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L I V E

T H E

L I F E . . . L O V E

T H E

S T Y L E

& INTERIORS

Midnight hour

COUNT DOWN TO THE FESTIVITIES WITH EASY-GOING GLAMOUR

JANUARY 2018 £4.30

US$8.99/AUS$10.50/NZ$13 RECALL 07/12/2017

SHARING

PARTY DISHES YOUR GUESTS WILL LOVE!

CREATE A SPACE TO ESCAPE TO DESIGN IDEAS FOR RESTFUL SNUGS

Occasion f lowers

STYLE WINTER BLOOMS AND FORAGED FOLIAGE

COUNTRYSIDE

✢ SCANDI-STYLE FARMHOUSE ✢ CLASSIC RECTORY ✢ BOUTIQUE B&B

The home of

MODERN COUNTRY Interiors & inspiration 8 13 21

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32

116 TO FIND ALL STOCKISTS IN THIS ISSUE, TURN TO PAGE 137

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ON THE COVER

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O PERTHSHIRE FARMHOUSE An idyllic countryside property is both home and workplace for one culinary couple

KENT RECTORY Informal yet sophisticated, a classic decorating scheme has helped transform a family property

O

40

O WIRRAL VILLA Christmas preparations start early for the owners of a charming New England-style house

48

O WORCESTERSHIRE COTTAGE Self-building, selling up and moving on had become the norm for the Heslops until they fell for their hillside haven

PLUS GET-THE-LOOK IDEAS FOR EVERY HOME

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MAKE A HOUSE A HOME A plate rack for your fine china

60

O CELEBRATE THE MIDNIGHT HOUR Count down to the festivities with easy-going country-style glamour

68

THE HAPPY COOK’S KITCHEN Playful picks for creating home-made goodies

74

O

82

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THE COUNTRY DECORATOR Go wild this winter with a rustic-style table centrepiece

ROOM DECORATING IDEAS A stylish snug makes an ideal place for a cosy escape

90

ROOM ELEMENTS New-look footstools for comfort and style

95

HOME TECH Treat yourself with home beauty therapy

96

MODERN COUNTRY CLASSICS Nine reasons to love a sideboard

125

COUNTRY KITCHEN FOCUS Dark shades and industrial styling combine for a strikingly glamorous effect

Country homes 22

JANUARY The things we can’t live without HOME NOTES

Creative crafts 98

UNDER THE MISTLETOE Keep it simple by using this timeless evergreen to add festive cheer to your home

102

Gardens 14 102

74

GARDEN NOTES WINTER FINERY Sweeping beech hedges and golden grasses, along with a special collection of specimen trees, make this Scottish garden come alive at this time of year

Just for you

60 78

Seasonal food 17 116

FOOD NOTES MADE FOR SHARING! Food writer Rose Prince lets us in on some of her favourite dinner party recipes for entertaining over the festive season

OUR FAVOURITE SHOP Louisa Grace Interiors, in Surrey, for vintage finds

78

MY KIND OF COUNTRY Chloë Luxton, founder of Bramley, on loving village life in rural Wiltshire

111

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

115

OUR FAVOURITE PLACE Enjoy fine dining while relaxing in the Ynyshir, tucked away in the Welsh countryside

130

146

SUBSCRIBE TO COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

121

TRAVEL OFFER Fully escorted tours to locations that you won’t want to miss

122

DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA AND THE CAPE Enjoy a trip of a lifetime on an unforgettable 10-day tour

139

TRAVEL OFFER Luxury cruises along the Danube

140

TRAVEL OFFER Breathtaking Bali and other escorted breaks

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Lifestyle 18

58

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS Boutique B&B owner Daisy Kearey enjoys welcoming guests to her Devon hideaway

Regulars 136

COMING NEXT MONTH

137

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

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THE PERFECT GIFT!

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MY FAVOURITE VIEW Shoe designer Penelope Chilvers loves Norfolk’s Heydon Hall

Subscribe to Country Homes & Interiors today from £27.49 for 12 issues (saving up to 51%). See page 58 for details.

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COUNTRY LIFE WITH US

161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP Telephone 020 3148 5000 Email countryhomes@timeinc.com

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EDITOR Rhoda Parry

& INTERIORS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emma Williams 020 3148 7184 HOUSES EDITOR Vivienne Ayers 020 3148 7194 SHOPPING EDITOR Holly Phillips 020 3148 7195 NEWS AND FEATURES EDITOR Thea Babington-Stitt 020 3148 7458 CONTENT EDITOR Tara King 020 3148 7196 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sara Bird (Style) EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Sally Dominic 020 3148 7154 CHIEF SUB EDITOR Anne Esden 020 3148 7188 HEAD OF SUBS OPERATIONS Maxine Clarke 020 3148 7136 SENIOR SUB EDITORS Marian McNamara, Fiona Mace HEAD OF ART OPERATIONS Alison Walter 020 3148 7113 ART EDITOR Meredith Davies 020 3148 7186 ACTING ART EDITOR Hannah Bennewitz 020 3148 7343 EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicola Tillman 020 3148 7891 DEPUTY EDITORIAL PRODUCTION DESIGNER Clare Willetts 020 3148 7892 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jane Akers 020 3148 7313

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Things I’ve seen, done and loved this month As we count down to the festivities, country traditions are top of everyone’s mind! Whether it’s the dressing of the house with heirloom decorations, the festive recipes we remember and make only at this time of year (trifle, anyone?) or the coming together of your nearest and dearest, it’s a time for happily re-establishing rituals and relationships after a busy 2017.

Here at Country Homes & Interiors, we like to mix up a little bit of the old with a little bit of the new on all levels. On the style front, we are celebrating easy-going glamour (see page 60). And in the kitchen, we are baking with a batch-load of the latest practical and playful must-haves, from mixing bowls to cookie cutters (page 68).

We are also pleased to introduce you to some new friends, who share their country loves and lives: shoe designer Penelope Chilvers, Chloë Luxton of Bramley beauty fame and boutique B&B owner Daisy Kearey.

Plus, Rose Prince suggests ‘Made for sharing’ recipes that are real guest-pleasers (page 116).

Have a very happy time!

PHOTOGRAPH TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM

R hoda x LOOKING FOR A LAST-MINUTE GIFT FOR SOMEONE? If you’re after a unique present that will last all year, why not subscribe to Country Homes & Interiors from just £27.49 for 12 issues? See page 58.

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Things we can’t live without

JA N UA RY

A berry-beautiful bouquet bursting with fronds of evergreens and party-pops of deep red.

Tissue paper and ribbon, from all good orists.

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C O U N T R Y D AY S

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3 4 1 A plush addition. Sara velvet cushion, 50cm sq, col Amethyst, £35, Brissi. 2 Floral prints on bone china. Devonshire Rose mug, £10, Cath Kidston. 3 Glam and fruity scents. Fig-scented candle, £42, Kate Spade New York at Amara. 4 Hedgerow inspirations. Festivity printed shade, Dia30cm, £12, Sainsbury’s.

Raising a sparkling toast with elegant, handmade glassware.

Isla fluted champagne coupes, £34 for 2, Rowen & Wren.

Layering up in floaty florals with a cosy cuddle of luxury.

Liberty silk dress, col Purple Floral, £265; Fur collar, col Chocolate, £145, both Really Wild.

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5 Serving-up dinner with an added splash of rosy bright delight. Red calico plate, Dia26.5cm, £15, Burleigh. 6 Keeping toes warm and dry on a wet and muddy winter’s walk.

Women’s printed Norris Field wellington boots, £110, Hunter.

7 Ample storage with rustic country charm to hide away clutter in your hallway. Aldsworth hallway bench box, H45xW116xD47cm, col Spruce, £255, Garden Trading.

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C O U N T R Y D AY S

Sharing magical moments with loved ones around a cascade of twinkling lights.

Indoor outdoor star silhouette lights, H40cm, £25; H90cm, £55, Cox & Cox.

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11 8 A graceful baroque-look bed. Rose bed in Tulip plush velvet, £945, Button & Sprung. 9 Knitted Fair Isle loveliness teamed with cosy-soft fleece. Tintagel throw, 150x118cm, £129, Plumo. 10 Pretty collaborations with great heritage brands. Geo Paradise Garden cheeseboard, £58, Liberty for Anthropologie. 11 Woven wonders to help restore order.

Seagrass baskets, H33cm and H40cm, £37 for 2, Murmur.

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Sprucing up the living room with rich fabrics. Oscar sofa, col Prussian Blue, £2,590; Georgette footstool, col Claret, £710, both in cotton matt velvet, Sofa.com.

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12 Personalised stationery to plan for the year ahead. A5 Midnight Rose mother of pearl lined notebook, £12.99, Papier.

13 Cosy headgear with pick-your-own pompoms. Bobble hat, £29.95, Cabaia. 14 A snug, peek-a-boo treat for hands.

Sheepskin fingerless mittens, col Wine, £69, Jigsaw. 15 Pine needles re-imagined on organic cotton weaves. Christmasmotif table runner, L150xW45cm, £8.99, H&M Home.

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Colour of

THE MOMENT

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS STYLING (OPENER) BENTE HALKJAER/HOUSE OF PICTURES, (MOODBOARD) HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPH (OPENER) KIRA BRANDT/HOUSE OF PICTURES

INFUSE YOUR HOME WITH DEPTH AND DRAMA USING A FRUITY, PLUM-RICH PALETTE OF DARK VELVETY CLARET, HERITAGE-INSPIRED PRINTS, AND TONAL-TEXTURED WEAVES FOR AN ATMOSPHERIC FINISH

Shand wallpaper, col Library, £115 a roll, Liberty. Fabrics (clockwise, from top left), Arles, col Berry, £60m; Brackenhill, col Claret, £39m, both Iliv. Jeffery Rose Tree, col Ruby, £120m, Liberty. Atlantis, col Blackberry, £43.50m, Villa Nova.

Breccia, col Damson, £95m, Designers Guild. St Andrew, col Claret; Skye, col Tourmaline, both £53.95m, Abraham Moon.

Quirky B Geo carpet, col Damson, £103.35sq m, Alternative Flooring. Paints (from top), Bordeaux, £19.95 for 1L superior chalk, Everlong. Bordeaux, £45 for 2.5L flat emulsion, Zoffany.

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11

Home notes Pick the perfect palette

Joules Cambridge Floral sofa, col Navy, £998, DFS.

Looking to inject colour into your interiors? Take the advice of Tricia Guild, founder of Designers Guild, from her new book, Paint Box (£25, Quadrille Publishing).

Tricia inspires with beautiful photography surrounding 45 colour, texture and pattern palettes and shows you how to use them in your home.

O U R FAV O U R I T E FA B R I C D E S I G N E R S

FEATURE TARA KING

Peter Thwaites & Rebecca Aird With modern country appeal...

After years spent working in the creative industry, this duo set up Cotswoldbased design studio Rapture & Wright in 2004.

A new collaboration with the National Trust, the Standen Collection, offers a stunning range of handprinted wallpapers and fabrics, inspired by – and displayed at – historic Arts and Crafts house Standen in West Sussex.

Rebecca tells us more…

Fabrics, from £90m; wallpaper, from £22m, Rapture & Wright.

How did this collaboration come about? We were asked by the National Trust to put a proposal together for its Contemporary Arts Project at Standen. We produced three designs inspired by the house’s architecture, history and surroundings. Ours were chosen last October.

What made you want to be a part of this project?

The National Trust was keen to open up new areas of the house, which gave us scope to design contemporary schemes in conjunction with the original interiors, which featured material from Art and Crafts luminaries such as architect Philip Webb and William Morris.

Describe the design process. We wanted the collection to have an

illustrative feel, so spent time sketching the house and its setting, turning one of its rooms into our studio. We pinned ideas to the walls so visitors could see how the project was progressing and to give us input, too. …and the making process.

The patterns are all hand screen-printed using lino blocks – it takes about two hours to make 10 metres of fabric or wallpaper!

Sum up your creative style.

This collection is illustrative with an Arts and Crafts attitude.

The designs are on display at Standen House until 15 April and on sale at raptureand wright. co.uk.

Pick a pretty print Best known for its playful prints and colourful homewares, lovely lifestyle brand Joules has teamed up with DFS to extend its offering to sofas, armchairs and footstools. There are four styles to choose from, all inspired by timeless country looks and handmade to order from workshops in rural Derbyshire. Fabric options include coastal stripes and a quirky partridge print, but our favourite has to be the Cambridge Floral; the hand-drawn design epitomises all we love about contemporary country charm.

FA B U L O U S F I R E P L A C E S

The Pinter fireplace, £5,340, Kelly Hoppen for Chesneys.

Following the success of their last collaboration, Chesneys and interior designer Kelly Hoppen have come together again to create a collection of fireplaces and accessories.

The Pinter (left) gives traditional country style a modern twist with smooth surfaces, sleek lines and a made-in-heaven mix of stone, marble and polished brass.

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Garden notes Just what you need now...

Are you feeding the garden birds?

Keep your supplies safely out of the reach of mice in the shed by storing it in this bird feed tin. We love the look of this container so much, we’d keep it in the kitchen! Available in Petrol Blue or Jersey Cream, it comes with a handy aluminium scoop, £19.99, Burgon & Ball.

Q&A WITH A SHARING GARDENER

Why are snowdrops a winter essential?

We asked Naomi Slade, author of The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops, how to have success with these tiny but impactful plants.

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Raise some rhubarb

‘Lady Elphinstone’ has frothy double yellow flowers and increases well, too.

What are your maintenance tips? Feed with a balanced fertiliser while they are growing and divide clumps every few years. Plus, keep a note of where you’ve planted them, so you don’t step on emerging flower shoots.

Which snowdrop garden would you suggest for a visit? For sheer snowdrop magnificence go to Welford Park in Berkshire from 31 January to 4 March.

Visit welfordpark.co.uk.

The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops, (£17.99, Timber Press).

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This popular pudding tastes even better when the stems are homegrown. Choose a bright, frost-free winter weekend for planting. For success, prepare a planting hole in a sunny, well drained spot and dig in plenty of well rotted manure or compost and allow 75cm between each plant. Rhubarb can be grown in pots, but they need to be very large containers.

In their first year, plants should not be harvested or ‘forced’ – let the plants get established. Cover with a rhubarb forcer in the second year, in January. Place a layer of straw over the crown, then put the forcer on top. This will exclude light and encourage early April pickings. Yum!

PLANT FOR EARLY FLOWERS Add glow to your garden with dainty yellow winter aconites, Eranthus hyemalis.

They reach just 10cm in height, but offer a generous spread and are ideal for growing under deciduous shrubs. They’ll naturalise in semi-shade and after a few years you’ll be enjoying a carpet of blooms until March.

Plant bulbs in autumn, or for better results, buy plants now.

FEATURE TAMSIN WESTHORPE PHOTOGRAPHS (SNOWDROPS) JULIETTE WADE; (RHUBARB) GARY SMITH; (ACONITES) RICHARD BLOOM, ALL GAP PHOTOS.

What are the ideal growing conditions for snowdrops? They enjoy a well-drained soil and need good light when in active growth – they won’t thrive in deep shade.

What are your thoughts about growing snowdrops in containers? Containers of snowdrops are lovely, especially near the house.

However, being hungry and thirsty plants, they don’t do well in pots long term. Either plant them back into the ground when the flowers have faded or re-pot annually in summer.

Which snowdrops should beginners grow?

Start with those that are robust and affordable.

For reliability, have a go at growing Galanthus nivalis (above), G. elwesii, G. plicatus and G. woronowii.

If you want something a bit more fancy, try scented ‘S. Arnott’, tall ‘Atkinsii’ and ‘Hippolyta’ – a handsome double. Little

Try ‘Raspberry Red’ or ‘Prince Albert’ varieties...

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Food notes M I N I G I N G E R B R E A D H O US E S Dress up a hot chocolate with a cute gingerbread house perched on top of your mug. Using the mini house cutter kit, £15 from RubyLou’s Treat Company, you can create your own mini masterpieces to enjoy with a cuppa or give as favours to dinner party guests. The kit includes a gingerbread recipe.

Deliciously healthy... a natural probiotic

O U R FAV O U R I T E S T I L T O N P R O D U C E R

Stichelton Dairy

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT. SAUERKRAUT RECIPE COURTESY OF DAYLESFORD.COM

In a 250-year-old converted barn on Nottinghamshire’s Welbeck Estate, Joe Schneider makes the raw milk blue cheese Stichelton, the idea for which was conceived after a few beers with Randolph Hodgson, owner of Neal’s Yard Dairy. There’s now a dairy farm of 160 cows working to bring back this traditional English cheese, currently available at Neal’s Yard Dairy and The Fine Cheese Co. Why is Stichelton so special?

It represents the tradition of English raw milk blue cheese and is the first of its kind to be made here since the 1980s, and the first proper farmhouse cheese since the 1930s.

What is raw milk cheese? It’s a very old and unique British recipe using unpasteurised milk, taking 24 hours to make and four months to mature. It offers more complex flavours and a longer finish than pasteurised versions do.

What’s your favourite way to use Stichelton in cooking?

I like my cheese unadulterated – on its own usually, but I’m not above melting it on a steak or crumbling it over a salad.

Any tips for getting the best flavour out of the cheese? It’s a living food. If you can, eat it within a few days. Don’t keep it in the fridge. If you must, then

Serve up spiced sauerkraut

wrap it in a breathable wax paper instead of clingfilm.

What’s the best thing about running your business? We have something at the end of the day that we made, that people enjoy, that is rooted to the farm and the animals.

What’s next for your company? Well, we won’t be launching any products with cranberries or apricots or anything like that. We are happy being a small producer of good cheese, and we are cautious about expanding upon that for fear that it will dilute what we do well.

Stichelton Dairy, 01623 844883, stichelton. co.uk.

This delicious and healthy accompaniment to festive cold meats is simple to make. Finely slice 600g red cabbage, transfer to a bowl and sprinkle over 1.5 tbsp salt, 1 tsp caraway seeds and 2 tsp each fennel and coriander seeds.

Massage for 8-10 mins until there is a generous pool of liquid at the bottom. Add 400g grated beetroot and 1 grated apple, and stir to combine.

Transfer to a 1L jar and press the mixture down, then pour over the liquid from the bowl, leaving a 2cm space at the top of the jar. Keep at room temperature for at least a week, opening daily for the first three days. After three weeks, seal tightly and keep in the fridge until desired.

We want these now...

Frosty winter whites are always a winner on the worktop, and this fresh new finish on Smeg appliances really shows off that curved, retro styling we know and love. Available on both the classic kettle, £120, and toaster, £140, we’re ready to enjoy a cosy tea-and-toast moment right about now!

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OUT AND ABOUT Browse through vintage furniture, such as this armoire, at this popular spot.

Claire’s range of rustic and original homeware has grown to fill three barns.

O U R FAV O U R I T E S H O P F O R A N A N T I Q U E F I N D

Louisa Grace Interiors DISCOVER ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES WITH A STORY TO TELL AT THIS VINTAGE TREASURE TROVE IN SURREY

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SET UP YOUR SHOP? We’ve always been

fairly local to the area, and when 18

we stumbled across Seven Acres Farm we knew it could be perfect.

range of suppliers who visit France and Belgium on a regular basis.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE LOUISA GRACE INTERIORS’ STYLE?

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE? French Louis XV armoires

Rustic, original and vintage with a splash of modern luxe thrown in!

are so versatile, doubling up as handy storage and display pieces.

WHO VISITS YOUR SHOP? Some customers are just passing by, while others are regulars. We also work with interior designers, restaurants and small interiors businesses, supplying them with pieces.

HOW IS YOUR SHOP UNIQUE?

There’s always something new and exciting as our stock changes regularly. We always have classic pieces, such as armoires, trunks and chests of drawers, and more unusual items, too, including vintage signs, old film posters and shabby chic shutters. We also source specific items for our customers.

HOW DO YOU SOURCE PRODUCTS?

We tend to visit our local antique markets and fairs (Sunbury Antiques Fair at Kempton Park and IACF at Ardingly). We also have a

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WHAT’S PLANNED FOR THE NEW YEAR? We’ve recently started

making our own artwork and we’re looking to build on our interior design service, so watch this space!

Louisa Grace Interiors, Seven Acres, Carshalton Road, Banstead, Surrey SM7 3DX, 07956 650895, louisagrace.co.uk.

☎

FEATURE TARA KING

After upcycling a vintage picture frame into a blackboard for their two young daughters, Jamie and Claire McFadyen decided to build a business out of their passion for collecting and restoring antiques. In 2013, they opened Louisa Grace Interiors on Seven Acres Farm, Banstead. Here, customers can browse through vintage furniture, lighting and home accessories. The talented duo also offers a restoration service, where pieces can be customised to suit any decor. Claire tells us more…

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

Make a house a home

A plate rack for your fine china IN OUR ONGOING SERIES, WE SELECT SIMPLE COUNTRY-STYLE HERO PIECES THAT LOOK BEAUTIFUL... AND MAKE LIFE FEEL EVEN BETTER

FEATURE SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPH TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM

Keep things looking super stylish by sticking to a monochrome theme.

Here, black and white reigns.

Similar plate rack, Ludvika, £275, Nordshape. Tableware, from a selection, Summerill & Bishop.

Mugs, £8 each, Anthropologie. Wreath, similar from Etsy, or Zoe Bradley for bespoke designs.

NEXT MONTH A SETTLE FOR PULLING ON YOUR BOOTS

Elevating the humble dish to a display piece, the plate rack is one simple and stylish storage accessory that no country home should be without. Whether part of a run of statement cabinetry or positioned in a modest nook, this shelf-and-rack package is an easy way to add character to a plain wall or room.

WHAT’S THE STORY? Conceived to provide purpose-built plate storage for grand houses of old, this type of rack could originally be found below stairs in kitchens and sculleries.

Differing from a dish-drying rack, its open against-the-wall narrow shelving meant differently sized items, from saucers to large platters, could be neatly stored together.

With the 18th-century pottery and ceramic industry boom and the arrival of more refined, expensive and decorative dinnerware collections, the plate rack was promoted to above-stairs status.

WHICH STYLE TO CHOOSE For real wow factor and for large collections invest in an oversized rack topping a dresser base or built into a run of cupboard cabinetry. Individual racks are more suitable for smaller spaces and can add real character with some well-chosen items, especially during the festive season with baubles for extra bling. Available in all types of materials, popular modern country versions feature light-painted or pale-oak finishes.

STYLE IT UP No longer just the place for dinnerware, plate racks are the perfect display area for trinkets and ornaments. Come the festive period, they are also the ideal spot to arrange decorations with plenty of space for garlands, ornaments, lights and seasonal foliage.

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Scottish ambitions RACHEL AND CHRIS ROWLEY FOUND AN IDYLLIC FARMHOUSE SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE THAT WORKS BOTH FOR THEIR COOKERY VENTURE AND THEIR HOME LIFE

P E R T H S H I R E FA R M H O U S E House and grounds Rachel and Chris’s home, Ballintaggart, is surrounded by picturesque countryside.

It’s no chore for Rachel and her daughters, Eva and Anna, to step outside on a frosty morning and feed the chickens.

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P E R T H S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Veranda The lovely view makes this area an enchanting spot for a morning coffee, whatever the season.

Eva checks for eggs every day.

What we love most about living here…

‘Being so close to nature – you really feel part of the landscape.

We love weather watching, and our proximity to the sky’

Dining room Red walls form a cosy backdrop for the Christmas tree.

Kitchen Sleek wooden units are teamed with granite worktops. Units, similar from Howdens.

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Conservatory (Also left) Family favourites, such as the table that belonged to Chris’s grandparents, are paired with new furniture ďŹ nds in the conservatory.

Chairs, Dwell. Pendant lantern, John Lewis.

Rug, coat rack, Homer.

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Living room

An expansive wall of glass overlooks the valley.

A roaring ďŹ re and twinkling candles keep the room snug. Walls, painted in Pointing by Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Sofa Workshop.

Ottoman, Habitat.

Grey rug, Benuta.

P E R T H S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Having hunted far and wide for a suitable property to nurture their cookery ambitions and build a food business, Rachel and Chris Rowley decided Perthshire could be an obvious choice. Not only was it a beautiful location, but Chris had enjoyed holidays there as a child, and has family nearby.

‘We’d been looking for a project, thinking that we might get more for our money if we were willing to take on a wreck, but wrecks do not come cheap,’ says Rachel, ‘and with three young children and a growing business, we just felt we had enough to do.’

When they spotted a four-bedroom farmhouse with a separate outbuilding, it seemed perfect. Renovated to a high standard by the previous owners, the kitchen in the separate steading was spacious enough to add workstations for students, and now there is also B&B accommodation for guests who have come from far away. There is also an office, and the rambling farmhouse is ideal for the family. The decor was neutral and in good condition, allowing Rachel and Chris plenty of time to focus on their business. ‘We instantly felt at home here,’ says Rachel.

The previous owners had only used the property occasionally as a holiday home, so the Rowleys set about the task of bringing it to life again as a family home, as well as establishing a destination cookery school. ‘Our plan for the decor was to go generally contemporary: Scandi and modern, and we have stuck to that on the whole, but every now and then we find ourselves softening and adding rustic touches to the scheme,’ says Rachel.

The house lends itself to celebrations beautifully, with roaring fires adding a toasty touch and a cosy red dining room providing a festive backdrop for the gastronomic feast on Christmas Day. The fact that the original farmhouse and steading are two separate buildings would not suit every family, but they find the separation useful. ‘The space we have acquired is so valuable to us, we really feel our business can reach its full potential here,’ says Rachel. ‘There’s an existing orchard and we are planning to plant a vegetable garden. There is even a tennis court. We simply couldn’t ask for more. When we first viewed the property, I really could visualise our children growing up here.’

The area, too, ticks every box – it is accessible as well as rural and is full of hidden gems. A paradise for foodies, Perthshire is also a mecca for shooting and fishing, so fish and game are plentiful, and being equidistant from both coasts, seafood is also abundant. Perthshire raspberries are second to none and there are even wine producers nearby. So Chris and Rachel are able to hold regular feast nights showcasing the best local and seasonal produce at Ballintaggart.

Now that they are settled and have got to know their new home and its glorious setting, they would like to extend the farmhouse to the west, with perhaps a conservatory or an orangery to enjoy the stunning sunsets. ‘The views from each side of the house are out of this world,’ says Rachel. ‘We have taken to watching the fields. Who would have thought that watching barley grow would be so interesting? We are finding the seasons fascinating.’

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Rachel Rowley and her husband, Chris, a Leiths School of Food and Wine-trained chef. They are founders of Ballintaggart Cookery School (ballintaggart.com) and moved here in 2016, with Eva, six, Anna, four, and Nathaniel, one.

House Four-bedroom farmhouse, built in the 1800s.

Tray table, The White Company.

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P E R T H S H I R E FA R M H O U S E

Living room The inherited G-plan sideboard provides useful storage. Lamp, Made. Bell jar, RE.

Log store At this time of year, chopped wood for the farmhouse stove is in constant demand.

Simple touches add character.

Bedside lamp, Garden Trading Company.

Main bedroom

What makes this house a home…

The painted oversized headboard doubles up as a display shelf. Grey cushion, Broste.

‘It is layered with history – we’re aware that generations of one family farmed here before we moved in’

Bathroom Fresh blue

Guest bedroom Blue hints add to the tranquil scheme. Walls, painted in Dimpse by Farrow & Ball.

Bed, Laura Ashley.

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FEATURE ALISON GIBB PHOTOGRAPHS DOUGLAS GIBB

hues continue in the bathroom. Tiles, The Original Tile Company.

ON OUR D O O R S T E P. . .

Visit… ‘The Birks (01887 822845, birkscinema.co.uk) in nearby Aberfeldy. It’s an arthouse cinema, run as a local community project.’

Shop at… ‘The Highland Chocolatier (01887 840775, highlandchocolatier. com) in Grandtully village, a magical chocolate and luxury gifts emporium.

Also Homer at the Watermill (01887 820802, athomer.co.uk) is a café, bookshop and designer homeware store in a converted barn.’

Go for a meal at…‘The Taybank (01350 727340, thetaybankdunkeld. com) in Dunkeld has great music and food on the banks of the River Tay.’

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Main bedroom Neutral shades create a calm retreat. Wall, painted in Wevet; Headboard, painted in Purbeck Stone, both by Farrow & Ball.

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Rachel’s veranda Essential for keeping you warm on chilly evenings – and for toasting marshmallows!

Barrington fire pit, H66xDia62cm, £155, Garden Trading.

Drape this natural beauty over chairs for a cosy touch of luxury.

Curly sheepskin, L80-100cm, col Natural, £175, Cox & Cox.

Dark-stained wooden furniture adds a warm colour accent while blending harmoniously with the landscape.

Pave the way with textured tiles.

Brown blend Derbyshire paving slab, 45cm sq, £19.10sq m, B&Q.

Pop this berry bright outdoor light on the table for a warming glow.

Staris garden lantern, H30x W23.5xD16.5cm, £41.99, Best Season at Wayfair.

This traditional hardwood design ticks all the boxes for good looks, comfort and budget.

Camillion two-seat garden bench, H95xW126xD61cm, £69.99, Gardens & Homes Direct.

Rachel’s style secret Enjoy alfresco winter dining with atmospheric candlelight and tactile layers in natural hues.

Modern Country Classic Log store

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slatted sides for good air flow, where logs can dry naturally and be protected from the elements. Modern designs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit all needs and often incorporate a shelf for kindling, too.

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Where to buy...

•Garden Trading for large

designs in spruce.

•Rutland County Garden Furniture for handcrafted storage solutions.

•Charmed Wood for robust stores with rustic appeal.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Every country home needs a supply of logs to fuel the fire through the long winter months. If you buy your logs in bulk – or forage for logs – you will need outdoor storage. Choose a sturdy weatherproof design with

! " "

! # # ! ! # # ! #

Living room Jessica has conjured up a relaxed yet sophisticated festive feel. Lampshade, Pooky. Lamp base, India Jane. Coffee table, console, rug, all Oka.

Room to breathe

JESSICA HENDERSON HAS GIVEN AN UNLOVED RECTORY A NEW LEASE OF LIFE AS THE PERFECT HOME FOR HER GROWING YOUNG FAMILY

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K E N T R E C T O RY

Living room A roaring ďŹ re welcomes guests at Christmas. Fender, similar from Acres Farm.

Basket, similar from Katie Jane Home.

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K E N T R E C T O RY

Jessica enjoys the Christmas preparations with Farleigh and Phoenix.

House An orangestudded wreath adorns the front door. Christmas wreath, The Garden Room.

Kent,

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Jewellery designer Jessica Henderson (jessicanaylorleyland.com) and her entrepreneur husband Charlie. They live here with their two children, Farleigh, three, and Phoenix, one.

House Six-bedroom Regency rectory, built in 1829. The family have owned it since 2016.

the garden of England, is magical in wintertime.

Hedgerows sparkle with an icy glaze and the low sun skims the frosty fields. It’s easy to understand why the Hendersons fell under its spell. Jessica grew up in rural France, then lived in London for years, but always yearned for a return to the country.

‘In January 2016, my husband Charlie spotted a former rectory in the Kent countryside on a property website,’ says Jessica. ‘We drove down as soon as we could and fell in love with the feel of it. I had been longing for a more outdoor lifestyle for the children, to be able to just open the back door and let them roam without having to walk to a park.’

The house ticked all the boxes, with its large garden complete with woodland and orchard. What’s more, it’s only a short drive to the high-speed London train link at Ashford, meaning that Charlie could easily commute. ‘We went and had lunch in the cosy local pub and put an offer in on our way back to London.’

Fast forward two months, when son Phoenix was just four weeks old and daughter Farleigh was 18 months, and the family upped sticks from their small west London flat and moved into their new home, which required an overhaul. ‘It had been on the market for a while, but no one else wanted to take on such a big decorating project,’ says Jessica. She and Charlie realised that a large amount of work would be necessary to restore it to

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What we love most about living here…

‘The conservatory, which is a magical place to sit with the trees all around’

Conservatory This light-filled space is perfect for a big family Christmas lunch. Table, Eastburn Country Furniture. Chairs, Hicks & Hicks.

Kitchen Jessica opted for a country vibe, with an antique pine dresser and traditional cupboards.

Units, Wren Kitchens.

Wicker pendants, Maisons du Monde.

What makes this house a home…

‘We have so much more room to breathe than we did in London, and I’ve really been able to put my stamp on the house’

K E N T R E C T O RY

Hallway The house’s wonderful proportions are evident immediately on entering.

Wallpaper, Lewis & Wood. Rug, 18 The High Street.

Kitchen A native American headdress makes a striking focal point. Headdress, Jessie Western.

its former glory, so the couple enlisted the help of local tradesmen to redecorate the house entirely, the lion’s share of which was completed by husband-and-wife team Me & Mrs Jones.

Jessica opted for a classic scheme with a twist. The muted and calm wall tones show off the architectural details while colour has been added with jewel-bright rugs in blues and reds covering the wooden floors, as well as patterned wallpapers and fabrics.

The huge windows allow light to flood in, offering views of the verdant surroundings. Jessica has sourced vintage pieces from bric-a-brac stores and markets, and the result is utterly charming.

Living in the house while the work was done was certainly tough at times, but the hardship was worthwhile and the children are now relishing their new life in the country. What’s more, the property’s generous proportions are soon to prove particularly useful because Jessica is expecting twins to join Farleigh and Phoenix. ‘It’s going to be the biggest challenge yet!’

The house is also perfect for a traditional Christmas. Jessica has gathered some beautiful decorations from her travels, including colourful baubles from Guatemala and pewter ones from Bruges. ‘I love the build-up to Christmas Day,’ she says.

‘Farleigh enjoys going through my cookbooks sitting at the island while Phoenix watches me cook. We also make a little Advent tree, hanging sweets on twigs arranged in a flower pot. The only trouble is, Charlie always pinches one on his way out in the morning!’

Bathroom Jessica had the original cast-iron bath re-enamelled and the floor underneath it reinforced. Bath, similar from Drummonds. Rug, Weaver Green.

Mirror, The White Company.

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K E N T R E C T O RY Guest bedroom Mirrored

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O N O U R D O O R S T E P. . .

Visit… ‘The Rare Breeds Centre (01233 861493, rarebreeds.org.uk), an animal farm in Woodchurch. The children absolutely love it.’

Shop at… ‘Silcocks Farm Shop (01580 763351, silcocksfarm-organics.co.uk) in

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Tenterden. It’s a shop and café with wonderful fresh and local produce.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Woolpack (01233 732900, woolpackinnwarehorne.com) in Warehorne. It’s the perfect place for a frosty day – delicious food and roaring log fires.

FEATURE AMY MAYNARD PHOTOGRAPHS RICHARD GADSBY

accessories and an inviting velvet upholstered bed give this room an elegant and welcoming feel. Bed, Graham & Green. Side table, similar from Alexander & Pearl. Lamp, Pooky.

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Jessica’s living room Place this small but impressive character on your coffee table for a touch of rustic festive charm.

Standing stag, H21xW17cm, £8, Sainsbury’s.

Celebrate the beauty of handwoven imperfections with this Burmese-made textile.

Nini cushion cover, 50cm sq, £50, Kalinko.

Define a large area by laying a feature rug with relaxed stripes in an uplifting, chalky sky-blue hue.

Jessica’s style secret

Switch on with this mini beast-inspired glazed lamp.

Dragonfly ceramic lamp base, H31xDia28cm, £90; 14in shade, £79, both India Jane.

Weathered acacia, parquetry details and elaborately turned legs combine harmoniously on this eye-catching centrepiece.

Toulouse coffee table, H48xW150xD92cm, £1,375, Oka.

Decisions, decisions… Maybe ‘Maybe Maggie’ is just the warm, neutral tone you’re after?

Maybe Maggie, £38 for 2.5L Claypaint, Earthborn Paints.

Breathe new life into a classic scheme with calming wall tones offset by colour-pop patterns on accessories and soft furnishings.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Modern Country Classic Club fender Every hearth deserves to be framed by a welcoming surround. At this busy time of year when the house is full, toasty extra seating is always handy! Bespoke designs enhance the look of a room while making use

of the space around the fireplace. No matter what the style, designs feature an array of padded-seat options in luxurious finishes, lending an air of grandeur to cosy living room gatherings.

Where to buy...

•Fiona Wilbraham for modern and contemporary, bespoke club fender corners.

•Norfolk Fender Seats for traditional designs.

•Rockingham Fender Seats for handcrafted solutions.

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WIRRAL VILLA

A sense of calm WITH AN IMMACULATE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, JO FARNHAM’S HOME IS TRANSFORMED AT THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH CANDLELIGHT AND FESTIVE FOLIAGE

Jo sourced the pretty candles in all shapes and sizes from CCco Interiors and Sainsbury’s Home.

Dining area The original panelling makes for a wonderful backdrop. Panelling, painted in Fescue by Little Greene. Curtain fabric, lampshade, Gosford Charcoal by Laura Ashley. Light, Elaine Cunningham Design Studio.

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Jo relaxes in the garden with Dylan, the family’s Working Cocker Spaniel.

There’s definitely a New England feel to the location – as well

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Jo Farnham, who advises clients on interior design and how to best present their homes for sale (Twitter: @StripeyDuck), and her husband, Rob, who has an independent property business. They live here with Megan, 21, Lillie, 17, and Working Cocker Spaniel Dylan.

House Five-bedroom Victorian villa.

as the architectural style – of Jo Farnham’s beautiful Victorian villa on the Wirral, positioned as it is opposite a golf course that has perfect views of the choppy waters of the Irish Sea. ‘Our previous home was right on the sea front nearby,’ says Jo, ‘but we had outgrown the space, and it felt incredibly exposed.

We had admired the location of this house for many years, as it’s set back a fair bit, but still close to the golf club for my husband, Rob. We loved the character of the house, too, and its large garden, along with the fact that it was bigger internally.’

Inside, the New England feel continues, with the original panelling in the large hallway and dining area perfectly suited to the soft grey shade it is painted in. ‘The panelling was one of our most exciting finds when we were renovating the house,’ Jo says. ‘It was hidden behind sheets of plywood that we uncovered while stripping off the old wallpaper; it was in poor condition but we knew how stunning it would look once restored.’

It’s in this open dining hall where Jo goes to town preparing for the festive celebrations to come. ‘I love getting ready for large family gatherings: the table isn’t complete without plenty of foliage, most of which I’ve cut from the garden, and lots of candles – in fact, you can’t open a cupboard in my house without coming across a huge stash of votives and candlesticks.’

Jo’s attention to detail is flawless and her immaculate home has a sense of calm throughout, thanks to the cohesive palette of chalky greys, subtle off-whites and powdery lilacs. Elegant furniture, both new and pre-loved, is perfectly positioned to

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WIRRAL VILLA

What we love most about living here...

‘The view to the front of the house and the magnificent sunsets’

Living room Soft grey and lilac tones create a relaxed feel.

Feature wall, painted in Light Peachblossom

by Little Greene. Sofa, Marks & Spencer.

Armchair (above left), Laura Ashley. Stag cushion, CCco Interiors.

Lillie’s bedroom The space is large enough to allow room for a sofa.

Sofa, John Lewis.

Walls, painted in Dimpse by Farrow & Ball.

What makes this house a home...

Kitchen Jo added rooflights to flood the area with light.

Cabinets, Neptune.

Esse range cooker, Hot Stuff Stoves. Oven glove, Ulster Weavers.

‘I love the wonderful sense of space, yet the period features make it still feel homely’

WIRRAL VILLA Main bedroom The striking upholstered bed is complemented by a feature wallpaper.

Upholstered bed, Hypnos. Wallpaper, Clarke & Clarke.

complement each room. ‘My approach to choosing our furniture is based on style and functionality, but often there’s also a sentimental attachment. Our dining furniture and sideboard, for instance, were originally pieces from Rob’s parents’ family home, which I painted to give a more contemporary feel.’

But Jo and Rob needed more than a few pots of paint to transform the home they bought just three years ago. ‘In addition to decor, the fittings were very dated,’ Jo says, ‘so we decided to strip the place back completely, take out all of the bathrooms and the kitchen, as well as adding rooflights in this room to introduce more light.

‘We also took the opportunity to re-wire the house,’ she says, ‘and to put in new central heating and plumbing. It was hard at the time as we’d already moved in, but it was ultimately worth all the stress, and we’re pleased we did the major works at the same time, particularly investing in an office-style infrastructure for internet access. Having a strong Wi-Fi connection means that even though this is an old house, we can use modern wireless technology for music, heating, lighting, gaming and working.’

Although the Farnhams got all those fundamental jobs over and done with early on, Jo admits the house is still a bit of a labour of love. ‘It’s larger than our previous home, so we’re still looking for individual pieces of furniture and original artwork to suit the character of the house.’ Jo may still be seeking those final finishing touches, but the home she has created with Rob in such a short time is already very special and more than ready to welcome friends and family for the seasonal celebrations.

Bathroom Jo has opted for a relaxing spa-like feel. Tiles, Waterloo Bathrooms.

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WIRRAL VILLA Lillie’s bedroom Lillie has picked up on her mum’s sense of style with a chic yet youthful scheme. Stag throw, duvet set, John Lewis.

Chest of drawers, Next.

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘The Pier Head, a World Heritage Site that brings together the majestic Three Graces to make Liverpool’s skyline one of the most recognised in the world.’

Shop at… ‘The Restore Juice Company (restorejuice.co.uk) in Wirral for organic cold-pressed juices delivered to your door, as well as fabulous scented candles for Christmas presents.’

Go for a meal at… ‘Hillbark

FEATURE NAOMI JONES PHOTOGRAPHS ROBERT SANDERSON

Hotel & Spa (0151 625 2400, hillbarkhotel.co.uk), Royden Park, Wirral, a Grade II-listed building within beautiful grounds – it’s open for Christmas dinner, but we love going for afternoon tea.’

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ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Jo’s dining room Bring a sense of occasion to gatherings with garden-fresh foliage and candlelight.

Add an elegant touch to your table with ombré glassware.

Silver fade-effect wine glasses, £6 for 2, George Home.

Light up a room with a contemporary showpiece.

String shade chandelier, H44xDia56cm, £199, Tides Home & Garden.

Create a magical atmosphere with gently flickering flames.

Starry votive, H14.5cm, £12, Nordic House.

This pretty seat has shabby chic appeal. Imran country solid wood dining chair, H97xW48xD43cm, £147.99, Wayfair.

Jo’s style secret Personalise your home with pre-loved furniture that’s been given a modern country update with a neutral paint finish.

Choose a warming grey-beige hue for a classic yet homely feel.

Fescue, £47 for 2.5L intelligent matt emulsion, Little Greene.

This illustrated design in striking monochrome deserves a place on your chairs.

Henry stag cushion, 40cm sq, £18, Ben Rothery at John Lewis.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Modern Country Classic Panelling Originally gaining popularity in Tudor times due to its insulation properties in cold stone buildings, panelling comes in a plethora of styles, from plain to highly ornate. It is a much prized feature in

a country home, but you can easily replicate the look with a range of ready-made and bespoke options.

Bear in mind that panelling is also a great idea if you don’t want to re-plaster slightly uneven walls.

Where to buy…

•The English Panelling

Company for updated historical styles.

•The Wall Panelling Company for bespoke options.

•Finepanel.co.uk for affordable, heritage designs.

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WO R C E S T E R S H I R E C O T TAG E

A welcome in the hillside A FTE R SE VE N M OVES I N SEVEN YEARS, SE R IA L SE LF-B U ILDERS T ESS AND PAUL HESLOP WE R E R E A DY TO PUT DOWN ROOT S

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Barn The Heslops’ cottage, set in beautiful open countryside, has several outbuildings. Tess stands by the barn, with its new cladding, with dogs Ralph and Coco.

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Dining area (Also right) Hedgerow greenery adds to the Nordic feel, while painted furniture contrasts with the traditional flagstones. Pendant, Garden Trading. Dining chairs, Homebase. Mercury glass, Cox & Cox. Tablecloth, Cottage in the Hills.

WO R C E S T E R S H I R E C O T TAG E Living room The painting above the fireplace is by artist Peter Horrocks, Tess’s art teacher at school. Woodburner, Esse.

There

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AT HOME WITH...

Owners Tess Heslop, who runs her own homeware and gift business (cottageinthehills.com), and her husband, Paul, a construction director. They live here with their son Dylan, six, and French Bulldogs Ralph and Coco.

They moved in seven years ago.

House An extended four-bedroom farm cottage, originally built in the 1880s.

comes a moment when even the most seasoned of house-movers feels ready to put down some roots and create their own Christmas traditions. Tess and Paul Heslop had loved switching counties, finding a plot, building a house, selling it and starting over again. But shortly before their son Dylan was born, they decided to find a more permanent home closer to family.

This time, plot-hunting proved frustrating; they just couldn’t see anything suitable. Instead they were drawn to an extended Victorian cottage, with a rambling layout and outbuildings that offered huge potential. Its interior was a little dated, but the location amid the rolling Malvern Hills was perfect.

‘The kitchen was so dark – all brown with a horrible strip light,’ says Tess. ‘But having done so many builds in different parts of the country, what we’ve realised is that it is not about the property, it’s about where you are. You can always make changes to the property, but you can’t change the location.’

Planning issues took some time to resolve. ‘We wanted to do something a bit more contemporary, with cladding on the sheds and part of the house,’ says Tess. ‘We stuck to our guns.’ At last, they were able to press ahead. ‘I’ve got pictures of myself, six months’ pregnant, taking down walls with a sledgehammer,’ she says. ‘I remember having to step over little ramps to the front door when I came home from hospital. The kitchen was open to the elements and we had just two rooms that were dust free.’

Thankfully all that is now behind them. With new windows, French doors and a roof lantern, the ground floor feels gloriously spacious, open and linked to the landscape. Taking

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WO R C E S T E R S H I R E C O T TAG E

Kitchen seating area Ivy and mistletoe have been wrapped around wire to make wreaths. Sofa, Furniture Village. Cushion fabric, Cottage in the Hills.

out a secondary staircase proved key. ‘Originally, we thought it was great to have two sets of stairs,’ Tess admits, ‘but removing one set was a no-brainer because it has opened up the kitchen and dining area.’ Painted panelling on selected walls and ceilings helps to create a sense of flow – as does the smart trick of laying the same wide oak boards in the living room and kitchen extension.

Throughout, Tess has created a simple, pared-back look that celebrates her love of natural materials and Nordic colours.

‘My palette is very much greys and greyed-off greens and blues – cooler rather than warmer tones,’ she says. ‘I think of it like the colour of the sky; those cloudy day colours.’ Furniture is a relaxed mix of classic and vintage designs, so Shaker-style kitchen units, leather sofas, Tess’s parents’ farmhouse dresser and her grandmother’s carver chairs all have their place.

Tess’s homeware business, Cottage in the Hills, is named after her home and, naturally enough, her ticking stripe fabric designs suit it perfectly. At Christmas her decorating style is similarly Scandinavian-influenced: hedgerow greenery, sculptural tree ornaments and candlelight all add a subtle magic. The emphasis is on family, and spending time together. ‘Now my parents live so close, they can come over on the day,’ says Tess. ‘We’ll all gather round the Aga or the fire. Without fail, we’ll go for a walk on the common, and later, if we get the chance, Paul and I will take the dogs for a proper long walk up on the hill.’

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Kitchen Waxed pine furniture and panelled walls give a classic country feel.

The sideboard came from Tess’s parents’ kitchen. Trees, Cottage in the Hills.

Garden The vivid scarlet of native dogwood stands out against the winter backdrop. Tess plans to make seasonal garlands with it.

What we love most about living here…

‘Being able to go out of the gate onto the common for a walk every day – and the peace and quiet.

We are surrounded by nature’

Kitchen The worktops are made from old lab benches, their Bunsen burner holes and carved initials still visible. Benches, Retrouvius. Cabinets, Magnet. Stools, similar from Garden Trading.

WO R C E S T E R S H I R E C O T TAG E

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ON OUR D O O R S T E P. . .

Visit…’Eastnor Castle (01531 633160, eastnorcastle.com) in Ledbury. It hosts events, from live music to a vintage fair. We also love a walk up British Camp, then a drink in The Malvern Hills Hotel (01684 540690, malvernhillshotel.co.uk).’

Shop at…’Hus & Hem (01531 631044, husandhem.co.uk) in Ledbury for Scandi finds, and Clive’s Fruit Farm (01684 592664, clives fruitfarm.co.uk) in Upton-on-Severn.’

Guest bedroom A brass

FEATURE HAZEL DOLAN PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY

bedstead inherited from Tess’s grandmother is the centrepiece for the guests’ quarters. Tess made the patchwork bedspread using favourite prints from her own organic fabric range.

Fabric, Cottage in the Hills.

Go for a meal at…’The Inn at Welland (01684 592317, theinn atwelland.co.uk), which has a real Scandi feel. They welcome families and the food is always excellent.’

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ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Tess’s guest bedroom Waking up to a pretty posy makes for a positive start to the day.

Stratton vase, H20cm, £10, Garden Trading.

A fabric shade in subtle hues casts a soft glow for bedtime reading.

Meryam lampshade, Dia30cm, £43, Grace & Favour Home.

This design classic can double up as a nifty side table in a small bedroom.

Windsor chair, H94xW46xD49cm, £140 for 2, Debenhams.

Soften the appearance of a traditional brass bed with a mix of patterned textiles in welcoming warm shades.

Furnishings made from natural materials add a rustic touch.

Merlin oak side table, H35x25cm sq, £135, La Redoute.

Nothing says homespun charm quite like a quilt of patchwork squares.

Harrison quilt, 135x200cm, £85, Aspace.

Tess’s style secret Less is more when it comes to bijoux bedrooms – opt for compact furniture, then add depth with colourful textiles.

FEATURE TARA KING

Modern Country Classic Brass bedstead Brass bedsteads came about in the 19th century as a hygienic alternative to wooden beds; the open design allowed fresh air to circulate freely, resulting in a bedbug-free night’s sleep! With styles ranging

from vintage classics (think Victorian four-posters and opulent Art Deco frames) to today’s sleek designs, they’ve become a country mainstay, lending character to both traditional and modern bedroom schemes.

Where to buy…

•Feather & Black for simple

dormitory-style designs.

•The Original Bedstead Company for a wide selection of ornate brass and iron beds.

•Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co for handcrafted frames.

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Celebrate the

MIDNIGHT HOUR The clock is ticking for our love of easy-going entertaining.

Blend new-look teals and smoky blues with the old-fashioned glow of polished pewter and gorgeous galvanised zinc. Complete the old-meets-new story with a blend of cut glass and crystal, vintage low-key linens and luxurious velvets on furniture with classic lines, homewares and soft furnishings.

Let the countdown begin!

SEASONAL LOOKS

Create a sophisticated and snug space for conversation with a stylish velvet sofa dressed with sumptuous throws and cushions. Keep glasses and drinks close to hand on a rustic coffee table. See page 67 for details.

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61

Bring an eye-catching touch to a country dining room with wall panels featuring a beautiful wallpaper inlay.

Lay the table with embellished porcelain, pewter and glassware as well as mini trees and festive owers ready for a fabulous feast. See page 67 for details.

SEASONAL LOOKS

s a

e o ca

Use favourite glasses, decanters and drinks accessories alongside candles and ornaments to add a decorative touch to cabinet shelving. For a seasonal look, line with a snowy style wallpaper and trim with pretty brocade.

See page 67 for details.

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ace se n s

Get your table talking with personalised name cards, decorations and napkin rings.

See page 67 for details.

SEASONAL LOOKS

Create the wow factor the moment guests step through the front door with an oversized clock. Style up the console table with stunning hydrangea, ickering candles, fairy lights and pretty presents. See page 67 for details.

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65

SEASONAL LOOKS

Conjure up an indulgent mood with light-reecting velvets and silky linens. A handsome headboard sets the style, while seasonal herbs and foliage soften the look and provide beautiful scent. See opposite for details.

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SEASONAL LOOKS

All the details

PRODUCTS AND PRICES Pages 60-61

(Opener) Silver thread, £10; similar pewter dish, both Maison Artefact. Kestle zinc plate, £38 for 4, Rowen & Wren. Etienne champagne saucer, £18, The Conran Shop. Ting star decoration, £6 for 12, Habitat. Bauble, £2.90, India Jane. Aurelia fringe, £55m, Samuel & Sons. Turquoise glitter squares, £5 for 250g, Flints Theatrical Chandlers.

Linen cloth, £20, Wayward. Dyed in Dylon Ocean Blue All-in-1 Fabric Dye Pod, £5.50, John Lewis.

ENJOY FIRESIDE CHATS

Wallpaper, Weathered Stone Plain, col Graphite, £74 a roll, Zoffany at Style Library. Olivia sofa, in Isla Kingfisher, £2,680; Stamford throw, £89, both Neptune. Cushions (from left): 1 Granite knit, £75, Lauren Aston Designs. 2 Velvet linen, col Oyster/ Natural, £60, Niki Jones. 3 Fleck, col Cadet, £52.50m, Kirkby Design. 4 Kayu, £49m, Harlequin at Style Library. 5 (Centre) Taormina, col Peacock Blue, £59m, Sanderson at Style Library; (border) Omega, col Ocean, £48.90m, Linwood. 6 Takara,

Pages 62-63

FEATURE SARA BIRD STYLING SARA BIRD, LORRAINE DAWKINS STYLE ASSISTANT CHARLOTTE MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHS DAN DUCHARS

Pages 64-65

FEAST IN STYLE Wallpaper, Rost, £60 a roll, Sandberg. Tablecloth, Pure Ceiling Embroidery, col Dove, £154m, Morris & Co at Style Library. Linen tablecloth, £98, Baileys.

Chairs, £300 each, Neptune. Blue throw, £160; white wool throw, £240, both Oggetto. Brera Lino cushion, £60, Designers Guild. Crackers, £40 for 6, Cox & Cox. Paper bell, £1, RE. Ribbed baubles, £20 for 6; 3ft Nordic Pinecone spruce, £68, both The White Company. Glass glitter bauble, £4.50, Rose & Grey. Ting star decorations, as before. Silver faceted bauble, £5.75; small silver bauble, £2.90, both India Jane.

Zinc pot, £8.50, Alleyn Park Garden Centre.

Zaria carafe, £30, Habitat. Tealight holders, as before. Leon oak tray, £40, John Lewis. Sapphire dinner plates, £20 each, Heal’s. Kestle plates, as before. Side plates, £3.50 each, RE. Napkins, as before. Osko cutlery, £140 for 16 pieces, Rose & Grey. Wine glasses, £50 for 6, Neptune. Lantern,

similar from Amara. Blue Fern cushion, £85; rug, £489, both Heal’s. Faux snowberry garland, £18.50, Rose & Grey. Wreaths, £17.50 each, Cox & Cox.

BRING GLITZ TO PLACE SETTINGS Marbled bone china dinner

bag, £68, Baileys. Zinc-lined basket, as before.

Wrapping papers, from £2.75 a sheet, Paperchase.

Edie LED lights, £15, Habitat. Baubles, lantern, tealight holders, all as before. Large Mercury Pillar candle holder, £38, The White Company.

Large Starry Rustic candle, £7.50; Zinc planters, £75 for 3 assorted, all Cox & Cox. Advent candle, £26.50, Plum & Ashby. Faux hydrangea stems, £10.90 each, Neptune. Spruce, £68; Medium Skye lantern, £15, both The White Company. White lantern, similar from Cox & Cox. Blue throw, as before. Wool blanket, £35, Baileys. Picnic blanket, £119, Plum & Ashby.

French glass, £80; clock, £950, both Maison Artefact. Abacus rug, £179, Rockett St George.

plates, £4.50 each, RE. Wonki Ware side plate, £19, The Conran Shop. Amara Apple napkin ring, £18 for 4; Amara Pear place name holder, £28 for 4; Mabel miniature candlestick, £11 for 2; Mini candles, £8 for 20, all Rowen & Wren.

Wooden board, £16, Heal’s. Waterford Crystal Elegance Optic coupe glass, £60 for 2, John Lewis. All other items, as before.

MAKE IT THE PERFECT TIME Page 66

Curtains, Moramo Linens, col Ocean, £79m, Harlequin at Style Library. Chichester 5ft potboard, col Teal, £1,205, Neptune. Canvas

SETTLE DOWN FOR THE NIGHT WITH SUMPTUOUS LINENS Sandridge kingsize bed in Matt Velvet, col Mallard, £1,030, Willow & Hall. Navy stonewashed linen cushion, £65; navy stonewashed kingsize duvet cover, £225, both Baileys. Blue linen pillowcases, £15 each, Secret Linen Store.

Cushions (from left): 1 Seville, col Ecru/Natural Linen, £100, Niki Jones. 2 Duck Egg Quill, £90, Designers Guild. 3 Sophy Velvet, col Teal, £70, Imogen Heath. 4 Dot, £75, Hay at Unique & Unity. Teal velvet eiderdown, £349, Heal’s.

NEXT MONTH WINTER ROMANCE

£40, Harlequin at John Lewis. 7 Carnival, col Indigo, £49.90m, Linwood. Twig side table, £805, Pinch.

Bottle, similar from Amara. Pot, £8.50, Alleyn Park Garden Centre. Mercury tealight holders, from £6, The White Company. Tealight houses, £100 for 2, Cox & Cox. Clive vase, £25, Habitat. Mercury jar, similar from Amara. Urn, £750, Maison Artefact.

Zinc-lined basket, £64, Rowen & Wren. Manado coffee table, £1,025, Lombok. Corinium platter, £19, Neptune. Cinnamon & Clove candle, £32, Plum & Ashby. Kestle cake stand, £28, Rowen & Wren. Mince pies, £12.50 for 12, Bettys. Baron tray, £115, India Jane. Etienne champagne saucers, as before. Judson decanter, £30, Habitat. Storm Blue napkin, £32 for 4, Rowen & Wren. Beldi basket, £32; Babouche slippers, £25, both Bohemia.

Garland, £75; Star, £35, both The White Company.

Edie LED lights, £15, Habitat. Baubles, £2.90 each, India Jane. Candlesticks, from £150, Maison Artefact. Candles, £4 for 2, RE. Wreath, bloomon.

Saraille Dusk rug, £1,295, Designers Guild.

ADD SPARKLE TO CABINETS

Wallpaper lining, Joel, £60 a roll, Sandberg.

Aurelia fringe, baubles, all as before. Polished tin, £19.50, RE. Vincent decanter, £39, India Jane. Silver jug, similar from Pimpernel & Partners. Zinc pot, as before. Goblet, £7.50, India Jane. Blue No.018 flutes, £8 each, John Lewis. Bordeaux glass jug, £139, India Jane.

Tealight holders, as before. Madeleine tray, £16.50, RE. Glasses, £52 for 4 (with decanter, not shown), Rockett St George. Ebury bottle cooler, £45, India Jane. Etienne champagne saucer, as before. Reuben beakers, £28 for 4; Kestle zinc plate, £38 for 4, both Rowen & Wren.

Mercury bottle, as before. Starry garland, £17.50, Cox & Cox. Key, from a selection, RE.

Velvet linen throw, col Oyster/Natural Linen, £195, Niki Jones. Throw, Sophy velvet fabric, col Teal, £120m, Imogen Heath. Penguin Classics book, £19.95, The Conran Shop. Side table, similar from Scumble Goosie. Houston glass, £52 for 4 (with decanter, not shown), Rockett St George. Marbled notebook, £18, Designers Guild. Thora zinc candle holder, £14; Mini candle, £8 for 20, both Rowen & Wren.

Longton jug, £14, Neptune. Mince pie, silver thread, Ting star decoration, babouche slippers, all as before.

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67

THE HAPPY COOK’S KITCHEN THESE PRACTICAL AND PLAYFUL PICKS WILL HELP YOU RUSTLE UP BAKES AND FEASTS

BY THE BATCH LOAD

Give your range an extra dose of cheer with wintry narrative designs on essential linens.

Jugs, from £13; mugs, £11 each; nibbles bowl, £10; teabag tidy, £8; hob covers, £13 each; pot grab, £8; tea towel, £8; double oven glove, £18; all the Night Owl collection at Sophie Allport.

SHOPPING SHORTLIST

Personalised wooden recipe box, H13.5xW17.5xD8cm, £35, Clouds & Currents.

Give homemade biscuits in a jar with a jolly tag.

Star cookie cutters, £2.95 for 3; glass biscuit jar, £12.95; 36 assorted festive family gift tags, £3.95, all Dotcomgiftshop.

Christmas Joy large star baker, H6x Dia25cm, £59.95, Emma Bridgewater.

Dottie bear honey pot, H15xDia8cm, £20, Anthropologie.

Christmas spatula, £4, Sainsbury’s.

Cast aluminium casserole, H15xDia25cm, col Charcoal, £45, Marks & Spencer.

CH&I

LOVES

*

Gatherings cookbook,

by Flora Shedden, £25, House of Fraser.

»

Cherry mixing bowls, largest H14xDia26cm, £64 for 3, Sophie Conran.

Rectangular boards, largest 35x25cm, £30 for 2, Sophie Conran for T&G Woodware.

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SHOPPING SHORTLIST

3

GO TO BRITISH SPECIALISTS FOR LUXURY CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

*

BETTYS’ hampers (below) feature hand-picked selections of delicious, seasonal specialities. Prices from £55.

The Holly and The Ivy measuring spoons, £24 for 4, Portmeirion.

*

HIGHGROVE GARDENS’ traditional wicker boxes are filled with mouthwatering treats and delicious accompaniments to cater for any manner of occasional spread. Prices from £50.

*

FORTNUM & MASON’S festive baskets are generously filled and just the thing to lavish your gratitude on a Christmas holiday host.

Prices from £55.

Printed tea towel, £17; Embroidery tea towels, £21 each; Pot holder, £17, all Lexington.

Into The Wild Stag extra large tray, 36x21cm, £14, Creative Tops.

Grand mugs with snowflake stencil, 400ml, col Marine, £33 for 2, Le Creuset.

Christmas embossing rolling pin, L40xDia6cm, £24,

by Boon Homeware at Notonthehighstreet.com.

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Artesa Hand-Finished Copper Effect fondue set, H29xDia28cm, £56, Lakeland.

Display festive bakes on a beautiful cake stand.

Glass cloche, £45; glass jars, from £22; Nordic star, £35; pine cone mini Christmas tree, £20 for 3; mercury mini baubles in jar, £15 for 8, all The White Company.

Stock the

larder with an endless supply of grab-and-go sweet treats for unexpected guests or any-time fireside teas.

Spiced gingerbread keeps well and makes a tasty gift.

Folklore storage tins, £20 for 3; Fred Russian Matryoshka Dolls nesting measuring cups, £12; Folklore tea towels, £12 for 3 assorted; Folklore double oven glove, col Red, £15; Folklore pudding basin, col Red, £8, all John Lewis.

»

SHOPPING SHORTLIST

Prep your baking station with the latest essentials!

EGL mixer with bowl and attachments, £59.99; multi-functional lights, £29.99 for 70 lights on a reel; copper coated mechanical kitchen scales, £15.99; ceramic mixing bowl, £19.99 for 4 assorted, all Studio.

Opt for

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

on-trend berry bright and copper accessories and drape a festoon of lights for a festive touch!

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NEXT MONTH ARTISAN MUGS

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CELEBRATION CENTREPIECES FROM WINTER BLOOMS TO FORAGED FOLIAGE, THESE RUSTIC ARRANGEMENTS USE NATURE’S BEST OFFERINGS. WE SHOW YOU HOW...

A L L NAT U RA L

1 If you’re decorating for a one-off occasion, there’s no need to have water-filled vases and pots. Here, a centrepiece of trailing foliage takes on its wild and natural form beautifully when set against crisp table linen and all-white dinnerware – just pick your greenery as late in the day as possible so that it lasts. ‘The soft glow of a single church candle reflects amid elegant glassware, while metallic tealight holders create the illusion of shiny red berries,’ says Mel Bowen, senior visual merchandiser at Brissi.

DESIGN SECRETS Vintage bottles, similar from Etsy.

2

BOTTLE IT

2 Get inventive by creating makeshift vases from

Glass cloche, similar from Nordic House.

3

4

glass bottles and jam jars. We like a mix of shapes, sizes and styles for an informal feel, but keep things uniform if you’re after a smarter look. When it comes to filling, stick to single-stem flowers – big bunches tend to make the table feel cluttered. Use the same colour palette throughout and arrange along a table runner to help unify the scheme.

F E AT U R E F L O RA L S

3 Centrepieces don’t need to be oversized to make an impact. Placing a glass cloche over a simple posy instantly elevates it into a striking work of art. Choosing bold blooms ensures an eye-catching display, but take care with your colour combinations so that you capture the beauty of more understated foliage. These seasonal red berries stand out against a backdrop of snow-white roses.

L AY E R E D L O O K

4 Guests will love this sophisticated floating centrepiece. While it may look dramatic, it’s surprisingly easy to put together. Simply layer a wide glass bowl with snowberries, mini fir cones and fresh rosemary – the latter has a warm aroma as well as adding texture. Place a tall-stemmed vase in the centre, fill with water and add floating candles for an atmospheric flourish.

Glass bowls, similar from LSA.

»

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75

Storm lanterns, similar from Neptune.

5

6

7

5 Keen gardeners will love this seasonal twist on

GREEN FINGERS

a greenhouse-inspired centrepiece, showcasing the best of winter plants, from delicate snowdrops to silver-washed hellebores. Place a weathered plant pot centre-stage, then surround with glass vases to balance the look. Introduce a red and green colour scheme with festive baubles and continue the outdoors theme with clip-on bird decorations.

WO O D L A N D C H A R M

6 A rustic piece of bark serves as the basis for this woodland-inspired centrepiece. ‘While your garden may be a little bare, your local florist will have plenty of winter flowers from ranunculus and anemones to leafy eucalyptus,’ says Laura Fisher, florist and owner of Wild Willow. Foraged finds, such as pine cones and seedheads add country flair, while twinkling tealights create an intimate atmosphere.

SET THE MOOD

7 This lavish look evokes the opulence of grand manor houses at Christmas time, with its rich hues and touches of antique silver. Invest in a readymade arrangement as the focal point or you could make your own using a florist’s foam ring (available from your local craft shop or florist’s). Complete the scheme by weaving foraged spruce around chunky church candles contained in elegant storm lanterns.

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NEXT MONTH COUNTRY-STYLE VELVET

FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM, (6) PIERS MacDONALD

Mini greenhouse, similar from Amara.

DESIGN SECRETS

A L F R E S CO D I N I NG

8 Evoke the experience of

dining outdoors with plain white candles (use the non-drip type) surrounded by greenery reminiscent of a forest floor. With their seasonal associations and characteristic form, pine cones are key in creating a wintery feel – surround them with fresh moss and allow trailing ivy to overflow onto the table for extra impact.

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

‘THE WILTSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE IS SO GOOD FOR THE MIND AND SOUL’ Founder of Bramley, Chloë Luxton hloë Luxton’s collection of natural bath and body products is inspired by the landscape surrounding her Wiltshire home. Having previously worked at skincare brand Cowshed, Chloë created the Bramley range in 2009 for the bathrooms at her husband Charlie’s pub, The Beckford Arms. Now Bramley is stocked in boutique hotels such as The Pig and the Artist Residence groups, as well as in homeware store Graham & Green. Bramley products are handmade in the West Country, and the flowers and leaves on the beautiful packaging depict the British countryside.

We headed to Wiltshire to find out more…

C

WHERE IS HOME? I live in south Wiltshire in a village not far from Tisbury with Charlie and our children, Otto, six, Monty, five, and Inca, two. We bought an old farmhouse three years ago with an acre or so of land. There is a stream running through the garden, which the children spend their days jumping in and out of, and fields just beyond our fence.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A COUNTRY GIRL AT HEART? I really have. I was born and brought up on the south Devon coast and my earliest memories are of spending my days on the beach collecting beautiful shells, flowers and plants. The pick 78

of the bunch would then be made into pretty bouquets or crushed into flower perfume to sell on a roadside stall.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE COUNTRYSIDE? It’s really influenced Bramley as a business, in so many different ways. The most obvious being our packaging. I spend my day driving the local country lanes – I find it so uplifting and end up stopping to take a photo of an amazing flower or sunset. I used to live in London and you don’t notice the seasons or weather as much as you do in the country. It has also put me back in touch with nature and how important it is to try and live with the seasons in terms of what you eat and to take care of yourself from the inside using natural, fresh, organic products where possible. I think green fields, blue skies and fresh air are so good for the mind and soul.

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNINGS? The children and the school run, and most importantly a cup of tea.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Without a doubt it is the hedgerows and the wildflowers.

My favourite month of the year is May, when the hedges are literally bursting with cow parsley, bluebells, campion and

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»

Verbena and bay feature in the Bramley range.

Chloë walks Elsa, the Collie/ Labrador cross, in Fonthill Gifford.

The pots for the scented candles are made by local potter Rebecca Wordsworth.

Chloë pops into Clementine’s, one of her favourite local shops and a Bramley stockist.

Bramley products are available for guests at The Beckford Arms.

Rosehips are also used in the Bramley range.

The Beckford Arms is Chloë’s husband Charlie’s pub and is where Bramley first started.

Chloë on a visit to Ted Martin Flowers.

Chloë loves to take her children for a day out at Messums Wiltshire.

I couldn’t live without...

‘MY FAMILY, MY iPHONE, A JAR OF HELLMANN’S MAYONNAISE, TEA AND SUNGLASSES (EVEN IN MIDWINTER...)’

The Beckford Bottle Shop stocks the pub’s own-brand BBS wine.

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Chloë at the bar in The Beckford Arms.

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

*

buttercups. It is these wild flowers that inspired me to create Bramley.

C H L O E’S C O U N T RY V I B E What’s your favourite Christmas recipe? It has to be bread sauce – no Christmas meal is complete without it!

Where will you celebrate Christmas?

We’ve had an extension built and I can’t wait to enjoy the festivities in the new space with family and friends.

What do you love about this time of year? The mornings, the light is lovely and you get the early morning mist lying low over the land like a blanket.

HOW DID BRAMLEY START? When Charlie bought The Beckford Arms, a pub with rooms, it was important to me that we put a natural brand in the bathrooms, but I couldn’t find one. I had been working in natural bath products for five years, so I saw an opportunity and pulled all my contacts together and created Bramley.

Eight years down the line, we’re in over 350 sites and haven’t looked back.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE BUSINESS? Every day I pinch myself about how lucky I am to have my own brand. I love seeing new products launch. My proudest achievement is the ongoing juggling of three small children and running a business!

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE BRAMLEY PRODUCT? I use most of my products daily (the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, plus the body lotion when I’ve got time) and I love them all, especially the shampoo and conditioner because I think it’s really hard to find natural haircare that actually works.

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL PRODUCTS FOR CHRISTMAS? Yes, this year we have teamed up with a local potter called Rebecca Wordsworth to create beautifully scented, natural candles in porcelain pots with a gold-leaf rim and a flower or fern on the side.

We have also launched a beautiful wash bag with block printmaker Molly Mahon, with a design that is bespoke to us.

WHERE DO YOU LOVE MOST IN THE UK? I go back to my roots in Devon – the coastline is so beautiful and I always feel relaxed there. There is something very restorative about the sea and the children love rock-pooling, so you’ll often find us on a beach, no matter what time of year and whatever the weather.

HOW DOES YOUR PERFECT WEEKEND SHAPE UP? Every day starts with a cup of tea and, ideally, it would be with the papers in bed, but with the children that’s not really an option. If we manage to leave the kids

with grandparents, then Saturday morning would be spent lazing with the papers, followed by a pub lunch with friends and then a wander around some antiques shops. Supper would be a takeaway and a box set, and Sunday is always a relaxing roast with the family.

WHAT ARE THE HOT RURAL TOPICS FOR YOU? I think a national topic – and one that’s close to my heart – is the disappearance of hedgerows and their wildlife, so we have teamed up with the charity Plantlife, based locally in Salisbury, and we donate £1 for every body lotion we sell online. One of the plants they protect is the juniper and we use juniper berry essential oils in our body lotion, so it’s a lovely story.

DO YOU GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL EVENTS OR COMMUNITY GROUPS? Absolutely – it can’t be helped because Charlie owns the local pub and has a wine shop in the next village. He’s just signed me up to be an elf in Santa’s grotto for the Christmas fair.

WE’RE COMING TO VISIT, WHAT MUSTN’T WE MISS? Stay at The Beckford Arms, so you can see where Bramley started.

Lunch at Pythouse Kitchen Garden is recommended, followed by a visit to art gallery Messums Wiltshire and shopping at Clementine’s gift shop. Then you could swing

by Ted Martin Flowers to buy flowers, head to The Beckford Bottle Shop to grab a bottle of wine and return to the pub for supper.

Bramley, 01373 813100, bramleyproducts.co.uk.

NEXT MONTH ESSEX UPHOLSTERER EMILY CRAVEN

Back wall, painted in Bone China Blue Mid 183, £47 for 2.5L, Little Greene.

Woodburner, similar from Morsø and Chesneys.

SNUGS

WHETHER IT’S A COSY CORNER TO READ A BOOK, OR A ROOM FOR CURLING UP IN AND WATCHING A FILM, OUR STYLISH SNUG IDEAS ARE JUST THE TICKET FOR CHILLING OUT

Warm hearth

Everyone’s drawn to a real fire – flickering flames create a feeling of intimacy and introspection. A woodburner is less draughty than an open fireplace, and a flat-top model can also boil the kettle. Measure your room to ensure your woodburner has the correct kW output – you need around 1kW heat output per 14 cubic metres of space.

R O O M D E C O R AT I N G I D E A S

Book room

A quiet corner filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves will naturally encourage the peaceful hush of a library. In fact, densely stacked books actually have sound-dampening properties that will improve the room’s acoustics. ‘A library corner isn’t complete without a comfortable armchair to curl up in while poring over your favourite read,’ says Oka founder, Annabel Astor.

‘Use muted tones throughout the scheme to achieve a reflective space.’

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Leather armchair, £995; Fontana side table, £645; Hooper lamp, £296; plain velvet cushion cover, £48, all Oka. For Christmas subscriptions, visit magazinesdirect.com/BDP7 83

Family fun Plan a snug that meets the needs of all ages. ‘The bespoke fitted cabinetry in this room was designed to store toys, books and plenty of blankets and throws for cosy family film nights,’ says Richard Davonport, founder of Davonport. ‘The trick is to have a variety of storage options such as shelving, cupboards and deep drawers, not forgetting room to display family photos and collectables.’

Cabinetry, similar from Davonport, from £6,000.

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R O O M D E C O R AT I N G I D E A S Round hurricane candle holder, £14; knotted cream rug, £330; orange Aztec rug, £280; cushions, from £38 each, all French Connection.

DESIGN TIP IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE LUXURY OF A SEPARATE

Floor show Get down to ground level and keep comfy with a stylish array of extra-squishy cushions.

‘Scatter cushions, layered rugs and throws are perfect for creating an artfully relaxed snug at ground level,’ says French Connection’s head of home, Catherine Denham. ‘Don’t always stick to classic combinations. In cooler months, Moroccaninspired designs will add an unexpected pop of colour and warmth to neutral interiors schemes.’

ROOM, TRY CREATING A SNUG AREA IN A KITCHEN-DINER. USE SOFT FURNISHINGS AND DEEP-PILE CARPET AND RUGS TO ACHIEVE A RELAXED ZONE THAT SERVES AS THE ANTITHESIS TO THE HARD, FUNCTIONAL SURFACES OF YOUR KITCHEN.

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Room design, £33,000, including the joinery, bespoke fireplace, furniture, and lighting, Halo Design Interiors.

Film club The best snugs provide a stress-free space where family members can hunker down with a book, watch TV or play games. While a big screen is a key component in this home cinema scenario, it doesn’t have to take centre stage. Here, a bespoke fireplace helps draw attention from the TV. ‘Leaving ceiling beams exposed and timbercladding the walls has a cocooning effect that’s perfect for snuggling up with a film,’ says Blanca Sanchez, director of Halo Design Interiors.

R O O M D E C O R AT I N G I D E A S

Game on

‘Establishing a games area is a great way to make a snug more snuggly,’ says Jane Churchill, director of Jane Churchill Interiors. ‘You can invest in a specialist games table with built-in storage and games equipment, like this beautiful piece by David Linley, or make your own with a simple card table and backgammon or chess board. L-shaped and corner sofas are great for gathering everyone around and encouraging easy conversation.’ Here, custom-built banquette seating makes the most of the available space.

Table, £13,500, David Linley.

Bespoke wall light, Carlton Davidson. Banquette seating, upholstered in Towline Road, col Sage, £150m, Veere Grenney.

Interior design, Jane Churchill Interiors.

C O U N T RY S T Y L E N E E D - T O - K N OW

C R E AT E A R E S T F U L R E A D I N G N O O K PEACE AND QUIET is the order of the day (or night) for reading. So, while a reading nook can be formed in any corner or alcove of your snug, ideally it needs to be furthest away from noisy distractions like the TV. ● DEEP, COMFORTABLE SEATING, with room to curl your legs up if desired, is essential for losing yourself in a good book. Though designed for two, loveseats, which are a little wider than standard armchairs at around 100-150cm wide, are perfect for solo slouching. ● DECENT READING LIGHTS will prevent eye strain and even headaches, too. Natural light is best – window ●

Interior design, Roselind Wilson Design.

seats make great reading nooks, but a simple armchair located by a bay window will also do the trick. ● INVEST IN A GOOD LAMP, or wall lights with multi-directional adjustment that let you draw the light source closer.

Don’t position it too high, as it needs to be within reach when you are seated and choose a shade that reduces glare. ● FITTED BOOKSHELVES featuring a mix of fiction and non-fiction for all ages will help define your reading nook’s role and entice everyone to take time out. Make the most of the storage potential of shelves by adding baskets for magazines and a cosy blanket or throw at floor level.

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R O O M D E C O R AT I N G I D E A S

Room with a view

A tranquil south-facing snug is the ideal location to install a window seat, where you can take time out in a sunny spot and watch the weather go by. ‘To me, the perfect window seat should include materials that provide cosiness and comfort,’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch, director of Sims Hilditch. ‘I like to mix textures such as wools and linens for extra tactile appeal. As the seating is fitted, it is important to appreciate the architectural bones of the building with regards to style cues, but go ahead and introduce modern colours that suit your personal style.’

DESIGN TIP SELECT DIMMABLE LAMPS AND WALL LIGHTS RATHER THAN SPOTLIGHTS, TO KEEP THE LIGHTING LOW AND THE ATMOSPHERE CALM. AN ADJUSTABLE READING LAMP IS IDEAL FOR WHEN YOU’RE ENGROSSED IN A BOOK.

THREE OF THE BEST…

G L A S S TA B L E LAMPS Beautifully blown glass table lamps are a big design trend, and for good reason. As pretty switched off as when softly illuminating a dark corner, it’s easy to fall for their artful charms. The best examples look fabulous from every angle, and feature well-considered details such as corded flex, brushed metals and hand-blown glass.

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SMOKY TOUCH Ursula Smoked Glass table lamp with drum shade, H56xDia32cm, £110, John Lewis.

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BOLD AS BRASS Diner table lamp with natural hessian shade, H60xDia35cm, £125, Loaf.

HAMMERED GLASS Pink lamp base, H35cm, £95; black and gold shade, Dia36cm, £58, both Graham & Green.

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPH (ROSELIND WILSON DESIGN) RICHARD WAITE

Bespoke window seat, painted in Slipper Satin, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. French Stripe cushion cover and pad, £37, Oka. Interior design, Sims Hilditch.

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Wexham footstool in Abraham Moon Parquet, col Ember, with Denver legs, H38xW140xD56cm, £699, Multiyork.

FOOTSTOOLS & OTTOMANS FOOTSTOOLS ARE CURRENTLY MAKING A CLAIM ON OUR DECORATING SCHEMES. PICK THE PERFECT STYLE, PUT YOUR FEET UP AND ENJOY SOME ME-TIME ADD A FOOTSTOOL TO AN ARMCHAIR and it will

quickly become the favourite seat in the house. This simple trick applies to sofas, too, so it’s no wonder that there’s an ever-widening choice of designs on offer, from neat cylindrical pouffes to generously sized sofa tables. Small footstools can be toted from room to room as needed, while super-sized versions bring a sumptuous feel to the living room. End-of-bed ottomans provide welcome storage for winter throws and spare pillows in a bedroom, and the top makes a handy place to put a breakfast tray.

A DESIGN THAT MATCHES your sofa will fit in perfectly, but this is an opportunity to bring an extra element to a decorating scheme. A fabric that seems too daring in colour or pattern for a sofa or armchair can work brilliantly in a smaller quantity on a footstool. Stripes look smart in a rich-coloured velvet or casual in coastal blues and whites, and woollen checks have a lovely timeless feel. Then there are florals to fall in love with, and leather that just gets better with age. Try Voyage for circular footstools with country themes. Bespoke designs can be dressed up with all manner of trims and buttoning.

AMONG THE MORE INVENTIVE footstool shapes to

look out for are semi-circles, triangles (try DFS for both) and even hexagonal shapes (from Sorsha Rose Designs). Miss Muffet-style tuffets, akin to a milking stool but with a deep padded top, look charming when drawn up by the fireside. One of the latest trends is the crossover between a footstool and bench – essentially a low-level bench with an upholstered top. Find them at Oka, Sofa.com and Voyage.

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ROOM ELEMENTS

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Generous feeling

‘Introducing an oversized footstool into your living room can have a dramatic effect on a scheme, adding structure, detail and colour,’ says Kate Tansley, brand director at Multiyork.

‘If you’re looking to make a real design statement, I’d advise going for the largest model that you can – the one shown here is 140cm wide, but we also have a Universal Grande footstool at 158cm wide. Do ensure that the design you choose is in proportion with the sofa that you are pairing it with.’

Ellonby small button stool in Mystere velvet , col Grass, H45x62cm sq, £275, Barker and Stonehouse.

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Button it

‘The combination of deep-buttoned detailing and richly coloured velvet creates a charming, multi-tone illusion when the Ellonby footstool catches the light,’ says Claire Hornby, creative manager at Barker and Stonehouse.

‘Buttoned velvet is a fashionable choice right now and this beautifully crafted footstool will add a touch of luxe to the living room. Available in 16 lavish colours, from Turmeric to Peacock, as well as tan leather, it is the ideal way to incorporate interesting tone and texture into your decorating scheme.’

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DESIGN TIP IT’S THE DETAILS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. SELECT FROM FIFTIES-INSPIRED SPLAYED LEGS, NEATLY TURNED LEGS WITH BRASS CASTORS OR BLOCKY SQUARED-OFF LEGS. CHOOSE PALE WOOD, DARK STAINED OR PAINTED LEGS TO SUIT YOUR SCHEME.

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Classic footstool in Ralph Lauren Pigalle Batik, col Ink, H40xW115xD52cm, £658, Delcor.

CH&I

LOVES

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Petite sofa in Ian Sanderson Byron, £1,567, Delcor.

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3 Add pattern

Always a dependable choice for a country colour scheme, blues and neutrals harmonise so beautifully that you can afford to take a chance on pattern. Choosing fabrics from the same range is not essential. ‘We work closely with the world’s leading textile houses to offer the widest selection of beautifully printed and woven fabric designs,’ says Rick Petini, managing director at Delcor.

‘Experimenting with colour and pattern on a footstool is a means to creating a unique look for your home.’

ROOM ELEMENTS

C O U N T RY S T Y L E N E E D - T O - K N OW

R E - COV E R A FOOTSTOOL

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Got an old footstool that needs some love?

Find a stand-out fabric and try one of these methods to transform it into a stylish piece.

AN EASY STARTER PROJECT for anyone who wants to learn to upholster, the most basic technique involves stripping off the footstool’s existing cover, adding extra padding if needed, and tacking or stapling on a new cover, along with piping or another trim of your choice.

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A GOOD-SIZED REMNANT or curtain picked up at a fair can easily be turned into a footstool cover. Lay the fabric face down, and pop the footstool, upside down, on top, positioning any large motif centrally. Fold the fabric edges over the back of the footstool to check how much to trim, allowing a margin for stapling, then unfold and cut off the excess fabric. Starting at the middle of one long side, use a staple gun to staple the fabric to the footstool base, then complete the other sides, pulling the fabric taut.

Fold in the corners and staple them (unscrewing the legs might makes this easier).

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Durnford footstool in Matt Velvet, col Bone, H35xW125xD75cm, £618, Willow & Hall.

4 Round it off

‘An oval footstool creates an eye-catching focal point in a living room and is a stylish alternative to a rectangular coffee table or bench,’ says Sarah Massouh, founder and managing director, Willow & Hall. ‘Cleverly proportioned, its curved edges and low frame soften the design, while the button detailing makes the contemporary oval style feel more traditional. The rounded shape and lack of corners make it appear less bulky and mean it can sit close to the sofa without blocking your way.’

MAKE A REMOVABLE COVER with a gathered skirt for a country look. Measure the length and width of the footstool top, allowing a 10cm overhang, plus 1.5cm seam allowance on all sides, and cut out the fabric. Place it wrong side up on the stool, bring the excess at each corner together and pin into a dart, then stitch darts. Pop the cover back on the footstool as a guide for the skirt length, adding a 1.5cm seam allowance and 2.5cm for a hem. To calculate the width, measure all around the stool and multiply by 1.5. Stitch the short edges of the skirt together, then run gathering stitches along the upper edge. Draw up to fit the top, and stitch the skirt and top together. Stitch the hem.

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FOR A PROFESSIONAL FINISH, search for a member of The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers, 01494 569120, upholsterers.co.uk.

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Oliver leather footstool in Lustre Cappuccino, H48xW68xD61cm, £499, John Lewis.

5 Stow-away chic

Finished in luxurious leather, this footstool has the added benefit of storage within. It’s designed to match up with John Lewis’s modular Oliver range of armchairs, corner seats and sofas, but would work just as well as a stand-alone piece, alongside a fabric-covered sofa. This version has a lift-off lid. If you intend to store cushions and throws in an ottoman, check that it is beautifully lined so that there is nothing to snag any delicate fabrics.

Abington footstool in Grey Wool, H52xW80xD60cm, £580, Rowen & Wren.

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ROOM ELEMENTS Footstool in Pretty Maids, col Winter, H38xW90xD60cm, £568, Vanessa Arbuthnott.

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Country classic

‘This footstool is just the right size to team with a laid-back armchair,’ says Vanessa Arbuthnott, company director and designer, Vanessa Arbuthnott. ‘The satisfyingly plump top invites you to put your feet up and there’s even room for your coffee cup on a tray. The subdued pattern of simple circles on a neutral fabric is subtle enough to go with any colour scheme and the piping is a stylish finishing touch. Leg shapes create quite a statement; these square tapered ones add a more contemporary touch.’

CH&I

LOVES

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Armchair in Dawn Chorus, col Mushroom/ Teal, £1,514, Vanessa Arbuthnott.

DESIGN TIP BOTH FILLINGS AND UPHOLSTERY FABRICS MUST BE FIRE RETARDANT. WOOL IS NATURALLY FIRE RETARDANT BUT OTHER FABRICS MUST BE TREATED OR A FIRE-RETARDANT BARRIER CLOTH MUST BE USED BENEATH THEM. FIND OUT MORE AT FIRA.CO.UK.

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7 Delicate design

No country home is complete without a nod to nature. The floral cover of this bench is just right for a relaxed scheme with a mix of furniture of different ages.

‘Our vintage-style ottoman is ideal for an informal living room,’ says Sue Jones, co-founder, Oka. ‘It’s upholstered in hard-wearing kelim that has been heavily distressed, giving the feel that it’s been part of your home for years.’

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FEATURE CAROLINE RODRIGUES

Glamis ottoman, H50xW154x D85cm, £1,650, Oka.

MEET SAFETY REGULATIONS:

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HOME TECH

BEAUTY GADGETS to indulge yourself

START OFF THE NEW YEAR FEELING GREAT BY INVESTING IN THE VERY BEST HOME BEAUTY TREATMENTS, READY TO REVITALISE AND REFRESH YOUR BODY AND MIND

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Best for...

DEEP CLEANSING

SMART Profile, £199, Clarisonic Give yourself the ultimate refresh with this device, which oscillates up to 300 times a second, cleansing much better than hands.

It can be used with any of the Clarisonic brushes, meaning you can massage your body, pamper your feet or cleanse your face. New technology also knows which brush head is in use and auto-adjusts the pressure. A brush head replacement indicator is another handy addition. The Skin Polish and Refreshing Gel included are the icing on this extra special cake!

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT *ACCORDING TO A 2017 GROUPON SURVEY

2 ith the hedonism of the festive period in full swing, why not spend some time ensuring you feel brighter than ever?

While there’s nothing wrong with simple cleansers and exfoliators, 2018 is all about using new technology to get the very best out of your beauty regime – cleansing

W

gets deeper without becoming harsher, hair removal at home is easy without the chance of nasty nicks, and hairdryers are faster but less damaging. There’s something for everyone (and every treatment!) out there, so we’ve selected the best for you to get started with...

DID YOU KNOW? THE AVERAGE BRITISH WOMAN WILL SPEND £70,000 ON HER APPEARANCE OVER HER LIFETIME* – WITH £33,615 DEDICATED TO THE FACE ALONE!

Best for...

HAIR REMOVAL

Lumea Prestige, from £520, Philips Gone are the days of tedious shaving or painful waxes – the new way to remove hair is with at-home Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments. IPL uses gentle pulses of light to reduce hair re-growth by putting the root into a resting phase for up to eight weeks. This model, which can be used both corded and charged, comes with four attachments, each with different window sizes, shapes and filters for the body, face, bikini line and underarms.

3 Best for...

A SALON-WORTHY BLOW-DRY

Supersonic, £299.99, Dyson There’s a reason the world’s gone crazy for the Supersonic – this reinvention of the hairdryer is a game-changer. After spending more than £50 million on development, the final product has heat sensors that measure the temperature 20 times a second – preventing hair damage – but still dries up to eight times faster than a traditional dryer. Attachments are magnetic and heatproof, so switching up your styles couldn’t be easier.

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reasons to love SIDEBOARDS

THIS ALL-PURPOSE PIECE WILL FIND A HOME FOR EVERYTHING, FROM YOUR FAVOURITE CHINA TO FAMILY BOARD GAMES. PLUS, THERE’S A HANDY SURFACE FOR DISPLAYING SEASONAL FINDS

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Generous proportions With adjustable shelving

and heaps of rustic charm, this impressive piece is a must-have for your country home! Fairford oak extra large sideboard, H86xW200xD45cm, £799, The Cotswold Company.

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

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Marble on top This attractive,

versatile cabinet opens to reveal a shelf, drawers and ample space for tableware.

Croft Collection Montrose sideboard, H88xW115xD47cm, £999, John Lewis.

3 Industrial feel

This iconic piece is full of texture, with handy drawers, open shelving and a distressed metal finish. Mansu iron and mango wood sideboard, H84xW183xD50cm, £995, Nkuku.

5 Ornate grandeur

4 Chevron styling

Lovingly crafted from Indian rosewood, this distinctive design features on-trend brass detailing. Ruby sideboard, H84xW150xD45cm, £699, Atkin and Thyme.

With gothicinspired detailing and a grey-painted finish this designer furniture has showstopper appeal. The Strawberry Gothick sideboard, H85xW198xD50cm, £2,200, Nicky Haslam for Oka.

and tidy 6 Neat

This space-savvy angled design fits perfectly into the corner, but still has plenty of room for storage inside.

Garrat corner sideboard, H84xW87xD40cm, col Honey, £600, Laura Ashley.

7 Indigo contrast

Light bleached timber with night-sky paint and handy removable apple crates… this clever design is the stuff of dreams! Cidre sideboard, H80xW140xD38cm, col Inky Blue, £645, Loaf.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

9 Romantic good looks

8 Foxy elegance

Pared-back detailing and refined ball feet give this colour-pop storage timeless appeal. Suffolk 6ft sideboard, H87xW183xD49cm, col Chestnut, £1,840, Neptune.

NEXT MONTH WRITING BUREAUX

Lend authenticity with a traditionally styled piece in a white-painted finish with glass-fronted sliding doors.

Lizon solid mango wood sideboard, H90xW150xD45cm, £599.50, Maisons du Monde.

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Gather together mistletoe stems for a simple wall decoration – tie with a ribbon in rich teal to complement the foliage.

Under the

MISTLETOE

CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON

BY DECKING YOUR HOME WITH OUR STYLISH YET SIMPLE DECORATIVE IDEAS, FROM KISSING BALLS TO PRETTY WREATHS

Mistletoe, the iconic evergreen with its delicate leaves and pearlescent white berries, is a much-loved part of our British celebrations. It grows on the branches of trees – such as hawthorn, apple, poplar, lime and conifers – living off the host.

It’s been revered for centuries due to its rich colour and ability to bloom in the depths of winter, as well as for its medicinal properties. Ancient cultures are known to have celebrated mistletoe. The Druids, for instance, believed mistletoe was sacred and used it in their winter ceremonies, while the Celts prized it as a symbol of good health and believed it had healing powers. Mistletoe was viewed as the plant of peace during the Middle Ages when enemies who came across it would lay down their weapons and call a truce.

By the 18th century, mistletoe had become popular as a Christmas decoration with people using it along doorways and fireplaces. The custom of kissing under mistletoe may have originated from Norse mythology, but by Victorian times mistletoe was the magical ingredient in the kissing ball or bough, paving the way for today’s tradition.

Insert mistletoe sprigs into a florist’s foam ball (find on eBay or Amazon) to create a festive kissing ball, then hang up with green and white baker’s twine.

G E T C R E AT I V E

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1 CENTRE OF ATTENTION

Ring in the New Year celebrations by creating a wonderfully wintry candle centrepiece to add a magical feel to the dining table. Use a large handmade ceramic bowl and place a pillar candle at its centre. Choose one in a cool ice blue shade to tone with your foliage and opt for a scented one so that the air is filled with seasonal fragrance. Tuck reindeer moss or lichen (find on Amazon or Etsy) around the candle and layer with sprigs of mistletoe and a scattering of small pine cones.

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MAKING MISTLETOE LAST Hang your mistletoe somewhere cool and dry, and spray with a fine mist of water every few days.

Keep spare stems in water so you can replace any wilting sprigs.

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Mistletoe can be poisonous so keep berries away from children and pets, and wash your hands after handling it.

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2 WINTER WHITES

White flowers, with their elegant simplicity, symbolise purity and perfection.

Evoke the magic of a snowy landscape with a generous bouquet in a tall white vase to show them off to best effect and intersperse with bunches of mistletoe for a festive touch. The arrangement will reflect light and look great with any colour scheme. Add atmosphere to the wintry vignette by displaying with flickering white candles, and inject a woodland accent with scattered pine cones.

* WHERE TO FIND MISTLETOE *

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Readily available from florists, mistletoe grows in the wild in warmer areas of the UK. If you are able to pick it, be sure you have the landowner’s permission.

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G E T C R E AT I V E

4 VINTAGE DISPLAY

3 CIRCLE OF CELEBRATION

Create a rustic display by seeking out objects such as a vintage basket or trug and a characterful old wooden chair (try antiques fairs or take a look on eBay). Fill the basket with bunches of mistletoe and place on top of the chair, then arrange near your front door or in the porch or hallway for a festive welcome for your guests.

Make a pared-back wreath by weaving mistletoe around a circle of florist’s wire. Start by forming 24-gauge green florist’s wire (find on eBay or Amazon) into a circle, then use a finer grade of florist’s wire to attach mistletoe around the circle – it’ll look more professional if you add the stems in either a completely clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

Next, hang a couple of pine cones using baker’s twine from the top of the circle. Attach three mini pine cones to a twig with florist’s wire, then tie the twig to the top of the wreath, forming a hook with the wire so that you can hang it up easily.

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS STYLING BENTE HALKJAER/HOUSE OF PICTURES PHOTOGRAPHS KIRA BRANDT/HOUSE OF PICTURES

5 PRESENT TIME

If your gathered pine cones are closed, pop them in a warm oven for 30 minutes to make them open up and reveal their splendour.

NEXT MONTH PINE CONE DECORATIONS

Go for an elegant yet understated look for presents inspired by the glossy green leaves and white berries of mistletoe. Choose gift boxes or wrapping paper in crisp white for your presents, then tie each one with luxurious green ribbon – or twine if you want a more informal feel. Continue the theme with a brown kraft gift tag, and finish by tucking in a sprig of mistletoe for a festive touch.

Winter finery AS SNOW BLANKETS THE OCHIL HILLS, LIZ WYATT’S BEAUTIFUL ONE-ACRE GARDEN IN THE POOL OF MUCKHART TAKES ON A MAGICAL NEW LOOK

C L AC K M A N N A N S H I R E G A R D E N

Arches in hedges, columns of yews and hummocky mounds of rhododendrons and azaleas ensure there is plenty to enjoy in the garden at Hollytree Lodge in winter.

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Columnar yews stand to attention around a circular brick bed in front of the Golden Border, which has predominantly yellow planting in summer.

Winter

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Liz and Peter Wyatt.

House A listed Georgian property dating back to 1830, with a garden room extension built in the 1960s.

Features A west/south-westfacing one-acre sloping plot on slightly acidic soil, with yew and beech hedges, many unusual trees, rhododendrons and azaleas, and mixed herbaceous borders.

sun filters through the bare branches of a towering beech tree, casting long shadows in the freshly fallen snow covering Liz and Peter Wyatt’s peaceful garden. All around, hummocky shrubs, wavy hedges and wafting grasses are beautifully outlined in white. Although the pomp of summer is long over, Liz and Peter have ensured that there is still much to enjoy in the one-acre plot that surrounds Hollytree Lodge, their listed Georgian home in the Pool of Muckhart, east of Stirling.

It may be cold, but the couple are used to Scottish winters, having moved here from Aberdeenshire eight years ago. ‘We were looking for a village community that was more central,’ says Liz. ‘We wanted a garden, but it was actually the house we fell in love with first. It’s in a perfect location in what is just a one-street village at the base of the Ochil Hills.’

The garden was well established, but had clearly been left to grow. Enormous trees and shrubs jostled for space, blocking the light and robbing Liz and Peter of breathtaking views. ‘It all felt rather enclosing,’ says Liz, ‘so we had to ignore the advice of waiting a year before tackling the garden. We’d always gardened but on a smaller scale, so this was quite an adventure.’

They started by taking out a number of trees, then others were felled by the winds. ‘It’s sad when you lose something, but then that becomes an opportunity. You can’t keep everything,’ says Liz. Fortunately, there are still many incredible specimens left, including conifers, ginkgos and gum trees, and today garden visitors can follow a numbered tree trail.

Next on their to-do list were the beech hedges on two sides of the garden. Originally they had straight tops, but Peter added

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C L AC K M A N N A N S H I R E G A R D E N

The main entrance to the elegant Georgian property opens onto the rear garden.

Caithness slate standing stones, by local stone carver Gillian Forbes, punctuate the view along the centre of the garden.

What makes this garden so special...

The Owl Garden is so called because of this sculpture by chainsaw artist Rodney Holland.

In autumn these two umbrella-shaped acers are red and gold, but look just as attractive in white.

In the Semab Garden, at the front of the house, a stone slab table is ideal for an arrangement of pots.

‘The variety and maturity of the existing structure has meant that we have been given the chance to put our own ideas into it’

Buttresses of clipped yew beneath the rear terrace provide generous areas for planting.

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An archway through a yew hedge leads to the garden at the rear of the house.

waves as he reduced the height of the hedges, opening up views from the house and when walking through the garden. ‘The waves make the hedges more manageable,’ says Liz. ‘We clip them in September or October, with a small trim mid-summer.’ One advantage of beech at this time of year is that, although deciduous, it holds on to its burnished autumn leaves all through winter, giving a welcome flash of colour. Come summer, carrying fresh green foliage, the hedge is a perfect foil for the deep herbaceous border at its base. Liz and Peter have created sweeping curves in the border’s edge, echoing the waves on top of the hedge. Rather than cutting back and tidying the planting once it has gone over, Liz prefers it just as it is. ‘In winter we leave the herbaceous borders to protect the plants during the worst of the weather, as well as for interest,’ she says. ‘The seedheads give food and shelter for the wildlife, and look especially lovely when we have a hoar frost. We go through the border in March and cut everything down and it all starts coming up again.’ The acid soil at Hollytree Lodge makes it perfect for growing azaleas and rhododendrons, and Liz and Peter were delighted to find they had a fine collection when they moved in. ‘My favourites are the deciduous azaleas, which have a lovely scent,’ says Liz. ‘Unfortunately, during a hard winter the flowers can be ruined.’ Winters here vary: one year there was snow on the ground from November to April, although that hasn’t been the case for the past few years. ‘To begin with when we lost things, we blamed it on the weather, but actually, the garden is sheltered from the prevailing winds,’ says Liz. ‘It’s a sloping site, so

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Modern Country Classic

Winter interest Bring the garden to life in winter – especially after a dusting of snow. Ř .HHS KHGJHV QHDWO\ FOLSSHG EXW GRQőW ZRUU\ DERXW ERUGHUV EHLQJ too tidy as this will give contrast. Ř &RQVLGHU VKDSLQJ KHGJH WRSV LQ undulating waves to add interest. Ř 7KLQN DERXW ZKHUH WKH ZLQWHU VXQ HQWHUV \RXU JDUGHQ DQG PDNH VXUH HYHUJUHHQ WUHHV DQG VKUXEV GR QRW EORFN WKH SUHFLRXV OLJKW Ř /HDYH VHHGKHDGV DQG WDOOHU grasses to catch the frost and give food and shelter to wildlife. Ř 3ODQW ZLQWHU ŶRZHULQJ VKUXEV VXFK DV PDKRQLD DQG ZLWFK KD]HO for colour and delicious scent. Ř (QMR\ WKH LQWHUHVWLQJ IRUPV WDNHQ RQ E\ VHDWLQJ REHOLVNV DQG containers after a snowfall. Ř 3RVLWLRQ VFXOSWXUH IRU VWUXFWXUH and focal points throughout.

C L AC K M A N N A N S H I R E G A R D E N A seating area – one of many in the garden – is seen through a screen RI JROGHQ JUDVVHV 7KH EHHFK KHGJH FUHDWHV D EXUQLVKHG EDFNGURS WR all the wintry foliage.

What we love most about this garden...

‘Being able to get out and enjoy working in it, surrounded by nature.

We’re all about the wildlife!’

From the terrace at the rear of the house, the undulating beech hedge travels the length of the garden.

Beyond golden clumps of Stipa gigantea, the standing stones can be seen.

frost rolls down to the bottom where it can sometimes catch a few of the early-flowering azaleas and evergreen rhododendrons, though not all are affected. I know now that if you lose the flowers from one plant, there’s usually something else to follow.’

Liz has also learnt you have to go with what will grow in your particular conditions and climate, so she tries to select trees and plants that have been raised in local nurseries, confident that they should do well in her own plot. The couple are always busy in the garden, even in the coldest months. ‘There are projects such as winter pruning and taking out trees. The planning is continual,’ says Liz. Peter is currently building a summerhouse from scratch, while Liz is developing her orchard with espaliered crab apples and trying out soft fruits such as raspberries, which like the Scottish climate.

‘I go out every day in winter, even if only to feed the birds.

I love to see who’s been visiting when there’s snow on the ground. We occasionally get red squirrels and often pheasants.

There’s a progression of plants starting in January, so there’s usually something coming out. Perhaps it’s the witch hazel or the first snowdrop – I don’t want to miss a thing!’

Liz admits sometimes she finds it hard to know what to do next, but is happy to let nature guide her. ‘I go out with a plan, but it changes as I wander round, which is what I enjoy most.

The garden doesn’t want to stand still – it tells me what to do.’

Hollytree Lodge, Muckhart, Dollar FK14 7JW, 07973 374687.

Open by appointment for the SGS and on 10 June, 12-5pm, for Muckhart Village Open Gardens, scotlandsgardens.org.

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ON OUR D O O R S T E P. . .

Visit... ‘Royal Burgh of Culross (nts.org.uk), a hidden gem on the north side of the River Forth. It has a medieval walled garden and there’s a lovely place to go for tea.

Also NTS gardens Branklyn in Perth and Falkland Palace in Fife are not to be missed.’

Shop at... ‘Plants with a Purpose & Appletreeman (01738 787278, plantsandapples.com) in Bankfoot, a small nursery specialising in wildflowers and edible plants, as well as fruit trees and shrubs.’

Go for a meal at... ‘The Inn at Muckhart (01259 781324, theinnatmuckhart.com).

This is our village pub, which offers hearty portions and two welcoming open fires. Also try Mona’s of Muckhart (01259 781322, monasofmuckhart.co.uk) for delicious homemade cakes.’

C L AC K M A N N A N S H I R E G A R D E N

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Liz’s star performers in winter 1 Witch hazel Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Pallida’ has a sweet fragrance.

2 Silver birch, with its ghostly bark, shines out against a snowy backdrop.

3 Carex comans, or sedge, is a tufted evergreen grass that grows well in a pot.

4 Variegated bamboo needs containing, but looks attractive all year round.

5 Viburnum x bodnantense’s rose pink buds open to clusters of blush white.

6 Miscanthus’ slender golden panicles catch the low winter sun.

7 Mahonia × media ‘Charity’ carries racemes of bright yellow flowers.

FEATURE ANNE ESDEN PHOTOGRAPHS RAY COX

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8 Giant scabious seedheads look decorative wearing little caps of snow.

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NEXT MONTH A WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY GARDEN IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

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HAPPY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

Make Life Lovely

FASHION, WELLBEING, ECO, PETS AND OTHER NICE THINGS

Enjoy country-style surround sound Combining modern technology with the nostalgic style of the gramophone, this amplifier has been crafted in oak and walnut by designer maker Camilla Lee. An iPhone simply slots inside.

Resound No. 1 amplifier, £295, camilla-lee.com.

Master the art of positive planning Make your wellbeing a priority with this gorgeous weekly diary, £21 from Kikki.K, packed with inspirational quotes and tips, as well as regular reflection pages, to ensure you stay on track for a happy and healthy year.

Craft a festive welcome Selfridges in-store florist Philippa Craddock has taken her renowned Christmas wreath workshops one step further with a DIY kit sent direct to your door. Seasonal foliage, peacock feathers, velvet ribbon and natural twine come in a reusable box with instructions and design ideas. They cost £45 each, or £205 for five if you fancy hosting your own workshop.

CHOOSE A CHIC PET BED Who says pet beds can’t be stylish? Discerning dogs (and their owners, too) will love this classic tweed dog pillow, lined with velvet green pom-poms for a touch of luxury, £79.50, Mutts & Hounds. It’s available in two sizes: medium, 60x80cm, and large, 80x100cm.

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HAPPY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

BUY BRITISH

Walker Slater

GET SCENTERED Start the New Year as you mean to go on with five natural aromatherapy balms in a travel-sized tin, designed to help you stay centred and calm at all times whether at home or on the go. £26 from scentered.me.

Country brand Walker Slater has been creating clothing from fabrics woven in mills across Scotland for over 25 years. From its Edinburgh studio, a team of designers looks to the surrounding landscape for inspiration. We’ve fallen for the timeless elegance of this tailored jacket, based on the style of a Victorian riding coat.

3 REASONS TO LOVE...

Yoga 1 It’s great for both body and mind. Stretches and poses reduce stress hormones, so your muscles get a workout while your brain gets a break – what could be better than that?

2 You can practise it any time, anywhere. No need for fancy equipment means that if the sun is out, you can be too!

3 It reminds us to live in the moment. Through relaxation and breathing techniques, you’ll learn to focus on – and appreciate – what’s truly important in life, like spending time with loved ones.

Emma jacket in blue Harris Tweed, £295, Walker Slater.

Glasses at the ready

Iona flask, £22; Iona gym bag, £45; Iona infuser water bottle, £16; Iona yoga mat, £50; Iona coffee cup, £14, all Laura Ashley.

Whip up a cocktail or two for your friends on New Year’s Eve with this all-natural bamboo mini whisk. Measuring 14cm long, this neat design should fit into most glasses and will make a stylish and eco-friendly addition to your drinks trolley.

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Bamboo whisk, £2, Curious Egg.

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HAPPY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

Iron in style Put a stylish spin on household chores with the HOME collection from Swedish brand Gudrun Sjödén. Rustic designs featuring soaring birds, swirling leaves and rambling flowers adorn practical buys, from ironing board covers and canvas shoppers to rugs and crockery, all crafted using natural, sustainable materials.

Follow a Christmas lights trail The beautiful parkland at Blenheim Palace will light up once again with after-dark illuminations. Until 1 January, visitors can stroll past glittering woodland and sparkling hedgerows, before watching boats and fountains on the lake light up in time to music. Visit blenheimpalace.com.

GO WILD WITH WITCH HAZEL

We really appreciate winter-flowering shrubs at this time of year, and witch hazel is one of our favourites with its colourful flowers and spicy scent. We like to bring a few sprigs indoors to brighten gloomy days.

Eco-cotton ironing board cover, £22; grey folia rug (hung on wall), £26; canvas shopper, £18, all Gudrun Sjödén HOME collection.

3 OF THE BEST... Fair Isle finds

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For winter walkers

Sport a stylish hat woven from lambswool. Tweed Fair Isle ski hat, £35, The Croft House.

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2

For jumper lovers Stand out in a bright knit.

Harley brushed Fair Isle sweater, £199, Cabbages & Roses.

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3

For toasty toes

A sheepskin lining makes these slippers feel cosy. Fair Isle mules, £50, Celtic & Co.

FEATURE TARA KING

PUT A NEW SPIN ON THE TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH PATTERN WITH THESE SNUG ACCESSORIES

OUT AND ABOUT

The delicious breakfast is just one of the highlights at this destination restaurant with rooms.

An idyllic hideaway in beautiful countryside, Ynyshir dates back to the 1750s.

THE BEST PLACE FOR A WELSH FO ODIE BREAK

Ynyshir

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS FJONA BLACK

ENJOY EXQUISITE DINING AND COSY INTERIORS SURROUNDED BY RUGGED RURAL BEAUTY Among the salt marshes of the Dyfi Estuary lie the 14 acres of Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms. The estate has an eminent history, with owners including Queen Victoria – intricate Tudor roses carved into the door frames and bay windows in the 1800s remain today.

WE LOVE IT BECAUSE… The 10 rooms are individually furnished with a mix of contemporary and antique furnishings. Our favourites are the Chagall and Miró rooms, based in a separate building in the heart of the garden with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor seating areas and logburners.

BOOK A TABLE… The real highlight of any stay is the Michelin-starred restaurant. Chef Patron Gareth Ward prepares local, seasonal

ingredients with a Japanese twist to create stand-out dishes that have received critical acclaim.

Your breakfast will be equally as delicious, with home-cured smoked salmon, local eggs and yogurt, and homemade compote on the menu.

FLORA AND FAUNA… The gardens show off the tastes of previous owners and are a delight to explore, with everything from a mighty 400-year-old English oak to a vibrant Persian ironwood, said to have been planted by Queen Victoria herself. The 1,000-acre Ynys-hir RSPB nature reserve with its range of habitats is on the doorstep, making the whole area a haven for wildlife.

GO HIKING… Wonderfully situated between Blue Flag Borth beach

and Snowdonia National Park, it is impossible to be surrounded by such breathtaking natural beauty without feeling the urge to get out and explore. You can also take the short stroll into the nearby village of Furnace, which is hugged by the Artist’s Valley forestry trail and is allegedly where Robert Plant was inspired to write Stairway to Heaven. The ancient capital of Wales, Machynlleth, is only six miles away – the Wednesday market has been taking place since the 1200s.

HOW MUCH? A double room costs from £150 per person based on two sharing, including breakfast.

Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8TA, 01654 781209, ynyshir.co.uk.

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MADE FOR

sharing!

The queen of dinner party entertaining, Rose Prince, reveals her favourite recipes for the festive season.

From a dip-into starter to a serving board main course and a bountiful dessert, it is all about good ingredients, simply done and eaten alongside your closest friends...

Baked whole cheese with toast spoons and chicory

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

Pigeon breasts with figs and parsley pearl barley »

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GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

BAKED WHOLE CHEESE WITH TOAST SPOONS AND CHICORY This is so easy to put together and makes a great sharing starter – it’s also an excellent last-minute recipe as it doesn’t matter if the cheese isn’t perfectly ripe as it will be baked.

Serves 6-8 2 whole 250g Camembert (alternatively, you can use Reblochon, Epoisses de Bourgogne or Tunworth) 4 slices of sourdough bread 1 red chicory head 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4.

2 Unwrap the cheeses and put back into the

wooden boxes they came in, leaving the lids off. Place the cheese on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until you see a slight uplift in the top rind and small cracks appear. The length of time in the oven will depend on the ripeness of the cheese – it will need a little more time in the oven if unripe.

3 Meanwhile, separate the chicory leaves.

Toast the sourdough slices and cut them into thin strips. Plate up with the chicory leaves, then take straight to the table with the hot cheese – call your guests in good time as to enjoy it at its best, this dish needs to be eaten straightaway.

PIGEON BREASTS WITH FIGS AND PARSLEY PEARL BARLEY Pigeon is inexpensive and conveniently quick to prepare – it is very successful if you follow the simple rule of resting it well before serving.

½ tsp ground allspice 8 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley 3 tbsp lemon juice 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Salt, to taste 1 Begin by making the parsley pearl barley

– put the pearl barley in a saucepan with 1.5L water and heat until simmering.

Simmer for around 20-30 minutes until the pearl barley is cooked through, but not fluffy. Drain and set to one side.

2 Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the chopped shallots. Sauté until soft, then add the allspice and pearl barley to the pan.

Remove from the heat.

3 Next, cook the pigeon. Place a pan on a high heat and add the butter. Season the pigeon breasts with salt and pepper. Quickly fry the pigeon breasts for 30 seconds each side. Remove from the pan and set aside in a warm place covered by a loose tent of foil for 10 minutes.

4 Meanwhile, lower the heat in the pan and fry the fig halves, cut side down, for about a minute. Remove from the pan and set aside with the pigeon.

5 Finish the pearl barley by adding the parsley, lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt to taste.

6 Cut the rested pigeon breasts into thin slices. To serve, spread the pearl barley over a large platter, then heap the sliced pigeon and figs on top.

Serves 6-8

POACHED ARCTIC CHAR WITH SOY, GINGER AND SPRING ONIONS

2 tbsp melted butter 16 pigeon breasts 8 figs, halved Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Although it is quick and easy to do, a whole poached fish adds a real sense of occasion to a dinner. All it needs is a side dish of plain rice and perhaps some steamed pak choi or green beans.

Serves 6-8

For the parsley pearl barley 400g pearl barley 2 tbsp butter 4 shallots, chopped

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1.3-1.5kg whole Arctic char or other fish (salmon, sea trout, sea bass or rainbow trout all work just as well), gutted and descaled

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Poached Arctic char with soy, ginger and spring onions

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

For the broth 400ml light soy sauce 300ml water 300ml Fino sherry 9cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced very thinly Bunch of spring onions, green part only, chopped Salt, to taste 1 Put all the broth ingredients into a fish

BERRY TRIFLE A bountiful trifle will always be the star attraction of the pudding table. The availability of good-quality fresh custard provides a welcome shortcut as previously trifles took twice as long to make. Use any combination of berries that you like and select a corresponding jam.

Serves 6-8 200g sponge fingers 200g berry jam 100ml kirsch 100ml pure pressed apple juice 1kg fresh berries 1L good-quality fresh vanilla custard 1L double cream 1 tbsp toasted flaked almonds Edible flowers to decorate (optional)

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Berry trifle

1 Spread the sponge fingers with jam and

layer them in the base of a 2.5L bowl, pouring over the kirsch and apple juice as you go. Add about half the fruit, then pour over the custard.

2 Whip the cream until it is soft and thick.

Spoon it over the custard, then scatter over the remaining fruit and the flaked almonds and decorate with edible flowers, if using.

Recipes are from Rose Prince’s Dinner & Party, Gatherings, Suppers, Feasts (£25, Seven Dials).

PHOTOGRAPHS MATT RUSSELL

kettle and bring to the boil (you can use two rings on the hob to make this easier).

Taste and add a little salt if you feel the broth needs it.

2 Lower the fish into the kettle (it will have a loose metal lining that helps you do this).

3 Let the broth come back to the boil, then remove the fish kettle from the heat, cover with the lid and leave for 10 minutes. Check the fish – simply press with your finger to see if it is firm. The fish is now ready to serve, but it can sit in the warm liquid for 15 minutes or so.

4 Lift the fish out and place on a serving platter – it makes a beautiful centrepiece for the dinner table.

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

Norway

Florence & Tuscany

Selected departures from May to September 2018.

Eight days from only £1,149pp.

Selected departures from April to October 2018.

Eight days from only £899pp.

Price includes: Sightseeing tour of Oslo plus a visit to the Viking Museum See the wild Telemark region and visit the power station at Rjukan and the country’s largest ‘stave’ church at Heddal Walking tour of Bergen Travel on the Oslo-Bergen rail line and one of the world’s steepest railway to Flåm Cruise across both the UNESCO listed Naeroyfjord and Hardangerfjord Visit to Voringsfossen, Norway’s most spectacular waterfall ‘Oslo Pass’ allowing entry to more than 30 museums and attractions, as well as free travel on all local public transport Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in four-star accommodation, including all local taxes, with breakfast and three dinners including one at a local restaurant The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Price includes: See the legendary sights of Florence, the ‘Pearl of the Renaissance’ on a guided tour Enjoy a reserved, timed visit to the Uffizi, one of the world’s finest art galleries Tour Siena with a local guide, seeing one of the finest medieval cities with its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo Visit San Gimignano, one of Italy’s most beautiful hilltop villages Visit Lucca and Pisa, home of the Leaning Tower and its amazing cathedral Experience the beautiful Tuscan countryside Stay in Florence and enchanting Tuscany Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in four-star and three-star superior accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, with breakfast and four dinners The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Marrakesh & The Atlas Mountains

Classical Spain Seville, Cordoba & Granada

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Selected departures March to November 2018.

Six days’ half board from £599pp.

Price includes: Stay in vibrant Marrakesh and explore its countless gems including the medieval medina, atmospheric souks and the extraordinary Jemaa el-Fnaa square Discover Marrakesh on a guided tour, seeing its remarkably preserved medieval walls and the stunning Jardin Majorelle, once home to Yves St Laurent Experience the Atlas Mountains, Africa’s greatest mountain range and an ever-present backdrop to Marrakesh Visit the Saadian Tombs, one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture Visit Essaouira Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Five nights in four-star superior accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, plus breakfast and dinner The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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Selected departures from March to November 2018.

Seven days from only £599pp.

Price includes: Visit to medieval Ronda, one of Spain’s most spectacularly situated cities Guided tour of Granada’s stunning Alhambra, one of Europe’s most sensual and romantic palace and fortresses - entrance included In Seville, sample traditional and delicious tapas, Spain’s delectable gift to the world Visit to Cordoba with a guided tour of the Mezquita probably the most beautiful mosque ever constructed - entrance included Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Six nights in three-star superior and four-star accommodation including all local taxes, with breakfast The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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To book or request a brochure, call 01283 523454 or visit cohriviera.co.uk Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability.

Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd. ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Prices correct as of 01/11/17.

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DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA & THE CAPE TREAT YOURSELF TO A 10-DAY TOUR AND SEE THE STUNNING TABLE MOUNTAIN, ROLLING WINELANDS AND BEAUTIFUL CAPE PENINSULA – AND YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY, TOO

outh Africa’s Cape is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and our exclusive 10-day tour takes in many highlights: the spectacular scenery dominated by rugged Table Mountain in Cape Town, the Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the Cape of Good Hope, and incredible wildlife from the penguins of Boulders Bay to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

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EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY As we’re sure you’ll fall in love with one of

the world’s favourite travel destinations and will never want to leave, we’ve arranged three fabulous options if you’d like to extend your trip at an additional cost.

1 Go on Safari – Enjoy twice-daily safari activities as you go in search of the Big Five at Amakhala Game Reserve.

2 Visit Victoria Falls – See the spectacular 100m-high waterfall on the Zambezi River, plus elephants, hippos and more.

3 Luxury beach and spa – Unwind on the golden sands of the luxurious, five-star Oyster Box Hotel near Durban.

& INTERIORS

T RAVE L Extend your trip and visit the breathtaking Victoria Falls, search for one of the Big Five at Amakhala Game Reserve or unwind at the relaxing Oyster Box Hotel.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Your amazing itinerary DAY 1 FLYING TO SOUTH AFRICA

Fly from London Heathrow to Johannesburg.

DAY 2 CAPE TOWN

After your connecting flight, you’ll be met at Cape Town airport and transferred to the Cape Milner Hotel, where you’ll stay for the next four nights, ready for your welcome dinner.

DAY 3 TABLE MOUNTAIN

Explore Cape Town with a guided city tour, before visiting Table Mountain.

DAY 4 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

Explore the rest of the Cape Peninsula, including Chapman’s Peak Drive, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and historic Simon’s Town, where you’ll have lunch at Bertha’s Restaurant before visiting the famous Cape of Good Hope.

DAY 5 CAPE TOWN

Take a tour of Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in captivity, with one of its former inmates as your guide.

DAY 6 CAPE WINELANDS & STELLENBOSCH

Go cheese- and wine-tasting at Fairview Wine Estate. Then visit Stellenbosch and enjoy a picnic at Boschendal Wine Estate before arriving at Devon Valley Hotel, your home for the next two nights.

DAY 7 FRANSCHHOEK

Start your visit in the French Huguenot village at the Franschhoek Cellars Wine Estate, for wine-tasting paired with local handmade chocolates, followed by a guided walk around the village.

DAY 8 HERMANUS

Travel through Sir Lowry’s Pass and explore the fishing village of Hermanus.

Enjoy dinner at your home for the next two nights – Blue Gum Country Estate.

DAY 9 DYER ISLAND

Take a boat trip to Dyer Island.

After lunch enjoy a guided walk in Fernkloof Nature Reserve, before a farewell dinner.

DAY 10 DEPART

Return flights, transfers and taxes Accommodation All breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners, wine and chocolate tasting (please note that drinks at lunches and dinners are not included) Entrance fees and tickets for all activities and excursions listed in the itinerary The services of an Africa Travel tour guide.

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THE DATES 14-24 April 2018 or longer, if you choose to extend your stay THE PRICE

From £2,425pp

Based on two adults sharing. Single supplement: £745 SAFARI EXTENSION From £1,095pp, based on two sharing. Single supplement: £345 VICTORIA FALLS EXTENSION From £1,095pp, based on two sharing. Single supplement: £495 BEACH HOLIDAY EXTENSION From £595pp, based on two sharing. Single supplement: £375.

Our travel partner is ABTOT-bonded and a member of IATA and this trip is ATOL-protected. For full terms and conditions please visit: countryhomes.tripsmiths.com/ southafricatourCHI

HOW TO BOOK

Call 020 8115 5315 Quote ref TSCAPE FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

countryhomes.tripsmiths.com/ southafricatourCHI OUR PARTNERS The travel experts

You’ll be transferred to Cape Town airport ready to fly to Johannesburg, where you’ll fly direct to London.

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from just ÂŁ10.99

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

DA R K A RT

VICTORIA SHORT CREATED A GLAMOROUS FAMILY KITCHEN BY TEAMING DRAMATIC PAINT SHADES AND INDUSTRIAL-STYLE DETAILS WITH BESPOKE CABINETRY

*

PROJECT PROFILE Owners Victoria and Paul Short, who run a sales and distribution company, and their children Eva, seven, and Maddie, six.

House A five-bedroom Victorian house in rural Surrey.

Project A side-return extension has turned a poky

kitchen into a family-friendly space with room for dining and relaxing.

Kitchen size 9x6m.

Designer Vincent Glue at Smallbone of Devizes.

Cabinetry Smallbone of Devizes’ Original Hand Painted range.

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125

CH&I

LOVES

*

Similar pendant light, Stanley in Hammered Copper, £389, Original BTC.

The larder’s interior is fitted out in rich walnut. Victoria had fallen for a similar design on a visit to a Smallbone showroom.

The

biggest challenge was having the courage of my convictions when it came to painting the kitchen dark and combining traditional and modern styles,’ says Victoria Short, with obvious relief that her beautiful new kitchen extension is now complete. Something of a labour of love, Victoria’s journey began three years ago, when she and husband Paul bought a rather gloomy Victorian property from empty-nesters. ‘The room layout of the house had not changed since it was first built. The kitchen was disproportionately small compared with the rest of the house and didn’t really suit the way we wanted to live,’ she says.

While this isn’t an unusual story for Victorian properties, where the kitchen was only frequented by staff, what makes Victoria’s kitchen renovation more interesting is her dedication to modernising the space without losing its sense of history. Her choice of cabinetry is a definite nod to the past, with the main unit doors being classic Shaker, while the island unit has slightly more traditional panelling. ‘The Shaker cabinetry and handles are timeless – you can always 126

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The red-brick feature wall continues outside, helping to blur the boundaries between indoors and out when the doors are open.

change the colour as trends come and go but the furniture will never date,’ says Victoria.

In terms of functionality, the couple wanted a space where they could cook while friends and family relaxed nearby. ‘We didn’t want to feel like we were in the background, toiling away,’ she says. They agonised over layouts until they arrived at a scheme where they could cook together, without getting under each other’s feet.

To pull off that all-important contemporary twist, Victoria took a two-pronged approach. Firstly, she had a rustic brick wall built to create a striking modern-industrial feature. ‘So many people think it’s original, which is very rewarding. I just love it and the way it has a rustic feel that somehow softens the crisp cabinetry,’ she says. She then dressed the space, mixing warm metals and artfully composed vintage finds. ‘I get a lot of satisfaction from blending old and new and am a regular at the antiques market at Kempton Park,’ says Victoria. ‘My aim was to layer antique pieces to create a design that was traditional in feel but still had an industrial yet contemporary edge.’

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

Victoria chose built-in ovens by Miele. ‘I felt that a range cooker would tip the balance too far towards traditional,’ she says.

‘The breakfast bar is my favourite place to sit -– you’re in the centre of the kitchen, near to all the action!’

Oven

Oven

Fridge

Utility Hob

Larder

Kitchen island

Wine fridge

Dining table and TV unit

The layout

Incorporating the original kitchen, plus an extension with skylights and a roof lantern, the new light-filled space also includes a dining table and TV unit (not shown above). A utility area is off the kitchen, while a double-door larder provides ample food storage.

Peg and dowel drawers stop crockery sliding around and can be adjusted to suit different-sized plates and bowls.

» For Christmas subscriptions, visit magazinesdirect.com/BDP7

127

3

design solutions TO INSPIRE YOU

1

The chunky wooden shelves feature recessed spotlights to provide essential task lighting on the worktop below.

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F E A T U R E WA L L

Victoria’s proudest achievement is the rustic wall, built from scratch using reclaimed bricks. She happily eschewed wall cabinets to give the exposed brickwork plenty of room to breathe. ‘My plan was to layer different shapes and materials, such as old copper kettles, herbs in rustic pots and antique picture frames over the brickwork to give it more colour and interest,’ she says.

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

2

TV UNIT

3

WA L K I N U T I L I T Y

Often something of an eyesore in kitchens, the TV has been built into a beautiful dresser-style unit that also provides storage for tableware next to the dining table.

‘I like to have the news or sport on in the background when I am cooking, but didn’t want a TV stuck on the wall. This unit really helps the TV to blend in with the rest of the kitchen,’ says Victoria.

Featuring cabinets made by a local joinery company, the utility space leads directly off the kitchen.

‘It’s mainly designed for laundry and provides storage for mops, the ironing board and so on, but there’s also a second dishwasher in there, too. It’s so useful when cooking large meals for family and friends,’ says Victoria.

Having the same paint colour and worktop as the kitchen cabinetry, the TV unit blends in beautifully.

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS GEORGE SHARMAN

The details

CABINETRY

The Original Hand Painted range painted in Bowler Hat by Dulux (main units) and Little Greene’s Grey Teal (island unit), starts from £45,000, Smallbone of Devizes.

SURFACES

Metro-style tiles lend a utilitarian pantry feel in the smart utility.

Lagoon composite stone worktops, from £400sq m, Silestone by Cosentino. Similar tumbled limestone flooring, Fume Emperador Polished Limestone, from £70sq m, Mandarin Stone.

Walls, painted in Cornforth White, £43.50 for 2.5L estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball.

APPLIANCES

H 6160 BP ovens, £1,599 each;

ESW 6114 warming drawers, £1,049 each; KM6322 induction hob with onset controls, £1,499, all Miele. Stratus Compact 90cm-wide extractor fan, £2,567, Westin.

KA92DAI20G fridge freezer, £2,649, Siemens.

SINKS & TAPS

Olympus Spring tap in chrome, £340; Kubus KBX 120 34-34 undermounted double bowl sink, £569, both Franke.

ACCESSORIES

Toledo Style Trax metal swivel bar stools, £89 each, Cult Furniture.

The vintage picture frames are from an antiques market; try Ayers & Graces for similar.

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129

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

‘WE’VE TRANSFORMED OUR HOME INTO A COUNTRY BOLTHOLE FOR GUESTS’ B&B owner Daisy Kearey e wanted to share our home,’ says Daisy Kearey when asked why she opened boutique B&B Old Park Hall, a beautiful Grade II-listed Scottish Baronialstyle country house set in the rolling Devon countryside, close to Axminster and a stone’s throw from Lyme Regis. Old Park Hall may have a traditional exterior, but its interior is the epitome of chic, modern country, with a signature blend of eclectic, industrial and contemporary luxe styling.

Daisy fell in love with Old Park Hall as soon as she viewed it in 2015. She had moved back from Australia, where she was a wedding planner, five years previously.

‘I didn’t want to be a wedding planner any more,’ she says. ‘I moved to Brixton and got a corporate job in Mayfair, but I wasn’t happy as the difference in lifestyle between London and Sydney is so great.’ Daisy met her partner James Bennett and they started looking for a horsebox to convert into a campervan for the two of them to escape at weekends, but they couldn’t find one.

‘Then we thought we’d get a little country pad for weekends. I looked online, our

W

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budget went up and we started looking at things we couldn’t afford! We viewed a couple of houses but none of them ticked the boxes. Then Old Park Hall came up for sale – it was in Devon where I had gone to school and we had some family friends nearby who ran a B&B. We went to view it and instantly fell in love.’ It’s not hard to see why the couple were bowled over by the house’s ornate windows, stone exterior, huge rooms and period fireplaces Added to that, it enjoys idyllic views. But it was obvious that Old Park Hall was going to have to be more than a weekend retreat. It was going to involve a complete change of lifestyle.

‘We knew we could open it as a B&B because it was too big for the two of us and too expensive to run just as a home.

I already needed a change of career, and I had wanted to open a motel when I was in Australia, so it was always at the back of my mind, and James went with it.’

Both Daisy and James’s parents then viewed the property, and days later Daisy’s father settled a deal and it was theirs. ‘I then had to sell my Brixton house quickly, and had

»

Daisy’s first car, Dougal, is a 1972 flat-screen VW Beetle that she has had since she was 17. He is used to give guests lifts.

What I love most...

‘MEETING PEOPLE AND HEARING HOW MUCH THEY ENJOY OUR HOME. IT’S HEARTWARMING THAT AN IDEA IN MY HEAD HAS NOW COME TO LIFE, AND EVERYONE SEEMS TO LOVE IT’

to renovate it to be able to sell it!’ she says.

In September 2015 the couple moved in, aiming to open their B&B by Easter the following year. ‘We wanted to share our home and get to know people at a more relaxed level than during the stress of a wedding,’ says Daisy.

Daisy spent six months doing up Old Park Hall. ‘At one point we had nine people painting it,’ she says. ‘I used Pinterest for inspiration and I trawled car-boot sales to find amazing items. We bought what we loved and the rooms seemed to take on a life around them. We have such big rooms we were able to buy oversized furniture.’

Daisy was keen to create an eclectic, industrial style scheme with a sumptuous

In the kitchen, Daisy looks for new recipes for guests – James is her guinea pig!

feel. ‘I love playing with deep colours,’ she says. ‘The decor is based around comfort – we chose velvet sofas because we wanted the house to be tactile. Adding texture was important as most rooms don’t have curtains because we still have the original shutters.’

Old Park Hall has four opulently decorated guest bedrooms. In addition, a shed has been transformed into a beauty room where guests are offered an array of treatments.

‘It goes with our brand, cool yet warm,’ says Daisy. ‘The beauty room is a great escape.’

Growth has been gradual and organic.

‘I do a lot of social media,’ says Daisy. ‘I thought it would be a summer-season house, but most people come in the winter because of the fires. Many guests come through word of mouth and we have lots of return clientele. Guests also come through River Cottage – their HQ is only 2½ miles away.

We also made it into the top 100 B&Bs in The Times in October 2016.’

Old Park Hall prides itself on serving local produce. ‘We have our own chickens here so we use their eggs,’ says Daisy. ‘The provenance of the ingredients of our meals is important – we have a wonderful farm shop up the road and we use their products.

We also serve dinner for guests in the evening, if they require it.’

Daisy and James are on hand to help guests arrange their day and socialise. ‘We like to provide a personal service. We advise on food, walks, beaches to visit and generally make sure the guests are happy. We have lots of communal areas – people can help themselves to things and both James and I enjoy having a drink with guests.

‘We get a buzz from having people to stay – we want them to have the best time.

Guests have said to us that you feel like you’re at home, but it’s better – it’s like being at home, but with staff!’ ☎ To book B&B at Old Park Hall or enquire about renting out the whole house in August, Christmas or the New Year, call 01297 792763, or visit oldparkhall.co.uk.

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M Y C O U N T RY B U S I N E S S The huge dining table, set for breakfast. The table is made from scaffolding boards and teamed with Tolix chairs.

The beautiful stained-glass windows are a standout feature. Daisy opted for deep colours and sumptuous fabrics in the guests’ living room.

A woodburner creates a cosy feel for guests.

Old Park Hall has lots of communal areas. for socialising in.

Daisy preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

Daisy was keen to create an air of grandeur in the guest rooms. Here, soft green walls are teamed with an ornately patterned Manuel Canovas fabric headboard.

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133

✽ ON OUR D O O R S T E P. . .

Visit… ‘River Cottage HQ (01297 630300, rivercottage.net), which is nearby, for cookery courses.

Charmouth Beach is great for fossil hunting. Climb Golden Cap (nationaltrust.org.uk/golden-cap), the highest point on the south coast.’

Shop at… ‘Old Albion (07879 051362) in Bridport for unique pieces from all eras.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Tytherleigh Arms (01460 220214, tytherleigharms.com) near Axminster, a 16th-century inn; or Hive Beach Café (01308 897070, hivebeachcafe.co.uk) for seafood.’

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

Small business advice

HOW TO START A B&B BUSINESS Follow our guide to welcoming guests into your home

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS ALUN CALLENDER

Daisy Kearey opened Old Park Hall as a B&B to enable her to live in a beautiful property and enjoy a different lifestyle, but as Karen Thorne, owner of Hopton House B&B (shropshirebreakfast.co.uk) near Ludlow, who runs B&B courses, says, there are many reasons why people want to open a B&B, from redundancy to wanting to spend more time with a partner. ‘Whatever the reason, you have to like people,’ she says. ‘Some guests will want to chat and some won’t. A good B&B owner is able to read people and understand what they need. You also need to have realistic expectations – often people think they’ll do breakfast, clean and then have the afternoon off, when the reality is that they’ll often be working until check-in time. It’s a very demanding job physically. Many people think about doing it as they get older, but you do have to be fit. And cleaning a B&B is different to your own house – it’s like a spring clean each time.’

Karen shares her advice and top tips for potential B&B owners: Running a B&B is running a business.

‘You’ll need to allow time for activities such as marketing, admin, bookkeeping, as well as shopping for supplies, doing laundry, etc. You need to consider how

running a B&B will affect your partner, children and any pets you have.’

Not every guest will adhere to checkin or check-out times. ‘You may have to wait for them to leave in the morning, or get a call from the motorway saying they’ll arrive at midnight, so you’ll have to change any social plans.’

It’s a myth that if your house has three bedrooms or fewer there are no legal statutory requirements. ‘Visit England’s Pink Book outlines England’s legislative requirements. For instance, you’ll need to know health and safety regulations, including a fire safety risk assessment.

You can’t give guests alcohol unless you are licensed, and you need to be trained in food hygiene and be aware of food allergies. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, check local laws.’

Do your research. ‘Know your market and what people will want to do when they come to your area and what they need from a B&B. For example, if you are catering for business guests, you may need more parking, good Wi-Fi and proximity to a railway station.’

Be internet savvy to market yourself.

‘You need to have a website and use

social media. You may also need to use reservations sites, such as booking.com.

If your B&B is upmarket and quirky, register with an accommodation website such as Sawday’s. You’ll need to look for other business as well, though.’

Manage the review process on websites and respond. ‘If you receive a bad review, you need to manage it.

Always respond to a bad review, but be positive and proactive. A good B&B owner will always look to improve.’

Attend to the small print. ‘If you have a mortgage, you’ll need to let your mortgage company know you are opening a B&B in your own home and you may need to swap to a commercial mortgage. You will also have to have speciality guest-house insurance.’

Look after security. ‘Make sure the private areas of your house are secure.

Most guests will expect to have access to your property 24 hours a day.’

Get the basics right. ‘You need to provide a comfortable bed, a good breakfast and great customer service.’

For more information about Karen’s two-day B&B course, visit bedandbreakfastacademy.co.uk.

☎

The one lesson I have learnt...

‘THAT THERE IS NO “COOKIE-CUTTER” GUEST. EVERY GUEST REQUIRES A DIFFERENT STYLE OF SERVICE AND YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADAP T TO THEIR EVERY WHIM’ NEXT MONTH A KNITWEAR DESIGNER IN BERKSHIRE

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135

NEXT MONTH IN

& INTERIORS

*

Love a little winter romance

•Handsome heritage styles for home-loving bohemians •Hidden beauty in a Nottinghamshire garden •Happy houses, where logburners and Agas rule!

•Clever cloakrooms, mug moments and why we love tweed PLUS Lady Melissa Percy shares her favourite view ON SALE 4 JANUARY

Shopping DIRECTORY YOU’LL FIND ALL THE COMPANIES IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE HERE

18 The High Street 01303 264433

GARDEN TRADING 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk GARDENS & HOMES DIRECT 0800 157 7264 gardensandhomesdirect.co.uk GEORGE HOME 0800 952 3003 george.com GRACE & FAVOUR HOME 07739 309933 graceandfavourhome.com GRAHAM & GREEN 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk GUDRUN SJÖDÉN 0800 056 9912 gudrunsjoden.com/uk

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ABRAHAM MOON 01943 873181 moons.co.uk ACRES FARM 0118 974 4305 acresfarm.co.uk ALEXANDER & PEARL 020 8508 0411 alexanderandpearl.co.uk ALTERNATIVE FLOORING 01264 335111 alternativeflooring.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMAZON amazon.co.uk AMELIA ROPE CHOCOLATE 07860 962567 ameliarope.com ANTHROPOLOGIE 00 800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com ASPACE 0800 021 9015 aspace.co.uk ATKIN AND THYME 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk AYERS & GRACES 01582 536760 ayersandgraces.com

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THE BLUE DANUBE

VIENNA, BUDAPEST & SALZBURG 8 DAYS FROM ONLY £999 PP Selected departures from April to October 2018

LUXURY FIVE-STAR RIVER CRUISES FOR THE DISCERNING TRAVELLER

Satisfy your desire to explore new places, discover different cultures and immerse yourself in new experiences. Riviera Travel’s award-winning tours provide more than a holiday – we take you to the most exciting destinations where we uncover insights into the lives, histories and cultures of the people who call them home.

Our prices are competitive and include return flights, hotel transfers, fascinating excursions and the services of an experienced Riviera Travel tour manager. We guarantee there are no hidden costs or surcharges, inflated prices or artificial discounts, so anytime is the best time to book with us.

WHERE CAN WE TAKE YOU?

RHINE & MOSELLE

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RHINE CRUISE TO SWITZERLAND

Selected departures from May to October 2018

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8 DAYS FROM ONLY £1,399PP

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To book, or for details about our full tours collection call: 01283 523454 or visit: cohriviera.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS: Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with RivieraTravel. 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 Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Prices correct as of 31/10/17.

BALI AND THE DRAGONS OF KOMODO 14 DAYS FROM £2,399PP Selected departures from April to November 2018

FASCINATING ESCORTED TOURS FOR THE DISCERNING TRAVELLER

Satisfy your desire to explore new places, discover different cultures and immerse yourself in new experiences. Riviera Travel’s award-winning tours provide more than a holiday – we take you to the most exciting destinations where we uncover insights into the lives, histories and cultures of the people who call them home.

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To book, or for details about our full tours collection call: 01283 523454 or visit: cohriviera.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS: Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with RivieraTravel. 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 Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Prices correct as of 09/11/17.

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

‘THE MORNING LIGHT AT HEYDON HALL IS BRITAIN AT ITS BEST’ Shoe designer Penelope Chilvers

lawn and frost clinging to the grass.

The ancient oaks are still bare, and there’s this incredibly atmospheric light. Norfolk has big skies, and it really shows off the beautiful low light you can find in England at this time of year.

I design footwear to be worn outside, among the mud and dust of the countryside. I visited Heydon Hall when I was about to design my current collection and felt so inspired that the designs became based on the exquisitely faded British grandeur of Heydon. It really was the perfect backdrop inside and out, and I feel so lucky that we were able to borrow it to photograph the shoes and boots. It felt like such a lovely collaboration with Rhona Bulwer-Long, who owns the house.

Looking at the facade, there are two beautiful stone wild boars behind you, which have always been a lucky mascot for my brand – we even have a wild boar on the wall of our Ledbury Road store in London. It’s all because my bootmakers are countrymen themselves, and 146

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back in the day used to disappear off to shoot wild boar when they were supposed to be making boots! So I see the boars as a dedication to the artisans I started with.

The house itself is Elizabethan, but in Victorian times when it was fashionable to have huge country estates, two large wings were built on either side. These were pulled down in the 1970s, something that would never be allowed these days, but I see it as a lucky thing – if it still had those wings, the upkeep would be impossible for a private home today. They can be difficult to keep as businesses, so the more we can support these beautiful estates by visiting them, the better. I’m a conservationist at heart – not just for nature, but also for architecture.

This part of England holds a special place in my heart as I have roots in Norfolk. About four generations ago, we had a lavender farm called Chilvers Lavender. It’s still going, with new owners, and is now called Norfolk Lavender. We go up quite a bit – every summer Norfolk is inundated with Chilvers family members!

Family is very important to me and I’m lucky to have my daughters working with me. Africa is in my design team, while Gemma is a stylist who has styled my last couple of shoots, including the one at Heydon. There’s a lot that’s understood without having to be explained when you’re working with family – they just get it.

See the Heydon collection at penelopechilvers.com.

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS ANYA HOLDSTOCK

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