Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Country Homes & Interiors

WHAT SEASON OF LIFE ARE YOU IN? Perhaps you are settling into your first home and crafting what that means for you? Maybe you are looking around the rooms where you raised your family and wondering what new adventures they might hold now your children have flown the nest? Whether we move from property to property or settle down in our ‘forever home’, the places we live change with us as we move through the years. This issue celebrates that shapeshifting evolution, with our look at Homes for How We Live Now (page 90); a collection of the colours and prints that feel right As the Seasons Turn (page 82), plus the simple but beautiful additions to our everydays – from flowers to food and fashion – that help us…

Natural floor coverings don’t have to be plain and simple – Crucial Trading’s new Aura collection reimagines durable carpets, featuring colourful, patterned designs inspired by ‘playfulism’. Made from 100 per cent wool, it showcases two striking designs in eight colourways. Jon Flannigan, category director at Crucial Trading, says: ‘Playfulism is all about injecting spaces with personality, colour and playful elements and textures, moving away from rigid rules to interiors that spark joy. Aura uses bright, bold colour combinations to create an energetic yet inviting space while ensuring long-lasting practicality.’ Prices start from £110sq m, crucial-trading.com FRESH BLOOMS The Royal Horticultural Society’s fabric collaboration with Sofas & Stuff is expanding, with selected designs now available as richly tactile velvets across chairs, beds, footstools and cushions – all handmade in the brand’s…

From cosy snugglers to stylish slippers, an accent chair will add unique smarts to a room or fill an empty corner. Make sure it has a distinctive shape, pattern or texture so it can’t be ignored, or opt for a design in a chic colour – we love muted shades of yellow and green for a cool take on nature’s palette.…

‘I wanted to create an airy, open home with rustic character. It was vital to get the design to flow from the old house into the modern extensions’ Taking on a near-derelict cottage is not for the faint-hearted, but interior designer Kirstin Eriksson took it in her stride with vision and tenacity, coping with the unexpected challenges that arose as layers of damp and decay were peeled away. When Kirstin discovered Foxcote cottage, it had come to market in a bankruptcy sale and had suffered years of neglect as a rental home. The interior walls had rising damp, the double garage was full of asbestos, the garden was a tangle of weeds and was overpowered by three enormous pine trees, and it was obvious that all the windows and doors…

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Q What knobs and handles are best – should they match? A Handles may feel like a small design detail but they have a significant impact on the look and practicality of cabinets. Choosing a knob or pull handle is down to personal preference on ‘standard’ cupboard doors, but a larger handle or pull is recommended for the doors hiding integrated appliances, such as fridges and freezers, thanks to their heavier weight. Long bar handles tend to accentuate a kitchen’s streamlined look; knobs vary from classic round to contemporary designs; while semi-circular ‘cup’ handles take their design cue from traditional kitchens. A handle must serve its practical purpose in making it easy to open a cabinet, but there’s no reason not to mix styles, such as cup handles on drawers…

Many people leave the city to pursue a life in the country, but when Brett Shergold and Stephen Comer left London in 2019, they had no real plans for what might lie ahead. ‘I just wanted big herbaceous borders,’ laughs Brett, who had previously worked in music merchandising. ‘We’d had enough of office life and wanted more space, a bigger garden and to do something more creative – but we didn’t know what.’ The duo are speaking to me from The Country Crib, their double-fronted store and studio on Sherborne’s historic Cheap Street in Dorset. Behind them, a pegboard displays beautiful and useful home and garden tools – Niwaki spades and trowels; carpet beaters and feather dusters; and brushes in every imaginable shape and size. In front of them is…

Botanical intaglio wall art Use fuss-free air-dry clay and foraged finds to create these unique decorations YOU WILL NEED DAS white air-drying modelling clay, £5 for 1kg, HobbycraftTea towelRolling pin2 x L40xDia5mm wooden dowelsCraft knifeRulerOld 15cm square ceramic tile (optional)Selection of dried and fresh grass, leaves and seedheadsBlunt knife or clay modelling toolOld newspaperWooden boardFine-grade sandpaperSelection of acrylic paintsFine artist’s paintbrushPebeo acrylic gloss varnish, £3.30 for 59ml, HobbycraftSmall picture hanging D-ringsSuper Glue 1 Knead the clay with your hands until malleable. Lay a tea towel on your work surface, place the clay on top and position wooden dowels either side. Roll out the clay to 5mm thick, turning it as you work so it is even. The dowels will help you to keep the thickness of the rolled clay consistent.…

At some point in our lives, we’ve all blown a dandelion seed head and watched the Tinker Bell wisps dance away into the atmosphere. But what happens if we capture other ethereal seeds like these and nurture them for another generation? While dandelions don’t need much help with their offspring, there’s magic in saving seeds from your own plants – and good, practical reasons, too, for giving your favourite flower or vegetable the chance to start all over again next season. ‘Every time you save your own seeds, they genetically adapt to your specific conditions, so they just grow better and better for you,’ explains Milli Proust, one half of flower growers and purveyors of beautiful seeds, Alma/Proust. ‘It’s also an inherently powerful, empowering thing to do – there’s a…

HOLLY REANEY shares garden heating tips for Alfresco Evenings (page 94). ‘It was a winwin for me researching ways to stay warm in the garden,’ she says. ‘Late summer is a lovely time. The heat is less stifling and some of my favourite flowers are in bloom, so I want to stay outdoors for as long as possible.’ TARA KING interviewed lifestyle experts about how to craft A Better Life (page 120). ‘When it comes to hosting, I’m here for hearty, onedish meals; it makes for a relaxed vibe and less waste,’ she says. SARAH WARWICK considers our evolving homes (page 90). ‘For me, I need room for an ever-expanding book collection, along with plenty of comfortable spaces in which to read them.’…

GO WITH THE FLOW Busy lives mean watering houseplants often gets overlooked. Eco-conscious brand Potr has a clever remedy – its stylish, self-watering Ocean pots hold water in the base, with a cotton ‘wick’ that allows the plant to drink when it’s thirsty. They’re made using recycled fishing nets (collected in partnership with Cornish-based social enterprise, Waterhaul). A small pot (11cm) costs £22, potr.co FLOKS Filled with Cheviot wool from the Borders and Northumberland, this Yorkshire-based brand’s breathable duvets are designed for all seasons, although a winter weight is available if you’d like extra warmth. There are pillows and mattress toppers, too; floks.co.uk AVA INNES Only 30 per cent of a goat’s fleece is used in most cashmere products, but this Highlands-based brand recognised the value in the ‘guard hair’,…

A sublime serenity permeates the farmhouse that Francesca Cura shares with her husband James. ‘I was inspired by Italian and Moroccan villas for the decor and architecture; I wanted it to feel as peaceful as possible,’ says Francesca. The house’s setting, nestled in the beautiful countryside of the Surrey Hills, provides an equal sense of calm and belonging. ‘We moved here as a family from London when I was a baby and I grew up playing in the rhododendron woods building tipis and creating pots from the clay that lined the riverbeds.’ So, when a derelict farmhouse with surrounding land came up for sale, just a short walk down the lane from her childhood home, they jumped at the chance to buy it. ‘My husband is an urban man and…

Nature’s neutrals Nature’s most laid-back colours bring subtle warmth and beauty to living spaces. Serene shades of violet, sage, umber and taupe are discreet but never dull, for a palette that whispers pure style Bluebell glade Inspired by drifts of woodland wildflowers, this bucolic palette blends the perfect bluebell shade with touches of forest green and wood, bringing an elegant springtime feel to any space Perennial pink Pair pink and peony fabrics and accessories with wallpapers and fabrics filled with foliage and flowers. The result brings blowsy country garden borders to life inside your home Pretty buttercup Bring a countryside flavour to this year’s biggest colour trend, Butter Yellow, by folding delicate prints and hand-drawn petals in this mix, set against a buttercup background For more decorating ideas SUBSCRIBE NOW…

Molly Freshwater and Harriet Mears are sisters and co-founders of Secret Linen Store, an independent, B Corp-certified family business based on the South Coast. Since 2013, they’ve been dreaming up bed linen that’s responsibly made using only the most breathable, feel-good natural fabrics – think 100 per cent linen, GOTS-certified organic cotton and other no-nasties fabrics that keep you cool, cosy and comfy all night long. Now, Secret Linen Store has a new table collection, bringing the sisters’ love of colour, texture and thoughtful design to mealtimes. Perfect for everything from quick cuppas to long, lazy lunches, the table collection features the same dreamy materials, just a different kind of joy. Whether it’s weekday dinners or weekend feasts – or bed linen that helps you sleep like a baby –…

Harvest time heralds the end of the sowing and growing season, the combination of cereal stalks, hedgerows and sun-infused sky bringing a palette of yellows and blues, with a hint of greenery and a wisp of pink. These colours have been a go-to for country homes for many years, with their primary blue and yellow pairing. Seen here in a classic farmhouse-style dining room, the late-summer, sun-bleached hues bring a gentle feel and create a calm and soothing environment in shades such as dried straw, pale sand, cornflower cloud and warm smoke. Hints of green balance the tones and provide refreshing highlights in fruit and leafy shades. Use with a touch of earthy brown to ground the look and provide definition to the hazy hues. Mix materials, such as sisal…

Simple gifts LIZ WARNER, CEO, DIFFERENT KIND ‘Gifting “useful” foods means it will rarely go to waste – think small-batch and handmade. Food & Forest’s nut oils (£23) are a popular choice, or opt for a stylish box of Step & Stone Bakery’s cheese and walnut biscuits (£6) instead of chocolates.’ PETRA PALUMBO, DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF HER NAMESAKE HIGHLANDS-BASED HOMEWARE BRAND ‘I’ll often take along a jar of my homemade plum jam when visiting friends and family – it’s truly delicious and not too sweet. The secret is a squeeze of lemon, along with a hint of grated ginger and a touch of star anise.’ CINNY AUMONIER, FOUNDER OF INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO AND HOMEWARE BRAND, CINNY ‘I’m all about gifting beautiful, local, scent-led products. If I love a smell,…

Fragrant chicken kofta patties MAKES 14 Thigh meat is fantastic for koftas, as it retains moisture and has so much more flavour than breast meat, making it especially worthy of spicing up. FOR THE KOFTAS 500g chicken thigh mince1 small packet (about 30g) of fresh coriander, finely choppedFinely grated zest of 1 unwaxed lime (reserve the zested lime to serve)2tsp ground turmeric1tsp ground cumin1tsp pul biber chilli flakes4 spring onions, thinly sliced from root to tip2 fat garlic cloves, mincedVegetable oil, for fryingMaldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper TO SERVE Warmed flatbreadsSteamed rice ThickGreek yogurt 1 Put all the kofta ingredients, except the oil for frying, into a mixing bowl along with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Using your hands, work the ingredients together really…

You can add fruit trees, shrubs and vines to your garden in a dedicated orchard, espaliered on fences, fanned across walls, grown in containers or planted among ornamentals – and this is the ideal time to plan your productive plot. Bare-root trees should be planted from November to early spring, while containergrown plants can be planted any time of the year, but it is best done in winter. Apples and pears are undoubtedly the easiest to grow but whichever fruit you choose, select early and late varieties to extend your harvesting season. Consider, too, whether you want to eat your fruit straight from the tree or want varieties that hold up to cooking in jams and desserts. Plant out according to the tree’s or shrub’s requirements for sun, shade and…

Long inspired by the brand’s namesake and founder, Helen landed her dream role when she joined Laura Ashley back in 2012. Working with a female-strong team of 17, she’s since led the brand through a successful redesign, drawing inspiration from its heritage to produce sophisticated and romantic collections that sit perfectly in modern country interiors. What is it about the Laura Ashley brand that sets it apart? Its collections evoke a wonderful sense of nostalgia while remaining relevant. The brand also has such a big reach across the generations, which makes it unique – we are always meeting someone with a ‘Laura Ashley’ story, be that memories of working for the company or reminiscing about the designs in their childhood homes. Does the archive influence the design process? Absolutely –…

A master of his craft, furniture maker Alfred Newall impresses with handmade pieces that resonate with the past yet fit seamlessly into modern country interiors. A recent restoration of a traditional bow-top wagon inspired his charming Caravan collection, including a dining table, side table, mirror, lamp base and candle sconce, all hand-carved from sustainably sourced oak at his workshop in the South Downs. From £225, alfrednewall.com COLOURFUL READ When you’re not busy adding colour to your real home, enjoy a moment of calm by adding it to the pages of this stylish colouring book. Chez Moi (£20, Octopus Publishing) features over 40 charming illustrations by French designer and decorator Zoé De Les Cases. From cosy kitchens to beautiful bathrooms, she draws inspiration from the homes of interior stylists around the…

1 HARDWORKING HALLS ‘Entrance layouts with plenty of storage are becoming increasingly popular, especially for those who either don’t have space for a separate boot room or want to create a secondary, more informal and functional zone alongside one,’ says Claire Garner, director at Claire Garner Design Studio. ‘It offers the charm and practicality of a traditional boot room but in a more compact footprint that suits modern family living. Integrated bench seating is a must for ease when putting on boots, and underneath you’ll often find open cubbies or baskets for shoes. Hooks above allow for quick-grab outerwear, and upper shelving or closed cabinetry is ideal for hiding seasonal items or less frequently used accessories.’ Interior by Claire Garner Design Studio. Door, Westbury Windows & Joinery 2 SHARED SPACES…

ELEVATING THE DETAIL ‘Handles used to be an afterthought, often chosen at the end of a project, but now they are part of the early design conversations,’ says Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel. ‘They are elements that you will interact with daily, so there’s something powerful about getting them right, both in how they feel and how they look.’ Hardware with an interesting shape and a tactile finish can be chosen to echo or boldly contrast with other materials used in the kitchen, as can other details such as light fittings and textiles. ‘What we’re really seeing is a move towards pieces that feel curated, where the finish, weight and detailing all speak to the quality of the wider design,’ Gareth adds. DELFT REVIVAL ‘Delft tiles are…

Originally used to insulate and protect walls in grand Tudor properties, wood panelling has seen a definite resurgence in popularity in recent years. Channelling a classic look, though often updated for today’s homes with a modern colour palette and even patterned wallpaper, panelling has become the go-to method for adding character to a room. FORM AND FUNCTION Most modern panelling can be broadly grouped into two styles. ‘Sheet-form panelling consists of sheets of MDF that are either grooved to look like boards or have cutouts in them to simulate recessed panels. This can be installed straight onto the wall or fixed onto battens if the wall is rough or if cables, pipes or insulation are being concealed,’ explains Jon Madeley, founder of The English Panelling Company. Popular sheet-form panelling includes…

I didn’t finish university. Once, I would have rushed to defend this statement as though I needed to redeem my life choices. But at 42, I’ve come to see it not as a failure but merely the beginning. Even though I left formal education behind, I never stopped learning. My real education began outside the structure of classrooms. Today, I make my living with my hands and my head as a furnishings maker – something I taught myself through trial, error, a stack of books and countless YouTube tutorials. Every time I thread a needle, I’m reminded that learning isn’t a stage of life. It is life. Now, I feel as though I’ve honed my learning skills in a way that feels natural, intuitive and even joyful. YouTube is my…

Garden culture and advice has historically been about imposing order on our surroundings with endless tasks that seem designed to overwhelm rather than encourage. We have created regimes, trends and to-do lists, often in conflict with nature, rather than working with it. Straight paths, trimmed hedges, weed-free beds and paving have all been the norm. But Marian Boswall wants to turn this approach to tending our gardens on its head. In her new book, The Kindest Garden (£25, Frances Lincoln), Marian asks us to be kind, both to our gardens and to ourselves. ‘The word kind and kin both come from the old English cynd or gecynde, meaning natural, native, of the natural order of things, with a nuance of taking care of one’s own. Being kind is naturally helpful…