Decor 101

Sadly, my planned March trip to the Norwegian Arctic didn’t happen, as I came down with flu and was too ill to travel. But once I recovered I did have a small consolation prize in the form of an impromptu minibreak on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast in eastern England. Stretching for more than 45 miles, the North Norfolk Coast is a land of salt marshes, sand dunes, sweeping beaches and big skies. Much of it is now covered by protected nature reserves that are home to all sorts of birds and marine life, including common and grey seals. It’s an area Chris and I have loved ever since we first visited 10 years ago, so when I had to travel there for work he decided to join me and we tagged on an additional night’s stay. Our base was Cley next the Sea, one of several medieval harbour villages strung along the River Glaven. It’s an idyllic place for an escape, whether you have two weeks, two days or, like us, only 24 hours to spare. Here’s what we got up to, along with my top tips fo...

With sunshine one minute and rain showers the next, spring has definitely arrived – and that means my seasonal round-up of the best scented candles! For me candles aren’t just a winter thing, and I love selecting fragrances that suit my mood and the moment. Around now I start swapping the smoky, spicy notes that I tend to favour during the colder months for lighter scents that breathe a bit of freshness into the house, and I’ve picked out 21 of the best below. The ever-increasing array of candles on the market nowadays means narrowing down the choice can be tricky, so I’ve focused on the kind of thing that appeals to me at this time of year, with some old favourites alongside new discoveries for 2025. There are delicate florals evoking blossoms and wildflower-filled woodland, clean blends inspired by laundry billowing in the breeze, aqueous fragrances that speak of refreshing spring rainfall, and invigorating scents created to uplift and revitalise after the long, dark winter...