Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2022 i The English Home

There is much to celebrate in British design as we put together this special edition for you. So many of the brands who make beautiful products for us to enjoy at home are finding new ways to preserve the craftsmanship handed down through generations while embracing new designs and innovations for the future. Many of us appreciate the beauty or provenance of a carefully crafted piece as we hold it in our hands, but the process and tradition behind its creation are often harder for us to imagine. In our feature on British Craftsmanship (page 79), we spotlight some of our favourite specialist makers and reveal the man-hours, fascinating processes and detail that go into handmaking luxurious pieces for the home – it makes for enlightening reading. And if you’re…

Combining good looks with exemplary craftsmanship, the Somerset four-poster bed has recently been awarded the prestigious Design Guild Mark Award for excellence in British design. Hand-cast by The Cornish Bed Company, the last traditional metal bed foundry in the UK (also awarded a Manufacturing Guild Mark), the Somerset is a rarely seen example of a metal four-poster and can be finished to bespoke desires – here the modern soft powder pink contrasts with classic brass caps and knobs for a gently romantic look. Somerset four-poster, from £1,970, The Cornish Bed Company (See page 79 for more exemplary British craftsmanship.)…

PARTNER FEATURE For more than 30 years, Thomas Sanderson has been designing, crafting and installing window furnishings that beautifully frame the natural light. From vinyl and wooden shutters made from the finest materials to innovative powered blinds, luxurious curtains and motorised awnings, each piece is custom-made to customer requirements. In recent years, the company has seen a huge increase in demand for bespoke shutters, which are precision made in the UK. Particularly popular is their Waterbury vinyl collection, perfect for rooms with high levels of humidity and moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. These shutters are made by experienced craftsmen with installation in as little as six weeks. Shutters provide the perfect solution to balancing natural light and privacy, and with this in mind, the brand has developed unique features…

1 Wallpaper, Mullion Broad Stripe, £70 a roll; woodwork, Portland Stone Deep, Intelligent Eggshell, £72 for 2.5l, Little Greene 2 Brighton three-light lantern, handcrafted brass in dark bronze finish with French gold details, £4,655, Christopher Hyde 3 Paint swatches from top: Plaster II and Bluebird, both £94 for 5l, Paint Library London 4 Edinburgh console table, £1,655, Neptune 5 V&A Romano Jade cushion, £75, Arley House 6 Darla footstool, £840, Luxdeco 7 Armchair fabric, Devon, Blue, £140 a metre; cushion fabric, Kamara, Blue/Yellow, £164 a metre, Blithfield 8 Manor Flame Veneered Bombe chest of drawers, £3,600, Brights of Nettlebed 9 Amber & Sandalwood scented candle, £65, Henry’s Townhouse 10 Large carved lamp base, £245, Susie Watson 11 Vintage Tabriz Rose rug, £3,950, Bazaar Velvet 12 Joelle bed in Rhubarb Fool,…

Lighting is a really powerful tool when it comes to creating atmosphere within a room, and wall lights make a stylish addition to lighting schemes. When used properly, they can be practical as well as decorative, or even used to highlight specific features in the home. There is a lot to consider when it comes to size, style and function. We will take you through the basics so you can get the most out of your lighting. CHOOSING A DESIGN Wall lights come in all shapes, sizes, patterns and designs, and provide a good balance between ceiling spotlights and small table lamps. They will not fill a room with light but are impactful enough to set the desired mood. Fixed wall lights such as Corston’s Malvern range usually cast beams…

LIFESTYLE Now is the perfect time to sign up for a creative course to learn something new, September being traditionally the time of year when the focus is on returning back to school. Whether a one-day workshop or a longer course, there are myriad ways to take on the challenge of learning a new skill. From art and craft courses at an iconic historic house to mastering the skills of haute cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant or even gardening at a boutique hotel in the heart of the English countryside, there is something to suit everyone, no matter the level of skill or location. We hope to inspire creativity with our tempting selection of courses overleaf. (For contact and further course details, turn to page 123.) Artful crafting Learn a…

SPOTLIGHT ON… Focus/22: Inspirational Showcase Revel in an immersive kaleidoscope of colours, patterns and styles emblematic of the new season at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour’s unmissable interior design and decorating showcase, Focus/22. Running from Monday 19 to Friday 23 September and featuring 120 showrooms and 600 global brands plus pop-ups, this is the perfect destination to seek creative inspiration to enliven home decor and discover key looks for the coming season. Events will include workshops, artisan demonstrations and discussions with industry insiders, including The English Home Editor Samantha Scott-Jeffries, who will host a talk on Tuesday 20 September – check theenglishhome.co.uk nearer the time for more information about attending. Above: Jane Churchill at Colefax and Fowler, Nobilis, Watts of Westminster and Savel Inc at Alexander Lamont and Miles. dcch.co.uk A…

BRIT DESIGN Ever since John Crowell set up Beaumont & Fletcher in 1989, it has gone from strength to strength, expanding its collections from fabrics and furniture to selling exquisite embroidery, lights and mirrors. To showcase all these beautiful wares in one place, the company has just launched its first brochure, just in time for the launch of the new handcrafted Arcus, Cathay and Orbis mirrors. Each one comes in various sizes and 10 standard finishes, with bespoke pieces available on application. beaumontandfletcher.com THE HOT LIST British furniture, lighting and home accessories brand Heal’s has always been one to champion new design, with a focus on craftsmanship and innovation through its Heal’s Discovers programme, launched in 2004. Among those spotlighted this year are London-based ceramicist Talia James and contemporary woodworker…

Partnering colours for a balanced yet dynamic decorating scheme provides contrast, pattern and interest while remaining cohesive and considered. Fashions come and go with popular pairings – grey and yellow; chocolate and cream; the fast-becoming-classic pink and green – but few have stood the test of time like the perfect marriage of blue and white. An interiors stalwart, decorating with blue and white is seen in many guises, from pretty sky blues in florals on a crisp white background, to chic, deep, inky navy as a vivid contrast to creamier whites. This pairing can take on different styles including grand chinoiserie, country charm, sleek geometrics and bold block colour, setting the scene as a clear, confident choice while still being easy on the eye and not overwhelming. A blue-and-white palette…

PARTNER FEATURE THE STORY OF BARNES OF ASHBURTON Devon-based designer and manufacturer Barnes of Ashburton strikes the perfect balance between timeless elegance and an on-trend look. Thanks to its 40 years’ experience in creating beautiful hand-built kitchens and furniture, it knows that when it comes to embracing trends, the key is to create a design that will last for years to come. In this scheme, classic-style cabinetry is painted in Little Greene’s Hicks’ Blue, with Boxington on the pantry and Apple for its interior. Blue and green are fresh modern colours and a palette that complements both classic and contemporary homes. When the owners of this former coach house bought the property five years ago, the kitchen had a lovely cottage feel, which they wanted to retain. As a large…

Stella Callaghan, director of Callaghans of Shrewsbury with over 25 years’ experience as an international art dealer ‘Spring Bouquet’, oil on canvas, by Claude Venard (1913–1999) “It is always extremely difficult to choose one piece of art above another when the gallery boasts such an eclectic collection of styles and mediums. However, Claude Venard (1913–1999) has always been up there with my favourite artists, so I have selected one of his works, Spring Bouquet. I adore its simplicity in composition and yet the complexity of its texture, and the use of thick impasto paint, for which Venard was most famous and which adds an element of passion and emotion. One can almost imagine Venard standing at his easel, applying the oil to the canvas with such vigour and energy, moving…

This bright border at the National Trust’s Nymans garden (in West Sussex) extends the joy of summer colour into September. Joe Whelan, Nyman’s head gardener, suggests growing annuals such as Cosmos and Salvias: “Cosmos ‘Cupcakes’ is a particularly beautiful plant we’ve recently introduced at Nymans,” he says. Whelan also advises doing a ‘Chelsea chop’ in May: “Many plants such as Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’, asters and heleniums respond well to a late spring cut and will flower well later in the summer and into early autumn.” As for dahlias, the queens of autumn colour, Whelan suggests the fiery orange of Dahlia ‘Orange Nugget’ (pictured) goes well with white Dahlia ‘Eveline’.…

SIDE SHOW To showcase the elegance of original craftsmanship, interior design studio Albion Nord has created an exclusive 11-piece collection of furnishings and accessories. Handmade in Britain, this Elizabethan side table exemplifies how traditional techniques can be used to create distinctive and functional pieces for today. Elizabethan side table, £2,000, Stride & Co for Albion Nord HEARTH OF THE HOME The Holborn range of wood-burners by Arada blends a classic stove aesthetic with an Ecodesign Ready specification, which meets the latest regulations for cleaner combustion and therefore air quality. For a truly cosy mood, this model’s design has a widescreen glass door to enhance the fireside feeling. Holborn 5, widescreen option, from £1,450, Arada MODERN PINK Master of colour Edward Bulmer advises that pink is a useful shade because masonry…

Johnstons of Elgin Celebrating its 225th anniversary this year, Johnstons of Elgin is a manufacturer and designer of fine cashmere and wool products – both for fashion and home. In 1797, founder Alexander Johnston had a vision for producing superior textiles using his workers’ outstanding craftsmanship. These principles are upheld today, with Johnstons maintaining its ability to take the raw fibres through several processes to create its luxurious products. It uses traditional and modern techniques to dye, blend, card, spin, weave, knit and teasel the cashmere or Merino wool. Whether supplying fabrics to luxury brands or for its own range of clothing, blankets and furnishing fabrics, craftsmanship is at the company’s heart. Innovation is important, too, as is sustainability – including purchasing solely renewable energy to power the mills –…

BUYER’S GUIDE Without well-designed lighting, even the most exquisite home will look dull and lifeless. As Lee Lovett, founder of the Soho Lighting Company, says: “Lighting has the power to ignite an interior design scheme. It can totally change the feel of a space by means of the colour temperature, brightness or clarity.” Planning a permanent lighting scheme – which includes not only ceiling and wall lighting but also sockets and switches in the right places – can be a complex process, with many factors to take into consideration, both functional and aesthetic, from the positioning of a ceiling pendant to the choice of dimmable bulb. By focusing on the main features, and adding ambient light, it is possible to create layers of light, contrasting brightness and shadow. Which, says…

WONDERFOOD SALMAGUNDY This is my health-boosting take on the wonderfully named salade composée of 18th-century England. Multi-ingredient salads such as this tend to contain a rainbow of colours, and leave you with another rainbow in the fridge. It is a heavenly, good-for-you salad. Serves 2 INGREDIENTS a small handful of fresh or frozen butternut squash flesh (no need to defrost if frozen) a small handful of frozen peas (no need to defrost) a small handful of frozen sweetcorn/corn kernels (no need to defrost) ½ a 250g pouch of cooked quinoa, orany rice and/or grain mixturea squeeze of lemon juice1 small beetroot, cut into small cubes3–4 cherry tomatoes, quartered½ a small avocado, peeled, stonedand cubeda small bag of mixed salad leaves, or babyspinach leaves50–100 g crumbled feta2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, toasted…

How did you find your new country home? We found it by chance. We were looking for a home either in Kent or East Sussex as our children are at school down there. We were lucky to have a great agent, Amanda, who completely understood what we were looking for, which was a great family house with a lovely garden. We weren’t thinking at all about land at this point. Jane saw the house in April and loved it, but I didn’t manage to get down to see it until July. When I walked into the kitchen and saw the view, I knew instantly it was the one. Had a move to the country always been part of the plan? We weren’t looking to completely up sticks and move to…