Interiors

10 decorations you'll love to line your table with this festive season

Selected by Amelia Thorpe, these decorative delights are sure to give any dinner party a certain je ne sais quoi.

How a derelict cattle shed became a traditional farmhouse kitchen

A transformation on this scale takes time, effort and good materials. Luckily, Helen Parker had all three.

The secrets of good lighting, from plug placement down to dimmer switches

Interior designer Charlotte Crosland reveals the secrets of good lighting.

Beyond Pinterest: The best ways to ensure your lovely objects aren't exactly the same as everyone else's

Giles Kime asks whether the the ‘digital pop up’ the answer to the homogeneous home.

The best of the Black Friday deals: From bags to coffee, and from scooters to holidays in the Maldives

The world seems to be going Black Friday barmy this week. We've picked out a few of the best deals.

The country house kitchen created from six knocked-together rooms to create a stunning 1,000sq ft living, cooking and entertaining space

Country Life's inaugural award for the creation of a new kitchen in an old space has been awarded to Birdsall House in North Yorkshire. Giles Kime explains more.

Seven gorgeous fires to keep you warm this winter, from clean and green to striking marble

The Beauty of British Stone: How to choose the perfect home-grown stone to suit your home

Stone that's home-grown (and hewn) is best, says Artorius Faber's creative director Nikki Chee.

How to choose perfect bed sheets: 'People think the higher the count, the better — it isn't'

There is nothing quite like clean, crisp bed sheets - and given how much time we spend in them, it may be time to invest.

How to use Turkish rugs to create a rustic, charming family room

Tor Vivian’s use of kilims has lent character to this newly built extension.

How to create the perfect party kitchen in a historic home

For owners of historically important houses, creating a kitchen in tune with 21st-century living can be a headache. Wood Hall is an example of just how well they can turn out - Freya Hardman found out how.

How to avoid a boxy extension by moving your kitchen into one of the finest rooms in a house

For owners of historically important houses, creating a kitchen in tune with 21st-century living can be a headache. Freya Hardman spoke to the owners of Dedham House in Essex, which had been shortlisted for the the Historic Houses Kitchen Award, celebrating the best new kitchens in old spaces.

The photographs (and photographers) who shaped the English country house style from the 1900s up to today

To coincide with the publication of his new book illustrated from the archives of Country Life, 'English House Style', John Goodall considers the long tradition of the magazine’s peerless interior photography.

How to turn a period property's working kitchen in to a social space for a modern family

Birdsall House in North Yorkshire was laid out perfectly for a family with a host of staff. When Lady Cara and her husband Lord Willoughby moved in, they decided that they would work a different way. Freya Hardman discovered how they achieved their dream kitchen.

Inside the designer's home: Birdie Fortescue's picture-perfect house in Norfolk

The designer and antique dealer Birdie Fortescue has decorated her Norfolk house in a highly distinctive style. She spoke to Arabella Youens; photographs by Simon Brown.

A book that informs, inspires and surprises from a designer as engaging as a fantasy art-history teacher

The vast and audacious architecture of London's greatest theatres

Roger Bowdler takes a look at 'London’s Great Theatres', a new book by Simon Callow with photography from Derry Moore.

The book that combats disposable culture with tips and tricks for the perfect restoration

Mary Miers applauds an evocative portrait of a group of London Georgian houses cherished back to life.

Transforming a space with paints and wallpapers, from natural hues to velvety bold colours

Amelia Thorpe rounds up the latest wallpapers and paint colours.

How to change the personality of your kitchen with a fresh coat of paint

To accompany the launch of her new paint collection for Plain English, interior designer Rita Konig reveals the secrets of choosing colour for kitchens.