Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i Country Homes & Interiors

WE’RE SINGING THE RAINBOW this month, as we celebrate the joyous and uplifting power of colour in interiors. It’s so personal, of course, the hues that we respond to – one person’s ‘bright’ is another’s ‘too much’. You might think a pattern is ‘beautiful’, while your mother condemns it as ‘busy’. But that’s what makes crafting our homes such a personal, creative delight, and we have a palette of ideas to inspire you. Let’s start with the colourful homes we’ve chosen for this issue (from page 25). The owners have used paint and paper in such different ways to bring vitality to their spaces, from chalky tones taken from nature to vibrant, floor-to-ceiling prints and cheery primary shades as bright as a box of poster paints. We’ve also looked at…

The new collection from designer Cathy Nordström is inspired by the work of 19th-century textile artist Karin Larsson who, together with her artist husband Carl Larsson, pioneered the Swedish aesthetic. Cathy’s hand-drawn fabric designs combine expressive abstract patterns and geometric prints in rich saturated colours. Karin’s great-great-granddaughter Lina says, ‘I’m so proud that Karin’s art and aesthetic continues to inspire – a true influencer, one might say.’ cathynordstrom.com FUTURE CLASSICS Design house Andrew Martin has added 30 new designs to its sofa and chair range. In line with the brand’s philosophy of ‘buy once, buy well’, each piece has been meticulously handcrafted and has a lifetime guarantee. All are available in a range of luxurious fabrics, so there’s something to suit every scheme. For a chic take on country style,…

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS Subscribe now and receive a free gift worth £33* Covered in the popular Sophie Allport Bee design, this mini Oundle bag, worth £33 – in matt oilcloth with faux leather detailing – makes a fabulous everyday handbag. Visit magazinesdirect.com/XCH/D24S or call 0330 333 1113 and quote D24S Offer closes 2 May 2024. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. 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 subscribers. Your gift will be delivered separately within 60 days after your first payment has cleared. Gifts are subject to availability. In the unlikely event that we…

From wallpaper to fabric, paint to accessories, pick your perfect palette and transform your home with style and confidence. Colour plays an integral role in our lives. Not only does it help us to express our personalities, but the colours we surround ourselves with impact our moods, too – they calm or invigorate, help us focus or encourage creativity. Choosing the right combinations can be daunting, but download this free digital magazine to find a kaleidoscope of inspiring colour schemes, from contrasting palettes to tonal mixes, with advice on where to use them. HOW TO CLAIM Scan the QR code below to download your free copy of Complete Guide to Colour. Offer available from 4 April-1 May 2024. CHECK OUT MORE AMAZING BOOKAZINES AT WWW.MAGAZINESDIRECT.COM/GUIDES-AND-SPECIALS…

An icon of period homes, mouldings bring a sense of gravitas and elegance to a property – this is the case regardless of whether they are an original feature or a new addition. ‘From simple cornices to elaborate ceiling roses, original plaster mouldings provide interiors with embellishment, proportion and decoration. They also serve a practical function, concealing unsightly joins, such as between ceilings and walls,’ says Roger Hunt, author of Old House Handbook. Q Can I remove the paint from existing mouldings? A ‘Decorative mouldings are often covered with layers of paint, which can obscure fine details. Even modern paints can cause damage, so explore getting a specialist to remove them,’ advises conservation expert Lee Bilson. You should always consult a professional if you live in a listed building or…

Property renovators often talk about their trials and tribulations, of escalating budgets, and living in a building site. But the dramas are short-lived and the properties involved are of a manageable size. But what about the current trend of ordinary folk falling for the romance of a derelict historic building of palatial proportions, and taking on the task of bringing it back to life? Are the rewards – for them and the building – worth it? Simon Hickman of Historic England believes so. ‘It allows fine examples of the nation’s heritage to be restored and reinhabited, rather than falling further into ruin or becoming museums,’ he says. For those who take such stupendous steps into the unknown, it often leads not only to a beautiful new home but to a…

The words ‘estate and vineyard’ denote a certain level of luxury when applied to a travel destination. And in this respect Pinkmead Estate & Vineyard has it all. The private house and 24 acres of grounds are tucked onto the banks of the River Medina between Cowes and Newport on the Isle of Wight. It has its own jetty and boatyard (with kayaks and paddleboards for guests to use), its own biodynamic and organic vineyard, a sauna and woodburner on the deck next to the three-bedroom main house, plus a yoga studio and Kitchen Garden annex. There’s even an electric golf buggy to whizz around in. But it’s not as grand as it sounds – in a good way. The three double-bedroom house was a family home, passed down to…

Often referred to as the ‘queen of climbers’, clematis offer a variety of flower sizes and shapes, from tiny bells to large dinner plates, and a myriad of colours. They also present a host of different flowering times – you can enjoy a clematis in flower 10 months of the year. Some bloom once a year, others over a long period, with winter and spring flowering, early summer, and late-summer and autumn-flowering groups. Choose from vigorous varieties, or smaller more compact plants. Herbaceous clematis (which do not climb) grow to between 75cm and 1.5m tall. Clematis can transform an outdoor space of any size, adorning fences, walls, arches, tunnels and obelisks, scrambling up trees or winding their way through other plants. They can be used on their own, or try…

If you want to grow cut flowers in a small garden, or even a window box, there is one characteristic each plant needs to share. It should be cut-and-come-again – you cut a handful of flowers and within days they grow back. It’s like an ever-filling cup; the more you pick, the more flowers form, right until the end of their season. Harvested correctly, just above a pair of leaves, within days an axillary bud will start to grow (in the angle between the stem and leaf) that will develop into another bloom. This is gardening for the optimist and for the person who loves their garden to be full of colour and their house full of flowers. That’s me! CUT AND KEEP There’s a great range of cut-and-come-again plants.…

HOLLY REANEY wrote our Career Shift feature this month. ‘It was so inspiring to hear how Anabelle de Gersigny followed her dream of starting her coffee roastery,’ Holly says. ‘Her enthusiasm was infectious – not only for the business but also for her new country community.’ SARA EMSLIE wrote Big Dreams & Décor Schemes. ‘It was a pleasure to interview these brave souls preserving historic buildings and creating interiors of utter beauty in the process,’ she says. JANET MCMEEKIN has written two house stories this month, The Bright Side and Prints Charming. ‘The owners have been on inspiring journeys, and it’s a joy to feature their lovingly created homes.’…

Chunky stripes are everywhere this season, and we love their timeless appeal and versatility. So we’re pleased to hear that fabric designer Alice Palmer – known for her signature box-pleat lampshades – has extended her jolly Tangier Stripe design to wallpaper, mirrors and wastepaper bins. The collection’s five colourways are Red, Rhubarb, Mustard, Olive and Iceberg; they’re vibrant yet easy to live with, and are a great base for layering a country scheme. Wallpaper, £95 a roll; wastepaper bins, £125 each; mirrors, £595 each, all alicepalmer.co FOR THE DIARY… 23 MARCH-14 APRIL Enjoy nature and music at Sounds of Blossom, Kew Gardens’ spring festival with the Royal College of Music. Admission is included with entry; adults, from £20, children, from £5, kew.org 16 MAY-25 AUGUST Raise a glass at Glyndebourne’s…

Stop a bold wallpaper from overpowering a room by keeping the rest of the space simple. A wooden floor, elegant furniture and a neutral-toned rug are all you need Colour-blocking with paint adds impactful style to a country scheme, whether Tetris-stacks on a feature wall or a single standout piece of furniture Vibrant floral wallpaper is offset by plain panels, whether that’s the enveloping comfort of a bed canopy or monochrome tiles and tongue-and-groove in the bathroom…

CREATIVE CONTRAST ‘Embracing the darkness of a room can result in a magical space,’ says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL. ‘Here, we went for dusky pink on the walls contrasted with rich, dark cupboards to create a really moody atmosphere.’ It can be useful to look at the colour wheel – a diagram of colours in the visible spectrum – to select contrasting hues, as they will always be on opposite sides of the wheel. Then consider how you might use the two colours for maximum effect: you could contrast walls with tiles and cabinets, as here, or match the splashback to the walls and use the contrast colour for units and an island. ‘A richly coloured kitchen can be the most alluring of spaces,’ says Helen. IN THE…

We think of adding colour to the garden through our choice of plants, carefully picking a palette of complementary blooms and striking foliage. Walls and structures such as sheds take a back seat; we hope to camouflage them, rather than making them stand out. You may not want to paint over a crafted flint or aged stone wall, where the tints and patina of the natural material bring their subtle rainbow to the garden. But a plain render or modern brick wall can be hugely enhanced by a coat of colour, creating a background for flowers to sing out from, and appearing to bring your plot’s borders closer to the house or further away, depending on the shade you select. If painting a garden wall is your next weekend project,…

Today feels like a cause for celebration. Nothing extraordinary has happened, no great achievement or life milestone has been met; there isn’t a birthday or anniversary on the horizon. However, the urge to celebrate this day is undeniable. It might be because the sun has been shining for a solid week. May is often the most beautiful month in Scotland weather-wise, so that’s no surprise. It could be due to the two public holidays, which feel like a reward for getting this far, flanking the beginning and end of the month. It’s quite likely because the midges (the tiny two-winged devilish flies) are yet to arrive in my neck of the woods, so hours spent outdoors are care (and bite) free. Or perhaps it’s because when I finish work after…

THE FOLLY INN Situated on the waterfront in East Cowes, this rustic pub has tasty brunch and lunch menus best enjoyed in the sunshine on the riverside terrace. This prime spot faces Pinkmead Estate on the opposite bank; book a water taxi and you can be taken from jetty to jetty in a jiffy when the tide is right; greeneking.co.uk RED SQUIRREL TRAIL This 32-mile, mostly traffic-free cycle path crosses the Isle of Wight from north to south, with a loop off to the east of the island taking you through stunning countryside. The short route from Cowes to Newport passes behind Pinkmead Estate and makes for a leisurely outing; redsquirreltrail.org.uk COWES This characterful town comes alive in Cowes Week in July, when the world’s longest-running regatta sails in. But…

Expertly bred for their compact habit and precocious flowering nature, Boulevard clematis produce a torrent of bright, star-shaped blooms for six months a year. Perfect for pots or containers, these clematis offer massive colour impact in a limited space, enlivening a small garden, patio, balcony or conservatory from spring through to late autumn. Choose from three gorgeous colours, each sold as a 10.5cm potted specimen. Give your clematis the best start POT AND TRELLIS FOR CLIMBERS Useful for both houseplants and outdoor varieties, this sturdy pot and trellis frame will help support your climbing plants. When assembled, it reaches 1.3m tall and is 37cm in diameter. The pot holds over 20 litres of compost, ensuring a large root-growing volume, £19.99 (save £5) Item code 130461 CLEMATIS FEED Rich in natural…

American-born Katie established Illyria Pottery in 2008, but it was a few years later that her practice really got going, when she moved to the UK and set up shop in central Oxford. Fast forward seven years and with a baby on the way, she decided upon a change of pace, moving her business online and her home to a tiny thatched cottage in the countryside. Katie makes all her pieces in her garden studio, inspired by her peaceful surroundings. Why ceramics? I absolutely love clay! There’s almost nothing you can’t make with it. From tiny, delicate pieces of porcelain jewellery, to functional pottery and sculptural work, to large industrial applications and architectural features. It’s a whole world of possibilities in one medium. What inspires you? My recent transition from…

This characterful, colourful country home is only – wait for it – 18 months old, yet it has none of the featureless, play-it-safe conformity you might associate with a new build. Rather, it is a rich evocation of the owner’s life, filled with artworks, furniture and decorative pieces collected and loved over a lifetime. As with any successful project, its success is due to creative collaboration. As well as architects Technical Design Solutions, owner Samantha commissioned Olivine Design to help her create the interiors. ‘She was looking for a practice that shared her love of colour, pattern and texture, along with mixing contemporary furniture with antiques,’ says co-founder Taline Findlater. ‘She was excited by fresh ideas and was open to going out of her comfort zone – like taking the…

Associated with spirituality, coral tones are some of the most therapeutic hues in the colour spectrum. Full of positive vibes, they rouse energy and awareness as well as promote wellbeing and protection. The amber traffic light might tell us to slow down and be aware, but this shade also allows us to register and reflect. Linked to faith and protection, the Romans adopted coral to ward off evil. To this day, Hindus credit the colour with reflecting purity, while Buddhists visualise it for insight. In nature, the colour appears when shellfish are cooked, which releases the orange-tinted astaxanthin pigment. It is also present in ochre soils, rich with pulsating but poisonous red realgar crystals. The Romans used these minerals to create paint pigments and dyes. Popular in interiors, versions of…

There is no better way to start the day than with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee. And no one knows that better than Matt Wade and Anabelle de Gersigny, who traded life in the big smoke to start their own coffee roastery in the Shropshire Hills on the Welsh Borders. It wasn’t always their dream, however. ‘Matt and I both studied fine art, and while he went into coffee roasting quite early in his career, after travelling to New Zealand, I went into curating and publishing – so coffee wasn’t on the cards for me,’ says Anabelle. At its essence, Hundred House Coffee is built on passion, not just for coffee but also for the business and each other. ‘We wanted to spend our days together, not in…

Stirred by the promise of a summer well lived, the new spring/summer collection from nkuku invites you to enjoy the simple pleasures of relaxed, outdoor entertaining and intentional living within the home. From weathered, reclaimed truck-wood furniture to mouth-blown recycled glassware and textiles woven from recycled linen, nkuku’s expert choice of materials and celebration of traditional crafts is evident in its new-season collection. nkuku’s furniture consists of beautifully crafted pieces for the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom, as well as outdoor seating and tables. The range has been created with versatility and longevity in mind, layering effortlessly with the existing collection to create interiors that inspire wellness, relaxation and mindful living this season. See nkuku.com READER OFFER nkuku is offering Country Homes & Interiors readers an exclusive 15%…

White-wine-poached peaches with wholemeal shortbread SERVES 4 Peaches are one of my favourites to poach – the colour alone is so pleasing and, when served cold, makes for the most refreshing summery dessert. 450ml white wine 200g caster sugar Pared zest (using a swivel peeler) of 1 lemon 3 sprigs of thyme 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted FOR THE SHORTBREAD 100g salted butter 40g caster sugar, plus extra to finish 130g wholemeal flour ½tbsp cornflour 1 Add the wine, sugar, zest and thyme to a large saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves and then add the peach halves, cut side down. Poach the peaches gently for 5 minutes before flipping them over and poaching for another 2-3 minutes. If your peaches are really firm, they’ll take a bit longer.…

It’s easy to be dazzled by images of elegant alfresco dining, but are those sumptuous seating areas really the must-have items for a charming summer feast? Surely what’s missing from such show-garden perfection is the warmth of a gaggle of people sharing a beautiful space and a moment in time? My own inspiration for summer parties comes from sun-filled memories of holidays with my Italian cousins. The food was always plentiful, set out on a long table where three generations came together. Kitchen doors were flung wide as food came and went. Family stories were shared amid raucous laughter and soft chatter, while children and dogs would be coaxed, cuddled and scolded in turn as barefoot games were played on the grass. The sun would eventually disappear behind a line…

I was brought up in the Lake District and I love places that are far off the beaten track. So a perfect day for me would be exploring the remoter parts of the Lake District, or Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, on a clear sunny day in autumn or spring. I’m based in London, so I try to take these opportunities as frequently as I can. I like to get up early, around 5.30 to 6am, to catch the day. I’ll have a black coffee with a light breakfast, and head off to the wilderness while the rest of the world is sleeping. A solo walk is always a wonderful way to think over new ideas for my work. I’ll ruminate on them while enjoying the wonders of my rural surroundings.…