At least half of Britain's population lives in suburbs, yet until recently the architecture and style of suburbia have been largely ignored or undervalued. This is an appreciation of the design features that form the suburban taste, from the High Victorian period when the first suburbs were built until after World War II. The book places suburban housing in its historical and social context, and is a practical guide to the authentic ways of restoring and preserving suburban houses, both inside and out. There is also advice on creating a garden in a style appropriate to the period of a house, a section on the movements and the people (such as Pugin and Morris) who have influenced suburban style, and a list of suppliers and stockists of items ranging from fireplaces and cornices to door furniture and railings.