Real Homes

Have you started to embrace the subtle seasonal changes of autumn? Here at Real Homes, we love this time of year; going for walks on crisp, sunny days and kicking through the falling leaves, or switching chilled cocktails for pumpkin-spiced lattes. A

As the summer gives way to autumn, it’s time to warm up our homes and transition living spaces for a new season. Embrace the cooler days and cosier nights with layers of cushions and throws. Switch out bright cushion covers for terracotta and earthy

Classic marble is the go-to for an understated yet luxurious finish. Both minimalist and maximalist, it simply oozes sophistication. This versatile stone adds a richness to furniture, flooring and surfaces. Sleek and polished, this space epitomises q

Named after the happy and cheery little flowers which are predominantly a shade of purple, violet is a versatile hue which, in my opinion, is underrated in the decorating sphere. ‘Violet is a mid-tone that sits between regal and indulgent purple and

When buying a property, it’s always good to go in with an open mind for the things you can change, and the things you can’t. While the size and proportions of a house can most often be adapted, the one thing you’ll never be able to change is the loca

A passion for collecting vintage furniture and accessories saved Sian Moran a fortune when she was decorating her first home. ‘I started collecting retro homewares at car boot sales about 15 years ago when I was a student,’ she explains. ‘At the time

Move or improve? It’s an all-too-common quandary for plenty of homeowners who are beginning to feel a little too cramped in their current property – something that was certainly the case for Niamh and her husband, Brian, when they outgrew their three

Melanie and Christian had almost finished renovating their two-up two-down terrace when Melanie’s friend said her next door neighbour was selling up. The couple weren’t quite ready to buy, but it didn’t sell anyway and was taken off the market. ‘A fe

The back garden of a new-build property is often a characterless space, just waiting for the owner to transform it. Cotty Lee couldn’t wait to get her hands on the dull plot behind the house she and husband Caine had just bought, and make it a specia

Garden bars don’t need acres of room or a large budget. They can be freestanding pieces you can move centre-stage for parties; customised sheds with drop-down hatches; or foldaway, wall-mounted serving stations ready to set up for drinks and hosting

Like a great suit, a well-designed white kitchen won’t go out of style. And, whenever you fancy a refresh, pared-back cabinetry is an excellent base for adding new accessories. While dark blue and green kitchens are an Insta fave, white actually sell

Video game studio head Alice Guy and her husband, Ryan, a video game art director, live here with their two daughters, Mabel and Nancy, and their three cats, Scratchpole, Finch and Rizzo A six-bed 1970s semi, extended in 2012, in West Sussex £174,000

They may be small, but en suite bathrooms can prove mighty on the design front. Master en suites are particularly satisfying to decorate, compared to the family bathroom, too. There’s no pressure to impress guests, or concerns about child safety and

Make waves in your bathroom with an aquatic-themed wallpaper border. Fiona Howard has created a collection of borders showing harbour scenes and rockpools containing clusters of cute crabs, scallop shells, limpets and floaty seaweed, in beachy colour

Often overlooked and rarely utilised effectively, lofts can harbour a huge amount of potential. With a little initiative, some careful planning and a relatively modest cash injection, this often redundant space can be turned into functional, light-fi

They’re a frequently overlooked part of your home’s décor, yet replacing internal doors can revolutionise interiors. Of course, they’re functional, too, and upgrading doors can boost privacy and improve noise insulation. Pick a glazed or partially gl

+ ‘When deciding on the best carpet for each room in your home, there are three important things to consider – comfort, style, and durability,’ says David Cormack of Cormar Carpets. ‘Keeping your room’s function in mind is essential when choosing car

‘Sectional garage doors offer style, security and insulation. They lift vertically onto a ceiling track so you access the full width of your garage. Roller doors also optimise space, and are designed to roll into a compact box at the top of the garag

Q Can you describe your business in a sentence? I sell illustrated screen-printed wall art, accessories and homewares, inspired by retro and mid-century finds, with a focus on colour and fun. Q How did you get to the point of having your own busines