Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i The English Home

April always feels like such an optimistic month. After what seems like an interminable wait, at last spring is truly upon us, and we can start to open windows and get out into the garden, and finally begin to put decorating ideas into action. With many of the fabric houses launching their spring collections, there is plenty of temptation. We have curated a showcase of the most alluring design directions inside. And if this is the year that you plan to refit your kitchen, we hope our special extra section on Creating the Perfect English Kitchen will arm you with the key design and technology insights you seek to smooth the process and make researching a new scheme as enjoyable as it should be. This year, April also sees the…

PURSUITS Springtime stroll 2016 is officially ‘the year of the English garden’, to mark the 300th anniversary of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s birth, so why not make the most of the great outdoors? Springtime shows abound at the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens, and there is no better time for an inspirational and invigorating visit. Meander through the UK’s first flowering narcissi at RHS Rosemoor, in Devon – its southerly location enjoys the warmth of the sun sooner than most – or enjoy spring’s sweet aroma as half a million bulbs burst into bloom at RHS Hyde Hall in Essex. Walk amongst snowdrops and irises at RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate, or spot crocuses bursting through on the conifer lawn at RHS Wisley in Surrey. Non-RHS members even get free entry to…

Buying a new kitchen is amongst the most expensive projects one can undertake when redecorating a property, but as it is the creation of the room widely viewed as the heart of the home, this should come as no surprise. Done well, a full kitchen refit can promise a good return for your investment – not only in financial terms, but also in terms of the pleasure and comfort a well-conceived design can bring to daily family life, both from a functional as well as an aesthetic perspective. Given the level of the investment, it is vital to undertake thorough research to find a kitchen company that not only offers a quality product and service, but really listens to its customers to understand what they wish to achieve. The design…

Think of a quintessentially English kitchen, and an image of a room replete with a mix of free-standing and fitted furniture, stone floors, a dresser overflowing with colourful china, all arranged around a range cooker with a dog cuddled beside it, will almost certainly spring to mind. These timeless ingredients remain much-loved items in a modern-day kitchen – even if current design owes much to historical design precedents set by the needs and looks of food preparation spaces of great English houses. Visit any historic house open to the public, and one will commonly find wall-hung shelving, pan racks, a large dresser and usually a large central table – all of which continue to find use today. Scale and style may have altered, but essentially the functions remain the same.…

The sink is an integral part of any kitchen design, with a range of materials, styles and sizes to choose from. Often an afterthought, it is in fact one of the most hard-working elements, needing to be robust enough for everyday wear and tear, whilst complementing its surroundings. KEY CONSIDERATIONS Traditional timber furniture and Shaker kitchen designs suit the classic ceramic butler or Belfast sink, whilst more contemporary kitchens work well with a stainless steel, slate or composite sink. “Consider the aesthetics of the sink within the surrounding elements,” says Emma Pryse-Jones, design manager at Plain English kitchens. “What should the sink be made from – copper or stainless steel perhaps? Cast iron, which may chip, or a ceramic sink, which may not be the most forgiving, but looks so…

Behind the cream-and-white façade of Becky Bettesworth’s typical Victorian seaside villa, one steps through a door in the garage, and into an utterly charming bespoke summerhouse, awash with colour. The inspiration came from a sign. An artist, she had long admired a ‘Torbay Tea Rooms’ sign, which belonged to an old Torquay hotel. One day she spotted that it had been thrown into a skip, so asked if she could have it. The colourful stained glass sparked a bright idea, and Becky drew up plans for a bespoke summerhouse that would capture a nostalgic seaside mood. “We had our lovely outdoor area built a couple of years ago,” she explains. “We use it to entertain, for quiet solitude or as a work space. My family and I love spending time…

Fresh linen is my only vice. Were I to find myself rolling in money, I would have someone come in daily to change my sheets. There is something utterly joyful about getting into a freshly laundered, newly made bed. As it is, I change my sheets once a week, on a Sunday, thereby ensuring the best night’s sleep of the week will see me wake utterly rested and ready to tackle the world with new vigour on a Monday morning. As a child I would hide in the linen cupboard. It seemed a place of great possibility, with its piles of sheets and deliciously relaxing lavender scent. I would often be scolded for unfolding the crisply ironed sheets and disturbing – in the days before the omnipresent duvet – the…

The English Home team needs very little encouragement to find an excuse for a spot of baking, from the village fête to charity coffee mornings to a private competition with the contestants on The Great British Bake Off. April 2016 is particularly momentous, of course, so we are donning aprons, sifting the icing sugar and brandishing cake slices in preparation to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Ma’am.…

Living almost exactly on the border between Northamptonshire and Rutland and with Lincolnshire less than ten miles away, Jane and John Alexander have a passion for art and delight in browsing the wonderful independent shops and galleries all three counties have to offer. Built in the centre of a village on a site formerly occupied by a bungalow, the Alexander house is a charismatic, three-storey family home. The couple struggled for months to find a suitable village property, having fallen in love with the area and already selected a nearby school for their younger daughters. So when Jane noticed an area under development she was keen to investigate. “A builder had purchased two plots of land and secured planning approval to create two three-storey family homes.” John is a chartered…

Handprinting wallpapers is a rare and specialist skill, requiring great patience and dexterity as well as artistic talent. The process is slow and craftsmanlike. Each lino block is meticulously cut by hand, either in relief or ‘intaglio’ and pigments are specially mixed to create a wide range of colour combinations. Slowly the printed works build into a symphony of pattern and hues. The repainting of the block as the pattern is repeated, differences in hand pressure as the block is applied, and registration by eye combine to create an irregularity of texture unique to every piece, adding a very human touch to the wallpaper. The subtle variations of this traditional, labour-intensive process are something which the flat uniformity of digital printing cannot replicate. Hugh Dunford Wood likens the creation of…

When Anna Keay rented a restored fifteenth-century chapel in Somerset for a short break 20 years ago through The Landmark Trust, she never dreamed that one day she would be its director. A passionate historian and author who has worked for Historic Royal Palaces and English Heritage, she now spearheads the charity, which rescues and restores historic buildings and makes them available as holiday accommodation. She lives with her husband Simon Thurley (former CEO of English Heritage) and seven-year-old twins Arthur and Maud. Where do you live and why? I live in two places, actually: a very small 1920s mansion flat block in London and a big old townhouse in King’s Lynn, Clifton House, which is my heart and home. How would you describe Clifton House? It’s a Grade I…

Previewing the spring collections of gorgeous new fabrics and creative wallcoverings is a highlight of the year. There is a buzz of excitement as swatches pile high on our desks and we coo over sublime textures, intricate detailing and fabulous colourways. This year we have noticed a few strong themes that prevail amongst the offerings; the glamour and beauty of the jazz age pervades many designs with subtle metallics and blush hues; ornate embroidery offers tactile details; soft mineral greys have a broad appeal offering a gentle, chic mood whilst botanical motifs are certainly the most popular designs. We have separated the leafy and floral patterns with an English country flavour from those with a distinctly more tropical vibe – the former providing gentle hues; the latter a bold tonal…

Any estate agent will tell you a house with a kitchen in need of renovation is a draw for potential buyers. We all appreciate the opportunity to remodel a kitchen to suit both our aspirations and the way we like to use this important room; and because the kitchen is an expensive room to complete well, taking time to create the ultimate kitchen is essential. If you were sitting in front of an intelligent interior designer, they would ask you how and what you like to cook, how you like to use a kitchen and how you imagine the room to look. So making a list of what you really want from a kitchen is the perfect start to the process. The cook of the house will have a wish…

Many of the latest kitchen cabinet designs are based on traditional proportions and colours: think of Shaker styles in natural wood finishes, painted country-style dressers and larder cupboards. However, these classic designs still need to be able to work harmoniously with some of the latest high-tech kitchen appliances to avoid a disjointed overall aesthetic. Some items can be hidden: integrated dishwashers are designed to be disguised with a cabinet door, for example, whilst it may be possible to position laundry equipment in a separate utility area. Refrigerators and freezers can also be hidden, but some may prefer to have a focal-point American-style fridge-freezer, which can sit well alongside a classic range cooker. The latest extractors are discreet, too – with downdraft models descending into the work surface. COOKING INNOVATION Whether…

ARTICHOKE Founded 25 years ago by creative director Bruce Hodgson, Artichoke prides itself upon having a particular focus on bespoke design for large country houses and a great attention to the period detailing that this requires. The company workshops, based in Somerset, service clients in London and much of the South of England. Fitted interiors are also created alongside luxury kitchen design. Tel 01934 745270; artichoke-ltd.com CHARLES YORKE From contemporary high-gloss to traditional hand-painted units, using a range of sustainably-sourced timber – including pale maple through to rich walnut and honeyed oak – Charles Yorke offers a wide range of style options from its workshops in Nottinghamshire, working with retail studios across England, Scotland, the Channel Islands, France, Portugal, Russia and the Czech Republic. Tel 01623 756080;…

Tucked discreetly behind a group of trees, on the outer edges of Katharine Pooley’s beautiful Oxfordshire estate, stands a dreamy shepherd’s hut. In winter, you can see smoke curling from its diminutive chimney. In summer, the door sits open beckoning you into the perfect picture of a romantic retreat. The acquisition of a shepherd’s hut was inspired by a memorable weekend away. It has, as you would imagine, given Katharine’s professional expertise, the most sophisticated and carefully planned interior – featuring a sweet kitchen, a wood-burning stove and a fabulously comfortable double bed. “It’s a place where we go to think and get inspired, where the children love to play and, occasionally, where my husband Dan and I go to retreat. We initially stayed in a shepherd’s hut called Molly…

Lions, elephants, monkeys and giraffes are running amok through abundant foliage in the latest interior collections. Maybe it is an extension of the 1970s echoes in interiors? Maybe it marks the 80th anniversary of author Rudyard Kipling’s death. Or maybe it is the April film premiere of a Hollywood remake of The Jungle Book that has spawned a jungle flavour to tempt decorators to the wild side.…

Though it may be hard to imagine, Anna Dewar actually looks forward to having builders in, “I love the feeling of something happening and do not mind change – I think it is exciting,” she readily affirms. It might have something to do with the fact that the couple have lived in their Oxfordshire farmhouse for over 25 years, and the process of getting the once-neglected house back on its feet has been gradual to say the least. “Fortunately, I prefer a look to evolve. I am not into this instant designer look. We chose the house purely because it felt good. We were unashamedly seduced by the abundance of space and the house being in the prettiest countryside we could find. We just could not resist,” Anna clearly recalls.…

Now, as a reader of The English Home, you can benefit from special rates on home and contents cover placed through leading insurance advisers Smith Greenfield. This carefully researched insurance opportunity has been specially created for high net worth individuals and is available to homeowners whose properties are valued at over £250,000 or whose home contents is worth more than £75,000. It comes with many benefits that standard high-street policies do not offer, and readers of The English Home will receive preferential rates and access to products only available through expert independent advisers. Equally importantly, claims will be settled promptly and without fuss. Special benefits can include: • Warranty-free policies – your property is still covered even if you fail to set your alarm • The cost of alternative accommodation…

Dining room seating does not have to be restricted to traditional dining chairs. Here, a creative arrangement of a bench, chair and sofas creates relaxed, comfortable seating for ten. This allows the table to be placed closer to the wall, rather than centrally, creating an easier flow and more space in a compact room. Villandry upholstered furniture in Heron Blue: three-seater sofa, £1,475; two-seater sofa, £985; corner unit, £975; dining chair, £255, all Oka…

The Royal Household is one of our great institutions, with a history stretching back over 1,000 years. But this institution is far more than simply providing a place for the Queen and her family to reside. The Royal family has a multitude of ceremonial roles to fulfil, including providing hospitality and entertainment for visiting dignitaries, as well as a meticulously planned schedule of official engagements around the country and abroad. Each Royal residence must be immaculately equipped to spring into action whenever the occasion demands. This entails the support of a huge number of household services to equip, furnish, restore and keep each home running seamlessly throughout the year. As well as the four best known Royal residences – Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham and Balmoral – there are a…

“Dorset Manor dates back to 1200, and as such, reveals charming historical features throughout. After peeling away the layers of previous decoration, we discovered something of an historical jigsaw puzzle with Norman and Georgian architecture pieced together. This was a delight as we were able to utilise the original wooden beams, stone walls and ancient stone fireplaces, but also introduce a contemporary glazed garden room and this kitchen in the former drawing room. The space was an especially satisfying area to design, as it initially presented a number of challenges in terms of introducing fitted furniture to crooked walls and uneven floors. The solution was to design bespoke cabinets that perfectly fit the space. We took inspiration from the property’s surrounding area for the decorating palette and materials. Colours such…

WORKTOPS FOR ALL SPACES Sarah Picton, senior design consultant, Chalon “There is a vast choice of kitchen worktops on the market, all with unique properties that offer different levels of water-wear and heat-resistance. Granites, slates and composites are available in a wide range of colours, markings, thicknesses, finishes and profiles. In order to choose the best worktop to suit the function, start by dividing the kitchen into four zones: cooking area, sink, food preparation and storage. Solid hardwood tops provide a tactile, organic and durable surface for working areas. By constructing them with finger joints – in which the staves are bonded together to increase the surface area for glue – they will be extremely stable and strong. Hardwood surfaces require an initial programme of sealing, using Danish or linseed…

Take a tip from the design professionals and consider interiors at the most detailed level to achieve polished end results. A lick of paint, the addition of some bold buttons, a strip or two of vibrant trim, or a little bit of reupholstery, can all add a fresh perspective to pieces which have become lacklustre with time. Just a few smart, new details can refresh and revive rooms with minimal effort and keep a home feeling up to date. MAGNIFYING IMPACT This pretty twist on a traditional dresser, filled with vintage china, makes best use of the decorative effects of such plates and offers a feminine and softly contemporary alternative to the expected display. With the plates generously spaced and carefully arranged so that no single colour palette dominates, this…

There is something irresistibly appealing about a traditional kitchen garden, with its rows of vegetables vying with soft fruits, flowers and herbs. It harks back to a time before freezers, processed food and the fast-food frenzy when produce was fresh and bursting with flavour. Today, the wheel has come full circle as people become increasingly aware of what they eat, and home-grown fruit and vegetables are back on the menu. SMALL BEGINNINGS ‘Growing your own’ for the first time can be daunting, but it is easy to start in a small way with a couple of containers of herbs or cut-and-come-again salad leaves that are ready within six to eight weeks and regrow after cutting. It is surprising how much produce flourishes in containers, provided it is grown in a…

VEEDON FLEECE ‘Rajni’ carpet is a timelessly elegant recolouring of an original Mughal Indian design, which can be hand woven to any size, to order in either Best Tibetan Wool, Veedon, Pashmina or Silk. It brings light and comfort to a room and perfectly bridges the gap between classical and contemporary interiors. veedonfleece.com Tel +44 (0)1483 575758 veedon@veedonfleece.com SUSIE WATSON DESIGNS All of the products that you will see on our website have been handmade with dedication and care by a team of highly skilled individuals who take great pride in their work. The things they produce are genuine little works of art. We have a deep-rooted belief in fair-trade, and we strive to produce products at a price that is fair to both the manufacturer and to our customers.…

Back in the 1970s, no one was talking about renewable energy, but Ossie Goring always liked to do things differently. Buying a derelict watermill nearly 50 years ago, he saw no reason why the electricity he needed to run his agricultural engineering company could not be provided by the fast-flowing water, as it had done for countless industries during the days before the Industrial Revolution. “Coaley Mill is actually mentioned in the Domesday Book,” explains his son Guy, who now runs the company. “For 200 years, spades and shovels were made here, but in the 1960s no one was interested in buying old mills and actually using the water power.” The water turbine that Ossie installed in 1978 actually produced more than enough power to run his business, and with…