S!z!!s?

Bold & beautiful

THE BEST IN MODERN COUNTRY STYLE DECORATING SCHEMES WITH PRETTY PRINTS FRESH LOOKS FOR WOOD KITCHENS

DISCOVER IDEAS FOR SPACE, PATTERN AND COLOUR

DESIGN SECRETS BROKEN-PLAN LIVING – HOW THE INTERIOR DESIGNERS DO IT

GORGEOUS ENGLISH GARDENS TO INSPIRE

STYLE NOTES FROM CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, MATTHEW WILLIAMSON AND KIT KEMP J UN E 2 021

JUNE 2021

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NEWS & SHOPPING

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OBJECTS OF DESIRE New design must-haves, from lighting to furniture

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SMART FINDS Wise buys with impact THE JUNE EDIT Our pick of fabulous products and a new RHS garden to visit THE SUSTAINABLE HOME Sebastian Cox creates a mini kitchen garden PASSION FOR PATTERN Geometric outdoor fabrics for style on your patio NAME TO KNOW The duo behind JamJar Edit tell us more about their botanically-inspired gifts and homeware BRIGHT BASKETRY Small storage to keep your home clutter-free SUNSHINE READY Outdoor benches to suit every style of garden CABINET OF CURIOSITIES Display treasures in a glass-fronted cupboard BEHIND THE DESIGN Expert advice on shopping for a display cupboard

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ELEGANCE REDEFINED Sophisticated decor meets a laid-back beach aesthetic in this Rhode Island retreat CHASING THE HORIZON A home that is blessed with stunning views of Sydney Harbour offers a masterclass in indoor-outdoor living NATURAL STYLE The owner’s inherent connection to nature informs every aspect of this 17th-century gem SHIFTING TASTES A diverse mix of fabrics and furniture styles combine for an eclectic cosiness in this Seattle abode ARTS & CRAFTS Colourful paintings and artisan furniture were key in the renovation of a Victorian family home

COLOUR OF THE MONTH We’re enticed by the serene Potters Pink from Heritage by Dulux

COVER PHOTOGRAPH STEPHEN KENT JOHNSON/OTTO

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DESIGN IDEAS 43 MODERN COUNTRY Mix and match 62 65

vibrant patterns for a relaxed feel OFF THE SHELF Kit Kemp’s new book is full of unique creative ideas to inspire your own schemes THE ART OF INTERIOR DESIGN Advice from Matthew Williamson

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69 SPLIT DECISION How to use partitions 141 144 147 152

to create a versatile broken-plan space KITCHEN & BATHROOM NEWS The latest products and designs HOW TO… CHOOSE BRASSWARE Valuable advice on bathroom styles NEW WAYS WITH WOOD Fresh ideas for this staple in kitchen schemes DOUBLE VANITIES Basins for two

GARDENS

Mediterranean-style plot

LIFESTYLE 159 160 162 169

115 IN SEASON THIS MONTH 116 119 122

‘Misty Lavender’ – a lovely delphinium SIMPLE PLEASURES: ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL Easy treat LITTLE IDYLLS Transform your outdoor space with help from the experts MY GARDEN LIFE Arabella LennoxBoyd shares her secrets

SENSE OF PLACE A modern home sits comfortably in the countryside thanks to clever garden design WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS A romantic garden with a traditional parterre CREATING A DRY GARDEN Expert advice on how to design a

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WE LOVE The Royal Oak Ramsden – a country pub with rooms in the Cotswolds THE COUNTRY FILES Interior designer and hotelier Judy Hutson on her favourite Winchester spots FRESH & FRAGRANT Mark Diacono’s new book explores the versatility of herbs THE NEW HOTSPOTS Discover the UK places where property is booming WHAT HOME MEANS TO ME Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones

REGULARS 9 76

EDITOR’S LETTER SUBSCRIBE TO H&G Your favourite magazine delivered to your door

TO SUBSCRIBE Subscribe for £42.99 and receive a free Sophie Allport bag. Visit homesandgardenssubs.com/jun21 and quote code BJ13 DIGITAL EDITIONS AND PAST ISSUES These can be downloaded at homesandgardenssubs.com/digital or order print editions at homesandgardenssubs/backissue

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I feel torn about the emergence from lockdown we’re all experiencing. How we inhabit our homes has changed dramatically in the past year and I appreciate mine more than I did a year ago, despite inevitable frustrations. And being able to enjoy warmer weather in the garden makes ‘escape’ feel less pressing still.

This issue encapsulates the moment in which we’re living. UK-bound for now, I’m travelling vicariously through the houses we feature: including a gorgeous home overlooking Sydney Harbour (p80) and Heidi Caillier’s stunning period house in Seattle (p98). In anticipation of hot weather, I’ve loved our edit of the best outdoor fabrics and garden benches (p27 & p54) and also our look into dry gardening – think sustainable, Mediterranean gardens (p136). Forward-thinking, in Split Decision (p69) we explore broken-plan living for those whom open-plan is now impractical and in The Art of Interior Design (p65) Matthew Williamson gives a masterclass on using pattern.

PHOTOGRAPH IZABELA SMITH FABRIC AINSLEY STRIPE IN SKY, £124M, SCHUMACHER

Finally, Catherine Zeta-Jones is the first interviewee in our new series: What Home Means to Me (p178). The actress tells us why she’s happiest within her own four walls. I think we’d get along.

LUCY SEARLE, GLOBAL EDITOR IN CHIEF F OL L OW US ON Instagram @homesandgardensuk We’ve introduced a subscriber cover (above bottom) – a lighter-on-words version so you can fully enjoy the imagery. Turn to page 76 to subscribe.

Twitter @homesandgardens Facebook @homesandgardens Pinterest @homesgardensuk

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EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP homesandgardens@futurenet.com Editorial Director Sarah Spiteri Global Editor in Chief Lucy Searle Group Creative Director Emma Williams Group Chief Sub-Editor Jennifer Spaeth Content & Product Development Director Michael Holmes Homes Content Team Editorial Director Rhoda Parry Houses Editor Vivienne Ayers Interiors Editor Emma Thomas Associate Editor Busola Evans News & Shopping Editors Jo Bailey and Rohini Wahi News & Features Editor Thea Babington-Stitt Gardens Editor Teresa Conway Food Director Elisa Roche Food Editor Samuel Goldsmith Group Art Director Alison Walter Art Editor Meredith Davies Head of Subs Operations Maxine Clarke Hub Chief Sub-Editor Carly Rigley Senior Sub-Editors Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley Head of Art Production Nicola Tillman Art Production Designers Chris Saggers and Phil Dunk Group Production Manager Matt Eglinton Production Manager John Botten Senior Ad Production Manager Jo Crosby Advertisement Copy and Make-up Barry Skinner DIGITAL Brand Development Director Laura Crombie Video Producer Matt Gibbs Editor In Chief – Homes Audience Amy Cutmore Editor In Chief – eCommerce Lindsey Davis Digital Editor Jennifer Ebert SUBSCRIPTIONS Online orders: www.magazinesdirect.com

Homes & Gardens is published 12 times a year by Future Publishing Limited. One-year full subscription rates for 12 issues including postage & packing: UK £61.65; Europe €157.60; Rest of world £157.95. For subscription enquiries please call 0330 333 1113, overseas call: +44 330 333 1113 (lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm UK time) or email help@ magazinesdirect.com. The US annual subscription price is $157.60. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at Future Publishing Limited, 3rd floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Air Business Ltd. is acting as our mailing agent. All prices include postage and packaging. US Postmaster: Enquiries and address changes should be sent to: Future Publishing Ltd, Rockwood House, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH or call +44 330 333 1113 (lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm UK time) or email help@magazinesdirect.com.

BACK ISSUES Magazines Direct, help@magazinesdirect.com, +44(0)330 333 1113 EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/ IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at homesandgardens@futurenet.com or write to Homes & Gardens, Future PLC, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.

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SHOPPING

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OBJECTS OF DESIRE FEATURE JO BAILEY

B e a u t i f u l p i e c e s w e ’r e c h a m p i o n i n g t h i s m o n t h 1. Curves and colour Countess square mirror, £2,095.20, Julian Chichester 2. Seating goes sculptural Stephen armchair, £890, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam 3. Pretty plaster finish Arrow wall light, £1,500, Alexandra Robinson for The New Craftsmen 4. Go for spring greens Sunago vinyl wallpaper in W7551-01, £97 a roll, Osborne & Little 5. Soft seating with flair Flag fabric in Yellow 004, £140m, Fermoie; shown on Cylinder stool, £335, David Seyfried 6. Scenic-looking storage Landscape sideboard, £1,798, Anthropologie 7. An artist’s impression Theatre pot 3, £540, Katie Moore at M.A.H &

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SMART FINDS 1. Laid-back linen with a twist Wes Gingham frill cushion, £68, Projektityyny at Liberty London 2. Jute goes graphic on the floor Braided rug, £120, Madam Stoltz at Reste 3. Get ready for summertime tablescaping Glazed Totem candleholders, £101.89 for 2, Tina Vaia 4. Dine in style with a revamped classic Madeleine bistro chair, £220, Ceraudo 5. A favourite material goes stripy Large rattan ceiling lamp, £89.99, Zara Home 6. Strong all-rounder Slingshot coffee table (with floor cushion), £595, Loaf &

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FEATURE JO BAILEY

Wise buys to snap up now

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THE JUNE EDIT CLASSIC CANE, WITH A TWIST This summer, our love affair with rattan continues with the launch of the light and stylish painted furniture range by Birdie Fortescue. The Teras collection includes a headboard, sofa, side table and dining chairs, all available in refreshing shades of Aegean Blue, Rose Pink or Basil Green. Shown here is the double headboard, £250.

COLLECTION TO LOVE: LASCOMBE HILL Inspired by a passion for antiques, furniture designer and dealer Robin Myerscough teamed up with master cabinetmaker David Ellis of Lascombe Hill to produce a range of occasional furniture with a contemporary edge. The Lascombe Hill Collection celebrates bamboo and bobbin detailing, with specialist paint finishes in bold hues, all handmade to order. From £1,062 for a Bamboo mirror.

FORM MEETS FUNCTION

FEATURE JO BAILEY

The Flower table was originally designed by Alexander Girard in the 1950s for the interior of the famous Miller House in Indiana. It has since been developed in powder-coated steel for use indoors and out and comes in a choice of colours in two sizes, from £549, Vitra.

LUXE LIGHTING Composed of nine smoky grey borosilicate glass shades and a polished brass frame, this Spark pendant light, £1,779.44, Bontempi Casa, brings a sense of modern opulence to interiors. It is also available with six shades or as a single stem. ¤

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DIVINE DESIGN SOLUTION This summer, String takes its iconic configurable shelving off the walls and into the garden. Made from galvanised steel, the outdoor free-standing system is designed to withstand all weather and will only get better with age. It’s ideal for storing pots and tools, growing plants or even creating zones within your outside space.

Modules, from £50; unit shown, £1,877, Utility.

SEEN ON INSTAGR A M Sa ra h Pe a ke @s t ud iop e a ke

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GORGEOUS AS A GIFT As an ode to florist and author Constance Spry, London-based design partnership Moro Dabron has created a sculptural candle reminiscent of the vessels used for flower arranging in the 1930s. The earthenware piece is filled with wax in a choice of three scents and becomes a beautiful keepsake after use.

In Black or White, £135. ¤

PHOTOGRAPH (SEEN ON INSTAGRAM) ALEXANDER JAMES

Tell us about yourself. I am an interior designer based in Parsons Green, London. I work with a wonderful, close-knit team, mainly on high-end residential projects in the UK and overseas.

Describe your Instagram account. For me, it shouldn’t be all about expertly shot photos of our completed projects (although that is a key part). I like to include posts and stories showing all aspects of the design process, from messy piles of fabrics to clean-lined perspective sketches. It’s also important to celebrate and share the work of others that inspires you.

What is your account’s USP? Central to my aesthetic is the interweaving of tradition and imagination – a playful blending of opposites; a dash of unexpected colour or detailing.

Which accounts would you recommend we follow? @theartregister brings great art from all over the world to my attention. I discovered Rasmus Eckhardt on @aconsideredspace – I love the weekly round-ups of ‘finds’. I can quickly disappear down a scrolling rabbit hole of glamorous tablescapes on @fionaleahydesign.

I love the fun sense of colour and pattern on @metacoleman. And @athomewithalidad. I worked for Alidad for a few years. He has a vast library of historical references; this account peeks inside that world and it’s a gold mine.

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In recent years, outdoor fabrics have become much more sophisticated thanks to advances in textile technology. We’re taken with the new the Sierra collection, which offers attractive prints in woven textural effects of lush chenille, chunky wool and relaxed linen.

But unlike their interior counterparts, these versions are hard-wearing enough to survive a British summer. From £120m, Thibaut.

Br ig ht str ipes Kintaro dinner plate, £90 set of four, Oka. Candy Stripe cushion, £49, Heal’s. Stripes and Stripes doormat, £55, Hay

GARDEN TO VISIT

INVEST IN STYLE With its elegant curves and clever mix of materials, the Frida lounge chair, £840, by Vincent Sheppard offers contemporary style combined with comfort. The seat is made using acrylic rope that provides sturdy support, while the teak frame has a distinctive silhouette with showstopper appeal.

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RHS Garden Bridgewater is the society’s first garden in nearly two decades. The spectacular 154-acre site has been designed by landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, who has transformed the historic grounds of a former 19th-century stately home in Greater Manchester into a magnificent space to enjoy through the seasons. The glorious borders of the Paradise Garden are shown above.

To book, visit rhs.org.uk/bridgewater. ¤

PHOTOGRAPH (GARDEN TO VISIT) ©RHS/NEIL HEPWORTH

HERO LAUNCH

HOT RIGHT NOW

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2 FOR THE BOOKSHELF Having trained at Kew Gardens and worked for Sarah Raven at her farm in East Sussex, Arthur Parkinson is one of the UK’s gardening rising stars. In his new book, The Flower Yard: Growing Flamboyant Flowers in Containers (£22, Kyle Books), he provides advice on cultivating an outdoor space that supports wildlife, no matter how small that area may be.

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4 WALK ON ART Smart and graphic, the Hector rug joins Vanderhurd’s fabric and wallpaper that feature the same pattern inspired by the tiling details of Wiener Werkstätte designs.

It’s hand knotted in Nepalese wool and silk, in Kelp, Azure and Wisteria colourways, £1,400sq m, Christine Van Der Hurd for Vanderhurd.

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PRETTY PA R A S OL S St ylish shades for your patio 1. A touch of nautical: Laurens Navy Stripe umbrella, £269, Business & Pleasure Co at Bear & Bear 2. William Morris printed canvas: Bill octagonal parasol, from £965, East London Parasol Company 3. Stunning stitch detailing: Sywawa Couture parasol, £300, Lucile Roybier for Sywawa at Go Modern 4. Beautiful all-over decoration: Indian Jalli print parasol, £250, Raj Tent Club 5. Handmade in the heart of Cornwall: Peony parasol, £2,754, Sunbeam Jackie &

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THE SUSTAINABLE HOME Desig ner Seba st ian Cox char t s the renovat ion of his home, one inspir ing and innovat ively eco -f r iend ly idea at a t ime

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arlier this year, I described our ambitions for our tiny garden to be shared with wildlife. We’ve had great successes with birds and insects visiting or residing where there was previously only concrete. Most gardens this close to Margate seafront these days are car parking spaces, sadly, so we bucked the trend by ripping up ours and laying it to productivity for nature.

I’m really invigorated to see more people than ever

PHOTOGRAPH EMMA LEE/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

on social media supporting campaigns like No Mow May and letting wild flowers grow in their lawns to attract more insects, but all of this is in vain if we are applying pressure to nature in more stressed areas, like agricultural land. That the most threatened group of British wildlife species are farmland birds, down 50% since 1970, is a sorrowful indictment of our broken food system. Anything we can do to grow our own food at home, and therefore reduce demand on modern food production and stay out of supermarkets, can help reduce the pressure on our farmed landscape.

Given that three-quarters of Britain is farmed in one way or another, individual impact would not be insignificant, and if you’re also making room for nature in your garden alongside growing some veg, you’re giving with both hands, not taking with one. So we’ve made a mini kitchen garden, as well as a wild one. And not just for pleasure, but for the planet.

Of course, when you grow your own, you can reduce waste by removing your demand from industrial food systems, and are likely to pick what you need when you need it, and store and preserve the rest. A well organised small veg patch plan, like the ones offered in Veg in One Bed by Huw Richards, is surprisingly easy to follow and hugely rewarding. The food is fresh, guilt-free, and I recently learned that there are certain bacteria present in soil which are the same as beneficial bacteria in our gut, making home picked veg good for our microbiome too.

Our ‘kitchen garden’ consists of two raised no-dig veg beds, a tomato house I made from workshop offcuts and cheap glass, a 10’ wall trough for herbs and salads,

as many fruit trees as I could fit on the walls, perennial herbs growing up the path and edible wild flowers and herbs like Jack-by-the-hedge and sorrel plugged around the edges of our lawn. We also have peas growing on an upper balcony and mushrooms in the cellar.

Really importantly, it’s all an organic system with a closed loop between the kitchen and the garden, which uses a Subpod to turn food scraps into fertile worm casts and compost, which the worms distribute to our raised beds. Subpods are excellent small-space composters which use worms to rapidly convert food into nutrients for soil and plant. This also eliminates any greenhouse gases that might be caused by our rotting food waste that would otherwise be taken away by our local authority.

We’re only just getting going with radishes, salads and beans, grown from worm-converted food waste and swapped heritage seeds, and I already feel like I’ve joined this house and its garden up to the modern day (perhaps it should be no-) Dig for Victory campaign, fighting for a better food system by rejecting whatever we can of the shop-bought one. Who knew such satisfaction and impact could come from such simple things? &

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PA S S IO N F OR PA T T E R N

FEATURE JO BAILEY

Outdoor fabr ics for a fabu lous alf resco aesthet ic (Top row) Cremaillere in Prato, £119.50m, Raoul Dufy at Christopher Farr Cloth; Mojito in F6883-01, £68m, Osborne & Little; Mokolo in Multi, £72m, Romo (Middle row) Nicobar in Blue Lagoon, £118m, Jim Thompson at Fox Linton; Campus in 1 Cielo Azzurro, £135.50m, Dedar; Tahoe in Forest, £144m, Thibaut (Bottom row) Hari in Multi, £90m, Zinc Textile; Best Mate in Coral Reef, £218m, Pollack at Altfield; Ainsley Stripe in Sky, £124m, Schumacher &

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Melissa and Amy hand-selecting flowers to press

NA ME TO K NOW Ja m Ja r E d it – t he cr e at ion of f lor ist s Mel is sa Richa rd son a nd A my Field ing – where you can buy beautif ul botanical ar t work, homeware and curiosities

Tell us a little about the background of your business?

We are the love child of JamJar Flowers, an events florist based in southeast London. For some time we had dreamed of having an online shop, now JamJar Edit, offering a few of our favourite botanical things.

These include beautiful objects that we had discovered while sourcing things for events, or just items that caught our eye. →

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Tell us a bit about your studio.

We have two studios in picturesque Peacock Yard in Walworth, which were purpose-built as artisan workshops in the Victorian era. One is our floral studio where we make up flowers for installations, events, weddings and weekly flower deliveries; the other is our design studio and office space where the JamJar Edit team does all of our flower pressing, makes bespoke artwork and packs our online orders.

What’s the average working day like for you?

One of the lovely things about our job is that no two days are the same.

Some days start at 6am at the flower market in the freezing cold, sometimes we’re out picking and pressing, while other times we’re working on bespoke pieces for clients.

What’s been your biggest success story so far?

The most challenging job that we

What struggles have you faced?

A lot of the most difficult moments have been when working to a schedule for a press event. For instance, opening the presses to find an entire batch of 1,000 daffodils had gone pulpy and mouldy just a few days before an enormous fragrance press launch. In retrospect these moments can sound quite funny but at the time they are gut-wrenchingly frightening.

What’s in the pipeline for 2021?

We are very excited about a pressed flower exhibition we are working on

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Pressed flowers as art pieces for interior projects

at Thyme in the Cotswolds, which will open in June and run through until September. We are also working towards an installation at the Bull Ring Gate for RHS Chelsea Flower Show in September, which will be focused on the pollinators and migratory birds that flock to the water meadows at Thyme to breed.

LITTLE BLACK BOOK INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW @fordeabbey, @mccormickcharlie and @arthurparkinson_ – all for a daily nature fix.

PITT RIVERS MUSEUM, OXFORD For a collection started with 26,000 objects gifted by the curious General Pitt-Rivers.

OAXACA, MEXICO

How would you advise anyone wanting to start their own creative company?

I think there has never been a better time to start your own business than now. There is so much you can do from home and by using social media you can find yourself an audience. & ■ @jamjar_edit | jamjaredit.co.uk

For the amazing art and culture: the incredible botanical gardens with its vast collection of cacti, delicious food, mesmerising mescal, music and fiesta.

ALEXANDRA PALACE, LONDON To spot the peregrine falcons perched on the radio tower.

HIGHGATE WOODS, LONDON To hear the woodpeckers and to see the beautiful bluebells in April.

FEATURE JO BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHS (AMY AND MELISSA HAND-SELECTING FLOWERS TO PRESS) YOLANDA CHIARAMELLO

pulled off really successfully was the Arts and Crafts-inspired ‘stained glass’ windows, using pressed flowers, for an exhibition at Sketch for its annual Mayfair Flower Show. We had a strong vision of how we wanted it to look and I think we exceeded our own goals with that installation.

ELEGANCE REDEFINED Giancarlo Valle’s reinvention of this coastal mansion is a masterclass in marrying high tastes with a relaxed beach lifestyle WORDS JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHEN KENT JOHNSON/OTTO

OFFICE The view provides inspiration and details like the leather-wrapped banister enhance the pared-back sophistication of the space.

Desk, Axel Einar Hjorth; chair, Jean Prouvé, source both at 1stDibs. Art by Picasso and Pierre Le-Tan

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H OUSE S

FRONT EXTERIOR Set out on a coastal bluff, the 1903-built mansion is surrounded on three sides by sea

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KITCHEN The wall tiles bring a light-reflecting, tactile quality that animates the room, along with the striking artwork.

Source similar tiles from Mosaic Factory. Neptune has cabinets like these

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H OUSE S

SNUG Giancarlo found this striking painting in Kevin’s storage and made it a focal point, using the blue tone as a cue for rooms elsewhere.

Painting, Axel Jarl. Sofa, Christian Liaigre. Roly Poly chair, Faye Toogood for Driade at Made In Design

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HO US ES

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fter living in cities as far and wide as Los Angeles, Paris

Opening up many of the ground-floor rooms turned the ocean panorama into a striking backdrop from

and New York, the call of the sea became irresistible to entrepreneur Kevin Wendle and he set his sights on a beach estate. ‘I had long admired a stretch of coastline in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and when I stayed at the Ocean House hotel I noticed, right next door, the most handsome house I’d ever seen,’

all angles. ‘We created a new layout with a new staircase, updating windows and doors,’ explains Giancarlo. ‘We installed reclaimed fireplaces from England and entirely new floorboards.’ Reclaimed beams from a barn in Ohio were brought in to define ceilings, leaving the wood untreated in darker rooms for a more cosseting effect and painting it white in

he explains. ‘It was beautifully positioned on the water and it was for sale.’ Intending to live in the property part-time with his husband Sebastian and

the bright, large rooms. ‘We placed an emphasis on plaster to retain the romantic sense of shadow and light but interpreted it in a more contemporary

two young sons Dylan, now 14, and Alex, 10, Kevin foresaw that his family would thrive in the glorious beachside setting, spending the rest of their time at his Hotel Esencia in Tulum, Mexico.

The exterior of the 1903 mansion was so striking that Kevin committed to the sale on his first encounter, despite the dated interior of pinks,

way,’ says Giancarlo. ‘We wanted it to be pared back but to keep its New England essence.’

With such an extensive collection of furniture and art to place, Giancarlo found himself acting as a curator for the house. ‘An interior should be disarming and even if the pieces are heirloom or blue chip, they should be casual enough to sit on,’ he says.

turquoise and pine that prompted a bout of 1980s nostalgia. ‘It felt a bit like the old TV programme The Love Boat,’ he smiles. But a fortuitous seating plan at a friend’s wedding brought Kevin together with the man who would usher in a striking new interior look. ‘When I met Giancarlo Valle, I quickly realised I’d found someone who had the design language to transform and elevate the property,’ says Kevin. Giancarlo agrees: ‘Kevin had been one of the first clients of French interior designer Joseph Dirand and together they had purchased lots of furniture over the years,’ he says. ‘But Joseph is more known for a monochromatic palette and Kevin felt he was ready to bring some more colour into his interiors. He set me a mission to take his historical pieces and give them a new spin.’

Anticipating the sandy feet of the two youngsters, Giancarlo favoured hardy sisal rugs and Belgian slipcovers. Behind a pivot door, the boys’ quarters towards the top of the house are a den of slouchy beanbags, window seats and solid cabinetry.

‘The success of the project was that Giancarlo was able to mesh this very special, personal midcentury design collection along with his take on how to live well in an aristocratic Rhode Island beach home,’ says Kevin. Fostering both the unbridled energy of young boys as well as an exceptional collection of art and furniture, the house is a lesson in marrying life’s simple pleasures with the most rarefied of tastes. & ■

Studio Giancarlo Valle, giancarlovalle.com

“MAYBE IN MY NEXT LIFE I’LL BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE BORN WITH THE TALENT TO BE A DESIGNER MYSELF, BUT FOR NOW I LOVE HIRING REALLY WONDERFUL DESIGNERS TO WORK WITH ME”

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BREAKFAST AREA The banquette seating is upholstered in a wipeable microsuede that’s both practical and sumptuous.

Banquette designed and made by Studio Giancarlo Valle. Table, Axel Einar Hjorth; chair, Charlotte Perriand, source both at 1stDibs. Photography by Wim Wenders

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LIBRARY Dark blue panelled walls are balanced by the warmth and rustic quality of the reclaimed wood ceiling.

Armchair, Jean Royère; chair, Willy Guhl; cocktail table, Gianfranco Frattini; stool, Jean Prouvé; sofa, Jorge Zalszupin, source all at 1stDibs. Artwork, Nathalie du Pasquier (above fire) and Landon Metz (above sofa)

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H OUSE S MEET THE DESIGNER

Giancarlo Valle shares his style vision

MOST SUCCESSFUL PART OF THE PROJECT The layering of the

furniture and art, making it feel like a new incarnation of Kevin’s collection.

SECRET ADDRESS The Peanut

Vendor, a furniture and design shop in London.

GREATEST PROJECT INDULGENCE The stone in the bathroom.

We didn’t want to compromise so it’s luxurious.

GO-TO COLOURS These tend to be darker shades of blue and red.

SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT

The sawn oak floors, which felt in character with the property. If you invest in one thing, it should be the floors before any other surface.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION I always look at early

trends before a period has been defined, when there was experimentation yet stylistically a common thread.

YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Casual, inevitable, disarming.

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MAIN BEDROOM Giancarlo designed the side tables with leather magazine slips.

The bench is reminiscent of driftwood.

Japanese teak bench by Andrianna Shamaris. Vico Magistretti lamps, source at 1stDibs. Artwork by Jannis Kounellis (centre) and Jayson Musson

MAIN BATHROOM A bouclé-covered chair and stool bring an unexpected relaxed twist, while marble-clad walls strike a luxurious note.

Chair and stool, Studio Giancarlo Valle. Stool, Eric Schmitt. Source Carrara marble at Imperial Marble & Granite. Wall lights, Apparatus. Empire tub, Waterworks

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H OUSE S

ENTRANCE HALL Artist Betty Woodman came to the house with her assistant to hang this collection of ceramics using a template.

CarpetVista’s Kilim striped rug is similar. Bench, Pierre Jeanneret, source at 1stDibs. Walls in White Dove, Benjamin Moore

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D ES IGN IDE A S

Modern country Channel this contemporar y take on a cla ssic look by mak ing bold and v ibrant pat terns the stars STYLING KATRIN CARGILL PHOTOGRAPHY JAN BALDWIN

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COLOUR DIRECTION Combining a variety of prints but all in greens and whites ensures this room feels calm and not overwhelming.

Jasper sofa in Vintage Linen Salt, from £2,216, Love Your Home.

Green stool, Tobias & the Angel. Ned floor lamp, £270; rattan shade, £32, Pooky. Curtains in Full Circle in Jungle, £130m, Schumacher; edged in Braid 31154, col 9177, £8.56m, Houlès.

Sycamore and pine table, £1,850, Max Rollitt. 19th-century Swedish wooden bowl, £450, Maison Artefact. Green pot, Petersham Nurseries. Whittle console, £3,700, Knowles & Christou. Hepworth lamp, £542, Julian Chichester; shade, £83.65, made by Albioncourt, covered in Akio in Emerald Green, £90m, Anna French at Thibaut. Jug, Myriad Antiques.

Flowers, Harald Altmaier Floristry. Polperro woven chair, £432, Rowen & Wren; cushions in Albaicin in Palm, £93m, Rapture & Wright at The Fabric Collective. Selina side table, £2,058, Porta Romana. Murano Circus glass, £45, The Edition 94. Similar candle holder, Petersham Nurseries. Nymane floor lamp, £40, Ikea. Similar bench, Maison Artefact. On mantel: similar tumblers, The Conran Shop; resin candlesticks, £240 each, Marianna Kennedy; Alphabet brush pot, £40, Pentreath & Hall. Antique watercolours and prints, from £275 each, Tobias & the Angel. Izapa rug, £1,807, A Rum Fellow.

Sofa cushions in Day in Green, Makoto Kagoshima x Chariots on Fire, £143m, Christopher Farr Cloth; Jasmine Stripe in Leafy, £76m, No 9 at Jim Thompson, edged in Ombre Fringe in Green, £103.50m, Christopher Farr Cloth →

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D ES IGN IDE A S

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SUNNY DISPOSITION Pink and yellow is a winning combination for a fresh, summery feel at the breakfast table.

Mixing and matching designs creates a cheery gathering of colour and pattern.

Similar antique linen runner, Etsy. Yellow rim dinner plates, £114 each; brushed pasta bowls in Pastel Pink, £92 each; Cornice napkins in Lemon Yellow, £60 each; handblown speckled glass tumblers in Yellow and Pink, £115 each, all

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Summerill & Bishop. Handblown Murano Circus glasses in Yellow and Pink, £45 each, The Edition 94. Similar vintage silver cutlery, Grays Antique Market. Chair covered in Chintamani linen in Marigold, £62m, Ottoline at The Fabric Collective

D ES IGN IDE A S

ARTISTIC INSPIRATION A much-loved piece of art is an ideal starting point for a scheme. Pulling out key tones from the artwork for curtains, upholstery and accessories offers a joyful cocktail of yellows, pinks and browns. for 1ltr, Mylands. Jute braided rug, £575, The Conran Uprooted 1 painting, £6,600, Heidi Lampenius at Shop. Acorn pendant, £458, Holloways of Ludlow.

Wilson Stephens & Jones Gallery. Toaster table in Curtains in Petal Signature Cotton Stripes in Dark Brown, Mottled Black, £895, Loaf. Henriksdal chairs, £65 £19m, Spoonflower. Seine Candelabra, £484, Julian each, Ikea; covered in Ladder Leaf linen in Yellow/ Chichester. Yellow candles, £3.50 each, Otto Trading.

Olive, £216m, Anna Jeffreys and Chintamani linen in Pale Rose candles, £19.50 for 12, Pentreath & Hall.

Marigold, £62m, Ottoline at The Fabric Collective. Chair Vase with ranunculus, Harald Altmaier Floristry → legs in Circle Line No 45 wood & metal gloss, £31

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D ES IGN IDE A S

BEAUTIFUL BOTANICALS Three diverse patterns – a perky floral, a modern African print and a classic trellis design – have been cleverly layered to work together harmoniously.

Cosimo chest of drawers, £1,895, Oka. Ijoba pouffe in Green, £329, Eva Sonaike. Marigold wallpaper in Pink/ Green, £140 a roll, Molly Mahon. Kandall wall-mounted candle holder, £52, Pooky. Mint Green candle, £3.50, Otto Trading. Spring resin lamp in Green Chartreuse; empire shade in Bookcloth in Azalea, £495, both Marianna Kennedy. Antique china platter, £290, Howe London.

Antique Green glass jug, Grays Antique Market →

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DE S IG N ID E AS

PATTERN PLAY An exuberant headboard is the focal point here, with diagonal striped curtains complementing the happy scheme.

Wave headboard, £590, David Seyfried; covered in Kandilli in Pink Multi, £195m, Anna Spiro at The Fabric Collective. Torrington double bed base, £1,400; double mattress, £985, both Naturalmat.

Holkham side table, £150, The White Company. Lillee lamp in Little Greene Carmine, £88; Green block print cotton 35cm shade, £58, both Pooky. Kara hemp linen double fitted sheet, £100; double sheet, £100; Oxford pillowcases, £40 each, all The White Company.

Jacquard Jardin double bedspread, £105, Cologne & Cotton. Selina single quilt in Emerald, £160, Shenouk. Bolster in Delta II in Candy, £47.70m, Linwood; piped in Cabana Cord with tape in Cardinal, £26m, Samuel & Sons. Cushion in Torbay handblocked print in Pink, £96m, Schumacher. Antique cup, Tobias & the Angel. Chunky rug in Pink, £430, Molly Mahon. Curtain in Totto Stripe in Radish, £48m, Tori Murphy at The Fabric Collective; edged in Cambridge Strie braid 977-314161/153, £33m, Samuel & Sons &

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SHOPPING

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BRIGHT BASK ETRY

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

To h e l p e l e v a t e y o u r s p r i n g c l e a n s t o r a g e s o l u t i o n s 1. A little bit of sunshine Raffia tassel, £29, Bohemia Design 2. Made from organic jute Carnival, from £22.50, The Braided Rug Company 3. Pretty in pink Bloom in Radish, £72, Tori Murphy 4. Playful choice HAY wool beaded, £169, Selfridges & Co 5. Pared back for blending in Along in Grey, small £148; large £186, Ligne Roset 6. Hand-crafted in Ghana Large floor, £57, AAKS 7. Does double duty as a tote Kiondo, £40, Such & Such 8. Coastal charm Bohemia Design seashell and coral embroidered, £32, The Basket Room 9. A fair trade design Bolga vase in Chiama, £89, Lola & Mawu &

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SU NSHI N E RE A DY 1. Timeless choice Ravenna, £495, Cox & Cox 2. Made entirely by hand Soleil, £2,500, Saba at Go Modern 3. Ideal for an afternoon nap William, £1,541, Jan Kurtz at Holz Design Pur 4. Bold and brilliant value Brusen, £175, Ikea 5. A future classic Tanso, £675, Heal’s 6. Poolside glamour Palm Springs, £850, Raj Tent Club 7. Decorative darling Virginia with Andalusian back, £6,600, McKinnon and Harris 8. Secret garden look Viticcio, £195, Oka 9. The ultimate park bench Louisiane in Acapulco, £540, Fermob &

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FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

Outdoor benches for ba sk ing in the sun

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CABINET OF CURIOSITIES Gla ss-f ronted desig ns to ex hibit t rea su res 1. Concealed drawers for extra storage Colonia cabinet, £9,138, Riva 1920 at Heal’s 2. Slim design perfect for compact spaces Shepton glazed cabinet in Olive, £1,210, Neptune 3. Make a statement with a graceful arch Fern cabinet, £2,398, Anthropologie 4. Crafted from repurposed pine Nantes cabinet, £1,775, Cox & Cox 5. Woven English sycamore detailing Bayleaf armoire, £6,400, Sebastian Cox 6. Reeded glass for an industrial look Lichfield dresser, £2,325, Nordal at Abigail Ahern 7. Enduring style Joyce cabinet, £7,945, Pinch 8. Subtle colour Valv cabinet in Blue, £3,306, Lukas Dahlén for Ringvide 9. Whitewash finish for a rustic look Tall two-door glazed cabinet, £1,995, Graham and Green &

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FEATURE JO BAILEY PHOTOGRAPH (PINCH) JAMES MERRELL

1.

SH OP PING

BEHIND THE DESIGN I n s p i r e d b y o u r e d i t o f c a b i n e t s? We g l e a n e x p e r t a d v i c e f rom the brands and makers who created these beauties ‘CUSTOMERS are more switched on these

days about purchasing – they’re keener to connect with the supply chain, to understand more about how responsible businesses are in the way that they make and consume. That is a commitment, so it’s a no-brainer for people to invest in free-standing furniture that they can take as they move house or move around rooms, or even move country.’

OONA BANNON, creative director at Pinch

‘IT’S worth spending time finding the right

design for you, and considering what your cabinet will be used to display. If the items inside are made of glass, you may want integrated LED lighting to help them shine. Or, if the cabinet will be located in a small or dark space, consider a mirrored backboard to reflect light back into the room and create the illusion of depth.’

HANNAH ARMSTRONG, furniture buyer at Heal’s

‘CREATING beautiful shelves all comes down

FEATURE JO BAILEY PHOTOGRAPH JON DAY/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

to layering objects of different heights, widths and shapes. Grouping similar items will help to bring a sense of cohesion. If you haven’t opted for an overall tonal scheme, you can create mini colour palettes on each shelf. It’s great to incorporate trinkets and keepsakes that spark

“A GLASS-FRONTED CABINET IS FAR MORE VERSATILE THAN BUILT-IN STORAGE – IT CAN EASILY BE MOVED BETWEEN ROOMS AND TAKEN WITH YOU IF YOU MOVE HOME. A COMBINATION OF GLASS FRONTS AND SOLID DOORS IS OFTEN MOST DESIRABLE, SO YOU CAN REALLY GET THE MOST OUT OF IT” DANI TAYLOR, product and creative director at Cox & Cox

happy memories – we particularly like to add souvenirs from our travels – and it’s always good to add something unexpected or amusing.’

LOU GRAHAM, co-owner of Graham and Green

‘TREAT your glazed cabinets like display cases

to arrange and present the things that bring you joy. I think a glass door is a window through which you can enjoy the view. That is why the backs of our glazed cabinets for deVOL are made from woven wood. Why waste an opportunity to create a beautiful display of the objects, materials, colours or textures you love the most?’

BROGAN COX, creative director at Sebastian Cox

‘A VITRINE is all about showing your most

precious things, your most loved objects that

you keep for a lifetime. We want to create furniture with the same goal and thereby make fundamental decisions in the choice of sustainable material, finish and production quality.’

LUKAS DAHLEN & LEILA ABD ALWAHEB, owners of Ringvide &

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N EWS

COLOUR OF THE MONTH WE ARE DRAWN TO THE QUIET SOPHISTICATION OF POTTERS PINK FROM HERITAGE BY DULUX

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

Pink is the new decorating neutral – it has a natural ability to deliver warmth and interest without overwhelming a space. But choosing the right shade can be a thorny task when you’re faced with everything from soft rose pinks to peachy tones. The key is to pick a serene hue. Enter Potters Pink from Heritage by Dulux, a soft, clay-like shade that brings sophistication to a living space but is subtle enough for a calming bedroom. It complements most colours, but olive greens, rich browns and deep burgundy will truly make it sing.

Wall in Potters Pink Velvet Matt, £40.64 for 2.5ltr, Heritage by Dulux

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OFF THE SHELF A n i n v i t a t i o n i n t o h e r u n i q u e w o r l d , K i t K e m p’s n e w b o o k o f f e r s desig n hints and t ips to make your ow n projects a success

AS Kit Kemp admits in her new book, Kit

Kemp: Design Secrets, it’s time to let go of conformity and for interiors to comfortably say ‘This is me’. A notion that feels timely, as many seek to add creative touches to their home after spending many months indoors. Brimming with unique ideas, synonymous with Kit’s distinguished approach, this book is full of top tips, dos and don’ts and projects to add personal style to your home. The first chapter, Creative Character, is an invitation to discover how to put together quirky collections that become artwork in their own right, to celebrate often unforgotten details like dado rails, and how to use unexpected materials such as Perspex. The Dos and Don’ts section reveals the best ways to get the most out of your ideas and to create coherent schemes. Kit also devotes a chapter to some of her favourite artists and craftspeople. A visual exploration of each maker’s work, as well as an interview, lets

In the drawing room at The Whitby Hotel in New York, an antique gilded mirror illuminates the room

readers discover the people behind the craft.

Intended to inspire, this book captures the imagination and ignites creativity. & Kit Kemp: Design Secrets by Kit Kemp (£25, Hardie Grant)

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A display of vintage phones on the wall is the focal point of New York’s Crosby Street Hotel restaurant

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FEATURE JO BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON BROWN

D ES IGN IDE A S

In London’s Charlotte Street Hotel, a springgreen wallpaper by Brian Yates beautifully enhances the hues of the headboard

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THE ART OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE LATEST IN OUR SERIES, RENOWNED DESIGNER MATTHEW WILLIAMSON SHARES INSIGHTS ON DECORATING WITH PATTERN, LIGHTING AND VINTAGE PIECES

INTRODUCING IMPAC T WITH PAT TERN I’VE always been a maximalist, a

lover of ornamentation. I want to create things that make others feel happy. I’ve never been able to get my head around minimalism or flat colour. When I start a room

This bedroom for Belmond La Residencia in Deià, Mallorca, has a Spanish aesthetic supercharged with colour and pattern

design, I think about how I can make an empty space give joy.

Wallpaper brings personality, energy and whimsy to a space. It can function as a focal point or as a backdrop. I prefer wrapping rooms as opposed to using a feature wall or papering a chimney breast.

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To achieve a more accomplished look include more than one pattern in a space. Florals work well with stripes; using a floral sofa with a striped armchair is a knowing clash and works especially well when you mix a figurative floral with a graphic contrast.

FEATURE KERRYN HARPER-CUSS PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA

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I like all the classic patterns – the florals, ikats, stripes and animal prints – but I bring in unexpected colour for a modern look. You might use Delft pottery or old chintz but combine it with colours and patterns that catch the eye, so the old rubs along with the new.

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I would advise less confident decorators to keep the colour palette tight in a scheme for a calm overall result. Restrict yourself to half a dozen colours and try not to veer from them. → ■

WHERE I SHOP FOR PATTERN Some of my favourite sources for patterned fabrics and wallcoverings are Osborne & Little, Cole & Son, Lisa Fine Textiles, Carolina Irving Textiles and Pickett’s House in Deià, Mallorca. I also think rugs are a brilliant way to introduce pattern and I have just created a new range with Obeetee.

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DE S IG N ID E AS

Black and white Palm lampshade from the Matthew Williamson range for Pooky

SOURCING VINTAGE FINDS THERE’S real pleasure in

foraging for a special piece, and potentially getting a bargain or something unique that can’t be bought on Amazon or at a department store. Look for pieces that speak to you, which add an element of curiosity so that they bring character to a room.

My only formula is not to have a formula. I’ve honed what I like in terms of style and period – I’m ■

drawn to the 1970s, to gilding, to rustic Spanish pieces. The mix is what creates the magic.

ADDING AMBIENCE WITH LIGHTING TABLE lamps complete a room in the same way that jewellery completes an outfit. They are

relatively affordable so even if you are working to a budget, a few new lamps are a wonderful way to give a whole room a lovely lift.

I like to create beautiful zones of light that add atmosphere as you move through a space. I have table lamps dotted all around a room to create pools of light.

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However many lights you think

you need, you probably need more.

One ceiling light and a table lamp is really just the starting point.

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When choosing a shade measure

the diameter very carefully and if

in doubt always go bigger. A grander, broader shade will have more presence, in the same way as a wide-brimmed hat does.

I often team contrasting colours for the base and shade. A colour wheel is useful when it comes to choosing colours that are direct opposites. I have a lamp with a dusky pink shade on a plain green base at home. Blue with orange or rust also looks fabulous.

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I love to add a big dramatic

ceiling light – I don’t think I’ve ever done a room without one.

You should also always hang a pendant light lower than you think – that definitely adds an extra dimension to the room.

WHERE I SHOP FOR LIGHTING Pooky has a fantastic range of styles and sizes and I enjoyed collaborating with them to develop my own new collection. I love the lampshades at Penny Morrison; Vinterior is a good place to look for chandeliers, Murano and decorative vintage lights; and I also recommend Renaissance for vintage lighting.

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It’s important that the vernacular of a home’s location plays a part.

In my own home in Deià, I’ve embraced tiled floors and rustic artefacts but I can still throw in an English Chesterfield sofa. If ■

a look is too prescribed from any genre, for me that just creates flatness and predictability.

I’m not wild about too much dark wood; it can be depressingly heavy and gloomy. I prefer painted or paler woods. I recently used an amazing Spanish wooden bed with turned posts that was a wonderful shape but too heavy, so I had it painted in a glossy electric blue, like a lacquered effect. & ■

WHERE I SHOP FOR VINTAGE PIECES McCully & Crane in Rye offers a rustic but quite unexpected style. Jorge at Brownrigg in Tetbury has a great eye, especially for decorative Spanish pieces. Lia at Anemone Interiors has amazing Murano glass and Italian ceramics. Guinevere Antiques has fabulous over-the-top pieces. I also look at Dig Haüshizzle and 1stDibs.

D ES IGN IDE A S

SPLIT DECISION

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPH MICHAEL SINCLAIR

FROM INTERNAL GLAZING TO SCREENS, THESE SMART SOLUTIONS ARE A MASTERCLASS IN BROKEN-PLAN LIVING

SLIDING PANELS Broken-plan living is a midway point between the open-plan layout and the more traditional space comprised of separate rooms. One way to achieve this is by looking to doors that can be closed when required, but without impacting on the appearance of the room when opened. This London apartment uses floor-to-ceiling sliding panels clad in sections of parquet, which look just as much a part of the space whether pulled across or not. ‘Using the parquet panels as inserts on the wall allows their geometric effect to be enjoyed at eye level,’ says Maria Speake, founder of Retrouvius. ‘When closed, this sliding wall reveals a recessed pocket used to display some of the clients’ art collection.’ →

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“THE CRITTALL WINDOWS SCREEN IS AN INTERESTING MIDDLE GROUND THAT HAS ENABLED US TO DEMARK AREAS BUT KEEP A FLOW OF LIGHT BETWEEN SPACES” BUNNY TURNER, co-founder, Turner Pocock

FORM & FUNCTION In order to break up a large room, Onesta designed this partition, featuring an entertainment system and a glass-walled fireplace. ‘We used heat-resistant porcelain, which also helped to visually break up the spaces,’ says Daniele Brutto, co-founder of Onesta.

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“SEPARATED SPACES ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE DIVERSITY OF MOODS AND ATMOSPHERES IN THE HOME” KELLY WEARSTLER, interior designer

PHOTOGRAPHS (FORM & FUNCTION ) JAKE FITZJONES; (TWO ROOMS OUT OF ONE) ALEXANDER JAMES

D ES IGN IDE A S

TWO ROOMS OUT OF ONE Integrate a glazed partition to separate a large room into two spaces, but take inspiration from this Studio Peake project and leave a gap in the middle. The two zones feel separate from each other, due to the glazing, but the gap allows unimpeded movement and increases the flexibility of how these spaces can be used. Make sure to consider the usage of any room that you wish to include in a broken-plan space. The farther space here was fitted out as a cinema room, so a blackout screen was integrated into the design, meaning it can be pulled fully across to plunge the room into darkness, but doesn’t have to remain in sight when the zone isn’t being used as a home cinema. →

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Sometimes all you need is the very hint at a partition to visually zone off one space from another. Use decorative glazing carefully and you may find you only need to extend this a foot or so into the centre of a room to break the open-plan flow enough to create the desired separation. This project from design firm Maddux Creative uses a steel frame with geometric glazed panels. Nodding at Art Deco design, the panels have been filled in with a variety of glazing techniques, from coloured to fluted glass. Continue the feeling of stepping into a new space by adapting the flooring accordingly, too. Here, the floor tiles reflect the tones and geometrics of the panel, emphasising its importance in the scheme.

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PHOTOGRAPH RICARDO LABOUGLE

DECORATIVE GLAZING

D ES IGN IDE A S

“WOODEN FLOORING OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING DEFINITION BY USING THE SAME FLOOR IN TWO DIFFERENT PATTERNS’”

PHOTOGRAPHS (CREATIVE CORNER) WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ; (CLEVER LAYOUT) JAMES MERRELL/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

ROBERT WALSH, founder and owner, Ted Todd Fine Wood Floors

FLOOR STORY

CREATIVE CORNER

CLEVER LAYOUT

‘Created to make impact on entry, this hallway floor helps lead guests through to the living area,’ says Hayley Robson, creative director, Day True. Reflecting this shift in tempo on walls as well reinforces the changing use of space.

This office from Clements Design adds extra interest by making use of Crittall Windows pocket doors, meeting on a corner. The design also allows the walls to disappear completely when a more open-plan look is desired.

Not all layouts lend themselves to becoming broken-plan, but being smart with your furniture can still achieve the look. This space by Wendi Wolf Lewitt uses furniture to create zones. High-backed seating is especially useful for this style. →

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“FURNITURE CAN BE USED TO CREATE INTIMATE ZONES – A CONSOLE TABLE BEHIND A SOFA WITH A PAIR OF SCULPTURAL LAMPS CAN HELP TO VISUALLY SEPARATE THE SEATING AREA FROM A DINING SPACE FOR EXAMPLE”

SCREEN SCENE

TAKE IT LOW

BRING IN THE LIGHT

Ensure you can create a brokenplan look at a moment’s notice with the use of moveable screens.

By choosing a decorative style, like designer Paolo Moschino has done here, you can also create elegant backdrops.

This sunken space incorporates a cinema area without breaking the open-plan feel. ‘Think about the “view”,’ says Emilie Mauran, EMR Architecture’s managing director.

‘If there’s an aspect you want to see make sure nothing gets in the way.’

In poorly lit spaces, indoor windows can ‘borrow’ light from elsewhere.

‘It’s a great option in smaller homes because you get the perceived space of adjoining rooms while still feeling some division,’ says Thomas Cox, co-founder of Ham Interiors.

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PHOTOGRAPHS (SCREEN SCENE) PAUL MASSEY/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (BRING IN THE LIGHT) ALEXANDER JAMES

TIFFANY DUGGAN, co-founder, Studio Duggan

D ES IGN IDE A S

INSIDER INSIGHT WE DELVE INTO THE DETAIL OF CREATING A BROKEN-PLAN SPACE LOOK TO CLASSIC STEEL FRAMES

‘Substituting a solid plastered wall with a glazing system allows an increased sense of space by visually

any material – especially if you are building a stud wall wooden panel divider. Many stoves will

connecting rooms and offers the opportunity to bring natural light into areas which may not be served by windows,’ says Chris Eaton, associate director at Stiff + Trevillion. ‘Steel-framed glazing offers designers the flexibility to create pane sizes to reflect the proportions and rhythm of the rooms and surrounding architecture it inhabits and can neatly

incorporate convection panels, which significantly reduce safe distances, but if they don’t it’s worth considering a wall-mounted heat shield to protect the wall. If you choose a woodburning design, note that new regulation is coming in 2022 to improve air quality so make sure you choose an ‘Ecodesign Ready’ model. There is a wide range already on the market, just look for the ‘clearSkies’ mark.’

incorporate opening sections either as doorways or casement windows. They can be prone to condensation forming on the steel frames, so avoid

DESIGN AN INTEGRATED PARTITION Room dividers are a wonderful

using in any areas where there is a temperature difference either side of the screen.’

SPACE OUT WITH A SCREEN ‘We love using screens to divide rooms,’ says Paolo Moschino, head of interior design firm Nicholas Haslam. ‘For me, it’s very important not to disclose everything at

once and that is what screens are perfect for; they hide a surprise behind them and, especially for a large room, they confine the space and create cosiness. As a bonus, if you move to a new house you can just fold your screen and take it with you to new adventures.’

CENTRAL HEATING ‘Rather than

confining a woodburning stove to the fireplace think of it as a piece of freestanding furniture,’ says Cedric Wells, creative director at Charnwood. ‘By positioning a stove central to the room you create a connection between different zones. Be sure to allow enough space around the stove to avoid combusting

way to make use of unexploited space and to create a broken-plan layout within the home,’ says Simon Tcherniak, designer at Neville Johnson.

‘When designing a room divider to fit around the home’s natural architectural features, consider using extra tall bookcases – perhaps with the addition of a ladder – to make use of the height. You could also opt for open or hidden shelves which allow you to either display your ornaments or hide clutter.’ &

“LIGHTING IS A GREAT TOOL; PENDANT LIGHTS AND WALL LIGHTS CAN BE USED TO ‘GROUND’ AREAS WITHIN THE ‘BROKEN PLAN’” TIFFANY DUGGAN, co-founder, Studio Duggan

THE SOURCEBOOK: INTERNAL DOORS CRITTALL WINDOWS The go-to for steel windows for almost two centuries, Crittall Windows offers a large range of hot-rolled steel window profiles, crittall-windows.co.uk

FABCO SANCTUARY For a slim fit, this West Sussex company offers W20 steel door systems, which are among the thinnest steel glazing bars on the market, fabcosanctuary.com

DEANTA Offering both bespoke and ready-made options, Deanta’s creations include oak and walnut internal folding doors, as well as wooden pocket doors, deantawood.co.uk

ELEGANT DOORS Using both wood and glass to make its doors, this brand has a look to suit every space, from internal bifolds to sliding doors and partitions, elegantdoors.co.uk

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76 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

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CHASING THE HORIZON

Fully blurring the lines between inside and out, this home is the work of architect Richard Archer and landscape designer Anthony Wyer WORDS RACHEL LEEDHAM PHOTOGRAPHY FELIX FORREST/LIVING INSIDE

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BEDROOM Iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, are seen from almost every room in the house, even when the sheer curtains are drawn to soften the strong light.

Armchair seat in Caresse, Osborne & Little. Curtains in Linear in Silver, Jane Churchill. Walls in Empreinte from the Domino Collection, Élitis

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HO US ES TERRACE The sophisticated interiors don’t stop at the glazing. This suntrap has its own chic lounge area.

Grid lounge chairs, Gloster.

Braid rug; Prince Cord armchairs (in background); orange Cesar side table, all Minotti. Contour méridienne, Tribù.

Oversized pot and pebble seats, Atelier Vierkant

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P

oised on a site that slopes down to the water’s edge and offers mesmerising

jewellery to a beautiful outfit.’ The outfit in question is crisp, tailored and harmonious: think taupe

views of Sydney Harbour, this home in the eastern suburb of Point Piper appears to be so embedded in the lush surroundings that it is astonishing to learn that the plot was landscaped just two years ago. Creating this tropical setting was no mean feat: all the established trees, some of them over twenty metres tall, were brought

seagrass walls – shot through with a hint of shimmering gold – elegant wood veneers and pale limestone-effect porcelain floor tiles that unite all the spaces, both inside and out.

To this neutral backdrop come flashes of theatre: a vast abstract canvas in the sitting room; a glorious patinated bronze pendant in the main bathroom, or

across the harbour on barges and then craned into place, under the watchful eye of landscape designer Anthony Wyer. ‘The client sought privacy from

a dazzling gold wallcovering in a bedroom. ‘It was the rear walls of the rooms where we could allow the colour to pop,’ comments Richard. ‘We didn’t want

neighbouring properties as well as the ability to experience and connect with the diverse beauty of nature,’ Anthony explains.

The landscaping of the grounds was part of an ambitious project that saw the 1960s house that occupies the site completely transformed by Richard Archer and Vince Vella of architectural firm Archer

anything to vie with the view.’

With this in mind, all the large-scale pieces – one of the sofas is an impressive five metres in width – face out to the ocean while fabrics and textiles were chosen in predominantly knocked-back hues. ‘We also like to include dark colours to balance the strong daylight, so for example in the kitchen we included

Design. The four-storey structure, which has its entrance on the uppermost level, was stripped back to its raw bones, with layouts tweaked and floor levels adjusted so that the building now connects seamlessly with the outdoor spaces. ‘The harbour view is an ever-present part of the interiors so we were always designing with that at the forefront of our minds,’ notes Richard. He adds, ‘The owner gave us the rather lovely brief to create a joyful home.

The location is so sparkling and beautiful that he wanted the house to reflect that.’

Key to bringing joy to the rooms is the art, predominantly by established Australian talents.

‘The client already owned a number of pieces and we had the enviable task of helping him select more paintings,’ recounts Richard. ‘I see these pieces as the

a wall of cabinetry in an ebonised veneer, while the doors throughout feature a bronze-effect paint finish,’ notes Richard.

A firm believer that outdoor furniture should be just as comfortable as indoor pieces, Richard and his team furnished the terrace with inviting pieces including plump armchairs dressed with cushions in richly hued velvets that are designed to withstand the elements. ‘When night falls and the lights are glittering in the harbour these accent pieces come into their own,’ he explains. ‘I felt it was important to bring the jewel-like quality of the house outdoors.

The interiors don’t stop at the glazing.’ & Archer Design, archerdesign.com.au, Wyer & Co, wyerandco.com.au

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“WHEN DEALING WITH LARGE VOLUMES LIKE THESE, YOU CANNOT BE COY WITH SCALE – SMALL PIECES WOULD EASILY BE LOST IN THESE SPACES”

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SITTING ROOM Rich, dark colours were used in the scheme to balance the strong daylight.

Lawrence sofa; Blake-Soft swivel armchair and ottoman, all Minotti.

Artwork: Rhoda’s Nocturnal Pilgrimage (above fireplace)

by Charles Blackman.

Beam, 2017

by Ildiko Kovacs, Martin Browne Contemporary

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KITCHEN This room was entirely redesigned to include a curved wall of floor-toceiling cabinetry showcasing an ebonised veneer. Calacatta Verde marble lends striking punctuation to a little seating area that is perfect for enjoying a morning coffee.

Enviroven veneer in Classic Ebony, New Age Veneers.

Sophie bar stools, Poliform

“THERE IS NO REAL SENSE OF WHETHER YOU ARE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE WHEN THE DOORS OF THE LIVING SPACES ARE OPEN”

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MAIN BEDROOM A restful contemporary artwork was selected to complement an Italian chinoiserie commode dating to 1760.

Untitled 2010204 by Tim Maguire, Justin Miller Art. Peking glass vase and Link sculpture, both by Robert Kuo, Studio Cavit

DRESSING ROOM Doors in a bronzed paint finish lead to one of the two dressing rooms situated at either end of the main bedroom.

Jacques swivel armchair; Noor side table, both Minotti. Peking glass vase

by Robert Kuo, Studio Cavit. Doors and panelling in Bronze Lunar, Axolotl

BEDROOM The curved bedhead joinery, behind which lies a dressing room, is inset with a panel of gold cork wallpaper.

Bespoke 28.7 Random suspension lamp, Bocci.

Panel in Cloaked Enchanted Woods II, Phillip Jeffries. Shine Dimitri bedside table, Meridiani.

Bespoke bed linen, Analu

MAIN EN SUITE The high ceiling was enhanced with a champagne-coloured silver leaf treatment and a striking light, while blue mosaic tiles add to the sense of drama.

Lustre Micmac pendant, Hervé Van der Straeten.

Mosaic Dark Blue Metallic wall tiles, Skheme

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MAIN BEDROOM A wall panel of subtly shimmering water lilies brings glamour. Hints of sparkle were introduced as a nod to the glistening water of the harbour.

Wall panel in Lilies in Golden Pond, Phillip Jeffries. Walls in Oculaire Line, Arte. Iron Eye table lamps by Jean-Louis Deniot, Baker. Berry bench, Meridiani. Bespoke headboard and valance in Indra in Pewter; curtains in Linear in Silver, both Jane Churchill

MEET THE DESIGNER

Richard offers us his design and lifestyle tips

GREATEST SUCCESS Earning the trust of

our fantastic clients who, from cautious beginnings, permitted us to take them on an amazing journey and significantly reshape the way they lived. A huge responsibility and a marvellous privilege.

BIGGEST INDULGENCE The sensational

Micmac pendant by Hervé Van der Straeten – a luxurious flourish that adds real drama to the main en suite.

FAVOURITE BUILDING Musée Nissim de

Camondo in Paris. This mansion – now a museum –

contains a private collection that approaches perfection.

SECRET ADDRESS Whangaroa Harbour, a

primordial landscape in the far north of New Zealand, where I go to recharge and unwind with dear friends.

LUXURY YOU’D NEVER FORGO

Business class travel.

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NATURAL STYLE Maria Le Mesurier, creative director of British furniture brand WoodEdit, brings her love of nature into her 17th-century home WORDS ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

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DINING AREA Silver birch branches pair beautifully with original terracotta tiles in this less-is-more scheme.

Table and benches, WoodEdit. Woodburner, Charnwood. Bespoke handmade linen light covers, Maria Le Mesurier

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SNUG Maria uses decorative objets like other people use prints or paintings to bring character to spaces.

Baskets, sourced from Italy and France; similar from The White Company. Rush matting, bought back from Spain; similar from Zara Home. Grass animal heads, WoodEdit

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PLAYROOM A collection of treasured antique bottles from Maria’s late father’s company, Henriques & Henriques, takes pride of place. The coloured linen sheets were sourced in Madeira.

Similar bottles, 1stDibs.

Similar sheets, Larusi.

Shelf, WoodEdit

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F

or Maria Le Mesurier, an inherent connection to nature sits at the heart

in textural, loose-cover linen sheets and hardwearing wooden tables suited to modern family life.

of everything and informs all decisions: whether about life, home or business. ‘It has always been that way – I am constantly inspired by the beauty and authenticity of the natural world. The way we choose to live and the products we create for our company, WoodEdit, have simplicity and sustainability at their core. It’s never

Indeed the family are the test bed for all WoodEdit prototypes: think tables, benches, desks and select occasional pieces, including serving boards and candlesticks. The company’s Core Collection came about through a practical necessity – needing to find pieces that looked aesthetically pleasing, but were robust enough to withstand the daily rigours of their

about trends, simply what resonates.’

The steep drive up to Maria’s home, which she shares with husband Paul Le Mesurier and their five

five children, aged between three and 17.

‘Paul trained as an osteopath, but wanted to follow his passion for carpentry,’ says Maria. ‘We spotted a

children, is surrounded by centuries-old woodland, making it easy to understand the daily influence nature has on Maria’s look. The family moved into the 17th-century former stable block on the Uppark Estate in West Sussex seven years ago, swapping a nearby compact barn for this capacious space that they have transformed on a budget: turning chintzy

gap and the business was founded three years ago.’

This was the coming together of two distinct creative talents – Maria designs the collections alongside her styling work and Paul handcrafts each piece, in walnut, ash or oak. ‘We’re currently developing prototypes for our new collection, Graceful – more refined shapes with tapered legs and narrower forms.’

and formal into pared-back and relaxed. Enter through the earthy terracotta-painted front door and the tone of the house unfolds: calm, sophisticated spaces that balance style with practicality.

‘With so many of us living here, rooms and furniture have to work hard,’ says Maria.

Throughout, rows of stylish WoodEdit peg and boot rails are home to a vast array of coats, footwear and baskets – life-changing storage that doubles as eye-catching displays, with a few pops of leopard fur adding a nod to Maria’s personal fashion style, her guilty pleasure and the only ‘faux fabric’ in the house.

The whitewashed spaces, with lofty ceilings, striking architectural features and original parquet and terracotta floors, have a minimalist feel. Yet they are balanced with welcoming, oversized sofas draped

Throughout, decorative objets replace the need for art. Displays of bespoke animal grass heads, Italian ceramics and basketware add a sophisticated edge.

‘As a child and young adult, I spent a lot of time visiting my father in Madeira – I am influenced by earthy Mediterranean palettes and simplistic style.

For me, less is always more – limited furniture, precious heirlooms and one-off finds.’

Ever-changing sculptural branches, informed by the season, add a sense of drama and scale. ‘I love the connection to our landscape – these fallen boughs personify the natural qualities that sit at the core of all we are about, and all we create.’ & WoodEdit, woodedit.co.uk, @woodedituk, @marialemesurier

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“NATURE SITS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO AND INFORMS ALL DECISIONS: LIFE, HOME AND BUSINESS”

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KITCHEN A minimal island lends a contemporary feel to the traditional Shaker design.

Simple linens – made by Maria using old sheets – dress the window.

Island and chopping boards, WoodEdit. Passata bowl, similar from GalleryBR. Lights, Baileys

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MEET THE HOMEOWNER Maria shares her design inspiration

GO-TO COLOUR Stony

white and bespoke terracotta colours, mixed at home.

SECRET ADDRESS Pequeña Inglaterra in Madrid.

BIGGEST INDULGENCE My

collection of Spanish grass animal heads.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION By the sea, in the

woods and in Spain, Portugal and Italy.

FAVOURITE BUILDING

A tiny one-bedroom fisherman’s house built into the side of a cliff in Doca do Cavacas, Madeira.

DESIGN HERO John Pawson.

LAST PIECE OF ART YOU BOUGHT A seascape by Allan

Caswell; he is the most amazing artist.

MAIN BEDROOM The four-poster bed, made by Paul, is dressed with layers of raw linen and diaphanous curtains for a retreat-like feel.

Bed, bespoke order, WoodEdit. Linen curtains, custom made in Portugal; rug, Portuguese buy, find similar to both on Etsy

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FAMILY BATHROOM The whitewashed space gets a shot of rustic styling with an antique pot and a pole fashioned from a branch.

Grain sack runner, Ardingly Antiques Fair. Italian pot, similar from Baileys.

Stool, WoodEdit.

DOLLY’S BEDROOM A canopy creates an enchanting look.

Canopy, Numero 74.

Candle, Ester & Erik.

Walls in Light Gray, Farrow & Ball

FRONT ENTRANCE Walks in local woodland are the source of the many fallen branches that fill the home.

Zinc bucket and demijohns, try Petersham Nurseries for similar

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SHIFTING TASTES Heidi Caillier’s design language has evolved from one defined by crisp neutrals to schemes that embrace the richness of colour and pattern WORDS JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHY HARIS KENJAR

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SITTING ROOM The ‘mash-up’ of furnishings strikes a mood of eclectic cosiness, while the jute rug and veining of the fireplace bring an organic twist.

Find a jute rug at Design Vintage. Fireplace in Calacatta Verde marble; source from Imperial Marble & Granite. Chair and footstool in Hollyhock Handblock, Jean Monro

KITCHEN The hexagonal shape of the flooring is a modern update of traditional terracotta tiles.

Kitchen by Heidi Caillier Design; built by Sky River; painted in Oil Cloth by Benjamin Moore. Pendant lights, Lostine. Hexagonal tiles, Arto; source similar from Baked Earth

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DINING SPACE Banquette seating hides storage for art supplies and the Tulip table is the perfect foil to the more classic design choices.

Find a Knoll Saarinen Tulip table at Chaplins. Try 1stDibs for Baumann chairs. Ian Mankin’s Ticking 2 in Sage fabric is similar. Lantern pendant light, Visual Comfort

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HO US ES

hen Heidi Caillier moved her interior design firm

W

been well cared for, it felt dated and needed a refresh,’ says Heidi. ‘The overall layout worked for us

from San Francisco to Seattle, she brought with her a signature look very much in favour with California’s laid-back, sun-loving community.

Gradually, as a more northern approach to life took hold, her design language evolved, with her own home a clear example of where the journey led her.

so we didn’t do a lot of structural changes but added a bathroom upstairs and moved walls in the kitchen to make it larger. We did a lot of landscaping in the garden, but everything else was cosmetic.

‘I wanted to stay true to the style and period of the house, but mix looks. While on client projects I buy most things in one fell swoop, but with my own

‘When I was starting out, my style was very bohemian and bright with big pale sofas and blasted white walls – it was the look I was hired for,’ says

home I wanted to take time to deliberate.’ The ground floor has a circular floor plan with kitchen, dining and sitting room all connecting via large,

Heidi. ‘But things started to change once I’d moved to Seattle. I was taken on by an older, savvy client who asked for a very different style and that totally shifted things for me. With this second home, I wanted to bring in aspects of client projects that had really worked and appealed to me.’

The Tudor Revival house, built in 1925, was only 20

softly rounded archways. Paying tribute to the Tudor Revival origins of the architecture, in the dining room Heidi opted for an orchard print wallpaper that, in combination with the Windsor-style chairs and handmade plates, evokes the gentle mood of the Arts and Crafts era. The sense of nostalgia shifts into a more timeless impression in the sitting room that

blocks from the family’s previous home, which Heidi and her husband, Justin, and twins Rowan and Soter, five, as well as Violet, a rescue dog, had now outgrown. ‘By the time the twins were two we knew we were going to outgrow our former bungalow, so we casually began looking for about a year,’ says Heidi. ‘When we walked into this house we knew it was the right fit, so we put in an offer within 10 minutes. We loved the scale of the property, with rooms that didn’t feel too large, and there was a big basement we could renovate.’

During the eight-month renovation, the family stayed in their rental property in Tacoma, south of Seattle, which meant that work was able to progress without too much upheaval for them. ‘We bought the house from an older gentleman and while it had

could have been plucked from any decade in the last 50 years. The diverse assortment of furniture styles here are complemented by an ever-wider array of prints and patterns in the cushions, the intimately snug and comforting surroundings finely tuned for relaxation. ‘I like the textiles to clash and avoid the temptation to have everything matching,’ says Heidi.

Upstairs, the bedrooms are accessorised with love-worn cushions and throws, the furniture upholstered in retro floral fabrics in a palpable demonstration of passing time. With its highly original interior where nothing is contrived, this home is a wholesome anchor for the family that live here. & ■

Heidi Caillier Design, heidicaillierdesign.com

“I LOVE USING UNTREATED LINEN FOR CURTAINS. UP CLOSE, THE WEAVE HAS A GENTLE ORGANIC TEXTURE THAT FALLS NICELY ”

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DINING ROOM The sage green ceiling and cornicing adds a sense of warmth and picks up the colour of the foliage in the wallpaper.

Fruit wallpaper by William Morris. Curtains in Danville Natural fabric by Pindler & Pindler. Wayland Elbow chair and Wayland low back side chair, both

by O&G Studio

MAIN BATHROOM A wall-hung tap saves space on this custombuilt double vanity unit.

The wood frame of the mirrored cabinet and the brass accents introduce a wonderful richness.

Butler & Rose’s Beatrice tap is similar. Unit painted in Mizzle, Farrow & Ball.

Wall light, Visual Comfort

FRONT HALL This gentle and ethereal wallpaper, which continues upstairs to the landing, has a reflective quality that bounces light around the space.

Jacaranda wallpaper in Oyster, Designers Guild.

Sideboard, Restoration Hardware. Photograph

by Frank Relle

MEET THE HOMEOWNER

Heidi Caillier shares her style vision and loves

MOST SUCCESSFUL PART OF THE PROJECT The kitchen. It was much smaller before.

We’ve made great use of space and love being in there.

SECRET ADDRESS I love 1stDibs. It suggests similar things to what you’ve been searching for and you end up going down an antiques rabbit hole.

BIGGEST INDULGENCE The chair with the Jean Monro fabric in the sitting room.

GO-TO COLOUR I love Setting Plaster by

Farrow & Ball. It’s a particular obsession of mine and I try to get it into projects frequently.

SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT The

wallpaper in the hall is so impactful. Wallpaper in general has so much power that it can define a house.

WORDS TO LIVE BY My go-to word is ‘cosy’.

I always want things to feel comfortable and cosy.

DESIGN HEROES Nickey Kehoe, Ben Pentreath

and Disc Interiors. What they do that’s so inspiring is to mix different styles, making rooms feel comfortable.

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TWINS’ BEDROOM Heidi had two rag rugs stitched together to cover the floor. The cream frames, doors and rail bring definition to the white walls.

Walls in Simply White, Benjamin Moore; woodwork in Pale Hound, Farrow & Ball. Pendant light, Sister Parish

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MAIN BEDROOM The pink walls and fabric bring a sense of continuity to this delight of clashing fabrics.

Walls in Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball. Headboard in Pandora in Terra Cotta, Lisa Fine Textiles. Chair in Gretta in Saffron, Michael S Smith Inc. Bedside cabinet, Chelsea Textiles

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SITTING ROOM Texture – including sisal flooring and the wool-oncanvas art – is a key element in the scheme.

Chandelier, Margit Wittig.

Fig chair, Julian Chichester; upholstered in Fresco, Christopher Farr Cloth.

Bespoke footstool in Teal leather, Style range, Yarwood Leather. Fender covered in horsehair by John Boyd Textiles. Textile artwork, Kanica. Rug, Alternative Flooring

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ARTS & CRAFTS A passion for handmade pieces and colourful artwork informed the renovation of this house WORDS EMMA J PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY MARY WADSWORTH

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LIBRARY The balance between adventurous and timeless is wonderful here, with classic pieces sitting comfortably with playful designs like the rug.

Joinery in Little Greene’s Harley Green. Scallop rug, Jennifer Manners. Beetle chairs, Gubi. Wantage floor lamp, Vaughan. Modernist Gemma chandelier, Etsy

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houghtful is an apt appraisal of the

room, adjoining the sitting room, was a natural

gentle renovation of this Victorian home, from the carefully sourced art and handcrafted furniture that populate the space to the green accents, chosen in part to reflect the Irish heritage of its occupants.

When its owners, Lucy and Conor Fitzgerald, came across this house, they were in search of a forever home that would see them through to retirement.

choice. Chunky sisal flooring and thick linen curtains improve acoustics, and the semi-open plan layout of the ground floor means that Lucy often finds herself preparing suppers to a live music soundtrack.

In the library, conceived as a space where Conor can work from home, a scalloped rug creates a playful contrast to cosseting deep green walls, a colour picked up in the cabinetry in the adjoining

With three young boys ranging from eight to 12, that prospect is still many years off and the challenge was to create schemes that could withstand the

kitchen. Another contemporary note is the couple’s choice of lighting, evident in the jewel-like resin chandeliers made by artist-sculptor Margit Wittig

boisterous antics of a young family, while paying homage to a wealth of original features.

‘We weren’t looking for a top-to-bottom refurbishment, but we wanted to improve flow and eliminate dead space,’ says Lucy. So architects Fraher & Findlay were brought on board to rework the loft, which involved the daunting challenge of removing

in the sitting room and music room.

Texture also plays an important part throughout, from the wool-on-canvas artwork in the sitting room to the grasscloth wallcovering in the main bedroom.

‘It means that although the house contains neutral elements, there is always a sense of interest and warmth to be found,’ says Alice.

the roof. The reconfiguration allowed for two ensuite bedrooms for two of the children, plus a large roof deck with views of the west London skyline.

Once those improvements had been made, the couple turned their attention to decor. ‘I love colour and pattern, but I suspect I would have ended up with any number of clashes without someone to help refine my ideas,’ says Lucy. Through her friend, rug designer Jennifer Manners, she was introduced to Alice Leigh, whose creative eye helped bring the interiors to life. ‘We wanted to be adventurous in our design choices, while creating schemes that were both practical and timeless,’ says Alice. ‘Very quickly, we knew that meant championing handcrafted pieces, beautiful but sturdy fabrics, standout lighting and bold silhouettes.’ With the children variously playing the piano, guitar, trumpet and oboe, a music

The hardworking aspects of this house are largely unseen: a generous utility area runs behind the kitchen; an understairs space stows multiple shoes and coats; sofas and cushions are upholstered in indoor-outdoor fabric and rugs are Scotchgarded.

‘It’s important to us that this isn’t a show home,’ says Lucy. ‘I want to be able to use everything, every day.’

Of all the pieces in a house, it’s often an unexpected item that resonates the most. ‘Our three boys like to congregate on the wood-framed sofa in the kitchen overlooking the garden,’ says Lucy. ‘We’ve always wanted our home to feel relaxed and informal.

Now we’ve found a place where we can offer an ‘open door’ policy to friends and family and that makes us immensely happy.’ & ■

Alice Leigh Design, aliceleigh.co.uk

“THERE ARE ‘PAUSE POINTS’ THROUGHOUT, FROM THE UPHOLSTERED BENCH ON THE FIRST FLOOR LANDING THAT ENCOURAGES LINGERING TO A COMFORTABLE CHAISE IN THE MUSIC ROOM”

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KITCHEN The family updated the existing Mark Wilkinson kitchen by painting the cabinetry and adding a herringbone tiled splashback.

Island in Harley Green, Little Greene. Cabinetry in Slate II, Paint & Paper Library. Raku Tokyo tiles (splashback), Claybrook

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SEATING AREA Bespoke furnishings, such as the bench, ensure a one-of-a-kind look. The oil painting, called Rapeseed, is by Lucy du Sautoy.

Chagal sofa by Julian Chichester; upholstered in Orchestra, Christopher Farr Cloth. Bespoke bench/ coffee table, Galvin Brothers. Scalloped mini jute rug, Tate & Darby

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MAIN BEDROOM Subtle textures, including grasscloth wallpaper, lift the neutral palette. The bold silhouettes of the mirror by Rupert Bevan and the lamps provide a final decorative flourish.

ABA’s Sequin wallpaper, Altfield. Bedside tables, Chelsea Textiles. Bespoke throw, de le Cuona.

Curtains in Kemble linen in Portland by Lewis & Wood with velvet border in Dolphin by Rose Uniacke

MAIN EN SUITE The couple’s dressing area leads into a bathroom, where a single artisan stool breaks the serene tone.

Black ash (Perfectly) Imperfect stool, Galvin Brothers. Blind in Kemble linen in Portland by Lewis & Wood with Avalon trim, Samuel & Sons. Beaton double-ended bath, Lefroy Brooks

MEET THE DESIGNER

Alice offers us her design and lifestyle tips

SECRET ADDRESS Rue Vintage 74 in Madrid has a curated collection of antiques, contemporary furniture, lighting, ceramics and textiles – if you can’t get there, they do ship to the UK.

SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT

Commissioning pieces direct from makers, whether a vase or a piece of furniture, brings so much joy, as well as giving a scheme a unique edge.

FAVOURITE BUILDING Fulham Palace, once home to the Bishops of London.

DESIGN HERO I always circle back to the

spaces designed by Steven Gambrel or Veere Grenney.

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Timeless, elegant, adaptable.

LAST PODCAST DOWNLOADED I listen

to every podcast by The Modern House - it’s like Desert Island Discs for interiors addicts.

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IN SEASON THIS MONTH MISTY MAUVE DELPHINIUM SPIRES – PERFECT FOR A GRACEFUL DISPLAY

FEATURE SARAH WILSON PHOTOGRAPH AESME STUDIO

Choose vintage-looking delphinium flowers in a subtle shade of pale lavender meets slate grey. Pair with delicate mauve starry clematis flowers and sculptural fern leaves for that faded botanical look so popular now. This arrangement was designed by gardener-florist Jess Lister of Aesme Studio (aesme.co.uk), who grows flowers sustainably in Hampshire. ‘A loose, naturalistic grouping, it was created with flowers that bloom in the garden from late May. I mixed Delphinium consolida ‘Misty Lavender’ with clematis, fern, geranium and nandina foliage.’Jess extols the transformative power of plants: ‘They help us connect with the natural world, slow down and enjoy a moment of beauty.’ &

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SIMPLE PLEASURES: ELDERFLOW ER CORDI A L BELLA AND NICK IVINS OF WALNUTS FARM REVEAL A MUCH-LOVED RECIPE THAT RESULTS IN A REFRESHING SPRING/SUMMER COOLER

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ELDERS grow like weeds in our hedgerows. The

flowering season is short and the flowers are at their best only for a month from May to June, depending on the weather. The frothy white flowers are best picked early in the day, so as soon as they have been warmed by the morning sun we are out gathering them. There are many recipes for elderflower cordial, but this one is loosely based on Sarah Raven’s recipe.

MAKES two 750ml bottles 1.35kg granulated white sugar Flowers from 15-20 elderflower heads 2 oranges, thinly sliced 2 lemons, thinly sliced 30g tartaric acid (in powdered form – buy from a pharmacy or online) Measure out just over a litre of water and pour it into a heavy-based saucepan.

■ Add the granulated sugar and stir it with a wooden spoon over a low heat until it dissolves, to prevent the sugar from burning.

■ Once the sugar has dissolved, turn up the heat and bring the solution to a rolling boil. Drop in the flower heads and return to a boil. Take the pan off the heat.

■ Place the sliced fruit in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle over the tartaric acid powder. Pour in the hot sugar syrup with the flowers. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to steep for at least 24 hours.

■ Next day, strain the cool liquid through a piece of fine muslin to remove any bits and pour the cloudy liquid into sterilised bottles. It will keep in the fridge like this for a couple of months. & ■

Extracted from Living the Country Dream by Bella and Nick Ivins (£25, Ryland Peters & Small). Photography

by Nick Ivins © Ryland Peters & Small

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LIT T L E IDY L L S GARDEN EXPERTS AND STYLE MAKERS ON HOW TO TRANSFORM OUTDOOR SPACES THE RUSTIC FINISHES OF RECLAIMED MATERIALS ARE IDEAL FOR GARDEN SETTINGS. PAIR TARNISHED IRON TABLES WITH WEATHERED WOODEN BENCHES, SOFTENING THE LOOK WITH VINTAGE CUSHIONS AND THROWS. ALEX COOKE, co-founder, Nkuku

We often commission pieces by craftspeople to depict the character of the gardens we design. Here, a decorative woven willow panel is used to divide a formal lawn area from a meadow, with the swirling shapes within the willow work repeated in the meadow flowers. It is important to consider the detail within vertical elements, particularly in town gardens where boundaries and zones are often necessary.

HARRIET FARLAM, creative director, Farlam & Chandler

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPH (WATER FEATURE) ELLIE WALPOLE

When embellishing the garden with decoration like a sculpture, consider its surroundings and the impact this may have on your overall design. Decorative items can both harmonise with their immediate surroundings in tone, texture and form or create a striking contrast. For example, a bright, bold reflective metal piece will both mirror its immediate environment and borrow character and charm from the planting and landscaping surrounding it.

DAVID HARBER, sculptor

USING LIMEWASH PAINT ON A WALL CAN MAKE AN OUTSIDE SPACE SEEM MORE LIKE A ROOM. LIMEWASH AGES NATURALLY AND WITH ITS UNIQUE TEXTURE AND DEPTH

Water is a wonderful element to incorporate. The magnificent scale of an antique limestone trough

USED AS A BACKDROP.

adds immediate importance to this garden. We framed it with a combination of climbing roses and an evergreen jasmine.

BRONWYN RIEDEL, co-founder, Bauwerk Colour

BUTTER WAKEFIELD, garden designer →

OF COLOUR, IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY WHEN

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I like to sit as comfortably outside as I do inside and so I am not precious about piling up my block-printed cushions and scattering over the garden benches and chairs. I will also throw a tablecloth over the garden table and hold it down with jam jars full of bunches of herbs or flowers.

My garden is mostly green and colourful cushions and cloths really pop in the summer sun, but do remember to bring them in at night.

MOLLY MAHON, designer

SCREENS ARE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO BUILD SANCTUARIES. BE CREATIVE, USING THEM TO SECTION OFF AREAS TO MAKE SPECIFIC RELAXATION ZONES. HOW ABOUT A KIDS-ONLY AREA AND A COSY SNUG FOR THE ADULTS? SOPHIE BIRKERT, founder, Screen with Envy

For an outdoor table setting, I like to take inspiration from the surrounding landscape, bringing nearby flowers and greenery on to the table. By doing this, even with just a few stems, the whole garden becomes part of your design, you lose boundaries and also, importantly, your arrangements are working in harmony.

PHILIPPA CRADDOCK, florist

A DECORATIVE TENT IS A THEATRICAL BUT PRACTICAL WAY TO CREATE A LIVING SPACE THAT CAN BE LEFT UP DURING THE

It’s the norm to paint outdoor details in harmonious colours to blend in with surroundings, but we love the idea of adding unique paint combinations for a more Mediterranean feel. Pair a piercing blue paint like Marine Blue on architectural details with a hit of bright sunshine yellow via plant pots painted in Mister David.

RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, creative director, Little Greene

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WARMER MONTHS. A TRADITIONAL INDIAN TEA TENT TAKES UNDER AN HOUR TO PITCH (YOU’LL NEED A METRE CLEARANCE AROUND THE TENT TO PEG IT DOWN).

NICKY MARKS, founder and MD, Raj Tent Club

GAR DE NS Throughout the year, but especially in the warmer months, our gardens and outdoor spaces take on more meaning and become an extension of how we live. I like to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor by continuing a colour that I have used inside through to the outside. Add accessories in the same way you would inside – cushions, rugs, throws and even a banner of floaty fabric – you will be amazed at the difference it makes to your outdoor space.

TRICIA GUILD OBE, founder and creative director of Designers Guild

I LOVE USING MIRRORS IN ANY SCHEME TO OPEN UP SPACES, BRING MORE LIGHT IN AND TO ADD GLAMOUR. GARDENS ARE NO DIFFERENT AND IN FACT MIRRORS WITHIN GREENERY CAN ADD INTEREST AND INTRIGUE TO AN OUTDOOR SPACE. I LIKE THEM AS OLD SALVAGED WINDOWS

Alongside their main function of providing heat and atmosphere for a space, firepits can serve as a sculptural piece in your garden when lit or unlit. Handcrafted metal pits will age beautifully over time, creating an artistic focal point for people to gather around.

ANDREW WEBB, founder, Magma Firepits

WITH A PATINA – THE MORE A MIRROR LOOKS LIKE IT’S PART OF ITS SURROUNDINGS THE BETTER. LINDA BORONKAY, interior designer

Incorporating decorative tiles into a garden scheme can create a transition from the house to the garden, particularly if the same tiles are used inside and out, and can help to define zones. Decorative tiles also work particularly well in small gardens and can be used on the floor and walls to create an inviting feature or outdoor room.

LEE THORNLEY, founder, Bert & May &

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Arabella’s beautiful garden at Gresgarth, Lancashire, is a mix of parkland, a series of terraced and colour-themed gardens, a redesigned lake and a wild garden

MY GARDEN LIFE Internat ionally acclaimed garden desig ner A rabella L e n n o x- B o y d i s k n o w n f o r h e r r o m a n t i c p l a n t i n g i n t u n e w ith nat u re. Here, she sha res her desig n secret s, her favour ite plants and where she goes for inspirat ion 122 H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S . C O M

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What inspired you to become a garden designer?

I have always been interested in design, ever since I was a child. I was born in Rome and had a classical Italian education at a convent.

Designing gardens came when I moved to London in the Sixties.

I had a lovely, large garden of my own in St John’s Wood and was told that I had an eye. So I decided to study landscape architecture at Thames Polytechnic (now Greenwich

IT’S WHAT MAKES US HAPPY, OBSERVING IT AND BEING ENDLESSLY AMAZED BY THE BEAUTY”

relate to what people like to do in it.

I like entrances to be tidy and architectural, then let people walk through into a garden that’s a paradise full of beautiful things.

University). It was the beginning of a wonderful and fascinating career learning about design and the

Q

environment, and also about the miraculous world of plants, whether in the wild or in cultivation. Now I design gardens all over the world.

garden. One trick is to divide up your space and make each area as interesting and full of character as possible. A good technique is to reveal surprises as you go, rather than seeing the whole plan immediately.

Q FEATURE SARAH WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS ALLAN POLLOK-MORRIS; (PORTRAIT) MARTIN POPER

“NATURE IS A TREASURE WE ARE BLESSED WITH.

What are your design tricks for small gardens?

Design is important even in a small

How did your signature

style evolve?

I don’t believe in signature styles and try to avoid them. My designs come from instinct for a place, getting a feel for it. My work is a combination of listening to what clients want and designing a garden that fits into its natural landscape. Each garden must tell a story, have somewhere to walk to, then beyond, and somewhere to sit. It should be a mix of different experiences and new sensations and views as you explore it.

Q

Which garden design techniques do you use?

Design needs to make sense. It’s important to think about how you’re going to live in the garden. I ask clients to describe their life, tell me if they want to have breakfast in the garden, or whatever else they want to use the space for. A garden has to

Q

How can we introduce your style into our own gardens?

Look at your garden and think about what you want to achieve – your own input is vital. Design has to be organic and sympathetic to the location and surroundings. It should flow, so you feel at ease with what you’re seeing.

You need to factor in the seasons, too, for year-round interest.

Q

Which plants do you always include in your gardens?

I have favourite seasons not plants.

I like masses of snowdrops and hellebores to herald spring. Then in May things move on with tree peonies and old-fashioned roses, as well as herbaceous plants. In autumn it’s all about the grasses, while in winter I like fragrant daphnes, sarcococca and winter honeysuckle.

Q

Which gardens do you visit for inspiration?

I like classical Italian gardens like the Garden of Ninfa (@giardinodininfa), near Rome, which is a paradise on earth. It’s an informal landscape garden designed around Byzantine ruins with roses growing over the stone walls and a river running through it. It’s where I found the inspiration that has shaped most of my work.

Q

Can you tell us what your own garden is like?

The opposite of where I lived as a child, which was on a hill. I’m in a valley with no open views. It’s a very

What are you working on at the moment?

Lots of remote working, with projects on Zoom. I’ve been busy despite lockdown. My new book Gardens in my Life (£40, Apollo) is out this month and focuses on a few of the many gardens I’ve made over the years. I also try to explain what

northern landscape. Nature is overpowering here, and the winters are long. I have designed seasonal surprises for every month, such as the little bit of colour in the Chinese red on the bridge to cheer a dreary day.

inspired me to devise a particular design or plant combination. A garden is a living organism that needs regular and constant improvement to keep it developing properly. The results are, of course, worth it. &

Q

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SENSE OF PLACE This edgy, modern house fits perfectly into an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty thanks to an inspired garden design WORDS VANESSA BERRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE MAJERUS

GAR DE NS The table on the lower level of the courtyard is a lovely spot for breakfast, accompanied by the sound of the water flowing from the spouts into the canal

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The two sunken ponds with planting that includes Paeonia ‘Karl Rosenfield’, Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’, Alchemilla mollis, Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’ and Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’

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ocation, location, location’ is every estate agent’s mantra. Jane and Peter Gretton took this to heart when

and a dark grey wall covered with espaliered fruit trees all evoke an old cloister garden. The Grettons like the way the different levels add an extra

they first saw an undistinguished house high up on the edge of the Chilterns, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. ‘We knew we’d found our ideal place but not our dream home,’ says Jane. So they knocked down the existing house, building in its stead a splendidly angular, larger modern home. Its exterior walls are faced with

dimension to the courtyard, along with three areas of water: a canal lined by three Cornus mas, with waterfall spouts, and two still pools in the centre of the herbaceous planting. The hard landscaping is poured polished concrete, similar in tone to the floor of the kitchen that runs between the courtyard and gravel garden. The trees give shade and structure:

battens and with flint that references the chalk landscape and the area’s vernacular architecture.

Jane and Peter worked with designer Charlotte

two Cercidiphyllum japonicum on lightly gravelled terraces, and three multi-stemmed Amelanchier lamarckii surrounded by rich herbaceous planting.

Rowe; her long experience of designing country house gardens with a contemporary touch was perfect for the project. ‘Apart from knowing we wanted eating areas to catch the sun at different times of day, we were a bit at sea,’ says Jane. Charlotte quickly recognised what was needed: ‘The key was to soften a modern building with a planting scheme that would integrate

There are subtle shades in the colour scheme, with paler Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Alba’ and Gillenia trifoliata away from the house, and dark, jewel-like colours in the borders near the front door and spreading out around the south end of the house. Ruby red peonies, such as ‘Karl Rosenfield’, and sapphire blue Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’, peaking in June, are planted

it seamlessly into the traditional chalk upland.’

‘Fortunately,’ explains Jane, ‘we were able to buy a neighbouring tract of land, so we could build the house at the centre of what had become a five-acre site.’ Spoil from the building work was used to create subtle undulations through the garden, which hide the house from a nearby footpath. Beyond one strip of lawn are long grass and wildflower meadows that, together with the undulations, connect the garden with the surrounding countryside.

Formal planting is concentrated in three main areas: a central courtyard; deep borders encircling the glass-sided study and drawing room, and a gravel garden bordering the lawn on the house’s west side.

‘The courtyard garden is like a hortus conclusus,’ says Jane. The sound of water, cool green planting

with grasses Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ and Anemanthele lessoniana for contrast and movement.

Balls of Taxus baccata and Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ give definition to the planting in the courtyard.

Pittosporum balls reappear again in the very different west-facing gravel garden, an understated link with the courtyard planting. Here, droughttolerant and sun-loving plants sprawl through the gravel, with height given by Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ and Sisyrinchium bellum amid groundcover plants such as Erigeron karvianiskanus, while evergreen thymes provide year-round interest.

The Grettons are thrilled with what has been achieved. ‘When I’m working from home in my study,’ says Peter, ‘I feel as if I am sitting in the middle of the garden.’ &

“THE KEY WAS TO SOFTEN A MODERN BUILDING WITH PLANTING THAT WOULD INTEGRATE IT INTO A TRADITIONAL ENGLISH LANDSCAPE”

CHARLOTTE ROWE

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The canal is flanked by multi-stemmed Cornelian cherry trees – Cornus mas – and Anemanthele lessoniana

GARDEN GUIDE SPECIAL FEATURES In the courtyard:

three multi-stemmed Cornus mas, three multistemmed Amelanchier lamarckii and two Cercidiphyllum japonicum, surrounded by

herbaceous perennial planting and structural balls of Taxus baccata and Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’.

Three water features and poured polished concrete hard landscaping. In the gravel garden: structural balls of Ilex crenata and Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’, and a range of dry-tolerant herbaceous perennials and evergreens.

ORIENTATION Courtyard faces east; the

gravel garden faces west.

SOIL Chilterns chalk.

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HOW TO INCORPORATE A WATER FEATURE Expert tips to help you successfully include water into your garden design

If you’re adding a water feature into an existing garden, consider changing/moving the planting or the hard landscaping so that it feels integral. Water is like another material in the garden and should be treated with respect, says Charlotte. It should add value to

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the space rather than being a bolted-on extra.

■ Think about whether you want the water feature primarily for reflections, for movement, or for the sound of water. In this garden, there are pools for both sound and reflective stillness. If a reflective surface is what you want, do you want the water to reflect the hard landscaping or the planting?

■ You also need to decide whether you want a pond for wildlife, a rill for a dramatic statement through the centre of the garden, or a canal to divide up different areas. A tiny cascade, tucked against a wall in a small town garden, will add movement, sound and interest.

A swing chair offers views out over the countryside and back into the courtyard.

In the foreground is Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’

The garden has several protected oak trees that frame the different vistas

Formality is kept close to the house.

This single area of lawn is allowed to bleed off into wilder areas of grass that in turn run out into the countryside

This is the view across the top of the courtyard towards Peter’s glass-sided study at the corner of the house

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WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS Come midsummer, the gardens at Westbrooke House dance with a troupe of lively perennials, nimbly choreographed by owner Joanne Drew WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLA STOCKEN

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A curving path passes between box-edged beds with a textural tapestry of plants including alliums, laceflowers, foxgloves, lychnis and toadflax

The parterre features a formal arrangement of differently shaped beds around an arbour

A brick doorway draws the eye from the kitchen garden to the parterre

CREATE A PARTERRE FLOWER GARDEN Ingredients for structure and framework: Arbour, obelisks, fruit tunnels, George James Blacksmiths Cistern panel lead fountains, Redfields English Leadwork Self-binding paths, Breedon Special Aggregates Eight giant yew columns, yew and box hedging plants Pleached Malus ‘Evereste’ pear trees Roses and peonies, clematis, giant scabious, meadow rue, laceflowers, delphiniums, phloxes, mallows, lychnis, sea hollies, toadflax, alliums and yarrows

With symmetrical beds divided by pathways, this parterre is a productive flower and vegetable garden

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that reflects the character of the late-Victorian house ■ Vertical interest comes from yew columns, pleached crab apples, pear trees, redbuds and climbing roses ■ An intricate layout of pathways affords close-up views of individual plants and planting combinations Smaller central diagonal pathways slow your pace and direct the eye to different views across the garden ■ The beds are planted for interest, opening with tulips and alliums, followed by peonies, roses and herbaceous perennials, then dahlias until first frosts ■ The sound of running water in the lead cisterns is an essential, calming element in this romantic garden ■

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This wood store is flanked by a border of astilbes, feather grasses, salvias and golden oats

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maintenance,’ she says. Bespoke metal casings direct the flow of the inky water into a central bubbling fountain, with enclosed slates radiating out like the

in the Drews’ lower garden. ‘As you approach each picture frame, it feels like a journey during which a series of views are unveiled, and your pace inevitably slows,’ says Joanne.

It is almost a decade since Joanne, a dance teacher and examiner, and her husband, Bryan, drove down the avenue of spectacular limes and giant redwoods

sun. ‘The builder spent many days tapping in the slices of slate to form the rays.’

Before the Victorian walled gardens were restored in 2014, Rebecca presented two designs. The first was a layout of rectangular or square beds, while the second introduced a central, circular arbour with curving paths and hedging pirouetting out to meet a

planted when Westbrooke House was built in 1887 on the outskirts of Market Harborough. The house rests within a six-acre plot overlooking countryside

linear arrangement of beds. ‘We preferred the marriage of straight-sided beds, enclosing curving beds and paths that frame a central arbour,’ says Joanne.

– to one side a lower garden, and to the other a walled garden, a former tennis court. ‘It is the walled garden that brought us here,’ Joanne recalls.

The couple envisaged restoring the walled garden as a Victorian-style cutting garden and, guided by designer Rebecca Winship, subsequently created a contemporary lower garden inspired by a visit to

The walled vegetable garden with a Victorian-style greenhouse is adjacent to the flower garden, but the boundary is not symmetrical. ‘The design needed to draw the eye into the garden and not to the boundary and beyond,’ says Rebecca. So, by setting the pathways and greenhouse at a 45-degree angle, they connect with the diagonal paths within the flower garden,

the Great Broad Walk Borders at Kew. ‘I liked the planting on a diagonal, with blocks of colour in blues and oranges, purples and yellows,’ says Joanne.

Rebecca planned a contemporary design with prairie-style planting that would create beautiful views from the house. ‘Rebecca’s first design placed the summerhouse across the diagonal, but we wanted it parallel to the steps, to screen us from our neighbour,’ says Joanne. A sinuous path, made from self-binding gravel, leads through beautiful borders, embracing en route two oval-shaped lawns.

The path is punctuated by an unadorned oak pergola. A rill stretches from the raised patio towards the steps, built according to a sketch by Joanne. ‘I originally wanted a rill running throughout the lower garden, but decided against it because of the high

extending the views from one garden to another.

‘The style complements the flower garden. I didn’t want it to jar when you walked through,’ says Joanne.

In a shady courtyard nearby, Joanne has amassed a collection of some 200 miniature hostas. ‘I love the variety of leaf colours and shapes – all are green, but each one is so very different,’ she says. ‘I’ve sourced a lot more during lockdown, and am now well and truly hooked.’ It is another facet to an old garden into which new life has been breathed. ‘It has become incredibly important to us both,’ says Joanne, ‘and there’s rarely a day we don’t venture out.’ &

here is something dreamlike about wending through the giant-sized oak frames straddling the path

Westbrooke House opens in aid of the National Garden Scheme on 20 June, ngs.org.uk. For group bookings, email jwsd1980@hotmail.co.uk

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“PARTERRE GARDENS HAVE A FUNCTION AND BEAUTY THAT IS TIMELESS AND CONTINUES TO DEVELOP OVER THE YEARS”

REBECCA WINSHIP, garden designer

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In the lower garden, a pergola of oak frames weaves through lush borders featuring aconites, daylilies, dahlias and salvias

GARDEN GUIDE ORIENTATION The walled parterre, lower

garden, main house and sweeping lawns face south.

SOIL TYPE A clay base runs throughout, but

having long been cultivated, it is well-drained loam.

SPECIAL FEATURES Original Victorian

walled flower and kitchen gardens, natural pond, lawns, collection of miniature hostas, woodland paths and mature trees, and a contemporary lower garden overlooked by a summerhouse from HSP Garden Buildings.

GARDEN DESIGN Rebecca Winship

(rebeccawinshipgardendesign.co.uk, 07876 416837), whose original design and planting have been developed by the owners, Joanne and Bryan Drew, and gardener Juliet Douglas

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Oak cloches protect vulnerable crops in the kitchen garden, which includes sweet peas, broad beans and a cage planted with raspberries

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PL A NT PROFILES C o t t a g e g a r d e n f a v o u r i t e s f r o m We s t b r o o k e H o u s e 1. Best for compact golden flowers Achillea ‘Coronation Gold’ has a second flush of flowers, if deadheaded.

2. Best for soft ground cover Geranium nodosum ‘Clos du Coudray’ bears violet, trumpet-shaped flowers.

3. Best for a long season Salvia microphylla ‘Wild Watermelon’ carries spikes of bright magenta flowers.

4. Best for pretty pinks Astrantia ‘Roma’, a herbaceous perennial with papery flowers in chalky white and pink.

5. Best for frothy white Ammi majus presents cow parsley-like umbels above finely cut foliage.

6. Best for steely blues Aconitum ‘Stainless Steel’, a sturdy cultivar with cream-lined, silvery blooms.

7. Best architectural plant Angelica archangelica is a statuesque biennial that self-seeds once settled.

8. Best for dried flower displays Eryngium bourgatii, a prickly perennial with violet flowers above deeply cut leaves.

9. Best for obelisks Clematis viticella ‘Dark Eyes’ is a great climber with sumptuous velvety purple flowers.

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CRE ATING A DRY GA RDEN THIS ON-TREND DESIGN APPROACH IS BOTH LOW-MAINTENANCE AND ECO-FRIENDLY. HERE, LEADING EXPERTS SHARE THEIR KNOW-HOW

and requires little maintenance. You’ll want to choose plants that occur naturally together in hot, dry regions, so that you can be confident they’ll look right in your garden. ‘Broadly speaking, they are the more short-lived species, so embrace this,’ says garden designer Jane Brockbank. ‘Have fun with annuals and self-seeders.’ As for the eco benefits, these include less watering, feeding, weeding and mowing. A dry garden also provides a long season of nectar-rich flowers, beneficial to a vast range of insects. ‘It creates an ecosystem that encourages biodiversity,’ says garden designer James Basson.

PLANNING YOUR PROJECT ‘Analyse

your plot,’ says garden designer Tom Hoblyn. ‘What’s the annual rainfall? What type of soil do you have?

How much sun does it get? Try to work with what you’ve got rather than making drastic changes.’

Pick plants that are suited to your garden’s conditions.

‘Observe where the sunlight falls as it can help you decide where to place certain plants, such as grasses, which look fabulous backlit by the sun,’ adds designer Sue Townsend.

CHOOSING PLANTS Emphasis should be

on contrasting shapes and textures, rather than flower colour. Repetition of shape or form creates a rhythm and guides the eye through the garden. ‘Start with a backbone of shrubs for year-round structure and select trees that won’t cast dense shade,’ says Åsa Gregers-Warg, head gardener at Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens. For softness, plant ornamental grasses like Stipa gigantea and Stipa tenuissima and let ground-cover plants, such as thyme and Stachys byzantina, weave in between the taller plants.

Aim for a mix of longer-lived species for structure and shorter-lived perennials and annuals. Grow them ‘lean’ without enriching the soil and water sparingly

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once plants are established. Then leave them to their own devices. ‘If you’re planting into deep gravel, make sure the roots get contact with the subsoil,’ says Tom Hoblyn. ‘Ideally plant in autumn or spring to allow plants to establish well,’ adds Sue Townsend.

WHAT ABOUT SITE SUITABILITY?

Sloping sites need to be terraced if you want to use gravel, and fairly open and sunny, although some shade can work well to expand the range of plants. ‘I

have successfully made gravel gardens in urban areas where there is the inevitable mixture of sun and shade,’ says Jane Brockbank. ‘You need a small amount of plants that can tolerate both aspects and repeat them to bring the scheme all together.’ Work with your site not against it. ‘The site must be free-draining, so avoid or improve areas where water naturally sits, in particular, clay soils,’ adds Tom Hoblyn.

AND LANDSCAPING MATERIALS?

‘First, a huge amount of material, such as gravel, sand, crushed hard core or concrete, worked into the ground to improve drainage,’ suggests James Basson.

‘Then a graded gravel mulch to prevent weeds.’ Pick a local loose stone or gravel for a mulch so it fits in with the local environment; it’s also good for reducing the carbon footprint of transport. ‘I would stick to natural durable materials – textured stone, rock, gravel and hardwoods,’ adds Jane Brockbank. →

“A DRY GARDEN IS A SPACE THAT BREATHES. IT IS ALL ABOUT DRAINAGE, GIVING PLANTS LITTLE OPPORTUNITY TO ABSORB WATER” JAMES BASSON, garden designer

FEATURE SARAH WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS OLIVIER FILIPPI, ÅSA GREGERS-WARG, JANE BROCKBANK, JAMES BASSON, TOM HOBLYN, SUE TOWNSEND

A dry garden is easy to construct, and it looks good

Set out layers of airy planting in a subtle colour palette that will thrive growing through gravel

GA RDEN S

ACHIEVING MEDITERRANEAN STYLE Nurseryman Olivier Filippi explains how his quintessentially Med ideas can be brought into your own garden

BE INSPIRED BY NATURE In some areas of the garden why not give free rein to the dynamic

evolution of the landscape? Instead of trying to create a fixed picture, take your lead from the soil, climate and planting, and leave the ground cover to evolve from year to year. Your garden will become suited to the local conditions and easy to maintain.

GO FOR GRAVEL Poor, stony soil is a bonus

for creating a Mediterranean-style garden. Weeds

grow less easily than they would in rich soil and ground-cover plants can spread comfortably without being swamped by competitors. A gravel garden is a good option, suppressing the germination of weeds almost entirely. This balance between plant and stone is characteristic of Mediterranean landscapes.

REDUCE LAWN SIZE Consider how much

lawn you actually need. Why should a 21st-century gardener follow a landscape ideal developed in the

Predominantly evergreen shrubs create structure, with perennials emerging in other layers

18th century? When it’s not an aesthetic choice, the need for a surface to walk on is often used to justify a large area of lawn; however, areas required for regular foot traffic are often overestimated.

OPT FOR GROUND COVER What

should we put in place of a lawn? Consider different ground-cover solutions to suit each area, such as mat-forming plants for green carpets that can be walked on. In areas where there is no foot traffic, create large beds of perennials and shrubs for shade. &

Olivier Filippi is the author of Planting Design for Dry Gardens (£35, Filbert Press)

“LAWNS RISK MAKING OUR GARDENS BLAND. FINDING WAYS TO REPLACE THEM IS A MOVE AGAINST UNIFORMITY” OLIVER FILIPPI, nurseryman

THE SOURCEBOOK: WEBSITES TO BOOKMARK BETH CHATTO’S PLANTS & GARDENS A comprehensive A-Z guide to plants for dry gardens from the renowned plantswoman. bethchatto.co.uk

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KNOLL GARDENS The experts on ornamental grasses and flowering perennials if you want to achieve that airy Mediterranean planting style. knollgardens.co.uk

SOCIETY OF GARDEN DESIGNERS For professional help to design a dry garden, make this your starting point. Plus gardening courses and online articles. sgd.org.uk

GRAVEL MASTER Every type for your landscaping needs, in a range of styles and colours including apricot, gold, cream, grey, black basalt and red granite. gravelmaster.co.uk

A mix of unstructured planting and stone landscaping (above) is perfect for a dry garden

Instead of covering the garden with a uniform carpet of lawn, use a variety of ground-cover plants to create layers of vegetation and flowers that emerge at different heights (above right)

When it comes to hard landscaping (right), try to stay in the vernacular and use stone that is commonly found in your local area

&

KITCHENS BATHROOMS

THIS DEDICATED SECTION SHOWCASES STYLISH LAUNCHES, INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN

TURN UP THE HEAT

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

The weather is warming up and so is our kitchen cabinetry colour of choice.

Neptune’s new shade Burnt Sienna taps into the current trend for earthy, nature-inspired tones but evokes old-world charm. Incorporate the rich hue in a number of ways – try it as a focal point for an island, the back panel of cupboards for a pop of surprise, or combine with muted grey or soft blue units for a two-toned scheme. Suffolk glazed dresser hand-painted in Ink and Burnt Sienna, £3,245, Neptune →

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BACK TO EARTH Rangemaster has launched three earth-inspired colours, a nod to the current trend of embracing the outdoors. The new shades – Stone Blue, Charcoal Black and Mineral Green – are available across 12 cooker styles and the dual fuel design of the Elise range is complemented by sturdy cast iron pan supports, a multi-ring burner and a wok cradle. Elise 90cm dual fuel in Mineral Green, £2,999, Rangemaster.

SWEET ROSES

THE TOUCH-FREE ATLAS NEO SENSOR KITCHEN TAP BY FRANKE WORKS WITH A

Bert & May is a master of reimagining tiles as the latest addition to its Antique Collection proves. The Roses tile (on floor) was originally a reclaimed pattern, but has been given a modern twist with a pastel palette. Traditional manufacturing techniques ensure the patina and colours remain true to the original design, while the subtle variations in the tone give it depth. Roses tile, £8.40 per tile, Bert & May.

SIMPLE WAVE OF THE HAND – PERFECT FOR THESE HYGIENE-AWARE TIMES. FROM £540.

SUMMER REFRESH The ever-popular Boat bath by BC Designs has had an uplifting paint refresh with the California Collection, by Kelly Wearstler and Farrow & Ball. The palette may well be the easiest way to transport yourself to sunnier climes this summer... Boat bath in Faded Terracotta, from £1,480, BC Designs.

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Mixed materials are not just for worktops, if the latest offering from Waterworks is anything to go by. The Canteen One Hole High Profile kitchen tap, which boasts a handheld spray, is made from weighty brass with an oak lever and copper accents. An investment buy, its timeless design is inspired by vintage water pumps and the combination of materials makes it versatile enough to work in any scheme. £4,008, Waterworks.

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

FINISHING TOUCH

NE WS

3 OF THE BEST...

STYLISH SHOWERHEADS The right design can elevate your experience and give you that spa-like feeling at home.

Drummonds’ Grand shower rose in brass adds unadulterated luxury.

Drench offers contemporary matt black at a bank-friendly price, while C. P. Hart’s Hansgrohe Raindance promises to reduce the amount of water used by mixing it with air, which makes droplets plumper and softer.

Grand shower rose in brass, £1,068, Drummonds; Harbour Status 300mm fixed showerhead, £99.99, Drench; Hansgrohe Raindance 240mm Round Air Ecosmart showerhead, £600, C. P. Hart.

Q&A

MARTIN FLANAGAN, NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, MEREWAY KITCHENS Which kitchen designs are most popular with your clients at the moment? We are seeing a strong renaissance in the Shaker style but with a modern twist; slimmer framing with simpler, cleaner designs (no visible joints in framing) and schemes which offer something a little different in terms of storage.

How has the pandemic affected what people want from their kitchens? Definitely more multi-functionality. The kitchen has had to have many different faces – school, boardroom, entertainment venue and restaurant… so clever use of space and storage, strategic power supply and lots of work surface are key.

What are the most popular colours for cabinets? We are still seeing greys as hugely popular but more earthy, tonal colours are increasingly sought after. Over 30% of our sales are from grey cabinets. Solid colours such as white, cashmere and light grey are very popular – they are easier to clean and offer more visibility.

What new finishes are gaining popularity?

Glass and ceramic are definitely the new go-tos with their myriad of colour choices and their easy-clean practicality. These finishes are often in bolder colours such as midnight green and indigo blues – consumers are becoming braver with their kitchen choices!

SURFACE GOLD Caesarstone has launched its fifth quartz surface over the past year with the Calacatta Maximus, which cleverly captures a genuine natural form. Created with a white backdrop, it has striking grey veining and a closer look reveals highlighted details in copper and gold. It’s durable, low-maintenance and stain resistant.

Calacatta Maximus, from £550sq m, Caesarstone.

The key consideration when designing a new kitchen? Functionality. Who is going to use it, for what and how. We always advise to spend the most you can afford, as replacing a kitchen is a huge investment. Good quality, well installed kitchens can last over 20 years, so choose the best your budget will allow. It is more likely to stand the test of time and give you above and beyond your practical requirements. & Q

mereway.co.uk

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5th Avenue shower set in brushed brass, £1,781, West One Bathrooms

HOW TO...

C H O O S E B R A S S WA R E LOUISE ASHDOWN, HEAD OF DESIGN AT WEST ONE BATHROOMS, GIVES VALUABLE ADVICE TO GET YOUR SELECTION RIGHT

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D ES IGN IDE A S

STARTING POINT The options can definitely

be overwhelming. Begin by narrowing down by finish and general design style – ie contemporary or classic.

We also try to establish a rough budget. I always advocate spending as much as you can afford because brassware takes the strain in the bathroom and poor build quality at lower price points can end up costing more in repairs and replacements in the long run.

PLUMBING ISSUES A lot of brassware is

made for European homes on mains (high) pressure.

If you have an older home with gravity fed water you can get a pump for the shower, but the basin and bath taps will need to be designed for low pressure use. Consider upgrading to mains pressure if you are renovating throughout. Expectations play a big part though. For some, a really powerful, skinstripping shower is essential, others are happy with a gentler flow that doesn’t guzzle lots of water.

SUCCESSFUL SHOWERING Think

about who is using the shower and their height. A riser rail is a smart move in family bathrooms. If you have a fixed head, add a hand-shower for days when you don’t want to wash your hair and for cleaning the enclosure. Thermostatic controls are the norm now, but some European brands still make manual mixers so do check. Also position the shower controls near the shower entrance, so you can turn the water on without getting sprayed by stone cold water.

MATCHY-MATCHY Matching brassware

across basins and showers is more desirable in

INSTALLATION Wall-mounted taps look

smaller bathrooms, where you can see everything in one glance. The easiest solution is to buy all your brassware from one manufacturer. In bigger bathrooms, you can mix up finishes more freely, without disrupting sleekness. While I wouldn’t put copper and brass finishes too close together, there are finishes, like black and white for example, that pair really well with others.

allowing room for handwashing beneath. A floorstanding tap must be firmly affixed to the floor so it won’t budge if you knock into it.

AFTERCARE One of the biggest issues we have

stylish but require space behind for pipework and the right style of basin/bath, without pre-drilled tap holes. The length of spout projection is crucial –

FIND YOUR FINISH There are lots of

finishes available now and, of course, the look is important but also consider care and longevity.

If you want something pretty indestructible, 316 marine grade stainless steel is the best bet and looks amazing in a modern space. PVD finishes are built up in layers and much more durable than traditional plating or sprayed finishes. We like polished nickel for classic bathrooms; it’s warmer than chrome but FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPH PAUL CRAIG

not as bling as gold. Living finishes, like unlacquered brass, bronze and copper, will age in random ways so are not always great for perfectionists.

is customers using the wrong soaps and cleaners.

Chrome and stainless-steel taps are fine but anything with acid in can damage brass and bronze. Organic cleaning products, which you’d assume were safe, contain citric acid – so always check the ingredients.

Black is a nightmare in hard-water areas and nickel needs to be polished to prevent dulling. You might be happy to put in the extra effort for the look you want but it’s good to know what you’re signing up for. & ■

westonebathrooms.com

SOURCEBOOK: GO-TO BRANDS GESSI We love this high-end Italian brand, especially for its luxury wellness shower systems. Each piece is engineered to ensure brilliant performance. gessi.com

LEFROY BROOKS A great manufacturer for classic British bathrooms. All taps are hand-cast, hand-forged, hand-polished and hand-assembled. uk.lefroybrooks.com

SAMUEL HEATH This Birmingham-based manufacturer offers seriously good products and exceptional quality.

They tick all the design boxes, from industrial to classic. samuel-heath.com

VOLA Offering solid and well-made bathroom accessories, this Danish company takes a paredback design approach that’s timeless and unpretentious. vola.com

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D ES IGN IDE A S

N E W WA Y S W I T H W O O D THIS KITCHEN STAPLE IS BEING REINTERPRETED WITH FRESH AND INTERESTING TECHNIQUES

ANOTHER DIMENSION

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON

Three-dimensional surfaces that shift with the light bring a modern twist to wood in the kitchen. ‘Combined with sleek flat-fronted doors in crisp white, thin vertical wood slats provide texture and depth, enhancing the tension between plain and pattern,’ explains Sofia Bune Strandh, CEO, Sola Kitchens. SKOG, meaning ‘forest’ in Swedish, is the name given to this striking new wood-focused design from Sola Kitchens. ‘It’s called SKOG partly because the wooden slats resemble the outlines of trees, but also the name reflects the embracement of natural materials – a typical quality of Scandinavian design,’ she adds. → The SKOG kitchen in oak, ash or walnut, from £50,000, Sola Kitchens

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MIX MEDIUMS

Keeping timber use below eye level is more peripheral so won’t overpower. It can also appear less ‘kitchen-y’. ‘Using oak worktops and wrapping the drawer units in the same oak creates a modular look, more akin to a

‘If you want to introduce two or more species of timber in the same room, it’s wise to ensure there’s enough contrast between each one.

You can just see the media wall shelving, in a much darker stained oak, reflected in the

living room sideboard,’ explains Jayne Everett, co-founder, Naked Kitchens. ‘We wanted each wood section to mimic a piece of free-standing furniture – far removed from a standard fitted kitchen.’ White American oak was chosen for its robust, tightly knitted grain and soft washed tones. The timber was finished in a specialist

splashback here,’ explains Deborah Bass, director, Base Interior. The hexagonal flooring is cut from natural marble in similar tones to both timbers, helping to unite the two.

‘Whatever timbers you use in the kitchen, the key to avoiding a heavy “wall” of wood is to balance out the other finishes in the room,

Nano coating to provide resilience without altering the wood’s natural look.

such as pale painted walls, simple handles and antique mirror splashbacks.’

Bespoke kitchen in white American oak, from £36,000, Naked Kitchens. Oak Super Stave worktops with Nano coating, £315lin m, Norfolk Oak

Bespoke oak veneer kitchen, from £18,000, Base Interior.

Worktops and splashback in 4230 Shitake quartz, £450sq m, Caesarstone

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PHOTOGRAPHS (MODULAR MOVES) ELIZABETH SHERWIN

MODULAR MOVES

D ES IGN IDE A S

BALANCING ACT Dark timber designs have stepped into the light. The traditional hues and craftsmanship of antique furniture have been deftly brought up to date with contemporary lines and detailing. ‘Combining darker tones with lighter finishes allows our designers to balance the feeling of solidity and depth, while still making the most of any natural light,’ explains Andrew Hamilton Barr, director, Espresso Design. Here, Cesar’s Intarsio range takes its inspiration from traditional marquetry to create doors with distinctive cross direction veneers that are paired with dark marble to create a unique kitchen. → The Intarsio kitchen range by Cesar, from £30,000, Espresso Design

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MODERN TWIST

RUSTIC TOUCHES

Taking timber in a contemporary direction requires a considered approach to avoid missing out on the wood’s natural beauty.

TR Studio chose deVOL’s Sebastian Cox range, featuring cabinetry in black-stained beech.

Honest materials and raw finishes lend natural charm in this calming space. Created by California-based designer Brad Krefman, a warm, neutral backdrop – Dulux’s Brave Ground

‘We like to use wood in a very calm way in kitchens. You can maintain clean lines and use sleek surfaces, but wood itself brings craft and texture, both visual and tactile,’ says Tom Rutt, founder, TR Studio. ‘We love how this kitchen strikes the balance between traditional and contemporary. It is clearly a

is similar – tones serenely with unstained oak cabinetry. Copper mesh brings a modern farmhouse vibe to wall cabinets, while the perimeter worktops in creamy precast concrete are a practical choice. A rugged slab of reclaimed oak links the bespoke cooker hood with the salvaged ceiling beams above, helping to achieve a smooth transition from new oak to ancient

real solid timber door, but the colour makes it abstracted and adds a modernity.’

timber. On the island, delicately veined Taj Mahal quartzite adds subtle pattern to the mix.

The Sebastian Cox kitchen, from £15,000, deVOL. Kitchen designed by TR Studio

Bespoke oak kitchen by BK Interior Design.

For similar in the UK try Middleton Bespoke, where kitchens start from £25,000

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PHOTOGRAPHS (MODERN TWIST) BILLY BOLTON; (RUSTIC TOUCHES) TIM WILLIAMS; (CHIC SALVAGE) TOM FALLON

D ES IGN IDE A S

CHIC SALVAGE Reclaimed wood has clear environmental benefits, not to mention unique historic appeal. Often associated with very rustic, time-worn designs, this version by salvage specialists Retrouvius demonstrates a more sophisticated approach. Made from old timber shelving, the geometric door fronts are beautifully executed for maximum impact. ‘Our salvaged tropical hardwoods were used in the areas where the main cooking action takes place,’ says Maria Speake, founder, Retrouvius. ‘Brilliant for splashbacks and worktops, the wood is innately water-resistant, hard-wearing and the odd splash of oil from cooking all adds to the timber’s own natural oiliness and is absorbed to help protect the wood.’ & Kitchen designed by Retrouvius and made using salvaged timber, prices from £480 for prepared iroko worktops

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PHOTOGRAPHS (TAILOR MADE) ZAC AND ZAC

D ES IGN IDE A S

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DE S IG N ID E AS

&

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We love

The Royal Oak Ramsden is a countr y pub in a quiet corner of the Cotswolds elevated by its atmospheric interiors LOCATED in the idyllic village

of Ramsden in Oxfordshire,

historically the Royal Oak was at the heart of the community, but it fell on hard times and faced an uncertain future. Now restored by interior designer Nicola Harding alongside its owners, who have lived in the village for many years, the 350-year-old, Grade II-listed pub has been imbued with new life.

The restaurant serves classic and considered pub food featuring locally sourced, seasonal produce in a lovely barn extension filled with natural light, exposed timber and a collection of antique and found pieces. A room at the back of the building has been transformed

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

into a magical private dining space complete with woodburning stove and opening on to the garden.

If you walk through to the bar area, you will find an ancient spiral staircase leading up to three bedrooms, each telling a unique story. The rooms are decorated with a curated mix of furniture, lighting and fabrics – and many pieces possess local relevance. The attic room is a personal favourite – spanning the entire second floor, it overlooks the church and includes a roll-top bath. Spend an afternoon here in a leather chair with a fascinating choice of books, then make your way down to the courtyard garden to take in the last hours of the summer sun. & NEED TO KNOW ■ Rooms from £150 a night, royaloakramsden.com

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The country files I nt er ior de sig ner a nd hot el ier Judy Hut s on on her Winchester stomping g rounds and summer staycat ions JUDY Hutson is credited with changing the face of

relaxed sharing style of entertaining that we enjoy;

British country house hotels with her iconic, eclectic and rustic interiors at the litter of Pig hotels dotted around the south and southwest of the country. When she and hotelier husband Robin opened their first Pig hotel in Brockenhurst in 2011, they put individual room design and kitchen-garden food at the centre of their business, calling the concept ‘restaurants with

her latest book, Simply, has become much thumbed.

rooms’. There are now seven Pig hotels, with another on the way in the South Downs this summer, as well as a book, The Pig: Tales and Recipes from the Kitchen

I tend to live in jeans or leggings with a shirt and Superga trainers, of which I have countless colours.

One of my favourite clothing brands is Ganni, which

Garden and Beyond, filled with recipes, kitchen garden tips and interior inspiration for Pig fans.

is stocked at The Hambledon in the Cathedral Square, where I have shopped for the last 20 years.

I was born in southwest Wolverhampton. When I was 14, my family moved to Bridge, a village just outside Canterbury, which is close to my heart (and where we have a Pig hotel). Apart from a few years

When I have the opportunity to go for a coffee in town, I love to sit in the Hoxton Bakehouse and have their delicious caffee latte. It’s great for people watching and their cinnamon bun is to die for.

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The secret to The Pig ‘look’ is including older pieces in a room; it helps give it an evolved look and is so intrinsic to our ethos. We buy our antiques and vintage pieces from lots of sources in the UK and abroad but

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working in Bermuda in the early 1980s, Robin and I have lived in Hampshire: first in the Lymington area and, since 1994, in the heart of Winchester.

locally Mayfly Vintage is a good source for lighting and other curios. James, the owner, has a good eye.

The last things I bought for my house were a Le Creuset wok, which is a really practical piece of kit; a pair of unusual anatomy engravings dated around 1880 bought from the Michael Lewis Gallery in Bruton for about £60 each and a rustic pottery bowl that cost about £20 from a local potter in Kas, Turkey. It has a real handmade feel with good colour and tactile shape.

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I enjoy the fact that I live in the centre of a historic city but within five minutes I can walk from our house and be in the countryside, across the Water Meadows and up and down nearby hills. It is wonderful seeing weekly changes in nature; I can see why John Keats eulogised the Water Meadows in To Autumn.

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When we eat out, we enjoy strolling through the cathedral grounds and city centre to our friend David Nicholson’s restaurant The Black Rat. We have a number of creative friends who we love to meet up with for dinner or drinks, including fashion designer

We have a lovely garden room at home, where I can look out with a cup of tea. Our son Ollie is the family gardener and for general gardening needs, Hillier Garden Centre in Winchester does a really good job.

Pearl Lowe, the talented wildlife carver Stephen Henderson and the jeweller Tom McEwan.

The demand for staycations in the UK was high last year, and we hope it will continue in 2021. We of course travel around The Pigs, but our go-to relaxed holiday is Hotel Villa Mahal in Kalkan, Turkey, where we have been going for some 20-plus years. I don’t think we have seen a cloud in the sky there in all that time. &

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We love cooking at home – we are big foodies and love entertaining when we can. I have used Sabrina Ghayour’s books a lot, which are perfect for the ■

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L IF ES TY L E Judy at The Pig at Combe

Mayfly Vintage Bird sculpture by Stephen Henderson

FEATURE JESSICA SALTER PHOTOGRAPHS (JUDY HUTSON) EMLI BENDIXEN; (WINCHESTER WATER MEADOWS) BRITPIX/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Bedroom at The Pig Harlyn Bay

Winchester Water Meadows

The Bulldog Barns

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FRESH & FR AGR A N T HERBS BRING COOKING TO LIFE THROUGH THEIR FLAVOUR, AROMA AND VERSATILITY – MARK DIACONO’S NEW BOOK EXPLORES ALL THEY HAVE TO OFFER

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APPLE, QUARTERED CHARRED LITTLE GEMS, PANCETTA, SHISO ‘ZA’ATAR’ SERVES 4 2 little gem lettuces, quartered 4 tbsp olive oil 100g lardons or pancetta 2 tart apples 3 tbsp red wine vinegar 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional) 10 leaves shiso, thinly sliced if large 3 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted in a dry pan 2 tsp sumac Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat a dry frying pan over a high heat and sear the two cut sides of the little gem quarters: you’re looking for quick charring while retaining crunch.

■

Remove from the frying pan and arrange on a platter. Add the oil to the pan and cook the lardons for about 5 minutes until golden and they have released their fat.

■ Meanwhile, thinly slice the apples (equatorially rather than polar), remove the seeds and scatter the slices over the lettuce. Take the pan off the heat and use a slotted spoon to lift the lardons on to the gems, keeping the oil in the pan. Stir the vinegar and mustard into the oil in the pan and drizzle over the salad.

■ Sprinkle the shiso, sesame seeds ■

COOK’S NOTE Za’atar is a remarkable coming together of earthy/resinous cumin and oregano, with the sour brightness of sumac, salt and sesame seeds

and sumac over the salad, and season generously with salt and pepper. →

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FENNEL GRILLED RED MULLET WITH TOMATO AND FENNEL SALAD SERVES 4 12 cherry tomatoes, halved 2 fennel bulbs, thinly sliced 1 large shallot, thinly sliced 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked Juice of 1 lemon 4 red mullet, slashed a couple of times on each side 12 x 20cm (8in) stalks of fennel, with flowers if it’s summer Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 190C/gas 5.

Toss the tomatoes, sliced fennel and shallot in a roasting tin with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and some salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes until soft, then stir through the parsley and half the lemon juice.

■ Use a fish cage if barbecuing, or a ■

tin to grill in the oven. Preheat the grill to medium/high if using. Rub a little olive oil into and over each fish and season with salt and pepper.

Lay the fennel stalks on either side of the fish, pushing a few inside.

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Grill or barbecue for 4-6 minutes on each side, turning once or twice until the fish is just cooked through.

■ Serve the fish with the salad, and the driest, coldest white wine or a proper cider. You could make this with sea bass, sardines or mackerel if you prefer.

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STEAK AND CHIMICHURRI SERVES 4 2 steaks, about 3-4cm thick Coarse salt and ground black pepper One batch of chimichurri (recipe below) Handful of chive flowers

■

Take the steaks out of the fridge

about 2 hours before cooking to come up to room temperature. Pat dry.

■ Heat a frying pan over a medium-high heat until very, very hot. Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper and start cooking by pressing the fat edge on to the pan until browned.

Turn the steaks on to their side to sear, pressing down gently and turning every minute or so until both sides are deeply browned and they are done to your liking. Allow the steaks to rest somewhere warm for

■

10 minutes before slicing to serve.

Dash with chimichurri, serve extra in a pot, and shower with chive flowers.

CHIMICHURRI

COOK’S NOTE When it comes to steak: salt and pepper it before cooking; resting is beyond essential; and how you like it (rather than how someone says it should be done) is best

MAKES A MEDIUM JARFUL 4 tbsp red wine vinegar ½ tsp salt 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 small shallot, finely chopped ½ tsp chilli flakes, or more to taste 1 tsp good-quality dried oregano Small bunch of parsley, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh oregano 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Mix together the vinegar, salt, garlic and shallot and put to one side for 10 minutes. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and allow the flavours to infuse for an hour before serving. →

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SPICY HERB AND NOODLE SALAD SERVES 4 2 large garlic cloves, very finely chopped 1-3 Thai bird’s eye chillies, thinly sliced 1 large shallot, very thinly sliced 1 tbsp palm sugar (or use soft light brown sugar) 2 ripe tomatoes, seeds squeezed out and juice sieved out and reserved, flesh thinly sliced 1 tbsp fish sauce Juice of 1 large lime 2 tart apples, like Granny Smith Handful of cold/barely warm cooked rice noodles 1 little gem or soft round lettuce, washed and shredded Small bunch of basil (green, purple or Thai), leaves picked Small bunch of mint, leaves picked Small bunch of coriander, leaves picked 4 tbsp roasted cashews or peanuts, crushed to a powder

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COOK’S NOTE This is so very simple, yet full of flavours rubbing up against each other. It has a fair bit of South East Asia about it and I like it quite fierce on the chilli

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Mix together the garlic, chillies,

shallot and sugar, then stir in the tomato water, fish sauce and lime juice. Taste and adjust the seasonings as you like and put to one side to infuse.

■ Slice or shred the apples with a peeler or cut them into matchsticks by hand, putting them straight into salted water. Drain the apple and put into a large bowl with the dressing, noodles, lettuce, sliced tomato and all the herbs. Top with the nut powder and serve immediately.

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SCALLOPS IN A SEA OF HERBS SERVES 4 2 tbsp sunflower oil 12 scallops 200g mangetout 4 spring onions, sliced on the angle 8 radishes, sliced 2 lemons, 1 juiced, 1 quartered Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper A good half-handful each of: Green fennel leaves Coriander micros, or a few finely chopped coriander leaves Chive flowers, broken into florets Korean mint leaves, finely chopped, plus a few flowers

Place a frying pan over a high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil.

Season the scallops on one side.

Once the pan is hot, place the scallops in the pan seasoned side down, following the numbers on a clock face, starting at 1 o’clock. Season the side facing upwards. Sear the scallops until caramelized, about 2-3 minutes. Use a spoon to turn ■

them over in the order they were placed in the pan. Cook for a further 1-2 minutes, taking care not to overcook them. Do this in batches if you have a small pan. Remove the scallops to a plate and wipe the pan clean with kitchen paper.

■ Add the rest of the oil to the

Extracted from HERB by Mark Diacono (£26, Quadrille).

pan and, once hot, stir-fry the mangetout, spring onions and the radishes for about a minute. Stir through the lemon juice and the herbs and return the scallops to the pan to regain a little heat. Season with salt and pepper and serve with lemon quarters. &

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The new hotspots Once the holy g rai l wa s to live in a v i l lage w ithin an hour and a h a l f o f L o n d o n . N o w, b u y e r s a r e c a s t i n g t h e i r n e t s f a r w i d e r COMPETITION for the best houses is fierce,

warns Philip Harvey of Property Vision. Not only is there plenty of interest from Londoners but also from people currently based in the ‘shires’ moving further out in search of unspoiled countryside, quieter roads, fewer chimney pots and the all-important decent broadband. So where are 2021’s must-lives and what can you get for £1m? Read on…

Broad Chalke in Wiltshire, viewed from Knighton Hill

BRUTON-CASTLE CARY-WINCANTON TRIANGLE, SOMERSET Known for Bruton – which saw the biggest increase in buyers searching for places to move in 2020, according to Rightmove. They included George Osborne who bought a house last year.

Nearby are Babington House and The Newt in Somerset, a hotel and spa, and plenty of well-known locals including Alice Temperley.

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The prettiest villages Pilton, Batcombe and East Pennard.

■ Schools to know about Sexey’s – one of the only state-funded boarding schools in the country, which (despite poor recent Ofsted reviews) is still locally well-regarded, says buying agent Jess Simpson.

Independent schools include Hazelgrove, All Hallows and King’s Bruton.

■ Connected to the city Fast trains from Castle Cary to Paddington take one hour, 35 minutes.

■ Don’t miss The garden at Hauser & Wirth designed by Piet Oudolf.

■ £1m would buy you A detached four-bedroom house within walking distance of Bruton high street.

FEATURE ARABELLA YOUENS PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS LOCK/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

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THE CHALKE VALLEY, WILTSHIRE Known for It’s one of the prettiest – and least accessible – of the five river valleys that descend into Salisbury; it forms part of the Cranborne Chase AONB. Until recently, the major challenge was lack of mobile signal and broadband but enterprising locals addressed this by establishing Ch4lke, which hopes to deliver 5G connectivity shortly.

■ The prettiest villages Broad Chalke, where Savills ■

sold Cecil Beaton’s former home Reddish House last year; it has an award-winning volunteer-run village shop and post office. Others include Bowerchalke, Ebbesborne Wake and Coombe Bissett.

■ Schools to know about Sandroyd, Port Regis, Clayesmore, Salisbury Cathedral School, Godolphin School and Bryanston.

■ Connected to the city Trains from Salisbury to London Waterloo take 90 minutes.

■ Don’t miss The annual Chalke Valley History Festival (21-27 June, 2021).

■ £1m would buy A thatched cottage with four bedrooms with change to spend on the move. →

“PEOPLE IN THE ‘SHIRES’ ARE MOVING FURTHER OUT IN SEARCH OF UNSPOILED COUNTRYSIDE AND DECENT BROADBAND” HOMESANDGARDENS.COM

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CHICHESTER HARBOUR, WEST SUSSEX ■ Known for Sailing and paddle-boarding in the harbour as well as easy access to cultural highlights in Chichester (the Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery among them). Then there are the beaches of the Witterings and, to the north, acres of countryside within the South Downs National Park.

The prettiest villages Harbourside villages of Itchenor and Bosham and others including Funtington (which has an excellent farm shop) and Lavant.

■ Schools to know about Prep school Westbourne House School, Churcher’s College and Bedales.

■ Connected to the city Fast trains to Victoria from Chichester take one hour, 30 minutes.

■

Hide at Lyndon Nature Reserve, Rutland Water

paradise for bird watchers. There is a 23-mile trail around it as well as water sports, fishing and swimming.

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£1m would buy A four-bedroom village house

Don’t miss Getting out on the water – learn to sail at either the Bosham or Itchenor sailing clubs.

■ £1m would buy A contemporary three-bedroom

with half an acre of garden.

house just yards from the harbour in Bosham.

OAKHAM, RUTLAND ■ Known for It’s the largest town in England’s smallest county, and home to some pretty Georgian architecture and independent shops and restaurants.

■ The prettiest villages Braunston, Empingham and

Known for Its buzzy community, which attracts creatives – it has a cinema, theatre and various galleries – as well as interesting shops and places to eat.

■ The prettiest villages Melton (which has a farm shop and a station), Waldringfield and Orford.

■ Schools to know about State secondary Farlingaye High is popular while independents are Framlingham

Edith Weston (which has a good shop).

■ Schools to know about Catmose College was rated outstanding by Ofsted and Harington School, a sixth-form college is highly regarded. There are two established independents Oakham and Uppingham.

■ Connected to the city Oakham to King’s Cross takes 90 minutes (changing at Peterborough) but many drive to Peterborough for direct links (49 minutes).

■ Don’t miss Rutland Water, a nature reserve and a

College, Woodbridge School and Ipswich School.

■ Connected to the city Locals often drive to Manningtree in Essex (30 minutes) where fast trains to Liverpool Street take 1 hour, 10 minutes.

■ Don’t miss The beach at Shingle Street in the spring and summer when it is covered with wildflowers; the antiques shops in Framlingham.

■ £1m will buy A large family house with a garden in central Woodbridge. &

WOODBRIDGE, SUFFOLK ■

LIVING THE DREAM Having lived in London all her life, artist Amy Shuckburgh and her family have moved to a village near Castle Cary in Somerset ‘We left London before the first lockdown to live on the Isle of Man for six months, on my husband’s family farm. This allowed us to try out rural life, which we loved: the space, watching seasons change, and as an artist, it was endlessly inspiring.During the third lockdown we sold our house and moved to Somerset with our children (aged seven, nine and 11). We did

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research and honed in on an area with something for everyone: the right schools, creative industries and beautiful countryside, en route to Cornwall where my mother is.

In London, finding studio space was challenging and expensive.

We’re now renting while we look to buy a house with land where I can build my dream studio.’ amyshuckburgh.com

PHOTOGRAPHS (HIDE AT LYNDON NATURE RESERVE) LOUISE HEUSINKVELD/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (CASE STUDY) AMY SHUCKBURGH

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What home means to me CATHERINE ZETA-JONES

THE WELL-TRAVELLED ACTRESS IS HAPPIEST WITHIN HER OWN FOUR WALLS MY first memory of home was my mum and dad’s house in Wales. Even though I’ve lived Stateside for 24 years, I still say Wales is home. My mother loved soft furnishings and I think that’s where I get my passion for interior design. I remember the smell and the cosiness of home, lots of family around and lots of beautiful fabrics everywhere. My mother was a seamstress and I would literally walk on pins she had dropped in the shagpile carpet.

WHEN I was 15 I had zero money and was touring around Britain in the production The Pajama Game, living in digs for 10 months. I would take my mother’s fabrics and drape them over smelly couches and risk health and safety by putting scarves over lamps. I carried a bag of tricks that my mum called ‘the Mary Poppins bag’ – I still do. It has beautiful tapestries and I take my own bedlinen and pillows.

Sometimes when I’m going to a fancy hotel I think: ‘Should I take them? No, Catherine that’s ridiculous.’

curtain-making, so to have my lifestyle brand Casa Zeta-Jones is an amazing creative outlet for me. I have been on the move since I was 15 and have lived in London, Paris, LA, New York and Bermuda – this is why home for me is always where my family is.

with people. And that came from my childhood.

MICHAEL and I love property. My favourite room is our library in New York. It is a British-style

THE time I felt most at home was when my kids Dylan and Carys were little and we were living in Bermuda. It was a completely different environment, but the consistency was reminiscent of the way I was brought up. Michael or I would work and the other would pick up the children from school. Their

wood-panelled 1920s library with a spiral staircase.

I’ve collected British female portraiture from auction, eBay and a Welsh estate. There is a big old fireplace, mid-century furniture to mix the old with the new, and my Oscar for Chicago on the mantel, so

childhood memories are so wonderful: waking up and being at the beach, swimming in the ocean, climbing rocks and trees. I was young, I’d won an Oscar, it was before my husband’s cancer, which was really traumatic for him and our family, so it was

when I get insecure I can say, ‘It’s alright, it’s alright!’.

a golden time. And there was total privacy, which was paramount for us bringing up our children. We have great fond memories of being there. &

WHAT the last year has shown me is I am a real homebody at heart. Yes I love to travel, but I’m at my happiest in my four walls that I created myself. It is

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casazetajones.com

FEATURE DANIELLE LAWLER PHOTOGRAPH UDO SPREITZENBARTH

I HAVE been doing homes all my life and been brought up around fabric and dressmaking and

eclectic and chic, and I can potter here for days.

What has been difficult is I love to have people around. I’m not happy unless every room is filled

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