See more: World’s best homes – our page dedicated to fabulous properties The property ‘I’d spent four years planning and building my last home, and had only lived in it for a short time. Nevertheless, I was excited about creating a new home with my husband. I’d gathered masses of experience over the years which paved the way for my business, Mason Designs (masondesigns.co.uk). I also brought in my trusted builders, Voytex Construction and was helped with the lighting scheme by John Cullen Lighting,’ she says....

‘We’d rented in the same area for a few years and when this house came on the market we fell in love with the footprint. Properties on this road don’t come up very often, so I came to view it while Lorne was working in LA,’ Nina explains. ‘The lady who owned it had lived here for 20 years and while it was very stylish, there was a certain amount of work we knew would have to be done,’ she explains....

Located in the famous Campanile building on Manhattan’s east side, this property boasts rose-hued Fortuny silk walls, a wood-paneled living room, and ornate French doors that lead to a private balcony. With these features and its prestigious postcode combined, this apartment is one of the most exciting listings currently on the market – and one of the world’s best homes. Swedish-born Greta Garbo began her career in silent films before becoming one of MGM’s highest-grossing box office stars....

Their vision was to restore the house back to how it would have originally been while adding a contemporary design that connected with the landscape and provided an open-plan space for their family to enjoy. For anyone thinking of taking on a renovation, being able to adapt is Nick’s biggest tip, as well as anticipating that whatever funds you put aside for building work, it’s going to cost more. Patience is important too, for a project of this scale....

The home, listed for $12.995 million, has quickly been hailed as one of the world’s best homes with two floors of living space and uninterrupted views of the city. It is sure to be snapped up sooner rather than later. Here we take a tour of the penthouse and the long list of amenities the property has. With astonishing views of New York City, the 3,600-square-foot duplex has had significant work done to it since Noah bought the lot in 2017....

You may already know that you can make fabulous fresh soup with an immersion blender but may be wondering just how you should go about it. You might also be considering if it’s the appliance to use for creating smoothies. And what about using it for tasks such as whipping cream, crushing and blending ice, crushing frozen fruit, and frothing milk? Is it the appliance for the job when these are on the agenda?...

Named after the natural material that is formed from carbon, the color graphite embodies a deep, dark gray shade that can be a versatile and grounding choice for decorating ideas in the home. Graphite sits within a spectrum of other gray shades, created through a mix of black, white and blue. A unique neutral that can connect a space with the natural world, using dark shades such as graphite in interior design can create an atmosphere rich with character and contemporary edge....

Named after the metamorphic rock of the same color, known for being used as a building material for flooring and roof tile designs, slate is considered to be a gray shade with beautiful blue undertones. When planning room color ideas, slate can bring a sense of the outdoors into the home, as well as create a sophisticated, modern scheme, working well for both classic and contemporary interiors. A versatile neutral, when decorating with gray, working with the color slate can bring a timeless appeal to your chosen environment....

Creating a festive table setting for the holiday is worth the effort, adding to the atmosphere of the celebration, and the centerpiece – similarly to Thanksgiving decor ideas – is a vital part of the design, but you might be wondering how to do you decorate a centerpiece that is worthy of showing off. Take inspiration from these ideas for Hanukkah centerpieces to make your setting look special. What is a Hanukkah centerpiece?...

So, why buy a mattress topper? If you want to improve the quality and longevity of a perfectly adequate mattress, then investing in a mattress topper could be the best investment you make for your sleep. After all, a better night’s sleep will improve your mood, health, and wellness, so it is a worthwhile consideration. The best mattress toppers make an instant difference to the comfort levels of your existing bed, but there are a wide range of differences, and depending on the age and quality of your mattress, you may not need even need to buy one at all....

With fall lawn care taking up most of your gardening time in the fall season, setting out a schedule of when vital tasks need to be completed will help you to keep on top of your long to-do list. Here, lawn and gardening experts have shared their advice on the best time to fertilize a lawn in the fall, as well as divulged the benefits of this lawn care practice....

With its huge, umbrella-like leaves and crunchy stems, rhubarb doesn’t just add a wow factor to your desserts, but to your garden, too. The thin, stringy stems often found in the grocery store are a far cry from the chunky, tender stems you can harvest in your own backyard, so it is well worth learning how to grow rhubarb. It’s also a great crop for vegetable garden beginners as it’s difficult to kill once established, can yield enormous amounts of stems, and will continue cropping for many years....

Most of us will clean up our cooking and dining space after dinner – I’d always clear the table, load the dishwasher and rinse out the sink each evening. And that was that. The idea of taking my clean-up to the next level felt like too much of a chore – until I heard about ‘closing down’ the kitchen, and not using so much as a teaspoon until the following day....

The concept of zen can be difficult to understand but in essence the term takes its name from zen Buddhism which aims to find enlightenment through meditation. Being in a state of zen is commonly defined as to be in a place of ultimate calm where the mind is emptied of thoughts and free to connect with intuitive feelings. So how does this translate to bedroom ideas? Zen bedrooms are tranquil spaces that are free of distractions and aim sooth the mind and senses....

‘This versatile neutral is wonderful as a striking statement or subtle background shade, and there’s one (or more) on our color card for every kind of space,’ says Farrow & Ball color specialists. So, what are the most popular Farrow & Ball colors in 2021? Read on to find out… See: Grey living room ideas – for gorgeous neutral schemes Which is the most popular Farrow & Ball color – and why?...

‘As an ethical and holistic designer, every decision I make has an environmental or social impact, so I am rigorous when it comes to selecting “better” products for my clients,’ says Maria Tibblin, Holistic Design Director, Maria Tibblin. ‘Whilst we can’t always be perfect, and sometimes the information we need is not clearly presented or available, the more we ask retailers and suppliers the right questions regarding product origins and how they have been made, it will inevitably impact the products they choose to stock and sell....

It’s a beautiful trend that’s perfect for this moment in time. Defined as ‘having the characteristics of traditional culture and customs’ and ‘informal and unpretentious’, a folksy home is one that brings together the decorative arts and crafts of different cultures to create playful, unique and homely spaces. Here’s why we and so many names in interior design love the look. See: Interior design trends – top looks for the year ahead...

This kitchen by Interior Designer Anja Michals manages to channel both French countryside rusticity and the sartorial splendor of the City of Lights – with the whole design inspired by a century-old classic of French home cookery. Michals talks us through how she created a cordon bleu kitchen for a prolific cook that blends functionality, fashion and farmhouse chic. 1. Use your dream feature as a starting point If there is a long coveted statement piece you couldn’t imagine your kitchen without, use it as a starting point for the rest of your kitchen ideas....

Scroll down to enjoy their beautiful home and read their fascinating history – then jump to our page of the world’s best homes to see more beautiful houses. It hasn’t been an easy journey to get here. In 2016, after a decade of uncertainty, the family farm in Staffordshire was compulsory purchased to make way for HS2 - a large-scale transport project. For Jo’s father-in-law, John, it was particularly emotional as his family had farmed there since 1921....

Lucie Ayres’ design philosophy is a hybrid of soulful European meets playful Californian style. For her, a non-negotiable is comfort. ‘We create spaces for hardworking clients, so they must feel cozy and practical at all times.’ she says. ‘Elements of surprise and playfulness are always something we aim to incorporate – whether it’s the scale of an item, a color, or the thoughtfulness of a detail.’ Having graduated with a degree in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University, Lucie has used this knowledge to inform the wellness aspect of her approach to design; particularly paying attention to ergonomics, scale, and choice of materials, which is hugely evident in this open concept home....