With the recent introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord has increased. By law you must inform potential buyers or tenants of the current energy efficiency performance of your property so that they can make intelligent and informed decisions on whether to rent or buy. It places increased pressure on owners and landlords to improve the efficiency where possible in order to positively impact the environment. With practical and affordable ideas such as underfloor heating or solar panels there’s something in here for all budgets and circumstances.

There are hundreds of books on building your own eco-home but if you’re not in a position to build your own pad, the next best thing is to refurbish what you’ve got. This book shows exactly what you can do to renovate your current home in an environmentally friendly way, with everything you need in one handy reference guide. It’s an extremely practical text with a useful case study to show us exactly how it’s done.

For advice on decorating and furnishing your home, Terence Conran is the best man for the job. In 1964 he opened the first Habitat shop and his empire includes the Conran Shop, Benchmark Furniture and many restaurants. Heavily involved in architecture and interior design, he was instrumental in the regeneration of the Shad Thames area of London.

The photos in the book are wonderful; Conran has included in here some of the most beautiful rooms and homes in the world. Some of the ideas simply won’t equate to a 3-bed semi in Bradford though so don’t get any grand ideas. As a reference guide it’s the perfect renovation companion but don’t imagine you’ll be able to get the Conran look on a budget – it’s high-end, fat-wallet stuff.

There are five main sections in the book, which discuss major structural work or smaller design improvements. Plus, there’s advice on the best decorating and furnishing options, a checklist of maintenance tips, and an index of useful addresses including advisory bodies, architects, designers, suppliers and shops (note that older versions of this book might be a little outdated now).

If you’re after a minimalist and contemporary look for your home, this is the place to start. You have to admire Conran’s ethos – he knows home design and much of it is simply timeless. Heed his principles and mould the ideas to fit your own space and budget.

If you’ve never heard of Nina Garcia, here’s the deal: Ms. Garcia was Fashion Director at Elle magazine and is now at Marie Claire so she has an incredible pedigree when it comes to commenting on and guiding the direction of women’s clothing. Not only that, she was also a judge on the popular fashion and lifestyle show, Project Runway.

For the essential rules on balancing classic styles with high trends, blending textures and colours, and what to wear on those special occasions, it’s all here. This really is a style bible that takes you on a wonderful fashion journey – by the end of it you’ll be wearing those ‘impulse purchase’ clothes you thought you’d never wear again!

A big advocate of the little black dress, Nina Garcia will help you find the perfect frock for your shape and she’ll also help you figure out the essential accessories to go with it. Her advice is to “buy the best you can afford” – after all we can’t all indulge in haute couture – yet her advice has meaning. Even those Primark purchases will look a million dollars when you follow Nina’s tips.

This book is beautifully illustrated and makes the perfect gift for your style-challenged friends – it’s also a book you’ll keep forever and continue to refer to when you’re having a fashion lull.  If women’s clothing is not your forte then this is one investment that will pay dividends – you never know, it might even help you increase your entries in your other ‘little black book’!

The Beams T stores are renowned for their minimalist aesthetic and are frequently used to showcase the work of local artists, their work adorning the walls. A unique revolving hanger ensures that focus and attention is on the clothing. For Beams, the t shirt is a canvas for new ideas – a tool for expressing inventive design.

There are over 300 designs in this book and it’s all about the inspiration. It’s really aimed at the artist who wants to branch out into t shirt design; there’s nothing in here to teach you how to print t shirts but there is an immense amount of eye-candy to encourage and inspire you. There is some really cool stuff in here. Over the last 20 years, Beams have collaborated with esteemed artists such as Tsuyoshi Kusano, Tsuyoshi Hirooka, Kiyoshi Kuroda, Kenjiro Harigai, and Tomoki Kurokawa.

If you’re looking for help with those cheeky hen-night t shirts you drunkenly volunteered for then you certainly won’t find it in here (in fact don’t bother, it’s never a good idea – stick with the L-plates). What you will find though is a sexy coffee-table essential on art and design. And, you might just get around to designing your own tees with the help of our friends at Beams.

In a similar vein to “The Art Book” –which is also from the same publisher – this compendium has over 500 pages, detailing the life and works of the biggest names in the fashion industry. Short biographies on influential designers such as John Galliano, Coco Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, as well as a whole host of models and photographers, are included. In addition to the A to Z format of the book, there is also a cross reference section regarding the different techniques used and collaborations between the big names.

Everything from women’s clothing to men’s fashion accessories gets a mention, and considering the amount of work that all these designers have collectively produced, it is quite astonishing that the authors were able to squeeze it all in.

There is no doubt that “The Fashion Book” is a must for any follower of style, and it’s glossy and glamorous layout will make it the perfect coffee-table book. Since it was realised in 2001, it has quickly become a bible for the fashion industry.

What is very impressive about the book is that the majority of the designs and techniques are easy to follow. Finding the right supplies to carry out the revamping work is also easy. Each style is given a difficulty rating between one and four, and the book also claims that no style should take more than half an hour to create. Each can range from the basic sewing of patches to dyeing in different colours, and there are plenty of ideas that could be utilised for both women’s and men’s fashion.

The book is published by Potter Craft who are renowned for their many guides on fashion and the re-styling of old clothes and accessories. Other titles that they have to their name include “Bend-the-Rules Sewing” and “Socks from the Toe Up”.

But as much as the information laid out in the book is in a clear step-by-step format, you may find some basic advice – regarding such things as preparation – has been omitted and it will therefore be up to the reader to find out about those tasks for themselves. However, for anyone interested in style or making their own clothes, this would make a great Christmas or birthday gift.

The author of the book is Cathy Strongman, who is known for her stylish titles and expertise in home-design and architecture. Two of her other books are “The Sustainable Home: The Essential Guide to Eco Building, Renovation and Decoration” and “New London Architecture 2”, which she wrote with Kenneth Powell.

“100 Houses: Modern Designs for Contemporary Living” was published in April 2009, by Merrell Publishers Ltd and consists of wonderfully shot photographs of cutting-edge designs as well as content that is well-written and extremely accessible. Over the 351 pages of the book, Strongman explains the aesthetics behind the designs, without relying on jargon or using any pretension.

Living room furniture, bathroom design and shower enclosures are just a selection of what is covered. This book will make the perfect Christmas or birthday present for anyone interested in modernising their home. Not only is the book filled with practical and helpful advice, but it will also make a great coffee-table book for light browsing and could easily sit on any shelf of art-photography.

The book is published by Apple Press and was written by Jerri Farris, who was also the author of “Kitchens and Baths for Today and Tomorrow: Ideas for Fabulous New Kitchens and Baths”, “The Complete Guide to Decorating with Ceramic Tile” as well as numerous other titles. She is also a regular contributor to interior design and home-improvement websites.

No matter what style of bathroom you are looking for, it will be covered in this book. Farris looks into every aspect of bathroom design, including factors such as where it will be located within the house and who will be using it. As much as this glossy book focuses on the style and look of bathrooms, the less-glamorous side of fitting pipes and installing shower enclosures is still given plenty of coverage.

Every step of the installation process is explained clearly, so you will know how far you can go before you have to call on the professionals. Each chapter is conveniently split into sections, such as bathroom taps, shower enclosures, etc. It’s easy to follow layout and jargon-free explanations will make it a recommended read for anyone interested in designing and installing a bathroom.