Ideal Home September 2021

I think September is my favourite month of the year. We’re often treated to a run of good weather (apologies if I’ve just jinxed it by putting that down in black and white!), it’s my twins’ birthday month, and I’m a sucker for that back-to-school promise of a fresh start. I have fond memories of stocking up on stationery at French supermarkets as a teenager on the way home from our holidays, and the excitement of that haul and all those fresh pages comes back every year. Forget spring cleaning, September is my month to get organised and tackle all those house jobs I’ve been putting off. Top of my list this year is a living room makeover. It’s currently the shade of beige we inherited when we moved in 10…

Whether it’s a full-on declutter or a quick tidy up, create a calm work space with desk accessories to stay organised, then add a few homely touches. Make time to empty the lists in your head on to paper, get admin tasks ticked off and set intentions for the busy season ahead. WHERE TO BUY Norton stool/side table, £120; Cowley lamp, £85; White lacquer trays, £75 set of three; Curly sheepskin seat pad, £45; pussy willow wreath, £58; Kubu waste-paper bin, £40; Curly sheepskin bench, £695; round jute rug, £125, all The White Company…

DUNELM LAUNCH OWN-LABEL DECORATING Need a full room makeover? Get inspiration with Decorate & Co-ordinate, Dunelm’s new one-stop-shop range. Each theme, from maximalist Jungle Luxe to pared-back Nature Walk, includes coordinating paints, wallpapers, fabrics and accessories for a cohesive finish. Available online and in 53 stores. Fab outdoor fabrics We’ve gained a whole new appreciation for the garden as an entertaining space in any weather, so an investment in dressing it up will last well beyond the summer. Rather than chuck out tired seat and lounger cushions, why not refresh and renew? Romo’s vibrant range of outdoor fabrics and trimmings features weaves and velvets, tassels and decorative tapes to bring some interior design flair to the garden, while the plush finishes ensure light-fastness, and mould and mildew resistance too. Need to know SPEAKERS IN…

I’m handmade with sungkai wood UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE Candace cane curved screen in Black, £698, Cielshop Interiors MID-CENTURY GLAMOUR Domkapa Lavinia folding screen, from £1,150, Sweetpea & Willow DIAGONAL WEAVE Masaya rattan divider screen, £250, La Redoute WASHED WOOD Carved geometric screen, £275, Cox & Cox BOTANICAL INSPIRED Harper room divider, £105, Cuckooland I can be recycled DECORATIVE DESIGN Dutchbone Rumour room divider, £199, Naken Interiors URBAN APPEAL Hiba industrial style metal screen, £199, La Redoute CLEVER CUT-OUTS Palmeira openwork pine screen, £132, Maisons du Monde…

LUXE LANDSCAPE Be transported to Tokyo with painted pagodas and majestic peacocks in deep navy and teal with gold highlights. Edo Toile in Navy, £65 a roll, Graham & Brown WARM GLOW Stylised crane birds flying high against an orange sunset, with accents of red, black and gold, provide an atmospheric vibe. Birds of Happiness, £175 a roll, Mind the Gap TRANQUIL GARDEN Inspired by the beauty of traditional Japanese art, this hand drawn landscape lends an elegant feel. Indigo Garden in Grey-Green, £64 a roll, Borastapeter at Wallpaper Direct FLORA & FAUNA Lofty cranes and delicate cherry blossoms are highlighted against a dark background for dramatic effect. Sublime Japan, £16.95 a roll, Graham & Brown at Homebase BOLD REPEAT A symbol of luck and longevity across Asia, soaring cranes on a cool mint background have a contemporary feel. Ogata Kuren in Mint Green,…