Ideal Home

Spending more time at home looks set to be the biggest trend this year, as costs spiral and we’re all after ways to save money. But the 2023 take on ‘stay at home’ is a little different to the lockdowns of previous years, as this time we’re free to open up our doors and share our space with friends and family. This focus on entertaining at home will influence how we use our space. Flexibility is key (dinner for 14? Not a prob!) but (let’s be honest) we also want our homes to look their best when we have guests over. Personally, I’m on a fast-looming deadline to take our garden from mudpit to summer sanctuary, ready for alfresco soirées come the warmer months (our new column from top gardener Sarah…

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 perfectly placed to spot the 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…

SPOTLIGHT ON Cleo Barbour English artist and former shoe designer Cleo creates vibrant, graphic artwork that brings positivity to the space it inhabits. We’re loving her Art Deco-inspired pieces – combining mediums including photography, paintwork, digital illustration and geometry – that effortlessly complement any room. If you really want to ramp up the colour, check out her series of Miami-influenced travel prints in pastel hues, cleobarbour.com. IH LOVES... Decorative oil bottles Lila ceramic oil bottle, £15, Oliver Bonas 'What to do this month... READ You watched the show, now grab the book. Interior Design Masters (£22, Quadrille) is packed with invaluable advice, tips and techniques on how to make the most of your living space and decorate your home. From creating a mood board, to the best layouts for each room, plus colour, lighting and flooring advice,…

Now and then, the high street comes up with something so utterly fabulous, it looks as if it’s come from a designer boutique. Here are some of our latest discoveries that will make your home look expensive without the big spend...…

Cooking legend Mary Berry lives in Henley, Oxfordshire with her husband Paul and two dogs Darcy and Freddy WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO THE SECOND YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR FRONT DOOR? Tell the dogs to be quiet. If I’ve been away, the first thing I do is go into the garden and see what I can pick to make the house home. There are always flowers in the garden – we’ve got some irises and they’re on the kitchen table now. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? At the end of the day, you know when you’ve achieved what you’ve set out from your list, and the door closes. Six o’clock I think is about my favourite time; sitting down, perhaps having a drink and thinking I’d better…