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APRIL 2018 £4.40

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PRETTY IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR A VINTAGE EASTER THE WEEKEND star ts her e

FRESH BEDS, SLAP-UP BRUNCHES, SWITCH-OFF GETAWAYS

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DREAM HOMES, GARDENS & CAREERS

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SPRING KITCHENS

LESS-IS-MORE DESIGNS THAT YOU’LL LOVE FOREVER PLUS... EVERYDAY CHAIRS ✢ COMBINATION HOBS

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MODERN COUNTRY Interiors & inspiration 14

APRIL The things we can’t live without

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HOME NOTES

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MAKE A HOUSE A HOME The pleasure of a range ● HELLO BLOSSOM Make it the prettiest of Easters with decorations for your home and gifts for friends and family ● BRIGHTEN UP YOUR BED The latest, loveliest linens for a fresh spring update

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LET’S TALK COLOUR POP GLASS Reflect on the feel-good hues of this versatile material

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THE COUNTRY DECORATOR Top tips for under-stair space

98

ROOM ELEMENTS The new paint shades for country homes

Kitchen special 109

40 72

Country homes 28

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50 TO FIND ALL STOCKISTS IN THIS ISSUE, TURN TO PAGE 161

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ON THE COVER

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YORKSHIRE VILLAGE HOUSE Moving back to the country gave a young family a new start and an idyllic home ●

118 121 127

● SPRING KITCHENS Ten pure and simple new-season designs for the heart of the home ● MODERN COUNTRY CLASSICS Wooden kitchen chairs for everyday use ● COUNTRY KITCHEN FOCUS A light, bright extension ● HOME TECH Combination hobs to suit every cook

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● SOMERSET MILL CONVERSION A couple who love to socialise have created a house that offers the warmest of welcomes ● NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COTTAGE Wonky beams and a rich colour palette add to the charm of this rural property ● SUFFOLK LONGHOUSE This historic Grade-II listed building has a new look with beautiful fabrics and wallpapers

PLUS GET-THE-LOOK IDEAS FOR EVERY HOME

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Gardens 20 128

GARDEN NOTES SPRING FEVER Tulips blaze a colourful trail at a terraced Gloucestershire mill garden

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Just for you 70 87

SUBSCRIBE TO COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS ● SAVE 15% AT SOPHIE ALLPORT Beautifully designed textiles for your home

150 TRAVEL OFFER Relaxing UK breaks for you and your dog

152 PLANT OFFER A magnificent

Seasonal food 23 144

TO FIND ALL STOCKISTS IN THIS ISSUE, TURN TO PAGE 161

● RISE-AND-SHINE BRUNCHES Hearty country-style dishes to enjoy on stay-at-home weekends

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104

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ON THE COVER

143

154

170

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a luxury cruise along the rivers of Europe

FOOD NOTES

Lifestyle

128

magnolia just perfect for pots

160 TRAVEL OFFER Set sail on

OUR FAVOURITE SHOP Find stylish homewares while dropping off your dry-cleaning at Arlesford Linen Company MY KIND OF COUNTRY Artist Kate Kato produces intricate wildlife studies from her home on the Welsh borders

Regulars 153 161

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

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SUBSCRIBE T O D AY

MAKE LIFE LOVELY Happy thoughts and ideas for fashion, eco, wellbeing and more ● OUR FAVOURITE PLACE Switch off entirely in a lovely vintage-style Wriggly Tin shepherd’s hut in Hampshire

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS Illustrator and designer Emma Sutton’s Mosney Mill homewares are inspired by nature ●

MY FAVOURITE VIEW Charity ambassador and singer Leah Wood finds wonder in the Wicklow Mountains

Subscribe to Country Homes & Interiors today from £32.99 for 12 issues (saving up to 43%).

See page 70 for details.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Things I’ve seen, done and loved this month

STYLING SELINA LAKE PHOTOGRAPH SUSSIE BELL

We are saying hello to the first boughs of blossom this issue. Inspired by the pale pink and scarlet hues of the crab apple tree, we’ve created the perfect country-style designs and crafts for the Easter weekend. Turn to page 72 and find delightful vintage-style ideas, charming decorations and gorgeous gifts.

Colour plays such an important part in our lives and yet it is often the hardest thing to decide on when you are thinking about refreshing walls. Brush up on the season’s new country paint shades – from serene greens to honeyed hues – on page 98. Our design special of 10 pure and simple spring kitchens (page 109) also takes a look at the less-is-more palettes and pared-back materials that are topping our wish lists.

Closely observing nature’s flora and fauna is one of life’s great pleasures and it is a privilege to feature paper sculptor Kate Kato (page 104) and textile designer Emma Sutton (page 154), whose intricate depictions of all manner of insects, birds and animals is fascinating.

Read their stories and then take the time to look closely at how lovely life is!

R hoda x PS... SAVE 15% AT SOPHIE ALLPORT We love the charming motifs on Sophie’s designs and hope you’ll enjoy this exclusive discount. See page 87 for details.

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COUNTRY LIFE WITH US Tag us in your photos on Instagram @countryhomesmag #countrystyle

& INTERIORS 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP Telephone 020 3148 5000 Email countryhomes@timeinc.com EDITOR Rhoda Parry 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 EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicola Tillman 020 3148 7891 DEPUTY EDITORIAL PRODUCTION DESIGNER Clare Willetts 020 3148 7892

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Website: timeincuk.com. ©TIME INC. (UK) LTD 2018. Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, London E14 5HU, 020 3787 9001.

Country Homes & Interiors, ISSN 0951-3019, is published monthly, 12 times a year. Manuscripts and illustrations are welcome but on the understanding that we cannot be liable for their safe custody or return. We are sorry that manuscripts and illustrations cannot be returned, nor letters answered or acknowledged unless sent with a stamped addressed envelope. Published monthly by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Colour origination by Rhapsody. Printed in the UK by the Wyndeham Group. Country Homes & Interiors is sold subject to the following conditions, namely that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the cover (selling price in Eire includes VAT) and that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising literary or pictorial matter whatsoever.

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Getting ready for Easter with seasonal decorations and fresh foliage garlands.

Easter egg garland, similar from Talking Tables. Tableware, similar from Sophie Conran.

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

APRIL

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C O U N T R Y D AY S

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4 3 Tackling April showers in style!

Coast waterproof jacket, £89.95; umbrella, £21.95; Molly wellies, £44.95, all Joules.

1 Sending the loveliest season’s greetings. Easter card, 15cm sq, £2.75, Paperchase. 2 Stylish pieces designed to show off your baking triumphs! Hala cake stand, H24xDia24cm, £65, Dassie Artisan. 3 Serving up tasty treats in a colourful way.

Embossed side plate, Dia20cm, £12.50, Alresford Linen Company.

4 Cheering up the sofa with a scattering of spring-inspired hues. Striped sham, 50cm sq, col Multi Pastel, £39, Lexington.

* Caring for our wildlife.

Bee log, £22; butterfly and moth house, £22; bird, bee & bug hotel, £75; containers, from a selection, all National Trust Shop.

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8 5 Welcoming visitors with spring cheer! Country Meadow Easter wreath, Dia40cm, £30, The Contemporary Home.

6 Charming bedroom furniture in a chalky white paint finish. All-white bedside table, H60x45cm sq, £195, Loaf.

7 Pure wool underfoot in a soft blush shade. Ella rug, 240x170cm, £300, Cox & Cox. 8 Adorable hop-happy designs to bring a smile to your face! Lapin cheeseboard, H15xW45cm, £58, Anthropologie.

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C O U N T R Y D AY S

9 10

11 12 Relaxed brunching by the water’s edge.

Symons plates, from £10; cereal bowl, £12; bubbled tealight holder, £10; vases, from £15, all The White Company.

9 Utility-style storage. Meadow box, H20xW30xD20cm, £16, Sainsbury’s. 10 Easter egg hunts for all ages! Oval egg basket, H20xW28xD20cm, £24, The Emporium Somerset (eggs not included). 11 Sealing in the freshness with a cute trio. Storage tin, H12cm, £14 for 3 in toning shades), Next.

12 Transporting refreshments with a wooden wonder.

Rustic tray, W51xD33cm, £39.99, The Restoration at Trouva.

* Enjoying the beauty of our feathered friends on pretty accessories.

Garden Birds peg bag; mug, £11 each, Sophie Allport. See our discount offer on page 87.

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13 Revitalising the bedroom with lovely bedding. Ridley printed stripe bed set, from £19.50 for a single, Marks & Spencer.

14 Handcrafted floral patterns for afternoon tea. Felicity small tankard jug, 284ml, col Rose Pink, £23, Burleigh. 15 A woven shoulder bag for your market-day buys. Delphi tote basket, H40xW33cm, £39, Bohemia Design. 16 Relaxing with a cosy layer of comfort. Eden Blush throw, 135x185cm, £95, Ian Mankin.

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Colour of

THE MOMENT

FEATURE AND MOODBOARD STYLING HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPH (OPENER) TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM

BLUSH! IT’S THE PRETTIEST TONE OF THE SEASON. ENJOY A ROSY ROMANCE WITH THIS DELICATE PALETTE INCLUDING DUSKY ROSE PAINTS FOR WALLS, CHARMING LOOSE PATTERNS FOR CUSHIONS AND CURTAINS AND ICE-CREAM TEXTURES ON UPHOLSTERY

Fabric (clockwise, from top left): 1 Diamond Dot, col Rose, £86.52m, Lewis & Wood. 2 Plains One +1, col Blush, £34m, Scion. 3 Fly Away, col Sorbet, £15m, Studio G. 4 Vyne Silk, col Rose Quartz, £49m, James Hare. 5 Paper Leaf, col Blush; 6 Honeycomb Positive, col Blush, £58m each, both Zoe Glencross. 7 Chelsea linen, col Petal, £59m, Sofa.com. Aristotle Greek key trim, col Venetian Rose, £39m, Samuel & Sons. Wallpaper (from left): 1 Levi, col Light Pink, £76 a roll, Sandberg. 2 Kielo, col Blush, £41 a roll, Scion. Eggs, painted in (from top): Light Rose; Rose Ash Lt; Dusky Rose, all £43 for 2.5L matt emulsion, all Sanderson. Plate, spoon, stylist’s own.

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Home notes Love a leaf

We’re still enjoying the renaissance of green leafware, from cabbages to lettuces. Oka has taken it further with a new table range that includes ferns, artichokes and these fabulous fig plates. Available in three sizes, they’re made from earthenware and are microwave and dishwasher safe. A set of four dinner plates costs £48.

O U R FAV O U R I T E A R T I S A N LIGHTING DESIGNER

Blend bold botanicals and vibrant colours

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Naomi Paul

Curtains, windowseat, floral cushions, all in Duchess Garden fabrics, from £60m, Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little.

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPH (NAOMI PAUL) NICK ROCHOWSKI

From a young age, Naomi Paul was making items from objects found on her family’s Sussex farm. These days, from her east London studio, she uses a coppered frame and handcrocheted cotton cord to create unique lighting designs. Naomi tells us more…

How did you get into lighting? I was commissioned to make a crocheted sculpture for a jeweller, and while making this, I thought about how it could be simplified, but also become a functional object. From there I spent weeks crocheting yarn and creating different shapes.

What inspires you?

Everything from textures to sounds, furniture, architecture and people.

How long does it take to produce a lampshade?

All pendants are made to order by my highly skilled craftspeople, with a lead time beginning at four weeks. Small-scale orders

Step into the garden

are made by one person, while larger orders need up to six makers to complete.

What do you love about what you do? I love seeing and feeling an idea grow and form as I work – that is what I am most passionate about.

What’s next? I try not to plan too far ahead; I like to be guided by a combination of happy accidents in the studio as well as ideas developed through conversations with clients.

Ultimately, I want to make our lights as beautifully crafted as possible.

Naomi Paul, 020 8556 8387, naomipaul.co.uk.

Renowned fashion designer Matthew Williamson has teamed up with Osborne & Little to create Belvoir, a collection of fabrics and wallpapers that evokes English country-house style with a contemporary twist. Named after Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, the range features gorgeous prints in kaleidoscopic colours, as displayed in the Duchess Garden design. This handpainted print was first seen on gowns in Matthew’s 2017 summer collection and is inspired by the castle’s garden of the same name, with vibrantly coloured dahlias and peonies set on a damask ground.

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BIG SOFTY Searching for a sofa that combines practicality with good looks? The Maximus, from Love Your Home, ticks all the boxes. Designed to be slouchy and comfy with a lived-in style, it mixes wide arms and deep-filled cushions with a sleek clean-lined frame and turned legs. Shown here in stain-resistant Linen Stone, the Maximus starts from £1,479 for the two-seater version.

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Garden notes Just what you need now...

It’s time to plan your container displays for late spring and summer, so add style to your terrace with this hand-thrown, hand-pressed Windrush Iris Pot, inspired by the work of William Morris. It’s a handy size, practical shape and guaranteed frost-proof.

Made and designed at the famous Whichford Pottery in Warwickshire, it measures H25xDia39cm and costs £59.50.

Q&A WITH A SHARING GARDENER

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A rustic wooden crate makes a great herb patch

All hail the tulip

To enjoy tulips at their best, head to the worldfamous Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens, in East Sussex. Head gardener Keith Boylett explains how he prepares.

How did the Tulip Festival begin? It began over 20 years ago to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the tulip to Europe.

The event has grown, from 5,000 bulbs being planted for a five-day event to 35,000 bulbs and 15 days.

Which are your favourite tulips for 2018? My all-time favourite is ‘Abu Hassan’. It has red, single flowers with golden margins. I’m also looking forward to Tulipa ‘Perestroyka’. It’s an elegant, coral pink, lily-flowered tulip.

How do you treat your tulips after the flowers have faded? We buy bulbs from Bloms Bulbs and plant 20

Country Homes & Interiors

them every winter. Once the flowering display has ended we donate the bulbs to local charities to plant.

To keep bulbs from year to year, after the flowers have finished, deadhead them and give them a liquid feed. Leave the foliage uncut and let it die down. Then wait for them to appear again next April.

Any tips on keeping tulips in a vase? We use tulip vases with a flared top as they lend themselves to the natural curve of cut tulips. For a long vase life, fill vases with fresh, cold water and keep in a cool room out of direct sunlight.

Visit pashleymanorgardens. com for details of the Tulip Festival, which this year runs from 24 April to 8 May.

Plant culinary herbs in well-drained soil and a sunny spot for pots of flavour on your doorstep.

Chives Edible flowers and foliage to eat raw.

Chopped leaves make a great salad garnish.

Mint Scents include pineapple, chocolate and grapefruit. Plant in a pot, not in the ground or it will take over. Perfect for teas – or Pimm’s!

Rosemary Scatter its pungent needles over roast potatoes or to flavour lamb dishes.

Sage The silvery leaves hold their flavour in lengthy cooking, perfect for casseroles.

Thyme There are many types of this woody herb. Use fresh or dried in stews and stuffing.

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PERFECT PLANT FOR... EASTER TABLES For centuries our native primrose, Primula vulgaris, has been linked to Easter. The delicate flowers symbolise spring on Easter bonnets, cakes and in posies. Plant one in a vintage teacup for a perfect centrepiece. These woodland perennials soon form healthy clumps if given dappled shade. Buy plants from garden centres; don’t take them from the wild.

FEATURE TAMSIN WESTHORPE PHOTOGRAPHS (HERBS) GAP PHOTOS/MARK BOLTON; (PRIMROSE) GAP PHOTOS

Grow your own herbs

Food notes TA K E A T E A B R E A K For a dairy-free frittata, swap the feta for cooked squash

There’s nothing better than taking a few moments for yourself in a busy day, which is why we love Daylesford’s new Wellness Teas, each designed for a different time of day, or mood. Radiance is a lovely caffeine-free, gingery alternative to coffee, while Digest is perfect for after meals. Pretty packaging is a bonus, too. £4.99 for a 30g bag, daylesford.com.

* O U R FAV O U R I T E ARTISAN PRODUCER

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPH (FRITTATA) TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM

Broughgammon Near the Giant’s Causeway is the Broughgammon farm. Charlie Cole realised male goats were being put down at birth as they don’t produce milk, and set about rearing them with his wife, Becky, for healthy, free-range meat. They now also raise ethical rose veal and game. At the farm, there’s an artisan butchery and shop, but you can buy online and at markets, too.

Becky tells us more...

What’s so special about your produce? Both our goat and rose veal turn waste products into a delicious gourmet choice that’s sustainable and ethical.

What is your favourite product? The goat bacon is pretty incredible, although a personal favourite would be the rose veal escalopes.

What’s your favourite way to cook goat? I love cooking with all the cuts of goat – it’s surprisingly versatile and easy.

I’d recommend roasting the cutlets with lemon, chilli and garlic until caramelised.

What might we not know about goat meat? It’s really

Celebrate spring veg

low in cholesterol and fat but high in protein so it’s healthy to cook with.

What’s the best thing about running your business?

Meeting such fantastic people – customers who have become friends, and other artisan producers who are like family.

Taste-testing new products is also a pretty great perk!

Can you tell us about your farm tour? You go behind the scenes of a working farm and artisan business. The tour really showcases ‘farm to fork’, plus you’ll taste some bestselling products, too!

Broughgammon Farm Shop, 50 Straid Road, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, BT54 6NP, 07435 765845, brough gammon. com.

Enjoy garden greens with this veggie frittata.

Heat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas 5, then heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil in an ovenproof frying pan. Gently fry a thinly sliced fennel bulb and 2 chopped garlic cloves for 5 mins until soft. Mix in 125g chopped asparagus, 150g broad beans, 150g crumbled feta and a small bunch each of chopped mint and basil leaves, then pour in 8 beaten eggs. Cook over a low heat for 5 mins, stirring until the eggs are half set, then transfer to the oven and cook for 15-20 mins until set.

Garnish with more basil leaves and serve with a mixed salad for the perfect spring lunch.

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We want this now...

Get ready to cook the perfect Easter roast lamb by upgrading your meat thermometer to this new wireless gadget. The Meater probe is simple to set up and to use – just insert it into your piece of meat or fish, tell the app which cut you’re cooking and your phone will walk you through every step of the necessary cooking process, so you can confidently invite your friends for lunch without the worry of overcooking your lovely lamb. £79, meater.com.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Browse the eclectic, international stock, from Balinese baskets to Scandinavian scented candles.

Drop off your dry-cleaning – and pick up something special for your home.

O U R FAV O U R I T E S H O P F O R L I F E S T Y L E A N D L AU N D RY S E RV I C E S

A lresford Linen Company COMBINE SPRING CLEANING WITH BROWSING THE ON-TREND HOMEWARES AT THIS STYLISH STORE Melita Glaister and husband Stephen took over the dry-cleaners in Alresford, Hampshire, in 2009 and gave it a twist: the shop is filled with covetable merchandise – from design-led homewares to stylish gifts, and even furniture – with laundry services behind the scenes. Melita tells us more…

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SET UP YOUR SHOP? I already owned a

boutique in the town, and Stephen had sold his restaurant chain in London and wanted to work closer to home. The dry-cleaners came up for sale and we felt that it was a valued business with the best shopfront in Alresford. It was an opportunity not to be missed, and we set about updating the premises and combining the

dry-cleaning and laundry service with a lifestyle shop.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ALRESFORD LINEN COMPANY’S STYLE? Bright, colourful, edited,

relaxed and distinctive. To quote William Morris: ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’

HOW IS YOUR SHOP UNIQUE? We don’t know of another lifestyle shop that is a hybrid with a dry-cleaners.

Our stock changes regularly as our customers return frequently to drop off and collect their clothes, so our aim is to tempt them with something new on each visit.

HOW DO YOU SOURCE PRODUCTS?

We are big believers in travel and many items are sourced from overseas including Senegal, Bali

and India. I’m on a permanent shopping trip: wherever we go, whatever we do, I am on the lookout. With the internet, nothing is exclusive for long and the challenge is to find original products that other shops do not have.

WHO VISITS YOUR SHOP? Locals use the town daily, and we have visitors from all over the world as Alresford is a beautiful Georgian town with pretty colour-washed houses in unspoilt countryside.

WHAT’S PLANNED FOR SPRING/ SUMMER? Whatever engages

and delights our senses, be it sight, smell, touch or even taste!

Alresford Linen Company, 7-9 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AR, 01962 734221, alresfordlinen.co.uk.

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

Make a house a home

The pleasure of a range IN OUR ONGOING SERIES, WE SELECT SIMPLE COUNTRY-STYLE HERO PIECES THAT LOOK BEAUTIFUL... AND FEEL EVEN BETTER

Everhot 100 range, col Graphite, from £7,390; black kettle, £44.95, both Everhot. Dog-print accessories, from a selection, Emily Bond.

Invest in classic kettles and casseroles that will look good over time.

Regarded by most as the main ingredient when creating a country kitchen, you can’t beat a range for conjuring up images of rural living.

Central to making the kitchen the heart of the home, it’s a place to cook, cosy and cuddle up against for year-round comfort.

WHAT’S THE STORY? The metal stove was a replacement for open fires and braziers, first appearing in our kitchens in the 18th century bristling with cast-iron boxes, vents and pipes. Ranges originally ran on solid fuel, then oil, and more recently on gas and electricity, and were designed to cook and heat a room more reliably while removing smoke and pollutants. The latest designs have many eco-friendly attributes to cut down on heat loss and wasted energy, including timers and oven isolators.

Practicality is just as important as design when it comes to buying a stove. Humdrum details including position, size, number of ovens, fuel choice and even cooking styles need to be considered before the fun part of deciding which colour you’d like. Most of us have a make in mind and fortunately many of these come in an array of finishes with shiny handle, rail and door latch details.

STYLE IT UP Make a stove your own by accessorising with bespoke buys such as lid covers, rail cloths and gauntlet-style gloves. Although many cookware accessories are suitable for use on or in a range, some purpose-made pieces do perform better such as those made from cast-iron – go for flat-bottom styles with oven-to-table appeal.

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NEXT MONTH A PLACE TO WASH GARDEN HANDS

FEATURE SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPH TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM

WHICH STYLE TO CHOOSE

Following the heart RETURNING TO THE VILLAGE WHERE SHE GREW UP, HANNAH GRAY HAS CREATED A WELCOMING HOME FILLED WITH PRETTY ACCESSORIES

YO R K S H I R E V I L L AG E H O U S E

Living room Hannah (opposite, outside her front door) has warmed up the scheme with a plum feature wall and pulled out the shade with accessories. Walls, painted in Ammonite by Farrow & Ball. Feature wall, painted in Juniper by Neptune. Woodburner, Dovre. Heart wreaths, Next and West Barn Interiors.

Purple sofa, HomeSense.

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YO R K S H I R E V I L L AG E H O U S E

The Easter egg wreath is by Gisela Graham.

Living room Hannah’s love of plaid is evident. Sofa, Christopher Pratts Furniture.

Cushions, Dunelm. Footstool, Maison Home Interiors.

What makes this house a home…

‘The spacious kitchen-diner – it provides a great family space where we can all spend time together’

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Kitchen-diner Roof windows and French doors ensure the dining area is ďŹ lled with natural light. Hannah found the French chair in an antiques shop and the bench (opposite, below right) is an upcycled piece. Table, Ercol.

Chairs, Christopher Pratts Furniture.

Cabinets, Howdens. Patisserie sign and cushions, Style By Stars.

Heart-shaped stool and cushions (opposite, on bench), Perfectly Lovely Interiors. Clock (opposite), Baytree Interiors. Walls, painted in Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball.

Flooring, Karndean.

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Conservatory Hannah has used checks, spots, stripes and star motifs to add interest to the neutral scheme. Sofa, Next.

Throw on sofa, Ikea. Cushions, HomeSense. Floor lamp, similar from Very. Coffee table, painted in Purbeck Stone by Farrow & Ball. Footstool, HomeSense. Candlesticks, jug, Style By Stars.

YO R K S H I R E V I L L AG E H O U S E

Born and brought up in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside,

Hannah Gray and her husband Mal were keen to move from their new-build on a housing estate to the village where Hannah grew up and where her parents still live. ‘It’s such a lovely place to be and to bring up a family,’ says Hannah.

It was Hannah’s mum who spotted the house where they now live. ‘The property itself was not very appealing but the location drew us to it,’ says Hannah. It had no kerb appeal and it needed decorating, but we fell in love with the location on the outskirts of the village, overlooking fields for miles. We could be a part of the village community yet be in the countryside, too.’

The previous owners had lived in the house for 30 years.

It had been extended but the layout didn’t work for Hannah and Mal. Another problem they faced was the very small kitchen.

‘We wanted to open up the interior and have a large family kitchen. We were also keen to add a conservatory,’ says Hannah.

The family moved into Hannah’s parents’ home while the house was gutted. ‘The day we got the keys, we came round with a sledgehammer and started knocking down walls!’ she says.

‘There wasn’t a wall, floor or ceiling that we didn’t touch.’

The kitchen was the priority because it was so small. Next door to it was a dark, panelled dining room that had no natural light, so Hannah and Mal decided to knock through to create one spacious room. Hannah was keen to create a country feel and so she incorporated classic Shaker-style units, an island and a purple range cooker to add colour. While the kitchen was being worked on, the couple also decided to build a conservatory to give them more space, with an architect drawing up plans to Hannah’s specifications. ‘We wanted to have an open-plan kitchen-diner with a family room, as we had a separate living room at the front of the house that the grown-ups could enjoy in the evening.’

The whole house was a building site for months. ‘We spent weeks with plywood across the back of the house because the conservatory wasn’t built until spring 2015,’ says Hannah. ‘We had moved in before Christmas 2014 and so it was freezing for four months until the conservatory was finished.’ The house was rewired, replumbed, replastered and new heating was installed.

Upstairs, there were originally five bedrooms, but one was very small so it was knocked through to create a larger main bedroom.

When it came to decorating, neutral shades were used to create a cohesive look throughout. ‘I can add colour with accessories if I want a change,’ says Hannah. ‘I like the way I can alter schemes according to the seasons and move things around.’ The living room is Hannah’s favourite room. ‘It’s south-facing and gets the loveliest light. I’ve filled it with Abraham Moon plaids and Bronte by Moon throws as I’m a big fan and they’re located nearby.’

The whole family agree they have found the perfect place to bring up the children. ‘It’s very homely and the views that we have are simply beautiful. We can climb over the stile and head out to walk in the countryside for miles.’ ☎ Hannah Gray Interiors, hannahgrayinteriors.co.uk.

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Hannah Gray, an interior designer, and her husband Mal, an electrician. They live here with sons William, five, and baby Archie, plus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poppy and Shih Tzu Brooke, and Darcy and Brodie the cats.

House A 1930s house with four bedrooms. They moved in in 2014.

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YO R K S H I R E V I L L AG E H O U S E

Bathroom The washstand injects a country feel.

Washstand, bath (left), Roper Rhodes.

What we love most about living here…

‘We are close to Leeds, Harrogate and Ilkley, but still get to enjoy a village life in the countryside’

Archie’s room The blue chest of drawers was upcycled by Hannah’s mum.

Curtains, Charlotte Briscoe Interiors. Cot, Argos.

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Country Homes & Interiors

Main bedroom The oversized headboard was made by Mal. Cushions, (beige) Style By Stars and (pink) Laura Ashley.

Throws, Bronte by Moon.

Chest of drawers, similar from Wayfair. Mirror, Ikea.

Armchair, Christopher Pratts Furniture. Cushion (on armchair), Matalan.

Curtains, Asda. Mirror (opposite page, centre right), Style By Stars.

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YO R K S H I R E V I L L AG E H O U S E

*

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

Visit… ‘Harewood House (0113 288 6252, harewood.org) at Harewood near Leeds, a beautiful country house with more than 100 acres of gardens. Children love the adventure playground.’

Shop at… ‘The Bramhope Deli (0113 261 4776, thebramhopedeli. co.uk) in Bramhope near Leeds.

It is a foodie haven selling fine preserves and chutneys, gourmet sandwiches and Lishman’s pork pies and sausage rolls.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Roebuck (01943 463063, roebuckpub.co.uk) in Otley. You’ll find cosy fires and delicious pub food, and it is great after a walk round the reservoirs.’

Hannah heads out for a walk along the country lanes near her home with Poppy and Brooke.

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FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES

»

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ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Hannah’s living room Make the chimney breast the stand-out feature by painting above the mantel.

Inject a note of luxury with on-trend purple.

Burlington crystal lamp base, H58xW18xD18cm, £185; Henry shade, H25xDia50cm, col Damson, £50, both Neptune.

Add vibrancy to your living area with beautiful flowers that last all year.

Summer shades bouquet, H65xW50cm (vase not included), £115.99, Blooming Artificial.

Hang this rustic, country charmer for a sentimental touch.

Wicker heart, H93cmxW67cm, £57.95, Melody Maison.

This heritage-inspired shade lends a muted subtlety.

May Queen, £18.50 for 2.5L flat matt, Period Collection, Crown Paints.

For storage and comfort, choose this multi-tasking piece.

Elliot large lift-top footstool, H44x W130xD65cm, col Highland Check Grape, £625, Laura Ashley.

FEATURE NIKKI BRADLEY

Modern country classic Inspired by the classic Chesterfield, the button-back sofa works as a distinctive centrepiece in any room. With elegant scrolled arms and button detailing, its timeless silhouette continues to

Hannah’s style secret Flowers will always bring a burst of colour to any room – perfect for an instant, seasonal update!

Button-back sofa

be a favourite of country homes, both modern and traditional. Today’s designs are refreshingly versatile, boasting a wide choice of upholstery finishes, ensuring something for every taste, style and budget.

Where to buy…

•Perch & Parrow for desirable and unique styles.

•Loaf for English handcrafted pieces with great attention to detail.

•Made for high-end designs at accessible prices.

Country Homes & Interiors

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SOMERSET MILL CONVERSION

Nature notes INSPIRED BY THE LOCAL WILDLIFE AND SCENERY, MICHELLE SAMES BROUGHT A FRESH NEW LOOK TO A RUNDOWN MILL HOUSE AND NOW ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A COMFORTABLE COUNTRY HOME

The tranquil surroundings of the property were a big attraction for Michelle.

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Hallway Dark wooden ceiling beams have been painted off-white to instantly maximise the sense of height. Walls, painted in Yes Your Honour

by Fired Earth. Chair, The Salcombe Trading Company.

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SOMERSET MILL CONVERSION

House The three-storey mill and adjoining miller’s cottage have been converted into a spacious, family-friendly home.

Once

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AT HOME WITH...

Owners Michelle Sames and her husband Barry, who own homewares company The Salcombe Trading Company. They have three grown-up children, Emily, Will and Holly, plus Teddie the Westie.

House Converted mill, built around 1850. The couple moved here in May 2015.

their children had left home, Michelle and Barry Sames decided the time had come to move to somewhere smaller. They chose a quaint period cottage in Bath, but soon realised they had rather jumped the gun. ‘We had a gorgeous little cottage, but we couldn’t fit everyone in it!’ says Michelle. ‘Our children are often back at weekends, along with their friends.

I love having a houseful, and it just wasn’t working.’

Seasoned renovators Michelle and Barry started looking to upsize again. As well as room for friends and family, Michelle had in mind a south-facing property with character and, ideally, near water.

Before long, they had secured a large, converted 19th-century mill, complete with mill race, in an idyllic North Somerset village. The space and setting were perfect, but the interior, which had barely been touched for 30 years, needed a complete overhaul.

After they moved in, Michelle spent most of the first year getting acquainted with the property and designing a total refurbishment. Upgraded plumbing and heating, a remodelled staircase and hall, new kitchen and bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling redecoration were all included. She was also keen to improve the layout and introduce a more cohesive feel. ‘I wanted to knock the dining room and kitchen

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What we love most about living here...

‘The peaceful surroundings and the amazing sunsets – we get a spectacular show most nights’

Kitchen and utility room Beyond the kitchen, chunky reclaimed Welsh slate cobbles add a bold, rustic touch to this practical space. Reclaimed cobbles, Wells Reclamation.

Pheasant tea towels, Sophie Allport.

SOMERSET MILL CONVERSION

Kitchen A palette of soothing greys is easy on the eye. Vermont units, painted in Oak Apple by Fired Earth.

Pendants, Neptune. Flooring, tiles, Mandarin Stone.

Dining area The old dresser has been updated. Dresser, painted in Malachite

by Fired Earth.

together to make a big area for cooking, entertaining and relaxing. The other problem was having so many steps. We levelled the floors on each storey, which was a major job but it’s made a huge difference.’

The couple moved out temporarily and, thanks to Michelle’s meticulous planning, the bulk of the renovation work was completed in a matter of months.

From the outset, Michelle had a strong vision for the interior, inspired by the rural West Country location.

‘I’d describe my taste as modern country with old and new, and a dash of Scandi style,’ she says. ‘It definitely has to feel luxurious and comfortable, so there are tweeds, plaids and simple prints, often with a rustic theme. It’s important to me to have natural elements so I’ve included materials like wool, wood, linen and stone.’

The spacious entrance hall sets the scene with a pale limestone floor, welcoming open fire and eye-catching, log-stacked alcove. Michelle has used the same off-white and grey tones to anchor each room, with accent colours inspired by the many pheasants that potter in the garden and neighbouring fields. ‘I love the vivid blues, greens and rusts in pheasant feathers,’ she says.

‘I’ve found ochre, taupe and even pink in there, too, so it’s given me plenty of scope.’

With sociability at the heart of their home, Michelle and Barry put a lot of their energy and budget into

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Living room This cosy space is perfect for Michelle and Barry to relax in when they’re on their own. Sofas, The Salcombe Trading Company.

Snug This room, which adjoins the kitchen-diner, has a more contemporary vibe. Sofa, Sofa.com.

What makes this house a home...

‘The people in it – it’s buzzing most of the time and I like nothing better than having friends and family here relaxing and enjoying it with us’

SOMERSET MILL CONVERSION

Guest bedroom

the kitchen-dining area. By combining two rooms they created a generous space that naturally lends itself to distinct cooking and dining zones. At one end, Shaker-style wall cabinetry flanks a white Aga, which was a priority item on Michelle’s must-have list.

A large, granite-topped island bridges the kitchen and dining area, and pale, wood-look floor tiles link the room’s two ends. The dining space is open to one of the two sitting rooms, a modern, light-filled extension to the original mill building. ‘This is where the children and their friends and partners congregate,’ she says.

The thoughtful design means the upstairs space also works well regardless of how many people are in the house. Five comfortable bedrooms and three elegant bathrooms are spread over the two upper levels. The distinctive pheasant-feather palette lends each bedroom its own personality, and Michelle has combined modern country furniture with decorative details like painted wood panelling, subtle colour-blocking and wallpaper.

‘This was a challenging project and quite stressful at times,’ says Michelle. ‘But we’re thrilled that everyone loves spending time here. That’s why we did it.’ ☎ The Salcombe Trading Company, 01225 334281, salcombetrading.co.uk.

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Bathroom The streamlined decor creates a spa-like feel, while the nickel-plated bath and pillar taps make an impressive focal point.

Bath, shower, floor tiles, Fired Earth.

FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE

A modern take on a four-poster gives unique character. Bed, painted in Mercury by Fired Earth.

Bedside chests, Linum.

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

Visit... ‘Stourhead (01747 841152, nationaltrust.org.uk/ stourhead) near Mere in Wiltshire. It’s a beautiful Palladian house with incredible landscaped gardens. Also, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath’s little sister town, with

heavenly, honey-coloured stone buildings. Walk, cycle or take a barge along the canal, or browse the shops and enjoy a tempting afternoon tea.’

Shop at... ‘The Fig Store (01225 428031, thefigstore.com) in Bath for rustic homewares

that are perfect for adding a homely touch to an interior.’

Go for a meal at...

‘Timbrell’s Yard (01225 869492, timbrellsyard. com) in Bradford-on-Avon.

This lovely converted riverside warehouse serves delicious food.’

Guest bedroom Michelle had chunky tongue-and-groove panelling installed to give the room character.

Cushions, The Salcombe Trading Company.

Blankets, Melin Tregwynt.

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Michelle’s guest bedroom Go wild with a country animal print!

Cairngorms fabric, col Loch, £50m, Voyage.

Position this lamp at the perfect angle for bedtime reading.

Hanson wall light in Nickel, H14xD36.5cm, £135; candle shade, H12xDia15cm, col Royal Oyster, £15.90, both Jim Lawrence.

Celebrate British wildlife and country living with animated motifs on soft furnishings.

This lacquered oak chest has a charming bedside manner!

Charlton Green painted bedside drawers, H60xW48x D40cm, £149, The Cotswold Company.

Choose long-lasting luxury that’s soft underfoot.

Bell twist carpet, col Moonstone, £39.99sqm, Brintons.

Michelle’s style secret Layer softly textured, oversized and inviting Welsh blankets to add warmth and colour.

Welcome guests with a bright statement weave and comfort essential.

Knot-garden throw, 150x180cm, col Indigo, £149, Melin Tregwynt.

Modern Country Classic Picture shelf

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Country Homes & Interiors

wood designs lend character to rustic schemes, while a contrast-colour painted finish can give an edge in both traditional and modern settings. Change displays each season for a quick cost-effective room update.

Where to buy...

•Willow & Stone for handmade, solid oak designs in a range of lengths.

•Neptune for clean lines and modern country appeal.

•The Organised Home for sleek, contemporary styles.

FEATURE NIKKI BRADLEY

Slim in profile and versatile in nature, these super-handy ledges are perfect for displaying anything and everything from favourite art collections in the living room to bedtime books in the children’s room. Crafted

Rural idyll A YEAR-LONG RENOVATION HAS TRANSFORMED A DATED NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COTTAGE INTO TORI AND RICH GREEN’S FOREVER HOME

Cottage The Greens’ charming village home has 17th-century origins. The extension on the right was once an outbuilding and was modified in the 19th century. Similar door and window paint, Teresa’s Green by Farrow & Ball.

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

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

Kitchen Warmed by the Aga, this is Tori and Rich’s favourite room. Units, painted in Hague Blue and Ammonite

by Farrow & Ball. Globe pendants, Jim Lawrence.

Pottery (on shelves), Jane Lowth. Tiles (behind Aga), Towcester Tiles.

When you work long days, and spend several

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AT HOME WITH...

Owners Tori Green, who works in research and development in the food industry, and her husband, Rich, a lecturer. They bought the cottage in 2016 and live here with Milly, a Lab-Cocker-Collie cross, and Poppy the cat.

House Three-bedroom cottage, parts of which date back to the 1600s.

hours commuting, you need your home to be your haven, a relaxing sanctuary for the weekends and precious evenings when you are reunited with your partner. Two years ago, Tori and Rich Green were living in a narrow mid-terrace. Although it was spread out over three floors, it felt very small, had no garden, and the Leicestershire village location wasn’t the best for either of their commutes. The couple were desperate to find something larger, and somewhere more convenient so they could each spend less time on the road, and more time together.

‘We couldn’t believe our luck when we found this old cottage,’ says Tori. ‘It’s full of character with its inglenook fireplace and wonky exposed beams, and is situated at the heart of a welcoming little Northamptonshire village; plus, it has a beautiful secluded garden that backs on to a stream, with dense woodland and rolling hills beyond; we couldn’t have asked for much more.’

But as idyllic and picturesque as the cottage looks now, with its Farrow & Ball colour scheme and rustic antique fittings, it needed quite a lot of work. ‘We were a little disappointed to discover several

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What we love most about living here…

‘Having the perfect setting for chilling out; now our favourite things to do are spending time in the garden and relaxing by the fire’

Living room This cosy space is in the oldest part of the house, featuring a huge inglenook fireplace, and a leather armchair that belonged to Tori’s great-grandfather.

Walls, painted in Sutcliffe Green by Farrow & Ball. Footstool, La Residence Interiors. Throw, cushion, John Lewis.

Shutters, Thomas Sanderson.

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

Living room Textured cushions with a folksy pattern add drama to the simple herringbone sofa. Sofa, yellow cushions, John Lewis.

Tori and Rich love the rolling hills of the Northamptonshire countryside.

problems: the Aga was dangerous, the chimneys were blocked by birds’ nests, and the radiators and boiler system were not sealed properly.’

Unperturbed and full of excitement at the thought of creating their forever home, Tori and Rich rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into all the cleaning, fixing, building and decorating that would take less than a year to complete despite their busy work schedules.

After rectifying the more dangerous problems, the to-do list included a new kitchen, an en-suite bathroom, two fires, and the re-decoration of each bedroom, the dining room, hall, stairs and landing.

They also removed a redundant landing area located between the main bedroom and living room, and in its place installed a walk-in wardrobe with a ‘secret’ trapdoor – useful for an emergency fire escape and also for kids who want to play hide and seek.

In addition, to lend a little more character to the windows, they removed the existing frilly curtains and had locally made interior shutters installed throughout most of the house.

‘To save money and to feel part of the renovation, we project-managed and designed everything ourselves, and we tackled some of the painting and

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Country Homes & Interiors

En suite (Also left) A copper roll-top bath adds the wow factor. Walls, painted in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball.

Bath, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Rug, John Lewis.

Wall tiles, Towcester Tiles.

Floor, Stone World.

upholstery,’ says Tori. ‘We made sure we used local tradespeople rather than large national firms as much as possible; I think you get much better service as, generally, small businesses rely on personal recommendations much more. Our carpenter, Daventry-based Paul Wrist, for instance, is a true master craftsman; and our painter Neil Pendleton has done his utmost to ensure our home is finished to a high standard – he was particularly patient and meticulous around the outside window frames, the fiddly beams, and on the kitchen units; he also helped guide us to choose some really beautiful colours that we may not have chosen without his help.’

Rich has taken on some of the smaller jobs such as the log store and shed – both of which were completed with original roofing tiles found in the garden. Future plans include replacing the old garage with a carport that is more in keeping with the house; building a small conservatory, a greenhouse and perhaps extending into the loft.

‘Thanks to everyone who has helped with the cottage and the neighbours who have welcomed us into the village, we feel very settled and lucky that we found our forever home,’ says Tori. ‘We still pinch ourselves sometimes: we are living in the house of our dreams.’

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Country Homes & Interiors

FEATURE NAOMI JONES PHOTOGRAPHS ROBERT SANDERSON

Main bedroom A fresh scheme allows the wood beams and drawers to take centre stage. Walls, painted in French Gray by Farrow & Ball. Bed, The Original Bedstead Company.

Blankets, cushions, John Lewis.

Chest of drawers, Willis & Gambier.

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

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

Visit… ‘Badby Woods (woodlandtrust.org.uk). It is beautiful in every season, but particularly during April/ May with its spectacular carpet of bluebells. It’s owned by the Fawsley Estate but is open to the public.’

Shop at… ‘Skylark Farm (01327 300471, skylarkfarm. co.uk) for local produce. There’s a café so you can enjoy freshly prepared meals – and glorious, bucolic views.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Red Lion (01295 760050, theredlionculworth.co.uk) in Culworth, serving arguably the best burgers in England, slow-roasted pork shoulder, rack of lamb, and smoked haddock fishcakes. They’ll exchange surplus homegrown veg for meal and drinks vouchers.’

Nearby Badby Woods is accessed through the beautiful remains of an estate gatehouse.

ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Tori’s bathroom Today’s bathroom forecast is raining modern technology with a touch of bygone elegance!

Chatsworth thermostatic shower bar valve with diverter, rigid riser and fixed head, H125x D69cm, £249.95, Victorian Plumbing.

Incorporate the trend for exposed pipework with characterful taps and freestanding towel rails in copper, brass and nickel.

Partner this industrial-style semi-flush ceiling light fitting with an oversized Edison-style bulb and prepare to be dazzled.

Mullan Riad globe ceiling light fitting in Antique Brass, Dia20cm, £79, Made To Last.

Give your wet-room floor a practical update with this scrubbable, versatile floorcovering.

Diamond indoor/ outdoor rug, 61x91cm, col Denim/White, £50, Dash & Albert Europe at Wayfair.

Dry off in luxurious stripy, terry cotton bliss!

Jazz hand towel, 40x70cm, £14.50,

by Missoni Home at Amara.

Tori’s style secret Maximise storage potential with clever built-in solutions that save on space in unconventional layouts.

Dramatise walls with this stormy-sea hue, formulated to resist moisture, staining and general wear and tear.

Marine Blue, £59 for 2.5L intelligent eggshell, Little Greene.

Modern Country Classic Bateau bath

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Country Homes & Interiors

fashionable elite – desired for their generous depth and heat-retaining qualities.

Modern freestanding options have a contemporary edge with sleek, polished exteriors in copper, cast-iron and colour-painted finishes.

Where to buy...

•The Cast Iron Bath Company for handcrafted British-built models.

•William Holland for metallic finishes.

•Drummonds for flatbottomed and footed options.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

These iconic roll-top tubs are perfectly suited to a country bathroom. Their name comes from the French for boat, owing to their similar silhouette. In the early 19th century, they were a must-have for the

Restoration piece JEMIMA WITHEY HAS GIVEN AN OLD HOUSE A NEW LEASE OF LIFE, CREATING AN OPULENT INTERIOR WITH A WEALTH OF SUMPTUOUS FABRICS AND WALLPAPERS

SUFFOLK LONGHOUSE

Hallway This Grade II-listed Suffolk longhouse stands in 16 acres. As you enter, the hallway’s stunning architecture makes for an impressive welcome. Wallpaper, faux silk by Zoffany.

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Kitchen White units are offset with an island, wallpaper and splashback in bold blue. Cabinets and stools, Neptune.

Pendant lights, similar from Grace & Glory Home.

Dining area The large open-plan space is the heart of the home. Table and chairs, Ilva. Pendant lights, John Lewis.

It was a case of going from one extreme to the other when

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AT HOME WITH...

Owners Jemima Withey, who owns The Turks Head in Hasketon, and her husband Dominic, a property developer. They live here with their daughters Isabella, 16, and Georgia, 14, Staffy Betty and French Bulldog Gertie, Grape the cat and various chickens.

House A 17th-century Grade II-listed Suffolk longhouse with Victorian and more modern additions that has seven bedrooms.

Jemima Withey and her family moved from a very modern house to an old period property. They were living on the outskirts of a Suffolk town in a Bauhaus-style house – a contemporary home they had built themselves. ‘The children were tiny and we didn’t have dogs then,’ says Jemima. ‘As time went on, we really wanted a period house with land and spent a while looking for the right property. Then, however, we decided to have a gap year and took the children out of school for two terms in 2012 to travel around the world.’

As luck would have it, the day before they left for their trip, the estate agent phoned up and said, ‘There’s something you might want to have a look at.’

A 17th-century longhouse with a stunning façade, 16 acres of land and a lake had come on the market. ‘We were immediately taken with it,’ says Jemima. ‘The same family had lived in it for 50 years. It needed a lot of TLC but we fell in love with the plot, the outlook and the bare bones of it. We knew we could put our stamp on it and the location was ideal. We knew this could be a great family home for us.’

Buying the house, however, became something of a rollercoaster. It was sold to another buyer before, eventually, the sale fell through. A few months into Jemima and

»

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Country Homes & Interiors

SUFFOLK LONGHOUSE Snug The wallpaper is an early 20th-century design and is combined with rich blues and purples to create an eclectic feel. Wallpaper, Chinese Peony by Sanderson.

Sofa, similar from Arlo & Jacob.

Floor lamp, Lombok.

What makes this house a home…

‘Definitely the members of the family living here and, of course, our pets’

SUFFOLK LONGHOUSE

Music room The neutral palette is enlivened with Jemima’s favourite blue.

Curtains, fabric by Zoffany.

Sofa, armchairs, The Sofa & Chair Company. Cushions and throw (opposite, top left), John Lewis.

Dominic’s trip, they agreed to buy it, completing when they returned to the UK later in the summer.

Planning permission had to be obtained to do the extensions the family wanted, so they remained in their Bauhaus-style house while the initial work was done, which took six months. They then lived in a caravan in the garden for five months before finally moving into their new home.

‘The first job was to redirect the drive because the entrance was at a blind turning,’ says Jemima. ‘When our planning permission came through, we were then able to build an extension to create a large kitchen-diner and living area as well as a main bedroom with a dressing room and bathroom above the new kitchen.’

Next, the Witheys embarked upon the restoration of the original part of the house and its outbuildings. ‘We found outbuildings we didn’t know we had – they were overgrown with brambles!’ The house had to be reroofed, replumbed, rewired and replastered. New floors were put in, as well as new central heating. ‘Every time we removed an internal wall, there was something scary behind it,’ says Jemima. ‘We found a DIY skylight in the roof and vanity units in every bedroom.’

The design of the rooms was carefully considered. ‘We tried to repurpose the space rather than changing the

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Country Homes & Interiors

Bathroom The deep blue ceiling highlights the iridescent tiles and makes the space seem much cosier. Ceiling, Pitch Blue by Farrow & Ball is similar. Mosaic tiles, similar from Tiles of Stow.

Landing Stunning architecture lends an air of grandeur.

Window seat cushion, fabric by Sanderson.

What we love most about living here…

‘The friendly people and the amazing scenery, from the countryside to the sea’

Main bedroom Jemima has incorporated splashes of red to add a touch of drama.

Curtains, fabric by Osborne & Little. Wallpaper, similar from Wallpaper Direct.

Guest bedroom A classic sleigh bed is teamed with another decorative wallpaper. Bed, similar from Simon Horn. Wallpaper, similar from Zoffany.

Lamps, Porta Romana.

»

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*

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

Visit… ‘Snape Maltings (01728 688303, snapemaltings.co.uk) in Snape – you’ll find a concert hall, exhibitions, shops and cafés.’

Shop at… ‘Vanil (07702 877081, vanil.co.uk) in Woodbridge for Scandinavian-inspired gifts and home decor.’

Go for a meal at… ‘Obviously our pub, The Turks Head (01394 610343, theturksheadhasketon.co.uk) in Hasketon, which serves delicious food and real ale, but also The Table (01394 382428, thetablewoodbridge. co.uk) in Woodbridge, which has a relaxed brasserie-style restaurant.’

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES

layout – so, for instance, a nook behind a chimney breast on the first floor was made into a new dressing area.’

Once the work was finished, Jemima was able to create a cosy yet elegant interior with a nod to practicality. ‘I like classic modern style. I’ve incorporated fabrics and used faux silk wallpaper throughout the house as it has a nice visual texture. I’ve used wallpaper in a lot of areas – which is not something I’ve done before. The interior is now warm and homely and suitable for a busy family with dogs and cats.’

Bold blues are a favourite. ‘I keep coming back to deep blue – I find it a comforting shade. I’ve used it in the kitchen and in our living room, which is a grown-up, dog- and cat-free space,’ she says. In the snug, Jemima chose a wallpaper that complements the mouldings on the ceiling. ‘I’ve gone for a more classical feel with some quirky touches.’

Beautiful gardens surround the property and complement its period style. ‘The landscaping took place after the building work was completed and it’s still a work in progress,’ she says. Like the garden, the restoration of the house has involved a lot of hard work, but Jemima feels it has been worth it. ‘Until you live in a place, it’s hard to get it 100% right. Although it’s a large house, we’ve created a warm and welcoming home that works really well for us.’

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ROOM IDEAS

Be inspired by

Jemima’s kitchen Choose an elegantly proportioned bowl and make it the focal point of the island.

Pleat-footed bowl, H13cmxDia 28.5cm, £60, LSA International.

Add to the welcoming ambience of your kitchen with a cloche shade, inspired by antique hurricane lanterns.

June pendant light, H29xDia14cm, £49, Light & Living at Houseology.

Hang an odd number of pendants – three or five works well – over your island unit for smart task lighting.

Offset white units and add texture and warmth with a bold-patterned blind.

Nazca fabric, col Indian Blue, £16m, John Lewis.

Jemima’s style secret Make a strong style statement in your kitchen with a coloured-glass splashback in your favourite shade.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Modern Country Classic Originally designed for informal meals (and in some homes, replacing the dining table), the breakfast bar has evolved into a hub that reflects today’s busy lifestyles and need for multifunctional areas. As well as adding an

Lay traditional tiles in a mix of rich reds and deep ochres.

Reclaimed terracotta tiles, 29x15cm, £4.99 each or £109.82sqm, Fired Earth.

Take Shaker style one step further with this stool with ball-back detail.

Suffolk painted bar stool, H103xW44x D49cm, £310, Neptune.

Circular breakfast bar

extra worktop, circular space-saving designs often include storage, while providing a place to perch for everything from home working to reading the weekend paper, plus informal social gatherings.

Where to buy...

•Earthy Timber for bespoke worktops by skilled artisans.

•Evoke Furniture for efficient schemes to suit all styles.

•Worktop Express for a range of wood choices, either built-in or freestanding.

Country Homes & Interiors

69

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SEASONAL LOOKS

Hello

BLOSSOM Create the perfect country setting for Easter celebrations inspired by the pale pink and scarlet hues of the crab apple tree, then get crafty with vintage-style Easter decorations and gifts. For the finishing touch, adorn your home with boughs of blossom and garden pickings for a joyful springtime!

MAKE PATCHWORK EGGS â&#x153;˝

Simply cut out small, randomly shaped pieces of patterned fabric and stick onto a polystyrene egg using PVA glue and a glue brush. Insert a cocktail stick into the egg and push into a potato (or similar) to dry. Paint on clear varnish to seal, and allow to dry overnight. See page 80 for details.

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Country Homes & Interiors

HOP INTO THE GARDEN ✽

Enjoy sunny spring afternoons on a perfectly peachy styled bench. Add easy comfort with floral-print cushions, and tuck in a cute bunny. Position potted blossoming trees and spring blooms nearby for colour and scent. See page 80 for details.

»

SIT PRETTY â&#x153;˝

Decorate your garden room, conservatory or dining room to serve Easter treats. Cut boughs of blossom for a zinc bucket centrepiece. Echo its petals with plain and printed fabric napkins, scarlet-pink painted chairs and fresh green cushions.

See page 80 for details.

SEASONAL LOOKS

SEW YOUR OWN NAPKINS ✽

Use offcuts and samples to match your theme. Cut fabric into your desired size (roughly 45cm sq). Iron a narrow folded hem to hide the raw edges. You may need to snip off corners so that the hem lies flat.

Pin hem, then topstitch in place around edge.

See page 80 for details.

»

Country Homes & Interiors

75

SEASONAL LOOKS

SERVE DRINKS â&#x153;˝

Hand around refreshing drinks in ďŹ&#x201A;oral motif glasses on a pretty tray decorated with sprigs of blossom. Keep it fun with nostalgic paper party straws.

See page 80 for details.

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Country Homes & Interiors

DISPLAY EASTER VASES ✽

Create a laid-back floral display by arranging spring flowers and blossom in glass jars and vases. Tie on vintage postcards with jute twine and add handpainted bird decorations, like these by Elizabeth Harbour. See page 80 for details.

»

SEASONAL LOOKS

ARRANGE A SPRING SHELFIE â&#x153;½

Make an Easter display on a shelf or mantelpiece by propping up botanical books, alongside bowls of freshly laid eggs and blossom-laden boughs.

See page 80 for details.

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Country Homes & Interiors

APPLE BLOSSOM WREATH YOU WILL NEED... ✽ Wire wreath frame ✽ Fresh moss ✽ Blossom

Here’s how...

Pack a wire wreath frame with fresh moss (buy it from a florist’s or garden centre).

Secure the moss in place by binding florist wire around the frame, trapping the moss onto the frame. Next, cut little sprigs of blossom and tuck the stalks under the wire used to secure the moss. Work your way around the frame until all the moss is covered in flowers.

When the blossom has faded, the moss ring can be dampened and reused as a base to hold other spring or summer flowers.

See page 80 for details.

»

EASTER CRACKERS YOU’LL NEED... ✽ Cardboard toilet-roll tubes ✽ Patterned papers, cut into 30x15cm pieces ✽ Double-sided tape ✽ Sticky tape ✽ Scissors ✽ Treats for inside the crackers ✽ Cracker snaps (try Amazon) ✽ Decorative ribbon or string

Here’s how...

1 Place a cardboard tube centrally on the long edge of one of the pieces of paper, holding it in place with double-sided tape. Thread a cracker snap through the tube and tape it down with sticky tape to one side of the paper. Stick some double-sided tape along the far side of the paper, roll the toilet-roll tube up in the paper. The paper should slightly overlap where it meets. Peel the backing off the tape and stick in place.

2 Gently pinch and twist the paper at one end of the tube. Tie a length of ribbon or string around it to hold in place, then fill the tube with treats, jokes or whatever you like. Now you’ve filled your cracker, tie a ribbon around the other end. Make enough for each of your guests, plus a few extra to use as decorations around your dining room.

See page 80 for details.

Get creative with beautiful flowering boughs of blossom, indoors and out, to evoke the changing of the seasons

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SEASONAL LOOKS

All the details

PRODUCTS AND PRICES

*

Pages 72-73

Polystyrene 6cm eggs, £1.70 for 3; clear varnish, from £1.50, both Hobbycraft.

Liberty fabrics, from £15.95m, Liberty London. Vintage botanical book, £8, eBay.

HOP INTO THE GARDEN Vintage wooden bench, £650; dolly tub (to right of bench), £90; crate (under bench), £20; plant pots, £3 each; red lantern, £15; basket, £25, all from a selection, Packhouse. Bench, painted in Pink Slip, £65 for 2.5L intelligent exterior eggshell, Little Greene. Cushions (from left): 1 Camilla FP, made to order, from £50, Charlotte Gaisford. 2 Primrose Hill,

Pages 74-75

Pages 76-77

SIT PRETTY Curtain, Oleander, col Fuchsia/Sky Blue, 222081, £56m; napkin (on chair), Primrose Hill, as before; napkins (on plates), Poppy Damask, as before, and Lamorna, col Cream/Ivory, 221952, £35m, all Sanderson at Style Library. Melamine vintage table, £220, from a selection, Packhouse. Wooden chairs, £10 each, from a selection, Salvation Army Charity Shop; painted in Leather £61 for 2.5L flat oil eggshell, Little Greene. Vintage French white slatted garden chair, £55 for 2, from a selection, Decorative Country Living.

Cushion (on chair), Tea for Two, col Green, made to order, from £50, Charlotte Gaisford. Table runner, made from

SEW YOUR OWN NAPKINS Table, as before. Side plate, as before.

Primrose Hill fabric, as before; Poppy Damask fabric, as before.

DISPLAY EASTER VASES

Wildflower glass tumbler (in centre of tray), £7.50, Sass & Belle. Tall floral glasses, as before. Vintage flower enamel tray, £20, from a selection, Etsy. Stripy paper straws, £2.99 for 30, Talking Tables. Napkin, Lamorna, as before.

Pomp vase, £7; Begärlig vase, £6.50, both Ikea. Vintage glass vase (centre), £14, from a selection, Packhouse. Galvanised flower bucket, as before. Vintage postcards, from £1 each, from a selection, eBay. Hand-painted wooden nest decorations, £4.50 each, Elizabeth Harbour. Pale blue secateurs, £3, Flying Tiger. Natural jute twine, £2.79 for 250g spool, Crocus.

ARRANGE A SPRING SHELFIE

Blue, 212129, £67 a 10m roll, Sanderson at Style Library. Hand-printed tulip gift wrap, col Sea Blue, £15 for 6 sheets, Elizabeth Harbour. 3mm Magenta satin ribbon, 50p m, VV Rouleaux.

Vintage book, £5, eBay. Tumblers, £6.99 each, Katie Alice at Creative Tops. Vintage cake tin, £3, from a selection, Sunbury Antiques Market. Flower plate, £2, Flying Tiger. Napkins, as before. Flower painting by stylist’s grandmother, Lillian Lake.

EASTER CRACKERS Wallpaper, Oleander, col Fuchsia/Sky

Country Homes & Interiors

vintage fabric, from a selection, Sunbury Antiques Market. Green ceramic pot, similar from Ikea. Terracotta plant pot, £3, from a selection, Packhouse. White enamel teapot, £22, Falcon Enamelware. Wooden chopping board, £7, Dunelm. Floral glass, similar from Anthropologie, Noodles Vintage Things at Etsy and Dotcomgiftshop.

Festival Folk side plates, col Pink, £9 each, Katie Alice at Creative Tops. Vintage platter, £12, from a selection, Sunbury Antiques Market. Flower bucket, similar from Crocus.

SERVE DRINKS

Pages 78-79

80

col Cream/Olive, 221941, £35m, Sanderson at Style Library. 3 Hermitage Birds G, made to order, from £50, Charlotte Gaisford. 4 Hand-printed bunny rabbit plushie, £17, The Print Bee. 5 Poppy Damask, col Fuchsia/Cream, 225344, £49m, Sanderson at Style Library. Galvanised bucket, £15, from a selection, Decorative Country Living.

Spring plants and blossom tree, from a selection, Crocus. Camden Green throw, £24, Dunelm. Vintage tablecloth (as curtain), £30, Sunbury Antiques Market. Vintage wooden ampersand, £35, from a selection, The Vintage Wall.

APPLE BLOSSOM WREATH Ten 12in wire ring wreath frames and floristry wire, £8.45, Amazon. Crab apple (Malus x floribunda), from £70 for a 1.5-1.8m tree, Crocus.

NEXT MONTH DRAWN FROM NATURE

FEATURE AND STYLING SELINA LAKE PHOTOGRAPHS SUSSIE BELL

MAKE PATCHWORK EGGS

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Brighten up

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

YOUR BED FOR AN INSTANT SEASONAL REFRESH, WE PICK OUR FAVOURITE DRESS-YOUR-BED LOOKS TO SUIT EVERY STYLE

Country botanicals

Bring the uplifting feel

of spring into your bedroom with painterly, nature-inspired flourishes, abstract markings in vibrant colours and mix-and-match designs.

Pillowcases (from back): 1 Mirabelle Oxford straight, col Green, £26, Cologne & Cotton. 2 Grassflower, £95 for a double bedlinen set, Clarissa Hulse. 3 Tulipani Graphite Embroidered standard, £22, Designers Guild.

4 Botanical, £20, Bluebellgray. Poppy Seedhead screen-printed cushion, £115, Katie Charleson. Similar white pom pom bedspread, £199, The French Bedroom Company. Grey bedspread, similar from Natural Bed Company. Seagrass tray, £40; small Otta woven bamboo lantern, col Natural, £12, both Also Home. Hendon pillowcase, £49 for 2, Sheridan.

Pale pastel design stacking mug, £70 for 4, Gillian Arnold at Notonthehighstreet.com. Book, stylist’s own.

»

Country Homes & Interiors

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

Simple stripes and checks For time-honoured style with a modern twist, opt for check and stripe designs reworked in simplified scales, crisply smooth finishes and subtle sorbet shades.

(From top) Milk & Honey linen pillowcase, £32 for 2, Piglet. Striped Sateen duvet cover, col Pink; Pin Point Shaker Check duvet cover (hanging on chair), col Pink, both from £129 for a single, Lexington. Organic ticking stripe flat sheet, col Ecru/Graphite, from £49 for a single, Toast. Gingham duvet cover, col Duck Egg with White top, from £50 for a single, Pure Living Collection. Eastport duvet set, col Dusk Stripe, from £100 for a double, Wallace Cotton. Anastasia blanket, col Pistachio, £75, Laura Ashley.

Musango mug, £17, Love It Want It Buy It at Notonthehighstreet.com. Chair, similar from Home Barn.

»

Country Homes & Interiors

85

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

Relaxed plain linens

FEATURE & STYLING HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID BRITTAIN

Laze in cosy-soft layers of chalky-hued crushed linen and embrace the crumple factor… it’s time to give the iron a break!

(From top), Pure linen throw, col Dusky Heather, £95, Tolly McRae. Linen pillowcase, col Sky Blue, £16.50; linen duvet cover, col Light Grey, from £129.50 for a double, both Nomads at Bohzaar.

Reversible linen throw, col Charcoal and Lemon Dusk, £170 for a kingsize, Tolly McRae. Washed linen bedlinen, col Soft Blush, from £40 for 2 pillowcases, Cox & Cox. Fringe bedlinen, col Classic White, from £42 for a pillowcase, The Linen Works. Stone-washed rhomb linen duvet cover, col Stone Blue, from £119.99 for a single, LinenMe. Similar rustic wooden ladder shelf, £210, Cox & Cox. Medium bell alarm clock, col Blush Pink, £22, Laura Ashley.

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NEXT MONTH BASKETS

CHOSEN BY US FOR YOU

Garden Birds (left) and Fab Labs are just two of Sophie Allport’s stylish new designs.

SAVE 15% AT

Sophie Allport ENJOY BEAUTIFUL NEW DESIGNS IN SOPHIE ALLPORT’S SPRING COLLECTION OF HOME ACCESSORIES

T

he charming motifs on Sophie Allport’s home accessories are inspired by her love of nature.

This season, she has launched over 250 new products to her collection including some beautiful new designs.

Garden Birds, on a duck egg blue background, captures the beauty of great British birds. You’ll also find a new Sheep collection, the Dinosaur children’s range, and three new dog designs, Fab Labs, Dachshund and Pug, joining the existing Labrador, Terrier and Woof lines.

This month, Sophie Allport is offering

Country Homes & Interiors readers 15% off her entire range, from her best-selling fine bone china and kitchen fabrics to her new bags, children’s items and pet products, so you can enjoy her charming country style in your home for less.

r How to claim your 15% discount Simply visit sophieallport.com and enter code COUNTRYH15 at the checkout, call 01778 560256, quoting the code, or buy in store at 26-27 High Street, Stamford PE9 2AY and 29 King Street Industrial Estate, Langtoft PE6 9NF and show this page at the checkout.

TERMS & CONDITIONS This 15% discount code is available from 1 March 2018 until midnight on 5 April 2018. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. This discount is not valid on sale or reduced items, gift vouchers or postage charges. Only the original page will be accepted in store – no photocopies allowed.

Country Homes & Interiors

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C O U N T RY T R E N D

Let’s talk...

COLOUR POP GLASS THE JUG Flower jug, H15cm, col Anemone/Lime, £30, Dartington.

THE LIGHT Bonnie wall light, Dia27cm, col Turquoise, £129, Pooky.

From water jugs to French-style candlesticks and from floral splashbacks to pendant lights, glass in every colour of the rainbow is having a retro revival. With its translucent qualities, this is a material with radiant and versatile timelessness that lends country spaces a light-filled atmosphere.

In turquoise, lime and lilac hues and with fluted, etched and pressed designs, here’s how to bring bright punches of happiness into every room in your country home.

LIKE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY... ✽ Filling a lime-coloured jug with a bunch

THE TABLE ADDITION Fin de Siecle candlestick, H24cm, col Grey, £19.95, The Hambledon.

of all-white flowers. ✽ Fixing a blue bubble glass wall light to a neutral tongue-and-groove or plank wall. ✽ Mixing up different coloured water glasses on a linen tablecloth.

»

THE DRINKWARE Peony glasses, £80 for 6, Pols Potten at Alresford Linen Company.

THE RECYCLED PICK Hyacinth bulb vases, H16cm, £12.95 each, Finch & Crane.

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THE PARTY GLASS Mixology champagne coupe, H15cm, £225 for 4 assorted, Waterford.

Two or three tonal pieces of coloured glass furniture – think coffee and occasional tables – to give a space a sensory, mood-enhancing feel. ✽ A boldly patterned glass splashback in the kitchen to embrace an eclectic boho country look. ✽ Sparkling glass handles on old cupboards and drawers for an update with a dazzling difference. ✽ Reflective, mixed-toned mosaic glass tiles to add a stunning splash of colour to your bathroom. Bonus? They’re very easy to wipe clean.

THE SERVEWARE Coloured glass plate, Dia16cm, col Blue, £65 for 6, Sophie Conran.

THE LOOK-AT-ME LAMP Orba base, H39cm, £120; shade, Dia50cm, £44, Oka.

THE WOW-FACTOR SPLASHBACK Up The Garden Path splashback, 60cm sq, £270, Emma Britton.

THE DECORATIVE ACCESSORY Jadagrace ribbed glass bottle, H41cm, col Yellow, £78, Out There Interiors.

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Country Homes & Interiors

Coloured glass can be produced in a number of ways, but the most common method involves introducing a transition metal or earth metal oxides to the glass – time to brush up on those chemistry skills!

THE BRUNCH CHOICE Granada juice glasses, H9cm, £6 each, Anthropologie.

NEXT MONTH PRESSED FLOWERS

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DECORATING WITH VINTAGE STYLE BLINDS, CURTAINS AND SHUTTERS SPECIALIST HILLARYS CHALLENGED FASHION AND TEXTILES DESIGNER PEARL LOWE AND HER MODEL DAUGHTER DAISY TO EACH STYLE A ROOM USING WINDOW DRESSINGS FROM ITS COLLECTION. HERE’S HOW THEY GOT ON…

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P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E

Curtains in Toile French Blue, pencil/deep pencil, £163 for L137xW127cm, including measuring and fitting; Roman blinds in Downtown Blue, £155 for L75xW65cm, including measuring and fitting; both Hillarys.

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Curtains in Clarence Chemise, pencil/ deep pencil, £221 for L137xW127cm including measuring and fitting, Hillarys.

hether your take on vintage is laid-back country or effortless glamour, choosing the right window treatment is key.

Blinds, curtains and shutters have the power to transform the look and feel of a room completely, adding texture, colour and depth.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Hillarys asked British fashion and textiles designer Pearl Lowe and her daughter, model Daisy Lowe, to redecorate a room in their own homes with a stylish new look. While the two share a close relationship, the competition was on.

Bedrooms in Pearl’s Somerset home (left) and Daisy’s London home (above) were given a new look. Daisy wanted a stylish sanctuary, so chose white furniture and accessories for her scheme, using the window treatments to add personality by mixing pretty blue toile curtains

and striped Roman blinds.

Pearl, meanwhile, took the opportunity to express her love of soft pink tones and the 1920s, mixing it with boho-style pieces from the 1970s. At the windows, she’s chosen luxurious faux-silk curtains with a clever thermal lining that helps to fill out the fabric while also keeping out draughts.

‘Pink is quite a difficult colour when decorating,’ she advises. ‘There are a lot of pinks out there and they can scream at each other. I think these curtains are a lovely shade – pale but tasteful – so they go beautifully.’

Find out more about Pearl and Daisy’s Mother’s Day Design Challenge and their styling tips at Hillarys.co.uk/ inspiration/pearlanddaisy.

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The country decorator

UNDER-STAIR SPACES FROM BEAUTIFUL BROOM CUPBOARDS TO USEFUL UTILITIES, WE SHOW YOU HOW TO TRANSFORM AWKWARD AREAS UNDER THE STAIRS INTO COUNTRY-STYLE NOOKS

1 Prepare a beautiful, tucked-away PERFECT FOR PETS

country-style den for your pooch to retreat to for a nap, complete with a dog bed in a gorgeous fabric. We like the way a vintage look has been created with a distressed wall shelf that features handy hooks for storing shopping bags and dog leads ready for walks, and a stylish French chair positioned close by for pulling off shoes in comfort.

Dog bed, similar from Susie Watson Designs.

DESIGN SECRETS

Wooden stool, similar from Lombok.

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2 Under-stair cupboards are ideal for storing RO O M F O R T H E B RO O M

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Towels, similar from John Lewis.

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cleaning items – enamel buckets and wooden-handled brushes give a pretty country look. Organise the space to pack away as much as possible. Brooms can be stored on wall-hung clips and an over-thedoor hook rack is a great space-saving solution for brushes and dusters. Pop a step-stool or ladder inside to make reaching awkward corners easier.

3 Don’t hide pretty linens away; show them L I N E N L OV E

off under the stairs. Hunt out a beautiful glazed cabinet – a distressed or decorative one will add the wow factor. Paste scented drawer liners at the back to fragrance the linens ready for use, as well as creating a pleasing background, then pile up neat stacks of linens. Keep the look cohesive by teaming with a matching table for extra impact.

CO M PAC T C L OA K RO O M

4 Tuck away a downstairs loo that’s handy

for visitors. Try to position it on an outside wall so you can include a window, and decorate it in soothing neutrals with natural stone tiles to make it appear larger. If space is tight, make sure the door opens outwards rather than inwards. Compact fittings will go a long way towards saving space, so choose a cloakroom suite.

Cloakroom basin, similar from Bathstore.

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DESIGN SECRETS

Kitchen cabinets, similar from Harvey Jones.

Chair, similar from Ercol.

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5 Bookworms and music fans will love an

CHILL- OUT ZONE

entertainment area with open shelves and cubbyholes so that everything is close to hand. Turn it into a relaxation zone with comfy and practical seating. A padded bench made from pretty fabrics makes a style statement; add cushions for comfort and decorative touches. Under-seat cupboards are perfect for tucking bulkier items away.

6 Even the smallest utility rooms can be chic and well organised. Be inventive and create a stylish closed-off area, with glazed doors to let light in.

Paint in on-trend grey for a modern country feel.

Allow plenty of cupboard room for laundry and cleaning products, with space for appliances. A tall cupboard is ideal to house the ironing board. Add a line for airing washing or a wooden ceiling airer.

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Toaster, similar from Dualit.

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K I T C H E N E SS E N T I A LS

Space is often at a premium in a cottage. Utilise an awkward under-stair area in a kitchen-diner for cupboards. Ease of use and access are vital so employ a carpenter to build Shaker-style cupboards that fit perfectly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with a sloping door to make use of every spare inch. The worksurface can hold small appliances such as the toaster and even a wine rack, while shelving can store gadgets and tools.

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8 You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to designate a whole room

as an office if space is limited in your home.

Be inspired by Scandi chic and opt for an all-white palette and a tongue-and-groove backdrop, then introduce a desk that tucks neatly into the space, or build a custom-sized design attached to the wall with sturdy brackets. With shelves on the wall above and a filing cabinet on wheels beneath the desk, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have everything you need to hand.

Filing cabinet, similar from Ikea.

Br ush up on

THE NEW PAINT SHADES

REVITALISING COLOURS, RELAXING TONES AND STIRRING ACCENTS ARE ON STANDBY FOR YOUR ROOM REFRESH. TAKE YOUR PICK...

FRESH BREEZES, LONGER DAYS, NOW ’S THE TIME TO GET OUT THE COLOUR CHARTS AND BRUSHES for a

painting session. ‘Creating great decorating schemes is a bit like cooking – where colours are your ingredients,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux.

There are currently plenty of country picks from the seasonal colours. Among Crown Paints’ newest colour influences is the Bloom palette of fresh floral tones, on a spectrum from lively green Feeling Fresh to deep pink Fuchsia Fizz and Scrumptious purple. ‘This collection is a joyful acknowledgement of summer promise, where every colourful bloom is layered one over the other,’ says Neville Knott, Crown Paints colour consultant.

For its colour of the year, Dulux has homed in on Heart Wood, a beautiful warm neutral with a hint of heather.

THERE ARE TEMPTING SULTRY SHADES TO TRY, TOO.

‘I love how richer, deeper tones envelop a room to give it a dramatic, artistic and sophisticated ambience,’ says Peter Gomez, head of the Zoffany Studio. ‘Zoffany Poison, a deep green inspired by the patination of oxidised copper, sings out through our new fabrics and wallpapers collection, and has been translated into smooth, velvety paint.’ Rebecca Craig, head of the Sanderson Studio, suggests that ‘paint colours in 2018 are all about introducing strong accent colours including charcoals and blacks. Burn Black is a subtle, chalky blue-black; team it with English Grey for a sophisticated country look.’

EARTHBORN RECENTLY ADDED CAN-CAN RED TO ITS COLLECTION; it looks striking against a pale grey.

And if you fancy a bit of a shimmer, Crown’s metallic emulsion paints now come in eight colours, including the new on-trend Rose Gold.

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Walls, painted in White Opulence OC-69, £22 for 0.94L Regal Select eggshell; door and window frame, painted in Wolf Gray 2127-40, £39.50 for 0.94L Aura Grand Entrance satin; door and window architrave in Moonshine 2140-60; cabinets in Stone 2112-40, both £22 for 0.94L Advance satin, all Benjamin Moore.

ROOM ELEMENTS

Wall, painted in Mustard Jar, £14.50 for 2.5L matt emulsion, Crown Paints.

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Sun shade

One of the essentials for any dining space is a warm, inviting atmosphere. ‘Every yellow has a touch of warmth and optimism, ideal for bringing a sense of positivity into the home, but Mustard Jar in particular is a deep, creamy and non-acidic yellow with earthy tones that evokes images of nature and a sunny spring day,’ says Judy Smith, colour consultant, Crown Paints. ‘The dining room is all about families coming together and enjoying food, and this warm, friendly colour deserves a place.’

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* Stone greys

‘For a modern take on a country kitchen scheme, be sure to include more than one deep neutral shade,’ says Helen Shaw, marketing director, Benjamin Moore. ‘Set against white-painted boarded walls, the stone colour on the cabinets and the dark grey door and window frame demonstrate how to add a hint of interest and depth through beautiful complementary hues.’ Black handles and hinges on the units and door and a black worktop add a cohesive note.

DESIGN TIP LOOK OUT FOR SPECIFIC PAINTS FOR KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS, WHICH CAN COPE WITH A HUMID ATMOSPHERE. MULTIPURPOSE FINISHES, WHICH CAN BE USED ON WOODWORK AS WELL AS WALLS, ARE A PRACTICAL OPTION AND A GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL EGGSHELL AND REFLECTIVE GLOSS PAINTS.

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Wall, painted in Teresa’s Green No.236, £45 for 2.5L estate emulsion; chair, cupboard, in Teresa’s Green No.236, £67 for 2.5L modern eggshell, both Farrow & Ball.

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Similar Farmhouse chair, £500 for 2, Cox & Cox.

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3 Serene greens

Aqua, between blue and green, has a soothing effect: ‘A popular choice for creating a calm, serene feeling, evoking a natural, timeless look,’ says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative, Farrow & Ball.

‘For a durable finish on woodwork, choose our hardwearing modern eggshell, which has a classic mid-sheen finish and perfectly complements the matt estate emulsion on the walls.’

ROOM ELEMENTS

3 OF THE BEST ...

Paint and flooring pairings

Walls, painted in (main) Cherished Gold; (left) Salisbury Stones 5; window surround, in Heart Wood, all £25.72 for 2.5L mixing matt, Dulux.

CO-ORDINATING PAINT SUGGESTIONS FOR THESE RUGS MAKE IT EASIER TO ACHIEVE A HARMONIOUS LOOK FOR THE WALLS AND FLOOR. Check out the 12 colours and three designs of these rugs online where they’re teamed with co-ordinating Farrow & Ball paint shades.

Silk Border rug, 2.29x1.52m, col Wizlet, £1,820, The Rug Company.

Each of the six new additions to this range has three suggested toning or contrasting Little Greene paints.

Castlemead Twist, col Yellow Submarine CD128, £42sqm, Adam Carpets.

4 Honeyed tone

Team this gorgeous floral with Laura Ashley’s Pale Iris paint shade for a beautifully elegant look.

Violetta Iris rug, 140x200cm, £180, Laura Ashley.

‘Warm golden colours fill a room with sunshine, which is the perfect antidote to the cool light quality we have in the northern hemisphere,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director, Dulux. ‘These shades dial up the thermostat a few extra degrees, making spaces cosy and welcoming. I love this “honey with a bite of mustard” colour – it’s much more grown-up than paler shades. Try Salisbury Stones 5 as a balancing neutral and add an accent of Heart Wood, our colour of the year, for a show-stopping finishing touch.’

* Wall, painted in Cambridge Cream, £32 for 2.5L matt emulsion, Graham & Brown.

5 Warm cream

‘It’s important to understand how light changes the look and feel of a space,’ says Paula Taylor, colour & trends specialist, Graham & Brown. ‘A southfacing room full of golden evening light will feel comforting and warm, so you can afford to start with a cool and pale backdrop, while the cool light from a north-facing room will be crisp and bright, so shades like this cream work really well in warming up those walls. Highlight warm neutrals with rustic textures like basketweave, woods and stone.’

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ROOM ELEMENTS

6 Blue borders

The colour of summer skies, blue has a special place in a country scheme. By limiting the amount of a vibrant blue, it will stand out clearly from a subtle backdrop. ‘The shade on the walls and door, more grey than blue, is ideal for opening up space,’ says Harriet Knight, brand manager, Valspar. ‘It’s complemented by the bolder Blue Magpie colour, which really frames the room – a simple technique that delivers clever results.’

* DESIGN TIP WHEN DECORATING THE WALLS OF OLDER COUNTRY HOMES, AVOID FINISHES WITH A SHEEN SUCH AS SATIN, AND OPT FOR MATT PAINT, WHICH WILL HELP TO DISGUISE ANY LUMPS AND BUMPS. TRIED-AND-TRUSTED STANDARD EMULSIONS WORK WELL, OR SELECT A ‘FLAT’ EXTRA MATT OR A CHALKY FINISH.

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7 Harmonious neutrals ‘Gorgeous grey tones in both paints and wallpapers are set to continue this year,’ says David Mottershead, managing director, Little Greene. ‘The more gentle shades of grey are especially useful for bringing light and the feeling of space to a daylight-starved room. There’s a strong movement for teaming these shades with on-trend dusky pinks, soft greens and gentle heather tones.

This wallpaper and paint colour combination is harmonious and subtle – but if you prefer, you could opt for an intentional colour clash to create a bolder dynamic.’

Wall, painted in Perennial Grey 245, £42 for 2.5L absolute matt emulsion; top shelf, in Dorchester Pink 213, other shelves, in Perennial Grey 245; skirting board, in Grey Moss 234, all £29 for 1L intelligent eggshell; wallpaper, Stag Toile, col Moss, £74 a roll, all Little Greene.

NEXT MONTH WALL TILES

FEATURE CAROLINE RODRIGUES

Walls, painted in Alpine Peak, £28 for 2.5L premium blend v700 Walls & Ceilings; door, in Alpine Peak; skirting board, window frame, in Blue Magpie, all £23 for 1L premium blend v700 Wood & Metal, all Valspar at B&Q.

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

‘LIVING IN THE WELSH BORDERS INSPIRES MY PAPER CREATIONS’ Paper sculptor Kate Kato

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rtist Kate Kato has always been a country girl at heart. As a child in Bristol, she lived along the river Avon where she and her brother explored the waterside and the woods. Originally training as a graphic designer at the University of the West of England, she went on to do numerous jobs such as portrait photographer and branding designer, then retrained as a social worker, with creativity purely for personal pleasure. After moving to Herefordshire in 2014 with her husband Robin and their two girls, Poppy, five, and Rowan, three, she began work as an artist, using the two things she loved most: nature and paper.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOME. I live in Gladestry, a small village in a valley on the Welsh borders. We live in a cottage on the Hergest Ridge. We have 1.5 acres of land and although it is quite steep we are gradually turning it into a smallholding to grow fruit and veg, coppice wood and keep animals.

I love the quiet pace of life. You never feel like you have to rush and there’s no constant hum of cars or the noise you get in a city. Living here helps me to switch off in the evening or at weekends and if I become overwhelmed with my workload, I can step outside into complete silence with a cup of 104

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tea and reset myself. I am constantly surrounded by inspiration for work. I walk out of my front door and become immersed in nature. All the collecting and foraging I was encouraged to do as a child I can now pass on to my girls and have fun exploring and playing with them.

HOW DO YOU START EACH DAY? I usually stand in the middle of my workshop, with a cup of tea, looking at all the natural objects I have collected, and my materials.

I think it helps get my head in work mode and start thinking about what I want to make or how I’ll tackle the next commission.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST ABOUT PLANTS AND INSECTS? Visually, I love their shapes, colours and patterns, but I think what inspires me most is their background.

Where they live or grow, how they interact with the world and the parts they play in their ecosystem all fascinate me. They become so much more interesting when you ask why they look or behave a certain way.

YOUR BUSINESS IS CALLED KASASAGI. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? In Japanese it means magpie and is used to refer to a person who obsessively collects things. I

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Flowers are created in their entirety, from bulb to flower.

Insects, feathers and shells all inspire Kate’s delicate works.

Bee-based works housed in a book and a matchbox.

Incredible panoramic views surround the cottage.

Kate’s shelves and drawers are crammed full of source materials and artist’s supplies.

Beetles made of paper, wire and cotton – some of Kate’s creations.

Fungi and wildflower works-in-progress are pinned onto polystyrene awaiting completion.

Paper fungi in various stages of completion are stored in a vintage box.

The open fire in the sitting room is where the family cosies up in the colder months.

I couldn’t live without...

‘A GOOD CUP OF ENGLISH BREAKFAST TEA, MY TEMPLATES AND SKETCH BOOKS – I KEEP THEM ALL SO THAT I CAN RECREATE A SCULPTURE IN THE FUTURE’

Drawers full of partfinished flora, fauna, insects and templates.

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Kate’s attention to detail is shown in her fine paper feathers.

On the way home with a basket of foraged fungi, ferns and flora, resources for Kate to work with.

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

chose to call my business this because of my love of collecting as well as a little nod to my last name, ‘Kato’, which is also Japanese.

TELL US ABOUT THE DESIGN PROCESS… I research the plants and insects I am about to make, and find out as much about them as I can. If you can understand how something grows or moves, you can imagine how it would fit into a scene. I also collect or sketch things in particular settings. I then use this research to start designing the sculptures that are going into a new piece. I always try to experiment before making something new.

I try different templates and materials to see which ones work best. I think experimenting is important because even if it goes wrong you learn something useful. Once I’m happy with it, I will create a technical sketch with all its details so I can recreate the sculpture should I want to in the future. Sometimes sculptures are made with a display in mind or just because I find them interesting and they’ll eventually find their way into a collection or scene at some point.

FEATURE SIAN WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS? Creating work based on the things I love really helps. It keeps me motivated and interested, even when the job gets a bit repetitive or difficult. My family love nature as much as I do so I’m never short of inspiration or people to talk to when I need help. Being able to bring them into the process, especially my children, is wonderful as I get to see things from other perspectives. They help spark my curiosity and make me look at the world in a different way, which is what my work is all about.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGN AND WHY? I think my favourites are the books I create with plants and insects growing or crawling out of them. I feel that I’m creating an illusion that the information inside the book is coming to life and taking it over, the way nature does when it comes up against something man-made.

HOW DO YOU JUGGLE WORK AND HOME LIFE? I have to be quite disciplined, although during busy periods I will spend evenings or the odd weekend trying to get

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KAT E’S C O U N T RY V I B E What do you love about this time of year? The bluebells carpet the woods, ferns start unfurling and insects start to come out. I love being able to sit on my doorstep and see it unfold.

What’s your favourite April recipe?

I love making spicy Easter biscuits.

What will you be doing for Easter?

We’ll probably be working on our smallholding, and taking some time out to go places with the children.

extra hours in. My husband is self-employed as well so we take half the week each to focus on work and being a stay-at-home parent, organising our home life and working on our smallholding. It means we can both continue the careers we enjoy as well as have time at home with the children.

IT’S TIME TO RELAX – HOW DOES YOUR PERFECT WEEKEND SHAPE UP? I love taking the girls to the woods or across the Hergest Ridge and just going off the path and seeing what we can find. In the summer we have bonfires and cook outdoors so we can enjoy the long, light evenings, and in winter it’s nice to stay warm by the fire with hot chocolate and a book. My husband has taught me how to carve spoons so I do this at weekends when I need a creative outlet but don’t want to get caught up in work!

WE’RE COMING TO VISIT YOU. WHAT MUSTN’T WE MISS? Offa’s Dyke Path is an amazing walk which passes nearby. It is worth following it as far as you want as the views are amazing. Hay-on-Wye is always buzzing, and the Hay Festival (24 May to 3 June 2018) brings readers and writers together – an event that shouldn’t be missed.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL SHOP? There are a lot of great second-hand stores locally, especially bookshops. One of my favourite shops is The Old Electric Shop in Hay which sells all kinds of wonders as well as having a café. ☎ Kasasagidesign.com or kasasagi.etsy.com.

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(BACKGROUND) HENLEY NORSE CHARACTER GRADE ENGINEERED OAK WOOD FLOORING, £148.74SQM, HAVWOODS

KITCHEN SPECIAL

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Pure and simple

spring kitchens SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST LOOKS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND THIS SEASON’S PALETTE UPDATE IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. FROM LAYERED AND CONTRASTED TO ACCENTED AND ACCESSORISED, HERE’S HOW COUNTRY KITCHENS ARE WORKING CLASSIC MATERIALS IN MODERN WAYS »

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KITCHEN SPECIAL

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Pale grains We love Sebastian Cox’s kitchen collaboration with DeVoL for its pared-down simplicity and homegrown timbers. This version, made with English beech and with its pop of lavender, is a brilliant example of its joyful versatility. ‘The combination of materials appeals for its relaxed, mismatched look. We played on this by switching from vertical to horizontal grain on the drawer fronts and mixing up the handle options,’ says DeVol designer Paul Endacott.

The Sebastian Cox kitchen, from £15,000, DeVol.

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Similar patinated brass sheet, from £400sqm, Rupert Bevan.

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Shimmering surfaces Bespoke kitchen, from £21,000, Clayton Cabinets.

Interior design

by Nikki Bailie.

Burnished and scuffed metals are a more graceful take on last year’s gleaming golds and shiny coppers and will sit harmoniously in a neutral palette. ‘You still get the richness of the metal, but the less garish tone can prove a better fit in country homes,’ says Nick Clayton, director, Clayton Cabinets. ‘Burnishing is essentially a finishing technique that fast-tracks an antique patina.

For splashback use, we recommend that burnished metal sheets are sealed with lacquer to prevent further tarnishing and give a wipe-clean surface.’

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Moody grey

Bespoke kitchen, painted in Mole’s Breath by Farrow & Ball, from £20,000, Steven Booker Kitchens & Furniture.

While we will never tire of timeless grey, one way to give it some country-savvy style is by incorporating pale timber accents. ‘Intersecting grey painted doors with small sections of pale timber – like the tray storage units and floating shelves in this kitchen – creates a fabulous contrast and helps lighten grey’s moodiness,’ says Verity Booker, director, Steven Booker Kitchens & Furniture. ‘The tactile timber flooring also works to soften the design for a rural setting.’

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Boulevarde engineered oak flooring, £70.80sqm, Indigenous.

KITCHEN SPECIAL

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Subtle stone Heavily-veined stones are in the kitchen spotlight for good reason – not least because this popular look is such an elegant way to accelerate your kitchen to luxury levels. ‘The new year has seen the introduction of more colour, most noticeably in the neutral colour palettes with softer, more delicate influences coming through in kitchen paint finishes,’ says Joanne Emery, marketing manager at Burbidge.

Helpfully, these on-trend shades are a match made in heaven for heavy-veined stones; in this kitchen the grey trim and soft walls do the work of picking all the delicate shades from the worktop to create a gentle cohesion and sense of calm. Add coppery-metallic accents to create a contemporary feel for the look.

Langton kitchen in Mink and Putty, from £18,000, Burbidge.

The Style 4 kitchen, from £10,000, Alchemy.

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Cashmere chic The devil is in the detail this season with pale painted finishes that let the grain pattern shine through, providing a subtle way to introduce interest.

‘This kitchen is painted in an elegant neutral called Cashmere, which has a touch of glamour,’ explains Graeme Smith, head of retail and commercial design at Alchemy. ‘A painted finish with a visible grain brings a further layer of texture and definition to this traditional farmhouse kitchen.’

Leave beautiful beams exposed to boost the woodgrain influence and create a classical kitchen that feels genuinely innovative.

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Wrapped with wood While marbles and granites have long been the go-to for kitchen islands, wood coatings are the new way to go. ‘Wrapping this giant island in 4cm-thick Super-stave Oak gives it extra impact, with the crisp mitred-edge joints at each end lending a modern modular feel’, says Jayne Everett owner of Naked Kitchens. The clean lines also allow the grains to show off their natural flow, creating drama from their pure simplicity. Contrast with flooring, such as the limed oak used here, to direct the gaze.

Island worktop in Nano-coated 4cm-thick Oak Super-stave, £340 linear m, Naked Kitchens.

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Tap, Alsace sink mixer in English Bronze, from £680.40, Perrin & Rowe.

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Deep blues The Arbor kitchen, in Inchyra Blue

by Farrow & Ball, from £18,000, Harvey Jones.

Darker tones are becoming another neutral in the interior design armoury and the kitchen is the latest room to move to the dark side.

‘Deep, rich hues can enhance the atmosphere and present a cleaner aesthetic,’ says Melissa Klink, head of design, Harvey Jones. ‘Because darker colours are more intense in their pigmentation they balance accents beautifully, especially architectural features and metallics like antique brass and bronzed copper.’

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KITCHEN SPECIAL

The Solva Shaker kitchen, from £7,500, Masterclass Kitchens.

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Coming up rosy Vintage pinks are set to see kitchens blushing in 2018. This delicate pastel in Masterclass’s own Vintage Rose shade is soft enough to form a neutral backdrop but, being on the warm colour spectrum, can prove cosier than greys and off-whites.

Go for a dusky version, rather than candy pink, for a more grown-up space. ‘Vintage pinks are the perfect accent neutral and will add warmth without overpowering your kitchen,’ says Steve Tough, commercial director for Masterclass Kitchens. Use this unexpected soft rose to make charcoal cabinetry pop and turn matt black metal details into a focal point Our other favourite adult pinks include Little Greene’s Confetti 274 and Rose Mallow by Fired Earth.

Vintage twist Elevate easy off-whites with a carefully chosen vintage find – the old-versus-new mix will take your kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary in an instant.

‘Architectural salvage yards make excellent hunting grounds for unique components,’ says Andrew Hall, director of Woodstock Furniture.

‘We found this Victorian lamppost and upcycled it into a breakfast bar support for this kitchen. Against a backdrop of classic cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball’s Shaded White and Railings, it brings a touch of eclectic style that feels modern yet timeless.’

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Bespoke kitchen, from £30,000, Woodstock Furniture.

NEXT MONTH ROOM-TO-GROW GREENHOUSES

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPH (HARVEY JONES) DARREN CHUNG

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English Classic kitchen, from £40,000, Mark Wilkinson Furniture.

CH&I

LOVES

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This chandelier is vintage.

For similar try Vienna 6-light chandelier, £319.99, Wayfair.

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White out Enhance the sunny disposition of a light-filled kitchen with a tone-on-tone palette that feels fresh and inviting. This kitchen is painted in Mark Wilkinson Furniture’s own eco-friendly paint, MW80 Quail, and colour-matched with Carrara polished quartz worktops. ‘While it’s tempting to aim for contrasts when designing a scheme, toning similar neutrals can be just as dramatic,’ says Leila Conway, designer, Mark Wilkinson Furniture.

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reasons to love

WOODEN KITCHEN CHAIRS NOTHING BEATS THESE SIMPLE, CRAFTED DESIGNS THAT GATHER NATURALLY AROUND THE EVERYDAY TABLE. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

1

Light touch

Introduce a driftwood feel with these hoop-backed beauties and you’ll never cease to enjoy their characterful grain. Bossy kitchen chairs, H98xW51xD41cm, col Scuffed White, £290 for 2 including pads, Loaf.

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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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Perfect proportions

4

Scandi inspired

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Distressed elegance

An antique shape with a rustic finish – sometimes it’s the simple things in a room that make all the difference. Avignon mango wood chair, H95xW45xD48cm, col White, £126.50, Maisons du Monde.

An upholstered seat pad teamed with a solid oak and veneer frame painted in a soft natural finish… this is the epitome of modern country chic.

Hambleton dining chair, H98xW45xD53cm, £500 for 2, Laura Ashley.

5 Classic choice

This subtle duo feature elegant curves, spindle backrests and gently tapered legs, and will complement almost any style of table. Bergen oak chairs, H92xW45xD45cm, £400 for 2, Cox & Cox.

Add a European accent to your kitchen with this on-trend birch wood cross-back design, inspired by café culture furniture… ooh la la!

Hudson Living Kielder café chair, H89.5xW50.5xD53.5cm, col Black, £218 for 2, John Lewis.

6 Vibrant character

Inject a touch of heritage luxury with this solid ash chair, which has a sumptuous velvet pad covered in chrysanthemums and peonies.

Darwin carver upholstered in Gail’s Garden Liberty London print, H77xW57xD47cm, £560, Sitting Firm for Cheeky Chairs.

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Post-war design

9

Maximise use of space with this stackable seat, in a range of colours and finishes. Originals stacking chair, H77xW45xD50cm, col Forest Green, £390, Ercol at Heal’s.

Dark distinction

This charcoal-coloured beech design will contrast wonderfully with a rustic farmhouse table. Spindle-back chair, H86xW42xD42cm, col Carbon, £165, Garden Trading.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

8 Colourful update

Bring refectory dining and retro style into your home with a cheerful 21st-century twist.

Hester dining chair, H78xW45x D48cm, col Blue, £95, Habitat.

NEXT MONTH ROUND TABLES

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

A FA M I LY A F FA I R WITH LOTS OF DETERMINATION AND A LITTLE FAMILY HELP, KIRSTIE AND TIM SMART HAVE CREATED A LIGHT-FILLED KITCHEN IN SOOTHING SHADES

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PROJECT PROFILE Owners Kirstie and Tim Kitchen size 4.9x8.9m Smart, who live here with their Designer Silvia Zlatnicka

Ikea’s Ingolf bar stools provide comfortable seating at the large island. Wall cabinets above the sink area have been set high to provide headroom when washing up.

children, Emily, 18, Hamish, 15, and Cockapoo Florrie.

at Closa (Chippenham showroom).

House A four-bedroom 18th-century cottage near Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Cabinetry Neptune’s

Project A draughty 1960s extension was rebuilt and rooms levelled and reconfigured, transforming a tiny galley kitchen into a spacious kitchen-diner.

Chichester and Suffolk kitchen ranges, with base and wall cabinets painted in Strong White by Farrow & Ball, and CC4 Study Blue by Papers and Paints on the island, all supplied

by Closa.

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The roof light in the new dining area has dramatically increased the amount of light.

It ’s not hard to appreciate the allure of Kirstie and

Tim Smart’s pretty double-fronted cottage in creamy Cotswold stone. The decision to purchase it 10 years ago was based on far more than simple kerb appeal.

‘Tim grew up in the village and had always loved this house, which borders the bottom of his parents’ garden,’ says Kirstie, who didn’t need much persuading either. ‘This is an amazing area – we are close to Blenheim Palace and now we’ve got Soho Farmhouse nearby, too,’ she enthuses.

Besides the advantages of having family on their doorstep, the couple also benefitted from the donation of a parcel of Tim’s parents’ garden, providing much-needed access to the rear of the property. ‘The previous owners had been given planning permission to rebuild the lean-to extension at the back, but the access was so poor, they were put off,’ says Kirstie.

With the extra garden space, Kirstie and Tim were able to build a new two-storey extension. ‘The land was a very kind gift. It meant that we could build up to the original boundary wall, so we gained some

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A trio of cage-style pendants adds interest without overloading the room’s low ceiling.

garden and a new side access, which has made such a difference to the whole house,’ says Kirstie.

It was while shopping in Chippenham that the couple came across the Closa showroom. ‘We felt an immediate connection with Closa’s designer, Silvia, who has a very straightforward approach,’ says Kirstie. Together, they began planning an inviting, family-friendly kitchen-diner with a good-sized island and units from two Neptune ranges. ‘We had lots more space to play with now, but the position of the French doors dictated the location of the dining area, and it felt natural to place the range between the windows,’ she says.

For help with colours, Kirstie called upon interior designer friend Jo Peggie of JJP Interiors for advice.

Jo developed a soothing palette of soft greys and off-whites that spans the whole house. When it came to the island, she suggested a dark blue for drama.

‘I was worried I might get bored of such a strong colour, so we went for a gentler blue,’ says Kirstie.

‘It has a more timeless feel, which is so important now that the house and garden are exactly as we want them.’

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

CH&I

LOVES

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Similar lampstand, Hanley Pillar, £58, Neptune.

Composite quartz worktops are durable and low maintenance.

The soft yellows and greens in Lewis & Wood’s blind fabric reflect the garden colours.

Sink Range cooker

Fridge freezer

‘I’m really happy with the modern-classic design of the cabinetry; it has a country look, but with fresh, clean lines that will never date’

Island Dining area

The layout

The extension created a large rectangular room with dining at one end and cooking at the other. The island provides a zoning role, plus seating at the breakfast bar. A U-shaped run of units around the island forms a working triangle between cooker, sink and fridge.

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design solutions TO INSPIRE YOU

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The open shelving at the end of the island makes an attractive display area.

I S L A N D D I S P L AY

Wooden pot-board shelving at the end of the island neatly frames a stylish vignette of art, books and baskets. ‘This is the end viewed from the dining table so I wanted it to have a decorative element with nice shapes and textures,’ says Kirstie. ‘The small drawers are more practical storage-wise, but they look good, too.’

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

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WA L L T O WA L L

The dining area’s rear wall has been clad in Neptune’s Cranbrook Shiplap, which has the rustic texture of naturally weathered boarding. ‘I just love the textural connection between the shiplap and the adjoining exposed Cotswold stone wall,’ says Kirstie. ‘It helps to blend the transition between new extension and old cottage, and create a more unified room.’

3

Textured walls bring character to the newly extended dining area.

RANGE COOKER U P DAT E

Having stretched the budget on the building work, Kirstie made savvy savings elsewhere. One great example is the range cooker, which came with the house and, although it is now at least 10 years old, still works beautifully. ‘There was no reason to replace it just for the sake of having new, especially since the colour blends well and it’s really nice to cook on,’ says Kirstie. ‘In its smart new setting, you’d never guess its age.’

The details

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS ADAM CARTER

CABINETRY Neptune’s Chichester and Suffolk kitchen ranges, £17,500, with base and wall cabinets painted in Strong White by Farrow & Ball, and island painted in Papers and Paints’ CC4 Study Blue eggshell, all supplied by Closa.

SURFACES Yukon composite quartz worktops, from £400sqm, Silestone by Cosentino. Abbey honed Egyptian Limestone flooring, from £62.40sqm, Indigenous. Cranbrook Shiplap boarding by Neptune, £175 for 3.3sqm, Closa.

The original Mercury range cooker suits its new setting perfectly.

APPLIANCES Samsung RH56J69187F American-style fridge freezer,

£1,899; Neff S513M60X1G integrated dishwasher, £513; Elica Eliplane 80 built-in cooker hood, £199, all John Lewis. Similar range cooker, Mercury 1082 dual-fuel, col Oyster, £3,629, Mercury Appliances.

SINKS & TAPS Zenduo 180/340U BBR stainless steel undermount sink, £610, The 1810 Company. 4741 Aquitaine single-lever monobloc mixer tap, £393, Perrin & Rowe.

ACCESSORIES Deevika pendant lights, from £79.95, Nkuku. Ingolf bar stools, £45 each; Alvine Ruta rug, £150, both Ikea. Window treatments in Bukhara linen, col Oasis, £75m, Lewis & Wood.

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3

HOME TECH

Ready, steady, cook

COMBINATION HOBS SAY HELLO TO THE MOST FLEXIBLE HOBS EVER AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF MULTIPLE HEAT SOURCES – IN ONE SLEEK PACKAGE

1

Tailor your hob to your cooking needs.

Best for...

THE SERIOUS CHEF

Genesi G10FF-4C, from £1,957, Steel Cucine For heavy-duty high performance, try this 90cm hand-crafted Italian hob.

With four gas burners and two induction zones, there’s space for all kinds of cooking.

The grids are made from enamelled cast-iron, with anti-scratch pads, and the airtight seal brass burners have a high-spec safety valve.

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2 Best for...

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPH (MAIN) TIMEINCUKCONTENT.COM

THE AMBITIOUS COOK

Choosing the right hob is key to any kitchen and, traditionally, one of the first decisions has been which heat type to use – gas, induction or (less popular now) ceramic. Thankfully, manufacturers have realised that we want flexibility, which is why

we are so impressed with the new combination hobs. These have a mix of heat sources, meaning there’s the perfect way to cook every meal and, even better, a ring for every pan, from the non-magnetic pans, which won’t work on induction, to heavy cast-iron pots.

DID YOU KNOW? THERE’S NO LONGER ANY NEED TO RULE OUT A GAS HOB IF YOU DON’T HAVE A MAINS GAS SUPPLY – MANY MODELS CAN BE CONVERTED TO RUN ON LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS.

PM36 1 IG X, £1,949, Bertazzoni This 90cm segmented hob has two induction zones, an electric griddle in the middle and a single solid brass burner to the left. The sleek design is co-ordinated to match the Bertazzoni Professional Series. Wok and simmer rings are also available to add on for even more flexibility. Ideal for moving between different cuisines.

*

3 Best for...

THE BIG-PORTION CHEF

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PM3621WLD, £989, Smeg The black ceramic glass design of Smeg’s 65cm Classic Aesthetic Mixed Fuel Hob features two gas burners with heavy-duty cast-iron pan stands, and two induction zones, which can be combined to create a multizone, for your biggest pots. Easy to use with slider touch controls, the hob also has simmering and melting functions.

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Tulipa ‘Golden Apeldoorn’ is a Darwin Hybrid variety that brings a ray of spring sunshine to Wendy’s terraced borders.

Spring fever WENDY DARE’S TERRACED COTSWOLD GARDEN WELCOMES IN THE NEW SEASON WITH A TRIUMPHANT BLAST OF JOYFUL COLOUR

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GARDEN

A glorious mix of tulips, including ‘Golden Apeldoorn’, ‘West Point’ and ‘Diana’, fill deep sloping borders along with forget-me-nots, Alchemilla mollis and emerging alliums.

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The mellow Cotswold stone of Mill Dene, once a working mill and miller’s cottage, is reflected in the surface of the mill pond.

A rriving at Mill Dene, you know you’re about to be treated

AT HOME WITH...

Owner Wendy Dare.

House A Cotswold stone watermill, which was converted into a residential property in 1914.

Wendy bought half of the mill with her late husband Barry in 1964, acquiring the other half a decade later.

Features Two-and-a-half acres on north- and south-facing terraces, with a mill pond, stream, Cricket Lawn, Rose Walk, Fruit Garden, Herb Garden and North Garden.

to a garden that will raise your spirits and make you smile, thanks to a sign at the gate that says, ‘Drive very slowly. Deaf cats, daft ducks and wild children!’ The deaf cats refer to the beautiful Birmans that owner Wendy Dare used to breed; the daft ducks fly in and out as they please, making their home on and around the tranquil mill pond that defines this garden; and, these days, now that Wendy’s own family has grown up, the children belong to the many visitors who find joy and solace in this special place.

Mill Dene was once one of a number of working watermills in the picturesque Cotswold village of Blockley. The original waterwheel remains under the house and the mill race still runs under the drive and into Blockley Brook at the back of the property. ‘The sound of water is prevalent all the time in this house,’ says Wendy. ‘You do get used to it!’ On a glorious spring day, it provides an energising, babbling accompaniment to the riot of colourful tulips, scented narcissi, dainty blue forget-menots and blush-pink froths of apple and cherry blossom.

Wendy and her husband, Barry, fell for the charms of Mill Dene over 50 years ago. ‘We came to the Cotswolds on holiday in the 1960s... by mistake!’ Wendy recalls. ‘There was a mix-up with our hotel booking, so we checked into a pub in Blockley instead.

In the course of our visit we saw this beautiful building for sale, and decided to buy it.’ The young couple bought half of the mill initially, the part that was originally the miller’s house, and spent years dividing their time between it and their home in London.

The garden was just a steep south-facing slope, but very little else. It was clear they needed to create terraces to make it

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE GARDEN

Gentle ripples from a stone water trough fed by narrow rills lend a peaceful air to the Herb Garden.

A weeping willow, planted by Wendy and Barry, curtains a bridge over the stream.

What makes this garden so special…

High in the Herb Garden, this shelter is the perfect spot to stop and take in the view.

The stepping stone path in the Cricket Lawn leads to a laburnum arch.

‘I love it to bits.

It’s a constant pleasure looking out over it, seeing the willow gently dancing in the breeze, and then beyond to the Cotswold Hills’

A vintage roller makes a decorative piece by the Cricket Lawn.

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Aurinia saxatilis clothes the stone wall behind a bench that originally sat at Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

The pretty pavilion summerhouse is LGHDO IRU FULFNHW WHDV

accessible, especially with the arrival of their two sons. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;They loved playing here,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Wendy, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;and we developed the garden as much for their pleasure as for ours.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Barry, who, sadly, passed away in 2016, was managing director of the seed company Unwins, but despite this horticultural connection, he and Wendy had no practical knowledge of gardening at the time. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I enrolled on a gardening course at Pershore College and my interest grew from there,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Wendy. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Other than that, I picked up a lot from visiting gardens nearby.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Renowned garden designer Rosemary Verey was a big influence. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Seeing what she had created at Barnsley House â&#x20AC;&#x201C; using the Cotswold scenery and making the most of the soil we have, which is alkaline and very stony â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was inspiring. I loved her English country garden style.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eventually, Wendy and Barry bought the adjoining half of the mill building, together with its north-facing sloping plot, and their two-and-a-half acre valley garden was complete. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The layout of the garden has evolved and been instructed by the lie of the land,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Wendy. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve developed it over the course of 40 years, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a work in progress â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I keep changing it!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The south-facing side has three terraced levels. The first is the Rose Walk, with stone walls underplanted with tulips, Allium cristophii, wallflowers, camassias and lots of narcissi, including delicate, almost white â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Thaliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, one of Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourites. In June, rambling rose Super Fairy grows up wooden posts, producing a mass of pretty double pink blooms along connecting rope swags.

The next level up is laid mainly to grass and called the Cricket Lawn (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;for our ball-mad boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;), backed by long terraced borders,

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Modern Country Classic

Dazzling tulips These spring favourites bring cheerful colour and variety to your borders from March to May. Ĺ&#x2DC; 3ODQW WXOLS EXOEV ODWH LQ 2FWREHU November. Space at least twice the bulbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s width apart and at a depth of three times its height. Ĺ&#x2DC; &KRRVH RQO\ KHDOWK\ ORRNLQJ bulbs. Discard any showing signs of mould or disease. Ĺ&#x2DC; 3ODQW EXOEV LQ QDWXUDO ORRNLQJ drifts in a sunny border or layer in containers to display on a terrace. Ĺ&#x2DC; ([SHULPHQW ZLWK FRORXU FRPELQDWLRQV :HQG\ ORYHV PL[LQJ GDUN DQG GXVN\ Ĺ?4XHHQ RI 1LJKWĹ&#x2018; ZLWK SDVWHO Ĺ?3LQN 'LDPRQGĹ&#x2018; Ĺ&#x2DC; 7UHDW WKHP OLNH DQQXDOV DQG refresh every autumn. Tulips rarely UHWXUQ WKH IROORZLQJ VSULQJ ORRNLQJ as lovely as in their ďŹ rst year. Ĺ&#x2DC; *R IRU IRUP DV PXFK DV FRORXU EH LW D FODVVLF JREOHW VKDSH GDLQW\ OLO\ ĹśRZHUHG RU H[RWLF SDUURW

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GARDEN

What I love most about this gardenâ&#x20AC;¦ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun! A garden should entertain, have plenty to see, to smell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but above all it must be funâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

:DLVW KHLJKW FRUGRQHG UXVVHW DQG FRRNLQJ apples in full blossom line the path in the )UXLW *DUGHQ DGGLQJ to the spring palette.

At the end of a path, a large mirror on the garden’s boundary extends the view.

Wendy carried the earthenware jar back from a trip to France.

overflowing with herbaceous perennials and spring bulbs. The cricket theme continues with a picture-perfect pavilion and a treasured bench with sporting provenance. ‘It came from Lord’s,’ says Wendy. ‘I bought it for Barry, who was a great cricketer.’

At the very top level, Wendy has created a vegetable and fruit garden, with waist-height cordoned apples covered in spring blossom lining the path. Soft fruits, including gooseberry bushes planted to celebrate the arrival of Wendy and Barry’s five grandchildren, thrive in netted cages away from hungry birds.

Along the path is the Herb Garden, a serene area created from land bought from the village church that sits behind a double stone wall forming a beautiful backdrop. ‘There’s a certain feeling in this bit of the garden,’ says Wendy. ‘You hear the bells ringing, and there’s a little shelter where we sit and relax. It’s a long way from the house up there, but the lovely views are worth it.’

It’s this serenity that encouraged Wendy to open Mill Dene for the Quiet Garden Movement, through which visitors can come and find peace and a place for contemplation. ‘People sit for hours in this garden,’ says Wendy. ‘They find stillness here. I’ve seen it work.’ No doubt they share the sentiment of an artwork that can be found in the Rose Walk – a piece of driftwood inscribed in Latin by letter carver Martin Wenham, which reads, ‘After so many shipwrecks, a harbour.’

Mill Dene Garden, School Lane, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9HU, 01386 700457, milldenegarden.co.uk. Open for the NGS on 20 May and 16 September, and for Blockley Gardens on 22 April and 10 June (ngs.org.uk). Also open by appointment.

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

Visit...’Batsford Arboretum (01386 701441, batsarb.co.uk) in Batsford. As well as the wonderful collection of trees, the spring planting is not to be missed. Also Painswick Rococo Garden (01452 813204, rococogarden.org.uk) for follies and theatrical surprise.’

Shop at... ‘Chipping Campden (chippingcampden.co.uk) for a range of interesting shops including artisan foods, antiques, homewares and gifts. It’s incredibly beautiful.’

Go for a meal at... ‘The Great Western Arms (01386 700362, thegreatwesternarms.co.uk) in Blockley. It’s a typical, cosy Cotswold pub, with delicious locally sourced food prepared by its French chef.’

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GARDEN

1

2

3

Wendy’s spring delights 1 Thermopsis caroliniana is an earlyflowering perennial with tall yellow spires.

2 Tulipa ‘Colour Magic’, a triumph tulip, is tinged with deep pink. ‘Infinity’ is similar.

3 Lamprocapnos spectabilis is also known as dicentra or, aptly, bleeding heart.

4 Tulipa ‘Prinses Irene’ combines flame orange and a purple flash beautifully.

5 Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’ is a dark variety that goes well with ‘Prinses Irene’.

6 Lunaria annua, honesty, is grown as much for its flowers as its papery seedheads.

7 Tulipa ‘West Point’ is a lily-flowered tulip with elegant pointed petals.

FEATURE ANNE ESDEN PHOTOGRAPHS ABIGAIL REX/GAP PHOTOS

4

8 Aurinia saxatilis produces fluffy mounds of spring yellow blooms and will happily tumble over rockery walls.

6

NEXT MONTH WISTERIA IN AN EAST SUSSEX GARDEN

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Make Life Lovely

FASHION, WELLBEING, ECO, PETS AND OTHER NICE THINGS

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Charge on the move This ingenious Power Purse clutch bag from Iphoria means you can keep essentials to hand and charge your phone at the same time.

The bag has an in-built charger with enough power for one full charge.

Made from veggie leather, the Love Me Power Purse costs €89.90.

* INVEST IN THE BEST If you’re looking for smart and timeless occasionwear for a spring wedding or a day at the races, take a peek at Pip Howeson’s collection of handcrafted tailoring. All the fabrics she uses in her hand-cut pieces, like this Florence coat, £1,100, are sourced from British mills.

Spritz it If the changing seasons make you long for a fresh fragrance, try Jo Malone’s new English Fields collection of five limited-edition colognes that capture the essence of English country meadows. The evocatively named Green Wheat & Meadowsweet, Oat & Cornflower, Primrose & Rye, Honey & Crocus and Poppy & Barley come in 30ml ceramic-effect bottles, £47 each.

* PICK AND GIVE DAFFODILS Brighten up someone’s day by taking part in Daffodil Sunday.

This tradition dates back to the Victorian times when, on the first Sunday in April, families would pick bunches of daffodils from their gardens and take them into local hospitals in order to cheer up the patients.

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HAPPY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

3 REASONS TO LOVE...

Self-guided walking holidays

WE LOVE... tea towels

1 Walking is good for body and soul.

Relax, recharge and refresh, out in the fresh air. You could even lose a few pounds – and it’s more scenic than a treadmill!

2 See parts of the UK you’ve never visited. Walk from one place to the next and get to know the countryside at your own pace, with map and guide.

Best of all, with walking specialists such as On Foot Holidays, Wilderness Scotland and Contours Walking Holidays bags are transported for you.

3 It’s the perfect way to enjoy lovely family hotels and character inns, as usually you stay somewhere different each night. Sample local cuisine in nearby restaurants.

(Clockwise from top) Walk on Dartmoor; above Brambletorre Mill, both Devon; Dorset woods, all with On Foot Holidays; stay at Kinloch Lodge, Sutherland, with Wilderness Scotland; see Loch Goil, with Contours Walking Holidays.

Pave the way to a kitchen refresh with a gorgeous floral tea towel. Perfect for a rustic rail, it’s made of absorbent natural linen to dry dishes in a jiffy, and has a hanging loop to keep it handy.

*

Summer Flowers on Natural Linen tea towel, £12, Bohzaar.

*

BUY BRITISH

Harrison Spinks

HEAD TO LECKFORD ESTATE This 4,000-acre estate near Stockbridge in Hampshire became the Waitrose farm in 2001, with its produce going to its farm shop, café and Waitrose, of course! On 31 March there’s an Easter Family Fun Day, with chicks, an Easter bonnet competition, craft and storytelling, as well as local food and craft stallholders. Visit leckfordestate.co.uk for details.

Leeds-based fifth-generation family business Harrison Spinks has made beds since 1840, and grows hemp, wool and cotton to fill its handmade mattresses. We love the sunny hue of the upholstered headboard in Africa Zanzibar on the Organza 11700.

Prices start at £2,648 for a single mattress, divan and headboard, Harrison Spinks.

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HAPPY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS

LISTEN TO MUSIC...

WHEREVER! Whether you’re pruning in the garden or out for a picnic, the Klang M1 by Loewe is perfect for music on the go. Compact enough to carry in a pocket or bag, this £169 Bluetooth speaker comes in silver, graphite or rose gold.

* SWAN ALONG Super-soft and stylish sleepwear is a must, and we love this whimsical unisex PJ set for kids by Sleepy Doe. Made in the UK from sustainably and ethically sourced cotton, Swansy features a lovely hand-drawn swan print in white and noir. From £30, ages four to nine. Single duvet set, £66.

Find a bone to pick Pamper a pup with a fabric personalised bone. It’s handmade from pure wool tweed handwoven in Wales, filled with polyester, and finished in Somerset.

From £16, Jonny’s Sister.

*

3 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL.. .

Easter eggs

TREAT SOMEONE YOU LOVE TO AN EGG THAT IS ALMOST TOO GORGEOUS TO EAT

140

Signs of spring Made with eau-de-nil coloured white chocolate finished with a silver lustre, this lovely egg is decorated with sugar paste flowers, bumble bees and a butterfly.

Spring Bloom Egg, £30, Bettys.

Country Homes & Interiors

2

Nest eggs

This charming nest of eggs is handmade from Belgian milk chocolate and caramelised white chocolate, hand-painted to look like British birds’ eggs.

Organic Hand-painted Clutch of Eggs, £25, Daylesford.

3

Paisley pattern Hand-painted in pretty paisley, this dark chocolate egg is filled with four dark chocolate ganaches and three carrés. Paisley Handpainted Easter Egg, £27.50, Rococo.

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS

1

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OUT AND ABOUT

Old Winchester (below) and Beacon (bottom) are fitted with vintage furnishings.

A peaceful meadow in Hampshire provides an idyllic setting for the Wriggly Tin huts, including Old Winchester.

THE BEST PLACE FOR SIMPLE PLEASURES

Wriggly Tin

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT

SPEND A WEEKEND IN A SHEPHERD’S HUT AND LET THE STRESS OF DAY-TO-DAY LIFE DISAPPEAR As if the South Downs National Park wasn’t enticing enough, the Wriggly Tin collection of five super-cute shepherd’s huts is ideal for experiencing life in the slow lane and enjoying flower-filled fields and starry nights.

WE LOVE IT BECAUSE… Owner Alex Evans set up the huts in a Hampshire meadow after he and his two daughters spent a holiday in the countryside, and never wanted to leave. The wrought-iron huts come from Alex’s love of all things mechanical; he even built the three-person Beacon himself.

SWITCH OFF The whole Wriggly Tin site is entirely off-grid, so leave your laptops and phone behind.

The idea behind the project is to encourage people to switch off from

the everyday, so it’s the perfect place to escape to when life’s hectic.

FALL FOR THE DESIGN Each of the charming huts is unique, but all have vintage linens, crockery and kitchenware, which were bought from local sources and restored.

The newest hut, Barrow, has a raised double bed, a woodburner and a restored 1950s Kitchen Maid cabinet. The huts are far enough apart to give you privacy, but we love the idea of renting them for a big family gathering – not least so you get to see them all. As for the necessities, there’s an extra shared hut with showers and compost loos.

COOK IT OLD SCHOOL Whichever hut you stay in, you’ll find a fire pit, tripod and cast-iron griddle, perfect for a barbecue, or simply for a pan

of water to keep the tea flowing.

The nearby village of Hambledon is a short walk away to stock up on food, but we love Alex’s hampers, which let you make a hot breakfast in the meadow itself.

TAKE A STROLL You’re on the doorstep of three fantastic trails (the South Downs Way, Wayfarer’s Walk and Monarch’s Way), so there are hundreds of miles of routes to explore. For a trip with less action, the meadow itself is lovely to roam, as are the woods surrounding it.

HOW MUCH? From £90 per night based on a hut for two.

15 Beckless Cottages, Brook Lane, Hambledon, Hampshire PO7 4TF, 023 9263 2990, canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/ england/hampshire/wriggly-tin.

☎

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143

Rise-and-shine

BRUNCHES

Start lazy days with a slap-up breakfast-cum-lunch.

From epic mushrooms to classic kedgeree, these hearty recipes are best enjoyed with the newspapers and the promise of a long country walk...

Baked stuffed mushrooms

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

Kipper kedgeree »

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GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

‘Brunch is the mealtime that doesn’t really exist during the week, and that is part of its charm. Inviting people round for brunch instead of lunch or supper will give a pleasant change of pace to your weekend’

BAKED STUFFED MUSHROOMS

KIPPER KEDGEREE

Serve with eggs as an epic brunch dish or use smaller mushrooms for the fanciest mushrooms ever to grace your fry-up!

Kippers are a classic breakfast dish in their own right, a great alternative to the classic smoked haddock here – and one of the more sustainable fish supplies.

SERVES 4

SERVES 4-6

4 tbsp butter 1 leek, finely sliced 1 onion, finely chopped 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme 8 slices of rindless streaky bacon, finely chopped (optional) 80g fresh white breadcrumbs Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 large field or Portobello mushrooms 1–2 tbsp Dijon mustard (to taste) 150ml double cream 4 eggs (optional)

2 whole kippers 40g butter 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 tsp mild (or hot, if preferred) curry powder ½ tsp turmeric 300g white basmati rice, rinsed and drained 500ml vegetable or fish stock, or water 250g young spinach leaves, or watercress Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 lemon (½ for juice, the rest cut into wedges) 4 soft-boiled eggs, peeled and halved Small bunch of parsley, roughly chopped Fresh green chilli, finely sliced (optional)

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 190°C/Gas 6.

2 Heat half the butter in a pan and cook the

1 Put the kippers in a bowl or pan, cover with

leek, half the onion, the thyme and the bacon (if using) for about 10 minutes until soft. Remove from the heat, stir in the breadcrumbs and half the parsley and season with salt and pepper.

3 Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large frying pan and fry the mushrooms for a couple of minutes on each side, adding a pinch of salt to the pan as they cook.

4 Place the mushrooms on a baking tray and top with the leek and breadcrumb mix, flattening with the back of a spoon. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the filling is golden.

5 Meanwhile, fry the remaining onion in the remaining 1 tbsp butter for 5 minutes, until soft. Add the mustard and cream and bring to the boil to thicken, then season to taste, adding more mustard if you like.

6 If using, poach or fry the eggs and drain on kitchen paper.

7 When the mushrooms are cooked, top each with an egg, spoon over the cream sauce and serve immediately.

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boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Drain, then flake the flesh, discarding the skin and any bones.

2 Heat 30g of the butter in a large saucepan and fry the onion for 10 minutes, or until soft.

3 Add the curry powder and turmeric to the onion and cook for 30 seconds, then stir in the rice. Add the stock or water, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for about 14 minutes or until the rice is tender. Do not stir.

4 Meanwhile, in another pan, wilt the spinach or watercress with the rest of the butter, then drain and put to one side.

5 When the rice is cooked, stir in the cooked spinach or watercress, fluffing the rice as you go, then stir in the fish.

6 Season to taste with salt, black pepper and lemon juice.

7 Serve in bowls, topped with an egg half and sprinkled with parsley and green chilli (if using), with a lemon wedge on the side.

Savoury vegetable fritters Âť

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GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

SAVOURY VEGETABLE FRITTERS These little fritters are perfect to throw together for an impromptu brunch and a great way to use up any leftover vegetables in your fridge.

MAKES 12+ DEPENDING ON SIZE 150g self-raising flour 3 eggs 50ml milk 50g plain yogurt or sour cream 50g cheese, coarsely grated or crumbled ½ bunch of spring onions, thinly sliced Small bunch of dill, parsley or basil, finely chopped 400g courgettes, coarsely grated and squeezed dry (or carrots, beetroot, cabbage or a mix – anything you can grate or finely slice, as well as sweetcorn) Salt and freshly ground black pepper Vegetable or olive oil, for frying 1 Put the flour in a bowl and whisk in the eggs,

milk and yogurt.

2 Stir in the cheese, spring onions, herbs and the grated vegetables, and add seasoning.

3 Heat a frying pan over a medium to high heat and add just enough oil to coat. When oil is hot, drop in heaped tablespoons of batter and fry for 2 minutes, until the base has firmed up. Fry on other side for 2 minutes. When cooked, transfer to a warmed plate and cover with a cloth.

4 Continue to make fritters in small batches, until all the mix is used up. Serve immediately with chilli sauce, seasoned plain yogurt, cottage cheese or tomato salsa.

CHEDDAR AND BACON CORNBREAD MUFFINS Serve these with some smoky paprika baked beans, bacon, creamy mushrooms or fried garlicky prawns.

MAKES 12 6 slices of rindless streaky bacon, finely chopped 60g butter, plus extra for greasing 1 onion, finely chopped 120g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting 120g coarse polenta ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda Salt and freshly ground black pepper Large pinch of chilli flakes

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Cheddar and bacon cornbread muffins.

150ml whole milk 100g soured cream or buttermilk 1 large egg, lightly beaten 100g Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 190°C/Gas 6.

Place paper muffin cases in a 12-hole muffin tin, or grease the tin generously with butter and dust with flour.

2 Fry the bacon in the butter until starting to brown, then add the onion and cook until soft, about 10 minutes.

3 In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, polenta and bicarbonate of soda with ½ tsp salt, a good grind of black pepper and the chilli flakes, and make a well in the centre.

4 In a jug or bowl, beat the milk, soured cream or buttermilk and egg together, then mix in the bacon, onion and all of the fat. Pour into the dry ingredients with the cheese and stir gently until just combined, being careful not to over mix.

5 Spoon the mixture into the tin and bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.

6 Turn the muffins out on to a wire rack to cool slightly, serving while still warm.

Recipes are from The Lazy Weekend Cookbook by Matt Williamson (£20, National Trust Books).

NEXT MONTH FISH AND SEAFOOD

Dog-friendly

HOTEL BREAKS WANT TO TAKE YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND AWAY WITH YOU FOR A FEW DAYS IN THE UK? WE’VE THREE GREAT DEALS ON HOTELS WHERE THEY’RE AS WELCOME AS YOU ARE!

Soar Mill Cove, Salcombe, Devon This luxurious hotel with its own golden beach sits in an elevated position on a Devon hillside above the sandy cove after which it is named. Many of the rooms have stunning ocean views, and it’s the perfect place for a British seaside escape. The hotel itself has two resident Labradors, Farley and Daisy, and your own pet will be greeted with dog treats on arrival. There are plenty of local coastal walking trails to explore, as well as a spa with a heated saltwater pool to relax in. Salcombe itself, with its bustling harbour, cafés, restaurants and shops, is just a short drive away.

THE COST Three-night stay from £195pp*.

THE DATES Offer applies Monday to Friday, until 24 May 2018 (excluding 4-6 May 2018).

WHAT’S INCLUDED Three nights in a Country View room; Devonshire breakfast each morning; 20% discount on spa treatments; first dog free, second dog £10 per night.

TO BOOK Call 01548 389969 and quote TIMEINC OFFER or visit countryhomes.tripsmiths.com/soarmillCHI

& INTERIORS

T RAVE L The Manor Country House Hotel, Oxfordshire This beautiful manor set in 12 acres of grounds dates back almost 1,000 years.

Guests travelling with their dogs are welcome to stay in the coach house, with dog beds and dog food provided. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Oxford and just five minutes from shoppers’ paradise Bicester Village, but once you’ve checked in, we doubt you’ll want to leave. Take a dip in the pool, play a game of tennis, or stroll around the manicured gardens. If you do head further afield, you can take your dog on a ramble through the Cotswold Wildlife Park or Bernwood Butterfly Trail.

THE COST One-night stay from £90pp*.

THE DATES This offer applies until 31 May 2018.

WHAT’S INCLUDED One night in a double room; one dog per room; breakfast; 10% discount voucher for Bicester Village Shopping Outlet.

TO BOOK Call 01869 623977 and quote TIMEINC OFFER or visit countryhomes.tripsmiths.com/manorCHI

* Sheep on Sheep Street, Stow-on-the-Wold This wonderful boutique bolt-hole in the Cotswolds, built from the region’s traditional, honey-coloured stone and dating from the 17th century, has just 22 cosy and comfortable en-suite rooms. It makes a great base for exploring the local sights, such as Blenheim Palace and Sudeley Castle, and the many charming villages, such as Broadway and Moreton-in-Marsh. There are a number of dog-friendly rooms and pooches are provided with a large dog bed and water bowl, and welcomed with dog biscuits.

THE COST Two-night stay from £160pp* (reduced from £220pp) THE DATES Offer applies Sunday to Friday, until 31 May 2018.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Two nights in a double room; dinner with wine on both evenings; breakfast; one dog per room.

TO BOOK Call 01451 518902 and quote TIMEINC OFFER or visit countryhomes.tripsmiths.com/sheepCHI

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ALL OFFERS *Based on two sharing. Subject to availability.

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C O U N T RY G A R D E N PL A N T OFFER PAT I O S TA N DA R D M AG N O L I A Picture perfect anywhere in the garden, the superb Magnolia ‘Red Lucky’ produces magnificent displays of rose pink petals that elegantly unfurl from downy, silver buds to form large, gobletshaped blooms. Grown as a standard, this low-maintenance deciduous shrub reaches only 1.5m high and is compact enough for a pot on the patio, or as a focal point in borders.

Supplied as a 1m bare-root plant.

Pot illustrated is not available for purchase.

Buy 1 for only £9.99 Was £29.99 Buy 2 for £17.98 Was £59.98 H OW T O O R D E R

Call 0844 573 1686* quoting TM_XCH516Z. Lines open 7 days a week: 9am-8pm (weekdays) and 9am-6pm (weekends) Online thompson-morgan.com/TM_XCH516Z By post Please complete the coupon below Offer available to readers on the UK mainland only. Offer subject to availability. Your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Cardholders call direct on 0844 573 1686 quoting TM_XCH516Z. *Calls cost 7p per minute plus your telephone provider’s access charge. The order lines are open seven days a week, 9am to 8pm (weekdays) and 9am to 6pm (weekends), (voicemail at other times). Alternatively, please complete the coupon in BLOCK CAPITALS. Remittance may be made by MasterCard, Visa, Maestro, postal order or cheque (name, address and TM_XCH516Z on the back of cheque, please), crossed and made payable to T&M. Closing date: 14 April 2018. Magnolias dispatched from March 2018. All orders will be acknowledged by letter or email advising you of the expected dispatch.

Please send order form to: Country Homes & Interiors Magnolia Offer, Dept TM_XCH516Z, PO Box 162, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3BX. Code

Price

Magnolia ‘Red Lucky’ x 1

Please send me the following:

TCB10587A

£9.99

Quantity

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Total

Magnolia ‘Red Lucky’ x 2

TCB11998A

£17.98

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Magnolia Complete Pot Collection x 1 (Contains 1 Magnolia, 1 Large Patio Pot with Saucer & 100g incredibloom®)

TCB78507A

£19.97

£

Large Patio Pot & Saucer x 1

TCA56850P

£9.99

£

Large Patio Pot & Saucer x 2

TCA59095P

£17.99

£

incredibloom® Fertiliser 100g Sachet x 1

TCB47551

£4.99

£

incredibloom® Fertiliser 750g Tub x 1

TCB47552

£12.99

I enclose a cheque made payable to T&M (no cash, please – write your name, address and TM_XCH516Z on the back) for the sum of £

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Postcode Email Daytime tel no (incl code) DATA PROTECTION By submitting your information, you agree to our Privacy Policy available at www.timeincuk.com/privacy. Please keep me up to date with special offers and news from Country Homes & Interiors and other brands within the Time Inc. (UK) Group by email [ ], post [ ] , telephone [ ] and/or SMS [ ]. You can unsubscribe at any time. [ ] Please keep me up to date with special offers and news just by email from carefully selected companies. Your personal details will not be shared with those companies - we send the emails and you can unsubscribe at any time. TM_XCH516Z.

Buy 1 for £9.99 Was £29.99

NEXT MONTH IN

& INTERIORS

*

Reasons to be cheerful!

•Be inspired by chirpy spring-in-the-woods style ideas •Discover the way people live – from artist to interior designer •Get out into the garden with room-to-grow greenhouses •Cook up catch-of-the-day recipes from Cornwall PLUS... the launch of the 2018 My Country Business Awards!

ON SALE 5 APRIL 2018 Country Homes & Interiors

153

‘MY DRAWINGS ARE INSPIRED

BY THE ANIMALS THAT HAVE MADE MOSNEY THEIR HOME’ Textile designer Emma Sutton

A

s soon as I walked down the lane, I knew this was where I was meant to be,’ says Emma Sutton of her idyllic Lancashire home, surrounded by the wildlife that has inspired her whimsical designs and led to her business, Mosney Mill.

Emma had always excelled at art, taking a BTEC qualification in it, and then working as a teaching assistant specialising in the subject. ‘It was my passion,’ she says.

Then, five years ago, her father John retired and went with Emma’s sister Jo to have a look at Mosney, an old market garden that is set in 11 acres, as he was looking for another property.

‘It was in a state of disrepair, and to reach it you had to cross a bridge over the river Darwen. A new bridge was needed and that put people off buying it. My father has a civil engineering background and built bridges for a living, so it didn’t put him off!’

Emma then came to view Mosney. ‘As soon as I came over the bridge, I got an almost spiritual feeling that I was home.

The area was teeming with birds. It was like something out of Snow White – a robin led 154

Country Homes & Interiors

me along the farm track with an assortment of blue tits and finches. That was my first encounter with the wildlife. The robin was a symbol of hope to me and is still a regular visitor – we call him Mosney Bob. Later, we took our Labrador Finlay for a walk and disturbed two deer – it was magical.’

Emma and her husband Dave fell in love with the derelict 17th-century barn that was on the site. ‘I knew this was where I wanted to live.’ Emma’s father bought the land for the family, and Emma and Dave then got an architect in for pre-planning because they knew they wanted to renovate the barn.

Planning permission came through and Emma and Dave lived in an old farmhouse on the site while the renovations were carried out. ‘We saw the land changing and unfolding and got to know the animals that have made their home here,’ says Emma.

During the renovation work, the family discovered Mosney’s rich history. In the 1780s, it had been the site of Mosney Print Works, where the first calico printing press capable of printing up to six colours at once was invented. This invention paved the

»

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

Emma feeds her chickens. The apron she is wearing is one of her designs, Blue Tit on Blossom in Pink.

What I love most...

‘MY BUSINESS ALLOWS ME TO DO WHAT I LOVE MOST IN THE WORLD – SPEND MY DAY DRAWING WILDLIFE’

way for modern-day fabric printing. Emma saw this as a sign that she should bring print back to Mosney. ‘When we found out about Mosney Print Works it became a no-brainer. I was drawing all the animals – it was such an inspirational place to be – and I realised it would be silly not to bring print back to Mosney.’

A year after Emma and Dave moved in, Mosney became a family concern when Emma’s parents built their own house on the land, as did her sister Jo. Emma moved one step closer to starting her own business when she did an Art Foundation course two years ago and in her final project used her illustrations on wallpaper. ‘A local shop then wanted to take

Emma creates her designs in her studio at home.

my wallpaper. They said if I brought it out as fabric, they’d take a roll of it.’ So Emma decided to print her illustrations on linen, too. ‘It made sense to start a business, and I thought it was time to be brave and go for it.’ Naturally, Emma called the business Mosney Mill after the area where she lives.

Emma was determined to source British manufacturers for her products – her wallpaper is made nearby in Accrington, her fabrics are Lancashire-made and when she decided to introduce a range of kitchenware and china mugs, she chose a ceramics supplier from Staffordshire.

Emma’s next step was to exhibit at events.

Her first one was the Country Homes & Interiors Christmas show in 2016 and she launched her website to coincide with the event. ‘I got a brilliant response at the show and very positive feedback,’ says Emma.

She has since gone on to do other events and agricultural shows, and now has around 50 stockists. Emma’s range has expanded to include stationery, including cards and notebooks, and a wider range of ceramics.

There is also a new collection due out soon based on the rabbits of Mosney that will be called Edgar Green and Friends.

‘Everything I draw is a real animal – some of the characters even have their own fans – and it is wonderful to be able to spend my days drawing. It is important to me that my products wear well, and I am passionate about supporting British manufacturing – after all, the products are inspired by native wildlife and are quintessentially British.

I’m bringing as many British-manufactured products to the marketplace as I can and, where this is not possible, I make sure that my products are ethically sourced.

‘My passion is to continue to draw the wildlife that lives here at Mosney,’ says Emma. ‘I hope that my products will become a much-loved part of people’s homes, hence the company slogan: Home at Heart.’ ☎ Mosney Mill, 01772 822525, mosneymill.co.uk.

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M Y C O U N T RY B U S I N E S S Emma at her front porch with some of her ceramics and tea towels. Her apron is in Blue Tit on Blossom in Turquoise.

The range includes homewares, such as the Blue Tit on Blossom wallpaper in Dawn Sky and lampshade made from fabric sold by the metre.

The nearby woods are a constant source of inspiration for Emma.

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Emma has tea with her husband Dave, father John, son Tom, mother Gill and family friend Janet using Mosney Mill bone china.

✽ ON OUR D O O R S T E P. . .

Visit… ‘Hoghton Tower (01254 852986, hoghtontower.co.uk) – this fortified manor house, near Hoghton, stands on a hilltop site on the highest point in the area.’

Shop at… ‘Valley Living (01200 422224), in Clitheroe, for stylish dining accessories and gifts.

Benedicts of Whalley (01254 824468, benedictsofwhalley.co.uk) is a lovely café and deli.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Clog & Billycock (01254 201163, theclog andbillycock.com), in Pleasington, because they share my ethics of using best-quality, local suppliers.’

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

Small business advice

HOW TO SOURCE MANUFACTURERS Our guide to finding British suppliers and how to approach them

When Emma Sutton decided to bring print back to Mosney Mill, she wanted to use British know-how to do it. ‘It felt right to use the skills of people here because print was done at Mosney by skilled people who were pioneers with their machinery,’ says Emma.

‘I was also sick of seeing things at fairs and finding out that while they looked quintessentially British and were created by a British artist, they were actually made overseas.'

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES

Get your quality and pricing right.

‘For me, it was a balance of creating something special but at an achievable price. I wanted to produce a decent product at a decent price. At the same time, I didn’t want to sell a teapot for £95 when my mugs cost £12. It had to be a coherent range. Customers are happy if the product is ethically sourced and good quality at a realistic price.’

Support local industry. ‘I was very keen to embrace local manufacturing. I started out pestering local suppliers and then moved further out geographically. Of course, Staffordshire is known for its china so I looked at suppliers there, whereas the cotton mills were important to Lancashire for a century, so it made sense for textiles to be made there.’

To source British manufacturers, Emma suggests starting with trade fairs.

‘Fairs such as the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in Harrogate (homeandgift.co.uk) and the Spring Fair in Birmingham (springfair.com) will have suppliers attending,’ she says.

Emma also recommends the Make It British website (makeitbritish.co.uk) and events. ‘For instance, Meet the Manufacturer (meetthemanufacturer. co.uk) is an event held in London and is all about meeting British makers. It is particularly good for fashion, but also for homewares. The Make It British Forum (makeitbritishforum.com) is a one-day conference organised by Make It British, and it is another useful source of information and British manufacturers.’

Kate Hills, CEO of Make It British, says: ‘There is a move towards people buying British and companies looking for British suppliers. Visitors to our website have doubled year-on-year and it’s companies like Mosney Mill that are looking for British manufacturers. The first reason for this is that the exchange rate in the UK means that manufacturing here doesn’t look as expensive, and the second is social media – people are interested in a business’s back story.

‘In addition, sourcing close to home means businesses can buy smaller

quantities and visit the manufacturer more easily, rather than having to travel to India and the Far East.

‘Manufacturers are also making themselves easier to find. A decade ago, many didn’t have a website, now they’re on social media. The Meet the Manufacturer show helps people find manufacturers, but it’s important to approach them in the right way,’ says Kate. ‘It can be hard to get manufacturers to respond – there aren’t thousands and they’re getting busier. There can also be a mismatch in the way people approach them. The younger generation will email, but many manufacturers are better over the phone or face-to-face. Be prepared to visit and go to shows where they will be.’

Prepare a list of questions. Once you find a supplier, don’t be afraid to ask them about other products. ‘They are likely to have information about people in other industries and be able to pass on contacts,’ says Emma.

Think about other questions to ask, such as lead times and how scalable they are. ‘If, say, John Lewis came on board, would they be able to cope with the increase in production?’ says Emma.

‘Also check economy of scales – if you buy five things you will get one price, but if you buy 500 will it be cheaper?’

The one lesson I have learnt...

‘REMEMBER TO TREAT EACH DAY LIKE A NEW ADVENTURE. AT FIRST I WAS SO HUNG UP ABOUT BEING A SUCCESS, I FORGOT TO ENJOY THE PROCESS OF BUILDING MY BUSINESS’ NEXT MONTH EMMA EVANS-FREKE OF BLACKBIRD HOUSE

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LU X U RY R I V E R C RU I S E S

The Blue Danube

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg Selected departures from April to October 2018.

Eight days from only £1,299pp.

Price includes: Guided tour of Vienna Live classical quartet Visit to baroque Bratislava, capital of recital on board Slovakia Cruise through the scenic Wachau Visit to Melk Abbey Visit to medieval Dürnstein Tour of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart Explore the amazing basilica at Esztergom Tour of Budapest, Pearl of the Danube All meals on board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your day of departure, plus the Captain’s Dinner Return flights from a selection of regional airports Seven nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite, all with river view Services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and tour manager

Selected departures from May to October 2018.

Eight days from only £1,399pp.

Price includes: Explore medieval Koblenz Visit to the town of Rüdesheim Cruise through the spectacular Rhine An evening in Speyer Guided tour of Strasbourg Gorge Visit to the old walled town of Breisach Tour of the beautiful Black Forest and lakeside town of Titisee See the Jungfrau and the Eiger, Interlaken and the lakeside town of Lucerne All meals on board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your day of departure, plus the Captain’s Dinner Return flights from a selection of regional airports or standard class seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras International Seven nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite, all with river view Services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and tour manager

Cruise the Heart of Europe

Burgundy, River Rhône & Provence

Selected departures from May to October 2018.

Fifteen days from only £1,899pp.

Price includes: Admire the stunning scenery of the Rhine Gorge, Main and Danube Seven guided tours of Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Bratislava, Koblenz and Würzburg Eight visits to Boppard, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Regensburg, Passau and majestic Melk Abbey Fourteen nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite, all with river views All meals on board from dinner on your day of arrival to breakfast on your day of departure, including welcome cocktails, a welcome dinner and the Captain’s Dinner Live classical quartet recital on board Return flights from a selection of regional airports or standard class seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras International The services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and tour manager throughout

Selected departures from April to October 2018.

Eight days from only £1,449pp.

Price includes: Visit to Beaune, centre of the Burgundy wine region and wine tasting Cruise the spectacular Rhône valley Guided tour of Lyon, second city of France and its gastronomic capital Visit to charming Vienne Tour of the astonishing Ardèche Gorges Guided tour of Arles home of Vincent Van Gogh Visit to the Pont du Gard Tour of medieval Avignon and the Pope’s Palace All meals on board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your day of departure, including welcome cocktails and dinner, plus the Captain’s Dinner Return flights from a selection of regional airports or standard class seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras International Seven nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite, all with river view Services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and tour manager

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

Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd. ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Prices correct as of 29/01/18.

3430

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

ABRAHAM MOON 01943 873181 moons.co.uk ADAM CARPETS 01562 829966 adamcarpets.com ALCHEMY alchemykitchens.co.uk ALDWORTH JAMES & BOND 020 8269 0883 aldworthjamesandbond.co.uk ALRESFORD LINEN COMPANY 01962 734221 alresfordlinen.co.uk ALSO HOME 01483 608611 alsohome.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMAZON amazon.co.uk ANTHROPOLOGIE 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com ARGOS 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk ARLO & JACOB 0333 222 1643 arloandjacob.com ASDA 0800 952 0101 asda.com

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BATHSTORE 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com BAYTREE INTERIORS 0808 168 9242 baytree-interiors.co.uk BENJAMIN MOORE 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk BERTAZZONI AT BRITANNIA 0800 073 1003 bertazzoni.com BETTYS 0800 456 1919 bettys.co.uk BLOOMING ARTIFICIAL 0800 977 7589 bloomingartificial.co.uk BLUEBELLGRAY 0808 164 0130 bluebellgray.com BOHEMIA DESIGN 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk BOHZAAR 01531 553000 bohzaar.co.uk BRINTONS 0800 505055 brintons.co.uk BRONTE BY MOON brontebymoon.co.uk BURBIDGE 024 7667 1600 burbidge.co.uk BURLEIGH 01773 740740 burleigh.co.uk

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HABITAT 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk HARRISON SPINKS 0113 205 5200 harrisonspinks.co.uk HARVEY JONES 0800 389 6938 harveyjones.com HAVWOODS 01524 737000 havwoods.co.uk HEAL’S 0333 212 1915 heals.co.uk HOBBYCRAFT 0330 026 1400 hobbycraft.co.uk HOME BARN 01628 474011 homebarnshop.co.uk HOMESENSE 01923 473561 homesense.com HOUSEOLOGY 0330 363 0330 houseology.com HOWDENS howdens.com

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IAN MANKIN 020 7722 0997 ianmankin.co.uk IKEA 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk ILVA ilva.dk INDIGENOUS 01993 824200 indigenous.co.uk IPHORIA iphoria.com/en

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CHARLOTTE BRISCOE INTERIORS charlottebriscoeinteriors.co.uk CHARLOTTE GAISFORD 01434 689583 charlottegaisford.co.uk CHEEKY CHAIRScheekychairs.com CHRISTOPHER PRATTS cpratts.co.uk CLARISSA HULSE 020 7226 7055 clarissahulse.com CLAYTON CABINETS 01837 83486 claytoncabinets.co.uk CLOSA 01249 448731 closa.co.uk COLOGNE & COTTON 0845 262 2212 cologneandcotton.com CONTOURS 01629 821900 contours.co.uk

GRAHAM & BROWN 0800 328 8452 grahambrown.com

COX & COX 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk CREATIVE TOPS 01536 207710 creative-tops.com CROCUS 01344 578000 crocus.co.uk CROWN 0330 024 0281 crownpaints.co.uk DARTINGTON CRYSTAL 01805 626221 dartington.co.uk DASSIE ARTISAN 01290 211147 dassieartisan.com DAYLESFORD 01608 731700 daylesford.com DECORATIVE COUNTRY LIVING 01400 273632 decorativecountryliving.com DESIGNERS GUILD 020 7351 5775 designersguild.com DEVOL 01509 261000 devolkitchens.co.uk DOMUS 020 8481 9500 domustiles.co.uk DOTCOMGIFTSHOP 020 8746 2473 dotcomgiftshop.com DOVRE 01392 261950 dovre.co.uk DRESSER MOULDINGS 01706 658900 dressermouldings.com DRUMMONDS 020 7376 4499 drummonds-uk.com DUALIT 01293 652500 dualit.com DULUX 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk DUNELM 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com

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EARTHY TIMBER 01273 890607 earthtimber.com EBAY ebay.co.uk ELIZABETH HARBOUR elizabethharbour.co.uk EMILY BOND 01173 763067 emilybond.co.uk EMMA BRITTON 07989 269347 emmabritton.net ERCOL 01844 271800 ercol.com ETSY etsy.com EVERHOT 01453 890018 everhot.co.uk EVOKE FURNITURE 020 3609 4555 evokefurniture.co.uk

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FALCON ENAMELWARE 020 7837 9749 falconenamelware.com FARROW & BALL 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com FINCH & CRANE finchandcrane.com FIRED EARTH 01295 814396 firedearth.com FLYING TIGER COPENHAGEN uk.flyingtiger.com

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GARDEN TRADING 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk GISELA GRAHAM 020 7708 4956 giselagraham.co.uk GRACE & GLORY 01271 268534 graceandgloryhome.co.uk

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JAMES HARE 0113 243 1204 james-hare.com JANE LOWTH jane.lowth.com JIM LAWRENCE 01473 826685 jim-lawrence.co.uk JO MALONE 0800 054 2939 jomalone.co.uk JOHN LEWIS 0345 604 9049 johnlewis.com JOHN LEWIS OF HUNGERFORD 0700 278 4726 john-lewis.co.uk JONNY’S SISTER 01935 873186 jonnyssister.co.uk JOULES 0345 250 7160 joules.com

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KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORING 01386 820100 karndean.com KATIE CHARLESON 07540 949639 katiecharleson.com

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LSA INTERNATIONAL 01932 789721 lsa-international.com LA RESIDENCE INTERIORS 01403 752245 laresidenceinteriors.co.uk LAURA ASHLEY 0333 200 8009 lauraashley.com LECKFORD ESTATE 01264 810270 leckfordestate.co.uk LEWIS & WOOD 01453 878517 lewisandwood.co.uk LEXINGTON 01494 787210 lexingtoncompany.com LIBERTY LONDON FABRICS Libertylondon.com

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MADE TO LAST 01223 967901 made-to-last.co.uk MADE 0344 257 1888 made.com MAISON HOME INTERIORS 01943 816008 maisonhomeilkley.co.uk MAISONS DU MONDE 0808 234 2172 maisonsdumonde.com MARK WILKINSON FURNITURE 01380 850007 mwf.com MARKS & SPENCER 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com MASTERCLASS KITCHENS 01443 449499 masterclasskitchens.co.uk MATALAN 0333 004 4444 matalan.co.uk MELIN TREGWYNT 01348 891225 melintregwynt.co.uk MELODY MAISON 01302 741000 melodymaison.co.uk MERCURY 0800 804 6261 mercuryappliances.co.uk

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NAKED KITCHENS 01328 838854 nakedkitchens.com NATIONAL TRUST SHOP 0300 123 2025 shop.nationaltrust.org.uk NATURAL BED COMPANY 0114 272 1984 naturalbedcompany.co.uk NEPTUNE 01793 427300 neptune.com NEXT 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk NIKKI BAILIE 07974 260844 nikkibailie.com NKUKU 0333 240 0155 nkuku.com NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM 020 3318 5115 notonthehighstreet.com

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OKA 0333 004 2042 oka.com ON FOOT HOLIDAYS 01722 322652 onfootholidays.co.uk OSBORNE & LITTLE 020 8812 3123 osborneandlittle.com OUT THERE INTERIORS 020 8099 7443 outthereinteriors.com

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PACKHOUSE 01252 781010 packhouse.com PAPERCHASE 020 3322 4788 paperchase.co.uk PERCH & PARROW 020 8629 1166 perchandparrow.com PERFECTLY LOVELY INTERIORS 01984 641464 perfectlylovelyinteriors.com PERRIN & ROWE 01708 526361 perrinandrowe.com PIGLET 07729 735729 pigletinbed.com PIP HOWESON piphoweson.com

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POOKY 020 7351 3003 pooky.com PORTA ROMANA 01420 23005 portaromana.co.uk PURE LIVING COLLECTION 0844 800 0097 purelivingcollection.com ROCOCO CHOCOLATES 020 3691 5719 rococochocolates.com ROPER RHODES 01225 303900 roperrhodes.co.uk RUPERT BEVAN 020 7731 1919 rupertbevan.com

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SAINSBURYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 0800 328 1700 sainsburys.co.uk SALVATION ARMY 020 7367 4500 salvationarmy.org.uk SAMUEL & SONS 020 7351 5153 samuelandsons.com SANDBERG 0800 731 9622 sandbergwallpaper.com SANDERSON 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/sanderson SASS & BELLE 020 7346 0117 sassandbelle.co.uk SCION 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/scion SHERIDAN 01925 453410 sheridanaustralia.co.uk SILESTONE 01256 761229 silestone.co.uk SILESTONE BY COSENTINO 01256 761229 silestone.co.uk SIMON HORN 020 7723 2925 simonhorn.com SKIRTING BOARDS DIRECT 0121 344 4427 skirtingboardsdirect.com SLEEPY DOE sleepydoe.com SMEG 0844 557 9907 smeguk.com SOFA.COM 0345 400 2222 sofa.com

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SOLWAY BLANKETS 01576 300113 solwayblankets.co.uk SOPHIE ALLPORT 01778 560256 sophieallport.com SOPHIE CONRAN 020 7603 1522 sophieconran.com STEEL CUCINE steel-cucine.com STEVEN BOOKER KITCHENS & FURNITURE 01608 674324 stevenbooker.co.uk STONE WORLD 020 8838 3232 stoneworldlondon.co.uk STRATHEARN STONE & TIMBER 01764 684836 stoneandtimber.co.uk STUDIO G 01706 242 010 studiog.uk.com STYLE BY STARS stylebystars.net SUNBURY ANTIQUES MARKET 01932 230946 sunburyantiques.com SUSIE WATSON DESIGNS 0844 980 8185 susiewatsondesigns.co.uk TALKING TABLES 020 7627 6767 talkingtables.co.uk THE 1810 COMPANY 01978 660770 the1810company.co.uk THE CAST IRON BATH COMPANY 01723 585896 castironbath.co.uk THE CONTEMPORARY HOME 0845 130 8229 tch.net THE COTSWOLD COMPANY 0333 200 1725 cotswoldco.com THE EMPORIUM SOMERSET 01823 660076 theemporiumsomerset.co.uk THE FRENCH BEDROOM COMPANY 01444 415430 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk THE HAMBLEDON 01962 890055 thehambledon.com THE LINEN WORKS 020 3744 1020 thelinenworks.co.uk

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THE ORGANISED HOME 01425 240163 theorganisedhome.co.uk THE ORIGINAL BEDSTEAD COMPANY 020 7351 1955 obc-uk.net THE PRINT BEE theprintbeeshop.com THE RUG COMPANY 020 3369 3912 therugcompany.com THE SALCOMBE TRADING COMPANY 01225 334281 salcombetrading.co.uk THE SOFA & CHAIR COMPANY 020 8993 4415 thesofaandchair.co.uk THE VICTORIAN EMPORIUM 01525 750333 thevictorianemporium.com THE VINTAGE WALL 0845 689 9879 thevintagewall.com THE WHITE COMPANY 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com THOMAS SANDERSON 0800 056 2929 thomas-sanderson.co.uk TICK TOCK CLOCKS 01525 552032 ticktockclocks.co.uk TILES OF STOW 01608 658993 tilesofstow.co.uk TOAST 0333 400 5200 toa.st TOLLY MCRAE tollymcrae.co.uk TOWCESTER TILES 01327 703445 towcestertiles.co.uk TROUVA 020 7193 6444 trouva.com VV ROULEAUX 020 7224 5179 vvrouleaux.com VALSPAR 0344 736 9174 valsparpaint.co.uk VERY 0844 822 2321 very.co.uk VICTORIAN PLUMBING 0345 862 2878 victorianplumbing.co.uk VOYAGE 0141 641 1700 voyagedecoration.com

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WALLACE COTTON 0800 024 8475 wallacecotton.co.uk WALLPAPERDIRECT.COM 01323 430886 wallpaperdirect.com WATERFORD 01782 282650 waterford.co.uk WAYFAIR 0800 169 0423 wayfair.co.uk WELLS RECLAMATION 01749 677087 wellsreclamation.com WEST BARN INTERIORS 01423 613320 westbarninteriors.co.uk WHICHFORD POTTERY 01608 684416 whichfordpottery.com WILDERNESS SCOTLAND 01479 420020 wildernessscotland.com WILLIAM HOLLAND 01305 251930 williamholland.com WILLIS & GAMBIER 01733 318400 willisandgambier.co.uk WILLOW & STONE 01326 311388 willowandstone.co.uk WOODSTOCK FURNITURE 020 8876 0131 woodstockfurniture.co.uk WORKTOP EXPRESS 0345 222 2644 worktop-express.co.uk

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ZOE GLENCROSS FABRIC & HOME 07530 741812 zoeglencross.com ZOFFANY 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/zoffany

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PLEASE NOTE ALL INFORMATION AND PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. PAINT AND FABRIC COLOURS MAY VARY SLIGHTLY DUE TO THE PRINTING PROCESS.

LINDA OKANE 028 9446 8159 LINEN ME 020 8133 3853 linenme.com LINUM linumdesign.com LITTLE GREENE 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com LOAF 0845 468 0698 loaf.com LOEWE 01294 315 0000 loewe-uk.com LOMBOK 020 7736 5171 lombok.co.uk LOVE YOUR HOME 01483 410007 love-your-home.co.uk

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

‘THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS SHOW US THE MIGHT OF MOTHER NATURE’ Charity ambassador and singer Leah Wood

There’s something about the mountains that makes you feel really small and it brings you back down to earth as a human being, because you’re looking at something way bigger than yourself. The mountains are mostly green, but the sun creates the most amazing shadows on them. Around sunset they’re especially stunning, because the landscape’s covered in a golden light, casting shapes from the trees. It’s great to come outside with your paint palette and paint the different colours falling on the mountains in front of you.

This view has been with me a long time... I think we’ve had the place over 30 years now, and so it’s been an anchor for me through a lot. I’ve been there looking out of the window as a little girl, doing my Gaelic homework and then also as a grown woman, married with two kids, but seeing the same, reliable view. It always makes me reminisce about the past and brings up all these different emotions and memories for me, 170

Country Homes & Interiors

but in a nice way. I look out onto the mountains and I just feel myself fading out into memories.

I first got together with my husband in front of that view. It was about 10 years ago, we’d been friends for years so I invited him and a group of friends over for a party. We were all just hanging out there for the weekend, Jack and I started catching up in front of the bonfire and, well, the rest is history! So many important life events have happened there, like my kids’ first Christmases. It holds such a special place in my heart.

My kids love coming over with us, going for long walks in the fields and by the canal and just being back with nature. My eight-year-old daughter, Maggie, loves being there in springtime because we have this man, Patrick, who looks after the place when we’re not there and he always has something going on: lambs being born, cows grazing or dogs chasing livestock into a pen.

Last Easter my dad, Ronnie Wood, came over to spend the holiday with us. The kids were doing an Easter egg hunt we’d set up and I was in the kitchen. My dad can’t really cook, bless him, but he helped with the gravy and roast potatoes. It was great family catch-up time, because my kids were there, as was my sister, my dad and his youngest two kids and my step-mum. It means a lot to share that view with the people I care about.

Leah is an ambassador for Cool Earth, a charity aimed at protecting the rainforest. Find out more at coolearth.org.

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS IVAN VDOVIN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

One of my favourite places to visit is our family home in Ireland’s County Kildare. From my bedroom window I can see the big – and beautiful – Wicklow Mountains.

They’re fantastic to watch throughout the year as they do change so much with the seasons, from their snow-capped summits in the winter to the fresh and grassy fields of spring.

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