Shopping guide

Welcome

Now that spring is well underway, for many of us

This month we love...

What started out as a hobby soon became a full-time

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Keep your home neat and tidy with our top tips

What to look out for THIS MONTH

Instantly expand your cupboard space with an adjustable shelf, making

We test... ironing boards

This fashionable flamingo cover will bring a little joy to

Slim down your purse

Stay on top of the latest issues and hot topics

Domestic disputes

You may not be surprised to hear that a survey

Kitchen courtrooms

According to recent research by Hotpoint, us Brits make some

Be energy savvy

New research by Loop Energy Saver has found that 96%

Spare parts

If you have an electrical appliance that is missing a

Consumer news... IN FOCUS

Sometimes budget airlines can be anything but, especially when you

KEEP FLOORS SPOTLESS with a new vacuum

Aquick whizz round with the vacuum cleaner can go a

Decorating

Brighten up your home in more ways than one with

TREND ALERT... Village green

Green is making somewhat of a resurgence this spring, popping

EMBRACE THIS YEAR’S HOTTEST SHADES

Team these two pastel shades together to create a balanced,

PASTELS ON A BUDGET

Loft whisk, £6; Loft mixing bowl, £15 for three;Loft stackable

It’s now a flexible multi-purpose space

When Samantha Thomson, her husband Robert, and two children, Nathalie

Our dated kitchen feels much more spacious

Consider curved units around a breakfast bar to create a

Prudent planning helped save us money

In busy family areas, fitting curved units at the end

Kitchens & BATHROOMS

The nautical look is always a popular trend for the

Shine on with a glossy kitchen

Whether you prefer a simple white design or a more

A new layout made all the difference

Christina Biston loves a hot soak in the bath after

Make a splash with a new shower

If your shower is more of a disappointing dribble than

Make it easy!

We’re all about the florals this month – from our

Make, do & craft

With the weather beginning to brighten we want to make

Furniture facelift

This month, we’ve reinvented a small wooden chest of drawers

Sew simple

This folded design is the perfect way to show off

Girls’ Guide to DIY

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

ASK THE EXPERTS

Q I’ve recently had a new kitchen fitted and I’d

Your April checklist

If your garden needs some TLC before the warmer weather

My flat above shops is now a cottage in the sky!

The wall opposite the fireplace has the same wallpaper, creating

I have the best of all worlds in my new home

Take the time to plan storage, it is one of

We could put our own stamp on this property

Newly-weds Alice and James Malcolm Green had viewed 30 flats

Our house has such a lovely feel about it

Tara and Will Nash-Wortham, both secondary school teachers, had been

Food & Drink

⚫ Update your regular nachos by adding cooked white crabmeat

Springchicken

✔ 4 chicken breasts with wing attached, skin on✔ 8

Home IMPROVEMENT

The growing trend for putting your own stamp on interior

10 ways to add value to your home

Any estate agent will tell you that increasing space in

CASE STUDY

‘Our extended living room has added value as well as

Property know-how with George

Living in a home that is looking out over the

Gardening

Why not kick start your gardening plans with a trip

ROCK STARS

Sempervivums, more commonly known as houseleeks, are hardy little alpine

Your letters

Q We are undertaking a complete refurbishment of a dormer

Eco news

No doubt this month you’ll want to get your garden

Welcome

With plenty of bank holidays over the coming weeks, I

Wallpaper with the ‘wow’ factor

Gloriana Black/Gold 33-330 from Artisan collection, £20 per roll, Graham

HOW TO GUIDE…

✔step-ladder✔ tape measure✔ plumb line or spirit level ✔pencil✔ pasting

PAINTING by numbers

Make sure you have these items gathered close by before

SOPHISTICATED STENCILS

1 First, prepare the wall. Using a pencil or piece

Turn tiling on its head

Tiles can completely transform your kitchen or bathroom and even

Fantastic flooring you can lay yourself

Although some flooring needs to be installed by a professional,

How to fit laminate flooring

Tongue and groove laminate floors are relatively straightforward to fit

You can do it

REMEMBER THOSE NIGGLY TASKS YOU’VE BEEN AVOIDING? NOW’S THE TIME