Drawing on a range of interiors worldwide, this book illustrates the timeless appeal of older houses, and what we can learn from them. Organised by theme: entertaining, living, sleeping, cooking, bathing and outdoor rooms, it looks at the observance and application of older decorating techniques.

Drawing on a range of interiors worldwide, this book illustrates the timeless appeal of older houses, and what we can learn from them. Organized by theme - entertaining, living, sleeping, cooking, bathing and outdoor rooms - the book revolves around how modern lifestyles have changed our domestic arrangements to meet the demands of time. We are encouraged to learn from the past to make the most of older houses for our contemporary modes of living, often seamlessly mixing the old and new. An extensive illustrated reference section reveals how long-neglected techniques, such as limewash, flat-oil paint, graining and gilding, can be applied to today's interiors, and also includes a directory showing where materials can be purchases.

Introduction - the timeless appeal of the well-worn interior
living - marrying the historical with the contemporary
entertaining - the social mise en scene
cooking and eating - age-old essentials
sleeping - peaceful havens away from modern-day bustle
bathing - water ceremonies
outdoor rooms - bringing the outdoors in
details and techniques - graining, limewash, gilding, decorative finishes, wallpaper, flat-oil paint, panelling, fireplaces, staircases, collecting, textiles, storage, displaying, hallways.