2-Day Shipping on most products. Shop Now!

Curated Modern Home Decor
‘I’m ready for people to hate this’ – Stacey Solomon has ditched the Cottagecore aesthetic to create an orange maximalist bathroom, this is why it works so well

‘I’m ready for people to hate this’ – Stacey Solomon has ditched the Cottagecore aesthetic to create an orange maximalist bathroom, this is why it works so well

by | Oct 16, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you’ve been keeping up to date with Stacey Solomon’s new house renovation, I’m sure you’ll have been suitably impressed with what she’s done so far. But it is her most recent project that has made the Ideal Home team team it up straight – her orange striped bathroom is surprisingly bold and stylish.

In September, Stacey posted a video of the orange bathroom suite she’d salvaged from her new property, and with all the comments begging her to keep it, it seems she’s done exactly that.

Posting a video of her transformed space, the orange suite took pride of place in her new bathroom, alongside bold orange striped walls, accessories and a bath mat. I asked design experts if Stacey had managed to start her own bathroom trend.

Latest Videos FromIdeal Home

I have to say I was surprised to see the bathroom was quite so colourful and bold. From her time at Pickle Cottage to the George Home x Stacey Solomon collaboration, I’ve come to expect Stacey’s style to be more neutral, with a blend of rustic, cottagecore charm. This bathroom shows Stacey can also nail a contemporary maximalist style, too. It’s unexpected, but I love it.

In her post, Stacey explained the bathroom was to be her sons’, and that the space brought her so much joy every time she opened the door. ‘I’m ready for people to hate this 🤣 But honestly I love it so so much…‘ she said. But it turns out interior design experts love it, too.

‘I love that Stacey has taken something most people would have ripped out and made it the star of the room. An orange bathroom suite is never going to be shy, so why not have a little fun with it? The transformation has a wonderful retro feel, but the stripes give it a freshness that stops it looking like a bathroom that’s been stuck in the 1970s,’ says Lesley Taylor, interior designer and founder at Baked Tiles.

‘The stripes are particularly clever because they pick up the orange of the original suite and carry it across the room. Rather than the bath, basin and toilet looking like three unusual pieces that happen to be there, everything suddenly belongs together. Vertical stripes also draw your eye upwards, which is a lovely trick for giving a bathroom a greater sense of height.

‘What I like about the tile choices is that they don’t compete too much with the pattern. The more understated stone-effect tiles give the eye somewhere to rest, while the orange tiled detailing carries the colour through into the bathing area. If I were changing anything, I’d perhaps go a little warmer with the neutral tiles. A lovely biscuit, chalky cream or soft limestone shade would really bring out the richness of the orange and give the whole scheme a softer finish.’

Pink and white stripe tiled bathroom with blue sink and brass finishes.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith)

Coloured suites are still seen as dated in 2026 (although there was a brief avocado bathroom revival in 2024), however, trend experts have noticed that bold bathroom colour schemes are increasingly trending. This is because there has been a big move to make bathrooms a further extension of our tastes and personality, as we do for other areas of the home.

‘Coloured sanitaryware is absolutely finding its way back into bathrooms, although I don’t think we’re necessarily heading towards a wholesale return of the matching suites of the 1970s. What’s changing is our attitude to colour. Baths and basins are no longer expected to blend quietly into the background. They can shape the entire design, and we’re seeing much more interest in everything from soft blush and peach to deeper greens and rich, earthy shades,’ says Keeley Sutcliffe, design manager at BC Design.

‘Orange is a particularly interesting colour because it has so many personalities. Terracotta and burnt orange can feel wonderfully warm and sophisticated, particularly alongside natural stone and darker woods, whereas Stacey’s tangerine is much more playful. It has a real sense of nostalgia, but that’s part of its charm. And for a children’s bathroom, I actually think it’s rather lovely to create something cheerful that they genuinely enjoy spending time in.’

Get the look

‘Stacey hasn’t tried to disguise what was already there. She’s taken the colour, embraced it and used the tiles and decoration to give it a completely new personality. Sometimes the most interesting bathroom is the one where you don’t start from scratch,’ concludes Lesely.

Are you nay or yay towards the orange tiles?

I thought it was impossible to clean my pizza oven properly until Gozney launched this clever accessory

I thought it was impossible to clean my pizza oven properly until Gozney launched this clever accessory

by | Oct 16, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Gozney, the name behind some of the most coveted outdoor cooking kit on the market, has released a range of accessories designed to solve a whole range of pizza oven problems with prices starting from £29.99.

From a prep board to prevent your dough sticking to a solution to the ugliness of gas bottles, this range is tailor-made for those who want to perfect their best pizza oven set ups.

My favourite of the bunch solves a longstanding issue I’ve had with my pizza oven – how to properly clean it. That’s where the very clever M.O.P. Stone Cleaning Tool (£59.99 via Gozney) comes in. Here’s how it works.

The new M.O.P. is speficially a pizza stone cleaning tool which rewrites everything you probably currently think about cleaning your oven. In our guide to cleaning a pizza stone, we advise waiting until your oven is entirely cooled before getting stuck into cleaning but this accessory changes all of that.

Rather than hanging around before you can get stuck in, this brush can be used as soon as the flame on your oven is off and once it’s cooled down to 250-400°C. From there you first use the scraper side of the brush to get rid of the top layer of debris from your pizza cooking session.

The stainless steel element of the blade should make it very hard wearing – but do remember you need to keep it flat to the stone to avoid causing any damage. Once the hard layer of debris is gone, you then use the damp sponge side to clean away any other visible mess.

Gozney pizza oven

The scraper side of the M.O.P.

(Image credit: Gozney)

The long aluminium handle makes this brush safe to use and effective at really getting into the cavernous space of your pizza oven. And the removable sponge head, made of aramid fiber, should last for 50 uses before you need to replace it.

For me this cleaning tool solves a longstanding problem I’ve had with keeping my oven as tidy as I’d like it. Often the advice with pizza ovens is to let debris burn off but if that doesn’t quite cut it for you either, this will be a real gamechanger.

Gozney pizza oven

A subtly hidden away gas bottle with Gozney’s new cover.

(Image credit: Gozney)

And I predict that the other products in this collection, including a clever non-stick prep board designed to contain mess and make the handling and stretching process easier (£79.99 via Gozney), are also going to go down very well with the pizza making community. If you’ve been at the helm of an oven during a pizza party, you’ll know anything that keeps the stress levels at a minimum is always going to be worth its weight in gold!

Which of these new problem-solving accessories is your favourite?

Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo’s ‘modern country’ kitchen is a masterclass in nailing a confident, luxury look

Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo’s ‘modern country’ kitchen is a masterclass in nailing a confident, luxury look

by | Oct 16, 2026 | Design Inspiration

TV personalities Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo have shown off their striking marble kitchen on Instagram, and it’s a masterclass in ‘confident luxury’.

This year’s kitchen trends have all focused on rich, striking colour palettes. Dramatic stone and contemporary features, and one of the best examples of this is Jamie and Sophie’s kitchen. Not only is their cooking space perfectly on trend for 2026, but it’s also a good example of the classic, quiet luxury kitchen trend, which never goes out of fashion.

If you want to nail an old money look in your kitchen, Jamie and Sophie are good examples to follow. So, I asked experts how to get the look.

Latest Videos FromIdeal Home

Posting a humorous video to Instagram, Jamie documented himself dancing on his kitchen worktops, but I was more impressed with the stunning design of the kitchen, which included a gorgeous blue-veined marble backsplash and table, scalloped dining chairs and cosy lighting.

‘The marble does the talking and everything else steps back. Creamy cabinetry, a planked ceiling and aged brass keep it soft. The lighting is the real clever bit: wall lights and shelf lights glowing at eye level instead of harsh spotlights overhead. That’s why it feels so warm at night rather than showroom cold. The scalloped, upholstered stools add personality against all that stone, and the handmade ceramics make it feel lived in, not just styled,’ commented Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director of Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio.

Lisa describes the style of this couple’s kitchen as ‘Modern country with a heritage feel,’ stating there is enough drama in the stone that stops the space from looking ‘twee’. The marble is indeed a real show-stopper.

Luxury tile manufacturer Ca’ Pietra supplied the tiles for the kitchen floor and says the kitchen has a ‘lovely Mediterranean influence running through the design, but with a distinctly British country-house twist.’ This isn’t the first time either the couple have opted for the brand. You can also see Ca’ Pietra tiles in Sophie and Jamie’s gorgeous old money bathroom.

‘Marble is one of those materials that will never really go out of fashion. It’s been making kitchens look fabulous for centuries, and I can’t see it retiring quietly anytime soon! But the secret to getting marble right is knowing what to pair it with. Too many polished, statement surfaces can make a kitchen feel a little precious, whereas introducing something softer and more characterful gives the whole room a chance to relax,’ says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra.

‘That’s what I particularly love about Jamie and Sophie’s kitchen. The marble brings the glamour, but the Buscot Limestone flooring from Ca’ Pietra brings the warmth, texture and that gorgeous, lived-in feeling. The large-format flagstones have a beautifully softened, slightly weathered appearance, so rather than feeling like a brand-new kitchen where you’re frightened to spill your coffee, it has the character of somewhere that’s been loved for years.’

How to get the look

‘If you’re trying to recreate the look, my biggest piece of advice would be to start from the floor up. Flooring occupies such a huge amount of visual space that it can completely change how everything else feels. Choose a natural limestone with warmth and variation rather than something too uniform, and don’t be afraid of texture. The tumbled edges and etched finish of Buscot give it that wonderful, gently aged character which works particularly well alongside statement marble,’ says Grazzie.

‘And have a little fun with the details! In the pantry, the same Buscot limestone has been used in a smaller format with cabochon detailing, which is a lovely example of how you can give different spaces their own personality while keeping everything connected. That’s the trick to a really beautiful kitchen. Not everything needs to shout for attention. Sometimes it’s the quieter materials doing all the hard work.’

Kitchen with pink painted walls and purple cabinets, with a marble worktop and white ceramic sink

(Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Snook)

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, it’s also a good idea to draw inspiration from the room, rather than trying to recreate Sophie and Jamie’s kitchen completely. Especially when you consider how your lifestyle may differ.

‘Choose one hero material and give it room. If marble everywhere isn’t in the budget, put it on the splashback or a single shelf, where you’ll see it most and wear it least,’ recommends Lisa.

‘Be honest about how you live. Marble is porous and will mark from lemon juice, red wine and, yes, the odd footprint! If you want a worktop you don’t have to worry about, a strongly veined quartz or porcelain gives you the look with far less upkeep.

‘And plan it properly from the start. Stone templating, wiring for wall lights and joinery all need agreeing before the first trade arrives, or you’ll be paying to undo work.’

Get the look

If you’ve been dreaming of a modern country kitchen, Sophie and Jamie’s is one of the best examples you can follow.

This Small Kitchen’s Makeover Takes Open Shelving to a Whole New Level

This Small Kitchen’s Makeover Takes Open Shelving to a Whole New Level

by | Oct 15, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style

They Played with the Design Rules in Their Own Kitchen

Because the kitchen had major water damage, Sharon and Peter removed all the laminate flooring and replaced it with wood. “What could have been simply a repair became an opportunity to rethink how the kitchen could work, and, more importantly, how it could feel,” Sharon notes. 

Because the couple reconfigured the layout, the gas line had to be relocated too. But it also meant that Sharon and Peter could “play with the rules” in their own kitchen. Instead of hiding everything behind traditional cabinetry, they designed the space to put “storage, objects, appliances, and collections on display,” Sharon explains. This created “a space that is open, warm, personal, and a little playful.”

The storage solutions Sharon and Peter decided to use were custom units from Modernica because of the aesthetic and function. “Their distinctive dimpled doors and exposed construction bring a graphic, architectural quality to the room and a sense of play to the modernist vocabulary,” Sharon describes. 

Because the ready-made pieces are customizable, the couple used the Modernica units to create a large island, sink workstation, and “an open system for storage, preparation, and display,” Sharon says. “Vintage china, glassware, cookware, and everyday objects become part of the composition — meant to be seen, reached for, and enjoyed.”

The 20-Second DIY That Made My Home 10x More Whimsical (Only $12!)

The 20-Second DIY That Made My Home 10x More Whimsical (Only $12!)

by | Oct 15, 2026 | Design Inspiration, DIY, Style

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

When I read this Apartment Therapy story last year about hinge heads, decorative toppers for your door hinges, I was smitten. Tiny camouflaged secrets hidden around my home? Little whimsical surprises where you’d least expect them? Sign me up.

I didn’t buy any right away, but I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Now that it’s fall, I started, as I usually do, to think of ways to make my family’s home just a little bit cozier, which goes hand in hand with ways to make our days more whimsical in my mind. So as I began feathering my nest for the cooler weather, I thought of the hinge heads, and I decided to finally try them out.

What Are Hinge Heads, aka Decorative Toppers?

Hinge heads are tiny pieces of decor placed atop your door hinges, meant to add a bit of whimsy in an often overlooked space. You can find ready-made ones online, like this adorable set on Etsy. Or, you can even make your own using a little trinket, a dot of hot glue, and a tiny magnet (if your hinges aren’t magnetic, you could use a small piece of sticky tack instead).

How I Made My Own Hinge Heads

I decided to take the DIY route and began thinking of ways I could make my own hinge heads. I thought about making tiny clay figures so that I could make whatever I wanted, but I wanted that “dopamine decor” hit sooner than a trip to Michaels (and a whole new set of craft supplies) and many polymer clay tutorials later. 

Next, I looked into buying sets of mini game pieces, since I’d seen people spray-painting Monopoly game pieces, but I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. I looked into woodland fairy garden sets, and I felt closer — adorable, whimsical, but still not quite right.  

That’s when I had the brilliant idea to look at dollhouse accessories, which I have always pined after but never had the occasion to have any of my own. I spent way too long searching on Amazon and thinking about what I’d like to try for my hinge toppers. I considered lanterns and desserts before finally adding a tiny gumball machine, some flowers in glass vases, and a set of playful cats to my cart. 

I also bought small magnets and ended up using some adhesive magnet tape I already had instead of hot glue. It took me about 20 seconds to cut a piece of magnet tape to shape and stick it on the bottom of the dollhouse pieces. 

Why I Love This Whimsical Decor

Then came the fun part of sprinkling them around the house. I ended up putting a smug kitten on a hinge in my girls’ room, the gumball machine in the bonus room, and a flower vase in my husband’s and my bedroom. Now comes the excitement of waiting for my kids and guests to discover them. Already, it’s made our home feel so much more whimsical — and for just a few minutes and a handful of dollars.