Jenny McFarlane
Jenny is the Senior Digital Editor and joined the team in 2021, working across Ideal Home, Real Homes, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc and Gardeningetc. After a year stint in-house on the Real Homes team, she joined the Ideal Home team in November 2023.
Jenny kickstarted her career on women's and lifestyle titles such as InStyle, Red, Handbag.com, SUITCASE, and LUXE City Guides, both in-house and freelance. Five years later she headed up the content strategy for interiors brands Good Homes, Grand Designs, and ICON.
Her obsession with interior design began way back when Jenny was, at the tender age of 9, glued to BBC’s Changing Rooms. A passion was ignited and she went on to study textiles and design at university. Since getting on the property ladder, her love for interior design and gardening has taken on a new lease of life. I love collecting and salvaging unique items (much to her other half's despair) but sniffing out stylish home bargains is her one true love. She loves crafting, although hardly gets the chance with her little ladies keeping her permanently on her toes.
IDEAL HOME TRUTHS
Where’s your happy place?We regularly head up to the North Antrim coast to my in-laws' house with uninterrupted views of the coastline. It's the perfect place to cosy up by the fire with a hot toddy and when the Irish weather permits, I love exploring the area's famed beauty spots to blow the cobwebs well and truly off.
What’s your home addiction?I love making my home a little haven and creating a stylish and comfortable set-up. This includes finding unique pieces and collecting wall art that reminds me of home (Ireland), places I've visited, and things that inspire me or make me feel happy, alongside photos of my favourite humans and postcards from here, there, and everywhere.
What is your next home project?We've been busy renovating and updating our 1860s semi, room by room, and have just got planning permission to create an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space which we can't wait to get started on!
Latest articles by Jenny McFarlane
-
Wood flooring ideas – 11 gorgeous floor styles and how to choose
Timeless and elegantly beautiful, what’s not to love?
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Wood burner ideas – find the perfect one for your fireplace
These stylish ways to factor a log burner into your scheme will have you longing for a cosy seat by a fireplace
By Jenny McFarlane
-
28 country living room ideas for a perfect rustic retreat in your own home
Create a warm and inviting feeling, using traditional, modern, shabby-chic or farmhouse style
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Roost episode 5: WIN an InSinkErator tap, get inspired with pink living room ideas and how to add colour to your kitchen
Roost episode 5 features lots of exciting home improvement ideas, including pink living room inspiration and how to use colour in your kitchen. Plus, win an InSinkErator 4N1 Touch combination tap in this week’s competition.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Conservatory cleaning tips – 11 expert hacks from Lynsey Queen of Clean
Looking for conservatory cleaning tips that will leave yours looking as good as new? Lynsey Queen of Clean and other top experts give us their best advice.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Roost Episode 4: Watch for living room flooring ideas, outdoor kitchens and green decor inspo – plus WIN a Swyft sofa
Get ready for Roost episode 4, which has the lowdown on living room flooring, outdoor kitchen inspiration and the best green colour pairings. Plus, enter our competition to win a Swyft two-seater sofa.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Basement conversions – expert tips and advice for converting a cellar
Basement conversions are a fantastic way to add heaps of space to your property and increase its value. We take a closer look at what’s involved.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Padded coat hangers – How to make your own with our step by step guide
Padded coat hangers are great for hanging up delicate garments. Get crafty this weekend with our simple step-by-step guide for how to make them yourself.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
How to hang a wall mirror – on a brick wall or drywall
How to hang a wall mirror successfully isn't all about the positioning. Follow our step by step to nail hanging a mirror safely and without a hitch.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Roost episode 6: WIN Fiskars garden tools, plus green living room decor and kitchen worktop materials
Roost episode 6 features priceless home improvement advice, including green living room inspiration and kitchen worktop materials to suit your needs. Plus, win a Fiskars garden tools in this week’s competition.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
WIN a VAX Total Cleaning System worth over £1000 in Roost episode 12
Want to know what are the best bed sheets? How to plant succulents? Or maybe you just want to win a VAX Total Cleaning System...
By Jenny McFarlane
-
WIN a Traeger grill worth over £1000 for cooking all year round
Enter our competition to win a Traeger Ironwood 650 grill, worth £1,499, that'll make cooking wood-fired meals a breeze year round
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Roost episode 2: Watch our show for patio ideas, decorating with grey and WIN a Yale Security bundle
Roost episode 2 is ready for your viewing pleasure and it's jam-packed full of inspiration. Plus, you could win a security bundle from Yale.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Buying a fireplace – how to choose your mantel, fire or stove
Are you buying a fireplace? Use our essential guide to buying fires and fireplaces to make the right choice for your home.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Roost episode 9: Win a Graham and Brown mural
Roost episode 9 is jam-packed with ideas, including texture design, how to plant a window box and our competition to win a wall mural from Graham and Brown
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Stairway lighting ideas – 17 stylish ways to light up your staircase
In need of lighting up a dark staircase? These stairway lighting ideas will brighten your stairs, and create a real focal point to boot
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Driveway ideas – 14 winning entrances with stunning paving, lighting and edging designs
If you're on the hunt for driveway ideas, we'll steer you in the right direction, whether you have a small path or a large front garden to work with.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Roost episode 10: Win a £1000 voucher for Astro lighting at Dusk
Roost episode 10 is jam-packed with ideas, like cushion styling, building a herb planter and win a £1000 voucher for Astro at Dusk Lighting.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Conservatory kitchen ideas – 14 gorgeous styles to inspire your project
Thinking about extending your kitchen with a conservatory or orangery? Our round up of conservatory kitchen ideas will make preparing dinner a joy.
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Win £1000 to spend on Danetti furniture in Roost episode 11
Roost episode 11 is full of great ideas and advice, like choosing curtain fabrics, building a cottage-style planter and win a £1000 voucher for Danetti furniture
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Green roof systems – a guide to installing a sedum roof at home
Looking to be environmentally friendly with a touch of style? A green roof may be just what you need...
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Summer home decor ideas – 13 cheery updates to lift your mood
Get your summer fix with these warm and cheery summer home decor ideas...
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Conservatory extension ideas – 20 beautiful designs that add lots of light
Look to these conservatory extension ideas to let light flood into your home...
By Jenny McFarlane
-
Modern Victorian living room ideas – 13 ways to freshen up your home decor
From daring colour combinations to bright white walls, you'll find plenty of inspiration right here.
By Jenny McFarlane