Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i Homes & Gardens

A copy of Homes & Gardens March 1986 is pictured above and while the ‘pancakes’ coverline may draw attention what I noted was ‘character’ – a theme of this issue. It’s just a few days after the festive season that I write this and I find myself in a reflective, post-Christmas mood. One of the most thoughtful gifts I received this year came from my mother-in-law: a copy of Homes & Gardens from March 1986 (pictured below left). The timing was perfect as we were putting this March issue to bed, giving me the opportunity to compare the two editions nearly four decades apart. Back then, the editor was Jenny Greene with a relatively unknown Alan Titchmarsh serving as the gardening editor. Jenny’s introduction letter amused me as she recounted…

Hopewood Baskets This creative duo are shining a spotlight on the ancient craft of willow weaving Sarah Loughlin and Marcus Wootton handweave willow goods from their home studio in Worcestershire’s Wyre Forest. With backgrounds in fine art and teaching and in photography respectively, the pair were drawn to this ancient craft for its simplicity, connection to nature and hands-on techniques. ‘Working with a natural material is very special to us,’ says Sarah. ‘Our tools and methods are simple and unchanged in hundreds of years, a vital and valuable link to basketmakers of the past.’ In a year-round process, the baskets are made of willow from their own osier beds; it is harvested in the winter and carefully dried in several stages over eight to 12 months, then soaked in water…

A ALTROCK Made from 90% salvaged offcuts of marble slabs, eco-consious Altrock is a bold take on terrazzo. Marble pieces are positioned in the brand’s London workshop before being cast into slabs and hand-finished to form worktops, splashbacks, flooring, fire surrounds, tiles and beyond. Marble comes in a wide palette and the base material also comes in a range of modern colours which can be customised.altrocksurfaces.com ANNA GLOVER Imbuing her luxury wallcoverings and surface designs in narrative, Anna Glover’s studio blends the contemporary with a sense of nostalgia. From landscapes, trees, blossoms and botanicals to the more surreal, each wallcovering comes in a range of considered, tonal colourways, originally hand-painted by Anna and the team in London and printed in Wiltshire.annaglover.co.uk ANTONIA CLAUDIE Pioneering sustainable textile design, London-based Antonia Claudie…

FLUID FORM Limewash refracts light through millions of crystals, a clever way of turning an otherwise standard material into something special. Angelica Squire, co-founder of Studio Squire, wove colours of autumn into this scheme for a home in London’s Chelsea Barracks. ‘We wanted this to be a statement dining space, given it would be used mostly at night. By painting the ceiling, too, we achieved a cocooned effect across the room,’ says Angelica. The paint is an olive-green limewash by Bauwerk Colour. It has a textured finish that adds movement to walls, resulting in a moody space – perfect for evening meals. TEXTURED STORY Oak panelling and parquet floors add warmth and character to any room, but particularly in the context of a new-build apartment. A white box is transformed…

As an interior designer, Gemma Tucker intuitively knew what path to take with her Regency farmhouse in the Wiltshire countryside. ‘I wanted to be a good custodian, to respect the house’s history and rural setting using materials that suit the vernacular while making it relevant and practical for modern family life.’ Gemma, founder and creative director of Balance Interior Design, lives here with husband Mark and their children Matilda and George. After 17 years in London, they decided to make the move to Wiltshire a few years back. ‘We fell in love with the undulating countryside and the local architecture, with its creamy-coloured Bath stone. We wanted a stronger connection with nature, more space for family living and to give the children a slower pace of life,’ recalls Gemma. They…

before she founded her eponymous interior design practice, Allison Handler spent 20 years in the fashion industry, working in merchandising for luxury labels such as Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. For Allison, the interiors and fashion worlds are intrinsically linked: ‘There is something about how I approach a scheme that resembles the way I like to put together an outfit,’ she notes, adding, ‘I love to bring in something a bit bold.’ The interiors of this new-build home in New Jersey blend quiet sophistication with unexpected touches that elevate the spaces: bench seating clad in softly shimmering zellige tiles in the kitchen, for example, or the main bedroom’s arresting gold leaf and onyx chandelier, which resembles an exquisite cabochon-style bracelet. ‘I love sourcing lighting; I really do treat it as…

HIDDEN behind an imposing brick wall in the picture-perfect hamlet of East End in Hampshire, the gardens at Malverleys date back to the 19th century when the Italian-style Victorian mansion was built. Various redesigns followed, until the current owners arrived 15 years ago with an ambition to transform the lawns and borders into a flower-filled English garden that would offer a more inspirational setting for their home. They began a search for a head gardener with the skill to bring their vision to life and appointed Mat Reese, who worked for many years at Great Dixter, a garden they had long admired. Trained at Ness Botanic Gardens, RHS Garden Wisley and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Mat came on board in 2010 and began reshaping the garden into a series of…

RAISING THE BAR ‘A graphically striking design with an anchoring sense of stability’ is how Anderssen & Voll describe their new Massif bar and counter stools for &Tradition. The Norwegian design duo focused hard on ergonomics, believing a generous platform-style footrest is the secret to superior comfort and agile access. ‘The wide disc supplies foot support – almost like we’ve raised a section of the floor and put it on four legs,’ explains Torbjørn Anderssen. Choose from Ember (shown), dark stained oak, and oak and Grey Beige, in two heights – 65cm or 75cm. From £436 each, &Tradition. IN SHAPE Seeking classic shower-ware with a little design difference? Hexagonal shapes and cool polished nickel is the winning formula for Nôsa’s Kensington two-way shower system, £597. Influenced by the pleasing symmetry…

MISMATCH MARBLE Sourcing intricately striated marble tiles and arranging them in a patchwork style, rather than aligning the veining seamlessly, is an inspired way to introduce pattern that feels both dynamic and organic. Interior designer Meredith Owen has amplified the texture in this space by switching to a fluted version of the same marble tiles. ‘The fluted marble helps to create additional visual interest behind the tub,’ she says. ‘I prefer natural stone to porcelain. Natural stone always lends itself to a more high-end look, although there is more maintenance involved. For areas that need a more durable material, a porcelain marble can be substituted in for a lower maintenance option.’ FABRIC OF LIFE Don’t let moisture concerns steer you away from using soft furnishings. Interior designer Bradley Odom champions…

SAINT JACQUES CHAUDES / ROASTED SCALLOPS WITH BÉCHAMEL AND VEGETABLES SERVES 4 8 fresh scallops with their corals (keep 4 shells to serve)50g butter 4 tbsp white wine 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 small carrot, thinly sliced 1 small leek, thinly sliced 12 small mushrooms, slicedSea salt and freshly cracked black pepper FOR THE BÉCHAMEL SAUCE 50g salted butter ■ Wash the scallops well and separate out their corals (if using) and dry them well with paper towels. ■ Melt half the butter in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the scallops for a couple of minutes on each side, then add the corals and the white wine and let the wine evaporate fully. Remove the scallops from the…

All the latest interior news, including a focus on sofas and armchairs, the rise of sun motifs, the designer-makers honouring age-old crafts and more NEXT LEVEL This spring, Next unveils N. Premium, a new capsule collection designed to elevate the everyday. Upholstery in warm tones of nutmeg, ginger and caramel complements lighting crafted from brushed brass, travertine and ceramics. Mid-toned oak furniture with marble tops, soft curves and architectural details complete the cohesive, elevated look. A highlight is the Marble Orb coffee table, £750, blending shapely design with luxurious materials. Easy breezy The Naiades bed linen collection by Yves Delorme features watercolour designs of aquatic plants and flowers inspired by Greek mythology’s water nymphs. Crafted from 100% organic cotton batiste – a breezy material unique to Yves Delorme – with…

COLOUR OF THE MONTH EMERALD GREEN NATURE STUDY ‘This butler’s pantry is painted in Sprouts, a rich green which works perfectly with the timber floor and frames the verdure beyond. The main kitchen is painted in a muted pink called Silver Polish. I love this pairing - it may seem odd but it reflects the colours of nature.’ Merlin Wright, design director, Plain English STRIKE IT RICH ‘An emerald shade with a sublime natural nuance, Malachite has been read directly from a rare piece of velvet malachite. It creates a statement in a living room where its sumptuous depth will frame furniture and artwork. Pair it with Nori for a striking scheme.’ Andy Greenall, head of design, Paint & Paper Library LAP OF LUXURY ‘I’m a fan of bold greens.…

As design director for Kit Kemp Design Studio and art ambassador for Firmdale Hotels, and having studied architecture at Cambridge and sculpture in Germany, Willow is well versed in finding the perfect pieces. “Three-dimensional forms have always captured my imagination. The first work that entranced me was a driftwood sculpture of a stag in our garden by sculptor Heather Jansch. Ingeniously constructed from natural driftwood and pieced together with car filler, it depicts the majesty and spirit of a stag from every perspective. Studying architecture cultivated my passion; alongside the technical architectural skills, we were encouraged to experiment with sketching and model making. Both spatial arts, architecture and sculpture have many similarities – the necessity to think in 3D, the structure informing materiality and vice versa. At times I found…

Joy is a US-based designer but her work takes her all over the world. Now running her own studio – Joy Moyler Interiors – she has over 25 years of experience and a degree in architecture. She is celebrated for her use of colour and pattern. “How does a space move from drab to fab? With finishing touches, of course! Think of the things that make you happiest. Remember that hand-carved bird you fell in love with strolling through the bazaar? The one you went back to get, only to forget about it months later? Or how about the colourful hand-painted mask sold by the girl on the beach? Is it in a box in your daughter’s bedroom? Well, by all means dig it out! Decorating need not be about…

“This is a project that started as a small facelift and ended up going on a much more labour-intensive journey, but getting the bones of a renovation right is always worth the effort” Balanced and harmonious interiors are the calling card of interior designer Bari Jerauld and visiting this graceful Wiltshire farmhouse it’s not hard to see why. Intentional and pared-back but never bland, the building’s schemes orbit around the colours and textures of nature, with a focus on weathered stone, vintage marble, living brass (intended to age in its natural state), soft linens and rich velvets. But appearances can be deceptive and just like New Yorker Bari, who had to grow her practice from the ground up when she relocated to the UK a decade ago, this rural bolthole…

PRUNING ESSENTIALS As the spring gardening season is about to begin, treat yourself or a friend to this trio of handmade Japanese pruning tools from Niwaki. The Kurumi Set includes secateurs forged from carbon steel with walnut wood handles; pro snips with slim blades for precision work; and mini secateurs, perfect for flower arranging, where a smaller cutting tool is ideal. The set costs £429 and comes in an elegant Paulownia gift box. Frill seeking Set off your favourite spring flowers in this frilly-edged terracotta pot and saucer from designer Claudia de Yong’s Little Garden Shop. Each of the characterful pots is hand thrown in the UK to a high temperature to make them frost resistant, while the saucers are brushed with a water-repellent coating. Measuring 16cm high and 15cm…

1. Structural work Designer Ruth Willmott, who created The Morris & Co. Garden for RHS Chelsea 2022, innovatively transposed William Morris’ delicate Willow Bough leaf design (1887) to the pergola screens and rill liners. The earthy colours are evocative of Morris’ prints, yet the filigree laser-cut pattern work brings a more contemporary edge. The pavilion and rill were fashioned from powder-coated stainless steel, a material which facilitates intricate design work, whilst maintaining durability. Working in partnership with metalworking specialist Outdoor Design, the ideas were worked up into technical drawings, ensuring hidden fixings and a subtle overlapping effect of the gold-coloured base, overlaid with the red, laser cut-out metal design. 2. By the sea In the La La Landscapes, mgr Changing Tides Garden, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, designer Lucy Mitchell…

1. ISLAND DREAMS Focusing your deepest tone on the island is a great way to dial up the energy levels in a cosy country kitchen, like this one at Glebe House in rural East Devon. ‘A tone-on-tone palette offers the ability to inject more personality into your kitchen, so don’t be afraid to bring a bolder tone of your chosen colour into your scheme,’ says Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune. Here, the wall cabinets are in Neptune’s Burnt Sienna, a subtle hue that brings warmth to the space, while the deeper Burnham Red on the island is much more characterful, providing impact and contrast, while staying within the overall colour story. ‘This combination balances charm and visual interest, creating a kitchen that feels both inviting and vibrant,’ adds Fred.…

WARMTH AND CHARACTER Max Rollitt believes that the bathroom should be just as much a place of inviting comfort as any other room of the house. ‘Artwork can often fall by the wayside in a bathroom, but it is actually incredibly important because it is a space where you have time to enjoy it,’ he says. Max favours a comfortable bath (‘not too large, because you tend to slide around and disappear’) and a rainfall shower that sits behind a simple tiled wall, rather than accessed by a door. His ideal bathroom scheme is also one that promotes relaxation and reflection, with soothing tones, warm natural materials underfoot, such as a wooden floor, and plenty of antiques for beauty and utility. ‘The best kind of storage would be an antique…

Form and function As part of a long-standing design collaboration, Danish interior design studio Norm Architects has reconfigured its popular Offset sofa into a new sofa bed for Audo Copenhagen. The Offset sofa is a beguiling balance of comfort and simplicity, with its low back, elegantly narrow arms and rounded seat. Its shape is minimalist and architectural, characterised by straight lines and verticality, but the plumpness of the cushions and fullness of the base makes it cosy too. The new version transforms into a comfortable bed – a very stylish way to accommodate overnight guests in a multipurpose spare room. Available as a two- and three-seater, there are a variety of upholstery options to choose from, including Audo Copenhagen’s own Bouclé, wool from Kvadrat and cotton from Yarn Collective. Prices…

Wabi-sabi weaves Inspired by Japanese gardens, Fudo is one of five sheers from George Spencer Designs’ Zen Garden collection, which celebrates the beauty of imperfection in nature. Available in extra-wide width, it drapes beautifully.Fudo wide-width sheer, £138m, Zen Garden collection, George Spencer Designs Organic markings Sheer fabrics with decorative, textural prints can play an important role in subtly lifting neutral spaces. With a nuanced, dappled effect in gentle tones, Siro Sonnet brings wonderful movement and life when illuminated. Siro Sonnet wide-width devoré printed sheer, £179m, Black Edition “Whether used as drapes, room divides or table covers, light woven sheers bring gentle texture and tranquillity” Quiet opulence Stunning in all light levels, Aria is a luxurious, ultra-fine blend of wool and silk with a paisley design. Woven in Italy, the patterned…

COMFORT is about creating a space that is personal and inviting – a place where you can truly unwind. It’s less about perfection and more about how it makes you feel: a comfortable place is warm, lived-in and authentic, and should feel like an extension of you. ■ For each of us, this can be very different, depending on our aesthetic and how we live and entertain in our home. Natural materials such as reclaimed wood, soft linens and textured wool are key elements of comfort, as they bring warmth and authenticity. Incorporating vintage pieces with a patina or history also adds a layer of depth that new materials can’t replicate. ■ Lighting is a huge factor in setting the mood. We rarely choose recessed lighting and instead opt for…

Comfort and joy are at the heart of the interior of this three-bedroom, classic Victorian townhouse in southwest London, along with a palpable sense of calm. There’s a distinct nod to practicality, too. ‘The clients had owned their much-loved home for 20 years but wanted to change it to today’s way of living and make it feel more cosy,’ explains Sophie Eadie, co-founder with Fi Crole, of interior design studio Eadie & Crole, who were commissioned to inject it with a new lease of life and transform it into a welcoming home brimming with character. ‘Apart from a kitchen side extension, the owners hadn’t touched the place in more than 20 years.’ Additional storage was essential and the designers swathed the walls with panelling ‘that you can hide cupboards in,’…

Old and new blend beautifully in this exquisite Grade II-listed, stucco-fronted, four-storey villa. Built in 1830, it’s situated in St John’s Wood, London, and the owners reached out to interior designer Katie Harbison via Instagram, with their aesthetic and design direction aligning so well that Katie describes it as ‘a match made in heaven’. Irish-born Katie is based in New York but has lived in London and Europe and cherishes the balance of designing both Stateside and UK homes. ‘Much of my background is in the heritage and listed properties that London has to offer and are what I really love and resonate with. The scale and the scope of US properties are significantly different, so it’s the best of both worlds,’ she explains. Katie’s ethos is working within the…

“ We’re a short drive away from Leicester in a corner of the Charnwood Forest with its craggy outcrops, rolling hills and ancient woodland. The cottage was designed by Ernest Gimson for his brother Sydney in the 1800s, but it was Anne Gimson, the wife of Sydney’s grandson Donald, who changed the garden most significantly when she lived here in the 1950s. A passionate, albeit amateur gardener, she kept diaries of her work outdoors, helpfully for us – we use them as a guide. Anne was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, so the garden is an eclectic mix divided into sections with different ‘rooms’. You’ll find an arboretum filled with trees from across the world, a tennis court, a rhododendron walk, a kitchen garden and a natural heath…

CLUTTER-FREE CHARM ‘I like kitchens to have space, storage and an overall feeling of clutter-free calm,’ says Olivia Outred, who is renowned for her versatile approach to classic English interiors with a contemporary edge. ‘I love hand-painted kitchens and find them very forgiving, as dents in timber cupboard doors can be filled, sanded and repainted and the cabinetry looks as good as new again,’ she says. ‘I prefer to have drawers over cupboards, including drawers for the dishwasher, because they are so practical and easy to use.’ Olivia enjoys an elegant tiled ceiling for bouncing light around the room and the element of surprise it can create, plus honed marble worktops, open shelves and some dedicated wall space for art, mirrors and decorative wall lights. She also favours lighter paint…

I’VE BEEN in love with Stockholm since I first started coming nearly 30 years ago, when I was art directing and styling shoots for Wallpaper* magazine. It’s easy to walk around, design is simple, modern and timeless, and the food is very good. The archipelago islands are a short hop from the city but a world away from busy life; it’s a place I return to time and again. ■ My favourite places to stay include Grand Hôtel, amazingly located on the waterfront overlooking the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan. Ett Hem (above left), designed by Ilse Crawford, is slightly out of town but a great home from home. Berns Hotel has a beautiful restaurant serving great food. It is good for cocktails and live music too. ■ Eat out…

1. In the morning I check in with Female Poets, @femalepoetssociety, an Instagram account with quotes from amazing women, for a dose of literature, art and female philosophy. It keeps things in perspective and of course I’m looking for inspiration to get me going. 2. I love walking the coastal cliff walks with my family and dogs on the Dorset Jurassic Coast; we’ve visited the area regularly, every year, for the past 25 years. It blows away the remains of the day, week or even the year if need be. 3. I adore the sensitively crafted Jogakbo wall hangings by Korean artist Lee So-ra who works with salvaged fabrics from traditional Korean costumes. We have them in our Pimlico showroom, which is a home from home. 4. Bernard Leach’s ceramics…