Jenny Oldaker
Jenny Oldaker is a Bristol-based freelance writer, who loves turning her hand to all kinds of subject matter but has a particular interest in travel, interiors and antiques – and anything to do with the natural world.
Recent articles by Jenny Oldaker
The Dorset town that has it all – breathtaking beach, indie shops and cool cafes
An enticing antiques scene, thriving independent spirit and an idyllic location are among the attractions of this welcoming Dorset town. Jenny Oldaker spends a weekend exploring Bridport's highlights…
Glamour on the Orient Express: These European trains take luxury to the next level
From on-board spas to high-end dining, panoramic views and luxury cabins, these six iconic trains offer extraordinary journeys across the UK and beyond…
Beaches: Six unspoilt beaches you'd never guess are in the UK
Amid its many miles of entrancing coastline, the UK has a wealth of world-class beaches. Jenny Oldaker celebrates some British coastal destinations with a distinctly exotic appeal…
The kitchen island is out. These are the budget-friendly alternatives you’ll want instead
The traditional fitted kitchen island now faces competition from more flexible, modern alternatives
Crack down on clutter! 48 stylish storage options to organise your home like a pro
Nothing injects a sense of order like getting on top of your storage – the right system won’t just keep things neat, it will also enhance your home and soothe away stress
The sub-tropical Portuguese island that’s set to become a 2025 favourite
Jenny Oldaker discovers Madeira’s capital to be an elegant, artistic place with wide open spaces, verdant beauty spots and a picture-perfect sea-facing location…
Can’t afford an interior designer? A colour consultant could take your home to the next level at a fraction of the cost…
A lick of paint is often billed as the speediest and easiest way to transform a room, but choosing the right colour can be daunting...
Collecting bird prints
Antique ornithological illustrations offer an insight into a dynamic era in the exploration of nature. We consider their appeal for today’s collectors…
Get to grips with garden design and create your dream green space
With longer days tempting us outside, now’s the ideal time to enrol on a course to guide you through creating your perfect garden
An old stone house renovation in France
The romantic Dordogne in south-west France proved the perfect backdrop for Jean Marc Durand’s renovation of an old stone house that is now just as charming as its dreamy locale. Photographs Elena Augier/CocoFeatures.com
13 heritage paint brands to shop in 2023
From carbon-neutral delivery to low VOCs and reduced ‘paint miles’, these heritage paint brands are helping to make the paint industry kinder to the planet
How to clean, polish and repair antique wood
Keep special pieces of furniture looking their best with our guide to caring for wood…
Buying guide: Antique Beds
Lending an air of romance to the bedroom, it’s easy to see why buying an antique bed is becoming ever-more popular
How to repair cornicing
A guide on repairing cornicing at home and when you should call in the experts...
Best poet's houses to visit around the UK for a holiday
Give your next staycation a literary slant with a holiday at the former home or estate of a famous poet. Here are some historic haunts that offer a uniquely inspiring break…
The best interior design workshops, courses and online tutorials
Top interior designers share their technical and creative expertise in these brilliant online and in-person courses on the art of interior design and how to design your home using stylish soft furnishings
How Claire renovated the hallway in her 19th-century home
Claire explains the process of transforming a cramped and dingy hallway and stairs into an elegant, light-filled space
How to renovate a Victorian home with maximalist interiors
Sara Austin relocated from London to the coast of Northern Ireland, where she is renovating her family’s Victorian home
A history of wool
Sustainable, natural and hugely versatile, wool has been keeping our homes cocoon-like for thousands of years, and this miraculous material is now inspiring a whole new raft of interest
How to renovate an Edwardian home
Eilidh Smith shares the renovation story of her Edwardian home near Edinburgh
How to renovate a 17th century farmhouse
Laura Sutherland breathed fresh life into her ancient stone farmhouse with a comprehensive but sympathetic renovation…
A history of door knockers
As functional sculptures that sit between our home and the outside world, door knockers can be expressive, useful and beautiful – and they’ve been appreciated by homeowners for hundreds of years
How Laura renovated her ancient Hampshire cottage
Laura Dadswell, Director of Westland London, shares the ups and downs of renovating her ancient Hampshire cottage
Collecting Mordan pencils
Small, practical and exquisitely decorative, it’s little surprise that Mordan pencils remain popular today, and they can be remarkably affordable, too