lppok by

L I V E

T H E

L I F E . . . L O V E

T H E

S T Y L E

& INTERIORS

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STIC

FEELGOOD STYLING, SIMPLE ONE-POT SUPPERS, NATURAL INSPIRATION TO LIVE LIFE WELL

MADE WITH LOVE

CRAFT IDEAS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

DESIGN & DECORATE KITCHEN, BATHROOM & HOME OFFICE PLANNING

Homes with heart

❖ CONVERTED GRAIN BARN ❖ VICTORIAN COTTAGE ❖ QUEEN ANNE FARMHOUSE ❖ HERITAGE HIDEAWAY

THE HOME OF

modern country To find all stockists in this issue, turn to page 140

38

INTERIORS & INSPIRATION 12 FEBRUARY Things we can’t live without 17 DESIGN NEWS What’s new in interiors this month 68 • SHOPPING TREND Pretty pastels for year-round charm 74 FEELGOOD HOME Give your living space soul with botanical prints, warm wood and calming, earthy tones 82 MAKE A HOUSE A HOME Create a little office nook that inspires and motivates you 88 BATHROOM IDEAS Seek inspiration from historic style for a timeless scheme 96 FREE-STANDING WARDROBES No built-in storage? These standalone closets have all the space you need 100 ROOM ELEMENTS Stunning kitchen sinks for every scheme 105 HOME TECH Super efficient tumble dryers 107 • KITCHEN PROJECT This redo was done in a flash

COUNTRY HOMES

124 • GET CREATIVE Handmade Valentine’s gifts >

18 • GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN A huge restoration project turned this run-down old barn into a 21st-century-ready home

74 • ON THE COVER

28 • WILTSHIRE FARMHOUSE An idyllic country bolthole, this Grade II-listed property has undergone extensive building work 38 • NORFOLK COTTAGE The wealth of original features, period charm and rural location in this home won over its new owners 49 • HAMPSHIRE COTTAGE Despite its charm, this house’s quirky layout needed a little reworking to suit modern life PLUS GET-THE-LOOK IDEAS FOR EVERY HOME

62 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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82 129

134

• COUNTRY PASSION Writer and illustrator Jackie Morris seeks to stop nature’s words from falling out of use

131 A WEEKEND AWAY The perfect spot for a bit of reflection – Lundies House in the Scottish Highlands 146 MY FAVOURITE VIEW Chef Tom Kerridge shares what’s so special about the Seasalter coastline

GARDENS

SEASONAL FOOD 133 134

114

IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN Our latest pantry additions KEEP IT SIMPLE Fail-safe weeknight dinners that are easy on the washing up

LIFESTYLE 59

• ON THE COVER 62

73

• RURAL HOTSPOT Ideal for a walker’s weekend away as well as a permanent escape to the country, Allendale has it all • MY COUNTRY BUSINESS Furniture makers Paul and Maria Le Mesurier design and make each piece by hand

114

THE BOTANIST’S RETREAT Obscure plants, self-seeding bulbs and Victorian cloches all add to this Hampshire garden’s intrigue

123

IN A COUNTRY GARDEN Porch lights to welcome you home

JUST FOR YOU 60

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REGULARS 140

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

SUBSCRIBE T O D AY

DESIGNER PROFILE Paul de Zwart created his furniture company, Another Country, with sustainability in mind

113 • LOCAL HERO After recovering from depression herself, Jennifer Down set out to help others feeling isolated in the farming world 126 LIVE LIFE WELL Happy thoughts and ideas for fashion, eco, wellbeing and more

To find all stockists in this issue, turn to page 140 6

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The mood of the moment:

(BACKGROUND) TIN GLAZE FABRIC IN DUSKY ROSE, £91M, RAPTURE & WRIGHT AT THE FABRIC COLLECTIVE

APPRECIATING THE SIMPLE THINGS If there’s a month for focusing on self care, February is it. When winter’s doing its worst, all you can do is batten down the hatches and ride it out. Small, positive steps are the key: I can recommend a cathartic sort-out of the kitchen ‘random things’ drawer or under-stair cupboard; experimental, pantry-clearing soup-making and long soaks with Epsom salts and a Rebus novel. You’ll find even more (gin-free) survival strategies in this issue, from aromatherapy and journaling (page 128) to one-pot suppers (page 134) and gifts to make for your Valentine (page 124) for a happy and healthy month. Bring on spring!

Vanessa x P.S. Have you found us on Instagram, yet?

Follow @countryhomesmag to get a sneak peek at beautiful homes and the inside track on interiors-industry news, events and people. No influencers, just a gentle slice of idyllic country life to give you a little escapism every dayÉ

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Illuminating a table for two with a glow of flickering magic…

Handmade candleholders, £22 each; tea light holders, £12 each; Paisley miniature bud vases, £16 for set of three, all Rowen & Wren

Things we can’t live without...

FEBRUARY 12

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

C O U N T R Y D AY S

1 2

3

Creating a seductive sanctuary with textiles.

Ellis side table, £359; cushions, from £35 each; throw in Multicolour, £95, all Bloomingville

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1 Storing CH&I issues in a stylish, textured design. Fabric magazine holder, 36x30x40cm, £75, Madam Stoltz at WA Green London 2 Entertaining with effortless suavity, courtesy of a freestanding helper. Galvanised zinc ice bucket on stand with tray, H84.5xD26cm, £62, Dibor 3 Cosy days snuggled in a richly coloured throw. Velvet quilt throw, £229, Heal’s 4 Nourishment from the inside out served up in lovely, speckled stoneware.

Watercolour ceramic bowl in Purple, 15.7cm, £6.99, Car & Kitchen

Taking claret hues from the wine glass onto wonderfully delicate layers…

Mohair cardigan, £169; silk chevron lace skirt, £215; biker boots, £195; silk shirt, £175, all Brora

5 6

8 7 5 Deliberate age-worn finishes for bohemian style. Crimson Cassis rug, 180x220cm, £220, French Connection Home 6 Creating a cosy ambiance with bespoke beauties made from antique textiles. Gathered lampshade, from £245, Vanrenen GW Designs 7 Celebrating Valentine’s Day with a movie night at home. Lille armchair in Raspberry Cotton Velvet, £499, Swoon 8 Feeling serene thanks to mood-enhancing scents.

Potpourri crystals, £24, Anatomē COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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10

One-to-one time with your favourite person.

Illusion throw, £40; Heartfelt accessories, from a selection, all National Trust Shop

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11

12

9 Buttery toast with lashings of Japanese woodturned craftsmanship. Kakudo butter dish in walnut, £85, Such & Such 10 Stargazing with your beloved, surrounded by glowing candlelight. Ceramic garden lantern, H30cm, £73, Bloomingville at Beaumonde 11 Welcoming a menagerie of dip pen and ink characters onto walls. A Skulk of Foxes framed print, H30xW30cm, £110, Polkra x Fee Greening at Polkra 12 Stylish resistance for rainy days! Burford waterproof rubber boot, £120, Ariat

13

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16

13 A boot room essential with an outdoorsy motif. Watering can doormat, 60x40cm, £19.95, Graham and Green 14 Scandi-hygge storage solutions for anything and everything. Super-chunky felted wool basket, approx H25x33x27cm, £95, Perch Upholstery 15 Wrapping up in a versatile fine weave of all-natural fibres.

Diamond weave fine wool scarf, 150x75cm, €160, Stable of Ireland 16 Textural warmth on an eye-catching geometric vase. Marain rust vase, H28xW18cm, £28, An Artful Life 14

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

15

Natural inspirations for a bedroom.

Floral Bird quilt set, £60 for a double; Aalia throw, £85; cushion, £35, all FatFace

C O U N T R Y D AY S

Taking a ‘me time’ tea break and mini tech detox!

Sandbanks table, £349; Purple check chair, £159; Beatrix rug, £169; Alexa lamp, £39.50; Aubrey throw, £35; small wire globe, £15; dipped mug, £5, all M&S

Things we canÕt live without...

❝

❞

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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SALE NOW ON

HANDMADE IN THE UK SHOWROOMS NATIONWIDE Request a free brochure harveyjones.com 0800 389 6938

NEW & INTERESTING

DESIGN NEWS Eco innovation at Ligne Roset Embracing the move towards 100% recycled homeware, Ligne Roset has launched its All the Way range of rugs, weaving strips of cork together with recycled swimsuit and T-shirt offcuts from the Portuguese fashion industry.

Showcasing a soft neutral and pastel palette, the designs benefit from cork’s natural durability and thermal and acoustic insulation.

Sustainability has never looked so stylish! All the Way runner, £867, designed by Susana Godinho for Ligne Roset.

THORNBACK & PEEL’S NEW CUSHION RANGE Oh happy Dog & Daisies! Our quirky screenprinting fave, Thornback & Peel, has produced its first cushion collection, available in some of its most popular signature prints. Treat your sofas and chairs to an easy update with a pop of colour and pattern. Daisy & Dog cushion in Oatmeal/ Oyster, 45x45cm, £45 (includes feather filler).

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Claybrook’s colourful signature paints Tile studio Claybrook has expanded its portfolio with vegan-friendly, eco-conscious and non-toxic paints. The highly pigmented formulas promise great coverage and colour depth. Shown are Aztec Jade, Hay Bale, and Terracotta Pot matt emulsion, £45 each for 2.5ltr.

SANDERSON EXPLORES THE SILK ROAD Inspired by historic trade routes, Sanderson’s Caspian range mixes heritage styles, from English country house to chinoiserie, across printed cottons, embroideries, warp-printed silks and hand-painted papers. We love the palette of natural hues, including indigo, turmeric and saffron. Blind in Daula, £79m; sofa in Khira, £58.99m; walls in Window Blue active emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, all Sanderson at Style Library.

50 fabulous years of Designers Guild The Fashion and Textile Museum in London is hosting a retrospective of Designers Guild’s incredible portfolio from this February. Follow the story of the brand, see how founder Tricia Guild’s travel inspirations have been poured into distinctive collections of fabrics, wallpaper, furniture and accessories, and learn about the innovative processes involved in the production of each collection. From 14 February to 14 June.

Tickets are available now at ftmlondon.org.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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BEST IN SHOW A historic barn, previously home to prize-winning cattle, has been transformed for 21st-century living

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

Living area The kitchen leads on to a seating area, where friends and family can relax. Coffee table and sofas, all Pippa Paton Design. Lamps, Frezoli.

Rattan vase, Floe & Joe

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Living area A large console sits neatly against exposed stone walls. Console, Pippa Paton Design

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

T

here’s a romance to returning to your roots, but real life can make it tricky to find that happy ending, as Polly and George Phillips know. They grew up in the Cotswolds and were itching to find a way back. ‘We met there, we love the area and consider it home,’ says Polly. But they were both working in Bath and finding time to property-hunt was tricky.

Then one afternoon, as they strolled through the farm owned by George’s family near Bibury, Gloucestershire, the solution – in all its mud-spattered glory – appeared. ‘We were mulling over the future of a ramshackle old grain store at the edge of the farmstead. It was built of Cotswold stone, set high above the village, with amazing views over the Coln Valley,’ explains Polly. ‘It had great potential.’

Most recently used to store farm machinery, the barn’s roof was intact – but not much else. The couple set about restoring the structure and obtaining planning permission. They also made the building as eco-friendly as possible, setting strict low-carbon goals, using breathable insulation materials and ground-source heating.

‘Old stone buildings can be draughty and we wanted to be certain that the barn would feel cosy once the work was complete,’ says Polly.

Also high on their list was a determination to preserve the barn’s character, leaving the stone walls and original timber beams visible where possible. ‘It would have been easier to plaster every wall, but we felt it was essential to retain the barn’s character,’ says Polly.

‘After all, that was what we had loved so much when we first saw it.’

The barn now has three bedrooms and three bathrooms on the upper floor, with two generously-sized living areas, one including the kitchen, on the ground floor. The centre of the main living room and kitchen area soar to double height, turning the barn’s original scale into a dramatic feature. ‘We love that sense of space,’ says Polly. There is also a snug, and a further two bedrooms and bathroom, on the ground floor. ‘We wanted to be able to have friends and family over, with room for everyone to relax,’ she says.

‘My original plan had been to tackle the interior design myself, but when I became pregnant I realised I just didn’t have the time – or expertise – to achieve the result we wanted,’ she says.

Recommendations led them to interior designer Pippa Paton.

‘We clicked instantly,’ says Polly. ‘Pippa has an ability to respect a building’s heritage while making rooms welcoming. I love the way she combines textures and natural materials with effortless ease.’

Polly and Pippa’s shared loved of reclaimed finds is evident throughout the barn, from a set of old cow bells on a desk to coffee tables made from salvaged barn doors. ‘We found about 50 Best in Show certificates tacked to the rafters when we first visited,’ says Polly. ‘They must have been gathered over years for all the prize-winning cattle. Now they are framed and hang on the wall in the snug to remind us of the barn’s long history.’

As the project progressed – with baby Lilah arriving halfway through – the venture became more ambitious. The couple has since taken on more of the old farm buildings, renovating them, with Pippa’s help, for luxury holiday rentals. ‘The Cotswolds has always been good to us,’ says Polly.

AT HOM E WI T H. . .

Owners Polly Phillips, who used to work in sales, and her husband, George, a grain dealer, live here with their daughter, Lilah, 18 months, with another baby on the way. Together, Polly and George now run Bibury Farm Barns (biburyfarm.com).

House A five-bedroom barn conversion, dating back to the early 19th century and converted in 2018.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Kitchen Shaker-style cabinets are a practical solution in this light, airy space. Cabinetry and bar stools, all Pippa Paton Design. Pendant lights, Frezoli. For similar leather handles, try Dowsing & Reynolds

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

Kitchen

Exterior

Entertaining is easy in this sociable space.

Splashback tiles, Minoli

The five-bed barn conversion dates back to the 19th century

LIVING THE DREAM Polly loves boosting her wellbeing by spending time outdoors.

What are the benefits of spending time outside?

‘I feel better able to cope with busy days if I put my computer and phone away and get outside for a while.’

Any favourite activities?

‘George and I both love walking and horse riding. I also enjoy fly fishing.’

Name a nice winter walk ‘There is a well-signposted circular route, which starts from Bibury to Coln St Aldwyns, following the pretty River Coln with stunning views of the Cotswolds.’

Kitchen A butler sink adds classic style. Sink, for similar, try Shaws of Darwen

Living room The coffee table is made from stable doors, found in the farmyard. Sofa, Pippa Paton Design

Hallway Neutral flooring flows into the living area. Limestone tiles, Indigenous

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

En suite bathroom A burnished bronze roll-top bath gives the wow factor. Bath, Albion Bath Company

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24

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Main bedroom An oversized headboard makes an eye-catching statement. Pendant lights, Indigenous.

Leather trunk, Brownrigg

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

25

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BARN

Bedroom

Bedroom

Shades of brown create a rich, warm look. Walls painted in Thames Mud pure flat emulsion, Paint & Paper Library

For a similar table, try Cox & Cox

ON MY DOOR STEP.. .

Visit…‘Cotswold Woollen Weavers (cotswoldwoollenweavers.co.uk), Lechlade, is a family-run woollen mill in 18th-century buildings, selling beautiful clothes, soft furnishings and interior pieces made by local tradesmen, with a wonderful museum of textile curiosities.’

Bathroom A nickel wash bowl adds glamour.

Basin and mirror, both Indigenous

Go for a meal at…‘The Wheatsheaf Inn (cotswoldswheatsheaf. com), Northleach, a 17th-century stone coaching inn with roaring fire, delicious food and local beer and cider.’

Snug Best in Show certificates enjoy pride of place.

Desk, Pippa Paton Design

Bedroom Natural materials create a harmonious scheme. Scottish wool lampshades, Orains. Stools, Graham and Green

En suite A wall-hung basin frees up space.

Basin, Lusso Stone. For a similar mirror, try The Old Pill Factory

26

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE AMELIA THORPE PHOTOGRAPHS PAUL CRAIG, (EXTERIOR AND PORTRAIT) DAVIDE LOVATTI

Shop at… ‘The Upton Smokery (uptonsmokery.co.uk) outside Burford for smoked fish, pies and cured meats.’

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by POLLY’S LIVING ROOM Bring rustic charm and a soft glow to a country scheme...

Rustic Grey stone round table lamp, H30xD18cm, £58.95, Melody Maison This storage solution is too beautiful to hide away.

Open weave basket, H10xD26cm, £16, Bohemia Design

Scatter a few fine-textured accents on the sofa.

Washed linen cushion cover in Dark Blue, H50xW50cm, £8.99, H&M Home

CH&I loves…

STONE WALLPAPER Add a simple cluster of faux foliage.

Eucalyptus spray, £8.95, Hudson Home

Church Stone, £9.99 a roll, Arthouse at The Range

CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC

Snuggle up in this super-deep spot, which has been made extra cosy with feather-wrapped cushions.

Smooch love seat, H95x W120xD115cm, £1,145, Loaf

Opt for a sturdy structure to double up as a handy side table or a vital pew.

Clockhouse stool, H44.7x W45xD21.5cm, £95, Garden Trading

Grandeco Façade Brick, £15 a roll, Homebase

FEATURE JESSICA TAVERNER

Polly’s style tip...

ADD HARMONIOUS COLOURS, LINEN FABRICS, WOODEN FURNITURE AND A JUTE RUG TO COMPLEMENT A STONE FEATURE WALL

The crackle glaze on these decorative additions will create interest on a coffee table.

Corinium jugs, H13xD11cm, £9; H17.5x D12.5cm, £11, Neptune

Creation Dekora Stone, £9 a roll, B&Q

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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ENGLISH ECLECTIC Using a bold, rich palette has turned a tired farmhouse into a stunning family home for Claire and Simon Read

W I LT S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Living room Squishy sofas layered with cushions create a cosy feel, while a boldly patterned footstool adds an eye-catching touch.

Footstool, inherited, upholstered in Kilim Sarouk, Linwood.

For a similar mirror, try The Cotswold Company

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Living room Boot room This area links the barn with the main house.

Walls painted in Clunch

by Farrow & Ball. Coat hook, MöA Design.

Baskets, Soho Home

The framed maps are part of Claire’s collection. Footstool, eBay. For similar throws, try John Lewis & Partners

F

or Claire and Simon Read, it’s always been a case of opposites attract. ‘When Simon and I met we joked that it was like Jane Austen dating Damien Hirst!’ says Claire. ‘We both have very different tastes, although over the years we have settled somewhere in between.’ They bought the Cotswolds property as a bolthole to escape from London for holidays and weekends, and it’s a complete contrast to their place in the city. While their London home has a modern Scandinavian-inspired monochrome interior, their idyllic country house embraces characterful period features and a colourful, eclectic scheme.

‘We live in central London and miss not having a garden. We wanted to give the children a sense of country living,’ says Claire. Finding a suitable property took some time. ‘We had looked for ages, but couldn’t find what we wanted,’ she says. The couple were still on an estate agent’s mailing list, however, and when the details of one particular house came through, it caught their attention. ‘The house was so pretty,’ she says.

‘It’s made of Cotswold stone and has a French look, which really appealed. Added to that, Simon knew the area as he grew up nearby.’

As soon as Claire and Simon walked into the house, they knew this was the one. ‘Our London house is very > 30

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Claire Read is an art historian and her husband, Simon, runs an advertising agency. They have two sons, Finn, eight, and Magnus, six.

House Grade II-listed Queen Anne property built in 1707, with six bedrooms. They bought it in 2018.

W I LT S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Living room A chalky green creates a soothing backdrop.

Walls painted in Treron

by Farrow & Ball. Sofas, George Smith. Wicker tray, Soho Home

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Dining room Rich patterns introduce a colourful touch.

Curtain fabric in Oakmere, Iliv

Dining room Bold blue walls and washed wood furniture add elegance. Reclaimed French table, Nicky Cornell. Chairs, Pure White Lines

contemporary, but this house has beautiful original details, such as beams, shutters, fireplaces and stable doors – all the lovely aspects, without being too glamorous,’ says Claire. ‘It definitely is a farmhouse, although it has a Queen Anne facade.’

The house had been rented out as self-catering accommodation for 10 years. ‘It really needed updating,’ says Claire. ‘There was only one bathroom for four bedrooms. It wasn’t made for modern family life.’ The couple decided to embark on a big building project, aware that the house is Grade II listed, meaning there were restrictions on what could be done.

Upstairs they installed four new bathrooms, so every bedroom in the house has its own bathroom, apart from on the top floor where two bedrooms share one.

They then built an extension that links the farmhouse with a barn beside it. ‘It means we can go into the barn from the house and be undercover,’ says Claire. The barn was insulated and underfloor heating installed and it is now used as a games room. The extension acts as a boot room, with an extra cloakroom, and also provides a back door to the house. ‘The changes have made the house more practical as a family home,’ says Claire.

Because of the historic nature of the house – including an 18th-century bread oven that sits between the kitchen > 32

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

LIVING THE DREAM Claire and Simon’s eclectic style reflects their different tastes.

Where did you take your inspiration from?

‘One of our favourite places to visit is Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge. Its furnishings perfectly combine traditional English vernacular with mid-century design.’

What retro pieces have you introduced?

‘We’ve included early 18th-century furnishings, acknowledging the house’s history. We have also included mid-century banana sofas, G Plan desks and chests of drawers.’

Why did you use bold colours and patterns?

‘The house is over 300 years old and full of idiosyncrasies and original features. We felt it could carry strong colours and we wanted to be bold in the tiles we selected.’

W I LT S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Kitchen The low-beamed ceiling gives a cosy feel.

Cabinets painted in French Gray; island painted in Railings, both Farrow & Ball. Bar stools, Peppermill Interiors.

Range cooker, Aga

Bathroom Colourful patterned tiles add a playful touch.

Tiles, Bert & May

Bedroom Exposed stone walls and wood beams create a rustic backdrop. Chair, Parker Knoll. Stool, Soho Home

and the room next door, Claire and Simon weren’t able to enlarge the kitchen. Instead, they made the adjacent room into a breakfast room/utility. To emphasise the house’s period character further, concealed fireplaces were opened up and wooden floorboards exposed.

The builders did all the work in only 12 weeks.

Decorating the property offered a different opportunity from their London home. ‘We felt it could carry strong shades and pattern – it isn’t our permanent home, so we felt confident to choose bold tiles for the bathrooms that were playful and fun,’ explains Claire.

‘We opted for interesting colours, and incorporated mid-century furnishings and antiques. Some of the light fittings are also mid-century. We wanted an eclectic mix.

‘We also rent out the house and we took that into consideration when decorating,’ says Claire. ‘It’s good to have people here and have the house being used.’

A sojourn in the countryside has plenty of benefits for the family. ‘We love it here with the roaring fires and Aga,’ says Claire. ‘We can entertain family and friends as it’s a lovely space with plenty of room. The boys adore it – it’s a big adventure for them. It’s also peaceful here – we enjoy the silence at night and it’s very restorative.’

To stay at Yew Tree Farmhouse visit staycotswold.com

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Buscot Park (nationaltrust. org.uk/buscot-park) in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, an 18th-century neoclassical house with beautiful grounds to explore.’

Shop at… ‘Lynwood & Co Cafe (lynwoodandco.com) in Fairford, which serves proper coffee and homemade cakes.

Also visit TT Linnet (01793 763858) in Highworth for delicious freshly-baked sourdough.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Swan at Southrop (thyme.co.uk/dining/ the-swan-at-southrop), a stunning 17th-century pub next to the green with a wonderful atmosphere, or Barnsley House (barnsleyhouse.com) for more extravagant celebrations.’

W I LT S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Children’s room The vaulted ceiling provides a dramatic backdrop. Beds, find similar at John Lewis & Partners. Chairs, vintage Ercol. Bedside table, Walton House Antiques

W I LT S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

❝

Main bedroom Claire has created an eclectic feel with a green velvet sofa and pops of orange.

Scandinavian banana sofa, Lovely & Co. Orange cushions, Next Home

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES

❞

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by CLAIRE’S KITCHEN Adjust the focus to brighten well-used, practical areas of the kitchen, such as your sink, or prep stations.

Edgeware spotlight in Plain Ivory, H14.30xW50xD10.30cm, £159.10, Jim Lawrence

Spruce up your windowsill with an assortment of plants – choose faux for a low-fuss fresh feel.

Faux potted herbs in wooden tray, H18xW33xD9cm, £8.99 for set of four, The Range

Perch comfortably, whether you are entertaining or enjoying a family meal.

Weathered oak bar stool, H70xW37.5xD28.5cm, £160, Eastburn Country Furniture at Notonthehighstreet.com

CH&I loves…

SOOTHING SHADES

This compact design provides a handy drawer, smart granite worktop, rails for tea towels and a 12-bottle rack for your wine.

Westcote Blue small butcher’s block, H85xW82xD58cm, £399, The Cotswold Company

Thread a leather handle through the hole to hang from a peg rail and free up counter space.

Fuji small paddle-shaped Acacia chopping board, W50.5xL21cm, £25, Habitat

FEATURE JESSICA TAVERNER

ClaireÕs style tip...

CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC

CREATE A PRACTICAL AND SOCIABLE SPACE WITH A CENTRAL ISLAND UNIT, INCLUDE PLENTY OF SEATING FOR THE IDEAL GATHERING SPOT

Acorn matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

Duck Egg Blue wall paint, £39.95 for 2.5ltr, Annie Sloan

Steel III pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

37

LIFE & SOUL Debbie and Dave Down have lovingly renovated their historic Norfolk cottage, while respecting its heritage spirit

N O R F O L K C O T TA G E

Living room To complement the restored Norfolk pamments, Debbie chose a palette of earthy tones.

Sofas in Linwood’s Omega velvet in Peridot, Panks Upholstery.

Patterned cushions in Bullerswood in Charcoal/Mustard and Indian Loop in Charcoal/ Linen, both Morris & Co. Flowers, The Flower Hut

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

39

Exterior The path, made from traditional-style pamments, echoes the original tiles inside

Living room Muted tones add to the room’s timeless feel.

Walls painted in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball

D

ebbie Down initially resisted viewing a neglected cottage in Norfolk, but when curiosity eventually got the better of her, she was captivated by the property’s wealth of original features, period charm and rural location. ‘When I first saw this flint-and-brick cottage online, I felt that the timing wasn’t right,’ she explains.

‘My husband Dave and I had recently finished renovating our second holiday cottage and didn’t want to tackle a third major project so soon.’

Several months later, the dated cottage still languished on the market, so Debbie felt compelled to take a closer look. ‘When we set up the viewing in October 2018, it was with a degree of anticipation,’ she says. ‘I had a feeling that this unloved cottage could well be a hidden gem, crying out to be sensitively restored.’

Debbie’s instincts were right and, from the moment she set foot inside, the experienced renovator knew that she couldn’t walk away from the building. ‘It was desperately in need of some TLC, but Dave and I were taken aback by the height of the ceilings, particularly downstairs, where the rooms felt much more spacious than we’d imagined,’ says Debbie.

‘We were really struck by the gnarled oak beams everywhere – some of which had been lovingly 40

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Debbie Down, an interior designer who also owns and runs interiors store, Rooms with a View, with her husband Dave plus Bert, their Cockapoo. They bought the cottage in 2019.

House A three-bedroom Grade II-listed cottage, dating from the late 1700s.

N O R F O L K C O T TA G E

Living room The inglenook makes a delightful focal point. Stove, Charnwood.

Footstool, Rooms with a View, in Abraham Moon’s Burford wool in Mustard. Bespoke rug in Seagrass Herringbone, Crucial Trading

Kitchen Industrial-style lighting highlights the vintage carpenter’s tools that are displayed on the reclaimed shelving. Lights, all Industville

carved – the leaded windows, original floor tiles and the unusual red-brick inglenook fireplace.’

The whole cottage, which was once owned by the Gunton Park Estate, had a wonderful, individual feel and was structurally sound. ‘Over lunch, we quickly agreed that it had to be a keeper,’ says Debbie.

They bought the property in February 2019, then Debbie, Dave and their builder, Stephen Frost, stripped the entire cottage before injecting it with colour, depth and personality. ‘Deciding on the kitchen layout was one of the trickiest decisions,’ says Debbie. ‘I used graph paper to work out the best arrangement for the units, large Bertazzoni range and fridge freezer.’

Next, the cottage was rewired and the plumbing updated, before bathroom fittings were put in place.

With her skilful eye for creating stunning interiors, Debbie enhanced the existing period features on the first floor, leaving beams exposed and painting the wooden floorboards. Where required, she added extra character, including panelling some of the bedrooms, and laying striking wall and floor tiles.

‘I used moodboards to ensure each room had its own identity, yet still had a cohesive look,’ says Debbie.

When it came to painting the kitchen, Debbie felt Farrow & Ball’s green Bancha would be an eye-catching 42

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

LIVING THE DREAM The charm of Debbie and Dave’s period cottage is enhanced by the beautiful antique furniture.

Why do antiques work so well in your home?

‘With a period property, antique pieces look like they belong and have evolved with it. They add character.’

Where do you buy from?

‘I often buy antique items from TW Gaze auction rooms or online.’

Is antique furniture making a comeback?

‘Yes, although I believe lovely pieces never really went out of fashion.’

What is your top tip for buying at auction?

‘Go with your gut feeling, set a budget – and stick to it.’

And your favourite piece?

‘The little chest of drawers in the bedroom. It’s mahogany, really heavy and perfect for the space.’

N O R F O L K C O T TA G E

Kitchen Debbie has provided a raft of practical home comforts for guests staying at Woodcutter’s Cottage. Range and fridge freezer, both Bertazzoni.

Mat, Rooms with a View

N O R F O L K C O T TA G E

❝ ❞

Bathroom A vintage cupboard has been transformed into a vanity unit.

Floor, herringbone parquet in Morning Oak, Karndean. Rug, Rooms with a View

44

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Main bedroom Artist Angie Lewin’s Knockando Thrift and Feathers print was the starting point for this pink and ochre scheme. Headboard upholstered in Glen Lyon wool, in Yellow; Bronte by Moon throw, both Abraham Moon

N O R F O L K C O T TA G E

Guest bedroom The blue and ochre scheme was inspired by a painting that Debbie bought at a local auction. Headboard painted in De Nimes, Farrow & Ball.

Wall lights, Garden Trading

46

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Blickling Estate (nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate) is steeped in history and was the birthplace of Anne Boleyn. Built in 1616, the Jacobean hall is absolutely magnificent and there are acres of gardens, woodland and parkland to explore.’

Shop at… ‘Norfolk Reclaim (norfolkreclaim.co.uk) in Fakenham is super for a good rummage. It’s like going on a treasure hunt at this reclamation yard, which specialises in Norfolk bricks, pantiles and pamments. There’s everything from fireplaces to basins and lots of antiques; definitely worth a visit.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Gunton Arms (theguntonarms.co.uk) in Thorpe Market. It’s quirky and a favourite with us. Fabulous decor and delicious food – venison and beef are often cooked over a large open fire.’

FEATURE JANET McMEEKIN PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMY PHILLIPS

foil for the quarry tiled floor and wooden beams.

‘As I peeled layers of paint off the rickety old back door, I was thrilled to discover the original green paintwork, as used by the estate,’ says Debbie. ‘This adds to the authenticity of the cottage and is a lovely link to the past.’

Another labour of love was restoring the downstairs floor tiles to their former glory. ‘There was nothing else for it, apart from elbow grease and many hours spent removing bucketloads of grime, both from the quarry tiles in the kitchen and the Norfolk pamments in the living room,’ says Debbie. ‘I then sealed the tiles to enrich their natural colour and make them easier to clean.’

The project came together in just under six months.

‘As there used to be a sawmill on the estate, and because of the property’s proximity to the nearby woodland, we named our new abode Woodcutter’s Cottage,’ says Debbie. ‘Dave and I absolutely love this place; it’s got such a lovely, laid-back vibe and now feels like a real home-from-home, where you can kick back, relax and enjoy everything that this fabulous part of the world has to offer. We are so pleased that we didn’t pass on the opportunity to give this historic cottage its soul back.’

To rent Woodcutter’s Cottage, visit forevernorfolk.com

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by DEBBIE’S DINING AREA Hang lowlevel lighting.

Brooklyn dome pendant, H22x Dia20cm, £69, Industville

CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC

Made from robust cast iron, this essential is ideal for hearty one-pot meals.

Oval 6.2ltr casserole dish, H12.5xW30cm, £139, ProCook

Impress guests and master the art of entertaining with a variety of fabulous cheeses elegantly presented on a solid acacia wood base.

Artesa cheeseboard set with four knives, L28xW28cm, £19.99, Artesa at Amazon.co.uk

CH&I loves...

TERRACOTTA TILES Add a touch of colour with artisanal pottery glazed in a soft, natural hue.

Lillian vase, H11xW7cm, £12, National Trust Shop

FEATURE JESSICA TAVERNER

Create a bold focal point with a mid-century-inspired timepiece, ideal for a pared-back scheme.

Clocksmith Black oversized wall clock, H76xD5cm, £195, Thomas Kent Clocks

This long slender design lends itself to casual meals as well as grand feasts. Top with a sheepskin throw.

Parker four-seater walnut bench, H45xW37xL174cm, £350, Habitat

Debbie’s style tip...

CHALKY WHITE PAINT UNIFIES A RUSTIC MIX OF RAW MATERIALS. INTRODUCE COLOUR WITH FRESH GREEN

Rustic Terracotta octagonal tile with inserts, H20xW20cm, £70sq m, Baked Earth

Terracotta tiles, H20xW20cm, £36sq m, Floors of Stone

Quarry Autumn Blend tile, H15xW15cm, £29.78sq m, Topps Tiles

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

47

H A M P S H I R E C O T TA G E

STARTING OVER Lucy and Chris Wright’s 19th-century cottage was ingeniously reconfigured to make it ready for modern-day life

Hallway A long table bought at a French brocante creates a focal point between the kitchen and utility and study.

Curtains in Hatley, Cabbages & Roses. Lamps, Pooky

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

49

Kitchen Exposed ceiling beams give the space a cosy feel. Walls painted in Slate II by Paint & Paper Library.

Range cooker, Aga

Kitchen The windows were kept treatment-free to let in light. Blue units add a modern touch. Cabinets painted in Stiffkey Blue

by Farrow & Ball

Q

uirky proportions, nooks and crannies may give a cottage quaint appeal, but they don’t always cut it for modern life – as Lucy and Chris Wright discovered when they bought this Hampshire hideaway. They loved the property and its position, but the layout was a different matter. After three years of making do, it was time for a change…

The couple moved to the village from London 15 years ago, looking for a better way of life for their children. ‘We had friends in the area, and it was perfect because there were good schools nearby and it was commutable for Chris’s job,’ says Lucy. ‘We rented until we found this cottage, which belonged to friends of my sister. The appeal was instant because it’s so pretty. The cottage had been extended over the years – it’s like a Tardis as it’s bigger inside than it looks from the outside. We adored the original features such as the windows and beams, and the kitchen had a lovely cosy feel. The proportions of the rooms were good, too. We also liked that it was situated in a lovely village with a nice pub, a tennis club and lots of families around. It was in a conservation area, but it wasn’t listed. It ticked all our boxes.’

Lucy and Chris decided to live in the house for a while until they figured out what they needed to do. Three years later, in search of inspiration, Lucy decided to do a one-day interior design course with Stephanie Dunning of Dunning > 50

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

AT HOME WI T H. . .

Owners Lucy Wright and her husband Chris, a lawyer, live here with their son Jack, 21, and daughter Imogen, 19, who are both at university.

House A five-bedroom Victorian cottage. They moved in 12 years ago.

H A M P S H I R E C O T TA G E

â?? â?ž

Living room With its welcoming fire, this room is the perfect place to relax. Walls painted in Slate V by Paint & Paper Library.

Sisal flooring, Alternative Flooring. Coffee table, Oka

Dining room The neutral colour palette is enlivened with red accents. Curtains in Natural Linen, Nicole Fabre. Chandelier, Vaughan Designs

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Mottisfont Abbey (nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont), a country house and estate set in beautiful gardens by the River Test.

Visit in late May/early June when the world-famous historic walled rose gardens are in full bloom.’

Shop at… ‘Garden Inn (01264 811661) in Stockbridge. This small town is full of independent shops and, with gorgeous unusual flowers and fabulous vintage-style arrangements, this is one of my favourites. It’s the perfect place if you are looking for inspiration for present shopping as it’s always full of goodies for both the garden and home.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The White Hart Inn (whitehartpentonmewsey. co.uk/) in Penton Mewsey, a family-run country pub serving fabulous food, particularly the Sunday roasts and the superb Friday evening fish and chips. It’s dog friendly, too!’

52

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

& Everard. It helped her realise that there was too much work for her to do to the cottage on her own and she enlisted Stephanie’s help to rework the ground floor.

Stephanie was brought on board to make the most of the space and instantly came up with some clever ideas, including moving the staircase. ‘You had to walk through an unused area to get to the stairs,’ says Stephanie. ‘By turning the staircase around, we gave the family another room, so they now use it as a TV room.’

Stephanie also created a new link that connected the main cottage to the utility, wine store and study, and redesigned these rooms, knocking down walls and incorporating lots of cupboard space. She then redecorated all the ground floor, basing the choice of fabrics around Lucy’s love of old French linens, faded florals and muted colours. Floor-length curtains add a soft elegance to the French doors in the hallway linking the main cottage to the utility and study, while the soothing neutral shades of the living room are warmed up with cosy-hued patterned fabrics. ‘I was delighted with the end result downstairs,’ says Lucy.

In 2018, Lucy decided she wanted to complete the renovations for the rest of the house. ‘The children were now grown up, so it was a good opportunity to redo upstairs,’ she says. ‘It was a confined space and we wanted to make better use of it.’ Stephanie was called in again to >

H A M P S H I R E C O T TA G E

TV room Stephanie cleverly created this space by moving the staircase. A modular sofa layered with cushions and sheepskins is a comfy spot to unwind. Sofa, Sofa.com

â?? â?ž

Main bedroom Bedroom The checked headboard is a nod towards country style.

Headboard in Bossington Check Duck Egg B02, Teasel England, made by Dunning & Everard

Florals, checks and an Indian-inspired throw evoke an eclectic look.

Walls painted in Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball.

For similar antique chairs, try Vinterior

Bedroom Mossy greens and check patterns inject a classic country touch. Wallpaper in Mira Leaf; curtains in Constance, both Colefax and Fowler. Velvet headboards, made by Dunning & Everard.

Lamps, Pooky

En suite Tongue-and-groove panelling and shutters add to the rustic feel.

Sanitaryware and taps, Harlequin Bathrooms.

Wall tiles, Grestec. Mirror, Maisons du Monde

reorganise the first and second floors. ‘Stephanie has fantastic spatial awareness,’ says Lucy.

‘The house hadn’t been divided up intelligently,’ says Stephanie. ‘There were five bedrooms and two inadequate bathrooms with little storage. We redesigned the whole of the rear first floor, knocking down all the walls at the back.’

One of the bedrooms was enlarged, making a single into a double; an extra shower room was created and the two bathrooms became one larger one; and another shower en suite was added.

Inspiration for the decor was taken from Pinterest and magazines, and Stephanie created an eclectic English cottage look. ‘We interpret what the client likes and push the boundaries just that little bit more,’ says Stephanie.

Existing Colefax linen curtains in the guest room were the starting point for this scheme. Complementary moss green velvet headboards inject a sumptuous feel, while reframed samplers and floral prints add a period touch. Multi-hued Shetland wool throws pull the colour scheme together.

Another guest room features a smoky green-blue palette, with a checked tweed headboard creating a cosy focal point.

‘We were delighted with the end result,’ says Lucy. ‘The changes absolutely transformed the upstairs of the house. We couldn’t believe how Stephanie managed to get so much into such a small space – the cottage feels so much bigger.’

Visit dunningandeverard.com 54

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

H A M P S H I R E C O T TA G E

LIVING THE DREAM Reconfiguring the rooms improved storage in Lucy and Chris’s house.

How was more storage introduced?

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS. PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES

‘When we discussed the lack of storage in the bathroom, Stephanie suggested vanity units with drawers and a long shelf where space was tight, plus a line of cupboards on the landing.’

How did you create more space upstairs?

‘Stephanie redesigned the rear of the first floor. She removed all the walls and created two shower rooms, a bathroom, a double bedroom and a landing/dressing room. The design gave us more space by not wasting an inch.’

What was the cleverest space-saving tactic?

‘The shared space of shower and bath in the main bathroom and the en suite shower.’

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by LUCY’S BEDROOM

A super-soft woven cuddler is a cosy bedroom essential.

Lambswool herringbone throw in Grey, L185xW140cm, £109, Bronte by Moon

Transform any room with this ceiling dazzler.

Ilario pendant, H155x W42cm, £228, Dar Lighting

CH&I loves...

GEOMETRIC CARPETS

Use colourful stacks of books to enhance a display.

The Bronte Sisters novels set, £60, Penguin Clothbound Classics at Waterstones Place a striking glazed vessel on a bedside table to showcase your favourite blooms.

Hubsch Blue vases, H20cm and H13cm, £32 for set of two, Viva Lagoon

Make your mark by using decorative prints and tactile linens to cover one-of-a-kind cushions.

Marwari horse fabric, £95m, Molly Mahon

COLOUR IS KEY – THINK ORGANIC, NEUTRAL SHADES WITH A POP OF PRIMARY HUES. COMPLETE THIS MINIMALIST SCHEME WITH BOOKS, FLOWERS AND MEMENTOES 56

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Brintons Perpetual Textures Bedford carpet, £54.99sq m, Stonegate Carpets

The drawer, shelf and table provide handy slim storage.

Arnaud bedside table, H70x W42xD35cm, £337.50, Sweetpea & Willow

Annalise Mewstone Greylag carpet, £70sq m, Axminster Carpets

FEATURE JESSICA TAVERNER

Lucy’s style tip...

Tajrani Barefoot Taj wool carpet, £78.99sq m, Naked Flooring Company

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO FIND YOUR NEAREST STOCKIST PLEASE VISIT WWW.TETRAD.CO.UK

RURAL HOTSPOT

LET’S MOVE TOÉ

Allendale

This is a rambler’s paradise, but there’s plenty to amuse those who don’t want to hike hill and dale, too

THIS FORMER MINING TOWN HAS COLD WINTERS, BUT A VERY WARM WELCOME

M

aybe it’s because the region was an independent kingdom long before England or Scotland existed, or because the single track roads in and out of this former lead-mining town can be blocked by snowdrifts in the winter, but the sense of community is strong in Allendale.

‘It’s amazing how much goes on in this little town,’ says one local, citing more than 80 social groups that exist across the Allen Valleys. Yet peace and quiet are always at hand – you can be out in the fells in minutes, under huge open skies.

IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW

FEATURE SOPHIE GALE PHOTOGRAPHS ANDREW COULSON ESTATE AGENT, JAMES LITTLE

For a modest sandstone and slate-roof townhouse in the centre, expect to pay in the region of £200,000, but only £70,000 or so for an ex-local authority property further out. ‘Something to suit all budgets,’ says local estate agent Andrew Coulson. The result is a good mix of folk, and a town that’s not twee despite all its charm. Be aware that the town has no mains gas.

BUTCHERS, BAKERS & COFFEE MAKERS Whatever it is you need,

there is a very good chance that Allendale Co-op will have it. Not part of the national chain, this is a co-operative society in the old sense. The post office is another pleasantly nostalgic experience – a quaint shopfront with roaring log fire inside in winter. The Golden Lion pub is popular, sourcing food direct from the landlord’s farm.

there’s a stargazing festival at this time, too. Then on New Year’s Eve, 45 local men parade about with flaming barrels of tar on their heads for the 160-year-old Tar Bar’l festival.

SCHOOLS Rated ‘Good’ with a strong arts curriculum is Allendale Primary. Older kids have to travel to Haydon Bridge High School (deemed ‘Improving’) or Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham (rated ‘Good’).

GET AROUND Located towards the top of the North Pennines AONB, Allendale is about 15 minutes drive from the A69, offering easy access

to Carlisle and Newcastle. The nearest train station is in Haydon Bridge.

IN THE AREA Isaac’s Tea Trail is a 58km circular walk from Allendale, first put on the map by a Victorian tea trader. ‘Lots of walks promise peace and quiet, but few deliver as this one does,’ says Sarah Hudspeth of the North Pennines AONB Partnership. The 32km circular electric bike route that takes in ancient woodland Allen Banks is another good option. And, if you like your walks with tea stops built in, restored railway platform The Garden Station, with vintage-style tea rooms, is on the right track.

Dream homes in Allendale

COUNTRY LIFE & CULTURE

As well as all of the beautiful walks and hikes on offer, gardening, sports and drama clubs abound, too. An unexpected find is the Museum of Classic Sci-Fi – watch out for Daleks!

In autumn, the Allen Valleys Folk Festival features the traditional burning of the Allendale wolf and

LOTS OF LAND

WORK AND PLAY

BARGAIN BUY

Three-bed, detached Kitty Green – a former corn mill – lives up to its quaint name.

At £600,000, it comes with seven acres of woodland and three acres of meadow.

For a budget of £395,000, Grade II-listed, four-bed Bridge End House is available. It’s just a short walk to town, yet includes a self-contained annexe.

Just next door, smaller neighbour Bridge End Cottage is a two-bedroom, double-fronted terrace with lots of charm – on the market for just £250,000.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

59

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❝Making furniture was a leap of faith, but we are carving out our future❞

FURNITURE MAKERS PAUL AND MARIA LE MESURIER, WOODEDIT

W

orking from an outbuilding on the picturesque Uppark Estate, a National Trust property in the heart of rural West Sussex, Paul Le Mesurier has realised his dream of working with wood.

Following a successful career as an osteopath, Paul decided to take a year’s sabbatical in 2011 and embarked on a traditional boatbuilding course in Lowestoft.

The decision coincided with his chance meeting of Maria. After a whirlwind year travelling to see each other at weekends, the couple married. ‘I returned to osteopathy to make ends meet and we lived in a small converted farm building in Rogate,’ says Paul.

‘With a growing family – three children from Maria’s first marriage (Alfred, 16, Pearl, 15, and Gio, 11) and two together (Dolly, six and Rocky, three) – we quickly ran out of space.’

A fortuitous house swap followed. Maria’s mother was keen to downsize and so the family moved to her converted stable block on the nearby Uppark Estate.

With its rambling layout and capacious rooms, The Stables provided the catalyst for their furniture business. ‘We had been 62

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

looking for simple wooden furniture to use at home and, unable to source any we liked, we decided to design our own. I sketched the ideas and Paul turned them into a reality,’ says Maria. Harnessed by a desire for simplicity and authenticity in all aspects of life, the couple wanted each design to ‘serve a purpose, look great, withstand the rigours of everyday use and make you feel happy. We don’t believe in having things for the sake of it,’ says Maria.

The couple developed prototypes for their home honed from rough sawn ash and walnut wood, starting with a kitchen island, dining table and benches, desk, peg rails, boot rails, side tables and coffee tables. ‘Our business is rooted in our connection with nature and a desire for simplicity,’ says Paul.

The result is pieces that are elegant and minimalist, without being precious, that work in both classic and contemporary settings.

Fast forward eight years and what started as a home project has since turned into a business to watch. Maria, an interior stylist, opened a personal Instagram account, posting images of the couple’s home, furniture and lifestyle aesthetic. She quickly became inundated with enquiries from >

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

Husband and wife team, Paul and Maria, run WoodEdit from their home studio

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What we love most...

THE IMMENSE SATISFACTION OF SENDING ❝ OUT A COMPLETED ORDER. KNOWING THAT SOMEONE HAS FAITH IN OUR DESIGNS FEELS VERY PERSONAL

❞

prospective buyers. ‘We recognised an opportunity to harness this interest and 14 months ago I closed my osteopathy practice to launch WoodEdit,’ says Paul.

‘It feels liberating to put my woodworking skills to full use and having the headspace to create is very rewarding. There are no investors and no back-up funds – we cannot afford to carry large stocks, so wood is supplied locally by a trusted merchant once orders are placed. Twelve months in, we continue to do everything ourselves. Maria is all about the aesthetic; my focus is the making and business management. Our trust and belief in each other is enormous. It has to be to work. Going from sole trader to a limited company has been a steep learning

Regular meetings help keep the workload in check

curve, but previous business experience has helped. Planning is key, too. Being the only maker, order lead times can take four to six weeks, but customers are happy to wait, knowing the pieces are handmade. Our designs are lifetime investments, but also affordable choices – that was important to us.’

Paul’s workshop, a weathered, blackpainted outbuilding that came with their home, is a short stroll across the central courtyard. The smell of freshly sawn wood and finishing oils creates an intoxicating welcome. Tools are displayed on patinarich, crumbling plaster walls, along with many standalone pieces of cutting and finishing machinery. ‘It was all saved for and accumulated over the last eight years – we wanted to avoid any prohibitive start-up costs,’ says Paul. ‘It is great having a separate space in which to be creative – although for Maria, work on WoodEdit does cross over at home. I have learnt to be mindful of the fact that she is also juggling our five children and her own separate styling, writing and buying projects (including the amazing seagrass animal heads that she imports). Establishing set design meetings has been important.’

The choice of ash and walnut woods adds a premium feel, while carefully sanded finishes and gentle strokes of oil (a bespoke WoodEdit mix) enhance the beauty further, allowing the colour and grain to shine. ‘I am passionate about the finish. It is something that cannot be rushed,’ says Paul. ‘Recently, we have created new designs to make use of our offcuts – chopping boards, candlesticks and boot jacks. It is important to us that everything is used. We are also planning ideas for an outdoor range and some new interior pieces for next spring.

Starting WoodEdit was a huge leap of faith, but it is so rewarding knowing that our designs are being appreciated and that we are carving a future for our family.’

WoodEdit, 0800 066 5411, woodedit.co.uk, @woodedituk, @marialemesurier

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

Maria designs the pieces and Paul brings them to life

Paul uses any offcuts to make smaller items

Every item is designed and made by hand

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The couple find inspiration out in nature

ON OUR DOORSTEP...

Visit… ’West Wittering Beach (01243 514143, westwitteringestate.co.uk) near Chichester. Nature and the sea are our greatest loves and when our heads are spinning, we often jump in the sea.’

Shop at…‘The Hungry Guest (01798 342803, hungryguest.com) in Petworth, West Sussex.

They sell the best range of seasonal food.’

Go for a meal at…

‘Cowdray Park Farm (01730 812423, cowdray. co.uk) in Midhurst. It’s a brilliant farm shop with a wonderful cafe.’

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

HOW TO GET THE PERFECT MARKETING SHOTS

FEATURE ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY

The look and feel of your business should come through in its marketing – including photography and social media posts. Maria and Paul share how they achieve both lifestyle and product photos that express their creative vision.

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF Maria and Paul have used their own lifestyle ethos as an inherent part of their business story. At the heart of all they create for WoodEdit is a desire for simplicity and a deep-rooted connection with all things natural. ‘I have worked hard to mould the WoodEdit visual profile around our own beliefs and values,’ says Maria.

Their home’s pared-back spaces act as the perfect backdrop for shooting images of their stylish furniture. As a consequence, the images feel real and genuine. ‘If a customer is to buy into your vision, they have to believe the visual rhetoric,’ says Maria. ‘Equally, any text that accompanies the images has to be just as inspiring and down to earth.

For us, our customers are not buying into a shallow marketing pitch – they’re being inspired by a genuine way of life, one of simplicity and authenticity.’

THINK ABOUT THE PRACTICALITIES Deciding on how to shoot your images can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. If the focus is online, with images appearing on your website and social media pages, then a good quality phone camera will easily suffice.

Maria is in charge of all the imagery that goes online on both her Instagram accounts: @marialemesurier and @woodedituk. ‘We keep the process as simple as possible – I just use an iPhone for all of my social media shots, as well as a simple-to-use photo and videoediting app called VSCO to change the size, contrast and exposure. For editorial magazine shoots, we always work with a professional team who come and style, light and shoot setups to create the optimum high-resolution images that print publications require. But for daily product images, we simply don’t have the budget to do that, so we use the tools we have to hand for free.’

WHAT TO CONSIDER In terms of photographing products to sell on social media, it’s important to showcase items in a way that reflects the current season

of the year. ‘I always prefer using natural foliage to shop-bought flowers and will style shots with large-scale fallen branches, seasonal ferns and dried foraged finds that are available on the estate around us,’ says Maria. ‘Nature is a vital part of what makes both Paul and me tick, so you will never see anything synthetic or fake in our photos – it just wouldn’t be true to us. We always show our products in a lifestyle setting as it helps prospective customers to visualise how the piece of furniture they’re looking at can work in a home.’

THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF GREAT PHOTOS ON SALES The quality of the photos you take can have an enormous effect on how much and what you sell.

If, like WoodEdit, your social media acts like a shop window, then images need to sit well within the grid and work well as a set, not just in isolation. Consistency of contrast, exposure and tone is key as it will provide a framework and standard for how your images are perceived. For WoodEdit, 70% of its sales come from online contact, so taking time to perfect the images and messaging is key.

The one lesson we’ve learnt...

NEVER LET FEARS FOR THE BUSINESS TAKE HOLD. ❝LEARN FROM PERCEIVED SETBACKS AND TURN THEM INTO NEW OPPORTUNITIES ❞ COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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CH&I loves…

PASTELS FOR ALL SEASONS Not just for spring (or children’s rooms), perennial pastels are spreading a calming influence across country interiors

Perk up cooking duties with rosy, Scandi-style crocks in the kitchen…

Tilli small pot in Blush, £13.75; Kasvi large pot in Blush, £23.75; Pitka vase in Blush, £35, all Also Home

SHOPPING TREND

MAKE IT COUNTRY Think of pastels as your ‘new neutrals’ – a bouquet of natureinspired, softly-softly tones to re-energise your home.

Incorporate a sorbet menu of pretty hues, including minty sage, sky blue, delicate lilac and dusky blush to make a colourful statement without dominating a space.

Anna bed linen in Mist, £70 for a double set; linen throw in Rose, from £140; cushions in Cannas and Bluestem, from £32.50 each; curtains in Bluestem, £529 a pair, all Loom & Last

2 1 1 TA B L E L A M P Welcome bluebird-sky shades inside to spread calm energy. Lamp base in Sky Blue, from £625; lampshade, from £165, both Rosanna Lonsdale

3

2 C US HI ON Add subtle colour accents via supersoft scatter cushions.

Soft wool cushion in Blush, £55, Cox & Cox

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3 R ANGE COO K ER Update your kitchen with a country classic reinvented with energy-efficient prowess.

Range cooker 110 in Sage, £9,040, Everhot

5

4 CAR AF E Opt for tactility at teatime. Only the inside of this piece is glazed, leaving the outer surface untreated and raw. Unison ceramic carafe in Yellow, £117, Schneid at The Gifted Few 5 COO KWA RE Save on the washing up with an oven dish pretty enough to be carried straight to the table at your next dinner party.

Oliver oven dish in Pink and White, £25, Habitat COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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SHOPPING TREND

Dress walls with a trailing, dreamy design. Adam’s Eden wallpaper, £68.08m, Lewis & Wood

Create a timeless scheme with country classics. Aster sofa, from £3,359; chair, from £1,699; footstool, from £889, all Sofa Workshop

OUR EXPERT SAYSÉ

AN ANTIDOTE TO TODAY’S ❝ FAST AND FURIOUS WAYS, PASTELS EPITOMISE A JOURNEY TOWARDS BALANCE AND HARMONY

9

7 VA S E Muted tones and a textured surface bring a ripple of interest to a mantelpiece or alcove. Vetta ceramic vase and faux flower, £60, Federica Bubani at Nisi Living

6 7

8 THRO W Proof that icecream pastels are far from frosty, this pure wool weave is the perfect cuddle-up for post-walk bodies in need of a speedy defrost! Weave throw in Duck Egg, £60, Tom Lane

8

9 BA R STO OL This thoughtful design combines natural materials and colour contrasts for added interest.

Nordic bar stool, £195, Farmhouse Table Company

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1 0 CA ND LE Create a relaxed ambience with flickering hints of fruity and woody notes perfectly packaged in a dappled pink ceramic. Fig & Rose candle in Pink, £16, Anthropologie

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR

❞

6 ECO -PA INT This romantic shade will provide a gentle foundation that won’t clash with other colours (and it’s made from environmentally friendly pigments, too.) Rose emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer at Oka

NOTHING SIMILAR IS QUITE THE SAME

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

Club Wall Light £72.50

Smart shades that simplify your life.

PowerView® Motorisation from Luxaflex® Perfect lighting, energy efficiency, everyday convenience - it’s all delivered automatically with PowerView® Motorisation. Just program PowerView® to move your window coverings to the exact position you want and then control and schedule them using the intuitive PowerView® App on your smartphone or tablet.

Find out more at luxaflex.co.uk

The Art of Window Styling

DESIGNER PROFILE

Meet Paul de Zwart

FURNITURE DESIGNER

Dutch-born Paul de Zwart founded Another Country in 2010 with a vision of producing contemporary, handcrafted furniture with sustainability in mind. The brand’s simple aesthetic is now instantly recognisable

Do you have a background in design? I actually majored in Political Science but I have always loved meaningful brand narratives and good design. I was the founding publisher of Wallpaper* magazine before Another Country was born.

How did Another Country come about? I was searching for furniture for my country house in Dorset when the idea struck. I was after a bedside table and had a particular image in my head – a contemporary yet country-friendly piece that was well made, well-priced and had honest provenance. I couldn’t find anything that met my requirements, so I decided to create my own.

Where are you based? Production of our pieces originally took place exclusively in Dorset, but we’ve now expanded to four workshops as well as several larger production facilities in Portugal to meet demand.

FEATURE TARA KING

Fold chair, £3,995

Day bed one, from £2,585

Describe Another Country’s style.

We are inspired by the pared-down simplicity of Japanese woodwork and the Scandinavian aesthetic.

What materials do you choose to work with? We put a lot of importance on sourcing sustainable materials. Wood is our go-to and everything is built to last.

Tell us about the brand’s collaborative approach to design.

We strive to work with like-minded partners. A prime example is our relationship with Devon-based Naturalmat – its mattresses are made from 100 per cent natural materials.

What’s been your career highlight so far? It’s humbling to be specified for a prestigious project – so our work for the Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft, as well as for various National Trust properties, have all been highlights for me.

What’s next? Another Country is 10 this year, so we’ll be celebrating!

Look out for some exciting new collaborations and launches.

Sum up your style in three words.

Long-lasting, honest and beautiful.

Another Country, 020 7486 3251, anothercountry.com

3 more furniture designers to watch...

EDWARD COLLINSON crafts furniture from trees felled at his Yorkshire home.

020 8914 7861, edwardcollinson.co.uk JAN HENDZEL creates decorative pieces using reclaimed timber. 020 8854 4870, janhendzel.com GARETH NEAL produces seating, cabinetry and sculptures with a focus on sustainability, garethneal.co.uk COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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SLUG HERE

Feelgood

home

A space to rest, a spot to dream, an atmosphere to soothe the senses… Plant-inspired prints, warm wood textures and a nature-inspired palette of earthy tones create a homely haven

74 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SEASONAL DECOR

THE SCENE IS SET Every room needs a hero feature. Here, decorative wallpaper gets star billing, with simple furniture and cosy fabrics in support.

The stage is set for comfort, conversation and good times.

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SEASONAL DECOR

WOODLAND WAY Take your cue from our forests, with a display that evokes the colour, texture and beauty of a woodland walk.

76 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SOULFUL SUPPERS Add layers of linens and lounging accessories at the table for comfortable dining. Organic-inspired prints, vintage weaves and natural materials create a low-key, cosy style.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 77

A LIGHT IN THE DARK Candlelight lifts the spirits and brings a warm glow to a room.

Tea lights add twinkle to dark corners for cosy, hygge vibes.

78 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SEASONAL DECOR

DAYDREAM BELIEVER Create a space to let your mind wander… Cushions and throws in warm colours and touchy-feely textures invite you to relax and restore.

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SEASONAL DECOR

FEELGOOD HOME

PAGES 74-75

Wallpaper in Walled Garden Khoi, £23m, Rapture & Wright. Cara chair, £650, Graham and Green. Cushion in Seed Pod Ochre, £69m, GP&J Baker. Tray table, £175, Cox &

Cox. Somerton basket, £51; Olney teapot, £25; Blyton candle in Rust, £7, all Neptune.

Tito Choco throw, £49.99, Linen Me. Kendal cushion in Mead, £72, The Fine Cotton Company. Tibetan Arctic Ombre cushion, £75; cotton and leather rug, £99, both Nordic House. Flame cushion in Rust, £95, Kirkby Design. Shelf mirror, £65; speckle glaze pot, £55, both Cox & Cox. Utility tea light holder in Amber, £25 for two; pleat tea light holder in Amber, £22, both LSA International. Feather duster, £28, Baileys. Sorghum broom, £30; Japanese palm brush, £35, both Native & Co. Iron lantern, £49.95, Graham and Green.

Fladis basket, £13, Ikea. Thena basket, £52, Rowen & Wren. Svend Bayer 5.7L jug, £169; John Leach mug, £19.80, both David Mellor Designs. Milk Mali jug, £16.95, Rose & Grey.

Aubergine hurricane, £72, Penny Morrison

WOODLAND WAY

SOULFUL SUPPERS

Lampshade in Loop Harvest Gold, £79m, Kirkby Design. Audrey sideboard, £6,750, Fiona McDonald. Polesden table lamp in bronze, £576, Vaughan Designs. Syon bowl, £76; Huxley Landscape scented candle, £37, both Neptune. Four-pint cider bottle, £360; Collum vase in Smoke, £130, both The New Craftsmen. Smoke honeycomb glass tea light holder, £30, Penny Morrison.

Brass faceted vase, £195, Native & Co

Old Hungarian linen, £24m, Baileys. Similar antique wooden dining table, Home Barn.

Dining chairs; sheepskin seat pad, £45 each, both Cox & Cox. Tibetan Arctic Ombre rug, £100, Nordic House. Zinc rug with Graphite linen bouclé border, £782, Crucial Trading. Hadleigh throw in Ink, £235, all Neptune. Luna candle centrepiece, £38, Rowen & Wren. Similar, Green industrial wall light, from a selection, Skinflint Design

A LIGHT IN THE DARK

Beige, £45, both Rose & Grey. Palm Leaf woven basket, £18, both Rowen & Wren.

Wool mix throw in Ecru Maroon, £132; linen flat sheet in Russet, £162, both Larusi.

Contrast piped-back Fuschia cushion, £95, Fermoie. Check cushion cover, £19.99, Zara Home. Mohair cushion in Chocolate, £65, Bronte by Moon. City tray, £80, LSA International. John Jelfs teapot, £99, David Mellor Designs. Plain Velvet cushion cover in Rioja, £55, Oka. Framboise on Natural floral cushion,£85, Inchyra. Bruno Choco throw, as before; Lara napkin in Cherry, £5.49, both Linen Me. Larusi Beru rattan lampshade, £99.95, Nkuku. Vintage brass lantern, £28, Nordic House. Khaki candle, £1.50; Tawny mug, £6.50, both Baileys

Lucent fabric, £110m, Fermoie. Wicker dining chairs, £195 each; black cutlery set, £60, both Cox & Cox. Beauclerc narrow Natural Rose cushion, £85, Inchyra. Oval rush table mats, £26.40 each, Rush Matters.

Fringe napkins in Ecru/Clay, £38 for two, Larusi. Liam O’Neill wooden bowl, £36; Svend Bayer 1.1L jug, £69, both David Mellor Designs. Oren jug, £25; Olivia plates, £12 each, both Habitat. Neve tea light holders in Mustard, £42 for three; Ella tumblers in Charcoal, £42 for six, both Neptune

THE SCENE IS SET

PAGES 76-77

Chelsea jar in Smoke, £120, The New Craftsmen. Stoneware mug, £24; stoneware candleholder, £22, both Rowen & Wren.

Khaki candle, £1.50, Baileys. Gozan Brown plate, £16, David Mellor Designs

PAGES 78-79

DAYDREAM BELIEVER Curtain in Coromandel Flower Earth Oatmeal linen, £99m, Parker & Jules. Parley daybed, £1,395, Loaf. Wooden table, £69.99, Zara Home. Elgin rug in Grey Oak, £600; Herdwick sheepskin rug, £135; Grace Harris Tweed Marmalade cushion, £92; Sefton throw in Rust, £175; Blyton candle in Juniper, £7, all Neptune. Ferm Living Borders Kelim rug, £89; Velvet square cushion in

STAY ON SET Go behind the scenes of our photo shoots and book a stay at one of the lovely location houses owned by Beach Studios beachstudios.co.uk paleandinterestingholidays.com

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE AND ART DIRECTION SARA BIRD STYLING MARISA DALY PHOTOGRAPHS DAN DUCHARS STYLE ASSISTANTS ARABELLA SERRELS, FLORA LEAHY

ALL THE DETAILS, PRODUCTS & PRICES

the beauty of bespoke

Handstitched Harlequin curtains

Book a consultation: 0800 688 8118 or visit thomas-sanderson.co.uk

MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

PLANT POWER

Keats small pendant in Snow, £78; Hebden trestle table, £1,510; Haybrook vase, £32, all Neptune

P ERF ECT PAI NT S Sunlight intelligent matt emulsion, £50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Duck Green estate emulsion, £46 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Observatory matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands

Design a stylish

HOME OFFICE WHETHER YOU’RE RUNNING A BUSINESS OR CATCHING UP ON LIFE ADMIN, CREATE A SPACE THAT INSPIRES AND MOTIVATES YOU 82

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

CHO O SE A N I N S PI RAT I O N AL HU E Colour can have a huge influence on your mood.

Shades inspired by the landscape are our go-to for a motivational home office. Before you decide on your scheme, think about what you use the space for: earthy green and blue shades are said to improve concentration and instil calm, while sunshine yellow sparks creativity.

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MAKE A HOUSE A HOME Vintage storage rack, £75, Nordic House Brenna table lamps, from £168 each, Rowen & Wren

T I DY R O O M , T I DY M I ND A messy workspace doesn’t do much for motivation, so tidy up the night before to start each day with a clear head. Save time by giving everything a designated space – upcycled tins, jars and boxes for stationery, wastepaper bins for rolls of gift wrap and kitchen roll holders for ribbons and tapes. A portable caddy is handy for mobile working if you like to switch between sitting by the window for maximum light and the fire for extra warmth.

GET THE RIGHT LIGHT

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

WO RK N OO K Hector dome clip light in Natural White, £145, Original BTC. Oak desk tray, £235, Cox & Cox. Home estuary wooden storage drawers, £28, Sainsbury’s Home

O N DI S P L AY Whether it’s a montage of your favourite photos or a shelf full of quirky accessories, group items together to create an inspirational focal point. A trellis-style wall organiser doubles up as a seasonal moodboard – peg up postcards, paintings and flower-cuttings, adding and taking away items as the year progresses.

OUR EXPERT SAYS…

USE VERTICAL SPACE TO ❝INCREASE STORAGE IN A SMALL WORK AREA. SHELVES, WALL HANGERS AND HOOKS WILL HELP KEEP YOUR DESK CLEAR TARA KING, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR

❞

PE RF ECT FI T If you don’t have an entire room to use as a home office, a well-defined work area is the next best thing.

Add a small desk or make one from a simple shelf, or choose bespoke furniture that can be designed to work in awkward spaces. ‘Open-plan offices should complement the rest of the room, so a mix of neutral wood and painted finishes works well,’ says John Walsh, senior designer at Neville Johnson. ‘Open shelving allows you to personalise the space with objects that can be highlighted using internal lights.’

MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

IT’ S THE LITTL E TH INGS Hanging basket, £18, Bohemia Design. Feel Refreshed candle, £46, Neom Organics

TAKE A BREA K

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

FILE IN STYLE

Regular screen breaks are a must, so create a dedicated chill-out space to escape to for 10 minutes every hour or so. Layer a comfy chair with throws and cushions and encourage downtime with a selection of books, magazines and a radio. If you’re feeling a little stressed, go for a short walk or download a meditation app (we like Breathe, Calm and Headspace).

G ET CO SY Roberts radio, £89, John Lewis & Partners.

Weather clock, from £360, Bramwell Brown.

Corky carafe and glasses, £80, Nest.

Wool throws, from £99 each, Tolly McRae COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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B AT H R O O M I D E A S

Try Slaked Lime intelligent eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Saracen bath, £6,000; towel rail, £3,024, both Catchpole & Rye

TOUCHED BY TIME

Heritage-inspired

BATHROOMS

Create an instant vintage look with aged brass fittings. The finish replicates patina that’s built up over years and will add natural warmth to the coolest of bathrooms. If you want the aged effect to stay arrested in time, go for a lacquered finish.

Here, aged brassware stands out beautifully against a clean white backdrop. Notice the walls have a shady tinge – this works particularly well in country cottages, as it is softer than brilliant white.

TAKE DESIGN CUES FROM THE PAST TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL BATHROOM THAT WILL FEEL AUTHENTIC BOTH NOW AND FOR MANY YEARS TO COME 88

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON A ROLL ‘To achieve a real sense of grandeur, products should be on the larger side. It’s your opportunity to show off, so splash out on a classic cast-iron bath – it’s the most iconic feature of a traditional bathroom,’ says Yousef Mansuri, head of interior design at CP Hart. Yousef recommends positioning the bath in the centre of your bathroom, but if the layout doesn’t comply, try crowning the bath with a statement mirror or chandelier above.

Walls in Basalt flat oil eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. London 695 basin, £814; Winchester bath, from £1,707, both CP Hart

B AT H R O O M I D E A S

VICTORIAN VALUES

Washstand, £1,567; standard high-level loo, £1,027; mirror, £369; wall lights, £210 each; Spine loo roll holder, £129; towel ring, £49, all Burlington

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

This collection by Burlington echoes the prettiness of antique wrought iron but, made from aluminium, it’s far more practical. ‘Go for a simple monochrome scheme to ensure ornate fittings remain timeless,’ says Faye Froy, marketing manager at Burlington. ‘You can also make it more contemporary by combining with dark walls, as in the bathroom pictured.’

VIVA VINTAGE The bathroom is an ideal place to be brave with bolder, vintage-style patterns and to introduce a little colour. ‘A show-stopping shower curtain can be all it takes to bring a pop of technicolour flair to a classic bathroom,’ says Jamie Watkins, cofounder of Divine Savages. In this bathroom, belonging to Collette Vernon of The Vintage Trader, a blush pink velvet armchair continues the colour story, at the same time providing a touch of Parisian salon-style elegance.

Zsa Zsa print shower curtain, £45, Divine Savages COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Design, VSP Interiors.

Aurelius slipper bath, £3,600, BC Designs.

Traditional bath shower, £957, Perrin & Rowe.

Astoria Deco basin stand and basin, £1,168, Imperial Bathrooms

ON A PEDESTAL In this country home, interior designer Henriette von Stockhausen kept the look simple yet elegant. ‘No trends – just classic detailing and antiques,’ says Henriette.

‘We raised the platform to make the most of the vistas and to make installing the waste pipes much easier.’ The reclaimed wooden floor was crucial for adding warmth in the high-ceilinged space.

B AT H R O O M I D E A S

Atlantic bath in Top Hat, £4,500; Empire mixer taps, £2,000; Atlantic cabinet and basin in Wenge, £1,750; Empire basin mixer, £1,000; round mirror, £485; East Hampton white marble floor tiles, £114.97sq m, all Fired Earth

DIVINE DECO-DENCE ‘A monochrome palette, combined with bold geometric shapes and accents of glass, chrome and marble, is instantly evocative of the Art Deco era,’ says Colin Roby-Welford, creative director at Fired Earth. Smartly panelled baths – freestanding or built-in – are also synonymous with the period.

Fluted glass may be very ‘now’ but it was first popular in the 1930s – embrace it on lighting.

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ELEGANT RUSTIC A small area of traditionally patterned tiles can be all you need to give your bathroom a fabulous heritage feel. Laid vertically, these large-format tiles elevate a neutral space without unsettling the sense of calm. ‘Natural materials are the perfect backdrop for busier heritage patterns,’ says Mark Findlay, founder of Harvey Maria. ‘Pale coastal tones, with lots of grain, work beautifully to create an elegant, rustic feel.’

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Cove Plank luxury vinyl flooring, £36.95sq m, Harvey Maria. For similar style tiles, try Original Style

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS PAUL CRAIG, ALEXANDER JAMES, MEGAN TAYLOR, COLLETTE VERNON

B AT H R O O M I D E A S

FLOWER SHOW

Victoria acrylic fitted bath, £625; bath panel in Dove Grey, £420; Victoria loo and cistern, £425; Victoria basin and pedestal, £445, Heritage Bathrooms

Don’t shy away from using wallpaper in the bathroom; modern ventilation standards and improved paper quality mean the danger of peeling is vastly diminished. ‘One of the greatest pluses of classically shaped sanitaryware is interesting silhouettes,’ says Charlie Williams, interior designer at Heritage Bathrooms.

‘Pitched alongside patterned wallpaper, the curves and details really stand proud.’

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Choose the bestÉ FREE-STANDING WARDROBE

ORGANISED ELEGANCE Keep clothing tidy with the help of this handcrafted design, boasting double hanging space for crease-free order, and a generous-sized bottom drawer to store chunky throws and knits.

Winstone double wardrobe in White, H205.50xW120xD59cm, £649, The Cotswold Company

GET THE HANG OF STYLISH STORAGE WITH A STANDALONE CLOSET THAT WILL KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ORGANISED AND YOUR BEDROOM CHIC AND CLUTTER FREE (NO EXCUSE FOR A ‘CHAIR-DROBE’ NOW)

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FURNITURE BUYERÕS GUIDE

BESPOKE OPTIONS Got your own signature style?

Create a customisable design that matches your look and your living space. This compact closet can be finished with your preferred colourway and handles.

French wardrobe, H134xW84x D58cm, £595, The Dormy House

MINIMAL ASSEMBLY House your country catwalk collection in this dark character.

Made in reclaimed wood, every piece promises to be unique.

Winchester dark rustic wooden wardrobe, H190xW89xD62.5cm, £669, Modish Living

COMBINE ROOMY HANGING WITH HANDY ❝ DRAWERS FOR MAXIMUM STORAGE, BUT CHOOSE ELEGANT LEGS FOR FURNITURE THAT STEPS LIGHTLY IN YOUR SPACE

❞

INKY DEPTHS Harmonising with intense blue, warm oak and copper handles, the grooved architectural pillars on this hanging cupboard and drawer combo create a feeling of sophisticated calm...

Highgate rustic oak and Blue hardwood double wardrobe, H193xW110x D65cm, £699.99, Oak Furnitureland

CHIC TRANQUILITY Pair practicality with pretty elegance. Displaying hand-carved floral motifs, a gently curved silhouette and alluring grey finish, this rustic character provides space galore.

Rose Mist wardrobe, H205.9xW129.6xD67.5cm, £1,299, John Lewis & Partners COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE

SPACE SAVER One for the attic or eaves guest bedroom, this compact offering is available in three standard widths, or can be designed to your requirements.

Oxford low two-door narrow full-hanging wardrobe in Meadow/natural oak, H134xW84xD58cm, £639, Painted Furniture Company

COUTURE CLOSET Suitable for both modern and traditional interiors, this design features a gently brushed finish for a light and airy effect. A traditional plinth top and base and framed mirrored doors lend an air of gentle grace befitting any country-living fashionista.

Geometric parquet wardrobe, H195xW111x D60cm, £1,650, Cox & Cox

WOODY DESIGNS, LIGHT OR ❝ DARK, ADD INSTANT WARMTH AND

TACTILITY TO A SPACE, BRINGING THE ESSENCE OF THE OUTSIDE INSIDE

❞

ARMOIRE AMOUR…

ASIAN FLAIR Inspired by Chinese design, this distinctive piece has tapered side frames and panelled doors finished in a mid elm grain. The interior includes a hanging rail mounted on runners, as well as two removable shelves.

Wardrobe, H210xW118xD60cm, £1,995, Shimu 98

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

It’s the fairy-tale ending to your clothing storage woes, ticking all the compatibility boxes for drawers and hanging space, perfectly packaged in crafted solid oak.

We’re in love already.

Valentine wardrobe, H175x W90xD60cm, £1,195, Loaf

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

NATURAL BEAUTY

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN WITH NATURE-INSPIRED ARTWORK BY SIMONE WEBB, THE LATEST ARTIST TO JOIN RUNWAY-GALLERY.COM print off my piece and add gold leaf accents.

Brighton-based artist Simone Webb is one of the latest artists featured on Runway Gallery, an online showcase of contemporary art. She combines traditional and modern techniques to create artwork full of elegance and intrigue that perfectly capture nature’s fleeting beauty.

Here, she describes her unique working process.

Becoming an artist was a natural choice for me.

As a child, I’d get the bus into town, which passed the local art college. I’d always say, ‘I’m going to go there one day.’ And I did. After that, I studied for a degree in graphic design and illustration at De Montfort University, which led me to where I am today, and now I happily combine modern and traditional techniques in my artwork.

WORDS TARA KING. ARTWORK FROM TOP, FECUNDITY II, £2,500; MINERVA, £495, BOTH BY SIMONE WEBB, AVAILABLE AT RUNWAY-GALLERY.COM

My day begins at 7am, with a swim or a workout, before I head

While I love flowers, I’m not green-fingered myself. Any attempt at keeping them thriving ended in failure, which led me to think about creating something that would last eternally; offering a sense of permanence to nature’s fleeting beauty. Flora and fauna bloom and decay in painterly gestures across stark backgrounds; a fusion of their life cycle from beginning to end that can be observed at any given time.

to my studio. I’d love to say it’s tidy, but my desk is usually covered in paper, pencils and tubes of paint!

I spend a lot of time working at my computer, so when screen time gets a bit too much, I like to visit botanical gardens and stately homes in search of fresh ideas.

I sometimes think about moving to a shared creative space, but I like the freedom of listening to whatever I like, anything from acoustic and metal to true-crime podcasts.

It depends on my mood whether I begin creating digitally or with acrylics. If it’s the latter, I scan my paintings into my computer and work on them in Photoshop. This allows me the flexibility to play with colour – I often have shades in mind when I start, but I just go with what feels right in the moment. When I’m happy, I’ll

I love the idea of pulling favourite colours from paintings and using them in your decor.

Metallic accents complement the gold, silver and copper leaf details in my pieces perfectly.

Looking to add the wow factor to your home? Buy stylish, affordable artwork from Simone Webb and other artists at runway-gallery.com

NEXT MON T H The Connor Brothers entered the art scene as fictional characters Franklyn and Brendan Connor, American twins brought up within an extremist cult known as ‘The Family’. In 2014, they revealed themselves as British art dealers turned artists Mike Snelle and James Golding, and have recently collaborated with our sister brand, Livingetc, to produce two exclusive prints, now available at Runway Gallery.

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ROOM ELEMENTS

Stunning

KITCHEN SINKS

STYLISH SHAPES, DISTINCTIVE MATERIALS AND A HOST OF SIZES, FROM TWINS TO MEGA BOWLS, CREATE THE ULTIMATE KITCHEN SINK DRAMA

Farmhouse 80 sink, from £340, Villeroy & Boch. Haddon kitchen, from £10,000, Kitchen Makers

BEST OF BOTH Mixing traditional good looks with modern practicality is easy with a butler or Belfast sink in a double-width design. The fireclay ceramic bowl can accommodate oven trays and large dishes that don’t fit in a dishwasher, and the durable, glazed finish is scratch and stain resistant, too. ‘Shaker-style cabinetry is the perfect complement, but factor the sink’s dimensions into your design – unlike top-mounted sinks, you will need to choose between a flush or proud fit’, says Ben Burbidge, managing director of Kitchen Makers.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Shaws of Darwen ceramic double-bowl butler sink, £673. Cabinetry, from £75,000, Mark Wilkinson

OUR EXPERT SAYS…

DRINK BOTTLED ❝ WATER? INVEST IN A TAP WITH BUILT-IN FILTERS – THEY’RE BETTER FOR THE PLANET AND WILL SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN

❞

TARA KING, CONTENT STYLE EDITOR

Normandy copper farmhouse sink with Easton classic faucet, £9,838.90, Waterworks

NATURAL APPEAL A copper sink is a practical choice due to its natural antibacterial properties. ‘Copper has a living finish, so its patina changes over time – its ultimate colour is entirely unpredictable’, says Barbara Sallick of Waterworks. While it’s relatively easy to clean and won’t rust, experts suggest washing with a mild soapy solution and waxing regularly to retain its shine.

LOW PROFILE Undermounted sinks are installed below the worktop to create a seamless, hygienic surface.

They best suit solid worktops, such as natural stones and composites, but can be used with wood as long as it’s regularly sealed with oil or wax. They don’t come with drainers, so grooves will need to be incorporated into the worktop.

ISLAND LIFE As the most hard-working room in the home, a practical kitchen layout is essential. Experts advise placing the cooker, fridge and sink in a triangle configuration, and fitting a sink into an island is a great way of achieving this. It also creates a specific zone for rinsing vegetables or hand-washing, away from the main cooking area.

Cast iron undermounted sink in White, £1,022, Kohler. Hartford kitchen in Willow, from £20,000, Tom Howley

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Ceramic single-bowl sink, £325; Henley Oak kitchen, from £14,000, both Neptune

PERFECT PAIR If space allows, factor a double bowl or a pair of sinks into your kitchen to enhance its usability. Two small inset designs, with matching taps and accessories, are a space-saving solution in narrow, galley layouts – one for food prep and one for dishes. Create a draining area either side of each with a grooved section carved into the worktop. A natural surface such as staved oak suits rustic schemes.

Cisterna 60c sinks, from £310 each, Villeroy & Boch. Sebastian Cox kitchen, from £15,000, deVOL

3 O F TH E B E ST MIXER TAPS A fitting finish for a stylish sink

FEATURE TARA KING

INDUSTRIAL CHIC

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1. Orta tap, £199, Smeg 2. Ridley gold tap, from £247, Caple 3. Aquitane sink mixer in nickel, £471.72, Perrin & Rowe COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

For a rustic look with an industrial edge, choose a sink in the same shade as the worktop. ‘We’re seeing darker colours work their way into country kitchens across surfaces, fittings and cabinetry,’ says Amy Conn, designer at Neptune. ‘A matt black sink and granite surface are an on-trend pairing – team with warm wood cabinetry and copper accents.’

ROOM ELEMENTS

OUR EXPERT SAYS…

MOST SINKS ❝COME READY PREPARED FOR MOUNTING SPECIFIC TAPS – CHECK YOUR PREFERRED DESIGN IS COMPATIBLE BEFORE YOU BUY

❞

TARA KING, CONTENT STYLE EDITOR

Need to know...

STATEMENT SINKS ■ DECIDE ON THE STYLE Undermounted sinks

are rimless and fit under the worktop, and are ideally made from a solid material like stone.

Inset sinks are easier to install and usually have built-in drainers. Sit-on sinks fit onto a low unit with the worktop overlapping on three sides.

■ CONSIDER SIZE If you own a dishwasher,

a large, single bowl sink may suffice. Or, if you use your sink for washing up and prep on a regular basis, a 1.5L, 1.75L, two-bowl or even triple-bowl design will work best.

■ THINK ABOUT FITTINGS A super-tall tap will

look silly towering over a tiny prep sink, while a large double-bowl sink requires a tap with a long-reaching swivel spout. The latest designs have aerated nozzles that inject air into the water to boost pressure and reduce splashing.

■ DOUBLE UP Fitting a sink into a freestanding

unit is a clever way of creating a separate utility zone for jobs best kept away from food prep, such as cleaning boots, trimming flowers or rinsing pets after muddy walks.

For best results, ensure the unit is designed to conceal the plumbing underneath.

Faron XL 6S sink, £398, Blanco

FORM AND FUNCTION For compact kitchens, or open-plan spaces where clear worktops are a must, a multipurpose sink is a great option. This design from Blanco comes with a wooden board designed to sit neatly alongside or across the sink, allowing the space to be used for chopping, rinsing and draining all at once.

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SALE 20% off all designs.

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Holton three-seater sofa from ÂŁ1,280 ÂŁ1,599

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HOME TECH

Buy the best...

TUMBLE DRYER FOR WINTER WASHING

OFTEN THOUGHT OF AS INEFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY, THE HUMBLE TUMBLE DRYER HAS RECENTLY HAD A VERY SMART MAKEOVER Wi-Fi connected with a 9kg drum.

TCR860, £1,949, Miele

BEST FOR SPEED DRYING DV90M50003X, £719.99, Samsung This advanced smart heat pump model (H59.2xW52.2xD52cm) has a large 9kg drum, frugal A++ energy rating and will dry a 1kg load of wet washing in as little as 35 minutes. It features a pop-in drying rack that you can use for individual delicate items, such as trainers or your favourite cashmere sweater. A clever, dual-layer filtration system helps trap more lint and the machine will automatically tell you when it’s in need of a clean.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI, CHRIS HASLAM

BEST FOR PEACE AND QUIET

n HEAT PUMPS VS CONDENSERS A heat pump dryer reheats and reuses the air inside the machine, while a condenser collects water in a container, which then needs to be emptied. A heat pump machine takes longer to dry clothes than a condenser model, but it is also the more energy efficient option, and therefore can be considerably cheaper to run. n SIZE MATTERS As a rule, the bigger the drum, the faster the machine can function. Larger drums have more space for air to circulate around the laundry while it’s spinning, so the clothes get dry in a shorter length of time. n HANDY FUNCTIONS Some models have added settings that blast steam and heat into the laundry while drying them, reducing creasing and cutting down the need to iron. Others have self-cleaning programmes, which monitor when the filter or condenser need cleaning and automatically get the job done when required. Smart functionality is also useful for when you wish to turn your machine on or off remotely, while some models will inform you (via an app) when they need a filter change.

Serie 6 WTWH7660GB heat pump tumble dryer, £829, Bosch This A++ 9kg option is quieter than most at 62dB, so great for openplan kitchens. Measuring H84.8x W59.8xD59cm, the AutoDry function monitors the moisture levels throughout the cycle to prevent your jumpers coming out like cardboard. Special programmes also include a 40-minute quick dry and allergy prevention. Plus, the self-cleaning mode helps to keep the dryer working efficiently.

BEST FOR AFFORDABLE DESIGN DCY9316, £339.99, Beko Measuring H84.8xW59.8xD59cm, the lack of heat pump in this model explains the B energy rating, but this is a great 9kg option for the price – especially as it has a duvet-friendly 32cm porthole.

It has an advanced sensor-drying programme you’d typically find on top-end models, while the anti-creasing function rotates the drum every so often to reduce wrinkles. Unlike standard condenser models, this design comes with a drain hose so you don’t have to worry about emptying it.

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The one-stop edit of the best modern style inspiration and design ideas Natural, sustainable & ethical, our beautiful timber windows and doors are the logical choice. Constructed from engineered timber slow grown in cold climates, their strength, stability and beauty are guaranteed.

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20% discount off all windows and doors in our Winter Sale, explore the range in over 40 showrooms nationwide.

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K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

Painting the whole room – including the beams – in a soft white shade has made the space feel much brighter

PROJECT PROFILE Owners Stay-at-home mum Liney Cumberlege lives here with her husband Jonathan, who works in financial tech, and their three children.

House A six-bedroom house, dating from the 17th century, in a Dorset village.

Fast MOVE

A TIGHT TIMESCALE ENCOURAGED LINEY AND JONATHAN CUMBERLEGE TO MAKE BOLD DESIGN CHOICES IN THEIR NEW KITCHEN

Project To install a new kitchen that balances elegance with practicality.

Kitchen size L4.8xW4.9m

Designer Nick Anderson of Guild Anderson.

Cabinetry Bespoke, hand-painted Old Rectory furniture by Guild Anderson.

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Bar stools tuck under the island, creating a spot for casual meals, coffee and homework

A

fter living in Australia for three years, Liney and Jonathan Cumberlege returned to the UK with their three children and assorted pets, on a mission to find a family home.

‘We stumbled across this house almost by accident when we were looking at schools for the children,’ says Liney, adding that the large garden and Dorset village setting instantly appealed. The kitchen was another major attraction, given its generous size and lofty height. ‘This room was once a barn attached to the house,’ she says. Less appealing, however, was the wood-on-wood-on-wood finish of the room. ‘Oak units, dark timber beams and roof trusses felt quite oppressive,’ says Liney. ‘And anyway, the cabinets were getting to the end of their life.’

The family had a three-month window before they needed to move out of the house they were renting in Salisbury. ‘I realised that we should tackle the kitchen while we had the opportunity, otherwise we’d never get around to doing it,’ she says. While Liney was choosing curtains and blinds at Compton Smith Interiors, owner Carina Syms recommended bespoke kitchen company Guild Anderson. ‘It was my lucky day,’ says Liney. ‘I rang, it turned out that they had just had a project postponed, so I was able to grab the slot. I wanted a bullet-proof kitchen with a big island suitable for lots of family use. The design was to be classic, so it felt clean and accentuated the light feel of the room.’

Having chosen an Everhot range cooker as the focal point of the scheme, everything else quickly fell into place. ‘Our designer, Nick Anderson, created beautiful furniture that looks freestanding, rather than ultra-fitted,’ says Liney. ‘It really suits the proportions of the room.’

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The tongue-andgroove half-height panelling adds interest to the tall wall at the far end of the room, and serves as a shelf for lamps and decorative items

The Quooker tap dispenses boiling and ‘standard’ hot and cold water from one spout

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

EVERHOT

FRIDGE FREEZER

ISLAND

LARDER

DISHWASHERS

DRESSER

THE LAYOUT A large island acts as the central prep station in the room, with the Everhot cooker as the focal point built into a niche between two pillars. The bulky fridgefreezer is tucked out of sight around the corner, opposite the wall run with pantry cupboard, wet zone for washing up and more storage. An elegant dresser cabinet catches the eye on the far wall, its slender depth allowing for a generous walkway around the island.

The Everhot heat storage cast-iron range cooker runs on electricity and provides flexible cooking options

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An overmantel is an ideal place to display artwork, which can easily be switched up

1

FAST MOVE

3 110

CLEVER DESIGN SOLUTIONS

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SIMPLE OVERMANTEL

To accentuate the focal point of the room, the Everhot range cooker is framed by a custom-made overmantel.

This conceals both a structural beam and an extraction system, which vents outside.

The design of the overmantel is clean and simple, in keeping with the look of the kitchen cabinetry. The handmade glazed brick tiles create an eye-catching splashback in a beautiful shade of blue, which matches the Everhot.

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

2

REEDED GLASS

3

TWO DISHWASHERS

The doors of the traditional dresser are glazed with reeded glass, chosen for its utilitarian feel. It also allows Liney to store china, teapots and jugs on the shelves without the need to arrange them immaculately, as the contents of the cupboard are obscured by the vertically ribbed nature of the glass. ‘I like the way the textured panels merely hint at what’s inside,’ says Liney.

To provide maximum flexibility for a family of five, Liney chose a fully integrated standard size 60cm dishwasher, built under and to the left of the sink, and in the island opposite, a single DishDrawer dishwasher. The DishDrawer is convenient for small loads and holds up to six place settings, plus its drawer design means that it is easy to load with minimal bending. Both are situated close to the dresser for efficient unloading.

Having two dishwashers helps keep this kitchen space in order

Reeded glass doors add interest, while obscuring the view of the contents

THE DETAILS CABINETRY Bespoke Old Rectory kitchen in Little Greene’s Hicks’ Blue and Slaked Lime Deep intelligent eggshell, from £30,000, Guild Anderson

FEATURE AMELIA THORPE PHOTOGRAPHS CHARLIE O’BEIRNE, LUKONIC

SURFACES Caesarstone 6131 Bianco Drift quartz surface worktops and upstands, around £5,000, Guild Anderson.

Landscape Dusk glazed splashback tiles, £163.32sq m, Fired Earth. Milan tumbled limestone floor tiles, from £50.40sq m, Mandarin Stone

APPLIANCES 120i range cooker in Marine Blue, £9,295, Everhot. HP90IHCB3 extractor hood, £529; OB60SC7CEPX1 single oven, £749; RF540ADUX4 French door fridge-freezer, £2,299; DD60SHTI9 integrated DishDrawer, £899, all Fisher & Paykel. SMV46MX00G dishwasher, £659, Bosch

SINKS & TAPS Fusion Round all-in-one tap, £1,150, Quooker. KBX16055-20 undermounted stainless steel sink, £594, Franke

ACCESSORIES Calia bar stools, £99 each, John Lewis & Partners. Blinds in Clarke & Clarke’s Persia Teal/Spice, £24m, Compton Smith Interiors. Beehive pendants, £179 each, Pooky

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

Sicily

Pompeii, Capri & the Bay of Naples

Selected departures from April to November 2020.

Selected departures from March to November 2020.

8 days’ half-board from only £899pp.

8 days from only £729pp.

Price includes: Marvel at astonishing Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples on our guided tour Admire Palermo’s gorgeous medieval and Baroque centre Explore the stylish hilltop town of Taormina and its stunning ancient Greek theatre Take a guided tour of the Roman villa in Piazza Armerina and see some of the best-preserved mosaics and frescoes from antiquity Experience the majesty of Mount Etna View the astonishing gold and glass medieval mosaics in Monreale cathedral Visit Siracusa, one of the Greek empire’s richest cities Return flights from a selection of airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner The services of an experienced and insightful tour manager

Price includes: Explore the amazingly preserved Roman town of Herculaneum with an expert local guide Take a boat trip to the stunning island of Capri, with the opportunity to visit the Blue Grotto Discover the mysteries of Pompeii on a guided tour Spend a full day touring the breathtaking Amalfi coast, with a visit to charming hilltop Ravello Stay in elegant Sorrento and enjoy a walking tour of this stylish resort Enjoy a walking tour of Naples old town with a local guide Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in a choice of threeto four-star superior accommodation, plus breakfast and dinner** The services of an experienced and insightful tour manager

Classical Spain – Seville, Córdoba & Granada

Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast

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Selected departures from March to November 2020.

7 days from only £599pp.

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

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Selected departures from April to October 2020.

8 days’ half-board from only £1,079pp.

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

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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. *Stays at the Grand Hotel Menaggio are on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with dining options available. **Stays at the Hotel Mediterraneo and the La Badia are on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

LOCAL HERO

❝I found hope when

I was at my lowest and now help other farming people

❝

FEATURE SOPHIE GALE PHOTOGRAPHS RICHARD LEWIS, MIND YOUR HEAD, FARM SAFETY FOUNDATION

After experiencing depression and isolation as a young mum and farmer’s wife, Jennifer Down finds ways to support others struggling to cope My life as a farmer’s wife began in 2014, when I married Nathan.

We got to know each other well about 10 years ago through our local Young Farmers’ Association in Saltash, Cornwall. He came from a farming family and had always worked the land. I wasn’t as used to farm life, but I quickly became involved with his routine – driving tractors and using machinery.

Nathan was employed on a contract basis to run dairy farms. It wasn’t long before he received a promotion and we were relocated to Budleigh Salterton in Devon with our two children, Lacey, now five, and Theo, four.

The countryside was beautiful, but my life wasn’t as happy as it seemed from the outside.

Upping sticks and starting all over again wasn’t easy. Nathan was out working long days – even through the night during calving season – so I was left to look after the children alone. With my family an hour’s drive away, I started to feel very isolated and found myself turning inwards.

It led to me becoming stuck in a vicious circle of loneliness.

The less company I sought, the harder it was to reach out and make new friends. I began to find comfort in bingeing on food and I developed the eating disorder bulimia. Somewhere, deep down, I needed to change. Joining a gym was one of my first actions and it turned out to be a good one, because there I made a new friend, Amy Grace. Simply talking to her

made all the difference.

I came to understand that everyone had problems – it wasn’t just me. I didn’t feel ashamed or judged, as I had feared I would be if I opened up to people. Amy helped me regain my confidence.

As I began to recover, I became determined to help others. I turned to Twitter, posting bolstering messages and mantras, sometimes with a pithy directness, but always with a promise to support anyone in need. Before long, I had gained 6,500 new followers, with as many as 15 people a day contacting me privately with a cry for help, or sharing worries they were too scared to discuss with friends or family. I stay in touch where needed.

One of my contacts is a farmer’s wife like me, who suffers with depression.

We exchange messages regularly, which she says helps her keep going.

Suicide rates among agricultural workers are some of the highest in any sector, driven by the stress of financial pressures, poor harvests and livestock disease. Farming is also one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Now, I’m able to do more to help.

Around Christmas 2018, the Farm Safety Foundation got in touch with me. They wanted me to become an ambassador to help promote better mental health in farming.

The foundation runs a campaign called Mind Your Head from 10 to 14 February. My role has included

Jennifer got to grips with farm work when she married; the family adapted to life in their new home taking part in interviews on Sky, BBC News and radio stations. We try to let people know there is a lifeline.

There are a number of organisations that stand ready to help farmers in crisis, including rural support groups and charities such as the Farming Community Network. A practical guide to help, called The Little Book of Minding Your Head, is available from the Farm Safety Foundation.

Life is better now, although it’s not necessarily easier. In March last year, Nathan and I separated.

I brought the children back to Saltash, where I work part time in a school. Because of the challenging times I have experienced, I believe I can handle much more now. I also have a greater degree of empathy.

All that it took for me to find my way out of the darkness was opening up and letting friends in. Now, I hope I can persuade other people to do the same.

For help, visit yellowwellies.org or samaritans.org. Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @Miss_Stacey4 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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HAMPSHIRE GARDEN

THE BOTANIST’S RETREAT Step into Michael Baron’s secluded Hampshire garden and discover a treasure trove of winter interest, where small bulbs self-seed at will

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Michael has ensured there are plenty of benches and hidden spots to sit and enjoy the abundance of plants

B AT HOM E WITH. . .

Owner Michael Baron lives here, with his daughter Clare next door.

House A late Georgian house in New Alresford, Hampshire.

Features The-one-and-aquarter acre garden wraps around the house and includes island beds, specimen trees and a woodland corner with a wildlife pond, which is frequented by the local hedgehogs. Behind the house there are many glasshouses.

The soil is rich and largely chalky.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

randy Mount House garden, just a stone’s throw from Winchester, in the town of New Alresford, is a bubble of botanical calm. Tucked back from the main road and developed over a period of 24 years by Michael Baron and his late wife Caryl, it is very much the product of its owners.

Every garden tells a story and this one is a tale of decades of tinkering, collecting and experimentation. The swathes of flowers, considered structure and effortless design are evidence of a painterly eye and an ingrained understanding of plants.

New Alresford was once on the main road from London to Southampton – a major hub of the wool trade, with a heavily buttressed bridge over the River Itchen dating from medieval times. Strong and square, Brandy Mount House is typical of this well-preserved little town and it too has an interesting history. ‘The name Brandy Mount rather suggests that this was a stopping off point for booze imports,’ says Michael. ‘I can only speculate, there is no proof, but the cellars are huge!’ The other sign of historic times is the magnificent garden soil. ‘It is rich, fertile and freedraining. You can grow pretty much anything here, really,’ he says.

‘What is interesting is that this area was marked on early maps as “the shitten”, which implies that this is probably where they dumped all of the manure after the local sheep fair!’

The garden now is a comfortable and highly habitable space, but when the family arrived two and a half decades ago, it was overgrown and filled with cherry laurel – the substantial sheds were revealed only after a concerted period of editing. The garden did contain some gems though, particularly old varieties of apple tree, including Lady Henniker. The expansive, generous design now incorporates plenty of judiciously placed seating. Wide lawns >

HAMPSHIRE GARDEN

I ENJOY THE ❝ALPINE BEDS,

FILLED WITH SMALL BULBS AND TENDER PERENNIALS – THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT IS LOOKING GOOD

❞

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Stems of Cornus sanguinea Midwinter Fire glow in the low winter light

The greenhouse shelters Eranthis hyemalis Guinea Gold, Crocus Prins Claus and Narcissus Candlepower

sweep around substantial island beds, while paths weave delicately through them, partly for ease of access and care, and partly to allow a wholehearted immersion in the planting.

To one side of the house, a path vanishes into a bosky woodland – albeit a little less bosky since Michael’s daughter, Clare, helped him cut some of the branches back. Here, a small pond is surrounded with ferns and trilliums. This area is great habitat for wildlife and stiff netting is hung over the edge of the pond so that any thirsty hedgehogs can climb out. But it is the gardening possibilities that are particularly intriguing.

‘The soil in this garden is variable,’ says Michael. ‘We are supposed to be on chalk, yet there are some patches of clay.

In the woodland we have added quite a lot of compost to reduce the pH and even rhododendrons grow quite well.’

One suspects an element of modesty, however, as the success of some of the more marginal plants is, at least in part, due to horticultural talent and care. ‘The witch hazels are interesting,’ says Michael. ‘People say that they don’t do well on chalk, but it’s not true, they will grow, although you do have to take care of them and water them in high summer when they are establishing.’

In early spring, the borders are alight with colour – tall fireworks of acid-green Euphorbia characias and flowering Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ underplanted with Helleborus x hybridus and Michael’s extensive collection of specialist snowdrops. Around this, the lush mossy sward sets off the seasonal interest to gentle perfection, and supports the tactical invasions of Cyclamen coum, > 118

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

CH&I lovesÉ GREENHOUSES Invaluable for year-round gardening, a greenhouse can provide a space to overwinter tender plants, start seedlings off early, create a specialist display or even to retreat to with a cup of tea when the weather is bad but the outdoors beckons.

• Think about how much space you have and what you want to use your greenhouse for. If it will be visible from the house, it is worth considering the aesthetics.

• Site your greenhouse where it can receive uninterrupted light throughout the day, ideally with an east-to-west orientation. Avoid cold winds, frost pockets and trees and, ideally, keep it out of the shade cast by walls or fences.

• Position the greenhouse where it can be easily accessed. Make sure that there is a tap nearby.

• In summer, greenhouses are perfect for growing tasty tender crops like chillies and aubergines, and they will let you steal a march on sowing seeds and getting plants like dahlias, cannas and Colocasia going. In winter, you can enjoy a display of delicate early bulbs and succulents, safe in the knowledge that they will not suffer from the plummeting temperatures.

HAMPSHIRE GARDEN

The witch hazel Hamamelis x intermedia Arnold’s Promise is underplanted with Crocus and snowdrops

❝Accumulated plants have now spread and set seed. Sometimes they hybridise to create something new and interesting

❞

Victorian cloches help protect the more delicate plants from the harshness of winter

Crocus vernus and Crocus tournefortii that sprawl under the mistletoe-hung apple trees and spill out of the flower beds. All of which is fine by Michael. ‘I’m not a lawn freak and I couldn’t care less about moss. I quite like it, actually!’ But the alpine displays in the raised beds have suffered a little since his wife died. Michael is in the process of reviving them though and a glasshouse is now home to thriving pots of Eranthis hyemalis ‘Guinea Gold’, Crocus ‘Prins Claus’, early primulas and all sorts of unusual and exotic bulbs.

Michael spent his career as a don at Winchester College, but having trained as a botanist, he has an intense interest in obscure plants. Yet, refreshingly, he is not precious about his collections.

‘The snowdrop bulbs often work their way out of the soil so, if I see one rolling about, I tend to shove it back in where it is,’ he says.

There are also specimens that represent the legacy of adventures past. ‘When I had a license to collect plants, Caryl and I drove to Eastern Europe. We went through Turkey, botanising almost up as far as Russia, and we nearly got arrested close to the Syrian border!’

Fortunately, the apprehending officer spoke excellent English, so they explained what they were doing and beat a hasty retreat.

With an academic interest still at the heart of his methods, Michael continues to push the boundaries. Most recently, he’s been planting snowdrops in crescent-shaped swathes, divided by shrubs to help prevent spread of disease. ‘So far it is working well,’ he says. ‘There is some evidence that snowdrops grow better when associated with the grass roots, while the flowering sequence lasts nearly six months. You have to keep experimenting, don’t you?’

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON OUR D O OR ST EPÉ Visit… ‘The Grange, near Winchester (01962 779668, thegrangehampshire.co.uk). This grand estate holds a fantastic annual opera festival and they recently staged a successful art show, where I exhibited some of my paintings.’

Shop at… ‘Laurence Oxley in New Alresford (01962 732188, birketfoster.co.uk) has both new and second-hand books, an interesting selection of maps and art supplies.’

Go for a meal at…‘The Globe in New Alresford (01962 733118, theglobealresford.com), which dates from the fifteenth century and serves traditional pub food and an à la carte menu. The garden looks out over a small lake, Alresford Pond, which is fed by the River Itchen.’

HAMPSHIRE GARDEN

1

2

3

Michael’s winter favourites

1 Early-flowering Iris unguicularis cretica is a long way from its native Crete.

2 Winter aconite Eranthis hyemalis ‘Guinea Gold’ shines in the grass.

3 Michael used to collect unusual yellow snowdrops such as this Galanthus ‘Spindlestone Surprise’.

4 Narcissus ‘Candlepower’ is a delicate, almost luminous cream colour.

5 Daffodils like this Narcissus ‘Navarre’ are a garden staple for Michael.

6 Helleborus x hybridus is hugely popular in winter gardens.

FEATURE NAOMI SLADE PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE MAJERUS

7 Galanthus ‘Trym’ is a striking snowdrop.

4

8 Ravishing Crocus ‘Prins Claus’ has large, almost-white flowers with a violet mark.

5

6

7

8

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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January Sale Save 10% on all designs

Over 35 years of British Craftsmanship Customise in over 200 fabrics Luxury sofa bed mattress options willowandhall.co.uk 020 8939 3800 | London showroom

IN A COUNTRY GARDEN

ANTIQUE PATINA Brompton outdoor light, H37xD25x W16.5cm, £112.20, Dar Lighting STREET SMART Dunmore louver lamp in antique burnished brass, H45.8xW17.8x D10.8cm, £1,050, Andrew Martin

INDUSTRIAL GLOW Wadebridge light, H28xW18x D26cm, £198, David Hunt Lighting PROTECTIVE GUARD Oval aluminium bulkhead with guard in Black, H24.5x W15cm, £175, Davey Lighting at Original BTC

Welcome home PORCH LIGHTS

CARRIAGE CHIC Bath Coach medium lamp in corten steel, H46xW25x D15cm, £345, A Place In The Garden

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS (DAR LIGHTING) SEBASTIAN DEVENISH

CLASSIC FINISH Brooklyn dome wall light in Pewter and Copper, H32.5xW20x D27cm, £139, Industville

HAND-BLOWN COLOUR Neo long wall light, H33xW13.5cm, £510, Curiousa & Curiousa

Did you know?

DESIGNER TOUCH Compton light in nickel, H28.4xW16x D25.5cm, £197.75, Jim Lawrence

TRADITIONAL ELEGANCE Chelsea solid copper light in Antique, H33xDia23cm, £317.18, Richard Hathaway Lighting

SOME OF THE EARLIEST PORCH LIGHTS WERE WALL-HUNG OIL LAMPS, WHICH HAD EVOLVED FROM HAND-HELD UTILITY LIGHTS IN THE MID 19TH CENTURY

RAW COPPER Regent light, H16.9xW9.5x D11.6cm, £50, Garden Trading

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Made with LOVE

Discover many floral crafts in Living with Flowers by Rowan Blossom (£19.99, Laurence King Publishing)

Whether it’s a romantic partner, or a beloved friend or family member, show them how much you care this Valentine’s Day with a beautiful handmade present. Pick flower heads from the garden and press between pieces of blotting paper for a week – you’ll be left with delicate dried blooms, ideal for making bespoke cards and tags.

Try your hand at soap making and gift them sweet-scented treasures.

Or create a romantic ambience with heart-shaped candles that float as effortlessly as your feelings.

SWEETLY SCENTED SOAPS Combine 250g each of melted coconut, sunflower, rapeseed and olive oils. Leave to cool to 35-40°C. Make a lye from 137.97g sodium hydroxide (available to buy online) and 335g distilled water, and blend into the oil until thickened. Stir in natural colouring and 30g perfume oil, then divide into moulds.

Spray with 95 per cent alcohol, cover with food wrap and leave to set. Remove from moulds and embellish with twine and flowers.

For more soap recipes, see Making Soap by Kathrin Landmann (£8.99, Search Press).

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Show someone you care with handcrafted gifts that create the mood for romance

G E T C R E AT I V E

LOVE HEART CANDLES

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT. PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES STOPFORTH, CICO BOOKS

Floating candles are sure to melt their heart. Add natural pink and red dyes to melted soy wax and pour into heart-shaped moulds. Once set, push an awl through the centre and thread a wick through the hole. Pick up Handmade Candles & Smudge Sticks by Emma Hardy (£12.99, Cico Books) for the full how-to.

MOOD FOR LOVE Pop your candles in a shallow tray filled with water and add freshly picked blooms to bob alongside.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Live Life Well

HEALTH, HAPPINESS, FASHION, TRAVEL, PETS, PASTIMES AND OTHER THINGS TO MAKE LIFE LOVELY WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Pick… wild garlic, until June.

Learn… the art of screen-printing using plant dyes on a full-day workshop in Lincolnshire, 6 February, £105 with lunch and refreshments (maddercutchandco.com).

Visit… Hodsock Priory in Nottinghamshire to see snowdrops in bloom, 8-16 February, £4 for adults (hodsockpriory.com).

Give your garden a cheery lift with winter-flowering clematis, sweet box and pussy willow. From The Winter Garden

by Emma Hardy (£12.99, CICO Books)

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPH DEBBIE PATTERSON

Explore… Attingham Park in Shropshire after dark on a night run through the grounds, 29 February, from £7 (nationaltrust.org.uk).

LIVE LIFE WELL

Sit, stay…

What better way to reclaim your sofa than by getting your pet its very own to lounge on? Style-savvy dogs, cats and owners alike will simply love this elegant mid-century design from Made.

Featuring sleek copper legs and velvet padding, it’s available in a full-sized ‘human’ version, too!

Moby medium pet sofa in Vintage Pink velvet, £129, Made

NATURE TALKS ECO FITNESS Work out in sustainable style with clothing made from bamboo. Lightweight and more absorbent than cotton, it’s the perfect fitness wear.

Swing jacket, £69; Enduro leggings, £48, both Bam

3 reasons to…

plant a tree

IMPROVE WELLBEING Ever heard of forest bathing? It’s believed spending time among trees can help reduce stress and boost our immune systems.

ENCOURAGE WILDLIFE A single tree can be home to hundreds of insects, plants and mammals. Plant one in your garden and you can watch them all from the comfort of your home – bonus!

HELP THE ENVIRONMENT From improving air quality to combatting climate change, trees help protect the planet. Planting just one can make a difference or you can join a community planting scheme. Visit woodlandtrust. org.uk for a free tree pack.

Looking for a new podcast? Listen to Dialogues with Nature, an inspirational podcast hosted by London-based artist Hanna Varga. In each episode, she chats to fellow creatives about their personal connection with the great outdoors and how it influences their work and lifestyle.

HEALTH KICK Not only are they good to eat, superfoods are also available in youth-boosting beauty products from award-winning skincare brand Evolve Beauty.

From blueberries to raw cacao powder, this Organic Beauty Skincare Bestsellers set, £30, makes the most of nature’s bounty. It includes a serum, moisturiser and mask to leave skin feeling healthy and nourished.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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LIVE LIFE WELL

3 of the best…

travel coffee cups Ditch disposables for a reusable design

S PAC E S AVER This compact silicone cup collapses into a nifty leakproof dish that can be stashed in your bag once you’ve finished your drink. It comes with a handy heat sleeve, too. Stojo collapsible cup, £12, Oliver Bonas A RTI STI C TOU C H

SOOTHE YOUR SENSES

TR AVEL LI GH T

Enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, wherever you are, with the St Palo necklace. This stylish pendant is also a portable diffuser full of essential oils that release throughout the day. From calming lavender to uplifting citrus, there’s a scent for every mood. Prices start at £86 for the Grace design in Gold, Silver or Rose Gold.

With 360˚ drinking from the rim, this lightweight design made from recycled paper cups has all the comfort of your normal mug but without the risk of spills. rCup leakproof travel cup, £12, John Lewis & Partners

PRECIOUS MEMORIES This beautiful journal from Month of Sundays is the perfect gift for new parents. Designed to capture moments and milestones throughout a child’s life, from pregnancy up until their 18th birthday, it comes in a range of chic colours, such as Blush and Cloud (£38 each).

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GO GREEN With their air-purifying powers, houseplants are a must-have for a healthy home. Sign up to Bloombox Club’s subscription service and each month you’ll receive a surprise plant in a beautiful ceramic pot, along with top tips on how to care for it.

Prices start at £35.

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS (PLANT A TREE) THE WOODLAND TRUST

Made from rice husks, the Huskup is biodegradable and comes in a range of Scandi-style designs by guest artists. The latest series by illustrator Donna Sarah is inspired by the natural world.

Pebbles cup, £10.95, Huskup

LIVE LIFE WELL

Not only are kingfishers a rare and fleeting sight, their name is also being forgotten

MY COUNTRY PASSION

Preserving nature’s words

Since learning that certain words were falling out of usage – among them acorn, bluebell, kingfisher and wren – Pembrokeshire-based writer and illustrator Jackie Morris has made it her mission to summon them back into daily life

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPH (KINGFISHER) ALAMY

I’ve always been confused by the lack of interest in our native wildlife.

As far back as my school days, I was astonished that my friends didn’t seem to see birds and didn’t know the names of common species.

In 2015, it came to my attention that certain words were slipping out

of common usage and were no longer being included in some children’s dictionaries – bluebell, conker, heron, acorn and perhaps the one that cut the deepest for me, kingfisher. I still remember when I saw my first kingfisher; it was a moment of magic.

How could these words be removed? How can we teach future generations to respect nature if the words aren’t important enough to be acknowledged? The culture in which we live seems to give more importance to the urban than the wild, and the dictionary was a symptom of this – a timely reminder that we need to start rethinking what we truly value.

Working with author Robert Macfarlane, I began to create

a book that celebrated these forgotten words – a wild dictionary, if you like. Our aim was to refocus people and spark within them a respect for the wild. The shape of a bramble thorn, the silvered back of a leaf, the flight of a goldfinch… Even in the most urban of places, there will be life. All you have to do is halt a little, open your eyes and look. The book is only the beginning. It’s like planting a seed in the hope that it will grow. The rest is down to us.

Read this...

Be inspired to make nature part of your vocabulary, with Jackie Morris’s magical book, The Lost Words (£20, Penguin) COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

129

GREAT VALUE HOLIDAYS BY RAIL 6 DAYS

FROM

£579PP

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE • Fully escorted by a UK Tour Manager from start to finish • 5 nights’ hotel accommodation • Breakfast every day and 4 dinners

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Travel to the heart of the Scottish Highlands and take in the marvelous lochs and glens as you travel by train on the superb West Highland Line and cruise Loch Lomond.

Day 1. Meet in Glasgow Your Tour Manager greets you in Glasgow, then the rest of the day is free for you to explore. Perhaps admire the varied architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, or make a visit to one of the city’s fascinating museums or galleries.

Day 2. The West Highland Line Take one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys travelling to Crianlarich on the West Highland Line. On arrival, check in to the Crianlarich Hotel where you enjoy dinner tonight.

Day 3. Loch Lomond This morning travel to Tarbet for a cruise on the majestic Loch Lomond - Britain’s largest inland body of water. Sail past the dramatic Arklet Waterfalls as you learn about the history of Scotland’s most celebrated outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor.

Land in Inveraray where you can explore the castle or visit Inveraray Jail.

Day 4. The Isle of Mull and Duart’s Castle Today transfer to Oban for the ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. The crossing will take you past the Isle of Kerrera, nestled just in front of the Isle of Mull, for your first glimpse of the Mountains of Mull.

On arrival in Craignure, pay a visit to the majestic Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Maclean Clan. On your return, enjoy free time in Oban.

Day 5. The Jacobite Steam Train Join the Jacobite Steam Train today for a magnificent journey on the final leg of the West Highland Line, travelling in restored carriages on the way to the beautiful west coast. On arrival in the town of Mallaig, why not try the catch of the day in one of this fishing port’s delicious restaurants?

Day 6. Homeward bound The tour concludes after breakfast, and you are free to depart at your own pace.

• Journeys on the West Highland Line • Journey on the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig • Cruise on Loch Lomond • Excursion to Duart Castle • Free time in Inveraray • Visit to the Isle of Mull

ROUTE MALLAIG FORT WILLIAM CRAIGNURE OBAN CRIANLARICH

4

TARBET 1

GLASGOW Nights in hotel

By Coach

By Rail

By Boat

DEPARTURES AND PRICES 2020 26 Apr 20 10 May 20 7 Jun 20 28 Jun 20

£599 £629 £649 £679

20 Sep 20 27 Sep 20 4 Oct 20 25 Oct 20

£679 £649 £599 £579

CALL TO BOOK OR REQUEST YOUR FREE BROCHURE

01904 730627 www.raildiscoveries.com

As of 5th December 2019

This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers. Please call for details. Book with 100% confidence, flight-inclusive holidays are ATOL or ABTOT protected, non flight-inclusive holidays are protected by ABTOT. Dates and prices are subject to availability. Prices shown are per person, based on 2 people sharing. Prices may change prior to and after publication. Itinerary may differ depending on the departure date you choose. Terms and conditions apply. Please call for further details. Calls will be recorded.

LIVE LIFE WELL

LEFT What a view to wake up to. BELOW Cosy up with a good book in one of the lounge areas

A WEEKEND AWAY AT

Lundies House

A RESTORED MANSE IN THE HIGHLANDS IS THE PERFECT SCOTTISH ESCAPE

A

nders and Anne Holch Povlsen founded Wildland – a conservation and sustainable development programme designed to protect some of Scotland’s most rugged landscapes – a little over 10 years ago. Their latest venture is Lundies House, a former manse turned charming boutique hotel on the country’s northern coast. The principal draw is the surrounding landscape, but guests will also love the food, art and decor on offer.

GENTLE TONES

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS ALEX MACLEOD

A lesson in how to do country style without even a hint of twee, Lundies Despite the house’s heritage, the decor has a modern feel

House combines comfortable furniture with artfully chosen accessories. Expect to find shaggy sheepskin armchairs, plush velvet sofas and shelves heaving with curiosities and collectibles. The quiet drawing rooms were made for picking up that book you’ve been meaning to read. The bedrooms are well-matched to their surroundings, but with a sense of modernity in mind. Some are cosy loft suites, others grand first-floor rooms – all beautifully appointed with views over Castle Varrich.

SCOTTISH SCANDI

Though Scandinavia might not be your first port of culinary inspiration for a Highlands hotel, Anders and Anne’s Nordic heritage is the starting point for Lundies’ superb food. Fresh seafood from a nearby bay and

locally sourced game and dairy products from Scottish farms are the focus for big, hearty, multi-course dinners with canapés, cheese courses and generous puddings.

COUNTRY CHAMPION

Lundies House is the new jewel in the crown of Wildland, a project that has been carefully preserving some of Britain’s unspoilt landscapes.

Wildland’s methods move with the times, avoiding static, set-in-aspic conservation. Instead, it rehabilitates while restoring, looking for ways to create enduring sustainability.

In the Highlands, its focus has been on the future of rural communities.

Lundies presents an opportunity for outsiders to discover these lovingly guarded lands in an ecological way.

Lundies House, Tongue, Lairg IV27 4XF, 01540 661619, lundies.scot

While youÕre there...

WILDLAND ESTATE

CASTLE VARRICH

WEAVERS

Beautiful at any time of year, visitors can raft down rivers in summer, forage for hidden delicacies in autumn, and even ice climb a mountaintop in the winter months.

Overlooking the Kyle of Tongue, a shallow sea loch, Castle Varrich is the ruined ancient seat of Clan Mackay.

The exact origins of the structure are unclear, but its haunting beauty attracts many visitors.

This remote crafting shop and café sells locally made gifts, Harris Tweed accessories, Orkney Pottery and Highland souvenirs. There’s also a quaint little café, serving up treats to weary walkers.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

131

AWA R D -W I N N I N G R I V E R C RU I S E S On the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Douro, Seine, Saône or Dutch waterways Riviera Travel’s award-winning river cruises include everything you need for an exceptional experience. Cruise Europe’s most beautiful waterways aboard the finest ships, featuring superb dining on board and spacious suites and cabins – many with a French balcony for unrivalled views. Choose from 15 fascinating river cruises that take you to the iconic highlights as well as lesser-known gems in destinations such as Cologne, Trier, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Basel, Lucerne, Douro Valley, Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Avignon, Arles, Bruges, Paris or Rouen.

Up to €400 of on-board credit per cabin on selected cruises*

Cruise includes: • Spacious and beautifully appointed suites or cabins with hotelstyle beds, en-suite bathrooms and river views • Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout • Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes • Return flights from a choice of regional airports or standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras

• Return rail connections on selected dates and cruises from over 50 regional stations (supplements may apply) • The services of our experienced cruise director and concierge

Cruise destination

Departure dates

Duration

From

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

from May to October 2020

8 days

£1,599PP

Rhine & Moselle

from April to October 2020

8 days

£1,499PP

Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg

from April to October 2020

8 days

£1,649PP

The Blue Danube – Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg

from April to October 2020

8 days

£1,099PP

Vienna, Bohemia & Treasures of the Danube

from July to September 2020

8 days

£1,549PP

Cruise the Heart of Europe

from May to October 2020

15 days

£2,499PP

Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence

from April to October 2020

8 days

£1,549PP

Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & the Dutch Bulbfields

in April 2020

5 days

£899PP

Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields

in April 2020

8 days

£1,599PP

The Seine, Paris & Normandy

from April to October 2020

8 days

£1,549PP

The Douro, Porto & Salamanca

from March to November 2020

8 days

£1,449PP

Medieval Germany

from May to September 2020

8 days

£1,749PP

Budapest to the Black Sea – Gems of Eastern Europe

from April to October 2020

15 days

£2,949PP

The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets

in December 2019 & December 2020

6 days

£649PP

Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets

in December 2019 & December 2020

5 days

£549PP

To book or request a brochure, call 01283 523454 or visit cohriviera.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS: *The €200 (€400 for Budapest to the Black Sea) on-board credit applies only to the departure dates specified, and is based on 2 people sharing a cabin. Sole occupancy cabins will receive €100 (€200 on Budapest to the Black Sea) on-board credit. The on-board credit can be redeemed against on-board purchases only, including gratuities, and cannot be redeemed in cash.

No change will be given for any credit left unspent at the end of the cruise. 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.

IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN

COOKS’ NOTES

Griddle me this After the hectic time that is Christmas, we’re relishing more minimalist and calm kitchens, which is where Cuisinart comes in. Its new Griddle & Grill, £120, is wonderfully versatile and cuts down on the number of gadgets and pans we would normally use. With two sets of easily removable and dishwasher-safe plates – two ribbed grills (perfect for paninis or steak) and two flat griddles (think pancakes and eggs) – you can cook any number of dishes. You can even mix and match the grill plates – we love this for a full English. The simply controlled temperatures go up to a whopping 240C, meaning less time waiting for meat to sear, and the neat drip tray stops any excess oils from causing a mess.

Toastie time, anyone?

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT

SUNDAY SPUD-DAY Let’s face it, the potatoes can make or break a Sunday roast, so make sure yours are both the crispiest and tastiest by using a dedicated roast potato oil. Cotswolds-based fine food company Ross & Ross takes cold-pressed extra virgin Cotswold rapeseed oil and infuses it with smoke, rosemary and garlic. As the oil has a very high smoke point (the temperature at which oils start to burn), you’ll be able to keep those spuds roasting until they’re coated in layers of delicious flavour. £4.95 for 250ml, Ross & Ross.

WHAT A GOUDA DISPLAY If you love cheese as much as we do, then you’ll want to give it the display it deserves. Heritage cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield has launched a new range of homeware all based around – you guessed it – cheese!

The standout is the Cheese Platter and Dome (above), £50, with its mouth-blown glass dome and porcelain platter featuring the names of some classic cheeses alongside the Paxton & Whitfield logo. So, go ahead and make your favourite cheeses look as pretty as a picture for your guests. Or just for yourself, we won’t tell.

Asian inspiration We don’t normally get excited about pestle and mortars, but that’s all changed since we’ve discovered Cole & Mason’s Suribachi (£29.99, Lakeland). Based on traditional Japanese design, the suribachi differs from the usual mortar bowl as it offers an unglazed and ridged interior, meaning your grinding becomes super-efficient. There’s even a handy little brush to make sure you get every hard-earned spice out of the bowl and into your dishes. Nifty.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

133

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

30-MINUTE GREEN CHICKEN CHILLI>

Keep it simple...

WEEKNIGHT COOKING DOESN’T GET EASIER – OR MORE DELICIOUS – THAN YASMIN FAHR’S CAN’T-FAIL, ONE-POT DISHES

BAKED CHICKEN AND RICOTTA MEATBALLS> COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

135

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

30-MINUTE GREEN CHICKEN CHILLI

BAKED CHICKEN AND RICOTTA MEATBALLS

This recipe is in no way meant to replicate a traditional

It’s important to make the meatballs uniform, round and

chilli verde but it is pretty good, if I do say so myself!

slightly smaller than golf balls, so they cook evenly.

The green chillies used here can range in heat level, so buy whatever is best for your palate.

SERVES 2 2tbsp olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, diced

1tbsp ground cumin

400g Tenderstem broccoli, thick pieces cut lengthwise 1 organic lemon,

1tbsp dried oregano 450g skinless, boneless

thinly sliced 4tbsp olive oil

stems, roughly chopped 30g panko breadcrumbs

2 jalapeño chillies, 1 seeded and diced, 1 sliced

chicken thighs 500ml low-salt chicken

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

450g chicken mince, preferably dark meat

for sprinkling

stock

½tsp dried chilli flakes

Juice of 1 lemon

2 green chillies, seeded and diced

125g tin mild or hot chopped green chillies

1 large egg 2 garlic cloves, grated

Grated Parmesan, for sprinkling (optional)

1 tin tomatillos, drained, or 6 fresh husked or 6 fresh green tomatoes, roughly

2 limes, juice one and slice the other into wedges, for serving

or minced

chopped Salt and freshly ground

15g fresh coriander, fine stems and leaves roughly

black pepper 2 garlic cloves, grated or

chopped 1 Hass avocado, for

minced

serving (optional)

1 Heat the oil in a large casserole dish over a medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, jalapeños, green chillies, tomatillos, salt and pepper, stirring frequently until softened, about 5min. Add the garlic and spices and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1min.

2 Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the pan. Pour in the chicken stock and raise the heat to maintain a gentle simmer (avoid bringing to a boil). Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 10min. If the chicken pieces are not completely submerged, turn them over halfway.

3 Remove the chicken and place on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Use a fork and knife to shred the chicken, then add it back along with any liquid and the green chillies. Cook until the chicken is warmed through, about 2min. Squeeze in the lime juice and adjust seasoning as needed.

4 Ladle into bowls and top with coriander, sliced avocado (if using) and sliced jalapeño. Serve with lime wedges.

136

SERVES 2

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

180g ricotta, drained and lightly salted 15g parsley leaves and fine

1 Preheat the oven to 220C/Gas 8 with a rack in the middle of the oven.

2 On a baking tray, toss the broccoli and lemon slices with 3tbsp of the olive oil, salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Spread evenly on the baking tray and set aside while you make the meatballs.

3 Beat the egg in a mixing bowl, then add the garlic and ricotta with 1tsp of salt, parsley, pepper, the rest of the oil, breadcrumbs and meat, and use your hands to gently combine (too much mushing will make them tough and dry). You should still see pieces of the meat through the seasonings. Lightly wet your hands with oil and roll the meat into 20 loose rounds, using a gentle rolling motion between your hands. Set on large pieces of baking parchment on the counter to make for an easier clean-up.

4 Nestle the meatballs in between the broccoli and lemon. Bake until the meatballs are browned and cooked through and the broccoli is crispy, about 15-20min, shaking the baking tray to move the meatballs and turning the tray around halfway to ensure even cooking.

5 Remove from the oven and squeeze over the lemon juice. Divide between plates and finish with grated Parmesan, if using.

Cook’s note...

IF YOU’RE NOT INTO FETA, SMALL CUBES OF HALLOUMI WORK JUST AS WELL

BAKED FETA WITH GREENS AND LEMONTAHINI DRESSING>

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

BAKED FETA WITH GREENS AND LEMON-TAHINI DRESSING

GARLICKY CHARRED GREENS WITH WHOLEWHEAT PENNE

When baked, feta transforms into something different but equally delicious. This dish is just as good the next

Cime di rapa (broccoli rabe) can be a polarising vegetable as it runs on the bitter side, but I find that if you balance it

day, so mix any leftovers with scrambled eggs or use

with the salty fat flavour of cheese, and a bit of acid from

on top of cooked grains with the dressing.

lemon, then it is absolutely delicious.

SERVES 2

SERVES 4

400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1tsp smoked paprika ¼tsp cayenne pepper

2tbsp olive oil 1 shallot, thinly sliced

rapa (broccoli rabe), ends trimmed and cut into 5cm

300g red or curly kale, or cavolo nero, leaves

2 x 200g blocks feta, halved horizontally to

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

pieces or 300g chard or cavolo nero, leaves

removed from stems, cut

make 3cm-thick pieces

2 garlic cloves, thinly

removed from stems,

or torn into 5cm pieces 3tbsp olive oil, plus more

30g pumpkin seeds 1tbsp tahini

sliced or grated ½tsp dried chilli flakes

cut into 2.5cm ribbons 45g grated Pecorino

for drizzling Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Juice of 3 lemons

1ltr water 500g dried wholewheat or farro penne

Romano, plus more to serve Zest of 1 lemon

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6 with a baking tray inside.

2 When the oven is ready, remove the baking tray and carefully add the chickpeas and kale, then toss with the oil, salt, pepper and spices, using a wooden spoon. Spread the ingredients evenly, then create little pockets to nestle the feta into, making sure they have direct contact with the baking tray. Drizzle the feta with olive oil and pepper.

3 Return to the oven and bake until the feta has softened, the kale has browned in spots and the chickpeas become crisp with a darker brown hue – around 15-20min. Mix the kale and chickpeas with a wooden spoon halfway through and leave the feta as it is, but do keep an eye on it towards the end of cooking time so it doesn’t go from nice and crisp to burned. Add the pumpkin seeds during the last 5min of cooking, when the kale has just started to crisp and become an intense green-brown.

4 Meanwhile, in a small serving bowl, whisk together the tahini, extra-virgin olive oil, juice of 2 lemons and salt and pepper, adjusting the seasoning to taste. Remove the tray and squeeze the rest of the lemon juice on the greens and chickpeas. Divide between plates and serve with the dressing on the side.

1 Heat the oil in an ovenproof 30cm frying pan over a medium heat. Add the shallot with a pinch of salt and cook until softened, about 3min. Add the garlic and a pinch or more of chilli flakes, stirring constantly until fragrant but not browned, about 1min.

2 Pour the water into the frying pan, raising the heat to reach a vigorous boil, then add the pasta and more salt. Cook until the pasta is al dente, about 2min less than the package instructions, and stirring every few minutes to ensure nothing is sticking on the bottom, about 10 min. Keep tasting it as it gets closer to being done.

3 Turn on the grill to high. Place an oven rack 15cm from the heat source (if your grill is inside your oven).

4 Stir in the cime di rapa then top with the grated Pecorino Romano. Place under the grill until the cheese has melted and turned a light golden hue and the cime di rapa is starting to brown, about 2-3min, depending on your grill.

5 Remove, top with lemon zest and more cheese, if desired.

6 If you have any leftovers, before reheating, squeeze in some lemon juice for brightness, add a swirl of extra-virgin olive oil and top with cheese.

Recipes from Keeping It Simple by Yasmin Fahr (£16.99, Hardie Grant)

138

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS PATRICIA NIVEN

600g chopped cime di

Cook’s note...

GARLIC LOVERS, SLICE THE GARLIC THINLY SO THAT YOU GET MORE IN EACH BITE

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Dan Roberts“I quit regular office work to write articles at home. I've been very fortunate to have been picked up by four different online publications since, all of whom I continue to write for regularly.

Going back to the course itself, I don't feel it could have gone any better. My tutor has been excellent and has provided invaluable feedback throughout.”

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Heather Burnside “During my studies I learnt writing techniques that have stood me in good stead as an author and copywriter. I am now lucky to be earning a living doing something I love, and it all started when I studied the Creative Writing Course."

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

The sand and shingle beach at Seasalter is a walker’s paradise

MY FAVOURITE VIEW...

Looking out at the water at Seasalter, Kent Standing on the beach at Seasalter, near Whitstable, and looking out towards the most incredible wind farm – there’s not a view that beats it. I find those big, white, magical beast-like windmills particularly mesmerising as I’m walking the coastline in the winter.

Whitstable and Seasalter are both places I’ve been going to since I first met my wife, Beth, more than 25 years ago. We were living in London, so they were ideal for quick getaways.

We still go to both all year round.

An English seaside town is obviously lovely in the summertime, but in winter you’ve got it all to yourself – there’s nobody else there apart from the locals. There’s something quite special about being able to wrap up warm, wander down to the beach with the dogs, battle 146

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

against the wind and have a hot chocolate when you get back home.

I love a really cold, crisp, breezy morning when the sun’s out. I’ll take the dogs and my little man, Acey, and walk along the stones at Seasalter beach. We can’t go that far – one of the dogs is very old, bless her heart, but it’s a great invigorating walk nonetheless.

A nice treat is to get some fish and chips and eat them on the beach in the gusty weather with the gulls overhead and just totally switch off.

It’s moments like those that I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by great countryside and to be able to spend time outside with just the little man or the whole family. The British countryside is a very special place.

Whitstable is famous for oysters and the harbour area is fantastic for

food, but if you go a couple of miles further, then you must go to The Sportsman pub and try sole grilled in seaweed butter – it’s delicious.

You become very in touch with the environment in the north Kent area. There’s obviously the sea and the beachfront, but there are also wonderful farms, too – you’ve got salt marsh farms and brilliant fruit and vegetables, so you can always sample great British produce. Winter is amazing for root vegetables, things like swede, turnips and potatoes.

I really care about seasonality and we’re so lucky to have four very defined seasons, especially when your world is focused around food, then that becomes very important.

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FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS CHRISTIAN BARNETT, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

For chef Tom Kerridge, there’s nothing better than taking a windswept stroll along the coastline at Seasalter to blow away the cobwebs

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