The
ENGLISH HOME
AUTUMN STYLE EDIT
Celebrating the essence of English style October 2026 | Issue 262 | £5.99 | UK Edition
NEW COLLECTIONS The latest fabrics and wallpapers for an interiors refresh
The wonder of
WOOL
UNDER FOOT
GLORIOUS WAYS TO USE THIS SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL
Rugs & carpets for every room
EXPERT GUIDES
• Perfect upholstery • Embracing autumn • Wander through Worcestershire
MAKE AN ENTRANCE Discover the secrets behind interior designers’ own hallways
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DESI GNS I N FOCUS
BRITISH WOOL With October marking Wool Month, we celebrate the versatility of this enduring homegrown material through beautiful design FEATURE SUZANNA LE GROVE
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3 1 Stow British wool natural throw, £95, The Cotswold Company 2 Quercus Auric 100 per cent wool carpet, £220 a square metre, House of Hackney x Axminster 3 Rug, British wool, £POA, Vanessa Arbuthnott 28 THE ENGLISH HOME
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ith qualities shaped by the breed of sheep and the landscape in which they are raised, British wool is a versatile material. ‘It is an exceptional choice for upholstery: sustainable, naturally fire-resistant, and beautifully soft,’ says John Smigielski, Linwood’s marketing manager. Its moisture-wicking properties also make it an excellent choice for mattresses. The Woolkeepers brings together bed and mattress makers committed to championing the provenance and value of British wool. ‘We buy our wool directly from British sheep farmers, allowing us full traceability 6 on every9 mattress, and we agree a fair price with the farmer 8 before shearing,’ explains Harry Thompson, founding family 10 member and head of brand development and marketing at Iron and Brass Bed Company, a member of The Woolkeepers. Luxurious yet resilient, wool is also an ideal material for rugs and carpets, providing a canvas for layering pattern and colour to create ‘timeless designs that balance heritage with modernity to be celebrated for generations to come,’ says Andy Guard, creative director at Roger Oates Design.
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4 Sewell wool throw, £350, Naturalmat x Wallace 5 Romney British wool, £104.90 a metre, Linwood 6 Class British wool duvet, £169.99 for a double, Woolroom 7 Hollyhocks Spring 100 per cent wool carpet, £220 a square metre, House of Hackney x Axminster
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Heritage &
HARMONY Over the past quarter of a century, this grand country house and garden has been shaped by the devotion and dedication of its proud custodian FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY ASTRID TEMPLIER
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OPPOSITE Carol stands in the entrance hall. The 19th-century marble-topped table is one of many pieces in her impressive collection. THIS PAGE Rich, autumnal tones infuse the drawing room with warmth. A vintage Ziegler rug from Gallery Yacou anchors the scheme. An array of seats are arranged around a Peter Dudgeon ottoman, upholstered in a small-scale fabric and finished with fringing, both by Colefax and Fowler. The crystal chandelier dates from the 1800s.
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Vibrant
REVIVAL
Interior designer and upholsterer Micaela Sharp worked closely with Maureen and James Malcolm to enliven their handsome home and give it a colourful new lease of life FEATURE JANET MCMEEKIN PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
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estled deep in the heart of the New Forest, awash with colour and pattern, Maureen and James Malcolm’s Victorian country home is a world away from the minimalist, contemporary beach house they previously owned in California. Full of character and surrounded by mature gardens and seven acres of land, it has provided the perfect setting for the couple to embrace a very different way of living. ‘The interiors of our coastal property in Laguna Beach were predominantly white, pared-back and a complete contrast to the vibrant, punchy schemes that we’ve introduced here,’ Maureen says. ‘It’s been quite the journey, but with the help and inspiration of wonderful interior designer and upholsterer Micaela Sharp, we’ve created a home that we absolutely love.’ The couple, who also own a Georgian apartment in London, began searching for a rural retreat in January 2020, when they moved back to the UK from the States. ‘I love the hustle and bustle of the city, but since James fancied a taste of countryside living, we started looking at properties located about two hours away by train from London,’ Maureen explains.
LEFT Rather than replacing the Mark Wilkinson cabinets, the couple decided to paint them in Farrow & Ball’s French Gray. Maureen sanded and stained the handles to give them a fresh look, while an Ikea sofa has been reupholstered in a floral Designers Guild fabric, enhancing the country feel. ABOVE The orangery at the side of the couple’s home is used throughout the year.
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FULL of JOY Uplifting and considered schemes have brought a sense of harmony to this Georgian-style family home in Wiltshire FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS WAKEFIELD
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Green tones in the Kingcome Stratford sofa upholstered in Hopper and a pair of armchairs covered in Cleo, both fabrics by Jane Churchill at Colefax and Fowler, sing against walls lined in Philip Jeffries’s Chromatic paper weave in Orange Opalescent in the drawing room. The landscape painting was sourced at Kempton Antiques.
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Tailored
COMFORT
A perfectly upholstered piece of furniture is a showcase for exemplary craftsmanship, as well as an opportunity to express character through colour, pattern, style and trim FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
BEAUTIFULLY MADE
Exquisite upholstery delivers exceptional comfort and enduring quality. George Smith excels in traditional upholstery techniques, using layers of hessian, horsehair and cotton over a hand-sprung base. A new linen launched this year provides a practical yet wonderfully tactile finishing layer. With a 30,000 Martindale rub count, it is designed to withstand daily use while retaining a soft, natural aesthetic. Large Lucy sofa in Coconut Ancre Linen, £13,056, George Smith
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