OWNERS Suzi Jench and her partner Lewis Robinson began their property renovation journey in London before taking on two flats in Brighton, followed by a farmhouse in Sussex. Suzi runs an online vintage-selling business, Carma Home (acarmahome.com) fr

Crewel work is a traditional embroidery technique renowned for its intricate designs and rich history. With ancient origins, it gained popularity during the Jacobean era in England, subsequently gaining significant interest in the American colonies.

1. Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/ Gas mark 6. Unroll the pastry, keeping it on the paper. Using a fork, pierce the pastry all over, leaving an edge all the way around the pastry of 2-3cm. This edge is the pastry that will be folded over to create

Just to the north of Moseley Old Hall runs a motorway, with its incessant rumble of vehicles, while on all other sides, Wolverhampton encroaches – a bustling, 21st-century urban oasis of technology and industry. Approaching this Elizabethan farmhouse

Sometimes, a space calls for a towering houseplant – in these instances, the humble rubber plant offers the perfect solution. Low-maintenance and fast-growing, it can gain 60cm in height annually, surpassing 2 metres in just a few years. However, its

The practice of ‘setting the scene’ is common in interior design. We all understand that thoughtful use of colour and pattern helps build a subtle narrative; this is not a modern phenomenon – in 18th- and 19th-century Europe, a vogue for textiles pri

Strolling alongside Josephine Hoy while her garden unfolds as a series of entrancing ‘cameos’, there is no doubt that this planted oasis means the world to her. This is not only because it has been four decades in the making but also by virtue of it

Older properties can often experience the presence of wood-boring insects, which include certain beetles, or ‘woodworm’, that live off wood and, in particular conditions, may seriously weaken building timbers. In the UK, such organisms include the fu

LEFT Metro tiles offer lots of versatility in laying styles. ‘They can be utilised several ways from vertical or horizontal tiling in stripes by alternating shades to more classic brick bond design,’ explains Rob Whitaker, creative director at Claybr

Whether you are battling piles of laundry, damp dogs, or dirty pots and pans, the day-to-day running of a household is far from glamorous. However, while the chores are decidedly unattractive, it doesn’t mean the space where you tackle them must be.

Old wooden windows display the craftsmanship of their makers and are valuable for the aesthetics of a house. Vibrancy is added by the ripples, bubbles and other imperfections within the original glass that cause it to sparkle in sunlight, bringing th

OWNER Gretchen Shoring co-runs an art sourcing business, Arti (arti-ones.co.uk), specialising in vintage art. She lives with her teenage daughter and her Bosnian rescue hound, Hope, in London and the Cotswolds PROPERTY This former farmworker’s cottag

1 More relaxed than dining chairs but cosier than bar stools, backing an island with upholstered seating can make a kitchen, bringing a social element and encouraging family mealtimes. The area beneath the seats can be used for storage, too. John Lew

OWNER Sarah Charlesworth and her husband David, a semi-retired farmer, live here with Rum, the cocker/springer/ Sussex spaniel. Their grown-up sons, Tom and Sam, live nearby PROPERTY A four-bedroom, 19th-century farmhouse not far from Nantwich in Che

The Geminus Linea freestanding bath is the latest addition from The Albion Bath Company. This traditional, double-ended bath is in a classic style but made from an innovative Iso-Enamel material – it is half the weight of cast iron while still retain

With research showing a significant decline in orchards across the UK, the National Trust has committed to planting four million new blossom trees by 2030. In support of this, homeware brand Sophie Allport’s latest collaborative collection with the T

Beds and borders are the bedrock of most garden designs – they bring colour and form, whether in a formal, structured look or with looser lines and more of a cottage-garden feel. There is plenty of colour throughout the gardens at Blenheim Palace; al

Colour is a powerful tool in interior design and can change the atmosphere of a space, making it feel cosy or airy. ‘The best way to decide on a paint colour is by looking at what aspect the room faces. In south-facing rooms, pretty much anything goe

Lavender is one of the heroes of the garden, filling the space with its billowing purple blooms. Distil the beauty of this delicate flower with this simple craft, which will bring a decorative floral touch to your kitchen. If you don’t have lavender

There are many options and recipes available for sustainable, homemade cleaning products, and use pretty and practical baskets to keep your supplies in order in a laundry room or utility. Always have a cloth on hand to clean any spills before they st

From epic adventures to intimate reflections, books have inspired, educated and entertained for centuries. Moreover, they can add significant decorative value to homes worldwide. Whether they are ancient and rare or contemporary, it is hard to imagin

OWNERS Peta-Anne and Stefan Barrow live here with their two teenage children PROPERTY A five-bedroom 1930s house in Surrey WHAT THEY DID A kitchen renovation saw the window moved along the wall to maximise the available space. The dark and dated 199

Inspired by nature but with a whimsical, poetic twist – this is how Bex Partridge explains her craft of weaving the stems of her homegrown and dried flowers into magical installations and creations, including wreaths, everlasting bouquets and ‘garlan

Characterised by their stylised flower and leaf forms, the patterns of artist and designer William Morris (1834-1896) have remained popular for over 150 years and continue to be refreshed and reimagined as tastes evolve. This season, Sofa.com has tea

Wisteria in full flower is a wonderful sight as it lavishly drapes over buildings and pergolas, dripping tiny, pea-like flowers that fill the air with a sweet, musky perfume. By the time the last blooms fade, light-green leaflets take centre stage, s

One of the key motivators for moving house is a desire for more room, but it is a costly affair in terms of time, money and upheaval. However, adding living space with an orangery, conservatory or garden room can offer the perfect solution, with sign

OWNERS Beth and Doug McKenzie live here with their three children, Max, Kitty and Eliza, as well as Coco, a chocolate Sprocker Spaniel PROPERTY A five-bedroom 1904 Arts and Crafts house in Surrey WHAT THEY DID The couple moved the kitchen into the ex

The arrival of blossom is one of the many highlights of spring, so celebrate the fleeting blooms with a beautiful wreath. Sarah Crosier, florist and owner of Seapoppy Flowers, talks us through the steps. ● Several lengths of willow ● Secateurs ● Bag

Founding Triebner, Ens & Co in 1860, German potter Karl Ens (1802-1865) was known for his exquisite porcelain creations and celebrated for his artistic bird and animal figures, from cockatoos through to elephants. Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial d