M a k e yo u r d r e a m h o m e a r e a l i t y
Real 50 HOMES REALHOMES.COM
APRIL 2020
easy style updates for spring
BEFORE AFTERS
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60+ pages of stunning HOME makeovers
get more space! Clever ways to extend and add value
Colour confidence Bring a fresh feel to your home
Best buys Window blinds roll-top baths ON-TREND storage
YOUR DREAM KITCHEN
follow our 10 simple steps for success
HAPPY SPACES
give every room that feel-good factor
extended and Renovated 1970s home
House ofFUN By extending at the rear, Jo and James Glossop have created a forever home that works equally well for family life and entertaining
WHY JO’S HOME CAUGHT OUR EYE It’s easy to see why Jo and James Glossop call their home the Tardis. The 1970s detached property looks like a typical suburban estate house from the front, but an unexpected split-level extension at the rear places it in another league. The pair have designed their home with family fun in mind, from the dining table that doubles as a pool table to the basketball hoop in the garden and the colourful kitchen inspired by beach holidays. Like most of us, Jo admits she hasn’t always nailed it first time around. Over the last 12 years, her style has evolved as she’s become bolder with colour and mixed up modern furniture with vintage retro bargains. She’s bursting with quirky ideas – her most recent being an OSB headboard and a two-colour diagonal statement wall in the master bedroom. There’s even a plan brewing for a concrete ping pong/dining table that looks like it’s growing out of the concrete patio. Having moved to be nearer her sister, Jo and James have created the perfect inside-outside space where the adults can fire up the barbecue while the children play with their cousins and friends. It’s no wonder they don’t ever plan on moving.
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Ikea kitchen with fronts in Formica colours Chrome yellow f1485, Maui f5347 and Fog f7961, Plykea. For similar dining chairs, try George Oliver at Wayfair. Table runner, John Lewis & Partners. Där Lighting Gaucho pendant lights, Lights2Go. Rug, Ikea, Peacock teapot and crockery, Hannah Turner
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Report THE PROJECT
SEE IT, FEEL IT Radiators are the wallflowers of the home. Tucked away behind pieces of furniture, you’d barely know they were there. But Vasco radiators are so stylish you won’t want to hide them behind the sofa, draped in bits of washing. This year they come in six new ‘Noble’ colours, including precious metals, pearl beige, pretty pink and warm curry (yes, really) that’ll really bring the heat.
AND ESSENTIAL BUYS THE LATEST IDEAS, TRENDS FOR YOUR HOME IMPRO VEMENT PROJECT TURN IT ON
Summer is on the horizon and now’s the ideal time to think about investing in a new stove (bear with us here). Order and get it fitted when you don’t need it – and when the installers tend to be less busy – so you’ll be all ready to go when you do. And with the new Midtown Holborn gas stove, you can get instant heat (5kW’s worth) without worrying about chopping up logs. Its classic design gives it the appeal of solid fuel burner, but with no need to store or stack what it burns. A great centrepiece for an urban loft or traditional home, it comes in seven colours, from Midnight Black to Spice Red.
Contemporary summerhouse and side shed, £1,099.99, Waltons
Midtown Holborn gas stove, from £1,349, Arada
PHOTOGRAPH AMANDA COTTINGHAM (THEANAMUMDIARY.CO.UK)
Oni in Noble gold,from £973.20, Vasco
FEATURE ALISON JONES
Twice as nice
When the sun is high, the dream is having a summerhouse where you can relax and enjoy a cold drink, a good read or hang out with friends. But the vision doesn’t usually include propping your feet up on an old lawn mower or leaky hose. If you don’t have space for your gardening essentials, the Waltons contemporary summerhouse and side shed has a sunny retreat with big windows and bi-fold doors, and a side shed section for everything you’ll need to keep your garden looking rosy.
SMART HOME HELP This discreet addition to your smart home alarm system has five sensors and a siren in one. Linking to the home Wi-Fi, the Minut smart alarm can monitor motion, temperature, humidity, noise levels and even analyse the risk of mould growing. When you’re out, it can alert your phone if someone’s in the house from their heat energy, or if your teen’s playing music loud enough to traumatise the neighbours. A nightlight option means no more nipping to the loo in the dark. Minut all-in-one smart home alarm, £129, Amazon
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Liberty wardrobe in Cascata matt lacquer, H242xW302.5cm, £4,276, Go Modern
Classic Blue is the colour of the moment says Pantone, and there are endless ways to bring it into your home beyond lashing on the navy paint. The blue/green Cascata of this sleek Liberty Wardrobe from Go Modern is one of 22 matt lacquer colours the storage comes in. Its simple lines and cut-at-an-angle handles are contemporary yet timeless. With shoe racks, pull-down rails, and internal LED lights, its a beautiful way to keep the bedroom clutter free.
GET A GRIP Sometimes it’s the little details that count – like a door knob. A weighty, tactile door opener can be a small pleasure to twist or pull. And with the soft reflective Poplar door knob shine of brass or gold, in antique brass, they are like jewels for £72, Corston your renovated original Architectural Detail or smart new door.
Marie-Véronique Swannel Boudoir doorknob in satin gold, £350, Haute Déco
PLANT YOUR FEET Aglio Victorian mortice knobset in antique brass, £32.94 for two, Ironmongery Direct
Love to feel close to nature? Every surface covered with your ever-growing plant collection? Well take it to the floor with a sisal carpet, which is made from the leaf fibre of the plant Agave Sisalana. And while it’s totally in tune with the current trend for embracing natural materials, it has been around for centuries; tough enough to be used to make everything from rope to footwear to dartboards. Its robust, organic and pared-back appeal makes it perfect for any space, from bedroom to kids’ playroom.
Yvonne Keal, senior product manager for Hillarys (hillarys. co.uk), gives her top tips on styling your windows for summer > Voiles are a great solution for light control as the days get longer and brighter. Layering a semi-sheer voile curtain means you can strip back your window dressing in the warmer months, then cosy it up again in winter. > If you are lucky enough to have a south-facing garden, the sun blazing through glass doors or windows can heat up your room like a greenhouse. Choose a blind with a finish that reflects the sun, such as our SolarPleat blind, to keep it at an ambient temperature. > Blinds with blackout linings are perfect for when the day starts before you wake up. Available in Roman blinds and rollers, pick a neutral fabric shade to keep the space feeling light and airy, even when the blind is pulled down. > Roof windows can bring in natural light and offer blue-sky views, but sometimes you need a little shade when the sun is at its height. A blind you can control remotely (like our MotoPleat blinds), is ideal for glazing you can’t reach without a step ladder, and you have fingertip control over how much light is let into your room. > With their cool, classic look, shutters are an elegant solution for reducing light and keeping the heat out in the summer months. > Our Trilite Top-Down, Bottom-Up pleated blinds have a simple tab operating system that allows you to pull the blind down from the top, and also up from the bottom. This means you can pinpoint where the sun is and stop glare in your conservatory without needing to block out the light completely.
Colossos carpet, from £47.20 per m2, Sisal & Seagrass
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Into the blue
Dress for success
Där Lighting Gretchen sixlight ceiling pendant, £199, Castlegatelights
› Abhika edge photo frame, £30, Sweetpea & Willow
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Bench with rattan seat, £119, H&M
Deep Space Blue emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltrs, Little Greene
Large pom-pom and peony in dimple vase, £14, Tesco
Dutchbone Flavi coat rack, £169, Cuckooland
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Anderson velvet duck egg blue footstool, £199, Cult Furniture
Mind the Gap La Voliere wallpaper, £150 for three panels, Beaumonde
Sea Foam Party emulsion and eggshell paint, £49.99, Dowsing & Reynolds
TA K E F L I G H T
Enhance your entranceway with one of these feathery finds and impress guests with your statement style Pari frosted table lamp, £59, JD Williams
£ Windsong Crane wallpaper, £14.99 per roll, Wayfair
Belvedere embroidered duck egg cushion, £50, Laura Ashley
Vintage-effect hooks, £28, Next
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£££
Resplendence navy wallpaper, £60 per roll, Graham & Brown
Crane Fonda ‘Palm Blue’ wallpaper, £140 per roll, Divine Savages
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Apartment lozenge wall mirror, £40, Dunelm
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Little Architect bench in dark green, £145, Cloudberry Living
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Mid Grey matt emulsion paint, £10 for 2.5ltrs, B&Q
House bed frame in grey, £179, Bobby Rabbit
Wooden moon cloud light, £16.99, Lights4fun
Spiced Honey Mixing flat matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5ltrs, Dulux
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Locker perforated cabinet in black, £250, La Redoute
› Dots black & white wallpaper, £60 per roll, Graham & Brown
Navy pom-pom belly basket, £30, The Find Store
Kids Teepee tent with stars, £79, Boutique Camping
MONOCHROME MAGIC Essentials black moss laundry basket, £29, Made
Gender neutral is child’s play with graphic prints in black and white mixed with honey-caramel hues for a fun kid’s room
Skandi floor cushion, £18, Argos Home
Ride on retro race car, £96, The White Company
£ Runes Brushstrokes wallpaper, £12.99 per roll, Wayfair
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£££
Galerie Sharp Stars wallpaper, £31.95 per roll, John Lewis & Partners
Ferm Living Thin Lines wallpaper in dark green/off white, £65 per roll, Naken Interiors
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Oyoy mini leopard rug, £65, Minifili
Master bedrooms (WITH 5* LUXURY)
The biggest bedroom deserves ALL the love, and not just because it’s your private sanctuary. Our guide will help you decorate… with dreamy results
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Next priority for your hard-earned cash are the touch-points. The things you touch, with hands or feet, should feel well made and luxurious. Carpets or rugs should sink under your tootsies and curtains in luxurious fabrics, like velvet, will be a daily treat to open. You can save a bob or two on an Ikea wardrobe or chest of drawers off Ebay, but splash out on quality handles that are solid and satisfying in your hand. When it comes to colour schemes and that most stressful of decisions – to wallpaper or not to wallpaper? – it’s worth remembering that you’ve only got yourself to please. And possibly your partner (an amenable or disinterested other half is the Holy Grail here). Unless you invite them to look, friends aren’t likely to wander into your bedroom when they’re round for coffee. So you can go to town without trying to impress or worrying what anyone else might think. Your personal sanctuary is the perfect place to test out that palm leaf print that broke Instagram last year (no one will know you’re a sheep if you keep it off Stories). Or maybe the rest of your home is Pinterest-ready and you want the bedroom to be a refuge from the riot of colour downstairs? Whatever the situation, do it your way and it will be amazing.
he master bedroom is often the last room we decorate, behind the kids’ rooms, kitchen and, definitely, the bathroom. To be fair, we’ve got our eyes shut for 90 per cent of the time we’re in there, so it’s not surprising it gets left until last. But there’s an upside to this state of affairs. By the time we get to decorating the master bedroom we’ve honed our DIY skills, established our sense of style and, with luck, grown braver – or at least a tiny bit more confident. If you’re also stone-broke at this point, take a little (or long) breather until you’ve regrouped and earned enough pennies to really do the room justice. For this is the point of the master bedroom: it is the biggest and best bedroom in the house, and you’ll need more than a lick of paint and a prayer to make it so. Of course, we’re not suggesting you remortgage or sell a kidney and/or kid, just that you save up to get the finest you can afford on big ticket items. Namely the bed, which should not only be the largest you can comfortably fit into the space, but also topped with a properly decent mattress (see realhomes.com/buying-guides for our indepth mattress reviews). A good nights’ sleep is priceless.
and so to bed
Rafael mango chest of three drawers, £469, Tikamoon
Palm tree table lamp, £169.95, Culinary Concepts
Tana stonewashed throw in ochre, £74, Abode Living
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Bold Monkey Such A Stud chair in red, £489, Cuckooland
Fringe Festival gold pendant, £85, The French Bedroom Company
WORDS LINDA CLAYTON
A beautifully dressed boudoir will aid the sweetest of slumbers…
Gone are the days of matchymatchy bed sets (and curtains and light shades – we’re looking at you, 1990s Laura Ashley catalogue). A mix of floral, geometric and plain bedding feels far more contemporary. Crumpled linen will let you swerve hours at the iron, too. Choose shades with similar tones to unify the results and make your bedroom appear artfully curated, not utterly chaotic. Add throws in different thicknesses and textiles to bring texture – from faux sheepskin to cable-knit wool, extra interest at foot level will always look stylish.
The space above your headboard is prime decoration real estate: the perfect chance to show off your picture gallery game, go mad with macramé or unroll a panel of your favourite (but too expensive to go all-out) wallpaper. Use Command Strips for speed and the sake of your walls, especially if you rent, and don’t be afraid to try ideas out. Only you, and your partner, will suffer your artistic fails, and even wallpaper is easy to switch out if you buy Peel and Stick (try Spoonflower).
Kaydian Walkworth Oatmeal fabric ottoman storage bed £644 for a double, Furniture Choice
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CREATIVE WAYS WITH
PAINT
Paintbrush at the ready, be inspired by the latest design ideas to create statement walls worth talking about
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
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fter a quick, easy and inexpensive way to update your home? If so, it’s hard to beat the power of paint – after all, there aren’t many other ways you can completely change the look, feel and ambience of a room for under £100 in a weekend are there? With that in mind, for the first part of our new series on how you can use paint to pack your home with personality, we’re kicking off with walls. We’ve rounded up our favourite ideas for turning what is often a blank canvas into a bold, fun and eyecatching feature. So let us inspire you to colour outside the lines and add a stroke of fun to your every day.
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Geometric dreams Whether it’s a corner of your living room, the wall behind your bed or a kid’s room, you can add a bold splash of colour with a geometric paint design. Easier to create than you might think, simply mark out your chosen design on the wall in pencil, apply masking tape to the edges of each shape and paint each one in a different shade for a look that’s striking and unique. It’s a great way to use up a few tins of leftover paint hiding at the back of the garage, or for a smaller design, you can simply buy a couple of tester pots in a budget-friendly update. GoodHome Durable walls & ceilings paint in Granada and Kyoto, both £16 for 2.5ltrs; Rockhampton grey oak-effect laminate flooring, £19.74 per pack, all B&Q
COLOUR COMBO Looking to go bold with colour but not sure how to choose shades that work together? Use a colour wheel as your starting point (search online for one), selecting shades which sit opposite each other for a vibrant statement. ‘Blush pinks and sunny, optimistic yellows and oranges are particularly popular at the moment,’ says Colin Roby-Welford, creative director at Fired Earth
On the move
All or nothing MADE TO MEASURE Finding the right colour is so important, but you don’t need to trawl several DIY stores in search of that perfect shade. If you’ve got a favourite dress, wall tile, vase or any other object in a colour that you love, take it into your nearest B&Q store and the paint mixing service will create a paint in that specific shade, just for you
There’s no room for being subtle if you choose this look, so if you are daring to go bold with colour, don’t hold back. One of the latest new design ideas to hit our radar is using one colour, in the exact same shade, everywhere. We’re talking walls, floors and even furniture, creating a feature of the whole room. We love it! Wall painted in India Yellow Modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltrs; floor and woodwork painted in India Yellow Modern eggshell, £29 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball
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Like the idea of introducing colour in a fun way but want the flexibility to change up your space whenever the mood takes you? Painting a block of bold colour on a shaped MDF board (try Jali for customisable boards) allows you to add a splash of interest where you need it most – plus you can move the painted panel or change the colour whenever you fancy. It’s as easy as that. Anya dining table, £399; Celia dining chair, £69 in Midnight Blue; Siena three-light fitting, £79, all Dunelm. For a similar paint colour, try Dream Catcher eggshell, £32 for 1ltr, Graham & Brown
Mid-Century terrace renovation
H O M E W A R D B O U N D After years in military married quarters, Melanie couldn’t wait to inject pattern and colour into her first renovation project, as she tells features editor Ellen Finch
THE OWNERs Melanie Boyden lives with her husband, James, an IT consultant, and their children, Emiko, six, and Zachary, four THE PROPERTY A six-bedroom 1940s end-of-terrace in Shorehamby-Sea, West Sussex project COST £41,000
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elanie Boyden started out her house search looking for a renovation project. After years living in married quarters while her husband worked in the army, she was used to making do – but once the couple were on the hunt for a home of their own, she was keen to break away from the magnolia walls she’d lived with for years and try something different. Some time later, she’s taken the parts of military life she loved – hosting parties and entertaining friends – and combined them with the elements she missed to create a home that’s filled with plenty of interest. Her love for pattern shines through the floral murals that adorn her walls and the smaller pieces she’s upcycled in creative ways. She tells me she was lucky to have an already-extended house to work with, and the big, airy space she inherited is envy-inducing – but it’s Mel’s bold style that’s brought it to life. Below, we talk unicorn wallpaper, party-friendly spaces and why she can’t wait to start her next project.
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Mel, your home is a lovely mix of pattern and practical design – that party-ready kitchen-diner, for example! I’m sure it’s taken a lot of work to get to this point. How did you come across the house? We were looking for a renovation project. This house had previously been extended over the converted garage to
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WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT
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‘Because I spent more on the renovation, I tend to go to charity shops first if I need something,’ says Mel. ‘I’ve done a few upcycling projects, including the dresser at the back of the kitchen. I’m not very good at it but I love it. It looks good in pictures, too – just don’t get too close!’ Kitchen, Howdens. Bar stools, George at Asda. Exposed brick wallpaper, Dunelm. Dresser, charity shop find, painted in Rustoleum furniture paint and wallpapered with paper from B&Q
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Profile THE OWNERs Polly Geal, a photographer (@thishouseourhome; littlekin.co.uk), and her husband, Oli, a creative director, live with their children Raff, eight, and Elsie, six THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian terrace in Isleworth, south west London project COST £51,213
TOP TIP Build up a neutral base by adding layers in tonal increments. Introduce bolder colours through accessories like art and cushions
Polly grabbed the opportunity to create a spacious master bedroom and en suite with both hands. She’s added her signature mix of Scandi and boho for a relaxed sanctuary that’s filled with light. Bed, Loaf. Flooring, Quick-Step. Blinds, Blinds UK. Walls painted in All White, Farrow & Ball
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loft conversion
HYGGE HAVEN By converting their loft, Polly and Oli Geal have created a Scandi-style master suite full of light, texture and subtle colour
IT’S
hard to overemphasise the benefits of a loft conversion. On a moderate budget, you can add value and space to your home with minimal fuss. If an extension isn’t right for you – either because you have a tricky plot, no garden or a budget that won’t stretch far enough – looking upwards could be the way to go.
That was certainly the case for Polly and Oli Geal. With two children growing fast, and fed up of sharing their one bathroom, the couple began to think about a loft conversion to provide more space. They had been in their Victorian home in south-west London for six years, but didn’t want to leave as they love the area and have plenty of friends nearby – so extending upwards was the most logical way to get more space and child-free privacy. Polly talks us through the steps she took to create her new master suite.
BEFORE
Keen to mix in old with the new, Polly bought a pine chest of drawers that would hold plenty of clothes, and painted it for a softer feel. Chest of drawers, Vinterior
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MAKING PLANS
‘We felt we were outgrowing our house, which was a real shame – we’ve renovated every inch of it,’ Polly says. ‘We had to find a solution or move. Our loft was large with a good height, so we started making serious plans for a conversion in the spring of 2018. A friend of ours had employed a local company, Ash Island Lofts, to do some architectural drawings and plans, so we asked the team round to mull over some ideas. We got on well with them, and realised we’d be happy if they did the whole build from start to finish. We put it out to tender and their quote was competitive, so we booked them in.’
Do you suffer from project fear? Is it holding you back from creating your dream home? You’re not alone, as Jennifer Morgan discovers
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here’s a common myth that’s touted around when you’re working on a big project: you either have time or money, but never the two together. Well, perhaps there’s a third reason why we can drag our heels on a home renovation – choice; too much and a paralysation of making wrong ones. Of course, choice is deeply rooted in time and money – our budget will affect what we go for and whether we need to DIY or get someone in. And of course, thanks to social media, we’re surrounded by so many gorgeous ideas 24/7. Making a mistake can be time consuming and demoralising to correct. Nicky Wilkes, a business coach with a background in interiors (seriouslystylishbusiness.co.uk), says it’s important
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not to forget that decorating our homes is a really big thing. ‘We’re putting our mark on our interior spaces and it stands for so much: it’s our way of saying, “this is who I am”; “this is how I want to live”; “these are the things I love” – and that’s a massive personal statement. And we want to get it right. ‘Getting started on a home project can be daunting,’ she adds. ‘Not only are we lucky today to have so much choice but the way we get inspiration is so abundant – from reading interiors magazines to scrolling Pinterest and Instagram for hours or hiring a designer. Even knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Trends change much more quickly than they used to, and with social media showing us what’s new, we’re constantly drawn into the comparison game. Making any design decision can be hard.’ ‘I definitely suffer from lack of money, time and a huge dose of procrastination,’ says Laura Frampton, who lives in a three-bed 1970s home in Fife with her husband Ryan and nine-year-old son. ‘I see ideas in magazines, Pinterest and Instagram,
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WORDS JENNIFER MORGAN IMAGE NICK ROBERTSON
but find it’s much harder to put them into reality, especially when I can’t afford to do them all at once. For example, our hallway has been on the go for over a year: the walls really need skimming, but due to lack of funds we’ve just touched them up as best we can, which isn’t great. I want to put up loads of pictures to hide this, but frames are so expensive! It makes me frustrated so I do nothing. Hopefully this will change as I’m now working full time, which will help financially – although my weekend time is precious, and I can’t face doing DIY!’ Nicky, who’s recently moved herself, uses her tried-and-tested coaching techniques to help complete any home project she takes on. ‘I love a fresh notebook, where I can collate all of my ideas, thoughts, contacts and essential information. It can become your blueprint for a project. I also love to set the goal big and work back. People worry about how they’re going to fund a project, but if you start with the best outcome and work backwards, the rest will naturally fall into place and you’ll end up with a space that looks far more like your dream room than if you start off with too many limitations. It’s amazing how creative we can be when we really want something.’ ‘One of my favourite tips for getting started on a project is to collect five images that both partners agree on,’ says interior designer Lisa Mettis (bornandbredstudio.com). ‘I’ll use this edited collection as the starting point for the scheme, coming back to these at stages throughout the project.’ ‘Visualising a goal or dream project is part of the process of
making it happen,’ says Nicky. ‘When we can “see” what we want in front of us and can be specific on what it needs to be and feel like, then our brains start collating the information for us. Otherwise, it’s a bit like going on a journey without a road map – you’ll have no idea of where you’ll end up.’ And it’s all too easy to get lost, as mum-of-three Helen Waites explains. ‘Our whole house is a long-term project – we’ve been in it eight years – but finances restrict us from getting someone in to help. As it’s a period property, things are never as simple as they first appear.’ Helen runs her own furniture business called Plyconic (@houseofplyconic) and, with husband Neill, renovated their previous London flat from top to bottom. ‘But this was before kids, when we had money and time’, she quickly adds. ‘So far, we’ve converted a bedroom into two en suites, added a loft conversion, fitted a new kitchen and landscaped the garden – but now we’re stuck on those smaller jobs. The kitchen – which was meant to be a finished job – needs repainting as we’ve changed our minds on the colour. We need to paint a ceiling. We badly need hallway storage. We want to create a play space for the kids to give us back the living room… I could go on. We mainly need time as we only get a few hours when the kids don’t need entertaining.’ But giving yourself time to imagine the finished result is also an important part of the process. ‘I daydream the end result,’ says Helen, ‘so I probably am happier about going slowly, because in my head I can see our house complete. Although, Pinterest does inspire me a little too much – I’m always changing ideas. As for my husband, he can’t see the vision, so he’s frustrated that we aren’t in a finished house and dreads the amount of work needed to sort it out.’ To help with that end vision, ‘try sitting down with your notebook and writing down what a perfect evening hosting a dinner party in your new kitchen would feel like,’ says Nicky. ‘Imagine who would be there, what you’d cook, what music you’d be playing, how happy your friends and family would be. What would they be saying about your new kitchen? These are all things that will help you get a space you love.’ If you’re still struggling, then seeking expert help can often be what’s needed to get that project kick-started. ‘Interior designers simply save you time as they can very clearly see what’s needed to make your style come to life within your budget,’ says Lisa. ‘We have an extensive list of contacts and tradesmen that you can’t access. But the most invaluable part we can offer is saving you money on costly mistakes. No-one wants to walk into their bathroom for the next 10 years and think, “I shouldn’t have chosen those tiles”. Sometimes the amount of choice that’s out there nowadays instils people with terror.’ ‘When I created my dream garden a few years ago, we started off with a budget of around £3,000. I wanted to use a designer, and on that fee, it was never going to happen,’ says Nicky. ‘But I was certain about what I wanted to create, so instead of focusing too much on the how and why of money, I kept my mind on the garden I wanted to have. We can all too frequently let the fear of not having the budget stop us from coming up with creative solutions or ways to raise funds.’ So, whatever your plans are for 2020, whether big or small, one thing that is possible is to kick ‘project fear’ into touch. Do this and you’ll soon be crossing off those jobs on your house to-do list – with that project propelled into reality.
SPOTLIGHT ON
Shaker kitchens
Timeless, functional and beautiful, the Shaker-style kitchen is a popular choice. Take your pick from the latest design ideas to give the look a modern spin
PAINT EFFECTS Choose a bold splash of colour on one wall to add depth to your space. Somerton kitchen in Fern, from £4,917 for an eight-unit kitchen, Magnet
CLASSIC COUNTRY STYLE
WHIMSICAL PASTELS Live the country-life dream with soft blue cabinets and natural wood worktops for a warm and traditional space. French Shaker kitchen, £943.50 for an eight-unit kitchen, Homebase
Five things...
WORDS AMELIA SMITH
ONE
For a modern Shaker kitchen, ditch ornamental additions such as cornices and pilasters and think simple, clean lines to prevent the space from looking too twee. ‘The less fuss the better,’ says Darren Watts, design director at Wren Kitchens. A simple base with sharp rather than rounded edges keeps the look contemporary while ensuring it’s still characterful, too.
IN THE NAVY Be inspired by Pantone’s colour of the year with chic blue cabinets. Shaker kitchen with base units in Blake Blue, island in Marina Blue and worktops in Cosmic Black Leather, from £25,000, John Lewis of Hungerford
to try in your Shaker kitchen to add a contemporary edge. Inject personality and individual style with these easy tweaks and clever design tricks
TWO
New kitchen handles can instantly update your Shaker kitchen, creating big impact with little expense or effort. ‘Don’t go for one handle style: choose a couple that complement your design and colours,’ says Darren Watts at Wren. ‘Golds and coppers marry perfectly with dark, exuberant cabinetry, and hammered silvers and blacks add a touch of character to lighter designs.’
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THREE
‘One way to add a contemporary touch to your Shaker kitchen is to mix and match colours,’ says Ammanda Cosh, head of design at Masterclass Kitchens. Choosing separate colours for your island and cabinetry breaks up the space. ‘Traditionally, Shakers use neutral earthy colours, but there’s been a rise in dark, opulent matt colours to cast a little drama over the room,’ adds Darren Watts at Wren.
DARK DELIGHT Give your kitchen a dramatic flourish with deep green units and black accents. Georgian Ermine in Forest Green from the Infinity Plus collection, from £3,946 for all units shown, Wren
INDUSTRIAL STYLE Choose a dark base colour and embellish with metallic accessories for an industrial twist on this traditional design. Sherwood Shaker kitchen in Midnight Blue, from £2,500 for an eight-unit kitchen, Benchmarx
PATTERN PLAY Add a feminine touch with a pink geometric splashback and up the elegance factor with a parquet floor. Shelford kitchen in a silk finish, from £12,000, Masterclass
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FOUR
If your kitchen is on the smaller side, choose open shelving to visually expand your space. This also allows you to show off your personality by displaying books, trinkets and plants. ‘To maximise space, you should take advantage of integrated storage options to free up worktop and floor space,’ says Darren Watts at Wren. ‘Choose pull-out recycling bins, spice racks and deep drawers for large pans.’
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Shaker-style kitchens are the perfect base for other styles. Accessorise with exposed bulb lighting, metal bar stools and metallic touches for an industrial look, choose natural woods and patterned tiles for a traditional feel, or add pops of colour for a playful space. ‘The mix of traditional features and modern design ensures Shaker kitchens will never go out of fashion’ says Ammanda Cosh at Masterclass.
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The Shakers were a religious sect in the 18th century renowned for their simple and functional craftsmanship. Unnecessary decoration was frowned up, and so they formed a kitchen design that was perfectly fit for purpose and, quite evidently, timeless
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COLOUR POP Be brave with your paint brush and choose a vibrant colour for a statement space. Shaker kitchen, from £25,000, Sustainable Kitchens
FOR MORE KITCHEN STYLE INSPIRATION AND ADVICE, HEAD TO REALHOMES.COM/KITCHEN
BOLD AND BRIGHT
Pl an the perfect kitchen in 10 simple steps WORDS LINDA CLAYTON
Got a new kitchen in store this year? Careful planning is the key to a smooth ride. Get onboard with our step-by-step guide to achieving a beautiful kitchen that’s the hub of your home
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SUSS OUT STORAGE
It doesn’t matter how beautiful your kitchen looks, if the storage is poorly positioned, or inadequate, you’ll soon fall out of love. ‘The amount and type of storage in your kitchen is one of the most crucial elements and should be considered from the start so that the kitchen will fulfill all your needs from day one,’ says Sinead Trainor, kitchen category manager at LochAnna Kitchens. The goal is to have everything positioned close to where it’s going to be used – pans near the cooker, cleaning products under the sink, and so on. Placing a larder unit next to the fridge will make it easy to gather ingredients (ambient and chilled) in one trip. Crockery, glassware and cutlery should be stored near the dishwasher for easy unloading, but not too far from the dining table. The less you use something, the further it can be from the heart of the kitchen. Top cupboards that require a stool for access should be reserved for rarely used items, like Christmas platters and posh table linen. Often the stuff that clutters up a kitchen has nothing to do with cooking. Household paperwork, mail and homework can collect like snowdrifts on worktops. If space allows, consider a filing cabinet-style unit, and have a drawer for small objects like pens, batteries and receipts.
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PLOT THE LAYOUT
The layout of kitchen cabinets is the framework that defines the smooth flow of people through the space, the most convenient location of key appliances, and the main viewpoints to and from the kitchen. First consider immovable features such as windows and doors, which will highlight the options for tall storage and appliances such as fridgefreezers. Often the shape of the room itself will lead the layout. For example, a very narrow room is best suited to a galley layout and an U-shape with island works well in a square room. Other popular layouts include the L-shape and double galley. ‘If space allows, an island unit is a great way to achieve more prep space and storage, as well as sociable breakfast bar-style seating,’ adds Rebecca Nokes, senior designer at John Lewis of Hungerford. Drawing out a scale plan of the space (on paper or using an online planning tool – try Magnet, Ikea and Wren Kitchens’ websites) will help gauge potential pinch points. Ideally walkways should measure at least 1-1.2m wide, and you should avoid positioning appliances with large doors – dishwashers and American-style fridge-freezers for example – opposite each other. The basic principles of the traditional ‘working triangle’, which cluster the core elements of sink, cooker and fridge within reasonable proximity still hold true. If you have a large open-plan kitchen-diner, you may even consider establishing two working triangles, perhaps with an additional prep sink and hob, so that multiple chefs can cook in harmony.
The Lastra Fjord and Grey Grained Oak range, from £3,700, LochAnna Kitchens
Lay-on Shaker kitchen in Cobalt Satin, from £25,000, John Lewis of Hungerford
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MAKE IT FLEXIBLE
Few modern kitchens are focused solely on cooking – if you’ve got the chance to extend or expand the room it’s never a bad move. If you have space to play with once the core kitchen layout is settled, start thinking about how to arrange the remaining footprint. Adding provisions for dining – casual and/or formal – plus soft seating, children’s playtime and maybe an office area, requires every inch to be plotted with meticulous care. Think about sightlines from the heart of the cooking space – will the chef truly be able to chat and cook,
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