Your best Easter ever STUNNING CRAFTS & TABLE STYLING IDEAS A CELEBRATORY LUNCH FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS SEASONAL CONTAINERS TO PLANT THIS WEEKEND
‘WE MOVED TO THE COUNTRY FOR A BETTER LIFE’
Real houses, real transformations ADD JOY WITH COLOUR & PRINT
Uplifting pattern & palette combos to style a happy, harmonious home
HOMES W I T H HE A R T How to create spaces with instant character and charm
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE...
APRIL 2023
60
Design & decorate 76 Prints charming Fall in love with our selection of joyful designs for fabrics and wallpaper in cheering springtime colour palettes 86 Dressing windows Interior designers give their expert insights on all things curtains, from choosing Þæÿ½ÞǑæËǑċÄ«Þ¨«Ä£ǑæËë¨Þ 92 How to arrange furniture Designer and tastemaker Abigail Ahern on the elements of a successful living room layout, while breaking some rules 95 Get the bright idea 'Ë÷ǑæËǑ½«£¨æǑÿËëÙǑ kitchen for everything from cooking tasks to relaxing in the evening 100 Bring in the sunshine Increasing access into your home for natural and energising daylight ª
News & stories 13 That’s a wrap Our pick of the latest interiors buys, slow-living ideas, sustainable products, events and more 14 Shop of the month YĈÙËÄǑ'ÙǑË¢Ǒ Ù«æ«Þ¨Ǒ¨Ù«æ£Ǒ¢Ù«Ǒ ÙÄǑ5ÃÞǑ'ÙǑÙö½ÞǑæ¨ǑËÃÖÄÿǁÞǑæ¨ËÞ 19 Paula Sutton Our columnist shares her joy at getting ready for, and celebrating, the return of spring
116
Dream homes 24 The best medicine 'Ë÷ǑǑ"ËÙ£«ÄǑö«½½ǑÄǑ¢ËÙÃÙǑ ËæËÙǁÞǑÞëÙ£ÙÿǑ÷ÞǑÙö«öǑ÷«æ¨ǑÞæÿ½«Þ¨Ǒ«ÄæÙ«ËÙÞƝǑ ÷¨«½ǑÙæ«Ä«Ä£Ǒæ¨ǑÖÙËÖÙæÿǁÞǑ÷ÙÃǑ¨ÙæÙǑǑ 34 Modern manse Combining antique heirlooms with contemporary pattern and soft neutral tones 36 Breathing space ǑÞÄÞǑË¢ǑæÙÄØ뫽½«æÿǑċ½½ÞǑ樫ÞǑÙÃǑ bolthole in the beautiful Devon countryside 47 Club house Classic pieces look their best against a background of strong, modern shades 48 A better life `¨«ÞǑ¨«ÞæËÙ«ǑÖÙËÖÙæÿǑ«ÄǑYËÃÙÞæǑËĈÙǑ both new challenges and a fresh start for the owners 59 Family farmhouse `櫽ǑċÄ«Þ¨ÞǑÄǑÞ«ÃÖ½ǑÞ«£ÄÞǑÙǑ warmed with a calm and cosy palette 60 A cottage of surprises Eco credentials were top of the wishlist when creating this sumptuous Cotswolds gem 70 Cabin core Rustic cladding is given a soft, playful edge COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
3
APRIL 2023
112 Garden & grow 132 Buried treasureǑ Ù«Ä£ǑǑÞÄÞǑË¢Ǒ romance and intrigue to your outdoor space with a sunken garden 139 Crowning glory 'Ë÷ǑǑ½«ö«Ä£ǑÙËË¢Ǒ ÄċæÞǑ÷«½½«¢ƝǑÞǑö½ë½Ǒ£ÙÄǑ space and looks good, too 142 Pots for springǑ Ù«£¨æÄǑëÖǑǑÞÖÙÞǑ border with our recipe for colourful containers of seasonal plants 144 Sow grow show What to plant and do in the garden this month 146 Weed wisdomǑ"ææ«Ä£ǑæËǑºÄË÷Ǒæ¨Ǒ ǀëÄ÷ÄæǁǑÖ½ÄæÞǑ«ÄǑÿËëÙǑ£ÙÄƝǑÄǑ how best to deal with them
76
Subscriptions 72 Subscribe to your favourite homes magazine and receive a beautiful gift, plus a free previous issue
24 Property & place 104 Let’s move to HayleǑ«ÞËöÙǑ ËÙÄ÷½½ǁÞǑÄËÙæ¨ƳËÞæǑ hidden gem, with its glorious sandy beach 106 뫽«Ä£ǑǑċÙÖ«æǑFëÙǑþÖÙæÞǁǑ£ë«ǑæËǑÙæ«Ä£ǑǑ warming and convivial focal point in your outside space 109 YëÞæ«Ä½Ǒ¨ÙǑČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒ'Ë÷ǑæËǑÄÞëÙǑ÷¨æǁÞǑ underfoot at home is eco-conscious and toxin-free
Country lifestyle 112 Career shift Creating pottery in the countryside gave Supatra Marsh a new and joyful sense of freedom 116 The spring table Celebrate the season with decorative touches and simple gifts for gathered family and friends 124 Easter lunch is served A delicious make-ahead menu for entertaining over the long weekend 154 A day in the country The doyenne of interior design Nina Campbell on how she spends her time
4
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Country Homes & Interiors 0951-3019 is published monthly by Future Publishing Limited, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR, England. Distributed by MarketForce (UK), 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR (020 3787 9001). Covers printed at Walstead Peterborough and text at Walstead Bicester Limited in the UK. We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. All contents © 2023 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and/or have the necessary rights/ permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future and its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in any/all issues and/or editions of publications, in any format published worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material you submit is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage. We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend and adapt all submissions.
121-141 WESTBOURNE TERRACE, LONDON W2 6JR EMAIL
[email protected] `ËǑ£æǑ«ÄǑæËë¨ƝǑËëÙǑë½Ǒ¢ËÙÃæǑ«ÞǑċÙÞæÄÃƜ½ÞæÄÃǼ¢ëæëÙÄæƜËà EDITORIAL DIRECTOR SARAH SPITERI EDITOR ANDRÉA CHILDS GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR/ PRODUCTION EDITOR SARAH FARLEY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SARA EMSLIE SENIOR CONTENT EDITOR RACHEL CROW CONTENT EDITORS HOLLY REANEY, PIPPA BLENKINSOP and ZARA STACEY CONTRIBUTING STYLE EDITOR SARA BIRD CONTRIBUTING SHOPPING & NEWS EDITORS ALICE HUMPHRYS and TARA KING GROUP PRODUCTION EDITOR MAXINE CLARKE CHIEF SUB-EDITOR AMY HODGE SENIOR SUB-EDITORS LINDA BLAKEMORE and CATHERINE LAW MARKETING Head of Marketing SIAN CUPID 020 3148 6487 Deputy Head of Marketing LAURA TIMMS 020 3148 6239 CIRCULATION Circulation Manager KATIE GREENAN ADVERTISING Display 01527 834471 Classified 0330 390 7422 Commercial Director DAVE RANDALL Sales Manager KELLY JAMES-MILLER International/Luxury Account Manager CAROLE BUNCE Sales Manager (Inserts) Canopy Media MICHAEL DAVIE 07446 903582 Key Account Manager HELEN FOX
GROUP ART DIRECTOR ALISON WALTER ART EDITORS CHRIS McPHAIL and MEL ALGAR ART PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NICOLA TILLMAN ART PRODUCTION DESIGNER NOEL ALLEN DIGITAL Global Editor in Chief Homes & Gardens LUCY SEARLE Deputy Editor (Digital) Homes & Gardens JENNIFER EBERT Editor in Chief (Audience) AMY CUTMORE Editor in Chief (eCommerce) LINDSEY DAVIS PRODUCTION Senior Production Manager MATT EGLINTON Production Manager WILLIAM ARGENT Senior Ad Production Controller BARRY SKINNER SYNDICATION Head of Brand Partnerships DAVID ABBOTT INTERNATIONAL LICENSING Country Homes & Interiors is available for ½«ÄÞ«Ä£ǑÄǑÞÿÄ«æ«ËÄƜǑ`ËǑċÄǑËëæǑÃËÙǑ contact us at
[email protected] or view our available content at futurecontenthub.com. Head of Print Licensing RACHEL SHAW 01225 442244 MANAGEMENT Senior Vice President, Lifestyle, Knowledge & News SOPHIE WYBREW-BOND Managing Director, Homes and Gardens JASON ORME SVP Global Operations & Marketforce ADRIAN HUGHES Chief Operating Officer CLAIRE BLUNT PRESS OFFICE 01225 442244
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS GENERAL ENQUIRIES
[email protected] SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES 0330 333 1113 BACK ISSUES01733 688964 mags-uk.com ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Display 01527 834471 Classified 0330 390 7422 PRESS OFFICE 01225 442244 EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work very hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation). If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email the Editor at
[email protected] or write to The Editor, Country Homes & Interiors, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS MAGAZINE One year full subscription rates for 12 issues including postage & packing: UK £59.88; Europe €113.88; Rest of world £155.88. For subscription enquiries please call 0330 333 1113, overseas call: +44 330 333 1113 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm UK time) or email
[email protected]. The US annual subscription price is $155.88. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Air Business Ltd. is acting as our mailing agent. All prices include postage and packaging. US Postmaster: Enquiries and address changes should be sent to: Future Publishing Ltd, Rockwood House, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH or call +44 330 333 1113 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm UK time) or email
[email protected] SUBSCRIPTION DELAYS We rely on various delivery companies to get your magazine to you – many of whom continue to be impacted by COVID-19. We kindly ask that you allow up to seven days before contacting us about a late delivery at
[email protected] PRINTED BY WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH LTD (UK) DISTRIBUTED BY MARKETFORCE (UK) LTD, 121-141 WESTBOURNE TERRACE, LONDON W2 6JR (020 3787 9001)
Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.com
Chief Executive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non-Executive Chairman Richard Huntingford !ǝǣƺǔIǣȇƏȇƬǣƏǼƏȇƳ³ɎȸƏɎƺǕɵ
ǔˡƬƺȸ Penny Ladkin-Brand Tel +44 (0)1225 442244
HOME IS THE BEST ESCAPE Spark your imagination with a subscription to the only country magazine with home at its heart. See page 72
THERE’S A COMMON THREAD running through the homes in this issue. More than just a beautiful property or an appealing location, these houses represent a new start and a better way of life for their owners, from the restored farmhouse in Somerset that’s now a much-loved family home (page 48), to the Devon cottage providing an escape from a busy family business (page 36). Of course, we don’t have to make the move to the ËëÄæÙÿǑæËǑċÄǑËÄÄæ«ËÄǑ÷«æ¨ǑÄæëÙƝǑǑææÙǑ balance between personal and work lives, or the opportunity to welcome family and friends. But as æ¨ÞǑ¨Ù梽æǑÞæËÙ«ÞǑÞ¨Ë÷ƝǑċÄ«Ä£ǑǑÖ½Ǒ÷¨ÙǑ we truly feel at home has the power to transform our lives and make every day feel a little happier. Take a tour of our four stunning houses, from page 23. Easter is a time to celebrate the arrival of spring and the uplifting power of colour and pattern. We’ve design inspiration for you in our Prints Charming decorating story (page 76) and gorgeous seasonal styling ideas in The Spring Table (page 116). And to ċÄ«Þ¨ƝǑǑ½««ËëÞǑÃÄëǑ¢ËÙǑǑÙ½þǑYëÄÿǑ½ëĨǑ (page 124). Have a very happy Easter.
Contributors
8
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
ALISON AND DOUGLAS GIBB respectively write about and photograph houses, including this month’s The Best Medicine (page 24). ‘We will be exploring Whitby together this Easter,’ Alison says.
PHOTOGRAPH (SELINA LAKE) JULIA CURRIE
SELINA LAKE styled our feature, The Spring Table (page 116). ‘I will be gathering boughs of crab apple and hawthorn blossom,’ she says, ‘and hanging them with my favourite Easter decorations to display on my mantel and table. And I’ll be making and eating chocolate nests filled with speckled eggs with my family.’
SUSSIE BELL photographed The Spring Table (page 116). ‘Easter is when the gardening year starts in earnest for me. I love to be outside, listening to the dawn chorus with a cup of tea in my hand,’ she says.
Share your country life with us Tag us in your photos on instagram @countryhomesmag #countrystyle
F OR T HE F IN ES T CON S ERV A TO RI E S, ORANGERIES AND ROOFLIGHTS
+4 4 (0 )1 47 6 5 64433 www.valegardenhouses.com
COMING NEXT MONTH…
Homes
ORestored Victorian villa ODevon hideaway ORenovated farmhouse OCosy Cotswold cottage
Gardens
ODesign a scented garden OHow to grow roses OTulips for containers
Design
OEasy paint updates
PLUS
to transform your home OBathroom special: latest FREE ULTIMATE trends and inspiration GARDEN PROJECTS OHow to style a garden room MAGAZINE WORTH £7.99
MAY ISSUE ON SALE 6 APRIL
FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/ CAROLYN BARBER
That’s a wrap
Celebrate Easter and the return of spring with handmade decorations and gift ideas. Stick with tradition – but save on packaging – by wrapping large chocolate eggs in pretty fabrics. Adding a hand-stamped name tag for the lucky recipient úÞǑǑæ¨Ë루æ¢ë½ǑċÄ«Þ¨«Ä£ǑæËë¨ƜǑTry Etsy for rabbit craft stamps, brown labels and parcel string. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
13
BRAND OF THE MONTH
5ÃÞǑ'Ù
Ùæ«öǑ«ÙæËÙǑYĈÙËÄǑ'ÙǁÞǑ ċÄǑ¢Ù«Ǒ˽½æ«ËÄÞǑ¢ëÞǑ¨Ù«æ£Ǒ «ÄÞÖ«Ùæ«ËÄǑ÷«æ¨ǑËÄæÃÖËÙÙÿǑÞæÿ½
N
ow synonymous with luxury fabrics, this family ċÙÃǑ¨ǑǑ¨ëýǑÞæÙæƜǑ*æǑ ½½Ǒ£ÄǑ«ÄǑůŶŴųǑ«ÄǑ9ÞƝǑ ÷¨ÄǑYĈÙËÄǁÞǑ'ÙǁÞǑ£ÙæƳ£ÙæǑ £ÙÄ¢æ¨ÙƝǑ5ÃÞǑƭ¢æÙǑ÷¨ËÃǑæ¨Ǒ ÙÄǑ«ÞǑÄÃƮǑÞ˽Ǒ¢Ù«Ǒ½Ä£æ¨ÞǑ ÞËëÙǑ¢ÙËÃǑ½Ë½Ǒ÷öÙÞǑæËǑ 9ËÄËÄǑ櫽ËÙÞƜǑ ÿǑæ¨ǑůŷŰŮÞƝǑ5ÃÞǑ 'ÙǑ¨ǑËÃǑæ¨Ǒ½Ù£ÞæǑæþ櫽Ǒ «ÞæÙ«ëæ«ËÄǑ¨ËëÞǑ«ÄǑæ¨Ǒe7ƝǑÄǑ ÞËËÄǑÞ潫ިǑ«æÞ½¢ǑÞǑ Ù«æ«ÄǁÞǑ ½«Ä£ǑÞ«½ºǑÃÙ¨ÄæǑƵǑǑæ«æ½Ǒ«æǑÞ櫽½Ǒ ¨Ë½ÞǑæËÿƜǑ*ÄǑůŷŷŷƝǑæ¨ǑÙÄǑ£ÄǑ ÖÙËë«Ä£Ǒ«æÞǑË÷ÄǑ«ÄæÙ«ËÙǑ¢Ù«Ǒ ˽½æ«ËÄÞƝǑÙÄ£«Ä£Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑæþæëÙǑ ÄæëÙ½ÞǑæËǑÙ«¨½ÿǑý½«Þ¨Ǒ Þ«£ÄÞƝǑ½÷ÿÞǑ÷«æ¨ǑØ뽫æÿǑÄǑÞæÿ½Ǒ æǑæ¨Ǒ¢ËÙƜǑÞǑÙæ«öǑ«ÙæËÙƝǑ YĈÙËÄǑËöÙÞÞǑæ¨ǑÙÄǁÞǑÙæ«öǑ ö«Þ«ËÄƝǑÄǑæÙö½ÞǑæ¨Ǒ÷ËÙ½Ǒö«Þ«æ«Ä£Ǒ æÙǑÞ¨Ë÷ÞǑÄǑÃæ«Ä£ǑëÞæËÃÙÞƜǑ Where is James Hare based? *ÄǑ9ÞƝǑ÷¨«¨ǑëÞǑæËǑǑæǑæ¨Ǒ ¨ÙæǑË¢Ǒæ¨Ǒ Ù«æ«Þ¨Ǒæþ櫽Ǒ«ÄëÞæÙÿƜǑ FëÙǑ¨ǑËĉǑ¨ÞǑÄǑ«ÄǑæ¨ǑÞÃǑ 뫽«Ä£ǑÞ«ÄǑůŶŵŴƜ
Run us through the design process. ½½ǑË¢ǑËëÙǑÞ«£ÄÞǑÙǑ¨ÄǑÙ÷ÄǑ æǑæ¨ǑÞæë«ËƝǑæ¨ÄǑËÃÖëæÙ«ÞƜǑ `¨ÄǑæ¨Ǒ˽ËëÙǑ÷ËÙºǑ£«ÄÞƜǑqǑ «æ¨ÙǑ¨ÄǑÖ«ÄæǑËÙǑÖÙËëǑæ¨ÃǑËÄǑ ǑËÃÖëæÙƝǑÖÄ«Ä£ǑËÄǑæ¨Ǒ½Ë˺Ǒ ÷ǁÙǑ¢æÙƜǑ?ËÞæǑË¢ǑËëÙǑ˽½æ«ËÄÞǑ æºǑËöÙǑǑÿÙǑÄǑǑ¨½¢ǑæËǑÖÙËëƝǑ ëæǑÞËÃǑÄǑæºǑÿÙÞǑæËǑÖÙ¢æǑ ƵǑËëÙǑÃÙË«Ù«ÞƝǑ¢ËÙǑþÃÖ½ƜǑ ëæǑ æ¨ÿǁÙǑ½÷ÿÞǑ÷½½Ǒ÷ËÙæ¨Ǒæ¨Ǒ÷«æơǑ What makes James Hare stand out? FëÙǑ¨ë£ǑÙÙÿǑË¢ǑÞ«½ºǑ¢Ù«ÞƝǑ ÷«æ¨ËëæǑǑËëæƜǑqǁöǑ½ÞËǑÙÄæ½ÿǑ
14
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
The new Shalimar collection from James Hare, a family firm that’s a part of British textile history
½ëĨǑǑÄ÷ǑÞ«½ºǑ÷½½ËöÙ«Ä£ÞǑ˽½æ«ËÄǑƵǑæ¨ÿǁÙǑ ÄǑÃĄ«Ä£Ǒ½æÙÄæ«öǑæËǑæÙ«æ«ËĽǑ÷½½ÖÖÙÞǑÞǑ æ¨ÿǑ¨öǑÞë¨ǑÄǑ«ÄÙ«½ǑÖæ¨ǑË¢Ǒ˽ËëÙǑÄǑæþæëÙƜǑ *Ǒ½ÞËǑ½«öǑËëÙǑ½ËÄ£ö«æÿǑÞǑǑ¢Ã«½ÿǑëÞ«ÄÞÞǑÖ½ÿÞǑǑ ÷ËÙǑÖÙæǑ«ÄǑËëÙǑÙÄƜǑǑ Any new decorating trends for country homes? qǁÙǑÞ«Ä£ǑǑÞ«ÙǑ¢ËÙǑæÙ«æ«ËĽǑÞ«£ÄÞǑÄǑÞæÿ½ÞƝǑ ÞËǑ÷ǁÙǑ÷ËÙº«Ä£ǑËÄǑǑÄ÷ǑÃÞºǑæǑæ¨ǑÃËÃÄæƜǑFëÙǑ Ä÷ǑY¨½«ÃÙǑ˽½æ«ËÄǑÙČæÞǑÞËÃǑË¢Ǒæ¨Ǒ÷ËÙǑ ËÙæ«Ä£ǑæÙÄÞƞǑ˽ËëÙƝǑÖææÙÄƝǑČËÙ½ÞǑÄǑæþæëÙƝǑ ½½ǑË¢Ǒ÷¨«¨ǑÞë«æǑǑËëÄæÙÿǑ«ÄæÙ«ËÙǑÖÙ¢æ½ÿƜǑ How can we incorporate patterns into interiors? qǁöǑ«ÄæÙËëǑÖÙ«ÄæÞǑÙ½æ«ö½ÿǑÙÄæ½ÿǑæËǑËëÙǑ¢Ù«Ǒ ˽½æ«ËÄƝǑÄǑæ¨ÿǁöǑÖÙËöǑæËǑǑöÙÿǑÖËÖë½ÙƜǑ*Ǒ÷Ëë½Ǒ ÞÿǑ¨öǑ¢ëÄǑ÷«æ¨Ǒæ¨ÃƜǑeÞǑæ¨ÃǑ«ÄǑëÄþÖæǑ÷ÿÞǑÄǑ ÃÙǑæ¨ǑöÙ«æÿǑÄǑ˽ËëÙÞƜǑ What’s coming up? `¨«ÞǑëæëÃÄǑ÷ǁ½½ǑǑ«ÄæÙËë«Ä£ǑËëÙǑċÙÞæǑëÞ¨«ËÄǑÙÄ£ƝǑ ÷¨«¨Ǒ«ÞǑǑÄ÷Ǒ«Ùæ«ËÄǑ¢ËÙǑëÞơǑ Find out more at james-hare.com
NEWS & STORIES
From a small seed Self-taught block-printer Molly Mahon has been creating beautiful wallpapers and textiles since 2011. From her studio in the Ashdown Forest, she’s now developed Bloom, a collection of fabrics inspired by nature and her travels to India. ‘It starts with a seed of an idea, and then, like a glorious bloom, it pokes its head out of the ground and starts æËǑ÷«ÄǑ«æÞǑ÷ÿǑëÖ÷ÙÞƝǁǑÞ¨ǑÞÿÞƜǑ`¨ǑċöǑ ÖææÙÄÞǑ«Ä½ëǑČËÙ½ÞƝǑÞæÙ«ÖÞǑÄǑ¨ºÞƜǑ Clockwise from top left, Chequer, Dahlia, and Mughal, from £168m, mollymahon.com
IT TAKES A VILLAGE Finding a staycation destination for large groups of family and friends can be tricky, but we’ve found just the place. Nestled in the Cotswold countryside is Daylesford Village, made up of 15 self-contained, characterful cottages of varying sizes to rent individually or together – a village takeover, if you will! Just a stone’s throw from popular Daylesford Farm, guests can enjoy tailor-made experiences during their stay, from cookery classes and floristry workshops, to wine tastings and the Bamford Wellness Spa. Prices start at £375 for one-bed Wisteria Cottage (right), minimum four-night stay. Discover more at thewildrabbit.co.uk ª COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
15
NEWS & STORIES
BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE Master of restoring furniture Jay Blades has partnered with heritage brand G Plan to redesign the company’s sofas. His penchant for sleek shapes, fun fabrics and unexpected details gives the iconic designs a playful twist. ‘We’ve created some wonderful pieces that not only look great but are a joy to live with. And I was blown away by the beauty of G Plan’s craftsmanship,’ says Jay. The collection launches this month, with prices from £1,999. Find out more at gplan.co.uk
ONE FOR THE DIARY… 31 MARCH
Be inspired
to make an Easter ÷Ùæ¨ǑëÞ«Ä£ǑČË÷ÙÞǑ from the garden and hedgerows, with a one-hour online demonstration (there will be a recording if you can’t make it live), £42, commonfarm ČË÷ÙÞƜËÃǑǑ 13 APRIL
Learn how
to cook seasonal ingredients over an ËÖÄǑċÙǑ«ÄǑÙëÙ½Ǒ Surrey, £175 per person (includes ingredients, equipment and refreshments), ÷Ùæ¨Þ½æËþƜËƜëº MATERIAL MATTERS Layered Lounge has launched a new furniture collection, reworking reclaimed timber into dining, coffee and console tables (Marlow, right, £1,450), benches and stools. While contemporary in shape, natural aged imperfections add character. Prices start at £250 for the small Padstow bench, layeredlounge.com
13-14 MAY
Unleash
pet-friendly fun at DogFest, back on a tour of seven venues across the country, ÷«æ¨Ǒæ¨ǑċÙÞæǑÞæ«ÄæǑ at Belvoir Castle in 9«ÞæÙÞ¨«ÙƜǑ`«ºæÞǑ ǜŰŮƝǑË£Ƴ¢ÞæƜËƜëºǑª COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
17
NEWS & STORIES
SLEEP SOUNDLY – AND SUSTAINABLY Hypnos has a reputation for outstandingly comfortable beds, and now you can sleep even more soundly knowing you’re doing your bit for the environment. The new Origins Organic collection is handcrafted in Buckinghamshire using traditional artisanal techniques – but now the pocket-sprung mattresses are carbon neutral and made using responsibly sourced materials, including 100% British wool. Prices start at £4,598 for a king-size mattress, hypnosbeds.com
COOL CAT NAP As much as we love our feline friends, cat hideaways can be a bit of an eyesore in the home. But Cheshire & Wain has offered up a stylish solution. In collaboration with London-based furniture designers, Lozi Designs, the luxury pet brand has launched Round Haus. The collection of multifunctional furniture is crafted from sustainably sourced birch plywood, designed with both curious cats – and their design-loving owners – in mind. Prices start at £450, chesireandwain.com
PROPER COFFEE Plastic and glass cafetières can crack under the ÖÙÞÞëÙǑË¢Ǒú«Ä£ǑËĈƜǑ ëæǑ樫ÞǑ¨ÄÙ¢æǑ ÙëǑöÙÞ«ËÄǑÿǑÄÿǑ¨ÞǑÄǑċÙǑæǑ high temperatures for extra durability, and its Þæ«Ä½ÞÞƳÞæ½ǑèīÞÃǑ«ÞǑÃǑæËǑ½ÞæƝǑæËËƜǑ ÄÿǑYæë«ËǑ¢æ«ÙƝǑǜŶųƝǑÄÿÖËææÙÿƜËÃǑª 18
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
PAULA SUTTON
The joyful home Our columnist celebrates the ÙæëÙÄǑË¢ǑÞÖÙ«Ä£Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑČË÷ÙÞƝǑ pastel-coloured linen and cake
T
here are some years where it feels slightly harder to pull ourselves out of our winter slumber. Like a slow stretch accompanied by an involuntary yawn, our tentative steps into spring can feel like a hesitant dip of toes into chilly, yet refreshing, water. Our spring awakening often starts with crisp and clear blue skies and the type of sparkling sunshine that is all show over substance. We call it ‘fake sun’ in our household. Spring sunshine can be a tease, but one that still raises a smile of delight and for which we are grateful after the long haul of a darkened winter. There are a few ways I like to prepare for this welcome change. !«ÙÞæ½ÿƝǑ¨ÿ«Äæ¨ÞƝǑĈË«½ÞǑÄǑæ뽫ÖÞǑ in a variety of old vessels and pots – I use everything from vintage teacups to miniature cast-iron garden urns. I plant outdoor bulbs in November and pot up indoor bulbs before Christmas, scattering the containers atop side tables and windowsills, hidden by festive paraphernalia, only to be pleasantly surprised to see the shoots bursting forth at the precise moment that we are ready to fold the blankets away. Interiors do not escape the advent of spring, and the change over of cushion covers and tablecloths is another indicator of a lighter touch and a fresher skip in the air. Call it spring cleaning or a metaphorical clearing away of cobwebs, but fresh linens in spring colours, such as lemon yellow, powder blue and pink, start to appear alongside the checks ÄǑ¢ǑČËÙ½ÞǑæ¨æǑúǑëÖǑæ¨Ǒ bulk of pattern around the house. I
‘I often forget to plant bulbs at a sensible time, but we are still blessed with spring flowers in the raised beds, year after year’
will also add a spring wreath – there are few things more cheerful for visitors than a seasonal design on the door. With Easter comes the bridge between winter and ÞÖÙ«Ä£ƝǑÄǑæ¨Ǒ¢ËËǑæǑ'«½½Ǒ'ËëÞǑÙČæÞǑæ¨æƜǑ ºÞǑ become slightly lighter. Pastries are sprinkled with fragrant lavender sugar and frostings graced with £Ù½ÄÞǑË¢Ǒ«½ǑČË÷ÙÞƜǑöÄǑÖë«Ä£ÞǑ£«ÄǑæËǑËÖæǑ a less stodgy touch. Our palette seeks to be cleansed with æ¨ǑĄÞæÿǑČöËëÙÞǑË¢Ǒ½ÃËÄǑÙ«ĄĄ½ǑÄǑÙ¨ëÙƜǑ`¨Ǒ tartness and sharp zing of early berries puréed into delicate coulis make an appearance, tempered by the coolness of whipped cream or yogurt folded with honey. It is said that each season we should invest some time in a few things that will make our future selves smile and be thankful for our foresight. Be it a seasonal cake recipe, a change over of cushion covers, or simply a few spring bulbs that will help to reawaken the senses, familiar rituals will make that dip of the toe into spring feel a little less sudden – and believe me, you’ll thank yourself for it!
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
19
NEWS & STORIES
TIME WELL SPENT… LISTEN
æËǑæ¨Ǒ`ÄǑ
Percent Happier podcast for sciencebacked meditation techniques and valuable insights into how we can boost our wellbeing and feel happier overall, æÄÖÙÄæƜËà READ `¨Ǒq«½Ǒ Ǒ
Handbook (£15, Quadrille) by Sarah qÿĨÃǑ9÷«ÞǑ¢ËÙǑ advice on how to plant
Heritage home
More Morris & Co? Yes, please. Anthropologie has extended its paint collection to include 40 shades (in chalk matt and ££Þ¨½½ǑċÄ«Þ¨ÞƝǑ¢ÙËÃǑǜűŶǑ for 1ltr, anthropologie. com) inspired by 160 years of William Morris design. And we love the latest ċÄƳ¨«ÄǑ˽½æ«ËÄǑÿǑ William Morris at Home, featuring his iconic designs, including (on this plate) Garden, reimagined in fresh pink and green. Dessert plate, £45 assorted set of four, williammorris athome.com
20
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
ǑǀƳº«ÄǁǑ£ÙÄƜǑ DISCOVER Object Story,
an online store featuring a beautifully curated selection of utilitarian and artisan homeware – everyday objects that are made æËǑ½ÞæƜǑF÷ÄÙǑ½«Ǒ started the business in 2020 from her garden shed, and has since opened a shop in the market town of Stroud, Ë·æÞæËÙÿƜËƜëº
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPH JAMES FRENCH
Happy & glorious
If you’re investing in a large appliance, it’s tempting to play safe when it comes to colour. After all, you don’t want to fall out of love with an item you expect to own for a long time. But what if that joyous shade makes your heart sing every day? ‘Dopamine décor’ describes interiors that spark a feelgood response – like this happy blue range cooker, in A Better Life, page 48. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
23
THE BEST MEDICINE Sam and Toby Withall renovated a former doctor’s surgery and its adjoining residence to create an effortlessly chic period home
24
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
FIFE GEORGIAN VILLA
DRAWING ROOM The previous owners left a number of beautiful pieces, including this antique drinks trolley, which the couple have included in their own schemes. Sofa, Oka. Similar mirror, The Online Mirror Shop
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
25
he Beast from the East of 2018 was blowing and only the bravest were out viewing properties. But when this beautiful Georgian house came on to the market, YÃǑÄǑ`ËÿǑq«æ¨½½Ǒ÷ÙǑÃËÄ£Ǒæ¨ǑċÙÞæǑæ¨ÙË루Ǒ the door. ‘When we saw it, we became absolutely determined to go ahead, striking a deal that meant buying all the contents as well,’ Sam recalls. The house had been put on the market when its previous owner, local GP Dr Kennedy, passed away during the winter of 2017. The Kennedys had married in 1964 and had clearly decorated then, but the house had not been modernised Þ«ÄƜǑǀqǑ¨ǑǑÖÙæÿǑ÷¨ÄǑ÷ǑċÙÞæǑ moved in and a friend said that ÞĈ˽«Ä£Ǒ루æǑ¨öǑÄǑǑëÞ¢ë½Ǒ housewarming gift,’ Sam laughs. The main part of the house is Georgian, with two Victorian extensions. On the west side, a two-storey addition housed the doctor’s surgery, with the waiting room and consulting rooms on the £ÙËëÄǑČËËÙǑÄǑæ÷ËǑÙËËÃÞǑ upstairs. Sam and Toby have now AT HOME WITH turned this part of the house into a stunning two-bedroom holiday let. OWNERS Sam Withall owns The smaller, single-storey Sam By The Sea, a lifestyle extension on the east side was a shop in Elie, Fife; her warren of small spaces, with a husband Toby is a chartered corridor leading to a sewing room surveyor. They have three and a utility room. The couple opened grown-up children, Barney, this up into a spacious new kitchenArthur and Eliza, and a family area, which stretches from the chocolate labrador, Reggie. front of the house to the back with a HOUSE A four-bedroom lovely high ceiling. The old kitchen property built in 1800. is now the adjoining dining area. ‘Our previous home was lovely, but a little small to be able to welcome all of our adult children and wider family and friends,’ says Sam, ‘so we are delighted that we now have all
26
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
this space.’ The process, however, was not without drama. ‘We had a builder lined up, but at the last minute he realised the project was too much for him. However, Ǒ½Ù£ÙǑċÙÃǑÞæÖÖǑ«ÄǑÄǑ«ǑǑ wonderful job,’ Sam explains. The family had to move out for six months, which added to the budget. So, to keep costs down, Sam researched like ÃƝǑċÄ«Ä£ǑÙ£«ÄÞǑËÄǑ ÿǑÄǑ snapping up fabric and carpet remnants. ‘We got the kitchen for free,’ she says. ‘A friend bought a house which had a very good-quality design but it wasn’t right for her, so we nabbed it. Our joiner remodelled «æǑæËǑċæǑæ¨ǑÞÖƟǑ«æǑ÷ÞǑÄËÙÃËëÞ½ÿǑ satisfying for everyone to save it from a skip.’ The previous owners of the Withalls’ house had opened up what is now the drawing room and main bedroom to create a large upstairs drawing room. Sam and Toby reinstated the wall between the two rooms, rewiring, updating the central heating and replacing the boiler but keeping the beautiful original radiators. ‘I sent them to Powderhall Bronze, a foundry in Edinburgh, to be refurbished and I bought more vintage radiators on eBay.’ ‘I don’t really have any hobbies, but I love doing up my house,’ Sam continues. ‘My best friend, interior designer Louise Rogers of No28 Fabric and Interiors in Hereford, has helped me. I certainly made a few mistakes along the way, but all in all, we are delighted.’ Find the Withalls’ holiday home – ‘Stylish two-bedroom apartment in Pittenweem’ – on Airbnb .
FIFE GEORGIAN VILLA
EXTERIOR The main part of the former doctor’s house and surgery dates from the Georgian era, with Victorian extensions built on either side
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
27
FIFE GEORGIAN VILLA
‘Our kitchen came from a friend who had bought a new home but felt the existing kitchen wasn’t right for her. Our joiner ÙÃ˽½Ǒ«æǑæËǑċæƝǑÞö«Ä£Ǒ«æǑ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨ǑÞº«Öǁ
KITCHEN-FAMILY ROOM This space was opened up to become a wonderful spot for everyone to gather. Bifold doors, Express Bifolds. Cotswold flooring, White Hall Flagstones. Pendant lights, Pooky Lighting
28
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
DINING AREA The chairs had been left behind in the doctor’s waiting room and Sam had them reupholstered in a variety of fabrics. Chair fabric, Tobias And The Angel. Elephant Palm wallpaper, Barneby Gates
HALLWAY Sam removed layers of red paint from the stone staircase during lockdown, which proved to be a very satisfying job. Pendant light, Oka. Walls up to wainscot height painted in Railings by Farrow & Ball
FIFE GEORGIAN VILLA
SAM AND TOBY’S COUNTRY LIFE SIMPLE PLEASURES ‘We love the peace and quiet of walks on the
nearby beaches along the Firth of Forth, but we also have a great social life having moved to the country!’ FAVOURITE VIEW ‘Ruddons Point near Shell Bay in Elie. It’s at the
end of the famous Chain Walk, which takes you along the jagged cliffs of the stunning coastline, with chains to keep you steady.’ GO FOR A MEAL AT ‘The Dory Bistro & Gallery in Pittenweem
(thedory.co.uk), a seafood restaurant with a focus on Fife food treasures, or try the Kinneuchar Inn in Kilconquhar (kinneucharinn. com), which serves great local dishes in a gorgeous setting.’
BATHROOM A modern bath tub and fittings work beautifully in this elegant period interior. Curtaining, No 28 Fabrics & Interiors. Woodwork painted in Scree; walls in Loft White, both by Little Greene
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
31
FEATURE ALISON GIBB PHOTOGRAPHS DOUGLAS GIBB
MAIN BEDROOM ‘The soft blue for this room has a warm, gentle feel.’ Walls painted in Borrowed Light, Farrow & Ball. Velvet throw and cushions, Sam By The Sea. Unnatural Flooring rug, My Friend Sally, Edinburgh
32
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
FIFE GEORGIAN VILLA
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
33
STYLE STORY
M O D E R N
M A N S E
Follow Sam Withall’s lead, mixing antique and new pieces with soft hues 2
1 3
4 10
7
8 5
9
1 HAND-CARVED PIECE Pie Crust hand-painted solid wood side table, made to order, £1,640, Chelsea Textiles 2 FANTASTICAL WORLD Extinctopia wallpaper in Glacier Blue, £150 a roll, Divine Savages 3 FLUTED DETAIL Josephine pendant light with grey cable, £35, M&S 4 LOUIS PHILIPPE-STYLE Antoine beaded mirror in White, £220, Sweetpea & Willow 5 TEXTURED PERCH HKLiving Natural rattan bar stool, £275, Rose & Grey 6 SILVERY-BLUE
34
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
SHADE Light Blue estate emulsion, from £54.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball 7 EMBROIDERED DESIGN Hiems felt cushion in Taupe, £42, Sazy 8 ANTIQUE BRASS FINISH Brass Star standing tealight holders, from £40 each, Nkuku 9 ELEGANT ILLUMINATION Eleonor table lamp in polished nickel with Myosotis shade, from £285, Mind The Gap 10 CLASSIC COMFORT Layla buttoned velvet three-seater sofa, £2,495, Cox & Cox
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS
6
BREATHING SPACE Finding an idyllic retreat in the rolling Devon countryside has brought balance to Rebecca and Simon Walker’s busy working lives
36
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
DEVON COTTAGE
EXTERIOR The first time Rebecca viewed Forager cottage she knew it was the home she had dreamed of and instantly fell for its charm. The couple love to spend time here and share it with friends and family
CONSERVATORY This space comes to life in the evenings, with candles, soft lighting and festoon lights along the walkway outside. Globe bulbs, Lights and Lamps. For similar shelving paint, try Jamie, Little Greene
DEVON COTTAGE
KITCHEN The French double doors connect the kitchen to the conservatory. From the conservatory another set of doors leads into the living areas, which creates a lovely circular flow in the downstairs space
EXTERIOR Rebecca and Simon landscaped the garden to make the most of the steep plot. They installed wooden steps that lead to a summer house where they can enjoy beautiful views of the Devon countryside
KITCHEN The dark cabinetry and white granite worktops work harmoniously with the panelling, oak flooring and light fittings to add to the country charm. Dripping Ice Lollies artwork, WHERE in Totnes
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
39
‘I wanted to create a luxurious but comfortable feel, with character and charm; somewhere with warmth to come home to after long dog walks or days sailing on the river Dart ’ 40
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
DEVON COTTAGE
LIVING AREA The downstairs space has been zoned into three defined areas using furniture, rugs and lighting, each section with its own distinct character. Engineered oak flooring, Beach Bros
DEVON COTTAGE
SNUG ‘One of my favourite buys was this two-seater vintage sofa, which was a bargain for £150. I had it reupholstered in a stylish pink fabric.’ Parker Knoll sofa, Etsy; upholstered in Wicklewood in Oatmeal, Blithfield
42
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
STUDY AREA ‘The painting is from my parent’s home in Mallorca and is very special to me. I love how the summer colours pop against the deep blue panelling.’ Table lamp, Graham and Green. Desk, Barker and Stonehouse
REBECCA AND SIMON’S COUNTRY LIFE SIMPLE PLEASURES ‘Simon is a keen sailor, and we find being on the
river in our boat so relaxing, especially in the summer evenings when the light is fading, and the water is at its calmest.’ MY FAVOURITE VIEW ‘From the top of the garden, the panoramic
view across the beautiful South Hams is spectacular.’ SHOP AT ‘My latest find is Bonds Lifestyle Shop (bondslifestyle.co.uk)
in Totnes. They stock unique modern and vintage interior finds.’ GO FOR A MEAL AT ‘The River Shack (therivershackdevon.co.uk)
in Stoke Gabriel. Its relaxed and beautiful setting on the bank of the River Dart makes it a magical spot for an early sunset dinner.’
FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH
DEVON COTTAGE
MASTER BEDROOM A treasured Victorian chest of drawers sits near the small bay window – from which you can enjoy views of the lane below. Print, French Grey. Bedside lamp, Pooky
EN-SUITE BATHROOM ‘We chose the master bedroom as our room as it had the en suite with a lovely shower. The tall window built into a nook is a sweet feature, but apart from that the room is simple and functional’
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
45
STYLE STORY
C L U B
H O U S E
Set investment pieces against a strong modern palette, like the Walkers 1 3 2
4
5
10
6
7 9
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS
8
1 RUSTIC STYLE Camille limewash oak three-drawer chest, £699, Cotswold Company 2 ANTIQUED FINISH Ezra round café table with oak top and iron base, £450, Graham and Green 3 VINTAGE LOOK Archer Cooper pendant in Black, £89, Sazy 4 SUBTLE GREEN TINT Mia mini recycled glass vase trio, £36 set of three, LSA International 5 SOLID-OAK TOP New-Shaker sideboard in Flint, £3,295, Pilgrim House 6 HANDMADE IN
WEST SUSSEX Forge Creative wide oak chopping board, £69, Toast 7 MADE FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC Nomad Taurus floor cushion, £195; cushion, £75, both Weaver Green 8 STUD DETAIL Ullswater club chair in Vintage Tabac, £1,675, Barker and Stonehouse 9 SOLID BRASS Kramer floor lamp in Antique Brass, £520; Bhaumitika shade, from £200, both Mind The Gap 10 UPLIFTING SHADE Bone China Blue absolute matt emulsion, from £27.50 for 1ltr, Little Greene
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
47
A BETTER LIFE Alice Lancastle has breathed new life into a tired farmhouse, transforming it into her dream home and creating a fulfilling lifestyle for the whole family in the process
48
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
SOMERSET FARMHOUSE
EXTERIOR Alice’s neighbour has an old map of the village, which suggests that at least parts of the building date back to 1743. The couple have taken time to future-proof it with efficient windows and good insulation
LIVING ROOM The pastel hue of the sofa is grounded by the textures from the coffee table and rug. The coffee table is from Alice’s company, @my_vintage_ barn. Angel wings, Rolfey’s in Bath. Rattan pendants, Nkuku
heir house search was four years in the making. But one rainy October afternoon, Alice and Rob Lancastle walked into the charming farmhouse of their dreams. Surrounded by the lush Somerset countryside, it’s hard to believe they didn’t notice the incredible sweeping views until their second visit. ‘It just felt like home the minute we stepped through the door,’ Alice explains. ‘The house had been well lived in but was starting to look tired and needed some updating, as well as better cohesion.’ The couple were living in London but found themselves escaping to the Cotswolds at every ËÖÖËÙæëÄ«æÿƝǑÞÖ«½½ÿǑ¢æÙǑ樫ÙǑċÙÞæǑÞËÄǑ÷ÞǑËÙÄƜǑ`¨ÿǑÙ½«ÞǑ æ¨ÿǑ÷ÄæǑæ¨ǑÄċæÞǑË¢Ǒ«æÿǑ½«¢Ǒ but the peace of the countryside, and the rural outskirts of Bath seemed to Ǒæ¨ǑÖÙ¢æǑċæƜǑTËǑËë½ǑËÃÃëæǑ into London, Bristol and Bath were on their doorstep, and of course, there was the outstanding beauty of the countryside. ‘We were looking for a change of pace in life,’ says Alice. ‘This house has given us so much more than we ever hoped for. It has brought us happiness and a better balance with family, friends and work. It enabled me to return to making furniture, which is in my soul, and be a better mother and wife.’ Summer 2018 saw the young family handed the keys and the renovations began in earnest. ‘We wanted to make AT HOME WITH it feel more like one property rather than a number of buildings put OWNERS Furniture renovator together,’ Alice explains. ‘The Alice Lancastle lives here previous owners had done lots of with her husband, Rob, who the heavy renovating for us. But each works in finance, and their room needed a complete overhaul children, Rufus, six, Woody, from skirtings, plastering, doors, four, and Heathley, two. radiators and windows, to the usual HOUSE A five-bedroom cosmetics. We have restored beams 280-year-old farmhouse. and original features but also tried to future-proof it. We’ve packed it full Ë¢Ǒ«ÄÞë½æ«ËÄǑÄǑĉ«ÄæǑ÷«ÄË÷ÞƝǑ as well as hanging thick curtains.’ The playroom was top of the to-do list for two reasons – it didn’t require much work and would keep the rest of the house toy free. Next up were
50
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
the snug and boot room. ‘We spend huge amounts of time in the snug as it’s cosy and near the kitchen,’ says Alice. ‘They both needed a deep dive cosmetically and functionally. I took my time and planned every inch of the boot room from the width of a pair of shoes, to the height of wellies, to the length of a coat, to make it all function exactly as it should. We’ve moved doorways and radiators to make the spaces work better.’ Alice established a primary colour palette of calming white, black, green and neutral hues. ‘The house needed synergy,’ she explains. ‘I made an initial plan before I started anything, moving from blues and greens downstairs, to washed pinks and warmer neutrals upstairs. I always ëÞǑæ¨ǑÞÃǑ÷¨«æǑÄǑËĈƳ½ºǑ throughout to create a memory of colour as you move from space to space. It’s important to move seamlessly from one space to the next, and for colours, tones and patterns to link.’ It’s been four years of hard work for Alice and Rob. Their only break during that time was six months after their third child was born – and that was after the rebuilding of the milking barn (now living room) and replacement of the timber frame inside, along with insulating the roof and ÷½½ÞƝǑċÙÖ½ǑþæÄÞ«ËÄÞƝǑ windows and décor. Next on the hit list is a plan to extend the kitchen and move the utility room, which will leave Alice with a dedicated indoor workspace for her furniture making, something she has been dreaming of for years. ǀ`¨ǑÙ½ǑÄċæǑ«ÞǑ¨Ë÷Ǒ«æǑ÷«½½Ǒ«ÃÖÙËöǑ æ¨ǑČË÷ǑÙËëÄǑæ¨Ǒ¨ËëÞǑÄǑ¨Ë÷Ǒ÷Ǒ interact as a family, especially as the boys grow up,’ says Alice. The countryside dream of a slower ÖǑË¢Ǒ½«¢Ǒ¨ÞǑċÄ«æ½ÿǑËÃǑæÙëǑ for the Lancastles. ‘I never want to move,’ Alice explains. ‘This house has brought us so much joy as a family. We’re truly at peace here. We love it more each day that we’re here.’
SOMERSET FARMHOUSE
LIVING ROOM Alice bought this workbench on a whim, to upcycle and sell it, but the 3m beauty stole her heart. Alice then chiselled out a runner and added tiles for a bespoke feel. Dining chairs, eBay
SOMERSET FARMHOUSE
KITCHEN The blue Aga creates a focal point but is flanked by neutral hues for balance. The rustic feel is emphasised by the upcycled dining table (an eBay find) and the wooden sideboard, which came with the house
MUSIC SPACE The piano in the corner of the living room was sourced locally. Painting it a fresh white gave it a new lease of life. Chair, Facebook Marketplace. Frame, Aldridges Auction House in Bath. Candlesticks, Nkuku
52
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
KITCHEN Ornamental touches such as the shelves and oversized clock add character. Kitchen units painted in Strong White, Farrow & Ball. The clock is a vintage find from Clifton Market. Try Newgate World for similar
‘I’m always looking for nooks or corners to build in storage. I love rooms that work both cosmetically and functionally’
STAIRCASE Alice added interest to the restored staircase by fixing metal numbers, which she found at a market, on to the steps. The 1930s petrol pump was lovingly restored by Alice’s dad. Carpet, Capitol Carpets
ALICE’S COUNTRY LIFE SIMPLE PLEASURES Our best days are when we are all together,
just hanging out with nature, playing in a stream, finding new walks, being on our bikes, and seeing a new bird or flower. FAVOURITE VIEW Sitting on the top of the steps in the garden.
All you can see are the beautiful fields and the horizon. SHOP AT Shepton Mallet Flea Market (sheptonflea.com). There’s
a plethora of vintage finds and I can’t help myself there. GO FOR A MEAL AT Fox & Badger (thefoxandbadger.com). Our local
pub in the heart of the village, where friends and families meet for all occasions. Dogs and horses alike are tied up outside!
SOMERSET FARMHOUSE BEDROOM The mezzanine is the star of the show in this room and is painted in De Nimes by Farrow & Ball. Alice made the bedding using tablecloths from H&M Home and she also made the blue chair
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
55
EN SUITE The white tiles were chosen for their timelessness, but the painted walls allow for flexibility with the colour scheme. Walls are painted in Studio Green, Farrow & Ball. Wall and floor tiles, Mandarin Stone
SOMERSET FARMHOUSE
FEATURE LAURA EWART PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR
MAIN BEDROOM The gentle tones teamed here create a calming retreat for Alice and Rob. Carpet, Capitol Carpets. Radiator, Cast Iron Radiator Centre. Bed, Nicky Cornell. Bedding, Piglet in Bed
MAIN BEDROOM The curtain poles were made by a local blacksmith. This unusual tiered effect allows Alice and Rob to benefit from their blackout curtains. Curtains made by Alice’s company @my_vintage_barn
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
57
STYLE STORY
F A M I L Y
F A R M H O U S E
Team warm blues with rustic and cosy, modern country buys in calming hues 1
2
3
9 4
8 5
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS
7
1 RUFFLED EDGES Cushion in Frilly Harbour Stripe Black, £75, Tori Murphy 2 ORGANIC COTTON Bundle-up stripe throw in Blue, £25, Perch & Parrow 3 OVERSIZED TIMEPIECE Italian Roman numeral wall clock in Grey, £105, Newgate World 4 ELEGANT LEG SHAPE Modern dining table, £1,495, Mayfair 5 COSY AND SUSTAINABLE Jashar recycled wool cushion cover in Mustard
6
and Moss, Natural, £55, Nkuku 6 SOFT, CHARCOAL BLACK Graphite chalk paint, £26.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan 7 CLASSIC STYLE AND COMFORT Chadwick 2.5 seater sofa in Matt Velvet Teal, £1,795, The Cotswold Company 8 HANGING AROUND Natural wicker pendant light, £195, Rose & Grey 9 COOK UP A STORM Everhot 100i range cooker in Victoria Blue, £10,210
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 59
A COTTAGE OF SURPRISES
Interior designer Guy Wengraf has combined modern must-haves with old-world charm in a sumptuous 21st-century cottage 60
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE LIVING SPACE Guy has mixed materials, textures and cocooning furniture to create a wonderfully cosy space. Sofa, George Smith. Boucle armchair, Soho Home. Curtains, Linen Fabrics. Curtain poles, Silent Gliss
LIVING SPACE Pre-finished painted pine brings focus to the grand apex ceiling, making the cottage feel large and elegant. Pre-painted pine cladding, Havwoods. B Pendant light, Officine904.it
pretty garden through French doors. Two bedrooms and a bathroom lead from this space at one end, while at æ¨ǑËæ¨ÙǑ«ÞǑǑ½«ÙÙÿƳëÃƳËĉƜǑ`¨Ǒ compact kitchen and hallway feature built-in storage solutions concealed behind modern wall cladding. ‘I love to cook so I approached the design of the kitchen as if I was going to be using it myself, adding as much hidden storage behind the walls as possible,’ says Guy. `¨ÙǑ«ÞǑǑ½Ëö½ÿǑÞÄÞǑË¢ǑČË÷Ǒ throughout the cottage. ‘We’ve used «ĈÙÄæǑæÿÖÞǑË¢Ǒæ«ÃÙǑ½«Ä£ǑæËǑ give it a log-cabin feel, and the palette is white, green, teal and brown, which are the colours of the countryside,’ says Guy. His favourite colour combination is green and white, which comes into its own in the main living room, where deep olive-green woodwork helps to maintain a cosy feel. Snuggly materials, sumptuous textures and cocooning furniture, such as the curvaceous mid-century sofa the couple found at auction, create a wonderfully cosy space that has a hint of old-world glamour. ‘We’ve carried the same palette and natural theme into the bedrooms, with linen wallpaper in the main bedroom and a fun palm wallpaper in the kids’ bunk room,’ says Guy. ‘Importantly, both rooms blend really well with the mid-century elements we’ve used in the living space.’ q«æ¨Ǒæ¨ǑċÄ«Þ¨«Ä£ǑæËë¨ÞǑ ËÃÖ½æƝǑæ¨ǑËææ£Ǒ÷ÞǑċĽ½ÿǑ ÙÿǑæËǑÙ«öǑ«æÞǑċÙÞæǑö«Þ«æËÙÞǑ«ÄǑ 2021. ‘It was originally intended as an overnight retreat for people we knew, but Kitty and I soon realised that it would work really well as a quirky holiday rental too,’ says Guy. ‘We’ve stayed in many “okay” holiday homes, but have always craved something more stylish and sustainable, that sits comfortably within the landscape, and I’m happy that’s what we’ve achieved here.’ Guy and Kitty’s cottage is available to rent through stayone.com
62
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE LIVING SPACE The midcentury dining chairs were found at auction and re-covered, bringing a relaxed feel. Dining table, Carlo Scarpa. Dining chairs covered in Les Palmiers fabric, Brunschwig & Fils
KITCHEN The rustic wood tones of the cabinetry and cladding echo the dry brick wall outside the cottage window. Cladding, Havwoods. Floor tiles, Otto Tiles. Worktop, Midland Stone Centre. Artwork, Kindah Khalidy
CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE
LIVING SPACE Guy had the fire surround built in travertine to match the dining table. Boucle armchair, Soho Home. Round rug, Maisons Du Monde. Similar rattan mirrors, H&M Home
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
65
BUNK ROOM The palm wallpaper tied in perfectly with the mid-century design references in the living space. Tropics Travelers Palm wallpaper, Thibaut Designs. Bunk beds, Mathy by Bols
CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE
ǀ*ǑÄ·ËÿǑÙæ«Ä£ǑǑ˨ޫöǑČË÷Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑÙËËÃǑæËǑ ÙËËÃǑÿǑËÄÄæ«Ä£Ǒæ¨ǑÞÖÞǑæ¨ÙË루ǑǑÄÙÙæ«öǑ Ë¢ǑË٣īǑæþæëÙÞƝǑæËÄÞǑÄǑËâËÙæǁ
MAIN BEDROOM Guy chose textured wallpaper to add interest and depth, but also for its hard-wearing qualities. Shinok wallpaper, Casamance. Art Deco bedside table and armoire, The Saleroom
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
67
BATHROOM Period-style fittings were chosen for their classic appeal, while the distressed panelled ceiling adds to the time-worn look achieved throughout. Basin, Burlington. Pink stripe tiles, Otto Tiles
HALLWAY Guests are welcomed through the pretty yet practical hallway, where tiles with the same stripe as the bathroom have been used for flow. Green tiles, Otto Tiles. Joinery painted in Calamine, Farrow & Ball
CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE
KITTY AND GUY’S COUNTRY LIFE SIMPLE PLEASURES We now have a kitchen garden and grow our own
potatoes, rocket and much more. It’s my happy space at dusk – an owl lives in the trees above, and when I’m lucky, he hoots away. SHOP AT Hugo’s Patisserie in Burford has the most amazing afternoon
tea to bring home. A box of their meringues, including Coca-Cola, bubblegum and banana flavour, is the kids’ favourite. MY FAVOURITE VIEW Walking down the last field into Great Tew to have
FEATURE LOUISE O’BRYAN/RUTH CORBETT STYLING PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES MERRELL
a coffee and get the kids an ice cream from Quince & Clover. The view is a little patch of thatched cottages in a blanket of rolling fields as far as you can see. Arriving at the village that way is like going back in time.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
69
STYLE STORY
C A B I N
C O R E
Mix raw materials and pops of black with candy stripes for a playful finish 3 1
2
4 10
5
6
9
8
1 BOHO STYLE Rattan mirror, from £20, Sass & Belle 2 ASH BLACK WITH WHITE INTERIOR Dexter pendant light, from £111, Pooky 3 WITH A LINEN REVERSE Velvet Lustre cushion cover in Slate Blue, £30, Walton & Co 4 BEAUTIFUL GRAIN Jericho mango wood side table, £120, Habitat 5 WOW WALL 3D reclaimed teak wood panels, Java, £99.99sq m, Naturewall 6 GENTLE CURVES Ella chair upholstered in Botany by Fermoie, £925,
70
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Gabriella James Chairmakers 7 PRETTY IN PINK Blush Pink marble matt emulsion, No. 27, from £31 for 1ltr, Mylands 8 HORIZONTAL OR VERTICAL, INDOORS OR OUTDOORS Dirty Pink Stripes & Green Stripes encaustic cement tiles, £130sq m, Otto Tiles 9 FUSS-FREE Faux fern potted plant with tendrils, £19.99, Gisela Graham 10 SOPHISTICATED SHAPE Nell 2.5 seater velvet sofa, Charcoal Air Force Blue, £2,495, Oka
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS
7
SUBSCRIPTION OFFER
FOR RURAL DWELLERS & DREAMERS
Subscribe today to our Mother’s Day offer FREE GIFT WORTH £23
Receive a free Emma Bridgewater Bee mug plus a
O
previously released issue of Country Homes & Interiors ONever miss an issue – for yourself or a friend OFree home delivery direct to your door Visit www.magazinesdirect.com/chmd23 or call 0330 333 1113 and quote B44T Offer closes 31 March 2023. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue. Your gift will be delivered separately within 60 days after your first payment has cleared. Gifts only available to subscribers on the UK mainland. Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. Personal subscriptions will start with the next available issue. For full t&cs, visit magazinesdirect.com/terms.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
73
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS
Border lines
So long feature walls; the border is back! ‘Borders give you the option of adding a dash of colour and pattern to a room without a big investment,’ says designer Kate Hawkins from CommonRoom. ‘Plus, I’m a 1980s baby and borders feel playful but also familiar. They bring together elements of a room and create light and shade.’ Silk Stripe Border II, £75 a roll, CommonRoom COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
75
PRINTS CHARMING Create a fairy-tale space full of colour and pattern, with these happy-ever-after décor ideas
DECORATING
CONVERSATION STARTER Chairs in Piper in Red, £69m; Nerissa wallpaper in Yellow, £69 a roll, both Jane Churchill VISUAL FEAST Chairs in Ladder Leaf linen in Yellow/Olive, £216m, Anna Jeffreys; and Chintamani in Marigold, £168m, Ottoline. Jute braided rug, £575, The Conran Shop ª
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
77
DECORATING
Uplifting, hopeful and full of promise, yellow makes the perfect ground for ½«æǑČËÙ½ǑÖææÙÄÞǑÙÄÙǑ«ÄǑÖëÙ white or with shots of pink and green
DRESSING TO THRILL Sommerville wallpaper in Carmen/Daffodil, £122 a roll, Sanderson SLEEPING BEAUTY Hydrangea Lace in Sunflower paper-backed linen wallcovering, £230m, Soane Britain ª
78
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
DECORATING
BLUE MOODS Curtain in Bryony in Blue, £110m, Jane Churchill RUFFLE FEATHERS Pheasant wallpaper in Denim, £148 a roll, Daydress II at Dado Atelier ª
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
81
DECORATING
Blue and white patterns evoke classic motifs on china and tableware. But pair blue with pink or red, and suddenly ǑÞ¨ÃǑæºÞǑËÄǑǑ«ĈÙÄæǑČöËëÙ
RAMBLING ROSE Rosanna Trellis wallpaper, £90 a roll, Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little COLOUR MIX Cushions, from £65 each; Ilex lampshade, from £40; woven wall baskets, from £52.50 each, all Birdie Fortescue ª
82
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Let leafy prints ramble across walls to bring the verdant countryside indoors. Or choose closely planted green patterns for a dense, fresh and dynamic look
DECORATING
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPHS SOANE.CO.UK, FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/SARAH KAYE, BRENT DARBY, JAN BALDWIN
BOUGH PEEP Broadwick St in Mono wallpaper, £102 a roll; woodwork in Jewel Beetle intelligent eggshell, £75.50 for 2.5ltr, both Little Greene GENTLE GLADE (Top left) Blinds in Rose in Bough’s Green/Rose, £115m; stools in (front) Emery’s Willow in Woad Blue, £105m; (rear) Flowers By May in Indigo, £249m; Borage in Sunflower wallpaper, £99 a roll, all Emery Walker’s House Collection at Morris & Co CHECK MATES (Top right) Hedera in Green wallpaper, £59 a roll, Sanderson. Kitchen units in Persian water-based eggshell, from £85 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer LEAFY RETREAT (Bottom left) Rubus Blackberry wallpaper, £85 a roll; Robin’s Wood in Sap Green wallpaper, £125 a roll; fabrics, all £85m each, all Arboretum collection at Sanderson GREEN ARBOUR (Bottom right) Curtain in Maypole in Peacock; bedspread in Bagatelle in Moss, both £69.90m, Linwood
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
85
FIVE FOUNDATIONS OF
DRESSING WINDOWS
We asked interior designers for their expert advice on choosing, installing and styling curtains
MEASURING UP ‘Sizing curtains is very straightforward; simply measure the width of the track or pole from end to end, then measure the drop from the pole or track to where you would like the curtain to ċÄ«Þ¨ƝǁǑÞÿÞǑ¢Ù«ǑÞ«£ÄÙǑ`ËÙ«Ǒ?ëÙÖ¨ÿƜǑǀ*¢ǑÿËëǑ ½«ºǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑæËǑÖë½ǑËÄǑæ¨ǑČËËÙƝǑæ¨ÄǑǑÄǑ extra 15cm or so to your drop to give that lengthy ¢½ǑÄǑºÖǑÙ루æÞǑæǑÿƜǑ?ÄÿǑ¨ËëÞÞǑ ¨öǑÙ«æËÙÞǑ½Ë÷Ǒæ¨Ǒ÷«ÄË÷ÞƝǑÄǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑ æ¨æǑċÄ«Þ¨ǑËÄǑæ¨ǑČËËÙǑÄǑÖÙöÄæǑÄÿǑÙ«æËÙǑ ¨æǑ¢ÙËÃǑËëģǑ«ÄæËǑæ¨ǑÙËËÃƜǁǑ*¢ǑÿËëǑ÷ÄæǑ ½ËÄ£ǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑëæǑ¨öǑǑÙ«æËÙƝǑËÄÞ«ÙǑ æ«ƳºÞǑæ¨æǑ½½Ë÷Ǒæ¨ǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑæËǑǑÖë½½Ǒ ËëæǑË¢Ǒæ¨Ǒ÷ÿǑ÷¨ÄǑæ¨ǑÙ«æËÙǑ«ÞǑËÄƜǑǑª
86
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
INTERIOR DESIGN
Curtains made from Sleeper Stripe cotton fabric in Radish, £75m, Tori Murphy
Room scheme and curtains designed by Studio Peake
ATTACHING A TRIM Edging your curtains with trim is an excellent way to add character and colour to your window æÙæÃÄæÞƜǑǀ`¨ÙǑÙǑǑÄëÃÙǑË¢ǑÄċæÞǑæËǑ «Ä£ǑÙ«ÞǑËÙǑ¢Ù«Ä£ÞǑæËǑëÙæ«ÄÞƜǑ*¢Ǒ*Ǒ¨öǑǑ öÙÿǑÖææÙÄǑËÙǑæþæëÙǑÞ¨ÃƝǑ*Ǒ루æǑºÖǑ æ¨ǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑǑÃëæǑ˽ËëÙǑëæǑǑ«ÄæÙÞæǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ Ǒ˽ËëÙ¢ë½ǑÙ«ǑËÙǑ¢Ù«Ä£ƜǑǑ˽ǑæÙ«ÃǑÄǑ½ÞËǑ
88
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
help frame a window and draw the eyes to the ö«÷ǑËëæÞ«ƝǁǑÞÿÞǑYÙ¨ǑQºƝǑ¢ËëÄÙǑË¢Ǒ Yæë«ËǑQºƜǑǀq¨ÄǑ«Ä£ǑǑÙ«ǑËÄǑæ¨Ǒ ½«Ä£Ǒ£ǑË¢ǑǑëÙæ«ÄƝǑÙÃÃÙǑæËǑÞºǑæ¨Ǒ ëÙæ«ÄǑúÙǑæËǑ«ÄÞÙæǑ«æǑËÄǑæ¨ǑæËÖǑË¢Ǒæ¨ǑċÙÞæǑ fold, so it really stands out – otherwise you risk «æǑ£ææ«Ä£Ǒ½ËÞæǑÃËÄ£Ǒæ¨Ǒ¢Ë½ÞǑË¢Ǒæ¨ǑëÙæ«ÄƜǁ
INTERIOR DESIGN
ADDING A LINING `¨Ǒ½«Ä«Ä£Ǒ«ÞǑÄǑÞÞÄ櫽ƝǑÿæǑË¢æÄǑËöÙ½Ë˺ƝǑ ÞÖæǑË¢ǑëÙæ«ÄÞƜǑ@ËæǑËĽÿǑËÞǑǑ½«Ä«Ä£Ǒ˽ÞæÙǑ ÷ÙÃæ¨ǑÄǑÖÙ«öÿǑëæǑ«æǑ½ÞËǑĈæÞǑæ¨Ǒ÷ÿǑ ǑëÙæ«ÄǑ¨Ä£ÞƜǑY«Ä£½Ƴ½«ÄǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑ÷«½½Ǒ½Ë˺Ǒ ½«£¨æǑÄǑČË÷«Ä£ƝǑ«½Ǒ¢ËÙǑæ¨ǑÞëÃÃÙǑÃËÄæ¨ÞƜǑ ‘Heavily interlined curtains give a luxurious ċÄ«Þ¨ƝǑ÷¨«¨ǑÄËæǑËĽÿǑ½½Ë÷ÞǑæ¨Ǒ¢Ù«ǑæËǑÙÖǑ
ë櫢뽽ÿǑëæǑ÷«½½Ǒ½Ë˺Ǒ÷ËÄÙ¢ë½Ǒ¢ËÙǑÃÄÿǑ ÿÙÞǑæËǑËÃƜǑFÖæ«Ä£Ǒ¢ËÙǑËë½ǑËÙǑöÄǑ æÙ«Ö½Ƴ½«ÄǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑ¨ÞǑæ¨ǑǑËÄëÞǑË¢Ǒ adding extra layers of warmth and protection from the cold, which is especially important in ˽Ǒ¨ËëÞÞƝǁǑÞÿÞǑYëÞ«ǑqæÞËÄƝǑÞ«£ÄÙǑÄǑ ¢ËëÄÙǑË¢ǑYëÞ«ǑqæÞËÄǑÞ«£ÄÞƜƜǑª
Curtains made from natural rustic linen, £72m, Susie Watson Designs
Curtains in Wild Fern; blinds in French Ticking, both £59m, Vanessa Arbuthnott
COMBINING WITH A BLIND Curtains are favoured for their aesthetic and «ÄÞë½æ«Ä£ǑÖÙËÖÙæ«ÞƝǑ÷¨«½Ǒ½«ÄÞǑÖÙËö«Ǒ ËÄæÙ˽½½Ǒ½ö½ÞǑË¢ǑÖÙ«öÿǑÄǑ½«£¨æƜǑ
ËëīģǑËæ¨Ǒ÷«ÄË÷ǑæÙæÃÄæÞǑ«ÄǑæ¨ǑÞÃǑ ÞÖǑĽÞǑÿËëǑæËǑÄċæǑ¢ÙËÃǑ½½Ǒ½ÃÄæÞǑ simultaneously, while also adding a unique Þ«£ÄƜǑǀ*ÄÞæ½½«Ä£ǑËæ¨Ǒ½«ÄÞǑÄǑëÙæ«ÄÞǑ÷«½½Ǒ
90
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
minimise draughts, while the layered look ÙæÞǑǑËÞÿǑÖÖÙÄƝǁǑÞÿÞǑ¢Ù«ǑÞ«£ÄÙǑ pÄÞÞǑÙëæ¨ÄËææƜǑǀǑëþƳÄƳÃæ¨Ǒ ÖÖÙ˨ǑæËǑ¢Ù«ÞǑ«ÞǑÞæƜǑQ«ÙǑǑÖææÙÄǑ design with a solid colour ; you can draw on a colour present in the pattern for your solid Þ¨ǑæËǑÄÞëÙǑæ¨ÿǑËÃÖ½ÃÄæǑ¨ǑËæ¨ÙƜǁ
INTERIOR DESIGN
PUTTING UP A PELMET
FEATURE HOLLY REANEY PHOTOGRAPH (5) FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/BRENT DARBY
`Ù«æ«ËĽ½ÿǑ¢ËëÄǑ«ÄǑ£ÙÄǑÖÙ«ËǑÖÙËÖÙæ«ÞƝǑ pelmets are seeing a resurgence in modern-day ËëÄæÙÿǑ¨ËÃÞƜǑǀyËëǑÞ¨Ëë½Ǒ½÷ÿÞǑËÄÞ«ÙǑǑ Ö½ÃæƝǁǑÞÿÞǑÃÃǑæÙ«Ä£ƝǑ¢ËëÄÙǑÄǑ Ùæ«öǑ«ÙæËÙǑË¢Ǒ7½½«Ä£ǑÞ«£ÄÞƜǑǀ`¨ÿǑËĈÙǑ an extra level of detail to your window dressing while providing a way to hide curtain poles and
ċþæëÙÞƜǑ*¢ǑÿËëǑ¨öǑǑÄëæÙ½ǑÞ¨ÃƝǑÿËëǑÄǑ Ù«Ä£Ǒ¨ÙÃǑæËǑæ¨ǑÞÖǑ÷«æ¨ǑǑÖ½ÃæǑ«ÄǑǑ Þ¨Ö½ÿǑÞ«£ÄǑËÙǑ˽Ǒ¢Ù«ƜǑ*¢ǑÿËëǑ¨öǑ ö«ÙÄæǑëÙæ«ÄÞƝǑæ¨ÄǑËÖæ«Ä£Ǒ¢ËÙǑǑÖ½ÃæǑ«ÄǑǑ ÄëæÙ½Ǒ¢Ù«Ǒ÷Ëë½Ǒ÷ËÙºǑ÷½½ƜǑ ëæǑ÷¨ÿǑÄËæǑëÞǑ æ¨ǑÞÃǑÙ«£¨æǑ¢Ù«ǑËÄǑæ¨ǑÖ½ÃæǑÞǑæ¨Ǒ ëÙæ«ÄÞƝǑæËǑúǑÿËëÙǑ÷«ÄË÷ǑÙÞÞ«Ä£ÞǑÞ«Ä£ƣǁ
An upholstered pelmet will create a decorative frame for your windows
THINGS DESIGNERS KNOW
HOW TO ARRANGE FURNITURE Designer and stylist Abigail Ahern shares her commandments for placing furniture in a room. Sofa against the wall? Not on her watch…
E
PUT YOUR FURNITURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM
‘Your room will feel bigger if you let it breathe, ÄǑÃËö«Ä£Ǒæ¨ǑÞË¢ǑËĈǑöÄǑǑæǑ÷«½½ǑÙæǑ a better sense of balance. And if you happen to have a larger space, move the furniture into æ¨Ǒë½ǑË¢Ǒæ¨ǑÙËËÃǑÞǑØ뫺½ÿǑÞǑÿËëǑÄơǁ
INCLUDE GREAT FOCAL POINTS
‘Focal points can appear naturally, such as a ċÙÖ½ǑÃÄæ½ǑËÙǑǑ÷«ÄË÷ƜǑFÙǑÿËëǑÄǑÙæǑ your own by adding something the eye is drawn to. You can go big with a mirror, large pendant or supersized plant; or you can go small with a vibrant cushion or a vase in an intoxicating hue. ǀFÙ«ÄææǑæ¨ǑÞË¢ǑæË÷ÙÞǑ樫ÞǑ¢æëÙǑÄǑ then position smaller seating options, such as ÞæË˽ÞǑÄǑ¨«ÙÞƜǑ!«Ä«Þ¨ǑËĈǑÿǑ«Ä£Ǒ«ÄǑÄæǑ «æÃÞǑ½«ºǑËĈǑæ½ÞǑÄǑ½ÃÖÞƜ ǀFÄǑÿËëǑ¨öǑÿËëÙǑëÄǑ¢ËëÞƝǑÙæǑæ÷ËǑ more secondary focal points. Soon you’ll be moving the eye around the room like a pro.’
and stools to create additional perches. In larger rooms, establish multiple conversational areas.’
SET A PATH THROUGH THE SPACE ǀ`ÙĉǑČË÷Ǒ«ÞǑºÿƝǑÞËǑúǑÞëÙǑæ¨ÙǁÞǑǑ½ÙǑ path between pieces, but don’t arrange furniture so you can walk from one side of the room to the other in a straight line. The aim is to make people weave a little. Subconsciously this activates your senses and stimulates the brain.’
AVOID COMPLETE SYMMETRY
‘Symmetrical layouts bring cohesion to a room, so typically, seating pieces would face one ÄËæ¨ÙƜǑ ëæǑFƳ«Ä£ǑËÄǑÞÿÃÃæÙÿǑúÞǑÙËËÃÞǑ ÞëÖÙƳë½½ƜǑFĽÿǑÃæ¨ǑËÄǑ½ÃÄæƝǑ½«ºǑÞ«Ǒ tables, never everything. I prefer asymmetry: «æǑ«ÞǑÃë¨Ǒ¨ÙÙǑæËǑÖë½½ǑËĈƝǑëæǑÞËǑÃë¨ǑË˽ÙƜǁǑ
PAIR A CHAIR WITH A TABLE OR LAMP
‘Create a more relaxed room by dotting chairs about. So, with a sofa running lengthways and ǑËĈǑæ½Ǒ«ÄǑ¢ÙËÄæǑË¢Ǒ«æƝǑëþǑ«ÄǑëÞÃ樫ģǑ chairs in spaces opposite, at angles and on corners. Always make sure every chair gets a buddy, too – a little table or stool where you ÄǑÖËÖǑǑËĈǑƵǑËÙǑ«æǑ÷«½½Ǒ¢½ǑæËËǑ½ËÄÞËÃƜǁ
GROUP SEATING FOR CONVERSATION
‘Conversational areas are fundamental in our super-busy, plugged-in world, so chairs and sofas need to be positioned near one another. In narrower rooms, choose leaner chairs without arms, and add pieces such as ottomans
92
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Masterclass by Abigail Ahern (Pavilion Books, £30)
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPH ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL
very commandment can be broken, but Abigail Ahern believes that some ground rules about arranging furniture can help us to design better spaces. And if something isn’t working? ‘Be rebellious, þÖÙ«ÃÄæƝǑǑÙæ«öǑÄǑČËëæǑæ¨ǑÙë½Þơǁ
DESIGN ADVICE
Studio kitchen in Dark Smoked timber, from £35,000, Roundhouse, round housedesign.com
KITCHEN DESIGN
GET THE BRIGHT IDEA
Good lighting can transform your kitchen from a bright task-orientated room during the day – to a relaxing space to share with friends in the evening
INTEGRATED LIGHTING ‘Integrated lighting in a pantry cabinet is a super-useful feature, mainly because it allows you to see everything easily within the cupboard – no lost tins or spice jars,’ advises Jane Powell, senior designer, Roundhouse. ‘It also creates a more pleasant place to work in, should you be ÖÙÖÙ«Ä£ǑÿËëÙǑÃËÙÄ«Ä£ǑËĈǑËÙǑ½Ä«Ä£ǑëÖǑǑÞÃËË樫ƜǁǑ
In-cupboard integrated lighting is also useful in breakfast cabinets and home bar units, where it adds a touch of £½ÃËëÙƝǑÞÖÙº½«Ä£ǑËÄǑ£½ÞÞ÷ÙǑÄǑÄÿǑËæ¨ÙǑÙČæ«öǑ surfaces, such as a mirrored splashback. If you like your þ«Þæ«Ä£Ǒ«ÄæÞǑëæǑæ¨ÿǑ½Ë˺Ǒ£½ËËÃÿƝǑÿËëǑÄǑÙæÙËƳċæǑ lighting; most DIY stores have good options.ª COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
95
Bespoke kitchen, from £60,000, Humphrey Munson, humphreymunson. co.uk
OVERMANTEL LIGHTING An overmantel can cast a shadow over your hob or range cooker, so installing lighting beneath can transform your kitchen scheme. ‘For a cooking area, task lighting is key, so choosing an extraction hood with integrated lighting is an easy win,’ says Louisa Eggleston, creative director at Humphrey Munson. This is especially useful if your hob or
96
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
range is built into a chimney breast, which will not usually have any other overhead lighting. ǀ!ËÙǑǑċÄÞÞǑÄǑÙÞë½æƝǑ÷Ǒ½÷ÿÞǑÄÞëÙǑæ¨Ǒ˽ËëÙǑ temperature of the lights in the extractor hood is the same as the main scheme,’ adds Louisa. It’s a small detail, but matching cool or warm bulbs gives a well-balanced look.
KITCHEN DESIGN
The Devine Collection kitchen, from £25,000, Tom Howley, tomhowley.co.uk
CEILING DOWNLIGHTS ‘Lighting is a crucial element in good kitchen design,’ explains Nerys Wilson, designer at Tom Howley. ‘Flush-mounted ceiling LED downlights will work in harmony with other lighting zones in your kitchen space, and pair well with feature pendant lighting over an island.’ Nerys recommends selecting light bulbs with a warmer
hue (colour temperature of 3000 to 2700 Kelvin or less), ÷«æ¨Ǒ«ĈÙÄæǑ½«£¨æ«Ä£ǑĄËÄÞǑËÄǑÞÖÙæǑÞ÷«æ¨ÞƝǑ dimmable if possible. ‘This allows you to create the correct lighting atmosphere for every situation, whether that be bright lights for preparing a meal or atmospheric night-time lighting for entertaining,’ she says. ª COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
97
The Heirloom Gaselier light, £1,200, deVOL, devolkitchens.co.uk
PENDANT LIGHTS Pendant lights, hung over an island or dining table, provide practical illumination, but they can also be used to add decorative interest and a sense of your personal style. ææÙæ«öǑċææ«Ä£ÞǑ÷«½½ǑÙ÷Ǒæ¨ǑÿǑëÖ÷ÙÞƝǑ«ÄÙÞ«Ä£Ǒ the sense of height in the room, as well as enhancing the role of an island or table as a key focal point. ‘Don’t be set
98
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
on three lights over an island,’ says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL. ‘Try to be less obvious and go for simple, understated and beautiful.’ Consider a group hung to one side over an island, a design with shades suspended ¢ÙËÃǑǑċþǑÙƝǑËÙǑǑÙ«ÞǑÄǑ¢½½ǑÞ«£ÄǑƵǑæ¨ÙǑÙǑ½ËæÞǑË¢Ǒ options to allow you to express your individuality.
KITCHEN DESIGN
More lighting solutions Consider lighting inside glazed cupboards to show off their contents, such as antique platters, favourite china or vintage glasses. Lighting under wall shelves can be used to illuminate the worktop or the decorative contents of a shelf below. Don’t forget the humble table lamp, which can be positioned on a sideboard to introduce a gentle glow. Rechargeable options are now readily available and make a quick solution for islands or dining tables – no trailing wires. Colour changing LED strips, supplied as affordable tape with connecting cables, can be used for a fun touch – simply stick it to the back of a shelf, for example, for instant impact.
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE
Arbor kitchen, prices from £35,000, Harvey Jones, harveyjones.com
WALL LIGHTS Graham Jones, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones, recommends including at least two layers of lighting in a kitchen, including bright task illumination to enable you to prep and cook safely, and mood lighting to create ambience and enhance aesthetics when needed. Wall ½«£¨æÞǑÄǑËĈÙǑËæ¨ƝǑ½«£¨æ«Ä£Ǒ÷ËÙºæËÖÞǑËÙǑǑޫĺǑÙƝǑ¢ËÙǑ
example, while also providing a warm glow for a subtle evening mood. ‘Wall lights also add visual interest to a room,’ Graham says. ‘Some options on the market are striking enough to act as art for your walls, but they are also great at highlighting architectural elements such as doorways and alcoves and special features in a room.’ COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
99
Play with light and shadow. Pale Moon Regal Select interior matte, £29 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore
NATURAL LIGHT BENEFITS
BRING IN THE SUNSHINE
Filling our rooms with natural light, and creating a contrast between darker and brighter spaces, can help us to create a happy and energising ambience at home ne of the joys of spring is the return of the sun to highlight the start and end of the day. The dark mornings, gloomy evenings and grey skies of ÷«ÄæÙǑÄǑ½ǑæËǑÞÞËĽǑĈæ«öǑ«ÞËÙÙƝǑ a type of depression that’s linked to the lack of daylight during the winter months. It’s a feeling that translates to our homes, where even usually Ù«£¨æǑÞÖÞǑ¢½ǑČæǑÄǑ÷¨«æǑ÷½½ÞǑë½½ǑæËǑǑ sallow grey, sucking the energy out of the room. ëæǑÃþ«Ã«Þ«Ä£Ǒæ¨ǑČË÷ǑÄǑÖ½ÿǑË¢Ǒ½«£¨æǑ«ÄǑǑ room can create an uplifting atmosphere at any time of year. ‘For architects, natural light is always the most important consideration in any space,’ architect Matthew Wood, founder of MW Architects, tells us. ‘It is the lifeblood of a space, constantly changing and moving and pouring energy deep into a room. So, of course, there is a synergy between natural light and how a space feels. A lifeless space will feel draining whereas a dynamic space will be enriching.’
O
LET THE LIGHT IN
Structural changes and the addition of extra glazing can allow more light in, while still respecting the style and heritage of a country ¨ËÃƜǑǀT«Þ«Ä£Ǒ÷«ÄË÷Ǒ¨ÞǑËÙǑ½Ë÷Ù«Ä£ǑČËËÙÞǑ both increase the area that light can reach,’ says ?ææ¨÷ƜǑǀYºÿ½«£¨æÞǑÙǑöÙÿǑĈæ«öƝǁǑ¨ǑÞƝǑ ‘but can be a bit of a broad brush. Plus, it isn’t necessarily a case of more light is better.’ ‘For me, it is less about brightness, and more
about keeping a connection to daylight,’ explains Kieran Hawkins, director of Cairn Architects. ‘Even when overcast, the light from the sun gives us all kinds of information about the time of day and environment, maintaining a largely subconscious connection to diurnal rhythms.’ These are the biological rhythms and processes linked to the day-night cycle. ‘Natural light is also softer, richer and more ½«ö½ÿǑæ¨ÄǑÙæ«ċ«½Ǒ½«£¨æƝǑÞǑ÷½½ǑÞǑÙë«Ä£Ǒ the environmental impact of electricity use. Ùæ«ċ«½Ǒ½«£¨æǑÞ¨Ëë½ǑÙ½½ÿǑǑǑ½ÞæǑÙÞËÙæǑ during the day, so we try to design all spaces to be naturally lit,’ adds Kieran.
BRIGHTER-LOOKING INTERIORS
The majority of us won’t have architecturally Þ«£ÄǑ¨ËÃÞǑČËËǑ÷«æ¨ǑǑÄæëÙ½Ǒ½«£¨æƝǑ so how do we create interiors that won’t have us reaching for the light switch on an overcast day? Increasing natural light is something that architect Heather Dubbeldam, founder of Dubbeldam Architecture & Design, considers in terms of the ‘physical’ and ‘perceptual’. ‘Perceptually, contrast can be used as a means to “brighten” internal spaces without direct access to natural light,’ she explains. ‘A bright material or colour looks even more so when positioned next to a darker element or space.’ It’s a clever trick to avoid the blue-tinged northern light sapping the vibrancy from your home’s interiors – something that can happen ª
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
101
NATURAL LIGHT BENEFITS
‘Even when the sky is overcast, the sun gives us information and connects us subconsciously to the
with even the most energetic palette choices. Contrast can also be used between spaces to enhance a sense of brightness from one room to the next. ‘Moving from a darker space through to a lighter one provides a sense of release that takes place in spite of the absence of natural light,’ says Heather. Texture, too, can play an important role in Ä«Þ¨«Ä£ǑČæƝǑë½½Ǒ«ÄæÙ«ËÙÞƜǑǀqǑæÙÿǑæËǑÖ½Ǒ Þºÿ½«£¨æÞǑËĈƳÄæÙƝǑÖÙ¨ÖÞǑ÷¨ÙǑæ¨Ǒ½«£¨æǑ can wash a wall and create a dynamic focal point,’ architect Matthew Wood explains. ‘This can create more contrast which increases the impact of smaller amounts of light.’ `¨ǑºÿǑæËǑú«Ä£Ǒ樫ÞǑæÙ«ºǑÃËÙǑĈæ«öƣǑ ‘The walls need to have texture for the light to ÷Þ¨ǑËöÙƟǑ樫ÞǑÙæÞǑæ¨ǑĈæǑË¢Ǒ¨Ä£«Ä£Ǒ ½«£¨æǑÄǑÙČæ«ËÄƜǑ*æǑ½ÞËǑ£«öÞǑæ¨ǑĈæǑË¢Ǒ depth, which increases the sense of space.’
BORROWED LIGHT
For your home’s darkest, north-facing rooms, a design that allows a room to borrow light from another, brighter space can be a tempting way to invigorate it – for example, by installing internal windows, glazed walls, or simply opening up the area. Consider when and where light enters your home as the sun travels across the sky throughout the day, then see whether ÿËëǑÄǑċÄǑǑ÷ÿǑæËǑËÙÙË÷Ǒæ¨æǑ½«£¨æǑÄǑ½½Ë÷Ǒ it to reach deeper into the home, illuminating dark corners and raising spirits ray by ray. TOP Textured surfaces bring life to dull interiors. Zellige Coral Gloss ceramic tiles, £55.20sq m, Mandarin Stone
102
BOTTOM Fitting skylights can brighten a dark corner or flood an extension with natural daylight
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
FEATURE HUGH METCALF PHOTOGRAPH (SKYLIGHTS) FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/MALCOLM MENZIES
natural day-night cycle’
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Four what it’s worth
While getting on the property ladder is tough, it’s those moving to their fourth (and usually most expensive) property who face the biggest leap in price – the cost is 56% more than a third-rung property, says GetAgent. co.uk. The good news? At the next stage, most people downsize to a house that costs 50% less, recouping an average £256,630 when they make the move. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
103
R U R A L
H O T S P O T
Let’s move to Hayle
Perched at the mouth of an estuary on Cornwall’s north coast, this thriving town boasts a glorious sandy beach sheltered by dunes ot quite as quaint as dreamy St Ives across the bay, Hayle strikes a more earthy, hearty note. It is somewhere ‘real people with real lives live’, as one local tells us. There are granite outcrops and moorland to the west, but sheltering dunes, aka ‘towans’, and the estuary setting make the climate mild for the north coast location. The town’s proud industrial heritage makes its presence felt, with stone viaduct, quays, wharves and sluicing ponds. An iron foundry and a copper smelter were established at opposite ends of town in the 1800s, bequeathing not only the current layout, from Foundry Square to tidal reservoir Copperhouse Pool, but also forging a strong spirit . Even today, residents will refer to themselves as a ‘Foundry girl’ or ‘Copperhouse lad’. In spring, the ÞëÙÙËëÄ«Ä£Ǒċ½ÞǑÙǑǑÞǑË¢Ǒÿ½½Ë÷ǑĈË«½ÞƜǑ
N
IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW
After economic doldrums in previous decades, Hayle is on the up. The North Quay development is promising sleek apartments, though critics ØëÞæ«ËÄǑ¨Ë÷Ǒ½Ë½ÞǑÄǑĈËÙǑæ¨ǑÖÙ«Ǒæ£ƜǑ Back in the town centre, a four-bedroom home costs £400,000 but, unlike in St Ives, diamonds in the rough do come up. Estate agent James
104
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
SEA-FARING HERITAGE Hayle harbourside, nearby daffodil fields in spring and Hayle at high tide
Berwick explains: ‘Old stock, which has been in families a long time and needs doing up, still comes to market.’ Beachfront area Riviere Towans is sought after, and bargain hunters can investigate the area behind Fore Street.
CAFES, PASTIES AND BOUTIQUES
In the glory days of Harveys Foundry, there was a less savoury side to its success – workers were reputedly forced to buy provisions in Harvey’s Emporium. This policy was dropped at the end of the 19th century and something beautiful happened – independent shops sprang up along Penpol Terrace, with shop frontages built into front gardens. Today, this most individual of streets is still going strong. Elsewhere there are characterful pubs, such as The Bucket of Blood and the Palladian-style White Hart Hotel. Arguably the best delicacy is a pasty on the harbourside – Philps Pasties and Hampsons of Hayle enjoy a friendly rivalry.
COUNTRY LIFE AND CULTURE
Hayle is home to one of the longest-established Old Cornwall’s Societies, for talks on the county’s intriguing history and language. Hayle Heritage Centre, currently undergoing a monumental makeover, is another fount of
PROPERTY & PLACE knowledge. And this is, of course, sea shanty country. If you stumble on a spontaneous rendition in a local pub, expect to have the soul Þæ«ÙÙƝǑ÷¨«½ǑËëæËËÙÞǑ«ÞǑċÄ«æ½ÿǑ÷¨ÙǑ«æǁÞǑæƜǑ As one resident says, ‘If you love cycling, ÷½º«Ä£ƝǑÞëÙċÄ£ƝǑċÞ¨«Ä£ƝǑÖ½ËÙ«Ä£ƝǑ horseriding or kayaking, this is the place to live.’
CORNISH TREASURES Celebrated Cornish locales such as Rock, Padstow and Polzeath are pricey. But there are real gems where everyday ÖËÖ½Ǒ½«öǑËĈǑæ¨ǑæÄǑæÙºƜ Looe, on the south coast, is divided in two by the river. It is still a working ċÞ¨«Ä£ǑæË÷ÄƝǑ÷«æ¨ǑǑÞ뽫ýÿǑ£ËËǑċÞ¨Ǒ shop, Pengelly’s, to prove it. The harbour is pretty, with painted cottages among lots of trees. There are premium ÖÙËÖÙæ«ÞƝǑÿæǑ«æǁÞǑÖËÞÞ«½ǑæËǑċÄǑ terraces or bungalows below £400,000. Ù«æ«ÄǁÞǑÃËÞæǑÞËëæ¨Ù½ÿǑċÞ¨«Ä£ǑÖËÙæǑ Porthleven is another peachy harbour town. High-end restaurants are found here, yet fortunes have been up and down at this remote end of Cornwall. Harbour-side idylls command more; but for a three-bedroom pied-à-terre, £350,000 is not unrealistic. LauncestonǑ«ÞǑæ¨ǑċÙÞæǑæË÷ÄǑÿËëǑÃæǑ on the A30 and is known as ‘the gateway to Cornwall’. It has steep, winding streets and a castle. For a modern end-of-terrace it’s £250,000. Liskeard has direct trains to Paddington. Also, tall townhouses in abundance. You can snap up a detached cottage with land here for £400,000, or a terrace in the £200,000s.
SCHOOLS
Pick from a choice of seven primaries, including the beautifully named Bodriggy; the village school St Erth; and the independent St Piran’s. Older pupils gravitate to Hayle Community, or for the lucky few, all-girls Truro High.
GET AROUND
The A30 will take you to Exeter and then the M5 and beyond, although the nearest major city is Plymouth, an hour and a half’s drive. Hayle has its own station with some direct trains to Paddington, or change at St Erth, a few minutes down the line, where they are more regular. Ù«Ä£ǑǑË˺ǑƵǑ«æǁÞǑǑċöƳ¨ËëÙǑ·ËëÙÄÿǑƵǑ÷¨«½Ǒ Newquay airport is 40 minutes by car.
IN THE AREA
Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims on a gentle walk from St Ives Bay to St Michael’s Mount. Phillack Church, one of the oldest sites of continuous Christian worship in the county, and Godrevy Lighthouse at Gwithian, will draw ÿËëǑ«ÄƜǑÄƝǑ«ÄËë½ÙÞǑæËǑ¨ÄǑƵǑċÄƳ¢æ¨ÙǑ friends that frequent the estuary include oyster catchers, curlews and widgeons.
FEATURE SOPHIE GALE PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, BERWICK ESTATE AGENTS
D R E A M
ON THE OUTSKIRTS Situated on Nanpusker Close, this modern end-of-terrace home has two double bedrooms, a conservatory and a workshop (for those of you with craft or DIY leanings). It sits on the edge of Hayle, with good access to the A30 for out-of-town commuting. Snap it up for £220,000.
H O M E S
I N
LIGHT & AIRY This detached chalet bungalow in the nearby village of Connor Downs has four ground-floor bedrooms and a further en-suite main bedroom within the eaves. It has a light and airy interior with large windows and an open-plan layout. All this space can be yours for £550,000.
H A Y L E
SENSE OF HISTORY With views over the body of water called Copperhouse Pool, 36 Hayle Terrace was built in 1891 as a farmshop and café, and has the potential to revert to shop status again. Though requiring renovation, this property is a real gem with three floors and stained-glass windows, for £300,000.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
105
R E N O V A T E
&
R E P A I R
뫽«Ä£ǑǑċÙÖ«æ «ÞËöÙǑ¨Ë÷ǑæËǑúǑÿËëÙǑ£ÙÄǑËÞÿǑ¢ËÙǑ¨«½½«ÙǑöÄ«Ä£ÞǑÿǑ «Ä£ǑǑ뫽æƳ«ÄǑċÙÖ«æǑÄǑÙæ«Ä£ǑǑËÄö«ö«½ǑÖ½ǑæËǑ£æ¨Ù
O
Ù«ÞǑċÙÖ«æǑæ¨æǑ¨ÞǑǑÙÃËö½ǑæËÖƝǑÞËǑæ¨æǑ «æǑÄǑǑëÞǑÞǑǑæ½Ǒ¢ËÙǑÄæÙæ«Ä«Ä£Ǒ÷¨ÄǑ ÄËæǑ«Ä£ǑëÞǑÞǑǑ¨æǑÞËëÙƜǁǑǑÙ«ÞǑÞ«£ÄǑ will also be easier to install.
ëÙǑÙ½æ«ËÄÞ¨«ÖǑ÷«æ¨ǑċÙǑæÞǑ ºǑë½½ÄÄ«ƜǑFĈÙ«Ä£ǑǑ÷ÙÃǑ welcome, a hearth creates a central ÖË«ÄæǑÙËëÄǑ÷¨«¨Ǒ¢Ã«½ÿǑÄǑ ¢Ù«ÄÞǑÄǑÞÖÄǑæ«ÃǑæË£æ¨ÙƝǑ¨æǑÄǑÙ½þƝǑ ½½Ǒ÷¨«½ǑÞº«Ä£Ǒ«ÄǑæ¨Ǒ£Äæ½Ǒ¨æǑÄǑ£½Ë÷ǑË¢Ǒ æ¨ǑČÃÞƜǑq¨ÄǑǑæËǑæ¨Ǒ£ÙÄƝǑǑċÙÖ«æǑ Ù«Ä£ÞǑ樫ÞǑæÙ«æ«ËÄǑºǑ«ÄæËǑËëÙǑ½«öÞƝǑÙ÷«Ä£Ǒ ëÞǑËëæÞ«ǑËÄǑæ¨ǑÞëÄǑ¨ÞǑÞæǑæËǑÄ·ËÿǑ¨Ǒ Ëæ¨ÙǁÞǑËÃÖÄÿƜǑq¨æǁÞǑÃËÙƝǑǑċÙÖ«æǑ«ÞǑ½ÞËǑ ¢«Ù½ÿǑÞæÙ«£¨æ¢ËÙ÷ÙǑæËǑ«ÄÞæ½½ǑÿËëÙÞ½¢ƜǑ
FIREPIT VS FIREPLACE `¨Ǒ«ĈÙÄǑæ÷ÄǑǑċÙÖ«æǑÄǑǑ£ÙÄǑ ċÙÖ½Ǒ«ÞǑæ¨ǑëÄǑæ¨æǑÿËëǑ÷ÄæǑæËǑÙæƜǑ ǑċÙÖ«æǑ¨ÞǑÄǑ«ÄÞæÄæ½ÿǑËÞÿǑæÃËÞÖ¨ÙƝǑ ö˺«Ä£ǑċÙÞ«Ǒ¨æÞǑÄǑÃÖǑËëæÞƜǑ'Ë÷öÙƝǑ ǑǑ£ÙÄǑċÙÖ½Ǒ¨ÞǑǑÃËÙǑ¢ËÙýǑ½Ë˺ƝǑÄǑ«æǑ «ÞǑëÞë½½ÿǑ뫽æǑ«ÄæËǑǑ¢ëþǑ÷½½Ǒæ¨æǑÃÙæÞǑ ÄǑËëæËËÙǑǀÞ«ææ«Ä£ǑÙËËÃǁƜǑ
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DESIGN
Your main option when it comes to a built-in ċÙÖ«æǑ«ÞǑ÷¨æ¨ÙǑÿËëǑÙæǑǑÙ«ÞǑÞ«£ÄƝǑ «ÄǑ÷¨«¨ǑÙ«ºÞǑ¢ËÙÃǑǑ÷½½ǑÙËëÄǑæ¨ǑČÃÞƝǑ ËÙǑǑÞëĺÄǑÞ«£ÄǑ÷«æ¨Ǒæ¨ǑċÙÖ«æǑËÄÞæÙëæǑ ½Ë÷Ǒ£ÙËëÄǑ«ÄǑǑÖëÙÖËÞƳ뫽æǑÖÙÞÞ«ËÄƜǑ ǀǑÙ«ÞǑċÙÖ«æǑ÷«½½ǑǑÞ«ÙǑÄǑ¨ÖÙǑ æËǑËÄÞæÙëæƝǑÄǑÄǑÃǑëÞ«Ä£ǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑæËǑ Ãæ¨ǑÿËëÙǑþ«Þæ«Ä£Ǒ£ÙÄǑËÙƝǁǑÞÿÞǑ@«½Ǒ `¨ËÃÞƝǑËƳË÷ÄÙǑË¢Ǒ!«ÙÖ«æƜËƜëºƜǑǀFÄǑæ¨ǑËæ¨ÙǑ ¨ÄƝǑǑÞëĺÄǑÞ«£ÄǑ÷«½½ǑǑÃËÙǑËÃÖæƝǑ«ÞǑ Þ«ÙǑæËǑ«Äæ£ÙæǑ«ÄæËǑæ¨Ǒ½ÄÞÖƝǑÄǑ÷«½½Ǒ ÖÙËö«ǑǑÃËÙǑÄæëÙ½ǑÄǑ˨ޫöǑ½Ë˺ƜǁǑ 7ÙÿÞÞ«Ǒ?ÿÿƝǑ½ÄÞÖǑÙ¨«ææǑæǑ 7«ÞÃæǑÞ«£ÄƝǑÞÿÞƞǑǀǑÞëĺÄǑċÙÖ«æǑ÷«½½Ǒ ÖÙËö«ǑÃËÙǑ¨æǑÙËëÄǑÿËëÙǑ½£ÞƝǑ÷¨ÙÞƝǑ ÷«æ¨ǑǑÙ«ÞǑÖ«æƝǑ樫ÞǑÙǑ«ÞǑÞ¨«½Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨Ǒ ¨æƝǑ÷¨«¨ǑúÞǑÙ«ÞǑÖ«æÞǑææÙǑ¢ËÙǑ¢Ã«½«ÞǑ ÷«æ¨ǑÞý½Ǒ¨«½ÙÄƜǑǑ£ËËǑ«Ǒ«ÞǑæËǑÞ«£ÄǑǑ
106
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
PICKING A POSITION
BURNING DESIRE Whether sunken or raised, rustic or sleek, choose a firepit design to suit the style of your outside space
Y¢æÿǑ«ÞǑæ¨ǑċÙÞæǑËÄÞ«Ùæ«ËÄǑ¢ËÙǑæ¨Ǒ½Ëæ«ËÄǑ Ë¢ǑÿËëÙǑċÙÖ«æƜǑ*æǑÄÞǑæËǑǑ¢ÙǑÄË루Ǒ÷ÿǑ ¢ÙËÃǑÿËëÙǑË÷ÄǑÄǑÄ«£¨ËëÙ«Ä£ǑÖÙËÖÙæ«ÞƜǑ ǀ*æǑ«ÞǑ«ÃÖËÙæÄæǑæËǑºÖǑæ¨ǑċÙÖ«æǑǑÞ¢Ǒ«ÞæÄǑ ÷ÿǑ¢ÙËÃǑÄÿǑČÃýǑÃæÙ«½ÞƝǑÞë¨ǑÞǑ ºÞƝǑ뫽«Ä£ÞǑËÙǑæÙÞƜǑǑ«ÞæÄǑË¢ǑæǑ½ÞæǑ ůŮǑ¢æǑ«ÞǑÙËÃÃÄƝǁǑÞÿÞǑ@«½Ǒ`¨ËÃÞƜ 'Ë÷öÙƝǑÿËëǑ½ÞËǑÄǑæËǑ樫ĺǑËëæǑ¨Ë÷Ǒ ÄǑ÷¨ÄǑÿËëǑ÷«½½ǑǑëÞ«Ä£Ǒ«æƜǑǀ`¨ÙǑ«ÞǑǑÞæÙËÄ£Ǒ æÃÖææ«ËÄǑ¢ËÙǑÖËÖ½ǑæËǑ뫽Ǒæ¨ǑċÙÖ«æǑ¢ÙǑ ÷ÿǑ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨Ǒ¨ËëÞƝǑæËǑúǑ«æǑÃËÙǑË¢ǑǑǑ Þæ«Äæ«ËÄƜǑ ëæǑ*ǑċÄǑæ¨æǑǑÃËÙǑÄæÙ½½ÿǑ ½ËæǑÖ«æǑ÷«½½Ǒ£æǑæ¨ǑÃËÞæǑëÞǑÄǑÄ·ËÿÃÄæƝǁǑ ÞÿÞǑ7ÙÿÞÞ«Ǒ?ÿÿƜǑǀ5ëÞæǑǑëĢë½ǑË¢Ǒæ¨Ǒ ÞëÙÙËëÄ«Ä£ÞƝǑú«Ä£ǑÞëÙǑÿËëǑǑËÄǁæǑÖ½Ǒæ¨Ǒ ċÙÖ«æǑæËËǑ½ËÞǑæËǑÄÿǑ£ÙÄǑÞæÙëæëÙÞǑËÙǑ
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Ëö٨ģ«Ä£Ǒö£ææ«ËÄƜǁǑ@«½Ǒ`¨ËÃÞǑÞƝǑǀ*æǁÞǑ ½ÞËǑ«ÃÖËÙæÄæǑæËǑËÄÞ«ÙǑæ¨Ǒ÷«ÄǑ«Ùæ«ËÄǑ ÄǑÖËÞ«æ«ËÄǑæ¨ǑċÙÖ«æǑËÙ«Ä£½ÿǑæËǑÖÙöÄæǑ ÞÃ˺Ǒ½Ë÷«Ä£Ǒ«ÄæËǑæ¨ǑÞæ«Ä£ǑÙǑÄǑ ÞëÙÙËëÄ«Ä£Ǒ¨ËëÞÞƜǑ*¢ǑÖËÞÞ«½ƝǑ«æǁÞǑÞæǑæËǑÖ½Ǒ æ¨ǑċÙÖ«æǑ«ÄǑÄǑÙǑæ¨æǑ«ÞǑÖÙËææǑ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨Ǒ ÷«ÄƝǑÞë¨ǑÞǑËÄǑǑÖæ«ËǑËÙǑÄÙǑǑÞ¨«½«Ä£Ǒ÷½½Ɯǁ
MATERIAL MATTERS q¨æǑǑÿËëǑ¨ËËÞǑæËǑ뫽ǑÿËëÙǑċÙÖ«æǑ¢ÙËÃǑ ÷«½½ǑÖÄǑËÄǑ÷¨æǑÿËëǑ«ÄæÄǑæËǑëÙÄǑ«ÄǑ«æƜǑ T£Ù½ÞÞƝǑ«æǑ«ÞǑ«ÃÖËÙæÄæǑæ¨æǑÿËëǑËÖæǑ¢ËÙǑ ċÙƳÙÞ«ÞæÄæǑÃæÙ«½Ǒæ¨æǑÄǑ÷«æ¨ÞæÄǑ¨«£¨Ǒ æÃÖÙæëÙÞǑƵǑæ¨ǑöÙ£ǑċÙÖ«æǑÄǑÞ«½ÿǑ þǑŷŮŮȃ ƜǑ*æǑ«ÞǑ«ÃÖËÙæÄæǑæËǑ½«ÄǑËæ¨Ǒæ¨Ǒ Þ«ÞǑÄǑÞǑË¢Ǒæ¨ǑċÙÖ«æƜǑǀeÞǑǑǑË¢ǑÞÄǑ ËÙǑ£Ùö½ǑëÄÙǑæ¨ǑÞǑæËǑÖÙöÄæǑÞ¨«¢æ«Ä£Ǒ ËÙǑÙº«Ä£ƝǁǑÞÿÞǑ@«½Ǒ`¨ËÃÞƜ ǀ!«ÙǑÙ«ºÞƝǑ½ÞËǑºÄË÷ÄǑÞǑÙ¢ÙæËÙÿǑÙ«ºÞƝǑ ÙǑÄǑ«½Ǒ¨Ë«Ǒ¢ËÙǑ½«Ä«Ä£ǑǑċÙÖ«æƝǁǑ¨Ǒ ËÄæ«ÄëÞƜǑǀ`¨ÞǑÙ«ºÞǑÙǑÞ«£ÄǑæËǑ ÷«æ¨ÞæÄǑ¨«£¨ǑæÃÖÙæëÙÞǑÄǑÙǑ¨æǑ resistant. Another option is to use natural stone æËǑ뫽ǑÿËëÙǑċÙÖ«æƝǑÞǑÃÄÿǑæÿÖÞǑÄǑ
SOCIAL SPOT Construct a raised firepit from the same materials used in your terrace or landscaping for a cohesive look
÷«æ¨ÞæÄǑ¨«£¨ǑæÃÖÙæëÙÞƜǑYæËÄÞǑæ¨æǑÙǑ ÖÙ¢æǑ¢ËÙǑċÙÖ«æǑ½«ÄÙÞǑ«Ä½ëǑ£ÙÄ«æǑÄǑ ½«ÃÞæËÄƜǑ'æƳÙÞ«ÞæÄæǑËÄÙæǑ«ÞǑÄËæ¨ÙǑ ËÖæ«ËÄƜǑ*æǑÄǑǑÖËëÙǑÄǑÞ¨ÖǑæËǑċæǑæ¨Ǒ Þ«ÙǑÞ«£ÄƜǑ'Ë÷öÙƝǑæÙ«æ«ËĽǑËÄÙæǑ Ëë½ǑÙºǑëÄÙǑ¨«£¨ǑæÃÖÙæëÙÞƝǑÞËǑúǑ ÞëÙǑÿËëǑëÞǑǑċÙƳÙÞ«ÞæÄæǑëþƜǁǑ 7ÙÿÞÞ«Ǒ?ÿÿǑÞƝǑǀ?ËÞæǑË¢æÄǑ*ǑÞ«£ÄǑ ċÙÖ«æÞǑ÷«æ¨ǑǑÞæ½ǑÙ«Ä£Ǒ«ÄÞ«ǑæËǑÖÙËææǑæ¨Ǒ þæÙ«ËÙǑÃæÙ«½ƜǑ*¢ǑÿËëǑËǑÄËæǑ¨öǑǑÞæ½ǑÙ«Ä£ƝǑ ċÙǑÙ«ºÞǑÞ¨Ëë½ǑǑëÞƜǁ
DRAINAGE `¨ǑÄÃÿǑË¢ǑċÙǑ«ÞǑ÷æÙǑÄǑǑ÷æٽˣ£Ǒ ċÙÖ«æǑ÷«½½ǑǑË¢Ǒ½«ææ½ǑëÞƜǑ`¨ÙǑÙǑæ÷ËǑ ÖÖÙ˨ÞǑæËǑÃÄ£«Ä£Ǒ樫ÞƜǑ`¨ǑċÙÞæǑ«ÞǑǑËöÙƜǑ *¢Ǒ÷æÙǑÄǁæǑ£æǑ«ÄæËǑæ¨ǑċÙÖ«æǑƭ÷¨æ¨ÙǑæ¨Ǒ Þ«£ÄǑ«ÞǑÞëĺÄǑËÙǑÙ«ÞƮǑæ¨ÄǑÄËǑÙ«Ä£Ǒ «ÞǑÙØë«ÙƜǑ`¨ÙǑÙǑÃÄÿǑËöÙÞǑö«½½Ǒ ËĽ«ÄǑÞËǑ«æǑÞ¨Ëë½ǑǑÞÿǑæËǑċÄǑËÄǑæ¨æǑċæÞƜǑ ?æ½ǑËöÙÞǑÙǑÖ٢ٽǑëæǑ«¢ǑÿËëǁÙǑËÖæ«Ä£Ǒ ¢ËÙǑǑÖ½Þæ«ǑËÙǑÄöÞǑËöÙƝǑëÞǑ樫ÞǑËĽÿǑËÄǑ æ¨ǑċÙǑ«ÞǑËÃÖ½æ½ÿǑþæ«Ä£ë«Þ¨ǑÄǑ˽ƜǑ
ËöÙ«Ä£ǑÿËëÙǑċÙÖ«æǑ÷«½½Ǒ½ÞËǑÙëǑæ¨Ǒª COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
107
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
VENTILATION "ËËǑ«ÙǑČË÷Ǒ«ÞǑÞÞÄ櫽ǑæËǑÖÙËö«ǑËþÿ£ÄǑ æËǑÖÙËÃËæǑëÙÄ«Ä£ǑÄǑ½ÞËǑæËǑÙÃËöǑæ¨Ǒ ëÞÞ«ËÄÞǑÖÙËëǑÿǑËÃëÞæ«ËÄƜǑ!ËÙǑ ÷ËËƳëÙÄ«Ä£ǑċÙÖ«æÞƝǑöÄ櫽æ«ËÄǑ÷«½½Ǒ¨½ÖǑæËǑ ÙëǑæ¨ǑÃËëÄæǑË¢ǑÞÃ˺ƜǑ!ËÙǑǑ£ÞƳëÙÄ«Ä£Ǒ Þ«£ÄƝǑÄÞëÙǑ«æǑ¨ÞǑÄǑ¨ºǑËöÙǑÿǑǑ "ÞǑY¢ǑT£«ÞæÙǑ£ÞǑÄ£«ÄÙǑ¢ËÙǑ ½«£¨æ«Ä£ƝǑÞǑ«ÄËÙÙæǑöÄ櫽æ«ËÄǑËë½ǑǑ¢æ½ƜǑ pÄ櫽æ«ËÄǑ«ÞǑÞ«ÙǑæËǑËÃÃËæǑ«ÄǑǑ Ù«ÞǑċÙÖ«æǑƵǑÞ«£ÄǑ«æǑ÷«æ¨ǑǑ£ÖǑæ÷ÄǑæ¨Ǒ Ù«ºÞƝǑËÖæǑ¢ËÙǑċÙǑÙ«ºÞǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ«ÙǑ¨Ë½ÞƝǑËÙǑǑ Ǒ£ÙæǑËÙǑČëǑÖ«ÖƜǑ`¨Ǒ¨Ë½ÞǑÄǑæËǑÖÖÙǑ ËÄǑæǑ½ÞæǑæ÷ËǑÞ«ÞǑæËǑÄÞëÙǑÞëĉ«ÄæǑ«ÙČË÷ƜǑ q¨ÄǑ«æǑËÃÞǑæËǑǑÞëĺÄǑċÙÖ«æƝǑöÄ櫽æ«ËÄǑ «ÞǑÃËÙǑËÃÖ½þƜǑǀÖÄ«Ä£ǑËÄǑÖæ¨ƝǑǑÞëĺÄǑ ċÙÖ«æǑ÷«½½ǑÙØë«ÙǑǑÖ«ÖǑæËǑǑċææƜǑ`¨«ÞǑ÷«½½Ǒ æÿÖ«½½ÿǑÙëÄǑ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨ǑÞǑÄǑǑë£Ǒæ¨ÙË루Ǒ æ¨Ǒ£ÙËëÄǑ÷ÿǑ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨ǑċÙƝǑ÷«æ¨ǑǑÙ«£¨æǑÄ£½Ǒ æǑæ¨ǑÄǑÞ櫺«Ä£ǑëÖǑËëæǑË¢Ǒæ¨Ǒ£ÙËëÄƝǁǑ þÖ½«ÄÞǑ ¨Ù«ÞǑ'ÙÙ«Ä£æËÄƝǑ¢ËëÄÙǑË¢Ǒ 'ÙÙ«Ä£æËÄǑQËÙæÙǑ"ÙÄǑÞ«£ÄƜ
WHAT TO BURN yËëÙǑ¨Ë«ǑË¢ǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑ«ÞǑþæ½ÿǑæ¨ǑÞÃǑÞǑ ÄǑ«ÄËËÙǑċÙƞǑ˽ƝǑ÷ËËƝǑ£ÞƝǑ«Ëæ¨Ä˽ǑÄǑ
108
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
A NEW FLAME This modern garden features built-in seating and a sleek firepit, creating a stylish outdoor focal point
ËǑ½Ë£ÞǑÃǑ¢ÙËÃǑËÃÖÙÞÞǑÞ÷ëÞæƝǑ ÷ËËǑÞ¨ö«Ä£ÞƝǑËÙǑ÷ÞæǑæ«ÃÙǑËĈëæÞƜǑ "ÞǑËĈÙÞǑ½«ææ½ǑÄċæǑ«ÄǑæÙÃÞǑË¢Ǒ¨æƝǑ æ¨Ë루Ǒ÷«½½ǑÙæǑÄǑÞæ¨æ«Ǒ«ÞÖ½ÿƜǑ*æǑ«ÞǑ ½ÞËǑÞæǑ«ÄÞæ½½ǑÿǑÖÙË¢ÞÞ«ËĽÞǑËÙǑëÞ«Ä£Ǒ ǑÙ£ë½æǑ*yǑº«æƜǑ`¨ǑÃËÞæǑÖËÖë½ÙǑ¢ë½Ǒ ËÖæ«ËÄÞǑÙǑ˽ǑÄǑ÷ËËƜǑ`¨ÿǁÙǑÞ«ÃÖ½ǑæËǑëÞǑ ÄǑËĈÙǑ£ÙæǑ¨æǑËëæÖëæƜǑqËËǑ«ÞǑæ¨ǑÃËÙǑ ÞëÞæ«Ä½Ǒ¨Ë«ǑëæǑÿËëǑÞ¨Ëë½ǑëÙÄǑËĽÿǑ ÷½½ƳÞÞËÄǑ÷ËËǑæËǑÖÙöÄæǑĽÞÞǑÞÃ˺ƜǑ ǀ «Ëæ¨Ä˽ǑċÙÞǑÖÙËëǑÙ½ǑČÃÞǑæ¨æǑ£«öǑ ËĈǑÖ½ÄæÿǑË¢Ǒ¨æƝǑú«Ä£Ǒæ¨ÃǑÄǑþ½½ÄæǑ ½æÙÄæ«öǑæËǑæÙ«æ«ËĽǑ£ÞǑËÙǑ÷ËËǑċÙÞǑ¢ËÙǑ ¨æ«Ä£Ǒ¨ËÃÞǑÄǑ£ÙÄÞƝǁǑÞÿÞǑ@«½Ǒ`¨ËÃÞƜ
SAFETY ELEMENTS ÄÿǑæ«ö«æÿǑæ¨æǑ«Äö˽öÞǑċÙǑ÷«½½ǑÄǑÿËëǑ æËǑæºǑÞ¢æÿǑÖÙëæ«ËÄÞƜǑq¨ÄǑ«æǑËÃÞǑæËǑ 뫽«Ä£ǑǑċÙÖ«æƝǑÄÞëÙǑæ¨æǑ«æǑ¨ÞǑǑÞæ½ǑÞǑ ÄǑæ¨æǑæ¨ǑċÙÖ«æǑ÷½½ÞǑÙǑæǑ½ÞæǑůŰǑ«Ä¨ÞǑ ÖǑÄǑůŶǑ«Ä¨ÞǑ¨«£¨ƜǑTÃÃÙǑæ¨æǑċÙÖ«æÞǑ ÄǑǑÄ£ÙËëÞǑ«¢ǑÄËæǑëÞǑËÙǑ뫽æǑËÙÙæ½ÿƜǑ *¢Ǒ«ÄǑËëæǑ½÷ÿÞǑÞºǑÖÙË¢ÞÞ«ËĽǑÞÞ«ÞæÄƜǑ !ËÙǑǑċÙÖ«æǑ½Ë÷Ǒ£ÙËëÄǑ½ö½ƝǑÄÞëÙǑæ¨æǑ«æǑ ¨ÞǑǑ£ëÙǑæËǑÖÙöÄæǑÄÿËÄǑ¢ÙËÃǑ£ææ«Ä£ǑæËËǑ ½ËÞƜǑǀ`ËǑÙëǑæ¨ǑÙ«ÞºƝǑǑÞÖÙºǑ£ëÙǑËÙǑċÙǑ ÞÙÄǑ½ÞËǑ¨½ÖÞǑÖÙöÄæǑ ÃÙÞǑ¢ÙËÃǑÞÖ«Ä£Ǒ SOURCEBOOK æ¨ǑċÙÖ«æƟǑÄǑ¨öǑǑ ëºæǑË¢Ǒ÷æÙǑËÙǑċÙǑ FIREPIT.CO.UK Firepit essentials þæ«Ä£ë«Þ¨ÙǑËÄǑ¨ÄƜǑ*æǑ«ÞǑ VITCAS, vitcas.com. Manufacturer ½ÞËǑ«ÃÖËÙæÄæǑæËǑÞëÖÙö«ÞǑ of heatproof mortar and fire bricks æ¨ǑċÙǑæǑ½½Ǒæ«ÃÞǑÄǑ HARRINGTON PORTER GARDEN ÄöÙǑ½öǑ«æǑëÄææÄƝǁǑ DESIGN harringtonporter.com. ÞǑ@«½Ǒ`¨ËÃÞƜ Garden design
FEATURE HOLLY REANEY PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/ POLLY ELTES, COLIN POOLE, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Ù«ÞºǑË¢ǑÙëÞæǑÄǑ÷æ¨Ù«Ä£ƜǑq«æ¨ËëæǑǑËöÙƝǑ ÿËëǑ÷«½½ǑÄǑæËǑ«Ä½ëǑǑÙ«Ä£ǑÞÿÞæÃƜǑǑ `¨ǑþÖÙæÞǑæǑq½ÄǑ ºÿÙÞǑö«ÞƝǑǑ ǀ*ÄÞæ½½ǑǑÙ«Ä£Ǒ½ÿÙǑÄæ¨ǑÿËëÙǑċÙÖ«æƜǑ *¢Ǒæ¨ǑÞǑ«ÞǑÞ˽«ƝǑÿËëǁ½½ǑÄǑÙ«Ä£Ǒ¨Ë½ÞƟǑ «¢Ǒæ¨ǑËææËÃǑ«ÞǑǑ£ÙæƝǑÿËëǑ÷ËÄǁæǑÄǑ¨Ë½ÞƜǑ yËëǑÄǑëÞǑ½öǑÙ˺ÞƝǑċÙÖ«æǑ£½ÞÞǑËÙǑ£Ùö½Ǒ æËǑÙæǑǑÙ«Ä£Ǒ½ÿÙǑËëæǑůŰǑ«Ä¨ÞǑÖƜǁǑǑ
SUSTAINABLE HOMES E C O
I N N O V A T I O N S
YëÞæ«Ä½Ǒ¨ÙǑ¢½ËËÙ«Ä£ q½ºǑæ¨Ǒ£ÙÄǑ潺Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑææÙæ«öǑČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒæ¨æǑ÷ËÄǁæǑãǑ æ¨ǑÙæ¨ǑÄæ¨ǑËëÙǑ¢æƜǑqǑþÖ½ËÙǑæ¨ǑËÖæ«ËÄÞ ost people don’t know what ČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒ«ÞǑÃǑË¢ƝǑÞËǑæ¨ǑċÙÞæǑ樫ģǑ æËǑËǑ«ÞǑËÄÞ«ÙǑæ¨ǑÖÙËöÄÄƝǁǑ Þ룣ÞæÞǑYËċǑYæĈÄËÄ«ƝǑ«ÙæËÙǑ Ë¢ǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑËÄÞë½æÄÿƝǑ?ææÙǑË¢ǑYæëĈƜǑÞǑ ¨ÙǑČËËÙǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑ£ËƝǑÞæËÄǑÄǑËÄÙæǑÙǑ ÖÙææÿǑÄÙ£ÿƳ«ÄæÄÞ«öǑæËǑþæÙæƝǑÃÄë¢æëÙƝǑ æÙÄÞÖËÙæǑÄǑ«ÞÖËÞǑË¢ƜǑQæÙ˨ë½ƳÞǑ ÃæÙ«½ÞƝǑÃÄ÷¨«½ƝǑÞë¨ǑÞǑÞÿÄæ¨æ«Ǒö«Äÿ½Ǒ ƭÖ˽ÿö«Äÿ½Ǒ¨½ËÙ«ǑËÙǑQp ƮƝǑÄǑæ¨Ǒ£½ëǑëÞǑ æËǑÞëÙǑ«æƝǑÄǑÙ½ÞǑëĨ½æ¨ÿǑö˽櫽Ǒ Ë٣īǑ¨Ã«½ÞǑËÙǑpF ÞǑ«ÄæËǑÿËëÙǑ¨ËÃƜǑ ǀ ëÿǑ½Ë½ƝǑ½Ë˺Ǒ¢ËÙǑÙæ«ċæ«ËÄÞǑÄǑÞºǑæ¨Ǒ ÞëÖÖ½«ÙǑ¨Ë÷ǑČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒ¨ÞǑÄǑÃÄë¢æëÙƜǑ öÄǑÄæëÙ½ǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑÃÿǑ¨öǑÄǑæÙæǑ ÷«æ¨ǑæËþ«Ǒ«Ë«Ǒ¨Ã«½ÞƝǁǑYËċǑÞÿÞƜǑ ǀ`¨«ÄºǑËëæǑ¨Ë÷ǑČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒ÷«½½ǑǑ«ÄÞæ½½Ǒ ÄǑ÷¨æǑ¨ÖÖÄÞǑæËǑ«æǑæǑæ¨ǑÄǑË¢Ǒ«æÞǑ½«¢ƜǑÙÿǑ «ÄÞæ½½æ«ËÄƝǑ÷«æ¨ËëæǑ£½ëƝǑ«ÞǑÞæǑÞǑ«æǑÃÄÞǑÄÿǑ «Ë£Ù½ǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑËë½ǑǑËÃÖËÞæƜǁǑ Þ«Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑÙ½«ÃǑ÷ËËǑËÙǑ櫽ÞƝǑæ¨ÙǑÙǑ ÞËÃǑþ«æ«Ä£ǑÄþæƳ£ÄÙæ«ËÄǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑÃǑ ¢ÙËÃǑ£Äë«Ä½ÿǑÙÄ÷½ǑÞËëÙÞƜ
M
HEMP `¨Ǒ£ÙÄǑċÙÞǑ¢ÙËÃǑ¨ÃÖǑÙËÖÞǑÄǑǑ ËëÄǑ÷«æ¨ǑËæ¨ÙǑÃæÙ«½ÞǑÞë¨ǑÞǑ½«ÃƝǑÄǑ ǑÞý½ǑÃËëÄæǑË¢ǑËÄÙæƝǑæËǑ¢ËÙÃǑǑÞëÞæÄǑ ½½Ǒǀ¨ÃÖÙæǁƜǑÞǑ÷½½ǑÞǑ«Ä£ǑëÞǑæËǑ úǑ÷½½ÞǑÄǑÙËË¢Ǒ«ÄÞë½æ«ËÄƝǑ¨ÃÖÙæǑÄǑ ǑëÞǑÞǑ½ËºÞǑËÙǑÞ½ÞǑæËǑ½ÿǑǑČËËÙƝǑËÙǑÞæǑ ËÄƳÞ«æǑÞǑǑČËËÙǑ«ÄÞæǑË¢ǑËÄÙæƜǑ'ÃÖǑæÞǑ ÞǑǑÙËÄǑÞæËÙƝǑÞ˺«Ä£ǑëÖǑÃËÙǑÙËÄǑ¢ÙËÃǑ æ¨ǑæÃËÞÖ¨ÙǑæ¨ÄǑ«æǑÙ½ÞÞƝǑÞËǑ«æǑ«ÞǑ½ÞÞǑÞǑ ÙËÄǑÄ£æ«öƜǑ*æǁÞǑ½ÞËǑÙ樽ǑÄǑ¨«£¨½ÿǑ «ÄÞë½æ«Ä£ǑƭÞǑ뺨ÃÖÙæƜËÃƮƜǑ
FEATURE ANNA TURNS
CORK
ËÙºǑ«ÞǑÄæëÙ½½ÿǑÞËëÄÖÙËËċÄ£ǑÄǑ«ÄÞë½æ«Ä£ƝǑǑ ÞËǑ«æǁÞǑ÷ÙÃǑÄǑØë«æǑæËǑ÷½ºǑËÄƜǑ!ÙǑ¢ÙËÃǑ pF ÞƝǑËÙºǑ«ÞǑëÙ½ƝǑ÷æÙÖÙËË¢ƝǑ÷ËÄǁæǑ ÄǑÃë¨ǑëÄæÄÄǑËÄǑ«ÄÞæ½½ǑÄǑ ÄǑǑëÞǑËöÙǑëÄÙČËËÙǑ¨æ«Ä£ǑÞÿÞæÃÞƜǑ ƭ`ÙÿǑÖëÙæÙËÙºƜËÃƝǑÙ«ËČËÙƜËƜëºǑËÙǑ ËÙºČËËÙƜËƜëºƮƜǑÄËæ¨ÙǑËÖæ«ËÄǑ«ÞǑ ËÙÙæƝǑ ǑÄæëÙ½ǑËÙºƝǑÞÄǑÄǑËÄÙæǑËëÄæ«ËÄǑ æ¨æǁÞǑÖÙËëǑÿǑǑ"ÙÃÄǑËÃÖÄÿǑ½½Ǒ
ůŲÃǑ
Þ«£ÄǑYæë«ËǑ@«ÙëºǑƭÄ«ÙëºƜƮǑÄǑ«ÞǑö«½½Ǒ «ÄǑǑÄëÃÙǑË¢ǑÞæÿ½«Þ¨Ǒ櫽Ǒ¢ËÙÃæÞƜǑ
LINO æËÄÞǑË¢ǑÙËÄǑ QËÖë½ÙǑ«ÄǑæ¨ǑÙ½ÿǑæËǑëǑŰŮæ¨ǑÄæëÙÿƝǑ «ÞǑÞËÙǑÿǑ ½«Ä˽ëÃǑ«ÞǑÖ½ÄæƳÞƝǑ뼫ºǑö«Äÿ½ƝǑ÷¨«¨Ǒ«ÞǑ ?«æÙÙÄÄǑ ÞËëÙǑ¢ÙËÃǑ¢ËÞÞ«½Ǒ¢ë½ÞǑÄǑëæÞǑpF ÞƜǑ?Ǒ ¢ÙËÃǑÞ˽««ċǑ½«ÄÞǑË«½Ǒæ¨æǁÞǑ£ÙËëÄǑ«ÄæËǑǑ ËÙºǑ¢ËÙÞæÞǑ ÖË÷ÙǑÄǑëþǑ÷«æ¨ǑÖ«ÄǑÙÞ«ÄÞƝǑċÄǑ÷ËËǑ öÙÿǑÿÙƝǑÄǑ ČËëÙǑÄǑ£ÙËëÄǑËÙºǑëÞæƝǑ½«ÄËǑ«ÞǑëÞë½½ÿǑċþǑ ËÄæËǑǑ·ëæǑº«Ä£ƜǑ!ËÙǑÞÄĄĄÿǑÄǑ˽ËëÙ¢ë½Ǒ ËÙºǑČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒ Þ«£ÄÞƝǑæºǑǑ½Ë˺ǑæǑ櫽ÞǑÄǑČËËÙ«Ä£ǑÞ¨æÞǑ ÿǑ?ÙÃ˽ëÃƝǑǑ¢ËÙÃǑË¢Ǒ½«ÄËǑæ¨æǑËÞÄǁæǑÄǑ «ÞǑůŮŮǷǑ ¨Þ«öǑëÙ«Ä£Ǒ«ÄÞæ½½æ«ËÄǑƭċÄǑÄæ«ËÄ÷«Ǒ Ùÿ½½Ǒ Þæ˺«ÞæÞǑæǑ¢ËÙËƜËÃƮƜǑ FUNGI *潫ÄǑÞ«£ÄÙÞǑæǑ?Ë£ëǑƭÃË£ëƜ«ËƮǑ¨öǑ ÙæǑÙ˽½ƝǑÖ½ÄæǑÄǑ櫽ǑČËËÙǑËöÙ«Ä£ÞǑ ëÞ«Ä£Ǒ¢ëÄ£«ƜǑ@ËÄƳ½½Ù£Ä«Ǒ¢ëÄ£½ǑÞæÙ«ÄÞǑ ÙǑ£ÙË÷ÄǑËÄǑË٣īǑÃææÙǑæ¨æǑËÃÞǑ ¢ÙËÃǑ£ÙËƳ«ÄëÞæÙ«½Ǒ÷ÞæǑÞæÙÃÞǑæËǑúǑ ǑÃÿ½«ëÃǑËÃÖËÞ«æǑËÙƜǑ`¨«ÞǑ«ÞǑæ¨ÄǑËæǑ «ÄǑǑ«ËƳÞǑÙÞ«ÄƜǑ`¨ǑÙÞë½æ«Ä£ǑÖ½Þæ«Ƴ¢ÙǑ ÃæÙ«þǑ«ÞǑÞ¢ƝǑëÙ½ƝǑ½Ë÷ƳpF ǑÄǑ «Ë£Ù½ƜǑ*æǁÞǑö«½½Ǒ«ÄǑÞ«þǑ˽ËëÙÞƝǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ Ö«£ÃÄæÞǑÃǑ¢ÙËÃǑÞÖÄæǑËĈǑ£ÙËëÄÞƝǑ «ÞÙǑÞ÷ǑÄǑ½ÃÞ¨½½ÞƜǑ
3D PRINTING ëæ¨ǑËÃÖÄÿǑæë½Ǒƭæë½ƜËÃƮǑ¨ÞǑ ö½ËÖǑǑ÷ÿǑæËǑÖÙ«ÄæǑČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ½«Ã«æ½ÞÞǑ Þ«ĄƝǑÞ¨ÖƝǑ˽ËëÙǑÄǑÖææÙÄǑËÖæ«ËÄÞƜǑ «£ǑűǑ ÙËËæ«ǑÖÙ«ÄæÙÞǑÖÙËëǑæ¨ǑÖ½ÄæƳÞƝǑ Ùÿ½½Ǒ¢ÙÃ÷ËÙºƜǑFÄǑċ½½Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑǑÙÿ½Ǒ £ÙÄ«æǑËÙǑÃÙ½Ǒ¨«ÖǑ æÙÙĄĄËǑÄǑǑ«ËƳÞǑ «Ä«Ä£Ǒ£ÄæƝǑ«æǁÞǑ½¢æǑæËǑ SOURCEBOOK ÞæǑÄǑċĽ½ÿǑÖ˽«Þ¨ƜǑ CORK For trendy wood, cork and
rubber flooring, visit online retailer Colour Flooring, colourflooring.co.uk HEMPCRETE For hemp-based floors, go to naturalbuildingstore.com PVC EU Circular Flooring Project is developing a clever way to recycle PVC; circular-flooring.eu
Anna Turns is an environmental journalist and author of "ËǑ`Ëþ«Ǒ !ÙƞǑÞÿǑÄǑYëÞæ«Ä½Ǒ qÿÞǑæËǑTëǑ ¨Ã«½Ǒ Q˽½ëæ«ËÄ (£14.99, Michael O’Mara Books) COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
109
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/ CAROLYN BARBER
Nesting instinct
Create a springtime centrepiece to decorate your table. `÷«ÞæǑÙĉǑËÙǑÞæÙ÷Ǒ«ÄæËǑǑÄÞæǑÞ¨ÖǑÄǑÞëÙǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ ČËÙ«ÞæǁÞǑ÷«ÙƜǑ ëæǑǑ«Ù½Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑǑÖ½Þæ«Ǒ£ǑÄǑÖëÞ¨Ǒ«æǑ «ÄæËǑæ¨ǑÞǑË¢Ǒæ¨ǑÄÞæƜǑ`¨ÄǑǑÖËææ«Ä£ǑËÃÖËÞæǑÄǑ Ö½ÄæǑǑÿ½ÃÄǑÄǑǑ¢÷ǑÞÖÙ«Ä£Ǒë½ÞƜǑ ËöÙǑæ¨ǑÞË«½Ǒ ÷«æ¨ǑÃËÞÞǑÄǑǑǑ¢÷Ǒ££ÞǑËÙǑǑ¢ëþǑ¢æ¨ÙǑ«ÙǑÞǑ ËÙæ«ËÄƜǑqæÙǑÄǑëÞæǑËÞ«ËĽ½ÿǑæËǑºÖǑ¢ÙÞ¨Ɯ
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
111
‘Creating pottery in the countryside brings me a joyful sense of freedom’ Potter and founder of Blank Earth, Supatra Marsh
112
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
CAREER SHIFT
upatra Marsh – Su for short – doesn’t have a typically creative background. After completing her undergraduate degree, masters and PHD in Biomedical Science and Cutaneous Biology in London, she moved to Singapore, where she worked as ǑÙÞÙ¨ǑÞ«Äæ«ÞæǑ¢ËÙǑċöǑÿÙÞƜǑǀëÙ«Ä£ǑÃÿǑæ«ÃǑæǑ university, I was involved in science communication through the arts, so I’d always had an outlet for my Ùæ«ö«æÿƜǑ «Ä£Ǒ«ÄǑǑ«ĈÙÄæǑËëÄæÙÿƝǑ*Ǒæ¨Ë루æǑ«æǑ÷ÞǑ æ«ÃǑæËǑæÙÿǑÞËÃ樫ģǑÄ÷ƝǑÄǑ÷ÞǑ½ëºÿǑÄË루ǑæËǑċÄǑ a ceramics studio just down the road from my condo. After just a few classes, I knew pottery was for me – it was the perfect mix of science and art.’ As well as wheel throwing, Su specialises in Kurinuki, the Japanese technique of hand-carving from a single block of clay to produce one-of-a-kind pieces; a technique Þ¨ǑÖÙ¢æǑëÙ«Ä£Ǒ½ËºË÷ÄǑ«ÄǑY«Ä£ÖËÙƜǑǀ`¨ǑÞæë«ËǑ had closed so I began to experiment on my own. We didn’t have much space, so I used to carve tiny little teacups, vases and other Asian-inspired pieces and leave them to dry on a
S
shoe rack outside our front door – I don’t know what the neighbours must have thought!’ she laughs. With lockdown in full force, Su turned to social media, sharing her creations via beautifully styled Instagram posts, and it wasn’t long before she started to receive ÃÞÞ£ÞǑ¢ÙËÃǑ¢Ë½½Ë÷ÙÞǑºÄǑæËǑ«ÄöÞæƜǑ`¨«ÞǑ÷ÞǑ÷¨ÄǑ realisation struck – turning her hobby into a business Ëë½ǑǑÃËÙǑæ¨ÄǑ·ëÞæǑǑÙÃƜǑǀöÄǑæ¨Ë루Ǒ*Ǒ÷ÞÄǁæǑ selling yet, I built a website using a DIY template and added a mailing list sign-up option. Doing this turned out to be invaluable further down the line. One of the ÃËÞæǑÞæÙÞÞ¢ë½ǑÖÙæÞǑË¢ǑÞæÙæ«Ä£ǑǑëÞ«ÄÞÞǑ«ÞǑċÄ«Ä£ǑÿËëÙǑ audience, so building up a list of interested customers in advance was hugely helpful,’ Su explains. In 2020, Su and her partner, Paul, decided to move back ª LEFT Su at her potter’s wheel. ‘Being able to explore my creative passion surrounded by nature is truly mind-blowing’
ABOVE The Core Collection, including the Ombré cup, is handmade to order – choose from nine glaze colours
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
113
‘My hope is that my pieces will become modern heirlooms and treasured for years to come’
æËǑæ¨Ǒe7ƜǑ`¨«ÞǑÄæëÙ½ǑÙÙǑÙºǑËĈÙǑëÖǑÄǑ opportunity to pursue her new-found passion, but relocating mid-pandemic didn’t make for an easy start. ǀqǑºÄ÷Ǒ÷Ǒ÷ÄæǑǑËææ£Ǒ«ÄǑæ¨ǑËëÄæÙÿÞ«ƝǑ÷«æ¨ǑǑ garden big enough for a studio, but the housing market was a nightmare and I was conscious that time was ticking on with regards to my business plans,’ says Su. Luckily, family stepped in to help, and – a mere six months later ƵǑæ¨ÿǑ£ËæǑæ¨ǑºÿÞǑæËǑ樫ÙǑÙÃǑ¨ËÃǑ«ÄǑÙëÙ½ǑYëĈ˽ºƜǑǑ YëǑ÷ÞǑºÄǑæËǑ£æǑ£Ë«Ä£ǑÙ«£¨æǑ÷ÿƜǑǀ*ǁǑºÄË÷ÄǑ¢ËÙǑǑ while this was something I wanted to do so I had savings in Ö½ƝǑÄǑ÷Ǒ¨ǑÞËÃǑċÄÄ«½Ǒ¨½ÖǑ¢ÙËÃǑ¢Ã«½ÿƜǑ*ǁǑÄǑ keeping a running list of all the essentials so I knew my start-up costs. Clay is a cheap material and lasts a long time. `¨ǑØë«ÖÃÄæǑ«ÞǑæ¨ǑþÖÄÞ«öǑÖÙæǑƵǑæ¨Ǒº«½ÄǑÄǑæ¨Ǒ wheel both cost over £1,000 – as well as the studio itself. Luckily, Paul’s Dad is quite handy, so we saved a lot on 뫽«Ä£ǑËÞæÞƜǁǑÞǑæ¨ǑËÙÙÞǑÃǑČËË«Ä£Ǒ«ÄƝǑYëǑÞæÙæǑ æËǑÄËæ«Ǒæ¨ǑÙ÷ºÞǑË¢ǑÄǑǀ«ÃÖæ«ÄæǁǑÞæÙæƜǑǀ*ǑËĽÿǑ¨ǑǑ Þý½ǑÖ½ë£Ƴ«ÄǑº«½ÄǑæǑæ¨Ǒæ«ÃǑÄǑ«æǑæºÞǑæ¨ÙǑÿÞǑæËǑċÙƝǑ
114
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
so I ended up with a massive backlog on orders which was stressful! As it happened, one of my Instagram posts really æË˺ǑËĈƝǑ½«Ä£ǑæËǑÃë½æ«Ö½ǑÞ½ÞǑ÷¨«¨ǑÖ«Ǒ¢ËÙǑæ¨ǑÄ÷Ǒ kiln. In hindsight, I should have taken my time more.’ Having worked through initial teething problems, Su ÷ÞǑ½ǑæËǑ£«öǑÃËÙǑæ¨Ë루æǑæËǑ¨ÙǑËĈÙ«Ä£ÞƜǑY¨ǑÄË÷Ǒ¨ÞǑ æ÷ËǑÙÄ£ÞƜǑ`¨ǑÃƳæËƳËÙÙǑ ËÙǑ ˽½æ«ËÄǑËÄÞ«ÞæÞǑ of functional tableware and decorative ceramics thrown on a wheel. Her Kurinuki Collection – unique, handcarved cottages for incense cones and wax melts – is Ù½ÞǑÖÙ«Ë«½½ÿǑæ¨ÙË루Ǒæ¨ǑÿÙƜǑǀ`¨ǑöÙÿÿǑ bowl is our most popular product, but the cottages are my favourite to make – I like to break up the day with a walk through the woodlands nearby, and often pick up leaves or little seed heads to press into the clay. I love how «ĈÙÄæǑæ¨ÞǑæ¨Ä«ØëÞǑÙƝǑ*ǑÄǑÞ÷«æ¨Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑËÄǑ to the other so I’m never bored,’ she says. `¨Ǒ«Þ«ËÄǑæËǑËĈÙǑæ÷ËǑ«Þæ«Äæ«öǑÞæÿ½ÞǑ¨ÞǑÃÄæǑ þæÙǑĈËÙæǑ÷«æ¨ǑÙ£ÙÞǑæËǑÃÙºæ«Ä£ƜǑǀ*ǁÃǑæÙ£æ«Ä£Ǒ «ĈÙÄæǑë«ÄÞƝǑÞËǑ*Ǒ¨öǑæËǑëÞǑ«ĈÙÄæǑÖ½æ¢ËÙÃÞǑ
CAREER SHIFT
Throwsome shapes Itching to master the wheel? Or to try your hand at clay carving? Check out these courses run by talented potters eager to share their skills and keep this age-old craft alive.
FEATURE TARA KING
VINEGAR HILL POTTERY, HAMPSHIRE Dave and Lucy Rogers run their popular three-day pottery courses in the pretty village of Milford-on-Sea. With over 30 years of ‘throwing’ experience to share, a large part of the workshop is spent on the potter’s wheel learning basic techniques, culminating with a lesson in Raku firing on the last day. On-site accommodation is also available, including a fabulously restored 19th-century showman’s wagon. vinegarhillpottery.co.uk
ËÙ«Ä£½ÿƝǁǑYëǑþÖ½«ÄÞƜǑǀ?ÿǑ ËÙǑ ˽½æ«ËÄǑÞ½½ÞǑ Ù«½½«Äæ½ÿǑËÄǑæÞÿǑÞǑ«æǁÞǑÞÿǑæËǑÞÙ¨Ǒ¢ËÙƝǑëæǑ*ÄÞæ£ÙÃǑ «ÞǑ÷¨ÙǑÃÿǑËææ£ÞǑČÿƜǑQËÖ½Ǒ£ËǑ÷«½Ǒ¢ËÙǑæ¨ÃǑƵǑæ¨ÿǁÙǑ unique and visually striking, which is what you need to stop people scrolling past.’ Su’s success has meant that she and Paul can live the country lifestyle they always dreamt of but never thought possible – and there are more exciting things to come. @þæǑÞæÖÞǑ«Ä½ëǑËĈÙ«Ä£ǑÃËÙǑËëÙÞÞǑÄǑ«ÄöÞæ«Ä£Ǒ«ÄǑ ÄǑ˽ƳÞ¨Ë˽Ǒ÷ËËƳċÙǑº«½ÄƜǑǀ*æǁÞǑǑ½ËæǑË¢Ǒ÷ËÙºǑæËǑÙëÄǑǑ kiln like this, but the results are truly spectacular. Being able to explore my passion here surrounded by nature gives me a sense of joy and freedom that’s truly mindblowing – I’m grateful for it everyday.’ Discover Supatra Marsh’s work at blankearth.co.uk LEFT Su offers a mix of classes at her rural Suffolk studio, from wheel-throwing to making traditional Kurinuki cottages
ABOVE Hand-carved from clay, each Kurinuki cottage is unique; use them as a luminary or for burning incense cones
THE POTTERS STUDIO, EAST SUSSEX This open-plan studio near Ticehurst offers a communal space where keen potters of any level can share creative ideas and learn from each other. Weekly classes are available, while membership plans are also an option for those looking to take things to the next level; these include use of equipment, tools and glazes, your own personal storage shelf, as well as experienced staff on hand to help fire your work. thepottersstudio.co.uk COOMBE FARM STUDIOS, DEVON In 1983, Paul Riley and his wife Tina opened Coombe Farm Studios after converting it from a rundown pig farm. The main barns are studios (with adjacent accommodation) where a host of creative residential courses take place, pottery included. With the help of experts, throw your own shapes then hand-paint them, taking inspiration from the scenic countryside. coombefarmstudios.com COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
115
The spring table Elegant tones of fresh green and duck egg blue, ËëÄǑ÷«æ¨ǑÄæëÙ½Ǒ½«ÄÄÞƝǑÙææÄǑÄǑÖÙææÿǑČËÙ½ÞƝǑ ÙæǑǑċÄǑÞææ«Ä£Ǒ¢ËÙǑǑ½ÙæËÙÿǑÞæÙǑ½ëĨ
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
WHATEVER EASTER means for you – a reminder of ancient rituals celebrating the spring equinox, an important festival of faith, ËÙǑÞ«ÃÖ½ÿǑæ¨ǑċÙÞæǑ½ËÄ£Ǒ÷ºÄǑË¢Ǒæ¨ǑÿÙǑ when the sun is (almost) guaranteed to shine – it also marks a pause in our calendars. The break
in busy schedules, paired with the return of spring bulbs, blossom and the promise of warmer days, is more than enough reason to dress our homes, invite over family and friends, and toast the season with egg hunts, gifts, chocolate and good times. Happy Easter!
SOCIAL GATHERING
GRACE AND FAVOUR
Bring a spring feel to your dining table with cuttings from the garden and hedgerows – a few boughs laden with blossom, branches with pussy willow and dangling catkins, and ČË÷ÙÞǑÖ«ºǑ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨Ǒ£ÙÄǑ÷«½½Ǒ set the scene. Pair with a soft blue and green colour scheme, warm wood ÄǑǑ½ÞÞ«ǑČËÙ½Ǒæ½½Ëæ¨ƜǑ
Personalise each place setting by adding sticker letters to spell out guests’ names onto egg-shaped cards – a keepsake to take home with them.
Tableware, from a selection, Talking Tables, Sorbet Living, Cox & Cox and Daylesford Organic. Try eBay for vintage metal bunny jelly mould. Wall in Green Smoke estate emulsion, £54.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
Tablecloth in Tournier linen, £88m, Sanderson. Blue Flora mini card, £2.75, Wanderlust Paper Co. IST London porcelain dinner plate in Mint, £44, Sorbet Living. Speckled side plate in Mineral, £75 set of six, Cox & Cox. Try vintage shops or eBay for a similar blue and white dish
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS… Pour chilled cloudy lemonade from a glass teapot into Indian chai glasses, then decorate with edible organic ÖÙ«ÃÙËÞǑČË÷ÙÞƜǑ Glass teapot, £12, TK Maxx. Indian chai glasses, £1 each, ReFound
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
117
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
SEASONAL OFFERINGS ÄǑÞæÙǑÞºæǑċ½½Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑæÙæÞǑ makes a lovely gift to take to friends and family. Wrap presents in pretty paper and add ribbon bows; gather bundles of organic asparagus; pop in a few foil-covered chocolate eggs, æ¨ÄǑċÄ«Þ¨Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑǑëĨǑË¢Ǒ¢ÙÞ¨½ÿǑ picked blossom. For similar vintage basket, try Straw London. Blue Floral patterned paper, £2.50 a sheet, Wanderlust Paper Co
MAKE AND CREATE Paint your own watercolour Easter cards and edge envelopes with a scallop design. Be inspired by bluebells, grape hyacinths, forgetme-nots and fresh green shoots. Ivory cards and envelopes, £6 pack of 50; watercolour set, from £19, all Hobbycraft. Blue Flora patterned paper, £2.50 a sheet, Wanderlust Paper Co
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
119
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
BAUBLES AND BLOSSOM
PRETTY DISPLAY
SWEET-SMELLING TREAT
Create a stunning seasonal display on a mantlepiece, shelf or tabletop using foraged spring branches hung with Easter baubles and decorations. Add lengths of ribbon in mint and duck egg tones, simply draped over the branches. Dot vases of freshly Ö«ºǑÞÖÙ«Ä£ǑČË÷ÙÞƝǑĽÞǑÄǑ ÙëǑ«Þ¨ÞǑċ½½Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ¨Ë˽æǑ eggs along the surface.
Set the scene with a collection of beautiful marble eggs, simply arranged in a vintage ceramic «Þ¨Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑǑ½ëǑČËÙ½ǑÞ«£ÄƜǑ
Wrap potted hyacinth bulbs with a layer of tissue paper and then decorative gift wrap. Secure in place with string or cord and add a handpainted tag – an ideal Easter gift for your guests.
Ceramic vase, £15, Etsy. Dove decoration, £5.95, Elizabeth Harbour. Egg baubles, from a selection, Squires Garden Centre. Handpainted baubles, £8 each, TK Maxx
Marble eggs, £6 each, Etsy. Try vintage shops or eBay for a similar blue and white dish
Potted bulbs, from selection, Dobbie’s Garden Centres. Tissue paper, £5 for assorted 50 sheet pack; ivory card, £5 for A4 pack of 100; black cord, £1.50 for 6m, all Hobbycraft. Blue Flora patterned paper, £2.50 a sheet, Wanderlust Paper Co
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
121
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
UNTIL NEXT TIME… Set the scene for goodbyes and glad tidings for your guests with a springtime still-life in the hallway. Decorate a console table with branches of blossom, alongside pretty wrapped gifts and a dish of vintage marble eggs.
FEATURE SELINA LAKE PHOTOGRAPHS SUSSIE BELL
Framed Fields watercolour painting, £180, by Selina Lake. Gifts wrapped in Blue Flora patterned paper, £2.50 a sheet, Wanderlust Paper Co. Recycled glass jug, £9; table lamp, £30, both TK Maxx
122
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
FIND THE ONE
Choosing a new sofa is a major decision but with the range of options at sofa.com, the right one for you could be closer than you think
W
¨æ¨ÙǑ«æǁÞǑ¢ËÙǑÿËëÙǑċÙÞæǑ home, a new home or as a long-anticipated replacement, the sofa you sit on every day has to be right for you and the home you’ve put together with care and attention to detail. At sofa.com you can create a sofa that’s completely tailored to your personal taste – choosing the perfect style, size and upholstery fabric to suit you and your surroundings. Discover classic styles, mid-century designs inspired by 1950s and 1960s shapes, and smart contemporary looks, then pick the size, fabric and feet that are perfect for your decorative scheme and lifestyle. Sofa.com knows that choice can be overwhelming, however, so it has dedicated teams available to advise you at every stage of the process. The company’s nationwide showrooms welcome the whole family – even the dog! – to come and touch, squeeze and stroke the sofas, and sit, lounge and curl up on them, just like you ÷Ëë½ǑæǑ¨ËÃƜǑY¨Ë÷ÙËËÃǑÞæĈǑÙǑ not only connoisseurs in comfort, with encyclopaedic knowledge of æ¨Ǒ˽½æ«ËÄƜǑ`¨ÿǑ÷«½½Ǒ½ÞËǑËĈÙǑ complimentary drinks from the Þ¨Ë÷ÙËËÃǁÞǑ«ÄƳ¨ËëÞǑËĈǑÙǑæËǑ help you really get the measure of the furniture, trying it out and visualising it in your own space. There’s even an entertainment area to keep the kids amused while you consider your perfect piece. And it’s reassuring to know that all sofa.com’s furniture is handmade with sustainably sourced beechwood frames that are guaranteed for life, while its high-quality upholstery ¢Ù«ÞǑÙǑÞËëÙǑ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨ǑċÄÞæǑ mills in Italy, with as many as 100 «ĈÙÄæǑ¢Ù«ÞǑæËǑ¨ËËÞǑ¢ÙËÃƜǑ
Carmel sofa, from £1,650
Once you’ve made your decision, your sofa will be handmade to order and delivered in as little as four to six weeks – sofa.com prides itself on its market-leading delivery times. And when your new sofa is ready, it will be delivered extra-carefully with a white-glove service during which your new pride and joy will be assembled in position, steamed for ǑċĽǑČËëÙ«Þ¨ƝǑÄǑæ¨ǑÙ«öÙÞǑ÷«½½Ǒ take away all the packaging, too. All you have to do is sit back and relax.
FIND OUT MORE To see the complete collection, find your nearest showroom, request free swatches or place an order, visit sofa.com.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
123
Easter lunch is served
Make time for egg hunts and visits from the Easter bunny with a delicious prep-ahead feast that can simply be warmed up when family and friends are gathered
FRENCH ONION SOUP WITH CHEESE AND MARMITE TOASTS
124
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
GOOD FOOD
SLOW-COOKED BEEF CASSEROLE
GOOD FOOD
French onion soup with cheese and Marmite toasts SERVES 6 AS A STARTER OR 4 AS A MAIN
Our British twist on the French classic can be made ahead of time, ready to warm up to serve with the cheese toasts.
40g butter, plus 1tsp 1.25kg (4-6 large) onions, finely sliced 2tbsp plain flour 3 garlic cloves, crushed 200ml dry cider 2 x 500ml pouch fresh beef stock FOR THE TOASTS
1 bunch spring onions 6 slices of baguette 2tsp Marmite 40g mature Cheddar, grated 1 In a large pan that has a lid, melt 40g of butter, then cook the onions over a medium heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and keep cooking, stirring regularly, for 30 minutes or so, until the onions have caramelised.
2ǑYæ«ÙǑ«ÄǑæ¨ǑČËëÙǑÄǑ£Ù½«ǑÄǑË˺Ǒ
SERVES 6
This can be prepared ahead. Reheat the casserole when you bake the kale gratin.
800g British beef shin or braising steak, cut into 3cm chunks 2tbsp plain flour, seasoned 4tbsp oil, plus extra if needed 1 large onion, chopped 2 sticks celery, chopped 1 large or 2 small carrots, chopped 2 fresh bay leaves Glass red wine 4 fat garlic cloves, peeled 50g tin anchovies in oil, drained and roughly chopped
2 x 500ml pouches fresh beef stock 4 thyme sprigs 2 rosemary sprigs 100g pitted green or kalamata olives FOR THE NUTTY GREMOLATA TOPPING
50g hazelnuts, toasted in a dry pan and chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped Finely grated zest 1 lemon Large bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 Preheat the oven to 150°C/Gas 2. Toss the beef in the ÞÞËÄǑČËëÙǑÄǑÞæǑÞ«Ɯ
2 Heat 2tbsp oil in a large casserole over a medium
heat and fry all the vegetables and the bay leaves for 10-15 minutes.
for 5 minutes more. Increase the heat, pour in the cider and bubble until very little liquid remains.
3 Heat 2tbsp oil in a non-stick large frying pan. Fry the beef
3 Add the stock, then simmer for 40 minutes. Season and set aside.
ëÄëæÞƝǑÞÙÖ«Ä£ǑëÖǑÄÿǑÞæëºƳËÄǑÙË÷ÄǑČöËëÙǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ a wooden spoon. Reserve the wine.
4 For the toasts, melt the 1tsp butter in
5 Add the garlic and anchovies to the casserole, stirring.
a frying pan and gently fry the spring onions for 3-4 minutes until wilted.
5 Arrange the baguette slices on a
baking tray and toast until golden. Flip over and spread the untoasted side with Marmite.
6 Arrange spring onions on top, then pile on the cheese. Set aside.
7 To serve, set the grill to high and put the soup on a medium heat to reheat. Grill the toasts until the cheese has melted. Serve the soup in warmed Ë÷½ÞǑ÷«æ¨Ǒæ¨ǑæËÞæÞǑČËæ«Ä£ǑËÄǑæËÖƜ
126
Slow-cooked beef casserole
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
in batches until browned all over, adding more oil if needed.
4 Add the wine to the frying pan and let it bubble for a few
Add the beef, and stir in the reserved wine and the stock. Tuck in the herb sprigs and olives. Cover and transfer to the oven for 3 hours 30 minutes or until the meat is tender. Uncover for the last 30 minutes to reduce the gravy. Cool if not serving straight away. Combine all the ingredients for the gremolata in a small serving bowl.
6 When ready to serve, reheat the beef (discarding herbs) in the casserole on the hob. Serve with the gremolata. ª
SPINACH AND KALE GRATIN
GOOD FOOD
Spinach and kale gratin SERVES 6
A fab side or veggie main. Make up to step 4 & chill, covered, ready to bake.
250g prepared kale, any woody stems discarded 150g heritage kale or chard 260g spinach leaves
Pear and blackberry tart SERVES 12
There’s no need to blind-bake the pastry for this tart, which saves time. Make ahead, warm in the oven and serve.
40g butter
550ml whole milk 1tbsp Dijon mustard 50g mature Cheddar, grated Whole nutmeg, for grating 100g crème fraîche 50g Parmesan, grated 1 Blanch both the kales in a large
pan of boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove, drain and refresh under cold running water, then squeeze out the excess water in a clean tea towel. Put the spinach in a colander and pour the hot water over it to wilt. Refresh, squeeze out and put in a medium baking dish with the kale.
2Ǒ'æǑæ¨ǑëææÙƝǑČËëÙǑÄǑ뽺Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ
a pinch of salt and pepper in a pan over a medium heat, whisking every so often, until the butter has melted ÄǑæ¨ǑČËëÙǑ«ÞǑ«ÄËÙÖËÙæƜǑ`ëÙÄǑ up the heat to medium-high and continue to cook, stirring until the sauce thickens.
3 Stir in the mustard, Cheddar and a good grating of nutmeg. Once the cheese has melted, stir in the crème fraîche.
4 Pour the sauce over the greens
and mix to combine. Scatter over the Parmesan then chill, covered, until ready to cook.
5 When ready to serve, heat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
FOR THE PASTRY
2 medium free-range eggs
100g unsalted butter, softened
2tbsp Amaretto or Cointreau liqueur
50g caster sugar
FOR THE REST
200g plain flour
150g blackcurrant jelly, plus 1tbsp for the glaze
1 medium free-range egg FOR THE FRANGIPANE FILLING
180g golden caster sugar 200g ground almonds
300g blackberries 1 firm pear, cored and cut into thin slices Crème fraîche or ice cream, to serve
200g unsalted butter, softened 1 For the pastry, cream the butter and sugar using an ½æÙ«ǑëþÙǑëÄ櫽ǑČëĈÿƜǑ?«þǑ«ÄǑæ¨ǑČËëÙǑÄǑǑ֫ĨǑ of salt, followed by the egg, until combined. Bring the ëþæëÙǑæË£æ¨ÙǑ«ÄæËǑǑ½½ƝǑæ¨ÄǑ÷ÙÖǑ«ÄǑ½«Ä£Ǒċ½ÃƜǑ Chill for 30 minutes.
2 Roll out the pastry between two sheets of baking paper
to approx 2mm thickness. Line the tart tin and trim the top to make a neat edge, then chill again.
3 Heat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5 with a baking tray inside. ?ºǑæ¨Ǒ¢ÙÄ£«ÖÄǑċ½½«Ä£ǑÿǑËëīģǑ½½Ǒæ¨Ǒ ingredients together using an electric mixer, until combined and resembling a cake mix.
4 Spread the blackcurrant jelly over the base of the tart
case, scatter over half the berries, then dot frangipane into the case, gently smoothing to the edges of the tin with the back of a spoon. Divide the pear slices into three equal portions and arrange on top in a fanned-out pattern. Press in the remaining berries.
5 Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the top is just set and the
tart is golden brown. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
6 Mix the reserved blackcurrant jelly with a little hot water from a kettle, then use to glaze the fruit on top of the tart.
7 Serve the tart at room temperature or warmed with crème fraîche or ice cream, or both if you’re feeling indulgent.
128
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
FEATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/HANNAH HUGHES
40g plain flour
PEAR AND BLACKBERRY TART
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Homemade slug spray
If slugs and snails are your nemesis, deter them with a spray made with a crushed bulb of garlic and 30ml liquid soap mixed in 1ltr water. Let it infuse for 12 hours, strain, store in the fridge, then spray as needed on new foliage – don’t forget to reapply after rain. Tip from What to Sow, Grow and Do by Benjamin Pope (£22, Bloom).
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
131
BURIED TREASURE
Sheltered, secluded, even secret – a sunken garden, like a walled garden, brings a touch of drama and romance to outdoor spaces 132
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
GARDEN DESIGN Mediterranean-style planting and the presence of water – including a series of jets along the side – create an enticing summer retreat in this garden designed by Thomas Hoblyn at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
GARDEN DESIGN
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
135
Although large, this established sunken garden still feels secluded thanks to the high yew hedges and exuberant summer planting designed by Melissa Morton
136
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
GARDEN DESIGN
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
137
PLANT PORTRAIT
CROWNING GLORY
Plant a living roof and you’ll be adding valuable green real estate to your garden, helping wildlife while disguising sheds and other structures. We look at the best plants to choose SEDUM RUPESTRE The cultivar ‘Angelina’ of this classic green-roof plant has yellow flowers from June to August ª
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
139
1
2
ook around your neighbourhood and chances are you’ll see living roofs popping up everywhere, ¢ÙËÃǑ£ÙÄǑËĉÞǑǑÄǑÞ¨ÞƝǑǑæËǑ æËÿǑÞæËÙÞǑ«ÄǑÞ¨Ë˽ǑÖ½ÿ£ÙËëÄÞƜǑ ÄǑæ¨ÙǁÞǑ£ËËǑÙÞËÄƜǑ!ÙËÃǑ ÖÙËö««Ä£ǑǑ¨«ææǑ¢ËÙǑ÷«½½«¢ƝǑ æËǑÞË¢æÄ«Ä£Ǒæ¨ǑĈæÞǑË¢Ǒ½«ÃæǑ¨Ä£ƝǑǑ £ÙÄǑæËÖÖ«Ä£Ǒ¢ËÙǑÿËëÙǑ¨ËÃƝǑ£Ù£ǑËÙǑÞ¨Ǒ «ÞǑǑÞÄÞ«½ǑÞǑ÷½½ǑÞǑÄǑÞæ¨æ«ǑËÖæ«ËÄƜ 9«ö«Ä£ǑÙËË¢ÞǑ¢½½Ǒ«ÄæËǑæ¨ÙǑæ£ËÙ«ÞƜǑq¨«½Ǒ ǀ«ÄæÄÞ«öǁǑÄǑǀÞëƳ«ÄæÄÞ«öǁǑ£ÙÄǑÙËË¢ÞǑ ÙØë«ÙǑÃËÙǑËÃÖ½«æǑÖ½Äæ«Ä£ǑÄǑ «ÙÙ«£æ«ËÄǑÞÿÞæÃÞƝǑÄǑöÄǑæ¨Ǒö«ǑË¢ǑǑ ÞæÙëæëÙ½ǑÄ£«ÄÙƝǑǀþæÄÞ«öǁǑËÖæ«ËÄÞǑÙǑ Ãë¨ǑÞ«ÙǑæËǑÙæǑæǑ¨ËÃƜǑǀ`¨«ÞǑæÿÖǑË¢Ǒ £ÙÄǑÙËË¢Ǒ¨ÞǑǑÖ½Äæ«Ä£ǑëǑÃÞëÙ«Ä£ǑŰÃǑ æËǑŰŮÃǑÖƝǁǑÞÿÞǑ@«Ë½Ǒ9ÿ½ÄƝǑ«ÙæËÙǑË¢Ǒ `¨Ǒ"ÙÄǑTËË¢Ǒ ËÃÖÄÿƜǑǀ`¨«ÞǑÃÄÞǑ«æǑÄǑǑ «ÄÞæ½½ǑËÄǑÃÄÿǑÙËË¢ÞƝǑÖÙæ«ë½Ù½ÿǑËÃÞæ«Ǒ ÖÙËÖÙæ«ÞƝǑ£ÙÄǑÙËËÃÞǑÄǑ«ÄǑÞæËÙÞƜǁǑǑ `¨Ǒ½ÞÞ«Ǒ£ÙÄǑÙËË¢ǑÖ½ÄæǑ«ÞǑæ¨ǑÞëÃƜǑ ÙË루æƳæ˽ÙÄæƝǑÞ¨½½Ë÷ƳÙËËæƝǑØ뫺ǑæËǑ ÞÖÙǑÄǑöÙ£ÙÄƝǑæ¨ÞǑÞëë½ÄæÞǑÙǑæ¨Ǒ «½ǑÙËË¢æËÖǑ÷½½ÙƝǑ½æ¨Ë루ǑÄÿǑÖ½ÄæǑæ¨æǑ ÄǑËÖǑ÷«æ¨ǑÞ¨½½Ë÷ǑÞË«½ǑÄǑþæÙÃǑ÷æ¨ÙǑ ËÄ«æ«ËÄÞǑ«ÞǑÖËÞÞ«½ƜǑÄǑËÄǁæǑ¢½Ǒǀ£ÙÄǁǑ«ÞǑ æ¨ǑËĽÿǑ˽ËëÙǑËÖæ«ËÄǑƵǑæ¨ÙǑÙǑ½ËæÞǑË¢ǑÙ«£¨æǑ ÄǑÖÙææÿǑČË÷Ù«Ä£ǑÖ½ÄæÞǑæ¨æǑ÷«½½Ǒ½ËöǑǑæÞæǑ Ë¢Ǒæ¨Ǒ¨«£¨Ǒ½«¢ǑËöǑæ¨Ǒ£ÙÄǑËÙÙÞƜ ÄǑÞǑ¢ËÙǑ÷¨æ¨ÙǑÿËëǑ£ËǑ«æǑ½ËÄǑËÙǑĽ«ÞæǑæ¨Ǒ ¨½ÖǑË¢ǑǑ½«ö«Ä£ǑÙËË¢ǑÞÖ«½«ÞæƣǑ`¨æǑÖÙ˽ÿǑ ÖÄÞǑËÄǑæ¨ǑÞËÖǑË¢ǑÿËëÙǑÖÙË·æƜǑq¨«½ǑÿËëǑ 루æǑ¢½ǑËÄċÄæǑ*yƳ«Ä£ǑǑ«ÄǑÞæËÙǑËÙǑÞ¨ƝǑ «æǁÞǑ÷«ÞǑæËǑÞºǑËëæǑÄǑþÖÙæǁÞǑ¨½ÖǑËöÙǑǑ½Ù£ÙǑ ÙǑæËǑÄÞëÙǑæ¨ǑÞ櫽«æÿǑË¢Ǒæ¨ǑÞæÙëæëÙƜǑǑ
SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS THE GREEN ROOF COMPANY offers
1 COTULA HISPIDA Button-like yellow flowers form in late spring and into summer, with silvery evergreen foliage
140
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
2 SEMPERVIVUM CALCAREUM This succulent (known as houseleek) has striking leaves tipped with maroon red
a range of succulent systems in easy-to-use trays or mats for either DIY or expert installation, thegreenroofcompany.co.uk PRITCHARD & PRITCHARD design, install and maintain all kinds of green roofs, including full roof gardens, green-roofs.co.uk SEDUM SUPPLY sells everything you need to build your own green roof, plus ready-made kits, including shed and wildflower packs, sedumsupply.co.uk
FEATURE HEATHER MARSHALL PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
PLANT PORTRAIT
3 ASPLENIUM TRICHOMANES The maidenhair spleenwort fern is ideal for a roof in dry shade
3
4
5
6
4 THYMUS SERPYLLUM Creeping thyme flowers from May to August, and thrives in well-drained soil on a green roof
5 SEDUM ALBUM ‘CORAL CARPET’ Starry white flowers bloom in early summer, alongside pretty red-tinged leaves
6 SEDUM SPURIUM ‘COCCINEUM’ This sedum is happy in full sun, with deep-pink flowers in late summer
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
141
POTS FOR SPRING Q½ÄæǑëÖǑæ¨ÙǑËÄæ«ÄÙÞǑ÷«æ¨ǑČË÷ÙÞǑÄǑ¢Ë½«£Ǒ¢ËÙǑ ǑÙ«£¨æǑëÙÞæǑË¢Ǒ˽ËëÙǑ«ÄǑÿËëÙǑËÙÙÞǑËÙǑËÄǑǑÖæ«Ë pringtime is my favourite time of year, when the garden starts to come to life. But if my plot is still looking a little ÞÖÙÞƝǑǑ¢÷ǑËÄæ«ÄÙÞǑċ½½Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ ČË÷ÙÞǑÙǑ«½ǑæËǑċ½½ǑÄÿǑ£ÖÞƜ This planting plan will look great in three pots – planting in odd numbers makes it easier on the eye. Also, the acer prefers a more acidic soil, so you can put it in a pot with ericaceous compost, while the other plants will be happy in a general peat-free multipurpose compost. YæÞǑË¢ǑËÄæ«ÄÙÞǑ½Ë˺ǑææÙǑæǑ«ĈÙÄæǑ heights too – simply use a plant stand (or some house bricks) to raise the pots at the back.
S
POT 1 TULIP ‘REQUEST’ AND FORGET-ME-NOTS
This vibrant-orange variety of tulip is one of my ¢öËëÙ«æǑÞÖÙ«Ä£ǑČË÷ÙÞƜǑæǑ樫ÞǑæ«ÃǑË¢ǑÿÙƝǑ you will need to buy them from the garden centre ‘in the green’. Place them in the middle of the container – they grow to around 45cm tall – and underplant with forget-me-nots. `¨ÞǑÖËÖë½ÙƝǑÖÙææÿǑ½«ææ½ǑČË÷ÙÞǑËÃǑ«ÄǑ «ĈÙÄæǑ˽ËëÙÞƝǑÞë¨ǑÞǑ÷¨«æǑÄǑ֫ĺƝǑëæǑ the classic blue, with its white or yellow centre, looks gorgeous beside the orange tulips. Forget-me-nots are easy to grow from seed, but the best time to sow seed is during the summer. So to enjoy them now, you will need to buy plug plants from the garden centre.
POT 2 ANEMONE CORONARIA ‘HARMONY BLUE’ AND CAREX OSHIMENSIS ‘EVEREST’
Start by planting the anenome in the centre of æ¨ǑÖËæƜǑ`¨ÿǑ¨öǑ½Ù£Ǒ½ëǑČË÷ÙÞǑƭÙËëÄǑ 7cm in diameter) with a striking black centre, while the leaves are bright green with a fernlike texture. They grow to around 45cm tall and ÷«½½ǑČË÷ÙǑ¢ÙËÃǑ?Ù¨ǑæËǑÖÙ«½ƝǑÿ«Ä£ǑºǑ ½Ë÷Ǒ£ÙËëÄǑ½ö½Ǒ¢æÙǑæ¨ÿǑ¨öǑċÄ«Þ¨Ǒ
142
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
ČË÷Ù«Ä£ƜǑ!ËÙǑǑ½ËÄ£Ƴ½Þæ«Ä£Ǒ«ÞÖ½ÿƝǑæ¨ÞǑ could then be replaced with Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’, which have tall slender ÞæÃÞǑË¢Ǒ÷¨«æǑČË÷ÙÞǑ«ÄǑæ¨ǑëæëÃÄƜǑ Next, arrange Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’ around the edge of the container. Although these grasses are evergreen and can be planted in the border, they look fabulous in pots with their stripey narrow variegated white leaves falling over the edge. They grow to around 30cm tall and prefer moist but well-drained soil. Simply comb through with your hands to remove ÄÿǑǑ¢Ë½«£ǑÄǑÞÄ«ÖǑËĈǑæ¨ǑǑÄÞƜ
POT 3 ACER PALMATUM ‘BENI-MAIKO’
This deciduous tree comes into leaf during the spring and grows to around 1.5m tall. It is perfect for a container, where it will be happy in partial shade or full sun. Acers are so pretty, with delicate foliage – Acer palmatumǑǀ Ä«Ƴ?«ºËǁǑ has bright, pinkish-red leaves in spring which become greener during the summer. In autumn the leaves change again to orange/red tones. A beautiful tree suitable for any garden. Nikki Hollier is a previous winner of Country Homes & Interiors My Country Business Awards and founder of Border in a Box, borderinabox.com FRONT OF BORDER
POT 1
POT 2
POT 3
BACK OF BORDER
PLANTING PLAN
Tulip ‘Request’ and forget-me-nots
PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Anemone coronaria ‘Harmony Blue’ and Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’
Acer palmatum ‘Beni-Maiko’
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
143
SOW GROW SHOW q¨æǑæËǑÖ½ÄæƝǑ樫ÞǑÃËÄæ¨ǁÞǑ£ÙÄƳċÄ£ÙǑæÞºÞƝǑÄǑ«ÞÖ½ÿÞǑ æËǑÄ·ËÿƜǑ*æǁÞǑ£ÙÄ«Ä£Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑæ¨Ǒ£ÙËëÄǑëÖǑǑ
In bloom
DODECATHEON With petals
resembling wings and colourful ‘beaks’, these beauties emerge like swooping tropical birds in spring.
SOLOMON’S SEAL The dangling ÷¨«æǑ½ÄæÙÄƳ½«ºǑČË÷ÙÞǑËÄǑÙ¨«Ä£Ǒ stems light up shady garden nooks from mid-spring to early summer.
SAXIFRAGA Pillowy mounds of ¢Ë½«£ǑËææǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ½«æǑČË÷ÙÞǑ – often pink and purple in colour – but look out for the delicious Peach Melba or Buttercream varieties.
GARDENING
PLANT CARE @ǑQTe@*@"
3 OF THE BEST
!9FqTYǑ`FǑ"TFq At Glyndebourne, April is when the garden is made ready ahead of the annual Glyndebourne Festival in May. Plants that have been propagated over the past ¢÷ǑÃËÄæ¨ÞǑÙǑÖ½ÄæǑ«ÄæËǑ樫ÙǑċĽǑÞÖËæÞƝǑǑÙÿǑ¢ËÙǑ¢Þæ«ö½Ƴ£ËÙÞǑæËǑÄ·ËÿƝǑ says Kevin Martin, head gardener at Glyndebourne opera house, East Sussex. 1 DAHLIA ‘NATHALIE G’ Dahlia tubers that have been left in the ground over winter should start to show signs of new growth at ground level. Tubers that have been dug up and kept in compost indoors over winter should also show signs of shoots emerging. Give them a water to encourage them and plant out in the garden in late May. 2 ANTIRRHINUM MAJUS These seedlings will require protection until after the last frosts when they can be planted outside. Water at the crown and keep well hydrated – they are thirsty plants. Pinching out the tips will encourage more flowering.
1
2
LIFT larger herbaceous
perennials, such as hardy geraniums and hostas, and split into sections to replant in the garden. Make sure each section has roots and buds so that it will establish. Water well. FEED container plants
to encourage healthy growth as they come
3
into season. Either liquid or granular feed will be suitable
3 LAVATERA TRIMESTRIS ‘SILVER CUP’ Sow indoors, placing the seed at a shallow depth in seed compost or well-raked soil. Germination should take place in 15-20 days. Plant out in late May when seedlings are large enough to handle.
SUPPORT tall plants,
such as veronicas and asters, with stakes made from hazel and
*@Ǒ`'Ǒp"` 9ǑQ` '
Mr Mitford, kitchen gardener at Hawkstone Hall, shares what to plant this month
willow. Put tall and straight hazel stems in
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GLYNDEBOURNE.COM, HAWKSTONEHALL.CO.UK PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, GETTY IMAGES
the ground around the plants as posts. Next, wind willow branches around each other to BEETROOT These veg can be grown in the ground or containers, then harvested and eaten or stored. Soak seeds in warm water for 30 minutes to help germination. Sow 4cm apart little and often, ensuring beetroot for the entire year.
LEEKS Start in the greenhouse then plant out from May onwards for a harvest from late August and through the winter. Plant 30cm apart in holes 3cm wide and 15cm deep. Pour water into the hole and let it naturally fill with the soil.
CELERIAC Sow the seeds into modules before transferring into individual small pots and keep them in the greenhouse until frosts have passed. When ready, plant out 30cm apart in a soil mixed with compost and water well.
ÙæǑǑČþ«½ǑǀÙËÖǁƜǑ Loop the willow around the hazel posts and tie to secure, to keep the plant support in place. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
145
COUNTRY LIFESTYLE
WEED WISDOM
Hoe them, pull them and dig them out – and learn to let a few do their own thing. Here’s how to tackle weeds in your garden e all know that tackling weeds with chemicals is harmful to the wildlife and plants in our gardens. But as the weather warms up and our borders become overrun, it can be tempting to reach for the easiest method of control. There is another way. By knowing weeds well, ËëīģǑ«ĈÙÄæǑÖÖÙ˨ÞƝǑÄǑ溫ģǑǑ live-and-let-live attitude to certain ‘unwelcome’ plants, it’s possible to cultivate a beautiful garden that’s also in harmony with nature.
FEATURE HEATHER MARSHALL PHOTOGRAPH GETTY IMAGES
W
How do I know if it’s a weed? If you’re sowing seeds directly into the soil, you don’t want to pull up your seedlings, mistaking them for weeds. ‘Patience and observation are key,’ says Ruben Calafate, gardens supervisor at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ‘Wait for the ċÙÞæǑæÙëǑ½öÞǑæËǑÖÖÙƟǑæ¨ÞǑÙǑëÞë½½ÿǑ tiny versions of the adult leaves.’ yËëǑËë½ǑÞË÷ǑÿËëÙǑÞÞǑ«ÄǑÄǑ«Äæ«ċ½Ǒ pattern, such as a grid or in crosses. When they start to come through, it will be much simpler to tell them apart. A plant-identifying app (see Useful Resources) can help to identify which are weeds and which are not. What’s the best way to remove weeds? ‘There are no shortcuts, weeding is a constant task,’ says Ruben. ‘At Kew Gardens, we will start hoeing all weed seedlings in spring on a dry day, and you should then systematically fork perennial weeds out throughout the seasons.’ There is some hope, says Sally Cunningham from Garden Organic. ‘Even fast establishing plants like groundsel can’t progress from seed to seed in less than six weeks, so provided you manage to get round the garden once a month, you will slowly gain the upper hand.’
ON THE PULL Pull up self-seeding weeds before they spread too far into your flowerbeds
Is there a less labour-intensive option? Taking steps to suppress weeds is a good idea. ‘Mulching in early spring reduces germination. Densely planted schemes leave little room for weeds or make them less obvious,’ says Ruben. ‘For weeds between paving, plant thymes or chamomile in the cracks instead. They will ÷«æ¨ÞæÄǑ½«£¨æǑ¢ËËæǑæÙĉǑÄǑËëÖÿǑæ¨ǑÞÖǑ where a weed might grow,’ says Sally. Do I remove all weeds the same way ? ‘This is where it pays to know the type of weed you are dealing with. Hoe annuals and dig perennials out,’ advises Ruben. ‘Make sure self-seeders are pulled out before they set seed. With weeds that propagate by underground stems, rhizomes or root fragments, you will need to dig out the whole root system.’
q¨«¨Ǒ÷ÞǑÞ¨Ëë½Ǒ*ǑċÄ«æ½ÿǑÙÃËöƝǑ and which can I leave? ‘Ground elder, bindweed, Himalayan balsam, couch grass, horsetail, oxalis, and hairy bittercress are invasive weeds that require action as soon as they’re spotted,’ says Ruben. Otherwise, Sally advocates leaving certain plants that are commonly thought of as weeds alone. USEFUL RESOURCES ‘Red dead nettle and dandelions are valuable RHS has a quick guide to the most food for emerging spring common garden weeds on its website; insects, and later in the rhs.org.uk/advice/common-weeds year provide food for CANDIDE APP can help you identify nestlings. Nettles provide weeds on the go in your garden. Ǒ¨ËÃǑ¢ËÙǑæ¨Ǒ¨ËÞæƳÞÖ«ċǑ GARDEN ORGANIC is a charity nettle aphids, which in turn promoting organic growing. Its website are valuable food for is full of expert advice, including newly emerged ladybirds individual guides to controlling 136 and other predators.’ different weeds; gardenorganic.org.uk COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
147
NINA CAMPBELL
A day in the country The famed interior designer £ËÞǑÄæ«Øë«Ä£ǑÄǑČË÷ÙǑ Þ¨ËÖÖ«Ä£Ǒ«ÄǑæ¨Ǒ ËæÞ÷Ë½Þ I live in Chelsea, in London, with my Shih Tzu, called Twicks. I rarely have time to go to the country, but when I do get to spend a day or two away from the city, I love to go to Tetbury in the Cotswolds. I have close friends who live there. I’d begin my day with a relaxed breakfast while reading the paper, then I would take Twicks for a long walk with my friends. Tetbury is home to some of my favourite antiques shops, including Lorfords, Brownrigg and Twig. I enjoy browsing them all, and I’ll often come away with something intriguing for myself, or else I will be on the look-out for furniture and accessories for my clients all over the world. Some of my best buys recently have been a wing chair from Philip Adler and a butler’s tray from Brownsword.
For lunch, I’d go to the Queen Matilda Country Inn, a lovely old, restored pub with delicious food near Tetbury. In the afternoon I love
154
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
TREASURE HUNTER Nina Campbell scours the antiques shops of Tetbury for stylish finds
to explore local garden centres and treat myself to a bootful of plants to bring back to my garden in London. I’ll collect armfuls of geraniums and roses, in shades of pale and dark pink, and magenta. Later in the day, I enjoy playing cards with friends. We like to play Oh Hell or Gin Rummy, which can often get very competitive between us. Then, in the evening, ÷ǁ½½ǑÄ·ËÿǑǑËÞÿǑ«ÄÄÙǑÄǑǑċ½ÃƜǑ Nina Campbell has been commissioned by Kyn to design the interiors of its new care home in Bickley, Kent. Visit kyn.co.uk for more information.
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPH HARRY SOAMES
The shops in Tetbury also house huge collections of accessories and textiles; a real treasure trove. Looking at fabric pieces helps to inspire the designs for my Osborne & Little collections, many of which have been used in Kyn Bickley, an innovative new care home that I’m currently working with. It’s a beautiful collaboration and I feel we’ve woven the calm and peace of the country into this stylish setting.
9000
9001