Innholdsfortegnelse for Sep-2018 i Country Homes & Interiors

‘By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather, And autumn’s best of cheer.’ I have always loved this quote from Helen Hunt Jackson and thus this issue we are in a sunshine state of mind. Inspired by the long, balmy days we’ve been enjoying, you’ll find all the things I know you love to do in your country homes and gardens. Slow summer style was top of the agenda when it came to planning our seasonal looks on page 58. Featuring the latest lush patterns of ripe fruits and full blooms, these ideas are all about how to linger longer over simple pleasures such as eating and enjoying the outdoors. Making way for the harvest is a favourite dilemma right now. How does one…

We want this now... Cast iron never goes out of style – in fact, it just gets better with time! Cook with the gorgeous new range from Morsø and serve directly from the pan to add an authentic chef touch to your dining table. Our favourite is the sauté pan, £149, with its smooth, oiled oak handle contrasting with the tactile black iron. OUR FAVOURITE OIL PRODUCERS Summer Harvest Oils In 2008, IT consultant Mark Bush swapped his leather brogues for wellies and moved to rural Perthshire to work on his father-in-law’s farm. The following year he started pressing his own rapeseed oil, which is now sold worldwide, including to Michelin star chefs, such as Andrew Fairlie. What’s so special about your produce? Our Perthshire soil, climate and long hours…

What makes this house a home… ‘My Aga is the soul of the house – it warms the whole place and makes it feel so cosy and welcoming’ Some houses have a real sense of sanctuary, a quiet calm that makes you feel instantly at home – Carol Robertson’s is one of those. Tucked away at the edge of a North Yorkshire village, the series of sheltered, pale stone farm buildings that make up her home look out over fields and country lanes. Carol found them just when she needed it most: she was feeling nervous in her existing home having been broken into; her best friend had, sadly, passed away; and her sons had moved away to Scotland. ‘I had to do something life-changing,’ says Carol, ‘but I didn’t…

Radiating welcome warmth to dry clothes, warm toes and keep our homes toasty, these tall ‘hot boxes’ were a must-have for wealthy Victorians, and are a staple feature in modern country homes. Efficiently cosying up large areas through convection, today’s slim, cast-iron vertical column conceptions make the best use of limited wall space while looking stylish in their own right, with a hint of the vintage-industrial. Where to buy... • Heritage Cast Iron Radiators for a huge range of Farrow & Ball colours. • Soak.com for mirrored options and neutral colours. • Best Heating for an affordable range of options.…

This wonderfully distressed reaction on classic mirror glass occurs when the silver becomes oxidised, creating a unique patina. Modern techniques like silvering, distressing or chemical application have been developed to replicate the original effect. Finish styles include mottled, speckled, mercury and azzurro, to name but a few. A stunning focal point with aged appeal, this vintage design statement works in any room. Where to buy... • Looking Glass Of Bath for bespoke makes, using 19th century Victorian techniques. • Rough Old Glass for hand silvered antiqued finishes. • Saligo Design for bespoke commissions and mirror tiles.…

Helen’s style secret Take inspiration from natural elements such as air and water to create a serene space in a soothing palette of aquas and greys.…

Visit… ‘We’re lucky to live not too far from Goodwood (01243 755055, goodwood.com ), which hosts motorsport and horse racing events throughout the year. We especially love The Goodwood Revival (7-9 September 2018), an annual event that brings back the glamour of driving in the past.’ Shop at… ‘I’ve picked up quite a few bits from One Forty (01483 272627, oneforty.co.uk ) in Cranleigh, Surrey. It’s a lovely family store selling items for the home, garden and wardrobe.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Milk Churn (01403 823980, bookhams.com ) is a café at Bookham Harrison Farms near Rudgwick that’s a big hit with children. It serves fantastic shakes and snacks that showcase its award-winning cheeses, including a wonderful…

CREATE RELAXED GARDEN TABLES Use faded linens featuring garden blooms to dress the table. Team with mismatched chairs and floral crockery for an informal lunch with a vintage twist. Hang lanterns to complete the look. See page 67 for details. » POTTER WITH PRETTY ACCESSORIES Make the most of the warmer days outside with easy-to-carry home and fashion finds. A swish shopper, summery shawl or blanket and decorative cushion are quick ways to add country style. See page 67 for details. STYLE UP A SUMMERY SEATING AREA Up the comfort factor in your outside space with stylish soft furnishings. Pretty bunting and colourful cushions dress up plain walls and benches, while a floral curtain makes for an inviting backdrop. See page 67 for details. » FASHION A FABULOUS DOOR CURTAIN…

You just can’t beat its timeless appeal. Monochrome means ‘one colour’ and refers to black and white, greyscale, or combinations of tones of a single colour. Perpetually re-imagined across fashion and interiors, with its power to suit any style, traditional or contemporary, this season sees the black and white palette softened across country schemes through a pared-back and rustic-Scandi approach to styling. Simplicity is key, with relaxed geometrics and organic silhouettes, tactile weaves and knits, and mood-enhancing ombré wallscapes that make a beautiful statement without being urban and harsh. LOVE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY… ✽ Warming up a monochromatic scheme with natural accents – a pale timber floor and wooden furniture legs instantly add character and honest appeal. ✽ Adding another dimension of interest with pretty patterns on cushions, throws…

The most powerful suction of any cord-free machine, with a motor spinning 2,000 times a second and a clever ‘point and shoot’ feature to cleanly empty the bin. Cyclone V10, from £400, Dyson. It will clean for up to 60 minutes and if you run out of charge, the battery can be quickly exchanged for one from another Bosch appliance. Unlimited Premium White cordless vacuum cleaner, 18V, BCS122GB, £450, Bosch. This nifty cleaner converts to a handheld model to reach awkward corners. A Smart Control informs how much power is left. Blade 32V cordless vacuum cleaner, TBT3V1T1, £220, Vax.…

‘IT NEEDED TO BE NOT ONLY A HISTORICAL MONUMENT, BUT ALSO A PRACTICAL SPACE TO HOUSE AND GROW RARE PLANTS’ The Temperate House at Kew Gardens, the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, has recently reopened after five years of restoration. We headed to the Royal Botanic Gardens to speak with the Project Co-ordinator Georgina Darroch to find out more about this unique enterprise... HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT? I have an archaeology degree, and then I studied at Kew itself for a diploma in horticulture, so the Temperate House was a unique marriage of my two passions. It was the second of the great glasshouses designed by Decimus Burton, following the Palm House. Building began in 1859, and it opened in 1863. WHAT DID YOUR JOB INVOLVE? At…

Visit... ‘Westonbury Mill Water Gardens, Pembridge (01544 388650, westonburymill watergardens.com ). Full of Richard Pim’s amazing follies, this garden makes you laugh, as well as being full of good planting, plus you can get a nice lunch and a cup of tea there.’ Shop at... ‘Kington, a small market town with a high street that still boasts distinctive independent shops, including The Grapevine, a greengrocer, fishmonger and game supplier rolled into one; and Number 25 Delicatessen, which has a wonderful cheese counter, sausages, salamis and wholefoods, too.’ Go for a meal at.... ‘The Stagg (01544 230221, thestagg.co.uk ) at Titley. It is a dining pub with rooms serving very good locally sourced food.…

1 Liberty print Enjoy your favourite beverage in iconic style with a Liberty archive floral print bottle from S’well. The double-walled insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. The Liberty Floral bottle in Betsy Ann, £42 for 0.5L, Amara. 2 Minimalist design Convenience is key with the Memobottle, with a flat profile that fits neatly into your bag. Available in A5, A6, A7 and Slim sizes, from £19.95 at Stone Gift. 3 Multitasking Made of BPA-free plastic, Dopper’s clever design means that the bottle can be used to drink on the go or be converted into a jug and cup. £12.50 for 450ml, Brand Academy Store at Trouva.…

DAY ONE: WELCOME TO CHAMPAGNE You’ll depart for France this morning on one of our private coaches via either Eurotunnel or ferry (depending on availability) to Champagne. Upon your arrival in Reims, you’ll check into your four-star hotel in the centre of the city where you will stay for the next two nights. Exclusive Country Homes & Interiors experience: Enjoy a surprise champagne tasting on arrival followed by a fabulous group dinner. DAY TWO: PRIVATE PARTY AT TAITTINGER This morning, after an indulgent champagne breakfast, you’ll take a walk to the famous champagne house, Taittinger, for a tour of the iconic chalk cellars, parts of which occupy fourth-century Roman stone quarries. Exclusive Country Homes & Interiors experience: For lunch, Taittinger will host a private party for you. You’ll be able…

STRAWBERRY SCONES WITH PIMM’S CREAM Combine your favourite William’s Conserve with the quintessential British Summer Cup in this recipe... MAKES 10 300g plain flour 1 tbsp baking powder 50g chilled butter, cubed 50g caster sugar 3 tbsp William’s British Strawberry Conserve 100ml milk, plus 1 tsp extra To serve 3 tbsp Pimm’s The Original No 1 Cup 150ml double cream William’s British Strawberry Conserve Fresh strawberries Mint 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan180°C/Gas 6. Lightly grease two baking trays. 2 Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. 3 Whisk the William’s British Strawberry Conserve into the milk, then gently stir into the dry ingredients to form…

CABINETRY Bespoke traditional in-frame kitchen, prices from £25,000, The Main Company, painted in Little Greene’s Grey Moss 234 flat oil eggshell. SURFACES Victoria Falls Quartzite worktops, sourced by Levantina, £715sq m, from The Main Company. Craquele Grey ceramic splashback tiles, £29.99sq m, Tile Mountain. Geneva Provence Limestone flooring, from £146.40sq m, Mandarin Stone. Walls painted in Ash White vinyl matt emulsion, £30 for 2.5L, Dulux Heritage. APPLIANCES Savigny 110cm range cooker in Frangipane, from £6,410, Lacanche. Coffee machine, £2,650; steam oven, £3,650; integrated fridge, £5,650; warming drawer, £825; all from Gaggenau’s 400 Series. Bespoke hood in aged brass, incorporating Gaggenau built-in extraction, £5,250, The Main Company. iQ300 60cm fully integrated dishwasher, £549, Siemens. SINKS & TAPS Polaris 3-in-1 boiling tap, £829, Perrin & Rowe. Double-bowl Belfast sink, £654, Shaws of…

It was joining a farmers’ market that really took Helen and Dave’s business to the next level. Turnover doubled in the space of just a few years. ‘The biggest factor was that customers could sample the product,’ says Helen. ‘Most people only knew the over-sweet supermarket juice, but at the market we were able to show them the real thing.’ So what is the secret to setting up a stall that buzzes with customers? Two experts in the field, Matt Day, markets and estates services officer at Bristol market, where Helen and Dave first began selling in 1998, and Kardien Gerbrands, market manager at the couple’s local market in Stroud, share their advice… Be an early bird. Most farmers’ market traders arrive to market by 8am, so learn to love…

On reflection Make a statement in a country bedroom with a set of distressed mirrored drawers to inject a touch of luxe. The Mirana chest of drawers, £565, from Barker & Stonehouse, is made from recycled fir wood with a rustic grey wash and finished with eglomiséd mirror – one of the big trends of the year. OUR FAVOURITE BEDLINEN DESIGNERS Bedfolk Husband and wife team Nick and Jo James started Bedfolk after trying to find comfortable, quality sheets that were easy to buy, responsibly made and didn’t cost a fortune. Here, the couple tells us more... What inspires you? We love effortless interiors, and we designed Bedfolk to fit with that aesthetic. Our colour palette is very natural, and our design details are all about simplicity. It’s also so…

Visit… ’Robin Hood’s Bay, especially in the colder months. I also love the gardens at Castle Howard (01653 648333, castlehoward.co.uk ). The colours of autumn are stunning against the backdrop of the castle.’ Shop at… ‘The Living Quarter (01751 470158) in Burgate, Pickering, with its lovely mix of antique furnishings, French mirrors and candles; Cedarbarn (01751 475614, cedarbarnfarmshop.co.uk ), a family-run farm shop and Bils & Rye (01439 748392, bilsandrye.com ), a friendly art gallery in Kirbymoorside.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Graze on the Green (01751 417468, grazeonthegreen.co.uk ) at Rosedale Abbey for home-cooked food and delicious desserts.’…

I’ve loved the and adore horses’ always countryside , says Claire McFadyen. But when she and her husband Jamie were living in their previous home in a small town in Surrey, they had no plans to move anywhere more rural – until fate intervened. ‘Jamie is originally from Wandsworth in London so he’s a city boy,’ explains Claire. ‘We had renovated our house and were quite settled, then my dad emailed me and said he had spotted a house for sale that he thought would suit us. His words were, “This house looks like a belter”.’ Claire and Jamie went to view the house the very next day. ‘We instantly loved the setting – it was at the bottom of a hill in the middle of the countryside. The house…

Village life in the Cotswolds definitely suits Helen Spencer and her husband Richard – so much so that when they moved to their forever home, they not only stayed in the same village, they remained in the same street and literally moved next door. ‘We love the village we live in,’ says Helen. ‘Our location is great for the shops and pubs, yet London is just over an hour’s drive. Richard is from this village and his grandfather used to live along the street. His grandfather was a stonemason and there are lots of memories of him in the village. I used to come to the village, too, as a child because there was an ice cream parlour here. When both cottages next door to where we were living came…

Add warmth, drama and mesmerising artistry from above with a spectacular feature pendant in a mix of smooth and mottled glass, and opaque and translucent finishes. These clustered, globe designs exude exquisite style when unlit and ambient warmth when switched on. Pick one ready-made, or commission a bespoke design to perfectly complement existing decor and colour schemes, acting as a striking focal point. Where to buy… • Curiousa & Curiousa for stunning British-made, jewel-coloured creations. • Rothschild & Bickers for made-to-order items using refined glass-blowing skills. • Houzz for modern styles.…

Lulu’s style secret Create a sense of occasion at informal gatherings with pretty floral arrangements in glass jars.…

SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND Blind, Meadow Scene, col Golden Ochre, £70, Victoria & Rebecca. CREATE RELAXED DINING TABLES (In tree) Tear drop tea light holders, £19.95 for six, Dee Puddy Interiors. Hanging brass sky lanterns, £24 each, Rowen & Wren. Folding chair, from selection, Ikea. Similar stool and table,Appley Hoare Antiques. Tablecloth in Hedgerow, col Linen, £49.50m, Voyage Decoration. Cushion in Perdio, col Barragan Pink, £59m, Korla Home. Dylan Crossbody basket, £46, Bohemia Designs. Seagrass basket, col Black/Nature, £31, Amara. Bohemian Traveller throw, £20, Sainsbury’s Home. Vintage green plates, from a selection, Tobias and the Angel. Green tumbler, £5.95, Dee Puddy Interiors. Floral bowl, £14, Anthropologie. Barni terracotta honey pot, £6, Rowen & Wren. Floral Sweet Pea jug, £19.50, Gisela Graham. Leather strap bread board,£38, Rowen & Wren. Vintage French…

Bryony Hancock and her husband Bertie’s bed and breakfast, Cider House, is on the National Trust Buckland Abbey Estate on Dartmoor. The couple have renovated the 13th-century property, set in beautiful gardens managed by the Trust, which they share with their children Bella, seven, and Oliver, four. In 2017, the couple realised a long-held ambition with the creation of StarBed Hideaways: two shepherd’s huts nestled in secluded copses on the Estate. We headed to Dartmoor to meet Bryony and her family – and discover the delights of sleeping under the stars… HOW DID YOU COME TO LIVE IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE? Bertie and I had childhoods that revolved around the West Country and always knew this was where we wanted to settle. We were both working in education, but…

1 Striking storage  This smart cookie includes a wine rack for your favourite tipples, handy door storage for baking trays or cereal and a lower crate that’ll keep root veg cool, dry and away from sunlight. Westcote Blue narrow larder with oak crate, H186.5xW74.5xD59.5cm, £799, The Cotswold Company. 2 Pared-back simplicity  Shaker-influenced with a seasonal palette update and a world of adjustable storage. Suffolk bi-fold larder painted in Old Rose, H216xW135 xD56cm, £4,725 (quartz worktop £440), Neptune. 3 Patterns and prints With cubbyholes galore for foodstuffs and bottles, this raw and authentic individual moves easily on its castors. Farmers solid mango wood larder, H183xW98xD50cm, £1,369, Maisons du Monde. 4 Farmhouse feel Vintage-style bronze knobs and shutter-effect doors ooze charm on this beached timber larder, handmade from reclaimed fir. Super Sucre…

Allergies affect 44% of British adults, and even country-dwellers can have indoor air-quality issues. Ventilate your home to lower carbon dioxide levels, limit humidity and reduce mould growth. Regular cleaning will reduce dust particles and, for a deep clean, a hi-tech air purifier can make a big difference. Check the model has enough power to clean a large room and look for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which capture ultra-fine particles. Look for the quietest (dB) model to use at night. 1 Best for… MULTIPURPOSE PURIFICATION Pure Cool Link Tower, £499.99, Dyson This impressive appliance (H101.8x W19.6x D19.6cm) can cool huge open-plan rooms as well as purify the air. A built-in sensor monitors air quality and sends you alerts via the smartphone app, so you know when you need to…

ARRANGE ARTFULLY With more than a million shelfie images on Instagram, the decorating trend of artfully stylish arrangements of collectables is a social media phenomenon. In Shelfie – Clutter-clearing Ideas for Stylish Shelf Art (£12.99, Mitchell Beazley), Martha Roberts shows how to source, sort and organise belongings for every room alongside inspiring photographs. We love this wire shelf display. Delight in dahlias It’s dahlia time! Celebrate their beauty with Dahlias – Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden by Naomi Slade (£25, Pavilion Books) with photography by Georgianna Lane, which looks at more than 65 types. VINTAGE LOOK On the hunt for a statement piece for your wardrobe? Then you’ll love this exciting new collaboration, which sees archival prints from GP&J Baker being used in a clothing…

Travel from London by private coach via either Eurotunnel or ferry (depending on availability). Two nights’ bed and champagne breakfast accommodation in a four-star hotel in Reims. Exclusive Country Homes & Interiors experience: champagne-filled private dinner at the Palais du Tau. Tutored champagne tasting by Arblaster & Clarke expert. Exclusive Country Homes & Interiors experience: private champagne party at Taittinger’s Demeure des Comtes de Champagne in Reims. Exclusive Country Homes & Interiors experience: visit to one of the region’s famous vineyards. Exclusive Country Homes & Interiors experience: gourmet lunch at the Champagne Vilmart Château. The chance to buy superb discounted wines. Local transport by coach – so you can drink as…

PROJECT PROFILE Owners Lesia and Michael Scholey, who live here with their teenage son and daughter. House A five-bedroom, detached Edwardian home in Surrey. Project A dilapidated garage was removed to make space for two new boot rooms and an attached garage, along with a full kitchen refurbishment. Kitchen size 9.4x4.2m Designer Alex Main, director, The Main Company. ‘I am a strong believer in living in a space first. You need to find out what is wrong before you can fix it’ Cabinetry Bespoke traditional in-frame kitchen, painted in Little Greene’s Grey Moss 234, by The Main Company. » We called it the “while we’re at it” project,’ says Lesia Scholey, about the major kitchen renovation that had been an idea for nearly a…

When Helen Brent-Smith was a teenager, it fell to her parents to take over the running of a dairy farm that had been in their family since the 1700s, so they moved to Gloucestershire. ‘It wasn’t your average teen life,’ says Helen. ‘While most of my friends were out dating boys, I was trudging through mud and driving tractors!’ Helen loved the farm’s nesting owls in spring, and its frosted fields in winter, but never imagined she might one day be a farmer herself. Instead, after university, Helen moved to London with partner Dave Kaspar, and started a career as a clinical psychologist. But the work, involving patients with complex needs, was draining, and after only a few years, the couple became disillusioned with London life. At this time, in…

A  ABIGAIL BURY 01594 833017 abigailbury.com ABODE LIVING 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk AGA 0800 111 6477 agaliving.com ALSO HOME 01483 608611 alsohome.com ALTERNATIVE FLOORING 01264 335111 alternativeflooring.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMBIENCE HOME 020 8770 3870 ambiencehome.co.uk AND SO TO BED 0808 144 4343 andsotobed.co.uk ANTHROPOLOGIE 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com APPLEY HOARE ANTIQUES 01666 503970 appleyhoare.com ARDINGLY INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR 01636 702326 iacf.co.uk/ardingly ATKIN AND THYME 0203 768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk AVOCA 00 353 1 274 6900 avoca.com AXMINSTER CARPETS 01297 32244 axminster-carpets.co.uk B  BARKER AND STONEHOUSE 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BATHROOMS INTERNATIONAL 020 7838 7788 bathroomsint.com BATHSTORE 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com BEEFAYRE 01858 434492 beefayre.com BEYOND FRANCE 01285 641867 beyondfrance.co.uk BIRDIE FORTESCUE 01328 738634 birdiefortescue.co.uk BLUEAIR.COM Blueair.com BOHEMIADESIGN 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk BOSCH 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk…

RETREAT TO THE SHED It’s national Roald Dahl day on 13 September so we are thinking about the wonders of the garden shed. Roald famously wrote his children’s stories from his. Sheds can be far more than a place to store your tools, they double up as an outdoor room and allow us to enjoy a quiet space in the garden, so site it in a private corner of the plot. We love the idea of a shed with a stable door, turfed green roof and a woodburner. Q&A WITH A SHARING GARDENER Love hardy plants Get together with other like-minded gardeners by joining your local Hardy Plant Society. We asked chairperson Jan Vaughan what to expect... What does the Society aim to achieve? The Hardy Plant Society is a…

A real crowd pleaser whatever the season, but even more so in summer when the evenings are that bit longer, a burner or brazier has become a popular addition to many a country patio. Used for cooking, heating or simply gathering around, these exterior grates make outdoor living all the more heart warming. WHAT’S THE STORY? The practice of sitting around a fire is as old as time, and the simple form of braziers dates back to ancient cultures. A basic container for solid fuel, initial designs were simple box styles with culinary, warming or even ritual uses. Some were even styled into low tables to warm winter wear and blankets. Coal and wood were both commonly burnt with the occasional addition of lavender, rosemary or citrus peel. WHICH STYLE…

Claire’s style secret Welcome visitors in a reception area filled with charming vintage finds and curious focal points, each with a story to be told.…

Visit… ‘The historic house and gardens at Blenheim Palace (01993 810530, blenheimpalace.com ) near Woodstock, the birthplace and family home of Sir Winston Churchill. It is good for walks and roller skating.’ Shop at… ‘Eagles Fine Food (01869 338500, eaglesfinefood.co.uk ), a fabulous butcher’s and deli in Deddington – it is known locally as the Harrods of Deddington.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Falkland Arms (01608 683653, falklandarms.co.uk ) in Great Tew. It serves the most delicious food and supports local farmers and growers – and Richard and I met there!’…

The heart of every dream country kitchen, a homely range oven can’t be beaten when it comes to nostalgia. Just the thing for enthusiastic cooks with large flocks, the new five-oven designs feature roasting, baking, simmering, slow-cooking and warming ovens. So you can enjoy the classic good looks and ambient warmth of a range, alongside the mod-cons and automatic programming options of an electric cooker. Where to buy… • Aga for a range of bright and breezy colours. • Everhot for British-manufactured designs and energy-efficient running. • Rangemaster for a mix of traditional and modern styles.…

Tea towels Do the drying-up in maximalist style with a more-is-more stack of colourful, screen-printed designs featuring seasonal leaves and garden-grown motifs. Oven gloves Pop your door wedge pies and harvest roasties in and out of the Aga with an animated herd of farmyard beasties great and small... Linen aprons Jazz up your ‘kitchen wardrobe’ with a scrumptious capsule collection of slubby linen utilityware featuring deep pockets, button-strap details and cross-over backs.…

1 MEDITERRANEAN MOMENT Evoke the holiday feeling and take your inspiration from the colours and textures of the Mediterranean coast, with a table setting that combines dusky sea greens, brilliant whites, bleached woods and pebble tones. Knot a pretty napkin and place on top of a wooden platter that’s perfect for serving up antipasti, then position on top of a dinner plate. Continue the Mediterranean theme by tucking each name card under a fresh fig that guests can eat with their appetiser. 2 MATERIAL MATTERS Create a relaxed look that’s perfect for laidback entertaining by introducing texture and joyful colour. A woven raffia placemat is hardwearing and practical, and instantly injects a holiday feel. Opt for a circular design to mirror the shape of the plate and choose one with…

CHOICES ARE NO LONGER LIMITED TO SUBDUED PLAINS OR STRIKING PATTERNS. ‘Patterned carpet is having a revival and we are looking towards brighter shades of pale, with more pretty pastels and gelato colours,’ says Lorna Haigh, creative and marketing director, Alternative Flooring. ‘Pink is still very popular. Our Capello Shell Coral is a way to bring a bit of a blush to floors.’ For plains in country colours, consider the seven new colourways in Ulster Carpets’ York Wilton. Inspired by natural elements, the range of soft greys to blues includes the evocatively named Orkney and Shetland. TEXTURE IS NEVER FAR FROM COUNTRY DECORATORS’ THOUGHTS and Brintons’ new Perpetual Textures range, influenced by chenille, corded and tweed fabrics, takes a modern approach to nostalgic prints, and comes in subtle, discreet colours.…

Leading tile specialists Walls and Floors is offering Country Homes & Interiors readers 15% off its range of tiles. Established in 1987, Walls and Floors has grown to become one of the UK’s most trusted tile specialists. With a collection of 6,000 stylish designs, it has everything you need to achieve your dream scheme. With designs now available that tie in with the latest interior design trends, tiles need no longer be limited to kitchens or bathrooms. Now, they can be used to transform spaces throughout your home and garden. Whether you’re introducing encaustic effect pattern tiles into your hall, luxurious marble designs into your bathroom, or rustic country metro styles in the kitchen, Walls and Floors has the perfect option for your project. To get a closer look at…

• Succulents store water in their leaves. Sempervivums and sedums are hardy whereas aeoniums, agaves and echeverias are tender so have to be over-wintered inside. • Containers need drainage holes as succulents will not tolerate waterlogging. Try bowls, vintage biscuit tins or even colanders. • Use a gritty, free-draining compost, and top dress with a mulch of horticultural grit to keep the collar of the plant dry. • Succulents do best in a sunny spot. Repot into fresh compost every year. They don’t need feeding, just water sparingly through the growing season. • For variety, mix rosette-forming succulents like blue-green Echeveria elegans with tree forms such as Crassula ovata.…

Who doesn’t enjoy celebrating with a glass of fizz? Here at Country Homes & Interiors we love raising a glass, which is why we’re launching a fabulous new champagne-tasting mini-break. It’s the perfect way to mark a significant birthday, anniversary, or indeed any special event. So why not join other Country Homes & Interiors readers on this exclusive holiday in Reims and celebrate with us while finding out which champagne is your favourite! We’ve joined forces with wine tour specialists Arblaster & Clarke to offer you this special three-day break next spring, one of the most exciting times to visit the region – the sun shines, the grapes start to grow and the beautiful wildflowers are in full bloom. It’s also perfectly timed for all those summer celebrations. We’ve organised…

POLENTA CAKE A bit like an Eton Mess but in cake form, this is one big and beautiful showstopper of a cake. Serve it in late summer when raspberries are at their sweet peak. SERVES 12–14 Unsalted butter, to grease 90g quick-cook polenta 90g brown rice flour 60g desiccated coconut 240g golden caster sugar 1½ tsp baking powder Finely grated zest of 3 unwaxed lemons, plus 1 tbsp juice Pinch of sea salt flakes 375g kefir, buttermilk or natural yogurt 135g virgin coconut oil, melted 3 eggs, lightly beaten 675g fresh raspberries, plus extra to serve 350g double cream 350g Greek-style yogurt, the thickest you can find 3 tbsp golden icing sugar 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Grease the sides and bases of 3 x 20cm loose-bottomed…

1 STATEMENT HOOD The beautiful aged brass cooker hood is a custom design by The Main Company that enhances the room’s original high ceiling by drawing the eye upwards. The pillars below are actually brick slips, painstakingly matched to the original brickwork – a happy discovery halfway through the build. ‘When the hood arrived we had to get a structural engineer in to help us make sure it stays put,’ says Lesia. 2 MULTIPURPOSE BOOT ROOMS The addition of connected boot rooms, one at the front of the house and one at the back, each with a door leading outside, has transformed life for the Scholeys. The previously shoe-strewn hallway is now a tidy space to welcome guests, thanks to the family storage area in the front boot room. This…

Visit… ‘Gloucester Cathedral (01452 528095, gloucestercathedral.org.uk ). It’s packed with glorious historical and architectural treasures. Or, go for a walk on Haresfield Beacon to admire the views over the Severn Vale.’ Shop at... ‘Made in Stroud (01453 840265, madeinstroud.org ), for exquisite local arts and crafts.’ Go for a meal at... ‘Stroud Brewery (01453 887122, stroudbrewery.co.uk ) just outside Stroud, for simple, wood-fired pizzas and excellent local organic beers (or to try our cider!).’…