Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2017 i Country Homes & Interiors

We’re in a sunshine state of mind this issue! Thanks to the long, hot days of late, sunflowers are popping, veg patches are bulging and fruit trees are coming on nicely. In an ode to this time of plenty, we’ve packed our pages with country-loving looks that draw inspiration from the season’s best (turn to page 60). Projects and plans often come to fruition at this time of year when you have headspace at home. So check out the design ideas for making room for a home office (page 84), how an island can take centre stage in the kitchen (page 125) and – my favourite – pure and simple storage for finding a home for all that ‘stuff’ (page 70). We’ve also been out and about across the UK,…

TALES OF TIMBER Take inspiration from antiques expert Judith Miller’s book, Wooden Houses (£30, Ryland Peters & Small) and unlock the decorative possibilities of wood in your home. From rustic log cabins to elegant clapboard houses, learn how wood has played an invaluable part in construction and design. OUR FAVOURITS DESIGNER MAKER Botanical Inks Babs Behan is the founding designer behind natural dye studio Botanical Inks, which uses local, organic and biodegradable materials to create beautiful textiles. Where are you based? I set up Botanical Inks while living in rural north Somerset, but recently moved back to Bristol. How did you get into your area of design? Studying surface design and textile print, I was disenchanted by the toxicity of materials and processes used. After travelling…

Whether referred to as the pantry, larder, butlery or spence, a spacious store for food has always been listed on the ‘must-haves’ for a country home. No well designed quality kitchen is complete without this Tardis-like cubbyhole, which is able to hold and keep a gargantuan amount of grocery stalwarts. WHAT’S THE STORY? Borne from the never-ending entertaining needs of the aristocracy and the well-heeled, a place to gather seasonal ingredients appropriately, and for as long as possible, has been a kitchen necessity for centuries. Larders were originally designed as a set of rooms to store produce and pickings for head chefs to plunder, but over the years as kitchens were made smaller and refrigerators became standard, so the store cupboard shrank. Still popular, though, with modern-day cooks due to…

Becky’s style secret Choose lived-in linens in relaxed chalky neutrals for everyday and occasional outdoor dining. Modern Country Classic Garden room Whether you’re after a peaceful retreat or are looking for a way to create useful additional space, a garden room can give your home a new lease of life. Bright, open and airy, a garden room flooded with natural light can transform a home, merging the great outdoors with cosy comfort while providing extra space for entertaining or relaxing. Go for a classic neutral scheme, and use botanical designs to add impact. Where to buy... • Green Retreats for superior quality and a range of different styles. • Vivid Green for insulated, eco-efficient garden rooms. • Montpelier offers hand-painted garden buildings.…

It was a case of going back to their roots when Jo Howat and her husband, Graham Senior, decided to up sticks from London and move to the countryside. They are both from Yorkshire originally and, with their son Archie then a baby, they were keen to return to the area to raise their family. Finding their dream home was surprisingly straightforward. ‘This was the second house we viewed,’ says Jo. ‘We love old houses and the sight of this converted watermill from the road sold it to us. As we approached, we had to cross a stream with a little bridge to get to the property – we were blown away.’ Over the years the house had evolved. ‘It began life as a working mill with a house attached…

Sue’s style secret Keep things interesting by using a rich purple colourway on a classic wooden island – a natural top gives a pleasing contrast. Modern Country Classic Batterie de cuisine The crowning glory of your country kitchen, this hanging system keeps pots and pans within easy reach. Traditionally crafted from wrought iron and suspended from the ceiling or inglenook by chains, modern designs can also be wall mounted. Racks with sweeping curves and aged patinas are a lovely feature displayed with copper and enamelware, while contemporary models with sleek lines lend a rustic-industrial feel. Where to buy... • Black Country Metalworks for Tudor-style ironwork. • Cast In Style for sustainable wood with stacking options. • The Cooks Kitchen for a choice of modern country industrial designs.…

1 CREATE BALANCE Ensure your interior looks light and fresh by selecting a paper that teams a neutral background with modern brights – we love how the lively leaf colours are picked up by the accessories in this room, while the cream stops the space from becoming too dramatic. ‘If you’re using a statement paper for a country home, try choosing a matte variety,’ says Ian Dykes, Founder and Director at Voyage Decoration. ‘It will instantly soften brighter shades, giving them a chalky finish, which will always complement rural interiors.’ 2 FOLKSY FEEL For a modern take on supersized florals, look to patterns with folkloric influences. Cinda’s Roses features naive botanical motifs and meandering branches, bringing a natural charm. Magdalen Jebb, Creative Director at Lewis & Wood, says, ‘Looking at…

• KITCHENS NOW OFTEN DOUBLE UP as living spaces and might be the only suitable place for a home office. A freestanding cabinet that you can close the doors on at the end of the day defines the area. Second Nature’s flexible cabinet (Fitzroy, shown left in Porcelain with Cranberry shelves, £800) can be customised internally with shelves, drawer storage for hanging files and a pull-out shelf for a laptop. • IT IS WORTH INVESTING IN A CHAIR designed for desk-working that will swivel and tilt and has lumbar support and seat adjustment. Check that you can sit right at the back of the chair to use the backrest correctly. If you’ll be using the chair for long periods, opt for height-adjustable armrests. • NOW THAT WE’RE ALL WI-FI ENABLED…

• NATURAL CHOICE Copper’s stunning good looks will create a design statement in any country kitchen and its natural patina will darken with age. ‘A copper sink is a charming way to bring a natural material into your home,’ says Neil Stafferton, Design Manager at British Standard Cupboards. ‘It has a living finish, changing with exposure to air and acidic or salty foods.’ While it’s relatively easy to clean and won’t rust, experts recommend cleaning with a mild soapy solution and regular waxing to retain its shine. • EASY CLEANING Stainless steel is the preferred choice of professionals because of its durability and ease of maintenance. Keep it free from scratches by avoiding tough sponges, sharp objects and abrasive substances. A wash down with soapy water will be sufficient; alternatively,…

Sophie Allport has been creating her quintessentially British designs for 10 years, and to celebrate we’re delighted to offer you the opportunity to claim 15% off everything in the range. Sophie started by featuring her characterful illustrations on china and kitchen fabrics and now offers 29 distinct designs across a wide range of homewares, including tableware, tinware and home fragrances. The product categories continue to grow, too – picnic, pets, bags, accessories and children’s collections – all designed to suit her far-reaching audience of country-loving customers. • How to claim your 15% discount To take advantage of your exclusive discount at Sophie Allport, simply shop online at sophieallport.com and use the promotional code CHOMES17 when you get to the checkout, or call 01778 560256 to order, quoting the code. You can…

WHY WE LOVE... All-natural cleaning products Did you know that using a chemical-laden cleaning spray, even just once a week, raises the risk of developing asthma? In comparison, natural DIY alternatives use as few as three ingredients, most of which enhance health and wellbeing. …And they’re better for the environment! Cutting down on pollution running through our streams and rivers has to be a bonus. Plus, there will be fewer plastic bottles blocking up our landfills. Why buy products when you can use things you already have? Vinegar, salt, olive oil and citrus juice are all found in natural cleaning remedies. They smell nicer. Give us the scent of fresh lemons or lavender over harsh toxins any day. Discover how to create your own natural cleaning products with…

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham TWO NIGHT STAY FROM £289pp, PLUS DINNER AND PICNIC Voted England’s leading country house hotel last year, this former baronial estate features an impressive grand hall and has a fantastic reputation for fine dining. The hotel’s 60 rooms were designed by interior designer Nina Campbell, who has created a fresh take on the traditional country house hotel. You are also ideally placed to explore the surrounding countryside: Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds, is a delightful walk away. WE LOVE… The fact there’s a private footpath linking the hotel to Cheltenham racecourse. THE PRICE From £289pp* for a two-night stay. WHAT’S INCLUDED Two nights’ accommodation; three-course dinner in The Brasserie; picnic lunch; full English breakfast each day; use of the hotel’s leisure facilities; complimentary use…

1 FREESTANDING DRESSER Ideally located between the kitchen and open-plan dining area, this freestanding dresser was chosen for its graceful design and useful storage. The bi-fold doors can be left open to provide easy access to the toaster and breakfast supplies. ‘Being freestanding, it lends an elegant touch to the room, which is really important because it’s the first thing you see when you walk into the kitchen,’ says Lisa. 2 MANTELPIECE Though seemingly simple, a lot of thought has gone into perfectly framing the range cooker to recreate a classic chimney breast setting while maximising every inch of space. The traditional mantel shelf houses a powerful extractor, with display space above, and two cabinets either side of the range, which are perfect for keeping utensils and spices out of…

A  ABODE LIVING 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk ADA & INA 01795 480616 linenfabrics.co.uk AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AND SO TO BED 0808 144 4343 andsotobed.co.uk ARLO & JACOB 0333 122 1537 arloandjacob.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com BARKER AND STONEHOUSE 0333 355 9392 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BARLOW TYRIE 01376 557600 teak.com BATHSTORE 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com BEEFAYRE 01858 434492 beefayre.com BENJAMIN MOORE 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk BLACK COUNTRY METALWORKS 0800 688 8386 blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk BLITHFIELD 020 7460 6454 blithfield.co.uk BLOOMON 020 3322 1989 bloomon.co.uk BOSCH 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk BRITISH STANDARD 020 7870 7688 britishstandardcupboards.co.uk BULLDOG 01279 401572 bulldogtools.co.uk BURGON & BALL 0114 233 8262 burgonandball.com BUTTON & SPRUNG 0333 320 1801 buttonandsprung.com C  CAESARSTONE 01706 863600 caesarstone.co.uk CAPLE 0117 938 1900 caple.co.uk CAST IN STYLE 0800 009 6233 castinstyle.co.uk CATCHPOLE & RYE…

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BUILD A HOME FOR BUGS It’s time to think about providing places for beneficial insects to overwinter. Why not build a shelter in a quiet corner of the garden? It’s a great way to recycle. To make a hotel with plenty of rooms, stack old pallets and place garden canes, twigs and pots between them. Woodlice, solitary bees and ladybirds will creep into the nooks and crannies and use it as a haven during colder months. Q & A WITH A SHARING GARDENER Why have ornamental grasses in our gardens? We asked expert Neil Lucas of Knoll Gardens in Dorset why grasses should be a key plant in any garden. What do ornamental grasses bring to a garden? A sense of movement and grace, transforming the space and creating a…

In a Grade II-listed barn situated in the picturesque village of Seal in Kent, the small, independent Splendid Ted, sources vintage pieces that offer a nostalgic peek into the past, alongside quirky, modern buys, all lovingly hand-picked to ensure a character-filled home. Founder Linda Dallison tells us more… WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN YOUR SHOP? After 12 years living in Asia, I returned to the UK and was faced with setting up a new home with both my contemporary Asian pieces and traditional English designs. To my surprise, I made them work together, and it wasn’t long before family and friends started asking where they could find similar items – and so Splendid Ted (named after our beloved dog!) was born. WHAT DO YOU SELL? The stock is led by…

We wanted a but it had to be in a rural location getaway, and within one-and-a-half hour’s drive from our London house, with good motorway access,’ says Sara Michaels of her and husband Nick’s hunt for a country home where they could spend time away from their hectic London lives. Their search took them to a hamlet in Essex where a barn, adjacent to the property they had originally gone to view, caught their eye. ‘It was enormous, black, wooden, unconverted and surrounded by its own land. All boxes were instantly ticked!’ As there was no one around, the couple decided to take a look. ‘The barn was all boarded up,’ says Sara. ‘I tried a door and it was open so we went inside. Much to our surprise an…

Jo’s style secret Create a cohesive open-plan living area by repeating colour accents to connect multifunctional spaces. Modern Country Classic Roof lantern Architectural skylights are an attractive way to maximise natural light in both traditional and contemporary country homes. They give a stylish and airy ambience and make a room feel extra spacious – what’s more, stunning sky views are perfect for a spot of cloud-watching! There are plenty of finishes to suit your space, including modern aluminium and durable timber. Where to buy… • Traditional Roof Lanterns for timber roof lanterns with ventilation options. • Prestige Roof Lanterns offers easy-to-install DIY kits. • Roof Maker for modern, slimline designs made to order.…

Gather at a farmhouse table Inspired by the seasonal potager, lay the table with a runner in an earthy green shade, pretty platters and chiselled boards and a jug filled with just-cut flowers. Enjoy the late-summer sun on comfy garden room seating Create a sun-downer sofa area with wicker furniture for a casual sit-and-socialise space. Scatter with bold-print cushions featuring seasonal flowers and add a snug rug for comfort. Arrange a personalised place setting Carry the potager theme through to individual place settings. Pot plants in enamel mugs and pop in a chalkboard slate name tag for each guest. Pretty up a bathroom shelf Make a display of scented soaps and candles in a gardener’s trug with a galvanised metal finish for a modern country touch. Drift off in a…

A passion for plants runs in Bunny Guinness’ family. Her uncle is renowned rosarian David Austin, and her mother and cousin both own nurseries. But this heritage almost deterred her from following along that well-trodden garden path. At university, she studied food science, before switching to a subject that could liberate her into the fresh air... horticulture. It proved a good move for the six-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold medallist, Gardeners’ Question Time panellist, and columnist. Working with daughter Unity, she has designed more than 500 gardens around the world. In her own Cambridgeshire backyard, piglets and chickens potter about among roses and box hedges. We joined Bunny, Unity and their two Jack Russells for a glimpse into their very own good life... TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE...…

Whether it’s open plan or shut away, an office space must work well with your home. John Walsh, Senior Designer at Neville Johnson, shares his thoughts… • Start with where you would ideally like to sit, bearing in mind the position of windows or rooflights. In a small room, the desk might have to face the wall, but larger spaces could take a peninsular or freestanding desk. • The furniture should complement rather than match or dominate the rest of the home. A mix of wood and painted finishes works well, whether in pale tones or in a vibrant colour that allows you to stamp your personality on the scheme. • Balance aesthetics with functionality. Consider how many people will use the office, what equipment is needed and how you’ll…

COUNTRY STYLE NEED-TO-KNOW ALL ABOUT SLEEP TECH • WHY IS SLEEP TRACKING USEFUL? Tracking can help you find out how many hours you sleep, how long it takes you to fall asleep and how well you sleep. Smartphone apps will record the data and present it in easy-to-read charts, and suggest ways to improve. • WE SLEEP IN 90-MINUTE CYCLES, during which we move through different stages – from light to deep and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Sleep trackers use a combination of heart rate tracking and motion detection to sense when you move between cycles. • OFTEN REFERRED TO AS SAD LIGHTS, or dawn simulators, light bulb alarm clocks wake you up gradually with increasing light. It’s a more natural way to wake, and some – like the…

1 On balance Infused with delicious top notes of jasmine and geranium extract proven to alleviate stress and anxiety, Balancing Room Mist, £22 for 100ml, 58 Lifestyle. 2 Flower power A hand-blended mix of wonderfully fragrant floral waters and essential oils – spritz before bedtime to calm the mind after a busy day. Rose & Bergamot Room Spray, £12 for 100ml, Hopscotch. 3 Be honest A vibrant blend of green and citrus botanicals hints at the Mediterranean. Just a few sprays will last for hours. Olous Aromatique Room Spray, £37 for 100ml, Aesop.…

PICKLED PEARS It was my friend Tom Coward, head gardener at Gravetye Manor hotel and restaurant in Sussex, who first introduced me to this lovely preserve. He came for dinner one night with a homemade jar of them and it was love at first taste. There are lots of recipes for pickled pears, but some take up to a week to prepare. This version can be made in an evening, and I have found the results to be just as good, although they are best left for a month before eating so that the flavours can really penetrate the fruit. Use pears that still have some bite, but not so much that you cannot get your teeth into them, and make sure you reduce the liquid well to intensify the…

Helen Round is Cornish through and through. Not only was she was born and brought up in the county, but she was raised on one of Cornwall’s most iconic sites, St Michael’s Mount, where her parents had also grown up. So Cornwall, not surprisingly, shapes each design she creates. ‘Its coastline, beautiful coves and beaches and gentle way of life are what keep me here,’ says Helen. ‘The coastal walks, wildlife, hedgerows and my wild Cornish garden are constant inspiration for my drawings and designs.’ Helen taught at an FE college, but after having her children, Reuben, now 23, and Phoebe, now 20, she wanted a change. ‘I had always loved textiles,’ Helen says. So she enrolled in an evening class doing A-level textiles and then went on to do…

My husband Luke and I took over running his family home Mapperton House last year. It’s a Jacobean manor house set in a valley in the Dorset countryside, a truly magical place. It has been used as a film location many times, including for the version of Jane Austen’s Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow. There are 15 acres of gardens, stretching from the croquet lawn through the more formal topiary and down to the wild garden, which is filled with a wonderful collection of specimen shrubs and trees. We are just a few miles from the Jurassic Coast, too. We split our time between here and London, together with our four children. I love sitting on the stairs just down from the Orangery and gazing out over the garden, enveloped by…

AS NATURE PREPARES TO RIPEN INTO A VIBRANT, GOLDEN PATCHWORK, CELEBRATE THE SEASONAL CHANGE WITH A SCHEME OF EARTHY TERRACOTTA, LAYERED WITH RUSTIC TEXTURES ACROSS LIVED-IN LINENS, WARM WOODS AND PATTERNED WEAVES Wallpapers, (background) Wood Plank, col Neutral, £11 a roll, Graham & Brown. (Under jug) Nils, col Red, £72 a roll, Sandberg. Fabrics (clockwise, from top left), Stockholm Stripe, col Terracotta/Charcoal/Winter, £49.50 m, Vanessa Arbuthnott. Brecon, col Cinnamon, £43 m, iLiv. Patmos, col Pompeii, £145 m, Carolina Irving Textiles at Lorfords London. Deco, col Terracotta, £75 m, James Hare. Geneva Vintage, col Terracotta, £32 m, Villa Nova. Gingham, col Raspberry, £45 m, Inchyra. Paint (from left), Terracotta Warrior and Pompeiian Red, both £39.50 for 2.5L, Fired Earth. Cleo tile, £85 sq m, The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse. Wooden board,…

We want these now... The quality of your knives can make a big difference to your cooking, which is why we’re loving these Niwaki Carbon Japanese kitchen knives. Made by combining two types of steel with striking octagonal rosewood handles, their real beauty is in the exquisite balance and easy sharpening of the metal. Our favourite is the Santoku — the perfect all-rounder. From £79 each. O U R FAVOURITE CURERS AND SMOKERS Tim and Gill Matthews of The Artisan Smokehouse Masterchef contestant Tim Matthews opened The Artisan Smokehouse with his wife Gill in 2016 in the Suffolk village of Falkenham on the banks of the River Deben. Now a fully fledged smokehouse and café with an online shop, the business recently won The School of Artisan Food’s…

The clock tower our time we drove caught eye every past it,’ says Becky Cooper of her home’s distinctive feature. ‘You couldn’t see much more of the house than the roof because it was tucked away behind a hedge.’ Becky and her husband, Andrew were living in a new-build nearby but were on the hunt for a house with character. ‘We wanted a home we could make our own but that was quirky and special – somewhere with space for our children to grow into.’ However, it wasn’t quite love at first sight when the couple stepped inside. ‘It was very dark,’ says Becky. ‘It had been converted during the early 1980s and there were a lot of dark brick walls. I have a Scandinavian love of light as…

Sara’s style secret… Introduce pure and simple contrast with neutral monotones across bedlinen and tactile soft furnishings. Modern Country Classic Bedroom bathtub Create a luxurious feel in a bedroom with a striking freestanding bathtub. Stay practical as well as stylish by installing yours on a raised plinth made from a waterproof material like slate, tile or vinyl. Not only is this a clever zoning technique – effectively separating bathing and sleeping areas – it makes for an eye-catching focal point. Don’t forget to consider stylish storage options for toiletries, too. Where to buy… • Fired Earth for a range of traditional and modern designs. • Catchpole & Rye for bespoke cast-iron and copper baths handmade in Kent. • The Albion Bath Company for luxurious French-inspired tubs.…

It’ s not hard to see why Sue and Guy Goring fell in love with the idyllic country house they now live in. Not only is it surrounded by beautiful gardens with a swimming pool, but it has views that stretch to the nearby Cotswold Hills and over to the River Severn. Before they bought the property, the Gorings were living close by. ‘We had come across the house before, as some friends had viewed it when it was previously on the market, and so we had seen the details already,’ says Sue. ‘Our friends didn’t buy the house, but we had admired it from afar for some time. ‘When the house came back on the market a few years later, we went and viewed it ourselves as we were…

Create a practical display with favourite, everyday pieces while adding extra storage in your kitchen. Tidy away shoes in hide-and-seek style, hang up outdoor essentials for grab-and-go ease, and display odds and sods in nifty pigeonholes! Let hand-weaves work wonders for style and storage! NEXT MONTH AUTUMN SHOPPING TRENDS 3 GO-TO BRITISH SPECIALISTS FOR BUILT-IN STORAGE... * JOHN LEWIS OF HUNGERFORD has a luxury fitted wardrobe collection. Prices start from £5,000. * NEPTUNE’S Pembroke collection (below) is designed to fit any space, and features a zig-zag adjustable shelving system to support the heaviest load. Prices start from £810. * NEVILLE JOHNSON offers ingenious and bespoke solutions to blend seamlessly into your home. Prices start from £3,000 for fitted furniture and built-in storage. CH & I LOVES Messinki…

THE KITCHEN IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE HEART of the country home and the sink is an essential element, whether it be in a humble cottage or a grand period property. The classic stone trough sinks found in traditional farmhouse kitchens are often voluminous in size and are the embodiment of rustic simplicity. If your home has one, seek professional help on how to restore it back to its former glory, or scour salvage yards for originals to add authentic character. Alternatively, for a dash of domestic scullery style, the ubiquitous butler’s sink works wonders at injecting some timeless country charm to any kitchen. INSET SINKS ARE IDEAL for creating a clean and pared-down look. They are readily available in maintenance-free stainless steel and also in more unusual materials, such as concrete…

1 Ultimate comfort Feather-filled cushions mean this classic is as cosy as it is rosy. Paisley midi Chesterfield in Oscar Velvet Dusty Pink, £2,600, Darlings of Chelsea. 2 Glamorous grandeur This gorgeous design proves that yellow doesn’t have to be mellow! Large Dixie sofa in Bumblebee Clever Velvet, £1,825, Loaf. 3 Designer print Add colour and personality to your living area with this lovely Liberty print. Petworth small sofa in Liberty Fresco Citrus linen, £1,879, Sofas & Stuff. 4 Cocktail hour Handmade in the UK, this lustrous velvet seat is an heirloom in the making. Le Cocktail velvet twin sofa in Indigo, £585, Oliver Bonas. 5 Fruit punch Sumptuous pink velvet updates this traditional curved design. Gloucester large two-seater velvet sofa in Chester Grapefruit, £1,750, Laura Ashley. 6 Classic beauty…

• Use spheres as punctuation marks in the garden, framing entrances, paths or borders. • Cluster different sizes together, as if they are reproducing themselves, for a fun look. • Box enjoys well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil in sun or shade. Water at the base not overhead and feed with a slow-release tonic rather than a nitrogen-rich fertiliser. • Clip with Japanese shears and disinfect blades between plants. • In recent years, box blight and the box tree caterpillar have damaged much UK box so you might like to try other small-leaved evergreens, such as pittosporums, euonymus or Ilex crenata.…

Besides the itself a new property , kitchen is likely to represent the biggest single investment you’ll ever make in your home. Especially if, like Lisa and Robert Bentley, the project involves additional structural work. With so much at stake, the temptation to play it safe with colours is understandable. Fortunately Lisa’s training as an interior designer and stylist gave her the confidence to be brave, without straying too far from the ‘traditional country’ narrative of her home. ‘The island colour is a real talking point. It’s rich and warm, and brings the space to life,’ says Lisa. The colour was inspired by a painting by artist Lucy Pratt, who Lisa discovered in a gallery on London’s Dover Street. ‘It’s worth remembering that a painted kitchen can be re-painted in…

Helen Round ran her country business as a one-woman band from 2012 onwards, but recent rapid growth meant she has employed two people lately, one as an intern. ‘Employing others is a big step, one which should be celebrated. It will give you real opportunities, allowing you more time to focus on your business development,’ says Isabel Barrell, Business Management Consultant at Cognoscentis, which provides creative service solutions for home interiors businesses. ‘However, it can also be a challenge, as you don’t want too much time managing employees and losing sight of why you set up your business in the first place.’ It is essential to take the time to recruit correctly, says Isabel. ‘You will need to communicate internally within your team, as well as externally with your clients.…