There’s something very reassuring about Kevin McCloud’s new book Principles of Home. For starters, he reckons that all homes need autobiographical clutter and says that a home is not a furniture showroom or shop. I like him already. In McCloud’s world pretentiously large walk-in fridges are unnecessary unless you’re a gamekeeper.

My kind of guy. And finally, just to top it off (in case I was wavering [I’m not]) he’s a keen advocate of spending money on a home’s bones – on its insulation, structure, joinery, windows and air tightness. In fact, not one of the 43 principles he outlines in this fantastic manifesto of how we all should or could aspire to live, falls short on expectations. To locate retail outlets visit www.harpercollins.co.nz