/
Text
BRITAIN’S BEST VALUE
HOMES MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2022
ONLY
9
9
.
2
£GREAT
VALUE!
DIY STORAGE CRAFT DECORATING FOOD GARDENING
CHRISTMAS MAGIC!
STUNNING
FESTIVE
ROOM IDEAS
Gifts, sorted!
PRESENTS
FOR ALL,
FROM
UNDER £5
PERSONAL TOUCH
PLACE SETTINGS FOR
A WOW TABLE!
Get creative
6 DIY ADVENT
CALENDAR
MAKES
ROOM MAKEOVERS
PACKED WITH IDEAS
& ADVICE TO STEAL
HAPPY
BUYS
PLUS
BONKERS
BAUBLES
STYLE
SECRETS
+DECO TRICKS!
Celebrate with
Rich, green
wrap is the
perfect touch
under the tree
FESTIVE
GLAMOUR
Make a style statement this Christmas with
showstopping decorations from M&S Home
‘I can’t wait
to make this
Christmas one
to remember,
so I’ll be going
all out to dress
my home for
the holiday
season,’ says
Style At
Home’s editor Heather Young.
‘Pull out all the stops to impress
your guests with a grown-up look
that oozes style and glitz.’
Mix on-trend deep blue with luxe
golden touches, shimmering glass
and warm berry red to create the
perfect scene for hosting stylish
Christmas celebrations at home.
Hang statement
baubles from a
frame for a
festive display
Give classic a twist
Modern meets traditional, with berry
red as your accent colour, teamed
with dramatic decorations and
gold flourishes. Pairing this classic
Christmas red with rich, midnight
blue creates a sumptuous feel that
will wow friends and family. For an
opulent look, choose fabrics such as
velvet, and mix classic patterns such
as a tartan throw with cushions
featuring fun festive motifs.
Let your fireplace take centre stage.
Christmas decorations aren’t
just for the tree! Give it a designer
look (without the designer price
tag) by hanging statement baubles
on luxe lengths of ribbon, staggering
the heights to frame the fireplace.
Dress the mantelpiece with a faux
garland topped with characterful
decs, then add twinkling candles
for a magical finish.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To see more of M&S Home’s Christmas
collections, plus the latest homeware
and furniture, go to M&S.co.uk or
download the app to shop now.
FEATURE HEATHER YOUNG
Dress the fireplace
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
‘DECK THE HALLS, LIGHT THE CANDLES,
TURN UP YOUR FAVE FESTIVE TUNES, AND
ENJOY A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS AT HOME’
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
HOMES FOR
THE HOLIDAYS
COLOUR-TASTIC NEW-BUILD
CHIC & SMART 1930S FOUR-BED
MODERN COUNTRY CHALET
EDITOR’S LETTER
Love it
Hi there!
ABOVE: Seasonal
inspiration for your
living room, p62
LEFT: Festive
favourite: how to
care for pretty
poinsettias, p104
BELOW: Fun no-bake
tasty treats, p108
SUBSCRIBE!
Subscribe to Style at Home with our
Christmas offer from just £26.99
and receive a Joules Cambridge
mug set, worth £16 for FREE*. Visit
magazinesdirect.com/SAHXMAS22
PLUS Get the latest back issues at
magazinesdirect.com/sahback
*Terms and conditions apply.
See magazinesdirect.com/terms
for more information
Contact us
If everything goes to plan,
my new kitchen should
be finished in time for
Christmas, and I can’t wait
to deck the halls, big time!
But I need to do it on a (very) tight budget,
so it’s time to get creative. Luckily,
this issue is packed with brilliant,
not-too-spendy ideas to help you make a
decorating splash, without breaking the
bank. Speedy Style Updates, from page 76,
has everything from table decor to DIY
wreaths. There are some things I love to
craft myself every year, and an Advent
calendar is one of them. We’ve got some
brilliant how-tos on page 101 if you fancy
doing the same. Making your own simple
decs and gifts not only saves money, it’s a
great way to fill your home with special,
sparkling touches that will make it feel
unique this festive season.
Heather Young, Editor
SEND US YOUR STYLING SNAPS ON
INSTAGRAM #SAHSTYLISTS WE LOVE TO SEE YOUR FAB IDEAS!
EMAIL styleathome@futurenet.com WEBSITE idealhome.co.uk/styleathome
FACEBOOK facebook.com/styleathomemag TWITTER/INSTAGRAM @styleathomemag
PINTEREST pinterest.com/styleathomemag MOVING HOUSE? To change your address or renew
your subscription, email help@magazinesdirect.com or visit mymagazine.co.uk
DECEMBER 2022 | 3
Inside…
Love it
Inspiring
homes
and room
makeovers
Buy it
Stylish musthave finds at
high-street
prices
Regulars
3
70
Do it
Weekend
projects, DIY
advice and
styling tips
ED’S LETTER Come on in!
72
CUTE AS
CANDY
Page 10
Make it
Step-by-step
craft ideas
and upcycling
how-tos
Cook it
Our fave
recipes to try
at home this
month
Eye-catching
table schemes
SUBSCRIBE and never miss an issue!
Love it
20
30
31
32
42
43
46
54
55
62
76
84
88
94
‘BRIGHT COLOURS MAKE ME
HAPPY’ Gemma has taken a bold
approach in decorating her new build
TWO-TONE WALLS Create impact
with a colour-block scheme
YELLOW AND GREY A fresh combo
that livens up a living space
‘WE’VE GONE BIG ON CHARACTER’
Period touches and a room rejig has
given Ashley’s home a new identity
KITCHEN ISLAND A practical
centrepiece for your cooking space
BEDROOM WALLS Work a panelled
design into your bedroom
‘WE HAVE SPACE TO CELEBRATE’
This fixer-upper has benefitted from
Justin’s pared-back style
MAXIMISE ROOM SIZE Give a small
room a bigger outlook
U-SHAPE KITCHENS Make the most
of this three-sided layout
THE STYLE BOOK Festive living
room inspiration guaranteed to
bring magic, whatever your style
8
Page 8
TRY A SPEEDY STYLE UPDATE
Seasonal deco touches that won’t
break the bank
‘MY TUB TAKES CENTRE STAGE’
A copper option and gold accents
ensure Stacey’s bath steals the show
TILED BATHROOM Get the style
– and price – right
DINING ROOM STORAGE Make
your space work harder
Buy it
7
TREE
SWAG
PAPER DECORATIONS Unfold some
stylish, intricate designs
BRILLIANTLY BONKERS BAUBLES
Pick a favourite to update your tree
4 | DECEMBER 2022
46
Make the most of
space, like Justin
CONTENTS
10
12
14
82
Love it
CANDY STRIPES Introduce festive
cheer with a red and white combo
MIDNIGHT BLUES Choose a deep
shade that brings after-dark appeal
YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Our round-up of affordable presents
for all the family
SPLURGE VERSUS STEAL Rich
shades to warm up your home
106 BUY THE BEST Vacuum cleaner
122 TEN UNDER £10 Stocking fillers
Do it
60
72
93
96
32
Rachel’s home is
Christmas-ready!
62
MULLED WINE TEA BAGS Pretty
pouches to dunk into a festive tipple
EASY FESTIVE TABLE SETTINGS
Creative looks for your dining table
TIME AT HOME Arrange a twinkling
porch setting
WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH Get busy
with our easy cleaning and DIY hacks
100 CUT-OUT TABLECLOTH A quick and
colourful base layer
104 HOW TO GROW POINSETTIAS Make
113
this seasonal favourite last all winter
CUT COSTS WITH AN ELECTRIC
BLANKET All you need to know
115 GET A HEALTHY CREDIT SCORE
Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares her advice
Make it
18
Nature-inspired
room dressing
101
SALT DOUGH STARS Take just three
ingredients to create a twinkling dec
CRAFT YOUR OWN CALENDAR
Easy Advent calendar ideas
109 CREATIVE CHRISTMAS Fun ways to
116
bring seasonal cheer to your home
NO-SEW BUNTING Spell out your
good wishes
Cook it
108 MARSHMALLOW SNOWMEN
No-bake sweet treat
112 TURKEY AND PARSNIP ONE-POT
GIFT
INSPO
Get your home
ready for visitors
96
Page 14
PIE Leftovers inspiration
Tweet us your comments
at @styleathomemag –
we’d love to hear what you
think of your fave mag!
DECEMBER 2022 | 5
PAPER DECORATIONS
White paper fan
decorations, £12
pack of three;
ombré paper tree
decorations, £18.95
pack of three,
all Talking Tables
THIS MONTH’S
Love it!
Foraged ivy or
evergreen looks
fab as a base for
your paper fans
to nestle into
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH
These paper decorations
from Talking Tables make a
stylish, sustainable statement.
The paper fans can be hung
on the wall or from the tree,
while the tissue-paper trees
create the perfect table
centrepiece. Simply fold flat
to use again next year.
Buy it
DECEMBER 2022 | 7
SEASIDE
CHARM
APRÈS-SKI
HOLIDAY
SEASON
Christmas beach
hut bauble, £14,
Ella James
Avocado
decoration,
£7.99, Dobbies
MERRY GO
ROUND
Pair of wooden
carousel
baubles, £4.75,
Annabel James
Brilliantly bonkers
STRICTLY BALLROOM
LION
KING
Felt dancing mice,
£22, Cox & Cox
Majestic
lion bauble,
£10, Wilko
FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS
DISHY
DELIGHT
HATS OFF
Polly’s Sunday
best, £16,
Curious Egg
8 | DECEMBER 2022
COMFORT
FOOD
Ramen bowl
bauble,
£9.95, ad&i
BAUBLES
HEAVEN
SENT
Love it
RAISE A
GLASS
Groovy angel
inspired
decoration,
£28, Rockett
St George
TROPICAL
TASTE
KITTY CAT
Pina colada cocktail
bauble, £14, Five
and Dime
Felt cat in
stocking
decoration,
£8.50, Not
Just a Shop
BAUBLES
UNDER
THE SEA
Our pick of the craziest
baubles, for a tree that’s
as unique as you are
CORN FOR POPPING
Popcorn machine
decoration, £7.49,
Gisela Graham
Jellyfish
shaped
bauble, £13,
Sass & Belle
FOREVER
FRIENDS
Friends
turkey
bauble, £9,
Red Candy
POP OF
STYLE
DECEMBER 2022 | 9
SMOOTH
CURVES
BOW TIE
Ribbon,
£15.50
for 20m,
Cox & Cox
SWEET
TREAT
PERFECT
PAIR
Candy canes,
£1.69, The
Range
HUNG UP
Candy wrapper
dish, £38,
Decoralist
Christmas honeycomb
garland, £29, Meri Meri
Trend spotting
ALL
SMILES
Santa mug,
£3.50, B&M
PULL A CRACKER
Make your own
crackers, £3, Dunelm
CANDY
STRIPES
Choose jolly red and white for
a picture-book Christmas
Jute Christmas
sack, £6, B&M
SLEEPS
’TIL
SANTA
Advent
candle,
£4.99, Gisela
Graham
10 | DECEMBER 2022
I
f you want a bold scheme that’s
going to fuel excitement for the
little ones and conjure up all the
nostalgic feels for the grown-ups,
then nothing beats the cheerful combo
of red and white candy stripes. Go all-out
for a striking scene that will create festive
memories and put everyone in a jolly
good mood for the holiday season.
PRETTY
FRILLS
TOP LINES
Napkin,
£55 for four,
Meri Meri
WHITE
STRIPES
Glass baubles,
£3.99 each,
Gisela Graham
FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS
HE’S BEEN!
POP UP
Gingerbread
lollipop, £3.99,
Dobbies
HAPPY
COUPLE
Mr & Mrs
festive mouse
decoration,
£12.50 each,
Ella James
UNDER THE
TREE
Candy cane gift
wrap, £9.95 for
five sheets,
Nancy & Betty
The New Look
MIDNIGHT
BLUES
Create an indulgent high-end look layered with
cool neutrals and cashmere-soft textiles
1. Make your
scheme
twinkle
Warm-white fairy lights
will instantly add sparkle
to your scheme, while
metallic gold accents
will help to lift it further,
adding highlights that
will bounce when
light hits them.
FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS
2. Choose global
prints & patterns
12 | DECEMBER 2022
Moroccan-style finishing
touches create a well-travelled
look. Try adding star prints and
shapes to bedding and lighting
for a look that lends itself
perfectly to a festive scheme,
but works just as well all year.
NEW LOOK
Buy it
Virgo Star ceiling fitting,
£89; Margo headboard, from
£229; Festive Star duvet set,
from £9; Margo bedside
table, £149; dressing table
painted in Peacock eggshell
emulsion, from £18 for 1ltr;
Hallie Amber Gold dining
chair, £129, all Dunelm
SHINING STAR
Paper stars, £10
for two, Rockett
St George
3. Lift dark
blue with pops
of colour
Navy blue creates a
dramatic effect but
without something to
lift it, can look gloomy.
Balance the coolness
with burnt orange and
amber to add warmth,
choosing materials
that reflect light.
RUSTY HUES
Svelte dining
chair, £99, Dwell
SILENT
NIGHT
Star duvet
set, £32
for double,
John Lewis
& Partners
Nail the style
STAR BUYS
Combine rich hues with
starry accents
MOROCCAN
MIRROR
Casablanca small
wall mirror, £25.99,
Auburn Fox
TOASTY
TOES
Polar PL95
shaggy rug
from £44.99,
The Rug Seller
4. Add softness
for a cosy feel
Introduce layers of
texture for a cosy vibe.
A shaggy rug layered
with a soft sheepskin to
bury your feet into, a
velvety chair to give
your dressing table luxe
vibes and cushions and
a throw for a bed you’ll
want to curl up in.
LIT UP
TOTAL
£256
Everyday
Lucy
table lamp,
£32, Very
SNUGGLE UP
Cotton throw,
£18.99, Gisela
Graham
DECEMBER 2022 | 13
Your Christmas
GIFT GUIDE
Our pick of the best pressies for all your
loved ones – all under £50
3
1
2
5
6
LITTLE
GEM
4
8
11
7
10
9
For our furry friends
1 Dog treat jar, £29.95, Eleanor Bowmer 2 Luxury leather dog collar, £45, Sbri 3 Ginger cat bowl, £6.50, Mason Cash 4 Champagne
gem cat collar charm, £15, Cheshire & Wain 5 Festive Tasty Cuts, £3.75, Lily’s Kitchen 6 William Morris At Home Canine Companion
dog walkers kit, £29.99, Dobbies 7 Cracker for dogs, £7.50, Annabel James 8 Cat grooming brush, £10, Tangle Teezer 9 Christmas
pudding pet toy, £4.50, Matalan 10 Pet bed, £45, Joules 11 Aesop Animal fur and body wash, £29, John Lewis & Partners
14 | DECEMBER 2022
Love it
GIFTS UNDER £50
3
1
2
DISPLAY
PIECE
4
5
7
8
6
9
10
For the homebodies
1 Lambswool hot water bottle in Turquoise, £35, Curious Rose 2 Moshulu x National Trust Fulmar ballerina slippers in Oyster Grey,
£42, National Trust 3 David Hicks backgammon set, £24.99, Rockett St George 4 Twisted coupe, £8 for two, Primark 5 Lasse bowl,
£15, JYSK 6 Block patterned throw, £18, Habitat 7 Piscean pitcher vase, £24, Curious Egg 8 Newgate Charlie bell alarm clock,
£25, Cuckooland 9 Golden Nature tea light holders, £22 set of three, Next 10 Glass watering can, £20, John Lewis & Partners
DECEMBER 2022 | 15
2
1
HAPPY
HOUR
3
4
5
8
9
6
7
10
For the foodies
1 Fermented hot sauce discovery box, £29.99, Eaten Alive 2 Mary Berry signature carafe, £25.99, Potters Cookshop 3 The Spaghetti
poster, £13.95, Desenio 4 Gold lobster dish, £28.95, Graham & Green 5 HK Living Comet ceramic stand, £40, Wanderlust Wares
6 Chilli oil, £9, Banhoek 7 Kikka ceramic nabe dish, £26, The Wasabi Company 8 Chocolate dipped clementines, £7.55, Seggiano
9 Bianco Amaretto, £28.99, Adriatico 10 East by Meera Sodha, £20, John Lewis & Partners 11 Floral side plates, £12 for four, Primark
16 | DECEMBER 2022
FEATURE LAURA HIGGINSA
11
GIFTS UNDER £50
Love it
2
1
3
4
5
PACK
‘N’ GO
9
6
8
7
11
10
For the cool kids
1 Santa fleece PJ set, £14, M&Co 2 Little Dutch coffee machine, £23, Scandibørn 3 Toy drum, £22, JoJo Maman Bébé 4 Dragon
backpack, £40, Cath Kidston 5 Giggles neon Orange rope sign, £22, Rockett St George 6 Toy guitar, £27.95, Cuckooland 7 The World
Is Ours journal, £7.99, Belly Button Designs 8 Liberty skinny head bands, £9 each, Little Print Gifts 9 Skipping rope, £6, National
Trust 10 Wooden embroidery gingerbread house kit, £36, Meri Meri 11 Polar circle balancing wooden toy, £24.95, PomPom
DECEMBER 2022 | 17
Make it
SALT DOUGH STARS
Lowther plates, £60 for
six; Elden napkins, £70
for six, both Neptune
THIS MONTH’S
Make it
Easy to make, these stars
can pimp up place settings
or be used as gift tags. Mix
flour, water and salt into a
firm dough, roll it flat, cut out
the stars with cutters and
use mini stamps for the
names. Bake in the oven until
hard, then string with ribbon.
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH
Stitch a simple
snowflake
design on plain
napkins
18 | DECEMBER 2022
‘Bright colours
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Painting three-quarters
of the wall drops the
ceiling for a cosier feel’
LINKING SPACE
‘I chose a simple black
and glass console from
Ikea for the hallway
as it’s not too bulky’
COME ON IN!
ABOUT ME I’m Gemma Cronnie, 38,
an animator, and I live here with my
husband Andrew, 33, a videographer,
and our six-month-old son Matthew.
We also have two miniature
schnauzers, Ellie and Tilly.
MY HOME A four-bed detached
new build in Killingworth, Newcastle.
WHEN WE MOVED IN Although the
kitchen, bathroom and flooring
weren’t my choices, they weren’t
offensive and it was totally liveable.
AND NOW We’ve redecorated every
room in bold colours, except the
main bedroom which is more calm.
STYLE TIP I use low-tack FrogTape
when decorating, as new-build walls
are like tissue paper and anything
else peels the original white paint off!
20 | DECEMBER 2022
COLOURFUL NEW BUILD
Love it
MAKE ME HAPPY’
TRAVEL PLANS
‘The map prints
remind us of our
favourite city breaks,
when we saw Katy
Perry in Stockholm
and the Formula One
in Barcelona’
Having moved home
on a whim, Gemma
and Andrew applied
creativity and turned
their white new build
into a bold and
bright party house
I
t was Christmas 2019 when my
husband Andrew got restless and
suggested moving home, and by
the end of January we’d moved
into a brand-new four-bedroom
detached house,’ says Gemma. ‘Having
lived in our first home (a three-bedroom
semi in Gateshead) for seven years, we
wanted to buy something bigger as
we both work from home.
I’d grown up in new-build homes and
used to work for a developer, so I pulled
together a spreadsheet of 35 show home
sites across the North East. Over three
days we visited them all, but ended up
back at the first one – a Bellway estate
in Killingworth, Newcastle.
Sociable style
We’re party people so loved the Acacia
house type with its open-plan kitchendiner and living area leading onto a
south-facing rear garden. Having a
second bedroom that was big enough
for two desks was another important
factor – since I’m an animator and
Andrew’s a videographer, we have
a lot of kit between us!
The house was already built so we
put down a deposit, part-exchanged
and moved in within 20 days through
Bellway’s Express Mover scheme. I think
the developer had targets to meet by the
end of the month so we got a good deal.
Adding our stamp
A new build can be quite overwhelming
as it’s all fresh and clean with white walls.
It’s like writing on the first page of a new
notepad… you don’t want to make a
mistake! I started by putting up scaffold
board shelves in the utility room using
Rawlplugs for the first time and painting
it in Denim Drift by Dulux. That gave
me the confidence to tackle the front
DECEMBER 2022 | 21
living room, which was inspired by
a visit to the Sofology showroom. We
loved their combo of a green and orange
sofa against a bright orange wall, so we
recreated the same vibe with a slightly
more subdued shade of paint.
Our party room
Next we decorated the open-plan
kitchen-diner and living room. I’d
discovered Snug sofas on Instagram and
really liked their navy blue velvet sofa.
That led to a similar blue paint on the
walls, which zones the snug area, while
the long back wall was painted in a
complementary greige to match the
kitchen units. We might change
the kitchen one day, as the gloss doors
get covered in fingerprints and are a
nightmare to keep clean, but it’ll do for
now. I love being a hostess so the space
is perfect for our regular themed parties.
Having decorated the front living room
in orange, yellow and green, the kitchendiner in greige and navy, and the
‘I’VE LEARNED NOT
TO BE AFRAID OF GOING
BRIGHT AND BOLD
WITH BIG PURCHASES
LIKE SOFAS’
AMBIENT GLOW
‘Ladder shelving from
Habitat creates a little
area where I can play
around with displays’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘If in doubt, use black
accents. They always add
a sophisticated, designer
look to a scheme’
COLOURFUL NEW BUILD
Love it
TIME WELL SPENT
‘It took me ages to find the
perfect blind – I eventually
found this design in Kovu
Batik Blue at Hillarys’
3 of the best GLASS COFFEE TABLES
Keep the feeling of space with a glass-topped style
EVENING SPACE
‘We love getting cosy
on the sofa from
Sofology to watch films
and have added a floor
lamp from Iconic Lights’
ALL ROUNDER
Madison round coffee
table, £229, Cult Furniture
TWO IN ONE
Claudia gold effect coffee
table, £239, Dunelm
CURVED LINES
Gala tempered glass
coffee table, £280, Habitat
DECEMBER 2022 | 23
STYLE SPOT
‘The hygge and
cocktail prints from
Postery and vase from
Rosey Wood Interiors
add a personal touch’
Do it! CREATE
A DIGITAL
MOODBOARD
Try an app like SketchUp,
HomeByMe or Pantone Studio to
help visualise how your room could
look. This will help you try out
ideas before committing and
potentially making costly mistakes.
If you want to upload an image
of your room, try Polyflor’s
visualiser to see how flooring
might look, while Dulux and Crown
both have visualisers to try out
paint colours. There’s no substitute
for tester pots though, as lighting
will make a huge difference and
the resolution on screen is rarely
spot on. It might help you narrow
down which colours to test though.
It’s often helpful to start with
one item you love and use that as
your jump-off point. Alternatively
decide on a style such as boho,
mid-century modern, coastal or
industrial so your room has a
cohesive design language.
Review your moodboard often
and discard images that don’t sit
well to crystallise your style.
ADDING SPARKLE
‘I’m more a fan of gold
than I am silver, so the
Lipsy wine glasses from
Next were perfect’
‘KEEP CHECKING AVAILABILITY OF FAVOURITE
ITEMS – THESE BLUE BAR STOOLS WERE OUT OF
STOCK FOR AGES BUT WERE WELL WORTH THE WAIT’
downstairs toilet in pale blue, I put up
a terrazzo-effect wallpaper in the hallway
to tie all the colours together.
Festive fun
I love Christmas and having two living
spaces I always have two trees – one
traditional and one more modern. It’s nice
to have a tree that can be seen from the
front window as people walk past, as
well as one where we have Christmas
dinner in the back room. Also, I’m a
Gemini which means I’m very fickle,
so being able to decorate two trees
24 | DECEMBER 2022
satisfies both sides of my personality!
Before we got this house we used to
spend Christmas separately with our
families, so this was the trigger for
making our own Christmas. We tend
to have Andrew’s parents round for
lunch and then I’ll pop and visit my
family in the evening where it’s more
hectic with all my cousins and nephews.
Creating a sanctuary
When it came to decorating our
bedroom, we modelled it on the room
we stayed in at the Skuggi Hotel in
COLOURFUL NEW BUILD
Love it
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Barstools covered
in rich velvet
fabric inject cocktail
glamour’
THINKING AHEAD
‘We’d love to upgrade the
kitchen with a stone waterfalledge worktop in the future’
DECEMBER 2022 | 25
Do it! CHOOSE A DINING TABLE
First measure your dining area
and allow a minimum of 750mm of
clearance between the edges and
your walls or other furniture.
In an open-plan space, pick a
material and style that complements
your kitchen units or sofas. Choosing
too many different types of wood can
be jarring on the eye, so black, white
or glass is a good neutral option.
Alternatively, paint your table and
finish with a durable varnish to make
it fit with your colour scheme.
Rectangular or oval tables are ideal
for larger rooms, while round tables
work best if space is tight. A central
pedestal design allows you to fit more
people around as there are no legs at
the edge to get in the way. To make
better use of space and provide extra
storage, consider an L-shaped bench
seat against two walls.
CLEVER TRICK
‘I didn’t want the sofa
and footstool to
blend in with the
wall, so I only painted
partway down’
‘I LOVE CHRISTMAS
AND HAVING TWO
LIVING SPACES MEANS
I ALWAYS HAVE TWO
TREES – ONE MORE
TRADITIONAL AND ONE
WITH A MODERN VIBE’
Iceland, where everything was grey,
deep and moody. This was where
Andrew proposed to me so it has special
meaning for us. As we’ve got so much
colour elsewhere, I wanted a calm,
relaxing, cosy vibe in here.
Now our baby Matthew has arrived,
we’ve turned Andrew’s ‘old man cave’
into a nursery and I’ve been kicked out of
the shared office into my dressing room
so he could create a dual-purpose man
cave/office. We just need to get a day
bed with storage since we had to lose
the double bed in the dressing room
to make way for my desk.
What I’ve learned
SMART CHOICE
‘I hadn’t realised at first
that I’d picked the same
Danetti dining chairs that
were in the show home!’
26 | DECEMBER 2022
Although a few Rawlplugs have been
filled over and Andrew’s had a nightmare
getting cabling into his man cave,
everything’s pretty much gone to plan.
As I did interior design at uni, I always use
Adobe Photoshop to moodboard each
space and Illustrator to create a scale
drawing of the room with the
COLOURFUL NEW BUILD
Love it
HAVING A BALL
‘My father-in-law made
the coffee table from
some pallets he had lying
about, and the pool ball
print is from Fy!’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Paint the wall behind
the TV in a
darker colour to help
it blend in’
DECEMBER 2022 | 27
Love it
COLOURFUL NEW BUILD
PERSONAL SPACE
‘I added gold washi tape
and hairpin legs to the Ikea
console table to glam it up’
dimensions of the furniture. I always
show it to Andrew to make sure it’s not
too ‘out there’ for him. He’s started to
trust me a little bit more now.
I get so much joy out of painting as
well. Even when heavily pregnant, I was
dying to paint Andrew’s man cave.
Next we’re adding a feature mirror,
pelmet and statement lighting in the
main bedroom, then decorating our
en suite to tie in with it.
After that we’ll tackle the landing,
upgrade the kitchen and landscape the
garden. I’ve learned not to be afraid of
28 | DECEMBER 2022
going bold with big purchases such as
sofas. In our last house I played it too
safe and worked around what was there
– like the brown carpet – rather than just
replacing it. Now I’ll choose a colour
that makes me happy and I’m less
worried about making mistakes.’
Find more clever ideas
to style up your home by
going to pinterest.com/
styleathomemag
GOING GREEN
‘The green walls give
a holiday vibe. Plants
and candles make it
feel more serene’
IDEA TO STEAL
NEAT LINES
‘A statement headboard
gives the room a
boutique hotel feel’
‘The sleek black bedside
tables from Made have a
Scandinavian vibe’
DOUBLE UP
‘TAKE A PHOTO OF HOTEL ROOMS OR PLACES
OF INTEREST THAT INSPIRE YOU, AND USE AS A
STARTING POINT FOR YOUR BEDROOM DECOR’
Where to buy Gemma’s style
IKEA Great for finding basics for
any room in the house, and excellent
value for money. Gemma loves
upcycling its pieces, such
as her dressing table console.
MADE A brilliant place for stylish
and timeless design if you’re
shopping for key pieces.
CULT FURNITURE Gemma loves
the range of trendy furniture items
that come in a wide variety of
colours, especially the stools.
DUNELM A perfect source for
accessories, this is where Gemma
loves to browse but often leaves
the store with a full basket.
H&M HOME A go-to for on-trend
accessories – including the
well-known donut vase – and
great-value cushion covers.
FEATURE KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE
‘Two sets of curtains
– both voiles and heavy
drapes – makes the
wall more of a feature’
DECEMBER 2022 | 29
Gemma’s choice:
TWO-TONE WALLS
Create an Instagram-worthy paint effect in any room by
dividing your walls into two shades of your choice
W
hy choose one colour
when you can learn how
to paint two-tone walls?
If you’ve fallen in love with
a paint shade but don’t want to cover
an entire wall, a two-tone wall effect is
the perfect solution. The combinations
are endless, but a darker shade on the
bottom with a lighter colour above will
help make your rooms look taller.
To complement her
velvet sofa, Gemma
opted for walls in a
rich golden yellow
IDEA TO STEAL
Hang pictures to
straddle both
colours of the wall
Don’t overcomplicate it
Aaron Markwell, colour lead at Coat
Paints says, ‘My number-one rule for
two-tone paint schemes is keep it simple.
Colour-blocking is key. If you’re decorating
your hallway for example, do the dado
rail, the wall below and skirting in the
same colour. Bold colours are best for the
bottom half to ground the scheme.’
Stick to the same family
‘The best approach is to use different
tones of the same colour, one lighter and
one darker,’ says Marianne Shillingford,
creative director at Dulux. ‘Splitting the
wall into thirds gives the best effect, with
the section that goes down to the floor
in the deepest shade.’
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
Mark the meeting point
Decide where you’d like your two colours
to meet and, using a tape measure, mark
this point at regular intervals across the
wall. Next paint your lighter colour, then
once dry, create a dividing line. Take a
length of string longer than the width of
your wall and run a piece of chalk along
its length. Stretch the string across the
wall, lining it up with your pencil marks.
Secure the ends with masking tape. Once
the string is straight, ping or tap the string
against the wall so it leaves a chalk line,
then apply masking tape along this line.
Apply the darker shade
Paint your darker shade up to the level of
the masking tape, making sure to overlap
slightly onto it. Peel off the tape while the
paint is still wet to unveil your two-tone
wall design. You should have a nice crisp
line between your two colours.
30 | DECEMBER 2022
MIX PAINT FINISHES TO ADD TEXTURE. TRY MATT
ON THE UPPER HALF WITH EGGSHELL BELOW
COLOURFUL NEW BUILD
Love it
4 ways with… YELLOW AND GREY
Wake up your living space with this inventive combo
1
GO CONTEMPORARY WITH NEON
2
GET CREATIVE WITH YELLOW ACCENTS
3
CREATE A COLOURFUL FOCAL POINT
4
CAPTIVATE WITH STRONG CONTRASTS
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
A few touches of bright yellow are a sure-fire way to add
a bold edge to an otherwise neutral space, just be sure to stick to
the same neon yellow to keep it cohesive. It’s a fun look and you
might even have some old pieces of furniture, like this coffee table,
just waiting for a bright yellow glow-up with a fresh lick of paint.
As yellow stands out so well against grey, you can use it to
make a fabulous centrepiece. This traditional fire surround has
been given a modern twist with a coat of buttercup yellow, filling
the room with energy and pulling classic style up to date. White
furniture and monochrome art create a sophisticated finish.
Add subtle yellow highlights to a grey living room with clever
paint ideas, such as painting door frames or architectural details.
In this stylish space, a sliver of yellow on a structural wall brings
a hit of vibrant contrast – paving the way to add more of the
same colour with occasional furniture and accessories.
Make a statement by contrasting to the max. Pair soft, pale
shades of grey paint with a vibrant sunshine yellow; the two
extremes of colour create a maximalist look. Choose to paint one
feature wall in the yellow or be inspired by our use of the brighter
shade below a mid point, to make a statement of a fireplace.
DECEMBER 2022 | 31
WINTRY TOUCH
‘I’ve mixed real foliage
into this garland’
‘We’ve gone big
COME ON IN!
ABOUT ME I’m Ashley Bradshaw,
34, and I live here with my husband
Chris, also 34, an electrician, and
our daughter Emily, four, and dogs
Archie and Mollie. I run my own
design and styling company
@farrantandbradshaw.
OUR HOME A four-bed detached
chalet-style house in Essex. We
moved here two years ago.
WHEN I MOVED IN The house was
a dated, 1990s style, with lots of
florals and dark wood, and a
kitchen to the front of the property.
AND NOW It has a Cape Cod style
about it, with period features
combined with modern living.
STYLE TIP If you have the space, use
it! Sometimes, just reconfiguring a
layout is all that is needed to give
your home a better way of living.
32 | DECEMBER 2022
FAMILY TRADITION
‘I have a real tree at
Christmas as you can’t
beat the smell. We always
buy a new decoration if we
visit somewhere special’
MODERN CHALET STYLE
Love it
on CHARACTER’
‘Add wall panelling
to give a newer
home a period look’
Ashley and Chris
saw the potential
and turned their
Essex property into
a warm, welcoming
home brimming
with festive flair
W
e really didn’t have to
move very far when we
bought our new home
– this house was just
over the road in fact!’
says Ashley. ‘We lived opposite, so we
knew the road and the neighbours
already, and when we went to view it
we could see it had lots of space and
potential – so much so that we couldn’t
resist it when it went up for sale.
The property was actually out of
our price range to begin with, but as
the months passed by and the price
dropped we took the plunge and bagged
ourselves a great project. Although the
layout wasn’t quite right for us, it was
more a matter of knocking down walls
to create a better flow rather than
extending, which appealed to us.
Changing rooms
Inside, the decor was dated, with lots of
florals, dark wood, and a kitchen to the
front of the property. We were keen to
make this our family home, so we took
a fresh look at the layout, had some
walls taken down and created extra
rooms we knew we’d need.
We opened the dining and front
room up to create a large open-plan
kitchen, dining and living area, which
is a lovely large, sociable space now.
With the kitchen moved from the front
to the back of the house it also meant
we could now use that space as a
playroom for Emily.
There weren’t any real disasters during
the renovations, but the hardest part
was the fact that we were doing all the
work in the height of the pandemic.
Getting materials was a nightmare –
plaster was like gold dust, paint was
non-existent and all the main DIY
DECEMBER 2022 | 33
ALL IN THE DETAIL
‘We opted for Shakerstyle cabinetry, teamed
with knobs and pulls
from Yesterhome, to give
a traditional look’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Hang a faux garland
over the dining table,
then add real foliage
and baubles’
‘THIS HOUSE WAS A PIECE
OF CAKE COMPARED TO
OTHER PROPERTIES WE’VE
HAD IN THE PAST’
chains were closed or had very
limited stock.
Fortunately, one thing we did have
was lots of time and after patiently
making sure we got every room just
right, the house is everything we wanted
and more. In fact, I’d say this house was
a piece of cake compared to other
projects we’d had in the past – we’ve
always gone for period properties
before, that we’ve needed to extend, so
it was a nice change not to have to do
that this time.
Even though it was an enjoyable
project, I can assure you it didn’t
34 | DECEMBER 2022
SEASONAL
DISPLAY
‘I enjoy dressing the
table for the big day’
MODERN CHALET STYLE
Love it
CULINARY SPOT
‘Our best buy was
this kitchen from DIY
Kitchens. The quality is
beautiful and you get to
choose your colours from
Farrow & Ball’s range’
DECEMBER 2022 | 35
Love it
MODERN CHALET STYLE
SOCIAL AREA
‘Originally two
separate rooms, the
kitchen-diner is now
a lovely big space’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Hang pendants low
to shine a light on
food prep areas’
GO GREEN
‘Foliage and
small trees add a
festive touch’
come without its fair share of building
mess and moments! At one point we
had to go a few days without a
bathroom, which was interesting – and,
of course, renovating during the
pandemic certainly had its challenges.
We got through it though and looking
back it’s all been worth it.
Sorting the exterior
USEFUL NOOK
‘The range cooker
is neatly set into
the old fireplace’
36 | DECEMBER 2022
We took on most of the work ourselves,
altering the layout to suit our family life,
but it’s not only inside you can see the
TWO IN ONE
‘Combining a slim
downstairs loo and
smaller utility has
made this a multifunctional room’
‘BUDGET IS KEY! YOU ALWAYS CHANGE PLANS
ALONG THE WAY, SO FACTOR THOSE IN, BE
REALISTIC AND DO WHAT IS IMPORTANT FIRST’
3 of the best
LEATHER BAR STOOLS
Perch at your kitchen counter on a luxe-trimmed seat
transformation – the exterior has had a
new look too. We had the roof cleaned
and although it sounds silly, by cleaning
the tiles it made a huge difference to
the house. It transformed it!
We also updated the driveway and
had the windows resprayed, as they
were brand new when we moved in
but a dark brown colour, so we had
them sprayed white along with our
doors. It saved us a fortune as it meant
we didn’t have to replace them all, which
would have been pretty costly. It’s
GOLD FINISH
Diner bar stool in Green,
£149, Where Saints Go
SOLID BACK
Stafford leather bar stool
in Smoke Blue, £750, Oka
SWIVEL SEAT
Rochester leather bar stool in
Brown, £89.99, Homescapes
DECEMBER 2022 | 37
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Paint above the
panelling to match
the headboard’
RESTFUL SPACE
‘Textured fabrics and
a monochrome
colour scheme ensure
that this room is now
a luxurious retreat’
‘I’M A REALLY BIG FAN OF RED AND
GOLD WHEN IT COMES TO DECORATING
THE HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS’
LABOUR OF LOVE
‘The en suite has polished
concrete walls. It took
four days to apply – but
it’s so worth it!’
IN THE SHADE
‘The dresser
brings in another
punch of colour’
38 | DECEMBER 2022
MODERN CHALET STYLE
Love it
FESTIVE
FAIRYTALE
‘I’ve decorated every
room in the home
for Christmas, even
Emily’s bedroom!
funny to think that we used to look
at this house from across the road and
dream of taking it on as a project. Now
we’ve made it happen, I think it will be
hard to ever find another house that
ticks all the boxes like this one does.
Festive dressing
With the ideal interior for entertaining
and our sociable open-plan space, the
house really comes into its own at
Christmas, and we always host at ours
each Boxing Day. Christmas Day is our
family day, though – it’s about lots of
presents, staying in our pyjamas until
Do it! BUILD A PLAYHOUSE BUNK BED
This is a fun weekend project
preferably for an experienced DIYer.
Sketch out a plan of your bunk bed,
with measurements to ensure it will fit
your space – if you’re including a floor
for a bed, make sure there’s enough
room for a child’s mattress.
Use timber and battens to build the
frame. Leave large holes for the
windows and doors.
Create the roof using shingles –
Ashley and Chris used 100mm
cedar roof shingles.
Clad the walls for a real ‘house’
effect – the Bradshaws used 12mm
MDF cut in 100mm strips.
Paint your playhouse. Ashley
colour-matched Farrow & Ball’s
Skimming Stone and Setting Plaster
colours at the Valspar counter.
DECEMBER 2022 | 39
Love it
MODERN CHALET STYLE
FASHION FIRST
‘The dressing area
keeps our bedroom
wardrobe-free and neat’
SLEEP TIGHT
‘Our bed is from
Feather & Black and
perfectly fits the
trad scheme’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Bring interest to a
plain wall with
diagonal panelling’
‘TAKE YOUR TIME WITH
BIG DECISIONS – IT
PAYS TO LIVE IN A HOUSE
BEFORE FINALISING
REFURB PLA NS’
‘I love the slatted
wall in the hallway’
HOMESENSE Fab one-off finds
at purse-friendly prices.
HM HOME Trend-led homeware
that won’t break the bank.
ZARA HOME Beautifully stylish
accessories and a great selection
of textiles and colours.
lunchtime and enjoying a big
Christmas dinner.
As for decorating, the house comes
alive with lots of green foliage and
traditional decor. Some might say I go
over the top, but I don’t think you can
really go too far at Christmas! We
always pick our Christmas tree on the
first weekend in December – it’s one
of our traditions, along with ice skating
on Christmas Eve.
We love to decorate the outside just
as much as the inside, and there’s
nothing better than cosy days at home
with the Christmas tree lights twinkling.’
40 | DECEMBER 2022
FARROW & BALL Chalky matt
colours, from dark Down Pipe to
more earthy Elephant’s Breath.
DUNELM An inspiring selection
of timeless furniture, lighting and
accessories to choose from.
Find more clever ideas
to style up your home by
going to pinterest.com/
styleathomemag
FEATURE AND STYLING LAURIE DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES
WOOD WORKS
Where to buy
Ashley’s style
Ashley’s choice:
A KITCHEN ISLAND
Thinking about installing an island unit? Read our tips to get the
lowdown on what you need to know
A
kitchen island can offer huge
benefits, from extra storage
and a central cooking zone to
a sociable space for family
and friends. From height to overhang,
there’s a lot to think about, so we’ve
narrowed down the essentials.
Leave sufficient space
Allow enough room for more than one
person to move easily between the island
and the cabinets around the kitchen
perimeter. Ensure that you can open
doors and drawers safely and aim to
keep at least 1m between the island and
surrounding walls or appliances.
Comfortable
bar stools
make the
island a
social space
IDEA TO STEAL
Paint kitchen
units in a
contrasting
shade
Get the height right
An island should be high enough to be
comfortable standing while cooking, as
well as to pull up a stool. ‘Breakfast-bar
height is typically in line with the worktop
counter, with standard counter-high stools
most common,’ says Lizzie Beesley at
Magnet. ‘Bar-height stools are used at taller
breakfast bar areas that are raised above
worktop height as a feature seating area.’
FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPH DAVID GILES
Allow enough overhang
‘A typical overhang for a seating area
should be 250-300mm, this will leave
enough knee room and adequate space
between the countertop edge and the
person seated,’ adds Lizzie Beesley.
‘If a breakfast bar is a main dining space
rather than an occasional seating area,
then increase the depth of the overhang.’
Plan the prep areas
Work out which sections of your island
are for preparation, cooking or socialising.
You don’t want your guests by the bin or
hob. ‘Keep the hob and sink in separate
spaces to better define the social area
and ensure any dirty dishes are out of
focus,’ says Scott Peterson at HKUK.
Include plenty of sockets
This is a must. Do you need to be able to
plug in a mixer? Will the toaster and juicer
be behind closed doors? What about a
charging drawer for phones?
42 | DECEMBER 2022
MOVEMENT AROUND THE KITCHEN AND UNITS SHOULD
BE EASY– THIS IS THE CLEARANCE ZONE
MODERN CHALET STYLE
Love it
4 ways with… BEDROOM WALLS
Give your walls an on-trend textured upgrade with panelling
1
ELONGATE WITH SLIMLINE PANELS
2
OPT FOR GEOMETRICS
3
DOUBLE UP YOUR HEADBOARD
4
GAIN AN EXTRA DISPLAY SURFACE
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Make your walls seem taller than they are with a strategic
choice in the size and layout of your panels. ‘Applied vertically,
they create the illusion of an extended space,’ says Olivia Crosher,
interior designer, Naturewall. ‘Apply a couple of 600mm panels
to create a stylish backdrop to a standout piece of furniture.’
Large or boldly patterned headboards become a natural
focal point in a bedroom. Cheat your way to dramatic DIY
headboard ideas by planning your space so it sits in front of a
statement area of wall panelling. Paint the panels in a brighter
and lighter shade than the headboard to make sure it stands out.
There’s no rule which dictates that wall panels have to be
rectangular or square planks of wood. Offer your walls unique
personality and texture by creating stylish geometric shapes. As
well as looking cool, it’s a great example of a budget decor idea as
you can simply use slim battens to create the effect of panelling.
Bedroom panelling ideas can be made to work a little harder.
Gain an extra surface by only taking your panelling halfway up
the wall and making sure it comes out a few centimetres from the
wall. Add a slim ledge and you have a perfect area for propping
up artwork, displaying objects and adding seasonal touches.
DECEMBER 2022 | 43
‘We have space
PRACTICAL PLAN
‘Before we started
knocking down walls,
I planned out this house.
For me it’s about how
the room functions as
well as the aesthetic’
NATURAL
CHOICE
‘I use a lot of plants
and greenery –
in this case a
Christmas tree!’
COME ON IN!
ABOUT ME I’m Justin Coakley, an
interior designer and stylist, and
I live here with my partner, Zunaid,
and our whippet, Aalto.
MY HOME A 1930s four-bedroom
terraced house in south-west
London. We bought it in March 2017.
WHEN WE MOVED IN Despite it
being a period home with lovely
high ceilings, all of the period
features had been ripped out.
AND NOW We completely
renovated throughout, creating a
more open-plan feel by taking down
walls and making it more minimal.
We also had the loft converted at
the start of lockdown.
STYLE TIP Look at how you can
maximise the potential for storage
in every room.
46 | DECEMBER 2022
1930S RENOVATION
Love it
TO CELEBRATE’
Transforming a
‘fixer-upper’ into a
stylish, pared-back
home gave Justin
and Zunaid the
space they wanted
to welcome guests
B
eing raised in South Africa
meant Christmas for me
used to be spent by the pool,’
says Justin. ‘December is
midsummer there, so it’s all
cold meats and salads, and ice cream
for pudding! It’s 35 degrees and the last
thing you want is a hot dinner.
But I love Christmas in the UK, getting
warm and cosy, and lighting the fire when
it’s snowy… I actually prefer it.’
Starting point
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Use an oversized
wreath as a flamboyant
focal point’
We wanted to be able to welcome mine
and Zunaid’s friends and family in to enjoy
the house at Christmas, and now that
we’ve finally completed a top-to-bottom
renovation, we can. The property looked
a lot different when we first bought it in
2017, but we were determined to get on
the property ladder after years of renting.
We wanted to stay south west of London,
but needed easy access into the city, and
it only takes 19 minutes by train from here.
The house is on a main road which
really put me off, but Zunaid said, ‘Let’s
go and look at it and keep an open mind’.
As soon as we walked in, we both just
knew this was the one. It had a nice
feeling of space and the thing that really
sold it to us was the ceiling height, as
both of us are over six feet tall!
A project worth tackling
We knew we’d need a ‘fixer-upper’ to
be able to afford to live in this area, and
I wanted to exercise my design skills. The
sad thing was that the previous owner, in
an attempt to modernise, had ripped out
all the period features. I decided that was
a good reason to go more contemporary
in the interior, because those features
were already gone.
We couldn’t afford to rent anywhere
else while the work was being carried
DECEMBER 2022 | 47
SOCIABLE DESIGN
‘The kitchen is adjacent
to the dining room so I
can chat to guests while
they’re sat at the table’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Using statement
artwork gives the
dining space
a strong focus’
FESTIVE
FIREPLACE
‘The chimney breast
and fireplace make
a great focal point’
‘ELSEWHERE WE REMOVED THE
CHIMNEY BREASTS AS IT GAVE US MORE
SCOPE WHEN DESIGNING THE LAYOUT’
Do it! CREATE AN
OVERSIZED WREATH
Justin’s beautiful large
festive wreath hangs over
the fireplace, and while he
came up with the concept
for it, it was Larry Walshe
(@larrywalshe) who
brought it to life.
To create something
similar, use a giant hula
hoop for the frame, and
add chicken wire to it
to anchor all your foliage
and flowers in place.
48 | DECEMBER 2022
Opt for a mix of dried
and real foliage and
flowers to suit your colour
scheme. Build up the
wreath, pushing the stems
through the chicken wire,
ensuring you cover the
base so it isn’t visible.
When adding the
foliage, try to angle some
of the stems in different
directions to give a more
interesting, wild look.
1930S RENOVATION
Love it
3 of the best MINIMAL COFFEE TABLES
A range of options whether you’re on a budget or splashing out
DARK & HANDSOME
Haines coffee table, £595,
Made.com
WOOD ADDITION
Craft oak coffee
table, £150, Next
SOPHISTICATED STYLE
Theodore Alexander Fisher
table, £2,810, Sweetpea & Willow
DOUBLE DUTY
‘To maximise storage, we
put in a big peninsula that
is extra deep so it has
cupboards on both sides’
DECEMBER 2022 | 49
Love it
1930S RENOVATION
QUITE AN ENTRANCE
‘The garland was also made
in collaboration with Larry
Walshe (@larrywalshe) and we
love the floor tiles from Fired
Earth’s Boulangerie range’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘The glass door allows
light to stream through
this area’
MONOCHROME
MAGIC
‘Black lines are very
much my signature
style; that’s the link
throughout the rooms’
50 | DECEMBER 2022
STYLISH STAY
‘This is one of our two
guest bedrooms and I
wanted to keep it
light, bright and airy’
‘I CHOSE FREESTANDING FURNITURE IN THIS
ROOM TO KEEP THE OPTIONS OPEN FOR USING THE
SPACE DIFFERENTLY IN THE FUTURE’
out, so we lived on the top floor
during the ground floor renovation, and
then lived on the ground floor while
upstairs was renovated. It was manic!
And because we were living here it took
longer; what should have been a
six-month renovation took a year.
Building site conditions
We were without a kitchen for six months
and had to wash dishes in the bath and
make do with microwave meals. I had a
single little induction hob which I would
use to cook up some pasta, so by the
end of it all we were like: ‘I just want to
cook a roast chicken!’
I took the lead in redesigning the
house and discussed my layout ideas
with an architect friend and a chartered
surveyor. The idea of extending was
rejected as it would eat into the garden
and wouldn’t give the best return on
our investment, so instead we worked
with what we had, removing a wall
between the living room and dining room
to create a more open-plan feel, with
black-framed glass dividing doors to let
light flow through. We also had the
chimney breasts removed in the dining
room and second bedroom to make
those rooms squarer, so it was easier to
play around with the furniture layout.
A loft in lockdown
Then, at the start of lockdown, we had
the loft converted. That turned into a
year’s project rather than taking three
or four months because work just ground
to a halt, but the builders did a fantastic
job in spite of the circumstances.
The generous proportions of the
house meant that there’s space for a
large bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and
bathroom in the loft conversion, which
took our home from a terraced house
DECEMBER 2022 | 51
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Trailing houseplants bring
in a gentle, natural feel’
SERENE SPACE
‘THERE ARE A LOT OF BOLD LINES THAT
I TRY TO SOFTEN WITH ORGANIC SHAPES,
MUTED TEXTURES AND LOTS OF WOOD’
with two bedrooms and a box room
to a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home.
We tried to think ahead for future
buyers, too, and I designed the loft so
it could be divided in half and another
bedroom created, potentially making
it a five-bedroom house.
We saved up for each stage of the
renovation as we were determined not
to remortgage to finance our plans. That
was another reason it dragged on a bit.
Luckily Zunaid was happy to let me take
the reins when it came to the interior
decisions – he’s very supportive like that.
There are occasions when he’ll veto an
52 | DECEMBER 2022
idea, but 99 per cent of the time he will
be like ‘yeah, fabulous’. And he is always
so amazed when it’s done!
Design dilemmas
Having years of experience as an interior
designer actually left me overwhelmed
by choice. As part of the trade and
knowing all of the options that were
available to me made it harder to commit
to a defined style. I was chopping and
changing a lot.
I’m quite minimalist and I don’t like
a lot of clutter, which is why storage is
a priority. For me a space has to be
calming and serene. I love, love, love
colour… but in other people’s homes.
It was our first renovation and we
definitely learnt some costly lessons.
We hired one builder because he was half
the price of anyone else and ended up
having to rip out the bathroom and have
it completely redone because it hadn’t
been plumbed in correctly.
Thankfully the house is finally complete
and there’s no more I can do to it. So now
we can relax and enjoy the space and
appreciate it for what it is.
Find more clever ideas
to style up your home by
going to pinterest.com/
styleathomemag
FEATURE ALISON JONES STYLING AMELIA SMITH AND
JUSTIN COAKLEY PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS SNOOK
‘I worked with Pureview
Carpentry on the slatted
oak wall design. It divides
the bedroom from the
walk-in wardrobe space’
1930S RENOVATION
Love it
ROOM SWAP
‘This was the main
bedroom before we
had the loft converted,
but is now a smart
guest bedroom’
SPACE SAVER
‘The walk-in wardrobe
was custom built in
the loft space. Every
surface has some
form of storage to it’
Where to buy
Justin’s style
WEST ELM Sustainable furniture
and home furnishings with
inspiring designs and colours.
JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS
A go-to for modern, Scandi-style
accessories and furniture.
AESTHETE LABEL A veganlifestyle store full of eco-friendly
homeware and wellness products.
HEAL’S Contemporary
homeware from premium crafters
and new designers.
BO CONCEPT High-end Danish
furniture store that features
minimalist, elegant designs.
DECEMBER 2022 | 53
Justin’s choice:
MAXIMISE ROOM SIZE
Think big with easy ideas and visual trickery that will make small
living spaces feel miles bigger – here’s our expert guide
L
ack of space can make living
rooms feel crowded, which isn’t
ideal in a room where you want
to kick back and relax. Working
out how to make a small living room
look bigger has its challenges, but there
are simple techniques and easy tricks
that can make it feel miles more spacious.
Invest in a large rug
When it comes to rugs, big is better
in a small living room. It might seem
counterintuitive, but a large rug can help
to stretch the space, drawing the eye and
making the floor area feel bigger. A large
rug will also act as an anchor point for
living room furniture – go for one that is
as large as (or even wider than) your sofa.
Max out floor space
by picking furniture
with slim legs
IDEA TO STEAL
Use black accents
to add an edge
to neutrals
Let more light in
Natural light can help make a small room
look brighter, airier and more spacious.
Simplify window treatments for a sleek
look and avoid heavy curtains and solid
blinds, opting for lightweight linens,
voiles and sheers that can tuck right
back and let maximum light flood in.
FEATURE LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS SNOOK
Save space with built-ins
Too many large and bulky pieces of
furniture can crowd a small living room
and make it feel cramped. Built-in
furniture looks sleek and streamlined,
frees up floor space and is a great
way of making use of under-utilised
alcoves and recesses.
Open up the space
In a through-lounge or open-plan area,
avoid positioning furniture where it might
block the view into the next space. Use
low-height pieces and rounded coffee
tables and occasional seating – curves are
easier to navigate around in tight spaces,
with no sharp corners to bash into.
Go big with mirrors
Position a large wall mirror opposite a
window or prop a floor-standing mirror
in a corner to reflect light back into the
room and give the illusion that the space
extends further than it does.
54 | DECEMBER 2022
CHOOSE A LARGE RUG TO DRAW THE EYE AND
STRETCH THE SENSE OF SPACE
1930S RENOVATION
Love it
4 ways with… U-SHAPE KITCHENS
Maximise the potential of this versatile kitchen layout
1
TUCK AWAY AN ARM
2
FAKE IT WITH A SEATING NOOK
3
WORK IN A PENINSULA ARM
4
WORK A SMALL SPACE
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Each arm that makes up the ‘U’ doesn’t have to be visible.
Block off one of the side arms either using an existing wall or
building one in. A stylish room divider would work at a pinch. It
allows you space to tuck away everyday clutter if you have guests.
This space could also be co-opted into a miniature prep area.
The peninsula unit is a great tool for creating a U-shaped
kitchen within a larger space. This design features conventional
units along one wall and one window, with a peninsula to continue
the run of storage and worktop without a wall. It’s a great solution
for open-plan areas to define a kitchen without screening it off.
If you love U-shaped kitchen ideas but you still want a full
standalone island, you can include a window seat at the end of
the U, where it would normally be attached to the two arms. Paint
it the same colour as the cabinetry and choose a tabletop with
the same wood as your countertops to create continuity of design.
Turn a galley kitchen into a U-shaped kitchen by using the
middle short wall to house an appliance, such as the range cooker
here. Continue the run of wall units on this wall for a design that
makes the most of all available space without feeling cramped.
Keep to a light colour scheme to maximise the sense of space.
DECEMBER 2022 | 55
Milano Windsor
Metallic Bronze
horizontal
column radiator,
from £274.95
Milano Aruba Sunset
Orange vertical designer
radiator, from £364.95
Warm up,
CHILL OUT
Relax in style with BestHeating’s
designer radiators
W
e can all agree that the
majority of radiators
aren’t exactly the most
inspiring things to
look at; after all, a
plain square box on the wall may be
functional but it doesn’t exactly help with
your decor. That’s where the ultra-cool
heating experts, BestHeating, come in.
The brand are turning the tables on what
a radiator can offer your home. Of course
they’ll keep you cosy over the winter
months, but these design-led products
also become a statement piece in your
room, adding year-round style.
So white ribbed boxes be gone! It’s time
to forget everything you thought you
knew about radiators. Instead, think a bit
cooler than that. You can pick the perfect
finishing touch for any room of the house
to match, enhance or create a bold contrast
to your furniture and design choices.
Warm all winter,
cool all year
Winter’s chilly days are here, making us
think more than ever about how to stay
warm and cosy inside our homes. You
Milano Beatrix
Antique
Graphite cast
iron radiator,
from £724.95
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
HORIZONTAL VS
VERTICAL STYLES
‘MODERN RADIATOR DESIGNS CAN BE UP TO
50% MORE EFFICIENT THAN OLDER
MODELS, SO WILL HELP SAVE THE PENNIES
ON THOSE DREADED ENERGY BILLS’
THEA BABINGTON-STITT, CONTENT EDITOR
Both designs have their place but
remember that horizontal models are
typically easier if you’re looking for a
quick upgrade, with cheaper installation
costs as you can choose one to fit in
the same location as your old one.
Vertical designs are ideal for that extra
splash of contemporary style in your
room. Plus, they take up less wall area,
making them perfect for smaller spaces.
Milano Windsor
Metallic Bronze
vertical traditional
column radiator,
from £284.95
don’t necessarily have to be actively
renovating to switch up your radiators,
either. The team at BestHeating can help
you select a new model in a size that
won’t require reworking the plumbing
or digging up the floor. So you can
get a new style without the hassle of
redoing a whole room.
Keeping it sleek
Choose a look you’ll love year round, from
cast iron to column and modern designer
in a fuel that’s right for your home,
whether that be hot water, dual fuel or
electric. Then, when spring arrives you’ve
got a shiny new piece of furniture to
enjoy even when switched off.
If you’re anything like us, the thought
of spending hours wandering around
‘MAKE IT A WARM WELCOME THIS WINTER, WITH A
COOL NEW RADIATOR CREATING THE PERFECT
COSY ATMOSPHERE WHEN TURNED ON, AND A STYLE
STATEMENT WHEN NOT IN USE’
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
showrooms looking helplessly at radiator
after radiator doesn’t exactly sound
appealing. But never fear, because
BestHeating’s revamped website makes
things as hassle-free and easy as can be.
Spoilt for choice
There may be literally thousands of
products to choose from, but the live
chat option will help guide you through.
Plus, the extensive Advice Centre is
packed with helpful how-tos, FAQs and
customer case studies to help inspire you.
Possibly our favourite feature on the
BestHeating site is the slick augmented
reality tool which allows you to visualise
radiators in your room as 3D models,
helping you to choose what piece is
right for you. You don’t even need to
download a new app, you just scan a QR
code, drag the radiator into your room
as seen through the camera and voilà,
there’s an instant visual of what the
designs will look like in your home.
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Milano Aruba Ardus
1784mm Anthracite dry
heat vertical electric
designer radiator,
from £579.95
Milano Alpha Dandelion
Yellow horizontal
designer radiator,
from £234.95
To see the full range and
for more advice head to
bestheating.com
or check out
@bestheatinguk
on Instagram
FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
Do it
MULLED WINE TEA BAGS
THIS MONTH’S
Do it
Make mulled wine tea bags that can
be heated in a pan with wine for a
warming tipple. Cut star shapes
from fine netting and stitch all
round the edges, leaving a gap to
pop in cinnamon sticks or dried
fruit, then stitch the gap closed.
Try Hobbycraft for
similar netting
60 | DECEMBER 2022
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Ribbons tied to glass
stems look jolly – use
different colours to
identify each person’s
21
PAGES
OF DECO
INSPO
PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
ROOM INSPIRATION
CLEVER IDEAS
STYLE UPDATES
EADY
P62 XM AS-R
LIVING ROOMS
PA
P72 STYLE U BLE
FESTIVE TA
P76 BUDGET WAYS
TO ADD SPARKLE
DECEMBER 2022 | 61
Fabulously festive
LIVING ROOMS
Easy ways to transform your home into somewhere
magical in time for Christmas
GREAT IDEA
Add gold accents
for instant glam
62 | DECEMBER 2022
STYLE BOOK
Love it
Team damson with teal
in the softest velvets
for a cosy window seat
Use… bold, intense tones
Style your rooms in a combination of rich colours that
pop, and will bring a touch of luxury
the whole scheme up. Silver has a cool
tone and will bring a frosty vibe.
CREATE A WARM WELCOME
Accentuate the ambience of a roaring
fire, or simulate the vibe if you don’t
have one, by decorating with spiced
tones and rich shades of red. Seasonal
scarlet, dusky pink and rich wine reds
enrich the look and bring a touch of
sophistication paired with teal and blue.
PLAY AROUND WITH TEXTURE
Elevate the feeling of luxury with fabrics
and finishes (left). Velvet cushions, gift
stockings and ribbons on presents add
to a sense of opulence, while feathers
and frills bring a hint of chic.
STYLE UP WITH PRECIOUS METALS
You can have a little fun with metallics
alongside these vivid colours. Gold is
the finish to covet this season and looks
especially brilliant when used alongside
these intense, rich shades, warming
GET CREATIVE WITH PAINT These
vivid red shades will stand out stronger
when set against a fashionable backdrop
of brooding deep navy. Start with a soft
blue, but the darker you dare to go, the
greater the vibrancy of colour.
MAIN IMAGE: Scarlett two-seater sofa, from £999; Velvet cushion, £22.50; Paisley cushion, £15;
throw, £19.50; Ruby Brass armchair, £299; Nutcracker bolster, £22.50; Loft stool, £99; red Nutcracker
cushion, £17.50; coffee table, £199; Gem Ball table lamp, £53.40; candle, £17; tree in cloche, £19.50;
rug, £35; 8ft Christmas tree, £239; tree decorations, from £5; light-up orbs, from £12.50; Star candle
holder, £12.50; Townhouse lantern, £15; sacks, £15 each; stockings, £12.50 each; garland, £35; gold
light-up garland, £15; mirror, £149; candlesticks, £22.50 each; wreath, £39.50, all M&S. Contemporary
Wood Panel wallpaper, £22 a roll, I Love Wallpaper. Elements carpet, £75sq m, Brockway. Ribbon,
£5.50; gold cones, £3.49 for six; tags, £2.99 for 20; paper tape, £7.50 a roll, all The Danes
DECEMBER 2022 | 63
Love it
STYLE BOOK
Festive decorations
hung at the windows
look pretty both
inside and out
A grouping of
similar-shaped
pieces creates a
pleasing display
Use… seasonal shapes
Choose your favourite festive forms and repeat
them for a cohesive scheme
GO FOR STARS AS A VERSATILE
OPTION Think wall hangings, tree
toppers, ornaments and gift-wrap prints
(right). There are so many ways you can
bring stars into your scheme. Stars are
great as they’re suitable all-year round,
and won’t look amiss on show in spring.
MIX AND MATCH SHAPES Instead of
choosing one singular shape, consider a
mix of different forms that you can
group. Pyramids alongside spheres is a
winner, while stars and snowflakes make
a great pairing. Enjoy their differences
and don’t worry about things clashing.
PLACE SIMILAR SHAPES TOGETHER
Make groupings of like-for-like shapes to
form small display areas. An assortment
of house-shaped candle holders look like
a little village (above), while spherical
baubles are fabulous arranged in an
open dish or tall cylindrical vase.
THINK ABOUT SIZE AND SCALE
Festive decorating is a chance to express
yourself further and try new things. If
your home is usually understated, go
bold. A display of oversized shapes is a
sure-fire way to make a statement – try
hanging a large wreath over your mantel.
64 | DECEMBER 2022
Living room
decor tips and
tricks
FOCAL POINT Don’t forget to
decorate your fireplace to tie the
whole look together. It’s just the
place to hang stockings and
arrange other festive ornaments.
WINDOW DRESSING Hang
garlands of fresh foliage in the
windows, or cut leaf shapes from
paper and string them together.
It’ll create a pretty rustic scene and
your neighbours will love it, too.
GREAT IDEA
Pick a pre-lit tree
for easy set-up
DECEMBER 2022 | 65
GREAT IDEA
Hang an oversized
garland along
your mantelpiece
66 | DECEMBER 2022
STYLE BOOK
Go for a cool,
sophisticated vibe
with frosty whites
and pretty pastels
Love it
Think Lapland
and snowy
landscapes
for simply
magical scene
Use… soft pastel shades
Dress your room in a feminine scheme
of gentle pink and peach hues
GO FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT Tap
into a colour trend with pink accessories
and decorations (left). Pink is a gorgeous,
modern shade for Christmas. Try it with
silver and white for a frosty feel, or
warm it up with golds and rich plums.
MAKE IT ENCHANTING Set a wintry
scene by teaming pretty blush pink with
lots of fairy lights. Of course, entwine
them in the boughs of your tree, but you
can also use them to illuminate natural
greenery. A white, free-standing
decorative twig tree is also the perfect
place to illuminate.
COORDINATE FURNITURE Of course,
use your room’s existing decor, but
you could also try a small furniture
makeover to really bring the scheme
to life. A neat drawer unit, painted in a
complementing pink shade with white
detailing looks utterly delightful in this
festive scene (above).
GO FOR A PASTEL BACKGROUND
A subtle backdrop painted in pastel pink
sets the tone for a feminine living room
scheme and, while it comes alive at this
time of year, it is a great colour for the
room all-year round.
DECEMBER 2022 | 67
Love it
STYLE BOOK
Living room
decor tips and
tricks
Keep it natural with
pure white and fresh
shades of green
BRIGHT IDEA Colourful
sofas are all the rage right now.
If you have one in your home, use
it as the basis for your Christmas
colour scheme by choosing
decorations that complement
its shade.
COMFORT ZONE Layer up
chairs and the sofa with blankets
and cushions for full-on cosiness.
Look for designs in keeping with
your furniture for a room scheme
that looks effortlessly coordinated.
Use… nature-inspired decor
Bring back a country-chic vibe with
timber and foraged foliage
INTRODUCE A RANGE OF TEXTURES
Wooden pieces such as pine create a
calm, relaxed look that is effortless to
achieve. To avoid it feeling too cold add
depth by introducing rich velvets, such
as this leafy green sofa (right), alongside
comfy tweed cushions.
GO FOR AN ALL-WHITE TREE
A monotone, white-on-white palette
perfectly complements a nature-inspired
look, and allows the green of the tree to
sing. Add lots of textures and soft
furnishings to make the space feel cosy
and stop white decorations looking flat.
KEEP THINGS LOOKING NATURAL
Make it feel more rustic by bringing the
outside in with branches of fir and
collected pine cones – why not display
them in a bowl with shiny baubles?
Light a candle scented with fir or pine
and it’ll stimulate the senses.
TIE THE SCHEME TOGETHER Choose
crisp white wrapping paper that
illustrates the natural greenery of the
scheme (above) and finish by decorating
with light green ribbon – you’ll find it
will really pop against white and finish
the whole look.
68 | DECEMBER 2022
Pick a scheme that
complements your
sofa and soft
furnishings for
effortless style
GREAT IDEA
FEATURE LIZZIE HUDSON
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Try a woodeffect backdrop
for a rustic vibe
DECEMBER 2022 | 69
SUBSCRIBE FOR YOURSELF
OR AS A GIFT FROM £17.50
This classic Joules Cambridge mug set
features a beautiful hand-drawn floral
pattern. With each mug having a different
design, this set is sure to add a stunning
splash of colour to any kitchen!
WORTH
£16
GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE
Free gift –
includes a Joules
mug set featuring
two mugs
Every issue
delivered
directly to
your door
Never miss out
on an issue of
Britain’s most stylish
homes magazine
UPGRADE TO A
BUNDLE SUBSCRIPTION
Available on iOS and Android
Get instant access to the
current issue wherever you are!
Save on the cover price
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
ONLINE AT magazinesdirect.com/SAHXMAS22
BY PHONE 0330 333 1113 QUOTE CODE: X461
+44 (0) 330 333 1113 (from outside UK). Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.30am-7pm and 10am-3pm on Saturdays
(UK time, excluding Bank Holidays)
Offer closes 31 December 2022. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Subscribe and pay £26.99 every 12 months. We will notify you in advance of any price changes. Please allow up to
six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). Payment is non-refundable after the 14-day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Your free gift will be delivered separately within 60 days after your first payment has cleared. Gifts only available to new subscribers on the UK mainland. The gift is not available on digital
or overseas subscriptions. All gift subscriptions will start with the first available issue on sale after December 2022. Personal subscriptions will start with the next available issue.
In the unlikely event that we run out of this gift, we promise to offer you an alternative gift of the same or greater value. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/
terms. For enquiries please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 7pm and 10am-3pm on Saturdays (excluding bank holidays) UK time or email help@
magazinesdirect.com. Calls to 0330 numbers will be charged at no more than a national landline call, and may be included in your phone provider’s call bundle.
Easy festive
TABLE SETTINGS
Six ways to get creative and make your dining table
look super special this Christmas
Use outdoor pots
Bring in planters from the garden
to make a rustic table centrepiece.
Fill a few pots with sand and pop a
candle in each. Top with a layer
of moss, trail with greenery and
group in the centre of your table.
Give it a twist Add colour by
working a few bright berries or
mini baubles into the foliage.
Serax rounded antique
pots in Grey, £8 each;
Cranberry glass votive, £15,
all John Lewis & Partners
FESTIVE TABLE IDEAS
Mini log place card holders,
£3.50 for five, Hobbycraft.
Black 16-piece cutlery set,
£20, Dunelm
Do it
Make napkin
Christmas trees
Add a festive touch by folding fabric
napkins into miniature Christmas
tree shapes. Use square napkins
folded into simple triangles or pleat
to create a layered effect, dotted
with mini pine cones to decorate.
Give it a twist Use green napkins
and coloured pompoms to add a
splash of festive colour.
Create a fragrant
centrepiece with a
wooden tray loaded up
with potted herbs
DECEMBER 2022 | 73
Do it
FESTIVE TABLE IDEAS
Go big with gold
and glassware
FEATURE LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Bring out your best dinnerware and
glass pieces to make the table really
sparkle. Don’t worry about it all
matching, simply pile on any gilt-edge
plates and crystal glasses alongside
gold candelabra and polished cutlery.
Give it a twist Swap gold for silver
pieces and try a dark grey or navy
tablecloth for a more dramatic look.
74 | DECEMBER 2022
Shaped Gold band side plate,
£5; Gold scalloped-edge
glass charger plate, £12; Merry
Christmas napkins, £20 for
four; fill your own crackers, £8
for six; champagne saucer,
£10 for two; Gold tumbler,
£12, all John Lewis & Partners
Blush bottle brush tree,
from £5 for two, Etsy. Paper
Christmas trees, from £10
each, Nordic Nest
Arrange trees along the
centre of the table,
choosing different shapes
and in staggered heights
Try a tree-themed
tablescape
Use paper pop-up trees to give
your festive dining scheme a fun
touch. They’re inexpensive and
reusable; choose a matching colour
theme for a chic, co-ordinated look.
Give it a twist Try an all-white
colour scheme to give your table a
magical winter wonderland effect.
Try a speedy
STYLE UPDATE
Budget decorating ideas for a stylish Christmas
that doesn’t pull on the purse strings
1
Make a rustic
wooden tree
ornament
Add a traditional touch to your
Christmas scheme by crafting
your own tree ornaments from
wooden twigs. To start, take
two long sturdy twigs and join
together with a hot glue gun,
then twist wreath wire around
them to support. Cut and lay
out the crosswise twigs in
pairs, going from small to large.
Starting at the top, with the
smallest pieces, glue a twig
either side of the central one
and secure it with wreath wire
for extra support. Repeat,
sticking pairs of twigs, getting
larger, until you’ve created a
triangular tree shape. Leave
enough trunk free to push into
a pot of compost, then finish
with moss and faux berries.
2
CRAFT A
CANDY CANE
WREATH
The kids will love this
one and it costs next
to nothing! Candy
canes are great for
decorations – string
them into garlands, tie
to gifts with ribbon or
simply hang on the
tree. To create a wreath,
glue canes in pairs and
stick each pair onto
a circular piece of
card. Turn over and
decorate the front
with coloured paper.
76 | DECEMBER 2022
EASY UPDATES
3
Love it
HANG A DECORATIVE BRANCH
Add impact to your dining area with a
crafty idea that’s very of-the-moment.
Simply hang a lightweight foraged branch from
the ceiling over the table and drape with
greenery, either real or faux. Decorate with paper
stars or baubles, or add a few illuminating
decorations for a magical, twinkling finish.
Make sure you fix it in position securely!
Be safe and
use faux tea
lights instead
of real ones
4
Plant a seasonal hanging basket
Rather than hanging
a wreath on your
front door, simply
reuse your summer hanging
basket, refilled with winter
varieties to give your doorway
some festive colour. If your
basket is looking a little faded,
consider re-spraying it with
outdoor paint in a dark shade
that will add contrast to rich,
winter tones and greenery. Use
a basket liner and add a piece
of plastic with holes cut to help
with drainage, then simply fill
with compost and add your
plants. Go for hardy winter
varieties such as pansies, violas
and cyclamen, alongside
heathers and trailing heathers.
Finish off with a set of micro
lights to add some sparkle
after dark and a weather-proof
decoration or two.
DECEMBER 2022 | 77
5
HANG CARDS FROM RIBBON
Remnants of ribbon leftover from past
Christmases and birthdays are ideal for
creating a striking and affordable greetings card
display. A handy idea if space is tight, simply
cut ribbon in a variety of colours and different
lengths and hang on the wall using small tacks.
Attach your cards to the ribbon using mini pegs
to secure them in place. A decorative bauble, bell
or trinket tied at the end of each length will
weigh the ribbon down and add a finishing
flourish. Leave gaps between the cards so the
display doesn’t look crowded.
Cards from
a selection,
John Lewis
Greet guests
in a festive
hallway
6
Downsize the tree
If you don’t have the
budget or enough
room in your home for
a full-sized real tree, but you
want the natural scent of
festive fir, why not go for a
small potted variety? A
pint-sized tree is perfect on a
side table or console stand in
a hallway and will add some
78 | DECEMBER 2022
welcoming colour as you walk
through the door. Cover the
pot in seasonal wrapping
paper and deck with lights
and your favourite mini tree
baubles. Keep watered and it
will last the full festive period.
And, when Christmas is over,
you can simply plant it in your
garden and reuse it next year!
EASY UPDATES
Love it
7
Dress the
table with
handmade
crackers
Save money on your festive
spend this year by forgoing
shop-bought Christmas
crackers. Make your own
bang-free versions and fill
them with personalised gifts
that will make your fellow
diners feel extra special. Simply
place a treat inside a cardboard
loo roll, wrap crepe paper
around and tie the ends with
ribbon. You could even write
your own jokes to put inside!
‘KEEP THE BUDGET DOWN FURTHER BY MAKING
YOUR OWN GIFT WRAP. YOU COULD HAVE A GO AT AN
OLD CHILDHOOD FAVOURITE: POTATO PRINTING’
Giftwrap, from a
selection, John
Lewis & Partners
8
GIVE YOUR GIFTS A DECORATIVE FLOURISH
Make Christmas gifts and wrappings look extra special by
finishing off with decorative toppers. It’ll give a luxe look to
the simplest of pressies and needn’t cost a fortune. Use ribbon
remnants in colourful shades to tie your packages and then re-use
spare baubles, sprigs and decorations to finish them off.
DECEMBER 2022 | 79
9
Dry fruit to
make tree
decorations
You can’t get much more
cost-effective than oven-dried
fruits for tree decorations.
Clementines are a Christmas
classic, due to the much-loved
festive scent and cheerful
colour. Simply slice cuts around
the outside and pop in the
oven to dry – the incisions will
help the fruit dry out quicker
and emit more of its sweet
fragrance. Thread with wire,
make a loop and hang on the
tree. As an alternative, try
making your own citrus slices
to hang, using orange, lemon
or lime slices dried in the oven.
FEATURE LIZZIE HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
‘SAVE MONEY BY MAKING GINGERBREAD DECS CUT
INTO FESTIVE SHAPES. MAKE A HOLE FOR HANGING
BEFORE BAKING AND THREAD WITH RIBBON’
10
TURN THE FRONT DOOR INTO A GIFT
Simply attach two lengths of wide ribbon across the
front of the door, one strip horizontally and a longer
piece, vertically. You could tie to secure, but to save ribbon just
pin or tape the ribbon on the inside of the door. Add a bow or
wreath on front for the finishing touch.
80 | DECEMBER 2022
Paper decorations, from
a selection at Dunelm
EASY UPDATES
11
Love it
GO BIG WITH PAPER BAUBLES
You don’t need to spend a fortune to
create an eye-catching display. Paper
folding decorations are inexpensive and right on
trend. Choose a bright mix of colours against a
dark background for a standout look, or keep to a
crisp all-white scheme for a frosty winter
wonderland effect. Choose decorations in a
variety of shapes and sizes, tie with coloured
string and then suspend from the ceiling at
varying heights to create visual interest.
Save £££s by
making your own
paper accordion
folded decs
12
Fashion a stylish centrepiece
Every Christmas
table needs a
centrepiece and
adding extra height helps to
make it more of a showstopper.
Rather than forking out for a
pricey floral display, have a
go at making your own
with tableware and festive
decorations that you already
have to hand. A tiered cake
stand is perfect for giving your
arrangement some height and
can be easily lifted out of the
way if you need more table
space when food is served.
Alternatively, try layering a
couple of single-tier stands
together to create a similar
effect. Add colour by lining
your stand with foraged sprigs
of fir and holly, baubles, pine
cones and citrus slices for
festive aroma.
DECEMBER 2022 | 81
SPLURGE
versus
STEAL
Warm up with toasty tones of burnt
orange, velvety green and rich plum
£75
£30
Drum shade, 35cm,
in Raven dupion
silk, Pooky
Geometric
tile cushion,
Notonthehigh
street.com
£79
Belinda Burnt
Orange velvet throw,
Ragged Rose
£20
Wooden hand-turned
candle holder in Brick
Dust, National Trust
SPLURGE
Blow the budget with
these top picks
£399
£28
Large ceramic shell vase
in Ochre, Little Deer
82 | DECEMBER 2022
SOFT
PILE
FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS
Plush rug in Purple,
Furniture Village
Somerford two-seater
sofa in Stella Sienna,
£899; Somerford chair
in Stella Shadow, £599;
Somerford footstool in
Stella Hunter Green,
£349, all Sofology
SPLURGE VERSUS STEAL
Buy it
£13.99
Lita geometric
square cushion,
Wayfair
STEAL
Grab a style bargain
with these budget buys
£45
Ulltistel
throw in Red/
Brown, Ikea
£16
Ceramic
shell vase in
Terracotta,
Rose & Grey
£21
Viking linen 30cm
drum shade in
Black, Där Lighting
£14
Glass candle
stick, Talking
Tables
KEEP
COSY
USE HINTS OF BLACK, SUCH AS A
LAMPSHADE OR SIDE TABLE, TO KEEP
THE SCHEME CONTEMPORARY
£119.99
Aayush handmade
shag rug in Plum,
Wayfair
DECEMBER 2022 | 83
‘My tub takes
STYLISH
ADDITIONS
‘Adding unusual
accessories is what
has made our
bathroom unique’
COME ON IN!
ABOUT ME I’m Stacey Hawkes
and I live with my husband Chris
and my children, Isabelle, 17, and
George, 15, and Chris’s and my son,
Henry, aged three. Our home is a
five-bedroom Victorian semi in
Cardiff, and we moved here in July
2019. The bathroom was the final
room we renovated and I’ve
recorded our journey on Instagram
@thehawkes_victorianrenovation.
MY CHALLENGE I wanted to create
a space full of drama that reflects
the age of the house. I also knew
I’d need to rethink the layout.
MY WISH LIST A copper roll-top
bath was always on my wish list and
choosing a traditional style was the
perfect way to realise my dream.
84 | DECEMBER 2022
TOTAL
£4,943
TURN OVER FOR
MY SHOPPING
LIST
BATHROOM MAKEOVER
Love it
CENTRE STAGE’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘Unusual animal prints
add a fun touch to the
sophisticated room’
Taking a bathroom
from boringly bland
to dark and opulent
has given Stacey
and Chris their
dream space that’s
all about the bath
W
e’d just completed
a four-year renovation
on a house nearby,
and Henry was only
three months old, so
we weren’t looking to move,’ says Stacey.
‘But when we saw this beautiful house for
sale I convinced Chris to view it, and the
moment I stepped inside, I fell in love.
It had been empty for years, but had
obviously once been a charming home
that was crying out to be loved again.
In the beginning
The bathroom had been updated by the
previous owners, so although it wasn’t to
my taste, it was functional and there was
more pressing work to tackle. We’ll usually
give anything a go, but the bathroom felt
like a major job as I wanted to incorporate
a freestanding bath and redesign the room
to be more in keeping with the rest of the
house. We decided to save and get the
professionals in, which meant this room
went on the back burner for a few years.
All change
SHOW-STOPPER
‘A copper bath was the
dream, but I soon
realised how expensive
they are so we saved
really hard for it. I love its
patina and the way it
changes with the light’
The wait gave me time to consider what
I wanted from the room, particularly the
layout. To make space for the bath and
a large vanity unit, I planned to move the
shower and remove a false wall hiding
some pipework. Once we’d finalised the
layout, we started thinking about the
fixtures and fittings, which was when
we chose our gorgeous bath and decided
to have a wet-room style shower, so that
the beautiful, tiled floor I’d chosen was
uninterrupted by a shower tray.
Nightmare moment
We initially expected the work to take
about three weeks, but it ended up taking
six because we struggled to get the bath
into the room. It’s huge so I initially
DECEMBER 2022 | 85
DIY TOUCH
DESIGN ALERT
‘I upcycled a cabinet
I got secondhand with
a sink from eBay. The
whole unit cost me £50’
‘A good decision was to
dispense with a shower
tray as the simple glass
shower screen allows
the lovely tiles to shine’
IDEA TO STEAL
‘The sleek shower
screen is almost
invisible, making the
space feel bigger’
FEATURE LISA MOSES PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE JANE WATSON
‘TAKE PROPER MEASUREMENTS. IT
SEEMS OBVIOUS, BUT OLD HOUSES ARE
NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING DIFFERENT
SIZED DOORWAYS AND WONKY WALLS’
Do it! UPCYCLE TO MAKE
A BATHROOM VANITY
CHOOSE a piece of
furniture that’s solid
enough to take the weight
of a basin full of water.
CONSIDER the unit’s
height and size – you
want the proportions to
work well in the space.
A COUNTERTOP
BASIN is a good choice
as your plumber will only
86 | DECEMBER 2022
need to cut a small hole
in the top for the
pipework, though bear in
mind that there will also
need to be a cut in the
back of your vanity for
the plumbing.
IF THE TOP IS WOOD,
make sure you waterproof
it really well with a quality
grade varnish.
BATHROOM MAKEOVER
thought the stairs would be the
biggest challenge, so I was thrilled when
we managed to get the bath up to the
first floor, but then it wouldn’t go through
the bathroom door, which we hadn’t
anticipated. We took it back downstairs
and decided to erect scaffolding to take
it through the window, but it wouldn’t fit
through there either. By this point I was
in floods of tears, suspecting that my
dream bath was going to have to be
returned. Then our builder suggested
taking the landing wall out. I was really
nervous about the idea but they cut
through the newly plastered walls and
thankfully this finally worked.
Finishing touches
I wanted to make the bath the main event
so I used a moodboard to help visualise
my ideas. I decided to paint the room
black to give a dramatic contrast to the
copper, and added gold accents to add
to the opulent look. I also thought a lot
about the lighting as I wanted a solution
to soften the spots in the ceiling. We
chose wall lights that give off a lovely
warm glow, and although they can’t be
seen, we also added small spotlights on
the floor around the bathtub.
End game
Although at one point I really thought
it wasn’t going to happen, this bathroom
is now everything I dreamed of, and
despite a few funny looks when I said
I was going to paint the walls black,
the dark, moody vibe is exactly what
I wanted. I love how we’ve transformed
a boxy bathroom into a luxurious room
full of hotel-style opulence.
GOLD GLAM
Love it
Where to buy
Stacey’s style
Dark Copper Patina Inside and Outside
double slipper bath with hammered
brass feet, £2,499, Metal Hardware.
Milano Elizabeth gold traditional triple
exposed thermostatic shower with rigid
riser rail, £469.99; Matt Gold Milano
Auro 800mm wet room shower screen,
£379.99; Milano Towneley white
traditional close-coupled Toilet with
Cistern, £279.99, all Big Bathroom
Shop. Paintbox Avocado gloss ceramic
wall tiles, £43.20sq m, Mandarin Stone.
Victoria White & Black Chequer mosaic
floor tiles, £83.40sq m, Tile Mountain.
Savoy Vintage Gold traditional heated
towel rail, £399.95; for similar bath tap,
try the Victoria gold traditional bath
shower mixer with handset, £169.95,
both Victorian Plumbing. Walls in Dulux
Rich Black matt emulsion, £19 for 2.5ltr,
B&Q. Animal portrait prints, from £13,
Ink and Drop. For a similar vanity unit,
try Etsy. Briz wall lamp in Antique Brass
& Grey, £60, Made.
You can discover more
handy tips on creating
a smart bathroom at
idealhome.co.uk
LUXE
APPEAL
‘I was inspired by
boutique hotel
bathrooms, but I
wanted a design
that felt unique’
‘I didn’t realise the
feet couldn’t be
removed – it meant
the bath wouldn’t
fit through the
bathroom door!’
DECEMBER 2022 | 87
Love it
BATHROOM MAKEOVER
Stacey’s choice:
A TILED BATHROOM
Opt for a luxe look with standout tiling. Here’s how
to do it while keeping an eye on costs
I
f you’re renovating your bathroom,
chances are you have tiles on your
shopping list. A striking style,
colour or pattern can transform
your bathroom in an instant, but it’s
worth pricing up the job in advance.
Stacey’s dramatic
black walls allow the
copper and gold
accents to shine
How much does it cost
to tile a bathroom?
FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPH: KATIE JANE WATSON
The average outlay to tile walls and floors
in a medium-size bathroom, including
tiles, materials and labour, is around
£700-800 (according to Checkatrade).
The type of material that tiles are made
from will have the biggest impact on
costs and can vary considerably. ‘More
durable materials are more expensive
to produce, explains Kamila Swiatecka,
Brand Manager at Tile Giant. ‘For
example, porcelain tiles cost more to
manufacture compared with ceramic tiles.
However, porcelain is denser, less porous
and more hardwearing, making it
long-lasting and better suited to busy
family life.’ Expect to pay from £8sq m for
ceramic tiles and £12sq m for porcelain,
with limestone or encaustic tiles
anywhere between £45 and £100sq m.
On average, the cost of adhesive and
grout should work out around £10 per
square metre of tiles, says Checkatrade.
IDEA TO STEAL
Lay your tiles in
a herringbone
pattern for added
interest
What will a tiler charge?
‘A reputable and skilled tiler should
charge between £120 and £200 a day,
not including materials,’ according to
tiling expert John Geraghty at
MyJobQuote. Tilers generally prefer to
charge a day rate, rather than per job,
and will generally be prepared to give an
estimate of how long the job should take
before you commit.
How can I save money?
Tiling a bathroom yourself can cut costs,
provided you do the job well. It will be a
false economy if you waste lots of tiles
due to poor cutting skills or end up
having to pay a professional to redo it.
‘If you’re employing a lone tiler, help out
by offering to do the fetching and
carrying for them,’ adds John Geraghty.
88 | DECEMBER 2022
BUDGET SUPERSTORE-STYLE OUTLETS ARE
THE PLACE TO HEAD FOR BARGAIN TILES
THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
Brand
new
look!
◆ ROOM DECOR IDEAS ◆ EXPERT BUYING GUIDES & REVIEWS
◆ RENOVATION & DIY ADVICE ◆ HOUSE MANUAL MUST-READS
INSIDE EAT, TRY & DO!
GREAT STUFF TO
CLEANING
STORAGE
FINANCES
GARDEN
Similar, Mason jar
LED lights, £4.99,
Super LED Lights.
Glitter tape and brush
trees, all Hobbycraft
TRY THIS...
Invest in solar-powered jar lights and use the
winter sun to create the loveliest lanterns that
are perfect for an open porch or doorway.
Decorate jars with glitter tape, cut into narrow
triangles and stuck onto the glass to create
icicles. Place a mini bristle tree inside each
lantern, then watch them glow as night falls.
FEATURE LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
DIY
FROSTY
NIGHT
LIGHTS
KE
P101 EASY- M A
ADVENT IDEAS
P94 DINING
ROOM STORAGE
P96 BEAT THE
WINTER CHILLS
DECEMBER 2022 | 93
STACK
IT UP
UTILISE EVEN
MORE WALL SPACE
Max out on space by installing
a whole wall of shelving and
divide it into cubby-holes of
varying sizes. Display your
favourite tableware, recipe
books, ornaments and other
table accessories that will look
good on show.
HIDE EVERYTHING IN
A SIDEBOARD
Fashion a large piece at an affordable
price using flatpack modular furniture.
Buy simple wooden units and secure
them together in multiples to create one
long bank of units to fit the available
space. Adding a worktop, painted door
fronts or customised legs and handles
will create a bespoke look.
Dining room
STORAGE
Keep dinner-time essentials in order and
your table clutter-free with our smart ideas
F
ew of us have the luxury of a
separate dining room these
days. For most of us, a dining
table is part of an open-plan
living room or is the epicentre
of a busy kitchen. And for some, it still
houses our work-from-home station.
Dedicated dining room or otherwise, we
need to be clever about where we store
94 | DECEMBER 2022
all the bits and pieces that make
mealtimes possible. From smart
integrated storage and multifunctional
furniture to well-designed, wall-height
shelving and stylish showcase cabinets
for displaying crockery, we’ve got the
ideas to make your dining space run
more smoothly and efficiently, keeping
it neat and tidy, too.
STORAGE
Love it
BUILD A MULTI-USE BENCH
If you have the space, a carpenter will be able
to make you a fitted bench that doubles as a
storage unit. Built-in seating like this with a mix
of pull-out baskets and drawers is an incredibly
efficient use of space, especially in small kitchens,
and enables you to get super organised and
hide away anything that will clutter the room.
NEAT
AND
TIDY
USE FREESTANDING
FURNITURE
HANG FLOATING SHELVES AND PAINT THEM
TO MATCH THE WALL – THEY’LL BLEND IN
WHILE CREATING AN EXTRA DISPLAY SPACE
An affordable alternative to
custom-built cabinets in alcoves
is to slot in a slimline storage
dresser. Choose a design that
has adjustable shelving so you
can arrange the heights to suit
what you’re housing, such as
glassware and vases.
MAKE BETTER USE OF
A SHARED AREA
For some of us, working from home
means that our dining room has to
double up as a small home office, too.
Cover all bases with a neat bookcase
or alcove storage that can house office
kit like files and the printer on a few
shelves and dining room bits and
pieces on the others.
INVEST IN DOUBLE
THE STORAGE
Position a tall dresser in two
corners of the room to create
a cosy alcove between them,
perfect for a banquette seat
with built-in storage below.
With the tall dressers, glass
fronts are great for seeing
what you have inside, but it
also means you have to keep
things tidy, so go for halfheight glazing, or frosted or
fluted glass.
FEATURE LIZZIE HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHS NEXT HOME,
FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
HOLLY WALSH, CONTENT EDITOR
DECEMBER 2022 | 95
What to do
THIS MONTH
Get your home organised and looking its tip-top best
with these easy cleaning and DIY hacks
C
hristmas is a super-busy
time of year with events
to organise, presents
to buy and the house
to prep. Ticking off a few tasks
in advance will make you feel
better prepared. Whether it’s
clearing out the fridge to make
space for festive fare, organising
bedding for Christmas guests, or
draught-proofing ideas to beat
the winter chill, there’s plenty
you can tackle in advance to
make the big day stress-free.
Get your fireplace
winter-ready
If you have a fireplace or
wood-burner, have it inspected
and the chimney cleaned by a
professional sweep once a year
(or about once every 80 fires)
as built-up soot is a fire hazard.
Clean out the firebox weekly
using a fireplace shovel to
remove the ashes, making sure
they are cold first, then using a
brush and metal pan to sweep
out any loose dust and ash. Put
an old towel down to catch
stray debris and sweep gently
to avoid ashes flying around.
96 | DECEMBER 2022
TIME AT HOME
Do it
DRAUGHTPROOF YOUR
HALLWAY
1
KEEP
THINGS
COSY
Gaps around doors and
windows are one of the
biggest causes of heat loss,
but one that can be easily
remedied. The space at the
bottom of the front door is
often a culprit, but simply
fitting a brush strip will
block the gap and prevent
draughts. Alternatively, try
a long cushioned draught
excluder positioned at the
bottom of the door.
Sealing additional gaps
around the top and
edges of your front door
will also prevent heat
escaping and cold air from
entering. Fit self-adhesive
rubber, foam or brush strips
all the way around and
consider installing a thick
door curtain to provide an
extra layer of insulation.
Letterboxes and
keyholes can also let in
unwelcome cold air, so if
yours tends to rattle when
the wind is blowing, fix it
with a brush letterbox flap
and fit keyhole covers.
Keeping internal doors
closed between the
hallway and other rooms
is another way to prevent
heat from escaping and
keep living rooms toasty.
Heat rises too, so if the loft
hatch is draughty, sealing
around it will keep heat in.
2
3
4
AVOID HEAT-LOSS THROUGH WINDOWS
BY OPTING FOR HEAVIER LINED
CURTAINS OVER THE WINTER MONTHS
TRY A DIY WREATH
Have a go at putting together a
hand-made half-wreath that’ll cost
less than £10 but looks like it’s
come from a pricey florists. You’ll
need a basic woven ring to use as
a base and a few sprigs of spruce
and eucalyptus gathered from
outdoors to decorate. Aim to cover
roughly a third of the ring, cutting
sprigs into short lengths and
pushing them into the weave to
secure. Finish with a few floral
sprigs, pine cones or mini baubles
and a loop of ribbon to hang.
30.5cm rattan
grapevine
wreath, £5,
Hobbycraft
DEEP-CLEAN
THE FRIDGE
1
Before stocking up on
fresh festive goodies, it’s
a good idea to run down
supplies so you can give the
fridge a thorough clean.
Start by taking everything
out, storing consumables
in a cool dry place and meat
and dairy products in a
cooler bag with ice packs.
Take out removable
drawers, shelves and
racks and wash in the sink
with hot soapy water. Let
glass shelves reach room
temperature before putting
in hot water as they could
shatter, and use a toothpick
to remove any residue
between shelf and trims.
Next blitz the interior of
the fridge using
sterilising solution – strong
chemicals are best avoided
as food can absorb odours.
Pay attention to channels
where shelves slot in, as well
as the folds of the door seal
– a hotspot for dirt – using a
cotton bud to get into fiddly
bits. Rinse with a damp cloth
and dry with kitchen towel.
Clean the exterior with
a cloth dampened in mild
detergent, concentrating on
the handle and around the
seal. Dry with kitchen towel.
Condenser coils at the
back of the fridge should
be cleaned once a year. Turn
off the fridge first and use a
vacuum to remove dust.
2
3
NEAT
TREE
OPTION
4
5
Stacking lidded
fridge storage
boxes, from £5
each, Store
DO A MONTHLY BATTERY CHECK TO MAKE
SURE SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTORS ARE WORKING
GO FOR A POTTED TREE
Instead of choosing a cut tree that will
have to be thrown out come January,
why not try a mini potted tree that
can be planted out when the festivities
have finished and used again next year.
The perfect centrepiece on a hallway
console table or stood outside on a
porch, just pop the tree into a suitably
sized container, ensuring it has plenty
of drainage and water it every couple of
days so that it doesn’t dry out and the
needles drop. Keep decorations to a
minimum with just a few lightweight
pieces and a set of battery-operated
lights to add a touch of sparkle.
Paper trees, from £7 each; festive
woodland decorations, £20 for 6; all
National Trust Shop
TIME AT HOME
Do it
Do a bedding
audit
FEATURE LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Be guest-ready by organising
bedding ahead of time so
you’ve less to think about in
the Christmas run-up. Free up
space in your airing cupboard,
by going through bedding
and getting rid of any old or
mismatched sheets, duvet
covers, pillowcases and towels.
Then sort freshly laundered
bedding into matching sets,
folding each into a neat stack
and slipping inside one of the
pillowcases. Stored together,
bedding will be easier to grab
as and when it’s needed.
DECEMBER 2022 | 99
Do it
CUT-OUT TABLECLOTH
THIS MONTH’S
Do it
Make your own Christmas
table runner from a roll of
wrapping paper. Cut the
paper 100cm longer than
your table (for a 50cm
overhang at either end).
Using paper stamps, punch
out shapes to create your
chosen pattern.
Amazon has
similar rolls of
plain paper
100 | DECEMBER 2022
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Keep the punched-out
shapes and write
guests’ names on them
as place settings
TIME AT HOME
Make it
Craft your own
CALENDAR
Start the festive countdown with easy advent calendar ideas
that will make a fabulous Christmas centrepiece
HANGING
PACKAGES
YOU WILL NEED
Gift boxes
Mini paper bags
Number stickers
Twine
Round scarf hangers
1
NUMBER PACKAGES
Hide mini gifts or foil-wrapped
chocolates in 24 handled gift
boxes and bags. Then add
1 to 24 number stickers to each.
TIE THEM UP
Cut varying lengths of
coloured string or baker’s twine
and tie them to each package.
HANG ON THE WALL
Tie the gifts to the
hangers in a staggered
arrangement before hanging
them on wall hooks.
2
3
Add a sprig
of greenery
as a festive
decoration
Boxes, £2.40 for 10;
bags, £4.32 for 10,
both Party Packs.
Similar stickers, £1.78
a pack, Amazon
CONJURER’S CUPS
YOU WILL NEED
Paper cups in varying sizes
Gift
wrap and stickers
Glue gun
Pine
cones, foliage and bottle-brush trees
1
GRAB SOME CUPS
Decorate a sideboard, mantel or
console table with festive treats hidden
under paper cups. Start by choosing cups
in a selection of sizes.
DECORATE WITH PAPER
Use gift wrap, craft foils and stickers
in a mix of designs to decorate the cups.
Stick on wooden numbers from 1 to 24
– some on top, others on the side of cups.
SET THE STAGE
Arrange the cups, varying the heights
by propping some up on logs or books,
pop gifts under each and add evergreen
foliage, trees and pine cones to decorate.
2
3
Polka dot cups,
£3.50 for 8;
numbers, £7 for
136, all Hobbycraft.
Brush trees, £3.50
for 5, The Danes
DECEMBER 2022 | 101
STAIRWAY
COUNTDOWN
YOU WILL NEED
Mini buckets
ribbon or braid
Mini pegs
Wide coloured
Numbered labels
Try this super-easy staircase
advent with treats popped inside
mini metal buckets. Weave a long
length of coloured ribbon through
the stair posts to start and simply
tie on the buckets using short
lengths of ribbon.
Peg numbered
labels onto the
bucket handles
Kraft envelopes,
£2.80 for 50; mini
wooden pegs,
£2.50 for 50, all
Hobbycraft
Mini buckets,
£1 each; mini
wooden pegs,
£2.50 for 50,
all Hobbycraft
ADVENT MESSAGES
YOU WILL NEED
Small brown envelopes
Metallic
adhesive numbers
Mini wooden pegs
Coloured braid
Card labels
1
COME UP WITH IDEAS
If you’ve had your fill of chocolate
treats, try an envelope advent that can be
filled with sentimental messages, treat
coupons or acts of kindness to be
completed throughout the month.
ORGANISE ENVELOPES
Once you’ve written down your ideas
on separate cards, pop them into an
envelope and number the outsides,
1 to 24. Use gilt number stickers or write
by hand in metallic pen.
PEG ON THE WALL
Cut your coloured ribbon or braid into
four short lengths and pin to the wall
using drawing pins. Then simply peg on
your envelopes, in numerical order or
positioned randomly.
2
3
102 | DECEMBER 2022
Make it
ENVELOPE TREE
YOU WILL NEED
24 assorted envelopes
Adhesive tack
numbers
Pastel envelopes, £6
for 30; gold number
stickers, £1.30 a pack,
all Hobbycraft
Adhesive
1
DECIDE YOUR THEME
Instead of treats and gifts, hide clues
to an advent hunt in numbered envelopes
or come up with a fun activity for each
day that the family can do together.
CREATE A TREE SHAPE
Use envelopes in assorted sizes and
colours, arranging them into a Christmas
tree shape, and secure on the wall using
adhesive tack.
ADD NUMBERS
Finish off the calendar by adding a
number sticker to each envelope or
writing numbers on in metallic pen.
Position the numbers randomly, but
reserve the top envelope for a special
treat, with an ‘X’ to mark the spot.
2
3
ARRANGE THE ENVELOPES
ON THE FLOOR FIRST
TO CHECK THE DESIGN
BEFORE STICKING THEM
TO THE WALL
FEATURE LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Use white felt to
create a snowy
roof with tissue
smoke from the
chimney
Stencil, £1.80;
self-adhesive
felt sheet, £1;
tissue paper, £1
for 10 sheets,
all Hobbycraft
ADVENT HOUSE
YOU WILL NEED
Cardboard tubes
Brown paper
Number stencil kit
Black marker pen
Glue gun
Cardboard box
White felt
and tissue paper
1
2
SIZE-UP TUBES
Make a Scandi-style chalet with gifts
hidden inside the tubes. You’ll need 24.
NUMBER THE ENDS
Cut out 24 circles from brown
paper using the end of a roll as a
template. Number each with a stencil
and marker pen.
STACK IN PLACE
Apply glue around one end of each
tube and stick the circles in place. Then
stick tubes in groups of four and stack
four tubes wide by six high.
ADD THE ROOF
Pop a gift in each tube. From the
box, cut a rectangle to make a backing
and glue in place. Fold and glue on a
roof and add a tube chimney.
3
4
DECEMBER 2022 | 103
How to grow
POINSETTIAS
Follow our guide and learn how to get more from
the festive favourite that’s not just for Christmas
C
hristmas just wouldn’t be
complete without a cheerful,
red poinsettia. Most people
are familiar with this crimson
plant, but breeding has produced many
different shades and colours, from
peach, deep maroon and cinnamon to
pink, yellow, apricot and even white.
Modern varieties also vary in size and
leaf shape, with textures ranging from
soft velvet to ripples and furled edges.
Poinsettias can be fussy plants and
without the right conditions and care,
they will start to droop quickly after
Christmas and die. To ensure yours
lasts long beyond the festive season,
make sure it doesn’t get caught in
a cold draught. Always place
poinsettias in a warm spot in good
light away from radiators, and water
them only when the compost has
dried out. Read on for more smart ways
to care for your festive plant.
Get the light right
Poinsettias are happiest in bright,
indirect light. So only place on a
windowsill if you have sheer or netted
curtains, which will provide the perfect
light balance. Alternatively, place them
in a bright room but out of the sun’s
direct rays. Darkness is just as important
as sunlight as poinsettias need about
12 hours of darkness each night for
them to properly bloom. So be sure
to draw the curtains in the evening to
give total darkness. If this isn’t possible,
you could pop a box over the plant
to give it the darkness it needs.
Water sparingly
A common mistake for the majority
of houseplants is overwatering, and
poinsettias are no exception. They
COLOUR CHOICE
Available in an array
of colours, choose a
shade to match your
Christmas decor
IN POSITION
For best results,
arrange away from
direct sunlight
do like regular watering, but the soil
should never be allowed to become
waterlogged, as this will cause the
roots to rot. Make sure the soil is well
draining, but if you’re not sure what
the soil content is when you buy your
poinsettia, consider repotting it in
a well-draining potting compost.
And remember, it is best to use tepid
water when watering, not cold.
Humidity and
temperature
Poinsettias prefer humid environments.
You can improve humidity levels by
standing pots on gravel-filled saucers
topped up with water – making sure the
bottom of the pot isn’t submerged.
Grouping houseplants together will also
raise humidity levels. As for temperature,
somewhere between 16-25C should
be fine. Unlike most houseplants,
poinsettias prefer a cooler environment
104 | DECEMBER 2022
TIME AT HOME
Do it
CENTREPIECE
Use as a starting
point for a pretty
festive arrangement
BLOOM ON
With care, your
plants can thrive
after Christmas
FLORAL GIFT
Pop in a wicker basket
to give as a present
CUT POINSETTIAS CAN BE USED TO CREATE
BEAUTIFUL FESTIVE TABLE ARRANGEMENTS
FEATURE TERESA CONWAY AND LIZZIE HUDSON
PHOTOGRAPHS STARS FOR EUROPE
– not cold, but definitely not warm either.
Avoid draughts from windows and hot
spots near radiators or fires.
Keeping for longer
You can encourage your poinsettia to
thrive by shortening its stems to 10cm
and keeping the potting compost almost
dry for three or four weeks. Then, in late
April or early May, recommence watering
and repot the plant in an ericaceous mix,
in a slightly larger container, removing
about half the volume of spent compost.
When shoots start to appear, remove all
but four or five, retaining the strongest.
Keep the compost dry and feed weekly
with a liquid houseplant fertiliser.
Prunings can be used as cuttings.
In late September, cover the plant with
a black plastic bag, box or put in a
dark cupboard from early evening
to the following morning so that it is
kept in total darkness for 14 hours
a day, for eight weeks. This treatment
will encourage the plant to begin
flowering again.
Propagation
When pruning your poinsettia the
cuttings can be propagated. Take
your cuttings early in the day when
it’s cool. Cut healthy lengths of nonflowering growth and dip in hormone
rooting powder. Once they are potted
up, rooting should take place within
a few weeks – the cuttings will start
to put on new growth if they are
successful. Be sure to wear gardening
gloves as the stems can release a
milky sap which is a skin irritant.
Do it!
CARE FOR
POINSETTIAS
1
2
3
4
Choose plants grown as locally
as possible so they are kept
in the right light conditions.
Buy early and you’ll have a
much better chance of settling
your poinsettia into its new home.
If you need to transport your
plant home, make sure it
doesn’t get chilled en route.
Ideally, stand poinsettias on
windowsills (south-facing is
best) during the day and bring
them into the room at night.
Feed diluted houseplant food
once a fortnight through winter.
5
DECEMBER 2022 | 105
Buy the best
VACUUM
CLEANER
Ensure cleaner-than
-clean floors and
carpets with a new
model that tackles
everyday dirt, hair,
pet fur and more
BEST WHEN ON A BUDGET
VAX ONEPWR BLADE 4
TYPE Cordless
STYLE Stick
DUST TANK CAPACITY 0.6ltr
WEIGHT 3.1kg
PRICE £169
Budget-friendly, but surprisingly high
performance, you’ll find cleaning a
breeze. Its clever design makes cleaning
underneath furniture, around corners
and in hard-to-get-to areas easy,
while its floor-head rotation means
minimal wrist work to manoeuvre.
It’s exceptionally lightweight and
has a superb battery life, which
can also be boosted with a
back-up battery, so you don’t
have to wait to recharge. It filters
everything it captures, including pet
hair, into a removable bin that can
easily be removed for simple, hygienic
emptying. For efficiency, it has a nifty
brushless motor, offering the perfect
balance of performance and
intelligence, which monitors how much
power you need. It comes with a
crevice tool and dusting brush, but you
pay extra for other useful attachments.
REASON TO BUY It’s amazing value
with great battery life and can get
into hard-to-reach places
REASON TO AVOID Some additional
tools don’t come included
RATING
106 | DECEMBER 2022
IDEA TO STEAL
A patterned rug is a
practical choice for
high-traffic areas
TIME AT HOME
SHARK ICZ300UKT PET
WITH ANTI HAIR WRAP
TYPE Cordless
STYLE Upright
DUST TANK CAPACITY 0.6ltr
WEIGHT 6.2kg
PRICE £429
This model offers plenty of features to
suit busy family life. It comes in handy if
you have pets thanks to its high-suction
power and PowerFins that will lift
deep-rooted pet hair. Not only that, but
anti-hair-wrap technology separates and
removes hair from its brush-roll as you
go, meaning no more removing tangled
hair. It performs brilliantly across carpet,
hardwood floors and tiles with only one
pass required on all floor types. You
have up to 60 minutes’ run-time with its
removable chargeable battery, and you
can easily see how much time you have
left with the smart LED display.
REASON TO BUY It offers the power
you’d expert from a corded version
REASON TO AVOID Battery life is as
good as it could be
RATING
‘PICK A MODEL THAT SUITS THE SIZE OF YOUR
HOME AND THE TYPE OF FLOORING YOU
HAVE – UPRIGHTS ARE BEST FOR CARPETS’
BEST FOR SHEER POWER
DYSON BIG BALL
ANIMAL 2
TYPE Corded
STYLE Cylinder
DUST TANK CAPACITY 1.8ltr
WEIGHT 7.3kg
PRICE £329
This offers superb manoeuvrability
thanks to its large ball design, which
steers simply. It’s a power machine that
will make cleaning your home quick and
easy – 28 cyclones generate the power
to capture even the most microscopic
dust and dirt, reassuring you that even
allergens are removed. It comes with
Dyson’s Tangle-free Turbine tool that
removes dirt and hair without tangling
up the brush head. Plus, the articulated
handle and stretchy pop-out hose
gives you 360° articulation so you
can clean overhead.
REASON TO BUY
Impressive cleaning
performance
REASON TO
AVOID
There are
lighter models
RATING
BEFORE
YOU BUY
Work out which model
best suits your needs
There are many types of
vacuum, from upright and stick to
cylinder (sometimes called
canister) and handheld. You can
even get robotic self-cleaning
vacuums. Sticks are generally
better for hard floors and lighter
cleaning work, whereas upright
and cylinder models are powerful
enough to tackle all floor types.
Compact, cordless designs are
better for those living in smaller
homes as they take up less space.
You’ll find plenty of lightweight
versions, but pay attention to dust
tank capacity, balancing this out
with overall weight.
Lots of cordless models have
the capability to be turned into a
handheld at the click of a button.
If you have pets or find yourself
forever untangling hair from the
brush head, opt for one with
anti-hair-wrap technology or pet
hair features.
A heavier upright is generally
better for carpets as its weight
pushes down into the carpet
fibres, getting to ingrained dirt
and dust.
Cordless versions don’t always
offer the best battery life, and
need to be charged every now
and again – factor this in when
buying so that you don’t run
out of power. As a general rule,
15 minutes’ battery life is ideal
for spot cleaning, whereas up
to an hour is best for doing the
whole house.
If you have an open-plan living
space, or your home is spread
across multiple floors, a plug-in
vacuum with a large dust capacity
is likely to be the most convenient.
Some models offer additional
health benefits for those with
asthma or allergies, keeping your
home healthy and clean for you
and your family.
If it’s possible, ask to test the
machine in your own home before
you purchase or even rent it for
a few days. It can save you
money in the long run.
PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
BEST FOR PET HAIR
Buy it
DECEMBER 2022 | 107
Cook it
TIME AT HOME
Something for
THE WEEKEND
Get your little ones excited about cooking by making these
cute, chocolatey no-bake festive treats together
MARSHMALLOW
SNOWMEN
TAKES 30 MINS MAKES
ABOUT 15-20
1 packet of Ginger Nut
biscuits
1 packet of white
marshmallows
1 packet of
large chocolate buttons
Box of mint Matchmakers
1 packet of Reese’s mini
peanut butter cups
1 tube
of chocolate icing FOR
ROYAL ICING
3 egg whites
600g icing sugar
1tsp
liquid glucose
FESTIVE
FUN
2
3
108 | DECEMBER 2022
IF YOUR ICING LOOKS TOO RUNNY, MIX
IN A LITTLE EXTRA ICING SUGAR. AND IF IT’S
TOO THICK, LOOSEN WITH A LITTLE WATER
FEATURE LIZZIE HUDSON PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
1
First make the royal icing.
Whisk the egg whites until
lightly whipped, adding the
icing sugar a few spoonfuls at a
time. Whisk continuously until
the icing sugar is incorporated.
Add the liquid glucose. Keep
whisking until the icing
thickens and it reaches stiff
peaks. It should be shiny and
smooth, and with a consistency
that is thick, but spreadable.
Taking one ginger biscuit at
a time, spread icing on top.
Push a marshmallow towards
the back. Snap a Matchstick in
half and position one either
side of the marshmallow as the
snowman’s arms.
Using some of the
chocolate icing as glue, stick
a chocolate button on top of
the marshmallow, then stick a
peanut butter cup on top of
that. Finish by using the
chocolate icing to draw buttons
on his tummy, and his eyes,
nose and mouth. Repeat for as
many biscuits as you need.
Make it
TIME AT HOME
Make it a creative
CHRISTMAS
Get busy over the holidays with easy-to-make ideas for
lights, decorations and festive trimmings
BOOK CHRISTMAS
TREE
DOME
CENTREPIECE
YOU WILL NEED
An old book
Craft knife
Glue
Glitter
Double-sided tape
1
CUT INTO SECTIONS
Use the pages of old books to create
a vintage-look table decoration. Take a
section of a book and separate off the
spine with a craft knife – you’ll need at
least 20 pages.
FOLD THE PAGES
Take the first page, and fold the leaf
in half towards the spine on the diagonal.
Stick into place with double-sided tape,
then repeat with the other pages.
ADD GLITTER
Gather the edges together and paste
with glue. Sprinkle with glitter and allow
to dry. Then fan out and pop on a plate.
2
YOU WILL NEED
Thread a few
delicate LED
lights through
your display
Mini boxes
Gift wrap
and ribbon
Double-sided
tape
Glass dome
Wrap boxes in coordinating
paper and ribbon. Stack up
inside your glass dome,
using double-sided tape to
secure, then set on a shelf
to create a festive display.
3
Use a cut-out
star to write the
names of each
of your guests
Add a mini brush
tree inside for
extra decoration
DECEMBER 2022 | 109
Set matching jars
along the centre of
your dining table for
a coordinated look
JAM JAR VOTIVES
Use long
matches to light
tea lights
YOU WILL NEED
Jam jars
Glitter
Liquid glue
Tape
Twine
Christmas ornaments
Tea lights
1
TAPE OFF THE BOTTOMS
Recycle old glass jam jars to use as
festive votives. Simply tape off a section
of glass at the bottom of each jar, then
cover with glue and dip into a bowl filled
with glitter (use a different colour for
each). Turn upside down and leave to dry.
FILL WITH SAND
Once dry, remove the tape. Fill the
jars with plant mica or sand and pop a tea
light inside. Dress the outside with
Christmas decorations tied on with twine.
SUPERSIZE THEM
To add extra wow, try dipping a large
glass vase in glitter and adding sand and
a pillar candle inside to make a supereasy table centrepiece.
2
3
Add an extra layer
of interest to a
parcel with a piece
of gift wrap offcut
FEATHER GIFT TAGS
YOU WILL NEED
Plain card
Selection of coloured
card
PVA glue
Glitter
1
DRAW YOUR SHAPE
Add a personal touch to Christmas
cards or presents with handmade tags.
Start by drawing a stylised feather
template onto plain card, then repeat
the shape in different sizes.
MAKE TEMPLATES
Cut out your shapes to use as
templates for the tags. Draw around
the templates onto different-coloured
card and then cut out.
DIP WITH GLITTER
Apply glue around the edges of
some of your feathers and dip into
glitter. Use to decorate cards, as gift
tags or thread several onto coloured
twine for a cute garland idea.
2
3
110 | DECEMBER 2022
TIME AT HOME
You could also
make these with
scraps of fabric
Great for
small,
lightweight
gifts
Make it
COLLECT PRETTY ITEMS
FROM THE GARDEN
AND YOUR STATIONERY
DRAWER TO INSPIR E
ALL YOUR CRAFT MAKES
NATURAL STARS
YOU WILL NEED
Thin wooden dowels
Florist’s
wire or twine
Faux berry sprig
Eucalyptus
Thread
1
ARRANGE IN PLACE
Cut the dowels into short lengths.
You’ll need six for each star, starting by
making two triangles then arranging
them with one inverted to create your
simple star shape. Secure the ends and
cross-sections with twine or florist’s wire.
ADD A DECORATION
Add a berry sprig to decorate each
star, securing with more wire. Then finish
with a cutting of eucalyptus, real or faux.
THREAD TO HANG
Tie with nylon thread and suspend
stars in small clusters going up a staircase
or in a window for passers-by to admire.
2
3
This elegant
decoration takes
no time at all
PAPER STOCKING
FEATURE AND STYLING SARA BIRD
PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS
YOU WILL NEED
Card for a template
Gift wrap
or wallpaper offcuts
Doublesided tape
Ribbon and trim
1
DRAW YOUR DESIGN
Make easy paper stockings to
hold awkwardly shaped presents.
Start by making a simple template,
drawing a stocking shape onto a
piece of stiff card and cutting it out.
PATTERN MATCH
Place your template on to your
chosen paper and draw around –
you’ll need to put the template on
2
the right side of one piece of paper
and the wrong side of the other, so
that the stocking shape matches up.
JOIN THE PIECES
Cut out two shapes for each
stocking. Join the ‘seams’ either with
double-sided tape or by punching
holes along the edge then threading
through with contrasting ribbon.
Remember not to join the top edges
as this will be the opening.
TRIM TO DECORATE
Decorate the stockings with
pom-poms, ribbon or ric-rac edging,
then pop in your presents.
3
4
DECEMBER 2022 | 111
Cook it
TIME AT HOME
What’s for
DINNER TONIGHT?
Feed your family with this delicious one-pot pie – ideal for
using up turkey leftovers, it’s just the thing on a chilly evening
TURKEY & PARSNIP ONE-POT PIE
1 sheet ready-rolled
puff pastry
100g diced
pancetta
1 large leek,
sliced
1/2 savoy cabbage,
shredded
1tbsp cornflour
1tbsp Dijon mustard
200ml white wine
200g button
mushrooms, halved
3
parsnips, chopped
400g
cooked turkey cut into
chunks
1 egg, beaten
112 | DECEMBER 2022
TAKES 2 HR SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED
Ovenproof dish
1
Cut a piece of pastry the
size of your oven dish,
then put in the fridge. Heat
the oven to 190C/Gas 5.
In a large pan, cook the
pancetta until golden.
Remove, leaving the fat in
the pan and add the leek.
Sweat with a lid on over a
2
low heat for 10 mins, stirring
occasionally, until softened.
Mix in the cabbage and
cornflour, put the lid on and
sweat for 10 mins, removing
the lid after 5 mins.
Add the mustard and
wine, and season. Scrape
up the bits in the base of the
pan and simmer for 10 mins.
Mix in the mushrooms,
parsnips and turkey and
3
4
return the pancetta to the
pan and stir in. Tip into an
oven dish and cover with
the pastry, making a small
incision in the centre.
Lay over cut-out pastry
shapes and brush the top
with the beaten egg.
Bake in the oven for
45 mins to 1 hr, until the
pastry is golden. Cool for
10 mins before serving.
5
FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH & ROSE FOOKS
PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB
HEARTY
FARE
TIME AT HOME
Do it
3 ways to
SAVE ENERGY
1
CHOOSE LOW AND SLOW
Set the timer to come on in
advance at a lower heat, which
uses less energy, instead of opting
for a blast of full power just before
you slide under the sheets.
TEST AND ADJUST
Only turn up the electric
blanket when you’re not warm
enough. This avoids wasting excess
heat, plus it’s easier to make a bed
warmer than it is to cool it down.
DIAL IT DOWN
Most electric blankets cost little
to run so are a good choice for cold
nights instead of cranking up the
central heating. The Energy Saving
Trust estimates that turning down
your main thermostat by just 1˚C
could save 10% on your energy bill.
2
3
Cut costs with
AN ELECTRIC
BLANKET
How much energy does an electric blanket
use? We’ve worked out the running costs
FEATURE RACHEL OGDEN/MILLIE HURST
PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.com
W
e’re all looking for ways to
reduce how much energy
we use at home right now.
And as the nights grow
colder, keeping warm without being hit
with a massive energy bill is becoming
more and more of a challenge.
Electric blankets are the perfect winter
warmer, making getting into bed extra
cosy on a chilly evening, but are they a
cost-effective remedy or responsible for
pushing up our monthly bills?
How does an electric
blanket work?
Electric blankets contain small electrical
wires inside the fabric and when turned
on, these wires heat the fabric. There are
several types: an electric underblanket
covers the mattress up to the pillow area;
heated mattress covers reach across the
entire mattress, but don’t have wiring
under the pillow area; and electric
overblankets can be added inside a duvet
cover or used like a normal blanket.
How much does an electric
blanket cost to run?
Every electric blanket will show how
much energy it uses at full power with its
wattage. This means you can work out
how much it will cost to use per kilowatt
hour of electricity. 100W = 0.1kW, so a
100W electric blanket at the 34p per
kWh rate above would cost 3.4p to run
at full power for an hour.
Are some electric blankets
cheaper to run?
Electric overblankets, underblankets and
mattress protectors tend to be similar
wattages. However, it’s the option of
different settings that can make them
more or less expensive to run. Electric
blankets that have a wide range of heat
settings will be cheaper to run as you
can set them to the ideal temperature.
This usually ranges between 18 to 56˚C.
‘All our underblankets, mattress
protectors and throws are extremely
cost-effective to run, costing from
as little as 1p per night (7 hours)
on the minimum heat setting,’ says
Jacqueline Townson at Dreamland.
‘These calculations are based on
Imetec laboratory tests, for an
Intelliheat+ single size blanket.’
Are there any energysaving features?
Go for an electric blanket with different
heat settings so it’s more economical
to have on for longer periods of time
at low heat. Dual controls are also a
useful feature, which allow you to adjust
each side of a double blanket separately
to save energy – ideal for when one
half of a couple prefers a cooler setting
or one is away and there’s no need to
heat the whole bed.
Temperature sensors are another
energy-saving feature that detect
the temperature of the room and
your body, and adjust the heat of the
blanket to suit. This means it won’t use
extra energy by heating up more than
you need. ‘And look for an electric
blanket with an auto shut-off timer so
you won’t be wasting energy if you fall
asleep or forget to turn it off,’ adds
Jacqueline Townson.
DECEMBER 2022 | 113
The ‘Queen Elizabeth’ Rose
EXCLUSIVE
The ‘Queen Elizabeth’ Rose
NOW
“Commemorate The Life Of Her
.99
£14
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II With
SAVE
£5
THE World’s Favourite Rose!
Rose!””
W
e are proud to
introduce The
‘Queen Elizabeth’
Rose, boasting the largest
pink double blooms,
flowering all summer long.
After seventy years of outstanding
service, join us in celebrating this
historic accolade with this stunning
rose. The ‘Queen Elizabeth’ Rose has
large classic shaped flowers which
combine astonishingly stunning pink
flowers and strong sweet rose scent.
A traditional favourite that is particularly
good as a fragrant colourful hedge.
Ideal in beds, borders or hedges, large
patio containers and for cutting.
● Simply stunning large regal
pink double blooms
● A fitting choice that will take
pride of place in your garden.
● A perfect choice for planting
in your patio pots, beds and
borders or hedging
● Supplied as a 3L freshly
potted rose
“Exceptionally fragrant”
“Voted the world’s favourite rose”
3 EASY WAYS
TO ORDER NOW!
0844 502 0050
Calls cost 5p per min plus your network’s access charge.
or by post using coupon below to: Offer SAH139 YouGarden, PO Box 1468, Peterborough, PE1 9XL
BONUS JUBILEE OFFER
Rose ‘Platinum Jubilee’
A beautiful new bush rose
produced exclusively to
commemorate HM The
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Large, pink petals and a
sweet, strong fragrance.
£2.50 from the sale of
each rose will be donated
to QEST, The Queen
Elizabeth Scholarship
Trust. 3L Pot.
Item Code: 530717
£22.99 SAVE £7.00!
Offer available while stocks last. © YouGarden Ltd 2022
www.YouGarden.com/SAH139
USE CODE
SAH139
PLEASE SEND TO:
YOUR ORDER DETAILS
Offer SAH139, YouGarden, PO Box 1468, YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS I enclose a cheque/Postal Order payable to
YouGarden (name & address on back) for £
Peterborough, PE1 9XL
Item
Description
The
‘Queen Elizabeth Rose’
530026
3L Pot NOW ONLY £14.99! SAVE £5.00
Rose ‘Platinum Jubilee’
530717 3L Pot SAVE £7.00
Blooming Fast Organic Rose & Shrub Feed
100047 1.5kg
Tub SAVE £2.00
Price
Qty
£14.99
Or charge my Visa / Mastercard / Maestro card:
Card
Subtotal No.
Start
Exp
Date
Date
DELIVERY DETAILS
£22.99
Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss
Address
£9.99
JOIN THE YOUGARDEN CLUB - Get £20.00 FREE
vouchers & SAVE 10% on EVERY ITEM you order!
Email
Tel
820005 Renewal Subscription Membership*: SAVE £15! £5.00
820001 1 Year Membership: SAVE £10!
£10.00
My DOUBLE GUARANTEE to you!
DON’T FORGET: Deduct 10% (10p in every £1) if you joined the YouGarden Club:
*We’ll automatically renew your membership every year, so you can keep saving - AND the price will
NEVER go up... GUARANTEED! Full details at YouGarden.com/Club. Orders despatched within 7-10
working days. Delivery to UK only and a £6.00 surcharge will apply to the following postcode areas: AB,
DD8-11, GY, HS, IM, IV, JE, KA27-28, KW, PA20-80, PH19-50, TR21-25 & ZE. Offer subject to availability and
in the event that this offer is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to send suitable substitutes. Images
show mature plants. See website for full product details and T&Cs. Following Brexit there are a number
of changes that prevent us from trading in N. Ireland. For further details please visit www.yougarden.com
Initial
Add PP&I
TOTAL
ORDER
VALUE
£6.99
1 If you’re not totally happy with your order, return it
within 30 days and we’ll replace or refund in full.
2 Should any hardy plants fail to thrive thereafter, we’ll
replace free of charge. You just pay the P&P.
Peter McDermott,
Head Gardener
Issue
No.
Surname
Postcode
If you do not wish to receive catalogues & offers from
us, please tick here [ ].
We think you’d enjoy some of the latest products and
selected offers by post from other trusted retailers,
charities, finance, travel, FMCG and utility companies.
If you do not wish to receive these, please tick here [
]. Full details at YouGarden.com/Privacy.
© YouGarden 2022.
AD
CODE
SAH139
TIME AT HOME
Do it
Get a healthy
CREDIT SCORE
Editor of TheMoneyEdit.com Kalpana Fitzpatrick shares her
tips on how to check, protect and improve your credit score
M
ore than half of
us have never
checked our
credit score*, and
many people don’t realise
it plays an important role in
determining what financial
products we have access to
and how much we’ll need
to pay for them. Whether
you’re looking for a credit
card, mortgage, store card,
mobile phone contract or
insurance, making your score
as strong as possible can
help you get the best deal.
Read on to find out how to
look after yours and ways
you can improve it.
Why does your
score matter?
When you apply for credit or
financial products, such as a
mortgage, the lender wants to
check to see if it can trust you
and that you’re a responsible
borrower. To determine this,
one of the things it looks at
is your credit score. If your
rating is low, you could be
rejected or offered a poorer
interest rate, which will cost
you more in the long run.
FEATURE KALPANA FITZPATRICK
PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES
* EXPERIAN RESEARCH
Check your score
If you’ve never checked your
score, then it is easy to track
it down free at any one of the
three main credit reference
agencies (CRAs): Experian
(experian.co.uk), Equifax
(equifax.co.uk) and TransUnion
(transunion.co.uk). Each of
the CRAs may hold different
information about your
financial history, known as
a credit report, which they
use to generate your score.
With this in mind, it’s actually
worth checking with all three
agencies. Your score is a
three-digit number and often
colour-coded – usually green,
amber or red. If it’s green, then
your score is on the excellent
end of the scale.
Make it better
If it turns out that your score
is low or you want to improve
it, then there are some really
simple steps that will help:
Register to vote, so that
you are on the electoral
register. This tells the CRAs
that you are who you say
you are, and that your address
is where you really live. If
you move house, make sure
your records are updated. You
can register at gov.uk.
Don’t miss any payments.
Late or missed payments for
bills and your mortgage will
show up on your report and
damage your score.
Check for inaccuracies.
If you spot anything incorrect
on your report, call the CRA
and ask for it to be corrected.
Make any regular
payments count
If you’re renting, make your
payments count towards your
score. Check out free schemes
such as Rental Exchange
(via Experian) or Credit
Ladder (creditladder.co.uk)
KLARNA REPORTS‘BUY NOW, PAY LATER’
TRANSACTIONS TO CREDIT REFERENCE
AGENCIES, SO ALWAYS PAY ON TIME
to help boost your score. If
you subscribe to any services
that involve regular payments,
such as Netflix or Spotify, use
Experian Boost free of charge
to push up your score.
Ask for
ADVICE
If you’re rejected for credit,
it will go on your file, so use
an eligibility checker on any
of the CRAs before applying.
If you open a joint bank
account, be aware that if your
partner has a poor rating it
could affect your score.
Have a credit card? Use it
for small purchases and pay
it off each month so you are
not charged interest – it will
help build your score.
DECEMBER 2022 | 115
Make it
NO-SEW BUNTING
THIS MONTH’S
Make it
Hang your bunting over
a console decorated with
seasonal knick-knacks
116 | DECEMBER 2022
Keep an eye out for
fabric offcuts at your
local charity shop
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Whip up some festive
bunting without having to
sew a stitch. Cut out squares
of scrap fabric with pinking
shears, then cut out felt for
letters. Use a fabric glue to
attach the letters, then use
the glue again to attach the
flags to a length of tape.
HOMES
KNOWLEDGE
from just £6
LIFESTYLE
HOBBIES
SUBSCRIBE NOW
• Give the gift that keeps on delivering
• Over 80 magazines to choose from
• Free delivery straight to your door
www.magazinesdirect.com/XM22
Terms and conditions: Offer closes 16th January 2023. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. We will notify you in advance of any price
changes. All gift subscriptions will start with the first available issue on-sale after December 2022. If you would like your gift subscription to start with an earlier issue, you can choose an earlier
issue when ordering or you can contact customer services. Orders purchased for yourself will start with the next available issue - please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery (up to 8 weeks overseas).
Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries
please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-7pm, and Saturday, 10am-3pm GMT (excluding Bank Holidays) or e-mail: help@magazinesdirect.com. Calls to 0330
numbers will be charged at no more than a national landline call, and may be included in your phone provider’s call bundle.
ESSENTIAL CONTACTS
Love it
Find us online
INSTAGRAM @styleathomemag #sahstylists FACEBOOK facebook.com/
styleathomemag PINTEREST pinterest.com/styleathomemag
121-141 WESTBOURNE TERRACE,
LONDON W2 6JR
To get in touch, our email format is
firstname.lastname@futurenet.com
EDITORIAL
Editorial Director Rhoda Parry
Editor Heather Young
Group Chief Sub-Editor/Production Editor
Sarah Farley
Style Editor Nicky Phillips
Houses Editor Laurie Davidson
Content Editor Holly Walsh
Content Editor Thea Babington-Stitt
Gardens Editor Teresa Conway
Group Art Director Alison Walter
Art Editor Lara Evans
Group Production Editor Maxine Clarke
Chief Sub-Editor Amy Hodge
Senior Sub-Editor Linda Blakemore
Senior Sub-Editor Catherine Law
DIGITAL
Brand Development Director Laura Crombie
Video Producer Matt Gibbs
Editor in Chief - Homes Audience Amy Cutmore
Editor in Chief - eCommerce Lindsey Davis
Editor in Chief - News Rebecca Knight
PRODUCTION
Art Production Director Nicola Tillman
Art Production Designers
Noel Allen, Sarah Llewellyn
Senior Production Controller Barry Skinner
Production Controller William Argent
Senior Production Manager Matt Eglinton
Production Manager John Botten 0330 390 7509
MARKETING
Head of Marketing Sian Cupid
Deputy Head of Marketing Laura Timms
CIRCULATION
Circulation Manager Katie Greenan
ADVERTISING
Commercial Director Dave Randall
Print & Digital Sales Manager Kelly James-Miller
Insert Sales Canopy Media 0845 544 1857
Classified Senior Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett
Regional Sales Director
Katrina Hutchison 0161 601 3720
EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS
We work very hard to achieve the highest
standards of editorial content, and we are
committed to complying with the Editors’
Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.
html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have
a complaint about our editorial content,
you can email the Editor at styleathome@
futurenet.com or write to The Editor,
INTERNATIONAL LICENSING
Style at Home, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace,
London W2 6JR. Please provide details
of the material you are complaining about
and explain your complaint by reference
to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour
to acknowledge your complaint within five
working days and we aim to correct
substantial errors as soon as possible.
We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from
responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The
paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed
forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards.
All contents © 2022 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence.
All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or
Future plc is a public
Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne
company quoted on the
Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford
London Stock Exchange
Chief financial officer Penny Ladkin-Brand
reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher.
(symbol: FUTR)
www.futureplc.com
Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244
Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England
and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All
information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of
going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised
to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this
publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for
their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any
way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and/or
have the necessary rights/permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future and its licensees a
licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in any/all issues and/or editions of publications, in any format
published worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material you
submit is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future
nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or
damage. We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise
stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend or adapt all submissions.
Style at Home is available for licensing and syndication.
To find out more contact us at licensing@futurenet.com
or view our available content at futurecontenthub.com.
Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw 01225 442244
MANAGEMENT
Senior Vice President, Lifestyle, Knowledge &
News Sophie Wybrew-Bond
Managing Director, Homes and Gardens Jason Orme
SVP Group Elizabeth Deeming
SVP Global Operations & Marketforce Adrian Hughes
PRINTING
Cover and Text printed by Walstead UK Ltd
BACK ISSUES
Visit mags-uk.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Head of Acquisitions Helen Harding
Senior Campaign Executive Sanzida Khanom
One-year full subscription rate (12 issues), including
p&p: UK £29.88 Europe €83.88 USA $125.88
Rest of world £125.88 Credit-card hotline (UK)
0330 333 1113 Overseas enquiries +44 (0)330 333
1113 email help@magazinesdirect.com
Subscription delays Disruption remains within UK and
international delivery networks due to COVID-19. Please
allow up to seven days before contacting us about a
late delivery at help@magazinesdirect.com
DISTRIBUTION
MarketForce (UK) Ltd 121-141 Westbourne Terrace,
Paddington, London W2 6JR (020 3787 9101)
DECEMBER 2022 | 121
Buy it
10 UNDER £10
STARRY
NIGHT
SOW ON
North Star
cushion,
£8, Dunelm
Pollination
seeds, £3.99,
Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew
POSH POOCH
DinkyDangle dog
collar star, £5,
Wren & Rye
SANTA’S
FAVE
Reindeer mug,
£3.50, Matalan
SEASONAL
SOOTHER
Honey spiced lavender
hand cream, £8.50,
Sophie Allport
ON
POINT
UNDER £10
Fill their stockings
with something
everyone will love
TOP TIPPLE
Gingerbread espresso
martini cocktail gift
set, £9, Kocktail
WINTER
WARMER
Robin magnetic
needle minder,
£8.99, Caterpillar
Cross Stitch
SWEET
SCENT
FOREST
FRIENDS
Woodland crayon
set, £5.25, Eco-Able
122 | DECEMBER 2022
MOON SHINE
Moon oil burner,
£4, B&M
FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS
SAFE
STITCHING
Festive hot
chocolate
spoons,
£4.95 each,
Cocoa
Delicious
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Glass
postbox
hanging
decoration,
£8
M&S
Gold glass
sequin
baubles,
£15 for nine
Nutcracker
bolster cushion,
£22.50
MIDNIGHT
GLAM
Gold Christmas
tree dome
decoration,
£19.50
Team deep navy with pops of
red and plenty of gold for a
sumptuous Christmas scheme
Red glass
fan baubles,
£10 for
three
Ruby armchair in
Midnight Navy
velvet, £299
DECK
THE
HALLS
Calm extra
large candle,
£30
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
JEWEL
COLOUR
To see the full range of
Christmas decorations,
homeware and furniture
go to M&S.co.uk or
download the app.
Alphabet
stocking,
£12.50
9001