Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021 i Country Homes & Interiors

This is the year I plan to take my festive decorations up a notch. Inspired by the magical looks on our pages, I’ll be branching out from my usual tree and bannister trimmings and adding an extra dose of fabulous! Because if you can’t be OTT at Christmas, when can you be? It starts with the old bicycle tyres hanging on the back of my study door (really!). I’ve been saving these large hoops ever since my son replaced the wheels on his bike back in the summer. They’ll look wonderful wrapped in greenery and berries from my garden, with some LED solar lights for added sparkle. I’m so proud of the Country Homes & Interiors team, who have pulled out all the stops to create this issue for you.…

Danielle’s style tip… FOR A FRESH FESTIVE SCHEME, KEEP THINGS SIMPLE WITH TRAILING FOLIAGE IN TONAL GREENS PEPPERED WITH FORAGED DETAILS…

Buying a holiday home can often be a tug from the heart: you choose somewhere you’ve fallen in love with because you’ve spent so many happy times there and feel like a local. Other times it’s a decision led by the head, a shrewd investment based on a location with year-round attractions. Clara and Mark Trussler were hoping for a bit of both – but they certainly weren’t expecting to find the perfect house so close to where they were already living. Having spent several years renovating their family home, the couple had decided to put the skills they had gained to good use by finding a second home-turned-holiday-let to develop. The plan was to invest in a place where they could go to escape the everyday, then let it…

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PICKING THE PERFECT TREE Before you buy, keep in mind the space you have; if the tree is too tall, trim the base and branches at the bottom. Lynsey Abbot, buyer at Dobbies, advises to look for a glossy coating and to test needle retention – take the tree by the trunk and tap it on the ground. If too many needles fall, look again. Keep a water reservoir topped up for a cut tree and avoid a heat source. DRESSING THE MANTEL Gather foliage for a fireplace display, using a pre-soaked oasis foam block as a starting point. For looser designs, florist Philippa Craddock recommends creating a framework with branches, or try chicken wire to help hold pieces in place. Use floristry wire or jute twine to attach extending…

SEAMLESS SURFACES Repeating a stone surface that you’ve chosen for your walls and floors across your vanity unit will ensure it blends seamlessly with the rest of your bathroom. This Lundhs Blue Larvikite natural stone countertop and integrated basin is part of a bespoke handcrafted unit, which has a U-shaped drawer at the top to neatly disguise the pipework and a regular drawer for concealing clutter. 1 IN THE FRAME This elegant timber washstand would work well in a traditional or modern country bathroom. Made with pre-treated oak to handle humidity, its sturdy marble-topped design has deep, open shelves for stacking towels and displaying favourite beauty products. ‘Warmer tones and textures, such as exposed timber, complement the cooler surfaces and colours often found in bathrooms,’ says Kyra Cotgrave, home designer,…

BRUSSELS SPROUT & CABBAGE SLAW SERVES 6 200g Brussels sprouts½ small red cabbage100g cavolo nero2 clementines, segmented and roughly chopped1tsp dried chilli flakes1tbsp flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped1tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped100ml crème fraîche100ml mayonnaiseSea salt and freshlyground black pepper2tbsp pomegranate seeds1tbsp pumpkin seeds 1 Thinly slice the Brussels sprouts and red cabbage and combine in a large bowl. Cut the thick stems off the cavolo nero, shred the leaves and add to the bowl. 2 Add the chopped clementine segments, chilli flakes, chopped parsley and chopped mint, and mix. Add the crème fraîche and mayonnaise, mix well and season to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and scatter over the pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds. HAZELNUT & BUTTERNUT STAR SERVES 6 1 large butternut squash1tbsp olive oilSea salt and freshlyground…

1 ISLAND Carolyn and Jimmie wanted the island to be as large as possible, since it was to provide the main preparation area. They were also keen to have maximum storage, so chose not to have an overhang for bar stools, and also specified full-depth cupboards and drawers on both sides of the island. One half is built on legs, inspired by a traditional cook’s table to lighten its look. With its tongue-and-groove panelling and its ruby-red finish, it stands out as the centrepiece of the room. 2 SHELF The couple chose not to have wall units as they felt this would crowd the space. As the Aga is powered by electricity and does not have a flue, the clear wall space could be used for a shallow shelf for…

Things that make us happy… “WAKING UP TO LOVE AND LAUGHTER, READY TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH THE ONES WE CHERISH”…

Amanda’s style tip… VELVETY, RICH DARK WOOD FEATURES AND SLEEK FINISHES GIVE A COUNTRY KITCHEN A SOPHISTICATED AND REFINED EDGE…

Clara’s style tip… INCORPORATE NATURAL MATERIALS, COSY TEXTILES AND CANDLES GALORE FOR A RELAXED, SCANDI-STYLE SCHEME…

Strands of magic, memory, folklore and heritage run deep through Amy Swann’s life. ‘My childhood was spent in the same ancient Welsh village in Snowdonia where my mother and grandmother grew up. We were surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, forests, plants and flowers – it was like a sort of wonderland!’ she explains. ‘That environment gave me a deep appreciation of nature, along with a strong sense of culture, family roots and tradition.’ Against this backdrop, the young Amy’s imagination was captured by everything from folk art to mythical legends, and she would readily lose herself in illustrated children’s books by authors such as Margaret Tarrant, Molly Brett and Shirley Hughes. Amy was immersed in arts and crafts from the start and says her parents always encouraged her creativity. So not…

■ TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED SECTIONS Some of the latest models allow you to switch a freezer section for fridge use, ideal when you need more space to store a turkey at Christmas or drinks for a party. Others feature separate drawers that allow you to adjust the temperature depending on what you’re storing. While fridges usually run between 3 and 5C, meat is often best stored at-1C, fish at 0C and fruit and veg at 1C. ■ FLEXIBILITY Fridge design has come a long way in the last five years. Fixed shelving is a lot more fluid to adjust to our needs. Collapsible shelves give way to allow for taller storage and wider, deep door bins provide heaps more storage for larger items. ■ SMART CONNECTIVITY Most new fridge freezers come with…

FIRS & PINES The song O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) emphasises the fir tree’s year-round appeal: ‘How lovely are thy branches! Not only green when summer’s here but in the coldest time of year.’ The Nordmann fir, Abies nordmanniana, is the most popular variety, barely shedding its needles. For small gardens, choose a handsome slow-growing dwarf pine, such as Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’, which has golden needles that glow on the dreariest day. Grow in a sunny spot, in well-drained neutral to acidic soil. HOLLY The custom of decorating churches and homes at Christmas derives from the seven-day Roman festival of Saturnalia. Later, Christians adopted holly to represent Christ’s crown of thorns, the crimson berries a symbol of his blood, and the evergreen leaves a metaphor for life after death.…

GRAHAM & BROWN’S COLOUR AND WALLPAPER OF THE YEAR Narrating a reconnection with the natural world through reflection and optimism, Graham & Brown has unveiled wallpaper of the year, Restore. With exotic botanicals on a chalky backdrop, the elegant design evokes a wild, yet calming jungle, in Midnight (above), fresh Sky and misty Emerald. To complement it, paint colour of the year Breathe is a soothing mid blue. Restore wallpaper, £65 a roll; Breathe matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, both at grahambrown.com. Dine in a galaxy of hand-painted patterns Inspired by space, the cosmos, galaxies and nebulae, the Ophelia range of plates and bowls depicts a universe of wonders to adorn the dining table, and beyond. The creations come from Istanbul-born cement and clay artist Sine Icli. Each unique piece…

Driving past the 1950s bungalow that was to become her home, Danielle’s first thought was that it was ‘fairly ugly’. But the building was on a good plot and looked robust, so she and her husband, Bobby, couldn’t rule out a viewing. The family was rapidly outgrowing the stone cottage they were living in at the time, despite a series of extensions and refurbs. ‘With two boys, we knew we would need more space when they were older, and kids seem to return home after university into their twenties these days,’ says Danielle. Walking around the bungalow, her initial reluctance began to fade away. ‘I felt comfortable that we could create an upstairs and started sketching plans which, two years on, were pretty much what we ended up with,’ Danielle…

Fyona’s style tip… ADD A DECORATIVE NORDIC TOUCH WITH PAINTED LOGS IN AN EMPTY ALCOVE OR UNUSED FIREPLACE…

There is ‘a sense of calm’, as one resident describes it, about the historic town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire. Known as The English Spa, it boasts unspoilt Regency architecture and The Stray, 200 acres of parkland, along with the high jinks of times past when visitors, including Churchill, are said to have raced bath chairs along the avenues! Perhaps it was something in the water. Uniquely, Harrogate’s mineral springs yield two distinct offerings: Europe’s strongest sulphur water, a time-honoured purgative, and the chalybeate, or sweet iron water, with its delicate, musty taste. Another marvel is the 19th-century Turkish Baths, with its richly decorated saunas restored to full glory. Perfect on a winter’s day. IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW ‘Gazumping’ is not something that happens in Harrogate. ‘It’s not the…

Amy Swann’s burgeoning heirloom Christmas decoration enterprise has tapped into a demand for authentic, unique pieces that will be treasured by her customers year after year. But while a strong USP is essential for any business, one that is tethered to a seasonal theme brings particular challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its ongoing success. According to entrepreneur website Small Business (smallbusiness.co.uk), it’s vital to use the entire year to plan strategically. Here are some key points. DO THE SUMS Your company may only be firing on all cylinders during a particular time frame, but if it’s to sustain you throughout the year, a realistic business plan is essential, not only to manage cash flow, but to allow you to allocate for other outgoings, unexpected costs and expenditure…

ELEVATED TWIST Named after an English king, this regal piece is a modern classic with its tapered legs and embellished gold metal detailing. When hosting, simply pull apart the centre of the table and connect the extra leaves. Alfred extendable dining table in ebonised oak, H79xW290x D100cm, £3,695, Oka UNDERSTATED FLOW Combining crisp, precise lines with soft curves, this understated piece’s chamfered edge creates a subtle detail and softness for resting arms on (excuse the elbows please). Refined, distinctive and tactile, this versatile design would suit a variety of interior schemes. Mia extending dining table, H75xW170-220xD90cm, £1,550, Ercol NEOCLASSICAL ELEGANCE Constructed from solid pine with a distinctive blanched finish that expresses the grainy goodness, this imposing table boasts an architectural allure. Ornately carved legs channel bold design with an air…

FELT TREES CENTREPIECE Create a felt forest as a stylish, Scandi-inspired table decoration 1 Wrap a 2cm-wide strip of felt around the base of a polystyrene cone. Secure using a hot-glue gun. 2 Cut out, then glue on felt triangles (with the point down), working from the base up and overlapping them so that the right-hand corner sits halfway across the centre of the next triangle. Continue in rows around the cone, all the way up to the top. 3 To finish the top, cut a circle of felt around 3cm in diameter. Cut a slit to the centre then wrap around the top of the cone, securing in place with a hot-glue gun. Finish with a final row of triangles and a silver card star on top. PHOTO TRANSFER…

Keen to find a larger home to share with their growing family, Carolyn and Jimmie Hay moved quickly to snap up a four-storey listed Georgian house around the corner from where they were living at the time. ‘Houses in this location don’t come up very often, so just as soon as we became aware that this one was for sale, we made an offer,’ says Carolyn, a technology company executive. While the setting, size and elegant period features of the house were perfect, the kitchen interior was less so. ‘It was looking dated and tired, with a rather strange-shaped island which we didn’t like,’ recalls stay-at home dad, Jimmie. ‘We wanted to create a kitchen which was more sympathetic to the style and age of the house, with added warmth,…

WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Make… your own Advent calendar bunting with fabric bags, and hide treats for each day. Learn… how to have a SLOW (seasonal, local, organic, wild) River Cottage Christmas in an online cookery course, from £65, learningwithexperts.com Cut… hydrangeas from the garden and dry them for Christmas wreaths. Observe… the winter solstice on 21 December and ‘the light returning’. SCANDI SLIPPERS When the gifts are wrapped, kick back in cosy Glerups. The brainchild of Nanny Glerup, a Danish woman who handcrafted a pair of slippers using the felted wool from her own Gotland sheep, the comfy footwear became a hit with family and friends and a small-scale production (two pairs a day) began. Glerups are now available internationally, as slip-ons, shoes or boots, from €75,…