The previous night’s heavy rainstorm had brought down several large trees in the forest and broken branches were strewn about the ground. Walking through the felled trees, Laly Joseph spotted an orchid clinging to one of the snapped boughs. She gently secured the plant and carefully transplanted it on to a standing tree. At the … Read more
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/picture/2025/jun/28/gardening-with-the-kids-becky-barnicoat-cartoon
Well-crafted family homes, a beach house that invites the outside in, and a stunning concrete bunker in a high-risk fire zone are just some of the winners in the 2025 Victorian Architecture awards category for new residential properties, presented on 27 June. Hamish Lyon, chair of juries, says these homes represent ‘thoughtful architecture working with … Read more
Whether you’re dining outside, relaxing with a book or entertaining guests, a well-placed parasol, umbrella or shade sail can transform your garden into a comfortable and stylish extension of your home. A carefully chosen shade can help protect you from UV rays (don’t forgo a good sunscreen, though), creating cool, sheltered spots from where you … Read more
‘No Buy’ July: Is It Really a Good Idea?
This week, I read that Joa Studholme, Farrow & Ball’s colour curator, was predicting the onslaught of butter yellow paint in our homes a decade ago, when everyone was still furiously coating their walls in “mizzle” grey. I marvelled at both her foresight and the comfortingly glacial pace of interior design trends. But if interiors trends … Read more
Gardening, I’ve realised, is easy. It’s clearing up afterwards that takes all the effort. This is true of many things, from cooking to relationships. Doing them is one thing; sorting the mess out afterwards is another. Planting stuff is a doddle. Planting the right things in the right place is less straightforward. But both are … Read more
Help! I Dinged a Rental Car in Europe, and My Credit Card Won’t Cover It.
Name: Living apart together. Age: At least since Victorian times. Appearance: Separate beds, busy loins. Living apart together? Is that where you share a home with your partner, but you’ve become so emotionally estranged that you can feel your connection eroding on a daily basis? No. Why? No reason. Carry on! It’s the opposite. Couples … Read more
Island-Hopping on a D.I.Y. Caribbean Cruise