Jessica Salter

Aubergine and related deep plum, burgundy and brown-purple shades are enjoying a revival in interiors, appearing on walls, cabinetry, furniture, textiles and accessories. The trend is linked to historical associations with luxury, the 1970s and a broader preference for warm, cocooning colours. The guide recommends 15 ways to introduce the shade, ranging from paint, fabric and tiles to cookware, lighting, textiles, hardware and tableware, with products priced from £8 to more than £7,500.

A testing-based guide compares cylinder vacuum cleaners priced from under £100 to almost £400. The Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog is named Best Buy for its excellent cleaning and manoeuvrability, while the Henry HVR 160-11 is the best-value option. The Sebo Airbelt E1 Boost is recommended for lightweight durability, the AEG Animal 6000 for suction power, and the Hoover H-Power 300 for bagless, allergy-conscious cleaning. The guide concludes that cylinder vacuums generally offer stronger suction, larger capacities and longer cleaning ranges than cordless models, while buyers should consider weight, filtration, cord length, floor type and whether they prefer bagged or bagless designs.

Stripes are presented as a cheerful, versatile summer interior trend with a long design history spanning ticking, Victorian wall treatments, Art Deco, cabana styles and 1970s patterns. The guide highlights 15 ways to introduce stripes through cushions, bedding, tableware, accessories, lighting, bathroom textiles, rugs and table linens, including products from brands such as Colours of Arley, Piglet in Bed, Feldspar, Ruggable and Toast. Lucy Williams’s collaboration with Colours of Arley provides an additional example of using repurposed vintage pieces and striped fabrics throughout the home.

Jessica Salter compares expensive Soho Home furnishings with lower-priced alternatives from high-street, online and vintage retailers. She finds that cheaper products can convincingly reproduce the look, particularly for accessories such as cushions, throws and lighting, but often differ in materials, construction, size and finish. Her verdict is to prioritize durability and craftsmanship when buying frequently used furniture such as beds and armchairs, while saving on decorative items and considering vintage pieces as a cost-effective option.

A shopping guide recommends 15 products priced from £14 to £1,399 for bringing the Wimbledon atmosphere into homes, gardens and picnics. The selection includes cooling bags, seating, radios, blankets, official Wimbledon merchandise, candles, tennis accessories, tableware, drinks, luggage, roses and a padel racket, with an emphasis on stylish summer entertaining and outdoor viewing.

Independent testing of robot vacuum cleaners across hard floors, carpets and rugs identifies the Dyson 360 Vis Nav as the best overall model, the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro as the best value option, and the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Bot Combo Steam Plus as the leading vacuum-and-mop. Dreame, Eufy, Tapo and Shark models stand out for advanced navigation, mopping and hands-off maintenance, while cheaper models generally involve compromises in mapping, suction or reliability. Robot vacuums have become substantially smarter through AI, obstacle detection and automated docking stations, but they remain expensive, require app setup and maintenance, and are not a complete replacement for a conventional vacuum—particularly in smaller British homes or on demanding carpets.

Interior designer Nicola Harding explains how reconfiguring existing rooms, rather than relying on a costly kitchen extension, can make a home feel larger and function better. In a Victorian house beside the Thames, she moved the kitchen from a dark front room to the brighter rear, converted the former kitchen into a utility and boot room, added a compact pantry, and used zoning, rugs, lighting and colour to improve flexibility. A smaller orangery-style garden room replaced a planned glass-box extension, reinforcing the conclusion that reorganising existing space often delivers the greatest improvement at lower cost and with less disruption.

Jessica Salter recommends 23 homeware purchases and five Telegraph Recommended products for making interiors warmer and cosier during winter. The suggestions include textiles, rugs, candles, lighting, bath products, flowers, heated bedding and a compact electric heater, with advice from designer Cath Beckett on using warm colours, layered lighting and generous textiles. The products range from low-cost supermarket and high-street options to premium furnishings, with emphasis on comfort, insulation, atmosphere and small decorative updates.

Caroline Beazley recounts being shot in the face, head and hand by a sniper while serving as an unarmed military police officer at age 22. After extensive surgery, lasting nerve damage and medical discharge from the military, she struggled with isolation and the loss of her career and sense of purpose. Support from The Not Forgotten charity connected her with fellow veterans and helped her see her facial scars as symbols of strength rather than restraints. Following the death of her sister Chrissy from ovarian cancer, the charity again supported Beazley by involving her in a song project with Matt Goss. Her story is featured as part of The Telegraph’s Christmas Charity Appeal.

Ottomans are presented as increasingly popular alternatives to coffee tables because they combine seating, foot support, storage and decorative appeal. Designers recommend choosing generous proportions, durable or expressive fabrics, and shapes suited to the surrounding furniture, while storage models can help keep living rooms uncluttered. The article also explains how trays, books, candles and flowers can style an ottoman, before reviewing ten options ranging from affordable footstools to highly bespoke, handcrafted designs.

Jessica Salter offers practical ways to prepare a garden for a summer party without extensive renovation. Her recommendations include tidying and disguising unattractive areas, adding potted plants, positioning dining and seating areas around the garden, using cushions and varied furniture, and installing warm lighting. She also advises providing shade with parasols or gazebos and creating a separate drinks station or pop-up bar to make hosting easier and more sociable.

A range of bedroom changes can make sleeping during a heatwave more comfortable, beginning with breathable natural materials such as cotton, linen and wool. Recommended options include lightweight bedding, wool-filled mattresses or toppers, fans and temperature-controlled mattress technology, blackout blinds, LED lighting, cooling personal-care products, loose cotton nightwear, houseplants and silk or satin eye masks. The advice combines inexpensive practical measures, such as closing blinds during the day and freezing hot-water bottles, with premium products including the Eight Sleep Pod4 and Dyson Purifier Cool PC1.

Pistachio green is identified as a major 2025 trend across interiors, fashion, beauty and food. Its soft grey and yellow undertones make it versatile enough to function as a modern neutral, while pairings with deeper greens, orange, cocoa or neon shades can create different effects. Designers recommend using it on walls, floors, tiles and furniture, or introducing it more subtly through lamps, cushions, tableware and other accent details.