It used to make my heart sink – but not anymore!

Letter from the Editor

Is it just us, or is autumn an awkward time

A multi-let house is now our family home

A twist of fate saw Katie Lewis snap up a bargain ex-multi-let property, which she lovingly and creatively renovated from top to bottom

Make the look... Leaf window screen

Perk up a plain window and keep passers-by from peeking in with an easy-to-make leaf hanging, just like the one in Katie’s bathroom

Bright, modern colours made it all work

A dark kitchen and neutral décor gave Lisa Hedley plenty of scope to turn her Victorian townhouse into a colourful family home

We made, reused and restored everything

A limited budget and a pledge to buy almost nothing new coaxed Ashley Cramp and her husband, Marc, to get creative with their décor

Make the look... Easy animal cushions

Bring a little childlike charm into your home, just like Ashley has, with a couple of super-cute, quick-to-make animal cushions

Health check your home

From house of horrors to show home chic with our property maintenance tips and expert advice

From awkward to awesome

Not got the knack of how to utilise those awkward areas? Fear not, for we’ll show you a host of new uses for your pain-in-the-neck spaces

Even our children thought it was dated!

Opting for two-tone kitchen cabinets was Samantha Jaffe’s master stroke in giving her new kitchen a striking and contemporary feel

I’ve waited so long to have a home of my own

After a decade-long wait, Keeley Wilson finally has a home to call her own, with a lounge that’s bursting with creativity

Easy living

Handy tips and cosy inspiration for your autumnal abode from Victoria Rolison

Shop the high street

Here’s our pick of the best bargain buys the high street and web have to offer

Colourful tea trays

Take inspiration from Katie and serve your guests in style with these tea trays

Funky phones

Give retro a go with our pick of the best telephones that mimic Lisa’s vintage look

Fun kitchen caddies

Brighten your kitchen, just like Ashley has, with a bunch of cheery tubs and tins to stash your sugar in

Statement love seats

Cuddle up and unwind on a striking two-seater love chair, just like Florence’s

Drying racks

Your turn to do the dishes again? Why not invest in a drying rack, just like Samantha has, to make this everyday chore that little bit easier

Bathroom art

Feeling inspired by Rose’s work of art? Add interest to your bathroom with a pretty picture

Stylish storage

Looking for something to liven up your living space? Take inspiration from Keeley with a colourful unit

Consumer watch

Great gadgets and hot home tips for autumn

Fab finds under £5

Love grabbing a sneaky bargain? Don’t miss out on these top buys!

The wish list...

Discover October’s latest trends, must-have styles and hottest deals

WARM, SNUG SPACES

Escape from the chilly weather to a cosy home with Emma Fishman’s three wonderfully welcoming schemes

QUICK TRICKS TO FIX YOUR CABINETS

Refresh your cooking space with our nine easy updates for kitchen cupboard doors

Make the look... Marquee light

Spot on for brightening bland and lifeless surfaces, this letter light is a breeze to make. Can’t settle on a letter? Opt for an ampersand, like Lisa

I blew our budget on bold and fancy fabrics

Using patterned fabric, statement styling and unique accessories, Florence has transformed her once bland new-build into a one-off home

Make the look... Stencilled blind

Pinch Florence’s printed blind idea to perk up plain, uninspiring windows and add a dash of character, not to mention tons of fun to your interiors

Upcycling ideas in under a day

Lacking ideas to give your space a little lift? We’ve got a few creative hacks up our sleeve

Super speedy suppers to whip up this week

Break free from the kitchen and claim back your evenings with our cheat’s food plan; these recipes are simple to make and will delight the whole family

Six tasty ways with squash

Get in the Halloween spirit with our six delicious recipes using squash and pumpkins – just don't forget to save one for your lantern!

Food News

What’s on our plates, in our kitchens and filling our shopping trolleys this month

£4,600 of superb prizes to be won!

Bonusprint, one of the UK’s leading photo printing specialists, is

Where to shop

Your little black book of where to buy everything you’ve seen in this issue