Although the busy growing season is officially over, your beloved mini plastic greenhouse needn't be exiled to the shed just yet. In fact, there are several unexpected ways you can still use it throughout autumn and winter too.

While completing your October gardening jobs, you might've noticed your plastic greenhouse isn't getting the attention it usually does in spring and summer. Although it's not quite as necessary during autumn and winter, you might be surprised by how many ways you can still use it.

So when you're sorting your garden out this month, don't bid farewell to your greenhouse just yet. Tap into its potential by trying one of the alternative ways to use it to help you through the winter months, such as an alternative airing cupboard.

Whether you're trying vegetable gardening or are limited to a small garden, a mini plastic greenhouse is a great choice.

And although they're mainly used for seed germination and helping heat-loving plants grow in summer, they're just as useful once the weather turns.

"If you're not utilising your plastic greenhouse in the autumn and winter months, then you're missing a massive trick because I use this quite a lot. In fact, there are loads of out-of-the-box things you can do with these that make it really practical," explains Ish Kamran, garden design expert and horticulture influencer at @gardening.with.ish on Instagram.

"For example, I've removed the middle shelf, and it actually makes a really good clothes dryer for outside. It's slightly warmer than the normal temperature and also means it's not going to get rained on. As long as you leave a bit of ventilation, it actually dries quicker than if I left it on an airer inside," he adds. Unless you have one of the best heated airers, of course.

"Not all of us are blessed with a porch or a canopy in which they can dry their boots and shoes. So if you've been out on a muddy walk and it's not looking its best, just utilise the bottom shelf. It's got cover, and you can close it up to let it dry," Ish points out.

If you've been using your essential gardening tools this season, your greenhouse can be the perfect post-cleaning drying area.

"It's not just your clothes and boots that you can dry off as well; if you've been washing some of your gardening tools, why not pop them in here, especially in between jobs. If you're like me and your tools get a little rusty now and then, putting them in a dry space will do you a favour," Ish explains.

Looking to overwinter your dahlias this season? Your greenhouse can help out with the tubers too.

"And finally, if you're a true horticulturist at heart, why not use this space to dry seeds or tubers before you store them away. That little bit of extra heat will make sure they're perfectly dry before you put them in a nice little brown envelope ready for next year," he adds.

Greenhouses can also help protect your garden from heavy rain. Any vulnerable potted plants can be moved inside during more intense weather and storms.

Victoria Beckham has revealed the dinner party "sin" she says is "unforgivable" - and we're taking note ahead of hosting season.

Her prowess when it comes to homeware and interiors is something we've long admired. A glimpse inside her and her husband David's homes treats us to plenty of gorgeous inspiration and proves to us that she's certainly clued up on all things trending and stylish.

Amid the launch of her luxurious new homeware and dining range with Westwing, Victoria has admitted she has a few serious no-nos when it comes to throwing (or attending) a great dinner party.

Now's the time to polish up on our Christmas tablescaping, soirée skills, and festive dining room design - and, in Victoria Beckham, we trust.

Victoria's Westwing collection is all about quiet luxury and elegant styling, so we're not too surprised that she thinks that humble paper napkins have no place on a dinner party table.

While she admits she's "not one for rules", VB says "some things are non-negotiable".

In a video shared on the Westwing Instagram account, she simply states: "One unforgivable sin. Paper napkins."

Shop Victoria Beckham's Westwing collection

Victoria has some other strict table design guidelines. As she shared her ultimate do's and don'ts for a "proper dinner party", the former Spice Girl says: "Don't ever overcrowd the table. Less is more."

Using "proper" glassware when serving drinks is also a must. "It's just rude to a martini if you don't, let's be honest," she adds.

Don't save your best homeware for special occasions only; if you have some stunning glassware, every dinner party is worth getting the nice glasses out of the cupboard.

Shop Stylish Napkins

"Don't ever ignore the lighting. Lighting is crucial," Victoria also explained, adding: "I mean, you can ignore the lighting; I mean, I probably won't come."

We couldn't agree more, and using warm layered lighting is the best way to create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere without scaring your guests away with the dreaded big light.

The expert hostess even has a sneaky and subtle tip for when you're ready for your guests to be gone, and it's one that David pulls out at the end of parties in the Beckham household. "Don't overstay your welcome," she says.

"You know what happens in the Beckham house when David wants people to leave? He literally walks around the room blowing out the candles, hoping that people will get the hint."

We might have to steal that tip for the holiday season, although we seriously doubt we'll be able to pull it off quite as well as Becks.

Emily English, more commonly known as Em The Nutritionist, has shared the before-and-after of her decadent kitchen transformation, filled with unique style notes.

While we pride ourselves on knowing the latest kitchen trends, occasionally we see a space that brings something new to the table, and it immediately catches our attention. Nutritionist and food journalist Emily English's recent kitchen renovation has given us several reasons to stop and take inspiration.

Now, if you're looking for budget kitchen updates, this might not be the inspo you've been looking for; however, there are so many style notes you can take from this space and utilise in your own home.

While it's possible to transform your kitchen with budget buys, this renovation is a whole other ball game. Em's London flat previously had a more confined galley kitchen, with a separate room for the dinner table.

Now it's a stunning open-plan space, with a chic stainless steel island softly separating the cooking and dining areas. Em also opted for a stainless steel sink, which we wouldn't usually choose for a home, but it works incredibly well with the statement marble surfaces and backsplash.

Choosing an open-plan kitchen can be a common kitchen design mistake to make; however, if you decide on the functionality of the room before you make the decision they can work incredibly well.

While marble and neutral cabinets are a classic design choice, Em has added personality with dusty pink dining chairs and a complementary green tufted rug under the table.

She's also thoughtfully introduced the cafecore trend with a hidden drinks and coffee area which sits opposite the dining table. Finished with stylish glassware, Smeg appliances, and luxurious fitted lighting, giving the area a welcoming glow.

The room still feels and looks expensive with these homely touches, which shows how choosing confident interior styles and materials can do the heavy lifting when transforming a space.

Keen to see how Em uses her luxurious kitchen? Well, you're in luck because she recently shared the blow-the-budget kitchen essentials she uses regularly; just be warned, your bank account may take a hit.

With cosy season officially here and December just around the corner, it won't be long before we're cracking open the first doors of our advent calendars.

If you're looking for an alternative way to count the days, try a candle advent calendar. Is there anything more festive than striking a match, lighting the wick of your best Christmas candle and filling your home with the smell of warmth, sweetness and spices? We think not.

That's why an advent calendar filled with enchanting yuletide scents to make our homes feel a little cosier is always something we're in favour of. So when we heard the surprisingly affordable Marks & Spencer Christmas Wax Melt Advent Calendar was returning for 2026, we were pretty thrilled.

With an affordable £35 price tag, this M&S offering won't throw your finances into disarray ahead of the festive period. And it isn't too hard to get your hands on, either.

Perfectly packaged in a decorative box, the wax melt calendar will see you through to the big day with 24 individual star-shaped, tree-shaped and cottage-shaped wax melts.

Scented with three of the retailer's most popular seasonal scents, you'll be enjoying the essence of Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon, Yuletide Pine & Spice, and Frankincense & Myrrh to set the scene for you to hunker down and get cosy on December evenings.

Each melting session will be made all the more special by the included ceramic townhouse-shaped burner, which is adorned with the year, making for a charming decorative piece you bring out each and every Christmas.

The set comes complete with tea lights, so you can get melting straight away.

How can I get the M&S Wax Melt Advent Calendar?

The M&S Wax Melt Advent Calendar is available to buy now for December 2026. You can snap it up in stores and online, with delivery and pre-ordered collection services available.

It's recently arrived in stock, but it's already being added to dozens of baskets and selling fast, according to the M&S website. So if you really want to get your hands on one, it might be a good idea to order ASAP.

Shop more candle advent calendars

The advent calendar market is bigger and more impressive than ever, with beauty advents, perfume calendars and everything in between.

But if you already have an overflowing makeup and skincare stash and your perfume collection is stocked with your favourites, you're probably wanting something a little different for your Christmas countdown this year.

Whichever one of these fragrant advent calendars you choose, one thing is for sure - you will make your house smell divine around Christmas time. Happy melting.

The trend of bringing personality back to our homes is showing no signs of going anywhere; in fact, it seems to be becoming a more steadfast trend. The latest proof of this can be found in Benjamin Moore's confident green Colour of the Year 2027, Webster Green.

Bolder, more playful colours are a consistent pattern in the interior paint colour trends we've seen so far this year, and we couldn't be happier about it. After seeing Dulux's Colour of the Year 2027, Soulful Sage, announced just last month, we were hoping for more colourful hues from other brands, and Benjamin Moore has seriously delivered.

The brand is calling Webster Green a "Confident hue with undeniable personality... a quintessential green that transcends styles and timeframes with ease." And after taking one look at the rich, yet sophisticated shade, we couldn't agree more.

If you are looking to add personality to your home, opting for a richer, more daring colour like green is a fantastic way of doing it. And whilst it can feel daunting to use such a colour in your home, finding a shade that is timeless like this one is your key to long-lasting satisfaction.

"Webster Green is a quintessential green, with a crisp finish that exemplifies this enduring relevance and classic appeal that endures the ebb and flow of trend cycles," says the brand.

"From its presence in Benjamin Moore's archival hand-drawn renderings to forward-thinking points of inspiration, it is both timeless and timely. It nods to the palettes that have shaped interior design over the decades, while connecting with the contemporary desire for trusted hues that create grounded yet distinctive spaces," they add.

Now, greens have been rising in popularity for years, from the delicious pistachio green trend to the repeatedly adored sage green one, so it's no surprise we're immediate fans of Webster Green. However, the more elevated shade of this makes it much easier to add to our homes and preexisting exteriors.

It's clear the brand has stayed ahead with the interior colour trends that are popular right now; however, they've prioritised longevity with their Colour of the Year.

"A growing interest in colours with a timeless quality are making their way into the home. Webster Green reflects this appeal by pairing reassuring stability with optimistic energy," starts Helen Saw, Director of Marketing at Benjamin Moore.

"Its composed nature feels both rooted and forward-looking, while enhancing spaces that feel distinctive, collected and continually new," she adds.

This grounding nature is why it makes such a great colour choice for colour drenching a room, and the fact that it pairs so well with similar earth tones and natural textures.

If you need any more convincing, then green colours like these are considered happy colours to use in your home and have been proven to improve your overall mood when around them.

I don't know about you, but there are some chores around my home that I am always looking for easier, more efficient ways to complete. And once again, Dilly Carter has just shown me the light with another kitchen organisation tip.

Trying to organise a kitchen and keep it organised week after week is no small feat, especially when it comes to heavily used appliances and essentials like your dishwasher and dinnerware. The dishwasher is an especially laborious task when it's used daily, and using it so often means that my dishes and cutlery have a greater chance of becoming unorganised.

Luckily, Dilly Carter, a professional organiser on Sort Your Life Out, has shared her fantastic tip for ensuring your cutlery stays organised from the moment it's popped into the dishwasher to them being put neatly away in the drawer.

Loading a dishwasher incorrectly is one of the biggest dishwasher mistakes we all probably make on a daily basis, however once you know how to do it right, it'll make life so much easier.

"The way we load our dishwasher matters! It's not just a box we throw our dishes into any old how. There is a way to do everything properly," says Dilly.

"Now, who would believe that there is an art to loading your dishwasher? Yes, this box that we use every day is not just a box that we chuck everything into; it's about having everything cleaned properly. We don't have things coming out and not being cleaned. And that's often because things haven't been loaded properly," she continues.

"So we've got our bottom for our heavier soiled dishes, our middle for our glasses and our mugs, and then the top tray is for our cutlery," points out Dilly.

It's not just cleanliness that Dilly has prioritised in her dishwasher organisation, the really smart tip that has now revolutionised my loading and unloading is with the cutlery drawer or basket.

Although her machine has a tray, this advice still works with a basket too. And it's a another great way Dilly keeps choatic drawers organised with minimal effort.

"This tray is replacing the old style cutlery basket, so there's no danger of you ever cutting yourselves because everything is beautifully organised," Dilly says.

"The reason I love these cutlery trays is because we can categorise all our knives, forks and spoons. Yes I organise my knives, forks and spoons even in my dishwasher," she explains.

"But the reason I do that is so once everything is together, I can simply grab them all in one go, open my drawer which of course is perfectly placed by my dishwasher, and throw them in. Nice and easy, it's all about time," Dilly shows.

This is definitely not a kitchen organisaiton mistake to avoid, in fact I'm not sure how I'll every load a dishwasher the same again. I'm certainly looking forward to no more faffing around when putting cutlery away.

If you want more of Dilly's genius advice, why not try her tip for maximising storage space in your kitchen?

Have you got your woolly winter wardrobe out yet? Because we’re giving our homes the same seasonal treatment. As cold weather creeps in, it’s time to embrace wool in all its wonderfully tactile glory. Naturally insulating, breathable and beautifully textured, this timeless natural fibre brings warmth to our interiors, adding depth, softness and an unmistakably cosy feel to your home just when we need it most.

Leading the charge is Ruggable, who has just launched a collection of washable wool rugs, combining the natural luxury of wool with the everyday practicality we never knew we could have. And it’s not alone. From Woolroom’s inviting layers to Dunelm's beautifully crafted home accessories, there are plenty of ways to weave this heritage material into your interiors, whether you’re looking for a statement piece or those little finishing touches that make a room feel luxurious and seasonal.

So, if you’re ready to give your home a softer, warmer countryside feel for the season ahead, we’ve rounded up our favourite wool homewares to inspire you. Think sumptuous textures, natural tones and timeless pieces that will feel just as lovely long after winter has passed too.

Our favourite wool home décor

Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons for layering up your home with tactile textures, warming tones and natural materials, and wool is one of the loveliest ways to achieve that cosy, collected look. Whether you introduce it through a chunky knitted throw, a soft wool rug or smaller handmade details, it's a timeless material that brings warmth, character and a little extra comfort to the everyday. If you're crafty, you could even knit or crochet a few pieces yourself, from placemats and tea cosies to blankets and decorative accessories.

It's all too easy to focus on the big tasks this month, with lots to harvest and lots of plants to prepare for the colder weather; however, according to RHS's Garden Almanac there's one surprisingly important task to put on your to-do list.

Whether or not you've got a long list of gardening jobs to complete this month, autumn is a surprisingly busy time for plant life. As well as avoiding the autumn gardening mistakes that are all too easy to make this season, there are some jobs you may not have thought to add to your list before.

Luckily, we have some expert help from the RHS and their fantastic 2027 Garden Almanac complete with a month-by-month guide to gardening. And this month we spotted a little piece of advice that we'd never thought of before, so we just had to share.

Now, we're usually trying to get rid of weeds from our gardens, but according to the gardening experts at RHS, Zia Allaway and Guy Barter, weeds should actually be cherished this time of year.

"Cherish winter weeds such as annual meadow grass, chickweed, red deadnettle and shepherd's purse, for example. These plants will do little harm now, as long as they don't flower and set seed, and provide cover for wildlife," they explain.

"Leave the plants in situ from autumn to February, after which many will start growing rapidly, flowering and setting seed before you know it. Hoe them off, smother with a mulch, or incorporate them into the soil," they suggest.

There are quite a few wildlife-friendly weeds that are best left alone if you're happy to have a little more of a rewilded garden this season.

There are some other ways you can sort the garden out regarding weeds if you don't want to let everything and anything grow.

"Unwanted perennial plants are best removed with a spade or fork in autumn before their foliage dies back, and they become hard to find," explain the RHS experts.

"Dandelions are an exception - their flowers are valuable to pollinators, and they don't set much seed in winter, so tolerate them if you can," they say.

You don't need to have an entirely rewilded garden, but if you do want to help wildlife during the autumn, leaving some weeds to grow can be a massive help. And of course, completely low-effort for you too.

If you want help keeping your garden happy and healthy all year round, the RHS The Garden Almanac 2027 is the perfect guide, and it makes a fantastic gift too!

Victoria Beckham's first ever homeware line launched this week. The collection of hammered stainless steel, creamy porcelain, and mouth blown glassware is elegant, exclusive, designed to elevate the everyday.

It's no surprise that the fashion designer is bring her chic taste to the table too. We've long admired the Beckham's famously stylish home, but having a whole collection available just before gifting season makes it easy to shop the Beckham look.

Even better, if you're inspired by the popular Isla butter dishes and salt and pepper pots and, my personal favourite, the jewellery-like napkin rings.I've done some research into more affordable lookalikes, so you can mix and match for a luxury look on a budget.

Victoria Beckham Westwing Homeware Collection

The Victoria Beckham Westwing collection is a beautiful treat for the table. I'll show you some comparisons between high street brands, but these are the three pieces that are true collection heroes:

Launching just in time for the start of the hosting season, Victoria Beckham’s launching her first homeware collection. It's a collaboration with German brand Westwing centres around “serving style”. It's a masterclass in how to use soft textiles, decorative objects and a sophisticated palette of white and dark green, with hammered stainless steel and off-white porcelain bringing texture to the tablescape.

The collection takes inspiration from Britain’s 19th-century Arts and Crafts movement, which championed craftsmanship, natural forms and the beauty of objects made to be used as well as admired. We've seen lots of celebrations of the William Morris designs this year, especially on rugs, but Victoria Beckham's collection brings something a little different.

“Home is where some of life's most meaningful moments happen, and this collaboration felt like a natural way to explore that world through the same lens of design, craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines everything we do,” Victoria explains.

Her fashion background is evident throughout, from the jewellery-like chain motif on the Dover plates and table linen to the sculptural, shell-shaped Isla butter dishes and salt and pepper pots. “I wanted everything to feel refined, but never overly formal. There’s an ease in the way the pieces live together.”

The Westwing collection also comes with beautiful packaging, so these feel like true heirloom, luxury investments for your kitchen. The boxes are definitely ones to keep hold of.

I've pulled together our favourites from the collection with some more affordable lookalikes so you can choose how and where you shop the luxury look:

The Victoria Beckham x Westwing collaboration has already been widely admired for bringing elegance to the table. It's polished and practical, bringing style without looking too precious. They're perfect for gifting to yourself or to loved ones over Christmas, although, we predict that they're going to be a sell-out success.

If anyone's going to get us out and enjoying our gardens, it's Pamela Anderson. And that might be a surprising statement, but taking one look at her thriving space and the joy with which she tends to it, and you'll have your gardening gloves on in no time.

With so many October gardening jobs to tick off the list this month, getting out into the garden can feel a little daunting. But as the weather changes and the cold mornings really start to settle in, your outdoor space will need sorting out sooner rather than later.

And why not find the joy in it? After Pamela posted the whimsical reel on her Instagram (@pamelaanderson), we were immediately infected with that relaxed happiness and started planning our weekend in the garden.

While there are many autumn garden mistakes to avoid this time of year, it's usually a pretty simple time to be out maintaining your plants. If you have a space similar to Pamela's, you can follow suit with her sunrise routine.

"Good morning, time to clean up the garden. Early bird gets the first worm. There's lots of peppers still, tomatoes and carrots," says Pamela.

The Baywatch star begins with pruning her taller rose plants that grow in the multiple raised beds she has in her large garden. Using an essential garden tool, secateurs, to prune the roses properly and maximise blooming for next year.

Aside from maintenance, she also ticks off lots of harvesting. If you're new to vegetable gardening this year, you'll be just as impressed as we are by the size and shape of Pamela's pepper, tomato and carrot crops.

Although this season can be rather gloomy, we're also inspired by the magic that can be found in the garden this time of year. And once again, Pamela has us romanticising the everyday. "I love the sunrise in the garden, all the magical fall light," she says.

And perhaps the most important garden job of all? Saying morning to the dogs. Her golden retriever and two chocolate labradors are more than happy to join in on the autumnal garden maintenance.

And whilst Pamela mainly showed her overflowing raised beds, there's also maintenance to be done on any patches of grass you may have. Learning some autumn lawn care tips can help ensure your lawn stays healthy over winter and looks just as good come springtime.

Now that the cold weather has finally arrived, it doesn't feel quite so scandalous to start talking about all things Christmas. And we couldn't be happier about the timing because Next has some pretty magical light-up pieces of decor we just had to share.

If you were across the trends last year, you may have seen the viral light-up gingerbread Christmas tree skirt from Next. It was an immediate sell-out, so we were positively jumping for joy when it restocked this year. Unfortunately, that specific colourway is sold out once again, but fear not, because Next is seriously delivering the goods with other light-up pieces.

So whether you're looking to update your Christmas decorating ideas or add a touch more dazzling magic to the festive season, here are some of our top picks from Next's illuminated accessories.

While we're big fans of having the best Christmas tree lights and outdoor lights, there's something so whimsical about having other decorations illuminating your home during the festive period.

Next, they've really levelled up their game with must-have Christmas products this year, with affordable trend-led items and high-quality timeless pieces to choose from. Whether or not you like to add personality to your home during the holidays, their range has something for everyone's taste.

But we must admit their light-up products hold a special place in our hearts as they not only can help make a dark room brighter during the winter but they add a touch of magic too.

If you want to peek at other retailers, we've also compiled a list of our favourite pieces from the M&S Christmas shop. But we're warning you: your basket will fill up very quickly.

Home renovations and DIY projects are all good in theory, but there’s always more to it than meets the eye, as Alex Jones is learning.

Alex has been sharing the progress of overhauling her retro 1980s home, and while she’s excited about the prospect of getting started on the huge project to transform her dream home, she realised she has to face a very ominous question: "Where are we going to live?"

In a new social media video, she revealed the dilemma she’s facing contemplating living in a caravan as the colder months draw in – and the surprising yet 'very helpful' advice she’s received from Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud, who has overseen his fair share of renovations and transformations.

Alex Jones home renovation advice shared by Kevin McCloud

Alex explains in the video, “We are rewiring, we're replumbing; it's a year's project at least. Do you want to hear [her husband] Charlie's idea? We should hoist a static caravan over the trees and put it here."

She reveals she went straight to Kevin to ask for his frank, professional advice - and his insight may be useful for anyone contemplating their own home projects in the future.

Kevin called it a "great idea" and his top tip is to "always stay on site if you can" when a renovation project is taking place.

He told Alex that what he would personally do to elevate the experience is add a cheap shed as an extension to the static caravan. That way, you keep "your coats, your wellies, your washing machine and a tumble dryer in the shed", and keep the caravan relatively decluttered and a home away from home.

Alex sounded relatively unconvinced, even by Kevin. And there’s something she absolutely won’t do: "I am not living in a static caravan for Christmas." We’re not sure even the expert tips to make a space feel cosy will be enough; stocking up on electric heaters might be wise, Alex.

Ending the video, Alex currently thinks they might move into the caravan in the early spring to avoid the coldest winter months, and asked her followers for any advice or input; there were many who were quick to offer their own experiences.

One wrote, "We did it when we renovated with a 2 and 4 [year old], they loved it! My advice, though, is to get a double-glazed one if you will be in it during colder months. We hired a container for all the extra ‘stuff’”.

Another who was on team caravan shared, "We loved our statics - nearly 3 years in them whilst we totally renovated the house. Actually, I was sad to leave them. A simple life altogether. We had one to live in and one to sleep in. Joined by a deck made of pallets!”

Of course, not everyone is as sold on the idea. “No, don’t! We’ve built a house, we know! Just the paperwork/plans, etc will take up a whole caravan. Rent somewhere within 10 minutes of the house/schools.”

Christmas is candle season. From fresh, pine-scented fragrances that bring the winter outdoors in through to warming, spiced notes that make your home feel extra cosy, it’s the perfect time to discover your next signature scent. And what better way to do so than with a candle advent calendar?

Candle advent calendars are the indulgent little treat for you and your home and the choice is wider than you might expect, too. Some feature delicate scented tealights for an evening’s ambience, others offer miniature votives, while curated collections bring together festive favourites from multiple fragrance brands.

Whilst we have a dedicated team working on the best beauty and fragrance advent calendars, as a qualified Master Perfumer, I’ve put my nose to the test to find the best candle advent calendars for Christmas. These are my top picks for beautiful fragrance, festive charm and versatility, with options to suit different tastes, homes and budgets.

Our Favourite Candle Advent Calendars: a treat for the whole home

Candle advent calendars have been growing in popularity for the past few years, but this Christmas, the choice feels bigger than ever. Diptyque’s coveted luxury candle (with this year’s launch just around the corner) and Yankee Candle’s limited-edition collections have long been festive fixtures, but now brands including Woodwick, John Lewis, Voluspa, The White Company and St Eval are making a stronger bid for a place on your shelf. And, our team has given them the highest praise.

Amongst friends and family, I have a reputation for picking the best home candles and fragrances. I light them in the evenings to create a little atmosphere or as part of my wind-down routine, so I was predisposed to love the idea. What surprised me, though, was just how much joy I got from a candle advent calendar, and how quickly that enjoyment spread to my family, too.

I know I shouldn’t have favourites, but St Eval’s calendar has a particularly special place in my heart. Cornwall holds fond memories for me, so I was delighted to discover it last Christmas. I bought one for my mum too, knowing she would love it and I received daily updates and photos of her candles glowing at home, along with her thoughts on each fragrance note. It became a little festive ritual we’ve talked about all year, eagerly anticipating the return of our daily candle moment.

Now that December is on the horizon, I’ve ordered another calendar for my mum and will be doing the same for myself and a friend with a November birthday too. It's a treat that makes your house smell delightful, so it's a gift that benefits everyone.

Over the years, we've tried lots of different advent calendars: the classic chocolate collections, the cute Bonne Maman spread calendar, but, of course, candle calendars has taken the top spot. I can't overstress how much of a treat these are to light every day. Whether you're looking for a way to explore a brand you love or for a mix of different discoveries, there's one for you. Whichever you choose, a cosy Christmas awaits.

With the autumn months here, our gardens have started to change, but in ways we perhaps didn't expect. One of these unusual changes you may have noticed is your spring bulbs sprouting earlier than normal.

If you've followed the recommended timeline for when to plant your spring bulbs that you might have already done all your planting in September hoping for early spring blooms. However, with the changes in seasonal climates in recent years, this normal growth pattern from plants like tulips and daffodils is at risk of altering.

So if you are planting and growing tulips this year, but have noticed they've uncharacteristically begun sprouting in October, don't panic; you're not alone.

If you've been outside completing your October gardening jobs, you may have seen some surprising growth action in your spring bulb pots. Turns out it might be rather common this year.

"Something you might find rather interesting is that these tulips that I planted last year, they flowered, they did amazing, they died off, but they seem to be coming back in October," starts Ish Kamran, garden expert and designer at @gardening.with.ish on Instagram.

"Last time I checked, tulips come out from March, April time. So, why so early?" he asks.

"As you probably know, the weather and season and even the climate have changed quite a bit over the last few years and tulips just aren't used to it. They're used to a slightly colder winter which kick-starts them, and then a springtime," says Ish.

"But you may notice that the weather hasn't really felt autumnal, but has felt a little more like spring. We've had cold mornings with dew, and we've even had nice warm days throughout," he continues.

You won't have to totally give up hope on your bulbs giving you a colour spring display; they'll just need a little help to get through the colder months.

"So, these tulips, unfortunately, think it's spring. What on earth do we do next?" Ish says.

"Well, here's the situation. Two things might happen. They may actually grow and form tulips, but chances are it's going to get colder in the next couple of months, and these are just going to lie dormant as foliage only until spring next year," he explains.

"All you really need to do is just get a good layer of multi-purpose compost or some mulch straight over the top. As a result, they'll be absolutely fine, and the bulb will be protected from excess moisture which might rot it away, and it'll carry on as normal in spring," Ish adds.

When sorting your garden out this month, don't worry too much if your spring bulbs have plants; just give them that extra layer of protection and be ready to enjoy them next year.

"So if your tulips, your daffodils or even your alliums are coming out a little too early, don't worry; they'll be ready for next year," Ish finishes.

Susanna Reid likes her home to be “warm, welcoming and comfortable”, a personal space where perfection is left firmly at the door.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, who is thought to live in South London with her three sons, Sam, Jack and Finn, shared her philosophy on interior design, revealing how "comfort" and character are the most important considerations when it comes to decor.

Speaking exclusively with woman&home to celebrate our 100th issue, when describing her interior style, Susanna revealed that her home is "tidy-ish but not decluttered". Music to our ears; we are also big fans of the curated clutter trend.

Susanna goes on to tell w&h: "There are books and pictures and photographs everywhere. Lots of colour and flowers."

From this answer, we’re guessing Susanna might be a fan of the Bookshelf Wealth trend, a look and lifestyle choice that has been bubbling away for years on social media.

One thing is clear about this trend: It’s not about looking perfect or forcing a trend into your home that doesn’t feel authentic; it’s about curating items that are an extension of your memories, treasures and interests.

It’s a great way to make a home feel cosy and give your home personality. Susanna might favour books and pictures, but you can recreate the aesthetic your own way.

"We love that the trend encourages people to display pieces they genuinely love, moving away from the pressure to conform to a cookie-cutter home," Charley Morgan, interior designer and director at Violet James Studio, previously told us.

"It inspires us to collect and curate meaningful ornaments and books, items that can evoke happy memories when glimpsed on your shelf.”

For Susanna, it’s these personal touches that make a home feel lived in and inviting, and it’s important that she feels “comfortable and cosy”.

What we love about what she shared is that she extends this feeling to every room, creating spaces to come together and connect beyond the living room. Perhaps unconventionally, she revealed she has a sofa in the kitchen - and it evokes this sense of slow living and not rushing the moment.

Describing how she’s created a space for people to wile away the hours in the heart of the home, she was quick to describe the kitchen sofa as one of her favourite pieces in her home.

She said, "I love the leather sofa in my kitchen for people to relax while I cook and don’t subscribe to the built-in kitchen look - I want people to know where the fridge is!"

It's a great argument for thinking beyond the living room. Create places where people can come just to be together.

Stacey Solomon recently swapped Pickle Cottage for a new Essex mansion, and one of the first major transformations she’s taken on is in the boys’ upstairs bathroom.

Sharing her first look at the completed bathroom renovation, awash with a colour-drenched tangerine hue, matching the orange bath suite with vertical-stripe walls and matching accessories, Stacey acknowledged it wasn’t going to be to everyone's taste.

Fortunately, the dopamine decor was doing its job as intended for her and her family. She wrote, “I’m ready for people to hate this… But honestly I love it so, so much. As soon as I saw this tangerine bath set, I fell in love with it. I just couldn’t throw it away."

"I have plenty of rooms to be neutral in, but this is the boys' upstairs bathroom [and] they LOVE this colour, so I got to have so much fun in here bringing colour back to life," Stacey explains. "This room now just makes me happy as soon as I open the door. It’s so bright and cheerful".

Considering this bathroom is for her boys, Stacey was right to focus on bringing a bit of cheer and something that makes them happy.

Even with her bold choices for her boys, she still added subtle touches that help make a bathroom look expensive. In amongst the sea of tangerine, elevated touches like the brassware and shower head.

These refined touches contrast so beautifully with the unexpected colour scheme, making it look intentionally colourful and not haphazard or garish.

“When it comes to bathroom design, a few carefully selected pieces of brassware can make all the difference," says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs. "If budgets are tight, choosing to update brassware or to go for more expensive brassware compared to your ceramics can provide a more luxurious and high-end finish to your bathroom."

By adding the wall point in vertical stripes, Stacey has also kept some of the important style rules for a bathroom. A bathroom should always feel more open, airy and light. It’s a place to relax, to unwind.

While some typically do this by sticking to rigid neutrals, earthy tones or bringing in plants and other outdoor-in vibes, Stacey has opted to make the room feel bigger and brighter, drawing the eye up with the vertical stripes and the sunny colour.

While the colour is undeniably the first thing anyone will notice - and perhaps the only thing some might get stuck on - Stacey decorated the room with other fun flourishes and touches that make this room feel personable and perfect for her family.

The use of an abstract, fun-shaped mirror, for example. The soft, fluid shape feels young and playful, adding whimsy and breaking up the straight lines of the wall paint. Then there’s the amusing ‘Get Naked’ bath mat.

For those who take interior design very seriously, this might not seem chic. But Stacey is clearly thinking about the people who’ll be using each room - there’s always space for following trends in other rooms, but it’s a family home first and foremost.

Despite bracing for many to hate the room, Stacey’s fans were full of praise in the comments. One person wrote, ‘To be honest, it's nice to see something with a bit of personality as opposed to neutrals & greys that have engulfed the past decade!’

Another shared, ‘Omg it looks absolutely amazing! Never did I think I could love an orange bathroom suite so much! Well done’

What do we think, could this usher in the era of the 1970s colourful bathroom suite? Time will tell…

When it comes to cast iron casserole dishes, everyone thinks about Le Creuset. However, IKEA has bought the Swedish touch to the famously French casserole dish design offering quality and design for a reasonable price tag.

Over the years, my arguments for investing in Le Creuset casserole dishes have grown. However, having seen what the new IKEA Vardagen Casserole Dish collection has to offer, I have to say that I'm tempted.

Crafted with premium cast iron, coasted in non-toxic enamel, and available in rich, classy colours, these have the credentials of the best casserole dishes on the market. My Le Creuset has reason to be worried this season.

IKEA Vardagen Casserole Dish Launch

IKEA’s Vardagen cast iron casserole dish range is the epitome of affordable luxury, bringing the timeless appeal of French-inspired cookware to a much more accessible price point. With its reassuring weight, enamelled finish and clever design details, this quality cookware that you'll be passing down through the generations. Better still, the colour palette is as inviting as the cooking itself, with butter-yellow and soft pink shades that bring to mind scoops of your favourite ice cream, alongside a rich, earthy green that feels perfectly suited to autumn’s cosier cooking.

Beneath those pretty finishes, there’s some seriously capable cookware. Each casserole dish is crafted from cast iron, a durable material prized for its excellent heat retention and even heat distribution. Once heated, it holds its temperature beautifully, making it ideal for everything from gently simmering soups and slow-cooked stews to bubbling gratins and crusty, oven-baked dishes. The versatility is another welcome advantage: these casseroles are suitable for all hob types, including induction, and can move straight from the hob into the oven, making them a practical investment piece for cooks who want one hardworking piece to do it all.

IKEA has finished the cast iron with an enamel coating, which makes the collection considerably easier to care for than traditional, uncoated cast iron. There’s no need to season the surface with oil to maintain a protective patina, while the smooth, glazed interior helps food release more easily and makes cleaning simpler. The non-reactive enamel is particularly useful when cooking acidic ingredients, too, so you can confidently simmer tomato-rich sauces, wine-based casseroles and slow-cooked ragù without worrying about the ingredients reacting with the metal. It’s a thoughtful combination of old-fashioned durability and modern-day convenience.

The lids are another detail worth appreciating. Rather than a completely flat underside, they feature a spiral of raised nodules designed to encourage condensation to collect and drip back into the pot. This self-basting effect helps retain moisture during long, gentle cooking, keeping ingredients succulent and allowing flavours to develop beautifully. When the evenings draw in and cosy season calls for a slow-cooked stew, a rich vegetable casserole or a comforting one-pot supper.

Perhaps most reassuring is IKEA's promise. The brand backs its cast iron casserole dishes with a 15-year guarantee, an exceptionally generous commitment that reinforces their long-term value. This is the guarantee that you'll only see amongst premium brands such as STAUB and Le Creuset.

Cast iron is already renowned for its longevity when cared for properly, and the combination of a robust construction, protective enamel and extended guarantee makes this collection feel like a considered purchase rather than an everyday kitchen buy.

Affordable Cast Iron Casserole Dishes

If you love the look of the IKEA Vardagen Casserole Dish collection, but want to take a look at what else is on the market, here are some of my favourite cast iron casserole dishes:

The casserole-dish-equivalent of the cherry on top of this whole collection is that IKEA is offering 20% off the collection in store at the moment. So, whether you're stocking up on affordable luxuries to make your home feel cosy, or you're looking for some new non-toxic cookware, you're in for a treat. Once you've got your oven mitts on one, make sure to take a look at Em The Nutritionist's delicious one-pot recipe inspiration too.

Now that autumn has settled in, you’re no doubt looking forward to cosy nights in, where warming interiors and good food are non-negotiables.

As you get your favourite autumnal kitchenware out, you’ll no doubt have plenty of recipes in mind as the nights draw in. And what would a hearty lasagna, a warming stew or any other cold-weather staple be without plenty of garlic?

And just like growing your own thyme, growing garlic when you know how. Gardening expert Ish Kamran (@gardening.with.ish) shared how to grow your own from nothing more than one clove from your latest supermarket bulb.

How to grow garlic from shop bought garlic

Sharing with his followers, Ish explains, "You don't need any kind of fancy seeds to grow your very own garlic bulbs. You just need one bought from the shop.”

His expertise comes in handy here as he also explains that, when it comes to growing your own, not all garlic is equal. He prefers to use organic or locally sourced garlic because, unlike the ones often found in supermarkets that originate from China, they are more likely to grow bigger.

He continued, "Just one garlic bulb will grow between six and eight of your very own garlic plants because it's not the bulb you bury, but the individual clove and you'll get plenty of those."

Now, for the hard part - which he explains is not hard at all. In fact, garlic is not only one of the foods you can grow in pots if you’re low on space, but it also requires little maintenance.

He shared, "Planting garlic is incredibly easy and, in terms of maintenance, even easier. You can have this in the ground or in a pot. They don't need a massive amount of room, but give them plenty of room and the bulb will get bigger."

Explaining why now is the best time to do this for a healthy crop in the spring, he explained, "You can plant these directly, as I'm about to do here and leave them over the course of winter and they'll take care of themselves. It's actually the cold snap which splits each individual clove up to make even more cloves and make a successful bulb.

"If you keep it in a greenhouse throughout the course of the winter, you'll end up with one giant bulb and none of these individual cloves."

Now for the specifics. When planting up your garlic, you want to leave them about three to four inches apart just so they've got enough nutrients.

Ish adds, "A good multi-purpose compost, either from the shop or from your own compost heap, will help massively with giving it the beneficial things it needs to grow. "

In terms of planting the garlic, you want to put the pointy end at the top and the flat bit at the bottom, pushing it down to about double the depth of the actual bulb.

Once watered, simply leave it outside and let the elements take care of the rest.

With his final advice, Ish explained, "In terms of growth, you might get a few green shoots here and there, but don't worry about it; leave as is. In the spring they'll get nice and bushy; make sure you keep this well watered, don't let it dry out and then from June/July onwards you'll start to see the foliage die off and that's when your garlic bulbs are ready to pull and you'll have one of these from a clove.

It really is that simple.

If there's one thing that can put a dampener on a nice glass of wine, it's a bottle that drips all over the table. Ice buckets are brilliant for keeping wine chilled, but the soggy labels, slippery bottles, and inevitable puddles are less than ideal.

Thankfully, Ruth Langsford has found a clever way around an ice bucket. Usually, we're looking for her seasonal design tips and tricks, but her latest Instagram post reveals something else. Following her admission that she "love{s} a gadget," she reveals a £30 discovery that chills wine from inside aerates the wine before pouring it into your glass.

It sounds like a handy addition to have for dinner parties and wine nights and Ruth has been putting it to the test. As she delivers her verdict, she also has some great advice for how to keep every last drop in your glass.

Just watching Ruth use the wine cooling accessory is tempting. It's such a simple idea and a really easy gift to add to your pre-Christmas shopping list for hosting and for giving to your friends and family.

The way the wine cooler works is also really simple. Pop the cooling rod into the freezer until it's properly cold. Ruth shows hers and you can see the icy frost on the metal. Then, once your wine has been chilled in the fridge, pour yourself a glass before screwing the cooling stick into the bottle. This is an important step, as Ruth demonstrates. If you don't pour a glass, your wine will spill and you'll lose some precious drops. Once you've screwed the pouring attachment, on, you can get a smooth pout from the integrated spout.

Ruth does have one small caveat, explaining that "the pour, I should say, is quite slow, so you'll have to be patient." The slower flow is worth bearing in mind if you're serving guests, although the cooling rod is designed to keep the wine chilled whilst aerating it and deepening the flavours as you pour.

But once it's in place, the cooling stick stays in the bucket to help keep your wine chilled as you sip, without the need for a "drippy bucket", as Ruth puts it There's also a stopper to seal the bottle if you don't finish it all, which is a thoughtful touch for those who prefer to savour a glass or two over an evening.

We've tracked down the exact match for Ruth's wine cooler stick, alongside a few alternatives that can help you keep your bottle chilled without the drips.

For £30, Ruth’s cooling stick is a clever little buy for anyone who loves a chilled glass of wine without the fuss of an ice bucket. The slower pour might require a little patience, but the promise of fewer drips on the table and wine that stays cool while you catch up with friends makes this a handy hosting gadget. Just remember Ruth’s golden rule: pour a glass first.

Although summer is over, there's lots to get done in the garden this season, not only to keep the space thriving but to ensure your plants survive the winter months. And your lawn is no exception.

Whilst you might not have yet added autumn lawn care tips to your list of gardening jobs to get done this October, it's important to not completely neglect your grass. With the incredibly dry and hot summer we've had this year, your grass has probably taken a bit of a beating, so it's more crucial than ever to give it some attention.

So, before the overly wet weather arrives, gardening professional Monty Don, presenting on BBC Gardeners' World, has instructed homeowners to get outside and aerate their lawns.

Don't make a common autumn gardening mistake and assume all your lawn care is over for the year; there are still some pretty important tasks to get ticked off to ensure your grass thrives through the winter months too.

"Now that we've had some rain, the ground is soft enough to aerate any lawns or mown grass. Use a fork and simply stick it in regularly as deep as you can," begins Monty.

"Give it a good wiggle to open the holes up, then get some sharp sand, spread it generously over the area that you've aerated, and brush the sand in firmly with a stiff broom," he adds.

"This will improve drainage and aeration over winter," Monty explains.

Having a good lawn aerating tool, no matter what form it is in, is essential for a gardener's toolkit. The type of aerator you buy and use really depends on the size of your lawn. If you have a vast rolling lawn, then we'd definitely recommend investing in a motorised one.

However, if that's not the case, a small garden tip would be to pick up a garden fork or aerator shoes, which are great if you don't want to bend over or use a large tool.

And it's worth getting the right tool, as you'll need to aerate your lawn more often than you may think, so it's better to be prepared!

Along with your lawn care this season, it's a good idea to learn how to help wildlife during autumn too, as this is a time of year when food sources and shelter can be difficult to find for critters outside.

Ever wanted to look inside an Oscar-winner's home? If the answer's yes, Julianne Moore's home is the perfect place to start with its overflowing character and ahead-of-the-trends furniture.

Whether you're looking for ways to fall back in love with your home or simply want to add personality to your space, it's always a good idea to look elsewhere for inspiration. And what better source of inspiration than a professionally designed celebrity home like Julianne Moore's?

Not only can lots of style tips be found in the actress's home, but she's also surprisingly letting us in on the IKEA storage hack she uses to maximise storage in her kitchen.

Julianne's home design is a masterclass in creating a timeless space with heaps of character, and she's also kept the home's original style as a priority while adding her own touch.

"My taste is consistent, though it has evolved. I love modernism. But this apartment is prewar, and you have to address that. It's not tiny, but it's not massive, either, so materials and choices become even more important," Julianne tells Architectural Digest in her cover story interview.

In the same way, you can combine heirlooms with contemporary style; there's a true art in merging your home's individual style with your own. Keeping original fixtures like the decadent steel-framed windows and pairing them with modernist furniture in the kitchen has brought the space into the future without stripping it of its charm.

Another way we can see Julianne's mark on the space is with the wacky pieces of art and furniture she's dotted throughout the apartment- her very own brand of dopamine decor, you could say. From the wax baby to the neon pink plastic chair, there's no denying this is a tailored home.

However, one thing we can all relate to and share with the Hollywood star is her use of IKEA essentials for storage solutions.

"Okay, this I'm really proud of because this is IKEA. I needed a piece where I could have my dishes because we don't have a lot of storage in here. I was thinking about having something built, and then I found this, and then I put it together, and I was like, oh, my gosh, the colour is perfect," explains Julianne.

"I like the industrial quality it has. And it ended up kind of going with everything," she adds.

If you're looking for ways to double your small kitchen's storage, then finding a piece like this KOLBJÖRN from IKEA is great for doing that without blowing your budget.

Of course, Julianne's home isn't exactly filled with IKEA pieces; however, this just shows how seamlessly functional, low-cost furniture can be added to your home no matter its aesthetic. And in fact, you can use low-effort interior design tips to transform your home and how you use it on the daily.

Another thing we love about Julianne's home is how she's utilised the curated clutter look to give the space a more homely feeling whilst also taking the opportunity to show off more of her unique decor pieces.

Sharon Stone has been celebrated for her bold movie choices and her ability to live out loud authentically throughout her decades-long career in Hollywood. So it should come as no surprise that this sense of self and freedom is mirrored in her interior design choices.

Offering a glimpse inside Sharon’s wonderfully characterful and intentionally curated interiors, the rug designer, Wendy Morrison, reveals how the icon has designed every room with its own character. Bringing together art, books, antiquities and vibrant colours, Sharon's home maximises every space.

One of the ultimate interior design lessons to take away from Sharon’s home is to treat the floor as a fifth wall. Consider it an extension of your chosen aesthetic, allowing rugs and carpet choices to create cohesion, amplify colour schemes and create focal points that capture the essence and mood of the space.

Throughout her Beverly Hills home, Sharon has made her maximalist Wendy Morrison Design rugs serve as the inspiration and founding theme - in a way, it’s almost as if she designed from the floor up.

In one room, an intricately detailed and ornate ‘Geisha Florals’ rug introduces the commanding theme and storytelling of the room.

In a living area, dopamine colours and vibrant hues are celebrated via the bold yellow rug paired with soft pink sofas. These colours, often found together in nature, are anchored by a visually striking abstract painting hung on the wall, a sea of blues, greens, and pinks that merge seamlessly with the colour found on every surface of the room.

In the bathroom, where harder surfaces and functional materials are often preferred for ease, Sharon’s unconventional use of textiles makes each room feel like they transition into the next.

Here, a grounding floral rug in a darker hue reflects the moody, natural tones of the large landscape mural, welcoming a sense of quiet beauty to the space. The dark tones of the art and the rug perfectly offset the polished gold of the clawfoot tub, offering a sense of quiet luxury and understated glamour.

The combination of bold, maximalist textiles with classic architectural details, like classic white panelled doors and elaborate wainscoting, creates focal points that make a statement without overwhelming a space.

Rather than treating the walls and floor as foundational, functional elements, Sharon’s choice of rugs and artwork is a perfect reminder of the power of details - of choosing accessories and furnishings with intentionality.

Don’t just rely on the biggest sofa trends or trending paint colours to define your room. Anything from a well-placed rug to a contrasting textile can create an undeniable sense of personality.

What does Mary Berry cook when the cameras are off and the family are gathered around the table? Rather wonderfully, the answer is very unfussy.

The queen of baking has opened the doors to her own kitchen with Mary All In One, a new cookbook that's packed with "the recipes we cook and enjoy at home" for midweek meals, lunches with friends, and cakes at the weekend.

Importantly though, there's one philosophy underpinning all 120 recipes. It's a practice that Mary confesses she's "always loved" for its simplicity. And we think you'll be delighted to find out what it is.

"We're all looking for ways to make life a little easier," Mary says, explaining the philosophy behind her new book. "I've always loved the simplicity of cooking everything together in one dish," she explains. rather than filling the kitchen with pots, pans, and lots of complicated steps, her 120 recipes make use of one pot, one pan, or one dish. It's the Dame's fuss-free way of catering for her family and friends.

Coincidentally, it's also a method that Em The Nutritionist promotes, as well as Ella Mills, founder of Deliciously Ella, so Mary is in fabulous company for quick, healthy meals. Following one-pot recipes for a week made me fall back in love with a simpler way of cooking and Mary Berry's recipes have only made me more excited.

I've had a sneak peek inside Mary All In One and it's packed with recipe inspiration that is both exciting and modern, but still classically Mary Berry, It's easy to imagine her making Chicken Tartiflette or Tuna Pasta Bake on a Wednesday evening, but still inspiring to see that a Beef and Ale Casserole or Salted Caramel Brownies can be whipped up under the same one-pot practice.

If you like the sound of that, make sure you look at these three too, they're three of the best cookbooks for simple, one-pot cooking:

Cooking in one pan is a very Mary Berry approach to dinner. It's comforting, achievable, and saves on the washing up afterwards. In her book announcement, Mary says that she hopes that they will become "firm favourites" in every home, just as they have in hers. After just a glimpse at the recipes and the promise of less washing up and less faff, I'm certain we're all going to love them.

It doesn't take much for us to jump on the anti-big light bandwagon, but with the colder months finally here, Miranda Hart's cosy living room has officially sealed the deal on layered lighting reigning supreme.

If you haven't heard of layered lighting before, now is the time of year to get on board. It's a fantastic way to make your home cosy during the autumn and winter months, creating a more welcoming, relaxing environment in any space.

While it usually entails a few warm-toned lamps and some ambient wall lighting, the actress and now Traitors contestant Miranda Hart has taken it to the next level by adding extra illuminating layers.

Whether you want to make your bedroom cosier or are willing to try anything to keep the dreaded big light off, smaller light sources are the best place to start.

Although Miranda's living room is pretty spacious and has particularly high ceilings, from what we can see on her Instagram @realmirandahart, the space still feels intimate, homey and welcoming. And it's not just the warm minimalist aesthetic she seems to have adopted.

Miranda has a variety of lights in the one room, from the table lamp next to the sofas to the dual-sided wall sconces in the adjoining hallway. There's no sign of an overhead light.

It's also clear from the ambience that she's chosen the right light colour temperature for the room too, with most warm-toned lighting.

Of course, this type of lighting is a great way to make a dark room brighter, especially through the winter months, but it also creates a more relaxed atmosphere.

Looking at Miranda's living room, with low-level slouched sofas and a sunken floor, there's no denying that comfort is a priority in this space. The addition of numerous lamps and even a rather charming curtain of string lights only helps deliver on that.

You can recreate this in any room in your home; even if you want to make your kitchen cosier, some lamps dotted around, with a warm LED under-cabinet light, will do the trick. No more SAD interiors this winter.

If you want to take it a step further, you can add layered lighting to your garden too. This is a great way of keeping your garden functional even when the early nights hit.

The White Company advent calendar is making me even more excited to count down to Christmas, thanks to 25 draws of signature fragrances across a wealth of luxuriously indulgent products.

While it is considered one of the best beauty advent calendars, this year it is so much more – it's a treat for your home too.

Complete with two full-sized scented candles in Winter and Lime & Bay, a full-sized Amalfi Lemon room spray and three best-selling fragranced diffusers, this advent is as much about scent-scaping your home as it is about boosting your beauty regimen.

In addition to the delicious home fragrances, this year's product selection includes limited-edition hair care launches and two full-size Eau de Toilettes in Santa Rosa and Flowers.

The keepsake calendar celebrates seasonal rituals that help welcome moments of calm during the busy festive period, from lighting a scented candle to indulgent bathing essentials and replenishing creams.

The Seychelles Shampoo and Seychelles Conditioner from The White Company's best-selling scents are new to this year's calendar and are only available as part of the advent.

These new beauty additions sit alongside seven full-size products, including the Sea Salt Body Lotion and Seychelles Bath & Shower Gel.

A highlight for me is the variety of room fragrances. There's a scent for every season, ensuring these products last throughout the year.

The Fir Tree Mini Room Spray is perfect for emulating the scent of a real tree this Christmas. I'm hoping it's behind door two, so I can enjoy it for the duration of the tree being up, because with having an artificial tree, the scent is what I miss most.

Another big draw for me is the diffuser scents, which include the best-sellers Winter, Lime & Bay and Clementine & Juniper. Again, a keynote scent for every season to enjoy throughout 2027.

Naturally, because it's The White Company, even the box is a treat. Like an adorable festive dollhouse, the advent doors are hidden inside an elegant townhouse-inspired illustrated box. I'm already planning how to reuse the empty box post-Christmas, maybe for little ones to enjoy for years to come.

Priced at £195, despite the products being worth £336, it offers more for your money if you love these classics, plus it saves you searching The White Company's seasonal sale to secure discounts.

With a wider selection of advent calendars than ever before, it can feel overwhelming to choose one this year, but this one is the perfect gift for anyone who adores the signature style and scents synonymous with The White Company.

It's not every day we see a celebrity home undergo such a bold colour transformation, but Ashley James' living room makeover has us running to the nearest paint shop.

Light blue is one of the happiest paint colours you can add to your home, but often one that homeowners struggle to style in a sophisticated, elevated way. However, Ashley's inspirational room transformation proves why sky blue is classed as one of the best living room paint colours.

Don't believe us? Take one look at activist and broadcaster Ashley James' newly revamped colour-drenched living room to see the results.

Whether you're looking to make a small living room look bigger or add personality to your space like Ashley, a wash of colour and refreshed accessories are the way to go.

"I said to Tommy, 'Can we paint the living room bright blue?' and he said, 'Absolutely not', so I painted the living room bright blue. That's what you get when you tell me no," laughs Ashley.

"I've been obsessed with Pinterest images of bright blue houses. I love this room, but we never use it; don't look now because it is a storage heap," she explains.

We're glad we're not the only ones religiously following the Pinterest home decor trends.

"Welcome to the still not finished, but very exciting blue living room. Best thing about this is we've got blue shutters, love that, so we are gonna get curtains in," beams Ashley.

"This was my grandad's grandfather clock, aptly named, and he gave it to my mum. This was made by a female clockmaker; they were very rare, and so my grandad passed it onto my mum, saying it's for strong women, and she passed it to me as another strong woman," she says.

It's clear Ashley has mastered the art of styling a family heirloom in the home, as the grandfather clock seamlessly adds character to the space without dating it a single year.

Another change we can seriously get on board with is the swap from carpets to hardwood flooring. No more questioning if you'll ever get your carpets as clean as professionals do ever again.

"I forgot about the most exciting part: look at the floor; we've got wooden flooring. So they're still gonna paint all the trim, cos we went over the top of some other flooring," Ashley continues.

"I couldn't be happier with the art; the art was basically the whole inspo for the room. I couldn't wait to bring it into my house, so that fact that that's all now painted. I actually changed my mind; the fireplace was all blue, and then I was like, no, it needs to be broken up," points out Ashley.

If you're ever wondering where to hang artwork, the placement Ashley's chosen not only guarantees you'll be enjoying the piece every day, but it makes a fantastic focal point for the room too.

If you're looking for ways to add dopamine decor to your home without overdoing it, focusing on a statement colour like Ashley is a great way of doing so without overwhelming a space.

With so many jobs to do in the garden every month, having the right tools on hand is essential. But often the most valuable tools are overlooked, according to our resident gardener.

While you might think you've got all the essential gardening tools, when cracking on with your October garden jobs, there's one that is likely missing. With so much pruning, deadheading and cutting back this season, a tool sharpener is the most important instrument to have.

"The most important thing to do is sharpen your tools often. I think that's probably one of the things professional gardeners do differently; we sharpen them all the time," says our Resident Gardener, Orpheus Alexander.

If you've noticed your tools are blunt when you're sorting your garden out, Orpheus has a personal recommendation to help.

"There are some incredible sharpening implements out there; I use a Spear & Jackson one, which you sort of pull through with open secateurs. You get nice clean cuts on your plants, and everything is done neater," Orpheus adds.

And if you're looking to upgrade your other tools, he's also walked us through his most used and loved shears, spades and more.

"I often get asked what tools you need to maintain your garden; these are they," he continues.

These garden tools are well worth decluttering your shed for, and the investment saves you a lot of time and effort with your gardening for years to come.

"You might notice I don't have a hand fork on the table here, and I'll explain to you why. When I'm weeding, I use a hori hori and one of these Niwaki weeding hoes. Between the two of them, they're absolutely fantastic; I don't ever use a hand fork anymore," points out Orpheus.

"The hori hori is a big ol' hunk of metal, and for getting in those deep tap roots, this thing is absolutely amazing," he says.

If you're looking for something to help you deadhead your plants properly or streamline your pruning, Orpheus also has you covered.

"When it comes to the rest, which is mainly cutting things, I've got the Niwaki hand shears. These are so sharp, really satisfying to use; they do an incredible job, and they're lightweight as well, which is great," he explains.

"Another pair of slightly smaller hand shears from Darlac, great for doing edging on the lawn, or for pruning the sort of lighter stuff," Orpheus says.

"My absolutely favourite secateurs are these Niwaki ones, brilliant. My new favourite, I've not had this very long; I think it might be a little late to the party with these, but these little snips are so brilliant. I tend to pick these up more often nowadays; they're really sharp and lightweight, great for smaller pruning," he finishes.

So whether you're deadheading your hydrangeas or planting tulip bulbs, you're now fully equipped for any job the garden throws at you.

Muddy walks and rainy days are all part of the joy of Autumn, but soggy shoes, dripping coats, and musty hallways are less welcome. If you've noticed your entrance hall filling up with wet footwear and coats (upon coats upon coats), we've got the tidy, stylish answers. xxx

The obvious solution for organising a small hallway is a shoe stacker or coat rack, but in narrow hallways and small homes, adding more furniture can make the problem worse. Instead, a few well-chosen pieces can help keep dampness at bay, give everyday essentials a proper home, and, most importantly, stop autumnal mess from creeping any further into your house.

I've sought out nine space-saving multi-functional heroes for organising your hallway in the winter, all under £25, from clever umbrella stands and boot trays to drying racks and moisture-busting essentials. Each one is practical, easy to live with, and designed to bring order, cleanliness, and calmness to your entrance hall without taking up precious space.

Nine Autumn Hallway Heroes Under £20: for a tidier, cleaner home

Three more hallway heroes that are more than £25

We couldn't resist showing you a few more options that tip over the £25 mark. They're worth the extra spend if you want to make your entrance look more expensive.

We're well and truly coming into cosy season. These practical, affordable hallway heroes are brilliant for dealing with practical mess, with a stylish twist. My next step would be to add something cosy at atmospheric, such as one of our favourite autumnal candles. That way, guests will get a warming waft from the scented candles every time they come in and out of the house.

Fans of Paul Hollywood know that his bread usually takes centre stage, but in his latest Instagram post of some beautiful focaccia, it's a background detail that steals the show: a £10 spiral egg rack.

Paul's kitchen is famously traditional, often featuring bread-and-butter basics, such as cast iron casserole dishes, glass Kilner jars, and Pyrex bowls. It's exactly the kind of kit that my grandma would have had on the counter so the spiral egg rack looks perfectly at home.

It's practical, too, and has long been a staple in bakers' kitchens, helping to keep eggs organised and easy to rotate. But Instagram fans have called it a "new obsession" and "fancy" piece of it. The retro tool has stirred up plenty of nostalgia in the comments. Turns out, grandma still knows best.

Nosy fans of The Great British Bake Off will know that Paul Hollywood's traditional kitchen rarely gives much away. On Instagram, the celebrity baker keeps things beautifully simple with glass Kilner jars for his ingredients, a Pyrex glass bowl for cooking, and very little else. Even the keenest sleuths struggle to spot anything beyond the basics, which is why his latest post has caused such a stir.

The eye-catching spiral egg holder sitting behind a load of fresh focaccia has everyone taking. It's a lovely reminder that practical pieces and nostalgic style often go hand in hand in baking. The clever design has been a classic way to store eggs for decades and it's brilliant for rotation: the oldest egg always sits at the bottom ready to use first. It's certainly amongst some of our favourite storage solutions for kitchens.

Another reason bakers love egg spirals, also known as egg skelters, is because they keep the eggs at room temperature. Rather than ones straight from the fridge, ambient eggs blend more smoothly into batters, which makes for lighter, airy bakes. It's exactly the kind of thing my grandma kept in her kitchen and, judging by the comments, Paul has revived a real love for this simple kitchen storage accessory.

The spiral egg holder is currently only £10 at Amazon thanks to Amazon's Prime Day deals, but that's not the only treat. The retailer has reduced the price of KitchenAid and Kenwood stand mixers, both stand mixers that have appeared in the Bake Off tent. And these aren't just token deals, these are some of the lowest prices we've seen on KitchenAid stand mixers for a long time.

Sometimes, we find inspiration in the most unexpected places: one of those being Paul Hollywood's bread post on Instagram. My next prediction is Mason Cash bowls breaking through and becoming a Christmas table staple. Watch this space.

His efforts as a Traitor might need some refining, but one thing that Richard E. Grant doesn’t need to work on is his innate sense of style.

The actor’s home is a perfect representation of his eccentric and quirky personality, full of the type of little touches sure to spark joy. But he also proves that personality and panache doesn’t have to feel gimmicky - indeed, the star’s love for patterned and statement sofas is so on-trend right now.

With a sofa in every room, even the kitchen, Richard and his late wife Joan Washington did more than design a house, they created an extension of their personality that is felt in every room, making the entire house one non-stop opportunity for conversation, culture and character.

In any room, the seating is what brings people together - and often it’s what a room is designed around. It creates the focal points and sets the mood for the space, so it’s perhaps not surprising that the actor’s home is full of inviting and statement seating that conjures up the feel of an old world arts club or private members’ room.

Richard has a go-to designer for his choice of sofas - George Smith. Describing himself as having an "aversion to L shaped sofas that resemble bouncy castle beds”, the statement-making designs and voluminous silhouettes of the British brand’s bespoke sofas make perfect sense for his aesthetic.

Richard shared, "The Signature sofa in Gollut was our first buy, quickly followed by sofas in every room, including the kitchen, covered in Kilim fabric.” He also has “one covered in Gollut, and the three-seater signature sofa is cream and caramel striped with the best view of the TV.”

These bold structural sofas and patterned upholstery might not be to everyone’s taste - and they do nod to the burgeoning 80s revival ushered in by the likes of the Rivals TV series - but, even if not quite as extreme, statement seating is having a moment.

"Sofas with statement sculptural silhouettes will be a big trend for 2026 - curved sofas, fluted sofas and ‘croissant sofas’ will all prove popular due to their ability to add instant interest and character to a living room", Magdalena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse, tells us.

She added, “Sculptural sofas also suit most living rooms, whether contemporary or traditional. I would suggest styling alongside brass finishes, fluted cabinetry and textural finishes to lean into the member’s club aesthetic.”

This is what Richard has done perfectly. Rather than having an out-of-place architectural, grand sofa in a mostly clinical or neutral space, he has made every room a maximalist collage of paintings, collectibles, bright colours and vintage furnishings - one of the surprisingly low-effort design tricks to elevate any space.

As well as spearheading the trend of a statement sofa, Richard revealed another way they made their home feel uniquely theirs, and it’s something worth taking note of.

The star shared in an interview for George Smith that their cushions were hand-embroidered each year by his late wife, with each one marking something special for their family.

He shared, "My late wife was an inveterate tapestry maker, so every sofa is piled with her hand-embroidered cushions, and each year she designed a cushion with all the key events of that year, recording our family history."

It’s art meets family history, and such an inspired idea to elevate your everyday interior design choices.

In a past interview with House and Garden, Richard declared of his home, "I sometimes worry that people will think this house is a bit Miss Havisham, as if I'm stuck in time, but it's not that. It is just a record of how [his wife Joan and he] lived together”.

After originally looking at the house next door, Richard and Joan would eventually move in, making the Richmond pad their home for over three decades. And how it looks now is not how it always looked.

The actor shared, "The previous owners were minimalists, so everything was white, with hardly any furniture. We thought we'd try to live like that, because that's what sophisticated Londoners were supposed to do."

It is, perhaps, no great shock that someone like the Withnail & I actor didn’t last too long with this minimalist approach - and now his space is not only on-trend but a living testament to the life he has lived with his family.

Although we've swooned over many a celebrity garden, Shirlie and Martin Kemp's outdoor haven is one of our favourites. The beautiful plot proves why zoning your garden is always a good idea to improve flow and functionality.

Whether you're looking for cottage garden ideas, there's lots of inspiration to be found in the singers' garden. While you might not have even considered zoning your garden, not doing so can actually be one of the common mistakes that's making your space look smaller than it is.

Not only is zoning a great way to make a garden look expensive, but it also makes the space more usable. As we can see with Shirlie's garden, there are vegetable beds, charming seating areas and a greenhouse, that all seamlessly flowing into one another as a result of intentional zoning.

This isn't the first celebrity we've seen making a strong case for zoning. Earlier this year, Zoe Ball's garden transformation made a strong case for ditching the lawn in favour of functional garden zones. Shirlie Kemp's garden has simply taken it to the next level.

As seen in Shirlie's garden, you can create a wonderful space for vegetable gardening with overflowing raised beds and a rather decadent greenhouse. Keeping these edible gardening zones together will make for much easier harvests and planting; no need to traipse around the garden.

Although it's clear veggie gardening and floral displays are a big priority in the Kemps' garden, we're also a big fan of their outdoor seating arrangements. Cast iron sets are some of the best outdoor furniture options as they're naturally weatherproof and can be utilised all year round.

These seating areas are elevated by being placed in their own zones, whether that's surrounded by a vine-covered pergola or nestled between raised garden beds. This not only creates welcoming spaces for outdoor living rooms but also adds structure to the garden.

If you're worried about zoning making your garden feel a little disjointed, then you can use patio container plants to act as a sort of thread tying each zone together. We spotted the Kemps do this with decadent ceramic pots trailing between each section of their garden, creating a natural flow.

Again, you don't need to have this large rolling cottage garden like Shirlie; zoning can actually work best in smaller gardens. It not only improves the appearance, making it look bigger, but it'll help ensure you're making the most of every square foot you've got.

There are so many small garden tips that can make such a huge difference in your space; zoning is just one of them.

There are so many ways you can be more sustainable in the garden, and this expert has shown how simply collecting ash from your fires this winter can help your plants flourish next year.

You may or may not know that there are various ways you can use ash in your garden to help with pests, clean tools and even help absorb particularly nasty spills. In fact, using household waste like ash in your garden is one of the best ways to not only reduce your waste output but also keep costs down when gardening too.

Ash has a lot of surprising nutrients, and if you use good quality wood for your log burner or outdoor firepits, you should be keeping the ash to one side.

Whether you're looking to incorporate more sustainable garden practices or want to try save some money in the garden, this is a great free way of doing so. And you're plants will be so thankful you did it!

"Next time you have a fire, whether it's a log burner to save on your heating bill or a gorgeous real fire, gather up the wood ash the next day because it's high in potassium (potash)," explains Simon Ackeroyd, Garden expert and author.

"That's one of the three main plant nutrients. Sprinkle it around your plants, and they will thrive. Don't add too much, though, as it can have a high pH and make your soil too alkaline," he continues.

"You can add the potash now in autumn, but I prefer to collect it up and save it in a bin, then add it in spring when the plant needs it most," finishes Simon.

Whilst it's not exactly an autumn gardening mistake, it's best to save your ash for when your plants will get the most out of the nutrients it provides. To store the ash through winter, we recommend purchasing an airtight plastic container, as this will keep the ash dry right up to springtime.

If you have some of the best trees for pots that grow fruit, then they'll be particularly grateful for the extra potash; just make sure you only add the ash to plants that prefer a more alkaline soil. It's also a great idea to check your soil type and pH before adding any extra nutrients to it!

Ash isn't the only household waste that can help your plants; using coffee grounds in your garden has so many advantages and can again provide some much-needed nutrients to help your leafy friends thrive.

We're all ears when it comes to Kelly Hoppen's interior design advice, but her most recent slice of advice certainly took us by surprise.

Whether you've been looking for ways to make your home look expensive or want some low-effort interior design tricks that will transform your space, Kelly Hoppen will no doubt have some incredible advice to help you. If her sell-out bolster cushion with M&S is anything to go by, it's clear she's a master at helping us find ways to upgrade our homes and add that professional touch to it.

On one of her most recent Instagram posts (@kellyhoppen), she surprised us by revealing the vibrant colour combination she likes to use when adding accents to a home's decor. And as a renowned neutrals lover, we were in utter shock at the colours.

It's no secret that incorporating colour is a great way to add personality to your home. However, if you're used to neutrals or have too many colours in mind, it can be quite a challenge to add different hues to a space without overwhelming it or choosing the wrong shade.

If, like Kelly, you're planning to add colour to a neutral room, her favourite accent colours might just be the solution you've been looking for.

"Neutral is my signature, but not my only move. Burgundy and Emerald are two of the boldest accent colours I use," begins Kelly.

"Every shade of green works for me, from khaki to apple green. It’s vibrant, cheerful, and versatile, perfect as an accent or for transforming a small room," she continues.

And if you want to make your bedroom cosy ahead of autumn and winter, her second choice is perfect for that.

"Burgundy just love, especially heading into autumn and winter, when it brings a warmth and energy. Neither needs to take over a room. Green can be brought in easily with plants or fruit, while burgundy can be so effective; even just a bolster cushion could work perfectly," Kelly explains.

So whilst you might want to avoid too much colour and not fall into the maximalism trend, these bold, vibrant colours needn't be avoided. They simply have to be utilised in a particular way and in smaller accent touches.

Want some more advice from Kelly ahead of the colder seasons? Try her trick for creating a cosier bedroom with the painted 'halo effect'; you'll be itching to get into bed immediately.

I don't know about you, but I was getting pretty frustrated with the amount of mess my bird feeder was creating and, more importantly, the amount of unwanted pests that mess was attracting. But I didn't want to lose my feathered visitors, so what could I do?

Having kept up to date with the RSPB's summer bird feeding advice, I was consistent in putting out small amounts of dried mealworms through the hotter months. However, with the bird feeder I was using, I found that most of the worms ended up on the floor below, and that was becoming a rather unsightly mess as well as an open buffet to rodents.

I still want to attract birds to my garden, especially with the winter months being a hard time for them to find food, but what could I do to avoid those pesky rodents? Well, I came upon this fantastic solution, and I just had to share it.

This summer and early autumn, I found myself wondering how I was going to continue welcoming birds in my garden but at the same time deter rats from visiting it. With so much bird food ending up on the ground, and the recent advice against larger flat-top tables, I was a bit stuck with what to do.

"An update on how the hanging basket under the bird feeder has looked throughout the summer. It manages to catch anything the birds drop when they are on the feeder," explains Rebecca Ayres, Instagram user @selfinsufficiency.

"But this peanut feeder isn't ideal for mealworms, but they still clear up after themselves, even from amongst the flowers," she adds.

"The hanging basket is still keeping my veranda clear of food droppings and, therefore, rodents," Rebecca points out.

Of course, with anything, there are some downsides. As Rebecca mentions, the type of feeder you place above the hanging basket can limit what size and type of bird food you can put in it. However, after a quick search online, there are a few different cage options that work well with fat balls, mealworms or peanuts.

This is overall a great solution to a common bird feeder mistake and will keep the majority of the mess off the floor and away from unwanted garden visitors.

This is also a great way to help keep squirrels out of your garden, as they are less likely to be able to reach your hanging baskets, and the awkward placement will hopefully discourage them altogether.

Whilst the busiest part of the year has come to an end in the garden, that doesn't mean there isn't lots to get done in preparation for next year. In fact, this one seed sowing task needs to be done pretty quickly before time runs out.

There are many October gardening jobs to be cracking on with this month, and thanks to the milder weather many of our plants are continuing to grow longer into the autumn season. However, when it comes to the preparation for next year, there are still some seeds that need to be sown in time to be overwintered during the colder months.

Luckily, gardening professional Monty Don has issued a warning before the clock runs out and shared on BBC Gardeners' World the task that needs to be done ASAP.

If you're out busy sorting the garden out this weekend, now is the time to add this seed sowing job to your list before the weather properly turns and you run out of time.

"It's too late now to sow anything for this year, but there's still just time to sow some hardy annuals, like these Nigella, for next year," starts Monty.

"Sprinkle the seeds thinly over a tray of compost, cover them lightly and then water them so that they will germinate in a few weeks' time," he continues.

It's important that you don't sow the seeds too thickly, as this can stunt growth and stop the seedlings from properly establishing.

And once you've watered the seeds, it's recommended that you place them somewhere sheltered to germinate so that in a few weeks you'll have plants that can be overwintered. Then they'll be ready to plant out come springtime!

These beloved cottage garden plants aren't the only thing you can be cracking on with this weekend, though. There are many spring bulbs that can be planted this time of year, such as tulips, which don't mind being sown between October and November.

In fact, October is a great time to start cracking on with your spring bulb lasagnes, which are fantastic floral displays that will see you right through spring and into the summer months next year.

Monty suggests doing this to also help save room and pot space in your garden, which is particularly helpful if you're looking for some small garden tips this season.

Don't make an autumn gardening mistake and leave your seasonal seed sowing to the last minute; you might be disappointed come spring if you do.

Novelty tree decorations are everywhere this year, but none quite as captivating as the new beauty baubles from John Lewis & Partners.

While visiting the new Christmas shop, we were stopped in our tracks by these little beauties. Partnering exclusively with major beauty brands, John Lewis has created unmissable miniature ornament versions of iconic products, including an OPI nail varnish and Laura Mercier Setting Powder, all £14 each.

Like travel-sized miniatures, these adorable mini replicas are the perfect gift for beauty fans wishing to add some glam to the tree this Christmas.

New in: adorable John Lewis beauty baubles

The team were invited to attend the opening of the Christmas Shop at the flagship store on Oxford Street, London. Despite being surrounded by incredible tree displays and gifts as far as the eye could see, the first thing we all fixated on was these new beauty baubles.

"Being a Beauty Writer, it seems only fitting to buy an iconic beauty product-inspired bauble this year – and what’s more iconic than Elemis’ Cleansing Balm?" says Sennen Prickett, our w&h beauty writer. "With the cult classic buy earning a spot on my bathroom shelves, it also makes sense for the miniature ornament replica to have a spot on my 2026 Christmas tree too."

At this point, it's also worth mentioning that if you love novelty decorations, you should check out the amazing 2026 Christmas collection at M&S – from Percy Pig to signature cookies, there are plenty of hero products there too.

Of course, we knew the beauty team would instantly love them, but still there's a beauty favourite for all of us in the new bauble collection.

I use the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser every day, so I was instantly drawn to have the John Lewis x Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Bauble decorating my tree.

There are many ways to make an impact in your garden, and choosing a single colour palette to dominate the space is one of the easiest. Just take a look at Jerry Hall's magnificent purple-washed plot.

Whether you're a fan of cottage garden ideas or not, there's no denying the charm of a classic British garden. From blossoming lilacs to decadent displays of wisteria trailing up an external brick wall, these fanciful florals are a timeless choice for adding colour.

Having spotted both of these cottage garden plants thriving in Jerry Hall's garden, we immediately fell in love with the ex-supermodel's outdoor space. The way she's embraced lilac across the entire garden has really caught our attention.

After hearing Jerry mention she's a neighbour of fellow Traitors contestant Richard E. Grant on Thursday's episode, whose garden is a top favourite of ours, we were curious to see if the ex-supermodel is similarly green-thumbed.

Sharing her space on Instagram @jerryfayehall, we immediately locked eyes on some of the most decadent wisteria we've ever seen. Vibrant, flourishing lilac-coloured flowers intertwined around a pergola-like structure are the centrepiece. However, the dreamy purple tones are everywhere.

We love how terracotta pots are dotted around the area, with various plants spilling from them. If you have patio container plants in your garden, arranging them around doorways or ornaments can help bring attention to them.

Having a single colour palette can not only help make your garden look expensive, but it's a great way to make the space look more cohesive. You can, of course, play around with colours and have numerous or you could follow Jerry's lead and stick to differing hues of the same colour.

This is also a great way of adding personality to the home and showcasing your favourite colours in your garden through florals and even trees.

To prevent wisteria from becoming an invasive plant, it requires vigorous pruning to ensure it doesn't get out of hand. When left wild, wisteria has the potential to ruin brickwork or structures in your garden.

Finding bakeware that can handle show-stopping cakes, cookies and loaves is both time-consuming and surprisingly tricky. Luckily, HexClad has just made the hunt easier with the launch of its first premium bakeware range.

The brand made its name by reinventing humble induction pans, winning over professional chefs (Gordon Ramsay among them) with a safe, hard-wearing non-stick. Four years in development and tested by Ramsay and others, the new collection brings that same hybrid know-how to the oven.

The collection is versatile, made using ceramic, and can withstand ultra-high temperatures. They're pretty, practical, and a stunning non-toxic kitchen essential.

HexClad Hybrid Bakeware Launch

HexClad Bakeware takes the brand's signature hybrid technology into the bakery, with an evolution of its TerraBond™ ceramic non-stick designed specifically for baking. The coating is PFAS-free and built for effortless release, so cakes, cookies and loaves slide out cleanly without the compromises many of us have come to accept from non-stick bakeware.

Durability is a big part of the pitch. Every piece is metal-utensil and dishwasher safe, so you can slice straight in the tin and then pop it in the dishwasher without worrying about scratches. The bakeware is also engineered to resist warping and to spread heat evenly, which should mean consistent results bake after bake. It's oven-safe up to 482°C, and backed by HexClad's lifetime warranty.

The range was developed by HexClad's product and engineering teams alongside members of its Global Culinary Council, a line-up that includes Gordon Ramsay, Massimo Bottura, Dominique Crenn, Nancy Silverton, Clare Smyth and Paul Ainsworth.

It was a long road to get there. "Bakeware has been one of the most requested categories from our customers, but solving it the HexClad way was much more complicated than simply taking our cookware and putting it in the oven," says Daniel Winer, CEO and Co-Founder of HexClad. "We wanted the easy release people love about nonstick without the compromises they've come to accept. It took four years because we kept pushing until we had the right combination of nonstick performance, durability and consistency. If we're going to enter a category, we want to raise the standard for it."

More non-toxic bakeware that we love

If you like the sound of non-toxic bakeware, but want to shop around a little too, here are some of our favourites:

With The Great British Bake Off inspiring bakers across the country to dust off their tins, whip out their stand mixer (here's the one that they use on Bake Off), and get the oven pre-heating. HexClad's timing feels spot on. Whether you're aiming for a showstopping signature bake or simply a reliably golden loaf, bakeware that releases cleanly, cleans easily and doesn't warp could make the whole process far less stressful. After four years in the making, HexClad is clearly hoping this range will become a staple in home kitchens.

Actor and singer Hilary Duff might live in an exquisite 5,260-square-foot Georgian-style house in exclusive Beverly Hills, but to her, the most important thing, above all else, was that her house felt like a lived-in family home.

Inviting Architectural Digest inside the luxury home in 2020, Hilary explained that “I care a lot about interior design, and I do like to invest in furniture, but furniture that I feel like I’m going to love and reuse in many different ways, and also that my kids can climb on and beat up a little bit. Now, it feels like our family’s home.”

Striking a balance between on-trend interior style, timeless investment pieces that will last and a true, lived-in feel, Hilary has created a sophisticated yet comfortable, vibrant family home.

In the main living area, we couldn't help but notice one of the most popular sofa trends: rounded edges and furniture, which are ideal for softening any room. Showing off her Kelly Wearstler muted coral chairs, Hilary explained that she’ll probably keep the chairs “forever”.

Upholstered in plush velvet, the material, combined with the earthy tone, catches the light dynamically, adding depth through subtle warmth, which adds to the feeling of a calming, family space.

A constant design trend worth following, curved seating and rounded furniture balance a modern look and comfortable design.

Speaking to woman&home about the popularity of rounded furniture and armchair trends, Swyft interior designer Kelly Collins explains, "We're seeing lots of soft, subtle edges and rounded forms to create that comfortable and cocoon-like living space.

“We're continuing to move away from modern clean-line shapes. To style these, I'd ensure not to use geometric patterns and stick with soft colours like pastels and neutrals, which look beautiful with this curved, relaxing feel."

As if following this advice to the letter, Hilary’s home pairs her warm, coral curved furniture with other earthy rounded statement pieces, including a large, circular wooden cabinet – which her young child playfully uses as a hiding space.

Another way Hilary has created a feeling of cosiness in the room is by pulling the furniture away from the walls – often a clever trick when designing for a smaller space. By drawing the furniture in, the room has a more open feeling, and one can imagine the children weaving in and out, not bumping into walls or feeling trapped.

When you pull furniture away from the walls, you can still anchor the room with some statement pieces that act as a focal point for the rounded furniture to point towards. In this case, Hilary has a low, darker table that acts as a centring force. Using a large rug can also create an anchor point.

Who says a laundry space has to be dull and dreary? Not the decluttering expert Dilly Carter, who has shown us how it's done with her newly renovated utility room.

After proudly showing off her recent kitchen renovation reveal, Dilly is back delighting fans with another impressive room transformation that offers style and substance in equal measure. While adding smart storage solutions to make every aspect of laundry easier, she has also thoughtfully colour-drenched the space to make it feel luxurious.

By making the appearance of her utility room equally as important as the functionality, she explains how the space has gone from her "least favourite room in the house, to the room I can’t stop looking at."

Although laundry room organisation ideas are more than helpful in these spaces, making the room look good isn't always straightforward. Dilly, however, has shown us that a darker colour palette is the route to success.

"Welcome to my utility room! Finally, I have got the room of my dreams. Let's be honest, we spend most of our lives in here, which is why it needs to work so well," says Dilly.

"Nearly 10 years of dreaming, my dream has become a reality. And the reason that it looks so good, so boujee, I think is the colours. The deep navy with the dark grey machines," she adds.

Opting for a darker appliance doesn't mean you get out of cleaning the washing machine, but it can give you a more polished, elevated look despite it being just a laundry place.

Not only has Dilly removed the need to bend down when loading the washers, but she has also found a surprising place to keep her laundry basket that makes life much easier.

"The reason I've had these machines put at this level is obviously so I don't have to bend down all the time. It makes it so much easier to load and unload. I've then got these two drawers underneath with my pop-up laundry baskets, so I purposely got these flat ones," shows Dilly.

"When I unload my washing, I put it into these big, deep drawers that I had designed, so I haven't got laundry piling up here. So anything that doesn't need to be ironed goes into the top drawer, and anything that does goes into the bottom," Dilly says.

Keeping your washing lying around is no longer a laundry mistake that makes your home untidy, even if you're too busy to put it away. You can make a home for it and keep it organised until you're ready to sort.

Whether you're limited to small laundry room ideas or need help organising a large utility area to meet your everyday washing needs, getting the design right is essential. Dilly's space is an inspiration that shows that, no matter how big or small the functional space, it can still be bursting with personality to enhance your home.

Although washing machines and dryers are some of the most expensive appliances to run this year, investing in energy-efficient models like Dilly's can make all the difference in the long run.