Welcome

I’m hoping that as you read this the sun is

This month we love...

A Grade II listed three-storey Georgian town house was once

HOUSEHOLH HINTS

⩗ Barbecue sauce, ketchup and mustard - Remove any excess

What to look out for THIS MONTH

This nifty ice bucket has a raised bottom reservoir to

We test... cool bags

This was a great size for a family picnic, and

Picture protection

According to a survey by Jessops, 44% of British adults

Keep it clean

The number of people in the UK that employ a

Painting playlist

Whether you prefer cutting in to Coldplay or rollering to

TV dinners

We are turning into a nation of full-time TV diners,

Hot and cold

Research by British Gas has revealed that nearly 40% of

Consumer news... IN FOCUS

Few things are more irritating than stepping out of the

Make your summer sizzle WITH A NEW BARBECUE

Whether you prefer just a few juicy sausages or a

Decorating

If you love colour and funky style, check out the

TREND ALERT...nautical

Background wallpaper Lighthouse Blue Nautical wallpaper, £12 per roll, B

Update with Paint

Don’t be bamboozled by all the different paint types and

We were inspired by our travels abroad

A dark colour can give real impact – one wall

I gave a blank room retro Scandi style

When Clare Rees, 35, moved into her three-bedroom home in

It’s gone from featureless to fabulous

When Elizabeth O’Reilly, and her partner Helio Flores Santos, bought

Kitchens & BATHROOMS

If, like us, you’re a fan of the hugely popular

Cooking with colour

Although neutral schemes are still a popular choice for interiors,

Our old kitchen was tiny

Jo often buys furniture at auction to paint and distress

Create a coastal chic bathroom

Blue classic poplar wood shutters, from £159 per m2, California

Make, do & craft

●white air drying clay, £3.75 per 1kg, Hobbycraft ● rolling

Furniture facelift

We spotted this old wooden door on eBay for 99p

Sew simple

We created a slightly different take on the nautical theme

I went with my gut feeling as I felt at home straight away

Most decorating and home renovations can take some time, but

We’ve made the space work for us

‘Third time lucky’ is how Kelly Impett and Duncan Hair

We transformed our entire home for just £9,000

In just three months, Helen Smith and her partner Andy

I rescued a lovely old house and turned it into a haven

Originally built as the herd manager’s residence on the land

Food & Drink

● Make your movie night popcorn healthier by popping the

Citrus flavours

✓2 large oranges, peeled ✓2 pink grapefruits, peeled ✓2 tsp

Home IMPROVEMENT

Find out all you need to know about buying a

All you need to know about new-build homes

The benefits of choosing a newbuild are as much about

CASE STUDY

For single mum Sian Wiltshire, a veterinary nurse, finding a

Property know-how with George

One thing is for sure, buying or selling a home

Gardening

Pruning large shrubs or trees can be a tricky challenge

Captivating Cosmos

Although a familiar face in cottage gardens and allotment plots,

Your Letters

Q: We’re currently in the middle of a full house

Shopping guide

Eco news

The organisation re-cycle Bikes to Africa is a charity project

Girls Guide to DIY

1 Unroll the vinyl and start by fitting the longer

ASK THE EXPERTS

Q Our wooden garden decking is worn out and we

Your July checklist

An influx of bugs and beasties is inevitable at this