MAKE, DO & CRAFT

Welcome

Having spent a pretty penny at Christmas and splashed

This month we love…

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

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Fresh and fun ways to keep everything ticking along nicely

Be a smart shopper

Embracing a more active lifestyle doesn’t have to cost

Expert CONSUMER ADVICE

If your mobile contract is coming to an end or you’re

Keep floors spotless with a new vacuum

Make the vacuuming less of a chore by investing in a new model for super-efficient home cleaning

MAKE IT EASY

This month we’re focussing on turning something old

REVAMP, REPAIR, Recycle

Give old books new life with this illuminating lamp project

Sew simple

Display cards, notes and memories with this cloud-shaped notice board

Girls’ guide to… DIY

This month we show you how to replace a valve in your cistern

Ask the EXPERT

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

CRAFT STASH must haves

Check out the latest crafting news, workshops and brilliant buys

Your letters

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

Win! A stylish dining set from Corndell Furniture

Annecy Dining, Living and Bedroom Furniture created

Win! a luxury two-night gourmet break in the Cotswolds

Nestled on the edge of the idyllic Cotswolds, Sudbury

HOME IMPROVEMENT EXTRA

Add interest to a plain wall with a striking chandelier

We have £6,705 worth of fab prizes up for grabs!

Marigold, famous for its rubber gloves, has launched

Shopping guide

Where to buy everything in this issue

Eco news

Discover this month’s green buys and advice

Decorating

Discover some fantastic thrifty buys to update your home

TREND ALERT… Jewel affair

Cosy your home up in rich luxury…

30 THRIFTY FINDS FROM JUST £1

Here are our favourite buys to update your home without breaking the bank

It’s both work and budget friendly!

Getting organised with recycled and high street buys allowed Debbie Baker to create a dedicated study area full of innovative and inexpensive touches

It’s the perfect place tokick-start my new career

Rachel Maiden conjured up much-needed space for herfledgling business by transforming a former outbuildinginto a bright and airy workroom

I brought the outside in

Claire Denyer White has transformed a once cramped, dingy room into a bright, airy home office that pays homage to her love of gardening

Personalise your home

Make your mark on a rented home and reflect your style to make it feel all yours

Kitchens & BATHROOMS

Update your bathroom on a budget

Boost your bathroom

If your bathroom is looking a little tired, give it a lift with these great ideas that won’t break the bank

I didn’t want a tiny bath

Julie Mead decided a glorious shower was a better option than a minuscule bath

Spruce up your kitchen on a shoestring

If you think you can’t afford to update your kitchen, think again with our great ideas for low-budget transformations

The house has such a welcoming aura

Judith Hedges transformed her period home with splashes of vibrant colour and an eclectic mix of antiques and one-off finds

My new-build house is brimming with character

With colour, pattern and unique touches, Lauren Nesbitt turned a nondescript interior into an inviting home full of personality

No one would recognise this formerly bohemian and dated house

It took city worker Sam Webster two years, and a lot of hard graft, to create a stylish, but welcoming home

We created our own sanctuary

For a couple who run two family businesses, a comfortable spot to unwind was key

Food & Entertaining

Order in home-made versions of takeaway classics

Frugal Fakeaways

Save some money and recreate fast-food favourites at home

Home Improvement

Turn the page to find out our tips on saving money when improving your home

How to cut the cost of home improvements

Why pay full whack when you can update your home for less? Here’s how to save £££s

Property know-how with George

This month property developer, architect and presenter of Channel 4’s The Restoration Man, George Clarke, looks at property boundaries and the problems which can occur with them

Next month in… Your Home

Faking it…

You don’t always need to go for the real deal to create beautiful surfaces and effects in your home – take a look at some of our best buys to help you achieve the look you want