ENGLISH HOME The
Celebrating the essence of English style
A FRESH START
BLUSHING ROMANCE Accents & accessories in delicate pink
The best British buys & stylish updates
UPLIFTING INTERIORS Schemes to create a calm & happy mood
HOW TO LIVE WELL IN 2021 - India Hicks - Sophie Conran - Nina Campbell & many more
FLORA EUPHORIA Elegant ways to decorate with plants
RESTORATION STORIES
From Georgian townhouse to rustic barn conversion
April 2021
April 2021
‘Lady of Shalott’ English Shrub Rose
Breeders of Exquisite English Roses Our English Roses have been transforming homes and gardens for over half a century. SHOP ONLINE at www.davidaustinroses.com and request a FREE NEW ‘Handbook of Roses 2021’
CONTENTS APRIL 2021
64
34
26 PHOTOGRAPHS (ABOVE LEFT) © CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD; (TOP RIGHT) © OLIVIA BRABBS; ABOVE RIGHT) © DAN DUCHARS
Beautiful Buys 6
72 EMBRACING A NEW WAY OF LIFE Designers on
their experience of ‘home’ over the past year and new desires for interiors in the year ahead.
HOME COMFORTS Our selection of beautiful
homeware to gladden the eye. 12 BLUSHING ROMANCE Gentle pink hues. 14 INDULGENT NIGHTS IN Embrace time at home.
Quintessentially
English Homes
82 FROM PATCH TO PLATE Matthew Fort on the bright,
16 RESTORING ELEGANCE A former priory in Suffolk 26 34 44 54
is sympathetically restored with a classical scheme. BIDDING FOR BEAUTY Careful restoration revives a derelict Georgian town house in London. ARTS & CRAFTS An eighteenth-century Oxfordshire barn conversion is preserved by a creative couple. TIMELESS ELEGANCE Owners and designer transform a Grade I listed town house in Bath. LATERAL THINKING A double-fronted West London property is home to beautifully layered interiors.
81 EARLY AWAKENING The first buds of spring.
84 92 95 98
sweet delights of vibrant rhubarb. FLORA EUPHORIA The myriad benefits and ways of decorating interiors with plants. HOUSES WITH CHARACTER Homes with past lives. THE ART OF SLEEP Mrs M on a good night’s rest MY DESIGN HERO Interior designer Paolo Moschino on Bill Blass, American style icon.
Regulars The
4
A LETTER FROM HOME A warm welcome from
our Editor.
Style Inspiration
80 READER TRAVEL OFFER A tailor-made luxury
63 ULTRA VIOLET Combining shades of purple to
trip to visit Britain. 97 ADDRESS BOOK Useful contact details.
create stylish impact. 64 A HAPPY, HEALTHY, UPLIFTING HOME Designing
interiors to maximise well-being.
ENGLISH HOME
Celebrating the essence of English style
A FRESH START
BLUSHING ROMANCE Accents & accessories in delicate pink
The best British buys & stylish updates
UPLIFTING INTERIORS Schemes to create a calm & happy mood
HOW TO LIVE WELL IN 2021 - India Hicks - Sophie Conran - Nina Campbell & many more
FLORA EUPHORIA Elegant ways to decorate with plants
RESTORATION STORIES
From Georgian townhouse to rustic barn conversion
April 2021
COVER IMAGE: © YOLA WATRUCKA / ALAMY
THE ENGLISH HOME 3
WRITE TO US AT
The English Home, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ, UK Tel +44 (0)333 014 3215 Email: theenglishhome@chelseamagazines.com
www.theenglishhome.co.uk EDITORIAL
Editor Samantha Scott-Jeffries Managing Editor Sarah Feeley Art Editors Claire Hicks, Rebecca Stead Sub Editor Lea Tacey Decorating Editor Katy Mclean Features Editor Eve Middleton Homes & Lifestyle Editor Clair Wayman Editor-at-Large Kate Freud
Explore our feature on creating a healthy, happy home with ideas for adding a link to the great outdoors, such as this fabric by Iliv (on page 64).
UK ADVERTISING CONTACTS
T
he advent of spring is always highly anticipated in England, this year perhaps more than ever, as we look forward to the promise of the coming months with a sense of hope and optimism. For this issue, we asked some of the most respected names in the interiors industry to reflect on how they use their homes has changed over the past 12 months, what has become more important to them and what their design predictions are for the year ahead (page 72). Their personal insights and plans for living well make for fascinating reading. Despite it having been a challenging time, it has still been a period of immense creativity for the interiors industry. Our selection of new designs and launches keeping our spirits high and our homes vibrant can be seen in Home Comforts (page 6) and Indulgent Nights In (page 14). Meanwhile Blushing Romance (page 12) showcases ideas for updating homes for spring in delicate shades of pink. This issue is also brimming with period homes carefully restored and decorated for life in England today (page 16). Whilst these were undoubtedly substantial projects, not all changes in the home need to be large to have impact, as our feature on creating a happy, healthy home shows (page 64). It is full of achievable ideas for creating rooms that both look and feel good – a theme echoed in our article on how to decorate with houseplants (page 84). We hope you’ll find plenty of inspiration within these pages to refresh your home for spring and welcome in the new season.
Samantha Scott-Jeffries, Editor
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NEXT ISSUE ON SALE 13 APRIL 2021
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© The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2021. All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. The information in The English Home has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. However, where appropriate, you are advised to check prices, opening times and dates, etc, before making final arrangements. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information within this publication is hereby excluded. The opinions expressed by the contributors of The English Home are not necessarily those of the publisher. www.chelseamagazines.com: Publisher of Artists & Illustrators, Baby, BRITAIN, Classic Boat, Cruise International, Discover Britain, The English Garden, Independent School Parent and associated Guides, Little London, Popshot, Racecar Engineering, Sailing Today, Scotland Magazine, Yachts & Yachting and Wedding Ideas.
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HOMEComforts Usher in a fresh, new season with future heirlooms and decorative touches to covet
Archival inspiration Drawing on ancient mythology and named after a Sumerian goddess, the Shala collection by The Design Archives comprises prints taken from original historic designs and brought to life with redeveloped pattern and colour. The three designs in the collection are all printed on 100 per cent linen and include the classic French toile design Albertina – shown here in Indigo, Damson and Taupe, the botanical print Exotic Fruits – taken from eighteenth-century chinoiserie, and Shala – a stripe with floral detailing based on an ancient Indian design. Shala collection, £90 a metre, The Design Archives
6 THE ENGLISH HOME
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Modern heirloom Elegant stained timber, fluted glass panels and a quartz top are certain to make this limited edition Butler’s Sideboard a collector’s item. Designed by kitchen company Martin Moore’s design director, Richard Moore, to mark the company’s 45th anniversary, it is custom-built at the firm’s Yorkshire workshop and available in bespoke finishes. Butler’s Sideboard, £POA, Martin Moore Everyday elegance Chic touches can elevate the everyday – opt for smart glassware with a gold rim to add a touch of luxury to the dining table. Sunburst chargers, £100 for a set of eight: glassware, from £69 for a set of eight white wine glasses, all Sophie Conran Clever crafting Woven in the same material and palette as Roger Oates Design’s signature flatweave runners, its Quill rugs are made using excess yarn for minimal wastage. New colourways include these warm, earthy tones, as taken from the Chatham Multi flatweave. Buffalo Quill Stripe Rug (150 x 220cm, fringed on four sides), £450, Roger Oates Design
Chimneypieces | Lighting | Furniture 020 7730 2122 | jamb.co.uk
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Marble delight Drummonds’ selection of bathroom accessories include a soap dish carved from Arabescato marble whose sleek form will be an elegant addition to any bathroom. Arabescato marble soap dish, £114, Drummonds Silk touch Created in jacquard woven silk for an indulgent and tactile finish, interior designer Vanessa Konig’s collaborative collection with Gingerlily comes in soft greens, pinks and blues and adorns bedding and home accessories. Coral Fern cushions, Green, £100 each, Gingerlily x Vanessa Konig, available exclusively at Harrods Playful creativity Classic shapes afford ample opportunity for creativity. The vertical alignment of these new glazed ceramic tiles highlights their textured form and makes a striking statement splashback. Poitiers Gloss tiles, Bordeaux, £49.99 a square metre, CTD Tiles Calm contrast Delicate tones and a pleasingly calm pattern characterise the three wallpaper designs added to Charlotte Gaisford’s Good Girls collection, providing a counterpoint to the vibrant fabric designs within the same range. Wallpaper, Rosie Grey, £88 a roll; curtains, Betty Red, £62 a metre; cushion, Lulu Light Pink, £62 a metre, all Charlotte Gaisford
THE ENGLISH HOME 9
FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Modern plains Combining specialist technology and high style, the Cambay plain-weave range from Villa Nova’s EasyClean collection allows any spillages to be removed without the need for detergents, just water. Cambay fabric in Atlantic (table); Teal (cushion); Smokey Blue (curtain); Smokey Blue, Vellum and Pigeon (lampshades, left to right), £47 a metre, Villa Nova Traditional update One of Britain’s last-remaining silk-weaving houses, Gainsborough, has launched a collection of handblock-printed wallpapers. The design shown here is one of five and is a contemporary interpretation of the damask fabrics the brand is known for. Melford Damask wallpaper in Sand, Slate & Ammonite, from £330 a roll, Gainsborough Family affair Co-founded by designer Alex Willcock and his son Felix Conran, grandson of the late Sir Terence Conran, Maker&Son offers luxury upholstered furniture made from entirely natural materials, including this smart sofa with individually coiled springs, and invitingly plump cushions filled with ethically sourced feathers and down. Song Sofa in Sea Green Velvet, £4,995, Maker&Son 10 THE ENGLISH HOME
WESTLAND LONDON SPECIALISTS IN ANTIQUE FIREPLACES & FINE ANTIQUES SINCE 1969
295 WILLESDEN LANE, LONDON, NW2 5HY TUBE: WILLESDEN GREEN (JUBILEE LINE)
www.westlandlondon.com
TEL: +44 (0) 207 739 8094 e-mail: westland@westlandlondon.com
Blue Tit on Blossom napkins (Pink), £25 for a set of four, Mosney Mill
Pink Lily chair, £599, Sofology
Faded Pink and White Plumage vase, £179, The Culture of Art
Cut Ruche in Antique Pink, £30 a metre, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam
Groove candle in Blossom, £15 for a set of two, Sophie Conran
BLUSHING ROMANCE The delicate hue of blush pink has a light and airy feel. In a sleek contemporary setting, play up its cooler notes with silvers, greys and blues; incorporate tonal ombre-effect blush fabrics and sparkling glass for a modern aesthetic. Within a traditional scheme, heighten the shade’s natural gentleness by mixing it with elegant whites, creams and antique woods; introduce classic floral blush fabrics and patterned wall treatments, alongside velvet furnishings that will create a timeless feel. To infuse a sophisticated romantic mood, add warmth with deep purples and rich golds and bronzes; complement opulent colours with blush paint and ornate embellishments.
Pink Peppercorn paint, from £38 for 2.5l Emulsion, Neptune
Ceramic planter in Blush Pink, from £36, Ella James
Seeded water glasses, Pale Rose, £59 for a set of four, Sir/Madam, Amara Tubby Torre bath, from £2,541, painted exterior, £298, The Albion Bath Company
12 THE ENGLISH HOME
Arra rug in Blush, from £1,362 for 160cm x 230cm, A Rum Fellow
Draycott lamp base, £121 (excluding shade), painted in Blush Medium paint by Little Green, £30, Pooky
FEATURE SUZANNA LE GROVE PHOTOGRAPH (ALBION) © PHILIP ETHERDEN
Three faux hydrangea stems in Soft Blush, £45, Cox & Cox
THE
SALE
Victorian Lodge, Worcestershire, UK
Discover the secret of Hartley Botanic by calling 781 933 1993 or visit www.hartley-botanic.com
HANDMADE IN ENGLAND CHERISHED IN AMERICA The only aluminium Glasshouses and Greenhouses endorsed by the RHS © The Royal Horticultural Society 2020. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262 rhs.org.uk
Curtain, Melford, £35 a metre; wallpaper, Fencott, £59 a metre, both National Trust collection, Sanderson
Aurora table lamp, orange resin, £95 (plus shade), Pooky
Botanical Alphabet embroidery kit (finished size approx. W52cm x H60cm), £25, Loop Knitting Shop
Living room designed by Jessica Buckley Interiors
INDULGENT NIGHTS IN Corinne Lapierre felt sewing roll craft kit, £14.50, John Lewis & Partners
Embrace time at home and create an inviting haven in which to enjoy a good book, write letters to loved ones or take up a new pastime. Sumptuously upholstered furniture and accessories in an enveloping palette of oranges, yellows and forest greens soothe all year round. Brass accents and layered lighting add a hint of warmth and set the mood for an evening of indulging in relaxing, mindful pursuits.
Hand-thrown pottery match striker, £24.50, Rhubarb & Hare
Oakland bookcase, £895, Sweetpea & Willow
Bee note cards, £11.95, Annabel James
Apadana armless chair in midnight green velvet, £795, Oka
Set of 2 playing card decks, £32, Christian Lacroix, Amara.com
Chrome band kindling bucket, £24, Dibor 14 THE ENGLISH HOME
Cup cosy knitting kit for beginners, £11.95, Amnesty International UK
Velour tangerine snuggle dog bed, small from £90, medium from £115, Charley Chau
FEATURE CHARIS WHITE PHOTOGRAPH (JESSICA BUCKLEY INTERIORS) © ZAC+ZAC
PIN pen range, from £1.99, Uniball
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In the drawing room, the Celia curtain fabric in Barley, from the Warner Textile Archive Collection at Claremont, is teamed with walls painted in a subtle linen effect by specialist painter Cornelia Faulkner. A bespoke Trefoil stool, covered in Claremont’s Matelas de Laine fabric in Dove, adds a glamorous touch. A landscape painting by Kate Rhodes hangs above the fireplace.
16 THE ENGLISH HOME
Restoring ELEGANCE A once tired priory in Suffolk has been sympathetically transformed with stylish and classic schemes, thanks to the dedication of owner Jane Meade FEATURE & STYLING CLAIR WAYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
ABOVE Jane loves to host relaxed lunches around the Moreton extending table from Neptune, from where guests can enjoy beautiful views of the established gardens. The classic dining chairs with linen slipcovers are from a previous house in South Africa. Skye the whippet is always alert and keeps an eye out for visitors.
ABOVE In the hallway a lantern from Vaughan stands out against the eyecatching coral Meredith wallpaper, from Nina Campbell’s Coromandel Collection (now discontinued). An antique sculpture of a dog stands under the fifteenth-century stone piscina, discovered in the house and part of a chapel that formerly stood on this spot. RIGHT Jane relaxes on one of her treasured Howard chairs covered in Ibiza Daguea linen from Claremont.
S
tepping into the entrance hall of Jane Meade’s Grade II listed home in Suffolk, the eye is met by striking coral wallpaper accentuating the soaring ceilings and graceful staircase. Even on a dull day, light pours in through the elegant windows, creating an uplifting feel. A sense of warmth and friendliness permeates the whole house, a reflection of Jane’s generous and welcoming nature. It is hard to believe that just a few years ago the house was unloved and in need of updating. Back in 2016, Jane was seeking a fresh start in life and was keen to immerse herself in a renovation project that would help her do so. Hearing that what is now her home was on the market, she went to view it one chilly autumn morning, with both trepidation and excitement. “It had been rented out for the past 14 years, so felt really tired, with nondescript, neutral interiors,” she explains. “I could see it needed to be made into a family home again, to be loved and cherished, that was my vision. The house had so much potential with its refined proportions and light-filled rooms. That’s what persuaded me to take it on.”
18 THE ENGLISH HOME
Jane enlisted Barn & Brook to design a new kitchen, with hardwearing Unistone worktops in Silver Sea from Bellagio Stone. Hanging from McKinney & Co curtain poles, the cheerful floral curtain fabric, Kaveri Original from Nicholas Herbert, adds a dash of colour. Jane chose Paint & Paper Library’s Stone V for the kitchen cabinets and Stone IV for the walls, to tie in with the warm neutral background colour of the curtain fabric. The Jerusalem White Gold Tumbled limestone floor tiles, from Mandarin Stone, have an aged effect. THE ENGLISH HOME 19
In the morning room the mid-twentieth-century Howard armchairs and stool, from Toovey’s Auctioneers, are covered in Vivienne Beige from Pierre Frey. The Cowdray curtain fabric from Titley and Marr is inspired by a traditional woodblock print. The vintage floor lamps with tables and the twentiethcentury lamp on the desk, converted from an oil lamp, are all from Caroline Marcq.
Tucked away in a peaceful village outside Newmarket, Jane’s home is surrounded by serene landscaping and the comforting presence of the local church, just metres away. Formerly a priory, with a medieval core and a sixteenth-century wing to the rear, the property underwent major alterations in 1846, thanks to the vision of Reverend Edmund Mortlock, who extended the footprint and added a magnificent facade. It is believed that an ancient chapel once stood on the site and a fifteenth-century carved-stone piscina, which would have been used to wash holy vessels during mass, is now reset in the entrance hall wall. Having been a passionate horsewoman for most of her life, when she bought this house, Jane made the
20 THE ENGLISH HOME
An ornate Bellefontaine table from William Yeoward fits neatly under the stairs in the hall. A pair of vintage lamps from Caroline Marcq at Trilogie Antiques in Tetbury are teamed with silk ikat shades by Susan Deliss.
‘The morning room is my favourite place to sit. I love to collapse in here after a busy day, with my whippet, Skye’ decision to give up riding and devote herself to project managing the renovation and designing the interiors. “I was very hands on and would meet my builder each day, to go through everything,” she says. As well as restoring original features, the whole house needed rewiring and replumbing. Before that could happen, asbestos found around all the pipework under the floors had to be removed. “It was a major upheaval and the house had to be closed for a month while specialists came in,” explains Jane.
Since moving to Newmarket from Wiltshire in 2014, Jane has become firm friends with interior designer Emma Benyon and turned to her for help when she first bought the property. Since then, Emma has been with her every step of the way, guiding and reassuring her when making big decisions about fabrics, wallpapers and colours for each room. Jane lived at Emma’s lodge while the main work to the house was being carried out and she finally moved in just before Christmas 2017. Then Jane and Emma
FAR LEFT The house sits on 12 acres of land, which includes paddocks and stables. Jane adores gardening and spends many happy hours outside, in all weathers, tending to her beloved plants.
THE ENGLISH HOME 21
‘My goal was to make the most of all the rooms ... It doesn’t feel like a big house to me because I use every room’ ABOVE The Alnwick Bureau from William Yeoward cleverly hides the television in the master bedroom. The decorative, antique Napoleon III-style mirror above the fireplace adds to the room’s fairy-tale feel. The Acres Farm fender is covered in Celestial Square Old Rose from Soane.
started to focus on the room schemes. “It was wonderful designing the interiors with Emma – we had such fun,” says Jane. “We were sensitive to the period of the house, introducing colour and building layers of interesting fabrics and textures. Emma and I have very similar taste and always gravitate towards the same pretty pastel shades and classic textiles. We wanted to create comfortable, lived-in spaces, that flow. To create a more relaxed, mismatched feel in the drawing room, for example, Emma suggested covering a pair of Howard armchairs in two contrasting fabrics from Claremont. It’s not something I would have thought of, but I love them,” says Jane. “My goal was to make the most of all of the rooms, and although some are more formal, I still wanted them to be inviting. It doesn’t feel like a big house to me because I use every room.”
22 THE ENGLISH HOME
Despite several people viewing the property as well, Jane was the only one to have the vision to take it on and make it into a home she could share with her loved ones. “I love filling the house with family and friends, nothing gives me more pleasure than entertaining, so I designed the interiors with that in mind,” she says. As curtains are such a focal point in the house as well as a huge investment, Jane and Emma decided to start each room scheme by choosing the curtain fabric first. They then picked out various colours from the fabrics they had chosen to use on the walls and furnishings, tying everything together seamlessly. “I fell in love with the fabrics and then it was easy to select paint colours or wallpaper from there,” Jane explains. “We went for intricate swags and tails in the drawing room as we felt it could take a grander approach.”
The master bedroom wall colour, Sobek, from Paint & Paper Library, echoes the pastel duck egg shades in the Devonshire Linen Lichen curtain fabric from Robert Kime. The Gustavian chests of drawers and bespoke Tulips bedcover and cushions are from Chelsea Textiles.
Rather than opting for a standard paint finish on the RIGHT The en-suite bathroom to the main walls in some of the rooms, Emma enlisted the help guest bedroom is by of specialist painter Cornelia Faulkner to create a Barn & Brook and textured linen effect. “It gives the walls depth and features white Carrara interest. The glaze creates a warmer effect than a marble. It is decorated standard paint finish.” with a wall of antique plates bought at Jane trusted Emma’s judgement when it came to auction. Blending with choosing the dynamic, large-scale wallpaper for the the pastel blue walls, hall. “I was guided by Emma. I wasn’t sure initially, the curtains and but she convinced me that it would create a really matching stool are warm atmosphere when you open the front door. in a subtle, stylised floral fabric, Injigo She said it needed to be a big-scale pattern because Lace in Blue on Oyster the ceilings are so high, and once I got used to it, by Bennison. I loved it. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it. It’s amazing how many people walk in and say, ‘Wow, I love the wallpaper’. It was a big space to cover. I remember the decorator getting upstairs and saying, ‘I’m afraid I need THE ENGLISH HOME 23
ABOVE The curtains in Leopard Lily from Bennison are the focal point in this main guest bedroom. The caned headboard, from Christopher Clark Workshops, and floral oil painting by Kate Rhodes add to the feminine feel. The nineteenth-century French bedside tables from Caroline Marcq are paired with Lilford glass urn lamps from Vaughan. RIGHT The bespoke dressing table echoes the gathered curtain pelmets and was commissioned by Emma Benyon at emmabenyon designs.com
another 17 rolls’! Emma helped me tremendously because I’m not that flamboyant, but it just worked.” One of Jane’s biggest triumphs is the design of the morning room, which she worked on with Craig Forster from Barn & Brook, covering the walls in a warm, limed-oak panelling. The morning room is in the sixteenth-century wing of the house, and was once the original kitchen, but had been used as a playroom before Jane moved in. “The wooden planks on the ceiling were sagging, the walls were wonky and uneven – it was in a terrible state,” she explains. “I wanted this room to feel cosy and relaxed, and now it’s my favourite place to sit. I love to collapse in here after a busy day, with my whippet, Skye.” It is clear to see Jane adores the house, pouring love into it, and in return the house nurtures and protects her. “It always welcomes me home whenever I’ve been away,” she says. “I find the house has an incredibly friendly, uplifting atmosphere.” Every now and then she is tempted to take on a new project: “I sometimes wonder if it’s time for another challenge, but I don’t think I ever could now, because it’s just heaven here and I love every part of it.”
24 THE ENGLISH HOME
The ground floor sitting room has a late-Georgian fire surround and hob grate, both sourced from an online auction site. The mid-eighteenthcentury portrait above the fireplace is of a Lancashire heiress, who lived with her husband in Livorno, Italy. The black basalt urn was a favourite purchase from Portobello Road and the bisque classical figure was bought at Spitalfields market.
26 THE ENGLISH HOME
Bidding FOR BEAUTY Tim Whittaker and Harvey Cabaniss’s thoughtful restoration of a derelict Georgian townhouse in Whitechapel added a fresh chapter to its colourful history FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD
ABOVE To the rear of the ground floor sitting room is an eighteenth-century London lacquer grandfather clock bought in Spitalfields market. The painted Regency table in the foreground was sourced from The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair. ABOVE RIGHT In the conservatory, a collection of plaster casts and busts give a nod to Sir John Soane’s Museum.
I
n 2005, two terraces of modest late-Georgian houses in Whitechapel, once part of the Royal London Hospital estate, seemed destined for demolition. These small houses were built between 1809 and 1815, for lower-middle-class families. Their first residents included a surgeon who prepared for his day’s work at the hospital here, a sea captain sojourning between passages, a plumber, a shopkeeper and a Chelsea pensioner who surely spent hours at the window watching life pass by in the bustling streets. These same terraced houses told a rather more forlorn story when they came to Tim Whittaker’s attention. Derelict and uninhabited for more than 15 years – their remaining windows guarded by security screens – the houses, their history and the crumbling walls traced by former occupants stood on the brink of being lost forever. For Tim, it was the very ordinariness of these unassuming dwellings which appealed to him. As a student, wandering round East London, he had fallen in love with Spitalfields and its vicinity. Later, having lived and worked in the area, his ambition was to sustain and enhance its sense
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of community. “I wanted to give Whitechapel back a bit of the romance it had lost,” he says. Tim describes himself as an architectural historian and ‘repairer of old buildings’, lightly understating both his mastery of his subject and the practical experience which is almost lifelong. “My parents were both architects,” he explains. “When I was 10, my mum used to give me £3 to hold the end of the tape to do building surveys.” After studying architectural photography and architectural history, Tim worked for many years at the National Trust as a surveyor and historical buildings representative before joining the Spitalfields Trust, a charity that ‘attempts to save the unsaveable’ by rescuing and repairing unloved buildings which would not otherwise survive. The two streets of terraced houses in Whitechapel neatly dovetailed with the Trust’s philosophy, which is, in part, that by saving buildings in overlooked neighbourhoods, new communities are fostered. The properties, however, belonged to the London Development Agency and were scheduled for demolition to make way for a new innovation centre.
In the basement dining room, originally the kitchen, panelled cupboards flank the fireplace. The early nineteenth-century Scottish fireplace surround with reeded decoration was saved from a cottage north of the border. Half-glazed French windows open to the old coal hole under the street.
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ABOVE The attic kitchen sits under the roof, where all space is carefully used, and has a view through glass panels to the bedroom. LEFT The basement kitchen has an antique Old London wall hanging plate rack fitted above a purpose-made dresser base and is bedecked with what Tim calls ‘everyday plates’ as well as vintage Delft china.
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BELOW LEFT The paved garden with mellow brick walls is a pleasant escape from the bustle of central London. Box hedges flanking the path, ferns and a medlar tree add to the verdant atmosphere. BELOW In the basement dining room, the table was bought from a shop in Whitby in the 1970s, and brought home on a roof rack.
‘We love our home, but we do feel a great sense of responsibility to ensure
With the clock ticking, Tim, through his role at the Trust, successfully proposed an alternative site for the centre. The Trust then reached an agreement with the London Development Agency (LDA) to find buyers for the properties who were willing to take on the sensitive repair work, oversee the restoration of each house and adapt the buildings for 21st-century living. As new owners began to contemplate their dilapidated four-storey houses, The LDA took the decision to sell the last two properties at auction. Tim, for whom the process from imagination to building construction – ‘the design and build’ – holds a strong allure, put in a successful bid and, with his partner, Harvey Cabaniss, became joint owner of the end-terrace house, adjacent to a former bomb site. “If I can see the romance, I’m sold,” he says, with a smile. There is a story that the derelict houses escaped listing because resident pigeons scared away the listings
officer during the course of the inspection. Whatever the reason, this provided freedom to add bathroom extensions and create an attic floor for each house by raising the roofs. Tim, in supervising the project, and in conjunction with London-based architectural studio The Regeneration Practice, based the design of the extensions on an old photograph of houses that had once stood in nearby Wellclose Square. The mansard roof extensions are covered in handmade plain tiles and pantiles, and the rear wings clad in weatherboarding painted, fittingly, in ‘Dirty Floorboards’, a bespoke paint by Tim’s neighbour, Pedro da Costa Felgueiras, owner of Lacquer Studios and an expert on historical paints and pigments. As part of his work with the National Trust, Tim looked after and was influenced by Calke Abbey, ‘the un-stately’ and rather magical property in Derbyshire where abandoned rooms have been presented as
ABOVE Inspired by German cultural icon Goethe’s house in Weimar and christened the ‘Goethe Room’, Harvey’s office is a favourite space thanks to its internal glass panels and borrowed light. A mahogany tripod table and Italian chair act as a desk.
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Above the fireplace in the master bedroom, is an eighteenth-century engraving of Wentworth Woodhouse, the house with the longest facade in the UK. Above that, a gouache of Tim’s greatgreat-grandfather’s ship hangs on an early nineteenth-century French panel with gilded detail.
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‘I wanted to give Whitechapel back a bit of the romance it had lost’
ABOVE LEFT & RIGHT The attic master bedroom is flooded by light from all directions. Internal glazing divides the room from a bathroom and the staircase lobby. Two old walnut bedposts create the illusion of age for an otherwise modern bedstead. The ticking hangings were bought on a visit to the garment district in New York.
found, in a state of preservation rather than restoration. “In conservation terms, it is the superlatives that survive – the great, grand buildings – and the everyday that vanishes – the lime-washed passages, the housekeeper’s room,” Tim observes. “How often do you see the sort of cottage where 80 per cent of us lived?” This respect for and recognition of everyday lives, is reflected and elevated in Tim and Harvey’s home. Not in the sense of living in the past, but rather in a considered blend of old and new in the timeless and elegant interiors. On each of the four floors, original fittings have been repaired or replaced with carefully sourced alternatives – “although with everyone in the street in the same position, there were moments when we all found ourselves bidding against each other in online auctions for the same fireplaces,” says Tim. Muted Farrow & Ball paint colours sit comfortably with the time-aged patina of rich wood. Borrowed light from internal glazing slants on gilt frames,
and an eclectic collection of antique pieces create delightful vignettes throughout. The very top of the house imparts a final flourish; here the tiny, low attic was replaced with a new floor and new stairs, creating a master bedroom and en-suite bathroom divided by a half-glazed wall. With its rooftop views and quirky beauty, the couple feel it is romantically reminiscent of a Parisian garret, “or the loft, perhaps, in Henry Wallis’s painting, The Death of Chatterton,” Tim adds, smiling. In reviving the spirit of an unloved and untouched house, Tim and Harvey have added their own chapter to the story of the property and created a home full of charm and individuality. The humble terraces that first caught Tim’s eye might have been lost without his knowledge of architectural history, passion for building restoration and his willingness to find the unexpected in the ordinary. “It’s the idea of something mystic and magical,” Tim says, “of opening an unnoticed cupboard, and finding it is peacock blue inside.”
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Earthy colours and tactile fabrics harmoniously blend with rustic beams and plastered walls in the open-plan sitting room. Lincoln and Tish bought the wall hanging to the side of the woodburner while visiting China. The Bayswater vase on the trunk is from Neptune.
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Arts & CRAFTS When Lincoln and Tish Seligman discovered an eighteenthcentury barn, they decided to preserve the unique interiors created over decades by its former owner FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL STYLING CLAIR WAYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS
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rtist, Lincoln Seligman is internationally acclaimed for the individuality his work brings to sleek landmark buildings. Juxtaposed with the disciplined lines of minimalist modern architecture, his sensuous soaring sculptures, freehand murals and large-scale installations add a very human perspective to neutral public spaces. Given this artistic affinity with contemporary buildings, it might have surprised even the couple themselves when, in 2009, Lincoln and his wife, Tish, looked in the window of an Oxfordshire estate agents and were captivated by the slightly faded charm of a romantic barn. “We weren’t especially looking for a weekend retreat when we set out that day, and the photographs in the window didn’t present the barn at its best and might have put people off,” Lincoln recalls. In its favour, however, was the barn’s village location amidst a mixture of farm buildings and cottages at the far end of a small, triangular green and the unique character of the property itself. “We liked that it sits quietly in its plot, presenting a hidden face to the 36 THE ENGLISH HOME
ABOVE Lincoln and Tish had a concealed lighting scheme installed when they updated the barn, but both enjoy the ‘operatic’ effect of candlelight. The painting above the fire is by Lincoln. RIGHT Lincoln, Tish and their Labrador Zephyr, named after the wind for his warm and gentle nature. OPPOSITE The kitchen was designed and built by joiner and friend of the couple Probyn Miers (father of BBC Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers).
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The yellow armchair belonged to Hilda Seligman, Lincoln’s grandmother, a sculptor and campaigner. She entertained distinguished guests at the family home in Wimbledon during the inter-war years and the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie liked to sit in this chair.
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‘It’s the texture, the colour and graceful undulations which are so appealing and why we’ve left so much unchanged’ world and only revealing its true beauty and character away from the public gaze.” Tish is also an artist, art historian and tutor, so it must have seemed like serendipity at play that the barn was being offered for sale by another artist, Paul R P Nicholls, who had lived there for 30 years before moving to France. The main footprint of the eighteenth-century Cotswold stone structure is original, but the interior reflects a lifetime’s work by Nicholls, whose creativity and skill with inlaid wood, carpentry and stone carving is exhibited throughout. Each area has its different angles, curves and alcoves, some decorated with stained glass. Wooden beams are roughly hewn and finished, while stone gargoyles – like
small guardians of the house – peep out from various nooks impassively registering the passage of time. “It was so extraordinary and different, we decided to buy it to save it from the next person who might come along and destroy it all by modernising it,” says Lincoln. “Whatever the eccentricities of the interior, Paul had a good eye for design,” he adds. “It’s not a big space, but it’s been cleverly divided using beams, ladders, platforms and mezzanines to create different areas.” Lincoln and Tish’s interventions have been largely practical with some essential work and a few modern updates to smooth the transition between town and country living. “We were wearing a lot of jerseys,”
ABOVE LEFT Lincoln and Tish resolved not to change the layout created by the barn’s previous owner, artist Paul Nicolls. Beams, steps and mezzanines define the living areas. ABOVE RIGHT The mellow stone and sinuous silvered timbers of the eighteenth-century barn hint at its fairy-tale interior.
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The upper level landing is flooded by light and is used an alternative sitting room and studio for Tish. The rocking horse was Lincoln’s as a child. Every space in the barn is carefully utilised. The ladder leads to a useful sleeping platform for when the couple’s adult children and grandchildren stay.
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Lincoln says, laughing, “although there was a slight setback when our puppy ate the instructions for the new radiators.” The stone-tiled roof was replaced and new wiring installed. With few walls and so much of the interior on show, the couple asked Joanna Mann of Light House Designs to create a concealed lighting scheme for them, with different moods to delineate the various areas of the house. Hidden wires, embedded uplighters and tiny concealed spotlights now softly illuminate the plaster walls without disturbing the barn. The original kitchen consisted of a cupboard and a ravenous rescued nineteenth-century range cooker. Lincoln and Tish removed the range and repurposed the cupboard in Lincoln’s studio at the end of the garden. They asked a friend, Probyn Miers, to build them a kitchen. “He is a wonderful joiner and could not have done a better job, building it of aged oak with a zinc top, which we love. He even managed to make the handles out of olive wood that Tish found on a beach in Antibes,” Lincoln remarks.
Upstairs, only upright beams separate the main bedroom from the landing, so the couple came up with the ingenious solution fitting a glass wall to give their guests privacy. Curtains provide seclusion when required yet the open aspect of the barn is preserved. “The timber, both inside and outside, is one of the barn’s most attractive features,” says Lincoln. “It’s the texture, the colour and graceful undulations which are so appealing and why we’ve left so much unchanged.” The barn’s interior is a world away from the urban locations where Lincoln’s large-scale artworks are displayed and is more reflective of his paintings in mood – East meets West influences, and the earthy, organic colour palette of russets, terracotta and golds. Rich textiles balance the rustic nature of wood and stone, layered to create a cosier feel in winter. Although the living spaces have evolved over time, much of the furniture was bought at auction. “We had furniture in store for some 10 years because we were so attached to it, but when we saw it again, we loathed all of it so we started again,” Lincoln says.
ABOVE LEFT There is a wealth of reading material on the oak shelves in the bathroom, perfect for a leisurely soak in the roll-top bath. The seascape painting at the end of the bath is by Lincoln’s father, Madron Seligman, and the abstract painting above is by Lincoln. ABOVE RIGHT Part-treehouse, part-fairy tale, the cosy second bedroom is a heavenly retreat, layered with a rich assortment of colourful textiles from India amongst other places.
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While Lincoln and Tish share a love of travel, Lincoln’s fascination with India – a country that continues to inspire and influence his work – was fostered at an early age. “Rudyard Kipling was my mother’s godfather, so my childhood was infused with Just So Stories and The Jungle Book, and I grew up with the idea of India as a magical place,” Lincoln explains. “In addition, my paternal grandmother, Hilda Seligman (née Macdowell) had many connections with India. She was an author and campaigner, but also a sculptor, so I realised early on that artists existed and could create beautiful things.” In recent months, the barn, which started as a weekend retreat for the couple, has become more of a home for them, providing sanctuary and room for reflection. “I now spend more time in the sunny uplands of the figurative paintings that emanate from our travels,” explains Lincoln, who has regular exhibitions in London and New York. “My studio overlooking the meadow is a wonderful place to work. It’s where I have the opportunity to go slow, to watch the seasons unfold and observe the passage of nature in the garden.”
OPPOSITE Steps lead up to the main bedroom with an en-suite shower room cleverly disguised with trompe l’oeil beams painted by Lincoln. The pineapple painting above the fireplace is also by him. Visit lincolnseligman.com to view more of Lincoln’s artwork. ABOVE Layers of patterned fabrics from India and Kenya and orange velvet cushions from Neptune add richness and warmth. RIGHT A chinese chest makes for a decorative dressing table.
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Driftwood paint by Neptune was chosen for the luxurious yet inviting drawing room. The George Smith sofas are upholstered in Fife Dove by Colefax and Fowler. In addition to reflecting the abundant light, the bespoke mirror above the fireplace conceals the television. The fender is by Acres Farm Fenders and the Brissac chandelier is by Vaughan.
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Timeless ELEGANCE A creative collaboration between owners and designer has resulted in an opulent but welcoming Grade I listed Regency townhouse in historic Bath FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY
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ABOVE The calm feel of the house is continued with a streamlined Bulthaup kitchen leading onto a terrace with widereaching views. The lanterns above the island are by Vaughan. LEFT The entrance hall has been restored to its full grandeur. The balustrade painted in Neptune’s Smoke is teamed with a stair runner from Higher Ground. Pink glass lights by Besselink & Jones sit atop a console table by William Yeoward.
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T
he elegant city of Bath is renowned for its cultural and historic significance, the loveliness of its setting, and the beauty of its iconic Georgian and Regency terraces, colonnades and crescents, all of which make it an enduringly desirable place to live. However, when retired investment banker Rupert Lamb and his wife Dotty, a retired television executive, decided to make Bath their home, it might have felt as if their property specifications were unlikely to be matched by the usual conventions of period architecture. “We’d been used to living in a spacious modern penthouse apartment with lots of light,” Rupert explains. “The layout of a Georgian townhouse set over several floors wouldn’t have worked for us, so we were prepared to wait for the right property.” The couple’s patience was rewarded when they learned about the restoration of a redundant Grade I listed building in the heart of Bath. Plans were in place to convert five Regency townhouses into lateral apartments which would offer the Lambs the extensive,
A mirrored wall and glass-topped dining table suffuse the dining area with light. Try Looking Glass of Bath for similar glass panels. The Ball and Claw table is by Richard Taylor. Fabric by GP & J Baker and Turnell & Gigon was used to upholster the Nantes chairs by William Yeoward.
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light-filled space they’d been hoping to find. “When we first walked around the site, it was practically derelict,” says Rupert. “The building had been hacked around with over the years, so modern alterations, like the suspended ceilings and internal partitions were being removed. Seeing it gutted and exposed, however, gave us a real sense of its potential.” Serendipitously, the developers’ plans were flexible enough to allow for a double apartment to be built to the Lambs’ specifications. A grand entrance hall and reception room now lead to a spacious drawing room which was, in a former incarnation, a ballroom. There is a library which Dotty uses as her study and a separate study for Rupert. A second floor includes bedrooms, two of which have dressing rooms, a large living/ dining room and a sleek modern kitchen leading to an al fresco dining area with extensive views of the beautiful countryside beyond. Whilst the developers continued to work with the relevant authorities towards the sensitive refurbishment of the building, Rupert and Dotty
gave consideration to its design and how to combine modern living with the provenance of such a historic property and location. “We had appointed interior designers on our previous homes for their professional input and creativity,” Rupert explains. “There’s a happy medium to be found between a designer with very strong opinions and one who is, perhaps, too anxious to please. We were looking for an empathetic designer who would also stretch our imaginations.” The couple were delighted to engage Emma SimsHilditch, the founder and creative director of Sims Hilditch, whose design practice offers a comprehensive range of services and expertise. “Emma presented us with a strong, interesting concept that really worked for us and the way we wanted to use the space,’’ says Rupert. “We knew she was the right person to guide us through the project.” “The design process is like going on a journey,” Emma agrees. “You can detour from the path but a good designer will always help maintain the flow and harmony.”
ABOVE Bespoke bookcases, painted in Neptune’s Grey Oak, complement and highlight the inherent splendour of the period features in Dotty’s study. The twin fauteuil chairs are by George Smith. OPPOSITE In Rupert’s north-facing study, the bold blue for the bespoke shelves and walls is lifted by soft furnishings in accent colours. The Brockton coffee table is by Vaughan.
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Interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch designed the headboard and used Mark Alexander’s Retro fabric from Romo to cover it. A false wall was built behind the bed to create Rupert’s dressing area. The bedside cabinets are from Chelsea Textiles, with lamps by Vaughan and the bedspread is from The White Company.
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‘The design process is like going on a journey. You can detour from the path yet maintain the flow and harmony’ Drawing inspiration from the rich history of the house, Emma created a scheme for the Lambs which would help them enhance the natural beauty and inherent grandeur of their home, whilst still ensuring a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. With fewer structural changes to be made, given the property’s Grade I listing, many design decisions were centred on general decoration, lighting and colour choices to maintain a fluid connection between the spacious rooms. A clue to her clients’ colour preferences came in the form of an early correspondence. “I loved that Rupert had written it in pink ink,” says Emma. “We incorporated Rupert and Dotty’s favourite colour
palette of pink and grey, but dialled up the drama in Rupert’s north-west facing study with Smoke paint by Neptune. The concept is reversed for the south-east facing drawing room that’s flooded with natural light.” The staircase was a prized feature of the Regency home and has been given fitting gravitas here, where it also introduces the tone for rest of the house. Architectural details, such as the ornate metalwork balustrade and plaster mouldings have been beautifully highlighted and the grand proportions of every room are allowed to speak for themselves. Sparing splashes of sumptuous de Gournay wallpaper, a range of antique pieces and brown-toned
ABOVE LEFT The claw-foot bath from Lefroy Brooks adds to the period feel in the en-suite bathroom. The Roman blind fabric is by de Le Cuona. ABOVE RIGHT Elegant curtains and wallpaper by de Gournay connect the two bedrooms whilst providing each space with its own identity.
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ABOVE A palette of dusky blue and stone grey creates a timeless and calming aesthetic in Dotty’s bedroom. The Bosky Blue Yonder wallpaper from Lewis & Wood adds to the serene atmosphere. The bedside tables are by Chelsea Textiles and the throw is by Oyuna. RIGHT The Stingray screen print is by Dotty’s friend, London-based artist, Catherine Pring. The desk is by William Yeoward and the lamp is Porta Romana. For more on Sims Hilditch projects, visit simshilditch.com
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furniture typical of the period are contrasted with clever, contemporary touches and an eclectic collection of art in an elegant combination of old and new. “We take on each project with a fresh eye with the aim of creating a home that is perfectly suited to our clients,” says Emma. “A key part of our service is bespoke joinery, and one of the joys of working with Rupert and Dotty was providing them with bespoke bookcases and dressing rooms with made-to-measure storage space. From the claw-foot bathtub to the swathes of fabric that drape across the door frame, we feel this house is the epitome of timeless luxury and perfectly in keeping with its Regency surroundings.” There is one small aspect of their home about which the couple were initially unsure. “Before they were blended into the scheme, the bright colours of the stained-glass windows were not ones we would have chosen,” Rupert admits with a smile. “But we couldn’t be happier with our home. We love its convenience, the light-suffused spacious rooms and the views from the garden terrace – we love everything about it.”
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Lateral THINKING A double-fronted home in West London has given interior designer Anna Haines the space she craved and the chance to create beautifully layered schemes that have evolved over the years FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
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A vintage Potence wall light by Jean Prouvé and Ship’s Well glass pendants from Original BTC chime nicely with the industrial aesthetic. Timber brings an organic quality and includes a solid oak Delta table and bench, both from SCP. They are teamed with mid-twentieth century chairs picked up at an antiques fair and reupholstered in a Vanderhurd fabric.
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nterior designer Anna Haines remembers feeling incredibly grown-up when she and her husband, Viv, were shown around this early Edwardian house in Acton, west London, 10 years ago. “We were living in a small terraced house in Shepherd’s Bush at the time and this double-fronted property appeared vast in comparison,” she recalls. “When you enter the hallway you can turn left or right; having this lateral space felt like a revelation.” As they toured the first floor, the estate agent pointed out that the spacious family bathroom could be turned into another bedroom. Anna was having none of it. “I love generous bathrooms – I find them incredibly family friendly,” she says, adding, “I like to treat them like any other room, furnishing them with antiques, rugs and plants.” It is Anna’s convivial approach to decorating that really stands out in the house that she and Viv share with their two daughters, Amelie, now 13 and Phoebe, 11, as well as their Bedlington-Whippet cross, Enzo. Every space exudes a sense of warmth, thanks to tactile materials, intriguing collections of art and ceramics and a good dose of colour and pattern. “Part of the joy of decorating your own home, rather than working to 56 THE ENGLISH HOME
PREVIOUS PAGES An antique Heriz rug from Lilla Rugs inspired Anna’s choice of vibrant textiles in the drawing room, including a striking Prussian blue wool by Raf Simons for Kvadrat on the George III wing chair favoured by Bedlington-Whippet cross, Enzo, and a Navoi ikat by Robert Kime, which features on the chair cushion. The ottoman is a bespoke piece and is trimmed with braid by Samuel & Sons. LEFT Anna has given the kitchen a sense of drama by painting the window and door frames in a dark hue. For more on Anna’s interior design projects, visit annahaines. co.uk
Above the fireplace in the sitting area by the kitchen hangs the first piece of art Anna and Viv bought together, a restful painting by Scottish artist Claire Beattie. The mid-twentieth century teak armchair is by Greaves & Thomas while the cushion is from Vanderhurd.
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ABOVE In the sitting room, predominantly pale pieces such as a bespoke sofa featuring an elegantly curved back and a Beni Ourain rug sourced from Morocco, have been lifted with a Sofia weave fabric by Susan Deliss, which Anna used to reupholster the pair of mid-twentieth century walnut armchairs. The embroidered sofa cushions were sourced at Vaughan; the contemporary pendant light is from SCP. Anna found the sculpture on the wall, which is by Curtis Jeré, on an online auction site.
a specific time frame on a project, is that you can adopt a more organic approach,” Anna says. “It is lovely to continue to curate the interiors; that is what gives a really layered aesthetic.” The key change the couple made to the layout before moving in was to knock the two rooms to the left of the staircase together to create an 11-metre-long kitchen and sitting area. “Opening up the kitchen resulted in a much better flow and allowed the light to travel from the front to the back of the house,” explains Anna, who installed timber boards to match the existing flooring on the rest of this level. During the six weeks of building works, Anna put together the colour schemes for the rooms. “I had quite clear ideas about what I wanted,” she says, citing as an example the lead grey – Plummett by Farrow & Ball – she selected for the drawing room. “This can seem quite an industrial colour unless you have a lot of light in the space; here, I knew that the big bay window would help to knock back the grey,” she says. The same goes for the sitting area, which is decorated in Farrow & Ball’s French Gray. “The light really lifts this paint colour, which I think is particularly suited to period properties,” she comments, adding, “Even though we have since redecorated, we have stayed faithful to this hue.”
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Anna came to interior design via a circuitous route, originally training to be an actor at LAMDA. To supplement her somewhat erratic actor’s income, she worked in public relations for art galleries and restaurants, which opened up her eyes to the world of design. Then in 2003, she bought her first property, a tiny flat in Shepherd’s Bush. “I installed a monolithic concrete fireplace in the living room and that was it – I had the bug,” says Anna, who went on to retrain in interior design, working for a number of firms before launching her eponymous business nine years ago. She and her team of two designers work from a studio at the back of the house, situated behind the drawing room. Anna’s ethos is to create elegant, comfortable interiors that are sensitive to the period of the property and she is adept at layering colour and pattern. An avid antiques collector, she also loves to introduce more contemporary pieces into the mix: in the kitchen, for example, a striking vintage wall light by Jean Prouvé brings a subtly industrial aesthetic to the room, which Anna furthered by picking out the door and window frames in black. “I felt this room needed a stronger identity,” she explains. Not one to condemn a perfectly good kitchen to the skip, Anna instead had a wall of joinery made to
match the existing units, painting all the cabinetry in a bespoke blue-black hue and adding distressed brass handles. “New handles can make a big difference,” she says. Where there was originally an island unit, a robust oak table with a bench and mid-century chairs now forms the hub of the space and is where everything, from homework to dinner parties, takes place. At the other end of the room, in the sitting area, mid-century armchairs are teamed with a bespoke sofa. “I am a great believer in custom-made furniture as you can ensure the quality and get every detail right: the exact curve of the back or the perfect turned legs,” she says. While both the sofa and the vintage Beni Ourain rug are neutral in tone, dashes of brick red have been introduced with cushions, a bespoke ottoman and a trim that neatly frames the blinds. “I gravitate towards this shade of red, I find it so joyous,” Anna says. Various iterations of this hue weave their way into the drawing room, where an antique Heriz rug inspired bolder colour combinations such as a jewel-like Prussian blue wool for a George III wing chair and cushions in vibrant fabrics by Robert Kime. Over the decade the family has lived in the house, the decoration of some of the rooms has changed, such as the master bedroom, which was previously painted
ABOVE LEFT Jasper Rose wallpaper by Lewis & Wood creates a wonderfully calming effect and serves as a dreamy backdrop to framed art and a white rattan Coral mirror from Soane Britain. ABOVE RIGHT The house sits behind neatly clipped box hedges and is adorned with a wonderful wisteria. RIGHT An antique Victorian chair, a Sunbury Antiques Market find that Anna re-covered in a stripe by Nicole Fabre, provides a lovely reading spot in the master bedroom. Beside it is a Cricket table from the late 1900s. The cushion is from A Rum Fellow.
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The walls in the bathroom in Cuisse de Nymphe Emue by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint provide the perfect backdrop for the framed vintage Swedish posters of seeds, found at Foster & Gane, and the mirrors from Graham & Green. The antique rug and hand-tufted wool runner are both from Susan Deliss and the reclaimed roll-top bath is from English Salvage.
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‘I love generous bathrooms. I find them incredibly family friendly and treat them like any other room, furnishing them with antiques, rugs and plants’ and is now hung with a softly ethereal wallpaper by Lewis & Wood. “I love wallpaper in a bedroom, it creates a real identity and is a wonderful backdrop for art,” Anna says. The family bathroom has also undergone a number of transformations and is now painted a flattering shade of pink by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. “This colour seems to visually soften everything so that you don’t really notice the functional pieces,” Anna explains. “Instead you
focus on the antiques such as the cord chair, the rugs and the art.” Like many of us, Anna and her family have spent a lot more time than expected at home during the past year, but that has only made them love the house even more. “We have felt protected by it,” says Anna. “The layout is well balanced and there is enough space for us all to inhabit without feeling as if we are on top of each other. We have felt very fortunate to have it.”
ABOVE The guest bedroom exudes character with square cushions on the bed made in Fez Weave by Guy Goodfellow and bold rectangular cushions in Rio in Cereja by Colony.
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NEW DECORATING GUIDE 1 UIDE 2 20IGN G
S DE
SITTING ROOMS
INTERIOR DESIGN CREATING THE PERFECT ENGLISH HOME
Case Study One
Serene
SITTING ROOMS Four top interior designers reveal what to consider when designing a stylish sitting room with enduring appeal
P
ersonal style and architectural considerations are priorities when considering the design and layout of a sitting room. However, function is undeniably an important factor too – where some may require a sleek, elegant space for evening drinks and entertaining, others may need a family-friendly room where different generations can come together and relax in each other’s company. How best then to blend these varying elements? We talk to leading designers to glean insights on key projects of theirs and highlight stylish and effective solutions.
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN ADVICE Kitchens Bathrooms Sitting rooms Dining rooms Home offices Dressing rooms
Louise Bradley on combining a contemporary aesthetic with a period property Interior designer Louise Bradley provides insights on fulfilling a brief to create a luxurious, contemporary setting that was sympathetic to the history of a Grade II listed property.
PLUS
Chic shortcuts & wise buys Essential resources & brilliant tips
The brief
“The main house at the estate – a 130-acre shooting and fishing estate in Surrey – is Grade II listed and was designed by Scottish architect JM Brydon in 1885 as his own home. The sitting room boasts large windows and ample natural light, and is the main space within which the family gathers and hosts their friends. The client’s brief was for a classic-contemporary aesthetic that also fitted with the history of the house.”
Past and present
“Working with a Grade II listed property sometimes has its challenges, with many existing features needing to be retained throughout the interior architecture of the building. The clients wanted an elegant yet comfortable drawing room in which they could relax and entertain family and friends, with a classic contemporary-feel decor that was also sympathetic to the history of the estate. “We retained the original floor, the original columns and fireplace. The beautiful large bay window had amazing views over the gardens so it was important to look at a floor plan and colour scheme that made the most of the spectacular gardens; to achieve this, we opted for soft muted colours that would complement
ABOVE The bespoke ornate breakfront bookcase along the far wall is designed to complement the style and history of the property and echoes architectural elements in the room.
the different seasons. Under the bay window, we made a large comfortable window seat that offered an area to relax, dressed with a variety of bespoke cushions using different textures and patterns, perfect to recline amidst for morning coffee and papers. The comfortable contemporary sofas were upholstered in a soft chenille and again dressed with cushions in assorted traditional prints. Cushions always add an element of luxury allowing to add colour without overpowering the room.”
Creating a blend
“The choice of a coffee table with clean lines and an aged mirror top had a more contemporary feel, dressed with interesting books and accessories adding interest
to the space. A central chandelier was a must and completed the overall aesthetic. The occasional table lamps, in both metal and rock crystal, created another level of light to the room in the evenings. The large bespoke breakfront bookcase was made by one of our trusted artisan craftsmen and is designed in a traditional style with a specialist paint finish in aged black, with an antique mirror detail in the pilasters to add interest. It also allows the clients to display their books, objets d’art collected over the years on their travels and family photographs.” RIGHT The simple design and clean lines of the coffee table create a perfect setting for a carefully curated selection of books and mementoes.
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BATHROOMS
Case Study One
Blissful
Gemma Gordon-Duff on creating a decadent en suite Interior designer Gemma Gordon-Duff, of architectural interior design practice Gordon-Duff & Linton, reveals how she created a luxurious central London master suite with decadent materials and unfussy design details to create a scheme with a difference.
BATHROOMS
Design experts reveal important considerations in balancing style and practicality to create the ideal bathroom
ORDER B OVER 30 INTERIOR DESIGNER CASE STUDIES TODAY BY FOR Nina Campbell, Joanna Wood, Jane Churchill, Paolo Moschino,
athrooms, as intimate, personal spaces, have to be functional and hard-wearing yet also provide a cocoonlike and indulgent zone where we can close the door and feel at peace. It is vitally important, therefore, to get the feel right, particularly as warmth, comfort and a sense of luxury are bound to be high on the list of priorities. So the question is how to marry the brisk efficiency necessary for the early
morning rush with the pleasure of a relaxing evening bath or a long, hot shower? Here, our bathrooms special showcases a range of rooms by four experienced designers, each demonstrating that it is eminently possible to marry form and function and create a space which is both perfectly practical and a beautiful haven in which to refresh and unwind.
The brief
“My client’s main residence is outside the UK and so, as this home is used intermittently, they wanted the master suite – bedroom, dressing room and bathroom – to have all the luxuries of a hotel, but with a more homely feel. They loved the decadence of a copper bath in the dressing room, and asked us to use this as the starting point for the design. The property is a handsome Georgian townhouse, with high ceilings and beautiful architectural features, and so another aim was to complement this feeling of grandeur with a suitably classic yet chic design.”
Luxury & opulence
“The perfect place for the bath was by the window in the dressing room, with a cream linen Roman blind for privacy. I chose copper because the client expressed a desire for a statement piece and, to elevate the experience (and to allow for possible water splashes), raised the bath on an Arabescato marble plinth. The room is finished with a luxurious, cut-pile velvet carpet. Next to the bath, I designed an oversized ottoman in a sage cotton velvet that allows for clothes to be laid out, or for a partner to sit and chat. I do feel that bathing in a room full of soft, luxurious fabrics is a lovely, serene and elegant way to relax and cleanse. I designed wardrobe doors with a copper inlay to complement the bath. The en suite has plenty of space for a shower and vanity unit. I continued the opulent theme by using the same Arabescato marble on the walls, floor and even the drawer fronts. Above the vanity, wall-mounted taps create clean lines and allow plenty of space for toiletries, and a shallow mirror-fronted storage unit has inset lighting concealed beneath. The oversized, walk-in shower with a wet-room floor ensures the room feels spacious but unfussy. The finishing touch is low-level lighting in the bathroom that is automatically triggered by movement at night. The overall effect is luxurious but also quite architectural.”
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OPPOSITE PAGE & ABOVE RIGHT A copper bath from Catchpole & Rye is raised to window height by being set on a marble plinth in the dressing room. The wardrobe doors feature a copper inlay to echo the bath’s exterior; they were designed by Gordon-Duff & Linton. The silverframed bird paintings are from Oka. ABOVE LEFT The walls, floor and drawer fronts of the en-suite shower room are covered with beautifully grained Arabescato marble from Stone of London.
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TEH UK Bookazine 2021Bathroom case studySSJamends.indd 86-87
27/10/2020 15:40
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Interior Design is the ultimate room-by-room guide dedicated to helping readers create their dream home. From the publishers of The English Home magazine, it features invaluable advice from some of Britain’s finest designers and interiors experts on choosing all the key elements that make a house an elegant home. Order online at chelseamagazines.com/interiordesign21
Buy online for $14.45 (including shipping and handling) and have it delivered direct to your door. Visit chelseamagazines.com/interiordesign21 THE ENGLISH HOME 62
STYLE INSPIRATION
Our special section dedicated to design and decorating inspiration begins here
ULTRA VIOLET
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
Shades of purple are an often underrated hue in the decorator’s arsenal, with blues, burgundy reds and pale pinks often more in favour. It is, however, a versatile colour and, like blues, can work well in a hue-on-hue scheme, combining shades of aubergine, damson, violet, lilac and mauve for a rich, modern and pretty ensemble. Here classic panelling is given a contemporary uplift in a regal shade of purple (try Benjamin Moore’s Your Majesty). The chair is upholstered in one of a new range of velvety soft yet durable extra fine Merino wool weaves from Johnstons of Elgin – perfect for a cosy spot in which to curl up with a book. Seren flannel check, 100 per cent extra fine Merino wool, Aubergine, £112 a metre, Johnstons of Elgin
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A happy, healthy
UPLIFTING HOME
T
he hot topic of current interior design is ‘well-being’ in the home. But can the design of our homes really affect the way we feel – and even how we behave? And how can we achieve that elusive ‘feel-good’ factor, creating the perfect interior that is at once calming and efficient, private and social, good-looking and practical? The science demonstrates that good design can indeed positively affect our moods, behaviour and emotions, says Oliver Heath, whose architecture and interior design practice focuses on improving health and well-being in the built environment. “Incorporating direct or indirect elements of nature into the built environment has been demonstrated, through research, to reduce stress, blood-pressure levels and heart rates, whilst increasing productivity, creativity and self-reported rates of well-being,” he says. Dr Sally Augustin, environmental/design psychologist and principal at US design consultation firm Design with Science, puts it more directly: “It seems like mind games, but it’s real. You get a big emotional effect from the design of your environment, and that has been demonstrated through decades of scientific experiments.” We all require the same basics from our homes: to be a warm, dry shelter that allows us to relax and sleep in peace, to enable efficient use of our waking time, and to foster social connections with others. There is, however, an even deeper element involved – of which we are utterly unaware. It goes back to the fact that we humans are navigating the modern world with brains that have changed little in millennia. “Design for well-being means thinking
OPPOSITE PAGE Rounded forms, says Dr Sally Augustin, evoke a sense of comfort for the human brain, whilst artwork that shows natural views is both soothing and restorative. Armchair in Polperro Red linen, £105 a metre, Tasha Textiles at The Fabric Collective TOP This ceramic diffuser releases a scent of one’s choice and has four different time settings. Electronic diffuser, £65, The White Company MIDDLE Using natural materials is beneficial to the planet as a whole, and may reduce harmful particles and volatile organic compounds. Pomegranate hemp grass cloth wallcovering, Turkish Tobacco, £190 a roll, Totty Lowther at The Fabric Collective BOTTOM Key ingredients of a happy, healthy home are plenty of daylight and links to the natural world outside. The Maldives fabric collection, from £22 a metre, Iliv
THE ENGLISH HOME 65
about how our brains, from our universal history as a species, are made comfortable,” says Augustin. “Aeons ago we felt secure sitting in the mouth of a cave with a view over the valley – well, today it’s sitting in a high-back chair with a view to the door of the room.” The theme of constantly keeping a lookout, key to survival when a sharp-toothed predator might come along at any moment, also applies to clutter, she explains. “Looking around is more stressful when there’s more clutter, and humans that weren’t so good at keeping a lookout tended to get eaten.” So: keep rooms clutter-free, display things that are really meaningful (rooms that are too stark are also stress-inducing) and, if a chair or sofa has its back to a walkway, move it so that it has its back to a wall or something solid, like a console table or large plant. PLANT POWER When it comes to plants, our ancient brains are programmed to respond well to healthy forms of nature, says Heath. “Imagine walking into a lush forest environment with trees and streams. You’ll feel more comfortable and relaxed because you’re in a landscape that can evidently support life. Biophilic design is a set of design principles that find ways of bringing those natural elements into the built environment.” ABOVE LEFT Research shows that looking at woodgrain – on walls or floors oos s o r n al w ll n and r or an Kahrs Oak Chevron wood flooring in Light Grey, £119.99 a square metre, Carpetright
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The first of the three core principles of biophilic design, Heath explains, is enhancing our direct connection with real, sensory forms of nature – plants being the most obvious example. Although an oft-quoted NASA study on how plants reduce indoor toxins is, it turns out, a little misleading in terms of the average home, where we do not tend to keep plants in sufficient quantities to make a real difference, just being around healthy vegetation has involuntary positive psychological benefits. “When we fill spaces with plants people walk in and just start smiling,” says Heath. There are further benefits, too. “Big, leafy plants can soften acoustics,” he states, “and there is much to be said for the nurturing side of keeping plants, as a way of fostering a greater empathy for the wider natural environment.” Also beneficial is viewing natural scenes of lush greenness or water, through our windows or in the form of realistic artworks. “It helps us restock our levels of mental energy, helps us feel calmer and less stressed, boosts cognitive performance and makes us more likely to get along with others,” says Augustin. SENSORY BENEFITS Equally important for positive vibes is light, both natural and artificial. “Sunlight is a magical elixir for humans,” declares ABOVE RIGHT r a and s la n , r n s an d al olo r o s na o wor s a Ardingly cabinet with shelf, painted in Olive, £1,740; Wardley chair in Darkened Oak, £300; Redford basket, £40 (small), all Neptune
Natural light is incredibly good for us, so bigger windows, skylights and r fl s r a s ar all n al loor n w a wood ra n, as r , s a on s Suffolk kitchen, painted in Ink; Wycombe dining chair, £285; Wycombe stool, £235; Moreton table, 6-10 seater, painted in Ink, from £2,050, all Neptune
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Augustin, who cites numerous studies that link natural light to boosts in mood and cognitive performance. “The home renovations and/or modifications that bring the biggest psychological returns on investment bring natural light into a space,” she writes in her book Designology. Interior designer Cinzia Moretti, who employs biophilic design principles in a holistic approach to luxury design, considers room orientation and how her clients use their spaces in order to work with the cycle of the sun – brighter in the morning, warmer in the afternoon – throughout the day. To make the most of natural light, she advocates checking that heavy curtains do not block the light from windows, using mirror and high-sheen surfaces to bounce light around, and adding French windows, glass extensions and skylights, or even changing the design or sizes of windows. Scenting our homes is another scientifically proven way to improve our well-being. “First, open windows, if you live in a place where the air smells good,” says Augustin. “The next best scents are ones with which you have a positive associations, which varies from person to person. There is also research showing that particular scents have particular benefits: lemon for doing cognitive work, cinnamon/vanilla for enhanced creative performance and, of course, the smell of lavender to help us relax.” NATURAL CONNECTION The second principle of biophilic design is to mimic or evoke a feeling of nature within a space, using colours, textures, patterns, materials and even technology. “Used in the right way, colour can elicit a positive response to a space that starts to shape the way we feel in it,” says Heath. “We react well to colours with which we associate positive experiences and, for many of us, those experiences are found in nature. So the theory suggests that blues remind us of cool, calm pools of water and, as a result, are more calming and relaxing. Greens are more creative and stimulating, because they remind us of the fresh shoots of spring; yellows are warming and welcoming because they remind us of sunshine and crops, and reds and oranges are often a little more stimulating because they remind us of bright fruits and berries.” Augustin adds: “The question I get asked all the time is what colour to paint a home office, and the answer is a shade of green, because green has been linked to enhanced performance. Red, on the other hand, degrades our analytical performance. Pink is calming, and there’s a particular shade of yellow/green that reminds us of bile, so it might not be the best colour for, say, a guest bedroom.” Our reactions to texture, pattern and materials is interesting. “As a species we do well in a space with moderate visual complexity,”
OPPOSITE PAGE A relaxing spot to enjoy the warmth of the winter sun and contemplate the surrounding gardens, this room, designed by Studio Indigo, is full of both nature and sunlight. TOP Fostering a connection with the outside, natural world is a key element of biophilic design. And what could be nicer than a view over the garden while bathing? This relaxing master bathroom in a calming shade of pink was designed by Joanna Wood. LEFT Overlooking an abundance of greenery, this bathroom blends a carefully considered palette of neutral colours and natural materials. Notting Hill House project by interior design studio Albion Nord.
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THE ENGLISH HOME 69
FOLLOW THE RHYTHM Working in conjunction with our circadian rhythm, or sleep/ wake cycle, which affects mental and physical health, Moretti takes great care to design artificial lighting for optimum efficiency and comfort, relative to the natural periods of light and dark during a 24-hour cycle. She discusses with clients what they do in their rooms at what times of day, creating lighting schemes that can be set according to different activities. In this area, technology can ABOVE LEFT Home scent can create feeling of calm and relaxation. These r s na lass o l s, w a and ad a r flow r d s r Gift box containing a 10cm peony, 250ml extra-large bottle of fragrance, and a heavy cut-glass bottle, £48, Vintage & Bespoke
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help as well as hinder, because although late-night ‘blue’ light from screens is overly stimulating and bad for our ability to rest, one solution comes in the form of app-controlled, colour-changing light bulbs which, if set to a deep orange/red in the evening, can remind one’s brain that it is almost time for bed and assist with the ability to fall asleep. The final biophilic principle is making sure to have a range of spaces that support physical and emotional needs throughout the day. “We need places that are exciting and stimulating and bring us together to elicit conversation,” says Heath, “but also places that are calming and relaxing.” Augustin advises grouping furniture in a circle so as to foster eye contact, and adding a focal point for lulls in conversation. Extroverts thrive in open-plan spaces, she says, whilst introverts feel more secure when their sight lines are partially blocked by, for example, a column or a large plant. Moretti’s guiding principle is to uncover her clients’ personalities, values and lifestyles. “I will ask what is the first thing they do when they wake up in the morning – because if someone likes to walk in bare feet I will probably put a rug or a carpet by the bed, but if they wear slippers then wooden boards will be fine,” she says. “Is there a side table near where the client sits to drink a cup of coffee, and is the dining room close enough to the kitchen? If your daily lifestyle is frustrating, changing it can make a big difference. The aim is to create a design that goes deeper than aesthetics, but also solves problems and evokes positive emotions.” (Look out for our inspiring feature on how to decorate with house plants on page 84.) ABOVE RIGHT Soft pinks, as in this bedroom designed by Salvesen Graham, are proven to be calming, whilst the rainbow effect of the bookshelves is aesthetically very satisfying.
FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL PHOTOGRAPHS P64 © OLIVIA BRABBS; P68 LUKE WHITE; P69 (ALBION NORD) © EDMUND SUMNER; P70 (SALVESEN GRAHAM) © SIMON BROWN
says Augustin. “There are all sorts of complicated equations, but it comes down to that fact that we feel good when there is a variety of colours and shapes, with some order as to how they are arranged. Curved lines are linked to a feeling of comfort, whilst straight lines are linked to efficiency. You might, for example, place a geometric rug near your laundry, or have forms that are curvier in places where you want people to feel comfortable or relaxed.” Using natural materials such as wood, stone or wool is better for us in terms of reducing harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds which ‘off-gas’ from some paints and varnishes, chipboard, carpets and furniture, and sourcing sustainable furnishings is undoubtedly part of a planet-friendly lifestyle. A key ingredient when it comes to materials, says Augustin, is woodgrain, which is a human de-stressor. That said, the area of the brain that is positively associated with woodgrain does not differentiate between real wood or a good example of artificial wood – so in a neuro-scientific sense, the benefits of looking at woodgrain or ‘woodgrain’ are the same.
Queen’s Award-winning Naturalmat hand-makes luxury sustainable mattresses, beds and bedding from organic wool. Lanyard bed, £1,125 for a double, Naturalmat
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EMBRACING A NEW WAY OF LIFE
Taking time to appreciate nature and enhance our homes inside and out are themes that have united us all since restrictions were first imposed. Leading names in British design reveal how the past year has affected how they view their own homes, how client demands have changed and their design predictions for this year
INDIA HICKS
Humanitarian, designer and mother of five How did the way you used your home change over the last year? We found ourselves locked down in our home in the Bahamas for several months, with all five children. Our home became a hive of activity. My daughter, aged 12, became a pro at making deep-fried doughnuts, one of her brothers took a creative writing course on Zoom, and another was using the sewing machine to make samples for his clothing brand. The most outstanding activity was the home-made gym our youngest son created with planks of wood, cement blocks, broom handles and two 72 THE ENGLISH HOME
tin buckets filled with wet sand. Impressive bench press.
completely and utterly unimportant.
What were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? It was strange celebrating several of the kids’ birthdays month after month without any outside distractions. We became quite good at inventing mad birthday parties just for ourselves – a Japanese-style dinner inside, a barbecue outside, wild birthday cakes, cocktails and games which involved blindfolds and sticking your hand inside a cardboard box and touching the unknown, like we were celebrating a three-year-old’s birthday not a 23-year-old’s!
Was there a particular project you immersed yourself in? I have recently published a book on entertaining (India Hicks: An Entertaining Story). Happily it seems to have been quite popular. I think as we spend more time at home, we all search for ideas on how to make the most of that time. We no longer take any of it for granted, so when we do sit down to a meal with our family or friends, we want it to feel as lovely as possible. I am now working on a small home collection that I hope will bring a bit of joy to everyone’s life during these strange times.
Do you feel anything has become less important? Stilettos have become
indiahicks.com
JANE CHURCHILL
Founder of Jane Churchill Interiors
What did you find were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? I am so programmed to go to work, I couldn’t get used to not going. I find the camaraderie of office life encourages creativity and ambition – to me a preferred environment. Although I did enjoy having the time to read more books, and this included everything from The Splendid and The Vile by Erik Larson to Barbara Amiel’s book Friends and Enemies, the perfect book for lockdown. Is there anything you feel has become more important to have at home? A comfortable office chair, a printer, good Wi-Fi and Classic FM – everything you need to make working from home stress-free. janechurchillinteriors.co.uk
ROBERT KIME
Founder of Robert Kime How did home life change for you during the past year? I don’t think it really did. For me, home has always been about comfort, ease and safety. This stayed the same throughout 2020 and I’m sure will continue to! Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? As always, surround yourself with things that you love, that somehow speak to you. I bought a painting at auction right before the lockdown, but I didn’t receive it until well into the summer. It’s a picture I actually used to own, of Stonehenge. The sky is dark, but it feels illuminated and I am happy to have it back.
SOPHIE CONRAN
Product designer and founder of Sophie Conran How has life at home changed for you during the past year? During lockdown our home became the office. I had a house full of family and we all had our own office space. Everybody took turns cooking amazing food, including delicious vegetables from the garden. We found different places around the house and garden to eat – TV dinners, picnics, cocktails, all sorts. In the summer, we moved the table around the garden and pulled out my collections of table linens, glassware and crockery, which was a delight. What are you most looking forward to doing at home when restrictions are eased? I can’t wait to have people to stay. It’s a big house and is made for lots of lovely gatherings. And of course, I can’t wait to travel again and visit new places. Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? I have become more of a
conscious shopper and swapped the supermarket for the farm shop. I’ve loved having more time to think about the ingredients needed. More time at home has meant I can enjoy the things around me, and I think I’ll spend more time doing dinners at home than going to restaurants. Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? We’ve noticed an increase in desire for bed linen. Everybody seems to want a cosy bed to jump into! Also, more desire for decorative pieces for the home – a big shift from minimalist style to a more eclectic one. Clients want more colour and pattern, and seem to feel more optimistic and relaxed about their homes as they’re being used for so much now. It feels as though there is a shift from homes as a ‘showpiece’ to instead being an environment full of warmth and cosiness. Kitchenware has also been hugely popular. People are more likely to update kitchenware at this time as it brings a sense of freshness to their homes. sophieconran.com
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Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? I’m not sure we will ever go back to ‘how it was before’. I have noticed that people’s tastes have changed during this time. They aren’t looking for the big ‘landmark’ pieces right now – the wardrobes or dining tables – rather for the interesting pieces, the art, the painted pieces, the unique, those with a story. robertkime.com
PAOLO MOSCHINO Co-owner with partner Philip Vergeylen of
Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam
How has life at home changed during the past year? Spending much more time at home has meant that every inch has been used – there are no more dead spaces. During lockdown we converted a stable into a full working office and we love it. And the garden has never looked better! Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? People have had more time to look around their homes and are willing to embark on the improvement and updating of their homes. For example, we have been asked to build a substantial extension to a large country house in order to enlarge the kitchen area and create a large family/study room. In addition, a couple of our clients have recently bought country houses and we are working on those too. nicholashaslam.com THE ENGLISH HOME 73
ALIDAD
Founder of Alidad Ltd and Studio A How has life at home changed for you during the past year? Whereas my normal life is literally going home, absolutely exhausted, having dinner and going to bed – and not using any of my rooms – lockdown changed everything, as I started using every room I have. It really was an eye-opener. I’m privileged to have such a nice home, but I wasn’t using it. What are you looking forward to when restrictions are eased? I think people will be more appreciative of what they have, rather than being sort of slightly lost in this world, going from one restaurant to another, going from this thing to that. I think we’ll gain an understanding of how to combine the two: how to enjoy yourself, but being more appreciative of what you have – so spending more time enjoying your family, and being calm and quiet. I’m looking forward, but in a different way, to being much more aware of how lucky one is. Of course, I’d love to go to parties, and to go on holiday, but with a more conscious mindset. alidad.com
EMILY TODHUNTER TRICIA GUILD OBE
is much I missed, like travelling and visiting galleries and museums, I was happy to let nature take over.
How did home life change for you during the past year? I think the way we all used our homes in 2020 changed beyond recognition. I have always believed that home should be an expression of our own individual style, and be a haven and sanctuary from the outside world. During lockdown, this took on greater significance and everyone’s homes became their places of work as well as their homes.
What are you most looking forward to doing when restrictions are eased? I am looking forward to a wonderful party for friends and family.
Founder and creative director of Designers Guild
What did you find were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? I loved the effect on nature. The peace and quiet, even in the middle of the city, was palpable. And although there 74 THE ENGLISH HOME
Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? Our customers have always taken their homes seriously, but there is now an almost intense desire to finish those outstanding projects. Our interior design team has noticed that customers are becoming much more confident in their choices, which is wonderful! designersguild.com
Co-founder of Todhunter Earle How did home life change for you during the past year? It changed massively – suddenly all five of us were properly living there, not coming and going. We ate every meal together for months, we all worked online in different rooms – the young were doing virtual lessons and exams, and my husband and I were working. What were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? We played every game we could think of, and appreciated the quietness, the calm. Life slowed down and we all felt the benefits of that. I am not sure we had ever before really had time to appreciate the house, garden and the beautiful countryside. We worried for our parents and for everyone in city centres with no outside space. We were so lucky to have what turned out to be a very special supportive time together. Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? I feel it’s less important for everything, or anything to be perfect. I have had to be much more relaxed about the house being a mess. Have you noticed any new requests from clients emerging? Yes, specifically new mattresses, home offices, patio heaters. todhunterearle.com
MATTHEW WILLIAMSON
British interior designer How did home life change for you during the past year? I was lucky to have spent most of the time in my home in Deià, Mallorca. Despite all the issues in most parts of the world, Deià did provide me with something of a sanctuary. I’m always working and each day counts towards the creative process. I have a large studio at home, so I can separate my work and living spaces. Keeping busy was my goal, especially in the quiet moments. I cooked, painted and gardened, to name a few pastimes that I wouldn’t ordinarily have much time for. I also have a four-year-old daughter who kept me on my toes, and a dog who got way more attention than usual. Daily walks with him provided much needed fresh air. I also used the time to refresh my home. I started with a clear out of each room, to get organised and edit out the stuff I’d accumulated that I no longer need or use. Once that was done, it was fun to stand in
EMMA SIMSHILDITCH
Founder and creative director of Sims Hilditch How did home life change for you during the past year? I have always worked from home, but this year I found it necessary to create a degree of separation between work and home life. When spending a prolonged period of time indoors, it’s very easy for the line to become blurred, and before you know it you’re struggling to switch off after a busy day, and reaching for the laptop late into the evening. I tended to tuck myself away in my summer house, which became my office for the duration of the
summer. It was the perfect setting as it is far enough away from the main home to create a barrier between ‘the office’ and a space for relaxation, and it is light, airy, and blessed with a calming view of the sea. What were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? I really enjoyed being able to spend more time in the kitchen. Cooking is something that I am passionate about, and I love to create plant-based recipes in particular. I began sharing my recipes on Instagram as a creative outlet, but also as a positive way to stay connected with our followers, friends and suppliers. These videos had great success and are something that I have
each room and rearrange the furniture to give a feeling of a fresh start and to make the space work more efficiently. I’m grateful for having had the luxury of time to be able to do this. Even the smallest of changes, such as moving a table and a lamp to a new corner, have made a big improvement. Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? Most clients and homeowners I’ve been working with have become more involved and hands-on with their projects. They care about the results and the small details to an even higher degree. What does the future hold? I imagine there will be a continued momentum to create products which are sustainable and more efficient in every aspect. People are going to buy fewer items of better quality and think about things in a new way. This, for me as a designer, is a really exciting prospect and a challenge I’m keen to take on. matthewwilliamson.com
continued with, even after lockdown eased. Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? I’m a great advocate of family time and this has always been important in my household. The past 12 months have highlighted to me the essential need for creating various zones within our homes which are for a specific function, for example, work, family relaxation and play, eating, and of course privacy. Your private space could be an entire room, or if your home is on the smaller side, then you might consider partitioning up one larger room into specific zones. simshilditch.com THE ENGLISH HOME 75
JOANNA WOOD
International interior designer
How did home life change for you over the past year? I found myself working from home for the first time since I set up my business 30 years ago. Having the design studio next door to my London home was a godsend. I could sneak over in my slippers if I needed to! Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? The larder at home has really come into its own. Thanks to a vast interest in lockdown cooking, our larder is now stuffed full of some weird and wonderful ingredients, matched only by the large pile of new cookbooks. I think lots of people found a new interest in tableware. Experimenting with decorations and table settings has been fun, and many of us found it was an entertaining way to treat ourselves. Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging for 2021? Lots of our clients have chosen to move to the country. Working from home encouraged people to look for more space if they could, and young families in particular have taken the plunge and left London. joannawood.com
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NATALIE STEPHENSON & JULIETTE WRIGHT
How did home life change for you during the past year? Juliette Wright: Our study was taken over by children, so part of our guest bedroom became a further workspace for us – it was so nice to enjoy a room we rarely used. Natalie and I have a garden studio at her house where we both work. During all the changes of 2020 we were incredibly lucky to have the comfort of this ‘office bubble.’ We feel grateful every day for this.
they received. For us the garden is another ‘room’ and we love to link the inside with outside. Natalie’s mother is an award-winning garden designer and designed both our gardens. She was staying with Natalie during the lockdown, so Natalie’s garden got the full spring overhaul – much pruning and the planting of over 100 new plants, which Natalie is so excited to see bloom next year.We had a chance to take in our homes and focus on the parts we wanted to tweak o r update (which amusingly for an interior designer is something we never have the time to do for ourselves!)
What were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? Our gardens benefitted enormously with the tending
Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? Comfort is even more key
Founders of Stephenson Wright
with the additional time we are spending at home – this is something that comes not only from furniture, but very much a feeling. We focus a lot on this by using layers of light and by combining textures in fabrics and wallpapers for a holistic approach. What lies ahead in 2021? The wish list for homes in 2021 has taken a universal turn towards the following: work, well-being and workouts. With these, we can safely reside in our homes. We not only want, but wholly need, our homes to deliver even more than they did prior to the pandemic. The blend of home and work can be effortlessly achieved through considered use of space and clever design solutions. stephensonwright.com
PAULA SUTTON
Hill House Vintage
How did home life change for you during the past year? I've long been used to being a bit of a social recluse and centring my life around my home and garden. My work in social media involves regular snapshots of my home, Hill House, and my life there, so being confined to one place wasn’t a huge stretch from the norm for me. However, despite already being a family of five, plus a dog, 2020 was the year I learned to truly adapt the house for all five family members at once. Now that the ‘children’ are all older teenagers, we had five adult-sized people hanging around the house at all times through the lockdown. Everyone had their own commitments and needed their own space beyond simply the confinement of their bedrooms, plus we required the ability to join up again and socialise in the communal family areas too. On top of that, I still needed to be able style rooms and shoot beautiful images. It was a rocky start as I adapted to the slight chaos, but we settled into patterns and workstations and zones. The house had to work hard, but it passed the test!
What are you most looking forward to doing at home when restrictions are eased? I call myself a ‘slow decorator’ as it takes me so long to make major decisions with decorating and structural changes to the house. We’ve been planning and talking about extending the kitchen for years. Having had the entire family spend so much time in it over the past year, I realise that there can be no delay in enlarging it and changing the layout as soon as we are able to. I’m also creating a cut flower garden and home office in what used to be the children’s play area. I’m incredibly excited about that for spring. Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? A dedicated area for my work has become a necessity. I used to muddle along in the dining room, or the kitchen table, or wherever I could perch a laptop and a mug of tea. Now I'm building a garden office to future-proof space for my work, rather than having to move things around from room to room. Less important has become the
concept of saving anything for ‘best’ or better times. Use and enjoy everything now. I’ve always had that philosophy, but now more than ever we don’t know what’s around the corner, so make every second count. Use the plates, wear the dress, bring out the antique silver – don’t deny yourself the beauty that surounds you!
FLORA SOAMES
most beautiful this year and the cutting garden just kept on giving from April through to September.
Founder and owner of Flora Soames Design Studio and Fabrics Collection How did home life change for you during the past year? As well as living and working at home in 2020 – which was a first for me – my home has become a family home for us and our baby daughter. The security, comfort and joy we derive from our four walls takes on a whole new meaning, and much more is demanded of it in terms of wear and tear! What did you enjoy most? I enjoyed having the time to finely tune my home to work on a more full-time basis for our needs: DIY one never gets round to, the inevitable shifting of furniture around, hanging pictures and finding homes for the piles that keep appearing. Home is in a rural area and therefore outdoor space was something we were incredibly lucky to enjoy during lockdown. That, and tending to a flourishing garden. Spring seemed its FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE ADDRESS BOOK
hillhousediariesblogspot.com
Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? The support (and need) for our local community shops has become more important than ever. As I was shielding in the closing stages of my pregnancy, and knowing I couldn’t move, friends and suppliers were incredibly kind. I hope this sense of community and the needs of others continue beyond current times. What lies ahead for homes in 2021? I think there is a real sense of practicality in how people want to decorate their houses from spending so much time in them. That, and knowing what brings one pleasure – an uplifting splurge of colour, pattern and that new investment in a piece of furniture or artwork. The emphasis on home is greater now than ever. florasoames.com THE ENGLISH HOME 77
NINA CAMPBELL
have socially distanced lockdown parties in the street for a drink and a gossip. It’s a nice neighbourhood and I feel my neighbours are my friends.
How did home life change for you during the past year? During the first lockdown, I was at my daughter’s home in the country, as I didn’t really want to be stuck by myself in a house in London. It was rather fun to be there for three months rather than for simply a weekend, as I was gardening, having three meals a day, enjoying my granddaughter, and going for walks across the fields. For the second lockdown, I was in London and taking care. It was rather nice being at home and having time to go through bookshelves and china cupboards and so on. I had a tidy and a clear out. I also decided to radically change my living room and turn it into a cantaloupe melon colour – that wonderful pinkyorange. Although I want to change things, I don’t want to move house, as this house is ideal for me. I’m very lucky as everybody in this street actually lives here, which in London is not always the norm. We all see each other every day. We walk our dogs after watching the news at night and so on, and we get together and
What are you most looking forward to once restrictions are eased? I’d like to go to the ballet, the opera, the cinema, a museum. I’d like to go to all the things that are perfectly possible to go to normally. And having my friends round for dinner to celebrate the new room when it’s a different colour!
Founder and design director of Nina Campbell
HENRIETTE VON STOCKHAUSEN
Founder of VSP Interiors How did home life change for you during the past year? It became very clear that the kitchen is the hub of the home and needs to facilitate a space for almost everything – virtual meeting room, lunchtime restaurant, kitchen, living room – generally the place where everybody meets and regroups throughout the day. What were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? What did you enjoy most? My main challenge was to work full-time whilst all the children were at home needing help with schooling, fun and general entertaining – just running a 78 THE ENGLISH HOME
What lies ahead for interiors? People are concentrating much more on their table top and their drinks tray. We’ve got wonderful glasses in the shop that cheer up a drinks table, and people are buying new table linen, as eating three meals a day at home means you get bored of the same china and linen. It’s just more cheerful to have to look at. When I was in lockdown with my daughter, and it got to seven o’clock, when we’d ended our Zoom meetings, we sat down with a drink in a beautiful glass with ice and a slice (blood orange is delicious in vodka and tonic), and it felt very civilised. ninacampbellinteriors.com
company, being a chef and a cleaner, on top of ponies and general maintenance! I think I will always remember this time as a real bonding time with my children. I also noticed that people were more genuine and really took the time to truly care for others, finding out how they can help each other and support the community in which they live. Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? Lots of requests for more live-in kitchens and home offices that feel like comfortable living spaces. And perhaps in general more comfort in every room – the small things (creature comforts) have become more important than before. We have also been doing more four-poster beds than before! I think it creates that personal sanctuary where one can feel safe and cosseted, and
sleep in peace. VSP Interiors will be launching made-to-order pieces, such as vanity units and dining tables, we usually design as custom-made pieces for clients. vspinteriors.com
FEATURE SAMANTHA SCOTT-JEFFRIES, KATY MCLEAN, EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPHS P72 (INDIA HICKS) © BRITTAN GOETZ LLC; P73 (ROBERT KIME) © SIMON BROWN; P74 (ALIDAD) © EMANUELIS STASAITIS; P75 (MATTHEW WILLIAMSON) © DAVID LEVENSON, (SIMS-HILDITCH) © SIMS HILDITCH; P76 (JOANNA WOOD) © ASTRID TEMPLIER, (STEPHENSON & WRIGHT) © ALEXANDER JAMES; P77 (FLORA SOAMES) © TRENT MCMINN, (PAULA SUTTON) © TAMSYN MORGANS; P78 (NINA CAMPBELL) © HARRY SOAMES
FAMEED KHALIQUE
Designer, surfaces specialist, founder and director of Fameed Khalique How did home life change for you during the past year? In 2020 it was important for me to have a designated workspace where I could be comfortable and productive, but also be able to escape from. I live in a very open-plan loft apartment, so it has been important for me to zone that space. Creating a work area I could leave behind allowed me to switch off in the evenings when I wanted some downtime. What did you find were the unexpected benefits of lockdown? I think we have all slowed down and it has given us a different perspective on what’s important. We no longer take personal connections for granted, both in our working and social lives, and spending so much time indoors has made us appreciate the outside environment more. Self-care routines and indulging in simple things like taking a walk or cycling when the city is quiet have made the biggest difference to my mindset. I have really enjoyed getting on a bike and discovering some of the nooks and crannies of London I’ve never seen in the 35 years I’ve lived here. It’s amazing what this city has to offer. And finally it made me – like a lot of other people – get on with planning the renovations I have been meaning to do for years! Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? Practical things, like a great Wi-Fi connection, have become critical, but having more indulging things to surround yourself with – things that appeal to the senses, from scented candles to a soft cashmere throw to the cushions on our sofas – all keeps us engaged with our immediate environment. Also, routine. I also think it’s very important to get your mind in the right headspace. Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? There has been a renewed interest in handmade products and craftsmanship; people have been more appreciative of the details and the backstory behind each product. I think we’re all looking for long-lasting, quality pieces to invest in and surround ourselves with. As well as people seeking out designs with colour and personality, I’ve also noticed a growing appreciation for texture and natural materials like wood and leather, which I think has come partly because of lockdown and yearning for that earthly connection. fameedkhalique.com
TOM RAFFIELD
Founder of Tom Raffield Ltd
What did you find were the unexpected benefits of spending the majority of the year at home? What did you enjoy most? Spending more time immersed in nature, taking time to enjoy and fully appreciate the craft of steam-bending once more and taking time to get creative. Developing new designs is always a priority, but spending more time, without everyday distractions, was really productive. What are you most looking forward to doing when restrictions are eased? I’m looking forward to visiting family and friends, exploring new places and hopefully camping and walking in the Peak District. This year has made me realise there is so much to still explore and experience in the UK. Is there anything you feel has become more, or less, important to have at home? Surrounding yourself with designs that you love and will cherish for years to come is so
important. I think spending a lot more time at home, we’ve all become more critical of our space and making the most of our interiors. I hope it’s really highlighted the importance of buying better and buying less. Timeless furniture and lighting pieces that will last a lifetime, in my mind, are essential to invest in. Have you noticed any new requests or desires from clients emerging? I think there has been a surge in people looking to purchase items they’ve always lusted after but never quite taken the leap to buy, realising the investment in handcrafted, quality pieces is really worth it in the long run. We have seen a continued interest in customers seeking sustainable objects for their home and understanding the wider impact their choices have on the planet. We have also seen a trend for large furniture pieces being commissioned to create cosy spaces for relaxing, and smaller items to improve the functionality of desks and home offices. We will be growing our furniture collection in 2021. tomraffield.com THE ENGLISH HOME 79
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QUINTESSENTIALLY
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPH ANNA SHEPULOVA / SHUTTERSTOCK
Inspiration for seasonal pastimes and making the most of life at home starts here
EARLY AWAKENING
Spring flowers put on a cheerful show in borders, but for those that cannot wait, a greenhouse can be used to bring out blooms earlier. Hartley Botanic suggests bulbs can be forced to put on an early display of bright colour from midwinter onwards, naming tulips, narcissi, hyacinths and crocuses as prime candidates for rousing out of season. Note that forcing bulbs does exhaust them so they may need to be discarded after blooming has finished. For hints and tips visit hartley-botanic.co.uk
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MY ENGLISH HOME
Matthew Fort FROM PATCH TO PLATE The food writer and critic praises the many virtues of rhubarb and suggests a deceptively simple, deliciously elegant dessert to satisfy sweet teeth
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First of all, the claggy soils of that part of Yorkshire are ideally suited to giving rhubarb sets their start in life, before the flourishing plants are moved to sheds, where they’re kept in total darkness for several weeks whilst those elegant pink wands rise up ready for harvesting. Secondly, there was plenty of cheap coal to heat the forcing sheds. Thirdly, the proximity of a convenient railway meant that it was easy to send harvested rhubarb to the markets at Covent Garden, Borough and Spitalfields in London. There was even a ‘rhubarb special express’ that ran nightly from Ardsley during the season. Alas, no more. But the tradition lives on in the names of some varieties – Timperley Early, Victoria, Hawkes Champagne and Collis Ruby. My own pet plant is Timperley, an admirable rhubarb in every way, judicious in flavour, generous in crop, handsome in colour. Rhubarb’s culinary qualities are many and varied. It makes a captivating crumble, a terrific tart, a fabulous fool, a gorgeous gin, as well as a chutney, jam, compote and ice. It’ll add zip to smoothies and zap to cake. It can be teamed with mackerel in place of the classic gooseberry, or with pork instead of the standard apple. And it can be roasted or stewed. However I cook rhubarb, I like to add vanilla extract, and perhaps a thumb of ginger and a dash or two of elderflower cordial. I find they help broaden out its flavour. And, of course, don’t forget to add plenty of sugar. All rhubarb needs plenty of sugar. Is there any other fruit – or vegetable, come to that – of such distinction and versatility?
RHUBARB FOOL WITH SLIVERED ALMONDS Serves 4
INGREDIENTS 150g caster sugar 2 large rhubarb stalks, trimmed and cut into 8cm sections 300ml whipping cream 60g icing sugar, sifted 1 tsp vanilla extract 80g flaked almonds, lightly toasted
METHOD • Combine the caster sugar with 300ml water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over moderate heat until the sugar has dissolved into a clear syrup. • Reduce the syrup to a steady simmer and add the rhubarb sections. Cover and simmer over low heat until the rhubarb is tender to the tip of a knife, about 10 minutes. Take off the heat. • In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream, icing sugar, and vanilla extract to soft peaks. • To serve, divide the whipped cream mixture between bowls and spoon the warm rhubarb (and its syrup) and flaked almonds on top.
About Matthew Best known as a judge on BBC2’s Great British Menu, Matthew is an award-winning food writer and critic. He was the Food & Drink Editor of The Guardian for 15 years and is the author of four books.
PHOTOGRAPHS P82 (PORTRAIT) GRANT SCOTT. P83 © STOCKFOOD / BAUER SYNDICATION ILLUSTRATION MARINA MARKIZOVA / SHUTTERSTOCK
T
here is something inherently cheering about rhubarb. It may be its lively colour – pink-goingon-red. It may be its flavour – sharp, crisp, bright. It may be because it’s the first edible thing to come along after the quiet months of winter. Rhubarb is the herald of spring, if not actually spring itself. We think – I think – of rhubarb as a fruit, whereas, technically speaking it’s a vegetable, or so the real experts say. In fact, to settle an argument as to the exact nature of rhubarb, in 1947 a customs court ruling in the US reclassified it as a fruit. Perhaps they were confused by the example set by keen vegetable gardener Thomas Jefferson, who advocated eating the leaves as if they were spinach. I don’t advise it, as the leaves of modern varieties are laced with oxalic acid and poisonous. To be honest, it’ll be a little while yet before I’ll be picking the first sticks from my own garden – although I’m daily checking the crowns stirring in the darkness of the clay cloche they sit under. However, the first harvest of rhubarb from Yorkshire’s ‘rhubarb triangle’ will be in greengrocers and supermarkets already. Once upon a time, the rhubarb triangle was defined by Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford in Yorkshire, but it has shrunk a little since its glory days in the nineteenth century and now Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell mark its boundaries. Why Yorkshire? You might think that rhubarb, as a native of Siberia, would be particularly suited to Yorkshire’s climate, but that isn’t the real reason why it became so profitable an export from the county. As so often, the explanation is much more mundane.
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Flora
EUPHORIA More of us than ever are filling our homes with fresh foliage, reaping the visual and mental benefits of nurturing plants and watching them grow
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ABOVE Marvel at the varied shapes and colours of cacti. Pack together in a low glazed container and place in a sunny spot. RIGHT Exceptionally easy to grow, this unusual trailing vine will reach lengths of up to four metres. Ideal for a high shelf or mantelpiece. Fockea edulis, £29.99, Happy Houseplants OPPOSITE Bring the outdoors in by combining plenty of house plants with a dramatic botanical mural-like deisgn on walls. Asterid, Lantern, £209 a roll, Little Greene
ature and her soothing green foliage have been appreciated more than ever over the past year. Restorative, uplifting and calming to the eye, it is no surprise that more homeowners are looking to surround themselves with greenery indoors. Dramatic growth in UK houseplant sales in 2020 – up 82 per cent year on year according to the UK’s Garden Centre Association – and continuing popularity with leading interior designers are clear indicators that leafy plants occupy a special place in our hearts and homes. We consulted industry experts to discover exactly why we need to feel close to nature and how we can choose and display indoor plants successfully at home. CONNECTING WITH NATURE The latest interiors collections show that botanicals remain the leading source for design inspiration. But why is this the case, and why has it been this way for generations? A key and topical answer lies in the idea of ‘biophilia’. This concept is beautifully explained and explored by Sally Coulthard in her book Biophilia: You + Nature + Home (£14.99, Octopus). “Most of us feel good in nature,” she says. “Ask people to imagine a place where they feel happy and relaxed, many describe something like a warm, sandy beach or a stroll in the woods. Whatever the nuances in description, we often talk about being in nature or looking at nature. That’s what ‘biophilia’ is. It’s the simple, core truth that humans need a connection with nature to not just survive but thrive.” THE ENGLISH HOME 85
ABOVE A large leafy plant adds an organic, sculptural form in a sitting room. The use of abundant greenery also chimes well with the fresh green and pink scheme. All furniture from John Lewis & Partners LEFT Keep house plants hydrated with an exquisite mouth-blown watering globe. Plant watering glass, £18.50 for a pair, Nordic House
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IRRESISTIBLE VARIETIES Each species of houseplant, from statuesque figs and elegant palms to cacti and tiny succulents, comes with its own intriguing backstory and connections to interiors of the past. Date palms are synonymous with Edwardian garden rooms, and aspidistras and sword ferns are typical of Victorian parlours. Thanks to the recent surge in interest, the choice of houseplants available to buy has increased greatly in recent years. It is easy to be seduced by an unusual or particularly striking variety, but it is essential to weigh up the practicalities if the plant is to thrive. Horticultural writer Veronica Peerless, author of How Not To Kill Your Houseplant (£9.99, Dorling Kindersley) explains: “There’s a horticultural saying of ‘right plant, right place’ and this certainly applies to houseplants as well as to those in the garden. Be realistic when it comes to placing a plant indoors, consider its practical needs as well as your aesthetic ideal and be prepared to compromise.” Many houseplants originate from the rainforest, so indoors they require the same warmth, humidity
These finely crafted, steam-bent oak planters are designed and made in Cornwall by Tom Raffield. Merryn floor-standing planters: Short, £695; tall, £745, both Tom Raffield
and filtered light to thrive. Avoid spots in direct sunlight, near radiators and cool draughts, but do try warm and humid spaces such as kitchens and well-lit bathrooms. Only a handful of plants can cope with direct sunlight, such as a windowsill, these include cacti, succulents such as jade plants, and colourful kalanchoe. Other low-maintenance, quick-growing favourites include String Of Hearts, striking sansevieria and lush, trailing pothos.
RIGHT Add interest to a corner with elegant, raised containers. Brushed-gold standing planters, £140 for two, Cox & Cox BELOW This clear glass planter comes with its own optic for simple, fuss-free watering. Canopy self-watering planter, £70, LSA International
MINDFUL WATERING Overwatering is the cause of most houseplant deaths. Whilst the idea of tending a plant is positive for our wellbeing, overwatering can quickly suffocate the roots, causing the plant to die. Peerless explains: “Plants need less water than we realise. Use the soil as an indicator. It’s OK for the top inch to be dry, but if it’s more, soak the plant in its plastic pot for 30 minutes and allow it to drain before popping it back in place.” THE ENGLISH HOME 87
Common plant problems and how to fix them All plants need tender, loving care to thrive. These tell-tale signs can help identify a plant’s needs PROBLEM: LEAVES ARE DROPPING Likely cause: Seasonality – Some plants shed leaves during winter to conserve energy and regrow in spring. Restricted roots – if a large number of roots are protruding from the pot base, it is time to replant in a slightly larger pot. Under or overwatering – if the soil below the top inch is dry, the plant needs more water. If the soil is moist and the base of the leaves are yellow, drain off any standing water and allow the plant to dry out for a week or so. PROBLEM: PALE AND DROOPY FOLIAGE Likely cause: Lack of daylight – move the plant to a brighter spot, but not in direct sun, and clean the leaves with a damp cloth or plant wipe to remove any dust. PROBLEM: BROWN SPOTS ON LEAVES Likely cause: Sunlight may be too strong and causing scorch marks on the foliage. Move the plant to a bright spot further away from the window. PROBLEM: WHITE POWDER ON LEAVES AND STEMS Likely cause: Possible mealy bug infestation. Check carefully and remove any signs with a damp cloth. Spray with a houseplant pesticide if desired and repeat daily for a week.
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ABOVE Known as Angel Wings, these South American plants keep their colourful foliage all year round and prefer a bright and airy spot indoors. Carla caladium, £30, Patch Plants RIGHT Make a real feature out of a house plant display by arranging an assortment of plants in suitable vessels on shelves. Selection of pots, all Garden Trading OPPOSITE TOP Bring plants into the bedroom and reinforce the botanical appeal with bedlinen. Costa Rica Fern bed linen, from £48, Clarissa Hulse OPPOSITE BELOW Add glamour with a smart terranium. Supersize Copper Gem terranium (285 x 285 x 450 mm), £175, The Urban Botanist
THE ART OF DISPLAY Aesthetics are often the main reason for buying a particular houseplant, it may be the shape of a leaf or a pattern on it that specifically appeals. But it is also important to step back and consider the visual effect it will create in a room and how to maximise its impact. Interior designers have used plants creatively for decades and are brimming with ideas. DeVOL creative director Helen Parker says: “The more you commit to the botanical theme, the more impressive it looks. Walking into a foliage-filled room is uplifting and really worth the effort when plants flourish.” She also suggests paying close attention to the choice of container. “Planting up in old terracotta pots and
vintage garden urns makes houseplants feel more special and cohesive.” Plant stands are useful tools, too, as fine craftsman Tom Raffield explains: “Our floor-standing planters bring any space to life. They look great planted with cacti, small trees such as olive or bay or large palms to add drama and greenery”. Boutique hotels and spa retreats have long been style leaders in using indoor plants, and Sarah Jane Nielsen, interior designer of Cumbria’s Gilpin Hotel shares these ideas. “Hanging or dropping planting from the ceiling, planting in pots or urns or preparing and nurturing a living wall [of plants] will all create a restful and biophilic mood.” THE ENGLISH HOME 89
PLANTING MATTERS Houseplants come in plastic nursery pots, where they will happily stay for a year, but eventually they will need a larger container. Move them in spring before the growing season. Carefully remove the plastic pot and gently loosen the roots with your fingers. Fill the base of a new, slightly larger plastic pot (too big and the plant will go into shock) with enough fresh houseplant compost so the top of the rootball is 2–3cm below the rim. Lift the plant in and fill around the side of the rootball with extra compost and water it well. Nursery pots usually have plenty of drainage holes in their base and are designed to slip inside a more decorative outer pot. These are usually sealed designs that will safely retain any excess water, eliminating the need for an extra saucer. Replace outer pots as the plant grows, offering an opportunity for a style refresh.
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ABOVE Create a tropical feel in the bathroom with leafy motifs on towels too. Rainforest towels, from £11.20, Clarissa Hulse LEFT Complement glossy foliage with the natural texture of a seagrass basket. Lined for easy watering this one is large enough for a 24cm plastic nursery pot. basket planter, £20, Leaf Envy Large woven b
FEATURE JILL MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHS P101 (CACTI) © FLOWER COUNCIL OF HOLLAND/FOTOGRAFIE WILFRIED OVERWATER/VRIJ VAN RECHTEN; (HAPPY HOUSEPLANTS) © E LAWLOR; P103 (TOM RAFFIELD) © KIRSTIN PRISK; (TERRANIUM) © STEPHEN ROWSON; P107 © JON DAY PHOTOGRAPHY
ABOVE Seek interesting pots to display plants in – vintage stoneware offers a rustic charm with a delightful patina. LEFT Freestanding, open shelving is ideal for showcasing favourite indoor plants. Teun black metal shelving unit by Woood, £229, Cuckooland
Transform a crisp white bathroom into an oasis with an abundance of greenery on window ledges, in planters – particularly good for those plants with trailing fronds such as String of Hearts – or in seagrass baskets on the floor. All plants and accessories, Dobbies
THE ENGLISH HOME 91
PROPERTIES FOR SALE
HOUSES WITH CHARACTER Our selection of appealing properties for sale. This month, homes with exceptional period features
1
RUN OF THE MILL Originally a paper mill and at one point a public house in the nineteenth century, The Mill House is now a Grade II listed residence in the village of Wimborne St Giles, which is in a conservation area and located in the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Dorset. The interior is spacious, with period features including exposed ceiling timbers, oak floors and
open fireplaces, and the drawing room has a particularly ornate carved surround. There are seven bedrooms positioned on the upper two floors. The gardens border the River Allen, which once produced water flow for the mill, and have been landscaped with a terrace for al fresco dining, and a lawn and mature trees, which include what is believed to be the oldest horse chestnut tree in England. The Mill House, Dorset, ÂŁ2,500,000, Savills
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3
2
JUST THE TICKET Opened in 1903, Old Droxford Station was part of the now discontinued Meon Valley Railway in Hampshire and served as a meeting place between Sir Winston Churchill and Allied leaders to prepare for the Normandy landings in 1944. Restored to its original appearance, but as a private residence, the four-bedroom property boasts a wealth of interesting features. The main station waiting room has been transformed into the drawing room, with a vaulted ceiling and a log-burning stove. The family room, once the ladies’ waiting room, also has a fireplace, and the study retains the booth and cabinets from its days as the ticket office. Within the large grounds, the former signal box has been rebuilt as an annexe. Old Droxford Station, Hampshire, £1,500,000, Knight Frank
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STEEPED IN HISTORY Located in the popular seaside town of Deal in Kent, Grade II*listed Court Lodge is believed to have been the site of a courthouse for the local manor in Tudor times. A remaining detail of the property’s sixteenth-century origins is the studded front door with an ornate knocker. Later Georgian and Victorian additions include Dutch-influence brick gables, panelling, exposed beams, fireplaces, sash windows with shutters and wooden flooring. The well-proportioned reception rooms are bright and welcoming, as is the spacious kitchen, which is fitted with an Aga. The upper two floors accommodate five bedrooms, one of which has an exterior stairwell providing access to the attractive walled garden. Court Lodge, Kent, £1,250,000, Bright & Bright THE ENGLISH HOME 93
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5 6 WARM WELCOME With beginnings as a seventeenthcentury farmhouse, later serving as the local tavern, and now converted into a private residence, Tavern House in Surrey is a Grade II listed property full of historical character. Beneath the attractive facade are well-proportioned rooms with lofty ceilings, original fireplaces and exposed beams. Relax in any of the reception rooms, including a comfortable sitting room and a light-filled dining room, or find a spot in the walled back garden, which incorporates a patio, barbecue and vegetable plot. There is also a period outbuilding, currently used as a workshop and log store. The four-bedroom house is located in the conservation area of Old Merstham, a quaint village dating back to pre-Roman times. Tavern House, Surrey, £750,000, Hamptons International 94 THE ENGLISH HOME
5
CHURCH CONVERSION Located in the rural hamlet of Hollocombe in Devon, the converted church of St Michaels and All Angels was originally commissioned by the Earl of Portsmouth in 1891. Of particular architectural interest is the building’s saddleback bell tower, one of only two in Devon, which upon entry opens to a main hall. This is flooded with natural light from a large stained glass window and provides access to the elegant dining room and charming kitchen. From the sitting room, step into a cosy nook that was once the vestry, which benefits from a wood-burning stove and features two stained-glass windows. An additional stained-glass window illuminates the landing, which leads to three bedrooms with vaulted ceilings and views over the sunny garden. St Michael and All Angels, Devon, £695,000, Fine & Country
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SPLENDID ISOLATION Believed to have been constructed in 1905 to supply water to the picturesque rural hamlet of Henley near Midhurst in West Sussex, The Old Pump House has been sensitively renovated to offer generous accommodation as a private residence. Settle beside the open fireplace in the double-aspect sitting room on cooler days, or enjoy entertaining in the kitchen and dining room, both of which have vaulted ceilings. Three double bedrooms are situated upstairs, including the master bedroom, which has a mezzanine study and offers distant views over the South Downs. The tranquillity of the property’s countryside setting can be further appreciated in the grounds, consisting of formal gardens and a seating area, and surrounded by woodland. The Old Pump House, West Sussex, £1,250,000, Jackson-Stops
FEATURE JANINE JORGENSEN PHOTOGRAPH (1) DARREN WOOLDRIDGE/THE COLOUR TREE
4
Mrs Minerva writes...
The art of designing
A NEW BEDROOM Passionate about quintessential English customs, our incognito columnist reminds us to do the best things in life in the most elegant fashion, always with a twinkle in her eye
BELOW A luxurious bed is the focal point of any bedroom and key to a good night’s sleep. The royally named Elizabeth is handmade in Norfolk by The Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co and comes with a lifetime guarantee. NEXT PAGE A silk eye mask such as this by Liberty London is a rather glamorous way of blocking out the early morning sun if one feels compelled to indulge in a lie-in.
M
r M and I are settling into our new downsized home rather nicely. We have already found a number of things to bicker about. The lack of a boot room, for example, means he has taken to abandoning muddy wellingtons in various corners of the kitchen, causing me to trip over them repeatedly. This unacceptable behaviour only ceased when I stumbled and dropped an entire tray of millefeuille pastries. He has also taken to complaining rather loudly about my interior design choices. I love layered interiors and am enjoying mixing pieces we brought from our old home with furniture purchased specifically for our new one. Mr M, on the other hand, wants everything done quickly and does not enjoy the process of shopping, space planning, decorating or moving furniture around. He would be perfectly happy with a single trip to Ikea. When I moved into Minerva Towers, I was young and rather terrified of Mr M’s mother, who seemed determined nothing should change. However, over the years I did, of course, manage to put my own stamp on the house, but that was often through sheer necessity. A burst pipe, a leak from the roof, woodworm, mice chewing through the electrics, all brought about situations where acquiring new furniture or decorating a room or two became a matter of urgency. This is the first time I have had a home I can create from scratch. I am embracing it with my usual verve whilst my so-called better half has practically moved in to his purposebuilt shed and keeps inviting the gardener
over for a furtive cigar and repeated tastings of the homemade wine they have made together. Interior design, it turns out, is rather a skill and, after a wallpaper disaster in one of the guest bathrooms, I have signed up with Create Academy – a marvellous website where one can learn all manner of things, from good nutrition through to how to do a house. I chose two courses – interior design with Rita Konig and floristry with Willow Crossley. I cannot tell you how inspiring they are. It feels rather like going back to school. In fact, when a young mother in the post office the other day was complaining about the complexities of teaching one’s own children, Mr M jumped in and told her I was too engaged in bettering myself through home education and that sometimes “mousework should give way to more housework”. I resisted the urge to batter him with the heavy parcel I was carrying and made a mental note to draw up a joint rota of chores with his name against putting out the bins, clearing the drains, cleaning out the guttering, loading the dishwasher and unblocking the downstairs loo. The Create Academy courses have taught me invaluable things and Willow Crossley is quite the sunniest, most soothing person to learn from. I am utterly certain my church flowers will be getting a lot of attention. Even Mr M has taken an interest in the online sessions covering vases and where to source flowers. I have caught him watching over my shoulder a number of times, although that may be because he has an enormous crush on the teacher. I now have the confidence to do things I would not have considered before. My first project has been my bedroom and each time I have wondered aloud whether something might work, Mr M has said, “Well, darling, what would the fragrant Ms Konig suggest?”. THE ENGLISH HOME 95
Mrs Minerva Writes...
I do feel it rather a good idea to find someone whose style you like and imagine what they would do with a space and for this reason I chose not to have a decorator transform our new abode. I am enjoying the creative process very much. As we have downsized, I wanted my bedroom to be a multipurpose space with a little desk to write letters at and a reading nook. Taking advice from the course content, I created a delightful window seat for just this purpose, using the same fabric for the blind and cushion, which is actually enchanting. Mr M agreed – or at least commented that charging so much money for material must be some kind of dark art. I was rather thrilled to be able to finally buy myself a new bed. The antique in my bedroom in the old house had been there forever and Mr M would often list for house guests some of the important people who had slept in it. “I never did,” he would joke, “but William the Conqueror did.” A wise old aunt of mine once said that one should always spend a good deal of money on both one’s bed and one’s shoes because when you are not in one, you are in the other. There are plenty of areas one can scrimp but beds are not amongst them. My next most important bedroom purchase for the new place was a delightful boudoir sofa. In the softest of pink fabrics, it looks rather wonderful at the end of my bed and is a very useful place to escape from builders, dogs and Mr M, all of whom are banned from entering the only room in the house I can truly call my own. Sofas or a comfortable chair are a perfect addition to a bedroom, but only if one makes it an absolute rule that they should not turn into a dumping ground for clothes, books and other bits and pieces. Bedrooms need to be warm in winter and cool in summer, but if you go too far either way it can make for sleepless nights. With this in mind, I have a shelf of pretty blankets so I can make the decision on a nightly basis. Mr M keeps trying to steal them for the dog baskets, but thus far I have managed to catch him sneaking down the back stairs each time. My new bedside table, too, is a triumph. My rule here is that it can only contain a lamp, the book I am currently reading and a scented candle. Mr M’s desk, on the other hand, is a jumble of dog whistles, half eaten Mars Bars and a crusty soldering iron. I think there might even be a carburettor for a Triumph Dolomite he scrapped in the late Seventies.
112 THE ENGLISH HOME
SWEET BEDFELLOWS Mrs M shares some of her favourite new discoveries to assist a good night’s sleep, from bedroom furniture to night-time reading HEAVENLY SOAK
There are few things as luxurious as climbing into bed after a hugely relaxing, deliciously scented bath. It is why I have a stock of Rose Sea Soak Calming Bath Salts by clean beauty brand French Girl. They’re made with six salt varieties including mineral-rich Mediterranean and French grey salts to nourish skin, and Epsom and Himalayan pink salts to help relieve stress, leave skin soft and soothe aching muscles. Infused with the soothing scent of rose and ylang ylang essential oils, they are as close as one can get to a spa experience in the comfort of one’s own home. French Girl Rose Sea Soak, £19, Liberty London
BEAUTIFUL BEDROOM DESIGN
Nearly every time I compliment a friend on their lovely kitchen, it turns out to be from Neptune. I am a huge fan, so was thrilled to find when I looked online that their bedroom furniture has the same gorgeous appeal. It was quite a chore to choose a bed as there were so many delicious options, but in the end I settled on the Larsson bed (above). The timber frame includes pretty decorative carving inspired by British woodland and is painted using two paint colours to give it a faded, distressed look, making it perfect for the vintage, layered look I want for my bedroom. Larsson bed, from £1,250, Neptune
BEDSIDE COMPANION
My newfound passion for interior design has led me to buying British Designers at Home by Jenny Rose-Innes. It offers a marvellous glimpse into the homes of more than 20 of Britain’s most important designers, each talking about their design journey, the decisions they made for their own homes and the story of their career. From classic British interiors to the unexpected, this book offers everything and is perfect for those who adore nosing around the homes of others. British Designers at Home, £30, published by Hardie Grant
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Acres Farm Fenders Tel 0118 974 4305 acresfarm.co.uk Aerende Tel 07748 808433 aerende.co.uk Albion Nord Tel 07834 711945 albion-nord.com Alidad Tel 020 7384 0121 alidad.com Andrew Martin Tel 020 3887 6113 andrewmartin.co.uk Annabel James Tel 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk Arte Tel 0800 500 3335 arte-international.com Axminster Carpets Tel 01297 32244 axminster-carpets.co.uk Ben Pentreath Tel 020 7430 2424 benpentreath.com Bert & May Tel 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com Besselink & Jones Tel 020 7584 0343 besselink.com Blackpop Tel 01629 356602 blackpop.co.uk Bulthaup bulthaup.com Carpetright Tel 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Charley Chau Tel 0161 848 8702 charleychau.com Charlotte Gaisford Tel 01434 689583 charlottegaisford.co.uk Chelsea Textiles Tel 020 7584 5544 chelseatextiles.com Colefax and Fowler Tel 020 8874 6484 colefax.com Corinne Lapierre Tel 0113 246 0403 corinnelapierre.com Cox & Cox Tel 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk CTD Tiles ctdtiles.co.uk David Hunt Lighting Tel 01295 672 628 davidhuntlighting.co.uk de Gournay Tel 020 7352 9988 degournay.com de Le Cuona Tel 01753 830301 delecuona.com Designers Guild Tel 020 7351 5775 designersguild.com deVOL Tel 01509 261000 devolkitchens.co.uk
Dibor Tel 01204 543428 dibor.co.uk Drummonds Tel 020 7376 4499 drummonds-uk.com Ercol ercol.com Fameed Khalique Tel 020 7351 2401 fameedkhalique.com Fired Earth Tel 01295 812088 firedearth.com Flora Soames Tel 01747 445650 florasoames.com Gainsborough Tel 01787 372081 gainsborough.co.uk Geoffrey Preston Tel 01392 811421 geoffreypreston.co.uk George Smith Tel 020 7384 1004 georgesmith.com Gingerlily Tel 020 8877 9905 gingerlilylondon.com GP & J Baker Tel 01202 266700 gpjbaker.com Hamilton Weston Tel 020 8940 4850 hamiltonweston.com Harrods Tel 020 7730 1234 harrods.com Higher Ground Tel 01276 63809 higherground.co.uk House of Hackney Tel 020 7739 3901 houseofhackney.com Iliv Tel 01772 651199 i-liv.co.uk India Hicks indiahicks.com Industville Tel 020 7971 7871 industville.co.uk James Hare Tel 0113 243 1204 james-hare.com Jane Churchill Tel 020 7730 8564 janechurchillinteriors.co.uk Jennifer Manners Tel 020 3903 0687 jennifermanners.co.uk Jessica Buckley Interiors Tel 0131 556 8918 jessicabuckley.co.uk Joanna Wood Tel 020 7730 5064 joannawood.com Johnstons of Elgin Tel 0344 225 2252 johnstonsofelgin.com Lefroy Brooks Tel 01992 708316 lefroybrooks.com Lewis & Wood Tel 020 7751 4554 lewisandwood.co.uk
Looking Glass of Bath Tel 01225 461969 lookingglassofbath.co.uk Loop Knitting Shop Tel 020 7288 1160 loopknittingshop.com Maker&Son makerandson.com Mark Alexander Tel 01623 727017 markalexander.com Martin Moore Tel 0845 180 0015 martinmoore.com Marvic Textiles Tel 020 7352 3119 marvictextiles.co.uk Matthew Williamson matthewwilliamson.com Morris & Co Tel 020 3457 5862 sandersondesigngroup.com/ morris&co Naturalmat Tel 01392 877247 naturalmat.co.uk Neptune Tel 01793 427450 neptune.com Nina Campbell Tel 020 7225 1011 ninacampbellinteriors.com Oka Tel 01235 433930 oka.com Osborne & Little Tel 020 8812 3123 osborneandlittle.com Oyuna Tel 020 7183 9303 oyuna.com Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam Tel 020 7730 8623 nicholashaslam.com Pooky Tel 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Porta Romana Tel 020 7352 0440 portaromana.com Rhubarb & Hare rhubarbandhare.co.uk Richard Taylor Tel 020 7351 2567 richardtaylordesigns.co.uk Robert Kime Tel 020 7831 6066 robertkime.com Roger Oates Tel 020 7351 2288 rogeroates.com Romo Tel 01623 727017 romo.com Rose Uniacke Tel 020 7730 7050 roseuniacke.com Salvesen Graham Tel 020 7967 7777 salvesengraham.com Sanderson Tel 020 3457 5862 sandersondesigngroup.com Sarah Hardaker Tel 07975 982885 sarahhardaker.co.uk
Sebastian Cox Tel 020 8316 5679 sebastiancox.co.uk Sims Hilditch Tel 020 3701 9578 simshilditch.com Sophie Conran Tel 0333 240 1228 sophieconran.com Stephenson Wright Tel 01932 508440 stephensonwright.com Studio Indigo Tel 020 7349 1290 studioindigo.co.uk Sweetpea & Willow Tel 0345 257 2627 sweetpeaandwillow.com Tasha Textiles tashatextiles.com The Design Archives Tel 020 7349 7018 thedesignarchives.com The Fabric Collective Tel 020 7384 2975 thefabriccollective.com The White Company Tel 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com Todhunter Earle Tel 020 7349 9999 todhunterearle.com Tom Raffield Tel 01326 722725 tomraffield.com Totty Lowther Tel 01931 712284 tottylowther.co.uk Turnell & Gigon Tel 020 7259 7280 turnellandgigon.com Turner Pocock Tel 020 3463 2390 turnerpocock.co.uk Uniball Tel 01908 328833 uniball.co.uk Vaughan Tel 020 7349 4600 vaughandesigns.com Villa Nova Tel 01623 727017 villanova.co.uk Vintage & Bespoke vintageandbespoke.co.uk Visual Comfort visualcomfort.com VSP Interiors Tel 01305 265892 vspinteriors.com Warner House Tel 01376 316780 warnertextilearchive.co.uk William Yeoward Tel 020 7349 7828 williamyeoward.com Woolroom Tel 01780 461217 thewoolroom.com Zardi & Zardi Tel 01452 814777 zardiandzardi.co.uk
THE ENGLISH HOME 97
design MY
HERO
Interior designer Paolo Moschino on Bill Blass, American style icon
98 THE ENGLISH HOME
ABOVE Blass’s New York apartment was filled with an eclectic collection of antiquities. ABOVE RIGHT A London apartment designed by Paolo Moschino and his partner Philip Vergeylen. RIGHT Bill Blass was best known for his work as a fashion designer, but his understated style extended to creating seamingly effortless, casual yet luxurious interiors. BELOW Myriad console, Grape table lamp and Double Bamboo mirror, all Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. BELOW RIGHT Blass’s decorating style was timeless and often monochrome. He said: “As I am surrounded with colours and fabric all day I look forward to a monochromatic home.”
FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL PHOTOGRAPHS (PORTRAIT OF BILL BLASS) THE JOURNAL GAZETTE, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, USA; (BILL BLASS INTERIORS) COURTESY OF SOTHEBY’S; (LONDON APARTMENT) SIMON UPTON/THE INTERIOR ARCHIVE DIGITAL LTD
“B
ill Blass, the all-American fashion designer, has been one of my heroes since the beginning of my career. His apartment in New York was the epitome of timeless elegance. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1922, Blass moved to Manhattan at the age of 17 to study fashion, and then served in the US Army during World War II. After working for several well-known New York fashion houses, he set up his own label in 1970, and by the Eighties he was hugely successful. It was an era of maximalism. Both clothing and houses were over-decorated, but Bill Blass’s look was the opposite: no frills, just classic good taste. He was known for casual elegance, combining simple styles with luxurious materials, creating relaxed, chic dresses for powerful working women, and used the same style in his decorating. In a strong contrast of old and new, his apartment was filled with a mix of figurative sculptures, Regency antiques and neutral fabrics. The white walls were offset by dark, polished-wood floors, and there were exquisite objects and masses of books everywhere, always perfectly placed. I have been an admirer of Bill Blass for a long time, and feel my career has evolved in a similar way. I moved from Italy to England at an early stage of my life, and started my career all by myself. Like Blass, I work on instinct and never follow fashion. I always decorate a house as if it were my own and like to believe my interiors are timeless, just like his. If his apartment were still there, it would be my ideal place to move into now. Following Blass’s death in 2002, there was a Sotheby’s sale of the contents of his homes in New York and Connecticut, with more than a thousand items, representing his lifetime of selecting beautiful furnishings and works of art. The sale made more than double the high estimate. That just tells you that elegance has no price.”
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