Articles by Amanda Pollard

If you’re planning to design a barbecue area for your yard this summer, there are a lot of options. Take a look at these seven inspiring ways to help you devise the perfect outdoor cooking zone.

Black surfaces, trims and accessories are finding their way into every room of our homes at the moment, but would you consider this dark hue for your fence? Black might be bold, but it’s actually more versatile than you might think. Take a look at these reasons to give black a whirl to help you decide…

After you’ve put your coat hooks, shoe storage and a surface for keys and coins in your hallway, you probably think there isn’t much room for anything else. But one useful item you might well have forgotten is a seat — useful for putting on outerwear or just taking a breather when you get home. Check…

When you’re designing an open-plan room, it’s a good idea to think about how you’ll separate each zone. By being creative with the surfaces you use to decorate the walls, you can divide your living, dining and kitchen areas more effectively, adding warmth, interest and personality.

A passion for plants, an eagerness to dig in and a few budget-saving ideas helped British interiors and lifestyle blogger Rebecca Sterling and her husband create the garden of their dreams — complete with gravel paths, cottage-style planting, a little house, a garage and even a greenhouse. Here’s how…

Interior designer Victoria Hopkins wanted more than just a home office — the room also needed to work as a creative studio for her business. This could have been a challenge in the space available. However, with some practical planning, she managed to subtly create two zones and fashion a lively space…

A good lighting design combines ceiling lights with lamps to create a layered look that has depth and atmosphere. This is particularly important in a living room, where you want to evoke a calm feeling with soft mood lighting. When you’re renovating your space, it’s a good idea to consider wall lights….

Need a small console table for your entry or other hall? Check out these ideas for incorporating a handy surface, whether it’s a slim console, a square or curved number, or a table that fits cleverly around a radiator.

When you’re decorating, renovating or even building a room with a low ceiling, you may worry that it will feel a little squashed or wonder where you’ll put the lighting. Don’t fret: These design ideas will help you make even the most vertically challenged room gorgeous.