Two London properties within a few minutes of each other – both interesting as heritage properties, both with expert renovations – highlight the breadth of opportunities for traditional properties at the top end of the market in the British capital.

Surrounded by rolling lawns, circumvented with trees and possessing an almost inherent tranquillity, it is difficult to imagine that just below this heritage-rich house is something of a surfer’s paradise.

With its easy-on-the-eye café culture, its optimal location on the Mediterranean coast and a beautiful rural hinterland, it can be easily forgotten that Nice is one of France’s major conurbations. But as this traditional estate shows, choose the right place here, and both city life and rural privacy are readily available.

Euroluce, the international lighting exhibition in Milan, amazed with many innovative and spectacular designs this year. Innovative installations, clustered lighting, simple and severe forms, multicoloured versions and a big diversity of materials acted as the benchmark for the lighting world. We shine a light on our five favourites.

In recent decades, the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira has joined the ranks of islands that have been transformed into top tourist destinations. With a relatively warm – though mild – climate and mountainous topography, as well as one of the highest standards of living in wider Portugal, it is also seen as an ideal choice for a first or second home.

Oh, the old romantic notion of a vineyard dwelling: plucking grapes come late summer before crushing them by foot into a fabulous vintage. Although winemaking à pied rarely takes place in this day and age, owning a home and a plot of Malbec or Bonarda in Mendoza, Argentina’s principal winemaking region, is a more feasible dream.

Held every April in Milan, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile is a highlight in the furniture design calendar for artists, interior architects, designers and trend scouts alike. We enjoyed the 52nd edition in the smart Lombardian metropolis, filtering out the top trends from the masses of creativity shown across the city.