House doctor

Above: Antonia Edwards

Preserving space
I would like to start selling my home-made preserves but storing so many jars, utensils and ingredients in my rather little kitchen is proving to be a bit of a problem. Can you advise on the best storage options?
Becky, Haywards Heath

Even if you don’t consider yourself a prolific cook, we often use the kitchen several times a day. From early morning coffee to Nigella-style midnight snacking, life’s a lot easier when the kitchen’s running smoothly. To ensure it functions to the best of its ability, ample storage will certainly make it an efficient and enjoyable place to be.

But before making changes to the kitchen, work out exactly how much storage you realistically need and there’s nothing quite like the sense of satisfaction gained from a good clear out. Throwing out packets of ingredients which expired in December 2006 and that fondue set you know you’ll never use will de-clutter the mind as well as the cupboards.

Another factor to consider is an appropriate position for your storage in relation to preparation and cooking areas. Work out a ranking system for what gets used the most and put those items in the most accessible areas. In this particular case you may also need a place to store labels and if you’re running a business, your accounts and papers too. Take into consideration the fact that once jars of preserves are ready to sell, they’ll probably need to be kept in a suitable sealed environment, preferably away from the dust and kitchen grime and that comes from day to day cooking.

If you have high ceilings, look into the possibility of fitting another row of units above the original ones which can be accessed with a ladder as required. Could you incorporate an island unit somewhere that could provide you with extra storage and workspace?
It’s one thing to find places to put things, but making them accessible isn’t always easy. It’s best to keep work surfaces as clear as possible but to have all your utensils in easy reach.

Having jars full of wooden spoons or pots and pans displayed on shelves or units can add character to a kitchen. Similarly, hanging utensils from a wall or ceiling rack is both functional and visually interesting. These come in a wide range of sizes and shapes and can create a nice focal point in the room. A wall-mounted hanging grid will provide a modern, industrial feel, whereas a cast iron pot rack or suspended frame that hangs above an island unit has a more country cottage feel...

Read the full article in Sussex Life- Out Now!

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Above: Antonia Edwards

Big ideas for the smallest room
We’re doing up our Victorian terraced house to sell and our bathroom is in serious need of a makeover. It has fantastic views from the window and a beautiful period fireplace. How can we make this room a real feature of the house?
Janice, Eastbourne

When revamping a bathroom it’s hard not to be seduced by the polished, state of the art designs we see depicted in brochures. But when it comes to integrating contemporary bathrooms into period properties it’s important to work with what’s already there. There is an art to mixing traditional styles with modern fittings and when done properly it can produce stunning results. Here are a few ideas to help you achieve the ‘wow’ factor.

It sounds like the fireplace should be your starting point, as well as the view you mention. To some extent the bathroom should be in keeping with the style of the property; think charming details and sensuous shapes as opposed to clean-cut minimalism. On the other hand, you could opt for a classic but modern suite that will compliment the colours and materials of the existing interior and use accessories that will tie in with the style of the fireplace.

If you want to really accentuate the period elements, the popular Victorian style roll-top bath would work well in this kind of setting and there are several modern takes on this style at the moment such as Kohler’s Iron Works Tellieur bath which combines cast iron with a maple wood surround (available from Reflections, Hove).

Many companies manufacture traditional-style brassware and door handles and if you wish to change the radiators and towel rails, Bisque provide a wide selection of classic ranges in a surprising array of colours (available at Whittington’s Bathroom Studio, Pulborough). For even more Victoriana, you may find original decorative tiles are lurking somewhere underneath the existing floor so it’s worth seeing what condition they’re in. Be aware however that giving any room too strong a theme should be avoided. Try not to get too carried away with old-fashioned accessories and fittings otherwise you might feel like you’re living in a museum.

The perfect bathroom should be free of clutter, just showing off a few key pieces against crisp white walls, creating a bright and airy interior.  As in any room, it’s worth exploring unusual lighting options and here you can really play with the reflection of water, mirrors and other shiny surfaces to complete the effect. If you have a high ceiling, why not consider hanging a chandelier up there? And with regards to colour schemes, it’s good to take inspiration from the outside space, so if you have a sea view, soft greys, blues and greens might be appropriate.  0870 830 4951...

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Above: Antonia Edwards

Have carpets had their day?
I’ve suggested having a wooden floor in our bedroom as we’ve always gone for a safe neutral coloured carpet. My husband just doesn’t seem convinced. How can I win him over?
Sally, Horsham

I’ve often wondered what will supersede the trend for wooden flooring. When you look around at the interior fashions it appears the carpet has become virtually extinct! However, in light of the return of the patterned wallpaper it may not be long before traditional pub style carpet adorns our very own living rooms … or perhaps not.

Neutral carpet is indeed a safe option for a bedroom. It gives you a blank canvas, complements white walls and is fairly innocuous, if sometimes a little bland.  Bedroom flooring needn’t be as hardwearing and easy to maintain as for some of the other rooms in the house. There’s less traffic going through and it’s not likely to be close to the muddy outdoors. It seems, therefore, that the bedroom is one of the few rooms where carpet is even permitted! Admittedly, some neutral carpets add a lot of character to a room, particularly those made of natural fibres. A wool sisal mix carpet is ideal for the bedroom as it won’t be too prickly on your feet.

For many, a carpet in the bedroom is essential. There’s nothing like waking up to the feeling of thick, soft carpet underfoot and it certainly adds to the cosiness required to create a secure and comfortable haven for sleeping. On the other hand, you can’t deny the rich colour and charm that a wooden floor provides.  From Scandinavian-style Nordic woods to dramatic dark woods like wenge and walnut, there’s a wide choice of materials and effects.
Regardless of how it looks, wooden flooring is considered far more beneficial to our health in light of the increase in allergies. Carpets harbour dust-mites and other allergens even if you clean them frequently and some new carpets are even thought to give off chemical emissions. Wood floors are also ecologically friendly, since it is a natural resource and wood is both renewable and recyclable, as long as the right sort of wood is used. Opting for reclaimed wood will give the space a more rustic feel. Vincent Reed in West Sussex provides a wide range of reclaimed timbers from ancient oak to pine. 

Also in favour of the wooden floor is the fact you can easily add the colour and texture of carpet with soft rugs and mats. It not only softens the look but is a good way to divide up your space into zones and allows plenty of flexibility when you fancy a change of colour scheme. Having said this, replacing a carpet is a lot less hassle than ripping out a wooden floor so it’s important to bear this in mind if you commit to something permanent...

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