Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2015 i Country Homes & Interiors

Happy holidays! It’s the month for kicking back and enjoying the pleasures of leisurely outdoor living. Turn the pages of this issue and you’ll see that dreamy alfresco kitchens, lazy hammocks and eat-in-the-garden tables all feature as the country-style must-haves of the moment. The season’s prettiest florals take pride of place in our ‘Blooming lovely!’ decorating feature (page 54), and we also show you how to make aromatic home fragrancers from homegrown herbs (page 70). Days out and picnics with friends and family are de rigueur right now, so we couldn’t resist shortlisting our favourite kit – from hampers to hoopla (page 64) – and coming up with recipes for salads, baguettes and sweet treats (page 115) to wrap and pack, so you can eat your way to the perfect…

MEET OUR FAVOURITE TROPICAL PLANT EXPERT James Wong Ethno-botanist, TV presenter, garden designer and twice Chelsea Gold medal winner, James loves exotic plants. What’s the secret to tropical plant success here? Become adept at fakery! ‘Tropical’ UK gardening is about cheating the convincing look of warmer climes. Lots of hardy plants look exotic, from ornamental rhubarbs to the quirkier rhododendrons and bamboos. Even native ferns and mosses blend into an exotic scheme, with a hardy palm or tree fern to trick the viewer into thinking it’s come from Kew Gardens. In your tropical Chelsea gardens what worked best? Besides the towering rainforest palms and rare orchids, visitors were excited by the living walls. Yet these weren’t tropical but comprised common temperate species. A favourite was a mix of saxifrage, hardy…

What makes this house a home… ‘The kitchen diner is the focal point of the house. The boys do their homework by choice at the kitchen table rather than in their bedrooms’ It was a classic case of finding a dream house in the country and wanting to give their children an idyllic rural childhood that led Rebecca and Bill Collison to move from their cottage in Lewes closer to the rolling scenery of the East Sussex coast. When they first saw the house, they knew it was the one for them. ‘I adore old houses,’ says Rebecca, ‘and this house has a lovely flow internally. I loved the different periods, depending on which part you are in – oak beams and lower ceilings in some areas, sash windows and…

Quilted bedcovers Cosy up your bed with a beautifully stitched quilt. Need to know… Quilting interlocks the top fabric, an interlayer and backing together for warmth, yet inventive patterns have turned the rows of stitching into an art form, with simple squares and intricate patterns worked by hand or machine. Plain ‘wholecloth’ quilts, rather than patchwork tops, emphasise the stitched designs. Patterned tops are often reversible and it’s not uncommon to find florals on one side with a plain reverse. Where to buy… • Dunelm for toile and floral designs.• Jen Jones for vintage.• The Comfi Cottage for plain and printed quilted bedspreads. Find the perfect carpet For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

What makes this house a home? ‘We dreamed it, designed it and built it. It’s been such a privilege to create our own home from scratch’ When Clare Willison was a disillusioned London commuter, she could never in her wildest dreams have imagined that one day she’d step out of her front door, dive into the surf and swim half a mile to work. ‘Times have certainly changed,’ says Clare. ‘Since moving here, my husband, Murray, and I haven’t looked back. Opening a café just along the beach from our house has added another exciting dimension to our busy lives.’ Clare, who grew up in landlocked Oxfordshire, first felt the call of the sea while working in London in her early twenties. Craving adventure, she placed an advertisement in a…

Get everything ready to hit the road! Pick a practical backpack with plenty of pockets for flasks, maps, food and games, and don’t forget the compass! Make life easier and carry your blanket by its own leather strap. Summer Dress tartan backpack, £99.95, Barbour. Ordnance Survey map, £4.99, Stanfords. Picnic rug, col Fox, £99; leather blanket strap, £28, both Tolly McRae. Metro Geometric flask, £12.95, Dotcomgiftshop. Moleskine notebook, £14, John Lewis. Acne Canada wool scarf, col Blue, £110, Liberty. Monica throw, £80, Habitat. Grey & White Spotty throw, £75, Cologne & Cotton. Slate luggage tag, £5, The Wedding of My Dreams. Compass, stylist’s own. 1 Store food and drink in a multi-tasking cool bag, four-person backpack including plates, glasses and cutlery for four, plus extras such as bottle opener/corkscrew, salt…

The essence of modern country style, Vanessa Arbuthnott’s fabrics, wallpapers and oilcloths come in a beautiful palette of understated colours and a mixture of plains, stripes and whimsical motifs. The fabrics are printed in the UK on either eco-friendly 100% linen or on linen union (a linen/cotton mix using organic cotton). This year, for the first time, Vanessa’s daughters, Rose and Flora, have joined her to create the Wild and Free and Bird Hop designs, respectively – these designs, plus 100% British Wool Harris Tweeds, form the Birds and Beasts collection (shown here). Quirky and fun, they are available in new Terracotta, Kale, Soft Damask and Tomato colourways, as well as old favourites. • How to claim your discount Visit vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk to search through the company’s fabric collections, and enter CH7815…

PROJECT 1 Pick the right shower enclosure PROJECT 2 Buy a beautiful child’s bed PROJECT 3 Find the best dishwasher for you PROJECT 1 SHOWER ROOMS In the morning it’s a wake-up call, in the evening a soothing treat. A superb shower raises an everyday experience to something special, especially with well-designed fittings. Wet rooms are no longer the preserve of chic hotels but are a big trend for home showering, too. Smart, open-plan designs allow the showering space to extend across the room without the barriers of an enclosure. This look relies on the entire room being waterproofed and tiled. Since water will splash everywhere, a glass screen partition is a practical option. If you opt for a shower enclosure, these too are being given the minimalist treatment, with…

1 Turn unused grassland into a flower-rich area • Contact your local council to track down vacant land and get permission to plant on it. • Organise fundraising events to buy wildflower seeds and spread the word about your project; bake sales, summer fêtes, and sponsored activities are lovely ideas. • Sow wildflower seed and grasses – visit buglife.org.uk for planting advice – and allow for mown grass paths for access. • Sign up volunteers, including people who can help out with regular maintenance and a list of more causal workers. • Enjoy a picnic – invite the community to celebrate the meadow. 2 RAISE A GLASS Hosting a garden party? Impress guests with a refreshing tipple from this stylish drinks dispenser – we love the cute honey pot design, £25, from Tesco Direct. 3…

Pink lemonade MAKES 350ML CORDIAL 300g caster sugar 2 lemons, sliced 1 orange, sliced 500g fresh raspberries 1 Put the ingredients in a pan with 350ml cold water and bring to the boil, stirring frequently. Leave to cool. 2 Strain through a sieve, pushing the fruit down with a wooden spoon. Transfer to sterilised bottles and refrigerate (keeps for a week). To serve, pour a little into tumblers, top up with sparkling water and a sprig of mint if available. Charred vegetable tray SERVES 4 350g baby courgettes 100ml olive oil 250g asparagus, woody ends removed 150g mangetout 100ml extra-virgin olive oil 1 lemon, juiced Small handful each of mint leaves, finely chopped, rocket, pea shoots or watercress, basil leaves, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds…

A AFTER NOAH 020 7359 4281 afternoah.com AGA 0845 712 5207 agaliving.com ALISTAIR FLEMING 01273 471269 alistairflemingdesign.co.uk AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMPHORA AROMATICS 0117 904 7212 amphora-retail.com ANNIE SLOAN 01865 713089 anniesloan.co.uk ANN MAY & DAUGHTER 020 7731 0862 ANTHROPOLOGIE 00 800 0026 8476 anthropologie.eu ARDINGLY ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR 01636 702326 iacf.co.uk/ardingly ARLO & JACOB 0333 006 2830 arloandjacob.com ART.CO.UK 020 8435 6556 art.co.uk ASPACE 0845 872 2500 aspace.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com BHS 0344 411 6000 bhs.co.uk BAKER & BRAY 0800 689 1735 bakerandbray.com BARBOUR 0800 917 3000 barbour.com BAREMINERALS 0800 652 3362 bareminerals.co.uk BARKER & STONEHOUSE 0333 355 9359 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BATHROOM VILLAGE 0844 774 6666 bathroomvillage.com BATHSTORE 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com BEDECK 0845 603 0861 bedeckhome.com BEKO 0345 600 4911 beko.co.uk BENNISON 020…

Standing on the southern tip of Tor Bay, Berry Head is awe-inspiring. At the heart of the headland, with its rare plants and butterflies, guillemot colony and sea caves, is 400-million-year-old limestone. I go up there with Charlie, my Chocolate Labrador, two or three mornings a week. The view west towards Dartmouth and Steer Point is stunning. On clear days I can also see east to Portland, Lyme Bay and Torquay. The view varies depending on the colour of the sky, the amount of wind affecting the sea and whether or not the sun is shining. I’ve lived in Devon for nine years, and I’m still amazed by how many incredible walks there are. As an early riser, I’m out of the house by 6.30 most mornings. I like to…

See it, do it, love it Fly a kite at Bristol’s International Kite Festival – this fun day out for all the family has kite-making workshops and air displays, 22-23 August, kite-festival.org.uk. Care for our coastlines by taking part in a national beach-cleaning event. Visit mcsuk.org for details. Spot beautiful butterflies on a guided walk along an old railway trail taking in Dorset’s scenic countryside on the way, 2 August, dorsetbutterflies.com. Explore tranquil Welsh waterways on a traditional narrowboat holiday – no sailing experience required! Visit beaconparkboats.com. Mood of the moment Create a pretty, feminine feel with a soft pastel palette teamed with seasoned wood and rattan furniture. PINTEREST For more things we can’t live without, follow us at countryhomesmag…

MEET OUR FAVOURITE ARTISAN SALT PRODUCER Steven Osborne Ask a top chef about salt, and Maldon Sea Salt Flakes will almost certainly be their favourite. Maldon Salt Company was established in 1882 and is now in the hands of Steven Osborne, the fourth generation of the founder’s family. The salt is still produced in the traditional way at the Maldon salt works on the East coast. What makes your salt special? So much of salt’s flavour lies in the shape of the crystals and how they are experienced on the tongue. Maldon salt flakes release their saltiness with a sweet precision, adding extra texture and crunch. You won’t believe it but… Legend has it that salt was first made in Maldon nearly 2,000 years ago when the slaves of a…

Ball and claw-foot bath Ornate feet are the classic choice for a stylish roll top. Need to know… For centuries, the ball and claw design has propped up the base of furniture and dining table silverware alike, but it’s at its most magnificent when supporting a roll-top bath. It’s a practical choice, too, allowing access to the plumbing beneath. Variations on the ball and claw foot include scroll feet and simpler ‘deco’ designs. Find them in chrome, nickel or painted finishes. Where to buy… • Bathstore for an acrylic/stone resin bath with traditional feet.• Drummonds for a roll top with scroll feet. Find the perfect oak floor For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

Bar stool Perched on a high stool, you can chat to the cook or linger over breakfast. Need to know… Stools have moved on from simple science-lab style to seats with a supportive back, comfy upholstered high chairs and adjustable-height gas-lift versions. Check the seat height: you need 25-30cm between the seat and the underside of the bar. Allow 53-64cm width of dining space (or more for chairs with arms), and 35cm between the last stool and the wall. Where to buy… • Sweetpea & Willow for a painted tall stool with a slatted back.• English Abode for a rattan and teak bar stool.• Neptune for an upholstered stool. Find the perfect coastal tint paints For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

How to make it... 1 Create homemade pot-pourri Making pot-pourri is much more satisfying than using shop-bought. Line the base of a roasting pan with greaseproof paper. Carefully pick the leaves, petals and buds from gathered herbs and flowers. Scatter on the tray, along with thin slices of citrus fruit, and place in the oven at a low temperature (110 ° C/Fan 90 ° F/Gas ¼) for a few hours. Keep an eye on the petals, as they can catch easily. Once cool, use a dropper to sprinkle over a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Blend, then place into a bowl, ready for use. 2 Display and dry fragrant herbs Tie herbs to a wreath to create a perfumed display. Cut herbs – and flowers, if you like…

Sarah Wain grew up near Melbourne in Australia and studied horticulture at university. She met her partner, Jim Buckland, when they were working at Kew Gardens. One of the UK’s most successful gardening couples, they took up their respective roles at West Dean 24 years ago. West Dean is renowned for its restored garden with an Edwardian pergola, newly restored sunken garden, walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses and a beautiful parkland walk with views of the South Downs. Sarah, who holds an Institute of Horticulture award and The Professional Gardeners’ Guild Loyal and Outstanding Service Award for ‘dedication to the highest horticultural standards’, oversees the kitchen garden, flower borders and the glasshouses, in which 250 varieties of chillies are grown. We went to meet Sarah in Sussex… Where is home?…

Create a focal point A large beam above an inglenook fireplace forms a border and makes a spectacular focal point for a country living room. If the beams were originally painted black, say Paula Barnes, Director, interior design company Eliza Barnes, ‘You could revert to a natural oak finish or repaint them in a pale colour to lift the space and make it feel lighter.’ Go up a level Mezzanines, by their very nature, can obscure the character of old buildings. Marc Gani, architect, Lewis Foster Lewis Architects, advises, ‘When carefully exposed and sensitively cleaned up, the old timber structure can add patina and enrich a space that would otherwise appear as a new addition to a home.’ Find the perfect match For a contemporary rustic feel in the kitchen,…

In the idyllic little village of Hemingford Abbots on the outskirts of Cambridge, there are four rather elegant sit-up-and-beg bicycles parked at the entrance to Catherine Turner’s showroom next to her home. One of her customers has taken up her offer to visit the showroom and test-drive all her most popular models before buying. ‘I became passionate about cycling while living in Paris,’ says Catherine. ‘As I started to explore the city on two wheels, I fell head over heels in love with the joy of riding a bike.’ Catherine and her partner, Jo Easton, and their children, William, nine, and Emilia, seven, had lived in the heart of Paris for six years before they decided to move back to Catherine’s roots in Cambridgeshire two years ago. ‘In France, bicycles…

MEET OUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER MAKER Alice Shields Illustrator and ceramicist Alice makes playful home accessories at her studio in Somerset. What made you want to become a designer? I’ve always loved drawing and discovered a passion for ceramics on my foundation course, so decided to combine the two. Friends and family liked what I was making, which motivated me to carry on. What inspires you? Colour, people, snatches of overheard conversation, walks in the countryside, trips to the coast, drawing… all sorts. Where do you work? I rent a space in a ceramics studio with 20 other craftspeople. It’s full to the brim with boxes, bubble wrap and freshly rolled clay. I love it – it feels like a second home. What makes your business special? I like my customers…

MEET OUR FAVOURITE SHOP OWNERS John Tanner and Richard Swallow What inspired you to open Tanner & Lawson? We started out with a shop in London, then Richard came across a converted old forge with a south-facing courtyard in the beautiful village of Burnham Market in North Norfolk. Within just a few months we were heading towards the coast of East Anglia… How would you describe the shop’s style? We showcase work by British makers and contemporary fine artists to create an exciting retail experience. Eclectic displays might feature a large abstract oil by Jane Lewis hanging above a dark Jacobean console table, on top of which sits a vibrant red table lamp by Marianna Kennedy. What makes your shop so special? We combine the shop with a gallery exhibition…

What we love most about living here… ‘We walk for miles and don’t see a soul, yet we’re not too far from a town’ Having rented in and near the Cotswolds for eight years, Polly and Alex Oswald had moved house frequently because nowhere really felt like home. ‘We were a little sceptical about the recently converted 16th-century farmhouse that the estate agent’s brochure told us would make a perfect family home,’ says Polly, ‘especially as it did actually look pretty close to perfect.’ It was the splendid garden that ticked Polly’s first box. With two little girls at the time, she was longing for a safe, enclosed outdoor space for her children to play in. This one, with the benefit of its beautiful borders and amazing views, exceeded all…

Storage trunk Distressed or pristine, a trunk will add instant rustic style to a room. Need to know… One of the earliest forms of storage, sturdy trunks were made to withstand the buffeting of travel. Their wooden staves, metal handles, locks and studs, once practical essentials, now add to the decorative effect. Choose wood, leather or canvas for rustic looks, boho chic painted versions with or without a distressed finish, or on-trend industrial aluminium. Vintage shipping labels add to the faraway feel. Where to buy… • Idyll Home for painted metal trunks.• Scaramanga for vintage trunks.• Shimu for decorated wooden trunks. Find the perfect limestone flooring For more ideas go to housetohome.co.uk/  countryhomesandinteriors…

All the details: products and prices Arrange flowers in jugs and fabric-covered pots Rose jug, £18, Sophie Allport. Countryside jug, £22, Charlotte Macey. Fabric around pots, Catherine Rose Blue, £55 m, Cabbages & Roses. Enjoy summery dining in the garden Table and chairs, similar from The Vintage Gardener and After Noah. Tableware, similar from Lavender & Sage. Glassware, similar from John Lewis. Turquoise vase, similar from Anthropologie. Linen napkins, similar from Rowen & Wren. Floral tunic, similar from Cath Kidston or Joules. Other items, stylist’s own. Add a floral touch to bags and cushions Laundry bags, made in a selection of fabrics from Bennison and Laura Ashley. Antique galvanised hook rail, £18, Garden Trading. Wensley Peony scarf, £19.95, Joules. Hanging lavender heart, £14.99 for 2, Retreat Home. Moss Stitch cushion,…

* Collect herbs early in the morning, just after the dew burns off, as this is when the oils are most potent. * Harvest flowers when they first open, because they’re at their most aromatic and visually pleasing then. Handle carefully to avoid bruising and losing the scent. * Pick and use citrus fruit straightaway, if using homegrown, or purchase just before use for shop-bought. Store in a cool dry place, unless you plan to use immediately, to prevent spoiling. * Try adding scented oils to enhance the fragrance of herbs, flowers and fruit – blend different oils, such as orange and geranium for a summery perfume, or lavender and lemongrass for an uplifting aroma.…

The first thing Sara Gadd ever grew, in the two-acre garden in Cornwall she shares with her husband, Daro, and son, Eiger, was a crop of beetroot. ‘I just felt I needed to grow something so I dug a two-metre square plot in the field,’ says Sara, who continues to grow a wide range of vegetables, including many heritage varieties, at Lower Treculliacks House, near Constantine, north of the Helford River. Although it is her priority to use the land around her house for growing food and fuel, as an artist turned garden designer she also ensures that the garden feeds the eye and the senses as much as the family. Sara moved to Cornwall from the South East 15 years ago, drawn by the offer of a job at…

Perennial wallflowers Our hand-selected collection of hardy perennial wallflowers (far left) will return year after year, filling the garden with colour. Perfect for cottage-style borders and encouraging nectar-searching insects, wallflowers are a carefree option for country gardens. Our offer includes ‘Spice Island’, ‘Paintbox’, ‘Constant Cheer’, which reach 60cm high and 45cm spread. Order three plants for £12 (one of each variety); or nine (three of each) for £16; or buy the *Ultimate Perennial Collection of 18 wallflowers (six of each) for just £21 (saving £11) and get three ‘Bowles’s Mauve’, worth £15, FREE. Plants supplied as chunky plugs (H14cm). Star jasmine With thousands of pure white sweet-scented flowers and glossy evergreen foliage, star jasmine is perfect for containers or borders, or for covering a warm wall or obelisk. Trachelospermum jasminoides,…

Catherine’s business is not just about selling beautiful bicycles and accessories, it’s also about engaging with customers and encouraging them to buy into a way of life. If you have a product that links up to a lifestyle, flag up this aspect to create a community buzz. Here are some tips on setting up customer communities, together with information on the cycling incentive schemes. Create community websites and pages to increase interest in your products This allows you to target your customers with information and news about your company. You can also maintain contact through updates about new products and future events. Interaction between you and your customers keeps them interested in what you’re selling and creates a lively, unique site. Most network communities grow through viral marketing, where members’…

CLEY WINDMILL Magical sunsets, fantastic views over the reeds to the sea, delicious dining, bedrooms to die for in a unique setting. How about booking Cley Windmill for a house party and give your guests a weekend to remember? Or simply come for a quiet mid-week getaway. We also host lots of glorious weddings. Call 01263 740209 or visit cleywindmill.co.uk. FARM STAY UK Farmstay.co.uk is the perfect place to find the perfect countryside holiday. Traditional B&Bs with home-cooked breakfasts, fantastic cottages and glamping is the best way to Wake Up to the Country. Call 02476 696909 or visit farmstay.co.uk. 5* QUINTA DA BELA VISTA, MADEIRA Travel between July 2015 and April 2016 from £499 per person (including flights and transfers) to the Hotel Quinta da Bela Vista in Funchal. This…