Since the publication in October 1990 of her first book, Finishing Touches (Conran Octopus), ELIZABETH HILLIARD has become known as a dynamic and refreshing writer on interior decoration and lifestyle subjects. Her useful and readable books combine an inspiring visual sense with the type of sensible advice and inventive ideas which result from practical experience. Her captions are pithy and pertinent, and all her work communicates her personal style and enthusiasm.

Elizabeth Hilliard was formerly a freelance journalist in London, writing reviews and features. First, she trained as an art historian, at St Andrews University in Scotland; whilst there she wrote for what was then the Glasgow Herald. In London she wrote art and theatre reviews and features for broadsheet newspapers (including, for example, The Independent and The Observer) and the glossy magazines. Her features covered a wide range of lifestyle subjects, from motor biking, honeymoon travel and food to houses and gardens.

She also worked on the editorial staff of Vogue, Harpers & Queen, Brides and the M&S magazine, of which she was deputy editor. She was Programmes Editor for the 1987 Edinburgh International Festival.

In 1987 Elizabeth Hilliard was given the Margaret Rhondda Award for journalism by the Society of Authors.

In the same year, the Evening Standard suggested she write a regular centre-spread feature for them on interesting houses and the homes of the famous; from that time, interiors and homes have been her main passion and she has written about them extensively.

Now, after ten years, Elizabeth has written more than ten books on a wide range of decorating subjects from rugs and tiles to window treatments to the broader issues of how to use colour and how to bring its emotional power into your home using paint. She is still as passionate as ever about interior decoration and its significance in all our lives.

Elizabeth is married with three noisy young children. She has a 1970s house painted in white and bright colours and a garden with a life of its own.