Raise the bench mark

Letter from the Editor

With April showers casting a cloud over outdoor activities, now

Everything in my house tells its own story

I’m Jenny Kakoudakis and I run the interiors and lifestyle

I’ve enhanced the things we can’t change

I live in Gateshead with my boyfriend, Daniel, and our

If I can’t buy what I want, I make it myself

‘One of the very first things we did after moving

We saw potential as soon as we walked in

I’m Lisa Long, creative director of my own typographic art

Home-hunt secrets

House hunting is a minefield. It may seem all fun

Our kitchen has a really tropical feel

I’m Sharon Snowden and I live with my husband, James,

It’s a unique mix of old and new

Keep your bedroom light and bright with a cheery yellow

It sparkles so much you need shades!

Hang a decorative gilt mirror in your bathroom for instant

Easy living

Keep tea towels at a grabbable distance by rigging up

Shop the High Street

Transform your bedroom into a calming coastal retreat with relaxed

Through the wire

⚫ When it comes to cleaning your wire accessories, try

Bolster cushions

⚫ If you will be sitting on your cushions regularly,

Drop leaf tables

Go country chic with elegant styling to complement a feminine

Geometric fabrics

This stylised floral by Cloud9 Fabrics is made from 100%

Metal bed frames

You’ll be sure to make a statement with this on-trend

Stylish lanterns

For a subtle pop of colour, opt for a painted

Consumer watch

Candy’s new Grand’O Vita GVCD101WB-80 condenser dryer is the largest

FAB finds under £5

The wish list...

Baskets, from £27; purple cushion, £67; light grey cushion, £67,

Budget updates for every room

The bedroom has seen better days and the lounge needs

THE MEANING OF colour

Just as we are sensitive to music, our response to

3 looks for SPRING DINING

Reminiscent of chalky, rustic farm houses in rural France, this

Make the look... Découpage animal head

1 Cut a large oval shape from cardboard for the

Make the look... Golden cutlery clock

White frame, £6.95, Dotcomegiftshop. Green frame, stylist’s own. Wallpaper, from

Make the look... Chicken wire lampshade

Blue and white pot, £2, Hema. T&G Sea Salt wallpaper,

Make the look... Monogram picture

Monograms are decorative letters, typically initials, and are a great

Jungle leaf stencil cupboard

This old cupboard was originally stained brown but had acres

Upcycling news

In 365 Nature (Hardie Grant, £25), Anna Carlile gets back

Simple midweek meals

✱ 100g kale, chopped and washed thoroughly✶ 1 small pineapple,

Let’s celebrate spring greens

1 Cut 1 green apple into wafer-thin slices and drizzle

Food News

Thought you’d experienced all the humble biscuit had to offer?

Where to shop