Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i Country Homes & Interiors

REDESIGNING a magazine is a bit like moving house and deciding which furniture to take with you and which doesn’t suit your new life and home any more. There’s something liberating about letting go of the old and consciously, carefully choosing what to replace it with. It’s what we’ve done here–keeping the features that still feel relevant and exciting, ‘upcyling’ others to give them a fresh lease of life, and bringing in different voices and ideas to add new perspective and expertise. The biggest change is our logo – a huge shift for any brand. But just like the refresh inside our pages, we felt that it was time to represent on our cover the vibrant, contemporary style being embraced by you, our readers. So here’s to celebrating beautifully renovated…

Tracey Gill’s characterful weatherboarded house, with its handmade clay tiled roof, veranda and manicured lawns, is so in tune with its surroundings it is difficult to believe it is barely four years old. ‘Our focus when we were house hunting was to find the prettiest location regardless of the property’s looks,’ Tracey explains. ‘I knew I could change any house we bought, so the important factor was the land and location.’ Nestled deep in rural Sussex, the location epitomises much of what country living is about. ‘We are near a very lovely village, set in three acres with a field bound by a stream. The house is up a track which gives access to just two other properties. It’s pin-drop quiet!’ says Tracey. The original house was seriously in need…

The cottage reminds me of my grandma’s house – I know she would have loved it,’ says Rachel Southern of her Cotswolds bolthole, an idyllic property that dates from the mid 1600s. Originally a barn adjoining the next door farmhouse, it was later converted into two simple ‘one up one down’ cottages. Then in the early 1900s, it was knocked through to create a single home. Rachel describes it as ‘a pandemic buy’. Having purchased it in February 2021, building work commenced in March and the interior was completed by the end of September. ‘Our main home is in London but we wanted somewhere closer to family that all of us could enjoy, but which would also generate some income by renting it out occasionally,’ says Rachel. ‘Lockdown gave me…

Floral or stripe – upholster furniture in your hero pattern, then use its opposite as your accent design. Strength or delicacy is the deciding factor Pretty pattern or plain paint, both inspired by nature, blur the boundaries between outdoors and in. Pair with rustic wood for a forest feel Like a country meadow or garden foliage, a soft green is the perfect backdrop to florals. Bring in large-scale furniture to add weight to your scheme…

TIMELESS TIMBER Recyclable and renewable, timber from sustainably managed forests makes it a more environmentally-friendly choice than many other materials – another reason that its natural beauty is being celebrated in today’s kitchens. ‘deVOL has always been careful to use sustainably sourced wood for all our furniture,’ says Helen Parker, creative director. ‘They are very appealing to people looking for something that will stand the test of time, both practically and in timeless design,’ she adds. Let wood shine in designs that showcase its individual grain and honey-coloured tones, like this kitchen inspired by mid-century haberdashery counters, handmade in oak. ISLAND HUB The natural beauty and warmth of wood, combined with its strength and resilience, makes it ideal for all kinds of cabinetry. But if an all-wood kitchen seems too…

Designer William Morris reputedly described Lewes in East Sussex, which is traversed by the River Ouse and surrounded by the South Downs, as ‘lying like a box of toys under a great amphitheatre of chalk hills…’ His playful analogy still holds true when wandering the narrow alleyways – ‘twittens’, in the local dialect. Toy soldiers there may not be, but medieval castle ruins, built after the Norman Conquest, stand guard over the 17,000-some residents. ‘Lewes is lovely,’ says one. ‘There is bustle but it’s relaxed, not heaving like nearby Brighton.’ Despite appearances, however, a fiery dissidence echoes down the ages: from battles that vanquished royalty in the 1200s, to 17 lionhearted martyrs burned at the stake in the 1500s, and associations to famous free thinker Tom Paine. Something of that…

Conventional insulation is made from fossil fuels – things like fibreglass fibres which pose a risk if inhaled, polystyrene beads, polyurethane foam and mineral wool. Planet-friendly alternatives trap heat inside during winter, keep rooms cool in the summer, help soundproof your home and reduce the risk of fire and damp. They also improve indoor air quality, in contrast with synthetic materials that can release toxic chemicals such as flame retardants. Many eco insulation materials are compostable or recyclable too, unlike conventional insulation. WOOD FIBRE This is made from sawmill waste and wood chips from Europe’s forestry industry compressed into boards or batts using water or natural resins as a binder. This popular natural insulation is often imported into the UK and is the most price comparable to conventional insulation. Wood…

STYLISH SPIDER WEBS Add a spooky touch to walls with embroidery ‘webs’. Mount crocheted doilies onto embroidery hoops then hang on a wall. If the doilies are too small, cut and fasten to linen with a little iron-on tape. Arrange the webs in clusters and dress with spiders of all sizes to scare the unaware! Try Hobbycraft for embroidery hoops. Crochet doilies, Ebay. Preserved flowers, Dowsing & Reynolds BEADY-EYED BIRDS Dress mantles and shelves with faux birds kept under glass for a sophisticated yet sinister look. Perch the bird decorations onto twiggy branches and wire into place. Mini pumpkins and seasonal foliage add to the chilling atmosphere. For similar cloches, try Lights4fun. Birds and decorations from a selection, Amazon PORCHWAY PUMPKINS Make a spine-chilling scene at your front door with…

Whether adorning fences and walls, scrambling up pergolas or winding through herbaceous borders, clematis offer myriad flower shapes to choose from. Blooms range from tiny bells to large dinner plates, in a wide spectrum of colours, from deep blues and purples to the palest ephemeral pink. With different varieties flowering from spring through to autumn, both vigorous, tall-growing climbers and more compact types ideal for containers, clematis can transform any garden space with their bewitching blooms. They need moisture-retentive, well drained, fertile soil, with plenty of organic matter added when planting. They like a sunny spot, although some varieties tolerate shade. That said, even the sun-loving varieties prefer their roots in the shade and top growth in the sun. ‘Don’t grow clematis on a south-facing wall,’ advises world-renowned clematis grower…

In bloom CAMELLIA SASANQUA These require a sheltered spot, but they will bring brightness to beds in autumn and winter. They need ericaceous soil and partial shade. Seen here, C. sasanqua ‘Leslie Ann’. MICHAELMAS DAISY The feast of Michaelmas falls on 29 September, but the daisies named for it will bloom well into October. These cottage-garden favourites prefer a sunny site and good soil. RED-HOT POKERS Formally known as kniphofia, these bright spikes will light up autumn borders, if you deadhead them after their summer flowering. They do best in full or dappled sun and rich soil. 3 OF THE BEST FLOWERS TO SOW October is the ideal time to plant lots of spring-flowering bulbs. ‘Alliums and narcissi both benefit from an extensive root system, so it’s worth getting them…

Autumn is my favourite time of year, especially now that I live in the countryside. I love the golden brown and red colours of the leaves on the trees; the hedgerows filled with wild blackberries and sloes; crab apples ready to pick in the walled garden; and the woods carpeted with wild mushrooms. Once I finish work at 5pm, and the light is lovely and soft, I grab a basket and a jumper and off I go foraging for wild blackberries from the brambles around our fields. The berries have been out and ripe for the past few weeks, and probably the best crop I’ve seen in a few years due to the good summer. Every year we make about 30-40 jars of blackberry jam, and every year we have an…

My perfect countryside escape is a 16th-century manor house in Totleigh Barton, Devon. It has long been an Arvon Foundation writing centre, and I’ve been going there for almost 20 years as a tutor or guest lecturer. My room is in a converted goose shed just up the path from the main house, and all around are gardens, orchards and fields. It’s a perfect place to rest my eyes and escape London life, although I admit to being terrorised by the cows that graze nearby. I enjoy an almost complete tech detox. There’s no Wi-Fi and poor mobile service, so my day starts by waving my phone in the air to try to get a connection. Although tutoring is intensive, there’s the pleasure of being part of guiding other people’s…

Our homes truly come into their own in autumn, becoming our ultimate cosy zone as the weather turns cooler outside. Create your vision of style, warmth and comfort with the new collection from Cox & Cox. Go online to find easy trend updates, elegant statement furniture, clever storage and boot room essentials that will renew and enhance how you use your space. Layer the scene with cocooning soft furnishings, mood lighting and seasonal decoration for a quiet style you will want to hurry home to this autumn. Terms & conditions The promotional code is not valid against sale items, discounted items or gift vouchers and cannot be redeemed with any other code or offer. Discount does not include shipping. For full terms and conditions please visit coxandcox.co.uk/terms-and-conditions. This promotion expires…

WHAT WE SEE What we see around us is paramount to our happiness. If something makes us smile, it creates a reaction in the brain and releases hormones, including dopamine and serotonin. I think of these objects as ‘happy triggers’. Our possessions can bring us comfort and security when we see them on display. They evoke happy memories of travels or time spent with loved ones. So, whether it’s a favourite colour, photographs, a keepsake or artwork, think about your own happy triggers and try to incorporate them into your home. WHAT WE HEAR The sounds we hear within our living spaces are proven to play a massive role in our happiness. If possible, sit somewhere quiet and near a window so that you can enjoy the sounds of nature.…

‘I LEFT SUBURBAN LIFE AND NEVER ONCE LOOKED BACK’ Life coach and author of How to Relocate, Natalie Trice lives in Devon with her husband Oliver and sons Eddie and Lucas. ‘There are lots of reasons you might decide to relocate, from wanting to be closer to nature to needing more space. But once the decision is made, you’ll need to set your destination. Getting clear on where you want to be is really important if you want to start over successfully. I suggest keeping a relocation journal to help you navigate this journey. Spend some time brainstorming the villages, towns and counties you want to move to. Dream big, write lists, draw maps, add images and start to piece together what home looks like for you. ‘Lifestyle factors may…

‘The start of autumn is always about gratitude for me. And what better way to show this than to celebrate the bounty of the season’s harvest and all the things that make autumn so special with a tonal arrangement. Place this at the heart of your home, perhaps on a kitchen table or vintage dresser.’ Angela Maynard, author, Modern Dried Flowers (£16.99, White Lion Publishing)…

Speedy lamb shawarma SERVES 2-4 I do love a kebab. Admittedly, this is not the world’s best-kept secret, as over the years I have written many kebab recipes using every kind of meat. This is my go-to when I want good value and quick, easy results. Vegetable or olive oil500g lamb neck fillets, trimmed of any thick top layer of fat50g butter1tsp garlic granules1tsp ground cumin1tsp ground coriander½tsp cayenne pepper (or chilli flakes if you prefer)Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper TO SERVE Tortillas Greek or natural yogurt Thinly sliced red onion Sliced tomatoes Sliced pickled cucumbers Coriander leaves 1 Heat a frying pan over a high heat and, once hot, rub some oil on to both sides of each lamb fillet. Place in the hot pan…

Rambling through forest and field, gathering wild berries to make pies and preserves, is a joyous pastime. And the flavour of fruits grown naturally in the wild, gently ripened by the sun’s rays, is far superior to any that you may pick up from a supermarket. From summer into autumn you can go hunting for berries where supplies are plentiful, enjoying restorative time spent outdoors, picking only your fair share of nature’s bounty and stepping gently upon the countryside so as not to damage habitats. Blackberries, raspberries, rowan berries, gooseberries, strawberries, bilberries and elderberries are just some of those tasty edible fruits that you might stumble across growing wild. While there are rules to follow when foraging, for your own protection, as well as the respect and protection of wildlife…

Perhaps it is the advent of lantern season, with its dancing glow of candlelight and eerie quiet of shadowy corners inside and out, but I believe autumn is one of the most joyful and romantic moments in the year. Is this air of enchantment because October brings us Halloween, pumpkins and things that go bump in the night? Most certainly. Here at Hill House, we embrace the fun, mystery and the beauty – wholeheartedly! The idea of celebrating Halloween may not be to everyone’s taste, but it can be a great marking point of the moment between autumn and winter. Truth be told, my pumpkins tend to appear throughout the house long before any hint of witch’s brew takes its hold. There is simply nothing more jolly than a beautifully…

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We’ve all seen the pretty pictures on Instagram – flat layers of colours and fabrics that are supposedly the inspiration for a room. However, curating a moodboard that will prove useful to your interior project is far more complex than simply grouping together a load of coloured items on a white background. When done correctly a moodboard is a valuable tool that will help you to curate your space before jumping in with the paintbrush. Here, designer Sarah Peake talks us through her top tips for designing the perfect moodboard. START WITH THE LARGEST AREAS FIRST ‘Usually the walls, curtains and floor, these areas will dictate and anchor the colours in the wider scheme. Get those right and the rest of it will fall into place. If you’re wondering where…

Lighting the first fire of the season is a ritual to look forward to, ushering in cosy evenings, meditative moments and perhaps a nightcap before bedtime – all of which will be ruined by a cloud of soot from an unswept chimney and smoke from damp logs. Here’s our expert guide on how to prep your chimney and fireplace, so your latest flame doesn’t burn out. BOOK A PROFESSIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP You’ll need the services of an expert to ensure the inside of your chimney is swept clear of soot and debris. ‘The chimney is best swept in the spring or summer months, so your fireplace is ready to use as soon as the cooler weather arrives,’ says Vicky Naylor, general manager at ACR Stoves. This is true whether you…

There are many things to love about autumn – the crunchy leaves, the warm woollen jumpers and the roaring fires, to name a few. However, it also brings wind, rain and a significant drop in temperature, not to mention the promise of frosts and possibly snow later in the season. Before the weather turns, take the opportunity to weatherproof your home to ensure that it is ready to face whatever the sky throws at it. CHECK THE ROOF If you take only one step to weatherproof your home, then checking the roof is essential. To do this, either get out the ladders or stand across the street or at the bottom of the garden and assess the roof with binoculars. If you see any cause for concern, ask a roofer…

Far from presenting limitations, a sloping garden can offer wonderful layout and planting options that wouldn’t be possible on a level plot. With terraces, you can create distinct garden areas, each with their own purpose, ambience and planting scheme, as well as creating a variety of seating areas where you can enjoy the views below or above. ‘Sloped gardens are often viewed as “problem sites” but, in fact, can be ideal for formal terraced garden design. Roman and Mediterranean garden styles can be reflected within a formal terraced garden setting,’ explains garden designer Karen McClure. CONSIDER THE VIEW Pathways and steps can link terraces, offering a delightful and ever-changing perspective of the garden. Start by considering the main view of the garden from the house. ‘If your garden falls away…