Interiors

The thatched roof renaissance

An industry under threat has once again caught the attention of modern architects, with young thatchers having the chance not only to work, but to develop their own particular style, says Sarah Langford.

The secret to transforming an awkwardly shaped room

Cave Interiors turned the awkwardly shaped sitting room of an Edwardian house into a warm and welcoming space.

10 ways to insulate a period property

Modern technology might offer sustainable, cost-effective heat sources, but the best-value unit of energy is the one you don’t lose through your roof, floors, walls and windows. Tim Moulding, a eighth-generation builder, suggests ways to keep an old building warm. Illustration by Adam Larkum

Vaughan: Masters of past and present

Drawing inspiration from antiques, designers Lucy and Michael Vaughan create striking designs that combine the best of classic and contemporary.

The new look in kitchens isn't chic and sleek — it's decorated and pretty

There’s no reason why a kitchen can’t be pretty; Arabella Youens speaks to designers who've made it their mission to bring charm and comfort to the most-used room in the house.

How to make a Super Cottage, by designer Bee Osborn

There’s no reason why a small house shouldn’t feel like a big one, says interior designer Bee Osborn.

A light touch: At home with designer Nels Crosthwaite Eyre

Nels Crosthwaite Eyre’s Hampshire house demonstrates her innate ability to create smart, but relaxed interiors that reflect the tastes and needs of a new generation, finds Eleanor Doughty.

Revolution or evolution? The reinvention of cottage interiors

Creating a 'statement island' that defines a kitchen without overwhelming it

Elegant proportions and soft hues offset the dramatic scale of this kitchen in the Cotswolds. Amelia Thorpe takes a look.

All we are saying is give fleece a chance

Wool month is the time to consider sleeping in bedding sourced from a local flock, says Giles Kime.

A modern kitchen perfectly framed by the exquisite ancient beams

Artichoke designed a discreet and timeless kitchen to complement a converted granary. Amelia Thorpe takes a look.

Yes, you can put a new kitchen in a Grade I-listed house — and this beautiful example shows how

Traditional cabinetry was a key ingredient in the sympathetic restoration of a Grade I-listed Tudor house in Shropshire.

Silestone's Le Chic collection: A 21st century classic

Smart, sustainable and highly resilient, Silestone’s new Le Chic offers the best of new and old.

Little Chapel: The tale of Guernsey's seashell-covered, miniature recreation of Lourdes

Designed as a miniature replica of the basilica at Lourdes, the seashell- and mosaic-decorated Little Chapel on Guernsey was at risk of collapse until a group of locals stepped in, as Arabella Youens discovers.

Reader Event: The sustainable country house

Join Country Life at Thyme, in the Cotswolds, for 'The sustainable country house', an event at which you'll discover the secret to creating a house that is sympathetic with its surroundings.

A country house kitchen which shows how adding new walls can transform your space

A new Plain English design in Northumberland demonstrates the benefits of carving up a kitchen.

Why bold pattern is a magic ingredient in a scheme

Going large and bold with pattern is a brilliant way to breath new life into a room. Giles Kime explains more.

How to pep up a featureless room with an injection of drama and colour

Nels Crosthwaite Eyre employed a dramatic wallpaper to inject pattern, scale and colour into a converted building in north London.

A gloomy kitchen entirely re-created as a cosy living space

When Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham were asked to redecorate a country house in Berkshire, the first task was to turn a dark space into a colourful sitting room.

Get two free tickets for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show takes place at ExCeL in London from 22-24 September, and Country Life readers can attend for free.