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NOTHING SIMILAR IS QUITE THE SAME

For a free copy of our brochure please call 01473 826931 or visit www.jim-lawrence.co.uk

L I V E

T H E

L I F E . . . L O V E

T H E

S T Y L E

& INTERIORS

Mellow DAYS

Golden late-summer colours, dried flower crafts & patterns to add personality

The new 9-5

SMART IDEAS FOR HOME OFFICES

Hip & healthy SCANDI BREAKFAST RECIPES

Real rural

ESCAPES

❖ QUIRKY KENTISH BARN ❖ REMOTE HEREFORDSHIRE FARMHOUSE ❖ HISTORIC HOUSE IN NORMANDY ❖ CONVERTED TIN SHED HIDEAWAY

THE HOME OF

modern country September 2020

INTERIORS & INSPIRATION 10 SEPTEMBER Things that make us happy 15 DESIGN NEWS What’s new in interiors this month 66 • GOLDEN DAYS Colours and textures to help shift your home from summer to autumn 74 GET CREATIVE Be inspired to fashion everlasting dried flower arrangements 80 • MAKE A HOUSE A HOME Introduce bold and playful patterns and prints into your schemes 86 • HOME OFFICE IDEAS Create a dedicated workspace 94 COFFEE TABLES To complete any seating area 98 ROOM ELEMENTS Beautiful bathroom brassware

16 132

COUNTRY HOMES

103 KITCHEN PROJECT Green oak forms the backdrop for this calm, peaceful design 108 • RENOVATION GUIDE All you need to know about front porches >

16 • KENT BARN CONVERSION Vintage finds and travel souvenirs abound in this character-filled, timber-clad family home 28 • NORMANDY BARN The lofty spaces and soothing quality of this 17th-century home charmed an antiques-loving couple into buying it on the spot

• ON THE COVER

40 • HEREFORDSHIRE FARMHOUSE Its breathtaking setting sealed the deal for the owners of this 17th-century house 50 • GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN Once a tailors’ workshop, this tin building has been converted into a cosy, cabin-like haven PLUS GET-THE-LOOK IDEAS FOR EVERY HOME

60 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GARDENS

113

HOME TECH Make garden chores a breeze with our pick of power tools

114

A FINE BALANCE This beautiful Berkshire garden has just the right mix of wild and manicured spaces

123

IN A COUNTRY GARDEN Lanterns to cast a glow outdoors after sundown

JUST FOR YOU 78

66 SEASONAL FOOD 131

IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN Our latest pantry additions

132

• THE BREAKFAST CLUB Interior design isn’t the only thing Scandinavians do well…

114 • ON THE COVER

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LIFESTYLE 59 RURAL HOTSPOT A few reasons why we’d love to move to Buxton 60 MY COUNTRY BUSINESS Natasha Hulse explains how she came to be a bespoke fabric artist 73

• LOCAL HERO One woman’s pledge to create beautiful homes for NHS heroes

124 LIVE LIFE WELL Happy thoughts and ideas for fashion, eco, wellbeing and more 127 COUNTRY PASSION Julie Macken shares her love of beekeeping with us 129 PLAN AN ESCAPE TO… Farmers’ in Wales 142 MY FAVOURITE VIEW For Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, it’s his very own Cotswolds garden Subscribe to Country Homes & Interiors today from only £32.99! T&Cs apply. See page 78 for details.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Country Homes & Interiors 0951-3019 is published monthly by TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, England. Distributed by MarketForce (UK), 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP (020 3787 9001). TI Media Limited regrets that it cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any unsolicited material. By submitting any material to TI Media Limited, you consent to TI Media Limited and/or its associated companies reusing the submitted material in any format or medium throughout the world in perpetuity. TI Media Limited reserves the right to shorten or modify any submitted material at its own discretion. The contents of the magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted without permission. Covers print at Walstead Peterborough and text at Walstead Bicester Limited in the UK. Country Homes & Interiors is sold subject to these conditions: that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first give, be lent; resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price on the cover; selling price in EU and Eire subject to VAT; and that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or annexed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. All information and prices correct at time of going to press. While we try to answer any enquiries, we cannot guarantee a response. © TI Media Limited 2020 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS MAGAZINE One year full subscription rates for 12 issues including postage & packing: UK £58.40; Europe €148.40; Rest of world £175.60. For subscription enquiries please call 0330 333 1113, overseas call: +44 330 333 1113 (Lines are open Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm UK time) or email help@magazinesdirect.com. The US annual subscription price is $148.40. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at TI Media, 3rd floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Air Business Ltd. is acting as our mailing agent. All prices include postage and packaging. US Postmaster: Enquiries and address changes should be sent to: TI Media Ltd, Rockwood House, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH or call +44 330 333 1113 (Lines are open Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm UK time) or email help@ magazinesdirect.com.

A different perspective Some furniture is made for the here and now. Some is built to stand the test of time. At Neptune, we believe that the best can do both.

£100 VOUCHER for every £1,000 you spend when we design your kitchen or any room in your home this August

Because good design never gets old.

Not sure where to begin? Book an appointment to chat to one of our friendly designers – on us. For full details, visit neptune.com/designoffer

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The mood of the moment:

(BACKGROUND) BELLIS FABRIC IN WOODLAND YELLOW, £89M, NATIONAL TRUST X SANDERSON AT STYLE LIBRARY

EMBRACING CHANGE

There’s nothing like a pandemic to focus the mind on what’s important in life. I found myself reconnecting with old friends and reassessing my career goals. Interior designer Francesca Rowan Plowden realised that she could use her skills to benefit stressed-out NHS staff, which led to a new charity project, Design Havens for Heroes. She’s mobilised a small army of interiors experts to transform rooms for key workers. See her story on page 73. Change can be exciting and terrifying in equal measure, but we hope you’ll find comfort and escapism in this issue, which is full of beautiful homes to drool over and ideas for mini projects to keep you moving forward.

Vanessa x P.S. Have you found us on Instagram, yet? Follow @countryhomesmag to get a sneak peek at beautiful homes and the inside track on interiors-industry news, events and people. No influencers, just a gentle slice of idyllic country life to give you a little escapism every dayÉ

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Things that make us happy...

SEPTEMBER

Late summer suppers abundant with hazy warmth and magical ambience. Round Callanish dining table in Brown, £1,895; Tantallon ﬂoor cushions, £295 each; Batur lanterns, £65 each; Benoa lanterns, £75 each, all Oka

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

C O U N T R Y D AY S

3 4

1 Art deco twists and curved detailing on rustic brass feature lighting. Large melon pendant, £295, Graham and Green 2 Abating sundown chills with a stripy layer. Linen throw in Red Earth, £98.50, Libeco at Adobe Living 3 Treasuring the enchanting seasonality of nature for years to come. Handmade pressed ﬂower herbarium in Yves Blue, £450, By Alice 4 Colourful and hard-wearing storage solutions for logs, toys or textiles. Fairisle jute basket, from £22.50, The Braided Rug Company

A teatime tray with shiny, reactive glazes and sweet treat bites! Aluminium tray, €67.90; Paula cups, €9.90 each; Rio plate, €12.50; Paula plates, €14.90 each, all Bloomingville

Ditsy prints perfect for every occasion. Clara Slub Edge to Edge cardigan, £49.50; Lauren Daisy Breeze jumpsuit, £49.50; Organic trainers, £32, all FatFace

6 5 7

8 5 Wall displays of shapely creations with a natural twist. Toba large teardrop bamboo cane mirror, £61, Artisanti 6 Luxurious cushions that have been ﬁlled with Provence-dried lavender. Silk ikat cushions in Blue Dots, £140 each, Heritage Geneve at Myza 7 Switching up seating with a woven masterpiece inspired by Turkish kilim rugs. Rug-printed Anatolia petite sofa, £1,498, Anthropologie 8 Creating your own scenic ﬂoor route with a bohemian blend. Berber-style rug, £57, Smallable COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

9 11

12 The ultimate lazy weekend morning involving fresh coffee, newspapers and ﬂower shopping. Cleeve market basket, £28, Rowen & Wren

16 13 Warming up outside around this characterful design. Plumas clay chiminea, £149.99, Gardeco at Primrose 14 Tactile textures for on-the-go coffee drinking (without the spills!). Speckled Adriatic mist ceramic travel mug, from £32, DMoon Ceramics. 15 A practical and inspirational guide to a new style of planting. The Modern Cottage Garden by Greg Loades (£18.99, Timber Press) 16 Passing around the nibbles in charming, hand-painted serveware. Small Saﬁ pattern bowls, £12.50 each, We Are Nomads 12

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

9 A home office update featuring ornate marquetry and striking bronze finishes. Gregorio desk, £2,580, Eichholtz at Sweetpea & Willow 10 Creating a calming atmosphere with glowing candlelight. Utah diamond stoneware candle, £12, Habitat 11 Displaying a single flower in a unique vessel. Walnut bottle vase, from £40, Bird & Branch Turnery Co at The Bristol Artisan. 12 Treating hard-working feet to handcrafted slip-ons. Moroccan boujad pointed babouche slippers, £52, Bohemia Design

Updating the guest room with indulgent, patterned textiles. Lima bedding, £75 for a double set, French Connection Home

C O U N T R Y D AY S

Things that make us happy...

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

EMBRACING THE LAST ❝ LIGHT EVENINGS AS SUMMER PREPARES TO SLIP AWAY ❞

The simple joy of toasting marshmallows over the fire. Tall iron firepit with handles, £250, Ella James

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

NEW & INTERESTING

DESIGN NEWS Bedtime style Take the bespoke route to stylish sleep with Soho Home’s new made-to-measure bed service. Made from solid hardwood and available in multiple shapes and sizes, simply pick your favourite frame and choose from 16 colours in super-fine velvet or linen sourced from a 150-year-old mill – all made and delivered in under nine weeks. We adore the Gerrard double bed in Linen Antelope, £3,095, Soho Home.

BOOK CORNER ALERT Stylist Sara Bird and photographer Dan Duchars create many of the gorgeous Deco Style pages in our magazine. Their new book, Home for the Soul (£19.99, Ryland Peters & Small), is an inspirational guide to creating stylish interiors that spark happiness, while respecting the planet, with thoughtful, sustainable decorating and design ideas. Available from 22 September.

Linwood’s new velvets

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Kami is a heady mix of patternprinted velvets from Hampshirebased family business Linwood. Printed on luxurious Omega velvet in 19 colourways, the collection is stain-resistant, washable and fireretardant – suitable for upholstery and curtains. Sofa in Topaz, £73.50m.

SKYE MCALPINE LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE TABLEWARE Anthropologie has announced an exclusive collection with British cook and food writer, Skye McAlpine, best known for her Sunday Times column and cookbook, A Table in Venice. The tasty tableware fuses traditional pottery techniques and English antique fine china. Choose between 10 styles in two design stories: the splatter edit or the delicate floral collection. Prices start at £14.

Parquet: not just for floors Following the popularity of Graham and Green’s Thomas table in reclaimed pine, the brand has launched a new whitewashed version. The sustainably sourced and handcrafted dining table, £1,295 and bench, £595, both feature a gorgeous parquet chevron top. The farmhouse duo comfortably seats up to eight – perfect for every occasion. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

WORLD CLASS

By combining vintage treasures with globetrotting finds, Leanne Chandler has brought a holiday mood to her family’s Kent home

Exterior Leanne with Ralph, the family’s labradoodle. For similar door and window paint, try Teresa’s Green by Farrow & Ball

KENT BARN CONVERSION

Living room A family-sized sofa and a pretty floral wallpaper mix with more exotic global finds in this rustic space. The Chateau Potagerie wallpaper, Angel Strawbridge at Just Fabrics. Sofa, Maisons Du Monde. Rugs; cushions, all Milk & Honey Vintage

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

WE’RE BOTH COLLECTORS BUT LUKE IS MORE INTO ❝ GRITTY SALVAGE ITEMS AND I ERR TOWARDS A MORE NOSTALGIC LOOK. IT’S A GOOD COMBINATION ❞

Garden room Family and friends gather around the long table in this room, which opens onto an outdoor deck. Vintage finds and glass pendants add eclectic touches. Floor tiles, Best Tile. Table and bench, Garden Trading. Glass pendants, Made

KENT BARN CONVERSION

eanne Chandler’s converted barn and stables lie at the end of a sun-dappled lane in the Kent countryside; a setting that is quintessentially English. Yet, inside, she has combined all she loves about vintage style with decorative twists that originate further from home. ‘A lot of my inspiration is from a family trip we took just before we embarked on this renovation,’ she says. The family spent two months travelling around Asia, Australia and New Zealand, where Leanne soaked up plenty of ideas to bring back. This long, timber-clad building was forged from three outbuildings – a barn, some stables and two garages – that came with a 16th-century farmhouse, which she and her husband Luke bought four years ago. The family initially lived in the farmhouse then, two years ago, they were able to make the short hop over the drive to this home and Leanne’s parents took over the farmhouse. When Leanne first viewed the derelict barn, she was able to envisage the special space it would become once renovated into a home. ‘As soon as I saw the tall ceiling I said, “This could be our family kitchen”,’ she remembers. As the outbuildings weren’t listed, planning permission was fairly straightforward and they also applied to add a one-room extension in a sympathetic style. This is the family’s winter garden room, a sunlit and foliage-filled dining space that feels like a rather upscale potting shed. Before buying the farmhouse and its outbuildings, Leanne and Luke rented for many years. ‘I’ve always been a frustrated interior designer, so by the time we bought this place I had a whole set of moodboards at the ready,’ she says. The kitchen uses high-impact monochrome, but also has plenty of rustic materials that suit the building’s barn roots. ‘When we were travelling, I fell in love with Australian interiors, especially ones that combine natural textures with sharper graphic shapes,’ says Leanne. The bold black and white bar stools were a style she spotted in Byron Bay, while the oversized pendant shades were a Bali find, which Leanne now sells via her company Milk & Honey Vintage. ‘Travel is a great way to step back from a project and open yourself up to new design ideas,’ she explains. Plenty of finishing touches, however, were bought at nearby vintage fairs and shops in Kent and East Sussex. ‘We’re both collectors but Luke is more into gritty industrial salvage items and I err towards a more nostalgic look. It’s a good combination,’ she adds. Surfaces are a mix of modern micro cement floors and walls clad in old scaffolding planks (a perk of Luke working in the construction industry), set against floral wallpapers that add just the right amount of impact. Where there are bare bricks, Leanne gave the surfaces a wash of diluted paint to create an aged effect. Overall, this is a family home that is robust enough for life with two boys and three pets, but also retains an escapist air, through nostalgic vintage finds and more exotic items. ‘If I can recreate a holiday mood in our home that lasts all year round, that makes me very happy,’ Leanne says.

AT HOM E WI T H Owners Interior designer and shopkeeper Leanne Chandler of Milk & Honey Vintage (milkandhoneyvintage.co.uk), and Luke Chandler, who runs a construction business, converted their home in 2018. They live here with their sons Joseph, 14, and Jackson, 11, plus Ralph the labradoodle, Boo the cockerpoo and Henry the British Shorthair cat. The family also keeps alpacas and donkeys.

House A four-bedroom converted 19th-century barn and stables with 1920s additions.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Kitchen Bold monochrome accents are mixed with natural textures, including dried Kentish hops draped from a beam. Enzo bar stools, Roche Collective. Pendants, Milk & Honey Vintage. Island, The Shaker Workshop

KENT BARN CONVERSION

Living room Leanne finds her vintage pieces near and far, from Kent to Morocco. Similar vintage horse, try Decorative Antiques UK. Rug, Milk & Honey Vintage. Mirror, Nikki Page Antiques

Garden room This room off the kitchen has the mood of a rather large and glamorous potting shed. Floor tiles, Best Tile. Rug, Milk & Honey Vintage. Glass pendants, Made. Mirror, Nikki Page Antiques. Vintage stone swan, Streett Marlburg

Kitchen Leanne commissioned a professional signwriter to put the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stamp on the kitchen wall. Island, The Shaker Workshop. Dining table and bench, Garden Trading

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

KENT BARN CONVERSION

En suite Vibrant patterns and simple textures make a crisp, characterful space. Bath, London Encaustic. Floor tiles, Best Tiles

Guest bedroom Leanne loves the holiday mood of this space, helped by the natural textures and a photo of Marrakech. Print, Raisa Zwart at Noir Gallery

Terrace Twin metal tubs look out across the paddock where the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alpacas and donkeys graze. Tiles, Best Tiles

Family bathroom Leanne and Luke left the barnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original cladding on one wall, partnering it with painted boards. Bath, London Encaustic. Basins, Dyke & Dean

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Main bedroom Leanne sourced vintage doors and shutters to bring a sense of history to the space. ‘Doorways were constructed from scratch to accommodate the salvaged doors,’ says Leanne. Door, Goose Home & Garden. Chair, Decorative Vintage Fair. Pimpernel wallpaper (reflected in mirror), Morris & Co at Style Library

ON OUR D OOR ST EP Visit… ‘We love Sissinghurst Castle Garden (nationaltrust.org. uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden). We can take one of the many lovely footpaths that meander through the woods to walk there.’ Shop at…’Cranbrook has lots of lovely independent shops. Duck and Dog (@duck_and_dog) is a favourite with a gorgeous collection of one-off interior pieces, books, accessories and linen clothes.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Milk House (themilkhouse.co.uk) in Sissinghurst. It has a gorgeous beer garden with views over the orchards and a seasonal menu.’

Guest bedroom Leanne loves the holiday mood of this space, helped by cushion covers from Bali and an art print from Australia. Chest of drawers, Streett Marlburg. Art print, Jai Vasicek. Find a similar raffia cushion cover at Etsy

KENT BARN CONVERSION

FEATURE JO LEEVERS PHOTOGRAPHS RACHAEL SMITH

❝

❞

Jackson’s bedroom Leanne designed both boys’ spaces to feel like secret hideaways, clad in scaffold planks and with loft sleeping areas. For a similar sign, try Notonthehighstreet.com COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by LEANNE’S KITCHEN Light up your island with a boho hit of exoticism. Macramé pendant, £62, Madam Stoltz at Smallable

The clever inside glaze prevents ingredients from slipping about. Pestle and mortar, £30, Divertimenti

All the beauty, none of the upkeep! Artificial berry plant in Green/Brown, £9.45, Creatd Interiors

Choose versatile storage-cumdisplay pieces. Chichester tall wine rack cabinet, £1,225, Neptune

LeanneÕs style tip...

COMBINE BOLD MONOCHROMES WITH NATURAL TEXTURES TO CREATE A STRIKING, YET WARM, SCHEME Bring cafe culture home with a barista-style brew. Oracle touch coffee machine, £1,999.99, John Lewis & Partners

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

CH&I Choose Britishmade, quality appliances for a timeless finish. Mayan tap, £360, Perrin & Rowe X deVOL

Perch high and proud on this European bistro-inspired design. Leroux stool, £140, Roche Collective

All the practicality of ceramic, plus the allure of wood. Boreal mix matt porcelain tiles, £49.95sq m, Original Style

MODERN Country CLASSIC

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FADED GLORY

Sylvie and Pierre Delcroix took their passion for antiques from town to country when they moved to a rustic barn in Normandy

N O R M A N DY B A R N

Exterior The Normandy wood-frame barn dates from the 17th century. The couple added six raised beds using railway sleepers for borders COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Exterior Sylvie keeps some of the antiques she’s collected for her pop-up sale here

Living room Positioning a desk under the stairs makes good use of space where headroom is low. Try Bourbon desk, Made. Source a similar antique lampbase at 1stdibs

ylvie and Pierre Delcroix fell in love with this 17th-century Normandy barn at their first viewing and decided to buy it on the spot. The estate agent who took them for the viewing was taken aback. ‘He had many more appointments lined up for us, but we were very clear about what we wanted,’ says Sylvie. The couple were immediately struck by the vast, lofty spaces inside the converted barn, as well as its tree-filled, secluded garden. ‘There was a soothing quality to the house and landscape that I craved,’ says Sylvie. ‘I also love this corner of Calvados, close to the small town of Meulles, as I spent much of my childhood not far from here with my grandmother and cousins in an old building she renovated.’ Making the move from Versailles, where Sylvie ran an antiques and interior design shop called L’Armoire de Camille (Camille’s Wardrobe), the couple decided to seek a more rural lifestyle and accepted the challenge of a big renovation where Sylvie would be able to employ her keen eye for interiors. ‘We didn’t have any competition when we bid on the house because many of the Parisiennes in the market typically want something much smaller for weekending, whereas we were making the move full time,’ she says. ‘We bought the house from two brothers who had been planning to turn it into a gallery and had made > 30

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

AT HOME WITH... Owners Sylvie and Pierre Delcroix, their dog, an Anatolian Shepherd called Anatole, plus Louis the cat. Pierre has two sons and Sylvie has a daughter. Sylvie hosts two pop-up antiques sales at the barn a year.

House A restored and converted 17th-century barn with three bedrooms bought in 2013.

N O R M A N DY B A R N

Living room A huge open fireplace is the focal point of the seating area. Aldeburgh sofas, Sofas & Stuff would be a good alternative here

Kitchen The wall between the kitchen and entrance hall was opened up and fitted with reclaimed workshop windows. Find similar decorative letters, Etsy

N O R M A N DY B A R N

I SCOURED LOCAL ANTIQUES SHOPS AND ❝ BROCANTES TO FIND THE PIECES THAT WOULD PROMPT THE SCHEMES FOR EACH ROOM❞

Kitchen Industrial pendant lights give a modern twist to the farmhouse style furnishings. Exposed brickwork and rattan add textural interest. Walls in Plummett estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball. Try Brooklyn dome pendants, Wayfair

N O R M A N DY B A R N

Hall The sunken aspect of the living room, being a step down from the entrance hall, appealed to Sylvie. For a dresser in this style, try The Cotswold Company

Landing

Guest bedroom

The small proportions of antique furnishings fit snugly where space is limited. Similar bench, Grosvenor Furniture

Crisp white walls and blue tones offer a calming, pared-back yet functional scheme. Try Orford Blue cotton velvet bedspread, Habitat for a similar look

Hall The chandelier provides a dramatic focal point in this small space. Similar chandelier, Homary. For a similar Louis XVI-style sofa, try 1stdibs. Walls in Manor House Gray estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball

a start on the renovation. But they were moving on as one of the brothers had fallen in love.’ The property Sylvie and Pierre acquired had no central heating, no kitchen and the floor in one section of the property – which would later become a large office – was bare earth. ‘We installed heating and insulation and vastly improved the office by adding skylights. We opened up the wall between the kitchen and the entrance hall with panes of glass so the garden can be seen from both sides.’ Later, when the house was in a more habitable condition, the couple tackled the garden, planting six large raised beds, wall climbers and a lawn. ‘The garden was an absolute wreck but we worked extremely hard to get it into a good condition. It requires constant upkeep, but it’s a chore we enjoy,’ says Sylvie. ‘From the beginning, we were drawn to all of the different trees in it. We have weeping willow, cherry, apple, chestnut, oak and fir. Over the summer we get a windfall of plums, which we make into jam or bake into pastries.’ A fan of the muted, soft patinas of Swedish Gustavian-style furniture, Sylvie scoured local antiques shops and brocantes to find the pieces that would prompt the schemes for each room. Dressers, cabinets and wardrobes all share these calm, washedlooking pastel colours, which Sylvie then embellishes with home-made decorations in tulle, wire or dried > COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Bathroom

Wall-hung basins save space. Ideal Standard concept cube basins, Victorian Plumbing, are similar. Find similar black wicker storage, eBay

A new skylight has dramatically changed the dark space in the eaves. Appleby Grey roll-top bath, Victorian Plumbing, is similar

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘The Desmares Manor (chocolaterie-merimee.fr) in Lisieux, built in the 15th century, is a former salt barn that has been turned into a chocolate making laboratory and tea room. I also love the attractive medieval architecture at Bernay; visit “Jail Street”, one of the oldest parts of the town.’ Shop at… ‘The florist Paul Pierre Atelier (paulpierre.be) in Deauville. He’s a talented floral designer and his shop is a joy.’

Go for a meal at… ‘I regularly visit La Villa Gypsy (villagypsy.fr) in Trouville for exciting design discoveries and the restaurant, which serves delicious, healthy, locally sourced dishes in a relaxed environment.’

FEATURE JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHS PIA VAN SPAENDONCK/COCO FEATURES

plants. Striped linens, chunky knitted throws and plenty of cushions add to the sense of welcoming homeliness. The couple love walking their dog Anatole in the countryside or by the sea. ‘It’s so peaceful here. The nearest village has only 400 inhabitants. In late summer, when I go for early morning walks, I often find myself among low-lying mist, which creates a magical atmosphere,’ she says. ‘I’m so much happier and more patient since moving here.’ Every season offers up different charms, which Sylvie, an industrious cook and crafter, embraces. ‘I love dressing my table with foliage from the garden and hosting meals for all my friends. Autumn is my favourite season and when it comes around I collect chestnuts and acorns – not for cooking, but to use decoratively, and when the leaves start to fall they create a pretty carpet I’m reluctant to rake off.’ The house has seen plenty of activity since Sylvie and Pierre bought it. Sylvie hosts pop-up antiques sales here twice a year in November and May, when her friends and clients from Paris descend looking for a bargain. And, in 2015, Sylvie and Pierre were married in a small, intimate ceremony in the house. For more information on Sylvie’s pop-up antiques store and insight into her Normandy lifestyle follow @bienennormandie or visit bienennormandie.bigcartel.com

N O R M A N DY B A R N

Exterior The couple completely revamped the garden in a style sympathetic of the property

THE GARDEN WAS A WRECK. WE PLANTED ❝ RAISED BEDS, WALL CLIMBERS AND A LAWN ❞ Bedroom An elaborate gilt frame brings a touch of glamour to this rustic attic space. For a similar mirror, try Vinterior. Encinoso single bed, Wayfair, would work

Guest bedroom French-style furnishings strike an elegant mood. Chateauneuf armchair, The French Bedroom Company, is similar

uniquely yours...

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BEDROOMS

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GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by SYLVIE’S BATHROOM Cast a warming glow with factory-style light fittings. Geneva wall light, £137.28, Mullan at Made To Last

Complement twin sinks with a pair of whitewashed mirrors. Marina wood mirror, £125, John Lewis & Partners

Scrub up with a vegan, oldfashioned favourite. Savon de Marseille traditional French soap cube, £6.25, Chateau du Savon

A distressed panel design makes a charming vintage backdrop. Brooklyn tins wallpaper in White, £190 a roll, Naken Interiors

Dry off with luxuriously soft combed cotton. Refresh bath towels in Dove Grey, £22 each, Christy

SylvieÕs style tip...

CH&I

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

MODERN Country CLASSIC

Sink into bubbly luxury with this elegant centrepiece. Double-ended roll-top slipper bath, £539.95, Victorian Plumbing

UTILISE SPACE WELL WITH FLOATING, WALLHUNG BASINS FOR A CONTEMPORARY TWIST IN A TRADITIONAL SCHEME

Intricate metalwork creates a pretty home to hang bathroom linens. Davon freestanding towel stand, £79.99, Wayfair

Store fluffy soft towels for grab and wrap ease. Antique wash wicker storage trunk, £125, The Basket Company

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

H E R E F O R D S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

MELLOW YELLOW This elegant farmhouse near the Black Mountains is a haven of calm for Juliette and Neal Fernandes Smith

Living room Surrounding the doorframe, the bookshelf makes use of the entire wall space evoking a cosy library setting. Chairs, both Foy & Co

T AT HOME WITH Owners Juliette and Neal Fernandes Smith and their German Pointer Schmoo. Juliette and Neal run the house for rentals.

House A 17th-century farmhouse with 15 acres of land. They bought it in 2012.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

he landscape around Juliette and Neal Fernandes Smith’s farmhouse seems to invite guests to pause and inhale deeply, such is its still beauty. It was this sense of peace that appealed to Juliette, who has practised yoga for over 20 years and was looking for a property with land where she and Neal might possibly start a retreat centre. After selling her house in London, the couple were renting a Wiltshire cottage when they stumbled upon the house they have since renamed Alchemy Hill. ‘It was only the second place we looked at. But surrounded by thousands of acres of common, the views were outstanding, like a film set,’ says Juliette. They had been drawn to the area, and nearby Hay-onWye, after a visit to a friend. The town’s community of artists and writers appealed to both Juliette and Neal’s creative appetites. ‘Originally, we had been looking for a traditional Georgian farmhouse and, although Alchemy Hill didn’t fit that mould, we were won over by the landscape,’ says Juliette. ‘Internally, the previous owner had done a renovation that had stripped out much of the original character. It was of a high standard, but we wanted to introduce older features to soften it.’ Juliette’s parents bought a hotel when she was four and, when she was a teenager, decided to build their own house. ‘I was given free rein to design my own >

H E R E F O R D S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Dining room Low hanging pendant lights bring a romantic, intimate mood after dark. Old School Electric Bell blown glass pendants, Holloways of Ludlow

CAN WALK FROM ❝ YOU OUR LAND ONTO

THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF COMMON WHERE YOU CAN ROAM FREELY AMONG SHEEP AND PONIES

❞

Kitchen A deep butler sink is perfect for catering for large numbers of guests. Paintings propped on the work surface bring a relaxed, informal character. For a similar butler sink, try Tap Warehouse

WE FOUND LOCKDOWN TO BE THE PERFECT ❝OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PLANT A VEG PATCH AND BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE❞

H E R E F O R D S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Kitchen A carpenter made the island from two cabinets back-to-back and a large piece of old oak. Cabinets in Manor House Gray estate eggshell, Farrow & Ball

bedroom, so from a young age I was reading all the homes magazines and interior design has become a lifelong passion,’ she says. ‘We worked on the house for eight weeks, initially putting in a couple more bathrooms, restyling the kitchen and redecorating,’ says Juliette. ‘We also opened up a doorway that had been closed. Much of the work was on the exterior, which we repainted, and in the landscaping and planting.’ Juliette reaches far and wide for inspiration, drawing from the Japanese tradition of ‘wabi-sabi’, as well as French farmhouses and the landscape itself. ‘A place is about heart, and the interiors had to feel authentic and uncontrived. I wanted to achieve a sense of inner calm, so I chose objects for their raw beauty. I love things that you can see have been touched by another human being, or have been touched by the elements in nature. I feel comfortable mixing ages and styles of furniture and I have collected individual pieces from every country I have lived in or visited.’ Juliette has created a calming, homely and elegant interior, accessorising with natural wools and linens, as well as locally woven Welsh rugs. ‘The furnishings evoke a sense of timelessness and warmth, far removed from the stresses of daily life. I love incorporating different types of wood, especially ash, oak and walnut,’ she adds. Perfecting walls that were >

Exterior The old barns in the courtyard add character and create a historic atmosphere with a reminder of the farm’s working past

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Bedroom Uncovering the original brickwork reclaimed some of the property’s character that had been lost in its previous renovation. Bed, Heal’s. Bedding, Soak & Sleep

pale yet interesting took time, with a lot of fine tuning before settling on each shade. ‘Farrow & Ball’s tones and pigments are incredibly subtle so I have used their paints throughout. I didn’t want the colours inside the house to compete with the beauty that lies beyond.’ It was during the property’s makeover that the couple realised the house would be ideal as a holiday rental. Sharing the same spirit of hospitality as her parents, Juliette was eager to welcome guests to her home, and the pair now move into a cabin on the land when the house is occupied. ‘We don’t need all the space at the moment, but we imagine it as a house we could retire to, and of course we use it when family visits.’ Even with a gorgeous interior, it’s the landscape surrounding the house that rewards guests with extraordinary memories. You can see the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons from the house. Plus, the town of Hay-on-Wye, with its galleries, festival and boutique cinema, offers a bustling counterpoint to the wild expanses of countryside. ‘It’s a house to experience,’ says Juliette. ‘From the landscape, you get a tremendous sense of freedom. When there are so many new restrictions on our lives, here you can walk out into the land and be held in its magnificence.’ Alchemy Hill is available to rent through Unique Homestays, alchemyhill.uniquehomestays.com 46

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Bathroom A Victorian-style bath and basin capture a bygone era. A milking stool made by a local carpenter makes a convenient side table. Source a similar roll-top bath and free-standing washbasin with ceramic legs at Victorian Plumbing

H E R E F O R D S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

THE HOUSE WAS ONCE A SECRET MEETING ❝ PLACE FOR QUAKERS. I LOVE THAT IT WAS A SAFE HAVEN FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED IT ❞

Bedroom Modern upholstery brings a fresh update to classic, ornate beds. Beds, The French Depot. Table lamp, Habitat. Walls in Bone estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball

H E R E F O R D S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

ON OUR DOORSTEP gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/ raglan-castle) is an amazing fortress-palace that cuts a striking silhouette against the landscape.’

Shop at ... ‘The Welsh Girl (thewelshgirl.com). She uses old milling techniques to weave traditional Welsh blankets with more modern colours. The famous Richard Booth’s Bookshop (01497 820322, boothbooks.co.uk) is another real treat with a gorgeous boutique cinema and a café.’

Go for a meal at ...

The couple enjoys glorious views out over the countryside to the Black Mountains beyond 48

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

‘The Felin Fach Griffin (eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk) near Hay. It’s a beautiful restaurant with a great chef that’s been going for years and is very popular with locals.’

FEATURE JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHS MARK BOLTON/GAP INTERIORS

Visit ... ‘Raglan Castle (cadw.

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by JULIETTE’S BEDROOM Layer up with snuggly lamb’s wool in a classic, grained pattern. Polka throw, £78, Klippans Yllefabrik at Nordic Nest

Long stems love the curving profile of this supportive vessel. Bouquet barrel vase, £47, Dartington Crystal

Great days start with tea in bed! Stoneware striped mug, £8, Madam Stoltz at Nordic Muse

Fake an authentic look with a clever clogs illusion. Country stone wallpaper, £8.99 a roll, Arthouse at Wallpaper Direct

CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Make a bold statement with this simple, clean lined design. Derwent oak double fourposter bed frame with drawers, £1,200, Habitat

Fully adjustable, details include steel joints and a stripy cord. Ranarp work lamp in Off-White, £29, Ikea

Colourful rosy checks add welcoming farmhouse charm. Cushion in Red Gingham, £38.55, Zazzle

Juliette’s style tip...

WHERE POSSIBLE, ADD HONEST CHARACTER BY EXPOSING YOUR HOME’S ORIGINAL SURFACES OR PERIOD FEATURES

Effortlessly chic mindy ash and walnut wood combine for a heritage piece. Botticelli chest of nine drawers, £1,300, Perch & Parrow COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

Living area A dropped ceiling creates a snug feel in the seating area, while vintage French confit pots add a warming, mellow yellow tone. Mid-century armchair and pendants, both Original House. Door in Rhubarb traditional high gloss, Paint & Paper Library

TAILOR MADE Archie and Caddy Mackie renovated a former tailorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop in the Cotswolds to create a rough-luxe haven

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Kitchen-diner The timber walls were sandblasted, giving them a rich texture. For a similar kitchen, try Pluck

his large tin building once rattled all day long to the sound of Singer sewing machines, used to make tweed suits for Gloucestershire’s well-dressed country folk. It was the village workshop of Smith & Hobbs, a small tailoring company that was founded in 1906 and continued to turn out natty jackets until the 1980s. ‘Before we started work on this place it was derelict, with a leaking roof and dangerous looking electric heaters suspended from the ceiling,’ says Archie Mackie. Six years ago, he and his wife Caddy bought this tin shed as part of their Cotswold cottage (which was featured in the June issue of Country Homes & Interiors) with a view to eventually renovating it. The couple have three children: Sicily, 10, Alfie, eight, and Otis, one, so The Old Tailors, as it’s now called, has come into its own as a family annexe to the main cottage. ‘It’s a place we retreat to for some peace and quiet if we’re working from home,’ says Caddy. ‘Then, at the weekend, we all enjoy long, lazy lunches in here.’ The couple run Original House, an antiques business specialising in high-quality industrial and decorative antiques, and The Old Tailors has provided the perfect setting for their finds. An aged shop counter with edges worn smooth with use serves as a sideboard, the dining table is an antique refectory table and a vintage gym pommel horse has been cut down to use as a coffee table – these are all items that Archie has > 52

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

AT HOME WITH Owners Archie and Caddy Mackie, who run antiques business Original House (original-house.co.uk) and a holiday let (theoldtailors.com). They have three children, Sicily, 10, Alfie, eight, and Otis, one.

House A one-bedroom converted tailor’s workshop, bought in 2014 and dating from the early 20th century.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

Living area Dark grey panelling and a stripy rug help zone off this seating area from the rest of the open-plan space. For a similar rug, try John Lewis & Partners

Kitchen Bespoke light switches add to the industrial style of this space. Switches, Vintage Industrial Switch

WE NEEDED STRONG COLOURS TO LIFT ❝THE SCHEME AND TO STAND OUT FROM THE DEEPER TIMBER TONES ❞

Kitchen Archie routed the cabinet doors to give them a tongue-andgroove finish to match the original boards above. Cabinets in Railings modern eggshell, Farrow & Ball

Living area The doors to the bedroom and en suite sit flush with the wall for a streamlined look. Vintage pommel horse, Original House. Similar sofa, Lorfords

Dining area A row of French confit pots on the 1930s cabinet, paired with a 1950s French factory clock, brings plenty of character to this space. Vintage steel cabinet, Original House 54

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

bought on trips to antiques fairs in France and beyond. ‘I love finding pieces that have stood the test of time because they were crafted by hand from good quality materials,’ says Archie. ‘They are a world away from mass-produced furniture that usually ends up in landfill.’ For lighting, Archie found a set of huge Czech Republic factory lights and had the old enamel sandblasted off and the surfaces replated in gleaming copper. A British factory lamp, which would have been clipped to a lathe or a milling machine, adds extra illumination in a corner of the kitchen. The kitchen cabinets were all made by Archie, who routed the doors to give them a tongue-and-groove finish, then painted them in Railings by Farrow & Ball and topped them in birch ply. Extra storage is provided by a 1930s steel cabinet that’s buffed to a deep sheen, as well as a French glass-fronted cabinet. ‘You have to be brave to go for these kinds of statement pieces because they won’t fade into the background. Ideally, furniture should be displayed so it has space to “breathe”, just as you would with a piece of art,’ says Archie, who also did most of the restoration work on the building himself. Initially, he had the internal walls sandblasted to prepare them for painting, but then loved the look so much that he decided to leave them in that raw state, complete with old lead cable clips studded into the >

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

Living area Positioning a tree in front of the window helps connect the interior with the exterior. Find a similar tree at Bakker.com

Bedroom Soft grey tongueand-groove cladding gives the room a cosy cabin feel. Walls in Charleston Gray modern emulsion, Farrow & Ball. Similar bed, Made. Blind in Lavenham Mustard linen, Tinsmiths

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘We love to take walks through the woodlands and countryside of the Slad Valley, the setting for Laurie Lee’s Cider With Rosie.’

Shop at… ‘Jolly Nice (jollynicefarmshop.com) is a delightful hotchpotch of wooden buildings and yurts and sells all sorts of delicious farm-fresh food, from locally grown and reared produce to fantastic ice cream.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The 300-year-old Woolpack Inn (thewoolpackslad.com). It is full of atmosphere and serves excellent food.’

FEATURE JO LEEVERS PHOTOGRAPHS EMMA LEWIS

walls. ‘It feels as if we’ve revealed the layers of the building’s working past rather than painting over them,’ he says. A traditional metalworker was commissioned to cast the handles and light switches in copper to suit the industrial theme. When it came to adding colour, it was over to Caddy, who chose a Fermoie fabric to recover the vintage dining chairs, while a mid-century side chair was reupholstered in a burnt orange velvet. Then she added a warm pink in the bathroom (including on the door), to contrast with the grey in the kitchen. ‘I thought we needed strong colours to lift the scheme and to stand out from the deeper timber tones,’ says Caddy. Archie and Caddy used to live in London but gave in to their yearning to return to their country roots 12 years ago. Archie grew up on a remote farm in Cornwall and Caddy was raised in north Wales, so when they relocated to Gloucestershire in 2008 it felt like a very natural move. ‘This is a lovely, quiet village where our children can all grow up enjoying the same kind of freedom that we both had,’ says Caddy. Restoring The Old Tailors has given the family valuable extra living space, but Caddy and Archie aren’t resting on their laurels. Their long-term dream is to build a home entirely from scratch: ‘Then, of course, we would furnish it with our favourite pieces of antique industrial furniture,’ says Archie.

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by CADDY’S SITTING ROOM CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC Find the perfect angle with this original industrial design. Vintage industrial articulated floor light, £750, The Architectural Forum Fake nature with expressive, lush green leaves and textured ‘bark’. Large faux fiddle plant, £195, Oka

Introduce cheerful rainbow stripes. Tuppence rug, £175, Loaf

Choose a funky midcentury inspired design. Marcia chair in Easy Velvet Burnt Orange, £399, Swoon

Add a touch of country comfort to seating. Hemp grainsack cushion cover in Blue Stripe, Maison Brocante

This rustic lovely makes a decorative addition. Claude confit pot, £145, Oggetto

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

A textured drum style is both practical and tactile. Crosby side table, £735, Andrew Martin

A vintageinspired piece creates eclectic interest. Shoreditch leather vintage gym stool seat, £345, Decoville

Caddy’s style tip...

MIX VINTAGE PIECES WITH LUXE VELVET AND LEATHER FOR A COSY, CHARACTERFUL AESTHETIC COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Sorry, this seat’s taken. Customise your sofa – 50 styles and 50 fabrics online at swooneditions.com

Sutton three-seater from £1,499 Available in 28 fabrics

Furniture for the home obsessed swooneditions.com 020 3319 6332

RURAL HOTSPOT

LET’S MOVE TO

Buxton

TREE-LINED AVENUES AND GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE GRACE THIS SPA TOWN

ith a population of just 22,000, the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton may be smaller than more famous Regency destinations, but in terms of grandeur it is equally impressive. There is the elegant Buxton Crescent – currently undergoing a Heritage Lottery-funded redevelopment and soon to reopen, complete with pump rooms and thermal baths. Characters from a Jane Austen novel would not look out of place here, or taking tea in the 23-acre Pavilion Gardens. The opera house next door is still in use today. As one proud resident states: ‘For its size, Buxton has no right to compete with the likes of Bath and Cheltenham, yet it does!’

FEATURE SOPHIE GALE PHOTOGRAPHS JON MELLOR AND COMPANY ESTATE AGENTS; VISION BUXTON; DAVID DUKESELL

IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW

Central Buxton has three main areas: the residential old town (Higher Buxton); and the historic and retail quarters (both Lower Buxton). It’s possible to buy a four-bedroom Victorian terrace, over three floors, for £200,000, rising to £300,000, depending on size, location and outside space. Estate agent Jon Mellor says: ‘Prices are reasonable, though homes are being snapped up as lockdown eases.’ BUTCHERS, BAKERS & COFFEE MAKERS The Cavendish Arcade

once housed Buxton baths, but now overflows with boutique shops – Atticusboo, for cards and gifts, and Charlotte’s Chocolates, much loved among them. Scrivener’s is a great place to lose yourself in a good book – there are more than 40,000 here. For food, try the Old Hall Hotel where Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have stayed, or 53˚North for a less formal vibe.

The Pavilion Gardens date back to 1871

GET AROUND Manchester is about

COUNTRY LIFE & CULTURE The

centrepiece of the town’s cultural calendar is Buxton International Festival, pulling in stars of classical music and literature, and including rarely performed operas. Scheduled now for 2-18 July 2021. SCHOOLS It’s all ‘good’ when it comes to Ofsted ratings among the eight main primary schools, and the two secondaries, Buxton Community and St Thomas More.

an hour away by train or car, while Manchester International Airport is a 45-minute drive. You can be in London in two and a half hours – by road to Macclesfield, and then train. IN THE AREA The Peak District National Park surrounds Buxton, so hills are minutes from your doorstep. A gentle start is provided by a walk to Solomon’s Temple, a folly on the wonderfully named nearby Grin Low Hill, while gritstone edges such as The Roaches offer more challenging hikes. Another atmospheric sight is Poole’s Cavern, once a highwayman’s hideout.

Dream homes in Buxton

UPS AND DOWNS

FAMILY TIME

POOL HOUSE

With three double bedrooms and a large bathroom to this threestorey terrace, you get a lot of space for the money. Priced at £165,000.

This extended fourbedroom family home on a popular residential road has patio gardens and two parking spaces for £395,000.

Situated in Chapel-en-leFrith, this seven-bedroom, home with one acre of grounds includes a heated swimming pool. The price tag is £885,000. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

❝Colour, pattern and

layering are key to my botanical designs❞ NATASHA HULSE, BESPOKE FABRIC ARTIST

rowing up in the New Forest, I spent my childhood outdoors, surrounded by picturesque countryside and a proliferation of animals. I was always in the woods with my five siblings, playing with mud, sticks and flower presses, exploring, foraging and gathering. Nature was such a rich source of inspiration, it sparked my creativity,’ says bespoke fabric artist Natasha Hulse. Charmingly unassuming about her upbringing, Natasha was raised in Breamore House, a stately Elizabethan manor built in 1583 and home to the Hulse family since 1748. ‘In my attic bedroom, I painted an apple tree on the walls and added handmade, 3D apple-shaped jewellery baskets. It began my fascination with embellishment and my passion for scale.’ Throughout the house, many rare textiles celebrate the early British Arts and Crafts movement. ‘This rich source of history has been pivotal in shaping my love of textiles, layers and art; and has fine-tuned my eye for the handmade,’ says Natasha. She is inspired, too, by a long line of female ancestors and their now-antique creations. ‘Granny Verity

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

created many beautiful needlepoint fabrics on cushions, seats and backs of chairs. And my Aunt Camilla, who lives in Kathmandu, used to source furniture from Tibet – beautiful designs covered in hand-painted flowers and dragons. It was lovely to include a piece in my display at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019.’ Natasha’s exquisite work translates the traditional techniques of art and appliqué into unique three-dimensional designs, which are then upholstered by a highly skilled UK team onto bespoke furniture items. Think oversized headboards and handmade lampshades, along with textiles and artwork, regarded as one-off future heirlooms. Natasha launched her design business in 2017 with zero overheads, having first embarked on a career in surface pattern and womenswear printed textiles. ‘I studied art and design at Chelsea College of Arts. After a term at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, I freelanced for a NYC-based company, before returning to London, where I quickly became disillusioned with my new role as a digital fabric designer. I missed supplier relationships and working with my hands and recognised that art and appliqué >

Natashaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studio is as pretty as her designs

What I love most...

CREATING SOMETHING CLIENTS WILL CHERISH, ❝ AND THE PROCESS OF COLLABORATING WITH SUPPLIERS TO ACHIEVE A BIGGER AND BETTER DESIGN OUTCOME❞ remained my passion.’ At 27, Natasha successfully pitched a headboard design to interior designer and hotelier Kit Kemp, and this provided the kick-start for her business. ‘The process for each piece begins with the pressing of flowers and leaves discovered on local Hampshire walks – ferns, foliage and seasonal blooms. With clients I spend time in their gardens and take photos of wildflowers that should be left alone or are too big to press. Initial designs are worked up in Adobe Illustrator, then, once approved, are painted freehand on natural oatmeal linen, using Pebeo fabric paints.’ Designs are ironed, set

Natasha cuts out her designs by hand

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

and washed to ensure colour fastness. Pieces are cut out, positioned with upholstery glue, machine-sewn, then built into sophisticated three-dimensional layers, with further paint, embroidery and embellishment. Every fabric, colour and detail is chosen by Natasha. ‘Each piece has a narrative: on lampshades, a busy background often carries repetitive lines – spin the lampshade and the bees or insects feel as if they are flying through the flowers. On headboards, I add layers – blossom, butterflies, the arch of a dandelion, poppy or iris, all captured to convey movement and whimsical charm.’ Natasha works from Breamore for six months of the year, or when space is needed for large-scale projects, and also from a quiet, rented London studio. ‘I work to a stream of interesting podcasts – Rich Roll, Katherine Ryan, Holly Tucker, Desert Island Discs and Woman’s Hour, interspersed with music and periods of total silence.’ Customers can buy smaller pieces direct from Natasha’s website, but collaborations with private individuals, independent retailers, hotels and interior designers remain key. ‘The Kit Kemp opportunity triggered many conversations – a window display for Soane, one-off designs for Myriad Antiques and regular collaborations with paint company Pebeo. Last year I had an Artisan Studio at the Chelsea Flower Show and approached many interior names I admire, including Pippa Rolls, Caroline B Design, Hare’s Tail, GP&J Baker, Blithfield, Houlès and Colefax and Fowler. We worked together on joint products for the space.’ Never one to stand still, Natasha is about to launch a new wall art project with Kit Kemp at luxury store Bergdorf Goodman. ‘My work connects me daily with nature and people. The interplay results in timeless, highly personal, handmade creations that elevate spaces and emotions. Knowing my work makes others happy, is very humbling.’ natashahulse.com

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

Pebeo paints are a favourite of Natasha’s

Natasha drew inspiration from locally foraged flowers for this textile collection

After the painted designs are washed and pressed, they are ready for appliqué

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

Natasha finds inspiration in the garden of her family home, near to Fordingbridge, in the New Forest

ON MY DOORSTEP... Visit… ‘New Art Centre (sculpture.uk.com) in Roche Court, East Winterslow. The outdoors and art, married together in one haven. The garden is divine and the art changes each season.’

Go for a meal at... ‘Bonnington Cafe (bonnington cafe.co.uk) in Vauxhall Grove. A hidden oasis designed by Dan Pearson. It’s vegetarian, with a different chef every night and an ever–changing menu.’

Shop at... ‘Myriad Antiques (myriadantiques.com) in Holland Park. I never know what I will find and excitement floods through me as I enter. The back room has a greenhouse feel, with a scented creeping jasmine.’

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

HOW TO COLLABORATE CREATIVELY FOLLOW OUR GUIDE TO CREATING EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

The pandemic has hit all sectors of the economy. Now more than ever, careful collaborations are instrumental in driving business growth and awareness. Natasha Hulse has, from her business’ inception, nurtured a desire to work in partnerships, and the results are a great example of the power of bringing brands together.

FEATURE ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHS ALUN CALLENDER

VALUE COLLABORATION Artists have long been compelled to seek inspiration from their peers. And in recent years this has become increasingly the norm among innovative corporate giants. For Natasha, this sense of wanting to collaborate stems from the idea that interaction leads to new experiences. Directional thinking forms a vital part of her work ethic: collaborating with suppliers, her specialist sewing and upholstery teams, through to dedicated relationships with interior designers, retailers, hoteliers and fabric houses. KNOW THE POWER OF 1+1=3 Working on collaborative projects inspires a bigger outcome – we share

knowledge, skill sets, suppliers, and together support fresh ideas within new markets. Therefore, we achieve a much larger network of awareness at minimal extra investment. GIVE OTHERS A STEP UP The Firmdale hotelier Kit Kemp was instrumental in helping Natasha get started, and in turn Natasha believes in celebrating and supporting emerging talent and skilled makers. ‘Raising each other up, creates more momentum for us all,’ she says. EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS Within the interiors sector, teaming up with partners can lead to projects and commissions that would otherwise never be possible. Natasha’s window display with Soane Britain for Belgravia in Bloom is a good example of how working with people and businesses of other skill sets can increase successes. BE HONEST, OPEN AND HAVE A DESIRE TO LEARN ‘I have learnt so much from the many people I interact with and who have guided me along

the way,’ says Natasha. ‘Being invited into clients’ houses, talking to them about what they like and dislike, and transforming initial ideas, leads to more beautiful outcomes. The same is true of all the talent I partner with.’ FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT Pop-up shops, artisan studio spaces and creative maker sales create a great opportunity for showcasing work without the overhead of a retail shop. Natasha is exhibiting at The Winter Hand Sale (@thehandsale), which is scheduled to take place at St Mary Abbotts Centre, London from 2-4 December. Brought together by Kirsten Hecktermann, the sale features a group of artisan makers and designers from around the world. The power of the collective creates a draw for buyers. LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCE ‘When one thing isn’t working, I change the way I am addressing it,’ says Natasha. ‘I get so close to my work, so viewing it in a different way is vital. Working with partners, it is important to learn from the wisdom of each person involved.’

The one lesson I’ve learnt... GIVE YOURSELF TIME. THINGS INVARIABLY TAKE ❝ LONGER THAN EXPECTED, SO EXPANDING THE TIME FRAME BENEFITS BOTH MYSELF AND THE CLIENT ❞ COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Golden

days

Welcome the slow change of the seasons into your home with harvest fruit colours, weather-warmed textures and woven furniture

RETRO NOW Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a touch of 1970s revival in these peach and apricot colours. What makes it now: the genrebusting furniture mix and sheer striped fabric panel at the window.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SEASONAL DECO

PATTERN PUNCH Match drama with delicacy for a distinctive look. Here, a mesmerising tribal repeat wallpaper in sunset pink is perfectly paired with a mesh-front sideboard and chunky rush flooring.

HOMELY HUES Bring sun-warmed shades to the kitchen with artisan wares celebrating their inherent tones and textures. Incorporate welcoming hues from natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own canvas with wood, wicker, clay and terracotta.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SEASONAL DECO

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SEASONAL DECO

SMALL WONDERS Add a contemporary touch to a country bathroom with geometric patterns underfoot. A great trick to add character to smaller rooms, tile tessellations can make a bold statement in minimal spaces.

STYLE CRUSH Create a sophisticated country vibe with a considered mix of tribal markings, foliageinspired pattern, colour blocking and artisan weaves.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SEASONAL DECO

ALL THE DETAILS, PRODUCTS & PRICES

PAGES 66-67

Walls in Strong White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Sense sofa, £3,365, Cane Line; covered in Savernake 003 linen, £130m, Fermoie; piped in Linara in Sorbet cotton mix, £40, Romo. Percy armchair, £885, Pimpernel & Partners; covered in Cybele in Tigers Eye linen, £75m, Zoffany. Eleanor coffee table, £1,695, Benchmark. Monarch side table, £1,290, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. For a similar raffia cube, try Fy!. Yellow cushion in Plain Weave Linen in Chinese Yellow and Tea Rose, both £44; curtains in Broad Stripe Top Stitch in Tea Rose, £90m, both Volga Linen. Button finial iron curtain pole set, £101.70, Jim Lawrence. For a similar woven table lamp base, try Kalinko. Lucile lampshade in Warm White, from £28, Neptune. Try Perch & Parrow for similar

HOMELY HUES

PAGES 68-69

PAGES 70-71

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

botanical prints. Ariano mirror, £120, Habitat. For a similar seagrass rug, try Design Vintage

PATTERN PUNCH

Walls in Montana wallpaper in Muted Pink (above dado), £155 a roll, Ottoline. Woven wallpaper, try Beut for similar. Dado rail in Ethereal Blue matt emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer. Floor matting, from £218sq m, Rush Matters. Audrey sideboard, £6,750, Fiona McDonald. Rattan wall lampshades, £72 each, Tine K Home at Abode Living. (On sideboard, from left) Confit pot, from £135, Home Barn. Unico vase in Ochre, £65, Kähler Design at Nordic Nest. Ceramic patterned vase, try Trouva for similar. Plate tray, try Nkuku for similar. Pink and blue bottle vase, try Habitat for similar. Boolu green ceramic vase, £34, Oliver Bonas

Walls in Strong White estate emulsion, as before. Cane stool, £550, Byron & Gómez. For a similar table, try Home Barn. Door curtain in Toco in Ochre, £45m, Harlequin. Button curtain pole set in Beeswax, £61.60 Jim Lawrence. Seagrass lampshade, £495, Oggetto. (On work surface, from left) Vintage clear glass jug from a selection at Designers Guild. For a similar tea towel, try Nordic Nest. David Mellor has similar wooden chopping boards. Large hotpot, try Oggetto for similar. American-style bean pot, £120, John Leach at David Mellor. For a similar vintage bowl, try Violet Grey.

Try David Mellor for a similar brass pepper pot. (On table) Caramel swing stopper bottle from a selection at The Conran Shop. Linen fringe napkins in Pink, £10 each, Nisi. For a similar green splatter terracotta bowl, try Artemest. Find a similar wicker platter with cover on Ebay. Agar six-glass set, £39.95, Nkuku. (On cooker) For a similar confit pot, try Violet Grey. For similar wooden spoons, try David Mellor. Cocotte large casserole in Mustard from a selection at The Conran Shop. (On floor) Rustic hamper from a selection at Yonder Living. Moroccan basket from a selection at Design Vintage

SMALL WONDERS

STYLE CRUSH

Walls in Purbeck Stone estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Moroccan encaustic cement tiles, pattern 01u3, £2.69 a tile, Best Tile. Find a similar dressing table at Oliver Bonas. Serenity Eclipse stool in Coral, £69.99, Bean Bag Bazaar. For a similar Fasano plate, try Made in Design. Find a similar decorative glass bottle at Rockett St George. (On table) Swirl bonbon bowl in Purple, £55, Nina Campbell. Wallakra vase, from a selection at Howe. Incalmo jug in Amber, Teal and Purple, £195, Jochen Holz at The New Craftsmen. Topaz wine goblet, £29, Nina Campbell. Raffia bags from a selection at Yonder. Chrysanthemum porcelain plate, £14, Native & Co. Find similar raffia sliders at Asos. Leather babouche slippers, £26, Yonder

Wall in One Way Grass Cloth in Rose, £75m, Kit Kemp for Christopher Farr Cloth. Moreau bed, from £3,185, Pinch. Find a similar chair at Oka. Chair cushion in Lorette NCF4282-01, £59m, Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little. Bolster cushion (on bed) in Tropicana in Ochre, £54m, Linwood; edged in Neva Plain Weave in Chinese Yellow, £44m, Volga Linen. Astor Coral and Blush bed linen, from £30, Designers Guild. Pom-pom blanket, £68, Yonder. Washed linen throws, £83 each, Smallable. Jute circles rug, £225, Design Vintage. Green Oaks wall pendant, £850, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. Glass water bottle, £16, Nina Campbell. Sinfonia glass in Ochre, £35 for set of six, Nisi. Yellow line 18-11/2018 artwork, from a selection at Caroline Popham

FEATURE AND ART DIRECTION SARA BIRD STYLING SALLY DENNING PHOTOGRAPHS EMMA LEE

RETRO NOW

LOCAL HERO

Many high-end brands have donated products in support of Francesca’s work, including Edward Bulmer Natural Paint and Sofas & Stuff

❝We’re creating

havens at home for NHS heroes

❝

FEATURE RHODA PARRY PHOTOGRAPH (EDWARD BULMER NATURAL PAINT) ALUN CALLUNDER

Interior designer Francesca Rowan Plowden spearheads a charity in charge of room makeovers I had my light bulb moment about how I could help support NHS workers while sitting in the bath. It was at the start of lockdown and I was at home in East Sussex. On that particular day, I had watched a nurse talking desperately about the impact of COVID-19 on the patients in her care. She said, ‘Just stay at home. Just please stay at home!’ I wanted to do something meaningful for the people who were working flat out to help us – that’s how Design Havens for Heroes was launched. I asked contacts if they would donate their time or products to do makeovers for local NHS workers. I tentatively set up an Instagram page and did an initial shout out. Susie Hetherington and Tori Murphy were two of the first designers I contacted. The response was truly overwhelming. On day one, Design Havens for Heroes had 50 followers. On day three, it hit 1,000 followers and I had 300 DMs with offers of help and nominations. I knew we were on to something powerful.

The charity’s aim is to create room makeover ‘havens’ for accredited NHS key workers. Just a way to say a big thank you to these selfless individuals who go to work regardless of the risk. These people need the benefit of rest and calm in their own homes, after dealing with the demands of tackling the pandemic. I was able to call on friends and influencers in the design world to support the initiative. Nina Campbell really got the ball rolling, as well as Kate Watson-Smyth of @mad_about_the_house. They were followed by interior designers who volunteered to design a project – anything from a wall colour scheme to a new pair of curtains. Very quickly a collective of more than 500 high profile home brands joined the ranks. Names such as Sanderson, Neptune, Sofas & Stuff and Edward Bulmer Natural Paint are complemented by curtain makers and decorators – I was thrilled to recruit Greg Penn of @manwithahammer fame and Gabrielle Blackman from DIY SOS.

There’s a sustainable element to all this, too, as many suppliers have surplus stock, products from past seasons, or ex-display items, which can now go to a great cause. We’ve had more than 1,000 NHS healthcare workers nominated so far. The charity team matches them with a designer in their region. I’ve started catching up with keyworkers via IGTV, too. I chatted to Gigi Cardozo, a London paramedic, about the mental health impact of the work and how important it is to retreat to a home you love after a long shift. Amy Davies Pereira of @littlehouseinlondon has done one of our first makeover designs for a doctor. It has a holistic and nature-loving vibe. We can’t wait for lockdown to end so that we can bring these designs to life. I want this to have a long-lasting legacy and hope to transform staff rooms and wellness rooms in the future. Follow the Instagram account @designhavensforheroes or go to designhavensforheroes.org.uk to learn more about the charity. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Everlasting LOVE

Join the petal preservation society with stunning dried flower arrangements for your forever home

JAM JAR JAMBOREE Jam jars, produce pots and even charity shop glass oddments make lowkey but lovely holders for hand-tied posies. We used daisies, bunny tails, eucalyptus, flax, gypsophila, oats, broom and phalaris for variety and texture. Gradually add stems of flowers to one hand, starting with longer stems for the middle. Add two or three of the same stem at a time, twisting the posy

to maintain equal flowers and create a rounded feel. Tie off with some florist wire and snip the ends so the posy fits perfectly into the jar. Flowers and grasses from a selection at Atlas Flowers and Dowsing & Reynolds. Jam jars and glasses, found in shops and charity stores. Place mat, £22; napkins, £18 for two, all Rowen & Wren. Stoneware mug, £12, Nordic House

G E T C R E AT I V E

TABLE GARLAND One up from fresh flowers, this garland can be used to dress tables time and again. We used rose buds, mimosa, flax, matricaria, daisies, helichrysum, broom, delphiniums, poppy heads, phalaris, bunny tails, eucalyptus, gypsophila, oat stems and statice. Cut all the flowers to a length of 10cm and fix together groups of the same flower with florist wire. Take a length of garland and wire in some eucaplytus stems. Starting at one end, push a group of flowers into the garland and secure in place with florist wire. Gradually build up with flowers, mixing up for fullness. Finish with three groups of flowers pushed in the opposite way to hide the wiring. Grapevine garland, £7.20 for 9ft, The Essentials Company. Flowers and grasses from a selection at Atlas Flowers and Dowsing & Reynolds. Dessert plates, £9.50 each; dinner plates, £12 each; Grey dinner candle, from £8 for six; metal trays, £10.95 for set of two; candleholder, £12, all Nordic House. Napkins, £18 for two; tablecloth, £78, both Rowen & Wren

NAPKIN RING PERFECT POSY A pretty and lasting gift idea with a decorative ribbon finish. Separate the stems into groups – we used oats, bunny tails, delphinium, gypsophilia, grasses, daisies, statice, rosebuds and helichrysum. Start with the flatter stems in one hand, keep these longer and to the rear of the arrangement, then add in neater stems in slightly shorter lengths, keeping the stems straight and pointing down. Gradually fill in with rounded flowers, covering the stems. Secure with florist wire, keeping the stems long but trim to neaten. Wrap the stems with ribbon and finish with a bow. Flowers and grasses from a selection at Atlas Flowers. Ribbon, from a selection at D Byford & Sons

Pretty-up place settings with a ring of delicate sprigs. We used mimosa, daisies, bunny tails and gypsophila. Take a length of covered florist wire and wind in a circle a few times to make the ring base, then wind the wire over on itself around the ring to support the structure. Pinch together a small group of flowers, snipping off long stems. Place along the edge of the wire then wrap and secure them in place with more covered wire. Snip off the ends of the wire for a neat finish. Flowers and grasses from a selection at Atlas Flowers. Dessert and dinner plates; candle and candleholder; napkins and tablecloth, as before. Cutlery, £46.95 for a 16-piece set, Wayfair

HALF-ANDHALF WREATH Make a beautiful keepsake wreath to dress plain walls. Begin with a readymade grapevine wreath. Arrange the stems and flowers in separate groups – we used mimosa, eucalyptus, oats, bunny tails, delphinium, gypsophila and helichrysum. Start laying the first group of flowers along the front of the wreath at the base, with stems facing down. Secure in place with covered florist wire. Repeat with the next group of flowers, making sure the heads cover the wire. Continue until the centre is reached then repeat the other way. Finish and cover the last stems with helichrysum flower heads.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

G E T C R E AT I V E

FEATURE SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHS DAN DUCHARS (HALF-AND-HALF WREATH) FLOWERS AND GRASSES FROM A SELECTION AT ATLAS FLOWERS AND DOWSING & REYNOLDS. GRAPEVINE WREATH, FROM £5, WISH. RAFFIA, FROM A SELECTION AT D BYFORD & SONS

COLLECTING, DRYING & KEEPING DRIED FLOWERS You can buy dried flowers but there’s something even more special about collecting the ingredients for your display from your own garden. Pick flowers and foliage on a dry day, after any morning dew has disappeared. There are two methods of drying – air drying or by microwaving. To air dry, remove excess foliage, tie stems hanging downwards on a coathanger, then place in an airy enclosed cupboard away from the light. Leave for up to three weeks to completely dry out. The microwave method is suitable for smaller flowerheads. Take a one-use microwave dish and place few centimetres of silica gel inside. Place the blooms on top then heat in the microwave just above the defrost temperature in blasts of one minute for up to 5 minutes, checking frequently. Once the flowers are dry, remove the dish, cover and leave for a day. Remove any gel from the flowers with a brush and coat with clear acrylic spray to prevent yellowing. Keep flowers at their best by placing away from direct light.

DECORATIVE DOME This smart way of showing dried flowers keeps them looking perfect. Measure the chosen flowers against the size of the dome – we used poppy heads, bunny tails, daisies and mimosa – leaving a few centimetres gap between the flower heads and the glass. Shape a piece of dry oasis to fit in the base. Cover the sides by winding around raffia and stick to the dome base with double-sided tape. Taking the tallest flowers first, push

into the oasis starting at the centre. Add the flowers and grasses in a gradually shorter style around them. Cover the remainder of the oasis block with shorter stems of mimosa flowers and foliage. Flowers and grasses from a selection at Atlas Flowers. Glass dome, £15, Ikea. Raffia, from a selection at D Byford & Sons. Napkins, as before. Notebook from a selection at Muji. Dry oasis from a selection at Country Baskets

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MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

Roma 596 Eleanor vinyl, £22.99sq m, Carpetright

CHAMPION THE TRADITIONAL With their tactile, chalky finish, fabulous patterns and relaxed vintage look, encaustic tiles are synonymous with country style – not to mention one of this year’s top trends. Their geometric nature means they can be laid to create a variety of repeating patterns on both walls and floors for a unique finish. Go bold with clashing hues or opt for a classic combination, such as blue and white, for a more lived-in look. P RI NT P RET TY

Be playful with

PATTERN

Mix, match and layer like a pro to create a striking room scheme that’s packed with prints – and personality 80

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Botanical stoneware 12-piece dinner set, £49, M&S. House of Print by Molly Mahon (£16.99, Pavilion Books). Blue festival woven throw, £130, Postcards Home

BALANCE WITH NEUTRALS Introducing more than one pattern into a room is a subtle balancing act. The key is to stick to two or three designs distributed evenly throughout the room, including at least one neutral pattern, such as a stripe, plaid or check. These add subtle interest without overwhelming the space. Offset the patterns with white walls and natural finishes.

Sofa in Beverley Navy; footstool in Stanley Stripe Dark Navy; curtains in Linton Stripe Dark Navy, all ÂŁ54.50m, Ian Mankin

MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

Walls in Paris Grey wall paint, £41.95 for 2.5ltr; floor in Old Violet chalk paint, both £21.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan

Aurora table lamp with empire shade, £153, Pooky

START SM A LL If you’re nervous about introducing bold pattern on a big scale, try it in small doses first. Use the colours from a favourite painting, fabric or wallpaper and pick them up elsewhere in your scheme. Cushions or lampshades are a great place to start, as they’re fairly easy to switch back again if you change your mind.

UPDATE A CLASSIC When using pattern in a more permanent way, such as on flooring, opting for timeless designs combined with a nod to current trends ensures longevity. For example, a classic chequerboard floor is synonymous with country bathrooms, but needn’t be strictly black and white – give it a modern twist by choosing another pairing of light and dark neutrals. 82

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

N AT URA L TON E S Elliot oven dish, £12, Habitat. Eucalyptus No.2 poster, from £7.95, Desenio. Patterned wicker baskets, £48 for set of two, Rose & Grey. Ajuda warm patterned tile, £49.50sq m, The London Tile Co

S CAL E U P Whimsical wallcoverings are a great way to add personality to a country kitchen. Large-scale patterns can make compact spaces feel bigger, so don’t be afraid to go all-out – papering all four walls can be much more impactful than a single feature wall. Sticking to a tonal colour palette will stop the pattern from being too overwhelming. Here, muted green cabinets help ground the scheme.

Caspian Pamir wallpaper, £69 a roll, Sanderson

Quirky Camo, £110lin m, Ella Doran at Alternative Flooring

CO U NT RY CHIC Lohko inlay cabinet, £375, Oliver Bonas. Octagonal cushion, £95, Florence Broadhurst. Patterned pot, £4.50, Sainsbury’s Home

INSPIRATION FROM NATURE You see a lot of curtain when they’re closed, so why not reflect the countryside beyond by choosing a print inspired

I NTRO D UCE ‘ QUI ET’ PATTER N A patterned scheme doesn’t have to be full of colour; tone-on-tone designs can still give a room depth and character while remaining elegant. Inspired by stormy skies, this painterly stair runner by British designer Ella Doran lifts dark grey walls with its lighter tones, simultaneously drawing the eye upwards to create a feeling of space.

3 O F TH E BE ST WALL PAPE R PATT ERN S

1 Clover in Shoreline, £84m, Angie Lewin at St Jude’s

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

1. Brophy Trellis in Ivory Sage, £89 a roll, Morris & Co at Style Library 2. Carmen, £530sq m, Eijffinger 3. Baltic Panoramique Vague, £331.45 a panel, Casadeco at Jane Clayton & Co

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

by nature? We love this screen-printed design by Angie Lewin. Pair with a block-colour blind to frame the view when open.

MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

OUR EXPERT SAYS…

WHEN DECIDING ON PATTERNS ❝ FOR FABRICS OR WALLPAPER, FIRST ORDER A LARGE SAMPLE TO SEE IF IT COMPLEMENTS THE SCHEME TARA KING, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR

❞

T HI N K I N LAY ERS The joyous thing about textiles is you can build them up to create an eclectic look. For a relaxed country bedroom, draw inspiration from globalinspired designs by blending embroidered patterns, weaves and subtle block prints on slubby linens in an earthy palette of teal, terracotta and leaf green. As a general rule, offset bold designs on cushions with smaller-scale prints on quilts and throws.

HOME OFFICE IDEAS

A design similar to the Vail Residence would cost around £8,000, Champalimaud Design

LANDING STRIP

We can work it out!

The space at the end of a landing or corridor can prove a surprisingly pleasant work area. ‘Position the desk in front of a window if you can,’ says Anna Beeber, partner at Champalimaud Design. ‘It allows you to divert your eyes from your computer screen when they need a rest.’ To help the area blend, select furniture and accessories that don’t scream ‘office’.

HOME OFFICES

WORKING FROM HOME? MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STUDY PRIVILEGES WITH A STYLISH DESK SPACE, WHETHER THAT’S A DEDICATED OFFICE OR A NOOK MADE FOR THE NEW 9 TO 5

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

EAVES DROPPING ‘Small cottages and quirky rooms can be a challenge for standard office cabinets and furniture. Elements such as sloped ceilings, uneven walls, beams and skirting often demand clever fitted furniture or an alternative way of thinking,’ says Rebecca Nokes, senior kitchen and bedroom designer at John Lewis of Hungerford. ‘Commissioning bespoke offers you a unique way to make sure your space is turned into something beautiful.’

Bespoke office space in Earl Grey, from £2,300, John Lewis of Hungerford

HOME OFFICE IDEAS

TWO’S COMPANY The need to make room for two to work from home is an increasing reality. Side-by-side desks can prove the best use of space, while a double-sided desk is useful if you actually work together. Try and achieve a degree of separation – at least an arm’s width so that you’re not jostling for elbowroom. Storage for each desk is also helpful. ‘We like to use comfy armchairs as desk chairs in a home office, upholstered in a fun fabric to make the room seem more characterful,’ says Philippa Thorp, director of Thorp.

A similar home office/library, from £15,000, Thorp

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Harpsden office in Rich Praline, from £3,000, Hammonds

HALLS OF POWER Depending on the pitch of your staircase, the space beneath it can provide an office area at the heart of your home. The hallway can be a thoroughfare in busy households – good quality noise-cancelling headphones will help. Light can also prove problematic in windowless hallways – aim for at least one downlight above your desk, as well as an adjustable lamp for close-up work. ‘Go for fitted office furniture that will make the most of the available space. Light colour palettes will work especially well in a country setting,’ says Joanna Cross, designer at Hammonds.

DRESS-ER CODE The benefit of a dresser-inspired design is it will look equally at home in the kitchen, living or dining room. The ability to move it with you, should you change homes, also makes the investment more long-term. Look for a unit with a pull-out desk for your laptop or keyboard, which will provide more legroom while working. ‘Bifold doors are space efficient and ideal for closing everything away at the end of the day,’ says Amy Conn, product development manager at Neptune.

Chichester deluxe workstation in Shingle, £2,840, Neptune

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Bespoke home office in Soft Grey, from £12,000, Martin Moore

INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS Nordic desk, £460; Bannister armchair, £495; table, £180; noticeboards, from £110; screen, from £370; lamp, £169, all The Dormy House

Now that so many of us live in open-plan homes, doing office work in the kitchen isn’t as crazy as it might once have seemed. If you need a full-time dedicated space, consider sacrificing kitchen storage in favour of a built-in desk. With a strict ‘clean desk’ policy in place, a stylish set-up needn’t be hidden away. We love how this smart space by Martin Moore breaks up floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, adding interest and shape. ‘Ensure there’s storage for less attractive essentials, as well as sockets for charging devices,’ says Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore.

SCREEN SAVER ‘Keeping clutter tidied away creates a much needed sense of calm. Investing in some key storage items can help eliminate stress and restore order,’ says Anna Trinder, owner of The Dormy House. ‘If you need a printer, consider a dedicated table on castors that can be easily moved when needed, and tidied away again afterwards.’ Pretty noticeboards will make your desk area feel more homely, while an upholstered screen can also provide privacy and shield your screen from sunlight. 90

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

HOME OFFICE IDEAS

CORNER THE MARKET An alcove or quiet corner of a room can be repurposed as a home office. ‘Mark out the “work zone” using a different paint colour from the rest of the room,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. ‘To ensure the balance of the room isn’t disturbed, choose a tone that harmonises with the rest of the scheme, but maybe go a few shades deeper. Or if you are wanting to make a bold statement, go for a totally contrasting hue that says, “serious work goes on here”, but in a playful manner.’

Walls in Knightsbridge and Down intelligent matt emulsion, £51.50 for 2.5ltr; windowsill in Chimney Brick intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, all Little Greene

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

HOME OFFICE IDEAS

PANEL DISCUSSION ‘Introducing a mural is instantly transformative; none more so than one plucked from nature,’ says Michael Ayerst, managing director at Surface View. ‘Landscapes depicting views of mountains, rivers and forests will add drama and depth, while a more simplistic image detailing flora and foliage will inject calmness to your office space.’ Fabric-backed murals provide the best finish for uneven walls. Many can be scaled for a perfect fit and are supplied in equal panels that are applied similarly to traditional wallpaper.

A Cascade in the Tuaruru Valley, Tahiti by William Hodges mural, from £40sq m, Surface View

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Joinery in Lamp Room Gray estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Symphony velvet carpet in Berlin, £69sq m, Elements London. Design, Anna Wilson Interiors

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS (TWO’S COMPANY) RICHARD POWERS; (SECRET SERVICE) IKON PHOTOGRAPHY; (HEAD OFFICE) EMMA LEWIS

HEAD OFFICE If your living space is already at breaking point, look loft-wards. Expect to pay upwards of £15,000 for a straightforward conversion, more if you need to change your roof trusses or add dormer windows. The bonus of working in your attic is the potential peace and quiet it affords. And, since you’re mostly sitting at a desk, the lack of head room is less problematic. ‘When creating an office in the eaves, maximise every inch of space with considered built-in joinery,’ says interior designer Anna Wilson. ‘Take note of the natural light available to govern the best position for your desk.’

SECRET SERVICE One of the many benefits of the digital age is we can now create a practical office area in the smallest of spaces. ‘We no longer need big, deep desks to take enormous PCs, and we can get away with far fewer filing drawers as we go more paperless,’ says Lisa Lalor, marketing director at Neville Johnson. A hideaway office can be tucked away in any room. Once the doors are closed, you can truly clock off from work. Go for pocket doors that slide into the unit so that you don’t feel hemmed in.

Hideaway home office in Crowned Oak, from £3,000, Neville Johnson

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

TWIN IT TO WIN IT

Choose the best…

One tray table is great; two has double the impact. Perfect for nesting magazines and books as well as serving up refreshments and nibbles, the wide oak tray is fully detachable from the legs for easy manoeuvring. Butler’s coffee table in Natural, H45xW90xL90cm, £375, The White Company

CENTREPIECE COFFEE TABLE

ACCOMMODATE YOUR COFFEE AND FAVOURITE MAG WHILE CREATING A STYLISH FOCAL POINT WITH A LOW-RISE DESIGN THAT PAIRS PUNCHY PATINA WITH A SHAPELY SILHOUETTE

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FURNITURE BUYERÕS GUIDE

RECLAIMED MATERIALS

Blurring the boundaries between industrial and rustic, this functional focal point will mix things up in any living space. Full of personality, its sturdy metal frame holds a mango wood tabletop and lower platform. Lowther oval coffee table, H40xW60x L120cm, £280, J N Rusticus

SWEDISH TWIST

A lovely addition for country-loving sitting rooms, this generously sized design includes a drawer to stash that elusive remote control. Featuring raw wood and an aged brass handle, or admirers can choose a bespoke painted finish. Gustavian large coffee table, H50xW120xD61cm, £229, Scumble Goosie

FOR AN INTERESTING ❝ UPDATE, CHOOSE A DESIGN THAT MIXES MATERIALS SUCH AS WOOD, METAL AND MARBLE, OR GLASS FOR DYNAMIC CONTRAST

❞

CLASSIC CHARACTER

Slim-framed and airy, this simple design suits any scheme. A mix of glass and metal, its subtle finishing details add finesse, while a lower shelf provides extra storage and styling space. Coniston coffee table in Black Bronze, H45xW70xL140cm, £960, Neptune

STRIKING SILHOUETTE

This skilfully crafted beauty celebrates the traditional skills of the Kharadi, a community of woodturners based in India. Each piece is made from sustainably harvested mango wood that is lathe turned to create its elegant lipped design. Extra large bowl table, £474, Mater at Heal’s

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE

GRACEFUL ELEGANCE

Bringing together time-honoured grace with a touch of modern glamour, this whitewashed design features a geometric star pattern and shapely sculpted legs. Parquet coffee table, H40xW140xD80cm, £550, Graham and Green

NATURAL CHARMER

Hand-carved in weathered acacia hardwood, each piece has unique character. The light finish and elegant details make this modern country classic ideal for traditional spaces. Caned coffee table, H40xL110xW70cm, £745, Susie Watson Designs

RAW GRAINS

Handcrafted from mango wood with gorgeously honeyed tones, this rustic statement has an air of Scandi simplicity. Place in a lounge and style with a simple fresh or dried flower stem in a glass vessel. Bali coffee table, H40xDia80cm, £415, House Doctor at Design Vintage

ROUND DESIGNS ARE ❝ A POPULAR CHOICE THIS

SEASON, CREATING A MORE SOCIABLE LOOK TO BREAK UP ANGULAR SEATING ARRANGEMENTS

❞

ENGINEERED TOP

Strong architectural lines merge English and Dutch detailing on this beautifully crafted piece. Eco-wise, its hard-wearing top minimises the use of solid wood in favour of faster-growing timbers. Series Four coffee table in oak, H40x W120xD60cm, £795, Another Country 96

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Smooth and pebble-like, the grandeur of the rich marble balances against reclaimed oak wood and slender cast-iron legs, for a modern masterpiece. Bryant coffee table in Black, H40.6xW152xD76cm, £1,198, Anthropologie

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

MARBLE INFUSION

Top drawer. Shop our full range of over 1,000 designs online at swooneditions.com

Reyna chest of drawers ÂŁ549 Edition limited to 8

Furniture for the home obsessed swooneditions.com 020 3319 6332

Beautiful BATHROOM BRASSWARE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PLACE FOR CHROME BUT THE NEW TRENDS IN TAP FINISHES ARE WHAT WE’RE GUSHING OVER RIGHT NOW... Mull classic three-hole basin taps in antique bronze finish, from £1,170, Drummonds

AGED ANTIQUE APPEAL Give the current trend for black fittings a rustic edge with a ‘so-aged-it’salmost-black’ antique bronze finish, instead. ‘With its burnished texture and copper undertones, it provides a characterful alternative to stark matt black that is entirely in keeping with country style,’ says James Lentaigne, creative director, Drummonds. ‘Complement a marble basin with our elegant Mull taps, crafted using a traditional wax moulding method then polished by hand, for the perfect blend of old and new.’

Hoxton floor-standing mono bath/shower mixer in brushed brass, £749, Britton

ROOM ELEMENTS

CENTRE OF ATTENTION If you’re lucky enough to have a free-standing bath, a floor-standing filler lets it take centre stage and keeps the sides free so you can recline in comfort. ‘With its sleek curves and brushed brass finish, our Hoxton mono bath/shower mixer cuts a fine figure against white ceramic and becomes a focal point in its own right,’ says Faye Froy, marketing manager, Britton. ‘We’d recommend a matt black finish for a modern spin on a traditional roll top.’

Artifacts tap with bell spout, £270; lever handles, £650, both Kohler UK

TAPS ARE USED MULTIPLE ❝ TIMES EVERY DAY – THEY’RE THE ELEMENT YOU TOUCH MOST IN THE BATHROOM. INVESTING IN QUALITY WILL ALWAYS BE MONEY WELL SPENT TARA KING, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR

❞

SHINING EXAMPLE Despite a move towards warmer metals, there remains a strong demand for the classic chrome brassware we’re so familiar with, particularly in traditional bathrooms. ‘While colour brings depth and texture, chrome enhances natural light for a sense of space and calm,’ says Amanda Turner, associate product manager, Kohler UK. Rockwell wall-mounted bath taps, from £678, The Water Monopoly

SPLASH OF COLOUR Bring fun to family bathrooms with the colourful Rockwell collection from The Water Monopoly, featuring modern cross-head bath and basin taps in cheerful hues, including Willow Green (above). ‘Our colour-matching service gives customers the chance to be playful and accentuate shades found elsewhere in the room,’ says founder, Justin Homewood. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

BOLD AS BRASS Aged brass fittings add natural warmth to the coolest of bathroom schemes. ‘Our Astonian Original collection features an exclusive living finish that perfectly replicates patina that’s built up over years,’ says Howard Birch, director, Aston Matthews. ‘Left untreated, it will continue to change and develop with age for a naturally antiqued finish – perfect for rustic schemes.’ Astonian Original deck mounted bath/shower mixer in aged brass, £1,434, Aston Matthews

3 O F TH E B EST MIXER TAPS

FEATURE TARA KING

Add a splash of designer style

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1. Belgravia in chrome, £334, Crosswater 2. Serenitie Mono tap in antique brass, £428, Abode 3. Chadder C243 three-hole mixer in weathered copper, £825, Chadder & Co COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Milano Elizabeth triple exposed thermostatic shower with riser rail and bath spout, £424.99, Big Bathroom Shop

ROOM ELEMENTS

Need to know...

Buying brassware ■ CONSIDER STYLE While chrome is a safe bet

USING HARSH ❝ CHEMICALS ON A

in country-style bathrooms, there’s a definite move towards warmer metals. Don’t rule out modern brassware in period properties; minimalist designs can work well and are often easier to clean with no dirt-trapping nooks.

METAL BRASSWARE FINISH CAN RUIN THE SURFACE. INSTEAD, USE A MICROFIBRE CLOTH, SUCH AS AN E-CLOTH, WITH PLAIN WATER OR A MILD CLEANING SOLUTION

■ INVEST IN HIGH QUALITY Choosing brassware

TARA KING, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR

reclaimed fittings reconditioned and tested to ensure they work properly. If you plan to fit taps onto existing sanitaryware, check that the hole sizes correspond and there’s enough room for fixings underneath.

❞

that stands the test of time is essential. ‘This is particularly important for those that are fitted into the wall; there’s often no direct access, which makes repairs trickier and more costly,’ says Yousef Mansuri, head of design at CP Hart. ■ CHECK YOUR WATER PRESSURE Many older

homes still run on gravity-fuelled systems with low water pressure, which can rule out certain fittings. Discuss your options with your plumber – it may be possible to switch to a mains pressure system or add a pump. ■ SOURCE VINTAGE BATH OR BASIN TAPS Have

Illustrious mounted basin mixer taps and manifold, from £703.20, Swadling Brassware

FULL EXPOSURE Make a feature of your fittings by putting the internal workings on full display. ‘Crafted from hard-wearing brass, the exposed pipework of our Milano Elizabeth shower mixer has a distinctive Victorian feel, beautifully softened by a brushed gold finish that emulates the opulence of traditional country manor houses,’ says John Lawless, content marketing manager, Big Bathroom Shop.

GOLDEN ERA Art Deco design is a big trend in bathrooms and Swadling Brassware epitomises the look with its Illustrious collection. Classic details synonymous with the 1920s are given a contemporary twist with mixed material finishes. Cross-head style tap handles are available in a range of metals, and can be finished with discs in black or white glass, mother of pearl and black lip pearl. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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The Engineer Concealed Shower Mixer

BATHROOM TAPS, SHOWERS AND ACCESSORIES. HANDMADE IN ENGLAND HELPLINE@SWADLINGBRASSWARE.CO.UK WWW.SWADLINGBRASSWARE.CO.UK

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

Merry dislikes visible sockets, so the breakfast cupboard is where she puts small appliances that need to be plugged in permanently

PROJECT PROFILE Owners Merry and Ben Albright live here with their two children and cockapoo.

House A four-bedroom,

Wood

WORKS

AGAINST A BACKDROP OF BEAUTIFUL OAK BEAMS, MERRY AND BEN ALBRIGHT’S KITCHEN IS FILLED WITH CHARACTER AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

oak-framed self-build in Herefordshire’s Arrow Valley.

Project Planning and fitting a new kitchen, utility and pantry as part of an openplan living and dining space in their new detached self-build. Kitchen size 6x11m Designer Louis Ferneyhough, Fernio Furniture.

Cabinetry Bespoke Shaker-style kitchen by Fernio Furniture, in Whiting and Flaxen Grey by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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The sink has a high-level window above, which looks onto the back porch and then the garden beyond, so the family is never deprived of a view

Limestone tiles from the same quarry ensure a uniform colour across the floor to reduce distractions

ou could say oak-framed construction is in Merry Albright’s blood. Her father, John Greene, revived green-oak building in the 1970s, and now both Merry and her husband Ben work for Border Oak, the company her father founded. So, when seeking to build a bigger home for their growing family, oak-framed was a natural choice. ‘I love the process of designing and building houses,’ says Merry. ‘As the children grew, we began to look for a larger plot – we wanted stay in the countryside but with more outdoor space for the kids to run around.’ In fact, the family only moved to the neighbouring village, where both Merry and her father were born. ‘I love that our friends and families are nearby, and we also have some incredible craftspeople and artisans in Herefordshire, too, including blacksmiths, weavers, and cabinetmakers,’ says Merry. The new home, built in a contemporary barn style using a rustic palette of green oak, handmade bricks, oak cladding and clay roof tiles, was undoubtedly influenced by the couple’s day jobs, 104

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

but the floorplan was all about family life. ‘The whole house design started from our ideas for the kitchen,’ recalls Merry. ‘I really wanted a large, bright kitchen that we’d all want to spend time in,’ she adds. Unusually, the utility room hosts the majority of the kitchen appliances, including the fridge-freezer and dishwashers (she has two and alternates between them). This decision was mainly due to Merry’s aversion to noise – she knew she could never tolerate the whirring and low-level hum of appliances in any kitchen that was open-plan and also used for dining and relaxing. She even chose a range cooker without a fan oven. The units were made by cabinetmaker Louis Ferneyhough, one of many local, or British, makers she has used for her kitchen – even the paint was made in the next village. ‘Local, handmade and artisan were my priority, where possible or if budget allowed,’ she says. ‘I believe a home lovingly made by craftspeople who really care will have a unique and more approachable atmosphere. We feel incredibly lucky every day.’

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

Located in the middle of a six-acre plot, the Albrights’ kitchen has glass on three sides

THERE IS SOMETHING ❝ LOVELY ABOUT SITTING

WITHIN AN OAK-FRAMED STRUCTURE, LOOKING OUT AT OLD OAK TREES ❞ The vintage oak science lab stools were bought on eBay. The Kyla bar stool from John Lewis is similar

PANTRY

KITCHEN

SINK

THE LAYOUT The L-shape kitchen has a three-metre-long island with a breakfast bar at its heart. An 11m wall of glass opens on to the central courtyard on one side, with access to the utility and pantry on the opposite side of the room. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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The oak frame is made by hand and helps add texture and interest in the kitchen

WOOD WORKS

3 106

CLEVER DESIGN SOLUTIONS

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

INTERNAL WINDOW

To the right of the cooker is an opening within the oak frame that looks through the hallway to an external window, with views over the garden. ‘We created little vistas wherever we could so the kitchen didn’t feel isolated or detached from the rest of the house,’ says Merry. Internal openings also help bring extra daylight into darker corners of your home and don’t need to be glazed if your home is well-insulated, but you could install glass if noise or odours are a concern.

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

MIXING METALS

Despite the trend for warm metals, many people find it hard to match finishes across different products. Merry’s solution is to not even try – she has mixed brushed-nickel light switches, silvery wall lights, copper reclaimed pendant lights, plus taps and cupboard pulls in brass. ‘Yes, there are lots of different metals, but what holds it all together is the fact it isn’t supposed to match and that they’re all a bit weathered,’ she explains.

Merry found some old vents on eBay and had them converted into lights by her electrician

3 BACK-UP KITCHEN

Accessed directly off the kitchen, the utility room and pantry act like a second kitchen, and Merry says this is the secret to successful open-plan living. All of the food is stored in there, plus the appliances. ‘It means all the noise and mess is kept out of our living space,’ says Merry. ‘Without this back-up support, an open-plan lifestyle wouldn’t work for us.’ The walk-in pantry is shelved out so all contents can be viewed in one swift glance, and the utility’s cast-concrete sink is a modern update on the classic Butler shape.

THE DETAILS CABINETRY Bespoke Shaker-style kitchen, around £25,000, Fernio Furniture; painted in Whiting and Flaxen Grey (island) eggshell, £80 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

SURFACES Quartz worktops in Bianco Carrara, £350sq m, Unistone. Herefordshire Oak worktop (on island), around £800sq m, Fernio Furniture. Clifton flagstones, 40x90cm, £56.40sq m, White Hall Flagstones. Walls and ceiling painted in Whiting emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMY PHILLIPS, (BACK-UP KITCHEN) BECCA WILD/PHOTOPIA

APPLIANCES 110i range cooker in Graphite, from £9,430, Everhot. D5855X1GB 73cm canopy cooker hood/extractor, £284, Neff. Artisan stand mixer in Black iron, £599, KitchenAid. RF610ADJX5 American-style free-standing fridge freezer, £2,099, Fisher & Paykel. SMV50C10GB integrated dishwashers, £425 each, Bosch

SINKS & TAPS Double-bowl ceramic sink in White, £707, Shaws of Darwen. 1010 deck-mounted mixer taps in polished brass, £544, Barber Wilsons & Co

ACCESSORIES

The pantry and utility are painted in Edward Bulmer’s Flaxen Grey, so they complement the island unit in the main kitchen

Pendants above island are old machine parts converted into lights, Industville’s Brooklyn Cone pendant, £79, is similar. Pooky’s Humph wall lights in Vintage Silver, £105, are similar. Vintage oak science-lab stools bought on eBay. The Croft Collection Kyla bar stool in light oak, from £99, John Lewis & Partners, is similar. The pendants above the dining table are vintage, try Mullan Rezador pendants, £253 each, Made To Last

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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R E N O V AT I O N G U I D E

Incorporating glazed side panels into a timber veranda adds interest to a heavy wooden structure

All you need to know FRONT PORCHES

AS WELL AS OFFERING A WARM COUNTRY WELCOME, A NEW PORCH WILL ADD SPACE, AND BOOST YOUR PROPERTY’S VALUE AND KERB APPEAL WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING MY PORCH? Start by thinking about how you intend to use it. An open porch generally consists of a roof installed onto the exterior of your property and offers shelter and a place for storing boots and logs, but little in the way of weather protection. A fully enclosed structure is a mini extension to the front of your property. It offers aesthetic impact and can be doubleglazed, insulated and heated to 108

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

create an additional, functional space in your home. Insetting a porch within the footprint of the house is another idea, although this can impede on floor space. Before making your final decision, take proportions into account; a large enclosed design on a modest home will look out of place, for example. I’M LIMITED ON OUTSIDE SPACE WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? Designed to sit neatly above a door,

a canopy porch offers the simplest and most cost-effective alternative to a heavier-looking design. Garden Requisites has a smart selection of scoop and arch canopy designs with optional side supports, all made from durable galvanised solid steel, which can be adapted to accommodate architectural features, and are available in a range of sizes (including a made-to-measure service). Petite porches are also available if budget and space allows.

Bespoke stone portico, price on request, Haddonstone

Steel door canopies work well if you’re short on space, from £395, Garden Requisites

Exterior paint, similar from Farrow & Ball and Little Greene

WHAT MATERIALS CAN I CHOOSE FROM? It depends on the type of porch. While enclosed designs tend to require brick or stonework, the most common materials for open porches include timber, steel and aluminium, with the former preferred for rustic country style. ‘Cedar looks great for contemporary porches, while green oak is a nice fit for traditional designs; a strong wood with a high moisture content, it will develop cracks as it shrinks and dries to a silvery shade – all part of the charm,’ says David Sutton, owner and designer at The English Porch Company. ‘If you’re opting for a painted finish, a pretreated softwood is adequate.’ SHOULD THE MATERIALS MATCH THE HOUSE’S STYLE? It’s important to ensure the porch you choose is sympathetic to your

property, particularly if your home is close to other houses. Typically, this will involve using the same materials, although contrasts can work well in some cases. A timber porch set against stone walls with an aged flagstone floor can be a magical addition to a country farmhouse, for example. Always bear in mind that the porch roof should reflect the style of that on the house, with a visual break between the porch ridge and the first-floor windowsill. Thatched roofs can also look charming when scaled down to porch size. HOW ELSE CAN I ADD CHARACTER? Attention to detail on the posts, brackets and sides can make for a unique finish, while incorporating architectural features is a clever way of ensuring a stylish porch that’s

consistent with the look of a period property. For example, porches or porticos with classical-style architrave and columns are particularly associated with Georgian houses. Think about colour, too; if you have a brightly painted front door, choose a complimentary shade on your porch structure or a natural finish. Finally, flooring – traditional floor tiles that are suitable for exterior use can be run from the porch across the threshold and into the hallway without any worry of damage by the cold weather. WILL I NEED TO BUY A NEW FRONT DOOR? Not necessarily. Often, with an enclosed design, the existing front door can be moved to the exterior face of the porch with a new interior door installed to create a draught lobby. It might also be possible to COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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R E N O V AT I O N G U I D E

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Ascot porch, from £2,750, The English Porch Company; matching the finish on a fully enclosed porch to the main building ensures it blends in; going bespoke allows for unique and eye-catching designs

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION? A porch can usually be built without planning permission, provided that it does not exceed 3sq m in area, is no higher than 3m and no closer than 2m to any highway. However, we’d always advise checking with your local planning department, particularly if your property is listed or in a conservation area. WILL I NEED TO EMPLOY AN ARCHITECT? If the porch does not require planning permission, an architect is not generally required for the job. However, be mindful that a poorly constructed porch can detract from a property. Many porch suppliers will be able to give advice and some also offer a bespoke design service. Porch kits are also an option. As well as its bespoke service, The English Porch Company offers cost-effective and simple-to110

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

install designs in kit form, made to your exact requirements. DOES A NEW PORCH REQUIRE FOUNDATIONS? Yes, sometimes they are needed. Factors to consider include soil conditions, whether the ground is sloped and the combined weight of the frame and roofing materials. Your architect or builder will be best placed to offer advice based on your individual circumstances. WHAT LIGHTING SHOULD I LOOK FOR? A well thought out lighting scheme will make your porch an attractive, inviting space. Look for natural metal finishes and interesting patinas such as weathered bronze, copper and brass – they’re low maintenance and weather beautifully over time. ‘A lantern, box wall lights or exterior bracket lights by the front door will also enable you to find your keys in

Sourcebook

the dark,’ says Peter Bowles, managing director, Davey Lighting. ‘It’s worth investing in good-quality lighting; so choose one with an IP rating of 44 or above to ensure it can withstand the elements.’ CAN PORCHES AFFECT A PROPERTY’S VALUE? ‘A well-designed and professionally finished porch can add significant appeal to a property, making it more stylish, practical and desirable. All these elements contribute to a property’s value and it is generally considered that a beautiful porch will make a future sale more likely,’ says David.

Our pick of porch suppliers

For elegant timber porches English Porch Company 0345 222 0155 theenglishporchcompany.co.uk n For ornate stone designs Haddonstone 01604 770711 haddonstone.com n For stylish door canopies Garden Requisites 01225 851577 garden-requisites.co.uk n

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

incorporate glazed side panels into veranda-style porches – a clever way of counteracting heavy timber designs. These protect the front door while still allowing light to stream through.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS PA R T N E R S H I P

FEMALE ON FORM RUNWAY GALLERY ARTIST BELINDA FRIKH DISCUSSES WHERE SHE FINDS INSPIRATION FOR HER LEADING LADIES

might incorporate into my illustrations. Finally, I retouch the print by hand.

Owning a piece of art is as easy as clicking a button with Runway Gallery. This digital platform gives you the chance to snap up inspirational prints and designs for your home. Annecy-based artist Belinda Frikh is one of the gallery’s artists.

ARTWORK (FROM TOP) CARMEN MIRANDA; COLOMBINE, BOTH BELINDA FRIKH AT RUNWAY GALLERY PHOTOGRAPH (LIVING ROOM) TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

When did you start drawing? For as long I can remember, I was drawing. I drew on anything and everything: cereal boxes, books, official documents, letters from school complaining about me always drawing. As I hit my teens, my work became a little less about the destruction of all plain surfaces and more about channelling it all into a portfolio. It dawned on me that this may be an acceptable vocation when, at the age of 12, I entered a drawing competition in a fashion magazine and won the highly coveted second

What does your typical day look like? Coffee, then I start work with what I call ‘warm-up doodles’. What is it that draws you to the female form? When I visualise the female form, I see a different code of beauty: a wit, a certain mannerism, a composure, a unique imperfection… What are you working on at the moment? The lockdown has given me the opportunity to spread my wings towards the world of decoration. I am working on a capsule collection of items with my artwork on it. prize of a toaster. Much later, I went on to study at L’École Supérieure d’Art Annecy, then the École d’Arts Appliqués à Lyon. When did you move to London? In 1996, straight after my studies. It was supposed to be for three months but I stayed for 21 years – I now live in the French Alps. Does your French background influence your art? Absolutely. I’ve named most of my ladies after French heroines. My first influences came from French books, movies and magazines.

Buy artwork from Belinda Frikh and other artists at runway-gallery.com – a digital platform showcasing contemporary art. Simply go online to browse the work of exciting artists and buy affordable and original pieces with ease.

NEXT MON T H Meet contemporary artist Jeff Muhs, who is known for his innovative, abstract style.

How would you describe your creative process? I often begin by drawing a figure I’ve been inspired by. Then I trawl through magazines and cut out and collect fragments to use for a collage effect, which I COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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HOME TECH

Buy the best...

POWER TOOL FOR GARDEN TIDY-UPS

TAKE THE HARD WORK OUT OF GETTING YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE SHIPSHAPE FOR THE COLDER MONTHS WITH THESE HELPFUL BUYS Hozelock Green Power Evolution thermal weeder, £59.99, Robert Dyas

BEST FOR TREE TRIMMING Gardena telescopic Li-18/20 Accu-pruner, £189.99, Almondsbury If the job doesn’t require a professional, you can lop excess branches off a small tree in your garden with this handy helper. The telescopic handle allows you to reach up to 4m in height, the tilted head makes it easier to cut branches, while the cross-body strap helps with balance and manoeuvrability as you work.

BEST FOR QUICK TIDY-UPS GT30 cordless grass trimmer, £129.99, Gtech Ideal for compact gardens or giving your edging a quick once over, this trimmer will help you neaten your lawn edges in a flash. It features an adjustable handle that you can tweak so that the weight of the trimmer is perfectly balanced, and a spin of the head turns it from a trimmer into a mini mower. A four-hour charge gives the battery around 30 minutes of runtime.

■ ERGONOMIC DESIGN Pruning, cutting, power cleaning… while the power tool should naturally do the lion’s share of the hard work, they all still require a certain amount of effort on the part of the person guiding it. Look for lightweight, easy-to-handle, ergonomic designs to make the job quicker and easier.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI

■ WIRELESS OPTIONS In recent years, battery technology has advanced in leaps and bounds with many more powerful handheld tools now becoming wireless. Not having to wrangle a power lead while pruning or worry about extension leads can be extremely freeing, allowing you to focus entirely on the job in hand. ■ MULTI-USE MODELS It’s unlikely you’ll want or need to buy all of the power tools we’ve featured here, so try and focus on exactly what you need for your garden. Conveniently, these products can all tackle several jobs, so you can pick and choose the model that you think you’ll get the most use out of to save money (and storage).

BEST FOR SURFACE CLEANING Kärcher K 3 pressure washer, £129.99, Halfords This compact, high-pressure cleaner is ideal for clearing fencing, patio paving and decking of dirt, grit and algae. It features three smart attachments to help you tackle each job – a Vario Power lance, which allows you to adjust the water pressure easily mid-clean, a dirt blaster lance and a patio cleaner attachment. What’s more, it comes with 500ml detergent included.

BEST FOR EASY PRUNING Stihl GTA 26 cordless pruner, £132, Lawnmowers Direct Perfect for pruning hedges, shrubs and trees, this powerful hand-held, battery-powered pruner will make light work of anything overgrown. Weighing just 1.4kg, the ergonomic design makes it easy to use and it also features a protective hood for extra safety. A fully charged battery can slice through up to eighty branches with a diameter of 4cm or less.

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BERKSHIRE GARDEN

An olive tree, underplanted with Nepeta x faassenii, stands at the centre of the box-edged parterre

A FINE BALANCE

The wild and the manicured get equal billing in Sarah Pajwaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful Berkshire garden

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The path from the front terrace to the parterre is edged in self-seeding Erigeron karvinskianus. The wisteria on the house and the mop-head hydrangeas were already here

P AT HOM E WIT H… Owners Sarah and Sal Pajwani and their cocker spaniel Domino. House A 1930s house in Berkshire with older outbuildings.

Features A two-acre garden including a wildlife pond, parterre, meadow areas and borders designed to look good all year round. Soil ranges from heavy clay to chalk.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ure coincidence brought Sarah and Sal Pajwani to this house and garden on the outskirts of Maidenhead. Though they’d talked about looking for a new home, they’d made the sensible decision to wait and see which senior schools their two boys (now grown up) got into before making a move. But that all went out of the window when, having taken the morning off to take their eldest to an admissions interview, they spotted a promising looking property in the local paper, just around the corner from the cafe they were in. ‘We phoned the estate agent, told him we were free there and then, and that was that,’ says Sarah. The house was hidden away at the end of a lane, surrounded by meadowland and woods. ‘It felt like the start of an adventure. The two-acre garden wasn’t much more than a field with a tiny pond and some dilapidated sheds, but it felt like a huge, fantastic playground. We both felt really excited.’ The excitement grew the night they moved in, in March 2006. ‘We went to bed listening to the owls hooting, which was magical,’ says Sarah, ‘and then we were woken by bizarre noises which turned out to be muntjac deer.’ There was more wildlife to get acquainted with, too. The overgrown pond was full of newts and tadpoles, the survey had unearthed a badger undermining a corner of the house, and there were rabbits everywhere. ‘It was like Watership Down,’ she says. At first, making the house habitable was the top priority and the garden was left to its own devices, although even the most basic tasks proved to be a steep learning curve. ‘The rabbits went for every single plant I put in and the first time we mowed the lawn it took us eight hours,’ says Sarah. ‘So we bought a ride-on mower, but that cost more than our car!’ Eventually, time and budgets >

BERKSHIRE GARDEN

WHAT MAKES ❝ THIS GARDEN SO

SPECIAL IS THAT IT LOOKS GOOD PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. IT’S A CHALLENGE, BUT I REALLY ENJOY IT

❞

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BERKSHIRE GARDEN

Sarah enjoyed watching the tadpoles and newts so much that she decided to make the pond larger. Now a heron visits, too

allowed for a more considered approach and, in 2008, Sarah asked garden designers Acres Wild to put together a masterplan. ‘We loved the garden’s wildness but I was longing for more interest and colour,’ says Sarah who, armed with copious tearsheets from magazines, had resolved to do the planting herself. ‘Much more daunting for me was the challenge of how to create a layout that made sense.’ Her design brief was straightforward: something ‘simple, natural and easy to maintain – with a bigger pond.’ Wildlife ponds are generally considered fairly high maintenance, so this was something of a contradiction in terms, but Sarah’s mind was made up. ‘We had so much fun watching all the newts and the tadpoles and the birds, we were determined to find a way.’ Before any work could begin, and if any new plants were to stand a chance, the dilapidated fences had to be repaired and rabbitproofed, and hedges planted to hide them. Once that was done, they brought in the diggers and dug out the pond and the beds. Sarah was keen to ensure the garden looked good all year round, so successional planting was key. Hornbeam and holly hedges, conifers (yew and cypress) and evergreen box, used in the parterre and in some judiciously placed domes, were planted to ensure the garden has ‘good bones’ throughout the seasons. Bulbs – cyclamen, winter aconites, snowdrops, daffodils and tulips – add interest in late winter and spring before the blossom from the old apple and pear trees start to take over. Grasses have been particularly useful, adding a sense of movement to the borders throughout summer and autumn – ‘I love their softness and texture,’ says Sarah – and then a structural, > 118

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

CH&I loves… LILY PONDS According to the RHS, over the last century nearly 70 per cent of ponds have disappeared from the British countryside, so if you can accommodate one in your garden, it will provide a much-needed habitat for a wide variety of wildlife • Be prepared to carry out regular maintenance, particularly in the first few years. Sarah had to don waders and scoop blanket weed on a weekly basis for the first two summers, until the oxygenating plants had established. • Ensure at least one side of the pond has a long, shallow slope. This allows easy access for wildlife and can be planted up. • Include floating aquatic plants, such as water lilies (which help shade the surface) and submerged plants to act as oxygenators. • Some shade is good to reduce problems with algae, but not lots. • Ask anyone with an existing pond for a barrel of their water and oxygenators to turbo-charge your pond in achieving balance. • Adding extract of barley straw to the water each week from April onwards can help suppress algae. • It will need thoroughly cleaning every 5-10 years.

❝What we love most is the pond – it’s the heart and soul of the garden because it attracts so much life

❞

Sarah has worked hard to ensure the garden is full of blooming colour all throughout the year

Sarah lets wildflowers grow in the grass and looks forward to discovering what will appear each year

sculptural element as their seedheads stand over winter. The golden oat grass, Stipa gigantea, is one of Sarah’s favourites, while in the ‘grass island’ bed at the heart of the garden she has combined erect Calamagrostis, the cloud-like Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ and the fluffy bottle-brushes of Sanguisorba obtusa with a romantic mix of long-flowering perennials and roses to great effect. Laterflowering plants such as echinaceas, heleniums, dahlias and asters ensure touches of colour right through autumn, when the stems of Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’, the backbone of the borders around the pond, ignite into a blaze of fiery orange. Wildflowers, which Sarah encourages in both the long grass around the lawn and in the woodland border, add a further layer of interest. As the garden has matured, happily, the rabbits have become less of a concern. ‘They still come and have a nibble on things but it’s not a problem,’ says Sarah. ‘In fact, the longer I stay here, the less importance I place on individual plants and the more importance I place on all the life that it brings. When we first moved here, we had people offering to shoot the rabbits, the crows, the foxes; talking about the ‘war on slugs’. I’m still not sure I’d go so far as to say slugs are a joy, but it is lovely to watch all the creatures doing their thing. This was a wildlife paradise when we came here. We’ve made it into a garden for us to enjoy, but I still want the wildlife to feel at home, too. I want that balance.’ Sarah opens her garden for the NGS several times throughout the year. On 29 October she hopes to be able to hold a ‘talk and walk’ on ‘Grasses and the Autumn Garden’. To find out more, visit ngs.org.uk and search for St Timothee. 120

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON OUR DOORSTEPÉ Visit… ‘Waltham Place (01628 825517, walthamplace. com). A biodynamic garden designed by Henk Gerritsen that’s all about working with nature.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Stubbings Garden Centre (01628 825454, stubbingsnursery.co.uk). A family-run garden centre with freshly prepared, home-cooked food. Great for breakfast, lunch and coffee, and welcoming to dogs.’

Shop at… ‘The Plant Specialist (01494 866650, theplantspecialist.co.uk). In the pretty village of Great Missenden, this is a wonderful place to find more unusual plants, and there’s a small show garden, too.’

BERKSHIRE GARDEN

Sarah’s favourites 1 Kniphofia ‘Tawny King’ is an early flowering, easy-to-grow perennial.

2 Sarah loves the flowers of Hordeum jubatum, which are self-seeding. 3 Long flowering Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ is happy in most soils. 4 Anemone hupehensis ‘Hadspen Abundance’ will grow in sun or shade. 5 The intense violet of Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ looks dramatic in the parterre. 6 Stockier stems make Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ more weather-resilient than some.

FEATURE NATASHA GOODFELLOW PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE MAJERUS

7 Pollinators love the thistle-like flowers of Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’. Here, it makes a striking contrast with Cotinus ‘Golden Spirit’. 4

8 Unlike many clematis, Clematis x durandii is non-clinging and requires tieing in.

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Everyone

has a book in them

It’s the one

It’s called an autobiography

no one else

can write How you saw The Beatles in ’62

How you rocked

And rolled

And lived

And loved

Things the grandchildren

It’s time

to tell

Or the Pistols in ’76

won’t believe

your story

The gift of a lifetime

LifeBook is the world’s leading autobiography service. Around the world more than 8000 people already enjoy owning the life story of someone they love. Each book is a unique piece of family treasure, custom-made and handcrafted, to be shared by generations to come. It’s time to tell your story. Find out how by contacting us on 0800 090 3484 or visit lifebookuk.com

IN A COUNTRY GARDEN HOLIDAY AMBIENCE Fireside lantern, £95; metal string lights, £45; tea lights, from £6 each, all The White Company

ANTIQUE FINISH Mandurai lantern, £79, House Doctor at Idyll Home

WOVEN PASTEL Fleur de sel bamboo lantern in Blue, £95.95, Beaumonde

SCANDI STYLE Gothenburg bamboo lantern, £99, Rose & Grey

BOHO ELEGANCE Honeycomb lantern, £14.95, Grand Illusions

How does your

GARDEN GLOW? TEXTURED METALWORK Filigree pear lantern, £55, Ella James

CONTEMPORARY SHINE Silver-plated diamond glass lantern, £95, Marquis & Dawe UNIQUE PATINA Tall rusty candle lantern, £55, Nordic House

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

VINTAGE GUIDE Kamla linear garden lanterns, £18.80 for set of two, Clem & Co

ASYMMETRIC BRASS Ndiki lantern; Fiomi lantern; Mohani lantern; Moyo lantern; Menni lantern; Bimala lantern, from £14.95 each, all Nkuku

Did you know? GARDEN LIGHTS CAN

DISRUPT NATURAL WILDLIFE BEHAVIOUR. TO MINIMISE IMPACT, POSITION THEM LOW, RETAIN SOME DARK AREAS AND SWITCH THEM OFF WHEN NOT IN USE.

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Live Life Well

HEALTH, HAPPINESS, FASHION, TRAVEL, PETS, PASTIMES AND OTHER THINGS TO MAKE LIFE LOVELY

THINGS TO SEE, PICK AND DO Pick… hazelnuts, in season until late October. If they’re green, leave them to ripen in the airing cupboard. Join… Poppy Treffry’s Embroidery Club to receive six weekly craft projects and all the materials you’ll need, from £20 (poppytreffry.co.uk).

Preserve memories of summer with a pressed flower artwork. We love this limited edition design, £120, Paper Thin Moon

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Explore… the coast at the Walking Festival in Sidmouth and East Devon, 19-25 Sept (visitsidmouth.co.uk).

FEATURE TARA KING

Enjoy… a food festival atmosphere at home with live demos (virtualfoodfestival.org).

LIVE LIFE WELL

GOOD JEANS John Lewis & Partners’ Jeanologia software measures the amount of water, chemicals and energy used to produce denim. The retailer promises to feature only low or medium impact pieces in its AND/OR denim range, made from organic cotton and recycled polyester. Top, £55; jeans, £89; boots, £119, all John Lewis & Partners

BE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL Treat yourself to a pair of consciously crafted earrings, £24, from Brightonbased jewellery brand, Pepper You. In a bid to reduce waste, owner Jade Golding hand moulds organic shapes from off-cuts of clay before using soy-based ink to create one-of-a-kind designs in sunshine hues. All packaging is eco-friendly and a tree is planted for every pair sold – what better excuse?

Start a new chapter Share your favourite reads with others and get new ones in return with book exchange Read It Swap It (readitswapit. co.uk), which works just as its name says. It’s free to sign up – you’ll need to pay for postage, but anyone sending packages to you in return will do the same.

3 ways to…

a greener beauty routine TOP UP Look out for beauty brands that offer refills. Beauty Kitchen encourages customers to drop off empties at Holland & Barrett in exchange for loyalty points, or send them back for refilling. DITCH FACE WIPES As wipes can take 100s of years to break down in landfill, try removing make-up with a Halo Make Up Remover Pad (£7.50, Boots), instead. BEWARE OF MICROBEADS Despite being banned from inclusion in new beauty products in the UK several years ago, tiny balls of plastic can still be found in some scrubs and exfoliators. Learn more at beatthemicrobead.org

TUNE IN When life gets busy, it’s all too easy to become indifferent to the little joys in life. This beautifully illustrated deck of cards (£12.99, Laurence King) features 50 inspirational prompts to help you rediscover the beauty in the everyday, from sending snail mail to walking barefoot. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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LIVE LIFE WELL

3 of the best…

ON YOUR BIKE The new Canvas collection from British bike bag brand Hill & Ellis is both stylish and functional in equal measure. Unlike traditional panniers, these can be carried both on and oﬀ the bike, thanks to hidden clips and a detachable shoulder strap. There’s seven water-resistant designs to choose from, including bright florals and classic plains, with prices starting at £88.

craft books

Traditional techniques for rustic style W OO D & STEA M BY C HA RLIE W HINNEY Think the art of steam bending is beyond you? Think again. Discover this ancient craft with easy-to-follow instructions. £20, Octopus Publishing

TEXTU RE BY ER IKA K NI GHT Take knitting to the next level with beautiful patterns inspired by natural materials and landscapes. There are 20 to choose from, all showing how to incorporate texture into your designs. £20, Quadrille Publishing

W EAV IN G B Y MA RY MA D D OC KS Learn how to give age-old weaving techniques a modern update in this beautiful book. Set up your own loom and try your hand at wall hangings and more. £14.99, Quadrille Publishing

Indulge your creative side by signing up to MakeBox+Co, a monthly subscription service that delivers boho-style craft projects direct to your door – plus all the materials you need to make them. Master a new technique each month, from embroidery and weaving to crossstitch and lino printing. 126

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SET TAILS WAGGING Looking for a stylish alternative to a standard dog bed? These eco-friendly floor cushions, £185 each, Weaver Green, are made entirely from plastic bottles, resulting in a hardwearing weave that’s comfy, durable and – most importantly – machine washable.

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS (A GREENER BEAUTY ROUTINE) ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

SEW CUTE

LIVE LIFE WELL

Beekeeping is a lovely way to connect with nature

MY COUNTRY PASSION

Beekeeping

FEATURE TARA KING

Julie Macken lives on a seven-acre smallholding in rural Oxfordshire with her family. She finds keeping bees deepens her connection to nature and the seasons When my husband Ross and I first moved to West Oxfordshire, we had the delight of dragging two bored children around various houses to find somewhere to live. It was in one of these houses that my daughter Neve, who was nine at the time, spotted a large stack of glass jars. The owner explained that she was a beekeeper and the jars were for storing honey. Neve was fascinated. ‘I would like a beehive from

Grandad for my birthday,’ she said. He duly obliged, and from this one hive, we’ve developed a thriving apiary and become part of the most wonderful beekeeping community. I’ve found beekeeping really helps to mark the seasons. Bees don’t hibernate as such, even in winter they can be seen foraging on late-blooming aconites. When our wildflower meadow starts to bloom in spring, hundreds will gather

around the clovers and yellow rattles. They slow down a little in autumn, but can still be seen buzzing about the ivy in our back garden. One thing to remember is that bees are wild creatures and yes, they can sting! The equipment is heavy and you can get really hot and bothered on a sunny day. But for me, this is a small price to pay compared to the sense of achievement I gain from keeping my bees healthy and happy. It’s so worthwhile, with their numbers on the decline, I feel like I’m giving them a much-needed helping hand. After a few years of mastering the art of beekeeping, Neve and I began to experiment with beeswax, making all-natural salves, soaps and balms. We soon realised that the products were pretty good, and with my background in brand management, we decided to see if we could make a living from our hobby and Neve’s Bees was born! Customers are often surprised when they discover Neve and I are the beekeepers. I like the idea that we’re challenging the stereotype, and I hope we inspire others, too. I’m often asked how much time and effort is required to keep bees. Actually, on a weekly basis, it’s not a lot. However, it is a long-term commitment and you have to be dedicated. I would advise going to a local ‘taster day’, by The British Beekeeping Association (bbka.org. uk). It’s a great way to get some training and learn from established beekeepers – when faced with a real hive of up to 80,000 buzzing bees, you’ll soon know if it’s something you want to commit to!

Discover more...

Follow Julie on Instagram @nevesbees and stock up on her natural beeswax beauty buys at nevesbees.co.uk – 5p from each sale is donated to The Wildlife Trust. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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F U L LY E S C O RT E D T O U R S Includes tours and visits worth £210

Includes tours and visits worth £335

Timeless Provence

Classical Spain – Seville, Córdoba & Granada

Departures from April to October 2021.

Departures from March to November 2021. 7 days from only £499pp. Price includes: See the iconic cathedral, vibrant streets and Enjoy tranquil parks of beautiful Seville on a guided tour the authentic tastes and traditions of tapas on an evening introduction to these delicious Spanish appetisers in Explore the mountain-fringed city of Granada and Seville Visit historic visit the outstanding Alhambra Palace Marvel at Córdoba and take a guided tour of the Mezquita Return flights from a the natural drama of Ronda selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Six nights in three-star superior and four-star The services of accommodation, with breakfast an experienced and insightful tour manager

* *

8 days from only £969pp. Price includes: Tour of colourful Cassis and a boat trip to see Guided walking tour of Aix-enthe stunning Calanques Visit Avignon, home of the Popes’ Palace Provence Take a walking tour of Arles, the capital of Roman Gaul Tour of the Camargue, one of France’s finest nature Tour of the Luberon Hills and its timeless reserves Visit the Pont du Gard, one of the Provençal villages Return flights or ancient Romans’ largest aqueducts standard class reserved seat on Eurostar and TGV from Seven nights in London St Pancras, plus all hotel transfers a choice of four-star to four-star superior accommodation, The services of with breakfast and four dinners our experienced and insightful tour manager

* * * *

OUR PROMISE

Book with complete confidence*

Includes tours and visits worth £182

Includes tours and visits worth £240

Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast Departures from April to October 2021. 8 days’ half-board from only £1,069pp. Price includes: Explore Dubrovnik, Byron’s ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, with its medieval and Baroque centre, on a tour led Marvel at Krka National Park’s dense by an expert guide Cross the iconic Stari and dramatic interlocking waterfalls Immerse yourself in the history of Emperor Most bridge Diocletian’s monumental palace in Split, brought to life by a Discover the delights of medieval Trogir, one local guide Explore the dramatic of Dalmatia’s most alluring old ports Dalmatian Coastline, visiting picturesque Cavtat and a Return flights from a selection of restored watermill Seven nights in regional airports, plus all hotel transfers The four-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner services of an experienced and insightful tour manager

* *

Lake Maggiore, Orta & the Matterhorn Departures from May to October 2021. 8 days from only £999pp. Price includes: Cruise Lake Maggiore’s enchanting Borromean Islands, with a guided tour of the Baroque palace Travel through the Simplon Pass to Zermatt on Isola Bella Visit picture-perfect Lake Como and the Matterhorn Enjoy a full-day tour visiting Cannobio and Locarno, with a Tour Lake Orta, and its journey on the Centovalli railway Take the opportunity to medieval village of Orta San Giulio Return flights from a join a complimentary guided walk Seven selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers nights in four-star superior or four-star accommodation, with The services of our experienced and breakfast and dinner insightful tour manager

* * *

** *

To book or request a brochure, call 01283 523454 or visit cohriviera.co.uk Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd. ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by TI Media Limited. Prices correct at time of going to print. *See website for full details.

LIVE LIFE WELL

LEFT Brave the cold water for a refreshing wild swim. BELOW The cosy cabin is unrecognisable from the removal truck it once was

PLAN AN ESCAPE TO...

FARMERS’

A COSY CABIN ON A LAVENDER FARM IS THE PERFECT ESCAPE FOR TWO

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS SHARON SMITH

ossetted in nature but with a dash of adventure, this out-of-the way cabin is set in the beauty and quiet of a pesticidefree farm in the Powys countryside. Farmers’ Welsh Lavender is the reimagining of an old sheep farm by philosopher Bill Newton-Smith and journalist Nancy Durham, who have transformed the aging estate into a bustling hive of activity. A stay here promises moments of peace and tranquillity, the chance to explore a working farmstead and, of course, all the benefits of soothing lavender.

PANTECHNICON POWYS

Some time back in the farm’s history, an old removal truck was brought on-site to use as a simple storage shed. Several decades later came the idea to convert it into a little house. First ambitions were modest, but as the assembled team of craftspeople took a closer look, they realised they could create something special. Walls were clad in wood and painted a gold-top shade of double cream, a king-size bed was fitted on a raised mezzanine level, and a generous deck added outside to make the most of the surrounding views. The space was finished with a collection of smart, mid-century furniture and named Pantechnicon Powys, after the old word for the vehicles of travelling furniture sellers. On arrival, freshly baked

bread, butter, jam, milk, tea and wine await you in this cosy hideaway. THE FARM

Few agricultural lands come as enchantingly pretty as this one. Nestled on a gentle hillside, cascading fields of royal purple flowers scent the air and provide the key ingredient for the farm’s line of natural, sustainably packaged skincare and beauty products. Go wild swimming in the farm’s natural pond, tour the lavender meadows and kitchen garden, learn how the plants are grown and distilled, and spend evenings sitting by the embers of a metal firebowl. Don’t leave without visiting the shop to stock up on all things lavender and an assortment of household goods. Double occupancy starts at £90 a night. welshlavender.com

While you’re there... The secluded spot promises no interruptions

MYNYDD EPYNT

BUILTH WELLS

WYE VALLEY

This ancient mountain plateau is right on the doorstep of the farm – ideal for walks and hikes with spectacular views. Plus, birdwatchers will delight in seeing local red kites soaring the skies.

This charming nearby market town bustles with medieval inns, oakbeamed tearooms and cosy cafes. You’ll ﬁnd interiors and antiques shops, art galleries and even castles nearby.

One of the most dramatic wilds in Britain, this area of natural beauty covers 126 square miles of unspoilt countryside. Builth Wells sits within it, as does Hay-on-Wye, the home of second-hand bookshops.

• For more inspirational travel ideas visit thecaribou.com COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN

COOKS’ NOTES 3 OF THE BEST: SUMMER TIPPLES Enjoy the last of the long evenings with a glass or two in the garden. Here are our three favourites for sun-soaked sipping.

Lemon margarita set, £59.95, buyenemigo.co.uk Enemigo tequila has won more Double Gold and Tequila of the Year awards for its blends than any other tequila. The special-edition Lemon margarita set is a great introduction to the brand, teaming a bottle of Enemigo Añejo Cristalino 89 tequila with four bottles of Two Keys lemon mixers. Delivered to your door so you can mix up tasty cocktails at home.

Ceder’s Pink Rose, £20, 50cl, Sainsbury’s and Tesco The couple behind Ceder’s pick the botanicals that flavour their non-alcoholic gins from their own valley in South Africa's Cederberg Mountains. These are then mixed with pristine Swedish water. The latest launch is a pink alt-gin with juniper, rose and hibiscus.

WAKE UP AND GRIND THE COFFEE A new addition to Italian brand Smeg’s range of luxury kitchen appliances, this coﬀee grinder (from £199.95, smeguk.com) will add a touch of class to your kitchen worktop. Smeg has used its knowledge of design and paired it with Italy’s long history of coﬀee excellence. A match made in heaven, especially if you treat yourself to the brand’s matching espresso machine, too!

FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH

Cheese-y delivery La Prima Prosecco Spumante, £10.95, 75cl, worsleyfinewines.co.uk This family-owned firm sources bottles from small vineyards across Europe, giving unique access to high-quality but relatively unknown wines. La Prima has a floral fragrance and a delicate sweetness.

It’s a cheese-lover’s dream – a cheeseboard by post. Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses is a family-run cheesemaker based in Lancashire, using milk sourced from within 10 miles of its dairy. Each box contains its flagship cheese, Blacksticks Blue, Peter’s Yard crackers and chutney, and boxes are available in two sizes (from £6.50 plus postage).

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The breakfast CLUB

START YOUR DAY THE SCANDI WAY, WITH DELICIOUS SWEET AND SAVOURY BREAKFAST DISHES FOR SPEEDY WEEKDAY MORNINGS AND INDULGENT WEEKENDS

RYE BREAD

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

FENNEL FRITTERS WITH HOT SMOKED TROUT AND FRIED EGG

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

133

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

RYE BREAD A staple of Scandinavian baking, rye bread is appreciated for its depth of flavour and dense texture. You’ll find it served at breakfast alongside boiled eggs, smoked and pickled fish, cured meats, local cheeses, cooked ham and large Thermos flasks full of coffee for a wholesome start to the day.

FENNEL FRITTERS WITH HOT SMOKED TROUT AND FRIED EGG (RAGGMUNK) ‘Raggmunk’ is the Swedish name for potato pancakes, although they correspond more closely with Jewish latkes than pancakes. Fennel gives them a delightfully fragrant twist and complements the hot smoked trout to make a terrific brunch dish, topped

MAKES A 900G LOAF

with a fried egg, crème fraÎche, red onion and dill. 50g fresh yeast 30g black treacle

an extra tablespoon 250g strong white bread

2tbsp caster sugar 3tbsp olive oil, plus

flour, plus extra for dusting

extra for oiling the tin 400g dark rye flour, plus

100g rye flakes or grain 1tsp salt

1 Crumble the yeast into a large bowl with the treacle and sugar and stir to dissolve. Slowly whisk in 500ml tepid water, along with the oil. 2 In a separate bowl, mix together the flours, rye flakes or grain along with 1tsp salt. Add to the yeast mixture and stir to combine, then tip onto a lightly floured work surface and knead to bring together – it will be a fairly wet dough. 3 Place the dough in a large, clean bowl and cover with a tea towel. Leave to rise for about 1 hr in a warmish place. 4 Tip the dough out of the bowl and knead again for a few minutes before shaping into a rough loaf and transfer to a large oiled 900g loaf tin. Cover with a tea towel and leave for a further 30–45 mins. 5 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Scatter the bread with a tablespoon of rye flour and slash the top with a sharp knife. Bake for 40–45 mins until hollow sounding when the base is tapped. Remove from the tin and allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.

SERVES 4 250g waxy potatoes (such as Charlotte), peeled

TO SERVE

1 fennel bulb

Crème fraÎche

25g Parmesan, grated 1 egg

1 red onion, finely diced Small bunch of dill,

Olive oil, for frying

roughly chopped

4 eggs 125g hot smoked trout

1 Coarsely grate the potatoes and fennel and wrap in a clean tea towel. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible, then transfer to a bowl, along with any roughly chopped fennel fronds. Whisk in the cheese and egg and season. 2 Heat a glug of oil in a large frying pan set over a medium heat. Add spoonfuls of batter to make fritters. Fry for 4–5 mins on each side until golden, crispy and cooked through. 3 Fry the eggs in a little more oil and serve immediately with the fritters, some hot smoked trout flakes and a dollop of crème fraîche sprinkled with red onion and dill.

• Smorgasbord: Deliciously Simple Modern Scandinavian Recipes by Peter’s Yard with Signe Johansen, £18.99, Kyle Books (octopusbooks.co.uk)

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

LINGONBERRY AND GINGER BREAKFAST SCONES

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

LINGONBERRY AND GINGER BREAKFAST SCONES

RYE GRANOLA WITH BLACKBERRY COMPOTE

The beauty of scones is you can whip up a tasty batch in no time – they take only minutes to prepare and bake quickly in the oven. If you don’t have access to

Why not try switching up your granola with this rye version? It’s a great standby for impromptu

lingonberries, adapt the recipe using blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, or, for a more decadent treat,

gatherings and can be used with other fruit, such as cooked apple or sliced fresh citrus like clementines, or just as a little snack on its own.

dark chocolate chips.

MAKES 1 LARGE JAR MAKES 8 SCONES 340g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting

at room temperature 150g lingonberries, fresh

FOR THE GRANOLA: 50g coconut oil 100ml maple syrup

100g golden caster sugar, plus an extra

or frozen (or use 75g lingonberry jam)

100g rolled oats 200g rye flakes

250g frozen blackberries 50g golden caster sugar

tablespoon

1 stem ginger ball, finely

50g each of almonds,

Pinch of cinnamon

75g fridge-cold butter, cubed

chopped 1 egg, beaten

pecans, pumpkin seeds and coconut flakes

2 bay leaves TO SERVE Skyr or other

220ml buttermilk,

3tbsp demerara sugar

1 large egg white

thick yogurt

136

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

roughly chopped FOR THE COMPOTE:

1 First make the compote. Put all the ingredients in a small pan along with a splash of water and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 20 mins until the berries have broken down and most of the liquid has evaporated. Allow to cool completely, then discard the bay leaves and refrigerate. 2 To make the granola, preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 3 and line two large baking trays with baking parchment. Melt the coconut oil and syrup together in a small pan until just liquid then remove from the heat. Tip the oats, rye flakes, nuts, seeds and coconut flakes into a large bowl and pour over the oil and maple syrup. Stir to mix together and coat the dry ingredients completely. 3 Whisk the egg white with a fork until really frothy, then stir it into the granola mixture along with the dried cherries. Arrange evenly over the baking trays and bake for 30 mins, stirring well halfway through, until golden and crunchy. Allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight jar or container. 4 Put a good dollop of Skyr into bowls and top with a handful of the granola. Serve with the compote. The granola will keep for a few weeks. The compote will be good for up to four days in the fridge.

FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH PHOTOGRAPHS ALI ALLEN

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Mix the flour with the sugar and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Tip in the butter and use your fingertips to quickly rub together to form a rough breadcrumb texture. 2 Add the buttermilk and use a knife to bring the dough together. Toss the lingonberries in 1 tbsp of sugar and add, along with the ginger, and mix gently to distribute. 3 Roll out the dough to form a circle about 4cm thick. Cut into eight wedges and place on a baking sheet. Brush with egg and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake for 12–15 mins and eat while still warm with jam.

100g dried sour cherries,

RYE GRANOLA WITH BLACKBERRY COMPOTE

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M Y FA V O U R I T E V I E W

Lockdown has seen many of us value our gardens so much more

MY FAVOURITE VIEW...

My Cotswolds garden We live in a very beautiful corner of the planet and it’s often difficult not to find beauty wherever you look; but this summer it’s the view of my Cotswolds garden that means the most to me. It’s something that is denied to me for much of the year with my international filming and, under normal circumstances, I’d be getting off one plane, spending a couple of days at home before hopping on another flight, so I was so lucky to get locked down here. This time of year, particularly, is something that I’ve got very little experience of at home. I’m seeing the garden in a fabulous new light and it’s inspiring me. The other day, I went out and started drawing and have begun working on a couple of patterns based on the flora of 142

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

the garden. I’ll have to forewarn all my manufacturers that my new season’s collections are all going to be total country garden as I’ve been very much hit by the William Morris stick! I love the idea that this time next year products all over the world will have a piece of my slice of the Cotswolds on them. The garden is a spectacular space but it’s very much my wife Jackie’s domain – she is Queen of the Garden! Also, traditionally I’ve found gardening very frustrating… One of the joys of interior design is you choose a wallpaper and stick it on a wall and it doesn’t need pruning in six months, or when you put a carpet down you don’t need to mow it. With gardens there’s a real exercise, not only in patience, but in just accepting the fact that it’s

going to be the way it is. Last year, if a topiary went wonky I’d have been obsessing over getting it straight, but now I’ve learned to love those imperfections. A garden forces you to relax; you can’t change it all. Wildlife has always been inspiring to me, but previously I’ve always looked to exotic landscapes. Now, I’m getting every bit as excited and engaged with the home-grown and local nature around me. I’ve never been inspired to this extent before by my own natural world, by the flora underneath my nose – so it’s been a really heartening and levelling experience. Watch Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s School of Flock on YouTube, new episodes every Sunday.

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT

During lockdown, interior designer and TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has found a new love and appreciation for his family garden

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