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 HOMES REALHOMES.COM
BEFORE AFTERS
+
50+ pages of HOME MAKEOVERS & PROJECTS
FEBRUARY 2020
Your
2020
kitchen at your perfect price
one room fits all Multi-use spaces the whole family can enjoy
Best buys smart flooring stylish curtains must-have storage
Wowfactor glazing
Cut the cost of your project How to maximise your budget
From bi-folds to sliding designs
MODERN LIVING
AMAZING EXTENSIONS to inspire your new project
bank balance. After the annual festive spending spree and New Year sale shopping, it’s the perfect time to look at the best ways to transform our homes for less. Whether it’s cost-saving ideas to help rein in the budget for your next big home improvement project (page 81), clever ways to get your dream kitchen at a purse-friendly price (page 134) or simple storage solutions for under £100 to help with your annual decluttering (page 41), you – and, perhaps more importantly, your bank account – will find plenty to be grateful for over the coming pages. Armed with money-saving ideas and inspiration aplenty, I hope this issue gives you the confidence to embrace an exciting new direction for your home.
nes e c s e h t d n i beh There were so many gorgeous flowers to choose from for the perfect shot
PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
Homeowner Georgia (left) and photographer Jemma getting ready for the cover shoot
Beth Murton Editor @BethMurton
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It’s always glamorous on a house shoot! A heavy rain shower calls for emergency deck drying
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REALHOMES.COM
from the editor
H
e confidence to ething new or out rdinary in your an be an exciting mately daunting prospect. eye-catching extensions, bold colours and striking design ideas you see in magazines and on social media can look tempting, when it comes to actually recreating that look in your own house, the idea can suddenly seem a step too far. But what if you were to take the leap and step outside of your comfort zone? All of the stunningly renovated homes inside this issue are unique, and yet they have one very important detail in common: confidence. From Julia Eldon’s unashamedly maximalist home with its dramatic colour scheme and vibrant wallpapers (page 70) to Emma and Karim’s extended 1950s property that showcases their love of mid-century design (page 88), each one shows that being a little more daring and embracing your individual style can pay dividends. Homeowner Georgia Blundell has certainly seen the benefits of incorporating bolder design ideas, admitting that for her recent house renovation she was ‘determined not to play it safe.’ Turn to page 104 to see the impressive results. So why not give it a go yourself? Trying out just one or two of the creative ideas you spot in this issue’s real homes (even if it’s only on a smaller scale) could be the start of something equally exciting in your own house. Elsewhere in the issue, we’ve got our eyes firmly fixed on our (and your)
s t n e t n o c IInside track 115
How to create the Scandi look in your own home
49
Invest in signature pieces for a scheme with enduring appeal
57
58
41
real home
multifunctional spaces
Explore Claire and Paul’s mid-century monochrome home
Use your home to the max with these space-enhancing ways
neat feat
64
The best perfectly priced storage for your organisational dilemmas
43
45
138
153
vinyl flooring The latest designs and ideas for a stylish, practical surface
70S statemen statement
Step back in time w with a modern take on this vibrant, curvy trend
125
new buys on the block Fresh looks for kids’ rooms and where to get them on a budget
home truths Monthly columnist Lisa Dawson on feeling bright post-new year
24
iconic designs
#nowtrending Let’s be friends on social media
23
style of the month
news This month’s hottest new homeware and design ideas
21 2
47
128
would you l learn a new skill… … ...to cut down the cost of your renovation or make eover?
88 8
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37
Style agenda
n e t n co
project advice
home life
69
37
A reader shares the part of her home she enjoys most
15
70
81
cut the cost of your project
121 extension of the month A brave design that caught our eye
real home Discover how Emma and Karim embraced vintage to create a dreamy mid-century home
43
70
Save money on your renovation
real home Julia’s Cheshire house is a masterclass in maximalism
88
project news
The latest ideas and essenttial purchases for your renovation
My favourite corner
49
123 Extension diary Interiors writer Linda Clayton on living through a big renovation
10 00 make it happen How to prevent half-finished jobs and actually get things done
125 the february report On-trend buys and innovations for your kitchen and bathroom
10 04 Real Home See how Georgia and Matt have extended their Victorian home with style and substance
134 cut the cost of your kitchen Tips and tricks for getting the most for your money
1115 Top tips for budget renovations
150
143 statement doors Opt for high-impact garden doors
Our readers reveal how they completed their projects for less
150 Focus on curtains The latest and best designs
118 What’s #trending for 2020 What makes a trend and how should we use them in our homes?
153 The edit Cooker hoods and shower screens
128 Real Home
162 Sunday Project
Veerusha and Yogesh’s striking double-height kitchen is the perfect place for entertaining
Create an easy office zone
24
138 Real Home Leo and Tamsin used clever tricks to transform a small bathroom
#Sorealhomes Share your home with us on Instagram using our hashtag
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ISSN 1464 - 4061 áƺ Əȸƺ ƬȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƳ ɎȒ ȒȇǼɵ ɖɀǣȇǕ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ɯǝǣƬǝ ǣɀ ƳƺȸǣɮƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼɵ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳً ƬƺȸɎǣˡƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎȸɵ ƏȇƳ ƬǝǼȒȸǣȇƺٮǔȸƺƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺِ Áǝƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ɯƏɀ ɀȒɖȸƬƺƳ ƏȇƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ɀɖɀɎƏǣȇƏƫǼƺ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎɀً ƬȒȇǔȒȸȅǣȇǕ ɎȒ ɀɎȸǣƬɎ ƺȇɮǣȸȒȇȅƺȇɎƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɀȒƬǣȒƺƬȒȇȒȅǣƬ ɀɎƏȇƳƏȸƳɀِ Áǝƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸǣȇǕ ȵƏȵƺȸ ȅǣǼǼ ƏȇƳ ȵȸǣȇɎƺȸ ǝȒǼƳ ǔɖǼǼ I³! ƏȇƳ ¨0I! ƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇ ƏȇƳ ƏƬƬȸƺƳǣɎƏɎǣȒȇِ ǼǼ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ ۰ חאIɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɖȇƳƺȸ ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺِ ǼǼ ȸǣǕǝɎɀ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺƳِ zȒ ȵƏȸɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȅƏɵ ƫƺ ɖɀƺƳً ɀɎȒȸƺƳً ɎȸƏȇɀȅǣɎɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȸƺȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣȒȸ ɯȸǣɎɎƺȇ ȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺȸِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ ٢ƬȒȅȵƏȇɵ ȇɖȅƫƺȸ דזזזא٣ ǣɀ ȸƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ǣȇ 0ȇǕǼƏȇƳ ƏȇƳ áƏǼƺɀِ «ƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ȒǔˡƬƺ يªɖƏɵ RȒɖɀƺً Áǝƺ ȅƫɖȸɵً ƏɎǝ È ِ ǼǼ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ƬȒȇɎƏǣȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ȒȇǼɵ ƏȇƳ ǣɀً Əɀ ǔƏȸ Əɀ ɯƺ Əȸƺ ƏɯƏȸƺً ƬȒȸȸƺƬɎ ƏɎ Ɏǝƺ Ɏǣȅƺ Ȓǔ ǕȒǣȇǕ ɎȒ ȵȸƺɀɀِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƬƏȇȇȒɎ ƏƬƬƺȵɎ Əȇɵ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǣǼǣɎɵ ǔȒȸ ƺȸȸȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǣȇƏƬƬɖȸƏƬǣƺɀ ǣȇ ɀɖƬǝ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇِ çȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏƳɮǣɀƺƳ ɎȒ ƬȒȇɎƏƬɎ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺȸɀ ƏȇƳ ȸƺɎƏǣǼƺȸɀ ƳǣȸƺƬɎǼɵ ɯǣɎǝ ȸƺǕƏȸƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣƬƺ Ȓǔ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀٖɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ȸƺǔƺȸȸƺƳ ɎȒ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇِ ȵȵɀ ƏȇƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ɖȇƳƺȸ Ȓɖȸ ƬȒȇɎȸȒǼِ áƺ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺǣȸ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ Ȓȸ Əȇɵ ȒɎǝƺȸ ƬǝƏȇǕƺɀ Ȓȸ ɖȵƳƏɎƺɀ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺȅِ Áǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ǣɀ ǔɖǼǼɵ ǣȇƳƺȵƺȇƳƺȇɎ ƏȇƳ ȇȒɎ ƏǔˡǼǣƏɎƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ƬȒȅȵƏȇǣƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǝƺȸƺǣȇِ Xǔ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɎȒ ɖɀً ɵȒɖ ɯƏȸȸƏȇɎ ɎǝƏɎ ɵȒɖ Ȓɯȇ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ǝƏɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȇƺƬƺɀɀƏȸɵ ȸǣǕǝɎɀٖȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀ ɎȒ ɀɖȵȵǼɵ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɵȒɖ ƏɖɎȒȅƏɎǣƬƏǼǼɵ ǕȸƏȇɎ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƏȇƳ ǣɎɀ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ Ə ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺ ɎȒ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝ ɵȒɖȸ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ ǣȇ ɯǝȒǼƺ Ȓȸ ǣȇ ȵƏȸɎ ǣȇ ƏȇɵٖƏǼǼ ǣɀɀɖƺɀ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ƺƳǣɎǣȒȇɀ Ȓǔ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇɀً ǣȇ Əȇɵ ǔȒȸȅƏɎ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɯȒȸǼƳɯǣƳƺ ƏȇƳ Ȓȇ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀً ɀȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ ƬǝƏȇȇƺǼɀ ƏȇƳ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀِ ȇɵ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ǣɀ ɀƺȇɎ ƏɎ ɵȒɖȸ Ȓɯȇ ȸǣɀǸ ƏȇƳً ƏǼɎǝȒɖǕǝ ƺɮƺȸɵ ƬƏȸƺ ǣɀ ɎƏǸƺȇً ȇƺǣɎǝƺȸ IɖɎɖȸƺ ȇȒȸ ǣɎɀ ƺȅȵǼȒɵƺƺɀً ƏǕƺȇɎɀً ɀɖƫƬȒȇɎȸƏƬɎȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ ɀǝƏǼǼ ƫƺ ǼǣƏƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ ǼȒɀɀ Ȓȸ ƳƏȅƏǕƺِ áƺ Əɀɀɖȅƺ ƏǼǼ ɖȇɀȒǼǣƬǣɎƺƳ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ɖȇǼƺɀɀ ȒɎǝƺȸɯǣɀƺ ɀɎƏɎƺƳً ƏȇƳ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȸǣǕǝɎ ɎȒ ƺƳǣɎً ƏȅƺȇƳً ƏƳƏȵɎ ƏǼǼ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀِ
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INSIDE INSIDE
track
Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love… French Connection Hoxton three-seater sofa, £949, and footstool, £399, both in Rose
LIVING ROOM GOALS Want to get all the feels from your sitting room? DFS is giving us plenty with its latest furniture collection featuring eight new sofas, including this lovely offering by the ever-stylish French Connection. Called Hoxton, we are already fans of its clean lines and the plump lay-on-me cushions. We feel a boxset would pair with it nicely.
Zinc pattern scatter cushion in blush, £35
Zinc pattern scatter cushion in yellow, £35
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
Antigua ottoman storage bench stool in green, £499
easy living Dress your living area with ith some well-chosen pieces from DFS to add colour and interest. Loungewear not included
Arlie rug in orange, from £99 Tom three-seater sofa in Indigo Blue wool look, £549
BRAVE NEW WORLD
light fantastic
Colour blocking seems to be the current watchword for Crown as it has just released two new hues to its range, Revival and Into The Blue. The cool mint green of Revival pairs against the more vibrant shade of Secret Escape from its current palette, bringing a refreshingly modern scheme of calm versus drama. We love these combinations.
Cone shade wall light in blue, £40
Hold the phone! New lighting specialist Houseof is here and its eye-catching designs h have u us very excited. Not only are they achingly on-trend, but allso rather wallet friend dly, too, we note. This new n go-to illumiination provider has pendants, lamps and wall w lights, plus it helpfu ully has bulbs. Whatt bright sparks...
Cone shade wall light in pink, £40
SCANDI STYLE
Revival flat matt emulsion, from £35.99 for 2.5ltrs; Fairy Dust matt emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltrs; Secret Escape matt emulsion, £14.50 for 1.25ltrs, all Crown
Pared back, natural and perfectly styled. Sounds like the ideal mix to us, so we were delighted to find this new Nordic Spring range from Sainsbury’s. With updates for your tabletop a-plenty, there are of the moment monochrome spots plus beautiful amberhued glassware, just right for holding drinks or creating floral displays.
Nordic Spring Spot reactive glaze side plates, dinner plates, cereal bowls and mugs, from £3.50; four-pack napkins, £8; acacia & wood boards, from £16.50; Oriental cone grater, £5; amber glassware, from £3.50, Sainsbury’s Home
£10 TROLLEY £10 TROLLEY DASH DASH Next time you’re doing the food shop, do a final swoop around the store before checkout and bag some great homewares
Wall art three pack, £18, George Home
Knitted tassel throw in berry/ taupe, £20, Tesco Salon Deluxe Geo mirror, £8, Morrisons
Marble-look octagonal photo frame, £9.50, Marks & Spencer
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TAKE IT TO THE MAX
Knitted velvet curtains, try Chestnut, £30 per metre; Tom Dixon Spring LED medium ceiling light gold, £925; West Elm Silhouette marble and bronze four-seater pedestal table, £999; Tom Dixon Swirl stepped candlestick, £130; LSA International Julia decanter, £65; Broste Copenhagen Arild stoneware flowerpot, £15; Lacquer vase in yellow, £50; Eclipse side chair in Burnt Orange, £299, all John Lewis & Partners
If muted colours and restrained, serene spaces just aren’t your thing, take things up several gears and embark on a maximalism mission. The trend for all things statement, rich and colourful has been spotted at John Lewis & Partners, with confident, contrasting textures creating a visual treat in its latest collection. Expressing yourself has never been so easy.
Pole walnut table lamp with navy shade, £75, Habitat
Blue velvet stool, £39.95, Melody Maison
Library monogram trinket dish, £9.50, Bombay Duck
MINI TREND ALERT
Blue Period The colour gurus have spoken – Pantone has decreed Classic Blue to be its 2020 colour of the year. Pitched perfectly between inky and Royal, evocative of an evening sky, it has a cool elegance and goes-witheverything versatility. Not just any blue, Pantone describe it as ‘solid and dependable, expressing constancy and confidence’, and couldn’t we all do with a little of that?
Book worm Little Book of Colour: How to Use the Psychology of Colour to Transform your Life by Karen Haller (Penguin, £10.99) Small but perfectly formed, this pocket-sized guide looks at the use of colour to improve happiness, confidence and wellbeing. Karen, an applied colour psychology practitioner (great title), explores how we can harness the power of the rainbow and beyond, one shade at a time.
Claypaint in Toy Soldier, £43 for 2.5ltrs, Earthborn
Costa Rica Fern bed linen, from £60; cushion, £40; throw, £75; curtains, from £85, all Clarissa Hulse
Slender agenda Ply is having quite the moment, and this new range from Urbansize not only has this at its core, but also a slimline ethos. Specialising in furniture for small spaces, its new ‘London Ply’ range includes a super-slim console table and a compact coffee table, ideal for any bijoux spots. Designed with a nod to mid-century styling and made from pale, creamy birch plywood, the realistic pricing of this range makes it accessible to all. London Ply office desk, £240, Urbansize
BOTANICAL BOUDOIR Bring fresh beauty into the bedroom with one of the latest bedlinen designs from Clarissa Hulse. Costa Rica Fern follows the trend for soft green shades plus the desire for biophilia (our attraction to nature) in the home, drawing both together with aplomb. Keeping the eco theme going, the packaging comes in the form of a reusable cotton bag – handy for keeping those PJs safe. Winifred nesting side tables in solid mango wood, £159, Cult Furniture
spend v save
Elegant, curved and space saving, a nest of tables is always a good option for a living space where an extra surface is often required. Here are two fine examples...
Disca round nesting tables in acacia wood, £345, Vinoor
FLOOR SHOW
2LG Studio has turned its impeccable interior talents to creating a bold new rug collection that showcases its expressive shapes and trademark colours. A collaboration with Floor Story, the new collection draws inspiration from textures and layers of pattern revealed during the renovation journey the artistic duo behind 2LG went on recently in their own home. Shapely designs at their best. Portal Inverse, hand-woven flatweave wool rug, from £550, Floor Story
Sleep tight Suffering from lack of sleep after the party season? Being an adult means you have to look into boring things like a new mattress once in a while, but we’ve tried to make it as fun as possible with our expert guides. Original mattress, £599 for a UK double, Eve. realhomes.com/buyingguides/best-mattress
GET INVOLVED We always love to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news, behindthe-scenes shoots and gorgeous imagery. Plus, share your homes with us using #sorealhomes and you might just find yourself featured on our feed…
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OMES.COM
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NEW YEAR, NEW PROJECT? Get a head start on your new year project with our back catalogue of extensions content. With everything from planning permission to choosing glazing, you’re in for a treat. Best done on a night when there’s nothing good on telly. realhomes.com/extensions
Kursal white floor tiles, £22.99 per m2, Tile Mountain
S’Well bottle, £42, Amara. Yoga bag, £27.49, John Lewis & Partners
GO MINIMAL Are you a lover of pared-back, simple interiors? Like nothing better than plain, clean lines where everything is stowed away and fuss free? Then you need to watch the Real Homes Show, where style editor Anna Morley reveals how to make minimalism work in your home – and on a budget. Sit back, relax and watch it now at realhomes.com/tv
REALHOMES.COM
PHOTOGRAPH MALCOLM MENZIES (BOTTOM LEFT)
#fitnessgoals We all know that lounging on the sofa with a bar of Dairy Milk is a valid route to a healthy soul, but once in a while – and we really hate to break it to you – we try to think about getting fit, too. If you’re averse to the gym (we feel you), find the best home workouts, fitness apps, equipment and gymwear, plus advice on how to go about creating your own set-up at home, at realhomes.com
home truths
LISA DAWSON
PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
The New Year celebrations are over, the decs packed away for another year and
changes like this can make a massive difference to the appeal of the room. Curate A Collection If I’m tired of a space, this is my favourite way to up the ante. Coloured crockery or glass in the same tonal shades look the house is looking a bit, well, bare. great grouped together in a vignette – As is the bank balance – it takes a few charity shops are brilliant for sourcing months to get over the impact/expense budget-friendly beauties. Pull all the of present giving and feeding what styling tricks out of the bag by picking seems like the five thousand. your favourite books or magazines It’s easy to feel a bit ‘meh’ at this and stacking them in spine colour moment but it’s actually a great time order rather than just randomly, a to reassess your rooms and make really effective way to add interest some changes to brighten up the chilly to your room. Gather your favourite months. There are plenty of ways to prints together to form a gallery wall add some oomph to your space and, as that will provide an interesting focal an added bonus, it can be therapeutic. point – make it personal by using There’s nothing better than having much-loved prints, old family photos a switch up and refreshing your home or frame the kids’ drawings (the ones to up your mood – here are my tips for that escaped the B file). brightening your February that won’t Light It Up Getting leave you in the red. the lighting right can Assess Your Space ‘you won’t be change the ambience of Have a really good look at the room and ditch surprised that I the room and make the space feel completely what you’ve lost the love for, whether it’s a have a cupboard different. The evenings are still WAY too dark, chair that doesn’t fit of constantly so make sure you’ve or a vase you’ve had got plenty of glow. Use for 15 years that was revolving standard lamps for never quite part of the table lamps for furniture. Chuck it on cushions – Much height, creating a cosy feel and Ebay or Gumtree or small targeted lighting donate to your local to my family’s for reading areas. charity shop. Shop your Again, shop your home home for other pieces amusement’ for lamps that will fit that would work well in your scheme to get the balance right. your newly arranged space and move There’s nothing more frustrating than them into the room. Create varied inadequate lighting – my eyesight’s focal points; a chair, side table, lamp bad enough without trying to read my and a few well-chosen prints can Real Homes with my phone torch. Add revitalise a previously blank space more than you think you’ll need; it’s and transform it into a cosy corner. easier to take them away once you’ve Layer It Up If there’s one thing that worked out how to nail it. adds character to a room it’s a bit of Just give it a go. Having a switch layering. Swap your cushions around about can really lift your mood and also (you won’t be surprised to read I have bring a new lease of life to your rooms, a cupboard of constantly revolving without spending a single penny. And, cushions, much to my family’s what’s more, it’s a positive way to start amusement) and add throws on your the new year in the right way – reusing, sofa to make it super welcoming. Take repurposing and recycling what you’ve a look at your rug situation – can you already got. Happy faffing! switch any from other rooms, or layer a FOLLOW LISA @_lisa_dawson_ couple alongside each other? Just small
23
Extended bungalow
Mid-centu mon
ry ochrome Claire and Paul’s stripped-back palette of black, white and timber offers a masterclass in owning your interior style
WHY Claire’s home caught our eye…
WORDS MANDI MILLER PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA WALKER ARNOTT
Though trends are tempting and the latest H&M Home releases can have you planning a total redecoration of your living room, there’s something to be said for having one continuous style throughout your home. Not only does it save you cash – no clicking ‘add to basket’ on a rug that doesn’t remotely go with anything else you own – and decision fatigue, it also makes for a calming, more harmonious space. When Claire and Paul Franklin decided to swap the congestion of London for the calm of the countryside, their friends – and even their mortgage advisor – couldn’t quite see the attraction of this particular house. But for a couple with a love of all things mid-century, it was perfect. With her own set style in mind, Claire set about transforming the property into a retro haven with a considered monochrome scheme. See how she did it over the following pages: it might just change your mind about always jumping on the trend bandwagon.
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We wanted the property to be as authentic as possible so we trawled the shops and internet for original mid-century furniture. It just sits so easily in the space as well as being practical and stylish. By using so many classic pieces, it’ll never date. The table was a bargain on Ebay but we sprayed the legs so it blends with the chairs and the rest of the scheme. People think black might be a difficult colour to live with, but in fact it works really well when used as an accent with greys, and especially with organic textures like timber and foliage.
Dining table, vintage Arne Jacobsen chairs and display cabinet, Ebay. Black Hay chairs, Clippings. Pendant lights, Miloox. Polished concrete flooring, The Concrete Flooring Contractors. Vases, La Redoute
Profile THE OWNERs Claire Franklin, an interiors consultant, her husband, Paul, owner and creative director of brand agency Red & White Studio, their children, Elsie, 10, and Poppy, eight, a menagerie of gerbils, hamsters, and a rescue chihuahua, Daisie May THE PROPERTY A detached mid-century four-bedroom bungalow in Studham, Bedfordshire project COST £150,000
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To maximise the storage in the kitchen, we installed a wall of floor-to-ceiling cupboards with integrated double oven. Elsewhere, I wanted to keep my walls free of units, so a bank of 10 deep drawers gives us a huge amount of organised storage. Drawers are so much easier to keep tidy than cupboards! Our builder was getting rid of the black stools, which were perfect for our island, so I swapped them for a couple of radiators, then had them sprayed black to match the table. The island is the perfect spot he children to do homework or te about their day while I’m making din Kitchen, Build My Kitchen, pai in Dove Grey, Laura Ashley, and Off Black, Farrow & Ball. Worktop, Silestone. Unit handles, BMK. Ovens, Miele. Island pendant lights, Anglepoise. Wall lights, Original BTC. For similar stools, try the Ingolf, Ikea
Lohals rug, Ikea. Black pot plant holder, West Elm. Ceiling light, Louis Poulsen. Ercol loveseat, Lee Longlands. For a similar sideboard, try the Botello, La Redoute
Over to claire...
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The bungalow had been designed by an architect as his family home and as soon as we stepped inside we understood what his original vision had been. It had the perfect blend of open and broken plan: although there was plenty of communal space there were also more private areas, with an easy flow between the two. Nothing much had changed in the house and it was a bit tired, but that was half the attraction. We felt we could carry on what the architect had started and give it a new purpose for a modern family. ‘Our ultimate plan was to renovate throughout and add a kitchen extension, but when Elsie and Poppy came along, we were happy to just enjoy the house as it was with a few tweaks until we were ready. We started the first of two extensions in 2016. The first phase was to replace the roof and windows and build a new entrance hallway to include a large cloakroom and WC. In 2017 we started the second phase – the large kitchen-diner/snug to the rear of the house. ‘I’d overseen a number of projects of this scale for clients, but never for myself so this was a new experience in a way. We originally approached a local architect, but they didn’t quite “get” the house. Having read about design company Architect Your Home, we decided to try them. They put us in touch with an architect they felt would best fit our project – and they were right. Nick Stenton, our architect, was brilliant. We used a builder, Brian Woodward, who’d renovated our shed into a garden room, too. He did a fantastic job, so it seemed natural to keep him on for the rest of the project. With Nick undertaking the drawings and planning, I was left to project manage. I kept a strict eye on the budget. Every penny was designated and if we needed something else and didn’t have the funds, we waited till the pot was re-filled, so it took longer than your average extension.
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I love the mix of open and “broken” plan in the house. The hall isn’t open to the dining area, but it leads off through an extra-wide opening without a door. We used timber flooring in the hallway to differentiate it from the kitchen-diner. I accented surfaces and corners with pieces from my collection of white stoneware. The ceiling light in the hall is one of my favourite pieces in the house. It’s an original vintage Louis Poulsen PH Snowball ligh which I bought with the bonus I ever earned in w more then 20 years ago!
TOP TIP
Open shelving offers storage without making the room feel closed in, and artfully arranged displays encourage tidiness
Rug, Urban Outfitters. Thelma chair, Made. Universal table and drawer units, Vistoe
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The living room is open plan to the hall, but the two steps down help delineate the space and make the room feel selfcontained. I positioned the fireplace, mirror and TV unit to balance the walls at that end of the room. The Birdie wall lights were originally designed in 1952, the same year the house was built, so they were a perfect for the room. We dyed the iroko floorboards to match the original beams. Two-tier side table, Home and Colonial. Birdie wall lights, Northern Lighting. Dillon sofa, Sofa Workshop. B&W prints, The Printable Studio via Etsy. Floor cushion, HomeSense. Coffee and cream throw, H&M. Glass base lamp, West Elm. Three-door glazed cabinet, Swoon. For a similar mirror, try the Hudson from Eat, Sleep, Live
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Our bedroom is clutter-free thanks to the built-in wardrobes. I love the picture window – it makes the most of the secluded gardens outside. You can see the geometric nature of the 1950s architecture in the horizontal window over the bed, too. We chose retro-style furniture, complemented with soft furnishings – rugs, throws and the bedspread – that pull together the colour palette. Rug, La Redoute. For a similar throw try the Wafer, Feather & Black. For a similar bench, try West Elm. Wall light, Nest. For a ceiling light, try Tala at Heal’s
TOP TIP
Lucky enough to have a picture window? Consider laminated glass for its excellent soundproofing and insulation properties
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The bathroom is such a bright, airy space. I love the storage unit – I hide bathroom clutter in there and it fits perfectly under the window. For a similar storage unit, try the Hiba range at La Redoute. HK Living bath mat, Nordic Nest. Stool, vintage; try Ebay
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Elsie had so much fun helping me decorate her room. Top tip, though: use a washable emulsion for easy cleaning! String Pocket shelving unit, John Lewis & Partners. Nexus wall lights, Nordlux. For a similar desk try the Tatsuma, Habitat. Try Cult Furniture for a similar chair
For Cedral cladding, try Roofing Lines. Alitherm windows, Smart Systems
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We have a lot of trees so we needed to have piles instead of standard foundations, and the piles just kept going deeper and deeper. The whole house was shaking at one point! We gave the bungalow a modern, industrial feel by part cladding it (see page 24). The uPVC windows were ripped out and replaced with black aluminium frames.
BEFORE
THE PLANS BEFORE
GROUND FLOOR
LIVING ROOM
EN SUITE BATH ROOM
BED ROOM
GROUND FLOOR DINING ROOM
BED ROOM
KITCHEN BED ROOM
BED ROOM
UTILITY
LIVING ROOM
HOME OFFICE
UTILITY
BEDROOM
Contacts
AFTER
EN SUITE GARAGE BATH ROOM
BED ROOM KITCHEN/ DINING ROOM
BED BED ROOM ROOM SNUG
34
GARAGE
Architect Architect Your Home, 0800 051 5304, architect-yourhome.com Builder BR Woodward, 07802 425748 Windows Smart Systems, 01934 876100, smartsystems.co.uk Kitchen Build My Kitchen, 01908 277574, buildmykitchen.co.uk
Winter Coat
Shepherd’s Delight
S AND ESSENTIA D EN TR S, EA ID ST TE LA E TH
L BUYS
FOR YOUR HOME IMPRO VEMENT PROJECT Major Tom
Weather the weatherr
FEATURE ALISON JONES
MAKE IT FAKE A raw brick wall or chimney breast adds a surprisingly warm and tactile feel to a renovated home. But achieving it can take a lot of very messy work; stripping plaster, cleaning brick and repointing. Get authenticlooking exposed brick the easier, non-dusty way with Woodchip & Magnolia’s faux brick wallpapers, which are genuine reproductions of actual brick walls. The details are captured so convincingly, you’d think it’d be rough to the touch. And you can get different brick effects from different regions. Paper from £59 per roll.
For exterior paint that can withstand the cold, wet and wind, Fenwick & Tilbro ook paints are inspired by b Scandinavian paintss designed to cope with the worst of the Arctic weatther. They have a thicker consistency and high levels of chroma and opacity to make sure they retain their rich colour. There are 120 colours in the current range. Prices start from £22.50 for 1ltr of claypaint.
Midnight Ivy
Rusty Rose
Exposed brick effect wallpaper, £59 per roll, Woodchip & Magnolia
OPEN N UP Tired of sc crabbling for keys with arms full of everything g from shopping to a wriggling toddler? Brisant Se ecure’s new Ultion Smart lock can be operated hands free via an encrypted connection between it and your phone. It looks like a regular handle, bu ut is packed with smart tech and safety features, including voice activation and geounlocking. Available from £229, ultion-lock.co.uk
3 37
LOG ON Turn your winter wood into an art piece. Instead of piling logs in old baskets or stacking them up outside and covering with tarpaulin, arrange them in these unique stores,crafted from steel or aluminium and handmade by Parker & Coop in Surrey. The Woodstock log holders come in different shapes; circles, squares, triangle, even hexagons, and are between 50cm and two metres high. Choose an aged rusty patina or p p a powder-coated paint finish in anyy RAL colour. Prices start from £250.
D(esign)IY door Make your mark on your home from the start by designing your own front doorr. Endurance Doors come with a hands on bespoke option where you can pick you ur own door type, frame shape, style of door, colour (or natural look), glazing and the finishing touches. Endurance composite doors have a 48mm thick solid timber core for additional strengtth and security. Choose from the Classic, Urban or Country collections. Price according to design.
A CLEAR WINNER We love with these light switches from new design-led fixtures and fittings brand Corston Architectural Detail. Simple and elegant, the plates are made from clear Perspex, with switches finished in bronze or polished brass. The colour or pattern of the walls shows through while the switches and sockets blend discreetly into the room. Chose toggles (left) from £30 or dimmers from £35. See Linda Clayton’s light switch picks on page 123
Period drama
How many renovators have peeled back the ‘80s-style carpet in a Victorian home hoping to find gloriously patterned Minton tile? For those who haven’t struck restoration gold, Topps Tiles’ new Victorian Flooring collection can help you recapture that timeless look. Inspired by the colours and the complex patterns of that era, the Topps versions are fixed to a mesh backing, so are quick to lay, provide even grout joints and wear better than individual tiles. Nearly all of them are slip resistant and can be used outside.
Beckford Black & White, £25.85 per tile
Floor for the family Abby Hutchinson, Polyflor’s LVT market manager, reveals how vinyl flooring works for modern life What are the benefits over other types of flooring? Vinyl flooring can authentically replicate the natural beauty of wood and stone while offering enhanced durability, comfort and easy maintenance. It can withstand the demands of busy homes and keep the floor looking great for years. Many people are also opting for luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) to give rooms an upscale look as it has the functional benefits of vinyl with even greater design versatility and realism. Has the realism of the stone or wood effects improved significantly? Innovative designs, high clarity design films and increased shade variation has made it possible to create vinyl products that perfectly resemble natural wood and stone. LVT can be used where a more complex floor design is desired, allowing you to get creative with patterns, inlay strips and decorative borders. What surfaces can vinyl flooring be laid over and what prep is needed? The quality of a finished installation can depend very much on the preparation of the subfloor. The requirements vary dependant on the product – the guidelines for installing a vinyl sheet product would differ to those of an LVT one. Similarly, within the LVT portfolio there are three types of product – locking vinyl, glue down and loose lay. Each should be approached differently, so seek the manufacturer’s advice on the best preparation techniques. How well does it work with underfloor heating? Both vinyl sheet and LVT are popular for use with underfloor heating and can withstand temperatures up to 27 degrees. Polyflor.com
Wireworks Cook House utensils rail shelf, £65, Nest Jeske magazine side table, £83.99, Wayfair Soho bedside table, £79, JD Williams
Bran brass wall mounted bike stand, £45, Made
Mix It Media unit, white frame with grey ash doors, £100, John Lewis & Partners
Metal black coat stand, £30, Dunelm
Storage needn’t cost a fortune. To prove it, we’ve e rounded up some perfectly priced solutions (all under £100) to meet your organisational needs Zuiver Bundy peg board in green, £99, Cuckooland
Julian Bowen Tribeca tall bookcase, £79.97, Furniture123
Herringbone oak parquet shelf, £95, Cox & Cox
Loft Living corner storage unit, £70, Argos
REALHOMES.COM
Pink hexagonal storage stool, £49.99, beautify.co.uk
Nikkeby chest of four drawers in grey-green, £65, Ikea
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
style it now Boss your organisation with some additional storage ideas to help establish a tidy, smooth-running home
FILE IT Keep office folders tidy and close to hand with the Farringdon file storage, £40, Garden Trading
HANG IT Coats, hats and keys have a home with the Kanso wall hooks, £6, Sainsbury’s Home
41
READ IT File your Real Homes in the Gisela Graham brown faux-leather magazine rack, £24.95, Hurn & Hurn
Timeless gold drinks trolley, £262, Audenza
Seda wool and viscose mix rug, from £230, La Redoute
Eclipse Spear cushion, £59, Furniture Village
Evey black marble arc floor lamp, £149, Danetti
Dark wood coffee table, £89.99, HomeSense
SEVENTIES
Merida armchair in mustard, £849, Content by Terence Conran
Step back in time for a modern take on this fun trend. With curves in all the right places and a warming retro vibe, it’s tongue-in-cheek chic Tana stonewashed throw mais, £74, Abode Living
Far-Out Decor white ceramic tile, £56.50 per m2, Baked Tiles
Terrazzo hanging plant pot, £32.50, Scaramanga
Lantana orange curvy ceramic table lamp with black drum silk shade, £115, Habitat
Scott three-seater sofa in orange velvet, £999, Made
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
style it now If this throwback look is perfect for your pad, here are some additional accents to recreate an oh-so-groovy scheme
POUR IT Toast your new scheme with some coloured glassware, like the Bloomingville Amber pressed wine glass, £7.95 each, Beaumonde
DISPLAY IT Style with flowers or just on its own, we love the HK Living Ceramic shell vase, £24, Arbol House
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REALHOME ES.COM
String and cane hanging basket, £48, Raj Tent Club
GROW IT Homegrown plants look fab in the Orla Kiely herb pots with tray in Climbing Rose, £49.95, Cuckooland
E T A B E D G I B E TH Being your own tradesperson could save you big money on a major project. But would you be willing to go beyond basic DIY?
YES ‘I didn’t have the budget to get someone in – I learnt
WORDS ALISON JONES
purely to save money’ Emma Dean (@thehouseyouwishyouhad) and Peter Sanders live with their two children in a 1930s semi in Rossendale, Lancashire ‘I taught myself to plaster using YouTube videos to do the smallest bedroom. I thought if it goes well, brilliant, if it doesn’t, it’s not the end of the world. We saved £300, which we’d been quoted for it. We did pay for materials, but still saved a hell of a lot. ‘It took perseverance. I did a wall a week, fitting it around work. The videos showed how to mix the water and cement, the consistency we were looking for, what tools we had to buy. My partner would mix the cement and water for me then off I’d go. I changed technique as I went on; at first I started from the top, but realised if I started from the bottom and did big strokes up the wall it would take less time and create less mess. ‘This is our first home that we’ve bought and we’ve been renovating for a year. We were novices really. I didn’t have the budget to get anyone in to plaster, or the time to go on a course, so I learnt purely to save money. My partner’s adamant we are going to plaster the lounge and I’ll give it a go. He didn’t own a screwdriver when we started, now he’s building our dining table and seating from scratch after watching YouTube tutorials. ‘People don’t believe me when I say I plastered my daughter’s bedroom, but I’m proud of it. She loves it and it’s something I’ve done for her with my bare hands.’
‘Skills tradespeople have learnt, they’ve gone to college. I’d be bodging it’ Jess Feury (@wondrouslair) lives with her husband, Denis, and their four children in a Victorian semi in Chertsey, Surrey ‘If you want to do a job properly, you are going to have to layout so much buying the right tools before you have even started, you are better off just getting someone in who knows what they are doing. It is also a time thing. It’s the skills tradespeople have learnt, they’ve gone to college and spent a long time doing it. I’d be bodging it. ‘I’ve got a friend who does everything in the house, yet if you peer at it you can see it’s not quite right. I do paint, but when I see someone’s house who’s had a painter in, you can tell the difference. ‘I’d love to learn how to plaster but I think it’d take so long to learn what a professional already knows. And it’s having the confidence to have a go. It would be great if in school they taught people to do practical things. I can put up a shelf, but it gouges great holes out of the wall and then I have to get someone in to fix that. My husband is useless. He won’t even change a lightbulb as he thinks he is going to get electrocuted ‘My parents’ generation would just do things and nobody batted an eyelid if it was a bit wonky. Or there was a neighbour who was handy or you’d borrow tools from. But no one has time to meet their neighbours anymore or to learn these things. ‘Also it would take so much longer for me to do a job, that if I am earning so much an hour from my work, I might make more doing that than I’d pay out for someone to come and do it properly. ‘I think it is a mindset. I have friends who’ll say they are having a go at tiling the bathroom and I think “Are you insane?” Then when I look at it I wonder “Maybe I could have done that”. But I have never done so far.’
My parents’ generation would just do things and nobody batted an eyelid if it was a bit wonky
NEXT MONTH: WOULD YOU LOSE A BEDROOM FOR YOUR DREAM DRESSING ROOM?
WOULD YOU LEARN A SKILL FOR YOUR RENO?
NO
Style
of the month
THE STYLE LOWDOWN
i Describe the look Natural and minimalist, both functional yet easy to live with.
Ecoburn Plus 5 widescreen stove in Sandcastle, £1,281, Arada Stoves
Ercol Teramo bed frame, £1,075, Furniture Village
i Which rooms does this work best in? Any room, but particularly the living room where you hunker down in an evening, enjoying some serious Hygge vibe.
i Which finishes? To avoid starkness, ramp up the textures. Layer on rugs, throws, baskets, cushions and linens, alongside paler woods and washed wooden flooring.
SCA NDI If a clean aesthetic ticks your interior design boxes, look to Scandinavia for your inspiration, says style editor Anna Morley Scandi midi sofa in Ash Linen cotton blend, £1,750, Cox & Cox
i On a budget? Try looking for supermarket ranges carrying the Scandi feel. Lit candles, plants and lamps can add glow, colour and extra mood lighting.
Austin rectangular dining table, £595, bench, £395, and bookcase, £495, all Habitat
i The one hero piece? A classic sheepskin rug.
Sheepskin rug, £59, JD Williams Home
Small grey footstool, £24.99, Argos
Large black and ivory stripe velvet cushion, £68, French Bedroom Company
Listerby console table in white stained oak, £90, Ikea
FOR MORE STYLE ADVICE FROM OUR STYLE EDITOR, WATCH EVERY EPISODE OF THE REAL HOMES SHOW AT REALHOMES.COM/TV
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REALHOMES.COM
i What designs should I go for? Simple furniture against a neutral colour palette of soft whites, pale to darker greys and light browns. Sage greens and dusky pinks are used, too, while patterns are graphic and often monochrome.
THE DINING CHAIR
ICONIC
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
THE CHAIR
THE LIGHT
Inve
ome is like
having that essential little black dress. Look after it, and it’ll serve you – stylishly – for years to come 49
REALHOMES.COM
THE RUG
Gold pipe ceiling light, £375, French Connection
Design Project No.019 Decor throw in plaster, from £65, John Lewis & Partners
i Knoll Barcelona R elax
Cato dressing table with mirror in Sage Green, £175, Habitat cha ir i
nV en
i
Amicie blush pink velvet ottoman bench, £249, Made
ez ia
gn Co ac
eal’s ,436, H r, £5 the lea
Green glass plant pot on stand, £32.95, Audenza
Bucolique light pink hanging rail, £150.50, Maisons du Monde
i
Red Cliffs poster, £13.95 and Soul Colors poster, £8.95, Desenio
THE CHAIR This achingly chic and elegant seat is an uber-sleek focal point for any room – making it a perfect perch for years to come
Davina antique gold round metal display dish, £53, Artisanti
Ciao bed in Carnival clever deep velvet, £1,285, Loaf
DESIGN DETAILS Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the Barcelona chair in 1929, its legs inspired by a fold up chair. Its chrome and leather structure offers opulent simplicity with a ‘less is more’ aesthetic
50
Faux fern indoor plant, £44.99, Dowsing & Reynolds
Farringdon wirework magazine rack in charcoal, £40, Garden Trading
i
Mid-century design two-drawer desk, £625, Rockett St George
Anglepoise Pau
Typ e7 5m in id
House Dice shelf unit in Dusty Green, £379, John Lewis & Partners
l Sm ith
k es p lam
3, £ tion Edi 165, Amara
Keira office chair in grey velvet and copper, £179, Made
i
THE LIGHT
The Skinny Tall locker in Olive Green, £229, Rose & Grey
Build a mid-century look around this angular light source. Precision positioning makes it the ideal task lamp for any work space Flap black medium analogue year wall clock, £125, Habitat Metal two-tier wall shelf, £39, Cult Furniture
DESIGN DETAILS British vehicle suspension engineer George Carwardine’s invention of a spring, crank and lever mechanism back in 1932, formed an integral part of the characterful and time-transcending Anglepoise lamp
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REALHOMES.COM
Home Apartment Living round memo board, £10, Argos
Calvet adjustable ceiling pendant in black and copper, £90, BHS String of hearts plant in holder, £19.50, Marks & Spencer
tiq
u
i
Old Red, £279, C ucko rug in n a i ola ers nd P e l y t e-s
on
eB id
an
i
Libra soft pink stoneware vase, £25, Habitat
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Brass pipe candle holder, £29.99, My Furniture
Madison console table, £449, Atkin & Thyme
i
i Duchess armchair, from £1,195, Content by Conran
Luxe velvet cushion, from £24, Danetti
THE RUG
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This modern interpretation of a traditional rug can give warmth and interest to any living room Dos recycled cotton blue throw, £26, Oliver Bonas
Chaser leather footstool, £559, Furniture Village
Highclere rum glasses set of two, £60, Royal Doulton
DESIGN DETAILS e ia rugs are thought to date back some 2,500 years, and were used to cover nomadic floors. The intricate patterns evolved but their timeless good looks make them an interior staple
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Rodeo leather two-seater sofa, £1,099, Cuckooland
Psychedelic Pathways wallpaper by Feathr in teal and rust, £129 per roll, Curious Egg
Cube velour teal cushion, £24, Furniture Village
Romana large
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Dylan oak lamp base and drum silk ink shade, £90, Habitat
Luce candleholders, in antique black, from £25, Oggetto
i Parquet brushed and glazed solid oak nest of tables, £229.99, Oak Furnitureland
Sputnik wall clock, £35, Marks & Spencer
Statement storage no home should be without. Stowaway or display your tableware and treasures in style Green ceramic bowl in matt green, £22, Hend Krichen Ringo LED etched ceiling light, £275, John Lewis & Partners
Lux velvet floor cushion in Flame Orange, £69, Made
DESIGN DETAILS Italian born Lucian R Ercolani founded British-based company Ercol in 1920. The smooth lines and cool yet unfussy shapes of its designs have endured the decades
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REALHOMES.COM
THE SIDEBOARD
Turkish enamel teapot, mug and tray in Ocean Blue, from £13, Objects of Use
Gisela Graham lime green flower wall plate, £12, The Contemporary Home
i Home 30-piece cutlery set, £35, Argos
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Andy Warhol Campbell’s Soup Can, orange, from £65, King & McGaw
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Clockhouse ladder shelf, £280, Garden Trading
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Broste Copenhagen Horn small vase in Terracotta, £17.50, Abode Living
Orion circular dining table, from £249, JD Williams
THE DINING CHAIR Take your lead from this zesty chair and be brave with playful shades for a zingy scheme that will lift your every day Oriel mirror, £129, Furniture Village
Olmo turquoise 12-piece dinner set, £95, Habitat
Plain large cushion, in coral velvet fabric, £25, Cult Furniture
DESIGN DETAILS Danish born Hans J. J Wegner created this steam bent ben curvaceous chair in the late 1940s. Effortlessly simple yet beautifully tactile, it looks great in all colours and in any interior scheme
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New buys on the JUNGLE BRIGHTS
BLOCK Take your pick from the latest kids’ rooms looks and shop the style at your favourite high street stores
PASTEL BLOCK
Roar! dinosaur lamp, £36, Dunelm
Woodland light blue wool lounge chair, £129.99, HomeSense
i
INDUSTRIAL STYLE
Lixhult storage combination in dark blue, £120, Ikea
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Pink marble effect geometric shapes duvet set, from £12, George Home
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Storage cube with legs, £69, Homebase
Una side table, £20, Matalan
Desk drawers, £49.99, TK Maxx
Luka single bed frame, £299, DFS
Arbor rug, £50, Habitat
Grey desk lamp, £5, Wilko
Pom Pom velvet blush cushion, £45, Laura Ashley
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Leafy faux plant in a black pot, £18, Primark
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FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
REALHOMES.COM
i
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i Wilton bed frame, £175; Safari & Friends reversible single duvet cover and pillowcase set, £25, John Lewis & Partners
Skandi housebed and mattress, £389.99; Bodie white wardrobe, £199.99; Bodie bedside cabinet, £54.99, Argos
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Andrews industrial closet, £432; Andrews sixcompartment cabinet, £291.50; for similar bed, try the Newport, £573, all Maisons du Monde
Multi-use
ROOMS (WITH ROLE-SHIFTING SUPERPOWERS)
It’s time to stretch those design muscles to create spaces that perform on multiple levels. We explain how to unleash your home’s inner Transformer ure we’d all love a separate playroom, home office, laundry room and gym (for drying said laundry in) but, as Winona will tell you, reality bites. Luckily, you don’t need to hold out for a Lottery win to get a house that punches well above its weight. Making the rooms you do have work a lot harder is easier than you might imagine. Start from the top, in the loft. Whether it’s already converted or still in the planning, you can max-up your investment by designing for dual use. Create a guest bedroom and home office/gaming den/cinema room (delete as applicable). Sofa beds are your hero buy here. A similar scenario can play out in your existing guest bedroom. Unless your home is busier than the nearest Hotel du Vin, that room is going to be empty 80 per cent of the year, so it will make the perfect quiet place to study, work or just read. While we’re still upstairs, take a look at your bathroom – any dead space lurking in there? Older homes tend to have bigger bathrooms as they were converted from a bedroom (when the outdoor lavvy kicked the bucket). If you’re in a newer build, is there an airing cupboard you’re not really using? Could you switch to a bath/shower combo rather than a separate enclosure? If so, follow the lead of continental homes
S
and stack the washing machine and dryer in the bathroom (in a cupboard or behind curtains). It makes a lot of sense since you generally take off, and store, your clothes upstairs, so there’s less traipsing up and down with mountainous laundry baskets. And you can free-up space downstairs – winning. On the ground floor, the kitchen could be targeted for office or homework space – ideally on an island or peninsula. You can also cosy-up a corner for the kids to play in if they’re small and still need supervision. Buying soft seating that converts into beds isn’t all about sofas. Look for ottomans and pouffes with hidden guest beds that can boost your accommodation in a smaller footprint – like a corner of your dining room, for example. While you’re busy plotting ways to multitask your rooms, do give a thought for the future. The best homes are futureproofed to adapt as your needs change. You won’t need that playroom forever, sob, and is there a chance working from home might become a more full-time option? Plan in that work space now, or at least get the room wired and source suitable flooring. With a bit of forethought, changing it up will only require a few decorative updates rather than a total overhaul. Your future self, and bank balance, will thank you.
Shape-shifters
Bed in a button, double, from £825, Loaf
San Fran retro desk with charger and smart speaker, £399, Furnish
Launcest lift top coffee table with storage, £239.99, Wayfair
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Fulton fabric side table, £79, Dunelm
Samsung The Frame 43in TV, £999, John Lewis & Partners
WORDS LINDA CLAYTON
We track down the best dual-personality pieces to help rooms multitask in style
Darga light grey kitchen, from £6,400, Caple
Add dining/office facilities in your kitchen without sacrificing worktop space with a split-level island. A 40cm-deep overhang is all you’ll need to provide sufficient room for a plate and glass, or laptop, and space beneath for your knees. Install an electric socket, with USB ports if necessary, to keep devices fully charged while you work but make sure it’s pretty. There’s no need for ugly white sockets to blight your beautiful island with companies like Dowsing & Reynolds and Corston Architectural now selling stylish designs.
An island unit is fine for a bit of light emailing or monitoring the kids’ homework. But for a more permanent, 9-5, office solution, you will need a dedicated area away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen sink. Try to tuck your desk around the corner if possible, and do include plenty of storage for paperwork, files and folders. Operate a ‘clean desk’ policy when you’re not earning to help you switch off and enjoy decent downtime (and keep meddling fingers away from important documents).
Left Copper and tin freestanding bath, £2,650.08, Indigenous
Flooring can be tricky in rooms that are to be used for very different purposes. Any space that includes laundry appliances or sinks will benefit from wipe-clean vinyl or tiles that can handle the odd spillage. Add an inexpensive but comfy deep-pile rug to encourage children to keep their play area contained. Carpet tiles offer the best of all worlds. They’re soft underfoot, stain resistant and can be switched if damaged without having to recover the whole floor.
Make more room for wardrobes in your bedroom by shifting your dressing table into the bathroom. This trick is especially effective if you have a generous en suite that isn’t shared by the whole household – nobody needs to be banging on a locked door to get to their make-up. A decent extractor fan is key to the safe storage of dressing room essentials. And do make sure your precious beauty products can be stowed safely in a drawer and away from direct contact with water. Include a comfortable chair, or stool that can be tucked under if space is limited. Sockets (for hairdryers) are allowed if they’re fitted at least three metres from the bath or shower.
Left Finer carpet tiles in Silver Grey, £5.99 per tile; Lunar sofa bed, £399, Carpetright
A sofa bed can turn almost any room into guest quarters. If you want visitors to feel really welcome, make the space mimic a proper bedroom when they are staying. Bedding down in your office/playroom/ living room/loft is less relaxing than one that’s centred on sleep. Choose dualpurpose furniture; a coffee table that can easily double as a bedside table, or chest of drawers with a mirror on for make-up. Go for blackout lining on window treatments and low-level lighting that can be switched on and off from bed.
Five things... ONE
The importance of fitting locks (high up). You may not need one when the kids are playing Duplo, but when Uncle Gary is staying with his new girlfriend…
TWO
you’ll discover when you have a multiuse room
You’ll have twice the ‘stuff’ to store – and never the twain should meet. Divide and conquer or, better yet, go full Marie Kondo on all but the barest essentials. Does that dusty DVD collection really spark joy?
THREE
Clear desks and paperless work spaces are as mythical as unicorns or mermaids. Invest in a desk/cabinet with doors and shut them. Tra-la-laaa, nothing to see.
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FOUR
No matter how many times you do it, you’ll never remember how to work the sofa bed. Do you pull this bar up or push it down, is there a clip to undo first? Why won’t it just open? Oh, now you’ve tweaked your back.
FIVE
The sheer genius of Tiny House Nation (Netflix). You’ll be adding a loft bed, drop-down telly and pop-up table, quite possibly in the bathroom, before the end of series one.
HOME INSTAGRAMMER
NICOLA DEUTSCH
A separate laundry room is the stuff of dreams, but isn’t it better to use the room for something less mundane? By shutting the washing machine and dryer away in a cupboard, you can have the best of both worlds. You do need to think carefully about where such noisy appliances will be welcome. Ideally they’ll be hidden in a room that’s already going to be raucous, like the playroom, or not used for too long, like a home gym. Choose laundry appliances with a delay timer so they can come on when you’re out/in bed.
For a similar washing machine, try the WCR 860 WPS, £1,699; TCR860 WP XL tumble dryer, £1,949, both Miele. Bespoke laundry cabinet in play room/ gym, designed and supplied by Chantel Elshout Design Consultancy
‘This was originally just the utility room (complete with orangey laminate floor and dark brown blinds) but we’ve adapted it to make better use of the space. The first priority was to stop it feeling so dark, so we painted it white, then added white shutters and black and white vinyl flooring. A more modern light fitting makes it look less ‘utility’. The old white radiator and window sill were painted in a lovely blue/black called Keep the Peace by Valspar. We removed some wall cabinets to create a work space, which is perfect for a laptop and storing/filing documents. As the room is on the ground floor, it’s also a playroom/ toy storage room with easy access to the toys. Multipurpose rooms are always going to be busy, so we went for a simple, monochrome décor. Popping extra storage on top of wall cabinets maximises the vertical space. Wooden crates, vintage fruit crates and belly baskets are great for storing small items, and look stylish.’ Instagram: @poetryofdecor
Flisat children’s desk, £60; Flisat doll’s house/wall shelf, £25; Flisat children’s stool, £15; Måla easel, £18; Jules children’s desk chair, £25, Ikea
You might kit your kids’ bedrooms out with plenty of space for toys, but in reality, they’ll want to be wherever you are – at least before they hit the pre-teen sulking stage. If you don’t have a separate playroom, a corner of your living room will do nicely. Clearly defining the area with colourful storage, small-scale furniture and squishy seating will help prevent them taking over the entire room. Luckily there are lots of really cute storage ideas and accessories for children out there that are stylish enough to fit with the rest of your décor.
Content by Conran Elmari tall shelving, £739; Esprit two-seater fabric sofa, £549, Furniture Village
Storage is EVERYTHING and if you can, go for built-in storage that will make the most of every inch. Track down a local odd-job person or carpenter rather than bespoke maker if it’s straightforward. Ask for recommendations locally on Facebook or Gumtree groups, but do check they have had work done and aren’t just suggesting their mates. Bi-fold doors are brilliant for units that can be left open without large doors getting in the way, or look at pocket doors which fold away when not in use.
When creating a home office in your living room, choose furniture that blends in so it’s less noticeable when you’ve logged off. Ergonomic chairs designed for long periods of use (adjustable height is handy) also look more living room than boardroom. Face the table away from the room to prevent yourself being distracted while you work. A view outside is great for relieving eye-strain during screen breaks. Shutters with adjustable slats make a useful shield against sunlight – squinting at the screen is never ideal.
Left Richmond tier on tier shutters in Ice, from £499 per m2, including measuring and larys
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Don’t forget TO ADD A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
INTERIOR DESIGNER
NAOMI CARROLL
‘When we moved to our converted barn in the Welsh hills, the master bedroom was a very boring magnolia room. Although it’s big, the pitched ceiling and window positions left little wall space for storage. We built the partition wall to create an office area, where I work and store all my samples and files. There’s built-in clothes storage behind there, too. The décor is inspired by the rural views outside but with a luxe edge. I love William Morris and found this wallpaper in a modernised colourway from House of Hackney. We also added 400year-old beams and reclaimed floorboards for a rustic feel. Each space had a clear direction, vision and purpose. Work items and clutter are kept out of the sleeping area. In a multi-use room, it’s important to be specific – don’t allow the functions of the areas to cross over or confuse. And don’t be scared to bring furniture into the room, rather than clinging everything around the walls.’ Instagram: @naomi.carroll.357
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Use a floor-standing unit to divide and conquer an open-plan living room. A simple shelving unit – like Ikea’s Billy bookcase – is all you need to create cosier spaces for studying or dining. Make sure the unit is attached firmly to the wall or floor to prevent it toppling. Think about how the contents displayed will look from both sides – shelves rammed with books will only look good from the spine side. Leave areas of shelving clear to let light travel through and prevent the room feeling enclosed.
Left Symfonisk table lamp with Wi-Fi speaker, £150, Ikea
CREATIVE WAYS WITH
Vinyl flooring
Soft, warm and oh so practical, whether you choose a vibrant pattern or go faux-natural, we’re giving vinyl the love it deserves with our pick of the best
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
W
hile wallpaper, furniture and paint embellish our homes, flooring is the real unsung hero. Facing daily stomping, muddy shoes, soapy splashes and sticky stains, our floors are the target of more wear and tear than any other surface in our home. And that’s precisely why it’s so important to choose wisely. Natural wood and real stone have charm, but man-made materials now mimic the real deal better than ever, with a huge range of patterns and designs. We’ve gathered the best for a home that’s as practical as it is stylish.
1 Lookalike
Wood-effect vinyl planks are a great alternative to real wood. Solid wood floors may warp and change shape if they get wet, so using them in the kitchen or bathroom comes with a risk. It can also warp with temperature changes, such as underfloor heating, so if you’re considering this for your kitchen or bathroom, vinyl may well be your best option. LayRed classic oak-effect flooring, £39.99 per m2, Moduleo
3 Pattern play
Go big and bold with a larger-than-life design for a real statement underfoot. This flower pattern is stylish with a subtle nod to the 70s, while the soft green keeps things fresh and clean. Ensure the rest of your décor is plain and simple to let your flooring pop and avoid overwhelming your space. Dot: Meja vinyl flooring, £48 per m2, For the Floor & More
2 Beautiful borders
Let your hallway give the best first impression by lining your floor with an intricate border. If an all-over pattern is too much for you, adding interest at the edges is a subtle way to inject some fun and personality. This scalloped design from Amtico taps into the latest trend for soft curves, making it a clear winner in our eyes. Signature Kura Opium and Kura Anise vinyl flooring, from around £70 per m2, Amtico
TOP TIP Many suppliers recommend fitters or offer their own service, but you can save money by DIYing
4 Perfect parquet
Parquet floors are the stuff of dreams for many of us. But when you can get vinyl that looks this close to the real deal, and comes with the benefits of simpler maintenance and a cushioned feel, it’s clear why parquet-effect is a popular choice. Kaleidoscope Apex KAL07 flooring, from £41.49 per m2, Karndean
5 of the best Vinyl floors Update your home for less with these great value designs
Zazous Bali vinyl floor tiles, £19.99 for 11 30.5x30.5cm tiles, Not on the High Street
Design Superior vinyl flooring in Nationale, £18 per m2, John Lewis & Partners
Rufus slate tile-effect vinyl flooring, £8.75 per m2, Homebase
5 Nature inspired
Using natural textures in your home creates a calming and relaxed space, ideal for unwinding at the end of the day. The latest technology means that vinyl floors can mimic natural stone better than ever before. While real stone can feel cold to touch, vinyl is warm, enabling you to ditch your slippers and even lower your thermostat, too. Colosseum warm concrete luxury vinyl flooring, £29.95 per m2, Lifestyle Floors
6 Tile style
GoodHome Poprock blue mosaic-effect vinyl tile, £11 per m2, B&Q
If your hopes of uncovering original Victorian tiles in your house have been shattered, never fear: you can get the look (and better) with modern vinyl. We love the bright blue, teal and red in this pattern from Atrafloor. Perfect for a welcoming, homely hallway, this design gives Victorian style a contemporary twist for the best of both worlds. Byron tile effect vinyl flooring, £59 per m2, Atrafloor
Krono Xonic Industrial waterproof vinyl flooring, £30.77 per m2, Victoria Plum
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7 Portable chic
Think vinyl, think practical. Being wipe clean, scrubbable, soft underfoot and easy to maintain, vinyl is a great option for kids’ rooms or playrooms. But if you don’t want to commit to a permanent all over vibrant pattern, a vinyl rug is your answer. Simply throw it down to protect your existing floors, and move it around the house to your heart’s content. Beaumont Terrazzo vinyl rug, £110, Amara
9 Colour block
While natural materials come up trumps for unique, intricate patterns, faux materials win on colour. There’s a whole rainbow of shades on offer, from neons to dark hues to pastels, and choosing one simple block like this is a sure way to scream confidence in your space. This soft blush is bang on trend and adds warmth to a grey bathroom. Colourblock True Colours vinyl in blush, £22.99 per m2, Carpetright
For a complete guide to vinyl flooring, head to realhomes. com/buyers-guide/ how-to-choosevinyl-flooring
8 Rug effect
Think creatively about how you use vinyl flooring and you could add a whole new dimension to your space, and save money, too. Choose patterned vinyl for beneath your dining table and plain vinyl for the rest of the room to create the look of a cosy patterned rug, without the added expense. Neisha Crosland Parquet charcoal vinyl flooring, £46.80 per m2, Harvey Maria
REALHOMES.COM
TOP TIP
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WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
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Claire Wainwright, a design and technology teacher, lives in a Victorian maisonette in West Yorkshire, with husband Mark, a traffic officer ‘There wasn’t even room for a small table when we first moved into our flat, so it made sense to knock the kitchen through to the hallway and second bathroom to make a bigger kitchen-diner. We wanted to make a feature of the area where the bathroom used to be, and considered a wallpaper mural of Roy Lichtenstein’s classic Pop Art design. However, it would’ve cost about £300 as it’s such a large space. Instead, Mark suggested painting a version himself. He drew square metre grids on the wall then copied an A4 picture by hand using acrylic paints from Hobbycraft. It’s a real talking point and people often think it’s wallpaper. Anyone that knows Mark is usually shocked he did it himself as his job isn’t creative. The dining table was a great buy at £200 from a second hand shop in Brighton, and the metal chairs were just £2 each from an antiques shop in Wales. I love combining old and new, so I’ve gone for a traditional Persianstyle rug teamed with more modern chairs. The kitchen flooring was another bargain. Tiles were out of the question as they’d be noisy for the flat below, I don’t like lino and real wood was too expensive. I got the idea for a plywood floor on Pinterest. It has its downsides – you need a lot of screws to keep the big pieces in place and it didn’t wear too well, even though we used a tough varnish. However, it only cost about £300 and it gave us the industrial look we were after. We’re planning to move soon and our new place is an old cottage so it doesn’t have the space for a big mural. It would be a shame not to continue the legacy in a smaller way though.’
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MY FAVOURITE CORNER
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Extended detached home
PATTERN PERFECT
Julia Eldon’s extended Cheshire home is a masterclass in maximalism. She takes features editor Ellen Finch on a tour
‘I love dark interiors, but I couldn’t live in an all-dark space,’ Julia says. ‘We added the dark blue to the kitchen quite recently. The wall was “mouse brown” but I felt that it needed more contrast. The light from the vaulted ceiling, bi-fold doors and rooflights balance it out.’
Walls painted in Railings and Lime White, Farrow & Ball. Pendant lights, Normann Copenhagen. Dining table, Ebay. Chairs, Ikea and Graham & Green. Splashback tiles, Tons of Tiles. Angel wings, Cox & Cox. Sofa, Ikea. Footstool, rug and leopard print cushion, Suburban Salon
Profile THE OWNERs Julia Eldon, owner of home dĂŠcor business Suburban Salon (suburbansalon.co.uk), lives with her husband, James, a head teacher, their children Fred, 16, and Amelia, 12, and their dog, Teddy THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom 1960s detached house in Stockport, Cheshire project COST ÂŁ102,000
This image Rattan chair, vintage; for similar, try Ebay. Sheepskin rug and hairpin leg stool (used as side table), Suburban Salon. Pendant lights, Swoon Editions Right Armchair, Ikea. Side table and coffee table, vintage
Q A
Building up a sustainable budget must have taken time. When did you finally start tackling the build? It took about six years from when we first moved in. Prior to that, I focused on making it aesthetically pleasing. We wanted a big, light-filled kitchen that felt like a New York loft, with oak floors and no wall units. We have two Velux windows and two bi-fold doors to bring in that light. We entertain a lot so I didn’t want a kitchen island that couldn’t be moved. Instead, we opted for a big table so that when we throw a party, we can move it over to the bi-fold doors. We couldn’t extend upwards as well with the budget we had, but we changed the layout of the first floor bathroom, rebuilt the en-suite, and uncovered a small loft space that we knocked into to make my dressing room.
A
Q
Julia, your extension is a perfect example of how well open-plan living can work, but I know it’s taken a lot of time and effort to get here. What was the space like before? It was one of those houses that had been extended and extended without a thought for the design. There were lots of doors and thoroughfares that didn’t make sense, but it had a big floorspace and we could see that it was quite a spacious house downstairs. The previous owners had made the front room into a study, behind it was the dining room, and behind that was a long galley kitchen so small there wasn’t enough room to swing a cat. Where the kitchen is now, there was a poorly converted double garage with a low ceiling that rendered it completely unusable – so it had to go.
WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE
A
Q A
Sometimes when you’re at the cusp of a huge project it can feel totally unmanageable. How did you start getting your head around it all? It really did feel that way! The house was at the top of our budget, so we had to make it liveable and leave it at that for a while. We painted everything white and bought furniture from Ikea. It took us a while to work out what we wanted to do. We were concerned about the fact that when you walked to the kitchen, the sink was such a way from the door. We also wanted to have the best view possible of the garden from the kitchen.
Q
Your kitchen feels much more of a living space than a traditional, practical kitchen. How did you get around the clutter that typically builds up? We created a separate utility that houses the wall units, microwave, fridge and so on, so the shelves in the main kitchen space can be stacked with art instead. It’s geared around our love of entertaining, and I’ve zoned the space so that you have that chilled-out sofa area, too.
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Q A
Your home is a masterclass in how to mix pattern and colour. How did you learn how to style it that way? I’ve always loved pattern and colour and I think beautiful wallpaper anchors a space. I start by deciding where I’m going to place the pattern, be it wallpaper or fabric. I used to spend days choosing fabrics and making curtains for a space! I’ll base the entire colour scheme on that pattern. I’d describe my style as maximalist – it’s something I’ve developed over the years – but I’ve always loved a good dose of colour.
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FIND MORE INTERIORS INSPIRATION AT REALHOMES.COM/DECORATING
Q
You were pretty hands-on with the project, choosing not to work with an architect or designer. How did the process go? I designed the kitchen and drew up the floor plans. We had a draftsman do the maths behind it all to present to the builders, and we had to apply for planning permission, too. The process worked quite well. All in all, it took about six months. I was definitely hands-on – I had a plan and I made sure we stuck to it! We had the bathroom done at the same time to save time and budget, and we moved the boiler upstairs.
#SOREALHOMES
MAXIMALISM
ebbs and flows as a trend in the world of interiors – often in direct contrast to its more reserved sister, minimalism. But whether it’s in or out, there’s something to be said for the bright, bold, in-your-face interest of a heavily-adorned home. No one knows this better than Julia Eldon, who creates lavish faux-fur stools, sheepskin rugs and embellished cushions for her homeware business. True to her brand, her own home is full of clashing prints, eye-catching wallpaper and a large assortment of art. You might think Julia’s home requires hours of careful curation, but she says her approach is more intuitive, with a collection of artwork and curios that she’s compiled over years. That’s not to say that her 1960s house isn’t well thought out: she’s designed an open-plan layout perfect for parties, transforming the kitchen into an entertaining hub while hiding away the boring, functional bits in a utility. I sat down with her to talk pattern, parties and reclaiming her garden…
Above Matthew Williamson wallpaper, Osborne & Little. Sideboard, vintage; for similar, try Swoon Editions. Jute rug, The White Company
Above Floor painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball. For a similar bookcase, try the Billy, Ikea
THE PLANS
EN SUITE
GROUND FLOOR
AFTER
VOID
UTILITY
UTILITY PANTRY
WC KITCHEN
BEDROOM
BEFORE
KITCHENDINER
DINING ROOM LIVING ROOM FAMILY ROOM
FIRST FLOOR FAMILY BATHROOM
EN SUITE
WC
MASTER BEDROOM
GARAGE LIVING ROOM FRONT OFFICE ROOM
EN SUITE
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BEDROOM
BED ROOM BEDROOM
AFTER DRESSING ROOM
BEFORE
FAMILY BATHROOM MASTER BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BED ROOM BEDROOM
‘The living room is where we spend our evenings in winter,’ Julia says. ‘The scheme is based around the beautiful wallpaper. I’ve made it as cosy as possible with lots of rugs and texture.’ Wallpaper, Feathr. Rug, DAY Birger Et Mikkelsen. Blue sofa, Ikea. Footstool, Suburban Salon. Side table, Made. Floor lamp, HomeSense. Table lamp and curtains, Ikea
Above Part of Julia’s art collection is showcased on a gallery wall in the hallway. ‘I choose pieces completely at random,’ she says. ‘There’s no clear theme or trends.’ Walls painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. Stair carpet, Brintons. Ceiling light, BHS. For a similar rug, try Wayfair
Above right ‘With any room, I tend to draw out the floor plan, then think about how the space might work best,’ Julia says. ‘The kids use this room most. We took the bath out so there was more space to play with – and the children get a sink each, which they love.’ Flooring, The Colour Flooring Co. Sinks, Burlington. Walls painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball. Mirrors, Ikea. Lights, John Lewis & Partners
Q A
You have a huge collection of art – from the gallery walls in the hallway to the pieces over the kitchen worktops. How do you choose what to buy? I never think it through! It’s a collection of things I’ve picked up over the years, whether it’s from small shops or auctions. I’m not one for trends – if I like something, I’ll have it. Generally, though, I love art, and I fill the walls with pieces that speak to me. I do try and make the house flow, but I take each room individually depending on its function.
Q A
With such a big living space, how do you use it when you’re not hosting parties? We get the sun in the kitchen until about three o’clock on a longer day, then it moves to the bottom of the garden. We constantly have the doors open, even on grey days. The best decision we made was to put the bi-folds in – the light we get is incredible. The sofa area in the kitchen is the most sociable part of the house, and it’s so warm and sunny in the summer.
Q A
It sounds like a dream! With the big build over, what’s on the cards for your next project? We’re going to landscape the garden. It’s a big space and now the kids are older, the climbing frames and trampoline have gone – so we’re reclaiming the space for ourselves!
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‘I think texture is such a key element to a bedroom, and I love layering the room with throws and rugs,’ Julia says. ‘It makes it feel homely, cosy and comfortable.’ Carpet, Brintons. Bedside tables, Swoon Editions. Bed covers and throw, La Redoute. Rug, DAY Birger Et Mikkelsen
Costs & contacts Kitchen renovation £75,000 En suite and dressing room £15,000 Bathroom £12,000 Total project cost £102,000 Bathroom flooring The Colour Flooring Co, 020 7254 3526, colourflooring.co.uk Paint Farrow & Ball, 01202 876141, farrow-ball.com Wallpaper Feathr, 020 3808 1023, feathr.com Accessories Suburban Salon, 07944 599494, suburbansalon.co.uk
Above ‘We discovered this loft space when we were renovating upstairs,’ Julia says. ‘We knocked through into it and I was quick to claim it as my dressing room.’
Above and right ‘With most rooms, I’ll buy one thing I love, then shop around for deals on everything else,’ Julia says. ‘I spent all my money on the French boutique-style sink – the rest of it is Ebay or DIY.’
Kelly Hoppen wallpaper, Wallpaper Direct. Floor tiles, Tons of Tiles. Stool, Suburban Salon. Mirror, Ikea. ‘Fashion’ print, Desenio
Wallpaper, House of Hackney. Panelling painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Sink, Lefroy Brooks. Ceiling light and mirror, BHS
dark side
Make like Julia and add drama and decadence with a statement bath in a blue hue
Nemi black bath, £2,133, Pure Bathroom Collection
Willow bath in deep blue, £1,590, Waters Baths of Ashbourne
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Astoria roll-top slipper bath, £479.95, Victorian Plumbing
Caversham bath panel, £240, Heritage Bathrooms
BEFORE
A GUIDE TO
Cutting the cost of your project
The home improvement you thought was out of reach? Follow our guide to saving and you could achieve what you want for less
WORDS SARAH WARWICK
D
one well, a home improvement project – perhaps an extension, conversion or an interior refurbishment – can transform your life at home, and could add to its value. But there’s no denying that it is one of life’s bigger investments, and sometimes, once you’ve met with architects and builders, what you want can seem impossible on the budget you have available. What appears not to be within your grasp, though, could be after all. There are approaches you can take to your project to make your goals feasible – and without feeling as if you’ve made compromises. Saving in this way may involve more input from you, but putting in that effort could result in a final bill that makes your project doable rather than budget-busting. Focusing on what you want to achieve rather than individual details can also help in cutting costs. If you need more light, more space, and a home that suits your lifestyle, there are a variety of ways to get there, and they don’t all have to involve complex design and bespoke buys. Like the idea of a home improvement for less? Use our tips to save and follow the lead of these cost-cutting readers who ended up with amazing results.
DISCOVER HOW THIS HOMEOWNER TURNED A ONE-STOREY SHOP INTO AN ECO-FRIENDLY TWO-STOREY HOME
real home 1
THE BIG BUILD
PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMY PHILLIPS
Clare Williamson and Oscar Baldry took on building work to turn a shop into an energy-efficient home for less ‘The derelict newsagent’s shop was the cheapest thing available, and it was within our means,’ says Clare. ‘It had been closed for almost a decade, but still had the shop fittings. We kept the original brickwork and shop front and then added a new first floor timber frame extension. ‘I’m an architect and Oscar is a structural engineer, so we had the advantage of saving on professional fees. But we took on much of the build ourselves to keep the cost down. I estimate we completed around 90 per cent of the work between us, from underpinning the foundations to insulating the building, installing the timber cladding, fitting the kitchen and taking on all the other joinery. I created a thorough budget plan before we started. If, in the course of the month, we overspent, I’d see how we could save money elsewhere. I constantly reviewed the budget. ‘We opted for rough-sawn timber cladding for the ceiling and walls of the first floor living/office space to add texture to the walls and keep plasterboard to a minimum, which meant we didn’t need any wet trades like plaster. For the kitchen, we made the birch-faced ply kitchen doors ourselves, using Ikea carcasses to create a bespoke design. The stainless-steel worktop was one of our biggest spends at £1,000, but was worth the investment. We bought appliances second-hand. ‘The house is designed to Passivhaus principles to use little energy. We’d have liked it to have been certified, but budget constraints meant we couldn’t afford it. We didn’t have to pay for a boiler: it’s heated by two 400W electric heaters and a 55W towel rail instead. ‘We love our little house. The self-build process allowed us to continually review and distill ideas. Everything has its place and is tailored to how we live.’
SPACE STRETCHER If you’re short on liveable room, you might think extending is the only way to go. However, it could be that you have enough space – but to unlock it you need to rearrange the existing layout. Equally, the hall, the area under the stairs, a landing, corridors or a conservatory might not be making the best use of the space in your home. Reworking what you’ve got could be a big cost-saver. Can’t visualise how the space could be improved? It’s worth calling on an architectural designer to consider what might be done.
THE PLANS BEFORE
GROUND FLOOR
AFTER
SHOWER
SHOP FLOOR
COSTS & CONTACTS Project cost £35,000 Design Cando, 07562 862942, candodesign.co.uk
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GROUND FLOOR
WC
KITCHEN BEDROOM
WEATHER FORECAST Line your work up for the times of the year when the weather is likely to be kinder. Of course, the conditions that could cause delays to a build project aren’t limited to late autumn and winter, but you should certainly avoid the periods when wind, rain and cold are more inclined to stop work. Labourers left hanging about could add to your final bill, and, if you’ve had to move out, any hold-ups could result in extra months of rent.
BEFORE
GO UP Expanding your home a must rather than remodelling the interior? Think about the alternatives to building outwards. A loft conversion takes the cost of groundworks and foundations out of the equation. If that’s a route which works for your home, bear in mind the simplest, cheapest loft conversion is one with rooflights. You’ll need the loft to offer sufficient head height and the result to be roomy. A dormer extension could be the next most cost-saving design, and has the benefit of adding height and volume.
REALHOMES.COM
MATERIAL WORLD ‘Widely available’ are the watchwords when you’re thinking materials for a project, if you want to keep the final bill to a minimum. Concrete blockwork with a render or timber cladding can save money. Want a brick exterior? Use these for the outside only with blocks for the inner wall. Concrete is a money-saving option for an extension sub-floor, meanwhile, but must be correctly laid. Concrete can also cut costs used as a roof tile. Inside, plywood used for shelving and built-in furniture can bring savings, while cork can provide a lovely textural wall or floor finish.
real home 2
SPACE BOOST
PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE
Jade Doutch (@jade.doutch) extended the home she shares with her son Adam for less under permitted development and by shopping cleverly ‘I’d lived here for 15 years before the extension and I’ve always loved it but I wanted a better connection to the south-facing garden and a larger kitchen,’ says Jade. ‘To improve the house, I added an extension with bi-fold doors to create a bigger kitchen and an open-plan feel. ‘My uncle is a retired architect and he drew up plans so I could get builders to quote for the work, but everything came in at well over £40,000 for the building work alone, and I just couldn’t afford to spend that sort of money. I had to make savings to bring it in closer to my £30,000 budget. ‘I extended under permitted development as I was happy with the size of extension that allowed me to add. The kitchen has been knocked through into the new addition, and I love how you can see where the old and new parts meet thanks to the exposed stonework. ‘As money was so tight, I had to shop around for everything for the extension. I had quotes of more than £6,500 for the bi-fold doors, but after researching online, I found tripleglazed designs on Ebay for £5,000. I also decided to go for standardsized rooflights so they were as cost effective as possible. Rather than a zinc roof I opted for steel – I splashed out on the limestone flooring, though. ‘I tackled the bathroom after the extension. I did it for under £2,500 by mixing great value buys with upcycled designs such as the basin. ‘To save money, I spent weeks trawling the internet for cheaper products to bring it in on budget. The worktops and shelves are scaffolding boards. I spent a lot of time in Ikea! I did all the project managing myself, and all the painting. ‘The work has completely changed the way we live here. In the summer the doors are open all day, and I watch barely any TV.’
AVOID BESPOKE An extension design that uses standard sizes for doors, windows, bi-folds, rooflights and so on will save the expense of made-to-order elements. You can then opt for off-the-shelf products that will be available for less – and without delay. Whether you’re using a design and build firm, architect or other professional, make sure you let them know this is the way you want to go at the start of the project so you don’t incur the costs of changing plans.
BEFORE
COSTS & CONTACTS Project cost £35,000, including build and fit out Build D&G, 07971 407019, dandgltd.co.uk
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SHARE COSTS It could be that the semi or terrace next door has the same space problems as yours does, and the same extension is the solution. Collaborating could mean sharing both an architect and a builder, bringing savings for both of you. It’ll also ensure you both only experience the noise and disruption of the works once instead of on separate occasions. The other bonus? Smart mirrored designs that could help make your home more appealing to future buyers.
RIGHT LINES For an extension that makes the most of your budget, think uncomplicated room shapes that will keep both materials and labour costs down. A rectangular or square addition is going to be less expensive to construct than one with curves or other complex details. It’s not just the build phase you need to bear in mind, either. A complex shape could make fit out more expensive, too, so you could also save on this part of the project with a standard layout.
SMALL CHANGES To bring your project in for less, look at your smaller choices. Installing radiators rather than underfloor heating in a new extension is likely to prove cheaper, for example. Real stone can be costly, so choosing a lookalike porcelain tile could give you the look without the financial stretch. Do you need tiles all round in a bathroom? Areas that aren’t splashed could look great with a cheaper painted finish.
THE PLANS BEFORE
GROUND FLOOR
AFTER
GROUND FLOOR
LIVING ROOM
LIVING ROOM
SNUG
FIRST FLOOR
REALHOMES.COM
CHERISH NEIGHBOURS Good relations with next door could bring cost savings. When you’re building on or near a boundary, you’re bound by the Party Wall Act and need to notify your neighbours about your plans, and get a written party wall agreement. Serving the required notice yourself avoids paying a surveyor to do it on your behalf, which will cut out a cost. What’s more, if neighbours agree to your work, you won’t have to appoint a surveyor to produce a party wall award with the accompanying bill for their time.
BEDROOM
SNUG
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
BEDROOM KITCHEN
BATHROOM DINING AREA
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real home 3
BEFORE
THE PLANS AFTER
GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
WC
SITTING ROOM
COSTS Project cost £24,500
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KITCHEN DINER
MASTER BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
‘We could see great potential but we knew we would have to save up to get our home looking the way we wanted it to,’ says Danielle. ‘The kitchen cabinets were white gloss – not what we would have chosen, but they were fairly neutral and in good condition so we decided to keep them and add character in other ways. We fitted Victorian-style tiles that cost a few pounds to make a splashback behind the sink. A cheap pan rail from Ikea was perfect to hang the copper pans we received as an engagement gift. ‘One of the biggest jobs we did in the kitchen was to install a brick slip wall to add character. We sourced the brick slips from an Ebay shop at a fraction of the price of others we’d seen. We then decided to install them ourselves. It saved us around £2,500 in labour costs. ‘Rather than employing a professional decorator, we painted most of the rooms. The only exception was the landing and hallway, due to the height of the ceilings. Painting the house saved us approximately £4,000 in total. ‘The bathroom needed replacing, and we decided to tackle most of the work, removing the existing suite and tiles ourselves. My husband and stepfather tiled the walls and floor, saving around £1,500, but we did enlist a plumber to help install the bathroom furniture. ‘We wanted some antique furniture that was in keeping with our new Victorian home and selling sites such as Ebay were the perfect place to search. Almost all of our shopping was done online so we could compare prices before buying. We found items like lighting in high street stores and waited for special offers. We also scoured vintage fair and antiques centres – we managed to find some great bargains. ‘It feels like we put a bit of ourselves into the house – now it’s a lovely place to spend time.’
UTILITY
PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMY PHILLIPS STYLING SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH
Danielle and Jason Hughes brought character back to their home and updated on a tight budget by DIYing – and being patient
PLAYROOM
PERIOD FEATURES
PERMISSION COST Could your project be achieved without the need to apply for planning permission? Some improvements may not require it at all, while others (excluding flats and maisonettes) can be achieved under permitted development (PD). Extensions, loft and garage conversions could be realised this way if you follow the rules. You’ll save £206, and the time taken for the process. Check realhomes. com for details and with local planners to ensure your PD rights haven’t been removed.
BATHROOM
FAVOUR REUSE Ripping out and starting afresh is tempting, but be thoughtful about the existing items in your home. You may be able to refresh and reuse flooring or doors, for instance. If you’re creating a utility room, could you use the old kitchen units in there (see page 134 for ideas on how to cut the cost of your kitchen)? If your old fixtures and fittings won’t suit, consider selling them. You could opt for salvaged materials yourself, too. They can be pricey if they’re in high demand, but dedicating time to searching online may yield some gems that’ll save on buying new.
WORK AROUND If your project includes work on the kitchen, examine whether you can improve the room while keeping items such as the oven and hob, sink and dishwasher in the same place. That way, you won’t have to pay out for electrical, gas and plumbing work in relocating them. Likewise, keeping the layout similar in a refitted bathroom will prove less expensive than moving the toilet, basin, bath and shower to new positions.
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#SOREALHOMES
FOR MORE I SPIRATIO , HEAD TO REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS
GARAGE GAIN Don’t park the car in the garage? You could add the extra floor space you’re after for less than the price of building an extension if you convert. The final bill will depend on the structure you start from, so get professional advice on what your project is likely to entail as, whether your conversion is achievable under PD or not, it will have to comply with the building regulations.
Mid-century renovation
FIFTIES
FLAIR BEFORE
Vintage interiors aficionados Emma and Karim yearned for a mid-century house, which they found in this Essex renovation project – now their unique new home 88
The teak splashback in the kitchen mirrors the cladded wall at the far end of the room. Elements such as the reclaimed barn door add a rustic feel to the modern extension. The white Corian worktops in the kitchen and on the island keep it looking crisp and modern. Olive green kitchen cabinets, worktops and panelling, all Distinctive Interiors. Pendant lights, Ocean Lighting. Oven, John Lewis & Partners. For similar art prints, try Vintique London
TOP TIP
Seek out reclaimed wood for flooring and cladding. It’s greener, adds character and original markings tell their own story
n Emma and Karim t viewed this house, as in its original state, complete intage Hygena n and primrose athroom suite. th loved the clean the mid-century design and were attracted to it as a ‘project’ that would also be a forever home for them and their sons. Inspired by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, they decided to add a wrap-around double extension to the side and back, creating two extra bedrooms as well as a large open-plan area and office downstairs. Emma and Karim had gathered a mix of second-hand, auction and salvaged 20th-century pieces over the years, many of them Scandinavian classics. The result is a beautiful and unique family house that feels both stylish and homely.
The walls in the open-plan living area are painted in soothing colours, with engineered floors and rugs adding warmth and texture. Underfloor heating keeps the new part of the house at a warm, constant temperature and avoids losing wall space to radiators. Dining table, West Elm. 1960s chairs, car boot sale. G-Plan bookcase, orange lamp and orange chandelier light, all bought at auction
EMMA SAYS...
WORDS AND STYLING CIARA ELLIOTT PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA MURRAY
Profile THE OWNERs Emma Westbury and Karim Karanouh, buyers/specialists in mid-century era furniture (@revolverliving), live here with their sons, Kai, 18, and Jude, 16, and dogs, Remi, a whippet, and Sneaky, a rescue greyhound THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom mid-century townhouse in the suburbs of Colchester project COST £275,000
‘I loved the whole project, particularly when the builders were knocking out the walls – I could see how the space was evolving and that we were achieving what we’d imagined. Karim and I have worked together for years so we really know how each other’s minds work. I’d say the design, DIY ideas and doing was probably a 50/50 split. ‘The first big change was when we opened up the rear of the house, putting in a wall of sliding glass doors at the back looking onto the garden. We used lots of natural materials including cedar wood panelling, oak engineered floor and a large granite hearth to create warmth and texture. We then fitted a large Scandinavian woodburning stove as a focal point. Lights fitted behind teak strips on the ceiling in the living area define this space. ‘We replaced all the windows with triple-glazed versions. We mainly used a warm neutral colour palette, with a strong colour in the kitchen. The dark khaki green sat well with the wooden floor and we wanted the teak splashback to mirror the cladded wall behind the stove at the far end to keep it cohesive and give the room warmth. The white Corian worktops make it look crisp and modern. We found the sliding barn-style doors that divide the office and the kitchen at a local reclamation yard. Although we love Scandinavian design, we have an eclectic mix of furniture thoughout the house – mainly second-hand and repurposed. That’s what we feel gives the house its character and soul. ‘During the project, I learned that my husband has the patience of a saint. He kept such a clear head all the way through the renovation. A house build will test even the steeliest of nerves and he really wasn’t ever shaken. ‘Living here is wonderful. Though it’s a large open-plan space, it’s warm and homely. When we moved back in after renting, Jude said it felt like being on holiday, except we never had to go home. I knew exactly what he meant.’
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‘The process was daunting at first, but once we started to research and get into the nuts and bolts of it, it started to become really exciting and began to have a life of its own. We had a vision as soon as we saw the house, and the fact that we had been given the opportunity to create something special here has been fulfilling. Achieving a cosy, happy space and watching the family living here has been all so worthwhile. ‘My wife Emma and I have been working together for 30 years – we run a vintage clothes and furniture business together – so while at some points during the renovating process it did get tough, we know each other so well that we could work through any problems. We’ve always been open and honest with each other, which really helps. To be honest, what I don’t know about Emma you could write on the back of a postage stamp. ‘Design-wise, we split everything we do and we mostly have the same taste. We agreed on probably 80 per cent of the decisions we had to make. For the other 20 per cent, we discussed it – and then, obviously, we went with whatever Emma said. I’ll be honest: I personally love challenges. I like problem solving. There were always unexpected problems thrown up and it felt good when we overcame them. ‘One of the only really hairy moments that I can remember is when we were having our families around for Christmas and we had a delay with our sliding doors. They were here just in time but we thought we’d be eating turkey open to the elements. Our funniest moment was the look on the builders’ faces when the olive green kitchen cabinets arrived. They thought we’d ordered the wrong colour! ‘Now that we’re here, the snagging is all done and we’re living in the space, it feels like home. I find the connection to the garden really relaxing and the open-plan living area is special – it’s the heart of the house.’
FOR MORE HOME MAKEOVER INSPIRATION, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS
KARIM SAYS...
Bought house February 2016. ‘Watching the dogs tear around the garden when we first moved in was a lovely moment’
PROJECT TIMELINE
Builders in June 2018
Planning permission granted April 2018
Build work finished; kitchen installed December 2018
Glazing installed October 2018
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Final touches added February 2019
wonderful. It’s
a large open-plan space
but it’s warm and homely
”
Above Adding a doubleheight extension with a wall of sliding glass doors at the back looking onto the garden completely opens up the rear of the house. The large Scandinavian woodburning stove is a strong focal point. Woodburning stove, Modern Stoves. Original 1930s safari chairs, bought at auction Left and far left Natural materials such as the cedar wood panelling, oak engineered floor and a large granite hearth combine to create warmth and texture. Sofa, Habitat. Cushions, H&M Home. Walls painted in Alabaster White, Dulux Heritage. Engineered wood floor, Brooks Bros Flooring. Coffee table, Egg chair, vintage phone and table, auction or Ebay. Original 1935 GPO Royal Mail print by John Armstrong, Aldeburgh Contemporary Art Gallery
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REALHOMES.COM
“
Living here is
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Below and left ‘We all love this room, which we call our “music room” as it has no TV – just a keyboard, record player and cosy fire,’ says Emma. Shelving units, Ikea. Sofa, coffee table, chair and original fairground lights, all from auctions. Plants, Perrywoods Garden Centre. Walls painted in Oxford Blue, Dulux Heritage
Karim’s office sits at the back of the house, leading off the kitchen, and was initially designed to be twice the size, but was scaled back at the last minute. ‘The builders were marking out the foundations when we had a change of heart, and I’m so glad we did,’ he says. ‘It would have encroached too much on the patio and garden.’
REALHOMES.COM
Sofa bed, Ikea. Desk, machinist chair and original Scandinavian ceiling light, auction buys. Walls painted in Slate, Dulux Heritage. 60s print by Deborah Jones (over sofa), bought at a local gallery
THE PLANS GROUND FLOOR
BEFORE
DINING ROOM
LIVING/DINING ROOM
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM
BEFORE
FIRST FLOOR
AFTER
KITCHEN
GARAGE CONSERVATORY
HOME OFFICE
AFTER
BEDROOM
BATH ROOM
WC
WC
WC BEDROOM
MUSIC ROOM
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BEDROOM
EN SUITE BATH ROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BED ROOM
Contacts Architects Stanley Bragg, 01206 571371, stanleybragg.co.uk Builder C&K Developments, 01621 819287 Kitchen Distinctive Interiors, 01206 861268, distinterior.com Bathroom Graham’s Bathrooms, 07917 058246, bathroomshowrooms.co.uk Glazing M&M Glazing, 0141 554 1010, mandmglassand glazing.co.uk Flooring Brooks Bros Flooring, 01621 877400, brookstimber.com
Above The glass wall at the front of the house is integral to the original architecture of the property and was what drew the couple to it in the first place
The master bedroom is simple and uncluttered, with muted colours echoing the mid-century palette used throughout the house. Bed, Made. Mirror, Ikea. Bedside tables, Ebay. Bedlinen, H&M Home. The George Melly Jazz print was Emma’s dad’s. Chest, storage removal chest from a salvage yard
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TOP TIP Use the same tiles for walls and floor for a striking effect, and to make the room feel bigger by obscuring the edges
The timeless appeal of black and white is key to this bright and cheerful monochrome bathroom, which is uplifted with pops of yellow accessories and plants. Gap vanity unit and bath, Roca. Matki shower enclosure, CP Hart. Mirror, Habitat. Hexagonal tiles, Tile Mountain
BREAKFAST IN BED
Be inspired by Emma and Karim and add instant luxury with an upholstered headboard
Evie bed in Berry Purple, £950, Living It Up
Sandringham bed in grey velvet, £279.99, Furniture Choice
Ruffle bed in Bumblebee clever velvet, from £845, Loaf
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Carina Ocean velvet bed, £329, Danetti
Make it happen
House full of half-finished projects? Stop-gap solutions still in-situ three years on? Journalist Linda Clayton tackles the importance of scheduling, and how to manage the work so that it flows smoothly and, hallelujah, actually gets finished‌ 100
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WORDS LINDA CLAYTON IMAGE GETTY
3 of the best…
FIND MORE TIPS ON ORGANISING A PROJECT AT REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS
W
hether it’s a small section of skirting A SIMPLE SPREADSHEET missing in the downstairs loo, or temporary fittings that become LISTING EXPENSES AS permanent fixtures, never quite finishing a project is more common than you’d think. As a serial renovator, T H E Y A R E PA I D C A N M A K E with zero budget for a project manager, I’m a frequent offender. Getting caught up in the excitement of starting A HUGE DIFFERENCE a project is easy. Staying interested, and bringing it home… not so much. My problem is that I lose the will once the One of the biggest stumbling blocks to a smooth pretties are done, or the room is at least habitable, and schedule occurs when someone lets you down. ‘This can have move on in search of fresh excitement. major knock on effects because if one trade doesn’t finish, For many others, like Debbie Goodwin (aka others can’t start, leading to rolling delays. Get on the phone @fixingupfarnley), running out of funds was an issue. and speak to the person first to explain how vital their role is ‘We didn’t have the money for the bed I wanted by the and ask if they have got any other solutions. time we got to doing our spare bedroom, so Could they work the evening or weekend for decided to wait until the right thing came example? If that’s not possible, could they up on Ebay,’ she explains. It took two years, recommend a colleague? If all else fails, ask and a looming shoot for the Real Homes the rest of the team on your project for Home of the Year Awards before Debbie recommendations so that you can keep the got round to finishing the space, along with Apps to help you reach your goals project moving forward,’ advises David. a few other projects started but not finished Anyone who has ever watched Grand in the process. Designs will know about the importance of This time round (fourth home lucky?), MONEY DASHBOARD setting a budget but, as the show so often I’m determined not to down tools until Show This free app shows all transactions proves, few of us actually keep track of Home status is reached and, I’m told, proper from all your accounts in one place spending. A simple spreadsheet listing advance planning is the key. Not just the and lets you set up multiple budgets expenses as they are paid can make a look/paint colours (the fun stuff that I enjoy), with notifications of overspending. Planning and prediction tools help huge difference. You’ll soon spot if you or even the big decisions that only a fool you budget cash for future are overspending, and get the chance to would neglect (planning permission, projects, too. either rein things in or cut costs elsewhere booking a builder). I’m talking about really to compensate. If you’re super smart, locking down and ironing out all those tiny you’ll also track anticipated spending decisions that can, and will, trip you up if so you have an idea of how much more you’re not prepared. REAL HOMES you need to cough up. Dean also suggests According to interior designer MAGAZINE holding regular site meetings with the main Dean Armstrong, director of Armstrong Get your home renovation contractor or builder and following up with companion in your pocket with Keyworth, it helps to work through your the digital version of the bullet points of the issues discussed by decisions in the order that they need to magazine. From build costs, email so that you have everything in writing. be made. ‘Every project should start with planning permission advice and ‘This is especially important if you make the messiest stuff, and then get neater as project inspiration, each issue changes to the original plan as the “extras” you carry on towards the final finishes,’ will help you achieve your bill can really mount up from what was he explains. Planning a timeline in this dream project. originally quoted and it’ll help prevent way means you won’t get caught on the nasty surprises,’ he adds. hop and make rush decisions you end up The last pivotal part of a project regretting. ‘The more decisions you can RATED PEOPLE that’s so often overlooked is the snagging. make in advance, the better, right down This free app allows you to type in Make plenty of time in your schedule, and to the position of furniture. So even if you your job, time frame and location to budget, to iron out those imperfections. haven’t chosen the exact sofa or TV you receive quotes from local (and They might be the fault of a particular want while your house is still a building available) trades. Read reviews from trade, due to your own indecisiveness or site, at least you’ll know where they’re past customers before you commit. just unavoidable when there are so many going so the power sockets are in the Also, the cost guides on how much people are on site. right place,’ he adds. common jobs might set you back is Whatever the case, it’s important you The next essential task is to identify useful for budgeting. don’t pay your final bills until you have been how you will keep things moving along, given chance to inspect the work. And if especially if you are the sole project nobody is to blame, make sure there’s money manager. ‘When it comes to communicating in the pot to get the problems sorted. ‘It is vital to address effectively with multiple trades, face-to-face is often the even the smallest defect because quality is in the detail. A most effective, but it’s not always practical to get everyone paint smudge or misalignment might seem minor, and indeed together,’ says David Conlon, founder of En Masse Bespoke go unnoticed in the excitement of moving into a new room, Interiors. ‘Group emails are a great way of keeping everyone however, it can drive you to distraction in the months to come,’ up-to-date, and setting up a project group on WhatsApp is argues Charlotte Docherty, associate, gpad London. With another good idea. It’s also good to use tradespeople who have meticulous planning, good communications and tight control previously worked well together. If they are already familiar of the budget, there’s less chance you’ll run out of enthusiasm with each other, it’s likely they’ll communicate better, which or dollar for drapes before the final curtain call. can save headaches further down the line.’
COMING NEXT MONTH
PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
in your new
Be inspired by amazing before and after home transformations Discover the best ways to improve and extend a semi-detached house Clever ideas to cut the cost of a new bathroom The latest trends and must-read style tips
On sale 30 january
Project planner Dreaming of extending your home, but not quite sure where to begin? A home extension is a big deal and involves a lot of work, so if you’re feeling apprehensive, you’re not alone. There’s so much you can do to prepare before you even think about hiring a builder, and that’s where the new section of the Real Homes Show comes in. From planning permission to building regulations, we reveal everything you need to know before you extend, helping you approach your project with confidence.
E H T O T N I E TUN W O H S S E M O H L A E R
W WAY TO E N G IN IT C X E HERE’S AN T ? S E M O H L A E TV SHOW E IN L N O R U WANT MORE R O FIX WITH S R IO R E T IN R GET YOU
PHOTOGRAPH MALCOLM MENZIES (TOP RIGHT)
Sony Bravia KD-55XG7003BU 55-inch Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV, £699, Currys
Fire TV stick with Alexa voice remote, £39.99, Amazon
SMART TV Do you need a Smart TV? What do they even do that a standard TV doesn’t? Our tech expert, Verity Burns, breaks down the jargon to reveal r wh what you really need to kn n now. Sit back and learn how tech can truly make your life easiier. It’s not as complex as you may think.
Zag berber rug, £220; Belgrave sofa, £1,519.20, John Lewis & Partners
TREND ALERT Looking to revamp your living room and not sure how to create a cohesive scheme? From 17 January, we’ll be talking you through the latest interior design trends, taking you room by room to show you how to achieve each look on a budget.
WATCH H EVERY EPISODE E AT REALHOMES.COM/TV 103
Victorian extension
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE Georgia and Matt’s extended Victorian home shows that design flair and practicality can go hand in hand
‘I haven’t always been a risk taker when it comes to design, and my sister was massively helpful in suggesting ideas,’ Georgia says. ‘Whatever we came up with together, I’d go ahead and deliver.’ Kitchen units, worktops, taps and sinks, Burlanes Interiors. Moduleo flooring, Kentish Flooring Centre. Splashback tiles, Tons of Tiles. Pendant lights, John Lewis & Partners. Dining table, Made. Chairs, Graham & Green. Rooflights, Roofmaker. Bar stools, Ikea hack
BEFORE
Moved in July 2015
PROJECT TIMELINE
when I told them what I wanted to do, or direct everything at my husband,’ she said. ‘Eventually we met with Faber Developing. They offered solutions and showed so much enthusiasm. We liked them straight away.’ Georgia wanted the kitchen to be the hub of the house. ‘We love entertaining and needed an indoor-outdoor space – it works well with kids running around, too,’ she says. ‘I wanted a functional kitchen, a big table, a cosy seating area to sit and have a coffee, and an outdoor kitchen.’ The garden was landscaped with that in mind. ‘The first decking level is flush with the kitchen, and we chose sliding doors to connect the two. They don’t take up as much space as bi-folds and they act as a smoke screen when we cook outside.’ Having played the design of their old house safe, Georgia wanted to take a bigger risk with her approach to this one. ‘That meant darker colours, more modern glazing – things I’d avoided before,’ she says. The inspiration for her kitchen scheme comes from an unusual source. ‘Living in the Royal Borough of Greenwich with its maritime history, we wanted a sea theme, so I based the colours on a mussel shell. Black, navy blue and pearl tones – it’s the perfect palette. The kitchen designer just said, “I’ve not heard that one before, but I can do it”.’ Aesthetics aside, the house had to be functional, too. ‘Practicality is paramount to me,’ Georgia says. ‘We designed the kitchen as a great party space, right down to details like the extra sink, which we can fill with ice to chill wine.’ Instead of real wood, the flooring is vinyl to withstand foot traffic, and the decking outside is thermally-treated softwood. The upstairs den – ‘one of the best ideas we’ve ever had,’ Georgia says – is a multipurpose office/music room/guest bedroom, and the master bedroom has been cleverly designed to hide an en suite and walk-in wardrobe behind concealed panelled doors. The house is a testament to Georgia’s determination to come up with ingenious solutions to often difficult problems. When a lighting designer installed 17 spotlights in the living room – ‘I could have performed surgery in there, it was that bright’ – she enrolled on a lighting course, ripped down the ceiling and redesigned the entire scheme. Still, the hard work has paid off. ‘I still walk from room to room and pinch myself,’ Georgia says. ‘It’s tricky to say what my favourite part of it is – but the happiness it brings my family is the best thing of all.’
Builders on site February 2017
Planning permission gained January 2017
First party in the new space Easter 2018
Kitchen installed December 2017
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Garden completed August 2019
WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS JEMMA WATTS STYLING JESS TAVERNER
ld you be confident enough to design your n home? Some of us flinch at the idea of g anywhere near a set of floorplans, but eorgia and her husband Matt, it was an rtunity to mould their house around their y’s needs. ‘Form and function’ is Georgia’s , and it shows: her home is full of beautiful s like bespoke joinery and near-frameless , but it’s also practical for young children, parties the couple love to throw. This house wasn’t always Georgia’s dream home, though: ‘When I first saw the property on paper, I said, “I’m not buying that,” she says. ‘It was split into two flats and the ground floor one was dilapidated. There were even snails on the carpet! The upstairs flat was in a better state, but it had ceramic fuses and exposed pipework.’ More alarmingly, there was a half-metre fall in the floor from front to back from historic bomb damage. ‘My daughter asked why there was a hill in the house!’ Georgia adds. ‘Still, I could see the potential and as we walked around, I started reconfiguring it in my head. We made an offer within an hour.’ With so much to do, the renovation was a huge undertaking, but one the couple were willing to take on. ‘It was scary, but we had the opportunity to redesign the house around how we live,’ Georgia says. ‘I mentally unpacked everything we owned and asked myself where it would go, as well as what day-today scenarios we needed to accommodate – for example, where the kids would dump their stuff after school.’ Keen to extend to create a family kitchen-diner, the couple commissioned two architects to come up with designs. ‘They both failed planning, so we decided to take on the role ourselves,’ says Georgia, who is a chartered surveyor. In fact, she self-designed the entire project, turning challenges into opportunities. ‘A difference in levels between the old dining room and new kitchen meant that to connect the two, the side return wall would need to be 3.8m high – which wouldn’t pass planning,’ she says. ‘Instead, we topped the approved wall with 60cm of glass clerestory. Not only did it solve the connection problem, it created a stunning feature in the dining space.’ Planning approved, Georgia found her builders after a long search. ‘Some of them would say, “Ooh, that’ll cost you,”
This image and left ‘I wanted the garden to feel connected to the house,’ Georgia says. ‘I hate being able to see the furniture from the kitchen – it can be ugly, especially as it’s covered up for half the year – so I created a sunken pit for the table and chairs.’ Winner of the Real Homes Garden of the Year award, you can see the full garden reveal in a future issue of Real Homes Sliding doors, Express Bi-folding Doors. Decking, Benchmark Timber. Cladding, Marley Cladding. Outdoor kitchen, Faber Developing
Profile THE OWNERs Georgia Blundell and her husband, Matt, both chartered surveyors, and their children Orla, 10, and Milo, five THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom late Victorian terrace in Blackheath, south-east London project COST £343,000 for the entire house and garden renovation
TOP TIP Like the look of open shelving on an island, but worried about things getting knocked off? Glass doors are a classy solution
Left and below ‘The snug is an adultsonly area,’ Georgia says. ‘At night, it’s somewhere we can light the fire and have a glass of wine. We might all snuggle up in here and watch a film on a Sunday, but generally it’s our space. After all, the rest of the house was designed around the family.’ Some of the pieces in the room, including the armchair and the console table, were inherited from Georgia’s mum. ‘They make the room really special to me,’ she adds. Moduleo flooring, Kentish Flooring Centre. Walls painted in Drop Cloth, Farrow & Ball. Floor lamp, Made. Woodburning stove, Westcombes Fires. Sofa, HomeSense. Curtains, Laura Ashley. Shutters, Hillarys. Coffee table, Retrouvius
TOP TIP Renovating a period home? Keep the front rooms traditional to tie in with the property’s era and modernise at the back
store it all
Steal Georgia’s style and choose a rustic vintage-look coffee table to keep clutter att bay
Low blue lacquer table, £795, Shimu
Old painted chest, £265, Scaramanga
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World Menagerie Django trunk, £649.99, Wayfair
Ariana chest coffee table, £620, Sweetpea & Willow
RE ALHOMES.COM
Above Floor tiles, British House of Ceramic. Walls and panelling painted in Strong White and Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. Ceiling light, Garden Trading. Mirror, Graham & Green. Bench, Ikea hack
‘We lost a bedroom when we created the master en suite and wardrobe and we didn’t want to lose another,’ Georgia says. ‘So we added a sofa bed to this room and carved out an en suite. It’s great for grandparents who can’t tackle the house’s many steep stairs! Guests love it – we’ll often find them sitting outside on the balcony in the morning with a cup of coffee.’
TOP TIP Joinery, Faber Developing. Wall painted in Pavilion Gray, Farrow & Ball. Karndean flooring, Kentish Flooring Centre. Sofa, John Lewis & Partners. Pouffe, Ikea. Grey knit cushions, Dunelm. Abstract multicolour cushion, Made. Wall lights, Industville
Want to make room for an office? A guest bedroom? Both of the above? Read our guide to multi-use spaces on page 58
Below Wall tiles, Mandarin Stone. Mirror, John Lewis & Partners. Sink, Discount Bathrooms. Pendant lights, Industville. Basket, H&M. Shower, CP Hart
Above ‘We tried to make the kids’ rooms fun,’ says Georgia. ‘When the builders were working on the roof, I asked them to put a bolt in so I could hang the pirate ship hammock in Milo’s room for story time.’ Carpet, Kentish Flooring Centre. Hammock and bunting, Ebay. Bookshelves and crates, Ikea hack
THE PLANS BEFORE
GROUND FLOOR BEFORE
FIRST FLOOR AFTER
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AFTER
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PLAYROOM
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BEDROOM
BATH ROOM
BATH ROOM
EN SUITE WALK-IN WARDROBE
UTILITY/ WINE CELLAR
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MASTER BEDROOM
BEDROOM
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REALHOMES.COM
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Costs & contacts Build work £210,000 Glazing £60,000 Kitchen £30,000 Garden £22,000 Decorating £13,000 Professional fees £5,000 Furniture £3,000 Total project cost £343,000 Builder and joiner Faber Developing, 07584 048296, faberdeveloping.com Kitchen design and fit Burlanes Interiors, 01732 605001, burlanes.com Garden landscaping Bes Landscapes, 07956 926294, beslandscapes.co.uk Decorator Alb Decor, 020 3624 6847, albdecor.co.uk
Above and left ‘The panelling in our bedroom was inspired by a picture I saw online,’ Georgia says. ‘I loved the idea of concealed doors, so it hides the entrance to the walk-in wardrobe and the en suite as well as the exit to the landing.’ The bedside tables are an Ikea hack and the Hell is other people print was handmade. Walls painted in Mole’s Breath and Worsted, Farrow & Ball. Bed, Feather & Black. Cushions and throw, John Lewis & Partners. Never grow up print, HomeSense. Curtains, handmade with Prestige fabric. Pendant lights, Industville. Cabinetry, Faber Developing. Ceiling light, Dowsing & Reynolds. Ottoman, Faber & Black
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This image and left The vanity unit in the couple’s en suite is an upcycled Laura Ashley sideboard. Floor tiles, bath, sinks and shower, Discount Bathrooms. Metro tiles, Mandarin Stone. Large mirror, Mirror Shop. Taps, CP Hart. Wall lights, John Lewis & Partners. Pendant lights, Industville
TOP TIP Not sure how to style your walk-in shower? Zone the space by using contrasting tiles to the rest of the bathroom
over to Wallet feeling empty this month? Readers share their top tips on budget renovations…
YOU
‘If you’re living at home
‘Do your
to save money during a project, think of it as a
homework –
camping adventure’
mistakes and
‘We moved into our dream Victorian property in 2016. During our first viewing I walked into the hallway to see sunshine streaming through a stained glass ceiling. I was in love! The house needed renovating and with myself, my husband and our two teenage kids, it was a challenge. We replaced the roof and rotten floors, knocked down walls, installed a new central heating system, updated the kitchen and bathrooms and plastered throughout. ‘I was in charge of the budget. I come from the finance world so it made sense. We had so many tradespeople involved, so costs could very easily have run away from us. I itemised every task, assigned a budget for each task, and calculated a total estimated spend. I made sure jobs came in on budget and any overspends were recouped elsewhere. It was all about weighing up priorities and doing research. ‘As with any renovation, especially of an older house, things go wrong. For us, it
was the utility room. We’d put the stud walls up and then realised we didn’t like the flow, so we asked the builders to move them. It was hectic and added more costs, but we saved money elsewhere – like the beech worktop I found online for a quarter of the price the tradesman had quoted. ‘If you’re living at home during a project to save money, think of it as being like a camping adventure. Set up a little kitchen and try to ignore the dust – it gets everywhere! We had the kids washing up dishes in the bath, and there were many trips to M&S for a ready meal. My final tip? Never be ashamed to ask for help – even if it’s just, “Can you feed my kids tonight? We haven’t got a kitchen!” It’s hard work, but I miss it. If I did do another one, though, I definitely wouldn’t live in it!’ @carolinewatterson
‘Shop around. If you find something you want FEATURE ELLEN FINCH
but it’s way out of budget, do your research and find
‘YouTube is your friend. My husband learned to do everything himself. I’d also add that if you’re mad and poor enough to live in (we are), drink wine.’
a cheaper alternative’
@DUSTYBUNGALOW
@INTERIORSBYMARY
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changing your mind will cost time and therefore money, so have a plan’ @LOVENILO_IE
‘Thanks to sourcing most things on Ebay, my renovation was a bargain – we got a kitchen for less than £2,000. Closing-down sales are handy, too.’ @INTERIORBYTHESEA
@HEPSCOTTHOUSRENO
‘We want to show that it’s possible
‘The house was stripped of period features, including the fire surrounds, and we wanted to reinstate them. I snapped this beauty up for £40. It came out of a house in Bayswater but had been in an Ealing sitting room for years. I love the idea of the journey it’s been on.’ @homemade_ morgan
to do things on a modest budget’
‘Source things yourself – you can save loads’ @OVERATNO_43
‘Don’t spend it all on the build and leave nothing for finishes. If that means reining in the size of the extension or using different materials, think about that at the beginning. Just because you can extend to 6m under permitted development, doesn’t mean you need to.’ @FRESHSTART_LIVING
‘Don’t be ashamed to haggle!’ @VICTORIANHOME_ESTD1883
‘Paint and charity shops are your friends… as long as you’re not afraid of a bit of elbow grease!’ @SAIMHIN_SO
‘Buy what you can in the sales, even if you don’t need it just yet. You could save a substantial amount by savvy shopping.’ @LORRAINEWILSONBROWN
‘We bought our house a year ago after five years of renting. We settled on a tiny house around the corner from my parents. It was smaller than we would have liked, but that was a compromise to stay closer to family. Our project is all about making the most of the space. We’ve applied for planning permission for a small rear extension to the kitchen. Until that’s in place, we’ve been working on the upstairs, looking at what we can change for little cost but maximum impact – things like replacing the tiny doors to the walk-in wardrobe, which limited how easily we could reach the top shelves, with new sliding doors. ‘We’ve kept costs down by calling in favours. For the extension, our builder will be doing the shell of the build, the roof and the doors. The rest is left to us! My dad knows a lot of tradespeople through work, so we’re sourcing our plumber and an apprentice plasterer through him. We have an electrician in the family, too. My poor dad is due to retire in March and he’s just finished his own house, but we’ve roped him into working on ours next! ‘We have a good idea of our finances. We spent £5,000 on the upstairs, and we have £10,000 for the big build and £5,000 for a kitchen. I have a Google sheet with lots of deadlines to keep track. We became more relaxed for a while, until I fell pregnant again! We’re now under pressure to finish by March. Renting for five years has been good for our budget – it’s made us see what’s important in a home, so we’re much more sensible about what we need. We watch a lot of renovation programmes where they have tens or hundreds of thousands to spend – but we want to show people that it’s possible to do things on a modest budget too.’ @lfitch2012
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‘This old chest of drawers needed some love but was a bargain at £32. I sanded it up, painted it a pretty pink, did LOTS of coats of strong varnish and added some handles. It came out a treat.’ @ homebythestation
‘I spend a lot of time on Ebay, whether that’s looking for something in particular or just drifting about swooning over extravagant items I don’t need. The sideboard is from there. My tip is don’t be prescriptive: get searching and give yourself time to get the right thing at the best price. It’ll be worth it in the end!’ @almost_ everything_off_ebay
‘When I first moved into this flat, my housemate had a stunning gold antique mirror in our lounge. A month later he moved out, sadly taking the mirror with him. I knew I had to find a replacement – fortunately I found a nearly identical one on Ebay.’ @homewith kelseytowers
PHOTOGRAPH FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT (ABOVE)
‘If you can, wait to order the big things, like kitchens, when sales are on. Most kitchen and bathroom companies have sales on at various times of the year. See if you can reuse things like bathroom sinks and taps, too.’
...YOUR FAVOURITE EBAY BUYS
WHAT’S #TRENDING FOR
Soft, soothing shades of green, big bloom wallpaper, midnight blue wall tiles… more brands are hitting us with the paint/ wallpaper/tile of the year than ever, but what makes a trend and how should we use them, asks Jennifer Morgan
eeling motivated to begin the year with the ritual of the annual declutter? You might be moved to do a spot of redecorating at the same time, having been inspired by the new season’s looks hitting the shops. But have you ever stopped to think where these interiors trends come from, before you go all-out for ‘modern-eclecticScandi-nature-with-a-twist’ in your living room? ‘Trends are usually a reflection of changing social and cultural moods,’ says Naomi Pollard, who directs trend consultancy in homes for Trend Bible, a global trend agency (trendbible.com). ‘We start by evaluating the socio-political, economic and cultural landscape, asking: How do we think people will be thinking and feeling a year from now? What will life at home look and feel like? What kind of events or technologies might impact this? We then look specifically at the aesthetic references, colours, shapes and materials that we see emerging in design that best reflect this feeling. We look to independent designers, artists and influencers who are producing ideas and designs that have the potential to filter down to the mainstream.’ ‘A successful trend for homes has to be something that looks great,’ explains Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux UK, and a member of the panel behind Dulux Colour
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INSPIRED? FIND MORE INTERIORS IDEAS AT REALHOMES,COM/DECORATING
London Design Festival, Maison et Objet and Dutch Design Week. ‘Some shows tend to be more useful for validating trends we’ve already spotted on the horizon,’ says Naomi. Talking of what’s on the horizon, what will our homes look like in 2020? ‘We’re expecting to see a big focus on Japanese culture, not only in response to the Rugby World Cup and the Olympics, but because traditional concepts like wabi sabi (the beauty of the imperfect) and ikigai (focus on things that provide meaning in your life) have never been more important for consumers,’ predicts Naomi. ‘We’re also going to see an important shift from cool greys to warmer nude and putty neutrals. Look out for colours that promote healing, such as soothing greens, energising lilacs and warm tans and caramels. Looking ahead, we’re forecasting a return to bolder colour and a more personal approach to decorating that doesn’t worry too much about what other people think.’ ‘We’ll definitely be seeing more eclectic, highly decorative interiors,’ agrees Fionnuala. ‘We’ve called the trend “New Eclectic”, which is a real celebration of interior design; bold colours and heritage shapes. Of course, you can just swap your cushions for a bolder collection, add a gallery wall, or go all-out maximalist. It’s all about people being optimistic and expressive, creating a space that’s fun to be in.’ But it’s not just about being bold. ‘Material trends are really exciting at the moment, too,’ adds Fionnuala. ‘Cane and rattan are enjoying a resurgence. We’re selling a cane dining chair, occasional chair and even a bedroom range. It’s a step forward in how we think about trends and materiality.’ So, nature and how we connect to it is still a very much a growing trend. Look no further than Dulux’s Colour of the Year, as Marianne explains. ‘Tranquil Dawn is a colour that works on every wall in the places you want to feel relaxed, unhurried and at peace. It melts away the barrier between the indoors and out, so it helps a room feel more spacious. And because it’s a soft green, it works like a neutral colour and goes with everything you already have. ‘Most trends that involve highly saturated colours don’t last long,’ she adds. ‘Fashion trends are like a sugar rush. We all get swept away by the craving and love the hit, but ultimately it’s a short-lived thing. Interiors trends are a golden thread that subtly connects one successful interiors story to the next… they are an organic development of style.’ So, here’s to giving the interiors trends of 2020 your own spin. ‘A good way to embrace interiors trends is to add a few accessories to your scheme to keep it fresh,’ explains Sally. ‘Even a cushion in the latest colour or pattern will give your space a modern lift.’
#SOREALHOMES
WORDS JENNIFER MORGAN IMAGE NICK ROBERTSON
of the Year 2020. ‘Home trends need to be fresh, but familiar enough to feel comfortable, and create an atmosphere that encourages a specific activity, whether that’s eating together, working more efficiently from home or sleeping better.’ ‘Totally,’ agrees Fionnuala Johnston, partner and senior designer at John Lewis & Partners. ‘One of the biggest changes is actually how we approach trends today: we look more at macro trends, how people live within their homes and what’s important to them, what they want to get and how they want to feel, rather than just aesthetic trends.’ Such an approach gives trends longevity; think of JOMO (the joy of missing out) or the enduring popularity of the drinks trolley, says Naomi. ‘Trends have this longevity when they resonate with an important social movement,’ she explains, ‘but it’s also important to look for trends that are an evolution of something we’re already familiar with. These tend to have high sticking power and can evolve in the future too. Think about the shift from pale Scandi greys to dark Down Pipe (Farrow & Ball) shades and charcoals in British interiors.’ ‘The thing with trends is that there are faster and slower ones,’ says Fionnuala. ‘We don’t often come out with something that is completely new in every aspect, something that you haven’t seen before. It’s more layering: working with the base of how people live, then adding to what they have to tell a story.’ This storytelling is a key part of trend prediction, as Marianne explains: ‘I think I’m more of a trend interpreter and communicator than setter. The developing world around us dictates what will be the next big thing and you have to be out there immersing yourself in everything from art and design to music and fashion. I like to keep up with new designers in all disciplines and see how the next generation of creative talent is responding to the world. When you know what’s going on, you can spot the threads of connection to colour and interpret how it might come to life in our homes.’ ‘I think people are embracing their own styles more now and have more confidence to follow a look that is really them,’ says stylist and creative director Sally Denning (@blackshorestyle), who takes trends and interprets them for her clients (including Little Greene, Harlequin and Christy Home as well as interiors magazines). ‘Pinterest and Instagram have helped to inspire, along with magazines – which are still my favourite – and I believe people are a bit braver to know what things will work for them.’ ‘It’s important to us that our trends are as real-life as possible,’ explains Naomi. ‘We have to be able to imagine each trend working in people’s homes.’ The Trend Bible team visits around 30 shows each year – including Milan Design Week,
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Smooth operator
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Oof, this extension is sleek. Look at the way the timber frame snakes around the glazing. The architects describe it as a ‘portal’ and you can see where they got it from: the curve of the wood leads directly to the door and draws your eye straight into the kitchen. This is all clever stuff, and a prime example of what employing an architect can get you if you’re looking for something beyond the norm for your new extension. Just make sure they don’t accidentally create a real-life wormhole in the process – or you might get a bit more than you bargained for. Project cost: £167,000. Cladding, Russwood. Glazing, Vwindows. A-Zero Architects, 020 7701 2664, a-zero.co.uk
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WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPH ADAM SCOTT
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KITCHEN EXTENSION
DIARY
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS LIND DA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS (BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT) CORSTON ARCHITECTURAL DETAIL (CORSTON.COM), CHARLOTTE JADE (CHARLOTTE-JADE.CO.UK)
Ever wondered if it’s possible to project manage a massive kitchen extension and remain sane? Interiors journalist Linda Clayton is finding out the hard way… Bingo-bango, it was finally time to start spending on the pretties. What a relief, after months (so many months) of haemorrhaging cash on ugly stuff like concrete and trench blocks. Don’t get too excited though, shopping for the actual kitchen was still a long way off, I’m talking about the second fix goodies, like switches, sockets and door knobs. In more pretentious moments, I like to think of them as ‘jewellery for your home’. Whatevs, shopping for things that don’t come from the builders’ merchant felt like a real turning point. We were finally clawing our way out of the dirt and dust – huzzah! Of course, in the olden days, switches and sockets did come from the builder’s merchant and, Sweet Baby Cheeses, weren’t they grim? But now, in the Insta/Pinterest era, good design is in high demand and there’s no excuse for ugliness just because a product is predominantly practical. What a time to be alive. Before long I’d gathered every online hardware brochure available, from top end brands like Forbes & Lomax ( just for the kicks, we hadn’t won the Lottery, sadly) to the ones all good Real Homes’ readers know and love, like Dowsing & Reynolds and Ocean. A chat with our lovely electrician revealed that picking on looks alone would be a big mistake. Huge. Especially since we wanted di dimmers on some circuits, i it and dimmers are notoriously tricksy. You see, not all dimmer switches work with all light fittings, and vice versa, and d th the result lt can be b epileptic il ti fit-grade flickering. Actually that chat soon turned into
it’s time to shop for second fix goodies
‘Prepping for the first coat of paint and the second fix’
‘It may look innocent but that hardware nearly broke me (and the electrician) in the choosing!’
‘How awesome do Corston’s switches look with Charlotte Jade wallpaper?’
eleventy-billion WhatsApp messages as I tried to get my head around what to buy. Luckily our electrician had the patience of a Saint (or was just very, very keen never to have to return to fix my dodgy fittings!). Just before I tipped everyone over the edge, I finally settled on Corston Architectural Detail’s Clear Bronze range, which has a Perspex cover plate that you can paint or wallpaper behind. Very slick, almost invisible, and not stupidly spendy. Plus my electrician went through the installation instructions with a fine-toothed comb and, begrudgingly, deemed them “reasonable quality”. High praise. You’ll be relieved to hear that picking knobs for the interior doors was far easier. Mainly thanks to the fact I’d already settled on the finish – black – due to the fact that two is the max number of metallics that any space needs, a rule that’s been doing the rounds since copper and brass hit the interior catwalks. With a stainless-steel fridge and bronze on the light switches and pendants, there was no room for more shiny metal. Three’s a crowd and all that. Limited choice isn’t always bad thing, unless I’m stood (weeping) in the aisle of our local builder’s merchant that is. For more advice, follow me on Instagram @lindaclaytonwrites
XT MONTH: When your build hits the skids…
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Bathroom mirrors
S AND ESSENTIA D EN TR S, EA ID ST TE LA L E TH FOR YOUR KITCHEN AN
Don’t be square, create a statement with a unique shaped mirror and get ready in style every morning
L BUYS
D BATHROOM
FOR MORE INSPIRATION, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/KITCHENS
3 of the best
THE FEBRUARY
Cabrini pill-shaped pivot bathroom mirror, £199, Made
Bathroom Origins Docklands hexagonal mirror, £215, Drench
SUNNY SIDE UP In an open-plan space, colour blocking can work to zone your room, visually distinguishing your kitchen from your living area. Use one bright shade on your floor-toceiling cabinetry like this, to direct the eye upwards and create the illusion of a larger room. Plus, the sunny shade will give you a pop of warmth and happiness, everyday. Havanna brown matt velvet kitchen cabinets with sunny yellow satin lacquer, from £11,219.39, Schüller
shower power Nothing worse than getting sprayed by a cold shower on a chilly morning? We hear you. Make the start to your day a little easier by investing in this new shower head, with wireless controls that let you turn on your shower from the other side of the room. Rainshower SmartConnect 310, £679.20, Grohe
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5A Fifth Avenue chrome-plated mirror, £45, Dunelm
TILE BY THE ROLL
Nature inspired
Love the style of kitchen tiles, but don’t want the faff of fitting them? Or the expense of paying someone else to fit them? Now you can get the effect with wallpaper. This design from Cult Furniture looks so much like the real deal. Simply protect it with a sealant so it’s kitchen proof, too. Wooden tile-effect wallpaper, £15.99 per roll, Cult Furniture
Don’t let an unattractive radiator ruin your tranquil bathroom scheme. This design from Frontline Bathrooms has a travertine stone effect, instantly creating a spa-like feel in any space. What’s more, its frameless glass construction uses less energy than steel and aluminum radiators, saving you money. Bonus! Vetro stone radiator with towel rail, £1,540, Frontline Bathrooms
Bampton/Aurelius basin in Satin Rose, £498
BREATH OF FRESH AIR The quality of our air can impact our wellbeing without us even realising. This new cooker hood senses changes in the environment and automatically starts, speeds up or shuts down the hood to achieve the cleanest air possible. Handy if you’re living open plan and don’t want last night’s dinner smells in your sitting area. Tecna Cooker hood, £1,468, Falmec
Vive basin in Powder Blue, £454
Basin beauty Move over white, 2020’s all about colour in the bathroom, and BC Designs’ Cian range of coloured basins tap right into this. Earthy tones, jewel shades and pastel hues combined with a solid surface and modern and traditional shapes means there’s one for every scheme.
FOR MORE ON COOKER HOODS, HEAD TO PAGE 153
Kurv basin in Khaki Green, £454
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