Punteha van Terheyden
Hi! I'm Punteha van Terheyden, editor of Real Homes. I spent the best part of a decade as a senior writer, then commissioning editor of UK’s biggest real-life women’s weekly magazine, Take a Break. During this time, I was also a Sunday Times bestselling ghost writer, penning moving real-life books for Penguin. I went freelance in 2017, writing and editing hundreds of lifestyle and consumer articles for the national UK Press. After launching my own independent real-life Digital magazine Lacuna Voices, I joined Real Homes as editor.
I love learning how to DIY well so I can personalize the small, newly-built home I share with my husband, our daughter, and two silly feline floofs out in the quiet of the country. Living with chronic pain means small makeovers I can manage with limited energy and ones that make me happy every time I look at them, take priority, including painting, tiling, plumbing and decor projects. I’m also a sucker for a great big reshuffle to get our compact but busy home as streamlined and functional as possible.
Making the best of my limited space, budget, and energy drives the interior and backyard projects I can do, but I still want my home to feel like 'me‘ and chipping away at personalizing my little house brings me endless joy. In my spare time, I love batch-cooking the Iranian dishes I grew up eating, puttering around the house and daydreaming about the forever-home we'll one day hopefully buy.
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Everything we know about Amazon Prime Day 2024 this fall
Our run down of what usually happens on Amazon Prime Day in October, how to be ready for it, and where to find good deals in the meantime
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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Amazon furniture deals — my top Editor's Picks on bedroom, bathroom, and living room finds
I'm Real Homes' editor and have spent hours looking for the retailers best offers that bring function and small-space style on budget-friendly prices
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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The Pelonis tower fan is my summer sleep savior
I don't have the luxury of AC at home so I really on fans to keep cool. The Pelonis tower fan on Amazon has been my key to summer sleeping
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to clean a top-loading washing machine in four easy steps
Cleaning The easiest steps and best products to clean a top-loading washing machine
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Pros reveal how to kill an ant nest but not your lawn — 7 methods to suit all skill levels
Pros reveal how to kill an ant nest but not your lawn using their favored methods to enjoy an ant-free and healthy lawn
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Amazon's bestselling Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker sale is on now with 40% off — here's why 97,000 customers love it
Amazon's bestselling Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker sale is on now and offers 40% off. Here's why we and thousands of customers love it. Plus, some alternatives
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to get cat pee out of carpet in three easy steps
Accidents happen, so learn how to get rid of cat pee before the smell seeps in and hangs around for good
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to cool down a room: 7 simple, smart, cheap ways to keep heat at bay this summer
Even without AC, you can learn how to cool down a room fast. We delve into hacks, tips, tricks and devices to keep you comfortable this summer
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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Wrapping kitchen counters with contact paper vs painting them — I've done both and wrapping was superior
I had ugly kitchen counters and a small budget so one time I tried wrapping them with contact paper another time, painting them: one came out on top
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to get rid of ants in your home and stop them coming back for good
Learn how to get rid of ants and put them off returning with home-made repellents
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to remove urine smells and stains from around your home — cleaning pros to the rescue for human and animal spills
Learn how to clean urine smells and stains effectively from around the home including human and animal pee
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to get rid of ants in your backyard — 5 methods pest control pros use
An expert guide on how to get rid of ants in your backyard using vinegar, dish soap, borax, baking soda, salt and more
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Pros reveal 10 ways to keep pests out of your home this summer
Experts reveal the best ways to keep pests out of your home this summer
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to kill weeds in your lawn — four ways to banish these unsightly garden guests
Lawn experts reveal how to kill weeds in your lawn including manual removal, pre-emergent solutions and how to reduce opportunities for weeds to grow
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to get rid of flying ants, indoors and out
Discover how to get rid of flying ants using DIY methods with items you already have at home
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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Carpenter ants 101: everything you need to know about the wood-tunneling pests that can infest the walls of your home
Our rundown on carpenter from pest control experts reveals everything you need to know about these insects, their infestations, and how to get rid of them
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to remove candle wax from upholstery — 6 different methods that work
Learn how to remove candle wax from upholstery. Experts say pick one of these six which you have ingredients for as quick action brings best results
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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The 12 lawn mowing mistakes that are thwarting your shot at a lush lawn
These lawn mowing mistakes impact the look of your lawn and damage your machinery. Our lawn care experts reveal what to do instead
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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What is a rain chain? Everything you need to know about this eco-friendly downspout alternative
Experts answer: what is a rain chain? We ask roofing and water conservation the pros and cons, and if this downspout alternative is right for you
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Experts reveal the 7 pest control mistakes that are making your infestation worse and how best to avoid them in your home
Experts reveal the pest control mistakes worsening or prolonging your home bug infestation, how best to avoid them when eradicating bugs from your home
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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The three household cockroach facts you can harness for better pest control
Experts reveal three cockroach facts you can use to bolster your battle to banish these pesky bugs from your home
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Irish Spring soap is the perfect pest zapper for your plants and there's two ways to use it
Use Irish Spring soap for pest control on plants both indoors and out with these two simple methods of application
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to get rid of cockroaches in the kitchen — swot up on roach behaviour to banish them permanently, say experts
Pro tips on how to get rid of cockroaches in the kitchen, including why they come in, understanding roach behaviour, and steps to banish them for good
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Way Day is coming to a close — shop Wayfair's biggest sale of the year until May 6
Get the intel on Way Day, the retailer's biggest savings event of the year, including what's featured, how to access the discounts early, and of course, when to shop
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated