The tiles make our new bathroom

Welcome

Now that summer is in full swing it’s time to

Gardening

If you struggle to find time to keep up with

Try a taste of summer with edible flowers

Many of us fill our gardens with flowers to add

Your letters

Q I love reading the home decorating ideas in Your

Shopping guide

Eco news

If, like us, you use what feels like metres of

This month we love...

If you’re looking for something fun to do in the

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

If your barbecue has been hidden away for months it

What to look out for THIS MONTH

Pick, wash and store strawberries, all in one container with

We test... window vacs

This window cleaner was really lightweight, making easy work of

How have mums’ lives changed?

International courier ParcelHero has looked back at how the average

The modern home

Independent clothing and homeware retailer, Chums, has polled over-fifties to

The key to domestic bliss

According to a study into the home lives of 2,000

Safety check

Following the launch of its initiative highlighting the importance of

Tablet survival guide

With a recent report from Which? stating that one in

Consumer news... IN FOCUS

Whether your retirement plans include travelling the world or choosing

Enjoy alfresco cooking with a new barbecue

Whether you enjoy just a few bangers sizzling away, or

Decorating

You needn’t live a stone’s throw from the beach to

TREND ALERT... Go Global

This trend can turn anyone into a global traveller, with

Colour confidence

This ombré paint effect will give your scheme a really

PERFECT PAINT PROJECTS to refresh your garden

During the summer months, your garden can be considered an

Our guest room became the perfect nursery

For Gaby and Ben Hillman a nursery wasn’t in the

A funky British theme works perfectly for us

A well-dressed window combining a simple blind with curtains held

It’s better than I’d imagined

Having spent years sharing a bedroom with her sister, Josie

Kitchens & BATHROOMS

summer is the perfect time to go bold with your

We changed our kitchen for the sea view

Sally and Chris Crozer. Sally runs an alternative therapy business

Turn your kitchen into a cook’s paradise

If you love nothing more than preparing home-cooked meals from

Enhance your bathroom with natural materials

I f you feel that your bathroom is lacking in

Make it easy!

It’s time for some fun in the sun! we’ve been

Make, do & craft

Make your own take on the industrial trend with this

Furniture facelift

We began this project by sourcing decorative cast concrete wall

Sew simple

These oversize fruit cushions are perfect for adding a touch

Girls’ Guide to

Step-by-step images and instructions B&Q’s You Can Do It manual

ASK THE EXPERTS

I need to replace the fence in my garden can

Your July checklist

The garden furniture has been unpacked and cleaned, the drinks

Our house reminds me of holidays by the sea

Paint kitchen chairs in different colours and add pretty cushions

We gave our Tudor cottage the restoration it deserved

Caroline and Paul Craven sold everything they owned – including

I love interiors with a story to tell

Stephanie Zak’s bright, light-filled apartment – with whitewashed walls, bleached

I named my house after a famous jockey, it only seemed right

Grace Craddock and her brother and sister were baffled when

Food & Drink

• For a summery dessert, add 100g caster sugar and

Ice, ice baby

✓400g Jubilee strawberries, washed and hulled ✓3 tbsp icing sugar,

Home IMPROVEMENT

Turn the page to learn everything you need to know

Make room for everyone by adding an annex

If you need extra accommodation for family members or an

CASE STUDY

After years of working a b r o a d

Property know-how with George

I know I’m going to sound like an old man