Articles by Jo Simmons

For many of us, the morning is a busy blur of family breakfasts, random tasks, frantic clock-watching and rapid showering. So how can a morning feel more calm than chaotic, more productive than problematic? One option is to take a leaf out of a truly …

As you might expect from a former agricultural building, this converted barn in Gloucestershire, England, is brimming with original features, including honey-toned Cotswold stone and hefty beams. When its owners bought it, they wanted to update the in…

When the owners of this house in north London wanted to create their dream family kitchen, friends recommended Kitchen Ergonomics as they’d used them previously. Andy Ward took on the project, his years of experience marking him as right for the job s…

This mostly east-facing yard in London posed several challenges for landscape designer Nigel Gomme. Its position meant it was shady, with the row houses at the back blocking light in the morning and the tall Victorian row the home belongs to creating …

For those of us lucky enough to have one, a laundry room is a hardworking space. It might house not just a washing machine and dryer but folding and hanging areas, along with storage for cleaning products, recycling boxes, pet food and infrequently us…

Living rooms can sometimes be overlooked now that so much of our at-home socializing takes place around a table in an open-plan kitchen space, but nothing beats being able to sit comfortably with friends and family, to talk, enjoy a drink or watch a m…

Designers have many strategies for creating a sense of harmony in a home, from repeating patterns to restricting materials. One thing they would agree on is that a harmonious look is not the same as one that’s dull or predictable. Anything from super-…

Vacuuming is a super-efficient way to rid floors and upholstery of crumbs, dust, pet hair and debris. But even if you’ve splurged on the fanciest vacuum cleaner on the market, your technique and approach to vacuuming could be flawed. Here’s how to tac…

It’s rarely anyone’s favorite job, but dusting will always sit at the top of any domestic cleaning to-do list. That’s because, with so much dust in the environment, it builds up on surfaces surprisingly quickly, demanding regular attention. The dust i…

When imagining how you can improve your daily life, it’s normal to think big: outfit a new kitchen, redesign the bathroom or extend the loft. But little changes — like giving yourself a future present or creating a “done” list — can go a long way too….