Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2021 i Country Homes & Interiors

This month, we’re bringing you a sun-drenched, flower-filled explosion of colourful country style. From lazy days in the garden and long lunches with family and friends (at last!) to gorgeous floral decorations to make for a party, we’re celebrating summer days and the gifts the season brings us. Our new In a Country Garden column from floral designer Brigitte Girling (page 123) is just one example, and you can see even more tips and inspiration from Brigitte online at homesandgardens.com/country. Looking through the gorgeous homes in this issue, I’m struck by the way colour and flower prints – staples of country style – can be endlessly reinterpreted. I love how each of the owners has expressed their own style and personality in their décor, and I’ll be pulling out tips…

Visit… ‘Sarah Raven’s Garden (sarahraven.com) at Perch Hill Farm, Robertsbridge. It’s always inspiring, constantly evolving and shows how you can have a garden that is productive as well as beautiful.’ Shop at… ‘Marchants Hardy Plants (marchantshardyplants.co.uk) in Laughton, Lewes. They propagate almost everything on site and have a lovely garden as well.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Middle House pub (mhmayfield.co. uk) in Mayfield. It dates from 1575, has an amazing menu and the beer garden is particularly attractive.…

When Sarah Vanrenen and Grant Barker were married, seven years ago, they settled in a 17th-century farmhouse that had belonged to Grant’s family for generations. Part of a busy working arable farm, the house is surrounded by a series of outbuildings, including an old flint and brick barn. ‘It was almost derelict and hadn’t been used for years,’ says Sarah. As an interior designer and co-founder of Vanrenen GW Designs, Sarah saw the opportunity to convert the barn into a farm office on the ground floor, with a flat for guests above. ‘We liked the option of extra accommodation – for overflow from our house, perhaps for a nanny one day, or to rent out if we wanted,’ explains Sarah. The couple have three children between them – Fred, 21,…

Rachel Wardley of the Tallulah Rose Flower School distinctly remembers the smiles from strangers as she walked down Marylebone High Street in London 16 years ago. She was holding two hand-tied bouquets of flowers that she’d created herself. ‘I’d just done a one-day course at the famous Jane Packer Flower School,’ she explains. ‘I’d had a wonderful time, and was so pleased with what I’d achieved. Seeing people’s faces when they saw my flowers made me so happy. It wasn’t exactly a eureka moment, but it definitely sowed the seeds for something new.’ At the time, Rachel was enjoying a fast-paced career in the fashion industry. ‘I loved my job and all that London had to offer, but after many years going at full pace, both my husband Martin and…

MAKE IT COUNTRY OUR EXPERT SAYS…“ MODERN FLORALS AREN’T SHY WALLFLOWERS, SO EMBRACE LARGER SCALES AND BOLDER DESIGNS TO FILL YOUR SPACE WITH LIVELY COLOURS AND FLOWING FORMS”HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR Blossoming inside this season, floral patterns are meandering across walls, furniture and more in modernised flourishes. Less chintzy and more wild in aesthetic, everything from native hedgerow flowers to bountiful garden peonies and exotic orchids can be seen thriving in an array of joyous hues. Get ready to let pretty petals nurture and captivate every space.…

• Paper, preserved and dried flowers help to make fresh flower arrangements last longer. •With fresh flowers, the trick is to condition them to make them last longer. Cut the stems a few centimetres up the ends, plunge in fresh water with some flower preservative, and keep in a cool (not cold) room to bring the flowers out without going over. Choose woody or strong-stemmed blooms. • Preserved and dried stems will give a framework on which fresh flowers can dry, keeping shape while they age. Dried flowers are ‘dried’ by removal of water, while preserved flowers are treated with silica or borax to make them long lasting. Preserved flowers keep their shape and colour and are slightly more robust than dried.…

TWO’S COMPANY Sturdy and compact, with a gently curved slatted back for extra support, this neat traditional-style bench comfortably seats two, making it the perfect option for a neighbourly tea break and chat. Curved back, flat arm bench, H93xW130xD65cm, £375, Bramblecrest ECO-FRIENDLY Built to blend into natural surroundings, this pared-back beauty exudes serenity. Generous cushions provide a sense of safari chic, ideal for nestle-down and wildlife watch sessions. It comes with a side table, too. Bamboo bench, H82xW183x D66cm, £399, Dobbies FAIRYTALE FEEL “ STYLE YOUR BENCH WITH WEATHERPROOF CUSHIONS AND COMPLEMENT WITH AN OUTDOOR RUG AND LAMP TO CREATE A COSY SOCIAL AREA” Add a secret-garden flourish in a secluded spot with this whimsical design. Made from twisted metal with a distressed finish to give the appearance of being…

The kitchen was the reason we bought the house,’ recalls Jennifer Livingston. ‘It has a very high ceiling and a wonderful feeling of space.’ Moving from a flat nearby, interior designer turned full-time mother Jennifer and husband David, who works in wealth management, had been looking for a larger home to share with their young children. ‘Like many families, we live in the kitchen, so it made sense to us to put this room at the top of our list of priorities,’ she explains. They set about refurbishing the three-storey Victorian property, from new plumbing to new floors throughout. ‘But the one thing we kept was the kitchen, because it was so beautifully solid and well made, and we loved its traditional style,’ explains Jennifer. ‘It was just too good…

CHARRED CORN, DILL AND NEW POTATO SALAD If you can find waxy salad potatoes such as Pink Fir Apple or Anya, they will impart a beautiful, nutty flavour, but Charlotte variety will also work splendidly. SERVES 6 AS A SIDE 1 small red onion, sliced 3tbsp red wine vinegar 1tsp unrefined sugar 3tbsp plain yogurt or buttermilk 4½tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 small bunches dill with stalks, finely chopped 750g Pink Fir Apple or Anya potatoes 3 large sweetcorn cobs 200g feta cheese, drained and crumbled 1 Combine the onion with 2tbsp vinegar, sugar, a pinch of salt and 1tbsp water in a small bowl. Set aside for at least 2 hrs, stirring occasionally. Transfer 1½tbsp pickling liquid to a second bowl and whisk in the remaining 1tbsp vinegar,…

1 Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’ produces multiple, large, pale pink flowers that fade to nude. 2 Aster 'Little Carlow' is a hardy perennial with sprays of violet blue daisies. 3 Rosa ‘L D Braithwaite’ is a crimson-cupped, scented, repeat-flowering David Austin English Rose. 4 Gladiolus ‘Indian Summer’ is large-flowered with a cream throat. 5 Chrysanthemum ‘Allouise Pink’ – florists’ favourite with large, soft pink blooms. 6 Rudbekia hirta ‘Chim Chiminee’ resembles a tiny chimney sweep’s brush. 7 Hydrangea ‘Vanille Fraise’ has clusters of creamy-white flowers maturing to pink. 8 Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Tall Double Red’ blooms scarlet with contrasting stamens.…

Things that make us happy...“JUICY EVERYTHINGS, FROM JAM-PACKED AFTERNOON TEAS TO STAYCATIONING WITH SUNSHINE SMILES AND A FRESH SENSE OF FREEDOM”…

Visit… ‘Picnic Bay is a hidden gem just down the hill and its sheltered beach is perfect for picnics and rounders when the tide is out. Alnwick Castle (alnwick castle.com) is where Harry Potter was filmed and is a great day out.’ Shop at… ‘Old Forge Antiques (01890 820521) for amazing antiques in Ford village. Blacketts in Bamburgh Walled Garden (blacketts-bamburgh.co.uk) is a great gift shop.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Potted Lobster (thepottedlobster. co.uk) in Bamburgh, a relaxed and cosy seafood restaurant that never disappoints. Bait at Beadnell (facebook.com/baitatbeadnell) do amazing fish finger sandwiches.’…

Visit… ‘The Buscot and Coleshill Estates (nationaltrust.org.uk), two interesting National Trust villages – they have wonderful walks across parkland, water meadows and fields.’ Shop at… ‘Roger King Antiques (kingantiques.co.uk) in Hungerford and the antiques centre at Hungerford Arcade (hungerfordarcade.com) – there’s always something there that catches my eye.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Victoria Inn (thevictoriainneastleach.co.uk) in Eastleach is our favourite lunch stop after a long walk.’…

Visit... ‘Levens Hall, of course! (levenshall.co.uk). The topiary gardens are the oldest in the world, and I can’t pass by the Kitchen Café without picking up some of the best doughnuts in Cumbria!’ Shop at... Yew Tree Barn (yewtreebarn.co.uk) near Cartmel. I love rummaging around this antiques and reclamation treasure trove – it’s a challenge to leave empty handed!’ Go for a meal at... The Moon Highgate (themoon highgate.com). The food and service are incredible. As a vegetarian, I’m continually impressed by their locally sourced, imaginative menu and meat-free options.’…

FIELDS & FORESTS From fields to trees, our love for the British countryside means green is often the go-to for country-inspired décor. The colour has wellbeing attributes that lend biophilic feel-good benefits to a room, too. Choose a calming new-leaf tone for a busy area like a kitchen-diner; a yellow-based shade for a fresh and zesty living area; or a deeper forest green to give a relaxing vibe to lounge in. This classic shade is easily updated with a complementary colour punch and loves a nature-inspired pattern. SEA & SKY Atmospheric and characterful, blue tones are inherently linked to a watery path, with a natural cycle connecting sky-born clouds to rivers and seas. Blue colours are a simple way to change the mood of a room, whether it’s with radiant…

WELL BALANCED Tier-on-tier shutters open independently, so they’re ideal if you want privacy without losing light. Chrissie Harper, customer experience manager, California Shutters, says, ’If the panels are to be regularly opened, choose smaller panels that can be folded to the side of the windows. If the shutters are unlikely to be opened up regularly then larger panels allow more light through when the louvres are adjusted.’ 1 TALL ORDER For a particularly sunny room, consider full-height shutters that can control the temperature and shade in the room. ‘Full-height shutters can either offer full slat adjustment so they all go from light to dark at the same time, or you can opt for a hidden split where the top and bottom slats can be tilted at different times, letting light…

1 BANQUETTE SEATING I was a , we a holiday house that had banquette seating around the dining table and I still remember thinking it was fun,’ says Jennifer. ‘We can fit quite a few people around our table, including extra little bottoms, so it is a flexible solution.’ The bench seating is designed with similar beaded panels to match the kitchen cabinetry, with cushions made by a local upholsterer to add comfort. Wall panels above were designed by Jennifer to add depth to the room. 2 DESK UNIT A neat desk makes a home admin centre in the kitchen, out of the way of the main cooking area, with a playroom around the corner so that Jennifer and David can keep an eye on the children while at the…

PURE & CLEAR Bowser Leaf is a sensitively made 0% alcohol gin alternative, distilled using natural spring water with mint, tarragon, patchouli, thyme and basil. There’s zero sugar but lots of flavour; it’s also vegan, gluten-free and has no artificial additives. £20, 70cl, conkerspirit.co.uk Vodka fir-st While the thought of a fir-flavoured vodka might not sound especially summery, this Douglas Fir Vodka from Hepple Spirits is an eruption of sweet melon flavours. There are also notes of grapefruit and, of course, a little pine. It’s ideal in a cocktail for those warm summer nights or served with tonic as a gin alternative. £35, 50cl, hepplespirits.com GIN IS THE TONIC Reliquum Spirits was founded by farmer Pete Thompson – farm fruit that isn’t sold is used in its spirits, produced with…

1. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot. 2. Dig in lots of well-rotted organic material. 3. Dahlia varieties can be loosely divided into three groups: ball and pompon; cactus, decorative, giant; and single-flowered. All are good for picking, but balls and pompons have the best vase life. 4. Order tubers or mini plants to arrive in April and plant out after the risk of frost has passed. 5. Plant 0.5m apart and drench with water. Mulch thickly, at least 10cm, with well-rotted organic material. 6. Be on your guard for slugs! 7. Support plants with sheep netting stretched horizontally between stakes, 40cm above the ground, to help prevent weighty flowers from toppling the stems. 8. Pick as soon as flowering begins, mid-summer, and keep picking to encourage more flowers right through…

WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Pick... home-grown courgettes. They can double in size in a day, so check and harvest them regularly. Enjoy... heritage tomatoes. Mix varieties, slice, sprinkle with sea salt, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar and serve with crusty bread. Play… on the River Wye. From kayaking to wild swimming, there are guided trips and classes galore at visitherefordshire.co.uk. Learn… how to ferment and pickle fresh seasonal produce on a one-day course, £175, The School of Artisan Food, Welbeck Estate, Nottinghamshire, schoolofartisanfood.org. SUN PROTECTION Want to surf, swim or just spend longer in the sea or pool without getting sunburnt shoulders? This long-sleeve swimsuit offers UPF50 UV protection to shield your skin, while chlorine- and sun-cream-resistant properties keep the…

Furniture launch Introducing the Kavali Collection of affordable, eco-friendly furniture from Wooden Furniture Store. Handmade by skilled craftsmen from environmentally sourced, solid hardwood and reclaimed metal, the Kavali Collection blends retro and modern styles with a rustic finish. The range features desks, storage and seating, including these stools with angular, recycled metal legs, £299 for set of three, wooden-furniture-store.co.uk . ZOE GLENCROSS NEW ELEMENTS COLLECTION Fabric designer Zoe Glencross has added five new designs to her Elements collection of English-made linens. Taken from nature, Seafoam, Swirl, Fallen Leaf, Whirlwind and Confetti are available in a pretty palette of pinks, aqua blues and sunny yellows, £70m, zoeglencross.com. Reading corner: Curate your own home story Grab a cuppa and nestle into evocative imagery and interior inspiration from Lynda Gardener and Ali Heath. With…

Visit… ‘We love Petworth House and Park (nationaltrust.org.uk/ petworth-house-and-park) with 700 acres of beautiful parkland to wear out the children and the dog. Or Ramster Gardens (ramsterevents. com), a hidden gem in the Surrey Hills, which has more than 25 acres of the most beautiful woodland.’ Shop at… ‘My favourite interiors shop, The Country Brocante Store (thecountrybrocante.co.uk) is in nearby Midhurst, then just around the corner is Marmadukes Midhurst (@marmadukesantiques), an antiques emporium full of absolute treasures.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Duke of Cumberland pub (dukeof cumberland.com ) where you can sit in the beautiful garden overlooking the most amazing views across the South Downs. The food is outstanding.’…

CAMERA QUALITY While having a visible security camera on your property can deter would-be intruders, should anyone try to bother you or break in, a blurred video picture of them will be of no use. The majority of new models offer ultra-high definition video. Make sure the camera has night vision and look for a wide view angle. VIDEO STORAGE The more popular brands offer subscription services where you pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to cloud storage and a variety of other bonus features, like playback or advanced detection. Other cameras offer a limited amount of on-board storage space if you buy and insert a micro SD card (around £20). ADDITIONAL EXTRAS Some devices aim to offer video doorbells and home alarms in one compact package, boasting…

Rachel Wardley, owner of Tallulah Rose Flower School, is passionate about using British-grown flowers whenever possible. ‘Students love discovering the stories and provenance behind them,’ she says. ‘That’s not something you get when they’ve come packed up from thousands of miles away.’ Here’s what to think about... SEEK OUT LOCAL SOURCES Hannah-Victoria Taylor of Ixia Botanicals (ixiabotanicals.co.uk) is one of Rachel’s trusted growers. ‘British-grown flowers, with all their quirks, are unique,’ she explains. ‘They may have different shapes and be wilder than those grown in vast quantities overseas, but that’s part of their magic. They haven’t been cultivated so that they’re uniform in colour with straight stems, and their scent will not have been bred out of them to make them more robust for export.’ The one lesson we’ve learnt...“…

FLORAL PENDANT Transform a lampshade frame into a beautiful hanging arrangement with fresh and dried flowers. To begin, remove the bulb holder in the frame with wire cutters, then completely cover the wire sections with moss, using florist wire to hold it in place. To create the floral base around the rim of the shade, make a small bunch with four or five stems – no larger than 10cm in length – and wire in place. With alternate posies facing slightly up or down, gradually layer up and work around the rim, covering the wire each time and building the arrangement. Finally, add a ribbon to hang up the pendant. NAPKIN TIE Tie a tissue paper blossom around a napkin for a take-me-home party favour. Measure and cut through several…

SET UP A DRINKS STATION Even the host with the most needs a break to enjoy the party, so stock up a drinks station and let guests help themselves. Premix a cocktail, stash spare glasses and back-up bottles underneath and don’t forget the ice! A bar cart is not only a glamorous touch but easy to move as guests follow the sun or shade. Style it up with a lantern or outdoor lamp for a pretty glow as the sun sets. LUSH LINE UP Swap a blowsy bouquet for potted plants in a variety of sizes, from seedlings and succulents to larger trailing plants, allowing them to ramble down the centre of the table. Mix in fragrant potted herbs for a double sensory hit, or tie a sprig to a…

CONSIDER WINDOW SIZE AND STYLE ‘If your windows have a natural break, choose a shutter style where a mid-rail can be placed over the break,’ says Sam Tamlyn, general manager, Shutterly Fabulous. ‘The final result will tick both practical and aesthetic boxes.’ THINK PROPORTIONS ‘Large windows are best suited to shutters with wider louvres (89mm and 114mm) while smaller windows’ proportionality suits shutters with 64mm louvres,’ says Chrissie Harper, customer experience manager, California Shutters. GET THE COLOUR RIGHT Before choosing the shutter colour, think about how often you like to redecorate your home. ‘If you are likely to redecorate regularly, white shutters are the best option as they will complement any interior updates,’ says Chrissie Harper. DECIDE ON THE BEST FIT FOR YOUR WINDOW Do you prefer a more decorative…

CABINETRY Original Kitchen cabinetry, from £20,000, Harvey Jones, in Strong White estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Altro Victorian turned cabinet knobs, from £2.46 each, Ironmongery Direct SURFACES London Grey and Piatra Grey (on island) quartz surface worktops, from £550sq m, Caesarstone. Metro White splashback tiles, £20sq m, Topps Tiles. Fendi Herringbone Prime oak flooring, from £73.95sq m, Havwoods. Walls in Borrowed Light modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball APPLIANCES 1000 dual fuel range cooker, £4,274, Mercury. Similar built-in combi microwave oven, H7240BM, £1,749; similar extractor unit, DA2450, £449, both Miele. Two SMV68ND00G fully integrated dishwashers, £829 each, Bosch. RF522ADX4 freestanding French door fridge-freezer, £1,925; similar wine cabinet, RS60RDWX1, £1,300, both Fisher & Paykel SINKS & TAPS Blue chilled and sparkling water kitchen tap, £1,442 (on…

I love the tangle of July – the sense of floral crowds jostling and their towering heights. I don’t plan the garden’s patterns and rhythms. I stuff the spring-sown seedlings into rare empty spaces with not much more than hope and a gentle pep talk, and by high summer I am amazed at the desperate desire to flourish. The choice of flowers for arranging can be overwhelming in these heady weeks. The temptation is to pick too much or to be distracted by nature’s generous suggestions. But the self-sown combinations, or weather-induced colour variations creating a palette I have not thought of before, can be a delightful and unexpected beginning for a floral display. The starting point for this arrangement was easy, hinging on the welcome return of the dahlias…

Visit… ‘Acton Scott historic working farm (actonscott.com). This offers an enchanting glimpse of Victorian farming life with working horses and skilled craftsmen: farriers, wheelwrights and blacksmiths.’ Shop at… ‘Black Bough, 10 Portcullis Lane, Ludlow (blackbough.co.uk). Every perfect thing in this tiny shop reflects the owner’s dry sense of humour, unerring colour sense and impeccable taste.’ Go for a meal at… ‘CSONS at The Green Café, Linney, Ludlow (csons.uk). Serving delicious “locally sourced, globally inspired” food in a brilliant riverside setting.’…

WELSH WINE, NATURALLY LOW specialises with the lowest possible human, or intervention, and has a great UK selection. Try the wines by Ancre Hill Estates, the Monmouthshire vineyard which was one of the first to practise pre-industrial farming methods. Its 2018 Chardonnay (£24 for 75cl, lowintervention.com) is refreshing and full of bright citrus and green apple flavours. Freshly picked For proof that just a few ingredients can be the basis of hundreds of delicious recipes, pick up Kathy Slack’s new cookbook, From the Veg Patch. She has picked 10 crops – peas, lettuce, beetroot, tomatoes, courgettes, beans, squash, apples, kale and leeks – and provided a year’s worth of tasty ways to eat them (£25, Ebury Press). COUNTRY HARVEST RUNNER BEANS Whether you like them tossed in a salad with…

IT’S BETTER FOR THE PLANET Restricted use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, which come from burning fossil fuels, mean far less greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the benefits to bees. HIGH ANIMAL WELFARE Truly free-range animals are able to forage, graze and roam, with space, fresh air, and conditions that allow them to express their natural behaviours. IT’S HEALTHIER Studies show organically produced fruit, veg and cereals have up to 68% more antioxidants than non-organic, and lower concentrations of pesticides and toxic heavy metals. Find out more at soilassociation.org…

SOUTH WEST COAST PATH Three miles from Glebe House is the UK’s longest national trail. A 630-mile route to explore, you might want to give yourself a little more than a long weekend to complete it! BEER QUARRY CAVES Take a tour through the home of Beer Stone and witness huge man-made caverns housing intricate vaulted roofs and pillars, likened to an underground cathedral. Be sure to book before arriving. RIVER COTTAGE A 15-minute drive away is Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage. Book yourself on a course, have a spot of lunch or just explore the grounds and shop. There’s much to do.…