Ups and downs

The antique ironmongery that adorns old doors and windows is part of the history of the house, so keep it cared for and maintained by following our advice

Don’t let a few cracks send you running in the opposite direction to what could still be a dream renovation project – not all faults spell disaster

Vintage fruit-picking ladders – stalwarts of orchards for hundreds of years – are now cherished for their rustic charm and are finding new life as stylish, functional pieces in modern homes, as Alice Roberton explains

Often reflecting the vernacular, flooring in a period home is guided by landscape and locality, but global travel and interaction over the centuries also began to influence design aspirations

The right colour front door and cared-for sash windows can help preserve a property’s character and – even add value

Buying a property that includes a ruin carries undoubted romance, but there are caveats, reminds Lucy Denton, who advises on the help at hand