Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Country Homes & Interiors

Valentine’s Day doesn’t get much attention chez Childs; our wedding anniversary is when you’ll find us celebrating. But with so much love in the air this month, I’ve been thinking about what makes my heart lift at home. I love the first shafts of sun on our stairs when I go to make my morning cup of tea. I love fresh flowers on the mantel, even when their petals fall into the fireplace. I love the cheerful teal colour we’ve painted the outside of the house, which welcomes the family home each day. And I love that everyone has their favourite seat, even if it means the kids prop their long legs up on me on the sofa. I hope you feel the love we’ve brought to this issue, from…

Claire’s style tip… ECHO GROUNDING TONES OF RED THROUGHOUT YOUR SCHEME TO ADD EARTHY WARMTH IN A LIGHT-FLOODED SPACE…

“Our porcelain lights are naturally eco-sensitive”JULIE LAM, FOUNDER OF LAM LIGHTING The age-old quest for a good work/life balance was thrown into sharp focus by the events of 2020. For David and Julie Lam it also meant refocussing energies on work with deeper meaning. The couple had long dreamed of launching an artisan light business. Julie is a fine artist and ceramicist of 20 years, while David’s career in the UK lighting industry has included more than 20 years as a brand manager for several well-known British names. Conversations during the first lockdown with David’s work colleague and friend Hannah Thompson, a lifestyle photographer, inspired the couple and Hannah to take the plunge, pooling their skills to create their own brand and workshop near their respective homes on the Essex-Suffolk…

HERO HALLWAY This hardworking space demands the toughest of finishes and savvy shade choices to keep it looking good for longer. Choose washable or even scrubbable-quality paint, using a satin finish for woodwork; if gloominess is an issue, go for silk to reflect light. For colour, a neutral shade makes the space feel larger, while using the same paint for walls and doors brings a unified feel. Statement shades “PAINT CABINETRY A BOLD COLOUR AND STYLE YOUR ROOM AROUND IT”HELEN SHAW, UK DIRECTOR AT BENJAMIN MOORE FEATURE FURNITURE Cabinetry or shelving is a readymade canvas for colour. Begin with one-coat chalk paint for an easy makeover. More confident? Try satin or matt. Earthy colours inspired by nature create a warm look all year. IN THE ZONE Paint can be applied…

MID-CENTURY MAGIC An upholstered frame, low back and tapered walnut legs give this velvety sofa an elegantly retro appeal. And with pocket-sprung seats, it’s superbly comfortable too. Rene three-seater sofa in Heritage Saffron velvet-feel fabric, H76xW236xD94cm, £1,095, Furniture Village PAUSE AND PONDER Carve out time for yourself on generously deep cushions supported by a slim wooden ‘floating’ outer frame. Slow sofa, H82xW230x D100.5cm, £4,995-£5,495, Aaron Probyn for Another Country VOLUPTUOUS SILHOUETTE This leading lady’s flowing form and hue is inspired by an Italian muse. Tilda three-seater sofa in Tobacco velvet, H95x W220xD95cm, £3,747, 2LG x Love Your Home HIGHLY SPRUNG Coil springs in the back and deep seat, plus sumptuous duck feather cushions, bring bounce and softness to this simple beauty. Plus removable covers make it practical for life with…

Many of us have spent more time at home in recent months, forcing a reassessment of how our homes work for us – or don’t. But for Ian and Jane Atkins, there was a different impulse for their kitchen redesign. ’It was my retirement that did it,’ recalls Ian. ‘We were both here full time, and constantly bumping into each other because the kitchen was so small – barely big enough to swing a cat.’ After 18 years of living in their cottage, they decided it was time for action and to start work on the kitchen extension they’d been meaning to do for ages. ‘The existing kitchen was a strange, impractical shape and we also wanted more space for entertaining, with somewhere to sit when friends pop round for…

CHOCOLATE, LAVENDER AND LEMON BUNDT CAKE SERVES 8-10 The combination of chocolate, lavender and lemon is an absolute winner in this cake. The lavender is subtle – it’s not like nibbling a bar of Grandma’s soap at all – and the lemon adds freshness to the whole shebang. The cake itself is light and moist, but one best eaten within a couple of days. Flavourless vegetable oil, for oiling¾tbsp culinary lavender buds350g caster sugar200g unsalted butter, softened280g plain flour50g dark chocolate(60–70% cocoa solids), grated50g cocoa powder1tsp baking powder  ½tsp bicarbonate of soda½tsp fine sea salt3 large eggs180g Greek yogurt1–2tbsp milk, if needed FOR THE GLAZE 200g icing sugar, sifted40–50ml lemon juice1½tbsp unsalted butter, meltedPinch of fine sea saltLavender sprigs, to decorate 1 Preheat the oven to 170C/Gas mark 3. Generously brush…

“SNUGGLING UP IN WARM BLANKET COCOONS BENEATH SNOWDROP SKIES, EAGERLY AWAITING SPRING’S ARRIVAL”…

Tamsin’s style tip… RUSTIC FARMHOUSE MEETS MODERN UTILITARIAN WITH AN ECLECTIC MIX OF ARTISAN CRAFTED PIECES IN RAW AND NATURAL MATERIALS…

Dean & Borja’s style tip… TAKE A LESS-IS-MORE APPROACH TO STYLING WITH SIMPLE LINES, QUALITY MATERIALS AND SOPHISTICATED COLOUR CONTRASTS…

A picture is worth a thousand words, the saying goes, which is why professional photography is pivotal in building a brand. The founders of Lam Lighting had a head start when it came to showcasing their range as David Lam is a brand developer and Hannah Thompson a photographer. CONVEY YOUR COMPANY USP David and Hannah understood the importance of sharing their business values – an eco-conscious ethos and shared passions for time-honoured techniques – and creating a consistent visual identity for their website, social media platforms and catalogues. To do this they opted for softly modern images shot in daylight showing the lights in a lifestyle context. ‘Lifestyle’ is the term for products within a real-life setting. These can be complemented by ‘cut-out’ images of products shot against a…

KEEP STREAKS AT BAY From glazed cabinets to windows, this natural solution ensures glass stays gleaming. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and gently swirl in a drop of washing-up liquid. Add a splash of white vinegar. Spray onto glass and use a microfibre cloth to wipe dry. On windows, wipe horizontally indoors and vertically outside, so you can see which side any smears are on. Avoid cleaning windows on a sunny day – they’ll dry too fast and leave streaks. SORT OUT YOUR SINK A backdrop of squeaky-clean tiles will restore your sink’s wow factor. Mix up one part white vinegar to two parts cold water in a spray bottle. Spritz over tiles and leave to work for 30 seconds then wipe with a damp cloth. Restore shine…

MULTI LAYERED ‘Instead of settling for one designated reading nook, I like to have a mix of functional and decorative floor and table lamps dotted about, so there’s always enough light no matter where you’re sitting in the room,’ says Sue Jones, co-founder, Oka. ‘Add warm-coloured lampshades, to avoid bright, glaring light, that cast a welcoming glow.’ 1 SPOT LIGHT In a bathroom combine ceiling lights with clever ambient lighting to create different moods. ‘Lighting is no longer purely about function. Strips and down-lighters are out, large pendants and decorative wall lighting are in, adding glamour,’ says James Lentaigne, creative director, Drummonds. ‘Whatever else you do, make sure that your basin and mirror area is well lit with lighting from at least two different angles, for shaving or putting on…

1 FALSE CHIMNEY Built on to the new wall that forms the extension at the front of the house, the Aga cooker has been centrally positioned, balanced by windows on both sides. To accentuate its presence and highlight its role as the focal point of the room, it is built into a false chimney breast. This also conceals the built-in extractor, while its custom-made rustic oak mantel, built by Chalmers Property Care, adds character to the room, as do the soft pink-grey splashback tiles. 2 COFFEE CORNER To create an area for making coffee out of the way of the main cooking and preparation zones of the kitchen, one corner has been dedicated to the task. A custom-made curved wall unit has oak slots for storing coffee pods in easy…

MAKES SCENTS The Calm Society offers a selection of essential oils and soy candles, each blended to enhance different moods, from finding balance, calm and sleep, to boosting energy, happiness or focus. Find your favourite and inhale aromas of lavender, rosemary, cedarwood, orange and more for relaxation, restoration and rejuvenation, from £10.99 for essential oil, thecalmsociety.co.uk. Planet-friendly paint tools Decorating tools have had an eco-friendly overhaul with this kit from Eco Union. The first of its kind, the plant-based, biodegradable paint trays are made from recycled materials and can be wiped and reused, while the brushes, made with bamboo, are designed to apply the most paint in the shortest amount of time. From £3.11 for a paint tray, ecodecoratingtools.com. NATURE CAMPAIGN Think it’s important for kids to know how food…

NEW WALLPAPER FROM TOTTY LOWTHER Evoke the splendour of Georgian interiors with Totty Lowther’s latest Damaskus wallpaper design. Inspired by 19th-century silk damask curtains discovered in a Mallorcan castle, this sumptuous print bursts with pattern and intricate details. Totty has up-scaled the design, introducing exciting new colours reminiscent of Levantine patinas, flowers and fruit. The wallpaper is printed on tactile grasscloth and parchment, available at thefabriccollective.com. Matilda Goad launches bubbly-bliss bathware Refresh mind, body and bathroom with Matilda Goad’s gorgeous new offerings. The loveliest must-have, the chunky and quick-drying waffle weave cotton hand towels are complemented by a Sky Blue or Violet trim and a wonderful linen ruffle. For added charm, the new oversized cotton bath mats (left) also have the ruffle. Each is hand-woven from reclaimed cotton on a…

Melissa’s style tip… CONTRAST DRAMATICALLY DARK CABINETRY WITH MUTED, NEUTRAL WALLS AND RUSTIC TEXTURES FOR ADDED INTEREST AND BALANCE…

MAKE IT COUNTRY Shapely hand-stamped, printed and sewn heart designs on plain backgrounds lend simplicity to this lovestruck trend. They look perfect in pastel tones against a white or pale background, teamed with natural materials, such as cotton, linen, wood and wicker. Dont just wear your heart on your sleeve, let your warm feelings show throughout your country interiors. Because home is where the is… OUR EXPERT SAYS… “NOT JUST FOR VALENTINE’S DAY, PERSONALISED ACCENTS AND EMOTIVE DESIGNS CELEBRATE SPECIAL MOMENTS AT HOME WITH LOVED ONES”HOLLY PHILLIPS, STYLE CONTENT EDITOR…

SOOTHING TONES ‘The kitchen is a fabulous place to experiment with bold design choices,’ says paint expert Annie Sloan. ‘Working with colour is easier if you follow a few rules… Choose one neutral and two colours; make sure two colours are complementary; and finally, pay attention to detail. Adding colour to accessories and furniture in the centre of the room as well as around the walls will give a more cohesive feel.’ RESTFUL AND RUSTIC Kitchens can be hectic areas, so a calming palette of shades will invite peace into the everyday. Natural wood is instantly restful and pairs wonderfully with blues or greens. Painting the interior of a breakfast nook or pantry allows you to have a burst of colour, but is easily hidden away when you need an…

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PRIMROSE FLOWERS Delicate primrose flowers emerge in springtime. Pick the sweet-tasting blooms and use them raw in salads or to decorate puddings. Young leaves, which have a slightly spicy taste and aniseed aroma, can be used in salads; or cook stronger-tasting older leaves in soup. Primroses grow wild in shady hedgerows and woodland, but can be happily cultivated in a garden, too. They prefer cool, partially shaded areas, although they can grow in full sun if the ground is kept moist. PICKINGS… Crystallise decorative primrose flowers. Mix egg white with 1tsp of water and paint onto petals with a clean paintbrush. Dip the flowers into sugar, then leave to dry on greaseproof paper for one to two days, until hardened. The flowers will keep up to six months if stored in…

February brings days of freezing winds, snowy blasts and icy nights… it’s tempting not to leave the comfort of a warm fire. For brave souls, there are cheering treats to enjoy. Hedgerows are bursting with fat buds of wild cherry plum blossom, which on milder days will open into dainty, starry flowers. In the garden the hellebore reigns supreme. Exquisitely painted, ruffled flowery faces thrive through the worst winter storms. Wilted and seemingly defeated under cruel frosty nights, they rise again as the ice fades. I can’t imagine my winter garden without them. They are the dancing divas in this winter bouquet, alongside ivy and snowdrop. The epitome of February. How to create… A HELLEBORE AND BLOSSOM BOUQUET A seasonal masterpiece, this hand-tied arrangement has a heart of hellebore, with…