Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i Country Homes & Interiors

FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES INTERIORS – and I’m guessing that’s you! – our home is the ultimate creative expression. From the jug of flowers on a table to the colour of our sofa, we make decisions that illustrate what ‘beauty’ means to us at every touchpoint. And it’s so personal, which is what I find completely wonderful. In this issue, you’ll find houses that showcase their owners’ passion for colour or a pared-back palette, worn and rustic textures or gentle elegance, in properties small, large and in between. Take a look, from page 21. If you’re like me, you’ll also feel a twitchy, shifty need for change as the seasons begin to turn. I’m not talking wholesale projects (although if that’s on your agenda, good luck!). It’s small updates that…

An appreciation of antiques and handcrafted items sits at the core of Alex Legendre’s life and style. She grew up in Brighton, on the Sussex coast, at a time when the city was at the epicentre of the country’s antiques trade. From the age of 11, she was buying and selling Art Deco silver marcasite jewellery and lace. At 15, she left home and school, finishing her art and art history exams remotely. She was awarded a graphic design internship, but without any financial means had to begin working instead. Four years later, married to Keith, aka Ging, she began a new chapter in Asia and Australia, running restaurants and honing her creative eye for timeworn furniture and decorative finds, before returning to England aged 23, pregnant with their daughter…

Capture the golden promise of September afternoons, with curtains the colour of the sun’s last flare and accessories in the russet tones of leaves crisping at the edges Cool down rich yellow hues by adding touches of blue, green, pink and grey to your scheme. A ditsy wallpaper print or statement stool will do the trick A pastel-gold mix works best in a bedroom where acid brights would look too strong. Honey-coloured wood is a gentle partner, with a rub of beeswax polish to reveal the grain…

TILED FEATURE ‘Kitchen splashbacks in tiles are a great way to create an interesting and easy-to-clean surface,’ says Louisa Morgan, director of Mandarin Stone. Available in a huge range of plain and patterned designs, colours and formats, you can choose a tile with as much impact as you wish – from a bold look to draw the eye and create a focal point of the hob area, or a gentle neutral to blend with your scheme. ‘Porcelain tiles have low porosity, making them resistant to staining,’ adds Louisa. ‘Choose a tile with a smooth surface for easy maintenance.’ Makes sure your tiles are suitable for walls, as some are too thick and heavy for hanging. And check whether the type, such as encaustic, needs sealing. STONE ‘With its striking veining…

Grains of sand caught in the crevices of rocks worn smooth by the relentless caress of waves; lichen creeping out of inky-blue rock pools; sea foam settling on barnacle-encrusted driftwood; the richly veined granite coastal cliffs of northwest Scotland. These are some of the textures that have inspired Vicky Ware’s rustic tableware for some time. Yet such elemental seascapes are a far cry from the idyllic, undulating countryside that surrounds her secluded hilltop studio at her home in Powys. Enjoying stunning panoramic views over the Trannon Valley and the Cambrian mountains, Vicky’s studio, a ‘shed within a shed’, is in a contrasting, yet equally inspiring location. The surrounding woodland is starting to put on its autumnal cloak of russet, bronze and gold, and the earthenware bread pots and mugs drying…

ALI HEATH is a writer, interiors stylist and author of Create: At Home with Old and New, which features the beautiful home on page 58. ‘I am passionate about storytelling, both visually and in words, and feel very privileged to get under the skin of so many inspiring creatives. It’s soul food for a curious mind,’ says Ali. HOLLY PHILLIPS is a brilliant CH&I alumna now working as a freelance stylist. She compiled 10 Autumn Trends Worth Noting on page 94. It’s great to have her back in the fold for this issue. TIFFANY FRANCIS-BAKER is a writer, artist and environmentalist from Hampshire. In this issue, she explores the slow-living pleasures of sewing, in an extract from her new book, The Cottage Life.…

Do you believe in star signs and astrological traits? My husband believes in them when it suits his argument. ‘I’m a Gemini; I’m allowed to change my mind,’ is what I’ll hear when I ask whether he prefers the green cushion or the blue, only to have him change his mind within minutes. As a Virgo, one of my core traits is supposed to be extreme tidiness, and a long time ago, when I didn’t have as many spaces to fill, or indeed, any children to drop things on the floor, I was dedicated in my desire to eliminate clutter. Even as a student, I rejoiced smugly in a colour-coded closet and hospital corners on my always-made bed. Now we’ve skipped a few decades and with my love of creating…

A run-down manor house with an intriguing interior full of nooks and crannies not only ticked the right boxes for interior designer Sarah Southwell, but for her three young sons, too. Keen to move to the country to give the boys what she describes as a ‘free-range’ childhood, with space and fresh air, Sarah and husband Nick also wanted an interior that delivered on intrigue – a magical space that would provide the perfect environment for nurturing young imaginations. Having sold their previous property in London, the family rented for almost a year until this Grade II listed manor house in the picturesque Somerset countryside came on the market. ‘We decided we wanted it before we had even gone inside,’ Sarah explains. ‘We instantly loved the stone and mullion windows,…

Producing authentic, individual and timeless pieces, Burleigh is the last pottery of its kind, where the best of British ceramic design and craft manufacturing is protected and celebrated. Take a look at its collections to discover tableware and teaware in iconic patterns, such as Blue Asiatic Pheasants, Blue Calico and Blue Regal Peacock. Burleigh has been producing pottery in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, the home of English pottery, since 1851. It moved to its present site Middleport Pottery, Burslem, in 1889, where every piece of Burleigh ware is still meticulously handcrafted. Priding itself on time-honoured processes, Burleigh is the only pottery in the world to decorate its wares using tissue transfer printing, a method dating back over 250 years. There are now just 12 craftspeople in the world who have the…

1 PAINTED FLOORS Roll-up the rug and transform a room in budget-savvy fashion. Painted floorboards are incredibly versatile, injecting colour and character. Try a large-scale geo design in a two-tone colour combination for statement style. Chalk paint in Scandinavian Pink and Lifestyle, both £26.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan 2 STATEMENT STRIPES Bold stripes have strutted from summer catwalk to hunker-down homeware for the autumn/winter season. The look is less trad ticking and more wide cabana in style, with energetic colour combinations delivering a punchy spruce-up. Ena striped bamboo lampshade in Blue, £20, Oliver Bonas 3 STAND-OUT WALL ART We all adore a gallery wall, but this season it’s daring individual pieces in blown-up proportions that demand attention. A bobbin-style frame is the loveliest, trending finish to make artwork pop. framed…

HUMANS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS. From ancient, charcoal-scratched drawings on cave walls to 3D digital printing and everything in between, we are creative souls who love nothing more than to make, shape, colour and discover. The act of making and crafting is not only fun, it has proven scientific benefits for our wellbeing. Research published by University College London shows that engaging with the visual arts can reduce anxiety and stress. Learning a craft is associated with an increase in wellbeing and mood, due to the effort, multi-sensory engagement, repetitive actions and anticipation of satisfaction that comes with making something. Creative activities also require focus and attention, which act as a form of meditation. Studies have also shown that those who gather together for communal crafting are able…

Sensory gardens incorporate features that engage all our five senses – touch, smell, taste, sound and sight – to create a soothing and engaging outdoor space. ‘Spending time in a sensory garden can improve sleep and wellbeing and by encouraging a focus on textures, tastes and sounds, can increase mindfulness and mood,’ explains Imogen Jackson, a head gardener with Horatio’s Garden, a charity that creates gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. With a bit of creativity and know-how, you can begin adding sensory features to any of your garden plans. INTRODUCE COOLING POOLS Water features are wonderful additions for a sensory garden. Water sends sparkling shimmers across the plot as it reflects the midday sun; it welcomes dragonflies, frogs, and other wildlife; it’s refreshingly cool to the touch; and the…

I walked the Norfolk coastal path recently and in doing so, I inevitably contemplated the scenery and wildlife through which I passed. It was striking the impact of being outdoors – windswept and away from devices, meetings and schedules – was having on me. It struck me that my four days of walking gave me a sustained, luxurious version of the countryside feel and benefits that gardens, including public gardens like Chiswick House Gardens, are trying to achieve. To create that countryside feeling at home, right by the back door, close your eyes and consider what makes you feel best about being in a rural landscape. What do you see, hear, or experience? I was struck again and again by the movement the wind created on the marshes and grasslands.…

The New Forest in Hampshire combines our love of ponies, sailing and glorious woodland walks, all in a weekend. A perfect country day would be spent there, under an oak tree, in our garden that runs down to the sea. I tell my husband, Tim, how lucky he is to be surrounded by so many adoring ladies. We have three daughters, all grown up now, and a grandchild called Clemmie. We also have four dogs, two cats, and two ducks named after our respective mothers-in-law, Doreen and Stella. Ideally, all the family and the dogs would be with us. The dogs sit in a semi-circle around Tim when we eat because he feeds them tidbits when we are not looking. I start my day at the stables and go for a…

Despite studying garden design at Edinburgh University, Nicola found herself in demand as an interior designer, with friends inspired by her beautiful home. In 2007, she set up her design studio, Nicola Harding & Co, in London and has been stamping her playfully elegant aesthetic onto homes ever since, commuting from her home in rural Oxfordshire. This spring saw Nicola launch her homeware collection, NiX. She describes each piece as ‘beautifully useful, designed to be well-used and well-loved for years to come’. What do you love most about being a designer? I’m addicted to creating a sense of home for people. Growing up I moved house constantly, and I craved a sense of belonging. I became fascinated by the alchemy of ‘home’; what were the magic ingredients that could unlock…

Having run out of walls to paint during lockdown, mural artist Rachel Spelling began using the tiny blocks in a Farrow & Ball colour chart as her canvases. ‘I found a small brush and painted a fish onto Stone Blue. It felt good so I painted some more – an eye, a swan, a hat, a little landscape,’ she says. She’s been painting tiny artworks ever since! To see more inspiration from Rachel, follow @studiospelling or visit studiospelling.com. Prints from £75; originals are released in batches a few times a year. ONE FOR THE DIARY… 12 SEPTEMBER Combine a visit to Barnsdale Gardens with an informative two-hour course on composting. £40 per person (including tea and coffee on arrival and garden entry), barnsdalegardens.co.uk 16-17 SEPTEMBER Discover designer-makers at Beautiful &…

This chocolate-box-pretty cottage was only meant to be a detour on their way to a new life in Devon, but the lure of village living close to home in Oxfordshire proved irresistible for Janice Talkington and her partner Paul Bates. The couple had put their farm up for sale in 2021 with plans to move to the West Country, but it sold more quickly than expected. ‘The day we moved out in June, Paul booked me in to view a traditional two-up two-down cottage with an extension on the back that was on the market in the nearby village,’ says Janice. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see it on the day I was leaving the farm but I fell in love with it at first sight. I loved its location across…

Subscribe & get an Annie Sloan gift set • Annie Sloan Charleston paint set in Tilton, plus a countryside bird stencil and flat paintbrush • Never miss an issue – for yourself or a friend • Free UK home delivery Visit www.magazinesdirect.com/chisep or call 0330 333 1113 and quote B92J Offer closes 5 September 2023. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Pay only £42.99 every 12 months, saving 34% on the cover price. Savings are based on the annual subscription rate. 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…

Praised for its beautiful colours and artful craftsmanship, folk style has more than earned its place in interior design heritage. Perfect if you want to add more personality to your home, folk style brings together the decorative crafts of different cultures to create playful, unique and homely spaces. Inspired by the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of folk costumes of her native Polish/Hungarian heritage, interior designer Julia Brendel shares her tips on incorporating these principles into your interior design. ESSENTIAL FOLK DESIGN COMPONENTS ‘Traditionally, folk design was created by people living close to nature. It is designed to be functional, using predominantly natural materials, with motifs taken from nature and simplified down, often in primary colours. For me, the real must-have components to create the folk look are hand-painted ceramics…

Extending your home can be a costly affair both monetarily and in terms of space. The average 30 square metre home extension will cost around £66,000 and can eat up a significant portion of your garden. A loft extension can add space at a fraction of the cost and with significantly less disturbance. SUITABILITY The first step in planning a loft conversion is to assess whether your space is viable. ‘Most properties will be suitable for a loft conversion as long as the loft measures 2.3m at the highest point. Other features that will help you decide whether your loft space is suitable are the pitch of the roof, the type of structure, and obstacles, such as water tanks or chimney stacks,’ explains John Allen, managing director at Econoloft. COSTING…

Lemon, fennel & rocket salad with radicchio SERVES 4 Lemons grow profusely in the south of Italy. They’re enormously versatile – I think a lemon will improve the flavour of any dish. I’m also a big fan of radicchio, which is grown in and around Verona. ½ radicchio/red chicory, torn into shreds2 large unwaxed lemons, peeled and sliced1 fennel head, trimmed and sliced into matchsticksGenerous handful of rocket, torn into shreds2tbsp good-quality extra virgin olive oil2tbsp freshly grated ParmesanA few drops of balsamic vinegarSea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Arrange the radicchio on four individual plates. Add the lemon slices, fennel and torn rocket. 2 To make the dressing, mix together the olive oil, Parmesan, vinegar and salt and pepper in a small bowl or jug. Pour the…

For ease and flower power in semi-shade, hydrangeas are hard to beat. In late summer, they provide mounds of lush foliage and huge flowerheads that can be a handful or more in size. There are three main varieties to choose from: cone-shaped panicle flowerheads; rounded mopheads; and lacecaps, which look like doilies. The mophead forms of Hydrangea macrophylla are usually pink, but can be blue in certain soil conditions. Gorgeous alternatives include the ivory H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ and wonderful white-flowered climbing hydrangeas. Panicle hydrangeas are loved by garden designers. ‘If I want a flowering shrub that stays around six feet in sun, I rely on H. paniculata ‘Fire Light’’, says landscape designer Carolyn Gange. Another cone-shaped choice that’s miles away from the gaudier pink mopheads is the oakleaf hydrangea (H.…