Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i Country Homes & Interiors

EVERY ISSUE OF CH&I celebrates British design talent, but for this special edition we wanted to shout to the rooftops about the homegrown brands that are keeping manufacturing skills alive in their workshops and factories; the makers dedicated to pursuing their crafts; and the household names sharing their passion and expertise with us all. Our own homes and gardens are shaped by the product of their imaginations – from Sarah Raven’s newest tulip varieties to Molly Mahon’s bright block prints. And we get to influence their success, too, by supporting independent businesses, shopping local, and valuing sustainability and artistry above fast fashion and disposable design. And because we are celebrating talent and skill, I want to give a huge shoutout to CH&I’s designer, Chris McPhail, company photographers Phil Barker and…

David began his career over 30 years ago, after a chance encounter saw him tasked with restoring a 1920s armillary sphere sundial. It ignited a passion, and he started creating his own. He sold his first piece to a prominent British actor, and the rest, as he says, is history. Today, his award-winning sculptures grace some of the most prestigious addresses across the world, from public spaces and universities to private gardens. They are all crafted by hand with the help of a small team at his workshop in rural Oxfordshire. Tell us about your working methods; what’s the process? It starts with a flash of an idea, which can come at any moment of the day or night. If the concept excites me, it goes from the back-of-an-envelope sketch,…

The house that Suzannah, husband Eddie and their four children now call home already had a familiar air to it. ‘I used to deliver newspapers here when it was flats – many years ago!’ laughs Suzannah, adding that in the intervening years, it had been converted back into a single dwelling and family home. When it finally popped up on their online property search, the pair jumped at the chance. Keen to stay in this quiet pocket of leafy Surrey where Suzannah grew up and which is close to her parents, the couple were looking for something with more space for the family and with character and potential. ‘I literally stalked Rightmove,’ Suzannah admits, explaining exactly how she stumbled upon this gem of a property. ‘We knew instantly it was…

Country Homes & Interiors has always championed British talent. In this special section, we join some of our favourite names in interior and garden design as they discuss the unique creativity of our homegrown brands Paint and colour expert Annie Sloan CBE developed her decorative Chalk Paint in 1990 and now employs about 50 people in her Oxfordshire-based business. Zoe Glencross set up her own fabric brand eight years ago and quickly developed a reputation for her pure linen and organic cotton textile designs designed and made in England. The pair met when Zoe asked Annie to suggest the perfect wall paints to use with her latest Aventuras fabric collection. Zoe I wanted to work with you on my Aventuras fabrics as it’s the most colourful collection I’ve done. There’s…

Michelle Ogundehin is the former award-winning editor in chief of Elle Decoration turned interiors expert, TV host, author and brand consultant. Sophie Robinson is an interior designer and TV host with a passion for colour. Michelle After I’ve spent any time with Sophie, I feel like I’ve been drinking champagne. I just can’t keep up with her energy! Sophie But then you don’t want to see me at 6am, when I’m this hollowed out, tired thing. But I love hanging out with you – you make me feel so clever and elegant! The first time we met was when you guest judged on my TV show, The Great Interior Design Challenge. I couldn’t believe we had worked in the same industry for so long and didn’t know each other, and…

Your hallway is more than a passing point. Create a sense of welcome with warm colours and artwork that invites you to pause and appreciate your arrival home Create a richly layered roomscape with bold injections of colour and decorative detail. Your inspiration? Country house hotels and eclectic heritage properties Florals ramble across fabrics and wallpaper. Don’t be afraid to create a mixed bouquet of patterns – find colours that complement each other and the look will be beautifully random…

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To the touch, the leather bindings of Susan Green’s books are soft and supple; some with linen and silk ribbons adding texture. They look gorgeous, too – goatskin and calfskin covers (vegans can opt for cork textile from protected Portuguese cork-oak forests) glow in autumnal crimson, scarlet and blackberry, or strike a quieter note of ivory. The paper is folded and torn the traditional way, leaving softly ‘deckled’ edges. ‘The tactility is important,’ says Susan. ‘The books are used to honour the intangible, as wedding guest books, memory books and heirlooms. Yet the feel, even the smell, all help bring the memories into being again as you flick through.’ Susan makes her books entirely by hand in a bright garden studio with yellow-painted windows, at the home she shares with…

Eight years ago, I was at the height of my corporate career, living life in the high-heeled fast lane as an expat in Johannesburg, South Africa. I loved my job, yet I knew my 12-hour days as the COO of a large multinational were numbered. Life outside of work was crammed into the three hours before my children went to bed. I felt trapped in the never-ending cycle and completely out of control of my everyday world. Never would I have dreamed during the proverbial rock-bottom moment that I would find joy, balance and a whole new career – actually, two – a few thousand miles away in the Scottish Borders. Yet, that’s exactly what came to be, in a small village close to where my husband and I grew…

A successful wildlife garden will encourage animals, birds and insects to spend time in your space, bringing you closer to nature and benefitting the environment in the process. The key is to create as many different habitats as possible. This could range from swathes of colourful planting for pollinators, a water feature for birds and frogs, or a woodpile for insects. START WITH THE PLANTING Prairie-style billowing borders filled with tall perennial blooms and ornamental grasses are a gorgeous sight, and will attract pollinators such as butterflies, as well as birds foraging for seeds. When it comes to choosing flowers, opt for flat-shaped blooms with open centres – these simple single flowers allow bees and other pollinators to feed easily from the middle. Dahlias, osteospermum, asters and heleniums are all…

CAMILLA PHELPS is a writer trained in plants and planting design. She spoke to Arit Anderson and Sarah Raven for Best of British (page 86), and says, ‘There was so much great material in their conversation, it was hard to pack it all into the feature – their thoughts on how gardening has changed are fascinating.’ KAREN DARLOW listened in on the conversation between Annie Sloan and Zoe Glencross (page 80). ‘They were a chatty pair,’ she laughs, ‘but it was so inspiring to hear about their design processes.’ THEA BABBINGTON-STITT touched down with Johnnie Boden and Molly Mahon (page 83). ‘Johnnie is so quick and energetic, the creative sparks between him and Molly were incredible.’…

As fits the theme of this issue, I’ve been considering what makes good British design. To me, it is eclectic and should encompass authentic materials, mixing old and new, tradition with quirky modernity, and reflecting British architecture and the beauty of our landscapes. It’s about combining casual elegance with comfort and a pinch of humour. And contrary to the staid stereotype, for me, British design is synonymous with the freedom to be a rule breaker while maintaining a timeless and reassuringly classic beauty. British design has always pulled from a wealth of influences. It’s what makes our design so interesting and often daring, and why so many people have such a strong image of what British style looks like – including me as a black British woman born of West…

Johnnie Boden CBE is the founder of the famed clothing company Boden which he set up in 1991 and is now a staple of British wardrobes. In spring 2022 the brand teamed up with Molly Mahon, founder of the eponymous design studio known for its block printed patterns across fabric, wallpapers and other home accessories. The pair collaborated on a one-off, limited-edition collection of colourful floral prints on women’s and children’s wear after Johnnie reached out to Molly via Instagram. Molly I remember when we first discussed a small capsule collection where it was my print designs and Boden’s brilliant clothing. I think we both felt aligned even before beginning. Johnnie Yes, we really got on quite a lot straight from the off, didn’t we! M You’ve been so generous…

‘I have always loved the inherent calm that comes from living with white. White is a mood, a feeling’CHRISSIE RUCKER Chrissie Rucker OBE founded The White Company in 1994, with a mission to produce impeccably stylish and quality products in every colour as long as it was white. Trinny Woodall launched her beauty brand Trinny London from her kitchen table in 2017, with the goal to give everyone the tools to be their best. Chrissie mentored Trinny at the start of her business, and they are fellow supporters of The Prince’s Trust. Trinny We met when you mentored me for a year. I learnt a lot from you about how to lead a team and when to take yourself away from the day-to-day running of the business to consider the…

I’m currently sitting on my sofa as drills are shrilling. This sofa is a beautiful piece that I designed around five years ago, and it’s now in its third house. When I move I hope it will follow me, although it may need a spruce up (dogs/22-year-old me/it’s white). I’m happy to give in to the fact that I and it will have to adjust to future rooms. My kitchen, which has brought the shrilling into my life, was last decorated in 1986. A Laura Ashley facsimile, it has been strangely comforting with its acid yellow and terracotta palette. But now the 30-year-old wall oven has blown and so Steve is here. We aren’t ready to ‘do’ the kitchen, but I need a new cooker. We are very focused on…

IF YOU WANT YOUR HOME TO FILL YOU WITH JOY every time you walk through the door, you first need to fall in love with colour. Your home is a living thing, somewhere you should feel your most comfortable and content, so you shouldn’t be compromising on the colours that make you feel like you. Colour can take an unremarkable space devoid of any personality, and transform it into your personal haven. Once you identify the colours that you connect with, you can set about crafting these into the fabric of your home. Whether you want to energise your hallway, create a serene setting in your office, or a welcoming atmosphere in your living room – colour is the tool you require to free these feelings and express your individuality.…

There are countless ways that you can make good use of the space under your stairs. However, the most common, and often the most practical, is adding a downstairs loo. Not only is it functional but, according to Checkatrade, this room can add up to 5% to the value of your property. CONVERTING THE SPACE Transforming a cupboard or even an open space into a bathroom isn’t as challenging as it might appear. The first task is to figure out whether your space is suitable for conversion. The minimum recommended size for a toilet space is 700mm wide x 1300mm long, but these dimensions will feel quite cramped. According to Victoria Plum, the average cloakroom bathroom is closer to 1200mm x 1200mm. ‘The only thing that may restrict you is…

Vanilla and thyme roasted peaches with raspberry sauce SERVES 4 Peaches are the ultimate summer fruit. Their ripeness will determine how long they take to cook, so keep an eye on them while baking. 4 peaches2 vanilla pods3 sprigs of thyme2tbsp honey150g fresh or frozen raspberries2tsp icing sugarVanilla ice cream, to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 230°C/Gas 8. Halve the peaches, remove the stones and place cut side up in a roasting tray. Split the vanilla pods lengthways and scrape out the seeds, adding them to the peaches with the empty pods. 2 Add the thyme, 1tbsp of the honey and 2tbsp water to the tray and massage all the flavourings into the fruit. Turn the peach halves so they are cut side down and cook in the oven…

We tend to associate bulbs with springtime, but later varieties promise cheer well into October and November. From the elegance of nerines and Abyssinian gladioli, to the punchy colour of cannas and dahlias, there is a wide range of bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers that extend the season. In the border, enjoy the bell flowers of Gladiolus papilio (such as peach-coloured ‘David Hills’), Hesperantha coccinea (try glossy red ‘Major’) and dahlias galore. For height and impact, we love golden Dahlia ‘Hercules’ and glamorous pink ‘Penhill Watermelon’, while for bright colour go for ‘Selina’ (magenta) and ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ (red). Cannas also inject a blast of late colour – particularly the dark, lush leaves and scarlet blooms of ‘Tropicanna Black’. In woodland gardens or around deciduous shrubs, plant a generous show…

Although I grew up in Rutland and the Peak District, I have lived in central London for more than 30 years. The city has amazing parks, so I take daily ‘nature snacks’, even if it’s just five minutes outside, and I walk to a park every day to get my 10,000 steps in. I hug a tree or two and take in the flora to give me that boost. Believe me, it works! I’ve had the good fortune to travel to so many amazing places through my work. Following my cancer recovery, I made a special visit to Mam Tor in the Peak District with my family (including my Greek 85-year-old mama bear). I set the goal of getting to the top of something significant after my mastectomy and Mother…

Walk the line To celebrate 10 years of creating beautiful tiles, Bert & May is launching a series of new collections, starting with Striped. These timeless tiles can truly pack a style punch depending on how they’re laid. ‘The different widths and custom colours give people a chance to put their own twist on a classic,’ says founder Lee Thornley. Striped tiles cost £6 each, or £150sq m, bertandmay.com Graphic & novel Neptune has collaborated with Fermoie, the Wiltshire-based fabric house renowned for its colourful textured weaves. Limited-edition upholstery and cushions are available in Carskiey, a classic broad stripe, and Cove, a contemporary geometric design. Neptune has also launched lampshades in a choice of either Popple or Wicker – two prints smaller in scale, but just as big on elegance…

Horticultural entrepreneur Sarah Raven shares her gardening knowledge via courses, podcasts, TV and books. Arit Anderson is the award-winning garden designer and TV presenter bringing a fresh perspective to the traditional world of horticulture. They were introduced by mutual friend, designer Carien van Boxtel, and bonded over a passion for environmentally friendly planting and design. Arit What really inspires me is endeavour. You are clearly a doer and I always admire anybody who is beyond expert – your knowledge of plants and gardening is encyclopaedic, Sarah. If you don’t teach what you’re doing, or speak on behalf of others, or showcase things, how does the world turn round? That’s where you’re brilliant because you do show and tell… Sarah I think we share a similar aesthetic and outlook on life.…

The key to unlocking happiness in the kitchen lies in addressing it like any other room. Admittedly, this room means business: appliances hum, counters need cleaning. And maybe for that reason, the kitchen often suffers from a lack of the imagination and playfulness we lavish on other rooms. But the sheer number of hours we spend here is argument for decorative flights of fancy. If you’re going to spend time there, make it a place that feels joyful and nourishing. SHAPE This room lives for rectangles: fridge, oven, island, countertop. There are a disproportionate amount of boxy and clunky elements here. So add a few circular or shapely elements like globe-shaped pendant lighting, a round table, or a shelf of bowls, tea kettles, or vases. ‘Break it up’ is something…

COOK’S TABLE ‘By adding a cook’s table, you can update your existing kitchen without the hassle and expense of replacing all the cabinets,’ advises Matt Podesta, director of Huckleberry. A design like this means you won’t require a kitchen fitter or on-site assembly. ‘The space underneath allows for large items, such as baskets or crates, or even a dog bed,’ Matt says. ‘And, being open, it makes a room feel more spacious.’ You might opt for an extended worktop, so barstools can be placed down one side or across the end. Or you could choose a countertop material that signals a particular use, such as marble for making pastry or stainless steel for the look and practicality of a restaurant-style kitchen. LEG WORK ‘An island on legs brings an airy…