In our design special, Andrew Tuck explains how sometimes the most interesting pieces are right under your nose (or, occasionally, your posterior) and how a new look and feel is giving us the space to tell broader stories.

Snakes on a plane, robotic delivery drivers and feng shui failures.

Goodyear has been reinstating its ties with ZLT Zeppelin. Will it give our airborne correspondent a lift?

The legendary industrial designer, Hella Jongerius, on how we can design our way out of overconsumption.

Sitting at the intersection of design and fabrication, Young & Norgate conceptualises, makes and fits bespoke furniture for some of the UK’s leading architects and interior designers.

The life of an exiled leader.

Pop great Amr Diab’s value for Egypt’s soft power and the benefits of boring politicians.

How Lisbon became the refuge of choice for Brazilians seeking a safer future.

How a luxury hotel in Kabul is rolling with the times. Plus: defence news

How “Hog Kong” became a test bed for porkless pork. Plus: Glasgow’s moment to shine.

The Haruki Murakami Library, Martin Margiela and art meets politics in Iceland.

How to make a design district, architecture for bees and the On Design column.

New runways, hotels and an increased geopolitical significance are shifting the perception and ambitions of the world’s largest island. We head north.

In a rapidly changing world, a small school in Vienna is teaching the next generation of diplomats the subtle art of diplomacy.

Is change in the air in Russia as a younger generation stops believing Putin’s narrative? Monocle’s expert panel discuss what that would mean for Russia’s political future and whether we can expect it to return to the European ideological, political and cultural fold.

Once a fading shipbuilding town, France’s sixth-largest city is now a fast-growing hub of ethical entrepreneurs and creatives.

Three company leads explain why a firm’s success depends on its ability to spot new opportunities.

Since becoming CEO of Gucci in 2015 Marco Bizzarri has found competitive advantage in embracing change. Here he explains the importance of following your instincts – and being open to the world.

Despite threats and the killings of their counterparts, these journalists have become dogged pursuers of justice.

Business and pleasure ride tandem at the headquarters of one storied Swiss newspaper, where bylines are now mixed with breakfast, brunch and euphoric beats.

When the usual channels of shows closed, Italian curators found a new way to promote contemporary art.

As the days darken, enlighten yourself with our edit of the best of the season’s arts and culture, from printed page to gallery floor.

Knoll’s European arm is remaining loyal to its mid-century heritage, while also adding new designs by Piero Lissoni. It all makes for comfortable business.

When talking about building a better future, concrete is often maligned as an out-of-date material that is bad for the environment. But is it as simple as that? We recast the debate.

At the eastern extremities of New York state, the coastal village of Montauk is home to inventive architecture designed with the wild terrain and weather in mind.

Nowhere captures the spirit of Gio Ponti more than a secluded villa that the architect constructed with real affection for his friend.

When architect Guillermo Acuña came across Chilean island Chiloé, he set about making the outcrop habitable and restoring its ever-changing ecosystem.

Designer Peter Saville has defined the visual identities of some of the UK’s most iconic cultural institutions. Now he is venturing into the all-new territory of textiles.

The 20 events, items and innovative makers that are shaping the design world as it regains its momentum.

Birkenstock stayed in the family of its namesake cobbler from 1774 until recently, when it was bought by L Catterton in a multibillion-euro deal. But CEO Oliver Reichert says it’s a good fit that will leave the company’s soul – and soles – intact.

Inspired by an Italian appreciation of quality, three friends have created a clothing company that’s determined not to be a fashion brand.

Like the brand’s clothes, De Bonne Facture’s new Paris premises stress keeping it all close at hand.

Prepare to rise to the season’s climatic demands with handsome outerwear and practical accessories.

A quiet Californian beach town an hour and a half from Los Angeles has been given a revamp by two elegant hotels.

From Prague to Palma, here are suggestions for out-of-the-way places that are worth a detour to discover – and a few that will furnish you with some special treats to take home.

Denmark’s long-snubbed third-largest city was once a byword for decline. Now a new museum dedicated to the city’s most famous son – Hans Christian Andersen – is helping to tell a more positive tale.

As a rule, sausages are treated as a matter of regional pride in Germany. Yet the down-and-dirty ‘Currywurst’ is the exception. We chew on the history of Berlin’s sauce-slathered guilty pleasure.

Take epicurean inspiration from around the world via our reports on notable openings and new cookery books. Plus: a simple recipe for a bittersweet treat to make at home.

We embark on a roadtrip around a surfers’ paradise turned blossoming art hub on the southwest coast of Mexico.

The chair is one piece of furniture that we have almost constant contact with. We sit on them to relax, to work, to socialise, to eat and to wait. And while they might serve a basic utility, there’s a reason why we all have a favourite – whether it’s an armchair that’s a treasured family heirloom, a stool crafted by our own hands or a lounger that opens up to a breathtaking view. We speak to leading architects, urban designers and gallerists to find out about their favourite perch. Are you sitting comfortably?

A reviving Japanese brew.