I trained at the Cardiff School of Journalism, graduating with a diploma in magazine journalism in 1995. From there I got my first job, as a sub at BBC Homes & Antiques magazine, where I also began writing features. I then worked as a sub at Elle for two years before moving to Livingetc, where I eventually became chief sub editor and also wrote a number of design and homes features. I left in 2001 to become a freelance writer.

I still write regularly for Livingetc and have written about houses and property for 25 Beautiful Homes, Ideal Home, The Evening Standard, Elle Decoration, The Telegraph and The Guardian Weekend magazine. I have written about parenting for Your Family, the NSPCC's practical parenting title, and contribute regularly to Country Living magazine.

I have written five books on interiors. The latest, Homespun Style published by Ryland Peters & Small, is out in March 2012. Click on the Books link (left) to find out more. I co-wrote, with Jay Curtis, a humorous book about life with small children, called Can I Give Them Back Now? The Aargh To Zzzz Of Parenting, which was published in June 2009, by Square Peg/Random House and reissued in paperback in June 2010.

I have recently started work on a series of four children's fiction titles, to be published by Scholastic in spring 2013 - check out the News page (left) for updates on progress.

I am married with two children and live in Brighton.