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MARCH 2019 Â£4.50 US$9.99/AUS$10.50/NZ$13 RECALL 28/02/2019

SPRING REFRESH

THE LATEST, LOVELIEST FABRICS & WALLPAPERS

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The home of

MODERN COUNTRY Interiors & inspiration

10 MARCH The things we can’t live without

17 MAKE A HOUSE A HOME A blind to dress a window

SEASONAL LOOKS Refresh your home with beautiful botanical designs HAVE A FLING WITH SPRING WALLPAPERS Roll out a new seasonal look for your walls

83 LET’S TALK SPOTS & DOTS! A playful homeware trend

85 HARD-WORKING STUDY

SPACES Make the most of working from home

94 MODERN COUNTRY

CLASSICS Wall mirrors to reflect your interior style

96 ROOM ELEMENTS Soak the day away in a modern or traditional tub

101 HOME TECH Food processors 103 O COUNTRY KITCHEN FOCUS Relocating the kitchen made it a more sociable space

114 THE COUNTRY DECORATOR Bold window treatments

118 GET CREATIVE Make seasonal displays with pussy willow

Country homes

118 TO FIND ALL STOCKISTS IN THIS ISSUE, TURN TO PAGE 136

•

ON THE COVER

BERKSHIRE COTTAGE A 17th-century cottage has been brought up to date with a stunning oak-framed extension

HAMPSHIRE COUNTRY HOUSE Two featureless Fifties semis have been combined into a characterful cottage with panoramic rural views

WEST SUSSEX COTTAGE Escaping London for the South Downs, one family discovered a property steeped in history

DORSET COUNTRY HOUSE This grand Victorian dwelling was ripe to be redeveloped into a welcoming family home

124 HOME NOTES

PLUS GET-THE-LOOK IDEAS FOR EVERY HOME

78 Country Homes & Interiors

42 126

Seasonal food 125 FOOD NOTES 126 O FAMILY FAVOURITES Darina Allen’s pick of time-honoured meals to share with family and friends

Lifestyle 15 OUR FAVOURITE SHOP The

TO FIND ALL STOCKISTS IN THIS ISSUE, TURN TO PAGE 136

•

ON THE COVER

Engine Yard buildings at Belvoir Castle are a handsome hub of boutique stores

MY KIND OF COUNTRY Wedding planning and alpaca feeding are all in a day’s work for Jo McPartland of Harrison Spinks Farm, North Yorkshire O

108 MY COUNTRY BUSINESS Kate

Gardens 123 LOG STORES Stylish spots to stash firewood and kindling

Just for you 6

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Regulars 136 SHOPPING DIRECTORY All the contact details and websites featured in this issue

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and Abdollah Nafisi produce bespoke pieces and sculpture from their eponymous studio

132 MAKE LIFE LOVELY Happy thoughts and ideas for fashion, eco, wellbeing and more

135 OUT AND ABOUT Feast on gourmet pub grub at the Frogmill Hotel, Gloucestershire

146 MY FAVOURITE VIEW Escape to the Country host Sonali Shah picks a window seat on the Riviera Line to Cornwall

Country Homes & Interiors

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TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, 020 3148 5000. Website: ti-media.com. ©TI MEDIA LIMITED 2019. Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, London E14 5HU, 020 3787 9001. Country Homes & Interiors, ISSN 0951-3019, is published monthly, 12 times a year. Manuscripts and illustrations are welcome but on the understanding that we cannot be liable for their safe custody or return. We are sorry that manuscripts and illustrations cannot be returned, nor letters answered or acknowledged unless sent with a stamped addressed envelope. Published monthly by TI Media Limited. Colour origination by Rhapsody. Printed in the UK by the Walstead Group. Country Homes & Interiors is sold subject to the following conditions, namely that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the cover (selling price in Eire includes VAT) and that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. 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-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-Saturday, 8am-6pm UK Time) or email help@magazinesdirect.com.

& INTERIORS 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP Telephone 020 3148 5000 Email countryhomes@ti-media.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vanessa Richmond GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR Georgia Hibberdine EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andrea Childs HOMES CONTENT TEAM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Rhoda Parry 020 3148 7180 COMMERCIAL EDITORIAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jane Akers 020 3148 7313 HOUSES EDITOR Vivienne Ayers 020 3148 7194 SHOPPING EDITOR Holly Phillips 020 3148 7195 NEWS AND FEATURES EDITOR Thea Babington-Stitt 020 3148 7458 CONTENT EDITOR Tara King 020 3148 7196 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sara Bird (Style) 020 3148 7181 EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sally Dominic 020 3148 7154 GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR/PRODUCTION EDITOR Sarah Farley HEAD OF SUBS OPERATIONS Maxine Clarke HUB CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Amy Hodge DEPUTY CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Jennie Filer SUB-EDITOR Chloe Hay HEAD OF ART OPERATIONS Alison Walter DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Emma Jackson SENIOR DESIGNER Hannah Bennewitz EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicola Tillman DEPUTY EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Clare Willetts MARKETING Marketing Manager Yasmin Christofi 020 3148 7692 Acting Marketing Manager Elizabeth Pether 020 3148 6237 PUBLISHING Group Managing Director, Lifestyle Angela O’Farrell EA to Group Managing Director Donna McConnell 020 3148 5651 PRODUCTION Group Production Manager Steve Twort 020 3148 5439 Production Manager John Botten 020 3148 5443 Advertising Production Co-ordinator Barry Skinner 020 3148 2538 Digital Producer Andrew Howe 020 3148 3366 CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Alan Edwards 020 3787 9161 ADVERTISING Publisher & Head of Homes Network Joanne O’Hara 020 3148 7642 Advertisement and London Sales Manager Ruth Roscorla 020 3148 7639 International/Luxury Account Manager Carole Bunce 020 3148 7620 Head of Agency Sales Lindsay Dean 020 3148 3668 Group Classified Manager Emma van der Veen 020 3148 2635 Classified Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett 020 3148 2511 Projects Director Kathryn Cane 020 3148 7610 Creative Media Manager Emilie Morrissey 020 3148 3647 Sales Manager (Inserts) Canopy Media Lindsay Martin 020 7611 8151 Assistant Syndication Manager Efi Mandrides 020 3148 5485 REGIONAL ADVERTISING Regional Sales Director Katrina Hutchison 0161 601 3720 Sales Manager (Inserts) Canopy Media Katherine Brown 07464 544375 Ownable is a partnership between TI Media Ltd and Seen in Print Ltd

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The mood of the moment: ringing the changes Tough as I find it to leave behind the cosy throws and rib-sticking puddings of winter, nothing can galvanise me into action the way a whiff of spring in the air can. If the wind’s blowing in the right direction, I can hear cows lowing at the dairy farm down the road, telling me they’ve been moved back to the meadow from their winter home. In the garden, the trees I somewhat brutally lopped at the end of summer are starting to show signs of recovery (thank goodness!), and indoors, the spring sunlight is revealing how desperately my windows need a thoroughly good wash! Nature’s shaking off the cold and getting busy, and so must I. If you’re feeling inspired to renew your interiors with the change of seasons, you’ll find plenty of ideas in this issue to effortlessly refresh a room, from crisp new botanical prints and love-at-first-sight wallpapers (page 64 and page 75), to quick, easy displays using stems of pussy willow (page 118). This month’s real homes (from page 18) are so inspiring, too – full of simple ways to add colour and character to neutral spaces.

STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY SARA BIRD AND DAN DUCHARS, THE CONTENTED NEST

Vanessa x

Country Homes & Interiors

Spreading the wonderful scents and colours of spring with jam jar displays of narcissi. Vintage bucket and glass vessels, similar at RE.

Things we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live without

MARCH

Country Homes & Interiors

COUNTRY DAYS

Splish-splashing in springtime showers! Birch forest fresh green dress*, £65; straw basket, £38, both Cath Kidston. Umbrella and wellies, both stylist’s own. *Available from 11 March.

1 Making her favourite cuppa to celebrate Mother’s Day. Love & Wildﬂowers mug, £19.95, Emma Bridgewater. 2 The right words to lead her to her happy place... Mum’s Garden wood plaque, col grey, £6, Gisela Graham. 3 Celebrating British craftsmanship with timeless designs. Kinross spindle dining chair in oak, H79.5xW47.5xD56cm, £229, John Lewis & Partners. 4 Turning your sofa into a tropical-inspired destination. St Lucia cushion, col Oyster/Ochre/Quince, 45x45cm, £59, Clarissa Hulse.

Table talk around a rustic and naturally beautiful oak, country-living favourite. Farmhouse dining table, £2,498; Agnes pendants, £628 each, all Anthropologie.

6 5

7 5 A sunny, handmade accent piece to perk up a quiet spot. Kalara vase, H22xW17cm, £46, Lene Bjerre at Banbayu. 6 Relaxing in glamorous style with striking colour combinations. Meadow gown, L125cm approx, £69.95, One Hundred Stars. 7 Delicate herringbone patterns on a tabletop essential. Organic cotton napkin, £10, The Organic Company at White Black Grey. 8 Curious countryside creatures making an appearance. Large rabbit objet, H25cm, £20, Sainsbury’s Home.

Country Homes & Interiors

Fun pooch patterns adding charm in the bedroom. Garden dogs duvet cover, £70 for a double; standard pillowcases, £12 each; Oxford pillowcases, £15 each; throw, £95; cushion, £40, all Garden Dogs collection at Joules.

9 Springing forward with an understated timepiece... Concrete clock, col white, Dia30cm, £100, Wild + Wood at Oggetto. 10 The warm glow of metallic statement lighting. Beehive pendant in hammered brass, H40xDia33cm, £170, Pooky. 11 Sorbet stripes giving tactile ceramics a modern twist. Block stripe ceramic jug, £25, Marks & Spencer. 12 Learning a new craft – paper ﬂoristry! The Paper Florist, £18.99, by Suzi McLaughlin, published by Kyle Books.

13 Replacing wintry bundles with a light layer. Lemon soul retro scatter ﬂoral quilted throw, 150x200cm, £20, George Home. 14 Lovely geometric designs to keep your favourite things. Seagrass storage basket, £15.99, Sass & Belle at Car & Kitchen. 15 Oh-so-pretty solid oak and marble combination. Coffee Bubba, H40xW80xD55cm, £475, Loaf. 16 Surprising concoctions with wildly-wonderful scents. Hemlock & Bergamot cologne, £49 for 30ml, Jo Malone. 12

Country Homes & Interiors

New home collection inspired by untamed meadows. Mendi seagrass basket, £30; Wimpole cushion, £25; Wafﬂe honeycomb stripe throw, col cream/green, £40; multi beige stripe throw, £80; herringbone pastel throw, £80; multi stripe grey throw, £80; Kyoto vase, col grey, £12; Raku sitting hare, £30, all National Trust Shop.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS STYLING TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

C O U N T R Y D AY S

Colour of the moment

GARDEN GREEN TAKE INSPIRATION FROM HISTORICAL GARDENS NEAR AND FAR WITH A CALMING SCHEME OF SOFT-WASHED GREEN AND SUN-KISSED MIMOSA, BEAUTIFULLY DETAILED THROUGH HORTICULTURAL SCENES AND SYMMETRICAL DESIGNS Fabric (front to back): Palm Grove fabric, £99m; Sultans Garden fabric, £56m; Garden Plan fabric, £46m; Mapperton fabric, £115m, all Sanderson at Style Library. Garden Plan wallpaper, £68m; Blue Clay eggshell; Grandiﬂora eggshell; Moonlit Green eggshell, all £45 for 2.5L, Sanderson at Style Library.

Country Homes & Interiors

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OUT AND ABOUT

At the heart of the Engine Yard is a collection of charming old Belvoir estate buildings that have been lovingly restored.

After exploring all the stores, head to the Fuel Tank café for seasonal, locally sourced food.

O U R FAVO U R I T E N E W S H O P P I N G V I L L A G E

Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY

CONVERTED OUTBUILDINGS HAVE BECOME A VIBRANT HUB IN THE VALE OF BELVOIR

The brick buildings that make up Belvoir Castle’s Engine Yard once served as workshops to support the running of the estate. They have now been transformed into a vibrant, rural retail destination that aims to welcome visitors with a warm atmosphere and boutiques full of tempting buys. We caught up with Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland and the woman behind it all, to find out more… WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN THE ENGINE YARD AS A RETAIL SPACE?

There were these beautiful buildings from around 1812 that had been designed by the same architect who did the castle. They had been lying around looking rather sad and redundant for some 15 years or so,

and I just felt they needed another reason and purpose for being. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT’S AVAILABLE?

There’s a whole collection to explore: a plant and garden centre, delectable chocolatiers, a top-quality butcher, a charcuterie, an indulgent day spa, an interiors boutique, a toy shop, and The Duchess Gallery, which has a collection of clothes and gifts selected by me. Our restaurant, the Fuel Tank, serves soups, sandwiches and other wholesome treats. We’re also about to open Balloon Bar, which will offer a selection of great quality gins and wines. WHAT MAKES YOUR COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION SO SPECIAL?

I think it is being in the heart of England. We’re a stone’s throw from

Grantham and have Peterborough, Nottingham and Leicester just down the road. We attract everyone in the Vale of Belvoir. It’s been like building an old-fashioned village. WHO DO YOU HOPE WILL VISIT?

I hope people of all ages, from every walk of life, will come and join in the festivities of this traditional village from a bygone time with a lively heartbeat of its own. WHERE DO YOU SEE THE ENGINE YARD BEING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?

I hope it doesn’t expand beyond all recognition and that it remains quaint and in tune with the Belvoir landscape that it is a gateway to. The Engine Yard, Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire NG32 1PA. 01476 871001, engineyardbelvoir.com. Country Homes & Interiors

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C O U N T RY S T Y L E I C O N S

Make a house a home

A blind to dress a window IN OUR ONGOING SERIES, WE SELECT SIMPLE COUNTRY-STYLE HERO PIECES THAT LOOK BEAUTIFUL… AND MAKE LIFE FEEL EVEN BETTER

FEATURE SARA BIRD

For a classic country look, combine a floral trail with a contrasting small repeat and decorative ribbons.

Blind, made in Honeysuckle Garden linen, col Old Blue (front), £120m; Seaweed linen, col Leaf (back), £59m, both Colefax and Fowler.

A decorative way to mask light and provide privacy, a window blind is also a stylish way to add character to a casement window. Whether fixed, free-flowing, ornate, or neat, blinds are the perfect treatment to inject colour, pattern, texture and interest, and can be drawn up to make the most of garden views. WHAT’S THE STORY Types and looks differ depending on the material, but popular fabric blinds include Roman, roller, festoon and Austrian. The latter two feature loose gathers of fabric, while roller and Roman employ flat fabric sections. Roman styles also have neat folds of fabric measured into equal horizontal pleats. Rollers are wound around a dowel, making them the most flexible for light control. In a small window, a simple roll-down blind with decorative ribbon can be an attractive choice. WHICH STYLE TO CHOOSE Match blind treatments to the size of the window they are being installed into. Festoon and Austrian styles need space to allow the fabric to drape, but they do obscure outside views more, which may be a benefit, depending on your outlook. Roller blinds and Roman versions can be fitted into narrow spaces or used in multiples across wider windows, and as they use the least amount of fabric, they tend to be cheaper. STYLE IT UP Simple Roman or roller blinds are perfect for patterned or large-scale designs. Here, the honeysuckle trail of this fabric echoes the view beyond. Make use of the underside of a blind, which can be seen when rolled up. And for maximum pattern reveal, fit a blind outside the window casement. Country Homes & Interiors

Heart of oak A STUNNING OAK-FRAMED ADDITION HAS TRANSFORMED A DARK AND DINGY COTTAGE INTO A LIGHT AND BRIGHT FAMILY HOME FOR ALICE AND JAMES GEDDES

Country Homes & Interiors

B E R K S H I R E C O T TAG E

Exterior Aliceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 17th-century cottage has been added to over the years, including the oak kitchen extension that was built in 2015.

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Country Homes & Interiors

Living room The blue and grey scheme complements the honey-hued beams. Walls painted in Cornforth White estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball. Botanica Bird blind and curtain fabric, John Lewis.

We wanted to do a different sort of renovation –

* AT HOME WITH... Owners Alice Geddes, seen here with sister Lucinda Bull, lives here with her husband James, who works in property, and their sons, Angus, 13, Lachy, 11, and Archie, seven. Alice and Lucinda are cofounders of accessories company The Holiday Shop London.

House A 17th-century cottage, with an oak extension built in 2015.

especially as this is the fifth house we’ve worked on,’ says Alice Geddes of the refurbished period cottage where she lives with her husband, James, and their boys, Angus, Lachy and Archie. ‘We lived in London, then moved back to Berkshire because of family ties – I grew up in this area and I’m a country girl at heart. Before this project, we were living in a Fifties house nearby, but as James is in property, he has a passion for renovating houses, and we were looking for a new challenge.’ The couple spotted a pretty 17th-century cottage for sale in a tiny hamlet near to where Alice’s parents live. ‘The hamlet is hidden away and has a secrecy to it,’ she says. ‘We knew it would be perfect for bringing up the boys.’ The cottage needed lots of work, however. ‘It hadn’t been touched in 40 years but we could see its potential. The beams throughout had been painted black, so the interior was dingy, with dark carpets and mustard walls. But it had so many original features that gave it character, such as the period floor tiles and an old bread oven. We knew we could transform it into something fantastic.’ The house needed new electrics and plumbing but Alice and James also felt it needed rejigging and extending so that it worked as a family home. ‘We lived here for a year first and planned what we were going to do,’ says Alice. She and James

Country Homes & Interiors

B E R K S H I R E C O T TAG E Living room A linen sofa creates a relaxed feel. Sofa and armchairs, Andrew Martin, upholstered in linen by Colefax & Fowler. Cushions in Kirkby Design Zen, col Lead, Romo; Scion Meta, col Denim, Harlequin; Botanica Bird, John Lewis.

B E R K S H I R E C O T TAG E

Kitchen Alice has introduced a dark blue island into this vaulted space for a bold touch of colour. Handmade cabinets by Oakley Furniture, painted in Ammonite estate eggshell, Farrow & Ball. Splashback tiles, Ceramic Tile Warehouse. Clock, Charlotte Quest. 22

Country Homes & Interiors

Dining area Alice chose a farmhouse table and chairs to create a classic country-style scheme. Table and chairs, bought at auction. Curtain fabric, Clarke & Clarke.

came across a local company, Hartwood Oak, that specialises in oak-framed buildings. The couple hired the company not only to build an extension for a new kitchen, but to renovate the whole house. ‘We didn’t want to manage lots of builders and it was easier to deal with one firm,’ says Alice. As well as the new extension, the house was gutted and the layout reconfigured. ‘We couldn’t live in the house while work was going on, so we lived in a static caravan in the garden for nearly a year,’ says Alice. ‘It was important for us to be on site and it was exciting to see the work taking place.’ When it came to the extension, Alice and James were keen to create one that wasn’t just ‘a box on the end of the cottage that didn’t fit’. Their priority was a design in keeping with the cottage and its surroundings. The oak-framed design they chose comprises a weathered timber façade, with large windows to the side and rear that allow uninterrupted views over the fields. Inside, a vaulted ceiling creates the wow factor and makes a stunning setting for the kitchen, as well as a relaxed seating area. ‘It was a massive project,’ says Alice, ‘but the kitchen has become the heart of the home.’ The kitchen also incorporates a dining area, which was created where the rear entrance had been, while the original kitchen became a utility. The ceiling in the dining area was

Snug Striped fabric makes a feature of these smaller windows. Blind fabric, Cabbages & Roses. Chair and bureau, from James’s grandparents. Throw, National Trust Shop. Country Homes & Interiors

Main bedroom Pops

Main bedroom The pretty

of gold add a spring feel. Throw and cushions, all John Lewis. Bedside tables, Laura Ashley.

gable window is framed with elegant floor-length curtains. Curtain fabric, Lewis & Wood. Pelmet fabric, Romo. Cushion, Oka.

raised by a foot in order to create a better balance between old and new, thanks to the high ceilings in the main bedroom above. Although the layout of the bedrooms remained the same, Alice and James created a large en-suite bathroom for the main bedroom from a small dressing area and bathroom. Once the structural work was completed, Alice sought the help of interior designer and fellow school mum Lisa Cook, who lent a hand with the colour palette. ‘I’d found many of the fabrics but needed help with the final choice of paint colours,’ says Alice. ‘It’s a cottage, so it was important it had a cottage feel, but I wanted it to have a little sophistication, too. Our last house was decorated with soft pinks and greens so I chose greys and blues this time. The tones fit with the house and what it’s about – cottage style with flair.’ Now, Alice and James are delighted with the renovation as the house flows from the lofty, wood-framed kitchen through to the beamed rooms elsewhere in the house. ‘The colours and tones bring the interior to life,’ says Alice. ‘It’s a lovely family home. On our doorstep is the most wonderful countryside. We go for beautiful walks and bike rides, yet we’re only 20 minutes from a town so the convenience factor is huge. Everything we need is on our doorstep.’

Country Homes & Interiors

Cloakroom A busy wallpaper suits this small space. Wallpaper, Baker Lifestyle. Blind fabric, Romo. Mirror, Loaf. Basin, Bathroom Warehouse.

B E R K S H I R E C O T TAG E En suite A contemporary freestanding bath injects a modern touch. Bath, Bathroom Warehouse. Blind fabric, Lewis & Wood. Rug, Torna Lucia. Towel, John Lewis. Chair upholstered in Colefax & Fowler fabric.

What we love most about living here… ‘The house is set in a hamlet in beautiful surroundings and our boys have complete freedom to roam’

Exterior The family can walk straight into nearby fields with Coco the chocolate labrador and Millie the cocker spaniel.

What makes this house a home... ‘This place has a wonderful inviting feel, which we recognised as soon as we came across it. We definitely feel we have put our hearts and souls into making it our home’

Angus’s bedroom

En suite

A feature wallpaper makes a statement. Scion Bike wallpaper, Harlequin. Wall painted in Dix Blue estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball. Bed, Aspace.

A splashback of Moroccaninfluenced tiles adds interest. Tiles, Fired Earth. Bespoke vanity unit, Oakley Furniture, painted in Wimborne White estate eggshell, Farrow & Ball.

B E R K S H I R E C O T TAG E

O N M Y D O O R S T E P. . . Visit… ‘Walk on Watership Down, part of the South Downs, near Newbury. When I was a child, we used to go there for picnics, and the views are incredible.’

Shop in… ‘Stockbridge, where

Go for a meal at… ‘The Wellington Arms (0118 982 0110, thewellingtonarms.com) in Baughurst – it’s tiny and really cosy in winter. It also has a beautiful garden in the summer. They serve homegrown and locally sourced produce and the food is very good.’

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES

there are lots of independent shops. I love to visit George Clark (01264 811044, georgeclarkstockbridge.co.uk), a wonderful Aladdin’s cave

of an interior design shop with fantastic home accessories and great gift ideas.’

Country Homes & Interiors

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Alice’s bathroom A sleek, freestanding tub allows you to adapt the room layout to suit your preference, while offering an up-to-date contrast in a traditional setting.

Introduce a charming touch of French flair with this stunning accent piece, shown here in rich cherry wood with an Avignon finish. Maine dining chair, H91cm, from £720, Oficina Inglesa.

Soak away the stresses of the day, before drying off in luxurious fashion with one of these jacquard, soft cotton layers. Towels with pom-poms, from £4.99 each, Zara Home.

Lay the way to a modern country scheme with elemental flooring for textural, natural appeal. Amendo rustic engineered oak wood flooring, £89.94sq m, Havwoods.

Frame a rolling countryside view with made-to-measure blinds in a beautiful design. Woodville fabric, col La Seine, £77sq m, Zoffany at Style Library.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPH POLLY ELTES

Alice’s style secret...

Create a stylish centrepiece for your bathroom with this double-ended, contemporary ‘pool’ and indulge at leisure in your very own sanctuary. Alexandra freestanding bath, H58xW80cm, £599.99, Soak.

A patterned feature rug in a soft pastel colourway makes an attractive alternative to a traditional bath mat. Modern Country Classic Double basin vanity unit Combining classic design with refined joinery, this practical washstand is a win-win solution for country bathrooms. Unlike a pedestal wash basin, double basin units tend to include plenty of storage for toiletries and

spare towels, helping to keep your room clutter-free. Choose a neutral finish and a smooth marble top for a clean look, and pair with an eye-catching tiled splashback and twin mirrors to add relaxed charm and character.

Where to buy…

•Neptune for freestanding

designs in natural finishes. •Tikamoon for styles from colonial to industrial. •Harvey George for luxurious, hand-painted units to suit all tastes and budgets.

Country Homes & Interiors

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H A M P S H I R E C O U N T RY H O U S E

Return to farm cottage ALISON PIKE HAS USED HER DESIGN SKILLS TO CONVERT A PAIR OF FIFTIES COTTAGES ON HER PARENTS' FARM INTO A SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME FULL OF PERSONALITY

Exterior Alison’s house, set in the South Downs, was originally two farmworkers’ cottages but has been knocked into one.

Country Homes & Interiors

Kitchen Shaker-style units are given a contemporary twist with a lick of dark paint. British Standard Cupboards kitchen units painted in Basalt oil eggshell, Little Greene. Brass pendant lights, Rowen & Wren.

It ’s hard to believe that this wonderfully characterful cottage was once two unremarkable Fifties semi-detached houses – complete with uPVC windows and a flat, nondescript frontage. But what they lacked in charm, they made up for in location. The now-combined properties sit on the South Downs Way in Hampshire, with panoramic views of the countryside. ‘The houses were built for workers on my parents’ farm and had been rented out before we bought them from mum and dad,’ explains Alison Pike. ‘Our nearest neighbour is my sister, so it’s very special. Living here is an absolute dream come true for us.’ Following the purchase of the houses from her parents, Alison and her husband Will applied for planning permission – their aim was to combine the two into a single family home they could make their own. They also wanted to make improvements by adding areas of interest to the bland building – both inside and out. ‘This was more difficult than we expected as we are located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and on the South Downs Way, which limited what we could change,’ says Alison. ‘But we were pleased with what we were allowed to do.’ Initially they were permitted to build a single-storey front porch and two small

Country Homes & Interiors

AT HOME WITH... Owners Alison Pike, an interior designer, and her husband Will, a consultant. They moved into the house in 2007 with their children, Amelia, 18, Imogen, 16, and Clemmie, 13. House Two Fifties houses converted into a five-bedroom detached home.

H A M P S H I R E C O U N T RY H O U S E Kitchen Alison and her architect designed the layout for the kitchen, and she loves the natural look of the feature brickwork. For similar pendants, try Wayfair. For similar bar chairs, try Maisons du Monde.

Country Homes & Interiors

H A M P S H I R E C O U N T RY H O U S E

Dining area Alison’s Quirky touches create an eclectic feel. Lamp, Graham and Green. Lampshade by Rapture & Wright, made to order by Peake Design. Three mirrors, Tallulah Fox.

What we love most about living here...

artistic eye enables her to blend different styles. Indian cabinet, The Organic Farm Shop. Cladding in French Grey Dark, Little Greene.

‘We have stunning country views and can walk out of the house in any direction onto farmland’

Dining area The table is a focal point of the room, with the dining table a solid piece of timbered cedar from a local merchant. Wooden bench came from Bootle Police Station.

Living area Alison has created a rustic look with tongue and groove cladding. Curtains in Red Ticking, Kate Forman. Fabric for cushions from a selection, Peake Design.

extensions to the rear of the house to increase the size of the main bedroom and living room. ‘It was so exciting knocking down the connecting walls,’ says Alison. ‘After that it was a case of taking out both staircases and repositioning just one, centrally in the hall; linking up the plumbing and electrics, and removing one of the chimneys. We also removed all the uPVC windows and replaced them with wooden casements, and added a floor-to-ceiling window in the main bedroom to maximise the view from the bed.’ Then, in 2016, the couple obtained permission to extend the kitchen. ‘Working closely with architect Tom Freeborough, who was great at creating a layout to suit our quite specific requirements, we created a larger dining and seating area. This has totally changed the feel of the house for the better,’ says Alison. A utility room and a study were also created off the kitchen. Finally came the task of adding interest by using wallpaper, boarding and cladding. ‘Being a Fifties house, there are some paint colours and fabrics that simply don’t go – they just look too traditional for the age of the property,’ explains Alison. ‘Also, as we’re in the country on a working farm with kids and pets, I didn’t want the

Furniture and accessories made from reclaimed wood soften the modern elements of Alison’s home. Coat hook, The Vintage Boathouse.

Country Homes & Interiors

Living room Alison loves collecting bargain finds, antique china and porcelain. Blue ottoman, Peake Design. Sunburst mirror, Graham and Green.

What makes this house a home... Hallway The staircase was reconfigured and placed centrally in the house. Cabinet, painted by Alison, from an antiques fair.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The kitchen is where all the chat and laughter happensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Living room Cool paint shades keep this area calm and relaxing. Mirror, The Vintage Boathouse. Armoire and reupholstered antique grey armchair, both Peake Design.

H A M P S H I R E C O U N T RY H O U S E

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Country Homes & Interiors

Main bedroom The new floor-to-ceiling windows maximise the beautiful views. Wallpaper, Beech in Steel, Lewis & Wood.

Country Homes & Interiors

* ON OUR

DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Hinton Ampner (01962 771305, nationaltrust.org.uk/ hinton-ampner) and Mottisfont (01794 340757, nationaltrust.org. uk/mottisfont) – I never get bored visiting the houses and gardens.’

Shop at… ‘Long Barn (01962 738684, longbarn.co.uk), in Alresford, is a beautiful oak conversion with a garden centre, gift shop and café. I always find a treasure and it’s great for brunch.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Natural Apothecary (01730 858183, thenaturalapothecary.co.uk) in Petersfield for breakfast. It’s run by Olivia and her family, who pride themselves on their natural approach to food. We also love The Shoe Inn (01489 877526, theshoeexton.co.uk) in the beautiful village of Exton which is walking distance from us.’

FEATURE PENNY BOTTING PHOTOGRAPHS ROB SANDERSON

house to be too modern, white and minimal. As a family we are collectors, so the challenge was to create a feel that was fairly contemporary with a vintage eclectic twist.’ As a result, Alison went for a fairly strong colour palette. ‘The house can take dark shades, which in itself become a feature. In fact, every wall, whether it’s blue, grey or green, is dark. Then I added flashes of red, yellow and pink to lift the look – bold colours make me happy.’ Mixed into the colour schemes are natural materials – wood, metal, glass and brick. ‘Our builders, Venn and Son, are local brothers who were a joy to work with,’ says Alison. ‘Martin is a bricklayer so he loved making the brickwork a feature of the new kitchen, while his elder brother Garry is a carpenter and totally embraced the idea of using reclaimed scaffolding boards. Our house is a very good example of what you can do with a relatively unattractive featureless property. By painting the exterior to cover the Fifties London brick, re-tiling the roof and replacing the windows we instantly transformed the overall look of the house. And inside, it's amazing what you can achieve with the right colours and materials.’ ‘I love walking back to the house at dusk when the lights are on – it looks so inviting and cosy, I can’t wait to get inside,’ Alison says. ‘It’s definitely our forever home.’

H A M P S H I R E C O U N T RY H O U S E

Bathroom Fun pink shades warm up the bathroom scheme. Woodwork in Paris Rooftops, Paint & Paper Library. Blind fabric, Amity Jaipur pink linen, Romo. Patchwork Grey Tile effect wallpaper, Louise Body.

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Alison’s living room Ideal for formal rooms with a playful side, add this super-soft pillow to your sofa for a pop of colour. Pom-poms velvet cushion, £28, The French Bedroom Company.

Look for quirky touches and eclectic pieces to make a scheme feel unique. Don’ t be afraid to experiment by mixing styles and ‘clashing’ patterns and palettes.

Display plants at all levels for a contemporary twist. This beautiful ceramic addition is just the thing to bring a touch of flower power indoors. Stoneware hanging pot, £25, Bloomingville at Hurn & Hurn.

Alison’s style secret…

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPH ROB SANDERSON

For a feature wall with a modernrustic difference, try painted tongue-andgroove cladding.

A space with personality can take a dramatic colour. This deep green is striking against warm greys and bold tones. Three Farm Green absolute matt emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5L, Little Greene.

The clue is in the name when it comes to the comfort factor of this cushion-loaded, laid-back classic. Cloud sofa, col Easy Blue clever linen, £1,845 for a large, Loaf.

Jazz up a classic floor lamp with this snazzy shade to bring eyecatching style to your reading corner. Straight empire gathered lampshade, col Kingfisher, W45cm, £105, Pooky.

Modern Country Classic Double pleat curtains Available in a never-ending range of fabrics, colours and patterns, drapes are a traditional and effective way to control temperature and light in any room, as well as to keep chilly draughts at bay and prevent dust from

spreading. A popular choice for country homes, a pretty pinch-pleat finish features hand-sewn, fixed fabric pleats for a more luxurious, fuller and tailored look. Pair with a discreet track or attractive curtain pole.

Where to buy…

• Laura Ashley for its quick

made-to-measure service. • Stitched for sustainable fabrics milled in Yorkshire. • Thomas Sanderson for a premium and delicate finish and luxurious fullness.

Country Homes & Interiors

A sense of history IN A LIFE-CHANGING MOVE, ANNIE JACKSON AND NICHOLAS DAWE LEFT LONDON FOR THE SOUTH DOWNS AND TRANSFORMED A 14TH-CENTURY COTTAGE INTO A COSY AND DECORATIVE HOME 42 Country Homes & Interiors

W E S T S U S S E X C O T TAG E

Exterior The 14thcentury farm worker’s cottage is surrounded by beautiful South Downs countryside.

Country Homes & Interiors 43

Living room The space is designed around a stone fireplace dating back to the 1600s. Sofa, George Smith, upholstered in a vintage fabric by Bennison. Fur throws, Doris and Boris. Pink-and-white striped cushions, Andrew Martin. Paintings, Folio Art.

One dark rainy October evening, Annie Jackson first stepped inside the medieval cottage where she and her partner Nicholas Dawe and their son William now live. ‘Despite the weather, I noticed that the cottage was light inside – unusual for a property of this age,’ says Annie. ‘Ever since we decided to leave London for the country, we were determined to find a house with character, history and a garden – but our search seemed to take forever. We were looking for a quiet but not too remote location. Most cottages for sale were either too dark or on a noisy road.’ Nestling in a hamlet not far from a pretty English village, the house is steeped in history. During the 17th century, the house was given to one of Oliver Cromwell’s lieutenants and Roundhead soldiers occupied the property after he left. Much later, in 1912, the house was extended to create two separate dwellings, before being knocked back into one and modernised in the Sixties. Locked in a time warp, it remained untouched until Annie and Nicholas took over. ‘When we first moved in, we had a few impromptu visits from passing architectural historians, which made us realise just how old and special the house is,’ says Annie. For years, the couple were satisfied with the existing layout, and only changed the carpets, which they

Country Homes & Interiors

AT HOME WITH... Owners Annie Jackson, co-founder of interiors shop Holly Park, and Nicholas Dawe, owner of Folio Art. They live here with their son, William, 24, and Mimi the cat.

House Four-bedroom farm worker’s cottage, built in 1345 and bought in 2002.

W E S T S U S S E X C O T TAG E Living room The bolster on the French chaise is in a red and white fabric from Colefax & Fowler. Large lantern, One.World.

Country Homes & Interiors 45

What we love most about living here... â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The seclusion is a wonderful asset, yet Nicholas can be in his London office in just over an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Country Homes & Interiors

Kitchen This recently installed scheme, with cabinets in limed oak, replaced the old dining room. Bespoke units, Anthony Jee. Wall tiles, Fired Earth.

Kitchen The trio of

W E S T S U S S E X C O T TAG E

industrial pendants marks out the island. Similar pendants, Industville. Leather kitchen stools, Etsy.

replaced with limed oak floorboards. The electrics and plumbing system also needed an upgrade. Lightening the beams with a limewash was the most dramatic visual improvement. ‘I couldn’t face the dust and disruption of sandblasting them,’ says Annie. ‘The limewash was comparatively easy, although it is a labour of love because you have to work in small sections. You apply one coat of emulsion and then wipe it off with a rag while the paint is still wet. It accentuates the texture, as well as brightening the whole room.’ To say Annie is extremely passionate about upcycling is no exaggeration. Her coffee table is made from reclaimed timbers, the trio of pendant lights above the kitchen island came from a former sweet factory, one of the tall table lamp bases in the living room was converted from a fire extinguisher and the interior doors came mainly from old French buildings or local reclamation yards. Even the front door was sourced from a bank building in the City that was marked for demolition. Many years of buying stock for Holly Park, her former interiors shop in Haslemere, took Annie on regular buying trips to France. Some of the most special decorative purchases she unearthed have now found their way into her home. ‘I kept the pieces that I liked too much to

An antique egg stand in the kitchen sits alongside a Thirties oil painting of a hen.

Country Homes & Interiors

Kitchen The bay window is decorated in a typically French farmhouse colour scheme. Antique armchair, upholstered in Ian Mankin check fabric. Red wicker basket, Kempton Antiques Market.

What makes this house a home... Hall This doubles up as an office space for Annie. Paintings, Folio Art. Fabric covered boxes, Cath Kidston. Wooden garden chair painted in Drummond No 16, Little Greene.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The open fires, homely, well-proportioned rooms and characterful beams, nooks and crannies give the house a timeless feelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

W E S T S U S S E X C O T TAG E Dining room The wall of bespoke shelving is made out of old floorboards. Similar cane-back chairs, John Lewis & Partners. Similar wrought-iron lamp, One.World.

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Country Homes & Interiors

W E S T S U S S E X C O T TAG E

Main bedroom Annie kept to a restful cream background with pops of orange red in paintings and accent pieces. Orange cushion, Susie Watson Designs. Bedcover, Graham and Green. Curtain fabric, Ada & Ina.

Country Homes & Interiors

O N O U R D O O R S T E P. . . Visit…’Petworth House and Park (01798 342207, nationaltrust.org.uk) is a great place to walk around and we like to go there after visiting the antiques shops in Petworth – it’s always an interesting place to find quirky bits.’

Shop at… ‘Ardingly (01636 702326, iacf.co.uk/ardingly) is our favourite closest country fair. It is where we often pick up authentic quirky finds.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Duke of Cumberland (01428 652280, dukeofcumberland.com) in Fernhurst – the food is delicious and the atmosphere is always relaxed and unpretentious.’

FEATURE MAGGIE COLVIN PHOTOGRAPHS ROBERT SANDERSON

sell,’ she says. ‘Inevitably there were a few items that weren’t bought, and they have also ended up here.’ Having a partner who is an art agent is an advantage. ‘Nicholas has a great eye and he provided all the beautiful artwork throughout the house while I collected the furniture,’ says Annie. ‘We make a great team.’ Recently the couple undertook their most adventurous collaboration to date – designing and installing a new limewashed oak kitchen in what was formerly the dining room. ‘We spend almost as much time in the kitchen as in the living room, especially sitting in the bay windows overlooking the garden,’ says Annie. ‘The kitchen is now my dream place to cook and eat. Everything is stored in drawers – even the dishwasher is a huge drawer. They are so practical, and it means there’s no more bending down to find anything.’ The top cupboards were deliberately omitted in favour of one long shelf made from a cleaned-up scaffolding plank. ‘We both love living here, especially as we have so much more room to entertain our friends,’ says Annie. ‘We like to host parties all the year round. In summer, we spill out into the garden and the swimming pool. We may be in a secluded spot, but having the neighbouring houses within sight, I never feel alone here.’

Hall A ship’s porthole adds extra light and character to the rear hall.

What I love most about living here…

Bathroom The

‘We never tire of the view of the garden and surrounding woods. We live on a hill yet feel connected to the farmland around’

cupboard was made using shutters from an old French farmhouse. Shutters, Sunbury Antiques Market. Bath, eBay. Tiles, Tile Giant.

Country Homes & Interiors

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Annie’s kitchen Hang a trio or cluster of these caged beauties to shine a light on industrial rustic chic. Sleek step pendant, col Pewter, H21.5xW41x D41cm, £104, Industville.

Perfect for displaying cut flowers, or as a serving jug for refreshments, this classic piece of handmade pottery is lovingly painted in a timeless design. Medium round jug, col Green Spot Rose, H19.5xW18cm, £68, Susie Watson Designs.

A customdesigned, limed oak kitchen gives heritage country style a smart modern update with simplistic, Scandi appeal.

Create a spacious feel with stylish bleachedeffect wooden flooring – choose an engineered option for a durable solution in kitchens. Natural engineered flooring, col Double White Brushed, £132sq m, Wood and Beyond.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPH ROBERT SANDERSON

With curves in both the seat and back, and leather upholstery that develops a patina over time, this unique perch is built to last. Slope bar stool, col Saddle, £429, West Elm.

Add more woven wonders to your collection – you can never have too many to store, transport and display in farmhouse tradition. Natural willow wicker round bowl baskets, £30 for two, Gisela Graham.

Annie’s style secret…

Contrast sleek, contemporary materials and finishes with recycled pieces for a scheme that is full of character, yet forward-thinking. Modern Country Classic Exposed wall beams Country homes have always had a love-love relationship with natural materials. Beyond providing structural support in period builds, there’s nothing like the raw beauty of exposed wood to make a space feel warm,

inviting and comfortable. Adding texture, character and visual interest to walls, timber detailing is enjoying a renaissance – being freed from plaster cover-ups and celebrated in restorations and conversions alike.

Where to buy…

•Traditional Beams for top grade, structural oak beams. •UK Timber for eco-friendly oak beams and boards. •Faux Wood Beams for a full range of versatile styles that look natural but cost less.

Country Homes & Interiors

Fresh start in the country MOVING YOUR FAMILY FROM TOWN TO COUNTRY IS A BIG DECISION, BUT JAMES AND SARAH AINSWORTH FOUND THE PERFECT SETTING FOR THEIR NEW, MORE RELAXED LIFESTYLE

Country Homes & Interiors

D O R S E T C O U N T RY H O U S E Kitchen-diner James and Sarah asked Sims Hilditch to source complementary pieces by their favourite artists. Debbie Boon artwork, Collier & Dobson.

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Country Homes & Interiors

Living room The limestone ﬁreplace creates a warm focal point. Burlington ﬁreplace, Chesneys. Morrison curtain fabric, Colefax and Fowler.

Maybe it was the romance in the air, but a weekend break to celebrate their wedding anniversary finally convinced James and Sarah Ainsworth to relocate. They had left their home in Oxford to stay in the charming market town of Bridport, Dorset. ‘We had been thinking that a more relaxed pace of life might be good for us and our girls, but until we visited Bridport, we couldn’t imagine making it a reality,’ says Sarah. ‘There was something about it that just felt right.’ Nevertheless, leaving their home in Oxford was a wrench, not least because they would need a second house in London that was close to James’ office, where he could stay Monday to Thursday. ‘We had lived in our house in Oxford as a family for nearly 10 years, so it was a nerve-racking time for all of us,’ says Sarah. The Ainsworths rented at first, so they could get to know the area. ‘Home is very important to us and past mistakes have taught us to wait for the right house,’ says James. Their rented property was some way outside Bridport, surrounded by 27 acres of countryside. ‘It was an incredible setting and I was keen to find something similar to buy,’ says Sarah. However, none of the houses the couple viewed were quite right. ‘The problem was nearly always with the kitchen, which for me is the most important room in

Country Homes & Interiors

AT HOME WITH... Owners Sarah Ainsworth and her husband, James, a marketing director, live here with their two daughters, Charlotte, 14, and Eliza, 11, plus fiveyear-old cockapoo, Bertie.

House A six-bedroom detached Victorian house built from local stone in the late 19th century.

D O R S E T C O U N T RY H O U S E

What makes this house a home… ‘The kitchen-diner. It’s big enough for us to spend time as a family without being on top of one another and is the most used part of the house’

Kitchen An extra-large island connects this space to the dining and seating areas, turning it into a social place to prepare food. Suffolk kitchen, Neptune. Country Homes & Interiors

Dining area The bespoke cabinet both displays and stores ďŹ ne china and silverware. Bespoke chairs upholstered in Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sampler linen, GP&J Baker.

Country Homes & Interiors

D O R S E T C O U N T RY H O U S E Entrance hall The original Victorian tiled ﬂoor inspired the colour palette for the house. Cushion, Chelsea Textiles.

Boot room The family are keen walkers so this area, originally three small rooms, is a valuable addition. Lubelska reclaimed brick ﬂoor tiles, Kamstar.

the house,’ adds Sarah. ‘In the period houses I had seen, the kitchen was usually a small space designed for servants and because the houses were also listed buildings, they could not be altered or enlarged. Eventually, someone passed our details on to an estate agent friend saying: “These people need help!”’ The estate agent suggested they view a house much closer to Bridport. ‘On paper, it didn’t meet our criteria, but I decided to take a look anyway,’ says Sarah. ‘It had a big garden with a large lawn and spectacular views of the Dorset hills. It was also really peaceful, so it felt very much like it was in the countryside. On reflection, the location is ideal. Being close to the town gives the girls more independence. If we had been further out, I would have ended up as their taxi service.’ The family also liked the elegant proportions of the Victorian house and the large sash windows that fill the rooms with natural light. Fortunately, while it is in a conservation area, the building is not listed. This was critical as it gave them the freedom to completely overhaul the house, which they did with the help of interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch and her team. ‘The house had been reasonably well-looked-after, but the layout didn’t make a great deal of sense,’ says Emma. ‘The answer was to preserve the original, grand parts of the house, then to open up the secondary spaces that

Reception room Inviting window seating highlights the generous proportions of this bay window. Simply blinds fabric, Mark Alexander.

» Country Homes & Interiors

Charlotte’s bedroom An island bed frees up wall space for built-in cupboards. Bedside table, Chelsea Textiles.

Bathroom A pair of slim mirrors emphasises the tall ceiling. Mirrors, Looking Glass of Bath.

Country Homes & Interiors

ON OUR D O O R S T E P. . . Visit… ‘Bridport's Electric Palace (01308 424901, electricpalace. org.uk) is an Art Deco cinema that's full of character. It streams National Theatre performances.’

Shop at… ‘We like to pick up some delicious bread from Leakers Bakery (01308 423296, leakersbakery.co.uk) in Bridport. They make everything on-site using old-fashioned techniques.’

Go for a meal at… ‘We love the laid-back atmosphere and locally-sourced seafood at the Hive Beach Cafe (01308 897070, hivebeachcafe.co.uk) in Burton Bradstock. It’s a great spot for lunch; even Bertie is welcome.’

FEATURE JENNIFER GOULDING PHOTOGRAPHS MEL YATES

had been added later on. Replacing the rear extension with a big open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area was key.’ Sarah is particularly delighted with this last space. ‘It has a huge roof lantern, two sets of French doors and two big sash windows that make it incredibly light,’ she says. ‘But it’s also cosy, thanks to the underfloor heating.’ The sash windows also frame the pretty, sloping knot garden that James and Sarah added once work on the house was complete. This provides year-round greenery and creates a strong link between the exterior and the interior. For the decoration, the pair were keen to create an up-todate, fuss-free country look. ‘We wanted it to be beautiful, but also comfortable and homely,’ says Sarah. ‘I didn’t want guests to feel they couldn’t sit on the sofas.’ Emma suggested a palette of soft greys and blues that is refined and luxurious yet warm and welcoming. ‘The whole house has this wonderful feeling of flow,’ says Sarah. ‘Each room has its own personality, but they fit together perfectly.’ ‘We are so happy with the result,’ says James. Sarah adds, ‘I’m a real home bird, so I didn’t enjoy renting and the process of finding and renovating the house felt very long. It’s funny; when we go on holiday, it is a treat, of course. But we always look forward to coming back. Nowhere we stay is ever as nice as our own home.’ ☎ Sims Hilditch, 01249 783087, simshilditch.com.

D O R S E T C O U N T RY H O U S E Main bedroom A warm, textured linen wallcovering is key to this room’s smart, grown-up look. Montalin wallcovering, Stark. Ascona table lamps, Vaughan.

What we love most about living here… ‘The fantastic choice of coastal and country walks and the vibrant town nearby’

Guest bedroom Tongue-and-groove panelling highlights the ceiling’s interesting shape. Cushions in Beldi, Designers Guild.

Charlotte’s bathroom The elegant shape of the bath gives this classic bathroom a modern twist. Rydal bath, CP Hart.

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Sarah’s formal dining room

Add an enduring flourish of spring to occasional dining with this low-maintenance arrangement. Artificial hydrangea, £50, John Lewis & Partners.

Particularly suited to the head of the table, the sweeping armrests hint at carver style. Henley dining chair in Hugo Spelt with vintage oak legs, £390 each, Neptune.

A palette of warm neutrals is timeless in all settings. Complement with glass and light metallics.

Display this traditional illustrative etched-style piece for an elegant touch. Gold foil botanical study II framed graphic art print, H48xW38cm, £55.99, Bay Isle Home at Wayfair.

For glamorous contrast, introduce a contemporary piece into a classical mix. Kensington glass and steel console table, H75.5xW114xD25cm, £378, House of Isabella.

Sarah’s style secret…

Make a subtle yet dramatic statement to your dining room with walls painted in this muted, heritage shade. Gramophone flat matt, £21.50 for 2.5L, Crown.

Modern Country Classic Glass globe lantern Traditionally installed in the large entrance halls and stairwells of Victorian properties, this dazzling classic is being embraced once more as country homes welcome a move towards higher ceilings and

Country Homes & Interiors

generous proportions. Design characteristics include a delicate, handblown glass orb or shape with a candelabra-style lamp, encased in antiqued brass or nickel. Hang a duo or trio for maximum impact.

Where to buy…

•Tuscanor Lighting for

hand patina metalwork. •Cowshed Interiors for bronze and chrome creations. •Bespoke Lights for hanging chain pendants inspired by the Victorian era.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPH MEL YATES

Rich fabric on bespoke upholstery adds a note of comfort and luxury, perfect for an entertaining space.

A NEW LEAF Capture the optimism of spring in a home infused with fresh green hues and trailing foliage. The freshness and succulence of the new botanical patterns bring joy and life to decorating schemes - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like spotting the first green buds of spring each time you step into a room. The latest fabrics and wallpapers feature delicately drawn leaf, frond and fern motifs that create a graceful, romantic look. Match their vivid greens with cyan blue, soft blush and buff tones. Painted furniture and pieces in natural wood and elegant metal complete the look.

Country Homes & Interiors

SEASONAL LOOKS

FIND YOUR INNER FLORIST Design a graceful display inspired by ﬂorists’ shops, using a shelf, plant stand and the ﬂoor to create a multi-layered cascade of foliage. Decorative vases and bottles, mixed with garden pieces, showcase stylish stems. See page 72 for details.

Country Homes & Interiors

SEASONAL LOOKS

BE INSPIRED BY GREENERY Upholstery and accessories give you the opportunity to let foliage designs ďŹ&#x201A;ourish. Give your scheme a focal point with a statement sofa or armchair, or simply scatter cushions with lush botanical prints and pick up the theme with a fern wreath and prints. See page 72 for details.

Country Homes & Interiors

PICK A POSY OF PRETTY CHINA Small-scale prints and densely strewn ﬂowers decorate china and ceramics. Don’t be afraid to mix and match – as in a cottage garden, it’s the mix of blooms and colours that makes the display so charming. See page 72 for details.

STYLE A SPRINGTIME TABLE The beauty of botanical designs, especially on crockery, is that they can be styled to suit the season. For spring, combine leafy prints with plain tableware and linen in shoot and stem colours, and add fern fronds and ďŹ&#x201A;owers for just-gathered freshness. See page 72 for details.

SEASONAL LOOKS

CREATE A FOLIAGE-FILLED FEATURE WINDOW With a nature-inspired blind and pots of leafy plants, a window evokes the old-school elegance of a conservatory. Add a modern touch with cane furniture, rustic benches and cool blue linens. See page 72 for details.

Â»

Country Homes & Interiors

SEASONAL LOOKS

CURATE A CREATIVE SPACE Transform a hard-working desk space into a place to dream. Used above panelling or beneath a dado, botanical wallpaper lends a designer touch to plain surfaces. The grey colourway gives this pretty ivy motif a modern feel. See page 72 for details.

Country Homes & Interiors

ESCAPE TO A BEDTIME BOWER An elegant patterned paper of softly painted ivy becomes a beautiful backdrop for a green headboard. Mix striped and plain bedding in with leafy lupin prints. See page 72 for details.

Country Homes & Interiors

SEASONAL LOOKS

All the details

PRODUCTS AND PRICES A NEW LEAF Aralia wallpaper, £211 a roll, Sandberg.

FIND YOUR INNER FLORIST French corner plant stand, col green, £220; tools, from £35 each; fern planters, col green, £12 for small, £28 for large; terracotta pots, from

BE INSPIRED BY GREENERY

Pages 66-67

Walls painted in Wattle III pure ﬂat emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library. Curtains in Tinglaze Palm, £90m, Rapture & Wright. Brushed bronze curtain pole, £90.10, Walcot House. Bobble rug, £395; Ace coffee table, £375, both Loaf. Snowdrop sofa, £1,340, Sofa.com. Poirot armchair, from £730, Arlo & Jacob. Gaspard side table, £89.99, My Furniture. Hemp pouffe, £120, Nkuku. Similar painted stool, £55, Goose Home and Garden. Similar round black frame, Oval Picture Frames. (In round frame) Faux fern, £13; pink Nigella faux fuchsia, £9 each, both Fox Flowers. Fern print, £215 for four, Oka. Cushions: 1 In Angel Fern, col Emerald, £32m, Sanderson. 2 Velvet, col pink, £30, Cox & Cox. 3 In Coromandel

STYLE A SPRINGTIME TABLE

Pages 68-69

Pages 70-71

Country Homes & Interiors

a selection, all Petersham Nurseries. French pot, col green, £450; zinc bird, col white, £550, both Maison Artefact. Stone dove, £68; paint bucket (under fern), £32; both Goose Home and Garden. Plants, from a selection, Forest London. Botanica Willow fabric roll, £29m, Iliv. Fernery Botanical Green fabric roll, £49m, Sanderson.

Flower, col Spring Green, £99m; 4 In Strawberry Fields Autumn Conker, £129m, both Parker & Jules. Tito blanket, col blue, £49.99; similar white linen throw, £99.99; Rosa pink throw, £59.99, all Linen Me. (On coffee table) Paint tin, £32; reels from a selection, both Goose Home and Garden; Etruscan jug, £69; Asiatic mugs, col pink, £18 each; teapot, £55; jug, £25, all Burleigh; napkins, £30 for four, Rockett St George; Zomi vase, £30; Inle rattan tray, £48, both Kalinko. Plants and pots, from a selection, Forest London.

PICK A POSY OF PRETTY CHINA Pink Asiatic mug, £18; Etruscan jug, £69; plate, £12, all Burleigh. Napkins, as before. Antique book, £35, Maison Artefact.

Botanical Green, £49m, Sanderson. Tablecloth, from £54.99, Linen Me. Runner in Lace Ferns, col Clear Emerald, £129m, Parker & Jules. (On bench)

Small Spa Green linen cushion cover, £15.99; Balsam green cushion cover, £24.99, both Linen Me; cushion in Arboreal Dusk, £69.90m, Linwood. (On rear chair) Rosa pink shawl, £59.99, Linen Me; pink velvet & linen cushion, £30, Cox & Cox. Plants and pots, from a selection, Forest London. Felicity Irons rush mat, £21, David Mellor. Jenny dinner plates, £28 each, Amara. Small plates, £12 each; jug, £31, both Burleigh. Merci cane chairs, £120 each; napkins, £30 for four, both Rockett St George. Deco cocktail glasses, £6 each, Curious Egg. Matt black cutlery, £75 for four, Cox & Cox. Wine glasses, £7 each; garden pot, from a selection, both Petersham Nurseries. Faux ﬂowers, from a selection, Fox Flowers.

CURATE A CREATIVE SPACE

ESCAPE TO A BEDTIME BOWER

Walls papered in Secret Garden Pearl, £89 a roll, Abigail Edwards; painted in Bouillon helmatt, £37.50 for 2.25L, Ray Munn. French desk, £695, Louisa Grace Interiors. Trematon chair, £925, Oka. Similar blind fabric, price on request, Sanderson. Faro rug, £119, Rockett St George. Oak poster by Jung Koch Quentell, £180, Wild Strawberry Retro at Etsy. Mendi baskets, from £29.95 each; Kiko artwork ferns, £14.95 for three; Matamba hanging planter, £16.95, all Nkuku. (In baskets) Gold Finch Buttercup fabric, £82m, Iliv. Baya Palm fabric, £90m, Rapture & Wright. Fernery Botanical Green fabric, £49m, Sanderson. Faux hanging fern, £32.50, Wyld Home. Handmade tropical Ficus bell jars, from £75 each, Ella James. (On desk) Faux string of pearls plant, £51, Out There Interiors; fern plant pot, £12, Petersham Nurseries; jug, £25; plate, £12, both Burleigh; antique magniﬁer glass, £135, Joseph Berry; antique books, £35 each, Maison Artefact; tumbler, £48 for four, Kalinko; vase, £17.50, Modern Country Style Interiors; Ferns Indigo wallpaper, £98 a roll, GP&J Baker. (On chair) Cushion, £30, Cox & Cox; Tito throw, £49.99, Linen Me.

Wall papered in Aralia, £211 a roll, Sandberg; painted in Slate II pure ﬂat emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library. Headboard, £110, The Dormy House, upholstered in Stone Asparagus fabric, £38m, Villa Nova. Les Milles bedside table, £179.99, My Furniture. Jute printed rug, £110; table mat, £7, Rockett St George. Multi stripe bedlinen set, £179.99; pillowcases, col pink, £14.99 each; small linen cushion covers, col blue, £15.99; linen wafﬂe throw, £99.99, all Linen Me. Cushions: 1 In Fernery Botanical Green, £49m, Sanderson. 2 In Botanica Willow, £29m, Iliv. Strawberry Fields Spring Greens throw, £129m, Parker & Jules. Woven stripe throw blanket, £118, Anthropologie. Faux string of pearls plant, £51, Out There Interiors. Tosca vase, £19.95, Nkuku. Tumbler, £48 for four, Kalinko. Similar lamp, clock and bottles, Goose Home and Garden. Pink Nigella faux fuchsia, £9 each, Fox Flowers. Fern and pot, from a selection, Forest London. (On ledge) Hoop print, £30; fern print, £30, both Summer Thornton. Frame, £18, John Lewis. Plate, £12; jug, £30, both Burleigh.

Dave Regester hand-turned ash platters, £62 each; Gozan plates, col green, £17.50 each, both David Mellor. Black Regal Peacock plates, £12 each; cream jug, £30, both Burleigh. Napkins, £22 each, glass jug, £75; glasses, £11 each, all Petersham Nurseries. Zomi vase, £30, Kalinko. Placemats, £4.49 each, Linen Me. Sugar & Spice spoon, £9, Rockett St George.

CREATE A FOLIAGE FILLED FEATURE WINDOW Blinds in Fernery

FEATURE/ART DIRECTION/STYLING SARA BIRD STYLING ALI ATTENBOROUGH STYLING ASSISTANT CHARLOTTE MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS

Pages 64-65

T H I N G S T H AT M A K E U S G O O O H !

Have a fling with

SPRING WALLPAPERS UNROLL A FRESH LOOK FOR SPRING WITH OUR PICK OF THE LATEST WALLCOVERINGS IN LAID-BACK GEOMETRICS, NATURAL MOTIFS AND ELEGANT CHINOISERIE

Gentle graphics The repeat patterns, bold shapes and symmetry of geo designs create life and energy. For a modern edge that won’t overpower a country look, pick pastels and pretty midtones with subtle metallic ﬁnishes.

(On wall): Geometric triangle wallpaper, £120 a roll, Surface House at Notonthehighstreet.com. (Outside basket, from left): Andes wallpaper, £119 a roll, Sian Elin. Penton Villas wallpaper, col London Brick, £48 a roll, Old Town at St Jude’s Fabrics. Garance wallpaper, £76 a roll, Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little. (Lying down): Veren wallpaper, col Ocean; Zardozi wallpaper, col Alchemilla, both £65 a roll, Designers Guild. (In basket from left): Helix wallpaper, £85 a roll, HookedOnWalls. Conway wallpaper, col Poison, £80 a roll, Zoffany at Style Library. Horseshoe arch wallpaper, £119 a roll, Sian Elin. Jourdain wallpaper, col Cobalt, £65 a roll, Designers Guild. Hieroglyph col Apollo, £69 a roll, MissPrint. Night Sky col Yellow Dawn, £80 a roll, Jessica Osborne. Ginoo wallpaper, col blue, £85 a roll, Charlotte Gaisford.

Country Homes & Interiors

Natural flourish

(Clockwise, from top right): Olivia embroidery wallpaper, col blue, £50 a roll, Graham & Brown. Sunﬂower wallpaper, col Raspberry/Steel, £20 a roll, Laura Ashley. Poppy Pepper Pots wallpaper, col Dormouse, £60 a roll, Hubbard & Reenie. Colbert wallpaper, col blue and taupe, £76 a roll, Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little. Tulsi wallpaper, col Eau de Nil, £65 a roll, Designers Guild. Felci wallpaper, col Sandstone, £65 a roll, 1838 Wallcoverings. Emilie wallpaper, col Emerald, £65 a roll, Designers Guild. Artichoke thistle wallpaper, col Spring Green, £87 a roll, Barneby Gates. Oak trees wallpaper, col First Light, £78 a roll, Abigail Edwards. Saplings wallpaper, col Sunﬂower (rolled), £69 a roll, MissPrint. 76

Country Homes & Interiors

FEATURE & STYLING HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS MAX ATTENBOROUGH

Today’s nature-inspired wallcoverings are as beautiful and varied as the plants in a country garden. Seed heads, foliage and ﬂowers are interpreted in abstract designs, hand-drawn illustrations and decorative repeats.

T H I N G S T H AT M A K E U S G O O O H !

Oriental inspiration Create mesmerising walls ﬁlled with elegant Chinoiserie detail or Japanese ﬂora and fauna to provoke your imagination. These classic designs, inspired by the East, have been updated in bold colourways with a whimsical touch.

(Clockwise, from top left): Tori wallpaper, col teal, £50 a roll, Graham & Brown. Darnley wallpaper, col Tigers Eye, £109m, Zoffany at Style Library. Cargo wallpaper, col red, £78 a roll, Andrew Martin. Healey Monkey Amynta wallpaper, £85 a roll, Charlotte Gaisford. Kenrokuen wallpaper, £76 a roll, Sandberg Wallpaper. Countess wallpaper, £85 a roll, Charlotte Gaisford. Rivington wallpaper, col yellow; Crane bird wallpaper, col Japanese Blue, both £85 a roll, Woodchip & Magnolia. Wychwood wallpaper, col Basil Green, £60 a roll, Andrew Martin. Country Homes & Interiors

M Y K I N D O F C O U N T RY

‘I LEFT A JOB IN SALES TO FARM SHEEP AND ALPACAS’ Farmer’s wife and wedding event organiser, Jo McPartland

o McPartland and her farmer husband Gary run Harrison Spinks Farm in Bolton Percy, North Yorkshire. The farm, which has been owned by the fifthgeneration Leeds-based bedmakers since 2009, keeps speciality sheep, Angora goats and alpacas, and grows hemp and flax, all of which provide materials for the company’s sumptuous luxury mattresses. Jo and Gary live in a converted barn on the farm, and have three grown-up sons, Liam, Joel and Jim, and two grandchildren, Mia, five, and George, two. Since taking on the 300-acre farm 10 years ago, Jo has also established a wedding events business at Hornington Manor, the 18th-century house and barn set within the grounds, offering both a venue for celebrations and stylish accommodation featuring Harrison Spinks beds and mattresses. We joined Jo on the farm to discover how she combines the busy farming calendar with year-round weddings… ARE YOU A YORKSHIRE LASS BORN AND BRED? I am, and proud of it! I was born in York but raised in the countryside, and have always loved it here. Before we moved to the farm, we lived in Escrick, a village not far

Country Homes & Interiors

from here. Gary was a local gamekeeper and I was a sales rep, but when we were offered the chance to live and work here, we jumped at it – this is such a beautiful place, and it was a new and exciting project for us. HOW DO YOU FIND FARMING LIFE? We’d had a smallholding previously, but I didn’t have any experience of farming. I quickly got stuck in and loved it, as did our eldest son, Liam, who works alongside Gary, caring for the livestock and land. My main involvement is during lambing time, when some 400 lambs might be born. It lasts for about two months each spring, and can be 24/7 at times, so it’s pretty full on! TELL US ABOUT THE LIVESTOCK We’re very fond of all the animals here and have even named some of them! I’ve got an especially soft spot for a sheep called Harrison. He was the smallest of triplets when he was born nine years ago – just the size of my hand – and I reared him myself, carrying him around in a papoose for weeks, and keeping him warm in the kitchen at home. We have about 600 Zwartbles, Suffolks, Texels and Wensleydale sheep. These varieties produce

Jo has great affection for all the livestock on the farm.

The farm produces its own wool, with extra sourced from the British Wool Marketing Board in Bradford.

The beautiful 18th-century Hornington Manor is the farm’s wedding venue.

Jo also grows her own vegetables on the land.

Luxurious Harrison Spinks beds and mattresses are found in all the guest bedrooms.

The couple keep ﬁve alpacas and 600 sheep.

Jo with Aramis, one of the alpacas that produces soft, ﬁne wool.

After the ﬂeece is cleaned, it’s ready to be used to make ﬁne mattresses.

Bettys in York is a favourite pitstop

Country Homes & Interiors

The popular venue is booked for weddings throughout the year.

A walk around the beautiful grounds is a daily ritual for Jo.

I couldn’t live without...

‘MY TRUSTY WELLINGTON BOOTS AND OVERALLS – AFTER ALL, IT CAN GET PRETTY MUCKY LIVING AND WORKING ON A FARM!’

On a weekend off, Jo heads to the ﬁshing town of Whitby.

Jo’s husband Gary and son Liam work together on the farm.

Country Homes & Interiors

Harrison Spinks has been making luxury beds and mattresses since 1840.

M Y K I N D O F C O U N T RY

the springiest, most resilient wool for mattresses and upholstery. We also have three Angora goats that produce luxurious mohair, and five alpacas whose fleece is also softer and finer than sheep’s wool. Additional wool from all over the north of England is sourced from the nearby British Wool Marketing Board in Bradford.

FEATURE SHARON PARSONS PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY, TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

WHAT ABOUT THE HEMP? Hemp is strong and more absorbent than cotton so it helps to regulate mattress temperature. On our farm, we have 150 acres dedicated to growing hemp. Of that, 265 tons goes into our mattresses, and whatever’s left goes into making briquettes that are burned to heat the house. WHAT’S THE PROCESS FROM FARM TO MATTRESS? Once the crops have been harvested and the animals shorn, the wool is taken to the British Wool Marketing Board to be specially cleaned. Then it goes along with the other raw materials to the Harrison Spinks factory in Leeds, where it’s all placed into a mixing hopper that weighs the fillings out and mixes the different materials together. They are then spun into a webbing, which is layered upon itself before being bonded together by thousands of small needles that penetrate all the fibres. Finally, these pads go through a thermal bonder and metal detector and are cut to size. Inside a finished mattress, you’ll find top layers of wool, followed by cotton, then hemp. Each layer is a blend, so may feature other natural fillings such as silk, cashmere, or alpaca. The fillings provide comfort while springs provide support.

J O’S C O U N T RY V I B E What’s your favourite place to shop? I love York – it feels like such a small, intimate town with great shops. And we always pop into Bettys café tea rooms (01904 659142, bettys.co.uk). How do you like to enjoy your homegrown vegetables? I love using our spring vegetables to make risottos. Where do you like to go for a meal out? We enjoy an evening at The Rythre Arms Steakhouse (01757 268372, rythrearms.co.uk). It has fantastic food and such a friendly atmosphere.

HOW DID THAT SIDE OF THINGS DEVELOP? Six years ago, we decided to convert one of the old barns attached to the house into a beautiful rustic wedding venue. The accommodation can sleep up to 44 people, and we’re booked for weddings and midweek events throughout the year. HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO JUGGLE IT ALL? I’ve got a team of seven to help me with the wedding events, which really takes the pressure off. Gary and Liam look after the farm on a day-to-day basis, although I’ll help out whenever it’s necessary. The key is to stay calm under pressure, be organised – and maintain a sense of humour.

DO YOU HAVE A WOOL MATTRESS? Oh, goodness yes – having a Harrison Spinks bed is the best part of the job! Sleeping well depends on the right microclimate, and natural fillings keep the body at the correct temperature. I’m so busy every day, I need to know I’m going to get a good night’s sleep!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU GET TIME OFF? I very rarely have a weekend free – wedding guests are with us from Friday to Monday year round. But whenever we get the chance, Gary and I love going to Whitby, about an hour and a half from here. It’s such a contrast to the rural landscape and it’s wonderful to walk by the sea beachcombing, followed by fish and chips.

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP? I get up at six o’clock, rain or shine. After I’ve fed the chickens, goats and alpacas, I go for a 30-minute walk by the river that skirts the farm. It gives me a bit of thinking time, and I can plan the day ahead – there’s always so much to do, especially when it comes to the wedding side.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE? It’s just so beautiful here – it’s not called God’s Own Country for nothing! The people here are so friendly and there’s a great sense of community. Here, everyone helps each other. ☎ 0113 205 5200, harrisonspinks.co.uk; 07930 983284, horningtonmanor.co.uk Country Homes & Interiors

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C O U N T RY T R E N D THE BEDLINEN

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THE REVERSIBLE DESIGN Spot lamb’s wool cushion, 40x40cm, col lilac and multi, £49.95, Bronte By Moon.

THE KEEPSAKE BOX Postcard box, L17.5x W12.6xD4cm, £19, Cambridge Imprint.

THE IMPRESSIONIST CROCKERY Rainbow dots jug, £34.95; plate, £19.95; pasta bowl, £22.95; cereal bowl, £19.95, egg cups, £29.95 for three, all Emma Bridgewater.

Lison washed cotton duvet cover, from £18; Lison pillowcases, £4.80 each, all La Redoute.

SPOTS & DOTS!

Feeling slightly dotty? That’s what we like to hear! Join the dots with this playful interiors trend, spotted (pun intended) across an array of homeware. From ditsy markings on handmade ceramics, to classic polka dots on upholstery, and painterly abstract blots on wallpapers, anything goes when it comes to incorporating a cheeky spot (or hundreds) into your home. Definitely not just for children’s rooms, dots and spots can look sophisticated when formally arranged in a monochrome and metallic palette, or whimsical when displayed in random formations. The key is to find the perfect spot for your favourite dot!

LOVE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY…

THE RETRO LAMP Dige lamp, H57xW27xD27cm with pleated shade, £570, Oka.

Adding energising pops of personality into your home office with multicoloured polka dot stickers or decals applied on walls, flooring or furniture. We love a pastel mix for a feminine aesthetic. @ Giving everyday meals a polka perkup with unique oven-to-tableware. @ Updating your living room with a scattering of spotty cushions and throws. Try mixing in different scales of spots. THE WOVEN RUG

THE TABLE DRESSING Global monochrome runner, £12, Sainsbury’s Home.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Black Dots jute rug, Dia130cm, £59, Ferm Living.

THE COOK TO TABLE WOW Elliot patterned round cookware, D16cm, £12, Habitat.

THE WASHING UP ESSENTIAL Gally Grade tea towel, 45x70cm, £12.95 for two, Joules.

THE HOT DOTS KETTLE Kate Spade Deco Dot 2.73L kettle, H24x W18cm, £63, Amara.

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code: 16AC

HOME OFFICE SPECIAL

hard-working

st dy sp ces A DEDICATED DESK SPACE BOOSTS CREATIVITY AND PRODUCTIVITY. HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF WORKING FROM HOME

Keep it simple If a portion of your living room really is the only space you can spare, don’t despair! A simple desk and a height-adjustable chair is all you really need to work in comfort. Source a desk with a simple silhouette – the more flooring you can see, the less it will impact on your living room. A stylish floor lamp is much less officious than a desk lamp. ‘Plants are proven to help creativity and productivity, so make sure you add a selection of greenery near your office space for a calming effect,’ says Evanthia Nikoglou, workspace sales leader at Ikea.

Lillasen desk, £120; Langfjall swivel chair, £90; Stockholm 2017 floor lamp, £60, Stockholm three-seat sofa, £1,700, all Ikea. Country Homes & Interiors

HOME OFFICE SPECIAL

Hanover nickel lamp, £92; Somerton baskets, from £44 each, all Neptune. Bespoke fitted joinery, around £10,000, Sims Hilditch. Artwork, Daisy Sims Hilditch.

Hide it away A drop-down desk for occasional office space allows the room to function in a number of guises. Here, interior designer Emma Sims Hilditch has included a workspace within the family’s TV room. ‘There wasn’t room for a separate freestanding desk and a large comfy sofa, but we made the most of the wall storage to accommodate the TV, shelves and desk.’

Staircase solutions ‘The area under your staircase is a golden opportunity for creating a compact home office, complete with desk space, compartments for storage and shelving,’ says Simon Tcherniak, senior furniture designer at Neville Johnson. Positioning the desk at the head of the stairs, or in a corner as here, will help prevent claustrophobia.’ 86

Country Homes & Interiors

Truro understair concept, from £3,600, Neville Johnson.

Dress to impress ‘Your desk and the area around it should be treated the same as any other space in your home, and not left to play a purely functional role,’ says Kate Vincent, marketing manager at Graham and Green. ‘Inject the same personality and style as you would in your sitting room or bedroom, adding plants and choosing lighting solutions that are both practical and stylish. Dress your desk to reflect your style and your space will look just as good when you’re not hard at work.’

Irving writing desk, £595; Novak grey chair, £145; Golden eye lamp, £69; large green Pixie pendant, £65; round diamond embossed plant pot, £32; copper planters on stands, from £14.95, Graham and Green.

Country Homes & Interiors

Create the perfect fit Bespoke furniture makers Chiselwood designed elegant office furniture around the architecture here. ‘We used a crisp, contemporary veneer to create a striking contrast against the rustic backdrop,’ recalls Martin Holliday, design director at Chiselwood. Scribing the desktop around the stonework achieves a snug fit that maximises space and prevents pens and paperclips slipping between the gaps.’

Bespoke home office, from £15,000, Chiselwood. 88

Country Homes & Interiors

HOME OFFICE SPECIAL

Work in a quiet corner As one of your home’s busiest thoroughfares, the entrance hall may not seem like the world’s greatest place to set up for business, but bear with us. Tucked just around the corner, and out of the draught, this elegant desk is near enough to the door to benefit from natural daylight, but safely away from any stampeding inhabitants. We love how the shapely curves of Gustavian’s Marie desk echoes this home’s period features, while the soft green tones of the pretty wallpaper will aid concentration.

Whitehall Moutarde wallpaper, £81.50 a roll, Little Greene. Marie desk, £2,600, Gustavian; painted in Lead intelligent eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Little Greene.

Country Homes & Interiors

HOME OFFICE SPECIAL

A similar home office arrangement in the Urbano range by Symphony starts at £1,800.

Dream big As your bedroom is usually only occupied at night, its potential for daytime office use is well worth considering. Building in decent storage is paramount – everything needs to be tidied away before bedtime. Using office furniture, including desks and filing cabinets, in the same design as your bedroom wardrobes will help stop your bedroom from losing its relaxing atmosphere.

Get cooking ‘We are increasingly asked to incorporate integrated workstations within our kitchens,’ says Darren Taylor, managing director at Searle & Taylor. ‘The best designs can be shut away so that, when closed, the office cabinet blends seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen. Pocket doors are particularly effective. When opened, they fold right back into recesses so they don’t get in the way while you’re trying to work.’ 90

Country Homes & Interiors

Signature bespoke home offices with pocket doors, start from £10,000, Searle & Taylor.

Step outside A summerhouse or garden room is the perfect solution if you want to work from home, but need the detachment from family life you get from going out to work. For year-round use, you’ll need the building to be fully insulated, heated and double glazed. Also consider installing tea making facilities for convenience. Choose hard wearing flooring and furnishings.

T-Chairs by Laverne International, £1,564 each, Pamono. For a similar concrete table, try Abigail Ahern’s Datura round table, £1,050. Design by Leanne Ford Interiors. Country Homes & Interiors

HOME OFFICE SPECIAL

Look to the loft

Wall, painted in Peeka-boo Blue matt emulsion; ceiling, painted in Pure Brilliant White matt emulsion, both ÂŁ16 for 2.5L, Crown. 92

Country Homes & Interiors

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS (1) ADAM CARTER; (5) TESSA NEUSTADT, (9) PAUL CRAIG

Far removed from the hustle and bustle of family life below, a loft converted for use as an office can provide peace and quiet. Compared to renting a commercial office space, it may also work out as a better investment, particularly if you consider that a loft conversion will increase the value of your home. Traditionally framed roof structures, commonly found on pre-Sixties homes, tend to be the easiest to convert and offer the highest headroom.

C O U N T R Y H O M E S & I N T E R I O R S PA R T N E R S H I P

Style-statement art ARTIST DUMA ARANTES FROM NEW ONLINE RUNWAY GALLERY CREATES STRIKING ARTWORKS OF ELUSIVE AND GLAMOROUS WOMEN

art of the 14-strong Runway group, Duma Arantes is based in Lisbon, where she paints large-scale works in oils, drawing directly on the canvas with maximum precision. It’s a style that looks almost digital. ‘I love graphic design and photography, so I incorporate that feeling in my work,’ she says. At the same time she is rooted in the tradition of oil painting, and has had a passion for the medium since she was a child. ‘As I’m an only daughter, I spent countless hours alone in my room, drawing and painting,’ Duma says. ‘One day, someone gave me a box of oil paints, and it was love at first sight.’ Dolls were her models then and women are her muses now. Duma always wanted to be a painter but, to be on the safe side, she studied advertising. Her love of painting won out, however, and as soon as she finished her degree, she went on to study at the National Society of Fine Arts in Lisbon. ‘It gave me new perspectives, and more technical knowledge,’ she says. She started to exhibit at just 20. Her work is clean and precise, largely in neutral tones, with strong pops of colours on lips, painted nails, a piece of jewellery, or a lock of hair against a sculpted jawline. The viewer never sees the full figure, and if the eyes are visible, they are usually shut. ‘I’ve opted for painting only parts of female figures,’ Duma says. ‘My goal is not to show someone specific, but to represent the female universe with all its beauty, tenderness, fragility, strength – and contradictions. ‘I enjoy the mysterious side of women, and I like to leave room for interpretation,’ she says. ‘I think my art possesses more life when the viewer is given space to create a character and their story. The

Mushi Mushi limited edition giclée print, £170, Duma Arantes.

artwork is completed in the mind of each spectator. I also like to put black bars on my paintings, to give the idea of a paused movie scene.’ There is a Hollywood sensibility to many of Duma’s pieces, and it’s easy to see a hint of Tamara de Lempicka and Georgia O’Keeffe in her work. But her other influences include Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dalí, HR Giger and Mark Ryden. Although her artworks have travelled far and wide and will soon be arriving in London, Duma remains in her hometown of Lisbon. ‘It’s the place where I studied, it’s where I started to exhibit my work, and it’s my home.’ Duma Arantes’ work is available to purchase from runwaygallery.com

ART FOR YOUR HOME Owning a piece of art can be done at the click of a mouse at Runway Gallery. Showcasing exciting, modern art from 14 celebrated artists, this new online platform gives you the chance to snap up affordable, inspirational artworks. Visit runway-gallery.com

NEXT MONTH Annecy-based illustrator Belinda Frikh’s work depicts drawings and collages of women with a direct and sensual attitude…

Country Homes & Interiors

Modern country classic... WALL MIRRORS

MAXIMISE SPACIOUSNESS WITH A STATEMENT DESIGN TO BOUNCE NATURAL LIGHT AROUND AND PROVIDE A STRIKING DECOR FEATURE

Industrial serenity

You don’t need a trendy loft apartment to enjoy the look! Perfect for a stairwell or taller space, reflect light and create a sense of space with this portrait panel design, beautifully finished with an antique silver touch. Loft style window mirror, H118x W80cm, £215, Nordic House.

Country Homes & Interiors

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

M O D E R N C O U N T RY C L A S S I C S

Geometric reflection

With its funky hexagonal shape and stylish narrow border, this on-trend piece will bring lightness and modernity to your interior. Hang it directly opposite a sun trap window to route those healthy rays of sunshine into the darkest recesses of your abode. Jonas light oak mirror, 100x100cm, £49.50, Maisons du Monde.

Complete with a colourful seaside and flower-power pattern, hang this cheerful character on a lonely wall to perk up any space and bring outdoorsy inspirations indoors... The Minty mirror, col blue, Dia49-53cm, from £149, Patch & Co Frames.

Subtle simplicity

Accent your dresser or mantel and send the sun’s rays around any room with these handmade individuals; the ultimate fuss-free and effortlessly stylish finishing touches. Aster rectangular mirrors, col Antique Brass/ Blackened Bronze/Matt Nickel, H75xW48xD2cm, £266 each, all Rowen & Wren.

All in the detail

Introduce an oriental flavour into your home with this elaborate yet pretty mirror. Its painted frame is heavily distressed, creating an effect that’s delicate, ornate and textural. Sui mirror, H121x W68cm, £365, Oka.

Fabric frame

Dramatic lines

Make a bold statement with this black and bronze glamour puss! A carefully distressed textured frame adds an impressively opulent finish. Cara rectangular mirror, H114x W94xD2cm, £250, Laura Ashley.

Straps of style

A modern addition made of copper, which increases energy in your surroundings, finished with a stylish leather strap. Modern round large copper mirror, Dia76cm, £149.99, Turnbull & Thomas.

Functional design

This durable, industrial innovation is made from iron enriched with a matt black finish. It includes a sturdy shelf to provide useful storage for small items. Demsa mirror with shelf, H49xW120x D14cm, £295, Nkuku.

Statement circles

Brighten up an entrance with these oversized rustic, mango wood designs – hang two sizes at staggered heights for striking, ‘stare-at-me’ style. Phoebe lime wash wooden mirrors, Dia60xD6.5cm (medium); Dia75xD6.5cm (large), from £150, Graham and Green. Country Homes & Interiors

LUXURY SOAK CARES AWAY IN A VINTAGE-STYLE ROLL-TOP OR A MODERN-LOOK FREESTANDING TUB. JUST ADD BUBBLES… INVEST IN A FREESTANDING BATH and a bathroom

becomes an indulgent and relaxing haven, always ready to offer a leisurely soak. The traditional cast iron roll-top is one of our best-loved bathroom centrepieces; the quality material and glamorous good looks make it an enduring and striking addition to a bathroom. Sitting on gleaming claw feet and completed on the inside with glossy porcelain enamel, the bath can be painted to chime with your decorating scheme. A variation on the theme is a slipper bath. This neat design has one raised end to rest your back. Freestanding baths are also produced in lighter-weight materials such as enamelled steel, copper or brass. Copper has an enticing shine, and a protective finish will ensure no polishing is needed. It is used mainly for bateau baths with sides that reach the floor to hide the plumbing. When plated in nickel, it positively gleams. MANY CONTEMPORARY BATHS ARE IN COMPOSITE AND SOLID SURFACE MATERIALS, made from a mix

of ground stone or minerals and hi-tech resins. These can copy traditional curvy shapes or invent dramatic new ones. They retain heat well and scratches can often be polished out, as the colour goes right through. Acrylic baths are light in weight and warm to the touch, and retain heat well. IF MONEY IS NO OBJECT, consider a tub made from

traditional fireclay or carved from stone, but bear in mind that these are heavyweights. Teak baths have a lovely organic look – William Garvey (01404 841430; williamgarvey.co.uk) makes them from a marine ply core with a thick teak veneer, then they’re sealed with lacquer and given a glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) layer in the base to keep them watertight. 96

Country Homes & Interiors

ROOM ELEMENTS

Space maker

‘The trick with a small space is to maximise the visible area of the floor as this creates the impression of extra room,’ says Phil Etherden, managing director at The Albion Bath Company. ‘A slipper bath on feet works perfectly; it has a gentle upswept end and generous depth, and can be teamed with an over-bath shower for day-to-day practicality. When planned carefully, the bath can be placed even in the trickiest of rooms, such as a loft conversion.’

Acrylic boat bath in Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue, L170xW75xH71cm, £1,818, BC Designs.

In the navy

‘A few baths can be hailed as classics and the boat bath, with its distinctive high sides and roll-top, is a deserving candidate,’ says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs. ‘Baths with this design longevity lend themselves to both traditional and contemporary settings. Based on an original bateau bath, the first of which is believed to date back to the end of the 19th century in France, our acrylic version has an almost chameleon quality which allows it to fit in anywhere.’

DESIGN TIP BEFORE CHOOSING A LARGE BATH, FIRST CHECK THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT INTO YOUR BATHROOM WITH EASE. YOU’LL NEED TO CHECK THAT THE DOORWAYS AND CORRIDORS ARE WIDE ENOUGH, AND THAT ANY STAIRCASES CAN BE NEGOTIATED Neptune Slipper bath with chrome-plated feet, L151.5x W74.5xH76cm, £2,175, The Albion Bath Company.

SAFELY, AS WELL AS ANY AWKWARD CORNERS YOU MUST PASS TO REACH THE BATHROOM.

Country Homes & Interiors

3 Luxurious gleam ‘The beautiful silver finish on this bath has been achieved by polishing raw cast-iron,’ says Rita Rendo-Castro, head of marketing at Catchpole & Rye. ‘It can take up to a week for one of our skilled craftsmen to polish and buff the surface to a glimmering sheen. To maintain this finish, we carefully seal every bath with a strong, durable lacquer so it will never tarnish and requires only a wipe with a cloth to maintain its gleam.’

CH&I

LOVES

Arched towel rail, from £2,200, Catchpole & Rye.

La Provence cast iron bath with polished exterior, L170xW78x H62cm, £6,000, Catchpole & Rye.

Country Homes & Interiors

ROOM ELEMENTS

Tin bath, L170xW75x H70cm, £3,390, Indigenous.

3 OF THE BEST...

Bath mats

DRY OFF WET FEET ON ONE OF THESE SMART AND STYLISH DESIGNS

Evoke those long sunny days by the water’s edge with a beach hut design. Bath mat, £15, John Lewis & Partners.

Introduce vibrant, chunky pattern to a room; this mat comes in two sizes. Raja bath mat, from £44, Anthropologie.

4 Marvellous metallic

There’s no stopping the trend for metallics and their shiny surfaces seem to sing out in a bathroom setting. ‘Tin baths create bags of wow factor,’ says Joss Thomas, founder, managing director and designer at Indigenous. ‘Our design is made from copper which is beaten and then plated with tin. It comes in other finishes, too, including antique bronze and nickel. A big plus factor is that the baths are a lot lighter than cast iron, hence they’re very easy to install.’

Boston freestanding bath, L165xW76x H77cm, £4,000, Fired Earth.

Super absorbent, this mat is available in a host of colours, from brights to neutrals. Bath mat, £12.50, Christy.

5 Fine lines

Bring sculpture to the bathroom with a shapely composite-stone tub. ‘One of the benefits of this material is that it lends itself to a wide variety of modern or traditional shapes, as the liquid mix of stone and resin is poured into moulds to form the final design,’ says Gary Moores, regional designer at Fired Earth. ‘It is lighter in weight than cast iron and keeps the water warmer for longer, too. The bath can also be painted on the exterior to match your bathroom colour scheme for a bespoke finish.’

Country Homes & Interiors

ROOM ELEMENTS

Pure pastel

‘A bathtub is an ideal focal point in a bathroom and choosing a distinctive colour can dramatically alter the ambience,’ says Paola Tanini, co-founder and creative director at Devon & Devon. ‘This elegantly shaped double-ended bath, coated in the softest of pinks, provides a sophisticated elegance and gently feminine feel, which is accentuated by the curvy Deco feet in pure white.’ The bath comes with or without tap holes, so that, if wished, taps on floor-mounted standpipes can be used instead.

DESIGN TIP BEAR IN MIND THAT A BATH MADE FROM A HEAVY MATERIAL WILL BE EVEN WEIGHTIER ONCE IT’S FILLED WITH WATER, SO YOU

7Natural warmth

All too often contemporary bathrooms can seem clinical, but a good dose of oak is an excellent way to capture the country spirit and bring in character. ‘This freestanding bath will become a real centrepiece in your bathroom,’ says Claire Gay, marketing manager at Roca. ‘Instead of having classic feet, the bath is held on a platform made from natural American oak, creating a softer and warmer feel that’s a perfect contrast to the cool look of the white steel bath.’

Mirror the warm wood of the tub’s legs in the shelving and vanity to draw the room together and give it simple, spa-like style. 100

Country Homes & Interiors

NEED TO CHECK THAT YOUR FLOORBOARDS AND JOISTS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THE ADDED STRAIN BEFORE INSTALLATION.

Art Plus oval steel bath with natural oak platform, L180x W80xH56.5cm, £2,837.68, Roca.

FEATURE CAROLINE RODRIGUES

Draycott freestanding cast iron bathtub in pale pink with white Deco feet, L170x W79xH60cm, £4,261, Devon & Devon.

HOME TECH

buy the best...

FOOD PROCESSOR BLITZ, CHOP, GRATE AND KNEAD YOUR WAY TO CULINARY SUCCESS WITH OUR PICK OF TIME-SAVING FOOD PROCESSORS

Best for...

Compact and a great all rounder with lots of attachments. KitchenAid 2.1L food processor, £179, KitchenAid.

BUSY HOUSEHOLDS

DO824H40 DoubleForce Pro food processor, £149.99, Tefal Thanks to its two separate 1000W motors, this value design combines the brute force of a power blender and the slicing and dicing of a traditional food processor (H40xW32xD28cm). Supplied with two bowls – a 3L for chopping and a 2L for blending – simply choose one of the six preset programmes and it will adjust the speed and force automatically. Comes with shredding, kneading, emulsifying, juicing and mini-chopper attachments.

2 Best for...

CUTTING EDGE STYLE

FEATURE CHRIS HASLAM

A food processor is a modern marvel for tackling time-consuming kitchen tasks. If you love to cook but hate all the legwork, a fully-featured model loaded with attachments will slash the time it takes to prepare your favourite dishes. We recommend a processor with at least two blades (one for grating, one for slicing)

and two bowls, so you can prepare multiple ingredients without needing to clean as you go. Feed chutes make it easy to slice lots of ingredients quickly, while blender attachments mean you can make smoothies in a flash. That said, don’t expect a food processor blender to be as powerful as a dedicated blender like a NutriBullet.

DID YOU KNOW? THE FIRST DOMESTIC FOOD PROCESSOR, LE MAGI-MIX, WAS INVENTED BY FRENCH CHEF PIERRE VERDON IN 1971. IT WAS A SCALED DOWN VERSION OF HIS RESTAURANT-SIZE ROBOT-COUPE.

Cusinart Expert Prep Pro, £250, Cuisinart A beautiful choice in Midnight Blue, the hard-working Cuisinart (H40xW20x D25cm) comes with two bowls (0.95L and 3L) one for mixing and blending, the other for slicing, grating, mixing, dicing and spiralising. Two speed settings give greater control and the addition of a dough blade makes it great for kneading. Attachments include small and large chopping blades, adjustable slicing disc for 1-7mm slices, grating disc, dicing and a spiralising kit for making vegetable spaghetti and ribbons.

3 Best for..

THE BAKER

Magimix 5200XL, £319, Magimix Originally designed for commercial kitchens, this all-singing design (H44.5x W21xD26cm) will soon become your trusty sous chef. The motor – which comes with a 30-year guarantee – automatically adjusts power depending on the task at hand and with dough kneading, egg whisking, veg chopping, smoothie blending and grating attachments (plus three bowls) there’s very little this processor can’t do. It’s also been awarded a Quiet Mark for its peaceful operation. Country Homes & Interiors

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F U L LY E S C O RT E D T O U R S

Pompeii, Capri and the Bay of Naples

Hidden Italy: Padova, Vicenza & Mantova

Selected departures from April to October 2019. 8 days from only £699pp.

Selected departures from March to November 2019. 6 days from only £599pp.

Price includes: Discover the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum with a local guide Delve deeper into the mysteries of Pompeii on a guided tour and visit the Naples Archaeological Museum Take a full-day tour of the breath-taking Amalfi coast Spend the day visiting the stunning island of Capri Enjoy a walking orientation tour of Sorrento Return flights from the UK Seven nights in a choice of conveniently located accommodation rated three-to four-star superior, plus breakfast and dinner (stays at the Hotel Mediterraneo are on a bed-and-breakfast basis) The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager

Price includes: Stay in medieval Castelfranco Experience Vicenza, both ancient and modern on a guided tour Visit lakeside Mantova Stroll through the gardens of Sigurtà Park See the riverside town of Bassano del Grappa in the foothills of the Prealps Tour Villa Sandi, the palatial headquarters of a renowned Prosecco producer and enjoy a tasting Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Brenta Canal Visit ancient Padova and the famed university where Galileo once taught Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Five nights in centrally located fourstar accommodation, plus breakfast The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Norway

Transylvania & Bucharest

Selected departures from May to September 2019. 8 days from only £1,159pp. Price includes: Sightseeing tour of Oslo plus a visit to the Viking Museum See the wild Telemark region and visit the power station at Rjukan and the country’s largest ‘stave’ church at Walking tour of Bergen visiting the UNESCO site of Heddal Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf Travel on the Oslo-Bergen rail line to Flåm Cruise across both the UNESCO listed Naeroyfjord and through the open waters of the Hardangerfjord Visit to Vøringfossen, Norway’s most spectacular waterfall ‘Oslo Pass’ allowing free entry to more than 30 museums and attractions, as Return flights well as free travel on all local public transport from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in three-star superior and four-star The services accommodation, with breakfast and two dinners of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Selected departures from April to October 2019. 6 days from only £729pp. Price includes: Guided tours of Bucharest Take a guided tour of the immense Palace of Parliament, the world’s heaviest building Visit Bran Castle, said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula Enjoy a guided tour of Peleş Castle Explore Sighişoara with its UNESCO-listed historic centre Tour Brașov with a guide and wander its baroque streets and medieval ramparts Visit impressive UNESCO-listed, fortified Saxon church complexes in Biertan and Prejmer Experience the Carpathian Mountains surrounding medieval landscapes in Return flights from a selection of the heart of Transylvania regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Five nights in centrally located four-star accommodation, plus breakfast and The services of our experienced and insightful one dinner tour manager throughout

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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.

C O U N T RY K I T C H E N F O C U S

SMART MOVES RELOCATING TO THE COUNTRY AND THEN MOVING THE KITCHEN INTO THE HEART OF HER HOME GAVE GILLY SHEPHARD THE RELAXED, SOCIABLE LIFESTYLE SHE CRAVED

PROJECT PROFILE Owners Interior designer Gilly Shephard and her partner Andy, CEO of a creative sales promotion company, live here with their cat Inky.

dining and soft seating into the equation, has resulted in a sociable space perfect for entertaining.

House A detached Edwardian

Kitchen size 10.8x5.3m Designer Julia Brown, design

ﬁve-bedroom home near Newcastle, Tyne and Wear.

director of Mowlem & Co in the North-East.

Project Moving the kitchen

Cabinetry Bespoke kitchen by

from the back of the house to the centre, and bringing

Mowlem & Co, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Shadow White.

Purchased before the kitchen was even commissioned, the Aga is the only appliance Gilly wanted to be visible in her kitchen.

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103

Gilly’s collection of glassware is stored in a pretty dresser-style glass cabinet, with a bronze antique glass panel providing an extra decorative touch.

A trio of perfectly centred glass globe lights draws the eye through this openplan space.

While work commitments frequently take interior

designer Gilly Shephard to Newcastle, it was the promise of a more rural lifestyle that drew her and partner Andy to move closer to the countryside in 2016. ‘I love living here, it has all the benefits of the country but is still close enough to town to visit clients easily,’ she says. The Edwardian house had been extended to the rear and was big enough to accommodate their four grown-up children when they come to stay. First on Gilly’s list was the kitchen, which was no small undertaking given that she wanted to relocate it and start again from scratch. ‘The original kitchen was in the rear extension, but I wanted to give it a more central position,’ says Gilly. To achieve this, the dining room and second sitting room were knocked together, and the old kitchen became a boot room and utility. ‘It became apparent early on that the size of the space we had created, along with the period style of the house, warranted a custom-made kitchen,’ says Gilly, who turned to one of her favourite bespoke companies, Mowlem & Co. Although the space was

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more than sufficient for the sociable kitchen Gilly had in mind, the room still had its layout challenges. ‘There are two sets of glazed doors and a fireplace at one end, and a huge bay window at the other,’ says kitchen designer Julia Brown. The solution was to put the chef at the centre of the action, literally, by locating the sitting area by the fire and dining table by the bay window, with the kitchen sat firmly in the middle. Naturally Gilly had already put a lot of thought into the overall look of her new room before meeting with Mowlem & Co. ‘I had already purchased a four-oven Aga but wanted all the other appliances hidden away,’ she explains. ‘I also wanted the cabinetry to be elegant and look like furniture, not least because the kitchen has to function as a living and dining room.’ Now that everything is complete, Gilly is delighted with the results, revealing that there is nothing she would change in her new kitchen. ‘Our house is frequently filled with friends and family, and I love that there is plenty of room for people to mingle while I’m cooking,’ she says. ‘It is the perfect, social space.’

C O U N T RY K I T C H E N F O C U S

CH&I

LOVES

Four-oven gas range cooker in Pewter, from £12,785, Aga.

The hot water tap is the one thing in her kitchen that Gilly couldn’t live without.

‘I wanted the kitchen to be the central focus of our home and to be able to enjoy views of the surrounding garden’

Boot room

Table

Larder

Range Larder

Utility room

Living area

Island Fridge

Freezer

The layout

A 2.85m-long island forms a barrier for the cooking elevation, which is dominated by a four-oven Aga. Opposite, the tall glassware cabinet is ﬂanked by a freezer on one side and a fridge on the other, both integrated. The sink is on the island, so that Gilly can look out to the garden while she preps. The kitchen is connected to a boot room and utility – the latter has an extra sink, dishwasher, bins, wine cooler and laundry appliances.

The walnut herringbone ﬂooring brings warmth and echoes the walnut interiors of the kitchen cabinets.

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design solutions TO INSPIRE YOU

A smart cushioned bench seat provides a comfortable spot to don wellies. 106

Country Homes & Interiors

BOOT ROOM

This practical space previously housed the kitchen but is now much better served as a place to stop and remove outerwear when coming in from the garden. As the room can be seen from the kitchen, the cabinetry had to look just as attractive. Painted in Zoffanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fig Grey, with brass handles and a walnut worktop, it strikes the perfect balance between utilitarian practicality and elegance.

C O U N T RY K I T C H E N F O C U S

Bespoke details make seamless design connections between the original Edwardian architecture and the new kitchen.

The details CABINETRY

UNIQUE DESIGN

The beauty of a bespoke kitchen is that you can echo existing architectural details and your own style in the cabinetry. ‘For the joinery above the Aga we drew influence from the Globe light pendants, which Gilly had already purchased to go above the island, and the Belgian planters in her garden,’ explains Julia.

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS JAKE FITZJONES

POCKET DOORS

The larder unit with sliding pocket doors is one of Gilly’s favourite features. ‘It’s crammed full of food and crockery – all of which is easily accessible on horseshoeshaped shelves – plus there’s a combination oven and toaster,’ she says. ‘But the best thing is that once I’ve finished with it, I can close the doors and hide it all away.’

Horseshoe shelves ensure favourite ingredients are easily seen.

Bespoke kitchen by Mowlem & Co painted in Shadow White estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.

SURFACES

Worktops and splashbacks in London Grey composite quartz, from £550sq m, Caesarstone. Bronze Tint antique mirror, £165sq m, Mirror & Glass Processing. Walls painted in Light Gray estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Boen Prestige walnut herringbone ﬂooring in matt lacquer, £96sq m, Stenhouse Flooring.

APPLIANCES

Integrated dishwasher, £1,049; gas on glass domino hob, £629; compact oven with microwave, £1,429, all Siemens. Integrated fridge, £999; integrated freezer with ice maker, £1,348.99, both Liebherr.

SINKS & TAPS

Cisterna undercounter sink, £503, Villeroy & Boch. Athenian dual-lever mixer tap with porcelain handles, £358, Perrin & Rowe. Classic Pro3 hot water tap, £940, Quooker.

ACCESSORIES

Large Globe glass pendant lights, £699 each, Original BTC. Athene bar stools, £389 each, Lloyd Loom. For similar dining chairs, try Turnbull & Thomas, £403 each. The Aveen dining table, £599, Swoon, has the same look.

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‘EACH OF OUR DESIGNS HAS AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE’ Furniture makers Kate and A bdollah Nafisi

here’s something special about a business that starts with a love story. Kate and Abdollah (Abi for short), the married founders of bespoke furniture and sculpture studio Nafisi, craft furniture ‘with heart and soul’ while aiming for a good work/life balance. ‘I wanted to be able to spend more quality time with my new husband,’ says Kate, smiling. The couple own a pretty farmhouse cottage on the same site as Abi’s family. ‘We live in a community, with our family on the same land,’ he says. ‘We wanted to move away from the pollution in London and to be able to look up to a sky where you can actually see the stars at night.’ Their studio is just a stone’s throw from their front door and the home that they have restored. ‘We work together very well, our masculine and feminine sides merge with each other in a very complementary way,’ says Kate. Recognising that they made a good partnership, the pair decided to combine Abi’s ten years’ experience as a woodworker with Kate’s design skills – she had previously worked as a tech software designer for Barclays, Facebook and Pentagram NYC – and set up Nafisi. ‘It just made sense to move from designing digital user experiences to

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designing physical ones that people can touch and hold, and which they’re able to keep and pass on for generations,’ says Kate. Abi’s motivation to build furniture and sculpture with his hands was inspired by growing up in Iran with his parents. His mother is an architect; his father a scientist and inventor who had set up a laboratory in their back garden. ‘I saw my parents succeed and my father winning awards on TV for his inventions, which made me realise anything can happen in the back of your garden,’ remembers Abi. So, inspired, he set himself the aim of becoming a master craftsperson. Abi is fascinated with Persian carpets and rugs, and even lived with nomadic tribes in the deserts and mountains of Iran for a while. ‘To create a piece of furniture that was worthy of sitting on top of the beautiful Persian rugs was my first trigger to get into carpentry,’ he says. ‘I wanted to design furniture inspired by nature, that had an element of improvisation to it, just like the rugs I admired.’ Working with wood as a material can be unpredictable, throwing up lots of challenges during the making process. So the couple focus on choosing good wood with lots of character. They take care to store it at the

M Y C O U N T RY B U S I N E S S

By laying a Persian rug over an old bench, Kate and Abi have created a cosy ďŹ reside spot. Country Homes & Interiors

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What we love most... ‘PLAYING AND EXPERIMENTING IN THE WORKSHOP TOGETHER, CHISELS IN HAND, DANCING TO A SOLID TUNE BLARING FROM THE WORKSHOP SPEAKERS’

right temperature, and keep it a long time to minimise it bending or splitting. ‘Quality is the most important value for us,’ says Kate. ‘None of the furniture or sculptural pieces we make leave our workshop unless we are in love with them. Our aim is to create a piece of furniture that if a furniture restorer looks at it in 300 years, they will take their hat off at its quality.’ It’s not a quick process, and the couple are always mindful about sustainability and trying to reduce their carbon footprint at the same time. Even their studio space is filled with plants, which are good for improving the air quality, giving the space a botanical style. During the early days of the business, Kate’s income covered their living expenses

Lovers of brilliant design and craftsmanship, Kate and Abi display their tools with pride.

so that all the money they earned from Nafisi could go back into the business, which gave them a great boost. The couple also realise they are fortunate to have access to a workshop space on their land, but the business did need some investment to start it up, so the couple used some of their savings. ‘We live and breathe our business so we make sure we do what we love,’ says Kate. They appreciate being able to spend time together, enjoying the surrounding countryside. ‘You’ll often find us running in the fields, cycling in the local lanes together on our bikes, and cooking our meals on the fire pit outside,’ says Kate. ‘By investing in our business we are investing in our future together, which means a future of having fun in the workshop,’ she says. They didn’t need to invest in any tools initially as Abi had collected equipment over the years from his previous carpentry jobs. But disaster struck when all their tools were stolen. ‘We didn’t have insurance – that was a complete learning curve and a mistake we wouldn’t make again,’ says Abi. ‘We were forced to start over again, working even harder to earn more money to replace the tools. We also hunted out second-hand tools and equipment.’ When Abi and Kate deliver finished products to their clients they are often met with gasps and squeals of delight. They listen to their clients’ wishes and make sure they deliver what they want, although they always leave 30 per cent of the design to unfold as they go along. This sounds like a counter-intuitive business model when entering the luxury interiors market, but their clients love this element of surprise as they trust that the quality and craftsmanship are always at the highest levels. ‘Life is short and I’d rather spend it living simply with my best friend, making quality pieces which our customers will treasure as much as we do,’ says Kate. Nafisi, Tetherstones Stables, Hammerpond Road, Plummers Plain, Horsham RH13 6PE, nafisi.design.

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M Y C O U N T RY B U S I N E S S

Plenty of plants and natural materials create a botanical feel.

This apron was handmade by Abi’s brother in Morocco.

Abi’s beloved dotar (a Persian instrument) decorates this space.

Even their tools and machinery are in natural, rustic colours.

For Naﬁsi, it’s all about the detail and unique touches.

The pair love experimenting with new techniques.

A mix of old and new tools are used in the couple’s work.

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Their living space is designed to resemble a boho coffee shop – the type where Kate loves to work.

ON OUR D O O R S T E P. . . Visit… ‘The gardens at Nyman’s are great for an inspiring walk in nature or to do some outdoor sketching (nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans). We also love the pop-up stalls at the Horsham markets on the weekend, full of craftsmanship, singing and good food. A great community vibe with people of all ages.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Our local pub The Crabtree (crabtreesussex.co.uk) in Lower Beeding is great for a treat night out – they serve oysters.’ Shop at... ‘The Village Store in Mannings Heath. It imports the most fantastic authentic Italian-made ice cream.’

M Y C O U N T RY B U S I N E S S

Small business advice

HOW TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE WORKPLACE Follow these steps to give your space an eco makeover

FEATURE SELINA LAKE PHOTOGRAPHS KATYA DE GRUNWALD

Kate and Abi are proud that their workshop’s heating and lighting run on 100 per cent renewable energy. These eco-friendly resources include biomass heating and solar energy. ‘Our family has always been into the Green movement because we believe it is important for each of us to contribute to reducing our carbon footprint in whatever way we can,’ explains Abi. The items Naﬁsi produces are all made from sustainable materials, so it makes sense that the production process is as sustainable as possible, too. Here’s how your business can follow Naﬁsi and do its bit to lower its footprint... Invest in biomass boilers These boilers can save you money as well as helping to lower your property’s carbon emissions. They are very similar to the conventional gas boilers that you will be familiar with, providing a space with heating and hot water. The only difference is that instead of using gas (or oil) to produce the heat, they combust sustainably sourced wood

pellets or other bio matter. ‘Most of our energy is covered by a clean and renewable energy source, which is our contribution to the planet,’ says Abi. The couple use the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) scheme to make this way of heating their space affordable. The scheme enables businesses to receive a government subsidy, based on the biomass boiler consumption. Go solar ‘We have photovoltaic solar panels that partly supply the electricity for our workshop,’ says Kate. ‘The solar energy covers our lighting and any electricity we don’t use goes back into the UK’s National Grid, contributing to its renewable electricity supply. Our family chose to make an investment in solar energy in 2012 because we believed it was the right way forward.’ Get advice from the Green Growth Platform Group It offers members a unique package of business support, grants and ﬁnance advice, innovation and skills development, events and

connections – all delivered by a team of industry experts, business advisers and university specialists. They help businesses to become greener by providing them with advice and support, recommending links, grants and connections that could beneﬁt them. Find out more at brighton.ac.uk. Be part of the Blue Patch community This is an online directory promoting UK designers and retailers in all their varieties – from ethical fashionistas and eco-furniture makers, to green gift sellers and fair trade food producers. It is a community of like-minded business owners who have sustainability at the core of what they do. Members can share advice, tips and knowledge with each other and come together to show the public that there are green alternatives available. Naﬁsi hopes to exhibit with them soon. They also have a Sustainable Business award to celebrate sustainable companies and highlight their work during London Design Week. Visit bluepatch.org.

The one lesson we’ve learnt...

‘IN ORDER TO TAKE A RISK AND BE BOLD, YOU NEED TO HAVE SAVINGS TO BACK YOU UP SO YOU ARE FREE TO SAY NO TO PROJECTS THAT DON’T HAVE MUCH SCOPE FOR CREATIVITY’

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The countr y decorator

WINDOW TREATMENTS BRIGHTEN YOUR OUTLOOK WITH A FRESH TAKE ON CURTAINS AND BLINDS THAT WILL BE A FOCAL POINT IN ANY SCHEME

B E AU T I F U L LY B L OWSY B L O O M S

1 Full, gathered curtains framing large windows lend a sense of warmth and generosity to a scheme. ‘I love using large-scale florals,’ says Ann Grafton, creative director of GP&J Baker, ‘especially teamed with other soft furnishings to carry the design through the room.’ Here, the abundant floral arrangement cleverly mirrors the fabric pattern to perfectly anchor this scheme.

Curtains and cushion in Bird & Iris, col Blush, £79m; chair in Keswick Plain, col Blush, £98m, both GP&J Baker.

DESIGN SECRETS

Tuiss Madelyn velvet, col Smoky Lime, made to measure lined curtains, from £36.95 a pair, Curtains2Go.

M O D E R N LU X E

2 Sumptuous doesn’t have to be fussy. Here, classic panelling is offset by a modern window treatment – the simple metal pole is positioned so the curtain pleats are in line with the top of the window frame, lending a smart finish. ‘The Madelyn curtains have a steely shimmer and a delicate flower pattern, and the smoky tones give a very contemporary feel,’ says Leah Brandwood, head of design at Curtains2Go.

Blind in Simple Ticking Detail, col Dormouse, £52m; chair in Branching Out, col Scree, £52m, both Vanessa Arbuthnott.

Curtains in Carron, col Mulberry, £20m; blind in Morgan, col Mulberry, £30m; top cushion, Tweed, col Dove, £20m, all Ashley Wilde.

E L E GA N T O U T L O O K

3 Lovely as shutters are, windows can look rather bare with no additional dressing. This neat option provides a solution without detracting from the window’s elegance. ‘The smart folds of this light linen Roman blind ensure a crisp finish when open or closed,’ says fabric designer Vanessa Arbuthnott. ‘The blind is also practical, allowing light into the room while also offering shade when lowered.’

W I D E V I S TA S

4 If you have the space, make a real impact by extending the curtains wide at either side. A simple blind, such as this one in a warm mulberry hue, will shield the window itself. ‘Large window spaces can take bold prints and are great for adding colour and vibrancy,’ says Anya Gomulski, senior designer at Ashley Wilde. Rich berry shades are timeless and work with various tones through the seasons. Country Homes & Interiors

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Curtains in Gracia, col Dapple V3363/06, £80m; Raval, col Dapple V3364/05, £80m, both Villa Nova.

Marlow woven check curtains, from £45; grey faux wood 25mm slat Venetian blind, from £25, both Next Home.

5 Checks are a perennial favourite in country

SU B T L E L I N E S

schemes and combine comfortably with different furnishings. ‘The gentle aqua and neutral tones of these curtains offer a modern take on country style,’ says Susie Gibson, home design manager at Next. Pale grey Venetian blinds have been chosen to complement the drapes rather than the more usual voile, adding to the contemporary feel.

D OU B L E D RA P E S

6 Layering textures in sweeping swathes looks wonderful in a pared-back scheme. ‘A balance of pattern and plain creates interest, but be sure to choose fabrics in complementary styles and tones,’ says Villa Nova brand manager Hayley McAfee. ‘The curtains can also be opened or closed independently – the lighter pair is ideal for diffusing sunlight, while the heavier drapes bring warmth and privacy.

D RA M A L E S S O N S

Curtains in Terrazzo, col blue, £80m; chair in Beauchamp Velvet, col Midnight, £50m, both James Hare.

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for curtains, walls and upholstery to striking effect. ‘The trick is to ensure plenty of texture and pattern variety,’ says Saffron Hare, creative director at James Hare. ‘The terrazzo motif of these curtains, for example, introduces a subtle yet very effective design element.’ Essential notes of relief are provided by the punchy orange lampshade and bold artwork.

FEATURE SHARON PARSONS

7 This on-trend approach uses the same inky tones

DESIGN SECRETS Roman blind in Foresta 8923, from £78, Luxaflex.

S M O O T H LY D O E S I T

8 Tailored fabric blinds make a sleek alternative to curtains, and aligning two or three across a wide window offers flexibility. ‘Roman blinds are ideal for bedrooms, as they provide privacy and you can adjust the amount of light,’ says Chris Lapthorne, head of marketing at Luxaflex. ‘They can be motorised, too – operated via an app or remote control, so you don’t even have to get out of bed!’

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What a softy!

PUSSY WILLOW USE STEMS OF SILVERY PUSSY WILLOW IN SIMPLE PLANT AND FLOWER DISPLAYS LIKE THESE TO GIVE ANY ROOM SOFT TEXTURE AND SPRING FRESHNESS With most winter foliage looking past its best at the start of the new year, pussy willow is a real find for floristry and seasonal ideas. It provides structure with its firm branches, softness with its burrs, and colours ranging from newly grown stem green to bark brown, and pale grey to milky white pods. A genus of the Salix willow, the furry pods encase the male catkins and are often the first sign of spring along country lanes and hedgerows, appearing long before the leaves and foliage of other trees. A popular floral ingredient to make wreaths, posies and other arrangements, the willow branch can be cut to create a frame, woven and shaped, and gathered as simple stems. Used fresh, it gives great longevity to arrangements; the branches are also easy to dry to provide year-round interest.

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Create a decorative ďŹ&#x201A;oral display using vintage jelly moulds. Clean eggshell halves and separate small snowdrop plants to ďŹ ll the inside. Top with moss, then push willow trimmings into the shell tops. Arrange on moss in a vintage jelly mould. For similar jelly moulds, try Etsy.

G E T C R E AT I V E

1 POTTED HELLEBORES

Add structure to delicate winter flowers with pussy willow stems. Pot up varieties such as hellebores into silvery pots, water, then top with moss before pushing cut stems of willow around the base of the plant. Planter from a selection at D Byford & Sons. Twine with oak stand, ÂŁ20, Wood and Meadow. Scissors from all good florists. Vintage linens from a selection at Louisa Grace Interiors.

KEEP FLOWERS FRESH Make sure the pots are well watered to help the flowers stay at their best for longer and stop the moss drying out.

TIDY UP LOOSE ENDS Before using woody winter foliage, plunge it in water so it looks fresh for longer and trim any stems that are poking out.

2 BEAUTIFUL BIRDSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; NESTS

Pussy willow makes an easy weaving material and is especially effective when used with grapevine cuttings to make small nests. Weave and mould the vine into a nest shape, tucking in any loose ends. Snip pussy willow into short lengths and push into the nests. Place a small patch of moss inside and rest eggs and flower heads on top.

FEATURE, STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHS SARA BIRD AND DAN DUCHARS, THE CONTENTED NEST

G E T C R E AT I V E

3 SEASONAL TERRARIUM Using pussy willow in a terrarium arrangement adds texture and height to a display. Make sure the glass jar or vase is clean and free of smears. Layer sand or soil at the base and water to dampen. Plant succulents and chosen plants inside the terrarium and water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we added snowdrops for a seasonal, early spring touch. Add a layer of moss, then push clipped pussy willow branches into the soil. Finally, add other decorative items such as tiny eggs, pebbles or shells. For similar vases, try Garden Trading.

4 HEART TOKEN

Make these pretty decorations as a gift or a touching place setting. Soak pussy willow stems for an hour to make them more pliable (or use thinner stems). Join two equal-sized pieces at the widest end and secure with florist wire. Taking both the thinner ends of the stem, twist them outwards and down to make a heart shape and secure the ends with more florist wire. Cover the wire join with flowers and tie in place with ribbon. Vintage linens from a selection at Louisa Grace Interiors. Ribbon from a selection at Jane Means.

5 SPRING WREATH

A simple way to display seasonal foliage, pussy willow burrs add silvery points of interest, and the whole wreath dries beautifully, too. To begin, cover a wire wreath frame with damp moss, securing in place with florist wire. Bunch together groups of stems (we chose to add eucalyptus and pine for extra colour and scent), tying the base ends with more florist wire, then place on top of the moss ring, facing the untied tips to the outermost edge of the wreath. Secure in place with more wire. Continue adding stems until the wreath is covered. Wreath frame from all good florists. Country Homes & Interiors

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I N A C O U N T RY G A R D E N DISPLAY PIECE The Log Store No 2, D30xDia100cm, £475, The Vintage Industrial.

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Home notes Go blonde

French Connection Home’s parquet wood collection has had a lighter, brighter makeover. Crafted in sustainable mango wood, the reworked Blonde parquet console table, £395, features wooden panels in an on-trend herringbone design, stylish hairpin legs and a handy pull-out drawer for grab-and-go essentials. Blondes really do have more fun!

Chair in Mazara, £69m; stool in Toledo, £89m; cushions in Marida, £59m; Avila, £59m; Elvira, £35m; Sura, £49m, all GP&J Baker.

O U R FAV O U R I T E D E S I G N E R

Sessions & Co.

Tell us about your work. We commission artists and makers in the UK to design functional art objects for the modern home, inspired by 20th-century art, architecture and the British landscape. What inspires you? The colours of the dust jackets of the New Naturalists series of nature books from the mid-twentieth century, illustrated by Rosemary and Clifford Ellis. Also, the 124

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Cushions, £75 each, Mark Hearld at Sessions & Co

So Moorish

conﬁgurations of objects in domestic space at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. What makes your designs special? They are timeless and unique, made by such talented and skilled makers. What do you love most about what you do? My favourite days are when the design and production side of things come together and beautiful samples arrive! What’s next? Collaborations with Emily Sutton and other artists. Sessions & Co, sessionsand co.com.

We love the exuberant new fabric collection from our sister title Homes & Gardens, in collaboration with GP&J Baker. Inspired by the Moorish designs found across North Africa, Spain and Sicily, it features striking geometric patterns and a rich colour palette, with artisanal hand-block designs, hand-stitched French knots, abstract prints and brilliant textured plains. Homes and Gardens Collection III starts from £29m. Spice up your scheme with this fabulous fusion of style!

W I P E YO U R F E E T ! Banish muddy footprints with the latest Turtle Mat designs in collaboration with British artisan designer Julie Dodsworth. Made from highly absorbent cotton to keep ﬂoors spotless, Julie’s joyful collection comprises four vibrant designs, each inspired by the Great British outdoors, L60xW85cm, £49.95 each.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Sessions & Co, which produces heirloom products designed to be loved by both children and adults, was founded by Kate Sessions following a 12-year career in contemporary art in Scotland and London. The company combines Kate’s passion for design with her husband Tom’s background in sustainable business and social enterprise. High-quality design, collaboration, family life and sustainable manufacture are integral to both the products and their business ethos. They live in East London with their two small boys.

Food notes We want this now... Dreamfarm Ortwo grinder mill, £39.99, Lakeland

Up your spice-grinding game with this sleek new option from Dreamfarm. Unlike regular grinders, the smooth beech handles can easily be operated with just one hand, so you won’t have to stop stirring your risotto to get the seasoning on point. There are six grind settings to choose from, so you can adapt for whatever you’ve ﬁlled the mill with that day, be it spice, salt or seed. Now it’s back to the grind!

Rope-grown mussels are beneﬁcial to the environment, ﬁltering up to 15 gallons of seawater per day, which improves coastal water health*.

O U R FAV O U R I T E . . . DIPS AND DRESSINGS PRODUCER

A Little Bit Food Company

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FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT *ACCORDING TO THE SEAFOOD CHOICE ALLIANCE

Sophie Lane Fox started A Little Bit after making 60 bottles of her family’s favourite salad dressing for her daughter’s school fete. After selling out, orders started streaming in and the company was born. What’s so special about your range? We use only fresh herbs – never dried or frozen. Why did you decide to start working with herbs? My late father was Vice Chairman of the RHS so I was inspired by the world of gardening from a young age. That, combined with a mother who is a fabulous cook, meant we always had lots of fresh herbs and vegetables in our meals. What’s your favourite product? The Rosemary and Tomato Ketchup – delicious!

What’s the best thing about running your business? The challenge that every day presents. I wasn’t involved in the food industry prior to starting A Little Bit so it has been a steep learning curve, although a fascinating one. What’s next for A Little Bit? We’re working on introducing more unusual British herbs into the new collection. Does your love of nature and gardens go any further? Yes! This year we’ve started working with the incredible Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Three words to sum up A Little Bit? Fresh, sustainable and delicious! alittlebit.co.uk

Make the most of seasonal mussels with this tasty dish for two. Mix a crushed garlic clove with 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil and drizzle over 4 slices of baguette. Melt 15g unsalted butter in a large pan, add 1 chopped onion, 1 sliced fennel bulb and 1 crushed garlic clove. Sweat over a medium-low heat for 1min. Add 300ml dry white wine and bring to the boil for 1min. Add 1kg cleaned and de-bearded rope-grown mussels. Cover and cook for 5min, until the shells open. Grill the baguette. Drain the cooking liquor into a pan. Season. Bring to the boil and simmer until reduced. Mix in 2tbsp whipping cream and 2tsp each of fresh chives and parsley. Serve the mussels with the sauce and toast.

H O M E G ROW N H A RV E ST Now you can enjoy all the goodness of chia seeds without worrying about food miles! Hodmedod’s have worked with Essex farmers Peter and Andrew Fairs to start growing this typically South American crop right here in the UK, alongside their quinoa and barley harvests. Add a spoonful to your overnight oats or porridge for a tasty and wholesome breakfast. From £2.49, Hodmedod’s. Country Homes & Interiors

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Farmhouse chicken

Darina's treasured

FAMILY FAVOURITES

With over 30 years’ experience, she’s the doyenne of Irish cooking. Here, Darina Allen has selected favourite, time-honoured recipes to share with family and friends… 126

Country Homes & Interiors

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

Mackerel with mushrooms and herbs Â»

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GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

FARMHOUSE CHICKEN A whole meal in a dish, this remains an enduring favourite

MACKEREL WITH MUSHROOMS AND HERBS

in our house. I often serve it in the big black roasting tin, on the table, so the family can all help themselves.

This mushroom, garlic and herb mixture is also delicious served with sautéed chicken livers

SERVES 8

on toast as a starter.

SERVES 4 1.575kg organic, freerange chicken

2.3kg large ‘old’ potatoes, such as Golden Wonder

20g butter

herbs, such as thyme,

560g fat streaky bacon in

or Kerr’s Pinks

4 very fresh mackerel

parsley, chives, fennel

one piece 2tbsp sunﬂower oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Seasoned plain ﬂour 110g fresh, ﬂat

and lemon balm, plus extra to garnish

Seasoned plain ﬂour 400g onions, ﬁnely sliced

1.1L homemade chicken stock, boiling

mushrooms, sliced 1–2 garlic cloves, crushed

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

or chopped 340g carrots, peeled and

1tbsp freshly chopped parsley, to garnish

4tsp ﬁnely chopped fresh

cut into 1cm slices

1 Preheat the oven to 230°C/Fan 210°C/Gas 8. 2 Joint the chicken into 8 pieces; separate the wing joints so they will cook evenly. Cut the rind off the bacon and cut 225g into lardons and the remainder into 5mm thick slices. If salty, blanch, refresh and dry on kitchen paper. Set the slices aside. 3 Heat the oil in a wide frying pan and cook the lardons until the fat begins to run and they’re pale golden. Transfer to a plate. Toss the chicken joints in the seasoned flour, sauté in the bacon fat and oil until golden on both sides. Remove from the pan and put with the bacon. Finally, toss the onions and carrots in the bacon fat for 1-2min. 4 Peel the potatoes and slice a little less than half into 5mm rounds. Arrange a layer of potato slices on the bottom of a deep 38cm square roasting tin. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Top with a layer of seasoned chicken joints. Cut the remaining potatoes into 4mm slices lengthways and arrange cut-side up on top of the chicken. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Pour the boiling chicken stock into the roasting tin. 5 Bake for approximately 1hr. After 30min of cooking, top with the slices of bacon to crisp up with the potatoes, then bake for another 30min and check. Cover with parchment paper if the top gets too brown. The veg will have absorbed much of the stock, but the dish should be moist and juicy underneath the crispy topping. 6 Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

1 First, clarify the butter by gently melting it in a saucepan or in the oven. Allow it to stand for a few minutes, then spoon off the crusty white layer of salt particles from the top of the melted butter. Underneath this crust there is clear liquid butter which is the clarified butter – you should be left with approx 15g. 2 Fillet the mackerel then wash, dry well and coat in the seasoned flour. Melt the 15g of clarified butter in a pan large enough to take the fish in a single layer and sauté the fish for 4–5min per side – dependent on its size – until golden brown. 3 Transfer the fish to a hot serving dish or four individual plates. Add the mushrooms and garlic to the pan with a little more butter if necessary. Cook over a high heat for 2–3min. Add the chopped fresh herbs and season with a little salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve this mixture as a garnish down the centre of the fish and sprinkle with chopped herbs.

‘Clarified butter is excellent for cooking because it can withstand a higher temperature when the salt and milk particles are removed. When covered, it will keep in the fridge for several weeks’

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Courgette and basil lasagne Âť

Country Homes & Interiors

129

Ballymaloe coffee ice cream with Irish coffee sauce 130

Country Homes & Interiors

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

COURGETTE AND BASIL LASAGNE This simple vegetarian version is unexpectedly

BALLYMALOE COFFEE ICE CREAM WITH IRISH COFFEE SAUCE

delicious. I sometimes use annual marjoram instead of basil with equally delicious results.

This ice cream is so good, you may be surprised that I am using instant coffee, but believe me, it works

SERVES 6–8

brilliantly here – liquid espresso will result in little splinters of ice.

9 sheets of thin lasagne 900g courgettes, thinly

110g plain ﬂour (or for gluten free: 50g corn

SERVES 6–8

sliced and cooked for 3–4

ﬂour and 50g rice ﬂour)

For the coffee ice cream

600ml whipped cream

minutes in extra virgin oil 150g Parmigiano

For the béchamel sauce

For the Irish coffee sauce

900ml whole milk

2 free-range egg yolks 50g granulated sugar

Reggiano, freshly grated 20–30 basil leaves

A few slices of carrot A few slices of onion

110ml water ½tsp vanilla extract

75ml water 225ml strong coffee

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 small sprigs of thyme 3 small sprigs of parsley

3tsp instant coffee ½tsp boiling water

or espresso 1tbsp Irish whiskey

For the roux

9 peppercorns 105g of roux (as above)

PHOTOGRAPHY PETER CASSIDY

110g salted butter

1 To make the roux, melt the butter and cook the flour in it for 2min over a low heat, stirring occasionally. The roux can be stored in a cool place and used as required or it can be made up on the spot. It will keep for at least two weeks in the fridge. 2 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. 3 Blanch the lasagne sheets in boiling salted water for a minute or so if they are homemade, or according to the directions on the packet. Drain and lay on a tea towel until needed. 4 To make the béchamel sauce, put the milk into a saucepan with the carrot, onion, thyme, parsley and peppercorns. Bring to the boil, simmer for 4-5min, remove from the heat and leave to infuse for 10min. 5 Strain out the vegetables and herbs, bring the milk back to the boil and whisk in the roux to thicken to a light coating consistency. Allow to bubble gently for 4–5min. Season to taste. 6 Taste the cooked courgettes and make sure they are delicious and well seasoned. 7 Spread a little béchamel sauce on the base of a lightly buttered 25.5x30.5cm gratin dish, sprinkle with a little grated Parmesan, cover with strips of lasagne, more béchamel sauce, a sprinkling of Parmesan, half the courgettes and a layer of basil leaves. Next add another layer of lasagne and repeat the previous layer. Cover the final layer of lasagne with sauce and a good sprinkling of Parmesan, making sure all the lasagne is coated with sauce. 8 Bake for 10–15min or until golden. 9 If possible, leave the lasagne to stand for 5-10min before cutting to allow the layers to compact. Serve garnished with extra basil leaves and a good green salad.

175g granulated sugar

1 Put the egg yolks into a bowl and whisk until light and fluffy. Put the sugar and the water into a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over a low heat. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved and then remove the spoon and do not stir again until the syrup reaches the thread stage. It will look thick and syrupy; when a metal spoon is dipped in, the last drops of syrup will form thin threads. Pour the syrup in a steady stream onto the egg yolks, whisking all the time. 2 Continue to whisk until it fluffs up to a light mousse which will hold a figure of eight. Stir in the vanilla extract. 3 Mix the instant coffee with just ½tsp of boiling water. Add some mousse to the paste and then fold the two together. Fold in the softly whipped cream. Pour into a stainless steel or plastic bowl, cover and freeze. 4 To make the Irish coffee sauce, put the sugar and the water into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over a medium heat, stir until the sugar dissolves and the water comes to the boil. Remove the spoon and do not stir again until the syrup turns a pale golden caramel. Then add the coffee and return to the heat to dissolve. Leave to cool and add the whiskey. 5 To serve, scoop the ice cream into a serving bowl. Pour the sauce over the top.

Darina Allen is co-founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School. These recipes are from Simply Delicious: The Classic Collection (£20, Kyle Books).

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Make Life Lovely

FASHION, WELLBEING, ECO, PETS AND OTHER NICE THINGS

Balance bath salts, £22.95 for 600g, Emmaand louise.com

Feel balanced Restore both body and mind with Balance bath salts, hand-blended in rural Sussex by aromatherapist and lover of all things natural, Corinne Taylor. Her choice of pink Himalayan crystal salt is rich in 84 different minerals, thought to rejuvenate skin as well as restore energy levels.

KEEP YOUR DOG LOOKING DAPPER Ensure your faithful friend stays warm without sacrificing on style thanks to Mungo & Maud’s new collection of chunky pullovers knitted from merino wool. Choose from two bold colourways. Prices start at £94.50 for the smallest size. 132

Country Homes & Interiors

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY…

Get out rain or shine in the Hawkins waterproof jacket, £199, from Barbour, with detachable hood and oversized pockets. We love the fisherman’s yellow shade as a nod to the brand’s coastal heritage.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS… Forget lavish dinners and ornate gifts, sometimes all it takes is a simple, thoughtful gesture to show mum how much you care on Mother’s Day (Sunday 31 March). These personalised mugs from Emma Bridgewater, £19.95, are the perfect way to remind her how special she is.

HAPPY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

3 REASONS TO LOVE…

Lighten the load

PROPAGATING HOUSE PLANTS

1 IT’S REWARDING Creating new life from ailing plants is far more satisfying than simply buying another one. Plus it also reduces unnecessary waste. Did you know that a single leaf can grow into a healthy plant with just a little TLC? 2 THEY MAKE GREAT GIFTS There’s something lovely about sharing newly grown greenery with friends and family – and at no cost at all, even better! 3 IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH It’s a well-known fact that houseplants improve air quality, but studies have shown that the act of caring for them improves mental and physical wellbeing, too. For more tips on how to propagate houseplants, read Root Nurture Grow: An Essential Guide to Propagating and Sharing Houseplants (£18, Quadrille Publishing Ltd) by Caro Langton and Rose Ray.

Make laundry less of a chore with the new Linn collection from Brabantia. Epitomising Scandi-chic, the slimline clothes rack offers a sturdy bamboo rod for drying, airing or hanging clothes, as well as adjustable shelves for extra storage space. A foldable laundry basket and coordinating aluminium hangers complete the look.

Clothes rack, from £124; foldable laundry basket, £32.95; aluminium hangers, £12.95 for four, all Brabantia.

Wakey wakey! Roberts’ retro-style radio The Rambler (£99.99) has had a cheery makeover just in time for spring. First launched in the Seventies, its distinctive and classic metal grille and wooden design with the fold-down carry strap is now complemented by a luxurious finish in three chalky shades – blue, pink and green. With its handy alarm clock function and eco power-saving mode, the DAB/DAB+/FM radio makes for a colourful and impressive addition to your bedside table! Country Homes & Interiors

133

HAPPY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

A Real Turf Fire; Irish Whiskey; Irish Gorse soy candles, £15 each, The Bearded Candle Makers.

INDULGE IN ME-TIME Huddle up indoors on a winter’s evening and take a moment to light your favourite candle. The Bearded Candle Makers (aka Michael the alchemist!) create scents based on happy memories. From sweet Irish gorse to fiery whiskey, we love them all. Quite appropriately, they’re soy-based, so eco-friendly too!

English Garden Pea Pod and Rosehip jugs, one-pint, £28; two-pint, £40, both Alice Peto.

A reason to smile BUY BRITISH

Alice Peto Former art teacher Alice launched her first tableware collection in 2013 to combine fine china with modern design. ‘I wanted to create pieces that could be used and loved every day, whether you’re having friends over for dinner or feeding the children,’ she says. We love the English Garden collection: Alice’s pea pod and rosehip designs dance across jugs, plates, mugs and more.

3 OF THE LOVELIEST…

These eco-friendly toothbrushes, £4 each from The Humble Co, feature biodegradable bamboo handles and soft, toxin-free bristles. For every brush sold, the equivalent amount is donated to the Humble Smile Foundation, funding healthcare projects for children in need.

Wellness boxes

Feel beautiful both inside and out with a delivery of the very best in natural beauty and health products, all selected in keeping with the seasons. From £35 a month, Natural Wellness.

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Country Homes & Interiors

Reading and snacking

There’s nothing like a good read to help you relax and unwind and this cute company guarantees an engrossing page-turner, complete with some tasty treats for good measure! £15 a month, Slowbox.

Life Box Food

Kick-start your healthy eating plan with a delivery of around 12 nutritious snacks, drinks and ingredients, specifically chosen to boost energy levels. From £22.95 a month, Life Box Food.

FEATURE TARA KING

Health and beauty

OUT AND ABOUT

Down in the restaurant the decor is an eclectic, homely mix, while upstairs the scheme is subtle and calming.

The charming 16th-century restaurant and hotel is home to 28 bespoke, country-style bedrooms.

COSY UP IN THE COTSWOLDS

The Frogmill Hotel

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY

SOPHISTICATED PUB GRUB AND MARSHMALLOW-SOFT BEDS MAKE A WINNING FORMULA AT THIS PICTURE-PERFECT INN We’re big fans of a restaurant with rooms – you know you’re going to be well fed and that there’s a bed waiting upstairs to sleep off those after-dinner digestifs. Which is just one of the reasons why we love The Frogmill, a 16th-century pub and hotel where the focus is on the food. COUNTRY TAVERN Sitting pretty in the rolling Gloucestershire countryside, Frogmill offers idyllic views and a location convenient for visiting nearby Cheltenham racecourse and the quintessentially British Slaughter villages. The staff are incredibly passionate about where they work and keen to share

titbits about the local area to help guests get the most from their stay. ECLECTIC INTERIORS Charming, colourful and full of bucolic appeal, the decor includes a hodge-podge of antiques and vintage finds. Think mismatching Windsor chairs around weather-beaten tables teamed with quaint botanical wall art. Up in the bedrooms the style is calmer, with a neutral, relaxing palette. Depending on which of the rooms you stay in, you’ll find various luxuries from roll-top baths to private balconies. SMART DINING The restaurant here takes pub dining to a whole new

level of sophistication. The menu focuses on local seasonal cuisine, with dishes smoked, cured, chargrilled, or cooked in a Josper oven – all on site. Start with curried cod cheeks or tempura broccoli, before moving on to a risotto of Jerusalem artichokes for main. Then, to round things off, we recommend the bitter chocolate and blood orange mousse. Bliss. HOW MUCH? Cosy double rooms start at £80 a night. The Frogmill Hotel, Shipton Oliffe, Andoversford, Cheltenham GL54 4HT, 01242 386364, thefrogmill.co.uk.

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THE DORMY HOUSE 01264 365808 thedormyhouse.com THE FRENCH BEDROOM COMPANY 01444 415430 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk THE HOLIDAY SHOP LONDON 07785 541214 theholidayshop.london THE HUMBLE CO thehumble.co THE NATURAL APOTHECARY 01730 858183 thenaturalapothecary.co.uk THE ORGANIC FARM SHOP 01285 640441 theorganicfarmshop.co.uk THE SHOE INN 01489 877526 theshoeexton.co.uk THE VINTAGE BOATHOUSE 07928 040746 vintageboathouse.co.uk THE VINTAGE INDUSTRIAL vintageindustrialhomewares.com THE WORM THAT TURNED 0345 605 2505 worm.co.uk THOMAS SANDERSON 0800 056 2929 thomas-sanderson.co.uk TIKAMOON 020 3445 5440 tikamoon.co.uk TILE GIANT 01782 597777 tilegiant.co.uk TORNA LUCIA 07950 373 487 tornalucia.com TRADITIONAL BEAMS 01287 348040 traditionalbeams.com TURNBULL & THOMAS 01642 309640 turnbullandthomas.co.uk TURTLE MAT 0345 600 3478 turtlemat.co.uk TUSCANOR LIGHTING 01769 561160 tuscanorlighting.co.uk UK BATHROOM WAREHOUSE 020 8090 3449 ukbathroomwarehouse.com UK TIMBER 01536 267107 uk-timber.co.uk VANESSA ARBUTHNOTT 01285 831437 vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk VAUGHAN 020 7349 4600 vaughandesigns.com VILLA NOVA 01623 756699 villanova.co.uk VILLEROY & BOCH 020 8871 0011 villeroy-boch.co.uk

WALCOT HOUSE 01993 832940 walcothouse.com WAYFAIR 0800 169 0423 wayfair.co.uk WEST ELM 0800 404 9780 westelm.co.uk WHITE BLACK GREY whiteblackgrey.co.uk WOOD & MEADOW woodandmeadow.com WOOD AND BEYOND 020 3869 0900 woodandbeyond.com WOODCHIP & MAGNOLIA 01204 856887 woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk WYLD HOME 01743 588820 wyldhome.com

ZARA HOME 0800 026 0091 zarahome.com ZED & CO 01892 782991 zedandco.co.uk

Country Homes & Interiors

137

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M Y F AV O U R I T E V I E W

‘The Riviera Line in Devon is a form of therapy for me’ Sonali Shah, T V and radio presenter

just turned around and stared! I’d always been told that if I took that train, which goes from London all the way down to Cornwall, to sit on the left to get the most out of the view, but until I experienced it I didn’t comprehend just how close to the water the train goes.

I’ve started saying that it’s worth getting on that train for the journey itself. It may sound odd because what most people actually want to be doing is sitting on a nice beach, but with the unpredictable spring weather, it’s almost more alluring from the train. You can sit there, cosy with a cup of tea and take in the view without being blown away.

Usually I’m taking that train for work with Escape To The Country, and I always have things to do and scripts to learn, but I get that out of the way early in the journey because I know that view is coming. I’m not one for meditation but that’s when I take a mental break, seeing that view honestly just revives the soul and feels like a form of therapy for me.

It’s always just me on the train; I think with the age my children are at it would be quite a different experience with them! But I do look forward to taking them one day, once they get out of that needing-everything-but146

Country Homes & Interiors

the-kitchen-sink stage, because I think they would be fascinated. There’s the incredible rock formations of the Jurassic Coast, the Devon shoreline and the different beaches in Cornwall...

When I ﬁrst saw that view of the coast from the train, I almost couldn’t believe we had that in Britain. When I was younger I never really saw much of the British countryside because, as a child of two immigrants, we spent the summer holidays with our grandparents back in Kenya. My mum was a midwife and it was the most cost-effective way of taking care of us kids for the holidays. So it’s only really been through my job that I’ve been able to explore the British countryside.

I’m lucky that every other week I get to discover another piece of British rural life. I’m there for people who aren’t holidaying; they’re there to put down roots, so I’m seeing villages that most people might never go to, except on the way to a holiday spot. It means I’m starting to get to know the countryside properly now. There’s just so much to explore in Britain and I don’t think you can ever get around all these amazing places, but I’m certainly trying! Sonali Shah presents BBC One’s Escape to the Country and regularly appears on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and BBC London. Follow Sonali on Twitter and Instagram @SonaliShah.

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY (MAIN IMAGE); BILL WATERS (SONALI)

I wish I’d had someone ﬁlming me the ﬁrst time I saw the view of the Devon coast from the Riviera Line – I actually let out a gasp. The other people on the train

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