Home//Ideal Home/October 2017/In This Issue
Ideal Home|October 2017WelcomeWhen you think how old Ideal Home is (nearly 100), it’s surprising that it hasn’t had its own range of homeware for years already. But, we’ve finally got there! We’ve spent months secretly working on it with the super-talented design team at Very.co.uk and this month is the grand unveiling.We’ve stuck to Ideal Home’s perennial style themes: country; retro-modern; Scandi; hotel chic and grown-up glamour – the ‘permatrends’ that evolve from year to year. My tip: the upholstery is the star of the show (I’ve sat on it…) – beautifully made by craftsmen in Lancashire and designed to become part of the family for years. Turn to pages 18 and 78 to see more……1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Refined rusticTHE HERO PIECESTRAD SOFA A comfortable and versatile shape in modern grey wool.PLAID ARMCHAIR Team it with any sofa to add a little country pattern.OAK COFFEE TABLE The grey-washed oak-effect finish is hard-wearing.SUPERSIZE LAMP We love the bulb-shaped basket base – it makes a statement without being shouty.JUTE RUG A gorgeous, woven jute with a simple colour border design like this works in any space.SIMPLE SIDE TABLE Ideal in a bedroom, or use in a row under a low window or sloping ceiling.WHERE TO BUY Wiltshire coffee table, £189; Wiltshire lamp table, £119; Wallis three-seater sofa, £899; Croft chair, £399; Mull cushion, £14.99; cable-knit cushion, £14.99; Alexa throw, £29.99; Henley check throw, £19.99; cotton rope baskets, £22.99 for two; knitted pouffe, £59.99; jute border rug, from £49.99; Parker table lamp,…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Welcome to my home“By the time we came to decorate, I had to get creative with the money we had left over ”THE PROPERTYA four-bedroom 1900s end-of-terrace in Brighton, East Sussex.VALUE Bought for £460,000 in 2015; now worth £750,000.When it came to decorating this four-bed townhouse in Brighton, Thaisa Box wanted her home to have an original, eclectic look, but it had to be done on a strict budget. ‘The bulk of our money went on the renovation of the property, as the structure of the building required a lot of TLC,’ she says.‘The layout was reconfigured as we relocated the kitchen, and we converted the loft, added two new bathrooms and redesigned the garden, too. So, when it came to the decorating and furnishing, we had to be creative and resourceful with…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Welcome to my home“Over the years, our tastes have changed. We’ve gone for a lighter, French-inspired look and given our old Habitat furniture to our granddaughter ”THE PROPERTYA four-bed Victorian terrace in Plymouth.VALUEBought for £440,000 in 2006; now worth £600,000.After pinpointing the precise area where they wanted to live, Pauline and Paul West patiently waited until just the right property came onto the market. ‘Renting near our preferred location and speaking regularly to the estate agents paid huge dividends,’ says Pauline. ‘Even before this handsome house went on the market, we were given a tip-off and immediately set up a viewing.’The house, built in 1903, hadn’t been touched for 30 years, but the couple could see through the dowdy, tired décor. ‘It was very dark and terribly cluttered, but we loved the high…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017IDEAL HOME LOVES…FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS, VANESSA RICHMOND PHOTOGRAPHS DOMINIC BLACKMORE STYLING SARITA SHARMA…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Welcome to my home“This house doesn’t stand out, but when people come inside, they’re blown away! It’s everything we could possibly want ”THE PROPERTYA four-bedroom Thirties semi in Bristol.VALUEA similar property would cost around £670,000.When Karen Ogilvie spotted the ‘For Sale’ sign outside a house on a quiet Bristol street, she knew there was more to the ordinary-looking semi than met the eye. ‘I’d lived a few doors along, so knew about the amazing city views at the back,’ she says. ‘It was very run-down, but had potential to extend, and my partner Jon and I could see that it could be fabulous.’The original three-bedroom layout has remained intact, and the only change visible from the road is a new utility room tagged on to the side. At the back of the house…6 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘We squeezed so much into our new loft room’“It’s so peaceful up here! I love the soothing neutral tones we chose ”Welcome to my homeEwa Augustowska lives here with her husband, Marius and their children, Julia, 12, and Adam, seven.THE PROPERTYA four-bedroom 1930s terrace in North London.WHAT IT COSTHOW EWA AND MARIUS DID IT‘When we bought this house five years ago, it was always with an eye on converting the loft. When guests came to stay, they’d sleep in Julia’s room and she would bunk in with her brother. But, as they got older and needed their own space, we decided to do the loft and turn our bedroom into a guest room and office. We run a building company, so we knew about the basics, but used another firm, Amberth, to do everything, including the design, build…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘We had to think big to make it work’“It makes me smile just to walk in here! I adore the dark colours”Welcome to my homeKate Strong lives here with her husband, Andrew, and their seven-year-old twins, Oscar and Saskia.THE PROPERTYA four-bedroom Edwardian house, with a one-bedroom basem*nt annexe in Wandsworth, southwest London.WHAT IT COSTHOW KATE AND ANDREW DID IT‘We moved here because we liked the width of the house and the large garden. It needed renovating, but we knew we’d be able to create enough living space on the ground floor. It was an obvious idea to extend across the back and replace the tired old kitchen, but our plans changed when my mother came to live with us. We decided to go in together to create a basem*nt flat for her, with our extended kitchen-diner on top,…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘A small bathroom can still pack a punch’“We like strong colours and something out of the ordinary, so beige walls and neutral accessories weren’t going to be our cup of tea! ”Welcome to my homeAgnes Kolski lives here with her boyfriend, Andrzej Nowak.THE PROPERTYA two-bed Fifties detached bungalow in north London.WHAT IT COSTLove AGNES’S STYLE?Turn to page 145to find out moreHOW AGNES AND ANDRZEJ DID IT‘We’d rented for years before buying this bungalow a year ago. It was run down, but we knew we could make it our own. This is the only bathroom in the house, so we wanted to have a decent-sized bath and a proper shower. We’re both tall, but the ceilings aren’t very high, which was going to be a problem. A design company, Amberth, had been recommended to us, so we decided…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘We opened up this tiny cottage’The Albrights’ pretty brick cottage was originally a Victorian worker’s dwelling for a nearby manor house. It had been empty for nearly 10 years before the family moved in.STARTING FROM SCRATCH The cottage had been unsympathetically modernised in the Seventies. ‘Sadly, there were no original features left,’ says Merry. ‘The windows were rotten and the interior featured lots of fake wood and swirly carpets.’MAKING IT WORK Merry and Ben started by getting the basics in place: ‘It needed new electrics and plumbing,’ says Merry. ‘We wanted to move doors and knock down a couple of walls to make the layout work better, so it made sense to insulate, re-plaster, fit new flooring and replace the kitchen and bathroom at the same time.’NEW EXTENSION The big plan, though, was to build…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017CLEAN IT QUICKER THE LIVING ROOMTHE DUST BUSTERPractise your forehand swing by bashing out the dust from your rugs using this handy carpet beater.£41, ManufactumTHE STAIN ELIMINATORSWipe away marks and stains from carpets, rugs and upholstery with these brilliantly versatile wipes.£3.49 for a pack of 20, LakelandTHE ALL-NATURAL POLISHFree from chemical nasties, this fragrance-free furniture polish will get your tabletops looking as good as new.£7, DaylesfordTHE SCREEN WIPESSee all those small child-sized greasy fingerprints that pepper your TV screen? These clever wipes will ensure you’ll never set eyes on them again.£3 for 100, Fellowes range, WilkoTHE CURTAIN FRESHENERThe Vaporetto Handy Pocket steam cleaner features a host of attachments to help you get windows sparkling, as well as freshen up curtains and blinds.£167, Polti range, Tesco DirectTHE CORDLESS CLEANERThe rechargeable battery on the Vax Blade 32V…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017TECH SUPPORT HOW TO PROTECT YOUR KIDS ONLINEQ How can I prevent my kids accessing inappropriate content online?All respectable internet service providers (ISP) offer free parental controls. These cover all computers, laptops, games consoles, smartphones and tablets, and give you the opportunity to filter and block access to sites with unsuitable content, or even set timers to limit surfing. Mobile providers also offer extensive filters, so your kids are protected away from home, too.Q How can I turn on parental controls?Security controls can be found under ‘Settings’ on your ISP’s website homepage (sky.com, bt.com, etc), as well as on your web browser (Google, Safari, Bing, etc). Log in to your account and follow the instructions. If you use Apple devices, you’ll find them under ‘System Preferences’ and for Microsoft, you can set up a Family account via…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017HOW TO ADD wow!1 min
Ideal Home|October 201711 problem-solving SOFASWE LOVE the PRICETHE WASHABLE ONEThe covers can be completely removed for washing, plus the relaxed linen fabric saves you having to iron afterwards, too.Isaac three-seater sofa in Rockpool washed linen, £2,040, Sofa.comTHE CORNER HUGGERStart with this corner section, which will slot into an awkward space, and then connect to a chaise, footstool or one- to three-seat sections.Soderhamn corner section in Samsta light pink, £250, IkeaTHE FLEXIBLE ONEEasily switch the chaise section from left to right by removing the cushions and switching the position of the attached footstool.Aliso reversible corner chaise in navy, £650, Hygena range, ArgosTHE LITTLE ONELess than 2m wide with scaled-down proportions and removable arms, but stacks of style and more than 50 fabric choices.Lull large sofa in light grey, £499, Capsule collection, DFSTHE PET-PROOF ONEUpholstered in…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Dusty purpleStylist’s note“ Choose a flat, chalky matt finish for purple-tone paint or it’ll look dated, but bring the colour to life with lots of texture in the room ”CAROL WORTLEY-BISHOP , STYLISTDecadent livingDusty purples are so rich and indulgent, they lend themselves to a really luxe look, with plush velvets, buttoned upholstery, heavy curtains, marble and touches of old goldStylist’s note“Dusty purple looks great with off-white furniture for classic style, but team it with shades of cool grey for a more modern scheme”CAROL WORTLEY-BISHOP , STYLISTLayers of luxuryCombine dusty purples – plum, aubergine, fig – with blush pink and grey for a harmonious palette that creates just the right mellow mood for a bedroomFEATURE CAROL WORTLEY-BISHOP, VANESSA RICHMOND PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON WHITMORE…4 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Welcome to my homeTHE PROPERTYA five-bed Edwardian terrace in Muswell Hill, London, bought in 2012.VALUESimilar properties in the area are marketed at around £2million.Lucy and David Houlton knew this house was exactly what they wanted as soon as they stepped inside. ‘Every room felt spacious and – most important of all – each one had the potential to be incredibly light,’ explains Lucy. ‘However, the kitchen was tucked away in the dark basem*nt, there was a kitchenette in a bedroom, the décor throughout was quite dingy and every room needed updating. There was also a vast loft crying out for conversion. Our vision was to reorganise the space and create a cohesive decorative scheme that would make the house feel brighter, modern and welcoming.’A builder started work the day they moved in. Within…2 min
Ideal Home|October 201740 Easy style updates1 Rework your coloursRing the change of seasons by cosying up your bedroom for autumn. There’s no need for a complete overhaul – just work in a warmer background colour on the wall behind the bed, then restyle your bedding to match, using mellow tones of teal, charcoal, navy, russet and gold.2 SCENT THE HOUSEPlace a vanilla-scented tealight in a small bowl filled with coffee beans. The candle will heat the beans and create a delicious aroma.3 BRING MORE BLING TO YOUR TABLEPosh up your dining table with a set of luxe gold-finish cutlery. Team it with plain plates in a dusky shade to make dinners a glam affair.4 Take a new slantAdd an accent stripe to jazz up a plain wall. Paint it at an angle rather than horizontally,…8 min
Ideal Home|October 2017ADD A DESIGNER TOUCHFor more than 20 years, Debenhams has collaborated with some of the hottest names in British fashion and design to bring distinctive designer-led furniture and homewares to a wider audience.J BY JASPER CONRANJasper Conran has been part of the portfolio since 1996. His mid-century-inspired autumn/winter range mixes sleek silhouettes with sophisticated materials and sartorial elegance. Accessories in smooth marble and metallic tones add on-trend industrial elegance to any scheme. ‘I’ve taken inspiration from the timeless silhouette of a reading lamp and reimagined it in brushed gold and marble to create a collection of floor and tabletop pieces,’ says Jasper. His new textiles also enhance the sense of luxury in the collection. ‘I’ve focussed on using velvet, textural linear embroidery and graphic patterns, in a rich palette of navy blues and…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘We wanted a different look, so we designed our own’“Having had so much input into the design of the kitchen adds to our enjoyment of the space”Welcome to my homeNatalie Wheeler lives here with her husband, Paul and children, Thea, 12 and Alex, 10.THE PROPERTYA five-bed Edwardian semi in Cheltenham.WHAT IT COSTIDEAL HOME lovesPly unitsMade from thin layers of birch and walnut – they’re super-strong and moisture-resistantHOW NATALIE AND PAUL DID IT‘Our old kitchen had potential, but it looked tired and dark, and disjointed, too, with three different types of flooring. We wanted a stylish space that had lots of character and was fun to be in. We started by knocking down the old conservatory, which brought in more light. We extended out and to the side, which gave us plenty of room and a more interesting space. The…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Make it work for you AGNES’S CHOICE: A SUNKEN BATHSunken baths, usually associated with spa retreats and boutique hotels, can add a touch of luxury and create impact at home, too.“Choose a bath with built-in support to maintain its structure. Alternatively, a concrete or metal frame can be added ” CLAIRE GAY, SECTOR MARKETING MANAGER, ROCAQ What are the benefits?As they take up less space and don’t obstruct sightlines or windows, a sunken bath will make your bathroom feel bigger. And, as Agnes found, sinking a bath can provide extra head height for showering in low-ceilinged or awkward-shaped rooms.Q Are there any negatives?Besides installation costs, the main issue is that it can be difficult for elderly people and children to get in and out of a sunken bath. Bathing small children and cleaning the tub may also put more…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘The garden feels like part of our home now’“Now we can see the garden through the bifold doors, and our deck serves as an outdoor room ”Welcome to our homeDave and Jane Catchpole live here. The couple are retired and have grown-up children.THE PROPERTYFour-bedroom detached house in Herefordshire.VALUEBought in 2012 for £305,000; now worth around £670,000.WHAT IT COSTIDEAL HOME lovesCedar claddingCedar has excellent resistance to rot, warping, bacteria, fungi and mildewTake a quick tour...When Dave and Jane Catchpole bought their Twenties house, the kitchen was cramped, and small-paned single-glazed windows made it cold and dark. ‘We wanted to reconfigure and renovate the whole house to bring it up to date but without sacrificing the character,’ says Jane. ‘We also wanted it to feel much more connected with our one-acre garden.’NEW LAYOUT The couple moved into the barely habitable…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017OCTOBER’S GENIUS PROBLEM SOLVERSTHE BIFOLD BLINDSStruggling to find blinds or curtains that’ll fit your bifolds? Check out the ClickFIT range from online blinds experts Blinds2Go. Each blind is made-to-measure so doors can open right back without the blinds getting in the way. And the best bit? They’re super easy to install – a slim bracket simply clips onto your window frame. Available in 12 shades.Bifold ClickFIT blinds, from £30.50 for W40cm x Drop40cm, Blinds2GoTHE INSULATED LUNCHBOXIf you (or your kids) don’t have a fridge at work or school, the Aladdin insulated lunchbox will keep food cold (or hot) for up to two hours. Plus, the lid is attached, so you’ll never lose it. £12.99, Aladdin range, AmazonTHE ALL-IN-ONE CLEANING KITKids off to uni this month? Ensure they keep their digs clean by packing…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017SAVE 20% AT BREWERS HOME...Brewers Home sells a unique collection of wallpapers, paints, British made furniture, accessories and fabrics, brought together to help you decorate your home with confidence and flair.Create a beautiful backdrop with wallpapers from leading brands and the finest quality paints, then use bedding, window treatments, cushions, rugs and lighting to bring the whole look together or introduce bright pops of colour and texture to your room schemes.Each piece of furniture has been carefully selected and upholstered exclusively for Brewers Home, offering you statement pieces you won’t find anywhere else, while Brewers Home furnishing experts will also hand make curtains and blinds to your specifications, allowing you to create a completely bespoke space that reflects your individual style.HOW TO CLAIMTo claim this exclusive 20% discount, visit brewershome.co.uk, choose your items and…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017LAUNDRY TECH 5 BEST STEAM IRONS1 THE DESIGNER-STYLE BARGAINAn award-winning matt white design with a 100g/min continuous steam output and super-smooth soleplate. And the smart temperature control system means there’s no need to switch settings when you change fabrics.IS5042 E Carestyle 5 steam station iron, £79.20, Braun2 THE DELICATE TOUCHGorgeous looks with a performance to match, this easy-to-store steam generator has an ultra-light iron with an exceptionally smooth soleplate that glides equally well over silk or denim, while the powerful 120g/min steam blasts away stubborn creases without the risk of scorching your delicates.GC7619/20 Perfect Care pure steam generator iron, £119, Philips3 THE CITY SLICKERWeighing a little more than a basic iron, but offering continuous steam, with a soleplate that won’t leave shiny marks on dark fabrics, this is a hugely practical choice. Four AntiCalc cleaning…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Shopping directory= mail order availableAAmara 0800 587 7645; amara.comAmazon amazon.co.ukmberth 020 7354 8958; amberth.co.ukAmbiente Direct 0333 336 0581; ambientedirect.com/enAndrew Martin 02072 255 100; andrewmartin.co.ukAngel & Boho 0845 200 0723; angelandboho.comAnnabel James 0345 548 0210; annabeljames.co.ukAnthropologie 00800 0026 8476; anthropologie.comArbol House 01244 329643; ovohome.comArchitect Your Home 0800 051 5304; architect-yourhome.comArgos 0345 640 3030; argos.co.ukArtisanti 0345 259 1410; artisanti.comAtelier 0794 901 5371; atelier-home.co.ukAtkin & Thyme 020 3768 7775; atkinandthyme.co.ukBB&Q 0333 014 3098; diy.comBarker & Stonehouse 0333 331 5248; barkerandstonehouse.co.ukBathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200; bathroomtakeaway.co.ukBeko 0345 600 4911; beko.co.ukBlack By Design 01889 502716 ; black-by-design.co.ukBlinds 2Go 0800 862 0464; blinds-2go.co.ukBorder Oak 01568 708752; borderoak.comBosch 0344 892 8979; bosch-home.co.ukBraun uk.braun.comBrintons 0800 505055; brintons.co.ukBritish Blanket Company (The) 0845 474 1747; thebritishblanketcompany.comButton & Sprung 03333 201801, buttonandsprung.comCCabbages & Roses 020 7352 7333; cabbagesandroses.comCardiff Marble 029 2083 9177;…7 min
Ideal Home|October 2017NEED TO knowWE KEEP SEEING…VELVET TUB CHAIRSThe place to be when co*cktail hour is calling!We’ve had a baby! (sort of...)We’re feeling a bit like proud parents here at IH HQ, ’cos we’ve finally achieved our dream of creating a collection of furniture and homeware and it was about nine months in the making! We got together with Very to come up with five themes, based on the timeless looks we love the most. The pieces in each look are collectable, but work with all the other looks, too, so you can mix them up in your own style.SAINSBURY’S IS THE SPOOKIESTWe just had to take a moment to appreciate the fine array of creative Hallowe’en party decs available at Sainsbury’s. Everything to make a party go with a boo, from the furry…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Make it work for you DUSTY PURPLE: JUST ADD AN ACCENTWHERE TO BUY1. LAMPNaomie lamp base and shade in Blackberry, £95, Laura Ashley2. RUGMosaic rug in Light Purple, £399, Ted Baker at Amara3. CUSHIONPansy floral cushion, £40, Scatterbox at Harvey Norman4. FAUX FLOWERSArtificial peony roses, £50, John Lewis5. VASEJewel glass vase in Amethyst, £21.50, MiaFleur6. CHAIRLe co*cktail velvet chair in Grape, £425, Oliver Bonas7. THROWBeehive throw in Black Cherry, £59, The British Blanket Company8. ROSE WREATHWooden rose heart in Plum, £7, Wilko…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Simple ScandiTHE HERO PIECESCURVY SOFACompact and in a colour that will suit all kinds of cushion switch-ups.WINGBACK CHAIRClassic mid-century styling – choose grey or add an accent hue with yellow.QUIRKY COFFEE TABLEA small-space solution with a choice of drawer colours.GEO RUGZone a seating space while adding a hit of easy-to-mix-in colour.CONCRETE LAMPGives a room designer style at a great price.SIDE TABLEMetallic-tipped for a little polish and useful in any room.“Key simple-Scandi pieces are such a safe choice as they’re so easy to work in with different colours and looks as your tastes and needs change”VANESSA RICHMOND, EDITORIDEAL HOME lovesChevron wallpaperStops a Scandi scheme looking blandIDEAL HOME lovesPainted wall panelsLet the colours from a patterned textile inspire you…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017FIND A HOME FOR EVERYTHINGWe all love getting stuck into a project, but bulging drawers and messy surfaces can prevent those creative ideas from flowing. Don’t waste precious time trying to find what you need among piles of paper, discarded crafting tools and stray sewing paraphernalia – with a little help from Hobbycraft, you can enjoy a clutter-free room in which everything has its place.CLEAR THE DECKSAs well as being a one-stop shop for all your crafting supplies, Hobbycraft stocks a wide range of versatile, eye-catching storage solutions that will inject personality into your workspace and make tidying up less of a chore. From boxes and baskets to pin boards and pin cushions, you’ll find something for every problem and every budget.FOR MORE INFORMATION...Get ideas for your crafting projects at blog.hobbycraft.co.uk and browse the…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017ADD A LITTLE RUSTIC LUXE“Inspired by the Cotswolds, our Country Luxe range mixes beautiful materials in muted tones to create warmth and give a nod to heritage styling” SUSIE GIBSON, HOME DESIGN MANAGER, NEXTFor a scheme that’s easy to live with and has timeless appeal, you can’t go wrong with country style. Its mix of natural materials, soft colour and lovely rustic texture, creates a versatile look that will instantly turn your house into a warm and inviting home, wherever you live.INSPIRED BY THE COUNTRYThe new Country Luxe range from Next’s autumn/winter collection takes inspiration from the heart of the Cotswolds to create a quintessential British look that’s easy on the eye. Elegant dressers in chalky washed wood are finished with beautiful curved lines and delicate spindle legs, while smart upholstered beds, sofas and…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘It’s a welcoming and friendly space now’“It’s the perfect fit for our family and if we want to change the units in future we’ll only need a new paint colour”Welcome to my homeLouise Morgans lives here with her husband Ryland and their children Freddie, five and Steffan, four.THE PROPERTYA four-bedroom detached Edwardian house in Cardiff.WHAT IT COSTHOW LOUISE AND RYLAND DID IT‘We lived with the old kitchen for more than two years and, although it was functional, it just wasn’t our style. For a large house, the kitchen was disproportionately small. We decided to knock together the kitchen and the adjoining utility, and add an extension. Oriel Architects designed the structure and the project took six months. Chalkhouse Kitchens painted and installed the units for £2,800, and our designer was willing to use email and Skype…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Make it work for you NATALIE’S CHOICE: A PLYWOOD KITCHENAs the trend for industrial interiors continues, the interest in using plywood has soared. This unassuming layered timber solution is perfect for creating a pared-back look and it’s a great money-saver, too.Q Why is plywood a popular choice for kitchens?Kitchens look stunning in a combination of textures and ply can be used to lift a scheme, add warmth and give a hand-crafted finish. It’s also incredibly strong and can be left unfinished or painted, varnished or covered in a melamine veneer to add colour.Q Is it expensive?No, it’s a cheap alternative to solid wood and its lightness belies its strength. Prices vary depending on the thickness (three ply, five ply and so on) and the thicker it is, the less flexible it will be. If you need to bend your…2 min
Ideal Home|October 2017‘Blocking up a door made this room work’“I especially love the floor tiles. Everyone comments on how lovely they look! ”Welcome to my homeAngela Sheehan lives here with her husband, Dermot. Their grown-up children have left home.THE PROPERTYA six-bed Victorian detached house in Deal, Kent.WHAT IT COSTIDEAL HOME lovesPatterned floor tilesWhy should walls take all the glory? A monochrome design will work with any accent colourHOW ANGELA AND DERMOT DID IT‘We had a leak from the bathroom into the hall below last year, which pushed us into revamping it. The room had two doors into it, from the landing and the dressing room adjoining our bedroom. With the airing cupboard, that meant we had three doors to work around, so we blocked up the one to the dressing room. This gave us the wall space we needed…3 min
Ideal Home|October 2017BRIGHTEN UP YOUR LOFTAloft conversion is a cost-effective way to add space to your home and can increase its value by up to 20 per cent. The right roof windows will make the most of the available light, resulting in a bright, airy and inviting space you’ll love spending time in.A WEALTH OF CHOICEVELUX has an extensive range of products to suit every project. Choose from a top-hung design that allows for uninterrupted views or opt for automated VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows, which can be programmed to open and close when you wish, helping to maintain a healthy, well-ventilated space. Roof windows can be installed side by side in the traditional way or, for extra impact, stacked vertically.FOCAL POINTAnother innovative VELUX product to consider if you want to make a real statement in…1 min
Ideal Home|October 2017ADD FLAIR WITH A FLORAL WALLPAPERKnown for its handcrafted wallpapers and richly pigmented paints, Farrow & Ball has been transforming homes, old and new, large and small, since 1946. This autumn, the company has launched three distinctive new wallpaper designs, inspired by the belief that, just as the garden can have a calming effect outside, so too can a beautiful floral wallpaper inside.The range includes: Atacama, which has a busy, playful botanical print with rich textures for the ultimate escapism at home;
Ideal Home|October 2017Make-at-home fish suppersGourmet fish finger and tartare open sarnieTakes 30min Serves 4INGREDIENTS •400g skinless, boneless cod fillets, cut into thick strips •4tbsp plain flour •150g breadcrumbs •Zest of 1 lemon •2 eggs, beaten •4tbsp sunflower oil •2 mini ciabatta, halved •4tbsp tartare sauce (see recipe on previous page) •RocketPut the fish pieces into a large bowl and add the plain flour. Season well and toss together until the fish pieces are well coated. In a separate bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs and lemon zest. Dip each fish piece in the beaten egg, then in the breadcrumbs to coat. Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan until hot. Add the fish fingers and fry for 3-4min until golden and cooked through. Make the tartare sauce. Slice and toast the ciabatta, spread with…4 min
Ideal Home|October 2017Help yourself from the bar…Line ’em upWe used picture ledges that sit close to the wall, but are just wide enough to hold glassware and bottles. Make it a focal point by painting the area in a standout colour or chalkboard paint – who knows what will be written on the wall by the end of the night…!BUY THE KEY PIECESBlackboard paint, £3.60 for 250ml, Wilko. Mosslanda white shelves, £8.50 each; Festlighet co*cktail glasses, £1.75 each; Vardagen water glasses, £3.50 for six; Ivrig Champagne flutes, £1.50 each; Hederlig wine glasses, £1 each; all Ikea. co*cktail shaker, £95, Oka…1 min
