STYLE INSPIR ATION
Frame a scarf, hack your Ikea drawers and turn a quilt into a sink skirt. It’s amazing what you can achieve with a little imagination and a can-do approach to upcycling and DIY
LOVE PRELOVED
If you’re not already shopping secondhand for your home, you’re missing a trick. Some of today’s best-dressed homes are full of inherited or thrifted furniture as well as interesting knick-knacks that add character and personality. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in and upcycle, reupholster or repurpose – this vintage occasional chair has been reupholstered in a fabulous contemporary stripe from Colours of Arley.
2 DISPLAY BOOKS ↑
A coffee table adorned with objets d’art undoubtedly looks chic but for maximum impact and minimum outlay, opt for beautiful coffee-table books. The iconic Assouline travel series is always a joy to look at. You can often find good-condition art books in charity shops and secondhand book fairs. Mexico City travel book, £85, Assouline
3 BE BOLD WITH BL ACK ↓
Matt black and deep grey paint can hide a multitude of sins – use to disguise scuffs, scrapes and imperfections on skirting boards, staircases and wooden furniture. Matt black paint can also give a new look to features that would be costly to replace such as a dated fireplace or old-fashioned wood panelling.
4 GET CREATIVE WITH COLOUR
Paint is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to revamp a room. A quick lick can add definition to skirting boards or be used to create a budget-friendly panelling effect. Or why not mimic this eyecatching hallway designed by Studio Rhonda with imaginative use of stripes, colour blocking and painted borders.
5 HACK YOUR IKEA BUYS ↓
Instagram is awash with brilliant ideas for transforming your latest purchases from the furniture giant. Beds, wardrobes, side tables and modular sofas have been glued, painted, upcycled and otherwise totally revamped into fabulous features that belie their modest price tag. #ikeahack has more than 700,000 5posts if you ever feel short of inspiration.
6 GO FAUX
Struggle to keep your houseplants thriving and alive? Fake it! There are some great natural-looking artificial ones around and the initial investment will pay off over the long term. This soft, textured faux olive tree is wonderfully realistic.
7 ELEVATE YOUR CUPBOARDS
Kitchen units can be expensive to replac
