A note from the editor

Here we are, at the dawn of the year, looking ahead to 2023. For me, every year seems to rush by more quickly – I sometimes wonder where whole months have gone. This time, I have vowed to savour the seasons and really live in the moment. To help me, I am going to keep a nature journal, jotting down changes in the garden, and I have an old boss to thank for this idea. He owned a farm and would consult his diaries as months scuttled by for clues about the weather, what he could expect from his crops and if they were ahead or behind compared to previous years. It fascinated me then and still fascinates me now. I hope my own journal will root me even more in nature and help me appreciate the seasons as they come and go.

On page 52, we take the long view of the year, predicting the hottest talking points from hyper-local fashion to the new show gardens at Chelsea. Elsewhere, we offer plenty of inspiration for projects to embark on in the coming months. Our Start-up Success story (below left) on page 84 features an incredible ‘visible mender’, whose intricate designs will encourage you to take a needle to mothravaged jumpers or frayed shirts to give them that creative edge. Then, on page 96, we speak to couples who have gone into business together (below right) to see what it’s really like and for invaluable tips on how to make joint passion projects work. Thinking of a home makeover? We present a wealth of ideas to add character to your kitchen on page 63, while our renovation story on page 120 is bursting with pattern and life.

However you choose to spend the months ahead, I hope we will be able to provide you with an abundance of inspiration, advice and encouragement along the way.

I wish you a wonderful year…