Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Country Homes & Interiors

The mental health benefits of being out in nature are well known, but I don’t think I ever fully appreciated before how soothing it can be to give the lawn a slow, satisfying mow; how cathartic to give an unruly shrub an extreme haircut, or dig over a border. The Chelsea Flower Show is cancelled, but how ironic that the ideas Ma Richmond and I have scrapbooked from it in the past might actually come to fruition this year! This issue is overflowing with inspiration for your garden, from growing flowers and creating a comfortable, outdoor living space to investing in a greenhouse, which I hope will be a distraction and comfort in sad and uncertain times. P.S. Please bear with us during all this change! We’re trying to keep…

What’s a ‘healthy’ home? ‘It’s about reducing anything toxic or harmful – we only use healthy materials. All our furniture is solid wood and the paint is organic.’ Have you introduced any other healthy elements? ‘All the electrical cabling is encased in metal to reduce exposure to EMF (electromotive force), and there is no wi-fi. The house and holiday accommodation also have a heat recovery system and a biomass boiler.’ Has moving here enabled you to put wellness first? ‘Yes, it’s definitely easier to live like this in a rural environment.’…

How was it before? ‘The garden had a few beautiful old trees, large shrubs and a nice lawn area, which was a good starting point, but there were no traditional flower beds and I felt the house needed to be linked better to the surrounding space.’ What did you change? ‘I started by digging out all the beds and planting boxwood balls and roses. Then, the old York stone paths around the house were re-laid to reflect how we would use the house, creating links between the patios.’ And now? ‘I love spending time there. The traditional beds and garden are blooming with roses, peonies, delphiniums, dahlias and lavender.’…

Vicky White and Chris Ling have a longstanding affinity with north Norfolk – it’s where they got engaged and where they’ve spent many holidays and weekends with family. So when they decided to buy a holiday home, there was no debate about where to look. Finding a suitable property proved to be much harder than anticipated, however. After two purchases fell through, Vicky widened their search area, which was when Eden Hall Cottage popped up. On the north eastern shoreline, its location wasn’t known to the couple. But, one wet grey day in November 2016, they decided to view the house. ‘It was horrendous,’ says Vicky. ‘It was rundown and neglected, there was rubbish everywhere and evidence of mice and rats. I didn’t want to touch anything to start with,…

Vicky’s style tip... MIX MARINE-INSPIRED HUES WITH WARM NEUTRALS AND NATURAL TEXTILES FOR A CALMING, TIMELESS SCHEME CH&I loves... CONTEMPORARY COASTAL FABRIC…

Visit ... ‘We love to walk on Minchinhampton Common, south of Stroud. It’s perfect for the kids to run around and is a haven for butterflies and wildflowers.’ Shop at ... ‘Etalage (etalage. co.uk) is based in an old barn near our own showroom and specialises in sets of antique paintings and prints. They always find really interesting pieces so are the perfect starting point if you want to create a fantastic gallery wall.’ Go for a meal at ... ‘Our favourite local is The Stump (thestump.co.uk), on the Roman road the Fosse Way. It’s recently been restored and serves up delicious pizza and pasta in a fresh yet traditional interior.’…

GOOD AS NEW This detached four-bed home comes with a seven-year builder’s warranty still remaining, plus courtyard garden and air-source heating. Offers over £325K. TRADITIONAL TOUCH With an Aga, a Victorian-style bath and plenty of outbuildings, this five-bed property has heaps of character and potential for its £850,000 price tag. STARTER HOME A two-bed semi with rear garden and off-street parking is much more spacious than you’d expect and is within easy reach of town. All for £235,000.…

MAKE IT COUNTRY… Impressionistic designs inspired by land- and seascapes take the look from easel and palette to country home. Look for pieces that show the hand of the artist, with a mix of broad strokes and delicate brushwork across fabrics and tableware. These patterns blend well with furniture in natural materials of wood and wicker to create an expressive, yet serene, space. OUR EXPERT SAYS…“THIS LOOK LOVES TO BE LAYERED. LET BRUSH STROKES, BLOTS AND STIPPLES FLOW ACROSS WALLPAPER, CUSHIONS, SHEERS AND CERAMICS”HOLLY PHILLIPS , STYLE CONTENT EDITOR…

SET THE SCENE Arrange garden furniture in the same way as in a living room. Start with an outdoor rug, pop a coffee table on top, then place seating around it. Be realistic about your space and measure up in advance. Wicker, rattan and cane sofas and chairs are summer classics, and work as well inside once autumn arrives. INTRODUCE SOME HOME COMFORTS Treat your outside space as you would your sitting room, with the same cosy little touches. Cushions scattered on sofas, a rug laid under the coffee table, floor cushions and a crate of blankets to relax under will turn it into a home-outside-of-home. Go for seating with storage space so it can all easily be put away each evening, ready to use again the following day. PATIO…

■ SMART OR NOT? If you are reasonably tech savvy, it’s definitely worth investing in a smart system as it will give you complete control over your home security, by alerting you in real time of any breaches so you can act quickly to resolve the issue. Standard analogue systems are generally more straightforward than smart technology, with most relying on a siren to deter intruders. ■ SENSOR(Y) OVERLOAD The majority of security systems come with a set number of sensors – from motion detectors to door and window sensors – that will alert you (or trigger a siren) should any unusual movement be detected. Acknowledging that everyone’s homes and needs are different, brands will often sell these sensors individually so you can bulk up your system to cover your…

1 PANTRY/BAR A game of two halves, the bottom section features large wooden drawers for dried foods, cans and jars, plus a couple of handy pull-out trays. There are also two crate-style drawers for fruit and veg, which provide the ventilation needed for fresh food. The top section acts as an elegant bar area and is backed in mirrored glass to provide extra glamour and sparkle in the evening. Cleverly, the bifold doors are split into sections, so the entire unit can be left open, or just the top ‘bar’ section when entertaining. 2 INTEGRATED TRAYS Suggested by Davonport’s designer, the built-in tray store brings an extra touch of wood into the kitchen, providing interest and warmth at the end of a long row of pale cabinetry. Containing two trays…

WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Pick… rose petals. Then, mix 6-12 with 250g caster sugar and process until fine for use in cakes or meringues. Celebrate… summer with a free online performance of A Midsummer NightÕs Dream, as well as six other productions (shakespearesglobe.com). Discover… stories, photos and films from behind the scenes at Kew (kew.org/read-and-watch). Enjoy… unrivalled views of wildlife captured live on webcams – from nesting owls and ospreys to roosting bats and foraging badgers (wildlifetrusts.org/webcams). CLEAN GREEN Introducing Clean Space, an eco-conscious, vegan and sustainable home fragrance collection offering soy-blend candles, reed diffusers and linen and room sprays for your home. With wellbeing at its core, every scent is designed to uplift – we love Rain, inspired by the fresh fragrance left behind after summer…

BEACH LIFE The island’s mild climate promises summers that feel like the south of France. Make the best of them and hop between the numerous glistening beaches – it could almost be the Caribbean. NATURE SPOTTING Varied wildlife experiences can be organised – from sea kayaking and bird watching, to midnight expeditions in search of the hotel’s namesake, the island’s population of ivory-toned blonde hedgehogs. ALDERNEY WEEK Every August, Alderney hosts a seven-day celebration of the island comprising of markets, carnivals and secret bunker parties. This year’s theme is The Twenties, and runs from the 1–8 August.…

A  A&M TILING 01245 263751 amtiling.co.uk AIGLE .com ALEXANDER FRANCIS 01173 255247 alexander-francis.co.uk ALITEX 01730 826900 alitex.co.uk ALSO HOME 01483 608611 alsohome.com ALTERNATIVE FLOORING 01264 335111 alternativeflooring.com AMAN shop.aman.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMAZON.CO.UK AMLY BOTANICALS amlybotanicals.co.uk ANOTHER COUNTRY 020 7486 3251 anothercountry.com ANTHROPOLOGIE 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com APOLLO BLINDS apollo-blinds.co.uk ARDINGLY INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR 01636 702326 iacf.co.uk/ardingly ARTISANTI 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com ASHLEY WILDE ashleywildegroup.co.uk ATKIN AND THYME 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk ATLAS FLOWERS 0845 519 5633 atlasflowers.co.uk B BAHYA 020 3971 3300 maison-bahya.co.uk BARNEBY GATES 01672 560240 barnebygates.com BEAUMONDE 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk BEDECK 0333 200 7331 bedeckhome.com BELIANI 0870 495 2749 beliani.co.uk BEST HEATING 0344 4172563 bestheating.com BIRDIE FORTESCUE 01328 851651 birdiefortescue.co.uk BLAKE & BULL 01225 309347 blakeandbull.co.uk BLINDS 2GO 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk BOOTHS…

Things we can’t live without...“PICNICKING AT HOME IN A SECLUDED BOHO, GLAMPING-STYLE POP-UP”…

Owners Lisa Smallpeice is the co-owner of Amly Botanicals (amlybotanicals.co.uk). Her husband Toby is co-founder of Gun Brewery (gunbrewery.co.uk). Together they run holiday accommodation at Hawthbush Farm (hawthbushfarm.co.uk). They live here with their two children, Zac, 13, and Delilah, 10, two dogs – Binker, an orange roan spaniel, and Nettle, a blue roan spaniel – and three cats, Elgar, Titch and Little My. They moved here 11 years ago. House A five-bedroom former hop farm dating from around 1816, with 140 acres of land.…

Lisa’s style tip... SMALL SPACES NEED NOT BE NEUTRAL. INSTEAD, TAKE A MAXIMALIST APPROACH AND EXPERIMENT WITH PATTERN CLASHING AND COLOUR BLOCKING CH&I loves... HAND-PRINTED WALLPAPER…

Visit ... ‘The Bell Inn (01635 578272) in Aldworth is a quintessentially English country pub that has been in the same family for 250 years. With roaring fires and great beer, it’s a welcoming stop after a long country ramble.’ Shop at ... ‘Vicars Game, Butchers & Farm shop (vicarsgame.co.uk) in Ashampstead is an award-winning butcher selling local produce.’ Go for a meal at ... ‘The Royal Oak (royaloakyattendon.co.uk) in Yattendon serves delicious, simple, Michelin-rated food and award-winning ales in the prettiest of surroundings.’…

What made you buy a holiday home by the sea? ‘We both have wonderful memories of seaside holidays as children and wanted a special place of our own close to a beach, where friends and family could come to relax with us.’ Why did you pick Norfolk? ‘The beaches are just amazing and we love the flat landscape and the big expansive skies. It’s beautiful, the air is fresh and it makes us feel calm and closer to nature.’ How has being here inspired you? ‘People selling samphire from their front gardens near the cottage inspired us to create Plum & Ashby’s best-selling Seaweed & Samphire range. The invigorating, aromatic smell always reminds us of this place.’…

Caddy’s style tip... A SOOTHING PALETTE ALLOWS FEATURE PIECES OF FURNITURE AND SCULPTURAL ARTWORK TO LIVE IN HARMONY WHILE CREATING A RELAXED MOOD CH&I loves… DUSTY PINK PAINTS…

There is a palpable sense of energy surrounding Kresse Wesling and James Henrit (aka Elvis), founders of Elvis & Kresse, a premium brand that has sustainability at its core. ‘The idea behind the business was never about creating luxury products, it was simply a way to rescue damaged and decommissioned fire hoses,’ says Kresse. ‘We take materials destined for landfill, transform them into new valued items, then donate 50 per cent of our profits to charity.’ Kresse was in her twenties when she set up a previous company, making biodegradable packaging. Then in 2005, she visited London Fire Brigade and discovered that more than three tonnes of retired fire hoses were going to landfill annually. ‘I was profoundly moved by the fire brigade’s efforts to maintain and repair the damaged…

EASY BREEZY Style a chill-out space to laze away from the heat, starting with a bold, colour-blocked stripe on the wall. Cooling linens in plains, prints and lines make a stylish pattern combination. COOLER CORNER Set out summer drinks in water-inspired glassware, with softly lined linens and tableware. Terracotta vessels add a tactile surface. COASTAL SETTINGS Striped linens bring shoreline style to a summer table, along with hand-glazed pottery and platters in beachcombed textures. Add a shot of black for slick detail. LINEN LINES Keep tables chic with subtle colour play and effortless pattern combinations. Cool blues warm up next to wood and clay shades. SOFT STRIPES The best beds come in dreamy dressings with draped throws, comfy pillows and, in summer, lightweight weaves. Stripes are the base of this…

FEATURE FOLIAGE The clean lines of a simple Roman blind make it ideal for working areas where a fussy, decorative design will look out of place. When raised, the soft pleats bring an elegant feel to a contemporary Scandi-style kitchen. For an easy nod to this year’s botanical trend, go for a decorative woodland pattern. ‘Our Abbey Gardens collection features illustrated fruits, flowers and birds on a lightweight cotton fabric, available in six different designs,’ says Nicola Brumfitt at Prestigious Textiles. HALF AND HALF Cafe-style shutters have a classic country look and the adjustable slats can be angled throughout the day. ‘Designed to cover only the lower section of the window, they provide privacy while keeping an open, spacious feel,’ says Murray Clark of Shutterly Fabulous. ‘While white shutters always…

Photographer Sandro Hyams is one of the latest artists featured on Runway Gallery, an online platform for contemporary art. With a career spanning more than thirty years, Sandro’s work has attracted big name clients – including Dior, Vogue and L’Oréal, as well as A-list celebrities, such as Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton and Iggy Pop. He relocated to Northamptonshire two years ago, but still works primarily in London. Here, he shares his journey and explains the positive effect creating has on his wellbeing… My career started out as a hobby. I started taking pictures as a boy – I grew up in Africa so there was plenty to inspire me there – but it wasn’t until I moved to London in 1984 that I realised I was actually decent at it.…

CABINETRY Tillingham-style kitchen cabinets, hand-painted in Farrow and Ball’s Pointing and Green Smoke estate eggshell, from £40,000, Davonport SURFACES Worktops in Angola Silver granite, from around £450sq m, Davonport. Burlington Ivory porcelain floor tiles, £59.98sq m; Soho Crema ceramic wall tiles, £47.98sq m, both A&M Tiling. Walls in Dimpse and Pigeon estate emulsion, both £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball APPLIANCES H2860 BP single oven, £1,199; H7240 BM microwave combi oven, £1,749; KM7474FR induction hob, £1,269; DA2698 built-in extractor, £1,539; G4263SCVi Active dishwasher, £849; KWT 6321 UG wine conditioning unit, £2,499, all Miele SINKS & TAPS Flex Pro 3 boiling water tap in polished chrome, £1,150, Quooker. Juliet C-Spout mixer in chrome, £368.88, Perrin & Rowe. Butler 800 sink in White, £555, Shaws of Darwen. Icerock under-mount sink, £332, Kohler…

If you love flowers and have a bit of time to spare, building a cutting garden could be one of the most life-affirming things you could do. • Know the benefits. Not only will you help to boost biodiversity, you’ll be cutting down on the flower miles, chemicals and packaging from shop-bought blooms. • Prepare your soil. Zelie uses a no-dig method, using a layer of cardboard, a thick layer of compost and weed-suppressing fabric. After several months, the compost rots down and she plants direct through holes in the fabric. Consider raised beds to improve your soil. • Don’t worry about size. A plot as small as 2x5m can provide enough blooms for the summer – perhaps a mix of annuals, dahlias and sweet peas. A polytunnel or greenhouse will increase your…

I’ve always loved reading. I’m a strong believer in the idea that those who read live so many more lives than those who do not. The problem, I find, is time. Or lack of it. I’d love to sit down and lose myself in a good book, but with my days so busy, I struggle to do it as regularly as I’d like. It was this realisation that sparked my passion for poetry. Poetry can inspire in so few words. Instagram has created a wonderful platform for so many modern day poets, such as Lang Leav and Atticus. When I first set up my own account back in 2018, it wasn’t with the intention of writing anything myself. It was simply a place to share photos of my home county…

Trying to pick a favourite view is like asking which one of my children I prefer, because in my job, every day I see another property or piece of the nation that I love. But one place that will always stand out to me is Hadrian’s Wall. You can stop at any point on the wall and look out over Northumbria National Park and the astonishing view, full of an incredible sense of space and closeness – not only to nature but also to culture, because it encompasses a key story of Britain’s history. When I was a teenager I went to Hadrian’s Wall to hike, and that’s when I fell in love with it. I still try to get there as often as I can, but it will never…

Magic garden We love this new take on botanical style from designer Sacha Walckhoff for porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal. Inspired by apothecary gardens, where each flower is cultivated both for its beauty and its healing properties, the Magic Garden collection includes two table services and a tea set, with designs representing the three  stages of growth in a garden – the seedling phase, the first shoots and blossoming. Magic Garden rim plate, from €24, Sacha Walckhoff at Rosenthal BEDTIME STORIES Homeware favourites Cath Kidston and Ashley Wilde have teamed up to launch a delightful new range of cotton bedding – just in time for warm summer nights. Choose from four unique designs – Twilight Garden (shown, from £20 for two pillowcases), Vintage Bunch, Washed Rose and British Birds, each decorated in…

Visit... ‘We love the artistic legacy of the area. Charleston (charleston.org.uk), country home of the Bloomsbury Group, is a 15-minute drive away. Farleys House (farleyshouseandgallery.co. uk), where surrealist Roland Penrose lived, is in the village.’ Shop at… ‘Lewes has great one-off shops, including Freight Household Goods (freightstore. co.uk), which makes beautifully crafted pieces for the home.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Tasting Room, the Rathfinny Estate (rathfinnyestate.com/tasting-room), a winery near Alfriston, is a lovely place to sample its delicious wine and great British cooking.’…

Betsy’s style tip... MIRROR THE COLOUR PALETTE OF FLOWERS THROUGHOUT YOUR OUTDOOR ACCESSORIES TO SEAMLESSLY BLEND NATURE WITH HOMELY COMFORTS CH&I loves... RUSTIC STONE PAVING…

Visit... ‘The gorgeous gardens at East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens (e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk) for a good stroll. We also love heading along the coast from Bacton to Cart Gap Beach. It’s a lovely, unspoilt sandy beach and rarely busy.’ Shop at... ‘Marshes & Flint (marshesandflint.co.uk) in North Creake is a treasure trove of beautifully designed toys, books and clothes for children. Another place I spend a lot of time at is Holt Antiques (holtantiquesandinteriors.co.uk). I’ve bought quite a lot of pieces for the house from here.’ Go for a meal at... ‘The first time we viewed the cottage, we stayed at a 14th-century coaching inn nearby called The Ingham Swan (theinghamswan.co.uk). We decided then that if this was going to be our local, we’d have to buy the house!…

Your antique hotspots? ‘Our favourite fairs in the UK include Newark and Shepton Mallet (iacf.co.uk). It’s essential to get through the gates as soon as possible, so we often drive up the night before and stay in a local pub.’ Any essentials to take? ‘In the winter, a decent torch, otherwise you might as well stay in bed. Speed is of the essence as the best things get snapped up very quickly.’ Do you haggle? ‘I don’t think I have ever paid the asking price – I love a good haggle and it’s all part of the process and a quick way to build up a relationship with a dealer. So haggle, but don’t take the mickey. Remember, the dealers have spent months collecting pieces from all over Europe.’…

While Ledbury’s clock tower marks the hours, it’s easy to feel time has stopped in the cobbled back lanes of this small Herefordshire town, where Tudor buildings lean in so close they almost touch. The tower was built in 1895 in memory of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning – one of many local literary associations. IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW Over the past 40 years, the town’s population has tripled in size – to about 10,000 – and it’s set to increase by at least a third more under current housing proposals. The market remains a competitive one, but developments in Hawk Rise and New Mills make prospects better for newcomers than in recent years. For traditional residences, head to The Homend, The Southend and Bank Crescent areas. Expect to pay…

‘I think of business as a means to achieving good things. Old-school, money-focused 1980s entrepreneurs were never aspirational,’ says Kresse. ‘To me, the world has let itself down and we don’t behave well enough. Life and work should be joyous – giving back and making a difference is all part of affecting change for good.’ Most traditional businesses measure their success by the bottom line. Elvis & Kresse has two additional measures: how much waste is diverted from landfill and how much money is given to charities. DRIVE VALUABLE GOODWILL Elvis & Kresse decided to donate 50 per cent of its profits to the providers of its waste products – a philanthropic gesture that has also proved a discerning business move, generating priceless goodwill and encouraging partner relationships with suppliers.…

EASY BREEZY Walls in Stone 1 pure flat emulsion, £50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library; Boathouse marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands. Sofa, £4,495, Another Country. Studio coffee table, £275, Cox & Cox. Rustic console table, £725, Home Barn. Kilda rug, £61.29, Walton & Co. Olmo bowl, £8, Habitat. Dip glaze tablelamp, £225, Cox & Cox. Sisal and leather basket, £105, Nordic House. Helleborine cushion, £62, Isla Middleton. Stripe linen cushion, £30, Nordic House. Washed velvet cushion in Terracotta, £36, French Connection Home. Cushion in Astrid Stripe Pacific and White linen, £56, Zoe Glencross. Hinata vase, £25, Habitat. Flowers, from a selection at Atlas Flowers. Small basket, £39.95 for set of two, Nordic House COOLER CORNER Libbi enamel mugs, £12 each, Rowen & Wren. Emilie napkins, £25 for…

■ CONSIDER THE STYLE OF YOUR WINDOWS. If you want to maximise a view, go for roller blinds. Romans offer a more decorative look, and suit a traditional scheme. Modern windows suit more streamlined fittings, such as shutters. ■ TROUBLESHOOT IN ADVANCE. Blackout lining is definitely worth the extra money, especially in bedrooms and nurseries. Windows account for 20% of heat loss in homes, so thermal lining will help keep the room warm. ■ BEFORE MEASURING UP, decide whether the blind or shutter will fit inside or outside the window recess. Inside requires a more precise fit, but can look neater. For a good fit, measure the window in three places, for both width and drop, and use the smallest measurements. ■ PAY ATTENTION TO FIXTURES AND FITTINGS. Bespoke cords…

Having dreamt of living in the countryside for many years, Greg and Karen Bracken finally bit the bullet in 2015, making the decision to leave London. ‘Originally our search focused on Kent and Sussex,’ says Karen. ‘It was only when my brother moved to north Essex that we realised just how beautiful the area is. As soon as we viewed this Tudor house, built in 1483 – with its ancient exposed beams, ogee door frames and priest hole – we knew we’d found our home.’ The couple had been warned that the original kitchen was disproportionately small compared with the size of the house. Undeterred, they added an extension to their renovating to-do list and proceeded with the purchase. Extensions on listed properties are never straightforward but, by working with…

Did you know? GROWING YOUR OWN FRUIT AND VEG HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF POSITIVES – A CLEAN DIET, REDUCED FOOD BILLS, EXERCISE AND NATURAL STRESS RELIEF BY THE WATERING-CAN LOAD, TO NAME BUT A FEW……

Cook’s note... FOR GAZPACHO, GO FOR A THIN-SKINNED, JUICY, LOW-ACIDITY TOMATO. HERITAGE TOMATOES COME FROM A TIME WHEN PRODUCE WAS GROWN LOCALLY, SO THEY’RE MORE TENDER THAN MODERN VARIETIES BARBECUED RARE FILLET OF BEEF WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING, RADISH AND PECORINO A real centrepiece, this fillet of beef recipe is perfect for entertaining on the barbecue and makes an elegant and light alternative to traditional sausages and burgers. The peppery pink radishes, nutty Pecorino and piquant balsamic dressing really complement the smokiness of the charred beef. Ask your butcher to prepare the fillet for you in one piece, removing any fat or membrane. SERVES 6-8 FOR THE BEEF 100ml red wine 100ml olive oil, plus a little extra for brushing 1 lemon, zest only 1 clove garlic, crushed Salt and pepper…