Ideal Home February 2022

“Our house is flexing once more and our 2022 plans include a kitchen extension” The thing about living with kids is that your home is in a constant state of flux (and chaos, or is that just me?) – shifting to suit the next stage of family life. When my twins were small it was all about open-plan living, with the aim that if we could keep them within sight, we might stand a chance of swooping in before any major mischief went down. Once they went to bed, the toys and mess would be cleared away into the myriad of storage options we shoe-horned into the room – shelving, baskets, chests – to give the impression of a kid-free zone for the evening (oh how I miss the days they…

HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Guardian columnist and features writer, Hadley has also penned four books. She’s about to move house – a new project! NICKY PHILLIPS DECORATING EDITOR Nicky brings over 25 years’ experience to the table, and has been part of the Ideal Home family for 21 years. 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 ninth series, with over 40 million downloads.…

The homeware haven, based in Norfolk and now online, began in 2014 to bring together Birdie’s experience as an interior designer and antiques dealer. It’s easy to see how her background has resulted in such a strong, elegant-bohemian aesthetic. The collections are designed in-house and created with artisans she’s encountered on her travels. The latest, Wanderings, blends folk-inspired designs from Romania to China via Russia and East Africa; discover one-of-a-kind artwork alongside eclectic homewares. We love the colourful jute footstools, woven wall baskets and plethora of patterned cushions that are just made for mixing.…

DO Create your own perfect organisation system for dates, lists, reminders, thoughts and anything else you want in one notebook with bullet journaling. This mindful process of creatively filing life admin gives your brain a breather, too. Visit the blog at bulletjournal.com to get started. Dot grid journal, £15, The Ink Pot. Serenity pens, £5, Paperchase LISTEN The New York Times column Modern Love has been made into a podcast, with famous voices bringing real love stories to life. Download for a glimpse into the lives of others. WATCH Follow budding designers as they pour their passion into each interiors project. Can they dazzle the judges and finish on time? Interior Design Masters starts this month on BBC1. READ This American self-care speaker covers everything from manifesting to meditation, and her new book focuses…

We’re not just getting more adventurous with colour in living rooms and bedrooms – bathrooms and kitchens are getting a bolder treatment too. A big new look for these spaces is to drench walls by painting and tiling in one shade. Perfect timing then for the partnership between tile experts Bert & May and paint favourites Little Greene. Their colour-matched collection of paint and tiles can be used to create a seamless, immersive cocoon. The range includes eight of Little Greene’s classic colours on Bert & May’s signature tiles – think soft, chalky cement squares and glossy, glazed clay herringbones. Among the colours are delicate blush Chemise (above) and versatile French Grey, along with rich Royal Navy, the dreamy washed-forest green, Livid, and warming yellow Bassoon.…

YOUR BEST DECORATING DECISION? Keeping the fresh plaster in our living room unpainted. We’ve always loved its colour and texture in previous renovations, and this time we felt brave enough to leave it exposed. It is so warm, raw and beautiful. YOUR SECRET STYLING IDEA? Pin or save images with colours that make you happy and pull out all the ones that feature again and again. Stick to these tones in your home and everything will work together. FAVOURITE CORNER OF YOUR HOME? Our kids’ reading nook which I created out of an unused cupboard! We all love how cosy it is in there. AN ITEM IN YOUR HOME THAT SPARKS JOY? Our Ikea toy kitchen which I upcycled as a mini version of my own dream kitchen: fluted cabinets and everything!…