Going through the keyhole

When I tell people what I do for a living, most respond: ‘You must get to look around some amazing homes!’ And it’s true, I do. Hands down, it’s one of the best bits of m y job. The team and I meet weekly to select the homes for Ideal Home, and it’s the highlight of my week. Not only do I get interiors inspiration in spades (I’m forever filing ideas away for my own home), but I also love the invitation to peek into another world.

There’s an intimacy about looking around someone’s home and seeing how they live. Whatever their style, I get to share a little of the happiness these spaces bring to the people who’ve created them and the joy they get from living there.

“I can’t be the only one distracted by people’s backdrops on Zoom calls

I know I’m not the only one who loves to sneak a look through other people’s windows when I’m walking down the street. Or who finds themselves distracted on a Zoom call by an impressive shelfie. It’s why many of you buy this magazine, why there are millions of images tagged #interiors on social media, and why we get hooked on renovation TV shows.

When we launched our competition to find the best reader homes last year, you guys didn’t disappoint, from stunning new-builds to beautifully renovated period homes. Judging the entries was a treat – thank you to everyone who entered. We had to choose a winner, and Joanna’s amazing transformation wowed us all. Turn to page 32 to see for yourself why her self-build won Ideal Home’s Best

Home of 2021. And the hunt is on again! If you think your home’s got what it takes, turn to page 43 to find out how to enter our 2022 reader home awards (and be in with a chance to win £1,000). We’re waiting!