Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i Country Homes & Interiors

Ma Richmond and I have given up hopes of a holiday-holiday, but are nonetheless looking forward to a week reading novels on loungers at the sunny end of the garden. The challenge of holidaying at home is shoving the to-do list in a drawer and forgetting about it. Or if, like Ma, your life only makes sense with a list (when it comes to list-making, she’s Yoda to my Luke Skywalker), make one of idle pursuits (‘stare at the clouds’; ‘make margaritas’…) to keep you un-busy. Whether you’ve managed to arrange a trip away or have resigned yourself to an at-home vacay, this issue is the perfect downtime companion. So, stake out that sunlounger and dive in! P.S. Have you found us on Instagram, yet? Follow @countryhomesmag to get a…

“I BUY VINTAGE PIECES WHEN I SEE THEM AND ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND A PLACE FOR THEM” Idyllic, yet slightly run-down, the Georgian house that Clare and Barnaby Faull bought in 2006 has a fascinating history. It was previously owned by a former World War One prisoner of war, while the dilapidated apple house with a stable at the bottom of the garden was originally a World War One army hut first used by Australian soldiers, then by the Home Guard in World War Two, before being used to store apples from the orchard behind it. Having renovated the main house, Clare turned her attention to the apple house and stable in 2014. With local architect and friend John Comparelli, she planned to demolish them to create a party room…

Visit ... ‘The Abbey of Saint Pierre (abbayemoissac.com/en/ saint-pierre-abbey), a Benedictine and Cluniac monastery in Moissac, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site with buildings dating back to early medieval times. ’ Shop at ... For markets, Montaigu-de-Quercy is on Saturday morning, and Monsempron-Libos is on Thursday morning. To find the best local flea markets (brocantes) visit vide-greniers.org’ Go for a meal at ... ‘Chateau de l’Hoste (chateaudelhoste.com). This chateau is scenically located on a small estate just north of Roquecor. You can dine indoors or out in beautiful surroundings.’…

FRONT ON Number 4A Tantallon Terrace is a double upper beachfront flat with its own main entrance and five bedrooms. Offers welcome over £725,000. BRIGHT THING This four-bedroom, midrange house is a short walk from both North Berwick station and high street, making it great for commuters. £400,000. QUAINT TERRACE About three miles outside North Berwick is the pretty village of Gullane. This two-bedroom, ground-floor flat is on the market for offers upwards of £210,000.…

MAKE IT COUNTRY... Take inspiration from across the channel for a relaxed twist on nautical style. Casual stripes and rustic checks in breezy shades of sea-infused blue and sun-ripened cherry lend effortless charm without overwhelming a scheme. Choose soft windowpane checks and ticking designs on linen for a gentle, country-coastal feel. OUR EXPERT SAYS…CLASSIC COASTAL STRIPES AND CHECKS ARE THE EASIEST PATTERNS FOR YOUR HOME TO ‘WEAR’. TRY VERSATILE DESIGNS AND MIXED SCALES FOR A MODERN NOD ❞HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR…

BALANCING ACT ‘When positioning furnishings in a loft bedroom, a symmetrical look will provide the illusion of space while adding balance,’ says Emma Deterding, director of Kelling Designs. And don’t be tempted to opt for small furniture, even with a sloping ceiling. ‘Using a taller piece in the centre of the room, such as a high, shapely headboard, will add a sense of grandeur and create a smart focal point,’ adds Emma. OPEN UP Leaving timber beams exposed draws attention to your loft room’s height, while celebrating the original architecture. ‘With beautiful architecture you don’t need to overcomplicate the interior design – keep the decor calm yet stylish,’ advises Merry Albright, creative director of Border Oak. Hanging a simple yet eye-catching light pendant above a key focal point, in this…

■ BUYING WINE YOUNG AND STORING IT This was tradition in old country houses. If it’s a good vintage, it’s the best way to secure it at a decent price before demand renders it scarce. ■ CONSIDER THE EXTENT OF YOUR COLLECTION ‘How many bottles do you need to store? Is this likely to increase over time? Are they likely to be everyday or investment wines? This will determine which storage option is right for you,’ advises Lucy Hargreaves, managing director of Spiral Cellars. ■ THINK ABOUT POSITIONING Whether you’re storing it for months, weeks or days, keep your wine in the dark as much as possible. UV rays from direct sunlight can affect flavour and aroma, so keep racks and cabinets away from windows if you can. ■ SAVE…

■ DIY OR ROBOT? Ideal for those with busy lifestyles, the older generation or the less mobile, a robot mower will tend to your lawn little and often. Controlled from your smartphone, it will quietly trim your grass to form mulch, which it then releases back onto the lawn so you don’t have to worry about emptying it. But, if you prefer more control, an upright mower that gathers grass cuttings is the choice for you. ■ WIRELESS MODELS The combination of convenience and the advances in battery technology have boosted the availability of cordless, rechargeable designs. Provided you always remember to charge it after use, a cordless model frees you of wrestling the power lead out of your mowing path – especially helpful if you have a large lawn.…

YOU’LL FIND ALL THE COMPANIES IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE HERE 1STDIBS 1stdibs.com A ABODE LIVING 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk ALICE PETO 020 8992 6431 alicepeto.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMAZON.CO.UK amazon.co.uk AMOS GOLDREICH ARCHITECTURE 020 7272 6592 agarchitecture.net AMY PERRY 01666 500354 amyperryantiques.co.uk ANNIE SLOAN 01865 803168 anniesloan.com ANTHROPOLOGIE 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com ANVIL IRONMONGERY theanvil.co.uk APOLLO BLINDS apollo-blinds.co.uk ARKET 020 3868 9990 arket.com ARTISANTI 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com ASHORTWALK 01872 575000 shop.ashortwalk.com ATT PYNTA attpynta.com AUTHENTIC RECLAMATION 01580 201258 authentic-reclamation.co.uk BB&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com BAMFORD 01608 731713 bamford.co.uk BARKER AND STONEHOUSE 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BEAUMONDE 01202 707770 beaumonde.co.uk BEDFOLK bedfolk.com BEDOUIN SOCIETE +61 3 9391 3843 bedouinsociete.com BENCHMARX KITCHENS benchmarxkitchens.co.uk BENUTA benuta.co.uk BERT & MAY 020 3744 0776 bertandmay.com BIRDIE FORTESCUE 01328 851651 birdiefortescue.co.uk BISCA 01439 771702 bisca.co.uk BOHEMIA DESIGN 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk BORDER OAK 01568 708752 borderoak.com BOXWILD 01252 820495 boxwild.com BRAYER DESIGN 020 8397 1111 brayerdesign.co.uk BRORA 0345 659 9944 brora.co.uk CCAMPERDOWN LANE 01432…

Things that make us happy...“LONG, LAZY DAYS IN THE GARDEN, WITH GARLANDS OF LIGHTS READY FOR SUNSET”…

Visit … ‘Wilton House (wiltonhouse.co.uk) and gardens. This beautiful 16th-century house has been used as a location for films, such as Emma and the Netflix series The Crown .’ Shop at … ‘Dairy House Antiques & Interiors (dairyhouseantiques.com) and Kingsettle Antiques (kingsettleantiques.co.uk) in Semley, near Shaftesbury. They are a great source of furniture and smaller items.’ Go for a meal at … ‘The independently owned The Compasses Inn (thecompassesinn. com) in Chicksgrove, run by Ben Maschler. It serves excellent food.’…

Visit… ‘If we fancy a drive, we head up the coast for breakfast at Little Bay Patisserie (littlebaypatisserie.business. site), Bicheno. They serve pastries to die for, make amazing coffee and have a beautiful edit of homeware and clothing.’ Shop at… ‘Melshell Oysters (melshelloysters.com.au), Dolphin Sands. Just down the road from us, they sell the freshest shucked and live oysters from their on-site vintage caravan.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Piermont Retreat (piermont.com.au). We love their wood-fired pizzas in summer and dinner all year round. The restaurant has the most incredible views and uses local, sustainably grown and caught produce. We work collaboratively with them as a wedding venue and love to enjoy it ourselves at every opportunity.’…

Visit… ‘Stourhead House and Gardens (nationaltrust.org). The grounds are a living work of art with classical temples, beautiful lakeside walks and mythology woven through everything.’ Go for a meal at... ‘Rosemarino (rosemarino.co.uk) in Bristol’s Clifton Village for a relaxed, Italian-inspired brunch, great vegetarian options and always lovely service.’ Shop at... ‘Clifton Arcade (cliftonarcade.com) in the heart of Clifton Village. Originally opened in 1897, it’s an historic Victorian shopping arcade full of unique and independent sellers, vintage jewellery, art and antiques.’…

MAKE A CHANGE With environmental concerns hitting an all-time high, the trend for eco gardening is growing. We’re moving away from harsh chemicals, choosing native plant species, encouraging wildlife and cultivating our own vegetable patches. Whether you have acres of land or a postage-stamp plot, tiny changes can help the planet. Time to dig out those gardening gloves… PLANT A MINI MEADOW You don’t need rolling fields to enjoy the romance of a wildlife-rich meadow. Just one square metre can be home to as many as 40 native flower species. Given that more than 97% of the UK’s grassland has been lost since the 1930s, this can make all the difference. Scatter wildflower seed in a sunny, sheltered spot and let nature run its course to be rewarded with all…

Moving out of central London in search of greener spaces gave CEO Carrie Preston the opportunity to flex her creative muscles. The new home in question was bought almost ‘unseen’ while the family were on holiday abroad. ‘The estate agent sent photos and I knew immediately it was the one. Viewing the property when we returned was just a formality really,’ recalls Carrie. The architectural style and location – beautiful period proportions in a conservation area surrounded by woodlands – were spot on. The interior was also well presented but the layout didn’t meet Carrie’s exacting standards. ‘I have an obsession with symmetry and proportion, which is why I’ve always loved Georgian and Regency style properties,’ she explains. ‘But above all, I wanted the kitchen to be at the heart…

THINGS TO SEE, PICK AND DO Pick… water mint, in season until October. Keep a bouquet in the kitchen to scent the air. Listen… to performances from The Royal Opera House online, alongside live broadcasts and free masterclasses (roh.org.uk). Create… a wildlife-friendly garden with a course by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal holder Andy McIndoe, £109 (learningwithexperts.com). Watch… Greta Thunburg and George Monbiot’s three-minute passionate environmental film, Nature Now on YouTube. BAGS OF STYLE One of the original accessory brands to champion conscious design, Matt & Nat is committed to using recycled materials in its collections. You’ll find a range of stylish and sustainable bags made from upcycled nylon, plastic bottles, cardboard, rubber, cork and even bicycle tyres! Arlie satchel, £98, Matt & Nat 3 ways to… eat…

Throw another pizza on the barbecue As the sun comes out and the garden becomes ever-more enticing, a barbecue is top of everyone’s wish list. Bar-Be-Quick’s new charcoal kettle pizza barbecue (£125, Argos) gives you everything that’s great about a barbecue, with the added excitement of cooking a pizza over the coals. You’ll need a couple of hours to put it together, but then you’ll have many summers of food-filled fun. THE PAN FOR WHATEVER A dish that will cook whatever you put on it – perfect! The Jean Patrique Whatever Pan (£29.99, jeanpatrique.co.uk) has been re-released after previously selling out a staggering five times and becoming the UK’s best-selling griddle pan. A versatile piece of cookware, the pan can sear, grill, roast, fry and bake your meals. And thanks…

Delicious new prints Lift the mood with the Jack collection of printed linens from English textile lovely Mimi Pickard. Inspired by Bloomsbury style and the natural world, the Jack designs have playful abstract patterns in a warm, summery palette. Quench your style thirst and mix-and-match with Mimi’s existing range of fabric and wallpaper for a cheerful interior update. Shown left: Jack collection Pebble in Yellow; Watermelon in Green Pink, both £76m, mimipickard.com. TILES OR WALL ART? Pretty up the kitchen or bathroom with Feild’s captivating collection of modern ceramic tiles. The Cherry design (shown below) captures falling leaves across four tiles to create a versatile repeat pattern. Available in a choice of Pink and Green; Blue Stone or Rust and Rose, each tile is handmade and hand-painted using a traditional…

Visit ... ‘The Valley of the Rocks, near Lynmouth. The Victorian funicular railway powered by water is a slow stomach-churning ride up and down the cliff face and a fun day for the children who love to drink hot chocolate in the café (cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk).’ Shop at ... ‘Browns Antiques & Reclamation (brownsantiquesand reclamation.co.uk) in South Molton. It is a treasure trove of unexpected and unusual finds, from large pieces of vintage furniture to decorative kitchenware.’ Go for a meal at ... ‘The Grampus Inn (thegrampus-inn.co. uk) is a local pub and has live music and a lovely log fire. They serve the best home cooking ever.’…

This small harbourside town, with two sandy bays and a rugged volcanic hill as its backdrop, stares dramatically out across the Firth of Forth to the great North Sea. But arguably its most enchanting sight is the bright-eyed baby puffins, or pufflings, that get stranded in front gardens and car parks during fledgling season in the summer months. Experts at the Scottish Seabird Centre come to their aid, returning them offshore to the Isle of May, home to a ‘circus’ of 90,000 puffins. Gannets, guillemots, dolphins and even whales are other local wildlife riches. As one resident says, ‘We’re close to Edinburgh, but it feels like a world away.’ IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW The architecture is picture-book – sandstone facades with pantile roofs interspersed with fishermen’s cottages. But beachside…

Last year, Amy Wright of Londe Botanics entered two prestigious awards. She was shortlisted in The British Beauty Council’s Next British Beauty Brand Awards, and runner up for the Spotted Award (which recognises new and emerging talent) at Top Drawer, the UK’s leading lifestyle trade show for design-led brands. Here we look at why entering awards can benefit your business... WHY ENTER? The one lesson I’ve learned...“FIND YOURSELF THE BEST PEOPLE TO WORK WITH. IT MIGHT BE MORE EXPENSIVE AT FIRST, BUT HAVING THAT EXPERTISE IS WORTH IT IN THE LONG RUN ❞ As the saying goes, ‘It’s not the winning, but the taking part that counts’, which certainly applies when you enter a well-considered award scheme. ‘The process itself can be a good exercise because a detailed entry –…

ROOM OF ITS OWN A climate-controlled room is an ideal option for those with expanding collections. ‘While larger homes may benefit from existing rooms, redundant space such as under the stairs can be just as effective with cleverly designed shelving,’ says Tom Howley, design director of Tom Howley. ‘By incorporating a glass door and the right lighting, it becomes an eye-catching feature wall as well as an immersive walk-in experience.’ GO UNDERGROUND Installing a purpose-built cellar will provide the ideal natural environment for storing your wine. They can be built into an existing, furnished, ground-floor room and planning permission usually isn’t required unless it’s a listed building. ‘Don’t be tempted to use an untreated basement – although cool in temperature, a dank environment with poor air circulation will allow musty…

1 WINE ROOM Hand-built in rich walnut by the couple’s builder GJ Edgar Construction, the wine room is George’s domain and can house up to 1,000 bottles. It includes a special device, by Coravin, designed to allow wine tasting without opening the entire bottle. It works by extracting through a small hole in the cork and then filling the space with argon gas to protect the remaining wine. A mirrored splashback and industrial-style glazing helps reflect light into the wine room, while concealed lighting makes a striking feature when viewed from the kitchen. 2 TECH DRAWER With two children and a tech-mad husband, Carrie was resigned to an abundance of tech in the house. Determined it wouldn’t be littered all over her island unit, she had a dedicated drawer made.…

There is a fine line between creating a naturalistic border and controlling plants, so that vigorous characters do not dominate. • Plant a permanent backdrop of shrubs and trees for structure — ornamental pear, hawthorn, hornbeam or beech — or even lines of ornamental grasses. • Plant in blocks of overlapping colours and textures, matching the eventual heights of adjacent plants to avoid any one towering above. • For greatest impact, plant in bold clumps of five, seven or nine plants of the same variety. • Minimise maintenance by planting densely to keep annual weeds at bay. • Promptly remove failing plants as gaps in a border ruin the effect. • Plant perennials with handsome seedheads like echinaceas, sea hollies, rudbeckias and sedums for winter interest and food for birds. • Deadhead plants to prolong flowering, leaving…

I’ve always had a strong connection with nature, having been raised in semi-rural northwest England, with Morecambe Bay and the Lake District not too far away. When I was younger I took this for granted, as a lot of young people do, and didn’t appreciate the benefits of living where I did. When I got older, I moved to the city to work as a nurse in an acute hospital ward. I spent time reflecting on my childhood, exploring coasts, hills and forests, and began to crave the deep sense of peace it used to bring me. I started to use my free time to go on long countryside walks. Rather than rush, I would pause to notice what was around me – soft moss, crisp autumnal leaves, sweet bird…