Every Thursday, we look back into the Country Life architecture archives — this week, we've revisited a retrospective on some of the most beautiful staircases ever to appear in the pages of Country Life Magazine, as originally chosen by our architecture editor John Goodall back in 2017.
Wrought ironwork dates back as far as the Romans and, properly maintained, is a wonderful way of marking your boundaries
The 18th-century dining room at Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, fell prey to dry rot in the 20th century. As a result, sections of the panelling and plasterwork had to be removed. The interior has recently been restored in a way that makes apparent the damage, with paintings and furnish- ings placed over the stripped brick-work. Even the broken cord of the central chandelier remains. The overall effect is both distinctive and striking as this view, taken in 2016 illustrates. Photograph by Paul Highnam
John spent his childhood in Kenya, Germany, India and Yorkshire before joining Country Life in 2007, via the University of Durham. Known for his irrepressible love of castles and the Frozen soundtrack, and a laugh that lights up the lives of those around him, John also moonlights as a walking encyclopedia and is the author of several books.
Helene Kröller-Müller: The woman who made van Gogh
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawn
