House & Home

For 2025, the Pantone Colour Institute has named Mocha Mousse as their Colour of the Year. Mocha Mousse is a rich brown described as "nurturing us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee and answering our desire for comfort.” It’s the first time Pantone has selected a brown tone for this honour, and although the decision hasn’t escaped criticism by haters, to me it doesn’t come as a surprise. Mocha Mousse brings a sophisticated, earthy elegance that works beautifully on its own or as a versatile base. Whether you’re drawn to minimalist vibes or love designs with rich detail, this can be your new go-to colour. Mocha Mousse is no stranger to the catwalks either, prominently featured in numerous collections, as silk, satin, leather, and suede. Hailey Beiber is a fan, recently seen out and about in a powdery brown, long trench coat with caramel collar..

Rustic elements enable us to blend the charm of the countryside with contemporary styling. There’s an emphasis on natural materials, earthy tones, and an artisanal, handcrafted feel and this creates spaces that are warm, inviting, and grounded. You need only combine a small amount of wood, stone, metal or fabric with a modern, glossy finish and the result is a more relaxed, welcoming and down to earth aesthetic that makes your home interior appear more wholesome. Reclaimed or bare wood is central to rustic design, celebrated for its texture, grain, and imperfections. Bare wood can be used to make a coffee table, mirror or stool or can frame a fireplace in the form of a surround or mantel. Natural stone is good for accents like coasters, serving platters, or decorative objects and stone paperweights and bookends can work well in a home office. If you love the look and feel..

When it comes to designing a home, colour plays an essential role in setting the tone, mood, and personality of a space. Bright and colourful paint, wallpapers, art and accessories have the power to transform an ordinary home into a vibrant, welcoming, and dynamic place to live. Colour can affect the ambiance of a room, evoke emotions, and reflect personal style. In recent years, many homeowners have embraced the use of bold hues and patterns in interior design, moving away from neutral tones and minimalist aesthetics. Interesting colourful accents can elevate the mood of a home’s occupants, impacting on self-expression and creativity. One of the primary reasons for incorporating bright colours into a home is their profound psychological impact. Colour has been shown to affect mood and energy levels, making it a powerful tool in interior design. For example, yellow is often associated with happiness and optimism, making it a..

Demand for high-quality rented homes is stronger than it’s ever been. For many people, buying their own property is out of reach, while others simply prefer the lifestyle that comes with renting. Often however, traditional rental arrangements don’t offer the stability, flexibility or sense of community that families are looking for. For renters in and around Northampton and Wellingborough considering their next move – and a place to truly call home – we at Leaf Living, a private rented homes provider, have launched over 60 new three-bedroom homes in Wellingborough. But what makes our homes different? No deposit option: Through our partnership with flatfair, we offer a no deposit option* that replaces traditional security deposits with a one-time fee equal to one week’s rent. Flexible tenancies: Residents have more choice when it comes to their tenancy; you can choose whether you’d prefer a short-term letting or a longer-term one, with..

Chestnut is the colour I can’t get enough of this season! Warm, earthy, and effortlessly stylish, this rich, deep brown adds a cosy yet sophisticated touch to any space, whether you’re going for a modern vibe or something more classic. From statement furniture to those little accessories that make all the difference, chestnut’s natural charm looks fabulous in any room. When combined with cream, beige, caramel and coffee colours, chestnut tones create a refined and relaxed look perfect for the seasonal change in climate. As the nights draw in, create the ideal setting in which to curl up and relax. Pay attention to textures that are tactile – velvets, suedes and faux furs – these make lovely cushions and throws. If you’d prefer a fresher, cooler look then set chestnut wood finishes against a backdrop of an icy blue paint such as Albany’s ‘Ice Blue’ or Paint and Paper Library’s..

From luxurious bathrooms to stunning kitchens, Bathrooms by Harpers turns your design dreams into reality with expert craftsmanship and personalised service. Your vision of a sleek, modern kitchen or a stylish new bathroom can now be a reality, thanks to the expert team at Bathrooms by Harpers. Whether you’re dreaming of a stunning transformation or a subtle update, Ed Harper and his dedicated team are here to guide you through every step of the process. Since 2000, Ed has been at the helm of creating beautiful, bespoke bathrooms, each tailored to the unique needs and preferences of his clients. Based in Tyringham, near Newport Pagnell, Bathrooms by Harpers has become synonymous with exceptional service and impeccable craftsmanship. Now, this same level of attention to detail and commitment to quality is being applied to kitchens. From sleek, contemporary designs to timeless, traditional spaces, the team is ready to turn your kitchen..

Bayou Bathrooms are a local family business ready to welcome you into their showroom to help create your bathroom bliss. Imagine your bathroom as a sanctuary, a place that washes away stress and energises your spirit. That’s the Bayou feeling. Inspired by nature’s vibrant bayous and japandi design, we believe bathrooms can be a haven for renewal and well-being. As a family of self builders, we understand the challenge of finding beautiful, functional bathroom products that are also kind to the environment. We’ve spent years searching high and low, wanting the best for our own homes. That’s why we created Bayou Bathrooms. We curate a collection of stunning, eco-conscious products that perfectly balance functionality with a touch of “wow.” We know the journey isn’t always perfect – not all products live up to these ideals. But here at Bayou, we’re committed to honesty. We’ll point out the true gems that..

As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to make our gardens a haven for butterflies and moths. These delicate insects play a crucial role in our ecosystem, and with a few simple steps, we can help support their populations. From creating a diverse floral environment to fostering community awareness, there are many ways we can contribute to their well-being. Here are some top tips to help butterflies and moths flourish in your garden this season. Get the Garden Ready Plant a variety of flowers to provide butterflies and moths with ample food sources, ensuring their happiness. A diverse selection of flowers is recommended to attract various insects and enhance your garden's entire ecosystem. Butterflies and moths also seek shelter from the rain on plants climbing walls and fences. Positioning these plants strategically offers them a refuge during harsh weather. Avoid mowing the lawn to benefit these delicate insects. Caterpillars thrive..

Newstalgia is a look that weaves the best of the past with today’s innovation. It’s a curated blend of retro patterns and colours, updated with modern sensibilities to create spaces that have a sense of nostalgia but still feel fresh. This trend celebrates vintage charm by putting an emphasis on upcycling items whilst also embracing new purchases that have a link to the past, ensuring every piece has a story and a place in our contemporary homes. Nostalgia is recreating identical pieces from the past, newstalgia is seeking to improve them. The idea is to use nostalgic pieces to create something new. You may choose to have an old piece of furniture reupholstered in a modern fabric or to re-paint an inherited item of cabinetry in a vibrant Annie Sloan tone (Capri Pink and Firle Green are two of my favourites). Though newstalgia is a relatively recent concept, first surfacing..

With over 35 years experience designing bathrooms, the team at Ripples understands that the process can sometimes be daunting. Its designers are experts on all aspects of bathrooms and here, Designer Erin White from the award nominated Ripples showroom in Towcester answers some of the most commonly asked bathroom-related questions. With Pinterest, Instagram, and other great tools, can’t I just design my bathroom myself? Do I really need a bathroom designer? Although there are a lot of great tools out there to give you style inspiration these days, there are so many other things to be considered when designing a bathroom. Considerations around plumbing, electrics and room layout are best handled by a professional. If you are anything like me, you will have a lot of images on your Pinterest boards or magazine collection, encompassing a number of different styles. A Ripples designer can work with you to narrow down..

Check out those checks! Decorating using checks is an interesting way to add pattern and colour to your space. Whilst once a staple of traditional or country interiors, the vibrant, edgy look they create coupled with their versatility, enables them to complement both classic and contemporary schemes. Whatever your look, there’s a colour and scale of check to suit. Whether you have a period property in the countryside or a modern flat in the centre of town, checks will add personality and structure to your home. The geometric nature of the design makes it useful as a tool to balance fussy interiors, juxtaposing an orderly check with a whimsical floral for example, or adding a check as a way of enlivening a neutral scheme that lacks vibrancy and interest. As with any pattern, it’s critical to ensure that the look of the room stays balanced. Checks can be layered with..

With the frenzy of Christmas behind us, January is a great month for hunkering down, relaxing and enjoying the long nights of winter. Where once, January was my least favourite month, now I relish the opportunity to stay in and surround myself with soft lighting and textured cushions and blankets, retreating from the world for just a few weeks more before the activity of the spring and the demands of the longer days kick in. Of all the rooms in the house, our bedrooms make the best sanctuaries. Much of our homes are now either open plan and multifunctional, or are spaces dedicated to working from home. Being able to escape to our bedrooms to find solace, and peace and quiet away from the noise, is quite a luxury. A bedroom is the perfect place to transform into a snug setting and it can be done easily, effortlessly, and economically,..

The proper lighting, colour palette and space-saving design elements all help create a bathroom that you will not only want to shout about but contribute towards creating an environment that you rush to retreat to after a very demanding day. Erin White Designer at Ripples Towcester offers all the inspiration you need, along with practical advice on how to get that Instagrammable bathroom you’ve always wanted. Since bathrooms are designed to be a place of relaxation, integrating a minimalistic design can work well in achieving this goal. To incorporate a touch of luxe, brushed brass fixtures and fittings are a great place to start, from the taps and shower, all the way through to the toilet roll holder and vanity handles. When it comes to colour schemes, there are many choices. Gentle neutral hues highlight the spa-like atmosphere, whilst bold and vibrant colours provide a more visually compelling setting. A..

Cost of living crisis or not, it seems that when it comes to Christmas, we love to spoil our pets, writes Sammy Jones. In 2022, three in five pet owners went shopping for Fido and Fluffy, and retailers will have been barking with delight – with more than £870 million pounds spent on our much loved companions. It's understandable; they are constantly by our side, provide unwavering love and they make us feel good, don't they? Buying my animals Christmas presents has always been a thing – Joseph and Minnie even have their own Christmas stockings which are filled with tasty treats and toys that will invariably be discarded under the sofa within the first 10 minutes, only to be rediscovered at Easter! This year, I will make the same trip to the pet shop to buy the fur babies something, but this time we'll be redistributing some of that..

As winter approaches and the cost of living continues to rise, finding ways to stay warm without breaking the bank is a top priority. At T&K Home Improvements, they not only understand the importance of keeping your home cosy but also how to make it energy efficient. Here are their tips to save on energy bills this winter… Efficient Heating Habits: Over half of energy bills go towards heating and hot water. Consider changes such as only heating occupied rooms, lowering your thermostat, and investing in quality draught proofing. T&K Home Improvements can enhance your home's insulation with services like double glazing, reducing energy consumption and saving you money. Smart Kitchen Practices: Simple changes in the kitchen can make a big impact. Things like boiling only the water you need, and regularly defrosting your fridge freezer will increase energy efficiency. T&K's focus on insulation also extends to energy-efficient windows, helping..