den magazine

welcome homeThink of this page as a doormat, as you step into the first edition of DEN. This is the interiors magazine that will help you transform your house into the home you’ve alwaysdreamt of.

DEN will inspire you with step-by-step guides and creative projects to help you personaliseyour favourite spaces, from the living room to the bedroom and everything inbetween.

DEN understands times are hard, so we aim to bring you the best budget buys and teachyou to do it yourself, rather than paying a hefty price tag for something from the high street.

In this issue we focus on alternative ways to source or create one-off items, to transformthe whole look of a room. We learn about antiquing, try our hand at carbooting and meeta lady who furnished her cottage without stepping foot in a store.

And, if you fancy getting your hands dirty, we have six easy steps for renovating furniture.Or, if that seems a little bit too ambitious, why not get started with some simple no-sewfabric wall art that will brighten up any magnolia room.

There’s also a knitting pattern for a cushion cover, and our resident dad shows us how tohang a picture, avoiding any mishaps with the hammer and nails.

We hope you enjoy it, and begin to believe that interior design can be both aspirationaland achievable.

Good luck!The DEN team

3

DENC O N T E N T S

MAY 2011

10

31

D E N F E A T U R E D

18 Update your room with an item ofrestored furniture, Wendy Walker tells us all

21 Janis Stone proves that yourlocal tip can be full of hidden treasures

23 The DEN team hit the car bootsto grab a bargain buy

27 Pre-loved furniture is more afforable than you think. Neil Scholes introduces us to the world of antiques

D E N L O V E S

9 Our pick of the best from the highstreet and beyond

10 Selling unique items quite literallyoff the wall, Sarah Bagnerencourages us to embrace our creativity when it comes to our homes

D E N H O W T O

5 A handy guide to make hasslefree fabric hoops

12 An easy knit cushion cover – theperfect homemade touch

29 DEN’s resident dad makes picture hanging easy in his step-by-step guide

30 Frame a flower for a decorative feature

37 We dabble in candle making and tell you whether it’s worth all the effort

D E N G A R D E N

39 Enjoy your garden with this month’s best buy

40 How to have a little piece ofparadise indoors

twitter: denmagazineteam | e-mail: [email protected] | website: denmagazine.wordpress.com

D E N L I V I N G

4 Interiors blogger, Sierra Marker, explains her passion for sewing

6 Expert feng shui tips for a happier, calmer home

16 Bespoke furniture master Tim Rinalidi explains his craft

34 Discover the art of patchworkquilting with Lindsey Foster

42 Interior designer Abigail Ahern ondesign and decorating blunders

43 May’s coolest decorating theme:blues, greens and greys

M Y D E N

13 Greg Menzies explains how hepersonalised his rented room to his eclectic taste

31 Artist and photographer, Caroline Barratt shows us how she usesspace in her small room

My DENSarah Bagner

Now with a family, which has shifted her priorities, she still findstime to sew thanks to the versatility of not only her job but also herhobby: “You have the ability to make anything from items for yourhome, to gifts to clothing. It’s extremely practical and what I enjoymost is that it’s quick, time efficient and I’m able to do it while caringfor my children.”A lot of her items that she makes and sells are related to the

stage of life that she is at, so her blog consists of nappies, seatcovers and custom bedding for cots. She still has her thirst for experimentation that she developed at high school and she hasmade dresses and pyjamas from pillow cases. As well as her blog Sierra uses Etsy, a web community of people

who hand make a variety of products and then sell them online topeople from all over the globe.Her realxed way of business and dealing with customers allows

her to have some space to breatheand not be working herself into theground when other things come up. Recently she took time off when

her daughter was going throughcheerleading competitions. She canalso break for holidays whenevershe wants.Yet no matter what life throws at

her, and the number of roles shehas, she will always have her sewing to rely on.“It’s so easy to put yourself on the back burner as you become a

wife, mother, soccer team mum, but when I’m sewing, I’m able todo something I enjoy, while also being all those roles. It’s such anamazing craft to know, even the basics of it,” she says.“Sewing has offered me so many opportunities to really hold onto

‘myself’ as a person without losing what makes me ‘me’.”

Visit Sierra’s blog at simplysewchic.com

Hobbies can become much more than just a pastime, as SierraMarker found out. She began sewing when she was just a young girland eventually put her passion for darning on the net in a blog filledwith tutorials and custom made items for sale.She says that people have always been confused as to why

she, at the age of 26, enjoys a hobby usually associated with oldergenerations. She thinks that it is sad that today’s society is moreused to browsing shops than making their own clothes.Her blog, Simply Sewing Chic, is based in America and although

Sierra does take orders she also enjoys having it as a place toshowcase her lasting work. This includes dresses made for friends andtutorials for small, crafty projects.She also posts pictures of her

revamped daughters’ bedrooms, aswell as showing off some of the itemsthat she sells, which she actually usesdaily in her own home.Sierra started sewing at school and

admits that she wasn’t a natural to start off with: “I wasn’t very goodin the beginning, but I grew to love it more and more.”She promptly started practicing and studied fashion design at

school where she began making clothes of her own.As an aid her father bought her a sewing machine when she

was 14-years-old, that she still uses every day even though she isnow married and has three children of her own. Sierra feels thisadds a touch more sentimentality to her work that just doesn’tcome from perusing the shop shelves.

Above: Sierra combines her sewing and family life.

thesimply

Internet blogging sensation, Sierra Marker, usesher sewing skills to not only entertain herself butalso to make others happy, by selling her carefully

crafted goods online.

“It’s such an amazing craft toknow, even the basics of it.

”

sewingchick

DEN | LIVING

5

Start by choosing a fabric, and cutout enough to allow you to fold itaround the fabric hoop.

Choose a backing fabric to developthe design and make the fabrichoop more secure.

Put the fabric over the hoop andline it up.

Flip the hoop over and gentlystretch the fabric between the rings.

Stretch the material as far as desired and then trim any excess.

There you have the finished product.Hang it easily in any room.

quick wall artSierra shares her how toguide with DEN for a fabulous non-sew

decoration. Perfect forbeginers, this fabrichoop doesn’t have astitch in it and can bemade using things youcan find around the

house.1 2

3 4

5 6

thekitA fabric that you like

Fabric hoopScissors

DEN | HOW TO

calmer

Empty or spare rooms can suck the energyout of the rest of your house. This is the perfect excuse to turn a room in to a shoestorage space, walk in wardrobe or gamesroom. If it stands empty as a guest room, setradios and lights on timers to help keep theenergies moving.

2

Seven years ago, feng shui was at the height of fashion and Paul Darby was the go-to man when programmes like Big Brother to Richard and Judy wanted to feng shui their sets. Now, using the training hereceived from a Chinese master, Paul Darby shares the 6,000 year old advice to provide DEN with 10

quick-fix feng shui tips to help align the energies in your home.

happier,

homeA1

You may not think that your front door has thatmuch of a bearing on your home, but it can.Keep your front door well lit with artificial light sothat when after dark, the lights keep the naturalchi energy lifted and flowing later into the day.This will provide more energy and increasepositivity to make you feel better about life.

Above: Paul Darby practices feng shui to improve his own lifestyle and happiness

DEN | LIVING

Most arguments that happen in thehome begin in the kitchen, and thesharp angular implements are part ofthe cause. Try and minimise theamount of sharp items and cornerson display – put knives into blocksand angle spotlights at work-top corners to soften the energies bouncingoff them. Displaying round pots ofparsley, sage, rosemary and thymeon the windowsill can also emit soft,positive vibes.

7

“Turn down the VOLUME

in the bedroom

”

3When faced with a set of stairs, energiesin your home drop. Adding an up-lighter atthe bottom, or an evergreen plant for acheaper and more eco-friendly approach,will help push the energy back up.

The bedroom is a place to relax and,for good feng shui, your colourscheme should reflect this. Colourssuch as lemon, peach and grey ‘turndown the volume’ in the bedroom, tomake it protective and restful. For balanced relationships, the bedshould never be against a wall or underneath a window. Each side ofthe bed should also be matching –with a lamp and bedside cabinet foreach of you.

54

6Dining tables have lost out recently to TVdinners. To reconnect the relationshipswithin the home, eat together arounda table. Opt for a wooden table, freshfruit and evergreen plants to give off positive energies, which you will then

absorb whilst eating.

Above: The bedroom should be a sanctuary of peaceful colours.

Feng shui is the practice ofmaking changes in the environment to better alignenergies so surroundingswork alongside you, ratherthan against you.

The ‘energies’ are vibrationsgiven off from everything inyour home – from colours toornaments and structural elements.

There are various approaches to feng shui including the form method(using shapes and symbols)

and the compass method(using compass directions)

Feng shui literally means ’wind’ and ‘water’ – two ofthe strongest elements

The practice is at least3,000 years old, but thephilosphy dates back 6,000years.

The Chinese first used fengshui to choose the best locations for tombs.

Visit fengshuisociety.org.ukfor more information.

In the living room, you need tocreate the most energy. Redsand yellows produce strong vibrating energies to lift yourmood, and red in particular isgood for being sociable. Thisdoesn’t require walls to be repainted in red and yellow; justsmall touches of the colours,like a picture of poppies, canhave the same effect.

Seaside themed bathrooms,whilst a popular designchoice, drain the energyfrom your home, affectingyour mood and emotions.So replace green and bluepaint and starfish and shellornaments with earthycolours such as chocolateand toffee. These colours retain energy and create awarm grotto-like room thatkeeps energies high.

7

A garden should incorporateas many bends and curvesas possible to slow down the external energies enteringyour home. If you have abalcony and live near a busyroad or train station, roundedwindow boxes and plantpots will curb the energies sothey are less disturbing to yourenvironment.

9

8

10Alcoves and corners storestale energies that do nothingfor your mood. Don’t betempted to place yourfavourite seat here. Instead,repeat the up-lighter andevergreen tricks you woulduse for the stairs.

DEN | LIVING

feng shuithe low down

Even exterior energies canaffect feng shui.

9

DENloves

Rachael Connelly

“I love this rabbit screen print by Verity Keniger. Not only is it a limited edition, but the fresh mint green colourmakes it the perfect focal point that is guaranteed tobrighten up any room.”An unframed print costs £30, and is available from designsupremo.com

Natalie Littlewood

“These wall stickers come in loads of different designsand can be used on most surfaces. I love that you canhave striking wall art without needing artistic skill! And,they're easy to remove when you want a different look.” Wind tree wall sticker, £12.50, available at stickerswall.com

Charlotte Reid

“This cushion is fab because it reminds me ofthe television series Miranda, as her flat is filledwith neat little accessorieslike this.”

You can buy this Union Jackchocolate cushion from Amazonfor the comfortable price of£5.95

The DEN team’sfavourite home picksfrom around the web

DEN | LOVES

SarahBagner

Since launching her online store,

Supermarket Sarah, last

August

has gained a reputation for

her vintage and eclectic delights.

Rachael Connelly finds out about the

concept and style behind her success

and how this translates into her home.

Offering a range of quirky merchandise and one off pieces, itis easy to see why Sarah Bagner’s online store, SupermarketSarah, has become the new destination for those in searchof an iconic item for their home. Merchandised on themed walls format, which have been

based on everything from colours to patterns, customerssimply click on the items they wish to buy. This innovation hasseen her business grow from a simple portfolio site into aboutique off Portobello Market, and more recently a conceptstore in one of Britain’s biggest department stores, Selfridges. Selling a mixture of individual pieces carefully selected from

markets and second hand shops by Sarah herself and a collection of up and coming designers, Supermarket Sarahhas truly created a new shopping experience for the internetsavvy and style conscious.It is a platform that Sarah says is very different from anyone

other in the market. It encourages people to derive entertainmentfrom shopping again, inspiring them to get creative in theirown homes with the way she carefully executes her walls.She says: “Online stores can be clinical and sterile in terms ofthe way their products are displayed.”“I wanted to move away from that and create a site that

would be inspirational and not presented in that very dullWestfield’s ‘I have to buy something’ style, because buying something is a luxury. I think that’s the difference with the wall

11

platform, that it gives people a voice and a way to get creativewith design”Sarah first started to explore the idea for her store in her

West London home. Because of this, her own den now hasa special place in her heart, although she admits her wallsnow bear the scars of this successful venture: “My home islike a big studio, I enjoy putting things up on the wall and playing around with them,” she says.“I literally just work with a hammer and screws, so my walls

at home have lots of holes in them!”But for Sarah, creating a home is all about introducing small

personal touches and moving away from the generic designerculture that she believes is currently spreading through highstreet stores. As a result, she argues that we need to bebraver, and have faith in our ability to create a distinctive look inour homes. “It’s about being really personal and letting your personality

shine through, rather than taking the advice of what otherpeople think… I definitely believe that not being cool is cool –that you should embrace your weirdness, and if you do likesomething odd, buy it and enjoy it.”She builds upon this idea, encouraging people to have the

confidence to experment with layout and design before settling

on a scheme for a room, as it costs very little money butcould make a big difference to the end result. She says: “Ithink that’s where people go wrong. They are too scared ofartistic design in a home because they are not experts. But tobe honest, experts just make things look really 90s and dull.”It is because of all of this that she suggests what is really

lacking from our homes today is a bit of plain and simple fun. “Play is a big element in my home, and I think that’s what is

missing from most people’s homes. I mean, you don’t need alot of money to make things personal and to look nice, it justtakes a bit imagination.”

Visit Sarah’s store at supermarketsarah.com

DEN | DEN LOVES

“PLAY

is a big element in my home, and I think that’s what is

missing from most peoples homes.

”

Previous page: top – Sarah Bagner is the woman behind SupermarketSarah. Bottom: an example of Sarah’s walls. This page: top – another

example of Sarah’s imaginative walls. Bottom – Sarah’s quirky living room.

Put the two pieces togetherand sew three edges up. Usepress stud fasteners or velcrofor the fourth edge.

the kitOne pair of knitting needles

size 3.25Approximately 350g Aran weight

yarnCable needle

To cable 8 back

Slip 4 stitches onto the cable needle and place at the back

of your work.Knit 4 stitches from left needle.Knit 4 stitches from cable

needle

To make 1 stitch

Pick up loop before next stitchand place on left hand needle.Knit into the back of this loop

DEN | HOW TO

the perfect

homemadetouch

Cast on 104 stitches

Row 1: purl 4 (knit 2, purl 2, knit 2,purl 4) repeat to end.Row 2: knit 4 (purl 2, knit 2, purl 2,knit 4) repeat to end.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for 5cm.

Knit 4 (purl 2, make 1, knit 2, make1, purl 2, knit 4) to end (124

stitches)

1

2

3

Row 1: purl 4 (knit 8, purl 4) toend.Row 2: knit 4 (purl 8, knit 4) toend.Rows 3 and 4: repeat rows 1 and 2Row 5: purl 4 (cable 8 back, purl4) to end.Row 6: repeat row 2Rows 7 and 8: Repeat rows 1 and 2Continue to repeat these 8 rows

until the work measures 40cm

Knit 4 (purl 2 together, purl 1, knit2, purl 2 together, purl 1, knit 4)repeat to end.Rib rows 1 and 2 as in step 2 for

5cm.

Cast off in rib

Make a second square using thissame pattern to form the back

piece of the cushion.

4

5

6

7

psst...an explanation of the techniques

An easy to follow knitting pattern for a cosy cable knit cushion

8

Knitting pattern provided by Spins and Needles boutique, Lincoln.

13

Greg Menzies’ room is a masterclass in effortless creativity,and proof that a distinctive look can be achieved in anyroom. He talks us through the personal touches that makehis rented room a personal, inviting space.

DENmy

DEN | MY DEN

crafting a collageI think that the focus of the room is the big, colourfulcollage that spans the wall above my desk.Yousee it as soon as you walk in the room, and thefact that it is above my desk is really inspiring,because when I’m working I can look up and get acolour, image or style to inspire the work that I’mdoing. It is made up of photos from holidays, artistic prints, flyers and postcards.

It’s really easy to put it together, and it is growing allthe time. I don’t plan where I put things or wherethey will fit in – I just stick them up. It’s one of myfavourite things to do to a room. It looks really individual and bright but its really cheap to do. Ipick most of the things up from public buildings ormuseum entrances for free. You just have to havethe imagination to think how they could look onyour wall.

mismatched and individualOn the walls and around the rest of the room, thepieces are mostly souvenirs from my travels. Thereare photos taken from a trip around Europe,a statueof the Eiffel Tower and a few New York related thingslike a wooden miniature model.

There are a lot of things that remind me of my familyand friends. For example, there’s a keyring broughtback as a gift by my friend from China and a beadedgecko from my sister’s time in South Africa.

Another big part of the decoration in my room are the artistic pictures and prints of images that I like. Thereare some things that I have made myself, like the display of my university work, and a brass butterflythat I made last summer.

Most of what I have in my room isn’t planned orthought out. The only thing that really matches is theset of Yoko Ono pictures lined up in identical frameson the top of the chest of drawers. That is about theonly thing that isn’t haphazard in the room!

Previous page: Greg gets inspiration from the collage above his desk. This page: top – a

model balloon adds 3D interest. Bottom – rugs and blankets warm up the rented room

Even the furniture in the room doesn’t match. It is ablend of different styles, and all of it is borrowedfrom my family. I don’t particularly like much of it –with the exception of the side table that mygrandad passed down to me – but I can’t afford tobuy anything new at the moment. I think the factthat it is all different – there’s a dark mahoganywardrobe and a melamine desk – is what savesit. The pieces all have their own stories, and itlooks less uniform and a bit more individualisticand interesting. So it is less important whethereach piece is exactly to my taste.

15

I don’t really have a specific taste, I tend to like a lotof things that are quite pointless and unrelated! Isuppose you could say that I like anything that Ithink is interesting, or I think other people will findinteresting. I like eclectic and retro styles, and if Ilike something, I put it in the room. There is no uniform style to the look and I like that because itmeans I can throw anything into the room and itwill still look good!

I do like the look of the room overall – I’ve usedrugs and blankets to cover some of the parts ofthe room that I can’t change. There is a good balance in the room as it is relaxing and calm butat the same time there’s always something to lookat. Having everything on display lets me rememberwhere I was at that time and what I was doing, soit is very personal to me.

From top to bottom: Yoko Ono prints – bought in Norway and framed in Ikea frames, vintage perpetual calendar – The Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair, paperNew York model – Muji, selection of books and Warhol mug - gift from a friend, collection of vintage tins – eBay and antique shops, Eiffel Tower model – Paris

a question of taste

I spent ages hunting downthis perpetual calendar!

DEN | MY DEN

Tim Rinaldi had entered the real world with just one aim –“not to work in an office”. He began studying for his A-levels but stopped as he says the two of them “didn’t geton”. After that, he luckily happened to find an apprenticeship in hand crafted furniture that just looked inter-esting to him. After years of designing, creating and

fitting kitchens Tim got to a point where hefound his job was no longer as rewardingand again found himself unsure of what todo next.He found himself in Lincoln studying for

a degree in furniture design and manufacturing. He did not expect one dayto be making a living from creating individ-ually lovingly hand crafted pieces of be-spoke furniture. But after he graduatedfrom university he received many requestsfor furniture from his friends and realised“hang on I could do this as a job”.With that revelation he set up a

workshop in Lincolnshire, which he says was relatively easy. Bespoke furniture has one key selling point – it is popular

as people are becoming tired of seeing the same designs inliving rooms across the country.“It is the fashion to get individual pieces made.The

economy isn’t helping, but people are definitely aspiring tobe able to afford it.” Bespoke furniture can be expensive, with prices for Tim’s

work vary radically depending on what they ask for as hecan make individual pieces to a design for an entire kitchen.It certainly is an experience at Tim’s workshop, as every

part of the process is undertaken there. From talking throughthe design ideas to the finishing touches, whenit comes to commissioning there are a lot of different approaches that customers take assome want to be involved in all areas of the design and others just expect Tim to fill in theblanks for them.“Some people do like to have their say over

every element of the process, and say whatwood they want to use, what it should look like.Others just know that they would like a piece offurniture. So I have to act like two people, assome people just need me to make the piecefor them and others need a designer.” Tim is proof that people can buck the trend.

All it took was a man who knew that he did not want to betrapped behind a desk. Yet he has turned out good and hasturned out some spectacular one off pieces.

Visit rinaldifurniture.co.uk for more information.

bespokebeautifully Bespoke furniture is not a luxury that

everyone can afford, but it is one worthaspiring to. Charlotte Reid meets

furniture designer Tim Rinaldi, to learnabout his life and masterpieces.

Above: Tim with a selection of his furniture.

DEN | LIVING

“It is the

fashion to get individualpieces made

”

17

DEN featured Every month DEN presents a collection of features centred on one topic.

This month the spotlight is on SECOND HAND INTERIORS SHOPPING a surefire way to add some oldfashioned charm to your home.

you never know what you might find...

FURNITURE RESTORATION

TIP TREASURES

CARBOOT SALES

ANTIQUES

Tucked away in a wooden shed at the bottom of her garden,Wendy Walker, owner of Peeling Paint Furniture Restoration,busies herself renovating distinctive furnishings back to theirformer glory. As a self-proclaimed treasure seeker Wendy, along with her

husband Paul, search high and low for any discarded furniturethey believe could be given a new lease of life. “Our furniture is sourced from anywhere and everywhere.

From the smartest antique auction rooms to, literally, the sideof the road,” she says.“Furniture hunts are one of the main highlights of our work.

We have many regular haunts that wevisit from flea markets, car boot sales,charity shops, house clearance warehouses and auction rooms to thegood old internet. Many of our piecesare given to us... we love the worn discards of others!”Wendy first started dabbling in furniture

restoration alongside her father, morethan 20 years ago. Since then herhobby has developed into a passionthat saw her launch her online shop,Peeling Paint, last May.Wendy has spent many years

researching and practising her craft.However, she is keen to point out thatit is not beyond the realms of possibilityto learn the techniques. All you need is a bit of imagination andthe ability to see potential in a run-down piece of furniture, aseven those in the worst condition can be brought back to life.“Handles can be changed, old drawers planed to run

smoother, hinges oiled, broken parts replaced. Any treasurecan be brought to the workshop for a revamp,” she says.All the furniture Wendy deals with goes through six distinct

processes from hand painting, which can take up to fivecoats, to the actual distressing and ageing of an item. It ispainstaking and time consuming work“All of our pieces are one-offs and although we use the six

stages every time, the techniques applied differ for each piece depending upon the furniture itself and our mood.”Taking her inspiration from French, Scandinavian and coastal

American interiors, Wendy has managed to re-create simpleand elegant designs that would be the perfect centrepiece forany home. She says that her appreciation for this style is downto its appearance, which is less perfected than in the UK. “Whenever I would look at images in books or magazines for

inspiration I was always drawn to the beautiful choice ofshabby chic style furniture from these countries… I admire theircelebration and lack of fear with regard to faded elegance.”

She believes that people here arestarting to pursue this element too, as wedo away with cheap pieces in favour oftimeless classics, which will last a lifetimeif treated well.“More and more people are moving

away from mass produced and flat packfurniture to the reclaimed, re-invented andrevamped – embracing nostalgia andbringing it into the 21st century,” she says.Wendy passionately believes that there

is a positive ecological consequence ofbuying reclaimed furniture, heralding it asa great way to source a statement itemwith a contemporary twist. “The preserving and reviving of vintage,

antique and reproduction pieces bringsout the best in them, with the least impact on the environment.It's the original green option that allows you to bring somethingquirky, unique and very special into your home.”Despite all the hard work involved, Wendy still has a sense

of humour, especially when it comes down to encouragingothers: “My advice to anyone who is interested in reclaimingtheir own furniture would be to make a huge flask of good coffee,don some comfortable footwear and go find your treasures. It's somuch fun and you never know where your adventure may lead.”

Admire Wendy’s work at www.peelingpaint.co.uk

“It's the

ORIGINALgreen option that allows you to bring something quirky,unique and veryspecial into your

home.

”

faded elegance

Wendy Walker, owner of Peeling Paint FurnitureRestoration, is an advocate for re-inventing unwanted and discarded furniture. She talks toDEN about the hard graft and the great rewardsof reviving original keepsakes back to their former glory.

19

DEN | FEATURED

Above: a vintage chest of drawers, lovingly restored and distressed by Wendy and her husband Paul.

RestorationI think of this stage as getting the piece of furniture ready for a new life, where it will beloved again. It is all about making it user friendly and workable in the home environment.So at Peeling Paint we look at things such as whether there is any damage to the itemor general wear and tear that needs fixing before we start. It is more about assessing the foundations and forming a basis for the rest of the work that needs doing, which helpsus to develop an idea of the finish we would like to achieve.

PreparationThe key word we are looking for at this stage is smooth, as we need a clean smoothsurface for the undercoat. In the past, this took a lot of hard work to achieve, but nowthere are a lot of new products out there. For example, we use natural Annie Stonechalk paints, which have a very high pigmentation, and prepare the furniture for the undercoat with little effort.

Undercoating The undercoat is a high pigmentation paint that acts as a blocking system from whateverdirt and grime lies underneath, allowing for the final coats of paint to stick to surface.I normally use one to three coats of undercoat, depending on the quality of the piece offurniture. For example, an item crafted out of new pine that is in very good condition wouldprobably only require one coat. But something like a heavily varnished sideboard that hasbeen loved to death could need up to three coats.

Hand painting If you are on a budget you can use any water based paint on furniture, though I wouldsuggest that this is something that you should splurge on if possible. Opt for a betterquality paint as it will affect the finish of an item.

Distressing and ageingThere are several different techniques that you can use to distress the furniture. Wemainly use an electric sander with different grade sanding disks to establish the level ofdistress we are happy with. Then we finish this by hand with sandpaper or wire brushes.I have known people to get quite physical with it as well – as you can hit the

furniture with whatever is at hand to create a more lived in look.

Protection The matt varnish finish gives the furniture an added protection from modern day lifestyles,where coffee can be easily spilt or sticky marks left. The matt look is also becoming increasingly popular amongst our clients as it provides a sleaker and more modern finish.

RESCUE MEWendy Walker talks us through Peeling Paint’seasy six point guide to furniture restoration.

DEN | HOW TO

21

treasurestop tip

Every year in the UK we throw away 10 million pieces of furniture, three million of whichcould be easily reused or repaired. As the pressure mounts to be increasingly environmentallyfriendly, local councils are selling items of worth back to the public. From settees to plantpots, Rachael Connelly discovers that one woman’s rubbish can be another one’s treasure.

DEN | FEATURED

Above: A visit to your local tip could prove more lucrative than you think.

DEN | FEATURED

“It is far more

INTERESTINGthan buying off the

shelf in Homebase or Ikea, because

anyone can do that .

”

Synonymous with rotting garden waste and old junk, yourlocal tip is certainly a far cry from the well merchandised

glamour of the high street. But when it comes to grabbing abargain for your home, the tip may be the place to go.Although it is probably not the first destination you would

want to head for on a Saturday morning, I find mysellf pullingup to my local refuse centre. Pleasingly, it is immediately obvious that there is a unique range of unloved items on offer,which have been rescued from the plight of the landfill.Organised into sections, which include everything from large

furnishings to fabrics, it is a rummager’s dream. It is alsoquickly becoming the new environmentally friendly way tosource one-off items as it helps to save the energy associated with manufacturing new products, which has anenormous positive impact on reducing C02 emissions.However, this is not the only draw to the local tip, as the

scavenge also proves to be lots of fun. At one point I even enter into a scramble, racing someone

to a lost treasure that I’ve spotted out of the corner of my eye.Unfortunately, I lose the battle for the vintage bedside cabinet,but I still manage to leave with a simple glass vase for theprincely sum of 50 pence.I’m not the only one to pick up a bargain from my local tip, as I

find out when I meet Janis Stone, 34, from North Devon. Sheloves the hunt so much that she decided to source all the furniturefor her three bedroom cottage from her local recycling centre in Ilfracombe, for a total of £150. Her bargains include everything froma settee to wardrobes, none of which set her back more than £5.For those prices, you would be forgiven for thinking that the

quality would be somewhat lacking. But as Janis explains,that’s not always the case. She does warn though, that it maytake a few visits to the tip to find exactly what you’re looking for.“Obviously I only bought items that were in good condition or

that I knew I could do up to a higher standard. It is really surprisingwhat people throw away and some weeks you can be reallylucky and find some good quality furnishings for little money.You have to be prepared to be patient, as it may take a fewtrips to find what you have in mind.” To help determine what items you want for your home Janis

says it is useful to write a list. This can aid you when searching through the wide range of furnishings available.“It does help if you have a plan of the things that you are

looking for, even if it is just the key pieces you want in the roombecause then you can just simply accessorise around themwhether that be with lamps or pictures.”

Janis also argues that shopping in alternative ways placesan emphasis on the necessity to recycle such items, and tobe more environmentally friendly. This will help ensure that some items can be reused rather than ending up in landfill.“It is a shame that these items end up there [the tip] in the

first place, as there is normally nothing wrong with them andsome only need a little TLC. If anything, I would say that by buying furniture from your recycling centre you are more likelyto get something that has a little bit of character about it, because it has a history.”Although some items may need a bit of elbow grease, Janis

believes this only adds to the enjoyment of shopping there, asyou can be proud of the end result because you have workedto achieve it. She says: “When you restore an item of furniture,you get a great sense of satisfaction because you can manage to create something different to what is displayed onthe high street, as the items you pick up in these places aremore likely to be unique. As a result, you have also got moreof a chance of making something individual and that suits yourcharacter, which is far more interesting than buying off theshelf in Homebase or Ikea because anyone can do that.”As I place some flowers into my rescued vase, I must agree

that the whole experience has been far more enjoyable than Ihad ever imagined, and that secretly I’ve now got the bug fortreasure hunting.

To locate your local furniture recycling centre visit the Furniture Reuse Organisation, letstalklessrubbish.com or

Furniture Reuse Networks, frn.org.uk.

23

bootyliciousThe hours may be unsociable, but your local

carboot could be just the place to find some new homewares. TheDEN team sacrificed their Sunday lie-in and went looking for a bargain.

Above: carboots offer all sorts of weird and wonderful home accessories

Up early on a Sunday morning, the DEN team hit the carboot, armed with nothing more than a fiver each –

because we're sure that's all it takes to a bag a bargain.After a shaky start – driving to one carboot site only to find

that there isn't a sale held there anymore – we arrive at another site. But this one, we can see, is lined with tablesthat are overflowing with tat and treasures.The thing about carboot sales is that they can be a bit hit

and miss. Get the wrong sale at the wrong time and asmuch as you hunt, on some occasions, there won't be anything worth having. But a lot of the time it is a very different story, and this Sunday was one of those days.Most stalls offered desirables like retro mugs, oversized clocks,

and more ornaments than you could shake a porcelain stick at. The plates, cups and full table services, were the best

bargains – we found a stack of china side plates being soldfor £3. A full dinner set might be hard to find, but a mix ofseveral different styles can soon add up to one eclectic set. For a bigger buy, there was plenty of furniture – from a

1970s bubble chair to solid wood side tables. One table thatcaught our eye was just £25.Bric-a-brac started at £1 on some stalls, the equivalent of a

vintage poundland. Amongst the every-day items there werealso some very different pieces. The out of the ordinary accessories were some of the best – a refreshing changefrom the popular styles and colours that modern pieces tendto have in common. One piece that stood out was a Chineseteapot, with its vivid colours and intricate detailing.We had a task on our hands to decide which pieces to

choose. After much debate we had each spent our £5, orless in some cases, and left with a new addition for our homes. This carboot was especially fruitful, and we could easily

have spent over our budget. But the best buys aren't alwayseasy to find . It can be hard to spot whether a particular piece could ever

look tasteful or stylish in your home when it is surrounded bybric-a-brac, so an open mind and a bit of imagination is acarbooting essential. Equipped with these and a desire torummage, you might find pieces that are elegant, smart andjust what you were looking for.

“Most stalls offered

DESIRABLESlike retro mugs, oversizedclocks, and more ornamentsthan you could shake a porcelain stick at.

”

carbootingwords ofwisdom

.

The early bird catches the worm

Go early because things sell quickly. Once it’sgone it’s gone – it isn’t like a normal shop where

they bring out more items.

The essentials

Plenty of change and a carrier bag are a musthave for any bargain hunter.

Be prepared to rummage

Make sure that you look properly, don’t just walkpast each stall, as some people don’t display

their boots very well.

The first price is not always the best price

Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount – they canonly say no.

A good eye is useful but not essential

It is handy if you have a good eye or a knowledge of what brands are in the shops, asyou will be more likely to find that bargain!

Avid carbooter, Christine Chapman explains the dos and don’ts of the sales

25

DEN | FEATURED

what we boughtFrom top left: brown teapot with gold detailing, £5;letters, various sizes and finishes, £3 – £5 each;

retro floral cups and saucers, £3 each or four for £10.

Im like every girl,I love a good bargain!

Helen Bird, 31, from Chichester is a regular on thecarboot scene and has sourced many items for hernew home by being an early bird at the sales. Shetalks to DEN about why she enjoys this alternativeshopping experience, and the thrills of finding agood bargain.

What do you enjoy about the experience of carbooting?I think it is the buzz of never knowing what you are going tofind and the fact that you can pick up some really good bargains. But it is also about the banter and the rapport youdevelop with the stall holders, generally everyone is reallyfriendly and they like to have chat with you about what theyare selling. So you do end up meeting some really interestingpeople, especially the dealers who really know their stuff.

How did you find out about your local carboot sale?I think a web search is the easiest way to find out where yournearest car boot sale is. There are a lot of these events, whichcover a variety of areas in the country that are easy enough tofind. You also get to know by word of mouth, especially whenyou have been going for a long time. You get to know stallholders and learn which ones are particularly renowned forcertain items.

Why do you choose to go to a car boot sale rather than

shop on the high street?It is just so much cheaper and there are lots of quirky andoriginal pieces, which may not necessarily be one-offs but arefar less generic and more unusual than what you might pickup on the high street.

I’m not saying that I don’t shop on the high street, but bygoing to a carboot sale you can pick up items that create amix between being really contemporary and a little less modern. It gives your home a more personalised, quirky look.Everyone can walk into Argos and order from page 74, but ifyou love design then going to a carboot sale and picking upone or two key pieces can change the whole room. I’m likeevery girl, I love a good bargain!

When you go carbooting, what sort of items are you

looking for?Anything that happens to grab me! At the moment my husbandand I have just moved into our first home, so we are verymuch looking for things for the house. These types of salesare a very good place to start if you have an item in mind andonly a limited budget to spend.

What has been your best buy?I have so much stuff that it is hard to choose. I think that itwould probably have to be my dining room table and chairs,which cost me about £50 and are handmade war timepieces. They would have cost me about £1,200 if they werebrand new from a shop.

Do you have any advice for first time carbooters?I think that there are two ways to approach a carboot sale. Either you get there first thing in the morning and go preparedto rummage from the moment people open their car doorsand be prepared to pay mega bucks, or what is mega bucksin car boot terms, for the items that you love. Or, you can gotowards the end of the day when people really don’t want totake things home with them so you get them cheaper andperhaps even for free.

‘’

’

Above: Helen BIrd loves a good deal.

27

think

Natalie Littlewood delves into the world of antiqueswith store owner Neil Scholes. He explains why buying old furniture can be better than buying newand reveals that antiques are more affordable than

you might think.

thepack

outsideflat

box

DEN | FEATURED

Antiques have never been so popular. Asthe love for all things old and pre-lovedbrings them back into fashion, quality antique pieces are a possibility in anyhome, and they’re more affordable thanyou think, too.

Neil Scholes’ online store, secondtononestamford.com, sellseverything from elegant chaise longues, Edwardian wardrobesand stylish sidetables for as little as £30, with prices rarely topping £150. “Over recent years prices of antique furniture have generally

gone down,” he says. “Some dealers are still trying to sellitems at the high prices that they used to sell for, but I try to berealistic when it comes to pricing.”Although they vary in price and quality, ‘like for like’ antiques

are generally cheaper than modern furniture, especially in thelong run, as they may become more valuable over time.Each piece also has a story of its very own: “Antiques have

had lots of owners and homes in their lifetime. Sometimes I feel Iam passing on a piece of history to a new custodian, who willeventually pass it on to someone else.”Aside from the aesthetic appeal, older furniture is usually

harder-wearing too. The average antique will see you throughmore house moves, redecorations and general wear and tearthan any low priced piece of modern furniture. The reason forthis, according to Neil, is that antique pieces have proven thatthey can stand the test of time. The badly made pieces, theequivalent to some of the modern flat pack furniture, have longsince fallen apart, leav ing only the best quality pieces to survivedecades after being made.

“Antique furniture is made from solid woodrather than chipboard, and it tends to be ishandmade with real joints, unlike most massproduced modern furniture with cheap plasticfittings. Antiques are of much better qualitythan most modern furniture.”For antiques to be affordable, Neil suggests

avoiding the most popularpieces of the moment: “Asstyles become mor e fashionable they become moresought after and the pricesusually go up,” he says.At the moment, shabby chic

light-coloured furniture and 50sand 60s styles are the mostpopular pieces.“Traditional dark coloured

wood is out of fashion and as a result it is cheap. Many people are buying itand painting it to make it modern again.”There are many options for tailoring a

budget antique buy into your ideal piece offurniture.“If it is an item of no great sentimental value

or historical importance, feel free to make it

your own: paint it, strip it, make somet hinglook how you want it to,” Neil says.“It is betterto paint a Victorian chest and love it than a livewith a worn brown one that you hate.”Whilst there are good bargains to be had in

antiques, Neil explains that if the deal soundstoo good to be true, there is a chance that

the piece may not be genuine.“There are lots of very good

quality copies coming into thecountry that can fool the bestof dealers. Even low valueitems are being faked, sowhatever you buy, alwayscheck it thoroughly and ask questions to be sure that it isin good order,” he says.Whether approaching your

first antique as an investment,or a piece to be loved and used, old furniturehas a certain charm, history and taste to itthat is lacking from some modern furniture.For the same amount of money, you couldget something that little bit more exceptional,something “unique, genuine and stylish, thatno one else can buy”.

Clean it regularly and occasionally use a wax orwood oil to keep somemoisture in the wood toprevent it drying out andcracking, especially on

thin veneers like rosewood or walnut.

Avoid placing furniturenext to a radiator as theheat can dry the woodout, or next to a dampwall as it the moisture willcause the piece to rot.

Keep furniture – particularlyif red or brown coloured –away from hot, direct

sunlight that can fade thecolour of the wood.

Put candle wax ondrawer runners for a

cheap way to keep themworking smoothly.

Oil locks and hinges occasionally with a

standard three in one oil.

If restoration is needed ona good quality piece goto a good restorer. DIY

repairs can often do moreharm than good.

DEN | FEATURED

some good oldfashioned TLC

Neil’s top tips to getthe most out of yourpre-loved furniture

“Sometimes I feelI am passing ona piece of HISTORY

”

Above: antique furniture can be a great way to add a sense of history to new properties.

29

DEN sdad

1thekitPencil

Tape measureHammer

Picture hook Nails

Spirit level

32

’We all know that our dad knows best, or at least he thinks he does when it comes to DIY. DEN’sresident dad, Stuart Smith, is no different. This month he shows us how to hang the perfect picture.

Locate where you want the picture to be inyour home. Think carefully about whetherthere will be any potential hazards such aswater pipes and electrical cables.

Place your picture against the wall whereyou plan to hang it and make a small pencilmark along the top edge of the frame, roughlyin the centre.

Measure the distance between thestring, when pulled taught, and the topof the picture. Go to the mark on thewall. Then measure down the samedistance, this is where you will placeyour hook.

Mark this point using the pencil. Thengently hammer your picture hook intothis point using the nails.

Check the hook forsecurity to ensurethat it will not fall outwhen the picture isadded.

Hang your picture onto the fixing, placingyour spirit level on thetop of the pictureframe to ensure thatit is level.

DEN | HOW TO

flower power

thekitPetals

Botanical paper A flower press or a flat heavy object

Acid free paperSpray gluePicture frame

12345

Take a selection of petals from your favourite plant or flowers.Bright colours work best, as they will make the greatest statement when dried out.

Place your petals in between two sheets of botanical paper,ensuring that you leave plenty of space around each one so they do not stick together.

Get a large book and insert your paper between the middlepages. To ensure the weight is evenly distributed place several other heavy objects on top to add extra pressure.

Leave the petals to dry out for appoximately four weeks. At this stage, the flowers will be very delicate, so handle themwith care.

To frame, arrange your petals on a sheet of acid free paper.Once you are happy with how it looks. use spray glue tostick them down. Leave to dry and then frame.

The last time you pressed flowers, you were probablyrunning around in little white ankle socks and makingdaisy chains. Now you’re all grown up it can be aneasy and cheap way to create a piece of artwork for yourhome. Follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how.

Above: pressed flowers make for a delicate and natural decoration.

DEN | HOW TO

DENmy

31

inspirationI really like the vintage, shabby chic look so I tried hard to showthat through the design. For example with my bed, although it’snew, I got it from the retro collection at Ikea. It hascurvy cast ironlegs which really adds something and makes it look like it hasn’tjust been bought off the shelf.

The whole design of the room was planned around the flockedwallpaper, which was a bargain from Laura Ashley at just £1.50per roll. This formed the colour scheme of the room and I justsimply tied in the darker wood and personal pieces to make itmore homely.

The best things in life come insmall packages. Artist and photographer Caroline Barratt’sbedroom is no exception. Withpretty flocked wallpaper andbohemian style floorboards, it isan inviting little haven. She talksabout how she achieved thislook on a shoestring budget.

DEN | MY DEN

a mix of contemporaryand vintage

Most of furniture that Ihave is secondhandor has been passeddown to me by mymum and dad whenthey were throwingthings out.

So I have salvagedquite a lot of thingswhich are sort of imperfect and have abit of character aboutthem, which fits withthe theme of theroom.

Everything else hasbeen sourced largelyfrom the high streetor Ikea – so they areboth reasonable andaccessible.

Previous page: Caroline has managed to fit a double bed into her small room. This page: dark furniture adds warmth.

33

DEN | MY DEN

finishing touchesThere are a few more things that I want to do,just to tie the whole design together and make itlook more complete. For example, I would like toget a rug for the floor, because although I reallylike the floorboards they can be a little hard underyour feet.

But equally I wouldn’t really want to cover themup with carpet as they really fit with the whole unfinished look.

I would also like to introduce a bit more colour tothe room, particularly on the wall behind my bed,through some more pieces of artwork.

Above, right: a selection of Caroline’s sketch books which take prideof place next to her uncle’s original 1960s record player. Left: somepersonal trinkets which stand on her dark wood chest of drawers andher under the bed storage which replaces a wardrobe.

space savingAs my room is reasonably small I have tried to make it appear larger than it isby using light colours, which really open the room out. I was determined tohave a double bed in there, despite everyone else being convinced that Iwouldn’t fit one in. I suppose I have used that as a focal point and workedaround it, utilising the space as best I could. Instead of a large wardrobe,which would have taken up a lot of room, I decided to use some under bedstorage and vintage dark wood drawers.

budget buysNormally when I say that I am going to work to a budget, I never manage it.But this time I have. Obviously there are some items like the bed and mattress, which were quite hefty in terms of price. But it is important to bearin mind that they really work in the context of the room and that I will be ableto keep them for a long time, reworking them in a variety of different ways,other than how they are currently laid out.

The elephant was a giftfrom a friend – he brought

it back from India .

yournewquiltypleasurePatchwork quilts have brightened bedrooms for years andthey're showing no signs of becoming less popular, as groupsall over the UK are getting together to create something uniqueand comforting for their homes. Natalie Littlewood spent an afternoon with a group of quilters and found that the processof making your own quilt is as pleasing as the finished product.

The name of Lindsey Foster's store in Nottingham needsno explanation – it really is 'Quilting Madness'. A group of

ladies sit and stitch their way through single, double and kingsize quilts, hidden amongst racks of intricately patterned fabrics and under the watchful eye of Monty the dog. Most ofthe ladies at the class had never quilted before they came toLindsey's workshops, whilst others are such lovers of thecraft that they have supplied quilts to family and friends andnow make them just for the love of it.Lindsey has been quilting for 30 years and recently

opened her Nottingham based shopfirm in her belief that no home is complete without a homemade patchwork quilt, and spurred on byfeelings that "quilting really seems to bemaking a big revival at the moment".The new quilters in the class love the

peacefulness and satisfaction thatcomes from making their very ownblankets. "It's nice to sit and relax andwatch everybody rushing past andyou're just calmly doing this," saysKatherine Davies-Eyres, 60, one of thegroup's oldest members. "And we gettea and biscuits here as well!"The other benefit of joining one of

these groups is gaining a new circle offriends. None of the ladies in Lindsey'sgroup knew each other before theybegan taking classes, and now they chat away like oldfriends, deliberating how their work is taking shape.The ladies all started quilting at the shop by taking

beginners classes. Whilst it is possible to teach yourself for

free through the internet or books, Lindsey advises joining aclass if possible: "You can learn so much on your own," shesays. “But you can only interpret someone else's instructionsso far. When you actually go somewhere and get shown, you

understand things easier. They canteach you shortcuts as well, so youget further ahead quicker.”By choosing a 'scrap quilt' design,

that is made up of fabric cut-offs, thecost of making a quilt can be keptlower than a typical shop bought one.By reusing old clothes or fabrics, it cansave the £20-£50 it would cost to buyfabric for a double quilt. It also createssomething even more precious – amemory quilt made up of patchesfrom prom dresses, favourite tops thatno longer fit, a boyfriend's tie, or fabricfrom curtains that remind you of home.With little to no fabric costs, the only

expenses left to cover are the waddingand the backing. Siobhan Smyth fromLindsey's group, found that the cost

doesn't have to be steep. She says: “You can spread thecost because you can buy the materials to make the quilt instages. It doesn't have to be £100 spent all at once.”During the afternoon, the ladies bring up what seems to be

the only drawback of quilting: "It gets a bit compulsive,” saysKatherine, "you can't help doing it". However, the nature of thecraft, particularly if hand stitching, means that it can be slowlycompleted over time, as and when it's convenient.

35

“It’s just nice to sitand relax andwatch everybodyrushing past andyou’re just calmlydoing this .

”

DEN | LIVING

practising yourpatchwork

To get you started, these simpleprojects are easy ways to incorporate patchwork into

your home

1. Bunting

It’s back in fashion, easy to make, andonly requires very small off-cuts of fabric.

What’s not to love?

2. Bags and boxes

Mundane pieces like laundry bags andstorage boxes are instantly brighter with a

touch of patchwork.

3. Wall art

Frame your work and let it take pride ofplace on a wall for a custom made piece

of art.

Lindsey says:“You can make them in a weekend, it canbe as quick as that. It depends on how much time and effort you want to put into them. If you're hand stitching, youcan spend three to six months doing it. But if you're using amachine it cuts your time down by about half.”The design possibilities for patchwork quilts are almost

endless – the women at Lindsey's shop eye up plenty ofnew ideas in the course of the afternoon and repeatedlydescribe the store as their equivalent to a sweet shop. Asthe craft grows in popularity, designs and interpretations arenew and exciting. Lindsey says: "You do get a lot of textilearts creeping into quilting. I like to do patchwork that ispatched. Painting on a piece of fabric and then stitching itover is not, to me, quilting. But there are people out therewho use leather, sweet papers, metal – they really go to theextremes of what they do.”By hand making your own quilt you can decide where on

the creative scale you want to be for what best fits yourhome and style. But the fresh ideas and extreme versionsensure that not every patchwork quilt is old-fashioned ortraditional.They can add edge and interest to a home, aswell as some comfort and warmth.

Prices for quilting workshops range from £20 to £80 per session.

For a full directory of quilting groups visit quiltersdomain.co.uk

DEN | LIVING

Above: The Quilting Madness group hard at work in Lindsey’s store.

Above: yellow star candle made from a mold.

37

DEN | HOW TO

Candles can be the perfect accompaniment to any room, setting that perfect romantic scene or creating a calm, relaxed atmosphere.It can be a confusing hobby to start with as you face the fear

the idea that you will be handling hot, molten wax which canbe dangerous.Courses can be found online as well as workshopsthroughout the country. But hese can beexpensive and you also need to take intoaccount the cost of materials and tutorials.As an alternative there are also guides andkits available on the internet that allow youto experiment with candle making from thewarmth of your own home.Chelsea Strabala, from Peak

Candles, a website that post tutorials andsells candle maiking supplies, says: “Making your own candles allows you tocreate any fragrance and colour combination, for decorative or aromatherapy purposes.” She explains that “when you buy candles at retail stores, you

are stuck with the colour and fragrance of those candles, butmaking your own allows you to make them look and smellhowever you like”.Finding the right materials can be difficult but, they are

inexpensive as 10 wicks can cost around £1.50 and a kilogram of wax costs around £5. There are also dyes andcontainers to consider, which are again fairly cheap but it canbe hard to figure out if you are just working from an online guide. This is where we felt that a teacher or a expert would

have been helpful.Then prepare your container, which in thiscase is a basic glass container and a mold. So that you can light the candle you need to include a wick,

which you attach to the bottom of the container and keep inplace with a clothes peg. T his way it won’t fall in the wax mixture. Also you should heat the container up so that the waxcools at a slow and gentle pace.

Next is the crucial element – melting thewax. Peak Candles provides a list of safetyprecautions, which include do not leavemelting wax alone as well as monitor thetemperature of the wax with a thermometerYou will need to use two containers, onefilled with water and one to melt the wax in.Cheslea says: “Exercising caution and

watchfulness, means the danger can begreatly minimised.”Peak Candles do recommend having a

fire extinguisher nearby just in case.Chelsea adds “when these steps are followed, candle makingis a breeze”.Once the wax is melted this is when you can add dyes and

scents to personalise your candle even further.Then, excitingly, you get to see your candle taking shape as

you pour the wax into the container or mold. It is rewarding tosee it coming together.Chelsea says that it can become an addictive hobby with

“candle makers always coming up with new and unique waysto personalise their candles, which is a great way to exploreyour creative talents”.

“

Candle makingis a breeze .

”

burnbabyburn

Some home accessories areeasy to make but candles feelslightly out of the realm ofdoing yourself, but is it worthit? DEN got creative as we endeavoured to find out ifhomemade is always better

than shop bought.Above: yellow star candle made from a mold.

DEN | HOW TO

Above: DEN’s homemade candle on display on the windowsill

the verdict:It is a hassle, but it is fun. If you want the perfect candle then the shops are yourbest bet, but DEN recommends that if you fancy being creative then you will loveto make a personalised candle that you will be proud of, even if it does end up as

an imperfect blob.

the kitWax

Coloured dyeWicks

Glass containerTwo saucepans

Glue

Fire extinguisher(just in case!)

Wax should never be put directly onto a heat source. Instead put hotwater in a saucepan, and the wax in another saucepan.

Once the wax has melted take it off the heat and pour into your mold or container.

Leave the candle to set – overnight if you can.

Prepare the mold or container with the wick included. Keep it in placeusing some glue.

Remove the mold carefully so as not to split the candle.

Leave to melt, stirring the wax occasionally.

123456

39

garDEN

buy of the monthRaphia party lights set (pictured above) are available from B&Q stores nationwide

or online at diy.co.uk for £11.98.

With the weather getting that little bit brighter and several bank holidays approaching, it’s almost time to start making use of your outdoor space once again.

These colourful lantern style lights will allow you to party long into the night and make themost of those summer evenings with friends.

From luscious lawns to window boxes, garDEN is theultimate outdoor guide for when time and space are at a premium.

green livingYou may think that you can’t have a garden if you live in a smallapartment and have a busy lifestyle that means you may not always be home to diligently water your plants.But happily, there are a number of options available that vary

according to budget, size and available space.One of the easiest options, and the

most hands on, is a windowsill garden.Looking at your bare windowsill you maywish to use it to bring some life into theroom, or even to help you be more resourceful in the kitchen.Penny Golightly, a bargain hunting

journalist did just that. She fancied startinga windowsill garden herself because shefound them to “be easy and accessible”.Penny also documented her windowsill garden on her website pennygolightly.comfor her readers.Penny gives encouragement to others who are nervous

about becoming green fingered by saying “just about anyonecan start growing plants”.When Penny started her indoor garden she gave herself a

strict limit of £10, which forced her to look for cheap seedsand plants. This led her to buying exotic seeds online.Anything you fancy can be grown in a windowsill garden,

such as flowers to brighten the place up or simple plants.Penny has decided to grow an ‘edible windowsill’.

“It allows you to grow gourmet ingredients for a few pence, instead of paying a premium for supermarket packs,which go off before you can finish them.”But if you are worried about keeping

plants alive and have a little more cash inhand then The Balcony Gardener could beperfect for you.It is a company that has a selection of

‘ready made’ gardens that they deliverstraight to your door. They are quite costlyas prices vary from £68 for a windowsill box

to £565 for a whole prepared garden.Isabelle Palmer, who owns the company, says that “with the

current popularity of ‘grow-your-own’ and many city property’shaving limited outdoor space, container gardens are now becoming very popular”.

Yearning to be a green fingered gal but worried that you have nospace or time? Fear no more, as Charlotte Reid has been

looking into alternative options.

“Just about

anyone can start growing plants .

”

41

DEN | GARDEN

green living

The idea for The Balcony Gardener was developed after Isabelle, whilst living in London, was unable to enjoy a gardenof her own. A lack of space and a time consuming job meantIsabelle was very busy. She says, given that “I didn’t know verymuch about container gardening, I started looking for a company that would provide a capsule container garden tostart off with. But I couldn’t find this so hence The Balcony Gardener was born”.The container gardens change with the time of the year and

are inspired by ideas from the The Balcony Gardener team’stravels which result in a variety of interesting gardens.But if even that seems too far beyond your responsibilities,

then there are always artificial plants. It might be seen as thetacky look in hotels and shopping centres but could be theperfect way to finish a home, especially as there are some highquality products out there.Charlie Rutherford, from Office and Reception Planters, says

they are a good hassle free option as they “need no up-keep,last for years and life costs are always less. All that needs to bedone is make sure you dust them every few months so theystay clean”.So no matter how limited your space, time or budget is, or

even if you worried that everything you grow could die, thereare plenty of options available if you want a little corner of greento call your own.

For futher information visit pennygolightly.com

thebalconygardener.com and replicaplants.co.uk

Previous page: indoor gardens add life to a room. This page: top – an example of a container garden. Bottom – windowsill gardens are a nice alternative

What kind of budget does the book cater for? Is it quite

universal in the tips it gives?I am a strong believer that style has nothing to do with moneyso a lot of the budgets are low but creativity is high. For example, spraying flea market finds in a glossy hue to give thepiece a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll vibe or adding the wow factorthrough some fabulous coats of paint is all relatively cheap.

Do you incorporate the ideas in your book in to your

own decoration?Most of the time I do indeed practice what I preach. In oneclient’s pad recently, we scoured flea markets and junksshops to find an assortment of old rugs and we layered thestairs with these mix and match remnants. The result was amulti layered, highly decorative, beautiful stairwell. You wouldn’tget that look by pulling items off the shelf.

What do you think limits people from creating

stunning design in their homes?People lack confidence and that holds them back. It’s scarystuff embracing colour, playing around with scale or suddenlyadding oodles of lighting to the teeniest, tiniest room. So youneed a big dose of confidence.

What is the most common decorating mistake that

people make?Top of the list is the fact that people tend to stop decoratingtoo soon. You can’t create interiors that pulse with style thatare dizzyingly multilayered if you don’t layer and add anassortment of finds – whether that’s art, textiles or objects. It isthe details that add the interest and the intrigue. Lighting is alsooften under considered and yet it adds atmosphere and character – the very tools you need for an interesting interior.

Can girls do DIY just as well as men?Of course! It’s just that sometimes girls lack a little confidence.The DIY in my book is DIY in a lazy Sunday afternoon kind ofway. It is pretty much achievable in an afternoon, or a day atthe most. It gets addictive when you see just how easy-peasyit is to transform your pad into something fabulous.

I have attempted to demystify the scary part of DIY in my bookwhen you actually break it down it’s not that scary at all. Youneed very few tools, just a big dose of confidence.

What are the simplest decorating techniques that you

can use to make the biggest difference in a home?Painting your walls, ceilings and floors in a palette of intoxicatinghues is the single most transformative thing you can do to aspace. Be mischievous add some unexpected finishes –paint the ceiling in a shimmering paint, for example, so thelight dances off of it. And embrace colour because it not onlytransforms a faceless room into something spectacular but itcan also change our perceptions of the shape and size.

When decorating, what are the key areas to focus on?

It’s so personal but with interiors being so open plan thesedays I would say the living and eating zones, since these arethe areas you spend the most time relaxing and entertaining.

What makes good design?For me, good design should be thought provoking and alsochallenging. There should be certain bravery, a flirting withgoing over the top. But at the very same time there should bea pull back, a restraint, from going over the edge.

A Girl’s Guide to Decorating, £16.99, is available from atelierabigailahern.com

AbigailAhern

Interior designer and author Abigail Ahern tells all aboutgood design, daring to do it yourself, and her book,

A Girl’s Guide to Decorating.

DEN | LIVING

43

DEN | LIVING

theme:bluesgreens

The best high street picks for the new colour palette

From top to bottom: table lamp, £24.99, Ikea. Mirror, £40, Laura Ashley. Waters & nobel charcoal tatiana oxford pillowcase, £9.99, Dunelm Mill. Blue countryspot collection jug, £6.99, Dunelm Mill

den magazine

Documents

d e n f e

comd e n

effortd e n g

den team3denc o n t

world of antiques d

r d e n39

o v e s9

t u r e d18