I have recently been inspired by several new books, including Clive Aslet’s The Story of the Country House , a birthday present from my daughter and a great account of how and why our architecture developed as it did. Recipes for Surfaces , by Mindy Drucker and Pierre Finklestein, a very comprehensive collection of how to create historic paint effects, bought second-hand online, and Ruth Guilding’s delicious Bible of British Taste which I am savouring, slowly, mostly on Sund

One of my favourite memories from my small village primary school was going off on long walks, collecting treasures from the nearby...

We recently visited a very nice garden centre that was recommended by a friend (thank you Edward). Housed within a Victorian walled...

Taking part in a television series is a strange thing. Unless you are a celebrity, it is entirely voluntary; meaning you don’t get paid,...