Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 i The English Home

Few things warm my heart as much as a house filled with family and dearest friends. I enjoy the menu planning, the decorating, the excuse to put on a party frock, but most of all, of course, spending time with those I love. I know some people find New Year a bit of an anticlimax, but I caught the bug for parties a long time ago, from my parents. If they weren’t hosting a ‘bit of a do’, they were tripping home from a black-tie ball, just as the sun was coming up. That open-armed approach to life is infectious and I already see my daughter has captured the spirit – she loves to spend time dressing the table for a special dinner. So, this issue has been a joy…

Following suit with our northern cousins beyond Hadrian’s Wall, echo the Hogmanay celebration with rich tartans and plush plaids, bringing toe-tapping flair to any home. This iconic pattern is incredibly versatile, with deep reds and oranges imbuing a warm ambience, and lighter hues of greys and blues injecting a tone of rural sophistication.…

PURSUITS Fireside delights Curling up in front of a roaring fire, safely cocooned from freezing temperatures outside, is one of winter’s simple pleasures. The mesmerising flames and spreading warmth hark back to simpler times, and tap into an instinct we share with our ancient ancestors. Calling on the services of a chimney sweep before lighting the first fire of winter will ensure optimum safety, and filling a basket of dry logs will not only provide ready fuel, but also help set the inviting scene. Invest in some cast iron fireplace tools, to offer practical help and complete the rustic look. Ensure all air vents are open before lighting the fire. For less soot and ashes, place larger logs on the bottom, then a layer of smaller logs and one or…

Shawls patterned with woven teardrops provoked a frenzy in fashionable society when they were brought to Europe from Kashmir by the East India Company in around 1775. The iconic motif probably originated in Persia and, as well as a teardrop, it is described as a pine cone, the curled shoot of a date palm, a kidney bean and a buta, meaning flower. Often the essential teardrop lies in a field of tiny flowers that textile historian Mary Schoeser describes as “visually encapsulating the colour and detail of a beautifully orchestrated garden”. Whether the motif is lengthened, condensed, infilled or scattered, it remains utterly recognisable. We know it as paisley pattern. Woven in Kashmir for centuries using yarn – now known as cashmere – spun from wild-mountain-goat hair, collected from bushes…

Little Greene Archive Trails is the tenth wallpaper collection from Little Greene. The brand has undoubtedly consolidated its credentials for digging deep into wallpaper archives to revisit, repurpose and recolour document designs and create fresh, inspiring decorative choices for contemporary tastes. Trailing florals and bird motifs predominate, bringing a vivacity of colour and the exuberance of a larger, looser scale of print to walls. The designs feel current and yet historically empathetic, tempting homeowners towards taking a bolder approach. Veere Grenney Immaculate good taste, timeless elegance and quiet luxury pervade every scheme by interior designer Veere Grenney, so it is little wonder that his wallpaper and fabric collections are equally exquisite. His new digitally printed wallpaper collection offers six beautifully understated designs in a carefully curated palette of seven colourways,…

Original BTC CATEGORY WINNER Many will already know Original BTC’s now iconic and much-emulated Hector bone-china table lights. With its new Fin pendant design we believe the brand has hit the sweet spot once more. Moulded in delicately organic shapes, in three sizes and with smart grey cabling, these look particularly spectacular hung in an asymmetrical group. And they are made in Britain, too. Fiona Mcdonald Our Editor was first captivated by Fiona Mcdonald’s Luca wall and ceiling lights at Decorex in September. Inspired by 1950s design and handmade in Italy, the prismatic effect of the geometric cylinders of coloured glass have a bold sculptural quality, even when unlit. Colours include amethyst, crystal, smoked, amber and jade. The lead time is 8–10 weeks. Fiona Wilbraham Fiona Wilbraham is a metal…

At a single glance, flooring by Roger Oates Design is instantly recognisable, especially its iconic striped runners. Roger and Fay Oates, the husband-and-wife team who set up their company over 20 years ago, rediscovered and reimagined 100 per cent wool Venetian flatweave. Champions of wool and British manufacturing, they have been pivotal in elevating humdrum hallways and staircases from the purely functional to striking style statements. The couple’s contribution to the interiors world over the past few decades cannot be overstated. Their passion, energy and innovative vision have catapulted the humble flatweave from merely protecting better-quality carpets in grand houses in the eighteenth century to being the must-have flooring for the 21st-century home. By injecting fashion, style, colour, pattern, texture and vitality into this traditional flooring – reviving something that…

Creating a decorative scheme for a New Year’s Eve party should be an enjoyable part of the preparations, and deciding on a colour scheme is the first step. For those keen to keep things simple, clever alterations to the Christmas decorations will ensure the backdrop feels sufficiently different and fresh for New Year’s Eve. Alternatively, it is a chance to come up with a whole new scheme and transform each room with eye-catching embellishments to create a special sense of occasion. We have collated our favourite ideas in three inspiring colour palettes. DARK & MOODY A dark and moody colour scheme is a total contrast to the traditional colours of Christmas, and whilst it might take more work to create than a lighter colour palette, it is sure to result…

To keep the party mood bubbling without interruption, the serving area for alcoholic drinks and cocktails should be organised in advance. Expert mixologist and cocktail creator from the Drink Factory, Tony Conigliaro, suggests serving a good gin, because it is the base flavour for many drinks. He reveals, “Its citrus notes balance well across a range of cocktails. A good whisky and rum also come in very useful.” It is also worth bearing in mind modern tastes when selecting cocktails to serve. “We are seeing a trend for less sweet drinks, with more requests for bitter flavours that are often found in products like vermouth. There is a huge interest in classic aperitivo drinks that use these products,” explains Conigliaro. A selection of mixers is also essential: “Tonic and soda…

Shooting the dining room for our front cover at Brownrigg Interiors in Tetbury – a gorgeous Georgian house with three storeys of rooms, all inspirationally furnished to show antique pieces in a modern-classic blend, perfect for contemporary living. Debating and curating our New Year Honours List of the most noteworthy interiors collections and pieces that have been launched in the past 12 months (page 95). Testing cocktail recipes – with personal party-planning in mind – including Tom & Tonic, which is based on a delicious Thomas Dakin gin, hence the name, and drunk with a twist of orange.…

In the depths of winter, when there appears to be no end in sight to the long dark days, reclaim the light with shimmering metallic tones and mirror finishes, bringing much-needed warmth and brightness to any space. Metallic-based lamps particularly lighten those dark nooks and corners, whilst a distressed, mirrored bedside table can impart a sophisticated bohemian feel.…

A village green surrounded by cottages in central London should, by rights, be out of its comfort zone. Not this little enclave, though. It has settled in nicely, but protects its privacy by being rather difficult to find. Helena Gavshon and David Fisher were directed here by an estate agent in 2002 to view one of the cottages and – like most people who chance upon the place – they were enchanted. “It was the first and only house we viewed,” Helena says, “and its history is as unusual as its situation. Built in English vernacular style in 1923 on the site of a former workhouse, the cottages were part of a scheme to provide homes for heroes after the First World War, and to be eligible to rent one…

Hermione Norris was born in London and spent part of her childhood in Matlock, Derbyshire. She attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and became famous for her breakout role of Karen Marsden in the TV comedy drama series Cold Feet (1998–2003). Starring roles followed in the crime dramas Wire In The Blood and Spooks and she made a triumphant comeback in the well-received new series of Cold Feet in 2016. She lives in Somerset with scriptwriter husband Simon, son Wilf, daughter Hero and their beloved animals. Where do you live and why? Somerset. Mainly because of schools and the children and a general way of life. A medley of many things, really. I work away a lot all over the place and, prior to moving to…

Jennifer Manners CATEGORY WINNER Each elegantly contemporary Jennifer Manners rug is made to order and handcrafted by specialists in India and Nepal using age-old techniques. What captured our attention was the sophisticated colour palette allied with a very personal connection between Jennifer and her designs. Inspiration comes from travel and other personal experiences. For instance, Dragon Skin (not shown), with its abstracted reptilian motif, was inspired by bedtime legends of fantastical beasts. Each rug has a delivery time of 8–12 weeks. Bert & May Creating a contemporary spin on the look and finish of period encaustic tiles, Bert & May is tempting a whole new generation of homeowners with its colourful hand-poured tiles that contain crushed marble for a beautiful, muted and mottled colour finish. Designed in the UK and…

Nina Campbell CATEGORY WINNER When Nina Campbell invited KLC School of Design students to design furniture echoing her signature style, Sabine Gern was the standout winner. Developed with Campbell’s design team, The Fitzgerald Collection features a media cabinet, drinks cabinet, bar chest, bookcase and two-drawer chest. We particularly admire the drinks cabinet, which is Art Deco in style and features the distinctive curved legs of Campbell’s Joan and Betty tables. Made in England using solid grey sycamore with a subtle veneer finish to accentuate the natural grain of the wood, clever features include a hidden fridge and deep wine storage drawers. either side. Leporello The Evo collection is the latest range to come from family-run business Leporello. Featuring a sophisticated combination of lacquered wood, leather and patinated bronze, the collection…

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SOURCING INVITATIONS We love Cutture for the best in both child and adult party stationery. Last year Cutture created a miniature model of Aynhoe Park for our children’s Christmas party hosted at the house. PARTY CATERING Kalm Kitchen offers the best in theatrical, creative and delicious children’s and adult’s party catering. We also adore Stones Events for creative catering that will wow children and delight adults. PARTY LIGHTS Party lights have to be sourced from Vowed & Amazed (they also offer a whole host of unusual and large-scale props). FLORISTS For the best in children’s and imaginative floristry, we adore Early Hours. For theatrical and elegant floristy – Tony Marklew. For weddings, Thoughtful Flowers or Westwood Design, and for anything at home, Willow Crossley. PROPS Props for adults should either…

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Vanessa Arbuthnott CATEGORY WINNER Best known for her countryside-inspired designs, Vanessa Arbuthnott has explored a notably new influence for her latest collection. Taking the idea of ‘artisan’ and applying eighth-century Japanese shibori resist-dyeing techniques, the developmental designs for her new prints were created by folding, shaping and compressing fabrics by hand, then immersing them in a traditional indigo vat. The collection is a collaborative effort between Vanessa and her daughter, Flora, who is not only a printmaker but teaches printmaking, too. A lovely way to broaden the allure of the brand. de Le Cuona Bernie de Le Cuona is renowned for her perfectionism in the quest for the highest-quality fabrics and her new Demure Drama collection of paisley designs is no different. So intricate that it takes one day to…

Lapicida CATEGORY WINNER Marble and natural stone are hot news for kitchen and bathroom design, and this shows no sign of abating. Offering complex 3D effects – diamond-cut into natural stone – these patterned wall and floor tiles from Lapicida, inspired by grand, classical flooring, offer the most aspirational of sophisticated decorative effects. The Crossover and Illusion designs create a trompe l’oeil geometric effect, whilst Argyle is a sleeker, tonal, diamond pattern. We predict a plethora of mimics. The Watermark Collection The humble tap is no longer so humble. Innovations in styling and finish bring increasing sophistication to the consumer, and one of the key leaders in doing so is The Watermark Collection with its new 54-piece Zen collection. The sleek architectual lines, brassware in 15 finishes – including the…

Rachel Bates Vibrant, vivacious, joyous – all words that could equally describe both Rachel Bates’ home interiors creations and the woman herself. The opulent exuberance of her signature style has proven magnetic to her devoted clientele and the various brands she has collaborated with, such as And So To Bed and Little Greene. Known for her love of jewel colours, birds and botanicals and for her dedication to quality, this Cheshire-based designer brings a playful vitality to the industry. Luke Edward Hall Approaching interiors with an artist’s eye, Luke Edward Hall, 27, from Hampshire – described as a “wunderkind” by Vogue magazine – is a multi-talented, artist and designer who designs interiors, fabrics, ceramics and stationery, and is in demand as much for his interiors and styling work as he…

Dressing a table smartly for a dinner party can transform an ordinary dining room into a memorable setting, creating a sense of occasion and leaving a lasting impression on guests. Even the most delicious food can be spoiled if the atmosphere is not right. Whether simply elevating everyday tableware by adding stylish accessories or pulling out all the stops and buying a new set of fine china and glassware, there so many options available that it can be difficult to know what to choose. James Horton, managing director of luxury tableware specialist Harlequin London, advises “As dining is one of the most magical experiences at this time of year, do not skimp on dining accessories. Sparkling crystal flutes for champagne and exquisite porcelain tableware will ensure your evenings have a…

The alluring trumpet shape of arum and calla lilies make them very popular for weddings, and they would make a dramatic decoration for parties, too – either displayed in pots or as single stems in tall vases. Arum lilies are often grown outdoors, whilst calla lilies are usually grown indoors. To create a burst of colour in winter, grow lilies indoors and force into flowering. Plant in a pot and bring into a warm house or greenhouse, then – once shoots show – adjust the temperature to 18–21˚C. The plant will flower around eight weeks afterwards. For further advice, visit rhs.org.…

BRANDY ALEXANDER The perfect after-dinner cocktail, luscious and seductive, and great for chocolate lovers. It is important, though, to get the proportions right, so the brandy stands out as the most important flavour. 50ml brandy 15ml crème de cacao (dark or white) 15ml double cream Shake all the ingredients over ice and strain into a frosted martini glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg. PURPLE HAZE The Purple Haze is a classic Kamikaze with a twist – a drink that belies its strength and will kick-start any evening’s fun. Let the good times roll. 1 white sugar cube ½ lime 50ml vodka A dash of Grand Marnier 25ml Chambord Put a sugar cube and the fresh lime half, cut into quarters, into a shaker and crush them together with a…