A decade after the publication of Living in Sri Lanka, photographer James Fennell revisits the `Paradise Isle' to discover exactly what it is that makes a great Sri Lankan home. Travelling with writer Tom Sykes, he has visited numerous houses and taken thousands of photographs, as well as interviewing owners, interior decorators, architects, stylists and designers. Collectively, the twenty-six properties showcased in this book - the very best examples - capture the essence of elegant Sri Lankan living. Sri Lanka is a place of geographic and cultural contrasts, and its best architecture is structurally versatile, using features such as overhanging roofs, slatted walls and courtyards to cope with intense sunshine and sudden downpours in equal measure. Also in the interior, climatic factors dominate even the most luxurious homes: valuable antiques and art give way to simple pieces of furniture, batiks, prints and artfully crafted cushions, with colour or shadow used creatively to enliven expansive walls. From the colonial grandeur of actress Gillian Anderson's secluded retreat and the sumptuous Wallawwa hotel to works by the celebrated architects Geoffrey Bawa (Claughton House; Paradise Road The Villa Bentota) and Anjalendran (The Crooked House; Mount Cinnamon), the structures in this book have one thing in common: they embrace the unpredictable natural environment, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living.

Following the critical and commercial success of Pattern and Ornament in the Arts of India, Henry Wilson has turned for this companion volume to a single theme. But what a theme: the variety of floral motifs in the exquisitely wrought details of India's architectural wonders is boundless, and one can only marvel at the way in which the basic elements of wood, stone and plaster have been transformed into masterworks of decorative art. From the illustrious Mughal Empire during its greatest period of monument-building and artistic creativity to the time of British rule, which brought with it an unprecedented period of peace that allowed great wealth to be concentrated on the arts, the richness of India's architecture is overwhelming. Henry Wilson's fine photographs reveals the skill, patience and pictorial imagination of the many thousands of craftsmen who have turned to floral motifs and rendered them with precision and life-enriching creativity. Juxtaposed with the photographs are Wilson's own graphic transpositions of the designs - a wealth of detailed drawings, all created by hand but with a stencil-like clarity that helps us understand the original historical patterns. The result is an invaluable sourcebook that will appeal not only to those interested in one of the world's oldest civilizations and greatest cultures, but also to anyone seeking inspiration for their own graphic creations.

Woodworking Basics is the perfect introduction to the fundamentals of working with wood for those with little or no experience. The book covers all of the basic hand tools that a beginner will need and describes how to use each one, giving useful tips and expert advice along the way. Successful woodworking is all about best practice and this book shows how it is possible to create all manner of pieces with a very limited and inexpensive set of tools. Includes photos and diagrams to guide you through each project and technique. Also covered are the important techniques of accurate measuring and marking, gluing, sanding and making simple joints such as butt, lap, and mitres. 6 simple projects are included. Projects which can be made using the skills are covered: toolbox, shelf unit, table, cabinet, box, and picture frame.

Discover classic and contemporary Scandinavian style with specially commissioned photography of homes in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Scandinavia is famous for its distinctive style: homes are pared-back and simple, and form and function are combined to create aesthetically pleasing and practical interiors. Scandinavians are inspired by light, having an abundance of it in summer but so little of it in winter, and house designs tend to maximize the amount of natural light that enters the home, and allow the inhabitants to make the most of outdoor life during the summer. Similarly, nature and the weather are major influences: homes are made warm and cosy for the freezing winter months - not just literally with log burners, but also through incorporating wood and natural materials. Here Niki Brantmark, owner of the interior design blog My Scandinavian Home, presents a wide-ranging collection of these beautiful homes and explores how the Scandinavian lifestyle is reflected in them all. The first chapter, Urban Living, features styles ranging from minimalist to bohemian, and pale palettes to dramatic dark colours. By contrast, the Country Homes tend to have a softer, calmer feel, through colour and textiles, in line with a slower pace of life. Finally, the spectacular Rural Retreats include a mountain cabin, beach house and rustic summer cottage, and demonstrate how having somewhere to escape to is so important to many Scandinavians. This collection of stunning interiors will put Scandi style within every reader's reach.

Discover NIFTY (TM) tips and tricks for keeping every inch of your home neat and tidy. These innovative hacks will transform your space-and your life-in no time. Brought to you by BuzzFeed's insanely popular NIFTY (TM). It's time to get organized! From straightening out your kitchen drawers and maximizing closet space to keeping your home clean and tidy, the tips, tricks, and hacks in NIFTY (TM): Clean & Organized will take your space to the next level in no time. From the popular BuzzFeed lifestyle destination NIFTY (TM), this home organization guide is perfect for anyone who wants to bring a little order to whatever space they call home. It includes helpful advice on how to clean and organize every room in the house, making life easier, more organized, and less stressful than ever before. With money-saving tips, fun DIYs, and inventive ideas for maximizing space, this book is the ultimate cleaning resource. Whether it's tackling the chaos of the bedroom closet or making the most out of the limited space in your tiny bathroom, NIFTY (TM): Clean & Organized makes tidying up and staying organized easier than ever. NIFTY (TM) is the popular vertical of BuzzFeed.

THE ENTERTAINING AND HEARTWARMING SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER. Like many couples, Dick and Angel had long dreamed of living in France, but where others might settle for a modest bolthole in the French countryside, the Strawbridges fell in love with a 19th-century fairytale chateau, complete with 45 rooms, seven outbuildings, 12 acres of land and its own moat. Throwing caution to the wind, Dick and Angel swapped their two-bedroom flat in East London for an abandoned and derelict castle in the heart of the Loire valley and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime with their two young children Arthur and Dorothy. Sharing their full journey for the first time, A Year at the Chateau follows Dick and Angel from when they first moved to France in the depths of winter and found bedrooms infested with flies, turrets inhabited by bats, the wind rattling through cracked windows, and just one working toilet, which flushed into the moat, through to the monumental efforts that went into readying the chateau for their unforgettable wedding and their incredibly special first Christmas. Along the way we'll read glorious descriptions of rural life in France, with charming characters, delicious food and wonderful seasonal produce, together with the extraordinary list of renovations and restorations Dick and Angel completed, many of which were never shown on TV. As warm and entertaining as their much-loved show, A Year at the Chateau is a truly irresistible story of adventure and heart, epic ambitions and a huge amount of hard graft.

Basements often get a bad rap. They can be dark, dank, and depressing, and are some of the most challenging spaces in a home to remodel. But the rewards of tackling a basement remodel are potentially enormous--transforming an otherwise ignored space into a bright, open, and usable asset, perfect for a spare bedroom for guests, a game room for the kids, or a den for the adults. In Basements Complete, author Steve Cory covers the most popular remodeling approaches and projects for basements, including information on preventing mold and mildew, moving pipes up or over to make more headroom, bringing more light into a dark space, mitigating radon, and sealing floors and walls. Additionally, some of the projects--such as flooring, plumbing, and wiring--apply to other rooms in the house, but are treated here with an eye towards basement needs. Though the book is largely how-to, it also explores some design and planning issues, making it the truly complete reference title for all things basements. With more than 700 photos, 35 illustrations, and clear step-by-step instructions, Basements Complete is the only book that homeowners, remodelers, and builders will need to transform a damp basement into a warm addition.

Spirit of the Home is a wonderful guide to creating your own sacred space and sanctuary and discovering peace and tranquillity. Home is a reflection of the self. It tells us, and other people, who we are. The type of home we live in, the style of the furnishings and colours, all work together to remind us of our personality, our taste, our values and interests. Creating a soul-sustaining space, an intimate and emotional connection with our home, has become a pursuit of the 90's. As we change our lifestyles, downshift, work at home, deal with stress, live in different communities, we look towards home as a haven for peace and tranquility. The Spirit of the Home is a practical book, packed full of simple, easy-to-follow advice on how to make the most of your home: What does your home mean to you? * Does every space in your home have a special mood and purpose? * Does a healing home have to be a clean home? * Does energy, ch'i, flow smoothly? * Do you have good Feng Shui in your home? * Does your home feel good, smell good, and sound good? * Do you have a quiet corner? * Is your bathroom your sanctuary? * Can your home bring about change in your inner life?

Some years ago the author, Jim Forrest, a professional engineer and model engineer of many years' experience, needed a purpose-built and relatively inexpensive workshop for his hobby. After discussing this need with Peter Jennings, a professional architect familiar with system build construction, a three-metre wide design was developed which proved to be very easy to build and easily the match for far more expensive types of building. This book was written as a complete work on the construction methods used. It not only contains the details required to build the floor assembly, walls and roof, but also covers all of the peripheral areas including layout, planning regulations, tools, materials, fitting out, security and insurance. The design is easily adaptable and most variants are covered including several floor types, lean-to construction etc., and illustrative drawings are used extensively to show precisely how the building is detailed.

Vic Tesolin's Projects from the Minimailist Woodworker teaches the basics of furniture making using step-by-step photos detailing the process of building handsome projects any woodworker will be proud to create. A follow-up to Vic's much-lauded first book, The Minimalist Woodworker, this book is a celebration of the small tool set needed to create beautiful work and and expansion of the techniques and skills learned in that first book. Like a seasoned woodworker lending a helping hand in the workshop, Vic Tesolin, aka "The Minimalist Woodworker," is a master at demystifying the craft of woodworking so that anyone with any skill level can dive in and do good work. With Projects from the Minimalist Woodworker and even a modest toolset, anyone can develop their skill and enjoy unlimited hours in their shop. You'll learn to build a variely to pieces including a handsome dovetailed box, a wall cabinet, a storage chest, and handy shop projects like a handplane and a marking knife.

Lemons are cheap, eco-friendly and multi-talented as well as deliciously flavoured and aromatic. If you are fed up with using detergents that are less than kind to your skin, then take a look at this all-natural, safe alternative. Packed full of tips and suggestions for how to put the humble lemon to good use, this chunky, attractively illustrated, essential guide shows you how to clean around the home, polish, deodorize, deter pests, protect pets, take care of your skin, improve your health and cook tasty dishes.

From everyone's favourite online cleaning expert and 'TikTok Auntie', this is the only cleaning book that you will ever need.

How To Clean Everything is full of genuinely useful tips and tricks, and advice about not just what but also what not to do. Covering everything from laundry to accidents, and cleaning room by room, this book also contains sections on more general household maintenance, particularly useful for renters or anyone living away from home for the first time.

Ann's approach is realistic, reassuring and easy to follow whatever your circumstances.

The touchstone guide to running projects from the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID). By setting out actions step-by-step, this essential handbook identifies the key obligations of the interior designer at each project stage. Straightforward explanation is supplemented by invaluable checklists and templates. Featuring crucial advice on administering construction contracts, it references the new RIBA/BIID Professional Services Contract 2020 for interior design services. Reflecting the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 and contemporary working practice, it provides a systematic operational framework that can be applied to all types of projects. Comprehensive in scope with a logical structure, it embraces the theme of collaboration within the project team. It also addresses the issues of designing sustainability and the designer's role beyond the construction contract, including how to manage the sourcing and installation of FF&E packages. Suitable for projects within any industry sector and practice type, from large international firms to sole practitioners, it is accessible to designers with different levels of experience.

Wood is one of the oldest known natural resources, and its universal appeal remains timeless. As every woodworker will testify, to work with this material is to appreciate its amazing versatility. This practical book demonstrates the basic techniques of woodworking, providing the foundation on which to build your skills. It begins with an introduction to timber and a guide to tools. Advice on getting started is given, as well as in-depth guides to fixings and fastening, joints, and advanced techniques. There are 20 step-by-step projects, from basic tasks such as a wine rack and picture frame, to complex ventures for experts such as a bedside cabinet and dining table.

With this book in one hand and a brush in the other, you can learn how to create different paint finishes and effects to change everyday rooms and furniture into something special,all for the price of a pot of paint. The first section of the book tells you everything you need to know before you start - how to prepare surfaces properly, choose the right paint for the right place and use the best tools. Then, the 50 projects are divided into five sections: Ageing and Distressing; Working with the Base; Working with Colour; Handpainting; and Crackle, Gilding and Decoupage. There are step-by-step images showing how to achieve the finished look, before shots and inspirational photography showing the effects used on walls and doors, furniture and floors. Learn how to bring old second-hand furniture bang up to date, or how to give modern pieces a softly aged appearance, as well as ways to treat and transform floorboards, doors and plastered walls. Whatever the style of your interiors, Quick and Easy Paint Transformations will show you the best way to makeover your home.

In Relaxed Coastal Style, Sally Denning offers decorating inspiration for anyone lucky enough to live by the ocean, as well as those who only dream of it. Scientists tell us that living by the ocean makes us happier and healthier: increased views of blue space have a calming effect and sea air improves our ability to absorb oxygen. Being by water brings a sense of tranquillity and relaxation and a home by the sea has never been more desirable. The first part of the book offers up Sally's unique take on coastal style, celebrating the colours and textures of the seaside: bare wooden boards, uncurtained windows, and furnishings covered in robust linen or cotton that will endure salt water and the sun's rays. Sally also looks at lighting, furniture and coastal decorative accents such as maps, charts and nautical-themed accessories. She draws inspiration from beachcombing, displaying shells and driftwood to feel close to nature and the sound of the waves. The second half of the book visits a selection of glorious coastal houses, cottages and hideaways that are guaranteed to enchant and inspire. Wherever you live, relaxed Coastal style will inspire you to adopt the relaxed, informal simplicity of life by the sea.

Thread the love with Tom Daley's eagerly awaited debut knitting and crochet book. Make something you love for someone you love with Tom Daley's eagerly awaited debut knitting and crochet book. Tom Daley is on a mission to inspire the next generation of crafters. In Made With Love you will discover the joys of knitting and crochet, with brilliant and easy to follow masterclasses alongside 30 gorgeous step-by-step projects. Featuring size inclusive garments, covetable gifts, chic homeware and cosy accessories, Tom offers helpful tips and tricks to support even the most tentative of beginners. Whether it's for yourself or a loved one, Made With Love will soon have you making and sharing projects to be proud of.

As an architecture photographer, Nicole England found that the shoots she enjoyed the most were the ones where dogs were present - nothing lightens the mood like a nonchalant pup. However imposing the architecture, some doggy hijinks can immediately bring an element of sociability and fun. With this in mind, Nicole set about setting up her Instagram, Resident Dog, and now this book, Resident Dog [Volume Two], which showcases over 25 of the world's most amazing houses, and the dogs that live there. Photographing dogs is not always straightforward, because they don't always cooperate! The result is that these images end up with a looser, more spontaneous style. Just as every home is different, so is every dog. The photographs showcase amazing architecture and capture the personality of the idiosyncratic personality of each canine. Take a wander around the world's most stunning homes, from Mexico City to Sydney, London, New York and LA, with the home pooch as your tour guide. Each home will feature several photographs, and an interview with the architect or homeowner.

With a carefully curated collection of interiors, including historic canal houses, restored farms, and green homes, belonging to interior designers, product designers, architects, and artists, this book showcases creative and resourceful living. These properties have been created or renovated and brought into the twenty-first century with typical Dutch style and sensibility environmentally friendly, imaginative uses of space filled with colour and charm and never to be taken too seriously. Each home in the book reflects the personality and spirit of the people who inhabit it. From designer Piet Hein Eek s converted factory space in Eindhoven to artist Claudy Jongstra s farmhouse in Spannum where chamomile grows in the biodynamic garden, Coming Home illustrates fun ideas and easy ways to incorporate individual style into your surroundings. Whether it s the traditional lowlands aesthetic of combining old and new, faded and inviting, into a casual chic or a quirky reinvention of a space that reveals a touch of eccentricity, this book illustrates why the Netherlands is truly loved by so many and can be an inspiration to us all.

An elevated yet accessible follow-up to Lauren Liess's Habitat, showcasing her signature easy-living lifestyle Down to Earth picks up right where Lauren Liess's critically acclaimed Habitat left off. While Habitat walked readers through the decorating process step-by-step, Liess's latest title takes a step beyond the basics and invites readers to incorporate the main components of her familiar design aesthetic: nature, easy living, and approachability. With evocative photos and substantive design advice, Down to Earth focuses on creating a lifestyle that inspires creativity and functionality. Throughout the book, Liess shows readers how to incorporate six guiding principles in six unique homes: a new farmhouse, a classic American historical home, a lakeside contemporary house, a modern villa, a turn- of-the-century American Foursquare, and a cedar and glass house on a bluff. While each home has a different architectural style, fingerprints of Liess's down-to-earth style are evident throughout.

In this stylish yet practical guide, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen imparts his expertise on all aspects of home decoration - from planning a room to make it work for you, through to the practical help that will transform your space and make it truly unique. Following an introduction that outlines the principles of home design, the book is divided into two sections. Part One reveals 30 breathtaking rooms, with close up details showcasing specific ideas and the main decorative elements at work. From breezy seaside living room to contemporary knock through or cosy cottage bedroom, there are spaces and schemes to suit the range of budgets and lifestyles. Part Two shows how you can bring all Laurence's fantastic ideas into your own home. All the major techniques are fully explained - from painting and tiling to hanging wallpaper and putting up shelves - while featured projects such as painting a trompe l'oeil and upholstering a bedhead are also included. Easy to follow step-by-step instructions and accompanying photography will inspire you to try your hand at every suggestion. Throughout, Laurence encourages us to make a bold statement with our interior design and to be brave with colour and pattern - with ideas for adding style and glamour to our homes that are easy to put into practice and won't break the bank. Packed full of wonderful and unexpected ideas, stunning photography and expert advice from an inimitable source, Decorating with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen of is the one decorating book everyone should own.