Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i The English Home

Subtle prettiness is appearing more and more in home collections in the form of delicate embroidery, monograms, botanical prints and textural embellishments, even on hard surfaces. Where once, crisp, white bedlinen held sway, vintage-inspired threadwork is the new temptation. Oka’s Huguenot bedlinen is a good example, and Christy’s Arabella range (left) is a lovely choice. We see greater use of embellishments upon furniture in the form of braids and trimmings, whilst ceramic accessories are becoming increasingly tactile, adorned with delicate embossed finishes or petals in relief. At the top end of creative endeavour, I adore the work of ceramic artist Hitomi Hosono whose intricate, organically-inspired relief work is so precision-perfect that it takes months to create a single vase. And the new tiles from Fahmeed Khalique (page 20) look like…

PURSUITS RHS Chelsea Flower Show The Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show (24-28 May) is a treat not to be missed. Home to an abundance of spectacular blooms and wonderfully inventive gardens, this is the world’s most famous flower show. Here are some tips for anyone attending this event for the first time: Arrive early – the show opens at 8am – to avoid the crowds. Watch the weather forecast. Many of the attractions are outdoors, and it is an exposed site, so you may need either an umbrella and mac or sun cream and sunglasses – or both, thanks to our changeable weather. If it does rain, seek refuge in the Great Pavilion, a huge marquee housing a staggering diversity of floral arrangements and nursery displays. Comfortable shoes are…

For years, vinyl has been viewed as a poor relation to ‘natural’ materials, with pale-imitation finishes and lacklustre designs doing little to dispel this view. Now, technical advances have done much to transform it into a luxurious design statement with the added practical advantages of durability and resilience. Floor specialist Harvey Maria is collaborating with designers to create a chic range of designs which offer a contemporary take on historic parquet and encaustic patterns. Lattice in Pebble Grey by Dee Hardwicke, £42.95 a square metre, Harvey Maria…

When a home looks bland and boring, or lacks charm or interest, the answer to the problem may not always lie in simply adding attractive paint colours or pretty soft furnishings. Sometimes, to increase an overall feeling of charisma and character, a range of more architectural enhancements is desirable and eminently achievable. Whilst some of these may only be possible to carry out during a substantial renovation, a great many appealing alterations are smaller in scale and genuinely quick and easy to do. The key is to first work out which areas of the home need addressing. What is lacking and where? Have important elements been removed by previous occupants? Think of the ‘period details’ so beloved of estate agents’ brochures: original fireplaces, picture rails, ceiling roses, cornices and architraves,…

Which collections inspire you? When decorating period properties, I love to combine new fabrics with antique borders and details, or even use antique fabrics or rugs. One of my favourite contacts for a never-ending supply of antique, characterful textiles and trimmings is Susan Deliss (susandeliss.com). She has a veritable Aladdin’s cave of goodies that I cannot resist. I also love Robert Kime fabrics and wallpapers as they have the feel of faded grandeur that I look for. Will Fisher at Jamb has my favourite, the Jasper collection by the amazing Michael S Smith. For more modern or town residences, I tend to stick with plainer, simpler fabrics from Colefax and Fowler or Turnell & Gigon, and bring interest to the scheme through the use of colour and art. I love…

“Everyone who leads a busy life appreciates somewhere quiet to escape to, and this is my bolthole: a small stone building, close to the house but detached from it. “It was previously an ugly, tumbledown shack which didn’t serve any useful purpose, so we rebuilt it and transformed it into a sitting room in miniature, where one can be on one’s own. “The garden room is furnished with an eclectic mix: Edwardian-style wicker chairs, a linen-union covered armchair, a circular oak table and a brightly coloured, hexagonal table I bought while on a trip to India. The old Turkish carpet has found its final resting place here. It had previously been in the house, but had become so tatty that I had to replace it. However, I didn’t throw it…

When investing time and love into refining home interiors, it can be easy to miss the fact that the exterior is not working as hard as it might. An attractive frontage adds what estate agents term ‘kerb appeal’; a certain level of polish and attention to detail which elevates a property to its fullest potential. The ingredients are relatively simple, although they must be sympathetic to the architecture. The choice of front path or driveway immediately sets a mood; be that the period charm of Victorian encaustic tilework or the crunch of gravel. A smart front door will be improved with chic door furniture such as a knocker, letter box and finger plate. House numbers or house name signs show pride, and with designs available in painted enamel, engraved stone,…

IAN MANKIN Now run by the sixth generation of this renowned Lancashire weaving family, Ian Mankin’s timeless striped ticking, checks and prints are made in Britain using 100 per cent natural linen and cotton. The excellent range of classic, pared-back colourways are perfect for coastal style. RIGBY & MAC A beautiful and eclectic range of ceramics, tableware, lighting, mirrors, cushions, furniture and storage, including a selection of nautically inspired pieces. JIM LAWRENCE An excellent range of classic hand-crafted lighting, door furniture and hardware in classic finishes designed by former blacksmith Jim Lawrence, and made by hand using traditional methods in his Suffolk workshop. Brushed steel and brass finishes are perfect for this look. DAVEY LIGHTING Founded in 1885 as a manufacturer of marine lighting for iconic steam-age liners including, it…

Botanical imagery is blossoming all over interiors collections, but it is the echoes of English woodlands that we find to hold the most allure. From the uncontainable exuberance of wildflower meadows (an endangered pleasure to be treasured and protected) to the heady scent of bluebells to wispy fern fronds unfurling under the playful, dappled sunlight, such motifs sit perfectly in the English home for just a hint of country prettiness.…

There are myriad patterns in fabrics and papers, an endless choice to appeal to all tastes which inject depth, character and beauty into interiors. Patterns can be successfully mixed as well as matched, combining different colours, styles, motifs and textures for a layered and interesting scheme. COLOUR UNITY Newcomers to combining assorted patterns and colours can glean confidence by working with a tonal palette. Blues are ideal as different shades can be used for variety without fear of clashes in experimentation. Here, none of the patterns on the walls, curtains and accessories match each other, they are all very different, but the colour theme connects them, avoiding a chaotic mismatch of motifs. GEOMETRICS & FLORALS Here a bright floral is complemented by a graphic motif fabric, connected by the shared…

No two reclamation yards are the same. Some focus more on building materials; others have much more decorative items, selling anything from stained glass to statuary; some might specialise in, say, doors, sanitaryware or flooring; many will restore and recondition where necessary, and many offer reproduction ranges, too. Find the right yard for your project and be prepared for the unexpected: you never really know what you might find, and it pays always to have a tape measure on your person, as well as a notepad and pen, details of crucial measurements and good photographs or samples of anything you are trying to match. Do not be afraid to ask plenty of questions: a reputable dealer will have nothing to hide. Check carefully for damage – cracks, warping or woodworm,…

“The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.” Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), horticulturist and garden designer Opening up our homes to the garden is a large part of the joy of longer, warmer days. When a pretty garden is well-furnished, it can act as the most wonderfully enticing space to relax or entertain. A smart, purpose-built outdoor seating area or dining area encourages best use of this outside space, with flowers and foliage acting as natural wallpaper and decking, paving or pea shingle providing textural flooring underfoot. Investing in a good-quality conservatory or orangery will help to prolong the enjoyment of this connection with nature well past the summer months. The best designs…

Whether yearning to bring the outside in, enjoy the garden throughout the year or create more space and add value, hundreds of thousands of people across the United Kingdom are extending their homes with a stylish garden room. A recent survey by Strutt & Parker* found that a conservatory is one of the most desired additions for a home. The government’s relaxation of planning rules to help stimulate the construction industry has prompted a boom in building garden rooms and an expansion of the options available in terms of styles, materials and interior decoration. Designs have been refined to avoid problems such as dazzling sun glare, feeling chilly in winter and too hot in summer. We have asked some of the best-known designers of garden rooms for their expert advice…

SARAH FIELD SIMPLE LINES Hand-thrown porcelain and black clay vessels are the materials of choice for ceramicist Sarah Field’s elegantly shaped tableware, which is beautifully finished with a subtle wash of colour. In the midst of the rolling green hills of the Cotswolds, a valley dips down to unveil a pretty honey-coloured farm. Opposite the farmhouse, a converted farm building has become a workshop where potter, Sarah Field, is busy moulding her next creation. “People come down here and can’t believe that we live in such an idyllic spot: we are lucky,” Sarah muses. Her love of ceramics began far away from England, in fact, on the other side of the world. Having moved to Australia for her husband’s job, Sarah tried a pottery course and really enjoyed it. “My…

After months of grey skies, rain and general dreariness, it seems almost impossible to believe that summer is just around the corner. Call it a triumph of hope over experience – as Mr M does at this time every year – but as soon as May Day arrives I find I have to begin to prepare for hot days and sultry nights. It is absolutely my favourite time of the year. The light streams in through the windows, the garden comes to life and Mr M is marginally less grumpy than usual. The summer seems to hold so much promise, and even the local pub seems more glamorous with people sitting outside into the evening in their summer clothes and strappy sandals. All in all, life becomes close to perfect.…

Prue Leith CBE started her career in the 1960s catering for business lunches with her company Leith’s Good Food. In 1969 she opened her world-famous Michelin-starred restaurant Leith’s, and later in 1974 Leith’s School of Food and Wine – now a leading cookery school with famous alumni such as the Duchess of Cambridge. As well as having written several cookery books and novels, she co-hosts Great British Menu. Where do you live? In the Cotswolds. Years ago, standing in a supermarket with two screaming toddlers persuaded me that the country was a better idea than a flat in town. I also had a mad idea that we should have a duck farm to provide the 32 portions of duck I sold each night in my restaurant, which proved uneconomic –…

Where once the ultimate luxury was having an en-suite bathroom, today many dream of a generously sized dressing room with bespoke storage, dressing table and upholstered seating to complete a master bedroom. Turning a room off the main bedroom into a dressing room is something to consider, and the minimum size required is two metres squared. Joanna Wood, interior designer and founder of Joanna Trading, advises allowing a depth of 60cm overall for built-in joinery, as this will give just about enough room to turn around. Her advice is to plan the space as if one is on a boat. If there is not room for a dedicated dressing area, a walk-in wardrobe can be practical. STORAGE SOLUTIONS A flexible dressing area will combine a variety of storage options such…

The days of a garden room being a space full of cane furniture and aspidistras have long since gone as we strive to make every room in our house have a purpose and enhance the way we choose to live. The luxury of more space in which to revel in home life makes a garden room a very desirable addition to any home. There is a lot to consider before embarking on such a project, and with so many specialist companies around, there should be no shortage of experienced professionals to help with the decision-making. Employing an interior designer right at the beginning of the process, whether in an advisory capacity or to usher together expert advice from different fields, will allow you to see the whole picture more clearly.…

As the days lengthen and temperatures begin to rise, gardens beckon with the promise of long summer days relaxing in the sun. What better way to enjoy the ‘room outdoors’ than from the vantage of a comfortable lounger positioned in a secluded spot, or maybe a bistro table on a sunny terrace or balcony? Wherever furniture is to be sited, in order to ensure maximum comfort and longevity it is advisable to take a number of factors into account before making a selection. MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE Any furniture in an English garden needs to be robust and weatherproof, so the first consideration should be what material it is made from, the most common being wood, metal and all-weather rattan, or a combination of the three. In addition, cushion fabric…

Windows and doors are the defining features of a home, indispensable for keeping us warm and secure and, when chosen with care, adding a good measure of kerb appeal. “Fine timber windows and doors with all the correct details provide the backdrop for an attractive home, and these components can make or break its appeal more than any other,” says Charles Fox, director at Timber Windows. Original doors and windows are to be cherished; on period homes, hardwood or seasoned softwood versions may have served duty for more than 100 years. But when doors begin to stick or windows start to rattle and regular maintenance or draught proofing no longer solves the problem, replacements must be considered. WINDOW DESIGN When selecting new windows, getting the aesthetics right and being sympathetic…

From the rugged granite cliffs of Cornwall, fringed with rocky coves, lighthouses and fishing boats, to the expansive, flat, marshy creeks of the Norfolk Broads with their endless skies, or Dorset’s ancient Jurassic coast and its shingled bays peppered with age-old fossils, England’s coastline holds much to enchant. Most of us have treasured childhood memories of seaside holidays – the rhythmic rush of the surf, the milky taste of ice cream and the sharp tang of sea salt – evoking visions of pale golden sands, pebbles in a thousand different greys and wind-whipped clouds scudding across a pale blue sky. Coastal style is all about these hues and textures – clean, fresh lines, simple functional pieces, and colours that reference the chalk of the cliffs, the stone of the pebbles…

BRING ON THE SUMMER HOUSE I have fallen completely in love with a summer house from Scotts of Thrapston. The Katie Alice summer house is the sort of building you see in children’s storybooks. Pretty but practical and in the most wonderful pale lilac shade, it is the perfect place for me to spend lazy summer afternoons. Big enough to spend time in, but small enough to retain a cosy feel, and made from the very best materials, if I can persuade Mr M that we need this in our lives, it might even prove the ideal place for me to begin writing the historical novel I have been planning for years. scottsofthrapston.co.uk CUSHION THE BLOW Having been drenched once too often and left out when they should not have…