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Tags: magazine magazine homestyle
Year: 2024
Text
WIN! £3,920 OF FANTASTIC PRIZES!
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FOR
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17 CHIC
RENTAL
REVAMPS
THAT WON’T
LOSE YOUR
DEPOSIT
New season colours to
dial up your decor
I wanted my living
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positive vibes!
Dream bedroom schemes
for a restful night’s sleep
Shop
the
latest
looks
42
pages of
gorgeous
real homes &
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STUNNING
KITCHENS
Smart ideas for
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traditional
spaces
INSP O FOR EVERY ROOM
Stylish real homes
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Give your home a relaxed feel
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his issue is filled with inspiration to help
you give your home a fresh look for the
new season and beyond, from the prints and
colour palettes in our beautiful florals inspired
Decorator’s Moodboards on page 59 to our preview
of the biggest and best trends for spring/summer 2024 on
page 67, you’re sure to find plenty of ideas to suit your interior style.
Also in this issue, we bring you ideas for stylish kitchen and
bathroom redos, from modern and traditional kitchen schemes
(page 92) to easy bathroom updates (page 69) and expert tips for
creating a stunning shower space (page 100).
This month’s five gorgeous real homes and room makeovers
are also packed with ideas to steal. Louisa’s home (page 20) is
filled with mood-boosting pops of colour, cute prints and vintage
touches. Gareth and his partner Paul spent years perfecting their
eclectic interior style (page 32) with a mix of retro and modern
pieces, clever upcycling and rich and cosy colours. For a masterclass
in combining calm neutrals with bold accents to create a soothing
yet interesting space, flip to Annabel’s home on page 46. Plus, this
issue’s room transformations include our cover star Kristabel’s
colourful living room (page 80) and Dilly’s cheerful beach hut
inspired kitchen reno (page 86).
We’d love to hear about your latest decorating ventures, so don’t
forget to tag us on Instagram @homestylemaguk when you post
your pics – and if you have a decorating dilemma, email a photo
of your problem room to homestyle@ourmedia.co.uk
and we’ll do our best to help. Happy decorating!
14
69
PS. Don’t miss it
The next issue of HomeStyle is on sale 5th March
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YourHomeStyle
Contents
MARCH
decorating & styling
12 The wishlist
Discover new bedding collections, a chic sofa
collaboration and stylish stationery
14 Colour crush… candy pink
Pair this oh-so-sweet shade with other pastels
59
Decorator’s moodboards
Embrace blooms with three schemes that are
bang up-to-date for this season
67
Dial up your decor with these new trends
Gorgeous spring schemes for 2024 – plus, how to
get them for less
74
17 chic renter-friendly revamps
Living in a rented property doesn’t mean you
should have to sacrifice style
92
Modern vs traditional kitchen ideas
Whether you’re team contemporary or prefer a
classic look, we share some kitchen inspiration
100 Create a stunning showering space
Transform your bathroom into a sanctuary
reader homes
20
32
46
8
80
86
92
shopping
74
4
yourhomestyle.uk
‘Our home is now packed with colour’
Louise transformed her plain rental into a joyous
space with bright hues and patterns
‘We spent years creating this eclectic look’
Upcycled and secondhand pieces have helped
Gareth create a vintage vibe in his home
‘My home feels so calm and collected’
After unexpected renovation work, Annabel’s
home now has a tranquil Japandi theme
‘My living room radiates positive vibes’
Cover star Kristabel injected new life into her
living room using DIY decor and travel souvenirs
‘Beach huts inspired my pastel kitchen’
Rather than rip out a functional design, Dilly had
her cupboards resprayed in sorbet shades
08 Shop the high street
Check out our selection of the best new releases
the high street and web have to offer right now
16 Style insider… bookends
Turn an untidy pile of paperbacks into an Instaworthy shelfie with these decorative bookends
28 Secret garden
Use butterfly, bird and bee motifs for a spring feel
31 5 of the best… pillows
Celebrate National Bed Month and World Sleep
Day by upgrading your old pillow
40 Rustic townhouse
Add eclectic charm to your home
43 8 of the best… mid-season throws
Stave off the last chilly evenings with our picks
54 Luxe Japandi
Hints of gold and marble elevate this look
57 8 of the best… statement lamps
Brighten up a gloomy corner with fun lighting
84 Joyful eclectic
Dial up the dopamine using colour and pattern
90 Sorbet sundae
Serve up pink, turquoise, green and lilac hues
96 5 of the best… temperature control kettles
Make your morning brew more efficient
Contents
Interior design is a
creative way to have
a meaningful impact
in people’s lives
12
Tara Rodrigues, page 113
14
making
30
Frill cushion
Sew a ruffled envelope-style cushion cover
42
Windowpane mirror
Create a Crittall-effect mirror with this IKEA hack
56 Olive sprig wreath
Celebrate nature with a rustic wreath DIY project
cooking
67
106 Midweek meals
Switch up your meal plan with these easy-tofollow recipes, all using a storecupboard hero
108 Teatime treats
Enjoy a bit of baking, whether you tackle a
showstopper or prefer something quick
106
regulars
06 Meet the team
The HomeStyle crew and contributors share
what they keep on their bedside tables
44 Subscribe to HomeStyle and receive…
a set of polka dot Emma Bridgewater egg cups!
58 #myHShome
Our selection of your fantastic pics this month
97 Savvy home solutions
Brilliant buys to make home life simpler and
more sustainable
104 Ask the experts…
Marigolds at the ready – we’re tackling deep
cleaning this month!
113 We chat to...
Winner of The Big Interiors Battle, Tara
Rodrigues, about her journey to
becoming an interior designer
115 Coming next month
Take a peek at our fantastic DIY special issue
– it’s packed with brilliant ideas!
ON OUR COVER
90
PLUS
WIN PRIZES!
Win! An Ickle Bubba nursery
bundle, a smart home security
system and a £125 B&M voucher
to spend in-store (p55)
Win! A luxury brushed brass
shower space from Lakes,
worth up to £1,737 (p99)
HOMESTYLE
LOVES! 84
43
28
March 2024
5
MEET THE TEAM
EDITORIAL
Editor Kirstie Duhig
Creative Design Lead Tricia Ball
Creative Designer Beth Charlton Lucas
Homes Commissioning Editor Michelle Grady
Staff Writer Hannah Tribe
Production Editor Sophie Ellis
Digital Editor Rebecca Messina
It’s World Sleep Day this month – the ideal time to
perfect your sleep routine. Get to know the HomeStyle
team and find out what’s on our bedside tables...
ADVERTISING
Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones
Senior Advertising Manager Heather Golden
Advertising Manager Emelie Arnold
Commercial Brand Lead Emily Savill
Senior Brand Sales Executive Harry Jorden
Brand Sales Executive James Phillips
Ad Co-ordinator Molly Websdell
Ad Designer Cee Pike
Ad Designer Andrew Hobson
MARKETING AND PRODUCTION
Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris
Direct Marketing Executive Emma Hunter
Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson
Production Director Sarah Powell
Production Manager Emily Mounter
Production Co-ordinator Lauren Morris
Head of Brand Marketing Rosa Sherwood
Senior Digital Marketing Executive Laura Nightingale
Digital Marketing Assistant Shaye Pakes
SOPHIE ELLIS
HANNAH TRIBE
Production Editor
Staff Writer
‘My SAD lamp is a year-round
fixture as I use the alarm on it,
too. There’s also a stack of books
forming a literal TBR pile.’
‘I have a cream Roberts Revival
radio, which not only looks
super sweet, but means I can
fall asleep listening to the radio.’
REBECCA MESSINA
MICHELLE GRADY
Digital Editor
Homes Editor
‘Although my nightstand is fairly
small, there’s still room for my
favourite skincare products and
a glass of water’.
‘A book, as I always read before
bed to wind down, and a cute
little jewellery dish with my
initial on, from Oliver Bonas.’
PUBLISHING
Managing Director Andrew Davies
CEO Andy Marshall
CONTACT
HomeStyle at
Our Media Ltd, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST
Advertising enquiries:
Tel: 0117 300 8805
Subscription enquiries:
Email: ourmediashop.com/contactus
Editorial enquiries
Email: homestyle@ourmedia.co.uk
Tel: 0117 927 9009
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
© Our Media Ltd 2024,
member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Unsolicited manuscripts
and transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publisher
incurs no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine
may not be reproduced without permission. All prices are correct at the time
of going to press. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in
respect of any products, goods or services that may be advertised or referred
to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any
such advertisements or references. HomeStyle is published by Our Media Ltd,
Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST, UK. Every effort has been made
to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being
used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner,
acknowledgment will be made in a future issue. Our Media Ltd is working to
ensure that all of its paper comes from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests
and other controlled sources. This magazine is printed on Forest Stewardship
Council® (FSC®) certified paper. This magazine can be recycled, for use in
newspapers and packaging. Please remove any gifts, samples or wrapping
and dispose of them at your local collection point. We abide by IPSO’s rules
and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit
ourmedia.co.uk, email editorialcomplaints@ourmedia.co.uk or write to
Legal, Our Media Ltd, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST.
Photo Jon Cottam / licenced by Channel 4
And here are some of the talented people we
couldn’t have made this issue without…
In this month’s
interview on page
113, we chat to
interior designer
Tara Rodrigues
about life after
winning Channel 4’s
The Big Interiors
Battle… ‘I have a
stunning table lamp,
my manifestation
journal and two or
three candles.’
Colette Earley
caught up with our
cover star Kristabel
on page 80…
‘My bedside table
must-haves are
always a book (I’m
currently reading
The Alchemist!), a
lavender spray and
my mushroom
lamp, which gives
off a relaxing glow.’
‘I keep an electronic
diffuser from The
White Company by
my bedside, along
with sleep-inducing
essential oils,’ says
interiors writer
Anna-Lisa De’Ath.
‘You’ll also find an
Amazon Echo Dot,
which I use as both
an alarm clock and a
speaker for music.’
Shop the
high street
ON-TREND
DESIGN
Bobbin floor
lamp, £200
Check out our edit of the best new collections
the high street and web have to offer right now
JOHN LEWIS
& PARTNERS
More is more
Create an eclectic look that
combines personal touches with
trending statement pieces. Layer
colours, patterns and textures for
a bold and beautiful scheme
Foxmoor dining table, £899; woven
cane dining chair, £179; velvet frill
cushion, £40; scallop cushion, £25; striped
urn vase, £15; diamond jute rug, £300;
scalloped tray, £25; Flora side plate, £6;
Aster side plate, £8; John Lewis + Matthew
Williamson bobbin mirror, £199; East End
Prints Inoui ‘French Fries’ framed print,
from £40, all John Lewis & Partners
Aria
cushion, £35
BLUE HUES
ARE IN THIS
SEASON
Scallop edge
tray, £22
Burano stripe table lamp, £65
Bright idea
Bobbin 3 drawer
chest in Blue, £499
8
yourhomestyle.uk
A tangerine shade
will add a cheerful
splash of colour
Best-buy edit
Woven geo cushion, £14; textured plain cushion,
£10; woven stripe cushion, £12; Black metal round
tray, £8; Grey tumblers, £7.50 for 2; beaded tassel
garland (on table), £5; woven wall discs (on table),
£20; Black ceramic bowl, £14; dark wood frame, £6,
all Matalan
In neutral
For the ultimate
villa look, limewash
your walls in soft
beige or pale white
MATALAN
Simple pleasures
Relax into a warm, Mediterranean
scene with Matalan’s Casa range,
which will add holiday vibes to your
home. A refined, minimal colour
palette creates an unfussy look
ADD LOTS OF
GREENERY
A LARGE
PLANTER
ADDS DRAMA
Speckled candle
holder, £8
Arch mirror,
£14
Nod to nature
Feature Hannah Tribe
Mango wood
footed bowl, £15
Plastic planter,
£8.50
This scheme is rich with textures
inspired by the natural world
March 2024
9
Conway extending dining table,
£899; Newman dining chairs,
£230 for 2; Alora easy fit shade,
£75; ceramic pillar and taper
candle holder, £14, all Next
NEXT
Well grounded
This year’s trend of earthy shades
is key to Next’s Clay Desert Tones
collection. The Japandi and
mid-century inspired pieces will
elevate a minimalist look
In detail
Add sculptural
shapes for contrast
Retro Rust
vase, £28
Black
candelabra, £26
DARK WOOD
CREATES A
RICH LOOK
Stripe
cushion, £18
Miller side
table, £250
Line up!
Stella ribbed bouclé
storage stool in
Rust Brown, £75
10
yourhomestyle.uk
Add plenty of pattern
to avoid making the
scheme feel too flat
Best-buy edit
NHM dodo embroidery
cushion, £30
NHM Tropical
Kaleidoscope doormat, £8
NHM Wildlife
Garden candle, £10
USE AS
STORAGE
AFTER
NHM Tropical Kaleidoscope duvet cover set, from £32,
bedspread, £75; NHM bolster cushion, £16; NHM
tropical shade, £25; Alara pleated velvet bed in Rust,
from £479; NHM parrot floor lamp, £129; NHM Marlow
Tropical Treasures print chair, £629; NHM Majestic Tropics
cushion, £30; Boulton 3 drawer chest, £599; Boston wool
border rug in Teal, £129, all Dunelm
QUIRKY
ACCENT
LIGHTING
NHM dodo
plug-in wall
light, £35
Bold and bright
Combine these prints
with jewel tones of
rich blue and orange
NHM storage
books,
£15 for 2
Hideaway
Store away any
clutter to allow the
patterns and prints to
shine in your scheme
DUNELM
Jungle fever
Dunelm’s collaboration with the
Natural History Museum is back
with a new look. These highly
detailed and embellished pieces
are inspired by the tropics
March 2024
11
Ted Baker Brompton
grande sofa in Burgundy
Regent Chenille, £1,899, DFS
NEW COLLAB
Fashion
for furniture
Ted Baker Buchanan
accent chair in Terracotta
Painted Bloom, £849, DFS
Give your living space an upgrade
with rich colours, eye-catching
prints and sumptuous fabrics. The
latest collaboration between DFS
and Ted Baker sees sofas, armchairs,
footstools and cushions given the
brand’s signature sophisticated look.
Super soft velvet, classic chenille
and luxurious bouclé bring strong
silhouettes to life, with metallic
buttons, badges and trims turning
furniture into a fashion statement.
We love the Painted Bloom pattern
for introducing a touch of classic Ted
Baker style into our schemes.
Welcome to our edit of the latest collections, collaborations and releases.
Here’s what we’re excited about this month…
W
R
EA
E LOVI N G
…
stylish
stationery gifts
Whether you’re treating a friend or yourself,
you’ll instantly fall in love with these chic
letterbox gifts. The box arrives with eight stunning
piece of stationery, including notebooks, a sticker
sheet, paperclip, pen and greetings card – perfect
for your bestie who has a thing for keeping
organised, or for perking up your own planner!
notesandclips.etsy.com
Vintage Pink reversible velvet throw,
£250; Pink ruffle heart cushion, £40;
Black and Natural leaf ruffle heart
cushion, £40; Black and Natural
reversible cotton throw, from £65;
vintage Pink star velvet cushion, £38,
all Rockett St George
Sink into softness
The latest drop from Rockett St George has left us swooning – velvet star cushions,
reversible velvet throws and plenty of pink provide the perfect excuse to give your
bed or sofa a glow-up and extend cosy season a little longer. Designed in the UK
and crafted in India using hand-dyed velvet and artisan block printed cotton, the
exclusive pieces add a fun touch on their own, or look fabulous when piled up. And
who doesn’t love a ruffle heart cushion? rockettstgeorge.co.uk
12
yourhomestyle.uk
Blush Pink stationery letterbox
gift, £24, Notes and Clips
Wishlist
COLOURFUL GLASSWARE
Vintage
appeal
save
vs
splurge
Welcome spring into your home with a
classic mix of florals for an effortlessly chic vibe.
Next’s collaboration with Shabby Chic by Rachel
Ashwell spans bed linen, rugs, lighting, furniture
and dinnerware to help you make that transition
into the lighter, warmer months with ease.
Influenced by flea market finds over the years,
Rachel has created a range that incorporates
beauty, comfort and function. The pieces have
delicate details for a finish that exudes
understated glamour in your boudoir,
at your dinner table and beyond.
next.com
£15
Florence coupe
glasses, £15 for 2,
Dunelm
£50
Gems champagne/
cocktail glass in
Assorted Amber or
Assorted Garnet, both
£50 for 4,
LSA International
Step back in time
If mid-century modern and
retro Scandinavian design is a bit
of you, then you’ll love flicking
through the photographs in
this book. Take a tour around
17 inspiring homes, from a
minimalist loft in London to a
colourful home in 1960s Palm
Springs. You won’t be able to
resist giving your space a touch
of these iconic looks. Retro
Revival by Andrew Weaving (£25,
CICO Books) is available now.
Delilah loveseat sofa, £699; Sadie
bench, £199; Sadie stool, £120;
Delilah floor lamp, £170; cushions,
from £20, all Shabby Chic by
Rachel Ashwell at Next
Mandy at Misshandled
SHOP
SMALL
What inspired you to start your
business?
‘At the age of 34, I decided to leave
the familiar landscapes of Aberdeen
behind and journey to Manchester
to pursue my dream of becoming a
designer. With its vibrant culture and
thriving creative scene, Manchester
seemed like the perfect place to
carve a niche for myself. I worked in
commercial interior design which
pushed me to be even more creative
and venture out on my own. Now
I have my own studio and enjoy
having that creative freedom.’
Art Deco, has been significant in my
design journey. Drawing inspiration
from the exterior of buildings, I infuse
my creations with vibrant colours.’
What are your biggest influences
when it comes to your designs?
‘The grandeur of architecture,
especially the timeless appeal of
Shop Mandy’s eye-catching
collection at misshandled.etsy.com
or misshandled.co.uk and follow
her @misshandledhomeware
If you had to pick one interior
design style, what would it be?
‘My home would be a maximalist
haven, where every element and
colour clash is intentional. A place
where vibrancy meets sophistication,
and where the collision of colours
and patterns is celebrated – from
jewel tones to neon accents with
a sense of adventure.’
Deco jesmonite
vase, £45
Dinner candle
holders,
£47.50 for 2;
jesmonite
tray, £30
Feature Lara Berry
Meet the maker:
March 2024
13
Candy pink
We love this oh-so-sweet shade of pastel pink. Pair
alongside other pastel hues, or contrast it against
pops of red or black for a bolder look
SET OF 3
PASTEL
COLOURS
2
1
3
4
SCAN ME
5
7
for more
interiors inspo
at yourhome
9
style.uk
Feature Yvette Filer
Serve party
drINKS
In style
8
6
1 Strawberry lights, £8; food cover, £7; bowls set, £10; wine glass, £1; plates, £6 for 4; daisy plate, £3; mug, £3.50; oven gloves, £5; tea towel
pack, £5; coasters, £2.50 for 4; paper plates, £2; napkins, £2.50, all Matalan 2 Picket Pink mosaic tile, £20.16 per sheet, Porcelain Superstore
3 Daisy print dip bowl, £3 for set of 3, B&M 4 Classic Walls & Ceilings interior silk emulsion in Pink Diamond, £30 for 2.5L, Valspar 5 Pink velvet stripe
cushion, £10, Primark 6 Yara sculpture wine glasses, £20 for 2, Oliver Bonas 7 Holly accent chair in Light Pink velvet and Brass, £299,
Cult Furniture 8 Ribbed glass vase in Pink, £12.50, M&S 9 Baldur candles in Rose, £2.75 for 4, JYSK
14
yourhomestyle.uk
Double your useable space with our sofa beds
Experts in small space living
23 stores | 0345 609 4455 | futoncompany.co.uk
1
2
STYLE INSIDER
By the book
3
Style up your shelves with our pick of
these beautiful bookends
Turn an untidy pile of paperbacks into a gorgeous arrangement
with the careful addition of these accessories. Bookends are a
handy way to add books to areas of your home where you don’t
want a full bookcase, too. Try popping a small group of seasonal
reads on a sideboard, or pick a few of your favourite cookery
books to complement a kitchen shelf.
5
4
6
SCAN ME
yourhome
style.uk
PERF
8
EC
T FO
RAP
ASTEL RO
OM
7
16
yourhomestyle.uk
1 Artisan plant pot
bookends, £22, Dunelm
2 Stoneware bookend,
£14.99, H&M Home
3 Monkey Gold metal book
ends, £45, Oliver Bonas
4 Cassie wavy bookends,
£15, Lumo & Sonne
5 Concrete bookends in
Blush, Charcoal, White, £38,
Smith & Goat 6 Gold
holding hands bookends,
£32, Rockett St George
7 Earth rainbow bookends,
£10, Sass & Belle 8 Wise owl
decorative bookends set in
White, £19.99, The Range
Feature Hannah Tribe
for more trending
interior ideas at
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Reader homes
Be inspired by this month’s gorgeous real homes, packed with stunning ideas to steal!
DY
MES G
, HO
EN
IE
ECLECTIC COOL
Gareth has created a cosy vibe
with bold paint hacks
MICHELL
EG
R
32
A
Fancy seeing your
home here?
Send a snap of yourself in your
favourite room to Michelle at
homestyle@ourmedia.co.uk.
46
TRANQUIL TERRACE
A full reno allowed Annabel to
create a chic, neutral space
20
JOYFUL RETREAT
o
p
t
ir
he
looks
37
PLU
S
sh
Louisa transformed her plain
rental using sunny shades
24
SCAN ME
for more real
homes inspo at
yourhomestyle.uk
51
Welcome
to my home
A BIT ABOUT ME
I’m Louisa Linde (@louisashome), 30, a
German teacher in a German school. I live
here with my husband, Ray Linde, 32, a car
sales executive, and our daughter, Lorelai,
who’s eight months. I’m from Germany and
Ray is Latvian.
WHERE I LIVE
A three-bedroom, self-contained flat
attached to a house near Uckfield, East
Sussex. We began renting here in May 2023.
WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE
The flat had been a guest let and
decorated in a low-key cream and grey
scheme. I couldn’t wait to add colour to
bring in liveliness and warmth.
HOW I MADE IT MY OWN
I love bright shades and have decorated
every room in a different colour. I’ve added
accessories in pinks, yellows and greens
throughout so each room feels unique but
still connected.
MY FAVOURITE PART
Feature Jane Crittenden Styling Marisha Taylor Photos James French
I love the space in our home and having a
guest bedroom is great for when my dad
and siblings visit from abroad.
My story
When my husband Ray and I first rented together in
Kingston upon Thames, I played it safe with colour
as I was unsure if he’d love it as much as I do. We
decided to move to the countryside when I became
pregnant, and my host family – I’m German and was
a nanny for them – offered us their flat, which is part
of their country home but entirely separate. We have
lots of space and help with the garden and their kids,
and they help me with Lorelai when Ray is at work.
I’ve loved colour since I was a child – back then, I
chose a red carpet for my bedroom and yellow walls.
I remember feeling like I was walking into sunshine.
20
yourhomestyle.uk
In my opinion, you can never have too much colour!
My host family (and Ray) were completely onboard with my idea to decorate in pastels. We began
by painting the bathroom in pink and the kitchen
in yellow. I love quirky homeware, particularly the
playful feel of products at Oliver Bonas. I offset the
spend with Facebook Marketplace deals, like the £20
bamboo coffee table I spray-painted bright pink, and
the free IKEA dining table.
We completed the transformation in just a few
weeks, in time for the birth of Lorelai. Ray’s been
really supportive of all my decorating decisions and
loves what I’ve done. Although we couldn’t change
the bones of the flat, living with colour around us
has been transformative – this is such a happy home.
Inspiring homes
‘We’re lucky to have such a big space to hang
out and have created areas for relaxing, work
and eating. The dining table is ideally placed
next to the kitchen door.’ Louisa found
the various cushion covers at Oliver Bonas,
one of her favourite homeware shops
SUNNY FL AT UPDATE
OUR HOME IS PACKED WITH
mood-boosting colour
Bright paint colours and patterned accessories sing out in Louisa Linde’s rental,
transforming it into a joyous and happy place to live
How to put together
a colour palette
‘Yellow is important for me to have in a
room as it looks so cheerful. I love the bright
pink bursts in the cushions and painted
coffee table next to the yellow Habitat Callie
armchair.’ The empire lampshade in Pink
Paisley by Matthew Williamson is from Pooky
Follow these tips to create a cohesive home
with a colour scheme you love
Picking three colours is usually the right balance, with the
third one as an accent colour. You could use the 60%-30%10% rule as a guide to how dominant each one needs to be.
Think about the feel and ambience you want to create. You
can energise your home with warm reds, oranges and yellows,
or make spaces feel calmer with cooler blues, greens and
lilacs, or soft neutrals.
shop
Secret
garden
p28
The colour wheel is helpful – colours on opposite sides are
contrasting and create impact, while those alongside one
another are similar in tone and mood.
Consider the orientation of a room and when you use it. For
example, east-facing kitchens will be bathed in light during
the morning so bright colours will add to the vibrancy you
need to begin your day. An injection of heated colour works
well in a north-facing room if you want to create a stimulating
entertaining space. But for a restful bedroom, embrace the
low light and choose cool tones.
Whites and light neutrals create a feeling of space and put
the focus on bold colours, while darker hues – like blocks of
navy or black – can feel cosy and enclosing. Use these on one
wall and you’ll add depth to the room.
If you’re unsure which colour to paint the walls, play with
different accessory combinations by adding cushions, a throw,
a rug, or art until you feel confident about the colours you like.
‘I fell in love with a set of chinoiserie blue
and white coasters from Oliver Bonas, and
the pattern led me to choose the rug and the
wallpaper I wrapped around the structural
pillar.’ Louisa added the Addilyn four seater
sofa from DFS for cosy, family-friendly seating
Louisa often changes up the display
on the mantelpiece to show off her
latest finds or to suit the season
Living room
‘The flat is part of a Victorian addition to
the 1500s house and thought to have
been where the servants cooked and
ate. The large dresser used to hold the
crockery. We painted it white, and chose a
restful sage green for the walls. I’ve never
lived anywhere with a fireplace, so I was
excited to make this a feature and arrange
the furniture around it. I love the romantic
styling you see in period dramas – floral
patterns, gold and ornate detailing.’
22
yourhomestyle.uk
Inspiring homes
Kitchen
‘The existing kitchen is still in place, but I gave it a lift with
some easy updates. The room is north-facing and had
been decorated a cold, pale blue. I took inspiration from
@thehousethatcolourbuilt as I like how Jessica posts
colour charts and explains which colours work best in
which rooms. I decided on Rust-Oleum’s Mustard as this
shade is lovely and warm.’
‘I chose the Erwin Fruits floral blind from
Dunelm for the green tones and the rug
with the green trim to connect with the
adjoining living room, painted in Rust-Oleum’s
Laurel Green,’ Louisa explains. The
A Collection of Vases poster is from Juniqe
I’ve loved colour since I
was a ild... back then,
I ose a red carpet for my
bedroom and yellow ws.
I remember feeling like I
was wking into sunshine.
In my opinion, you can
never have too mu colour!
Dining area
‘The dining chairs were given to us by my host family,
and Ray sanded them down before painting them
white. I wrapped the faux leather seats in a pink striped
fabric. I like how it looks with the yellow stripes in the
tablecloth. It’s the first time we’ve had space for a table
and it’s nice we don’t have to eat on our laps anymore.’
‘I considered painting the chairs a bright colour
but Ray preferred white, and he was right as it’s
given a bit of balance to the room,’ Louisa says.
She added the large Colourful Flowers
Meditation poster from Juniqe for contrast
‘It’s lovely to sit by the window and look out
onto the garden. The built-in utility
cupboard formed the perfect alcove, and
the chair looks like a high-end brand, but
was a bargain on Amazon,’ says Lousia.
The green birds roller blind is a Sara Miller
design from DotcomBlinds
March 2024
23
STEAL MY STYLE
The free-standing hanging rail with space for
coats and shoes is an ideal set-up for renters
who don’t want to fit hooks to the walls.
The tasselled cushion is a design from Joules
Get Louisa’s fun home style
with these buys
Wobbly lemon
ceramic salad
bowl, £8, Dunelm
Strala Meadow
tea towel, £14,
Abigail Borg
Cynthia Spencer small
sunflowers scatter
cushion, £18, Daro
Hallway
Compact Myllra light turquoise
nursery furniture from IKEA offers
the storage Louisa needs without
overpowering the space, and she’s
picked out the blue with artwork
and accessories to pull the scheme together
‘I wanted a cheerful welcome and really
loved the results of the mustard colour
we’d painted the kitchen, so I used up the
leftovers here. I appreciate neutrals but
never choose them as brights cheer me up,
especially in the winter months – this is a
gorgeous sunny yellow.’
Louisa wanted to keep this narrow room
feeling light and bright, so a range of
candy-pink shades was the way to go. The
CuddleCo Nola clothes rail is from Dunelm,
and the knitted wire sign was a handmade
find from MyStylishIsland on Etsy
Nursery
‘This room is quite narrow, so I didn’t want to fill it with bulky furniture.
A hanging rail was a great solution, as it feels so much more open than a
closed-off, imposing wardrobe would, and the clothes being on display
adds a little extra colour to the scheme. This is one of my favourite
palettes in the house – I love the combination of pink shades with the
walls, clothes rail, and Lorelai’s name in the artwork, and how it all works
with the soft blue. The hot air balloon pendant looks really cute too. It
feels really playful yet restful in here, which is exactly what I wanted.’
24
yourhomestyle.uk
HKLiving ceramic
Hot Pink vase, £24,
Spicer & Wood
style idea
Seek out a cute
lampshade for a
DIY-free way to add
charm to a nursery
Inspiring homes
A chest of drawers doubles up
as a dressing table in front of the
sunny window. Louisa has kept
it clear of clutter for guests, styling it
with a fun lamp and trinket dish
Guest room
‘We didn’t want to spend too much
on this room, so it was lucky we
were able to make use of furniture
we already had from the bedroom
in our previous flat. We’ve used
various shades of green elsewhere
in the house so effectively, so I
knew it would work beautifully in
here too. As it’s not one of the main
rooms, I decided to experiment
with a slightly stronger shade – a
spearmint green – and was really
pleased when I found this duvet
cover with details in the same
colour. I couldn’t resist the dog table
lamp as it looks exactly like our
mixed breed dog called Lana.’
Tropical prints give the guest
room a holiday vibe. The Floral
Paradiso art print is by
La La Land on Fy!, the walls
are painted in Rust-Oleum’s
Wanderlust, and the duvet
cover is furn.’s Juicy design
make
this
I love the rဩantic styling you see in period
dramas - flor patterns, gold and ornate detailing
Frill cushion
p30
March 2024
25
‘This room’s blue and pink scheme
also led to me choosing soft pink for
the blackout curtains from Next – an
investment buy, but totally worth it as
the tassel trim is beautiful’
The velvet chair from Wayfair
ties in with the headboard, and
the large Koppang IKEA drawers
provide additional storage. ‘The
mirror was a lucky find at TK Maxx,’
says Louisa. ‘I always buy things as
soon as I see them’
style idea
Main
bedroom
‘The bedroom still has its
original parquet floor and
built-in wardrobes. I used
Duck Egg by Rust-Oleum
for the walls and chose a
patterned duvet cover – I’ve
always been drawn towards
bright bedding, even when
I lived in a house share. I
wanted the room to be a
light shade of blue, and
this tone is interesting
because it looks different
depending on the light
and time of day. I would’ve
loved a bamboo or rattan
headboard, but they were
too expensive. Instead,
I found the pink velvet
headboard on sale for £60
at Dunelm, which was a
bargain for a king-size bed
and looks so lovely next
to the blue.’
Mix fabric prints by using the
same colours and pattern style
- like the mustard yellow cushion
and duvet cover here
‘I love the quirky look of the blue bird bedside
table lamp paired with the yellow striped shade
from Oliver Bonas,’ says Louisa. The vintage-look
Trogan Bird Study on Ticking Stripe print and
Daisy Study on Blue Tile print are both from
Oh So Daisy
26
yourhomestyle.uk
Inspiring homes
Although we
coul’t ange
the bones of the
flat, living with
colour around
us has been
transformative
- this is su a
hpy hဩe
Louisa painted the room in
durable bathroom wall paint in
Pink Champagne by Rust-Oleum,
adding Fresh as a Daisy artwork
from Oh So Daisy and a shell
mirror from Next
Bathroom
‘I wasn’t able to change
the existing bathroom,
but painting the walls pink
instantly brought the space
to life. I like pretty things in
quirky designs, which are
pleasingly arranged. The
large mirror makes a great
centrepiece, as the shell
shape is unusual and really
draws the eye.’
What I learned
Be patient when you paint old, dark wood furniture in white! It took more
coats than we thought to cover the dresser in the living room.
Don’t be afraid to use colour in a rented home if the owner says you can. We
found it fairly easy to paint the walls white before we moved out of our previous
flat, although colour-blocking and murals are harder to conceal.
Make the most of small spaces and don’t overload a room with bulky
furniture. For example, a clothes rail can look pretty and doesn’t take up much
space compared to a wardrobe, and a coffee table with a glass top makes a
room brighter and more spacious as you can see the flooring underneath.
March 2024
27
SHOP THE LOOK
Secret garden
Recreate the feel of a springtime garden by using pieces with butterfly, bird and
bee motifs, as Louisa has done in her home
1
style idea
Allow natural light to
bounce around your
home by using wellplaced mirrors
6
HOMESTYLE
LOVES!
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
CUTE
HOUSEWARMING
GIFT!
11
10
SCAN ME
for more
interiors inspo
at yourhome
Feature Sophie Ellis
style.uk
1 Laura Ashley Egelton Brass table lamp, £95, där lighting 2 Round butterfly wall mirror, £70, Next 3 Bees Teal fabric, £32 per m, Sophie
Allport 4 Bumblebee ½ pint jug, £25, Emma Bridgewater 5 Bees and blossom cushion, £25, National Trust Shop 6 Terracotta bird
candle holder, £6, Dunelm 7 World of Wallpaper Phoebe Birds wallpaper in Blue, £17.99 per roll, B&Q 8 Botanic Garden Harmony
Butterfly tankard mug, £16.50, Portmeirion 9 Spring tray, £9.95, Annabel James 10 Garden bees tea towel, £5.95, Rex London
11 Sara Miller Butterflies & Trellis made to measure roller blinds, from £58, Next
28
yourhomestyle.uk
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MAKE THE LOOK
Frill cushion
Get Louisa’s colourful cottagecore style with this ruffled envelope-style cushion cover
TOP TIP
Embroider your own
ditsy flower motifs on
the cushion for extra
personalisation – you
can find lots of free
embroidery ideas
and templates
online
YOU WILL NEED
1.5m cotton fabric scissors
sewing machine matching thread
pins iron ironing board needle
32x52cm cushion pad
INSTRUCTIONS
1 From the cotton fabric, cut a rectangle
measuring 56x36cm for the front, and two
squares measuring 36x36cm for the back. Take
one of the square back pieces and fold one edge
over to the wrong side (WS) by 1cm. Fold it over
again by 1cm, pin and then sew in place. Repeat
on one edge of the other back piece.
2 To make the frill, cut a piece of fabric measuring
350x8cm – you will need to join pieces of fabric
together to create a long-enough strip by sewing
the short ends together with a 1cm seam to form
a fabric loop. Then fold the loop in half lengthwise
WS together and press to create a crisp fold.
Make Anna-Lisa De’Ath Styling Marisha Taylor Photo James French
3 Use a needle and thread to sew 1cm-long
running stitches along the raw edge of the fabric
loop, making sure one end of the thread is
securely knotted. Alternatively, you can use your
sewing machine set to the longest stitch length,
leaving long thread ends. Once you’ve stitched
the whole length of the loop, hold one end of the
thread and pull the opposite end to gather the
fabric up, so it measures 168cm long, then secure
the ends. Use your fingers to make sure the ruffles
are evenly spaced all around the loop.
4 Place the cushion front on your worktop with
the right side (RS) facing up. Pin the ruffle around
the edge of the cushion front. Make sure the raw
edges of the ruffle align with the raw outside
edge of the cushion front fabric, and the folded
edge of the ruffle faces inwards towards the
centre of the cushion.
5 Place one of the cushion back pieces on top RS
down, making sure its raw edges align with the
raw edges of the main cushion. Repeat with the
other cushion back piece – these two back pieces
should overlap slightly where they meet in the
centre. Pin the back pieces into position.
Choose your fabric for the cushion
carefully – a linen and cotton blend
fabric is ideal as it won’t be too stiff
30
yourhomestyle.uk
6 Sew a 1.5cm seam all the way around the
edge of the cover. Remove the pins and turn the
cushion cover RS out. Finally, place a cushion pad
inside the cover.
Home kit
5 OF THE BEST
EDITOR'S
CHOICE
pillows
SCAN ME
for more pillow
reviews at
yourhome
style.uk
The right pillow impacts how comfortably you
sleep, and even how well-rested you feel in
the morning. We’ve picked our favourite five...
1
3
COMFORT
FACTOR
March marks National
Bed Month and World
Sleep Day, so it’s the perfect
time to check your bedding
is serving you well. Key
considerations are the
level of firmness to suit
your sleeping style,
filling types and
allergies...
5
ONLY
£18.50
1
2
3
4
5
Soft As Down
microfibre pillow,
£18.50, Soak & Sleep
Gel Fusion memory
foam pillow, £45,
Dunelm
Flaxby duck feather
and down pillow, £40,
Dreams
Hybrid bamboo
pillow, £89.95,
Panda London
If you want the feel of a
down pillow without the
price tag or the actual
feathers, then this ‘soft as
down’ microfibre pillow is a
great alternative. It mimics
the super soft and luxurious
nature of down, providing
front sleepers and those
who prefer a fluffy pillow
with a more affordable and
allergy-friendly solution. The
cotton casing will help to
keep the pillow cool in the
warmer months, too.
Ideal for back sleepers, this
memory foam pillow offers
medium support right
where you need it, as well as
pressure point relief thanks
to its clever design. The
honeycomb composition of
the foam core has holes to
increase the airflow and
breathability when using the
pillow to aid a more
comfortable night’s sleep.
A machine washable
quilted cover provides a final
layer of comfort.
Active anti-allergy
with HeiQ Allergen
Tech square pillow, £35,
John Lewis & Partners
With its 230 thread count
and super soft 100% cotton
cover, this pillow will bring
a sense of luxury to your
bed. You can rest easy
knowing that the duck
feather and down filling is
ethically sourced, while the
cover has been designed to
ensure that feathers can’t
poke through to interrupt
your sleep. Its soft/medium
comfort grade makes it an
ideal choice for back and
side sleepers and it’s
machine washable at 40°C.
This vegan-friendly pillow
ticks all of the eco boxes, and
its unique CharcoCell foam
gently contours to your
sleeping position, making it
suitable for all sleep styles.
Airflow pads maximise
breathability, helping to
maintain that cool feeling
all night long. The 100%
bamboo quilted cover is
naturally anti-bacterial and
hypoallergenic as it’s
repellent to dust mites. Plus,
it’s removable and washable
up to 40°C.
that this pillow
comes in a soft/medium
option for front sleepers and
medium/firm which is suited
to side and back sleepers.
the removable
gel pad that helps to
regulate your temperature,
keeping you cooler in the
warmer months.
how this pillow is
also naturally temperature
regulating for a restful sleep
whatever the season.
WE LOVE: that this pillow
has a 10 year guarantee so
you can be confident you’re
making a good investment.
WE LOVE:
the square design
– it’s perfect for sinking into
as well as lounging on while
you enjoy your first cuppa.
WE LOVE:
WE LOVE:
March 2024
Feature Lara Berry
WE LOVE:
Suitable for all sleep styles,
this medium/firm pillow has
been treated with longlasting anti-allergy treatment
consisting of naturallyderived probiotics which
break down and reduce
allergens such as dust mites,
pet hair and dander, and
some types of pollen. With a
cotton cover and 100%
polyester filling, it’s machine
washable and can be
tumble dried on low when it
needs a refresh.
31
Welcome
to my home
A BIT ABOUT ME
I’m Gareth Young, 36, a knowledge
exchange and impact fellow at University
of Sheffield, and I live with my partner Paul
Greaves, 42, a lecturer at Stirling University.
WHERE I LIVE
Our home is a three-bedroom, semidetached Edwardian house in Dronfield,
Derbyshire, which we bought in November
2016. You can follow my journey
@gareth_at_keeperscottage on Instagram.
WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE
The house was decorated beautifully, so we
didn’t need to do anything straight away.
After living here for a while, we wanted
to add some warmer colours, replace the
bathroom and give the kitchen a makeover.
HOW I MADE IT MY OWN
I love upcycling furniture and finding
vintage pieces to mix in with newer
furniture. We’ve also discovered a love of
colour-drenching. Our home has evolved
rather than being done all at once, which
I think makes it look less contrived.
MY FAVOURITE PART
The bathroom has the biggest impact in
terms of wow-factor and makes me smile
every time I go in. However, the room I find
myself gravitating towards and lingering
longer in is the living room. It’s a very happy
place with so much warmth, where I love to
curl up with a book in the armchair.
Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee
Our hဩe has
evolved rather
than being done
at once, whi
I think makes it
look less contrived
32
yourhomestyle.uk
‘Painting the walls and ceiling the same colour has
made the room feel bigger, as you lose the line of
where the ceiling was. We followed Abigail Ahern’s
trick of using dark colours to make a dark space
feel cosier, as you can’t necessarily make a room
lighter if it hasn’t got the light to begin with’
My story
Having lived in the centre of Sheffield, it was time
to move somewhere quieter with a garden. After
viewing around 30 properties without finding one we
liked, we almost gave up. However, this house caught
our eye as it’s on the edge of the countryside, and it
has character. It was love at first sight.
Although we didn’t think the house needed much
work, Paul later touched the living room ceiling and
his finger went straight through, which prompted us
to change the bathroom above. Before we knew it, we
ended up getting most of the house replastered, and
started replacing windows, flooring and radiators.
Since then, we’ve really enjoyed putting our stamp
on the place with an eclectic, rustic style, and since
joining Instagram my confidence in interior design
has grown and grown. We’ve learnt how to make
a space feel really cosy and cocooning with warm
palettes, colour-drenching and even painting a
terracotta ceiling. Upcycled furniture has also given
our home character. Unless we’ve got no use for a
piece, I tend to strip it back and repaint it, which can
give me inspiration for the rest of the room too.
We’ve recently bought an old stone gamekeeper’s
cottage in the Scottish Highlands – we always
thought we’d retire there but during lockdown we
realised I could work remotely. I’ll definitely be taking
what I’ve learned here with me to our next home.
Inspiring homes
I look towards designers
like Abigail Ahern, who
create cosy interiors that
are quite tဣeless
MODERN VINTAGE MAKEOVER
WE SPENT YEARS CREATING THIS
eclectic look
By opting for classic designs and secondhand pieces collected and upcycled over time,
Gareth Young and Paul Greaves have created a unique space full of personal touches
March 2024
33
style idea
Replace wall
cupboards with three
layers of shelves to
maximise storage
Kitchen
‘When we moved in, the kitchen had a greenygrey feature wall with off-white cabinets and black
worktops. The first thing we did was paint the walls
dark grey and the cabinets green as a very quick
refurb. Once we’d decorated the rest of the house,
we came back to this room as it felt quite dated.
Because we were still unsure whether we were
going to extend the house at that point, we decided
to give it a refresh with new worktops and handles.
Next, we replaced most of the wall cupboards with
shelving, removed the splashback tiles and then
re-tiled behind the cooker hood before panelling the
rest. This made it feel much more open and gave us
that classic country kitchen vibe we were after.’
34
yourhomestyle.uk
Inspiring homes
‘At £30, this dresser was a brilliant find
and has gone through many iterations.
This time, I used watered-down grey
paint and gave it a distressed look, with
a freestyle border around the drawers’
How to
distress
furniture
Give furniture of any age a vintage
look with these ideas
You don’t need to splash out on
expensive antiques when you can give
secondhand wood furniture an aged look
with some clever upcycling tricks. Start by
laying down a dust sheet and remove all
handles before sanding and cleaning the
dust off. To make it look like your piece
has been painted several times over the
years, you’ll need two paint colours – one
for the base and one for the top coat.
After the base colour has dried, apply
wax to the corners and edges. The second
coat won’t stick to these parts as well,
making it easier to sand off sections once
it’s dry and reveal the base colour below.
Use steel wool first and then sandpaper to
get the effect you’d like. Finish with a
polyurethane varnish to protect it.
You can also give unlacquered polished
brass handles or knobs an antique look.
Fill a large plastic container with five parts
cider or balsamic vinegar and one part
salt, before soaking the handles for an
hour. Lay them on a foil-lined tray and
pop them in the oven at 180°C, until the
metal reaches the colour you’d like. Then
rinse in cold water and dry with a towel.
make
this
Windowpane
mirror
p42
‘We replaced the silver tap with a
bronze one as we wanted to add
some warmth. The vintage Exit sign
is from Sheffield Antiques Centre’
A joiner created the couple’s shelves
after they’d taken down the old wall
cupboards. ‘We didn’t have the confidence
to do it ourselves but we’re slowly building
our DIY skills,’ says Gareth
The dining table was a find from Matlock Antiques &
Collectables Centre and the chairs were from a charity shop.
‘We sanded and oiled the top of the table before painting the
legs in Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint, with a white wax finish,’
Gareth explains
March 2024
35
Gareth and Paul painted the ceiling in a warm terracotta called Flower Pot by
Earthborn Paints to inject some colour. ‘It did feel slightly like you were lowering
the ceiling, as you’re popping a lid on it,’ says Gareth. ‘It didn’t matter though
because the ceilings are high and it’s still a well-proportioned room – just cosier’
style idea
A large rug in
complementary
colours will balance
out a painted ceiling
Living room
‘Before we decorated, the walls were light, with a red chimney breast below the
picture rail. It was lovely and warming, but then we went through our ‘blue phase’
and painted the chimney breast in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue. We eventually got
braver and braver, painting everything below the picture rail blue. It stayed like that
until Paul poked a hole in the ceiling, which promptly fell in! After that we removed
all the lining paper and had the whole room skimmed, as well as putting down
herringbone luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring. Having been influenced by the Scandi
look online, we painted it all white to begin with but I soon started to crave colour.
Not wanting the hassle of taking off the radiator to paint behind it, we realised the
only way to easily inject colour was to paint the ceiling in a warm terracotta. Paul
usually trusts me and goes along with my ideas, but we almost had tears at first
because it went on darker, and looked like a crime scene with all the walls covered
in plastic! We both love it now, but it took a little bit of time to get used to.’
36
yourhomestyle.uk
We’ve rey enjoyed putting
our stamp on the place with
an eclectic, rustic style, and
since joining Instagram my
confidence in interior design
has grown and grown
Inspiring homes
‘This room is perfect for those cosy autumn
and winter nights where you light the candles, have a hot
chocolate or a glass of wine and watch Strictly,’ says Gareth. ‘I was
drawn to this print of a vintage American car in Paris as I love
anything old and French, and the orange colour works so well’
STEAL MY STYLE
Get Gareth’s classic style
with these buys
Demijohn clear
glass bottle vase,
from £17.95 each,
The Wisteria Tree
Cup of Cortado
poster, from £9.95,
Desenio
Sarafian table lamp,
£125, Where Saints Go
Elements woven squares
check cushion, £12, Dunelm
‘To bring in a classic look, we found this massively discounted John Lewis
sofa from the Redbrick Mill outlet in Sheffield, which has since closed.
The rug from The Vintage Hub in Hexham pulls everything together and
the chandelier from French Bedroom adds drama’
March 2024
37
Office
‘When our boiler broke, they had to rip out the old cupboard in
order to install a new one. We lived with the boiler on display for
quite some time before deciding to redecorate and install LVT
flooring. After removing the woodchip, which had been painted
grey, we got a joiner to build a new cupboard with a trim along
the bottom so it looked like it had always been there. We also
opened up the old fireplace and exposed the brick, filling
the recess with logs. This was the first room where we started
experimenting with colour-drenching – painting the walls,
ceilings and skirting all the same colour – and we were hooked!’
As he loved Midnight Ivy by Fenwick &
Tilbrook in his last home, Gareth was keen to
use it on the new built-in cupboard.
The chair was an eBay find. ‘I love the sixties
style, although this is a replica,’ Gareth says
shop
Rustic
townhouse
p40
Gareth loved the handles when he saw this chest
of drawers in a charity shop, and the £50 price tag
swung the deal. ‘I upcycled it with Annie Sloan Chalk
Paint and gave it a slightly distressed look,’ he says
Bathroom
The walls have been painted in a colourmatch of Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon, which
complements the olive green vanity unit
38
yourhomestyle.uk
‘This was one of the first spaces that we
completely redesigned and Paul’s sister,
who runs Natalie Nicholson Design,
helped us pull everything together.
Before, it had a pedestal sink, a fitted
bath along one wall, a black floor and
a pale green ceiling, which we painted
purple for some reason. We kept the
same layout, but found a half rolltop bath
to add character. It also meant we could
have a shower and fit a screen rather than
hang a shower curtain. We chose metro
tiles as they’re quite timeless and so
we could go bolder with the patterned
floor tiles. We couldn’t have created
this space without Natalie’s vision. If
you find project managing stressful, I’d
recommend working with a designer.’
‘We spotted the chest of drawers in
Paul’s friend’s garage, and she was
thinking of getting rid of it. It was
handed down from her grandparents,
but they’d put a board on top and were
using it as a workbench’
Inspiring homes
Main bedroom
‘This room was one of the later ones to be decorated. It
was pale blue for a while, but it felt a bit cold and unloved.
When I came across this Rust-Oleum colour called Salted
Caramel, I just fell in love with it. The little wooden rafter
in the corner had been wallpapered over, so we exposed
that and painted over the lot, including the ceiling. I love
the warmer tones with the new LVT flooring, and it works
so well with accents of green and burgundy.’
‘The trunk was a charity shop find that
I painted, and the 15 art print was to celebrate the
final run of the Cirque du Soleil show La Nouba.
The people depicted on the print are actually
Paul’s friends, and they gave him this as a gift’
style idea
Paint a sloped ceiling the
same as the walls for a
cocooning feel
‘The chest of drawers was a dark brown
colour, which I painted in one of Annie Sloan’s
upcycle challenges. We were asked to paint in
a set number of specific colours and the rest
was up to us, so I decided on a faded stripe’
What I learned
Guest
bedroom
Alongside the Abigail Ahern jug and pampas
grass, Gareth and Paul have sourced quirky
prints for the shelf. ‘As we love old furniture,
there’s an old advert for a furniture auction
which seemed like a perfect fit,’ says Gareth
‘After decorating the office
and developing a love of
colour-drenching, we were
keen to change things in
the guest bedroom, too.
Beforehand, it was painted
in Farrow & Ball’s Studio
Green, but it felt slightly
too dark. However, as it’s a
small room, we still wanted
to lean into that and went
for a rich teal colour called
Teal 02 by Lick. It has a nice
warmth to it and works
well with the brass bed
from Wayfair. We also fitted
hanging bedside lamps
from Creative Cables, as
we were able to customise
every element.’
These days I’m more selective with where I go
for my inspiration because there’s quite a lot of
fast fashion in interiors. I went through a phase
of just seeing someone’s home on Instagram
and trying to replicate it as best I could.
However, I could never do it as authentically,
and would have to send everything off to the
charity shop! Now I look towards designers like
Abigail Ahern, who create cosy, cocooning
interiors that are quite timeless.
Pairing old and new is a great way to add
character and interest. For instance, the
handmade fruit bowl my grandparents gave us
from their time living in Mexico looks great on
the kitchen dresser, contrasted with a modern
photography art print above.
I really struggle with doing a whole room in
one go because I just don’t think it works. You
need to introduce pieces steadily, live with it for
a little bit, move stuff around and really get
that feel. Slow and steady wins the race with
a renovation.
March 2024
39
SHOP THE LOOK
Rustic townhouse
Whether you live in a period property or a new-build, you too can add
eclectic charm to your home, like Gareth
CREATE A
FEATURE
WALL
2
1
3
4
5
6
9
8
SCAN ME
7
for more
interiors inspo
at yourhome
style.uk
Feature Sophie Ellis
10
1 Great Britain vintage antique map print, from £13, Ink & Drop 2 Brick slips in Blend 23, £45 per box, The Brick Tile Co.
3 Sara Multicolour Persian rug 230x160cm, £85, B&Q 4 Handblock print cushion in Moss Green, £45, French Bedroom 5 Wickham
armchair in Black, £299, Cult Furniture 6 Victoriana Dorchester Marron wall and floor tile, £27.95 per sq m, Tile Mountain 7 Ribbed
highballs, £4 for 4, Habitat 8 Detroit solid hardwood and metal nest of tables, £199.99, Oak Furnitureland 9 Churchgate Langton
Antique Brass table lamp, £49, Dunelm 10 Abigail Ahern tall recycled glass jug, £28, Freemans
40
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NOW!
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YOUR DECOR
DILEMMAS AT
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homestyle.uk
E AC H E PI S O DE , W E A N S WE R YOU R QU E S T I ON S
AB O U T E V E RY S TAG E O F D E CO R A N D D I Y
– F R O M M AP P I N G O U T A MA K E OV E R TO
P I C K I NG TH E P E RF E C T F I NI S H I N G TO U CH E S
IBE
, INTER
IO
HOME
UR
O
O
ITE R
WR
TR
S
IT
R
ITO R
ED
L
ESTY E
L
M
O
A
SIN A, DIG
W
ES
M EL SH ER
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H
, H
A
, E DITO R
HANN
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REBECC
K IR STIE
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, E DIT O
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March 2024
41
MAKE THE LOOK
Windowpane mirror
Recreate Gareth’s industrial Crittall-effect kitchen mirror with this IKEA hack
With some tools and a little bit of DIY
know-how, you can try this savvy IKEA hack
TOP TIP
To create more of
a shabby chic vibe,
paint the wooden
frame white or a pale
pastel shade and
distress the paint
finish a little
YOU WILL NEED
1 sheet of 12mm plywood (standard size is
1200x2400mm, which you’ll need to cut to
size. Or, you can buy plywood pre-cut – for this
project you’ll need 1012x1284mm) 5 lengths
of 18x28x2400mm planed square edged (PSE)
timber 3 sets of Blodlönn mirrors, £5 for a pack
of 4, IKEA wall mounted mirror fixing kit
black eggshell paint grab adhesive
masking tape 1.6x30mm panel pins
sanding sheets hammer work bench
jack saw circular saw or jigsaw
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Place your 1012x1284mm sheet of plywood on
a large flat surface. Cut four pieces of PSE, each
measuring 128.4cm in length, then lay out the
horizontal PSE timbers along its length. For this
mirror, we’re using four horizontal lengths of PSE,
which gives three rows of mirrors.
2 To make the vertical part of the grid – the
dividers – cut out nine 300mm-long dividers from
the PSE using a jack saw. These will sit vertically
against the horizontal dividers which you made in
step one. Sand the sawn ends smooth.
3 Cut two 101.2cm lengths of PSE for the vertical
end pieces of the mirror, sand the sawn ends,
and place them at the ends of the grid. Insert
your mirrors into the grid, but don’t secure them
in place. Secure the PSE horizontal and vertical
timbers to the ply with a bead of grab adhesive.
Once dry, remove all of the mirrors from the grid.
4 Use the panel pins to secure all the timbers to
the ply. Do this by turning the ply sheet over and
nailing the panel pins in from the back, so they
penetrate the ply first, then the timbers.
Make Anna-Lisa De’Ath Photo Katie Lee
5 If needed, trim the ply to the grid using a circular
saw, jack saw or jigsaw. If using a jigsaw, flip the
mirror frame, transplant the ‘line of cut’ to the rear,
and cut the ply with the mirror frame face down.
Using a small paintbrush, apply black paint to the
front and sides of the mirror frame. Allow the paint
to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat.
6 Use grab adhesive to attach the mirror tiles to
their positions on the mirror frame. If you’re wallmounting the mirror, attach a fixing kit to the back
of the frame, and hang it following the instructions.
42
yourhomestyle.uk
Shopping
Spring skies
Natural tones
Double sided
Woven blanket with tassels in Light Blue,
£39.95, Rex London
Green stripe pure wool throw, £65,
Soak & Sleep
Cara ticking reversible throw in Camel,
£30, John Lewis & Partners
8 OF THE BEST
midseason
throws
Subtle sage
Apricity Sage Green crinkle throw, £55,
French Bedroom
Take the transition from winter
to spring in your stride with one
of these cosy throws in seasonal
shades. Drape over your sofa
or on your bed to stave off the
evening chill in style
Faux mo
Faux mohair throw in Air,
£18, Dunelm
Citrus shades
Cloud soft
Boho fringe
Fishbone stripe Flora wool throw, £48,
National Trust Shop
Borg fleece checked throw,
£19.50, M&S
Green diamond cotton tufted throw,
£26.99, Homescapes
March 2024
Feature Kirstie Duhig
PURE NEW
WOOL
43
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in Lilac Skies;
Wall in matt emulsion
in Sweet Embrace,
ceiling in matt emulsion
Dulux
both £36.49 for 2.5L,
3 SECRETS TO THIS SCHEME
ol
Copenhagen co
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PERFECT PASTELS ns and use light, bright colours to
and
like the Scandinavia
Think
soft pinks
wintery days. Opt for
illuminate the dark
warming neutrals.
mid-toned blues with
feeling clean and airy.
to keep the scheme
pick out designs
Go easy on pattern
a point of interest though,
When you do need
quality.
with a playful, curvy
CLEAN SLATE
pastels
with dreamy Danish
Refresh your interiors
wooden accents
teamed with pale
02
wall in one colour,
ways. Paint half the
Use colour in unexpected or use it to zone spaces.
and the ceiling in another,
IN THE ZONE
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£1.69; Vadehavet
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bench, £84.99, both
Sweet, stylised
florals create a
playful vibe.
This print is
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designer dupe
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Throughout
kiten, we usedthewood
that we svaged frဩ
the building itself
13
Wel come
to my home
Signature(s)
Inspirin g homes
Morgen and Pete sourced
the brown leather
bar stools from Amazon.
They were £57 each
and are the perfect
perching spot!
A BIT ABOUT ME
I’m Morgen Sneezum,
36, a senior sales
manager and I live with
my partner Pete,
43, a company director,
our two children
Mable and Fennec, as
well
adorable labradors Franklynas our two
and Fynn.
You can see more of
my home
@girlwiththe_ on Instagram. at
Date
WHERE I LIVE
Our home is a four-bedroo
conversion in Long Melford,m barn
bought it back in January Suffolk. We
2022.
WHAT I WANTED
TO CHANGE
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Every inch of the barn
was a treasure-trove
of potential. While the
structure had its
lovely original features,
the layout and
interior had remained
frozen in the 1980s.
The task at hand was
clear, so
our sleeves and embarked we rolled up
on a mission to
breathe new life into
each and every room.
HOW I MADE IT
MY OWN
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Our approach was thorough!
We chose to
strip each room down
to its fundamental
structure. This allowed
us the freedom to
reconfigure layouts
and provided us with
the creative canvas to
turn each room into
a thing of beauty.
Picking a favourite aspect
of our home is
hard, but the spacious
family room holds
a special place in my
heart. It’s a sanctuary
of togetherness, where
everyone can
enjoy each other’s company.
Photography Jemma
Watts
MY FAVOURIT E
PART
Becca Cullum-Green
My story
Feature and styling
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yourhome style.uk
‘We already lived in
Melford, so we knew
the area
well. We’d poured our
efforts into turning
a cottage
into a gorgeous home
but exciting news of
an
addition to our family
meant we needed to
find a
bigger property. So
we sold
the hunt for a new home. our cottage and began
attention with its original The barn caught our
features, huge windows
and spacious garden.
Excited by its potential,
it as a project to be
we saw
embraced while living
there.
The moment we moved
amid renovations needed in, we got started. Living
rapid decision-making
and
progressing through
each room strategically
, and it
was very challenging
but it’s
We prioritised our daughter’salso been rewarding.
room and the nursery,
creating safe havens
for the little ones. Then
we
moved from room to
room, undertaking
the
renovation on our own,
handling everything
from
the electrics to kitchen
fitting.
We needed a more
functional layout, so
rearranged the ground-floo
r rooms. The kitchen
evolved into a snug,
the dining room transformed
into a cosy living space,
and the lounge became
spacious kitchen-din
er. We turned the former a
nook into a pantry,
office
as it would be better
used as an
extension of the kitchen.
It’s still a work in progress,
but I’m so proud of
what we’ve achieved
so far.’
ECLEC TIC BARN
MAKEO VER
I REC REATED HIG
H-E ND
style on a budget
Renovating their home
gave Morgen and Pete
the
into reality, getting
the look they wanted chance to turn their design aspirations
with DIY and savvy
upcycles
February 2024
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Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee
‘I recently added the beading on two
walls to inject character and painted the bottom
part in Little Greene’s Sage Green. In future, I
might paint the walls or cupboards in an olive or
biscuit tone to warm up the room a little bit further’
TRANQUIL TERRACE
I LOVE HOW CALM AND COLLECTED
my home feels
By keeping the basics neutral, Annabel Igoe has been able to layer interesting
textures and pops of black and green to add depth to her pared-back home
Inspiring homes
Welcome
to my home
A BIT ABOUT ME
I’m Annabel Igoe, 34, a design director at
a creative agency, and I live with my toy
poodle, Albus.
WHERE I LIVE
A two-bedroom stone terrace in Leeds,
built in the early 1900s. I bought it in
October 2020 and you can see more of
my home journey on Instagram
@casa.and.coal.
WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE
I knew the magnolia walls had to go, but
it wasn’t until I got the keys that I realised
how much work needed doing, including
a complete rewire, new plumbing, repairs
to the roof, re-pointing and insulation.
There was even bubble wrap instead of
underlay beneath the flooring!
HOW I MADE IT MY OWN
A monochrome palette with earthy,
natural tones appeals to me the most, so I
went for a minimal Japandi look with lots
of texture. I love finding warm, neutral
colours that work well with greens, blacks
and rich woods or natural textures.
MY FAVOURITE PART
I’d probably say the fireplace, as I adore
how it’s transformed the room entirely
as a centrepiece. It grounds the room
perfectly and I love styling up the mantel
for different seasons.
My story
‘I’d been renting in Leeds for eight years, but after
lockdown hit, I wanted the stability of buying my
own place and was ready to leave my flat by the
canal. It wasn’t easy being a solo female buyer, but
after searching for two years and putting in offers on
lots of houses, I finally found the right property.
By fluke, I came across this three-bed terraced
house that had been rented out for 10 years. It was a
complete reno job, but I loved the high ceilings and
the amount of light coming in. I also discovered it
was built using stones from the old Rothwell Castle
nearby, which gave it a sense of history. Not wanting
to miss out, I got in there early with a strong offer.
Luckily, I was able to live with loved ones during
the renovation, which included a new kitchen,
flooring, replastering and knocking two smaller
bedrooms together. It was a slow process as I was let
down by tradespeople, which was a learning curve.
Style-wise, I wanted to create a feeling of flow
throughout the house while retaining the traditional
features. I’ve developed a strong sense of style and
I’ve learnt that as long as I adore each piece and it
features depth, texture and a tonally suited colour
palette, it comes together in the space. In the next
couple of years, I’d like to upgrade to a bigger place
full of cosy, homely features with views and great
walks nearby, but this home is perfect for right now.’
March 2024
47
How to design an
L-shaped kitchen
‘I really like the contrast of the black touches
against the wicker seats and the light flooring.
It fits with the Japandi style I love’
Maximise space in a compact kitchen with these tips
While a big island or U-shaped layout may be the dream,
when doorways and windows are taken into consideration
most kitchens don’t have enough space to make this a
practical option. In order to fit in a small dining table, an
L-shaped layout may be your best solution.
Make the space as efficient as possible, and start with the
working triangle of fridge, oven and sink. The distance
between each should be between four and nine feet to make
it easier to reach everything.
Worktop space will be at a premium, so ensure there’s ample
room between the hob and sink for preparation. Anything that
can clutter up the worktop should be avoided – so opt for an
integral microwave or combi microwave oven and consider a
pull-out tray for small appliances, like toasters and air fryers,
that can be incorporated into a cupboard. If space is very tight,
try a hob cover that doubles as a chopping board.
Maximise storage by installing wall cabinets rather than
shelves. If you’re worried this might close the room in, pick
glazed cabinets or a design with French cane or rattan panels
to avoid making the space look too box-like. Alternatively, go
for a two-tone look with a different colour on the base units
and a lighter colour on the wall units.
‘For the budget I was on, a
composite sink was definitely
the best in terms of keeping
things neutral. It’s really good for
wear and tear, too’
shop
Luxe
Japandi
p54
Annabel sketched out a design for
the shelves and brought it to life with
metal piping which she painted.
‘I love layering objects, creating
different levels and having a bit of
texture in there with branches, dried
flowers or plants to soften things,’
she says
48
yourhomestyle.uk
Inspiring homes
‘I’ve gone for simple painted walls rather
than splashback tiles as I wanted to
continue the minimalist look. I chose
wipeable paint and it’s been great’
Kitchen
‘I didn’t anticipate having to redo the white painted kitchen.
My first thought was just to rip out the broken cooker and
repaint the walls and cupboards in olive green to warm up the
north-facing room. However, when I started to use the kitchen,
I realised the cupboards were hanging on by a thread and there
were no backboards. Every handle was a different style, which
looked bizarre, and I wanted integrated appliances, rather than
the free-standing fridge and dishwasher. Initially, I picked out
an Allendale matt black kitchen from Howdens, but at the
last minute I changed the colour to a much lighter Cashmere,
which flows better with the rest of the downstairs. I’ve teamed
it with light grey, marble-effect laminate worktops and antique
gunmetal handles. On reflection, I could’ve chosen higher
cabinets that reached the tall ceilings to allow for more storage,
but it would’ve cost a lot more.’
style idea
Muted gunmetal grey
handles blend well with
a neutral kitchen
March 2024
49
A Scandi-style chair from Next helps create a cosy
corner. ‘My dad made the alcove shelves,’ says Annabel.
‘As an engineer, he can turn his hand to anything.
However, they took a while to make as none of the walls
are straight. The joys of an old house!’
style idea
Choose hidden shelf
brackets for a sleek,
modern look
Living room
‘The living room was one of the last rooms to be
done. I was less worried about a durable finish in
here compared to the kitchen or bathroom, so
instead of using Little Greene paint, I went to a place
in Leeds called Seagulls Paint, which does colourmatching using old recycled paint. There was a
huge marble gas fire, which was probably the width
of the chimney breast and took up way too much
space. My dad kindly helped me rip it out and I sold
it online. To replace it, I found a reclaimed insert and
a white surround on Facebook Marketplace, which
I painted black to contrast with the walls. To add
some character, I used thin beading on the back wall
and mantel wall rather than having it everywhere.
I didn’t want anything that looked too heavy
and would overpower the space.’
50
yourhomestyle.uk
Inspiring homes
H&M linen cushions add a subtle pop
of colour to the second-hand Next sofa.
‘I’ve always lived in furnished rentals, so
I had no furniture to begin with,’ says
Annabel. ‘It took a couple of years
to build up a suite of pieces’
My favourite part is
probably the fireplace, as
I adore how it’s transformed
the living room entirely as a
centrepiece. I love styling it
for different seasons
‘I wanted to make this space more cosy,
calming and very tonal, like the bedroom. One of my
favourite pieces is the mango wood coffee table set
from La Redoute, as I love the natural uneven grain and
the two-tiered look when placed together’
Pussy willow in
Black vase, £8, B&M
STEAL MY STYLE
The fabric wall hanging from HK Living makes
a statement above the sleek La Redoute
console table. ‘I was drawn to the abstract feel
of the wall hanging,’ says Annabel. ‘It pairs
perfectly with the wall colour’
Get Annabel’s chic home style
with these buys
Abstract Beige No2
poster, from £9.95,
Poster Store
Waffle cushion in
Highland Green,
£19.99, rucomfy
Sass & Belle
fern leaf mug,
£12.95, The
Northern Line
March 2024
51
‘This IKEA king-size bed sparked the entire look for
the bedroom,’ says Annabel. ‘It’s definitely more of a
Scandi style but I’m retaining those calm neutrals,
with light tones coming through in the H&M bed
linen, soft brushed linen curtains and carpet’
style idea
Hang faux plants to create a
display on your bed frame
These days I only buy
pieces that I absolutely
love and am drawn to like
a magpie, rather than things
that are just on-trend
‘The dream would’ve been tall built-in
wardrobes, but this IKEA wardrobe suited
the scheme and was a cost-saving solution’
Main bedroom
‘As soon as I viewed the house, I felt the main
bedroom was too small, so one of my first jobs
was knocking the two front bedrooms together
to create one large room. I was able to get the
help of my parents and partner to demolish
the non-supporting wall. The space now is
just incredible, and with two big windows I’m
getting double the amount of light in. It’s a
dreamy space to wake up in the mornings!
I love Little Greene colours and although I was
going to paint the whole room in Slaked Lime,
I’m glad I decided to use Sage Green on the
chimney breast wall as it gives the space
more tonality and depth.’
52
yourhomestyle.uk
‘This walnut dressing table
from Habitat adds a bit of
depth,’ says Annabel. ‘I think
you can get away with pairing
a darker wood with a lighter
wood as it gives the room
more of a rustic Scandi style’
Inspiring homes
A green velvet sofa bed from
Habitat comes in handy for guests
and Annabel has added hooks
from H&M for hanging bags and
accessories. The round rug from
Homesense adds texture
make
this
Olive sprig
wreath
p56
Bathroom
‘I thought about installing a walk-in shower,
but due to the existing plumbing and boiler
position, it would’ve cost a couple of grand. It
didn’t seem worth the money for a small space,
so I tried to be creative with a mini makeover.
I’ve replaced the plastic bath panel with a
panelled design and put down patterned vinyl
to add a bit of life against the white walls. The
trickiest part was finding a pole to fit as there
was no shower curtain or glass divider before. If
I was starting from scratch, I’d have a wet roomstyle shower with slate tiles or textured marble.’
Guest bedroom
‘I haven’t done too much in here apart from
the rewire, replastering and decorating. This is
the only room where I’ve kept the carpet that
was already in the house, but I’m not a big fan
and might change it in the future. My ultimate
vision is to make this room an office or creative
space and dressing room. At the moment,
I often work at the dressing room table in my
bedroom, so it would be nice to move it into
here to separate the two spaces.’
A budget makeover costing just a few hundred pounds
has transformed the bathroom. ‘One of the changes was
painting the new bath panel black, so this space now
flows better with the other rooms,’ says Annabel
What I learned
It was a learning curve discovering how the light was so different in each
room. You can’t just use the same paint in every space. I went through a lot
of tester pots finding the right tones!
These days I only invest in pieces that I absolutely love and am drawn to
like a magpie, rather than things that are just on trend. Otherwise I’d just
end up giving them away further down the line.
I did a lot more than I thought I could during the reno. Buying a house is
an emotional rollercoaster and renovating is such a fulfilling process.
Everything I’ve learnt, from my parents and taking inspiration from other
homes, will be so useful when my next property project comes around.
March 2024
53
SHOP THE LOOK
Luxe Japandi
Mix the principles of Scandi and Japanese design, as Annabel has, along with
flashes of gold and faux marble for a glamorous scheme
3
2
HOMESTYLE
LOVES!
4
1
5
6
7
SCAN ME
8
style.uk
9
Feature Sophie Ellis
11
for more
interiors inspo
at yourhome
10
1 Muslin duvet cover set in Sage Green, from £39.99, H&M 2 Gold and glass square wall mirror, £69.50, Oliver Bonas
3 Hol opal glass sphere ceiling pendant, £80, BHS 4 Terrazzo bowls, £12 for 4, Matalan 5 Florence 3 door sideboard, £299,
Freemans 6 Textured storage pouffe, £40, Matalan 7 Yard Caliche textured tasselled cushion in Eucalyptus, £13, furn.
8 Linear striped yarn dye cushion, £10, Habitat 9 Marble effect resin sculptural bowl, £40, Next 10 Lacey alabaster-style
touch pad lamp, £39, Dunelm 11 Scottie solid wood dining chair, £130, Habitat
54
yourhomestyle.uk
PRIZE
WORTH
OVER
£250!
4 LUCKY WINNERS
A restful night’s sleep is a top priority for most new
parents, so to help ease your little one into the land of
nod, we’ve teamed up with Ickle Bubba to give you the
chance to win one of its newly launched drift gliding
cribs. Four readers will each win one of these portable
bedside cribs, worth £119, plus a gift voucher worth
£135 to spend online at Ickle Bubba.
Suitable from birth to 9kg, the drift gliding crib is
designed with peaceful sleep in mind, featuring mesh
panels, a comfy mattress and a gliding function that
can be turned to static mode when needed. Quick and
easy to assemble, with a removable bassinet, you can
have baby rocking by the bedside or placed on the
floor. Plus, if travelling is on the cards, the whole thing
packs away into a handy carry bag.
You’ll also be able to kit out the nursery with your
choice of goodies from Ickle Bubba’s online range,
using the gift voucher. From blankets and sleeping
bags, to storage and decor, there are plenty of options.
Discover Ickle Bubba’s full range at icklebubba.com.
Open to mainland UK residents only.
WIN! A home security
WIN! A £125 voucher to
Enjoy peace of mind knowing
your property is secure with
the ERA Protect nine-piece
smart home alarm kit.
Two winners will each
receive a smart hub, two door
and window sensors, a PIR
motion sensor, a live siren,
three remote controls, a wi-fi
outdoor camera, cables and
a quick start guide and fixing
kit. One of the first smart alarms to be given the BSI IoT Kitemark,
it offers the highest level of data protection thanks to bank-level
information security, so your property and data are protected.
All ERA Protect alarms have a simple DIY set-up and can
connect up to 96 wireless accessories. The smart alarm system is
controlled via the ERA Protect app, which is free to download and
use. Once installed, you can choose optional extras to enhance
your system including the 4G roaming back-up SIM,* so your
home is secure even if there’s a power cut or your broadband is
unavailable. You can also get a three month subscription to the
ERA Plus cover plan for free.**
Get set for
spring! To
celebrate the
exciting new
spring/summer
24 goodies
landing in B&M,
we have four
gift cards up
for grabs, each
worth £125, to
spend in-store.
Head to your local B&M for on-trend homeware accessories,
whatever your interior style. Whether you want to bring
the relaxing feel of nature into your home with the Natural
Earth collection, transform your home into an elegant and
monochrome paradise with Natural Noir, or foster a sense of
peace with the Natural Sanctuary range, there’s sure to be
something you’ll love. From bedding and furniture, to storage
and accessories, you’ll find them all in stores nationwide at
great-value prices.
system worth £279
2 LUCKY WINNERS
Head to eraprotect.com to see the full range.
spend in-store at B&M
4 LUCKY WINNERS
To see more from the latest collections and to find
your nearest store, visit bmstores.co.uk.
TO ENTER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1 The promoter is Our Media Limited (company number 05715415). 2 The closing date for the promotion is 6th April 2024 at 11.59pm. 3 The
promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands (except the Ickle Bubba prize draw, which is open to mainland UK
residents only), aged 18 years or older, except Our Media Limited’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or
their direct family members. 4 For the Ickle Bubba prize draw, employees or families of Ickle Bubba or anyone else connected in any way
with the prize draw are not eligible to enter. Assembly is not included. Each winner will receive the voucher by email. The voucher is valid
for 1 year. The voucher can be used in multiple transactions. The voucher can be used towards delivery fees, but if the voucher amount is
less than the total basket value, it will be deducted from product rather than shipping. The voucher must be spent online at icklebubba.com.
There are no other restrictions. 5 For the B&M prize draw, each winner will receive the voucher by post. The voucher can only be used
in-store. The voucher is valid for 1 year. The voucher can be used in multiple transactions. There are no restrictions on the voucher. 6 For the
full list of Terms and Conditions, visit yourhomestyle.uk/win. *ERA Plus subscription required. **Payment required after offer ends.
It’s so easy! Head to
yourhomestyle.uk, click
on the ‘Win’ tab, find the
draw you want to enter
and fill in your details.
Entrants must check the terms and
conditions on the relevant prize
draw page before entering.
Closing date 6th April 2024
at 11.59pm.
AMAZING PRIZES UP FOR GRABS!
WIN!
An Ickle Bubba crib and
online gift voucher
MAKE THE LOOK
Olive sprig wreath
Celebrate nature with a rustic wreath like Annabel’s sweet mini design
Customise your wreath according to
the season. Simply attach different
foliage with small pieces of wire
TOP TIP
To add additional
colour to your wreath,
tie small bundles of
dried or faux flowers
to the willow stems
using florist’s wire
YOU WILL NEED
bundle of willow stems
jute string (optional)
secateurs dried olive sprigs
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Use long, thin willow stems for your
wreath. The stems should only be as thick
as your little finger. If the stems are freshly
cut, you can start to work with them
directly. If the stems are dried, you will
need to soak them in water for a couple
of days to prevent them from snapping
when you bend them.
2 Begin with three long stems and twist or
braid them together loosely. Arrange the
willow stems so that the ends are staggered
slightly and don’t line up.
3 Bend your stems to form a circle and
cross over the ends. Work carefully and
bend as you go along to avoid any kinks
or sharp bends. If you can, bend the stems
around a branch, or alternatively, around
your knee.
4 Once the stems form a rough circle,
hold them together with one hand,
and intertwine the ends with your
other hand. This step can be a bit fiddly.
Alternatively, you could tie the stems
together with some jute string until
everything stays in place.
5 Keep adding more willow stems to build
Make Anna-Lisa De’Ath Photo Katie Lee
up your wreath until you reach a shape
you’re happy with. Try to distribute them
evenly and balance out any weak spots.
Twist the stems in different directions to
strengthen your wreath and weave them
in and out of the wreath to hold them in
place. Some of the stems will need more
bending than others until they keep the
desired shape.
6 Once you’re satisfied with the shape
of your wreath, tidy up any protruding
ends by weaving them into the wreath or
snipping them off with some secateurs.
Finish your wreath by inserting dried olive
sprigs around the circumference.
56
yourhomestyle.uk
Shopping
Bubble wrap
Natural look
Head in the clouds
Bobble 61cm ceramic table lamp
in Cream, £65, Habitat
Stanmore table lamp in raffia
and Verde Green, £99, Cult Furniture
Eloise table lamp,
£89, M&S
8 OF THE BEST
WE LOVE
THIS RETR0MODERN
DESIGN
Stand out
statement
lamps
Switch up your room scheme
with a stunning new floor or
table lamp that looks super
stylish whether it’s on or off.
It’s a simple way to add colour,
pattern and texture to your
space and there’s sure to be a
design to suit your budget, too
Archer floor lamp,
£150, Next
Two tone
Eliza 2 light glass table lamp,
£40, Dunelm
Searchlight style
Marble swirls
Spring greens
Elements Olympya adjustable
table wall light, £25, Dunelm
Dulce desk and table lamp,
£45, Oliver Bonas
Pair of Artichoke table lamps in Hedgerow
Green, £70, Laura Ashley
March 2024
Feature Kirstie Duhig
THIS
LAMP IS A
TANGERINE
DREAM!
57
Email us at homestyle@
ourmedia.co.uk for a
chance to appear on
this very page!
shelf love
take a seat
WIN A PRIZE!
Sponsored by...
Eflorist
Rosy McWilliams, via email I don’t have an
Instagram account that I share photos from,
so thought I’d email instead. I saw a gorgeous
built-in shelf unit in one of your inspiring
homes features, and fell in love! I then browsed
Instagram for a few hints and tips to create my
own. My clever husband built one for us, mainly
using IKEA Billy bookcases, and I’m thrilled!
Thought I’d let you know that an article in
your magazine inspired me, and I now have an
incredible addition to my home. Thank you!
Valerie Woodward, West Sussex Here
are some dining chairs that I painted and
upholstered, after being inspired by the stories
in your fabulous magazine! I inherited the set
from a family friend but wanted to update
them. The fabric colours tie into other accent
hues in my kitchen-diner, and the charcoal grey
matches my kitchen cabinets.
cover up
sunny space
Congratulations to the winners of
myHSHome, you’ve each won a
gorgeous Serenity bouquet, worth
£28.99. It’s a gorgeous mix of pink and
cream roses, chrysanthemums and
spray carnations, with dreamy foliage
too. This bouquet arrives in bud, so
that the flowers will bloom and last
longer in your home.
Check out the rest of Eflorist’s
stunning range of flowers
at eflorist.co.uk
Send us an email
at homestyle@
ourmedia.co.uk
Joanna Ward, via email We wanted to create
a perfect sun trap with a drink close by when
relaxing with a good book at the weekend. It
looks fab, but it didn’t cost a penny. A friend
gave us the drinks globe, I found the table by
the side of the road, and my mother-in-law
reupholstered the chair, which she’d had in her
house since the 1970s!
Lizzie Lucas, via email When we moved into
our house last year, we knew we couldn’t afford
a whole new kitchen right after purchasing
but we were desperate to change the look
of the tiles. After listening to your podcast
recommending tile paint, we decided to
paint over them. We chose Johnstone’s Revive
Tile Paint in White which worked brilliantly –
although it took three coats to cover the colours
underneath! We now love spending time in the
kitchen, it’s like a breath of fresh air!
Style edit
Decorator’s
IBE
, STYLE ICO
N
HAN
NA
H
TR
SPRING
FLORALS
60
FRESH
AS A DAISY
Make your home
blooming lovely with
three nature-inspired
decor schemes
Florals for spring?
I know, we’re not exactly
breaking new ground
here, but why resist these
petalled promises of
brighter days just
because they’re a bit of
a cliché? Give in to the
obvious: good style
shouldn’t be hard work
62
MEADOW
SWEET
64
Feature Hannah Tribe
BLOOMING
OPULENCE
March 2024
59
Fresh
as a daisy
Brighten your outlook with uplifting pastel
shades and playful shapes
LOUR PALETTE
CO
Freshen up a sweet
scheme with sunny yellow
13
14
15
Pink checkerboard duvet set, from £9;
Purple daisy print duvet set, from £9;
Multicolour checker throw, £7; Yellow Daydream
cushion cover, £5; Pink daisy cushion cover, £6;
Lilac Daydream tumbler, £4.50; Lilac Daydream
soap dispenser, £6; alphabet mug, £5; Lilac
Daydream mirror, £12.50, all Matalan
Style edit
Daisy Days wallpaper
in Multicoloured,
£50 per roll, Lust Home
01
3 SECRETS TO THIS SCHEME
PLAY ROOM
Let your inner child run riot when it comes to creating this
scheme. Choose patterns that are full of energy, joy and
a sprinkling of nostalgia.
COLOUR POP
Go easy on your colour choices, so that the patterns really sing.
Stick to four or fewer pastel shades, avoiding anything too
moody so that the vibe stays fresh.
02
LIGHTEN UP
Use white or pale grey in areas where you need a little
background shade. These small areas of calm will prevent the
poppy pastels from overwhelming the space.
04
Mix colourful
tiles to create a
checkerboard effect
03
05
07
06
12
Pay attention to
small details
where you can add
a touch of whimsy
08
Dried flowers in wooden frame, £6;
candles, from £1.50; mini glass vase,
£3; shell vase, £10; flower diffuser, £6;
glass vase, £8; flower hanging
decoration, £2.50; flower tealight holder,
£1.50; scalloped edge tray, £8, all B&M
11
09
10
01 Miss Daisy wallpaper in Multicoloured Brights, £14 per roll, I Love Wallpaper 02 Harlequin x Sophie Robinson Daisy Trellis wallpaper in HSRW113044, £79 per
roll, John Lewis & Partners 03 Daisy Dreams checkered wallpaper in Pink Candy, Lavender and Lemon Sorbet, £105 per roll, Sorbet Dreams 04 Daisy PVC Grey
fabric, £14 per m, Dunelm 05 Vibe Light Blue wall and floor tile, £39.29 per sq m, Victorian Plumbing 06 Lisa Basile Big Daisies fabric in Sage Green, £10.99
per m, Higgs & Higgs 07 Capsule gloss flat wall tiles in Cotton White, £28.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors 08 Orla Kiely Sweet Pea fabric in Orange, £21 per m,
Terrys 09 Matrix matt tile in Primrose Yellow, £36.92 per sq m, Topps Tiles 10 Flower mirror in Green Marbled, £25, Northerner On The Run on Art & Soul
11 Daisies Lilac tufted bath mat, £32, Urban Outfitters 12 Primrose wall fitting in White lacquered wood, £56, Pooky 13 Washable matt wall paint in Mustard,
£26.99 for 2.5L, Rust-Oleum 14 Matt emulsion paint in Fresh Lilac, £44 for 2L, Yes Colours 15 Vinyl matt emulsion paint in Fairytale, £15 for 2.5L, Wickes
March 2024
61
01
3 SECRETS TO THIS SCHEME
KEEP IT LIGHT
Get back to basics with a laid-back palette of soft, leafy greens
and pale pinks. Pair these with warming, gentle tones of stone
and sand for a fresh yet cosy effect.
Botanica pencil pleat curtains, from £80; toft
vase in Sand, £30; Elements Levi metal easy
fit pendant in Pink, £40; amber glass carafe,
£12; Florence wine goblet, £15 for 2, flute,
£15 for 2, coupe, £15 for 2; Amalfi reactive
glaze stoneware dip bowl in White, £4.50;
Amalfi Sea dinner set, £60 for a 12-piece set;
large scallop wooden border, £12;
all Dunelm
BACK TO NATURE
02
Keep the organic theme flowing by picking out pieces made
from natural materials. Choose woven lampshades and
headboards, and real stone tiles for an authentic look.
SMALL IS MIGHTY
Sweeten the effect with small floral prints. Look out for designs
with a repeat pattern featuring wild or garden flowers in a more
naturalistic style.
04
03
This boho print is
perfect for
waterfall
blinds
Botanical floral duvet set, from £24; folk floral duvet
set, from £12; embroidered flower cushion, £13;
printed scalloped floral cushion, £10, all Matalan
06
05
07
08
11
09
10
12
Swap out old handles for an
instant furniture update
01 Summer Meadow wallpaper in Pink, £18 per roll, I Love Wallpaper 02 Florence wallpaper in Honey, £35 per roll, John Lewis & Partners 03 Catherine Lansfield
Meadowsweet wallpaper in Green, £15 per roll, I Want Wallpaper 04 Yasmina fabric in Petal, £19 per m, The Pure Edit 05 Studio G Alder fabric in Midnight, £17
per m, Jane Clayton 06 Grace Mist wall tile, £77.50 per sq m, Porcelain Superstore 07 Chatham Rose brick tile, £49.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors 08 Scallop rattan
shade, £49.50, M&S 09 Prestigious Textiles Gracie fabric in Buttercup, £21.06 per m, Britannia Rose 10 Hawthorne knobs, £12 for 2, Anthropologie 11 Beige stone
effect 2x2 mosaic tile sheet, £9, B&Q 12 Aftas round jute rug, £55, La Redoute 13 Flat matt paint in Ciao, Sofia, £52 for 2.5L, COAT 14 Laura Ashley matt emulsion
paint in Pale Eau De Nil, £41 for 2.5L, B&Q 15 Dulux matt emulsion paint in Natural Wicker, £21 for 2.5L, Wickes
62
yourhomestyle.uk
Style edit
Khaki bouclé chair, £150; Lilac tufted checkerboard rug,
£70; Green knitted checkerboard throw, £15; Green tufted
checkerboard cushion, £11; Neutral ruffle stripe cushion, £10;
Green ruffle stripe cushion, £10; Green trim scallop tray, £8,
all George Home
Meadow
sweet
Give your home a relaxed vibe with
a dreamy, naturalistic look
LO
CO
UR PALETT
E
Earthy tones will create a
soothing backdrop
15
13
14
Blooming
opulence
Create a luscious, glamourous scheme that’s
rich with heavy petals
LOUR PALETTE
CO
Dark and moody hues will
add plenty of drama
13
14
Hague Fleurs mural in Black,
£37 per sq m; Hague Fleurs double
duvet set, £90, both Graham & Brown
15
Style edit
Spode Morris & Co. Honeysuckle teapot,
£59.23; Lily Manor Alhambra bone china
teacup and saucer, £24.92 for 2, all Wayfair
01
3 SECRETS TO THIS SCHEME
SECRET ESCAPE
Create the feel of a hidden garden by papering an entire room
with a statement print or bespoke mural. Choose a design with
a dark background to give the room a sense of depth.
MORE IS MORE
Look to the past for inspiration for this scheme. Check out
maximalist Victorian design for styling tips and tricks, like adding
fringing to everything.
02
SPACE TO RECLINE
Leave the walls and curtains to carry the heavy prints, and keep
large-scale pieces of furniture and accessories plain. Pick out
your favourite colours in your preferred patterns and choose
bedding, sofas and rugs in these shades.
04
03
05
Slipper accent chair in Forest, £329; Dame four-seater
sofa in Forest Green, £849; Dame floral scatter cushion,
£20; Dame floral banquette footstool, £279; Luxe
accent chair in Forest, £369, all DFS
06
07
10
Make your look
fierce and fabulous
with tiger prints
08
12
11
09
Add luxury
with fluffy
texture
01 Laura Ashley Summer Palace wallpaper in Midnight Blue, £46 per roll, Wallpaperdirect 02 Graham & Brown Allure floral wallpaper, £70 per roll, Next
03 Instawalls Erismann Peacock wallpaper, £18.98 per roll, B&Q 04 Peach rose antique ceramic drawer pulls, £12.20 for 2, BlossomTreeKnobs.etsy.com
05 Studio G Forester fabric in Plum, £15.60 per m, Graham Sanderson Interiors 06 Fringed velvet lamp shade in Dark Green, £39.50, M&S 07 Single sheepskin
rug in Plum, £45, John Lewis & Partners 08 Clarke & Clarke Artus Velvet fabric in Forest, £42 per m, Jane Clayton 09 Bengal fabric in Slate, £32 per m, Terrys
10 1901 tile in Minton Garnet, £46 per sq m, Johnson Tiles 11 Village tile in Royal Blue, £34.95 per sq m, Tile Mountain 12 Calcolo Girona Red traditional matt
wall and floor tile, £39.99 per sq m, Victoria Plum 13 Matt paint in Red 06, £45 for 2.5L, Lick 14 Claypaint in Midnight Ivy, £52 for 2.5L, Fenwick & Tilbrook
15 ben Interior Matte paint in Downpour Blue, £20 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore
March 2024
65
L RY
IA TO
EC C R
SP DU FE
O F
TR O
IN
HUNDREDS OF GREAT-VALUE IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM
Be inspired by real reader
homes and makeovers
Affordable decorating ideas &
design advice for every room
Quick and delicious recipes
to feed all the family
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Style edit
Spring
into
the new
season
Feature Hannah Tribe
Get inspired to give your
home a refresh with our
preview of the biggest and
best trends for spring/
summer 2024
March 2024
67
sweetness & light
Give your home a
vintage vibe with
a modern twist
This playful look is packed to the brim with
fresh, spring-like energy. It’s a trend that
doesn’t take itself too seriously and creates
joyful, informal spaces. If you’ve already
embraced the cottagecore look in your
home, this is the newest update of the trend.
Key patterns to look out for are stripes,
checkerboards and trellis designs. These
geometric-inspired prints give structure to
the soft colour scheme. Keep the palette light
and warm, basing the look on plaster pink,
sage green and sky blue.
68
Bridget mango wood round dining table, £549; Emmie
solid oak dining chair, £129; Amberley Sage waffle
tablecloth, from £20; checkerboard tea towels, £6 for
2; Toft abstract handled stoneware vase, £30; Emmie
yew seat pad, £10; Lottie oval rug, from £75; Ashwell
ribbed white glass pendant, £50; large scallop wooden
border, £12; Chilcote 4 slice toaster, £50; checkerboard
oven glove, £7.50; ‘Tres chic’ A4 poster, £5, all Dunelm
This trend blends vintage-style aesthetics with
contemporary charm. Traditional bobbin techniques
and mid-century-inspired lighting are
interspersed with fun slogan motifs and mix-andmatch prints, breathing new life into classic design
yourhomestyle.uk
Debbie Drake, Design Director, Dunelm
STYLE IDEA
Ruffled edges
and scallop
shapes will bring a
heritage scheme
up to date in
a flash
Style edit
the full works
With this selection of wallpaper, paint
and lighting, a seasonal makeover
is only a weekend away
STYLE IDEA
Embrace
clashing colour
combos for a
look that’s full
of joie de vivre
Harlequin x
Sophie Robinson
Ric Rac wallpaper
in Rose Quartz,
£75 per roll,
Wallpaper Direct
Kamela wall
fitting in Black, £76,
Pooky
Laura Ashley
Midnight Palace
Pinford Trellis
wallpaper, £46 per
roll, B&Q
Claypaint in
Lamb’s Ear, £52
for 2.5L, Fenwick
& Tilbrook
Mint checkerboard bath towel, £8;
Red wiggle bath sheet, £11; scalloped
dispenser, £6, tumbler, £4, soap dish, £3;
round beaded mirror, £22; La Vie Est Belle
bath mat, £10, all George Home
Classic Walls & Ceilings
interior matt emulsion in
Woke Up Like This,
£30 for 2.5L, Valspar
a quick refresh
Get the look in no time with
these brilliant buys
Scallop
bolster outdoor
cushion,
£17.50, M&S
Anton 6 seater dining table and 2 benches, £429; Whistler chair in
Dusty Green, £99; Issie ceiling shade, £40; plain jute rug, from £60;
rim glass tumbler, £3.75; glass carafe, £5; block stripe rectangular
cushion, £20; Align cushion in Yellow, £25; block stripe thermal lined
multiway curtains, from £25; stripe vase, £30;
all ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners
STYLE IDEA
Matchy-matchy
accessories
help to pull
this scheme
together
Kinnahult floor
lamp, £50, IKEA
Pink
checkerboard
duvet cover,
from £9, Matalan
Patterned large glass
vase, £27.99, H&M Home
Stoneware bowl,
£3.29,
Søstrene Grene
March 2024
69
peaceful luxury
Treat yourself to the finer
things in life with this
sumptuous look
70
yourhomestyle.uk
The interplay of textures, from natural
weaves and rustic woods to soft, brushed
metals, gives this trend depth and character.
Muted tones and warm earthy hues foster a
sense of tranquillity, for a timeless look
Karen Thomas, Head of
Design, M&S Home
This elegant scheme is the interiors
equivalent of a cashmere roll neck
jumper. It’s a comfortingly cosy trend
which creates a glamorous vibe. Stick
to a colour palette of warm beige tones,
with touches of rich brown for contrast.
Embrace the ‘house hushing’ trend to
really make the most of this look: keep
clutter to a minimum and pop anything
which doesn’t match your colour
palette into a cupboard for now. Look
out for bold, sculptural furniture and
lighting, and plenty of texture, to create
contrast in this pared-back scheme.
Curve armchair, £349; Hallie floor lamp, £99;
Langham sideboard, £599; Roma urn table
lamp, £79; curved vase, £15; cotton with linen
bolster cushion, £19.50, all M&S
STYLE IDEA
Elevate the feel of
a living or dining
room and make
simple panelling
with wooden
beading
Style edit
STYLE IDEA
the full works
Create the
impression of a
high ceiling with a
dramatic, layered
pendant lamp
Choose these key pieces to
transform your space
MADE.com Chicago
wall lamp in Antique
Copper/Gold, £89,
Next
Albany Shell Fan
wallpaper in
Gold, £26 per roll,
Wallpaperdirect
Clarke & Clarke
Effetto wallpaper
in W0179/04,
£58 per roll, John
Lewis & Partners
Soft sheen paint
in Cat’s Cradle, £52
per 2.5L, COAT
Rust-Oleum Gold effect
furniture paint, £19 for
750ml, B&Q
Sascha 4 seater round marble dining table,
£449; Zena boucle chair, £169; Dua jute
traditional rug, from £45; Lacey alabaster style
glass cluster, £89; Dunelm matt emulsion
paint in Sandstone, £20 for 2.5L, all Dunelm
a quick refresh
Marble hook,
£9.99, H&M
Home
Camden accent chair
in Casual Bouclé Oyster
Natural, £225, Next
STYLE IDEA
Pile up
squishy textiles
in various cosy
textures for a
decadent feel
Rechargeable
table lamp, £31.40,
Søstrene Grene
Cosmo glass and
marble desk and
table lamp,
£85, Oliver Bonas
Cotton 180 thread count
Oxford edge double
bedding set, £34, Habitat
Vase with rope handles, £8; natural ornament dish, £5; ribbed ceramic candle
holder with candle, £5; natural statement vase, £15; Amber vase with dried
grass arrangement, £8; photo frames, from £4.50; water hyacinth tray, £8;
matches in bottle, £3.50; ceramic candle, £3; small ceramic vase, £2.50;
mini dried pampas bunch, £3; wooden candle, £6; bubble glass candle, £4;
cushions, from £8; Oslo embossed super soft throw in Natural, £10;
Cream teddy rug, £40, all B&M
March 2024
71
the full works
Get stuck into a full room revamp with
these decorating must-haves
Chalk Wash paint in
Pink Clay, £23.50 for
750ml, Craig & Rose
Rattan cherry double bed frame, £629, 1 drawer
bedside table, £175; washed linen duvet cover in
Denim Blue, from £80, pillowcase, £30 for 2; patchwork
quilt, £180; Tulum stripe cushion, £55; Puebla cushion,
£55; kaleidoscope cushion, £50; Arboretum merino
wool throw, £125; Arboretum stripe rug, from £150;
mushroom portable dimmable table lamp, £65,
all John Lewis & Partners
Limba wallpaper
in Red, £75 per roll,
Bobbi Beck
STYLE IDEA
Geometric
textiles are a
perfect match
with patchwork
pieces
Crafted by Crown flat
matt emulsion in
Ceramic Kiln, £36 for
2.5L, Homebase
Kandi Butterscotch
wall and floor tiles,
£34.95 per sq m,
Walls and Floors
Engineered wood
flooring in Bromley Oak,
£44.95 per sq m,
The Wood Flooring Co.
a quick refresh
STYLE IDEA
We’ve rounded up these brilliant buys
Rustic basketry
instantly adds
texture and
interest
Lora flatweave
wool rug, £150,
Habitat
Risa bath mat, £48,
Anthropologie
Hanging cowboy
hat poster, from
£15.95, Desenio
M&S X Fired Earth Blenheim sideboard, £799,
candelabra, £34.50, large vase, £39.50, vase,
£19.50; woven trinket boxes, £12.50 for 2; stripe
rug, £224; Lotus floor lamp, £129, all M&S
72
yourhomestyle.uk
Elio patchwork
cushion cover,
£32.50,
Oliver Bonas
M&S X Fired Earth
short terracotta urn
vase, £29.50, M&S
Our Prairie trend offers an opportunity to craft
a warm and inviting space, effortlessly fusing a
unique Wild West charm with modern comforts.
For instance, try repurposing enamel mugs as
toothbrush holders for a playful touch
Katy Traill, Senior Design Manager, George Home
Take a trip to the Wild West and give your home a touch
of Americana with this surprisingly versatile look. Turn
up the kitsch with cowboy boot prints and slogan
cushions, or tone it down and choose rustic wood
and textured paint effects for an authentic-feeling
desert vibe. Patchwork patterns are key to this trend,
instantly creating a sense of ‘make do and mend’, even
if they’re on tiling, rather than traditional textiles. Stick
to a palette of rich earth tones like terracotta, red and
brown for a look which will take you seamlessly into
summer and beyond.
‘Howdy’ tufted cushion, £9; embroidered horse cushion, £11; jute
star natural cushion, £9; Green scalloped wave edge cushion, £10;
cow print fur cushion, £14; wooden side table, £50; Prairie planter,
£10; Prairie cactus throw (used as a wall hanging), £22; Terracotta
checkerboard rugs, from £45, all George Home
modern western
STYLE IDEA
Rich red, orange
and pink tones
will instantly bring
desert warmth
into your home
Add a touch of prairie
charm to your home with
this country look
Style edit
March 2024
73
17 stylish
Express yourself and transform
your rented home into a
chic space that feels like you,
without losing your deposit
THROW IN SOME SHADES
Inject some personality by getting creative with
colourful furniture and accessories. If your rental is
already furnished and you can’t swap out items such
as the sofa or bed, you can still liven up the room
with bedding and throws, bold cushions and smaller
items of occasional furniture, such as side tables,
which you can easily take with you if you move.
Choose wheeled options for extra flexibility.
Ted Baker Highgate cuddler sofa in Blush Primrose
velvet, £1,099; Ted Baker Highgate grande sofa in
Blush Primrose velvet, £1,499; Highgate bolster
cushion in Rose Glacier Geometric, £59, all DFS
74
yourhomestyle.uk
Style advice
ELEVATE
WITH
ACCESSORIES
CREATE A
MOVEABLE ‘WALL’
Want to zone your home office
space but not allowed to paint or
paper the wall? Paint or wallpaper
a large sheet of MDF instead and
stand it against the wall behind
your desk. If you’re worried about
marking the wall, pop some
self-adhesive cork picture frame
bumpers on the back so the painted
area doesn’t touch the wall. It will
create a useful place to attach your
calendar and post-its, too.
Pink chenille
throw, £12,
Primark
Pom pom
throw,
£59.50,
Oliver Bonas
STAGE A
COVER UP
If you can’t change the sofa, drape
a few colourful throws across it to
give your couch a mini makeover.
Or, bring back a 90s classic and try
putting a new slipcover on top.
GO FOR A
FAUX STOVE
Add the cosiness of a woodburner to your rental, without
the hassle of installation, with a
plug-in electric model instead.
This free-standing design has an
LED flame effect, to create that
classic rustic look. It’s two power
settings of 900W and 1850W can
heat rooms up to 17 sq m.
Finer carpet tiles, £29.96
per sq m, Carpetright
WARM UP COLD TOES
Love the softness of carpet underfoot, but
your landlord prefers hard flooring? Try laying
carpet tiles on top. They’re really quick and
easy to lay, and you can use a mix of different
coloured tiles to create patterns on your floor,
depending on how you lay them. When it’s
time to move, you can simply lift them up
and take them with you.
Feature Anna-Lisa De’Ath
Earth wall desk, £549; Jude fabric
storage footstool in Pumpkin Dexter,
£395; Bodahl Loki cantilever dining chair
in Olive, £289, all Furniture Village
1850W small Black stove
heater, £79.99, VonHaus
March 2024
75
Hypnos Bespoke Opulent Hideaway king-size divan bed
set in Tweed Mustard, £2,799; Hypnos Bespoke Chesham
floor standing king-size headboard in Tweed Mustard,
£649; Nordic oak lamp table, £329; Delaney urn table
lamp, £249; Stockholm nest of tables, £199; Ives rug in
Natural, from £99, all Furniture Village
ADD PATTERN AND
TEXTURE WITH FABRIC
If you long for some pattern on your
walls but can’t hang wallpaper, stretch
a patterned fabric over a wooden frame
which you can place against the wall. You
can make a frame from wooden battens,
then pull your fabric taut over the frame
and staple gun it in place. You can also use
a similar technique to make a headboard.
Good Vibes floral
painting altered
art print, from £13,
Ink & Drop
All You Need Is Love red
book cover art print, from
£18, Beach House Art
SHOW OFF YOUR
ARTY SIDE
A gallery wall is the ideal solution for
personalising your space and adding
some colour without paint or wallpaper.
Use Command hooks to hang your art as
these can simply be peeled away from
the wall without leaving any damage.
D-C-Fix White and Brown
terrazzo stone effect selfadhesive vinyl tile, £15.30
for a pack of 11, B&Q
Anastasia adjustable Black
glass radiator cover,
£399.99, MY Furniture
GIVE THE RADS A GLOW UP
Dated radiators can drag down the look of a room. While
you can’t remove them, you can hide them with
attractive covers, which have the added benefit of
giving you extra display space on top for your favourite
accessories. Look for adjustable designs that can slide in
and out sideways to fit different-sized radiators.
FAKE A TILED FLOOR
Transform less-than-lovely kitchen, bathroom or hallway
floors by covering them with self-adhesive vinyl tiles,
which are simple to lay over existing tiled floors. Carefully
lift them off again when you come to the end of your lease.
76
yourhomestyle.uk
Style advice
LOOK FOR
EASY-FIT
OPTIONS
Sure Lock
storage
shelf, £22.50,
A Place for
Everything
MAX OUT
BATHROOM
STORAGE
If you can’t screw or drill
into the walls but want
to add privacy, look for
blinds that don’t require
any tools. Designed
for easy installation in
your bifold doors with
no drills or fuss, these
innovative pleated
blinds from Blinds 2go
will slot right into your
window frame and fold
up into a neat stack
when not in use.
Shrewsbury
ladder towel rail
£32.99, VonHaus
BATHROOM
BUDDIES
Drilling into tiles is generally a rental
no-no, so choose free-standing
storage instead. Shelves or racks
which attach using suction cups are
an ideal in-shower solution, while
lean-to ladder racks are a stylish and
practical way to store towels.
Cerulean Blue Ombré Watercolour
wallpaper mural, from £31.50 per
sq m, WallpaperMural
BiFold ClickFit DuoShade
Stucco pleated blind,
from £23.90, Blinds 2go
WAKE UP YOUR WALLS
When you’re not allowed to paint or
wallpaper the walls in your rental, consider
hanging a self-adhesive mural instead. They
come in a huge range of designs and are
made to fit your wall dimensions perfectly.
When it’s time to leave, simply peel it off
carefully, leaving your wall as it was before.
ADD A
SPLASH OF
COLOUR
Dotty circular rug
in Opal, £30,
Walton & Co
CHOOSE A BOLD
DESIGN TO
DRAW THE EYE
Quadrostyle Campagne Navy wall
tile and furniture vinyl tile stickers
15x15cm, from £14.50, Create Your World
Kinetic hand tufted
rug in Multicolour,
£149, Cult Furniture
RUG UP
Quadrostyle Scandinavian Lichen
wall tile and furniture vinyl tile
sticker 15x15cm, from £14.50,
Create Your World
Quadrostyle Syracuse wall and
floor vinyl tile sticker 30x30cm,
from £24.50, Create Your World
Quadrostyle Astra Rose wall and
floor vinyl tile sticker 30x30cm,
from £24.50, Create Your World
Rugs are a renter’s friend. They’re the
quickest and most affordable way to disguise
an old floor, or create zones in an open-plan
space. A general rule is to choose the largest
size possible, to make it seem more spacious.
DIY A
SPLASHBACK
Rather than replacing a
splashback, which is often
costly, simply cover up an
outdated one with vinyl tile
stickers. These Quadrostyle
designs are made from waterresistant, heavyweight vinyl
and will withstand everyday
wear and tear. The low tack
adhesive backing means they
peel off without any residue.
REVIVE A TIRED
KITCHEN
If your kitchen has seen better
days, then sticky-back plastic is
your bestie. Self-adhesive vinyl
comes in lots of colours and
effects, such as wood, marble and
hi-gloss. It covers dated cabinet
doors, disguises ugly worktops
and even hides tatty tiles.
78
yourhomestyle.uk
D-C-Fix matt self-adhesive furniture vinyl
wrap in Mallard Green, from £9.45 per
roll; D-C-Fix self-adhesive furniture vinyl
wrap in Scandinavian Oak Wood, from
£9.45 per roll, both B&Q
Style advice
ZONE
WITH
FURNITURE
Modular industrialstyle shelf unit
with cubby boxes,
£1,481.60, Shelved
If you need to divide
open-plan spaces or
kids’ bedrooms and
you’re not able to
build stud walls, then
try free-standing
shelving units. Keep
the shelves clear to
allow light through if
you wish, or fill them
with books to create
a solid screen for
more privacy. Choose
an option that can be
easily disassembled,
so you can pack it
away and transport.
SPRUCE UP HARD FLOORS
Love the look of parquet or floorboards? Consider
covering up unloved flooring with loose-lay laminate
planks instead. The floor you’re laying the laminate
over must be level, so this does rule out brick, carpet
and natural stone floors, but it’s well suited to vinyl or
any other flat surface. These wide herringbone-effect
planks are ideal for DIY installation, and can even be
used with underfloor heating.
Palio LooseLay flooring in Sardinia; Torcello; and Capri,
RRP £46.49 per sq m, Palio Express by Karndean
SCAN ME
Premoda Ruscello Danube
Herringbone Oak laminate
flooring, £39.99 per sq m,
Carpetright
for more great rental
ideas at your
homestyle.uk
March 2024
79
I WANT MY LIVING SPACE TO RADIATE
positive
vibes
The living room
was a re blank
canvas, but it
meant I could be
brave when it came
to the styling
Feature Colette Earley Styling Rochelle Dalphinis Photos Kasia Fiszer
Kristabel Plummer injected new life into her rented living room with
a creative, uplifting makeover, using DIY decor and travel souvenirs
Find prints that reflect your
interests to make a rented
space feel personal to you
– some of Kristabel’s are
from Dorcas Creates, and
Hand and Palm
80
yourhomestyle.uk
About me
I’m Kristabel Plummer, a social
media influencer – you can find
me on Insta @iamkristabel. I’ve
been living in north London in a
rented one-bed flat for three years.
I moved in just before lockdown.
Living room makeover
TOTA L
£3,500
‘I like to think of this room as a modern
version of a Caribbean front room,
with clashing patterns, crochet and
mid-century furniture’
BEFORE
M y p roblem livin g room
The living room was such a contrast from my
previous flat-share and didn’t have any original
features like a fireplace. The new flat also came
completely unfurnished and I didn’t have any
furniture from previous rentals to move in. It was
a real blank canvas for me.
How I made it work
Due to it being a rental, I had to get creative with
furniture and decorations. I decided to create a
focal point in the room using my Scandi-inspired
sideboard and I added my collection of colourful
bowls to the walls to add interest.
My favourite part
I love the bowls above the sofa and how they work
with the Robert Delaunay art print. The whole
display was a bit of an experiment, so I’m really
pleased with how it worked out.
B
efore I moved here in February 2020, I was living
in a flat-share in Muswell Hill, but we had to move
out as the landlord wanted to renovate. Although
I was initially worried about the cost of living
alone, I’ve successfully adjusted.
What first drew me to this flat was its amazing location, but
I was also excited about having a dedicated workspace and
being able to use all the crockery I’d been collecting. It took me
about eight months to personalise the space to my liking – my
goal was to make it truly reflect my personality, and one of my
proudest accomplishments was crocheting a Mexican-inspired
blanket using a Katie Jones pattern.
I also absolutely adore my Snug sofa, a main feature of the
room. It was incredibly convenient, arriving in a compact box
and only taking 30 minutes to assemble. During lockdown,
I took the opportunity to immerse myself in styling, and my
fascination with dried flowers blossomed thanks to the time
I had to look for inspo on Instagram. Some of my faves come
from The Happy Blossoms. I also have a deep affection for
sculptural candles – even though I may never actually light
them! In my previous career as a knitwear designer, I revelled in
co-ordinating different hues, which is why colour is such a major
theme in my place. The bowls, sourced from Etsy and TK Maxx,
as well as St. Lucia, are one of my favourite features of the room,
inspired by an arrangement I stumbled upon on Pinterest.
I’m still delighted with my decision to move here. The
abundant natural light and the blank canvas the room provided
meant I could truly incorporate my colourful personality. When
I look around the space, my mood is instantly lifted.
Kristabel enjoys craft workshops and loved
hand-painting the flowers on the tapered candle
below, which she found really therapeutic
My shopping list
Rwanda African wall basket, from £24, Avani
African Décor. Muralla Roja print, from £15,
Kaloola Jay Studio on Etsy. For similar, try The
Spring Sunshine dried flower baked blossom
bunch, from £24, The Happy Blossoms. Abrielle
bamboo easy fit pendant, £32, Dunelm.
Rhythms by Robert Delaunay framed art print,
£240, King & McGaw. Colour crate, from £6, Hay.
Florian plant pot on wooden feet H58.5cm,
£115; for similar, try Nogu double flower cane
mirror, £48, both La Redoute. Croissant candle,
£46, Overose. For similar, try Bailey high back
medium 2 seater sofa in Chunky Chenille Dark
Teal, £1,104, John Lewis & Partners. For similar,
try Rwandan sisal basket bowls, from £32,
kenyancraftscompany on Etsy. For similar, try
Acapulco rattan accent chairs in Blue and
Pink, £199.99 for 2, Beliani. For similar, try Caleb
wooden sideboard, £599, Cult Furniture.
Taking inspiration from places she’s visited, and
others that fascinate her, Kristabel has collected
pieces from Mexico, Kenya, Jamaica, St Lucia,
Mauritius and Rwanda. Her aim is to collect more
embroidered pieces from the Caribbean
82
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SCAN ME
for more inspiring
real homes at
yourhomestyle.uk
01
02
03
Style advice
Three simple tricks
to try in your own home
01 Bookcase beauty
‘The IKEA Billy bookcase is such a great style to work
with, as it’s practical and uniform. I arranged my books
by colour and added flourishes like candles and
cameras to add break up the display. I was very lucky to
find some Mexican baskets, which fit perfectly. I wear
them out as bags, or use them as storage.’
02 Sofa styling
‘I went without a sofa for six months during
lockdown, so was pleased when I was finally able to
choose one. I went for a dark teal just in case of any
spillages, plus I knew that it would work with the
wall decor. It’s a two-seater as that worked best with
the size of the room. The Kitri stripe cushions create
a nice contrast.’
03 Colour splash
‘The living room was a real blank canvas. Although
it’s annoying when your rental contract prevents
you from painting walls, it means you can be brave
when it comes to styling. I created a pattern on the
wall using African bowls and fans. I used command
strips to fix them to the wall, so it’ll be easier to
remove them when I move. The Scandi sideboard
does a similar job as a fireplace, since the room
doesn’t have original features – it’s the first thing you
see when you enter the room and a real focal point.’
March 2024
83
Pink & Orange glass
candle holder, £32,
Rose & Grey
COMES
IN FOUR
COLOURS
Shaped pillar candle
in Bright Green,
£12.99, H&M Home
Checkerboard
cotton coaster in
Pink, £15 for 2, TBCo
Stripe ruffle
knitted throw,
£22, George Home
GET THE LOOK
Laura Gröndahl – With You poster,
from £15.95, Desenio
Joyful
eclectic
Dial up the dopamine
with a mix of patterns in a
rainbow of punchy hues
to get Kristabel’s playful
living room vibe
KR
Paper raffia
placemats in Spice
Pink & Orange, £21 for 2,
Talking Tables
Practic and pretty, this
piece is artisan-made
84
yourhomestyle.uk
Patagonia sideboard pine wood storage
cabinet 120x60cm, £280, Where Saints Go
Traditional flatweave
wool rug in Multi
120x160cm, £120,
Habitat
ISTABEL
I used to design
knitwear and
love coordinating
different hues
Boogi flexi arm
table lamp in
Apple Green, £30,
Dunelm
Get the look
Dried faux fan
palm bouquet,
£15, Matalan
The Rebel 3 seater sofa in
Blue Steel, £1,399, Snug
THERE'S
A ROUND
VERSION
TOO!
Floral burst rectangular
tray, £30, not just a shop
Boho Red 1 70s
scatter cushion, £30,
Storigraphic
3 OF A KIND
...
B
O
Feature Michelle Grady
Chequered reed
basket in Pink
and Orange,
from £28,
Bohemia
E TS
Willow macrame
footstool in Teal
Green, £59.99,
Homescapes
Jute mini basket in Misty
Blue, £10.50, The Braided
Rug Company
SK
BA
This cute
pouffe has
a handmade
cotton cover and
solid wood legs
LD
Adjoa garden
basket, £55,
Lola & Mawu
SCAN ME
Tropical Retreat ceramic
plant pots in Terracotta,
£10 for 3, B&M
for more interiors
inspo at your
homestyle.uk
March 2024
85
COLOURFUL BEACH HUTS INSPIRED MY
pastel pop
kitchen revamp
Rather than rip out a perfectly good kitchen, Dilly Orme had the
cupboards resprayed in a mix of ice-cream shades for a fresh and fun look
TOTA L
£4,427
style idea
Feature and styling Dilly Orme Photography Alexander Edwards
Seek out colourful
kitchen essentials
and accessories to
complement your
kitchen scheme
About me
This corner of the kitchen, close to the
sink, was an ideal area to create a tea and
coffee-making station. As well as being
practical, it creates a pretty display. Dilly
even managed to find a lilac kettle in the
same tone as the cupboards
86
yourhomestyle.uk
I’m Dilly Orme, 54, and I’m an
interior stylist and writer. I’m on
Instagram @dillyorme. I live with
my two daughters, Rosie, 23, and
Ruby, 21. Our home is a threebedroom Victorian terrace in
Hampton, which we bought
in June 2002.
Kitchen-diner makeover
I love the look of bea
huts in sorbet shades, so
I carefully ose colours
that could work together
No longer a block of plain blue, the
resprayed cupboards are now the star
of the show. Dilly kept everything else
as cost-effective as possible
BEFORE
My problem kitchen
When we moved in, the kitchen was brand new
and very blue. But as the kitchen had just been
installed, it didn’t seem justified to change it, so we
lived with it as it was for almost 20 years, but I had
always really wanted to put my stamp on it.
units. So, I investigated getting them sprayed, and
created a whole new kitchen look based around
painting the cupboard doors in different colours.
How I made it work
I just love how joyous it is! People often say it
reminds them of the colours of beach huts.
Keeping the other elements of the room white
really makes the cupboard fronts pop.
The layout was good, and the existing kitchen
was robust so there was no point in replacing the
My favourite part
W
e bought our house from a
developer, who had unusually
painted every room in the house
a different bright colour, and the
kitchen was primarily blue. If we’d changed one thing,
we would’ve had to change everything, so we lived
with it as it was.
I had often thought about spraying the cupboard
doors but wasn‘t sure what to do about the
surrounding casing. When I spoke to Paul at ProSpray
London, a kitchen and furniture respraying company,
he explained how he could remove the doors and take
them away to be sprayed in his workshop. On the same
day he collected the doors, he could cover and protect
any areas to be left unsprayed and then spray the
surrounds on-site.
Once I knew it could be done, I started to think
about the colour scheme and I decided it would be fun
to spray the cupboard doors different colours. I love
the look of beach huts in sorbet shades, so I carefully
chose colours that could work together. Paul was able
to colour match my paint choices using a specialist
kitchen paint called Sayerlack.
I worked with Paul and my builder, Daljeed, to time
things carefully. Paul removed the doors first and
sprayed the surrounds before Daljeed replaced the
existing tile splashback, worktops and flooring and
painted the room white. As Paul was spraying the
doors, I asked him to spray paint the chairs too.
We had a couple of weeks of upheaval while we
lived with a makeshift kitchen, but it was great to see
everything fall into place when the doors were screwed
back into position and the chairs were around the
table. I chose white for the walls, which really made the
colours pop and created a fresh, open feel, so I picked
out additional furniture in white too. For extra storage,
I found a fabulous island on wheels, and a brilliant
freestanding utility cupboard, both from Wayfair.
I finished off by matching the colours of the units
with accessories, keeping key items such as the bread
bin and scales out on show as they match the room so
well. Now, every morning when I walk into the kitchen
it brings a smile to my face.
The vintage chairs were sprayed the same
colours as the cupboard fronts to link the dining
area with the rest of the scheme. Dilly carefully
sourced the other elements in the space, such as
the picture, tablecloth, china and glassware, in the
same colour palette for a cohesive finish
88
yourhomestyle.uk
We had a couple of
weeks of upheav
while we lived with
a makeshift kiten,
but it was a great to
see everything f
into place
My shopping list
Create a simple yet stunning spring
centrepiece, like Dilly, with a cake
topped with rose petals and
surrounded with flowers cut short
and displayed in dinky bottles
Spraying kitchen cupboards and surrounds,
£1,650, ProSpray London. Wooden cupboard
door knob, from £1.20 each, Door Handle
Company. Metro matt tile in White, £22.50 per sq m,
Topps Tiles. Säljan worktop in White laminate,
£60 for 186cm; Almaren kitchen mixer tap,
£85; for similar, try Lagan gas hob, £99, all IKEA.
Quickstep Impressive Ultra White planks laminate
flooring, £40.49, per sq m, Floor Monster. Dulux
matt emulsion paint in Pure Brilliant White,
£26.99 for 10L, Screwfix. For similar, try Swan 1.5L
Retro Purple kettle, £172, OnBuy. Kensington
solid wood kitchen trolley, £132.99; Rosalind
Wheeler Dawn solid wood storage bench,
£274.99; Fun Bouquet II by Jennifer Goldberger
wrapped canvas painting, £97.99; Belfry Kitchen
Rocha mechanical kitchen scale, £24.99; Premier
Housewares extra large melamine mixing bowl,
£14.99; Living Nostalgia 30ml kitchen canister
set, £49.99; striped wooden large chopping
board, £19.75; MasterClass non-stick cast
aluminium round casserole dish with lid, £38.99;
maxi patisserie footed service plate, £21.62; Lily
Manor Aleta bone china side plates, £28.75 for 4;
Latitude Vive Lim drinking glass set, £27.97 for
4; Romantic highball glasses, £33.64 for 4; 38cm
glass tabletop candlestick, £23.99; Pastel Pink
30cm handmade round bamboo vase, £20.99;
Mercer41 Knowles square scatter cushion cover,
£19.99; Harbour Housewares vintage metal
utility canisters set, £16.99 for 2, all Wayfair.
SCAN ME
for more inspiring
real homes at
yourhomestyle.uk
01
02
Style advice
03
Three simple tricks
to try in your own home
01 Find du-purpose furniture
Where space is a premium, invest in multi-functional
furniture. ‘This kitchen island was such a find,’ says
Dilly. ‘It was just £132.99 and provided us with another
cupboard, two shelves with easy access, and two
drawers, plus extra work surface which is really handy
for preparing and plating up meals. It’s also on wheels,
so it can easily be rolled out of the way when it’s
not needed.’
02 Make an ဣpact with art
Hang a big canvas print as a focal point, or to subtly
zone a dining area in a kitchen-diner space. Large
artwork is particularly effective above key items of
furniture such as a dining table, sideboard or sofa.
A large canvas can also help make a room feel bigger
and airier, as there won’t be as much visual clutter as
there would be with lots of smaller pieces.
03 Adt a cupboard
The area by the back door was wasted space, so Dilly
investigated getting fitted cupboards. However, the
lowest quote was around £1,000, so she searched for a
cheaper alternative and found a freestanding wardrobe
which she reconfigured inside to suit her needs.
‘I found a wardrobe in a simple, classic design which
worked with the rest of the kitchen, then I looked for a
freestanding shelf unit to put inside. The idea being that
I could store larger cleaning items such as the vacuum
cleaner on one side and smaller items on the shelves.’
March 2024
89
Small Lisboa pendant in Violet glass, £96 each; with
plateau ceiling fitting in Antiqued Brass, £178,
both Pooky
Lilac gingham wooden serving tray, £16,
Talking Tables
MAKE A
GET THE LOOK
Embossed ceramic
mug in Blue, £15,
Bøde Living
Sorbet
sundae
Get Dilly’s deliciously sweet
kitchen look with generous
helpings of pink, turquoise,
green and blue
Kitchen scales in Pistachio,
£29.95, Rex London
D I L LY
I wanted to recreate
the look of bea huts
in pretty pastels
The Skinny locker in Lilac,
£289, Mustard Made
Gisela Graham faux flowers in glass jar,
£9.95 each, That's Lovely That
Feature Michelle Grady
Designpro stackable
cookware in Blue,
£79 for a 3-piece set, ProCook
90
yourhomestyle.uk
Zest Block Floral corkback placemats
and coasters, £12 for set of 4; Block
Floral apron, £7, both Habitat
Get the look
Garden Florals
poster, from £9.95,
Desenio
Picnic gingham pattern wallpaper in Pink,
£75 per roll, Bobbi Beck
Mix and mat
coloured glass
candle holders
and pretty
pastel candles
to create a spring
tablesce
Talking Tables
Boho glass candle
stick in Pink, £14,
The Wisteria Tree
3 OF A KIN
D.
..
C
O
U
LO
Fantasy tumbler, £25 for 4,
Sweetpea & Willow
Coucke Emile Check woven linen
and cotton tea towel in Green,
£14.50, Home Landing
COMES IN
RED AND
BLUE TOO
Claypaint in The Lido,
£57.50 for 2.5L, Earthborn
RED GLASSW
A
Lorenzo Blue
wine glasses,
£19 for 4, ProCook
Sur La Table Green
glass stacking tumblers,
£29 for 4, Pure Table Top
SCAN ME
for more interiors
inspo at your
Pastel flower tealight
holder, £1 each, The Range
homestyle.uk
March 2024
91
Handleless doors are
one of the key features
of a modern kitchen,
as it creates a sleek and
seamless style that works
well with built-in and
integrated appliances
Bude True Handleless kitchen
in Matt Blush, from £2,490,
Benchmarx Kitchens
Modern vs
traditional style
Whether you prefer a classic or
contemporary kitchen, there
are plenty of colour options for
each style so you can create
your dream kitchen scheme with
coordinating cabinets, worktops,
appliances and accessories
W
hether you’re planning a kitchen refit or
simply want to update what you already
have, there are lots of ways to create a
modern or traditional look. From the big elements
such as cabinets, tiles and flooring, to changing
the sink or tap, there’s something for every budget.
Even the way you display crockery and cookware
can make a huge difference – think minimal clutter
for a modern look and open shelving and dressers
for a classic feel. Read on to discover key design
features and how to bring them into your space...
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yourhomestyle.uk
Kitchen ideas
Keen cooks can take
advantage of the latest
technology with this
induction range cooker.
It features smart Link+
tech that allows you
to bridge induction
zones for larger pans
and roasting tins along
with pan detection,
overheat sensors and
a child lock
Cookcentre 110Ei electric
induction range cooker,
around £1,799, Belling
The Tap Factory Vibrance 1
Brushed Brass single lever
mono kitchen mixer with
Candy Pink handle, £139.99,
Tap Warehouse
There are lots of different finishes that
complement a contemporary kitchen
design: brushed brass, matt black, rose
gold or gunmetal are on-trend options.
Or why not break the traditional
style rules and mix metals?
Bushboard Omega Light
Portland postformed 38mm
laminate worktop in
Granite 4100x600, £231,
Solid Surface Kitchens Direct
Turin kitchen in Hunter
Green, from £4,382,
Symphony
Tribeca bar stool in
Black Velvet, £139,
Cult Furniture
Ca’ Pietra Lily Pad
porcelain tiles in
Bubblegum, £29.40
for a box of 10,
Hyperion Tiles
Voronoi White marble
effect hexagon tiles,
£47.04 per sq m,
Walls and Floors
Lush Mix patterned tile,
£56.71 per sq m,
Porcelain Superstore
A monochrome
scheme with black and
white cabinets and
worksurfaces creates
an ultra-modern look.
Get a marble, granite
or other stone-effect
surface for less with
laminate, which is
durable and low
maintenance
Bring the biophilic
trend into your kitchen
with these tropical
paradise tiles, perfect
as a splashback behind
the sink and hob or as a
feature wall. Team with
pale wooden cabinets
for a Scandi vibe
March 2024
93
Feature Hayley Gilbert
Modern
handleless cabinets
are ideal for small
spaces and galley
kitchens, as the
absence of handles
makes the room
feel larger. Add
some sleek open
shelving alongside
wall cabinets to
increase the feeling
of light and space
Atiya 3 light semi flush
ceiling light,
£106.20, där lighting
Radio controlled Green retro
wall clock, £77, Lime Lace
Update your worktops for solid
wood surfaces to give your kitchen
a classic makeover without having
to change the cabinets
GoodHome 40mm dark wood effect solid
oak square edge kitchen island worktop,
180x98cm, £488, B&Q
Scandi enamel oven tray,
£10, Habitat
Cath Kidston Painted Table
measuring cups and spoons, £35, Next
Mix and match
with different yet
complementary
colours for the island
and the rest of the
cabinets. Add a luxe
look with brushed
gold handles and a
matching tap
Mottram kitchen in
Harbour Grey and Dusky
Pink, from £9,500, Laura
Ashley Kitchen Collection
For a fresh take on
the classic Shaker door,
these solid timber
cabinets have a simple
narrow frame for a
more contemporary
look. As well as
standard shades, you
can use its colourmatching service for
something unique
Elswick kitchen in Pearl
and Sapphire, from £5,875,
LochAnna Kitchens
94
yourhomestyle.uk
Kitchen ideas
Recreate the look of wooden flooring for a
fraction of the price with porcelain tiling. This
chevron design replicates the warmth of oak
– but it’ll be quicker to lay and will be
more durable
Loire oak matt chevron wood effect porcelain floor tile,
£26.99 per sq m, Tile Mountain
Sophie Allport x National
Trust Blossom tea towels,
£21 for 2, Sophie Allport
Forest green cabinets work
beautifully with stone flooring and
a rustic look. Use open shelving
instead of wall units if the space
doesn’t get much natural light
Hjerte kitchen in Spruce,
from £2,125, Smile Kitchens
Sophie Allport x National Trust Blossom
pot grab, £12, Sophie Allport
Polaris 3-in-1 instant hot
water tap in Pewter, from
£1,463, Perrin & Rowe
A boiling water tap will deliver just the
right amount of instant boiling water for
cooking and a cuppa when you need it
– there are plenty of options
in traditional styles, too
Choose a similar shade for tiles and cabinets to
keep the design cohesive and create a feeling of
space in a smaller room
Briks tiles in Ivory Stone, £42.31 per sq m, Topps Tiles
March 2024
95
SCAN ME
5 OF THE BEST
for more eco kettle
reviews at your
Temperature
control kettles
Make brewing your morning cuppa
more efficient and enjoyable with
one of these clever designs
WHAT’S HOT?
Advancing technology has
led to a rise in kettles that do
more than just boil water.
The latest models are able to
heat water to the precise
temperature you need – 80°C
for a green tea and around
90°C for coffee – meaning
you get a better tasting
brew and save on
energy, too
4
1
Feature Yvette Filer
homestyle.uk
HANDY
‘KEEP WARM’
FUNCTION
ONLY
£30
1
2
3
4
5
Swan Alexa 1.5L
smart kettle, £99.99,
Swan
Gastroback Water
Kettle Colour Vision
Pro, £54.99, B&Q
Variable temperature
kettle 1.7L, £179,
KitchenAid
George Home Black
digital fast boil kettle
1.5L, £30, ASDA
‘Alexa, pop the kettle on!’
We had fun testing this
voice-activated kettle, which
is so easy to use once you’ve
set it up. At 1.8kw, it has a
lower power output than
some other models but its
rapid boil element makes for
a speedy cuppa. There’s no
viewing window for the
water level, which is a
shame, but we love the
digital touch controls for its
four temperature options
and its sleek black finish.
This 1.5L model lights up in
different colours, from blue
to red, as it heats up and has
an optical temperature
display to show you the
exact water temperature as
it heats and cools. Water can
be heated to 50°C, 60°C,
70°C, 85°C or 100°C. With a
2.4kw power output, it’s
quick to heat and has an
automatic cut-off so it can’t
boil dry. It also has a handy
360° base which includes
cord storage and a
removable limescale filter.
While the most expensive
option on test, this is certainly
a stylish addition to our
countertop. With a 1.7L
capacity, the stainless steel
model can heat water
between 50-100°C and it has
a well-designed non-drip
spout. We found it quick
to heat and well insulated,
meaning it keeps water hot
for longer. It also has a 360°
base with cord storage and
a removable limescale filter.
Choose from Matte Black,
Stainless Steel, Pistachio,
Almond Cream or Empire Red.
Bosch Styline
TWK8631GB variable
temperature cordless
kettle 1.5L, currently
£70, Amazon
Its double-walled
exterior keeps the outside
cool to touch while retaining
heat for an automatic two
hour ‘keep warm’ function.
WE LOVE:
96
yourhomestyle.uk
WE LOVE: The ‘Purify’
function – a three minute
long extended antibacterial
boil cycle.
You can choose from four
temperature settings – 70°C,
80°C, 90°C and boiling – and
a 30 minute ‘keep warm’
function on this energyefficient model via a handy
digital display. The double
wall of the kettle also helps
to keep the outside cool and
safe to touch while keeping
water warmer for longer. This
model also features an
easy-pour spout, limescale
filter and hidden cord
storage in the base.
As our most budget-friendly
buy, we were impressed by
this model’s 3kw fast boil
element and its five
temperature options: 40°C,
60°C, 80°C, 90°C and 100°C.
While not the most sturdy
kettle we’ve used, the design
is smart and the plastic outer
does make it lightweight.
It has an energy smart 1 cup
minimum fill to save both
time and electricity, making
it a good choice if you don’t
need to make many
tea rounds.
A handy digital
display above the control
buttons shows you the live
water temperature.
WE LOVE:
The cute on/off
chime which sounds like the
seatbelt sign on a plane!
WE LOVE:
The futuristic
design with its unusual
shaped base.
WE LOVE:
Helpful hints
Twelve South DeskPad,
currently £49.99, Amazon
Our pick of the latest products, hacks and
hints to make your home life simpler
and more sustainable…
This biometric
padlock is great for
securing garden gates,
sheds and more, and can
store up to 10 fingerprints
– ideal for the whole
family, as well as
trusted friends and
neighbours.
Feature Poppy Benner
Desk buddies
If you sit at your desk (or dining room table) for long hours, then both comfort
and aesthetics are important to help you work more efficiently, and the
DeskPad definitely delivers with its soft feel and sleek look. This spill-resistant
mat instantly transforms a cold, hard desk into a warm work surface with
cushioning for the wrists. It’s also been created with an extra-wide design, so it’s
large enough for an extended keyboard, mouse and graphics tablet – as well as
a coffee cup, of course! Choose from Black or Grey to suit your scheme.
Groov-e My Lock smart padlock,
currently £29.52, Amazon
SCENT-SATIONAL
3 OF THE BEST... CUTE COASTERS
Cheese plant leaf coasters, £15 for 4,
Finest Imaginary
Say goodbye to stinky bins
with EKO’s neat and discreet
perfume holder, which easily
attaches to your bin lid. Simply
slot in a scented capsule for a
burst of forest fragrance.
Perfume capsule
holder, £3.99;
bin perfume
refill set, £4.99,
both EKO
Colourful retro floral coasters, £14.50
for 4, Enamelhappy
Lamb round coaster, £5 each,
Perkins & Morley
Fabulosa’s new
hanging dehumidifiers
help protect your clothes
and keep garments smelling
fresh for longer. Choose from
Lush Pomegranate, Cotton Fresh,
or Blush Babe and hang
them in your
wardrobe to help
prevent mould
and mildew.
£1 each from
B&M.
Breath of
fresh air
HangOn drying rack,
£82, Brabantia
If your allergies tend to flare up in
spring, check out this air purifier
– its filter captures 99.95% of
allergens, bacteria, dust and
pollen. It’s ideal for rooms up to
14 sq m, and you can set an eight
hour timer and low-noise night
mode, too. We love the addition
of an essential oils diffuser, so
you can welcome calming scents
into your home at the same
time as filtered air!
High and dr y
Large laundry loads usually take up lots of drying
space – and all too often, driers are bulky and don’t fit
many clothes on. Brabantia’s HangOn drying rack can
hold up to three machine loads of laundry, as it has
25m of drying space! Once you’ve finished drying, the
rack folds down compactly, ready to be stored away.
A handy child lock prevents accidental collapses and
any fingers getting caught. Eight hooks for hangers
and a hanging rod for at least 10 hangers also mean
you can dry shirts and tops crease-free.
3
O
F
T
B E S T. . .
E
H
Whisks
2
Desktop air purifier,
£79.99, Swan
1
READ MORE
PILLOW
REVIEWS ON
PAGE 31
Dylon Colour
Catcher Max
Protect + Eco
sheets, £2.50,
Sainsbury’s
M IX I T UP
With Dylon’s colour-catching
laundry sheets, you can
combine different fabric
colours in a full load, reducing
washloads and saving water
and energy. The sheets are
made from biodegradable
fibres, and come in grass and
paper packaging.
98
yourhomestyle.uk
Soundasleep speaker pillow,
£30, Sleepy People
Sleep smar ter With National Bed Month and
World Sleep Day both happening in March, now’s the
perfect time to think about improving your nighttime routine. This pillow has a speaker inside, which
is undetectable, so you can listen to your favourite
podcast, audiobook or relaxing playlist, without the
worry of disturbing anyone else. Sounds like bliss.
3
1 Twist 2-in-1 Blue whisk, £12, Joseph Joseph
2 Balloon whisk, £3.99, Homesense
3 Gourmet stainless steel sauce
whisk, £8, Dunelm
Once it starts getting
warmer, it’s time
to switch up your
bedding. Invest in
vacuum storage bags
to save precious space
2 LUCKY WINNERS
TO
ENTER
It’s so easy! Head to
yourhomestyle.uk, click on
the ‘Win’ tab, find the draw
you want to enter and
fill in your details.
Closing date 6th
April 2024 at 11.59pm.
If a bathroom reno is part of your makeover plans this year,
then don’t miss the chance to win a fabulous new shower
enclosure from Lakes Showering Spaces. Two lucky readers will
win a brushed brass hinged door and inline panel and optional
brushed brass side panel (worth up to £1,737.79) in a choice of
sizes, from Lakes’ newly launched Wave brushed brass collection.
What better way to update your bathroom than with an
elegant shower space? The luxe feel of this range will help create
a relaxing oasis for your daily rituals. Whether you’re opting for a
full bathroom transformation or just a refresh, this beautiful brass
enclosure will bring a sophisticated look to your scheme.
The hinged door and inline panel, available in widths between
1,000-1,700mm, offers both function and style and is a useful
choice for wider enclosure spaces. The optional brushed brass
side panel is available in widths between 700-1,000mm, to
complete your corner or walk-in shower space. Practical and
pretty, the enclosures have been designed to stand the test of
time and have been manufactured with toughened glass for
a durable finish, so it’ll look good for many years to come.
Head to lakesshoweringspaces.com/collection/wave/
to discover Lakes’ new Wave brushed brass collection.
Open to mainland UK residents only.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1 The promoter is Our Media Limited (company number 05715415). 2 The closing date for the promotion is 6th April 2024 at 11.59pm. 3 The promotion is open to
mainland UK residents only, aged 18 years or older. 4 The promotion is not open to Our Media Limited’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with
the promotion or their direct family members. 5 Installation is not included. 6 The hinged door and inline is available in the following widths: 1,000mm; 1,100mm;
1,200mm; 1,300mm; 1,400mm; 1,500mm; 1,600mm; and 1,700mm. The side panel is available in the following widths: 700mm; 750mm; 800mm; 900mm; and
1,000mm. 7 For the full list of Terms and Conditions, visit yourhomestyle.uk/win.
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...
WIN!
A shower space
worth up to £1,737
Look
both ways
For alcove spaces, a
shower door with
a hinged in-line panel
is the ideal solution
to prevent splashing.
Depending on how
much space you have,
choose a door with
hinges that can be
opened both inwards
and outwards for
ultimate flexibility.
Keep towels
close to hand by
attaching hooks
next to your
shower enclosure
Liberty 10mm Black grid
hinged door, £1,722.68,
Real Stone, Tile
& Bathroom
Create a stunning
shower space
Design a beautiful bathroom where you can shower in style and comfort,
no matter the size or shape of your room, as well as the budget
W
hen it comes to choosing the perfect
shower for your bathroom, the options
can be a little overwhelming. If you have
the luxury of a large bathroom you should have
space for both a bath and stand-alone shower
or wet room area. However, if your bathroom is
petite, consider ditching the bath for a shower
that takes up the same footprint for a luxurious
showering experience. Maximise the space inside
the enclosure by installing an overhead rainfall
shower, which can help free up additional wall
space. In a really compact bathroom, a quadrant
enclosure will give you ample showering space
but has a smaller footprint. In awkwardly-shaped
100
yourhomestyle.uk
bathrooms, finding the perfect spot for a shower
can be tricky. If your bathroom has a sloping
ceiling, for instance, you’ll want to locate your
shower in the tallest part of the room.
Before you finalise your design, check your
pipework is in a suitable position, or factor in
the cost of moving the pipes. You’ll also want to
consider who’ll be using the shower, as this will
determine the type of enclosure and shower you
need. In a busy family household, an adjustable
height handset and a temperature limiter are
handy additions, while in an en-suite you could
opt for a luxurious waterfall shower and even
body jets for an indulgent showering experience.
Each style of shower enclosure has its
advantages. If space is at a premium, an enclosure
with sliding, pivot or bifold doors is your best
option. In larger bathrooms, you can consider
enclosures with hinged doors, a simple glass side
panel, or even a walk-through wet room-style
shower. If you decide on a wet room, you’ll need
to factor in the extra building and material costs of
tanking out the shower area to make it watertight,
so bear this in mind when planning your budget.
A more affordable way to achieve a wet room
look is to install a large low profile shower tray
combined with a glass panel to give the same
appearance and feel without the price tag.
Bathroom ideas
Amore DuElec electric
shower in Gloss
White, from £334.99,
Triton Showers
In the frame
When space is at a premium, frameless
shower enclosures (which feature sliding
doors) allow you to have a more spaciousfeeling shower without the doors
encroaching into the room. This model
also features easy clean glass with water
repelling properties for easy maintenance.
Oslo Premium easy
clean 8mm sliding
shower enclosure
1000x800mm, £399.99,
Bathroom Mountain
Hot water on tap
‘Buy a shower
that you can get
spares for, as limescale
can cause thermostats to
need replacing. Brands that
can offer spares will save
you long-term costs and
you can expect easy
maintenance.’
Harbour Contour 8mm fluted Brushed Brass glass
screen for walk in shower and wet rooms,
from £389.99, Tap Warehouse
S
Which type
of shower is
right for you?
Best for... low pressure
If your home has low water pressure it’s
best to install a power shower, as these
are designed for optimum performance
within a low-pressure setting.
Best for... families
In a busy family home, a
thermostatically-controlled shower
(which combines a handheld head
and an overhead fixed head) is ideal,
making it easy for both adults and kids
to shower comfortably. You can also
pre-set a maximum temperature on a
thermostatic shower to prevent scalding.
Always check
whether shower trays
and support bars
are included
Best for... water saving
Look for showers which feature
‘lower flow’ technology which can
reduce the amount of water used,
without compromising on a luxurious
experience. You can also retro-fit a
water-saving shower head, such as
the Aio S handset (£84 from Methven),
which is optimised to 5.7 litres per
minute – compared to 15 litres per
minute on a conventional shower head.
Best for... tech lovers
If you want the convenience of
setting your shower to the perfect
temperature before you even set foot
in the bathroom, a digital shower is the
perfect choice. You can pre-programme
your water temperature from a remote
control or your smart phone.
Feature Anna-Lisa De’Ath
Make a statement with an
elegant fluted shower screen – it’ll also
maintain modesty in a shared space.
BA
TH
OM
Screen time
J
HL, MD, OCEAN
RO
If everyone in your home likes a morning shower, it’s easy to
run out of hot water. An electric shower’s water supply will be
unaffected by hot water running elsewhere in the house.
MÜ
OE
Space saver
When you only have a small en-suite or
limited floor space in your bathroom,
then a quadrant shower enclosure is
a useful choice. The doors effortlessly
glide back, offering you a generousfeeling corner showering space.
Wave double door quadrant shower
enclosure 800x1950mm,
from £822.63, Lakes
Tight
corner
Consider a corner
entry design if you’re
tight for space in the
bathroom, but not keen
on a quadrant design. The
doors slide neatly back,
rather than out into the
room, saving floor space.
Vantage 2000 Matt Black
corner entry shower
enclosure 1000x760mm,
£451, Bathroom Deal
Copenhagen easy clean
8mm walk through wet
room shower glass
panel 1400mm and return
panel 250mm, £359.99,
Bathroom Mountain
Include a
built-in cubby
shelf to keep
shower essentials
close to hand
Wide screen
A wide glass shower screen with return panels
will not only create a seamless look, but it’ll also
provide splash protection if you opt for a walkthrough wet room in your bathroom or en-suite.
102
yourhomestyle.uk
Low profile
If you’d prefer a wet
room, but don’t want the
hassle of tanking out your
bathroom, opt for a low
profile shower tray with
a large glass panel. This’ll
give the spacious feeling
of a wet room without
the extra work involved.
Wave walk-in shower panel,
side panel and walk-in hinged
bypass panel in Matt Black,
from £762.73, Lakes
WIN!
Enter our Lakes
prize draw to win a
Wave hinged door
and inline panel in
Brushed Brass on
page 99
Bathroom ideas
Looking inwards
In a small bathroom, an enclosure with bifold doors
which fold inwards can help save space. For added
flexibility, the doors on this model are suitable for
left- or right-handed installation.
Choose large
format tiles or
shower panels
for easy
maintenance
London 6mm bifold
shower enclosure
700x700mm,
£269.99, Bathroom
Mountain
Top tiles
for a
luxe look
01
02
04
03
05
Handy solution
For a busy family bathroom, choose a shower
with a temperature limiter to prevent scalding
that gives you showering options for both adults
and children. This water-saving shower allows
you to divert to a practical handheld for the
kids, that’s designed to withstand being dropped.
1 Windsor multi patterned matt
porcelain wall and floor tile, £21.95 per
sq m, Tile Mountain 2 Lava Aqua tile
6.5x20cm, £54.72 per sq m, Baked Tile Co.
3 Meraki Kitt-Kat Turquoise wall tile,
£38.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors
4 Oasis floral patterned hexagon matt
porcelain wall and floor tile, £32.95 per
sq m, Tile Mountain 5 Elegance White 3D
decor marble effect ceramic indoor tile,
£22.68 for a pack of 7, B&Q
Vitalio Start System 250 system with 110 handshower
in Chrome, from £558.96, GROHE
March 2024
103
Ask the
Our experts solve your home
dilemmas. This month, we find out how to best tackle
deep-cleaning our homes…
Zinus Green Tea memory foam
mattress, currently from £144.90, Amazon
AV
A W ILS O N
Chief editor
at Unclutterer
Y
S
TE
Q How do I
deep-clean a
mattress?
PH
A NY AUB
RE
Brand specialist
at Zinus
Spring clean your home
from top to bottom
JO
JAC KSO
N
Feature Yvette Filer
Head of product at
Fisher & Paykel
O
LI
VIA YO U N
G
Product development
scientist at Astonish
Q In what order is it best to
spring clean the house?
Ava Wilson, chief editor at Unclutterer, says…
I would approach a spring clean in this order:
1 Begin by decluttering each room. This makes cleaning easier and
more efficient. Sort items into categories: keep, donate, or discard.
2 Clean from top to bottom. Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and shelves
first, then work your way down to furniture and floors. This prevents
dust from settling on already cleaned surfaces.
3 Tackle one room at a time. This method ensures each area gets the
attention it needs without you feeling overwhelmed.
4 Pay special attention to areas that don’t get regular cleaning, like
under the furniture, behind appliances, and inside cabinets.
5 Clean windows, windowsills and walls. These areas often get
overlooked but can collect a lot of dust and grime.
6 Leave the floors until last. Vacuum, sweep and mop the floors last,
since they’ll collect dust and debris from other cleaning activities.
Stephany Aubrey, brand specialist
at Zinus, says…
If you can, it’s important to use a
mattress protector to keep your
mattress looking its best. Regularly
vacuuming, airing and rotating –
but not flipping – a memory foam
mattress are three other effective ways
to really enhance its longevity and
help you to get a good night’s sleep.
There is no easy way to deep-clean
a mattress, but to remove unpleasant
stains I recommend using bicarbonate
of soda. Mildly abrasive and a natural
deodoriser, this household product
can easily remove stains without
damaging fabric or surfaces, and when
combined with vinegar it creates an
even stronger solution, ideal for
any extra-stubborn marks.
Start by pouring a small amount of
vinegar into a spray bottle and apply
to the desired area. Next, use a clean
bristle brush or cloth to scrub the
stained area – this may release some
dirt, but that means it’s working!
Vacuum, and allow the mixture
to dry thoroughly before sprinkling
bicarb on top of the stained areas and
leaving for 30 minutes, then vacuum
again to remove any excess product.
Repeat as needed.
Vacuဥ, air and
rotate, but don’t
flip, a memory
foam mattress
Q How do I deep-clean a washing machine?
Jo Jackson, head of product
at Fisher & Paykel, says…
Before cleaning, disconnect the
washer from the power, and
then use a soft damp cloth to
wipe all exterior surfaces, as
well as the drum and rubber
area around the door, then
wipe dry. Avoid using chemical
or scouring cleaners, as these
will damage your washer’s
paint and plastic surfaces.
It’s important to clean the
detergent dispenser, too,
especially if you use fabric
softener. Remove the drawer
and wipe it with a damp cloth
before rinsing it out under
warm water.
The filter is commonly
forgotten about, but this should
be cleaned approximately once
a month. Open the filter cover
– typically found on the base
of most washing machines –
remove the plug and allow any
water to drain into a shallow
dish. Remove the filter, then
clean and rinse it in the sink.
Clever
cleaning
gadgets
Cleaning needn’t be
a total chore with
these handy tools
Cleaning
mitt, £2,
Flying Tiger
Copenhagen
Leifheit Venetian
blind cleaner, £11,
John Lewis &
Partners
Fisher & Paykel WM1490F1GB
9kg 1400-spin super quiet
washer with time saver,
£799, Herbert Todd & Son
A cleaning caddy full of
your go-to products will
make the job easier
Home cleaning
products, from
£1.35, Astonish
Q What do I need in my
cleaning caddy?
Olivia Young, product development scientist at
Astonish, says…
Always start with the three essentials: a specialist multisurface cleaner, a microfibre cloth, and a sponge that caters
to most surfaces around the home. Consider these the
inseparable trio of cleaning products that are on hand to
deal with regular daily spills and messes. It’s worth adding
a Mould & Mildew Blaster to your caddy, especially during
the winter months, to remove mould in minutes without
the need for scrubbing.
For the bathroom and kitchen, have a bottle of
window and glass cleaner, bleach cream cleaner for
toilets, sinks and bathtubs, a kitchen spray to target
grease and food stains, as well as laundry cleansers and
washing up liquid for the day-to-day. Limescale
remover is also great for showerheads and taps.
For general household cleaning, I recommend
adding a multi-purpose cleaning paste that is made
for those tougher spots and spillages. Just be careful
when using it on delicate surfaces, as paste products
are abrasive.
Don’t forget to give your furnishings the ‘red
carpet treatment’ by adding both wood and carpet
floor cleaners, as well as an upholstery cleaning spray,
rounding off your perfect cleaning caddy.
Turbo 2in1 spin
mop and bucket
set with spinning
wringer, £39.99,
Vileda
Lynsey Queen of Clean
handheld carpet
cleaner,
£59.99,
Swan
Ultenic D5S Pro robot vacuum
cleaner with mop, currently
£159.99, Amazon
For more expert tips and tricks, go to yourhomestyle.uk
The online home of
HomeStyle and
Your Home magazines
March 2024
105
MIDWEEK MEALS
TO MAKE IN MINUTES
Tasty, budgetfriendly dinner
ideas to make
with tinned
tomatoes
M
T
Monday
Tuesday
CHICKEN TACO-STYLE RICE POT
PASTA ALLA VODKA
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 35 minutes
SERVES 4
PREP TIME 5 minutes
COOK TIME 25 minutes
SERVES 2
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil 1 onion,
finely chopped 400g skinless, boneless chicken
breast, sliced 1 red pepper, chopped or sliced
1x 25g sachet taco seasoning 150g long
grain rice 1x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
550ml vegetable or chicken stock 150g frozen
sweetcorn kernels
To serve sour cream 50g cheddar cheese,
grated handful of coriander, chopped
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp olive oil 1 banana shallot, very finely
chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed ¼ -½ tsp
dried chilli flakes (depending on how spicy you
want it to be) 1x 227g tin chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste 50ml vodka 100g dried
pasta per person (penne or rigatoni work well)
75ml double cream 25g Parmesan or
vegetarian Italian hard cheese, grated, plus extra
to serve salt and pepper handful of torn basil
leaves, to serve
METHOD
1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan that has a lid over
a gentle heat. Add the onion and fry for 10 minutes or
until softened but not golden.
2 Add the sliced chicken and cook for 5 minutes or
until beginning to brown. Turn the heat up a little
and stir in the red pepper. Cook for 5 minutes to
soften, then mix in the taco seasoning and cook for
30 seconds.
3 Stir in the rice to coat it in the oil and seasoning,
then pour in the tinned tomatoes and stock. Bring to
a simmer, pop on the lid and cook for 15 minutes, or
until the rice is just cooked and most of the liquid has
been absorbed. Check every few minutes to make
sure the stock hasn’t evaporated. If necessary, add a
splash of water.
4 Stir in the frozen sweetcorn kernels and cook for a
few more minutes. Serve in bowls with a dollop of
sour cream and a scattering of both grated cheese
and chopped coriander.
METHOD
1 Heat the oil in a pan over a medium-low heat. Add
the shallot and fry for 6-8 minutes or until softened.
Add the garlic and chilli flakes and fry for 1 minute
before stirring in the tinned tomatoes, tomato paste
and vodka. Fry for 5 minutes.
2 Blitz until smooth with a handheld stick blender.
Set aside.
3 Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions,
usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta,
reserving a mug of the pasta cooking water.
4 Reheat the tomato sauce on the hob. Pour in the
cream and scatter in the cheese. Heat, stirring to melt
the cheese, for 1 minute.
5 Add in the cooked pasta, and season well with salt
and pepper. Add some of the reserved pasta water
(usually around ½ cup) to form a glossy sauce. Stir for
1 minute. Serve in bowls with extra cheese and the
torn basil leaves.
COOK’S TIP
If you can’t find taco seasoning in the supermarket,
you can also use fajita seasoning in this recipe (to
taste) instead.
COOK’S TIP
Adding some of the starchy pasta cooking water will
give a lovely glossy consistency to your sauce and
help it cling to the pasta.
Midweek meals
dair
ree
yf
T
F
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
CHICKPEA, CAVOLO NERO AND
HARISSA STEW
LAMB AND SPINACH CURRY
SLOPPY JOES
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 35 minutes
SERVES 4
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 30 minutes
SERVES 4-5
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil 2 onions,
sliced 400g diced lamb leg or shoulder 4 garlic
cloves, crushed or finely grated thumb-sized
piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
½ small bunch of coriander leaves and stalks,
separated, both chopped 1-2 red chillies, finely
chopped 2 tsp garam masala 1 tsp ground
cumin 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground
turmeric ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp tomato paste 1x 400g tin chopped
tomatoes 100g spinach 75ml natural yoghurt
rice, naan bread and chutneys, to serve
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp oil 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves,
crushed or finely chopped 1 red pepper,
chopped 1 yellow pepper, chopped
500g beef mince 1x 400g tin chopped
tomatoes 90ml barbecue sauce
few splashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste ½-1 tsp chilli powder
2 tbsp brown sugar 1 beef stock cube
To serve 8 burger buns, halved and toasted
cheddar cheese, grated
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 40 minutes
SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, sliced 2 garlic cloves,
crushed or finely chopped 1 courgette, chopped
350g baby potatoes, chopped into bite-sized
pieces 1-2 tbsp rose harissa paste 1x 400g
tin chickpeas, drained 1x 400g tin chopped
tomatoes, plum tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
500ml vegetable stock salt and pepper
150g cavolo nero, tough stalks removed and
leaves chopped vegan Parmesan-style cheese,
grated, to serve
METHOD
1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan that has a lid over a
medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 8 minutes or
until beginning to brown.
2 Tip in the garlic and cook for 1 minute before stirring
in the courgette and cooking for around 5 minutes, or
until starting to soften.
3 Add the potatoes, stir through the harissa and cook
for 5 minutes or until the potatoes begin to colour.
4 Add the chickpeas and pour in the tinned tomatoes
and stock. Season well and stir, pop on the lid and
simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are
tender. Check the liquid levels: the sauce should have
thickened a little, but you still want plenty of juices. If
it’s getting slightly dry, add a splash of hot water.
5 Once the potatoes are tender, stir in the cavolo nero
and simmer for 3 minutes. Serve with Parmesan.
COOK’S TIPS
Include whatever veg you have at home – swap new
potatoes for sweet potatoes, cavolo nero for spinach
or cabbage, and courgette for a red pepper. Serve with
crusty bread, rice or cous cous.
METHOD
1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan or saucepan. Fry
the onions for 6-8 minutes until softened and starting
to brown. Add the lamb and fry for 5 minutes until
browned. Tip in the garlic, ginger and coriander stalks
and cook for 2 minutes, stirring well to combine.
2 Stir in the chillies and spices and cook for 2 minutes,
being careful not to burn them. If they start to
stick or burn, add a splash of water. Squeeze in the
tomato paste, stir to mix and then pour in the tinned
tomatoes. Half-fill the tin with water and add that too.
Simmer for around 15 minutes until the sauce has
thickened and the meat is tender.
3 Tip in the spinach, mix in and cook for 2 minutes
until wilted. Spoon in the yoghurt and cook for 1
minute. Serve the curry with rice, naan bread and
chutneys, and scatter over the coriander leaves.
COOK’S TIP
If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs or beef in this
curry, which is spiced similarly to a bhuna. Serve with
your favourite curry accompaniments.
METHOD
1 Over a medium heat, drizzle the oil into a large
frying pan or saucepan and fry the onion until soft –
around 6-8 minutes.
2 Add the garlic and peppers, then cook for a further
5 minutes until the peppers have softened. Mix in the
beef and cook for a few minutes until browned.
3 Pour in the tinned tomatoes and stir in the
barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste,
chilli power, brown sugar and stock cube. Bring to a
simmer and cook for about 15 minutes until the sauce
has thickened and isn’t watery.
4 Serve the mixture in the toasted burger buns with
the grated cheddar.
COOK’S TIP
If you want a smokier barbecue flavour, add 2 tsp
smoked paprika to the beef mixture.
Recipes and images courtesy of The Tinned
Tomatoes Cookbook: 100 everyday recipes
using the most versatile ingredient in your
kitchen by Samuel Goldsmith (£18.99,
Murdoch Books). Photography by Mowie Kay
© Murdoch Books
March 2024
107
Feature Lucy Whyld
W
TEATIME
TREATS
Feature Lucy Whyld
Invite friends for a cuppa and cake or celebrate the special
person in your life this Mother’s Day with one of these
delicious treats, from showstoppers to quick and easy bakes
108
yourhomestyle.uk
Baking recipes
Celebration cake
PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME 30-35 minutes, plus cooling,
assembly and decoration
SERVES 8-10
THESE RETRO
I NSP I RED
C U P CA K ES AR E
PER FEC T FO R
BATCH
BAK ING
INGREDIENTS
ł 6 large eggs ł360g unsalted butter, softened
ł360g golden caster sugar ł90g ground almonds
ł30g ground pistachio nuts ł270g self-raising
flour ł1 lemon, finely zested and juiced
To decorate ł300ml double cream
łBonne Maman Wild Blueberry Conserve
łBonne Maman Raspberry Conserve łmixed
berries łfresh herbs łlemon zest łicing sugar
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4.
Line the base and sides of 3 x 20cm round cake tins
with baking paper.
2 Put all the cake ingredients into a large bowl and
beat together with an electric whisk until smooth and
creamy. Divide the mixture evenly between the 3 tins.
3 Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted
into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool.
4 Whip the cream until it’s just thickened (don't overwhip). Put one sponge layer on a serving plate. Spread
generously with the blueberry conserve. Add half the
cream and spread to within 2cm of the edge. Repeat
with the second sponge and the raspberry conserve.
5 Top the last sponge with a mixture of fresh fruits
and herbs. Sprinkle with lemon zest, icing sugar and
any leftover pistachio crumbs. Keep chilled in the
fridge and serve within an hour.
COOK’S TIP For best results, always have your
baking ingredients at room temperature.
Recipe and image courtesy of Bonne Maman,
bonnemaman.co.uk
Bake the day before
and decorate just
before serving
Black Forest
cupcakes
PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes
COOKING TIME 20-25 minutes, plus cooling
and decoration
SERVES 12
INGREDIENTS
ł 130g unbleached plain flour ł65g plain
wholemeal flour ł80g semolina ł45g cocoa
powder ł2 tsp baking powder ł1 tsp bicarbonate
of soda ł¼ tsp salt ł100g sunflower oil
ł260g brown rice syrup ł170ml plain soy milk
ł1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice ł2 lemons,
zested ł60g vegan dark chocolate, chopped
ł360g cherries in Kirsch ł1 tsp arrowroot powder
łwhipped soy cream, to decorate
For the chocolate icing ł130g vegan dark
chocolate, finely chopped ł 50ml non-dairy milk
ł2 tbsp brown rice syrup
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4.
Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cupcake cases.
Mix together the flours, semolina, cocoa powder,
baking powder, bicarb and salt in a bowl.
2 In a separate bowl, mix together the oil, syrup,
milk, lemon juice and zest. Pour into the bowl of dry
ingredients and mix gently with a wooden spoon
until just incorporated. Fold in the chocolate.
3 Divide the cake mixture between the muffin cases
and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool for a few
minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the muffin
tin and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
4 For the chocolate icing, melt the chocolate in a
heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering
water. Do not let the base of the bowl touch the
water. Meanwhile, heat the milk in a pan until just
before boiling. Pour the melted chocolate into the hot
milk and whisk until smooth. Add the syrup and mix
well. Allow to cool for 45 minutes or until set.
5 Drain the cherries, saving the Kirsch in a pan. Mix
the arrowroot powder into a couple of teaspoons of
cold water, then stir into the reserved Kirsch. Set over a
medium heat and whisk until it thickens a little (about
2 minutes).
6 Scoop a little well out of the top of each cooled
cupcake with a teaspoon and pour about 1 tsp
Kirsch syrup in each, along with a cherry. Briefly whisk
the cooled chocolate icing, then spread over the
cupcakes. Spoon a dollop of whipped soy cream onto
each cupcake, top with a couple of cherries and a
drizzle of the Kirsch syrup.
COOK’S TIP Baking cases stuck to your muffins?
They may be underbaked – check your baking
temperature with a good oven thermometer.
Recipe and image
courtesy of Vegan Baking
by Dunja Gulin (£16.99,
Ryland Peters & Small)
Photography by Clare
Winfield © Ryland Peters
& Small
March 2024
109
Miso, white
chocolate and lemon
butter cookies
Serve this cake with
a dollop of whipped soy
cream or a drizzle of
agave syrup
PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes, plus 20
minutes chilling
COOKING TIME 10 minutes
SERVES 10
INGREDIENTS
ł 180g self-raising flour ł75g demerara sugar
ł3 lemons, zested ł50g white chocolate chips
ł½ tsp white miso ł4 tbsp vegetable oil
ł1 egg yolk ł3 tsp poppy seeds
METHOD
1 Place all of the ingredients except the poppy seeds
into a mixing bowl and use your hands to combine
them into a smooth dough. Refrigerate the dough for
20 minutes to firm up.
2 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6.
Tip the poppy seeds onto a shallow plate. Remove
the dough from the fridge and divide it into 10 equal
pieces. Form each piece into a ball and roll it in the
poppy seeds to give an even coating. Place the balls
onto a lined baking tray, spacing them well apart as
you go.
3 Transfer the baking tray to the oven and bake the
cookies for 10 minutes, until they have spread and are
golden. Remove them from the oven and transfer to
a wire rack to cool. They’ll keep in an airtight container
for up to 3 days.
Recipe and image courtesy
of Small Pleasures: Joyful
Recipes for Difficult Times
by Ryan Riley (£22,
Bloomsbury Publishing)
Photography by Craig
Robertson © Bloomsbury
Publishing
Castagnaccio
(chestnut cake)
PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME 30-40 minutes
SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS
ł 60g raisins ł1 tbsp rum ł300g chestnut flour
ł¼ tsp salt ł¼ tsp bourbon vanilla powder
ł1 orange, zested ł50g olive oil
ł450-625ml rice milk ł60g pine nuts
ł60g hazelnuts, chopped ł1 fresh rosemary sprig,
leaves only łwhipped soy cream or agave syrup
METHOD
1 Soak the raisins in a bowl with the rum and 2 tbsp
hot water while you prepare the other ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Oil a
24cm springform cake tin.
2 Sift together the flour, salt and vanilla powder in a
bowl, then mix in the orange zest and half of the oil.
Slowly whisk in the milk, adding just enough to get
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a smooth, soft batter. It should be soft enough to fall
from the whisk, but not too watery.
3 Drain the soaked raisins and pat them dry, then add
them to the cake mixture. Pour the mixture into the
prepared cake tin until about 2cm high (shallower is
fine but deeper could result in a soggy texture).
4 Sprinkle the pine nuts, hazelnuts and rosemary
needles evenly over the top of the cake and press
them in lightly. Drizzle some of the remaining olive oil
over the top.
5 Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes,
or until a thin, cracked crust has formed. The
inside should still be soft and moist. Allow to cool
completely in the tin.
Recipe and image
courtesy of Vegan Baking
by Dunja Gulin (£16.99,
Ryland Peters & Small)
Photography by Clare
Winfield © Ryland Peters
& Small
Baking recipes
A very good lemon
cake
PREPARATION TIME 10-15 minutes
COOKING TIME 60-70 minutes
MAKES 1 cake
INGREDIENTS
ł 220g caster sugar ł3 lemons, finely zested
ł100g unsalted butter, softened ł1 tsp vanilla
bean paste ł250g fresh ricotta ł4 eggs, separated
ł250g almond meal łpinch of salt ł1 lemon,
thinly sliced ł3 tbsp flaked almonds łdouble
cream, to serve For the lemon glaze ł55g caster
sugar ł1 tbsp lemon juice
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4.
Grease a 22cm round springform tin and line with
baking paper. Place half the sugar and the lemon
zest in the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle
attachment (or beat by hand). Mix on low for a
minute or so to allow the lemon to infuse into the
sugar, before adding the butter and vanilla and
beating until light and fluffy.
2 Add the ricotta and beat until well combined. Add
the egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each
addition. Fold the almond meal through and set aside.
3 Whisk the egg whites and salt to soft peaks. Add
the remaining sugar, one tablespoon at a time,
whisking well after each addition. Continue whisking
until the mixture holds firm peaks.
4 Stir one-third of the egg whites thoroughly through
the cake batter to loosen it slightly, before gently
folding through the remaining egg whites in two
batches. Mix until just combined before spooning the
batter into the tin and smoothing with a spatula.
5 Arrange the lemon slices gently over the surface.
Sprinkle with flaked almonds and bake for 60-70
minutes or until the cake is golden brown around the
edges, and the lemon slices are starting to caramelise.
Allow the cake to cool in the tin for a few minutes.
6 Meanwhile, make the glaze by stirring together the
sugar and lemon juice. Spoon the glaze over the hot
cake. Allow to cool slightly before gently removing
the cake from the tin and slicing and serving warm,
or at room temperature, with thick cream.
COOK’S TIP This cake is also wonderful served
cold the next day and will keep in an airtight
container in the fridge for a couple of days.
Recipe and image
courtesy of The Plain
Cake Appreciation Society:
52 weeks of cake by Tilly
Pamment (£22, Murdoch
Books). Photography by
Tilly Pamment
© Murdoch Books
White chocolate,
pistachio and rose
rings
PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME 50-55 minutes
SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS
ł 250g soft butter, plus extra for the tin
ł175g self-raising flour, plus 1 tbsp for the tin
ł200g caster sugar ł5 eggs ł2 tsp rose water
ł100g white chocolate, melted and cooled
ł200g ground pistachio nuts ł1 tsp baking
powder łpinch of salt
To decorate ł75g white chocolate, melted and
cooled ł35g unsalted shelled pistachios, finely
chopped ł1-2 tbsp edible dried rose petals
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/gas mark 3.
Grease and sprinkle flour over a 25cm bundt tin.
2 Cream the butter and sugar together until light and
fluffy. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the
rose water and white chocolate. Fold in the ground
pistachios. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt
and fold through to combine.
3 Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and
bake for 50-55 minutes, or until an inserted skewer
comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool in its tin for
10 minutes on top of a wire rack, before turning out
and leaving to cool completely.
4 Place the cake on a serving plate and drizzle the
white chocolate over the top before sprinkling with
the chopped pistachios and rose petals. Leave the
chocolate to set at room temperature before serving.
Image and recipe
courtesy of Deliciously
Chocolatey Cakes &
Bakes by Victoria Glass
(£20, Ryland Peters &
Small) Photography
by Dan Jones
© Ryland Peters
& Small
March 2024
111
This was
Sylvia’s
promise
to you...
A generation ago, a woman named Sylvia made
a promise. As a doctor’s secretary, she’d watched
stroke destroy the lives of so many people. She was
determined to make sure we could all live in a world
where we’re far less likely to lose our lives to stroke.
She kept her promise, and a gift to the Stroke
Association was included in her Will. Sylvia’s gift
helped fund the work that made sure many more of
us survive stroke now than did in her lifetime.
Sylvia changed the story for us all. Now it’s our turn
to change the story for those who’ll come after us.
Stroke still shatters lives and tears families apart.
And for so many survivors the road to recovery is
still long and desperately lonely. If you or someone
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just what that means.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. You can change
the story, just like Sylvia did, with a gift in your Will.
All it takes is a promise.
You can promise future generations a world where
researchers discover new treatments and surgeries
ƇDQGHYHU\VLQJOHVWURNHVXUYLYRUKDVWKHEHVWFDUH
rehabilitation and support network possible, to help
them rebuild their lives.
Will you make that promise to generations to
come? Please, leave a gift in your Will to the
Stroke Association.
Find out how by calling 020 7566 1505
or email legacy@stroke.org.uk
or visit stroke.org.uk/legacy
Rebuilding lives after stroke
The Stroke Association is registered as a charity in England and Wales (No 211015) and in Scotland (SC037789).
Also registered in the Isle of Man (No. 945) and Jersey (NPO 369), and operating as a charity in Northern Ireland.
Inter view
Tara styled this show flat
at Sheffield’s Eyewitness
Works – it’s just a few feet
away from the dream flat
she’d won
Photo Capital & Centric
Photo Jon Cottam / licenced by Channel 4
Photo Remarkable Television / Channel 4
The design for her kids’ bedroom
included lots of personalised
details for her daughters
The TV show followed Tara
and seven other interior
designers competing to win
their own mortgage-free
apartment
IN CONVERSATION WITH
Tara Rodrigues
The solicitor-turned-interior designer wowed us on Channel 4’s The Big Interiors Battle, and won her
own flat. We caught up to talk about what it was really like on the show, and what’s next…
W
Feature Sophie Ellis
e loved your room transformations
on The Big Interiors Battle! What
made you apply for the show?
I was looking for a new job, as I’d received a job offer
for a junior design role, and I was so deflated at the
thought of doing another junior role for another
year. Though I’d chosen to start a new career, I had a
law degree and lots of transferable skills – so I trusted
that the process didn’t have to be as arduous and
financially-limiting as it had been. I saw this
opportunity as a ladder that fell across my path.
What was it like being on the show?
It was a mixed bag of emotions. It was fun, exciting,
hard, challenging, nerve-wracking and enriching all
at the same time. I didn’t feel nervous about being
on camera – it was just a bit awkward having
someone document every emotion and thought
process, which of course didn’t all make the cut.
Do you have a favourite room that you
designed in the show?
Designing my kids’ room was the most meaningful
room for me. I applied for the show so I could give
them a better future and quality of life. Every design
detail was so intentional and little parts of their
personalities and passions were scattered
throughout the room. I made bespoke headboards
which I upholstered in fabric they chose. I replaced
the standard drawer knobs with brass bee handles
because my youngest daughter adores bees! I wrote
affirmations on little post-it notes and stuck them on
the cork board above the shelf I created for the
upcycling challenge, as my eldest daughter loves
affirmations and manifestation.
What was it like to see your apartment light
turn green, and realise that you’d won?
I think I had a 10 second delay between the light
going green and registering that I’d won! It was one
of the most life-changing minutes of my life. Change
usually happens slowly over a period of time, but this
was an instant change that I couldn’t quite take in. It
was better than winning the lottery because it was
based on my efforts and not luck, on skill and not
chance, and doing the thing I love the most.
How was designing a room in the show
different from designing a room for a client?
We didn’t have full control over some of the
technical design aspects, which we would do for a
client. Technical design includes detailed lighting
and circuit plans, which we could only edit slightly.
The kitchen and bathroom layout was also a bit
restricted – for example, the kitchen island position
was already decided. Ergonomics and
anthropometrics [the practice of taking measurements
of the human body] are considerations that affect the
March 2024
113
Fellow contestant
Claire Noble (@cydnoble)
created this tropical mural
Photo Remarkable Television / Channel 4
Winning the show was
better than winning the
lottery because it was
based on doing the thing
I love the most
and design styles. I love mixing up textures and
materials that wouldn’t ordinarily be paired together
and don’t see myself as constrained to any particular
style. My personal taste is constantly evolving!
Where’s home for you now?
I stayed in Ealing to be close to friends and family.
Filming the show for eight consecutive weeks
reinforced the value of a good support network,
especially as a single parent!
overall layout when I’m designing for a client, but
personal requirements and lifestyle heavily influence
the best use of a space.
Tell us about your interior design business,
Tara Rodrigues Interiors...
I’m absolutely living my dream now! I launched my
business, Tara Rodrigues Interiors, in April 2023. I
apply biophilic principles and approach design from
a holistic perspective, combining what a client wants
for the space with things that’ll enhance their lifestyle
and wellbeing. I draw a lot of inspiration from the
colours found in the natural environment and usually
start with an image of nature to conceptualise a
colour palette.
Do you have any rules when designing a room?
One of my principles is attention to detail when
planning a space. I start by thinking about each room
within the wider context of the house, hotel or office
building. So when I design a bedroom, I think: ‘Is there
another room to relax and watch TV in, or does the
bedroom need to accommodate this?’ Design is really
subjective, therefore when I’m taking on a brief, it’s
my job to consider things that my client wouldn’t
have thought of as relevant.
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yourhomestyle.uk
I also love the wabi-sabi principles of design
which are rooted in the beauty of simplicity,
authenticity and imperfection. I love using aged
wood, asymmetrical artwork or lamps and textured
vases, but dictated by the client’s preference as many
people find symmetry comforting and reassuring.
Before working in interiors, you trained and
worked in law. What was your journey
between the two industries like?
Training to become a solicitor built the resilience and
self-belief I needed to change careers and set up my
own interior design business. When I reflect on my
career journey, there’s been a theme of working in
people-facing roles, to deliver professional services
directly to clients with some form of social, financial
or emotional impact. Law felt too constrained for me
– I love the flexibility of my work day now and often
take an hour or two to get outside and get
inspiration. I spend time nurturing my mind to think
creatively. Interior design is a fun and creative way to
have a meaningful impact in people’s lives.
What’s your personal interior style like?
I’d describe my own taste as eclectic as I like a wide
range of historical design eras, and pattern, colour
What’s your favourite room at home?
Still my kids’ rooms! They have their own rooms now,
so I’ve designed each space for them as individuals
as they shared a room before. They always have
candles on and relaxing music before bed and it’s
such a joy to see how much having rooms they love
impacts them so positively.
What’s your latest purchase for your home?
An asymmetrical mango wood coffee table. I love
asymmetrical furniture or pieces with a fun texture.
What’s next for you?
I’ve got lots in the pipeline at the moment so I’m
trying to pace myself. This year, I’m working on my
international portfolio. I also plan to help people
with financial or social disadvantages by repurposing
furniture, bathroom suites and stripped-out kitchens,
which are often in great condition and sometimes
new, to give people homes and spaces they love.
Find out more about Tara’s interior design
services at tararodriguesinteriors.com and
follow her at @tararodriguesinteriors
Photo Remus Comanescu
One of Tara’s key design
principles is taking
inspiration from the
wellbeing we experience
from being outdoors – as
seen in her living room
design on the show
Decorator’s moodboards
to help you plan the
perfect scheme
Coming
next month
5 beautiful real homes
full of ideas to inspire
your next project
PAC K ED
WI TH ID EA S
TO S TEAL!
D EC O R ATI N G - S H O P P I NG - FOO D - MAKI N G - S T YLI N G
*Contents subject to change
Delicious Easter recipes
+ tasty midweek meals
Stylish updates you can
achieve in a weekend!
GET YOUR COPY!
DIY SPECIAL ISSUE
Discover the latest trends and
how to style them in your home
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PLUS The secrets to successful pattern clashing*Get wow-factor walls with
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March 2024
115