Innholdsfortegnelse for Jan-2019 i Country Homes & Interiors

When I read Susanne Wells’ story in this issue – her gorgeous Essex cottage is featured on page 24 – I loved what she said about taking the time to forage for greenery to decorate the house at Christmas: ‘After all the work we’ve had to do on this house,’ she says, ‘it’s nice to be able to finally kick back and fiddle with foliage rather than doing DIY.’ After a couple of chaotic Christmases since my family moved into our Hertfordshire home, I’m feeling the same! Desperately putting the last coat of paint on the walls or hanging curtains as guests start to arrive… I’ve been there. Last year, things were so disorganised, I was still baking my youngest niece’s birthday cake (she was born on the Big Day),…

PERFECT FOR... WINTER SCENT Folklore has it that witch hazel was a cure for broken hearts and illness. But even without its exciting back story, these winter-flowering plants grab our attention at this time of year. They are hardy, deciduous shrubs, best planted in a sunny spot in an acid-to-neutral soil. Then simply wait for the spidery flowers to fill the air with scent. We recommend Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ (shown) for its fiery dark orange blooms. Q&A WITH A SHARING GARDENER How to keep warm in the garden this winter We asked Louise Wright of The Woodee how to stay warm when outdoors. How do you light a fire? Make a tepee out of kindling over a heaped bed of dry tinder. Light the tinder…

What makes this house a home… ‘When doing up this house we didn’t spend lots of money but really used our imagination to make it the very best it could be’ A last-minute decision to view a rural cottage turned out to be a fortuitous one for Susanne Wells and her husband Barry. They were on their way home from viewing another property when they spotted it. ‘We were blown away by its rural position – it has a very pretty approach and is surrounded by fields,’ says Susanne. ‘And despite the interior being a challenge, we fell in love with it.’ The property was originally part of a run of three farmers’ cottages and had become very run-down. Susanne’s neighbour had once owned the cottage and did much of…

These sociable pieces are characterised by a long wooden bench with a sturdy backrest and arms. As a relative of the humble chest, shapely designs often benefit from discreetly built-in storage – perfect for popping into entrance areas to stash away outdoor attire and dog leads. Cosy up these heritage-inspired hardwood designs with a scattering of cushions and let artisanal craftsmanship make a statement. Where to buy… • The Old Forge for bespoke settles and monk benches. • The Cotswold Co stocks designs that offer convenient storage and painted finishes. • Preloved has a wealth of antique or second-hand finds.…

Giacinta’s style secret... For a smart country look, pair designer furniture classics with layers of luxurious linens in natural and neutral colourways.…

Visit… ‘On special dates throughout December, Alastair Hendy opens his restored Tudor house (01424 447171, aghendy.com ) in Hastings Old Town to the public, all decked out ready for a traditional Christmas.’ Shop at… ‘Silcocks Farm Shop (01580 763351, silcocksfarmorganics.co.uk  ) for meat, cheese, cream and ice cream all produced on the farm. It’s also where we hold our Three French Hens sales.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Globe Inn Marsh (01797 225220) in Rye for its open layout with no bar, but hosts waiting to serve visitors. Excellent food, too.’…

Deep, comforting colours and the warmth of aged wood create a timeless feel in this old thatched cottage, which comes into its own during winter, when it’s adorned in an abundance of freshly cut foliage for the festive period. ‘I enjoy all the seasons, as they sweep in and out of our lives,’ says Sarah Freethy. ‘But these shorter days make me really appreciate just how cosy this house is. I love to sit in the kitchen and watch the weather rolling down the valley towards me, yet still feel perfectly safe and warm. It’s an incredibly inspiring house, too – one that constantly encourages me to drink in its beauty, and that of the surrounding countryside.’ Although Sarah and her partner, Phil Nockles, feel very much at home here…

A toasty focal point in any country home, woodburners are cleaner and more efficient than fireplaces and are just the fit for nooks and poky areas. Plus, they can even help reduce heating bills. They are traditionally black, but advances in the enamelling process have enabled colour finishes to suit a lighter space. Timeless, functional and glowing with nostalgia, these warm characters will always have a place in our heart and hearth. Where to buy… • Charnwood for stoves built using the latest technology. • Arada for efficient and clean-burning eco designs. • Stovax for traditional and contemporary, multi-fuel, gas and electric options.…

Drink in the details... Dress your table or drinks trolley with a measure of elegance, courtesy of delicate, engraved designs. Vintage-style coupes evoke a timeless, bygone-era glamour... Cut-glass accents Sturdy stems add stability to stylish glasses featuring delicate patterns and subtle etched details. Don't be afraid to mix silhouettes; staggered along the length of the dinner table, they'll add an alluring sense of occasion.…

How do you spend New Year’s Eve? We get together with a group of friends from the village for dinner and bubbly. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Generally not, but I think about what I have done in the past year and things I should do more of. How do you toast the New Year? With a glass of English sparkling wine, such as Nyetimber or Chapel Down. How to you keep warm when the winter chills bite? By wearing woolly jumpers and Ugg slippers, and moving closer to our claret red Aga.…

1 Traditional details Hunker down beside a roaring fire in this luxuriously proportioned and generously stuffed feather and down, timeless silhouette. Olivia love seat, col Harris Tweed Bircher, H88xW121xD110cm, £2,215, Neptune. 2 Slender silhouette  Bring style and grace to any living space with this sophisticated addition featuring dainty, handmade wooden feet. Atworth love seat, col Cotton Capri, H93xW134xD90cm, £893, Willow & Hall. 3 Made to order muse Oozing fit-for-royalty appeal, kick back and unwind in the sweeping curves of this plush, pastel creature – because sumptuous upholstery makes everything better! Fontaine snuggler sofa, col Duck Egg Blue Velvet, H84xW127xD107cm, £799, Cult Furniture. 4 Contemporary update Squish up in everyday luxe, courtesy of these wide arms, padded back and sink-into cushions. Available in a variety of fabrics and colours to suit…

1 ALL THE TRIMMINGS Bring a rustic, woodland flavour to your table with foliage foraged from outdoors. ‘Place a decorative runner along the table, with a few votives dotted here and there, working in branches to add texture and height to the table,’ says Dan Cooper, Christmas Shop buyer at John Lewis & Partners. ‘Consider making each guest’s place that extra bit special by layering your best crockery on rustic wooden chargers and personalising each setting with gifts wrapped to match your scheme.’ 2 SOPHISTICATED SILVER While grey might not be the obvious colour choice for Christmas, mixing in accents of mercury glass on baubles and votives, teamed with platinum-edged tableware, adds just the right amount of sparkle. ‘My biggest tip for decorating the table is to adorn the entire…

Visit… ‘Stourhead (01747 841152, nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead ), near Mere in Wiltshire. It’s the most beautiful garden 365 days of the year. I never tire of it; there’s always something to see.’ Shop at... ‘Sprout & Flower (01747 860300, sproutandflower.co.uk ) in Mere, for lovely flowers, plants, fruit and veg, as well as coffee and cakes. Also try The Botanical Candle Co (01747 859200, thebotanicalcandleco.co.uk ) in Shaftesbury, where they make deliciously scented, hand-poured soy wax candles in vintage containers.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Roth Bar & Grill at Hauser & Wirth (01749 814700, rothbarandgrill.co.uk ) in Bruton in Somerset, for seasonal local produce, the chance to see some amazing art and, of course, Piet Oudolf’s…

1 Picture perfect With cute illustrations, this diary has weekly, monthly and yearly layouts, plus perforated shopping and to-do lists and a book of fun stickers to help you to get organised. Sweet 2019 A5 weekly diary, £21, Kikki.K. 2 Say it with flowers Know what each month has in store with this pretty appointment book, with floral illustrations for each month, plus pages for notes and contacts. Rifle Paper Co 2019 Bouquet appointment notebook, £14, Papermash. 3 Seize the day A neat size for a handbag, this diary is dotted with inspirational quotes and illustrations, and has weekly and monthly layouts, blank pages and graph paper, plus an elastic loop. 2019 A5 diary, £23.50, Oliver Bonas.…

Owners Imelda Leonard and Neil Stringwell and their miniature sausage dog, Rollo. House A four-bedroom semi-detached extended cottage in West Yorkshire. Project A kitchen and dining room were knocked through to create one large space including a snug area and dining room. Kitchen size: 8.5x4m. Designer Craig Atkinson, owner, AKA Interiors. Cabinetry Ashbourne classic-style kitchen with solid ash doors and Portland oak frame, made by Masterclass, and painted in Masterclass Light Grey (units) and Dust Grey (island).…

Purveyors of uncommon objects and needful paraphernalia’ is the intriguing promise on Priddy Essentials’ website. The Priddy Essentials shop, in an elegant Georgian building on the high street of the market town of Uppingham, is a treasure trove of handcrafted merchandise. It’s filled with the work of local artisans, but pride of place goes to Priddy Essentials’ beautifully packaged perfumes and products, which are displayed on apothecary-style shelves. Founded by husband and wife team Wendy and Chris de Verteuil, Priddy Essentials is a hive of activity, but especially in the lead up to Christmas, its busiest time. Wendy and Chris met at Winchester School of Art where Chris studied woven constructed textiles and Wendy studied printed textiles. They moved to Uppingham from London in 1990 and had their four children,…

RUBY PUNCH Serve glasses of this classic punch as your guests arrive – it’s the perfect warm welcome. SERVES 12-15 1 Pour about a quarter of a bottle of red wine into a pan and add 4 cinnamon sticks and 8 star anise. Heat gently until very hot, but not boiling. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. 2 Pour into a bowl and add 400ml each of port and vodka and the rest of the wine. Add some tangerine slices and top up with 1L of soda water just before serving at room temperature. VODKA AND CRANBERRY SPRITZER Festive flavours don’t come much cooler than this ice-cold cranberry and orange concoction. SERVES 4 1 In a jug, mix 75ml vodka from the freezer, juice from a quarter of…

Magical mindfulness Unwrap the enchanting Liberty at Christmas colouring book and discover the story of the beloved emporium at the most wonderful time of year, through more than 70 colouring prints and exclusive poems. Liberty at Christmas Colouring Book, £9.99, published by HarperCollins, Liberty London. OUR FAVOURITE DESIGNER HoneyTree Publishing It was the discovery of a memory box in her mother’s desk, bursting with papers, envelopes and cards, that brought home the importance of putting pen to paper for British artist and illustrator, Lizbeth Holstein. From this encounter with the past, HoneyTree was born, with the idea to record special moments in one’s life in a beautiful and meaningful way. Lizbeth and her husband Sebastian Galbraith-Helps, work with emerging British artists to design and produce bespoke gift stationery. What inspires…

Visit… ‘Sudbury Water Meadows, immortalised by artists Constable and Gainsborough, is a wildlife sanctuary with the River Stour running through it and is perfect for beautiful wintry walks.’ Shop at… ‘Little White Box (01376 564015, little-white-box.com ) in Coggeshall is a combination of an interior design consultancy and delightful shop offering all kinds of ideas for the home. It’s also well known for its beautiful window displays.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Fox (01371 810151, thefoxinnfinchingfield.com ) in Finchingfield is a 16th-century coaching inn serving delicious seasonal food, made with local ingredients.’…

It was a chance find and a little bit of that persuasion lead Giacinta Del Monaco and her husband David Pearson to buy this pretty little cottage. Bought as a home-from-home for when they are visiting the UK, the property is a place to escape, relax and catch up with their English family. ‘We split our time between here and the States,’ explains Giacinta. ‘David is from this area originally and still has family nearby. We’ve always liked it here as the village has a lovely feel – it was once an antique hunters’ paradise with a number of vintage shops and this has always been one of our interests. So when we started looking for a property in England, it made sense to make this village our home.’ Although…

Consisting of an upper and lower leaf, the original purpose of this dual design was to keep animals out of farmhouses, or to keep children and pets inside, while allowing air ventilation and light to filter through the open top. Increasingly popular in modern homes, this 17th-century ideal has evolved, combining the latest thermally efficient and durable materials with high performance finishes and security features. Where to buy… • George Barnsdale for traditional barn styles. • UK Oak Doors for handcrafted designs using sustainably-sourced oak. • Evolution Windows for low maintenance options.…

Mandi’s style secret... For a quirky twist, go for a unique splashback like a weathered and colourful old French shutter.…

Visit… ‘There’s nothing like a winter’s walk to blow away the cobwebs. Dog walks through the Itchen Valley ( eastleigh.gov.uk ) make us feel so lucky to live here. Further afield, we love nipping down to the coast – Lepe Beach is only about 40 minutes’ drive away and it’s beautiful all year long.’ Shop at…‘ The Hambledon (01962 890055, thehambledon.com ) is a fantastic independent homeware and clothes shop in Winchester. I would happily buy everything they stock.’ Go for a meal at… ‘We love The Black Rat (01962 844465, theblackrat.co.uk ) and The Black Boy (01962 861754, theblack boypub.com ) in Winchester. The food in both is so inventive and the atmosphere so quirky and…

LET FESTIVITIES START EARLY… …as soon as you walk in the door. From the wreath outside to a heap of presents in the hall, a decorated entrance fizzes with Christmas spirit. Mismatched wrapping paper and boldly coloured baubles bring a happy, relaxed vibe. ANYONE FOR A MINCE PIE? If the kitchen is your Christmas hub, add a touch of sugar and spice with candy-coloured decorations and ribbons around the cookie jars. Seasonal crockery and kitchen linens make serving up homemade bakes extra special. MIX OLD AND NEW AT THE TABLE Turn your table decor into a true conversation starter, with a mix of ‘You must remember this’ favourite serveware and ‘Where did you get that?’ new pieces. Dot baubles and foliage around each place setting for a pretty, relaxed look.…

With an air of bygone quill-to-paper romance and ‘free like a bird’ symbolism, the trend for feather-decorated homeware and furnishings will let your space take flight. Feather your New Year nest with airy patterns and wing-light motifs inspired by nature and soaring birds. Go for delicate yet striking displays of wispy plumes repeated across wallcoverings, and gentle hand-drawn designs floating prettily across soft furnishings, upholstery and glazed ceramics. LOVE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY… ✽ Perking up your flower arrangement or table setting with a plucky design of pretty quills of discarded feathers on handmade earthenware. Mix and match with other pieces for an eclectic feel. ✽ Plumping up the plumes on scatter cushions! Give your living room an instant update with feather-inspired designs, combined with other natural-world motifs. ✽ Celebrating…

1 Channel Scandi style Pure, simple, restful materials are a signature of Scandinavian style and the reason it remains such a popular look in rooms designed for laid-back lounging. ‘Natural materials, such as weathered wood, slubby linen and marbled slate, connect us back to the earth and will always touch us more than the artificial,’ says Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company. ‘Using different weights and weaves of fabric allows the decor to be kept simple without becoming bland,’ she adds. 2 Open house Christmas is a time when open-plan layouts come into their own – it’s certainly easier to ensure everyone is happy if you are not shut off in the kitchen. ‘It’s more sociable as hosts can interact with guests while prepping and cooking,’ says interior designer…

DRAW UP A FOOTSTOOL ALONGSIDE YOUR FAVOURITE CHAIR AND EASE OFF YOUR SHOES for that relaxing moment. Footstools have decorative advantages, too – they’re an easy way to add an extra element to an interior scheme. And if a quick tidy up is required, a storage footstool or ottoman provides the perfect hiding place. SIZE IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR WHEN CHOOSING A FOOTSTOOL. Too big and the room will become an obstacle course, too small and you’ll lose out on comfort. An open-plan room can be all the better for a dramatic, large-scale footstool, working with the sofa to create a focus in the space, as well as doubling up as a coffee table. Look out for a low-level bench with an upholstered top, ideally one with a storage shelf…

SEASONAL SCENT Switch your signature scent for something more sultry. Jo Malone’s new Bronze Wood & Leather cologne, from £75 for 50ml, offers a heady combination of rich hide and smoky wood, with hints of vibrant juniper and grapefruit. It can be layered with other Cologne Intense collection scents, such as Pomegranate Noir or Myrrh & Tonka. CELEBRATE BURNS NIGHT Burns Night commemorates the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns, who was born on 25 January 1759. If you’re attending a Burns supper, expect cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, neeps and tatties accompanied by bagpipes, reciting the poet’s Address to a Haggis and whisky toasts. To end the evening, a rendition of Auld Lang Syne, one of Burns’s most famous works. WINTER WARMER Beat the chill with Celtic & Co’s luxurious floor-length…

1 LONG ISLAND For the island worktop, designer Craig suggested double thickness and bevelled, or ‘bird’s beak’, edging to add a splash of luxury. The couple love the statement effect, even if installing it was tricky. ‘It’s a half-tonne slab,’ says Neil, ‘and it took nine of us hours to manhandle it into position.’ Craig adds: ‘It’s not something you’d find in an ultra-modern kitchen, and makes the island more of a centrepiece.’ 2 POP-UP SOCKETS A contemporary addition are these Sensio pop-up socket towers. Each has two sockets and two USB ports. ‘The grandkids use them all the time to plug in their iPads,’ says Neil. ‘It saves on unsightly wiring trailing from the walls to the island.’ The towers, fitted in chrome to match the cabinet handles, cost…

Visit… ‘Uppingham – it’s a picturesque historic market town in Rutland with a host of independent shops. Everything we need is here.’ Shop at… ‘The fascinating and well-priced Uppingham Antiques Centre (01572 822155, uppinghamantiques.com ) on the high street, which has interesting and collectable items from every era. Also, the marvellous Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham (01572 821424, goldmarkart.com ).’ Go for a meal at… ‘Scandimania (07951 345807) in Uppingham, which serves homemade Swedish pastries for elevenses. Or try Lake Isle (01572 822951, lakeisle.co.uk ), also in Uppingham, a restaurant that’s great for a family celebration.’…

We want this now... Mason Cash mixing bowls are a stalwart of country kitchens – the classic earthenware has been around since 1902. The new In the Forest collection embosses the bowls and basins with delightful woodland characters. Matching teapots, mugs and cake tins are also available. In The Forest mixing bowls, £17.50–£29. OUR FAVOURITE SALMON SMOKERS MARRBURY SMOKEHOUSE Husband-and-wife team Vincent and Ruby Marr started their business in 1996, fishing the River Cree in southwest Scotland. Their salmon is served in Michelin-starred restaurants, but you can also buy it through their shop, bistro and website. Ruby tells us more... What’s so special about your salmon? Vincent cures and smokes it by hand over whisky cask chippings and juniper berries and it’s his care of each batch that makes it…

Task lighting is about pooling brightness into a small area, creating a zone to illuminate words and pictures for an all-round pleasant reading experience. Finding the right table lamp is all about matching style with purpose, but this simple home accessory can also be an attractive addition to a corner of a country home too. WHAT’S THE STORY? Lighting in the domestic home leaped in the late 19th century from candle to incandescent flame when Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison separately invented the commercially viable bulb. The two combined forces soon after to create the Edison & Swan United Electric Light Company. Initially lamp design took a more practical stance with industrial style stands, but with the great design explosion of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, lighting…

Susanne’s style secret... Be inspired by winter hedgerows and decorate your home with foraged foliage and trailing sprigs for an informal displayÉ…

Visit… ‘The largest walled private estate in Essex, Braxted Park (01621 892305, braxtedpark.co.uk ), near Great Braxted, plays host to an award-winning cookery school with many different courses, including seasonal festive menus.’ Shop at… ‘Buntings (01376 561233, buntingfoods.co.uk ) in Coggeshall, for fabulous fine foods, top cuts of meat and store-cupboard favourites in a delicatessen-cum-butchers.’ Go for a meal at… ‘West Street Vineyard (01376 565 303, weststreetvineyard.co.uk ) in Coggeshall. This local vineyard serves homegrown and carefully selected wines alongside a delicious seasonal menu in a fantastic wine barn setting.’…

For a splash of farmhouse style, a timeless, white ceramic sink is just the thing to make a stand-out statement. Similar to, but not to be confused with, a Belfast sink, butler sinks originated in 17th-century London, when water needed to be conserved. These durable and practical chunky beauties are ever popular in traditional kitchens and utility rooms, with modern designs often featuring double-bowl options for convenience. Where to buy… • Victorian Plumbing for high-grade ceramic designs. • Shaws of Darwen for luxury, traditional models, handcrafted in the UK. • Tap Warehouse for great value, service and sizes.…

Sarah’s style secret... Adorn a space with freshly cut foliage, subtle fairy lights and candles to bring it to life for the festive period.…

COMFORT & JOY Christmas wreath, from £70, The Fresh Flower Co. Vintage decorative baubles,from £4 each, RE. Small coloured baubles,from £7.50 a set, The Contemporary Home. Ribbons,from £1 a roll, Flying Tiger. LET FESTIVITIES START EARLY Wallsin Farthing Wood Silver wallpaper, £59 a roll, Sanderson. Woodworkin Mole’s Breath estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Cider Mill table,£935, IJL Brown. Edinburgh bench,£630; coat rack,£63, both Neptune. Basket,£50, Garden Trading. Baubles,from a selection at Gisela Graham, Raj Tent Club and The Contemporary Home. Robin gift wrap,from £9.75 a set, Nancy and Betty Studio. Tea lightholders,from £4 each, Nordic House. Lantern,£4.50, Ikea. North Pole personalised ChristmasEvebox,from £40, Seahorse at Notonthehighstreet.com. Craft gift wrap,£3 a roll, Paperchase; with gold star stamp, from £4, The English Stamp Co. (On coat rack) Fair Isle…

After settling back in the UK 15 years ago, Hilary Blackford’s been making the most of her Cotswolds home, where she produces artisan food and drink inspired by travels with her husband Paul. She makes limoncello and pompelmocello, along with lemon curd, marmellata, lemon cordial and blackberry liqueur. We headed to her 200-year-old stone cottage to see how she makes her products, sample a tipple and hear how she’ll be seeing in the New Year… WHERE DO YOU CALL HOME? Cerney Wick, a village established by royal charter in 999 and now part of the Cotswold Water Park. We moved here after many years in the US, Italy, Belgium and Germany for Paul’s work. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE? I love being in a small, friendly village…

A soundbar – typically a long, slim box filled with speakers – plugs into the back of your TV and sits directly in front of it, greatly enhancing the sound quality of whatever you’re watching on the box. The central speakers hone in on dialogue, while the ones at the edges fire sound left and right to mimic cinema surround sound. But the latest models offer more. Many feature voice control (such as Amazon Alexa) so you can tell the TV to change volume, while others have Bluetooth, allowing you to stream music from your phone. 1 Best for... THE CONNECTED HOME Beam, H6.85xW65.1xD10cm, £399, Sonos New from multi-room maestros Sonos, the Beam is a compact soundbar that can connect seamlessly with an existing family of Sonos speakers, sound great…

Keep your garden neat and interesting in the chilliest months... • Grow plenty of evergreen shrubs for winter interest and all-year structure. Keep some clipped so they seem to flow through borders and punctuate path edges. • As winter starts, lay a thick compost mulch on beds as a soil improver and to protect tender herbaceous perennials. • Lift and divide snowdrops when they finish flowering, replanting them ‘in the green’ for more. • Knock snow off branches – its weight can damage them. • Plant for wildlife, with berries, hips and early blossom. Hellebores and aconites are a good early food source for bumblebees. • Leave windfalls and seedheads for birds. Piles of wood and leaves can shelter insects and hedgehogs.…

1 A LIFE FILLED WITH CLUTTER CAN DRAG YOU DOWN, HEM YOU IN, DRAIN YOUR ENERGY… TIP: Tackle a clutter hotspot – that bowl, shelf or corner of the table where flyers, bills and catalogues accumulate. Get to it now. Never think of it again. 2 IT CAN CREATE A EUPHORIC FEELING – IF YOU CAN TACKLE THIS YOU CAN TACKLE ANYTHING TIP: Clear out The Drawer. You know the one. Crammed with rubber bands, batteries, bits of string, chopsticks. No one ever needs more than 10% of what’s in The Drawer. 3 GET THROUGH IT BY SEEING EVERY BIT OF YOUR DEJUNKING EFFORTS AS AN INVESTMENT IN FUTURE SUNNY DAYS TIP: Stay in the moment. Break down tasks into doable components. It may feel too overwhelming to tackle all…

Having four grown-up children, as well as seven grandchildren, all living close by in and around the Dales of West Yorkshire, means that Imelda Leonard and Neil Stringwell are never short of a dinner guest – or several. ‘We get together regularly,’ says Imelda. ‘And there’s no trouble fitting folk round the table and island now – it doesn’t feel overcrowded.’ The couple’s home of more than a decade, made from two cottages knocked into one and extended over the years, wasn’t always so accommodating. Until last year, the kitchen and dining areas were separate. ‘You were cut off from everyone when preparing and cooking food,’ recalls Imelda. ‘We wanted a room where we could all be together.’ So a plan was devised to remove the dividing wall and create…

CABINETRY Classic Masterclass Ashbourne cabinetry, painted in Light Grey and Dust Grey, from £20,000, AKA Interiors. SURFACES International Stones IQ Carrara quartz worktops, £422sq m; island worktop, £595sq m, both AKA Interiors. Victoria Crackle splashback tiles, £55sq m; Sequoia Legni Grigio floor tiles, £55sq m, both Italian Tiles Outlet. APPLIANCES Rangemaster Professional Deluxe 1100mm dual-fuel oven, £1,910, John Lewis & Partners. KIV38X22GB 70/30 fridge freezer, £669; SMV40C30GB dishwasher, £350; DHL785CGB 700mm integrated extractor, £438, all Bosch. All supplied by AKA Interiors. SINKS & TAPS Franke ceramic 1.5-bowl undermount sink,£441; Quooker Fusion boiling water tap,£1,240, both AKA Interiors. ACCESSORIES Carcaso bar stools, £60 each, Simply Bar Stools. Salisbury table,£749, Barker and Stonehouse. Highland Check curtains (also used for cushion covers), col Dove Grey, from £65, Dunelm.…

A brand’s identity isn’t just about a certain logo or colour palette; it’s about all the ingredients that go together to make it stand out from its competitors. ‘A strong visual brand identity is important because you need to be able to communicate with your customer,’ says Chris de Verteuil. ‘By setting the look, you are talking to a certain set of people, and you can begin to build a community who will relate to your style. It builds loyalty and trust.’ Be inspired. ‘You need to start by creating the look you want,’ says Chris. ‘Be very clear about who you are and the message you want to convey. The Priddy Essentials look, for instance, is creating a romantic view of a bygone era. We draw from different influences…

A  AKA INTERIORS 0113 391 0179 akainteriors.co.uk ALEXANDER & PEARL 020 8508 0411alexanderandpearl.co.uk AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com ANNA WRIGHT 0131 557 1572 annawright.co.uk ANNABEL JAMES 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk ANTIQUE CHURCH FURNISHINGS 01932 252736 churchantiques.com ARADA STOVES 01297 35700 aradastoves.comARLO & JACOB 0333 222 1643 arloandjacob.com ARROLL 028 9036 5725 arroll.co.uk B  BARKER AND STONEHOUSE 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BATHSTORE 0800 023 2323bathstore.com BEE GREEN WRAPS beegreenwraps.co.uk BEYOND FRANCE 01285 641867 beyondfrance.co.uk BISCUITEERS 0870 458 8358 biscuiteers.com BLACK BY DESIGN 01889 502716 black-by-design.co.uk BODEN 0330 333 0000 boden.co.uk BOSCH 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk BRIXTON POTTERY 01544 260577 brixtonpottery.com C  CARPETRIGHT 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk CATH KIDSTON cathkidston.com CATHERINE TOUGH 020 7729 2291 catherinetough.co.uk CATKINS & PUSSYWILLOW 01962 860345 catkinsandpussywillow.com CELTIC & CO 0844557 8877 celticandco.com CHARNWOOD 01983 537777 charnwood.com CHRISTY 0845 758 5252 christy.co.uk CLUB MATTERS 01962 771275 clubmatters.com COLE & SON 020 8442 8844 cole-and-son.com COLEFAX AND FOWLER 020 7244 7427 colefax.com COLLINS &…