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‘In my book, a bit of oddness is always a good thing’
‘Lofts set themselves apart, feeling more like treehouse cabins than anything else. They lend themselves to the unusual’
‘I can’t say I had foreseen feeling so strongly about a light switch, but I really am in love with the LS 990’
Reupholstering existing pieces is often the most sustainable option — but the range of materials can be formidable
‘I love leaving it up to the gods (or dealers and shopkeepers) to place the right book in front of me’
‘As a tenant, I could never have rented a house with a no-painting rule in place. The horror!’
‘A toaster and a table lamp is all very well, but listen to your heart too’
Pile stuff on, strip it back, aim for both harmony and jarring contrasts — in short, joyously freestyle
‘I understood that I’d need to tie the spaces together enough for them to feel harmonious, but I also wanted them to have their own character’
‘A minibreak might not only provide a holiday, but also spark ideas. In essence, it’s all research’
‘The preparation doesn’t happen by magic. Rope in a teenager to help, then focus on partying’
Painted tiles, rustic textures, lots of greenery — but, above all, you need a sense of languid nonchalance
‘Laying gravel instead of paving would provide space for your car and still allow plants to grow’
‘I like the idea of taking an off-the peg standard or vintage piece of furniture and giving it a DIY facelift’
There are plenty of wonderful things in small galleries or websites — just avoid cheap reproductions
‘I use inexpensive containers to hold my tulips: I always like a simple glass cylinder, and I adore a bucket’
Time to ditch the bifold doors: ‘I see castellations, I see finials’
‘When I think of country comfort, I think of squidgy sofas, ottomans the size of small cars and plenty of soft lighting’
Three-dimensional art can range from a piece of rock on the mantelpiece to a pair of satyr’s hips on a plinth
In spring, a young man’s fancy turns to garden furniture
There’s nowhere better to look for ideas than in the rich and magical settings of movies
Greek gods in your swimming pool; classical figures flanking your fireplace . . . when it comes to murals, your imagination can run wild
Must we always be in such a hurry to turn atmospheric outbuildings into spas, offices and studies?
This overlooked essential is something we use daily, so why not make it as nice as possible?
You don’t need a total refit: small changes, new paint and accessories can create a room that feels totally different
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