Here you’ll find super-quick fixes, new-season colour tricks to try and the hot high-street buys to transform your space without breaking a sweat – or the bank!
Kate Watson-Smyth
‘My decorating style? Be brave and have fun!’
‘I started posting pictures of my home on my Instagram and blog when my husband Adam and I bought a doer-upper in North London in 2010. It was two dingy rental flats that we completely renovated to turn back into a house – and doing it taught me a lot about finding my own style and being brave with my choices.
‘It also made me want to show others how to decorate their own homes simply using interesting pieces or clever tricks – because upgrading your home doesn’t have to involve knocking down walls, spending thousands on a kitchen extension and practically living with your builders for years. Very few of us have unlimited time and money, but you don’t necessarily need either to create your dream home – as an interiors stylist and journalist, I know that you can change the entire feel of a room in minutes with clever lighting or a chic cushion (trust me, it’s true!).
‘The trick is all about working out what you like and learning which tweaks will have the biggest impact. With Pinterest, Instagram and interiors magazines, there’s a lot of information out there, so I want to cut through the noise and help you find your own style. Over the next 16 pages I will share my favourite trends, colours, high-street heroes as well as my secrets for upgrading your space (some of which take minutes and cost nothing). My philosophy is that you can be brave and have fun. It’s your home and your story – and it should make your heart sing when you open the front door.’
KATE WATSON-SMYTH @mad_about_the_house
Ten super-easy fixes: The sneaky tricks all interiors experts know
A Cheeky extra no 10! My mantra for updating any room? Add something new, something old, something black and something gold. This works for every style, size and shape of room. It doesn’t have to be gold – metallic or mirrored will also bounce the light around and add a feeling of luxe.
The colours I’m loving now
Green: my go-to bold
photograph: ti-mediacontent.com
New neutrals: think pink and pale gold
photograph: line thit klein. stylist: krakvik & d’orazio. paint, devine, jotun.com
Earth tones: instant warmth for any room
photograph: sjoerd eickmans. styling: cleo scheulderman/vtwonen
My key trends for summer
Tropical: for a splash of colour
photograph: polly wreford. styling: sarah keady
70s: no longer the era that taste forgot
photograph: michael sinclair/taverne agency
Curves: the shape of the moment
Photograph: Megan Taylor. Interior design by 2LG Studio, featuring its Rise Kitchen collection for John Lewis of Hungerford, Stanley dining table (2LG Studio x Olivia Aspinal) and Capsule light (2LG Studio x Cameron Design House)
My high-street heroes
Who needs designer when the style and standard are this amazing?