2022-03-01 Ideal Home

RENOVATION

VERSATILE
ALUMINIUM

A great option if you’re
looking for something

a little different,
aluminium frames can

be made in a wide
range of colours and
sizes, from smart grey
and green to bolder
shades of blue and red.

TIMELESS
CRITTALL

In this scheme created
by interior designer

Cherie Lee, the classic
steel-framed Crittall
windows provide the
perfect backdrop for
contemporary decor.

TRADITIONAL TIMBER-LOOK
SASH STYLE UPVC

Swapping out modern These uPVC windows
uPVC windows to from The Residence
replace them with Collection are made to
classic sash designs look like wood, yet
they’re completely
can actually add value maintenance-free.
to your home.

FEATURE AMY CUTMORE PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

151MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

LIFE ADMIN

NO-NONSENSE SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY HASSLES

HOME MAINTENANCE CLEANING

Reseal your bath Ways to refresh

Smarten up your bathroom by replacing dirty
or stained sealant around your bath. First, apply
a sealant softener (try UniBond Silicone Sealant
Remover, £5 for 80ml, Amazon) and leave to dry
for around 15 mins. Remove the old sealant
carefully with a plastic scraper. Scrub the area
clean then leave to dry thoroughly. Next,
fill the bath with water to ensure that the new
sealant won’t crack when the bath is used later.
With your sealant cartridge inserted into the
sealant gun, cut the nozzle off at the end to the
size that corresponds with the gap you’re filling.
Sit on the edge of the bath and press the trigger
to apply the sealant to the gap in one smooth
movement. Once applied, smooth it with a wet
round-ended tool – try either a wooden spoon
or a wet fingertip. Shape the sealant at an angle,
as this will help it to shed water. Remove any
excess with white spirit before it dries. Leave the
sealant to dry, before emptying the bath.

DIGITAL your bedding

Q How to stop 1 STRIP YOUR BED
cold callers
Take the sheets, duvet cover, valance
If you’re constantly being dogged by people selling and pillowcases off the bed to wash
you insurance or offering you legal advice for them. If you have a memory foam
accidents you’ve never had, register with the mattress, take the cover to the dry
Telephone Preference Service (tpsonline.org.uk). cleaner. And if your mattress needs
They’ll add you to a database of numbers that don’t turning, do this now.
want to receive any marketing or sales calls. Any
company that contacts you when you’re registered 2 USE A NATURAL FRESHENER
with the TPS is breaking the law. Unfortunately the
law only covers calls made by actual people, not Add a few drops of pure lavender oil to
those annoying pre-recorded automated calls, so half a cup of bicarbonate of soda, stir
either block those numbers on your mobile when you then sift it over the mattress using a
receive them or contact your phone provider to get sieve. Leave for an hour or two then
them blocked if they call your landline. vacuum it up. If you have space under
the bed, whizz the vacuum under it too.

3 CLEAN THE HEADBOARD

If your headboard is wooden, dust it
and clean with furniture polish. If
made from fabric, run your vacuum’s
upholstery attachment over it.

152MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

FINANCE TECH

W hen to use Q How tech
your credit card can help

If used correctly and you pay back the full amount you sleep better
each month, there can be big benefits.
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI ILLUSTRATIONS EMMA JACKSON Everyone knows that you should avoid
WHEN BUYING EXPENSIVE ITEMS looking at your phone before bedtime
Thanks to section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, – yet we still all do it – but how can
credit cards benefit from payment protection on tech actually help us get a better
purchases over £100 that debit cards do not. So if night’s sleep? Introducing dreamy
you either don’t receive delivery of an item (or light and sound is usually a good
worse still, your card is cloned), your credit card starting point. Lumie’s Bodyclock
company is duty bound to refund you. Shine 300 clock, £129, has a sunset
TO REAP REWARDS feature that combines soft fading
There are a lot of credit cards that offer you light and soothing sounds, such as
rewards as you spend. For example, John Lewis waves or crickets at night, to help
& Partners and Sainsbury’s give you vouchers or you drift off. Knowing your sleep
loyalty card points to spend in store, while British patterns and how much you toss and
Airways rewards Avios points for each transaction, turn can help too. Google’s Nest Hub,
which you can use to redeem money off (or free) £89.99, features sleep sensing, which
flights, seat upgrades or hotel rooms. tracks when you go to bed every
night, if you experience any sleep
After decorating ideas? Browse disturbances and when you wake up.
our gallery on idealhome.co.uk Once it has tracked your sleep
for a colour scheme you love, patterns over time, it suggests
click on the Dulux badge personalised recommendations to
and find a paint to match help you improve the quality of sleep
you have. Temperature too can play a
ORGANISING big part. Ideally you should sleep in a
room no warmer than 18-20°C. Smart
3 houseplant thermostats together with smart
must-dos radiator valves can be programmed
to reduce the temperature of a
STAY IN THE KNOW room to the optimum by bedtime.
All plants differ. Do your research and And if you really can’t shake the habit
place each plant in the right position of scrolling through the headlines,
(sunny or shaded, etc) and water either make sure you turn on your
from below, above or via misting. phone’s Night Mode to reduce the
melanin-suppressive bright blue light.
WIPE REGULARLY
Plants need dusting too! Wipe leaves every
fortnight with biodegradable water-based
wipes, like WaterWipes, £2.99 pack of 60, Boots.

LOOK FOR SIGNS
Browning leaves can mean you’re overwatering
your plant, while bone-dry soil means you’re not
watering enough. Keep an eye out for changes.

153MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

TECH SUPPORT

VIDEO CALLING

Choosing the right
video calling medium
can make speaking
with loved ones a more
enjoyable experience

hile you may have managed to avoid using WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI ILLUSTRATION EMMA JACKSON
or Zoom, but to use it, you – and the
W using them before the pandemic hit, person or people you’re calling – need to
there has been no escaping video have either a Facebook or WhatsApp account.
calling over the past couple of years. It features an ingenious, wide-angled AI-powered
For some, it has been the only way to camera that automatically zooms in or pans
keep in touch with friends and family, when you can’t out to keep everyone in the frame, even if they
meet in real life. But if you’ve been a serial screen move around the space. It also has a host of fun
dodger or just aren’t very video-call savvy, there are augmented reality effects – for instance, a filter
many ways to keep in touch now that don’t involve will transform you into a bunny rabbit or a cute
you holding your phone in an outstretched hand little kitten – while the Story Time feature is perfect
at an unflattering angle. Here are our top picks: for reading to a child at bedtime – choose from
a selection of stories and watch it come to life
WHAT WAYS CAN YOU CALL? around you as you speak. And once you buy
a Portal device, calls are completely free.
For basic calling, there are lots of desktop, tablet
and smartphone apps that you can employ to make ANY OTHERS?
video calls, many of which are by no means new to
the market. Skype, Apple’s FaceTime and Zoom have Alexa-enabled devices that feature displays, like
been around for 18, 11 and 10 years respectively, while the Echo Show 10, 8 or 5, can make video calls to
the 12-year-old WhatsApp is one of the most popular other Alexa devices or smartphones (and visa versa)
options on smartphones, because it lets you both provided the Alexa app has been downloaded to
instant message and video call for free using WiFi the phone. Google Duo is another video calling
or your data allowance (and realistically, many of your app. It works on smartphones and tablets (both
friends and family are probably already using it). iOS and Android) computers and smart displays,
such as Google’s Nest Hub Max. You can use it to
ARE THEY ALL FREE TO USE? speak to up to 32 people and use its augmented
reality filters and effects to liven up the call.
Both Skype and Zoom are free of charge for the
basic plan. That gives you unlimited calls on Skype If you’re concerned about
with up to 50 participants, and a maximum of 40 security, WhatsApp, Google
minutes per call with Zoom with up to 100 on the Duo, Messenger and Zoom all
call (or Zoom Party). Everyone on the call needs feature end-to-end encryption
to have downloaded the same app to connect. ensuring calls can’t be listened
FaceTime is free and at least one person on the to, recorded or hacked into
call has to have an Apple device (iPhone, iPad or
Mac computer), while those without can join via
a link from a browser. Calls have no time limit and
you can add up to 32 people to a FaceTime call.

ANY DEDICATED GADGETS?

Facebook Portal is a video calling hub with built-in
Amazon Alexa smart assistant. You can make calls

154MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

LIFE ADMIN

MONEY MATTERS

IDEAL HOME’S COLUMNIST AND EDITOR OF THEMONEYEDIT.COM

KALPANA FITZPATRICK SHARES HER FINANCIAL WISDOM

Cut the cost of overdrafts

*FINDER **ALL RATES MENTIONED ARE CORRECT AT TIME This year has seen higher living costs BUDGET REVIEW
OF GOING TO PRESS AND OVERDRAFTS ARE SUBJECT TO and soaring energy prices, leading to
AFFORDABILITY CHECKS ILLUSTRATION EMMA JACKSON more of us relying on credit. For many, If you’re struggling to make
this includes going into overdraft to your income last all month,
make that pay cheque go further. then it’s a good time to
More than 26 million households use tighten your household
overdrafts each year*, but by doing so budget. Take a close look at
you could pay a whopping 40% interest. Recent money coming in and going out
rules from the Financial Conduct Authority mean and see if you can make any cuts,
banks must now charge a single rate for all even if it’s just for a few months.
overdrafts, which for most of them is now around Reviewing your utility bills and
40%. If you need extra cash, then an overdraft mortgage can help slash thousands
could be a costly way to get it. Here’s how to off your annual living costs. Take a look
avoid stinging charges and slipping into debt. at the Citizens Advice budgeting tool to
get started (citizensadvice.org.uk/
SWITCH BANK ACCOUNTS debt-and-money/budgeting).

Leaving your bank may seem a bit like breaking GET HELP
up with a long-term partner, but if your bank no
longer serves your needs, it’s time to switch. If you If you are struggling financially or finding it
occasionally rely on an overdraft, then move to a difficult to pay back overdraft charges, talk to
bank that offers an interest-free overdraft buffer. your bank as soon as possible. They may come
First Direct offers a £250 interest-free arranged up with a repayment plan or even waive the
overdraft, but anything above that will cost you an interest charges. If you think you have a serious
eye-watering 39.9% in charges. debt issue, seek advice from a debt charity, such
Nationwide Building Society’s FlexDirect as Step Change or the National Debtline.
account offers a 0% arranged overdraft for a year,
but after that it’s also 39.9%. Before applying for credit,
use the bank’s online eligibility
REDUCED OVERDRAFTS CHARGES and credit score checker

If you are not eligible for a free overdraft deal, Take back control
you could move to a bank that offers a lower
rate** than the typical 40%. These include: Q If you switch accounts, the bank may pay you to
Monzo – charges 19% if you have an excellent move to them. While free cash sounds good, make
credit score, otherwise it could be 29% to 39%. sure that the bank suits your needs, plus you will
Starling Bank – charges 15% to those with good need to close your existing account to be eligible.
credit scores, or it’s 25% to 35%. Q Use the Current Account Switch Service
Cumberland Building Society – charges 14.9%. (currentaccountswitch.co.uk) which means banks do
Triodos Bank – charges 18%. the leg work and complete your switch within seven
working days. Most banks offer this service.
USE YOUR SAVINGS Q If you want to borrow money for a short while,
then loans or credit cards will be cheaper. You could
If you have cash savings stashed away, it’s natural apply for a 0% interest deal; ask the card provider
that you may not want to touch it. But if you need for a ‘soft search’ to make sure you are accepted.
the money, then it makes sense to dip into your
savings and use that cash instead. The chances Q Follow Kalpana on Instagram @KalpanaFitz
are, you’re not earning much interest on your
savings account anyway, so why pay sky-high
interest rate charges to borrow, when you have
the money elsewhere?

155MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK



FIND YOUR ZEN WITH MONTHLY
COLUMNIST FEARNE COTTON

I f you follow me on Instagram or have
read any of my books you’ll have
heard me moaning about my often
troubled nights. I have periods of

great sleep where I waltz off into

vivid dreamland and only pee once in

the night. Yet I also lumber through horrific head to sleep town. After a quick pee to reduce the

periods of either very broken sleep or a complete amount of times I have to go in the night (the joys of

incapability to fall to sleep if I’m experiencing ageing) I pop on my silk eye mask (sounds super

anxiety. My heart races and my mind wanders off diva but it’s old and smells of face cream) and one

into different aisles of my brain like a toddler at earplug. That’s right, one. I sleep on my side and

the supermarket. don’t like an ear plug in the ear I’m lying on. As I’m

Whenever I post on social media after a night of drifting off I mentally list the things I’m grateful for

broken sleep I’m inundated with kind advice and then move onto listing people I wish to send love to.

‘sleep hacks’. Believe me when I say, I’ve tried If all is going well I won’t make it to the end. Q

them all. I’m always grateful for the tips and tricks

but usually stick to the routine “There is no normal
I’m used to now. It’s a security with sleep routines, so
blanket that notifies my brain find one that makes
I’ve done all I can to ensure
sleep arrives at some point.

This is by no means a set of

rigid instructions, but maybe

you feel safeit’ll help you create your own

night-time routine that makes

you feel safe, too. My routine is a little bit ‘bye bye

”fun’ and ‘hello structure.’ The first moment of
party pooping comes with turning off my phone at BEDSIDE BUDDY
9pm (sometimes 8:30pm!). We all know that blue ‘Bell Hurley metal
light that phones emit is one of the main culprits tumbler. The
for stealing our zeds, yet many of us rally against it. ladybird design is
I took the TV out of our bedroom about six years so gorgeous.’
ago and I’m so glad I did. Now let’s talk pillows. SNUGGLE UP
I’m extremely picky and through great trial and ‘A beautiful throw
error have found my soulmate pillow. I have used a by Denim and
Tempur pillow for ages and there is no going back. Bone. I have one
on my bed.’
There are parts of my routine that are AND RELAX
non-negotiable and one of them is reading. I have ‘Hayou metal body
to read for thirty minutes before bed. It helps to gua sha tool for
click my brain into escapism or thinking about giving myself a
other people’s lives so I can forget my own worries. soothing massage.’

At some point my eyelids start to move in slow LISTEN TO FEARNE’S HAPPY PLACE
motion and I know I’ve hit the sweet spot: time to PODCAST ON YOUR FAVE PODCAST APP

157MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK



HAPPY HOME

IDEAS FOR A SUSTAINABLE HOME Carnaby rug in
Shadow Del Sol,
“Hardwearing and from £109,
Jonathan Adler
durable, bamboo is at Ruggable
carbon negative over
Spill, wash, repeat
”its life cycle
Stains on rugs come hand-in-hand with busy family
life yet sadly, there are always some that even
careful dabbing won’t remove. Often a deep
chemical clean may be your only option, otherwise
it’s destined for landfill. Limit any lasting damage by
choosing designs that you can clean easily, like
Ruggable’s brilliant machine-washable rugs.
Available in an array of colours, designs and sizes,
they come in two pieces: a non-slip rug pad, with
a rug cover that sits on top. The cover can be easily
removed and put in the washing machine. Genius.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI Bamboo kitchen in Warm, This month...
from around £2,862 for a
small kitchen, Custom Fronts REDUCE Monitor the

Super sustainable style contents of your fridge or
freezer and reduce waste
Completely refitting a kitchen may not be the most eco-minded of with these clever new
projects but thanks to Sussex-based company Custom Fronts, the silicone containers from
most popular of makeovers just got a little greener. The brand Smartfreeze. Suitable for
specialises in worktops, cabinet doors, drawers, panels and plinths microwaves, ovens and
to fit existing Ikea carcasses, so you can give your kitchen a whole dishwashers, each box
new look, without the waste (and disruption) of removing the shell, features a unique QR code
too. And the best bit? The brand’s latest collection is made from that you scan and keep a
bamboo, a smart and super-sustainable alternative to wood. tally of on the companion
app, receiving notifications
when the food is close to expiry. From
£13.99 each, or £39 for set of three.

RECYCLE Did you know that

Ikea buys back its own furniture?
Just fill in the online form with your
furniture details to receive a quote. Next,
bring it to your nearest branch, where staff
will check it out and confirm a final valuation,
which is paid via credit to spend in store.

REUSE Sick of soggy paper straws?

These colourful beauties are made from
stainless steel and come complete with
an itty-bitty brush for thorough cleaning.
Keithsburg reusable straws in Green,
£6.19 for four, Wayfair.

159MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

Ramsay

f liansah

Treat the family to quick
and delicious dishes with
Gordon Ramsay’s recipes

n Find these WARUNG-STYLE
speedy, nutritious FRIED NOODLES
recipes and more
in his latest book, See page 163 for recipe
Ramsay In 10 by
Gordon Ramsay
(£25, Hodder &
Stoughton).

HAPPY HOME

CORNFLAKE
CHICKEN SLIDERS
WITH GOCHUJANG

MAYONNAISE

See page 163 for recipe

161MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

IDEAL HOME TIP

Prep ingredients first thing, so at
dinner time, simply assemble and
cook for a speedy delicious meal

BANG BANG
CAULIFLOWER

See opposite for recipe

HAPPY HOME

RECIPES GORDON RAMSAY Warung-style Cornflake chicken Bang bang cauliflower
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI fried noodles sliders with gochujang
mayonnaise SERVES 4 READY IN 10 MINS
SERVES 2 READY IN 10 MINS ● Cauliflower, cut into florets, tender
● 4tbsp soy sauce or tamari ● 2tbsp SERVES 4 READY IN 10 MINS leaves (if any) reserved ● 1 heaped tbsp
oyster sauce ● 3tbsp coconut palm ● 65g cornflakes ● 2 skinless chicken rice flour ● 2tbsp vegetable oil ● Small
sugar or dark brown sugar ● 1tbsp breasts ● 3 eggs ● 4tbsp flour ● Veg oil, red onion ● 2-3cm piece of fresh ginger
ground coriander ● 2tsp ginger paste for frying ● Cucumber ● 2 spring onions ● 2 garlic cloves ● 2tbsp sesame oil
● 2tsp garlic paste ● 2-3 heads of Asian ● Small handful of coriander leaves ● Small handful coriander leaves
greens (pak choi/bok choy or choi sum) ● 2tbsp fish sauce ● Zest and juice of FOR THE BANG BANG SAUCE ● 2tbsp
● 2 spring onions ● 125g streaky bacon 1 lime ● 100g roasted peanuts, crushed maple syrup (or agave syrup) ● 2tbsp
● 2tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for (optional) ● 3tbsp crispy fried onions Cholula or sriracha hot sauce
frying ● 2 eggs ● 225g cooked flat rice (optional) ● 4 brioche burger buns ● 4tbsp sweet chilli sauce
noodles ● 100g beansprouts ● 4 Little Gem lettuce leaves ● Sea salt
TO SERVE ● 1tbsp coriander leaves FOR THE GOCHUJANG MAYONNAISE 1 Start by making the bang bang sauce:
● Pinch of Japanese shichimi togarashi ● 2tbsp gochujang chilli sauce ● 3tbsp
seasoning (optional) mayonnaise ● Zest and juice of 1 lime put all the ingredients for it into a bowl
and stir until fully combined. Set aside.
1 Put the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, 1 Make the gochujang mayonnaise: put the
2 Toss the cauliflower florets into the
ground coriander and ginger and garlic ingredients into a bowl and mix. Set aside.
pastes into a bowl and whisk together until rice flour.
you have a smooth sauce. 2 Crush the cornflakes in a bowl. Slice the
3 Place a wok over a high heat and add
2 Slice the Asian greens into 5cm pieces chicken breasts in half horizontally so you
have four thin pieces. the vegetable oil. When hot, add the
and roughly chop the spring onions. cauliflower florets and stir-fry for 3 mins.
3 Beat the eggs in a bowl. Put the flour Add the reserved cauliflower leaves
3 Place a wok over a high heat until (if any) and stir-fry for another 3-4 mins.
into a bowl and season with a little salt. Put
smoking hot, meanwhile cutting the bacon crushed cornflakes into a third bowl. Dip 4 Meanwhile, peel and slice the onion;
into 2.5cm strips. Add a little oil to the hot the chicken first into the seasoned flour,
wok, then reduce the heat to medium–high then the egg and finally the cornflakes. peel the ginger and cut into small strips;
and add the bacon. Cook for 1 min, then peel and crush the garlic.
add the 2tbsp oil to the wok. Once 4 Place a large frying pan over a medium–
shimmering, crack in the eggs and cook 5 Place a small saucepan over a medium
for 30 secs, breaking them up slightly with high heat. Pour in a 2cm depth of oil. When
a spatula. Move to the side of the wok and hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 2 heat and add the sesame oil. When
add the noodles. Allow them to cook mins on each side. Drain on kitchen paper. hot, add the prepared onion, garlic and
undisturbed for 30 secs. They should ginger and cook, stirring occasionally
start to char. 5 Slice the cucumber into ribbons, and for 2 mins, until soft.

4 Add the sauce to the wok. Stir to roughly chop the spring onions. Place in a 6 Remove the pan from the heat and stir
bowl with the coriander leaves, fish sauce,
combine with the eggs and noodles, and lime zest and juice and toss together. in the bang bang sauce.
bring to the boil. Add the greens, spring
onions and beansprouts to the pan and 6 If using the crushed peanuts and crispy 7 Add the onion and sauce mixture to
toss to combine, then cook for 1-2 mins,
pressing everything into the sides of the fried onions, combine in a bowl. the wok and stir until the cauliflower is
pan to char and caramelise. fully coated. Spoon the cauliflower mixture
7 Split the buns in half. Spoon a dollop of into a serving dish, sprinkle with the
5 Divide between two bowls and top coriander leaves and serve with boiled
the mayonnaise on the bottom halves and rice and green vegetables.
with the coriander leaves and a pinch of spread a little on the outside of the tops.
shichimi togarashi (if using). Dip the tops in the peanut mixture.

8 Put the lettuce leaves inside the buns,

followed by some of the cucumber salad
and the crispy chicken. Put the bun lids on
top before serving.

163MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

HAPPY HOME

tidy
house
tidy
mind
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER
VICKY SILVERTHORN
SORTS THE KITCHEN...

DIG DEEP Start by pulling everything out of your incredible how many gadgets and unnecessary FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
items we own but can most definitely live without.
kitchen cupboards, getting right to the back and An apple corer or an egg slicer’s job can be done
uncovering tins and jars that probably haven’t seen with a knife. Does the popcorn maker actually get
the light of day for years. Always have the word used more than once a year? Think hard about
‘practicality’ in your head – it’s not just about making space versus how much you use these items.
your kitchen look pristine, but it has to work too.
Don’t forget to give the things you do keep a good MAKE SAVVIER CHOICES If you have an
clean before replacing and check those sell-by dates!
open-plan kitchen diner, you really need to think
THINK PRACTICALLY A common mistake is wisely. Put as much out of sight as possible, keeping
only the essentials on display. Look at adding extra
when clients decant everything they own into glass shelving to the insides of cupboards and opting for
jars because they’ve seen it on Instagram! Yes, this stackable storage and pans. Plate shelves (in
looks very pretty and in some cases will free up cupboards) are a great tip, and wire racks on walls
cupboard space if you display them on open have saved me lots of cupboard space too!
shelves, but it isn’t always very efficient. Think about Find out more at youneedavicky.com or check
the shape and material of your storage, too – round out my instagram @youneedavicky
jars don’t use space so efficiently, but look prettier.
Also, don’t be tempted to cram cupboards full. SCANDI DISPLAY
If you can’t see what’s at the back, you’ll never Oak and stoneware storage
remember it’s there and you’ll never use it.
canisters, from £30 each,
GET TOUGH Ensure you are making use of Marquis & Dawe

every space, but streamline what you have first. It’s

STACK ’EM UP
Bamboo three tier
cupboard plate racks,

£16.99, Amazon

PREP STATION CLUTTER BUSTER
Darby butcher’s Set of three wall-
block, £449, Made
mounted wire storage
baskets, £39.95, Dibor

164MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK









EDITORIAL MARKETING
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RHODA PARRY HEAD OF MARKETING SIAN CUPID
DEPUTY HEAD OF MARKETING LAURA TIMMS
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CIRCULATION MANAGER KATIE GREENAN
DEPUTY EDITOR GINEVRA BENEDETTI
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HEAD OF SUBS OPERATIONS MAXINE CLARKE INSERT SALES CANOPY MEDIA 0845 544 1857

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DIGITAL MANAGEMENT
DEPUTY EDITOR TAMARA KELLY SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, WOMENS, HOMES & COUNTRY
EDITOR IN CHIEF – HOMES AUDIENCE AMY CUTMORE SOPHIE WYBREW-BOND
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PRODUCTION
EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER NICOLA TILLMAN SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES
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169MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK

HAPPY HOME

hometruths
GEORGE CLARKE GETS UP CLOSE
& PERSONAL WITH HIS HOME

Architect and TV presenter IN THE
George Clarke lives between HOT SEAT
Gloucestershire and London
with his children, Georgie, Shoes – on or off in the
Emilio and Iona, joining him house? Off. Every time.
at weekends
For everybody.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME
OF THE DAY AT HOME? Eat at the table or on
I’m away so much with work that just laps? Always at the table.
being home at all is amazing! I’m usually
only home at the weekends, which is Lighting – are your
when my children come to my house. rooms bright or moody?
That’s why Saturday mornings are my I hate bright lighting. My
absolute favourite. I can have breakfast, kids sometimes complain
relax and just enjoy being with my kids.
that the house is too
WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? dark, but I love low-level
I’ve got a garden studio which I built, light lamps and candles.
with a sofa and TV, but also a desk and
loads of books, so everyone uses it as Quick shower or long
a cosy escape. I pop down there to work, bath? Long bath.
or if the house is busy then one of the
kids can use it to read, do homework Room decor – colourful
or watch TV on their own. or neutral? Neutral.

WHAT’S YOUR HOME ADDICTION? DO YOU THINK YOU’RE A GOOD HOST? n George’s new FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPH DAN DUCHARS
Books! I’m always in the middle of about When I’ve got time, I think I’m good. I love collection of sofas,
four or five, and they live everywhere in cooking for myself and my family, but I’d chairs and footstools,
the house. I’m currently reading How rather book a brilliant restaurant and treat in collaboration with
Innovation Works, and I’ve also got a people. If we go out, I can talk with friends Sofology, is available
history book and a couple of political that I might not have seen in a long time, now in store and online
biographies and historical biographies rather than cooking and cleaning.
on the go. I love coffee table books too,
especially photography ones. WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT
YOUR HOME WHEN YOU’RE AWAY?
WHAT’S YOUR HOME PET PEEVE? My own bed! My mattress is from Brook &
Mess. I love to have beautiful things Wilde and I buy pillows from John Lewis.
around, but I hate clutter. I like to buy I look like a lunatic when I’m testing them in
things that are timeless and could last the shop. You know how they lay them out on
for ever, when possible handmade and shelves? I massively embarrass my kids because
British made. My house isn’t massive, so I lean over with my head on the pillow and
everything in it is quite special to me. my arms around it, giving it a little hug!

WHAT CHORE DO HATE DOING?
The one thing I absolutely hate is packing
my case! Packing a suitcase for a holiday
is a joy, but packing for work when you’re
on the road a lot is the bane of my life.

170MARCH 2022 IDEALHOME.CO.UK



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