Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2022 i The English Home

This issue, we’re embracing the return to colour in English decorating. With all that’s happening in the world, the mood has shifted away from calm neutrals to uplifting tones and joyful patterns – interiors with the feel-good factor. This should perhaps come as no surprise, as our homes have responded to the socio-economic and cultural climate around us throughout history. While as a nation we’ve also become bolder and more creative in using colour in recent years, it is, for some, one thing to admire strong colours and prints in the pages of a magazine and another to embrace adding them to the home. In our feature (page 74), we show you how to do the latter – from introducing a splash of invigorating tones to inspiring the confidence to…

COX LONDON British company Cox London – founded by husband-and-wife team Nicola and Christopher Cox in 2006 – has established a reputation over the years for producing beautiful sculptural interior pieces. Taking inspiration from the natural world, the couple and their team of artisan makers manage to imbue the beauty of nature through the form, finish, patina and palette of the pieces they create. From their handmade furniture and lighting to mirrors and ornamental objects, both ancient and modern techniques are used to produce the designs, treading the fine line between art, design, and craft. To view Cox London’s range in one place, visit the new London store on Pimlico Road. It is hard to miss as currently the window displays boast two halves of one of the brand’s impressive…

Tucked down a quiet rural lane, where the only sounds are the chatter of birds and gentle hum of a nearby tractor, sits this 16th-century thatched cottage, home to Jane Compton, her teenage son, Will, and their faithful Parsons Jack Russell terrier, Basil. “Seven years ago, I found myself yearning for a more rural life,” recalls Jane, who had just completed a renovation of a cottage in a Worcestershire town. “We’d been holidaying in this part of Suffolk for many years and loved the peace and tranquillity it offered. Suddenly, it seemed like the perfect time to make the move, so I started looking for a new home in the county I already felt so attached to.” ‘This house immediately stole my heart. I remember sitting in the kitchen, finding…

This glorious orangery by interior designer Claire Hewitson (former head of design at Firmdale Hotels) exemplifies the importance of well-considered details for a significant impact. Continuing the pale green paint colour onto the ceiling creates a seamless transition that blends into the garden beyond without a harsh white divide. The pretty floral curtains have an extra flourish of a colourful lining and bold trim, making them attractive from the outside as well as creating a tailored finish. These seemingly small touches are the striking features of a beautiful, understated room.…

At a time when Britain was still recovering from the effects of the First World War, 1930s homes, with their spacious layouts, geometric detailing and curved windows, represented a beacon of hope as well as a new architectural approach, partly inspired by the use of innovative materials such as steel and concrete, first seen in America. Most 1930s homes, often built in suburbs, where land was more affordable, are characterised by square profiles, hipped roofs, covered or recessed porches and a brick or pebble-dash finish. Remnants of Arts and Crafts influences can also often be seen via mock-Tudor exterior elements. Art deco motifs, which first sprang to life in the 1920s and gathered pace over the next decade, are also evident in homes of this period, whether in urban, streamlined…

When creating an outdoor setting, whether for entertaining friends, dining with family or simply relaxing with a good book, the key to making it work is to ensure it complements its surroundings. For instance, a large country garden suits casual textures and oversized tables, chairs and sofas; a more compact cottage garden will look better with more informal furnishings; and a townhouse courtyard or terrace may well be better complemented with foldaway solutions and sleek designs. “You don’t want to fight against the style of your house – both the architecture and interiors – so find garden furniture that suits your design language and blends into the surroundings,” says Alan Morley, head designer at Alexander Rose. Comfort and being fit for purpose are also key. Consider a canvas deckchair or…

New potatoes, freshly dug, cooked within the hour and put reverently on the plate and slathered with butter, lots of butter, are one of the true glories of the vegetable world. The potato has come along way since it was brought to Britain from the Americas by Sir Walter Raleigh and others in the 16th century. It was regarded as a wonder then, and is still a wonder today. For me, the wonder begins with lifting the clods of earth, watching them break apart to give a glimpse of cream-coloured treasure buried in the surrounding dark earth. Gently, I lever each potato (in this case the rather unromantically named International Kidney, aka Jersey Royal) from its earthy setting and pop it into a trug. I’m not sure why a new…

It is unclear exactly when the concept of picnicking began in Britain but by the 19th century, aspirations had moved on from simple feasting in a picturesque exterior setting to the fashion for enjoying elaborate picnics at outdoor events. This evolution was noted by renowned figures of the time, such as Charles Dickens, who commented of the Epsom Derby: “Look where I will … I see Fortnum and Mason. And now, Heavens! All the hampers fly wide open, and the green Downs burst into a blossom of lobster salad!” By the 20th century, this elevated form of picnicking – combining a cultural setting, engaging entertainment and a pause in proceedings to indulge in a delicious picnic – had become an established ritual at many British events, from Goodwood to Henley…

After the past two years and changes in the way we live, there has been a noticeable shift in attitudes towards decorating. Perhaps because we have learnt to embrace our homes for the sanctuaries they are, perhaps because of a need for more joy, and perhaps because designers were able to direct their creativity in new ways during lockdown, there is a palpable sense of excitement, vigour and confidence in decorating. At the recent Design Week at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, the sense of joy among the design community was tangible – being able to touch, see and rejoice in textiles, papers, furniture and more after so long made it an exhilarating event. This happiness is captured over the following pages, with expert advice on ways to use colour, pattern…

With over 40 years’ experience designing beautiful bespoke cabinetry and furniture for kitchens and other rooms in the home, Devon-based Barnes of Ashburton knows what it means to blend a timeless look with the latest trends. This year, key themes include forest green hues, rich olive tones, muted grey palettes and plenty of natural wood, stone and brushed metal finishes to deliver a feeling of warmth and character. Take the kitchen and utility room shown here, for instance. Designed by Debbie Harradence of Barnes of Ashburton for a traditional 16th-century Devon farmhouse nestled in an east Dartmoor valley, it demonstrates how the company’s signature cabinetry complements any space, large or small. When the owners, Anna and Gordon, first moved in, both the kitchen and utility room were in need of…

As we head into summer, take a cue from our four-legged friend and make the most of sun-filled afternoons. Create a relaxing setting and a sense of place on a lawn with an outdoor rug, cushions and a throw to make the most of time outside. Add an assortment of lanterns to bring atmosphere later on. If a leaf-adorned teepee is not an option, bell tents and teepee day beds hanging from a frame are a perfect lazy-day sanctuary for both adults and children. Arana lanterns, from £19.99, Contemporary Country range, Dobbies Garden Centres…

Rare 18th-century tapestries that were cut up by their Victorian owner during a room ‘makeover’ have been painstakingly restored and are back on show at National Trust mansion The Vyne in Hampshire. nationaltrust.org.uk Blenheim Palace Flower Show will boast lovely floral displays, experts and growers, with food and shopping ideas for home and garden. 24–26 June. blenheimflower show.co.uk Masterpiece London is an annual treasure trove filled with works of art, furniture and jewellery from antiquity to the present day, with over 130 exhibitors. 30 June to 6 July. masterpiecefair.com…

This summer (1 June to 1 July), Design Centre Chelsea Harbour is opening the doors to WOW!house – its first showhouse featuring 20 rooms created by leading interior designers together with renowned makers and design houses. With collaborations such as the Julian Chichester Library by Turner Pocock; the Schumacher Garden Room by Campbell-Rey; and the Morris & Co Courtyard Bedroom by Brandon Schubert – as well as rooms by Paolo Moschino and Phillip Vergeylen, Stephanie Barba Mendoza and Joanna Plant, among others – the showhouse will offer an immersive opportunity to see the work of world-class designers first-hand. We have been given an exclusive preview of two of the most anticipated rooms – the GP & J Baker morning room by Rita Konig, and the Colefax and Fowler drawing room…

What greater inspiration can there be for a range of garden furniture, than spending time in one’s garden shed – which is exactly where Michael Scott decided to launch his business Lazy Susan more than 15 years ago. Realising the long-term durability and low maintenance of aluminium garden furniture, he realised there was a real gap in the market for beautiful designs made to last. So, he set about handcrafting a collection in sand cast powder – which makes it rust-and rot-proof and maintenance-free all year round – designed to live outside through all the seasons and look smart enough to do so. We all know that spending time outdoors is good for the soul. Fresh air, sunshine and greenery are the best things for refreshing the mind and body,…

For an impressive arrangement of garden peonies, first ensure they are ready to be cut. “They want to be starting to open, showing a bit of colour from the centre, and almost marshmallowy in texture,” says Freddie Garland, founder of Freddie’s Flowers, who advises dunking the flower heads in lukewarm water if there is sticky sap on the petals. “As they start to open, carefully use your fingers to help them along a little.” Weekly boxes of flowers available at freddiesflowers.com…

When the hunger for cooked new potatoes slathered in butter has worn off, you can turn to potato salad for a change, which is a joy in its own right. Choose a waxy potato - International Kidney, Charlotte, Ratte, Pink Fir Apple, Belle de Fontenay, Nicola. The potatoes should be no bigger than a hen’s egg, and if they are, slice them in half before cooking. Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 500g new potatoes, washed not peeled 250ml chicken stock 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 dsp red wine vinegar 6 dsp vegetable oil or vegetable oil and olive oil Salt and pepper 1 small bunch of dill, chives or tarragon) METHOD • Mix the mustard, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper (to taste). Add the chicken stock. • Put the potatoes in a…

There is something so quintessentially British about a beach hut. These simple single-storey structures are a legacy left to us by our Georgian and Victorian ancestors. Despite relishing the benefits of a restorative dip in the sea, they were quite prudish when it came to changing out of their high-necked, ankle-scuffing attire into their swimwear, so much so that they invented the “bathing machine” in the 1750s. This device, when wheeled down the sands by an attendant, would take bathers from the shore to the water without compromising their modesty. For more than a century, the machines were very popular among the wealthy and aristocratic – including Queen Victoria herself, who had one of her own on the Isle of Wight. In later years, that concept would evolve into the…