Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2023 i Country Homes & Interiors

I’M A BIG FAN OF SMALL DECOR CHANGES that are the result of a gentle morning pottering around the house – switching up the display on a shelf, say, or rearranging the living room furniture. Recently, I added a few houseplants to the open shelves in my kitchen and it’s brought such vitality and freshness. We’ve looked at other ideas to give your kitchen a quick and affordable refresh in Update your Cook Space (page 91). It’s proof that we don’t always need an expensive refit to transform a place (as our guide to sprucing up decking and patio paving also demonstrates; see No Pressure on page 100). I’m feeling the pull to the garden and beyond, so I’ll be taking tips from The Great Outdoors (page 74), which is…

Habitat’s talented in-house design team have translated the rare and endangered plants housed in Kew Gardens’ glasshouses and gardens onto ceramics and textiles, to create a botanical-inspired homeware collection. Bold patterns and a palette of teal, coral and emerald bring a feelgood factor to the table. ‘We know that spending time in nature is good for the soul so it’s wonderful to see the beauty of plants bringing life into pieces that can be used every day,’ says Quincy Leon, head of licensing at Kew. From £4, habitat.co.uk HOMEGROWN STYLE Heritage furniture brand Ercol has produced two of its best-loved designs in British ash to mark a new partnership with Grown in Britain. The ‘homegrown’ Marino chair, from £1,650, and Pebble nest of tables, from £850, symbolise the brand’s commitment to…

Natasha Miller admits, ‘My home really is my sanctuary,’ and it’s not difficult to see why. This mellow Kentish barn, nestled in the North Downs, is a calm, cohesive, light-filled space which feels effortlessly stylish. But there’s more to it than that. Natasha has a degenerative eye condition which means her sight is severely impaired. ‘I have no peripheral vision, which can make everyday life a bit challenging,’ she explains. ‘So coming home to a place where I always feel relaxed and safe has become increasingly important.’ The barn has been home for Natasha, husband Alan and their three children since 2007, but it’s only in recent years that she has been able to indulge her passion for interiors. ‘When we moved here from a Victorian house in Ashford all…

After living in a new-build house, the prospect of reimagining a converted barn with all its character and potential gave Marisa Lumley-Holmes and her husband Chris Shaw a wonderful challenge. ‘We were definitely on the lookout for a project to put our own stamp and style on,’ says Marisa, an interior designer. ‘And this place had been renovated in the 1990s but hadn’t really been maintained since then, so needed more work than we anticipated.’ Although they kept much of the layout of the house as it was, the kitchen was in a building attached to the main property. It made sense to knock through to this area and alter the size of the downstairs bathroom to create one large open-plan kitchen/diner/living room. The back of the space was then…

FIREPLACE FEATURE Opt for chequerboard chic by applying a slim wallpaper border around your fireplace surround. It will create a statement focal point in your living room and can be used to tie together colours and patterns from elsewhere in the space. Not crazy about checks? Choose a stripe or floral design instead, but be sure to echo the motif in two other areas of your scheme for balance. Ernie wallpaper border in Red, £78.20 a roll, Studio Atkinson. Titan two-seater sofa in Festival Cream/Natural Mix, £1,399, Sofology PAINTED FURNITURE Add a shot of uplifting colour to a room by painting a piece of furniture in a smile-inducing shade. Start by removing any hardware, doors and drawers. If the piece is already painted, rub it down with coarse sandpaper to…

Spiced squash & puy lentil salad SERVES 4 If you think that salads are one-dimensional, I guarantee that this one will change your mind. FOR THE ROASTED SQUASH 1 small (530g) butternut squash2 red onions, sliced into wedges3tsp ras el hanout2tsp garlic powder½tsp chilli flakes½tsp fine sea salt½tsp ground black pepper3tbsp olive oil1tbsp red wine vinegar1tbsp maple syrup FOR THE LENTILS 1 x 250g pack pre-cooked puy lentils1tbsp maple syrup 2tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling A squeeze of lemon juice1tsp dried herbs½tsp garlic powder Fine sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste1 x medium bag of rocket, to garnish FOR THE TAHINI DRESSING 3½tbsp tahini Juice of ½ lemon1tbsp olive oil200g Greek yogurt (or a dairy-free alternative)1tsp garlic powder¼tsp fine sea salt¼tsp ground black pepper 1 Preheat…

It may be peak salad season out there in the vegetable patch, but July is the time to plant slow-growing winter vegetables, such as swede and kale, so they will be ready to harvest throughout the colder months. And because it’s the height of summer and I love edible flowers, I’m planting nasturtiums, too. SWEDES This classic root veg needs a constant supply of moisture to help it mature and prevent it from becoming woody. Add water to the drill or planting hole before placing the seeds, and add good compost prior to planting. You can begin to harvest from the end of September, but swedes will happily stay in the ground until Christmas. Tip Sow the seeds thinly and 2cm deep. KALE This leafy vegetable thrives through winter –…

There’s no place like home, so my perfect day would be spent in Ironbridge, Shropshire, where I live with my wife, Lisa. My workshop is in nearby Jackfield, and I like to walk along the river to get there. It is one of the most beautiful countryside locations you are going to see. You walk across a wooden bridge and there’s a pub at the end – perfect. I get up at 6am and do 100 push-ups to start the day. I’ve just started to do squats, too! I’m often filming all over the country, so if I’m in a hotel with a pool, I’ll go for a swim in the morning. Time at home is a rare treat but there’s no place like it. There’s a café near me called…

ALICE ROBERTON wrote Midsummer Dream (page 34). ‘My grandparents had a windmill and a family friend converted a tin church, so I’ve always loved unusual properties,’ she says. ‘Writing about homes and those who dwell in them feeds my endless curiosity about soulful and storied homemaking.’ SHARON PARSONS wrote our Happy Place home feature (page 22). ‘I’ve written stories since I was little,’ she says. ‘But I’ve moved to Devon and find it hard to work when I want to walk by the coast!’ BRENT DARBY photographs many of the homes we feature. ‘I always love to be invited into someone’s home and bringing out its strong points and their personality in the shoot,’ he says.…

Annie Sloan has added two new colours to her iconic chalk paints. Coolabah Green’s pale blue-green shade partners perfectly with soft pinks and neutrals. Whistler Grey – inspired by the paintings of 19th-century American-born artist, James Abbott McNeill Whistler – is darker in tone. Try using it as an accent colour on furniture alongside brights, or buffer with lighter shades of grey. Both £26.95 for 1ltr, anniesloan.com POWER COUPLE Following on from the success of their recent collaborative collection, tilemakers Fired Earth and Bert & May have introduced two stylish new designs – antique-inspired Turenne and Crosses, a striking geometric pattern. The distinctive designs combine both brands’ passion for rustic imperfections with all the benefits of practical porcelain. Which is your favourite? From £79.75sq m, bertandmay.com…

Subscribe now & receive an exclusive Emma Bridgewater mug set • Beautiful hand-painted mugs with spring patterns • Never miss an issue – for yourself or a friend • Free home delivery direct to your door Visit www.magazinesdirect.com/chjul23 or call 0330 333 1113 and quote B83L Offer closes 3 July 2023. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. £47.99 payable by annual Direct Debit. We will notify you in advance of any price changes. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). Payment is non-refundable after the 14-day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. Welcome gift(s) are only available to new UK print and bundle subscribers. Your gift will be delivered separately…

Our relationship with colour is emotional – it affects our moods, senses and happiness, so colour choices are among the most important interior decisions you will make. My home style has evolved from colourful to a mix of monochrome meets natural. Seeing so much colour in my work, I wanted our home to feel calm, and this approach has helped keep my chameleon stylist tendencies under control. I hope what I’ve learned will help you too. ONLY CHOOSE WHAT YOU LOVE It should never be about trends or fashion, or a carbon copy of someone else’s style. CHOOSE FEWER COLOURS There are no rules for how many colours work best in a room, but in my opinion three to five shades are generally enough. USE THE 60:30:10 COLOUR SPLIT Many…

Paving, patios and wooden decks can accumulate dirt, debris, moss and algae over winter. While using a pressure washer is the fastest way to clear the decks, there’s a danger that the strong jet of water will damage even tough outdoor surfaces. Here’s how to take a gentler approach. DECKING Start by clearing your decking completely – furniture, pots, your barbecue and anything else. Then, give the surface a thorough sweep to remove as much debris as possible from the surface and between cracks. You could use a garden hose to wash away grime, spraying in between the deck planks to dislodge debris. Next, apply a cleaning solution. For a gentle clean to remove surface dirt and cobwebs, use a solution of washing up liquid in warm water. Alternatively, you…

The Bell has seen many reinventions over its long history – from its start in 1560 as a private home, its metamorphosis around 1645 into a tap room with rooms above (available for travellers to rent at a penny a bed), with various additions and upgrades, including a function room and coach house, establishing its importance at the heart of village life in Ticehurst on the beautiful Sussex-Kent border. Its present incarnation began in 2008, when the inn was closed for three years for extensive renovations. It emerged with its character intact – and a few new eclectic personality quirks. The cosy, beamed bar and restaurant features bowler-hat lights and interesting artwork. The function room is resplendent with chandeliers and a mural of silver birch trees and forest animals. More…

Cosmos are easy and inexpensive to grow, and they produce an abundance of pretty, daisy-like flowers that can be cut for the vase during summer and early autumn. They are native to Mexico, where they bloom in swathes of pink, white and orange in sun-baked meadows and scrub. The name derives from the Greek kosmos, meaning ‘beauty and harmony of the universe’, and was adopted by Spanish priests in Mexico, who appreciated the flower’s circle of petals. The majority of cosmos grown by gardeners today are pink or white forms of the half-hardy annual species Cosmos bipinnatus. Possessing a cut-and-come-again habit (like a sweet pea), C. bipinnatus should be picked regularly to maintain its impressive flower power. It’s also an excellent addition to a wildlife-friendly border, with pollinators lured by…

After training at West Surrey College of Art, Mary Norden worked in textiles for many years. Renowned for her bold use of colour and pattern, she was commissioned by the likes of Yves St Laurent, Mary Quant and Liberty, before moving into the world of interiors, where she worked as a stylist, art director and writer for various publications – including our sister brand, Homes & Gardens. She now works as a full-time artist in Shropshire and London. Have you always been creative? Yes, I was always encouraged from an early age. Not just to draw and paint, but to make things from almost nothing – recycling and upcycling were the norm in my family. I’m also dyslexic, so creating artwork became my language. Talk us through the creative process.…

We do love a grand day out at Hill House, and the ritual of packing up ‘Agnes’, my vintage Morris Traveller, with a pile of blankets, a mound of cushions and a variety of picnic paraphernalia induces a sense of nostalgia and excitement that’s hard to beat. The journey is usually just as much fun as the destination – you see, I have successfully convinced my family that a game of car-based pub cricket and at least one round of I Spy are a non-negotiable ritual and they happily indulge me. I have a list of country fairs and brocantes written on the kitchen calendar, and thankfully the entire family now shares my appreciation of a good vintage rummage. However, some of the best and most joyful days out are…

Bring glamour and ease to an outdoor room with comfy seating, layered rugs, and a low table decorated with a stunning orchid centrepiece or bouquet of flowers Turn an outdoor table into a talking point – funky stools, a floral decoration and bold patterned fabrics bring the fun to summer festivities in the garden Whether it’s a picnic in the park or a camp in the garden, turn it into a festival-style experience with a colourful teepee, jaunty bunting and a well-stocked hamper Homegrown herbs add piquancy to summer entertaining – let guests pick their own flavourings and garnishes to add to sunshine salads and cocktails…

NEW WORKTOP Kitchen counters see plenty of wear and tear, so it may be time for a spruce up with a new top for existing cabinets. Measure your current surfaces, including cutouts for sinks, taps and hobs, and use that information to brief a worktop fabricator. Your choice of material will depend on your taste, budget and approach to stains, as some surfaces, such as marble, tend to be more porous than manufactured materials. ‘Choose what feels natural for your space,’ advises Will Eaves, design co-ordinator at British Standard by Plain English. ‘For example, wood worktops instantly add warmth, whereas bold worktops – like this mottled jade terrazzo – bring a playful finish.’ COUNTER SKIRTS ‘A curtain or skirt is a fabulous and inexpensive way to bring pattern to a…

When the mercury begins to soar (temperatures are consistently breaking records each summer), the last place you want to be is in the kitchen. Once associated with holiday living and the sunshine lifestyles of life in warmer climes, outdoor kitchens are now an increasingly popular option here in the UK. And adding one to your garden, large or small, is fast becoming a worthwhile investment. There is an undeniable pleasure about cooking and dining in the garden – simply put, food tastes better outdoors. So, why not turn your garden into the latest culinary hotspot by installing an outdoor kitchen? ‘The secret to creating the perfect outdoor kitchen is to remove the barriers that are currently stopping you from outdoor living. If it’s clearing up after cooking, then incorporating a…

PLANT POT FOOD COVERS Use an upcycled plant pot to keep insects off food. Paint the inside, outside and base of a large, clean flowerpot with several coats of water-based eggshell paint. Once the pot is dry, knot a length of rope at both ends, fold, then push it through the hole at the bottom of the pot to create a handle. Laleh terracotta plant pot, £2.70, B&Q. Similar twisted cord, £1.80m, Abakhan CITRONELLA CANDLE LANTERNS Keep mosquitoes at bay with the scent of citronella. Wrap wire around the rim of a jar and loop for a handle. Pour in some water and add fresh lemon peel and rosemary sprigs (they will help to keep the water clear). Add a couple of drops of citronella essential oil and stir gently.…

Looking after a public garden is often dictated by the weather – and not just the bad sort. Last year at Chiswick House and Gardens, any cancellations and postponements were mostly because of high temperatures rather than snow, ice or heavy rain, so as gardeners, we’ve learnt that we need to create more spring and summer shade. It’s not just about what we plant. One thing that’s helpful is movable seating and thinking through the perfect places to sit during the seasons. This is even more important in your garden at home. Plan your garden’s rest and social areas for all year round – sun, shade, shelter and cool. And employ an umbrella! The pandemic taught me that sitting outside in the rain can be gorgeous. Mature trees casting shade…