Ideal Home

I know it’s the ultimate cliché but I can honestly say that our kitchen renovation has totally changed the way my family lives. Not only are we back to eating meals at the table (I’m ashamed to admit this was a rare occurrence before), but the new room is used for homework, games, yoga (!) and just hanging out with friends and family. We didn’t extend, but huge sliding doors gained us some extra floor area which, combined with the light that now floods in, makes the room seem so much larger. Then we stole some space from the garage to stretch the cooking zone. And sticking to my guns and banishing wall units blurs the line between kitchen and dining and adds to the open feel. “Socialising at home is…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Sunday Times columnist, Hadley has also penned four books. And her new house is keeping her busy! MATT SIBERRY STYLE & TRENDS EXPERT As head of home at Pinterest, Matt is well placed to spot the home trends based on what we’re all searching for on Pinterest. CHARLIE LUXTON ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER Charlie juggles his roles as director of Charlie Luxton Design, TV presenter and public speaker. KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of themoneyedit.com. FEARNE COTTON BROADCASTER & AUTHOR TV and radio presenter Fearne’s Happy Place podcast is now in its 17th season, with over 40 million downloads. THE HOME OF GREAT IDEAS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS…

NEED TO KNOW Add some wonder to your walls Searching for a wallpaper that’ll bring contemporary charm and character into your home? Take a look at Little Greene’s third collaboration with the Natural Trust. Eight historic wallpaper designs feature in National Trust Papers III, all adapted and recoloured for modern interiors, and inspired by original source material found at three of the Trust’s historic houses. We love the romance of the simple roses in this floral design, which started life as a nursery wallpaper in the mid 19th century. IH LOVES... Frilly cushions Pure cotton striped cushion, £19.50, M&S What to do this month... LISTEN For more than 30 years, the iconic River Café on the banks of the Thames has been THE spot for artists, musicians, writers, politicians and a whole host of celebs to drop…

TV presenter and BBC Radio 2 host Rylan Clark lives in Essex. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO THE SECOND YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR FRONT DOOR? Kick off my shoes, put the kettle on, put my feet up on the sofa and watch the telly! WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? I’m often out and about during the day so it’s in the evening when I get home. I love to light a candle with a really nice scent- relaxation vibes all the way. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? At the end of a long day working, I love nothing more than curling up on the sofa and chilling out. I have a Joules Ashwicke sofa from DFS that has a soft velvet fabric and deep comfortable seats which…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Sarah Reed, a part-time content creator @thecopper beechhouse, lives here with her partner Jon Peasant, a technical director, and their sons Ted, four, and Raffy, two. THE PROPERTY A four-bed detached house in Warrington, Cheshire. “The house is full of LOVE and action now and we’re always the hosts for family GATHERINGS. The garden is perfect for HOSTING birthday parties”SARAH REED, HOMEOWNER THE LAYOUT Overlooking the rear garden is an open-plan living area, dining area and kitchen with separate utility room and loo. A more formal living room is located off the hall at the front. Upstairs, a landing overlooking the grand double-height entrance leads to four bedrooms, plus a family bathroom and en suite. After building their first home, Sarah Reed and Jon Peasant said they’d never move again – unless it…