House Beautiful UK April 2021

it certainly feels like our lives have been on hold in recent months, but the reassuring seasonal shift into spring brings a sense of positivity and moving forward. With the promise of brighter days ahead, we’ve filled this issue with simple ways to breathe new life into your home, as well as sprinkling the pages with general joyfulness! Whether you live in a compact home or have lots of space, it’s the way you use it that matters. I’m so impressed with the homes featured in this month’s Small-space Special on p51 – each brimming with style and imaginative ways to make the most of every centimetre. It’s the same with the small gardens featured. I’d be hard-pressed to pick my favourite. I love the elegant rooftop garden with its chic…

AND ON THE SUBJECT OF PLANTS… …I’m delighted to introduce our new contributor, Isabelle Palmer, founder of The Balcony Gardener. I’ve long been an admirer of Isabelle, who believes everyone can grow their own piece of green in a space, however small. The author of several books on stylish planting for balconies, modern containers and houseplants, and with many press and TV appearances to her name, Isabelle will be bringing her expertise and inspiration to House Beautiful with a regular column, starting this month on page 151. GARDEN LOVE This month’s gardens–small but beautifully put together…

A new month brings a fresh perspective – in April this often means looking at ways to breathe new life into our homes. It’s surprising the difference simple things such as switching to a lighter window treatment or a fresh lick paint can make. Every issue of House Beautiful is packed with ideas and inspiration for home lovers – whether you’ve a specific project in mind or you simply want to relax and enjoy taking a peep inside our stunning real-life homes. Don’t forget, we also have lots of other ways to entertain you online – on Instagram and Facebook @housebeautifuluk, and of course, on our website, housebeautiful.com/uk. GIVE YOURSELF A TREAT If you’re not already part of the House Beautiful family, now is the perfect time to subscribe. See page 6…

Fans of iconic brand Habitat will be pleased to discover it’s now easier than ever to track down its quality, affordable furniture and homeware. As well as Habitat’s website, the collection can now be found online at Sainsbury’s and Argos Home, plus in selected Sainsbury’s stores and three Habitat showrooms. Brass table with four chairs, £430; Lowenna mesh ceiling light, £120; Solomon hammered brass vase, £20; all Habitat # winningatstyle For a beautifully simple seasonal display, try combining tulips of three different colours in a tall, wide-necked glass vase. Cut the outer stems a little shorter and arrange together in a tight swirl for a florist-style bouquet…

HOW IT BEGAN Growing up just outside Amsterdam, Ottoline de Vries was taught basic decorating skills from a young age and later found herself drawn into the world of design. DOING IT YOURSELF ‘When I began doing up my own home, I was bursting with ideas and energy – and the skills I learned in my early years were so valuable,’ she says. Returning home from her day job, Ottoline would happily work through the night, wallpapering rooms and upcycling furniture. It was a fruitless search for the ‘perfect’ wallpaper that led her to begin sketching out her own ideas, laying the foundations for what would become her first wallpaper collection, which launched in 2015. INSPIRE HAPPINESS Made in the UK and the Netherlands, her designs have since evolved to span wallpapers, lampshades, fabrics and…

BOOK CLUB In her latest book, The New Mindful Home (£14.99, Laurence King), interiors stylist and author Joanna Thornhill explores ways to live more thoughtfully and sustainably using colour, well-planned room layouts and natural elements. Perfect if you’re longing to create a calm, considered environment. ARTS & CRAFTS Sculpd is the creative brand behind the clever air-dry DIY pottery kit, containing everything you need to create your own pots, dishes, vases and more. Each kit has enough clay for four small or two larger creations and comes with a step-by-step guide, cutting tools, paint and varnish. To find out more and get sculpting, visit sculpd.co.uk. SHOP SMALL Based in Poole in Dorset, WN Store is the recently opened lifestyle and homeware shop from design studio WN Interiors. Founder Sarah Woadden’s ethos places provenance and craftmanship…