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James Blunt’s bold striped bathroom proves you don’t need to play it safe with pattern – here’s how to get the look

James Blunt’s bold striped bathroom proves you don’t need to play it safe with pattern – here’s how to get the look

by | Oct 8, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Over the past couple of years, stripes have proved themselves to be a trending pattern with serious staying power. While one might call them a timeless print anyway, there’s no denying we’ve seen stripes all over soft furnishings, bedding and tableware. And now, James Blunt’s striped bathroom also proves the pattern has huge potential as a bathroom paint idea.

You’ll most likely know James Blunt for his music, recent stint on The Traitors or even his X (formerly Twitter) comebacks. But his Instagram account has now proved he’s also adept at nailing the biggest home decor trends.

While a bathroom may not seem like the sort of environment to go bold with colour and pattern, the year’s bathroom trends have actually seen us opting for bathrooms that don’t look like bathrooms, and embrace more character and personality than your standard white painted room. If you’re stuck for inspiration, James Blunt’s painted green striped bathroom is a great example.

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From stripe drenching to striped vases, this pattern has influenced every decor trend, big or small, over the past few years, and it is a trending pattern in bathroom design, too. While it is timeless, it is a pattern you want to get right, and if you’ve been considering painting stripes in your home, James’ example proves you can take a bold pattern and still achieve soft vintage charm.

‘I love the hand-painted stripes. Many people would have opted for a striped wallpaper to achieve a similar look, but using paint gives the room a wonderful sense of tradition and heritage. The slight imperfections are actually part of its charm and make the space feel much more individual,’ comments Natalie Evans, founder and CEO of home styling and staging company Little Barn Door.

‘Stripes are usually associated with a more maximalist and playful aesthetic, but this bathroom feels different. The hand-painted stripes, combined with the floral artwork and hand-finished frames, create a beautifully imperfect look.

‘There is something very current about interiors that feel collected and created rather than overly designed. In a higher-end home, these handcrafted details can look incredibly luxurious because they give the space character, individuality and a sense that it has evolved over time.’

How to get the look

You don’t have to go as bold as James. If you love a maximalist bathroom, be our guest to grab some bathroom paint and create the stripey palace of your dreams. But if that’s a little too bold or you don’t have the time or budget, there are other ways to incorporate this timeless yet stylish design into your bathroom.

You could opt for striped bath towels for an affordable pop of pattern, or even striped accessories such as George Home’s Green Stripe Bathroom Accessories (£12) or Habitat’s Brights Stripe Resin Trinket Tray for a bold pop of colour. If you do want to use paint, here’s how an expert would do it.

Green checkerboard tiled floor, built in whitebath with verticle blue stripe tile walls.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Parmiter)

‘There’s no single rule for stripe width, but it depends on the scale of the room and the look you want to achieve. In smaller spaces, thinner stripes of around 2 to 5cm can add detail without taking over the room. Wider stripes of around 15 to 30cm make much more of a feature and can help alter the proportions of the space,’ says Cathryn Sanders, Head of Creative at Earthborn Paints.

‘When choosing colours, think about contrast. Green and white is an easy combination to work with, but you could soften the look by pairing a chalky off-white with sage or olive green. If you want something stronger, choose a deeper green against a lighter neutral.

‘For a neat finish, masking tape is usually the easiest approach. Make sure the base colour is completely dry before applying the tape so you don’t lift the paint underneath when you remove it. You can also take a freer approach with a thick brush or mini roller if you prefer the stripes to have a more hand-painted look.’

Shop striped bathroom accessories

Are you prepared to go bold in your bathroom this autumn?

Paul Hollywood’s cat has divided the internet after getting on the kitchen counters – and he told us he hates the habit, too

Paul Hollywood’s cat has divided the internet after getting on the kitchen counters – and he told us he hates the habit, too

by | Oct 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Any cat owner will agree that cats are fairly adventurous creatures. And paired with often blatant disregard for your wishes, this means no surface is off-limits in your home – including your kitchen counters.

Celebrities are no exception to this rule, including Paul Hollywood who, in a recent Instagram post, showed how his cat also liked to explore his kitchen counters and sink. When designing your kitchen ideas or choosing a kitchen colour scheme, the last thing on your mind is whether your moggy will like it, too.

And if your cat does love your kitchen layout, should we be stopping them? I asked experts whether we should be letting our feline friends up on our kitchen worktops, and this is what they said.

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In a video where Paul gave fans a tutorial for his chocolate orange banana bread, it was his cat that stole the attention of viewers. Up on the counter, playing near the sink, it was all any commenter seemed to talk about. And the comments were pretty divided.

‘Okay, even Paul Hollywood’s cats hop on the counter. 😅 Cat parents will get it,’ said one.

‘Big fan but so unsanitary for me. Sorry, not sorry,’ said another.

Ideal Home can reveal that Paul himself is not a fan of his cats using jumping up on his worktops. In an Interview with Ideal Home’s Kitchen Editor, Holly Cockburn, he explained it was one of his pet peeves in a kitchen.

‘I am constantly putting them back down on the floor because they’re constantly jumping up on the side. I can’t stand it. I’m just down, down. So, yeah, cats on the side, and I’m guilty of it, and when I see them, they get down,’ he said.

Ginger cat sat next to kitchen sink.

Paul has good reason to dislike this habit. In short, it can contribute to bad hygiene, which in any kitchen is less than ideal.

‘While Paul Hollywood’s cat made a charming guest appearance on his kitchen side, feline paws on kitchen surfaces are a firm ‘no’ from a hygiene perspective. With cats using litter trays, their paws can carry bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella and transferring these onto surfaces where human food is prepared poses a health risk. However, understanding why your cat scales the worktop in the first place makes it much easier to redirect them safely,’ says Dr Suzanne Moyes, in-house vet at Burgess Pet Care.

But unfortunately for cat owners, your kitchen counters are very attractive to cats.

‘Height-seeking behaviour is completely natural. Being up high makes cats feel safe, provides extra vertical territory, and lets them survey their ‘realm’, or in Paul’s case, the bakes on the kitchen side! Worktops are also loaded with enticing smells, making them prime real estate for a curious pet,’ adds Dr Suzanne.

What to do if your cats keep getting on your kitchen worktops

‘To keep kitchen surfaces clean and safe for all in the home, pet owners should first try removing all feline temptation. Keep counters completely clear of food scraps, crumbs and standing water in sinks, making the space as uninteresting as possible to a curious cat,’ says Nicola Bryden, a vet at the online veterinary pharmacy VetMedi.co.uk.

Insolent assertive cat walks on kitchen counter to get into belfast sink.

‘Cats love high vantage points because height gives them a sense of security and allows them to observe their surroundings. To keep your kitchen counters from being their favoured spot – and to maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen – provide an alternative high perch away from cooking areas. You can set up a cat tree, window perch or even a high stool nearby so they can watch you cook at eye level without stepping onto food prep areas.’

As well as keeping your counters ‘boring’ and unattractive to your cats, you also need to ensure you clean your kitchen regularly, sanitising your surfaces before and after you cook or prepare food. It’s also worth moving litter trays away from your kitchen.

It’s always nice to know that celebrities are human beings, too, and that cats really do humble the best of us. However, in this case, you do need to stick to your guns and keep your cats off your kitchen worktops.

This £16 shoe organiser kept my hallway spotless last Christmas – and I’ve used it every day since to curb shoe clutter

This £16 shoe organiser kept my hallway spotless last Christmas – and I’ve used it every day since to curb shoe clutter

by | Oct 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Last year, I hosted Christmas at home, which is no small feat in a tiny two-bed terrace. But any small-home dweller with an aversion to clutter and a stubborn streak will know the biggest problems can often be solved with the simplest storage solutions. That’s why I bought the Storivo Shoe Organiser Box (£15.99 at Amazon).

I initially raved about this shoe organiser box in early December last year, before I’d used it to host up to 15 people in my home over the festive period. But since using it over Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and almost every day since, I can confidently say that it’s some of the best money I’ve ever spent. And it’s received so many compliments over the past year.

Thankfully, I’m passing the hosting reins onto someone else this Christmas. But that’s not the only thing I’ve passed on, as almost everyone who visited my home last year has since invested in the Storivo Shoe Organiser Box to tackle shoe clutter themselves. Especially now it’s even cheaper!

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Unlike many other shoe storage ideas for small spaces, this clever solution uses a foldable box design instead of a shoe rack or cabinet, which are often bulky and permanent. This space-savvy design lets you use it as a temporary solution to keep shoes tidy when you have guests.

It’s a simple design, but it works. And this Amazon shoe box has 16 slots for a pair of average-sized shoes (I found larger sizes and chunkier trainers needed one slot each), plus a zippable lid and side handles, so you can move it quickly if you want to keep the hallway tidy.

Cream Amazon shoe storage box with brown leather handles

(Image credit: Future/Lauren Bradbury)

In fact, once all my guests had arrived and safely stored their shoes last Christmas, I zipped the whole thing up and stashed it in a cupboard to keep as much usable socialising space as possible.

And although I initially folded it down after the festive period, I quickly realised how much I missed it and brought it back out. So, it works as a more permanent shoe storage solution too.

Amazon shoe storage box filled with shoes

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lauren Bradbury)

I’d be lying if I said that this was a pretty shoe storage option, but when it comes to keeping my home clutter-free – especially when I’m autumn-proofing my tiny hallway – I always err on the side of practical rather than pretty.

After all, the main objective in any small space is to stay on top of the mess so it doesn’t overpower the tinier footprint. And so I don’t trip over piles of shoes every day.

The good news is that other shoe storage alternatives are available if you don’t like the look of this Amazon shoe box, though. They’ll all curb the clutter this Christmas, and some are even more affordable.

Don’t let shoe clutter ruin your Christmas. Get ahead of the game like I did!

These £10 solar lanterns made our garden look instantly more expensive – they’re perfect for cosy autumn evenings

These £10 solar lanterns made our garden look instantly more expensive – they’re perfect for cosy autumn evenings

by | Oct 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

One of my housemates just made the best autumn investment: a solar lantern.

If you’re looking for garden lighting ideas that look far more expensive than they really are, try the Adiwo Solar Flame Hemp Rope Lanterns from Amazon – a single lantern costs just £9.99, or you can grab a pair for £16.99. They’re solar-powered outdoors (and rechargeable indoors), and they give off the cosiest glow after dark. Equipped with a rustic rope handle, they’re ideal for Halloween parties, autumn decorating, or general warm ambience outdoors and indoors.

Here’s a little bit more about the Adiwo Solar Flame lanterns – and a few pictures of ours working their magic in the garden.

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Adiwo Solar Flame Hemp Rope Lantern in garden after dark

(Image credit: Future PLC / Sophie King)

Of all places to buy garden lighting, you can be sure that Amazon has some of the best deals – and the Adiwo Solar Flame Hemp Rope Lanterns are a shining example of outdoor lights that look a lot dearer than their price tag. My housemate hung a couple of them in the various fruit trees around our garden, and they give our garden a really magical feel after dark.

They aren’t just static lights, either: you can choose from two modes, and the flashing option creates a dynamic flame effect, looking just like a real candle behind the frosted plastic.

The lanterns are solar-powered outdoors, which means they recharge naturally from sunlight and they’re super eco-friendly. They provide up to 8-10 hours of continuous light on a full charge, which is more than enough to cover garden parties or cosy evenings snuggled by a patio heater. You don’t even have to switch them on, because the built-in light sensor does it for you at dusk (and then switches the light off when the sun comes up at dawn).

Adiwo Solar Flame Hemp Rope Lantern in garden after dark

(Image credit: Future PLC / Sophie King)

You might be wondering if you can leave the lanterns outdoors in the rain (I know I was), and the answer is that you can: they come with an IP44 waterproof rating, which means they can withstand rain, strong winds and frost.

Ours reside in the trees, but the Adiwo Solar Flame lanterns would look beautiful hanging from a pergola or perched on a tabletop, too.

My housemate also gifted me one for my bedroom, and even during the day, turned off, the rustic rope looks right at home on my wooden bookshelf (and enchanting during the evening!). Indoors, you can simply charge them via a USB charger within 3-4 hours.

Other affordable solar lanterns

If you’re looking for an affordable way to decorate your garden and create a cosy ambience this autumn, we can’t recommend the Adiwo Solar Flame Hemp Rope Lanterns enough. They’re an absolute steal for the price!

5 ways to support birds in October to help robins, finches and songbirds thrive, according to experts

5 ways to support birds in October to help robins, finches and songbirds thrive, according to experts

by | Oct 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Wildlife experts have revealed five essential tasks gardeners should complete to help support birds in October.

For many gardeners, nothing brings more joy than attracting birds to a garden. Not only are they an important component of any wildlife garden, but their cheery chirps (especially songbirds) fill us with joy and make our gardens feel more tranquil, too.

In the summer, it’s important to know how to protect birds from heat; but there is also a benchmark for birdcare when the temperature drops in autumn. Here are the five things you need to be doing in October to help support your local bird populations.

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1. Maintain hygiene

One of the most important things you can do for the birds that visit your garden is to maintain a good standard of hygiene to help keep the risk of disease low. This includes cleaning your bird feeder and bird bath regularly.

a goldfinch on a bird feeder by bearacreative - GettyImages-638653092

(Image credit: Getty Images/bearacreative)

‘The number one priority is hygiene! A feeder can become a disease hotspot, so hygiene needs to be a priority. Putting food out and keeping it topped up isn’t enough as birds congregating around the same feeding spot can spread diseases quickly, so it’s important to keep feeders cleaned weekly at least,’ says James Ewens, bird specialist at Green Feathers.

‘Remove old food and droppings from the feeder, and clean the feeder with hot, soapy water, ensuring it’s rinsed thoroughly. Avoid permanent, high-density feeding spots, and keep the feeder moving periodically so contaminated material isn’t accumulating underneath.’

2. Leave leaf litter and build deadwood piles

If you’ve been wondering what to do with fallen leaves this month, one of the easiest ways to help birds and reuse them is to simply leave them be!

Fieldfare bird eating hawthorn berries

(Image credit: Getty Images / Sandra Standbridge)

‘October is the buffer month before the first hard freeze hits. Ground-foraging birds like robins rely heavily on live invertebrates (insects, spiders, and worms) to build up their fat reserves,’ says Nicola Bryden, member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and vet at online veterinary pharmacy, VetMedi.co.uk.

‘Tidying away autumn leaves removes the natural insulating layer that keeps insects accessible in the upper soil. Leaving leaf litter and piling up small twigs now creates micro-habitats that protect insect populations into late autumn and early winter, providing a source of food for birds.’

3. Introduce supplementary feeding

Food supplies can be scarcer in autumn and winter, so your birds may benefit from being fed high-calorie produce like fat balls (£13.99, Amazon). This is especially true if you don’t have any bird-feeding plants in your garden.

House sparrows eating from bird feeder in garden

(Image credit: Getty Images / Ballygally View Images)

‘Birds need food year-round, and while natural food is also still relatively abundant in autumn, I recommend supplementing food throughout the whole year for birds. As the weather cools, birds need more energy to carry them through, as well as recover from their taxing autumn moult. Mealworms are always a favourite for birds – they’ll love you tenfold if you offer these,’ says James.

‘Suet is another favourite amongst our feathered friends; topping up little-but-often with high-energy food will benefit birds in autumn/winter. Suet blocks, pellets, and balls give birds quick, dense calories for those chilly nights.

‘Because of an increased trichomonosis risk from May until October, you should hold off from seeds and peanuts, but from the end of October, seeds, peanuts and other high-energy foods become more useful as natural supplies decline. Sunflower hearts are a favourite for birds, so I’d be bringing these out as soon as possible!’

4. Provide fresh, clean water

Bird bath winter care is essential from October onwards if you want to ensure birds have a constant supply of fresh, clean water. This includes keeping your bath clean and free of ice.

Three sparrows enjoying a bird bath

‘People often associate frozen water with January, but cold October nights can bring early frosts that freeze shallow water sources. Birds also need clean water to bathe in autumn so their feathers stay clean, aligned, and fully insulating for the coming months. Setting up a birdbath now, and floating a ping-pong ball on the surface to keep movement in the water and slow down freezing, ensures birds have a reliable spot to drink and preen as temperatures begin to dip,’ says Nicola.

‘Note: If a water source ever freezes solid, melt it with warm water – never use salt or chemical de-icers.’

5. Let your garden grow a little wild

The best wildlife-friendly spaces are not perfectly manicured lawns or overly landscaped patios. They’re actually gardens that have been left to grow a little ‘wild’, or rather ‘au naturel’. You can even dedicate a wild corner to your garden if you don’t want to go the whole hog.

Robin holding nesting materials in its beak

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Sandra Standbridge)

‘Instead of clearing everything away for winter, leave seed heads, berries, fallen leaves and some areas of rough vegetation. Plants like teasel and sunflowers are a major hit for birds by providing a natural food source, while leaves and foliage support the invertebrates that many insect-feeding birds depend on. This is especially valuable as you’re providing food sources spread across the garden rather than encouraging birds to congregate around a single feeder,’ says James.

Essenitals to help birds in October

If you love attracting songbirds to your garden, you’ll probably want to help support them, too. These five easy tasks will make a big difference this month, and the cooler months beyond.

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6 genius buys I’m snapping up to autumn-proof my tiny hallway

6 genius buys I’m snapping up to autumn-proof my tiny hallway

by | Oct 6, 2026 | Design Inspiration

While it may be the smallest area of a home, a hallway often has to do double duty in autumn. And if you’re already annoyed by piles of muddy boots, soggy umbrellas, and wet coats cluttering your entryway, you’re not alone. Luckily, you can do something about it.

Yes, we all know how important it is to organise a hallway and keep it clean and tidy year-round. But the difference between your quick whip-around and people with consistently clutter-free hallways is that the latter tidy less because they use smart storage solutions that solve their problems… rather than add to them.

These clutter busters are non-negotiables when you’re working with a small footprint and a lot of extra autumnal essentials. So, these are my top picks to keep the mess under control and stop muddy shoes in their tracks.

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Don’t let your hallway become a cluttered, soggy mess this autumn! And once you’ve snapped up these genius buys, I’d suggest investing in one of the best mops to help you out, too.