Luke Edward hall

I installed a garden office two years ago. Now I hardly ever work from home and it’s freezing most of the time. Can you recommend an alternative use? The idea of a garden office is an enticing one: the ability to take a few short steps from home to workplace via flowerbeds and trees — but, more importantly, sans bad lighting and shared fridges. What’s not to love? But if you no longer work from home, do not let your garden building fall into disrepair. There are plenty of other ways in which y…

I love your column but your look is very traditional. I prefer a contemporary style: do you have any tips or designers I might look out for? It’s certainly true that I love old things; I go on about them all the time. After all, antiques have buckets of character, and, in terms of sustainability, it makes sense to me to buy things that already exist. However, I don’t shun newly made furniture, lighting and accessories. Any kind of room I work on, whether it’s for a client or in my own home, wi…

After a lifetime of avoiding wallpaper in case I commit to the wrong design, I’ve decided to take the plunge and find a pattern (or two) for our reception rooms. Where should I begin? And what do you think of papering only part of a room? I am very glad to hear you have got over your fear of wallpaper. After all, there is nothing like an immersive paper for transforming a room, and speaking as someone who loves colour and pattern, I can’t get enough. Florals, stripes, stars, diamonds, fleur-de-…

I am trying to look forward to spring and summer while gazing out at the pouring rain. Any tips on furnishing a garden for all seasons? A very interesting question indeed. I have to admit that I’ve barely been in the garden recently. It’s been too wet and grey. Or is that an excuse? I’ve lost count of the times I’ve told myself to get out there first thing with my morning coffee, yet more often than not the coffee comes with me back to bed. Now that the daffodils are out, however, the big chang…

I’m considering if there’s a way to have some artwork that is swapped out seasonally at home. Say, for example, between when the clocks change each year, though perhaps not fully on the nose (Christmas, Easter, etc). What do you think? It can be jarring to look around at dim, dark art on the walls as the sun begins beaming through one’s windows for longer days and light evenings. At home, I’m often moving furniture and objects around the house. This is not so much a seasonal thing, it’s more ab…

‘I very much love the idea of contrasting a sea of glass and white walls with old furniture and a kaleidoscope of colour’

Ask yourself what stories you want your home to tell — then let them run wild

The country has interiors inspiration a-plenty, whether your taste runs to the poet’s eclecticism, Napoleonic extravagance or coastal classicism

From big bold tableware to the brightest bedlinen — joyful ‘back to school’ fixes to banish the seasonal blues

London’s Barbican masterpiece has wonderful detailing, but if all that concrete is too much, there are some inspiring ways to soften it