Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i The English Home

March goes hand in hand with a sense of optimism and renewal, as gardens and countryside burst back into life and birds chatter from the hedgerows once more. Goodness knows we could all do with such uplifting sights and sounds after the long nights and grey days of winter, not to mention an extended period of discombobulating uncertainty on the world stage. I cannot help but feel that the latter is significant in influencing the determined turn towards a bolder, brighter mood in interiors. When the world feels so serious, it seems little surprise that colour, comfort, wit and playfulness emit a siren call in design. Certainly, there is a new generation of names in interior design who are injecting an exuberance and a maximalist twist into English style, capturing…

PURSUITS Early home harvest Filling what is often called ‘the hungry gap’ between autumn apples and the first summer fruits when there is not much else to harvest from the garden, rhubarb is considered a fruit but is actually a vegetable. Tudors used it to cure ailments, and today it is hailed as a superfood for its nutrient-rich stems which are high in antioxidants (never eat the leaves as they are toxic). Famous for its tart taste, rhubarb’s sweetness depends on the stems’ age. Forcing rhubarb (covering the crowns so that light cannot reach them) achieves an earlier harvest and succulent stems. Harvest as soon as the stalks are sufficiently large – do not wait for them to turn red – and pull and twist rather than cut them to…

FRESH APPROACH Clarity and confidence are key to combining strong styles in one space. Here, the modern, clean lines of this pared-back kitchen are given a dose of glamour with a feature crystal chandelier, and unexpected country charm through the use of a chintzy botanical fabric used to upholster contemporary stools. By using each element sparingly, but boldly, the result is a beautifully balanced yet surprising scheme. Fabric on stools, Nuts & Berries in Citrus/Blueberry, £98 a metre, Jean Monro…

Glorious green Green is arguably the most natural of colours. It is integral to ‘life’ and a sign of rejuvenation – the unfurling of spring leaves signalling hope and promise; the deep evergreens of conifers showing resilience through the winter months. Its appeal in interiors is its familiarity, since it surrounds us outdoors. It is a way to bring optimism and freshness inside, and in deeper hues it provides a cocooning comfort. As green is a secondary colour, its shades can vary greatly depending on the levels of blue and yellow present. From the zesty limes and bright chartreuse of heavily yellow-based greens and the fresh zingy apple green of perfectly pitched mid-tones that balance both base colours, through to the vibrant emeralds, luscious forest hues and soft sages of…

When planning a new kitchen, along with carefully selecting the style, materials and finish, the most essential element to take time over is the configuration of storage. By choosing the most efficient, practical solutions for everything from cookware and crockery to food, baking equipment and utensils, a layout can be designed to maximise flow and ergonomic usage. “For most people the kitchen is the hub of the home and serves as a combined sitting room, dining room, office and food factory,” says Merlin Wright, design director at Plain English “We also still have projects with the more traditional separation of cooking and dining functions or with dedicated larders and sculleries.” PLAN FOR PERFECTION It may at first seem overwhelming but by taking the time to consider all storage needs, the…

How to refresh duvets & pillows Ideally duvets should be washed or dry cleaned at least once a year and pillows twice a year. But after the longer nights of winter months and the impact of tightly closed windows, spring refreshment is essential. Feather & Black reveals that most bacteria will be killed at 60 degrees in a washing machine and that drying duvets and bedlinen in direct sunlight also helps banish micro-organisms such as bed mites. Life at home This is a month of transition and preparation for the embrace of spring. As the days grow longer, we, like nature around us, are drawn towards the sunlight and look to re-feather our nests. Setting the scene for sleep March is National Bed Month, championed by The Sleep Council to…

APRIL EDITION Bright ideas for creating beautiful interiors and a home with heart this spring PLUS... •# NEW Colour Series: Part Two – Elegant Pinks •# Spring Collections Special – the stories behind the most desirable new fabrics and wallpapers •# Expert advice on the best garden buys •# Four colourful homes full of character ON SALE 6 MARCH theenglishhome.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @englishhometeam Pinterest at pinterest.com/theenglishhome Facebook at facebook.com@theenglishhome  Instagram at instagram.com@englishhomemag…

* Delving into the archives at renowned brands. Read our findings in the April edition. * Following the launch of events celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of leading Victorian art critic John Ruskin, including exhibitions at Brantwood – his former home on Coniston Water in Cumbria – Two Temple Place, London and the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Gallery, Tokyo. Website ruskinto-day.org offers a useful events insight. * Enjoying the Dior exhibition at the V&A. Entitled Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams and tracing the impact of his work from 1947 to the present day, it runs until the 14 July.…

Sending hand-written missives is a process rewarding for both writer and recipient. Hearing the pleasing thud of a hand-penned note fall through the letterbox is matched only by the pleasure afforded in taking time and care to write thoughtful words. Create a tranquil setting with accessories to match, and enjoy the therapeutic flow of pen on paper.…

Thanks to the creative flair of its current owners, Amynta and Jamie Warde-Aldam, this charming Grade II listed former steward’s house on a country estate in Northumberland has recently undergone a colourful transformation. Coming from a design background Amynta relished the chance to work with decorative wallpapers, and vibrant paint colours and textiles. “I loved every minute of the process and felt very engaged all the time,” she says. The estate has been in Jamie’s family for over 200 years and in 1993 he and Amynta moved there from London. They installed themselves in the ‘big house’, known as the Hall, where Jamie had grown up and where they brought up their two children, Grace and Digby, who have now both left home. Amynta taught fashion design at Central Saint…

THE RIGHT BASE • I find that green works better if it doesn’t have too much yellow undertone. I usually select a grey-blue base rather than a mustard tone. It’s easier to co-ordinate, it is quieter and works with British light. PERFECT PARTNERS • I would always choose a crisp white or ivory to use for woodwork with green for that sharp contrast. • Green always looks fabulous in any daylight and obviously works well with any greenery – foliage or flowers. FAVOURITE SHADES • Grass green is very ‘now’. I think it makes a lovely bright accent colour. If you look on the catwalks, a lot of accessories are grass green – an example of fashion following us [interiors]. • Seine from Paint & Paper Library is a lovely…

Alice Boggis-Rolfe Tel 07841 536927 aliceboggis-rolfe.com Amynta Warde-Aldam amynta@forestmount.com Angel & Boho Tel 0845 2000 723 angelandboho.com Annabel Mills Interiors Tel 07799 685177 annabelmills.co.uk Anna Wilson Interiors Tel 07870 828550 annawilsoninteriors.com British Colour Standard Tel 020 7620 2091 britishcolourstandard.com Catesbys Tel 01572 812186 catesbys.co.uk Charlotte Gaisford charlottegaisford.co.uk David Skinner Wallpaper Specialists Tel +353 (0)1 6232780 skinnerwallpaper.com Diane Hill Design Tel 07748 301160 dianehill.co.uk Edward Bulmer Interior Design Tel 01544 388535 edwardbulmerinteriordesign.co.uk Edward Bulmer Natural Paint Tel 01544 388535 edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk Flowers Unlimited flowersunlimited.uk.com Grand Illusions Tel 01747 858300 grandillusions.co.uk h.Art Tel 07983 495966 h-art.org.uk Haws Tel 0121 420 2494 haws.co.uk Healey Hall Tel 01434 673961 healeyhall.com Robin Clarke Windsor Chairs and Furniture Tel 01568 760272 robinclarkewindsorchairs.co.uk Sarah Raven Tel 0345 092 0283 sarahraven.com The Charpoy Tel 07572 878648 thecharpoy.com The Room…

TIM GOSLING Furniture designer (Tim talks about his favourite book on p146.) What do you love most about being a furniture designer? I love being able to create the first visual image of anything at all for a home with just a pencil and paper. It is such a privilege to work with clients on pieces of furniture that will become part of their daily lives. What makes your English home special to you? I truly love my London home. I travel a lot, which makes me appreciate being there with my dog even more. My books, sculptures, open fires, the lighting, colours and comfort make me feel so happy. What is your favourite seasonal pursuit in March? March is when most of the National Trust stately homes open…

Communing with nature brings with it a whole host of benefits, not least is the peace of mind achieved by the focus and careful concentration required for flower arranging. Botanical blooms and floral forms provide the backdrop to a whole host of charming accessories to best showcase their beauty, including our round-up of charming buys to make creating displays as enjoyable as the pleasure they bring.…

Jess Collett is a milliner who designs handmade and couture hats worn by Pippa Middleton, HRH Princess Eugenie and Madonna, amongst many others. Passionate about hats since she was a young child, Jess decided to become a milliner during her last year at school and undertook an apprenticeship with esteemed milliner Edwina Ibbotson, before training at Kensington and Chelsea College. Having taken a break from millinery to have her daughters Eva, now 13 and Scout, 12, she held an exhibition at The Fine Art Society in New Bond Street in 2014 to relaunch her career which now spans 25 years. Where do you live and why? I live in a Victorian house in Harlesden, London, because the centre of my world [and business] is Portobello Road. Harlesden was a place…

EMMA DETERDING Founder of Kelling Design, Deterding found she had a talent for decorating and design whilst working in the London sales and rental market. She set up her own interior design company in 2006 and has built a reputation for using pattern and colour with confidence and flair. She also designs furniture and accessories – classic pieces with a quirky, modern twist – under KDLoves, and has a fabric collaboration with Bernard Thorp. KATE GUINNESS Interior designer Kate Guinness’ aesthetic is steeped in the “colour and atmosphere” of the Irish country houses she spent time in as a child growing up outside Dublin. She went on to become a theatre and opera set designer before retraining as an interior designer. “We like our projects to look as if they’ve…

Though the size, shape and requirements of any room may vary greatly in accordance with its occupants’ needs, achieving the perfect balance of style and practicality in a kitchen requires careful consideration, especially when paying attention to a particular period or property style. Working with a bespoke cabinetmaker or kitchen specialist ensures a unique, characterful result with an infinitely more innovative approach than that of trying to configure standardised cabinets to fit the space and ‘fill’ around it. Interior designers naturally consider all elements in equal measure, ensuring that every component is the perfect choice and has been thoroughly considered. Here, experts divulge some secrets to achieving the perfect kitchen. ‘Zoning is important, no matter the size of the kitchen’ BRUCE HODGSON Founder, Artichoke “We used Lanhydrock House [a National…

Life’s pure pleasures are often its simplest. One such instance of this is whipping up a batch of pancakes to mark Shrove Tuesday, which this year falls on 5 March. To partake in this day of feasting before Lent, add a pinch of salt to 110g of plain flour and sift into a bowl. Whisk in two large eggs, followed by 275ml of milk to form a smooth batter. Melt a knob of butter in a hot frying pan and pour in a ladleful of batter at a time. Cook on both sides until golden. Serve with lemon and honey for a taste of indulgent luxury.…