The
ENGLISH HOME
Celebrating the essence of English style February 2026 | Issue 253 | £8.99 | UK Edition
EASY ELEGANCE Classic schemes for warm, inviting interiors
Push the boundaries
BREAK THE RULES AND TRY SOMETHING NEW
EXPERT GUIDES
• Dream laundry and boot rooms • Choosing the best kitchen materials • Escape to picturesque Suffolk
SPECIAL INVITATION
Step inside London’s private members’ clubs
DESIGNERS’ EYE
Experts reveal their own interiors in our new series
Georgian
BEAUTY
The impressive restoration of this 18th-century townhouse in London was steered by a desire to maintain its period character while ushering it into the 21st century FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON BROWN
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A sofa in Basket Weave Natural linen and pair of Emma armchairs encircle an Emma ottoman covered in Johnstons of Elgin Tain fabric in Duck Egg in the drawing room, all by George Smith. The bookcase was sourced from Arcadia Antiques while the Piaf Grande two-tier chandelier is from Visual Comfort. The artwork attributed to the Circle of Jonathan Richardson the Elder was sourced by Cramer & Bell.
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The kitchen comprises a mix of antique pieces and new cabinetry, such as the island, finished with a patinated paint effect. The hall floor beyond is a combination of antique and new flagstones which stone floor specialist Daron Holford hand-coloured with waxes to create an imperceptible blend with the kitchen flooring.
Treasure QUEST
Alongside taking on this detailed renovation, Simon Fenwick has redecorated this Cotswolds farmhouse with an empathetic blend of period pieces, from 17th-century portraiture to a Tudor four-poster bed FEATURE KERRYN HARPER-CUSS PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY
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THIS PAGE A palette of earthy neutrals lends the “Club Room” a cosseting feel, with walls painted in Little Greene’s Mushroom. Armchairs upholstered in Bow and Arrow fabric by Kit Kemp from Christopher Farr Cloth introduce a hint of pattern. OPPOSITE Nick worked closely with Alexandra Young Design to return a feeling of warmth and comfort to the townhouse. Visit alexandrayoungdesign.co.uk to see more of the studio’s work.
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A NEW CHAPTER Following a colourful past, this Hampshire house has been given a new lease of life with guidance from interior design studio Alexandra Young FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY ASTRID TEMPLIER
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In tune with
NATURE Embrace seasonal living and enjoy the harvests and sights of February FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
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SEASONAL LIVING
NATURAL SPECTACLE Bursting into life in the depths of winter, snowdrops are little symbols of hope, a sign that spring will be coming. Thriving in damp soil, snowdrops are often found in clusters beneath trees or carpeting woodlands in swathes as they begin to emerge from as early as January through to March. There are many varieties of snowdrops, including giant and double-flowered. Visit local woodlands, parks, or gardens that specialise in snowdrops to see this display of delicate white and green. Bulbs can be planted at home, too – do so in autumn, or buy snowdrops ‘in the green’ in spring to establish for next year. THE ENGLISH HOME 111
‘We have lots of art covering the walls and always try to support young artists’ support young artists, though sometimes Owain and I disagree on what we like. In terms of furniture, we have collected pieces over the years, my favourite being an old leather armchair my husband found in an antique shop before we married. For a while it was the only piece of furniture we had, so we have a lot of affection for it.
Television presenter Natalie Pinkham on the joys of life by the River Thames while living in the heart of London Who do you live with and where? I live in west London with my husband Owain, our children, Wilf, 10, and Willow, nine, and our cats, Zola and Ziggy. What kind of English home do you have? Our house is a traditional Georgian townhouse, built in 1790. I love it because it has beautiful windows and always feels very light inside, while overlooking the River Thames from the garden. How long have you lived there and what kind of work have you done to the house? We have lived in the house for almost 11 years. We moved in days after our son was born. In fact, I went into labour when we were still living in Wandsworth and never 130 THE ENGLISH HOME
returned to our old house. It got me out of all the packing, moving and unpacking! We have done a lot of work over the years, renovating the bathrooms and putting in a new kitchen, as well as redecorating throughout. We also spent a long time redesigning our garden to include decking, a BBQ area and adding huge railway sleepers as benches to sit on. How would you describe your interiors style? We have tried to stay true to the Georgian style, keeping the walls simple and white (I love Farrow & Ball’s many shades of white) with lots of art, both big and small covering the walls. We have a huge mural which was painted by the artist Tomo Campbell, who my friend Caroline Flack introduced me to. We always try and
What is your most treasured possession? My photographs capturing precious memories of friends and family. I love to reminisce. Tell us about any current projects you have coming up? Aside from the upcoming F1 season, which I commentate on, I spend a lot of time and energy on Flackstock, a music festival which raises funds and awareness for mental health causes, in memory of our dear friend Caroline Flack. It’s a really special event, which takes place in August every year. And finally, what should no English home be without? A big bath. I spend way too much time in ours. I fill it with bath salts and bubbles, light some candles, put my opera playlist on and relax! n
FEATURE KATE FREUD PORTRAIT © BYRON RIGBY
My English Home
What is your favourite space in the house and why? The decking area in the garden backing onto the river is my favourite place to spend time. We sit for hours – all year round – watching nature on our doorstep. We have been treated to herons, lots of small birds and even a seal! Our house is like Piccadilly Circus, full of people coming and going, but we always hang out here whether there are two or 22 people.