Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i The English Home

Relaxed yet elegant, practical but stylish, the English country look is a romantic and seemingly elusive interiors style to master. One that is as deceptively effortless as the French woman who somehow appears perfectly ‘undone’ and accidentally chic. From the sweetest thatched cottage to the grandest country pile, well-furnished country homes are as enveloping as their softly worn sofas are to sink into. They have us longing to replace city skylines with green pastures and while away the hours by an Aga with a dog at our feet. These are interiors full of nostalgia and personality, where the owners have mastered the art of eclectic style, mixing faded chintzes with bold hues, combining timeless antiques with the new. In this year’s Country Edition we wanted to demystify some of the…

JUSTIN VAN BREDA Interior and bespoke furniture designer 1 DO remember the natural light. The light in the English countryside changes throughout the year, and there is often a pronounced difference, not just in the level, but in the tone of the light indoors, from winter to summer, as the inside surfaces reflect the amount of greenery that surrounds the house. When picking wall colours or fabrics consider that changing light; what feels cosy in winter and cool in summer? Some colours can seem soft in summer but move to the acidic in winter, so avoid bleached white or primary yellow bases in soft furnishings; a hint of natural white, pale tobacco or pale creamy yellow will work well across the year. And, if you can be bothered, you can…

Embracing a sustainable lifestyle with its enlightened approach to furnishing and decorating is quite a challenge. With so much to consider, it is heartening to discover how many companies serving the interior are already taking positive steps to reveal where their materials come from and even flagging up their biodegradable packaging. Whether moving house or redesigning a tired room, consider whether pieces can be repurposed and if not, find an alternative to landfill. When sourcing new furnishings for an outdated room, the task is to make sure each piece will be an ethical buy. Upholstery without foam content and locally made furniture in wood from managed forests are useful starting points. Antique and vintage furniture leaves no adverse footprint, which is why more of us are searching for such pieces.…

“What about lunch?” I said to my friend Stevie. “Lunch?” he said, looking puzzled. “Yes, lunch,” I said firmly. “A picnic lunch. On the river bank.” We were going trout fishing. Now, I don’t know about you, but fishing isn’t just about fishing. It’s also about lunch. A picnic in other words. Picnics are central to summer. They’re fun, feasts, celebrations and, frequently, triumphs of optimism over weather. But there are picnics and there are picnics. There are rug-and-fingers-only picnics and folding-chairs-and-tables-napkins-and-cutlery picnics. There are Glyndebourne-style picnics with their champagne, cold lobster and strawberries and cream trimmings, and coldsausagepork pieandmustardhardboiledeggcheeseand pickleandbottlesofdecentclaret picnics. Then there are picnics to which modern technology, contemporary eating habits and greater knowledge have introduced a whole range of picnic foods and flavours at which our parents…

SPOTLIGHT ON… Mulberry Home Proudly celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Mulberry Home was launched in 1991 following the global success of Mulberry’s beautiful leather bags and accessories. To mark this landmark event, Mulberry Home has launched the Long Weekend collection, an eclectic mix of prints, stripes, embroidery and velvet. Decadent English country house parties of the 1920s and 30s were the inspiration. These were held from Saturday to Monday and attracted aristocrats, artists, film stars and poets alike, with sporting pursuits, dressing fabulously for dinner and amateur dramatics all part of the fun. The colour palette for the velvets in the collection was drawn from smoking jackets and sumptuous evening gowns of the era . This whimsical new range also embodies a sense of adventurous travel and escapism. gpjbaker.com/…

Friends and family can once again be welcomed as guests, and will be eager to visit country abodes for a restful and restorative reunion. Make them feel at home with luxurious hotel-like touches and thoughtful details to make their stay a comfortable one. An indulgently dressed bed is a must, but also add a dressing gown, sleep mask, and facilities to make a cup of tea in the morning to enjoy whilst gazing at the view in a plump armchair. Some spare wellies and a bicycle will ensure guests can enjoy country life to the full.…

Pastoral prints From sporting scenes to beetles and butterflies, patterns consisting of motifs inspired by and associated with rural life can add immense character and whimsical charm to interiors. Traditionally, country motif patterns referred to toile de Jouy, which depicted scenes of idyllic pastoral life and were relied on to create elaborate country-style room schemes. Modern interpretations of life rely on a more tongue-in-cheek artistic approach, and contemporary patterns can include illustrative depictions of all sorts of activities that truly capture the spirit and embodiment of rural life including fishing, hunting, birdwatching, country sports as well as finely detailed drawings depicting nature, entomology and wildlife. STYLE NOTES Nature is a source of immense inspiration for artists, illustrators and designers, so leaf motifs and patterns depicting trees and vegetation are hugely…

ADAM HILLS, director of Retrouvius Reclamation and Design “Many people come to us when embarking on an eco-project. I tell them my first rule is not to strip out historic fabric in a house. Preserve its heritage instead. That demands fewer new materials and often less money as well. When I’m sourcing salvage, I get excited by design excellence and materials: precious hardwoods in doors, mahogany joinery from museums, and teak worktops from science labs that can be cut down to fit a domestic kitchen. Then there’s reclaimed marble and limestone for walls and floors, materials that are expensive to quarry and transport. We have English alabaster from a convent in stock that could find a new home cladding bathroom walls instead of tiles. Antique textiles are of interest, too,…

The mere idea of country living has enduring appeal, and conjures up images of meadows and streams, rolling hills and wildlife. The promise of a slower pace of life and relative peace, combined with healthier habits and cleaner air is tempting – especially given the last year and its many challenges. In addition to a sense of space and appreciation of the natural landscape, there is the positive impact on well-being to consider – just looking out of the window and onto open fields or a leafy-green hedgerow can help lower stress levels. Glorious as this sounds, escaping to the country is not a reality for everyone, but this does not mean it is not possible to enjoy the many advantages a rural setting has to offer – the countryside…

Artisan homewares, textiles, ceramics, painted furniture and vintage finds from 50 exhibitors await at The Dorset Brocante on 30 August, set in the gardens of Deans Court in Wimborne Minster. thedorsetbrocante. co.uk Wiltshire Game & Country Fair on 14–15 August promises country pursuits, arena displays, shopping, craft and cookery demonstrations, all in the stunning grounds of Bowood House. livingheritage countryshows.com Find peace in the city by partaking in mindful activities staged at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, with forest bathing, yoga, cycling, tai chi and Pilates on various dates. kew.org…

Often considered a desirable luxury, an ancillary room – be it a boot room, laundry, pantry or flower room – is one of the most useful and hard-working parts of a country home. Rural life makes it essential to have a space to remove muddy wellies, wash paws and stow away leads and walking sticks. A place to manage laundry or keep tools and utensils out of sight, or simply indulge in arranging freshly gathered flowers, is also a boon. Whilst such ancillary spaces are primarily functional, a few smart additions will ensure they are stylish and a joy to use too.…

NOSTALGIC CHARM Inspired by romantic notions of Victorian picnics and secret gardens, combined with a nod to chinoiserie, Julia Brendel’s Victorian Tale collection encapsulates a softly contemporary take on classic country style. The delicate depiction of birds perched on blossom-filled branches creates a design that can be given extra charm with the addition of ruffle and pom-pom trims or take a sleeker guise in a graphic black print. Perfect for setting the scene for a country picnic. Victorian Tale fabrics, £65 a metre, Julia Brendel…

UNTAMED BEAUTY Wildflowers offer an expressive mix of shape, texture, colour and scent when brought together in an informal arrangement. Whilst they lack the refinement of a perfectly cultivated rose or the magnificent drama of a peony, a collection of meadow blooms, freshly picked and presented in a favourite pitcher, has a relaxed, cheerful charm that instantly sets a bucolic tone. Growing wildflowers at home is the perfect option for a ready supply (see page 120 for our guide to meadow-style gardens). It is also not illegal to forage for wildflowers in public spaces for personal use, however, check for guidance and restrictions on nature reserves and cultivated flowers, and never uproot plants.…

Exploring a corner of the the British Isles looks set to be a popular choice for many of us this summer. For a holiday with a difference, why not consider one of House of Hackney’s three rather glamorous Castle Caravans set in the romantic grounds of Trematon Castle, Cornwall? To celebrate its 10th anniversary, House of Hackney has transformed these retro caravans into luxurious accommodation, decorating them inside and out with one of the its distinctive botanical prints. In addition, the brand has also collaborated with Jeep to provide private use of one of its hybrid cars, also covered in House of Hackney prints, to explore the local environs. We think a few nights under the stars in one of these carvans is sure to be a holiday to remember.…