His name has featured on lists of pre-eminent designers in influential publications for more than a decade; the interiors of his country retreat ‘The Temple’ have rightly been recognised in the book Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century (Phaidon), and India Hicks is not the only aesthete to have paid homage to his eye, confessing in one of her books to ‘copying’ a bedroom scheme in her own Oxfordshire home....
Here’s how to seal up baseboards for a neat, professional finish. How to caulk baseboards How to caulk baseboards You might already know how to caulk a bathtub or caulk a shower, in which case, you’re just about good to go with caulking baseboards because the principles are much the same. All you need is a little patience, a few DIY tools and some handy tips. You will need: 1. Choose your baseboard caulk 1....
But even kitchens with low maintenance finishes in dimly lit spaces benefit from a deep clean every once in a while, for the sake of good hygiene and your own peace of mind. The dirt levels in any kitchen are exacerbated by the steam from cooking pots and pans, which often contain miniscule oil particles. The most powerful extractor hood can’t stop some of this greasy steam settling on kitchen surfaces....
After all, the Christmas cactus is a pretty flowering succulent that blooms from November to January (hence its name), making it a perfect addition to your Christmas decor ideas. But once you’ve pinned down how to grow a Christmas cactus, and how to make a Christmas cactus bloom again, you’ll need to know how to repot a Christmas cactus to ensure you get the most from your plant purchase. We tell you how in our expert guide....
The way we sleep could also be to blame for a variety of health issues, from snoring and sleep apnoea to starting every day feeling tired, sore and cranky. For some, the wrong sleep position can even result in serious joint misalignment and pain that requires professional medical attention. See: Best mattress – the best foam, innerspring and hybrid mattresses While it’s not always a conscious choice, being more mindful of how you lay in bed and which positions are most suitable for specific needs, can revolutionise sleep success....
On top of that, these annual plants smell wonderful and lure beneficial insects that protect edible crops from predators. Easy to grow and available in bold, fiery shades of orange or gold marigolds are a welcome site among flower bed ideas, and our guide has the lowdown on when to plant them. When to plant marigolds When to plant marigolds You can grow marigolds from seed or put in ready-grown plants, and there are two main types: Calendula and Tagetes....
Despite their positive energy and good looks, this tree (also known as the Guiana Chestnut) does involve regular maintenance – and learning the intricacies of money tree care will work wonders for your plant. Though even if you’ve mastered an effective routine, you may still notice that your money tree is losing leaves – making it hard to diagnose the problem. However, with the right advice, you can get to the root of the problem and revive your best indoor tree back to its former beauty over time....
So, before you start redesigning a room with a fixed idea of what’s wrong and what’s right, take a look at the top 10 interior design myths our experts want to dispel below… Because some rules were made to be broken. See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts 1. Small rooms should be painted white 1. Small rooms should be painted white Emma Sims Hilditch, of UK-based design studio Sims Hilditch (opens in new tab), says: ‘Contrary to belief, we recommend that our clients paint their darker, north-facing rooms in darker colors....
Wood is finding its way into kitchens in all sorts of ways – both simple and more structured, from beautiful oak breakfast bars to design detailing in oak, ash, maple and walnut. Wood works as the perfect antidote to streamlined or painted units – its homely tactile qualities can warm up a visually cold scheme instantly. These are just some of the ways our favorite design experts are adding wood to their kitchens....
‘The owner of this house is a passionate collector and she would come into the Brook Street shop all the time,’ Daniel recalls. He continues, ‘Twenty years on, she got in touch with me via Instagram to say that she and her partner were downsizing to a house around the corner from their previous home, and she wondered if I could help.’ See: World’s best homes – gorgeous properties from around the globe...
Focusing on the soft furnishings among your bedroom ideas is crucial the success of any scheme, but the importance of the room’s carpet can often get forgotten amid the emphasis on comfortable bedding and cosseting curtains. As the first surface you feel when getting out of bed in the morning, bedroom flooring ideas aren’t just about aesthetics – getting the feel of a bedroom carpet right is hugely important, while its look can completely transform a design scheme....
They are generally spacious with light-filled rooms and you might be fortunate enough to find one with the original features intact. Below we look at this historic house style in the US. What is an Edwardian house? What is an Edwardian house? Edwardian houses were built in San Francisco at the beginning of the 20th century, immediately after the Victorian era. This was at a time when wealthy residents were tiring of the heavy, ostentatious style of Victorian architecture and moving towards a more pared-down look....
See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts ‘When designing our clients’ homes, it is our top priority to ensure the house feels lived in and homely. Even if we are starting from scratch with no personal possessions (which happens occasionally), we look to ensure the house feels like it has evolved over time,’ says Emma who heads up interior design agency, Sims Hilditch (opens in new tab)....
