A blue and white colour palette, natural textures and sun-kissed hues evoke a sense of the riviera, says Sam Wylie-Harris. From lemon motifs to coastal prints, here’s how to infuse the spirit of the Med into your home (Desenio/PA) There’s nothing like the prospect of an endless summer, soaring temperatures and azure-blue skies to put you in a sunny frame of mind. And with a Mediterranean climate on our doorstep, all the more reason to soak up indoor-outdoor living. Think Moro

Sam Wylie-Harris delves inside a new interiors book with pro tips on styling foundations and furnishings for Scandinavian décor. The timeless appeal of Scandi decor blends beauty with simplicity (Benjamin Edwards/PA) Our interiors are the ultimate canvas and considering visual elements such as shape, balance, and pale hues, Scandinavian décor is one of our favourite design aesthetics. But when it comes to a minimalist approach to decorating, it’s as inspiring as it is attract

Summery updates call for shades of roses, berries and pretty pastels, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Blooming beautiful ideas for a perky mix of pink (Poster Store/PA) It’s the time of year when you’re wishing for everything to come up roses. Peak blooms such as peonies and sweet peas are at their most luscious, and tablescapes are teeming with fresh greenery, summer salads and glass or two of rosé to wash down with poached salmon. And for design enthusiasts, must-have accents echo t

Compost, fertilisers and even turf may all contain plastic elements. Slow-release fertilisers can contain plastic (Alamy/PA) For many gardeners, the plastic elements used in horticulture are obvious – black plastic pots and seed trays, artificial grass and some membranes, to name but a few. But what about the hidden plastics in your garden, the microplastics we don’t really consider which might eventually leach into our soil? And how can we ditch them? So, where are the hidde

Keep on top of things as summer continues. There is still work to do in the garden in July (Alamy/PA) July may seem the month where all your hard work pays off and you can finally sit and admire your garden. Flowers will be in full bloom, some fruit and veg are ready to harvest and patios will be looking their best. But don’t let things slide – because some jobs just won’t wait. 1. Keep watering (Alamy/PA) July is often dry, so it’s important to keep on top of watering. If yo

Combat the heatwave with these quick tips and tricks. Surviving a UK heatwave doesn’t require AC (Alamy/PA) As temperatures soar across the UK this week, you might have spent the weekend frantically rummaging through your attic in search of a fan. Heatwaves tend to trigger a sense of panic for many Brits, with concerns about how to keep cool, avoid restless nights, and stay comfortable while working can feel all consuming. While maintaining a cool indoor environment can be ch

Compost, fertilisers and even turf may all contain plastic elements. Slow-release fertilisers can contain plastic (Alamy/PA) For many gardeners, the plastic elements used in horticulture are obvious – black plastic pots and seed trays, artificial grass and some membranes, to name but a few. But what about the hidden plastics in your garden, the microplastics we don’t really consider which might eventually leach into our soil? And how can we ditch them? So, where are the hidde

Whether it’s accessorising his man cave or gifting on Father’s Day, make it something lasting, says Sam Wylie-Harris. From little luxuries to handy homewares, gifting ideas for Father’s Day (Smeg/PA) Whatever the age demographic of your dad, there’s a perfect present out there to suit his taste in decorative detail. From art and design options that fuse function with flair, or if you simply hope to bring a smile to his face by presenting him with a gift he’s been hankering af

From bespoke architectural interiors to handcrafted outdoor furniture, The BOX Furniture and Chunk Monkey create statement pieces that bring craftsmanship, character and durability to modern living. Handmade furniture from The BOX Furniture and Chunk Monkey Designed and handmade in South Wales, each project combines solid timber, precision steelwork and over 20 years of craftsmanship experience, creating furniture and interiors built not only to look exceptional, but to last

Peaceful and modern homes in South Wales with Acorn Property Group who showcase the very best of design-led living in South Wales. Hensol Grove, Vale of Glamorgan Hensol Grove, Vale of Glamorgan Set within the prestigious grounds of The Vale Resort and historic Hensol Castle, Hensol Grove is an exceptional collection of sustainable new 2 to 5-bedroom homes located in the sought-after Vale of Glamorgan. Prices from £665,000. The new homes combine luxury living with an outstand

Embrace the warmer weather by styling up your scheme with dreamy duvet sets. By Sam Wylie-Harris. With a heatwave on the cards, time to refresh your bedding (Secret Linen Store/PA) With summer hotting up and promise of warmer weather, it only takes the first heatwave to put the focus on fresh bed linen – and making everything look and feel cool, crisp and charming. And whether you favour white, pastels, or feel fearless with colour by mixing and matching prints and florals, t

Water butts, solar-powered irrigation and mists can all help. The Hozelock Solar Select automatic irrigation system is perfect for when you go away (Hozelock/PA) After an extremely dry spring in some parts, gardeners may now be heading for their hosepipes to try to keep their beloved flowering plants, fruit and vegetables happy. We may choose to plant drought-tolerant plants, although they are still likely to need watering-in until established, and use mulch to cover the grou

The hardest working room in the house loves to look spanking new for summer, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Clear the clutter and create the perfect kitchen space for entertaining (Beach House Art/PA) If sunshine and blue skies have you thinking about a simple spruce-up and introducing a breath of fresh air, it could be time for a kitchen makeover. Especially with longer, warmer days, and promise of throwing open the windows to embrace indoor-outdoor living… and getting organised ahe

Think organised with a loose hand, says an expert. A small cottage garden (Alamy/PA) The vision of a cottage garden may be one of a countryside scene in a rural retreat like the Cotswolds, with clouds of peonies, roses, lupins, delphiniums and all other manner of classic blooms wafting in the summer sun. “When we think of cottage gardens we do often think of small spaces which are quite heavily planted but with a loose hand,” says writer and gardener Joff Elphick, whose new b

These lasting floral patterns, decorative prints and blossomy motifs will put your space in bloom, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Flowery features will beautify any room (Graham & Brown/PA) If you’re in the mood for some old-school country charm, love the colourful contrast of ditsy florals with pretty blooms and botanical prints, there’s always a modern take on this timeless design. And with springtime and Mother Nature opening its arms to this natural wonder, these prized picks bri

The new go-to, green is having a moment in the home, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Bring the outdoors in with Mother Nature’s favourite colour (Dulux/PA) Some might say some shades come and go… making headlines one season, gone the next. Today, spin the colour wheel and the result is far from random… the arrow is firmly pointing towards green. “Green is one of the most naturally comforting colours we can bring into our homes because it connects us instantly to the world outside,” hi

The colour expert and creator of Chalk Paint discusses Pantone Colour of the Year 2026 – and her colour palette of the year. By Sam Wylie-Harris. Time to embrace bold, uplifting hues for a sense of wellbeing (Annie Sloan/PA) Fearless when it comes to colour, and a leading authority on decorative painting, it’s 36 years since Annie Sloan revolutionised the way we paint furniture with her Chalk Paint™. One of the most important designers of her generation, and author of 27 book

The BOX Furniture and Chunk Monkey are redefining handmade furniture with premium, handcrafted pieces designed to fit homes of every shape and size. The BOX Furniture and Chunk Monkey hand made furniture. South Wales is home to two sister furniture brands making big waves with hand-crafted, premium pieces, The BOX Furniture and Chunk Monkey. Both began with a passion for quality craftsmanship and have grown into distinct brands, each offering a unique approach to modern livin

Nestled in the picturesque grounds of The Vale Resort and historic Hensol Castle, Hensol Grove is an exclusive collection of sixteen sustainable new homes by independent housebuilders Acorn Property Group. Hensol Grove is an exclusive collection from Acorn Property Group This impressive scheme is set out over two phases with The Mews offering ten 2 & 3 bedroom homes, while The Villas will consist of six 4 & 5 bedroom detached houses. An exceptional setting, The Vale Resort is

A trusted, family-run Welsh housebuilder combining heritage with modern, sustainable homes. Llanmoor Homes, Tondu For six decades, Llanmoor Homes has been a trusted name in housebuilding across South Wales, combining the reassurance of a family-run business with a progressive approach to modern living. Founded in 1966 by Chartered Accountant Brian Grey, Llanmoor has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality new homes in sought-after locations, from Neath Port Talb