Home//Ideal Home/April 2016/In This Issue
Ideal Home|April 2016My to-do list for AprilEaster coming up is inspiring thoughts of sweet treats and family gatherings, as well as mini garden projects to keep me busy over the long weekend.PLANNING A TEA PARTY Easter coincides with my and my sister’s birthdays this year, so I can feel a special do coming on – a proper afternoon tea, I think (dress code ‘hats and pearls’), complete with fancy teacups and lashings of prosecco for the grown-ups. We’ve all been rather health-conscious of late, with dry January and sugar-free February, so we’re more than ready for a cake binge. The littlest Richmonds love any opportunity to put on their party dresses, topped off with Elsa crowns and whatever ‘jewels’, as they call them, (gewgaws from Accessorize…) they can pilfer from my bedroom. After tea, we’ll set…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016This month’s high-street hero... Christine Hafsten‘Items should tell a story and remind you of special moments, and I think that’s what Cath Kidston does’You’d be forgiven for thinking that Cath Kidston’s designs were all by its eponymous founder. Up until recent times that was the case, but, after 20 years of growing the brand from one small shop in London’s Holland Park to a nationwide chain of 120 stores, Cath has taken a back seat. Enter Christine Hafsten, the design director tasked with safeguarding those trademark florals and adding new ones into the mix.Christine joined Cath Kidston in 2013 and spent a year working closely with Cath herself. ‘If you are as passionate about print and colour as I am, then this is an incredible place to work,’ says Christine. ‘I’m very lucky. We have…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016DESIGN YOUR MOODBOARD1 CHOOSE YOUR BASE COLOUR Whether it’s flooring or a wall, the base colour will be the largest area of colour in your room, so place a generous sample of it onto your board. Including carpet samples will help you think about texture, too.2 ADD AN ACCENT TONE Want to try a dramatic contrast or an accent just a few tones away from your base colour? Use your moodboard to play with options and layer it with swatches of fabric, scraps of wallpaper and paint colour charts.3 FIND THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES These will really set the tone in your room – go for ones that share an accent colour and stick to a single theme. Don’t mix styles, or your finished scheme will look messy rather than effortlessly eclectic.…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016How to use bold bluesOFFSET WITH WHITE Use equal amounts of white with dark blue for a balanced decorating scheme. Go for pure or creamy whites, as grey tints will look chilly.INCLUDE WARM WOOD Rough-grained wood furniture will add warmth to colder blues and introduce texture, too.MAKE ’EM SING The right accent colours really pop against dark blue. Citrussy yellows always work, or try light greys or metallic silver.BREAK THEM UP Dark blues are heavy, so lighten with pops of pattern, staying tonal so as not to overwhelm with contrasting colours.THINK ABOUT TEXTURE Deep blues can look flat, especially over a large expanse, so add rough and textured finishes for interest.5 BEST BLUE DUOS• Indigo and teal• Navy and turquoise• Cobalt and baby blue• Prussian blue and stormy-sky blue• Lapis and faded denimTRY IT…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Find more new-vintage buys on the high streetOpt for a more gentle take on this look using painterly floral linens, or be brave with distinctive fabrics and wallcoverings in pigmented colours.TRY IT IN THE BEDROOM Give your bedroom a fresh, uplifting feel for spring with watercolour-style florals from BHS, and layer up fabrics in a palette of tangerine, mint and peach....OR IN THE DINING ROOM Take a more spirited approach with the Artbook by Kim Parker range at Clarke & Clarke – from cushions to wallcoverings, go as bold as you dare.Bright ideaDesign a bold, welcoming dining space by teaming simple furniture with daring printsAriadne’s Dream linen fabric, from £32 per m, Artbook by Kim Parker range, Clarke & ClarkeFlower powerCreate a fresh yet cosy scheme with apricot bloomsCarrie bedding set; Waterflower bedding set; both from £40…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016WHAT’S NEW AT Clarke & ClarkeTHE COMPANY Founded in 1999 by brothers Duncan and Lee Clarke, Clarke & Clarke now distributes fabrics and wallcoverings to more than 90 countries. The dedicated design studio, based in rural Cheshire, creates vibrant, fashion-led designs, ensuring that products are always on trend. Producing both woven and printed textiles and decorative wallcoverings in co-ordinated collections, the company has a reputation for excellent quality, innovation and customer service.THE NEW COLLECTION Taking inspiration from the refined chic of Parisian hotels, the new Chateau collection has classic fabric designs at its heart. St James is a traditional stripe in bold shades that’s ideal for use as curtains or blinds; Michel is an intricate geometric that works beautifully on upholstery; Boulevard has a bold link design with metallic touches that create a 3D effect;…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016SMART WAYS TO USE TILESWithout doubt, tiles are the top choice when it comes to decorating walls and floors in kitchens and bathrooms. Yes, they are hard-wearing, waterproof and easy to clean, but tiles are coming into their own for reasons other than practicality right now. New innovations in design, texture, colour and finish mean that safe and neutral are no longer the norm, with homeowners coming up with more inventive ways to use tiles. From daring colour combinations and creative configurations, to using tiles in unexpected places, find inspiration for your next project in our edit.INTRODUCE SOME TEXTURETextured tiles are a great alternative to wallpaper in a dining space. These cement tiles with an embossed pattern and a subtle matt finish add style and colour without overpowering the scheme.TRY A ROUGH-LUXE CONTRASTCreate a…4 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURTHE PROPERTYA Seventies, four-bedroom, detached wood-clad villa in Storvreta, near Uppsala, in Sweden. The owners bought it in September 2012.WHO LIVES HEREJohanna and Arash Gilan live here with their three children, Dylan, six, Daisy, four, and Adele, three. Johanna is currently training to be an interior designer and Arash is chief executive officer of a communications company.THE LOOKFresh and bright Scandi chic, with white-painted vintage and home-made furniture set against pretty pastel walls, and quirky accessories arranged in attractive displays.LESSONS LEARNED“ Add 10-20% to the estimated cost of renovation work. I learned the hard way that there are always unexpected costs and it pays to have a contingency plan.”…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURBOUGHT FOR£519,000SPENT£470,000NOW WORTH£1.2 millionTHE PROPERTYA four-bedroom, detached Sixties house in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, extended at the front and rear to create a flexible family living space. The owners bought it in August 2007.WHAT IT COSTBuilding work.......................£350,000Kitchen.....................................£30,000Bathrooms................................£10,000Carpentry.................................£30,000Garden landscaping............£50,000TOTAL....................£470,000WHO LIVES HEREHannah and Colin Gee live here with their sons, Sam, 10, Joe, seven, and Fred, four. Hannah runs interiors boutique Love Inc and Colin works in the City.THE LOOKAn eclectic mix of vintage finds and colourful, upcycled furniture, showcased against clean and simple white walls.LESSONS LEARNED“We employed a quantity surveyor to assess the builders’ work and costs throughout the project. It was a worthwhile investment, as it helped maintain quality and he fought our corner when there were questions over bills.”…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURBOUGHT FOR£165,000SPENT£130,000NOW WORTH£330,000THE PROPERTYA three-bedroom, semi-detached house – half of a former mill house – in Suffolk. Originally built in the 16th century, it was extended in the 19th century and again in 2013 by the current owners, who bought it in June of that year.WHAT IT COSTExtension................................£70,000Building work.........................£35,000Professional advice...............£10,000Glazing.......................................£7,000Decorating................................£4,000Landscaping and patio..........£4,000TOTAL....................£130,000WHO LIVES HEREHelen and Graeme Craig live here with their children, Harris, five, and Esther, four. Helen is a teacher and Graeme is a company director.THE LOOKModern rustic, with Scandinavian influences and large windows that make the most of the rural views.LESSONS LEARNED“ We originally planned to fit bifold doors in the extension, but we’re glad we chose sliding doors instead, as the sight lines are less interrupted.”…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURBOUGHT FOR£1.5 millionSPENT£67,000NOW WORTH£1.75 millionTHE PROPERTYA five-bedroom, semi-detached, Victorian house in Wandsworth, southwest London, bought in February 2014.WHAT IT COSTBuilding work.........................£25,000Flooring.....................................£13,000Bathrooms................................£1,500Decorating..............................£20,000Fire surrounds............................£500Furniture.....................................£7,000TOTAL......................£67,000WHO LIVES HERELisa and Hil Mehydene live here with their four-year-old twins, Milla and George. Lisa is founder of an online interiors boutique and Hil is a currency trader.THE LOOKEclectic chic, with vintage finds and quirky displays set against a neutral grey background.LESSONS LEARNED“Overseeing the decorating from a distance was difficult. I realised I needed to be there for the fundamental decisions, like putting in a new kitchen, as I didn’t want to make an expensive mistake.”…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURTHE PROPERTYA five-bedroom, detached Victorian villa in Surrey.WHO LIVES HEREHannah Manser lives here with her husband Neil and their children, Agnes, four, Martha, two, and Betty, five months.WHAT THEY DIDThe Mansers renovated and extended the house, building a contemporary two-storey side extension, with a glazed connection to the original house, and a single-storey rear extension with bifold doors.WHAT IT COSTThe couple paid £808,000 for the house in 2010 and spent around £200,000 extending and renovating it. The house is now worth more than £1.2 million.…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016IN DETAIL INSULATED RENDERThe crumbling render on the outside of the Mansers’ house has been clad in an insulated render system by Wetherby (01942 717100; wbs-ltd.co.uk), smartening up the exterior and reducing energy costs. ‘The render needed replacing anyway, and it’s made a big difference to the way the house feels’, says Hannah.External-wall insulated render systems are ideal for both new builds and refurbishments, and can cover a multitude of sins. Sheets of rigid insulation are fixed to the outer wall and covered with render.Insulated render maximises internal space and causes minimal disruption to the household. It also gives the outer walls a crisp, new appearance and helps to improve weatherproofing and sound resistance. Filling any gaps in brick or blockwork reduces draughts and increases the life of the walls by protecting them…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016PROPERTY PROJECTSREAL HOME IMPROVEMENT‘Wraparound glazing blurs the inside and out’Soon after Louisa and Leigh Hogarty’s first son was born, they realised that the layout of their home in Ashtead, Surrey, was going to have to change.They felt too enclosed by the Sixties property with its separate rooms and little connection with the garden. ‘From the living room, you had to go through the dining room to get to the kitchen, so you couldn’t see the children playing from the kitchen,’ explains Louisa. The couple contacted Chris Lelliott of MVL Architects (01483 416411; mvl-architects.co.uk), who designed a stunning, open-plan living space with wraparound bifold glazing opening out to create an extensive indoor/ outdoor entertaining space. The Hogartys also extended out into the garden by 4m, and converted the integral garage into a…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘We wanted to bring the outside in’WHAT IT COSTUnits...............................£12,000Worktop..........................£3,640Sink......................................£180Tap.......................................£977Flooring..........................£3,500Pendant lights...................£765Splashback.......................£500Paint....................................£200TOTAL................£21,762John Gregory and his partner, Paul Harris, wasted no time improving their Victorian terrace in Clapham, London, when they bought it back in December 2013. They began building work soon after they moved in, starting with knocking two loft bedrooms into one. ‘We camped upstairs with a few basics – it was like a bedsit!’ says John.Just a week into the work, a huge problem arose. ‘We discovered the house had structural issues due to the poor framework of the existing rear extension,’ explains John. ‘We had steel girders propping the house up, and had to knock down and rebuild the entire back wall.’Initially this was bad news, but it did allow John and Paul to install sliding glass doors on the back wall of their kitchen-diner…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURTHE PROPERTYA four-bedroom Edwardian house in Ealing, west London.WHO LIVES HERESophie and Matthew Todd live here, with their daughter, Isabella, four.WHAT THEY DIDThe couple removed an old conservatory and added an extension with an apex roof to create a light-filled kitchen-diner. The extension also includes a separate utility room and cloakroom.THE LOOKFrench-inspired décor with classic Shaker-style cabinetry and upcycled vintage touches.LESSONS LEARNED“I’d think twice before putting down a dark floor again, as it shows up every speck of dirt.”THE LAYOUT The range cooker and sink sit in a run of units along one wall, with an adjacent larder cabinet housing a wine fridge. An island unit separates the cooking and dining areas…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘We wanted a room with character’WHAT IT COSTSanitaryware...................£1,436Shower.............................£1,206Tiles......................................£750Furniture...............................£127Marble tops........................£390Paint.......................................£201Lighting................................£143Shutters..............................£396Radiator...............................£325TOTAL..................£4,974When Bron and Gerrard Arbor got married, Bron had already been living in their house in Mumbles, South Wales, for 10 years. Keen to make some much-needed changes to it, Bron had an en-suite bathroom at the top of her wish list. ‘The main bathroom was on the floor below our bedroom,’ she says. ‘I was fed up with going up and down the stairs, so it made sense to turn the bedroom next to ours into an en suite.’With a blank space to play with, the couple planned carefully to make the most of it. ‘The large window was the big consideration – you can’t really put anything underneath it,’ says Bron. ‘The long wall behind the door was the only place for a shower, and…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016BAKE SOMETHING beautifulLemon drizzle cakeSERVES 8 TAKES 45MIN, PLUS COOLING TIMEFOR THE CAKE •150g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing •200g caster sugar •4 eggs •142ml soured cream •275g self-raising flour •Zest of 2 large lemons •3tbsp LimoncelloFOR THE FILLING •300g full-fat cream cheese •150g lemon curdFOR THE TOPPING •Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2tbsp lemon juice •125g icing sugar, sifted •Lemon jelly sweets1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas 4. Grease two 20cm sandwich tins and line the bases with baking paper. Beat the butter and sugar with a whisk until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Fold in the soured cream, flour and zest. Divide between the tins.2 Bake for 20-25min, until springy to the touch. Leave to cool slightly in the tins before turning out…7 min
Ideal Home|April 2016TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR CLOTHESCLEVER CARE AND STORAGE•Remove bobbles from woollens with a special comb or electric defuzzer.•Use the right hangers: Wooden ‘shoulders’ for tops, jackets and dresses; clips for skirts and trousers; padded for delicates.•Fold woollens instead of hanging them up to prevent stretching.•Dab the centre of buttons with clear nail polish to stop them falling off.•Ease stiff zips by rubbing them with a graphite pencil.•Don’t store clothes in plastic bags or boxes – it encourages moisture and mould growth.•Don’t ball socks – the cuffs will stretch and bag. Everyone’s shrunk a sweater, turned whites pink or grey, or had to throw out something because it’s faded, stretched or gone bobbly. Follow this hard-won laundry wisdom to get it done faster, keep clothes looking good and save money, too.WASH SMARTERThe unbreakable rule: always…4 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Try something new... GET ON YOUR BIKECycling is a great way to be more active and explore your local area. Cycling at a gentle pace burns 300 calories per hour and can help reduce stress, plus it’s a cheap and green way of commuting to school or work, or getting to the shops. You can even make it a social activity by taking part in an organised bike ride run by a charity or local cycling group. For national events, join British Cycling’s Sky Ride (goskyride.com) or Sustrans’ Big Pedal (sustrans.org.uk/bigpedal).Q WHAT DIFFERENT KINDS OF CYCLING ARE THERE?There are two main types of leisure cycling – road cycling and mountain biking. If you’re commuting to work on your bike, you’ll most likely be cycling on tarmacked roads or cycle lanes. Mountain biking is usually off-road, taking…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Compact vacuum cleaner, DysonFEATURES WE LOVE1 It’s lightweight and easy to manoeuvre Cordless ‘stick’ cleaners are a joy thanks to how easy they are to carry about, take up stairs and store. However, they’re limited by their battery life and suction power, so the bods at Dyson have come up with this agile mains-powered vacuum. At 5.5kg, it’s 30% lighter than the regular DC41, and the Royal College of Chiropractors has commended the ball technology in the base, which allows the cleaner to turn on a sixpence.2 You still get great results Ask Dyson fans what they love about their machine and I’ll bet its cleaning power will be top of the list. The Small Ball’s double row of cyclones can capture dust and dirt smaller than the eye can see, while the…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Girl About Tech explains… Juicing and blending“After a workout, juice carrot, apple and kale for a beta-Carotene and vitamin C hit. Adding a scoop of whey protein will also aid muscle repair”JOE WICKS , THE BODY COACH (THEBODYCOACH.CO.UK) AND PHILIPS’ AMBASSADOR FOR JUICINGWHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?Put simply, juicing extracts juice and leaves the fibrous pulp, while using a blender pulverises the whole fruit or vegetable, so fibre is retained. The latter also purées leafy greens and soft fruits, which most juicers can’t handle.WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?While both make it easy to have your five a day, juicing and blending each have their own benefits. One big difference comes down to fibre – or the lack of it. Fibre slows down your body’s absorption of nutrients, so juicing is an efficient way of getting some goodness on board.…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016OR TRY ONE OF THESE... Genius microwavesSpace saverNN-CT565M 27ltr combination microwave, Panasonic‘The shallow design takes up less space, but still has a decent capacity, with clearly marked presets for ready meals, porridge and even fish and chips’Rocks at roastsMHW 33343B 33ltr combination microwave, HotpointGIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS‘Does everything a conventional oven can but faster, including Sunday roast with rare beef and crisp roasties. A big shout out, too, to the Dynamic Defrost’Banishes odoursMC28H5013AS 28ltr combination microwave, SamsungGIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS‘Includes one-touch settings for fermenting yoghurt and proving bread, and a deodorising button, which you can press to get rid of any lingering smells’…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Appy talk TRANSPORTKAYAK iOS, Android and Windows Phone, freeEssentially a smart travel search engine, this app lets you hunt for hotels, flights and car hire in one place. Logging in grants you access to deals you won’t see elsewhere, and price alerts tell you if costs change on options you’re interested in. You can search for flights by cheapest, shortest, leaving or arriving soonest, and leaving latest.ALSO TRY Skyskanner for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, freeWAZE iOS, Android and Windows Phone, freeThe world’s biggest community-based traffic and navigation app, Waze relies on fellow road users sharing real-time traffic info so that you waste as little time as possible stuck in a jam. If gridlock can’t be avoided, the app will tell you how long you’re likely to be waiting. You can also…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016CLAIM YOUR FREE English lavender plantsLavender is an easy-to-grow shrub with beautifully scented flowers. The nectar-rich blooms are particularly attractive to bees and the stems are ideal for cutting or drying. Your free collection will contain 24 plug plants each of ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’. ‘Munstead’ has mounds of fragrant, evergreen foliage, with a height of 45cm and a spread of 60cm. ‘Hidcote’, an evergreen semi-shrub that has purple-blue flowers in summer, has a height of 60cm and a spread of 30cm.AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OTHER GREAT OFFERS…PETUNIA ‘NIGHT SKY’This trailing petunia has deep purple-blue blooms flecked with white. It’s ideal for hanging baskets and patio containers. Height: 25cm. Spread: 30cm. Supplied as postiplug plants.BUY 5 FOR £9.99; BUY 10 FOR £14.98 – SAVE £5LAVENDER ‘PAPILLON’Attractive to bees and butterflies, the purple flowers last all…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Shopping directory= mail order availableAAbigail Ahern 020 7354 8181; abigailahern.comAldi aldi.co.ukAlternative Flooring 01264 335111; alternativeflooring.comAmara 0800 587 7645; amara.comAmtico 0121 745 0800; amtico.comAnd Shine 07765 530607; andshine.co.ukAnnie Sloan 01865 713089; anniesloan.comArgos 0345 640 3030; argos.co.ukArtfinder 0800 133 7434; artfinder.comArthouse 01706 230077; arthouse.comAtkin and Thyme 0844 409 9834; atkinandthyme.co.ukAtomic Interiors 0115 965 7920; atomicinteriors.co.ukBBaldwin Plastic Laminates 01277 225235; baldwin-plaslam.co.ukbaldwin-plaslam.co.ukB& 0333 014 3098; diy.comBarker & Stonehouse 0333 355 9046; barkerandstonehouse.co.ukBathstore 0800 023 2323; bathstore.comBedeck 0845 603 0861; bedeckhome.comBethan Laura Wood 07754 064070; woodlondon.co.ukBetsy Benn 01242 570731; betsybenn.co.ukBHS 0344 411 6000; bhs.co.ukBHS Furniture 0844 411 6000; bhsfurniture.co.ukBlack By Design 01889 502716; black-by-design.co.ukBlendworth 023 9259 4911; blendworth.co.ukBloom 0844 482 2332; bloom.uk.comBluebellgray 0141 221 0724; bluebellgray.co.ukBoConcept 00 45 7013 1366; boconcept.co.ukBombay Duck 020 8749 3000; bombayduck.comBrompton 020 8232 8484; brompton.comBurlington Bathrooms 01293 586367; burlingtonbathrooms.comCCalligaris calligaris.comCalm Gallery…7 min
Ideal Home|April 2016The next big thing... Marquetry and parquetry effects“These traditional techniques are back in new and unexpected forms”MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITORTHE STORY SO FAR A pattern of inlaid veneers of wood, metal or bone, marquetry is often seen on polished antique furniture. Parquetry is a geometric pattern of inlaid pieces of wood, especially used to cover a floor or to ornament furniture. The rise in value being placed on traditional crafts, coupled with a love for smart geometrics, means that these techniques are now being reinvented using new materials and graphic imitations.MODERN MATERIALS Part of a series celebrating British manufacturing techniques, Lee Broom’s Parquetry lamp is comprised of linear layers of wood veneer, blue lacquer and brass inlay. Designer Bethan Laura Wood experiments with colour and pattern – the marquetry on her Super Fake series uses laminate wood…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Christine’s inspiration...GET TO KNOW HER SIGNATURE STYLE ‘My style is a lot like the Cath Kidston look,’ says Christine. ‘It’s about having classic and antique elements, mixed with personal items and a bit of fun. There’s a Norwegian word, hygge, which roughly translates as “cosy”, but it’s more than that, it’s a feeling – so if it’s wonderful to be somewhere or feel something, then it’s hygge. I like to think my home and approach to design reflects that.’Although she’s Scandinavian, Christine’s style is far from the clean lines and neutrals of classic Scandi design. ‘My parents are both Anglophiles and, growing up, my mum loved British interior-design magazines, so my childhood home had bright fabrics and wallpapers and a bold teal velvet sofa – not typically Scandinavian at all. Mum…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016FOLLOW THE 3 GOLDEN RULES1 THE 70-20-10 RULE For a balanced scheme, keep 70% of the elements (say, walls and floors) as one colour, then add 20% in a second colour (fabrics) and 10% in an accent (accessories).2 THE PATTERN RULE When mixing patterns, use large with medium or medium with small, never large with small. Pick prints that share a colour in common.3 THE PAINTED BOX RULE The look of paint changes according to the time of day and the amount of light that is in a room. Paint the inside of a large box with a tester to create a miniature ‘room’ and see how the colour changes within a 3D space.AND FINALLY… Always add a surprise. A focal point – whether it’s a feature wall or a piece of art –…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016PICK THE Perfect pattern‘Bring the outdoors in and embrace the start of spring with charming bird motifs in an array of colours and designs’Ginevra Benedetti, Associate EditorBe bold with bird designsWHY WE LOVE THEM Flocks of birds returning home is the signal that spring is finally here, so choosing bird-themed wallpapers and fabrics is a lovely way to welcome the change of season. With designs to suit all tastes, from exotic breeds to traditional British birds, they work well in both modern and traditional settings.WHERE TO USE THEM For a cosy, country-inspired theme in a kitchen, use classic designs featuring chicken, duck or garden-bird motifs. More elaborate designs featuring exotic plumage will add a glamorous touch to bedrooms. Choose fun bird designs to create a stimulating feel in a childrenÕs room or to…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Albion HouseLOCATION Situated in the seaside town of Ramsgate in Kent, Albion House takes pride of place on Ramsgate’s East Cliff, with views over Royal Harbour and, on a clear day, across to the French coast.ROOMS A sweeping staircase leads to three floors that between them have 14 rooms and suites. As many of the original 18th-century features as possible have been retained, such as shutter-panelled windows, Carrara marble bathrooms and elegant cornicing and architraves. Elsewhere, the hotel has teamed up with interiors specialists Fontaine Decorative to re-create its classic Regency features, while still offering the comforts and luxuries of a boutique hotel. The suite with a sea view (right) features French antique furniture alongside ornate pieces with gold and brass detailing.FAMOUS FOR Its interesting past. Built in 1791 as a…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Get Hannah’s lookKITCHEN-DINERBird songPretty up your table with some charming chinaDuck Egg Beautiful Birds teapot; cup and saucer; both DunelmShabby chicThe odd vintage piece keeps the look eclecticCountry Ash console table (H80cm x W110cm x D40cm), Melody MaisonRose-tinted glassMakes a striking focal point over a dining tableVintage Flower chandelier, Bombay DuckBig timeChoose an oversized clock for statement styleLarge Gallery wall clock (diameter 50cm), Newgate ClocksHigh glossThis sleek table suits a modern schemeBramante extending dining table (H76cm x W174-264cm x D90cm), Made.comA to ZAdd colour to walls with this bright printBild alphabet poster (H70cm x W50cm), IkeaBrick by brickFake an exposed-brick wallBrick-effect wallpaper, Albany Natural Textures range, WallpaperdirectSEE MORE ONLINEFIND MORE READER HOMES AT housetohome.co.uk/house-toursFOR WHERE TO BUY ITEMS SHOWN, TURN TO OUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016From drab and dated to 21st-century family homeWhen Hannah and Neil Manser first viewed their current home in 2010, they fell in love with the large garden and village location. ‘At that time we had no children, but we knew we would be starting a family in the future and wanted to find a house which could adapt as the children grew,’ says Hannah.Sitting on a large plot in a conservation area, the house had suffered from a number of insensitive alterations, which detracted from the character of the original Victorian building. What’s more, the connection with the garden had been lost and the house itself was beginning to fall into disrepair. ‘It was in quite a mess and the rooms were fairly dark, but we knew that it could be really special,’ says Hannah. ‘I’ve been…4 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘A bold, boxy extension renewed our bungalow’Emma Russell and Donal McBreen knew that the layout of their detached four-bedroom home in Edinburgh would have to change when they bought it in 2013. ‘We were attracted to this particular neighbourhood,’ explains Emma. ‘Property rarely comes up for sale here – this was the only place we viewed.’MAKING PLANS The house had enough bedrooms for the couple and their children – Cara, six, Arlo, five, and Torin, two – but the kitchen was tiny and disconnected from the living and dining rooms. ‘The original house had a classic Thirties square floorplan that didn’t suit our lifestyle,’ says Emma. ‘We liked the idea of creating an open-plan living space, although we were unsure how to achieve it. So, after admiring one of our architect’s extensions online, we decided to…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘Taking down a wall worked wonders’WHAT IT COSTUnits................................£8,000Worktop.........................£2,800Sink and taps................£1,220Appliances....................£4,599Flooring.............................£860Paint.......................................£37TOTAL...............£17,516Having an experienced kitchen designer as a partner is obviously a huge plus when it comes to planning a new kitchen, but for Susan Brown, the main problem was her kitchen’s lack of light. ‘I knew David could work wonders with the existing space, so altering the footprint wasn’t a priority,’ she says. ‘Our main aim was to create a more open, airy feel, while also improving the flow of the ground floor.’ The solution was to knock through to an adjoining room. ‘This meant the new space would be flooded with light and make the kitchen feel much more open,’ explains Susan.There were no concerns about how the new layout should work. ‘We’re keen cooks and love to entertain, so David’s brief was not only…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURTHE PROPERTYA five-bedroom, Victorian terraced house in Clapham, south London.WHO LIVES HEREJohn Gregory and his partner Paul Harris live here.WHAT THEY DIDThe couple replaced the rear wall of the house with glass sliding doors and created an open-plan kitchen-diner and living area.THE LOOKStreamlined, with handleless units, mirrored surfaces, exposed brickwork and contemporary, British-designed furniture.LESSONS LEARNED“We made life more complicated by sourcing certain products ourselves. It might have been easier to use one supplier, but this provided us with the flexibility to perfect the space ourselves.”THE LAYOUT The hob and double oven are positioned in a bank of units opposite the breakfast bar, which also houses the sink. The dining and living areas are at the far end of the room…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘We raised the roof to gain a bigger bathroom’WHAT IT COSTBath..................................£2,385Shower..............................£1,970Loo........................................£401Basins..................................£942Taps......................................£723Floor and wall tiles.......£2,800Radiator...............................£652TOTAL..................£9,873Lynsey and Nick Jones’s house near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, originally had three bedrooms, an en suite, a boxroom and a tiny bathroom. ‘When our third son, Jake, came along in 2013, we knew we had to create more space and our priority was for a bigger bathroom for the boys,’ says Lynsey. ‘The house was on many levels, with attic space on one side that was unusable because of its low ceiling height. We decided to remove the roof above it and build up the exterior walls, knock down two interior walls and completely reconfigure the space to create a large family bathroom.’Lynsey and Nick decided on a fairly neutral colour scheme. ‘We bought everything from The Tile Barn in Gloucestershire,’ says Lynsey. Wanting an…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURTHE PROPERTYA four-bedroom, terraced Victorian house in Mumbles, South Wales.WHO LIVES HEREBron and Gerrard Armor live here, with Bron’s sons, Toby, 19, and Rhys, 16.WHAT THEY DIDThe couple turned a spare bedroom into a spacious en-suite bathroom.THE LOOKModern traditional, with period-style fittings, vintage furniture and pops of raspberry and cobalt blue.LESSONS LEARNED“When using strong blocks of colour, like the tiles we’ve used in our bathroom, add some variety with tone and shape. We chose two different blues in two different-sized rectangles, so it didn’t feel overwhelming.”THE LAYOUT The freestanding bath is opposite the door, while the walk-in shower is to the left. A loo and vanity unit flank the large shuttered window…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Build the ultimate BAKING TOOL KIT1 THE BOWLThe bigger, the better when it comes to cake mixing – or you’ll find that the batter splatters all over your kitchen. Look for a large, deep design that will keep all the mixture contained and is heavy enough that it won’t be pushed around the worktop by a hand mixer.Cane 29cm mixing bowl, £22.99, Mason Cash range, Very2 THE MIXERYou get what you pay for with a mixer. This Kenwood has a glass bowl, so you can see your mixture easily, and it comes with the essential attachments; a whisk, K-beater and dough hook. If you prefer a hand mixer, look for one with a motor with at least 400W power and all-metal parts (plastic bits break more easily).Chef Sense KVC5000B, £450, Kenwood3 THE SIEVESieving flour will…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016TACKLE A TASK Care for your delicatesPADDED HANGERSBest for silk items, as they prevent stretchingJosette padded hangers, £15 for two, Laura AshleyINDOOR AIRERDon’t tumble-dry or peg on a line – air drying is gentlerOver-the-bath indoor clothes airer, £7.99, ArgosLAUNDRY BAGSStop lingerie from snagging when machine washingCavendish Rose laundry bags, £12 for two, Cath KidstonSOFT-GRIP PEGSThey won’t snag your clothes or leave any indentationsPeg basket with 50 soft-grip clothes pegs, £4, WilkoHOME DRY-CLEANINGSave a fortune with DIY dry-cleaning sheetsDry Clean Only, £3.49 for three sheets, Dr BeckmannWOOL DRYER BALLSPop in the dryer drum for softer, speedier resultsWool dryerballs, £12.99 for three, LakelandCEDARWOOD BALLSMoths love woollies, so use these to repel themCedarwood balls, £5.99 for 24, Zero In range, Robert DyasSOLUTION FOR SILKSDesigned for hand and machine washing delicatesTenestar silk solution, £9 for a 240ml bottle, Jasmine SilkMOTH…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016In the GARDENTO DO THIS MONTH...•SOW HARDY ANNUALS and herbs outdoors, as the soil should be warm enough by now. Prepare the bed by breaking up the soil and removing stones, then sow marigolds, nigella, candytufts and nasturtium seeds directly into the ground where you want them to flower. Follow the packet instructions and, when they start to grow, thin out any clumps of seedlings before they get overcrowded.•PRUNE early flowering shrubs that have finished flowering, such as forsythia, to maintain a neat shape and tidy new growth. Also, trim winter-flowering climbers and heather – a quick shearing over will work wonders. Buddleja, cotinus and dogwood can also be pruned now – simply cut back to just above the base.•DEADHEAD DAFFODILS and tulips, but remember to leave the foliage to die back…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Try these... JUICERS AND BLENDERSCentrifugal juicerNutri Juicer Compact, Sage by Heston Blumenthal‘Promises minimal heat transfer, preserving about 70% of nutrients. A built-in bin catches the pulp’Cold press juicerMJ-L500 slow-speed juicer, PanasonicGIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS‘Juices anything from peaches to parsley, and has an attachment to make sorbet-like desserts’Bullet blenderNutri Blitzer, JMLGIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS‘Reduces stems, skin and peel to a super-smooth drink, plus it can blitz nuts, seeds and ice. Comes with three portable cups’Power blenderVitamix Pro750 blender, John LewisGIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS‘Has more than 300 recipe ideas, from smoothies to peanut butter and ice cream’…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016You'll love this... Professional photo printer“Did you know that 44% of us Brits have ‘lost’ digital images?* Sadly I’m one of them – I hate to think how many pictures of old friends have been ‘stranded’ on broken devices, never to return. So I’m vowing to print more photos – well, it worked for Nana About Tech, whose vintage snaps stashed in old shoeboxes live on today. This high-quality, compact printer should help me out, as it can print images from my smartphone, tablet or PC instantly over Wi-Fi – it’ll even print photos direct from my Facebook account. It takes six inks, which have been specially crafted so that the colours are vibrant, natural and won’t fade over time. Meanwhile, the ‘A3’ and ‘thick’ paper settings are ideal if you want to frame your…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016WOODLAND BULBS – SAVE MORE THAN £69After winter, these springtime flowering bulbs are a must to bring some cheer to your garden. They are supplied as bulbs in the green, so you’ll instantly be able to see how they’ll look when added to your garden. All these bulbs are from commercially grown sources and are not taken from the wild.Single-flowering snowdrops Pure white, bell-shaped flowers full of elegance. Height: 15cm (6in). Spread: 10cm (4in).Double-flowering snowdrops Upward-facing, white blooms, with green markings in the centre. Height: 15cm (6in). Spread: 10cm (4in).Winter aconites These will rapidly create a beautiful carpet of golden yellow. Height: 8cm (3in). Spread: 5cm (2in). Bulb size: 3/4.English bluebells Beautiful blooms hang from an upright stem, creating a wave of violet-blue shades. Height: 25cm (10in). Spread: 8cm (3in). Bulb size: 5/6.BUY 25 of any…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Everybody’s doing Mid-century retro“With cool design inspiration taken from the Fifties to the Seventies, this mid-century remake mixes bold colours and geometric patterns for a more modern-day vibe”HOLLY CATFORD, ACTING STYLE AND DECORATING ASSISTANTMake a dateAvailable in six coloursRetro square calendar flip clock in Saffron, £89, Cult FurnitureDarling clementineCreates a warming glowRetro orange glass lamp, £14, NextTea partyYour morning cuppa never looked so vibrantRetro teapot, £28, Sagaform range, Cloudberry LivingComfy and chicSupport your back with this flexible woven seatMumford chair, £299, BHSTop tableA handy shelf and the large surface make this a practical buyStockholm coffee table, £195, IkeaMug shotIdeal for a hit of colourAmanda cup in Lime, £11.50, Super Living range, And ShineGo dottyCasts pretty shadows through the cutout holesApex cone ceiling light, £80, John LewisColour popInspired by an original Biba print from…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Be inspired by our MOODBOARDSFRENCH BLUE & FORSYTHIA120147 fabric (background), £50 per m;
Ideal Home|April 2016‘Soft pastel tones make it feel calm’‘Everything we love about the house now – the light, the space – we just couldn’t see at first. It looked awful’‘To keep the look calm and create harmony, I group similar items and colours together’Johanna Gilan point-blank refused to view her house when she first saw it on a property website. ‘Everything we love about the place now – all the light, the space, the courtyard – we just couldn’t see in the pictures online,’ she says, remembering her intense reaction to what is now her beloved home. ‘It really looked awful.’At the time, she and her husband Arash were living in a rented flat with their two small children, Dylan and Daisy (three-year-old Adele was born after the move). ‘I’m passionate about decorating and creating a home,’ says…7 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘We had to give this house character’‘Our priority was to bring in light, with larger windows and sliding doors to the garden’‘The house didn’t have any original features, so I knew I had to add some standout elements to give it character’Hannah Gee loved her home long before she ever owned it. ‘I used to walk past it regularly, as our previous home was just around the corner,’ she says. ‘The house is detached and set back from the road, so it has real privacy. And among the neighbouring Edwardian houses, its Sixties style is distinctive.’No wonder then that, when Hannah saw it was for sale, she immediately arranged a viewing. ‘Let’s just say, the reality was different to what I’d imagined,’ she laughs. ‘I’m a big fan of Sixties architecture, but the house looked really…6 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘We mixed ancient and modern beautifully’‘Each area is different – the kitchen is bright and open, the ply-lined living area is warm, and the dining area has formal dark panelling’‘The house is in a fantastic location, with a river flowing past and beautiful views out over the countryside in all directions’‘We wanted something natural for the walls, and the plywood is simple, neutral and a bit different’While house-hunting for a new home in the East Anglian countryside, Helen and Graeme Craig couldn’t help but be charmed by the particulars of a property in rural Suffolk. ‘It looked like a child’s drawing of a house – very plain and simple – and we were fascinated by its history,’ explains Helen.The property is one half of an old mill house, parts of which date from the 16th…7 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘Our style is all about the mix’‘I love to surround myself with vintage pieces that tell a story or items brought back from our travels’‘The house is filled with things that remind us of the people we know, our travels and experiences’When Lisa and Hil Mehydene decided to buy their London home two years ago, it was a snap decision. ‘We viewed this house for 15 minutes before we made an offer and had it accepted the same day,’ says Lisa. ‘The next morning, we were on a plane back to Singapore, where we were living and working at the time. It was a complete whirlwind.’Before having twins, Milla and George, Lisa had been an advertising director. She and Hil had followed their careers to Dubai and Singapore, but were keen to return to London to…7 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Create a look that’s CALM YET COSY‘ Soften your scheme this season with our soothing approach to coastal style’ANDREW TANNER, HEAD OF HOME DESIGN, SAINSBURY’As we shake off the last of winter and embrace the warm return of spring, there’s no better time to give your home a fresh new look. With its muted palette and relaxed feel, the soothing Coastal homeware collection has everything you need to welcome the season in style.Keep it simpleWhen ringing the changes for the new season, it can be tricky to know where to start. Thankfully, the Coastal range’s affordability and minimalist style means it couldn’t be easier to update your look. Start with an understated palette of white, stone and grey, then add accent pieces in cool steel and inky blue for an effect that’s understated, timeless and on…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016RENOVATION KNOW-HOWMany alterations can be made under Permitted Development, meaning you don’t need to get planning permission. For more information on planning and building regulations, visit planningportal.gov.uk and always check with your local authority before making any major changes.Keep your neighbours informed at all stages, and you might need to obtain party-wall agreements, too. Check the advice given at planningportal.gov.uk.For extensions and major remodelling, it’s usually advisable to employ an architect to draw up accurate plans: the Royal Institute of British Architects (architecture.com) holds a directory of approved architects.Get at least three quotes for all major purchases, including when you’re hiring tradesmen and, whenever possible, negotiate fixed prices for each job rather than paying a daily rate.It’s not usually advisable to undertake major roofing work on a DIY basis. Go to…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Exterior paintDULUX 0333 222 7171; dulux.co.uk/weathershieldIts Weathershield range includes Smooth masonry paint and a Textured version, both of which contain fungicide to inhibit mould growth. Pick a colour or mix your own at Homebase’s Dulux Mixlab. From £30.99 for 5ltr.FARROW & BALL 01202 876141; farrow-ball.comOffers Exterior Masonry paint in 107 colours with a fungal- and water-resistant formula that’s resistant to peeling, cracking, blistering and colour fade for up to 15 years. £65 for 5ltr.JOHNSTONE’S 01924 354354; johnstonespaint.comIts range of masonry and timber paint is available in nine colours. Its Weatherguard 10-year Smooth masonry paint, £24.99 for 5ltr, resists flaking and works on brick, stone and concrete, while Weatherguard Six Year Exterior Gloss, £23.49 for 2.5ltr, resists cracking and peeling and is ideal for wood and metal.SANDTEX 0330 024 0303; sandtex.co.ukChoose from…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURTHE PROPERTYA two-bedroom, semi-detached 19th-century stone house in High Peak, Derbyshire.WHO LIVES HERESusan Brown and her partner David Hudsmith live here.WHAT THEY DIDThey knocked down an internal wall between the kitchen and a small room next to it to create a practical, light-filled kitchen.THE LOOKModern Shaker in contemporary neutrals with stainless-steel accents.LESSONS LEARNEDIn a small space, restrict a bold statement shade to base units, to add drama without it being overpowering.…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016‘Extending made room for us all’WHAT IT COSTUnits...............................£16,000Worktop..........................£2,500Sink........................................£199Tap..........................................£116Appliances.......................£4,134Flooring............................£1,920Pendant lights....................£285Banquette bench.........£2,500Table....................................£450Bespoke stools..............£1,000TOTAL.................£29,104Having maxed out their savings buying their dream home in 2005, Sophie and Matthew Todd could only manage a quick refresh of its tired kitchen. ‘I painted the cupboards and changed the handles to make do until we could afford a new kitchen,’ says Sophie, ‘but it was still small and depressing.’Close to where Sophie runs her wedding-dress business, Elizabeth Todd (elizabethtodd.co.uk), is a beautiful kitchen showroom. ‘Every day I’d walk past it and admire its displays,’ she says. ‘I knew that would be the first place I’d head to when we were ready to buy ours.’When that time came nearly eight years later, the couple decided to deal with the lack of space and light by replacing the existing conservatory with an extension. After…3 min
Ideal Home|April 2016Take the 60-SECOND TOURTHE PROPERTYA five-bedroom, detached Sixties house near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.WHO LIVES HERELynsey and Nick Jones live here with their children, Charlie, nine, Joe, six, and Jake, two.WHAT THEY DIDTo create a large bathroom, the couple raised the exterior walls by 130cm to create more headroom in the attic, installed a skylight and a dormer window, and moved two interior walls.THE LOOKCountry elegance, with traditional furniture in white and taupe.LESSONS LEARNED“Plan ahead how you will get large items upstairs. We had to pass the shower panel through a hole we made in the hall ceiling.”THE LAYOUT To the right of the door are twin basins, storage and a loo. On the opposite wall, there’s a walk-in shower and a freestanding bath…1 min
Ideal Home|April 20165 BEST SHOW-STOPPER CHEATSMICROWAVE ICINGSimply pop it in the microwave, then pour it over the cake and leave to setMicrowave fondant icing, £2.48 for 400g, Renshaw range, LakelandBISCUIT STAMPDecorate bakes in an instantJammie Dunker stamp, £4, nrmshop.co.ukKIDS’ PARTY CAKE MOULDNo assembling – just bake and ice. Collect a few with friends and swapPrincess Castle cake tin, £8.97, John LewisSPARKLY TOPPINGThese diamond cake gems will add serious blingSugar diamonds, £10.85 for 56, Squires Kitchen ShopEDIBLE LACEBake the mix on the mat provided, then lay it on top of your cakeCake lace kit, from £3.95, Cake Décor range, Sainsbury’…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016NEED TO KNOW DELICATES• Some silks are washable while others can only be dry-cleaned, as their dyes aren’t colourfast. To check, wet a small section of the silk and place against a piece of white fabric or kitchen towel. If the dye doesn’t bleed, then it’s safe to hand wash.• Never use hot water on items that are meant to be dry-cleaned, as it can damage them and cause shrinkage. Avoid washing suede, leather, fur, feathers and other fragile fabrics. These should be taken to the dry-cleaners.• If the label states that the fabric can be washed, either hand wash it in lukewarm water or use your washing machine’s delicate cycle.• After washing delicates, reshape them and lay them flat on an airer to dry. Never tumble-dry them.• Never wring hand-washed woollens. Put…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016GORGEOUS GADGET BAGSGIRL ABOUT TECH’S MANIFESTOI believe that tech should...Make your life easierBe super-simple to useStand the test of timeLook good and work brilliantlyWHY WE LOVE THEM… All I want from a gadget bag is for it to be comfortable, protective and stylish enough to go from a meeting to after-work drinks. Is that too much to ask? I was beginning to think so, as was photographer Krystina Reynolds. ‘I found I was always carrying two bags,’ she says. ‘One for my camera and one for the rest of my things. Camera bags seemed to be designed purely with practicality in mind, so none of them reflected my personal style or that of my photos.’ Now Krystina sports just one leather camera satchel, made by her own company, Fig Bags. Shop around,…2 min
Ideal Home|April 2016The new dinner-party showpieceI’m still not over the traumatic experience that was Christmas entertaining, so this Easter I’ll be using this nifty three-in-one slow cooker to take the pressure off. I’m planning either to make a trio of totally different dishes (it’s a godsend if you’re catering for veggies, vegans and meat eaters), or to cook up spicy and non-spicy versions of my now-famous pulled pork. Come my next house party, the keep-warm function will make this the perfect curry-house-style serving station. And to minimise mess, each 1.3ltr stoneware pot has its own spoon and lid stand. Tasty!…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016You’ll love this... Foolproof microwave“Ever given food an extra blast in the microwave only to burn it? That’s where this model’s ‘A Bit More’ button comes in – press it if your popcorn isn’t all popped or your pizza topping hasn’t quite melted, and it will cook it for just the right amount of extra time on the last setting or power level you were using. And, yes, it can cook a pizza with a top oozing with cheese and a crisp base, because it has a grill and a clever crisper pan that’s great for reheating food, too. The oven also has presets for, among other things, porridge, soup, fish and baked beans. Ding, indeed!”GIRL ABOUT TECH, TECHNOLOGY EDITOR AND BLOGGER…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016OR TRY ONE OF THESE... Portable photo printersSmartphone snapsInstax Share SP-1 smartphone printer, FujiFilm‘Take a photo on your phone, open it up in the free Instax Share app, choose a template and filter, then create your 54mm x 85mm mini prints instantly over Wi-Fi’Picture perfectSelphy CP1200 compact photo printer, CanonGIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS‘Produces lab-quality photos and stickers from an SD card, USB stick or over Wi-Fi. You can edit on screen and the rechargeable battery is good for 50-plus prints’Print on the goZIP mobile printer, PolaroidGIRL ABOUT TECH SAYS‘This pocket printer pairs to smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth, so you can print even if there’s no Wi-Fi. It produces smudge-proof 2in x 3in snaps with a peel-off sticky back’…1 min
Ideal Home|April 2016ENJOY 10% OFF home and furnitureGet your home and garden ready for a new season with beautifully crafted indoor and outdoor furniture and accessories from Debenhams. The spring/summer trends include calm and relaxing Retreat, made up of pieces in a palette of soft corals and watercolours, and Brighton, which is full of personality and colour, featuring striped designs that are ideal for celebrating high-summer days.Debenhams has teamed up with Ideal Home to offer readers an exclusive 10% off home and furniture. To claim your discount, visit debenhams.com and enter the code BP22 in the promotional box at the checkout. To redeem your discount in store, present the voucher on this page at the till.HOW TO CLAIM YOUR 10% DISCOUNTTERMS AND CONDITIONS This offer entitles you to 10% off full-price Debenhams Home and Furniture in store…2 min
Ideal Home|April 20167 SEEDS YOU NEED1 SUNFLOWER These little chaps make the perfect snacking food. High in the disease-fighting and anti-ageing antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, they have a milder flavour than other seeds. Enjoy them by the handful or on top of a green salad, or add to cooked quinoa with chopped green olives, preserved lemon, parsley and mint for a Moroccan-inspired side dish.2 SESAME A great source of manganese, copper, calcium and magnesium, sesame seeds give a delicate, nutty taste to food. The base ingredient for tahini, they add a lovely crunch to dishes when used whole. Try steamed veg, such as broccoli, with a dash of soy sauce, a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of seeds.3 AVOCADO Supersized, yes, but it’s still a seed – and just as nutritious as…2 min
