Good Homes

facebook.com/GoodHomes @goodhomesmag @GoodHomesMag With summer now well and truly here, I can’t believe we’re already halfway through the year! June always feels like the month when I’m waiting for things to happen, such as the school holidays starting, or going on our family holiday – but this year I’m doing things a little differently. After cancelling/rescheduling so many trips and celebrations, I’ve decided to head off on an actual plane (the first in nearly three years) with my girlfriends. So I’ll be popping this summer issue into my suitcase, and once I’ve finished reading it, ‘leave’ it round the pool for others to enjoy – particularly this month’s real homes, which are brimming with great ideas. I’ve fallen in love with bold wallpaper again thanks to Maria Greener (p42) and Derya Berber’s clever…

Just landed… LITTLE GREENE RE:MIX PAINT Paint company Little Greene has come up with an ingenious way to stop thousands of litres going to waste each year, upcycling returned and leftover paint to create its new Re:mix range. The same great quality as its usual paint but at half the price, the colours will change according to what’s available. Find the first collection of 20 shades in fabulously designed tins, £28 per 2.5ltrs at littlegreene.com. Did you know… …that if you want pumpkins for Halloween, now is the time to plant them? Sow seeds in pots and keep on a windowsill until after the last frost, then plant out once the seedlings have three or four leaves. For more tips, visit Hartley-botanic.co.uk/magazine Trend watch Outdoor floor cushions…

Top tips How to keep grass green The experts at the Lawn Association reveal the best ways for a lush-looking lawn all year round: 1. Leave grass longer in hot weather. It forms a canopy over the soil, so raising the height of your mower blades can help prevent sun damage. 2. Sharpen mower blades regularly, as a blunt blade tears rather than cuts grass, which prevents it making the best use of both food and water. 3. Use an organic lawn feed, such as True Grass, £16.99, truefertiliser.co.uk. Apply to the surface and let the rain soak it in. 4. Start a regular watering routine while your lawn is still green – evenings after 8pm are best. Visit lawnassociation.org.uk for more info. Easy Project Upcycled planter Give old or broken furniture fresh purpose as a characterful raised garden…

Perfect for picnics GARDEN TOMATO TART If you love delicious plant-based recipes, this easy-sharing tart from Katy Beskow’s new book Vegan BBQ (£16.99, Quadrille) tastes as fantastic as it looks… 1. Unroll a 320g sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry onto a lined baking tray, then fold in edges by 2cm all round to create a border. 2. Rub a bruised garlic clove over the centre of the pastry, then discard. Prick the centre of the pastry with a fork a few times. 3. Place four large sliced & six small whole tomatoes in a mix of colours (green, yellow and red) on another baking tray and drizzle with olive oil.4. Place both trays in a pre-heated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6 for 12-15 mins until the pastry is risen and golden. 5. Remove both baking trays…

Head to p125 for where to buy →…

Add an ACCENT A warm neutral with a gentle pink undertone like Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster, £56 per 2.5ltrs of modern emulsion, will soften a dense green shade, and complement accessories in natural materials such as linen and rattan. Head to p125 for where to buy →…