Excerpted from the beautiful book Simple Home, we present New Year’s inspiration for fostering a home free from clutter and full of joy.

The Simple Home is about keeping things plain and useful – it’s a chance to get back to basics, to consider ideals of good design and the forgotten traditions of craftsmanship, and then to think about how these tenets can be adapted to a more modern approach. This way of living feels refreshing at a time when things seem to have a tendency to get over-complicated.

That’s not to say the simple home has to be hard-edged or overly austere, with no cats, crumbs or kids allowed. Instead, it’s the key to comfortable relaxed living. The look allows for flexibility and endless options, giving you the chance to curate your home like a personal museum; reconsider your belongings and only surround yourself with things that you really love.

A collection of oddly shaped ceramic pots, vases and vessels sits comfortably with piles of well-read paperbacks. Whether by design or good luck, the ensemble works very well, creating a perfectly colour-matched assembly.

This light and airy kitchen boasts surprising contrasting details. The smooth olive green cabinetry, shiny range and sleek marble countertop are offset by a wall-mounted cupboard with flaking paint and wide unfinished floorboards.

The beautifully textured wall is almost like an Impressionist painting of a cloudy sky. The soft folds of the armchair’s loose slipcover enhance the subtle blue shades.

The sturdy stone fireplace, complete with a log-burning stove and Cornish granite floor, gives the room a comfortingly timeless quality.

Delicate white-on-white embroidery gives this bed a simple luxurious quality. Extra-large feather-filled pillows add to this feeling of cozy grandeur, while the pair of efficient curved Bestlite task lamps resting on bamboo and woven wicker tables lends a modern touch.

This living space is a perfect study in black and white. An armchair with deliberately frayed fabric sits next to a classic Robin Day chair. The built-in shelves hold a well-considered collection of pieces that continue the theme.