1936 was a good year for history – the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the abdication of King Edward VIII so he could marry his American divorcee girlfriend Wallace Simpson, Buddy Holly was born, public TV was launched for the first time in the UK and Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics much to the disgust of an up and coming dictator in Germany – Adolf Hitler. Manchester City won its first ever First Division title and Manchester United were relegated.

Toby Marlow, Building & Construction Director from Haddonstone, outlines why cast stone is the smart choice for modern construction and historical renovation... Natural stone, such as marble, slate and sandstone, has been a core construction material around the world for centuries; think the Taj Mahal, Palace of Westminster, the Palace of Versailles, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, for example. Weather-resistance, beauty, durability, and low maintenance contribute to the appea

Reflecting the continued growth and diversification of the business, Style has rebranded as Style Group , expanding its partitions and moveable wall expertise to include an Acoustic Solutions range .   The new name brings together a comprehensive interior solutions portfolio under a single, cohesive identity, while maintaining the same regional teams, specialist knowledge and customer-focused approach that the company is well known for. Style Group delivers market-leading mov

MDF  is a staple component in most homes; the panel product has been around since 1966 when West Fraser’s CaberMDF  was introduced to the building market.   It can be sawn, drilled, shaped, and routed cleanly with minimum fuss, using hand or machine tools  and looks good as the sm ooth surface of the panels is ideal for painting , veneers, or paper foils. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash CaberMDF plays hide and seek around the home; it can be an architectural feature, fa s cia

By Paul Trace, Director, Stella Rooflight.. .....    Over the past decade, the specification of rooflights in historic and sensitive buildings has evolved significantly. Advances in performance, detailing and thermal efficiency have  broadened what is possible, while planning authorities and conservation officers have  become increasingly familiar with rooflights as a legitimate way to introduce natural light  into traditionally challenging spaces.  Alongside this progress, h

Soft curves, dappled details and minimal form – luxury architectural hardware brand Croft has drawn inspiration from the tactile elements of nature across a range of its core collections. From the sweeping movement of Lunar to the refined elements of Bark, each product captures a beautiful fragment of the natural world, all meticulously designed and handcrafted in the UK. Bark Croft’s newest launch, Bark is inspired by the rugged texture of bark to bring a natural yet contemp

When a top development location became available in the leafy suburbs of a prime area in the South  of England, it was ideal for a successful businessman to build two homes for family members. As the slightly remote location could cause the properties to be vulnerable when the homes were  unoccupied, the family sought a chic solution for physical security that would harmonise with the  character of the architecture but give complete peace of mind.  They quickly chose Equilux

As homeowners continue to seek spaces that balance comfort, character and longevity, the design landscape for 2026 places a renewed focus on natural materials, elevated textures and refined colour palettes. Drawing on his experience as a judge at the prestigious British institute of Interior Design Awards, and his deep understanding of global design narratives, Paul Moody, Global Marketing & Digital Director at Havwoods, outlines the trends set to shape the year ahead - demon