Learning how to grow cucumbers is an achievable goal for even the most inexperienced gardener, as the plants are relatively trouble free. They are also an attractive crop, with their creeping vines and bright yellow flowers. Plus, if you know how to grow cucumbers vertically, they can be highly space-efficient, which makes them an essential addition to your kitchen garden ideas. However, you if plant the seed at the wrong time, you risk seedling failure, a poor quality harvest, or the seeds may not germinate at all....

Choose from early flowering varieties with their dainty flowers and delicate fragrance or opt for one of the many taller European types such as Dutch, English and Spanish that come into their own midsummer. These tend to come in a wider range of colors and have larger long-lasting blooms set against dark green sword-like foliage. You can grow irises happily in free draining soil and love to flower in a sunny spot, but some will tolerate part shade too....

A popular ornamental plant, dogwood trees are often used in gardens to provide pops of color throughout fall and winter, but is also one of the best trees for screening and privacy in summer and best trees for autumn color. Its pretty flowers turn into small black berries after pollination by insects, providing nourishment for birds and mammals, which also makes it a great addition for a thriving eco system in your own backyard....

However, there are so many elegant but adventurous backdrops that embrace color, pattern and alternative tile styles – and which add interest and a personal stamp to your white kitchen ideas – that it seems a missed opportunity not to consider them. ‘Backsplashes for white kitchens can vary,’ says interior designer Anja Michals (opens in new tab). ‘I like using a variety of materials: ceramics, terracotta tiles such as zellige, and marble slabs for a sleeker, cleaner look....

The threat of a splitting tomatoes can feel like enough to deter you from growing tomatoes in the first place, but it shouldn’t. While it is hard to guarantee your tomatoes won’t split, once you know why it is happening there is a simple trick to help give them the best chance at success, which we reveal below. Why are my tomatoes splitting? According to expert Kate Russell from The Daily Garden (opens in new tab), cracking and splitting of tomatoes occurs when the inside of a tomato grows faster than its outside....

Fire has been used for centuries to provide us with warmth and light, and when heating up the home, a wood burner can be both a highly efficient and stylish choice. Great for those cold winter evenings, as the days grow shorter and the nights longer, a log burner not only provides warmth, it can establish a characterful and comforting focal point in a room. Whether you want to refresh your fireplace ideas and add a wood burning stove, or incorporate an electric wood burner in a dining room or for your living room fireplace ideas, there are options to suit all styles and spaces....

Range cookers are often generically referred to as Agas, after the iconic British manufacturer, but there are a number of other well-known brands, so you can use these ideas for whatever range cooker you own. See: Traditional kitchen ideas – classic looks for cabinets, countertops and more ‘People use their range cookers for a whole host of things,’ says Laura James, Aga brand ambassador. ‘Over the years we’ve come across countless stories of lambs being revived in the warming oven and even ostrich eggs being hatched!...

Not, though, if you have the world’s best interior designers an email away… We asked some of our favorite design experts for the design mistakes to avoid when designing a living room – and how to get it right. Here’s what they said. See: Living room ideas – for inspiration and clever ways to decorate living spaces 1. Not considering armchairs Two sofas in a living room is often our first thought, but although we love the double sofa look – you’ll see it below – there is also a place for one sofa and a couple of armchairs....

Better still? He’s agreed to share his interior design tips with us here. The homes Peter has designed vary from one-bedroom apartments to opulent listed mansions, ski chalets, continental villas, city penthouses and far-flung estates. As a result, he knows a thing or two about how to use architecture and interior design to create timeless style revered by all. Peter says: ‘It is important that people understand that design is not just for people who can afford it....

So this year, we have one minor solution to help save you from wasting hours searching for the wrong pieces: wicker patio furniture. See: Backyard ideas – decor inspiration for outdoor spaces Wicker patio furniture is the foolproof way to decorating your backyard in style while also knowing that you’ve invested in a sustainable product. Wicker is incredibly strong and durable; coming in a few different materials – including rattan, reed, and bamboo – its toughness, weather-resistance and durability are unmatched....

Transform your home with the help of this Jonathan Adler candle. Featuring glazed porcelain with hand-painted stripes, it’s sure to not only be one of the best candles but comes available in a few different designs. Swap out your outdated jewelry trays for this catch-all tray featuring Jonathan Adler’s signature high-fire porcelain. Bound to add a playful element, this metallic-trimmed zebra-skin rug design can stand alone or work with a crowd....

See our news section for more recent events and current releases Paul Smith designs are synonymous with statement bold stripes, which pairs beautifully with the sleek lines of the iconic Anglepoise lamp. Although the pair have collaborated previously, the brand new designs are firmly in the spotlight for more than just the colour – the reworked Type 75 desk lamp will once again be available in floor and desk versions....

There’s no denying that the Beautiful Air Fryer is, well, beautiful, and it’s also quite affordable compared to some of today’s best air fryers. However, how does it stack up in terms of performance? We wanted to see if it could handle tasks like crisping up French fries and cooking pastries, so we put it to the test in the kitchen over the course of several weeks. After thoroughly testing the Beautiful Digital Air Fryer, we’re happy to report that it’s as easy to use as it is aesthetically appealing....

The 14-room penthouse occupies the top three floors of one of Fifth Avenue’s finest pre-war co-op buildings, designed by renowned architect Emery Roth in neo-Renaissance style and completed in 1925. Offering spectacular views of Central Park and the iconic Manhattan skyline, it boasts an impressive 7,000 square feet of living space and a further 3,000 square feet of landscaped outdoor terraces. See: World’s best homes – for more beautiful homes...

When Blake posted a video to show her appreciation for her husband Ryan Reynolds this Valentine’s Day, we couldn’t help but look past the happy couple to admire their bathroom tiling. The actress, who is best known for her roles in The Age of Adaline, A Simple Favor, and Gossip Girl, posted a time-lapse of Ryan dyeing her hair in their bathroom – but as well as admiring their relationship goals, the pair filled us with ultimate bathroom envy....

While many more of us are working at home for at least part of the week, it is still worth making sure that your home security is fit for purpose. ‘Security is always a top priority for any homeowner,’ advises John Evans, managing director at Stormclad. ‘But being at home more does not necessarily mean your property is safer from burglars, and our changing living habits present more opportunities for trespassers to take advantage of, such as the increase in parcels being delivered to homes and obvious improvements made to enhance curb appeal and improve front and back gardens....

So, planning a kitchen in great detail from the outset is a must – and we have asked top kitchen designers for their help in defining the process. Below we take you through the design process step by step so that you can take all your creative kitchen ideas and marry them with practicalities to create a perfectly balanced room using inspiration from the best kitchen designers in the world....

British heritage brands Morris & Co and Spode have joined together to create a stunning range of tableware boasting the super-stylish Arts & Crafts Movement prints. See our news section for more exciting product launches Spode’s new collection draws on inspiration from nature while upholding the heritage and legacy of renowned designer, William Morris. Adding to the existing Spode and Morris & Co. family, the new range will sit perfectly beside Spode Pure Morris, a stylish range with a neutral colour palette combining delicate intricacies, which has recently launched a new selection of line extensions....

So, is a vegetable garden one of the best ways to add value to a home? Real estate experts weigh in with their views. Does a vegetable garden add value to a home? The short answer is ’no’. If you’re looking for a reliable figure or percentage of value, our real estate experts say that there isn’t any evidence to suggest that a vegetable garden will increase your home value....

As a true arbiter of classic English elegance and style, there’s no-one more apt to ask for the ultimate ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for decorating your space. Read on to discover what mistakes you might be making in your home – and discover the interior design tips that tell you what you should be doing instead. 1. Lighting in cabinetry Emma’s advice on what to do when lighting cabinetry: Try fixed wall lights mounted on cabinetry or bookcases....