Living spaces

How to keep a sense of fun without veering into 'unhinged eclecticism'

The little touches added to this redesigned Oxfordshire pub keep it fresh, fun and lively without overdoing it — something we could all learn from, as Giles Kime explains.

How to bring a room to life with vibrant hues of blue

Saskia Blythe has employed a palette of vibrant blues to liven up a London drawing room.

A Cornish cottage transformed in a perfect local style by a designer famed for exotic opulence

A look inside this guest cottage on a West Country estate demonstrates the versatility of its interior designer.

Expert tips for caring for antique Oriental rugs

Roger Rose of James Barclay, the rug cleaning and repair service, offers advice on caring for antique Oriental rugs.

Three brand new paints, inspired by the wartime country retreat of the Bloomsbury Group

Charleston inspired the likes of Bell, Grant and Keynes to produce the works that made them famous. It has since inspired Annie Sloan to add three new limited edition colours to her Chalk Paint palette.

The luxury of an armchair which one wishes to sink into and never escape

The activity of sitting has been much-maligned, but now receives an elegant makeover in the form of a moss green armchair from The Queen of Serene.

Eight of the best floor lamps to bring light into your living spaces

How to decorate your entrance hall: Choosing colours, right lighting and what to do about furniture and pictures

Architectural historian, interior designer and natural-paint specialist Edward Bulmer reveals the secrets of successful hallway decorating.

The man they call 'the paint detective' shares his 10 tips for choosing the right colours for your house

Patrick Baty can reveal a room’s colourful past using only the most scant evidence. He spoke to Amelia Thorpe about his life, his work – and his 10 tips for choosing the right colours for your house.

The benefits of four-poster beds: 'I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t sleep better in one'

Interior designer Veere Grenney tells Arabella Youens why the only bed to have is a four-poster.

A library in Bath transformed into a bright and beautiful room to think, play the piano and just enjoy the view

Nicola Harding and Christopher Howe joined forces to transform this first-floor library into a serenely elegant sitting room. Arabella Youens explains more.

Shelf life: Home library design ideas

Kit Kemp explains how shelves of carefully chosen books can transform a room.

The best things to add to to your house to increase its value, from party barns to dressing rooms

The designer’s drawing room: ‘When you mix things together, each piece has to have integrity’

Antique dealer Christopher Howe evokes a classic English drawing room.

The designer’s bedroom: ‘Juxtaposing colours and pattern is great, but you still need to know when to pull back’

South African designer Hubert Zandberg’s blend of new and vintage pieces can lend depth and character to any room.

How to combine colour, pattern and texture without making a complete mess of things

Tricia Guild, designer, founder and creative director of Designers Guild, offers advice on boldly combining coloured fabric, wallpaper and paint.

10 ways interior design will change in 2018: The death of minimalism and an end to trend-chasing

Our interiors editor Giles Kime gazed into his crystal ball to make these bold predictions for what might happen in the world of interiors during 2018.

Dining room v Dining in the kitchen: The great debate

How to prepare your home for Christmas entertaining

Interior designer Nina Campbell shares her thoughts on preparing for the festive season.

How to declutter your house without losing your mind

Decluttering a house filled with inherited treasures can be a monumental challenge. Debora Robertson explains how to sort out your stuff without losing your mind and alienating your entire family.