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Here, Hilary introduces us to the extraordinary decorating ideas in the artistically-infused home of painter and self-proclaimed nomad Heather Chontos (opens in new tab). Set within a hamlet in rural France, the house benefits from simple and creative updates that ensure this space reflects Heather’s desire for self-expression. For us, it’s a lesson in every aspect of interior design, from making a moodboard to displaying artwork. ‘If you have ever longed for somewhere, an elusive place where you feel you belong, then you will understand the concept of hiraeth, a word Heather strongly identifies with....

Given that we spend approximately 33% of our lives asleep, picking the best pillows will ensure that time is spent in comfort and relaxation, rather than giving ourselves a stiff neck. Below, experts offer their advice for picking the right pillow and issue warnings against ill-suited sleep supports. Why your pillow is disrupting your sleep While it is commonly believed that having the best mattress is the most important element for sleeping better, having the right pillows to match will help support your natural spine alignment and relieve pressure on your spine, neck and shoulders....

See some of the world’s best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe The property It was built in about 1890, as a studio for the sculptor who owned the house that it backs on to, and it was converted into a house in the 1970s. ‘There was very little light and it was extremely pokey but, when I walked upstairs, I looked through the window and saw this magnificent magnolia tree in full bloom and thought,’ explains Nina Campbell....

Using nothing more than new furniture, vintage accessories, and clever kitchen color ideas, the label renovated the space they had designed eight years prior when the showroom first opened. And because deVOL furniture is ‘designed to last forever,’ the designers built upon the original cabinetry that has sat in place since 2014. Here’s what deVOL’s traditional kitchen ideas involved – and how to recreate elements in your kitchen. Before – a raw Shaker kitchen As the label’s first showroom in London, they inevitably filled it ’top to toe’ with their most popular pieces....

Even new borders of bare soil and flat, open sites can be transformed in no time with the right plants. Enjoy a lush greensward with fast-growing grasses, and erect a privacy screen with fast-growing shrubs and fast-growing hedges. Or, add height, color and structure with fast-growing flowering trees, and cover for pergolas and arches with fast-growing flowering vines. Below, we bring your our – and our garden experts’ – selection of the best fast-growing plants for every site and requirement....

While the previous owners had maintained the house well, the sleek, minimal interiors meant some of the original fireplaces had been removed and the period flooring damaged. Fortunately for the couple their interior designer friend Brooke Copp-Barton is an advocate of restoring period properties back to their former glory, so they enlisted her help in reinstating authentic features to bring the house back to life and reflect its Arts and Crafts heritage....

While a full-sized tree might be a no, bringing in Christmas decor ideas in a few key places can make bedrooms feel jolly and festive. A few sparkly baubles or a sprig of greenery tied with ribbon and hung from door handles adds a welcoming touch, or include small garlands and greenery on landings to tie in upstairs spaces with down. Christmas bedroom decor ideas Focusing on the bed is the obvious way of adding some festive cheer to your bedroom ideas....

‘I love having a bowl full of lemons in my house,’ says Queen of Clean Lynsey Crombie. ‘Not only do they help brighten up my kitchen but they can be really handy and help out with the cleaning. Making changes like this and using less toxins is so good for you and the environment. Lemons not only smell gorgeous but can really help improve shine. It’s really surprising how well you can clean with lemon juice in your home....

More than just practical storage solutions, open shelves are a lovely decorating device, offering space to get creative and style displays that capture your personal taste and conjure happy memories. To help you get your shelves looking their best, we’ve shared an array of inspiring ways to arrange them, from bookshelf ideas to within cabinets, along with some tips from the experts on how to style the perfect shelfie. Decorating shelves When it comes to decorating shelves the options are endless....

But while rose garden ideas are often associated with more traditional garden design, either in more formal, classical settings, or as part of a quintessential cottage garden or traditional herbaceous border, they work just as well in a contemporary, naturalistic scheme. Rose garden design – formal or informal? ‘When deciding on the layout of a rose garden design, consider how formal or informal you want it to be, as this will dictate the type of roses planted and the design,’ explains Michael Marriott (opens in new tab), world leading rosarian and rose garden designer....

When considering dining room ideas, using paint is a simple way to add color and character to the space, and as this room is not used as much as the others in the home, it provides the perfect opportunity to be bold and adventurous with paint ideas. Whether your dining room is only used for special occasions and dinner parties, or used everyday with family, embracing dining room paint ideas can create an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy....

We have tried this delicious dish (more than once) and can certainly vouch for its exquisite taste. And no, you don’t even need the best toaster to make it. If you are desperate to expand your breakfast/brunch repertoire and love French toast we can only imagine that this Pancake Day recipe may be right up your street. French toast – the perfect recipe vegans can enjoy too Serves 4 Ingredients:...

So much has changed in the way in which we design and use our kitchens over the last decade or so, but there is something reassuring in how the galley kitchen has adapted to the new-found sense of space in more contemporary kitchen ideas (opens in new tab), and has thrived. Galley kitchen ideas – turn this narrow layout into a dream space Named after a ship’s kitchen, galley kitchens were originally associated with simplicity and tight spaces – there’s not much room for superfluous detail on the average ship....

Everything from the materials used to clad a house, to the size, style and shape of windows and doors, right down to the way a roof slopes and the tiniest of decorative details have changed and evolved over the years. In some cases, a stroll down just one street can take you on something of an interactive history lesson, as you pass by house styles all created at various points in time....

Bathroom mirrors can also be used to boost the feeling of space by bouncing light around the space. Though, mirror reflections need to be carefully planned in a bathroom since not everyone wants to see themselves in the bath or shower. So how to choose the perfect mirror to suit the size of room, where to hang it and how high should it be? We asked expert designers for their advice....

‘Your chosen front door ideas can say so much about the occupants: The entrance is the first encounter for you, your visitors and the interiors that lie within,’ says designer Monique Tollgard, founder, Tollgard Design (opens in new tab). ‘The materials and front door colors we use allow us to introduce the “red thread” of the house immediately. For us, the front door is so important; it is the start of the story and first and last impressions are so important....

Regardless of how necessary new carpet ideas are in your home, you’ll still have to make sure your bedroom, hallway, or living room carpet ideas fit within your budget, whether you’re remodeling a single room or planning a whole home renovation. Read on to find out how much new carpet will cost and the factors that will impact your budget bottom line. Cost to install carpet There are two main factors that will affect the cost to install carpet in your home....

An important element of cleaning an oven, having sparkling racks will help keep it sanitary, and minimize odors, too. A top pre-cleaning tip is to soak your oven racks to make it easier to remove stuck-on-food. ‘Pre-soaking is always a great idea while you are cleaning the rest of the kitchen,’ says Michael Silva-Nash, Executive VP of Molly Maid (opens in new tab). ‘Also, a great preventative measure is to place a cookie or baking sheet under baking dishes that may drip....

The best way to clean blinds will depend to some extent on their type but the basic technique is as easy to master as that for cleaning upholstery and you’ll just need a few supplies. Our guide will give you the lowdown, and we’ve asked the experts to share their methods, too. How to clean blinds ‘Although many of us will remember to clean our windows regularly, cleaning the window coverings that protect our windows can often slip our minds,’ says Yvonne Keal, product manager at Hillarys (opens in new tab)....

Sharing this aptly-named ‘salty trick’ on the new season of Queer Eye, Bobby explained that this garden idea is an instant solution to fertilized plants – and you can experiment with the tip without any extra investment. ‘If you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive way to fertilize your plants, you’ll probably be surprised to know it’s already under your bathroom sink,’ Bobby says. If you’re wondering how to fertilize with Epsom salts, the process is simple....