Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2023 i The English Home

There is something about the soft mellow light of autumn, the changing leaves and the unexpected warmth of sunny days that never fails to remind us how much there is to enjoy in the natural world during the fleeting few weeks between summer and winter. It’s a time to pull on jumpers and cosy socks, savour the last chances to dine outdoors and revel in the riot of colour in our national arboretums. The October issue of The English Home is a celebration of all these things. From layering new buys in beautifully crafted British wool (page 93) to a deliciously simple seasonal plum tart recipe (page 127), you’ll find our edit of pursuits and projects to enjoy alongside new inspiration for decorating your home. In the wider interiors industry,…

‘It is a timeless work in progress which will evolve over the course of our lifetimes, just as it has for previous generations’ Moving into a spouse’s family home would be a daunting prospect for most, but interior designer Amanda Ransom has updated and extended the Tudor farmhouse in Hertfordshire she lives in with her husband and their son Edward with great sensitivity. This doubtless stems from her wide-ranging knowledge of historic style and architectural detail. “I used to work in finance, but my first love was always interiors. I read History of Art at university and became hooked on classical architecture – an understanding of classical proportion and rules underlies a lot of my interior work. When the banking crisis struck, it felt like the right time to leave…

Rich and mellow Comforting warm neutrals have seen a return to popularity and are set to stay. Whether in textured plains, subtle patterns, or even bolder motifs, the palette oozes richness. Pair creamy ground with touches of russet, oranges and browns for an earthy, mellow look that soothes, while still being full of charm and prettiness. Florals are given a more subdued look in an autumnal palette so opt for larger scales or patterns that combine stripes with botanical designs. Layer different scales of patterns and gentle shades of a curated palette for a calm but complex scheme full of colour, pattern and texture. ‘Natural tones were core to our new collection. We were inspired by the rich, earthy colours of an antique kilim which inspired our Saddlenotch design (left)’Katie…

DESIGN INSIGHT Evocative of new beginnings, fertility and rebirth, green has enduring appeal due to its inherent association with the natural world. First used by the ancient Egyptians, who created pigmented tones from minerals such as malachite and verdigris, the hue later became popular in fashion and fabrics, as well as being a symbol of life in medieval art. By the Victorian era, the popularity of green had reached its peak, prized for its intensity and light-fastness. However, a major drawback at that time was the use of toxic arsenic and lead in its production. These days, green has returned to its associations with nature, latterly representing environment and sustainability, as well as energy and serenity. Beloved by William Morris during the Arts and Crafts movement, this is a tone…

(serves 6-8) INGREDIENTS 6 ripe plums, each one pitted and sliced into six wedges 4 tbsp plum jam 1 tsp mixed spice ½ tsp vanilla extract 23cm sweet pastry case ½ tbsp of golden granulated sugar METHOD: • Preheat the oven to 180°C • Gently warm the jam for a couple of minutes, then add the mixed spice and vanilla extract and stir to combine. • Pour the warm jam mixture into the pastry case, then arrange the plum slices in a decorative circular pattern. • Sprinkle the top with the golden granulated sugar and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the fruit is tender • Carefully remove the tart from the oven and leave to cool and allow the jam and fruit to set. Recipe and all products from wayfair.co.uk…

SPOTLIGHT ON… Both Useful & Beautiful After struggling to find just the right finishing touches to complete home and hotel projects over the past 15 years, interior designer Nicola Harding has designed and launched NiX, her own retail brand, with lighting, furniture, textiles and upholstery collections, plus more to come. “Our aim with NiX is to help existing clients and new customers to source elegant, accessibly priced pieces that provide the perfect solution for their projects,” she explains. Nicola describes lighting as “the unsung hero of homemaking”, and adds that “playing with lighting is the most effective way to alter the feel of a place”. Each piece is made in Europe by skilled craftspeople using traditional techniques and responsibly sourced materials. nicolaharding.com Exquisitely Fashioned Farrow & Ball’s latest collaboration Skilled…

BUYER’S GUIDE Renowned designer Charles Eames said: “The details are not the details. They make the design.” In other words, even the tiniest element of an interior scheme is important, including the fittings, however small and perhaps overlooked, that are in regular use. As Felicity Lincoln of Willow & Stone says: “Items used multiple times a day impact how you feel about everyday tasks, like opening a door, turning a light on and hanging up your coat and bag. These small items are often the ones that bring you the most pleasure.” The satisfying feel of a good-quality door knob, the solid click of a superior light switch, the easy turn of a beautiful tap: this is practical necessity combined with a positive tactile interaction, a combination of form and…

ELEGANT VESSELS Bring an empty shelf or display area into focus with simple objets d’art in varying shapes. These classic vessels can be used year-round to display flowers. Designed to be modern heirlooms, the pieces are inspired by the archives of Rebecca Udall’s family-owned atelier. Beatrice ceramic urn vase, medium, £145; Flora ceramic urn vase, medium, £129, both Rebecca Udall SHEER DELIGHT Tori Murphy is introducing several new curtain styles to its made-to-measure service. Additions include sheers, made in the UK from a linen and wool mix designed to drape with a gentle texture, and relaxed Roman blinds that add a smart-yet-soft finish to window treatments. Sheer rod pocket curtain, from £430; Cove relaxed Roman blind, from £195, both Tori Murphy COLOURFULLY WOVEN This classic bouclé fabric is one of…

‘Local visitors are greeted with this ray of colour which says exactly who we are’ It is an obvious design choice when furnishing an English country house to choose the traditional style of chintz and antiques, but this is exactly what Henri Davies and his husband Barry wanted to avoid. While they may have decided on a handsome manor in a sleepy Norfolk village, there is no sense of them being bound by its past. “I was reluctant to change my style for the house,” reflects South African-born designer Henri. “We wanted a fresher take on living in a period home.” Filling the handsomely proportioned rooms with mid-century furniture, modern art and vibrant textiles, the couple have accomplished a striking feat. “We are wearing the house, rather than letting it…

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, artisan tile maker Bert & May has launched a versatile range of striped encaustic tiles. Select one of the three different widths of stripe – skinny, midi and wide – for a uniform look, or mix and match all three for a playful, creative approach. The linear effect is striking, particularly as a floor choice, offering unexpected character and panache. Striped Collection tiles in Bassoon/Brighton Stone, £6 a tile or £150 a square metre, Bert & May…

CRAFTSMANSHIP Wool is a hugely important and integral part of our heritage and has long been revered for its versatility, its soft, tactile and insulating qualities and of course its strength when woven into fabric. Its many uses in interior design are without doubt some of its finest, and it also boasts significant eco credentials, making it a valuable resource in every way. October is earmarked as Wool Month and is part of the Campaign for Wool, a global initiative launched in January 2010 by His Majesty King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales. Throughout the month over 200 supporters ranging from farmers, manufacturers, designers, brands, tailors and retailers around the UK will organise pop-up events, create limited-edition designs and launch special offers all aimed at promoting the…

As the nights begin to draw in, the bedroom becomes all the more important as a place of comfort and indulgence. Layers not only add extra warmth, but character and finesse too. Choosing a gently harmonised palette allows for a wide variety of pattern to be mixed without feeling disjointed. Picking an assortment from one collection is a good way to confidently bring together several patterns via quilts, cushions, window treatments...and if one can, luxurious drapes and a canopy for a winter cocoon. Northwood Collection fabrics, Clarke & Clarke…