Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Country Homes & Interiors

This month we’re celebrating 35 years of Country Homes & Interiors. Looking at the first issues, it’s fascinating to see how much our homes have changed. Interior styles seem simpler now and the traditional farmhouse kitchen has morphed into an open-plan space where all of life happens. What remains the same is a deep love of country style, with its connection to nature, uplifting colours, patterns and prints, and lovingly crafted furnishings. And you don’t have to live in a rural home to enjoy it. I was thrilled to receive this email from a reader recently… ‘I live in a tiny London studio and try to make it look as much like the places in your magazine as possible! Your pictures are beautiful and when there is a house or…

❝I LOVE HOW THIS HOUSE IS FILLED TO THE RAFTERS WITH ALL MY FINDS. EVERYWHERE I LOOK REMINDS ME OF SOMEWHERE I’VE TRAVELLED OR AN ANTIQUES FAIR I’VE VISITED ❞ You can see right over to France from the top floor,’ exclaims Sophie Rowell about the pretty pastel-coloured terraced building she calls home. It is one in a row of elegant townhouses in the quaint Old Town area of Folkestone. ‘They were originally built to house the captains coming up from the ships in the harbour below,’ she adds. It seems only fitting, therefore, that interior designer Sophie has chosen to furnish it with antique and vintage finds from near and far. Throughout are signs of Sophie’s travels across the Channel, visiting brocantes and flea markets to source items not…

With its big skies, miles of unspoilt sandy beaches and coastline steeped in history, North Norfolk’s charms captivated Alessandra Brady right from the start. And, visiting with her husband, who is from the area, and their twins, Lapo and Massimiliano, she was intrigued when she caught sight of a For Sale sign outside a characterful flint cottage in the sought-after village of Brancaster. She rang the estate agent and arranged to view the dated property that very day. ‘Putting in an offer on the spot was impulsive, particularly as we hadn’t viewed anything else, but because the cottage was in our favourite village in this magical area and had lots of potential, we couldn’t resist,’ Alessandra explains. The family lived in London, ‘but we wanted our lively boys to roam…

A weekend soaking up rural delights in the picturesque Cotswolds inspired Zara Dawson and Lex James to buy a retreat in Oxfordshire as a place to escape to from their south London family home. ‘All we saw were properties with fuddy-duddy interiors – nothing that inspired a modern feel in a rustic building,’ says Zara. ‘We noticed this cottage on a website and expressed our interest even though it was under offer. The next day we received a call from the agent to say it was back on the market. So we asked to see the property that evening and drove straight from London, arriving at 6pm, when it was pitch black outside. The cottage had no electrics so we viewed it using our iPhone torches! We offered the asking…

Visit… ‘Booth Museum of Natural History in Brighton (brightonmuseums.org.uk) is a tiny curated collection of natural history. It was founded as a Victorian collector’s private museum.’ Shop at… ‘Brighton’s North Laine (visitbrighton.com) has an eclectic mix of independent shops – it’s always an exciting day out!’ Go for a meal at… ‘In our opinion, The Flint House (flinthousebrighton.com) is the best restaurant in Brighton, serving great local produce and beautiful wine.’…

PLAYFUL SETTING Carver chairs and milkmaid stools bring elegant variations to the table, while fine china mixed with whimsical tableware are true conversation starters. ON DISPLAY Peg rail storage is must for contemporary cottage living. Stow your shoppers, apron and the obligatory straw hat. ARTISTIC FLAIR Super-sized fringing, tick-tock clocks, baskets and button-back seating... take the cottagecore look to a glamorous new level with a quirky Alice In Wonderland feel. Floral fancy GO FOR FLOWERY AND GORGEOUS IN THE KITCHEN WITH A FLOUNCY VINTAGE-STYLE WALLPAPER Restful retro FULFIL YOUR COTTAGE-CORE DREAMS WITH APPLIQUE FLOWERS, A QUILTED EIDERDOWN AND A BED CANOPY CREATIVE SPOT Prime a pouffe with extra pom-poms for seating full of character.…

MINI MOMENTS A vintage-style metal basket is perfect for bulbs and other seasonal goodies. Wicker baskets would look equally lovely – use them for egg hunts, then style up as a cute place setting. Arrange a mound of bun moss and quail’s eggs with a sprig of wax flower. A hyacinth bulb in the moss will gradually bloom. For a sweet treat, swap the quail’s eggs for chocolate. NATURE’S TABLE This arrangement looks lovely all year; simply add quail’s eggs to make an Easter table centre. Place tree bark on a platter – we used a slate tile – and dress it with mounds of bun moss secured with a hot glue gun. To create the eggshell candle holder, carefully remove the top of the shell, clean it and fill…

RUSTIC SLATE ‘Slate is known for its rusty copper colours, combined with deep shades of charcoal and silver, all of which can work together to create a rustic look, perfect for period properties and quaint cottages,’ says Harriet Goodacre, tile consultant at Topps Tiles. It is important that slate is polished and properly sealed to prevent any chips or staining. ‘When sealing, you can add a colour intensifier to enhance the look, giving a glossy sheen for an even more eye-catching appearance,’ adds Harriet. POLISHED CONCRETE While polished concrete requires specialist installation, it can last a lifetime and requires minimal maintenance. It is wise to install a heating system as your concrete flooring goes in, otherwise it can feel quite cold underfoot – and retro-fitting can be a costly and…

While her husband’s house-hunting focus lay firmly on the proximity of his favourite golf courses, Trudi Reid was seeking something that can’t be found on any map. ‘I was heavily pregnant with twins when we first viewed the house, and I got that “feeling” the moment I walked in,’ she recalls. ‘I could really see us living there – it felt like the house was already ours.’ Known in estate agency circles as ‘buying with the heart rather than the head’, Trudi’s instincts certainly weren’t based on the condition of the property which, while classically beautiful with a sense of grandeur, hadn’t been fully modernised since it was built in 1919. ‘The kitchen was a muddle of small rooms and would have only been used by the servants. There was…

SMOKED SALMON TOAST WITH RED ONION AND HERBS People go crazy over smoked salmon! Of course, here the appeal goes beyond the fish — there’s also the cooling lemon crème fraîche, the tangy pickled onion and the refreshingly crunchy cukes. The elements truly harmonise in this flavourful dish. MAKES 4 FOR THE PICKLED ONION 120ml cider vinegar 1tbsp honey 1tsp coriander seeds 1tsp kosher salt 1 small red onion, thinly sliced FOR THE CREME FRAICHE 120ml crème fraîche 1 lemon, grated zest and 1tbsp juice Salt and freshly cracked pepper FOR THE TOAST 4 slices good-quality crusty bread, such as wholewheat sourdough or pumpernickel Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling 115g smoked salmon 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced into 6mm-thick rounds 1½tbsp capers 1 small handful fresh dill, torn 1 small handful…

Did you know?  ‘SELF-WATERING’ HANGING BASKETS HAVE A SEPARATE RESERVOIR THAT HOLDS WATER AWAY FROM THE ROOTZONE AND DELIVERS IT BACK THROUGH A WICK…

BLAKENEY POINT The coastal village of Blakeney is famous for its marshes and home to the largest grey seal colony in England. Take a boat to see Blakeney Point and look out for the local delicacy, samphire. THE BLUE BELL This pub with rooms focuses on local goodies, with Norfolk-brewed real ales and seasonally sourced dishes. Think ale-steamed Brancaster mussels served with sliced homemade milk loaf. LANGHAM DOME Travel back in time to the Second World War with a visit to this unusual, curved building on the edge of RAF Langham, once home to innovative technology used to train anti-aircraft gunners.…

Things that make us happy...❝ PUTTING ALL OF OUR (EASTER) EGGS IN ONE BASKET FOR A CHANGE! ❞…

Visit… ‘The Harbour Arm (folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk) is a promenade extending out to sea with live music and plenty of great places to eat and drink, including a champagne bar in a lighthouse.’ Shop at… ‘The Potting Shed (thepottingshed.shop) for a wonderful selection of antiques and quirky vintage finds for the home and garden. It also has a secret cocktail bar in the back, inspired by the Prohibition speakeasies of the 1920s.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Folkestone Wine Company (folkestonewine.com). This is the best restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. It serves French-inspired dishes with fresh seasonal ingredients.’…

Visit… ‘Highclere Castle (highclerecastle.co.uk), home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and the location for the TV series Downton Abbey. Book tickets on a public opening day to explore the main state rooms, Egyptian Exhibition and the gardens, and stop for afternoon tea at the Castle tearooms.’ Shop at… ‘L Interiors (linteriors. co.uk) was opened by interior designer Lynda 16 years ago, in the pretty village of Bucklebury. The store sells an ever-changing range of beautiful gifts, handcrafted homewares and freshly cut local flowers. I’m a strong believer in supporting local businesses.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Woodspeen (thewoodspeen.com) is a beautiful Michelin-star restaurant, set in a restored 19th century farmhouse and grounds. It serves seasonal dishes and is the perfect spot for dinner.’…

Visit… ‘Burnham Overy Staithe beach (nationaltrust.org.uk) before a clamber over Gun Hill and stroll along the coast to Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve – this is definitely a favourite walk with our family and friends.’ Shop at… ‘Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market, (creakeabbey.co.uk) on the first Saturday of every month. More than 50 stallholders sell fresh, local produce including meat, vegetables, fruit and flowers, cheeses and artisan breads. The location, beside the ruins of historic Creake Abbey, is wonderful. We often pop over to buy food for a picnic or leisurely lunch.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Duck Inn (duckinn.co.uk) at Stanhoe, a really welcoming restaurant, with a family-friendly atmosphere and fabulous, locally-sourced food.’…

Visit… ‘Station Mill Antiques (stationmill.com) in Chipping Norton is great for vintage buys and a stop at the incredibly picturesque village of Lower Slaughter is a must.’ Shop at… ‘Daylesford Farm (daylesford.com) near Kingham sells fabulous organic farm products. I’m a big fan of their marmalade. Soho Home (sohohome.com) for fabulous homewares, cushions and throws and I love Emmaus (emmaus. org.uk) charity shops for finding retro and vintage treasures.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Wild Thyme (wildthymerestaurant.co.uk) in Chipping Norton for beautiful food in a rustic setting.’…

CLICK INTO PLACE This two-bedroom ground floor flat, 11 The Clicketts, is within walking distance of the town; a perfect first purchase or retirement property at £129,950. GORGEOUS GEORGIAN Flat 5, Connaught House, is a spacious, two-bedroom second-floor apartment in a seafront townhouse, with views to South Beach and Caldey Island, for £310,000. LIFE ON THE EDGE For sale at £575,000, 3 Scotsborough View is a four-bedroom detached home on the outskirts, and has a one-bedroom annex above the double garage.…

Marie Walshe has forged a strong relationship with The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, having exhibited at the renowned Goldsmiths’ Fair in London since 2014. ‘The event promotes craft at its finest,’ states Marie. ‘It’s an honour to be part of such a prestigious event.’ Exhibitors don’t have to be guild members at this particular fair (although the selection process is rigorous and only the most skilled creatives are invited to apply). However, as many artists and makers will testify, joining a guild or association dedicated to their particular craft is an excellent idea, offering a raft of benefits, as well as the opportunity to showcase their work at events. The one lesson I’ve learnt...❝RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED. IT REQUIRES DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION, AS WELL AS…

PLAYFUL SETTING Dining tableTwo in ash and walnut, from £1,995, Another Country. Melbury armchair, £599, John Lewis & Partners. Bossy Beached kitchen chair, £330 pair, Loaf. Perch stool in birch, £300, Studio Kaksikko at Aben. Lohals flatwoven rug, £80, Ikea. Castle velvet Penny Round cushion in Butterscotch, £55, Antipodream. Villa Nova Artesia blackout lined eyelet curtains, £210 pair, John Lewis & Partners. Natural stripe table runner, £30, Nordic House. Les Ottomans handmade ceramic Green Floral jug, £300, Amara. Faux Pink cornflowers in porcelain vase (not shown), £19 a stem, Fox Flowers. Five Pearl candlesticks, £175 each, Margit Wittig. Handwoven raffia place mat, £22, Rowen & Wren. Royal Albert teapot, £86, Wedgwood. Seagrass sleeve glasses, £9.95 each, Nordic House ON DISPLAY Golden Haze linen apron, £69; crocheted jute bag, £45; Vintage…

• Use different egg varieties to add interest. Look out for Legbar (blue), Longstock Gold (blue-green) and Leghorn (white) hen’s eggs. Add larger duck and small quail’s eggs to change the scale. Use as they are or remove the egg contents: insert a small and large hole at either end and blow the contents out of the larger hole into a bowl. Rinse with water. • For greenery use succulents, bulbs and moss, making sure they’re well watered. Spritz with a fine mist of water to keep fresh once in place. • Dried flowers and grasses bring a contemporary finish. Remove when watering other plants and greenery and leave to dry before returning.…

THINK ABOUT LIFESTYLE Consider how you use your home. ‘A lighter coloured stone works if you’re after a crisp, clean look,’ says Hamish Smith. ‘But a stone that looks a little more lived-in and is therefore more forgiving might be better for a busy household with children and pets.’ CHECK OUT THE QUARRY Ask to see samples in person before buying, and if possible, visit the stone yard to pick out your own slabs. ‘With natural stone, no two tiles will be the same, which provides stylish and unique individuality in the home,’ says Harriet Goodacre. MANAGE MAINTENANCE ‘Bear in mind the level of care required to keep your floor looking fantastic, including sealing and treating at least once a year,’ says Leigh Price, co-director of Real Stone & Tile.…

1 CURVED ISLAND Trudi had many discussions with Andrew about the island before hitting on this winning rectangular design with a curved breakfast bar. ‘The curves add contrast and help to prevent the room from feeling too blocky – this is also the best shape for chatting over coffee,’ says Trudi. Note the deep worktop overhang, which provides lots of knee-space when sitting at the bar stools and avoids scuff marks, particularly from children’s shoes, on the paintwork. The thick worktop with an ogee edge adds a touch of elegance to this statement piece. 2 BUILT-IN BAR A beautiful glass dresser sits at the head of the dining table and comes into its own as a glamorous bar during parties. Day to day, it provides ample storage for wine and…

The ideal potting shed is a warm, dry place in which you can store your tools as well as carrying out gardening tasks such as sowing seeds, potting on seedlings, taking cuttings and saving seeds for the following year. Here are some things to think about: • Make sure your potting bench or table is at a convenient height for you to work comfortably. • Potting sheds are not designed to store growing plants (that is the job of a greenhouse) but you do need light. A window out onto the garden is ideal, with additional electric light for short winter days. • Just as you would in a kitchen, ensure you have a place for everything – for soil and grit; books and catalogues; tools and plant supports and, if your shed…

Sweet dreams from The Needo Offering hotel-quality bedding at an affordable price, The Needo aims to deliver maximum comfort through a handpicked collection of breathable bedlinen designed to last a lifetime. The effortlessly soft and sustainably produced designs are made using 100% cotton, in either crisp percale or silky sateen, in a chic palette of neutrals. Available from double to super-king sizes, from £22-£151, theneedo.com/en. NEW SPLATTERWARE FOR SPRING Bring home sunny Portuguese flair with the gorgeous splattered Chroma collection by Casa Cubista at Lusophile. Wheel-thrown and hand-painted for maximalist effect, the playful additions include jugs, bowls and plates in a variety of sizes, plus a graphic, dipped espresso cup and saucer and a candle holder. Discover the Chroma splatter collection, from £18, at lusophile.co.uk. Marble-effect table linen Adored designers…

Sophie’s style tip... EMBRACE A MELTING POT OF TEXTURAL WARMTH WITH AGED PATINAS, EXPOSED SURFACES AND LIVED-IN FURNISHINGS…

Lucy’s style tip... SPICY, EARTHY ACCENTS, GLOBAL-INSPIRED PATTERNS AND HAND-FINISHED TEXTILES RADIATE ENERGISING WARMTH…

Alessandra’s style tip... CREATE A CHIC, MODERN COTTAGE SCHEME WITH A FRESH PALETTE OF CALMING GREENS, SUN-BLUSHED PEACH AND CHALKY PINKS.…

Zara’s style tip MODERN PASTEL POPS ON FURNITURE AND DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES ADD PLAYFUL WARMTH IN A HOMELY FARMHOUSE SCHEME…

‘When I look at something such as an agate ring that was made by human hands in, say Roman or Egyptian times, I am completely enthralled,’ muses fine goldsmith Marie Walshe. ‘As humans, we have always adorned ourselves. The fact that a piece of jewellery was created in much the same way as I make pieces today holds real magic for me.’ Growing up in Sussex, Marie had a fascination with the elements that were to shape her future career. ‘My father was a metallurgist and he would sometimes take me along to the foundry where I’d stand in front of these huge fiery cauldrons. The smelting of metals was like alchemy and undoubtedly inspired my interest in raw, natural components,’ she recalls. ‘I also loved visiting the British Museum,…

BOLD AS BRASS LIGHTING AS SEEN AT… POOKY What’s the story? Rohan Blacker, Pooky founder: ‘At Pooky we like our lights to be luxurious and dripping in style. Brass is best for spilling warm buttery light in a lazy, effortlessly chic sort of way.’ Why are we loving it now? ‘Whether a detail or a big dose, hues of lovely golden colour are the perfect way to bring a touch of glam and opulence to your home. This versatile, transformative finish adds understated elegance.’ Pooky’s take on the look? ‘For Pooky, the beauty is in the finish. We prefer to knock brass back a little to give it a subtle antiqued quality. Or we’ll darken it down further and give it a more modern, bronzy tone.’ Style the look... •Pair…

BALANCED PROPORTIONS Featuring clean lines and simple panelling inspired by the designs of 19th-century furniture makers, this versatile larder is timeless. Repainting options make it easy to update your scheme with a colour change in the future, without the hassle of changing cabinets. Shaker larder, from £4,000, Harvey Jones FARMHOUSE STAPLE Welcome the romantic charm of the French countryside into your home with this classic piece featuring plain glass doors and antique brass hardware. Fill it with store-cupboard favourites or display your finest crockery. Nova Solo Halifax three-level pantry display cabinet, £999, White Tree Furniture FOCAL POINT With generous racks and ample depth to maximise the internal space, this larder can be loaded up with pantry essentials! An array of external and built-in drawers provides bountiful space for everything from…

HOW MUCH CAN REALLY FIT IN A DISHWASHER? The average dishwasher has space for around 12 place settings – some can be as large as 16. A setting consists of a dinner plate, dessert plate, single glass, soup bowl, teacup with saucer and an assortment of cutlery. WHAT FEATURES SHOULD I LOOK FOR? Sensor washing is a modern must-have as it determines how dirty the dishes are and adjusts the amount of water used, plus the length and temperature of the cycle. Adjustable-height racks give you the option to fit larger items in the bottom basket or take care of longer-stem glasses in the top ‘delicate’ drawer. Finally, ‘smart’ app control can let you start a cycle while you’re at work, and even re-order detergent automatically when you run out.…

CABINETRY The New Classic kitchen by Martin Moore, painted in Pale Ivory and Cerulean Blue by Martin Moore. Martin Moore kitchens start at £35,000 SURFACES Bianco Eclipsia quartzite worktops, from £800sq m, Martin Moore. Walls painted in Cornforth White estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Aged Milton limestone flooring, £102sq m, Martin Moore Stone APPLIANCES DF260167 fully integrated dishwashers, £1,279 each; RC472305 Vario cooling 400 series fridge, £8,756; RF471305 Vario cooling 400 series freezer with ice maker, £9,184; RW414365 Vario cooling 400 series climate wine cabinet, £7,572, including steel doors/frames, all Gaggenau supplied by Martin Moore. Total Control five oven range cooker in Black, from £13,825, Aga SINKS & TAPS French Farmhouse 90 double bowl ceramic sink, £585, Villeroy & Boch. Ionian 4172 BR deck-mounted taps with crosshead…

Chic treat It’s said that good things come in small packages. Well, thankfully these Cockatoo Eggs with a praline centre from Coco don’t come in too small a package – as they’re adorable and irresistibly moreish. With their elegant box, thanks to a collaboration with Northern Irish designer Emer Tumilty, and pretty speckled shells, they’ll definitely add a special something to the Easter festivities. £7.95, cocochocolatier.com. A TASTE OF DORSET Award-winning chocolatier Chococo has created a selection of delectable Easter eggs inspired by and made using ingredients sourced from Dorset, where it is based. The Honeycombe Studded Egg combines sweet, golden toffee nuggets made from Dorset honey with 45% Venezuelan origin milk chocolate, and the light edible gold dusting is a luxurious finishing touch. £12.50, chococo.co.uk. Soft boiled Each one…

Visit… ‘The Coast Path is just one meadow away from us. Head right and you’ll reach Porthleven, which is lovely. Or turn left and you come to Church Cove, where, as the name suggests, you’ll find a church right on the beach.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Halzephron Inn (01326 240406; halzephron-inn.co.uk). It’s just two doors away and very dog friendly – the owners have two red setters of their own.’ Shop at… ‘I love going to the Helston Country Market at the Guild Hall in Helston on Friday mornings. It’s a proper old-fashioned market with ladies selling plants from their gardens, eggs, local honey and tasty bakes.’…

THINGS TO BAKE, FIND & PUT IN PLACE Forage… for mussels. The rule is to do this only when there is an ‘R’ in the month – so April fits the bill. Choose a clean beach and go for medium-sized mussels higher up on the rocks. Make… hot cross buns. We love Mary Berry’s foolproof recipe. Get the kids to help pipe a cross on each bun and brush with the sticky syrup glaze. Enjoy them served warm with a little butter. Collect… rainwater. Make the most of April showers with a water butt in the garden. Rainwater is better for plants and if there’s a hosepipe ban this summer, you’ll be glad you thought ahead. Try the galvanised steel water butt, £200, Garden Trading. COTTON ON Boden is…