Ideal Home

It’s no secret that to create a classic (but not dated) scheme, you need to take an old-meets-new approach. What is surprising though is this season’s cleverly curated collection at M&S which will do the hard work for you, fusing traditional trims an

If your scheme is feeling a little too dark for the new season, why not change it up to something more befitting the spring sunshine? Pick a colour from your existing look and switch up the colour combo to something new, bright and beautiful. ■

Painterly brushstrokes look fab when supersized; look for large-scale murals for wow walls and big-print curtain fabrics to frame a window, or get out your widest paint brush and have a go. Though the scale is bold, the brushstroke shapes are soft an

At the end of last year, trend tracker Pinterest released its predictions for the upcoming year and the one that we can get wholeheartedly behind is #Kitschens. Also known as, Kitsch Kitchens. TREND ORIGINS Let’s face it – these days, as a result of

So you’re planning a room makeover? It’s time to give your windows some love, says our trio of curtain and blind experts. It’s important to think of practicality as well as style, with the shape and size of your window and the room’s function as impo

Designers and stylists share their views ‘Sky blue’s ability to brighten and uplift rooms makes it an ideal choice for creating an airy feel where space is at a premium. It’s a shade that can harmonise with contrasting colour palettes too.’ ANNA HIL

A single or twin chest can be customised with a slab of worktop. Holes will need to be cut in the surface and top drawer’s base to fit the basin’s waste trap. Switch glam marble for classic black granite or rustic oak. A ceiling-fixed rail can be u

When space is at a premium, get the best of both worlds with a shower bath, which works whether you’re after a speedy shower or a more leisurely soak. This design combines the traditional looks of a roll-top bath, with a modern brass shower and scree

Inject some colour into your kitchen by refreshing wooden bar stools (or dining chairs if your space is open plan) with a coat of paint. You could match your seating to the cabinets for a unified look by going for a similar shade, as has been done he

Bring more daylight into your home without spending a fortune on wide expanses of glazing by installing a glass exterior door, as well as an additional glass panel above it. ■

Sophie Gould, an interior designer at Bramley & Bear, her husband Simon, a construction project manager, and their children, Archie, nine, and Flora, seven months. A three-bedroom detached cottage in Harpley, Norfolk, built by the couple in 2019. Th

Sharon Lee, a trainee psychotherapist, and Lucas Dussurget, an IT executive, live here with their cat, Archie. A three-storey Victorian semi-detached house in south-east London. ‘When it came to the nuts and bolts of this house, sustainability and na

Susanne Sutton lives here with her husband, Toby, their twin daughters, May and Alice, eight, and five-year-old son, Barnaby. A three-bed, two-storey detached house in Armadale, Melbourne. It was built in the 19th century. An archway leads to a long

Artist Nellie Shepherd and husband Andy Charlton, a physicist at Oxford University, as well as a menagerie of animals, including cats, dogs, sheep and chickens. A renovated six-bedroom farmhouse set in seven acres in the Peak District National Park.

If you have coloured kitchen cabinets, knowing how to add additional colour to the space without looking too matchy can be hard. Try sticking to a mix of complimentary tones for a pleasing, put-together look. ■

Astrid Trügg, an artist, @astridtruggart, lives here with her husband Paul Bekkers, their children, Tobias, 15, and Isabel, 13, and two Border collies. A multi-room remodel in a converted Victorian villa in North Berwick, East Lothian. APPROX £30,00

Carla Collins lives here. Relocating the bathroom in a three-bedroom detached Edwardian house in New Malden, Surrey. £14,000 A cramped and tiny bathroom with space only for a shower ‘This pretty house is ideal as the first home I’ve owned by myse

It’s never too late (or too early) to learn how to create your ideal outdoor space. Regardless of your budget and how much workable area you’re blessed with, having a clear idea of exactly what you want in your garden and how to deliver it will ensur

■ In a nutshell, dual zone air fryers do everything your usual air fryer does, times two. So you can cook with the same time and temperature across both drawers – effectively doubling the capacity of a single drawer design – or control either drawer

■ Keeping your home clean can feel like an uphill battle, but having a handheld vacuum at the ready makes it quicker and easier to do. What’s more, these models can get into tight spaces that you might not be able to reach with a full size one. ■ Whi

Cleaning with vinegar is more than just an old wives’ tale – Instagram and TikTok are full of people rediscovering the power of this versatile, affordable product. ‘Whether you’re into natural eco-cleaning or want to cut the cost of cleaning your hom

The tech world merging with health and fitness is nothing new. However, the availability of this sophisticated technology from both areas is now something that the average person can experience at home. From ‘wearables’ to body scanners, there are pl

The mortgage you choose will depend on many factors, from your financial position to your attitude to the risk of rising interest rates. Fixed rates give you certainty over your monthly budget for a period of time but some variable rates may be cheap

Here’s your friendly reminder to check out Dunelm’s excellent Conscious Choice range. Now in its second year, the collection features homeware and furniture made from sustainable raw materials – think organic and responsibly sourced cotton, as well a

SERVES 8 READY IN 45 MINS, PLUS COOLING ● 150g softened butter ● 200g caster sugar ● 4 eggs ● 142ml pot soured cream ● 275g self-raising flour ● Zest of 2 large lemons ● 3tbsp Limoncello FOR THE FILLING ● 300g full-fat cream cheese ● 150g lemon curd

If your cleaning cupboard is a disarray of products that spill onto the floor every time you open the door, you’re not alone. But you can turn that clutter into calm by implementing a bit of order. Whether you store cleaning supplies under the sink o

The TV presenter and radio personality lives near Hackney Marshes, in east London WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU COME HOME? The lighting. I hate ceiling lights so I have a lot of side lights. I’ve got a beautiful salt lamp; they give off

WHEN TO CHOOSE IT If you’re naturally drawn to a neutral colour palette, but feel that it can be a touch cool or bland, using these rich desert tones of clay, terracotta and sand will add depth and warmth. These incredibly versatile pairings can be u

WHEN TO CHOOSE IT If you love a pared-back modern style, but don’t want your home to feel too austere, this is the trend for you. Minimal luxe is all about creating a home that’s full of understated indulgence, mixing sumptuous fabrics and finishes w

WHEN TO CHOOSE IT If you love a home full of pattern and pretty garden-inspired prints teamed with checks and stripes, this is the trend for you. This nostalgic look has been given a joyful refresh with bolder colours, clashing designs and fun mix-an

WHEN TO CHOOSE IT You don’t have to have been around the world to love this look. The muted colour palette and layering of natural materials such as rattan, bamboo, wicker and jute makes it perfect for creating a timeless laid-back feel in any style

WHEN TO CHOOSE IT Definitely one for the maximalists; if you’re tired of pared-back austere interiors this floral look is for you. It is a way to introduce timeless elegance, full of colour and pattern, into your home. Not limited just to period prop

Now that you’re armed with a host of stylish trends, you’ll need to know the best way to adapt these looks to create the ultimate scheme for your space. This failsafe advice section covers the core skills of interior design; like knowing how to creat

KEY ELEMENTS Texture in interior design is the feeling and visual appearance of the material that a piece of furniture, surface or fabric is made of, from a glossy lacquered bookcase to rustic terracotta tiles, and how you should aim to incorporate a

USE TO HIGHLIGHT Whether applied wall-to-wall or more sparingly, incorporating pattern will add depth and energise your scheme. Pattern can be used to highlight certain items or define a space; a bold patterned rug makes a feature of the seating area

NATURAL FOUNDATION Calm and soothing, neutrals vary wildly in tone from the palest white to nearly-black shades. The neutral spectrum is borne of nature and natural materials so it stands to reason that surfaces like stone, shell, cotton and linen, s