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Spanning the decade between the Thirties and the Seventies, these simple shapes were inspired by earlier design movements, including the Bauhaus school in Germany. Materials such as moulded plastics allowed world’s best interior designers to explore new textures, colors and forms. Here we explore the very best of the mid-century modern décor trend – and how to effectively and beautifully use this popular interior design aesthetic in your home. Mid-century modern decor ideas – how to embrace this popular trend While the style is still used today in new structures, the name comes from the period in which the style emerged, between 1945 and 1970, though primarily between 1947 and 1957....

Not only will a modern powder room add value to your home, it could also be particularly handy when you’re entertaining friends and family. A well-designed powder room will punch well above its weight in terms of household usefulness. These contemporary bathroom ideas and half bathroom ideas for your downstairs WC will help you revamp an existing powder room – or make the most of unused space with an additional loo....

The renovation was carried out by design studio Sims Hilditch (opens in new tab), who are experts in creating tasteful, timeless interiors. Speaking about the project, Emma Sims-Hilditch says: ‘Much of the design of this Swiss chalet was authentic and original, however, the interior was in need of redecoration to reflect modern living. ‘The brief for this property was to create a cozy interior that maintains all of the chalet’s character and charm....

Perfect as an accompaniment to meat and grain recipes, this onion dishes are light, flavorful and easy to create. Onion recipes These onion recipes aim to remedy that, making the allium the star. Incidentally, never trust a recipe that claims onions can be softened in three minutes; they require slow, gentle cooking. The best things are always worth waiting for. See: Recipes – our dedicated page for tasty meals...

With the environment at the forefront of our minds, pine cone decorations offer a way to decorate sustainably. Sourcing them on a fall or winter walk is a fun family activity, plus they can be dried and used in all sorts of pine cone Christmas craft ideas. If you’re planning your Christmas decor ideas then take a look at these lovely pine cone decorations which are perfect for a rustic or woodland Christmas theme....

See our Movers & Shakers section for more makers It all started back home in Newcastle when I was studying GCSE art. My teacher, who also happened to be a brilliant potter, was a real inspiration and he sparked my interest in ceramics. Along with four of my classmates, I went on to do a BA in Ceramic Design at the Glasgow School of Art. Many other pupils from our school now have careers in ceramics, which is testament to his teaching....

‘Modern, elevated, but warm and comfortable,’ is how Thomas Morbitzer of Ammor Architecture (opens in new tab) describes the apartment’s new style, the result of a collaboration between the firm and the apartment’s owners, a couple with three young children. The redesign took a very classic Upper East Side apartment, with multiple rooms, separate kitchen, formal dining room, sitting room and bedrooms arranged off a central hallway, and transformed it into something much more modern....

One question we are often asked is: Should a kitchen sink be centered under a window? The answer might seem simple, but there are many factors to consider before making a final decision. Here, we’ve spoken to kitchen designers about the best placement for your kitchen sink, whether you are planning a full kitchen remodel or integrating your sink into your existing scheme. Should a kitchen sink be centered under a window?...

If you know how to grow daylilies you will understand that these plants typically require very little care to allow them to thrive. Despite thriving best in full sun, these plants will also grow well in part shade, in soil, or in pots equally. There is even no set answer for when to plant daylilies as these flowers can establish themselves throughout the year. Pruning these perennials, then, is yet another added but not totally necessary step to help foster the most flowers....

Beautifully-designed spring porch decor offers a unique experience to create something special, making the most of whatever space you do have and, in turn, offering a wonderful first impression for visitors this season. Below, we have some wonderful ways to decorate a front porch for the season ahead. Spring porch decor – 10 seasonal styles for the warmer climate When it comes to spring decor ideas, think in color, comfort and style....

But lighting can also be designed to show what a fabulous sculptural feature of a home the staircase is, illuminating its shape and the materials from which it’s made, as part of your hallway ideas. Be inspired by the staircase lighting ideas we’ve gathered here together with expert advice from design professionals. Staircase lighting ideas Staircase lighting illuminates a central feature of your home. ‘When considering lighting, the design of staircase ideas, construction and desired effects are the key elements to consider, along with finish and texture,’ says Luke Thomas, creative director of John Cullen Lighting (opens in new tab)....

Margo’s ranges encompass furniture, lighting and home accessories, and she has also recently collaborated on a carpet collection with Alternative Flooring. See: Textile trends – the latest looks for fabrics There is a history in my family of women making textiles in the home. My grandmother, Edith Selby, known as Janie, taught me to crotchet and cross-stitch, so it was an obvious choice to concentrate on textiles when I did my foundation at Chelsea College of Arts....

Our reviews team has tried some of the best slow cookers on the market, but though slow cookers are very energy efficient compared to other ways of cooking, they had never come across a model that costs as little to use as these non-electric thermal cookers. And, while we have not had the chance to try them yet, we are seriously impressed by the verified user reviews. With everyone looking to find ways to save money at home at the moment, these thermal slow cookers will be a game changer, because they are guaranteed to cut energy bills....

They called in an interior designer for advice and to help them translate their ideas into workable plans to transform their home. The results – as you can see – are stunning, and truly make this one of the world’s best homes. It’s now somewhere the couple are proud to welcome friends and family, with plenty of space for entertaining and a relaxed vibe for quieter times with close family - and dogs!...

Whether you’re looking to create an authentic dining room in keeping with your period home or nod to the past with a stylish interior that blends old with new, there are plenty of traditional dining room ideas to help create the perfect space no matter the size. From walls, floors and window treatments, to tables, chairs, storage and lighting –not forgetting the all important finishing touches – there are multiple elements to consider when it comes to traditional dining room ideas and each can play a part in creating the perfectly balanced, harmonious scheme....

Symbolizing empathy, freshness, and vitality, the color blue is an enduring favorite when it comes to interiors. Whether using it as a statement pattern, as a bold block color, or as a subtle accent, using blue in the home is a tried-and-tested method to reduce stress, calm, and heal the mind. Room color ideas are the perfect way to transform a space easily, adding personality and character, says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene....

The hybrid mattress was invented in 2008 to make something more comfortable than the existing options of a mattress with either coil springs or foam. Hybrid models with springs and foam have since become some of the most popular out there, and you’ll often hear them described as giving you the best of both worlds. Below, we explain what hybrid mattresses are to help you decide whether this might be the best mattress type for you, taking into consideration your sleeping position and budget....

Joining in might mean not mowing all of the lawn that’s part of your backyard landscaping ideas, or leaving just a small area unmowed, but either way the aim is to let flowers bloom, and provide nectar for pollinators. Here, we’ve put together all you might want to know about No Mow May, so you can decide if participating is right for you. No Mow May: what is it? Launched by British conservation charity Plantlife (opens in new tab) in 2019, No Mow May has seen increasing participation in the US....

Whether you’re working with a particularly compact urban space or you want to accentuate an (already) moderately-sized room – your kitchen color ideas have a significant influence on how big your space feels. But which hue is the most powerful? White – and similar neutral tones – is at the peak of experts’ approval list – most prominently because of its reflective qualities. However, there is even more to this shade than its luminous qualities....

Growing pansies extends the season with bold, bright flowers that fill the backyard with color. Pansies are short-lived perennials, popular for using for your container gardening ideas and garden edging. Their colorful flowers are often beautifully marked in the center and look like ‘faces’. ‘An enormous range of flower colors and variations includes blue, mauve, pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, and white, they’re often bicolored and tricolored with a mixture of shades too,’ says Rachel Crow, Homes & Gardens’ gardening expert....