, south-west London mansion flat in 2019, she fell for its size, character and quirks, but knew that it required extensive renovation. It had rotten wooden window frames, dodgy wiring, a leaking shower and lacked storage. ‘The flat was liveable and I loved all of its quirks. But it had become dated and a little unsafe, so a lot of work was done to remedy that,’ she says. Her inspiration was the Cotswolds. ‘Lots of London flats are super modern and that’s gorgeous, but it’s just not me. I’m all about the Shaker kitchen cupboards and stripped-back, exposed woodwork,’ says Emily. She gutted the flat and decamped to her family’s home while it was being updated. The old kitchen was replaced with chic farmhouse-style painted…

With summer in full swing, everyone’s making the most of the sunshine by getting out into the garden – so why not treat the children in your family to an outdoor playhouse? This tutorial shows you how to create a teepee-style design that will encourage creative play and offer a shady spot to shelter from the sun. The teepee is made from treated timber, then protected further with outdoor paint. Little ones can get involved, too, by helping to create their own painted design. If you’re pushed for time or not a fan of DIY, we’ve also picked three flat-pack options to buy. SHOPPING LIST For the base ✔ 1 x 1.2m x 1.2m x 122mm chipboard ✔ 2 x 2.4m x 48mm x 48mm treated timber ✔ 50 x…

QI’m going to renovate my kitchen – how should I plan for the plug sockets? Sam Miller, via email AHoward Solomons, Head of Design at Wandsworth Electrical, says… You’ll need to ensure the sockets are far enough away from water sources for safety. But it’s important to remember that your kitchen is a hard-working area, so the more outlets you have, the better. Think about the appliances you want and those you use a lot – you’ll want at least one twin socket per appliance. You should also be able to isolate large appliances, such as fridges. You can do this with a regular socket, but a more practical approach would be to use a fused switch for each large appliance. These can be tucked away as long they’re still…

A  Abode 01226 283434 abodedesigns.co.uk ad&i adandishop.co.uk Aldi aldi.co.uk Alusplash alusplash.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Anden madebyanden.co.uk Annabel James 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 770061 anniesloan.com AO.com 0161 470 1200 Argos argos.co.uk Artisan Homeware artisanhomeware.co.uk Asda asda.com Auburn Fox auburnfox.co.uk Audenza audenza.com B  B&M 0330 838 9000 bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3357 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Beards & Daisies beardsanddaisies.co.uk Beaumonde beaumonde.co.uk Beliani 020 3318 8222 beliani.co.uk Benuta benuta.co.uk Bergin & Bath berginandbath.co.uk Better Bathrooms 0871 244 0935 betterbathrooms.com Big Bathroom Shop 0345 1222 7569 bigbathroomshop.co.uk Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Blooming Artificial 0800 9777 589 bloomingartificial.co.uk Braided Rug Company 01654 767248 braided-rug.co.uk Burbidge Kitchen Makers 024 7667 1600 burbidgekitchenmakers.co.uk Burlington 01322 473222 burlingtonbathrooms.com C  Ca’ Pietra 01380 735886 capietra.com Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Checkatrade checkatrade.com…