Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i The English Home

The much-anticipated arrival of summer brings with it a desire for English homes to function a little differently. All that provided a cocooning, cosy haven in the winter months is eschewed for light, easy living. We want our interiors to be comfortable but relaxed, as well as low maintenance. We have a desire to bring a sense of the outside in, as we enjoy extending our living space to outdoors, too. Dining and hosting becomes light and understated, we find new ways to enjoy the bright mornings and long evenings, perhaps using and dressing rooms a little differently. At its best, I think of this as ‘holiday style at home’ – with all of our creature comforts to hand, combined with a lightness of touch and sense of calm and…

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT To celebrate its 140th anniversary this year, luxury British paint and wood polish manufacturer Mylands, a proud Royal Warrant holder, is releasing a collection of upcycled paints. The Upcycled Collection, a range of high-quality matt-finish paints using leftover paints, is the latest step in the heritage brand’s ongoing commitment to minimising the impact of paint on the planet and features some of its most popular colours. Dominic Myland CEO says: “It is a huge privilege to be leading the company into its next chapter as we focus on innovating and developing collections that encapsulate the Mylands aesthetic – the finest quality paints and finishes with an awareness for the environment we inhabit.” mylands.com BEAUTIFUL BOTANICALS A new collaboration between bespoke British furniture and fabric brand Sofas…

Summer days spent by the coast, whether on British shores or further afield, can inspire a desire to recreate the same breezy, relaxed feel at home. While an overtly coastal theme might seem out of place in a country abode or townhouse, there are subtle ways to introduce a gentle hint of beach life. Simply adding a wallpaper with a coastal motif can instantly bring a holiday atmosphere to a room. However, striking a balance is key. Keep other elements in keeping with location rather than going overboard with classic coastal styling – too much white-painted furniture or driftwood may result in a ‘themed’ interior. Instead, consider antique furniture in dark wood for a timeless, sophisticated look, or add some striking contemporary pieces. Lacquered and high-gloss finishes can add a…

The bathroom has often been a place in which to play it safe, employing subtle colours and minimal patterns in order to create a room that is neutral and understated. Recently, however, there has been an obvious shift away from such schemes – which can sometimes come with the disadvantage of feeling rather cool and clinical – towards a bolder look, in which colour is layered upon colour, often incorporating large-scale patterns and intriguing textures, too. As Nigel Palmer from House of Rohl, says: “The rigid formality of bathroom planning, dominated by minimalist products precisely matched, has been replaced by a more relaxed approach to design. The new wave is more personal, more eclectic and more expressive.” A BOLD PALETTE What bold colours can work in a bathroom without being…

SPOTLIGHT ON… Wanderlust Spirit Interior designer Breegan Jane’s world travels, her signature style of approachable luxury and her global philanthropic work inspired her new collaboration with Clarke & Clarke. Fabrics and wallpapers are adorned with African patterning and the dramatic side of nature with tropical motifs across jacquards, velvets, embroideries, prints and semi-sheer fabrics. She says: “If you’re looking to make a major impact in your space, mural wallpaper has an immersive quality that you just can’t get with any other type of wallcovering.” clarke-clarke.sandersondesigngroup.com Family Seat Mother & son launch new chair Antique-dealing mother and son team Val and Ed Foster of Foster & Gane have launched a new chair. Designed, made and upholstered in a choice of three fabrics near Thame in Oxfordshire, where the duo are based,…

‘The kitchen still has the service bells, which work. We jokingly call it a very miniature version of Downton Abbey’ Ambrice Miller is sitting in her dining room on a bobbin sofa she designed. On the wall behind her is a hyperrealistic drawing by Ramadhan Hamis, an artist she represents. An equine bust, two Persian rugs, another bust from an arts academy also fill the space, alongside an antique crystal chandelier from Provence, which hangs from one of the ceiling beams. This is actually one of the more understated rooms in her home. “Apparently a collector is just a hoarder, but I’ve also been told it’s not hoarding if what you’re holding on to is beautiful,” says the art and antiques dealer. At 370 years old, the former malt master’s…

If seeking a sweet treat for a summer gathering, this mini tart recipe is easy to make and creates 12 fruity canapés, light puddings or dainty afternoon tea servings. For 12 tarts INGREDIENTS 600g ready-made shortcrust pastry200g ricotta cheese200g Greek yoghurt4 tbsp agave syrup1 tsp agar agar powder350g mixed berriesLemon verbena to decorate METHOD • Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas 4. Grease 12 individual brioche moulds. • Divide the pastry into 12 and roll each one out thinly. Use to line the moulds. Trim edges if needed. • Line each pastry case with baking paper, top with baking beans and bake for 12 minutes. Remove the beans and paper. Bake for a further eight minutes. Leave to cool, then turn out. • Mix the ricotta, yoghurt and agave syrup.…

BRIGHT TILES Suitable for walls and floors, these tiles come in two colourful starburst designs to imbue an authentic French Riviera mood. To ensure the depth of the colours remains true, the porcelain tiles are said to be fade-resistant, durable and easy to maintain over the years to come. Tropez Cotto tiles, also available in Tropez Mint, £56.71 a square metre, Porcelain Superstore FOOTSTOOL-TO-BED This sizable stool has multiple uses, for everyday living it functions as an extra seat and footrest. However, if unexpected guests visit, the box folds out into a double guest bed with a foam mattress and a feather-wrapped foam top cushion. To match other furnishings within a sitting room or bedroom scheme, there is a choice of over 140 fabrics. Slumberbox pull-out guest bed, £595, Loaf…

With the garden in full bloom, echoing leafy greens inside the home is an instinctive choice. Botanical prints such as these hand block-printed designs are a way to bridge the gap between indoors and out – perhaps dressing the dining table in joyous florals when al fresco dining is rained off, or using similar linens in both the house and the garden. Bungalow’s range of decorative home textiles includes tablecloths, napkins and tea towels as well as seatpads and cushions to create a cohesive scheme, and comes in green, blue and rose palettes. Selection of tea towels, £16 each, Bungalow, available at Curated Living…

Referring to a type of weave resulting from an ancient resist-dyeing technique originating in Indonesia, ikat has its roots in the Malay-Indonesian term ‘to tie’ or ‘bundle’, denoting the process of binding yarns with a tight wrapping applied in the desired pattern prior to dyeing. These fabrics have long been considered precious because their creation is both time-consuming and skilled. Ikats – whose name has come to represent both the process and the finished product – have sprung up in several parts of the world over many centuries, including Peru, India, Egypt, Guatemala, Yemen, Japan and Uzbekistan. They are often characterised by an apparent blurriness, the result of the difficulty in perfectly aligning the dyed yarns during the weaving process. The use of fine materials minimises this outcome, but the…

A simple update such as adding a cushion or mattress in a different fabric can breathe new life into outdoor furniture. While there are many specialist outdoor fabrics availble, linen or cotton are ideal too for making covers that can be attached with fabric ties and easily removed for laundering or when the weather turns. Fabric designer Cathy Nordström has taken inspiration from iconic 19th-century Swedish textile artist Karin Larssen and her waterside summerhouse retreat to create a collection of patterns with nostalgic Scandinavian retro charm. Why not make a cushion for a favourite garden chair in this wave-like design that was inspired by the movement of water in the stream that ran adjacent to the Larssen’s summerhouse. It is perfect for a spot of tranquil waterside relaxation. Cushion, Karin’s…