Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2016 i Country Homes & Interiors

The bounty of late summer is something I love about living in the Sussex countryside. I’m surrounded by hedgerows and woods laden with wild fruit; fields are ripe with corn and my garden is bubbling with heady dahlias and burgeoning tomato plants. This ‘time of plenty’ reminds me of the current vogue for a more mellow and pastoral way of living; where we are inspired by the colours, motifs and textures of nature to decorate our rooms (see page 64 for harvest-style ideas) and where being connected to the landscape in our family and work lives means that we are happier and more content. This need to find tranquillity and more meaningful ways of living is reflected in two of my favourite features in this issue. I love the determination…

We want these now... Inspired by the harvest season, these hand-finished ceramic storage jars are from the new Dickins & Jones Home collection for House of Fraser. They feature apple and pear motifs in turning-leaf shades — a pretty addition to kitchen shelving. Prices range from £12 to £18. OUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER MAKER Rosie Brewer Woodworker Rosie crafts serving boards and utensils using a variety of sustainable woods sourced from local farms in Devon and Cornwall. How did you get into woodwork? My parents ran a sawmill making sheds, beach huts and animal shelters, so I grew up surrounded by the scent of freshly cut fir trees. I spent a lot of time climbing on log piles and used to collect scraps of wood to make tiny bird boxes using…

The place to go… Portmeirion Located in coastal North Wales with a woodland backdrop, this unique Italianate village stands on a peninsula at the foot of Snowdonia. Head to Festival No6 (1-4 September, festival number6.com), which offers live music, comedy, film screenings, talks and performance art. Enjoy a ride on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, from Caernarfon Castle to Porthmadog, gateway to Snowdonia National Park. Eat Italian food at Caffi Glas; enjoy fine dining at Castell Brasserie (portmeirion-village.com/eat). Stay at Castell Deudraeth, an early-Victorian mansion with contemporary-style interiors, magnificent gardens and great estuary views (portmeirion-village.com/stay/castell-deudraeth). DELIGHT IN DAHLIAS! Head to Northamptonshire’s Kelmarsh Hall to see a host of varieties at the Dahlia Festival (4 and 18 September, kelmarsh.com ). In its kitchen garden find wildly named US…

Baths for bedrooms Bring boutique-hotel luxury into your home by elevating a bedroom to a relaxing bathing sanctuary. Need to know… A freestanding bath needs less waterproofing than a shower, where walls and floor are subject to regular soakings. Ask a professional to check the plumbing is straightforward; raising the bath on a platform is practical for this and enhances the dramatic effect. Set in a prominent position, allowing space around it to dry yourself. Consider incorporating bathroom-rated LED lighting within the platform edge for added impact. Where to buy… • Drummonds for a metallic-finish roll-top bath. • Fired Earth for a ready-to-paint roll-top bath. • Victoria + Albert for contemporary freestanding baths. FIND THE PERFECT GREY BATH PAINT For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

What makes this house a home… ’The house is simple in design, it’s what we felt would work: no complicated layouts, no unused spaces. Every room has a purpose’  Louise and Neil Davies’ home in Hertfordshire is only three years old yet, with its traditional red bricks, bay windows and pitched slate roof, the house looks as though it has been sitting in its semi-rural spot for years and years. Inside, it’s the same. Subtle, period-style touches mingle with understated modern looks, and overall it’s light, bright and pretty, with a feeling of ease and comfort that can only be achieved when everything is in just the right place. ‘We tried to interpret the house as a Victorian/Edwardian classic – although with cleaner lines,’ says Louise. ‘It’s a simple,…

Recessed downlights Tucked unobtrusively into the ceiling, these are the bright sparks of the lighting world. Need to know… Fixed downlights set out in a grid format provide overall light, but the directional angled type are more practical. A wide-beam downlight can be used to highlight bookcases. If fitting new lighting, LED downlights are energy efficient, compared with halogen bulbs. In some cases, existing halogen lamps can be swapped for LEDs, though dimmer switches may have to be upgraded. Consult a registered electrician for advice. Where to buy… • Downlights for a wide range of styles. • John Cullen Lighting for lighting systems. • SKK Lighting for invisible and mini downlights. FIND THE PERFECT FAWN WALL PAINTS For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

1 PRESERVE COUNTRY FINDS Display pressed plants and leaves in precise rows of simple clip frames to complement floral motifs in fabrics and furnishings. For the best results, pick specimens at their peak, in dry conditions, and press them immediately. Fred Aldous sells flower presses from £6.25. 2 REEL THEM IN Collectibles such as vintage fishing reels become a work of art when grouped together. The outline of this tightly packed display echoes the shape of a reel. Tweak the layout on the floor and photograph before mounting on the wall. Geraldine James, author of Creative Walls (£19.99, Cico) suggests putting a display linked with someone’s hobby in a space personal to them, such as a study. 3 PLATE UP Beautiful plates are wasted when piled up in a cupboard…

Chopping board sign Customise country kitchen classics into a gate welcome sign. We used an old chopping board and a vintage jam jar for this sweet idea. Wash and dry both items. Apply a coat of furniture paint to the board and allow to dry. Rub down so some of the wood shows through. Wipe off dust, then apply a layer of wax, following the maker’s instructions. To stencil, secure a template with masking tape to the front of the board and sponge or dab with paint gently. Remove and allow to dry. On the back, nail two picture D-rings at equal spacing at the top and thread with twine or rope. Turn board to the front, position a picture frame hook towards the right midway down (for the jar)…

1 Classic comfort ‘Love seats are the ideal solution for a bay window, alcove or any space that won’t take a standard two-seater sofa,’ says Aissa Gonzalez, Product Development and Buying Manager, Sofa.com. ‘Most of ours are between 110cm and 135cm wide, although we do go up to 162cm wide. The Bluebell, with its classic design, low arms and beautifully turned legs, is perfect for creating a focal point. Not only is it stylish but super comfy, too, with feather-wrapped cushion pads for a relaxed, inviting appeal.’ 2 Contemporary twist ‘Our snuggler is the perfect oversized chair to curl up in with a good book,’ says Helen Reeks, Creative Development Director, Neville Johnson. ‘Based on a classic shape, it has been given a modern twist with chrome-capped feet and fresh…

1 Fill a vase with fresh flowers DISPLAY CUT FOLIAGE THE PROFESSIONAL WAY WITH TIPS FROM ONLINE FLORIST BLOOM & WILD Before you start an arrangement, snip the ends of the stems diagonally with scissors. Do this every couple of days to keep your bouquet fresh for longer. Mix and match bright blooms with foraged greenery for a striking display reminiscent of hedgerows. Arrange in a simple jug to let the colours do the talking. Thin cylindrical vases support long-stemmed blooms, while broad square vases filled with just a single flower variety create impact. Snip down stems to create pretty posies and pop them into vintage china or jam jars; roses and gypsophila are perfect for an English garden-party feel. Display large blooms such as hydrangeas and peonies in a…

What I love most...‘MEETING PEOPLE AND SEEING THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT WHEN THEY HAVE CREATED SOMETHING THEY ARE PROUD OF IS INCREDIBLY SATISFYING’ Moving house proved to be the catalyst for Kate Holloway’s business, Water Lane Workshops. In 2011, Kate and her husband, Mark, moved with their children, Jake, now 10, and Rosie, now eight, to a farmhouse with several outbuildings including an old barn, in Gloucestershire. Kate was no stranger to the farmhouse because she had grown up in the village before she moved to London for 15 years to work in marketing and advertising. ‘The farmhouse was part of a herb and goat farm when I was small. As a child, I milked the goats there and when I was older, I picked herbs.’ When daughter Rosie started…

24BOTTLES 24bottles.com A   ALCHEMY ORGANIC SUPER BLENDS alchemysuperblends.com ALDERSHAW HANDMADE TILES 01424 756777 aldershaw.co.uk ALL THINGS BRIGHTON BEAUTIFUL allthingsbrightonbeautiful.co.uk ALTERNATIVE FLOORING 01264 335111 alternativeflooring.com AMAZON amazon.co.uk AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE 0845 200 0723 anangelatmytable.com ANDREW MARTIN 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk ANNABEL JAMES 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk ANNIE SLOAN 01865 713089 anniesloan.co.uk ANTHROPOLOGIE 00 800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com ANTIQUES ATLAS 01543 375872 antiques-atlas.com ART.CO.UK 020 8435 6556 art.co.uk ARTISANS OF DEVIZES 01380 720007 artisansofdevizes.com ASDA 0800 952 0101 asda.com ASTON MATTHEWS 020 7226 7220 astonmatthews.co.uk ATELIER 01453 765248 atelierstroud.co.uk B   BANG & OLUFSEN beoplay.com BARBOUR 0800 917 3000 barbour.com BATHSTORE 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com BEAR & BEAR 020 3735 9002 bearandbear.com BECKY BROOME 0151 424 0126 beckybroome.com BELL HOUSE FABRICS 01580 712555 bellhousefabrics.co.uk…

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A DAZZLING LATE-SUMMER SHOWSTOPPER Helenium ‘The Bishop’ will fire up beds and borders bringing a dazzling mound of gold from late summer through to early autumn. Plant it in groups of three or more, in a sunny spot, and snip back faded flowers to encourage a second flush. Combine with grasses for a prairie look. You can buy three 9cm pots, £15, Crocus. OUR FAVOURITE GRASSES EXPERT Neil Lucas Ornamental grasses guru Neil Lucas is the man behind Knoll Gardens in Dorset, where you can learn more about his speciality on one of his Grass Masterclasses. He’s also the author of Designing with Grasses (£20, Timber Press) and holder of 10 consecutive RHS Chelsea Gold medals. How was your love of grasses born? I…

Head to Oxfordshire on 25, 26 or 27 November and one-stop Christmas shop in a magically decorated, heated marquee in the beautiful grounds of Stonor Park near Henley-on-Thames. Browse gorgeous gifts from over 100 stands and enjoy seasonal food, mulled wine – or treat yourself to some bubbly! Buy a combined ticket and tour Stonor Park House in all its sparkling glory, traditionally decorated for Christmas and open to the public for the first time at this time of year. How to book • Show tickets: (In advance) Adult £10, Senior £9. (On the door) Adult £12, Senior £11. • Combined show and house tour tickets: (In advance) Adult/Senior £14. (On the door) Adult/Senior £16. • Order 10 tickets in advance, get 1 FREE! • FREE entry for RHS and…

 Finding their forever home was relatively straightforward for Annabelle Everard and her husband Anthony. They decided to move from London to the countryside to give their children a rural upbringing when their son Ralph was 10 months old and Annabelle was newly pregnant with Matthias. At the same time, Anthony’s mother decided to downsize from the elegant period-style new-build in Hampshire that she was living in. What makes this house a home… ‘The combination of family antiques, passed down through the generations, and our own modern additions’ ‘We decided to take over the house,’ says Annabelle. ‘It is an amazing place – it’s grand and lovely, but because it’s relatively new, it’s warm! This is a country house where you don’t feel cold all the time. Plus, it’s ideal for…

Corner sofa Fancy stretching out? A corner sofa has room for all the family. Need to know… There’s something undeniably relaxing about settling back into the plump cushions and soft seat of a squidgy L-shaped sofa. Measure up carefully, though, as these designs do guzzle space. Customise your choice with an on-trend chaise end or incorporate a handy sofa bed. There are modular versions, offering extra flexibility for grouping. The individual units with or without arms, central and corner sections can be ordered in different colours for a truly bespoke effect. Where to buy… • Made for modular sofas. • Sofa.com for corner and chaise-end sofas. • Willow & Hall for a chaise-end sofa bed with storage. FIND THE PERFECT STRIPED RUG For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

Inspired by nature and the countryside, Sophie Allport produces a wide range of homewares, including fine bone china, all hand-decorated and finished in Stoke-on-Trent, fabrics, tinware and home fragrance, as well as new products for children and pets. You’ll find plenty of ideas for gifts, as well as treats for yourself. • How to claim your 15% discount To claim 15% off everything at Sophie Allport, simply shop online at sophieallport.com and use promotional code COUNTRY16 when you get to the checkout, or call 01778 560256, quoting the same promotional code. You can also visit the Sophie Allport Showroom and Seconds Shop at 29 King Street Industrial Estate, Langtoft, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE6 9NF, and show this page. TERMS AND CONDITIONS This 15% off promotional code is not valid on sale items.…

While travelling in India and Australia, Amy Dadachanji encountered traditional Hindu medicine and worked on organic farms, inspiring her to learn more about natural healing. She returned to London to study herbal medicine, gaining a first-class degree from the University of Westminster. Now Amy works in a very English setting – the walled garden of a stately home in Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, where her partner, Nick Macer, runs a rare plants nursery. Amid the potted plants and sprays of greenery you’ll find The Wild Apothecary, where Amy treats patients, runs workshops, and mixes tinctures and teas. We went to sip a cup of wild rose and nettle with her… WHERE IS HOME? We recently moved to a hilltop house in the small Cotswold town of Stroud. We love the ancient woodlands…

1 BEST FOR… Size-defying sound Libratone Zipp Mini, £179 It might be cute, but this tabletop speaker (H23x10cm diameter) is loaded with features and projects sound in all directions, filling even large spaces. Stream using Bluetooth or via your home’s wi-fi, using a smartphone app, and you can also link up to six speakers together to create a multi-room system. It has a 10-hour battery and is available in four colours. 2 BEST FOR… Room-to-room tunes Sonos Play:5, £429 Sonos started the multi-room audio revolution with its easily expandable wi-fi-connected speakers. Choose the Play:5 (above, H21xW37xD16cm), £429; the compact Play:1, £169; the office-sized Play:3, £259; or the Connect, £279, which transforms most existing hi-fis into streaming speakers. Each speaker can be used alone or linked together using an intuitive app.…

Five-star European river cruises Departures up to November 2016 and April to November 2017. 8 days from £999 per person or 15 days from £1,499 per person. Price includes: Return rail and Eurostar, or flights, taxes and transfers 5-star cabin, hotel-standard bed, bathroom and river view Exceptional cuisine with full-board throughout Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes. South Africa Departures September to November 2016 and January to November 2017. 16 days from £1,799 per person. Price includes: Return flights, taxes and transfers 3- and 4-star hotels with breakfast, 2 lunches and 3 dinners Kruger National Park, Garden Route, whale watching, Swaziland, winelands tour and the Cape of Good Hope Optional overnight tented safari stay Escorted by an experienced tour manager. Victoria Falls, Botswana safari and Cape Town Departures August to…

The one lesson I have learned...‘EXPLORE EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT ARISES – YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’LL MEET OR WHAT MIGHT DEVELOP’ Over the past five years, more and more people have made the decision to start a business and become their own boss. Many are hoping that becoming self-employed will allow them to have more time with their family, but the reality is that running a business and bringing up children is something of a juggling act and involves a high degree of organisation. Kate Holloway of Water Lane Workshops, who has successfully built her business around her children, says: ‘At the start I wasn’t organising my time properly and, as a result, I was not getting much done. You need to set work days and mummy days in the…

When I first saw these wildflowers growing on this coastal cliff top in North Devon, I felt inspired by the dramatic coastline and its untouched beauty. What attracted me to this view was the perfect synthesis between open sky, sea and wildflowers. As an American painter and designer whose inspiration and signature style are all about the garden, I was drawn to this landscape, especially as I grew up by the sea on Long Island. I keep this photo on my desktop and it transports me to those open shores, where a stiff summer breeze makes its way through your hair and into your lungs in a way only the Atlantic Ocean can. I often think life in Devon is much like it is in Long Island, each with two…

FIND DECORATING INSPIRATION IN A RICH PALETTE DRAWN FROM HEDGEROW AND WILDWOOD BERRIES. GATHER BRAMBLE, DAMSON AND INDIGO TONES ON WALLS, FURNISHINGS AND FLOORS…

We want these now... It’s that time of year again when thoughts turn to filling the larder with homemade jams and chutneys. These colourful jars can be stacked to save space and look great on the table, too. Now, where is that preserving pan… From £3.99 for four mini spice jars, H7.5cm, Sabichi. OUR FAVOURITE COBNUT FARMER Alexander Hunt of Potash Farm Cobnuts are native to Kent and have been grown around St Mary’s Platt near Sevenoaks, where Alexander’s farm is based, since the 1800s. He is also Chairman of the Kentish Cobnuts Association. What’s special about your cobnuts? We’re the only organic producer in the UK. Fresh and unprocessed, cobnuts can be eaten moist straight after picking in late August and September, when they have the texture of a…

What we love most about living here… ’The combined kitchen/diner where we eat, cook, chat, do homework and dance around!’ We love a !’ Edmondson of the house that challenge says Moyna she and her husband, Richard, bought some 16 years ago. It was Richard’s sister who first spotted the property and liked it so much that she put in an offer. When she realised it was too big a project for her, Moyna and Richard then stepped in and decided to buy it. ‘We fell in love with it,’ says Moyna. ‘The location was good and we liked the garden. We had a growing family and needed a bigger house. It was crying out to be rescued and we felt we could do it.’ The house was actually falling…

Orangery Take inspiration from classic country style and invest in a substantial brick-built garden room. Need to know… Once used to over-winter citrus trees and tender plants, an orangery is a more solid addition to the house than a conservatory; its roof design providing a solution where the pitch of a glazed conservatory roof would not suit the existing house. Built from masonry, the design features walls punctuated by tall, elegant windows with fine glazing bars. Extra light comes from a raised glass lantern, set into the solid roof. Where to buy… • David Salisbury for a choice of hardwood designs. • Prime Oak for a traditional seasoned-oak orangery. • Vale Garden Houses for a wide range of looks. FIND THE PERFECT WIDE-WIDTH FLOORING  For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/ countryhomesandinteriors…

Louisa Nicholls is not the truth when she stretching describes the cottage she and her husband, Charlie, bought 11 years ago as a ‘wreck’. ‘It was rotting from the roof to the floorboards,’ she says. ‘In some places, you could put your fingers through gaps above the windows. It had been so neglected, in fact, that nobody else wanted it – we were the only bidders when it came up for auction. Even the property developers were put off by its run-down state and, to make matters worse, it was listed.’ The couple had seen the house for the first time late one night and it looked so spooky that Louisa refused to get out of the car. However, when they revisited on their allotted viewing date, their hearts skipped…

Practise yoga and meditation Create a relaxing space to stretch away everyday stresses and strains with exercise essentials in a pretty palette of airy blues and revitalising greens. Manuka Life Eco Luxury yoga mat, £48; Gaiam yoga block, £12.99; Gaiam Total Body Balance ball, £23.99 (with DVD), all John Lewis. Loom rug, £75; Linum Camargue cushion, col Beige, £35; Linum Signe cushion, col Duck Egg Blue, £36, all Scandi Living. Hammam towel, col Arctic Mint, £28, Yonder Living. Braided hemp pouffe, £99.95, Nkuku. Olive wood chopping board, £27, Oggetto. Lucca Celeste tumbler, £9, Designers Guild. Green Jewel vase, £18.50 for 3 assorted, An Angel at my Table. Wirework fruit basket, £25, Cox & Cox. Pewter-finish metal tray, £25, Raj Tent Club. Brent verdigris plant pot, £11, Rowen & Wren. Ceramic…

Chopping board sign Style tip Fill your vintage jam jar with a posy of cottage garden flowers. Drawer shelves Style tip Choose complementary wallpapers to line each drawer or paint in tonal hues for a personal touch. Stencilled pail Style tip ‘Vintage up’ new metal pots with a white vinegar solution and wire wool. Paint, dry and repeat until stencilling is complete. Tri-tone stool Style tip Furniture can be updated each season as colour trends come and go. For a quirky look, paint spindle legs in different shades.…

1 Keep it separate Escape to a purpose-built garden office where you can work uninterrupted. In most cases, planning permission isn’t required, but this depends on the size of office, its position and whether you’re in a conservation area, so always check first. For year-round use, the building will need double-glazed doors and insulation. Choose boarded and painted walls and a timber ceiling for country style and complete with fishing-style pendant lights. 2 Fine outlook ‘A benefit of working from home is that you can create an inspiring space, positioning furniture in front of a window for natural light and a beautiful view,’ says David Barrett, Living and Dining Buyer, John Lewis. ‘A contemporary desk, such as this one by Danish designer Ebbe Gehl, made from solid oiled oak and…

HEIRLOOM TOMATO TART The simplicity of this tart lies in the fresh red, yellow and green deliciousness of tomatoes at their peak, with an aromatic pastry crust. SERVES 8 AS A STARTER (OR 4 AS A MAIN COURSE) 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting Salt 120g cold unsalted butter, cubed 8 large free-range eggs 250ml full-fat milk 225g Parmesan cheese, finely grated 2 tbsp cornflour 1 large handful basil leaves, plus extra to garnish 150ml extra-virgin olive oil 450g mixed heirloom tomatoes, such as Sungold, Green Zebra and Pink Baby Plum Freshly ground black pepper 1 To make the pastry, combine the flour, ½ tsp salt and butter in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs. Add 3-4 tbsp cold water, 1 tbsp at a time,…

Show-stopping alliums Buy 24 for £11.99 Buy 48 for £12 – double up for just 1p! Create a spectacular show of blooms in your garden in late spring with one of the best and most majestic alliums. ‘Purple Sensation’ is a sun-loving, drought-tolerant variety producing perfect lilac-purple globes of tiny star-shaped flowers up to 15cm in diameter. Ideal for planting among cottage garden perennials or in a formal setting with clipped box hedging. H30cm, spread 60cm. Supplied as size 10/12 bulbs. Why not add Incredibloom Fertiliser to really help your garden grow! Only £4.99 for a 100g sachet or £12.99 for a 750g tub. To order, call 0844 573 1686, quoting XCH506. Online at thompson-morgan.com/ XCH506. Terms and conditions Lines open 9am-8pm (Mon-Fri) and 9am-6pm (Sat-Sun). Offer available to…