Following the success of Dream Acres last year, Country Life is launching Dream House, a seven-part series starting next week (September 1) in which Architectural Editor John Goodall and conservation architect Ptolemy Dean will demystify the architecture of the English country house, and provide readers with ideas about the ways their own homes might be improved. Seven figures from the world of architecture have each been commissioned, with a free rein in terms of building regulations, to redesign a house, from Classical villas to derelict farmhouses.

They are historic-building specialist Hugh Petter (September 1), progressive Classical design specialist Craig Hamilton (September 8), conservation and environmental specialist Jenny Humphreys (September 15), contextual specialist James Gorst (September 22), conservation architect Jane Kennedy (September 29), trainee architect Charles Page (October 6) and acclaimed surveyor Charles Morris (October 13).