Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2021 i Country Homes & Interiors

I’m really happy to be starting 2021 as editor of Country Homes & Interiors. I’ve actually been working on the magazine for the past two years, so it’s a joy to step into this role and continue to work with this brilliant team to share our celebration of modern-country style, inspiring homes, recipes, gardens and more. A new year always feels like an opportunity to reset and focus on what’s important to us, and I know we are all hoping that the next 12 months will bring more good news and positivity than the last. So many of the rural artisans, makers and businesses we champion continue to struggle and I want to support them in our pages. But I also want to make space for the small moments and…

“I PREFER THINGS TO LOOK RAW AND NATURAL. THE NUMEROUS SPILLS, STAINS AND RESTOREDBREAKAGES ONLY ADD TO THE PIECES’ STORIES” Kelly and Jonathan’s dining room at their home in West Yorkshire really comes into its own at Christmas when the couple and their children gather around the table, which is decorated with swathes of greenery brought in from the garden. ‘We tried going out for a meal once,’ says Kelly, ‘but it wasn’t for us. We like to stay at home.’ Home is a handsome Grade II-listed country house, with roaring fires, squishy sofas and plenty of room to spread out. The family previously lived in a converted barn, which they outgrew. ‘The barn was very contemporary in style. I wanted something with more history and character; something that felt…

Kelly’s style tip... DISPLAY VINTAGE COLLECTABLES ON OPEN SHELVING AND DRESS WITH TWINKLING LIGHTS AND FOLIAGE SPRIGS FOR A MAGICAL TOUCH.…

Josephine Maydon is a magpie for old things and her favourite pastime is scouring reclamation yards, so it should come as no surprise to find her living in a Georgian house with Regency and Victorian extensions. Except, gorgeous as her characterful home is, it isn’t period at all. Josephine lives in a cleverly designed new build that looks as though it’s evolved over time, yet it was built over a 12-month time span in 2014. ‘We moved from North Yorkshire in 2009 to be closer to family,’ she explains. ‘My sister was in nearby Moreton Pinkney and we had always walked around this area, setting off across the fields from her house. There was this beautiful spot, a real hidden gem, just outside the village; my brother-in-law suggested we post…

Visit… ‘Chatsworth (chatsworth. org), near Bakewell, is lovely at this time of year as they decorate the house beautifully for the festivities and have a lovely market where you can buy unusual gifts. Walking on Kinder Scout (visitpeakdistrict.com) is breathtaking on a winter’s morning.’ Shop at… ‘Bamford Auctioneers (bamfords-auctions.co.uk) in Bakewell is where I’ve bought most of the paintings for the house.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Sett Valley Café (settvalleycafe.com) in Birch Vale in the High Peak is dog, child and horse-friendly and serves breakfast all day. It also has a ‘silly drinks’ menu that is pretty indulgent but after a long walk you’ll have earned it, along with a slice of really excellent homemade cake.'…

SOULFUL NATURE Effortlessly beautiful, this pared-back story takes a sensory stroll through rustic textures, natural materials and peaceful neutrals. Love this look? Then try... • Cox & Cox for the Scandi Lakehouse edit of hand-blown baubles, imprinted ceramics and eternity flora. • Rowen & Wren for striking, frozen-in-time glass decorations with crafted appeal. • Nordic House for handcrafted, nature-inspired details. NIGHT SKY Sparkle and shine! Turn your festive home into a sophisticated starry night, with decadent midnight hues, twinkling details and celestial motifs. This trend delivers contemporary elegance, playing out a contrast of light and dark, day and night. Offset rich navy tones with glistening silvers, pearlescent finishes and warm, flickering candlelight to rocket your space into the style stratosphere. Love this look? Then try ... • The White Company…

STYLE A WELCOMING TABLE Gather in an invitingly chic dining setting. Lay the table with considered crockery and glassware, interspersed with draped and potted festive foliage, buds and sprigs. Delight in the details TRIGGER FESTIVE SPIRITS WITH SCENTED OFFERINGS. EASILY HOME-CRAFTED, HERB AND SPICE FIRELIGHTERS FILL THE AIR WITH SEASONAL FRAGRANCE BRING THE OUTSIDE IN Connect with nature with gathered greenery made into beautiful arrangements at thresholds, hallways and entrances. A scheme of black furniture against white wood is a smart foil for the foliage. TAKE A PAUSE A decorative nook with a neat peg shelf creates a reason to stop and linger. Watering hanging plants and noting special days can bring a mindful moment to a busy corridor. FIND PEACE & COMFORT A luxe look in a living room…

BEAUTIFY THE TABLE ‘Over the festive season, we like to use a mixture of bud vases with dried flowers, including helichrysum, in warm jewel-like tones. Put larger headed flowers, like the helichrysum at the neck of the vase and airy grasses dancing on top to create movement without interrupting conversation across the table.’ Kitten Grayson, plantswoman, Kitten Grayson Flowers Make the main course memorable ‘I’ll be serving the seared duck breast with beetroot and cherry ponzu from my new book Australian Food (£20, Murdoch Books). It’s surprisingly easy, but is still a special dish that makes it worthy of Christmas lunch.’ Bill Granger, chef SET THE MOOD WITH LIGHTING ‘I love low glows that extend the day into night. It’s surprisingly wonderful how illuminating lamps in the evening and lighting…

NATURAL TEXTURE Add a touch of tactility and rustic appeal with this handmade, woven wonder. Use the shelf to display plants and books, and double it up as a bar cart ready for hot toddy o’clock. Rattan side table with shelf, £175, Ella James METALLIC WALTZ Scallop details marry with a tasteful glass top and sophisticated antique finish on this Art Deco-style marvel. Deco champagne iron side table, £149, Libra Interiors “PUNCTUATE EVEN THE MOST AWKWARD OF NOOKS AND CRANNIES – THERE’S A SHAPE, FIT AND STYLE TO SUIT ALL!” ENDURING SIMPLICITY Featuring graceful proportions and a refined silhouette, this French, 1950s inspiration is a timeless choice. Winning the versatility stakes, it would work well as either a coffee or side table. Ingram brass coffee table, £278, Rowen & Wren…

■ THERE IS SUCH A THING AS TOO BIG Make sure you choose a vanity unit that will not overcrowd your bathroom. Ensure you can open and close cupboard doors and have free passage around the room. ■ A DOUBLE SINK DESIGN MAY BE PREFERABLE Personalise the area around your half with favourite toiletries and beauty supplies. ■ NATURAL MATERIALS ARE OFTEN BEST Wood, preferably from a sustainable source, is a great option as it’s hard-wearing, will cope with changes in room temperature and humidity, and if you want a different look down the line, it could be painted. ■ IT’S WORTH SPLASHING OUT ON THE TOP For their practical but opulent feel, marble and stone tops are both lovely choices, although they are expensive. ■ THEY ARE GREAT AT…

1 HOUSEKEEPER’S CUPBOARD Inspired by a traditional cook’s larder, the housekeeper’s cupboard is an impressive width, with refrigeration for food at one end, then a dresser-style middle section with wine storage below, and finally a dried food store at the end nearest the Aga. Here, the oak interior includes a marble ‘cold shelf’ that’s perfect for cheese platters and butter. Herbs and spices are stored neatly on racks behind both doors, and the space also includes an electric socket for a coffee machine or toaster. 2 SHAPELY UPSTANDS ‘We love the detail on the upstands that surround the sink units. This was inspired by old washstand ends. We were looking to add more detail – a vintage touch – to this elevation and Jasper suggested the curved end, bullnose front…

WHAT TO SEE, PLANT & DO Sort out… your kitchen cupboards and start the new year afresh. Plant... a tree. Visit New Wood Trees in South Devon and choose from a wide variety of field-grown trees. Delivery available nationwide (newwoodtrees.co.uk). Spot... the first signs of spring on a snowdrop walk at the gardens of Stourhead, Wiltshire (nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead). Make... marmalade. Small, sharp Seville oranges are at their best mid-January. CELEBRATE THE SEASONS Textile designer and artist Isla Middleton has created a gorgeous 2021 calendar with her sister Bryony Middleton, head gardener at the historic Sharpham estate in south Devon. Each month includes an original full-page lino print of seasonal fruit or veg, as well as practical growing tips and advice. 2021 Growing Through The Seasons calendar, £14, Isla Middleton…

TARQUIN’S GIN Take a 90-minute weekend tour of the distillery and learn about the history of Tarquin’s and the botanicals in gin. Make sure you give yourself time for the shop, where you can buy a bottle of the blood orange gin. THE CAMEL TRAIL What was once Padstow’s direct train line to London has been repurposed as an 18-mile country trail. Cycling is best if you want to explore it all; keep an eye out for remnants of the old train line. THE NATIONAL LOBSTER HATCHERY Based on Padstow’s South Quay, this marine conservation charity’s work is vital for Cornwall’s fishing communities. Get hands-on and even adopt your own lobster.…

Things that make us happy...“CREATING A COMFORTING HOME AND WELCOMING HAVEN FOR THOSE WE LOVE ”…

Owners  Kelly lives here with her husband Jonathan, a businessman, her four children, Ryder, 11, Casper, seven, Tabitha, three, and Tara, two; plus two giant schnauzers, Huxley and Otto, and a miniature schnauzer, Kaiser. They moved here in 2015. House  A Grade II-listed part-Georgian, part-Victorian five-bedroom house with a six-acre landscaped garden. The drive The approach to the house passes a mature birch tree. Kitchen There are views of the front garden from the window. Kitchen, Plain English. Cookie jars, Nkuku Dining room The elegant space gets a lot of use at Christmas. Solid oak parquet floor, Eco Flooring. Fire dogs; grate, both Feature Fireplaces Harrogate. Chandelier, Agapanthus Interiors. Plaster ceiling in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball. Hall The chest was cut to size to fit the space. Urn; mirrors, both…

Visit… ‘Blenheim Palace (blenheimpalace.com) in Woodstock, home to the Duke of Marlborough, and Stowe House and Garden (stowe. co.uk/house) are wonderful houses to visit and also have special markets and events for Christmas.’ Shop at… ‘David Mumford & Sons (01295760212, facebook.com/ davidmumfordandsons) is a mobile butcher serving the Banbury area that visits Ashbrook on a Saturday morning. As well as top-quality meat, it sells fresh fruit and vegetables, delicious pies, cheese and cakes delivered straight to the door.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Crown Inn (thecrownweston.co.uk) at Weston serves up delicious food including great Sunday roasts.’…

Grantchester Meadows in Cambridge has a lot to answer for. This pastoral landscape has influenced a wealth of creative luminaries, from the Bloomsbury Group to poet Rupert Brooke, and even Pink Floyd. ‘We think we were the first gin producers to be inspired by all it has to offer though,’ says Lucy Lowe who founded Cambridge Gin Distillery with her husband William nine years ago. ‘We were walking our labrador Darcy in the meadows near our home, talking over business ideas, and quite literally had a eureka moment when we realised that we were surrounded by the most beautiful, fresh botanicals, which could be used to create something very special.’ That something special turned out to be gin – an obvious choice given William’s formidable knowledge of wine and spirits…

STYLE A WELCOMING TABLE Pale Grey linen tablecloth, £79, Nordic House. Speckled mineral bowls, £70 for six; dinner plates, £85 for six, both Cox and Cox. Antonia napkins in Olive, £44 for six; Handsworth cutlery in Olive, £80 for a 24-piece set; Lulworth side plates in Grey, £54 for six; Tussock sheepskin rug, £129, all Neptune. Oak plates, £40 for four, Ash and Plumb. Olive glass tealight holders, £6 each, Daylesford. Canopy recycled glass tumblers, £30 for four; Caro balloon glass goblets in Leaf, £38 for four; Gems amber tumblers (shown as tealight holders), £35 for four, all LSA International. Luxury Christmas crackers, £36 for six; presents in Holly Christmas, and Oak Leaves and Acorns wrapping paper, both £9.95 for five sheets, all Nancy and Betty. Green glass bauble, £8,…

IN THE ROUND Set the scene this festive season by suspending a wreath above the table Scandinavian-style. Fresh green not only complements the tree itself, but is on trend for a modern Christmas palette. ‘Green and white – without any red – strikes the balance between traditional and contemporary,’ says Kyra Cosgrove, home designer at Neptune. ‘The key to making it feel stylish, yet magical, is to contrast natural materials with subtle metallics and luxurious velvets.’ AGED BEAUTY Walls in a warming spiced hue, exposed oak beams and painted floorboards combine to create a dining room packed with interest and light. Demonstrating how to handle historic interiors without resorting to high formality, decorator Henry Miller-Robinson, co-founder of K&H Design, uses colour and over-scaled flower arrangements to create warmth and character.…

■ HOW DO THEY WORK? Most smart doorbells connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and then communicate with your smartphone via a dedicated app. Some can also connect via ethernet cable if your Wi-Fi isn’t totally reliable. Depending on the doorbell you have already, you can choose a wired or battery-powered design. ■ DO I REALLY NEED ONE? For most people the real benefit of a video doorbell is being able to safely talk to a visitor – welcome or otherwise – from wherever you are in the world. Most brands also sell compatible cameras, sensors and alarms to create a complete home security system based around a single smartphone app. ■ DO THEY REQUIRE A SUBSCRIPTION? Not all video doorbells require a subscription, many come with onboard microSD card slots…

CABINETRY The Heritage kitchen, from £25,000, Middleton; in Chalky Black eggshell, £69 for 2.5ltr, Middleton; and Huguenot eggshell, £69 for 2.5ltr, Mylands SURFACES Bianco Eclipse quartzite worktops, £1,000sq m; fossilised limestone floor tiles, £54sq m, both Middleton. Walls in Threadneedle marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands APPLIANCES Aga five-oven Total Control in Pewter, from £13,825, Middleton. KI87VVS30G Integrated 70/30 fridge-freezers, £673 each; IQ500 fully integrated dishwasher, £829, both Siemens SINKS & TAPS Callisto four-hole mixer tap with pullout spout, £952; pot filler tap with crosshead handles, £767, both in Aged Brass, Perrin & Rowe. Iron/Tones smart divide sink in White, £1,202, Kohler ACCESSORIES Sleek Flat pendants in brass, £89 each, Industville. Fabulous wall lights in Black, £89 each, Rockett St George. Tuck bar stools in Mylands’ Huguenot, £80 each,…

Gluttonous gifts Any green-fingered foodie will adore a gift from The Gluttonous Gardener. Our favourites are the quince and medlar trees, which both come with preserves (£35 each, glut.co.uk). Alternatively, go for the Ancient Fruit crate (£40) which comes with one of each, though no jelly. The plants have beautiful flowers and the fruits are increasing in popularity, especially for those who like to make their own deliciously tangy preserves. HONEY, HONEY, HONEY Black Bee Honey’s Food Lovers Box (£45, blackbeehoney.com) is ideal for the bee lover in your life. Containing spring, summer and autumn honey, two beeswax candles, a honey dipper and beeswax wrap, this set really does celebrate everything the bee has to offer. Black Bees are the original British honey bee, nearly on the verge of extinction,…

TAKE EVERYTHING OUT Don’t neglect anything lurking at the back, you need to be ruthless and completely empty your wardrobe on to the bed. Clean the inside of your wardrobe. SELECT OR REJECT Pick up and look at each item individually and decide its fate – keep, repair, donate or sell. REORGANISE BY COLOUR OR CATEGORY As you put the clothes you’re keeping back in, group them together by type or colour. Axel wooden clothes rail, £545; Linnea curved chair, £475; curly sheepskin pouf, £350, all Nordic House…

Woven rainbows at Roger Oates Bring cheerful warmth into the home with the new Quill Stripe and Quill collection of heavily textured herringbone rugs from Roger Oates Design. First produced as a way of using up excess yarn, they’re customer favourites and new colourways are launched regularly. Buffalo Quill Stripe, £450, Roger Oates A NEW COAT OF PAINT Created to conquer endless trips to DIY stores and messy tester pot terrors, Coat has launched a hassle-free range of high-grade, consciously made paints in a curated range of 30 on-trend colours. And the biggest draw – the range features easy (recyclable) peel-and-stick swatches to make testing colours at home a doddle. Moritz; My Island; Pool House, all £40 for 2.5ltr, Coat. All shades are available in three finishes, with free next…

Visit… ‘Yorkshire Sculpture Park (ysp.org.uk) outside Wakefield is a 10-15-minute drive away. There are art winter walks and special events at Christmas and the shop is good for gifts.’ Shop at… ‘There is a good mix of antique and contemporary homeware and furniture at Agapanthus Interiors (agapanthusinteriors.com) in Stockport. I especially like the lighting.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Devour at The Dyehouse (devour.co.uk), Holmfirth, serves small plates of Italian food made from local produce, and homemade gelato. The festive tipples are recommended for a treat.’…

Visit… ‘Castle Howard (castlehoward.co.uk) is magical at Christmas with a tree in every room. It is a great place for Christmas decorating ideas and has a well-stocked gift shop, too.’ Shop at… ‘I shop for decorations at local garden centres including Hornsea Garden Centre in Hornsea and Gilberdyke Garden Centre in Gilberdyke (both at britishgardencentres.com), as well as Langlands (langlandsgardencentre. co.uk) in Shiptonthorpe.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Hotham Arms (thehothamarms.co.uk) in Hotham, a family-run pub with roaring fires and bags of character. Every time I go there I spot something interesting I’ve never noticed before.’…

When something is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly,‘ says award-winning education consultant Holly Hartley. ‘I’ve worked in some of the most deprived schools in the UK and abroad and I know the only way to turn a difficult situation around is to create a team of passionate people and inspire them to overcome any challenges they might face.’ Similarly, four years ago, Holly knew she’d need a talented team of renovation experts when she and husband Al took on this 400-year-old farmhouse – the décor was a little tired and the way the outbuildings were being used needed a huge rethink. Working with an expert team was an education in design and project planning. Despite being a tad more remote than they’d originally planned, the couple were certain it…

TREASURE CHEST The Georgian façade of this three double-bedroom townhouse in the middle of Woodstock, belies a sleekly remodelled interior. Not a snip at £1,250,000. PRACTICALLY PERFECT For £575,000, this three-storey family home near the town centre comes with a garden and parking. There are three double bedrooms and a woodburner. A LOVELY MANOR This grade-II listed cottage with courtyard garden and two bedrooms sits on a private side road with easy access to the town centre. On the market for £435k.…

Master distiller William Lowe shares the philosophy and method that has seen the Cambridge Distillery grow from being the UK’s smallest distillery to the international award-winning business it is today… THINK DIFFERENTLY ‘When we established the company, we deliberately took a very different direction, not only in the method we use to create our gin, but in our business approach, too,’ says William. ‘People often assume that tried and trusted is the only way forward in terms of production, feasibility and economics, but we looked at what perfection meant for us first, then how we would achieve it. I’d advise anyone to start with a blank piece of paper: if you simply copy what someone else has already done, you’ll only adopt their mistakes as well as their successes.’ The…

*60 MUMSNET USERS TRIED EASYCLEAN® MATT EMULSION. 98% WOULD RECOMMEND FEATURE LAURIE DAVIDSON Spending time choosing not only how we’re going to decorate our rooms, but the materials we use, means we can take pride in our homes and enjoy our interiors every single day. It seems a shame then, that our efforts can be let down so easily when it comes to scuffed paintwork or dirty fingerprints on the walls. Without forever touching up those knocks and scrapes, it’s hard to know how to avoid them, but we have found a solution that will save you time, money and effort – and leave you feeling reassured that your freshly painted walls will stay in top condition for years to come. Introducing easyclean®, the washable paint range from Crown. Specially…

THE FIVE-STAR EXPERIENCE Bring some boutique hotel flair to the basics. Place folded towels at the end of the bed, stack the pillows against the headboard, adding a decorative boudoir cushion, and layer on a beautiful quilt or blanket. Create a giftable welcome pack – it could include beauty goodies, slippers, a sleep spray and an eye mask. Finally, treat the senses with a gorgeous scented candle or diffuser. ADD LUXURY IN LAYERS White sheets not only give a fresh, welcoming finish, they’re a great base for layering on colourful or patterned throws and cushions, too. A 300-thread count is the ideal match to hotel-style quality. Give a couple of pillow options, firm and soft, and top a medium-tog duvet with a throw for the option of added warmth. For…

FRENCH BEAUTY ‘Choosing a vanity unit comes down to storage preferences. Go for a large cupboard style for towels and cleaning products or one with smaller drawers for make-up,’ says Ellis Dean Odey, creative designer at Catchpole & Rye. With its distinctive bow front and shaped marble splashback, this beautiful handcrafted piece has a stylish French look. Use it as a starting point for your decorating scheme and build your look around it with traditional sanitaryware. ELEGANT LINES “VANITY UNITS HIDE ANY UGLY PLUMBING AND BRING WITH THEM A FANTASTIC STORAGE OPPORTUNITY”CAROLINE ROUCH, FURNITURE MANAGER, MAISONS DU MONDE ‘Try not to think about the vanity unit in isolation, but, instead, how it will occupy the space and enhance your preferred layout,’ says James Stevenson, creative director at Imperial Bathrooms. This…

Meticulous organisation led the design of Jemima and Dan Matheson’s kitchen, which they commissioned when converting a home from long-disused (and kitchen-less) stable blocks, bought in late 2018. ‘The promise of being able to plan the size, use and position of every cupboard and drawer was a huge part of the property’s appeal,’ says Jemima. ‘We love to cook and entertain, but the experience is so much more enjoyable when everything is exactly where you need it.’ Realising bespoke was their best option for tailored storage, the couple turned to Jasper Middleton. ‘We could tell he would provide the quality we were after, but we also loved that Jasper shared our obsession with well-honed storage,’ says Jemima. Working together, they established the purpose of every unit – from base-lined drawers…

QUAIL KIEVS A perfect party snack, these are fun to make and kids love them. Try swapping quail for partridge breast fillets when the bird is in season, or large, boneless chicken thighs. SERVES 4 AS A SNACK 6 whole quail 80g panko breadcrumbs 50g plain flour 1 egg, beaten Light rapeseed oil, for deep-frying Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper FOR THE GARLIC BUTTER 2 small garlic cloves 10g flat-leaf parsley leaves, very finely chopped 80g butter, softened 1 To make the garlic butter, finely chop the garlic with a pinch of salt on a wooden board. Add the chopped parsley, a little salt and pepper, and the softened butter and work the mixture together. 2 Prepare the quail by removing the breasts with the wing bone still…

HEAVENLY SCENTED Pretty little pots of bulbs wrapped in decorated paper and tied with twine are a great gift idea. Plant bulbs close together in pots filled with bulb fibre, try Narcissus papyraceus ‘Ziva’, £8.99 for 10 bulbs, crocus.co.uk. Make sure the growing tips are protruding just above the top of the compost. Then put them in a cool, dark place for eight weeks before bringing them out. BIG & BOLD The beautiful showy blooms of hippeastrum (also known as amaryllis) look wonderfully festive in a simple, modern arrangement. Their rich colours and structured look make a strong statement for the Christmas table. Alternatively, mix some branches of silver birch or pussy willow in among the flower stems for a more relaxed feel. Put in an early order from the…

SPICY NOTES Made in England and enriched with all natural ingredients, this unusual combination of wild fig and saffron will help to soothe and uplift at the start or end of the day. Wild Fig and Saffron bath salts, £14, Plum and Ashby ZERO WASTE Beauty brand Buff makes all its natural products in Devon. The hand-harvested sea salt is blended with pure essential oils. Nuit sea salt bath soak, £30, Buff KEEP CALM Pour a generous handful into warm running water and soothe tired, aching muscles with a good long soak. The Epsom salts will help to relax the mind and body. Sleepyhead bath salt blend, £22, Made By Coopers…