Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i Country Homes & Interiors

WE UPDATED OUR BATHROOM recently – well, it was half an update. We replaced the shower tray and door, and chose new tiles for the shower enclosure. And what a difference it makes! As Paula Sutton says in her regular column, The Joyful Home (page 23), the practical bathrooms many of us grew up with are now beautifully styled additions to our homes, with the added bonus that we can lock the door and soak in some scented bubbles. If you’re considering a bathroom remodel, we’ve brought you designer tips in Secrets of a Lush Bathroom (page 92), décor inspiration in Soak Up the Colour (page 95), and the latest trends in Making a Splash (page 100). We’ve even got the lowdown on installing outdoor showers (page 106). Why not…

If, like me, you are a child of the Seventies, then you probably grew up with parents who viewed the bathroom as a functional place. These rooms of my youth were not ‘home spas’ or oases of calm. There were no scented candles or anything remotely resembling mood lighting. And there were certainly no shelves filled with an abundance of decanted lotions and potions. Oh, how things change! Unlike other rooms, where the layers of time can influence a fresh style direction with each new piece of furniture, the bathroom is where everything tends to happen at once, and – due to the expense – remain that way for some time. As such, changes tend to have a sense of permanency that long outlasts their welcome. I speak from experience,…

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The bathroom is a beautiful conundrum – a private space that’s often shared; a place of quick showers and slow baths; where we retreat alone or jockey for position at the basin. Get it right and it can be all things to all people,’ says Naomi Astley Clarke. INSTALL FLEXIBLE LIGHTING ‘In the bathroom, lighting must be functional, enabling you to apply your make-up and skincare routines in bright light. But it should also have the potential to be atmospheric, allowing you to relax and unwind while enjoying a bubble bath. To achieve this balance, pair a backlit mirror – ideal for the morning routine – with a combination of wall lights and a pendant to create balanced illumination throughout the space. And opt for dimmer switches to give you…

With summers getting hotter, we are all seeking ways to add that staycation luxury to our gardens. An outdoor shower not only offers a place to cool off but also proves a practical spot for washing off beach gear, watersports kit or even the dog after a muddy walk. SWEET SPOT You’ll want a private spot that is not overlooked by your neighbours, so pick a location where you can plant trees, install a screen, or build a more permanent enclosure. If you have a pool or hot tub, positioning your shower near this area will make access easier. Just as when installing a water feature, the location will also be partially dictated by your pipework. ‘The best and easiest place to install your shower would be on the kitchen…

The desire to create an oasis at home has become more apparent. But how do you intentionally carve out a little space for yourself? Blending areas for leisure and rest with the need for productivity and focus adds another layer of complexity to managing order and tidiness at home,’ says designer Olga Trusova. ‘But these tips will help you set up a productive yet stress-free environment.’ PUTTING YOUR DESK TO USE ‘Let’s start with your desk, which for most people is the primary work space. Scan the top of your desk. What’s taking up the most space? Chances are most of your desk serves as storage for stacks of paper, documents, pens, and other knickknacks. No matter how necessary these items are, storage is not the main purpose of a…

Although tulips grow well in beds and borders, planting them in containers is an easy way of coaxing a show of their brilliant blooms,’ says our garden writer, Anne Swithinbank. ‘Ideally, bulbs should be planted in autumn, setting them deeply, pointed end uppermost, in moist, well-draining compost. But a visit to the garden centre to buy bulbs just coming into flower can be a fast track to a glorious spring display. ‘The secret of success lies in matching the colour, size and height of each cultivar with the right pot or trough. For window boxes, short waterlily tulips are perfect, though their flowers open widely. For a neater look, plant neat and upright dwarf varieties in small groups.’ Christine Skelmersdale from Broadleigh Bulbs praises double tulips for containers. ‘The double…

I live in East Sussex, at almost the highest point of the Sussex Weald, with woodland and rolling hills. We live on a farm of 90 acres and have organic sheep and Sussex cattle. My husband Adam Nicolson, who is a writer, would be with me, and our two dogs, Curly and Dusty (both different mixes of Labradoodle). Our children have left home but one or other of them is quite often here at weekends. My perfect day would be in April or May, pottering in the garden, looking at what new things have come out, mainly tulips at that time of year. I travel to Holland every year and bring bulbs back to try. That makes every walk in the garden exciting. I usually wake in time to hear…

Containers spilling over with spring flowers are guaranteed to perk up the most dismal outlook. There is a surprising number of colourful plants to choose from, ranging from dainty flowering bulbs such as Lilliputian irises, crocuses, daffodils, aconites and grape hyacinths, which mingle happily among violas and primulas. Meanwhile, body and texture is injected with a mixture of evergreen heathers, grasses, skimmias, periwinkles or ivies. Style tip Soften the hard edges of the basket with trailing plants such as ivy, periwinkle or clematis Gold tinted A key to creating beautiful displays lies in arranging the plants so that the proportions are balanced. In this basket, the central plant is a small evergreen ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ spindle which, from whatever side the basket is viewed, provides a vibrant green and gold…

With container gardening, success relies on a few key guidelines. First, balancing the size of a pot with the spread of the plants once fully grown and making sure that no single plant grows too big to overwhelm the others. Checking plant labels for the height and spread when making a selection will help. Secondly, you’ll need to select plants which favour similar growing conditions. Unless the plants require special mixtures, a multi purpose compost is often sufficient. You can also add water retentive gel to help retain moisture in hot spells. Whether you prefer a pretty mix of flowers to suit a cottage garden scheme or a more modern look, our step-by-step guides will show you how to create beautiful displays you’ll love this summer. Top tip It’s essential to…

We have all learnt to appreciate our outdoor space, whether it is a kitchen garden, balcony, small patio or larger garden. There is a trend at the moment to create an outdoor space using uplifting paint colours. People are also continuing to upcycle with paint rather than just buying new. It seems that people are choosing colours for their garden that are easy to live with and fit into a scheme seamlessly. Warm coral pink and terracotta, soft yellow and classic grey are very much on trend. So why not think big and revamp a wall or fence with one of these popular shades. If you’re unsure about a complete transformation, pick out details instead by updating garden furniture or planters with a fresh paint accent. 5 TIPS FOR USING PAINT…

Autumn is bulb-planting season – you may have noticed those tempting colourful catalogues popping through your letterbox! But how to choose from the dazzling selection on offer? Read our guide to the main bulb groups so you can choose the best ones for your space, even if it’s only a windowsill. Bulbs come in every size and colour imaginable, to suit shady or sunny, small or large gardens. Many work brilliantly in containers. They can be incredible value and are low maintenance as well – once you’ve planted them, your work is done until they pop up in spring. So start planning your spring scheme now. Cast your mind back to spring in your garden (refer to snaps if you have them) and consider which bulbs could best complement your…

Create a display of logs Not only will you want to keep your logs close by when temperatures start to drop, they also bring hygge style to a seating area. Channel the vibe of a cabin in a Nordic forest, it’s the ultimate fairytale! From a collection at Beaumonde Put together a themed display Squash and gourd can make fantastic decorations for Halloween or harvest festival themed parties. Complete the display by pairing with ornamental candles and lanterns. Zahabu 7cm pillar candle, Nobunto.de Stay warm whilst planting bulbs Stay cosy in the garden as the temperature drops and keep a throw or two to hand, while you make the most of the autumn sunshine and snuggle up warm with a cuppa on a break from planting your spring bulbs. Hammam…

In the race against time to prepare for Christmas, nothing beats seasonal pots for providing splashes of cheery colour outdoors. As the shortest day approaches, the brightest, longest-lasting flowers are the most appealing, promising a lovely display well into the New Year. However, winds are surprisingly dehydrating, so check that containers do not dry out. Grouping pots not only provides each with protection, but also has much greater visual impact. Mix and match different styles, such as warm terracotta with copper verdigris or glazed pottery with contemporary steel, ensuring that the eventual size of plants are in proportion with the size and shape of the pot. Plus, it’s better to overfill than to have an underwhelming display later. These six pot recipes will bring beauty to your garden during the…

Top tip The foliage on this wreath should last a couple of weeks if you keep the Oasis foam in the arrangement well-watered. Showstopping wreath Showstopping wreath Hunt around in your garden for foliage to use for your wreath. Privet hedge cuttings work well as a filler, or use some clippings from the back of your Christmas tree? YOU WILL NEED … EQUIPMENT ● Oasis foam ring measuring 31cm in diameter ● Craft knife ● Florist’s scissors ● Wire cutters ● Buckets MATERIALS ● Green florist’s wire ● Mini gold baubles FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE ● Spruce and pine ● Eucalyptus parvifolia ● Ivy, or holly or ruscus ● Myrtle or pistache foliage ● 5 large red roses ● Spray roses ● Red berries 1 Fill a large bucket with water…

The traditional red poinsettia has become as much a part of Christmas as the tree itself. But if you want to mix up your look and go for something altogether more modern, the good news is that poinsettias, along with the classic red, are now available in shades of salmon pink, apricot, lemon and white, as well as variegated ones that look like they’re marbled or speckled with glitter. These varieties are a more natural fit displayed alongside houseplants, blending in well with large leafy foliage for a more contemporary feel. The trends of late seem to call for more natural-looking Christmas decorations and this display certainly fits the bill. With its wrap of loosely woven twigs, this gorgeous poinsettia centrepiece makes a real feature for a hallway console table…

Having grown up surrounded by creativity (her mother was a tailoress and her grandmother was a dressmaker and milliner), Jan Constantine had always dreamt of being a designer. After 12 years spent working in the fashion industry, she launched her own textile business in 2002. Since then, she’s become well known for her bold hand-embroidered designs, creating bespoke pieces for the likes of Liberty, Fortnum & Mason and Harrods. Based in rural Cheshire, she designs every one of her items to be an ‘heirloom of the future’. Where are you based? I live on the edge of a quintessentially English village in the Cheshire countryside. I work from home, in an old stable block at the back of my house, which can look wonderful when it’s tidy and ‘arranged’ but…

A passion for fine art saw Somerset-based fabric designer Kate Medlicott travel to Assisi in Italy with sketchbook in hand, where she captured the subtle patterns in the background of 14th century artist Giotto’s frescoes. Now, she’s brought them to life in her first woven fabric collection, Basilica. Made in Suffolk, at a mill dating back to 1720, they come in five colourways. Oro, Marina, Laguna, Marmo and Verde, £145m, katemedlicott.com TIME WELL SPENT… RECYCLE If you’re a My John Lewis member, bring five items of pre-loved clothing in store to be resold or recycled via the FashionCycle scheme, and you’ll get £5 off when you spend £20 on homeware or fashion. FOLLOW interior designer Leoma @styletheclutter on TikTok for videos on how to keep a busy family home looking beautiful.…

Equal measures of beauty and practicality create the winning formula for the pretty stone cottage that Stephanie Larkinson and partner Phil now call home. ‘Although it’s a cottage, it has decently proportioned rooms oozing with character, which was important to us coming from a large house. You know what they say about us downsizers,’ laughs Stephanie. The couple relocated from Berkshire to Cricklade in Wiltshire many years ago, when they bought a four-storey townhouse to renovate and live in with Stephanie’s elderly mother. When her mother passed away, the couple needed something smaller; but while keen to stay in the area, they were under no illusion that it would be an easy search. ‘Off-street parking, and a character property with good-sized rooms and a large garden, weren’t an ideal set…

Use colour to focus the eye – a delightful painted ceiling, or paintwork that frames a door and invites you into the room beyond – are magnetic ways to draw your attention Wall-to-wall colour creates a warm and cocooning space. Choose the paint finish to match the mood – soft matt for homely comfort or a touch of sheen for elegance Play with your palette and choose a trio of colours as the foundation of your scheme – a primary shade, a secondary tone, then an accent hue for details…

MAXIMALIST MAKEOVER The traditional ‘all white’ bathroom is getting a makeover. Increasingly it is seen as a space to be designed with as much impact and personality as any other room in the house, as interior designer Anouska Lancaster of Noushka Design explains. ‘I adore mixing patterns and textures,’ she says. ‘This playful layering adds a multidimensional feel to the room, creating a space that’s uplifting and joyful.’ It might be that an en suite echoes the colour and wallpaper scheme of the adjoining bedroom or that a bathroom celebrates the beauty of immersive pattern in its own right. ‘A house can only become a home when it is tailored to your personal style and needs,’ adds Anouska. SUBTLE ELEGANCE A grey and white scheme adds restrained elegance to this…

Preservation society Part larder, part display, tied bunches of produce and flowers are a great way to preserve the garden’s bounty. To keep onions, let them ‘cure’ in a dry, shaded place for two weeks, then wrap the stalks around string and hang from a beam or hook. They will last up to six months. For dried lavender, tie the freshly-picked stems in bunches and suspend; they’re ready when the stalks snap easily.…

Sunday market salad jar MAKES 1 SERVING Choose produce in a variety of colours – it not only looks more appetizing but also provides a wide range of nutrients. 150g raw baby beetroot, trimmed and scrubbed7-8 radishes, trimmed7-8 small tomatoesSmall handful of baby spinach leaves1⁄4 cucumber, peeled75g buffalo mozzarella½tsp mustard seeds3tbsp fruity olive oil1tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice1tsp white wine vinegarSmall handful of fresh basilSalt and freshly ground black pepper1ltr Mason/Kilner jar with a lid 1 Place the beetroot into a saucepan of cold water and bring to the boil. Cook for 30–40 minutes or until the beetroot are tender when pierced with a knife. Drain and immerse in cold water. Leave to cool. Peel the beetroot and cut into wedges or slices. 2 Cut the radishes into quarters. Cut…

Chiswick House Gardens, where I am Head Gardener, tells the story of a key moment in garden history, when William Kent and the Duke of Burlington began the English Landscape Movement. As well as a 19th-century formal garden and a thriving kitchen garden with 17th-century walls, we also have what’s believed to be the first English rose garden. Established in the 1790s, it was created for a Duchess, Georgiana, who had been enthralled by the roses she saw in France. The roses in this collection date from that time; back then, their blooming – at its peak in late May and June – was an opportunity to entertain privileged guests while enjoying the abundance of colour and scent. We can all take inspiration for our roses from this early ‘party…

The beauty of gardening is that there is something new to see and do in each and every season. Whether that’s tending to a brimming pot of hyacinths and daffodils in spring or knocking up some incredible DIY furniture to add extra seating to your summer patio. Even autumn and winter have their own special jobs, despite the traditional ‘peak’ season coming to a close. The leaves changing and falling gives you the opportunity to make leaf mould, which can be used as a soil improver in the years ahead. And, of course, winter means it’s time to get festive with decorations made from foliage. So, have a look inside and find a fun project to do in the garden, no matter the time of year……

Cold-proof your summer house If you’re lucky enough to have a garden room, making it warm will ensure that you can use it all year round. Insulating it at construction stage will add extra warmth, but if that isn’t possible, then covering the floor with fleeces and rugs, plus wall hangings and thick drapes at doors will help beat the chill. Lanterns, from £24.99, Lights4fun Organise extra outdoor storage If your shed is crammed with furniture, toys and tools, then why not invest in some overspill storage. These smart weatherproof cabinets can be lined up on a patio area closer to the house to save trekking down to the end of the garden every time you need something. Kolbjorn cabinet in Green, £75; shelving unit, £50, Ikea Provide a pit…

Installing a green roof on your house or garden buildings will brighten up these dull surfaces with a carpet of colourful flowers and textured foliage. As well as attracting pollinating insects and birds, a living roof will also absorb rainwater, helping to prevent flooding, and can lower heating costs by adding a layer of natural insulation to your home. Green roof options You can grow many different types of plants on a roof, but hardy, drought-tolerant species that look after themselves are the easiest to maintain. Award-winning garden designer Sarah Jarman of JarmanMurphy (jarmanmurphy.co.uk) recommends a sedum roof. She says: ‘These low-growing, succulent plants rarely need watering and knit tightly together to prevent weeds taking hold. And different species of sedum flower at different times, providing a long season of…

1 Add a signature wall Take this interior trend outside to add impact to your garden decor, especially if you want to create the feel of an alfresco lounge. Pick out window and door frames with darker hues in shades of charcoal or blue-black to add to the contemporary look. This gorgeous shade of mustard works in both a sunny and shady spot. Back wall painted in Yellow Pink 46; left wall painted in Scree 227; window frame painted in Lamp Black 228, available in 5ltr masonry paint and 2.5ltr intelligent exterior eggshell, all Little Greene 2 Liven up a fence Give a dull and uninspiring fence a real boost with an injection of bold colour. Here, a mid-blue shade has been painted over the whole boundary. This blue backdrop…

That thick layer of fallen leaves covering your lawn, flowerbeds and paths needs to be swept up in autumn. Otherwise, it will smother grass, encourage mould on plants, is slippery underfoot, and is a haven for slugs and snails. But, instead of chucking the spent leaves on the compost heap or disposing of them another way, why not make leaf mould? Store them in a bin bag or leaf mould bin and this will allow them to break down into the wonderful humus-rich soil conditioner that you can use all around the garden. To help you get started with your own, we’ve brought together lots of top tips on how to make it, where to use it, and why it’s so beneficial for your garden. And, if you want to…

Topiary is the ancient practice of shearing evergreen shrubs and trees to beautify a garden. It encompasses the miniature box hedges that enclose flowers in elaborate parterres and the substantial yew hedging that forms mazes in the gardens of stately homes. But most famously, it is the individual plants that are tightly clipped to form peacocks, pyramids, chess pieces, and other fantastical or geometric shapes. ‘Treated with restraint, clipped trees introduced singly, in pairs or in groups, provide a certain atmosphere in a garden which is not to be obtained by any other means,’ wrote Nathaniel Lloyd, who created the impressive topiary at Great Dixter in East Sussex. This ‘atmosphere’ relates to character, but also to structure. For those of us preoccupied with flowers, thinking about structure might sound dull.…

Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without a poinsettia. Most people are familiar with the red plants, but breeding has produced many different shades and bi-colours, from peach to deep maroon, cinnamon, pink, yellow, apricot and white. Modern varieties also vary in size, habit and leaf shape, with leaf textures from soft velvet to ripples and furled edges. Poinsettias can be fussy plants and without the right conditions and care, they will start to droop quickly after Christmas and even die. To ensure your plant lasts until Christmas and beyond, make sure it doesn’t get caught in a cold draught. Place poinsettias in a warm spot in good light away from radiators, and water them only when the compost has dried out. Light Poinsettias like bright, indirect light. So only place…

Taking on a remote cottage as a restoration project required James and Raffaella Fooks-Bale to adopt a unique approach. Built as a farm homestead 400 years ago, the house sits proudly near the top of a slope in the Cambrian Mountains and is reached by a winding track that only agile sheep and skilful drivers can navigate. They soon realised that assembling all the necessary building materials on site would take ingenuity and determination. The ethos for the design of the cottage came from the upland location. Its remoteness and landscape all fed into how the house would look and feel. Many of the building materials came from what was already there — such as wood from the old pigsty and clay pipes found in the garden — and their…

SHAPELY BATHTUBS A curvaceous freestanding bath always makes a stylish focal point, like this Cian slipper bath, £4,350 from BC Designs – raise it on a plinth to accentuate its look-at-me status, bcdesigns.co.uk FLUTED FLOURISH Taking its cue from kitchen cabinetry trends, The Loop freestanding three-drawer bathroom cabinet, £1,450, from Claybrook has a fluted finish that’s perfect for adding interest in a bathroom, claybrookstudio.co.uk TAPPING INTO STYLE A colourful mixer is to your basin like jewellery is to an outfit – finishing off a chic design in the smartest of ways. MINI-ME LUXE If you don’t have the space or budget for a copper bath, how about a metal washbasin instead? The handcrafted Copper basin, £692, from BC Designs is sure to add a touch of luxury and burnished warmth…

Winemaking is a compelling industry; the more you educate yourself about wine, the more interesting it becomes,’ say Joe Beckett and Rebecca Dancer. Joe, who was once a semi-professional rugby player, and Rebecca, a former musician, are now two of the youngest vineyard owners in the country. ‘We were pulled in by making sparkling wine and now we’re very interested in all styles of wine,’ says Joe. Their handcrafted wines, produced at Kinsbrook Vineyard in West Sussex, are created from grapes grown on Joe’s family’s third-generation farm. ‘After I left university I went travelling and saw the wine industry in South Africa and New Zealand,’ says Joe. ‘They were expanding into tourism for the first time, building beautiful restaurants and wine-tasting platforms. There was a very relaxed, low-key way of…

Leila’s garden is only a short step through an old gateway, but it seems far away from the outside world. The walled garden is a calm space where sunshine filters through a canopy of bronze and green foliage, highlighting an array of spring flowers. ‘It was the garden that sold me the house,’ says Leila. Dating from the 16th century, the property has been extended over the centuries, and the garden has seen many changes. ‘Old houses feel very different to new ones, and their gardens have a special mood,’ she notes. When the couple first moved in, the garden was well cared for and very traditional, with a framework of mature plants such as the magnolia, a purple-leaved ornamental cherry and wisteria. ‘Nevertheless, the first thing I did was…

Weekend project The kit • Grass seed • Lawn fertiliser • Rake • Spring-tine rake • Half-moon edger • Daisy grubber • Garden fork • Top dressing 1 GET RID OF LEAVES, WEEDS AND MOSS Clear leaves with a rake as soon as they fall, so they don’t rot and damage grass. Banish weeds, either by hand using a traditional daisy grubber or with a chemical treatment. Chemicals are less effort, but make sure you follow the instructions to the letter to avoid over-treating and unnecessary damage. Use a spring-tine rake to remove moss (this is called scarifying). It’s hard work, but it stops the moss smothering the grass, giving it a chance to grow. Only scarify in spring, otherwise you can cause lasting damage. 2 SPRUCE UP YOUR EDGES Keep…

Outdoor showers are rising in popularity, becoming an on-trend addition to garden living spaces both great and small. You can go for a simple yet chic design, while some encapsulate the feeling of a private alfresco spa – but whatever look you go for, they’re definitely practical. Whether for rinsing muddy pets or feet, cooling off on a hot summer’s day, or having a luxurious spa moment out in the fresh air – they can look stylish too. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the UK climate doesn’t allow for an outdoor shower. However, lockdown in 2020 saw UK Google searches for ‘Hot tub for sale’ soar by 1900% with retailers such as Aldi and B&M having people queuing at their door to get their hands on one. So it’s…

Colchichum emerge from summer dormancy as clusters of gleaming, silvered pink or white flowers, appearing ahead of their leaves, hence the common name ‘Naked Ladies’. Few bulbs are as irrepressible — autumn crocuses flower regardless of whether they are planted or not, so can be bought late in the summer, provided they are immediately put into deep, moisture-retentive soil in a sunny spot. They should not be confused with autumn-flowering crocuses, a totally different flowering family. YOU WILL NEED … ● A galvanised bucket approximately 40cm high ● General purpose compost ● Gravel to place over the drainage holes in the bucket ● 2 pots of Gentiana ‘The Caley’ ● 1 pot of Schizostylis coccinea ‘Fenland Daybreak’ ● 1 pot of Pennisetum alopecuroides ● 2 pots of Colchicum ‘Waterlily’ ●…