What We Write About

My Country Hideaway covers a lot of ground for a small magazine, because a home touches a lot of ground. This page lists every section, what you will find in it and who usually writes there, so you can head straight for the shelf you want.

Around the house

House is Lettice's territory: seasonal upkeep, heating and the hearth, plumbing worries, windows, awnings and kitchen lighting. Start here if something in the house needs attention before the weather turns.

Decor is the softer side of the same rooms: how to set a space up for guests, light it kindly and make it feel lived in.

Guides & Tips gathers the step-by-step pieces from every corner of the site, from cleaning cast iron to choosing the right size of rental container.

Screens and gadgets

Streaming looks at how television reaches the living room over the internet, how it differs between countries, and what to think about with accessibility and children.

Tech covers the wider world of devices and software: home set-ups, VPNs, displays and the digital tools that small businesses use day to day. Gethin writes most of both sections.

Gaming is a small corner for online games and the communities around them.

Pastimes and everyday life

Hobby is for weekend projects and pastimes: building a fire pit, making a bird feeder and other ways to spend a free afternoon.

Lifestyle is the broadest section, covering food, gifts, pets, clothing and the services that make home life easier.

Travel collects pieces about other places, their food and the practicalities of living or working abroad.

Personal holds the odd, enthusiastic piece about a particular interest, such as hand-modified watches. Elspeth looks after these three shelves.

Work and the rest

Business covers small-firm topics: advertising, cleaning and property services, retail products and signage.

Misc. is exactly what it sounds like, a drawer for articles that did not fit neatly anywhere else, from helmets to recovery after dental work. Health and legal pieces there stay general; please check anything important with a qualified professional.

Finding your way

Most articles sit in more than one section, so you may meet the same piece twice. If you would rather follow a short, hand-picked route than browse whole sections, try Our Reading Shelf. Ideas for sections we do not have yet are always welcome through Reach Us.