Girls' Guide to DIY

Welcome

After months of waiting, the festive season is upon us

This month we love...

Make the most of December with the best things to do, see and buy this month

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Keep Christmas under control with our top tips and advice

Consumer NEWS

Stay on top of the latest issues and hot topics with our monthly round-up of news

50 for under £50

Let us take the strain out of your Christmas shopping with our selection of gifts for the whole family

Consumer news... IN FOCUS

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Decorating

Update your home with a welcoming festive touch

TREND ALERT... hygge

Make your home the perfect place to be…

Cheer for Christmas

Bring the nostalgia of a traditional Christmas into your home with rich berry red, natural green and lustrous golden tones for the ultimate festive feel

I wanted a bedroom that would be unique to us

Suzy Tookey has used an eclectic mix of revamped, vintage and high street pieces to create a glamorous boudoir full of personal touches

I wanted loft-style living with an industrial vibe

All Hannah Welch had to do was look upwards, in order to find the perfect setting for her stylish bedtime retreat

It’s a colourful and comfortable retreat

Strong, vibrant colours and clever, contemporary, crafted touches are the order of the day in Wendy Dove’s welcoming new-look bedroom

Make a style statement with

Give your rooms a brand new look with the latest on-trend designs which will suit any décor

Kitchens & BATHROOMS

Add a festive touch to your kitchen

Key ingredients for A COOK’S KITCHEN

If you love to cook and bake, ensure the hub of your home is kitted out with everything you need

A new shower transformed my dated en suite

A leaking pipe led to a major revamp of Claudia James’ en suite bathroom

GIVE YOUR BATHROOM the ‘WOW’ factor

Choose from these on-trend ideas to add a touch of style to this important space

Converting this Victorian property has given us a family home

A perfect blend of period features and modern design gives Sharon Beggan and Declan McEvoy’s Dublin home a unique style

We love our cosy cottage

Natalie and Ollie Reade spent two years helping her father to renovate and extend a tiny Yorkshire cottage into their dream home

We lost two bedrooms but gained much more

Kirstie Kimmins and Chris Jones have turned a warren of poky rooms into a stunning one-bedroom flat with open-plan living at its heart

Christmas in colour

Jewel-box colours and clever design tricks are the secrets behind Julia Walters’ stunning Christmas home

Food & Drink

Celebrate Christmas with a few unusual twists…

Christmas classics with a twist

Fancy ringing the changes this year? Try one of these tasty recipes, using favourite Christmas flavours with a bit of a difference…

Our favourite FESTIVE FOOD

We’ve tried and tested this year’s supermarket offerings, and here are a few of our favourite flavours…

Home IMPROVEMENT

Move up instead of out with our guide to loft conversions

Go up in the world with a loft conversion

Convert your loft to add extra space in your home

Property know-how with George

This month property developer, architect and presenter of Channel 4’s The Restoration Man, George Clarke, discusses joys of owning a wood-burner

Your letters

We love to hear what you’ve been up to, so

Eco news

Discover this month’s green buys and advice

Make, do & craft

Brighten up your Christmas table with these peacock-hued projects

Furniture facelift

Keep guests occupied over the holidays with a convertible games table

Sew simple

Get your furry friends in the festive spirit with this Christmas pudding pet bed

ASK THE EXPERTS

We answer your DIY and maintenance questions with a little help from the experts

Your December checklist

Discover seasonal tasks for your home and garden