Sally Coulthard

When we describe a home as being 'full of character', we mean that it's individual or exceptional in some way. Character comes from a variety of sources, some from the property itself, and others from the people who live there, while the act of bringing character into a home is a layering process, one that starts with the bones of the building and finishes with the decor - the human element. In this new book, interiors expert Sally Coulthard explains just what it takes to turn an uninspiring space into a personality-packed home, whether it's a cottage, an apartment or a modern family house. Each chapter focuses on a particular element - for example, the importance of family and loved ones, and making an interior feel like a social space - and explains why this element matters and how to bring it into your home. Inspirational features, in the form of 'Keys to Character' boxes, offer tips on incorporating individuality into even the most unpromising of spaces, from making the most of period details and mixing old and new furnishings to introducing artwork and displaying photographs.

Gardens are now considered by many people to be an extension of the home, and with the popularity of reclaiming, re-using and re-inventing rather than buying brand new items, now is the time to embrace the value of outdoor salvage. Gardenalia provides the inspiration and the know-how for creating a perfect outdoor room. In the first section of the book Sally Coulthard guides the reader through the myriad choices of recycled and reclaimed materials and objects you can employ in your garden to inject style and personality. Gardenalia can be introduced in many forms, from recycled wooden fences and charming old gates, to reclaimed brick for paths and edging, and metal plant supports, pergolas and arches. Statuary and ornaments offer decorative devices and design focal points. All types of furniture - from classical benches to weather-beaten old tables and retro deckchairs - can create stylish areas for dining and relaxing, while containers and tools provide the perfect finishing touches. The second section covers a wide variety of different garden spaces, taking in potagers, vintage and formal style gardens, relaxing spaces, container gardening, colourful corners, potting sheds, spaces for work and play and even animal sanctuaries for wildlife and pets. A host of inventive ideas show you how to breathe new life and uses into salvaged pieces. Gardenalia offers practical guidance for the perennial garden tasks of planning your space, incorporating seating and eating areas and creating exciting backdrops and structures for your plants.

Hedgehogs, with their quiet determination and bristling, bumbling ways, are seen by many of one of life's most enduring symbols of the countryside and town gardens. This shy, snuffling, enigmatic animal has captured the imagination of children and adults for centuries - from Beatrix Potter's Mrs Tiggywinkle to Sonic the Hedgehog. Full to the brim with fascinating insights and countryside lore, The Hedgehog Handbook explores different facets of this much-admired mammal - from its wildlife habits to its literary heritage, how different cultures have viewed the hedgehog and what we can do to help preserve this icon of rural life. Fun, sweet and warm hearted, The Hedgehog Handbook is a month by month celebration of one of the countryside's best-loved creatures. Packed with inspirational quotes, entertaining facts, folklore and literary references, it's the perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for prickles.

We need bees. We rely on them not only to pollinate our planet but to sweeten our lives with the fruits of their labours - honey, beeswax, Royal Jelly. These tiny, hardworking insects have transformed our lives with their quiet diligence; fertilising much of our food, most of the wild plants we rely on, and giving us thousands of years of sugary pleasure, candlelight and beauty treatments. But bees are in danger. Across the planet, bee numbers are plummeting. Honey bees, fat, fluffy bumblebees and key species of solitary bees are disappearing from our gardens, fields and wild spaces. Over the past 50 years, the UK has lost more than half its solitary bee numbers and three species of bumblebee have gone extinct. In the rest of Europe, nearly one in ten species of wild bees are facing extinction, in the US about a quarter of all wild bees have disappeared in the past ten years alone. Thankfully, we can do something if we act now. In The Bee Bible, best-selling author Sally Coulthard shows us fifty positive ways we can all save bees; from planting flowers bees love to mowing less, buying the right honey to influencing public spaces and government policy. Whether you garden for bees, shop with bees in mind, campaign for bees, or just learn a bit of bee-whispering, little things can make a big difference. Just ask a bee.

'I thought I knew quite a bit about earthworms - until I picked up this charming little book' Nick Baker 'Many wonderful wormy tales unearthed by Coulthard' BBC Countryfile Magazine 'A gem of a book' Country Smallholding Without these little engineers of the earth, the world's soils would be barren, and our gardens and fields wouldn't be able to grow the food we need to survive. Worms recycle decaying plants, putting nutrients back into the soil; they provide a food source for wildlife; and their constant burrowing helps heavy rain soak away. Sally Coulthard's fascianting guide offers a wealth of information and practical advice about the world's msot industrious but little understood creature.