Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2019 i Country Homes & Interiors

I’m still enjoying fresh early-mornings on the patio with a coffee and the cat (we listen to the birdsong together) and evenings sipping rosé while watching the bats swoop. I intend to keep my shoes open-toed until it’s too frosty to bear, squeezing out the last drops of slow summer living until I’m ready to embrace the change of seasons and the sudden slide into (whisper it!) Christmas. On that note, those of you who love to plan ahead might like to know that the fourth Country Homes & Interiors Christmas fair will be taking place at Stonor Park, Oxfordshire, from 21-24 November. Tickets are on sale soon – look out for info in the October issue. Have you found us on Instagram, yet? Follow @countryhomesmag to get a sneak…

Stephanie’s style tip... INTRODUCE GRAND-SCALE PATTERN, COLOUR AND WOW FACTOR WITH A BESPOKE HEADBOARD CH&I loves... FLORAL EMBROIDERY…

Why did you choose a neutral palette? ‘I can’t stand clutter and prefer living in a home that feels calm and restful – hence the decision to go for a neutral, tranquil backdrop.’ Any other advantages? ‘Yes. I find that a neutral backdrop ensures that one room flows seamlessly into another.’ How has this worked? ‘The pared-back palette is fantastic as it means I can easily ring the changes with accessories, such as cushions and throws.’ How did you bring in texture? ‘ I love wood and have left exposed many of the wooden beams, lintels and even the mantelpiece. I’m also a big fan of sheepskins, which are dotted around for a homely touch.’…

How do you spend a typical day sailing? We enjoy being out on the water for most of the day, so we’ll pack a picnic lunch and spend the day on the boat. Where’s your favourite place to sail in Cornwall? The coast around St Mawes, where the Percuil River meets the Carrick Roads, is just so stunning. What’s the best time of day for enjoying the sea view from your house? The evenings are beautiful, with the colours changing in the sky and the sun glimmering on the sea.…

Renovating a barn that was half rundown house and half milking stalls is not a challenge many would relish, but Tracy and Ron Stark did just that. The couple first spotted the property for sale 12 years ago. Located just across the valley from them, in the idyllic Yorkshire Dales, it was a must-see. ‘The barn was for sale in two lots,’ says Tracy. ‘One part was a three-bedroom cottage, while the rest was milking stalls for sale with planning permission to convert into a four-bedroom house. ‘We visited it on a sunny day and just fell in love with the views across the valley, as well as the fact it came with five acres of land,’ Tracy continues. ‘We knew if we bought both lots we could create one…

Tracy’s style tip... CHOOSE A HOMELY SCHEME FULL OF CHARM WITH A PALETTE OF SOOTHING, CHALKY NEUTRALS AND NATURE-INSPIRED PATTERNS ON TACTILE TEXTILES CH&I loves... NEUTRAL PAINTS…

POPPY LEARNT ABOUT PRICING EARLY ON when setting up her home accessory business. ‘I applied for a loan from the Prince’s Trust and a business guru helped me define the whole financial structure from the beginning,’ says Poppy. ‘Being creative doesn’t mean that you can’t think fiscally, and she helped me narrow things down.’ The one lesson I’ve learnt...“THE SMALLEST THINGS ARE IMPORTANT, SUCH AS PUTTING ALL YOUR CONTACT DETAILS ON EVERYTHING YOU SEND AND GIVE OUT. NO DETAILS MEANS NO DEAL ” HOW TO PRICE UP YOUR BUSINESS Be mathematical and practical about pricing up. It removes the emotional strings and really simplifies how to work out what you could earn. List and sum up what you can live on or what you want to live on. Add up…

CREATE A SPREAD OF ETHICAL PICNIC PRODUCTS Carry goodies from kitchen to garden with a scatter of cushions and throws on the grass for comfort. Mix eco-chic serveware in mouth-watering colours with wicker knapsacks, rustic baskets and metal trays. MISMATCHED CHAIRS MAKE EASY COMPANIONS Easy loungers and classic deckchairs make for low-key seating, with cushions in summery shades. Tables in wood and metal add to the warm and welcoming look . PETAL SHADES SING OF SUMMER Who needs paint charts and fabric swatches when a posy from the garden can inspire your summer decor? Nature knows how to harmonise colours beautifullyÉ SERVE UP PLOT-TO-PLATE STYLE Lunch never looked so good than at a table inspired by freshly picked produce. Choose ripe colours with scattered-fruit fabrics, and add coloured glass to…

It was my daughter Aster who first inspired me out of my armchair and onto the streets to protest. When she was just five years old, in 2013, she overheard me discussing fracking with my family, and said: ‘But Mummy, if it’s poisoning the earth, how can people do it?’ The simple logic stopped me in my tracks. I knew I had to do more to defend our beautiful countryside. I was born and brought up in Stroud, a pretty corner of the Cotswolds, which is known for its independent, Bohemian spirit. In 1994 I left to study languages at the University of Oxford. I loved it and gained a congratulatory first. But I was never tempted by big corporations, and chose to work as a tour guide instead. Some…

When Claire and Darren Beckett had their first daughter, it quickly became apparent that their two-up, two-down home wasn’t going to cope for long. ‘It was just about big enough for the two of us, but when Amelie came along it definitely felt overcrowded,’ says Claire, who runs online lifestyle store Chalk Homeware. With precious little spare cash to increase their mortgage, the couple found another two-bed, but one that could be extended. ‘There’s a basement ripe for refurb and the loft can be converted, too, as and when funds permit, so eventually we will get the extra bedrooms we need without overstretching ourselves,’ says Claire. But before they could even move in, the property needed a lot of work on the ground floor. Luckily, Darren’s a carpenter and was…

CABINETRY The in-frame Borrowdale range in Olive Green (currently only available in Bone), from £4,069 for an eight-unit kitchen, Benchmarx Kitchens. SURFACES Keynes mixed flagstone floor tiles, £38.30sq m, Beswick Stone. Herregards oak worktop, from £179 for a 300x 60x2.6cm length, Benchmarx Kitchens. Carrara marble worktop, from £350sq m, Stonetek. Blanco matt brick tiles, £22.95sq m, Walls and Floors. Walls painted in Heritage Chalk White vinyl matt emulsion, £30 for 2.5L, Dulux. APPLIANCES Smeg C92DX8 dual-fuel range cooker, £1,099; Beko DIN15X11 full-size fully-integrated dishwasher, £260; Samsung RS8000 RS67N8210S9/EU American-style fridge freezer, £1,049; Bosch Serie 2 DLN53AA70B canopy cooker hood in Silver, £119, all Currys. SINKS & TAPS Danbury lever bridge kitchen sink mixer, £99.95; Rangemaster farmhouse Belfast ceramic kitchen sink, £149.95, both Victorian Plumbing. ACCESSORIES Andy Warhol All Is Pretty…

These striking, sculptural plants are easy to care for and look good over a long period. Forms include creeping, mat-forming sedums, bold, spiny agaves and aloes, and aeoniums that look like small trees, with fleshy rosettes. They store water in their leaves so can cope with long periods of drought and thrive in gritty, well-drained soil in full sun. Here’s how to get the most from them... • Make sure your pots have good drainage. Dress the top of the soil with grit to keep their collars dry. • Use shallow pots for creeping succulents: sempervivums and sedums will even grow well in the holes of an airbrick. • Hardy succulents like sedums and sempervivums can be safely left out all year, whereas tender species like aeoniums, echeverias and agaves need to be…

I’ve always loved plants and flowers. My mum taught me a lot over the years, and now I’m a real collector. I have lots of old botanical guides (useful for identification) and there are pots of seed heads, feathers and bits of wood all over the house. Living seasonally is very important to me, so the idea of capturing and preserving nature’s beauty in the form of printmaking felt like a natural progression from foraging. I first tried botanical printmaking after seeing artist Stef Mitchell’s work on Pinterest. I contacted her and she was kind enough to teach me the basics of making prints by hand using a brayer (ink roller) and water-based inks. It’s so simple to master and the equipment is inexpensive, too – you don’t have to…

Change your spots We might all have a stack of aprons hanging on the back of our kitchen doors, but it’s time to make way for something new. Witloft’s leather aprons have long been our favourite way to keep clean whether baking, barbecuing or even gardening, but this new leopard-print design adds an extra dash of fun. Handcrafted from high-quality leather and adjustable to suit all shapes and heights, it costs £149.95. Overwhelmed by the number of gadgets and devices out there? Meet the new wave of one-pot cooking. With an impressive list of functions – pressure cook, slow cook, air crisp, steam, sear, sauté, bake, roast and grill – the Ninja Foodi is a must-have. Air-crisp technology lets you create crispy fried foods with up to 75 per cent…

A  ABIGAIL AHERN 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com AGA 0800 111 6477 agaliving.com ALSO HOME 01483 608611 alsohome.com ALTERNATIVE FLOORING 01264 335111 alternativeflooring.com AMAZON amazon.co.uk ANGEL & BOHO 0333 200 7371 angelandboho.com ANNA JEFFREYS 01476 861 008 annajeffreys.co.uk ANTHROPOLOGIE 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com ARTISANTI 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com ATKIN AND THYME 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk AURORA PETS aurorapets.co.uk AXMINSTER CARPETS 01297 32244 axminster-carpets.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com BAKER LIFESTYLE 020 7351 7760 gpandjbaker.com BASKET BASKET 01420 85112 basketbasket.co.uk BAYTREE INTERIORS 0808 168 9242 baytree-interiors.co.uk BENCHMARX KITCHENS benchmarxkitchens.co.uk BERT & MAY 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com BESWICK STONE 01285 885795 beswickstone.co.uk BIRDIE FORTESCUE 01328 851651 birdiefortescue.co.uk BLASTA HENRIET blastahenriet.com BLENDWORTH 023 9259 4911 blendworth.co.uk BRINTONS 0800 505055 brintons.co.uk BROSTE COPENHAGEN brostecopenhagen.com BUNGALOW bungalow.dk C  C &C MILANO 020 7751 4554 cec-milano.com…

Things we can’t live without... “SAYING GOODBYE TO SUMMER AND HELLO TO AUTUMN WITH A VIBRANT HARVEST OF COLOUR AND TEXTURE”…

Have you made any unusual finds? We found an entire tree trunk supporting a wall in the kitchen! Have you seen photos of the house in the past? Our neighbour was born here and she has shared some of her family photos with us. We also have one of the house after the 1947 roof fire. Does the house have any local connections? It has connections with Canford Manor (now Canford School) in Wimborne, the former home of Lord and Lady Wimborne, as well as the hamlet of Knighton, which is thought to have been a medieval deer park during the reign of King Edward III.…

Having outgrown their chocolate-box cottage, Helen Jackson was adamant the next family home would definitely not be a building project. ‘With two young children and busy lives, my husband Paul and I were determined to find a house we could move straight into, with the minimum of fuss or upheaval,’ Helen recalls. ‘The thought of messy, dusty building work filled me with dread.’ But after hunting for a suitable property in Buckinghamshire, they drew a complete blank. ‘We were all so attached to our cottage, we knew it would be hard to find anything to compare, particularly since we’d deliberately restricted our search to a five-mile radius,’ she says. ‘This part of the world is beautiful. It’s perfect for Paul’s commute and the children are settled here.’ After many viewings,…

Helen’s style tip... CREATE A WORKSPACE THAT MOTIVATES YOU BY MAKING A WALL DISPLAY JAMMED WITH POSITIVE AND INSPIRING QUOTES CH&I loves... DARK AND MOODY PAINTS…

Visit… ‘St Mawes Castle (englishheritage.org.uk/visit/places/stmawes-castle), built on one side of the Fal Estuary. The views are idyllic, taking in the Carrick Roads and St Anthony lighthouse, plus Falmouth and Pendennis Castle.’ Shop at… ‘Onda (ondarocks. co.uk) in St Mawes. The luxurious but wearable clothes here are so beautiful, and the shop has a wonderful selection of designers.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Hotel Tresanton (tresanton.com), a beautiful place by the sea in St Mawes. You can eat in the candlelit restaurant, on the terrace or in the Dog’s Bar, which has an open fire and board games.’…

Any tips for anyone converting a barn? ‘Less rooms, more space! Don’t be tempted to sacrifice the integrity of the barn by carving it up into too many rooms as the space needs to be seen to be appreciated.’ What was the hardest part of the project? ‘We had to dig a borehole 30 metres deep to find where the water table was. We also used divining rods to find the exact spot where water was located – I had a go and it was incredible to feel them twitch!’ What has worked best? ‘Leaving the entrance open to the roof means that the sense of space is quite dramatic – it is 10 metres high from floor to roof.’…

Making a living from sewing her own sketches was just one of the ideas Penzance-based designer Poppy Treffry had when she finished college. Fortunately, Poppy’s early ideas, based on her drawings of Cornish scenery, nature and the charm of seaside living, created a lot of interest. Soon she had a successful home accessory brand on her hands and the belief she could establish her own creative path in life. ‘After my degree doing textiles and a stint helping creative cooperative companies launch themselves abroad, I ended up back at home exploring career options,’ explains Poppy. ‘It was then that I developed a way to machine-stitch my sketches on to home accessories.’ With a portfolio of drawings shuffled through and selected, the process of bringing the images to life began. ‘I…

MAKE IT COUNTRY Skilfully crafted handmade pieces revive traditional country skills and offer must-touch appeal in today’s automated world. Plait an abundance of texture and interest into your space and choose furniture with cane and basket-weave details. Let unique textiles and upholstery satisfy the senses with their tactile appeal, homely pattern and colour. It’s a trend that slowly weaves its magic… OUR EXPERT SAYS…“NATURAL MATERIALS ARE A WAY TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE HOME, WHILE SUPPORTING TRADITIONAL SKILLS AND ARTISAN COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE ” HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR…

CAPTURE THE MOMENT Helene Pink/Green wallpaper, £170 a roll, Anna Jeffreys. Seagrass pom-pom basket, £20, Grand Illusions. Pink Summer Flower plate, £28, Penny Morrison. Plant pot, £8, Packhouse. Floral cushion cover, £55, Studio Sophie. Oak stool, £95, Garden Trading CREATE A SPREAD OF ETHICAL PICNIC PRODUCTS Bembridge basket, £45, Garden Trading. Pink rug (in basket), price on request, Bungalow. Mulaayam Ric Rac cushion in Denim, £45, Wave cushion in Blush, £45, both Birdie Fortescue. Cushion made in Helene Pink/Green, £150m, Anna Jeffreys. Tray, £39, Also Home. Bamboo cups, £24 for six; bowl, £25 for six; plate, £30 for six, all Forma House. Teapot, £28, Falcon Enamelware. Picnic basket, £89.95, Joules. Wire basket, £14.95, Grand Illusions. Basket backpack, £49, Basket Basket. Herringbone blanket (in basket), £45, Weaver Green. Disco balls, from…

HEAVENLY EAVES The roaring success of architecture-based TV shows is heralding a brave new approach to spatial design. One of the fastest ways to add drama is by vaulting your bedroom ceiling into the eaves. ‘Utilising the property’s full height adds volume and interest,’ says John Evans, director at John Evans Design. ‘Exposing beams in period properties also brings a rustic element that is perfect in a country setting.’ TEXTURAL TOUCHES It’s the contrast of the so-soft throw, slouchy, washed linen sheets and weathered wood chest of drawers that makes this room so appealingly tactile. The finishing touch: a field of poppies on the walls. Faded pastel tones of blue, pink and green, paired with natural wood, work well in country homes. SMOKY SHADOWS ‘Today’s most versatile and flattering grey…

RUNNER UP As it’s the first part of your house that guests see, ensure your hallway looks bright and inviting with a statement runner. ‘Chunky stripes are popular right now, especially in hallways and on stairs,’ says Roger Oates, founder of Roger Oates Design. ‘They draw the eye, cleverly creating the illusion of height and grandeur. On-trend blue and cream has a contemporary look.’ TWO TONE As practical as it is stylish, the monochrome trend has made its way to the floor. ‘Oversized florals are a popular choice when it comes to patterned carpets, but they do have a tendency to look busy,’ says Anna Del-Molino, buyer at Carpetright. ‘A black and white colourway brings sophistication to a floral design, however big and blowsy it is.’ OUR EXPERT SAYS… “IF…

Owners Claire and Darren Beckett live here with their two daughters, five-year-old Amelie and two-year-old Isla, plus their Persian Cross cat, Marley. House A two-bedroom Victorian terraced property just outside Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Project Combining the living room, dining room and small, dark galley kitchen into a larger, more family-friendly, open-plan space with direct access to the garden and improved natural lighting. Kitchen size 3.1x5.2m Designer Claire designed the new layout herself. Cabinetry The Borrowdale kitchen range in Olive Green, Benchmarx.…

■ EASILY CONNECTED Smart thermostats connect your central heating boiler to an app, so you can easily create detailed schedules and even control heating remotely, saving you gas and money. The smart thermostat fixes to your boiler in place of the existing home thermostat; you can do it yourself or some systems offer professional fitting for a small fee. ■CONTROL WIRELESSLY A smartphone app lets you schedule or control the heating from anywhere. For example, turn the heating down to ‘frost’ setting while you’re away on a winter holiday, then tell your home to warm up the day you’re due home. ■ DISCREET CONTROL You usually get two gadgets: one that connects to the boiler and then a separate thermostat (with display and controls) you can place where it’s easy…

Visit… ‘The Bishop’s Palace Gardens in Wells (bishopspalace. org.uk) for its beautiful gardens right in the heart of the town, full of fine planting among water and ruins.’ Shop at… ‘Axbridge Farmers’ Market (somersetfarmersmarkets. co.uk). It’s held on the first Saturday of the month and has everything from game, meat and fish to vegetables, bread and plants. One of our favourite stalls is Somerset Charcuterie.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Ethicurean Restaurant, Barley Wood Walled Gardens, Long Lane, Wrington (theethicurean. com). It’s a wonderful setting serving delicious food beautifully presented. Very peaceful and with artists’ studios, too.’…

MOZZARELLA, PEACHES AND HAM Hardly a recipe, more of an assembly job, this is summer ‘cooking’ at its simplest. As the success of this dish hinges on the quality of the ingredients, wait until the peaches are perfectly ripe and sweet. SERVES 4 4 x 125g balls of buffalo mozzarella 2 ripe peaches Olive oil Lemon juice Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 12 fresh basil leaves 4 slices cured ham, ideally Italian 1 Tear the mozzarella into large pieces and scatter over a serving dish or divide between four plates. 2 Halve, stone and slice the peaches into sixths or thick slices. Dress the peaches lightly with a tiny splash of olive oil and just enough lemon juice to balance out the sweetness of the peaches. Season with…

Living in the Wye Valley, I am incredibly spoilt as far as views are concerned, but there’s something extra special about the world from the summit of a little mountain called the Skirrid, or Ysgyryd Fawr in Welsh. Also known as the Holy Mountain, there are lots of lovely myths and legends around it, and Owen Sheers wrote the most beautiful poems inspired by it. Whether I’m with friends, my husband or just my dog, I tend to walk the same way up, winding my way through the woods at the base of the mountain, rather than going the more popular direct route. This way, I get a backwards helter-skelter view of the landscape as I start to climb, and I get to see it changing as I get higher.…

Yonder launches vegan silk cushions Sabra silk is a cruelty-free fabric made from cactus fibres, and the chosen material for Yonder’s new collection of super stylish vegan cushions. Showcasing the brand’s signature Moroccan-boho flair, they are available in a wanderlust-y selection of colours, patterns and sizes – we’ll take them all! Vegan cushion in Denim Blue, £52, Yonder. OTTO TILES ACE THE GRAPHIC TILE TREND It’s your move! Inspired by the ancient game of backgammon, Otto Tiles & Design has created this fun and stylish new motif. Featuring precise, interlocking triangles, these individually handcrafted pieces create a striking and graphic interior. Suitable for walls and floors, both indoors and out. Gammon encaustic cement tiles in Beige and White, £96sq m, Otto Tiles and Design. INDIGENOUS SERVES UP NEW CERAMICS Available…

Visit… ‘We love visiting Kingston Lacy (nationaltrust.org.uk/ kingstonlacy), a National Trust-run 17th-century country manor house with an extensive collection of art, Egyptian artefacts and exquisite formal gardens to explore.’ Shop at… ‘Individual Interior Design (individualinteriordesign.co. uk) in Westbourne. It has a wonderful selection of wallpapers, fabrics and furnishings. John Bell (Bell’s Fisheries, 01202 884754) is a wonderful fishmonger who knows all of his customers’ names and PJ Keating (pkeatingbutchers.co.uk) is my family butcher, both based in Wimborne.’ Go for a meal at… ‘We adore The Tickled Pig (thetickledpig.co.uk) in Wimborne. The food is delicious and the ingredients come from local Dorset suppliers.’…

Visit… ‘Waddesdon Manor (national trust.org.uk/waddesdon-manor ), near Aylesbury, is a favourite. The children love the woodland play area.’ Shop at… ‘Big Sky (bigskygtmissenden.com) in Great Missenden. This gem of an interiors store sells a constantly changing range of fabulous, unique pieces. My go-to florist is Fullers Flowers (fullersflowers. co.uk) in Princes Risborough. They sell the most stunning arrangements.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Angel Restaurant (angelrestaurant.co.uk) at Long Crendon. It’s brimming with character, has a relaxed atmosphere and an excellent menu.’…

Emma's style tip... A BEAUTIFULLY ORGANISED DRESSER FILLED WITH CROCKERY AND SPARE LINENS MAKES FOR AN ATTRACTIVE AND PRACTICAL FOCAL FEATURE CH&I loves... RUSTIC CEILING PANELLING…

Visit… ‘Bolton Abbey (boltonabbey.com) is simply beautiful for a walk with the family and dogs.’ Shop at… ‘Susie Watson Designs (susiewatsondesigns.co.uk) in Harrogate, where we pride ourselves on making friends with our customers and giving the best possible service. Also, Isherwoods Butchers (isherwoodsbutchers.co.uk) in Silsden, which sells meat reared locally in the Airedale Valley, specialising in Aberdeen Angus beef. Also Keelham Farmshop (keelhamfarmshop.co.uk) in Skipton.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Devonshire Brasserie at Bolton Abbey (boltonabbey.com/shop-eat/ eat/brasserie) is fabulous, with really good food in lovely surroundings. However, nothing beats Sunday lunch in The Woolly Sheep Inn (woollysheepinn.co.uk) in Skipton.’…

Visit… ’The iconic island St Michael’s Mount (stmichaels mount.co.uk ). A beautiful setting off the Cornish coast with a castle, gardens and tiny harbour. Reached on foot when the causeway is at low tide, it’s a magical place.’ Shop at… ‘The great interiors boutique No. 56 in Penzance (no-56.com). It sells beautiful homeware, clothing and gifts from small scale producers and craftspeople.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The lovely Mackerel Sky in Newlyn (mackerelskycafe.co.uk). It specialises in freshly caught local fish served in a type of Cornish tapas style.’…

Tell us a little bit about your backgrounds. We met as children growing up in a village in Hampshire and both went to the University of Edinburgh. Alice studied fine art and went on to design prints for fashion labels such as Libélula. Vanessa’s career started in magazines, initially as an interiors stylist for House & Garden. Her passion for textiles and print led to a role overseeing the interiors section of Vogue. How did the business take shape? We set up Barneby Gates in 2009, working from the basement of Alice’s house. We had been discussing the idea for years, and as we were both designing our own houses at the time, it seemed like the perfect moment to make it a reality. Describe your workspace. We are based…

■ INVESTING IN A GOOD UNDERLAY is essential to the longevity of your carpet. It can be made from a variety of materials and quality varies, so it’s important to choose one that is suitable for the grade of your carpet and expected level of wear. ■THE STYLE OF CARPET you need depends on how the room is used. High-traffic areas benefit from hard-wearing loop and twist piles, while deeper Saxony and shag piles are more suited to bedrooms. Natural fibres are a great choice for country homes. ■ CARPETS COME IN different widths. All good companies will send an expert to your home to measure, but taking measurements yourself before you shop is a good way to get a rough estimate of price. ■ NEUTRALS CAN BE TRICKIER to…

1 DIY COOKER HOOD Having failed to find an extractor fan design she liked, Claire asked her husband Darren to create a faux chimney-style hood using plasterboard-faced boxing. An inexpensive integrated cooker hood has been fitted underneath, with a trim of coving providing a bespoke look. Painting it in the same shade as the walls prevents it from dominating the room. 2 FEATURE FIREPLACE With underfloor heating and loads of insulation in place, Claire and Darren didn’t need a woodburner. Instead, they decided to turn the original fireplace into a design feature. ‘I just love the rustic, Scandi look of this fireplace and it was so easy to achieve – in fact, I just picked up the kindling from our local garage. It’s really nothing special but it works beautifully,’…

WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Pick... apples, in season until mid-October See...birds flock and fly at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s annual Spurn Migration Festival, 6-8 September (spurnmigfest.com) Enjoy...dahlias at their best and pick up tips on how to grow them at Common Farm in rural Somerset, 17 September, £85 (common farmflowers.com) Learn...how to make natural home and beauty products using foraged finds, £45 (garturstitchfarm.com) 3 steps to help you… rebalance and find calm 1 TAKE PAUSE Start by finding a comfortable seated position with your back nice and straight. You can either sit on the floor with your legs crossed, or on a seat with your feet flat on the ground. 2 CLOSE YOUR EYES Begin to focus on your breathing, following each inhale and exhale as they…

FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM An art and antiquities powerhouse, this gallery holds more than half a million spectacular works – from Egyptian artefacts to Picassos and van Goghs. CAMBRIDGE BOTANIC GARDEN Supervised by the University of Cambridge’s department of plant sciences, these enchanting gardens hold numerous national plant collections of rare species. COLLEGE TOURS A visit to Cambridge wouldn’t be complete without a nosy around some of its ancient colleges with their stunning architecture. Visit Cambridge offers private walking tours.…