Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Country Homes & Interiors

There’s nothing like a pandemic to focus the mind on what’s important in life. I found myself reconnecting with old friends and reassessing my career goals. Interior designer Francesca Rowan Plowden realised that she could use her skills to benefit stressed-out NHS staff, which led to a new charity project, Design Havens for Heroes. She’s mobilised a small army of interiors experts to transform rooms for key workers. See her story on page 73. Change can be exciting and terrifying in equal measure, but we hope you’ll find comfort and escapism in this issue, which is full of beautiful homes to drool over and ideas for mini projects to keep you moving forward. P.S. Have you found us on Instagram, yet? Follow @countryhomesmag to get a sneak peek at beautiful…

“WE’RE BOTH COLLECTORS BUT LUKE IS MORE INTO GRITTY SALVAGE ITEMS AND I ERR TOWARDS A MORE NOSTALGIC LOOK. IT’S A GOOD COMBINATION ” Leanne Chandler’s converted barn and stables lie at the end of a sun-dappled lane in the Kent countryside; a setting that is quintessentially English. Yet, inside, she has combined all she loves about vintage style with decorative twists that originate further from home. ‘A lot of my inspiration is from a family trip we took just before we embarked on this renovation,’ she says. The family spent two months travelling around Asia, Australia and New Zealand, where Leanne soaked up plenty of ideas to bring back. This long, timber-clad building was forged from three outbuildings – a barn, some stables and two garages – that came…

Visit… ‘The Desmares Manor (chocolaterie-merimee.fr) in Lisieux, built in the 15th century, is a former salt barn that has been turned into a chocolate making laboratory and tea room. I also love the attractive medieval architecture at Bernay; visit “Jail Street”, one of the oldest parts of the town.’ Shop at… ‘The florist Paul Pierre Atelier (paulpierre.be) in Deauville. He’s a talented floral designer and his shop is a joy.’ Go for a meal at… ‘I regularly visit La Villa Gypsy (villagypsy.fr) in Trouville for exciting design discoveries and the restaurant, which serves delicious, healthy, locally sourced dishes in a relaxed environment.’…

Growing up in the New Forest, I spent my childhood outdoors, surrounded by picturesque countryside and a proliferation of animals. I was always in the woods with my five siblings, playing with mud, sticks and flower presses, exploring, foraging and gathering. Nature was such a rich source of inspiration, it sparked my creativity,’ says bespoke fabric artist Natasha Hulse. Charmingly unassuming about her upbringing, Natasha was raised in Breamore House, a stately Elizabethan manor built in 1583 and home to the Hulse family since 1748. ‘In my attic bedroom, I painted an apple tree on the walls and added handmade, 3D apple-shaped jewellery baskets. It began my fascination with embellishment and my passion for scale.’ Throughout the house, many rare textiles celebrate the early British Arts and Crafts movement. ‘This…

RETRO NOW There’s a touch of 1970s revival in these peach and apricot colours. What makes it now: the genre- busting furniture mix and sheer striped fabric panel at the window. PATTERN PUNCH Match drama with delicacy for a distinctive look. Here, a mesmerising tribal repeat wallpaper in sunset pink is perfectly paired with a mesh-front sideboard and chunky rush flooring. HOMELY HUES Bring sun-warmed shades to the kitchen with artisan wares celebrating their inherent tones and textures. Incorporate welcoming hues from nature’s own canvas with wood, wicker, clay and terracotta. SMALL WONDERS Add a contemporary touch to a country bathroom with geometric patterns underfoot. A great trick to add character to smaller rooms, tile tessellations can make a bold statement in minimal spaces. STYLE CRUSH Create a sophisticated country…

JAM JAR JAMBOREE Jam jars, produce pots and even charity shop glass oddments make low-key but lovely holders for hand-tied posies. We used daisies, bunny tails, eucalyptus, flax, gypsophila, oats, broom and phalaris for variety and texture. Gradually add stems of flowers to one hand, starting with longer stems for the middle. Add two or three of the same stem at a time, twisting the posy to maintain equal flowers and create a rounded feel. Tie off with some florist wire and snip the ends so the posy fits perfectly into the jar. Flowers and grasses from a selection at Atlas Flowers and Dowsing & Reynolds. Jam jars and glasses, found in shops and charity stores. Place mat, £22; napkins, £18 for two, all Rowen & Wren. Stoneware mug, £12,…

CHAMPION THE TRADITIONAL With their tactile, chalky finish, fabulous patterns and relaxed vintage look, encaustic tiles are synonymous with country style – not to mention one of this year’s top trends. Their geometric nature means they can be laid to create a variety of repeating patterns on both walls and floors for a unique finish. Go bold with clashing hues or opt for a classic combination, such as blue and white, for a more lived-in look. BALANCE WITH NEUTRALS Introducing more than one pattern into a room is a subtle balancing act. The key is to stick to two or three designs distributed evenly throughout the room, including at least one neutral pattern, such as a stripe, plaid or check. These add subtle interest without overwhelming the space. Offset the…

AGED ANTIQUE APPEAL Give the current trend for black fittings a rustic edge with a ‘so-aged-it’salmost-black’ antique bronze finish, instead. ‘With its burnished texture and copper undertones, it provides a characterful alternative to stark matt black that is entirely in keeping with country style,’ says James Lentaigne, creative director, Drummonds. ‘Complement a marble basin with our elegant Mull taps, crafted using a traditional wax moulding method then polished by hand, for the perfect blend of old and new.’ CENTRE OF ATTENTION If you’re lucky enough to have a free-standing bath, a floor-standing filler lets it take centre stage and keeps the sides free so you can recline in comfort. ‘With its sleek curves and brushed brass finish, our Hoxton mono bath/shower mixer cuts a fine figure against white ceramic and…

Owners Merry and Ben Albright live here with their two children and cockapoo. House A four-bedroom, oak-framed self-build in Herefordshire’s Arrow Valley. Project Planning and fitting a new kitchen, utility and pantry as part of an open-plan living and dining space in their new detached self-build. Kitchen size 6x11m Designer Louis Ferneyhough, Fernio Furniture. Cabinetry Bespoke Shaker-style kitchen by Fernio Furniture, in Whiting and Flaxen Grey by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.…

Did you know?  GARDEN LIGHTS CAN DISRUPT NATURAL WILDLIFE BEHAVIOUR. TO MINIMISE IMPACT, POSITION THEM LOW, RETAIN SOME DARK AREAS AND SWITCH THEM OFF WHEN NOT IN USE.…

RYE BREAD A staple of Scandinavian baking, rye bread is appreciated for its depth of flavour and dense texture. You’ll find it served at breakfast alongside boiled eggs, smoked and pickled fish, cured meats, local cheeses, cooked ham and large Thermos flasks full of coffee for a wholesome start to the day. MAKES A 900G LOAF 50g fresh yeast 30g black treacle 2tbsp caster sugar 3tbsp olive oil, plus extra for oiling the tin 400g dark rye flour, plus an extra tablespoon 250g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting 100g rye flakes or grain 1tsp salt 1 Crumble the yeast into a large bowl with the treacle and sugar and stir to dissolve. Slowly whisk in 500ml tepid water, along with the oil. 2 In a separate bowl,…

Things that make us happy...“EMBRACING THE LAST LIGHT EVENINGS AS SUMMER PREPARES TO SLIP AWAY”…

Visit… ‘We love Sissinghurst Castle Garden (nationaltrust.org. uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden). We can take one of the many lovely footpaths that meander through the woods to walk there.’ Shop at… ’Cranbrook has lots of lovely independent shops. Duck and Dog (@duck_and_dog) is a favourite with a gorgeous collection of one-off interior pieces, books, accessories and linen clothes.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Milk House (themilkhouse.co.uk) in Sissinghurst. It has a gorgeous beer garden with views over the orchards and a seasonal menu.’…

Visit… ‘We love to take walks through the woodlands and countryside of the Slad Valley, the setting for Laurie Lee’s Cider With Rosie .’ Shop at… ‘Jolly Nice (jollynicefarmshop.com) is a delightful hotchpotch of wooden buildings and yurts and sells all sorts of delicious farm-fresh food, from locally grown and reared produce to fantastic ice cream.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The 300-year-old Woolpack Inn (thewoolpackslad.com). It is full of atmosphere and serves excellent food.’…

Visit… ‘New Art Centre (sculpture.uk.com) in Roche Court, East Winterslow. The outdoors and art, married together in one haven. The garden is divine and the art changes each season.’ Go for a meal at... ‘Bonnington Cafe (bonnington cafe.co.uk) in Vauxhall Grove. A hidden oasis designed by Dan Pearson. It’s vegetarian, with a different chef every night and an ever–changing menu.’ Shop at... ‘Myriad Antiques (myriadantiques.com) in Holland Park. I never know what I will find and excitement floods through me as I enter. The back room has a greenhouse feel, with a scented creeping jasmine.’…

RETRO NOW Walls in Strong White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Sense sofa, £3,365, Cane Line; covered in Savernake 003 linen, £130m, Fermoie; piped in Linara in Sorbet cotton mix, £40, Romo. Percy armchair, £885, Pimpernel & Partners; covered in Cybele in Tigers Eye linen, £75m, Zoffany. Eleanor coffee table, £1,695, Benchmark. Monarch side table, £1,290, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. For a similar raffia cube, try Fy!. Yellow cushion in Plain Weave Linen in Chinese Yellow and Tea Rose, both £44; curtains in Broad Stripe Top Stitch in Tea Rose, £90m, both Volga Linen. Button finial iron curtain pole set, £101.70, Jim Lawrence. For a similar woven table lamp base, try Kalinko. Lucile lampshade in Warm White, from £28, Neptune. Try Perch & Parrow for similar…

This smart way of showing dried flowers keeps them looking perfect. Measure the chosen flowers against the size of the dome – we used poppy heads, bunny tails, daisies and mimosa – leaving a few centimetres gap between the flower heads and the glass. Shape a piece of dry oasis to fit in the base. Cover the sides by winding around raffia and stick to the dome base with double-sided tape. Taking the tallest flowers first, push into the oasis starting at the centre. Add the flowers and grasses in a gradually shorter style around them. Cover the remainder of the oasis block with shorter stems of mimosa flowers and foliage. Flowers and grasses from a selection at Atlas Flowers. Glass dome, £15, Ikea. Raffia, from a selection at D…

LANDING STRIP The space at the end of a landing or corridor can prove a surprisingly pleasant work area. ‘Position the desk in front of a window if you can,’ says Anna Beeber, partner at Champalimaud Design. ‘It allows you to divert your eyes from your computer screen when they need a rest.’ To help the area blend, select furniture and accessories that don’t scream ‘office’. EAVES DROPPING ‘Small cottages and quirky rooms can be a challenge for standard office cabinets and furniture. Elements such as sloped ceilings, uneven walls, beams and skirting often demand clever fitted furniture or an alternative way of thinking,’ says Rebecca Nokes, senior kitchen and bedroom designer at John Lewis of Hungerford. ‘Commissioning bespoke offers you a unique way to make sure your space is…

■ CONSIDER STYLE While chrome is a safe bet in country-style bathrooms, there’s a definite move towards warmer metals. Don’t rule out modern brassware in period properties; minimalist designs can work well and are often easier to clean with no dirt-trapping nooks. ■ INVEST IN HIGH QUALITY Choosing brassware that stands the test of time is essential. ‘This is particularly important for those that are fitted into the wall; there’s often no direct access, which makes repairs trickier and more costly,’ says Yousef Mansuri, head of design at CP Hart. ■ CHECK YOUR WATER PRESSURE Many older homes still run on gravity-fuelled systems with low water pressure, which can rule out certain fittings. Discuss your options with your plumber – it may be possible to switch to a mains pressure…

1 INTERNAL WINDOW To the right of the cooker is an opening within the oak frame that looks through the hallway to an external window, with views over the garden. ‘We created little vistas wherever we could so the kitchen didn’t feel isolated or detached from the rest of the house,’ says Merry. Internal openings also help bring extra daylight into darker corners of your home and don’t need to be glazed if your home is well-insulated, but you could install glass if noise or odours are a concern. 2 MIXING METALS Despite the trend for warm metals, many people find it hard to match finishes across different products. Merry’s solution is to not even try – she has mixed brushed-nickel light switches, silvery wall lights, copper reclaimed pendant lights,…

Owning a piece of art is as easy as clicking a button with Runway Gallery. This digital platform gives you the chance to snap up inspirational prints and designs for your home. Annecy-based artist Belinda Frikh is one of the gallery’s artists. When did you start drawing? For as long I can remember, I was drawing. I drew on anything and everything: cereal boxes, books, official documents, letters from school complaining about me always drawing. As I hit my teens, my work became a little less about the destruction of all plain surfaces and more about channelling it all into a portfolio. It dawned on me that this may be an acceptable vocation when, at the age of 12, I entered a drawing competition in a fashion magazine and won…

According to the RHS, over the last century nearly 70 per cent of ponds have disappeared from the British countryside, so if you can accommodate one in your garden, it will provide a much-needed habitat for a wide variety of wildlife • Be prepared to carry out regular maintenance, particularly in the first few years. Sarah had to don waders and scoop blanket weed on a weekly basis for the first two summers, until the oxygenating plants had established. • Ensure at least one side of the pond has a long, shallow slope. This allows easy access for wildlife and can be planted up. • Include floating aquatic plants, such as water lilies (which help shade the surface) and submerged plants to act as oxygenators. • Some shade is good to reduce problems with…

THINGS TO SEE, PICK AND DO Pick… hazelnuts, in season until late October. If they’re green, leave them to ripen in the airing cupboard. Join… Poppy Treffry’s Embroidery Club to receive six weekly craft projects and all the materials you’ll need, from £20 (poppytreffry.co.uk). Enjoy… a food festival atmosphere at home with live demos (virtualfoodfestival.org). Explore… the coast at the Walking Festival in Sidmouth and East Devon, 19-25 Sept (visitsidmouth.co.uk). GOOD JEANS John Lewis & Partners’ Jeanologia software measures the amount of water, chemicals and energy used to produce denim. The retailer promises to feature only low or medium impact pieces in its AND/OR denim range, made from organic cotton and recycled polyester. Top, £55; jeans, £89; boots, £119, all John Lewis & Partners 3 ways to… a…

Bedtime style Take the bespoke route to stylish sleep with Soho Home’s new made-to-measure bed service. Made from solid hardwood and available in multiple shapes and sizes, simply pick your favourite frame and choose from 16 colours in super-fine velvet or linen sourced from a 150-year-old mill – all made and delivered in under nine weeks. We adore the Gerrard double bed in Linen Antelope, £3,095, Soho Home. BOOK CORNER ALERT Stylist Sara Bird and photographer Dan Duchars create many of the gorgeous Deco Style pages in our magazine. Their new book, Home for the Soul (£19.99, Ryland Peters & Small), is an inspirational guide to creating stylish interiors that spark happiness, while respecting the planet, with thoughtful, sustainable decorating and design ideas. Available from 22 September. Linwood’s new velvets…

Visit ... ‘Raglan Castle (cadw. gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/ raglan-castle) is an amazing fortress-palace that cuts a striking silhouette against the landscape.’ Shop at ... ‘The Welsh Girl (thewelshgirl.com). She uses old milling techniques to weave traditional Welsh blankets with more modern colours. The famous Richard Booth’s Bookshop (01497 820322, boothbooks.co.uk) is another real treat with a gorgeous boutique cinema and a café.’ Go for a meal at ... ‘The Felin Fach Griffin (eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk) near Hay. It’s a beautiful restaurant with a great chef that’s been going for years and is very popular with locals.’…

With a population of just 22,000, the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton may be smaller than more famous Regency destinations, but in terms of grandeur it is equally impressive. There is the elegant Buxton Crescent – currently undergoing a Heritage Lottery-funded redevelopment and soon to reopen, complete with pump rooms and thermal baths. Characters from a Jane Austen novel would not look out of place here, or taking tea in the 23-acre Pavilion Gardens. The opera house next door is still in use today. As one proud resident states: ‘For its size, Buxton has no right to compete with the likes of Bath and Cheltenham, yet it does!’ IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW Central Buxton has three main areas: the residential old town (Higher Buxton); and the historic and retail…

The pandemic has hit all sectors of the economy. Now more than ever, careful collaborations are instrumental in driving business growth and awareness. Natasha Hulse has, from her business’ inception, nurtured a desire to work in partnerships, and the results are a great example of the power of bringing brands together. VALUE COLLABORATION Artists have long been compelled to seek inspiration from their peers. And in recent years this has become increasingly the norm among innovative corporate giants. For Natasha, this sense of wanting to collaborate stems from the idea that interaction leads to new experiences. Directional thinking forms a vital part of her work ethic: collaborating with suppliers, her specialist sewing and upholstery teams, through to dedicated relationships with interior designers, retailers, hoteliers and fabric houses. The one lesson…

I had my light bulb moment about how I could help support NHS workers while sitting in the bath. It was at the start of lockdown and I was at home in East Sussex. On that particular day, I had watched a nurse talking desperately about the impact of COVID-19 on the patients in her care. She said, ‘Just stay at home. Just please stay at home!’ I wanted to do something meaningful for the people who were working flat out to help us – that’s how Design Havens for Heroes was launched. I asked contacts if they would donate their time or products to do makeovers for local NHS workers. I tentatively set up an Instagram page and did an initial shout out. Susie Hetherington and Tori Murphy were…

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You could say oak-framed construction is in Merry Albright’s blood. Her father, John Greene, revived green-oak building in the 1970s, and now both Merry and her husband Ben work for Border Oak, the company her father founded. So, when seeking to build a bigger home for their growing family, oak-framed was a natural choice. ‘I love the process of designing and building houses,’ says Merry. ‘As the children grew, we began to look for a larger plot – we wanted stay in the countryside but with more outdoor space for the kids to run around.’ “THERE IS SOMETHING LOVELY ABOUT SITTING WITHIN AN OAK-FRAMED STRUCTURE, LOOKING OUT AT OLD OAK TREES” In fact, the family only moved to the neighbouring village, where both Merry and her father were born. ‘I…

CABINETRY Bespoke Shaker-style kitchen, around £25,000, Fernio Furniture; painted in Whiting and Flaxen Grey (island) eggshell, £80 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint SURFACES Quartz worktops in Bianco Carrara, £350sq m, Unistone. Herefordshire Oak worktop (on island), around £800sq m, Fernio Furniture. Clifton flagstones, 40x90cm, £56.40sq m, White Hall Flagstones. Walls and ceiling painted in Whiting emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint APPLIANCES 110i range cooker in Graphite, from £9,430, Everhot. D5855X1GB 73cm canopy cooker hood/extractor, £284, Neff. Artisan stand mixer in Black iron, £599, KitchenAid. RF610ADJX5 American-style free-standing fridge freezer, £2,099, Fisher & Paykel. SMV50C10GB integrated dishwashers, £425 each, Bosch SINKS & TAPS Double-bowl ceramic sink in White, £707, Shaws of Darwen. 1010 deck-mounted mixer taps in polished brass, £544, Barber Wilsons & Co ACCESSORIES Pendants above…

■ ERGONOMIC DESIGN Pruning, cutting, power cleaning… while the power tool should naturally do the lion’s share of the hard work, they all still require a certain amount of effort on the part of the person guiding it. Look for lightweight, easy-to-handle, ergonomic designs to make the job quicker and easier. ■ WIRELESS OPTIONS In recent years, battery technology has advanced in leaps and bounds with many more powerful handheld tools now becoming wireless. Not having to wrangle a power lead while pruning or worry about extension leads can be extremely freeing, allowing you to focus entirely on the job in hand. ■ MULTI-USE MODELS It’s unlikely you’ll want or need to buy all of the power tools we’ve featured here, so try and focus on exactly what you need…

Visit… ‘Waltham Place (01628 825517, walthamplace. com). A biodynamic garden designed by Henk Gerritsen that’s all about working with nature.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Stubbings Garden Centre (01628 825454, stubbingsnursery.co.uk). A family-run garden centre with freshly prepared, home-cooked food. Great for breakfast, lunch and coffee, and welcoming to dogs.’ Shop at… ‘The Plant Specialist (01494 866650, theplantspecialist.co.uk). In the pretty village of Great Missenden, this is a wonderful place to find more unusual plants, and there’s a small show garden, too.’…

When my husband Ross and I first moved to West Oxfordshire, we had the delight of dragging two bored children around various houses to find somewhere to live. It was in one of these houses that my daughter Neve, who was nine at the time, spotted a large stack of glass jars. The owner explained that she was a beekeeper and the jars were for storing honey. Neve was fascinated. ‘I would like a beehive from Grandad for my birthday,’ she said. He duly obliged, and from this one hive, we’ve developed a thriving apiary and become part of the most wonderful beekeeping community. I’ve found beekeeping really helps to mark the seasons. Bees don’t hibernate as such, even in winter they can be seen foraging on late-blooming aconites. When…