Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i Country Homes & Interiors

There’s a new-broom, dusting off the cobwebs feeling to February, which is why I’ve been on a mission to clear my kitchen surfaces and organise my filing (the cupboard under the stairs will have to wait). Of course, the end result of any clearout is more than a tidy space – a home that’s arranged just as you want it (calm, cluttered, or somewhere in between) is a home that makes you feel content and at ease. If you’re looking for a little motivation, turn to our Everything in its Place feature on page 88. With all the time we’ve spent within our own four walls recently, you may have decided that more drastic action is needed to help you fall in love with your home again. Whether it’s reconfiguring…

A three-month work contract is what originally brought Sam Nixon and her husband Grant Snowden to Malmö, Sweden’s third largest city. Almost 20 years later, the couple, along with their two daughters, are still settled there, having left their globetrotting life behind them. ‘We had travelled from Australia to South America, but we were living in Texas when we decided that we wanted to live in Europe for a while. Then Sam was offered a contract here in Malmö, so our coming here was mostly coincidental,’ says Grant. The spacious apartment in an 1870s building in the city’s historic Gamla Väster district was a rare find. ‘We were incredibly lucky to get the opportunity to purchase this apartment, split across two floors. The attic was in really bad condition, but…

Visit… ‘The stunning fortress of Bourtange (bourtange.nl). A village and landscaped gardens are contained within its star-shaped setting. It’s beautiful all year round, but its topiary is especially impressive in the winter months.’ Shop at… ‘Folkingestraat in Groningen. Proclaimed as the best shopping street in the Netherlands, it features specialist shops including vintage wares, gifts and souvenirs.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Hotel Boschhuis (hotelboschhuis.nl), known locally for its delicious seasonal Dutch menus.’…

We know how much you like to browse the houses we feature in Country Homes & Interiors, but to be sure we’re featuring homes you really love to look at, we’re asking you to fill in a short online survey – and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win £100-worth of Amazon vouchers when you do. Tell us more about the types of property you want to see, the design styles that inspire you and the rooms and project ideas you’d like to see more of. Go online to fill in the survey now at idealhome.co.uk/countryhomessurvey2021…

The one lesson I’ve learnt...“DON’T TRY TO DO IT ALL YOURSELF; GET HELP WHERE AND WHEN YOU NEED IT. THE BEST THING I EVER DID WAS EMPLOY A BOOKKEEPER! ” Imogen Driver and her sister Leonie Taibi have seen Little Cotton Clothes grow steadily since it was founded in 2016. They explain their approach… BELIEVE IN YOUR PRODUCT ‘We only make clothes we genuinely love,’ says Leonie. ‘Otherwise it’s hard to keep enthusiasm and focus – and you need that in good times and bad. If you love what you do, that authenticity shines through, and that in turn inspires trust and confidence from your customers.’ DO YOUR RESEARCH Finding the best manufacturers and suppliers and building strong, trusted relationships is key to success. ‘If you want your product made…

TABLE TALK Make a cosy corner for winter dining with a circular table drawn up near a fire. An upholstered bench makes for comfortable seating, while the round rug claims the space in an open-plan setting. A warm glow ADOPT THE MOOD-BOOSTING SCANDI HABIT OF LIGHTING A CANDLE, MORNING, NOON OR NIGHT. CHOOSE NATURAL SCENTS FOR GENTLE STRESS RELEASE WARM & COSY Reinvent the traditional fireside scene with a contemporary stove framed by a view, rather than a mantel. With soft drapes, squishy upholstery and a comfy pouffe, the look is a new take on country style. Refined rustic THE LOOK IS ELEGANT YET EASY. MARRY SOFT LINENS AND SUBTLE TEXTURE WITH NEAT LINES, BARE BRICK AND STEAM-BENT WOOD IN A GENTLE, NATURE-INSPIRED PALETTE DREAM CATCHER Combine toasty shades and…

■ START BY MEASURING UP The standard size of most baths is around 1700x700mm, though some models do come in smaller sizes. If space allows, you could also opt for a larger design for a more indulgent soak. ■ CHOOSE BETWEEN FREE-STANDING AND FITTED Which one you choose will depend on the size of your space and how you intend to use it. If you need it to have an overhead shower, then a fitted design is more practical. ■ CONSIDER THE WEIGHT Find out how much a bathtub weighs before you buy, as you may need to call in the professionals to ensure your home is structurally sound. This could mean having your flooring reinforced if you go for a cast-iron or stone design – particularly if it is…

1 COOK’S TABLE ‘In a slender space, a narrow island tends to look stingy and as if it might topple over,’ explains Drew Forsyth & Co designer Leigh Topping. ‘A cook’s table, however, with light passing through its base, looks much more balanced.’ Finished with chunky, traditional-style legs, this sturdy table has a granite top to offer preparation and serving space. It also includes drawers, a fitted oak chopping board and tray, with a slatted base for baskets and pots. ‘It makes a fantastic, multi-functional centrepiece in the room,’ says Wendy. 2 COLOUR ‘I went to the stone yard to pick the granite for the worktops as my starting point,’ says Wendy, who chose a stone to complement the limestone floor. She echoed the granite’s flecks of deep purple and…

OVEN-BAKED LENTIL SOUP WITH GREENS Make a big batch of this simple, delicious soup; the flavours will deepen the longer it is left. You can swap in different ingredients depending on your mood and the season – kale, Swiss chard or perpetual spinach, or even parsley (stems and all) are all great additions. SERVES 6-8 2ltr chicken or vegetable stock 225g dried yellow split peas 225g dried green or brown lentils 4 carrots, scrubbed, trimmed and chopped into 2.5cm pieces 4 celery stalks, chopped into 2.5cm pieces 1 leek, chopped into 2.5cm pieces 2 bay leaves 1½tsp ground cumin ½tsp salt 1tsp pepper Large bunch seasonal greens (about 250g), stripped away from any large stems, then sliced Chopped herbs, to garnish Crusty bread and butter, to serve (optional) 1 Preheat…

• Available in single or double flowers, every one of 1,500+ named cultivars has distinctive markings in green or yellow on the inner or outer petals. • Try GalanthusG. ‘S. Arnott’ which has a great scent, multiplies quickly and is relatively disease resistant; or Galanthus ‘Straffan’ that bears two flowers per bulb. • Buy them in the green – they establish better, and tend not to be scrubbed up by squirrels. • Leaving the bulbs until the foliage has completely died down allows them to absorb nutrients and replenish for the next year. • To avoid the risk of virus infection, only buy or swap bulbs from trusted sources. • Plant twice as deep as the bulb is long, and 5cm apart in well-drained soil with added grit and organic matter such as rotted leaf mould.…

LIGHT SHOW Choose how long the scent diffuses for with different timed settings. Plus, it also features seven colour settings – choose just one or cycle slowly through them all. Ultrasonic diffuser, £50, John Lewis & Partners CLEAN AESTHETIC This best-seller is beautifully made from ceramic with a smart wooden base. Use with your favourite White Company fragrance and the aroma will fill your home in minutes. £65, The White Company POP OF COLOUR This diffuser is concealed by a ridged ceramic cover. Choose from Peach, Grey or Sage Green to blend in with or add an accent colour to your interior. Electric oil aroma diffuser, £45, Oliver Bonas…

CAFE BRAZIL This sunny slice of South America on Maldon’s high street serves delicious, well-presented tapasstyle specialities, from cassava fries to classic bean stews, in a relaxed and welcoming setting. THE MOOT HALL Book a tour of the former medieval home of Sir Robert D’Arcy, now a wedding venue with a unique 15th-century curved brick staircase, flower bedecked balcony and striking bell tower. JUST THE THING Stock up on presents at this good-looking homeware store selling gifts such as equestrian-inspired wine racks, locally made candles and condiment sets for storing Maldon’s famous salt.…

Things that make us happy...“ROMANCING THE SEASON WITH EARLY SUNSETS AND BIGGER-THE-BETTER JUMPERS ❞…

Visit… ‘A trip to Falsterbo and Skanör are a must, only half an hour from Malmö. Beautiful beaches, pretty beach huts and charming houses.’ Shop at… ‘Our favourite store in Malmö is Miloii (miloii.se), with a wonderful selection of Danish, Swedish and French clothes, as well as a small, but beautifully curated selection of homeware.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Malmö Saluhall has great restaurants, as well as a bakery, fishmongers, a butcher and a farm shop. Solde Kaffebar (solde.se) has the best coffee in Malmö, with beans roasted at their own roastery in the city.’…

Visit… ’The Burford Antique Centre (burfordantiquecentre.co.uk) located in the stunning Cotswold town of Burford. I adore walking up and down the pretty high street, dipping in and out of the antiques shops and abundant independent stores.’ Shop at… ‘The Oxford Brush Company (oxfordbrushcompany.com) in Burford. They supply artisanal, handcrafted brushes and brooms, which are both functional and beautiful; plus many other household goods.’ Go for a meal at... ’The Bell (thebelllangford.com) in Langford is in a modern country setting and a firm favourite for a relaxed pub lunch. Owned by locals, Peter Creed and Tom Noest, they combine classic British food with wood-fired dishes and great wines.’…

‘ The idea for our childrenswear business, Little Cotton Clothes, started out as a casual conversation with my sister, Leonie, four years ago,’ recalls Imogen Driver. ‘We were sitting on our mum’s sofa chatting about the lack of lovely, simple children’s clothing available. Neither of us felt taken with what was readily on the market, which we thought was either too “trendy” and throwaway, or terribly expensive.’ The pair found themselves reminiscing about dresses their mother had made for them and their other two sisters as children, and the sweet clothes worn by storybook characters such as Milly-Molly-Mandy and Christopher Robin. Despite the nostalgic appeal, however, the sisters also recognised that clothes needed to be practical, too. ‘We have five children between us, so we know all about the need…

Tell us about your design background. As a child, I used to draw and paint a lot, and I particularly liked to use yarns and textile materials, but I hadn’t tried weaving until my first degree in textile conservation, where I came across different textile making techniques. I then studied textile design and specialised in hand weaving at Chelsea College of Arts. I love weaving because it combines creativity, maths and incredible machinery (the loom). Where do you find creative inspiration? Inspiration comes from many different places, it could be a location, a book, a song, a memory, a person, an artwork, a weaving technique, materials and fibres or nature. I grew up in Athens and draw inspiration from my Greek heritage, as well as the British landscape, which I…

A HOME IN HARMONY Back board painted in Valspar Norwegian Wood L10BW18D gloss finish, £21 for 1ltr, B&Q. Walls painted in Strong White estate emulsion No.2001, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Organic granola, £5.99; organic whole wheat bran flakes, £2.99; Band White salad bowl, £29 each; Band White dinner plates, £18 each; White and Green enamel mugs, £9 each; bowl, £10; teapot, £29; organic cranberry & orange split oats, £4.99; Henry storage jar, £22; organic self-raising wholemeal flour, £1.99; anti-bacterial hand rub, £10; White & Natural check napkin, £10, all Daylesford. Lotta container with natural wood lids, £27 for small; £45 for large; Amber tumblers, £24 for two, all LSA. Gertrud bamboo cups, £19 for six; oak salt and pepper grinders, £79, all Folk Interiors. Premium raw oak honey,…

LITERARY REFLECTIONS Create a ‘hall of mirrors’ with these impressive hand-made statement pieces. Six fixed mirrored glass shelves feature an antiqued finish, edged with wood painted antique gold – every inch is mirrored, including the undersides. Line them up and watch light bounce. Versailles ashmolean bookshelves in Antique Bronze, £1,695, Oka FLEXISCANDI “INJECT CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY INTO FUNCTIONAL PIECES WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF STAGGERED HEIGHTS, VARIED SHAPES AND ECLECTIC STYLES ” Just the thing for home office headquarters, this asymmetric beauty offers both open and veneer panelled storage areas. Lars open shelving unit, £799, Heal’s CURATE & CONTRAST Display beloved tomes among other treasures in this stylish, open-book design. Tiered and fabulously freestanding, an antique brass-plated frame hugs whitewashed mango wood. Laguna shelving unit, £599, Atkin & Thyme VISIONARY TWIST…

■ HOW DO THEY WORK? Based around a fan and a filter – often made from paper or fibreglass – most purifiers suck dirty air through them causing the pollutants and particles to be captured, then clean air is pushed back out into the room. These filters generally need replacing every few months to maintain efficiency. Other designs use ionisers to help attract particles — negative ions bond to dust particles and remove them from the air. ■ DO I REALLY NEED ONE? While we rightly hear a lot about the harmful effects of outside air pollution, indoor air can be five times as dirty, and this is one of the leading causes for respiratory complaints. An air purifier will help eliminate these airborne nasties, which could be of huge…

CABINETRY Bespoke Classic Chamfer kitchen with bespoke dining table and bench seating. Kitchen cabinetry, from £20,000, Drew Forsyth & Co; in Preference Red and Paean Black estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball SURFACES Similar Seagrass granite worktops and upstands, from £5,000; similar antiqued mirror splashback, from £500; both Drew Forsyth & Co. Bayonne Provence limestone floor tiles, from £70.80m sq, Mandarin Stone, are a match. Walls in Jitney modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball APPLIANCES Elise 110 dual fuel range cooker in Black, £2,449; FM900 built-in extractor, £695, is similar, both Rangemaster. RS90A1 integrated French door fridge-freezer, £3,435, Fisher & Paykel. WS19SDX wine cooler, £49, Montpellier. S513G60X0G fully integrated dishwasher, £518, Neff. RHFM2363S microwave, £125, Russell Hobbs, is similar SINKS & TAPS Pronteau Prostyle 3-in-1 tap,…

1 Sarcococca hookeriana var.digyna ‘Purple Stem’, sweet box, an evergreen shrub. 2 Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ is a distinctive hybrid. Flowers from January. 3 Viburnum bodnantense, a deciduous shrub bearing pink flowers from January. 4 Jasminum nudiflorum , winter jasmine, a fragrant shrub that flowers in midwinter. 5 Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Flore Pleno’, a double snowdrop, flowering from February. 6 Helleborus ericsmithii, hellebore, an evergreen with pink flowers, from February. 7 Bergenia cordifolia, elephants ears, spikes of pink flowers from February. 8 Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’, dogwood, with flame-coloured stems.…

Brintonos debut rugs Heritage carpet manufacturer Brintons has rolled out its first rug collection, Agnella, inspired by the natural beauty of wool. Each rug is designed and made by skilled craftspeople using the latest in weaving technology. Many of the designs leave the loom in undyed woolly glory to celebrate the raw material’s palette and authenticity. Diamond Aiko in Heather, from £163; Noble Altro in Light Grey (right), from £91. Shop the full collection at brintons.co.uk. DREAMY NEW BEDS One of our favourite indie companies, Graham and Green, has pulled back the duvet on two gorgeous new bed designs. Choose from the French-style Luna or the brass-studded Alora, both handcrafted from ash wood and lovingly upholstered in a sumptuous luxurious grey velvet or pared-back natural linen. Time to get cosy!…

Sam’s style tip... BLEND INDUSTRIAL AND RUSTIC FARMHOUSE INFLUENCES FOR A RELAXED, LIVED-IN STYLE FULL OF WELCOMING CHARM…

“I WANTED TO CREATE A SOCIABLE HOUSE FOR ALL MY FAMILY TO ENJOY” For Anneke Herbers, it was a case of keeping it in the family when it came to the country house she now lives in – it originally belonged to her parents. ‘At first the house was a base for my father and my daughter Marjon to keep and breed horses in the paddocks and stables at the rear of the property,’ she explains. Then in 2000, as her father grew older, he invited Marjon to take over the house, so she could continue working with the horses. Eventually Anneke and her late husband Gerhard also moved in to help and be near the family. Moving into the house helped Anneke establish her interior style. ’The décor was…

Visit … ‘Snowshill Manor (nationaltrust.org.uk) to see the eclectic collection of ephemera belonging to the late Charles Wade, architect and artist. The Arts and Crafts courtyard gardens are beautiful too.’ Shop at … ‘Burford Garden Company (burford.co.uk) is a destination store for plants, home décor and food. You usually find something you didn’t know you needed. Last year I bought an apple picker that works brilliantly.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Feathered Nest (thefeatherednestinn. co.uk), which is great for special occasions. The views are stunning. We also love The Milton Hare (themiltonhare.co.uk), which is excellent for fish dishes.’…

TOP TIP In Whitby’s sought-after West Cliff is this spacious one-bedroom apartment in a Victorian terrace. There are original features and views to the sea for £139,950. VALLEY VIEWS This contemporary three-bed property is set in an elevated position in Briggswath. Renewable tech and energy efficiencies abound for £565,000. MOOR PLEASE Dating back to the 17th century, this three-bed stone farmhouse, known as the Hermitage, has views across moorland. Offers over £525,000.…

Visit… ‘Kew Gardens (kew.org). Make sure you visit the Marianne North Gallery to discover an amazing story of a brave Victorian woman who travelled solo around the world painting.’ Shop at… ‘Sunbury Antiques Market for vintage and antique treasures (sunburyantiques.com). I rarely buy anything new and would much prefer to give something old and pre-loved a new home.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The King’s Head Teddington (kingsheadteddington.com) is a lovely, cosy gastropub with an open kitchen and seriously good food – an especial treat after a winter walk around Bushy Park.’…

MAKE IT COUNTRY… OUR EXPERT SAYS…“BRAVE, CHARRED TONES STRIKE A SOPHISTICATED CONTRAST WHEN USED AGAINST YELLOWS AND ORANGES ”HOLLY PHILLIPS , STYLE CONTENT EDITOR Stoke up the hibernating warmth with dramatic contrasts of black and gold – think coals and flame, or even butter on toast. We’re talking vivid winter sun shades infused with burnished metallics and charcoal embers to deliver smouldering richness to any nest. Take the look lighter or darker, depending on lighting and silhouettes.…

CURATE CORRIDOR CLUTTER To keep the flow through a hallway, go for an open console with shelves or drawers over chunky furniture pieces. Use the shelves to store blankets and scarves, using baskets to hide shoes. Giving everything a home makes it easy for everyone in the family to tidy up. Coat hooks are ideal for jackets you use every day, but try not to overcrowd the hooks, and edit the selection seasonally. THE ART OF FOLDING Start by organising linens and towels by category. Bundle bedding sets when they are put away, either by tying them together with string or ribbon or storing the set inside one of the corresponding pillowcases. For small towels, flannels and additional pillowcases, stack them on their thinnest end, stored in labelled baskets rather…

UNIQUE ISO-ENAMEL The best of both worlds, Albion Bath’s Iso-enamel material – a self-reinforced, cast-stone resin and mineral mixture – was invented to mimic the appearance of traditional cast iron, without the inherent drawbacks. ‘Iso-enamel baths weigh a third of the amount of an equivalent cast-iron bath, so there’s no need to reinforce your floors or hire a team to lift one into your home,’ says Phil Etherden, managing director of The Albion Bath Company. SPA-LIKE STONE Feeling indulgent? Choosing a bath made from marble, granite or travertine can take your bathroom to a new level of luxury. Natural stone is commonly used in spas and can retain heat for a long period of time, allowing you longer to relax and unwind. Real statement pieces, the cost of these types…

Looking across the valley to the Yorkshire moors beyond, Wendy Walker and Thomas French knew that their decision to buy the dilapidated farmhouse was right. ‘It is the most beautiful spot,’ says Wendy. ‘We both knew it was where we wanted to spend the rest of our lives.’ Constructed of huge pieces of dressed Yorkshire gritstone, the ancient Yeoman Clothiers farmhouse, dating back to 1575, had not been lived in for 10 years and its most recent renovations were made in the 1960s. Wendy, a mental health nurse and care coordinator, and Thomas, director of ETEC Escalators, began a major renovation of the listed property. This included wheeling barrow after barrow of clay outside the house as they excavated the floor to prepare it for underfloor heating. ‘It was the…

That’s the (0%) spirit If you want the tipple without the totter, these no-alcohol spirit alternatives are just the ticket • Warner’s Juniper Double Dry 0% Botanic Garden Spirit 0% ABV, 50cl, £18, M&S Crafted with flavour in mind, this gin-like spirit is aromatic with hints of herbs and spice. It’s beautiful served with tonic water and garnished with an orange slice. • Feragaia 0% ABV, 50cl, £24.95, feragaia.com Meaning wild earth in Latin, Feragaia combines 14 land and sea botanicals to create a vermouth-type, alcohol-free spirit. It’s citrussy with a fiery finish and is a gorgeous, warm amber colour. • Lyre’s Amaretti 0% ABV, 700ml, £23.50, lyres.co.uk The perfect digestif for a cold winter evening. Full of the flavour of almonds with a hit of spice and vanilla. Serve over ice or…

THINGS TO LEARN, SEE & DO Start… journalling; it’s been shown to improve health. Not sure where to start? Peruse My Creative Writing Journal (£9.99, Cico Books). Forage for… wild garlic. These green leaves grow in abundance from late winter to the end of spring. Add the leaves and flowers to soups and sauces or whizz into a pesto. Learn to… bake bread confidently with an introductory course taught by French baker and chef Richard Bertinet in Bath. 2 or 6 Feb, £215, thebertinetkitchen.com HOME COMFORTS Luxury loungewear continues to be top of our wish list. Cornish brand Celtic and Co has plenty of stylish and cosy buys to choose from. Rivalling cashmere, this Geelong wool roll-neck will keep you snug. Pair with super-soft, merino lounge pants and fluffy…