Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i Country Homes & Interiors

Things we can’t live without...“ BUZZING WITH POSITIVITY AS NATURE BURSTS BACK INTO LIFE AND ENERGISES US FOR THE MONTHS AHEADÉ... ”…

What was your aim? ‘We wanted Elmley to appeal to people who love to escape into nature.’ How is Elmley unique? ‘It’s the only nature reserve where you can stay overnight. You can switch off, but know you’ll be snug and sleep well.’ What wildlife can be seen in spring? ‘Marvellous displays from the male birds, lapwing in particular, and the first chicks appear in April. You’ll sometimes see hares boxing, barn owls nest in the trees outside the kitchen window and you may spot seals in the Swale.’…

Joanna’s style tip... UTILISE EVERY SPACE EFFICIENTLY – HERE, THE BATH BELOW THE EAVES MAKES EXCELLENT USE OF AN AWKWARD NOOK CH&I loves... LIMESTONE LOOKS…

Visit… ‘We love visiting Greenway House (nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway), the holiday home of Agatha Christie. The walled gardens are beautiful and the views across the Dart Estuary are fantastic. The children love the adventure of getting there by crossing the river on the passenger ferry.’ Shop at… ‘Stokeley Farm Shop (stokeleyfarmshop.co.uk) is another family favourite. The shop is packed with delicious organic local fruit, veg and meat, and has a great child-friendly café. There are also local artisans selling art, jewellery, clothing and soft furnishings.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The New Inn (thenewinnmorleigh.co.uk) at Morleigh serves the best steak and chips for miles and is the perfect place to settle down in front of the fire with a glass of wine.’…

Visit… ‘The National Trust’s Bickerton Hill for lovely walks and English Heritage’s Beeston Castle (english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ beeston-castle-and-woodland-park), a medieval castle with fantastic views of the Cheshire Plains.’ Shop at… ‘My home town of Shrewsbury, which has a plethora of independent retailers and a thriving market hall.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Carden Arms (cardenarms.co.uk), Tilston, which focuses on sourcing local produce and local gins originating within 30 miles. It serves delicious food and has a great atmosphere with open fires, music and a real community spirit.’…

Falmouth is unusual among seaside towns in that it stays vibrant out of season, thanks to three thriving elements – its boatbuilding industry, the university and tourism, which attracts 500,000 visitors annually. There are also four sandy beaches, beautiful year round. IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW Expect a sea view – or glimpse at least – from many properties in town. But for a prospect over the peachiest beach in town, Gyllyngvase, you will need to dig deep – into the millions. According to Sam Spencer at Laskowski & Co estate agents, demand is undaunted. A more modest £200,000 might get you a two-bedroom Victorian terrace in need of some work, in town. Funds go further in the Boslowick or Longfield areas. Penryn, the next town along, is even better…

MAKE IT COUNTRY… A monochrome palette infuses all the tones, tints and shades of a single hue, bringing effortless clarity to interiors. While urban abodes tend to take a bold approach, through colour blocking and structured geometrics, country homes favour a softer translation, interpreted through organic contrasts and tactile touches. Classic, elegant and timeless, mono isnÕt always black and white... OUR EXPERT SAYS… ❝ A ONE-COLOUR PALETTE IS EASY TO USE, CREATING A VISUALLY COHESIVE SCHEME. EXPLORE EVERY VARIATION OF TONE AND SHADE THROUGH DIFFERENT TEXTURES ❞HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR…

PLANT POWER With the capacity to lift spirits and help purify the air, it’s no surprise that houseplants are making such a comeback. There’s a huge array of shapes, shades and textures to choose from, making it super easy to inject a spring-like feel into your home. With the right conditions and a little TLC, they’ll keep that fresh feeling going year round – what’s not to love? PLAY WITH DISPLAY Think of plants as you would accessories and go for shapes, colours and patterns that appeal to you. When arranging in groups, use stools, low tables and shelving to create different levels, placing plants at varying heights to avoid a cluttered look. If you’re short on space, line up smaller varieties on windowsills and mantels, or create a stylish…

■ ONE TOUCH PRESETS The majority of machines feature a range of preprogrammed coffees, from espresso to cappuccino, reducing the faff of coffee prep when you’re bleary eyed in the morning. Some models allow you to programme your personal coffee preference, should you favour a strong latte or a weak flat white. ■ FROTHING WAND VS AUTOMATIC FROTHING Choose from a model with an external frothing wand that you can use to whip up steamed or frothed milk to your liking. Alternatively, an automatic milk system will produce various quantities of frothed milk at the touch of a button. What you choose is largely down to personal preference, but as a rule, the more high-end machines opt for automatic. ■ EXTRA FEATURES Most models will take ground coffee as well…

1 Tulipa ‘China Pink’, an elegant, tall, mid-pink tulip. 2 Viburnum x burkwoodii, an evergreen shrub with tubular, fragrant flowers. 3 Camellia japonica‘Adolphe Audusson’, an evergreen shrub, has glossy green leaves and large, semi-double red flowers. 4 Narcissus ‘Baby Moon’, a dainty jonquil daffodil with rich butter-yellow flowers. 5 Clematis montana var. rubens ‘Tetrarose’, a vigorous deciduous clematis. 6 Narcissus ‘Thalia’, a pure white daffodil. 7 Forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica, a self-seeding perennial. 8 Rosa xanthina ‘Canary Bird’, a shrub rose with musk-scented, golden single flowers.…

WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Pick… sorrel, at its best in spring. Learn… how to design your home interior with health and wellbeing in mind on a three-day course at KLC School of Design, 18-20 March, £570 (klc.co.uk). Join… the Craftivist Collective, to take part in projects designed to make a positive change through arts and crafts (craftivist-collective.com). Celebrate… British Pie Week by learning the art of pork pie-making on a half-day course in Yorkshire, 20 March, £70 (penistonepies.co.uk). LOVE LINEN We’ve fallen for ethical fashion brand Lemuel MC’s signature shirt-dress, £160, stitched by hand from 100% linen at its London-based studio. Wear it with the buttons at the back over skinny jeans for effortless spring style. SLEEP WELL Made from sustainably sourced and responsibly produced cotton, M&S’…

LAUNCESTON CASTLE Now cared for by English Heritage, this 11th-century ruined battlement was originally built after the Norman conquest of Britain. Today, it’s a lovely place to go for a walk. HIDDEN VALLEY DISCOVERY PARK A favourite with families, Hidden Valley is a treasure hunt and play area, teeming with superb natural mazes, scavenger trails, a puzzle mansion and a miniature light railway. BODMIN MOOR Just minutes from Coombeshead is Cornwall’s most storied landscape, home to mythical big cats and abandoned tin mines. Head to Jamaica Inn, once a haunt of local pirates.…

A  ABIGAIL AHERN 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com ABIGAIL EDWARDS 07946 455277 abigailedwards.com AGA THAME 01844 214214 agaliving.com AMANDA AUSTIN INTERIORS 07957 430840 amandaaustin.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMTICO 0121 745 0800 amtico.com ANDREW VINER vinerart.co.uk ANNA HAYMAN DESIGNS annahaymandesigns.com ANTA 01862 832477 anta.co.uk AO.COM 0344 324 9222 ARDINGLY INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR 01636 702326 iacf.co.uk/ardingly ARMAC MARTIN 0121 359 2111 armacmartin.co.uk B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com BARBARA COUPE 020 7720 1415 barbaracoupe.co.uk BARNEBY GATES 01672 560240 barnebygates.com BARRKITCHENS 01844 217706 barrkitchens.co.uk BC DESIGNS 01206 827100 bcdesigns.co.uk BEDECK 0333 200 7331 bedeckhome.com BEKO 0333 207 9710 beko.co.uk BIGGIE BEST 01491 571488 biggiebest.com BLACK BY DESIGN 01889 502716 black-by-design.co.uk BLACK COUNTRY METALWORKS 0800 688 8386 blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk BLAKES LONDON 020 3771 8208 blakeslondon.com BOHEMIA 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk BOW…

Hot off the press! Packed from cover to cover with inspiring ideas for every room, Decorating with Fabric (£19.99, Ryland Peters & Small) by interiors pros Kate French (from our sister title Homes & Gardens) and Katherine Sorrell demonstrates how to use colour, texture and pattern in practical, beautiful and unusual ways. Flick through to explore the work of renowned designers and learn how to inject individuality into any space, no matter what your budget. A FRESH LOOK FOR BURLEIGHÕS FELICITY One of the most iconic Burleigh designs has been hiding a secret – a gradually fading detail disguised in the traditional colourway. Freshly updated in chic Dark Blue, the lost markings have been highlighted and the pattern simplified to create a modern take on the original, giving this leading…

Visit… ‘Blue Flag beaches – Minster Leas is our favourite, but you can also go fossil hunting at Warden Point. We love the Georgian naval area of Blue Town in Sheerness and The Swale National Nature Reserve with its shell-covered beach called Shellness.’ Shop at… ’Macknade (macknade. com) in Faversham, an incredible food hall and farm shop with the best of Kent’s cheeses, wines and meats.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Sportsman (thesportsmanseasalter.co. uk), a Michelin-starred pub, between Whitstable and Faversham. Oysters are a speciality, but do book in advance.’…

What did you find most daunting about leaving London permanently? ‘Making the decision actually to move full time was very difficult and it took a few years. We did it gradually, changing our work patterns and lifestyle accordingly.’ Has your wardrobe changed since moving? ‘When not at work, we’ve adopted a more casual approach to country dressing. We have a permanent supply of walking boots, wellies and waterproofs at the ready.’ What do you miss most about London? ‘Most definitely the choice of so many great restaurants and different cuisines on your doorstep, and our London cabbies – I love them.’…

Emily’s style tip GIVE SHAKER-STYLE UNITS A MODERN KICK WITH A HERO HUE (SUCH AS BLUE) AND USE IN TONAL VARIATIONS OVER DIFFERENT PIECES TO ADD SUBTLE INTEREST CH&I loves… PARQUET-EFFECT FLOORING…

What eco credentials does the house have? ‘Super-high insulation, passive solar design harvesting the sun’s energy, natural low-impact materials, the natural carbon store that is green oak and many more features all go towards the sustainability of the building. Border Oak has been at the forefront of sustainable design.’ Why was sustainability important to you? ‘The newbuild was a rare chance to influence the impact of our house on the environment. It was important to take that opportunity.’ What are the benefits of using alternative energy? ‘The cut in fuel bills is a welcome result, plus having a warm and cosy house in winter and an open, airy, relaxing inside/outside living style in summer is just great.’…

There can be no doubt where Buddug Wyn Humphreys’ creative influences stem from. She was brought up in Snowdonia in North Wales, and both her rural childhood and her first language, Welsh, have been strong influences throughout her life. Today, after a stint in London, she lives on the outskirts of Cardiff and has a shop and studio opposite the castle, but you’ll often find her out and about along the Penarth coastline and in the surrounding countryside, sketchbook in hand, drawing the landscape and wildlife. It was when Buddug went to study jewellery and silversmithing at London Metropolitan University in 2002 that she became interested in enamelling – a technique of melting glass onto copper, silver or steel. Her trademark is to incorporate images and words inspired by the…

Our stylist says...“FOR A SOFTER, COUNTRY TAKE ON THE COLOUR-BLOCKING TREND, COMBINE SKY BLUE, SUNNY YELLOW, PETAL PINK AND FRESH GREEN – SHADES THAT ARE HAPPY TO SIT TOGETHER AND HAVE A RAPPORT”SARA BIRD, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR…

ROOM FOR TWO If space allows, an oversized tub is the ultimate centrepiece. Double ended and almost two metres long, this French-inspired design offers an indulgent soak. ‘The beautiful silver finish is achieved by polishing raw cast iron,’ says Rita Rendo-Castro at Catchpole & Rye. ‘It can take up to a week for our skilled craftsmen to polish and buff the surface to a sheen.’ SENSE OF DRAMA ‘We’re seeing an increase in demand for luxurious freestanding baths in bold and dramatic shades’, says Faye Froy, marketing manager at Burlington Bathrooms. ‘We’ve tapped into the trend with our new Jet collection. Emulating the high polish and deep black of Whitby jet stone, this double-ended design is guaranteed to add opulence to any bathroom’. Opt for high-shine chromeware for a striking…

PROJECT PROFILE Owner Tabitha James lives here with her three sons, as well as puppy Dasher and two cats. House An eight-bedroom Tudor barn with turn-of-the-century extensions in West Sussex. Project Total refurbishment following a flood, though no structural changes. Kitchen size 5x10m Designer Amanda Austin of Amanda Austin Interiors. Cabinetry BarrKitchens Triple Shaker cabinetry with solid oak dovetail drawers, painted in Shop Front Green by Papers and Paints. Returning home one afternoon two years ago, Tabitha James opened the door to a dreadful sight. Her home, an eight-bedroom property dating to the Tudor era in parts, was under two feet of flood water. During a particularly relentless spell of rain, the drains had become blocked and the downpour rerouted through the main entrance. ‘I had only just redecorated,’ says…

Fiona’s bespoke pergola is integral to the ethos of her garden design. Here’s what to bear in mind when planning your own… • Think about size. Spanning almost the full width of the garden, this green oak structure measures 2.4x2.4x2.4m, so that each of the eight bays forms a cube. • Decide the style and building necessities. Fiona’s uprights are anchored on 75cm-long stainless steel dowels set into a 1.2m depth of concrete below soil level. The entire structure is raised by a step – an idea that Fiona gleaned from a similar structure in the garden at Hestercombe – and is designed in a Tudor style to mirror the architecture of the house. This design required bent oak trees with a natural curvature, so that the grain of the wood would…

One of the latest artists to join Runway Gallery, The Connor Brothers spent two years under the guise of Missouri-born twins, Franklyn and Brendan Connor, brought up within a cult which they escaped from age 16. In 2015 they revealed their true identities – childhood friends Mike Snelle and James Golding. Their latest work includes two limited edition prints created in collaboration with Country Homes & Interiors’ parent company TI Media and Runway Gallery. We actually never set out to be artists at all We both share troubled pasts; Mike has suffered from severe depression, while James has battled anxiety and addiction. We moved in together in 2012, during which time we talked about very difficult personal things. We began making collages out of counter-cultural comics from the 1970s and…

Georgina’s style tip THE MIX OF INKY TEAL, SOFT LEATHER AND VINTAGE ADDITIONS CREATES A RESTFUL COCOON FULL OF DEPTH AND WARMTHÉ CH&I loves… DRAMATIC BLUE PAINTS…

Visit… ‘Westonbirt, The National Arboretum (forestryengland.uk/ westonbirt-the-national-arboretum), near Tetbury. It has trees from around the world. Lacock (nationaltrust.org.uk/ lacock-abbeyfox-talbot-museum-and-village), a National Trust village with a lovely abbey and beautiful walks, is also close.’ Shop at… ‘Allington Farm Shop (allingtonfarmshop.co.uk) near Chippenham. It started off as a shack selling meat and veg and now it’s a full-blown deli with everything.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The White Hart (whitehart-ford.com) on the river at Ford for a Sunday roast.’…

What are your favourite fabric designers? ‘We love using designs from Timorous Beasties and House of Hackney.’ How did you decide on fabrics? ‘We didn’t specifically look for designer fabrics but fell in love with the unique patterns and colours they offered.’ What do you think they bring to each scheme? ‘They lend a sense of vibrance and luxury to the rooms.’ How did you incorporate an opulent feel? ‘We chose to use deep colours and rich velvet fabrics that showcased the fabric design.’…

Every home has its story, but this one started long before a brick was laid – with a saga of planning permissions sought and, eventually, granted. ‘It took three years before we could break ground on the build, and in that time we rented a house nearby, then eventually bought a property in Chester as the delay was so long,’ says Liz Sower-Lewis. ‘But the wait was worth it.’ Liz and her husband Anthony had inherited land in Cheshire and, after considering whether to rebuild an existing – and very rundown – Georgian farmhouse on the plot, decided to start from scratch with a self-build. ‘The farmhouse was in too much of a state of disrepair,’ explains Anthony. ‘English Heritage examined the building to see if it should have been…

Liz’s style tip SAIL THROUGH A RELAXED ‘SEASCAPE’ BY COMBINING GRAPHIC ACCENTS AND NATURAL TEXTURES LIKE WOOL, WOOD AND RATTAN CH&I loves… COASTAL WALLPAPER…

The success of Buddug’s courses and workshops is down to preparation and organisation. ‘Workshops and open days can bring a small business to life,’ says Helen Campbell, a business and life coach based in Hay-on-Wye in Wales. Helen has 20 years of PR and marketing experience working both in London and her rural community, and her clients have included Confused.com, Sarah Beeny and The Royal Institute of British Architects. Helen understands how much work is required when creating events and workshops in order for them to be successful. Here, she shares her tips on organising and presenting your courses to get the best results… The one lesson I’ve learnt...“MAKING MISTAKES IS NEVER A BAD THING – DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE THEM ” CREATE CONNECTIONS ‘When you are demonstrating what…

DIP DYE AND DIY! Stockholm mirror, £75, Ikea. Abaya Blue and White ceramic vase, £18, Habitat. Green funnel vase, £15.95, Graham and Green. Stoneware espresso cups, £35 for six, Oliver Bonas. Handcrafted stem vase in Mint Green, £30, Rowen & Wren THE RIGHT ACCENT Upper wall in All White estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5 litres, Farrow & Ball. Lower wall in Chartreuse Charm Easycare Washable & Tough matt, £35.71 for 2.5 litres, Dulux. Sylvan chair in House Velvet Petal, £639, Sofa Workshop. Joules Patterdale three-seater sofa in Marine, £849, DFS. Solasta mirrored nesting tablesin Antique Bronze, £995; Costellini velvet ottoman in Air Force Blue, £225, both Oka. Somerton basket, £51; Coatbridge candlestick, £28; Huxley Seascape candle, £37, all Neptune. Pistachio beeswax candle, £42 for six, Matilda Goad. Dusk vase in…

UPGRADE YOUR KITCHEN IN A MODERN DESIGN THAT STILL SUITS ITS RURAL SETTING. WE’VE SCOUTED THE LUST-WORTHY FINISHES, COVETABLE COLOURS AND CABINET STYLES TO BUY INTO NOW BOLD COLOUR ‘We’re anticipating braver colours in the kitchen this year, particularly ocean blues, botanical greens and zesty oranges,’ says Harvey Jones’ head of design Melissa Klink. ‘In a country kitchen, use a neutral base of charcoal, white or natural wood to stop bold shades overpowering. Balancing strong colour with more restful materials is the secret to a liveable kitchen that will last beyond trends.’ DARK WOOD Deep-toned woods such as walnut and mahogany are set to return to the kitchen. ‘We’ve seen a surge in requests for dark timbers,’ says Emily Chew, senior furniture designer at The Secret Drawer. ‘We love how…

■ DECIDE ON THE STYLE The slipper bath is neatly raised at one end for reclining, the double-ended bateau is believed to date back to 19th century France and is perfect for two, and a roll-top makes a great statement centrepiece. For a modern design (think organic curves, egg shapes and angular styles), try a composite bath. ■ FACTOR IN WEIGHT For a luxury feel, consider a tub made from traditional fireclay or stone, but keep in mind that these are heavy – even more so once they’re filled. Check that your floorboards and joists can take the weight before installation. Lighter materials such as enamelled steel, copper or brass may be more practical. ■ CONSIDER A COLOUR The Albion Bath Company will paint the exterior of its tubs in…

1 SPLASHBACK Amanda spent some time searching for a splashback that would make a statement yet still blend in. ‘I work a lot with tile shops in Belgium and in London,’ she says. ‘But, for a while, I couldn’t find anything that worked in this spot.’ Then, at a Fired Earth showroom, a geometric pattern in an arresting colour caught her eye. ‘I knew we had hit the jackpot!’ she says. ‘There is almost a Spanish hacienda feel to these tiles. They work so well against the decorum of the cabinets.’ 2 MIXED WORKTOPS Caesarstone Misty Carrara engineered quartz worktops help brighten the darker hues. However, used on their own, the worry was that the white countertops could overpower. To break things up, solid oak worktops were added to one…

Visit… ‘Mount Ephraim Gardens (mountephraimgardens.co.uk), near Faversham in Kent, is 10 glorious acres of Edwardian terraced gardens set against a backdrop of the beautiful Kent countryside.’ Shop at… ‘Meadow Grange Garden Centre (meadowgrangenursery.co.uk), near Whitstable in Kent, stocks a comprehensive range of beautiful plants.’ Go for a meal at... ‘The Goods Shed (thegoodsshed.co. uk) at Canterbury farmers’ market offers an all-day, unique culinary experience, as well as banquets.’…

Did you know? THEY’RE NOT JUST FOR POTTING UP – MOST GARDEN WORKSTATIONS ALSO HAVE STORAGE DRAWERS FOR HAND TOOLS, LABELS AND OTHER GARDEN ESSENTIALS…

Cook’s note... IF YOU DON’T USE THE SAUERKRAUT, ADD EXTRA FLAVOUR BY DOUBLING THE AMOUNT OF FRESH GARLIC YOU USE LEEK, CHARD AND TARRAGON SOUP WITH WILD GARLIC PESTO I love the combination of tarragon and garlic, and believe that tarragon with wild garlic is even better. SERVES 4 1tbsp olive oil 1½tbsp butter 2 leeks, thinly sliced 1.5ltr well-flavoured chicken stock Large pinch of saffron, soaked in 2tbsp hot water 1 strip of lemon zest Small bunch of tarragon, stems and leaves separated Small bunch of baby chard leaves 3 small courgettes, sliced into rounds 75g baby broad beans, blanched and skinned 50g fresh peas 200g cooked chicken (optional) FOR THE PESTO: 100g wild garlic (a mixture of leaves, stems and buds) 50g Cornish Yarg, crumbled 50g blanched hazelnuts…