Innehållsförteckning för August 2024 från Your Home

EDITOR’S LETTER From balmy evenings by the pool, to meals on the patio and lounging with your favourite book in the sun, summer breaks are bliss. But that feeling doesn’t need to end on the flight back - this issue is packed with ways to recreate that holiday vibe at home! Start with Mediterranean and tropical decor ideas aplenty on page 26, then find inspiration in cover star Anatolia’s colourful home (p52), which is equal parts Italian and Moroccan in its influences. And, to serve up delicious dinners al fresco, check out our quick-cook and no-cook recipes on page 104. If your summer holiday is still ahead of you, then our expert guide to securing your home (p92) is a must-read before you go. There are lots of free things…

Your August to-dos 1. Wash down your washing machine, both inside and out, paying particular attention to the rubber seal inside the door. 2. If your outdoor cushions and rugs are getting a lot of use this summer, vacuum them with the upholstery attachment to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris. 3. Get rid of any dust and hair that’s trapped in your home’s extractor fans and air bricks, to help increase airflow. 4. Give your outdoor bins and recycling boxes a clean, to prevent bad smells. Spray with disinfectant, scrub and rinse, then leave to dry naturally before using them again. 5. Wipe down the glass on your spotlights throughout the home, grease can built up. especially in the kitchen where…

HOW TO… keep a kitchen cool in summer Nobody wants to stand over a hot hob when it’s baking inside already. Here are our top tips for keeping cool as you cook! • Choose no-cook and quick-cook recipes that won’t require putting the oven on for long – or even at all. From salads to sandwiches, chilled soups to poke bowls, there are loads of super-tasty summer dishes that will fill you up without you having to break a sweat! Check out our nocook and quick-cook recipes on page 104. • Draw the curtains and drop the blinds. Although it’s tempting to let the sunshine stream through the windows during the summer months, this can rapidly start to heat up your kitchen. Blackout and reflective blinds are really effective heat…

CONSUMER NEWS Frequently asked questions… Are there any passes I can buy for cheap days out and dining? Try Kids Pass, which gives great savings all summer and all year! Simply join up, download the app and start saving. You can search for top-rated offer” find offers near you as well as track and record your savings. There are deals on days out at cinemas, theme parks, aquariums, trampoline parks and more. A 30-day trial is just £1, a monthly pass is £3.99, while an annual pass costs £39.99. Head to kidspass.co.uk to join and find out more. Is it worth paying for a streaming service for one month? Yes, definitely, as you can make good use of it on rainy afternoons. Kids will enjoy TV shows and movies on…

Refresh your windows Changing up the look of your windows can dramatically alter the way a room feels. So get that holiday style by choosing white voiles to create a light, flowing effect or be bold by adding bright, blue shutters for that Grecian vibe. ‘Transport yourself to the beautiful Greek isles with blue and white decor - a classic colour combination that exudes Mediterranean charm. Cobalt blue shutters are a great interior representation of Greek culture and the perfect window solution for that Mamma Mia! finish,’ says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys. Custom colour tracked shutters, from £768, Hillarys Whether you’ve already jetted off on your summer holiday or you’re keeping it local this year, make sure you banish the blues and recreate some of that vacation…

How to make sure you are choosing an eco-conscious kitchen Dave Young, founder of HUSK Kitchens, has this advice, ‘Always make sure your kitchen supplier is using FSC® certified wood, then you can be confident that it has been harvested from a forest managed in an environmentally sustainable way. Also, any kitchen made by hand in the UK will reduce its carbon footprint.’ You can also look for reclaimed or repurposed materials such as wall or floor tiles or wooden floorboards, and give old and unloved items a new lease of life by shopping at vintage markets and reclamation yards or upcycling things like old dining table and chairs. Reclaimed tiles and flooring tend to be more of an investment but you can balance out the cost by choosing more…

SHOPPING LIST • Length of green rope • sharp scissors or craft knife • green florist tape • florist wire • selection of fresh or faux flowers and foliage • battery-powered wire lights • heavy-duty Command hooks or heavyduty brass picture hooks HOW TO… 1 Measure out a piece of rope to your desired length. Cut to size using sharp scissors or a craft knife. Bind the ends with green florist tape to stop them unravelling. 2 Gather together a selection of foliage and flowers to create your garland. Cut down the stems on the foliage to various lengths and arrange different types of greenery together to create the desired texture and weight. To add bulk to delicate foliage, group a few stems together in small bunches, binding their stems…

SHOPPING LIST • Dresser • coarse, medium and fine grit sandpapers • old rag • old white wax candle • chalk paint • paintbrush • furniture finishing wax • round wax brush • soft lint-free cloth HOW TO… 1 Begin by thoroughly sanding the surface of the dresser to remove any old paint, varnish and grime. Start with a coarse grit sandpaper, then move to a medium grit sandpaper. Wipe away any dust and debris using a damp cloth. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly. Cover the worktop of the dresser carefully to protect it from any drips when you begin painting. 2 To create a resist for the paint, rub a candle over any decorative features and mouldings that you wish to highlight on your dresser. Also rub the…

SHOPPING LIST • Screwdriver • tape measure • pencil • MDF fluted panelling • jigsaw • sandpaper • damp cloth • paint or varnish • paintbrush • grab adhesive • G-clamps (optional) • combi drill HOW TO… 1 Begin by unscrewing any doors from your kitchen island unit. Remove any handles from the doors, if applicable. 2 Using a tape measure, measure the area of the island you wish to clad in fluted panelling, including any doors you have removed. Transfer these measurements using a pencil onto the reverse side of a sheet of MDF fluted panelling. 3 Carefully cut the panelling to size using a jigsaw. Use a fine grit sandpaper to sand smooth any uneven edges. Wipe away any dust or debris using a damp cloth and leave…

Vietnamese rice noodle salad with halloumi YOU WILL NEED For the carrot pickle ✔ 1 carrot, julienned ✔ 3 tbsp rice vinegar ✔ ½ tsp sugar ✔ pinch of salt For the dressing ✔ 2 tbsp fish sauce ✔ 1 small clove of garlic, crushed ✔ 1 red chilli, finely chopped ✔ 2 tbsp lime juice ✔ 1 tbsp rice vinegar ✔ 2 tsp sugar ✔ 1 tsp water For the salad ✔ 100g vermicelli rice noodles ✔ neutral oil, to fry ✔ 125g halloumi, cut into slices ✔ 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce ✔ a handful each of fresh mint and coriander leaves ✔ 1 little gem lettuce ✔ 2 tbsp salted peanuts, chopped ✔ 1 lime, cut into wedges DIRECTIONS ■ Combine the carrot pickle ingredients in a…

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BEST FOR BASIC BLENDING This new 700w blender has a simple design in black and stainless steel. It comes with one 700ml cup, the jar base with blades and a helpful lid for drinking. The blender blitzed biscuits and ice cream with no problem, making a milkshake in seconds. Ice was easy too; the manual provides specific instructions for creating crushed ice! However, after that, this manual wasn’t as clear as it could’ve been, which caused some confusion. In terms of cleaning, the cup is dishwasher safe, but you need to hand-wash the blades. This blender doesn’t have any additional functions, like others, but for the price, this is a good unit with plenty of power. BEST FOR EASE OF USE This powerful blender was quick to set up, though…

Brabantia has launched a range of stylish accessories, designed to make steaming clothes easier. We love the Door Steam Blanket, which is a great option at home or for travelling, as it fits neatly into an overnight bag or suitcase. Simply fold it out, then hang it on a door or wardrobe for an instant steaming board. The thick blanket protects the surface behind from heat and moisture, and stays firmly in place thanks to its handy hooks.…

WASTE NOT In its 140th year, heritage paint brand - and film and TV favourite - Mylands, has launched a range of upcycled, matt-finish paint for walls and ceilings. The base for the paint is made from a combination of scraps of sample colours, returned orders and remnants from making a batch of colour. It’s then grouped together in small, similarly coloured batches before being tinted to match any one of their 20 bestselling shades. The resulting paint costs £28 for 2.5L, so it’s a fantastic way to get your hands on luxury paint for less - while making your home more sustainable, too! mylands.com…

BEFORE STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Clare Buckley, 31, @threegirlsand abuildingsite, and I’m a design engineer. I live with my husband Corey, 31, a builder @cb_ constructionlimited, and our daughters, Evie Grace, four, and Isabelle, two. We bought our threebed semi in Nottingham in 2021. WHAT WAS UPDATED? My husband built the extension, we had a complete rewire, new plumbing, walls plastered, new floors and units. WHY THE CHANGE? The kitchen was small, dated and greasy. We wanted an open space so we could cook while the kids play. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? Corey started the extension when we got the house; we moved in three months later. It took two years to get everything fully finished. TOTAL COST £6,929 Having a husband who’s a builder proved to…

RED ALERT Kitchen renovators, pay attention! LochAnna Handmade has just dropped its latest designs, including this Lifford range. This modern kitchen is available in a curated palette of 33 hues, ranging from subtle neutrals to bold shades. Here, the Auburn is offset by the Stone colour on the countertops. The Lifford range starts from £11,510, with a full brochure available at lochannakitchens.co.uk.…

CLASSIC VINTAGE LUXE LESS Thanks to their elegance, traditional schemes are continually popular, and the timeless quality offers that longevity you need in a room you won’t want to renovate again in a hurry. So what’s the key? ‘Generally, it’s worth splashing out on high-quality, vintage-inspired fixtures like taps, as these are focal points,’ says Ruth Foster, interior design expert at Victoria Plum, ‘while you can save money on lighting and accessories by choosing stylish but budget-friendly options.’ NATURAL SANCTUARY If creating a calm haven is your priority then a natural scheme that connects you to nature could be the one. Choose tactile materials and soothing neutrals, advises Jorge Hernandez, head of design at Britton: ‘Natural materials including stone and wood often have a high price tag, but there are…

Keeping your property in good working order starts from the top! When it comes to the roof, it’s important to keep an eye out for any potential damage before it escalates. Roof repair and maintenance can be very costly, so it’s always better to tackle any issues in their early stages. From checking the loft for holes or leaks to knowing where to start when you need an entire roof replaced, we’ve got all the info and expert advice you need. 1 Inspect the interior In order to keep an eye out for any potential damage before it gets out of hand, it’s a good idea to regularly check your roof from the inside. ‘You should ideally be aiming to check your loft at least twice a year,’ advises Tim Warren,…

Q What are some free things I can do to keep my home secure while I’m away? Matt Parkes is marketing manager at Burg-Wächter. He works closely with a number of industry bodies, including the Master Locksmith Association, Secured by Design, and Sold Secure. He says… ‘It may seem simple, but making sure that all windows and doors are locked is the first step, and get into the habit of checking them too. Using a timer or smart plugs for lights when you’re not at home and leaving a radio on both help to give the impression that someone is in, and act as a deterrent to opportunistic burglars. Avoid showcasing valuable items that might attract would-be thieves peering through your windows. Also, make sure that ladders are not left…

With a multitude of shapes, sizes and styles to choose from, garden arbours, arches and pergolas make beautiful focal points in our gardens. These multifunctional structures can be used to divide the garden into separate zones, frame seating areas or provide uprights to support climbing plants. 1. Indoor-outdoor space A unique structure with generous dimensions that adds a separate room to your outdoor space. The laddered sides and roof panels provide a framework to hang lights from or to train plants against. It is supplied unpainted. Dining pergola, £859.99, Forest Garden 2. Walk this way Made from pressure-treated, sustainable, certified timber, this set of three arches lends a contemporary vibe to a garden’s design. Use them in a multitude of ways such as highlighting garden features or framing a walkway. Sleeper garden…

CUT OUT & KEEP! Chicken and broccoli salad with blue cheese dressing ■ PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes ■ COOKING TIME 15 minutes ■ SERVES 4-6 YOU WILL NEED For the salad ✔ 200g orzo or other small pasta shapes ✔ 1 whole head of broccoli ✔ 2 ready-cooked chicken breasts ✔ pomegranate seeds, to decorate For the dressing ✔ 75g mayonnaise ✔ 100g soured cream ✔ 100g crème fraîche or yoghurt ✔ 150g crumbled Stilton ✔ 2-3 chopped spring onions ✔ handful flat leaf parsley ✔ 1 lemon, juiced ✔ salt and pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS ■ Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, refresh under cold water and leave to cool. ■ Dice the broccoli florets and tender stems to equal size pieces. Remove the bottom of the…

TOP TIP Find office essentials in fun, energising colours to give your workday a boost…

Wonder stool I was looking for a small stool for our newly renovated bathroom-wet room. I love working with wood and found a piece in a local reclamation yard where I’ve sourced a few other pieces. Then, I came across the wooden stool project in Your Home’s April issue! This is my own take on it and I’m really pleased with the end product. I have plans, as the homeowner did in the magazine, to make several other variations as we work through our home. Carole-Ann Rushton, via email Mel, editor, says: We’re so thrilled to have inspired you, Carole-Ann! Your stool looks fantastic - please do keep us up to date with any new ones you make. Paint by numbers We wanted a new lampshade for an old lamp,…

BEST OVERALL Ninja’s hi-tech blender features two 700ml cups and spout lids, a powerful 1000w motor and its Auto-IQ functionality. It has four settings – Start/Stop, Pulse, Blend and Max Blend, which are clearly explained in the handbook. We used the Blend function, which is for making drinks with liquids and ice, and watched it work, while the timer counted down from 45 seconds. It made a delicious, smooth milkshake, despite filling the container with biscuits, ice and ice cream. This blender is pricey, but you get what you pay for. It is a quality item, able to manage whatever you throw at it – even seeds, skins and stems. The perfect kitchen addition for a budding home chef!…

CONSUMER NEWS STAY SAFE from holiday scammers Action Fraud urges holidaymakers to watch out for fraudsters online Victims lost £12.3 million to holiday fraud last year, so be safe when booking this year’s trip. • Do a thorough online search to ensure the company is credible. • Use a credit card when paying online. Most major providers protect online purchases. • Make sure they’re a licensed company and check they are properly accredited look for ATOL or ABTA protection • Use three random words as a strong password. Set up two-step verification. • Be cautious of unexpected messages offering unrealistic holiday deals. • Only fill in mandatory details on a website. Did you know? Thanks to new government legislation, tenants have the right to ask their landlord for permission to…

SPOTLIGHT ON STYLE FILE When the heat and colour of summer starts to feel intense, step into a shaded glade with this rustic but refined trend. Set the scene with calming greens and muted greys, then add floral prints in subtle shades for a dreamy effect. Use heritage detailing to ground your scheme but keep it feeling modern by picking clean, unfussy shapes. Opt for slatted vertical panelling instead of heavy Jacobean squares, and matt painted lighting styles rather than anything metallic or glitzy. You’ll create a scheme that looks elegant and sophisticated but, is still wild at heart. £5 AND UNDER Get the look for less with these quick updates THE MOODBOARD 1 Take it easy with effortless greens and foolproof floral prints…

EDiTOR’S CHOiCE…

Having enjoyed living in central Sheffield during their 20s, Beth and Rich Hastings were ready for a change of pace. Although they loved their three-bedroom Victorian terraced house, the small garden wasn’t ideal for starting a family or having a dog, so the pair started househunting in Edwinstowe, where they already had family. ‘I was visiting my sister when I noticed a “For Sale” sign outside this 1960s detached house,’ says Beth. ‘It had been on the market for a while and was really dated inside but I thought it was amazing, with a fantastic garden. It had such generous rooms, and although they were really drab, I just knew I could make it what I wanted.’ TIME FOR A CHANGE As Rich works from home, and Beth had been…

ON THE FLOOR Want to create your own bespoke flooring? Look no further than new UK brand Knot & Grain, which specialises in custom-made engineered wood floors. Via its website, you will be able to build your own floor from the ground up! Choose your ideal plank style, wood grade, thickness, colour, texture and finish you have total control over the look. Also, you can rest assured knowing that all the wood is sustainably sourced premium oak from France. Visit knotandgrain.com to start creating your unique design from 19th August.…

WATER WINNER Off on your holidays soon? While you might have a timer to water your outside plants, houseplants can be a bit trickier to manage. Thankfully, elho is here with a solution that means your growing greenery won’t have to go too long without a drink. Repot your plants into a self-watering insert, which is made using 100% recycled plastic, and pop it back in its decorative pot. Then fill the reservoir and you’re done! The inserts are available in 17cm - 43cm diameter pots, with prices starting from £8.49. elho.com…

SUMMER SIPPER Created in honour of its loyal fanbase, who voted on what flavour should be next, Bathtub Gin has launched its new Grapefruit & Rosemary edition. A balanced, juniperled gin, it’s bursting with fresh grapefruit and orange peel, with rosemary for a scent of a summer garden. This is a seasonal sipper that will give G&Ts a zesty, fragrant depth, and add a summery spin to Negronis. Every 700ml bottle is hand-wrapped, strung in distinctive paper and waxed, and can be found in Sainsbury’s for £32.…

Shake it up IT’S SIMPLE To make a simple syrup, gently heat equal parts water and white sugar in a saucepan, bring to the boil and stir until combined. It’s ready to use once cool How to make ■ PREPARATION TIME 4 minutes ■ SERVES 1 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 30ml gin ✔ 30ml red vermouth ✔ 30ml campari ✔ 30ml lemon juice ✔ 20ml simple syrup ✔ 20ml egg white To garnish ✔ Mixologist’s Garden lemon slices DIRECTIONS ■ Put all the ingredients except the lemon slices into the base of a cocktail shaker (do not add ice), secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to build up the foam. ■ Add a large handful of ice to the shaker and shake hard again for another 30-45…