A Home That Opens Up in Summer
There is a moment in early summer when the home begins to change. Doors are left open a little longer. Windows stay ajar through the morning. Light moves differently across…
Hearth
The editorial soul of the House.
Essays, recipes, garden notes and design wisdom, gathered through the seasons. Quiet observations on the art of keeping a home, and the rooms, gardens and thresholds worth keeping well.
Housekeeper members receive full archive access and seasonal guides.
The Hearth
Design & Architecture
In this section Design & Architecture
View all →
Kent Home Interiors: Inside a Home Designed to Be Lived In
Kent home interiors often balance heritage with modern living, but few do so with the quiet confidence of this early twentieth-century house – a place defined not by display, but…
Beckenham Home Interiors: A House Designed for Work and Family Life
Set within Beckenham, this home offers a considered example of Beckenham home interiors – one shaped not by a single design idea, but by the realities of how it is…
Why Some Homes Always Feel Looked After: A Guide to Home Stewardship
There is a particular quality to certain homes that is difficult to define, yet immediately felt. They are not necessarily larger, newer or more carefully designed than others. There may…
Why Timeless Design Is Often Slightly Boring at First
The word “timeless” has been so overused that it risks meaning very little. But when applied seriously, it points to something specific. Timeless design resists novelty for novelty’s sake. It favours…
The Art Of Design Restraint: How to Know When Your Home Is Finished
Learning when to put the pen away, tuck the interior catalogue in the book shelf and give your home a rest is a skill mastered over decades, but is vital to the overall wellbeing of your home. Let’s…
Designing Homes for Everyday Rituals, Not Special Occasions
Discover how to design your home for daily rituals rather than special occasions. Expert guidance on kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms & gardens that work for real life. Read more with a Housekeeper Membership…
Quiet Luxury for Real Homes: The 5 Signals of a Well-Styled Space
Many homeowners dream of building a luxurious, grand home they can be proud of, but it’s harder than they think. It’s what we all chase, but how do we achieve quiet luxury without blowing the budget…
Hearth & Home: Reimagining the Fireplace for Modern Living
Introduction: The Enduring Allure of Flame As temperatures drop and daylight diminishes, the primordial draw of fire takes on renewed significance in the home. The hearth (historically the literal…
Seasonal Rituals: Establishing Rhythms of Comfort and Connection
Introduction: The Power of Seasonal Markers As daylight hours contract and nature prepares for dormancy, the human instinct to create meaningful structure through ritual takes on renewed…
Seasonal Light Mapping: Architectural Strategies for Shorter Days
Introduction: The Shifting Canvas of Light As the earth tilts on its axis and daylight hours gradually diminish, the quality of natural light undergoes a profound transformation. This seasonal shift…
Transitional Architecture: Designing Spaces That Embrace Seasonal Change
Introduction: Designing with Nature’s Rhythm As the landscape transforms into rich amber and crimson hues, our homes too can be designed to gracefully transition with the changing season. Transitional architecture…
Wall Composition: The Art of Creating Meaningful Displays
The walls of our homes represent vast canvases for personal expression, offering opportunities to display art, objects, and collections in ways that reflect our identities and enhance our living environments….
Vertical Garden Design: Living Walls for Urban Spaces
In an era of increasing urbanization and diminishing green space, vertical gardens have emerged as a transformative solution that reconciles our innate connection to nature with the realities of contemporary…
The English Cottage Garden: Timeless Charm for Modern Spaces
The English cottage garden represents one of Britain’s most beloved and enduring landscape traditions—an apparently artless profusion of flowers, herbs, and edibles that has influenced garden design worldwide. This seemingly…
Garden Room Design: Creating Outdoor Living Spaces
The concept of the garden room—an outdoor space designed with the same attention to function, comfort, and aesthetics as interior rooms—has transformed how we think about and use our gardens….
New British Eclecticism: The Art of Curated Contrast
The New British Eclecticism: Curated Contrast and Cultural Confidence In the ever-evolving landscape of British interior design, a distinctive approach has emerged that defies simple categorization yet feels quintessentially British…
Outdoor Lighting Design: Creating Atmosphere and Extending Garden Hours
Beyond mere functionality, well-designed garden lighting creates atmosphere, highlights architectural and botanical features, ensures safe navigation, and dramatically expands the usability of outdoor spaces. This exploration examines the principles, techniques,…
Neuroaesthetics: The Science of Beauty in Interior Design
The intersection of neuroscience and interior design represents one of the most fascinating frontiers in our understanding of how built environments affect human experience. This emerging field, known as neuroaesthetics,…
Digital Craft: The Evolution of Artisanal Techniques in Contemporary Design
The intersection of traditional craftsmanship and digital technology represents one of the most dynamic frontiers in contemporary design. This evolving relationship—sometimes collaborative, sometimes contentious—is redefining our understanding of what constitutes…
Wellness Design: Creating Spaces for Mental and Physical Health
In an era where our homes have become multifunctional sanctuaries, the concept of wellness design has evolved from luxury to necessity. This holistic approach to interior design focuses on creating…
The Evolution of British Architectural Preservation: From Conservation to Adaptive Reuse
In the storied landscape of British architecture, where centuries-old structures stand alongside contemporary designs, the philosophy of preservation has undergone a remarkable evolution. What began as a Victorian movement focused…
Home as Sanctuary: The Emotional Architecture of Personal Space
In a world that moves at an ever-accelerating pace, our homes have transcended their utilitarian origins to become something far more profound—sanctuaries that nurture our emotional wellbeing, reflect our innermost…
The Mindful Home: How Your Living Space Reflects Your State of Being
In the pursuit of creating beautiful living spaces, we often focus on aesthetics, functionality, and style. Yet beneath these visible dimensions lies a profound truth that the House of…
The New Minimalism: Warmth, Texture, and Personality
The concept of minimalism in interior design has undergone a significant evolution in recent years. Moving beyond the stark, clinical interpretations that characterized early minimalist interiors, today’s approach embraces a…
Kitchen Design Masterclass: The Heart of the British Home
The kitchen has undergone a remarkable transformation in British homes over the past century, evolving from a purely functional service space often hidden from view to the undisputed heart of…
Artisanal British Textiles: Heritage Craftsmanship in Contemporary Design
The world of British textiles represents a unique intersection of storied heritage and contemporary innovation—a realm where centuries-old techniques meet modern design sensibilities to create fabrics and finished pieces of…
Lighting Design Fundamentals: Creating Atmosphere and Function
Lighting design represents perhaps the most transformative element in interior spaces—capable of altering perception, evoking emotion, and fundamentally changing how we experience our surroundings. Beyond mere illumination, thoughtful lighting creates…
Biophilic Design: Bringing Nature Indoors for Wellbeing
The concept of biophilic design—creating built environments that foster human connection to nature—has evolved from niche interest to mainstream design principle. This transformation reflects growing recognition that our innate affinity…
Global Design Influences: How International Styles Shape British Interiors
In an increasingly connected world, British interior design has evolved beyond its traditional boundaries to embrace global influences that enrich and diversify our domestic spaces. This cross-cultural exchange has transformed…
Historic Homes Through a Female Lens: Celebrating Women in Architecture
The narrative of historic homes has traditionally been dominated by the male architects who designed them and the male patrons who commissioned them. Yet behind these well-documented stories lies a…
Living Room Design Guide: Creating Spaces for Connection and Comfort
The living room stands as the heart of the home—a multifunctional space where we entertain guests, unwind after long days, connect with family, and express our personal style. Creating a…
The Art of Bookshelf Curation: Beyond Bookshelf Wealth
When it comes to interior design, the ceiling—often referred to as the “fifth wall”—presents an extraordinary opportunity to transform your space. While bold patterned ceilings are making waves in the…
Statement Ceilings for Different Room Types
Bold Patterned Ceilings: The Fifth Wall Revolution.In the ever-evolving world of interior design, attention is increasingly turning upward. While walls, floors, and furnishings have traditionally commanded our focus, 2025 has…
Seasonal notes on home and garden, delivered weekly.
A single letter from the editors every Friday. Unsubscribe at any time.
Free · GDPR compliant · read more in our Privacy Policy
The Hearth, published by the House of Willow Alexander
Weekly from the studios · Quarterly in print · Spring MMXXVI, No. XI