The English Home October 2016

There is always a buzz of excitement in the interiors world at the beginning of autumn for, just as our gardens and country hedgerows start to bear testament to the fruitfulness of the season, a visual feast of colours, patterns and designs emerges with the new season’s collections of fabrics and wallpapers. It can be easy to gorge and become overwhelmed by such a huge variety of delectable temptations, so our curation of some of the finest launches (starting on page 70) is intended to help hone your palate – and your palette – to the key flavours on offer. I hope that, like me, you will also be inspired by the beautiful use of pattern, colour and texture in interior designer Gavin Houghton’s home, and the generous insights provided…

Insights from my diary... Hosting English Style on the Global Stage – a seminar at Decorex 2016 – with an erudite panel comprising interior designer and author Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, architectural historian and author Jeremy Musson, and Janie Money, interior design associate at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Preparing to interview Emma Bridgewater on stage at the Cheltenham Literature Festival about her extraordinary life, business success and most recent book Pattern , published by Saltyard Books. Seeking out new talent at Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design, an annual event held in Cheltenham featuring work by over 70 craftspeople, from furniture designers and makers, to jewellery designers, sculptors, glassmakers and silversmiths.…

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With his richly coloured plumage and distinctive outline, the pheasant is a much-loved sight. His image is keenly captured on homeware of a more rustic persuasion, and authentic feathers are also increasingly used, laid under glass for a striking side table, or inset into a distinctive picture frame by Wingfield Digby (not shown).…

From emerald to malachite, deep rich greens are casting jewel-like temptation onto the interiors scene. And they have been inspiring many a product designer to play with such resonant hues, from Jonathan Adler with his malachite-inspired ceramics range to Zoe Luyendijk with her newly launched rug designs from Front London which are beautifully woven in shades of darkest green and teal shot through with golden tones.…

Every interior benefits from the interplay of light and shade by which we mean clever ambient lighting, but also the contrast of rich and pale hues, bold and soothing notes as well as smooth and textured effects. Here we look to monotone details, accessories that utilise contrasting effects and a table with a sharply sculpural outline that is best shown in a position that makes the most of changing light thoughout the day.…