‘It’s important to have personal items in a home – things you’ve found on your travels, inherited or simply bought because there’s something about them you loved. It all makes a room more homely and personal as well as being a constant reminder of happy times. They can also create talking points when you have visitors round. The wooden bird is a famous Danish design by Kristian Vedel; we got it during a holiday in Copenhagen.’
When Veronica and Darren bought their Victorian terraced house in 2012, they knew it was a project as it clearly required completely updating. ‘It needed replastering throughout but the upstairs rooms were most urgently in need of renovation,’ says Veronica. ‘Six months later, having renovated three bedrooms and a bathroom, we were ready to start on the sitting room.’
Side-return extensions
An efficient use of redundant outside space, extending to the side is the mart way to gain the extra room you crave and transform the way you live
Spa-style bathrooms
Prioritise self-care and put pampering on your daily schedule by taking bathroom design inspo from your favourite spa
Light & bright
Rachel's main requirements for her kitchen extension were a window overlooking the garden and space to entertain. We reveal how she made her dream a reality
Colourful kitchens
Let your personality shine with a style that makes you smile from that morning cuppa to dinner time. Don't be shy, go for bold
In the zone
Using clever design and planting, Pauline has transformed a blank canvas into an elegant, contemporary garden complete with social spaces, a cutting patch and a pond
Heart of the home
Faced with three living spaces and a tiny kitchen, Jo and Chris have devised a clever, broken-plan layout where the kitchen takes centre stage
Pre-loved treasures
Deborah has filled her south London home with character without breaking the bank, thanks to her smart shopping know-how and eye for a bargain
A new leaf
Dani Sandels embraced her passion for botanics and natural textures in the renovation of her family home, resulting in a space that delights the eye at every turn
A learning experience
Steph and James honed their home-improvement skills as they updated their old house and overgrown garden with help from family and friends -
SAGE GREEN
A calm, tranquil and fresh hue, our colour guru, Amelia, shares why you can't go far wrong with this nearly neutral
