Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2019 i The English Home

Here at The English Home, we are passionate about curating beautiful products, whittling down the best of the new collections and generally helping to refine the enormous choice for interiors to the truly worthwhile pieces we think you’ll love. But it is also extremely important to us that our magazine is infinitely more than a showcase of alluring images or a round-up of gorgeous buys. We want to explore and explain notable stories behind the products; consider how things are made, how they are designed, where and by whom, because we believe these elements matter hugely and that you share that view, too. The discerning eye will always pick out the handmade, hand-drawn or specialist piece from amongst mass-produced, off-the-shelf items. But understanding the stories of the makers as well…

Commissioned as a futuristic home by an eccentric textile millionaire and his wife in 1933, Eltham Palace in South East London epitomises the glamorous art deco style of the roaring twenties and creative optimism of the thirties. Known also as ‘style moderne’, it was influenced by art nouveau, Bauhaus and the Ballets Russes. Prepare for cocktail hour with sunburst motifs and chic designs in metallic and velvet finishes.…

PURSUITS A carpet of bluebells The bright-blue fragranced haze floating above a woodland floor created by a carpet of bluebells is a joy to behold. Half the world’s bluebell population grows in the UK, flowering from mid-April to late May. The first bluebells are believed to have appeared in Britain after the last Ice Age. It takes five years for a seed to grow into a bulb, and wild English bluebells are protected by law, with fines for those who dig them up. Butterflies and bees rely heavily on bluebell nectar – bees sometimes bite a hole in the bottom of the bell to reach it. Blickling Estate in Norfolk ( above ) has one of England’s best bluebell displays. Also well worth a visit are Emmetts Garden in Kent,…

James Hare ‘We were inspired by extraordinary women who made daring journeys...wearing a corset’ THE VOYAGER COLLECTION The Voyager collection by James Hare – with Siam Silk (below, top right swatch) as a floral hero design at its heart – takes inspiration from female Victorian explorers who, creative director Saffron Hare says, “travelled the world in a corset”. The collection not only has a flavour of the exotic countries these intrepid women ventured to, but also pays homage to the women’s beautiful sketches of plants, patterns and vistas – both in its designs and colour palettes. “We were inspired by extraordinary women, such as Gertrude Bell, Freya Stark and Isabella Bird, who made these incredible, daring journeys to some of the remotest parts of the world,” Hare says, revealing there…

ROMO Romo is a family-run fabric and wallcoverings business now in its fifth generation and based in Nottinghamshire. This showroom exhibits all six of the brands that sit within the Romo Group: Romo, Black Edition, Mark Alexander, Zinc Textile, Villa Nova, and Kirkby Design. We list them in the flooring category to highlight the new collection of Romo rugs on offer, a collaboration with renowned specialist rug manufacturer Louis de Poortere (left and below). First floor, North Dome Tel 01623 750005 JACARANDA CARPETS Shared with wallpaper, fabric and furniture specialists Thibaut, this showroom offers carpet ranges spanning three categories (Tencel, handmade wool and machine-made wool), all of which can also be made into rugs. Visitors can take away samples for colour and texture, and glean advice on composition, suitability and…

The English garden provides the perfect place to indulge in the delights of spending time outdoors with its floral scents, soothing birdsong and lush green backdrop. Whether entertaining or simply whiling away the hours with a book, at the heart of any successful outdoor activity will be well-chosen, comfortable furniture. “The primary consideration should be what the furniture is going to be used for,” says Diana Holloway, managing director of Holloways. If numerous parties or family barbecues are planned, robust, easy-clean seating and dining tables are a must. “Those intending to relax in the sun, meanwhile, may be looking for a lounger or a couple of comfy chairs in which to sit and quietly enjoy the garden,” Holloway continues. Testing furniture prior to purchase is advisable to ensure the right…

Organising an Easter egg hunt on home territory can provide its own rewards, though for those wishing for an experience on a larger scale, the National Trust’s annual Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt takes place this year at over 260 of its UK properties on Easter weekend (19–22 April). Fees range from £1.50 to £3 a ticket. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/features/join-the-cadburyeaster-egg-hunts to find a nearbylocation and book . Other family events to try at Easter include those run by English Heritage and Kew Gardens.…

The tradition of displaying artwork and antique finds in a garden setting stems back to the Mesopotamian courtyard gardens of 1800BC where trophies and treasures were displayed amongst the shrubs and trees. These objects were highly prized, intended to demonstrate prowess to guests, celebrate skilled workmanship and simply for the inhabitants to spend time enjoying the intricate detail and imagery. Little has changed over time, with the tradition strongly evident in many historically significant English gardens. Many of Henry VIII’s palace gardens were known to have heraldic sculptures displayed at head height on striped wooden poles. Bold and bright in design, there was no doubt that these were intended to impress the owner’s status and heritage firmly upon the minds of courtiers and visitors. The picturesque-style gardens of the eighteenth…

Acres Farm Fenders Tel 0118 974 4305 acresfarm.co.uk Blithfield Tel 020 7460 6454 blithfield.co.uk Chloe Jonason Tel 07748 981961 chloejonasoninteriors.com Common Farm Flowers Tel 01963 32883 commonfarmflowers.com Cornishware Tel 01749 880992 cornishware.co.uk Dairy House Antiques Tel 01747 853317 dairyhouseantiques.com Deacon & Sandys Tel 01580 243331 deaconandsandys.co.uk Elizabeth Stanhope Tel 01572 722345 elizabethstanhope.co.uk Emma Benyon Designs Tel 07768 311500 emma.benyon@btinternet.com Evernden Interiors Tel 01580 713778 everndeninteriors.co.uk FA Valiant Tel 01284 810297 favaliant.co.uk Heathfield & Co Tel 01732 350450 heathfield.co.uk Lawson Developments Tel 01837 851436 lawsondev.com McKinney & Co Tel 020 7627 5077 mckinney.co.uk Nile & York Tel 020 7384 2975 nileandyork.com One World one.world Paint & Paper Library Tel 0845 880 5844 paintandpaperlibrary.com Richard Falconer Tel 01452 812859 richardfalconer.net Sarah Davenport Tel 07717 436345 sarahdavenportstyling.co.uk Smallbone of Devizes Tel 020 5789…

The distinctive blue-and-white stripes of Cornishware china feel so nostalgic yet perfect for homes today, too. So when Karina Rickards invited us into her home ( page 42 ) and told us how she and her husband are ensuring this classic brand continues to be made in Britain, we were delighted. If you love Cornishware as much as we do, Karina’s special offer of 20% off orders over £25 will be hugely appealing. To enjoy the 20% discount, visit cornishware.co.uk and enter the code ENGLISHHOME at checkout. Terms and conditions: Discount valid once per customer, on orders over £25 and on full price items only. Offer ends 30 April 2019.…

When Vanessa Bell moved to Charleston farmhouse in East Sussex with Duncan Grant and his lover, they whitewashed its walls and set to work painting frescoes and motifs in every room. To these artists (and eventually the Bloomsbury Group), their home was their canvas and creativity a way of life that spread across every surface. Pieces with bold brushstrokes, handmade appeal and freedom of colour and expression epitomise the look.…

Versatile pink Ranging from an almost neutral plaster pink to mid-tones of rose and peony to lively corals and vibrant fuchsias, pink has many characters. The colour seemed to be having a ‘moment’ a couple of years ago and its popularity has not waned, with tones of blush sweeping into interiors in beguiling combinations and myriad styles. Feminine, floral schemes naturally suit the delicate romance of rose pinks, but pink can also be smart, sophisticated and punchy. It provides a graceful counterbalance to grey decor; adds dynamic contrast to greens and blues; and produces classical echoes with yellow, also suited to fresh, uplifting rooms. WHICH HUE? The choice of pink will tend to set the mood and energy for the room. Shades differ so vastly, each creating its own ambience…

Behind the scenes at Wedgwood Whilst a Japanese ceramicist, a leading product designer and an aristocratic fashion consultant may sound like an eclectic mix of visitors to an unassuming corner of Staffordshire, the UNESCO-registered Wedgwood archives are of such historical and creative importance their pull to those seeking design inspiration is inexorable. Spanning from 1759 (the date of the brand’s inception by founder Josiah Wedgwood) through to the present day, the archives are housed at the same site as Wedgwood’s head office and factory in Stoke-on-Trent, where the iconic pieces are designed and crafted. Although certain elements of the archive remain carefully under lock and key – in tightly regulated conditions accessible by appointment only – a large proportion of items are exhibited for the public to view at the…

COLEFAX AND FOWLER Fabric and wallpaper from Colefax and Fowler, as well as other brands under the group's umbrella including Jane Churchill, Manuel Canovas and Larsen. Ground floor, South Dome Tel 020 7351 0666 DE LE CUONA Best known for its superlative range of linens, de Le Cuona specialises in textiles crafted from high-calibre natural fibres sourced from around the world, including Belgian silk, Mongolian cashmere and Chinese silk. Owner Bernie de Le Cuona is on a continual quest to innovate with manufacturing techniques that refine and enhance textiles for drape, handle, durability and sustainability. Second floor, North Dome Tel 020 7584 7677 IKSEL DECORATIVE ARTS Hand-painted wallpaper panels available in bespoke designs or standard printed versions. Second floor, Design Centre East Tel 020 7351 4414 SAMUEL & SONS A…

Taking the time to choose how best to light a room can reap dividends when it comes to setting the right mood. PORTA ROMANA This British brand celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018 and has enjoyed creative collaborations with respected designers, including Martin Brudnizki and Tord Boontje. Design and craftsmanship are the watchwords at Porta Romana, resulting in seamless pieces with a contemporary flavour and simplicity of style that bely the great efforts made by the artisans responsible for their conception. Ground floor, South Dome Tel 020 7352 0440 BELLA FIGURA Bella Figura’s lighting is designed in London and made in England and Italy. Its designs include traditional and contemporary styles, ceiling and floor lamps, materials such as crystal, brass, hand-carved wood and venetian glass, as well as lampshades in…

Creating a natural display in the home is a poignant and daily reminder of the simple charms of nature and life’s inherent beauty. Identifying plants and drying leaves for a display creates a delightful short-term area in which to showcase favourites. Opting for a plain symmetrical background best offsets striking forms, and can be updated as new discoveries are made. Small Keates Pendant in Snow, £78; Hebden Trestle Table, £1,510; Medium Thursfield Vase, £25; Medium Haybrook Vase, £32, all Neptune…

MAY EDITION Expert advice for achieving a bigger, brighter home PLUS... • Colour masterclass: decorating with beautiful blues • Celebrating the best of British craftsmanship – preserving treasured techniques and skills • Clever ways to create a seamless visual flow between interior rooms and garden spaces • Four elegant homes full of fresh inspiration ON SALE 3 APRIL theenglishhome.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @englishhometeam Pinterest at pinterest.com/theenglishhomeFacebook at facebook.com@theenglishhome Instagram at instagram.com@englishhomemag…

CAROLINE FOSTER Writer (She wrote about an Edwardian-style house on p60) What do you love about being a writer? I adore the diversity of the interiors I write about. Working from home is also a joy. If I glance up, I’m rewarded by beautiful Devon views. What makes your English home special? It’s a traditional cob cottage. There’s a centuries-old smithy in the garden where Oliver Cromwell’s army stopped to have their horses shod. A period house demands that you work a little harder to enjoy living in it, but you must form a relationship with it to appreciate it fully. It’s wonderful to think of all the people who have passed through our home, and that my family will be part of that story. What is your favourite…

Clover Stroud is a journalist and author whose work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines. Her latest book, The Wild Other, is a raw, uncompromising memoir, which The Times described as “a remarkable account of slow-motion grief, and the ragged, jagged fall-out”. As well as coming from a large family herself – two of her four siblings are Emma Bridgewater and Nell Gifford of Giffords Circus – Clover is mother to five children and her next book, due to be published in spring 2020, is a confessional memoir that she describes as a “revealing and honest take on motherhood, from babyhood to teenage life”. Where do you live and why? We live in a small village close to The Ridgeway in West Oxfordshire. We moved here in 2014, when…

Life at home April is the time for cherishing occasions spent with friends and family – the promise of warmth in the air brings about a renewed sense of optimism, casting a pleasing glow on gatherings with loved ones, indoors and out. The appearance this month of Holy Week and Easter weekend – spanning Good Friday (19 April) through to Easter Sunday (21 April) – focuses the attention on celebrations anew. The Easter table Whilst eggs in all their forms – whether chocolate, hand-painted wooden or real ones – are the archetypal symbol and recurring motif at this time of year, laying the table need not be restricted solely to them. Looking to the natural world outside offers no end of opportunity for inspiration: consider jugs – either ceramic or…