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NOTHING SIMILAR IS QUITE THE SAME

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L i v e

t h e

L i f e . . . L o v e

t h e

s t Y L e

& interiors

Drift awayÉ Dreamy coastal Decor Natural ways to sceNt your home a passioN for folklore

Delicious recipes from the NatioNal trust

Come into

the garDeN Nostalgic british flowers wooDlaND-style plaNtiNg garDeN seats for suNNy Days

Homes with

Natural Style

❖ oak-frameD & opeN plaN ❖ elegaNt georgiaN farmhouse ❖ pretty stoNe cottage ❖ aNcieNt barN

MARK WILKINSON OBE

THE MAN

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The home of

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

InterIors & InspIratIon 8

july Things we can’t live without

13 design news What’s new in interiors this month 72 • seasonal decor Muted blues and greys, washed linens and driftwood vibes bring coastal calm to a home 80 shopping trend Pay homage to our winged friends by adding a garden bird motif in your home 86 • make a house a home Go for natural, floral-filled scents to make your space smell lovely 92 utility room ideas Make your utility work harder 100 • me-time seating Lounge around in style this summer with our pick of the most stylish outdoor chairs 104 room elements Start your day off right with a gorgeous shower 109 home tech Choose a radio that can do more than just play your favourite stations

43 132

Country homes 16 • new-build hampshire barn Building their own home meant this couple could downsize without leaving their beloved New Forest village

111 kitchen project Be brave and go for more than just a splash of colour in your cooking space >

66

28 • somerset farmhouse It was love at first sight when this family stayed the night at this Grade II-listed Georgian B&B

• ON THE COVER

43 • warwickshire barn These empty nesters realised their dream to live in the country after finding a 300-year-old barn 53 • dorset cottage This family moved to a beautiful stone cottage near the sea to give their daughter an idyllic country childhood plus get-the-look ideas for every home CouNTry HoMeS & INTerIorS

3

GardenS

16

28 SeaSonal food 132

• paCk up a pICnIC Make the most of the warm days and enjoy lunch alfresco

139

116 • ON THE COVER

In a Country kItCHen Our latest pantry additions

lifeStyle 15

deSIgner profIle Irish textile designer Kathryn Davey is committed to sustainability

66

• my Country buSIneSS How Heather Gorringe is putting British blooms back on the map

85

• loCal Hero A garden festival

116 • a delICate jungle This colourful woodland garden is teeming with wildlife from humble insects to beautiful tawny owls 125 In a Country garden Trugs to transport your veggies

JuSt for you 64

SubSCrIbe to Country HomeS & InterIorS

reGularS 140

SHoppIng dIreCtory All the contact details and websites featured in this issue

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helped Caroline Critchlow raise £300,000 for her local hospital 126 lIve lIfe well Happy thoughts and ideas for fashion, eco, wellbeing and more 129 Country paSSIon A love of folklore and fairy tales 131 a weekend away Hone your cookery skills in the Cotswolds 150 my favourIte vIew Angel Strawbridge can’t get enough of Chateau de la Motte Husson

To find all stockists in this issue, turn to page 140 4

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A different perspective.

Surround yourself with people who design rather than sell.

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The mood of the moment:

(background) acanthus moss fabric, ÂŁ69m, designers guild

alfresco everything

Vanessa x Have you found us on Instagram, yet?

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

country homes & interiors

7

Things we can’t live without...

JUly

Wheelie fun yet delightfully dignified country-lane explorations on a head-turning classic!

Vintage-inspired ladies’ bicycle, similar from Beg Bicycles

8

COuNTRy HOMES & INTERIORS

CounTRy Shopping

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3

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4

1 Ethically woven vessels, skillfully handcrafted from robust grass. Egbe Bolga basket, H20xW22cm, £60, The Basket Room.

2 Relaxing to mellow sounds in a gentle summer breeze...

Ceramic wind chime, H8.5xD8.5cm, £18, The Living Lounge.

3 Adding colour and pattern to outdoor seating. Schmacher citrus garden pool cushion, 40x40cm, £75.99, May Evelyne Interiors at Etsy. 4 Bringing Mediterranean ambience while keeping bugs at bay. Tuscan citronella bowl candle, 18.5x9cm, £30, St. Eval.

Transporting light refreshments and nibbles with a helpful, rustic companion.

Reclaimed wood serving tray, £49; Bubble short tumblers, from £28 for four; Bubble carafe, £22; fluted ramekin, £8 for two, all Nordic House

Shared smiles over mixed materials and textural layering...

Rosa woven coaster, £24 for four; Lottie highball glass, £40 for set of four; Seagrasswrapped tiered carafe, £36, all Anthropologie

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6

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7 5 The perfect safe haven for tickets, maps and holiday bits and bobs! Travel file, 22x23x2.8cm, £15.50, Busy B. 6 Creating a colour riot of herbs and indoor plants in hand-painted pots!

Small scallop-top planters, H15cm, £36 each, Matilda Goad.

7 Topping up from an understated, artisanal ceramic. Organic jug in Courgette, H20xL12xW15cm, £25, Dassie Artisan.

8 Sunshine indulgence on ecological, hard-wearing Scandi designs. Bamboo chair, H45xW55cm, £275, Tine K at Idyll Home.

COuNTRy HOMES & INTERIORS

9

Pick and mix picnics with cheerful transportables!

Camden garden bistro set in Navy Blue, £79; modern country jug, £12; hamper, £50; herringbone throw in Navy, £89; Keith check wool rug, £35; outdoor cushion in Marshmallow, £10, all John Lewis & Partners

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11 12 9 Retro styling and aged finishes on classic outdoor lighting.

Dynamo 1 light wall bracket in aged iron, H23xW20xD29cm, £105, Dar Lighting. 10 A loosely woven additional layer with playful trimmings galore! Cotton throw with tassels and pom-poms in Pink and Yellow, 125x150cm, £21, Ian Snow. 11 Rewarding hard-walking tootsies with plaited slip-ons. Pla woven jute clogs, £115, Toast. 12 Classic splatterware for camping picnics!

Marbled enamel salad bowl in Navy, £26, Labour and Wait.

14 16

15 13 An environmentally friendly herby shopper. Mint tote bag, H41xW23xL4cm, £5, Marks & Spencer. 14 Letting home-baked cakes take centre stage on a rustic support. Aluna cane stand, H16xDia34cm, £39.95, Nkuku. 15 Serving an eastern feast with authentic Japanese utensils. Bamboo Shamoji rice paddle, L20cm, £2.80, Rouge. 16 Campfire cooking beneath the stars by the warmth of a traditional classic. Cast-iron garden hob, H15.5xDia31cm, £125, Netherton Foundry at Another Country.

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COuNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Embracing fresh-air living with bamboo recliners and woven eye-catchers.

Rattan basket, £269 for three; Vida bamboo daybed, £319; cushions, from £53; Paula vase, £35, all Bloomingville

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS (OPENER) TI-MEDIA CONTENT.COM

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COUnTRy SHOPPinG

Bright and breezy rainbow stripes bringing joie de vivre to everyday linens.

Meru tablecloth/ blanket, £122; Tsavo scarf, £38; Tsavo pillowcases, £36 each; Tsavo bath towel, £57, all Lapuan Kankurit

Things we canÕt live without... fresh-air socialising ❝ in mother nature’s calming company❞

COuNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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new & inTeReSTing

Design news Alfresco shades from Frenchic paint Transform tired outdoor furniture with a Frenchic makeover. The chalk and mineral paint brand has introduced three new shades perfect for a cottage garden, including City Slicker (top) and Dusky Blush. The eco-friendly formula requires no stirring or shaking, and is both hard wearing and weatherproof. £17.95 for 750ml.

neptune expands its home design service In-house interiors experts will be available at all Neptune stores by the end of the year to help customers create schemes tailored to them. Ideal if you love the Neptune look but want to put a unique stamp on it for your own home. Prices start at £300.

FeATURe HoLLy PHILLIPs

We’re a big fan of Romo, so we’re thrilled to see its first-ever outdoor weaves. The Mokolo range features geometric and foliage designs in shades of mid-blue, green, yellow and henna – with every fabric colour-fast, mouldresistant, oil- and water-repellent, and breathable. Phew!

Our top picks: the namesake Mokolo geo combined with leafy Kelani for alfresco style.

Prices start at £65m.

Falcon launches new colours

Fall for Swoon’s new outdoor furniture range

Just in time for the annual camping trip, the enamelware institution has unveiled two gorgeous limited-edition colours: Spring Green and Oyster Grey.

S3 jug in Spring Green, £34.

A number of interiors brands are launching garden furniture but this is one of our favourites. Swoon’s highly anticipated outdoor collection brings subtle modern style to a country setting. The weather-resistant designs are made from matte powder-coated steel and finished in a fresh palette ranging from calming mint green to deep azure blue, as well as classic black and grey. The 51-piece collection starts at £169.

Country Homes & InterIors

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DeSiGner PrOfile

Meet Kathryn Davey,

TexTile designer

feaTure TARA KINg PHOTOGraPHS JOANNE MURPHY

What sparked your passion for natural dyes? I lived in San Francisco in my twenties and became involved with the local creative community.

There was a wonderful shop called the Dharma Trading Co nearby and I was inspired by its selection of raw materials, organic fabrics and dye supplies. I began experimenting at home with Indigo dying and soon fell in love with the technique.

How did your business come about? When I moved back to Ireland in 2014, I decided to focus all my attention on turning my passion into a viable business. At first I found the move difficult, but in other ways it’s been so positive.

I launched my first line of linen homeware at Showcase (a platform for design talent) and have been working overtime ever since!

Talk us through the creative process. First I choose the fibre: sometimes wool, but mostly linen that’s been grown and woven in the south of Ireland. I then make my own dyes using native plant extracts.

Depending on the season, I’ll use twigs, bark, leaves and flowers. You can get colour from almost anything – avocado seeds make a gorgeous

CLOCKWISE, FROM THIS PICTURE Kathryn at work; natural doesn’t mean neutral; the linen is grown locally

pink! Once dried, I send my products – always in recycled or compostable packaging. Every part of the process from start to finish is eco-friendly.

What do you love about your craft? Part of the charm of natural dying is the element of surprise.

You never know what something is going to look like. You have no choice but to surrender to nature and its incredibly humbling beauty.

What about workshops? I love sharing the magic of plant dyes and offer workshops, from basic introductions, to the art of shibori, an ancient Japanese technique.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? I will be launching a range of women’s clothing very soon, which is very exciting for me, so watch this space for that!

Sum up your style in three words.

Simple, comfortable and relaxed.

Kathryn Davey, 003 538 5826 4427, kathryndavey.com

3 more natural dyers to watch...

MADDER CUTCH & CO hand-print on linen using sustainable plant dyes. 01780 767958, maddercutchandco.com FLORA ARBUTHNOTT offers wild plant walks and natural dyeing workshops. 07884 038337, floraarbuthnott.com BOTANICAL INKS makes natural dyes using foraged and organic produce. botanicalinks.com COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

15

A different frAme of mind Elizabeth and Derek Sandeman never expected to self-build their home, but this oak-framed house perfectly suits their new lifestyle

16 Country Homes & InterIors

NEW-BUILD HAMPSHIRE BARN

Exterior The oak-framed house has views of the beautiful garden from every window Country Homes & InterIors 17

We chose individual pieces ❝ of furniture and older pieces that are distressed to create an eclectic look

❞

Sitting area Blue mid-century style sofas add a pop of colour and retro style.

Sofas and cushions, French Connection at DFS. Leather armchair, bought at a vintage fair 18 COuNTry HOmES & INTErIOrS

NEW-BUILD HAMPSHIRE BARN

B

uilding their own home was never on Elizabeth and Derek Sandeman’s bucket list. But, like many of life’s big decisions, it seemed the obvious choice in retrospect. They were driven by the desire to remain in the idyllic New Forest village where they had lived for nearly 20 years. ‘We had a lovely period house, but it was expensive to run,’ says Elizabeth. ‘Our children were leaving home, so we decided to move somewhere smaller. As we love the village, we didn’t want to go too far.’

Few properties come up for sale in the area, so when a bungalow on a large plot of land went on the market, Elizabeth and Derek hurried to view it. ‘It was the right location, but the wrong house – an ugly bungalow in a dark corner. We bought it with a plan to replace it with a house in a more central position.’

Elizabeth and Derek wanted a characterful property made with natural materials that would sit comfortably in its New Forest setting. ‘We found Oakwrights, a company that specialises in oak-framed buildings, and saw a photograph of its showhouse in Herefordshire – it was perfect, with lots of beams and a warm atmosphere. We were actually able to go and stay in the showhouse, and I loved it so much, I didn’t want to leave.

We knew then that we wanted to build something similar.’

Architect John Williams, who works in conjunction with Oakwrights, designed the house and dealt with the local planning department. ‘We sold our house and were able to live in the bungalow while work on the oak-framed building took place,’ says Elizabeth. ‘We were allowed to build a new property with the provision that we knocked down the old bungalow within three months of moving into the new house.’

The work took 15 months in total, including building a basement beneath the house. The frame was cut off-site in Herefordshire, then erected over four days. ‘Putting up the oak frame was a quick process,’ says Elizabeth. ‘Oakwrights also supplied the SIPs (structural insulated panels) that made up the walls and the roof. These took time to put in place but the advantage is that, because we have highly insulated fabric in the house, we need little heating and have much lower fuel bills.’ Work then began on adding the roof tiles, putting in windows, positioning guttering, and plumbing and wiring.

As the property isn’t large, Elizabeth and Derek chose an open-plan design to make it feel more spacious. ‘We also wanted maximum light and to have views of the plot, so we planned plenty of windows and doors,’ says Elizabeth. For the decor, she chose wood and leather furniture to complement the mellow tones of the wooden beams and flooring. ‘We wanted the interior to look homely,’ she says. ‘We chose individual pieces of furniture and older, distressed pieces to create an eclectic look.’

It is five years since Elizabeth and Derek moved into their home. ‘We’re absolutely thrilled with it and so glad we made the decision to build,’ says Elizabeth. ‘We’re still part of the village we love, but our new home is just right for our new, downsized life.’

At hom e wi t h. . .

Owners Elizabeth Sandeman and her husband, Derek, who is medical director at Southampton General Hospital. They have three grown-up children, Jack, Peter and Alice, and two dogs, Ruby and Moses.

House New-build oak-framed two bedroom property. They moved in five years ago.

COuNTry HOmES & INTErIOrS

19

20 Country Homes & InterIors

NeW-build hamPshire barN

Dining area This open-plan area makes the house feel larger. Pendant lights, Nkuku. Clock and cabinet, both Bowen Trading at The Bournemouth Vintage Emporium. Walls painted in Pointing, Farrow & Ball Country Homes & InterIors 21

Kitchen White Shaker-style units keep the look light and airy. Cabinets, Pineland. Range cooker, Stoves. Engineered oak flooring, Sydenhams.

Egg holder, charity shop find, painted in Mizzle, Farrow & Ball 22 Country Homes & InterIors

NEW-BUILD HAMPSHIRE BARN

Dining area The doors can be thrown open to create an alfresco feel. Dining table and chairs, similar at I&JL Brown

ON MY DOOR STEP.. .

Visit… ‘Furzey Gardens (023 8081 2464, minsteadtrust.org.uk). There’s a sweet café and shop, and children can hunt for hidden fairy doors. The gardening is partly done by local students with learning disabilities.’

Shop at…‘Noah Valentine (noahvalentineantiques.co.uk) in Milford on Sea. It sells eclectic, large and characterful vintage items. Many other pieces in our home are from our son Peter’s business, Bowen Trading, at Bournemouth Vintage Emporium.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Rockingham Arms (01794 324798, rockinghamarms.co.uk), a country pub with a lovely ambience, great food and friendly service.’

Kitchen The vintage pizza boards echo the beams and flooring.

Pizza boards, from a vintage fair. Walls painted in Pointing, Farrow & Ball

Country Homes & InterIors

23

WhEN WE’RE IN ThE dININg ❝ ROOm WITh ThE dOORS OPEN,

IT’S If WE ARE IN ThE gARdEN. ANd WhEN WE OPEN ThE SITTINg ROOm dOOR, WE cOuLd bE bENEATh A PERgOLA

❞

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cOuNTRY hOmES & INTERIORS

FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES

NEW-BUILD HAMPSHIRE BARN

Guest bedroom A neutral backdrop allows the beauty of the wooden beams and flooring to shine. Bed, John Lewis & Partners.

Bedlinen, Secret Linen Store.

Recycled wool throw, Waitrose & Partners. Floor lamp, Ikea

LIVING THE DREAM For Elizabeth, building a home to her specifications has been life-changing.

What inspired you to self build?

Realising that we could buy the right plot and build just for us. A ‘try before you buy’ weekend in Oakwrights’ show home clinched it.

How easy was it to build?

The building was done by Oakwrights. The scarier bits were the transitions, such as making sure the groundwork was fit to receive the basement. Moving from that stage to taking the oak frame was a bit ‘heart in mouth’.

Were there any hiccups?

A couple of windows couldn’t open once fitted because of the overhang of the roof. It was solved easily by the window company.

Any tips?

Don’t lose faith along the way. It’s so fantastic living in a house built for your lifestyle.

Bathroom Tongueand-groove panelling adds a classic rustic touch.

Roll-top bath, Bathstore.

Panelling painted in Mizzle, Farrow & Ball.

Stool, Bowen Trading

GET ThE Look

Be inspired by elizabeth’s beDROOM This sleek modernrustic choice blends industrial design with natural oak. Its adjustable neck and stem allows flexible positioning.

Cohen floor lamp in Deep Grey and American oak, H162xW77xD24cm, £99, Made.com

Set the scene for balcony stargazing with these hand-turned grainy mango wood holders.

Akello candlesticks, 46x16cm, £49.95 each, Nkuku

CH&I loves...

NEUTRAL dRApE FAbRICS

modern Country classic

Add a flourish of the outside to your bedside table with this unbelievably realistic floral detail: a pretty fix without the fuss.

Lady’s mantle faux flowers in Pink, £11, Fox Flowers

ElizabethÕs style tip...

COmbine all shades Of wOOd, aCrOss every element Of a sCheme

With a lived-in aesthetic and undeniable homely appeal, you’ll be counting down the hours until you can sink into the feather-and-foam filled comfort of this English hand-crafted character.

Hoots original leather tub chair in Tan, H82xW82x D85cm, £1,095, Old Boot 26

COuNTrY HOMeS & INTerIOrS

Amity in Pewter/Linen, £59m, Harlequin at Style Library

Crafted from solid mango wood with an alluring grey wash finish.

Palma French-style lime-washed chest of drawers, H85xW140xD44cm, £676, The Furn Shop

Gem in Putty, £43m, Nile & York at The Fabric Collective

Blakeney in Natural, £32m, Laura Ashley

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Layer up country cosiness with this soft take on classic check in 100% wool, finished with a tasselled edge.

Meadow Check throw in Grey, 150x183cm, £60, The British Blanket Company

EscapE to thE country

The promise of a healthier lifestyle, clean air and open spaces drew Frances and Andrew Morton-Jenkins to set up home on a Somerset farm

S o m e R S e t fa R m h o u S e

Exterior The Cotswold stone farmhouse, with its staddle stones, dates from Georgian times and is Grade II-listed Country Homes & InterIors

29

F

rances and Andrew Morton-Jenkins are no strangers to doing up listed buildings.

‘This is our fourth,’ says Andrew. ‘But I wish we didn’t always fall in love with historical buildings. They always turn out to cost twice as much and take twice as long to renovate. We apparently can’t help ourselves. We are suckers for punishment.’

The couple first came across their listed Georgian farmhouse when they chose to book in as guests – it was being run as a bed and breakfast. ‘We’d decided we wanted to give our daughter, Tamar, then six, a country upbringing, so we’d come to Somerset on a househunting weekend to look for a new home, and promptly fell head over heels in love with this house. We were attracted by its position surrounded by seven acres of fields and unspoilt views, and we loved its flagstone floors, stunning Georgian square rooms, high ceilings and original sash windows, never supposing we would one day own it,’ says Frances. ‘When we were told the house was for sale we were over the moon, but gutted at the price. It was way over our budget.’

Over the next six months Frances and Andrew scoured the West Country looking for alternatives, but couldn’t find a match for the Somerset farmhouse. So strong was >

30

COunTry HOMeS & InTerIOrS

AT HOME WITHÉ Owners Frances Morton-Jenkins, an event organiser, and her husband Andrew, a project manager and builder, bought the house in 2012 and have lived here since 2014. They have one daughter, Tamar, 13, a cocker spaniel, Oreo, and a cat, Misty, as well as several Greyface Dartmoor sheep and hens.

House Grade II-listed Georgian farmhouse with seven bedrooms.

S o m e R S e t fa R m h o u S e

Living area Frances chose a colour palette for this room which was in keeping with its period features, including the Victorian fireplace. Sofa, Sofa.com. Coffee table; mirror, both PHI Concepts

COunTry HOMeS & InTerIOrS

31

S o m e r S e t fa r m h o u S e

Kitchen An Aga and old bread oven make for a homely country kitchen focal point. Cabinetry,

by Mark Harwood of Harwood Homes

32

Country Homes & InterIors

Garden The couple enjoy growing lots of produce in their veg patch

The breakfasT room â?? has a large door opening inTo The garden, so we now feel parT of The greaT ouTdoors

â?ž

Breakfast room A stack of logs is a rustic nod to the old fireplace, now replaced by an electric Aga

s o m e R s e T fa R m h o u s e

Breakfast room The family spend most of their time here. Tablecloth fabric, Cath Kidston

Garden With such a large lawn, Frances and Andrew decided to get some sheep to keep it nicely mown for them!

their obsession with it that when they discovered the farmhouse was still on the market, they swapped their London house for a flat, and used the difference in price to buy the farmhouse of their dreams.

They didn’t initially appreciate the scale of the restoration project ahead of them, but as Andrew’s background is in building and property maintenance and Frances is an interiors enthusiast and brilliant organiser, they felt naively confident. ‘The house was painted in a spectrum of psychedelic colours and there were seven bedrooms, spread over three floors, so there was huge potential,’ Frances says. ‘Initially we thought it would just be a case of repainting walls, but we soon discovered the boiler needed replacing, the chimneys needed rebuilding, the windows rattled and none of the floors were straight.’

To compound their problems, they weren’t allowed to install double-glazing according to conservation rules.

The couple’s most pressing issue was a lack of light in the kitchen, the oldest part of the house – without any connection to the garden, it felt dark and isolated. ‘The house had been in the hands of multiple generations of the same farming family who probably didn’t want to be reminded of their place of work. I guess they deliberately closed off the kitchen, but we felt cut off and missed the > CounTry Homes & InTerIors

35

Guest bedroom Tucked up in the eaves, vintage quilts give this space a traditional look.

Similar bedspreads, Sanderson at Amara

36

COuNTRy HOMES & INTERIORS

LIVING THE DREAM After moving to the country, Frances and Andrew decided to let out their home during the school holidays

Why do you rent out your house? The house was always a project – much bigger than we needed – with the longer term intention of generating an income that would support the cost of running the house. We both love property and interiors and wanted to live in a beautiful home, so the potential to make it pay its way justified the initial outlay we made.

What is your USP? The Georgian faÇade of the house and the wonderful first impression it creates, plus access to our gardens, complete with hens and sheep!

FEATURE MAGGIE COLVIN PHOTOGRAPHS ROBERT SANDERSON

lovely views of the surrounding countryside,’ says Andrew.

Knocking out a one-metre deep chimney breast created an opening into the breakfast room. It was an arduous and filthy job but it paid off. ‘It dramatically lightened up the kitchen,’ says Frances. ‘The breakfast room opens out into the garden, so we now feel part of the great outdoors.’

To bring the house up to date, they made all the necessary repairs, installed a new kitchen, converted an old garage into a media room, put in a wood chip boiler and replaced the Aga to access the old bread oven. ‘I always wanted a larder,’ says Frances, ‘and we were lucky in having some storeroom space to play with. We built the larder next to the media room and added a laundry room near the cloakroom under the stairs. Our style is old-school traditional country, which worked well with our inherited artwork that we’ve collected gradually over the years,’ says Andrew. ‘Frances and I are quite partial to cows – hence all the cow paintings that are dotted around.’

The couple initially reopened the house as a bed and breakfast, but they now also let out the entire property during the school holidays. ‘It’s rather satisfying knowing others can discover it in the same we did,’ says Andrew.

To hire Huxham Farmhouse, visit uniquehomestays. com; or for B&B, call 07734 448122

S O m E R S E T FA R m H O U S E

Bathroom Rural touches include a wall of painted planking for a cosy, cottage feel.

Similar bath, The Cast Iron Bath Company

Main bedroom Mahogany furniture lifts the serene colour scheme. Bed, Brissi.

Curtain fabric, Colefax and Fowler

Our style is Old-schOOl â?? traditiOnal cOuntry, with

sOft cOlOurs, pretty prints and natural wOOd

â?ž

S o m e r S e t fa r m H o u S e

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Glastonbury Tor (nationaltrust.org.uk/glastonbury-tor), a fascinating and mystical beauty spot that can be seen from miles around.

It has views that never fail to make you catch your breath.’

Shop at… ‘Kilver Court (01749 340422, kilvercourt.com) in Shepton Mallet, a unique designer outlet for interiors, lifestyle and fashion.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The Queens Arms (01963 220317, thequeensarms.com) in Corton Denham, a cosy country pub with log fires and quality local produce. The management are also dog friendly.’

38

Country Homes & InterIors

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GET THE LOOK

Be inspired by Frances’ living room Give a sophisticated scheme a touch of fun with some uplifting patterns.

Sail Red lullaby print cushion, 45x45cm, £45, Susie Watson Designs

Subtle gold detailing adds an extra note of glamour to this triptych design.

Gail wall mirror, H103x W139cm, £394.53, Interiors by Premier at House of Isabella

Create a soothing ambience for wind-down evenings.

Hazel metal lantern, H70x W21.5, £78.50, Mindy Brownes at Wayfair

The curvaceous base gives interest to this classic light.

Paradiso table lamp in Whitewash with shade, H58xW36cm, £155, Pooky

CH&I loves...

WARM nEUTRAL pAinTS

Little Rascal, £43 for 2.5L, Earthborn

CH&I

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

modern Country classic

With a sumptuous soft feel, this timeless design has comfort in mind.

Humphrey 2.5-seater sofa in Como Chenille, H80xW221xD103cm, £2,240, Sofa.com

FrancesÕ style tip...

Made with love and built to last, this rustic piece has beautifully turned legs.

Woodcroft Balustrade coffee table, H46x W160xD90cm, £1,950, Sweetpea & Willow

Enjoy homEly yEt tastEful country stylE with wEathErEd finishEs and cosy tExtilEs

Parchment 62, £47.50 for 2.5L, M&L Paints

Marsco, £24.50 for 2.5L, Isle of Skye Paint Company

COuntRY HOMeS & InteRIORS

41

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waRwickshiRe baRn

Kitchen The long barn is separated into three distinct areas – a living room at one end, dining area at the other, and the kitchen in the middle. Oak stools, Cox & Cox. Breakfast bar light, The Famous Little Lamp Shop. Copper toaster, Dualit

new dreams & ancient beams Downsizing to a 300-year-old barn in the country marked a new era for Laura and Mike Szczygielski Country Homes & InterIors

43

Kitchen Laura inherited the units and marble worktop when she moved in. Decorative star, Flo and Co Interiors

R

elaxing in their cedar hot tub, Laura and Mike Szczygielski can watch the world go by, which in their case means deer, owls, foxes, hares and even bats. Since moving to the Warwickshire countryside two years ago, they’ve been able to immerse themselves in the rural idyll they’d always dreamed of. ‘We’d lived in our last house, a four-bed detached property in Solihull, for 20 happy years, but when the children left school and went to university, we decided it was time to follow our dream of finding a home in the countryside,’ says Laura.

‘As we drove down the long winding lane to view the barn, we just knew that we were going to fall in love with it. We walked into the beautiful kitchen and it was lit with fairy lights along its old oak beams – I bet they could tell a tale or two! It was a lot smaller than our previous home but that didn’t matter to us, and the fact it is open plan actually makes it feel very spacious.

What we lost in size we gained in character. We’d loved the inside but when we stepped into the garden we wanted to sign on the dotted line there and then. It wraps around two sides of the barn, with amazing countryside views and the most beautiful uninterrupted sunsets and sunrises.’ But it was the hot tub they discovered in a secluded corner of the garden that > 44

Country HoMeS & InterIorS

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Laura Szczygielski, who works for the Sue Ryder organisation, and her husband Mike, an IT specialist, live here with their grown-up son Joe. They also have an adult daughter, Sophie.

House Two-bedroom barn dating from the 17th century.

warwickshire barn

We Wanted the barn’s ❝ structure and the beautiful Kitchen Laura fell for the ancient timbers of her 300-year-old barn the moment she stepped inside.

Floor lamp, House of Isabella

vieWs to be the main feature of our home

❞

Dining room The solid refectory-style dining table and bench seats echo the timber beams. Similar dining set, try the oak range at Top Furniture

Stairs The open tread staircase allows light and space to flow through the room. Similar staircase design, try Jarrods

Having like-minded ❝ people as neigHbours

makes living Here feel like being part of a family

❞

Stairs Simple white walls turn the barn’s beams into a feature. Similar paint, All White estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball

waRwickShiRe baRn

Living room Laura’s corner sofa is her go-to chillout zone. Sofa, Loaf. Tripod lamp, Habitat. Sheepskins, John Lewis & Partners.

Stool, made by Gemma Metherell Upholstery

finally made up their minds to buy. And as the property is close to stately home Ragley Hall, the couple have since discovered they can watch the air shows and firework displays it hosts while immersed in the relaxing bubbles of the hot tub!

‘The barn came onto the market the day after we had an offer on our Solihull house. Things just seemed to fall into place; like it was meant to be. So although it took six months to complete, it was certainly worth the wait,’ says Laura, who spent the time deciding how she would style her rural retreat. ‘The conversion was only a couple of years old at that stage, which suited us very well. A local builder had done the work and created a living room, dining room (previously used as a third bedroom), two bedrooms and three bathrooms. It was still very new and meant we could put our stamp on it from the start,’ says Laura, who started an Instagram account (@thehappyheartcompany) shortly after moving into the barn, recording her decor choices. ‘A lot of my inspiration for interiors comes through some lovely small businesses that I follow on Instagram,’ she says. The result is a blend of calming natural elements mixed with contemporary styling to make the space tranquil and relaxing. ‘We were especially careful not to overpower the barn’s own structural elements and the >

LIVING THE DREAM Once her children were grown up, Laura Szczygielski was able to downsize to a home full of character.

What was the catalyst for your move to the country?

It was a time of self-reflection and wondering what we wanted in life – and we decided the countryside would play a big part in our next step.

How did you prepare for the move? Downsizing meant we needed to re-think our furniture. We took only a few treasured pieces from our previous home and gave the rest to friends and charity.

How do you think big in a smaller space? The barn doesn’t feel small as it’s open plan and we were able to have a large sofa and dining table. We also spend lots of time in the garden during the summer, so it’s like having an extra room.

CounTRy HomeS & InTeRIoRS

47

Main bedroom Open plan to the staircase, the bedroom is like its own loft studio. Headboard, Headboards Limited.

Bedside lamps, The Range. Wicker heart, Lark

wooden beams add â??soThe much characTer and Garden The hot tub, which is in a secluded part of the garden, was a real draw for the couple

I love The combInaTIon of old and new

â?ž

waRwicksHiRe BaRn

Garden The garden wraps around two sides of the barn and has different areas to relax

views beyond as we wanted them to be the main features of our home. The beams, for instance, add so much character and I love the combination of old and new, which is also reflected in the neutral colour scheme we have mixed with shots of colour.’ Laura feels it’s the natural decor and the calm it creates that makes this house feel like home. And living here has lived up to all of the couples’ expectations. ‘The Cotswolds are on our doorstep so we love to go hiking and we’ve even taken up clay pigeon shooting at the local club. But having like-minded people in the adjoining barns makes living here feel like being part of a family and we enjoy spending time with them, especially for our cinema nights in our lovely neighbour’s art studio.’

But it’s what happens beyond the walls of their home that has really fulfilled Laura and Mike’s dreams of rural living. ‘We have lived in the barn for two years now and have especially enjoyed watching the seasons change – you tend not to be as aware of that in the city. Summertime feels like we are on holiday, and at Christmas the barn is magical as the beams are draped in fairy lights and holly.

But it’s those nights in the hot tub – even in winter – when we get to meet our animal neighbours that really make this the rural retreat we dreamed of when we lived in Solihull.’

CounTry HoMeS & InTerIorS

49

wARwickSHiRE bARn

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Ragley Hall (01789 762090, ragley.co.uk) near Alcester holds yearround events including festivals, concerts and open-air cinema nights.’

Shop at… ‘Bonds (01789 297729, bondslifestyle.co.uk) in Stratfordupon-Avon is a great shopping experience, selling antiques, furniture and accessories and has a lovely café.’

Go for a meal at… ‘The

FEATURE Mandi Millar PHOTOGRAPHS Fiona Walker-arnott

Golden Cross (01789 772420, golden-cross.co.uk) in Ardens Grafton.

It’s our friendly local and serves lovely home-cooked food.’

50

Country HoMes & interiors

gET THE Look

Be inspired by Laura’s terrace Cosy up outdoor seating with this all-weather design, designed to be left outside, rain or shine.

Life outdoor living cushion in taupe, 55x55cm, £55, Hayes Garden World

Hang towels out to speeddry in the sunshine with this easy-to-mount classic peg design.

Shaker oak coat rack, H8xW57xD7.5cm, £35, John Lewis & Partners

CH&I loves...

Made of highly absorbent, cloud-soft cotton, this versatile Tunisian layer can be used as a beach towel, picnic blanket, or sarong.

Fouta in neon blue, 100x200cm, £26, Dar Leone

NATURAL sCREENiNg

Lounge leisurely in this comfy design classic.

Outdoor ridge wood Adirondack chair in vintage blue, H82x W94xD85cm, £129.99, Sol 72 at Wayfair

CH&I

modern Country classic

Hubble bubble your toil and trouble away while admiring the spectacular countryside vista – bliss!

The LuvTub naked flame eco-tub, H100xW160x D100cm, £2,690, Boutique Camping

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

LauraÕs style tip...

MaxiMise your outside space by creating separate zones for dining, socialising, or a spa-style bathing area

Willow bunch weave hurdles fencing panel, H90xL182cm, £41.99, Papillon at Primrose

Natural screening in reed cane, H120x L380cm, £18.99, Crocus Turn a bland wall into a thriving oasis with this eye-catching duo.

Planters in grey, 40x40x 40.2cm, £99.99 for two, Fallen Fruits at Dobbies Garden Centres

Bark screen roll, H200xL400cm, £34.99, Waltons at Thomas & Morgan

COuNTrY HOMeS & INTerIOrS

51

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d o r s e t c o t ta g e

a childhood rediscovered Claire Bowman was brought up in the Dorset countryside and is eager to offer her own daughter a similarly idyllic childhood

Country Homes & InterIors

53

Kitchen Classic Shaker units with apothecary-style handles in pewter provide a country backdrop. Bespoke cabinetry, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Bone, Old Creamery

d o r s e t c o t ta g e

Kitchen Hanging copper pans over a coloured range cooker makes for a cosy focal point. Similar solid copper pans, Etsy

S

etting up home in central London made sense for Claire Bowman and David Drummond while they were juggling busy careers as a journalist and architect respectively. But after their daughter Flora was born, Claire was keen to move back to the Dorset countryside where she had grown up and would be able to enjoy the support of her family. ‘My sister, Vanessa, found this cottage for us,’ she says. ‘We were still living in London at the time and when we came to see it we fell in love with it.’

Claire and David’s new home is surrounded by famous beauty spots, including the beaches along the stunning Jurassic coast. Dorset towns, such as Bridport, have become hipster hotspots, as other young families move to the area seeking a similarly dreamy lifestyle.

The village the couple have moved to was the location for the movie Tamara Drewe and it’s not hard to see why it was chosen as the backdrop – the pastoral surroundings are completely unspoilt. From the upstairs rooms of the cottage there are views of the beautiful historic church with Saxon origins at the centre of the village, where the bells patriotically chime God Save the Queen every three hours.

The property was originally two policemen’s cottages that had been knocked together. It was in a pretty >

AT HOME WITH...

Owners Claire Bowman works in PR for a fashion company and her husband, David Drummond, is the director of architectural practice Reed Holland (reed-holland.co.uk).

They live here with their nine-yearold daughter, Flora and have a miniature schnauzer, named Badger. They moved here in 2010.

House Three bedroom stone cottage, built in 1820.

CounTry HoMeS & InTerIorS

55

I love beIng able to walk ❝ Flora to school along the lanes that wInd through the vIllage

❞

d o r s e t C o t ta g e

Living room For a rustic touch, try painting old furniture, like Claire has the coffee table.

Coffee table painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball

LIVING THE DREAM poor condition when they bought it, but Claire and David could see past the dated woodchip and orange pine, recognising its potential. ‘The house had good bones and we wanted to put our own stamp on a place rather than buy somewhere already done,’ says Claire.

They lived with Claire’s parents while the work was carried out, with David taking on the role of project manager. Improvements included upgrading the kitchen, where they painstakingly laid a composite blue lias flagstone floor with an authentic, rustic patina; installing a new bathroom; stripping and sanding all the floorboards and decorating throughout. They also installed two new windows into the end gable, updated the plumbing and wiring and added soundproofing.

‘The walls were paper thin,’ says Claire. ‘However, there was no need to alter the layout or install an extension, so we didn’t do anything too radical.’

Their home is now a pleasing blend of idyllic country cottage style and modern simplicity. ‘We didn’t want to go totally rustic and aimed to replicate some of the elements of our London home, like the bookshelves, which we had made by a local carpenter,’ says Claire.

‘After much procrastination, we decided to paint the brick chimney breast in the living room white, >

Moving from London to Dorset gave Claire Bowman the opportunity to return to her roots

What did you love about your country childhood?

‘Having the freedom to go off and play in the river and meadows. We’d pack up jam sandwiches and our fishing nets and be gone all day. Now, Flora and I will go for picnics. We recently discovered a field of sunflowers – it was like stepping into a scene in Provence.’

What childhood activities do you recreate with Flora? ’We head to the coast at the first opportunity. We recently bought a sea kayak, which reminds me of childhood boating expeditions.’

How has it been rediscovering the area through adult eyes?

‘I probably never fully appreciated the countryside as a child, but now I often stop the car to admire the view.’

CounTry Homes & InTerIors

57

I come from a famIly of ❝ artIsts, so beIng able to hang Main bedroom Claire kept the scheme quite neutral, adding femininity with the textiles. Eiderdown, Marks & Spencer. Lamps; cushions, both TK Maxx

paIntIngs by my parents and sIsters Is a real prIvIlege

❞

d o r s E t c o t ta g E

Bathroom A traditional basin enhances the period feel, while metro tiles add a modern touch.

Basin, Victoria Plum.

Similar tiles, Topps Tiles

maintaining the pattern and texture, while lightening and brightening the space, balancing this with the addition of a log burner.’ Modern lighting choices also give the house a contemporary lift and a hint of urban style.

Claire and David kept things local with Farrow & Ball paints – the company’s headquarters are close by and many of the paints are named after places in Dorset.

The neutral decor makes a gorgeous backdrop for Claire’s collection of family artwork, too – her father, Michael Bowman, is a landscape painter; both her sisters, Vanessa and Sarah Bowman, are collectable artists; and Sarah also owns the White Space Gallery in Totnes.

After the interior was complete, they tackled the garden.

Claire wanted a herbaceous border and was delighted to enlist the help of garden designer friend, Anna Vines.

Sunny and secluded, the outside dining area has since been the setting for many happy alfresco meals.

Claire now works locally at Kettlewell Colours, which supplies capsule wardrobes in personalised palettes.

‘Learning about colour and seasonality has actually helped me to resolve some long-held, knotty decorating decisions,’ says Claire. ‘It’s given me the confidence to inject some warm, earthy colours into our otherwise quite muted backdrop. I’m so happy we made the move.’

ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Hardy’s Cottage (nationaltrust.org.uk/hardys-cottage) is Thomas Hardy’s birthplace near Dorchester and is a magical day out with a lunch spot, a walk through woodland and a beautiful cottage garden. His family home has been beautifully preserved and informative guides bring his work to life.’

Shop at… ‘Circus Boutique (01935 816551, thecircusboutique. com) in Sherborne for cool homeware and clothes.’

Go for a meal at… ‘Brassica (01308 538100, brassicarestaurant. co.uk) in Beaminster – it’s a must.’

CounTry HoMeS & InTerIorS

59

d O R S E T c O T TA G E

The house had good ❝ bones and we wanTed To puT our own sTamp on a place raTher Than buy somewhere already done

Flora’s bedroom Classic country motifs have turned this space into a cosy, girly haven. Rug, TK Maxx. Try star bedlinen, The Conran Shop 60

COUNtry HOmeS & INterIOrS

FEATURE ALISON GIBB PHOTOGRAPHS DOUGLAS GIBB

❞

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The classic range offers all the same advantages as the familiar Quooker and is available in a variety of styles and finishes.

It delivers water at a true 100°C, saves time, energy and space.

For more information on the classic range visit quooker.co.uk

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LIBRARIES

get the looK

Be inspired by Claire’s kitChen Functional, practical and durable with a beautiful rustic finish, use this handy helper as a chopping board or serving platter.

Nordic long board in White, L51.5x W12.5cm, £28.99, T&G Woodware Keep track of when dinner’s ready with this clean and simple clock, featuring a swish gloss finish and easy-to-read dial.

Giant Savoy wall clock, Dia47cm, £70, Jones Clocks Start the day with a nutritious, summery cereal and fresh fruit combo in this stoneware cutie.

Small bowl in White/Blue/ Black, £35, Pip Hartle at Toast

CH&I

modern Country classic

FeAtUre HOLLY PHILLIPS

A country-style kitchen just isn’t complete without this elegant, white ceramic design icon.

Belfast sink, L59.5x W46cm, £363, Shaws of Darwen

ClaireÕs style tip...

Create a piCturesque spaCe full of homely appeal with bespoke Cabinetry finished in a warming Country neutral

Invite fresh country style to mealtimes with this sturdy, contrast-painted design, ideal for any bustling family hub.

Portobello painted fixed-top dining table, H76xW130xD80cm, £199, The Cotswold Company

Discerning home cooks deserve only the finest cookware.

M’150S pan with copper lid, Dia12cm, £170, Mauviel at Borough Kitchen

CH&I loves...

SlAte FloorIng

Brazilian multicolour slate tiles, from £26sq m, Floors of Stone

Black natural riven slate tiles, from £12.95sq m, Mrs Stone

Autonno blend slate tile, £58.50sq m, Topps Tiles

COuNTrY HOMeS & INTerIOrS

63

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❝I wanted to champion

nostalgic British cottage garden flowers❞ Florist and Flower grower HeatHer gorringe

N

ostalgic English flowers, but with an Audrey Hepburn feel – that’s the image I had in mind when I set up The Great British Florist,’ says Heather Gorringe. Her company now delivers bouquets of traditional British garden flowers to every corner of the UK, with many of the blooms grown on the Herefordshire farm that she runs with her husband, Phil.

Heather’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident from an early age. ‘I always wanted my own business, that’s what drove me,’ she says.

After art college, she worked for her father’s company and then, at the first opportunity, set up her own business printing T-shirts and ties. When she married Phil in 1992, Heather went on to found Wiggly Wigglers, a company supplying natural garden products such as wormeries, composters and natural bird feed from their farm. ‘At the time, farmers were getting a hard time from environmentalists – I wanted to show the good things farmers were doing, such as composting and sowing wildflowers.’

As part of Wiggly Wigglers, Heather started a cutting garden and supplied bouquets. ‘This

66

COUnTry HOmES & InTErIOrS

side of the business quickly grew and we realised that people love to buy flowers that vary from bouquet to bouquet and change through the seasons,’ says Heather. ‘During the recession of 2011, we cut back on lots of products but the flower sales were still doing well – it was an affordable luxury. That inspired me to think of a way to thrive and survive through the recession.’

Around 90 per cent of the flowers sold in the UK are grown overseas. Heather decided to help change that and become a champion of British-grown flowers, but she needed to give the flowers side of the business its own identity. ‘On the way back from a trip to London we were trying to decide on a name and my niece, San, suggested The Great British Florist, which was exactly what we are about. By the time we got to Cheltenham we’d bought the domain and registered the name with Companies House!

‘At the time, gerbera were the trendy flowers – they were modern and structural – but I wanted to deliver bouquets of oldfashioned roses and stocks; flowers that made you go, “Ooh, I remember walking >

My countRy business

Heather uses seasonal blooms to create each unique bouquet COUnTry HOmES & InTErIOrS

67

What I love about my work...

I am responsIble for managIng my own ❝ tIme and resources, wIth the opportunIty

to brIng Ideas to lIfe. I love the adventure, creatIvIty, growth and freedom of that

❞

through a cottage garden full of those flowers as a child”, ’ says Heather.

A redundant farm bothy and stable block were commandeered for The Great British Florist, which Heather knew from the start would operate solely online. ‘There are only 63 people in our village. When you’re based somewhere like this, you have to find different ways of selling. We were one of the first independent companies to trade online,’ she says. ‘We’re not exclusively British, but there are British flowers in every bouquet design. As well as our own flowers, we source stems from a network of national growers.’

Heather used her web knowledge and SEO skills to ensure that The Great British Florist ranked high on search engines if The Georgian farmhouse that Heather calls home

people typed in ‘English flowers’ or ‘UKgrown flowers’. ‘We also used social media to create awareness of the brand,’ she says.

Ninety per cent of The Great British Florist’s orders come from the UK, with 10 per cent from overseas but delivered to a UK address.

‘Why ship flowers around the world when we can grow them here? Plus, there are extra benefits to be had from growing flowers – our cutting patch is providing a feast for bugs, butterflies and birds,’ says Heather.

‘By buying British flowers you’re supporting British wildlife and biodiversity. We also work hard to minimise our impact on our surroundings – we compost our flower waste, recycle our plastic and shred our cardboard and all the obvious things you would expect from a company like ours. But our real values lie in having both arable crops and animals on our farm – each element benefits the other, helping ensure we have a diverse farm.’

Business has boomed since The Great British Florist was founded and Heather has been able to take on five employees.

But a rethink of their systems took place at the end of 2018, when their website was compromised by cybercriminals. ‘We needed to make sure it never happened again,’ says Heather. ‘So we simplified our web offering and stopped doing wedding bouquets online. Now we concentrate on posies, bouquets and flowers. Payment goes through a third party provider with the very best cyber security possible. We have also come up with new ideas that are beneficial to customers, such as limited-edition designs based on what blooms are in season, which give our florists a chance to be really creative.’

Heather loves that her company is able to deliver flowers nationwide, despite being based in such a remote area. ‘Our own sense of wellbeing is enhanced by the business, too – you can’t be miserable when you’re walking around the cutting patch on a sunny day.’

The Great British Florist, 01981 500930, greatbritishflorist.co.uk >

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COUNTry HOmES & INTErIOrS

My counTRy Business

There are lots of pretty pubs to visit nearby

Heather and her team prepare bouquets of flowers

Wildflowers are important for the countryside

Heather’s dogs Marjory and Jam are never far behind

COUNTry HOmES & INTErIOrS

69

On Our dOOrstep...

Visit… ‘Canwood Gallery (07776 138668, canwoodgallery.com) in Checkley is a real treat. The exhibitions change regularly, too.’

Shop at… ‘Hopes of Longtown (01873 860444, hopesoflong town.co.uk). Packed with essentials and treats, you can even refill your laundry liquid there. It’s won tons of awards.’

Go for a meal at…

‘The Bridge Inn (01981 510646, thebridgeinn michaelchurch.co.uk) at Michaelchurch. It’s the perfect summer pub.’

Heather’s vintage Triumph Vitesse was originally registered to 11 Downing Street. It has been used for several Mother’s Day deliveries and has lots of flowerfilled trips in the summer

My CoUntry BUsIness

SET UP A SECURE ONLINE BUSINESS

feAtUre VIVIENNE AYERS PhotogrAPhs ALUN CALLENDER

Follow our guide to combatting cybercrime

At the end of lAst yeAr, The Great British Florist’s website was hacked by cybercriminals. ‘We were confident that we had every security measure in place,’ says Heather. ‘We used a secure server, we were PCI compliant and had completed GDPR. But it wasn’t enough.’

In fact, specialist global insurer Hiscox recently found that a small UK business is hacked every 19 seconds and these cyber breaches cost the average small business £25,700 in basic clear-up costs every year. ‘Hackers are prolific and sophisticated, which makes staying on top of cybersecurity a challenge for all organisations,’ says James Brady, head of cyber at Hiscox UK and Ireland. ‘But, as many small businesses lack credible cyber security strategies to help manage and prevent such attacks, the impact when they occur can be disproportionately severe.’ If you have a small business, follow these tips from Jenny Radcliffe, founder of Human Factor Security, for how best to protect yourself online.

InstAll the rIght softwAre ‘Strong anti-malware software makes it more difficult to get into business

accounts,’ says Jenny. ‘Make yourself a hard target. If you’re difficult to hack, the criminals will look for a new target.’

Be VIgIlAnt ‘I’ve known businesses to put photos of their offices on social media,’ says Jenny. ‘The problem with this is if you zoom in, you can see what computers and systems they use, as well as their locations and staff members.

Cybercriminals monitor businesses on social media and send targeted emails.

Then, when an employee clicks the link, the criminals gain access to the network.’

Know yoUr VUlnerABIlIty ‘Cybercriminals trap people with something familiar – the right script at the right time will catch someone off guard. There has been an increase in spear phishing email scams, so be cautious about clicking on any links in emails. The cybercriminals will have lots of information on the business and will have built up a picture so the email sounds plausible. It could also come in the form of a phone call.’

Use strong PAsswords ‘When emails are hacked, they go onto the dark web and then all accounts can be hacked. Use a password manager.’

don’t forget MoBIle Phones ‘People tend to be very careless about what’s on their phone,’ says Jenny. ‘But it’s as much of a computer as a laptop – you can click on links on emails and texts that turn out to be attacks.’

edUCAte yoUr eMPloyees At least 80 per cent of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error or manipulation. ‘It’s the people within the business who are an easy target,’ says Jenny. ‘Tech gets more advanced but people remain vulnerable. Why bother trying to hack into a system when you can get a person to let you in?’

get InsUrAnCe James also adds that all online businesses should have cyber security insurance. ‘It will help with practical support including legal advice, forensics and reputation management, as well as get your business back up and running quickly if you get hacked.’

Jenny Radcliffe, 0333 987 4673, humanfactorsecurity.co.uk

The one lesson I’ve learnt...

resilience is key. every success story ❝ has a catalogue oF mistakes behind it – the important thing is to learn From them ❞ CoUNtRY HomES & INtERIoRS

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Drift away Fall for the ebb and flow of these shoreline looks, with coastal colours, easyliving furnishings, and driftwood details. Tidal patterns, washed linen and beachcomber finds inspire effortless summer style‌

SeaSonal decoR

A plAce to wAtch the seA And sky Recreate a beachside escape with a simple outdoor seating area. A folding bench can be picked up as you follow the warmth of the sun, while cushions, throws and rugs in saltwater shades lend softness.

Country Homes & InterIors

73

safe harbour For a softer take on coastal styling, take inspiration from chalk cliffs and shingle beaches.

The feel is textural and relaxed, with slubby linen upholstery and bleached wood tones.

SeaSonal decoR

wave patterns Design a seascape of painterly dishes, platters and pots featuring dipped and dashed designs.

Country Homes & InterIors

75

SeaSonaL decor

rock pools & ripples Transform a splashback with a wash of marinecoloured pigment and add seaweed-toned ceramics for a kitchen inspired by the beach after a storm.

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Country Homes & InterIors

a new shore Drift away in a dreamy ebb of North Sea blue and foamy white bed linen, with driftwood furniture to anchor the scheme.

seasonal deCor

All the detAils, products & prices Black and White ceramic houses, £30 each, Frank. Grey ceramic bud vase, £25, The Future Kept. White Mountain vase, £95; Cold Mountain bowl, £45, both Effie Gibson at Flow Gallery.

safe harbour

Pages 72–73

Pages 74–75

Pages 76–77

& Grey. (On side table) Grey ceramic crater pot, £14.99, Car and Kitchen.

Splatter ceramic vase, £17.50, Marks & Spencer. (On chair) Natural and Grey stripe cushion, £37, Also Home.

Mirage abstract Blue rug, from £59.99, Carpetright.

rock pools & ripples

seaweed print, £19, Molesworth & Bird. Paperwhite vase, £49, The Future Kept. Leaning bird, £10, Sainsbury’s Home. Five Finger Strand artwork, £2,500, Emma Tweedie Art. (On bedside table) Wave coffee cup, £39 for two, Reiko Kaneko. Clear glass carafe and glass, £45, Nisi Living. Striped ceramic vase, £15, Marks & Spencer. Grey dish, £5.50, Bell and Blue. Mendi basket, from £12.95, Nkuku. Fallsgrove quilt cover set, from £99, Sheridan. Throw made in Pampelonne, £73m, Nina Campbell. Blue cushion made in Vigo Smoky Blue, £48m, Villa Nova; trimmed in jute cord, £24m, Samuel & Sons. Blowing Grasses Oxford pillowcase, £15, Clarissa Hulse.

Lysekil panel, from £25 for 1.25m, Ikea.

(On top shelf) Vase & cup, stylist’s own. Enamel tumblers, £17.50 each, Molesworth & Bird. Recycled glass vase, from £8.50, Rose & Grey. Siphon weed tea towel, £15; enamelware jug, £49, both Molesworth & Bird.

Chopping boards from £3.99 each, H&M Home. Large peg rail in raw oak, £35; wirework string holder and string, £15; miner’s lantern in steel, £10; Holkham utility basket, £30, all Garden Trading. Bumble stool in smoked oak, £320 for a pair, Loaf.

Seascape wallpaper in Summer, £60 a roll, Abigail Edwards. Side cargo table, £195, Loaf. Pressed

COuNTRy HOMES & INTERIORS

Folding bistro bench, £100, Garden Trading. Herringbone indoor/outdoor rug, £130, Nisi Living. Cushion in Baya Deepest Indigo £90m, Rapture & Wright. Natural and Grey stripe cushion, £37, Also Home. Wool Grey throw, £80, Nisi Living. Basket with handles, similar from Bohemia Design.

Blind made in Wave linen 008, £120m. Fermoie, and Baya Deepest Indigo £90m, Rapture & Wright. Ties made in La Terre Printed Border in Ink, £50m, Samuel & Sons. Jasmine sofa in Natural linen, £1,508.75, Graham and Green. Menzies metal coffee table, £199, Very. Eucalyptus wood table, £120, Loaf. Tarifa rattan chair, £175, Nisi Living. Square cushion in Vigo Birch, £48m, Villa Nova; trimmed in La Terre printed border in Flax, £50m, Samuel & Sons. Kensu cushion, £145, Black Edition. Jambari wooden chandelier, £295, Dassie Artisan.

(On sofa) Cozy Navy cushion, £30, Nisi Living. Wild silk cushion cover, £45; Shibori cushion cover, £75, both Ecosophy. Cushion in Blue Wave, £69.90m, Linwood. Narita cushion, £95, Black Edition. Grey knotted cushion, £10, Sainsbury’s Home.

(On coffee table) Mendi basket, from £12.95, Nkuku. Oyster handmade ceramic bowl, £16; splatter print ceramic jug, £32.95, both Rose

a new shore

78

a place to watch sea and sky

wave patterns

(Clockwise from top left) Majolica extra large jug, £59, Heal’s. Natural linen tablecloth, £65, Also Home.

Blue wave plate, £11, Bell & Blue.

Small wave bowl, £40, Reiko Kaneko.

Splatter ceramic side plate, from £14.95; splatter dipping bowl, £7.95, both Rose & Grey. Curve place mat in Light Grey, £20, Heal’s. Wave dinner plate, £38, Reiko Kaneko.

Linen fringe napkin in Pale Blue, £10, Nisi Living. Nordic side plate, £10; Curve coaster in Light Blue, £4, both Heal’s. Blue glass tumbler, £5; Luxe wine glass, £7, both French Connection Home. Flowers, price on request, Pesh Flowers.

FeaTure and arT direCTion SARA BIRD sTyling MARIE NICHOLS sTyling assisTanTs CHARLOTTE MuRRAy AND INDIA JACKSON PhoTograPhy DAN DuCHARS

drift away

BEDS, SOFAS AND FURNITURE FOR LOAFERS LOAF.COM

LONDON

GUILDFORD

WILMSLOW

SOLIHULL

ST ALBANS

Curtain made in Up In The Air in Duck Egg, Speedwell, Cornflower; cushion made in Swallow Dive in Soft Duck Egg, Speedwell, both £52m, Vanessa Arbuthnott

CH&I

modern Country classic

CH&I loves...

garden Birds

British bird motifs are flying into homes this season. From soft furnishings to ceramics, here’s how to feather your nest…

shopping trend

MAKE IT COUNTRY

A summer sky palette gives this distinctive lino-print design a contemporary edge.

We love how the birds seem to sing to each other as they perch among tendrils of jasmine. Jasmine birds wallpaper in French Blue, £60m, Claire Worthington

1 1 ta ble ru nner Protect your farmhouse table. Hedgerow table runner, £23.95, Sam Wilson 2 plaq ue Add a touch of the country to your wall.

Wall plate, £28 for set of four, Little Birdy Designs 3 f ootstoo l Put your feet up. Spring Ivy footstool, L100cm, £495, Lorna Syson

2 4

3

4 d o o r m at Keep muddy footprints at bay.

Bird coir doormat, £28.95, The Worm That Turned 5 or naments Sweet couple. Love birds, £9.99, Notonthehighstreet.com

5 CouNTry HomeS & INTerIorS

81

shopping trend

Rowan wallpaper, £75 a roll, Emily Burningham

Our expert says…

Block prints ❝ comBine traditional

Blur the boundaries between indoors and out with a bespoke blind featuring a flurry of feathered friends. Perched fabric, £55m, Louise Body

techniques and a pared-Back palette for designs that Bridge the gap Between vintage and modern country

5 a pro n Add chirpy style to the kitchen. Cactus and bird apron, £24, Thornback & Peel 6 a rtwo rk This flock of finches will bring colour to your wall. Finches print, L20x W30cm, £85, Anna Wright

❞

7 egg c up That beak looks tough enough to break a shell!

Egg cup, £14, Quail Ceramics

holly phillips, style content editor

6 5

8 c us hi on Birds of a feather flock together on the sofa. Birdie cushion in Blue Dusk, £68, Mimi Pickard

7

Feature HoLLy PHILLIPs

8

9 mu g Known as the king of birds in European folklore due to its colourful feathers, this teeny chap is actually the UK’s smallest bird. Goldcrest mug, £19.95, Emma Bridgewater

9 CoUnTry HoMEs & InTErIors

83

loCal hero

From Far leFt Keen gardener Caroline Critchlow with her husband Kevin in one of his dry-stone wall creations; the couple’s beautiful garden on wild and windswept Orkney; Caroline’s garden festival has raised £300,000 for neuro-therapy

❝I founded a garden

festival to raise funds for our local hospital

Feature and PhotoGraPhS NICOLA STOCKeN Portrait PhotoGraPh TOM O’BRIeN

❝

We launched the orkney Garden Festival in 2013. It’s a biennial event with 28 gardens opening their gates to visitors over two weekends in early July. The gardens are dotted throughout the islands – there’s an exquisite seaside gravel garden in South Ronaldsay, a stream-side garden in Finstown, a walled garden near to the Neolithic village of Skara Brae… The gardens show what can be achieved in some of Britain’s most adverse weather areas.

Shetland islanders and people across the northeast of Scotland have also joined in, raising an incredible £300,000 over five years.

We started fundraising in 2012 following my husband Kevin’s brain tumour diagnosis and subsequent 22-hour operation at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The expertise, care and compassion of the staff was amazing, but the neurological ward was desperately rundown. Doctors struggled to find a private place to discuss a difficult diagnosis with patients. We soon realised we had two options – complain, or find a way to make a difference.

We were sat in our orkney garden overlooking the waters of Scapa

Flow when I had a brainwave. We would open up our garden, with its stunning views and sculptural stone forms that Kevin had made (he’s a dry-stone wall craftsman) to complement my planting. the local press had run a story on the ‘miracle’ of Kevin’s recovery and garden visitors turned up in their droves, many with tragic stories of feeling isolated and frightened as a result of a neuro disorder. Most people don’t understand that a brain tumour operation can result in facial disfigurement and has a huge psychological impact. I realised how many people would benefit from our fundraising, so I founded the charity Friends of the Neuro Ward.

Gardening on orkney is not for the faint-hearted, with salt-laden winds scorching and stunting all but the toughest of plants. Over the years, I’d made friends with many other gardeners – a lot of plant-swapping goes on here – and most agreed to open their gardens in aid of our charity. Others came as a result of a radio appeal or from me just knocking on doors. Folk can only say no! Initially, every owner is nervous about opening their

garden, but equally delighted that others want to come and share it.

We get people coming from far and wide. Thanks to garden writer Jackie Bennett visiting the festival, we ended up having two gardens featured in her book Island Gardens: Havens of Beauty Around the British Isles (£25, White Lion Publishing). our charity was awarded ‘Small Charity of the Year’ by Celebrate Aberdeen last year. We now often visit Ward 205 where Kevin’s diagnosis was made, and it’s great to see the difference – people can’t thank us enough. I’ve now started on my next project to install a neuro-therapy rehabilitation garden.

I’m delighted to say that renowned garden designer, James AlexanderSinclair, has agreed to help. Within a couple of years, the garden will be in use, transforming care and mental wellbeing for those whose lives are affected by neurological conditions. this year we are excited to have garden presenters Carole Baxter and Lesley Watson, along with Chelsea judge Dougal Philip, joining the festival for illustrated talks, too. the orkney Garden Festival runs 4-14 July; orkney.com; friendsoftheneuro.org COuNTRy HOMeS & INTeRIORS

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Fill your home with

fragrance Natural aromas of herbs, flowers and essential oils lift the spirits and calm the mind, bringing soothing freshness to any space. Breathe deep‌

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CounTRy HomeS & InTeRIoRS

make a house a home

F res he n t he a i r For a quick-fix, all-natural air freshener, fill a pan with water, add fresh rosemary and lemon and bring to the boil, then simmer for a few hours as the vapours drift around the house, scenting the air. Later, cool the liquid and decant it into a spray bottle. Store in the fridge and spritz a little as needed.

Nature’s sceNt

Pi ck o F t h e b u n c h Cut flowers in the morning when they are filled with sap, and choose stems with lots of buds and one open flower.

Discover how to create scented bouquets at a Wild Bunch workshop in Shropshire, from £250 (wildbunchflowers.co.uk).

co unt er act Recycle food waste with this countertop compost crock, £35, Garden Trading, complete with inbuilt filter to mask nasty whiffs.

CounTRy HomeS & InTeRIoRS

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maKe a house a home

Bring the outside in u

l Try Herb starter kit, £16.95, Plant ’n’ Grow

pOt fr ag r an t h e r b s one for country cooks… Plant up a mini kitchen garden with fresh herbs such as basil, parsley and sage. They’re on hand for cooking with, and you can gently crush the leaves between your fingers every now and then for a sweet and spicy fragrance boost. alternatively, collect herbs from outside early in the morning (just after the dew burns off is when the oils are most potent) and hang little bundles around the house.

88

counTry Homes & inTeriors

Wo od en Wond er s forgo musty mothballs in favour of these cedar wood alternatives, £4, arket. simply sand them down occasionally to release the wood’s natural aroma.

Our expert says…

BakinG soda is ideal ❝ for eliminaTinG odours; leave in THe fridGe overniGHT, sPrinkle on carPeTs Before vacuuminG and Pour down drains wiTH THe HoT TaP runninG

❞

Tara King, Style Content editor

t h rO w Op e n a dO O r simple yet effective, opening doors and windows is the easiest way to bring freshness in. leave as many ajar as you can to create a lovely cross breeze throughout the house.

counTry Homes & inTeriors

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CH&I

modern Country classic

❝

Our expert says…

❞

tara King, Style Content editor

G et cr eat i v e making pot pourri is a lovely way to savour fragrance. Pick leaves, petals and buds from foraged flowers and scatter on a lined baking tray along with thin slices of citrus fruit. bake at 110°c for a few hours. once cool, sprinkle on a few drops of essential oil, then put in a bowl.

90

country homEs & intEriors

maKe a house a home

Choose lemon aid

LOve Laven d er synonymous with summertime, this cottage garden classic is one of the best natural sources of scent for your home. on rainy days, when indoor airers are the only option, sweetly scent clothing and kitchen linens with ribbon-tied bunches hanging alongside. you could also pop a little lavender plant on your bedside table to encourage a good night’s sleep.

feature tara King photographs (frEshEn thE air) craig wall, ti-mEdiacontEnt.com

3 of t he be st

1

2

3

1 . Inspired by the healing power of plants. Geranium pillar candle, £12.75, St Eval Candle Company 2. Designed with positivity in mind. Happiness candle, £45, Neom 3. Once the candle is done, reuse the jar. Lime, basil and mandarin kitchen candle, £20, Beefayre country homEs & intEriors

91

Similar utility room by Gunter & Co, from £10,000. cabinets painted in Hague Blue estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

Boost the sense of space

Pretty & practical

utility rooms 92

CoUNtry HomeS & INterIorS

Utility rooms are often crammed into small spaces, but your choice of surfaces and colours can help disguise awkward or unattractive features. ‘In this 16th-century cottage, we painted the walls white to make the most of the light from the small window,’ says Irene Gunter, director of Gunter & Co. Painting the sloped ceiling in the same shade as the walls is a wellestablished heightening trick.

Utility room ideas

add an island ‘Utility rooms are your kitchen’s helpful neighbour, and deserve the same level of design and detail as the star of the show,’ says Ami Sayers, kitchen designer at Neptune. An island can prove just as useful in a utility room as in a kitchen, acting as a handy surface for sorting washing or folding dry laundry, and providing helpful storage underneath.

And, as utility rooms usually tend to be used by only one person at a time, you don’t need quite as much space around the perimeter as you would do in a kitchen – 80-90cm is perfectly adequate.

Chichester units in Snow, with bespoke painted island, from £10,000; Byron large pendants in White, £150 each, all Neptune

Classic English utility room, from £10,000, deVOL. Terracotta tiles, £36sq m, Floors of Stone

A room for gArdeners A utility room with garden access provides a sheltered spot for nurturing seedlings and potting up. ‘Invest in a large sink with strong taps and space to fill a watering can,’ says Helen Parker of deVOL. ‘We recommend simple shelving, so everything is easy to store and get to without having to open cupboard doors with dirty hands.

There’s no need for ornamentation in a utility, unless it’s authentic. Baskets, watering cans and pots can double as decoration, but keep them in use.’

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COUnTry HOMeS & InTerIOrS

utility room ideAs

Utility room with units from The English Joinery Company, designed by Dunning & Everard, from £3,000. Cotswold baskets are similar, £31 each, The Holding Company

smArt storAge Baskets and hampers are ideal for stowing away cleaning products, picnic blankets and winter coats. Select baskets for both strength and design – rustic materials such as rattan and wicker are robust and add natural charm.

Use lined baskets for storing fabrics that might easily snag. If they will rest on shelves above shoulder height – like these utilitarian slatted shelves with gallows brackets – don’t overload the baskets. Stash heavy items more safely in floorstanding containers, such as a large hamper or blanket box.

Flannel Grey composite quartz worktop, from £400sq m, Caesarstone. washing machine, £649; tumble dryer, £549, both Smeg.

Design, Norsu Interiors

double up with A wC Sharing your downstairs loo with laundry appliances might not sound ideal, but if it means getting the washing machine out of your kitchen, or not having to send guests upstairs, it’s worth doubling up. Make sure there’s a clear walkway to the loo rather than an obstacle course of laundry and ironing. Do allow enough leg room for comfortable use of the loo – at least 70cm clearance in front.

And don’t forget to pop a blind or obscure glass on the window (opaque film is great for quick-fit privacy) and a lock on the door.

COUnTry HOMeS & InTerIOrS

95

utility room iDEas

Harwood units in Anthracite, Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection. Similar utility room, from £1,400 (cabinetry only)

Similar utility room by The Main Company, from £10,000

Ditch thE Door When your utility room looks this good, it would be a shame to shut it away. Door-free utility rooms are big news in open-plan living area, with free-and-easy access between spaces the key to efficient use. Use the same cabinetry, flooring and paint colours as the kitchen to achieve a seamless decorative flow, and ensure your utility doesn’t let the side down. Choose laundry appliances that promise quiet operation – look for the ‘Quiet Mark’ to stop dinner conversation or movie night being drowned out by the spin cycle.

carvE out nEw spacE A utility area can work beautifully in the most unlikely of areas, like this corridor that links a kitchen and garage. ‘In a narrow space, consider having all your cabinetry on one side, to help with the flow of the room. It will also leave room for additional storage such as benches, coat hooks or shoe racks,’ says Alex Main, director of The Main Company.

Also consider the back of a garage or understairs cupboard. If laundry is the room’s main purpose, an upstairs location will put your clothes closer to their end destination.

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Design by Richard Parr.

Bespoke cabinets painted in Arsenic estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

EmbracE colour ‘The utility room is often neglected on the decorating schedule but actually it’s one of your home’s most hard-working spaces and shouldn’t be overlooked,’ says architectural and interior designer Richard Parr.

‘Decorate in a way that makes you want to keep it looking lovely and enjoy spending time in there.

Alongside really considered storage, where everything has its rightful place, use a flash of colour to lift the space, and accessories to add interest – in this case, a bespoke laundry rail.’

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Similar utility room

by Humphrey Munson, around £35,000

‘Ease of use and accessible storage are key when designing a utility room,’ says Peter Humphrey, director of Humphrey Munson.

This Classic oak ladder clips onto a secure rail, providing safe access to the upper cupboards. ‘By raising the height of the washing machine and dryer, there’s less reaching down, making wash day less of a chore. This utility room also has the luxury of a drying cupboard, which is thermostatically controlled and allows high volumes of laundry to be dried out of the way.’

Make it personal

Similar utility room

by The Secret Drawer, from £13,000

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Every household has different needs, so it’s important to zone your utility storage according to size and use. In this home, the owners requested one tall cabinet to house the ironing board, mop and bucket, and another to handle shoe racks and coat rails to take the pressure off the hall. ‘For a busy family like this one, good-size laundry bins are a must. They pull out on softclosing runners for ease of use and feature personalised lettering,’ says Emily Wallbank, senior furniture designer, The Secret Drawer.

FeatUre LInDA CLAyTon pHotoGrapHs (DEVoL) MALCoLM MEnZIES; (DunnIng & EVErArD) DAVID PArMITEr; (norSu InTErIorS) LISA CoHEn; (THE SECrET DrAWEr) nICHoLAS yArSLEy

access all areas

Utility rooM ideas

Hide away appliances Bespoke cabinetry will allow you to conceal your utility room’s functional side to achieve a sleek, streamlined space. Stashing away laundry appliances is an attractive proposition if the space leads directly off a kitchen or hall – out of sight isn’t a bad thing where chores are concerned! Stack the washer and dryer in one unit, and include a slimline cabinet alongside for the ironing board and/or mops and brushes.

Bespoke cabinetry

by Naked Kitchens, from £7,000. Build and interior design by Fleur

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Summer Swing

Choose the best…

Me-tiMe SeAtiNG

And relax… Grab a cushion to cuddle, plus your favourite read and while away the hours softly swinging backwards and forwards in hazy bliss.

Handmade denim hammock swing seat, H135xW100xD70cm, £135, Ella James

Take Some Time ouT and unwind in STyliSh comforT in your pick of TheSe updaTed deSign claSSicS and luxury loungerS, made for Solo SunShine reclining…

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FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE

rock wiThouT The roll Say a fond hello to a classic favourite with a modern update. This handmade rocker features bamboo armrests and runners, and is available in a variety of coloured powder-coated metal finishes to suit all tastes and spaces.

Garden rocking sunlounger in Grey/White, H91.5xL99.5xW64cm, £595, Out There Interiors

reTro Shape Refresh your outside space with this curvy fashionista, handwoven in plastic wire for nestle-in pleasure.

Jambi natural woven occasional chair with Green frame, H83x W99xD84cm, £195, Habitat

for added peacefulneSS, go ❝ for a rocking chair and leT The genTle back-and-forTh moTion SooThe your STreSSeS away

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SeaSide SereniTy Combining comfort with traditional English and simplistic Scandi design, this distinctive pew is made from high quality FSC-certified eucalyptus.

St Ives rope garden armchair with cushions, H78xW70xD80cm, £360, John Lewis & Partners

STripeS of STyle Inject some linear pattern and colour to complement your carnivalesque flowerbeds with this striking piece complete with removable cushions.

Palm Springs gunmetal chair in Aqua, H70xW75xD69cm, £250, Lisa Vandy at Raj Tent Club

eco baSe Recline with a cooling tipple and watch the clouds go by on this gorgeously rustic garden update – it will naturally blend into any outdoor scheme.

Bamboo sunlounger, H30xW70xL200cm, £270, The Forest & Co COunTRy HOmES & InTERIORS

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FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE

Hang-out witH nature Hide away from everyday stresses and enjoy a leisurely afternoon nap in this suspended cocoon. Made from a highquality cotton blend, it’s UV-, mould- and water-resistant, and comes with an easily removable elegant canopy so that you can swiftly flip between sun and shade.

Hanging bell tent, H250xW275x D275cm, £950, Cox & Cox

iF you’re ❝ prone to get

sleepy in tHe sun, go For a reclinable lounger tHat you can Have uprigHt to read and tHen Flatten to snooze

timeless luxury The perfect balance of comfort, traditional style and durable longevity, this hardy teak chair features integrated wheels for easy movement. It can be adjusted to five positions so that you can tailor your lounging style to suit your mood, and swivel yourself around so you’re always in the sun (or the shade).

Lodge sunlounger with waterproof cushion, H60xW75x D200cm, £1,299, Bridgman

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Fancy pants!

Reminiscent of Danish midcentury designs, you would think that this modern muse is too smart for outdoor use; however, the tufted, weatherresistant cushions and stainless steel-capped teak frame make it suitable for both interior and exterior environments.

Haverhill chair in Navy, H80x W63.5cm, £898, Anthropologie

Sail the seven seas from the comfort of your decking with this delightfully quirky fold-up.

Its beautifully illustrated seascape is sure to bring back happy memories of coastal family holidays gone by.

Ship in a bottle deckchair, H132cm, £145, Thornback & Peel 102

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FEATURE HoLLy PHILLIPS

sHip-sHape sling Fling

The one-stop edit of the best modern style and design ideas.

Stylish

shower fittings Shower with curved pipe and classic rose in nickel finish, £2,700, Drummonds

Strong Statement Whether matt, polished or brushed, metal fixtures are a popular choice.

The Dalby shower from Drummonds is available in nine different finishes, including unlacquered brass that weathers over time for a naturally antiqued finish – perfect for rustic schemes. The oversized rose (300mm) on a curved arm adds a touch of drama, but a 200mm version is also available.

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York concealed dual-function shower system, £625, Laura Ashley Bathroom Collection

room elementS

multiple choice Combine the classic simplicity of a fixed shower rose with the practicality of a separate hand shower, complete with flexible riser. This allows you to direct the water exactly where you want it – ideal for rinsing and hair washing. A concealed shower valve allows the majority of the pipework to be hidden behind the tiles for a neat look.

Inigo showerhead, controls and hand shower, £8,997, West One Bathrooms

Sleek and diScreet Delivering a clean, minimal look, a compact showerhead and concealed pipework suits bijou bathrooms and en suites. Despite its petite proportions, air induction technology in the Inigo showerhead makes water drop softly for a relaxing drenching sensation. Its two-valve configuration allows you to use the overhead and hand shower at the same time.

Side Show In a tight space, a practical solution is to fit a shower to the side of the bath, particularly if it’s not often used. ‘The key to a cohesive scheme is to coordinate the fitting with the room,’ says Sonia Pash of Temza. ‘Here, polished silver nickel and white porcelain taps complement the Regency-style decor.’

Our expert says…

FoR A TouCH oF luxuRy, ❝ CHooSe A SHoWeR FITTIng WITH mulTIPle SPRAy oPTIonS So you CAn SWITCH To RAInFAll, PulSe oR JeT tara King, content Style editor

❞

Similar shower fittings from Perrin & Rowe

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room elementS

curtain call ‘if you’re lucky enough to own a freestanding bath, make it the focal point of the bathroom with this traditional-style exposed shower system and all-round curtain rail for added wow-factor’, says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs. ‘it’s shown here in chrome, or you can choose from two new finishes – brass and gold – depending on your scheme.’

Verse dual-function shower system with fixed head and riser rail, £585, Roper Rhodes

Victorian triple-valve shower and bath spout filler, £810; oval shower curtain ring, £450, both BC Designs

3 of t he B eSt Transform your morning wake-up routine with these luxurious designs

feature TARA King

rainy dayS

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1. Enjoy the total coverage of a 50x50cm surface. Raindream showerhead in polished stainless steel, £600, Roca 2 . Water-powered LED lights cycle through different colours for a de-stressing atmosphere. Premier LED fixed showerhead, £129.95, Victorian Plumbing 3 . A soft bulb creates a relaxing glow, while the wide rim has a soothing rainfall effect. AXOR Nendo 1 jet wall-mounted showerhead with lamp, £1,790, CP Hart CounTRy HoMES & inTERioRS

For a boutique hotel-style atmosphere, a shower that creates the sensation of summer rain is the ultimate indulgence. Despite its drenching appeal, this sleek design features Air Drive water-saving technology. it also has the option of a concealed valve, which can be placed away from the shower for a streamlined look – particularly useful if you’re limited on space.

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Need to know...

Our experT says…

A SHoWERHEAD WiTH RuBBER nozzLES iS DESignED FoR EASy CLEAning – uSEFuL iF you LivE in A HARD-WATER AREA, WHERE LiMESCALE CAn BuiLD up quiCKLy

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Tara King, content Style editor

new fittings ■ Simple fix Replacing just your showerhead is a quick and easy way to transform your bathroom.

Fixed-ceiling options are better suited to small spaces, as the water flows straight down. A wallmounted design is preferable if your ceilings are low. Don’t forget to include the price of the mounting arm – it’s an essential, but usually sold separately.

■ preSSure point Many older homes still run on gravity-fuelled systems with low water pressure, which can rule out certain fittings. Discuss your options with your plumber – can you switch to a mains pressure system or add a pump? Also check your water tank’s capacity compared with the shower’s flow rates.

■ think eco Water-saving shower fittings reduce consumption without limiting pressure. Some restrict water flow by injecting air into the stream, or pulsing the flow, which is undetectable but still saves water.

■ Go diGital Modern technology lets you operate your shower remotely. A control panel in the bathroom communicates with the power unit in the loft or airing cupboard. This adjusts temperature and flow, so no need for a valve to be plumbed into the bathroom wall.

■ luxe it up Luxurious effects turn a shower into a fabulous boutique hotel experience. Hydrotherapy showers feature nozzles that jet water from many directions to give a massage-like feel. There’s also the option of added extras, such as changeable lighting (powered by the water flow, so there’s no wasted energy), steam settings and built-in speakers.

Haus Minimalist exposed shower in Matt Black, £3,936.98, Fired Earth

Black Beauty For a modern twist on country style, swap chrome for an on-trend matt-black finish.

Crafted from the highest quality brass, Fired Earth’s Haus range has a distinctive industrial feel; subtle detailing on the exposed fitting complements period features, yet stands out beautifully against a muted tiled backdrop.

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

Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro

Classical Spain - Seville, Córdoba and Granada

Selected departures up to October 2019 8 days’ half-board from only £899pp.

Price includes: Guided tour of Dubrovnik the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ Visit to Krka National Park and its series of stunning waterfalls and lakes Visit to Mostar, with its iconic bridge Tour of beautiful, unspoilt Montenegro with visits to the UNESCO-listed towns of Perast and Kotor Guided tour of Split including entrance to Emperor Diocletian’s monumental palace Visit to medieval Trogir, one of Dalmatia’s most seductive old ports Explore the Dalmatian coastline, studded with perfectly preserved Venetian-influenced villages Return flights from the UK Seven nights’ fourstar hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager

Selected departures up to November 2019.

7 days from only £689pp.

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

South Africa

Vietnam & Cambodia

Selected departures from July 2019 to November 2020.

16 days from only £2,299pp.

Price includes: Tour the legendary Zulu War battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift with a specialist guide Full-day safari in Kruger National Park Stay in the heart of Western Cape’s Winelands, enjoying a cellar tour and tasting Stay three nights in cosmopolitan Cape Town Explore legendary Cape of Good Hope and Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Visit Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum Gaze at the Blyde River canyon Visit Hermanus for on-shore whale watching, dependent on season Enjoy a scenic drive through Swaziland Take an internal flight to the stunning Garden Route Return flights from the UK, plus all hotel transfers Stay in hand-picked four-star and three-star hotels with daily breakfast, two lunches and three dinners The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Selected departures up to November 2020.

16 days from only £2,159pp.

Price includes: A fascinating tour visiting all the major sights of Vietnam and Cambodia, French colonial history, local cultures and beautiful rural scenery Stay and tour Phnom Penh Visit the vast, ancient city and temples of Cambodia’s Angkor Tour of Vietnam’s beautiful capital Hanoi by cycle rickshaw Take a cruise aboard a converted Chinese junk in Halong Bay Visit the awe-inspiring Citadel and Forbidden City in Hue Stay in the heart of exciting Saigon visiting the fascinating Cu-Chi tunnels Enjoy a full-day trip on the mighty Mekong River delta Return flights from the UK, plus all hotel transfers Premium economy flight upgrades available at a supplement Four and five-star hotel accommodation with daily breakfast, plus five meals The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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

Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd. ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by TI Media Limited.

Prices correct at time of going to print.

HOME TECH

Choose the best...

MULTI-TASKING DIGITAL RADIOS Top tech plus pretty print.

VQ Monty Winter Camelia DAB radio and Bluetooth speaker, £99.99, Joules

best for THE DESIGN SAVVY R1 Deluxe Bluetooth DAB/DAB+ radio (H17xW13xD13.5cm), £219.99, Ruark Audio Available in black or white lacquer, plum, saffron (right) or rich walnut veneer surrounds, with a clear and bright OLED screen, the R1 Deluxe’s timeless design is paired with intuitive controls. It has 20 station presets (10 DAB, 10 FM) and doubles as an alarm clock and speaker (via Bluetooth). There’s a smartphone USB port and you can go wireless with the rechargeable Backpack II (£59.99).

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI

best for PORTABILITY

n BLUETOOTH SPEAKER With the audio capability already built in, it’s not a big stretch to expect your radio to act as a speaker, too. Most have Bluetooth connections so you can wirelessly play downloaded music, or stream from a digital music service such as Spotify or Amazon Music via a smartphone, tablet or laptop. n ALARMS Alarm clocks and radios are a match made in heaven. Many feature multiple alarms with either a beeping tone or the radio to wake you; others also have a timer function – perfect for use in a kitchen. n PHONE CHARGING Anyone who lives in a busy home knows that there are never enough places to charge your phone. Most of the latest radios reflect that need with added USB ports for wired smartphone charging, while others feature QI wireless charging, too. n PORTABILITY Some radios come with a built-in power pack, or have one as an optional extra and others are mains powered. This may not be a big concern, but built-in power allows you to move from room to room without missing parts of your favourite show, and allows you to listen to music outdoors.

JBL Tuner (H6.6xW16.5xD6.6cm) in Black, £89.99, JBL With a built-in battery pack, the Tuner is the perfect on-the-go radio. In the garden or picnicking in the park, you can choose from the FM, DAB/DAB+ radio stations (with five presets each), or turn it into a speaker by streaming music to the Bluetooth audio receiver. It takes 3.5 hours to charge fully, with the battery lasting eight hours on constant play. Available in black or white, with a backlit LCD screen that lists the radio stations (and songs playing) clearly. It’s water resistant, too.

best for BEDSIDE LISTENING Siesta Charge in Polar, £129.99, Pure An alarm clock/radio hybrid, the Siesta Charge also doubles as a QI charging pad, so it can wirelessly charge your phone as you sleep (for phones without QI technology, there’s a USB port on the back for wired charging). Available in Polar and Graphite, it plays FM, DAB/DAB+ and boasts 40 station presets. It also works as a Bluetooth speaker and there’s a headphone socket for private listening. You can set up to three alarms (for different days) and the LCD display won’t keep you awake, thanks to the auto-dimming function.

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country homes & interiors pa r t n e r s h i p

Buy art online

Lush bLooms and soaring birds take centre stage in artist aLexandra gaLLagher’s decorative works, avaiLabLe at runway-gaLLery.com

tell us about your background in art. I started out as a portrait artist but, 10 years ago, I began exploring other styles. I had small children — my daughter was only about two or three — and I started taking photos of her and making collages from them. Recently, I’ve developed the Birds with Birds series, which grew out of a wedding present commission. I was asked to create a piece for a friend, but then the creative process seemed to click, and I wanted to take it further. how would you describe your style? I love rich colours and vibrant, exotic motifs. I work digitally, arranging an intricate mix of photos and vintage images, then 110

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moving them around intuitively until I arrive at an image that feels right. I never plan a piece – when I do, it doesn’t work! I’ll try a bit of this, a bit of that and, all of a sudden, it starts to tell a story.

The next stage in the process is to take the rough image and transfer it onto a canvas. I square it up and sketch it out. If it’s a mixed-media piece, I’ll get certain elements of the image printed and paint in all the other details, usually with oil paints.

Where do you look for inspiration? I love design and fashion and I think that’s why my pieces attract interior designers.

But I’m also interested in women’s experiences of growing up in Western society – the good and the bad. Part of it is my own history, but I don’t want to be one of those artists who puts their whole life story up there. The painter Jenny Saville is a creative influence. Her works are very empowering in the way they present the female form. how would you display your works in a country home?

Although I love colour, my palette

is quiet elegant and subdued, which works well in a period property. The paintings are lush and decorative, and would provide such a beautiful focal point above a fireplace or in a bedroom. alexandra Gallagher’s work is available to purchase from runway-gallery.com

Next moN t h Discover the shimmering, sensual artworks of Louise Dear, who counts Rick Stein and Sir Elton John among her famous fans.

Blue Birds, £250; Flamingo Flowers, £250, BoTH AlexAndRA GAllAGHeR

Alexandra Gallagher is part of the Runway Gallery, an online showcase of contemporary art.

From her home in Lancashire, she combines oil paints and digital printing to create exotic, decorative works. Here, she tells us about the inspiration for her latest series, the exuberant and surreal Birds with Birds.

k i tc h e n p R oj e ct

The Reeves initially had three pendant lights, but when the butcher’s block was added to the end of the island, they hung an extra one for balance

PROJECT PROFILE Owners Paul and Sue Reeve live here with their three pugs, Murphy, Maddie and Minnie.

House A four-bed, detached,

Colourful cooksÕ

Kitchen

A clever lAyout meAns two is never A crowd in the colourful new kitchen of pAssionAte cooks, pAul And sue reeve

stone-built property on the outskirts of Peterborough.

Project By reconfiguring the downstairs layout and adding an extension, ample space has been created for cooking, dining, relaxing and entertaining – inside and out.

Kitchen size 10x8m Designer Sue Crewe, Howarth at Home.

Cabinetry The Helmsley range, painted in French Grey and Chalk White, Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection.

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When cooking together at the island, Paul and Sue can interact with guests in all directions – towards the seating area and dining space and out to the garden

The island is flanked by a wine rack on one side and a wine cooler on the other

V

iewing his future home for the first time, Paul Reeve was struck by the two lime trees at the double-gated entrance. ‘It had the most amazing kerb appeal – I was sold before we even stepped inside,’ he says. Built in 1984 by a local master stonemason, using material salvaged from a nearby barn, the house offered both modern comforts and traditional charm. ‘The look is almost Jacobean, but the structure is new, with benefits you don’t automatically get from period homes, like double glazing and central heating,’ says Paul.

Unfortunately, while the decor was nice enough, the interior lost points in terms of space and flow. For Paul and Sue, who love to entertain at home, the small kitchen and separate formal dining room just didn’t work, but it was the orangery that eventually set major renovation plans in motion. ‘You couldn’t get to it from the kitchen or dining room, and you had to trek right through the house to enjoy the garden views,’ he says.

The solution involved the removal of several internal walls and the addition of a small extension. ‘We ended up with one, much larger L-shaped room. Crucially, the 112

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kitchen was at its heart,’ says Paul. ‘We thought we wanted a bespoke kitchen but when we popped into our local builders’ merchants and met in-house kitchen designer Sue Crewe, we were blown away by her spatial planning skills. She showed us we could get everything we wanted using cabinets from a set range.’

By far the biggest challenge was deciding exactly how to arrange the newly achieved space to ensure Paul and Sue could cook together, without getting under each other’s feet. With the designer’s help, the couple settled on a long island unit, stretching nearly four metres, with a separate butcher’s block at one end.

The usual advice is to allow a one-metre-wide walkway between an island and perimeter units or walls to ensure smooth traffic flow. ‘We increased the distance to 1.2m wide, which may not sound significant but it meant we could pass each other with ease,’ says Paul.

They also went off-piste with their colour palette. ‘Most of the options these days tend to be very neutral but we wanted a bit of colour. The blue shade feels fresh and uplifting,’ says Paul, who can now happily say that the inside of his home more than lives up to the outside.

K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT

Bow-fronted end units provide a softer look than standard fronts

We’ve improved ❝the floW of the

house dramatically – particularly the connection betWeen kitchen and garden

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RAnge

Dining AReA

SeATing AReA

the layout The newly created room is an L-shape, with the kitchen and sofa area in the longest run, overlooking the half-acre of garden. The dining area is in the shortest run, with the pantry and fridge freezer located next to the dining table, making it easy to gather breakfast foods. There is a separate utility for storing bigger cleaning kit, such as the mop, vacuum, ironing board and clothes airer.

Having grown up with an Aga, Paul loves the comforting ambient heat it provides

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colourful cooks’ kitchen

3

clever design solutions

A pale finish helps the door frames blend into the antique stonework

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1

BiFOld dOORs

Unlike sliding or French doors, bifold designs stack neatly out of the way for easy, open access to the garden – perfect for entertaining alfresco in summertime.

Aim to have as few doors as possible for uninterrupted views when the doors are closed. If everyday access is required, make sure there is a single lead door that can be opened without having to slide and stack the whole set.

Finish with floor-length curtains to make it cosy in the winter.

K I TC H E N P R Oj E CT

The deTails CABINETRY Helmsley kitchen, painted in French Grey and Chalk White, £18,000 (units only), Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection supplied by Howarth at Home.

SURFACES Worktops and splashback in Carrara Venato composite quartz, from £600sq m, Konigstone, supplied and installed

by Midland Stone Centre. Aged oak porcelain floor tiles, £45sq m, Floors of Stone. Josette Seaspray wallpaper, £34 a roll, Laura Ashley.

APPLIANCES Five-oven Aga Total Control in black with induction, from £13,825, Aga Living. SMV68MD02G dishwasher, £639; HBC84H501B compact combi-microwave oven, £449, both Appliance City. Neff D5855X1GB N30 cooker hood, £266; Nespresso CitiZ and milk coffee machine in black, £179, both John Lewis & Partners. Wi3121 under-counter wine cabinet, £299, Caple.

SINKS & TAPS 4776 Alsace four-hole sink mixer with lever handles and rinse in polished nickel, £766, Perrin & Rowe. Iron/Tones inset/undermount sink, £1,202, Kohler.

ACCESSORIES Bosse bar stools, £30 each, Ikea.

Hepburn Mark II DAB radio in Little Vines, £149.99, My VQ. Croft Collection Clyde brass trim ceiling pendant lights, £130 each, John Lewis & Partners. Curtain made in Austen Off White linen, £26m, Laura Ashley supplied by J&S Interiors.

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS SHAW

A wide drawer keeps Paul’s favourite chef’s knives close to hand

2

BUTCheR’s BlOCK

3

WallPaPeRed sPlashBaCK

Paul can often be found prepping ingredients at this chunky end-grain chopping block that tucks neatly onto the end of the island. End-grain surfaces are made by cutting the timber into blocks and gluing them together with the end grain pointing upwards.

During cutting, the fibres absorb the impact of the knife blade, so the surface is much more durable than horizontal blocks. ‘We like the way it breaks up the long island unit, bringing in a freestanding element and giving the kitchen a relaxed feel,’ says Paul.

While wallpaper is never going to be as easy to clean as tiles, you will avoid the issue of grubby grout and it’s a great way to introduce pattern. Best of all, if you fancy a change, replacing wallpaper is far simpler than retiling. Here, the worktops are extra-deep, which gives the wallpaper a little more protection from splashes. The Reeves also chose a washable design that’s suitable for well-ventilated kitchens and bathrooms. For added peace of mind, you could finish it off with a coat of Polyvine Decorators Varnish.

The Reeves colour-matched the wallpaper to the cabinetry

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a delicate jungle Humming with creativity and wildlife, Jean Jackman’s one-acre woodland garden on the edge of the South Downs is full of vintage style and self-seeded plants

weSt SuSSex gARden

A decorative metal gate made by Jean’s husband Steve is framed by grasses and herbaceous perennials Country Homes & InterIors

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A pair of standard olive trees frames a path flanked by self-seeded Erigeron karvinskianus, acer, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, crocosmias and bamboo

F At home with.. .

Owners Jean and Steve Jackman, cats Boots and Brin who appeared out of the shrubbery one day, and four hens.

House Built around 1930, designed by Reginald Fairfax Wells, aero-engineer and potter as well as architect/developer, in the Arts and Crafts style.

Originally thatched.

Garden features One acre of sticky acidic clay soil.

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COuNTry HOMeS & INTerIOrS

ew of us expect to read an account of our gardens written by a previous owner so when Jean and Steve Jackman bought Five Oaks Cottage near Petworth in West Sussex, they were excited to discover that Mabel Constanduros, actress, playwright and radio celebrity of the 1940s had described living there in her memoir Shreds and Patches. ‘She talks about “pale pink sweet-smelling violets”, and “primroses on the banks under the nut trees”,’ says Jean. The violets still glow bright in the dusk and the primroses self-seed wherever they will.

What Jean now describes as ‘an acre of delicate jungle’, full of playful charm, unusual plants and striking gardenalia, was far from magical when the couple first viewed it in 1993: ‘It was sterile, with just a few shrubs including two electric-blue hydrangeas, coloured by the acid soil,’ says Jean. ‘However, it did have the five wonderful oaks that give the house its name.’ Though they both liked the way the garden wrapped right around the house, Jean felt it might be too shady to grow plants well. ‘Nowadays I love the shade,’ she says.

Jean was working as a plant buyer at a garden centre when she and Steve moved in, bringing her collection of unusual shrubs. Their first project was a fenced vegetable patch. ‘We love to grow salads and vegetables and knew the local deer were going to be a challenge. Now the garden is mature they do far less damage and I like hearing them snorting and rutting in the valley in autumn,’ says Jean. ‘My aim was to make a garden for wildlife and to divide it into differently styled areas. I originally wanted colour-themed areas but I’m not disciplined enough, and the natural evolution through self-seeding fascinates me so I don’t like to be too controlling.’

Areas were gradually shaped and planted, incorporating plenty of places to sit and enjoy the space. When she was made >

west sussex gARden

We love the ❝ Wildlife sounds around us: taWny oWls hooting at night, the deer in the valley and myriad toads in february

❞

COuNTry HOMeS & INTerIOrS

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Rusty old tools, like spanners and wrenches, get a new lease of life made into decorative gates

redundant, Jean began her own nursery, specialising in insectattracting wild flowers and plants. ‘The raised beds outside the back door are remnants of the nursery that I filled with rubbly soil when I stopped selling. I use them for things that need good drainage and don’t like the sticky acid clay we have elsewhere.’

Silver- and grey-leaved plants thrive here, as does the intoxicatingly fragrant Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’.

About 15 years ago, Jean and Steve started to leave some areas of the lawn uncut to encourage wildlife. These buzz with activity in July as bees, hoverflies and butterflies feast on the knapweed and common hogweed now flourishing in the resulting meadow. From the house, the long grass and wild flowers stand out against a dark, gently undulating, woven hazel hedge that echoes the form of the South Downs beyond.

Influenced by Ivan Hicks’ Garden in Mind in Hampshire, and Keith Wiley, former head gardener at the Garden House in Devon, Jean likes to clear the lower stems and branches of shrubs and trees to emphasise shapes or to lift their canopies. Black-stemmed bamboo Phyllostachys nigra and golden P. vivax ‘Aureocaulis’ have lower side shoots removed, revealing smooth, gleaming culms.

Jean’s favourite garden is Sarah Raven’s at Perch Hill in East Sussex: ‘I love the way she uses colour and can surprise you with a bright pink seat, or green flowers, or a fantastic display of gourds in the greenhouse. It’s so imaginative and a visit always inspires me to go home and review my own garden with fresh enthusiasm.’

Five Oaks Cottage is not short of imaginative touches, too, like the gates and fences made by Steve, using vintage garden > 120

COunTRy HOMES & InTERIORS

CH&I lovesÉ salvaged materials All sorts of materials usually seen as rubbish can be used to create texture and interest outdoors. The only limit is your imagination…

• Choose materials with patina: old terracotta or pottery, rusty metal, shells, driftwood or empty bottles.

• Use redundant containers as planters: old airbricks or terracotta pipes for succulents; large olive oil cans filled with herbs.

• Create patterns or simple images on blank walls with pieces of metal, pebbles or bits of stone.

• Fill a metal bowl with pretty broken china; string a coil of metal with holed pebbles, or attach pieces of coloured glass and hang it from a tree.

• Old tools look striking tied to a simple chicken-wire fence or gate.

• Use old wooden stepladders, or an old wooden shelving unit on a wall, to display pots of succulents or small bulbs at eye level.

• Use repetition: bigger groups of similar things are always more effective than just one or two.

weST SuSSex gaRden

Teasels, white agapanthus and Stipa gigantea at the base of a eucalyptus

❝ ❞

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The purple of the parasol picks up the tone of the Lythrum salicaria

tools, or the galvanised drinkers and watering cans that create a still-life on a flat roof. Faces made from the rims of sieves and bits of wood bring a plain wall to life while Steve’s metal cut-outs of hens, cats and rabbits are fixed to fences and gates. even rusty old toys rescued from a vehicle the couple flagged down on its way to the tip are used as decorative props. Jean and Steve’s love of quirky things has now extended into their working lives.

The couple run the Floral Fringe Fair, an annual event which brings together specialist plant nurseries, wildlife stalls, local makers and artists, vintage style, live music and good food, held in June in the nearby village of amberley.

Jean revels in strangely scented plants like pink-flowered bedstraw, Phuopsis stylosa, which is supposed to smell of foxes, and Himalayan balsam, Impatiens glandulifera. ‘Its seed head has a strange incensey smell. I like the way it pops up in places that I wouldn’t have planted it, and it’s really valuable for bees in July and august’. She loves thistly plants like teasels, particularly the smallflowered Dipsacus pilosus, and umbellifers too, like angelicas, Ferula communis, and striking greeny-yellow Smyrnium perfoliatum.

Nowadays Jean sees herself as a steward of the garden, facilitating nature’s design and editing where necessary. ‘In spring I work hard taking out things growing in the wrong place.’ She is inspired by the philosophies of landscape designers such as american rick darke whose exhortation to ‘listen to the garden’ strikes a chord: ‘I think that’s what I’ve been doing all along.’

Five Oaks Cottage, near Petworth, West Sussex opens in aid of the National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) in July, by appointment.

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On Our dOOrstep…

Visit… Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre near Arundel (amberleymuseum.co.uk). A charming little museum with lots of unexpected interest including a collection of restored vintage buses, a pottery workshop and replica Thirties garage.

Go for a meal at…

St Martin’s Organic Coffee House, in Chichester (organiccoffeehouse. co.uk). A cosy café that serves delicious Welsh rarebit.

Shop… in Petworth. A pretty, historic small town full of independent traders. Lots of galleries, antiques and interiors shops, clothes shops, a great bakery, delicatessen and florist.

WEST SUSSEx GARDEN

1

2

3

Jean’s July picks 1 Angelica sylvestris, a biennial loved by bees and hoverflies in late summer.

2 Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, a clumpforming, stripy deciduous grass.

3 Erigeron annuus, or tall fleabane, produces hundreds of white daisy flowers from June into autumn.

4 Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’, a vigorous bamboo that can reach up to 8m.

5 Dipsacus laciniatus/cut-leaf teasel, with thistle-like flowerheads.

6 Chamanerion angustifolium ‘Album’/rosebay willowherb, with silky seeds in late summer.

7 Larix decidua ‘Pendula’, a weeping larch that turns gloriously golden in autumn.

FEATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHS carole drake

4

6

8 Saponaria officinalis ‘Rubra Plena’, a cottage-garden classic.

5

7

8

couNTry HomeS & INTerIorS

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Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd. ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by TI Media Limited.

Prices correct at time of going to print.

in a country garden

handmade carrier Galvanised garden tool trug, L33.5xW21xD13.5cm, £22.95, Sophie Conran

oriental shopper Apple farmer’s basket, H40xW38x D28cm, £125, Native & Co

cedarwood carpentry Adrian’s trug, H13xW50xD27cm, £36, Ryder & Hope

Kitchen garden trug, H11xW45 xD32cm, £24.99, Crocus

bateau basKet Ash and brass bateau, H24xW32xD26.5cm, £175, Jane Crisp at The Wonderful Garden Company

Pick up a pretty garden trug Did you know?

Feature HoLLY PHILLIPS/LAuRA VINDeN

oblong organisers Shallow trugs, largest H16xW54.5xD36.5cm, £60 for three, Amara

nested trio Flat wire trug nest, largest 41x28x30cm, £27 for three, Gisela Graham

gentle curves Cut flower trug, H23xW54x D27cm, £55, Claudia de Yong

TradiTionally made from benTwood wiTh a handle To TransporT vegeTables and flowers, These Timeless baskeTs are ideal for carrying cuT blooms and alloTmenT picks wiThouT crushing Them

sustainable artisan Mango wood whitewashed trug, H10.5xL46xW33cm, £50, Also Home

irresistibly english Lidney Sussex trug, H31xL57xW30cm, £78, Rowen & Wren

CouNTRY HoMeS & INTeRIoRS

125

Live Life Well

HealtH, Happiness, fasHion, travel, pets, pastimes and otHer tHings to make life lovely

WHat to pick, see & do Pick... strawberries, in season until mid-September Party… among the trees at Timber Festival in the National Forest, 5-7 July, from £20 (timberfestival.org.uk)

Don’t wash freshly picked strawberries until you’re ready to eat them – they’ll last much longer

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CouNTry HomeS & INTerIorS

See... a film on a farm for a country-style outdoor cinema experience. Visit filmonafarm.co.uk to find a screening near you Learn... floriography, the language of flowers, and create floral arrangements at Daylesford Farm, 10 July, £95 (daylesford.com)

live liFe well

Statement Style Sustainable fashion brand Thought takes inspiration from nature. These floral printed trousers are made from organic, breathable cotton – perfect for warm weather. Leolani floral print trousers, £54.90, Thought.

Botanical blends introducing neu oil, an aromatherapy brand founded on the belief that essential oils work wonders for mind, body and soul – not just for adults, but for babies, too. the neu baby range includes five plant-based blends (designed for use on delicate skin) that soothe, calm and protect – £17.50 each, or £49 for three.

Mindfulness on the Move Danish wellness company, PauseAble, has released an app, Sway (available to download on iOS, £2.99), that offers a new approach to movement meditation.

It uses your phone to track the rhythm of your movements and provides feedback to help you stay in the moment – move consistently and a soothing melody will play; interrupt the rhythm and you’ll get a notification urging you to refocus.

3 stylish ways to…

Cut back on single-use plastic 1 reuse what you already have upcycle everyday items into handy must-haves. try piercing the lid of a plastic milk bottle, penning on a botanical design and using it to water herbs.

2 shop in bulk buy your dry goods at low-waste stores, such as plastic Free pantry (plasticfreepantry.co.uk). Fill recycled glass jars and vintage tins for a stylish country kitchen shelf display.

3 invest in reusables ditch disposable plastic cutlery and straws in favour of wooden alternatives.

For more ideas for creating a sustainable home, read Selina Lake’s Natural Living Style (£19.99, Ryland Peters & Small).

On yOur bike Ethical homeware brand The Basket Room works with small craft collectives in Africa to create a range of decorative, handwoven bicycle baskets. Latest designs have been scaled down to fit children’s bikes and scooters. Featuring bold geometric patterns in shades of turquoise, coral and yellow, they cost £42 each.

CountRy HomeS & InteRIoRS

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3 of our favourite…

summer perfumes

Top serve Bring a touch of fun to tea breaks with London-based designer Georgia Bosson’s colourful new collection of trays. Made from sustainably sourced birch plywood and screenprinted using water-based inks, the bold geometric designs are inspired by her recent road trip through Mexico. Coyoacan medium round tray, £56, Georgia Bosson

Signature scents for sunny days

1 F lo RA l FAncy An all-natural blend of seasonal blooms including iris, rose and jasmine. Pink iris, £98 for 50ml, Abel

2 F EEli ng F RU i Ty This sweet fragrance has been designed in collaboration with the Royal horticultural Society. Electric Rhubarb, £58 for 50ml, Floral Street

3 S EA bREEz E

In the dog house More than just a bed, the new collection from cox & cox offers pets their very own little house-shaped retreat to sit, sleep or just relax in. crafted from rustic rattan, it comes with a cosy cushion inside, complete with removable and washable cover – handy after long muddy walks. Prices start at £175.

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cOuNTRy hOmes & INTeRIORs

Picture Perfect Simple, stylish and hard wearing, this camera bag has been designed with the modern photographer in mind. It’s the result of a beautiful collaboration between Rural Kind and The Future Kept. Roam camera bag, £169, The Future Kept

FEATURE TARA KING PhoTogRAPh (OpeNeR) AlAmy sTOcK phOTO

Fresh and crisp top notes are inspired by sun-kissed heathlands along the coast. laboratory Perfumes gorse, £65 for 100ml, Trouva

Live Life weLL

One of Britain’s biggest enigmas, Stonehenge is steeped in legend

My country passion

feATURe TARA KING PHOTOGRAPH ENGlIsh hERITAGE

Folklore and fairy tales I’ve always loved fairy tales. I was given a copy of Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales when I was around nine years old and I remember reading it from cover to cover, over and over again – Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, The Three Spinners… I loved them all. Throughout life, the magic of those tales has stayed with me.

Fleeting glimpses of what might just be a fairy in the woods, or a giant peering through the crevice in the rocks – for me, that’s what folklore is all about. Fairy tales, traditions and little superstitions, they strike a chord.

We share them with our children, so they pass down from generation to generation. Community is at the very heart of folklore and I love that.

Despite its grounding in the past, I find it fascinating how folklore is still

so relevant today. Older tales are being reworked to reflect modern ideals, with writers retelling tales to showcase stronger female characters that take action for themselves. It’s great to see how they can still resonate in today’s society.

I must admit, some of the more everyday old wives’ tales are my favourite. I try not to step on cracks in the pavement or walk under ladders, but I do draw the line at breaking the bottom of my eggshells to stop witches sailing off to sea!

What we know of early folklore is pieced together from old manuscripts and not all of these have survived.

But today, technology makes it so much easier to keep the stories alive.

I started chatting with fellow folklore enthusiast @WillowWinsham on

Twitter and we came up with the idea of creating a weekly hashtag, #FolkloreThursday, which people could use to find and share tales, traditions, superstitions and more from anywhere in the world.

I’d encourage anyone to join in – each week there are new posts to read on all sorts of interests, from nature and homemaking to witchcraft and legends, and you can add your own, too. It’s a really lovely way of connecting with the past.

Read this...

Discover some of Dee Dee’s favourite tales and myths in her book A Treasury of British Folklore (£12.99, National Trust) Country Homes & Interiors

129

7 night holidays from just

No tipp i requ ng ired

At last! Some good news on the horizon.

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LIVE LIFE WELL

The Lodge is an 18th-century rectory and has eight hotel rooms

A weekend AwAy At

Thyme

The Hollyhock room is set in its own secluded garden

A counTryside cookery school Turned chic coTswolds reTreAT

T

he go-to Gloucestershire bolthole for keen epicureans, Thyme started out as a cottage offering cookery classes but now better resembles a small village.

Over a number of years, the site has slowly reworked derelict historic buildings and discreetly added new ones all under the watchful eye of Caryn Hibbert, Thyme’s founder and creative director. Today the estate contains everything from a luxurious hotel and rustic spa, to a working farm, country pub and the cookery school, which is popular as ever.

ESCAPE IT ALL Most of the bedrooms can be found in The Lodge, a handsome building and quintessential example of Cotswolds

FEATURE PATriCk HAMiLTOn COurTnEy

The Ox Barn restaurant uses produce grown on the farm

stone architecture. There are three charmingly named room categories – Cosy, Elegant, and Divine – all of which are individually designed and have a vintage-glamour vibe. A scattered collection of outbuildings are available for larger bookings, the most expansive being The Tallet, a four-bedroom, open-plan living space with its own private courtyard.

Wherever you end up, you can expect treats such as roll-top baths, True Grace toiletries, fluffy towels and homemade biscuits.

COUNTRY GASTRONOMY The newest addition to Thyme is Ox Barn, a casual, contemporary dining room with low hanging beams and emerald-hued seating by Ochre.

Head chef Charlie Hibbert’s seasonal menu includes braised beef with pickled walnuts, winter tomatoes with ricotta, and a delectable vegetarian dish of pavéd potatoes with cime di rapa and wild garlic.

Elsewhere, the celebrated cookery school attracts both hotel guests and day visitors, offering accessible classes that focus on seasonal British produce – most of which comes from the kitchen gardens and farm. This July, courses include breadmaking, simple suppers, a south east Asian masterclass, and Andalusian cooking with tapas maestro José Pizarro.

OUT AND ABOUT When you’re not scoffing in Ox Barn or lounging in your suite, there’s plenty to explore.

The sage-green Meadow Spa boasts an outdoor pool with natural spring water and treatments by Aurelia Probiotic Skincare. Thirsts will be quenched at The Baa or local pub The Swan. And, of course, the Cotswolds are right on your doorstep.

HOW MUCH? Double rooms start from around £275 night.

Thyme, Southrop Manor Estate, Gloucestershire GL7 3NX, 01367 850174, thyme.co.uk.

While youÕre there...

EXPLORE A COTSWOLDS TOWN

VISIT THE HOME OF WILLIAM MORRIS

DINE AT THE ORIGINAL GASTROPUB

Eight miles away is the medieval town of Burford – known as the gateway to the Cotswolds, it’s a jumbled collection of old stone buildings and cobbled walkways.

Once the beloved country retreat of British textile designer William Morris, Kelmscott Manor displays some of the country’s finest decorative arts and furniture from his time.

For longer stays, venture to the sleepy market town of Northleach, home to The Wheatsheaf Inn. A good meal here is guaranteed – it’s known as the original gastropub.

COunTry HOMES & inTEriOrS

131

Smoked mackerel Scotch eggS >

Pack up a

picnic

CheCk the weather, grab a rug and fill a basket with summer’s freshest flavours 132

Country homes & interiors

good timeS, good food

minted Pea and Barley riSotto >

Country homes & interiors

133

Smoked mackerel Scotch eggS

minted Pea and Barley riSotto

Scotch eggs wrapped in sausagemeat are a pub classic –

We usually think of pearl barley in meaty casseroles but

here, the eggs are wrapped in a horseradish, parsley and potato mix speckled with smoked mackerel.

it can also be used like rice in risottos, with the plus that pearl barley has much more fibre than white risotto rice.

MakeS 4

ServeS 4

4 eggs

peeled and grated

15g butter

2 spring onions, thinly

115g smoked mackerel,

Zest and juice of ½ lemon

1tbsp vegetable oil

sliced

skinned 250g cooked mashed

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

150g onions, finely chopped

150g frozen broad beans

potato 25g fresh breadcrumbs

2tbsp plain flour 1 egg, beaten

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

3tbsp freshly chopped parsley

4tbsp chopped parsley 15g fresh horseradish,

60g fresh breadcrumbs 100ml vegetable oil

250g pearl barley 150ml white wine

3tbsp freshly chopped mint 50g rocket leaves

1L hot vegetable stock 350g frozen peas

100ml double cream Freshly grated Parmesan,

100g leek, thinly sliced

to serve (optional)

1 Add the eggs to a saucepan of water, bring to the boil, then simmer for 6min. Drain, crack the shells slightly and put the eggs back into cold water, before peeling away the shells. Set the eggs aside on a plate.

2 Flake the mackerel into small pieces with two forks, then add to a bowl with the potato, breadcrumbs, parsley, horseradish, lemon zest and juice and a little salt and pepper. Mix well.

3 Divide the potato mixture into four. Flatten one quarter of the mixture in the palm of your hand and place an egg on top. Gently press the mixture around the egg to cover completely, then pat the potato mixture into an even thickness.

Put back on the plate, cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge for 30min.

4 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Put the flour on a saucer, the egg in a cereal bowl and the breadcrumbs on a plate. Roll each egg first in the flour, then coat in the egg and then the breadcrumbs until completely covered.

5 Heat the oil in a deep frying pan, add the eggs and fry for 2-3min, gently rolling them in the hot oil with two forks, until lightly coloured and crisp all over. Lift the eggs out of the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a roasting tin. Bake in the oven for 2–3min until browned. Leave to cool on kitchen towel, then cut in half and serve with salad and a little mayonnaise.

COOK’S NOTE: This recipe is a good way to use up leftover mashed potato or the soft centres from baked potatoes.

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1 Heat the butter and oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and garlic and fry over a medium heat for 5min, stirring until softened.

2 Mix in the pearl barley, stir to coat in the buttery juices and cook for 2min. Pour in the wine and half the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30min, stirring from time to time and topping up with extra stock as needed, until the barley is tender and has absorbed most of the stock already added.

3 Defrost 150g of the peas in boiling water for a few minutes, then drain – or defrost in the microwave. Blend in a food processor to a coarse puree. Set aside.

4 Add the remaining peas, leeks, spring onions and broad beans to the risotto, top up with a little extra stock if needed, then cook for 3–4min until the vegetables are hot and tender. Stir in the puréed peas, chopped herbs, most of the rocket leaves and cream.

5 Adjust with a little extra stock if needed and cook for 2–3min until the rocket has just wilted and the risotto has a creamy texture. Taste and adjust the seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Spoon into bowls and top with the remaining rocket and grated Parmesan, if using.

COOK’S NOTE: Grow your own mint and parsley in pots on the windowsill or doorstep for an ever-ready supply of herbs. Even if you have a garden, mint is still best grown in a pot or a container sunk into the flower bed, so that it doesn’t become too invasive. >

good TiMeS, good Food

PePPer, ToMaTo and CheeSe QuiChe >

Cook’s note...

no sandwich tin? use the same size springform tin, pressing the sweet potato only two thirds of the way up the sides so the quiche is 4cm deep country homes & interiors

135

pepper, tomato and CheeSe QuiChe

Gluten-free CourGette, lemon and thyme SponGe

instead of same-old pastry, this classic quiche has a rosti-style sweet potato case that’s easy to make

Courgette and thyme might seem unusual in a cake, but the courgette adds moistness and the thyme

and gluten-free.

a summery fragrance.

serves 6–8

Cuts into 8 sliCes

For the quiche case: oil for greasing

cored, deseeded, roasted, skinned and chopped

285g gluten-free self-raising flour

For the candied courgette:

340g sweet potato, peeled and grated

70g spring onions, finely chopped

¾tsp gluten-free baking powder

55g/2oz caster sugar 1 lemon, grated zest

1 egg, beaten 50g Cheddar cheese,

170g cherry tomatoes, halved

¾tsp bicarbonate of soda ¾tsp xanthan gum

and juice 55g courgette, cut into

grated

4tbsp freshly chopped

250g soft margarine

matchstick strips

¼tsp dried chilli flakes salt and freshly ground

parsley 5 eggs

200g caster sugar 5 eggs

1tsp thyme leaves

pepper

1 lemon, grated zest and juice 225g courgette, coarsely

For the Filling:

For the Filling:

200ml milk 55ml double cream 100g Cheddar cheese,

70g butter or soft margarine

1 red pepper, halved,

grated

grated 2tbsp thyme leaves

100g icing sugar 2tbsp runny honey

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4.

Lightly brush base and sides of a loose-bottomed 23cm sandwich tin with a little oil. Put the sweet potato into a sieve and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Add to a bowl and mix in the egg, cheese, chilli flakes and a little salt and pepper.

2 Spoon the mixture into the oiled tin and press into an even layer over the base and up the sides with the back of a spoon. Keep a little mixture back and use to patch any holes after baking.

3 Bake tart case for about 15min until the potato is set and just beginning to crisp around the edges.

Check for holes and patch with reserved mixture.

4 Add the diced pepper to a bowl with the spring onions, tomatoes and parsley. Mix well. Add eggs, milk and cream to a separate bowl and whisk, then mix in the cheese and a little salt and pepper.

5 Add the pepper mix to the egg mix, stir well, then spoon into the tart case. Bake at 160°C/ Fan 140°C/Gas 3 for about 35min until the top is golden, with a slight wobble still in the centre.

6 Leave to cool in tin. Loosen tart edge with a palette knife and remove from tin. Cut into wedges, serve with new potatoes, coleslaw and a leafy salad.

Recipes taken from National Trust Comfort Food by Clive Goudercourt (£20, National Trust Books)

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1 Preheat oven to 160°C/Fan 140°C/Gas 3. Grease and line two 20cm loose-bottomed sandwich tins.

2 Add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and xanthan gum to a bowl and stir together.

3 Cream margarine and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and spooning in a little of the flour mix to stop the batter from separating.

4 Mix in the remaining flour, lemon zest and juice.

5 Pat courgettes dry with kitchen paper, then fold into the mixture with the thyme leaves. Divide mixture between the two tins, level the top. Bake for about 25min until well risen and golden, and a skewer comes out of the centre cleanly.

6 Leave to cool in the tins for 5min, then loosen the edge and turn out onto a cooling rack.

7 To make the candied courgette, line a baking sheet with non-stick paper. Add sugar and lemon juice to a saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Add the lemon zest, courgette and thyme and boil for 2min until softened and the mixture is syrupy. Spoon over the baking sheet, leave to cool.

8 Add all the filling ingredients to a mixer bowl or food processor and beat until light and fluffy. Remove the lining paper from the cakes.

9 Put one cake onto a serving plate, spread with the filling then top with the second cake and press together lightly. Spoon the candied courgettes on top. Cut into slices to serve.

photoGraphs nassima rothacKer

Good times, Good food

Gluten-free CourGette, lemon and thyme sponGe

Cook’s note...

iF you can Find lemon thyme, this will add an extra burst oF citrus Flavour country homes & interiors

137

Original Art & Limited Edition Prints

RUNWAY GALLERY

w w w . r u n w a y - g a l l e r y. c o m / c o u n t r y h o m e s a n d i n t e r i o r s in association with

Pictured: YumYum by Louise Dear, limited edition print, £1495

in A CoUnTRy KiTCHEn

COOKS’ newS

Eco on the go Say no to disposable cutlery by bringing your own. Cookut’s Bam Bam set (£24, Forma House) comes in an organic cotton bag and contains a knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks and even a toothbrush and toothpaste pot – all crafted from long-lasting, antibacterial and odour-resistant bamboo. Perfect to take travelling, to the office, or just to keep in your handbag ready for a spontaneous picnic.

FANCY A PIZZA THIS?

Time to invite friends and family over for the best alfresco get together you’ve ever hosted, with help from the Roccbox (£499, Gozney). The portable wood and gas-fired oven is just the thing for outdoor cooking and is able to reach up to 500°C. Although there’s a plethora of meals you can use the Roccbox for, like spatchcock chicken, vegetable medleys or flatbreads, it’s best for pizza, which it cooks in an incredible 60 seconds. Since the average Brit spends just shy of £10,000 on pizza throughout their lifetime, it might just be time to start delivering your own…

FEATURE tHeA BABInGton-stItt

BEE COVERED Trying to live a more sustainable life, but finding it hard to break away from the ever-present cling film and plastic zip-lock bags when it comes to food storage? Then Bee’s Wrap (from £19, Amara) is going to be your new best friend.

Made from organic cotton, sustainably harvested beeswax, organic jojoba oil and resin, this nifty wrap uses the warmth of your hands to create a seal around your food or container, which stays in shape as it cools. Plus, the cute designs are much prettier to look at than leftovers!

Bring on the bubbly Us Brits love a good gin in a tin, but this summer it’s time to upgrade to something a little more special with the UK’s first premium English sparkling wine in a can. Created by The Uncommon, a sustainable wine brand based in south London, the white and rosé options (from £4.99, Waitrose & Partners) are just the thing for festivals and beach trips.

The wine is also vegan and contains 80 per cent less sugar than Prosecco.

Country Homes & InterIors

139

Shopping directory

You’ll find all the companies in this month’s issue here

a

abeL abelodor.com abigaiL eDwarDs

86

07946 455277 abigailedwards.com aga LiVing agaliving.com aLso Home 01483 608611 alsohome.com amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com anna wrigHt 01315 571572 annawright.co.uk

frenchconnection.com

FrenCHiC 01276 469757

frenchicpaint.co.uk

G 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk

garDen traDing

020 7486 3251 anothercountry.com antHroPoLogie

gemma metHereLL uPHoLstery

0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com aPPLianCe City 0115 965 1937 appliancecity.co.uk

gemmametherell.com

georgia bosson

aQuaLine Hot tubs

georgiabosson.co.uk

giseLa graHam

aqualinehottubs.co.uk arket arket.com

020 7708 4956 giselagraham.co.uk gozney gozney.com

B

batHstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com bC Designs 01206 827100 bcdesigns.co.uk beeFayre 01858 434492 beefayre.com beg biCyCLes 01223 655222 begbicycles.com beLL & bLue 01455 558677 bellandblue.com bLaCk eDition 01623 756699 blackedition.com bLoomingViLLe 004 596 264 645 bloomingville.com

0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk

borougH kitCHen

020 7998 9970 boroughkitchen.com

boutiQue CamPing

07967 134870 boutiquecamping.com bowen traDing

07864 268668 briDgman 020 8804 7474 bridgman.co.uk busy b 0131 556 4394 busyb.co.uk

c 863600 caesarstone.co.uk 01179 381900 Caesarstone 01706

CaPLe

caple.co.uk

Car anD kitCHen 01729

823638 carandkitchen.co.uk CarPetrigHt 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk CLaire wortHington

07940 591594 claireworthington.com CLarissa HuLse 020 7226 7055 clarissahulse.com CLauDia De yong

07881 622825 claudiadeyongdesigns.com

140

Country Homes & InterIors

Fox FLowers

foxflowers.co.uk Frank 01227 262500 frankworks.eu

FrenCH ConneCtion Home 0333 400 3285

anotHer Country

boHemia Design

3883 formahouse.co.uk

graHam anD green 01225 418200

grahamandgreen.co.uk

gunter & Co interiors

020 7993 8583 gunterandco.com

0344 h 736 9000 hm.com 0344 499 4686 H&m Home

Habitat

habitat.co.uk

HarwooD Homes

Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk CP Hart 0345 873 1121 cphart.co.uk CroCus 01344 578000 crocus.co.uk

d

Dar Leone 07889 389670 dar-leone.com Dar LigHting 01295 672200 darlighting.co.uk Dassie artisan 01290 211147 dassieartisan.com DeVoL 01509 261000 devolkitchens.co.uk DFs 0808 271 6297 dfs.co.uk Dobbies garDen Centres

eCosoPHy ecosophy.co.uk eLLa James 01572 759190

hayesgardenworld.co.uk

020 7431 0361 emilyburningham.com

020 8863 7006 headboards.co.uk HeaL’s 0333 212 1915 heals.co.uk Homebase 0345 077 8888 homebase.co.uk

emiLy burningHam

emma briDgewater

emmabridgewater.co.uk

emma tweeDie art

emmatweedie.art etsy etsy.com

020 7837 9749 f falconenamelware.com 01202 FaLCon

Farrow & baLL

876141 farrow-ball.com

Fermoie 01672 513723

fermoie.com

01722 710608 dunningandeverard.com

234000 floorsofstone.com

e

eartHborn

earthbornpaints.co.uk ebay ebay.com

Hayes garDen worLD 01539 482333

ellajames.co.uk

0131 561 6406 dobbies.com DrummonDs 020 7376 4499 drummonds-uk.com DuaLit 01293 652500 dualit.com DuneLm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com Dunning & eVerarD

01992 535693 harwoodhomesinteriors.com

FireD eartH 01295 812088

firedearth.com

FLeur 01263 712625

fleurdevelopments.com FLo anD Co

floandcointeriors.co.uk

FLoors oF stone 01509

HeaDboarDs LimiteD

House oF isabeLLa

houseofisabella.co.uk HowartH at Home

01282 690400 howarthathome.co.uk

HumPHrey munson

01727 519444 humphreymunson.co.uk

020 7736 i 4141 ijlbrown.com 01271 858649 i&JL brown

ian snow

iansnow.com iDyLL Home

floralstreet.com

01270 812717 idyllhome.co.uk ikea 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk

0782 flowgallery.co.uk Forma House 020 8646

isleofskyepaintcompany.co.uk

FLoraL street

FLow gaLLery 020 7243

isLe oF skye Paint ComPany 01478 612379

J

J&s interiors

01733 558864 js-interiors.co.uk JarroDs 02920 529797 jarrodsstaircases.co.uk JbL 01612 223325 uk.jbl.com

JoHn Lewis & Partners

0345 604 9049 johnlewis.com

Jones CLoCks 01691

663166 jonesclocks.com

JouLes 0345 250 7160

joules.com

K

kettLeweLL 01460 279800 kettlewellcolours.co.uk koHLer 0800 001 4466 kohler.co.uk

llabourandwait.co.uk 020 7729 6253

Labour anD wait

LaPuan kankurit

003 586 433 8300 lapuankankurit.fi/en Lark 01392 875294 larktopsham.com Laura asHLey 0333 200 8009 lauraashley.com

Laura asHLey batHroom CoLLeCtion 01225 303929

lauraashley bathroomcollection.com

Laura asHLey kitCHen CoLLeCtion

01226 446000 lauraashley kitchencollection.co.uk LinwooD 01425 461176 linwoodfabric.com LittLe birDy Designs

littlebirdydesigns.co.uk

LoaF 0345 468 0697

loaf.com

Lorna syson 020 8465

9819 lornasyson.co.uk

Louise boDy 07889 465552

louisebody.com

m 0344 257 1888 maDe.Com

marks & sPenCer

0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com m&L Paints

01243 214550 marstonandlanginger.com matiLDa goaD 07739 186703 matildagoad.com miCHaeL bowman 01305 265288 mikebowman.co.uk

miDLanD stone Centre 01536 713020

midlandstonecentre.co.uk mimi PiCkarD

07932 663033 mimipickard.com

moLeswortH & birD

molesworthandbird.com

mosaiC DeL sur

020 3514 0483 mosaicfactory.com mrs stone 01283 730388 mrs-stone-store.com my VQ myvq.co.uk

n

nakeD kitCHens

01328 838854 nakedkitchens.com natiVe & Co 020 7243 0418 nativeandco.com neom organiCs 01423 878810 neomorganics.com nePtune 01793 427300 neptune.com neu oiL neuoil.com nina CamPbeLL

020 7225 1011 ninacampbell.com nisi LiVing 01275 390521 nisiliving.co.uk nkuku 0333 240 0155 nkuku.com norDiC House 01872 223220 nordichouse.co.uk norsu Home

norsuhome.com

notontHeHigHstreet.

Com 020 3318 5115

o 01432 353353 oakwrights.co.uk oakwrigHts

oLD boot 020 7736 3738

oldbootsofas.com

oLD Creamery

01935 410500 oldcreameryfurniture.com out tHere interiors

020 8099 7443 outthereinteriors.com

p

Perrin & rowe 01708 526361 perrinandrowe.com PineLanD Furniture 01606 41292 pineland.co.uk PLant ‘n’ grow plant-n-grow.co.uk PoLyVine 0845 017 1671 polyvine.com Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Primrose 01189 035210 primrose.co.uk Pure 0845 148 9001 pure.com

Q 01304 379911 quailceramics.co.uk

QuaiL CeramiCs

rrajtentclub.com 020 7820 0010

raJ tent CLub

raPture & wrigHt

01608 652442 raptureandwright.co.uk reeD HoLLanD 01823 336479 reed-holland.co.uk reiko kaneko 01782 311668 reikokaneko.co.uk riCHarD Parr 01453 860200 richardparr.com roCa 01530 830080 uk.roca.com romo 01623 756699 romo.com roPer rHoDes 01225 303900 roperrhodes.co.uk rose & grey

01619 268763

roseandgrey.co.uk

rowen & wren

01276 451077 rowenandwren.co.uk ruark auDio 01702 601410 ruarkaudio.com ruraL kinD ruralkind.com ryDer & HoPe 01297 443304 ryderandhope.com ryLanD Peters & smaLL

020 7025 2200 rylandpeters.com

s 0800 636 262 sainsburyshome.co.uk

sainsbury’s Home

sam wiLson

tHe FabriC CoLLeCtiVe

020 7384 2975 thefabriccollective.com

tHe Famous LittLe LamP sHoP 01789 766007

thefamouslittlelampshop.com

tHe Forest & Co 01803

840748 theforestandco.com

tHe Furn sHoP

01162 962565 thefurnshop.co.uk

tHe Future kePt

thefuturekept.com

tHe LiVing Lounge

01227 636580 thelivinglounge.uk

tHe main ComPany 01423

330451 maincompany.com

01386 841116 samwilsonstudio.com

tHe range 0345 026

020 7351 5153 samuelandsons.com

tHe wonDerFuL garDen ComPany

01803 864088 whitespaceart.com

tHe worm tHat turneD

samueL & sons

saraH bowman

seCret Linen store 01243

822599 secretlinenstore.com sHaws oF Darwen 01254 775111 shawsofdarwen.com sHeriDan 0871 700 0118 sheridanuk.com smeg 0844 557 9907 smeguk.com

somerset wiLLow ComPany 01278 424003

somersetwillow.co.uk soPHie Conran 0843 227 1460 sophieconran.com st eVaL CanDLe ComPany 01841 540850

stevalcandlecompany.co.uk stoVes 0844 248 4149 stoves.co.uk styLe Library

020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com

susie watson Designs 0344 980 8185

susiewatsondesigns.co.uk sweetPea & wiLLow

0345 257 2627 sweetpeaandwillow.com swoon 020 3319 6332 swooneditions.com syDenHams 01985 213505 sydenhams.co.uk

t 01275 841841 tg-woodware.com

t&g wooDware

temza 020 7932 0307 temza.co.uk tHe basket room

01608 239482 thebasketroom.com

tHe bournemoutH Vintage emPorium 01202

427797 bournemouth vintageemporium.com tHe britisH bLanket ComPany

7598 therange.co.uk

07939 486713 thewonderful gardencompany.co.uk 0345 605 2505 worm.co.uk

tHomPson & morgan

0333 400 0033 thompson-morgan.com

tHornbaCk & PeeL 020 7831 2878

thornbackandpeel.co.uk tHougHt 020 7607 1173 wearethought.com tHyme 01367 850174 thyme.co.uk tk maxx 01923 473561 tkmaxx.com toast 0333 400 5200 toa.st/uk toP Furniture 01889 560999 topfurniture.co.uk toPPs tiLes 0800 783 6262 toppstiles.co.uk trouVa 020 7193 6444 trouva.com

V 01285 831437 vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk

Vanessa arbutHnott

Vanessa bowman

01300 320900 vanessabowman.co.uk Very 0844 822 2321 very.co.uk

ViCtorian PLumbing

0345 862 2878 victorianplumbing.co.uk ViLLa noVa 01623 756699 villanova.co.uk

W 0800 188 884 waitrose.com waitrose & Partners

wayFair 0800 169 0423

wayfair.co.uk

west one batHrooms

0333 011 3333 westonebathrooms.com

wHite Lion PubLisHing

0845 474 1747 thebritish blanketcompany.com

quarto.com

0333 200 1725 cotswoldco.com

01981 500391 wigglywigglers.co.uk

tHe CotswoLD ComPany

wiggLy wiggLers

Country Homes & InterIors

141

Just for You

An advertisement feature bringing you the best value for those special purchases around your home.

To advertise, please call 0207 611 1061 or email sales@canopymedia.co.uk

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Lighting

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m y FA v o U R i T E v i E w

There’s no shortage of beautiful views in this fairy tale setting

Room with a view

My favourite view...

We have a beautiful south-facing suite in the old servants’ quarters, which we’ve named the Potagerie Suite because of the most fantastic view it presents of the walled garden below. There’s nowhere else like it in the house. I love the dappled light it gets in the afternoon sun and my husband, Dick, well… he would have bought the chateau for this view of the walled garden alone!

We bought the property from the de Baglion family, and they showed us the walled garden when we went for our first viewing. At the time it was so massively overgrown with brambles and weeds that it stood far taller than any of us – some 10 or 15 feet high!

The property itself didn’t have heating, electrics, or a sewage system, so the garden wasn’t top 150

COuNTRy HOMES & INTERIORS

of our priority list when we first moved in. But we eventually turned our attention to it and restored its hidden pathways. Last summer we were even able to start growing fruits and vegetables in there. Now, there’s a whole row of raspberry and blackberry bushes, and the kids love to sit, straddling the trees, eating the fruit straight from the bush.

One of my favourite things is when we get a bit of downtime and can just walk around and see how everything is doing. The kids love playing in the mud and watering everything and anything – including us! It’s getting back to nature and enjoying old-fashioned ways with the family that make it so special.

I love flowers and, for me, having lived in London for many years, flower buying had always been

done at Colombia Road Flower Market as late in the day as possible so I could get a bargain! Dick never bought me flowers as such, but he has turned a quarter of the walled garden into a cutting garden for me.

I have my very own plot of lavender, a big row of wildflowers, loads of eucalyptus, perennials, rose beds and hydrangea beds, and that was Dick’s present to me! So much better than a bunch of flowers.

Last year I even pressed a load of blossoms from the garden, turning them into a kind of indoor cutting table in the Potagerie Suite.

Angel’s first soft furnishings and wallpaper collection, The Chateau by Angel Strawbridge, is available from selected retailers nationwide. Find your nearest at belfielddesignstudio. com/the-chateau-by-angel-strawbridge

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT

the gardens of Chateau de la Motte Husson