Simon Lewis

3 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Val Bourne |Tom Brown |Samantha Priestley |Simon Lewis

From star jasmine to honeysuckle and Oriental lilies, fragrant plants are perfect for pollinators, and add an extra dimension to your gardenFragrance is the gardening version of aromatherapy, because it's pure pleasure: it soothes the mind and conjures up past memories in a nanosecond. The scent wafting through the air is designed to lure in pollinators, and it's worth noting that nectar flows more freely in warmer, sheltered situations away from strong winds.

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Lucy Gornall |Melanie Lissack |Boudicca Fox-Leonard |Simon Lewis

Furniture, while functional, can also impact how you feel. That faded, sagging armchair that's been passed down as a family heirloom may no longer fit in with the aesthetic of your front room, while the IKEA shelves from yesteryear look chaotic and dated. A total furniture overhaul might be the ideal solution, but it's not always realistic. Instead, bring tired furniture back to life. "A fresh coat of paint or furniture stain can make a huge difference.

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Melanie Lissack |Boudicca Fox-Leonard |Simon Lewis |Jessica Doyle

If you're hankering after a DIY project to tackle over one of the upcoming bank holiday weekends, a piece of furniture is a fun and rewarding way to spend a few hours. We've all got something inexpensive and unloved lying around the house. And with a splash of paint, a few rolls of wallpaper and a bit of trimming, you can turn it into something that looks far more expensive. Stylist and interior design blogger Melanie Lissack is a DIY enthusiast and upcycling expert.

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Boudicca Fox-Leonard |Simon Lewis |Jessica Doyle |Eleanor Steafel

Skills shortageLack of quality has become endemic. Not least because there is a severe shortage in skilled trades people in the UK. Over 250,000 extra construction workers are required by 2028 to meet demand. "We're so short of skilled trades that if you get someone to do it, the chances are they might do it worse than you. It's a tricky one," says McCloud. YouTube has allowed lay people to pick up new skills, but it's no substitute for real training.

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Jon Mundy |Sarah Finley |Simon Lewis |Catherine Hufton

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