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There’s no bigger fan of growing dahlias than florist and plantswoman Sarah Raven (opens in new tab). Every year the gardens of her Sussex home Perch Hill are filled with masses of these brilliantly colored blooms. Eminently attractive to bees, dahlias have dark foliage that is an excellent backdrop to other shrubs and flowers both in the border and in bouquets. ‘Dahlias are getting bigger and blowsier year on year,’ says Sarah, ‘with colours soft and romantic to go with it....

However, while St James’s Palace may have re-entered the news in recent weeks, this estate has maintained centuries of significance. It is known as ’the most senior palace in the United Kingdom’ – and one of the most potent royal residences in the country. The Tudor structure, completed in 1536, has housed a host of royals over the centuries – including Anne, Princess Royal, who currently uses it as her London base....

While they may disguise their enthusiasm by filling the room with empty glasses that should have been taken downstairs weeks ago, bedroom ideas are actually hugely important to teenagers, who are just starting to really define their personalities and learn how to make their mark on the world. Empowering a teenage girl to make design decisions and express her personality, tastes and priorities through her bedroom decor is a really important part of creative development and can help boost confidence....

Architect Erik Evens of Evens Architects (opens in new tab) who designed the house explains: ‘The clients were interested in creating a comfortable family home that connected to the great tradition of American farmhouses. They also wanted the house to be the center of family life and to support outside living.’ As the property slopes gently toward the south, it was decided that the house should be sited atop the hill to capture expansive views of the Santa Monica Mountains to the south....

They seem to be constantly littered with debris and sticky grime that takes ages to shift. I had spent ages planning how to organize my pantry well, but the shelf smut was ruining the aesthetic. I have found countless ways of organizing deep pantry shelves in the past and, boy, can it be time-consuming. One of the main reasons I never got around to deep cleaning the shelves was the time it took to reorganize again afterwards....

Owned by Rebecca Young Riboldi, who grew up in North Carolina, and her Italian husband Riccardo, the reconfigured space has a distinctly international flavor, encompassing an irreverent mix of global elements. ‘We share a very similar sense of humor and I think that comes through in the interiors,’ says Rebecca, who turned to designer Irene Gunter of Gunter & Co (opens in new tab) to help revitalize the space. ‘We like light, fun touches and also to go off-piste and even get a bit messy and imperfect at times....

Whether you’re looking for easy updates or starting a new vintage bathroom design from the planning stage, we’ve rounded up our favorite vintage bathroom ideas along with tips from the interior experts. Vintage bathroom ideas There are many ways to channel vintage bathroom style for your master bathroom, from adding in ageless fabrics through curtains and blinds for a cottage bathroom feel, to fitting wood paneling for a traditional bathroom aesthetic....

Originally a barn adjoining the next door farmhouse, it was later converted into two simple ‘one up one down’ cottages, then in the early 1900s it was knocked through to create one cottage. Rachel describes it as ‘a pandemic buy’. Having bought it in February 2021, building work started in March and the interior was completed by September. ‘Our main home is in London but we wanted somewhere closer to family that we could all enjoy, but also generate some income by renting it out....

The answer to the question ‘What causes cracks in walls’ is very similar to ‘Why is my ceiling cracking?’ – simply put, the answer is that something has moved. This could be as minor as plaster drying or the walls expanding and shrinking in response to the weather. At the same time, cracks could equally signify a more major structural problem. ‘Out of control trees and shrubs, cracked drains, leaking rainwater goods and missing roof tiles; are just some of the things that cause cracks in walls and ceilings,’ says Roger Hunt, author of Old House Handbook (opens in new tab)....

In fact, rain chains serve the vital function of collecting rain water from the roof and gutters and channelling it to where it is most needed in the garden. A rain chain might divert rain water to a water butt, into a bed of moisture-loving plants, or to the ground where it can be used to replenish the water table. If you’re looking for garden ideas that tackle drought or take a more climate-friendly approach to gardening – such as a rain garden – then why not include a rain chain as part of your design?...

Getting your kitchen lighting ideas right, however, can create a room that is perfect for both cooking and entertaining guests with a relaxing late-night drink – especially as kitchen ideas continue to dominate as one of the most multi-purpose rooms in our homes. Whether your kitchen is just for cooking, or if it doubles as an entertaining space, a home office, or a dining room, these top designers and experts have shared their approaches to kitchen lighting....

While you may know how to grow raspberries, transplanting raspberries allows you to duplicate your perfect plants without having to purchase new seeds or starters. These fruiting bushes are pretty hardy, making them the ideal plant to learn how to transplant too. Here, we look at when to transplant raspberries in your vegetable garden ideas so you can give your new plants the best chances of success. When to transplant raspberries ‘When transplanting raspberries, it is best to move them before or after fruiting so as not to stress the plant,’ suggests Rachel Crow, garden editor for Homes & Gardens....

Color theory in its entirety can be complicated but there are a few basic principles to help steer you in the right direction, explains Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball. ‘White represents purity, innocence and new beginnings, as well as cleanliness and clarity,’ he says. ‘It can be used everywhere in the home but is very successful in the bathroom and any room where you want to create order and with little distraction....

There are a few logical reasons as to why this plant’s handsome leaves start to turn unsightly brown. Identify the cause and you are halfway to solving the problem. They come from the humid rainforests of West Africa, yet you can grow and care for fiddle leaf figs in a heated home; however, there are few areas where they can be a little picky. We’ve consulted the experts to see which are the most likely causes for why fiddle leaf figs’ leaves occasionally turn brown, and to find out how they can be rectified....

A home workout can also be just as effective as a gym workout. Don’t worry if you have minimal space at home or no equipment – most of the exercises below can be done without weights, or only require a pair of light dumbbells, a skipping rope or a pull-up bar. For the best results try to aim for around 20-40 minutes of exercise three to four times a week....

And she’s been back working her magic again at the stunning Lime Wood hotel in Hampshire. Over the last 10 years, Lime Wood has been the platform and creative space for some of the most exciting interior designers and architects in the UK. Overseen by the dynamic team with Robin Hutson at the helm, Lime Wood has continued to develop a strong design aesthetic over the years whilst always remaining true to its identity as a down-to-earth forest retreat....

But while a permanent five-star vacation can’t be ours, we’re delighted to say taking interior design lessons from the creators of top-tier hotels is possible. Get cues from them and you can enjoy luxe and fabulous looks within your own four walls. Read on to profit from the expertise of the designers of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts...

As well as being aesthetically pleasing, these organizers have features that strive to accentuate your makeup collection and help with organizing a bedroom. That includes lipstick holders to show off the range of shades you have, and space for brushes so that you can pluck out the one you need instantly. Rather than letting your expensive makeup products gather dust in a drawer, these organizers can open your eyes to what you have, and motivate you to use different products in your routine too....

After ordering the Birch original mattress, I decided to give the brand’s natural topper a try, too. There are a few reasons we went with the Birch mattress brand in the first place. For one, it’s among the best mattress brands if you’re looking for an organic, all-natural bed. Birch products are made up of materials like GOTS-certified cotton, eco-INSTITUT-certified Talalay latex, and hypoallergenic organic wool. The company also doesn’t use chemical flame retardants (or any toxic chemicals, for that matter)....

The sprawling 12-bedroom equestrian property, called Bushey Park, is set in 27 acres of picturesque County Wicklow countryside. See: The best hotel gardens from around the UK With over 23,158 square feet of accommodation, including a splendid indoor pool complex, the main house is augmented by a Guest House and Gate Lodge to offer 25,685 square feet of space in total. Beautifully positioned against a backdrop of the Dublin Mountains within a picturesque pastoral valley, the setting is spectacular and magical, and is just 1....