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yourhomestyle.uk
SPECIAL ISSUE

£2.49
ONLY
743
HUNDREDS OF GREAT-VALUE IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM
FEBRUARY 2022
CLEVER IDEAS
&TO bargain buys
SAVE WITH STYLE
HOW TO
A pound a plate! Feed ] Boost your
the family on a budget credit rating
] De-clutter
your kitchen
] Create a
living wall
Y
LOVHES

Decor tips & savvy tricks

to transform every room

Make it yourself – easy

projects to try today
Stunning
REAL HOMES
+ BEDROOM MAKEOVERS
P R I Z ESL OF Refresh for less!
£5,0O0N0
WORTH A TOTA
3 50 thrifty home buys 3 How to save
£££s on your next big project 3 Cut the
TO BE cost of your weekly shop 3 Brighten
your bathroom without splashing out
W
 The tap that does it all
100°C BOILING, CHILLED AND SPARKLING WATER
With a Quooker in your kitchen you always have 100ºC boiling water alongside regular hot and cold.
Add a CUBE and you will also have chilled, filtered sparkling water – all from the same tap.
Interested? Visit quooker.co.uk or call 0345 833 3333 for our sparkling offer.

Scan the QR code to book a live virtual experience

with a Quooker expert. You control the appointment
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 EDITOR’S LETTER

Anforeyea
barg n
W
slewoS pilihP tiartrop s’rotidE

elcome to the
annual money-
saving issue of Your
Home! Inside this
special edition, you’ll find hundreds of
bargains, plus décor tips from experts

32
and readers alike that are big on style,
low on cost.
Start with some shopping inspiration on

86
page 46, where we round up 50 thrifty
updates for under £50 – these buys
will breathe fresh life into your home
Steal ideas from as little as £4. Elsewhere, we tell you how

106
from our
cover star to cut the cost of your weekly shop (p9),
affordable ways to brighten
up your bathroom (p60)
and delicious, hearty recipes
to feed your family for less
than £1 per serving (p100).
If a big home improvement

20
project is on the cards, then
take note of where best to
invest your renovation cash

6
(p117) – it’s full of savvy ways
to stretch your funds. Black and
white is
Finally, do check out our back!
guest room makeovers (from
p24) – as a little-used room,

46
there’s generally less money in

Instant
updates
the pot for these redos, but our
homeowners didn’t let that hold SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
them back! Their finished rooms Get your first 5 issues
that won’t are bursting with clever ideas for just £5 when
break the
bank and stylish solutions – from you subscribe – that’s
making the most of a box just £1 an issue, and
room, to creating a guest bed the magazine will be
delivered direct to your
that doubles as an office. door for no extra charge.
Turn to page 36 for more
MEL SHERWOOD details and to sign up to
EDITOR this introductory offer.
IN THIS ISSUE...
CONTENTS

60 Update your
bathroom

17
on a

February at home
shoestring

06 This month we love Dial up the glam

with royal blue accents, go wild over
tiger print and discover stylish sofas
09 Household hints Trim the cost of
the weekly food shop, buys for Pancake
Day, plus we test glass cleaner sprays

100
15 Smarter shopper Declutter your home The experts
reveal where
and make some cash to spend your
17 Focus on Give your credit rating a renovation
budget
spring boost with these helpful hacks

Homes & makeovers

24 ‘The old nursery is now a grown-up
guest room’ Sophia Hardy transformed
a nursery into a sophisticated guest
Style & decorating
20 Trend alert Keep it classic with black
room with clever space-saving solutions and white décor for a sophisticated

20
28 ‘This multi-purpose room is now scheme that has timeless appeal
super-stylish too’ Multi-functional 39 Interiors: as seen on screen Bring
furniture streamlined Katy Stevens’ guest a touch of Hollywood to your home
room into an office and living space décor with four blockbuster themes
32 ‘We created a 5-star hotel look 46 50 thrifty updates under £50 Rustle up tasty
lunch and dinner
without the price tag’ Plush fabrics Give your home a new look for less recipes for £1
and glam details gave Jessica Campbell’s with stylish buys on a budget per head
guest room a boutique-hotel vibe
58 Problem room: ‘We doubled the
storage by taking out a door’ Sarah
Purchase boosted the storage and light
Your features
50 Buyer’s guide Let your guests sit back
in her kitchen to make it family-friendly and relax with our best sofa-bed picks
78 ‘I mix budget-friendly buys with 54 Store and order Create a calm,
forever pieces’ Sushma Samonini used clutter-free kitchen with space-saving
DIY hacks and bargain finds to leave solutions and multipurpose appliances Go bold with a
budget for stylish furniture 60 Freshen up Clever and inspiring monochrome
86 ‘We turned a blank canvas into a ideas to give your bathroom a bright makeover
cosy sanctuary’ Soft neutrals and snug new look without splashing out
textures give Sam and Stu Dale’s 112 Future-proof your home with
new-build lots of personal character smart tech Modernise your home
92 ‘I breathed new life into a with the latest gadgetry
neglected house’ Ali and Gary James 117 Spend vs save: where to best
completed a renovation project, adding invest your renovation cash Get
a vintage flourish with upcycled finds the most bang for your buck
 MAKE IT YOURSELF
YOUR
handmade
HOME
Get crafty with fresh ideas for

66
your living areas this spring,
plus upcycling projects

86 68
Heartfelt makes
with air-dry clay

39
Sam piled on the texture
to pack her new-build
with character

Big screen
inspiration
for your
Fd & drink
100 A pound a plate Feed your family
Turn old
wood
into a
stand-out
bookcase
own home for just £1 per serving with these dishes
setting 106 Table for two Treat your Valentine to
a romantic dinner that is guaranteed to

Don’ t mi out!

take their breath away

08 Your letters All your latest home

improvement and upcycling projects –
don’t forget to send us your pics!
36 Subscribe to Your Home Sign up
today to receive your first five issues for
just £5, then save over 25% thereafter
70
Enhance
your door

46
64 Win! Enter our prize draw for a with a
darling
chance to win a £1,500 voucher to doorstop
spend on luxury flooring from Tile Giant
76 Coming next month Take a sneak
peek at the features waiting in store for
you in our March issue
122 Ask the experts Your home
improvement dilemmas answered
124 Prize draws We’ve got fantastic prizes
up for grabs, including hotel stays and
£500 to spend on bathroom buys
126 Shopping guide Find out where to buy
everything featured in this issue
130 Boutique speak We chat to Beck
Also inside…
72 Try something new Give crafting
Fresh buys for your
Prior, founder of Bristol independent with epoxy resin a go with this
home under £50 Priormade and maker of bright wares glowing jewellery holder
74 Craft stash must haves Discover
Look out for our brilliant cover stories! the latest news and products
THIS MONTH WE LOVE
HOT FROM THE HIGH STREET
For a touch of old-
school glamour, look
Next
out for Next’s Dazzling Twin
Blue spring/summer velvet
cushion,
2022 collection, which £14
combines royal blue
with luxe gold accents.
Dial up the drama with

we love…
Anya side
statement furniture, table, £99
art deco finishes and
layered textures –
all without the big
Hollywood price tag.
MAIN IMAGE Botanical wall art, £55; White cut
Blue vase, £22; Nebula abstract rug, velvet throw,
from £75; all Next £85

THIS MONTH FOR

STOCKISTS
SEE p126
Make the most of
February with the
best things to do, see
and buy this month
Sofology x George
Clarke Midland
Hill 4-seater in
Timeless
style
Chamonix mix Teal, Sofology has exclusively
£1,599, Sofology
collaborated with architect and TV
presenter George Clarke to create two
new sofa designs. George says,
‘Each piece has been meticulously
considered to ensure they stand
the test of time, resulting in
furniture that is exceptionally
comfortable and
luxuriously stylish.’

PRETTY PRINTS
Freshen up a plain corner with
Desenio’s wall collage kits. Choose from
several colour schemes, including chic
neutrals and fun pink shades - simply
secure with washi tape or glue dots.
£24.95 for 20 A5 prints.
6 yourhomestyle.uk
 1 THIS MONTH WE LOVE

2
IAdorn
nspiredyour bytablenature
with
Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew’s latest collaboration
5 OF THE with Pure Table Top of
BEST… dinnerware, recycled
tiger print glass and textiles.
furnishings
Celebrate 2022 as 3
the year of the tiger
with these wild prints
1. Tibetan tiger duvet
cover set, from £18, Living Jewels
furn 2. Beautifully Wild pasta bowl, £12;
wallpaper by Julia Living Jewels
Fonnereau, from £35 per table runner, £30;
metre squared, Wallsauce 3. both The Kew Shop
Botanical tiger art print,
from £9.95, Abstract House
4. ANYDAY Tiger Cushion,
£20, John Lewis & Partners
5. Terrific tiger doormat,
£15, Joe Browns STASH YOUR
5 STUFF
Keep everything organised
with this Pastel Deboss
4 Pack Away Desk from
Paperchase. It has five storage
compartments, with plenty
of room for notebooks and
pens – perfect for those with
multitasking or makeshift

inspiration
desks! Priced at £20.

We’re following…
@prosecco_lifestyle
We’re reading… Jamila and Michael find comfort in We’re listening to…
sillE eihpoS erutaeF

Wonder Walls, £18.99 dark spaces as they always feel cosier

Embrace all things maximalism with and inviting – but love to inject rich Ask Martin Lewis
this DIY beginner’s guide to wall colours and textures that reflect The Money Saving Expert cuts
painting techniques from Pandr nature. They particularly love rust through the jargon of mortgages and
Design Co. Learn lettering, marbling, tones, dark woods and mustard more in this podcast, plus he answers
sponging and much more. yellows, which always reminds them common money questions.
of autumnal beauty.

February 2022 7
Letters
GET IN TOUCH
YOUR
Every letter featured wins a prize!*
Courtesy of Silent Pool Gin, the writer of this
issue’s star letter will receive a gift set of a bottle
of Silent Pool Gin and a pair of Copa glasses worth
over £60. Three runners-up will receive a botanical
soy candle worth over £20. Find out more about
Silent Pool Gin at silentpooldistillers.com

We love hearing from you! Send us your tips,

projects and photos using our details below...
Painted to perfection
I inherited this pedestal cabinet and I
absolutely love the style, but not its formerly
dark wood. So, I sanded down the top, which
Mior mior
I’m always looking for ways to inject
lightened it a little and applied a few coats of personality into my new-build home and I
clear varnish. I then applied two coats of Rust- spotted this mirror in our garage. I gave it
Oleum’s Painter’s Touch spray paint in Dark a light sand and then applied primer and
Grey. It has pride of place in my living room undercoat. Next, I put on four coats of paint
now and gets lots of admiring comments. using Farrow & Ball sample pots, after which
Sasha Davidson, Berkshire I gave it a couple of coats of lacquer.
Tom, Section
Editor, says:
Fabulous florals
I made a hoop floral wreath from the October
Sharon Parnell, @cornish_homebird
on Instagram
This is such 2021 issue of Your Home. Instead of dried Tricia, Art Editor, says: What a lovely way
a brilliant flowers I used felt stems, as I make these as to inject some colour into your living
upcycling part of my small business and I love the result! room, Sharon. It looks amazing!
project, Sasha Victoria Coignet, Hampshire
– you’ve given
Lacqoueyrfingiveishs a
this cabinet a Mel, Editor, says: Your wreath looks
new lease of beautiful, Victoria – we hope you had
life so it fits in
your home!
fun making it. Using felt flowers is a
clever idea too. gl
Clever cut-outs Star
Our bedroom was the first room that we
renovated and, after having our walls replastered,
letter
I wanted to add pattern without wallpaper,
so I decided to stencil a headboard onto the
wall. Using a stencil from Dizzy Duck Designs, I
practised on the old door before attempting the
wall stencil. My top tip would be to put as little
paint on your roller as possible and build up the
layers… oh, and it doesn’t need to be perfect!
Keeley Usher, @northern_key_interiors
on Instagram
Sophie, Editorial Assistant, says: Wow – we
love this dramatic DIY project, Keeley! The
finish looks excellent – thanks for the tip.

Your Home, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST. Tel 0117 927 9009
Email YourHome@immediate.co.uk Instagram @yourhomemagazine Facebook @yourhomemag Twitter @your_home
Letters may be edited. We apologise but photos cannot be returned. The chance to win a prize is open to all residents of the UK,
including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older.
8 yourhomestyle.uk
 For extra orgianngisalisttion,into
sho
group your ark
superm et sections

Household
HINTSFreshen up your home with our
handy tips and tricks

HOW TO... reduce your grocery bi

With a few savvy swaps and some planning,

Buy it once
you can significantly cut down your shopping
expenses. Just follow these top tips…
• Meal planning is the most well-known tip, but it
really does slash pounds off your shop! If you don’t
plan beforehand, you often won’t buy full meals and
might throw away unused food. Extra items in your If your family gets through a lot of sparkling
basket quickly add up, so make a list and stick to it! water and fizzy drinks, then consider switching
to a SodaStream to save money and cut your
• Prioritise leftovers when cooking, especially plastic waste. A starter pack, including the gadget,
carbonating cylinder and 1L bottle, costs £99.99,
when it comes to lunch ideas and snacks. These
can easily be combined with store-cupboard items and each gas cannister will make up to 30L of
for a heartier meal – try Love Food Hate Waste’s sparkling water. Drink it plain, or add a flavour
calculator at lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes. – the cola, for example, is £23.94 for enough
Search for a couple of ingredients at once to concentrate to make 54L of fizz! When the
maximise your savings. gas runs out, simply exchange for a new one
– one-off cannisters cost £22.99, or sign
• Try the Downshift Challenge. During your next up to a subscription plan to save even
shop, swap a product to one brand level lower – for more money.
example, swap a branded orange juice carton to
a supermarket own-brand version. If you can’t tell

HACK
much of a difference between the two products,
then choose the lower-level product next time.
Money Saving Expert estimates that downshifting
typically cuts grocery bills by 30 per cent.
It can be tempting to make all sorts of
• Community fridges are a popular way to save resolutions at the beginning of the year,
money and reduce food waste, with supermarkets only to quickly abandon them – it’s easier
and allotment groups often donating food near to include small habits in your everyday
sillE eihpoS erutaeF

its best before date (which the Food Standards life. Next time you boil the kettle or put
Agency advises is about quality, not safety). Check something in the microwave, see how
social media community groups or hubbub.org.uk/ much you can declutter in the kitchen
the-community-fridge for your nearest community while you wait. Even if you just stack the
fridge. If you feel people may need the food more dishwasher or rearrange a cupboard, the
than you, visit near closing time to see what’s left. space will feel much more organised.

February 2022 9
 BEST BUYS FOR... pancake day
1. Whether you love traditional
flavours or like to mix it up, make
sure you’re ready for the big day
with our preparation picks
1. If you like to stick to a recipe, these
pretty measuring spoons will come
in handy.
Pastel measuring spoons, £10.95 for

3.
four, The Northern Line
2. Silicone is strong enough to whisk
pancake batter without damaging

2.
delicate bowls.
Silicone whisk with stainless steel
handle, £2, Wilko
3. If you’re a traditionalist, this
squeezer will take the effort out of
juicing lemons.
Juicer, £1, Poundland

4.
4. For perfectly-formed pancakes,
this mini pan is the ideal size – it has
a non-stick coating too.
ColourWorks mini frying pan,
£5.75, Amazon
5. Ensure precise pours with this
beautiful 120ml measuring jug.
Rader measuring jug – do small
things, £8.95, Trouva
6. Avoid lumpy batter with this
ingenious flour sifter – simply squeeze

5. 6.
the handle to release perfectly sifted
flour, or sprinkle icing sugar on top of
a pancake stack to decorate.
Flour sifter, £5, ProCook

WE TEST… WINDOW CLEANER Things we considered: Does it leave any smears? Does it smell nice? Is it easy to use?

Window & Glass Cleaning Glass Cleaner Starter Kit, £5 Glass Spray in Mint Swirl, Mr Muscle Platinum Window &
Spray, 80p, Tesco (£1.50 refills), OceanSaver £1.15, Fabulosa Glass Spray, £3.50, Wilko
For those doing a spring clean on This eco-friendly glass cleaner has With a light minty scent and a This well-known brand has a
a budget, this spray should do the a gentle, fresh scent, and does a cruelty-free formula, this glass reputation for meaning business
trick. It goes onto the glass easily, great job of removing grime from cleaning spray packs a punch too, when it comes to its cleaning
so no wrestling with the bottle. windows and mirrors, with only a as it’s proven to kill 99.9 per cent of products and it certainly doesn’t
It has a slight vinegary smell, but few smears remaining after a buff. viruses. The spray nozzle is easy to disappoint with this window and
that’s the key ingredient working its We love that all you need are the use, and leaves a fine layer on the glass cleaner. A powerful spray
magic and it doesn’t linger for long. concentrated EcoDrops – a bit like glass that barely runs. We did have action means fast coverage, which
You need a bit of elbow grease to laundry liquitabs – which you drop to use quite a lot of elbow grease absorbs quickly without running
make sure all smears into a bottle of water, to remove some and leaves an
are buffed out – but shake to dissolve of the tougher impressive shine. It
it’s worth the extra (this does take a bit water marks on contains vinegar and
effort as it gets rid of effort), and then the glass, and there easily cuts through
of some particularly spray. The bottle were slight smears grease. It does smell a
stubborn grease that comes with the left. Cheap and little ‘perfumed’ and
marks. It also now starter kit is made cheerful, it is suited sadly, it doesn’t

6/10
comes in refill tabs. from recycled to regular use boast great eco-

8/10 plastic, but you

can easily
reuse any
spray bottle.
7/10
rather than
tackling
weeks
of wear.
8/10 credentials
with no
refill
option.

10 yourhomestyle.uk
 A-Z OF DECORATING
from Anaglypta to Zoffany

YOUR FIRST PURCHASE

Pick up a Brewers Card
in-store or register
for one online

Over 180 stores nationwide. Visit brewers.co.uk to find your nearest.

 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Wren Kitchens created a space

our whole family could enjoy
Keen to create a space to spend quality time with her family, Jay turned to
Wren Kitchens to help her dreams of a versatile, stylish kitchen become a reality

On-trend yet
family-friendly, the
Infinity Plus Milano
Contour design has
everything Jay and
her family were
looking for from
their kitchen

T here’s no doubt about it; the kitchen

needs to work harder than any other
room in our home. Whether it’s Zoom
meetings at the breakfast bar, keeping an
eye on the little ones while making dinner or
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPACE
When Jay, her husband and two children
moved into their Coventry home, the small
kitchen wasn’t even big enough to fit the whole
family. Wanting enough space for the four of
having the whole gang round for a weekend them to be in the kitchen together, while able
brunch, our kitchens have become so much to do their own thing, a kitchen extension was
more than just a place where we cook. Wren top of the to-do list. Jay visited her local Wren
understands just how versatile we need our Kitchens showroom after a friend, who was
kitchens to be. No matter the size or layout of also renovating, recommended the company.
your space, its expert team will work closely As soon as Jay saw the variety of styles,
with you to create a beautiful, functional space colours and options on offer, she knew she’d
that suits you and your family’s lifestyle. find her dream kitchen at Wren. Jay originally
snruB anoirtaC erutaeF

To see how Wren collaborates with its planned to go for a Shaker style, but once she
With the expert help
customers to create tailor-made designs, saw the contemporary Milano range in the
of Wren designers, take a look at project manager Jay’s kitchen showroom, she fell in love with the modern
Jay finally has her transformation. Her home is part of the design. For a stylish, designer-style look,
dream kitchen #wrenovation series, which shines a spotlight she chose speckled worktops and handleless
on real customer kitchen renovations. cabinets in striking Castle Rock framed with
glistening gold accents. ‘I’m super happy with
For more inspiration, search #wrenovation the colour,’ Jay says.

12 yourhomestyle.uk
Having the NEFF induction
hob fitted on the central
island means that Jay can cook
while she keeps an eye on the
children or chats to guests

The brushed
gold sink
and tap add
a bit of glam
to the island

‘It looks different depending on the lights and

time of day and it gets lots of compliments.’
ON THE WISH LIST
e couple’s kitchen must haves included a
second sink on the island, where the children
could wash veggies, and extra worktop space
to avoid clutter. eir Wren Designer, Pushp
Under-cabinet lighting gives a Chand, was more than happy to accommodate
soft golden glow to the run of
handleless cabinets
any wish-list items, and suggested features the
couple hadn’t considered before, including the
bespoke adaptable corner unit and integrated
microwave to free up worktop space, helping
the couple get the most out of their kitchen.
As they love to entertain family and friends,
making their kitchen a sociable space was a
top priority. With this in mind, the impressive
waterfall island was fitted with a seamless
NEFF induction hob, allowing the couple to
easily chat to guests while cooking.
HEART OF THE HOME
From the unbeatable quality, to the fantastic
collaboration with designers and seamless
delivery service, Jay and her husband were
delighted with their Wren experience from
start to finish.
With their dream kitchen now in place,
the family’s day-to-day lives have been
transformed. Jay can now take meetings,
keep an eye on the children while they do
their homework, and host dinner parties for
their friends and family, all from the multi-
functional space. ‘My kitchen definitely has the
wow factor,’ says Jay. ‘It’s become the hub of
the house.’

February 2022 13
 www.trendinteriors.co.uk

Visit one of our Trend Interiors Premium Partners:

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CONGLETON 01260 291 353 COULSDON 020 3441 1448 GUERNSEY 07781 146 969 FARNBOROUGH 01252 378 754
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ST. ALBANS 01727 815 300
 CONSUMER NEWS
Check out retaile
trade-in schemes r
SMARTER
shopper
before you shop

Get extra cash or vouchers for home

updates by trading in your old
furniture and homewares

Trade in, trade up

Rather than heading straight to the tip, try
these ideas for trading in your old furniture and
appliances to get money or vouchers that you can
put towards buying something new.
Use IKEA’s buy back scheme If you have an
unwanted piece of IKEA furniture that’s still in good
condition, IKEA will buy it back at up to 50 per cent of
its original value, given as a voucher to use in store. Only
certain items are eligible, though, and you’ll need to
bring the item into the store fully assembled – visit the
IKEA website for the terms and conditions, and to get a
buy-back estimate for your furniture.
Sell your old kitchen New kitchens can be costly, so,
rather than throwing them away, why not sell your old
units? Online selling platforms, such as The Used Kitchen
Company and Used Kitchen Exchange can help you to
find your kitchen a new home and make money in the
process, as well as preventing it from going to landfill.
Trade in old appliances at AO.com If you decide
to replace your TV, washing machine, fridge or other
appliance with a model from AO.com, they’ll give
you money and collect your old item to be recycled
when they deliver the new one. Only selected TVs and
appliances are eligible, and terms and conditions apply,
so check AO.com for the full details.

Around 51 per cent of bulky items thrown away are reusable – so think twice
before dumping old furniture. With a coat of paint or simple repair it could be
a re-seable piece! Source RSA The Great Recovery in collaboration with SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK 51%
Fab find
Bagging yourself a bargain can
SMART SAVINGS
Trading in unwanted furniture is
involve hours of trawling through a purse- and eco-friendly way to
eBay, Gumtree, Etsy or Facebook recycle – but what about items you
Marketplace, but buy-and-sell app can’t trade in? Just switching plain
Narchie offers a different way to shop. handles for these chic gold ones
Not only can you use it to purchase and from Melody Maison, £3.95 each,
ydarG ellehciM erutaeF

sell second-hand furniture and home could transform an old chest of

accessories, but it’s also a platform drawers into a statement piece to sell
for indie designers to promote their on, giving you cash to put towards
handmade creations, so is a treasure- a new piece of furniture (if you can
trove of one-off finds. Get the app on bear to part with your upcycled
Google Play and the App Store. drawers, of course!).

February 2022 15
NEW Gazco eStudio 135R with log-effect rs
o f B r i tish

aeY

• ngiseD
04 •
nd n
E n gineeri

g
a
Fire Your Imagination

WOODBURNING | GAS | MULTI-FUEL | ELECTRIC

stovax.com
 FOCUS ON
Imoving your
credit sce
Boost your chances of getting a loan
or lower interest rates by polishing up
your credit rating

HOW TO... increase your credit score

Your personal rating is used by banks, lenders and
other companies to assess how likely you are to
be able to pay back any money you may wish to
borrow. It can affect everything from car insurance
and credit cards to mobile phone contracts and
mortgages so it’s important to build up a good
rating as early as possible. The higher your score,
the better rates you’ll get, so there’s no time like
the present to give yours a boost…
•ofMake sure you’re on the electoral register, as this is proof

Frequently asked questions..

your address and it’s always one of the first things
checked by lenders. Students need to register too, even if
they live at university during term time.
Will a credit card improve my
score? Yes, definitely, but only if
things include how much you owe any
lenders, how long you’ve held various
•water
Always pay bills on time. Anything from credit cards to
rates should be settled on time. Apart from keeping
you use it responsibly and pay bills accounts – the longer the better – as your finances in check and avoiding getting into debt, it
when they are due if not before. It well as having different types of credit, keeps your credit score on the up. Setting up direct debits
demonstrates to lenders that you can such as a mortgage, car loan and credit is a good way to ensure you don’t forget.
handle having credit. Try to pay the card, which will increase your score.
balance off each month so that you’re
not charged interest.
What doesn’t affect it? Checking
your credit score won’t negatively
•amount
Close any unused credit cards as this will lower the
of credit available to you. A large limit can
What affects my credit score? affect it so don’t worry about taking sometimes be viewed as a negative by some lenders,
There are various things that can have a regular look every few months if even if you’re not in debt.
a negative or positive impact. Your needs be. Being declined for a credit
payment history is the big one, so
always pay bills and loans on time.
card shouldn’t show up either and any
changes in income won’t
• Youthose
can get credit builder cards, which are ideal for
who have only just turned 18 or have never had
Missing a payment can stay on your
report for up to seven years! Other
have any impact
either way. If you do any debt or loans. These cards help to build up a
credit history but they do have higher interest
one thing..
segamI ytteG otohP trebliG yelyaH erutaeF

rates so make sure you pay the balance off

USEFUL CONTACTS each month.
•moneyhelper.org.uk.
Find lots of advice and information at Check your credit report for free at •
Look for mistakes on your credit
experian.co.uk, equifax.co.uk, transunion. report and correct them immediately
•co.uk
There are also plenty of top tips at moneyfacts.
and moneysavingexpert.com.
co.uk or clearscore.com. This won’t affect by contacting the agency – Experian,
your score and you can keep looking as Equifax and TransUnion.
•contact
For general financial help and advice on debt, often as you like. You’ll also be able
moneysdviceservice.org.uk or
citizensadvice.org.uk.
to see how likely you are to be
accepted by lenders for loans, improve
• You should see your score start to
but it does take time, so the
credit cards and more. sooner you take action the better.

February 2022 17
 Sky above, earth below
and fire within.

ELECTRIC GAS WOOD BURNING M U LT I - F U E L

01952 200 444 | marketing@charltonandjenrick.co.uk | www.charltonandjenrick.co.uk

 S tyle &
DECORATING
Let the scents and colours of spring radiate through your home,
then turn over for statement monochrome décor

MINI TREND
Welcome the gentle warmth
Buercup yeow Jelly glass
of early spring to your home pendant
with the joy of buttercup in Yellow,
£60,
Layla Faye Daisy
Chain wallpaper
yellow. Symbolising Lighting in Yellow Mellow,
happiness and hope, this Lover YH £39.50 per roll,
LOV E S Wallpaper Direct
sunny shade works well as Petal Flower soy
candle in Butter
the signature colour for a Yellow, £20, Fy!
mellow bedroom, or will
pop as an accent colour
against darker blues and Happy
woods. It also complements Daze matt
emulsion, from
the current Seventies revival £20 per 2.5L,
in home décor, seen here Crown Paints
with the cheery Layla Faye
Daisy Chain wallpaper in Zorita Yellow
velvet-effect
Yellow Mellow. chair, £98, B&Q
Spring
PATTERN POWER blossom scents
Journey to Japan from the comfort
of your armchair with the blissful
Unleash a wave of aromas of Yankee Candle’s Sakura
colourful prints Blossom Festival collection. Priced
throughout your at £26.99 each, the range varies
home with the from the vanilla freshness of
Sakura Blossom Festival to Sweet
vibrant wallpapers Plum Sake’s fruity, Merlot notes
in the Oh So Daisy and the crisp, bergamot
x Lust Home and apple flower scent of
collaboration. ere Majestic Mount Fuji.
are six designs
available in two
colourways, from
ditsy florals to lively
underwater scenes,
TREAD SOFTLY
Is there anything more comforting
which you can fill a
feature wall with, or
than sinking your toes into freshly
tailor the brightness laid carpet? e Harrison Twist
by limiting the range from Carpetright, seen
daoP samohT erutaeF

paper to a trio of here in Mink Twist, priced at

panels. Priced at
£48 per roll from £44.99 per sq m, marries comfort
Lust Home. with minimalist style for a chic,
neutral base in your living areas.
February 2022 19
Brushstroke and abstract patterns will give the
look movement and prevent it from feeling flat
Gigi light fitting in Gold, £109; Arlo bouclé two-seater sofa,
£399; Arlo distressed faux leather chair in Grey, £249; Tufted
Face cushion, £10; Half Moon velour cushion, £14; Clara
piped cushion, £12; Sole floor lamp in Black, £99; Enzo cage
coffee table, £109; Contour abstract rug, from £109, all Dunelm

MONOCHROME
TREND ALERT
Keep it classic with black-and-white décor for a sophisticated
scheme that always makes a strong statement
 STYLE FILE
Botanical Leaves art print,
Introduce plenty of natural texture into your scheme from £9.95, Abstract House
with flooring made from woven materials, which will
complement both period and modern homes
Colossos Mink sisal flooring, from £53 per sq m, Sisal & Seagrass
Soren
floor lamp
in Black,
£129, Cult
Furniture

White stoneware
scalloped serving
bowl, £15.50,
Rose & Grey

White Tiger doormat,

£23, Red Candy

E ffortlessly chic, uncluttered and

refined: a black-and-white interior
boasts style without being too ordered.
e stark contrast between the two shades
is a great base for setting the mood in your
space – keep the room bright with white walls
and floors and a few black accents, or create a
brooding, dramatic scheme by dialling up the
noir. ‘It’s easy to assume that you need to use
colour to make a statement in your home, but
a monochrome scheme can be just as striking,’
advises Abby Hesketh, Colour Specialist at
Graham & Brown. ‘e absence of colour
in black-and-white interiors takes away the
stress of finding colours that complement
each other while also guaranteeing a flawless,
pulled-together look. Use a bold monochrome
pattern for a feature wall with your choice of
co-ordinating accessories. is creates a chic
daoP samohT erutaeF

and sophisticated room with minimal effort.’

Add personality with pattern, from Drift off into a blissful sleep with
chequerboard and stripes to ditsy polka dot, blackout blinds in high-impact black
then introduce pops of colour with furniture Lexington blackout Onyx pleated
and accessories to make your monochrome blind, from £40.12, Swift Direct Blinds
efforts truly zing.

February 2022 21
STYLE FILE
Dappled glass bowl SIIP Geometric Black mug,
candle, £5, Primark £4.99, Potters Cook Shop

£5 AND Fjälltimotej
cushion,
£3.50, IKEA

UNDER
Frikostig
bowl,
£1, IKEA

Get the look for less Cotton cushion

cover in Dark
with these quick updates Grey, £3.99,
H&M Home
Up the luxury levels with marble Checkmate! Complete a dramatic
and metallic accents, which will help bathroom scheme with punchy
bounce light around the room chequerboard tiling
Baltimore White leather sofa, £649.99; Roma Bubblegum and Liquorice tile in York,
coffee table, £249.99, both Furniture and Choice from £21.99 per sq m, Avenue Floors

Brigadier lamp, £103; 40cm

straight empire shade in
Matthew Williamson Black and
White ikat; £110, both Pooky

Linen bedding in
Classic White,
from £40; scooms
 Soften the scheme with grey rather than matt black,
Old Factory 12-inch pendant
in Black, £69, Industville STYLE FILE
and add whispers of texture with marble features
White Carrara splashback, from £109, AluSplash

Flex Matt Black tap,

£1,490, Quooker

Tate Pasmore
Transformation
cushion, from £24.99,
We Love Cushions
Linen Nordic
armchair in
Cream White,

The mood board

£139.99, Add a sense of fun with patterned paper in greyscale tones
The Range Kingdom Zebra wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown

1 Give your interiors a modern edge with

statement tiles and crisp monochrome shades 6 7

2
3 4 8
10
5 9
1 Oak Leaf fabric in Ebony, £24 per metre, ILIV 2 Sofia fabric, £7 per metre, IKEA 3 Florence Grey and White polished marble mosaic tile, £16 per
sq m, B&Q 4 Dorset Black hexagon marble-effect tile, £29.41 per sq m, Direct Tile Warehouse 5 Buckley wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown
6 Emilia ceramic tile, from £25.99 per sq m, Leoline 7 Luxury Trends tile in Vinca, from £28.99 per sq m, Leoline 8 Athenian Black chalk paint, £21.95
per 1L, Annie Sloan 9 White Cotton matt emulsion, £26 per 2.5L, Dulux 10 Swan White wood paint, £18 per 750ml, Thorndown Paint

February 2022 23
GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER

‘The old nursery is now a

grown-up guest room’
When Sophia Hardy’s son out-grew his small nursery, transforming it into a
sophisticated guest room needed some clever space-saving solutions

BEFORE S ophia Hardy and her husband Tom

say of their four-bedroom terrace in
Lichfield, ‘We always wanted a house
that would be a bit of a project, and we’re not
afraid of hard work. So, it was a dream come
small, it was vital that we were conscious of
the size and designed a room that would be
fairly neutral and stylish while still being
functional and usable,’ says Sophia. e
couple originally thought about turning it
true when we finally got the keys in October into an office, but during lockdown Tom had
2015.’ ey certainly had a job on their hands renovated the garden shed into a home office,
as the house hadn’t been decorated since the so a guest bedroom was now a luxury they
1980s. ‘A lot of the electrics and pipework could afford. ‘We wanted to keep the budget
were almost retro, and the walls were in pretty low, so we chose not to invest in carpet
bad condition, so every room needed a full as we’d only had one a few years back. Most
makeover!’ explains Sophia. e nursery was
the first room they tackled, as Sophia was
pregnant with Wilf. ‘Now, he’s grown out of Sophia avoided adding bulky pieces of
the room, so we moved him into a bigger one, furniture, instead choosing a small chest
which meant the box room needed turning of drawers, which looks in proportion
with the rest of the room but still
back into a grown-up space.’ provides plenty of storage for guests
STEP INSIDE.. THE PROJECT
e couple wanted to add character to the
WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Sophia room and make it more inviting, as well
Hardy, 38 (@sophia.at.home). I maximise on the limited space. ‘As it’s so

My style tips
live with my husband, Tom, 38,
our children, Harrison, eight, and
Wilf, five, and our dog, Bode, in
a four-bedroom terraced house
in Lichfield. We moved here in
October 2015.
WHAT WAS UPDATED? The room MAXIMISE WALL SPACE to
was originally Wilf’s nursery, so we keep the floor clutter-free in a
removed the baby décor, cleaned box room like mine. I installed a
the carpets, repainted the walls wide shelf running the length of
and added some panelling. the room, and a narrower shelf
above the panelling.
WHY THE CHANGE? Wilf needed BOOST THE STORAGE with
more space, so we made the baskets under the bed and on
decision to move him into our shelving. Footstools that can
guest bedroom, which was bigger, double up as side tables, and
and decided to turn this into a ladders for throws and towels,
guest room and chill-out space. are great space-savers as well.
HANG VOILE CURTAINS for
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? It took a light, breezy look, instead of
us about four weeks in total, heavy ones that will overpower
including stripping it all back. the room and make a small space
TOTAL COST £402 feel even smaller. Combine with
a blind so it’s still practical, too.

24 yourhomestyle.uk
 Every inch of space has been
used, including under the
day bed. ‘I’m really pleased
I found these baskets on
Amazon, and they’re proving
popular – I mentioned them
on my interiors Instagram
page and everyone went
wild! They were a good
price, too,’ says Sophia

HEIGHa TspecOioFusSTfeYelLE,
For elving above
fix sh eate
head eheiillughsitonto thcrat
th om has a
the roh ceiling.
hig

It may be small, but Sophia has made

the most of this box room by creating Installing the shelf high up on
the illusion of taller ceilings with the wall means it won’t get
panelling and shelving, and choosing in the way. Sophia’s styled it
soft colours for a light, bright feel with useful baskets, as well as
decorative vases and plants emrO eizziL sotohP pohsiB eoZ gnilyts dna erutaeF

of our ideas were decorative and, with my

savvy shopping skills, we were hopeful we’d
keep it all reasonably priced,’ says Sophia.
WHAT WE DID
e couple decided they would panel
three-quarters of the way up one wall, and
then fit a shelf across the top. ‘We’d done
something similar in our bedroom, but this
time I wanted to add a picture shelf,’ Sophia
says. Tom cut the panelling to size to fit
it; then they painted it in sage-green paint
leftover from decorating another room. ey
also painted the walls in an off-white, and
squeezed in more storage, too. ‘I put a shelf on

February 2022 25
 Different patterns and
colours can be easily
added to the scheme by the opposite wall, quite high so it wouldn’t be bought for £60 on Facebook Marketplace,
swapping the blankets at head height. I then updated an old curtain which fits perfectly in front of the window –
on the bamboo ladder pole by spray-painting it black, as I wanted to it’s still available on Amazon for over £200.
keep the costs low,’ explains Sophia.
HIGHS & LOWS THE FINAL DETAILS
‘Once everything was in place, I started to
Fitting the panelling proved tricky. ‘While think about accessories. It had to feel cosy and
the walls weren’t too bad as they were relaxing, but practical too,’ explains Sophia. A
replastered when we decorated the room chest of drawers, originally in son Harrison’s
the first time, things can be a little out, so room, fits perfectly behind the door and leaves
sometimes you have to go by eye rather than space for a small stool as a bedside table.
measurements,’ says Sophia. ‘Having done it Sophia also included lots of rustic tones and
in one room previously we were prepared for textures. ‘I absolutely love this room now, I
trial and error so this time it was easier – even can chill out with a good book or read to the
fitting the shelf was simpler than we thought.’ boys, but it also works as the perfect guest
Sophia is most pleased with her daybed, room,’ she enthuses.

ROOM PLAN

boxjeinctgcocloleuvr einrto 2M
To in it on
a box oroodomwor, ukse, rather
the w the walls, so it
than overwhelm a
won’t all space. 2M
sm
THE DETAILS
PAINT £24
BED £60
WOOD £40
Sophia wanted to be able RUG £40
to use the room as both BEDLINEN £130
a chill-out space and a
guest bedroom, so chose CURTAINS £12
a daybed that works as
a sofa as well, cosied LIGHTS £95
up with lots of linen
cushions and blankets TOTAL £401

3 OF THE BEST.. natural textures

£59 from Housecosy
A round, braided jute rug will help
SHOPPING LIST
For a similar bed try Versailles daybed,
£244; Hartley’s woven under bed
storage box, £27.99, Amazon. Teresai
sheer curtains, £7, IKEA. Oatmeal stripe
linen duvet cover, £130; pillowcases, £36
to make a boxy room feel less square. for two, both Piglet in Bed. Walls painted
£159 from Cult Furniture in estate emulsion in Shaded White and
Each of this cluster of three Card Room Green, £52 per 2.5L, both
Farrow & Ball. Face lamp, £25, La Redoute.
pendants has a different pattern for Round jute rug, £39.99; cushions,
an eclectic, mix-and-match look. from £9.99 each, both H&M. Wall prints
From £12.95 each, from Set 201, £45 for two, Musée Home. The
The Northern Line Cotswolds stool, £78, The Interiors Yard.
Bamboo Bindslev ladder, £19.99, JYSK.
Pop extra blankets, towels or toiletries co.uk. Light shade, £70, Lighting Direct.
in these baskets (or leave empty for your
guests’ own bits and bobs).

26 yourhomestyle.uk
Spacecraft.

Double your useable space with our sofa beds.

Experts in small space living

20 stores | futoncompany.co.uk
GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER

‘This multi-purpose room

is now super-stylish too’
Katy Stevens sourced multi-functional furniture to zone and streamline her
guest room, which doubles up as an office and living space
BEFORE
F irst-time buyer, Katy Stevens, snapped
up the last available flat in an appealing
new-build block, taking a leap of faith
when she bought off-plan. One of the key
attractions were the dimensions of the second
needed without compromising on her love of
Scandi style. e emphasis was on finding the
right sofa bed to build the rest of the scheme
around. ‘I had specific requirements, wanting
the right look, a king-size with detachable
bedroom – a double, and ideal for Katy’s arms that would be comfortable in bed or sofa
flatmate. ‘Lockdown restrictions prevented mode, and not too expensive,’ she says.
any viewings, so the first time I saw my new IKEA bookshelves were an easy find but
home was the day I moved in,’ says Katy. ‘I Katy deliberated over an oak and rattan
came inside and was delighted with the big cupboard from MADE.com before deciding
windows, light and views across London.’ to go for it. ‘It was perfect but more than
Katy was relieved that the second bedroom I wanted to pay,’ she says. ‘In the end, I
STEP INSIDE.. didn’t disappoint, positioned on the opposite
of the flat to her own for space and privacy.
‘e room was about 12 square metres,
couldn’t find anything as good to fit the space.
I decided to hang onto the wardrobes and
WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Katy bigger than my main bedroom, which has an
Stevens (@newflatproject), 29, en-suite so my flatmate could have her own
and I work in finance. I bought a bathroom, too,’ she says.
two-bedroom flat on the top floor
of a new-build block in North West
London in September 2020. My THE PROJECT
With all of the rooms newly decorated in
boyfriend moved into the flat in standard brilliant white, Katy didn’t feel the
October 2021. need to repaint the second bedroom. Instead,
WHAT WAS UPDATED? My spare she put her energy into decorating the rest
room, which I’ve transformed into of the flat, setting up an interiors Instagram
a guest bedroom and office space. account (@newflatproject). When her flatmate
moved out almost a year later, and her
WHY THE CHANGE? I rented the boyfriend, Steve Berger, made plans to move
second bedroom to a friend for 11 in, the second bedroom took on a new light,
months. When my flatmate moved and needed to become so much more than just
out, the empty room looked a place for guests to sleep. ‘It was an exciting
like a blank, new-build box. My prospect, but the challenge was how to
boyfriend moved in, and the space achieve all the practical requirements without
became his office, for storing his creating a junk room,’ she says. ‘Steve needed
clothes, and as a place for guests clothes storage and a home-working desk, and
to stay, so it needed a makeover we also wanted it to feel like a second living
– I couldn’t wait to get stuck into room yet easily become a guest bedroom.’
another interiors project. WHAT WE DID
Katy’s focus was on finding furniture that
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? It took provided the practical things the couple
a couple of months to source
furniture and gather ideas, but
only a day to decorate, arrange the
furniture and style. ‘I’m really pleased with how the sofa
bed looks, both as a sofa and as a
TOTAL COST £1,037 proper bed when it’s pulled out,’ says
Katy. ‘It was such a great find and
worth all the hours of searching!’

28 yourhomestyle.uk
 GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER
So at’-s ppeeeel-lianndg-
Coa elped
stick sachmoopselesahcolour, Blonde wood and rattan
have a light, Scandi vibe
Katy e could try them that balances out the
as shnder different intensity of the statement
u ghting. blue wall. ‘My sister used a
li small face-painting brush
to do the cutting-in and it
worked perfectly,’ says Katy

hcnerF semaJ sotohP rolyaT ahsiraM gnilytS nednettirC enaJ erutaeF

drawers I already had and treat this as an
investment piece I’d keep for years.’
HIGHS & LOWS
My style tips
Katy asked Steve for decorating ideas, as he BE BOLD WITH PAINT
would be using the room every day as his I wasn’t sure about the idea of
office. He suggested going bold with colour a statement wall at first, but it
on one of the walls and, eventually, Katy brings this room to life. If you’re
settled on blue. ‘I was nervous about getting unsure, get samples of a few
the shade right, searching Instagram and shades before taking the plunge.
Pinterest for ideas to work with my Scandi GET MULTI-USE FURNITURE
style,’ she says. ‘Coat’s Below Deck mid-blue This room works so well for us
looks great and now I’m really pleased Steve because a lot of the furniture has
pushed me out of my comfort zone.’ two uses, with the sofa doubling
Another concern was the layout. ‘I didn’t up as a bed, and the coffee table
want lots of furniture stacked around the providing extra storage.
outside of the room,’ she says. ‘I drew a scaled
drawing to try out different layouts, but I
PLAN YOUR LOOK I had
already decided exactly where I
couldn’t quite fit an armchair in.’ wanted everything to go before I Wood picture frames tie-in with the
started adding the final touches. furniture. ‘Hanging the bigger picture
THE FINAL DETAILS
Katy’s parents helped her decorate and
Doing this will ensure your
above the sofa alongside the smaller
one was a look inspired by Instagram,’
says Katy. ‘I’ve learnt that artwork is
scheme looks coordinated and best when it’s hung low enough to
arrange furniture. Having saved pictures of well put-together. relate to the furniture below’
styling details from Instagram, Katy couldn’t

February 2022 29
 Something borrowed
Try ‘s pping’ from
other hoom
buyingronew s before
Katy moved aprtieces –
in here from thweork
hallway.

ROOM PLAN

4M

3M

THE DETAILS
PAINT £105
SOFA BED £450
OTTOMAN £110
BOOKSHELVES £50
HIGHBOARD £250
RUG £59
Rather than buy one bookcase, LAMPSHADE £13
Katy chose two so she could set
the shelves at different heights to
look more customised. ‘I learnt to TOTAL £1,037
play with height and scale to add
interest to the room,’ she says
SHOPPING LIST
Walls painted in flat matt in Below
wait to roll out her ideas. ‘Arranging books the wrong place!’ Katy says it has turned out Deck and Mindful, £42 per 2.5L, Coat.
Traditional futon sofa in Prime Slate
and plants aren’t stand-out ideas but really far better than she expected. ‘I worried I was Grey, £450, Sit and Sleep. Kvell Trae
help a room come together,’ she says. ‘I knew trying to do too much with one space, but ottoman in Light Grey, £110, John Lewis
exactly where every last thing would go – my whether Steve’s working, friends are staying or & Partners. Pavia highboard, £249,
MADE.com. Asymmetric mirror, £34.99;
mum had to move a vase because it was in we’re relaxing, everything works so well.’ round jute cushion, £34.99; for a similar

3 OF THE BEST.. Scandi simplicity

cushion try fringed cushion cover, £17.99;
tasselled cushion cover, £19.99; curved
ceramic candlestick, £12.99; twill seat
cushion, £3.99, all H&M Home. Billy
bookcase, 202 x 40cm, £25 each; Vilto
storage stool, £25; Torared lampshade,
£13; Hemnes chest of drawers, £110; for
a similar wardrobe try Brimnes wardrobe,
From £8.95 from Desenio £150; Melholt rug, £59; Vangsta table,
Enhance a bold wall colour with £79, all IKEA. For a similar chair try Naya
pared-back artwork that’ll stand out Cane Cantilever dining chair, £109,
against a bright hue. Dunelm. Grey Stripe duvet set, £100,
Dip & Doze. Henri Matisse artwork, £36,
£14.99 from JYSK PSTR Studio. Play III print, £30, Connox.
Finishing touches like this Non Arte London poster, £40, Nynne
patterned cotton throw will create a Rosenvinge. Galerie Temporaire print,
cosy space for guests. £70, Studio Paradissi. Portofino waffle
£20 from Cox & Cox blanket in Latte, from £40, The Fine Cotton
Company. Large Hampnett cushion, £40
The Scandi look is all about form each, Garden Trading.
and function – and this sculptural vase
ticks both boxes.

30 yourhomestyle.uk
GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER

‘We created a 5-star hotel

look without the price tag’
By combining plush fabrics, rich colours and glam details, Jessica Campbell
and her fiancé, Josh, gave their guest room a boutique-hotel vibe
BEFORE
J essica Campbell and her husband-to-be,
Josh Foreman, had previously been living
in a flat and were desperate to move into
a house – although they weren’t expecting it
to be a bungalow. ‘We were parked up on the
completely and start with a blank canvas,
ready to get creative.
WHAT WE DID
e couple originally planned a navy-
driveway, about to view a house, when and-rust colour palette, and had even
Josh checked Rightmove for bungalows pre-bought cushions before they moved
and this one came up. We loved everything in. However, once they got into the
about it,’ remembers Jessica. e couple bungalow, they were uninspired by their
had an anxious wait until their offer was choice so had a rethink. ‘We ended up
accepted, and then it was nearly six months going out for the day to try and find some
before they could move in, due to the Covid inspiration at the DIY shops, and Josh
19 pandemic. ‘We loved it and, while it
STEP INSIDE.. needed some work as it was previously
owned by a lady living on her own, we
knew it would be the perfect place for us.
WHO LIVES HERE? I’m Jessica e wait to move in was hard going, but
Campbell, 29, and I’m a teacher we made friends with the owner and we’re
and head of year 11. I live with still in contact now, which is lovely,’ smiles
my fiancé, Josh Foreman, 28, a Jessica. e couple knew it would take a lot
workshop controller for Listers of work to get it up to scratch, but they love
Mini, and our dog, Blue, in a three- a renovation project so they couldn’t wait to
bedroom bungalow in Boston, get started – and their guest room was one of
Lincolnshire. We’ve lived here since the first on the list.
June 2021.
WHAT WAS UPDATED? Our second THE PROJECT
e couple’s previous home had an
bedroom was bland, boring and industrial-meets-Scandinavian feel.
dated. I liked the idea of turning it However, the bungalow has lots of original
into a guest bedroom with a luxury features, such as a tiled hallway floor,
hotel look. found hidden under some lino, and picture
WHY THE CHANGE? We went very rails, so it felt wrong to remove them for
calm and minimalistic in our own a more modern look. Instead, they got to
bedroom, so we wanted something work restoring them, and even added a few
a bit more fun in this room. themselves. ‘We’ve ended up bringing some
of those features back,’ says Jessica. ‘And,
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? We while we liked a traditional feel, we wanted
started to work from the front to to give the room some impact through
the back of the house, renovating colour, and be a little daring with how we
each room. It was the second room approached the room.’ With lots of décor
we decorated after our bedroom, ideas in mind, Jessica decided that the best
and it only took a week! We love plan of action was to strip the room back
having people to stay, so we did
this room as soon as we could. From pineapple prints and chevrons to mirror
TOTAL COST £1,095 finishes and fluffy rugs, Jessica’s maximalist
mix of pattern and texture is what gives her
scheme its lavish look – she’s made it work by
keeping to a yellow, blue and gold palette

32 yourhomestyle.uk
 GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER

Luxeh-efnodrdoleesssn’t
Hig igh
have tolomokeafonr hbudget
pricesw–ith metallic and
buys rored finishes
mir mp up the
to ra ulence.
op

emrO eizziL sotohP pohsiB eoZ gnilyts dna erutaeF

My style tips
spotted this wallpaper and we loved it,’
says Jessica. ey knew it would make a
great feature wall but it needed a punchy
paint colour to go with it, so they headed to
B&Q and checked out the Valspar range. DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX
Jessica spotted a deep ochre shade called PRINTS as it can make your room
Release the Hounds and it sparked her look more expensive. As long as
imagination. ‘It just went from there – and the different patterns are all in
we decided to go for a full-on safari vibe,’ she the same colour palette, they’ll
enthuses. e couple added picture rails to harmonise together.
the room, as the originals had been removed. WALLPAPER ONE WALL if
‘Picture rails are so expensive, so we used you’ve chosen a bold or dark
skirting boards upside down from Wickes print so it doesn’t overwhelm
and painted them with spray paint from the room – you can pick out its
B&M. It was only £2.99 a can,’ says Jessica. colours and motifs in accessories
to carry the look through.
HIGHS & LOWS
All the rooms in the bungalow are wonky, PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL
which made wallpapering tricky, but luckily if you want to achieve a luxury
the pattern they chose was easy to match. hotel look, as this is all about the
One of the biggest issues, though, was that finishing touches. Think velvet Jessica and Josh have made sure their
the previous owner used to smoke cigarettes cushions, faux fur throws and guests have an authentic boutique hotel
in the house, so everything had a yellow travel-themed accessories. experience by adding a side table for scent
diffusers and a stack of fluffy towels
tinge. Despite the endless, full-on prep

February 2022 33
 GUEST ROOM MAKEOVER
work – washing down, stripping back, and love the grandeur of the room, so after some
sanding – it still took some serious paint searching I found a really nice wall shelf that
to cover. ‘e up side is that it does mean had hanging rails and hooks. is meant we
the room has a professional finish,’ explains didn’t waste any space, and, in fact, I think it
Jessica, ‘and good prepping ensures the wood enhanced our hotel vibe,’ she says. Cushions,
won’t chip or bubble after a few years.’ throws and few quirky accessories finished
off the scheme. ‘Overall, I’m thrilled with
THE FINAL DETAILS how the room looks, and although it’s not our
Next, it was time to add some glamour with main bedroom I think we may check in for a
mirrored side tables and a statement armchair. stay one night soon!’ she smiles.
Although the room is a good size, the couple
didn’t want to add a large, bulky wardrobe,
instead opting for streamlined storage that
emphasises its spacious feel. ‘We didn’t want
our guests to live out of a suitcase when
ROOM PLAN
they stayed either,’ explains Jessica. ‘We

Jessica has been Desiurgenratrilsicarke The secret to

clever with Pict achieving the luxe
simple tothpue tillupus,ioann dof
contrasts, choosing hotel look? More 3.5M
sleek black shelves is more! Jessica
and faux plants will givegher ceiling has layered up lots
that sing against
the strong ochre a hi adding of cushions in rich
while acter. blues and golds for
a plush feel
char
3.5M
THE DETAILS
FURNITURE £400
WALLPAPER & PAINT £104
FLOORING £130
ACCESSORIES £100
MIRROR £75
HANGING SHELF £28
BLINDS £258
TOTAL £1,095
Rather than fill the room with
furniture, Jessica has maximised
the feeling of space with wall
storage, so guests have a place to
SHOPPING LIST
Grand Deco Jungle Fever Tropics
hang up coats and bags wallpaper in Navy, £16.95 a roll,
Wallpaper Shop. Walls painted in Valspar

3 OF THE BEST.. luxe safari

matt emulsion paint in Release the
Hounds, £40, B&Q. Peacock cushion,
£16; bee cushion, £10; pineapple foil
cushion, £20; Milan fur throw, £60;
mirror, £75; Ochre Bertie shaggy rug,
£45; Fogerty soft touch duvet cover
and pillowcase set in White, £27, all
£52 from Iconic Lights Dunelm. Alyson wall-mounted coat
This cheeky monkey rack, £26.99, Wayfair. Wire shelving,
lamp will brighten up a bedside from £5, B&M. Reed diffuser, £25, Next.
table in more ways than one. For a similar bedside table try Mirage
mirrored two-drawer chest, £269;
£22 from Walton & Co Mirage mirrored bedside chest, £149,
Dial up the luxury with piles of Very. Artwork from the couple’s holiday
cushions on the bed – with this wild abroad, for similar try Desenio. Chestnut
beauty as a centrepiece. faux wooden blinds, from £65, Blinds
2go. Luna swivel chair, £389, SCS.
£25 from Joe Browns Clovelly Light Oak laminate flooring,
An antique finish brings out this £16.28 per sq m, Wickes.
elephant’s intricate detailing. Pair it
with a leafy plant for a tropical vibe.

34 yourhomestyle.uk
What’s your
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February 2022 35
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February 2022 37
 DECORATING IDEAS
INTERIORS:
AS SEEN ON SCREEN Bring a touch of Hollywood to your home décor with
these blockbuster schemes

R oll out the red carpet and welcome some movie magic into your home with these four
trends inspired by screens both big and small. Bask in the warmth of the Tuscan hills with
our House of Gucci décor; rekindle the glamour of old Hollywood with No Time to Die; mix
retro furniture with graphic patterns with the look of director Wes Anderson; and stroll through a
charming meadow with our cottagecore meets royalcore homage to Little Women, Downton Abbey
and Bridgerton. Read on to discover how to transform your home into a cinematic masterpiece.
February 2022 39
DECORATING IDEAS
TUSCAN GLAMOUR

Take notes from the sun-drenched tones and

aged stone of the House of Gucci setting
Wake up each morning to the earthy tones and
dappled sunlight of the Tuscan olive groves with
our House of Gucci look. Out with brilliant white
and in with cream, terracotta and mustard for a sun-
baked colour palette that’s rich with warmth and
texture. Consider linen and woven cotton for your
soft furnishings and curtains, mid-toned reclaimed
wooden furniture and plenty of sage green accents Set the scene with a sofa in a statement shade,
and houseplants to keep the scheme feeling fresh. then choose paler tones for your walls and
accessories to create the effect of a sunny glow
Rene three-seater fabric sofa in Heritage
Saffron, £1,465; Knot floor lamp, £339; Nordic
oak coffee table, £479, all Furniture Village

Fiori
ceramic
plate, £9.50,
Oliver Bonas

Create the feel of a Burnt Orange velvet

Roman bathhouse by quilted throw,
continuing the floor £29.99, Homescapes
tiles up the walls
Duomo Monza Blue
wall and floor tiles,
£24.99 per sq m,
Tile Mountain
Cast a balmy summer
evening glow over your
kitchen with tiles in
muted reds and yellows
Sunset Astro tiles,
£69 per sq m,
Cherished Gold matt Porcelain Superstore
emulsion, £18 per 2.5L, Dulux

mobilism.org
40 yourhomestyle.uk
 Artichoke
ceramic table
lamp with
DECORATING IDEAS
shade, £105, Rattan accents work wonders with this
Laura Ashley look – maximise a standard lamp’s glow with
the golden tones of a rattan shade
Rust Brown Ovor overreach floor lamp base, £129; Hao rattan
terracotta Vigdis easy-fit lampshade, £45, both Lights & Lamps
vase, £11, cushion
Heavenly cover in
Homes & Pale Green,
Gardens £6.50, IKEA

Our Experts Say..

‘Natural materials not only reinforce
our connection with nature, but they also
last much longer with everyday wear and tear
than synthetic materials. Consider a second-
hand wooden dining table as the marks of wear
will only add to its charm and beauty. Replace
plastic cupboard handles with wooden or metal
alternatives as an inexpensive way to incorporate
natural materials into your home.’
Hadano wall
Catharina Björkman, Lifestyle light in Umber,
Expert at stove manufacturer, £66, där lighting
Contura

Sienna Mustard
Artichoke
ceramic candle
holder, £16.99,
Garden Gifts

Emmet dining
ymalA sotohp sllits mliF daoP samohT erutaeF

chair in Vintage
Tan, £99, Cult
Furniture

Harness the aged feel with floorboards

speckled with knots and different-coloured
grain to give your room Tuscan character
Palazzo Cinnamon Oak extra matt
flooring, from £62.49 per sq m, Quick-Step

February 2022 41
 COTTAGECORE
MEETS ROYALCORE

Ornate details and intricate floral prints will

transform your home into a Bridgerton ballroom
Welcome spring blossom into your home with
the dainty décor of Little Women, Bridgerton
and Downton Abbey: A New Era. Bursting with
character, this look is all about combining
vintage finds, floral prints and cherished ceramics
to create a welcoming, pastoral feel. Go for a
regal take on the look with grandiose wallpaper
and your finest bone china on display, or pare
the look back with a few floral accessories, pretty
porcelain pieces and pastel shades.
Cosmos Flower Pink Spring Floral cushion,
For a pulled-together look, use matt emulsion, £24.99, Perkins & Morley
the same fabrics across your soft £17.50 per
furnishings, then pick out a neutral in 2.5L, Dulux
the print for your furniture and walls
Curtains, cushions and footstool
in Montrose fabric in Clarence,
£30 per metre, Prestigious Textiles

Sunflower
mini jug, £6.50,
Daisy Park

William Morris tin

plate, £7, Curating
Cambridge

Luxury Marry old and new with a traditional

clock Shaker kitchen and Downton Abbey-
scales, esque chandelier with sleek grey
£59.99, tones and metal hardware
Beautiful
Gifts and Marlborough kitchen in Light Grey
Things and Dust Grey, from £12,000, Sigma 3

42 yourhomestyle.uk
 DECORATING IDEAS
OLD HOLLYWOOD

Shake up your styling with luxe accents and Brooklyn

monochrome décor from the world of Bond glass funnel
Create a pad fit for the world’s most famous light in
Black, £79,
spy with the luxurious Old Hollywood Industville
scheme, inspired by No Time to Die. Just like
a tuxedo, this look is a tailored balance of
black-and-white style with a touch of metallic
sparkle. ‘Weave in timber, marble and brass
Give a monochrome bathroom to make the room come to life. Don’t forget
the luxe treatment with ribbed to include a large mirror to add extra depth to
glass details, industrial pendants the room, too,’ advises Lucy Henderson, Head
and plenty of golden accents of Design at My Bespoke Room.
Tela two-light wall light in
Black, £40; Curve towel rail,
£15; Egyptian cotton towels,
from £1.20; Arran bathroom
flex fittings in Black and Gold,
£25 each; London ribbed glass
dispenser, £5; London ribbed
storage jar, £7; Face towel in
Black, £14, all Dunelm

Lida gold metal

and glass bar
trolley, £345,
Oliver Bonas Gold
Premier Housewares Pineapple
cocktail shaker, hook,
£16, Very £12.95,
Mint & May

Antique Gold
No. 41 matt
emulsion,
£41.95 per 2.5L, A chic parquet-effect vinyl adds high-
Victory Colours end glamour at a high-street price
Parquet Valley Chevron vinyl,
£22.99 per sq m, The Floor Room
 DECORATING IDEAS
ECLECTIC VINTAGE GPO Trim
Mustard phone,
£44.95, GPO Retro

Cabbage plate, Curate a scheme that pairs bold tones with

£40, Micucci Interiors vintage elements to get the Anderson aesthetic
Take a walk on the quirky side with eye-catching
prints, retro furniture and cherished knick-
knacks with a house devoted to Wes Anderson’s
Eccentric yet refined, films. From the orange-and-pink wallpapers in
small-scale illustrated e Grand Budapest Hotel to the animal motifs in
wallpaper adds interest e Darjeeling Limited and the chintzy precision
to a room without of his latest film e French Dispatch, create a
overwhelming it
Suzy Vintage Monarch mismatched haven of charity shop finds and
butterfly wallpaper, bold patterns. For an edited approach, dedicate
£37 per sq m, Hovia a shelving unit or alcove to the Anderson vibe,
Our Experts Say..
‘Symmetry is a must. Organise your
with brightly coloured books, assorted ornaments
and an illustrated wallpaper backdrop.

furniture pieces symmetrically around

a central piece of décor that demands
attention. A splash of colour is key; mix
sherbet pastels with rich, natural tones for a
core “Wes Anderson” feel.’
Catherine Jacob, Head of
Design, and Antoni Ferguson,
Photographer/Stylist,
Hovia

Create cohesion by choosing the same

level of vibrancy in your key colours, seen
here with dark teal and ochre yellow
The Small Biggie three-seater sofa in
Pine Green, £1,429, Snug

44 yourhomestyle.uk
 DECORATING IDEAS

Early Bird Blue

cushion, £38, Orla Kiely

Stoneware
Panton Style S Giraffe side plate,
chair in Orange, £10, Sophie Allport
£59, Pash Classics
smoorhtab1reip@ smoorhtaB 1reiP otohP

Electrify the smallest room in your

home with glitzy period-style
lighting and bold tiles
Brooklyn glass funnel light with
copper holder, £79 each, Industville

A well-directed pop of colour

comes via blinds in a saturated hue
Fagel Roman blind in Orange,
from £26.40, Swift Direct Blinds
Milligan Retro multi-
drawer desk, £449,
Atkin and Thyme
Sedona cushion
cover, from £42,
20th Century Cloth

Mid-century-modern furniture and

upcycled items will stand proud against
mustard or tangerine wallpapered walls
Bloom Blossom Goldenberry Out of the Blue emulsion,
wallpaper, £76 per roll, MissPrint £40 per 2.5L, COAT Paints x
Urban Outfitters

February 2022 45
DECORATING IDEAS
Terracotta
angled
totem
vase, £11,
Sass & Belle

50
Orange check throw,
£15, George at ASDA

thrifty
William Morris Larkspur No 2 poster, Dotty textured glass tealight holder,
from £14.95, Desenio £14.50, Cox & Cox

UPD S
FOR UNDER £50
From faux greenery to colourful rugs, we’ve rounded up unique accessories
that will add personality to your home without breaking the bank
Dipped dyed
candles in Frosty
Blue, £15 for
three, Five
And Dime Succulent
artificial plant
medium, £15,
Oliver Bonas

groupes in
accessori
threes to add
interest Clay pot with
face, £14, Art Nouveau No 1 poster,
Rose & Grey from £12.95, Desenio

46 yourhomestyle.uk
 DECORATING IDEAS
Double oven
glove, £7.99,
M&Co

Gold giraffe
candle holder,
£12.95,
Melody Maison

£15
De Fleurs No 1 poster,
from £14.95, Desenio

Faux plant in Etched

bamboo planter, stoneware
£4, B&M vase, £12,
Sunday Living

lineutral
ven up
alook
& UNDER with
embossed
details
For an über frugal
finishing touch, these
affordable picks pack a
Plastic plant,
£7.99, HomeSense style punch Alphabet mug, £5 each, M&S

Multicolour striped hand-woven

geometric patterned jute rug,
from £14.99, Homescapes Online ydarG ellehciM erutaeF

Cashmere touch fleece

cushion in Mulberry, Earth
Red, Honey, Blush Pink,
Charcoal and Linen, £12.99
Winter Garden each, Walton & Co
coasters, £10 for
four, Habitat

February 2022 47
DECORATING IDEAS
Lit Up art print by Tania Ceramic curves vase in Gold 23cm, £8;
Schaub, from £20, Fy! ceramic curves vase in Silver 35cm, £15;
faux marble taper candle holder, £18;
Churchgate Black taper candles, £1.50 for
two; abstract brushstroke cushion, £12;
Clara piped cushion in White and Black,
£12, all Dunelm

30 x 40cm Burnt

£30
Orange abstract
art print, £30,
Abstract House From top: Jupiter Polished Brass pendant
ceiling light with pink tassels, £28, Iconic
Lights. Terrazzo table lamp in White, £25,
Sunkissed print, Aberno. Hadwin table lamp in Smokey Grey,
£26.50, Monday £29, Cult Furniture

make
feelwitold
an esofa
lih kplush
new
cushions
& UNDER
Get the high-end look
without the price tag
with luxe materials, rich
Clarence velvet footstool, £29.99,
Homescapes Online hues and metallics Lilla botanical cushion in Rust,
£22, Cult Furniture

Cotton rich Cabin squiggle flatweave rug, £30, Habitat

pampas
duvet set,
from £24.99,
M&Co

From top: Milas Blue tassel recycled cotton Turio stool in

throw, £20.90, Beaumonde. Beige and Yellow Burnt Orange,
recycled cotton throw, £30, Spicer & Wood £30, B&Q

48 yourhomestyle.uk
 DECORATING IDEAS
Stockholm low stool From top:
in Moss Green velvet, Maestro drops
£49, Cult Furniture rug in Pink,
from £39.99,
Carpetright.
Vienna rug,
from £40, Next

build scheme
colour your

£50
From top: Dharug Copper-
effect pendant ceiling
light, £50, B&Q. Midi cage
pendant, £38.40, där lighting.
aroundrugan
accent
Exposed bulb table lamp
with light bulb in Black,
£49.95, Sparkle Lighting

Pebble Round rattan wooden shelf,

mirror in £44.95, Melody Maison
Gold, £50,
Dunelm

& UNDER
Statement buys that’ll
elevate your décor –
think classic designs
Sienna round water hyacinth
mirror, £40, Very
and stand-out pieces
From top: Cleo
striped throw,
£49.50, Oliver
Bonas. Vienna
throw in Green,
£45, National Trust
Shop. Eranthis
throw in Blue,
£39.99, JYSK

Maxim
smoked
glass side
table, £40,
Habitat

Halston large From top: Deco cushion, £35; stripes

round side cushion, £39; mirrored panther velvet
table, £39, cushion, £39 all Siobhan Murphy
Furniture Village for Freemans

February 2022 49
BUYER’S GUIDE

10 OF THE BEST
Sofa beds
Save space and get your home guest-ready
with our round-up of the best sofa sleepers
ANDERSON TWO-SEATER SOFA BED
IN GREEN WOVEN WOOL, £949,
CULT FURNITURE
With deep, plump cushions for maximum
comfort, this smart sofa bed sits or sleeps two.
It has an easy-to-use pull-out mechanism, and is
available in a wide range of colour options.

I
• Choice of natural or walnut coloured legs and
fabrics • Removable seat and back cushion covers
f you often find that you need to accommodate With options ranging from single chairs to • Sofa: 86 x 184 x 95cm; bed: 185 x 134cm
more people than you have space for and you large three-seaters and corner configurations,
don’t have the luxury of a spare bedroom, size and budget are also important factors. Suzy
a sofa bed is a great solution. Lizzie Sladen, McMahon, Buying Director at Sofology, says,
Partner and Upholstery Buyer at John Lewis ‘For rooms that moonlight as offices or living
& Partners, recommends that your first rooms, a multifunctional sofa bed will create a
consideration should be how often it is likely comfortable sleep solution that can easily return
to be slept on. ‘For very regular use, opt for a to its original function during the day. Don’t
model with a fold-out, memory foam mattress forget to measure the space around the sofa to
or sprung cushions that will offer better support ensure that it will fit in your chosen room when
and comfort.’ If it will only be used occasionally, folded out and in use.’
a foam mattress could be comfortable enough. When it comes to cost, a sofa bed with a MITO SINGLE FUTON, £159, DUNELM
Sofa beds are generally split into two sprung mattress is likely to cost considerably A simple futon is an ideal choice if you’re looking
mechanisms: click-clack or fold-out. e former more than a simple chair design that folds out for a fuss-free solution for an office or kid’s
is often a simple design, where the backrest folds into a cushioned foam bed, so bear this in mind room. The solid pine frame folds out in a flash.
down to create a level sleeping platform. Fold- when budgeting. To avoid spills when used as •certified
Fibre blend button design mattress • FSC
out beds are assembled by moving the cushions a bed, add a mattress protector beneath the wood frame • Nine colour options
or seat to create the bed. bedding, which will also soften the mattress. • Chair: 75 x 76 x 85cm; bed: 195 x 76cm
VERSATILE TWO-SEATER CHAISE SOFA
BED, £1,245, FURNITURE VILLAGE Measurements
Going from sofa to double bed in six are listed by height,
seconds flat, you can put guests up in width and depth,
a flash with this modern chaise option. and by length and
It’s available in nine different fabrics, width when
including Dumfries Lilac, shown here. extended
• Storage
Easy pull-out mechanism
• Supportivebeneath the chaise
• Sofa: 82 x 219foamx 152cm
cushions
•(including chaise); bed: 189 x 122cm

JASPER SOFA BED IN OCHRE

VELVET, £349, MARKS & SPENCER
Ideal for last-minute overnight guests, this
sofa transforms into a bed with minimum
effort. The yellow ochre colourway gives
real ‘wow’ factor, although there are
other shades on offer, too.
• Click-clack
Four colour options
• Free fabric mechanism
• samples available
• Sofa: 81 x 204 x 84cm; bed: 204 x 111cm

mobilism.org
50 yourhomestyle.uk
 JOULES CAMBRIDGE THREE-SEATER SUPREME
SOFA BED IN PINK COMBINATION, £1,379, DFS
Why not add a splash of vibrant colour with this floral design? A dual-layer mattress and a
memory foam top offers superior comfort and the mechanism is suitable for frequent use.
• Fibre-filled cushionsseparately
for a relaxed feel • Choice of six stunning colours • Scatter cushions sold
• Sofa: 88 x 193 x 98cm; bed: 230 x 193cm

KIP SMALL DOUBLE SOFA BED IN

HOPE BURNT ORANGE, £649,
JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS
We love the simple design of this two-
seater sofa bed. Moulding to the body for a
supported sleep, the foam mattress springs
back to its original shape when not in use.
•Teal
Fold-out foam mattress • Also available in
and Grey • 15-year frame guarantee
• Sofa: 70 x 120 x 84cm; bed: 194 x 120cm

HETTIE SINGLE SOFA BED IN

MARL GREY, £299, MADE.COM
This comfy little number is a must if space is
at a premium and we love the sophisticated
grey. The padded cushions unfold to create a
supportive mattress for guests.
• Woven upholstery • Padded cushions • Five
colours available • Chair: 82 x 92 x 87cm;
bed: 180 x 90cm

LYCKSELE HÅVET TWO-SEATER SOFA

BED IN TUTSTAD MULTICOLOUR, ROMA SMALL DOUBLE FABRIC
£319, IKEA JACK IN A BOX DOUBLE BED IN BOX, CHAIRBED, £295, HABITAT
With its straightforward pull-out mechanism, FROM £940, SOFA.COM Add a seat and a guest bed in one go
this affordable option can be popped open Although not a sofa as such, this with this super-stylish design, which converts
in seconds. There are five different covers to into a small double bed. Its sleek wooden feet
drebbiH asiL erutaeF

comfortable bench offers useful extra

choose from, so you’re bound to find one seating and transforms into a super-comfy and gorgeous, rich orange fabric is sure to
to suit your scheme. double bed for impromptu overnight guests. liven up any room.
• Quirky printed pattern • Foam mattress • Simple, contemporary design • Wide range •mechanism
Free fabric swatches available • Foam fold-out
• Removable and washable cover • Sofa: 87 x of fabrics and colours • Great for small spaces • Cushion doubles up as a pillow
142 x 100cm; bed: 188 x 140cm • Bench: 46 x 158 x 75cm; bed: 220 x 133cm • Chair: 82 x 101 x 92cm; bed: 190 x 101cm
February 2022 51
 Make a
healthy
choice
Mammoth is the only health and
wellbeing brand partnered with the
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy,
utilising award-winning sleep
technologies derived from UK healthcare.

All our mattresses contain Mammoth’s

naturally cooling Medical Grade™ foam
and PostureCell® technologies, which are
scientifically tested and shown to improve
sleep. Our range of health mattresses are
recommended by health professionals and
trusted by leading sporting organisations.
So, no matter which mattress you choose,
you can be confident your Mammoth will be
doing you good.
GET YOUR FREE
SIZE UPGRADE
26th Dec 2021 until 28th Feb 2022
Buy any King Size Mammoth Shine
mattress or Mammoth divan set, and only
pay the price of a Double*
Buy any Superking Mammoth mattress or Mammoth
divan set, and only pay the price of a Kingsize*
Find your nearest store by visiting Includes headboards when purchased with a set.
www.mammothcomfort.com/stores *T’s & C’s apply. Available only on Shine Collection
 KiBATHROOMS
tchens &
Take inspiration from this month’s bargain buys, kitchen
gadgets and sunny shades

BRING ME sunshine
Even the darkest mornings will be
brightened with these Capsule Dijon
Tiles from Walls and Floors, priced
at £25.95 per square metre. The
shimmering gloss finish catches the
light, emitting a sunny yellow hue
– perfect for early spring sunlight.
You can also create a seamless and
stylish finish with the matching
bevelled and dado tiles; simply pair
with fresh white paint and plenty of
lush green houseplants.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS Top tech

Nail the perfect roast dinner every
time with the MEATER smart wireless
meat thermometer. Link it to your
phone via Bluetooth to instantly see the
meat’s internal temperature, and even
set alerts for when it’s fully cooked. It
will also be useful during barbecue
season, so you can serve grilled
meat with absolute confidence.
Priced at £79 from
meater.com.

AMatalan’PERFECT PAIR
s new bathroom accessory range
Waffle 100% taps into the monochrome trend for a
cotton hand fraction of the price, so bag this matching
towel, £6, Dunelm ceramic bathroom tumbler and soap
dispenser quickly. Fill your tumbler with
You don’t have to spend a lot to make a difference, bathroom bits and bobs, and decant your
especially in your bathroom. Small tweaks instantly refresh favourite scented liquid soap into the bottle,
the space, and these waffle hand towels and bamboo or make your own. Priced from £3.
accessories from Dunelm create a home-spa vibe.

February 2022 53
StoreandOrder
KITCHEN IDEAS
Wireworks Cook
House utensils
rail shelf, £90, Nest

Create a calm, clutter-free kitchen with our space-

saving storage solutions, guide to multipurpose
appliances and helpful hacks for minimal mess

B ig or small, no matter what

size of kitchen you have,
keeping the clutter at bay
will make it a much more enjoyable
room to work and entertain in.
Creating extra workspace for food
prep, having easy access to all your
ingredients beforehand and keeping
crockery, utensils and other items
neatly tidied away will also make the
room feel larger. Make the most of
every inch of your space with clever
kits for cabinet interiors, fuss-free
streamlined solutions and two-in-one
appliances that take up less room.
It also makes the kitchen easier to
clean, so it’s a win-win!
GoodHome Budu Grey
kitchen trolley, £11, B&Q

For organised storage in limited

spaces, these airtight containers
can be opened with one hand
when preparing meals. Use for rice,
pasta and other loose ingredients
POP containers, from £8.49, OXO

54 yourhomestyle.uk
 KITCHEN IDEAS
Use side racks and
rails to free up space on
your worktops. Display
potted plants or herbs
on the racks to prevent
them getting in the way
of your food prep
Loft kitchen in Coral and
mesh Grillage finish,
from £10,000, Schmidt

Get more out of

corner cabinets with
carousels and Magic
Corners, which feature
shelves on slide-out
mechanisms that allow
for quick access. No
more scrabbling around
in the dark for that
elusive saucepan

Cupboard
Shaker kitchen in Forest
Green, from £4,796,
Wren Kitchens

love
‘One of the best ways to create
more storage space in your
kitchen is to utilise the corners
by adding custom-made cabinets,
cupboards and units that fit
your space.’
Graeme Smith, Head of Design,
Second Nature

A combined washer dryer takes up

much less space than the individual
appliances and reduces unloading times,
too. Hide an integrated model behind a
cabinet door – you’ll never know it’s there
BI WDHG 961484 UK integrated Living Nostalgia French Grey
washer dryer, £539, Hotpoint utensil pot, £9.95, KitchenCraft

Keep surfaces free of sauce splodges

with a utensil rest or holder
Crabby spoon holder, £13, Red Candy
trebliG yelyaH erutaeF

February 2022 55
KITCHEN IDEAS
Stacking two wall cabinets on top of each other is a cost-
effective way to create a slender wall-mounted dresser, which
can store crockery, cups and glasses. With a glazed front, it
looks so elegant and saves space, too
Locano Touch double Grey Slate display unit, £590, Lifestyle Kitchens

Lemons and Harissa

storage tins, £8.95 for
two, Rex London

Spring
clean
‘Start by emptying the
cupboards – you’ll be amazed at
Use the inside of cabinet doors for storage racks
that can be used for cleaning products, cloths,
brushes and sprays in attractive reusable bottles
what you might find at the back! Two-tier sink pull-out basket from the Hoxton Pebble
While they are empty, give them a kitchen, from £3,600, Magnet Kitchens
quick clean and ask yourself, “Do
I use each item?”’
Wendy Miranda, Customer
Ambassador at Lakeland

These glass containers can be

vacuum packed with the special
pump (available separately) to
keep leftovers and batch-cooked
meals fresher for longer, or
simply used as a quick storage
option for dried ingredients Reusable amber glass bottle, £22;
Fresh and Save glass storage Eco-friendly, Probiotic all-purpose
boxes, £39.95 for three, Zwilling cleaner refill, £9.95, both Nookary

56 yourhomestyle.uk
 Whatever style your kitchen, the String System gives extra
storage to keep everyday items within reach. Customise it

On tap
with as many rods, hooks or hanger racks as you need
Metal System in White, from £42, String Furniture at Utility Design
Pronteau
‘The convenience of having ProPure four-in-
instant steaming hot water on tap one hot water
can’t be underestimated. There tap, £949, Abode
is also the bonus of clearing the
worktop from the clutter of a
kettle, great for small kitchens.’
Leanne Adamson,
Marketing Manager
at Abode

MixStar
A compact worktop appliance perfect for smaller compact stand
spaces, this nifty design can be used as an additional mixer, £169.99,
oven when guests come over. It can be used for grilling, Morphy Richards
baking, roasting and defrosting with quick heat-up times
Mini oven, £149.95, Dualit

InterDesign expandable
cabinet shelves, £24.45,
The Holding Company
Qi wireless wall-mounted
phone charger with USB
port, £47.99, Kit

Think creatively
when looking for
storage space.
Check out this
handy flip-up
cabinet door, which
hides the extractor
hood, herbs and
Keep utensils, pots, pans and other essentials close spices from view
to hand with a mobile trolley on wheels for easy Arcos kitchen in
movement where and when you need it Vintage Oak, from
Bekväm kitchen trolley in birch, £45, IKEA £10,000, Schmidt

February 2022 57
KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM

‘We doubled the

storage by taking
INSIDER INFO
THE HOMEOWNER Sarah
Purchase, 39, co-owner of
Borrowed Light Floral Studio,
a florist and plant shop
out a door’
By opening up the space and extending the units,
(borrowedlightflorals.com and
@borrowedlightflorals), who Sarah Purchase boosted the storage and light in her new
lives with daughters, Hazel
and Ailsa, and partner, Alex. kitchen, making it more practical for a family of four
THE HOUSE A four-bedroom
Victorian house in South
Woodford, East London.
THE PROBLEM The kitchen
was awkward, dark, and
lacked storage – but we didn’t
S arah’s cramped kitchen wasn’t working
efficiently from the moment she
moved in with her partner, Alex, along
with two daughters, Hazel and Ailsa. It
was important to tackle the room straight
have the option to extend. away because the layout wasn’t practical,
and the cupboards were bulging because
THE SOLUTION By opening there wasn’t enough storage. ‘There was an
up the entrance, and adding awkward door to get into the kitchen that
a glass door looking out onto obstructed the fridge-freezer. The room
the garden, the room feels so was quite compact without much space to
much bigger. move around, and we were always bumping
into each other as we were coming in and
out of the room. There just wasn’t enough
cupboard space either and we thought about
how to make the kitchen a bit larger without
extending the house.’
Sarah’s partner, Alex, a builder, suggested
taking the door frame out to open up the
kitchen to the dining room and putting a
glass door at the other end to flood the
room with natural light. The couple called
on Any Kitchen, a local company, to come
Befe up with a new plan for the cupboards. Now
that the room was much more open onto

ENHANCE
WITH PLANTS
As a florist, Sarah
couldn’t help but fill
the room with lots of
greenery, which pops
against the dark
kitchen scheme

58 yourhomestyle.uk
 KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM
the dining area, Sarah decided to extend the
kitchen units along the wall to maximise the
cupboard space.
Sarah went for a grey and white colour
scheme to give it a sleek, modern look. She LESS IS MORE
was immediately drawn to dark grey, matt Sarah went for an uncluttered,
handleless cabinet design to
units, picking out a white marble-effect make her spacious new kitchen
laminate worktop with a matching upstand feel even larger
for contrast. Sarah wanted to keep the walls
quite neutral, so opted to freshen things
up with white paint and then added bright
prints to inject colour and pattern into the
scheme. The floor was treated to some
smart, luxury vinyl tiles from Harvey Maria to
add further pattern and interest. ‘I’ve added
loads of plants from our shop to make the
room feel really homely, too. It’s like having
a completely different kitchen and I love it
now,’ smiles Sarah.

STREAMLINED DESIGN
A square-shaped sink and tap echo the
smooth angles and lines in the rest of Sarah’s
sleek kitchen to tie it all in together

SHOPPING LIST
Handleless kitchen units in super-matt
Graphite Grey, £6,340; Carrara square
edge laminate worktop, £815; Caple
Cubit overmount sink, £331; Caple Robo
dual control tap, £138, all Any Kitchen
Ltd. Marble fruit bowl, £25; Blue coffee
cup, £20 for two; Blue cafetiere, £30; Blue
casserole pot, £28; round tray, £26; polka
dot vase, £6; black handle vase, £28, all
Next. Faux fern leaves, £2.99, Hobbycraft.
Teal canister, £5; ochre canister, £5;
Elements Skandi mugs, £12 for four;
artificial string of pearls, £7; artificial
fern in pot, £8; frosted potted fern, £10;
Elements Skandi teal towels, £6 for a set
of three; Elements Skandi double oven
emrO eizziL sotohP namhsiF ammE erutaeF

glove, £6; Elements Skandi cereal bowl,

£2.50; Elements Skandi side plate, £2.50,
all Dunelm. Mr Clarke wall clock in Green,
£79, Newgate. Plants from a selection at
Borrowed Light Florals. Wall prints from a
selection at Betty Cassie Django. Parquet
Thistle Grey floor, £49.99 per sq m, Harvey
SPACE-SAVVY SOLUTION Maria. Duo stem multi roller blind,
Widening the doorway by £114.37, Blinds 2go. Obliq kettle, £79.99;
taking out the frame was all Obliq toaster, £79.99, both Breville.
that was needed to transform
Sarah’s kitchen into a more
practical, open space TOTAL COST: £8,257
February 2022 59
BATHROOM IDEAS

Check out these clever and inspiring ideas to give your

bathroom a bright new look without splashing out

ADD A SMART
SPLASHBACK
When it comes to tiling, a
little goes a long way, so why
not create a focal point with
a splashback that contrasts
wonderfully with the rest of
the room? If you’re feeling
confident, try an on-trend
herringbone pattern
Poitiers Green gloss tiles,
£24.74 for 22 tiles, CTD Tiles

W hile you might not be feeling flush at this

time of year, a lack of cash doesn’t have to
be a major problem if your bathroom needs
some TLC. Whether the tiles are craving attention, the
floor’s seen better days or you’re keen to streamline storage
or introduce more colour, there are plenty of affordable
ways to revitalise the space. From decorating hacks and
quick DIY jobs to brilliant bargain buys, here’s how to
spruce up your bathroom for spring.

60 yourhomestyle.uk
 Make the most of wooden
floorboards by creating a
chequerboard pattern with a roller
or brush and seal with protective
lacquer. Just remember to keep the
kids or pets out to avoid footprints
Old Violet chalk paint finished with
Chalk Paint Lacquer, both £21.95 per
1L, both Annie Sloan

Geo Tile Grey floral

hook, £5, Dunelm
Aqua cotton
jumbo bath
sheets, £11 for two,
Online Home Shop

Tile STYLE
‘To keep costs down, lay
tiles only in the places where
they will be splashed with Wave shower
water, such as around the sink curtain, £10,
and shower, and refresh Habitat
an existing mirror with a
painted frame.’
Dean Davies, Consultant at
Fantastic Services

For instant impact,

add a touch of luxe
to the room with
matching accessories Give grubby grout a
in a shimmering facelift by covering it
metallic finish
naeD aerdnA erutaeF

with a paste made from

Soap dispenser, bicarbonate of soda
toothbrush holder and water, then spray
and soap dish, £3 with vinegar and scrub
each; eucalyptus in with an old toothbrush.
vase, £5, all PEP&CO Use a grout pen for
at Poundland pristine white lines
V33 Renovation grout
pen, £8, B&Q

February 2022 61
BATHROOM IDEAS

Black round hanging

mirror, £12, Wilko

Declutter and invest in

wall-mounted storage
to make the room seem
bigger and tidier. Style
statement open shelving
with decorative and essential
items, just like Instagrammer
Laura Jones @livingwith_
laura_j has done in her
beautiful, bijou cloakroom
Kettinge solid wood slatted
unit, 60 x 80cm, £30, JYSK
FAKE IT WITH VINYL
Water-resistant and easy to clean,
vinyl is a budget-friendly alternative
to timber or ceramic tiles. This plank
flooring is a cinch to install as the
underlay is built in and the tiles
simply click into place
Londres Mountain Grey luxury click vinyl
flooring, £29.95 per sq m, Flooring Mountain

Light moves
‘Upgrading lighting is
an easy but effective
improvement. Using smart
bulbs can give you access to
millions of different colours
and shades of light.’
Rachel Morris, Lighting
Expert at 4lite

Laying a new floor has never been

Self-adhesive frosted window film easier thanks to self-adhesive vinyl
costs a fraction of bespoke sandblasted tiles. These Moroccan-style tiles
glass and provides privacy without are available in a choice of eight
restricting light. Made-to-measure, the designs, simply peel off the backing
film can be applied in minutes and it’s and stick onto a clean surface
virtually indistinguishable from the Sillia Black and Moroccan 30cm floor
real thing tiles, £5.99 for a pack of 11, Studio
Shipping Forecast nautical pattern window
film, from £25 for 50 x 50cm, Purlfrost

62 yourhomestyle.uk
 BATHROOM IDEAS
Sleek Edison Black
wall light, £35,
Industville

PAINT THE TILES

Fall back in love with your tiles by
painting them in a charming new
shade, as blogger Kelly Harmer of
@ohsokel can testify. Clean the
existing tiles and grout, apply tile
paint and redefine the grout line
once completely dry
Milano Nero Wall tiles in One Coat tile
mono basin mixer paint in Mellow Green,
tap, £129.99, Big £21.95 per 750ml, Ronseal

Mirror image
Bathroom Shop

‘You want your bathroom

to be bright and airy and
Say goodbye to tatty windows and placing a mirror opposite a
hello to a smart new blind that brings window is an effective way of
reflecting any natural light
that comes in.’
Emmie Brookman, Creative
Director of Silver Mushroom

Ring the changes by painting the room in a single

shade from top to toe. Order a swatch first to check how
it looks in both natural and artificial light, and ensure it’s
washable and suitable for humid conditions
Walls and ceiling in Skein of Blue Kitchen and
Bathroom paint, £28 per 2.5L, Valspar

February 2022 63
PRIZE DRAW

WItilesN!from
£1,500 worth of
Tile Giant’s Visit yourhomestyle.uk, choose
the WIN tab, find the prize draw

new flooring collection

you’d like to enter and fill in
your details. Closing date
is 15th February 2022
at 11.59pm

WORTH
£1,500!
M ake your floor the star of
your home for years to
come with Tile Giant.
From laminate and vinyl, to real wood
flooring, the Tile Giant collections feature
products to cater for all consumer tastes with
styles to suit all spaces.
Tile Giant is offering Your Home readers
the chance to win a £1,500 voucher to spend
across its entire range of flooring. Pictured
is the Tate Caramel Oak, priced at £28.80
per sq m, which brings a touch of class to
the home, and features a warm oak-effect
laminate brought to life with striking
woodgrain detail. Identical to its natural
counterpart, it comes in elongated chevron-
effect planks for a timeless finish. Water-
resistant and highly durable, the laminate
collection is quick and easy to install due to its
effortless click-fit system, too.
THE PRIZE
We’ve teamed up with Tile Giant to offer you
the chance to win £1,500 to spend on its new
flooring collection, which comes in a wide
range of different styles and materials to suit
your home’s interior.
From rich and dramatic shades to more
muted neutrals, transform a hallway, kitchen
or living area with one of the laminate, wood
or vinyl options within Tile Giant’s extensive
flooring collection.
Elevate your floor game with
wood-effect laminate that FIND OUT MORE
looks just like the real thing To view the latest tile and flooring ranges and
but without the upkeep
for more information, visit tilegiant.co.uk.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited’s employees or contractors and anyone connected
with the promotion or their direct family members. 2 Prize does not include installation. 3 For the full list of Terms and Conditions, visit yourhomestyle.uk/win

64 yourhomestyle.uk
YOUR handmade
HOME Check out this month’s
round-up of crafty projects

68 74. Craft stash

sevah tsum
YH
LOV E S

Love is in the air with

thr adorable makes
for someone special

66 EASY AS 1, 2, 3! 72 TRY SOMETHING NEW

Sculpt a trio of air-dry clay makes for Pick up a skill with the first in our new
your loved one this Valentine’s Day. crafting series – this month, learn how
to use epoxy resin to create a stylish
68 REVAMP REPAIR jewellery hanger.
RECYCLE
Spruce up your reading nook with an 74 CRAFT STASH
MUST HAVES

66
A-frame bookcase, upcycled from a
pallet and old scaffolding boards. Try your hand at glass fusing, learn
how to create a fab cup cosy, banish
70 SEW SIMPLE single-use plastics with beeswax wraps
Create a welcoming space with a cute, and discover an amazing string art kit.
pompom-topped pyramid doorstop. Plus, read all about mindful crafting.

February 2022 65
Easy as 1, 2, 3!
This Valentine’s Day, let your loved one know how much you
care with a trio of hand-sculpted, air-dry clay makes

Instead of ‘LOVE’, your hanging

could spell out the initials of you
and your partner – decorate with
a mix of your favourite colours to
make it a truly personal gift

Top tip
Use water and a sponge
to smooth out the
surface of the clay
before drying.

66 yourhomestyle.uk
HEART-SHAPED LOVE WALL HANGING
PHOTO HOLDER
SHOPPING LIST SHOPPI NG LIST
✔ Sculpd Pottery Kit ✔ Acrylic paint
✔ Sculpd Pottery Kit ✔ Acrylic paint ✔ Paint brushes ✔ Water ✔ Baker’s twine
✔ Paint brushes ✔ Paper ✔ Water

1 Roll a small handful of clay into two balls

the size of ping pong balls and one ball the 1 1 Roll out some clay to make four large
marble-sized balls and five small marble-
sized balls. Mould the larger balls into the letters
size of a small marble. Form one larger ball into L O V E and the small balls into little heart
a triangle and then cut into the top edge to form shapes. Smooth out the edges, then poke a
the heart shape. Smooth out the surface and central hole into the top and bottom edges of

2
then repeat with the other large ball. all the letters and four of the hearts, and just the
Take the small ball and form into a top of the remaining heart. You need this hole to
rectangle. Score up one side of this piece be large enough to fit twine through. Allow to

2
and line it up with one of the straight edges dry completely.
of the heart, press together and then smooth Apply a base coat of white acrylic to each
out the join. Then repeat for the other side and shape and allow to dry. Paint each letter
remaining heart shape. Place a roll of paper in with small floral motifs and the smaller heart
the slot to prevent it from falling in on itself and shapes in solid colours. See our main image for
2
3
allow to dry. Repeat making another heart that’s inspiration, or create your own designs.

3
slightly smaller. Thread the twine through the holes of
Once dry, remove the paper, apply a coat the letters and hearts (a large-eyed needle
of white paint and allow to dry. Then paint may help with this), alternating letters and hearts
on a pretty floral pattern and allow to dry fully and finishing with the heart with the single hole.
before use. Tie at the back and trim the twine ends. Tie a
loop through the top for hanging.

syerffeJ aehT dna sacuL notlrahC hteB gnilytS yreduaC evaD otohp niaM tneguN rehtaeH sotohp pets dna stcejorP
3
1 BUD VASE 1
SHOPPING LIST
✔ Sculpd Pottery Kit ✔ Sculpd varnish
✔ Acrylic paint ✔ Paint brushes ✔ Water

1 Roll two balls of clay to the size of a

snooker ball and then use a pinching
technique with your thumb and index finger
form the balls into little bowl shapes. Score the
2 top edges of the bowls and press them together 2
to form a hollow ball. Pinch and rub the join to

2
smooth it out.
Shape the clay by gently teasing it out
with your hands until you create your
desired shape. Press the bottom on a flat surface
to create a flat base and then use a thin pointed
tool to poke an opening into the top. Roll the
tool around the hole to open it up and then

3
pinch to widen further. Allow to dry.
Paint the vase with a base coat of white,
3 allow to dry, then paint on some pretty
floral motifs. Next, varnish inside and out, and 3
allow to dry fully before use.

February 2022 67
REVAMP REPAIR recycle
Sharpen up your reading nook or hallway with this A-frame
bookcase upcycled from a pallet and scaffolding boards

T ake your shelfie styling to the next

level with this chic yet simple A-frame
bookcase, which you can fill with
your favourite hardbacks, ornaments and
potted plants. Crafted from a pallet and
2 3a
lengths of scaffolding board, this project can
be completed in an afternoon. We’ve kept
the wood grain on the scaffolding board for
contrast to the white frame, but you could
paint the whole bookcase in a matching shade
to your room or in bright primary colours for
a child’s mini library.

SHOPPI NG LIST
✔ Pallet (at least 120cm long)
3b 6a
✔ Scaffolding board ✔ Hammer
✔ Crowbar ✔ 120-grit sandpaper
✔ Measuring tape ✔ Pencil ✔ Handsaw
✔ Work bench and clamps ✔ Drill and
drill bits (larger and smaller than the
screwhead) ✔ 28 x 6-8cm screws
✔ Scraper ✔ Multi-purpose filler
✔ Paintbrush ✔ Wood paint ✔ Ronseal
Natural Oak satin varnish

1 Carefully dismantle the pallet with a

hammer and crowbar. Remove all the nails
by hammering the pointed ends. Sand the pallet
two shallow countersinks in the side of one of
the lengths where they join. Drill a screw into
each countersink to secure the lengths together.
6b
5
wood and scaffolding board until smooth. Cut Repeat with the other A-shape.
the scaffolding board into the following lengths: On each A-shape, measure and mark

2
45cm, 73cm and 100cm. 5cm, 45cm and 85cm from the base of
Cut the pallet wood into the following the A-shape and use a set square to draw a line
lengths: 4 x 120cm (for the A-frame); 6 across the wood. From the inside edge of the
x 23cm (for the shelf supports). Using a tape A-shape, mark each line at 1cm. This will be the
measure and pencil, measure 25mm from the corner point for each shelf support. Repeat on

6
end of a 120cm length up the left-hand side. each of the marked lines on the A-frame.
Draw a line to the opposite corner to create a Place a long offcut or a spirit level across
small triangle and cut off with a saw. Repeat on an A-shape to connect one of the marked

3 7
the other three 120cm lengths. points to its counterpart. Place a shelf support
Arrange two of the 120cm lengths into against this edge and draw around it. Measure Using a decorator’s scraper and filler, fill
an A-shape with their feet flat against a 1cm down from the top and up from the bottom the holes and scrape the surface to make
support. Ensure the two lengths overlap at the of the guidelines to mark the screw fixings. it flush with the wood. Leave to fully dry then
top then mark where the two lengths overlap. Repeat on the other five shelf support locations sand. Paint the A-frame in your preferred shade,
Cut away the small triangle on the top piece, on both A-shapes. Use a drill bit smaller than the we’ve used white for a Scandi feel. Leave to dry,
then the larger shape from the bottom piece so screw diameter to drill pilot holes into each of then recoat if needed. Varnish the scaffolding

8
the lengths form one point. Repeat this step with the screw fixing points. Hold a shelf support in board lengths and leave to completely dry.

4
the other two lengths. the required location and screw it in with a drill. Lay each scaffolding board onto the
To screw each A-shape together, place Repeat with the other five supports, then attach shelf supports in the A-frame. Shelf fixings
them together on a flat surface. Use a drill the second A-frame on top, aligning the screw shouldn’t be required but avoid overloading
bit slightly larger than the screwhead to form fixing holes with the shelf supports. either end to prevent the shelf tipping.

68 yourhomestyle.uk
 Top tip
For a neater finish on your sawn
edges, when you start, draw the saw
backwards only a few times to score a
small notch in the wood. This notch
will help to ‘hold’ the saw in place,
preventing it from shuddering
out. Use the full length of the
saw for a straight line.

syerffeJ aehT dna sacuL notlrahC hteB gnilytS yreduaC evaD otohp niaM neerG ekuL sotohp spets dna tcejorP

February 2022 69
SEW simple
Make a pompom-topped pyramid doorstop
that’s guaranteed to brighten up your doorway
Sew up the gap in
slip stitch for an
invisible finish

P ompoms can make even the most

everyday item stand out – including the
humble doorstop! With our pyramid
design, made in three bright fabrics with a
carry handle and fun pompom embellishment,
this functional essential can be a stylish
addition to your décor, too. You can weigh
it down with weighted beans or even a large
pebble, and as it’s made from fabric it won’t
hurt your toes if you accidentally bump into it,
unlike a wooden doorstop.

SHOPPI NG LIST
✔ 3 x 25cm cotton fabrics, in three
different colours/prints ✔ Fabric scrap for 3 4
the handle ✔ Medium-weight iron-on
interfacing ✔ Wool for the pompoms
✔ Cardboard or pompom maker ✔ Soft
toy filling ✔ A large pebble or weighted
beans ✔ Thread ✔ Iron ✔ Scissors
✔ Sewing machine ✔ Pins

1 Press the iron-on interfacing onto the

wrong side (WS) of the three cotton fabrics,

2
following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Next, draw and cut out the triangle
templates as below. You need to draw one
equilateral triangle, with each side measuring
21cm, for the doorstop base template, and
one isosceles triangle measuring 21cm at the
base and 24cm each side for the doorstop side
template. Use these templates to cut out your 5 8
fabric triangles – you need to cut them 1cm

3
larger on each edge for the seam allowance.
With the right sides (RS) facing, pin and for a tutorial on how to make a pompom with
then sew the three side triangles to the cardboard). String the three pompoms together

4
base triangle, one at a time. using some extra wool. Then, to make the
Sew up the sides to create the 3D shape handle, cut a strip of fabric measuring 30cm by
with RS together, leaving a gap along one 6cm and fold the long edges into the centre with
side edge for turning the doorstop RS out, and WS facing, then fold it in again and sew a row of
2
mc1

up to the top point for inserting the pompoms straight stitching along each long edge to hold

7
Equilateral and handle. Turn the assembled doorstop RS out it in place.
through the gap and carefully push the corners Fold the handle in half so the short ends

5
21cm to a point with your finger. meet. Tie the pompoms together and insert
Fill the doorstop with the weighted the pompoms and the end of the handle into
beans or pebble, then fill the remainder the gap you have left at the top of the doorstop,
2
m c4

with the soft toy filling. Hand-sew the side ensuring the threads attaching the pompoms are

8
closed, leaving a gap at the pointed top for all the same length.

6
Isosceles inserting the handle and pompoms. To finish, hand-sew the opening closed,
Make three pompoms using a pompom stitching through the pompom cords and
21cm maker or cardboard (visit gathered.how the end of the fabric handle.

70 yourhomestyle.uk
 syerffeJ aehT & sacuL notlrahC hteB gnilyts otohp niaM yreduaC evaD otohp niaM egdiralC ahtnamaS segami pets & tcejorP

Top tip
Use a tapestry needle to
help turn out the points
of your doorstop; just
be careful not to pull
the stitching.

February 2022 71
TRY something new
Discover a satisfying new skill that allows you to create beautiful, practical
homewares – just follow our introductory guide to crafting with resin

P art magical concoction, part chemistry

experiment, epoxy resin is an exciting
craft – once you’ve had a go, you’ll see
why it’s become so popular! You simply mix
resin and a hardening liquid together, pour it
1 Put on the gloves from the resin kit.
Measure out the resin and hardener using
the measuring cups. Add the correct ratio of
resin to hardener, in this case it’s a ratio of 2:1.
You’ll need 270ml in total, so mix 180ml resin
point marked. Sand down any rough edges and
retouch the board with paint where necessary

5
for a flawless finish.
Superglue the three small MDF offcuts
to the back of the board, two at the same
into any mould you like, and it will set solid. with 90ml hardener. Mix thoroughly in a cup height in the top corners and one at the bottom-
From coasters to cake stands, plant pots to with a clean wooden stirrer until the mixture centre. Screw the hanging hooks through the
paperweights, if there’s a mould out there for goes from clear, to cloudy, and then back to top two blocks – the blocks allow for enough

2
it, you can create it with resin. And you can transparent again. thickness for the screw to hold securely. The
make every item truly unique too, by creating Separate the resin mixture evenly into third block at the bottom will keep the board
a bespoke resin mix each time with different five separate cups. Using a clean spoon, level against the wall when hung up. Hammer
colourings, glitter, or even dried flowers to sit add a small amount of a different colouring the nails from the back of the board through to
suspended in the resin. pigment to each cup. Stir the pigment in each the front through the drilled holes. They should
We’ve added gilding flakes to some of the cup thoroughly with a wooden stirrer until the sit flush on the back, with the sharp end of the
gems on this jewellery hanger to give them a powder is completely mixed in and the resin is nail poking out at the front. Add a small drop of
bit of shine. It’s just the project you need to get the colour you’d like. Add a small amount of superglue underneath the nail head for an even

6
to grips with the art of using resin and moulds. silver flakes to the blue and purple coloured more secure hold.

3
Once complete, you’ll have a fab spot for your resin mixes. Using a 3mm bradawl, drill a small hole
favourite necklaces – and a new skill too! Next, fill all the moulds with the coloured into the back of each resin gemstone. Take
resin mixtures, pouring one colour into each a moment to consider which way you’d like the
SHOPPI NG LIST
✔ 300ml Gedeo Crystal Resin Kit,
one. If any bubbles form, use a pin to pop them
to ensure a smooth, clear finish. Make sure the
moulds are clean and dust-free before pouring.
gemstones to face. Make the holes around 1cm
deep so the gems will fit snugly and securely.
Carefully drip superglue into the drilled holes and
transparent ✔ Resin colour pigment Leave to set on a flat, even surface where they attach to the nails. Leave to dry before hanging
powder in green, purple, orange, pink and won’t be disturbed for at least 24 hours – they on your wall.
blue ✔ Silver flakes (we used Nuvo Gilding should be hard and shiny in finish when ready.
Flakes in Silver Bullion) ✔ 30 x 15cm MDF, Once dry, carefully peel back the silicone moulds
GET inspired
4
6mm thick ✔ Three 0.5 x 1cm MDF offcuts and take the resin gemstones out.
✔ White paint ✔ Super glue ✔ 5 x 3.25cm Sand down the edges of the 30 x 15cm This project first appeared in
galvanised clout nails, 3mm head ✔ 2 x MDF piece and paint it with the white Mollie Makes, a multi-craft and
wall hanging fixtures ✔ 2 x small screws paint. Once dry, measure and mark out the lifestyle magazine that is filled with
✔ 5 x large silicone gemstone moulds points where you’d like the gem hooks to sit on inspiring projects every month!
✔ Measuring cups ✔ Mixing cups ✔ the board with a pencil, using the main image as Visit gathered.how to find out
Wooden stirrers ✔ Hammer ✔ Paintbrush a guide – aim for three gems in a row across the more about Mollie Makes or
✔ 3mm bradawl ✔ Screwdriver ✔ Drill top and two in a row underneath. They’ll need buysubscriptions.com to subscribe.
✔ Tape measure ✔ Fine sandpaper to be level and evenly spaced. Drill a 3mm hole
– the same diameter as the nails – through each

1 2 3

72 yourhomestyle.uk
 Top tip
Make sure you follow the
resin package instructions, as
the ratio of the two liquids
differs between brands, and
some require you to measure
the liquids by volume while
others are done
by weight.

notfuB yllaS & enolaM haraS gnilytS slewoS pilihP egami niaM sekaM eilloM rof argaN atineB tcejorP

4 5 6

February 2022 73
Craft stash
MUST HAVES
Style up your space on a shoestring,
with these budget craft and DIY buys Do you bit

Workshop
These natural beeswax wraps will help you
banish single-use plastics from your kitchen.
The kit contains all you need to make them –
you’ll be a hive of activity making two 25x25cm
GLASS CLASS wraps and two 15x15cm wraps. The kit is
superb value at £10 from Natural Wellness Gifts,
Try your hand at glass fusing on a taster workshop at the Stopped Clock naturalwellnessgifts.etsy.com.
studio in Balderton, Nottinghamshire. The session introduces basic
cutting and fusing techniques to create a 10x10cm glass coaster or
suncatcher, using sheet glass, frit, copper foil and inks. The two-hour
session is £35 for one person, £60 for two people, or £75 for three, and
there are multiple times and dates available throughout February – visit FEATHER YOUR NEST
stoppedclockglass.com for more information. The price includes materials Everyone’s raven about
and refreshments. All-day workshops are also available. Your kiln- Hobbycraft’s Birds String Art Kit!
fired work will be ready to collect from the studio a few days after the e kit includes 89 nails to hammer
workshop, or can be posted to you for a small charge. into a 20x18cm wooden board, and
colourful string to wind around the
‘hooks’ to fashion the birds. It just
goes to show you don’t need pricey
artwork to brighten up your home
– just a few materials and a little
imagination can go a long way.

Big hug
Keep your hot drinks warm this winter with a stylish
knitted cup cosy. This kit is quick to make in simple
garter stitch so it’s ideal for beginners. You’ll find
all the stitch guides and technique videos to bring
your project to life on Stitch & Story’s website. The
kit includes bamboo knitting needles and a sewing
A CLEAR HEAD needle, plus your choice of pure wool in Dusty Pink,
Mustard Yellow, Stormy Grey, Stone Teal or Ivory
White. Priced at £12.50 from stitchandstory.com.
Practice mindfulness while
creating beautiful items for your
home, with Becci Mai Ford’s
fab new book, Craft Your Own
Happy. is collection of 25 cute
and colourful projects is designed
to help you take your thoughts
elsewhere, reducing your anxiety
and stress levels. You’ll enjoy
making an embroidered wall
hanging, fun pom-pom footstool,
clay leaf ring dish, resin art clock,
quilted honeycomb cushion and
many more special projects. Pen
& Sword Books, £14.99.

74 yourhomestyle.uk
 WINTER
SALE

Scroll Chair in Harris Tweed Ocean Spray. Design Yours Today

You’re our favourite designer.

It’s the fabric that caught your eye out of hundreds.
The colour you chose from an infinite rainbow.
The pride and joy of the living room.
Your new favourite place to relax. Rated ‘Excellent’
It might have been handmade in the UK by us,
but it was designed with love, by you.

Let us bring your ideas to life

0800 464 0550
QUOTE YRH013 SofasBySaxon.com
 Next month in…

YH
LOVES
SPRSINTGYLE
INTOal homes Re eovers,
ak
and mtin
burs idg weaith
fresh s
egnahc ot tcejbus serutaef llA*

Instant updates! New season Easy ways to get your garden Fast, flavoursome recipes
buys from the high street ready for springtime to feed the family

On sale 3rd February 2022

To subscribe, call 03301 358962 or visit BUYSUBSCRIPTIONS.COM/YHP277
76 yourhomestyle.uk
 Reader
HOMES
Take a peek inside reader homes filled with
r
Shomeyouhere!
Have you just finished decorating
your home? If so, we’d love to see
your photos and, who knows, it may
even be featured in a future issue.
You can share them on Instagram
using #YHlovemyhome and
#YourHomemagazine

stylish finds and fresh decorating ideas

Ali James took on an unfinished renovation project and made it
86 her own, filling it with vintage charm and upcycled furniture

Sam Dent bought a blank canvas new-build and

made it super-cosy with a palette of soft neutrals

92
PLUS IDEAS TO STEAL 92

78
86
Savvy spender Sushma Samonini mixed bargain and
investment finds to give her 1930s semi a luxe look 78
February 2022 77
REAL HOME
Luxe-for-less reno
‘I mix budget-friendly
buys with forever pieces’
Bargain finds and clever DIY hacks give Sushma Samonini the freedom to splash
out on more expensive items to complete her beautiful home

S ushma and Shaun Samonini found their

family home in 2019 with big dreams
for the space, which Sushma documents
on Instagram @house_on_the_way. It was the
bright, spacious landing that won them over
BABuRGy youAIrNmiFIrroNrsD
from bathroom suppli ers.
quality
‘ey’re often greofatthe
but at a fraction retailerscos,’
t
after the couple had lost out on another house
just around the corner, in Buckhurst Hill, of well-known a.
Essex. ‘I knew it was the one when we walked says Sushm
up the stairs,’ says Sushma. ‘We also liked
the fact that it hadn’t already been extended.
It would have been out of budget had it been
done already and this meant we could add
long-term value to it ourselves.’
Steadily, the couple are renovating
room-by-room, from top to bottom. As the
downstairs had been updated by the previous

Knowing they’d never be able to afford

a fully renovated house in this area, they
took on this project property and have
made it their dream family home

78 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME
owners fairly recently, Sushma and Shaun
turned their attention to the upstairs rooms.
‘e bedrooms and bathrooms were quite
dated, so we set to work on renovating the
entire top floor in one go just a few months
after moving in,’ says Sushma. Since then,
they’ve also had work done on a few rooms
downstairs, saving the dining room and the
kitchen for a big, ground floor extension in a LIVING ROOM
few years’ time. The couple gave the hearth a stylish –
and thrifty – new look. ‘We used tiles
THE POWER OF PAINT leftover from doing our bathroom. It
e couple haven’t made any structural took 43 tiles in all – the exact amount

COME ON IN. .
changes yet (apart from adding a clever, we had left!’ says Sushma
under-stairs WC) – instead, they’ve worked OUR MUST HAVES Abernathy coffee
on smart decorating projects, which have table by Etta Avenue, £84.99, Wayfair.
included an ultra-budget makeover for Scott 3-seater cotton velvet sofa in
Navy, £1,099, MADE.com. Green and gold WE ARE Sushma Samonini, 38, a data
the kitchen. ‘It cost us just over £100,’ says ribbed glass vase, £20, Dunelm storage consultant, and Shaun Samonini,
35, a musician and nutritionist. We have a
little boy, Avery, three, and we are currently
expecting our second child.
‘I have a strong black and gold OUR HOME IS A four-bedroom, 1930s
theme running throughout semi-detached property in Buckhurst
the house and I’m partial to Hill, Essex.

a geometric pattern’ OUR BEST IDEA Was to turn the

upstairs loo into a utility room. It’s so
convenient having the washing machine
and dryer tucked away upstairs.
OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE Was
living through the upstairs renovation with
a two-year-old while sleeping in the living
room. It was hard living in such a limited
space with dust everywhere. But worth it!
GROUND FLOOR

Porch
Study Living
Room
Hall
WC

Kitchen Playroom/
dining
room

FIRST FLOOR
yarruM anoiF sotohP nostaW araL erutaeF

Office

Bedroom Bedroom
Bedroom

Utility

Bathroom

February 2022 79
REAL HOME DAYLIGHT SAVING
Brighten up a dark
scheme with shiny,
light-reflecting surfaces.
Sushma’s glass table
bounces light from
the bay window.

The couple took a Sushma. ‘I wanted to revamp the space and

chance on a darker make it feel more in tune with the rest of
living room to create the house, so I painted one of the walls with
a cocooning effect,
panelling the walls for leftover paint from another room and used
old-school snugness Jes Rose Home vinyl to create a faux tiled
splashback. e impact these subtle changes
have made is amazing.’
e house was all creams, whites and greys
when they first moved in, and Sushma soon
rectified that with her favourite combination
The hallway of monochrome and muted colours. ‘I have a
features a mix strong black and gold theme running through
of HomeSense,
Swoon and French the house and I’m partial to a geometric
Connection –
all Sushma’s
pattern,’ she says. ‘I also can’t do with too
favourites – plus much clutter – I’m definitely somewhere
a bargain Better between a minimalist and a maximalist.’
Bathrooms mirror It comes as no surprise, then, that Sushma
has flexed her creativity with a number
of DIY projects to get just the right look,
including painting her own canvas for the
landing. ‘I was looking for the perfect piece
of art for ages and everything was either not
quite right or too expensive,’ she says. ‘In the
end, I decided to give it a go myself and I’m so
pleased with the result. I used regular filler to

80 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME
WC
It might be small, but Sushma has
managed to fit plenty of luxury details
into her petite WC, with sleek fixtures,
walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Setting
Plaster, and terrazzo tiles
OUR MUST HAVES Black slimline
trolley, £28, Dunelm. Crosswater MPRO
toilet roll holder in Brushed Brass,
£51.89, Victorian Plumbing. Capi Nature
Groove pot in Gold, £47.99, Bakker.com

OFFICE
Green is said to boost creativity, so it’s the perfect
choice for Shaun’s music room. Streamlined storage
for equipment means there’s space for a sofa, too
OUR MUST HAVES 2-seater velvet Taby sofa in
Black, £369, Beliani. Idåsen drawer unit, £99, IKEA.
Gold leopard print, £13, Ink & Drop

‘I was looking for the perfect piece of

art for ages and everything was either
not quite right or too expensive. In the
end, I decided to give it a go myself’

February 2022 81
REAL HOME
KITCHEN
As they plan on extending in the future, the couple
only spent £100 on updating the existing kitchen,
adding a geometric vinyl splashback, new blinds and
an IKEA rug – but it looks so much more expensive
OUR MUST HAVES Jes Rose Home abstract geometric
Black & White vinyl, from £22 per metre, Jes Rose.
Kitchen Conversions ceramic chopping board, £7.95,
Live Laugh Love. Hodde flatwoven rug, £90, IKEA

‘I can’t do with too much

clutter – I’m definitely somewhere
between a minimalist
and a maximalist’

82 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME
UTILITY ROOM
The upstairs utility used to be a separate WC. ‘We were
initially going to use this space for storage,’ says Sushma.
‘But then we decided to make it a utility as we didn’t
Wooden have space for one downstairs. It ended up being so
accessories and handy! Even when we extend, we will leave it up here’
pink touches OUR MUST HAVES Bekväm spice rack shelves, £3.50 each,
add softness to IKEA. Addis Rose Gold 3-tier airer, £14.99, ALDI. Astrid Pink
Sushma’s black- porcelain tiles, £43.13 per sq m, Mandarin Stone
and-white look

STORAGE HACK
To maximise storage in
her small utility, Sushma
painted IKEA spice racks
and hung them on the
back of the door for easy
access to cleaning
BATHROOM products.
Sushma added lots of pattern and
texture to warm up her monochrome
bathroom, with chevron tiles, brass
taps, a wooden vanity and greenery
OUR MUST HAVES Sleek Edison
pendant in Light Brass, £29, Industville.
Diamond geo towels, from £8, Next.
Fusion Matt White porcelain chevron
tiles, £77.86 per sq m, Mandarin Stone

add texture to a canvas and then leftover paint

from all the rooms in the house, which I feel
really ties it all together so well.’
Sushma’s most recent DIY project was
the mural she created in their garden lounge
area. ‘I wanted to do something cheap as a
temporary measure,’ she says. ‘I had originally
considered using a stencil, but as I thought
about it more, I really wanted to make it a
piece of statement art instead.’ Her impressive
geometric design in yellow, green, pink
and blue Lick paints is a show-stopper that
extends the family’s living space outside.

February 2022 83
REAL HOME
Inside the house, Sushma’s favourite they were much nicer than the ones I’d
scheme is the living room. Being north-east originally picked out.’
facing, in its original magnolia, the lack of
light left Sushma feeling it was all too dull AFFORDABLE LUXURY
and dreary, so an injection of colour was Sushma’s go-tos for furnishings are TK Maxx,
much-needed. ‘I remember reading a article HomeSense and H&M Home, though she
in which Farrow & Ball suggested embracing admits her house is, ‘a bit of a showroom’ for
the cooler light with darker colours, to create MADE.com and Cult Furniture. She doesn’t
a cocooning feel,’ says Sushma. ‘So, we did believe in spending a lot to achieve a high-end
exactly that and painted it in its Hague Blue look. ‘It’s all about mixing a few expensive
shade. It’s so cosy now, and I can’t begin to pieces with more affordable items to bring a
tell you how comfortable our sofas are! ey room together,’ she says.
were actually an error in my MADE.com With their second child on the way,
order, but we ended up keeping them as Sushma is decorating the nursery, as well as

‘It’s all about mixing a few expensive

pieces with more affordable
items to bring a room together’

Sushma has really

let her creativity flow,
making artwork for the
staircase from filler and
leftover paint

STYLING TRICK
By matching the
headboard to the dark
walls, Sushma has swathed
her bedroom in colour,
making it feel super
opulent.

MAIN BEDROOM
The main bedroom is all about
luxury, from the full-bodied
colour on the walls – Obsidian by
Little Greene – to the little extras
that make a big difference, such
as classy brass light fittings and
dusky-pink, cosy bedding from
MADE.com
OUR MUST HAVES Roscoe
double bed with storage drawers
in Pine Green Velvet, £699, MADE.
com. Rumi bedside table, £149,
Dunelm. Sleek Edison wall light in
Brass, £29, Industville
mobilism.org
84 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME
Avery’s room. ‘He will be getting a big-boy
bed,’ she smiles. ‘His room needs to be a bit
less babyish now he’s going to be an older
brother.’ Taking a renovation slowly may
feel like baby steps, but the Samoninis are
enjoying the journey towards their perfect
family home.

BOY’S BEDROOM
Avery’s room is filled with fun colours and
animal motifs to inspire his imagination,
plus plenty of practical shelving for toys and
books to keep it as clutter-free as possible
OUR MUST HAVES Sweet Mustard Yellow
vintage 5-drawer chiffonier, £194, Maisons
du Monde. Reversible teepee Sioux, £135;
Harlequin rug in White, £64, both Vertbaudet

Walls painted in Denim Drift by Dulux give Avery’s room a softness, pepped up by bright
artwork by Lorna Freytag and Evie Leo for a scheme designed for both sleep and play

4
STEAL‘I likeMYa boldSTYLE
take on
minimalism, with no clutter
but lots of colour’ Sushma
6
1

2 3
5
1. Raquel 4-seater clic-clac sofa bed by Etta Avenue, £799.99, Wayfair 2. Bloomingville Cap side table, £335, Sweetpea & Willow 3. Octavia table
lamp in Black & Brass, £45, MADE.com 4. Stay Grounded abstract art print, £23, Green Lilli 5. Hale low storage stool in Teal Velvet, £99, Cult
Furniture 6. Dutchbone Bid antique-style Persian rug in Old Red, £319, Cuckooland
FOR STOCKISTS SEE P126
February 2022 85
REAL HOME
Neutral new-build
‘We turned a blank canvas
into a cosy sanctuary’
To make a bland new-build their own, Sam and Stu Dale combined their love of soft
neutrals and snug textures to create a laid-back home full of personal touches

W hen Sam Dale’s husband, Stu, got

a new job a few years ago, it meant
the couple would have to move
from Cumbria down to Oxfordshire. ‘It was
exciting as it was daunting,’ admits Sam, ‘as
we had no idea what the area was like.’ e
couple decided to rent while exploring the
area, and they spent the next year driving
around villages looking for their new home.
‘To be honest, we would have liked a period
property, but we chose a new-build as they
are generally cheaper, and also we could take
advantage of the Help to Buy scheme,’ Sam
says, going on to explain, ‘there’s a massive
differential in house prices from the north to
south, and this was a way to help us get on
the property ladder down here. To put it in
perspective, this place is more than double the
price of our similar home in Cumbria.’
e couple eventually found a small
development in a village location and went
to view the show home. ‘e plot was still
just a field at the time,’ says Sam, ‘but we saw
this exact house design in another town and
immediately fell in love with the large hall
and landing. And this plot was in a quiet
location at the front of the development,
so hardly anyone goes by, which was a real
bonus,’ she says. ey put down a deposit

‘We chose a new-build as they

are generally cheaper and
we could take advantage of
the Help to Buy scheme’
‘One of our best investments
was getting family portraits
done,’ says Sam, who chose a
photographer with a style that
suits her colour palette. ‘They’re
so personal and I love the fact
that they mean something to us’

86 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME

‘My mother-in-law
dries hydrangeas
each year and gives
some to me,’ says
Sam, who loves the
soft colours and easy
interest dried flowers
give. She also dries
pampas grass herself

COME ON IN. .
that she gathers from
her friend’s garden

Neutral doesn’t have

to mean dull as Sam WE ARE Sam Dale, 33, a marketing
discovered. She chose manager, my husband, Stu, 34, a Senior
a white base, and Electrical Technician for Formula 1, our
added lots of different 14-month-old daughter, Ottie, and our two
layers in creams, greige
and brown tones, cats, Mini and Jess.
which complement
each other to create
visual pace and stop
OUR HOME IS a four-bedroom,
the space feeling flat detached new-build in Harwell,
Oxfordshire, and we’ve lived here since
September 2018.
MY BEST BARGAIN was the kitchen
makeover. We saved thousands by simply
tiling and painting the room, rather than
changing all the cabinets and it’s created a
whole new vibe that I love.
NEXT TO DO I would love to install
a fake chimney breast and some alcove
shelving in the living room, as one of the
big problems with a new-build is a lack of
storage and character.
MY FAVOURITE ROOM is Ottie’s. I
really enjoyed designing and styling this
space because I could be a bit more fun and
creative in there.

SOnFL-Ash, SOapedGsoOfaOisD GROUND FLOOR

A k Hall
a clever wayrotoombranead
up a long
ithout
nostaW enaJ eitaK sotohP sesoM asiL gnilyts dna erutaeF
add seatingganwex tra but then had a six-month wait while the Living
WC
ne ed in house was being built, though Sam admits room
chair. they did drive past a few times to check on Kitchen-
diner
the progress. ‘We finally got our moving Storage
LIVING ROOM date two weeks after we got back from our
‘I studied fashion design when I honeymoon,’ says Sam, ‘which made it an
was younger and I loved colour expensive time for us, so we decided to FIRST FLOOR
and pattern, but I came to realise save money and go for the standard options
that it was texture I loved the available, rather choose upgrades.’
most,’ explains Sam, ‘this suits a e kitchen and bathroom were fitted, Nursery Bedroom
neutral scheme, as I create interest Landing
using macramé cushions, dried carpets were included, and the whole house
grasses and rattan accessories’ was painted white throughout, however, Bathroom
OUR MUST HAVES Sam and Stu did choose to upgrade the vinyl Bedroom
Vintage effect rug, from £119.99, flooring downstairs, and in the bathroom, to Bedroom
Zara Home. Freyer 4-seater lounger ceramic tiles, to give the space a better-quality
sofa, £899, DFS. Leit decorative finish. ‘We also had the option to upgrade to En suite
ladder, £44.95, Sklum. Macramé
tassel cushion, £22, Next integrated appliances in the kitchen, but it

February 2022 87
 REAL HOME

ON DISopPLenAYshelf,
Using an
rather than cuppobortuardnits,y
provides an opan eye-
to create
catching displas.y of
jugs and jar

KITCHEN
Sam wanted additional storage space without
adding more units on the wall, and this open
wooden shelf from IKEA brings a cosy, cottage
feel into the modern kitchen
OUR MUST HAVES
Mosaic herringbone White matt tiles, £3.95
per sheet, Tiles Direct. Foster hand-braided rug
in Beige, £109.99, Wayfair. Black spiral candle
set, £16 for six, Nordic House. For similar cupboard
handles try GoodHome Annatto matt Black steel
bar cabinet handle, £6 for two, B&Q

88 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME

‘The whole kitchen makeover

cost less than £200, and these
small changes have been so
transformative that I don’t think TAKE AchSEtoATgive
we’ll replace it any time soon’ Add a ben
you and your fam–ilyit
versatile seating red
can be easily stole,
under the tab
cost so much more money that we decided to Small changes
can make a big
too.
source our own,’ says Sam. difference, as Sam
found out after
JUST WARMING UP replacing her kitchen
handles to these
e couple then decided to live with the industrial-style
house as it was for a while, as Sam admits ones, which, at only
that, initially, she wasn’t sure how to decorate £1.69 each from
the space. But she soon found the builder’s Amazon, were a
white paint quite stark and cold so, after a game-changer
year, the couple decided to paint the living Sam and Stu would
room a warmer, more cosy white. ‘I chose like a built-in bench,
Farrow & Ball’s Wevet, which has a hint of but have made do
grey, and as soon as it went on the walls it with a free-standing
one for now. ‘Some
lifted the room completely,’ she explains. e of the radiators have
couple did the painting themselves to save been put in annoying
money, and then, spurred on by the success of places, so it will be
her initial updates, Sam decided to add some a bigger job than it
panelling to the room. ‘It was a lockdown seems and it needs
a bit of thought,’
job,’ she says. ‘I was pregnant and classed as explains Sam
high-risk and I couldn’t go out so I spent my
time working on interiors projects.’
As the house is modern, Sam didn’t want a
traditional look, so she designed a simple grid

February 2022 89
 SAECRET STORAGE
n otto
the full lemnangthbed uses
base for built- of the
storage, perinfe , hidden
stashing seas ct for
clothing. onal

MAIN BEDROOM
Sam designed the pendant
lights herself. ‘I bought
the shades from Sass &
Belle and attached them
to the natural-look cord
from Creative Cables. Then
Stu wired them into the
ceiling,’ explains Sam, who
likes the way they free
up surface space on the
bedside tables
OUR MUST HAVES
Grant Upholstered Eire
linen ottoman bed, £550,
Aspire Store. Urban Paradise
1-drawer bedside table,
£30, B&M. Pax wardrobe
with Grimo doors, from
£310, IKEA. Woven seagrass
lampshade, £20, Sass & Belle

effect and quickly realised it was all about the

as we moved in and fell out of love with it
maths, ‘so I wrote all the numbers on the wallpretty quickly,’ she admits. ‘Although the
to help,’ she says. ‘Stu attached the MDF and plan, long-term, was to replace it, initially we
then I painted it the same colour as the rest didn’t have the funds so I decided to give it a
of the room, as I wanted to add character, butcheap update.’ e couple painted the walls in
in a subtle way.’ Sam loved the effect so much Farrow & Ball’s Strong White, replaced the
that she used it in other rooms in her home. stainless-steel splashback with herringbone
‘I wanted to add interest to the bedroom, but tiles, and added black handles. ‘e whole
chose a slightly more traditional look to givemakeover cost less than £200, and these small
the room a bit of a hotel-luxe vibe.’ changes have been so transformative that I
don’t think we’ll replace it any time soon,’ says Sam has found clever storage solutions
FINISHED... FOR NOW Sam. ‘In fact, although I’m always finding in keeping with her interior aesthetic,
including baskets in varying weaves on top
Sam then turned her attention to the kitchen. new projects, we’ve got to a stage where we of the wardrobe, and a wall hook for styling
‘I regretted not upgrading this space as soon can relax and enjoy our home as it is!’ up with favourite bags and accessories

90 yourhomestyle.uk
 OTTIE’S BEDROOM
For a child-friendly twist on Sam’s grown-up
neutrals, she’s created a cute reading nook for Ottie
with a stylish canopy, and added low shelves and
pegs so Ottie can help herself to books and toys
OUR MUST HAVES
For a similar canopy try the Baby Canopy, £97.98, Little
Dreams. Life is Wonderful wall flag, £26, Kitty Makes.
Wildflower wall flag, £28, Leonie & the Leopard. For
similar book storage try Bekväm spice rack, £3.50, IKEA

Sam originally
planned to convert
the dresser into a
bathroom cabinet,
BATHROOM but it didn’t fit
so she painted it
Sam and Stu chose neutral bathroom tiles for in Farrow & Ball’s
a classic look that will last, adding foliage and Pink Ground and
bamboo accessories for a spa vibe. They also uses it as storage
chose to forego a fitted shower and screen as Sam in Ottie’s room
felt the room looks more spacious without them
OUR MUST HAVES
For similar bathroom wall tiles, try the Energy
Light Grey concrete effect porcelain wall and floor
tile, £16.08 per sq m, Total Tiles. The Just Wellness
Bamboo Duckboard, £14, George at ASDA

STEAL MY STYLE
1 3
‘I love the relaxed, neutral look, but
add interest with textured cushions,
soft throws and dried flowers’ Sam
4

2
5 6
1. Miro Chaise corner sofa in Oat Weave fabric, £849, MADE.com 2. Macrame cushion, £18; Adah cushion, £12, both Dunelm
3. Cupula Rattan pendant shade, £39.50, Oliver Bonas 4. Suzelle Rattan bedside table, £87, Maisons Du Monde 5. Medium Flower
Rattan mirror, £20, Sass & Belle 6. Faye preserved and dried flower bouquet, £36, Shida Florist
FOR STOCKISTS SEE P126
February 2022 91
REAL HOME
Characterful cottage
‘I breathed new life into
a neglected house’
Ali James and her husband, Gary, took on an unfinished renovation project and
completed the work themselves, adding a vintage flourish with upcycled finds

LOUNGE
Originally two rooms,
the lounge is now one
big family space filled
with traditional charm.
‘We also reinstated the
fireplace and painted the
orange pine woodwork
to create a more restful
feel,’ says Ali
OUR MUST HAVES
Ektorp two-seater sofa,
£279, IKEA. Walls painted
in modern emulsion in
Stony Ground, £57 per
2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Blue
herringbone throw,
£20, Sass & Belle. Yearn
overmantle mirror in
Gold, £159, Dunelm

W hen Ali James and her husband,

Gary, moved into their Victorian
cottage, it was a far cry from
how it is today: walls were painted a dreary
magnolia, orange carpet in every room,
the potential of this property was incredibly
appealing,’ says Ali.
Despite the couple’s tight budget, they
were able to transform the house – turning it
from a tired cottage, with an unusual warren
cracking render and poorly laid tiles. ‘e of tiny rooms, into a spacious family home.
interior of the house was really quite dated, ‘Gary’s expertise in property maintenance
Now a welcoming, cosy cottage; Ali but we needed somewhere that was big has definitely helped: he built the decked
and Gary have transformed this once enough for us and our six children. At the area in the garden, re-laid wonky terracotta
unusual house into a family home time, there was very little on the market, and tiles in the kitchen and chipped off the

92 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME
‘I’ll scour the
internet and charity
shops for pretty bits
and pieces. I love
anything that’s a
bit rusty and
unloved’
COME ON IN. .
SNUG
The couple have
elevated existing
features with WE ARE Ali James, my husband, Gary,
DIY updates. ‘I
wasn’t keen on the and our six children. I’m currently a teaching
terracotta hearth assistant and training to be a teacher. Gary
tiles, so I painted works in property maintenance.
them using a
stencil,’ says Ali OUR HOME IS A five-bedroom, semi-
OUR MUST HAVES detached cottage in Somerset.
Chimney breast
painted in modern I LEARNT THAT Taking time over a
emulsion in Green project means your style evolves. Living in
Smoke, £56 per a space while you renovate can help you
2.5L, Farrow & Ball.
Walls painted in understand how you actually use it.
Laura Ashley matt
emulsion in Pale
Twine, £38 for 2.5L,
MY BEST BARGAIN The big kitchen
Next. Kallat stencil, table was a huge bargain – handmade
£6.98, Dizzy Duck at just £400 – and it’s perfect for a large
Designs family such as ours.

SHABBY CHIC GROUND FLOOR

WC
Look for sec -
hand items with aond
wear and tear to bit of
Living room

add texture, historthey mandto

vintage charm to a
period home. Snug
Kitchen-
diner
flaking plaster in preparation for rendering.
We’ve invested a great deal of time here:
when I’m not at work, you’ll often find me, FIRST FLOOR
paintbrush in hand, upcycling furniture or
updating a colour scheme,’ says Ali. En suite
Bedroom

COMFORT RESTORED
retraC madA sotohP tsruH yhtaK gnilyts & erutaeF
Bedroom
e project was not without its challenges.
ere was an unfinished extension, which
was quite off-putting to lots of buyers: Bedroom Bathroom
when Ali and Gary viewed the property, Bedroom
part of the house could only be accessed by
climbing through the living room window.
e cottage was originally heated by a ATTIC
temperamental stove and the family lived for
several months with no central heating. ‘For
a while, the only warmth was from the log Storage
burner in the snug, and our electric blankets,’
says Ali, who juggled the renovation
Bedroom
Ali’s talent for finding vintage gems means
every corner is filled with eclectic treasures,
from cricket bats to blue patterned china

February 2022 93
REAL HOME

‘When I’m not at work, you’ll often

find me, paintbrush in hand, upcycling
furniture or updating a colour scheme’
alongside full time work and study. ‘We
had one bathroom between eight of us, an
outdoor toilet, and a number of rooms that
didn’t even have sockets.’
However, undaunted by the extensive KITCHEN
refurbishment, the couple set to work on ‘While the cabinets weren’t
necessarily what I would
reconfiguring the property – completing the choose, they were too good
unfinished bathroom, removing a wall in the to rip out. Replacing the
kitchen, and taking down the stud wall in tiles and investing in a new
range cooker instead has
the lounge to return the room to its original transformed the space,’
proportions. ‘ere’s now a real sense of enthuses Ali
space – Gary and I can now watch TV in one OUR MUST HAVES
room while the children occupy themselves Ottava pendant lamps, £35
in another,’ says Ali. During the restoration, each, IKEA. Belling Kensington
they also uncovered some beautiful period range oven, £1,199, Currys.
Chairs painted in Laura Ashley
stonework – previously hidden beneath the eggshell in Ivory, £24 for
render. ‘We couldn’t bear to cover it up so we 750ml, Next. Kilner jars,
decided to keep it exposed as a feature.’ 500ml, £2.49 each, The Range
ECO ELEGANCE Ali has made a feature
of the landing leading
With an eye for a bargain, Ali saved money up to the attic bedroom,
by sourcing items second-hand or discounted created by reducing the
in a sale: the Laura Ashley sofa in the snug size of one of the existing
was a £60 Facebook Marketplace find; the bedrooms. ‘As we don’t
wallpaper in the lounge from an end-of-line have a hallway, it’s nice
to have this space on the
bargain bin; furniture from the reduced first floor,’ she says

94 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME

WORK OF ART
Paint frames and display
them together for a statement
in themselves – no prints
needed. ‘I buy them quite
cheaply and paint them the
same colour for cohesion,’
says Ali.

MAIN BEDROOM
The couple had to
completely renovate
this room; then Ali
cosied it up with
sophisticated soft
pinks and creams.
‘When we moved in,
the walls were just bare
plaster and there was
no electric supply or Vintage shutters and a metal bench
heating,’ she says give this corner of the bedroom a
rustic-chic, French farmhouse feel
OUR MUST HAVES
Egyptian cotton
bedding, £34 for a double
duvet cover, Dunelm.
Chamonix throw, £62,
Dusk. For a similar cushions
try Linange pure washed
linen cushion cover in
Ecru, £25, La Redoute

corner at IKEA; and a second-hand chest of are adorned with glass jars, old clothbound
drawers from eBay. ‘I favour reusing rather book and retro tins. ‘I’ll scour the internet
than buying new: we tend to be quite eco- and charity shops for pretty bits and pieces. I
conscious in our choices,’ she says. ‘I’ll also love anything that’s a bit rusty and unloved.’
wait until the sales for larger purchases – like Although most days are currently spent
our free-standing bath, which I happened to beside the fire, the couple are looking
see in a showroom window, miles away from forward to making use of the decked area
where we live.’ She has also added character they built last year, taking advantage of the
with vintage finds: the kitchen splashback is garden’s sunniest spot. Ali tracked down
fashioned from an old window; and shelves a well-priced rattan sofa set, and Gary

February 2022 95
REAL HOME
made the area feel more secluded with a e couple are delighted with the way
pergola constructed from leftover decking the cottage looks now, and how well it works
boards and decorative screens. ‘is area for their family of eight. ‘I love to breathe
was overgrown with shrubs and weeds – new life into a house: to make it lighter and
I’m so looking forward to having a place brighter and more characterful,’ Ali smiles.
outdoors to sit with a book.’ When the ‘Sometimes, it’s hard to remember quite
budget permits, they hope to build a log what it was like when we moved in, but we’re
cabin, and convert an outbuilding into an thrilled with how it is now – with enough
Airbnb, giving them additional income. ‘We space for us all to eat together around the
don’t have a garage so it’s a bit of a dumping kitchen table. It’s been a lot of hard work,
ground at the moment,’ says Ali. but it is definitely worth it.’

‘Sometimes, it’s hard

to remember quite
what it was like when
we moved in, but
we’re thrilled with
how it is now’

GIRL’S BEDROOM
Ali has paired DIY panelling
with geometric accessories
in her daughter’s bedroom
to make it youthful and
trendy, yet in keeping with
the classic look of the house
OUR MUST HAVES
Panelling painted in estate
eggshell in Sulking Room
Pink, £29 for 750ml, Farrow &
Ball. Octagon shelf in Gold,
£15; for a similar basket try two-
tone Pink wicker basket, £5,
both B&M

BATHROOM
Ali and Gary loved the warm
wood tones throughout the
house, so they kept a lot of
the existing woodwork. In
the family bathroom, Ali has
lifted it with pastels so it
feels light and bright
OUR MUST HAVES
Luxury Cream pampas grass,
£4 per stem, The Pink Toucan.
Pebble Blush bath mat, £14,
Dunelm. For a similar basket try
seagrass rectangular lidded
storage basket hamper, from
£9, The Basket Company

96 yourhomestyle.uk
 REAL HOME
GARDEN VARIETY
Create an extra living area
to use in the warmer months
with a garden lounge. Arrange
seating around an outdoor
rug and add cushions and
a table for a comfy,
sociable space.

BOY’S BEDROOM PATIO

Ali’s choice of charcoal paint, rather Gary built the decking area
than flat black, softens her monochrome from scratch, using leftover
scheme. As always, she’s filled it with decking boards and offcut
vintage finds – but has swapped shabby- decorative screens
chic for cool, industrial style in this room OUR MUST HAVES
OUR MUST HAVES Barbados rattan corner sofa,
Linen duvet cover in Grey Chambray, £999, Niture UK. Alhambra
£90, La Redoute. Chest of drawers painted large screen in Black, £95,
in modern eggshell in Downpipe, £29 for Screen with Envy. Iswik
750ml, Farrow & Ball flatweave rug, £80, La Redoute

STEAL MY STYLE
2 4 ‘I like to mix second-hand
1 finds with vintage-look
high-street buys’ Ali

3 5
1. Winchester iron bed, from £279, The Original Bed Co 2. Masso Nickel pendant, £35, Dunelm 3. Catherine Lansfield chunky knit throw in
Pink, £25, La Redoute 4. Grey vintage floral stem art print, from £9.95, Abstract House 5. Westcott Oak painted coffee table, £295, Homebase
FOR STOCKISTS SEE P126
February 2022 97
Gudrun’s
Spice
Cupboard
WINTER 2021

SHOP ONLINE ORDER A CATALOGUE

www.gudrunsjoden.com
 Fd &
DRINK
Our favourite foodie finds this month, plus turn over for budget-
friendly family meals and Valentine’s Day dinner inspiration

3 WAYS WITH… purple sprouting brooli

This super winter veg is a more tender version of broccoli,
and is bursting with folic acid and vitamins A and C
To create a side dish to serve with roast dinner, steam 500g broccoli for 3
minutes, until just tender. Meanwhile, melt 50g butter, then juice and zest of ½ lemon.
Drain the broccoli and place on a serving platter. Drizzle with the butter and lemon juice
and zest. Season and sprinkle over 75g toasted flaked almonds.
For a twist on eggs Florentine, boil 125g broccoli until tender. Drain and keep warm.
Melt 100g butter in a pan. Meanwhile, crack an egg into the blender and add ½ tsp
mustard, ½ tbsp lemon juice and chilli powder, to taste. Switch on a blender and pour
in the butter; blend until fully mixed. Heat a large pan of water to a rolling boil. Crack
2 eggs into the pan and poach until the whites are cooked. Toast a slice of bread, then
place on a plate. Put the eggs on top. Add the broccoli and spoon over the hollandaise.
To make tempura battered broccoli with dipping sauce, put 4 tbsp soy sauce,
juice of ½ lime, 1 tbsp caster sugar and 2 tbsp rice vinegar into a bowl and whisk. Tip
100g plain flour and 50g cornflour into a large bowl and whisk in 250ml chilled soda
water. Fill a pan no more than 1/3 full of vegetable oil and heat to 180°C. Dip 4 or 5

segamI ytteG otohP

broccoli spears (200g in total) into the batter, coat fully and gently lower into the oil. Fry
for 4-5 minutes, then drain on kitchen paper and season. Serve with the sauce.
FROZEN
THIS MONTH WE LOVE
FANCIES
Iconic Mr Kipling cakes have had
a frozen makeover in this range of
Vegan food just gets better all ice-cream, available in Viennese Whirl,
the time, as proved by M&S French Fancy and Chocolate Slice.
Plant Kitchen’s new range of Each tub is full of vanilla or
comfort foods, which is made chocolate ice cream with
for when the nights are still the much-loved sweet
a little too dark. We love the treats swirled through.
Bravas Dirty Fries that are Available from Iceland
made using wheat and pea for £3.50 per tub.
protein and piled high with
vegan cheese – share or scoff
them yourself. Priced at £3.50.

Try me…
Add some pizazz
Drink me…
For a perfect Valentine’s
Eat me…
If you’re heading into
to pizza night and Day drink with a special the office more often,
get the kids (big meal, try a bottle of you’ll need to bag
and little!) to eat SPAR’s Regional Selection some snacks to power
more veg with Languedoc Red, priced through. Carnival
Sacla’s Beetroot at £7.49. It’s a classic Kitchen’s new range
Pizza Bases. Simply choice to serve with steak of street food-inspired
add your favourite and it is part of SPAR’s light bites include
topping. Priced at own-label, 100 per cent this Red Thai Pork
£3.29 (two bases) vegan range, which is Flatbread, available
at ocado.com. unusual for a red. from Asda for £2.50.

February 2022 99
A POUND A PLATE
FOOD & DRINK

Feed your family for just £1 per serving with these

delicious lunch and dinner dishes

PREPARATION
TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME
25 minutes
SERVES 4

Pesto brunch eggs DIRECTIONS

■ Preheat your oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/
tomatoes on one side of the pan, away from
the eggs). Once the eggs are cooked, remove
YOU WILL NEED Gas Mark 4. the pan from the heat. Add the spinach
✔ 4 potatoes, chopped into 2cm dice, left ■ Spread out the diced potato on a baking and potatoes to the pan and mix everything
unpeeled ✔ 4 tbsp shop-bought pesto tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a together. Once the spinach has wilted,
✔ 8 eggs ✔ 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered pinch of salt. Roast for 20 minutes, or until season, then serve topped with a sprinkling
✔ A few handfuls of spinach ✔ A handful of cooked. Remove from the oven and set aside. of Parmesan cheese.
Parmesan, or hard Italian cheese, grated ■ Place a frying pan over a medium heat and
✔ Olive oil ✔ Salt and pepper add the pesto and a glug of olive oil. Break in TOP TIP: Adding the pesto before you fry
the eggs and add the tomatoes (keeping the your eggs means it incorporates as they set.

100 yourhomestyle.uk
 FOOD & DRINK
Pulled chicken and black bean chilli
YOU WILL NEED garlic, paprika and cumin, and continue
✔ 4 chicken legs ✔ 2 red onions, to fry for a couple more minutes before
sliced ✔ 4 garlic cloves ✔ 4 tsp adding the chopped tomatoes and
smoked paprika ✔ 4 tsp ground the stock cube. Stir to combine, then
cumin ✔ 800g chopped tomatoes cover with a lid and simmer for about
(approximately 2 tins) ✔ 1 veg, chicken 20 minutes, adding a splash of water
or beef stock cube ✔ 800g black beans if required.
(approximately 2 tins), drained ■ Remove the chicken from the sauce
✔ A few dollops of crème fraîche and place on a plate. Use a fork to
✔ Coriander leaves (optional) shred the meat. Discard the bones and
✔ Slices of red chilli (optional) return the meat to the saucepan. Add
✔ Olive oil ✔ Salt and pepper the black beans to the pan and simmer
for another couple of minutes. Season
PREPARATION DIRECTIONS to taste and serve with dollops of crème
TIME 10 minutes ■ Season the chicken legs and place fraîche, and a few coriander leaves and
COOKING TIME them in a saucepan or casserole dish slices of chilli to garnish.
40 minutes with a splash of olive oil over a medium
SERVES 4 heat. Add the onions and cook for TOP TIP: For a veggie option, just leave
about 10 minutes until the chicken out the chicken and chuck in some extra
is coloured on all sides. Next add the veg or more black beans.

upyour
Herb stem fritters esU
YOU WILL NEED DIRECTIONS PREPARATION
TIME 5 minutes

s re
✔ 6 spring onions, sliced ■ In a bowl, mix together the spring Le fto v COOKING TIME
✔ A few handfuls of frozen onions, peas, egg, flour, cheese and 15 minutes
SERVES 4
peas, defrosted ✔ 2 eggs, beaten herb stalks. Season with salt and
✔ 8 tbsp plain flour ✔ A few pepper. Place a frying pan over a
handfuls of any leftover cheese medium heat and add a splash of olive
(such as Cheddar, Brie or feta), oil, then use a big serving spoon to add
grated, crumbled or finely diced about an eighth of the mixture to the
✔ Handful of leftover herb stalks, pan in one big dollop. Repeat until you
finely chopped ✔ Olive oil have 8 fritters. Fry them for about 5
✔ Salt and pepper minutes on each side, then serve.

Patchwork roast chicken pie

sgnivres 4 ot gnivres 1 morf pu delacs neeb evah sepicer llA
YOU WILL NEED a medium heat for 1 minute.
✔ 8 tsp plain flour ✔ 800ml Begin to slowly add milk, stirring
milk ✔ A few handfuls of cooked continuously until a sauce forms.
chicken (such as roast chicken), Remove from the heat and throw
shredded ✔ A few handfuls of in the chicken, veg, potatoes,
leftover cooked veg (such as peas mustard and cheese. If the sauce
and carrots) ✔ A few handfuls of is too thick, just add a splash
senoJ naD sotohP sillE eihpoS erutaeF

leftover cooked potatoes ✔ 4 tsp more milk. Season to taste, then

PREPARATION mustard (any) ✔ A few handfuls transfer the mixture to a suitably
TIME 10 minutes of grated Cheddar cheese sized ovenproof dish. Top with
COOKING TIME ✔ Leftover strips of puff pastry the pieces of puff pastry, then
40 minutes ✔ 1 egg, beaten (optional) brush with beaten egg (if you
SERVES 4 ✔ Olive oil ✔ Salt and pepper want an extra-luxurious finish).
Bake in the oven for about 30
DIRECTIONS minutes until golden brown.
■ Preheat your oven to 180°C/
Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4. Add a Recipes from Green One Pound
glug of olive oil to a saucepan, Meals by Miguel Barclay, Headline
then add the flour and cook over Home, £16.99

February 2022 101

FOOD & DRINK

PREPARATION
TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME
45 minutes
SERVES 4

Vegan cheese and onion tarte tatin

YOU WILL NEED hot pan. After a couple of minutes, pour off a of pastry over the top to cover the onions
✔ 3 tbsp vegetable oil ✔ 1 tbsp dairy-free little of the sage butter into a small bowl and (they will overlap in the middle).
butter ✔ 10 sage leaves ✔ 7 mixed onions set the crispy sage leaves aside on a sheet of ■ Carefully tuck the pastry in around the
(about 500-600g), peeled and halved kitchen paper. onions, being careful not to burn your fingers
✔ 1 tbsp sugar ✔ 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar ■ Next, add the onion halves to the pan, on the side of the pan. Prick the pastry all
✔ 1 x 375g sheet ready-rolled dairy-free puff cut-side down. Season generously with over with a fork and brush the top with the
pastry ✔ 20g smoked dairy-free Cheddar, salt and pepper, sprinkle the sugar over the reserved sage butter. Transfer the pan to the
finely grated✔ Salt and pepper onions and drizzle over 1 tablespoon of the hot oven to bake for 25 minutes, until golden
balsamic vinegar. brown and puffed up.
DIRECTIONS ■ Turn down the heat, cover the pan and ■ Remove the pan from the oven (the handle
■ Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/ cook for 15 minutes. will be hot!). Lay a board or plate over the pan
Gas Mark 6. ■ Unroll the pastry and cut in half, widthways then carefully flip it over to tip out the tarte.
■ Place an ovenproof frying pan (ideally with so fitting into the pan will be easier. ■ Drizzle over the remaining balsamic vinegar,
a lid) over a medium-low heat. Add the oil, ■ Take the lid off the pan and scatter half the reserved cheese and the fried sage leaves.
dairy-free butter and the sage leaves to the cheese over the onions. Drape the two pieces ■ Slice and serve with a simple green salad.

102 yourhomestyle.uk
 FOOD & DRINK
Chunky mushroom
Turkish pide
YOU WILL NEED
✔ 250g strong white bread flour ✔ 1 x 7g
sachet fast-action dried yeast ✔ ½ tsp caster
sugar ✔ ½ tsp salt ✔ 150ml warm water
✔ 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing
✔ 2 red peppers, finely chopped ✔ 500g
mushrooms, finely chopped ✔ 1 tbsp olive
oil ✔ 1 red onion, peeled and finely sliced
✔ 2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
✔ 1-2 tbsp harissa paste or tomato paste
✔ 1 tbsp smoked paprika ✔ 2 tsp ground
cumin ✔ Small bunch of fresh parsley,
finely chopped ✔ 1 lemon ✔ Salt and PREPARATION
black pepper TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME
45 minutes
DIRECTIONS + proving time
SERVES 4
■ Add the flour, yeast, sugar and salt to a
bowl and mix to combine. Add the water and
1 tbsp olive oil and mix together.
■ Knead well for 10 minutes by aggressively
bashing the dough on to a floured surface,
punching and turning it and folding
repeatedly, until smooth and springy. Put in
a bowl, cover loosely and leave to rise for 1
hour, or until at least doubled in size.
■ Place a frying pan over a high heat and
add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the peppers and
mushrooms to the hot oil with a big pinch of
salt. Fry for 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until
the water has evaporated and the vegetables
are cooked down and starting to turn golden.
■ Add half of the onion to the pan and cook
for 5 minutes. Add the garlic into the pan.
Add the harissa or tomato paste and stir well,
then add the spices and stir again. Remove
from the heat.
■ Stir half of the parsley through the mixture.
Taste and season. Halve the lemon and
squeeze in the juice of half. Set aside to cool.
■ Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C/Gas Mark 6.
Tip the risen dough on to a clean surface, roll
it into a log and cut it into 4 equal pieces. Roll
each piece into an oval about 10cm wide and
20cm long. Transfer to a lined baking sheet.
■ Spoon the filling over the middle of each
oval, leaving a 2cm dough border around the
edges. Fold the edges up and over the filling
around the edges of the pides and pinch
together at the ends to create boat shapes.
■ Press a little to make sure the edges stick to
the filling and don’t flare out during baking.
Brush with olive oil and bake for 15-20
minutes, until the dough is deep golden, and
the bottoms are crisp. top them with the onion and parsley and pinched together to hold a thick layer of
■ Put the rest of the onion slices into a small mixture. Slice each pide diagonally into delicious filling. Swap out the vegetables for
bowl. Squeeze over the juice of the lemon half 3 pieces and serve. anything you have in the fridge.
and toss to coat. Mix the leftover parsley with
the lemon and onion. TOP TIP: Pides look like boat-shaped Turkish Both recipes from BOSH! on a Budget by
■ Remove the baked pides from the oven and versions of pizza, their sides gathered up Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, HQ, £16.99

February 2022 103

FOOD & DRINK
Sweetcorn and courgette
frittata sandwiches
YOU WILL NEED
PREPARATION ✔ 2 eggs, beaten ✔ 1 small courgette, grated ✔ 200g tin
TIME 10 minutes sweetcorn, drained ✔ 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
COOKING TIME ✔ 4 slices wholemeal bread ✔ 2 tsp green pesto
20 minutes
SERVES 2 ✔ 1 medium salad tomato, sliced ✔ Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS
■ Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas Mark 6. Put
the eggs in a bowl, then add the courgette, sweetcorn and
garlic. Season with pepper and whisk together.
■ Grease and line a small baking tray or loaf tin with non-
stick baking paper. Pour in the egg mixture and bake for
20 minutes until golden on top. Flip the frittata out onto a
cooling rack, leave to cool for 10 minutes, then halve.
■ Spread 1 tsp pesto each over 2 slices of bread and set
aside. Add a slice of frittata and a few slices of tomato to
the plain slices of bread, then top each one with the pesto-
covered slice and cut in half.
Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, realfood.tesco.com

Stewed steak stroganoff

YOU WILL NEED
✔ 1 mug brown rice ✔ 1 large onion, sliced ✔ 4 cloves
garlic, sliced ✔ Handful of mushrooms, sliced ✔ 1 tsp
paprika ✔ 2 x 392g can Princes stewed steak ✔ 100ml
single cream ✔ Handful of fresh spinach ✔ Olive oil
✔ Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS
■ Add 2 mugs of water to a pan and bring to the boil.
Pour in the rice and boil according to packet instructions.
■ Meanwhile, pan fry the onion in a splash of olive oil over
a medium heat for around 5 minutes.
■ Season and add the garlic and mushrooms, then
continue to pan fry for another 5 minutes.
■ Add the paprika and stewed steak and continue to cook PREPARATION
for a few more minutes until piping hot. TIME 10 minutes
■ Add the cream and spinach, season to taste and simmer COOKING TIME
for a few minutes. 20 minutes
■ Serve the stroganoff with the rice. SERVES 4

Recipe and image courtesy of Princes, princes.co.uk

104 yourhomestyle.uk
 FOOD & DRINK
Speedy squash and
spinach curry
PREPARATION YOU WILL NEED
TIME 5 minutes ✔ 700g Scratch Cook butternut squash chunks ✔ 100g
COOKING TIME Scratch Cook sliced red onions ✔ 2 tbsp Balti paste
25 minutes ✔ 2 tbsp mango chutney ✔ 400g can chickpeas, drained
SERVES 4
✔ 400ml reduced-fat coconut milk ✔ 300ml hot stock,
made with 1 veg stock cube ✔ 2 x 180g packs Grower's
Selection baby leaf spinach ✔ 300g long-grain brown rice,
cooked to serve ✔ 4 poppadoms to serve (optional)
DIRECTIONS
■ Put the squash, onions, Balti paste, chutney, chickpeas,
coconut milk and stock into a large pan.
■ Bring to a boil then simmer for 20 minutes, until the
squash is tender.
■ Stir in the spinach and cook for 3-4 minutes more.
■ Serve with long-grain rice, plus poppadoms and more
mango chutney for dipping.
TOP TIP: The spicy flavours develop over time, so this
tastes even better the next day.
Recipe and image courtesy of Asda Good Living,
asda.com/good-living

Halloumi and sweet potato

Tex Mex bowls PREPARATION
YOU WILL NEED TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME
✔ 600g frozen mixed peppers ✔ 1kg sweet potatoes, washed and 40 minutes
cubed, left unpeeled ✔ 1 tbsp smoked paprika ✔ 1 tsp oregano SERVES 4
✔ 1 tsp onion powder ✔ 1 tsp garlic powder ✔ 2 tbsp olive oil
✔ 1 white onion, roughly sliced ✔ 225g halloumi, thinly sliced squares
✔ ½ tbsp rapeseed oil ✔ 1 lime, sliced into wedge, optional ✔ Large
bunch of coriander (optional)
DIRECTIONS
■ Preheat oven to 160°C/Fan 140°C/Gas Mark 3.
■ Microwave the frozen peppers on defrost setting for 5 minutes, then
put the defrosted peppers onto a tea towel. Gently squeeze the tea
towel to get rid of the excess water.
■ Line two trays with foil. In one tray, scatter the sweet potatoes,
smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder and garlic powder. Drizzle
half of the olive oil, seasoning generously with salt. Stir to coat all of
the potatoes and pop in the oven. Cook for 35 minutes.
■ On the second tray, add the defrosted and dried mixed peppers
along with the onion. Pour the remaining olive oil and season. Stir to
coat the ingredients and cook in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
■ Meanwhile, gently fry the thin squares of halloumi until golden
brown in a non-stick frying pan with rapeseed oil.
■ Divide into your meal-prep containers, storing the coriander and lime
separately. When it’s time to eat, heat the portion for 2 minutes in the
microwave and garnish with coriander and a squeeze of lime, if using.
Recipe and image courtesy of Beat the Budget, beatthebudget.com

February 2022 105

 TABLE FOR TWO
FOOD & DRINK

Pull out all the stops for your Valentine and treat them to a romantic
dinner that will set their heart aflutter

PREPARATION
TIME 45 minutes
COOKING TIME
1 hour
SERVES 2

Rack of lamb with ■ Remove the stalks from the kale and trim feel warm to the touch for pink lamb. If the
hasselback potatoes
the leaves. Slice the chard then mix with the skewer feels cold, then return the lamb to the
watercress and kale in a bowl. oven for a further 5 minutes before checking
■ One at a time, place a potato in a spoon again. Once the lamb is done remove from
YOU WILL NEED and hold in place. Slice along the potato the oven and rest for at least 5 minutes.
✔ 1 rack of lamb, French trimmed ✔ Sea salt horizontally at 3mm intervals. Add 50g butter ■ To make the sauce, fry the shallots and
✔ Black pepper ✔ 50g kale ✔ 50g mixed and a drizzle of oil to a baking tray and place garlic in the butter until caramelised. Add
chard ✔ 50g watercress ✔ 300g Charlotte in the preheated oven. Heat until sizzling, the red wine, then simmer until reduced to
potatoes ✔ 50g butter ✔ Olive oil then place the potatoes onto the tray, sliced a syrup. Add the beef stock and continue to
For the sauce ✔ 3 shallots, sliced ✔ 3 garlic side down. Cook for 40 minutes, turning the simmer until the sauce has thickened. Strain
cloves, crushed and chopped ✔ 15g butter potatoes halfway through the cooking time. through a fine mesh sieve and return to the
✔ 250ml red wine ✔ 500ml beef stock ■ Meanwhile, sear the rack of lamb in a heat while you cook your vegetables.
heavy-based frying pan on a high heat, fat- ■ Slice the rested lamb into cutlets and serve
DIRECTIONS side first, ensuring that all sides are golden with the potatoes, vegetables and a good
■ Remove the rack of lamb from the fridge brown. Cook the lamb for 15 minutes in drizzle of red wine sauce.
30 minutes before cooking to bring to room the oven. Check the cooking of the meat by
temperature. Season and preheat the oven to inserting a metal skewer close to the bone Recipe and image courtesy of The
190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas Mark 3. in the centre of the rack; the skewer should Watercress Company, watercress.co.uk

106 yourhomestyle.uk
 FOOD & DRINK
PREPARATION
TIME 10 minutes
Gnocchi alla Trapanese
COOKING TIME
10 minutes YOU WILL NEED
SERVES 2 ✔ 1 garlic clove, peeled and diced ✔ Sea salt ✔ 20g toasted pine
nuts ✔ 30g watercress, leaves only ✔ Extra virgin olive oil ✔ 20g
vegetarian Parmesan ✔ Freshly ground black pepper ✔ 250g
cherry vine tomatoes, halved ✔ 50g green beans, trimmed
✔ 350g gnocchi ✔ Squeeze of lemon juice ✔ 50g rocket
DIRECTIONS
■ Add the garlic to a bowl with a pinch of sea salt. Add the pine
nuts to a food processor and pulse once or twice, just enough to
break them up but not too finely. Add to the bowl with the garlic.
■ Finely chop the watercress leaves and stir into the garlic and pine
nuts along with 2 tbsp olive oil. Grate in half of the Parmesan then
mix and season to taste. Add the cherry tomatoes to the pesto,
crushing with a spoon to release the tomato juices, and mix.
■ Boil the green beans for 4 minutes, then remove from the pan,
leaving the water on the heat. Add the gnocchi to the boiling
water and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
Meanwhile, chop the green beans into 3cm lengths and add to the
pesto and tomatoes.
■ Drain the gnocchi, reserving about 250ml of the cooking water
in a separate jug. Tip the pesto mix and gnocchi into the warm pan
and place over a low heat, until everything is heated through.
■ In a bowl, add 1 tbsp olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice and a

daoP samohT erutaeF

pinch of salt and pepper. Add the rocket and toss to cover.
Plate up the gnocchi, scatter with rocket and grated Parmesan.
Recipe and image courtesy of The
Watercress Company, watercress.co.uk

Italian meatballs
YOU WILL NEED
✔ 200g stale bread ✔ 250g minced beef ✔ 250g minced
PREPARATION
TIME 20 minutes
COOKING TIME
TOP TIP
For a delicious
pork ✔ Handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped ✔ 1 garlic 45 minutes
clove, finely chopped ✔ 50g pecorino or Parmesan cheese,
MAKES 20
meatballs vegetarian alternative
grated, plus extra for serving ✔ Sea salt ✔ 100g plain flour swap the minced beef
✔ 10 tbsp sunflower or olive oil ✔ 400g tin of tomatoes and pork for 300g Quorn
mince and add a beaten
DIRECTIONS egg to combine the
■ Remove the crust of the bread and crumble into a bowl to ingredients.
form breadcrumbs. Into the same bowl, add the minced beef
and pork, parsley, half the chopped garlic and grated cheese.
Add a pinch of sea salt and mix well to combine.
■ Using your hands, form the mixture into 20 meatballs
(polpette). Put the flour onto a plate and gently roll the
meatballs to coat them in flour.
■ Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Once hot, carefully place
the meatballs in the oil and fry for 8-10 minutes until
golden brown. Remove the meatballs and place in an
ovenproof dish.
■ Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Drain
the excess oil from the frying pan, leaving 1 tbsp in the pan.
Fry the remaining half of the garlic with a pinch of salt for 5
minutes. Add the tinned tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
■ Add the infused tomatoes to the meatballs, cover with a
lid and cook in the oven for 30 minutes.
■ Serve the tomato sauce and meatballs on freshly cooked
spaghetti and grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese to taste.
Recipe and image courtesy of Strazzanti, strazzanti.co

February 2022 107

FOOD & DRINK
Baked vanilla and
lemon cheesecake
YOU WILL NEED
✔ 100g oats ✔ 100g nuts of choice (can be mixed)
✔ 100g dates ✔ 2 packs 100% Dairy Free Sheese
Original Spread ✔ 100g sugar or stevia ✔ 3 tbsp
cornflour ✔ 2 tbsp dairy-free milk ✔ 1 tsp vanilla
extract For the blueberry topping ✔ 150g frozen
blueberries ✔ 1 tbsp maple syrup
DIRECTIONS
■ Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas Mark 3.
Grease and line a 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin
■ To make the base, place the oats, nuts and dates
into a food processor and blitz until broken down
and the mixture comes together. Press into the tin
and set aside.
■ Place the Sheese spread, sugar, cornflour, milk and
vanilla into a blender or food processor and whizz
until thick and creamy.
■ Spoon over the base and smooth out evenly. Bake
for 40-45 minutes until the top feels firm. Leave to
cool then chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
■ Place the blueberries and maple syrup in a pan
and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes until
PREPARATION syrupy then set aside. When ready to serve, pop the
TIME 15 minutes cheesecake out of the tin, spoon over the blueberries
COOKING TIME and any extra syrup, slice and enjoy!
50 minutes
SERVES 6
Recipe and image courtesy of Sheese, buteisland.com

Chocolate orange fondue

YOU WILL NEED
✔ 1 orange ✔ 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
✔ 3 tbsp caster sugar ✔ 120ml water ✔ 150g
dark chocolate (gluten-free), broken into pieces
✔ 2 tbsp double cream, plus 1 tbsp to decorate
✔ 350g mixed berries
DIRECTIONS
■ Pare two large strips of orange peel with a
peeler. Add the orange peel, cinnamon, sugar
and water to a small saucepan and heat gently
until the sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 3-4
minutes until syrupy and leave to cool for 10
minutes or longer for the flavours to develop.
■ Discard the orange peel and reheat the syrup.
Take off the heat, add the chocolate and leave
until melted. Stir until smooth and mix in 2 tbsp
cream until glossy. Reheat gently if needed.
■ Arrange the berries on a plate with fondue
skewers or small forks and pour the fondue
sauce into a cup or fondue pot set over a
burner. Decorate with an extra drizzle of cream
and swirl with a skewer. Start dipping!
Recipe and image courtesy of Love
Fresh Berries, lovefreshberries.co.uk

108 yourhomestyle.uk
 FOOD & DRINK

PREPARATION
TIME 45 minutes
COOKING TIME
45 minutes
SERVES 2

Dark chocolate fondant with apple ■ Make the honeycomb by lining a deep 30
and watercress sorbet x 20cm tray with parchment paper. Add the
sugar, golden syrup and glucose syrup to a
large heavy bottomed pan, then place over
YOU WILL NEED ■ Stir in the lemon and apple juices and allow a medium-high heat and cook until golden
For the sorbet (makes 1L) ✔ 600ml water to cool in the fridge. Pour the mixture into an brown (or 165°C on a sugar thermometer).
✔ 50g caster sugar ✔ 4 Granny Smith apples, ice-cream maker and freeze according to the Tip the bicarbonate of soda into the pan in
peeled, cored and diced ✔ 170g watercress manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to one go and whisk in quickly. Tip the mixture
✔ 60ml lemon juice ✔ 120ml apple juice a container, cover and freeze for at least immediately into the lined tray, then give the
For the fondants ✔ 85g dark chocolate, 30 minutes. tray a couple of taps to release any large air
chopped ✔ 85g butter ✔ 50g plain flour ■ To make the fondant, add the chocolate bubbles. Leave to cool and set.
✔ 85g caster sugar ✔ 3 eggs ✔ Extra soft and butter to a heat-proof bowl and place ■ Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas
butter for lining moulds ✔ 2 tbsp cocoa over a pan of boiling water until melted. Mark 3. Put the fondants on a baking tray and
powder For the honeycomb ✔ 200g caster Allow to cool for a few minutes before mixing cook for 10-12 minutes, or until a crust has
sugar ✔ 60g golden syrup ✔ 200ml glucose in the flour, sugar and eggs. formed and the fondant has started to come
syrup ✔ 20g bicarbonate of soda ■ While the mix is cooling, coat the inside of away from the sides of the mould. Remove
two 8cm metal moulds with butter. Add 1 from the oven and rest for 1 minute before
DIRECTIONS tbsp cocoa powder to each mould and keep turning out onto a plate. Serve with a scoop
■ To make the sorbet, bring the water and tipping the moulds round until the entire of watercress sorbet as well as scattered
sugar to the boil, then add the apples and inside is coated with a fine layer of cocoa. pieces of honeycomb.
simmer until cooked through. Add the Tap out any excess cocoa. Split the mixture
watercress and leave to rest for 1 minute. evenly between the moulds and refrigerate Recipe and image courtesy of The Watercress
Blend until smooth, then strain into a bowl. for 20 minutes. Company, watercress.co.uk

February 2022 109

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 Home
IMPROVEMENT
Breathe fresh life into your home with flooring and door updates,
then read on for technological advances for a smarter home

SCREEN saver
Maximise the light in your
living spaces while potentially
reducing the risk of fire-
related incidents in your
home with a fire-resistant
glass door from Crittall. The
Innervision range includes
fixed screens, single and
double-leaf hinged doors in
a slender steel frame that will
blend in seamlessly to your
home while providing peace
of mind. Price on application
from crittall-windows.co.uk.
Legs
eleven
WONDERWALL Revamp an existing coffee table, side
table or desk with a set of fashionable
hairpin legs from Rothley. Available in
Flex your designer muscle by installing a chic floor-to- three sizes and Polished Copper, Matt Black,
ceiling splashback in your bathroom. Mermaid Panels has Antique Brass and Gunmetal finishes, the legs
added 28 new designs to its Elite Collection, which can are sure to give your chosen piece a fresh lease
be fixed directly to plasterboard and tiles without the need of life. Shown are the 710mm three-pin
for grout or trims for a 100 per cent waterproof finish. leg, £21.50; 350mm two-pin leg,
£15.50 and the 100mm two-
Beaumont pin leg, £7.50, in Polished
tile panels, Copper, from ironmongery
£804.15 for a direct.co.uk.
two-sided 1,200
x 1,200mm kit,
Mermaid Panels

FLOOR SHOW
e EvoCore collection from Flooring
Superstore ticks all the practicality and
green boxes as it’s scratch-resistant with
an in-built underlay backing and made
from up to 80 per cent recycled materials.
e clever click fitting system removes EvoCore flooring
in Champagne Oak
the need for glue and the panels won’t herringbone, £64.99 per
expand or contract with age. sq m, Flooring Superstore

February 2022 111

 HOME IMPROVEMENT
The Hive thermostat, £179, lets you control your heating from
your smartphone, tablet, laptop, Apple Watch or voice assistant.
It even reminds you to turn your heating off when you’re out

The Electric Oculus roller blind from Blinds 2go is a design that
comes with an integral motor that can be operated via remote
control. Priced from £73.35 for 60 x 60cm

With wi-fi and home

automation operation, the Rointe Hillarys’ Ingrid Pumpkin roller
D Series designer electric radiator, blind, priced from £73, can be
priced from around £300, can be upgraded to electric remote control
controlled from your smartphone for an extra cost, or paired with a
and comes in a variety of finishes Somfy smart hub to set timers for
to suit your décor the blind to be opened and closed

FUTURE-PROOF TAKE CONTROL OF

THE HEATING

YOUR HOME WITH

Many people now have smart
thermostats that enable you to
control your heating and hot

SMART TECH
water any time, from anywhere via
your smartphone or tablet. They work
by connecting the heating system to
the internet, so you can adjust the
temperature, switch it on and off and
Introduce some of the latest gadgetry select holiday modes when you’re
on the move or away from home. It
into your home to make life easier now doesn’t matter which energy supplier

T
and for many more years to come you are with and it won’t affect things
if you switch supplier in the future. The
here are many benefits to smart home tech. From being able to control thermostats cost between £150 and
your heating, lighting and window blinds via an app on your smartphone £280 with an additional cost for the
trebliG yelyaH erutaeF

to remotely monitoring who’s ringing the doorbell – installing wirelessly installation. Most also work with voice
controlled devices can improve productivity, increase home safety and save control using Amazon Alexa or Google
energy and money all at once. Whether you choose whole home automation or Home so you can voice command the
just a few key pieces to suit your lifestyle, the latest smart products will make life heating if your phone’s not to hand. Try
simpler now and in the future, and there are gadgets to suit every budget. Hive, Nest, tado and Honeywell.
112 yourhomestyle.uk
 HOME IMPROVEMENT
See who’s at the door and if packages have been
left on the doorstep with the wireless, app-controlled
SwannBuddy Video Doorbell. It also has two-way talk,
night vision and motion sensing and costs £179.99
The Symfonisk table lamp with wi-fi speaker from
IKEA, £150, is compatible with AirPlay 2 so you can
stream audio directly from your Apple devices

Yale’s smart home alarms let you

arm and disarm your security system
from anywhere using an app on your
smartphone. The app sends notifications
when any of the sensors detect movement
with prices for the Sync Smart Home
Alarm six-piece kit starting from £269.99

‘Smart devices
can often be better for
the environment because they
regulate consumption, ensuring
you only use what you need without
wasting unnecessary energy on
warm-up time or leaving tech on when

. .syas
not in use. Before installing products
that use wi-fi, check your internet
connection speed, as you may need

x
to reposition the router.’

r e
t
Ou
Antonio Dengra,

re
CEO of Rointe

p
Philips Hue has a great range of smart lighting with starter kits,
bulbs, light strips, lamps and accessories to give rooms ambience
at the swipe of a smartphone. Starter kits cost from £49.99

MAKE YOUR CLOSE CURTAINS SWITCH THE

HOME SECURE AND BLINDS LIGHTS ON
From being able to see Companies, such as Powered Another great way to make
who’s at the door and talk Blinds, Blinds 2go, 247 your home more secure
to them – by looking at your Blinds, Hillarys and The – and welcoming after a
smartphone – to receiving notifications Smart Blind Company all offer a wide night out – is to install smart lighting.
if sensors detect any movement in your selection of remote-controlled electric Smart LED bulbs contain software that
home, smart security gives you peace of window blinds and curtain tracks. As connects to an app or voice-controlled
mind and can help to deter unwanted well as instant privacy and darkness device so that you can operate your
visitors. You can buy video doorbells, when you need it, being able to open lights remotely using your smartphone,
app-controlled alarms, sensor cams for and close blinds or curtains from your tablet or voice command; useful if
outside and compact cameras that will smartphone or tablet also allows you you’d like to switch off the landing
keep an eye on things inside the house to increase the security of your home, light as you leave the house. Switching
when you’re out. They’re also handy if especially when you can programme to smart illumination with the likes
you’d like to keep an eye on your pets the timings to make it look like of Philips Hue saves energy, gives the
while you’re out, as the motion sensors someone’s at home. Selected designs illusion that you’re in when you’re not,
will catch their movements. Most won’t can also be operated with Amazon and connects you to other devices, such
need professional installation, which Alexa voice control. By integrating with as cameras, audio and thermostats.
saves hassle and cost, and you can be a home automation system, such as Lights can be set to turn on and off
up and running within minutes. Check Somfy’s TaHoma, you can connect all either individually or as a group,
out brands including Ring, Verisure, your Somfy smart home devices directly mimicking your presence at home even
Blink, Yale, SimpliSafe and Hive. with Alexa or Echo. when you’re out or away.
February 2022 113
 HOME IMPROVEMENT
Netatmo’s Smart carbon monoxide alarm,
£89.99, measures levels in various rooms,
alerting you with an alarm and smartphone
notification if carbon monoxide is detected so
you can react quickly and safely
This compact Indoor Cam from Ring can
easily be mounted or placed flat on any
surface. It costs £49 and features HD video,
motion zones, night vision, two-way talk and
motion-activated recording

Denon Home’s wireless speakers The tado V3+ wireless smart thermostat is
deliver a multi-room system with easy to install and connects to the internet to
premium sound. The Home 150, £199, control your heating and hot water from an
can play music from most streaming app. Compatible with most heating systems,
services via wi-fi, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth it costs £199.99
and you can also use voice control with
Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa

LISTEN TO MUSIC CLEAR TOXINS

WHERE YOU WANT
For those who love their
FROM THE AIR
Smart air purifiers that use USEFUL
music or podcasts, a smart
speaker is controlled by
filters to remove airborne
toxins from the air are CONTACTS
voice command using Amazon Alexa
or Google Assistant and it can stream
ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers.
They monitor the air inside the home,
•home
Find a good range of smart
products at currys.co.uk,
audio content as well as communicate filtering out anything harmful before argos.co.uk and AO.com
with other smart devices. Look for pumping out clean, particle-free air. •started
For information on how to get
with smart home tech,
brands, such as Sonos, Bose, Roberts Not only do they help the whole family
Radio, Ruark Audio and focus on size, breathe easier but they clean the air visit techhive.com
features and sound quality as well as while you are cooking, help you get •andSmart heating saves energy
money and there is plenty
price. Smaller designs are great for a better night’s sleep and reduce of information on how it works
background music while larger versions pet dander and hair. You can also at hivehome.com
fill the room with sound. Available as
mains powered and portable options
buy smart smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide detectors, which connect
• Visit philips-hue.com for the
lowdown on smart lighting
with a rechargeable battery, they don’t
need mobile data and can usually be
to your smartphone; if they detect any
smoke or carbon monoxide, they will
• At moneysavingexpert.com
you’ll find helpful tips on how
accessed via a Bluetooth connection to send you a notification, even if you’re to save money using smart kit
your smartphone or tablet. away, so you can react accordingly.

114 yourhomestyle.uk
 ‘Smart technology is completely
integrated into our everyday life’
Making the house energy-efficient doors and metallic trim. Holly chose
Office manager was a priority for Holly and Greg, so smart energy-efficient appliances; the
Holly and her insulation was added to the existing Bosch steam oven, washing machine and
partner, Greg, cavity walls, underfloor heating installed tumbler dryer can be controlled through
who owns on the ground floor and the upstairs the Home Connect app. ‘It’s connected
a building radiators were all fitted with individual to Amazon Alexa,’ says Holly, ‘but I find
company, took
full advantage thermostats. The Heatmiser Neo smart it easier to operate using my phone and
of the latest heating control system enables them the ability to control the oven while not
smart technology to regulate their heating and hot physically in front of it is really handy.’
when it came to water remotely, which reduces wasted A key feature of the kitchen is the
modernising
their home energy for smaller bills. Security was island unit with its contrasting Metallic
an important factor too, so the couple Night gloss finish and copper trim.
The contemporary home that Holly had the Pro Control Plus video system Keen that nothing would detract from
Hinton and her partner, Greg Thomas, installed. ‘We have all the cameras on its appearance, Holly chose a smart
have created is in an altogether our phones,’ explains Holly, ‘so we can air venting induction hob from Faber.
different league from the outdated save any relevant footage and we can Costing just under £2,000, the dual-
three-bedroom property they bought also use the app to set or disconnect the purpose Galileo has the advantage of
18 months ago. Now fully renovated alarm.’ Also operated by their phones incorporating cooking and extraction in
and extended – a process that took a is the Sonos sound system, the wi-fi one efficient and stylish unit so there’s
year due to Covid-related delays – the network that covers everything from no need for a chimney hood that would
house in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, boasts music and radio to TV. ‘It’s especially obscure the view of the garden.
five bedrooms, three bathrooms and all great for parties, as only we can control Holly’s advice to anyone thinking of
the smart technology the couple need the music so no one with bad taste can investing in smart technology for their
to make their life easier and to future- take over as DJ,’ laughs Holly. home? ‘Make a point of calling the
proof their home. ‘Smart technology is Taking on such a large project involved company direct. Customer service staff
completely integrated into our day-to- a considerable amount of research, with are passionate about the products they
day life now,’ says Holly, ‘and I’m already the kitchen taking the most time. The sell and speaking to them really helped
researching future options, such as modern look of Wren’s Milano range me make informed decisions, which
installing an electric car charging point.’ really stood out with its handleless were not based purely on price.’

An old run-down house has been completely

transformed into a stunning contemporary
five-bedroom home with double height
extensions to the side and the rear seliG divaD sotohP llewhtoR lliG erutaeF

Holly’s sleek kitchen has up-to-the-minute appliances to match its modern finish –
she can control many of the appliances from her phone. She saved money on the
finishing touches, such as the light fittings from Wayfair and Dunelm stools
February 2022 115
 Sale
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 HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA
SPEND VS SAVE…
WHERE TO BEST INVEST
YOUR RENOVATION CASH
Take the guesswork out of your home improvement budget
with our guide to getting the most bang for your buck

W hether you’re looking to put your own stamp on a property or

hoping to maximise its value to sell, knowing where to best
place your allocated budget could not only reduce your overall
Get the country garden feel
whatever the size of your
garden with pots brimming

1
spend, but also save you time and a lot of unnecessary hassle. From larger with flowering shrubs
renovations to smaller hacks for a more edited makeover, there are lots of Pots, from £4.99, Dobbies
ways to up your kerb appeal, increase the sense of space and add plenty of
character to your home and all for much less than you might think…

LAY NEW FLOORING

‘When it comes to improving your home, one of the
most valuable places to invest is in new flooring. Laying
the same flooring throughout your home will make your
space appear much larger while creating a cohesive feel.
Quality porcelain tiles are an ideal choice as they are extremely
hard-wearing, scratch- and stain-proof and resistant to harsh
chemicals, making them perfect for high-traffic areas, such as
hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. Compatible with underfloor
heating, porcelain tiles don’t require ongoing maintenance.’
Jo Oliver, Director, Stone & Ceramic Warehouse

2 SPRUCE UP
THE GARDEN
Get your outdoor spaces ready for spring
planting or summer entertaining while
the ground is dormant. ‘Make the most
of a smaller garden by dividing the space
into dedicated sections for planting and
dining with picket fences or a border.
Returning your garden to order can be a
fairly simply DIY task with elbow grease
daoP samohT erutaeF

and low-maintenance surface or layout

options. If a big redesign is on the cards,
then you may want to hire a professional
garden designer, who typically charge
around £5,000 to £10,000 depending
on the brief, says Kane Hughes, Interior
Create flow through your home by using Design Expert at MyJobQuote.
the same flooring throughout each room
Chevron tiles in Natural, £56 per
sq m, Stone & Ceramic Warehouse
February 2022 117
 HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA

4
Brighten a bedroom in the eaves
or an attic office with a rooflight
Rooflights, from £551 excluding
VAT each, The Rooflight Company
REPLACE THE
WINDOWS
‘Invest in your home with new windows,
which have a whole range of benefits and
shouldn’t require planning permission,
though exceptions do apply so it’s always
best to check with your local authority.
On average, new double- or triple-glazed
windows can lift the property value by 10 per
cent, making it significantly more attractive
for home buyers as they wouldn’t have to
go through additional renovation costs and
this should offset the window purchase cost.
If this is your forever home, upgrading your
windows can reduce your energy bills with
the improved insulation, as well as reducing
noise in busy built-up areas. A new set of
quality windows can bring better ventilation
and let more natural light in, making the
space airier and brighter all year round.’
Marcus O’Boyle, Sales and Marketing
Manager at Genesis
Increase the daylight and insulation while
decreasing external noise with a set of
new double-glazed windows
Windows and doors, price on application, Genesis

3 INSTALL A ROOFLIGHT
Look upwards when considering how to create a sense of more
space and add value to your home. While an entire loft conversion
might be out of budget, installing a rooflight could boost the
financial value and usefulness of your loft or illuminate an existing
bedroom in the eaves. ‘A rooflight requires minimal structural
work and is usually within permitted development. As they directly
face the sky, you get the added benefit of no onlookers through
your windows, so more privacy, too. If building into your loft,
bear in mind that you still need a place to store your suitcases and
Christmas decorations when not in use, so consider converting the
eaves into cupboards for storage space,’ suggests Peter Daniel,
Product Innovation Director at The Rooflight Company.

CRYSTAL
CLEAR VISION
Give your windows a thorough clean
Kärcher
inside and out to keep your living
WV 5 Plus areas feeling bright and airy – you’ll
window be surprised at the difference it can
vac, £110, make. Make sure to clean the frames
ManoMano as well with hot water and diluted
detergent, as black mould and
mildew can build up and
affect your window’s
performance.

118 yourhomestyle.uk
 HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA

5 FOCUS ON TASK LIGHTING

Illuminate each space in your home with a mix of lighting
options. ‘Lighting is crucial in smaller spaces, as the type of
lights you choose can make a small room appear bigger. For example,
if you have a tiny bathroom install recessed ceiling downlights. These
should be spaced evenly across the ceiling to bounce light around the

6
room, which will increase the sense of space,’ advises Kane Hughes,
Interior Design Expert at MyJobQuote. Costing a fraction of the price
of a statement pendant light, a set of downlights will brighten your
room while keeping your renovation spend down.

Screw in a silver mixer tap for a

gleaming bathroom update
Chatsworth 1928 traditional
crosshead mono basin mixer tap,
£69.95, Victorian Plumbing

SWITCH
THE TAPS
Get the details right and
the rest of the scheme
should fall into place.
Swapping out worn taps
might be all that’s needed
to give your bathroom
the wow factor, and at a
fraction of the price of a
whole new suite. For a Balance lighting with
co-ordinated scheme, downlights to prevent
match the finish to your shadowy corners that make
shower head or other the room feel smaller
fittings in the room, then Saxby GU10 cast fixed
add a hand wash and Milano Elizabeth traditional downlights in Chrome effect,
lotion to complete your crosshead basin taps in Brushed £4.50 each, Wickes
wellness retreat. Gold, £89.99, Big Bathroom Shop

7 CHOOSE A
RECYCLED
KITCHEN
Get the high-end look for less than you
might think with a recycled kitchen.
Specialist companies, such as The Used
Kitchen Company sell high-quality used
and ex-display kitchens so there’s less
compromise when it comes to quality,
design or your appliance choices. ‘A
“new to you” kitchen tends to be the
result of homeowners renovating or
buying a new home where the kitchen is
simply not to their taste. Many are high-
end kitchens that are sold at discounted
rates and often include worktops and
appliances, meaning you can get your
Trim your renovation costs and dream kitchen on a budget while being
environmental impact with a environmentally conscious, too,’ explains
second-hand or ex-display kitchen Looeeze Grossman, Founder of The Used
from The Used Kitchen Company Kitchen Company.

February 2022 119

 8
HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA
TAILOR THE AMOUNT
Dial up the colour and
texture in your kitchen
or bathroom with a bold
tile in a glossy finish
Siam metro tiles in
Tiffany Blue, £47.35 per
OF TILING
sq m, London Tile Co. A good budget often relies on a good plan,
which is certainly the case when it comes to
tiling. Consider how much of the room needs to
be tiled or have the tiles
replaced; does every wall
need tiles, could the tiles
go halfway up the wall or
do you want a statement
section? Whatever you
choose, double check
your measurements
and consider the best
placement before
ordering to reduce tile
waste. And don’t let the
grout be an afterthought
– a coloured grout can
really heighten the impact
of your tile choice.

9
Mapei Ultracolour Plus
grout in Silver Grey, £14.99
for 5kg, Tile Giant

Bodarp Matt Grey-Green

SPLASH OUT ON doors, from £12 for a
drawer front, IKEA
A SPLASHBACK
‘Inject some personality into your kitchen with a splashback above
your sink. If your style is understated, choose rustic-effect tiles
such as wood for comforting warmth, or go bold with a dramatic
pattern or playful pastel to reflect your mood. Geometric prints
have a modern, sophisticated appeal, and the contrasting lines will
draw the eye to create a prominent centrepiece in the kitchen.’
Jonty Cook, Product Manager for the Marquis collection, QEP

Diamanté porcelain
tiles from the Marquis
10 REFRESH
YOUR KITCHEN
CABINETS
If your kitchen units have seen better days but
the layout works for you, consider giving them a
fresh façade rather than scrapping them entirely.
If they’re still in good condition, sand them down
and give them a lick of fresh paint and a new knob.
Otherwise, keep the carcasses and just replace the
collection, £39.60 for a unit doors with a new matching set in a modern,
pack of 12, Homelux Shaker or handleless design to suit your taste.

120 yourhomestyle.uk
 11
HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA

ENHANCE First impressions count, so

make sure your front door
YOUR KERB is as welcoming as can be

APPEAL
A recent survey undertaken by
MyGlazing.com found that 65 per
cent of homeowners and renters
felt an attractive exterior was
important when buying a house,
and 35 per cent admitted liking
the colour and style of the front
door was essential when viewing
a house. If yours has seen better
days, either replace it with a smart
new design in keeping with your
property or keep costs
down by redecorating
it in an appropriate,
weatherproof paint
of your choice –
soothing blues,
greens and muted
greys are charming
alternatives to
classic black or white.

Dulux
Weathershield
satin paint in
Garden Grey, £27
per 750ml, Homebase

Brilliant White eco-wood

wooden blind, from £12.40,
Blinds by Post

12
DRESS YOUR
WINDOWS
Maximise appeal with a
fresh set of neutral blinds
or take control of the
light in your space with
a slatted design. From
cascading Roman blinds
to a simple set of vertical
rollers, blinds come in a
wide range of options,
materials and colours to suit
every budget, and can be
installed in minutes.

February 2022 121

ASK THE Q

experts
I have porcelain tiles on my patio that need a clean up
for spring. How can I do this? Simi Adebayo, York

A Kamila Chalfin, Marketing and

Brand Manager at Tile Giant,
says… While we may take regular care
of our indoor tiles, cleaning outdoor tiles
can sometimes be considered a time-
consuming job, and is often neglected.
To keep your tiles looking their best in the
garden, maintenance is key. They don’t
need sealing, so all you need to do is sweep away any loose
dirt, leaves or debris that have built up since your last clean
(we recommend you do this regularly to keep your patio in tip
Our team of experts answer your home top condition all year round!). For an extra clean, we simply
improvement questions advise brushing with warm soapy water as and when needed.
We wouldn’t recommend using a pressure washer on them.

Q My bathroom needs a
refresh, but I want to keep
costs low. What can I do? John
simply within splash zones, such as
your shower enclosure. Bathroom
panels are available in an array of
Barber, Wrexham designs, from natural stone effects

A
to marble designs or geometric
Helen patterns: the choice is yours.
Dennett, Most panels can be fixed directly
UK Marketing onto existing surfaces including
Communications plasterboard and tiling, meaning
Manager at one less job to consider when Helmsley Pearl 600 x
Mermaid refreshing your bathroom. On 600mm tiles, £35.28
per sq m, Tile Giant
Panels, says… average, you can save up to 25 per
Sometimes, bathrooms require cent on shower panels vs tiles when
a little more than a lick of paint taking into consideration expert

Q
to refresh the space, but this can fitters and time to install, so not
become costly. Bathroom panels are only is the cost lower, but there’s no How do I choose energy efficient white goods on a
a cost-effective way to achieve this need to wait around for specialist budget? Hannah Liang, Bristol

A
– they are 100 per cent waterproof tradespeople. If your DIY skills are
and can be used wall-to-wall up to scratch, you can even give it a Sophie Beckett-Smith, large
to transform your bathroom, or go yourself! appliances expert at AO.com,
says… First assess what size appliances
you need. If you live alone, but use a
full-sized dishwasher or 10kg washing
machine on half loads or for just a couple
of items every day, you will be wasting
energy, water and money – so make sure
you get the right-sized appliance for your household. Even
with the most energy efficient products, consumers can
significantly reduce energy usage by cutting down on the uses
of appliances. For example, waiting for the laundry pile to get
a little bigger, or leaving the dishwasher a day to ensure it’s
full before switching on, will significantly cut
down water and energy usage, as well as
your household bills. Finally, look
at the energy label rating to help
you decide which appliance is
more energy efficient and most
suited to your household needs.
Beko Aquatech RecycledTub
Milano Marble bathroom panels, WEY84P64EW 8kg washing
£804.15 for a two-sided 1,200 x machine, £309; Hisense
1,200mm kit, Mermaid Panels HS661C60WUK standard
dishwasher, £449, both AO.com

122 yourhomestyle.uk
Q I have an old wooden table that looks
tired – how can I upcycle it? Stephanie
King, Sheffield
rather than a wax, for maximum protection. My
favourite stain for tabletops is Fusion Mineral
Paint Stain and Finishing Oil. This tinted oil is
and also comes in a choice of six colours. If you
want to use a natural alternative, hemp oil is
a great option as it will nourish and show off

A
really easy to apply, dries to a rock-solid finish wood grain.
Claire Manton,
Creative Director Fusion mineral paint in
and Founder of Claire’s Midnight Blue, £23.99 for
CraftHouse, says… 500ml, Claire’s CraftHouse
Tables are among the highest
wear-and-tear furniture items
in a home, so durability in
the finish is key with these
upcycling projects.
To prep, give it a thorough clean with a
degreaser and a scuff sand. If you have an
electric sander and the table is solid wood, it’s
worth sanding off the top to freshen up the
grain and remove any scratches.
I favour natural wood on the tops of tables
with significant daily use – a painted tabletop will
wear more quickly than a wood finish. Painted
bases with wood grain tops make a lovely
contrast and allow you to keep the wood texture
and warmth, while introducing some colour.
Prep and paint your base using a robust
furniture paint and seal with a polyacrylic sealer,

Q I’d love to create a living wall in my

garden, but have no idea what to do.
Where do I start? Nonny Reed, Nuneaton

A
Holly Jones, garden
design specialist
with Garden Street,
says… A quick and easy
way to create a living wall
is by using pocket planters
as these can be fitted to a
wall and seeds can simply be
planted in the individual pots. Another way to
make a living wall is by putting up trellis panels
and planting climbing plants, which in time will
grow up. Spring is the ideal time to start planting
for the vertical garden as plants establish much
quicker and fill the space faster. Choose plants
and grasses that flower all year round, so it is still
functional during the winter months. You can
water the living wall by using an irrigation system.
Alternatively, use a garden hose or watering can
with care. Start by watering from the top of the
wall so the water flows down all the plants.

WE NEED YOUR QUESTIONS!

segamI ytteG otohP

If you have a DIY or maintenance

question, write to Ask the Experts,
Your Home, Immediate Media, Eagle
House, Bristol, BS1 4ST or email
asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk

February 2022 123

 AUP F
PRIZE DRAWS

PRIZES To enter, visit yourhomestyle.uk,

RABS!
choose the WIN tab, find the prize
draw you’d like to enter and fill in
your details. Closing date
is 15th February 2022
at 11.59pm
WIN a Cricut Maker 3 bundle! WIN a garden shed
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from Plumbworld, with the chance to win one
of two £500 vouchers. Home to a wide array of
well-known brands, including Mira, Aqualisa, Triton
and many more, there is a huge selection of bathroom
updates that the lucky winners can splash their voucher
on. Choose between a full bathroom suite, a matching
basin and toilet combo, glamorous vanity units to
elevate your daily cleansing rituals, statement showers
or tiles to transform your bathroom for the new year.
From modern new-builds to traditional period
homes, Plumbworld’s collection of bathroom products
are suited to any property and offer lots of options to
ensure the most co-ordinated suite available. To view
the full collection, visit plumbworld.co.uk.

124 yourhomestyle.uk
 PRIZE DRAWS

WIN a weekend stay for two

at the Stanton House Hotel!
Wiltshire’s best-kept secret, the luxurious Stanton House Hotel, is
a manor house set in a 74-hectare country park; it’s the perfect
place to relax and unwind in beautiful surroundings. Your Home has
teamed up with the hotel to offer readers the chance to experience
it all first-hand with a two-night stay, plus a complimentary three
course meal and bottle of house wine on the first night for two. And
we’ve got three chances to win!
This tranquil oasis has been lovingly maintained and features
distinctive honey-coloured Cotswold stone and 78 en-suite rooms.
Unspoilt views across Stanton Lake and Park provide an idyllic setting
and the location is only a few minutes’ drive away from the centre of
Swindon (The Avenue, Stanton Fitzwarren, Swindon SN6 7SD).
For a bona fide historical experience, four-poster bedrooms
are located in the manor house, with other grades of rooms in
harmonious decorative styles spread across three floors. The
hotel’s Rosemary Restaurant and Bar has exquisite views across the
countryside, while the outdoor terrace overlooking the lake or the
conservatory are the perfect spots to enjoy the hotel’s delicious
afternoon tea. To see the facilities available and for more
information on the hotel, visit stantonhousehotel.co.uk.

TERMS & CONDITIONS 1 Delivery is included with the Cricut prize draw. 2 Installation is not included as part of the Plumbworld prize draw and the bathroom
suite shown is for illustrative purposes only. 3 For the Stanton House Hotel prize draw, travel to and from the venue is not included and the prize is non-transferable
or redeemable for a cash alternative. The prize must be taken before 30th September 2022 and is not redeemable on bank holiday weekends (15th-18th April, 30th
April-1st May, 3rd-4th June, 27th-28th August 2022). The prize is for two adults on a Friday and Saturday night (these nights only) with a three course meal on one
night only with one bottle of house wine, and excludes the honeymoon suite. In the case of a government-imposed lockdown or other Covid-related restrictions,
the voucher redemption period will be extended. 4 The promotions are open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except
Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 5 For the full list of
Terms and Conditions, visit yourhomestyle.uk/win.

February 2022 125

A
Shoing GUIDE Where to buy
everything in this issue

106
Aberno 020 4524 5664 DFS dfs.co.uk
aberno.co.uk Dip & Doze dipanddoze.com
Abode 01226 283434 Direct Tile Warehouse 029 2022 0001
pronteau.co.uk directtilewarehouse.com
Abstract House 020 8099 9243 Dizzy Duck Designs
abstracthouse.com dizzyduckdesigns.com
Airthings airthings.com Dobbies 0131 561 6406 dobbies.com
Aldi 0800 042 0800 aldi.co.uk Dualit 01293 652500 dualit.com
Amazon amazon.co.uk Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk
Annie Sloan 01865 770061 Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com

E
anniesloan.com Dusk dusk.com
Any Kitchen Ltd 01438 230010
anykitchenltd.co.uk Earthborn Paints
AO 0161 470 1200 ao.com earthbornpaints.co.uk
Argos argos.co.uk Ebay ebay.co.uk

F
Asda asda.com Etsy etsy.com
Asiatic London 020 8800 2000
asiatic.co.uk Fabulosa myfabulosa.co.uk
Atkin & Thyme 0172 722 7500 Fantastic Services
atkinandthyme.co.uk fantasticservices.com

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Avenue Floors avenuefloors.co.uk Farrow & Ball 01202 876141
farrow-ball.com
B&M 0330 838 9000 Five and Dime
bmstores.co.uk fiveanddime-interiors.com
B&Q 0333 014 3357 diy.com Flooring Mountain
Beaumonde 0117 330 3495 flooringmountain.co.uk
beaumonde.co.uk Flooring Superstore 03301 028 444
Beautiful Gifts and Things flooringsuperstore.com
0740196 3399 Francis Frith 01722 716 376
beautifulgiftsandthings.com francisfrith.com
Beliani 020 3318 8222 beliani.co.uk Freemans 0333 200 8077
Better Bathrooms 0871 244 0935 freemans.com
betterbathrooms.com French Connection 0333 400 3285
Betty Cassie Django frenchconnection.com
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Big Bathroom Shop Furniture and Choice 0333 015 0000 industville.co.uk mandarinstone.com

J
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Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 furniturevillage.co.uk Jes Rose Home jesrose.co.uk Matalan 0333 004 4444 matalan.co.uk

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blinds-2go.co.uk Fy! iamfy.co Joe Browns 0113 270 6655 Meater meater.com
Blueair 0808 280 8009 blueair.com joebrowns.co.uk Melody Maison 01302 741000
Borrowed Light Florals Garden Gifts 033 0133 4856 John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com melodymaison.co.uk
07966 123451 gardengifts.com Juniqe juniqe.co.uk Mermaid Panels 01472 279940
borrowedlightflorals.com Garden Trading 01993 845559 Just Doors justdoorsuk.com mermaidpanels.co.uk

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Bramble & Velvet gardentrading.co.uk JYSK 0330 088 3818 jysk.co.uk Micucci Interiors 020 3026 5930
brambleandvelvet.co.uk Genesis genesiscollection.co.uk micucci.co.uk

C
Breville breville.co.uk George Home 0800 952 0101 MissPrint missprint.co.uk
direct.asda.com Kit amazon.co.uk Monday mondayonline.co.uk
Carpetright 0330 818 5327 GPO Retro gporetro.com KitchenCraft 0121 604 6000 Monsoon monsoon.co.uk

H L
carpetright.co.uk Graham & Brown grahambrown.com kitchencraft.co.uk Morphy Richards 0344 871 0944
COAT Paints coatpaints.com morphyrichards.co.uk
Connox connox.co.uk H&M 0344 7369000 hm.com La Redoute laredoute.co.uk Musee Home museehome.co.uk

N
Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 Habitat 0345 640 2020 Lakeland 0153 948 8100 MyGlazing.com myglazing.com
coxandcox.co.uk habitat.co.uk lakeland.co.uk
Creative Cables 020 3940 7550 Harvey Maria harveymaria.com Laura Ashley next.co.uk National Trust Shop
creative-cables.co.uk Heavenly Homes & Gardens Leoline leoline.co.uk 0300 123 2025 shop.
Crittall 01376 530800 heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk Lick lickhome.com nationaltrust.org.uk
crittall-windows.co.uk Hillarys 0808 239 2174 hillarys.co.uk Lifestyle Kitchens lifestylekitchens.com Natural Wellness Gifts
Crosswater 0345 873 8840 Hive 0333 202 9614 hivehome.com Lighting Direct 0345 646 1137 naturalwellnessgifts.etsy.com
crosswater.co.uk Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 lighting-direct.co.uk Nest 0114 243 3000 nest.co.uk
Crown Paints crownpaints.co.uk hobbycraft.co.uk Lighting Lover lightinglover.com Netatmo netatmo.co
CTD Tiles 0800 014 2994 ctdtiles.co.uk Homebase homebase.co.uk Lights & Lamps lightsandlamps.com Newgate newgateworld.com
Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 Homelux homelux.co.uk Little Dreams little-dreams.co.uk Next 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk
cultfurniture.com Homescapes homescapesonline.com Little Greene 0161 250 9572 Niture UK 0800 086 2280 niture.co.uk
Curating Cambridge HomeSense 01923 473561 littlegreene.com Nookary nookary.com
curatingcambridge.co.uk homesense.com London Tile Co. 0333 320 8048 Nynne Rosenvinge

D O
Currys 0344 561 0000 currys.co.uk Hotpoint 03448 224224 londontile.co.uk nynnerosenvinge.com
hotpoint.co.uk Lust Home 01429 803930

M
Daisy Park daisypark.co.uk Housecosy housecosy.com lusthome.com OceanSaver ocean-saver.com

I
där lighting 01295 672200 Hovia hovia.com Oliver Bonas 020 8059 2414
darlighting.co.uk MADE.com made.com oliverbonas.com
Decorating Centre Online Iceland iceland.co.uk Magnet 01325 744093 Online Home Shop
decoratingcentreonline.co.uk Iconic Lights iconiclights.co.uk magnet.co.uk onlinehomeshop.com
Denon Home 020 8103 4770 IKEA 020 3645 0000 ikea.com Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 Original Style originalstyle.com
denon.com ILIV 01772 651 199 iliv.co.uk maisonsdumonde.com Orla Kiely orlakiely.com
Desenio desenio.co.uk Industville 020 7971 7871 Mandarin Stone 01600 715444 OXO 020 7949 0115 oxouk.com

126 yourhomestyle.uk
P Paperchase paperchase.com
Pash Classics pash-classics.com
Pen & Sword Books pen-and-
sword.co.uk
Perkins & Morley perkinsandmorley.com
Philips Hue philips-hue.com
S Sass & Belle 020 7346 0117
sassandbelle.co.uk
Schmidt homedesign.schmidt
scooms scooms.com
Screen with Envy 0808 164 1075
screenwithenvy.co.uk
T tado 020 3893 2059 tado.com
Tesco tesco.com
The Fine Cotton Company
03456 029050
thefinecottoncompany.com
The Floor Room carpetright.co.uk/
Editor Mel Sherwood
Features Editor Michelle Grady
Piglet In Bed Pigletinbed.com SCS 0800 731 0048 scs.co.uk the-floor-room Section Editor Thomas Poad
Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Sigma 3 sigma3.co.uk The Happy Blossoms Senior Production Editor Katie Nicholls
Porcelain Superstore 0330 094 0304 Silent Pool Gin silentpooldistillers.com thehappyblossoms.com Editorial Assistant Sophie Ellis
porcelainsuperstore.co.uk Silver Mushroom 01772 737170 The Holding Company Art Editor Tricia Ball
Potters Cook Shop 01702 202727 silvermushroom.com 020 8445 2888 Deputy Art Editor Beth Charlton Lucas
potterscookshop.co.uk Sisal & Seagrass sisalandseagrass.co.uk theholdingcompany.co.uk Digital Editor Rebecca Messina
Poundland poundland.co.uk Sit and Sleep sitandsleep.co.uk The Interiors Yard Digital Writer Thea Jeffreys
Prestigious Textiles 01274 688448 Sklum 020 3769 2694 sklum.com theinteriorsyard.co.uk Thanks also to Robert Bewick, Rob
prestigious.co.uk Snug snugsofa.com The Northern Line Banino, Colette Earley, Chris Borgman
Primark primark.com SodaStream sodastream.co.uk thenorthernline.co.uk
ProCook 0330 100 1010 procook.co.uk Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 The Range 0345 026 7598
PSTR Studio pstrstudio.com Sofology 0344 481 8181 therange.co.uk ADVERTISING

Q
Purlfrost 020 8992 4024 purlfrost.com sofology.co.uk The Rooflight Company Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones
Sophie Allport 01778 560256 01993 833 155 Advertising Manager Heather Golden
Quick-Step 028 3025 0477 sophieallport.com therooflightcompany.co.uk Business Development Manager
quick-step.co.uk SPAR spar.co.uk The Used Kitchen Company Sophie Keenan

R
Quooker quooker.co.uk Sparkle Lighting 01494 671602 020 8349 1943 Brand Sales Executives James Beckett,
Spicer & Wood spicerandwood.co.uk theusedkitchencompany.com Ava Holdstock, Olivia King, Phil Wallington
Rebecca Pitcher Stitch & Story stitchandstory.com Thorndown 0800 023 5654
rebeccapitcher.co.uk Stone & Ceramic Warehouse thorndown.co.uk Classified Sales Executive
Red Candy 0121 2247728 020 8993 5545 Tile Giant 0345 307 5000 Alex Armstrong
redcandy.co.uk stoneandceramicwarehouse.co.uk tilegiant.co.uk Ad Co-ordinator Bryony Grace
Rex London 020 8746 2473 Stopped Clock stoppedclockglass.com Tile Mountain 01782 223822 Senior Ad Designers
rexlondon.com Studio Paradissi studioparadissi.com tilemountain.co.uk Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike
Ring 01727 263045 ring.com Studio studio.co.uk Tiles Direct 0113 253 0005
Rointe 020 3321 5928 rointe.com Sunday Living sundayliving.co.uk tiles-direct.com MARKETING & PRODUCTION
Ronseal 0114 240 9469 ronseal.com Swann 020 3691 1158 TK Maxx 01923 473561 tkmaxx.com Subscriptions Director
Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 swann.com Topps Tiles toppstiles.co.uk
roseandgrey.co.uk Swift Direct Blinds 0370 218 7042 Total Tiles 01473 805 959 Jacky Perales-Morris
Rothley ironmongerydirect.co.uk swiftdirectblinds.co.uk totaltiles.co.uk Direct Marketing Executive Emma Hunter

U
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Shop Swoon 020 3319 6332 Trouva trouva.com Director of Licensing and Syndication
020 8332 3124 shop.kew.org swooneditions.com Tim Hudson
Used Kitchen Exchange Syndication Manager Richard Bentley
usedkitchenexchange.co.uk Production Director Sarah Powell
Utility Design 0151 494 9412 Production Co-ordinator Georgia Tolley

V
utilitydesign.co.uk Senior PR Manager Ridhi Radia
V33 v33.co.uk
Valspar valsparpaint.co.uk PUBLISHING
Vasagle Furniture Managing Director
uk.vasagle.com Marie Davies
Verisure 020 3885 0143 verisure.co.uk Promotions and Partnerships Manager
Very 0800 110 000 very.co.uk Rosa Sherwood
Victoria Plum victoriaplum.com Group Managing Director Andy Marshall
Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 CEO Tom Bureau

W
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Yankee Candle 0800 234 6169

Z
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20 123
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February 2022 127

 GREAT BRITISH HANDMADE LEATHER SOFAS
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 Boutique
SHOP OF THE MONTH

SPEAK We get to know Beck Prior,

founder of Prior Shop
Describe a typical day My day is a my own things became available in I feel a massive responsibility
whirlwind of communication – not just with
staff, but with customers, suppliers and
Bristol’s Old Market area. When I got
the keys and opened the door, it felt almost for it because all this work is
makers. My main priority is making sure my
staff are okay, because I have an amazing
silly to not use the space to showcase other
sustainable designers who have the same
so beautifully made
team and couldn’t do any of this without ethos. Then this huge space in the centre
them. I go through emails and admin too, came up as a short-term let – and I thought,
then in the afternoons I always try and why not try it? Most independent shops are
concentrate on my own brand, Priormade. on the outskirts of a city and everyone that
wants to shop locally has to find these little
What inspired you to set up shop? shops around the outside, so we’ve brought a
I’m really passionate about making sustainable supersized version into the city centre.
products that don’t look sustainable: products
made using recycled, repurposed materials, What can we find at Prior Shop? We’ve
but that could sit in a high-end department got rich textile clothes, blankets, cushions;
shop. When I started Priormade 10 years organic and natural-scented candles; vegan
ago, everything that was recycled and eco skincare; craft kits; a whole range of plant This environmentally aware, not-for-profit
didn’t look design-led. Then a shop space pots; silver and fair-mined gold jewellery; shop sits happily among high-end stores
where I could expand my workshop and sell lighting – I suppose you could call it a lifestyle
store as we’ve got a bit of everything. I think can be completely unrelated to what you’re
it really works because I am a maker, as well. doing, but can feed into something else.

segdeH eyaF ,driB naD sotohP sillE eihpoS erutaeF

Each maker I feel a massive responsibility for it because all
is carefully
considered this work is so beautifully made. What’s next for Prior Shop? We
by Beck currently run workshops on selected days but
Do you have a favourite interiors we’d like to run a full-packed timetable of
trend? There is a trend that I have become workshops and events, and have a completely
really obsessed with, a cross between open gallery space for local artists to display
Japanese and Scandinavian – Japandi. I their work at the back of the shop. We’re
think it’s because I like Bauhaus and organic looking to set up a co-working space where
shapes and strong lines, which is what I’ve people can hire a table, but donate to charity
loosely based the shop on. I also went to an rather than pay us.
exhibition of a sculptor called Isamu Noguchi
which was amazing, and it was so nice to be Unit 10, Quakers Friars, Philadelphia
filled with inspiration and to see things that Street, Bristol BS1 3BZ, priorshop.uk

Some of my favourite things

1. ‘Lola’s series of candles is inspired by
different smells of different cities within
Africa, and they last a really long time.’
1 3
Young Mary’s candles, from £10
2. ‘This handmade cork lampshade is
subtle when switched off, but brings
some fun when illuminated.’
Claire Cartwright Studio halo cork
drum lampshade, £59
3. ‘Handmade in the Priormade studio
from sustainable plywood this comes
with a recycled metal insert for plants.’
Priormade geo vessel, £33
2
130 yourhomestyle.uk
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