Real homes

Christmas makeover: ‘I’m finally brave enough to have fun with colour’

Christmas makeover: ‘I’m finally brave enough to have fun with colour’

Jo wanted to make the most of the period features in her bedroom, like the rustic doors. The traditional-style wood complements the pastel green panelled wall, soft pink and white bed linen and the blush curtains

Bedroom makeover: ‘My pink and green bedroom is my happy place’

To create a distinct dining area, Jade has zoned the space with a large rug. Light-boosting beige and taupe make the most of the natural daylight streaming in through the patio doors

Bungalow makeover: ‘We saved thousands by taking our time’

‘I initially considered a black kitchen but worried the room would look too black and white, which wasn’t what I wanted, so I chose these painted Stately units. The dark grey actually has a hint of blue that adds a touch of warmth and colour. The rug is from Dunelm and we made the shelves out of spare wood we found in the garage’

Kitchen diner makeover: ‘Our kitchen diner has a vintage Victorian vibe!’

‘We added value to our home with a DIY overhaul’

Home makeover: ‘We added value to our home with a DIY overhaul’

Taking pride of place above the sofa is a screen print by Wolf Jaw Press of a huge Russian hunting dog called a
Borzoi. ‘I stumbled across it on Etsy as it’s one of our favourite dog breeds. They look so magical, and it fits with our vibe, which is a bit spooky and medieval’

Home makeover: ‘Renting has made me more creative’

A runner rug, green feature wall and a display of Anna’s trademark patterned plates help to draw the eye to the double doors and the view out onto the garden, for a feeling of light, depth and space

Home makeover: ‘I’ll never stop updating my home with colour’

By being bold with colour and painting the walls and woodwork a moody blue, lifted with splashes of warm gold and yellow, Camellia has achieved the perfect balance of drama and homeliness

Living room makeover: ‘I learned new skills to save on the look I wanted’

Homeowner Kathie in her kitchen

Home makeover: ‘Our house looks like something out of a fairytale’

Scandi style makeover

Home makeover: ‘I wanted our first home to be a serene space’

Colour-confident Heather loved the idea of a pale blue and pink kitchen, so she gave the existing cupboards and walls a facelift with a lick of pastel paint

Kitchen makeover: ‘Our pastel pink kitchen is bright and cheerful’

Jess has kept the kitchen fresh and light with white Howdens units, and added touches of blue for a coastal vibe

Home makeover: ‘We brought coastal cool to our Oxford home’

'DIY hacks have saved us a fortune'

Home makeover: ‘DIY hacks have saved us a fortune’

An island facing into the room includes the hob and a breakfast bar to make the kitchen feel as social as possible

Kitchen makeover: ‘We saved money by doing almost everything ourselves’

'I’ve given my home a high-end feel with high street buys'

Home makeover: ‘I’ve given my home a high-end feel with high street buys’