Innehållsförteckning för Decorating Special 2023 från Your Home

EDITOR'S LETTER Our Decorating Special is back! We've packed in more inspiring ideas, practical projects and savvy tricks than ever to help you create the home of your dreams. Whether you've got a mission in mind, or you're itching to switch things up but you don't know how, we've got you covered… To spark your imagination, start with our real homes (p81) and makeovers (p28). This month's homeowners are especially creative, like Karen (right) who transformed her stunning living room with an orange and grey palette. As a special extra this issue, we have step-by-step guides to show you how to recreate a statement feature from each the makeovers – get Karen's wallpapered panel look on page 32. That's not the only extra we have for you – keep an…

HOW TO… deep clean windows Let's face it – how often do we really clean our windows? It's recommended that they're cleaned once or twice a year, although if you're in a high-traffic area you might want to do this more often. While it's tempting to splurge on a window-cleaning tool if you have large (or lots of) panes, cleaning them isn't as time-consuming as you think. Read on for our top tips to get your windows gleaming… • Firstly, pick a warm yet slightly overcast day to clean your windows. If the sun is shining onto your windows, they'll dry too quickly and you'll be left with streaks before you can wipe off the water! • Dust the windows thoroughly (make sure you open them when you do this…

Scan me Learn how to create a wallpaper feature wall yourhomestyle.uk…

BEFORE STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? I'm Paula Morton (@unfinished_reno14), 56, a psychotherapist. I live with my husband, Andrew, 58, a social worker, our youngest daughter, Jess, 22, and Michael, our cat. Our home is a three-bedroom, Edwardian terrace built in 1912, in Stockport, Greater Manchester. WHAT WAS UPDATED? I colourblocked the walls and added DIY panelling and bold wallpaper, as well as upcycled accessories and lots of clever storage solutions. WHY THE CHANGE? The bedroom has had a few makeovers over the years, but was tired-looking and in need of a refresh, ready for when Jess returned from travelling. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? With the help of my husband, I finished the room inside a week. TOTAL COST £845 Paula Morton and her husband, Andrew, moved into this…

ARTISAN FEEL ‘Curate Japandi vibes by choosing simple, yet functional, kitchen accessories that showcase real craftsmanship and natural materials. Minimalist art prints in muted green tones will bring a further element of nature and calm into your space.’ Lex Ievers, Buying Manager at Fy! One of this year's leading trends for interiors continues to be the sleek and simple Japandi look. A blend of functional Japanese design and natural Scandinavian style, it's brilliant for kitchens, as it allows you to use your space in a calm and ordered way. For instant appeal, add natural or textured materials for light fittings and accessories – think rattan, bamboo and jute – and bring the outside in with plenty of potted plants. Keep the overall scheme light and fresh with lots of white…

Top tip No glass in your picture frame? Trace the leaf template directly onto fabric and embroider it instead, using contrasting thread. Find easy embroidery techniques at gathered.how DRIED FLOWER FRAME SHOPPING LIST ✔ 13 x 18cm wooden floating picture frame ✔ glass cleaner and cloth ✔ dried or pressed flowers ✔ scissors ✔ parchment paper and heavy book (optional) ✔ tweezers (optional) 1 Open the picture frame and take out both glass panels. Remove any labels and pictures from the glass, then wipe clean with a cloth and glass cleaner to remove any glue or fingerprints. 2 Choose your flower selection (we went with pressed flowers in shades of pink and purple). You need the flowers to be as flat as possible, so carefully trim off the backs of…

Change up your home décor with this clever hack. To create this faux wallpaper effect and give a room a new look, all you need is masking tape and tester pot paints. It's quick, easy and ideal if you're in a rental property – if you move out (or just fancy a change) simply remove the tape! SHOPPING LIST ✔ tape measure ✔ masking tape ✔ matt emulsion paint (we used Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball) ✔ laser level (optional) ✔ small sponge ✔ paint brush (optional) Top tip Look out for brightly coloured masking tape to create an extra punchy feature wall 1 Remove any shelves and picture fittings from the wall and wipe it down with warm water. Allow it to dry completely, preferably overnight, otherwise the…

PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 15 minutes SERVES 2-3 Prosciutto and asparagus spaghetti YOU WILL NEED ✔ 350g dried spaghetti ✔ good glug of olive oil ✔ 90g prosciutto slices, finely chopped ✔ 2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled ✔ ¼ tsp dried chilli flakes ✔ 2 bunches asparagus, chopped ✔ 50g finely grated Parmesan ✔ 1½ tbsp chopped fresh spring onions or chives ✔ 1½ tbsp chopped fresh parsley DIRECTIONS ■ Cook the pasta in a saucepan of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving approx. 2 tbsp cooking liquid. Return the pasta and reserved liquid to the saucepan ■ Lightly steam the asparagus in a steam oven (around 3 minutes at 100 per cent humidity) or simply add a sieve above the pasta saucepan for the…

Anna-Lisa De'Ath Interiors editor, writer & maker @mycrafty countrylife David Gardiner Project Manager at Woodpecker Flooring woodpeckerflooring.co.uk Hayley Burke Founder of The DIYist @thediyist.com_ @thediyist How to remove paint from furniture by sanding? Upcycling queen Anna-Lisa De'Ath talks us through her tried-and-tested sanding advice Move the item to an outdoor location. When selecting sandpaper, pick paper that contains aluminium oxide, garnet or ceramic. These agents work best to smooth the wood. Attach 40- to 60-grit sandpaper to a sanding block or palm sander. This is coarse grit, so it can damage the wood if you apply too much pressure. Rub the sandpaper over the wood with the grain of the wood to remove the old paint. Change the paper as necessary. Switch to 80- to 120-grit sandpaper. Working with the…

Dried flowers, seed heads and grasses are enjoying a booming Renaissance in our homes. Their long shelf-life and eco-friendly credentials make them ideal for fashioning into wreaths, hand-tied arrangements and table centrepieces. 1. Limonium sinuatum Commonly known as sea lavender or statice, this easy-to-grow annual is tolerant of a wide range of conditions once established, including drought. Seeds are available in single or mixed colour combinations and should be planted in full sun. 2. Eryngium giganteum ‘Miss Willmott's Ghost’ The sculptural flower heads of this eryngium (also called sea holly) make it an ideal material for using in long-lasting arrangements. The plants grow best in sunny sites with poor soil and good drainage. Seeds sown this year will produce foliage, with flowers emerging the following year. 3. Hydrangeas The large flower heads…

FOR STOCKISTS SEE p127 HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET Dunelm We can't wait for the return of an al fresco lunch or cup of tea in the sun, and Dunelm's Artisan spring/summer 2023 collection is all about stylish, multifunctional pieces that can be moved outside when the clouds disappear. Its Design Director, Debbie Drake, says ‘Our Artisan collection is the very best of relaxed, indoor and outdoor living. We've used textures and tones intended to be layered so you can mix-and-match the pieces to give your space a unique feel.’ Boutique boudoir Bring hotel-inspired interior style to your bedroom with a luxurious padded headboard. While you can make one yourself, we love this bed from DFS which is finished in beautiful soft-touch velvet sculpted into an on-trend fluted design. It…

From decorating to major building work, here's how to find and hire the right people for the job Frequently asked questions.. How do I find a reputable tradesperson? Ask family and friends to recommend tradespeople they've used and been happy with. Check registered associations (see Useful Contacts, below) to find approved traders in your area. You can also find tradespeople and read reviews of their work at various comparison sites (again, see Useful Contacts, below). Heating engineers and plumbers who will be working with boilers should be Gas Safe Registered. To check if an electrician is qualified, ask for their NICEIC registration number and ID card. What do I do if my tradesperson is unreliable? It's fair enough if they run a little late, or let you know if they're…

Transform your home into a creative sanctuary by expressing your artistic vision through home décor. You won't need to call the muse to achieve your interior masterpiece, simply adopt a more relaxed approach to decorating. Choose primary blues and reds for your big focal pieces, then introduce washed-out secondary tones like ocean teals and terracotta to restore the colour balance, bringing in rich wood furniture to act as an anchor. Incorporate artwork and sculptural pieces to your existing furnishings that speak the same colour language. Meanwhile, style paint brushes and art supplies in full view to maximise your living space – adapting a single-use room into a creative, hybrid living area. £10 AND UNDER Get the look for less with these quick updates…

BEFORE STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? Lois Connors, 39, an interiors content creator (@colourfulleopard). I live here with my husband Nick, 45, a digital director, and our two boys, Nolen, 13, and Heath, 10. We bought our three-bedroom Victorian terraced house in April 2021. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We increased the size of the island to include extra storage and a breakfast bar, and injected some bold decorating choices, including floral wallpaper and purple walls. WHY THE CHANGE? The original kitchen was very white and clinical, and when we looked closely we could see it was all a bit shabby. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? It took a week to install the units and a couple of days in total to wallpaper and paint, which we did in stages. TOTAL COST…

SPICE UP your life How many spices have you bought but have only used a couple of times? Find new ideas for them in The Modern Spice Rack by Esther Clark and Rachel Walker (£22, Hardie Grant). With recipes that cover everything from brunch through to dessert, including Turkish eggs (pictured), cumin lamb noodles and Masala chai ice cream, you're sure to find new ways to elevate everyday meals. START AFRESH Little Moons mochi sorbet is now available in travel-friendly packs of two, so you can add a refreshing lift to your day when you're on the move. We love the Very Berry mixed berry sorbet which is studded with pieces of raspberry and wrapped in soft and chewy Japanese mochi dough. A pack is priced at £2.20 from Co-op.…

INDUSTRIAL WINDOW hack APeople who live in glass houses… probably enhance their privacy with reeded window film. Don't let your transparent abode leave you feeling exposed or self-conscious. Use the sleek and stylish reeded film from Purlfrost to create a hidden sanctuary at home. Bifold doors, skylights, and even glass-fronted cabinets and furniture can all be transformed. For an industrial edge, paint window trims and door casings in jet black to give a standout, sophisticated feel. MADE IN THE SHADE Looking to upgrade your outdoor space without breaking the bank? Opt for an awning for a more versatile patio spot. Measuring 3 x 4m, this new shade from The Range provides ample cover to shelter from the sun's glare, plus it comes with a remote control – so you can…

Plant OF THE MONTH If you're looking for a drought-tolerant perennial for your plot, the Sanguisorba ‘Tanna’ in the berry-rich Burnet colour is a fantastic choice. The tall, deep-red blooms burst open from midsummer to early autumn and, though the flowers are stunning, you'll also love the plant's attractive blue-grey foliage. Position it in a mixed herbaceous bed to add vertical interest or pair with grasses for a naturalised effect. This fully hardy Sanguisorba will reach 50cm high, and is best planted in full sun or partial shade in moist soil that won't dry out. THE CALL OF THE WILD Calling nature lovers of all ages! Get ready for the wildest month of the year with The Wildlife Trusts’ big nature challenge: 30 Days Wild. Every day throughout June, this…

Ultimate fine line masking tape 19mm, £3.59, Harris This tape is narrower than most of the other tapes on test (measuring 19mm) and designed for ultimate precision, so it was very flexible, great around corners and worked well on wonky walls. Easy to apply and remove in one piece, the tape was also very tacky and stuck to different surface types (including textured wallpaper and gloss paint) with ease. No paint seeped through and it didn't pull any paint away. FrogTape delicate surface masking tape, £5.30, Wickes The priciest on test, we expected impressive results from FrogTape's yellow tape, which is designed for delicate surfaces. Its patented PaintBlock technology seals the edges of the tape, which gave good crisp lines with only the smallest bit of feathering at one end.…

GET THE LOOK Lilac & yellow Create an indoor oasis of calm and happiness by blending the tranquil hues of lilac with the warm, buttery glow of yellow. Mother nature herself often employs this harmonious pairing in the petals of her garden blooms. To infuse your space with the spirit of spring, take cues from the charming irises and pansies, and intermingle soft pastel textiles and accessories. Complement your design with whitewashed wooden furniture and walls painted in the ethereal shades of lilac, resulting in a delicately alluring ambience. REACH FOR THE STARS Decorating a shared bedroom can be a tough gig, particularly when it is shared between brothers and sisters. Get them stargazing and tie their 50:50 shared space together with a gender-neutral wallpaper they will love. The Falling…

BEFORE STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? Karen Cook, 42, a location shoot manager (@upstyleyourhome) and interior designer. I live in a detached, Victorian gothic villa in Teddington, West London, with my husband Stuart, 45, a management consultant, daughter Emily, aged nine, and twins Sam and Seth, six. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We gave the living room a makeover, going over to the dark side with charcoal walls and woodwork, and adding jungle-themed mural panels. WHY THE CHANGE? The walls were bland, so the whole space felt boring to look at. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? We did the initial panelling and painting four years ago, which took a week, then added the mural panels recently, which took two days. TOTAL COST £3,898 Karen Cook and her husband, Stuart, knew they had…

Uplifting oasis This serene scheme is the equivalent of taking in a breath of fresh air Whether it's your dining table or spare room, work-from-home set-ups should be somewhere you can have a clear head, and this is just the palette for such a space. The dominant colour is lilac – a soothing shade of purple complemented well by ocean blues and grounding stone. Play around with the vibrancy of this look – pale shades will make the room feel light and airy, while more punchy pastels will help to increase the positive energy in the room. Colour expert ‘Transform a living space into the holiday you are dreaming of – this colour combination captures the feeling of lying on warm sand with a cool breeze on your skin.’ Marianne…

FIVE-STAR style We're all starry-eyed over Tile Mountain's Lylia tile collection, which comes in a variety of shades. Geometric tile designs have remained popular over the last few years, with these giving a charming twist on the look with a weathered and subtle matt effect. Constructed from durable vitrified ceramic, they're wellsuited to higher traffic areas. BOLD BOTANICALS Those with green fingers will be keen to get their hands on Habitat's first design collaboration with Kew Gardens, to create a dinnerware range. The collection takes inspiration from the rare and endangered plants that are housed in Kew's iconic glasshouses and gardens. Andrew Tanner, Head of Design at Habitat, says: ‘We set out to capture the essence of Kew Gardens, exploring the unique markings, colours and patterns found in nature, and…

Top tip If your rug is very thick, it may be hard to get your needle all the way through it. In this case, work your couching stitches by passing the needle through the top layer of the rug pile only Spruce up your floors with a DIY design inspired by traditional Berber crafts. Berber communities originate from the Atlas mountains in North Africa, spanning countries such as Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Their distinct aesthetic features shapes that have special meanings, and these were often incorporated into gorgeous woven looped rugs. Try our project using coloured rope to add pattern to a plain rug, and invite the beautiful Berber style into your home. SHOPPING LIST ✔ Natural rug, we used Jute design woven rug, 80 x 150cm, £35, Dunelm ✔…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Broad bean, asparagus and mint salad ■ PREPARATION AND COOKING TIME 20 minutes ■ SERVES 4 as a side YOU WILL NEED ✔ 200g fresh peas, shelled or frozen ✔ 200g broad beans, podded or frozen ✔ 400g asparagus, trimmed ✔ 3 tbsp olive oil ✔ 40g parmesan cheese, finely grated ✔ small handful of fresh mint, chopped ✔ 1 lemon, zested and juiced ✔ salt and pepper ✔ 1 bag of baby spinach ✔ 125g buffalo mozzarella cheese DIRECTIONS ■ Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the peas, broad beans and asparagus to the pan and cook for 3 minutes. ■ When cooked, drain. Pinch off the skins off the broad beans and add them, the peas and the asparagus…

It's highly likely that the wedge-shaped area under your stairs isn't fulfilling its potential. In many homes it's used to store the vacuum cleaner, ironing board and clutter that probably hasn't seen the light of day for years, so there's absolutely no excuse for not clearing it out and converting it into a usable space. Options include streamlining your storage, creating a cloakroom, work area, or reading nook – even a den for your dog. All these ideas are easy to achieve and will add value to your home… 1 KEEP STORAGE OPTIONS OPEN The advantage of an open area under the stairs, rather than one that's boxed in, is that access is easier – however, keeping it tidy when everything's on display can be an ongoing battle. You'll need to…