Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i Country Homes & Interiors

‘You know you’ve hit peak cosy when…’ How would you complete this sentence? ‘The log basket is empty’, ‘I’ve worn loungewear all weekend’ and ‘I’m Googling new soup recipes’ all spring to mind. Our November issue is always a celebration of all things cosy, a collection of simple winter pleasures waiting to be found. Just when you think you’re already crushing cosiness, here we are with some new ideas – from sherry-soaked mushrooms and comfy boot socks to bonfire cooking pots and welcoming hallways. Add to the mix a handful of beautiful country houses to savour, and you’ve got an hour or three of serious me-time right here. But, if getting outside makes you happier than hunkering indoors, don’t miss our winter gardening feature – it’ll keep you pottering and…

After living in the US for a few years, the van der Berg family moved back to their house in the Netherlands, which had been rented out during their absence. ‘With four children, it felt like we’d completely outgrown the space,’ says Antoinette. ‘But I had my eye on this house, which was just across the road and much bigger. It had extensive grounds, including a swimming pool, hockey pitch and an orchard. I loved the idea of cooking with home-grown fruit and nuts!’ When the property came up for sale, Antoinette put in a call to the estate agent. ‘The airiness of the house is what attracted us – high ceilings, tall windows, lots of light!’ Another plus was that the grounds are adjacent to a forest and a…

Step through the door of Roberta Ashley’s beautiful home and you feel as if you have gone back in time. Nestled deep in the Kent countryside, this stunning building with its original timber-framed construction oozes centuries-old charm. ‘It is so old that it actually predates the birth of Henry VIII,’ says Roberta, ‘which means that people have been knocking on this gloriously solid wooden door for more than five centuries!’ “WE WERE LOOKING FOR A HISTORIC PROPERTY THAT WAS DIFFERENT AND INSPIRING. WE LOVED IT THE MINUTE WE STEPPED INSIDE!” Once inside it is easy to imagine how it would have looked in medieval times, when the layout consisted of a large main hall open to the roof with a central fire, around which all members of the household would…

Visit…‘West Wittering beach (westwitteringestate.co.uk) is beautiful, with golden sands and fabulous views out to the Isle of Wight. In the winter months, it’s less crowded and a fantastic place for a blustery stroll. The National Trust’s East Head area is a stunning sand and shingle spit and well worth the walk.’ Shop at…‘Design Vintage (designvintage.co.uk) in West Stoke, near Chichester, stocks a range of vintage and modern homeware, gifts and home accessories. It’s in a great, rural setting and has a super café.’ Go for a meal at…‘The award-winning Crown & Anchor (crownandanchorchichester.com) at Dell Quay, near Chichester, boasts amazing views overlooking beautiful Chichester Harbour. Its roaring fires, stunning sunsets and friendly staff make it a firm favourite of ours.’…

Conversations with the artist Robina Jack are very much like her work: fascinating, colourful, exuberant and thought-provoking. Her life has been one of adventure, unexpected twists and turns, good times and bad, with a dose of serendipity thrown in for good measure. ’I suppose I did have quite an unusual, and wonderful, childhood,’ she laughs. ‘My father had a farm in Oxfordshire, and when my mother inherited some money, she decided to buy a small farm in the heart of Exmoor in Somerset, too. The family more or less shuttled between both: when I was sent off to boarding school located between them, my father would turn up with bullocks in transit in his trailer!’ She was not, she admits, a particularly academic student but knew from an early age…

BEYOND BLUE Wash your space with a sea-meets-sky palette to enhance a sense of wellbeing and connection to the natural world. Reminiscent of still ocean waters, Earthborn’s mid-toned Skipper is a warm denim shade, ideal for any room. Love this look? Then try • Cox & Cox for soothing blues, including the pale Purling Stream, mid-toned Hainsworth and deeper Nocturne. • Sanderson at Style Library for ‘A celebration of the National Trust’ – a range of fabrics and wallpapers inspired by tranquil waterways and majestic skies. • Barker and Stonehouse for breezy blue textiles. MODERN FOLK The new folk look honours the creativity of traditional crafts, but with added punchy, playful attitude. Homeware has become increasingly imaginative, with stylised, nature-inspired motifs that connect the myths of the past with modern…

I was on a train in January 2019 when I watched a group of hikers climb aboard, looking happy and healthy after their walk, and I found myself thinking, ‘I want to do that!’ I had never hiked before – despite being a keen athlete and having grown up in Lancashire, surrounded by hills. I stuck my phone out of the window, snapped the passing hills, and posted the image online, inviting people to join my new group, Black Girls Hike. For socio-economic reasons, our countryside tends to be much more the domain of white people than black people. I have simply never seen myself reflected in any of the marketing related to hiking – let alone in the faces you encounter out on the hills. I realised that creating…

BACK TO BLACK There’s no need to shy away from contemporary styles when you live in a country home. A towel rail with a modern matt black finish will stand out against a pale wall and give your bathroom gravitas. Many models offer a dual-fuel option, meaning they can be plugged in as well as plumbed in, so you can still have warm towels when the central heating is off. PERFECTLY PLACED Think about how you use your bathroom and work out the best spot for your towel rail. A well-placed wall-mounted model will free up valuable floor space and ensure you have a warm towel exactly where you need it. A simple ladder shape with clean lines is an unobtrusive choice if you prefer your free-standing tub or walk-in…

After living in Edinburgh for 12 years, Sandy Maxwell-Forbes made a major life decision. ‘City life was just not for me,’ she says. ‘Every month, I found myself travelling to the Scottish Borders, where I used to live and still have a wonderful community of friends, so as soon as I saw this house for sale in a peaceful hamlet, I felt it was time to move.’ Surrounded by fields, stone dykes and hills, not far from where her three horses are stabled, the 200-year-old stone house appealed instantly, but its kitchen was less than ideal. ‘It was poor quality and badly planned, so I knew it needed to be replaced,’ recalls Sandy. ‘In my head, I stripped out the fittings and could see that it was a fantastic room…

■ HOB OPTIONS Traditionally, range cookers feature hotplates and many still do, though the practicality and responsiveness of gas and induction have their appeal to seasoned cooks, so the majority of companies now offer a choice of hob type on their models. ■ MULTIPLE OVENS Depending on the size of range cooker you want (and have space for), you can choose between having one large oven or multiple cavities allowing you to cook a roast, bake a cake, warm plates and grill vegetables, all at the same time. ■ SMART FINISHES The majority of those who purchase a range cooker will consider looks to be as important as functionality. Depending on your personal style, there are plenty of options to choose from, between contemporary stainless steel models and colourful enamelled…

IT’S TIME TO: Plant tulips Check bulbs are firm and free from mould. Tulips hate wet feet, so choose a dry spot or add grit to the planting hole, or plant in pots two or three times the bulb’s depth, pointy side up. Cover with wire mesh until spring. Cut dahlias down Trim when their stems are blackened by frost. In colder areas, lift the tubers, dry off and store in sand over winter. In warmer areas, give plants a 5cm mulch. Bring potted ones under cover over winter and keep them dry. Plant deciduous hedging Bare-root plants are cheap now, and hedges are great for wildlife. Dig a trench 30-45cm wide, one spit deep. Remove weeds. Space the plants out 30-50cm apart in a line. Mix the…

Did you know? LEGEND HAS IT THAT FIREWORKS WERE INVENTED BY ACCIDENT – SULPHUR, CHARCOAL AND A SALT SUBSTITUTE WERE MIXED TOGETHER AND SET ALIGHT, RESULTING IN COLOURFUL FLAMES…

EASY DOES IT Find simple swaps and genius hacks to help you reduce your ecological footprint at home. Home , £9.99, Ebury Press WASTE NOT Aiming to make the shift from throwaway culture, Fixation shows us how to reuse and repurpose more thoughtfully. £19.99, Island Press TREAD LIGHTLY This expert guide by travel journalist Juliet Kinsman explains how to satisfy your wanderlust sustainably and stylishly. Travel , £9.99, Ebury Press…

MARSALA CHICKEN WITH ROASTED GARLIC, RAISINS & ALMONDS Couscous is given the Sicilian touch with pan-fried chicken cooked with Marsala. And here’s the trick: couscous likes a sauce. Never serve it plain as pebbledash. You could use chicken breasts for this recipe, but I find bone-in thighs or legs are more flavoursome. SERVES 4 8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs 50g flaked almonds 4tbsp olive oil 1 whole garlic bulb, cloves separated and unpeeled 150ml Marsala (or use medium sherry) 400ml boiling chicken stock or water 2 bay leaves, scrunched 50g raisins, soaked in warm water for at least 5 mins, then drained 200g couscous ½tsp salt, plus more to season Freshly ground black pepper 1 small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked and roughly chopped, to serve 1 Season the…

Things that make us happy...“A SMARTER SNUGGLE-UP TIME IN A BED MADE UP WITH PLUMP PILLOWS AND QUILTED STRIPES”…

Burford is a quintessential Cotswold town – a medieval masterpiece whose period provenance was preserved when the railway bypassed its golden stone streets in the 19th century. It’s that history which attracted Katrin and Adrian Davey, when they decided to buy a farmer’s cottage – one of two converted from the kitchen wing of a 16th-century manor house, back in the 1700s – and transform it into their 21st-century bolthole. ‘We loved this area already and I’d always dreamed of living in the kind of chocolate box English country cottage I’d read about growing up in Germany,’ says Katrin. ‘The first time we tried to buy the cottage the sale fell through, but two years later it came on the market again and we sealed the deal, although an ancient…

Visit… ‘Kingdom (thiskingdom.co. uk) in Penshurst. Kingdom is a beautiful piece of expansive Kentish woodland that is perfect for walks on crisp, autumnal days. At its heart is a striking structure with a café that has incredible views of the Kentish Weald.’ Shop at… ‘Weathered & Worn (weatheredandworn.me) in Hadlow. This is a family-run shop and cosy café selling beautiful vintage homeware alongside homemade cakes and light lunch options.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Poet (thepoetatmatfield.co.uk), set in a charming 16th-century building in the pretty village of Matfield in the heart of the Kent countryside. The ever-changing menu makes great use of the finest Kentish and seasonal produce and never disappoints. The desserts are particularly special.’…

The New Forest is famous for its ‘strings’ of wild ponies, some 5000 of which, owned by residents with commoners’ rights, roam freely across the 220 square mile national park in Hampshire. Somewhat lesser known are the pigs, turned out in autumn to feed on fallen acorns under a system known as ‘pannage’. The animals are managed by the ancient society of Verderers, headquartered in Lyndhurst, the park’s administrative centre. Despite the functional edge, there is charm to the red-roofed high street of this small town. Wild heaths are only a short trot out, via Bolton’s Bench, a hill steeped in legend. IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW Modern-day Lyndhurst is typified by turn-of-the-century architecture, with thatched houses providing a deeper link to the past. The hot tip for autumn 2021,…

Visit… ‘The Nottage Maritime Institute (nottage.org.uk) on Wivenhoe Quay, Essex, has a little museum packed with everything from paintings and photographs to models and artefacts, which is endlessly fascinating.’ Shop at… ‘The Wivenhoe Bookshop (wivenhoebooks.com) is housed in a lovely 17th-century clapboard building. It’s an independent with a friendly knowledgeable team, and it also holds workshops and events.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Loft Tearooms (thelofttearoom.com) are in an Edwardian sail loft in Tollesbury marina and so quirky and charming. They play vintage records, and it’s a lovely place for a light lunch or tea and cakes after a good walk.’…

A MOMENT OF PEACE Gentle green and ecru tones in paintwork and fabrics bring calm to a colour scheme, while tufty rugs, soft throws and tactile wood grain delight the senses. Tikamoon has rattan sofas. The Proctor coffee table at CB2 is similar SPICE OF LIFE The scaffold plank units and concrete walls of this tough-cookie kitchen are given warmth with shades of turmeric and cayenne combined with terracotta, brass and timber accessories. Find similar leather strap shelves on Etsy STAY FOR DINNER Add softness to industrial lighting and reclaimed furniture with layers of fabric and fleece. Try Skinflint for similar lamps and The Fabulous Fleece Company for sheepskins REST EASY A dark wood headboard adds a bold note in a light space, while rattan pendants over simple wooden tables…

FRESH THINKING In a small or narrow space, take the eyes upwards by hanging a statement lighting fixture. It will accentuate the ceiling height and make the space feel bigger than it is. Also, make the most of understairs voids. In this scheme, where the staircase turns, the owners have balanced built-in cupboards with an open alcove housing a bench seat. This, coupled with the neutral palette, creates a further feeling of openness. TAKE A SEAT With their dual purpose of storage and seating, ottomans are among the hardest-working pieces of furniture for the home. Find space for one in the hallway and it can be used to hide all manner of winter and sports wear, keeping the floor space pleasingly free of household clutter. Plus, unlike a built-in window…

■ THINK AHEAD Towel rails have traditionally been plumbed in and connected to your central heating (closed) system, so they’re only on when the radiators are. However, some can be connected to the hot water (open) system, so they stay warm even when the heating is off. ■ DUAL FUEL IS A FLEXIBLE CHOICE Many models can be both plumbed in and wired to an electrical point, for extra flexibility. ■ ELECTRIC-ONLY MODELS These can be switched on and off as required, but any towel rails that use electricity cannot be close to a water source, so above the bath or at the end of an open shower is a no-no. ■ MEASURE THE ROOM, INCLUDING ANY WINDOWS Most suppliers will have a BTU (British Thermal Unit) calculator on their…

1 SMART EXTRACTION It can be tricky to create a satisfactory extraction solution in a low-ceilinged room. Sandy and Camilla felt that an island hood would block the eyeline across the room, so the compact ceiling unit was an unobtrusive choice. Its slimline shape fits neatly between the ceiling joists, with concealed ducting running to the outside of the property. 2 BOLD COLOUR The dark blue-black painted finish of the cabinetry creates instant impact. ‘Strong colour adds interest and character,’ says Camilla. ‘This room has a relatively low ceiling, given the age of the property, and not a huge amount of natural light, so it can be tempting to pick light shades. But that can end up making a space feel bland, whereas this dark hue creates tremendous depth, while…

IT’S TIME TO: Winter-proof your garden Prune long whippy shoots on roses so they don’t suffer wind-rock, and move pots away from windy areas. Put pot feet under containers so the soil won’t freeze. Buy tap covers for your outdoor taps. Plant scented shrubs Plant deciduous scented winter shrubs like Hamamelis (witch hazel), Lonicera x purpusii (winter honeysuckle), or Chimonanthus praecox (wintersweet) in your front garden, or where you’ll see or smell them from the house. You can also move deciduous shrubs while they’re dormant if the soil isn’t waterlogged or frozen. Spruce up for Christmas Clear paths of moss or lichen so visitors don’t slip in icy conditions. Plant some evergreen topiary or a berried shrub like skimmia near your front door. Pop welcoming solar tea lights…

THINGS TO SEE, COLLECT AND DO Collect… sweet chestnuts, which fall from the trees in late autumn. Watch… a starling murmuration. You’re more likely to see one of these spectacular, swooping sky-dances in the colder months, as numbers are bolstered by winter migrants. Learn... about Gilbert White, the world’s first ecologist, at his former house, Selborne, in Hampshire (gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk). Celebrate… Guy Fawkes night at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, 31 Oct to 1 Nov (chatsworth.org). TOASTY TOOTSIES Heading out for a hike? Go the extra mile with these boot socks from British sock maker HJ Hall. Made with super soft cotton, they have a reinforced heel and toe and cushioned foot, so they’re padded and warm and long enough to wear comfortably with walking boots. £7, hj.co.uk SUSTAINABLE SUDS Ditch…

Cath Kidston blinds Demonstrating vintage patterns with a modern twist, iconic British designer Cath Kidston has teamed up with Blinds 2go to launch a delightful range of made-to-measure window dressings. Much-loved designs, including timeless florals, pretty polka dots and even jumping dinosaurs, feature across a palette ranging from peaceful pastels to punchy primary colours. Each design is available as Roman blinds, from £31.95; roller blinds, from £25.70; and curtains, from £34.35. View the full collection at blinds-2go.co.uk. KENT X CROSSLEY RUGS Bespoke rug designer Amy Kent has collaborated with sustainable florist and stylist Willow Crossley to create a distinctive collection of rugs based on British flowers of the four seasons. The colourful designs are crafted in Kathmandu, Nepal, hand-knotted using a traditional weave technique. The design shown here is Winter,…

Visit... ‘Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens (cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk). We visit regularly as, no matter what the season, there’s always something new to see. It’s a great day out – and if it rains just bring a brolly! Also, Blenheim Palace (blenheimpalace.com) is a must if you love history or just enjoy a walk through beautiful manicured grounds.’ Shop at... ‘Burford Garden Company (burford.co.uk) for its chic home interiors and gift shop.’ Go for a meal at... ‘Try Huffkins on Burford High Street (huffkins.com) for afternoon tea.’…

CHARMING CHALET Down a private track in the village of Woodlands, this detached chalet bungalow for £595,000 has three bedrooms (two en suite), and a large country kitchen. HALE AND HEARTY This detached home in the village of Hale has three bedrooms (two en suite), as well as its own private drive and large secluded gardens for £895,000. BUILD YOUR OWN Holmsley Lodge is a dream waiting to happen. The £2.1m purchase comes with planning for a New England-style, four-bed pile, with separate cottage.…

There are a number of ways for an artist to present – and hopefully sell – their work, and a gallery exhibition is, of course, top of the list. ‘A dealer can help get an artist across the rubicon to a place where they’re recognised,’ says gallery owner David Messum (messums.com), who has frequently represented Robina Jack (along with the work of her husband Guy Taplin, daughter Nancy, and late son, Sam). BE UNIQUE ‘There are a lot of good artists out there, but a gallery has to be very selective,’ he explains. ‘You know real talent when you see it – it’s a gut instinct. An artist like Robina has integrity. These kinds of artists go entirely for what they believe in, and find things that we don’t always…

LAYER UP Longer nights signal that it’s time to make your home cosy, and layering your lighting will do just that. Far from a finishing touch, lighting is integral to the success of your room’s design. Think about ambient, accent and task lighting, with overhead, floor, table or wall lamps, so you can soften the mood when you want to relax, and switch things up when you need to see what you’re doing. A GOLDEN GLOW If you’d like your room to be bathed in a warm light, think about the colour of your lampshade on the inside as well as the outside. A drum shade with gold lining on its interior will reflect a golden lustre back into the room. ‘For ambient lighting, frosted or opal bulbs are best.…

ORGANIC QUALITY A gorgeous addition for dining rooms and open-plan kitchen-diners alike, this chic statement piece teams a bleached mango wood surface with a brass-plated iron frame, resulting in a stunningly simple contrast between natural and forged materials. Chevron large dining table, £699, Atkin & Thyme SWEDISH SPREAD Pretty pearl beading and hand-carved flowers at the top of each leg make this gently curved character an ideal choice for timeless schemes. Bespoke options are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes. Oval pearl eight-seater dining table, from £885, Scumble Goosie FARMHOUSE FANCY Made from top-to-toe solid oak, this is a classic country gem. Useful drawers at either end provide storage for cutlery and linens, while the tongue-and-groove style top lends a comforting sense of heritage. Moreton six-ten seater…

Driven by the desire to reveal nature’s spectacular hidden intricacies, British artist Evi Antonio combines digital technology with traditional oil glazing techniques to express her vision of the natural world. Represented by Runway Gallery, an online showcase of contemporary art, Evi looks to create the same sense of curiosity and wonder that a museum specimen cabinet holds. I grew up in north London and dreamt of the countryside. I was fascinated by the images in early natural history books and always loved drawing. I can’t remember when I didn’t carry a sketchbook and pencils with me. After graduating with a degree in scientific and natural history illustration from Middlesex University, I worked as a natural history illustrator. My dream of living in the countryside was realised when I moved to…

CABINETRY Traditional in-frame bespoke kitchen, from £25,000, Peden & Pringle, painted in Basalt intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. SURFACES Iroko island worktop, around £225m, Peden & Pringle. Lagoon quartz surface worktop, from £400sq m, Silestone. Lucca tumbled limestone floor tiles in 60cm x random formats, £79.96sq m; Rococo Mercury mirror glass splashback tiles, 15x30cm, £183.82sq m, both Ca’ Pietra. Walls in French Grey intelligent matt emulsion, £51.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. APPLIANCES B57CR22NOB oven, £1,049; C17MR02NOB compact oven with microwave, £1,129; T56FD50X0 induction hob, £909; KI7853D30G integrated fridgefreezer, £1,138; S515T80D fully integrated dishwasher, £758, all Neff. Heaven compact ceiling extractor, £1,045, Faber. SINKS & TAPS Ionian tap in Pewter, £575, Perrin & Rowe. Icerock 3332-NA sink, £490, Kohler. UTILITY BOOT ROOM [Cabinetry and Lagoon worktops match those of…

IT’S TIME TO: Tidy borders Cut down spent flower stems but leave some as cover for insects. Cut flowers such as spent alliums and honesty for winter flower arrangements. Remove weeds, fork over the soil and add mulch. Pot up herbs Bring herbs indoors. Put sprigs of mint in water to root, then pot them up with multipurpose compost. Divide and pot up chives, parsley and tarragon. Sow basil seeds, several to a pot and water regularly. Plant new fruit trees and bushes Dig a hole wide and deep enough for the plant’s base so it sits just below soil level. Add mycorrhizal fungi such as Rootgrow at the bottom of the hole. Backfill, firm in place with your feet and water well. Hammer in a stake…

1 Cut greenery and put in a bucket to soak for a few hours. 2 Make it into a ‘bouquet’ and tie with a covered elastic band, with ivy or jasmine trailing down. 3 Attach a sprig of berries or baubles. Or thread battery-operated fairy lights through the foliage. 4 Add a pretty Christmas ribbon to hide the elastic band, turn upside down and attach to your front door.…

CREATE A HOME A compost heap or log pile can make a great natural nesting spot. Or create your own hedgehog home (hibernacula) out of untreated wood (treated wood can be toxic to them), with a small tunnel or doorway so foxes can’t get in; place in an undisturbed area of your garden. LEAVE FOOD Meat-based wet dog or cat food has the protein the hogs need. Leave it in a shallow dish around sunset, with a shallow bowl of water. WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more tips on how to help our spiky friends, visit hedgehogstreet.org…

Back-to-work essential If you’re taking food into work, pack this cool bit of culinary kit in with your lunch. A collaboration between Pentatonic and I Am Other (a creative collective assembled by music producer Pharrell Williams), it’s made from discontinued CDs and means you can avoid using single-use plastic. Named Pebble, it contains all the eating utensils you need for lunch al-desko. £49, otherware.co FRENCH TWIST Fans of Bonne Maman’s Gallic goodies should check out its new offering – all-natural yogurts in three temptingly fruity flavours: Rhubarb and Strawberry, Morello Cherry and Violet Fig (£2.50 each, available at most supermarkets). Even better, the iconic red gingham lid, pot and seal can all be widely recycled. CATCH OF THE DAY A whole, baked fish makes a big impression at the dinner…