Interiors

Eight of the best floor lamps to bring light into your living spaces

Six indispensable lighting tips: What to do and what not to do to get it right

Interior designer Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors shares her secrets for getting the right lighting.

The return of the ottoman, the 'decorator's secret weapon' in the heart of your sitting room

Giles Kime takes a look at the welcome return of the ottoman, the sitting room piece that’s becoming more and more prevalent thanks to the influence of some of our best designers.

How to transform a dark Victorian kitchen into a charming social space with bespoke joinery

Charlotte Crosland redesign project turned into an entire refurbishment when it came to this Victorian house in London, including this stunning kitchen, brightened by the addition of bespoke windows and stunning furnishings.

A perfectly-formed small bedroom, as designed by Nina Campbell

If you're looking for inspiration on how to make a small bedroom both beautiful and comfortable, take a look at how designer Nina Campbell transformed this guest bedroom with a space-defying scheme.

Traditionally trendy: The stunning bathroom of a completely refurbished Grade II-listed Georgian rectory

The bathroom in a Georgian rectory owes its handsome good looks to traditional joinery, parquet floor and fittings. Rachel Leedham paid a visit.

Curious Questions: Has the tea cosy gone forever?

Is it all over for the once ubiquitous tea cosy? Debora Robertson investigates.

The abandoned dairy building that has become a stunning four-bedroom country home

Kate Priestley's father transformed this outbuilding into calving pens in the 1990s. It is now home to a rather different sort of family – a human one. Anna Tyzack reports.

The ‘magical’ sheep shed that was lovingly turned into the perfect anniversary present: A weekend hideaway

Christopher Howe urged his client not to overpay for the dank sheep shed he saw in pictures. When he visited it in person, he declared it to be magical and set about turning it into a beautiful living space. Anna Tyzack reports.

A wreck with a corrugated roof and rotten walls has become a charming holiday rental property

For the first time in the history of Country Life, the lack of historical significance and beauty in a property worked to its benefit. The Peacock's old chicken house has now been converted into a stunning holiday let which may not yet be historically significant, but has certainly gained its fair share of beauty.

The cart shed and dovecote which together became a charming family home

In spite of rigid planning restrictions, architect Simon Marson has managed to convert two unused outbuildings into a picturesque country cottage. Anna Tyzack finds out how he did it.

The rundown stable which became a stunning party barn, perfect for New Year's Eve parties

Unloved outbuildings and rundown stables provide the perfect opportunity for some imaginative updating. Case in point: this 18th century stable block which, with a little hard work, became the perfect place to host a festive celebration.

How to decorate your entrance hall: Choosing colours, right lighting and what to do about furniture and pictures

Architectural historian, interior designer and natural-paint specialist Edward Bulmer reveals the secrets of successful hallway decorating.

Christmas gift ideas for around the house and garden

For the newly married couple, decor enthusiast or the person who has just about everything else, here is a collection of wonderful gifts for the whole household to enjoy.

Six of Britain’s finest art and building conservationists on history, technology and the secrets of their trades

It takes a huge amount of skill and technical expertise to restore historic objects and interiors. John Goodall speaks to six specialists about their work and its challenges.

How to use pieces from around the world to create a fine English bedroom

Designer Sophie Paterson explains how she used influences from around the world to transform the master bedroom of a town house in Chelsea.

Country Life Top 10: Luxury dog beds

As our four-legged friends take over our lives, Arabella Youens charts the unstoppable rise of the luxury dog bed.

The utterly royal shopping list, from beautiful winter flowers to hand-made suits that defy disposable culture

For one week only we've transformed our regular utterly inessential shopping list into an utterly royal shopping list, to coincide with the Prince of Wales guest editing Country Life.

A stunning country kitchen, which draws inspiration from the late Victorian kitchen at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

The kitchen of Lanhydrock House in Cornwall provided the inspiration for a stunning new kitchen, designed by Bruce Hodgson of Artichoke.

The utterly inessential shopping list: Spooky shoes, the art of the tarte and a royally good sweatshirt

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. In a new series, Country Life's Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.