Words: Laura Dweck Considering the importance of the bedroom’s ambience for our sleep and health, you’d be surprised that it’s often the room that sits furthest down the renovations priority list – mostly after the more ‘public’ rooms on show, like the kitchen and living room. If you’re stuck for inspiration, here are some tips for creating a bedroom to be proud of, no matter who sees it. Colour psychology In my humble opinion, there are two schools of thought when it comes to colour in the bedroom – those that wouldn’t dream of steering away from the neutrals in the rest of the house and tho ..read more

Gaze up at the night sky amid gorgeous scenery at these stunning destinations Tone Valley View Glamping – Wellington Somerset Fancy stargazing in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, cycling in the Blackdown Hills and spending nights in a private hot tub? If your answer is a big ‘yes’, you’re in the right place with Tone Valley View Glamping. This adults-only glamping site is well-suited for a romantic getaway and a wildlife escape with plenty of creature comforts. There are views over the Tone Valley, so there’s a scenic backdrop at all times and access to your own personal stable – a ..read more

Relaxing on a rooftop as the world ebbs and flows beneath you is always a special kind of experience – even better if you have a glass of something delectable in hand. Let’s go sky-high and enjoy the view Lead image: La Terrazza, Florence By Cheryl Caira 230 FIFTH, New York Image: 230-fifth.com The Empire City’s largest rooftop bar gives ample opportunity for Manhattan skyline-gazing 365 days a year. From April to October, the roof deck becomes a tropical haven with the addition of around 60 petunia-covered palm trees, while during the winter guests are given complimentary red robes to st ..read more

The spectacular Villa Crespi in Piedmont is our wanderlust inspiration of the week Lead image: Francesca Pagliai With spring tentatively showing its blooming colours, our minds have turned to sunshine, relaxation and rejuvenation – and what better place than tranquil waters with a skyline of the alps? Our spring hotel wishlist begins with the stunning Villa Crespi in bucolic Piedmont. Overlooking Lake Orta, the five-star, family-owned luxury hotel is the ideal place to soak up the beauty of nature, and immerse yourself in some therapeutic wellness. You can relax amongst the scents of spri ..read more

A medieval village in the heart of Tuscany, where centuries-old ruins have been brought back to life, is becoming renowned for its eco-considerate luxury and unspoilt, sweeping views By Cheryl Caira Whisper the words, “I’m off to Tuscany” and most people will stare at you with barely concealed jealousy. Blessed with dreamy topography and on the top of every foodie’s list, the central Italian region stretching from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea needs little introduction. Beautiful locations are hardly slim pickings here, so settling on somewhere that’s both stunning and tranquil-feel ..read more

Lake Annecy and its surrounding mountain resorts still hold irresistible charm in the warmer months, finds Cheryl Caira There can be few sights more soul-stirring than catching a dramatic sunrise over the mountains. If you’ve previously only visited the French Alps during the winter, having a more sun-soaked experience can cast a brand-new spotlight over the area. The Annecy Mountains territory, encompassing the expanse of peaks with glimmering Lake Annecy at its foot, is abound with options for wellness. Even just staring at the picture-postcard scene before you and taking a deep gulp of moun ..read more

Acclaimed artist Antony Gormley has brought 100 life-size sculptures to stunning Houghton Hall Lead image credit: Pete Huggins His distinctive figures are globally acclaimed – from the Angel of the North, to sculptures taking up prime position on the Water of Leith, and installations as far afield as Western Australia. With artworks that investigate the relationship of the human body to space, Gormley’s Time Horizon installation – one of his largest-scale – will be shown for the first time in the UK. Covering 300 acres of parkland at Norfolk’s Houghton Hall and featuring 100 lif ..read more

Light your film fuse and see the USA’s third-largest city through the eyes of the camera By Cheryl Caira Hollywood may be the limelight stealer when it comes to being synonymous with cinema, but Chi-Town has plenty of heavyweight clapperboards to its name. Once America’s predominant hub for studios and filmmakers, with Charlie Chaplin kickstarting his career in the city’s Essanay Studios during the early 1900s, movie production took a dip when many film companies jumped ship to the sunnier climes of the West Coast. A revival arrived in the 1980s when Illinois began to lead the way with film in ..read more

The stunning Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk will feature creations from designers such as Issey Miyake and Alexander McQueen Lead image: Model Sally Pritchett at The Japanese Garden in Cowden, Scotland, wearing an antique kimono ahead of the opening of the exhibition Meaning simply, “the thing to wear”, the kimono in its myriad of forms is one of the ultimate symbols of Japan. Come May, the story of the garment’s influence as an ever-evolving icon of fashion will be explored in a major exhibition opening at V&A Dundee. From Saturday 4th May, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk will look at the style, appea ..read more

Cosy up and sip on some of the city’s finest drinks offerings Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Tokyo  A glorious view never fails to hit the spot as the perfect cocktail accompaniment, and Shangri-La’s refined Lobby Lounge fits the bill perfectly. Opulent interiors complemented by dark wooden furnishings evoke a classic cocktail bar ambience, while the venue’s lofty location on the 28th floor imbues a tranquil feeling of floating over the city, with a vista across Marunouchi and beyond. The menu’s alluring concoctions are a greatest hits of Shangri-La Hotel signature cocktails a ..read more