| EASY STYLE UPDATES |
From clever tricks to mini decor projects, we round up the simplest, quickest ways to make your home more beautiful now.
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH
1. PAINT A CHEQUERED KITCHEN SPLASHBACK
Swap tiles for paint as a smart splashback idea and create a classic chequerboard. Paint the white background first; it may take a couple of coats. Once dry, use a pencil and decorator’s tape to mark a grid and paint squares black in alternate rows.
2. ADD IMPACT TO YOUR HOME OFFICE WALL
Small shelves – we’ve used smart brass designs – dotted around a painted panelled wall allow you to showcase books in an artistic way. Or you could replace books with framed artwork or decorative objects for a less ‘officey’ feel. Get creative with paint and personalise it with geo shapes in toning colours.
STYLE TIP
Use painted geometric shapes in different colours to make your shelves look like mini pieces of art
COLOURS TO WOW
3... Clean your windows until they sparkle with a solution of one part white vinegar and one part hot water.
4. EDGE A SHELF WITH A NEAT SCALLOPED TRIM
Give shelves a makeover by adding a scallop edge. If you have a jigsaw, take a sheet of 3mm plywood, draw your shapes and cut out, sanding any raw edges, then paint. If not, Etsy has some ready-mades that you can paint yourself.
5. HOW TO TILE A KITCHEN ISLAND
Refresh your space with a new-look island, using a few stand-out tiles.
■ Check whether your island’s current surface can support tiles. If not, you may need to attach backing board first.
■ Measure up so you know how many tiles you need. Protect the surrounding area from dust and tile adhesive, and prep the area to be tiled, to remove dirt and create a smooth surface.
■ Starting at the top where the side meets the worktop, apply tile adhesive generously to the surface for the first row of tiles using a notch trowel.
■ Start placing the tiles in a straight line, applying firm pressure and using tile spacers between each one. Once you’ve finished laying, remove the tile spacers, wipe off any excess adhesive then grout your tiles to seal them.
6. DISPLAY PLATES ON YOUR BEDROOM WALL
As an alternative to pictures, plates bri
