Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Country Homes & Interiors

I LOVE SEEING THE JOYFUL DETAILS THAT BRING OUR HOMES TO LIFE – just look at the four reader houses in this issue to see what I mean. There are candy stripes and ruffles; vintage finds that speak of happy afternoons browsing markets and antiques stalls; playful colour (I love the green bath tub on page 69) and chairs designed for curling up/snoozing in. These readers have created their personal happy place, and so can you. If spring is tempting you towards a new look, try one of our easy décor ideas, which can transform your space in as little as 30 minutes (page 87). Switch up your kitchen with some ‘kitschen’ styling or a gadget garage for stowing away small appliances. Or learn the nitty-gritty of lighting schemes that…

Creative couple William Durrant and Elly Simmons founded Herringbone House 10 years ago, when Elly was pregnant with their first child. They have built up a loyal client base in the decade since, and now have a dedicated team of 35 designers and craftspeople helping them to create bespoke cabinetry and furniture from their workshop just outside Canterbury’s city walls. They also have a new studio in the city centre, where they showcase their timeless aesthetic in person, as well as online. Talk us through the process. Everything is made in our workshop here in Canterbury. An initial design consultation usually takes about two hours, and we work with the client to figure out what’s important to them in terms of space, function and style. A couple of weeks on,…

When Holly Wharton and husband Charlie felt the time had come to sell their flat in Roehampton, south-west London, the dilemma was deciding exactly where to go to next. ‘We were torn between a move down the road to Barnes or taking the leap further afield to the south coast,’ recalls Holly. In the end, the lure of the sea, the vast expanse of countryside and the natural beauty of West Sussex won them over. ‘We decided it was time to close the London chapter of our lives; we were both craving open space, a garden to grow vegetables and proximity to the beach.’ Not long into their search, a farmhouse complete with a pair of rundown outbuildings presented itself, providing the couple with serious food for thought. Holly had…

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Providing a boost of colour and brightness, tulip season signals the proper start of spring after a quiescent winter. The famous Dutch tulip fields may put on a spectacular show, but we can find our own inspiration in ornamental borders, clusters of container-grown blooms, or flowers carpeting cottage gardens. These showy flowers come in many colours topping fresh green stems, but it is pinks and purples that suit a country decorating scheme best. Take your cue from a kaleidoscope of variegated tulips, or opt for colour blocks that replicate the striped Dutch landscapes in spring. These vivacious shades make a joyful palette that’s useful in spaces where you want to encourage wellness and positive thinking. Use them in tonal layers to create a balanced scheme, with deeper plum and pale…

Predicting the path life will take is an impossible task. For example, Nina Varnham never thought her dream job was waiting for her in Dartmouth. ‘After we had our son, we knew we wanted to move out of London and my partner at the time, Chris, was offered a great job opportunity in Devon.’ Everything seemed to be coming together, but there was one catch. The move put an abrupt end to Nina’s flourishing career as a hair and make-up artist. ‘Moving here was scary. I didn’t want to give up on having a creative career that fulfilled me.’ Having moved the family to the South West, Nina began looking for an area to retrain in. The decision was guided by two parameters – it had to be creative and…

Easter table centrepiece Brightenup your holiday table with this beautiful decoration inspired by the new beginnings of spring. YOU WILL NEED Free-range hens’ eggsKnife500g paraffin wax pellets, £5.99, AmazonPre-waxed 80mm wick assemblies for paraffin wax,£3 for a pack of 10, HobbycraftHeatproof glass jugLarge saucepanCooking thermometerClothes pegsSmall spring plantsCompostTablespoon or mini houseplant trowelCardboard egg boxGrapevine strandsQuails’ eggsNatural luxury feathers,£4.50 for a 5g bag, HobbycraftNatural twineScissors 1 Hold an uncooked hen’s egg carefully in your hand and gently use a knife to tap off the top third of the shell – it’s okay if the opening looks a bit uneven. Discard the top part of the shell, then pour the raw egg into a container and refrigerate to use in cooking later. Carefully rinse the inside of the shell and leave to…

SAVE £20 15 BULBS FOR ONLY £19.95 xquisite Skyscraper Lilies can reach 5-6ft tall and, once established, will grow as high as 7ft, making them the perfect statement blooms for your garden. Every flower carries a wonderful perfume and each stem carries over 20 blooms measuring up to 15cm across – that’s up to 500 highly fragrant, impactful blooms every summer. MIXED COLLECTION Receive 15 premium-quality bulbs with your order. The selection includes three each of ‘Robina’, with mid-pink and magenta tones; soft lemon yellow ‘Manissa’; ‘Matisse’, which has cream-edged to red centres; golden apricot to orange ‘Salterello’; and deep berry-red pink ‘Amarossi’.  15 x bulbs, £19.95 Item code 650086 TO ORDER Visit yougarden.com/CHI116 or call* 0844 502 0050 quoting offer code CHI116. Alternatively send your contact details, address and the…

Auriculas burst onto the scene in spring, winning admirers with their elegance and charm. Their appeal comes from the luminosity of every flower and the variety of patterns, petal edgings and markings, which are best appreciated at close range. They became popular in the 17th century, when some varieties fetched £20 per plant – a fortune for the time – and by the Victorian era, devoted collectors showcased their most captivating cultivars in Auricula theatres. These ornate shelving units were often decorated with lead roofs and curtains to resemble a miniature theatre and, traditionally, were painted in dark colours to emphasise the intricacy of the flowers. Today, auriculas continue to enchant, with an ever-widening range of hybrids in myriad colour combinations available. There are three main sub-groups of auriculas: alpine,…

JONATHAN BOND photographed the Seaside Charm house (page 34). ‘I see amazing properties and every job is different, so each day is exciting,’ he says. Right now, he’s looking forward to ‘the hope of warmer and sunnier days in spring, plus the opportunity for a late season ski trip!’ ALEXA PHILIPS, environmental journalist, wrote My Rewilded Life (page 125). ‘I love waking up to the sound of spring birdsong, and watching the blossom “candles” of horse chestnut trees grow bigger.’ HANNAH DALE is an author and illustrator, who shares her ‘wilding year’ with us. ‘My art has always been inspired by nature. The book is a sketchbook and journal of life on our farm.’…

Bring rustic texture and warmth to kitchens and dining rooms, with curtains, cushions, woven baskets and sheepskin throws adding layers of rich depth and interest Small-scale wallpapers make a sprightly backdrop to hallways and sitting rooms, offset with pale sage or forest green colour blocks in paint and furnishings Use pretty fabrics to cocoon bedrooms. It’s the finishes that elevate the look – think upholstered seats and headboards, and blinds with neat trims and button details…

POCKET SOLUTION Tall cabinets can be an ideal way to create storage and house built-in appliances, but doors that swing open can obstruct the walkway. Here, a breakfast cupboard has pocket doors which open to reveal a boiling water tap and kit for hot drinks. ‘Pocket doors retract into the body of the cabinet, allowing unobstructed access to the cupboard contents when open and removing any blockages to traffic that a traditional hinged door might create,’ explains Ben Hawkswell, senior design consultant, Roundhouse. ‘Yet when the doors are closed, the external look is consistent and the sweep of tall cabinets maintains its streamlined appearance.’ BREAKFAST READY A breakfast station can transform a busy start to the day, as Tom Howley, creative design director of the eponymous kitchen company explains. ‘Designed…

Lighting is an overlooked interior design element, often reduced to a central pendant and lamps on a side table. But it’s best to consider a lighting scheme from the start when decorating to make it an integral part of a room. Q When should I design my room’s lighting scheme? A The lighting scheme should be the second element you design, coming after your furniture layout which determines where you can position lamps and switches. ‘The amount and warmth of light in a room drastically affects how we perceive colour, texture and scale within that space,’ explains Emma Sims-Hilditch, founder and creative director at Sims Hilditch. Having the lighting scheme in place from the beginning will ensure that the wallpaper, paint colours and other design elements will look as you…

In March 2006, my husband and I packed up our home in a bustling Scottish market town and moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, sight unseen. For years, Andrew and I had been yearning for a new beginning, and when my company gave me the opportunity to transfer, we leapt. What followed was a learning curve like no other. Together, we navigated a new culture, unfamiliar roles and a vastly different way of life. Over the next decade, we grew into married life, matured as individuals and as parents. In other words, an awful lot of left-brain adulting went on. My workdays were a blur of challenges and triumphs – implementing IT systems in a start-up company, learning to manage a growing team, and confronting my fear of public speaking in…

You can’t miss Elephant Rock. The façade is hot pink and black – a clue that the mother and daughter owners, Heather and Charlotte Dixon, are prepared to be daring with the interior, too. Over two years from 2020 they transformed two dilapidated buildings into a glamorous 18-bedroom hotel, a sanctuary to return to after exploring the stunning coastline of County Antrim by car, bike, on foot or surfboard. The hotel’s namesake is a local volcanic rock formation between Ballintoy and Whitepark Bay (a stretch of coast immortalised by Game of Thrones). First port of call when you step inside is the Art Deco bar serving signature cocktails. My favourite? ‘The Aul Lamas Fair’ featuring Yellaman Honeycomb vodka, Cointreau, marmalade and lime. Sit at the bay window and drink in…

Peace of mind The garden is increasingly recognised as a healing space that can help improve mental health, but how do you design and plant your plot with this in mind? The RHS Chelsea Flower Show puts thought into action with ‘wellness’ the theme of 2025’s small space gardens. The psychology of colour, power of water and the resilience of wild spaces will all feature; see rhs.org.uk/Chelsea.…

Healthy soil means healthy plants – it’s a brilliantly simple reciprocal arrangement. We need to have the right activity going on underground in order to get it right above ground. Soil is magical stuff – ideally rich, dark, crumbly and full of life. What we find in our gardens, however, might be sticky, dense clay; dry, poor, sandy, flyaway stuff; hard compact earth, or leftover builders’ rubble. But whatever the quality of the soil we inherit, we need to work with it to get the best results. Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy are collectively known as the Land Gardeners, and they are on a mission to educate growers – from farmers to gardeners with plots of all sizes – about soil health. They started out growing cut flowers together but…

TIME WELL SPENT… CELEBRATE Earth Day on 22 April; now in its 55th year, this annual event raises awareness of the need to protect our planet for future generations. To learn more, visit earthday.org TRACK your short- and long-term goals with Five Minute Journal, a self-care app created by wellness brand Intelligent Change. Reflect on what makes you feel happy and set reminders to motivate. intelligentchange.com WALK the path to a slower, more mindful life. In Walk (£12.99, Quadrille Publishing), author Sholto Radford explores the benefits to be gained from daily activities and small things you can do to boost them, from changing pace to shifting perspective.…

From the windows of the house that Olivia Elliott shares with husband Phil and their two boys, the views really do pack a punch. Perched on a hill in the pretty Devon seaside town of Salcombe, the property boasts tranquil vistas of countryside and coastline alike. ‘The house has an elevated position that gives us views of fields, the creek up to South Pool and also Salcombe’s famous beaches,’ says Olivia. ‘There’s something hugely grounding about seeing the ebb and flow of the tide.’ For Phil, the move was a homecoming of sorts. Memories of family holidays he spent with his parents provided much of the draw for the pair when they decided to move permanently to the town. ‘We actually got married here in 2009 and decided in 2021…

Founded in 2007 by Sophie Allport and her brother Jem, this family-run business creates timeless homeware and accessories inspired by nature. Sophie’s illustrations have remained a core part of the story, with designs that celebrate the charm of everyday life, from bees buzzing around her country garden to florals filled with colour. Discover the latest designs, from the beautiful Wild Floral to the charming Spring Cottage. Sophie Allport is more than a homeware brand – it’s an invitation to bring the outdoors in, connect with nature, and fill your home with warmth and character all year round. READER OFFER Shop 20% off at sophieallport.com – simply enter code HOME20 at the checkout. You can also redeem the offer at any of the Sophie Allport shops, in Stamford, Bourne or Harrogate…

30 minutes STYLE A SPRING MANTEL Bring the season inside with foliage and flowers. YOU WILL NEED Willow branches or other foliageFresh or dried flowersFlorist’s tape or stick-on hooks and fishing wire 1 Secure the willow branches or chosen foliage to your mantel using florist’s tape or stick-on hooks (try using fishing wire to tie them to the hooks). 2 Thread through flowers of your choice for an eye-catching display. A mix of statement blooms and frothy fillers, like these lilies and gypsophila, will bring a sense of scale and movement to your mantel arrangement. Iron arched wall mirror, £140; Templecombe rattan armchair, £600; Ashwicke console table, £350; Bembridge storage basket, £70 for two; sitting golden hare, £15, all Yester Home 30 minutes INSTALL NO-WIRE LIGHTING Illuminate a dark corner…

Q How should I style up the ‘kitschen’ look? A While the kitchen is probably the most hard-working room in the house, there’s no reason for it to look dull, especially as it’s where we spend so much time. Which brings us to the ‘kitschen’ look – the trend for adding playful decoration and delight to your cook space. Of course, work surfaces and cupboards need to be durable and layouts streamlined. But that’s the joy of this style – it’s a dressing on top of the kitchen’s practical features that can be added as you please, and be as whimsical as your mood and budget take you. Think light-hearted touches in a kaleidoscope of colour and pattern. Add striped accessories, quirky ceramics and hand-painted plates, or bring in a…

Far from simply defining the boundaries of your property, garden walls play a role in privacy and security, and provide the backdrop for your plot. To help you find the right fit, follow our expert tips. TYPES OF GARDEN WALL There are several different types of garden wall, including all-encompassing full-height designs that enclose the space, retaining walls that help to keep the soil in place in beds and borders, and smaller structures that demarcate areas or create a split-level garden. Traditional walls are made from brick or stone, although concrete or corten steel are increasingly popular alternatives. Gabion walls (wire cages filled with rocks) create a more industrial look and are best suited to retaining walls, as they can feel very imposing when used at full height without the…

I was working in the City when the banks crashed in 2008 and I was made redundant. I came home to Lincolnshire, and this shift coincided with my husband and I getting married and the birth of our first child, Amelia. My mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer days before she was born. So suddenly, everything changed. I tried various jobs after having Amelia, but I couldn’t make anything work alongside caring for my daughter and spending time with my mum. That was the catalyst for Wrendale Designs, giftware featuring my illustrations of nature and wildlife. Starting my own business seemed the only solution. I’d always enjoyed art and I studied zoology at university, so to be able to combine those two things was a dream come true, even though…

Menu BREAKFAST Beetroot & potato rosti with smoked salmon & poached egg LUNCH Spiced Persian lamb, Baby spring vegetables in an olive oil and lemon stock Asparagus, ricotta & Parmesan tartlets AFTERNOON TEA Rhubarb friands Lemon celebration Easter Cake Beetroot & potato rosti with smoked salmon & poached egg SERVES 6 FOR THE HORSERADISH CREAM 1tbsp horseradish sauce150g crème fraîcheJuice of ½ lemon FOR THE ROSTI 4 Maris Piper potatoes2 raw beetroots, peeled and grated1 red onion, peeled and finely chopped1 garlic clove, peeled and finely crushed100ml rapeseed oil1tbsp white wine vinegar6 eggs150g smoked salmonMicro leaves or cress, to serve 1 To make the horseradish cream, mix the horseradish sauce, crème fraiche and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Season with black pepper, cover and refrigerate. 2 Cook the…

With increasing numbers of us working from home, it’s no surprise that so many sheds, summerhouses, studios and retreats are being reimagined as home office spaces. If you’re thinking about joining the Working From Garden cohort, your outdoor space will need to adapt to balance your work and leisure time. Whether it’s a repurposed building, a new, off-the-shelf module or a bespoke garden office design, you’re dedicating a significant part of your precious outdoor space to your work life and making a sizeable investment, too. You don’t want an office that looks out of place and ungainly, so it’s important to consider where and how it sits within the landscaping that surrounds it. The aim is to install a functional building which also enhances the garden. Designer Oliver Bond says…

A dolly tub makes a perfect container for tulips, setting them high up and almost at eye level, so you can see them in their full glory. I have learned that tulips work much better if planted with perennials, which help to hide the stems and nicely bulk out the sides. Here, I have used the lovely blue of grape hyacinths and forget-me-nots, but I have also experimented with Euphorbia purpurea. Its purple leaves and acid-lime bracts set off richly coloured tulips to perfection. Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’, the bronze leaved cow parsley, makes another great marriage. You need to order your tulip bulbs in the summer; they will generally be dispatched ready to plant in the winter. To get the best display, pick three or four contrasting yet complementary tulip…