Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2017 i Country Homes & Interiors

Relax! It’s spring! Of all the seasons, this is the most welcome. You can shake off those winter worries and woollies and step optimistically into warmer days and fresh new thinking. As our beautiful country houses show, letting light into the home is a sure way to enhance the way rooms look and feel. Take our advice and make windows sing with airy curtains and sheers (page 88), or be inspired by the glass design solutions for roofs and walkways (page 98). We’ve also fallen for woodland buys inspired by bluebells, on page 12, and pretty artisan patterns – from zigzags to block prints – to create casual, easy-going style (page 73). Plus, farmer and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty shares his love of Jersey Royals on page 130; Creative Director…

In the mood Lighting is key when it comes to ambience, so why not create a sense of tranquility with this statement shade, £125, from Cox & Cox? Woven from on-trend rattan, it has an organic shape and natural finish, and casts a soft, gentle glow – perfect for restful country rooms. Herald summer with fabrics strewn with flowers... Flop onto a floral sofa As a nod to this season’s botanical trend, designer Imogen Heath has created two striking prints, Leaves and Geometric, using a mixture of traditional artistry and digital technology. They’ve been launched in collaboration with Sofa.com and Design Lab (a bi-annual initiative championing emerging design stars), as a limited edition across Sofa.com’s full range until August. ‘Inspiration came from my local National Trust garden,’ says Imogen. ‘I…

Writer Val Bourne shares her 30-years’ experience of organic gardening in Gloucestershire... • Draw in more beneficial insects and birds by nurturing a wide range of perennials, ferns, grasses, annuals, trees and shrubs. Provide flowers for as long as possible in your garden, especially early in the year when valuable bumblebees emerge from hibernation. • Create wild areas in your garden. I have a much-admired bit close to a sunny wall that’s full of honeysuckle and roses, and hedgehogs live there. I also have two mini-meadows, one with wild orchids and wildflowers, the other with spring bulbs. The long grass encourages ground beetles, the best predator for slugs. Frogs, newts, toads and small mammals also shelter there and I get a lot of brown butterflies, such as meadow brown and ringlets.…

Created by husband and wife team, Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote, Pale & Interesting was launched online in 2007 as the culmination of the couple’s combined 30-year experience in the magazine, photography and design industries. The couple opened Pale & Interesting in Rye, East Sussex, known for its picturesque cobbled lanes and period architecture, last year. Owner Atlanta tells us more… HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE PALE & INTERESTING’S STYLE? We like to think of our style as being laid back and relaxed, a kind of simple elegance that’s chic yet approachable. We’re all about mixing it up – teaming old with new, rough with smooth and utility with femininity. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN YOUR SHOP? We really needed a physical showcase for our growing online homeware store. We also…

Daisy’s style secret Add a free-and-easy feel to your scheme with upcycled, handpainted furniture in mismatched country colours. Modern Country Classic Painted larder cupboards Create valuable extra storage in your kitchen with an attractive freestanding unit. Echoing the traditional built-in larders of yesteryear, these stand-alone pieces look perfectly at home in today’s modern country kitchens. Choose the arrangement of racks, shelves and drawers that best suits your needs and go for a paint colour to match your other units or, alternatively, to provide a stylish contrast. Where to buy… • The Cotswold Company for a range in fresh, country colours. • The Bespoke Furniture Company for larders with different storage options. • Loaf for character pieces in scuffed grey and rustic woods.…

They say there is no such thing as coincidence, so perhaps when interior designer and fabric enthusiast Nicole Hood fell for this 15th-century textile merchant’s home, it was serendipity. Not everyone would have recognised the charm of the stone cottage. It was the middle of three in what was once a single dwelling known as The Clothiers Palace. ‘My initial impressions were of cold, grotty rooms where you could see your breath in front of you,’ says Nicole. ‘The two-foot-thick walls were charming, but kept the chill in, and the sole source of heat – a broken Rayburn cooker – had long since given up the ghost.’ The fact that it hadn’t been lived in for some years did nothing to help. However, in its favour were the many original…

Display honestly-made homewares Make kitchen counters and rough-hewn, wall-hung crates the place to gather carved and chunky cooking utensils and tableware. Use simple stencils and wallpaper to create interesting backgrounds. See page 80 for details. Enjoy casual eating Create a sociable setting for easy refectory-style dining with salvaged benches and woven chairs. Tactile table linens and braided rugs add comfort. See page 80 for details. Dress up slouchy sofas Make lounging an art form with decorative scatter cushions and throws featuring traditional patterns and weaves. See page 80 for details. Surf and scribe with artisanal accessories Give your tablet country appeal with an embroidered leather cover. Paperwork is more of a pleasure with hand-stamped stationery. See page 80 for details. Combine natural materials Vintage stools and ladders are an original…

1 EXOTIC TOUCH Update a classic neutrally decorated room with a window treatment that has a soft exotic feel. Indian paisleys, Moroccan geometric patterns and ikat prints in muted tones are all ideal for adding a relaxed ethnic feel to a country interior without it being too overpowering. For wide windows, keep the look restrained with a single unifying curtain that can be drawn right back to make the most of the spring sunshine. 2 RUFFLED UP Tiny cottage windows can still be dressed with plenty of charm despite their diminutive size. Opt for a classic small print such as a country check, polka dot, tiny sprig or gingham to make a simple cotton curtain. For added interest introduce a larger-style floral design or contrasting pattern as a border or…

• PART L1B OF BUILDING REGULATIONS outlines the U values and thermal efficiency, with which all extensions must comply. Ensure the thermal performance of the glass itself and the glass installation – the frame, closing mechanisms, etc – are as efficient as possible for L1 compliance. • THE PASSIVHAUS STANDARD is the Holy Grail of low-energy performance and, with regards to windows, refers to ultra-efficient triple glazing and window profiles. Try Velfac (velfac.co.uk) or Hyperion (efficientwindowsandoors.co.uk). • AN OVER-GLAZED EXTENSION is when the glazing amounts to more than 25% of the floor area, and falls outside of standard building regulations. In this case, you may need to commission an SAP calculation by an accredited professional (expect to pay around £300 +VAT), which helps you meet thermal targets by making upgrades…

As well as being swayed by the style and colour of the bedlinen when choosing your new set, consider the details of the fabric’s manufacture to make sure it is right for you. THREAD COUNT When buying bedlinen, the thread count is often used to judge the quality, but be aware that the numbers may not always tell the whole story. Thread count is measured by counting the threads in a square inch. Linen with a count of 200 or more is generally considered to be good quality. Higher numbers promise higher quality, but some manufacturers can count individual threads that have been twisted together to make two-ply or several-ply strands, so that the thread count appears much higher. It’s best to go on the feel and handle of the…

1 Retro revival  This 60s-inspired seat offers a fun, vintage feel. Rattan hanging chair, £675, Out There Interiors. 2 Natural harmony Crafted from natural jute, this rustic chair blends in beautifully with the great outdoors. Hanging swing chair, £140, Rockett St George. 3 Happy camping Light, portable and rain-resistant, this chair-cum-tent is a camper’s best friend. Cacoon single hanging chair, £220, Cuckooland. 4 Bespoke option This traditional wood bench comes in different styles and sizes, as well as in many Farrow & Ball shades. Harmony swing seat, from £979, Sitting Spiritually. 5 Statement stripes An eye-catching hammock seat made from durable cotton combines comfort and style. Bloomingville hammock chair, £79, Amara. 6 Simple beauty  Available in natural or grey-washed wicker, this handwoven seat epitomises Scandi style. Dante Pod hanging chair,…

Obelisks, tapering columns with four sides, have been used for centuries as monuments and more lately in gardens, either as solid objects or openwork structures to support climbers. Need to know... • Focal points are designed to draw the eye so make sure the obelisk you use is worth looking at. • Think about the background. If the area is busy with tall plants the obelisk may ‘disappear’, while against a dark evergreen hedge it will stand out. • Choose a mirrored obelisk to reflect surrounding foliage and planting beautifully, even on a grey day. • Place a solid obelisk at the end of a path, or where paths cross at the main axis in the garden. • Use several open-sided wooden obelisks in a border to support climbing plants where most planting is low.…

JERSEY ROYAL DIPPING PLATTER The new potatoes take centre stage with this great idea for a tasty snack. SERVES 6-8 For the basil pesto 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped ½ tsp sea salt 50g fresh basil, leaves picked and chopped 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 30g Parmesan, finely grated 25g pine nuts, toasted For the chive crème fraîche 250g tub of full-fat crème fraîche Bunch of chives, finely chopped ½ juice and zest of 1 lemon Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the chimichurri sauce Bunch of coriander Bunch of flat-leaf parsley 1 tsp of dried oregano 1 garlic clove 1 shallot, peeled and roughly chopped ½ red chilli, deseeded 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 tbsp olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper…

How to MAKE THEM YOURSELF Tea-cup planters Vintage tea cups never go out of fashion – you’ll find pretty examples sold on Etsy and Ebay or you could keep an eye out in charity shops and at car-boot sales. The cups make perfect little planters and using them like this is a great way to keep your favourites out on display all the time. Simply scatter a little grit in the bottom of each cup before potting up a flowering plant – pick small-scale varieties, such as the pink daisies used here, to complement the size of the cups. For a neat finishing touch, top the soil with fresh moss. Check the plants regularly so they don’t dry out, but be careful not to overwater or the roots will become…

The one lesson I have learned... ‘TRUST YOURSELF. IT’S YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR TIME, YOUR MONEY. HEED ADVICE, BUT MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND MAINTAIN YOUR VISION’ With more than five million small businesses in the UK, collaboration can prove highly effective, as Helen Bakunowicz, owner of The Bakemonger, has shown. By joining forces with like-minded creatives, businesses can harness the power of the collective, share ideas with similar people and use each other’s business platforms to facilitate growth. Create complementary collaborations that can provide increased revenue opportunities for both parties. Helen has worked with Bruton-based lifestyle store Caro Somerset as its in-house baker, which has given both great opportunities. Raise awareness among a larger target audience through pop-up collaborations. The monthly pop-up food market in Frome has been a great…

I always start the day with a dog walk or a cycle ride, following the muddy track at the bottom of our garden, up over the fields until I come to the point where I can look down over Rutland Water and the Nature Reserve. It’s such a peaceful spot, with trails through the woodland to ponds full of life and birdwatching hides overlooking the water. I’ve spent many hours drawing there. It’s possible to see woodpeckers, nuthatches and marsh tits, and the wealth of bird and aquatic life is a constant inspiration for my work, such as my prints Early Nesters and Frogs and Flax. I always take a sketchbook with me and record the birds I see in scribbles, so that later in the studio I can develop…

Country Homes & Interiors Summer is an exciting three-day gathering of modern country life and style. Bringing together your favourite high-street and high-end brands with over 120 artisan makers, upcoming designers and small independent businesses, this feel-good shopping and experiential event will inspire, delight and inform. It’s a must-visit day out for rural voguers and urban dreamers alike! LIVE THE LIFE... LOVE THE STYLE! SHOP FOR COUNTRY HOME AND LIFESTYLE BUYS Curated by the Country Homes & Interiors team, we are hand-selecting beautiful brands and businesses that we know will appeal across home, garden, food, beauty, wellbeing and fashion. BE INSPIRED BY STYLE EXPERTS Discover how to design and create the perfect country home with the help of leading interiors brands. From fabrics and wallpapers to paints, furniture and accessories,…

Ceramicist Sue began her career over 20 years ago, working as a designer for Wedgwood. She’s gone on to develop homeware collections for Ikea, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis, and has launched her own line of tableware in collaboration with small factories and makers across the UK. Where are you based? In a village, south of Leicester. I used to work in a converted stable that overlooked my garden (and hens!) but have recently moved into an old factory. It’s not as idyllic, but I desperately needed the space to expand. What inspires you? Familiarity plays a strong role in my design process. I strive to create shapes that sit comfortably in a home. I’m fascinated by the intuitive decisions we make every day, like how we pick a…

BOTANICAL COCKTAILS This season is all about drinking cocktails infused and garnished with foraged herbs and flowers. Gin works best with botanicals and our favourite pairing is hibiscus. Add fresh flowers (or cordial – try the East India Company’s version, £7.95 for 25cl) to a bottle of gin, a couple each of cardamom pods, whole coriander seeds and black peppercorns, plus a tablespoon of sugar, and leave to steep for a couple of hours before you strain and serve. Add a rich and earthy taste to your summer salads... Turn over a new leaf Colourful baby rhubarb chard adds a splash of red to dishes with its beautiful scarlet stems and veined leaves. For summer salads, try adding it to a mix of shredded carrot, sliced radishes, chopped apple, spring…

Choose utility-chic scullery ware, such as bristle brushes and zinc buckets, to make the space feel stylish yet practical. Often overlooked or crammed fit to bursting, the humble under-stairs cupboard can be full of space-saving surprises. With nooks and niches, just perfect for orderly arranging, it has the potential for superior storage – and domestic bliss. WHAT’S THE STORY? This tucked-away area really came into its own during the 18th and 19th centuries as joinery crafts improved. Left open, the low-ceilinged space was topped with dust-gathering stair treads, but once enclosed with doors, it made a clean and useful stow space, pantry, larder or cleaning cupboard – a real asset to the country home. CREATE YOUR OWN Taller spaces or backs of doors are the ideal places to hang long-handled…

It had been Zoe Glencross’s wish to move to the long country. Zoe and her husband, Jonah, had lived in Didsbury, a leafy suburb of Manchester, since their early twenties. ‘We loved Didsbury, but then we had children and it became a dream of mine for the boys to grow up in the countryside,’ says Zoe. ‘I was raised in Sussex and spent holidays in Devon as a child, so I have lovely memories of a childhood full of freedom.’ Jonah, however, wasn’t keen to move away from the city as he had a short commute to work and loved the area. Then one day, while Zoe was driving through the Cheshire countryside, she spotted a building that would change their lives. ‘I was travelling along a country lane when…

Nicole’s style secret Introduce homely, eclectic appeal and make a vibrant statement with sumptuous velvet upholstery. Modern Country Classic Kilim feature rug Traditionally made from bamboo, these silky-soft textured flat weaves have been produced for aeons. Increasingly popular in recent years as collectible quality pieces, they make beautiful heirlooms to be passed down through the generations. Often featuring a distinctive tessellating motif, modern designs have been re-worked in graphic geometrics and colourful hues to (literally) lay down the wow factor. Where to buy... • The Conran Shop for modern motifs in contrasting colours. • Heal’s for hotchpotch designs in beautiful brights. • The Handmade Rug Company for soft wool, natural dyes and timeless geometrics.…

DISPLAY HONESTLY-MADE HOMEWARES Ammi wallpaper, £48 a roll, Harlequin. Stencils: Tallulah, £6.99; Valeska (in clip), £14.99, Annie Sloan; painted in Blue Silk and Pumpkin, £4.99 for 125ml, Rust-Oleum. Nicola Tassie mugs, £55 each; spoon, £70; Akiko Hirai cup, £65; Mizuyo Yamashita cup, £37; Lisa Hammond pourer, £27, Maud and Mabel. Ingrid plates, £9.95 each, Graham & Green. String holder, £9, Pastel Lane. Makensie measuring spoons, £24; Makensie whisk, £22, both Anthropologie. Pestle and mortar, £21, French Connection. Glass cannisters, from £21; linen cloth, £11.50; Koba basket, £14.95; tea towel, £12; tumbler, £5, all Oggetto. Candlestick, £3.50, Ikea. Chopping board, £47.99, T&G Woodware. Simple: Effortless Food, Big Flavours by Diana Henry, £25, Mitchell Beazley. The Great Dixter Cookbook by Aaron Bertelsen, £24.95, Phaidon. Clip, £6.95 for 6, Cow & Co. Cutlery,…

Three years ago Rachel Galbraith landed her dream job at the iconic UK furniture brand Ercol after previously working for big names such as John Lewis, Tesco and Marks & Spencer. Her design journey started with an art foundation course followed by a degree in furniture design at Loughborough University. The role at Ercol sees Rachel heading up the look for the entire brand, both new collections and heritage pieces, with a wealth of archive designs from the 1950s to update at her fingertips. Away from her studio at Ercol’s Princes Risborough headquarters, Rachel is a country girl and we headed off to the Chiltern Hills to meet her... TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE... A cottage in the heart of Henley-on-Thames. Life here is focused on enjoying the river…

Some people love the open uncluttered feeling of glass day and night, while others prefer to create more privacy and cosiness. Robert Walker, Managing Director, Alexander James Interior Design shares his thoughts on large windows... • A double-height gable window will flood your extension with plenty of natural light. To make it a room you can sit comfortably in all year round, invest in good-quality window films (take a look at solarshield.co.uk) that are nearly invisible and reject the sun’s harmful rays during the summer months. • Hang sheer voile curtains, which will also help to diffuse the light without obstructing views, and provide a degree of privacy. • Protect your furniture by positioning seating away from direct sunlight and choosing robust, fade-resistant materials.…

1 Best for... DESIGN COHESION Heritage Bathrooms Hemsby collection, basin taps start at £200 If you love the look and want to achieve the finish across all your bathroom brassware, then Heritage bathrooms is on the case. Its Hemsby range, with its clean and edgy lines, carries the same pretty rose-gold finish across basin mixers, bath taps and showers. Even the basin waste trap is covered! 2 Best for... STIMULATING SHOWERS Livinghouse Rose Gold collection fixed showerhead, from £380 Luxuriously wide to ensure an invigorating head-to-toe drench, this fixed showerhead comes in 20cm or 30cm diameter versions and is part of a Rose Gold collection that covers valves, taps and accessories. Made for wall installation, its directional showerhead can be angled to control water spray. Requires a minimum 1-bar water…

There are few pieces of furniture that rely on truly lasting comfort more than sofas. After all, you’ll be curling up on yours for many years ahead. This is where G Plan and its generations of experience comes in. Since 1898, this thoroughly British brand has been handcrafting sofas and chairs to order, with styles ranging from simple and classic, to more sleek and modern. For the ultimate comfort, you can select from a range of models with different levels of support, and choose the upholstery to work with your interior scheme. And with 149 fabrics and 42 shades of leather, you’ll find material to work in any style of country home. With the current home trend of appreciating the small comforts of life, and consumers turning to well-made, reliable…

Brighten up your bike If you buy just one thing this month, make it a colourful bike basket from ethical lifestyle brand, The Basket Room. Handwoven from sisal grass by craft collectives in East Africa, every sale helps provide the weavers with a sustainable income. The baskets cost from £65 each. Watch out for cottage style Cath Kidston’s colourful new watch collection features three retro designs, offering different takes on her signature floral motifs and all inspired by fabrics from her rural childhood home. Watches (from left), Sketched Rose leather strap, £60; Painted Pansies rubber, £40; Wildflower Bunch Rose leather strap, £60, all Cath Kidston. BUY BRITISH The Cambridge Satchel Company If you’re in the market for a new bag, look no further. From satchels and backpacks to cross-bodies, The…

PROJ ECT PROFILE Owners Claire Lopez and husband Pedro, who both work from home, live here with their four children. House A contemporary new-build, designed to look like a collection of traditional farm buildings in rural Hampshire. The project Situated in one of the barns, the kitchen is a large, open-plan, dual-aspect room with views of the countryside. The room has glass walls, so the kitchen had to be mainly island-based, with the Aga taking centre-stage. Kitchen size 6x10m. Designer Andrew Hall, Woodstock Furniture. Cabinetry Contemporary-styled bespoke kitchen, Woodstock Furniture. We wanted a big, open-plan kitchen, with a contemporary feel and a traditional layout – a light, bright space we could entertain in,’ says Claire Lopez, who spent 18 months living in a bungalow…

Having worked as a fashion textile designer and later as a colour and trend forecaster, design and creativity have always been important influences for Helen Bakunowicz. For the last two years, Helen has transferred her skills from the world of design consultancy to artisan bakery, and has been busy creating her own company, The Bakemonger. Her inspirational ‘edible tapestries’ and ‘cakescapes’ are mini works of art, blurring the boundaries between food and fashion. ‘I graduated from Brighton in 2001 with a degree in Fashion Textiles Design and spent time designing in Lake Como and New York before settling back in London,’ says Helen. ‘I moved into trend forecasting and consulted international brands across fashion, footwear and interiors. Colour, detail and texture have influenced my thinking on everything. ‘Subconsciously, food references…

A ABEL & COLE 0345 262 6262 abelandcole.co.uk ALCHEMY DESIGN AWARD 01279 771159 alchemyaward.com ALEXANDER JAMES INTERIOR DESIGN 0118 932 0828 aji.co.uk AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMAZON amazon.co.uk AMTICO 0121 745 0800 amtico.com ANNIE SLOAN 01865 713089 anniesloan.com ANTHROPOLOGIE 00 800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com APPLIANCES DIRECT 0871 984 4416 appliancesdirect.co.uk APROPOS 0800 328 0033 aproposconservatories.co.uk ARTISANS OF DEVIZES 01380 735888 artisansofdevizes.com A RUM FELLOW 020 8245 6779 arumfellow.com ASDA 0800 952 0101 asda.com ASHLEY WILDE 01707 635201 ashleywildegroup.co.uk ATHLETE SERVICE 01491 598089 athleteservice.com/kom-cafe ATLAS BATHROOMS 0161 864 3610 atlasbathrooms.co.uk AVOCA 020 3627 7960 avoca.com B   BAILEYS 01989 561931 baileyshome.com BARBER WILSON 020 8888 3461 barwil.co.uk BATHROOM DISCOUNT CENTRE 020 7381 4222 bathdisc.co.uk BENCHMARK 01488 608020 benchmarkfurniture.com BERRY RED 01432 274805 berryred.co.uk BETTY BOYNS 0845 021 9550 bettyboyns.co.uk…

Colour of THE MOMENT…

Just what you need now... Keep losing your gardening tools? If so, the FloraBrite range is for you, with fluorescent handles that glow under torch light. RHS-endorsed, they come with a 10-year guarantee and are a great way to brighten up your gardening day. We think everyone needs a pair of Bypass Secateurs, £18.99, and Flower and Fruit Snips, £9.99, from Burgon & Ball. Sow it, grow it – you can even eat it! Plant & pick pot marigolds May is the last chance to sow hardy annual calendulas. These are a must as they make great cut flowers for the table, bloom until October and their petals are edible. They are so easy to grow – simply scatter seeds on well-cultivated soil in a sunny spot. Space them a…

The Olver family has been at Terras Farm near Truro for five generations. Tanya’s light-bulb moment was realising there was no high-quality, locally-bred duck in Cornwall, so she purchased a hatchery and set up a small-scale artisan operation. Her award-winning duck is now sold at local farmers’ markets, top restaurants and online, and fans include Jamie Oliver, whose restaurant Fifteen Cornwall has used it exclusively since opening. What’s so special about your ducks? Over the years we have bred a unique blend of four traditional breeds to produce the ultimate table bird. We rear them for eight weeks as opposed to the six weeks that is common elsewhere in the industry, ensuring a perfect fat to meat ratio. What’s your favourite way to serve duck? We eat pan-fried duck breast…

When you make a living from finding properties to do up and sell on, ‘renovator’s restlessness’ can make it hard to settle down. Jo and her husband, Peter, had moved to the south of France in 2005 to convert rural barns and settle down there. ‘We renovated two complete wrecks and a third was part-wreck,’ says Jo. ‘Each time, we lived on site during the renovations and that sort of workload really takes it out of you.’ After seven years the couple were ready to settle down. They rented in Somerset for six months before spotting their cottage in a quiet village in Leicestershire. ‘It meant we would be halfway between my parents in Yorkshire and Peter’s son Frank in London,’ says Jo. The house looks like a tiny cottage…

Home Accessory Crafters and Makers Sally Bendelow, Creative Product Director, Notonthe  highstreet.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 helping graduates into full-time jobs. Fabric, Furniture and Wallpaper Designers Melanie Adams, Founder and Buyer, Wallpaperdirect Mel is responsible for creating the home to more than 12,000 wallpaper designs and over 100 brands. Wallpaperdirect is the one-stop shop for wallcoverings and home accessories online. Home Retailers Anna Rigby, Head of Buying, Home, John Lewis A Partner with John Lewis, Britain’s leading omni-channel retailer, for 36 years, Anna can share her extensive knowledge and expertise in developing Home and Fashion…

Invite a guest to share the guilty pleasure of afternoon tea at a little bistro table in the corner. Lead the way to your own garden haven with a blossoming trail of scented pretties... 3 GO-TO GARDEN ROOM HIDEAWAY SUPPLIERS * THE POSH SHED COMPANY designs and builds boutique sheds in a range of distinctive designs and colour finishes. Prices start from £4,995, for the new National Garden Scheme Shed (below). * CRANE GARDEN BUILDINGS specialises in bespoke insulated garden rooms – just the thing for year-round relaxing and outdoor living, from £18,915. * GARDEN OASIS’ elegant Forest Garden Glass House, from £2,695, features fully glazed panels with three opening top windows and a pressure-treated timber floor – perfect for bringing focal-point style to your…

WHEN GENTLE SPRING BREEZES begin to stir and windows can at last be thrown open, new linens will bring a country bedroom into focus. ‘At the end of a busy day there is no better feeling in the world than slipping into a beautifully made and blissfully comfortable bed,’ says Chrissie Rucker, MBE, Founder, The White Company. THIS SEASON we’re waking up to inspirational patterns and linens with exquisite detailing. Take your pick from nature-inspired designs to paint a picture of life in the great outdoors. Go for bright flowers bobbing their heads on duvet covers or opt for boats setting sail across calm linen waters. For pattern that’s guaranteed to fit in with a sophisticated neutral scheme, check out the monochrome designs that are popping up everywhere, their simple…

HOW SHOULD I CLEAN ROSE GOLD? Treat it like any other metal brassware finish, which should never be cleaned with abrasive agents or harsh chemicals or you’ll risk ruining the surface. Instead, use a microfibre cloth, such as an E-Cloth, with plain water or a mild cleaning solution. IS THERE A WAY TO AVOID WATER MARKS? Wiping brassware dry after use will stop them forming in the first place, but it can be hard to persuade children to oblige. Selecting a simple design without too many water-collecting nooks and crannies will help (try CP Hart). WHAT IF I’D LIKE AN AGED LOOK? If you’re less keen on super-shiny and are happy to let a natural patina develop over time, consider an unlacquered brass finish – try Lefroy Brooks. Great for…

Christina Shand’s uncompromisingly pink house expresses a love of colour that can also be seen woven throughout the equally bold and brilliant garden that unfurls around it. In this wild spot between the Preseli Hills and the Pembrokeshire coast she has made a garden full of exuberant planting, which is quite an achievement on a site with little topsoil, an abundance of rock, and areas of marsh and bog. When Christina moved here in 1994, looking for somewhere to build a new life with her two young children, a muddy lane led to the near-derelict house standing in land covered with a dense blanket of perennial weeds. ‘I liked the place because of the light and its proximity to the sea,’ says Christina, and after spending two years making the…

1 CLEVER USE OF COLOUR Claire was keen to add a touch of glamour and luxury to her new kitchen, so she had the interior of the cabinets painted and the glass splashback back-sprayed in a contemporary dark purple. ‘The idea is that of a brightly coloured, vibrant lining of a Savile Row suit!’ says designer Andrew Hall of Woodstock Furniture. ‘I think the large purple splashback creates a fabulous mirror to the entire room, too.’ 2 ISLAND STORAGE ‘As a new-build project, it was possible to create a large walk-in larder and plenty of worktop space. This allowed us to use minimal cabinetry within the kitchen, with everyday-use crockery and utensils housed in well-organised drawers in the island,’ explains designer Andrew Hall. ‘The drawers are smartly divided for storing…