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L I F E . . . L O V E

T H E

S T Y L E

& INTERIORS

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COM

E LO SP I G! HE SEASO

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RECIPES TO REV-UP VEGGIE DINNERS

H RESH F E

OOD S Y E

Your dream GARDEN

NEW LOOK?

BULBS, BLOSSOM & BLOOMS: SPRING PLANTING INSPIRATION PLUS COMPLETE GUIDE TO LANDSCAPING

REINVENT YOUR FEATURE WALL

HOW TO DESIGN A SMALL BATHROOM JOYFUL COLOUR & PATTERN

Inspiring ❖ RUN-DOWN COTTAGE TO COUNTRY JEWEL ❖ UNIQUE TIMBER HOME ❖ VICTORIAN RENOVATION ❖ RUSTIC CONVERTED GRANARY

THE HOME OF

modern country March 2021

14 INTERIORS & INSPIRATION 8 MARCH Things that make us happy 13 DESIGN NEWS What’s new in interiors this month 74 • CREATIVE COUNTRY Take a gentle, joyful approach to colour and pattern 80 MODERN HERITAGE Vintage favourite furnishings with a contemporary spin 84 • MAKE A HOUSE A HOME Reinvent the feature wall 90 • BATHROOM IDEAS Design a small bathroom 98 FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE Statement sofas 100 ROOM ELEMENTS Impact-worthy work surfaces 105 HOME TECH Super smart washing machines

116

COUNTRY HOMES

111 KITCHEN PROJECT Careful planning and clever features make this a dream space >

14 • OXFORDSHIRE COTTAGE This couple left city life behind to transform two run-down buildings 26 • AUSTRALIAN GRANARY A thoughtful restoration of a former farm building 38 • OXFORDSHIRE COTTAGE Travels around the world inspired the interior decor of this renovated country cottage

• ON THE COVER

50 • CORNISH STEAM-BENT HOUSE An innovative timber home built in the heart of a Cornish forest PLUS GET-THE-LOOK IDEAS FOR EVERY HOME

66 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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GARDENS 106

• RENOVATION GUIDE Garden landscaping

127

• GARDEN SPECIAL Create stunning displays with our seasonal guide

135

50

84

SEASONAL FOOD 116

IN A COUNTRY GARDEN Top picks for porch dressings

JUST FOR YOU 64

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• VEGGIE MIGHT Rev up your veggie cooking with flavour and spice

127 • ON THE COVER

SUBSCRIBE T O D AY

123

IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN Our latest pantry additions

124

HOME BREW Gather nature’s ingredients for a soothing cuppa

LIFESTYLE 63 RURAL HOTSPOT A few reasons why we’d love to move to Shepton Mallet 66 MY COUNTRY BUSINESS Multi-disciplinary artist Katherine Cuthbert explains why she won’t ever stop creating 73

LOCAL HERO This craft expert helps people find connection through workshops

136 LIVE LIFE WELL Happy thoughts and ideas for fashion, eco, wellbeing and more 139 COUNTRY PASSION Nana Tomova shares her love of storytelling walks Subscribe to Country Homes & Interiors today from only £26.99! T&Cs apply.

See page 64 for details.

4

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

141 PLAN A TRIP TO… The Falcon near Northampton 146 MY FAVOURITE VIEW For Jenny Agutter it’s the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall

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& INTERIORS 161 MARSH WALL, LONDON E14 9AP EMAIL countryhomes@futurenet.com To get in touch, our email format is firstname.lastname@futurenet.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, FUTURE HOMES Sarah Spiteri EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vanessa Richmond EDITOR Andrea Childs GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR Georgia Hibberdine GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR/PRODUCTION EDITOR Sarah Farley EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, HOMES CONTENT Rhoda Parry HOUSES EDITOR Vivienne Ayers SHOPPING EDITOR Holly Phillips NEWS AND FEATURES EDITOR Thea Babington-Stitt CONTENT EDITOR Tara King ACTING CONTENT EDITOR Jacky Parker STYLE EDITOR Michela Colling CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sara Bird (Style) FOOD EDITOR Samuel Goldsmith GARDENS EDITOR Teresa Conway HEAD OF SUBS OPERATIONS Maxine Clarke CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Amy Hodge SENIOR SUB-EDITOR Chloe Hay SENIOR SUB-EDITOR Linda Blakemore SENIOR SUB-EDITOR Catherine Law HEAD OF ART OPERATIONS Alison Walter ART EDITOR Meredith Davies SENIOR DESIGNER Chris McPhail EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Nicola Tillman DIGITAL Brand Development Director Laura Crombie Video Producer Matt Gibbs Editor in Chief – Homes Audience Amy Cutmore Editor in Chief – eCommerce Lindsey Davis Digital Shopping Editor Tamara Kelly PRODUCTION Senior Production Manager Matt Eglinton Production Manager John Botten 0330 390 7509 Senior Ad Production Controller Barry Skinner 0330 390 6725 MARKETING Head of Marketing Sian Cupid 020 3148 6487 Deputy Head of Marketing Laura Timms 020 3148 6239 CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Katie Greenan ADVERTISING Commercial Director Rob Biagioni Publisher & Head of Homes Network Joanne O’Hara International/Luxury Account Manager Carole Bunce Regional Sales Director Katrina Hutchison 0161 601 3720 Sales Manager (Inserts) Canopy Media Michael Davie 07446 903582 Business Director Kim Milroy 07967 590362 Classified Senior Sales Executive Charlotte Beckett SYNDICATION Head of Brand Partnerships David Abbott INTERNATIONAL LICENSING Country Homes & Interiors is available for licensing.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

A

s I work on a homes magazine, it will come as no surprise that I’m fascinated by interiors and the spaces we create for ourselves. I love to browse our Things That Make Us Happy section, curated by our talented Shopping Editor, Holly Phillips. And I look forward to meetings with Houses Editor

PHOTOGRAPH (PORTRAIT) HOLLY STONE; (SARAH RAVEN) JONATHAN BUCKLEY; (DAFFODIL FIELD) HELEN DIXON/ALAMY MAKE UP CARA MCDANIEL

Fields of daffodils lift the spirit at this time of year

Vivienne Ayers to select the homes we feature. It’s a pleasure to share each house with you, whether it’s for the backstory of the building or its reinvention.

Every home reveals the personality of its owners a love of travel (see Homeward Bound, page 38), a passion for history (The Marks of Time, page 26), the switch from city to country life (A Diamond in the Rough, page 14), or the unique talent of designer Tom Raffield (Into the Woods, page 50). I’d love to see your homes, too. Share them with us on Instagram @countryhomesmag or on Facebook at Country Homes & WHY NOT TREAT YOURSELF Interiors Magazine.

OR A FRIEND TO OUR SPECIAL HALF-PRICE Happy SUBSCRIPTION OFFER? homemaking!

SEE PAGE 64 FOR ALL

Andréa x

THE DETAILS

I’m,,, filling my life with flowers Ordering British blooms via the not-for-profit growers’ group Flowers from the Farm. flowersfrom thefarm.co.uk

Planting bright and blowsy dahlias ready for a summer of colour in the garden. sarah raven.com

Browsing the new gardens in the 2021 National Garden Scheme handbook. ngs.org.uk COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

7

Things that make us happy...

MARCH

Blurring the boundaries between outside-in living.

Moving in a potted colony of air-purifying lovelies.

Hurnham bench, £325; Seagrass woven tray, £50; watering can, £20; Kubu planter, £55 for two; earthenware planters, from £18, all The White Company

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

C O U N T R Y D AY S

Two styles in one – a classic staple with a cosy, teddy twist.

Reversible duffle jacket in Navy/ Camel, £980, Celtic & Co

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1

3

4 1 Tactile, ribbed textures on eclectic mix-and-match collections.

Hand-blown recycled glass tumblers, from £20; carafe, £75, all Wiid at Hadeda 2 Taking a literary peek through extraordinary homes and builds. Twenty First Century Cotswolds Volume II, £40,

by Pippa Paton at Pippa Paton Design and Amazon 3 Sharing a giggle while polishing off a home bake. Green Cabbage White butterfly plate, £17.95, Emma Bridgewater 4 Exploring natural material combos. Bamboo coffee table, £220, Amara

5

Harnessing a relaxed style with bleached wood and chalky, verdant hues.

Etta table, £350; glazed plates, from £3.75; Otton ceiling shade, £95, all Habitat

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8

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5 Creative storage solutions that seamlessly combine style with function. Patterned seagrass basket, £22.50, Oliver Bonas.

6 Refreshing seating arrangements with a scattering of cottage style botanicals. Green lavender cushion, £34.99, Perkins & Morley 7 Heartfelt, hand-finished individuals. Heart bowl carved wooden spoons, from £2.95, RE 8 Sinking into a luxuriously squishy world for one (or two!) Love seat in velvet Sea Green, £3,595, Maker & Son

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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9 11

12

Delighting our leading lady with a bundle of heavenly scents.

Mothers Day flower garden handheld bouquet, £48, The Real Flower Company

13

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9 Adding instant colour, elegance and twinkle. Antique candlestick in Green, £25, Van Verre at The Hambledon 10 Illuminating bedtime stories with a countryside scene.

Straight empire shade (30cm) in Furry Folk, £30, Maude Smith X Pooky 11 Showing off dried grasses and flowers in a gorgeously chunky design! Macario jug vase in Turquoise, £35, Curious Egg 12 A tall and slender favourite. Three pint jug in Pale Lilac, £34, Falcon Enamelware

Dot-spotting on adorable kitchen essentials!

Dalmatian tea towel, £9, Sophie Allport

16

13 Stripping back to a raw and rustic table setting with terracotta serveware. Hazel serving bowls, from £24 each, Kagu Interiors 14 Inviting intrepid explorer visitors in for an indoor adventure (and cuppa!) Welcome to the jungle doormat, £36, Anthropologie 15 Buzzing around in queen bee glory.

Signature cross body in Brown, £159, Will Bees Bespoke 16 A luxurious landscape scene of Geelong lambswool inspired by walks in Dartmoor. Moor blanket in Charcoal, £540, Feldspar 10

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

15

C O U N T R Y D AY S

Bright-eyed updates with quality textures, calming patterns and a crisp palette.

Printed cotton sateen bedding in Light Grey/Blue flower, from £39; Seersucker cotton bedding in Light Grey/White striped, from £35; Diagonal structured cotton bedspread in White, from £175, all Lexington

Things that make us happy...

FLINGING OPEN THE ❝ DOORS AND EMBRACING THE GARDEN AS OUR LIVING ROOM ONCE AGAIN!

❞ COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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A w a r d

ORANGERIES

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GARDEN ROOMS

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G a r d e n

C O N S E R VAT O R I E S

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OAK BUILDINGS

Call for our inspirational brochure or book an expert design consultation 01278 764444 davidsalisbury.com

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NEW & INTERESTING

DESIGN NEWS Special-edition embroidered cushions British designer Alice Archer has launched a limited range of cushions inspired by nature, filled with duck feathers and handmade in the UK. Choose from three captivating designs: Neva (left), cream silk linen embroidered with pink thrift flowers; Nicky, black cotton velvet, embroidered with sea thistle and saxifrage; and Natalie, bottle green velvet with pink thrift flowers, all from £175 each.

Discover the full collection at alicearcher.co.uk.

Tufty Braid trimming in Birch, £14.75m, Villa Nova

PEARLESCENT DELIGHTS FROM ATKIN & THYME Get in the glow with Atkin & Thyme’s exquisite Mother of Pearl collection. Made from sustainable mango wood and inlaid with handcarved pieces of mother-of-pearl, the elegant designs include a chest of drawers, £999, and mirror, £199. Visit atkinandthyme.co.uk.

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Dazzling opulence by Lights and Lamps Add a glamorous statement with a sparkling chandelier from Lights and Lamps. The latest additions include grand Italianate-inspired designs alongside exotic lantern silhouettes.

The curvaceous Pello chandelier, £219 (right), has two scalloped tiers swagged in white crystal glass beads – gorgeous. Discover more at lightsandlamps.com.

VILLA NOVA LAUNCHES FINISHING TOUCHES Add perfect detail to soft furnishings with Villa Nova’s first extensive range of sophisticated trimmings. With decorative braids, fringes, tiebacks, pom-poms and a simple key tassel, the collection has been thoughtfully designed to embellish every style of interior, bringing individuality and flair to curtains, blinds, cushions and chairs. villanova.co.uk.

Makeover for signature designs Brilliantly bold British design house Divine Savages has introduced striking new colourways to its Crane Fonda and Deco Martini wallpaper designs, created using traditional techniques and hand-mixed paints. Be inspired by Palm Green, Ecru Blue, Jade Green and Charcoal, as well as the existing favourite Coral. Fabulously elegant Crane Fonda wallpaper (right) has been reimagined on a larger scale and is shown here in Palm Green, £140 per roll. divinesavages.com.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

13

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Wanting to cultivate their natural flair for design and renovation, Sonya and Toby Byrne left city life behind them to transform two run-down country cottages

Living room Thick stone walls, an inglenook fireplace and a painted ceiling bring cosy ambience to this stylish space.

Sofas, Sofa.com. Cushion covers, Oka. Alera coffee table, Nkuku. Rug, H&M Home. Amelia armchairs, Neptune. Ceiling colour, Palimpsest, Atelier Ellis

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

15

Living room A window seat offers a wonderful view of the garden.

Vintage luggage rack used as side table, Antiques Emporium Griffin Mill.

Connato lamp, Trouva.

Cushion covers in Mustard and Dirty Orange, both Oka

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

S

earching for the perfect out-of-London home had become a labour of love for Sonya and Toby Byrne. So after four years, and looking at 50 houses in five counties, they knew they had struck lucky with this property.

For many, the decision would have seemed brave – swapping a perfectly renovated five-bedroom home in Tooting for two extremely run-down cottages and derelict outbuildings. But to the Byrnes the location and plot offered everything they had hoped for.

There was potential for the two cottages to be linked as one home plus the creation of a self-contained ground-floor guest suite, home office and children’s den. There was a spacious garden for entertaining and play areas, with room for a kitchen and cuttings garden for Sonya, plus two acres of woodland, which was Toby’s dream, given his passion for carpentry and the outdoors.

Working as architects, interior designers and landscape gardeners, the couple considered every inch of space over the whole property, planning the reconfiguration of rooms, the lifting of ceilings, practical storage requirements and bespoke design features before any work commenced. ’A friend drew up the plans for us and we worked with a great local building team. Toby, a skilled carpenter, made all the units in the utility and boot room, many of the wardrobe doors and our kitchen island worktop, which was repurposed from old scaffolding boards,’ says Sonya. ‘The project took a year to complete and we lived on site in an old outbuilding with no running water or heating. With a pop-up shower rigged from the mains supply and a makeshift kitchen, we sold it to the children as glamping!’

The priority was to create a spacious open-plan kitchen, living, dining and utility area that opened out onto the same level as the garden. ‘We wanted a large room where family and friends could hang out – whether inside or outdoors in the garden, office or hot tub. The extension has transformed our family life and links back to the original kitchen, now the dining area. The old Aga is brilliant for making garden vegetable soups and drying copious amounts of sports kit. We all love the outdoors and the house supports that way of life in a way our London townhouse never could. It’s a very sociable home and perfect for entertaining.’

Sonya’s interiors style mixes Scandinavian, industrial, vintage and the homemade. Original architectural features have been respected and bare stone walls and beams have been stripped as a nod to the property’s past. Pared-back bedrooms blend natural linens and organic textures, while statement bathrooms add understated luxury. The house has a tranquil feel, painted in a selection of Atelier Ellis paints in earthy hues. ‘Designing schemes and finding the right pieces has been very rewarding,’ says Sonya.

With the house complete, Sonya and Toby got the development bug and have moved on to their next project, which means for the time being their cottage is available to rent. ‘The move has been more than a house renovation for us,’ says Sonya. ‘It has enabled a new lifestyle and new way of thinking for us all.’

To enquire about renting In Clover, visit uniquehomestays.com

AT HOM E WI T H Owners Sonya Byrne is a partnership lead for a corporate social enterprise and lives here with her husband Toby, a technology director, and their children Rose, 10, Sam, nine, and Lily, four, and their two cats, George and Freddie.

House A five-bedroom, 17th-century Cotswold stone cottage, originally two dwellings, with a 1950s extension.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

17

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

Boot room This practical space is perfect for outdoor life. Flooring, Windsor Grey Limestone, Beswick Stone

Exterior The cottage, complete with its own working well, is surrounded by an established garden. Front door colour, Railings, Farrow & Ball.

Living area A woodburning stove and pared-back feel create a Scandi vibe in this open-plan space. Ashcott stove, Mendip Stoves. Natural Kasbar pouffe, French Connection. Bluebell sofa, Sofa.com. Jute rug, Etsy. Beso armchair, Nkuku. Windsor Grey limestone floor, Beswick Stone.

Bespoke aluminium sliding doors, Cherwell Windows

18

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

❝

THE HOUSE HAS HELPED US ALL TO UNWIND AND ENJOY THE SIMPLE PLEASURES OF COUNTRY LIFE

❞

Kitchen area A large island, with an old scaffolding board worktop made by Toby, forms a hub here.

Kitchen, Barbury Kitchens. Units painted in Shaded White, Farrow & Ball. Island in Aged Black, Atelier Ellis. Bar stools, Rose & Grey.

Zipcode Design Ruth pendant light, Wayfair

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

20

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

IN SPRING, THE DOORS ARE FLUNG OPEN ❝ AND THE OUTDOORS BECOMES AN EXTENSION OF OUR LIVING SPACE❞

Dining area The Aga came with the house and has become a much-loved feature of this relaxed family space. Table and pendant light, eBay. Dining chairs, Fad & Fated. Cupboards painted in Canopy; wall in Warm White, both Atelier Ellis

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

Bedroom Soft pink and earthy tobacco create a restful retreat. Waska rattan bed, La Redoute. Walls painted in Faded Blossom, Atelier Ellis

Bedroom Painted panelling adds an earthy base to this more colourful room.

Panelling (right) in Clay Slip, Atelier Ellis. Silver desk lamp, Made

Main bedroom Contemporary pieces bring elegance to original features. Herringbone Pewter Grey throw (below), Secret Linen Store. Sheepskin chair (left), Zara Home. Ercol dressing table, Lots Road Auctions

Bathroom

FEATURE ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY

A roll-top bath works well in this rustic space. Similar bath, CP Hart.

Bath in Railings, Farrow & Ball

22

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ON OUR D O OR ST EP Visit… ‘Blenheim Palace (blenheimpalace.com) at Woodstock in Oxfordshire.

The grounds and surrounding woodlands come alive with magnificent bluebell displays in the spring.’

Shop at…’Station Mill Antiques (stationmill.com) in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. The centre is full of unique antique one-off finds; we have discovered lots of pieces for our home here.’

Go for a meal at…’The Old Swan (oldswan.co.uk) in Minster Lovell, near Oxford; it’s our favourite pub. It has gorgeous homemade food (the best pies) and a beautiful terrace and playground that overlook the river.’

Bedroom Soft green tones create a calming and cosy backdrop for simple bed linen. Panelling painted in Canopy; walls in Double Bone, Shell & Quill, both Atelier Ellis. Dark Green waffle throw; bouclé blanket, both H&M Home. Martini Olive washed-linen cushion cover, Linen Tales. J83B oak bench, Finnish Design Shop

ALDERLEY EDGE ESHER

tomhowley.co.uk

call 0161 848 1200 for a free brochure

ALTRINCHAM

BRENTWOOD

GUILDFORD

BEACONSFIELD

HARROGATE

ISLINGTON

BRISTOL

LEAMINGTON SPA

CAMBRIDGE LONDON W1

CHELSEA

CHELTENHAM

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BRITISH DESIGN & CRAFTSMANSHIP

EDINBURGH

WINCHESTER

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by SONYA’S SITTING AREA Welcome relaxed materials and tactile tassels into Scandi or bohemian interiors.

Woven tasselled cushion, £50, Cox & Cox

CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC

Add a striking silhouette with a crackled design.

Anita table lamp in Tea Stain Porcelain, £795, Alexa Hampton at Andrew Martin

Combine storage and table with these adventurous travel inspirations.

Gaspar linen trunks, £175 for two, Maisons du Monde

The striking ikat pattern is skilfully woven on traditional hand looms.

Beso armchair in Khaki and Navy, £995, Nkuku

Stacked wood becomes a striking, contemporary feature.

Steel log holder in Anthracite Grey, £189, Harrod Horticulture at Simply Stoves

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

SonyaÕs style tip...

CREATE A SERENE SCANDI SCHEME WITH MINIMAL PIECES AND LIVED-IN TEXTURES, BOUND

BY A PALETTE OF EARTHY NEUTRALS

Pop feet up on this handloomed lovely, made from recycled plastic bottles.

Andalucia Cadiz footstool, £189, Weaver Green

Keep refreshments topped up or display a beautiful bouquet for a colour-pop!

Large Clevedon jug, £45, Paper Thin Moon COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

25

THE MARKS OF TIME

The thoughtful renovation of a former farm building by Fiona Moses has brought a new lease of life to these historic walls

Hallway This welcoming space, with its original sandstone walls, has a modern rustic elegance. For similar light and hooks, try Baileys Home. Rug, source at John Lewis & Partners 26

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

AUSTRALIAN GRANARY

Kitchen A time-worn cupboard complements the rustic setting; the original ventilation hole is now a window. Similar cupboard, Amy Perry Antiques.

Bowl, The Jardin RoomÂ

Exterior With its mellow stone walls, and surrounded by beds of lavender, The Granary has a distinctive Tuscan or French farmhouse feel

L

AT HOME WITH Owners Fiona Moses, a boutique hotelier, lives here with her husband Nick, a futures trader, and their children Millie, 19, Sam, 18, Wills, 15, and Monty, 12; along with their two dachshunds, Peanut and Benjamin.

House A self-contained, threebedroom, stone granary that dates back to 1820, part of the Richmond Hill estate, home to the family’s main house and various outbuildings.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

ike many young people growing up in country towns, Fiona and Nick Moses each decided to head to the city – in this case, Sydney – to work. Years later, after they’d met and married and had their third child, they decided to return to their roots, buying a rural property in Cressy, a short drive from Fiona’s parents‘ farm in Tasmania. ‘We wanted our children to experience the freedom we had so enjoyed,’ she says.

Seven years later they had the chance to buy nearby Richmond Hill, a 200-year-old homestead with an adjacent granary/shearing shed and various outbuildings. The 150-acre property looks out across picturesque mountain ranges and down to the Macquarie River. ‘I love the perspective from the house.

It’s situated on a hill and surrounded by so many beautiful vistas. Guests often comment that it feels reminiscent of parts of Italy and France.’

Conceived originally by James Brumby, a British Army officer, the property was built as a military base in the early 1800s. ‘The barracks have long since been taken down but all the original stone buildings still stand – it is one of the oldest estates in Tasmania. The Granary was converted 20 years ago by the previous owners into a dwelling, but a family friend can still recall shearing sheep in our top floor space,’ says >

AUSTRALIAN GRANARY

Kitchen This country-style scheme works harmoniously with the original features. Similar cabinets, Thomas Ford & Sons. Dining table, The Jardin Room. George Peddle chairs, Evandale Village Store.

Wall unit, Rust Online

AUSTRALIAN GRANARY

A FAMILY FRIEND RECALLS SHEARING ❝ SHEEP HERE BEFORE THE GRANARY WAS CONVERTED INTO A DWELLING ❞

Kitchen-diner Guests enjoy meals looking out across the gardens.

Sofa, Ikea. Dining table, The Jardin Room. Find a similar console table at Lots Road Auctions. For a similar blue rug, try Brownrigg Interiors

Living room Treasured portraits by Millie and Sam when they were younger add colour to the walls. Wood burner, try Chesneys. Sofa, Ikea.

Similar trunk, Baileys Home. Source rugs at Lots Road Auctions

Fiona. ‘We had been using The Granary as an office and sleepover retreat, but two years ago I decided to reinvent the property as boutique guest accommodation. With the exception of Monty, all of our children were away at school, and it felt like the right time to do something for myself and also to generate an income for the estate.’

With the major refurbishments already complete, Fiona spent time transforming the rustic interiors into a welcoming escape. ‘My style is very much about creating elegant, understated and timeless spaces and I am drawn to designers such as India Hicks and Adelaide Bragg for their stylish yet relaxed aesthetics.’

The decoration of The Granary has evolved slowly, with Fiona displaying pieces collected throughout her married life, alongside heirloom treasures from her well-travelled grandmother, including Persian rugs and standard lamps. New items, such as beds, sofas and dining tables, mix harmoniously with locally sourced antiques and salvaged farm finds – the wool grading stencils displayed on a wall are a firm favourite.

Reached via a private road, the driveway is lined with ancient hawthorn hedges and 100-year-old oak trees, transported by ship as saplings from England. ‘I love that sense of provenance and history,’ says Fiona. As you arrive at The Granary, you are surrounded by > COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

31

Hallway Two bedrooms, with headboards designed

by Fiona, lead off this area. Headboards in Duralee fabric, made

by Tasma Upholsterers

Bathroom Carved wooden pillars add an unusual feature. For similar pillars, try Drew Pritchard. Find a similar Carmargue chair and chest of drawers at Oka. Try Tile Boutique for tiles like these

Main bedroom The bold navy headboard adds depth to this pared-back scheme. Bedside table, Ecoco.com.au. Cushions, The Boathouse Home. Similar lamp, Oka

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

beautifully manicured gardens, which are Fiona’s passion. ‘I am at my happiest working out of doors.’

Step over the threshold and you are greeted by the thick sandstone walls of the hallway and original William Morris Primrose and Columbine wallpaper.

Downstairs is home to two elegant bedrooms and a bathroom, with a third bedroom and bathroom upstairs. The pièce de résistance, however, is the vaulted first-floor kitchen, dining and entertaining area.

‘The first time I saw this space, the exposed oak beams and lofty proportions took my breath away,’ says Fiona.

‘I have taken my time to focus on all the little details to get the spaces right – it now feels very personal to me. I wanted to create a very special experience. That sense of nurturing, care and surprise is so important. Spaces should feel immersed in their surroundings.

‘Every window enjoys the most spectacular vistas and in March (our autumn), the deciduous trees turn the most beautiful shades of crimson and yellow. From the two restored balconies you can soak up the sunshine and watch the sun set – it is a true escape,’ Fiona says.

‘We are the first family with children to have lived at the estate for a long time – it feels alive and treasured – knowing that our guests love it too is very rewarding.’

For further information, visit granaryrichmondhill. com. Instagram @granaryrichmondhill

AUSTRALIAN GRANARY

Bedroom Glazed doors open onto the north-facing garden (equivalent of our south facing). Chair cushion fabric, Duralee. Similar bedding, The White Company. Similar pendant light, Streett Marburg

INHERITED A HISTORY BOX THAT HAS BEEN KEPT ❝BYWEEACH OWNER OF THE PROPERTY SINCE 1809❞ Bedroom The original stone walls have been painted in a rich cream to add warmth.

Wall colour, Clotted Cream, Dulux. Bedside table, Ecoco. com.au.

Bed linen, I Love Linen

Staircase The original farm stencils, used to mark the bales of wool, add nostalgic decorative charm

AUSTRALIAN GRANARY

Exterior A fountain creates a soothing focal point in this corner of the garden, home to pencil pines and climbing clematis. Elsewhere (right), Fiona has created a sheltered place to work or relax, surrounded by beds of salvia and lavender

Cartwheel bench This rustic seat, created from an old cartwheel, was inherited with the house and is a great spot to enjoy the views of the orchard (above right).

Similar bench, Streett Marburg

Deck

FEATURE ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHS MARNIE HAWSON

This space is perfect for lunch alfresco. For a similar table, try Neptune. Source a metal globe (left) at Brownrigg

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Exterior Some wonderful established trees were inherited with the house, along with an abundance of box hedging in which Fiona has planted vast beds of lavender

ON OUR DOORSTEP… Visit… ’Evandale (evandale tasmania.com) one of Australia’s best-preserved historic towns, a 20-minute drive from The Granary.

It is full of beautiful antiques shops, pubs, boutiques and bakeries, with a country market on Sundays.’

Shop at… ‘Hill Street Grocer (hillstreetgrocer.com), which specialises in seasonal, locally produced goods. It has an incredible deli and offers pre-prepared meals.’

Go for a meal at...’Clarendon Arms (clarendonarms.com.au), a fabulous historic pub serving craft beer and great local food; plus beer garden and live weekend music.’

Making bedtime better for a nation

Sleep tight with the UK’s most trusted bed brand

Find us @silentnightbeds

silentnight.co.uk

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by FIONA’S BEDROOM Fruity inspirations give everyday lighting an eclectic flair.

Neptune table lamp, £44.99, Bay Isle Home at Wayfair

Step away from the iron and indulge a stylishly laid-back feel.

Lazy Linen bed bundle in Cornflower Blue, from £40, Loaf

Wash walls in this water-based, citrus perfumed neutral.

Eco emulsion in Sand II, from £52.27 for 2.5ltr, Francesca’s Paints Roll out softness and warmth with this traditionally crafted lovely.

Néroli Berber-style wool rug, £250, AM.PM at La Redoute

Set the mood for zenful sleep with a graceful, button-back headboard.

Skye king-size bed in Light Grey Velvet, £599, Made

CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC

Wake up and perk up with a pretty bedside arrangement.

Faux dicentra, ranunculus and rose bunch, £140, Oka

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

FionaÕs style tip...

EMBRACE COTTAGECORE CHARM WITH DISTRESSED FINISHES, LIVED-IN TEXTILES AND A NATUREINSPIRED PALETTE

A charcoal metal frame gives mango wood an industrial hug.

Henkel bedside table, £199, Swoon Editions

Add a touch of Provençal elegance with this bistro-stripe charmer.

Linen hemp grain sack cushion, £16.50-£55, Maison Brocante

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

37

HO

D BO ND

Oli Anderson and Annie Biziou have restored and extended their cottage home to create a welcoming retreat filled with natural light, and treasures from their travels

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

Pergola area ‘I built this pergola as a lockdown project,’ says Oli. ‘It’s close to the kitchen and living room, so it’s ideal for outdoor entertaining.’

Outdoor furniture, Ingarden. Pergola painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

39

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

Kitchen diner Oli’s love of plants is evident in his displays throughout the house.

Marble-effect quartz worktops, Caesarstone.

Herringbone parquet floor, Source Wood Floors

T AT HOME WITH….

Owners Oli Anderson is an investment banker-turned-property developer and his partner Annie Biziou is a travel writer who also runs a yacht charter company in Indonesia.

House An early Victorian cottage, now with four bedrooms.

They bought the house in 2016.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

en years ago, investment banker Oli Anderson found himself increasingly fed up with his number-crunching role. ‘I decided to do something completely different,’ he says of the moment he gave up his job and used his savings to set out as a property developer, specialising in designing and building one-off houses in the countryside. ‘It was a chance to do something more creative,’ he explains, ‘and a way of organising my life so that I could join my partner, Annie, on her travels.’

As a freelance writer, Annie’s job takes her to all corners of the globe on assignments, so Oli offered his services as her driver and photographer (a favourite hobby) to be able to accompany her as much as possible. ‘We’ve been lucky enough to visit lots of wonderful, inspiring places – not something I would have wanted to miss,’ he says.

Home for five years was a rented flat in Henley-onThames. ‘Throughout that time, we were looking for somewhere to buy, but it was surprisingly difficult to find a house with character, outdoor space and proximity to a train station as Annie didn’t drive,’ says Oli. So when they came across a semi-detached two-bedroom cottage with a large garden, built in 1853 for workers at the local paper mill, in a pretty village not far from Henley, the couple were quick to make an offer. ‘Although the >

Kitchen diner Dark-painted cabinets create impact in the cool white space.

Suffolk kitchen in Charcoal, Neptune. Splashback tiles, Mandarin Stone. Skagerak Georg bar stools, Utility Design. Pendant lights, deVOL

Living room Natural hues and textures combine to create a restful scheme. Sofa, John Lewis & Partners. Linen blinds, Ada & Ina

Hall The new staircase was built by a local carpenter to create an impressive feature in the new entrance hall. Pendant lights, Anderson 42 at Tine K Home

Garden Large picture windows offer stunning views of the gardens

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

cottage was run down, my job is all about imagining the potential of a property, and we could see that there was lots we could do to breathe new life into the space.’

Their first challenge was to re-think a standalone garage to the side of the cottage – it had been converted into a sun room by previous owners some years ago and was dubbed ‘the shed’ by Oli and Annie.

They exposed the vaulted ceiling and installed green oak beams to add character to the space, fully insulated the structure and added underfloor heating and an en-suite bathroom. It has become a tranquil room with beautiful views of the garden. ‘We thought it would be an extra guest bedroom, but we like it so much we often use it ourselves,’ says Oli. The couple moved out of their rented flat and based themselves in the newly refurbished guest suite, so they could be on site during the restoration of the cottage. Their builders tackled rising damp and holes in the roof before they were able to move on to reconfiguring the layout to make the rooms feel less cramped. Upstairs, ceilings were removed to expose the vaulted height of the bedrooms, and a reception room on the ground floor was re-purposed to become a central entrance hall with new staircase.

As well as replacing a lean-to at the rear with a singlestorey extension to house the kitchen-dining room, >

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

Living room Character in the simply decorated space comes from a grouping of Oli’s photographs next to a woven telare from Chile. Woodburning stove, Chesneys.

Sofa, John Lewis & Partners.

Rug, House Doctor

THE HOUSE IS FILLED WITH TRAVEL FINDS, LIKE THE TRIBAL ❝ SHIELD FROM PAPUA AND WALL HANGINGS FROM CHILE ❞ Hall The living room opens on to the entrance hall with a new staircase and a double height window, which bathes the space in natural light. Walls in All White, Farrow & Ball.

French limestone floor tiles, Natural Stone Consulting

Main bedroom The main bedroom has a soaring ceiling height with picture windows affording maximum light.

Oli made the shutters from grey-painted wood lined with natural linen. Pendant lights, Such & Such

Main en suite Natural oak adds warmth to the spa-inspired main en suite. Basins, Lusso Stone.

Taps, Living House 44

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

they also built a double-height side extension to add more living space and a study, plus a new main bedroom and en suite on the first floor. ‘The front façade of the cottage is original, as are the flitch beams, but we had to pretty much re-build everything else to make it liveable once more,’ says Oli. ‘From the road, it all looks as it ever did – but it’s great when friends come in and say they can’t believe how spacious and lightfilled it is now, because we put such a lot of effort into maximising the potential of every inch.’

Oli and Annie’s love of travelling means the cottage is filled with unusual finds from their trips, including an antique tribal shield from West Papua and woven wall hangings from Chile. They add character and individuality to the cottage, as do the mix of antique and modern furniture, groups of well-tended plants and emphasis on natural materials and interesting texture. ‘We wanted to create a modern mix in a traditional cottage,’ Oli explains.

Ever creative, Oli’s recent projects include building a pergola during lockdown, with help from his father and sister, to make an outside entertaining area. Does he ever see himself back in the world of banking? ‘Never,’ he says. ‘There’s so much more in the world to enjoy.’

Oli and Annie’s house is available as a shoot location, visit film-locations.co.uk

O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

Guest bedroom A modern twist has been given to the scheme with dusty green walls, brass pendant lights and a hand-laid oak parquet bed.

Wall painted In Cactus, Neptune. Brass pendant lights, Rowen & Wren. Bed; bedside tables, both Loaf

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O X F O R D S H I R E C O T TA G E

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Cliveden (nationaltrust.org) has beautiful woodlands and gardens overlooking the River Thames, perfect for an afternoon walk followed by tea in the hotel, Cliveden House (clivedenhouse.co.uk).’

Shop at… ‘The farmer’s market in Henley-on-Thames (visit-henley.com) for delicious local lamb, honey, fresh vegetables and cheese.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Hand

Garden Oli hired a digger to re-landscape the garden himself, creating a plant-filled and private oasis of calm 46

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

FEATURE AMELIA THORPE PHOTOGRAPHS PAUL CRAIG

and Flowers (thehandandflowers. co.uk) in Marlow, run by chef Tom Kerridge. It is the first pub with two Michelin stars, but it still feels cosy and relaxed.’

uniquely yours...

for our latest brochure

nevillejohnson.co.uk | 0161 873 8333 STUDIES

BEDROOMS

LOUNGES

LIBRARIES

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by OLI’S KITCHEN A trio of sleek ceramic danglers casts a stylish glow on a prep station.

Large crackle pendant light, £220, deVol

Pretty variegated green and yellow leaves help to bolster the mood.

Golden pothos in pot, £20.99; Echeveria extra large succulent, £18.99, both Beards & Daisies

Brushed textures give a beautifully natural feel.

Goodrich Ecru oak engineered wood flooring, £87sq m, Woodpecker Flooring

Pull up to the brunch bar with Nordic-style minimalism.

Milano bar stool in Natural Wood/Black, £79, Cult Furniture Instant hot drinks and speedy snacks on the go are just the beginning!

Original boiling and filtered water tap, £555, Qettle

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Ideal for books or browsing recipe blogs on a tablet.

Industrial cookbook stand, £19.99, Distinctly Living at KitchenCraft

OliÕs style tip...

ARRANGE A GROUP OF AIRPURIFYING PLANTS ON AN ISLAND OR COUNTER TO BRING REVITALISING FRESHNESS TO THE SPACE

Serve up a cosmic 1970s vibe with a delicious, black-white glaze finish.

Galaxy ceramic bowls, £18 for two, Mink Interiors

CH&I

MODERN Country CLASSIC

Create a showstopping display.

Island breeze large dresser with open shelves and drawers, £1,629, The Painted Furniture Company

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

49

I TO OODS

Designer Tom Raffield is known for his innovative steam-bent wooden lights. Now he and his wife, Danielle, have built an extraordinary timber home in the heart of a Cornish forest

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

CORNISH STEAM-BENT HOUSE

Kitchen Appliances and storage are concealed behind neat concertina doors that slide into gaps in the cabinetry. Blackened oak veneer brings contrast to the warmer wood tones.

Kitchen supplied by Kettle Co Kitchens. Kern pendant giant, Tom Raffield. Stools, handmade by Tom, find similar at Cox & Cox

Central living area Walls are clad in strips of wood with no two lengths the same. Arbor armchair and sofa, both upholstered in Earth Silver fabric; May coffee table; Mooring floor light, all Tom Raffield.

Sheepskin, Celtic & Co

R

AT HOME WITH Owners Tom and Danielle Raffield, founder and co-founder respectively of Tom Raffield luxury lighting and furniture design. The couple have three children between the ages of four and nine, as well as Casper the cat.

House A steam-bent wooden home adjoining a gamekeeper’s cottage, with five bedrooms.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

arely has a building project seen such a Herculean effort from a husband and wife team as that of Tom and Danielle Raffield’s forest home. The duo, who run the furniture and lighting business, Tom Raffield, found their company taking off just as they began their epic build project. By making extraordinary sacrifices in the evenings and at weekends, the pair were able to apply their skills to a new home with a very unique identity.

The idea for the building came after the pair relocated from a seaside home on the Cornish coast to a woodland plot of six acres with a small stream running through it.

With the land, they inherited a number of outbuildings, including a 19th-century Grade II-listed gamekeeper’s cottage where they lived for three years with their two elder children before completing the new house. ‘The cottage was barely modernised, cramped and mouldy.

The first week there was fun, but it quickly began to wear thin,’ says Tom. ‘The bathroom was across a courtyard, which was not ideal with two young children in winter.’

The couple employed architectural technologist Chris Strike of RA Design to help create a wooden home that would fit with the contours of the landscape and link with both the bathroom outhouse and the gamekeeper’s cottage. Key to the project was the wood steam-bending technology Tom and Danielle are >

CORNISH STEAM-BENT HOUSE

Dining area The exposed wall of the old gamekeeper’s bathroom outhouse has been merged with the new steam-bent home. Three pendant lights make a focus of the dining table. No.1 pendant giant in oak; Crib table and bench; Arbor armchair, all Tom Raffield

Hallway A bench is placed for viewing the spectacular staircase, while exposed steel beams emphasise the structure’s character. Neap wall light in walnut; oak Crib bench upholstered in Earth Silver fabric; Morvah hanging planter, all Tom Raffield

Bathroom

Bathroom

A chunky concrete basin brings a hardwearing industrial edge to the beach hut-like space.

Concrete vanity basin and taps, Wood Melbourne

Untreated floorboards are reminiscent of a beach hut, while the pendant lights were inspired by sea urchins.

Urchin pendants in oak; Tor Twist shelf in ash, both Tom Raffield. Bath linen towels, H&M Home

known for. ‘We got a contractor to put up the wood and steel frame and after that we completed many of the finishes ourselves,’ Danielle explains. ‘We used as much timber from the land here as we could and kept anything that came down in the storms,’ adds Tom. In order for the steam-bent house to sit snugly alongside the old outbuildings, 3,000 tonnes of earth had to be shifted and a retaining wall built. Once the site had been handed over to the couple, one of Tom’s first evening jobs was to build the wall out of tyres. ‘On reflection, I think the tyre wall was a little ambitious. We spent so many evenings lugging tyres back and forth, stacking them and filling them with wheelbarrows of soil. Eventually we roped in our workshop team, plying them with pizza and beers,’ recalls Tom. They were tackling the building work at the same time as expanding their business to meet a flood of new orders, which meant the build took longer than anticipated.

Another contractor was brought in to help when Tom and Danielle were committed elsewhere. ‘We had many mad weeks that blurred building the house, making products and attending meetings in London,’ Tom recalls. In the end, the project took two years to complete.

The house links old and new elements, with the back of the old bathroom outhouse opening into the vast new living area. A new glass walkway connects with the > COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

55

Children’s bedroom

Guest bedroom In this corner, simple furnishings are animated by the warmth of wood and evoke Scandinavian interiors. Bedding and Gladom side table, both Ikea. Bed, Habitat

The house is full of clever storage details. Housel shelf, Tom Raffield

Modern approach ‘The house has a Scandinavian design influence with a welcoming and cosy minimalist yet rustic interior,’ says Tom

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

much-improved gamekeeper’s cottage. ‘At first we used the cottage as a snug as it has a wood-burning stove but now it’s been requisitioned as a playroom for the children,’ says Danielle. The steam-bent house now has four bedrooms upstairs and a master bedroom downstairs. The vast kitchen and dining area looks out through several large glass doors to the woodland.

‘The house is enclosed by a large canopy of trees and we love being surrounded by nature,’ says Danielle.

The staircase, one of Tom’s favourite features, is a sculptural tribute to the Raffield lifestyle. ‘It’s a random array of logs, like a game of Jenga. Like everything else in the house, it’s been inspired by nature,’ says Tom. Curved walls either side beckon visitors upwards, where Tom’s giant flock chandelier casts shapes and shadows through its feather-light wooden curls.

Elsewhere, strips of ash and sweet chestnut wood evoke the relaxed cosy mood of an Alpine chalet.

The house is mostly decked out with Tom’s curvy creations, both light fittings and furniture, with a few modern pieces thrown in for functionality. ‘Our home has become where we test and live with our new products before launching them,’ says Danielle. The steam-bent house has become the backbone of the Raffield woodland lifestyle, and as much of a character in their narrative as their family and business.

CORNISH STEAM-BENT HOUSE

Children’s bedroom A gentle palette and minimal furnishings allow the structure to become the star attraction. Rocking chair, handmade by Tom. Bedding, Ikea

A COMBINATION ❝ OF WOODY TONES

AND VERDANT GREENERY MAKE THE SPACE LOOK ALIVE AND FULL OF LIFE

❞

Main bedroom The wood cladding surrounding the bed and texture of fleece evokes a cosy Alpine setting. Lighting and bed handmade by Tom. Stuggy side table, Tom Raffield.

Throw, Zara Home.

Cushions, No.56 and H&M Home

ON OUR DOORSTEP... (trebahgarden.co.uk), close to Falmouth. There is a private beach at the bottom that overlooks Helford River. The kids love it here as there are always nature trails and activities.’

Shop at… ‘No.56 (no-56.com) in Penzance, a small independent shop that sells beautiful, handcrafted ceramics, clothes and artisan gifts.

Also Coastal Scandi (coastalscandi. com) in Wadebridge and Padstow.

Be warned – it’s hard not to buy everything in these shops!’

Go for a meal at… ‘Indidog (indidogeatery.com) in Falmouth – the food is great, the staff always lovely and the views are just beautiful. Housel Bay Hotel (houselbay.com) is a great place to eat or enjoy a glass of wine, located on the wild Lizard Peninsula.’

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Taken from Scandi Rustic by Rebecca Lawson & Reena Simon, £19.99, Ryland Peters & Small

FEATURE JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHS BENJAMIN EDWARDS © RYLAND PETERS & SMALL

Visit…‘Trebah Gardens

GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by DANIELLE’S BATHROOM Flexed organic spheres create pools of atmospheric brightness.

Urchin pendant in Oak, £285, Tom Raffield

Pump out the modern touches with tactile accessories in sleek finishes.

Geo lotion dispenser, £6, Home Design at Homebase

This slim illuminator features a heated demister pad.

Peak LED bathroom mirror, £412, Roper Rhodes at Sanctuary Bathrooms

Sustainably sourced panelling adds warm authenticity.

Piz Bernina pine reclaimed wood panels, £149.99 for a 1.86sq m pack, Plaank.

Sculpted tones gently twist in the middle to display and store wet room essentials.

Tor twist shelf in Ash, £295, Tom Raffield

CH&I

An industrial alternative to the classic washbasin lends a raw feel.

Cuneo 90 concrete sink, €1,390, Wolfgang Hainz at Dade Design

MODERN Country CLASSIC

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Danielle’s style tip...

A STRIPPED-BACK SCHEME OF NATURAL, GRAINY TEXTURES CHANNELS A BEACH HUT-MEETS-SCANDI SPA LOOK AND FEEL

Wrap up in a snuggle of soft cotton, featuring zero twist pile and a pintuck end hem.

Blossom towels in Blush, from £3, Christy

Introduce a sense of calm with a green potted duo.

Zen plant bundle, £39, The Little Botanical COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

61

RURAL HOTSPOT

LET’S MOVE TO

Shepton Mallet THIS OLD MILL TOWN HAS BLOSSOMED INTO THE SNOWDROP CAPITAL

S

et in the undulating hills of Somerset, Shepton Mallet’s fortunes were founded on textiles. The River Sheppey – which runs through the town and out to the Somerset Levels – powered mills that made the best woollen cloth in Europe, as worn by King Charles I. Today, disused mills and workers’ cottages remain, with an impressive number of listed buildings – 284 in all as recorded by English Heritage – for the town’s size.

Shepton Mallet exudes authentic charm. As one local summarises, you’ll find ‘a welcoming and not at all pretentious place – what you see is what you get!’ And the town’s annual Snowdrop Festival pays homage to James Allen, a Victorian galanthophile who cultivated new varieties from wild plants.

FEATURE SOPHIE GALE PHOTOGRAPHS (MARKET CROSS) KUMAR SRISKANDAN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (GARDEN) VICTOR WATTS /ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; COOPER AND TANNER ESTATE AGENTS

IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW

Shepton is proving popular with those seeking a more affordable price tag. A three-bedroom detached home costs about £270,000. Estate agent Chris Hood says, ‘We are particularly well suited to the starter and middle markets.’

BUTCHERS, BAKERS & COFFEE MAKERS Going strong after

40 years, John Thorners is a well-loved local butcher and farm shop combo. At the Hive you can buy haberdashery as well as indulge in afternoon tea, then browse a while in quirky Anna’s Attic. And don’t miss sampling the local cider, which has been brewed at Brothers since 1658.

COUNTRY LIFE & CULTURE With innumerable social groups, the town’s community is close knit here.

Shepton Mallet Community Food Forest grows organic produce to share locally, while the Shepton

The market cross in the centre of Shepton Mallet; (left) Kilver Court Garden, on the outskirts of the town

GET AROUND The A37, part of

Supper Club, Collett Park Run and workshops at The Hive will help you get involved. Shepton Mens’ Shed helps men facing bereavement and unemployment, while the Art Bank is a creative hub with food, theatre, music and workshops.

SCHOOLS For primary schools, Shepton Mallet Community Infants, St Paul’s C of E and Bowlish are all rated ‘good’, as is the town’s secondary school, Whitstone.

the Roman Fosse Way, leads north to Bristol, and south to Ilchester and beyond. The nearest station is Castle Cary, just seven miles away, which has direct trains to London.

Bristol Airport is not much more than half an hour by road.

IN THE AREA The rolling limestone Mendip Hills offer varied walking trails, or explore the Strawberry Line cycle path. For something more sedate, wander among roses against the backdrop of the stunning Charlton viaduct at Kilver Court Garden, often referred to as ‘the secret garden of Somerset’.

Dream homes in Shepton Mallet

SUNNY ASPECT

VILLAGE LIFE

BRIGHT THING

For £229,950 you could own Henley Rise, a three-bed semi on the Tadley Acres development.

There’s a large rear garden and no onward chain.

In the thriving Mendip village of Evercreech, this spacious three-bedroom home boasts a vegetable patch and far-reaching views, all for £385,000.

Every room in this four-bedroom detached home, built in 2019, has generous proportions and beautiful views. Good value at £650,000.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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❝Treat yourself

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MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

❝Nature’s forms

inspire my work every single day ❞ KATHERINE CUTHBERT, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTIST

E

arly every morning, the ceramicist and painter Katherine Cuthbert lets herself quietly out of her London home, walks down the slowly wakening streets – and escapes to a little pocket of natural beauty to start her day. ‘I could not survive without the beautiful parks near me,’ she explains.

‘Nature is an ever-changing joy. There’s something about being among the trees, plants and flowers at that peaceful time of day that never fails to inspire me. I often take my sketchbook, and it sets me up for working in my studio.’

The green lushness of the city’s parks are a far cry from the South African landscape where Katherine grew up in her early years. ‘I lived with my mother and stepfather in Johannesburg, but when I was about seven, we moved for a time to a rural farmstead and another world opened up to me,’ she recalls. ‘I was an only child and I would spend hours exploring.

I remember being amazed by the flowers that still managed to grow in the dry barren land, and the vast boulders split open by lightning which were studded with amethyst crystals. I think it gave me an

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early appreciation of the natural world and fired my imagination.’

Her stepfather was an artist, and although she wasn’t permitted into his studio or allowed to play with his paint, her creative impulses began to emerge. She would draw the things she saw around her with a stick in the sandy earth, and make collages from old newspapers and magazines. At 18, she decided to come to England. ‘I never met my real father, but he was English and I somehow felt an affinity with this country,’ she explains.

She found herself a little flat in London and initially worked as a volunteer for Save the Children on a former bomb site. ‘I had intended to go to art college, but none of them seemed right for me,’ she recalls. Her creativity, however, was not diminished. ‘I couldn’t find the style of bag I wanted, so I decided to make my own on a Victorian Singer sewing machine,’ she says. ‘It turned out all right, so I took my courage in my hands and actually phoned Sheila Wetton, the iconic fashion editor of Vogue (can you imagine doing that now!) to suggest she put the bag in her next issue. And she did…’

It was to be the start of Katherine’s creative career. ‘Along with the bags, I started making >

Katherine is never happier than when in her studio where she works every day from 7am

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

What I love most...

WORKING ALL DAY IN THE QUIETNESS OF MY STUDIO ❝CREATING MY POTS AND FRESCOES. THE PROCESS OF MAKING BOTH HARMONISE SO WELL ❞ pictures in needlepoint,’ she says. ‘But the close work it entailed meant my eyesight deteriorated badly after a few years, so I started painting in acrylics and began showing and selling my work through various galleries.’

Then in her thirties and married to Drummond, a restoration gilder and frame maker (the couple have a grown-up son), Katherine had become increasingly fascinated by 14th-century Italian frescoes.

‘They’re created using an age-old technique of natural pigments and water, or tempera – where the pigment is combined with egg

Katherine works from her home, with large windows overlooking the garden beyond. ‘It’s a lovely connection to the outside world,’ she says

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yolk. I loved the authenticity of this medium from the start, especially as I’d never really liked the plastic-ness of acrylics.’

She also longed to work with clay. ‘I joined a local pottery evening class, and got in touch with the ceramics artist Lucie Rie whose work I very much admired. She was so encouraging and over the years became a great mentor and a treasured friend.’

It transpired that Katherine had a natural affinity with clay. ‘I found it easy to throw pots,’ she admits, ‘but what always seemed odd to me was when students were asked to cut a piece of work in half to check it was perfectly even. A pot is handmade, not factory produced. I discovered that Japanese ceramicists throw pots that aren’t centred on the wheel, and use much softer clay so the shape is more organic and natural. That technique clicked for me. It meant that while I had some control at the wheel, I could also allow the clay to do its own thing – and that was very satisfying.’

Today, Katherine is renowned as a multidisciplinary artist, and her work is sold far and wide to art collectors – including hotelier Kit Kemp, who displays many pieces in her group of Firmdale residences.

For this modest artist, however, such success is secondary to the simple joy she finds in creating the work. ‘It’s my way of life and I’m so lucky that I can create both the frescoes and the ceramics in harmony with each other.

My work is something that is endlessly absorbing and fulfilling; I’ll never stop.’

When she is not in her studio, Katherine loves to escape to either Rome, or her beloved St Ives in Cornwall. ‘I always take my pigments – and an egg yolk – with me so I can paint what’s around me,’ she says. ‘I am constantly reinvigorated when I look at nature and absorb every tiny detail. It keeps my mind and my creativity alive!’

Katherine’s work is available to buy through Marcus Wells at havilanddesigns.com

Katherine applies oxide slip to one of the pots she in the process of making

This fresco painting

by Katherine shows a calla lily in one of her own pots

Many of Katherine’s ceramics include quirky touches, such as arrows or scissor lines. ‘I love to include a little unexpected humour in my work,’ she says

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ON MY DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Dulwich Picture Gallery (dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk) has such interesting exhibitions, and is opposite Dulwich Park, so I always combine a visit with a lovely walk. Ruskin Park in Lambeth is also an inspiring, serene place to walk all year round.’

Shop at… ‘The Farmers’ Market at Herne Hill (weareccfm.com) is a Sunday treat with fantastic fresh food stands and plenty of bric-a-brac stalls to hunt through.’

Enjoy a meal at…

‘Boulangerie Jade (boulangeriejade.com) in Lordship Lane serves delicious coffee and pastries, and sitting on the outside terrace to watch the world go by is always a treat.’

The light, airy studio has a sense of calm and order. ‘I am completely absorbed when I work in here,’ Katherine says

MY COUNTRY BUSINESS

HOW TO MAKE A CREATIVE COLLABORATION WORK MAKE YOUR COMPANY STAND OUT FROM THE REST

FEATURE SHARON PARSONS. PHOTOGRAPHS ALUN CALLENDER.

Collaboration is a word frequently used these days, with everyone from influencers to brands keen to work together in ways that offer mutual benefits.

Such relationships can also succeed brilliantly on a less-formal level. Kit Kemp, owner of the renowned Firmdale Hotel Group, is a committed champion and collector of original art and craftwork, all showcased to dazzling effect in her hotels. After seeing Katherine Cuthbert’s work, she did not hesitate to include the artist’s distinctive pieces in her collection, and the pair have forged a strong, long-lasting relationship. Read our insight into how such creative collaborations can be achieved.

MAKE THE CONNECTION If you’re an artist or maker and keen to work creatively with a particular person or enterprise, you need the courage of your convictions when you approach them. This might be directly, through meeting at an exhibition where your work is being shown or sold, or via social media – an obvious place to show your talent or product. Visionaries such as Kit are always open to new ideas. ‘I’m

constantly on the look out for talent; it’s so exciting!’ she says.

HOW CAN IT WORK? Collaborations can work in various ways. It might be a temporary arrangement – for instance, your work might be shown for a period of time in a particular space. Or it could be for a specific event. It’s important everyone concerned has a clear understanding of what is expected and required, with contracts in place if necessary. Sometimes, however, the collaboration may be very different: ‘I always buy the work because I want to have it as a permanent piece in a hotel,’ says Kit. ‘I see myself as a showcase for artists, really. Our guests may love a piece of artwork or design, for instance, and then go to the maker to buy directly from them. I love being able to help in that way.’

POOL YOUR TALENTS A collaboration is defined as working towards a shared vision. As Kit says: ‘It’s important to both recognise and believe in what you’re doing, to have a strength of purpose.’

The most successful collaborations often develop when both parties are

willing to combine their expertise.

‘Sometimes we can steer someone to try something completely different.

For instance, we might invite a dress designer to make a headboard for a bedroom, using it as a huge canvas to create a picture or a story,’ Kit explains.

‘Suggesting that they work in an unexpected way can have practical benefits, too, as it draws fresh attention to their talent and provides a new opportunity to promote it. Similarly, displaying an artist’s work differently can really make an impact and bring it to a whole new audience.’

TRUST ONE ANOTHER Regardless of the ebb and flow of creativity, a reliable approach to business is essential. ‘Very often in interior design, we have to work to a timescale,’ explains Kit. ‘So if we’re working with a lighting artist, for instance, we have to know the piece we’ve commissioned will arrive when it’s supposed to so the project stays on track. For that reason, you must have a shared understanding of what needs to be achieved, and play your part in that.’ firmdalehotels.com

The one lesson I’ve learnt...

THERE IS ALWAYS SO MUCH TO EXPLORE ❝ AND DISCOVER, SO NEVER STOP ABSORBING WHAT’S AROUND YOU❞ COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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O N S A L E 4 M A R C H 2 0 21

LOCAL HERO

Machine-sewing embroidery is just one of the many crafts taught at Linda Breckon’s workshops, based at Thirsk’s old court house

❝We bring craft and ❝

camaraderie to rural communities

FEATURE SOPHIE GALE

Crafts expert Linda Breckon runs Rural Arts creative workshops for both young and old I was born and brought up in Yorkshire, and for the past 20 years I have lived with my husband in the village of Appleton Wiske, which has about 200 residences, a school, a church and a thriving community.

For a large part of my career, I worked at an independent school in Whitby, teaching home economics and textiles. I loved my job but took early retirement four years ago.

That’s when I came across Rural Arts, joining as a student myself, before volunteering as a teacher to bring art to villages off the beaten track.

The charity’s ethos made a profound impression on me. It works to promote wellbeing, especially among the isolated and vulnerable, through workshops in everything from ceramics and embroidery, to lino print and willow weaving. It also caters for young people with free Arts Awards classes for under 25s, and storytelling for children. Based at the restored Victorian court house in Thirsk, which has a vibrant café, the charity co-ordinates 400 events and courses a year throughout North Yorkshire,

including bringing film and live performances to village halls.

I know from personal experience just how important kindness, company and human warmth can be. When my daughter was young she had leukaemia. She recovered, but when we really needed it, there was love and support around us. I have never forgotten it and try my best to give something back by volunteering not just for Rural Arts but also running mini workshops for the Young Farmers’ Association and Yorkshire Country Women.

My volunteer work for Rural Arts is as much about helping people to connect as it is about teaching new skills. Classes often have a seasonal theme, such as wirework butterflies and dragonflies in spring; summer bunting; and needle-felted pumpkins in autumn. Gentle affairs they may be, but the classes have a powerful effect on lifting spirits and bolstering mental health. Heart and Craft is one of our outreach programmes for the over 50s. One regular is 87 and a joy to work with.

As well as the machine-sewing, there

is always lots of laughter over a cup of tea. At Monday Makers I teach the unemployed or retired a skill they can turn into a business.

When Lockdown struck, we felt the loss of the camaraderie.

Provision was made with daily online tutorials, involving artists, poets, musicians and dance teachers – all for free. Resource packs containing arts and sports equipment were also posted out to people to encourage them to stay fit both mentally and physically. But, as we know well, nothing can replace real human contact, and I was excited when in-person classes started up again.

There are times while you’re teaching when the room goes quiet. Minds are focused on the task in hand and that’s when people are in the ‘zone’, with worries banished for the time being. Many struggle with loneliness and classes can be a lifeline. It’s a rewarding moment.

There are so many ways in which I have seen Rural Arts breathe life and hope into small communities like this. Its work is good for the soul.

Find out more at ruralarts.org COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Creative Take a gentle, joyful approach to colour and pattern, mixing prints and plains, boho and Scandi style - all in a fresh spring palette. It’s the country look we’re coveting now

SEASONAL DECOR

CURVE APPEAL Create an inviting welcome with a statement circular table and vintage boho-style rug. Old versus new is always a smart pairing.

Large Papavera vase, £245, Oka. Faux and dried fruit salad bouquet, £299, Fox Flowers. Sleeping Beauty print, from £70 framed, Walter Crane at King & McGaw. Loully rug, £185, La Redoute COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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This page Pink funnel vase, £45, Graham and Green. Bloomingville assorted green glass votives, £37 for set of nine, Amara. Pink fluted stoneware teapot, £28, John Lewis & Partners Opposite page Belladonna rattan sofa, £2,175, Sika at Aria Shop.

Beata pendant light, £905, Pinch. Sanderson Mapperton rug, £695; Morris & Co Strawberry Thief lined pencil pleat curtains in Duck Egg, £190 for a pair, both John Lewis & Partners. Parquet coffee table, £550, Graham and Green. Linen Ochre cushion, £61; Patani geometric cushion in Mustard, £56, both Oka

MULTI FACETS When life gives you lemons… and limes, bulbs and glasses, play with reflection and shape to curate your tabletop display.

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SEASONAL DECOR

BOHEMIAN BLEND A beautiful balance of pattern, colour and shapely furniture brings elegance to a living room. Take inspiration from a beloved fabric to find your feelgood blend of pieces.

SEASONAL DECOR

HERO HUES A smart painted finish brings star status to furniture – especially in back-to-nature green.

FEATURE AND ART DIRECTION SARA BIRD STYLING LUCY GOUGH STYLING ASSISTANTS BELLA DUNNE, AREESHA RICHARDS, JADE LOVEJOY STYLING INTERNS STEPHANIE MORRIS, LAURI KING PHOTOGRAPHS OLIVER PERROT PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT JAKE SEAL

Chawton double sideboard, painted in Olive, from £2,484, Neptune. Industrial-style pigeon hole shelf unit, £45, Rockett St George. Lohals flatwoven rug, £80, Ikea.

Botanical green plant mister, £14, Ella James. Geoffrey Fisher small brush, £25, Toast

BRING SPRING INSIDE Add texture, scent and shape with freshly cut foliage.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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CH&I lovesÉ

MODERN HERITAGE Vintage favourites are given a contemporary spin with rich, unexpected tones for a classic revival look

Inspired by a late-18th century Indienne pattern, this immersive floral reflects the meeting of two cultures, Indian and European.

Wallpaper, Afsana in Spruce, £95 a roll; Sloan love seat in Afsana in Spruce, £2,350 (with fabric); Hudson ottoman, from £550, in Afsana in Spruce, £55m, all Warner House

SHOPPING TREND

MAKE IT COUNTRY

Pared-back, versatile pieces nestle comfortably in both classic and contemporary schemes. It’s the heritage colour of this traditionally crafted cabinet that makes it ‘now’.

Sunbury occasional sideboard in Burnham Red, £1,300, Neptune

Pattern, heritage and nostalgia have always been a big part of country style, but the trick is to reinterpret archive looks for a new generation. Interiors brands are plundering different eras for inspiration – a little Art Deco here, some Georgian there – and putting them in a contemporary context. The result is a glamorous and homely look reworked in simplified style.

1 1 MIRROR Give the illusion of more space. Convex mirror in Black with Aged Gold detail, £165, Rockett St George 2 SCREEN A tapestry of colour and detail. Caspar de Beauvoir screen in Forest, £3,295, House of Hackney 3 CUSHION Rich tones add drama. Tapestry cushion in Pink, £100, Tori Murphy 4 DINING TABLE Entertain in recycled, rustic glory.

Porter ten-seater dining table, £1,795, Graham & Green

2

5 VASE Poised, stately and bloom-ready. Majestic peacock vase in Petrol, £68, Audenza

3

4

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SHOPPING TREND

A classic French-style bed is given a fresh feel covered in raspberry velour.

Bed in Fine cashmere velour, available in 14 colourways, £280m, Johnstons of Elgin

OUR EXPERT SAYSÉ

William Morris wallpaper is reimagined in Teal by Ben Pentreath. Willow Bough wallpaper in Sky/ Leaf Green, £79 a roll, Queen Square Collection, Morris & Co x Ben Pentreath at Sanderson

COVER WALLS AND ❝ CEILING IN A REINVENTED

❞

7

HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR

7 WA LL S CONC E Pressedleaf inspired candle glow.

Chestnut Leaf wall sconce, £225, Malin Appelgren at The Shop Floor Project

9 D INI NG C HA IR Chic seating in Navy. Dining chair in Ocean, £560 for two, Ceraudo

9

1 0 LOVE S EAT A classic reimagined with abstract fabric.

Ebury bench, £1,430 in Thibaut’s St Croix in Emerald Green, £81m, David Seyfried

10 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

6 WA LLPA PER Baroque grandeur dances on walls. Deco trellis in Indigo Addiction, £175 a roll, Mind The Gap

8 D INNER WA RE Victorian botany in symmetry. Palisade plate in Ink Blue, £23, Burleigh

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FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

CLASSIC PRINT. ORIGINAL DESIGNS TAKE ON AN ENTIRELY NEW LOOK AND FEEL WHEN REVIVED IN SATURATED HUES

HOMESANDGARDENS.COM ■

Inspiring spaces

■

Beautif ul product

■

Fa s c i n a t i ng p e ople

Reinvent the

FEATURE WALL

Whether it’s wallpaper, paint or texture, just one wall can bring character to your space

GO TWO-TONE

Holly two-seater sofa in Stone, £1,150, Sofa.com. Nicolson Red aura matt, £28 for 0.98ltr, Benjamin Moore, is a similar wall shade

A two-tone wall is a great option in a room where there isn’t any architectural interest.

Pitch the line above key pieces of furniture, making it either one third or two thirds of the wall.

A lighter colour on the top will elongate and open up the room, with a warmer colour below adding a cosy element.

MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

Baskets, from a selection at French Connection Home and The Basket Room

Flora Photogram framed prints, £495 for set of six, Oka

SPRINKLE SPICE IN THE KITCHEN It might not be the obvious place for wallpaper, but it can take a kitchen, particularly a neutral one, from bland to beautiful. Like paint, wallpaper can be wiped clean. A large-scale mural would make an impact, too.

A STATEMENT DISPLAY Creating a gallery wall with a mix of objects and art is a tried-and-tested way to liven up empty walls. But for impact that combines simplicity with natural texture and pattern, try a collection of woven wall platters and baskets. In this dining room, the grouping gracefully defines the eating area.

Anaar tree wallpaper, £79 a roll, Sanderson

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MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

BE FEARLESS WITH PATTERN If you find a wallpaper you love, go for it! It will breathe personality into your home and help to zone a large or openplan space. Live with the sample before committing. For a bold, colourful print, pair it with a white or neutral paint on the other walls to let it shine. Or tone it down by choosing a paint colour that features in the design.

Hakimi wallpaper, £75 a roll, Sanderson

TAKE IT BACK TO BRICK

Try Brick Tile Co for reclaimed style slips or Fernhill Stone for stone cladding and brick facing

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

An area of brick, on a fireplace or in a kitchen, brings rich warmth to a wall. Just be careful about which area you expose – brick is porous, so absorbs moisture and can be cold, although this shouldn’t be a problem with internal walls. Once exposed and repaired, a specialist masonry acid will brighten the colour and a sealant will eliminate draughts.

If you don’t have brick or stone walls, cladding or facing slips are lighterweight panels made with real brick or stone slices ready to be pointed.

Rugs aren’t just for floors – make one a feature focal point. Brakka rug, £440, A Rum Fellow

Corsica Fan tiles, £95.98sq m, Porcelain Superstore

ON THE TILES It’s time to take tiles beyond the splashback and make them a feature in their own right.

A statement design – glossy, colourful, an interesting shape, or a mix of all three – will draw the eye in the kitchen, creating a stand-out area in a busy space.

MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

PAINT A PICTURE

Wall painted in Saffron matt emulsion, ÂŁ38 for 2.5ltr; Trebah I framed prints, ÂŁ90 each, all Neptune

A feature wall can be a threedimensional display, with all components combining to create a harmonious whole.

Here, the shelves and wall are painted in the same colour to create a seamless base layer, with artwork arranged on top.

Choosing a set of frames in the same size ties the look together.

GO BIG AND BOLD IN THE BATHROOM Swap the average splashback for a fabulous tile mural. A large-scale scene instantly adds wow factor, whether it’s in a family suite or small bathroom. Try a bespoke tiled frieze above a dado using an oversized image printed onto wall tiles.

Wall in Surface View Linea Study ceramic tiles, from £720sq m, Sir John Soane’s Museum collection. Dado and wall in Rouge 11 architects eggshell, £68 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library

Henry oak side table, £99; Eco mix table lamp, £25; recycled glass vase, £28; Edited Life Jute triangles rug, £75, all Dunelm.

For Cedar shingles, try Vincent Timber

FEATURE MICHELA COLLING

Gleaming Primrose mirror, from £398, Anthropologie

KNOCK ON WOOD Whether you choose to clad your walls with reclaimed timber or new wood, panelled walls are a great way to boost a flat space. Shingles behind the bed are a striking alternative to a statement headboard – leave them untreated to show their natural colour and patina, or paint them for a contemporary finish.

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Design a SMALL BATHROOM DO YOU HAVE A BIJOU BATHROOM, A NEAT EN SUITE OR A DIDDY DOWNSTAIRS LOO? HERE’S HOW TO MAX YOUR SPACE WITH FUN AND FUNCTIONAL DESIGN

FIT RIGHT IN When it comes to designing a small bathroom every inch counts, so it is important to measure precisely and take into account doors, windows or sloped ceilings that may dictate your new layout. Don’t be afraid to play with pattern, even in awkward spaces. Here, the hexagonal tiled flooring and splashback give a cohesive look, creating a backdrop for this rustic vanity that not only fits perfectly into the alcove but also gives a subtle nod to the house’s barn heritage.

En suite design, Pippa Paton. Zenith copper aluminium tiles (on splashback), Original Style. Small industrial round wall mirrors, Graham and Green

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

CRYSTAL CLEAR While a wet room may be a more expensive option than a conventional shower, it can be a worthwhile investment for a small space. The main cost is tanking to make the area waterproof but the result is a roomier space, as you don’t need a closed-off shower enclosure. Instead, you can have the same flooring throughout and a frameless shower screen to contain splashes without feeling too restrictive.

Bathroom design, Katie McCrum, featuring walls clad in smooth MicroCrete.

Taps and shower, Waterworks. Flooring, Cement Tile Shop

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PERFECTLY PLANNED In the early planning stages, it is important to get placements right, including light sources.

‘The most overlooked part of planning a bathroom is all the different types of lighting needed,’ says Marketa Rypacek, managing director at Industville. Ensure you have overhead lighting, as well as task lighting around the mirror. Consider where natural light comes into the space and remember that all bathroom lighting needs an appropriate IP rating.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Bathroom design, Resi. Orlando wire cage wall light, £49, Industville.

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

Bathroom design, Eyre Interiors. Royal Oak wallpaper, £70.81m, F&P Interiors

INTO THE WOODS One easy way of injecting character into a country-style bathroom is with patterned wallpaper. While it may not be the first choice, standard wallpaper can be applied as long as the room is well-ventilated with an extractor fan, so steam doesn’t damage it. Apply a strong adhesive underneath, and add a coat of decorator’s varnish on top to help protect against moisture. Or use vinyl wallpaper designed especially for bathrooms, though it’s best to stick to tiles or panelling in wet zones such as around the bath or above a basin.

Walls painted in Salix 99 absolute matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

PLAY IT COOL Many people use lighter, whiter shades in small bathrooms, hoping to open up the space. Although this approach works, it is also important to get the tone of paint right.

As a rule, cool undertones suit south-facing aspects while warmer shades work well in north-facing rooms – in both instances the shades help balance natural light entering the space. Results vary, so test a few colours to see how they look when applied to certain walls. Here, the paint colour flows seamlessly from walls to the eaves for an elegant finish.

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

Bathroom design, West One Bathrooms. A similar design would cost around £16,000 plus installation

ELEVATE THE SPACE ‘If there is one room that needs a little luxury, it’s your bathroom,’ says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms.

She recommends using wall-mounted furniture to keep floor space clear in a small bathroom and sticking to a neutral palette if you want an elegant spa-like finish. ‘This helps avoid breaking up the room with different colours, which will make it feel boxy,’ she explains. And don’t be shy of adding a little glamour – it’s these brushed gold fittings that really make this bathroom shine.

SHORT SOAK

Tubby Torre Duo bath in Burnished Bronze, from £2,894, The Albion Bath Company

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Is a freestanding tub at the top of your wish list, despite a lack of room? Fortunately, there are plenty of reduced-width models to choose from so you can get the look without it taking up too much space. The Albion Bath Company’s Tubby design, for example, comes in a 1500mm size while still boasting a double-ended roll-top look. Other options to look out for are slipper baths, with one end curved upwards, and built-in models that are attached to the wall but have the appearance of a freestanding bath from the front.

QUALITY CONTROL A plus side of designing a small bathroom is that you may be able to splash out on higher-quality materials and finishes than if you were having to decorate a larger room. Here, the homeowner has commissioned a bespoke map wallpaper designed to fit the room and add interest. The unusual design has been paired with smart grey panelling, which helps to box in any unsightly pipework while also creating a handy shelf around the walls.

Authentic encaustic tiles on the floor complete the look.

Bathroom design, Wolf Lewitt Interiors.

Panelling painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. Encaustic floor tiles, Bert & May

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

Bathroom design, Ripples, featuring BC Designs Boat bath in Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue, from £1,480

It might be worth reconfiguring a family bathroom into zones – such as the shower and bath on one side, with the basin and loo on the other – so that someone could pop in and brush their teeth while you’re doing bath time with the kids, for example. ‘Choosing to have a wet room can actually be hugely beneficial when wanting a bath to sit in the same space,’ says Sally Cutchie, marketing manager at BC Designs. ‘If you opt for a painted bath, use exterior eggshell paint as this is extra durable around water,’ she adds.

TALKING POINT A cloakroom is usually one of the smallest rooms in your house but it’s the one most of your guests will end up seeing. This can be an ideal opportunity to experiment with colour and pattern and impress visitors with your flair for design. Keep fixtures and fittings to a minimum, opting for a corner or reduced-depth basin, a monobloc mixer tap and a simple towel holder. Then focus your efforts into adding impact through the decor with a beautiful, bold wallpaper pattern or a few pieces of statement artwork.

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FEATURE YVETTE MURRELL PHOTOGRAPHS DAVIDE LOVATTI/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; FUTURECONTENTHUB. COM; KATRINA LAWSON JOHNSTON; JONATHAN CROSBY, EMMA LEWIS

IN THE ZONE Kandy in Brit Pop wallpaper by Elitis, around £221 a roll, Jane Clayton

NEW LENGTHS Use optical illusion to create a sense of space in your bathroom.

For example, horizontal lines can help widen the appearance of your room and these metro tiles are a timeless option. To prevent tiles looking too bare or clinical, incorporate natural materials to add layers of texture and warmth to the space, such as real wood or plants. The grey patterned tiles on the floor help pull together the scheme by bringing out the dark grouting on the walls.

For similar tiles, try metro brick white gloss bevelled tiles, ÂŁ14.99sq m, CTD Tiles

Statement sofas

SINK INTO SQUISH-FACTOR COMFORT WITH HARDWORKING SEATING DESIGNS THAT BOAST ENDURING, LIVED-IN APPEAL WITH GENEROUS PADDING AND NODS TO HERITAGE STYLE

DEEP-SEAT DAYDREAM

As beautiful as the Scottish island it’s named after, this sofa delivers elegance along with luxurious lounging. Full comfy cushions require little plumping in this low-maintenance family hub.

Isla three-seater sofa in Armour Smart Velvet, £2,200, Sofa.com

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FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE

TIMELESS ADDITION

Deep buttoning and a graceful curving back bring heaps of personality to this design that’s handcrafted in the UK. Choose from a wide range of luxurious fabric upholstery options.

Paisley Petit sofa in Mouse stain-resistant cotton velvet, £2,040.10, Darlings of Chelsea

SUPREME SLOUCH

Fall into the feather-filled bench-style cushions, plus additional scatters, and feel like you’re being enveloped by a duvet. What’s more, the cover is removable.

Harriet small sofa in Kirkby Design’s Soho Harvest Gold fabric, from £2,400, Arlo & Jacob

MOVE AWAY FROM ❝ FORMAL MATCHING

SEATING BY MIXING SHAPES, COLOURS AND TEXTURES FOR INTEREST AND CHARACTER

❞

VINTAGE EFFECT

The classic Chesterfield design has been given a contemporary jolt with a quirky fabric, while the tufted backrest, scrolled arms and metallic stud detailing seal the swoon factor.

Winston tufted three-seater sofa in Ajrak linen, £4,100, Mind The Gap

BOX SEAT

Just the thing for cosy, more-compact nests, this self-assembly design comes in boxes to carry through even the most narrow of stairs, doors and hallways.

The Rebel three-seater sofa in Teal, £899, Snug

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

SUSTAINABLE VERSATILITY

Created from 100% recyclable materials and free from chemicals, this design gives comfort an eco-friendly focus. Plus it comes in ocean-inspired tones.

Big Blue sofa in Aegean Coast, £2,349, Barker & Stonehouse COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Impact-worthy WORK SURFACES

CHOOSE A COUNTERTOP THAT NOT ONLY SUITS THE LOOK AND STYLE OF YOUR KITCHEN OR BATHROOM SCHEME, BUT IS A PRACTICAL OPTION FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE TOO Bespoke kitchen with brass worktop and splashback, Sustainable Kitchens

THERE ARE MANY ❝ OPTIONS TO ACHIEVE

BOLD AS BRASS For those who want to make a real statement, then a metallic worktop could be the way to go. While stainless steel designs are commonly found in industrial chef’s kitchens, brass or copper are warmer, more stylish options to incorporate into the home. Naturally, these surfaces have antimicrobial properties, which make them a good option for a kitchen or a bathroom, though they are destined to acquire a patina over time and therefore will need regular polishing in order to maintain a gleaming appearance.

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YOUR DREAM KITCHEN LOOK; HOWEVER, IT’S ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND THE PRACTICAL BENEFITS OF EACH SURFACE

❞

DOYEON KIM, MARKETING ASSOCIATE, STARON

ROOM ELEMENTS

Antique worktop, from £970sq m, Lundhs

Cotswold prep kitchen finished in Pippy Oak, starting at £40,000, Humphrey Munson

HARDY STONE ‘When choosing a real stone surface do consider that each piece is unique and therefore can vary in its appearance,’ says Hege Lundh, marketing director at Lundhs.

This can bring an element of individuality to your space – they are highly heat-resistant and extremely durable too. These benefits are reflected in the price you’ll need to pay.

Evolve worktop and matching upstand, price on request, Bushboard

RUSTIC WOOD A firm favourite in farmhouse-style kitchens, solid oak worktops bring charm and warmth. ‘We often specify a solid oak top for a prep table,’ says Peter Humphrey, design director and founder of Humphrey Munson. Bear in mind that heat and humidity can impact wood. ‘As a rule, wood and water do not mix, so always specify quartz or stone for a sink area,’ he adds.

LOW-KEY LAMINATE Laminate work surfaces are more affordable and easier to install, but less robust than other materials. However, today’s premium finishes can be a good solution, particularly for areas such as utility rooms. This 12.5mm marble-effect design by Bushboard showcases a wraparound finish on an undermounted sink and bespoke drainer grooves.

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CREATIVE COMPOSITES Thanks to modern technologies, engineered solid surfaces can mimic traditional materials and be made to fit your exact requirements with a seamless finish. These surfaces are usually made of a mixture of acrylics and natural stones – which make them extremely hard wearing, easy to clean and highly heat- and scratch-resistant. You’ll need a trained specialist to install a composite worktop, which can add to the cost.

Supreme Flux solid surface, from £350sq m, Staron

3 OF TH E B E ST SOAP DISPENSERS

FEATURE YVETTE MURRELL

Top your new work surface with a decorative reusable design

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1 A by Amara ridged glass soap dispenser, £20, Amara 2 Grey stoneware soap dispenser and tumbler set, £47, Beaumonde 3 Faux shagreen soap dispenser, £95, Oka COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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

ROOM ELEMENTS

QUALITY QUARTZ Probably one of the most popular choices of worktops in kitchens and bathrooms, quartz is a non-porous, low-maintenance and long-lasting surface. You can find finishes that replicate the look of granite, marble and concretes, so the drawbacks are minimal. However, it is worth noting that quartz tends to have a more contemporary appearance, be more expensive than these types of material and will require specialist installation.

Need to know...

Planning & fitting ■ BUILD IT INTO YOUR BUDGET Worktops can

take up a significant amount of your total spend, so have a think about what you can afford early on in the planning process. It may be that you choose two types of surface – such as a practical quartz around the edges of your kitchen and a standout marble or wood for a central island, to balance your budget.

■ SEE SAMPLES IN PERSON It’s important to see

your chosen worktop material in person before committing. If opting for a natural marble or granite, try visiting a stone merchant. ‘Not only will you be able to select the exact piece of stone, the expertise of the team will ensure you are selecting the best material and finish for your home,’ says Hege Lundh.

■ CALL IN THE EXPERTS You’ll most likely need

to bring a specialist installer on board, who will be able to measure up, cut in tap holes or drainage grooves, then fit the worktop securely into place. ‘Don’t forget to consider upstands,’ adds Peter Humphrey. ‘If the sink is in front of a window, consider running the worktops up and into the sill to create a seamless finish.’

Edinburgh undermount open washstand, £1,435, Neptune

WHEN CHOOSING A ❝ WORK SURFACE, IT’S VITAL

THAT YOU USE REAL-LIFE SAMPLES OR BETTER YET, GO AND SEE THE EXACT SLAB OF STONE FOR YOURSELF

❞

HEGE LUNDH, MARKETING DIRECTOR, LUNDHS

LUXURIOUS MARBLE Beautiful to look at and cool to touch, marble is highly desirable. ‘It’s one of our favourite countertop options,’ says Claire Birkbeck, kitchen designer at Neptune Bath. ‘Carrara marble, with its subtle grey veining, is always timeless.’

In a kitchen, it is great for rolling out dough, and in bathrooms it can emulate the look of a luxury spa. However, take care maintaining an authentic marble worktop to prevent staining.

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COUNTRY CELEBRATE THE ART OF RURAL LIVING ON BEAUTIFUL NEW WEBSITE HOMESANDGARDENS.COM/COUNTRY

HOM E S & I N T E R IOR S OU T DOOR S n L I F E ST Y L E n PROPE RT Y

n n

HOME TECH

Buy the best...

SUPER-SMART WASHING MACHINE

THE LATEST WASHERS ARE SOPHISTICATED DESIGNS WITH SENSORS THAT GET EVEN THE MOST DELICATE OF FABRICS CLEAN IN NEXT TO NO TIME The Miele WEG665 automatically releases detergent at the ideal time mid-cycle, £999, John Lewis & Partners

BEST FOR… SPEEDY WASHING Beko AquaTech WR1040P44E1 in White, £399, AO.com This super-quick machine (a 10kg load takes 28 minutes or 14 minutes for 2kg) is Bluetooth enabled so you can control it on your smartphone. Steam is delivered at the end of the cycle, reducing the need for ironing. Endorsed by Allergy UK, it features an anti-allergy setting to help reduce the amount of allergens in your laundry.

BEST FOR… SMART FEATURES LG AI DD F4V909BTS in Black Steel, £719.99, Currys PC World The ‘AI’ in this model’s name, which has 9kg capacity, an A+++ energy rating and is wifi enabled, stands for ‘artificial intelligence’.

It detects the weight and softness of the fabrics and selects the best wash setting. As it’s ’smart’, you can stop, start or pause wash cycles via the smartphone app or voice control it via Alexa or Google Assistant.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI AND CHRIS HASLAM

■ WHAT SIZE DO I NEED? It all depends on how often you use it and how many people live at home; 6-7kg is great for one or two people, 8kg for an average family, and 9kg+ is designed for a large brood, but remember not to overload your machine. That said, larger machines featuring advanced sensors can wash smaller loads without wasting water and energy.

■ WHAT NEW FEATURES SHOULD I LOOK FOR? The faster the spin speed the better as it will save you energy when drying if using a tumble dryer. New auto-dosing machines – you fill a tank with detergent and softener – dispense the precise amount of detergent for the wash cycle, which saves you time and effort. The machine can also order more online before you run out.

■ ARE APP-CONTROLLED MACHINES WORTH IT? ‘Smart’ washing machines give you remote control over your wash cycle and when it finishes but, remember, you still need to load it first! Some choose times when your electricity is cheaper to run, can update and install new cycles and identify potential faults before they happen.

BEST FOR… MINIMAL NOISE Haier 876 series HW120-B14876, £699, Appliance City The extra-wide porthole door on this 12kg, A+++ machine measures 36cm in width so it’s easy to load and unload larger items like duvets and bedlinen. Awarded a QuietMark for its low 53dB washing and 65dB spinning noise levels, it’s ideal for an open-plan kitchen-diner. The drum has a light in it so those stray socks that usually stick to the sides won’t be forgotten again.

BEST FOR… HUGE CAPACITY Hoover H-WASH 500 HW 414AMC/ 1-80, £519, Argos Wifi connected, this A+++ model has lots of smart features – upload a photo of your laundry to the app and it’ll suggest the best wash program. It’ll even check the weather forecast to recommend the best time for you to run a cycle so you can dry it outside on the line. It has a massive 14kg capacity and will wash a full load in 59 minutes.

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All you need to knowÉ

GARDEN LANDSCAPING

PATHS, WALLS AND RAISED BEDS ARE THE BEDROCK OF A COUNTRY GARDEN. HERE’S OUR EXPERT GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR DESIGN 106

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

This serene country garden has been designed by Maïtanne Hunt of Maïtanne Hunt Gardens and Landscapes using fewer hard materials to help promote biodiversity

James Scott of The Garden Company uses stonework in neutral soft greys and buffs to help showcase the softscaping and be sympathetic to the planting palette

Landscape architect Stefano Marinaz advises not to use too many different materials in smaller gardens

F

lowers may add beauty and flourish to your garden, but it’s the hard landscaping that provides the ‘bones’ of the space. The garden of a country house is the link between it and the surrounding landscape, so consider this aspect carefully when planning the design of your plot. Your property may even be listed, or you might live in a conservation area, which can affect the garden design you go for.

HOW DO I PLAN MY DESIGN? There are some fundamental questions to ask yourself before embarking on a landscaping journey, according to James Scott of The Garden Company.

‘On a practical basis, think about what you need from your garden and how you will use it,’ he explains.

‘Also, what design aesthetic do you aspire to? This can be harder to define, but it is vital to understand the characteristics that will give your garden a special feel and help it to connect with your home and its

wider surroundings. Finally, ask yourself what opportunities or challenges are presented by the site itself.’

SHOULD I CREATE DIFFERENT GARDEN AREAS? The initial ideas for a new garden are always focussed on the flow of the space. A sense of intrigue can be achieved by linking areas with romantic pathways and swathes of planting, for example. In a country garden, continuity between the house and the garden is vitally important. This can be achieved by choosing materials in the garden that are sympathetic to the house and its architecture – such as slate, stone or timber, for example.

Take into account the light conditions when deciding on what to include in the different areas of your garden. The final jewel in the crown of your landscape design will be the planting, says garden and landscape designer Maïtanne Hunt: ‘You’ll want to select plants that provide year-round interest, such as COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Depending on the size of the garden, Stefano Marinaz prefers to locate the seating area away from the house

For Maïtanne Hunt, a garden becomes an extension of the home, with zones for dining and relaxing, to be enjoyed all year round

Garden designer Cheryl Cummings has planted soft mounds of grasses and flowering hummocks to cushion the edges of the path

evergreens, hedges, trees or topiary that give structure to a garden when perennials have died down.’

DO I NEED A GARDEN DESIGNER? If you’re struggling with your vision, a qualified garden designer will show you how to extract the best from your space. ‘A professional will also be able to advise on planning permission,’ says landscape architect Stefano Marinaz.

DO I NEED A LANDSCAPER TOO? This profession is significantly different to other types of building construction and requires specialist knowledge. It’s important to seek out a good landscaping company rather than regular builders, who may not be familiar with some of the ‘basics’ of building gardens rather than houses. Landscapers are trained in hard and soft landscaping skills, which essentially means that 108

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they can build the garden and also lay turf and plant the trees, shrubs and perennials that the garden designer has specified.

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION? When in doubt, always consult your local authority. It’s better to compromise slightly on your design than have to make costly amendments further along the line.

For example, your trees may have

tree preservation orders, or there may be an underground stream of which you are unaware. Planning officers will always appreciate a design which is sympathetic to the local architectural style.

WHAT MATERIALS SUIT A COUNTRY GARDEN? According to garden designer Cheryl Cummings, ‘Hard materials used in the garden need to sit well with the fabric of the house, and

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

FEATURE TERESA CONWAY PHOTOGRAPHS (STEFANO MARINAZ GARDENS) ALISTER THORPE

Here, James Scott of The Garden Company has used a sculpture to draw the eye through swathes of planting to this sheltered dining spot

with the internal flooring if they are to flow seamlessly. They need to look appropriate to the setting and any existing garden materials, so for many reasons a locally sourced material, often stone, makes sense.’

Maïtanne Hunt suggests Corten steel for edging. ‘The rust-red, earthy tones of the steel blend well into rural projects.’ James Scott feels that neutral colours often work well.

‘Stone in soft greys and buffs will help to showcase the softscaping and be sympathetic to the planting colour palette,’ he says.

HOW DO I INCORPORATE A VEGETABLE GARDEN? Although you may have the space for a large vegetable garden at some distance from the house, it’s nice to include a beautiful kitchen or herb garden into the ornamental space, too. Pottering among your own orderly set of raised beds before dinner and selecting a few

homegrown herbs or vegetables can be a wonderful way to enjoy your country garden.

IS THERE A PERFECT BALANCE OF HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING? ‘It’s important to balance any landscaping with the size of your house; the walls of a larger house present significant vertical hard surfaces,’ says Cheryl Cummings.

‘If there are large trees around the boundary or a big open view, the scale will mean that narrow paths and small plants will appear insignificant, so the paved surfaces need to be appropriate to the scale of the house and surroundings.’

Sourcebook

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Of all the aspects involved in creating a new garden, hard landscaping takes up the biggest proportion – usually about 75 per cent of the total project cost. If budget is an issue, it is possible to do the work in stages.

WILL A WELL-DESIGNED GARDEN ADD VALUE TO MY HOME? ‘A beautifully executed garden adds immediate appeal and desirability,’ says Cheryl Cummings. ‘When it comes to the crunch, we buy a home, not just a house, and at this time more than any other we really value our gardens.’

Our pick of country garden landscape experts

For wildlife-friendly design Cheryl Cummings, gardendesignerwales.co.uk For bespoke, handcrafted places The Garden Company, thegardenco.co.uk n For historical restoration and reconstruction of landscapes surrounding listed buildings Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture, stefanomarinaz.com n For all sizes and budgets Maïtanne Hunt Gardens & Landscapes, maitannehunt.com n n

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For your copy of our latest brochure and nearest showroom call 0700 278 4726

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT The simple mantel shelf adds character to the newly built chimney breast, designed to house the range cooker

PROJECT PROFILE

Secrets of

SUCCESS

CAREFUL PLANNING AND CLEVER FEATURES HAVE TURNED THIS OPEN-PLAN KITCHEN INTO A DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE

Owners Claire and Matthew Bishop live here with their golden retriever, Bertie House A 250-year-old cottage in the East Riding of Yorkshire

Project Side extension to create a new kitchendining-living space

Kitchen size 5x5m Designers Richard Mason and Emily Chew, The Secret Drawer

Cabinetry Bespoke classic in-frame furniture by The Secret Drawer, in Farrow & Ball Dove Tale and Zoffany Musk Pink COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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The cheese cabinet has a cold granite counter and brass mesh screens to allow for air circulation, to keep cheese in top condition

The bespoke oak drawer interior is designed to store cutlery with a block for chef’s knives

G

ood things come to those who wait’ is a proverb that company owners Claire and Matthew Bishop have learned to appreciate.

After moving from London to Yorkshire five years ago for business reasons, the couple rented a cottage from Matthew’s mother. ‘It was meant to be a stop-gap while we looked for a property to buy, but we were so happy here, we decided to stay,’ says Matthew.

They bought the two-bedroom cottage and began to plan the renovations, dipping in and out with ideas and meetings as the years went by.

But so busy were they with work, it was only last year that they felt they had enough time to commit to the project: a full refurbishment of the cottage with a side extension to include a large open plan kitchen-dining-living space, designed to suit their love of relaxed entertaining. Once the building work finally began, they were able to move swiftly as so much planning had been done in advance.

‘We had agreed to buy the kitchen from The Secret Drawer two years’ previously,’ says Matthew. And why

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had they settled on this company as their supplier?

‘We went to visit the showroom and admired the superb cabinet making,’ he says. ‘I remember Claire opening and closing the drawers and saying, “This is like putting a piece of chocolate in your mouth and letting it melt,” which made us laugh.’

Matthew is a keen cook, who particularly enjoys making Sunday roasts, sauces, stocks and soups (French onion is a speciality), and he chose a robust range cooker geared to preparing meals for a crowd. He also specified plenty of work surface and a seating area on the island, so that he could cook while chatting to friends. Claire, on the other hand, was more concerned about having a large, well-stocked pantry, created by re-purposing the old kitchen. ‘Because we live out in the countryside, we can’t just pop out to the shops to pick up missing ingredients on a whim,’ she explains.

‘We love to be in the kitchen now, looking out over the fields and enjoying the sense of space,’ says Claire.

‘It’s definitely been worth the wait.’

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

Two main ovens, a smaller oven/grill, a 79ltr simmer oven, plus seven gas burners, make the range cooker a flexible choice

‘We chose classic cabinetry with just a touch of elegant detail, which will stand the test of time,’ says Claire

LIVING

ENTRANCE LOBBY

WINE ROOM

KITCHEN

SNUG

PANTRY

BOOT ROOM

DINING

THE LAYOUT The galley-style design features a range cooker flanked by storage against the wall, with a large island opposite with plenty of prep surface. This houses two integrated dishwashers and a double fridge drawer, plus sink, tap and bin, while the other side has a generously sized breakfast bar and shelves. A secret door close to the range cooker leads to a pantry and wine room, and a cabinet for storing glassware and crockery is located close to the dining area. A boot room opens into the hall.

Situated close to the dining table, the house hideaway cabinet features two sets of bifold doors to allow clear access to the contents

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The integrated fridge-freezer in the pantry provides chilled food storage that’s additional to the double fridge drawer in the main kitchen

1 SECRET TO SUCCESS

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CLEVER DESIGN SOLUTIONS

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

COLOUR

‘I wanted heather colours for the kitchen, because I had my eye on creating something elegant and different,’ says Claire, who chose a warm grey with lilac undertones for the cabinets, offset by the white and grey granite worktops. Pink for the hideaway cabinet and a soft neutral for the walls continue the theme, while the plum finish of the range cooker creates a focal point.

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

2

SECRET DOOR

3

PANTRY AND WINE ROOM

The secret door to the pantry and wine room is not just a fun touch which makes guests exclaim in surprise, it also helps to give the wall run of cabinetry a sense of proportion. ‘Imagine the chimney breast with only slender wall cupboards on both sides,’ says designer Richard Mason. ‘It would have looked lost in such a large room, so the door, disguised as a tall cupboard, adds balance and gives the wall run more importance.’

Beyond the secret door, the pantry acts like a back kitchen. With a second sink and fridge, plus countertops, shelves and crates for dry food storage, there’s plenty of space for stashing pots and pans out of sight when entertaining. There is also a dedicated bar area with sloping shelf for storing and displaying bottles, and a cabinet for cheese. The temperature-controlled wine room beyond has bespoke display shelving with bottles in perfect condition for drinking.

The handmade oak wine room was designed to house an extensive wine collection

THE DETAILS CABINETRY Bespoke classic in-frame kitchen, pantry and wine room, from £35,000, The Secret Drawer; painted in Dove Tale eggshell, £27 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball, and Musk Pink eggshell, £35 for 1ltr, Zoffany

INTERIOR DESIGN An Eye for Design

SURFACES River Valley White granite worktops, about £8,600; oak breakfast bar, £420lin m; limestone floor tiles, £42sq m, all The Secret Drawer. For similar splashback tiles, try Carnival Ramon, £79.20sq m, Fired Earth. Walls painted in Just Walnut Easycare Kitchen+ Matt, £33.32 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

APPLIANCES

FEATURE AMELIA THORPE PHOTOGRAPHS PAUL CRAIG

Chemin range cooker in Plum, from £9,330, Lacanche. Bespoke integrated extractor, price on request, Westin.

Ultima NCD 191I integrated fridge drawer, £899. S513G60X0G fully integrated dishwashers, £518 each, Neff

SINKS & TAPS Flex mixer and boiling water tap with pull-out hose, from £1,150, Quooker.

Belfast sink, £381, Shaws of Darwen

ACCESSORIES Upholstered oak bar chairs, £1,200 each, The Secret Drawer. David Hunt Lighting Stowe three-light glass pendant, £780, Cotterell & Co

The wine room displays bottles ready for drinking, including wine and champagne bought on the couple’s honeymoon

PANTRY & WINE ROOM KFN37692iDE integrated fridge-freezer, £2,799, Miele. Carnival Sella wall tiles, £79.20sq m, Fired Earth. WineMaster C25S wine conditioning unit, £2,538, Wine Corner

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VEGGIE MIGHT!

FROM CAULIFLOWER ‘POPCORN’ TO A PARSNIP AND GINGER CAKE, THESE RECIPES WILL REV UP YOUR VEGGIE COOKING WITH FLAVOUR AND SPICE

ONE PAN ROMESCO SOUP >

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

KERALAN FRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH COCONUT CHUTNEY >

TIP THE OIL IS READY FOR FRYING WHEN A LITTLE BATTER ADDED TO THE OIL TURNS GOLDEN WITHIN 30 SECONDS

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GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

ONE PAN ROMESCO SOUP Hailing from Catalonia, romesco is traditionally a vivid red sauce served alongside fish. It can be as much of a soup as a sauce, with the simple addition of some extra stock, a little crispy crouton action and a delicious ball of burrata – a fresh Italian mozzarella-style cheese that should have no place here, but totally works.

KERALAN FRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH COCONUT CHUTNEY Puffy pieces of cauliflower warmed with the spices of South India, complete with a quick and easy coconut chutney. Serve as a share-plate, or as a killer breakfast with an egg or two alongside.

SERVES 4-6 AS A STARTER SERVES 4-6 4 red peppers, quartered, seeds removed

oil, plus extra to serve

½ head of cauliflower 150g chickpea flour

2tbsp sherry vinegar 65g slivered almonds

75g rice flour ¼tsp baking powder

100g coconut flesh (or shredded coconut)

1 garlic clove,

4 small balls of burrata

1tsp salt flakes

1½tbsp coconut oil

bruised 250g cherry tomatoes,

(optional) GARLICKY CROUTONS

2tsp each ground turmeric, chilli powder

1tsp each cumin seeds, black mustard seeds

on the vine 400g tinned whole

350g sourdough bread, cut into croutons

and mild curry powder 250ml cold soda water

and chilli flakes 20 curry leaves

peeled tomatoes 1tsp smoked paprika,

2 garlic cloves, finely grated

1 garlic clove, grated 1tsp grated fresh ginger

1 green chilli, chopped 1½tsps tamarind purée

plus extra to serve ½tsp cayenne pepper 500ml vegetable stock 125ml extra virgin olive

2tbsp olive oil 50g unsalted butter, melted

Rice bran oil, for frying 3 curry leaf branches Coriander leaves 2 limes, cut into wedges

1tsp brown sugar 1 bunch of coriander, chopped

1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5.

2 In a large roasting tin, combine the peppers, garlic and all the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the paprika and cayenne pepper. Pour in the stock, olive oil and vinegar, scatter with the almonds and give it all a stir.

3 Cover with foil and bake for 45 mins, or until all the ingredients are softened. Remove the foil, and increase the oven temperature to 210°C/Gas 6. Bake for a further 15-20 mins, or until the almonds are slightly toasted.

4 Meanwhile, for the garlicky croutons, pop all the ingredients in a bowl and mix to coat evenly. Transfer to a baking tray and roast near the top of the oven for the last 15 mins of baking. Remove from the oven and set aside.

5 Blend the roasted vegetables until smooth and put into a large pot.

6 Bring the soup to a simmer and season to taste. Ladle into bowls and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of paprika and scatter the croutons over. If using the burrata, add one ball to each bowl and use a knife to pierce the skin and let the cheesy goodness escape into the soup. Serve immediately.

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Greek-style yoghurt COCONUT CHUTNEY

1 Remove and thinly slice the core from the cauliflower and set aside. Cut the rest into small florets. Pick the leaves and set aside.

2 In a bowl, combine both flours, baking powder, salt flakes and 1tsp each of spices. Add the soda water, garlic and ginger, whisking until smooth. Mix in the florets and chill for 15 mins.

3 For the chutney, cover the coconut with boiling water. Leave for 5 mins to soften. Put the coconut oil, cumin and mustard seeds, chilli flakes, curry leaves and cauliflower core slices in a pan over medium-high heat and cook until the mustard seeds begin to pop and the cauliflower is softened. Blend, with the remaining chutney ingredients and drained coconut, until smooth, adding 1tbsp of water at a time to loosen. Season to taste.

4 Heat 3cm oil in a pan over high heat to 180C. Add the curry leaf branches and cook until crisp. Drain on paper towel. In batches, fry the cauliflower florets and leaves and cook for 3 mins, or until golden. Drain on paper towel.

5 Leaving 5 mm of oil in the pan, cook the remaining spices for 1 min. Add the cauliflower and cook, stirring, for 3 mins, until golden. Put on a platter with curry leaves and coriander.

Serve with the chutney, lime and yoghurt.

CLASSIC ZESTY PUMPKIN RISOTTO >

GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD

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CLASSIC ZESTY PUMPKIN RISOTTO

FOUR GINGER PARSNIP STICKY DATE PUDDING

Risotto is a great skill to acquire, considering all of

Sticky date pudding is my go-to winter dessert, and

the different flavour combos you can play with.

the four-way layering of warming ginger makes this a seasonal favourite. But it’s the addition of parsnip

SERVES 4

that really makes this a show-stopper. Serve with a moat of salted caramel, plus cream.

50g Parmesan (or veggie alternative),

SERVES 4-6

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

finely grated, plus extra shavings to serve

300g medjool dates, pitted, roughly chopped

370g demerara sugar 2tsp vanilla extract

250g coarsely grated pumpkin

Persian feta, to serve 1 bunch of parsley,

400g grated parsnip, plus 1 peeled and thinly

4 eggs 450g self-raising flour

330g arborio rice

leaves picked and finely

sliced parsnip to garnish

¼tsp salt flakes

1tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

chopped, stems finely chopped

2tbsp grated ginger 190g crystallised

SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

500ml just-boiled water 750ml vegetable stock

1tbsp finely chopped chives, to serve

ginger, sliced 2tsp ground ginger

185g demerara sugar 300ml whipping cream

Finely grated zest and

2tsp bicarbonate of soda 250ml ginger ale,

1tsp vanilla extract 50g butter

1 Melt 60g of the butter in a large, heavybased frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook for 2 mins or so, until it starts sizzling, then pop on a lid for 5 mins and reduce the heat. Lift the lid and stir for a minute or so, until softened and translucent.

2 Add the garlic and pumpkin and cook for 2 mins, or until softened but not coloured.

Stir in the rice and olive oil and cook for 3 mins to toast and coat each grain. Remove from the heat, pour in the hot water and stir to combine. Return to a low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

3 Pour in 125ml of the stock and continue the process, adding the remaining stock 125ml at a time until the rice is cooked through and has absorbed most of the liquid. This usually takes around 18 mins.

4 Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice, the remaining 20g butter and the Parmesan. Close the lid and let everything relax for a minute or so.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the feta over and serve scattered with the parsley, chives and extra Parmesan.

boiling hot 250g butter, melted

½tsp salt flakes

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

juice of 1 lemon

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Grease and line the base and sides of a 3ltr cake tin or high-sided baking dish.

2 Pop the dates and grated parsnip into a mixing bowl, along with the grated, crystallised and ground ginger and the bicarbonate of soda. Pour the boiling ginger ale over. Leave for 20 mins to soften and cool.

In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, sugar and vanilla using a wooden spoon.

3 Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the parsnip and ginger mixture, then fold in the flour and salt until just combined.

4 Spoon the mixture into the cake tin. Arrange the parsnip slices over the top. Bake for about 1 hr, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the pudding comes out clean. If the top looks like it’s colouring up too quickly, cover with foil for the last 15 mins or so. Leave to cool in the cake tin on a wire rack.

5 Combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce comes to the boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes until it thickens and turns golden.

6 Spoon the warm pudding into serving bowls, then pour a generous ladleful of warm sauce over the top.

FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH PHOTOGRAPHS BEN DEARNLEY

80g unsalted butter 3 French shallots, finely chopped

FOUR GINGER PARSNIP STICKY DATE PUDDING >

Recipes from In Praise of Veg by Alice Zaslavsky, photographs by Ben Dearnley (£25, Murdoch Books).

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IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN

COOKS’ NOTES Restaurant in your dining room Gourmet deliveries direct from top chefs

• Di-lish-oom One of the nation’s favourite breakfasts, the bacon naan roll kit (vegan also available) is now delivered to your door. Also included is Dishoom chai tea for two and for every kit ordered, a meal is donated to Magic Breakfast, the charity that provides meals for school children (£16 kit to serve two, shop.dishoom.com).

• Meals on wheels Michelin-starred head chef Tommy Banks, whose restaurants The Black Swan at Oldstead is renowned for exquisite local food, has created stunning new meal boxes. With the Made In Oldstead box (from £45 for a three-course meal for two, tommybanks. co.uk) choose from three menus, including vegetarian.

GIN-IOUS This handcrafted, locally foraged, ‘plough to bottle’ gin is a Cornish success story, launched during Covid thanks to a crowd-funding campaign. Each bottle comes with 20 bio-degradable infusion pockets filled with dried orange botanicals. Just pop in your glass to change the flavour and colour of your gin, for a bespoke tipple every time. Chameleon Pine and Orange Gin (£40, 500ml, chameleongin.co.uk).

FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH

Tasty trio • Buon appetito!

Home of delicious Italian food at an affordable price, Padella is a much-loved restaurant in London’s Borough Market that delivers nationwide. Pasta dishes – try fettuccine with nduja or pici with Tamworth sausage (from £14 for two, shop.padella.co) – come with pasta, sauce and garnish, and can be plated in five minutes.

An incredible 800g of the finest tomatoes are squeezed into these Belazu Mediterranean Ketchup bottles – along with balsamic vinegar, harissa and smoked chilli.

Not just for chips, the ketchups are also great for stirring through sauces (from £2.75, belazu.com or Booths).

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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BIRCH, GINGER AND WISTERIA DETOXER

Home

BREW

Gather herbs, hips, petals and spices for a soothing cuppa with natural health benefits

High in minerals and vitamins B and C, birch sap is said to benefit the liver and is available from health stores online. Ginger boosts digestion and wisteria isn’t just pretty – it’s edible too!

90ml birch sap 30ml ginger syrup 22ml lemon juice Splash of soda water Wisteria blossom

Chill a glass in the freezer for 2 hours. Pour the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker and fill it two-thirds with ice. Cover and shake for 20 seconds. Strain into the glass. Garnish with the wisteria blossom and top up with a splash of soda water.

WELLBEING

VITAMIN C TEA You can make this ahead, keeping the blended herbs in an airtight container. Serve as a preventative during the cold and flu season, making a big pot for the family.

ENERGY INFUSION

2 parts lemongrass

Try this restorative elixir any time your energy level is low, to bolster mind, body and spirit.

3 parts hibiscus 4 parts rosehips 1 part chopped cinnamon sticks 960ml hot water Honey

1tsp sliced fresh ginger root

Blend the herbs using a mortar and pestle. Place in a teapot with the hot water.

Steep for 5 minutes, then strain and serve sweetened with honey to taste.

1tsp jasmine tea leaves 1tsp peppermint tea leaves 480ml hot water

Place the ginger, jasmine and peppermint in a tea pot and add the hot water.

Brew for 5 minutes, then strain and serve.

BEAUTY AMBROSIA TEA Hibiscus, rose and calendula flowers help to tone the skin from within.

3tbsp dried hibiscus flowers 2tbsp dried calendula flowers 2tbsp dried red or pink rose petals 475ml boiled water Raw honey, to taste

Put the herbs, petals and boiled water in a bowl and allow the mixture to steep for 1 hour or until the liquid is a vibrant red colour. Strain the tea and pour into a jug, adding the honey once the tea has cooled.

Enjoy the tea warm or at room temperature.

Recipes from Natural Cures & Remedies (£9.99, CICO Books) Photography ŠCICO Books

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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FEATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHS NICOLA STOCKEN

GARDEN SPECIAL

THE JOY OF SPRING

As the garden awakes, welcome first shoots and fresh spring blooms, and create stunning displays with our seasonal gardening guide

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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Early Spring

IT’S TIME TO: Plant snowdrops Buy freshly lifted snowdrops ‘in the green’ — this tends to be the best way of establishing the bulbs for next year.

Plant straight away and label. Lift and divide existing, congested clumps as the foliage yellows and replant at the same depth as before.

Sow tomatoes Grow less-usual, heirloom varieties such as ‘Green Sausage’, ‘Burracker’s Favourite’ or ‘Mirabelle’. Sow three seeds in a 7.5cm pot of fine seed compost, cover with 1.5cm soil and place on a windowsill, keeping it moist. Pot on seedlings at around 5cm height.

Support young trees with a stake to help support root growth

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Clean bark By this time of year, the bark of silver birches or Tibetan cherries are often tarnished with grime and algae. Scrub with warm water to restore to a pristine state.

GARDEN SPECIAL

Sow a wildflower patch

1

Replace a section of scruffy lawn with a small annual wildflower meadow.

First eradicate persistent weeds, dig over and leave for at least a month to allow existing weeds to germinate.

Then you can hoe them out.

2

In mid to late April, roll the ground to make it even and rake to create shallow drills. Broadcast half the seed evenly.

3

Use the roller again before scattering the remaining seed. Find seeds at pictorialmeadows.co.uk.

STARS OF THE SEASON

SNOWDROP Galanthus ‘Primrose Warburg’, named after the galanthophile, has golden ovaries and markings on the inner skirt.

CLEMATIS The evergreen climber Clematis armandii loves a sheltered, sunny spot where the fragrant, creamy flowers open in early spring.

CORNUS Deciduous shrub Cornus mas ‘Aurea’ has yellow flowers in winter, and golden leaves that turn mid green.

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129

Mid Spring IT’S TIME TO: Plant raised beds If your vegetable plot has poor soil, ďŹ ll a raised bed with rich compost for deep-rooted crops, such as carrots and parsnips. Build with timber, brick or stone, or use a kit. Remember, the taller the bed, the stronger it needs to be to withstand the weight of the soil.

Prune roses Repeat-flowering shrub roses need pruning as the first growth appears. Use secateurs to remove the four Ds: dying, damaged, diseased and dead stems. Cut off any dead leaves that may harbour disease.

Love your lawn First remove dead grass and moss by scarifying with a flexible rake. Next, aerate with a fork by puncturing the surface at 7cm intervals. Finally, cut clean edges with a half-moon turf cutter.

Raised beds made from woven willow panels are planted with herbs in this organic potager

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GARDEN SPECIAL

Plant up a hanging basket Introduce beautiful colour by hanging at head height from the walls of the house, fence posts or pergolas.

1

For weeks of spring interest, plant up a basket with golden ‘Tete-a-Tete’ daffodils and blue grape hyacinths.

2

Intersperse with pony tail grasses, leafy variegated Euonymus fortunei and pink or white heathers.

3

Finish off by planting ivy so that it trails over the sides. Water and deadhead your plants regularly.

STARS OF THE SEASON DAFFODILS Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ is one of the longest lasting, most-resilient of early-flowering daffodils.

SNOWFLAKE The pretty green-tipped white flowers of Leucojum aestivum are faintly chocolate scented.

GRAPE HYACINTH

Muscari ‘Mount Hood’ appears in late winter with striking spikes of tiny blue flowerlets topped by snowy white tips.

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Late Spring ITĂ•S TIME TO: Deter pests Slugs and snails multiply as it gets warmer, so collect them after rain when they emerge.

Surround seedlings with gravel, prickly leaves or copper rings, and cover cabbages and strawberries with netting. Also try a biological pest control, such as nematodes.

Weed and mulch Regularly hoe borders as weeds are now well into their stride. Mulch with homemade compost to both suppress weeds and retain moisture in dry spells.

Sow hardy annuals Inject long-lasting colour into bare patches in beds by sowing seeds of hardy annuals, such as larkspur, cornflower, and tricolour Chrysanthemum carinatum. Plant up pots ready to slot into gaps that develop later on.

Box hedges form borders of phlox and dahlia, with petunia, verbena, salvia and lobelia spilling from an old terracotta pot

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GARDEN SPECIAL

Create a herb pot Take a rustic terracotta strawberry planter and create a centrepiece for your vegetable garden or terrace. Plant up with rosemary, parsley, thyme, sage, oregano and chervil.

Fill the pot with compost to the level of each side planting hole in turn, and firm down before inserting the herb plant, rootball first, into the hole. Build up the soil around each rootball and water in, before building up the level of the compost. Lastly, plant a rosemary bush on the top.

STARS OF THE SEASON

FRITILLARY Add the maroon and yellow bellshaped Fritillaria michailovskyi, which originated in Turkey, to your borders.

DOG’S TOOTH VIOLET The ground-hugging Erythronium californicum ‘White Beauty’ has pretty reflexed flowers in spring.

SPECIES TULIP Tulipa saxatalis ‘Lilac Wonder’ is a compact early tulip bearing masses of bowl-shaped, pink-mauve blooms.

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AWA R D -W I N N I N G R I V E R C RU I S E S HOLIDAY HAPPINESS. GUAR ANTEED.

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Award-Winning Luxury River Cruises

Cruise destination

Duration

From

Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields

8 days

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5 days

£929pp

Budapest to the Black Sea

15 days

£2,679pp

The Blue Danube

8 days

£1,289pp

Cruise the Heart of Europe

15 days

£3,099pp

Medieval Germany

8 days

£1,989pp

Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg

8 days

£1,739pp

Amsterdam, Cologne & the Best of Holland & Flanders

8 days

£1,199pp

Rhine & Moselle

8 days

£1,559pp

The Douro, Porto & Salamanca

8 days

£1,639pp

The Seine, Paris & Normandy

8 days

£1,559pp

Burgundy, the River Rhone & Provence

8 days

£1,489pp

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

8 days

£1,889pp

Vienna, Bohemia & the Treasures of the Danube

8 days

£1,389pp

With so much included: • Spacious and beautifully appointed suites or cabins with hotel-style beds, en-suite bathrooms and river views • Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout • Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes • Return flights from a choice of regional airports or standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras • Return rail connections on selected dates and cruises from over 50 regional stations (supplements may apply) • The services of our experienced cruise director and concierge

Departures from March to November 2021

To book or request a brochure, call 01283 523454 or visit cohriviera.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS: Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd, ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by TI Media Limited. Prices correct at time of going to print. *Book by 28th February, 2021.

Exclusions apply, offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions. For full T&Cs please visit website for details.

IN A COUNTRY GARDEN

NEST LOVE Personalised house sign, £32, Delightful Living at Notonthehighstreet.com

PERIOD STYLE Blair wall lantern in Brass, from £425, Christopher Wray

TONAL DISPLAY Large ceramic planter in Blush Pink, £49, Ella James WARM WELCOME Front door colour, Celestial Blue intelligent exterior eggshell, £71.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

PORCH DRESSINGS Knock knock, who’s there?

NUMBERS GAME Large rusted metal house numbers, £17.99 each, The Rustic Warehouse at Notonthehighstreet.com

FRIENDLY GREETING Printed Hello doormat, £29.50, Oliver Bonas

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

MODERN DELIVERY Goldhay secure post and parcel box in Savannah Sunset, £220, Black Country Metalworks

TRADITIONAL FORGING Fantastic fox door knocker in Brass, £30, The Door Knocker Company

Did you know? ‘DOOR FURNITURE’

REFERS TO ITEMS ATTACHED TO A DOOR TO ENHANCE ITS FUNCTIONALITY AND/OR APPEARANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, LOCKS, KNOBS AND KNOCKERS.

TEXTURED CHARACTER Outdoor fibre-clay planters, £59.99 for set of two, Ivyline

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

135

Live Life Well

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

THINGS TO DO, MAKE AND CELEBRATE Plant out… established and hardy herbs. Rosemary, chives, mint, sage and thyme will thrive in moist soil in the garden but keep basil on a sunny windowsill until it’s warmer.

Create… your own prints with printmaker Lou Tonkin on a two-day course at Dartington Trust, Devon (dartington.org), £250, 17-18 April.

Celebrate… International Women’s Day, 8 March, and help to acknowledge women’s achievements globally, to forge a gender-equal world and appreciate the important women in your life.

Herbs, from a selection, Dobbies

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

LIVE LIFE WELL

Take note These smart foil-embossed A5 notebooks have been made with the environment in mind.

The covers are created from used coffee cups otherwise destined for landfill and the lined paper inside is fully recycled FSC-certified paper. Choose from three punchy colours – Mustard, Khaki and Blush Pink – and scribble away at your ideas, notes and dreams. £14.95 each, Martha Brook.

LET IT RAIN Entirely waterproof, the Shoreside raincoat from Joules has become our new favourite coat for SS21 and is available in five colourways including Pillar Box Red. The A-line design is made all the more flattering with a drawstring waist, while the zip and popper fastening will keep you water tight. A storm peak on the hood protects you on blustery days.

Shoreside waterproof raincoat, £89.95, Joules

3 steps to... refresh

your bedding

DEEP-CLEAN YOUR MATTRESS Vacuum, then deodorise by sprinkling a cup of bicarbonate of soda through a sieve over the surface. Leave for an hour before vacuuming. Spray the mattress with essential oils, flip it and repeat.

WASH YOUR PILLOWS Check the care label, but most can be hand or machine washed. Dry in the sun or in the tumble dryer with tennis balls to fluff them up.

REVIVE WHITE BED LINEN Add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda to the washing machine drum and half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. For an extra brightening boost, hang out to dry in the sun.

MODERN PARENTING Holistic childcare company, Me Place has developed a useful educational app to help parents raise happy, healthy kids. Focusing on mental and physical well-being, it’s packed with crafts and games, child development digests and a childcare academy covering a range of topics including attachment, identity and understanding emotions.

Bed linen, from £18 for a standard pillowcase; baskets, from £45 each, all The White Company

ON YOUR BIKE Up your cycling game with a personalised basket, made by artisans in Portugal and hand-painted in the UK with eco paint to your spec. Choose from initials, a short name or word, up to seven letters. You also get to pick the letter and stripe colour and the leather straps can be customised, too.

Personalised wicker bike basket, £70, Hill and Ellis COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

137

LIVE LIFE WELL

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL With a deceptively small footprint, Urbansize’s furniture is perfect for compact living, with maximum storage. New to its collection is a beautiful plywood range with a clear pale finish and exposed ply layers around the edges. There are nine pieces, including a desk, coffee table and floating shelves, all made from sustainably sourced European wood. Hallway stand, £160

3 of the best…

Mother’s Day gifts Say thank you with a gift for Mum IND O OR GA RD ENER Keep plants happy with this sweet little plant mister. No more overwatering – sometimes a quick spritz is all they need.

We love this antiquestyle, ribbed glass design. Plant mister, £8, Garden Trading EVOCAT I VE AR OMA This collection of fragrances from FYG has a nostalgic touch, with names such as Grandma’s Garden, Starry Night, Rose Garden and Down By The Coast. Diffuser, £35; hand-poured candle, £30, both FYG

A HUG I N A BOX Beautifully packaged and delivered to the door, this gift box includes Himalayan bath salts, a soothing clay face mask, tealights, a bamboo face cloth and calming organic teas.

The Calm gift box, £45, Alice and Peg

Versatile blue-green Aegean Teal (Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year for 2021) bridges the gap between warm and cool beautifully. All 12 shades in the Colour Trends 2021 palette have the same organic, earthy quality that reflect the feeling of a welcoming home. Make your choice using the allergy-friendly, zero emissions Natura paint line. From £24 for 0.94ltr.

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

PET CARE BY POST

Well-being brand Itch is as mad about pets as we are and its easy-to-use subscription service offers flea and worm treatment packages tailored to your furry friend’s needs, costing as little as £6.50 a month. In addition, Itch also offers a range of treats and supplements, such as soothing remedies, to help keep your pooch or kitty healthy and happy.

FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS

SOOTHING TONES

LIVE LIFE WELL

Nana’s stories come alive when walking on the South Downs

MY COUNTRY PASSION

Storytelling walks

FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS

As a qualified walking guide and professional storyteller, mental health pharmacist Nana Tomova takes people on a magical experience in the Sussex countryside I am originally from Bulgaria but came to the UK as a child. Growing up, I climbed trees, raced snails and had an insect hospital where I would treat insects with flower pollen. I was very much a wild girl in nature.

I have also loved stories ever since I was little. Well-known folk tales, Bluebeard and Baba Yaga, had a big impact on me. Stories bring life and so much wisdom. We learn from stories as children and I believe that if we stay in a relationship with them we will continue our learning and understanding of the world.

I became interested in the power of storytelling a few years ago and decided to train at the International School of Storytelling, Emerson College, East Sussex. I also have 10 years’ experience working for the NHS as a mental health specialist and I’m a qualified pharmacist. I find

my two paths enrich each other. Both crafts are person-focused and deal with healing. If we go back centuries ago, original apothecaries – who made and dispensed medicines – used to tell stories. So, for me it is connecting the new with the old in a novel and creative way.

I live in the market town of Lewes, a five-minute walk from the beautiful South Downs. I love everything about nature – from the green fields, the dense forests, the coast and the high mountains. There is a sense of peace and wildness that I don’t feel anywhere else, so to me it’s the perfect place to share and tell stories.

My story walks are a unique experience; the stories come alive, the wind rises at just the right moment, a robin will land on my foot, a cricket will jump. Everything is interlinked.

Whatever the weather, I feel calmer,

enlivened, and more like myself. My breath slows down, I slow down, I get a sense of belonging to the landscape.

It’s a feeling of great humility and greatness at the same time.

There are thousands upon thousands of stories in the world.

Some of my favourites are of wise women, or of journeys. Sometimes I will tell stories aligned to the landscape, other times I will tell tales appropriate for the joys or hardships we’re in. I think all of them contain wisdom and medicine. I also love listening to other fellow storytellers – I can travel to far landscapes, fight dragons, gain wisdom and come back stronger and wiser.

Discover more...

Nana Tomova’s storytelling walks start from £22.15 for three hours. You can also listen to stories on her new podcast, The Story Apothecary, nanatomova.com

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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F U L LY E S C O RT E D T O U R S HOLIDAY HAPPINESS. GUAR ANTEED. Dreaming of a holiday in 2021? With industryleading health and safety practices, flexible booking options and our ‘happiness guarantee’, we will ensure you have an unforgettable holiday without compromise.

• Exceptional experiences, with no compromises If you’re not completely happy by day two, we’ll bring you home with a full refund • Industry-leading health and safety practices to keep you safe All our UK and European tours in 2021 on sale are small groups, with a maximum of 25 guests and social distancing in place • Free to change your mind with fully flexible booking Change your booking for free up to 45 days before travel

Lake Como, St Moritz & the Bernina Express

*

Take a lake cruise to beautiful Bellagio on Lake Como, and visit the delightful Villa del Balbianello and its inspirational gardens Enjoy a full-day visit to the chic resort of St Moritz, including a journey on the Bernina Express Follow in the footsteps of the ‘Grand Tour’ with a visit to Lake Maggiore and the town of Stresa Visit Lugano, an elegant Swiss lakeside town with Italian influences Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in a choice of well-located three and four-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner* The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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Lake Maggiore, Orta & the Matterhorn

Departures from April to October 2021 8 days from only £789pp

Enjoy a full day exploring beautiful Lake Garda Explore Venice, the medieval world’s richest city, on a tour with a local guide – choose between the ‘classic’ and ‘undiscovered’ tours Walk into history among the Roman ruins of Verona, guided by a local expert – choose between the ‘classic’ and ‘undiscovered’ tours Marvel at the breathtaking alpine scenery of the Dolomites on a full-day tour Visit a local vineyard, with a guided tour of the cellars and wine tasting Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in a choice of three-star to four-star superior accommodation, with breakfast and dinner The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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Lake Garda, Venice & Verona

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Departures from April to October 2021 8 days from only £889pp

* *

Departures from May to October 2021 8 days from only £1,059pp

Cruise Lake Maggiore’s enchanting Borromean Islands, with a guided tour of the Baroque palace on Isola Bella Travel through the Simplon Pass to Zermatt and the Matterhorn Visit picture-perfect Lake Como Enjoy a full-day tour visiting Cannobio and Locarno, with a journey on the Centovalli railway Tour one of Italy’s most exquisite stretches of water, Lake Orta, and its medieval village of Orta San Giulio Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers Seven nights in four-star superior or four-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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

LIVE LIFE WELL

LEFT Castle Ashby house and church BELOW The Falcon Hotel is a former 16th-century coaching inn on the estate

A WEEKEND AWAY AT:

The Falcon

AN ANCESTRAL HOME TURNED WELLNESS WONDER NEAR NORTHAMPTON

FEATURE JO FERNANDEZ PHOTOGRAPHS MARK BROWN

S

urrounded by meadows and woodland, it’s no wonder the The Falcon focuses on bringing the outside in. Owners Lord and Lady Northampton created the hotel from a derelict 16th-century coaching inn at Castle Ashby, their 11,000-acre estate.

Drawing on their combined experience in yoga, counselling and wellbeing they’ve created a highly original country retreat with 22 bedrooms, a destination restaurant and wellness at its core.

COUNTRY COMFORT Chic interiors were overseen by Jackie Blakey, a friend of the couple, who designed spaces where guests can connect The 22 bedrooms at the hotel were interior designed

by Jackie Blakey

with nature while feeling aware of the property’s rich history. Rooms, spread across the main hotel and cottages, are filled with an abundance of natural materials – stone, wood, leather, wool – and an earthy palette cocoons you in comfort and style. Sheepskin Yeti chairs, lava lamps and art inspired by the gardens blend with exposed stone and original beams.

FINE DINING Take afternoon tea in the light-filled East Wing or, for cocktails, gather in the speakeasystyle Cellar Bar. At the restaurant, called Eyas (meaning a young hawk that’s learning to fly), chef Mark Lawton keeps things as local as possible with ingredients grown, harvested and reared from the surrounding landscape, visible from every table. Graze on exquisitely

presented heritage dishes, such as Herdwick hogget, courgette flower, goat’s curd and hot pot.

OUT AND ABOUT With so much on offer within the hotel grounds, you can easily fill a wellness-orientated weekend. Join the wild swimming club at the Capability Browndesigned lake, guided nature walks and yoga sessions, or experience the sound therapy of a gong bath in the Yoga Barn. If you’re feeling creative, book in at nearby Swanspool Ceramics open-access pottery studio to try your hand at ceramics, while Manor Farm Riding Centre at Easton Maudit offers hacks for all ages and abilities.

Rooms, from £120 a night.

The Falcon, Castle Ashby, Northampton NN7 1LF, thefalcon-castleashby.com

While youÕre there...

CASTLE ASHBY GARDENS

RURAL SHOPPING YARD

Guests receive discounted access to the Gardens, home to romantic Italian Gardens and an Orangery, with nature trails around the impressive Arboretum, open all year round.

Housed in converted barns in Castle Ashby village, the Rural Shopping Yard offers locally run boutiques and crafts, together with cafés and a delicatessen for edible treats to take home.

THE ROSE & CROWN The seasonal Sunday menu at the dog-friendly Rose & Crown Bistro in Yardley Hastings, just under three miles away, spans roast rump of beef with duck-fat roast potatoes to cranberry and sage nut roast.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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M A R K E T P L AC E FURNITURE

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WINTER SALE - ENDS SOON Grand Chesterfield 3 seater sofa £1499

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Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. Hand made in Norfolk. Guaranteed to last a lifetime.

A first and second generation family company. All our beds are lovingly hand crafted to order, on the Sandringham Estate and come with a guarantee to last a lifetime.

01485 542516 view our full range at

www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk

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M A R K E T P L AC E KITCHENS

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With six widths available and a choice of great colours we’re confident we have just the right EVERHOT for you.

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M A R K E T P L AC E FLOORING

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

A small cove at Cadgwith, Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall

MY FAVOURITE VIEW...

Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall I travel a lot in my line of work, but every time I come back to Cornwall, I feel it’s the most stunning place in the UK. The Cornish coastline feels rugged and ancient, not just old, but like you’re stepping way back into the times of the dinosaurs. The rock and the ruggedness of it is has such presence.

My husband, Johan Tham, and I live in the Lizard area, just above Cadgwith, in a house he’d bought several years before I met him.

Interestingly enough, when I was collecting watercolours, years before I met him, I ended up with a collection of Cornish paintings of the area that I live in anyway!

It’s a fishing village and, even through full lockdown, the fishermen were still going out in their boats. They were all taking fish up to the local farmhouse to sell locally and also to 146

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

send off across the country, with overnight delivery.

On this part of the South West Coast Path, one can walk all the way down to Cadgwith then up past the Devil’s Frying Pan. This spectacular site is formed from the collapsed roof of a sea cave leaving an arch of rock.

The site is owned by the National Trust. From there just carry on to Lizard itself, which is the furthest southern point and if you are lucky, you will see the seals. It’s rocky, all clifftop and it changes quite a lot.

In some places, you can suddenly come across areas of heather. As you get towards Penzance, it drops down to a steep beach, and spikes of serpentine rock can be seen coming out of the sea.

Last year was the first time we’d been in Cornwall solidly from spring

all the way through the year. When it’s sunny, the colours are extraordinary, but when it’s grey, windy and wet, it’s also beautiful, and brings with it something else.

Spring is fantastic though. After the winter, the moment the leaves start to come on the trees, you see this shadowy film of green outside, and then everything comes alive so fast.

You get the bluebells, the camellias, and then the wildflowers on the cliff paths. It’s absolutely stunning.

Last spring, swallows nested in a shed just outside our house. There were five babies; we watched them growing up – they didn’t seem to mind at all. They’d all sit on a little ledge looking at one another, all very fluffy and big. I felt so sad to see them fledge. They all gathered together and then they were gone.

FEATURE HAYLEY MINN PHOTOGRAPHS INCAMERASTOCK/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Call the Midwife actress Jenny Agutter has travelled the world but the South West Coast Path in Cornwall is where she loves spending time the most...