This beautiful Wiltshire house not only has stunning interiors, but it has a surprise Bridgerton connection to The Duke of Hastings.
Set in the historical market town of Wilton (from where Wiltshire took its name), the house may not be as large as some of the grandiose properties seen in the series, but it’s set near to the Earl of Pembroke’s home, Wilton House, which was featured on Bridgerton and also The Crown.
Recently renovated from what was a derelict building, The Stable is a contemporary cottage-style home in a secluded gated development. You’ll find a smattering of period features blending seamlessly with up-to-date fittings.
The Stable exterior
Image credit: Strutt & Parker
More charming than imposing, The Stable has a paved pathway that leads through the part-walled, communal courtyard garden to reach the front door. You can just see the edge of a timber pergola creeping into the picture, which offers a sheltered spot to sit, relax and engage in a spot of afternoon tea.
Kitchen-diner
Image credit: Strutt & Parker
The dining room and kitchen are part of the same space, in a room with dark-painted walls, bare brick and elegant wood flooring. There’s a complete mix of styles here, from the more industrial metal wire pendant light to the traditional-look chairs and dresser, and more modern artworks.
We particularly like the wood-clad ceiling, which gives the space a more laidback, cosy feel.
Image credit: Strutt & Parker
On the other side of the room, you’ll find good kitchen decor ideas, with dark blue cabinetry topped with wooden work surfaces and a large Belfast sink. There’s plenty of storage, whether you want to tuck crockery out of sight, or store ingredients on the open shelving.
Living room
Image credit: Strutt & Parker
Waltz through to the living room and you’ll find an elegant space that overlooks the courtyard garden, with more wood flooring. Note the recess beside the stairs, which has been used as a spot for a home office, too.
We don’t know about you but that armchair looks regal enough of a throne even for Queen Charlotte!
Bathroom
Image credit: Strutt & Parker
On the first floor, you’ll find two bedrooms with vaulted ceilings and a family bathroom, with this striking copper bathtub and a separate shower unit.
It’s almost time to put up the Christmas tree(s) and this year, many of us are going asymmetric. Festive lovers are opting for imperfect trees — embracing wonky branches over perfectly triangular silhouettes.
So if when decorating one of the best artificial Christmas trees, yours turns out a little uneven, rest assured that it’s actually very on-trend.
Image credit: Balsam Hill
The asymmetric Christmas tree trend
The asymmetric Christmas tree trend has burst onto the scene as people celebrate faux trees with jaunty angles. These trendy trees aren’t perfectly symmetrical, nor are they even in thickness. They’re the opposite of the meticulously decorated hotel lobby-style tree.
‘When it comes to artificial trees, asymmetrical and sparse trees are growing in popularity in the UK,’ says Jen Derry from luxury artificial tree and decoration brand Balsam Hill. ‘As with many things in nature, nothing is ever perfectly symmetrical, and the humble Christmas tree is no different.’
Jen thinks this is leading a growing number of people looking for the beauty of a real tree with the convenience of an artificial tree to purchase more characterful and quirky trees each year.
Image credit: Furniture And Choice
We don’t know about you, but we’ve seen a lot of sparse trees around this year. We used to think the fuller the better, but more slender designs allow your precious collection of baubles and decorations to really shine.
They’re also less imposing as a second Christmas tree for displaying more dainty decorations. Plus, they’re great for people living in small city flats. Add some festive lights and there’s no reason a more sparse tree shouldn’t look just as enchanting as a traditional one.
Once the tree is looking perfectly imperfect, give the focal point of your living space a festive feel. Just add some gorgeous Christmas mantelpiece and fireplace ideas. Jen from Balsam Hill also predicts lots of LED twig trees making an appearance this festive season.
Image credit: Balsam Hill
These are a popular way of adding Christmas decor to other areas of the home. If you usually stick with traditional Christmas ideas, but this year fancy ringing the changes, try a slim tree that won’t overwhelm your space.
And embrace those wonky branches, because just like your Christmas day, the tree doesn’t have to be perfect.
The festive season is the perfect excuse to pursue all those Christmas craft ideas you’ve been bursting to try over the year.
It may be a busy time, but there’s nothing like putting a Christmas film on and making a start on your DIY Christmas decor, cards and gifts. However long you’ve got, we’ve got a Christmas idea to get stuck into.
Christmas craft ideas
We have plenty of Christmas craft ideas to get your creative juices flowing from now until 25th December. From simple table decorations to wow your guests to easy gift wrap inspo to give that present an extra flourish. Whatever your skill level, there’s something for you!
1. Air dry clay gift tags
Image credit: Future PLC
Make your Christmas gifts extra special with handmade tags the recipient can keep and treasure. Roll out air dry clay to around 3-4mm thick. Cut out shapes either freehand or using cookie cutters. Stamp names or initials and a hole at the top.
Leave the clay to dry out as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Once dry, loop thread or twine through the holes and attach to your gifts. Why not use recyclable Kraft paper and sprigs of foliage for truly natural and sustainable gift wrap?
Mark out your chosen design onto the surface of a cardboard craft cone. Take a sharp, rounded object, like an embroidery needle. Push through the cone along your marked dots. Continue until you have completed the whole pattern.
Spray your cone with white primer and leave to dry thoroughly. Once dry, apply a coat of silver spray paint. Once dry, place a battery LED tealight inside to finish. Never use real flame candles inside your cones!
3. Sew-and-keep fabric crown
Image credit: Hobbycraft
Everyone knows that paper cracker hats end up in the recycling straight after Christmas dinner. So why not sew everlasting crowns for the whole family? They’re super quick and a great way to use up leftover fabrics from other projects. Try stitching crowns using fabrics to suit each guest’s personality.
You can find the template and full instructions for this project at Hobbycraft.
4. Make 3-D star wall art
Image credit: Future PLC
Make a set of shabby chic stars that wouldn’t look out of place in the window of The White Company. All you need is a sheet of card and some paints.
Draw a star shape onto white card. Use a ruler and pencil to draw straight lines from each corner to the opposite side. Score along each line and push into a 3-D shape. Paint your star to create a distressed metal effect.
Once dry, you can stand your stars up on the mantelpiece or display in a cluster as a Christmas wall decor idea using double-sided sticky foam pads.
5. Decorated baubles with temporary tattoo
Image credit: Future PLC
Take a sheet of temporary tattoos and carefully cut around your chosen motifs. If the design is large, a few little snips around the edges will help you to apply it over a round surface without it wrinkling.
Follow the instructions with the temporary tattoos to apply to the bauble: peel off the plastic film, position on the bauble, then use a damp cloth to gently rub on the paper backing until you can see the design has come away. Then you can carefully remove the paper and reveal your beautiful DIY bauble.
6. Create Felt trees centrepieces
Image credit: Future PLC
Use offcuts of felt to make these wintery Christmas table decoration ideas. Using a polystyrene cone as the base, wrap a 2cm strip of wool felt around the bottom of each cone. Secure using a hot-glue gun. Cut a series of triangles from wool felt. Glue (point down), overlapping them so that the right-hand corner sits halfway across the centre of the next triangle. Continue in rows around the cone, working all the way up to the top.
To finish, cut a circle of felt around 3cm in diameter. Cut a slit to the centre, then wrap around the top of the cone securing in place with a hot-glue gun. Finish with a final row of triangles so that all the polystyrene is hidden. Add a glittery star at the top. Follow our step-by-step instructions to Make your own scandi-inspired felt Christmas trees.
7. Stitch tree Christmas cards
Image credit: Future PLC
Use sparkly silver thread and black card to make this simple yet beautiful Christmas card idea.
Make a small pinhole at the top of a card blank, followed by 10-12 pinholes 1cm apart along the bottom. Use a needle and silver thread to stitch from the top to the bottom holes to create a tree shape. Secure the thread at the back of the card with a piece of clear tape. Embellish with a glittery stick-on star to the top of the tree.
8. Curate natural wall hangings
Image credit: Hobbycraft/Becki Clark
Bring a winter woodland feel into your home with this Christmas wall decor idea. Gather a selection of dried fruit slices, cinnamon sticks and foraged foliage. Knot the items along lengths of twine and tie to a stick at equal intervals. Tie another piece of twine to each end for hanging. Enjoy the Christmassy aromas from the orange slices, cinnamon and pine needles.
9. Fashion simple silhouette tea light holders
Image credit: Future PLC
Light up your festive table with silhouette tea light holders made from old glass jars. Measure the circumference of your empty jar and cut black card to the same length. Draw your design in pencil (simple scenes like tree outlines work best) and cut out with scissors. Glue to the outside of the jar and pop in a tea light candle.
10. Yarn-wrapped star tree decorations
Image credit: Future PLC
Use up leftover yarn to make super-cute tree decorations. Draw and cut star shapes from thick card (brown cardboard packaging is perfect). Use a hot-glue gun to attach beads or bells to the points of the stars. This will help to stop the yarn popping off the ends.
Glueing the end to the card, weave wool around each point, followed by the centre until all of the cardboard is hidden. Finish by tying on the reverse and tucking the ends under the wrapped yarn. If hanging on the tree, add a loop of wool to the top.
11. Applique a felt wreath cushion
Image credit: Future PLC
Give your sofa a seasonal update with this easy appliqué cushion. The perfect alternative Christmas wreath idea!
Cut a square of cotton or linen fabric the same size as your cushion pad. Snip simple leaf shapes from grey felt. Arrange on your cushion front in a wreath design and pin in place.
Sew down the centre of each leaf shape to attach to the cushion. You can use a sewing machine or work by hand. Once all the leaves are attached, sew on mini white pom poms as berries.
To make up into a cushion, cut another piece of fabric the same size. Place it on top of the cushion front, right sides facing. Sew around three sides, leaving one side open. Turn out and add the cushion pad. Sew up the gap by hand.
Cut a strip of paper 21cm wide x 10cm long. On the reverse side, draw a line 1.5cm from the top across the width of the paper. Using a ruler and craft knife, cut vertical lines from this line to the bottom edge, around 5mm apart, across the full width.
Put double-sided tape along the top edge. Take a 20cm piece of string, then form a loop and tie. Thread a bead through the ends and tie again to secure.
Place the string on the left of the paper with the bottom knot just above the top of the cut lines and roll the strip tightly. Bind the top with string to finish.
Have you ever wanted a personal assistant? Well with a smart speaker, you can! Affordable and packing a huge amount of power, the best smart speakers allow you to listen to music, call your family without lifting a finger, or simply set a timer for the risotto you’ve got bubbling away. It’s an all-in-one system designed to make your life easier.
The main voice assistants are Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri, and which one you choose will depend on personal taste. Each speaker comes with one integrated and, once it arrives, it’s a doddle to set up with an app and your Wi-Fi password.
Once you’re acquainted with your new smart speaker, though, don’t be surprised when you’re tempted to set up a whole network of smart devices. There’s no obvious end to what you can do, and the competition between Google, Apple, Amazon and other market leaders such as Sonos means, whichever you choose, they’re constantly being updated with new features.
While you can hook up everything from smart fridges to robot hoovers to your smart speaker, they don’t require additional gadgets to work. As seamless as the best wireless speakers, you can listen to music by requesting a song, programming your favourite playlist to start with your morning alarm or – if you’ve got your hands full with dinner – pause or stop music from playing completely hands-free.
We’ve looked at some of the best smart speakers on the market right now, rating them on sound quality, style and more. Scroll down to see what we thought.
Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen) | was £49, now £18 (save 63%)
You can save an incredible 63% on the Google Nest Mini at Currys right now, meaning you can get this excellent Google smart speaker for less than £20! As the device is perfect for placing in multiple locations around the home, this could be the perfect opportunity to buy!
Platform: Alexa Release: 2020 Dimensions: 20.6 x 17.5cm Weight: 3.5kg
Reasons to buy
Supreme sound quality
Innovative design
Reasons to avoid
No LED clock display
The Echo Studio is the most sophisticated of all Amazon’s connected smart sound systems. It’s designed for living room listening, and is the only smart speaker available that’s compatible with Dolby Atmos music and high-res audio, as well as common or garden stereo.
A version of the sound system used for movies, Dolby Atmos Music sounds larger and more immersive than regular stereo and is a lot of fun to listen to. Given that most smart speakers are actually quite monophonic, its performance is dramatic. Dolby Atmos music can be found on Amazon Music HD and Tidal Hi-Fi music streaming services.
The Studio speaker is bigger than the previous Echoes. Hardly surprising given that it accommodates a trio of mid-range drivers, a big downward-firing bass woofer and a high-frequency tweeter. That’s a lot of Hi-fi crammed into a relatively compact box.
Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars
2. Ultimate Ears Megablast
Best smart speaker for outdoors
Credit: Ultimate Ears
Platform: Alexa Release: 2017 Dimensions: 23.6 x 8.8 x 8.8cm Weight: 1.9kg
Reasons to buy
Lightweight and portable
Rugged design means it can be used outside
Reasons to avoid
May look out of place in some spaces
A smart speaker that’s designed to be used outside as much as in the home, the Ultimate Ears Megablast gets our vote for the best option for those who want to take their Alexa smarts to the garden, on camping trips, and beyond. The IP67 waterproof rating makes this possible, so the Megablast can withstand even the worst of the British weather.
The 16-hour battery life also helps here, as you’ll be able to get a whole lot of use out of your speaker before it needs recharging. Outside of this, the Megablast operates much like any Alexa-enabled speaker, but the Ultimate Ears brand has a good reputation for audio quality. Recommended for those who want to enjoy some tunes at their next barbeque.
3. Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)
Best smart speaker with display
Credit: Amazon
Platform: Alexa Release: 2021 (2nd Gen) Dimensions: 14.8 x 8.6 x 7.3cm Weight: 4.1kg
Reasons to buy
Brilliant camera perfect for video chats
Easily linked to other Alexa speakers
More affordable than older smart displays (with larger screens)
Reasons to avoid
Image quality not quite as good as competitors
A little bulky
The Amazon Echo Show 5 has had an upgrade for 2021, adding even more to love about the brand’s smaller smart display. The 8-inch screen is ideal for video chats (which we’re all very used to now!) or even following a recipe in the kitchen and, while you’re chatting to friends and family, the camera will pan to follow where you go.
Unfortunately, the design of the Show 5 remains slightly bulky, with the screen attached to a speaker that also serves as the stand. On the one hand, the size makes for better audio, but you’ll need to dedicate a space on a side table or counter. Once you have, you’ll get to enjoy all of the features of Alexa with the benefits of a tablet.
Ideal Home rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4. Sonos One (Gen 2)
Best smart speaker for multiroom listening
Credit: Sonos
Platform: Alexa, Google Assistant Release: 2017 (2nd Gen) Dimensions: H16.15 x W11.97 x D11.97cm Weight: 1.85 kg
Reasons to buy
Intuitive
Powerful apps
Link speakers together
Reasons to avoid
Inferior mic quality compared to newer speakers
When it comes to whole-home audio, Sonos sets the pace. Its multiroom speakers always look classy, are supremely easy to use and now come with smart functionality. This Sonos One incorporates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and has Apple AirPlay 2 support too.
Using Alexa integrated into a Sonos One is no different from chatting to an Amazon Echo. The benefit is that you no longer have to tell a connected Alexa device to ‘play Abba on Sonos’, you can just cut to the chase. It makes smart speaker use much more intuitive.
It also means you can direct your voice assistant to play Dancing Queen in specific Sonos zones, or throughout the whole house. Audio quality is excellent, with beautiful mid-range delivery and sweet, well-balanced nature.
Ideal Home rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
5. Google Nest Mini
Best smart speaker from Google
Credit: Google
Platform: Google Assistant
Release: 2019 (2nd Gen)
Dimensions: 4.2 x 9.8 x 9.8cm
Weight: 1.8kg
Reasons to buy
Small enough to fit into any style
Different colour options
Easy set-up
Reasons to avoid
Still not the best sound quality
Replacing Google’s Home Mini speaker, the Nest Mini looks almost identical but sports some improvements to audio quality. For the initiated, Google’s smallest speaker is a little life-saver, fitting into any décor style and space with its white bottom and mesh top (in a variety of bright colours) disappearing into its surroundings until it’s needed.
It’s still not for music fanatics, even though the audio quality has been improved, but it’s recommended for smart home beginners who need an easy place to start. It’s incredible value for money and, in our opinion, remains Google’s best smart speaker for the broadest range of people. All of Google’s smarts in a tiny pebble-shaped package!
Alexa response better than previous generation model
Improved sound quality
Compact, with cute design and colours
Reasons to avoid
Upgrade to another speaker for better audio capability
Bigger isn’t always better. The Amazon Echo Dot, now in its fourth generation, is an incredibly useful smart speaker that won’t break the bank. It’s also as cute as a button.
With a lovely redesign to bring the Dot more in line with Amazon’s flagship speaker, it still won’t take up too much room on your desktop. It can function as a diddy voice assistant, playing tunes in the background while you work, offering news updates or assisting with currency conversions on the fly. Alternatively, you can hardwire a Dot into an existing Hi-Fi system, using a single stereo 3.5mm lead, and effectively make your old school Hi-Fi system voice assistant capable.
Audio quality won’t blow you away but is relatively fine. In addition to Wi-Fi, it supports Bluetooth streaming, which is helpful if you’re watching some catch-up telly on your smartphone but want to boost the volume.
Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars
7. Apple HomePod Mini
Best smart speaker for iPhone
Credit: Apple
Platform: Siri Release: 2018 Dimensions: 8.4 x 9.7 x 9.7cm Weight: 3.4kg
Reasons to buy
Stupendous sound
Perfect for iPhone owners
Good for music streaming, and supports lossless audio
Reasons to avoid
No Bluetooth enabled
Only good for Apple fans
For dedicated Apple users, Apple’s HomePod is the best smart speaker you can buy. Android fans are advised to move on because this isn’t the droid they’re looking for. It can’t even be set up without an iOS device.
As you’d expect from Apple, the HomePod Mini is beautifully designed. The spherical shape and mesh fabric cover are definitely interiors friendly. Unlike rival smart speakers, there’s no Bluetooth onboard, but iOS users won’t notice. Pairing an iPhone to the speaker is a doddle.
Siri makes for a surprisingly helpful musical assistant, as she not only plays your requests but calls upon Apple’s excellent curation and recommendation engine to help you discover new music. This is quite a trick, as music discovery when you only use voice to navigate can be rather difficult – you tend to end up asking for the same old tunes.
Ask Siri to play something you like, and you’ll more likely than not get a surprising (in a good way) new offering. Neither Google or Amazon Alexa are quite as switched on when it comes to fresh tunes.
Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
8. Amazon Echo Spot
Best smart speaker for the bedroom
Credit: Amazon
Platform: Alexa Release: 2017 Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.7 x 9.1cm Weight: 4.2kg
Reasons to buy
Great front-facing camera
Can link your calendar
Reasons to avoid
Small speaker doesn’t pack much punch
All images will be cropped due to circular screen
The Amazon Echo Spot is a bedside clock with delusions of grandeur. Small enough to sit on even the most crowded of cabinets, it’s a dinky egg-shaped smart speaker with a flat base and circular screen. And yes, remarkably, it can show videos, although as it’s super tiny it’s not particularly practical as a mini TV.
More importantly, this display dims automatically, becoming almost unreadable in the dead of night. Having a smart speaker in your bedroom brings multiple benefits, not least because you can ask Alexa to set wake up calls, or read you an audiobook until you nod off. There’s a camera on board, but you can disable it if you don’t need the Spot’s video calling feature.
Ideal Home’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How to choose the best smart speaker
Credit: Amazon
How much do smart speakers cost?
Smart speakers are available from £45, for a Google Nest Mini or Amazon Echo Dot up to around £200. The important point to remember is that price isn’t reflective of smartness. A cheap Amazon Dot is just as clever as its more expensive stablemate, and the same applies to Google.
What you’re paying more for is the quality of the speaker itself.
Generally, it’s worth investing in a high-performance smart speaker when it’s primarily being used for music listening. For bedside table duties or as a kitchen companion, size and practicality become more important.
What can smart speakers do?
A smart speaker has multiple functions. For most of us, it’s the ability to play music on command from streaming services like Spotify or Tidal, or selected radio stations, that is their biggest attraction.
But they can do far more. If you have a lot of smart devices on your home network, an ecosystem as it were, perhaps involving a smart thermostat and lighting, then you can also interact with them, again by voice command.
A digital assistant can also be used to relate news, read an audiobook, play games, make size or currency conversions, or – most importantly of all – offer weather reports.
You can also even your smart speaker to make voice calls, or as an in-house intercom.
If you’re feeling blue, they’ll tell you a joke too – just don’t expect it to be a rib-tickler. They’re smart, not funny.
Who makes smart speakers?
The biggest single maker of smart speakers is Amazon. Its own-brand Echo devices, which use the Alexa platform, come in various sizes and sell in their millions. Google also makes its own smart speakers. Increasingly though, more familiar Hi-Fi brands are releasing smart speakers all their own – names like Sonos, Technics, JBL, LG and Harman Kardon.
Remember, if you simply want to stream Spotify from your smartphone to a wireless speaker, you don’t need to go smart at all. A regular Bluetooth wireless speaker will do the same job fine.
Is Alexa smarter than Siri?
OK, now you’re getting personal. In truth, there’s not a huge difference between any of the digital voice assistants when it comes to smarts. They have a slightly different manner, and can be tripped up by even simple questions, but share basic voice control functionality.
We think Siri has an edge over Alexa, but only when it comes to music discovery. Ask Alexa to ‘play something you’d like’ typically prompts the speaker to play the same old songs. Music discovery isn’t her strong point.
That said, all smart speaker platforms improve over time, getting sharper and more intuitive in the cloud. The Alexa we listen to today is a good deal smarter than the one we listened to back when the platform first launched. Between you and us, she was a dope…
Which is better, Alexa or Google?
The best smarter speaker platform is the one that works best for you. Both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant have the ability to front complicated ecosystems of connected products. If your media streamer of choice is an Amazon Fire TV stick, then it makes sense to add an Alexa smart speaker to your network.
Like many of the best TVs, they are Android-based, so a Google smart speaker would seem the natural fit. What we don’t recommend is mixing the two platforms. Having to wrestle with different wake words (“Hey Google…” versus “Alexa…”) gets tiresome pretty quick…
What about features like multi-room and Bluetooth?
Both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant smart speakers offer Bluetooth connectivity alongside Wi-Fi as standard. In the home, it’s often easy to forget just how devices are communicating, as interactions become quite seamless.
Streaming from your mobile to a smart speaker is as simple as saying ‘Alexa connect my phone” although you’ll need to remember to have Bluetooth switched on.
Similarly, both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant smart speakers can be used for whole-house audio. Simply need to create a ‘Group’ of connected smart speakers and then ask your smart assistant to play music to said named group.
Is my smart speaker always listening?
Yes, your smart speaker is always listening, because it’s waiting to react to its ‘wake word.’ This has led to concerns regarding privacy and security. If you are concerned about Google or Amazon eavesdropping, then the microphone on your smart speaker can be turned off manually.
It will then becomes oblivious to your conversations, but you’ll need to manually turn the microphone back on for the smart speaker to function.
If this aspect of smart speakers gives you cause for concern, then a regular ‘non-smart Bluetooth wireless speaker may be a better buy.
