Why old is gold

The deeper designers dig into our decorative past, the more gleaming nuggets they unearth

Sealed with a kiss

Peaking at Christmas, regard for mistletoe is deeply rooted in myth and legend, finds Ian Morton-not to mention the age-old tradition of kissing underneath it

Hung up by the chimney with care

Children around the land will soon awake in the darkness of early morning, straining their eyes to make out the shape of a now-bulging Christmas stocking-but when did we start filling socks with satsumas, sixpences and tin whistles.

Peace on earth and mercy mild

We have a tendency to exhaust ourselves trying to create the perfect Christmas, but we should return to the charitable heart of the season and be mindful of those who are struggling, advocates the Revd Daniel A . French

Journey of the Magi

Britain's greatest masterpieces

All is calm, all is bright

On a two-coat, chilly December night, a John Lewis-Stempel and his labrador Plum venture out into the glass-hard air to check on the sheep and drink in the stars

A new lease of life

From a windmill to old stables, these conversions pack historical punch

Talking a lot of rot

ONCE upon a time, the three ‘r’s meant reading, ’riting and ’rithmetic. Nowadays, they stand for ‘recycle, repurpose and re-use’.

The big list

To describe a building as ‘listed’ is a way of saying it is important, but what does it mean? Roger Bowdler looks at how listing came about and how it has changed

A new lease of life

A light touch is the secret to sensitive restoration, finds Amelia Thorpe

‘We're the solution, not the problem'

The new CLA president on farming today, family tragedy and grey partridge

The restoration game

Some of our most desirable country houses were almost completely remodelled by the likes of Lutyens, Lorimer, Voysey and Blow. Yet, under current rules, such projects wouldn’t be allowed, says Hamish Scott

The moody new hue

As range cookers become ever more sophisticated, Aga has launched a dark and glamorous new incarnation, finds Eleanor Doughty

Labours of love

Two country houses have flourished under the stewardship of their current owners, whose efforts have turned them into perfect homes

A garden restored

At his home at Westonbirt in Gloucestershire, Robert Stayner Holford created one of the finest gardens of the Victorian era. Following a major restoration, this little-known gem is once again turning heads, finds Natasha Goodfellow

A building back from the brink

A major restoration project promises to restore and reunite not only a magnificent house, but its landscape as well. Marcus Binney reports on the remarkable work undertaken so far

Sleeping beauty

All looks peaceful at Morton Hall, Worcestershire, but key tasks will be tackled in winter to ensure that, come spring, the garden is ready to burst into life, says Tiffany Daneff

Yacón and oca: like potatoes, but not

IN the weeks to come, you may find yourself sitting by the fire with a glass of something relaxing, mulling over a few plant and seed catalogues, anticipating spring. It is one of my favourite winter activities.

In glorious technicolour

Our cathedrals were once filled with colour, argues Simon Jenkins. Isn’t it time we brought it back?

The flying barn door

Once accused of snatching children, but more likely to take a tennis ball, ‘the eagle with the sunlit eye’ is back soaring through our skies thanks to a careful reintroduction programme, discovers Vicky Liddell

Pick of the year

The thrilling discovery of an Old Master drawing forms the centrepiece of London Art Week

A temple to peace

Grand Lodge, London WC2 The Freemasons’ Hal: One of London’s most imposing Art Deco interiors has thrown open its doors to visitors. James Campbell explains the remarkable history of this extraordinary building Photographs by Will Pryce

Life is a highway

From winding mountain passes to broad, salt-washed vistas that make you feel you can fly, Britain was made for taking the scenic route.Annunciata Elwes describes eight glorious roads

Island hopping in the Caribbean

From Antigua to St Vincent, Caribbean countries are known for their pristine beaches, crystalline waters and luxuriant vegetation, but there’s more to them than scenic beauty. Carla Passino discovers some of their perks and quirks, plus superb properties for sale

Crystal Palace

VISITING Hyde Park to look for traces of the Crystal Palace is a fruitless exercise. For a few months in 1851, as the purpose-built venue for the Great Exhibition, the 100ft-high, 1,848ft-long and 408ft-wide structure stood in the area between the Prince of Wales Gate on Kensington Road and Rotten Row.

A shaggy dog story

These big bundles of fur have advertised Dulux and danced with David Bowie, but numbers of old English sheepdogs are plummeting, warns Katy Birchall

Interiors - The designer's room

A large collection of books lines the informal library of Kit Kemp’s Hampshire home

Bonkers bespoke

What to do when you can’t find that perfect luxury item? Design it from scratch, of course, and, with the right help, it’ll be beyond your wildest dreams

Fix up, look sharp

These dream projects need TLC, but are well worth the bother

Snug as a bug in a quilt

If you’re planning to make a patchwork quilt, be sure to stick with tradition, inviting your friends and stitching to the accompaniment of violins and bagpipes