Serena Fokschaner
How to upholster furniture without breaking the bank
From repurposing old materials to adding a terrific trim: these are the hacks to achieve beautifully upholstered pieces without breaking the bank.
A west London house with a resourceful approach to high-low interiors
With not a single right angle in this house – which was formerly a post office and corner shop – it took a lot of thought from architect and interior designer Aida Bratovic to make it work for her family.
What is it that makes an interior compelling?
There's one thing that makes interiors stand out – and it's not what you might think.
How to find the right designer for you
With a seemingly endless array of choice, how do you find the right designer or architect for your project? Serena Fokschaner investigates
British and Mediterranean styles combine to bring a neglected Maltese house back to life
Having moved back to Malta, where she spent much of her childhood, Sophie Edwards took over the island’s oldest pottery, which produces the hand-painted ceramic pieces that feature in many of the colourful, light-filled rooms of her townhouse
A converted warehouse in south London with the airy feel of a New York loft
Having lived in this converted warehouse in south London for eight years, the owners enlisted the help of 23 Architecture and interior designer Nicola Mardas to capitalise on its expansive interiors without losing all sense of its history
How interior designers are shaping the new breed of pubs
The idea of the old smoke-filled, horse-brass-bedecked pub interior still has a strong pull for many of us, but these days punters are demanding a bit more sophistication from their pubs. Serena Fokschaner explores how interior designers are ushering the new ultra-chic pub into existence
A 1960s flat in west London that represents the best of mid-century style
A warm, retro palette and chic cabinetry designed by Natalie Tredgett with owner Tara Nash create a flexible live-work space in this two storey apartment
An Arts & Crafts house on the edge of London with an interior to suit its literary past
Rebeka Russell, the publisher behind Manderley Press, took inspiration from this house's previous owner, the author William Hale White, and his friend William Morris, to create a family home that perfectly balances past and present
Making a case for the return of the snug
Every house should have a snug, as a place to retreat from the world and be surrounded by simply what we love most
How to make a terraced house suitable for multi-generational living
As rising rents and economic pressures cause more and more graduates to move back into their parents' houses, Serena Fokschaner explores how to future proof your house for multi generational living
Brandon Schubert cleverly mixes periods and styles in a Victorian villa in north London
By reinstating missing period features and introducing a fresh spirit in his choice of materials, colour palette and furniture, the interior designer Brandon Schubert has given this north London villa a new look with just the right mix of classic and contemporary
Do Americans and Brits have fundamentally different approaches to interior design?
Serena Fokschaner unpacks the idiosyncrasies of interior design in Britain versus the States, and explores what ultimately sets them apart and where they find common ground
Where, why and how to repair your household items
Serena Fokschaner explores the history of mending our household items, why it's faltered in recent times and what the future could look like
A rambling former vicarage in south London brought to life by Tamsin Saunders
Tasked with bringing colour and harmony to the ‘greige’ interiors of this Victorian house, interior designer Tamsin Saunders has created spaces to inspire the artist who lives there
Why you should be considering a freestanding kitchen
Fitted kitchens may be our default approach, but opting for freestanding furniture can produce a much more characterful room, and you can take it with you when you move
A glorious riverside house in west London refreshed and revived by Kate Guinness
Having bought the house next door to her west London townhouse, the owner called in interior designer Kate Guinness to gently layer styles and eras, filling the space with colour and pattern
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Reading the room: why artists are turning their attention to interiors
Serena Fokschaner examines the return to interior art, with a clutch of bright young artists looking to beautiful rooms for inspiration
A London apartment that feels like a country house in miniature
Decorator Chloe Willis' own London house is not just a showcase of her skills, but a marvel in creating a comfortable country feel in the heart of the city
Vanessa Macdonald brings English country house style to an Alpine chalet
The inviting rooms of this Verbier chalet are a masterclass in artful fusion, as designer Vanessa Macdonald has brought together English and Alpine influences, antique and contemporary pieces, and texture and pattern to create a cleverly coherent whole