Following the 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 reveal the skill, patience and 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 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 creations.

As author Ruth Guilding puts it: ‘My personal mantra for the descriptions of people and their houses in this book roughly seems to be that old stuff is good, and perfection is boring.’

Taking her contexts from William Morris, the Bloomsbury set and today’s leading artistic makers and innovators, Guilding explores the meaning of ‘home’ and our everlasting preoccupation with domestic taste, self-presentation and decorating styles,        

With hundreds of images of remarkable gardens and interiors, domestic icons and folk art narratives, and featuring renowned tastemakers- from Sir Roy Strong and Jasper Conran to Luke Edward Hall, Bridget Elworthy of the Land Gardeners and Ben Pentreath – The Bible of British Taste shines a new light on the quirky charms of unconventional British style.

With unrivalled access to some of Britain’s most extraordinary homes, this is the definitive guide to the nation’s most distinctive interiors – a book that belongs on every design lover’s shelf.  

In addition to impressive photo series, readers can expect ingenious mood boards on various Christmas themes, such as tree decorations, lighting and table decorations. These creative ideas help to create the perfect Christmas atmosphere and make the festive season shine in all its splendour.  

Accompanying the third series of this hugely successful BBC documentary, this book explores some of the Trust’s most treasured objects and places, uncovering their remarkable stories and celebrating the people who work behind the scenes to save them for the future, including curators, carpenters, conservators, cleaners, clock-makers, gardeners and volunteers. From digging up a lost castle to spring-cleaning a doll’s house, from restoring an Old Master painting to repairing an electric canoe, this is a unique treasure chest of intriguing and inspiring history.

The third series of ‘Hidden Treasures of the National Trust’ will transmit in 2025. Six one-hour episodes, 9pm BBC2.

Quilling is the enjoyable art of curling strips of coloured paper and glueing them on-edge to create decorative designs. If you’re new to the craft, these season-themed tutorials will teach you the basics and help you refine your skills. Inspired by nature, wildlife, weather and more, the designs and advice will help you become confident in basic quilling techniques, with each season containing one quick and easy project, two intermediate options, and one longer and more involved piece.

The designs can be applied to cards, gift tags, magnets, hanging decorations, in shadow box frames and more, so gather up your paper strips and glue and use this guide to explore the colourful art of quilling.

The painter Vanessa Bell initiated a step change in modern British art, bringing the bright palette and bold stylization of the Parisian avant-garde to London. She was a central figure in the Bloomsbury group, alongside members of her family and close circle including Virginia Woolf, Clive Bell and Duncan Grant.

This book explores Bell’s radical approach to art and life through her paintings and designs for interiors, gardens, book jackets and more, bringing her work out of the shadow of her male contemporaries while celebrating her collaborative approach. Illustrated by over 100 striking images drawn from the V&A’s important collection of her work, this engaging overview also considers Bell’s unique, artisanal designs for the Omega Workshops and for Charleston Farmhouse in Sussex, her family residence, foregrounding the home as a crucial site of modernity.

SJ Axelby brings new life to interior portraiture, capturing in paint the favourite rooms of 89 leading creatives from interior designers to ceramicists and antiques dealers (and florists and chefs). A sumptuously illustrated record of a home or special project, each interior portrait is accompanied by a charming and quirky interview with the owner, in which we discover invaluable nuggets of design advice, cocktail choice, life hacks and so much more – all illustrated in watercolour by SJ.

There is a long tradition of painting rooms to provide a record of grand homes, giving a glimpse into the life and times of previous generations. Today there is a resurgence of interest in our living spaces, but there is no book in the tradition of illustrated room portraiture to inspire you. SJ Axelby’s Interior Portraits will take you into multiple unique and colourful homes, seen through the artist’s eye.

Creating an authentic and characterful scheme is much like the composition of a painting: the shape, form, contrast, colour, pattern and texture all need to work in harmony. This pictorial guide includes not only Sarah-Jane’s original watercolours but scrapbook pages annotated with design wisdom from each room’s owners, which will enthuse and empower the reader to try new ideas in their own homes. It’s a creative who’s who of the international design world featuring mouth-watering compositions bursting with colour and pattern and displaying the true joy of a home that reflects its owner’s personality. With a foreword by Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels.

Just a few of the creatives featured:
Alexandra Tolstoy
Alice Stori Liechtenstein
Anna Spiro
Ashley Hicks
Ben Pentreath & Charlie McCormick
Cath Kidston Padgham
Erica Davies
Flora Soames
Henry Holland
Kit Kemp
Lucinda Chambers
Lulu Lytle
Luke Edward Hall & Duncan Campbell
Matilda Goad
Penny Morrison
Robert Kime
Skye McAlpine
Sophie Conran

• 20 beautifully  photographed  projects, from wearable keepsakes to majestic seasonal centrepieces;  
• Tips  to  get creative with the leftover materials;  
• A handy index of suitable flowers  which  outlines  characteristics, symbols and best combinations.  

 
Play with  texture  and colour, discover  unusual blooms and botanicals,  and  create something truly original  that lasts a lifetime.