Building and renovating
The dos and don'ts of kitchen design
We've gone through the House & Garden archives to pull together the ultimate list of what to do – and what not to do – when it comes to designing a kitchen
By Evie Delaney
Introducing Sarah Peake's new column on her very own house renovation
The founder of Studio Peake has been renovating her own house in Fulham from top to bottom, and is sharing her insights and secret sources with House & Garden readers. Here, she introduces the project and explains why she is her own worst client
By Sarah Peake
Nine ideas for characterful kitchen extensions that stand out from the crowd
Planning a rear extension can be a transformative step for a city house, but they can end up feeling a bit samey. We've gathered seven that are packed with personality and clever ideas to copy
By Virginia Clark
What I'd do differently: stylish people on what they'd do if they could redecorate their houses again
From too-safe colour schemes to vintage taps, 11 creatives tell us what they’d change about their home, with hindsight
By Eleanor Cording-Booth
Gardens
How to plan a garden room, plus design ideas to inspire you
Garden room ideas that offer the best of indoors and out, from glorified sheds to charming pavilions, glass garden rooms to prefabricated bothies
By Tabi Jackson Gee
Chalets
How to decorate a chalet
When designing a chalet, you need not feel bound by tradition. While log cabins and sheepskins have their place, there is plenty of room for creativity and rule-breaking.
By Rumer Neill, Antonia Bentel and Tal Dekel-Daks
Paint
Farrow and Ball paint colours in real homes
It can be tricky to imagine how the tiny slab of colour on a paint chart will translate onto the walls of your house. So, for those struggling with which Farrow and Ball paint colours to choose, we've gathered our favourites in real homes so you can see exactly what they look like in situ.
By Charlotte McCaughan-Hawes
Dear Fiona: my new house is making me utterly miserable, and so is the renovation I’ve embarked on
House & Garden's friendly resident decorating columnist and agony aunt Fiona McKenzie Johnston advises on how to keep your morale up when you're mid-renovation and hating it, or finding that your new ‘dream house’ is in fact your hell. Got a question for Fiona? Email agonyaunt.houseandgarden@condenast.co.uk
By Fiona McKenzie Johnston
Things I wish I'd known before I did a loft extension
Considering extending up into the eaves? Let these seasoned loft converters help you not make the same mistakes they did…
By Charlotte McCaughan-Hawes
How much does it cost to build a house?
As the housing market goes from crisis to crisis, perhaps building our own homes is more appealing than ever?
By Charlotte McCaughan-Hawes
How do you retain the soul of an historic house when renovating?
Lessons in restoring, renovating and decorating from those who have skilfully achieved both
By Fiona McKenzie Johnston
Things I wish I'd known before I started my bathroom renovation
Learn from the experiences (and the mistakes) of people who have been there, done that.
By David Nicholls
Why you should accept that your house will probably never be finished
They say that going slow and steady wins the race, but when it comes to renovating, can we say the same? Fiona McKenzie Johnston explores the positives of taking a house renovation slowly – and embracing its “never quite finished” state
By Fiona McKenzie Johnston
Things I wish I'd known before I started a house renovation
Been-there, done-that renovators share their experience of delays, panic-buying, poor planning and overspending (and how to avoid all of those things)
By Eleanor Cording-Booth
Things I wish I'd known before I started my kitchen renovation
A kitchen is one of the biggest expenses in a home, so it’s important to get it right. 12 creatives share the lessons they’ve learned
By Eleanor Cording-Booth
Decorating Advice
How to live in the chaos of a renovation project
Fiona McKenzie Johnston, who has recently moved to a Victorian 'wreck' in Hastings, advises on how to make the best of living amid extensive renovations
By Fiona McKenzie Johnston
How To
A first time renovator shares her pearls of wisdom
Nadine Bacchus-Garrick – better known as the mind behind Instagram account @rona_renovation – has been renovating her house for over a year; here, she shares the lessons learnt along the way for anyone about to undertake a similar project
By Nadine Bacchus-Garrick