The interior designer tasked with this careful balancing act was Adrian Dagli, founder of Interior Wanderer (opens in new tab). Adrian worked with the couple to ensure all their priorities for the new kitchen were addressed. 1. Keeping the kitchen light and bright One of the owners’ major concerns was that in enclosing a central atrium to increase the kitchen square footage they would lose some of the natural light to the room....
Cottage planting schemes are inspired by traditional English backyard ideas that date back to the 16th century. These gardens were beautiful and productive, billowing with old-fashioned flowers, seasonal produce, and home remedies. But now the concept has evolved into more of an attitude than a rigid look – and US gardeners have taken the style as their own. Cottage backyard ideas Massachusetts-based landscape designer Margaret Hensel wrote a book on the subject – English Cottage Gardening for American Gardeners (opens in new tab) – and helps gardeners to interpret the look in their own backyards and offers advice on how to plan a cottage garden....
Whether you’re planning a crafting area as part of an existing home office, or embarking on an entirely new room design, these craft room ideas and handy tips will help inspire a practical yet stylish space. Craft room ideas – 10 beautiful schemes to inspire Craft room ideas are becoming increasingly sought after as we seek to make more time for mindful activities at home. When it comes to designing a craft room or home office setup, practicality is a priority, but equally important is making the space an inspiring place to be....
Drapes and curtains don’t just add a splash of color and pattern, they also control the light levels in your room, meaning they can affect the color of your walls and, in some cases, make the room feel larger (or smaller, if you get them wrong). With such an influence, it is important to spend extra time considering your curtain ideas before making a commitment, or investment. And, even when you have made your purchase, the process doesn’t end there....
Whether you prefer a classic look with lots of detailing or something more modern, these decorating above kitchen cabinet ideas will provide you with the inspiration you need to create a scheme that fits your home’s period, your decorating style and the room’s proportions. If you’re looking for more kitchen cabinet ideas, these clever ways to decorate above kitchen cabinets will provide kitchen styling inspiration for all your kitchen wall decor desires....
With a spectrum stretching from cappuccino and taupe shades, to rich chestnut and dark chocolate, brown offers huge scope for creating all sorts of looks, from sophisticated and tailored to calm and nurturing. ‘Whilst brown may have connotations of 70’s kitschy interiors – it can be achingly chic when used in the right environment. Browns run through many scales – from earthy mid-neutrals to the deepest and richest aubergine-tinged darks,’ says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball....
As the envelope for all your dining room ideas, wall decor is integral to creating the atmosphere you desire, whether that’s a relaxed space to share breakfast, or a luxurious banqueting room fit for an evening feast. ‘Dining rooms should be the jewelry in the house,’ says Cindy Rinfret, interior designer and founder of Rinfret Ltd (opens in new tab). ‘It’s the special place where people gather, and they want to be romanced....
‘Both are great paints but differ depending on what sort of finish you are looking for. Estate emulsion will give a chalkier and more authentic finish. Modern emulsion will give you a higher sheen than Estate, but will be harder wearing, and will ultimately last longer’, explains Michael Rolland, interiors expert and managing director at The Paint Shed (opens in new tab). Ultimately, when deciding between Estate emulsion vs Modern emulsion, it’s not which Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab) paint finish is best overall, but which is best for you and your decorating requirements....
THE PROPERTY ‘The hundred year-old home in Palo Alto, California was in the same state they had purchased it in the 1990’s,’ says Mary Jo. ‘The home was poorly renovated and in desperate need of modernisation.’ ‘When I walked into the home I could see the potential to create a quaint, colourful home that the owners would cherish,’ explains Mary Jo. ‘They are couple are empty nesters, with a son in college....
While they might be necessary for traipsing through your front yard, front walkways are not necessarily known for their style, and they may not be at the forefront of your mind when researching for inspiration. But, in reality, choosing your walkway with care can transform your front yard’s look – and give it an extra jolt of curb appeal in the process. These 15 stunning front yard walkways should provide the perfect inspiration for all your front yard landscaping ideas....
See our Movers & Shakers section for more makers My passions have always been sculpture and architecture. As a child, I was forever engrossed in art projects. Both of my parents were graphic designers and I have fond memories of growing up in London in the Seventies and Eighties, meeting lots of inspirational people at my father’s studio. After completing a foundation year in art at Kingston University my love of design led me into furniture....
There is a whole natural world out there filled with green inspiration, from tropical rainforests to cottage gardens. But, if you need to narrow it down a bit, we’ve collated a selection of beautiful bedroom ideas that embrace Mother Earth’s favorite color. Green bedroom ideas If you are decorating with green and are thinking of a new bedroom color ideas, we’ve gathered expert advice and top tips on bringing the great outdoors in, indulging in luxurious jewel tones and picking the perfect green for your room color ideas....
However, grey is actually one of the most versatile of dining room ideas, with a host of shades, varying from cool to warm that can be tailored to create a welcoming room that’s perfect for your space. Below, we show you how to use both paint, wallpaper and fabric to create a grey dining room you’ll love. Grey dining room ideas There are no rules when it comes to dining room color schemes – what you pick will largely reflect the time of day you tend to use the room and the level of sophistication you want the decor to have....
‘In most homes, it will be a small room, tucked off an entrance hall or perhaps under the stairs,’ says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. ‘But it will also be one of the areas seen most often by guests, so why not use it as an opportunity to introduce some impact and show-stopping style?’ While the essential ingredients will always be a basin, faucet, mirror and toilet, there are plenty of ways to decorate with style and enhance the sense of space....
These moments can have us reaching for the insecticides. However, filled with toxic chemicals, commercial insecticides often stand at odds with the sustainable garden ideas that we want our plots to embody. This is where homemade insect sprays and deterrents come into their own. Created from items you would find in your store cupboard, they are quick and effective ways to ward bugs off your prized plants. ‘Homemade garlic, nettle, soap, tomato and basil sprays are effective against aphids, mites and thrips....
The good news is that caulking a shower is a simple task and fixing faulty or dirty caulk really won’t take long. It’s also a job that can be done at the same time as grouting tiles if you are refreshing those, too. Take a chunk out of your weekend for an easy caulking job. How to caulk a shower If you already know how to caulk a bathtub, you’re set....
Unlike some common houseplant pests that tend to be found on your plant itself, bugs that burry into houseplant soil can go unnoticed for a long period. ‘When it comes to houseplants, bugs and other unwanted pests are one of their biggest threats if left untreated, chewing through the leaves, roots, and even stealing precious nutrients from the soil,’ explains Tom Hilston, indoor gardening expert at National Greenhouse (opens in new tab)....
You can swap old-fashioned cabinets for modern designs or remove those that are no longer in good shape and replace them with brand new designs yourself – and the whole room will feel transformed. Our step-by-step guide will ensure you can fufill your kitchen ideas by fitting new cabinets on the wall and on the floor. How to install kitchen cabinets If they are in good shape, painting kitchen cabinets is an easy way to refresh the room....
‘The common housefly can transmit the pathogens that cause shigellosis, typhoid fever, E. coli, and cholera,’ says the NEHA (National Environmental Health Association). To help you avoid disease as well as nuisance we’ve put together an expert guide to how to keep flies out of the house. How to keep flies out of the house Many of the methods you can use to get rid of fruit flies can be employed to prevent house flies breeding and infesting your home....
Here, author, photographer and blogger Jen Chillingsworth shows how the best reed diffusers can be made at home. ‘A simple and effective way to scent your home is to make your own reed diffuser using essential oils,’ says Jen. ‘These diffusers can be safely left to release a gentle fragrance over time. Citrus oils are ideal as they have a light scent that is both fresh and reviving. Alternatively, lavender is relaxing and perfect for bedrooms....
