Road to Damaskus

This cleverly woven one-colour fabric was a sign of great wealth and status throughout the centuries and across continents, and still has a distinctive feel of luxury about it today, says Celia Rufey

Simple Pleasures

Stylist Magda Smekens takes a light touch at Christmas, which sees her Belgian farmhouse filled with quirky decorative details and natural greenery

Christmas harmony

Luke and Ben Gibbons have used neutral colours and natural textures to enhance the innate character of their 16th-century farmhouse, which is the perfect setting for festive celebrations

No place LIKE HOME

For Sharon and Rob van der Kruik, home is where they are at their happiest, surrounded by all that they have created, collected, made and nurtured

Ancient Traditions

Inspired by nature, Edward and Emma Bulmer strive to make the festive season as sustainable and beautiful as possible at home in rural Herefordshire

Susie Watson

With 10 shops and a thriving online business, Susie Watson Designs has a well-established reputation for handmade textiles, furnishings, ceramics and rugs - but the path to success hasn't always run smoothly...

Small world

Reflecting our homes as they look and feel today, a new generation is reshaping the Lilliputian world of dolls' houses, says Rhiannon Batten

Minor factories. MAJOR ROLES

In the 19th century canny businessmen got in on the act of making pots, and they produced some fine pieces to rival many of the greats, says Willa Latham

POLLYANNA JOHNSON

With ceramics as her canvas, this fine artist is giving the women of art history a present-day relevance through her playful designs

STYLE NOW

Our monthly guide to DECORATIVE accessories, unique ANTIQUES and beautiful textiles that will add CHARACTER and colour to your home

This Month

Must-see exhibitions at The National Gallery and the Royal Academy, plus an Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts auction, antique punch bowls and lots more...

Woodland retreat

Debbie and Dave Down have lovingly renovated their historic Norfolk cottage, giving it a fresh new look, while respecting its heritage

Beyond THE PINES

Sophie and Stephane Thounens have transformed a ruined farmhouse deep in the forest into a serene haven filled with French country antiques

Viva Victoria!

With a passion for Victoriana, a love of collecting and a designer's know-how, the owner of this once-drab house has recaptured its youth

Escape to the NEW FOREST

Free-roaming livestock, fabulous food and glorious scenery year-round make the New Forest a sublime destination for a rejuvenating staycation, as Jenny Oldaker discovers...

EGYPTOMANIA!

November marks the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Luke Honey looks at the enduring allure of ancient Egypt...

Behind the Scenes AT THE MUSEUM

Kate Hebert, chief curator at the American Museum & Gardens near Bath, talks to Poppy Benner about the items she cares for in the museum's collection of folk and decorative arts

Behind the Brand AGA

As this icon of the kitchen celebrates its 100th anniversary, Jenny Oldaker explores how the AGA has become a covetable symbol of country living and inspired a legion of devoted fans along the way

Layers of history

A 19th-century farmhouse in Ontario, Canada, provides an atmospheric backdrop to an inspiring mix of antiques

By Royal Appointment

The late Queen Elizabeth's visit to the Antiques Roadshow at Hillsborough Castle (Northern Ireland's royal residence) in 2014 marked a career highlight that lives on in the memories of the three experts who met her, says Janet Gleeson

Saved for the ΝΑΤΊΟΝ

Step behind the scenes of the art world and discover the secret process that secures art for generations to come

Ticking

Ticking stripes may have come from humble origins as mattress coverings, but their elegant simplicity has ensured they are the understated powerhouse of any interior scheme, says Celia Rufey

MEDAL DETECTING

From car boot bounty to harrowing war experiences, the realm of military medal collecting is all about uncovering the stories behind them

GAINSBOROUGH

Firm foundations and exquisite archival designs have kept the looms whirring for more than a century at this prestigious silk-weaving house

HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE GILLIES JONES

Stephen Gillies and Kate Jones make colourful, exquisitely handcrafted glass that reinterprets ancient traditions and natural motifs with modern elegance

Behind the Scenes at the V&A WEDGWOOD COLLECTION

Catrin Jones, chief inaugural curator, talks to Janet Gleeson about how she cares for one of the most important industrial collections in the world

5 WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH ANTIQUES

By choosing old over new, shopping locally and restoring what you already have, you can fill your home with beautiful things, whilst remaining sustainable

PASS THE POSSET POT

Joke jugs, motto plates and communal cups - English delftware pottery provides a fascinating glimpse into the way we used to dine

From croft to couture

A long tradition of dyeing and weaving wool in the Outer Hebrides helped establish the fabric we know as tweed, now beloved by fashion houses, designers and royalty, says Celia Rufey

Out of this WORLD

In a fairytale setting in Dorset stands Wolfeton – a rather unique house, much loved and even more greatly embellished over the centuries