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INTERIORS & INSPIRATION 14 OCTOBER Things we can’t live without 19 DESIGN NEWS What’s new in interiors this month 76 SHOPPING TREND Go with the grain with wooden additions 82 • HARVEST INSPIRATION Welcome in the new season with textiles and accessories celebrating autumn’s colourful bounty 96 MAKE A HOUSE A HOME Set the scene for a luxurious night’s sleep 104 PANTRY IDEAS Create a dedicated food storage and prep area near your kitchen 114 • SQUASHY SOFAS Snuggle up on one of these after a long day 118 ROOM ELEMENTS Country-chic worktops to finish off your kitchen 123 HOME TECH Stylish radiators to keep your home nice and toasty this winter
22 148
COUNTRY HOMES 22 • DEVON BARN This ecofriendly holiday let was a long time coming for this ex–London family 34 • SOMERSET TOWNHOUSE A former guest house, this seaside property now doubles as a business base and family home
• ON THE COVER
125 KITCHEN PROJECT A bespoke design in the owner’s favourite shade of blue is the perfect fit for this converted coach house >
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44 • SOMERSET BARN A modern extension sympathetic to the building’s traditional style has made this 18th-century barn work for 21st-century living 54 • SURREY VILLAGE HOUSE Proving that it’s not just older properties that benefit from structural changes, this new-build has undergone an extension PLUS GET-THE-LOOK IDEAS FOR EVERY HOME COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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145 A WEEKEND AWAY Treat yourself to a fine-dining break at Yorkshire’s Michelin-starred The Black Swan 166 MY FAVOURITE VIEW As soon as the rolling hills of the Chalke Valley are in sight, Nicky Dobree feels like she’s home
GARDENS 131 • MELLOW FRUITFULNESS Home to numerous birds, including a returning flock of house martins, this plant-lover’s garden is a haven for wildflowers and wildlife
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82 SEASONAL FOOD 147 148
IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN Our latest pantry additions
• ON THE COVER
LIFESTYLE 67
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• RECIPES FROM THE ORCHARD Apples are the star of these sweet and savoury dishes
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REGULARS 154
SHOPPING DIRECTORY All the contact details and websites featured in this issue
With its award-winning high street, Crickhowell is the place to visit 70
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MY COUNTRY BUSINESS Sarah Collins recognises how important it is for her business to be at the heart of the local community
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DESIGNER PROFILE Get to know the creative director of David Hunt Lighting
103 • LOCAL HERO How one woman turned neglected allotments into a thriving community orchard 138 LIVE LIFE WELL Happy thoughts and ideas for fashion, eco, wellbeing and more 143 COUNTRY PASSION Sian Tucker reconnects with nature around a cosy campfire
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TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, 020 3148 5000. Website: ti-media.com. ©TI MEDIA LIMITED 2019. Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, London E14 5HU, 020 3787 9001. Country Homes & Interiors, ISSN 0951-3019, is published monthly, 12 times a year. Manuscripts and illustrations are welcome but on the understanding that we cannot be liable for their safe custody or return. We are sorry that manuscripts and illustrations cannot be returned, nor letters answered or acknowledged unless sent with a stamped addressed envelope. Published monthly by TI Media Limited. Colour origination by Rhapsody. Printed in the UK by the Walstead Group. Country Homes & Interiors is sold subject to the following conditions, namely that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the cover (selling price in Eire includes VAT) and that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS MAGAZINE One year full subscription rates for 12 issues including postage & packing: UK £58.40; Europe €148.40; Rest of world £175.60. For subscription enquiries please call 0330 333 1113, overseas call: +44 330 333 1113 (Lines are open MondaySaturday, 8am-6pm UK Time) or email help@magazinesdirect.com. The US annual subscription price is $148.40. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at TI Media, 3rd floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Air Business Ltd. is acting as our mailing agent. All prices include postage and packaging. US Postmaster: Enquiries and address changes should be sent to: TI Media Ltd, Rockwood House, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH or call +44 330 333 1113 (Lines are open Monday-Saturday, 8am-6pm UK Time) or email help@magazinesdirect.com.
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CELEBRATING THE CHANGE OF SEASONS
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CHRISTMAS SHOW 2019
OUR ANNUAL FAIR WILL BE BACK AT STONOR PARK, NEAR HENLEY ON THAMES 21-24 NOVEMBER, 10AM-4PM COME AND SHOP, EAT AND BE INSPIRED!
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e’re thrilled to be returning to Stonor Park for Country Homes & Interiors Christmas. Now in its fourth successful year, it’s an unmissable festive fair featuring our favourite boutique and artisan brands. BLITZ YOUR GIFT LIST With more than 100 stands to browse, you’ll be able to get all your Christmas shopping done in one go! You’ll find something for everyone: gifts and accessories, fashion and beauty, home decor, buys for children and men (and the hard to buy for!), and artisan food and drink. When you need a break, just head to our country food hall for lunch. VISIT STONOR HOUSE You can combine shopping with a visit to Stonor House, one of England’s oldest manors. The house will be decorated ready for Christmas by the Stonor family, and this year’s theme is ‘Christmas by Candelight’. COME AND MEET US! We’ll be at the Country Homes & Interiors stand, where you can take a seat and experience our stylish roomset, which brings the magazine to life – with thanks to our partners, Charnwood, Morris & Co and Maxwell & Williams. 12
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
DON’T MISS OUT! Go to ichfevents.co. uk/countryhomes christmas and use code EV196 at checkout
Visit Stonor House and enjoy its ‘Christmas by Candlelight’ decorative theme
P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E
MEET THIS YEAR’S STAND HOLDERS JUST A FEW OF THE 100+ STANDS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO BROWSE AND SHOP AT THE SHOW…
SO COSY Fine woollen homeware and clothing
NUTMEG AND SAGE Handmade accessories and gifts
GOLDEN HARE British-made art, gifts and homeware
DESIGN 12 Indulgent organic candles
MILLIE AND ROSE DESIGNS Unique buys for children
POLKADOT Beautiful handmade decorations
GASTRO NICKS Gourmet food, wine and hampers
BLOCK CRAFT Hand-carved printing blocks
DAISY DUMPLING Knitted and crocheted accessories
EARLY BIRD TICKET OFFER Ð ■ ■
Book now!
Buy your tickets at ichfevents.co.uk/countryhomeschristmas and use code EV196 at the checkout or call 01425 277988 and quote EV196.
Show-only tickets cost £10 in advance (£12 on the door). Combined show and house entrance tickets cost £15 in advance (£17 on the door). THIS OFFER IS VALID UNTIL FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Things we can’t live without...
OCTOBER
Feeling cheerful with bold and bright florals on heritage-inspired linens. Curtain in Mughal Marigold fabric in Hibiscus Blue, £85m, Bombay Sprout
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C O U N T R Y D AY S
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All of the L’s – live, laugh, love! Love bag, £14; cable knit jumper, £119; Brompton jeans, £89, all The White Company
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1 Getting seasonal with pumpkins, gourds and squashes. Concrete pumpkin, medium H8xDia10.5cm; large H10xDia14cm, £15 for set of two, Nordic House 2 Hocus-pocus concoctions for Halloween! Mug, £9.95, White Stuff 3 Crystal designs to bring the chic factor. Castor table lamp in Black marble, H18xW10xD10cm, £109, Swoon 4 An enchanting scattering of woodcut animals on monochrome landscapes... Wilder badger cushion, 45x45cm, £34.99, Perkins & Morley
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A classic chair that’s right at home in the 21st century. New England Dukes fabric buttoned armchair by Alexander and James, £525; velour cushion, £29, both Furniture Village
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5 Petite but perfectly formed glassware. Little Treasures vase in Ink Blue, H15cm, £25, Dartington Crystal 6 Cuddling up in a luxurious sky blue throw. Barncoose lambswool throw in Pearl Grey by Twig, 145x180cm, £110, Such & Such 7 Authentic details on vintage-inspired storage. Apothecary-style drawer cabinet, H145xW86xD34cm, £550, Rockett St George 8 Prepare for log fires galore as the outdoors gets chilly... Canister with matches in Black & Copper, H20xW7cm, £14.95, Dibor COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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The loveliest rustic brushes made from natural materials. Geoffrey Fisher small brush, £25; table brush, £45; potting shed dustpan and brush, £45; rice straw hand brush, £13; toast tongs, £30, all Toast
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11 9 Statement metallic pieces with a one-of-a-kind patina. Burnished copper and marble side table, H47xDia40cm, £99, Atkin and Thyme 10 Setting a romantic scene with candlelight. Ceramic wall candleholders, 25.5cm, £17.80 each, Doris and Boris 11 Heading back to the daily grind with design-led stationery. Bar Basso hardback notebook, H21.5xW15.3cm, £19.99, Matilda Goad at Papier 12 A flat-weave rug made from recycled materials. Bespoke rug, 170x240cm, £980, Amy Kent
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Indulgent snuggles in patterned linens. Alani double duvet cover, £75; Oxford pillowcases, £16 each; standard pillowcases, £12 each; quilted throw, £150; cushion, £45, all Bedeck
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13 Super stylish, stacking seats. Lara chair in Clear Matt ash/Black, H78xW49xD46cm, £260 each, Ercol 14 Turning the clock back for the winter with a minimalist design… Magazine wall clock in brushed copper, Dia35.5cm, £35, Jones Clocks 15 Store leftovers in these stylish alternatives to plastic tubs. Blue stoneware lidded jars, smallest H7xL14.5xD6cm, £35 for set of three, Madam Stoltz at Darling & Gold 16 A boho character with folksy floral motifs. Gypsy linen pouffe in Ochre, 60x60cm, €290, Mind The Gap 16
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FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
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Things we can’t live without...
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Dining with nature and the rich hues of autumn – our favourite dinner guests! Striped tablecloth, £110; striped napkins, £13 each; corduroy sham; striped sham; house sham, all £59 each; bouclé throw, £169; wool throw, £209, all Lexington
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NEW AND INTERESTING
DESIGN NEWS Bright idea! Anglepoise + Paul Smith Putting the spotlight on innovative British style, Anglepoise and Paul Smith have launched their latest collaboration. British countryside colours dominate – deep earthy burgundy, leaden grey, sky blue, dappled green and rich clay. The collection comprises a Type 75 desk lamp in both standard and mini, as well as a floor lamp. Available online at Anglepoise and in selected retailers. Type 75 floor lamp, £260, Paul Smith at Anglepoise.
PIN-SHARP COLOURMATCHING AT VALSPAR Pinterest is a brilliant tool to spark your latest home project, but trying to recreate that must-have colour scheme can be tricky. Not any more! The clever clogs at Valspar have come to the rescue with a brand-new tool that analyses images uploaded from Pinterest, then matches the colours to its own paint range. To try it yourself, visit valsparpaint.co.uk/pinterest-colouranalyser and follow the simple steps.
COLE & SON LAUNCHES THE CONTEMPORARY COLLECTION
FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
WOVENOLOGY’S PET CAUSE… This stylish dog bed (from £100, Wovenology) is an ethically sourced ‘Basket for Good’, made by artisans in Ghana. As well as paying the weavers above market rate, Wovenology also sets aside two per cent of its profits to benefit the community. Head online to discover the full range, including storage and Moses baskets.
Design icon Cole & Son is saying hip hip hooray to its best-selling Woods design with the launch of The Contemporary Collection – two sets of wallpapers and fabrics, including Woods, Palm Jungle and Cow Parsley – in co-ordinating colours and textiles. The Contemporary Collection Cow Parsley wallpaper, £85 a roll; Hummingbirds fabric, £99m, both Cole & Son.
New cuteness from Thornback & Peel Renowned for its quirky pairings – such as Rabbit & Cabbage and Blackbird & Bramble – we’ve fallen hard for the print designer’s latest duo, Dog & Daisy. Find the little dachshund peeking through a field of cheerful daisies on a range of home essentials in grey and yellow. Prices start at £12 for a tea towel. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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A BETTER WAY OF LIFE Emily Hutchings and Raymond Seager have created a home away from home with their stunning eco-friendly holiday barn
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DEVON BARN
Living area Rich autumnal tones create a cosy atmosphere. Mustard sofa, Rose & Grey. Curtains and cushions on teal sofa made in Date Palm Floral Tobacco fabric, Ralph Lauren. Glass coffee table, Perch & Parrow COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Kitchen area The statement space with vaulted ceiling features rich blue cabinets and patterned tiles. Cabinets, Yealm Kitchens, painted in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. Tiles, Havana encaustic, Terrazzo Tiles
DEVON BARN
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scaping the rat race and running their own holiday accommodation business was a long-held dream for Emily Hutchings and her husband Raymond Seager. ‘We had a 10-year plan to move from London to Devon,’ says Emily. ‘I grew up in the countryside and my parents have a holiday home in Devon, so the pull to the area was very strong. I’d spent every family holiday there since I was four!’ Frequent visits to Devon spurred the couple on, with Emily planning for a new career even before the move. ‘In London, I had a career in publishing, which wasn’t compatible with living in the middle of nowhere, so I retrained as a reflexologist and acupuncturist. Raymond too was keen to leave his job in the City. We just felt much happier here,’ Emily says. ‘Once we had our children, we wanted to give them a more outdoor way of life.’ The search for a suitable house with an outbuilding that could be converted into a holiday let began, with weekends spent travelling from London to Devon with their two small children. ‘It was an intensive search because we were so clear about what we wanted to achieve,’ remembers Emily. ‘We wanted to create accommodation that was stylish and family friendly; somewhere that felt special.’ Everything fell into place when a three-bedroom farmhouse with a separate barn close to Totnes came on the market. ‘It was over budget but when we went to view it, I turned to Raymond and said, “This is the house”. We’d seen at least 22 properties and just knew we could create something amazing with this one,’ says Emily. Once the couple had moved into the farmhouse opposite the barn, Raymond began project-managing and was on site every day. For Emily and Raymond, it was incredibly important that the barn was eco-friendly, so not only is it well insulated, but ground source heating and solar panels ensure it is powered by renewable energy. Emily and Raymond wanted the renovation, which took two-anda-half years, to be as sympathetic as possible to the age of the building. ‘The plan was to restore the original features, so we kept the trusses in the top room exposed and cleaned all the beams,’ says Emily. To make the most of the first-floor space, the floor was strengthened and a staircase installed. Walls were moved and added to create five bedrooms and three bathrooms on the ground floor. Work was done to the grounds, too, with the addition of a hot tub and renovation of an indoor swimming pool. Emily enlisted the help of local interior designer Siobhan Hayles to create a modern country look with a luxurious and stylish edge. ‘Siobhan was fantastic and understood what we wanted, challenging us to take bold decisions. We wanted every room to feel special and different, so the colours vary in each room. Upstairs is autumnal and rich and incorporates sumptuous fabrics such as velvets. Most of the bedrooms are themed around nature, with wallpaper evoking the outdoors for a relaxing feel.’ All the hard work has definitely paid off. ‘We’re really proud of what we’ve created,’ says Emily. And rightly so; this renovation proves that sometimes dreams really do come true. To stay at Willows Rest, visit willowsrest.co.uk
AT HOM E WI T H. . . Owners Emily Hutchings is an acupuncturist and massage therapist and her husband Raymond Seager is a consultant and project manager of the renovation. They own Willows Rest holiday accommodation and live in a nearby farmhouse with their children Archie, six, and Lottie, four.
House A Grade II-listed 300-year-old barn with five bedrooms.
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DEVON BARN
WE WANTED TO ❝ CREATE SOMETHING THAT WAS STYLISH AND FAMILY FRIENDLY – SOMEWHERE THAT FELT SPECIAL
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Dining area The wood floor complements the stone wall perfectly. Engineered oak floor, Beach Bros, treated with Osmo Hardwax Oil. Table and chairs, similar at I&JL Brown
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Idyllic views The rolling Devon countryside
LIVI NG T H E DR EAM Emily and Raymond incorporated 21st-century eco-friendly features in their period property
Why did you want to create eco-friendly accommodation? ‘Looking after the environment is important to us as a family, so it was a natural choice.’
How did you go about doing it? ‘I did extensive research on the internet and talked to a lot of people! We have laid 4.5km of piping in 700m of trenches in our field to provide the ground source heating we need; 120 solar panels provide our electricity.’
Did the building’s listed status create difficulties? ‘The main difficulty was incorporating enough insulation without disrupting historic features.’
What are the advantages of eco heating? ‘It benefits the environment and future generations. It also protects against rising energy costs from fossil fuels.’
TV room A sumptuous velvet modular sofa is perfect for lounging. Sofa, find similar at Dwell. Cushions, Trouva. Rug, Anthropologie
WE WANTED EVERY ROOM ❝ TO FEEL DIFFERENT, AND FOR PEOPLE TO
HAVE A REACTION TO EACH SPACE, SO THE COLOURS VARY IN EACH ROOM
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Bedroom Emily has brought the outside in with a foliageinspired wallpaper. Wallpaper, Lewis & Wood. Bed, Loaf. Throw and rug, Nkuku. Curtain fabric, Linwood 28
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
DEVON BARN
Bathroom A classic roll-
Bedroom A palette of
top bath is the centrepiece of the scheme. Bath, Cast Iron Bath Company, painted in Calamine by Farrow & Ball
forest greens and teals creates a cosy look. Wallpaper, Ivy by Barneby Gates. Cushion with tree design, Love Frankie
Bedroom Bleached woods and nautical blues create a maritime feel. Bed, Next. Throw, Cox & Cox. Mirror, House of Isabella
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DEVON BARN
ON MY D OOR ST EP.. . Visit… ‘Dartington Hall (dartington.org) near Totnes. Nestled among the beautiful gardens and stunning architecture of the hall, there is a rustic outdoor play area for children, a delicious café and even a cinema in the barn! There are also regular music and arts events.’ Shop at…‘Greenlife (greenlife. co.uk) in Totnes is a fantastic ethical supermarket offering all things organic, vegetarian and vegan. Favourite interiors shops are Love Frankie (lovefrankie.com) and The Forest & Co (theforestandco.com).’ Go for a meal at… ‘We
Exterior The Grade II-listed barn is set in the heart of the Devon countryside
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FEATURE VIVIENNE AYERS PHOTOGRAPHS POLLY ELTES
love to eat fish and chips on the beach with the kids at the Start Bay Inn (startbayinn.co.uk) at Torcross.’
A different perspective… Your sitting room’s bar-meets-display cabinet, your kitchen’s freestanding feature piece, your study’s wall-to-wall bookcase, your bedroom’s chest of drawers, your utility room’s ‘everything’ cupboard… Our challenge was to design one piece of furniture that could do it all. Meet Chawton. Discover the possibilities at your local Neptune store. neptune.com/our-stores
Treat your walls to Earthborn Our luxurious eco paint helps your walls breathe. So you can create beautiful spaces that are healthier for you and your home. Come and find out more at earthbornpaints.co.uk
Colours shown: Hippo Hooray, Daisy Chain
GET THE LOOK
Be inspired by EMILY’S KITCHEN... MODERN Country CLASSIC Light bulb moment! Hang vibrant blue pops as singles, clusters or rows to light up a scheme. Coolie hat pendant in Spring Blue, Dia24cm, £59, Pooky Lighting Add a classic touch with a beloved Victorian design... Ludlow tap, H35.5xW4.9x D19cm, £229, Adobe at John Lewis & Partners
Introduce timeless charm to a breakfast bar with a pair of antiquestyle perches. Reclaimed solid wood bar stool, H75xDia30cm, £113.99, VidaXL at ManoMano
CH&I loves... MOORISH-STYLE TILES
Have your cake and eat it with this food prep storage sensation. Island unit in Dijon Blue, H87x W152xD62cm, £1,099, Made With Oak
Casablanca Mix tiles, £39.96sq m, Porcelain Superstore
Employ subtle colours and English woven textures to help with washing up duties! Holkham waffle tea towel, £30, Tori Murphy Alyana tiles in Grey, £120sq m, Otto Tiles
FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
EmilyÕs style tip... Bring the outside in with potted herbs and plants in warm, metallic vessels. Antique flower pots in Brass, H15xD16cm and H12xD13cm, £38 for two, Nisi Living
UNRAVEL HISTORIC CHARACTER AND BEAUTY BY EXPOSING YOUR HOME’S ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES – USE AS A BASE TO BUILD UP YOUR PERFECT LOOK
Stamford tiles, £59.95sq m, Topps Tiles
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 33
A FINE BALANCE Helen and Alex Pett have turned their seaside home into both a relaxing family space and a welcoming client retreat for their business 34
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SOMERSET TOWNHOUSE
Living room The fireplace creates a focal point, while a soft grey palette lends a calm ambience. Walls in French Grey Mid, Little Greene. Sofas, Swoon. Chandelier, Horsfall & Wright
SOMERSET TOWNHOUSE
Kitchen-diner The bread oven behind the table is an original feature. Chairs, Peppermill Antiques. Painting, Imogen Bone at The Summerhouse Gallery. Light fitting, Cox & Cox
Hallway An upcycled cupboard has been repainted black and provides valuable storage. Light fitting, Pooky Lighting. Wall unit, Cox & Cox
Kitchen Tired cream units were spray painted to give them a new lease of life. Cabinetry, Harvey Jones, sprayed in French Grey, Little Greene
M
aking the move from a two-bedroom cottage in Teddington to a six-bedroom seafront townhouse in Clevedon, Somerset, marked a significant change for Helen and Alex Pett. ‘We both turned 40, we’d started a family and Alex had set up his own leadership consultancy,’ says Helen. No longer wedded to city life, they followed their dream to move to the coast in 2016, with their daughter, then five. ‘As Alex is a keen paddle boarder and surfer, we had been considering Cornwall, but felt it was just too far for our clients to travel,’ says Helen. ‘Fifteen years ago, we bought our first home together in Clevedon, selling it in 2007 when we relocated to London for work. This time, local friends suggested we see what we could afford in the town, and this house came up. It instantly drew us in – views of the sea and pier from all the front rooms; the beach just over the road, and a family home with more character and potential than we could have imagined, but roomy enough to host residential workshops for Alex’s business.’ The buying process took six months to complete and, in February 2016, the couple moved back to the area and friends they loved. One of 15 seafront properties in a row, the house was well known within the town as a former guest >
AT HOME WITH... Owners Interior designer Helen Pett and husband, Alex, founder of River, a leadership consultancy, moved here in 2016 with their daughter, who is now eight.
House Six-bedroom Grade II listed Georgian house, built in 1828.
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SOMERSET TOWNHOUSE
Living room Dark blue velvet sofas and abstract seascapes create an elegant feel. Sofas, Sofa Workshop. Artwork, Imogen Bone at The Harbour Gallery. Coffee table, Rockett St George
house. ‘When we first moved in, locals would stop and tell us tales of wedding nights, engagement parties and family stays here,’ says Helen. ‘It is lovely to be the custodians of such an interesting home.’ Helen worked closely with the listed buildings and local heritage team, agreeing what changes could be made. ‘We were lucky, as lots of work had been completed by the previous owner, such as built-in joinery, cornice restoration and the installation of a new Harvey Jones kitchen and family bathroom,’ she says. ‘Our early focus was on fixing practical issues – damp proofing, renovating the sash windows to weatherproof the house, installing new pewter-style radiators and landscaping the garden to maximise the view.’ The double-fronted home now enjoys the everchanging seascape and magnificent sunsets from the living room and dining room situated on either side of the elegant hallway. To the rear, a cosy playroom leads into the kitchen, separate utility and a private courtyard garden. ‘Structurally, the layout has remained unchanged but we resprayed the kitchen cabinets in situ, replaced the light fittings and reinstated the bedroom shutters,’ says Helen. On the top floor, home to their daughter’s bedroom and a further guest room, > 38
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
LIVING THE DREAM Helen and Alex have found a way to successfully combine home and work life.
What’s the best thing about sharing your home with others for work? ‘Watching clients unwind, take in the view and relax. The sea air is immediately calming.’
How does your family life change when clients arrive? ‘We move up to the top floor as a family, so we are self-contained, but the house is large enough for everyone to find their own space and not feel on top of each other.’
How do you switch off? ‘Walking on the seafront, enjoying sundowners in our front garden and sharing the space and beautiful view with friends.’
Main bedroom The tranquil space is carpeted to create a cosy feeling underfoot. Throw, Neptune. Bedding and lamps, John Lewis & Partners. Bed, Loaf, painted in Lead, Paint & Paper Library
I USED THE VIEW AS MY ❝ INSPIRATION, CHOOSING A
Daughter’s bedroom Whitewashed floors, pretty bunting and floral fabrics inject a pretty touch. Rug, John Lewis & Partners. Chair, Maisons du Monde. Cushion, Kate Forman
CALMING PALETTE OF SOFT BLUE AND GREY SHADES
❞
Playroom Stylish panelling and painted boards add relaxed charm. Walls and panelling in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Made.com
SOMERSET TOWNHOUSE
I WANTED THE HOUSE TO HAVE A ❝ BOUTIQUE-HOTEL FEEL, YET BE A COSY AND WELCOMING FAMILY HOME ❞
Guest bedroom Tongue and groove acts as a stylish headboard for the twin beds. Panelling in Worsted, Farrow & Ball. Lamp, bedding and throws, John Lewis & Partners. Side table, Garden Trading 40
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
FEATURE ALI HEATH PHOTOGRAPHS EMMA LEWIS STYLIST CAROLINE DAVIS
Bathroom
Promenade
The freestanding bath adds a touch of understated luxury. Bath and flooring, Ripples. Stool, Petersham Nurseries. Bath tray, Somerset Flower Farm
Clevedon Pier on the east shore of the Severn Estuary was described by John Betjeman ‘as the most beautiful in England’
the couple have updated the en-suite shower space. ‘The main bathroom is the next project,’ says Helen. Throughout the transformation, Helen worked with local specialists. A trusted painter, Greg Griffiths, worked with the couple for two years, restoring old floorboards, redecorating every room and transforming old furniture finds with new decorative finishes. While in London, Helen completed an interior design course and these skills have been put to good use, both on this project and now also for other local clients. ‘I used the view as my inspiration, choosing a calming palette of soft greys and blues,’ she says. ‘I wanted the house to feel elegant and sophisticated, with a boutique-hotel feel – more formal when work guests stay, yet cosy and welcoming as a family home.’ Furniture shapes, in keeping with the Georgian architecture, are dressed in rich velvets, soft wools, linen and pretty cotton florals; and spaces are calm and uncluttered. Furniture, decorative accessories and a mix of old and new lighting has been sourced locally, and artwork by the couple’s favourite Cornish artist, Imogen Bone, takes centre stage in the house. ‘The house feels like a gift,’ says Helen, ‘and every day, we feel very fortunate to be here.’
ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Tyntesfield (nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield). We love to head here for a walk in the beautiful grounds, and always enjoy tea, cake and a touch of retail therapy.’ Shop at… ‘Midgley Green (midgleygreen.com), a contemporary crafts and homeware shop in Clevedon, which sells handmade pottery, woodwork and textile gifts by British makers. Owners Seamus and Katherine have sourced many of my favourite pieces in this house – I can never leave their shop empty handed!’ Go for a meal at… ‘Monsoon Indian Restaurant (monsoonclevedon. co.uk), Clevedon. It serves delicious food and there is a wonderful team of staff. This is our favourite family night out.’
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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FOR THE FULL TETRAD EXPERIENCE PLEASE CONTACT OUR PREMIER STOCKISTS LISTED BELOW Aberdeen Archibalds • Aberdeen Gillies • Aberdeen Sterling Furniture • Abingdon Lee Longlands • Accrington Taskers of Accrington • Ash Vale, Surrey Darlings of Chelsea • Banbury Bennetts • Banchory Taylors • Bangor Caprice • Barnstaple Padfields • Barrow-in-Furness Stollers • Bath TR Hayes • Battersea, London Barker & Stonehouse • Beverley Alexander Ellis Furniture Emporium • Birmingham Lee Longlands • Bo’ness Belgica • Boston Sack Store • Brighouse Websters Furniture • Cardiff Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins • Carlisle Vaseys • Chesterfield Brampton House Furnishers • Clitheroe Shackletons Home & Garden • Colchester Hatfields of Colchester • Crickhowell, Wales Webbs of Crickhowell • Darlington Barker & Stonehouse • Derby Lee Longlands • Doncaster Ward Brothers • Dundee Gillies • Dundee Sterling • Dunfermline Thomsons World of Furniture • Dumfries Barbours • Ealing, London Brentham Furniture • Edinburgh Martin & Frost • Elgin Anderson & England • Exeter Stoneman & Bowker • Fulham, London Darlings of Chelsea • Gateshead Barker & Stonehouse • Glasgow Forrest Furnishing • Glasgow Sterling Furniture • Grimsby AW Robinson Furniture • Guernsey Scope Furnishing • Guildford Barker & Stonehouse • Harrogate Smiths: The Rink • Haverfordwest Furniture Directory• Hedge End Bradbeers • Hinckley Paul Edwards Interiors • Holt Bakers and Larners • Hove Barker & Stonehouse • Hull Barker & Stonehouse • Inverness Gillies • Inverness Sterling Furniture • Inverurie Andersons • Isle of Wight Bayliss & Booth • Kilmarnock Tannahills • Knaresborough Barker & Stonehouse • Leamington Spa Whartons • Leeds Barker & Stonehouse • Leicester Langtons • Lincoln GH Shaw • Liverpool Taskers - Aintree • Llanidloes Hafren Furnishers • Macclesfield Arighi Bianchi • Malvern Rhubarb Home • Market Harborough Furniture Loft • Montrose Buicks • Morecambe LPC Furniture • Nelson Pendle Village Mill • Newcastle Barker & Stonehouse • Northants, Heart of the Shires Texture Interiors • Norwich Jarrolds • Nottingham Barker & Stonehouse • Perth Gillies • Rainham G Lukehurst • Ringwood Furlong Furniture • Salisbury Mylor & Mawes • Sheffield Ponsford • Shrewsbury Alan Ward • Solihull Whartons • Southsea Design House • St Albans Darlings of Chelsea • Stamford Stamford Garden Centre • Stratford-upon-Avon Home of the Sofa • Street and Weston-Super-Mare Living Homes • Swansea Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins • Teeside Barker & Stonehouse • Tewkesbury Pavilion Broadway • Tillicoultry Sterling Furniture • Tunbridge Wells Hoopers • Waltham Cross Fishpools • Winchester Design House • Windsor WJ Daniel • Worcester Holloways Home & Garden Furniture • Yeovil The Old Creamery • York Browns
www.tetrad.co.uk
GET THE LOOK
Be inspired by HELEN’S LIVING ROOM Get cosy on cold evenings with flickering candlelight. Sahara bamboo lantern, £66, Broste Copenhagen at Amara
Introduce a homely, rustic touch with delicate rows of maple-wood beading. Luna ceiling lamp, £415, Lombok
Helen’s style tip... DIVE IN TO THE DEEP END WITH A PALETTE OF PEBBLE AND INDIGO FOR A GROWNUP COASTAL SCHEME
Woven from pure Scandinavian wool, drape this over your favourite recliner ready for when the chill hits. Gotland wool blanket in Grey and Cream, £79, Urbanara
CH&I loves... Hang a pretty seascape above your fireplace for a of dose of escapism and colour... Discovered artwork, £925 unframed, Imogen Bone at The Harbour Gallery
Simple but incredibly glamorous, this will make a chic focal point. Whitby coffee table, £359, Barker and Stonehouse
GREY PAINT Moonstone Grey 1829 chalky emulsion, £35 for 2.5L, Craig & Rose
Half Quartz Grey elite emulsion, £49 for 2.5L, Zoffany at Style Library
FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
CH&I
MODERN Country CLASSIC
Unwind in sumptuous luxury on this deep blue beauty. Elkin three-seater sofa in Velvet Dark Blue, £1,900, Habitat
Paris Rooftops pure flat emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5L, Paint & Paper Library
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
By adding a brand new extension to an 18th-century barn, Claire Featherstone has created a stylish rural sanctuary for modern family life
SOMERSET BARN
Kitchen The blue gloss units were the starting point for the scheme and the tongue-and-groove walls have been colour matched. Kallarp units in Grey Turquoise, Ikea. Bespoke iroko worktops, Building Craftsmen Yeovil COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Exterior The new extension is sympathetic to the original barn and the two buildings are linked by a corridor. Windows, Velfac
C
laire Featherstone was brought up in the Somerset countryside and always had a yearning to go back one day – if she could find a way to make the move work around a busy career and a love of modern design. ‘I wanted my son, Dexter, to have space to run around and we wanted somewhere to spend our leisure time that was completely different from our life in London,’ says Claire. ‘There we have a terraced Georgian house in an urban area of East London, surrounded by concrete, and here there are horses in the fields beyond and a tiny village nearby, which is bliss.’ Claire and her husband Julius started looking for a property nearly four years ago, when Dexter was three, and found a barn ripe for renovation. ‘I knew the area so that made a big difference,’ Claire says. ‘The barn stood out straight away, with a third of an acre and a large outbuilding – it had tremendous potential. The building itself had been used to store flax, which is why the ceilings are nice and high, and it dates from 1730, although someone had done a dreadful conversion job in the Seventies.’ The barn had all the things Claire and Julius hated – white uPVC windows, a lack of original features and a useless conservatory stuck on the side – but they knew they could make it work. ‘My sister, Sarah Featherstone of >
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
AT HOME WITH... Owners TV executive Claire Featherstone and her husband Julius O’Dowd, a TV commercial director, bought the barn in the summer of 2016. They spend every other weekend and holidays there with son, Dexter, seven, and dog, Ash. House A three-bedroom extended barn, part of which dates back to 1730.
SOMERSET BARN
Breakfast bar Extra seating options have been added, with a central island and a breakfast bar for casual meals. Stools, Unto This Last
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Hallway The exposed stone wall marks the end of the original barn. Baskets, Ty Mawr Farmshop. Rug, Twentytwentyone. Plant pot, SCP
WE WANTED SOMEWHERE TO ❝ SPEND OUR LEISURE TIME THAT WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TO LONDON ❞
Kitchen After a long walk in the countryside, Claire loves to relax in this corner spot. Lamino sheepskin chair and footstool, SCP
Living room As the ceilings
SOMERSET BARN
in the original barn are lower, Claire has gone for a cosy feel with furniture grouped around the fire. Sofa and footstool, Terence Woodgate for SCP
Featherstone Young, is a talented architect so we had her on our side and she understood what we wanted to create,’ Claire says. A large double-height extension to house a new kitchen-diner was on the list, with a corridor linking the new structure to the old barn, plus a reconfiguration of the original stone building. ‘We demolished the conservatory and made it into a lovely patio, and then opened up the ceiling of the main bedroom so the beams were on show. We’ve stuck with three bedrooms as we don’t really need more, but turned the downstairs cloakroom into a large shower room.’ The couple had to be patient as planning for the extension took six months, and the work itself took a year to complete. ‘I wanted to use local tradespeople and put something back into the local community. I still have school friends round here, so asked them all for recommendations before getting four quotes and choosing from there. It paid off – the builders we picked, Building Craftsmen Yeovil, were really good.’ Claire’s sister Sarah was the hands-on project manager, but she and Claire both took it in turns to visit the site and check everything on the build was going to plan. ‘I think it’s good to have an architect involved in the day-to-day stuff as well as the major design because they know exactly what is and what isn’t possible. I think builders can sometimes go for the easy option, and as a >
LIVING THE DREAM Creating her dream home meant Claire Featherstone could indulge her love of colour
Did you ever want pale colours for the extension? ‘No, I always wanted a burst of colour in there rather than grey or cream. In the end, the colour was decided after we fell for the blue kitchen units.’
Were you worried that the colour would overwhelm the space? ‘In many ways, having the same colour on the walls tones down the blue of the units, it makes them stand out less than they would if you put them with off-white. There’s so much green outside, you need a strong colour to stand up to it.’
And how did you tie in the old part of the house? ‘By painting the living room the same colour as the kitchen. If you stick to one overall colour, then you can add pops of other colours with accessories.’
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SOMERSET BARN
Main bedroom The ceiling has been opened up, turning the original beams into the stars of the show. Bed, Made.com. Bedspread, Soho Home
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit… ‘Stourhead (nationaltrust. org.uk/stourhead), just over the border in Wiltshire, boasts a Palladian house and extensive gardens and is open daily. If you go in the autumn, make sure you catch the spectacular reds, oranges and yellows of the trees as the leaves turn.’
Shop at… ‘Caro Somerset (carosomerset.com). A fabulous interior design shop in Bruton that sells everything from beautiful clothes to furniture from the Hay group, toiletries by Aesop, Farrow & Ball paint and much more. They even hold events so it’s worth checking what’s on.’
Go for a meal at… ‘At the Chapel (atthechapel.co.uk) in Bruton is an all-day restaurant with a great bakery, wood oven for pizzas and a wine store, with eat in and take away options. Situated on the main high street, it is very much the hub of the town and has a great buzz to it. It’s always worth a visit, even if it’s just to relax with a coffee.’
FEATURE STEPHANIE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS COLIN POOLE
homeowner, if you don’t know the hard facts, it’s sometimes tough to get your ideas for the build across.’ An early delay with the big picture windows for the new extension caused a knock-on effect for the build. ‘We had hoped we’d be in by Christmas 2017, but it took a bit longer than planned. Other than that, it went smoothly.’ When it came to the design, Claire and Julius had very definite ideas. ‘We like clean lines and a modern look, but we are also keen on colour. I was conscious that we were renovating an old barn so I couldn’t go minimal; it still had to be warm and the two sides needed to match up.’ A blue gloss Ikea kitchen was the starting point and Claire matched the colour and painted the walls in a similar shade. ‘I also took it through to the living room, which is in the old part of the house, and we used plenty of mid-century wooden furniture and injected splashes of colour with blankets, cushions and original artwork.’ Work on the house is finished for now, although there are plans for future renovations. ‘We’d like to make Dexter’s room our en suite, and then go up into the other side of the roof and create a large bedroom for him there. And we still need to get rid of the horrid uPVC windows in the old barn when the budget allows, and convert the outbuilding.’ In time, the couple hope to escape London for a quieter life. ‘It’s so peaceful and relaxing. At some point we’d like to change the balance and make it our main home.’ Rent The Barn, Shepton Mallet at sawdays.co.uk
Main bedroom A love of natural materials led to Claire choosing wooden accessories for her bedroom. Similar oak chest of drawers and mirror, House range, John Lewis & Partners
Bathroom Existing bathroom fittings were used to cut down on costs, while installing rubber flooring gave the scheme a modern touch. Rubber flooring, Flooring Hut
I WANTED TO USE LOCAL ❝ TRADESPEOPLE AND PUT SOMETHING BACK INTO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY❞
Guest bedroom Natural materials and shades of green have been used to make visitors feel relaxed. Coir flooring, Crucial Trading. Vintage bedside table, Two Columbia Road
l
GET THE LOOK
Be inspired by CLAIRE’S DINING SPACE... Create the perfect mood lighting for dinner soirées with this retro, spun aluminium shade. Aerial ceiling light in Grey, H27xD33cm, £40, Habitat
Natural imperfections add honest character to dishwasher-proof crockery... Kilny pasta bowls, £45 for four, Loaf
CH&I
MODERN Country CLASSIC
Scatter a mustard hit in a tactile, strokeable honeycomb pattern. Monty cushion in Honey, £35, Zuiver at Naken Interiors
CH&I loves...
With supportive ash spindles and a sculpted seat, this design is a winner. Windsor chair, £395, Ercol
HERRINGBONE FLOORING
ClaireÕs style tip...
FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
A BENCH INCORPORATED BENEATH THE WINDOW CREATES BANQUETTE-STYLE SEATING WITHOUT EATING UP PRECIOUS SPACE
This handmade piece utilises a skilful joinery method that avoids glue, screws and nails. Hevea table in Natural, H72.5xL200xW70cm, £763, Cantum Design
Pin down everything from shopping lists to postcards on this eco material of the moment. Cork memo board, L60xW40cm, £20, Liga Home
Brezza oak flooring, £83.95sq m, Havwoods
Wood-effect chevron flooring, £59.99sq m, The Natural Stone & Tile Co
Brooklyn herringbone European oak flooring in Urban, £141.54sq m, Ted Todd
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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MAKING HISTORY In their modern eco build, Sophie and Tim Hulbert have layered handcrafted design with personal pieces to create a home that celebrates their family
Kitchen It was important to Sophie and Tim that they used local companies to carry out the work. Extension, Brolly Refurbishment. Kitchen, Farnham Furnishers
SURREY VILLAGE HOUSE
Kitchen-diner Sophie wanted step-in, floor-to-ceiling cupboards in here to give the feel of a French farmhouse. Similar dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Similar rug, Ikea
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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SURREY VILLAGE HOUSE
WE’VE GIVEN THE HOUSE A ❝ MORE FAMILY-FRIENDLY AND SOCIABLE LAYOUT, WITH THE HELP OF THE NEW EXTENSION
❞
Snug The idea was to create the feel of an old country house, where there’s always something interesting just around the corner. Wood burning stove, Skantherm
C
reating a home with layers of history is not just the preserve of period property dwellers, according to Sophie and Tim Hulbert, owners of this nine-year-old eco house in the Surrey countryside, and parents to three daughters, Poppy, Phoebe and Saffron. ‘Everything we own, every surface we’ve installed, tells our story,’ says Sophie, who is passionate about creating beautifully understated interiors filled with considered details. Indeed, within the smooth – and highly insulated – white walls are many objects from previous generations. A swivel chair in the snug, for instance, belonged to Sophie’s parents when the family lived in the Middle East – recently reupholstered in a gorgeous dark blue corduroy by a friend, it adds another layer of history. The elephant statue on the living room windowsill, meanwhile, was a souvenir from a family trip abroad. A lot of the pottery dotted around the house was made by Sophie and the girls over the years. ‘We use all of it,’ says Sophie. ‘In fact, nothing in this house is just for decoration; and these beautiful, thoughtful objects are just the best homemade presents a parent can receive.’ The larger components of the house were equally well-planned, explains Sophie. ‘Poppy is coeliac, and I’m very much into nutrition, so the large island is >
AT HOME WITH... Owners Retail design assistant Sophie Hulbert and her husband Tim, who works in marketing, bought the house in 2010. They have three children, Poppy, 18, Phoebe, 16 and Saffron, 12, as well as a dog, Herbie, and a cat, Stan.
House Five-bed new-build with a kitchen extension added in 2018.
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SURREY VILLAGE HOUSE
WE REALISED THAT ❝ EXTENDING GAVE US THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN SOME OF THE QUIRKINESS OF AN OLDER HOME THAT’S EVOLVED OVER TIME
❞
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Hallway The shelves allow Sophie to add colour with collections of books. Bookshelves, Ralph Alexander; painted in Slate IV, Paint & Paper Library
SURREY VILLAGE HOUSE
Hallway In place of a separate office, Sophie transformed an unused corner into a desk area. Desk painted in Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball. Chairs, Northcote Road
perfect for preparing home-cooked meals. It’s also great when we have friends over – we can cover it with nibbles, drinks and candles and have a good catch-up while I finish the cooking. A large pantry was another important part of the kitchen design, to store all the different types of non-grain flours, lentils and legumes, as well my slightly obsessive collection of herbal teas!’ Although they are careful and like to look after their home, the family try not to be too precious – the polished limestone floor, for instance, has signs of the girls chasing their beloved Lagotto dog, Herbie, around the kitchen table. ‘Scuffs, scratches and paw prints magically seem to reappear, no matter how often I wipe them away,’ says Sophie. ‘There’s even a redwine ring on the table from a special night we had with friends,’ adds Tim. ‘Others might see it as damage; we see it as a happy reminder of a great night in.’ ‘This kitchen definitely makes us feel more sociable and creative,’ says Sophie. The couple designed their perfectly-imperfect kitchen extension with the help of Adobe Architects to add character to their modern home. ‘We wanted a space that would let us enjoy our hobbies – art, cooking, pottery – but would also enable us to bring in some of the quirkiness of an older style home that’s evolved through the generations. Rather than creating a box to square up the back of the > 60
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
LIVING THE DREAM When hunting for one-off decorative pieces Sophie and Tim love to meet the maker in person, whether at home or abroad…
Why is craftsmanship so important to you? ‘We believe that true artistry and craftsmanship should be rewarded. Working with local, independent companies, such as Farnham Furnishers, repeatedly over the years, we’ve built up a rapport – they know how we like to push the boundaries of design and we trust them to pull it off.’
How do you support makers further afield? ‘When we are on holiday, we love to find little workshops where the maker is working away creating interesting objects.’
Do you have any favourite pieces? ‘The ones made by our own children!’
Living room Clever planning has given the family extra storage space underneath the windows. Walls painted in Slaked Lime Deep, Little Greene
Living room Sophie chose to have doors rather than windows here, to link the indoor and outdoor living areas. Sofas, Flexform. Coffee table, Bo Concept
Main bedroom Placing a plush rug under the bed ensures no cold toes in the morning. Similar thick pile rug, La Redoute. Bed, Designers Guild
SURREY VILLAGE HOUSE
Invest in beautiful cleaning tools that are a joy to keep out on display. Similar cleaning tools, Lisa Valentine Home. Apron, The Linen Works. Cat basket, Haus
house, we set the extension off to one side to create a more higgledy-piggledy layout. The snug is open to the kitchen-diner, but it’s tucked around the corner so there is an element of privacy for the girls.’ ‘We also changed the orientation of the garden view,’ says Tim. ‘We put the large windows facing the forest rather than the fence. The black frames really enhance all that greenery, bringing the countryside into the house.’ Luckily, with its high eco credentials, the planners were pretty lenient when it came to knocking out the back of the original house and adding this light-filled space. ‘Before we built the extension, we almost craved the slight draught from the rickety old windows we’d had in our previous home – a turn-of-the-century house in the same village,’ says Sophie. ‘We loved that place and didn’t want to leave the lifestyle of the local community behind – with its country pubs, cricket team and the girls’ friends all within safe walking distance – but we wanted more space and a generous garden. So we were lucky to find a house for sale so close by, and, after spending a winter here, we fully appreciated how this building is sealed pretty tight.’ ‘And now that we’ve given the house a more sociable and family-friendly layout, with the help of the new extension,’ says Tim, ‘we’ve pretty much future-proofed it for the next few chapters of our lives.’ 62
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Utility room This an ideal addition to a country home, helping to keep the kitchen uncluttered. Terrazzo tile flooring, Artisans of Devizes. Lights, Holloways of Ludlow
ON OUR DOORSTEP Visit... ‘Frensham Little Pond (nationaltrust.org.uk) has picnic spots and a cafe for refreshments after an energetic walk.’
Shop at...‘When I’m in Farnham, I like to pick up a coffee from Krema (krema.co.uk) and walk down to Castle Street Flowers (castlestreetflowers.co.uk), an amazing florist whose shop – a continental-style orangery – spills out onto the cobbled street; the smell of the freshly cut flowers is just heavenly. I also love The Gilded Cabinet (thegildedcabinet.co.uk) in Alton for lovely fabrics, furniture, kitchenware and lighting.’
Go for a meal at...‘The Anchor Inn (anchorinnatlowerfroyle. co.uk) at Lower Froyle is a classic country pub with low ceilings and a cosy feel. It’s perfect at any time of year, but especially in the winter with the log fire burning.’
FEATURE NAOMI JONES PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY STYLING PIPPA RIMMER
Utility room
GET THE LOOK
Be inspired by SOPHIE’S UTILITY ROOM Banish the plastic forever and tackle those pots and pans with this clever helper. Pot brush, £3.85, Redecker at And Keep Keep this kit out on display for a gentle nudge to do a quick polish. Shoeshine box in Chalk, £30, Garden Trading
Water your houseplants and fresh herbs with a sprinkling of retro-style flair and colour. Classic zinc watering can, 2L, £22.99, Hortology
Choose an ergonomic design with a striking metallic finish. Lampe Gras 222 wall light, L40cm, £358, Holloways of Ludlow
CH&I loves... ENCAUSTIC TILES Save energy by drying laundry the old-fashioned way. Laundry maid, H15xW150xD60cm, £265, deVOL
CH&I
MODERN Country CLASSIC Moroccan Artic 4, £58.87 sq m, Best Tile Boutique
SophieÕs style tip...
OPEN STORAGE ALLOWS EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS TO STAY ORGANISED, TIDY AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE – HANDY IN ANY HARD-WORKING SPACE 64
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Chop chop! Prep, serve or simply display for a dose of rustic loveliness. Pine chopping board, L50cm, £19, The French House
Aged Seren, £42sq m, Baked Tiles
Sprout in Sage, £126sq m, Bert & May
FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
Let charming kitchen linens put some fun into daily housework! Cactus & Bird tea towel, £12, Thornback & Peel
Journey Beyond Collection www.prestigious.co.uk
Green A new collection of authentic National Trust colours including original shades from the homes of Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw and Beatrix Potter. Available now. littlegreene.com 0161 230 0880
Order your free colourcard, or find your nearest stockist at littlegreene.com
RURAL HOTSPOT
Painted shopfronts pretty up the street, even in the rain
LET’S MOVE TO...
Crickhowell
THE WELSH IDYLL WITH A HIGH STREET THAT’S BEEN NAMED BRITAIN’S BEST
A
tmospheric castle remains lie on the edge of the quiet Welsh market town of Crickhowell in Powys. Further out lies Table Mountain, once home to an Iron Age fort from which the town takes its name, pronounced ‘Crick-owl’. The castle may be past its glory days, but the town is thriving. Set in the beautiful Usk Valley, just inside the Brecon Beacons National Park, its independent high street is characterised by painted frontages and old-fashioned awnings. When a national supermarket tried to get a foot in the door, locals sent them packing, then crowdfunded to buy the site for community-spirited shops. No wonder they scooped both the UK’s Best High Street award in 2018, and the Best Place to Live in Wales, 2019, in the Sunday Times.
FEATURE SOPHIE GALE PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY, BIDMEAD COOK, CLEE TOMPKINSON FRANCIS
IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW
The Brecon Beacons has many perks, but a bustling property market isn’t one of them. ‘There are never enough houses to go round,’ says Steve Morgan of estate agent Clee Tompkinson Francis. ‘There are restrictions on new builds within the national park, and recent publicity has only made things harder.’ His advice is that cash buyers are best placed. Houses are commonly mid-Victorian, with small terraced cottages being typical in town. BUTCHERS, BAKERS AND COFFEE MAKERS Everything you need is
on your doorstep, and each shop is a true gem. Webbs department store has been selling ‘anything and everything’, as one local puts it, since 1936, while Cashells Butchers and Delicatessen has been run by the same family for generations. Newer on the scene, Natural Weigh is the go-to place for packaging-free pantry staples. Book-ish is a bibliophile’s dream, and the
Crickhowell Castle is also known as Alisby’s Castle
brownies at vegetarian eatery Odonnell Bakehouse are not to be missed. It’s dog-friendly, as is old coaching inn, The Bear. Black Mountains Smokery is just a small detour from the high street and sells smoked salmon, meat and cheese. COUNTRY LIFE AND CULTURE The Green Man Festival, a folk music extravaganza, takes place every August just a short walk from town. Lesser known is this month’s literary festival, now in its fifth year, where children’s laureate Chris Riddell is
among the highlights. Book groups run year round above Book-ish, and the Cosy Cinema Club screens films at the town hall. SCHOOLS The three main primaries are all rated ‘Good’ under Estyn (the Welsh equivalent to Ofsted). Plus, Crickhowell High has been awarded ‘Good’ for Teaching and ‘Excellent’ for Wellbeing. GET AROUND Sitting on the A40, Crickhowell is well connected to the road network. The nearest train station is Abergavenny. IN THE AREA Michelin-starred The Walnut Tree in Abergavenny is a great treat, and locals love alfresco afternoon tea at Gliffaes Country House Hotel in the summer.
Dream homes in Crickhowell
COUNTRY COTTAGE
QUAINT TERRACE
MIGHTY MANOR
Ty-Fry is a four-bed detached house set within 12 acres of land. It comes with a one-bed stone cottage that provides a rental income. Yours for £1,150,000.
The small, sweetly formed Bridge House, recently sold by Clee Tompkinson Francis estate agent for £250,000, is typical of the town centre.
Further out, you will find grander houses, such as Dan Y Castell, a six-bed, Grade II-listed Georgian residence, on the market for £1,500,000. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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❝You become knitted
into people’s lives… and share their journeys❞ GREENGROCER AND FLORIST SARAH COLLINS
T
here’s a riot of colour spilling onto the high-street pavement in the small market town of Mere in Wiltshire, announcing that Sarah Collins’s emporium, Sprout & Flower, is open for business. Containers of seasonal blooms and trailing plants jostle with baskets of fresh veg, while an arc of golden hops across the threshold tempts passers-by to come inside. ‘There is quite a lot in here – and that’s just how I like it,’ says Sarah as she deftly puts the finishing touches to an informal posy of late-summer blooms. Indeed, along with an abundance of flowers and foliage, there are fruits and vegetables piled on a big central table, and shelves and dressers groaning with everything from fresh bread and homemade cakes to free-range eggs and artisan provisions. Sprout & Flower has a charming, oldfashioned quality that gives the impression that it’s been in this country town for generations. Yet it was only in 2011 that Sarah and her former partner transformed a dated greengrocer’s into the characterful community hub it is today. ‘I’d never owned a shop before,’ she says. ‘But I had a clear
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
vision of the kind of place it should be – unpretentious, friendly, rustic and full…’ Getting to where she is now, however, has been a circuitous journey. Sarah enjoyed a rural childhood in Norfolk where, horsemad, she spent most of her time outdoors in nature. ‘I was also very creative and loved making things,’ she says, ‘so I wasn’t entirely sure whether I wanted to pursue an artistic or horsey career when I left school.’ The decision was made when, in the middle of her A-level studies, she saw an advert in Horse & Hound magazine to train as a riding instructor at a school several hundred miles away in Somerset. ‘I was a timid 17-year-old, yet I didn’t hesitate,’ she says, grinning. She quickly fell in love with her new surroundings and, over the years, one job in an equine-orientated environment led to another. It was only when she married and had her two sons, Jobey, now 18, and Seth, 15, that another opportunity presented itself. ‘A friend gave me a beautiful posy of flowers she’d made for me, and there was something so lovely about receiving a gift created with such thought and care,’ she >
MY COUNTRY BUSINESS
‘Ultimately, I’m a shop girl,’ says proprietress Sarah. ‘There’s nothing I enjoy doing more’
What I love about my work...
THE FREEDOM OF BEING MY OWN BOSS ❝ IS EMPOWERING! I LOVE MAKING DECISIONS FOR MYSELF AND BEING ABLE TO WORK IN THE WAY THAT I CHOOSE
❞
says. ‘I’d always loved flowers and thought perhaps I could do something similar.’ Sarah enrolled at Lackham College in Wiltshire to do floristry evening classes, and found she had a natural aptitude for it. She spent the next few years working for various florists, not only learning how a commercial business worked, but honing her skills and instinctively developing the natural, untamed ‘look’ that would become her signature style. She tentatively started to think about opening a shop of her own specialising in flowers, and when an old greengrocer’s with a maisonette came up for sale in Mere, it seemed too good an opportunity to pass by. The family cottage sold quickly, then it was full steam ahead to move in above the ‘There’s something so personal about creating a special bouquet for someone’
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
shop and get the store ready to trade in just three weeks. ‘It was very dated, with shelves covering all the walls, and we had to gut it completely,’ says Sarah. It made sense to keep the grocery side of the business going, along with the addition of flowers. ‘This is a small town, so being able to get decent fruit, veg and provisions is a necessity,’ says Sarah. ‘It took trial and error to find the right suppliers but it was so important to get that part right.’ Even now, however, it’s not always possible to be entirely accurate when it comes to ordering stock. ‘It can be a bit of a worry on a slow day if we have a lot of produce,’ Sarah admits. ‘But you just have to roll with it. It’s really important we have fully stocked displays of everything, so I just factor that into the overall costs. And usually, everything will sell the next day anyway!’ As the shop established itself, word spread beyond the local area (customers often take a detour off the motorway to pick up flowers), and over the years it has gently evolved with the introduction of speciality and local produce, and a tiny coffee bar which has proved hugely popular with the locals. Undoubtedly, though, the beating heart of Sprout & Flower is the sense of community it engenders – and that, says Sarah, is the best part of the entire enterprise. ‘You become knitted into people’s lives here,’ she says. ‘Older people like coming in to buy a few items and have a chat. Local suppliers drop by with homegrown produce. And I love seeing the regulars – like the chap who pops in at the weekend to choose a few of his wife’s favourite blooms. And, of course, flowers are bought to celebrate or commiserate life’s journeys – births, weddings and deaths – and we share in it all here.’ ‘I remember the feeling I had when my friend gave me that posy all those years ago. Now I get the pleasure of seeing the joy on someone’s face when I deliver a bouquet that I’ve made for them. It’s all come full circle.’
MY COUNTRY BUSINESS
Even the local goats are fans of Sarah’s goods
The rustic charm of the interior is in keeping with the area
Sarah also stocks a few other gift items, such as these candles
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
73
Sarah’s dog, Meadow, keeps her company on her walks to find fresh foliage
ON OUR DOORSTEP… Visit… ‘Stourhead woodlands (woodland trust.org.uk). There’s a circular walk that takes you to King Alfred’s Tower.’
Shop at… ‘Haruka (01458 835383, haruka. co.uk). I love going to Glastonbury and always make a beeline for this bohemian clothes shop.’
Go for a meal at… ‘Mes Amis (01373 830723, mesamiscafedeli.co.uk) is a family-run licensed cafe and deli in Beckington that’s always buzzing. The food is fresh and seasonal, and they have a wonderful deli section, too.’
MY COUNTRY BUSINESS
HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY
FEATURE SHARON PARSONS PHOTOGRAPHS RICHARD GADSBY *THE COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE SET UP THE COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE AWARDS 14 YEARS AGO TO RECOGNISE THE CRUCIAL ROLE RURAL BUSINESSES, SUCH AS SPROUT & FLOWER, PLAY IN THEIR AREA, AND CHAMPION THOSE THAT GO THE EXTRA MILE AND FORM THE HEART OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. TO FIND OUT MORE, GO TO COUNTRYSIDE-ALLIANCE.ORG
FOLLOW OUR GUIDE TO BEING AT THE HEART OF THE LOCAL SCENE
WHILE SARAH COLLINS’S EMPORIUM, SPROUT & FLOWER, is not a village shop in the traditional sense, its role as a vibrant community hub has many similarities. ‘The importance of rural enterprises in their local communities cannot be underestimated,’ says Sarah Lee, head of policy at the Countryside Alliance*. ‘It’s more than just providing the basic amenities for locals; it’s about supporting the rural economy, providing community spirit and being a comforting friendly face for locals.’ Here’s how to ensure that your rural business is fully invested in both its customers and the community, providing a genuine connection and good old-fashioned care. MAKE YOUR BUSINESS WELCOMING It’s not always easy to make friends and forge connections in our communities, but having a proper reason to go somewhere regularly makes it much easier, so make sure the environment of your enterprise is welcoming when people get there. ‘We know all of our regulars’ names and what they’re up to – and they share in our lives, too,’ says Sarah. If possible, introduce other ways
to encourage customers to linger. Since Sarah started selling freshly made coffee, customers pop in regularly for a brew, and the general chat and friendly banter that ensues makes the store a convivial place to be – not to be underestimated for those that live alone or feel cut off. ‘Even helping to pack a customer’s bag and having a chat can make a difference; sometimes that’s the only human contact they’ll have all day.’ CATER TO THE CUSTOMER Think about the needs of your various customers, and how you can meet them within the perimeters of your business model. ‘Some people come in to buy a special bouquet, or want to choose some goodies for the weekend, but we’ve also got busy mums dashing by to pick up a loaf of bread midweek,’ says Sarah. ‘And a lot of our elderly regulars pop in just for a couple of veggies. We try to cater for everyone.’ SHARE WHAT’S HAPPENING These days, social media is a vital component of any business, and Instagram is especially important
for those with visual appeal like Sprout & Flower. It spreads the word, but it’s also a valuable way to provide a sense of inclusiveness by showing followers snapshots of day-to-day life. ‘It provides mutual support because you can engage with others who are also trying to spread the word about their business,’ says Sarah. ‘It’s another aspect of community.’ GET OUT THERE Think beyond the shop by supporting local charities, events and initiatives. ‘We often get a stand at Frome Independent Fair (thefromeindependent.org.uk),’ says Sarah. ‘It’s a great way to promote the business, but it’s also inspiring to see other independents and creative people doing the same – it makes you feel very much a part of something.’ You can also contribute to community life in small but generous ways. ‘We often take surplus flowers to the local residential homes. And just before we close on Christmas Eve, we hand out poinsettias to passersby. There is also a council-run farm nearby that runs a scheme for children with special needs, and we give them leftover vegetables to feed to the pigs.’
The one lesson I’ve learnt...
BE BRAVE! IF THE BUSINESS MODEL ❝ISTO SOUND, ALWAYS TRUST AND BELIEVE EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT ❞ COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
75
CH&I loves... RUSTIC WOODGRAINS The latest wooden pieces reveal timber in all its natural, knotty beauty. It’s time to get close to the grain…
This dark beauty will make a standout statement in both rustic farmhouses and contemporary barn conversions. Arundel fourseater benches in darkened oak, £715 each; Arundel eight-seater table in darkened oak, £2,250, both Neptune
SHOPPING TREND
CH&I
MODERN Country CLASSIC
MAKE IT COUNTRY
Mango wood is known for its warmth and patina. Crafted into a chic desk, it brings character to a home office. Figura desk in mango wood, £349; Sapphire armchair in Grey, £299, both Swoon
Simple shapes and a smooth finish transform wooden pieces from raw and rustic to refined and modern – but still with the authenticity, craftmanship and warmth of country style. Pick sustainably sourced pieces in acacia, walnut or oak in shades ranging from fairest blonde to dramatically dark. Just be sure that the knots and whorls are clear to see. This is beauty that’s revealed in close-up.
1 2
1 C HEST O F D R AW ER S A precise pattern adds an extra dimension to this cabinet. Letty chest, £650, Habitat
4
2 S I D E TAB LE A bleached finish and curved hourglass shape delight the eye. Betania side table, £278, Anthropologie 3 TA BLE Gather the masses around a farmhouse favourite. Feast table, £845, Loaf 4 B OW L Break the rules with supersized sculptures. Rustic bowl, £269, Banbayu 5 P LATES Serve up some honest flair. Nordic mango wood plates, from £9, The Living Lounge
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5 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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SHOPPING TREND
Embrace artisan craftsmanship with repurposed designs. Reclaimed wood side table, H48.5xW36xL39cm, £110, Nordic House
OUR EXPERT SAYS…
ALTHOUGH NORDIC❝ STYLE PALE WOODS
REMAIN EVER POPULAR, DARKER WALNUT AND EBONY TONES ARE EMERGING – GREAT FOR ADDING DEPTH AND RICHNESS
Soft curves and contemporary silhouettes show off the natural beauty of the grain on rustic wood. Provence dresser, £1,595, Cox & Cox
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6 BED A striking curved headboard delivers a subtle yet dynamic presence. Mirabelle bed, £995, Loaf
❞
7 C LOC K Watch the clocks fall back with a classic design. Wooden Grey Wash wall clock, £175, Cox & Cox
HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR
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8 C HAI R Clean lines update traditional craftsmanship. Uma chair, H75xW60xL46cm, £290, Dassie Artisan
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
9 LAMP Switch on the ambience with hand-turned designs. Yurt table lamp (base only), £90, Där Lighting
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DESIGNER PROFILE
Meet Hollie Moreland
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Hollie discovered David Hunt as an intern and is now creative director
Do you have a background in design? Yes, I trained at Parsons School of Design in Paris, where my speciality was photography. I then started my career working in graphic design and art direction, producing some of the largest lighting catalogues in the UK market.
FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS SEBASTIAN DEVENISH
What inspired you to take on the creative director role at David Hunt Lighting? The brand’s heritage and its magnificent team of talented craftspeople have stuck with me ever since my internship at just 16 years old. I feel privileged to work for a brand that manufactures here in the UK – it means my work as a designer dovetails every step of the process, from initial drawings to finishing touches. I love that we combine time-honoured craftsmanship with
new techniques to ensure every piece is unique, from chandeliers and pendants to elegant table lamps.
well as the desire to meet a particular need, such as a stylish reading lamp or creating a warm cosy glow.
Describe your workspace. Our workshop is based in the Cotswold town of Shipston-on-Stour. My desk is covered with paint pots, brushes and samples at various stages of development, as well as inspiring photographs and postcards. There isn’t a lot of room left for my laptop!
What influences your choice of materials? I am in awe of the craftspeople I work with at David Hunt Lighting and their artisanal skills often influence my decisions. I particularly love the hand-cast resin process – it’s so satisfying watching the piece emerge from the mould before being hand-polished.
Do you prefer to work alone or with the team? I sketch out my thoughts alone in a quiet space. Once I’m ready to share, I turn to my colleagues and we discuss how to create them. I work closely with our product manager, Steve – his practical approach balances out my creativity. Once the final design is in place, it’s up to our wonderful team of artisan craftspeople to deliver it. Where do you turn for inspiration? The changing seasons and the stunning landscapes that surround the workshop. I also draw on film, fashion, art and historic homes, as
What’s been your career highlight so far? There are so many moments that I look back on with joy, from a sunset photo shoot on a Cornish beach, to achieving that perfect finish in the workshop. I’m so grateful for my internship at David Hunt Lighting – I fell in love with the brand all those years ago, so it’s wonderful to be back and driving it forward today. Sum up your style in three words. Authentic, enduring and elegant. David Hunt Lighting, 01295 676628, davidhuntlighting.co.uk
3 more lighting designers to watch... Hollie’s design defines elegance
ROTHSCHILD AND BICKERS focuses on traditional glass-blowing techniques. 01992 677292, rothschildbickers.com FRITZ FRYER offers contemporary designs alongside antique fittings. 01989 567416, fritzfryer.co.uk BROMLEIGHS uses Cornish metals to craft industrial-style pendants. 01208 79490, bromleighs.com COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
81
Homegrown
HARVEST
Fruits, flowers and a festival of fall colours… celebrate the beauty and bounty of nature with fabrics and accessories inspired by autumn’s golden days
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
H A R V E S T I N S P I R AT I O N
A canopy of leaves In the shelter of a tree, collect hay bales for seats, a blanket to shrug around the shoulders, candlelight to cast a glow‌ Simple touches like these prolong alfresco gatherings on autumn days. Complement the season with cushions in rusts, mustards and dark florals. At the centre, a rustic table replete with harvest bounty.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
83
H A R V E S T I N S P I R AT I O N
A moment to pause Take a seat to survey the success of your crop. An impromptu windbreak, a comfy cushion and a flask of soup beats lunch at a desk any day.
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Fruitful harvest Reflect the shift of the seasons with fabrics in autumnal tones and fruity motifs. Simply swapping a tea towel or cushion cover will change the tone of your decor for the golden days of autumn.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
85
H A R V E S T I N S P I R AT I O N
Make it yourselfÉ Make a bird feeder using sunflower heads – jays, bluebirds and finches love these tasty treats. You will need: two sunflower heads; a screwdriver; ribbon or string. Cut off the flower heads when starting to dry. Make a hole at the top with the screwdriver, then thread through the ribbon or string. Tie and hang on a branch.
A BARROW OF BLOOMS h
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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Who will buy… Pickles, preserves, produce and petals – the bounty of a well-kept kitchen garden. Set up a wayside stall, using tree stumps or an old ladder to vary the heights of buckets of blooms and baskets of vegetables. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
87
Golden days Cornfields and wild flowers inspire a country colour scheme. A vista of pale gold and warm clay suits feature furniture, spiked with modern shades of chartreuse, olive and tangerine.
H A R V E S T I N S P I R AT I O N
Mix and match vintage and modern worktop classics, blending earthy-toned enamel and china with warm wood boards and utensils.
Make it yourselfÉ
Simply styled pomegranate candles and jam-jar flowers add colour and charm to sills and shelves. Using a sharp knife, cut an even slice across the bottom, so they sit upright.
HARVEST SOUP SERVES 4-6 700g pumpkin or winter squash 500g ripe tomatoes, quartered 6 cloves garlic 2 sprigs thyme
1 red onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 litre vegetable broth or chicken stock Cream to serve
1 Put all ingredients except stock into a large roasting tin and coat everything in the oil. 2 Roast uncovered at 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7 for 35-40 mins until tender. 3 Discard the herb stalks and garlic skins. Put the rest into a liquidiser in batches with the stock. Pour into a large pan and heat through. 4 Serve with fresh thyme leaves and cream. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
89
H A R V E S T I N S P I R AT I O N
Make it yourselfÉ Blend orchard and foraged finds to make a modern country wreath with twigs, foliage and feature flowers.
BLACKBERRY & APPLE CAKES MAKES 12 CAKES 250g salted butter 40g caster sugar 100g demerara sugar 3 drops vanilla extract pinch of salt
250g self-raising flour 4 medium eggs, beaten 15-20 fresh blackberries 1 large apple, sliced thinly
1 Preheat oven to 190°C, grease a 12-hole baking tin with butter. 2 Mix butter and both sugars, beat together until well mixed. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, then sieve in flour and beat in eggs. When well mixed, fold in the blackberries. 3 Pour into the cake tin, arrange apple pieces on top and sprinkle a little brown sugar over each. 4 Bake in the middle of the oven for 20-30mins or until brown on top and a skewer comes out clean. Cool on a rack. 90
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Rest easy An archival-inspired floral print is reinvented in fresh new shades, while plain linens bring a modern simplicity to a classic country bedroom.
H A R V E S T I N S P I R AT I O N
ALL THE DETAILS, PRODUCTS & PRICES A CANOPY OF LEAVES
cushion, £26, all Smallable. Amalfi sarong in Nude (used as tablecloth), £45, Monday Swimwear. Hand screen printed tea towel, £12, Softer + Wild. Linen napkins, £26 for four; Black ceramic mugs, £24 for two, both Also Home
A MOMENT TO PAUSE
A BARROW OF BLOOMS
Vintage furniture and accessories, from a selection at Packhouse. Recycled tyre bucket (used as planter), from £32, Le Petit Jardin. Breckon Ochre cushion, £14, Dunelm, is similar. Dark floral tassel cushion, price on request, Nordal. Rust linen cushion, £21; Turmeric linen cushion, £23; printed cotton
PAGE 82-83
Conservatory, from £11,250, Alitex. Luxembourg armchair, £245, Le Petit Jardin. Rive Droite bistro tray table, £25, Garden Trading. Windbreak in Magnolia & Pomegranate, £48m, Sanderson at Style Library. Basket bag, £21, Basket Basket. Feuerhand hurricane lantern, £30, Le Petit Jardin. Madam Stoltz seat pad, £14.99, Smallable. Thermos flask, £29.99, Amazon
Big Mucker wheelbarrow in Purple, £64.94, Wheelbarrows.co.uk, is a match. For similar vintage galavanised metal buckets, try Etsy
WHO WILL BUY…
Pendleton Somerby hybrid bike in Midnight Blue, £280, Halfords
FRUITFUL HARVEST
GOLDEN DAYS
PAGES 86-87
PAGES 88-89
PAGES 90-91 92
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Wall in Portland Stone absolute matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Little Greene. Burbler occasional chair, £445, Loaf. Caspar armchair, from £980, Neptune. Flaxman & Fulham rug, £2,267.20, Roger Oates Design. C-Four stove, £1,122, Charnwood. Tetbury console table, £175, The Cotswold Company. Stream cushion in Mustard, £75, Mourne Textiles. Cushion in Lustmore Turquoise, £114m, Jean Monro at Turnell & Gigon. Similar wreath, £29.50, Etsy. Japanese enamel teapot in Orange, £58; Cornishware mug in Black, £12; dustpan and brush, from a selection, all Labour and Wait. Vintage crates, from a selection, Packhouse. Similar chopping boards, from £18 each, Truly. Enamel roasting dish, £42, Labour and Wait. Begarlig vase, £15, Ikea. Cast iron bracket shelf, from £50, Garden Trading. High Summer Vase print, £18, Peggy & Kate. Candle jar, £10, The Botanical Candle Company. Try small terracotta pot, £1.10, Hobbycraft. Enamel tumbler, £7; string, from £3, both Labour and Wait. Similar tray, £20, Garden Trading.
HARVEST SOUP
Stove kettle in Charcoal, £40, Garden Trading. Similar chopping board, £9.95, Nkuku. Paris terrine bowls, from £18 each, Know & Love. Lemon reamer, £4, ProCook. Enamel jug, £26, Labour and Wait. Lidded jar, £3, Sainsbury’s Home. Honey dipper, £2, ProCook. Plate, £28 for four, Falcon. Terracotta jug, £50, Sue Pryke. Crinkle vase, £35, Heal’s. Try wooden utensil set, £12, ProCook. Similar tea towel, £11, Bungalow. Vintage colander, £12.54, Etsy, is a match
REST EASY
Headboard in Wild Side in Teal, £135m, Mulberry Home at GP&J Baker. Ticking Stripe Grey bedlinen, from £25 for a pillowcase, Secret Linen Store. Olivia ruffle pillow in Citrine, £65, Also Home. Cushion in Lustmore Cream, £114m, Jean Monro at Turnell & Gigon. Lisbon pillowcase in Pewter, £50 for two; Oli ruffle linen cushion in Citrine, £40, both Also Home. Checked blanket, £110, Labour & Wait. Throw, £155, Toast. Brush Poppies in Ink prints, from £18 each, Peggy & Kate
FEATURE AND STYLING SELINA LAKE, SARA BIRD ART DIRECTION SARA BIRD STYLE ASSISTANTS SARAH PRALL, MIHAELA BERBECAR, LYNSEY FOX PHOTOGRAPHS SUSSIE BELL, DAN DUCHARS
PAGES 84-85
Aged zinc florists flower bucket, £12.50; vase, £10.55; trough, £24, all The Farthing, would work well here. Hand screen print tea towel, £12, Softer + Wild
Your night in shining armour. Shop thousands more designs at swooneditions.com
Ziggy sideboard
ÂŁ649
Edition limited to 28
Furniture for the home obsessed
The Burley shutter range can be handcrafted to fit any shape of window and finished in a colour of your choice. Burley shutters, from £929 including measuring and fitting, Thomas Sanderson
The beauty of bespoke Handcrafted shutters, intuitive smart blinds and luxury curtains from Thomas Sanderson will create a unique feel to your country home
T
here’s no better way to make a statement than giving your windows the star treatment, whether you choose custom-made shutters, smart blinds controlled by the touch of a button, or curtains in eye-catching patterns and elegant plains. CUSTOM MADE
Shutters are an ideal way to show off windows. Made from sustainable hardwood and available in a wealth of colours, the range at Thomas Sanderson is designed to fit even the most unusual of shapes, from porthole windows to arches. Pick plantation styles for a streamlined 94
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look, tier-on-tier for flexible options, solid styles to suit a traditional scheme, or café shutters for a chic informal feel. Designed to create privacy without sacrificing daylight, shutters can be colour matched to your interior and hinges are hidden for a high-end look. Best of all, Thomas Sanderson’s design team will be on hand to offer inspiration. LUXURIOUS FABRICS
The beauty of dressing windows is the variety of solutions on offer. If you are looking for luxe curtains as the perfect finishing touch, choose from designs in delicate florals, geometrics, soft velvets, intricate
embroideries and plains – each is hand finished and professionally dressed to suit your windows. For a classic scheme, Roman blinds offer timeless elegance, or, why not combine technology and style by selecting Thomas Sanderson’s PowerView® system? It enables total control of multiple blinds throughout the home, using a voice command or via a mobile app. Feeling too hot or cold? The Duette® range of blinds, available in a wide selection of colours and finishes, helps to regulate the temperature in your home and also offers intuitive insulation. It all adds up to a beautifully bespoke look.
P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E
Neutral-toned blinds and contemporary geo drapes add texture in this dramatic bedroom. Hardwick Roman blinds in Wheat, from £156.10; Ezra curtains in Charcoal, from £387.28, both including measuring and fitting, Thomas Sanderson
The unique structure of the Duette blinds offer unbeatable insulation. Duette blinds in Truffle, from £167.31 including measuring and fitting, Thomas Sanderson
OUR WINDOW ❝ TREATMENTS ARE
UNIQUE FROM START TO FINISH, FROM CONSULTATION, TO MEASUREMENT, HANDCRAFTING AND FINAL FITTING
❞
LAURA O’CONNELL, THOMAS SANDERSON
For more info...
FEATURE EMMA J PAGE
For more information on Thomas Sanderson, call 0800 996 1315 or visit thomas-sanderson.co.uk.
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Create a
CALMING BEDROOM Soft lighting, lovely linens, muted hues… There’s nothing like a restful room scheme to encourage the perfect night’s sleep
MAKE A HOUSE A HOME
Richmond king-size bed, £1,795; Savoy bedlinen, from £25 for an Oxford pillowcase; faux fur throw, £150; cushion cover, £40; Tibetan sheepskin cushion cover, £130; Butler’s console table, £275, all The White Company
Grain linen throw, £95; Seed linen cushion, £40, both Murmur
EMBRACE A TECH-FREE ZONE
LIT T L E LUXU RIE S Linen pyjamas, £88, Piglet. Slippers in Rose Taupe, £69, Toast. Alarm clock, £25, Amara
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MAKE A HOUSE A HOME
Skinny ribbed glass upton pendant light, from £145, Fritz Fryer
CH&I
MODERN Country CLASSIC
Dinkum underbed storage, £125, Loaf
C L EAR O U T C LU T T ER A tidy room makes for a tidy mind, which is essential for enjoying a blissful night’s sleep. Look at your belongings to assess how much and which types of storage you require. Consider what you really need (or want) to keep out on display – books, plants, a few homely objects – and make sure each one of them has a dedicated spot. Everything else can be tucked away out of sight. Pare back as much as possible to make tidying easy, and keep drawers and cupboards beautifully organised by investing in a range of baskets and adjustable dividers, as well as some hidden storage solutions, such as underbed drawers.
GET THE LIGHT RIGHT
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BEDT IM E BRE W Dozy Girl chamomile tea, £9.90 for 100g; Perfect teaspoon, £3.95, both Bird & Blend. Organico mug in Cream, £12, Anthropologie
Pure French linen bedding in Light Grey, from £21 for a pair of pillowcases, Soak & Sleep
SNUGGLE UP IN S U P E R -S O F T B E D D I N G
OUR EXPERT SAYS…
WARM UP WOODEN ❝ FLOORS WITH A THICK, COSY RUG – LOVELY AND SOFT UNDERFOOT, IT WILL ALSO HELP INSULATE SOUND AND STOP CHILLY DRAUGHTS
❞
TARA KING, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR
Slipping between good-quality sheets is one of life’s simple pleasures. While cotton is popular, we love linen for its laid-back look and sustainable nature. Plus, it’s breathable and hypoallergenic, gets softer with every wash and looks best crumpled, so there’s no need to iron it. What’s not to love?
S U R ROU N D YO U RSE L F W I T H CA L M IN G CO LO URS
Dorchester Pink intelligent matt emulsion, £50 for 2.5L, Little Greene
From soft pinks and muted blues to serene shades of cream and grey, a gentle colour won’t jar and jangle your nerves. To ensure a cosy feel, choose paints with brown pigment in their base (easily spotted by their earthy warmth).
French Grey intelligent matt emulsion, £50 for 2.5L, Little Greene
OUR EXPERT SAYS…
PEACEFUL SLUMBER ❝ ENCOURAGE BY PLACING SLEEP-INDUCING HOUSEPLANTS (SUCH AS CHAMOMILE AND WHITE JASMINE) ON BEDSIDE TABLES AND A DRIED LAVENDER SACHET UNDER YOUR PILLOW TARA KING, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR
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❞
MAKE A HOUSE A HOME
Wool mattress, from £649, Herdy Sleep
D RIFT OF F Sleep by Lisa Varadi (Quadrille Publishing, £7.99). Parisian Blue linen lavender bag, £5, The Linen Works
Ivory Hydrangea & Butterflies linen, £72m, Susie Watson Designs
P IC K THE PERFECT MATTR ES S
BLACK OUT
Given that we spend around a third of our lives in bed, it makes sense to invest in a decent mattress. Hand-tufted, pocket-sprung designs with natural fillings are considered the best. For ultimate comfort and body temperature regulation, go for cotton, cashmere or wool designs, available in a range of cloud-like combinations to suit your body (and budget).
FEATURE TARA KING
3 O F T H E B E ST B EDT IME CAN DL ES
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2
3
1. Forever Sunday scented soy candle, £35, The Nomad Society 2. Calm aromatherapy soy candle, £25, Made by Coopers 3. Lavender and bergamot candle, £12.50, Hudson Home COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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arty style, smarty prices decorative lighting from pooky.com
The one-stop edit of the best modern style and design ideas.
LOCAL HERO
FROM FAR LEFT The orchard has 17 varieties of apple. Volunteers Alan Evans, Emily Bradley, Lesley Greene, Ian Plewis, Hazel Saunders, Ann Adler, Jilly Cobbe and Poppy the dog are ready for picking season. Lesley shows off the harvest
❝Planting a community
orchard helped save the land for local people
❝
FEATURE SUE BRADLEY
Lesley Greene turned neglected allotments that were at risk of development into a fruitful orchard to be enjoyed by the whole community We have 17 different types of apples in Bisley Community Orchard, some with wonderful names like Ashmead’s Kernel and Siddington Russet. There are also perry pears, damsons and a selection of edible hedgerow trees. The site at Chestergate Allotments is a celebration of community spirit and local produce, a fantastic habitat for bees and other wildlife, including orchids, and provides a tranquil place for people to walk or sit. Generations of villagers have used Bisley’s allotments to grow fruit and vegetables to feed their families. Sadly, by the Eighties there were just six plot holders left – of which I was the only woman – collectively using a third of the four-acre site. I’d moved to Bisley in 1984 after meeting my partner Alan Evans, an artist, and one of the first things I did was to get an allotment to tend when I wasn’t busy working as an art consultant. The allotments are owned by The Charity of the Ancient Parish of Bisley and leased by Bisley-with-Lypiatt Parish Council. In time I joined the council and became increasingly concerned
that the space was potentially under threat from housing development if it appeared neglected and had no ‘use’ for local people. I became the allotment warden in 2003. One of the first things I arranged was a working party to clear disused plots and divide some into smaller areas that would be easier for time-pressured people to manage. Two years later we launched Bisley’s Community Composting Scheme, which turns the village’s garden refuse into a fabulous soil improver. The project, the first of its kind in the Stroud district, now involves more than 150 local households. The community orchard was the third stage of the rebirth of the Chestergate Allotments. It is now cherished by many in our village, with a group of us meeting regularly to tend the trees. Over the past decade, the trees have steadily grown taller and the harvest of apples to share among local people increases year on year. Meanwhile, the allotment plots are becoming increasingly popular, too, with many more now being cared for.
Each October, we all get together to celebrate Apple Day, raising a glass to everybody we have worked with over the years. Many of the project’s pioneers still devote a great deal of time and energy to the orchard, but we also remember our parish tree warden Lyn Hemming, who was passionately involved in the orchard until her sudden death at age 49. Were Lyn still with us today, she would be delighted to see that the indigenous Gloucestershire apple saplings she helped plant have come on in leaps and bounds, as has the rare ‘beetroot pear’ that stands as her living memorial. As well as remembering others, we celebrate the fruits of our labour with juice, cider, cake and even singing. It’s long been my belief that community gardening would one day enjoy a resurgence, especially with the damage we’re doing to the environment by transporting food and drink halfway across the world. It’s wonderful to see it happening in our village. Find out more at bisleyallotments.co.uk/ community-orchard COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Walk-in larder, from £35,000, Roundhouse. Alveus Monarch undermounted sink in copper, £401.73, Olif
It’s a whole
LARDER LOVE
STEPS AHEAD Set apart by steps but on view from the main space, this pantry makes a strong design statement and still delivers on practicality for anyone who appreciates order. Bridging the divide between new extension and existing building, it also turns a transition zone into a space with its own identity. Indigo blue and walnut veneer shelves make a warm contrast to the white lacquered surfaces in the kitchen.
A SEPARATE PANTRY COMBINES A FOOD STORAGE AND PREP AREA, KEEPING THE MAIN KITCHEN CLEAR FOR COOKING AND ENTERTAINING. WE EXPLORE THE OPTIONSÉ 104
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PA N T R Y I D E A S
MORNING GLORY Make a built-in pantry work a little harder by doubling it up as a place to make breakfast drinks – you’ll need a hot/ sparkling/cold filtered water tap and a small sink. ‘This hidden prep pantry is a great place to gather small appliances that take up counter space, such as coffee machines and toasters. Be sure to work out how many sockets you’ll need at the design stage,’ recommends Amy Stoddart of Day True.
Built-in pantry unit with solid walnut internals and Carrara marble worktop, from £8,000, Day True. Similar tap, Zip HydroTap in matt black, £2,449, Zip Water
AN ELEMENT OF COOL Taking inspiration from ‘below stairs’ pantries, this look has been moved upstairs and updated. The industrial trend is ticked with Crittall-style doors and concrete floor tiles, with wood shelves and panelling for a modern country look. ‘Tiles will also help reduce the temperature inside the pantry,’ says Sophie Stevens of SGS Designs. ‘This is important when it's part of the main kitchen.’
Pantry, £10,000, Holloways of Ludlow. Cement tiles, €121sq m, Emery & Cie
PA N T R Y I D E A S
Classic English pantry, from £6,000, Martin Moore.
THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW A narrow box room with no natural light can be transformed into an ideal place to prepare vegetables, store food or fold laundry with clever use of pale paint colours, marble surfaces and well-placed lighting. Make a display feature out of existing alcoves – it will help to draw the eyes in and make the space feel deeper and more spacious. If building a kitchen, using the space behind appliances for storage means you can keep the rest of the room neat and cupboards to a minimum, perfect if you have kids running around.
HIGH AND MIGHTY Once, pantries played second fiddle when it came to joinery design – cast-offs or secondclass cabinetry sufficed in a space that was barely seen beyond the family. Now they’re seen as an essential add-on to the kitchen, the same high-quality finish and materials are often used, such as these stone worksurfaces and walnut shelving. ‘Make the most of the space with open shelves to the ceiling and drawers below the worktop,’ recommends Andrew Hall of Woodstock Furniture.
Walk-in larder with open shelves and a walnut ladder, from £35,000 (for a kitchen) Woodstock Furniture
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PA N T R Y I D E A S
Hathaway pantry storage system in Portland oak, from £12,000 (for a complete kitchen), Masterclass Kitchens
IN THE ZONE In an ideal pantry, every item should have its permanent place to help avoid scrambles for a missing ingredient. One way to achieve that is to introduce an element of zoning: deep drawers for bags of rice and pasta, shallow ones for spices, bottle racks for oils and vinegars, and a mix of short and long shelves for everything else. Work with a carpenter to create a bespoke design, or choose a modular system that allows you to choose the particular elements to suit the design you’re looking for.
HOUSEKEEPING HEAVEN Alongside pantries, sculleries and larders, country houses would typically have a flower room, where stems from the cutting garden could be arranged. Achieve the look in one space with the addition of a butler sink, which is equally as useful for arranging dahlias as for prepping veg from the garden. Cupboard drawers for food storage and open shelves for tableware complete the look. Don’t forget about flooring in a pantry, either – if you love the look of wood, try engineered hardwood to make clearing up spills a breeze. 108
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Light grey chevron wood flooring, £119sq m, Carpetright
TRADITIONAL THINKING… For a classic country-house look, cover your bases with prep space, utensils and cookware, and food storage. A Carrara marble surface is ideal for keeping meats and cheese cool in warm weather. Open shelves above the worktop ensure cooking oils, dry ingredients, jams and preserves are easy to find. Deep box shelves and baskets hold larger items, such as mixing bowls and vases.
Classic English pantry, from £6,000, Martin Moore. For similar pendants, try Pantry light, £70.90, Jim Lawrence COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 109
PA N T R Y I D E A S
CREATIVE CORNER
For a bright but not blinding white, try Spanish White emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5L, Edward Bulmer
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FEATURE ARABELLA YOUENS PHOTOGRAPHS (HOLLOWAYS OF LUDLOW) RYAN WICKS, (WOODSTOCK), NICHOLAS YARSLEY, (EDWARD BULMER) PAUL MASSEY, (CREATIVE CORNER) PAUL MASSEY/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM
A boxed-in corner provides more space for storage than a conventional larder cupboard and, unlike open shelves, will keep containers free from kitchen grease. Stud walls, plasterboard and a lick of paint are all you need to create one. To maximise volume inside, dispense with a door and maintain a sense of order by disposing of packaging and decanting dry goods. Build shelves at different heights, right up to the ceiling, to give you flexibility – add a stool to reach items on the highest shelves.
Picture-perfect FLOORING These warm and welcoming wool-rich carpets from the new Laura Ashley collection at Brintons provide a beautiful backdrop for country homes
Charming flowers dance across a delicate blue background - the perfect foil for pale wood furniture and neutral walls. Iona carpet in Duck Egg, ÂŁ74.99sq m, Brintons
P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E
A sophisticated scrolling pattern will catch the eye, yet the shades are subtle enough for a relaxing effect. Ironwork Scroll carpet in Dove Grey, £74.99sq m, Brintons
FEATURE CAROLINE RODRIGUES
A
t the first signs of a chill in the air, our thoughts turn to home comforts and, as any successful country decorator knows, beautiful wool-rich carpet is one of the best ways to bring a luxurious, warming touch to a room. It is also a route to inviting in some of those evocative patterns from the natural world that always translate so beautifully to flooring. This season, Brintons has introduced a whole new crop of carpets infused with Laura Ashley’s signature motifs to add charm and character to country homes. Choose a Brintons carpet and your home will enjoy a direct link with our heritage and countryside – the company has been at the heart of carpet manufacture for more than 230 years, using the long-standing traditional Axminster and Wilton weaving methods to create longlasting carpet made from strong British wool. In fact, the wool from one in nine British sheep ends up
Strewn with sprays of fresh blooms and leaves, the carpet is the highlight of this country bedroom. Agnes carpet in Charcoal, £74.99sq m, Brintons
in a Brintons carpet. Warm, soft wool is practical, easily shrugging off dirt and resisting wear and tear, its strong, resilient fibres springing back after being walked on. It will help to absorb sound and is also naturally fire retardant. To create the 12 new Axminster patterns and four new Bell Twist complementary plains for the Laura Ashley collection, the designers from Brintons delved into the Laura Ashley archive. From its rich history of designs, the team selected some of the bold and beautiful prints the company is famous for, such as Ironwork Scroll and the large lilac flowers of the Agnes design. The new designs are a call to individuality, whether you choose to base a whole living room scheme around one design, or conjure up a laid-back country bedroom, selecting a co-ordinating plain for an upstairs landing and picking matching fabrics, wallpapers and paints from Laura Ashley’s ranges.
PIN IT! Save your favourite Brintons’ patterned carpets to your Pinterest board. Simply hold the camera icon on your Pinterest app over this Pincode.
For more info... Call 0800 505055, or visit brintons.co.uk to find out which of the new patterns and colourways would work best for you. Select the ‘view in a room’ option to see how each carpet looks like on an expanse of floor, and order samples to see designs and colours in your own home.
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Choose the best…
SQUASHY SOFA
TAKE THE WEIGHT OFF YOUR TOOTSIES, SWITCH INTO LOUNGE MODE AND SNUGGLE DOWN ON SOMETHING SENSATIONALLY COMFORTABLE… 114
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LIGHT, BRIGHT DELIGHT A contemporary twist on popular Scandi design, this latest muse features modern square arms and cosy angled bolster cushions, resulting in the epitome of stylish slouching. Saltdean three-seater sofa in Textured Plain, £1,242, Sofas & Stuff
FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE
SUPER SOFTIE Nestle in for a movie marathon on this cosy number. Don’t be afraid to choose a sofa in a statement colour, it makes a great focal point in a neutrally decorated room. Cinema three-seater sofa in Lido, from £1,245, Loaf
CONTEMPORARY CHESTERFIELD Generous in size and meticulously designed to deliver a strong silhouette from every angle, the wide-scrolled arms and deep-buttoned back in luxuriously strokeable velvet make fabulous features, too. Fitzrovia three-seater sofa in Designers Guild Varese Mulberry velvet, £2,999, Heal’s
UPHOLSTERY CAN ❝ DRAMATICALLY CHANGE
THE LOOK OF A SPACE – CHOOSE A BOLD COLOUR, PATTERNED DESIGN OR CONTRASTING TEXTURE TO MAKE IT STAND OUT
❞
KICK-BACK CHIC! With a traditionally classy silhouette, a marshmallowsoft cushioned back and refined scroll arms, this cuddly BFG is every bit as comfy as its name suggests! Teddy two-and-a-half-seater sofa in Eucalyptus smart cotton, £1,620, Sofa.com
COLOURFUL POSTURE Headlining with a high back for added support, this thoughtful and joyfully bright character works just as beautifully in a modern space as it does in more traditional homes. Johnston small sofa in Linden brushed cotton linen mix, £1,300, Arlo & Jacob COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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FURNITURE BUYER’S GUIDE
BRITISH CLASSIC Synonymous with gentlemen’s clubs and glam bygone days, this iconic piece in highly tactile and ultra-luxuriant velvet exudes utterly irresistible come-hithercharm and flop-down comfort. Chesterfield collection sofa in Slate Grey velvet, £1,480, Rowen & Wren
PLUSH PLEASURE If you’re looking for sink-into-and-loseyourself contentment, this is the pick for you! Enjoy its generous seat depth by popping your feet up and snuggling back into the luxuriously-filled cushions. Plus, with pleated-scroll arms and a heart-shaped dip, it looks the part, too. Willows two-seater sofa in Light Grey, £1,499, Swoon
SUMPTUOUS ROSEBUD Room for one more?! This lovely piece is available in both standard and pillow-back options. Choose the perfect size and upholstery finish to suit your needs and taste. Briony four-seater sofa in Aquaclean Rose Quartz fabric, from £1,049, The Lounge Co
YOU DON’T HAVE TO COMPROMISE ❝ ON STYLE FOR FEAR OF STAINS! WITH MOST SUPPLIERS OFFERING UPHOLSTERY PROTECTION AS STANDARD, YOU REALLY CAN HAVE VELVET IN A BUSY FAMILY HOME
PILLOW FIGHT! At the end of a long, tiring day, let the minimalist, warm neutrals of this innovative sanctuary guide you to a restorative evening of slow-living bliss... Pillow two-seater sofa in Hatton Grey, £649, John Lewis & Partners 116
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
PRETTY FEET Solid hand-turned oak legs add an elegant and eye-catching extra detail to this super soft, serpentine-sprung, smouldering design in sophisticated dark grey velvet. Tennyson three-seater sofa in Dusky Velvet Iron, £2,619, Sofa Workshop
FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS
❞
B O O K N O W ! E A R LY B I R D O F F E R £ 1 0 , S A V I N G £ 2 * BUY TICKETS at ichfevents.co.uk/ countryhomes christmas and use code EV192 at checkout
Join us! & INTERIORS
CHRISTMAS SHOW 2019
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS CHRISTMAS SHOW 2 1 - 2 4 N O V E M B E R , 10 A M - 4 P M Christmas Shopping Event Stonor Park, near Henley-on-Thames MORE THAN 100 STANDS DO ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN ONE PLACE ■ Gifts & accessories ■ Fashion & beauty ■ Home decor ■ Kidswear & toys ■ Men’s gifts TERMS & CONDITIONS The offer is valid until 18 November 2019. *Offer saving of £2 based on the on-door ticket price of £12. Please use your code to guarantee your £10 ticket.
Stylish & durable
WORKTOPS
FROM STRIKING TO SUBTLE, QUARTZ COMPOSITES TO NATURAL STONE, TOP OFF YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS WITH THESE COUNTRY-STYLE SURFACES
Italian basalt, from £400sq m, Stone Age
NATURAL BEAUTY While some may prefer the consistent looks of synthetic materials, for others, the rustic beauty of natural stone just can’t be beaten. As the hardest stone, granite is the most practical – resistant to heat and scratches – but will need to be protected by a special sealant. More porous stones such as marble, limestone and basalt are susceptible to stains, yet some might say this just adds to the patina of age. ‘Each slab is unique, with individual characteristics, so your worktop doubles as a statement feature in your kitchen,’ says Darren Hopkins, showroom manager and director of sales at Stone Age. 118
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
NEW ON THE BLOCK While beautiful, natural stone isn’t necessarily best for busy kitchens. The same lavish look can be achieved with Consentino’s Dekton Stonika ultra-compact surfaces, made using materials exposed to high temperatures and pressure, mimicking the way natural stone is formed over thousands of years. The result is a durable worktop material with the beauty of heavily veined marble.
ROOM ELEMENTS
❝
OUR EXPERT SAYSÉ
LOOK AT GOOD-SIZED SAMPLES – YOU NEED A LARGE SLAB TO JUDGE COLOUR AND IMPACT, ESPECIALLY WHEN USING NATURAL STONE TARA KING, CONTENT STYLE EDITOR
Ultra White quartz, from £250sq m, CRL Stone
❞
TOUGH CHOICE Often known as engineered stone, quartz composite is largely made of natural crystals mixed with synthetic binders. This blend makes for super-strong surfaces resistant to scratching, staining and heat. ‘Composites aren’t confined to nature’s palette – glossy matt and textured finishes are available in an endless range of colours,’ says Simon Boocock, Managing Director at CRL Stone.
GO WITH THE FLOW
Dekton Bergen, £450sq m, Stonika collection, Cosentino
For a sleek, refined look, acrylic-based worktops or solid surfaces such as Corian are a great choice. Made from a blend of acrylic resins, minerals and colourings, the material can be shaped without any joins for beautifully organic curves. Consider extending your worktop up to a breakfast bar, wall panel or window sill, all in one flowing design. Seamlessly integrated sinks can also be incorporated. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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TIMELESS APPEAL A time-honoured favourite in country kitchens, nothing beats the warmth and charm of wood. Hardwoods such as oak, walnut, beech, cherry and maple are popular, but keep in mind they’re not the most durable or waterresistant surfaces, so avoid extreme temperatures and prolonged soaking.
IN WITH THE OLD
Oak worktop, part of a bespoke design, from £20,000, Naked Kitchens
A reclaimed worktop not only benefits the environment but also introduces authentic charm. While rustic timber is popular, decorative tiles are making a comeback. Bert & May offers a vast selection – opt for a hardwearing material such as porcelain and re-seal the grout joints once a year.
Reclaimed rustic bespoke kitchen, from £8,000, The Main Company
OUR EXPERT SAYS…
3 O F TH E B E ST ECO-FRIENDLY OPTIONS
FEATURE TARA KING
Great to look at and kind to the environment, too
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1 . Concrete made from salvaged glass, mirror, brick and even old tyres brings an industrial feel, price on request, Design Finger 2. Achieve a rustic look with sustainable bamboo, from £298sq m, Second Nature 3. Recycled glass aggregates make for an eye-catching design, price on request, UrbnRok
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
WORKTOPS ❝ MUST BE FITTED AFTER UNITS, SO FACTOR IN A DELAY OF UP TO TWO WEEKS FOR A BESPOKE WORKTOP
❞
TARA KING, CONTENT STYLE EDITOR
ROOM ELEMENTS
Need to know...
NEW WORKTOPS ■ CONSIDER YOUR LAYOUT Straight runs are easier to fit, but certain surfaces have their limitations. With natural stone, any piece measuring more than three metres will require a join, so it may be worth looking into seamless materials if your kitchen has corners. ■ SIZE MATTERS Chunky worktops, usually up to 60mm, can add definition and structure and contrast with more standard depths. Slender worktops, as thin as 10mm, will create a lighter feel. Concealed lighting under the rim will give a floating appearance. ■ ON THE EDGE Colour and texture are usually top of the list when it comes to choosing a worktop, but consider the edge profile, too. From a flat style to more elaborate detailing, there’s plenty of choice. Most effects can be achieved in any material, but very square edges may be prone to chipping or splintering. ■ MIX MATERIALS For depth, you may want to use more than one worktop material. Certain surfaces are better suited to some areas than others – composites would suit a sink area better than wood for example, while natural stone looks stunning on an island. ■ BE AWARE OF HIDDEN COSTS While most laminate worktops can be cut and fitted fairly easily, more expensive materials such as stone composites, granite and some woods will need templating by an expert. Every cutout you have – for a hob or undermounted sink – will cost upwards of £100.
Options Pitch Pine, £36m, Bushboard
SPECIAL EFFECT Corian Lava Rock, £250lin m, Earth Heritage range, DuPont Corian
Laminate is the cheapest and easiest to fit, with lots of choice in colour, pattern and finish. Thanks to advances in high-definition printing and surface textures, realistic-looking natural stone and timber finishes make it easy to create an affordable, high-end look. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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HOME TECH
Buy the best...
RADIATOR TO KEEP YOU COSY ALL WINTER WITH COLD WEATHER ON THE WAY, NOW’S THE TIME TO SPLASH OUT ON A NEW RADIATOR TO ENSURE YOUR HOME STAYS WARM 4F-60-83 dual-fuel or electric classic radiator in Rose Copper, £1,674, Bisque
BEST FOR INDIVIDUALITY Balmoral radiator in chrome and colour-matched to RAL 6005, £1,528.80, Bisque Measuring H85xW73.5xD25cm, the beautiful vintage-style, dual-fuel Balmoral from Bisque offers 683watts (2329 BTU) heat output in a traditional ball-jointed design. Perfect for kitchen and bathrooms due to the added towel rail, it comes in a wide selection of colours thanks to Bisque’s colour-matching service, as well as a choice of 10 rail finishes, which include copper, brass and chrome.
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
BEST FOR PRACTICAL PORTABILITY
n HOT COLOURS, COOL STYLE A radiator can now be a statement piece in its own right, from spiral towel rails in the bathroom to heated artwork in a living room, and even rose gold finishes. If you’d prefer one that blends into your decor, a number of companies offer finishes from specific paint brands, as well as colour-matching. n SIZE & OUTPUT If your heating system isn’t working as it should, you can use an online calculator to work out the heat output needed for each room, and the best radiator options – search for a BTU heating calculator. Factor in the type of flooring, glazing and insulation. n SMART HEATING SYSTEMS Smart thermostats can be attached to your boiler and linked with smart radiator valves, which let you turn your radiator on and off independently from the rest of your heating system, whether you’re home or away, using an app. n PLUMBED VS PORTABLE With energy prices on the rise, it may be worth investing in a portable radiator so you don’t heat rooms needlessly, or so you can enjoy an extra heat boost on the coldest days. Whether you go for an oil-filled or a fan-powered option, you will be able to move it from room-to-room as you go about your day.
AB-H1500WIFI oil-filled radiator, £199.99, Mill Stylish and portable, the Mill AB-H1500WIFI is a new-generation, oil-filled, portable radiator. Unlike traditional designs, this model is encased in an outer layer that covers the oil-filled fins – this forces the hot air upwards and outwards via convection, heating a room more efficiently. Measuring H65.6xW34.4xD15cm, it features three different temperature settings (600w, 900w and 1500w), all of which can be controlled remotely via your smartphone using the Millheat app. You can even set up weekly programmes, depending on your schedule.
BEST FOR TRADITIONALISTS Holborn Oxford cast-iron radiator, £1,095, Frontline Bathrooms Suitable for electric and dual-fuel heating systems, the Oxford is made from 100 per cent cast iron – which retains more heat after it’s been switched off than an aluminium or steel design. Hand-sculpted and covered in an extremely hard-wearing and anti-corrosive Oxsilan coating, the Oxford comes with a lifetime guarantee. It’s available in two sizes – H60.6xW47cm and H85.2xW71cm, with heat outputs of 2051 and 4879 BTU respectively. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Serious Cookers for Serious Cooks
TM
01202 733011 | www.lacanche.co.uk | info@fdef.co.uk LACANCHE, BURGUNDY, FRANCE SINCE 1796
Kitchen by Sculleries of Stockbridge
K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT
To keep the look traditional, Guy chose a farmhousestyle table
PROJECT PROFILE Owner Guy Barker, a retail store manager.
House A two-bed listed
The coach house
COOKÉ
A LOVE OF BLUE AND AN APPETITE FOR COOKING INSPIRED THE DESIGN OF THIS CHARACTERFUL KITCHEN IN A CONVERTED COACH HOUSE
coach house in the North Yorkshire countryside.
Project A complete conversion of the Georgian structure to make a wellinsulated home with open-plan ground floor and a new mezzanine level.
Kitchen size 4.8x4.1m Designer Tom Hutchinson, The Main Company.
Cabinetry Bespoke Shaker kitchen, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Chinese Blue and Pointing, The Main Company. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Guy has used a mix of traditional kitchen units and more modern open shelving to make the space work for him
Bifold doors are designed in keeping with the history of the coach house, folding back to offer access to the garden
E
ven as a child, Guy Barker had admired the coach house attached to his parents’ home. At that stage, the building was filled with logs and lawnmowers, with an upstairs room used by his sister for making ceramics. ‘It was cold and leaky, but with a sense of history that I liked,’ says Guy. So when he was looking for his own place, Guy saw the potential in converting the coach house. As the building is listed, he worked carefully to restore its original features, including the timber beams, at the same time as adding a new roof, insulation, an underfloor heating system and modern plumbing and electrics. His key challenge was to get more natural light to flow through the house, something he achieved by adding bifold doors across the rear, designed to suit the working history of the building, and by creating an open-plan design for the entire ground floor. ‘Now there is a great feeling of light and space,’ he says. Following up recommendations from friends, Guy chose The Main Company to design and supply the
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kitchen. ‘I wanted something unfussy with clean lines, that was designed to suit the scale of the room and age of the house. I felt the best way to achieve this was to have something made to order,’ he says. Guy had the cabinets painted in his favourite shade of blue. ‘My girlfriend calls it “Guy Blue”, because it’s the colour I pick for everything, including my clothes,’ he says. To aid his passions for cooking and entertaining, Guy chose to have an Everhot cooker fitted, as it’s recognised for its moist and flavoursome cooking results, gentle background warmth and eco-efficiency. ‘It also has an induction top, which is an extra feature that I find very useful, especially when I want to make something to eat in a hurry,’ he says. The project took about a year to complete, but Guy says it was worth the effort and the wait, something that is appreciated not just by Guy and his girlfriend, but also by friends who come from London to enjoy a country weekend. ‘It feels homely with a relaxed vibe and has a great sense of character,’ he says.
K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT
Diamond motif tiles make an eye-catching splashback
I PAINTED THE ❝ CABINETS IN WHAT MY
GIRLFRIEND CALLS ‘GUY BLUE’ – IT’S MY FAVOURITE SHADE FOR EVERYTHING!
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DINING AREA
RANGE
THE LAYOUT The open-plan ground floor has the kitchen at its heart, overlooking the living area, with doors out to the garden. The longest run houses the Everhot range cooker with concealed hood, next to the sink. Opposite, a food storage area includes a fridge freezer flanked by larder cupboards. The island bridges the two sides and hides the dishwasher. The dining table is an extension of the island.
All of the food storage is conveniently located along one wall
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THE COACH HOUSE COOKÉ
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CLEVER DESIGN SOLUTIONS
The Everhot uses less electricity than some competing heatstorage range cookers
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RECIRCULATING HOOD
In an open-plan room, efficient extraction is particularly important to stop cooking odours, smoke and grease from wafting into the living and dining areas. In most cases, a vented hood is preferable, but when it is not possible to install ducting to the outside – as was the case here, given the listed status of the building – a recirculating design makes a good solution.
K I TC H E N P R OJ E CT
THE DETAILS CABINETRY Bespoke Shaker kitchen, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Chinese Blue and Pointing, £21,000 including worktops and appliances, The Main Company.
SURFACES Westminster White quartz worksurface, price on request; lightly patinated zinc (on island), around £2,000 excluding installation, both The Main Company. Splashback Vigo cement tiles, £99sq m, Bert & May. Walls finished in Smooth Topcoat clay plaster, £20sq m, Clayworks. Reclaimed Douglas Fir flooring, £77.40sq m, The Main Company.
APPLIANCES 110i range cooker, £9,195, Everhot. Cache recirculating hood, from £624, Westin. KA92DA120G American-style fridge freezer, £2,649, Siemens. G4990SCVi dishwasher, £949, Miele.
SINKS & TAPS Ionian 4193 deck-mounted bridge mixer with level handles in Pewter, £455, Perrin & Rowe. Double bowl fireclay sink, £673, Shaws of Darwen.
ACCESSORIES
Made of heavy fireclay, the double bowl sink is a classic, roomy butler-style
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NATURAL CLAY PLASTER WALLS
3
ZINC-TOPPED ISLAND
Utility large pendant lights, £210 each, David Hunt Lighting. No. 1 pendant light, from £475, Tom Raffield. Original 1227 wall lights, £110 each, Anglepoise. iLiv Linen Wedgewood curtains, price on request, Britannia Rose. Cromwell dining table, £1,399, Stag Furniture. Similar antique dining chairs, from £35 for three, eBay. Island II wood-burning stove, from £1,700, Charnwood. Audrey Maxi sofa, £1,449, Alexander & James. Bifold doors, price on request, Biker Bespoke; painted in Down Pipe and All White modern eggshell, both £69 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE PHOTOGRAPHS SEAN KNOTT
As an alternative to paint, Guy used a clay plaster finish to achieve a softer look. Made from natural materials, clay plaster is non-toxic and known to help regulate indoor moisture levels, temperature variation, odours and acoustics. Guy chose Clayworks clay plaster in a smooth, matt-white colour for a simple yet warm backdrop, which adds to the rustic and relaxed feel of the room.
To add character to his kitchen and contrast with the white quartz worktop, Guy chose a zinc island top. Reminiscent of a classic French bar or oyster counter, zinc develops a beautiful grey-blue patina that improves with age. It is easy to wipe clean and is durable, too, but it will stain and scratch easily, so it is not the right choice for those who want a pristine look. Rather, it’s better suited to those who regard its ever-changing nature as part of its beauty, although it can be waxed or lacquered for extra protection.
Made to order island top, around £2,000, The Main Company
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F U L LY E S C O RT E D T O U R S New for 2020
New for 2020
Secret Italy: Trieste & Udine Selected departures from April to October 2020 6 days from only £669pp Price includes: Guided tour of Trieste, an elegant Habsburg city See the remains of Aquileia, an ancient Roman megacity Discover Udine, a hidden Venetian gem Visit Miramare, Archduke Maximillian’s fairy-tale castle and botanical park by the Adriatic Sea Tour the prestigious Mosaic School of Friuli Visit a traditional producer to see how San Daniele’s prosciutto is cured Sample the Collio region’s fragrant white wines on a visit to a renowned producer Visit the Lombard Temple of Cividale Explore fascinating Gorizia Return flights from a selection of regional airports, with hotel transfers Five nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager
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Discover the Real Tenerife & La Gomera Selected departures from February to November 2020 8 days from only £849pp Price includes: Guided sightseeing tour of La Laguna, the medieval capital of the Canary Islands Uncover Tenerife’s volcanic origins at Teide National Park Guided tour of Santa Cruz, the current capital by the stunning coast Discover the misty laurel forests and ancient culture of La Gomera Guided visits of La Orotava, a picturesque hilltown, and Icod de los Vinos, renowned for the Canaries’ oldest dragon tree Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus hotel transfers Seven nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast and one lunch at a local restaurant The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager
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New for 2020
New for 2020
Catalonia: Tarragona, Girona & the Pyrenees Selected departures from April to October 2020 8 days from only £899pp Price includes: Explore Tarragona on a walking tour of the hilltop former capital of Roman Spain Discover medieval Girona on a guided tour Soak up the breathtaking alpine scenery of the Núria Valley in the Pyrenees See Barcelona with a local guide Marvel at Gaudí’s visionary La Sagrada Familia basilica on a guided tour Visit the spectacular Benedictine monastery at Montserrat Tour the superbly preserved Cistercian monastery at Poblet Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus hotel transfers Seven nights in four-star accommodation, with daily breakfast The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager
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Malaysia & Borneo Selected departures from January to November 2020 14 days from only £2,189pp Price includes: Tour historic George Town in Penang by cycle rickshaw and travel on the Penang Hill funicular railway Discover Kuala Lumpur and marvel at the soaring Petronas Twin Towers Option to visit Malacca, once one of the world’s great trading ports Discover the wonders of Malaysian food culture Fly to Borneo and visit the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Explore the fascinating history of Sandakan in eastern Borneo Stay three nights at the luxurious 5-star Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow Stay in hand-picked three-, four- and five-star accommodation, with daily breakfast and four meals The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager
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To book or request a brochure, call 01283 523454 or visit cohriviera.co.uk Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to finite availability. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Offer operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel Ltd. ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430, a company wholly independent of Country Homes & Interiors, published by TI Media Limited. Prices correct at time of going to print.
YORKSHIRE GARDEN
The much-loved, cottage-style arch is enveloped by Rosa complicata. ‘I don’t deadhead as I enjoy the hips,’ says Helen
MELLOW FRUITFULNESS Garden designer Helen Hays has created her very own haven, where wildlife and wild flowers are welcome and a strong underlying structure keeps all in order COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Locally made Adirondackstyle chairs are painted in eco-friendly Swedish linseed oil paint, which is used throughout the garden
G AT HOME WIT HÉ Owner Helen Hays lives here with her cat, Fennel.
House A mid-20th-century, semi-detached, stone-built house.
Features A wildlife pond at the front of the house is loved by the local village ducks. In the back garden, a log store has a green roof planted with alpines. Antique ironwork is used to ornament the garden. The soil is slightly acidic, silty loam with small pockets of clay.
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arden designer, writer, musician, pub quiz addict, enthusiastic bird watcher, wildflower lover, keen conservationist and avid reader, Helen Hays has very little time to spare in her busy country life. A polymath indeed, she lives in a small Yorkshire village, but her horizons are wide, which is reflected in her plant-filled garden. ‘I started gardening as soon as I could walk,’ says Helen. ‘My love of wildflowers stems from my delight in the delicate flat heads of Anthriscus sylvestris (cow parsley) that grew in the lane at the back of our home. When I began to garden more seriously as an adult, I developed a real love for the whole family of umbellifers. As I am a bit of a collector, I found myself searching out everything from the dark-leaved Anthriscus Ravenswing through to sea hollies.’ Helen moved to her present home in Grewelthorpe a few years ago from another North Yorkshire village, when a planned housing development was going to take away the fields and trees that abutted her garden. For Helen, losing her connection with wildlife was not an option. Her new village has plenty of country walks, a duck pond (possibly a mixed blessing as the ducks are inclined to invade her own small pond!), a local pub, and very welcome guests in the form of house martins. The arrival of these migrant birds each year is much anticipated among Helen’s friends and neighbours. They always return to the same spot under the eaves, quickly repairing any winter damage to their nests. The back garden is fairly small, just 12m by 10m, but Helen has carefully planned it to make the most of the space. She used responsibly sourced Indian sandstone to create an elegant pattern of paths throughout, with swathes of planting between. ‘I put in wide paths but let everything spill over to soften the edges,’ she >
YORKSHIRE GARDEN
An alpine roof is a great way to make a bin or log store more attractive
The tall, mop-headed, bee-attracting Selinum wallichianum is one of Helen’s favourite umbels
I HAVE AT ❝ LEAST 35 SPECIES OF BIRDS THAT VISIT AND FEED OVER THE YEAR. I PARTICULARLY WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOUSE MARTINS EACH SPRING
❞
Helen enjoys beautiful views from her attic study
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The rose arch is one of Helen’s favourite additions to the garden
Even a small garden needs a workspace. Helen keeps her potting table by the outhouse
says. Low growing Chamaemelum nobile Treneague and the New Zealand burr Acaena microphylla fill cracks and crevices. Having plenty of places to sit and enjoy the garden was crucial to Helen. As well as a seat by the back door, she added a bistro table and chair in her favourite breakfast spot and two locally made Adirondack-style chairs in the main seating area. A bench provides a secluded place to enjoy the roses that grow on an arch and trellis, a design Helen took from the book Cottage Gardens by one of her heroes, the late TV gardener and organic pioneer Geoff Hamilton. ‘He was a great inspiration to me. I built the same arch in my last garden and I’ll do it again if I move in the future,’ she says. Helen’s love of old iron artefacts is also evident throughout the garden. A series of huge iron tyres from traditional cartwheels lie against a painted fence as an eloquent reminder of the village’s farming history. On the other side of the garden, roses are trained on an old iron chain that was once used as a unit for measuring land as it stretches the width of an acre. ‘Apart from any historical significance, I just like the look of rusted iron,’ says Helen. In keeping with her belief that every garden should have a tree, Helen chose Crataegus x lavalleei Carrierei for its lovely blossom and big haws, which are beloved by the birds. ‘It’s a very windresistant tree and holds its leaves until December,’ she says. When planning a small garden, Helen says, ‘you have to make sure it looks good all year round. I must admit, I didn’t plan much by way of autumn planting initially, but it’s often the case that plants grown for summer will work well as they mellow towards the end of the year. Overall, mine is a fairly high-maintenance garden, but as I love gardening, it suits me fine.’ 134
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CH&I lovesÉ A COTTAGESTYLE ROSE ARCH Add vertical interest with an arch. Plant bulbs at the base for spring, roses for early summer, and late flowering clematis for high summer. Choose a repeat flowering climbing rose, such as Rosa Gertrude Jekyll, and add a late flowering Clematis viticella, such as Etoille Violette, to extend flowering into October. Here’s what you need to know... • Buy a ready-made arch or make your own. For traditional cottagegarden style, wood looks best. Hardwood timber is long-lasting but expensive. Treated softwood can last for many years. • Set posts in concrete or fixed into metal sockets at least 7.5cm wide. • Make sure the apex of the arch is at least 2.1m high. • Fix wires to the posts and crossbeams using vine eyes so that you can tie in plants as they grow. • Add some pointed finials – according to country lore they stop the devil from sitting on the arch. • For a traditional look, add roses, honeysuckle and clematis.
YORKSHIRE GARDEN
My garden is my little ❝patch of earth where I can indulge my passion for plants. It’s my personal haven, where I can relish the flowers and foliage that I love the most
❞
The sparrows love the Solanum laxum Crèche du Pape with its unusual two-tone indigo and white flowers COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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YORKSHIRE GARDEN
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Helen’s autumn favourites
1 Eryngium (Sea Holly) stays in bloom throughout summer and autumn. 2 This Guernsey lily, Nerine bowdenii, dances in the autumn breezes. 3 The sturdy coneflower Rudbeckia deamii brings in a little sunshine. 4 Cratageus x lavalleei Carrierei keeps its leaves until December. 5 Acaena microphylla turns a coppery shade at the end of summer. 6 The black grapes of Vitis ‘Brant’ are enjoyed by both Helen and the birds. 7 Helen loves the tall, thistle-like purple wildflower Serratula tinctoria (saw-wort).
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FEATURE JANINE WOOKEY PHOTOGRAPHS ANDREA JONES
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8 Aster x frikartii Monch is popular due to its heavenly lavender blue colour.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS PA R T N E R S H I P
SOULFUL ART
DRESS WALLS WITH STUNNING ARTWORK BY FINE ARTIST BRUCE ATHERTON, PAINTER FOR THE VATICAN, AVAILABLE AT RUNWAY GALLERY the time was for super abstract expressionism, but I wanted to focus on skills-based art. If you understand technique well, you’re not afraid of letting go. As an artist, it takes guts to expose yourself creatively, I like to think there’s a little of my soul in every piece.
FROM LEFT MAGENTA ROSE; GAZE, BOTH BY BRUCE ATHERTON, EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT RUNWAY-GALLERY.COM
One of the many artists featured on Runway Gallery, an online showcase of modern art, Bruce Atherton studied advanced life painting in Italy after leaving his job as an advertising art director in his twenties in a bid to satisfy his ‘inner Michelangelo’. He has since received international acclaim including commissions from the Vatican. Here, he shares his inspiration and describes his contemporary approach to the traditional art of oil painting. Painting is a form of meditation for me. If I don’t do it everyday, nothing makes sense. I’ll spend at least half my day in my studio in Woolwich, listening to music while I work – anything from alternative punk to Buddhist chants. My taste is pretty eclectic – a bit like my approach to art, really. I’ve worked
across a range of mediums including painting, photography and sculpture, but my true love is oil on canvas. I like to experiment, and I recently developed a new technique for airbrushing with oil. I’m inspired by beauty. I search for perfection and truth, whether in a person, a landscape or an idea. I admire people who have the courage to follow their heart and do what they believe in. I’m constantly exploring new ways of expressing myself, so I don’t have a signature style as such, but text often features in my work. I use it as way of expressing thoughts. I’m drawn to The Old Masters, like Caravaggio and Rodin. It’s what led me to turn my back on the art school system in the Eighties and become an autodidact. The trend at
My art makes a wonderful statement in a country home. The canvases I create are colourful and energy rich, so they need breathing space on a wall. I like to think of each piece as having a personality, and neutral surroundings allow them to shine through beautifully well. I’m proud to be part of Runway Gallery and have my work sit alongside that of other talented artists. It’s somewhere buyers are guaranteed the highest quality art. Browse and buy artwork from Bruce Atherton and other artists at runway-gallery.com
D ON’T M IS S Runway Gallery at the Photo North Festival (30 November – 2 December) in Harrogate. The event brings together a brilliant display of exhibitions, talks, walks, workshops and portfolio reviews from highly respected and emerging artists. Also check out private members’ club Blacks in central London, where SYRETT, founder of Runway Gallery, is curator. Enjoy art and talks alongside great food and perfectly executed cocktails.
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Live Life Well
HEALTH, HAPPINESS, FASHION, TRAVEL, PETS, PASTIMES AND OTHER THINGS TO MAKE LIFE LOVELY WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO
Explore… the Isles of Scilly with guided walks, foraging, wildlife trails and stargazing safaris, 10-14 October (visitislesofscilly.com) Enjoy… delicious food, cookery demos, lots of
apple-related products and fun throughout the town at the Bramley Apple Festival in Southwell, Notts, 19 October (visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk) Visit… the pop-up ‘Pumpkin House’ at Brookhill Farm in Thursford, Norfolk, 19-31 October.
Discover how to blend your own scented candles with The Scented Candle Workshop (£20, Kyle Books) by Earl of East’s Paul Firmin and Niko Dafkos. Or learn from the masters themselves at a beginners’ candle making workshop in London, 29 September, £45 (earlofeastlondon.com)
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FEATURE TARA KING PHOTOGRAPHS ANNA BATCHELOR
Pick… sloes, in season until December
LIVE LIFE WELL
Autumn glow SCOTTISH STYLE Favourite fashion brand White Stuff has teamed up with up-andcoming textile designer, Eve Campbell, to create a unique new-season collection in a rich colour palette reminiscent of the mosses, rocks and plants found in Eve’s native Scottish countryside. Cardi, £55; Halwell trousers, £65, both Eve Campbell at White Stuff
Bring the textures of the fields indoors by using bunches of wheat, barley and dried flowers to create a pretty display of lanterns. Tie foraged finds together using invisible thread, then glue to a strip of hessian. Wrap the hessian around a glass bottle and secure in place with ribbon or twine.
LIFE STORIES Freelance writer and photographer Laura Pashby is the talented lady behind slow-living blog, Circle of Pine Trees. From a posy of wild flowers to the way sunlight falls across your pillow, her beautiful posts detail the simple beauty to be found in life’s little moments. As well as endless inspiration, she offers a range of e-courses, sharing tips and advice on storytelling. circleofpinetrees.com
simple ways to…
appreciate nature
BUILD A COLOUR COLLECTION When life is busy, it’s easy to miss the wonderful array of colours that surround us. Focus on one shade for a day and document what you see. KEEP A SENSORY DIARY Jot down a list of scents that ignite emotions or memories as you walk outside. CREATE A SHADOW STORY Take the time to notice one of life’s most beautiful natural art forms – whether it’s a crisp silhouette or a hazy outline. FEELING INSPIRED? Tap into your inner creative and appreciate simple beauty with Conscious Creativity by Philippa Stanton (£14.99, Leaping Hare Press).
ARTFUL BLOOMS In celebration of Morris & Co’s 150th anniversary, online florist Bloom & Wild is releasing a range of bouquets inspired by the brand’s archival designs. From £42, Bloom & Wild COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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LIVE LIFE WELL
3 of our favourite…
welly boots
Make a splash with these stylish designs
NATU RE PR I NT Two of our mostloved brands (Hunter and National Trust) have joined forces to create this stylish pair, named after Hunter’s founder. Norris Field boots, £110, Hunter
S EAFA RER STY L E They may be short in stature, but a generous fit leaves plenty of room for cosy socks! Handmade, they’re available in a range of prints and colours. Deck wellies, £39.95, Seasalt
Start kids off on a sustainable footing with clothing and accessories from Organic Zoo. Made from soft and durable organic cotton, the pieces are designed to be passed on to friends and family for years to come. Spice Bunny jersey, £28; backpack, £71, both Organic Zoo
SIGNATURE SCENT Due to its popularity, British fragrance brand Jo Malone is relaunching Poppy & Barley, originally part of the limited edition English Fields collection. With its lively floral blend and top notes of juicy blackcurrant, we can certainly see – and smell – why! Prices start at £48 for the perfume, and £32 for the hand and body wash. 140
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
PAW F ECT PAI R As if the doggy design wasn’t enough, these lightweight boots fold away into their own drawstring bag – handy for keeping in easy reach in case of unexpected downpours. Roll-up wellies, £49.95, Joules
FEEL-GOOD FACIAL Create a spa-like experience in your own home with this relaxing facial exfoliating bar, made from natural clay and scented with teatree and lavender. After just 10 minutes, skin feels softer, smoother and well-nourished, £3.80, Yellow Gorse.
FEATURE TARA KING
LITTLE CHANGES
LIVE LIFE WELL
Half the fun of campfires is the memories made around them
MY COUNTRY PASSION
Building campfires
FEATURE TARA KING
In 2005, Sian Tucker left busy London to set up Fforest, an eco camp surrounded by ancient oak woods on the edge of the Teifi Gorge in Wales. Gathering around a campfire with family and friends is her favourite way to reconnect with nature When I was a child, my dad loved to cook over campfires. Breathing in the heady smell of woodsmoke and watching the flames flicker soothes my soul like nothing else. My favourite time of year to gather around a campfire is autumn. There’s something wonderful about huddling up next to flickering flames on a chilly day – it makes me so happy. I’m lucky to live very close to a stunning coastline with secluded coves and beaches. I’ll often walk over the clifftops or pootle by boat across the sea to a secret beach with my partner James and our four boys. It’s not a massive expedition, just far enough to feel like an adventure. We’ll spend the day fishing, diving for spider crabs and collecting clams
or mussels to cook over open flames. However, we always bring back-up supplies just in case we don’t catch much! As well as local sausages, I bring dough to make flatbreads. Other essentials include olive oil, salt and herbs for seasoning. I don’t just build campfires to cook over – they inspire storytelling, games and the odd sing-along, too! It warms my heart to share activities like these with my friends and family. There’s a ritual to building a campfire, which I find so meditative, from laying the surrounding stone circle to foraging for kindling. That’s my number one rule – natural firelighters only! My favourite is birch bark – it’s rich in resins and is great for getting the flames going. Dried
pine needles, dried leaves and grasses are all good options, too. Safety is paramount, so I always have a bucket of water or sand on hand to keep flames under control and so we can put the fire out before leaving. For me, campfires are at the heart of simple living. Cooking and eating, laughing and being outside with those you love is blissful for the body, for the heart and for the mind. I can’t recommend it enough!
Read this...
Discover more about Sian’s passion for campfires as well as other outdoor pursuits in her book, Fforest (£18.99, Kyle Books) COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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“ Introducing... Japanese Acer ‘Taylor’ Spectacular Multi-Coloured Displays For 9 Whole Months Every Year! ” This exquisite hardy Japanese Maple will bring a riot of beautiful colour to your garden with it’s wonderful, colour-changing displays!
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LIVE LIFE WELL
LEFT Find the idyllic inn down a quiet country lane. BELOW Bathe in beauty in the cosy guest rooms
A WEEKEND AWAY AT
The Black Swan
A REMOTE YORKSHIRE INN WITH MICHELIN-STARRED CUISINE
S
itting beside a winding country road, stylish tavern The Black Swan is tucked away in an idyllic, if remote, corner of rural Yorkshire. Oldstead, a small village in the north of the county, has stunning landscape in spades, but less in terms of popular tourist attractions. To make up for the resulting lack of passing trade, Tommy Banks knew his first job after joining the kitchen team at his family’s pub was to turn the inn into a destination in its own right. He did just that. By the time he was made head chef, the restaurant held a
FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY
Sample local delicacies in the Michelinstar restaurant
Michelin star and went on to be named the ‘best restaurant in the world’ by a 2017 TripAdvisor poll. With miles of rolling countryside on the doorstep and several cosy bedrooms to snuggle up in, this is the quintessential English escape. COUNTRY GASTRONOMY Locally sourced food is all the rage these days, but The Black Swan takes it to the nth degree. Nearly all of the produce comes from a three-acre kitchen garden at the back of the pub, and the remainder is either foraged nearby or from the family’s farm down the road. There’s only one dining option – a multi-course tasting menu, which includes mouthwatering delicacies such as monkfish with fermented celeriac, Oldstead deer, and langoustines with caramelised whey.
PICTURE PERFECT Ramblers,
walkers and those looking for a dose of rejuvenating fresh air will love The Black Swan’s setting in Yorkshire’s Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Remember to bring your hiking boots to take advantage of all that stunning open space. SLEEPY HEAD After a long day marching the vales and dining on top-notch grub, head to the pub’s various stable blocks and outbuildings, which house the nine bedrooms. These are chic affairs with tartan upholstery and antique bedsteads, while some even feature copper roll-top bath tubs and exposed beams. The Black Swan, Oldstead, York YO61 4BL, 01347 868387, blackswanoldstead.co.uk
While youÕre there... ROOTS YORK
CASTLE HOWARD
If you enjoy the food at The Black Swan, consider its sister restaurant, Roots, in York. A more casual space offering à la carte menus, it offers a laidback version of Tommy Banks’ signature cuisine.
This magnificent stately home is something of a northern icon. It remains a private family home but both the grand interior and the manicured grounds are open to the public to explore and enjoy.
HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN Enjoy five acres of pretty gardens, a glasshouse, café and plant centre at this beautiful nearby public garden. It is open seasonally each year from April 1 until October 31.
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
145
FROM THE MAKERS OF BRITAIN’S BESTSELLING HOMES MAGAZINE
VISIT US TODAY!
STYLE
IDEAS & DECORATING TIPS GORGEOUS REAL HOMES PRACTICAL PROJECT ADVICE
IN A COUNTRY KITCHEN
COOK’S NOTES
Treats for all to enjoy ‘Free from’ foods have been making their mark in the last couple of years, and now there’s Enjoy! – tasty chocolate treats for anyone with intolerances. The recipe contains three organic ingredients – cacao powder, cacao butter and coconut sugar – and each of the 26 organic products launched is free from the 14 main allergens including dairy, soya and gluten.
FORAGE IN STYLE Autumn is one of the loveliest times of year to get out and gather, and whether it’s blackberries, mushrooms or sweet chestnuts, you need something to pop your goodies in along the way. Handmade in Bristol, Bric foraging bags are made of eco-friendly, durable cotton canvas. The bag is available in a beautiful array of colours and linings, and comes with a useful waist strap so you don’t have to put down your bag every time you spot a tasty morsel. £28, exclusively at Chalk & Moss.
Tea and toast?
FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT
SLICE IT NICE Save yourself hours of chopping by using a julienne slicer instead of your regular knives. We’re loving the new option from Microplane, with its photo-etched steel teeth which cut ingredients into long, thin strips, while the sleek cover protects you from the sharp knife when not in use. The nifty non-slip foot gives you support and stability when slicing into pans or on to a chopping board. Microplane Gourmet julienne slicer, £24.95, Harts of Stur.
We love a good collab, especially between two stalwarts of British homeware design. Pottery fave Emma Bridgewater and appliance brand Russell Hobbs have teamed up to create a range of kettles and toasters. Choose Polka Dot, perfect for the classic country look, or Toast & Marmalade, for a more contemporary, quirky style. Both are available as two- and four-slice toasters, and 1.5L and 1.7L kettles. So, who’s for a cuppa? Two-slice toaster, £69.99; four-slice toaster, £79.99; kettles, £79.99 each, all Emma Bridgewater. COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
147
Recipes from the ORCHARD
CIDER-MAKER’S SON JAMES RICH GATHERS INSPIRATION FROM THE FAMILY ORCHARD FOR DELICIOUS APPLE DISHES, SWEET AND SAVOURY
APPLE, TURMERIC AND FENNEL SOUP >
148
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD
SLOW-ROASTED PORK BELLY AND PICKLED APPLE >
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
149
GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD
APPLE, TURMERIC AND FENNEL SOUP
SLOW-ROASTED PORK BELLY AND PICKLED APPLE
There’s nothing better on a cool autumn evening than a
This pork belly is mouthwateringly juicy, with perfect
warming bowl of spicy soup. I love this recipe; in my mind it’s the perfect balance of savoury, sweet and spicy.
crackling. It makes a scrumptious supper served with potatoes and a coleslaw or salad, but it’s equally good
SERVES 4
carved into slices to enjoy the next day in a sandwich made with crusty bread and a spoonful of apple sauce.
2tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving
2tsp ground turmeric 750ml vegetable stock
SERVES 6
2 leeks, trimmed and chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1kg piece of pork belly (get your butcher to score
FOR THE CIDER PICKLE
1 onion, chopped 1 fennel bulb, roughly
Handful of walnuts, very roughly chopped
the skin) Couple of pinches of sea
100g caster sugar 4 cloves
chopped, reserving any leaves to garnish
Drizzle of runny honey
salt flakes 150ml dark soy sauce
1tbsp salt 2 sweet eating apples,
2 cooking apples, such as
TO SERVE
200ml dry cider
such as Braeburn
Bramleys, cored and chopped (about 350g)
Chilli flakes Fennel leaves
250ml water 2 star anise
TO SERVE
½tsp Chinese five spice powder
Salad or your choice of vegetables
2 sprigs of thyme
1 Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. 2 Add the leeks, onion and fennel and fry for 5–7min until everything starts to become translucent but without allowing it to brown. Keep an eye on it as you don’t want anything to burn or stick at all. 3 Add the apples and thyme and fry for a further 2–3min to allow the apples to start to cook. Then add the turmeric and give everything a good stir to coat all the ingredients in the pan equally. Fry for another 3min, stirring occasionally. The fruit and vegetables will start to stick and go slightly brown – that’s okay at this point, but you don’t want them to burn. 4 Add the vegetable stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring the pan to the boil for a minute and then reduce to a simmer for 30min. The fruit and vegetables need to be nice and soft and thoroughly cooked. You might need a little more or less time here, so keep watch. 5 While the soup is cooking, heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and toast the walnuts for a couple of minutes, ensuring they don’t burn. Add a little honey to the nuts, shaking the pan, until it begins to bubble and the walnuts are thoroughly coated. Turn the walnuts out onto a plate lined with baking parchment and leave to one side to cool. 6 Once the soup is cooked, leave to cool slightly before whizzing in a food processor in batches or blitz with a hand-held blender in the pan. You need to get it really smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little water or more stock. 7 Serve by filling bowls with soup and topping with the caramelised walnuts, a sprinkle of chilli flakes, some fennel leaves and a drizzle of olive oil – or any combination you like.
150
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
150ml apple cider vinegar
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. 2 Put the pork belly in a roasting pan and dry with a paper towel. Then, rub with a pinch of sea salt flakes and leave to stand. 3 In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, cider, water, star anise and Chinese five spice. Pour over the pork and make sure the meat, but not the skin, is mostly covered. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 2hr 45min, basting the skin halfway through. The pork should be beautifully tender. 4 Remove the foil, baste the skin in the fragrant liquid once again and sprinkle over a pinch of sea salt flakes. Pour off the excess liquid and discard. Increase the oven temperature to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 8 and roast the pork belly for 30–40min to help the skin crackle up. Keep an eye on the meat and don’t let it burn. Remove from the oven and let it stand for 30min. 5 While the pork is cooking, make the pickle. Heat the cider vinegar, sugar and cloves in a saucepan with the salt to make a brine. Simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely. 6 Once the brine has cooled, core and slice the apple, leaving the skin on. Pour the brine over the apple until it is completely covered and let it pickle for 15min. 7 Carve the pork belly finely and serve alongside the pickled apple and a salad or some of your favourite veg.
TRADITIONAL MULLED CIDER This recipe reminds me of winter at home. As the cider warms, it completely fills the house and smells beautifully spicy, festive and heartwarming. When I was growing up, my dad would make a pot of mulled cider in an old kettle and sit it on the wood
Cook’s note...
IT’S IMPORTANT NOT TO LET THE CIDER BOIL AS THIS WILL COOK OUT THE ALCOHOL!
burner to heat up and fill the room with this wonderfully comforting aroma.
SERVES 6–8
2L traditional farmhouse scrumpy
1 crisp sweet eating apple, such as Cox,
4 cloves 1 star anise
cored and sliced 2tbsp runny honey,
1 cinnamon stick
preferably
1 orange, sliced
Somerset
1 Pour the cider into a saucepan and add all the other ingredients. Warm over a medium heat until the cider is steaming but not boiling. 2 Once the cider is warm, ladle into heatproof glasses or mugs and slurp the cold away!
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
151
GOOD TIMES, GOOD FOOD
CAULIFLOWER, POMEGRANATE AND APPLE SALAD The crisp apple and pomegranate seeds bring a lippuckering tartness to the cauliflower, nuts and spices. Also delicious as a main meal for two, rather than a side or light supper for four.
SERVES 4 1 cauliflower, trimmed and
1 pomegranate, seeds only
cut into florets 2tbsp olive oil
150g wild rocket leaves
½tsp paprika ½tsp ground cumin
FOR THE DRESSING:
50g skin-on almonds,
1tbsp runny honey
roughly chopped 2 sharp, green eating
1tbsp lemon juice 1tbsp olive oil
apples, such as Granny Smith
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1tbsp tahini
FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS JACQUI MELVILLE
Squeeze of lemon juice
152
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4 and line a medium baking sheet with baking parchment. 2 Put the cauliflower florets, olive oil, paprika, cumin and almonds in a large bowl and mix well, making sure the cauliflower is evenly coated with the oil and spices. Tip out onto the baking sheet and roast in the oven for 25min until the cauliflower has started to brown. Take out of the oven and leave to cool. 3 Meanwhile, core and chop the apples into 1cm chunks and add to a bowl of cold water with the lemon juice – this will prevent them from browning and keep them nice and fresh. 4 Make the dressing by combining the tahini, honey, lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5 Finally, drain the apples and combine with the cauliflower mix, pomegranate seeds and rocket, then drizzle over the dressing and serve.
Recipes from Apple by James Rich (£20, Hardie Grant)
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
Cook’s note...
ROLL A POMEGRANATE ON A BOARD TO LOOSEN THE SEEDS BEFORE REMOVING THEM
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
153
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urbanara.co.uk URBNROK urbnrok.co.uk 0344 736 9174 V valsparpaint.co.uk 01536 313552 VALSPAR
VELFAC
velfac.co.uk WESTIN 01484 421585 W westin.co.uk WHEELBARROWS.CO.UK
0117 330 2277 WHITE STUFF 020 3752 5360 whitestuff.com WOODSTOCK FURNITURE
020 8876 0131 woodstockfurniture.co.uk WOVENOLOGY
wovenologybaskets.com
Y 01752 872404 yealmkitchens.co.uk
YEALM KITCHENS
YELLOW GORSE
yellowgorse.co.uk
Z 0345 600 5005 zipwater.co.uk ZIP WATER
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
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Lighting
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Sofas & Sofabeds
Just for You
An advertisement feature bringing you the best value for those special purchases around your home.
To advertise, please call 0207 611 1061 or email sales@canopymedia.co.uk
SAVE £200 ON STUNNING OUTDOOR CORNER SOFA SET T EA E! GR ALU V
The luxurious Chesterton corner sofa and matching tempered glass-topped coffee table are perfect for entertaining outdoors. Offering generous and comfortable seating for five, the chunky seat, back and side cushions featured have removable covers meaning they can be hand washed to deal with any stubborn stains. With a maintenance-free construction of thick polyrattan and a strong, metal frame this superb set can even be left out all-year round.
STUNNING BESPOKE BLINDS: UP TO 25% OFF Handcra�ted in the UK by a team of experts, these stunning blinds fit perfectly in any style of conservatory, orangery, roof lantern, gable or bi-folding doors. Choose from a fantastic range of styles and colours, with manual or remote control options.
Was £599, it’s now just £399 for readers when you quote code JFU30AUG a saving of £200! To order, visit www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 by 30.09.19.
SMART GARDEN ROOMS, OFFICES AND STUDIOS Cra�ted and manufactured in the UK, SMART is one of the leading garden room suppliers, o�fering a wide choice of styles, sizes and optional extras enabling you to create your perfect garden space. Boasting full thermal insulation, double glazing and professional installation in your garden, redefining your living space has never been easier. Contact us for a catalogue or a FREE no obligation site consultation. Web. smartgardeno�fices.co.uk Tel. 0800 242 5559
YOUR KITCHEN WORKTOPS TRANSFORMED IN A DAY Quartzize produces a beautiful quartz-stone product that overlays your existing work surfaces as if by magic. The company manufactures and installs its stunning quartz overlays to enhance your kitchen with a real stone look and feel. This is a superbly simple way to improve your work tops without the mess or fuss of removing the existing ones. Quartzize can also fit new sinks taps and hobs to give your whole kitchen a completely new high-quality look. Quartzize are hygienic, long-lasting, easy to care for and timeless.
A MODERN CLASSIC
Contact Conservatory Blinds Limited for your free brochure or quotation, and save up to 25% o�f the most popular blinds. Tel. 0800 071 88 88 Web. www.conservatoryblinds.co.uk/o�fers
CALLING CONSERVATORY OWNERS! A Rundle & Dorey insulated conservatory ceiling will give you back the luxury living space that you dreamed of. No planning permission required and every installation is covered by a ten-year insurance-backed guarantee. Also available is the Pinnacle range of lightweight, tiled roof replacement - fully approved and building regulation certified.
Tailormade Sofas o�fer a traditional handmade service producing sofas in their own workshop above the Showroom. All sofas are built to individual size requirements, with a choice of cushion fillings to suit, and a comprehensive range of quality fabrics available for that individual look. A beautiful selection of traditional, modern, and contemporary designs awaits you in the showroom in High Wycombe. All items carry a 10 year frame guarantee, most orders delivered within six weeks.
Quartzize are currently offering free fitting exclusively to all Just For You readers, a saving of up to £250. Call 0800 802 1792 now for a FREE quotation or visit www.quartzize.com
To claim FREE Guardsman Fabric Protection Plan, visit showroom Victoria Street, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2LT, www.tailormadesofas.co.uk tel 01494 462233, T&C’s apply before 31.10.19.
Save up to 25% plus FREE Internal LED Lights. Interest-free finance at 0% APR. For a free brochure call 0800 024 8860 or visit www.rundleanddorey.co.uk
All companies listed are wholly independent. We recommend that you carry out your own checks before entering into any agreement. When making any purchases we would recommend that you use a credit card providing protection in the unlikely event of any issues. No part of this page maybe reproduced without the permission of Canopy Media.
M A R K E T P L AC E Furniture
SALE
“Beautifully made quality sofas.”
NOW ON
K Poole 4th July 2018
Request a FREE brochure call 0800 464 0529 QUOTE CH&I69H
SOFASBYSAXON.COM
SALE NOW ON Only £349. Only from us.
HANDBUILT BESPOKE KITCHEN FURNITURE Download your kitchen catalogue now
. Oakridge . Sofas .
Elgar sofa was £469 - now £349
Lynx Trading Estate YEOVIL BA20 2HL 01935 434700
creamerykitchens.co.uk
CH01_OCT19
Cabinetry for typical kitchen from around £7k
NO RISK 21 DAY HOME TRIAL 5 YEAR FRAME GUARANTEE FACTORY DIRECT PRICES
www.oakridgedirect.co.uk Tele 01685 844944
To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com
M A R K E T P L AC E Furniture
B E S P O K E R A D I AT O R C A B I N E T S Great British Furniture
Made to Measure PE RABOO Blenheim’s RF DI ST OR AT S bespoke-made MA OR cabinets are the elegant NC and heat efficient way to hide E ugly radiators in your home.
GREAT BRITISH HANDMADE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER
of designs and finishes • Choice to suit any decor made to cover any size • Custom or shape radiator BEFORE • Unique ‘Reflect Flow’ heat system BOOSTS radiator performance Measuring and Fitting for • FREE 2 or more cabinets FREE home design service and • nationwide installation
SALE NOW ON
AFTER
Vintage Chesterfield 3 seater leather was £1859 -
Autumn Sale price £1399 01443 771222 www.thomaslloyd.com
Call for brochure or FREE Home Design Visit
FREE HOME DESIGN VISIT
GY ER ING EN AV S
REQUEST OUR LATEST BROCHURE
Beautiful Rad ator Cabi nets & Bookcases BEAUTI
FUL RA DIA & BOOK TOR CABINETS CASES
FREE
Call FREE 0808 120 4333 or call Kerry 01260 217 333† www.blenheimcabinets.co.uk † Standard rates apply.
MASTER CABINET MAKERS
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M A R K E T P L AC E Furniture
Smart, stylish and landlord friendly. Shelving, mirrors and clothes stands that fit small spaces. Can be placed and removed on a whim. All made from smooth, laquered oak.
Shelves that fit where other shelves donÕt. www.theheadboardworkshop.co.uk or call us on 01291 628216 Experts in small space living Headboards & Beds | Ottomans & Stools | Sofa Beds & Chairs 21 stores | 0345 609 4455 | futoncompany.co.uk
SCUMBLE “Extraordinary name.
GOOSIE
Extraordinary furniture.”
Albion’s Handmade Bathroom Furniture
Radiator Table Bespoke Service Available
Beautiful and practical storage for bathrooms big and small. From 450mm to 1500mm wide. Painted to your choice.
Request your brochure of our bathroom furniture.
www.scumblegoosie.com ~
01255 831605
01453 731305
albionbathco.com
HAND MADE IN ENGLAND
ALBION BATH CO M PAN Y
To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com
M A R K E T P L AC E Furniture
The Footstool Wo rkshop
www.thefootstoolworkshop.co.uk 01443 831981
Flooring
01509 234000- www.floorsofstone.com enquiries@floorsofstone.com
For Free Delivery (Mainland UK only) Use code CHI2019 before 31st October For details visit: www.juluhome.co.uk or call 033 022 32855 Lighting
Home Accessories
Christmas designs NOW AVAILABLE
Huge choice of stylish wipeable tablecloths custom cut to size
FREE SAMPLES AVAILABLE www.wipeeasytablecloths.com
01606 833 886 To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com
M A R K E T P L AC E SofaS and Sofa BedS
LE ON SA W O N
TRADITIONAL BRITISH UPHOLSTERY SINCE 1987
GREAT BRITISH SOFAS
SAVE 25% OFF IN OUR AUTUMN SALE
Woburn 2 seater sofa was £589 now only £439 (Spaniel not included)
Albany 3 seater washable sofa was £669 - Sale price £499
www.sofasofa.co.uk
www.kirkdale.co.uk Call now for your free brochure 01495 243999
For a free brochure call 01495 244226
Gardens
Ironwork Door Canopies
catalogue available
01225 851577
www.garden-requisites.co.uk
To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com
M A R K E T P L AC E Kitchens
Home InterIors
CAST IRON STOVES
22
CHECK WEBSITE FOR SPECIAL OFFERS
Great Looking Styles
urn oo or Coal
Selling Top Quality Stoves for over 20 years All Stoves conform to EN13240
BARREL II
Big Stocks of Flue Pipes & Accessories in-store
BUCKINGHAM
£262.80
£238.80
WENTWORTH £358.80 REGAL III £502.80
SEE THE RANGE ONLINE OR IN OUR 64 STORES
29038
machinemart.co.uk TELESALES: 0115 956 5555 Bathrooms
THE ELECTRIC RANGE
What’s unique about an Albion Bath?
MODERN EFFICIENCY, CLASSIC GOOD LOOKS.
NOW AVAILABLE IN MARINE BLUE
With six widths available and a choice of great colours we’re confident we have just the right EVERHOT for you.
Our special material, Iso Enamel, keeps your bath hotter for longer, and only a third of the weight of cast iron.
01453 890018 www.everhot.co.uk
Request your brochure for our range of 50 beautiful bath tubs.
01255 831605 albionbathco.com
ALBION BATH C OM PAN Y
HAND MADE IN ENGLAND
To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com
M A R K E T P L AC E Beds & Bedding
Home Accessories
Vintage Style Homewares and Furniture
Handcrafted for you in Nottinghamshire
www.tiddlerandfox.com Fashion
Stylish Wide Fitting Shoes
The Tuscany Sleigh Bed
FREE DELIVERY & INSTALLATION | 10 YEAR GUARANTEE
Request your free brochure and wood samples 01777 869 669 | revivalbeds.co.uk
We offer you the complete range of quality wide fitting footwear available for men and women in EE, 4E, 6E and 8E width fittings. for your FREE 196 page catalogue call 01933 311 077or visit
www.widerfitshoes.co.uk *Excluding Postage & Packing. Not valid with any other promotion
10%
OFF y our QUO order*
CHX1 TE 936M
FREE RETURN SERVICE for all UK orde
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and save 43% 2 easy ways to order Online at magazinesdirect.com/26AQ By calling 0330 333 1113 (quoting 26AQ) Overseas readers please call +44 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday–Saturday from 8am to 6pm UK time. Offer closes 31 December 2019. Terms and conditions apply. For full details please visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms
To advertise here or on our online directory, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com
M Y FA V O U R I T E V I E W
As soon as Nicky catches sight of this spot, she feels like she’s come home
MY FAVOURITE VIEW…
The rolling hills of the Chalke Valley For me, the countryside is about family and escapism, and where that happens most is on the border of Wiltshire and Dorset. As I head over the hill from Wilton and down towards Bishopstone in the Chalke Valley, I feel as though I can breathe. It’s like I’ve arrived – I’m home.
Both of my parents are from this area, and my father is now buried here. Although I mostly grew up abroad, I did my O- and A-levels at school in Dorset, so by the time my parents moved back when I was in my twenties, I was already familiar with that piece of the English countryside. It’s where we all still come together to regroup as a family, as we’ll be doing this year to celebrate my mother’s 90th. My husband also grew up abroad, but weirdly he went to school in Dorset, 166
COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
too, so he feels just as connected to the area as I do. The Wiltshire-Dorset border will always be very close to both of our hearts. But coming here is just as much about switching off – driving over those hills, away from the frantic 24/7 pace of London life, is a chance for me to escape. The look and feel of the area is classic English rolling countryside – all farmland and valleys, with the village below, and you can even see the church where my husband and I got married. There are a lot of oak trees here, too, so it’s even more enchanting in the autumn. Living in the city, what I miss more than anything is not being aware of the changing of the seasons – you lose that sense of the rhythm of life and the passage of time that you get when you live in the country. I do a
lot of interior design work in country homes, which I love because an enormous amount of my inspiration for colour schemes comes from nature and the changing seasons – whether that’s the greens and browns of autumn, the yellows of spring, or perhaps the blues and greys of the coast. I try to reflect a sense of place in every project. I think nature is at the heart of a lot of my designs but, ultimately, life is all about balance and I think that if I didn’t work in the city I wouldn’t appreciate nature quite as much as I do. I need to step away from where I normally am in order to find inspiration and be creative. And, of course, I’m looking at the countryside in relation to the hustle and bustle of the city – everything looks so much better by comparison.
FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
To interior designer Nicky Dobree, the hills and valleys of the Wiltshire-Dorset border offer a chance to escape, disconnect and re-engage with nature
tomhowley.co.uk ALDERLEY EDGE EDINBURGH
ALTRINCHAM
ESHER
call 0161 848 1200 for a free brochure
BEACONSFIELD
GUILDFORD
HARROGATE
BRENTWOOD ISLINGTON
BRISTOL
CAMBRIDGE
LEAMINGTON SPA
CHELSEA
LONDON W1
BRITISH DESIGN & CRAFTSMANSHIP
CHELTENHAM
TUNBRIDGE WELLS