Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2020 i Country Homes & Interiors

It’s funny how the Christmas holiday involves such extremes of activity and of idleness: one day I’ll be speed-making beds and mince pies ready for an influx of family; the next, flat out on the sofa watching back-to-back Marple/Poirot (it’s a weird tradition…) with the cat on my belly and a glass of port in my hand. Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, by which time I’ve wound down to a crawl, my notebook comes out and the list-making starts: what do we want to do to the house and garden this year? When and where shall we go on holiday? I hope this issue will give you a slow hour or two of dreaming and planning, for a magical Christmas and a happy 2020… P.S. Planning a bucket-list holiday…

Decorating her petite barn in the Herefordshire countryside during the run up to Christmas is a case of bringing the outside in for Michelle Nugent. ‘We have a communal orchard in the village so I tend to forage the overgrown hedgerows there,’ she says. ‘I love to fill the house with foliage.’ Michelle moved back to Herefordshire to be close to her family nine years ago and, after renting in Hereford for a while, decided to buy her own place. She spotted a cottage in a local newspaper and was drawn to its location in a nearby village, but the photos made it look so cramped, she nearly didn’t go to see it. Fortunately, the viewing won her over. ‘It turned out the current owner had downsized and filled the…

This elegant Dorset dwelling wasn’t always the epitome of country sophistication that it is today. Originally built as a coach house in the 1850s, the property was later converted into flats during the Seventies and hadn’t been updated since. ‘I was trawling a property website one day when I spotted this unique building,’ says Laura Butler-Madden. ‘It was rather in need of love, but we decided to take a look.’ She and her husband Patrick were living in London at the time but that wasn’t a barrier – Laura grew up in Dorset and Patrick went to school there, so the couple had often talked about moving back there one day. Plus, if first impressions were true, they knew the building had lots of potential. ‘We were both inspired by…

Anna Smith has created a lino-printing business from her family home, nestled in the Surrey Hills. Her work captures an iconic mix of graphic, typographical and botanical designs. But at this time of year, it’s all about Christmas. Her style is a definite nod to her family’s lifestyle – favourite mottos, visual references to the nature that surrounds them and singular words or emblems that echo moments throughout the year. ‘Ideas percolate all the time,’ says Anna. ‘I tend to begin with pencil scribes, often inspired by a phrase mentioned around the supper table, a sketch of a branch picked up on a walk, or a pine cone pulled out of one of my kids’ school trouser pockets.’ Once the house is peaceful and her family has departed for school…

Do you have a background in design? I studied 3D Design for Sustainability at Falmouth University and it was there that I started playing with the possibilities of steam bending – an ecologically sound process of manipulating wood, traditionally associated with boat building. After a while, I developed my own techniques, which brought many of my ideas to life. Once you master the skill it’s highly addictive; I can’t get enough of it! Talk us through the design process. I have an amazing team that I work with on a day-to-day basis. I often come up with initial ideas alone, but my team are instrumental in making them a reality. I create sketches, and then hand it over to our CAD designer who draws them on a computer. We create…

BESPOKE BEAUTY For a striking look with an elegant feel, marry different fabric weights and textures in a 2:1 ratio. ‘Rich velvet is a key fabric trend, giving that luxurious feeling of warmth and adding great depth of colour, while linen captures a mood of calm and serenity – the perfect combination for a sophisticated country bedroom,’ says Simon Temprell, interior design manager at Neptune. ‘Choose a colour that highlights similar accents throughout the space to present a coherent scheme.’ NATURE’S FINEST Practical and hard wearing, wool is the perfect choice for curtains in a busy home. ‘Today’s curtain trends look to subtly enhance a scheme, so let the texture take centre stage by choosing a plain or pared-back pattern,’ says Deborah Russell, senior designer at Ian Mankin. ‘Grey is…

Before the kitchen was even designed, the colour scheme had been decided. ‘We were nowhere near settled on the layout, but I’ve always loved Agas,’ says Jane Milan. ‘And when I saw the Aubergine finish, I just fell in love with its warmth – there was no way we wouldn’t get it.’ Jane and her late husband Chris bought their Surrey farm 30 years ago and it’s where the couple raised their family. ‘We bought the farm because it was in a beautiful, peaceful setting with 30 acres of land, but the outbuildings were all derelict,’ she says. ‘We had renovated a little when the children were small, but it was no longer working for us.’ “IT’S SUCH A NICE, HAPPY SPACE AND REALLY COMES INTO ITS OWN WHEN FAMILY…

Did you know? HARDWEARING BULBS ARE NEEDED FOR OUTDOOR USE. LEDS ARE ENERGY-EFFICIENT, LONG-LASTING AND DON’T CONTAIN MERCURY, MAKING THEM A FANTASTIC CHOICE FOR BOTH INSIDE AND OUT…

Things we can’t live without...“ CREATING MEMORIES WITH FRIENDS AND PLANNING OUR NEW YEAR ADVENTURES ”…

How do you decorate for the festive season? ‘I mix traditional garlands and greenery with my Swedish decorations, some of which are inherited.’ What’s your go-to Christmas colour scheme? ‘We have two large trees – we decorate one Scandinavian-style in red and white for the kitchen, and the living room one in silver and white.’ Do you dress the table? ‘On Christmas Eve I like a traditional Swedish look and on Christmas Day I usually keep things fresh and simple.’…

What were the biggest changes you made? ‘I replaced the kitchen and bathroom, but apart from that it was just style updates.’ Did you source any small -sized furniture? ‘I did the opposite! I bought a king-size bed for my small bedroom. But that’s the only large item in there.’ Any tips for decorating a compact home? ‘Be very conscious about what you buy – there’s no room for superfluous clutter.’…

Visit… ‘Stourhead house and gardens (nationaltrust.org.uk/ stourhead) is one of my favourite places to walk. We love exploring the landscaped gardens, follies and temples. The Christmas at Stourhead event (29 November – 30 December) makes for a lovely festive day out.’ Shop at … ‘I love Bridport Antiques market (bridportandwest bay.co.uk), especially at Christmas. I am also a huge fan of auctions. Henry Dukes in Dorchester (dukes-auctions.com) is my favourite.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Anchor Inn, Seatown (theanchorinnseatown.co.uk) is our favourite place to unwind after a stroll on the beach at Eype. The head chef, Cameron Farquharson, is incredibly talented in conjuring up dishes using the region’s fish, shellfish, game, farm meats and artisanal foods. There’s also a Christmas menu.’…

Why were you keen to do another self-build? ‘We wanted to build a larger home in a different style and in a new location.’ Was it a lot of work? ‘Absolutely. It is at least one year of your life that you have to stay focused, keep on task and get the job done.’ Tell us the hardest part ‘The physical labour.’ And the most rewarding? ‘The time spent with family. We can all look back at the experience together.’ What’s your advice for other self-builders? ‘Make sure you plan, budget, have a reliable team around you and be prepared to think on your toes.’…

KEEP WORKSPACE COSTS LOW Use your home to your advantage. Carve out space and run your own business from your kitchen table. Anna’s workspace is not self-contained in a separate studio, so has to work hard for both her printing work and family life. ‘My husband, Clinton – a former fireman, turned sculptor – had the opportunity to purchase the bungalow from his grandma 25 years ago and jumped at the chance to get on the property ladder,’ says Anna. ‘It was a huge stretch for him, but since moving in together in 2004, it has become our family home and the place we have both realised our creative potential. If we need something for work or home, we make it – the fireguard, brackets for artwork, replacement Crittall-style doors…

SWEET & COSY A small living room can work in your favour on the cosiness front. Huddling chairs together can encourage more relaxed, intimate conversations. Here, designer Vanessa Arbuthnott has used pretty prints in soft tones to make a small setting undeniably sweet. ‘I particularly like sandy yellow mixed with a pale, delicate blue-green,’ says Vanessa. ‘The lighter tones help make a smaller living room feel cosy but not claustrophobic.’ CAUSE TO CELEBRATE Christmas styling is a chance to celebrate your room’s best features. ‘For a captivating centrepiece, choose a real wreath to sit above the fireplace. Incorporating authentic foliage into your scheme never fails to create a sense of warmth,’ says Meaghan Hunter, stylist at Neptune. ‘Trimming the mantel with traditional velvet stockings will provide colour and texture –…

■ THINK ABOUT FUNCTION Voiles are sheer and translucent and a great way of letting the light in while still offering privacy, but blackout, lined curtains are a better choice for bedrooms. ‘I always line curtains,’ says Victoria Walker, product manager at Hillarys. ‘It makes them look fuller, helps reduce light leakage and provides extra privacy’. ■ CONSIDER HEADING OPTIONS Eyelets and tab tops offer a contemporary feel, while cottage pleats or tie tops work well for classic country style. Discreet tracks are a good choice for rooms with low ceilings and are useful for dressing a bay window if you want curtains to fit easily inside the recess. ■ CHOOSE THE RIGHT LENGTH Cottage or dormer windows suit curtains to the windowsill, while floor-length is the favourite for tall…

1 ISLAND DISPLAY If storage space is at a premium, drawer units will make the most of an island unit. But if, like Jane, you have plenty of room to stash your kitchenalia elsewhere, open shelving can be used to create a really striking design feature. Here, the front of the island is the main view from the dining table, so Jane has filled the shelves with her favourite stoneware, recipe books and curios to provide a pretty backdrop. Consider adding concealed lighting to bring your displays to life by night. 2 PENINSULA DIVIDE The bar stools are positioned on two sides of the peninsula – on one side to enjoy the views out towards the gardens, and on the other to face inwards for easy conversation with the chef.…

When there’s little colour in the winter garden, structures can create interest and humour. Here’s what to take into consideration... • Whether shopping for an existing piece, or commissioning a new work, carefully consider where it will be positioned within the garden and how the light will fall on it at different times of year. • Stone, metal, ceramic and glass are all used in outdoor sculpture. Something that harmonises with the materials you have in your garden works well, but a strong contrast can also be very effective. • Sculpture is often sited to form a focal point, drawing attention to a special view or a significant feature within the garden. The primary line of sight will generally be outwards from the house but remember to consider other angles as well. • Not…

WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Pick...pine cones to use as firelighters (circleofpinetrees.com). Learn...how to give winter skin a natural boost on a half-day workshop in Cumbria, 17 January, £55 (thecreateescape.org.uk). Visit... Tyntesfield, near Bristol, for traditional wassailing celebrations, 25 January, £16.50 for adults (nationaltrust.org.uk). Enjoy...a day-long winter yoga retreat at Nower Wood nature reserve in Surrey, 25 January, £77 (surreywildlifetrust.org). ONE TO FOLLOW... Lifestyle blog The Lovely Drawer offers a wonderful mix of DIY tutorials, interiors advice and lifestyle posts by London-based artist and mum, Teri Muncey. Browse her range of artwork, from £20, thelovelydrawer.com 3 reasons to… embrace minimalist living STRESS RELIEF Do you love it or need it? No? Get rid. Decluttering not only clears your home, but your mind, too. Plus, less stuff means less tidying…

We like it a latte Retro kitchen appliance brand Smeg has expanded its range to include its first milk frother, so you can become your own at-home barista. The shapely product is available in Smeg’s favourite shades, from pretty pastels to bold black and red – mix and match with your other machines, or add a splash of colour to a neutral kitchen. The frother can be used manually, but the six preset functions mean it’s hard to go wrong, whether you’re whipping up a cappuccino or perfecting some coffee art. From £149.95, Smeg UK GO WITH YOUR GUT Kimchi is a Korean condiment that’s renowned for its spicy kick and gut-friendly properties – perfect for the post-Christmas period when your palette and your digestion need a refresh! We’re loving…

Canadian-born Corran Brownlee is one of a number of talented artists who are featured on Runway Gallery, an online showcase of contemporary art. Inspired by a career in the film industry, his striking artwork captures haunting snapshots of untold narratives. I grew up surrounded by artists. My grandfather was head of Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, Canada, so I was always encouraged to explore my creative side. My mother would bring home used typewriter paper from work for my brother and I to draw comic strips on. Art was the only class I ever received high marks in! Creating is a lot like meditation. Sometimes I’ll start the day with yoga, but otherwise I’ll head straight to my studio in Calgary, where I’m now based. Spending a week…

Pooky heads to Japan Dip your toe in the eastern trend with Pooky’s new shibori shade, based on the ancient Japanese dying technique. The shades are actually screen-printed to mirror the effect of a dip-dyed look, meaning the same beautiful ombré fade can be produced for each one. Shibori lampshade in Green, £60; Antique brass base, £116, both Pooky. ZOE GLENCROSS’ FIRST WALLPAPER A previous winner of our My Country Business Award, Zoe is known for her striking linen fabrics. Now she’s launched an exciting capsule collection of beautiful wallpapers, featuring some of her signature designs as well as luxurious metallics, all made in England. Honeycomb wallpaper, £85 a roll, Zoe Glencross. Archive prints via the V&A Flowers are flourishing this winter with the latest collaboration between British fabric designer…

Visit… ‘Sissinghurst Castle (nationaltrust.org.uk/ sissinghurstcastle-garden) is great for garden inspiration and there are always plenty of events on throughout the year.’ Shop at… ‘Maisie K Boutique (01580 715123) in Cranbrook is great for homeware and gifts. Duck & Dog Interiors (01580 715577) in Cranbrook is a favourite for furniture. And I love the Hartley Farm Shop (hartley.farm), also in Cranbrook.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Three Chimneys (thethreechimneys.co.uk) is a beautiful 15th-century pub in Biddenden that is full of character.’…

Visit… ‘This is a great area for a good walk and we often do big walks on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The beautiful Wye Valley Walk (wyevalleywalk.org) passes through my village. I also like to have a little mooch around nearby Ledbury.’ Shop at… ‘TUSK Collection (tuskcollection.com) in Ledbury – it’s a nice little independent interiors shop. I also like Noted Fashion (notedfashion. com) in Leominster. We are lucky that there are so many lovely independent shops in the market towns surrounding Hereford. Closer to home, Mike Gell (mikegell.com) is a great independent jeweller. And then there’s the Secret Bottle Shop (secretbottleshop.co.uk) for decent wines.’ Go for a meal at… Independent café Sensory & Rye (sensoryandrye.co.uk) in Hereford is the place for breakfast and brunch and it has…

What does a typical day as an interior designer look like? ‘It varies between quiet days at home working on mood boards, to long days out on the road visiting clients and sourcing items.’ How do you decorate your home at Christmas? ‘I love to use nature. Last year my white hydrangeas dried a beautiful deep red, with hints of green. I picked them and turned them into a table centrepiece.’ Has living in the countryside influenced your work? ‘Yes. I like to bring different styles together in a mix of country and city elegance. I also use more natural materials now.’…

Visit… ‘We love going to Queenswood Country Park (queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org) near Leominster. It’s famed for its autumn colour but is beautiful all year round. The park has wonderful trails, an overwhelming catalogue of trees and a lovely cafe and shop.’ Shop at … ‘Baileys (baileyshome. com) near Ross-on-Wye – I am quite the regular. The owners have the most glorious and clever eye for sourcing goods from around the world, and they make their own furnishings, too.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Verzon (verzonhouse.com) in Ledbury is my go-to place for birthdays and special occasions. It is a Georgian country house with an inviting roaring fire. The menu is diverse, satisfying and just upscale enough to be extra special without being pretentious.’…

MAKE IT COUNTRY Taking inspiration from wild night skies and inky ocean depths, intensely pigmented indigo blue creates an inviting cocoon – especially when swept across walls, doors, floors and upholstery for dive-into gusto. Include natural motifs in printed, slubby, woven textures and even touches of denim for a relaxed artisan look. OUR EXPERT SAYS… “INDIGO REPRESENTS THE MYSTERY OF DARK WILDERNESS SPACES, INSTILLING A SENSE OF WONDER, TRANQUILITY AND CONNECTION TO NATURE ”HOLLY PHILLIPS , STYLE CONTENT EDITOR…

PLAN AHEAD Decide what drinks to serve well in advance to avoid running dry; assume guests will have two drinks during the first hour of the party, and one drink every hour after that. For a buffet, plan eight savoury and two to three sweet canapés per head. Enlist help to take platters of food out – children love to feel involved, so this is a great task for them! TABLE TALK Thoughtful additions make all the difference, whether a personalised place setting or a gift for each guest. Keep conversation flowing with trivia games and layer plates to leave space free on the table for decorations – fresh greenery, cinnamon sticks and pine cones look and smell lovely. SET THE MOOD Create an atmospheric evening centrepiece by placing candles…

■ PICTURE QUALITY There are a number of technical terms you’ll need to get familiar with when buying a new TV. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, which is a technique that heightens a picture’s contrast. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) is where each pixel within the screen is a small LED light that produces both light and colour. QLED is Samsung-specific and stands for Quantum dot Light-Emitting Diode. Similar to a regular LED TV, QLED uses quantum dots that dramatically improve colour and brightness. Head in-store to speak to an advisor about the benefits of each and to view the picture quality in person. ■ SMART CONTROL A smart TV will have built-in internet capability, meaning streaming apps, such as Netflix, are accessible directly though the TV, eliminating the need…

CABINETRY English and New Classic kitchen, from £35,000, Martin Moore; in Dove Tale (main units), Brassica (island), Pelt (island shelving) and Ammonite (pantry) modern eggshell, all £69 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball SURFACES Worktops in Polished River Valley White granite, from £400sq m including installation; Polished Carrara marble, from £350sq m including installation, both Martin Moore. Splashback in Johnson’s Prismatics ceramic tiles in Purple, £68.99sq m, The Tile Emporium. Floor in Aged Bourgogne Clair limestone, £195sq m, Martin Moore Stone APPLIANCES Five-oven Aga, from £12,875, Aga Living. Classic side-by-side fridge freezer with internal ice and water, £17,700, Sub-Zero. Built-in combination steam oven, £1,679, Siemens. Wine cabinet, £2,099, Liebherr SINKS & TAPS Double undermount sink, £902; prep sink, £665, all Kohler. Metis mixer taps, £414 each, Perrin & Rowe ACCESSORIES Blinds…

Visit… Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX, 01223 511511 (junction.co.uk). ‘I go there to listen to music that is far too young for me.’ Go for a meal at… The Oak Bistro, 6 Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EG, 01223 323361 (theoakbistro.co.uk). ‘The modern British-style food at this beautiful old coaching inn is delicious.’ Shop at… Gibson Saddlers, Queensberry Road, Newmarket CB8 9AX, 01638 662330 (gibsonsaddlers.com). ‘I love the smell of well-oiled leather.’…

LUXE LOOK Who wouldn’t love to see this striking envelope land on their doormat? Especially with a hand-printed greeting card inside. Deco Wreath TY card, £3.50, Katie Leamon BEE-AUTIFUL Recently launched Sleepy Bee Studio creates hand-illustrated cards inspired by its hometown, Cambridge. A trip to the Museum of Zoology sparked this design. Card, £4.25, Sleepy Bee Studio SHELF LIFE Green-fingered gift givers will appreciate this cute little card featuring a watercolour design inspired by the illustrator’s abundant plant collection. Potted plants card, £3, Katrina Sophia…

MICHELIN MEALS A visit to Bray wouldn’t be complete without dinner at one of its iconic restaurants. Try The Waterside Inn for classic French fare or Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck for a gastronomic experience. MARLOW A visit to this charming town – just 20 minutes from Bray – is a must. It’s the perfect place to indulge in boutique shopping, long wintry riverside walks and hearty lunches in cosy pubs. STANLEY SPENCER GALLERY This compact museum in nearby Cookham is dedicated to much-loved local artist Stanley Spencer. The converted chapel houses his portraits and landscapes of the area.…

POMEGRANATE AND BLACK CHERRY JELLIES Think old-fashioned bonbons with a delicious hint of wobble, rather than dessert-style jellies. MAKES ABOUT 60 CUBES, DEPENDING ON SIZE 14 sheets of leaf gelatine 320ml fresh pomegranate juice, such as Pom 340g caster sugar, plus 75g extra to coat 560g black cherry jam 1 Line a 20x20cm tin with cling film. It should reach at least 3cm up the sides as well as across the base. Put the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water, one by one, and leave to soften for 5-10min. 2 In a pan, mix the pomegranate juice with the sugar. Bring to the boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the jam to the pan. 3 Bring the mixture back up to the boil, stirring well, and…

A  AGA LIVING agaliving.com ALSO HOME 01483 608611 alsohome.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMAZON amazon.co.uk ANDREW MARTIN 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk ANNABEL JAMES 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk ANTHROPOLOGIE 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com ARLEY HOUSE arleyhouse.com ARLO & JACOB 0333 122 1537 arloandjacob.com ARTISANTI 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com ATLAS FLOWERS 0845 519 5633 atlasflowers.co.uk B B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com BAILEYS 01989 561931 baileyshome.com BERT & MAY 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com BETTYS 0800 456 1919 bettys.co.uk BIGGIE BEST 01491 571488 biggiebest.com BISCUITEERS 0870 458 8358 biscuiteers.com BLACK BY DESIGN 01889 502716 black-by-design.co.uk BORDER OAK 01568 708752 borderoak.com BOTTLEBRUSH FERMENTS bottlebrushferments.com BRABANTIA 0845 602 4877 brabantia.com BRINTONS 0800 505 055 brintons.co.uk BROCKWAY CARPETS 01562 828200 brockway.co.uk BRONTE BY MOON brontebymoon.co.uk BUNGALOW bungalow.dk BUTTON & SPRUNG 03333 201801 buttonandsprung.com C  CAMPERDOWN LANE…