Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i Country Homes & Interiors

When it comes to decorating today’s country home, many of you tell me that ‘easy elegance’ is top of your style wishlist. Low-key living spaces that express your love of colour, pattern and craftsmanship sing through in our beautiful house features this issue. From period village houses with conservatories and summerhouses to oak-framed new-builds with hot tubs, this desire to create relaxed places with modern, luxurious and classic touches are what downtime living in the countryside is all about. Turn to page 24 and be inspired! This summer, modern vintage florals teamed with spots and stripes are much in evidence on the new retro-style fabrics, wallpapers and homewares, so take a look at ‘Say it with flowers’ (page 66), where we show you how to pretty up rooms with blooming…

BE BOLD WITH COLOUR The purple flower spikes of S alvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ make this perennial a fabulous choice for adding vertical interest to the front of a border in sun or light shade. Plant it in bold drifts for a powerful hit of midsummer colour – if you dare, alongside contrasting orange echinaceas. It’s a firm favourite with bees and other pollinators, too. A 9cm pot costs £4.70 from Claire Austin. OUR FAVOURITE PLANTSWOMAN Rosy Hardy The nursery owner of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants has won 20 Gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for her floral displays. This year she’s designing her first-ever Chelsea show garden. Tell us about your design for Chelsea? Inspired by the chalk downs where I live, in Hampshire,…

What makes this house a home… ’Plenty of space to relax with family and friends – outdoors in the summer or cosy beside the fire during the winter’ It cretainly wasn’t a case of love at first sight when Nicola and Andrew Wright viewed the house that they have now developed into their dream home. ‘It was rather ugly,’ says Nicola. ‘I didn’t like it because it had aluminium windows in the front bay.’ The couple had been living in a small terraced house in Surrey with their daughters, Megan and Florence, then four and two, but had outgrown it. ‘We needed a property with more bedrooms, a big kitchen where we could eat and socialise, and a larger garden. We were also looking for off-road parking.’ When Andrew was…

Green-oak conservatory Let’s go back to the woods, with a design trend that started long ago. Need to know… The Romans may have favoured brick and stone, but for the Anglo-Saxons it had to be timber, and to this day there’s a strong link between their timber-framed open-hall houses and our modern oak extensions. ‘Green’ or newly felled oak is easier to work with than seasoned oak, due to its high moisture content. It is also strong and durable, and any cracks it develops as it shrinks and dries add to its character. Where to buy… • Arboreta for green-oak garden rooms, sun rooms and conservatories. • Carpenter Oak for green-oak conservatories. • Malbrook for green-oak conservatories and extensions. FIND THE PERFECT TRAVERTINE FLOOR TILES For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/…

Sometimes you just know you are making the right decision – and that is exactly how Sabine Kennard felt moments after walking into the house that would become her new home. She and her husband, Kenny, were ready to move on from their Victorian terrace and had begun to look for somewhere offering more space but in a quieter location. ‘We wanted a character property and a project,’ says Sabine. Looking past the tired decor and awkward layout, she’d fallen for the symmetrical proportions, flagstone floor, galleried landing and arched internal doors in the entrance hall. Unfortunately, she was not the only one and the couple found themselves bidding against another would-be buyer. ‘When the call came to say we’d got the house, we were over the moon,’ she says.…

Notonthehighstreet.com  Emerging Creative Talent Award Have you graduated or left training within the past two years? We’re looking for a new creative talent who makes things that we’d like to sell – from art and jewellery to homewares and food. Home Accessory Crafters and Makers This category recognises nearly everything that goes in the home. From unique door-stoppers to stunning cushions, we love it all! Craft is a vast category focusing on textiles, ceramic, wood, glass and more. If you make it by hand, we’d love to see it. Fabric, Furniture and Wallpaper Designers If you’re creating the key pieces that decorate and furnish the surfaces and rooms in our homes, this one’s for you. Retailers Retailers are companies selling multiple brands. If you’re a bricks-and-mortar store or an online…

Emerging Creative Talent Award Sally Bendelow, Creative Product Director, Notonthehighstreet.com A curator of design-led products for over 20 years with brands such as Next, Heal’s and M&S, Sally is also a Liveryman of the Furniture Guild (one of 39 women out of 450), and works with universities to help graduates into full-time jobs. Food Producers Dan Rusga, Marketing Director, Yeo Valley Established in 1961, this family-run dairy produces tasty, 100% organic products from its award-winning British Friesian cows and other local organic dairy farms. Dan specialises in promoting and marketing this award-winning brand. Home Accessory Crafters and Makers Sophie Allport, Founder and Owner, Sophie Allport Sophie started her British family business in 2007. She designs and produces fine bone china, kitchen textiles, tinware, melamine, stationery and other homewares…

1 FLORAL PUNCH Create a focal point by reupholstering a plain fabric headboard with a bright floral design. This bold Red Tulips pattern, £39 m for linen and £42 m for velvet, from the Artbook collection by Kim Parker at Clarke & Clarke, is inspired by the Arts & Crafts and Bloomsbury movements and will inject vibrant colour into a neutral country scheme. 2 DESIGN DETAIL A wooden screen that has seen better days can be easily transformed with a coat of paint, adding effortless country charm when used as a headboard in a pared-back bedroom. The panelled design will also bring in architectural detail to a plain scheme in need of a decorative touch. Bedlinen, from £25 for a double duvet; Authentic By The Shore cushion, £14, all Sainsbury’s.…

Upcycled suitcase hamper Give a vintage suitcase a new lease of life as a picnic hamper by lining with fabric. Remove any old lining, measure the inside surfaces and cut paper templates. Lay the fabric wrong side up and pin on the templates, adding a 1cm hem allowance. Cut the fabric out with pinking sheers then fold over the templates, snipping off corners for neatness. Press then remove the paper. Press again, inserting iron-on fabric bonding tape under the hems. Glue the fabric panels into the suitcase using a thin line of all-purpose glue. Leave to dry. Add a pocket measuring half the area of the inside of the lid, following the same technique and trimming with a strip of ribbon. Attach the pocket along the bottom and two sides…

1 Ancient history The ravages of time make antique stone flooring a robust option full of rustic charm. ‘Antique floors bring with them a powerful sense of history. Each has its own story and a patina acquired over centuries, which make it particularly at home in a period property,’ says Jason Cherrington, Managing Director, Lapicida. Antique flagstones come in random sizes, which can be hand-matched for the desired colour and pattern. 2 Nice and easy Take a fresh look at vinyl flooring, one of the lowest-maintenance hard-flooring options there is. ‘The latest luxury vinyl flooring also wins on style, effectively emulating natural materials such as timber and stone, and can be customised with motifs and borders for an extra design edge,’ says Holly Johnson, UK Marketing Manager, Amtico. Vinyl flooring…

1 Create a beautiful butterfly garden Marking National Insect Week (20-26 June), we show you how to create a haven for butterflies. Do your research. Find out which butterflies are common in your area and which nectars attract them (rhs.org.uk/advice/pdfs/Plants-for-Butterflies). Provide shelter. Log piles and loose bark are good options. And leave a tiny patch of stinging nettles where native species such as Red Admirals and Commas can lay their eggs. Lay flat stones in sunny areas for butterflies to bask on. It raises their temperature so they can fly longer, and you get a good look at their wings. Create a ‘puddle’. Known as ‘puddling’, butterflies sip moisture from damp soil to get minerals and salts. On hot days leave out a shallow pan topped up with wet coarse…

RASPBERRY MOUSSE CAKE A buttery biscuit base with a hint of ginger is topped with the creamiest of mousses then piled high with fresh raspberries to serve. SERVES 8-10 175g ginger or digestive biscuits 65g unsalted butter 2 pieces stem ginger from a jar, grated For the filling 300g raspberries, plus 200-300g extra to decorate 25g raspberry jam, plus 2 tbsp extra to decorate 250ml double cream 100g icing sugar 2 medium free-range egg whites 1 Finely crush the biscuits, either in a food processor or using a polythene bag and a rolling pin. Melt the butter, mix with the crumbs and ginger, and pack into the base of a 19cm round loose-base or spring-release tin. 2 Roughly mash 75g of the raspberries in a bowl with a fork and…

A AGA 0845 712 5207 agaliving.com ALDGATE HOME 07785 296830 aldgatehome.com ALTERNATIVE FLOORING 01264 335111 alternativeflooring.com AMTICO 0121 745 0800 amtico.com ANDREW MARTIN 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk ANNIE SLOAN 01865 713089 anniesloan.co.uk ANTHROPOLOGIE 00 800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com ARBORETA 0800 288 8333 arboreta-oak.com B BHS 0344 411 6000 bhs.co.uk BALINEUM 020 7431 9364 balineum.co.uk BARKER AND STONEHOUSE 0333 355 9392 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BATHSTORE 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com BEG BICYCLES 01223 655222 begbicycles.com BELLA FIGURA 020 7376 4564 bella-figura.com BELL HOUSE FABRICS 01580 712555 bellhousefabrics.co.uk BEN PENTREATH 020 7430 2424 benpentreath.com BERT & MAY 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com BIG TOMATO COMPANY 01782 337238 bigtomatocompany.com BIRDIE FORTESCUE 01328 738634 birdiefortescue.co.uk BLENDWORTH 023 9259 4911 blendworth.co.uk BRISSI 020 7229 2323 brissi.com BURGON & BALL 0114 233 8262 burgonandball.com C CP HART 0845 600 1950…

I moved to Cornwall seven years ago. It is a strange, mythical place. People say that once you’ve lived here it gets its hooks into you, particularly if you live on the coast. And we are certainly hooked. My wife, Ellie, and I moved from London and I think if we hadn’t come to this part of the world, we would both be very stressed by now. My love for the West Country goes back to my childhood. We had family in Downderry, which is between Looe and Plymouth, and spent a lot of time down here. We live in a village called Constantine, which is between Falmouth and Helston. Poldhu Cove is a 15-minute drive from our house, and at this time of year we aim to spend as…

VIDEO See videos of our favourite country colours at country-days.co.uk…

English craft lager Created from locally sourced ingredients, Green & Pleasant beer, especially the lager, hits the spot on a hot summer’s day. With a toasted malt aroma, spicy hops and light citrus in the mouth, it’s brewed with water from the Trent hills. Honey from Yorkshire bees adds a soft finish. Fleur Emery used crowdfunding to get the beer into production at the Freedom Brewery near Burton-on-Trent. Natural Lager and Golden Ale, both from £15 for a 6-bottle case, Green & Pleasant. OUR FAVOURITE CHEESE PRODUCER Stephen Fletcher of Berkswell The Fletcher family started making ewe’s milk cheese on a small scale in their 16th-century farmhouse at Ram Hall in Warwickshire when a local farm shop lost its supply of goat’s cheese and asked Stephen to make ewe’s milk…

Farmhouse table Sit down to a hearty breakfast or stand to whisk a cake batter at this familiar kitchen stalwart. Need to know… At one time, most kitchens would have had a much-loved table like this, with its practical surface ideal for preparing and serving family meals. Look for one with a ‘breadboard end’, where a plank is added at right angles to those that run the length of the table, in order to keep the top flat and stable. Along with sturdy turned legs, some designs include a handy drawer. Where to buy… • Barker and Stonehouse for a table in reclaimed pine with an extendable top. • Neptune for a farmhouse table with oak top and painted legs. • The Cotswold Company for pine kitchen tables of various sizes. FIND THE…

Chandelier For glamour and glitz from every angle, select a crystal light fitting. Need to know… Adorned with glittering drops and festooned with bead chains, chandeliers truly are a lighting confection. Choose rope-twist glass arms and crystal candle cups for an even more dramatic effect. When buying an antique chandelier, look carefully to check that every component fits in with the design, and also ensure it has been rewired and tested. Size and proportion are important Ð in a low-ceilinged room a wide, shallow design will look best. Where to buy… • Bella Figura for a huge range of options. • Hector Finch for an Art Deco-inspired chandelier. • Tindle for elaborate chandeliers including rope-twist glass arms. FIND THE PERFECT BROWNY-GREY PAINTS For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

The 2016 winners will receive an invaluable package of mentoring, as well as promotion in Country Homes & Interiors. Starting up your own business can often be a daunting experience, but our expert panel of Awards mentors (meet them over the page) will guide and support the winners, allowing them to learn new skills and perspectives, while also providing priceless advice and insight. The package includes: * Three mentoring sessions with one of our leading industry category partners. * Coverage in the My Country Business Awards 2016 winners feature in Country Homes & Interiors. * Coverage in a Country Days blog feature.…

All the details: PRODUCTS AND PRICES Pages 66-67 (Opener) Bunting (from top): 1 Faded Roses, col Cherry; 2 Spotty, col Powder, both £52 m, Sarah Hardaker. 3 Dedalo, col Raspberry, £60 m, Inchyra. 4 Polka Dot, col Peony, £45 m, Sarah Hardaker. 5 Richmond Rose, £20 m, Cath Kidston. 6 Lulsley, col Duck Egg, £78 m, Cloth & Clover. 7 Danish Stripe, col Pink Icing, £65 m, Peony & Sage. 8 Faded Roses, as before. Bamboo silk bobbins, cols Sea Silver; Ivory Quartz, each £12 for 3m, Lancaster & Cornish. PLAY WITH PAINT Walls, painted throughout in Pure Brilliant White, £15.59 for 2.5L vinyl matt emulsion, Dulux. Curtains, Richmond Rose, £20 m, Cath Kidston. Elgin chair, £225 for 2, Laura Ashley. Painted in Arctic Willow and Vervain, each £48 for…

Just as shoes can make an outfit, the right carpet can transform your home, adding a statement design or the perfect finishing touch to a subtle scheme. That is why investing in a high-quality product is a must. Brintons offers a range of beautiful designs, from on-trend plaids and expressive florals to understated neutrals. Not only do they look stylish, all Brintons carpets are made from the finest British wool, recognised as the best, most hardwearing choice in the world for carpets. Brintons’ Consumer Marketing Manager, Natalie Littlehales, explains, ‘The famous Brintons blend combines 80% wool with 20% nylon, meaning its carpets feel luxurious underfoot and are designed for longevity.’ It’s estimated that the wool from one in nine British sheep goes into a Brintons carpet, so the journey from…

I couldn’t live without...‘LONG WALKS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE – I DO MY BEST THINKING ON WALKS’ Emma Lycett spotted a gap in the market for stylish, sophisticated children’s wallpaper that would suit modern country interiors and set up Hibou Home in 2011. Having worked in the automotive industry for an iconic British car and 4x4 manufacturer as a buyer and then in managerial roles in sales and marketing and product development, she has put the business skills she learned to good use and created a highly successful business that she runs from her home in Kent. We travelled to the Weald to find out more about Emma’s life in the country… TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE We moved from the Cotswolds to a Grade II-listed timber-framed, weatherboard house near…

1 BEST FOR… Family meals John Lewis charcoal barbecue, £129 With its sturdy trolley, this charcoal burner (H94xW110xD62cm) costs slightly more than many basic models, but thanks to the drop-down table, hanging rack and shelf, it offers plenty of space for plates, tools and just-cooked dishes. It’s big enough to feed the hungriest family, and the porcelain lid and bowl will stay rust free and easy to clean for years to come. 2 BEST FOR… Campfire-style cooking Ozpig woodburning stove, £300 Originally designed for camping in the Australian outback, this cast-iron wood stove (H48xW36xD38cm) heats up very quickly and you can grill, boil or use a wok on it (an optional rotisserie kit is available) and it keeps everyone warm. At 19kg, it’s just about portable, and the legs and…

1 POT MARIGOLD This traditional cottage-garden plant is guaranteed to lift the spirits with its vibrant orange daisy flowers. Calendula officinalis is a stunner in the garden and was recognised early for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been used to detoxify the body and to treat digestive system and gall bladder problems. The cleansing properties of the oil have long been noticed and it’s still believed to be a good treatment for acne. Include the edible petals in salads, but as with a lot of herbs, avoid calendula if you are pregnant. 2 THYME Thymus vulgaris is another herb fabled in folklore, literature and music down the centuries. Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming, while in the Middle Ages it was placed in coffins to ease the path to…

“The past five weeks have expanded my interior design horizon and given me the desire and inspiration to learn more.”CELINE DRUILHE, LONDON “Join us for five weeks in our international online classroom, and share your design problems, inspiration, and projects with me and your fellow students. “Bring your latest decorating project to the course – I’ll bring mine too – and work through it as we study the design process, finding your style, colours, fabrics and window treatments, sourcing, lighting, and accessories. Though there’s something new in the classroom every weekday, you can do the work entirely when it suits you. “And if you feel uncertain about your online skills please don’t worry. Jump in, and I’ll help – technical support is a feature of the course.” Morwenna Brett, My…

‘The scent of roses takes me back to my childhood,’ says Rosebie Morton, scented rose grower and founder of The Real Flower Company. ‘I grew up in an army family that moved all over the world. My mother took rose plants wherever we went and we always had scented roses, especially Margaret Merril, the quintessential English rose.’ When Rosebie married Matthew, a farmer, in 1988, she helped him on the farm with his sheep. ‘But there was always this thought at the back of my mind about scented flowers,’ says Rosebie. ‘Whenever I walked into a flower shop, I noticed that apart from lilies, freesias and hyacinths, there was hardly any fragrance. I harked back to what I’d grown up with – the exquisite scent of a rose.’ When Rosebie…

Five-star European river cruises Selected departures up to November 2016, plus April to October 2017. Eight days from £999 per person or 15 days from £1,499 per person. Price includes: Return rail* and Eurostar, or flights, taxes, transfers * 5-star cabin, hotel-standard bed, bathroom, river view * Exceptional cuisine with full-board throughout * Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes. Lake Como, St Moritz & Bernina Express Selected departures up to October 2016. Eight days from £829 per person. The price includes: Return flights, taxes and transfers * Seven nights in 4-star lakefront hotels with half board * St Moritz, Bernina Express rail journey, Lake Maggiore * Lake cruise to Bellagio and private visit to Villa del Balbianello Escorted by an experienced tour manager. Classical Italy Selected departures up to October…

We want these now... We can’t resist a pop of summer colour! The new Flowerdrop collection from Collier Campbell gives a colourful update to one of the brand’s original handpainted designs. Beautiful country-inspired blooms in vibrant shades adorn melamine plates, bowls and beakers – perfect for picnic season. Prices start from £5, Not on the High Street. OUR FAVOURITE DESIGNERS Jane Tobitt & David Wardle The husband and wife team set up Bold & Noble in 2008. They use traditional screen-printing methods to bring their designs to life on artwork, calendars, tea towels and, most recently, wallpaper. Jane tells us more... What sparked your passion for design? We both grew up in very creative families. David’s parents were art teachers, my grandfather was a cartographer and my mum is an…

The place to go... Stamford Described by Sir Walter Scott as the finest stone town in England, this lovely, beautifully preserved spot in Lincolnshire is hard to beat. Celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of landscape gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown with a major exhibition at Burghley House and Gardens until 31 October (burghley.co.uk). Discover the town’s history and its many listed buildings on foot with the Town Trail leaflet, available at the tourist office on St Mary’s Street. Picnic by the River Welland with a hamper of delicious produce bought at the Friday market. Stay at The George Hotel (georgehotelofstamford.com), a former coaching inn with oak-panelled restaurant and stylishly decorated bedrooms. Enjoy Open Farm Sunday Discover more about farm life, where our food comes from and how you can…

Box sash window Whether viewed from inside or out, this traditional glazed design is a thing of beauty. Need to know… In this much-loved window design the sashes slide up and down, supported by cords and weights hidden in a box frame. Early Georgian arrangements have multiple small panes, but as glazing technology improved, panes became larger and fewer with slimmer glazing bars. Double-glazed versions that are draught-free are a cosy option, though their glazing bars tend to be chunkier than originals, so take a look at conservation ranges. Where to buy… • Mumford & Wood for conservation windows. • Pilkington for extra-slim double-glazed units. • The Sash Window Workshop for new windows and refurbishments. FIND THE PERFECT LILAC PAINTS For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

Have you set up a small country business? Or perhaps you have a great idea you’d like to get off the ground? If so, now is your chance to enter the Country Homes & Interiors My Country Business Awards 2016 in association with Notonthehighstreet.com. Six entrepreneurs will win a money-can’t-buy package of advice and support from the UK’s most talented business advisers and owners. The My Country Business Awards are celebrating their seventh fantastic year and aim to promote and empower country-based start-ups. Setting up your own business is no mean feat – you need to find the funds, write a business plan, buy a domain name, learn the finer points of marketing through social media, ensure your company complies with current legislation, and much more. Finding the right people…

Bedroom refreshers Brighten up with happy graphics, wide stripes and scallop edges. They also look fab on the washing line! Henley basket bench, £288, Rowen & Wren. Lollipop basket, £30; Ombre pot sets, cols Sea Green or Raspberry, £19.95 each for 5, Sophie Conran. Isidre pitcher, £58, Anthropologie. Wooden pegs, £10 for 50, Plain Useful. Clothes line, £5, John Lewis. (On line, from left) Organic Harmony pillowcase, from £4.95, West Elm. Mirafiori Peony pillowcase, £17, Designers Guild. Linen stripe pillowcase, from £97 for bedlinen set, Soak & Sleep. Scalloped-edge pillowcase, from £18; Dorothy Dot pillowcase, £29, both Sophie Conran. (On bench) Poplin block striped pillowcases, £32 each, Lexington. Striped lambswool blanket, £132, Rowen & Wren. Folkloric throw, £175, Johnstons of Elgin. Alexa Jacquard bedding set, from £59, Marks & Spencer.…

Upcycled suitcase hamper Style tip Choose a smart ticking stripe in a canvas weight for the lining. Ready-labelled drinks Style tip We’ve used a set of bottles, but a jumble of different shapes would look equally lovely. Pretty wrap and packaging Style tip Wrap bottles in tea towels with the corners tied together for easy carrying. Waterproof cutlery roll Style tip Use a tea towel rather than cut-out fabric for your cutlery roll then you won’t have to hem the raw edges.…

1 Traditional style You can’t go wrong with a classic wooden dining table and stackable chairs. Go for simple lines in FSC-certified eucalyptus and an oak finish to create an elegant aesthetic that will suit any garden. Choose an extending table so that it can cater for any occasion, from a relaxed breakfast to a dinner party for a large group of friends and family. Position it under a tree to create a shady sanctuary that you’ll want to use all summer long. 2 Laid-back looks ‘A bench is ideal for relaxed outdoor dining,’ says Elaine Flynn, Assistant Buyer at John Lewis. ‘The Islay from our Croft Collection has been beautifully crafted with a whitewashed appearance that gives it a charming weathered look. The table is made from eucalyptus, which…

Discover how to decorate using modern country style on this exclusive one-day course, held at the KLC School of Design in London’s Chelsea Harbour on Friday 17 June 2016. On the day, expert tutors will hold short lectures, talks and workshops, giving you the skills to create a relaxed and stylish home. You’ll gain an insight into the theory of colour and its effect on our psychology and environment. You’ll learn more about the modern country palette, textures and patterns, and there will also be tips on drawing together fabrics, furniture and lighting for a beautiful interior. How to book • Tickets cost £130 and include a sample board to take home, lunch and refreshments on the day. • To reserve your place, visit klc.co.uk/countryhomes or call 020 7376 3377.…

Bluebell creeper Plant this pretty climber to cheer up a dull corner • This twining perennial climber has simple evergreen foliage and, from June to September, nodding clusters of blue flowers, followed by purple berries. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, this plant is easy to grow and thrives in a sheltered area. Grow it over an archway or a pergola, or in a container on the terrace. Delivered straight to your door in May. • H200cm, spread 60cm. Supplied as a 7cm potted plant. Buy 1 for £11.99. Buy 3 for £17.99 (usually £35.97) – saving 50%. How to order Call 0844 573 1686, quoting XCH503. Online Go to thompson-morgan.com/ XCH503. By post Please complete the coupon below.…

The one lesson I’ve learned...‘HOWEVER CLEVER YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING, NATURE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE LAST LAUGH’ The floristry industry, worth around £1.5 billion, is increasingly competitive, and, with the decline of the high street, is moving online. However, according to Smarta.com, there are still more than 8,000 florist shops in the UK, and nearly 7,000 florist businesses. It’s an industry made up mainly of very small businesses: one in four florists has no employees, and two out of three employ between one and nine. But, if you think you have greenfingers and want to start a business supplying flowers, you need to put in a lot of hard work. ‘You have got to be really, really dedicated to go into this business,’ says Rosebie Morton. ‘There are far…