Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i The English Home

‘Blending vintage with new sets a lovely balance in interiors and helps to make a home feel unique, curated, and evolved over time’ There are many routes to making a home. Some owners take on dramatic restorations while others embark on self-build projects to achieve uniquely tailored spaces. For Nadine Finnegan and her husband Angus, however, finding a house with history and melding its story with their own felt like the most fulfilling and personal way to start a new chapter when leaving London for a calmer country life. As lovers of lateral living and light-filled spaces, the couple set out to find a barn to buy. Their early 19th-century former farm building, situated in a village near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire, was very nearly ‘the one that got away’. When…

Cooking and dining outside is a blissful way to relax and enjoy the summer weather, extending the living space into the garden. ‘There has been a huge increase in interest in outdoor kitchens and dining,’ says Matt Podesta, director of Home of Huckleberry. ‘Of course, the way we lived changed with the pandemic and, for a lot of people, the garden became a sanctuary and means of keeping happy – and this feeling has endured.’ Sharing a meal with friends and family, enjoying the delicious aromas from the barbecue and the warmth of the summer season is as much a pleasure in a compact, plant-filled courtyard as it is in a rambling country garden. Al fresco cooking ‘When it comes to al fresco cooking, the barbecue will always be the…

RASPBERRY ICE CREAM For a quick and easy summer treat that will delight young and old, serve up this instant ice cream sprinkled with an unexpected yet delicious counterpoint of chopped herbs and nuts For 4 servings Preparation time: 10 min Total time: 10 min INGREDIENTS 350g frozen raspberries 100g low-fat yoghurt 1 tbsp icing sugar 4 waffle cones 1 tbsp walnuts, roughly chopped ½ tbsp basil, chopped METHOD • Briefly blitz the frozen raspberries with the yoghurt and icing sugar in a blender until creamy. • Scoop into ice cream cones and top with walnuts and basil. Serve immediately. TIPS: • Other tasty topping options include granola, white chocolate flakes, pine nuts, freshly chopped rosemary or mint, or a dollop of pistachio cream from a jar.…

SPOTLIGHT ON… Moro Dabron’s first furniture, fabric and lighting collection Having launched their business in 2020 with a set of scented candles in sculptural, Constance Spry-inspired vessels, design duo Austin Moro and Eliza Dabron of Moro Dabron are now delighted to unveil their debut collection of furniture, lighting and fabric, all many years in the making. Inspired by British artist Howard Hodgkin’s work and his studio in Bloomsbury, the restrained designs speak of past and present, and are suited to both contemporary and period settings. The furniture, lighting and accessories collection includes two sofas, an armchair, two pendant lights and a table lamp, a traditionally woven rug, and a solid brass hook. The Cloth fabrics (see page 22) comprise eight plains, a thick twill stripe, and a ticking design in…

A STATELY AFFAIR We have all dreamed of living in our own Jane Austen-worthy grand country house from time to time, and for those lucky enough to have the land and opportunity to do so, Adam Architecture can make those dreams come true. Specialising in classical and traditional architecture, the firm, which has offices in London and (fittingly enough) Winchester – Jane Austen’s final resting place – can help breathe new life into period homes or design brand-new buildings that honour and reflect the local landscape and historic context. Knowledgeable of heritage restrictions and respectful of a property’s historic character, there is little drama when it comes to these period experts. adamarchitecture.com CRAFTY DESIGNS Having mastered the ancient skill of steam bending wood, Tom Raffield has become synonymous with…

‘The house reflects my eclectic taste for design of different periods and styles’ The lure of a view has prompted many a house move. For some years, home for John Wright and his partner Bayley John Carter, known as John, who has sadly since died, had been a charming neo-classical house with far-reaching views across Hastings. ‘But as much as we loved that house, the fact that we were within walking distance of the sea yet couldn’t see it was frustrating,’ says John. ‘Over the years, peering through binoculars, we’d worked out which properties had the best view and in due course one of them, a bungalow, came up for sale. Although the building itself was nothing special, the site had the view we wanted.’ The bungalow was bought. As…

WALLS THAT TALK Since launching in 2005, Fromental has become renowned as a pioneer of innovative wallcoverings, showcasing craftsmanship and artistry in hand-painted and embroidered designs including timeless classics to more contemporary styles. A new launch takes this innovation further by embracing modern technology with a printed range that features augmented reality. Creating a magical, immersive experience, the Millefleurs design will come to life when viewed through a smartphone screen. Birds will fly across the walls, butterflies will flutter among flowers and audio will fill the room with the sound of birdsong. Regular updates will be rolled out, so the experience will be ever-changing. Millefleurs wallpaper, £264 a panel or £528 a roll (two panels a roll), Fromental…

Joy by Design: The Dulce Collection New Bert & May tiles designed by Elisa Passino The power of design to evoke joy when someone walks into a room is the mission of Italian-born and Portugal-based designer Elisa Passino, exemplified by The Dulce Collection of tiles she has created for Bert & May. Featuring two patterns and four rich colourways, the bold geometrics are infused with the delicious hues of patisserie glazes, adding warmth, playfulness and an artistic sensibility to interiors. bertandmay.com Scentsational Pairings Jo Malone London x Little Greene A new special edition candle collaboration pairs five Jo Malone London scents with Little Greene paints and prints to imbue different atmospheres in the home, whether setting an inviting or sensual mood, to unwind, energise or comfort. Shared values and an…

‘I wanted it to feel nurturing and comforting, and uplifting and welcoming when full of family and friends’ Bee Osborn’s passion for old buildings and interior design has spanned nearly four decades, with nine renovations of her own and countless client and boutique hotel projects. Her name has become synonymous with the natural and muted, and, in the UK, with the transformation of historic Cotswold cottages. ‘Preserving the heart of these special villages is important to me. If they are not looked after, they will disappear,’ says Bee. Built in the mid-1500s, The Old Bakery had been left to decay, as the previous owners had sadly moved into residential care. Discovered by chance as a result of a road diversion, Bee inadvertently drove through a less well-known Cotswold village and spotted…

1 The perfect WALLCOVERING A bedroom should be a child’s own special haven where they can play, read and draw as well as snuggle up in bed for the night, so choose a wallcovering that really captures their imagination. Be inspired by their developing personality and select a wallpaper, mural or border that creates a space full of fairytale magic. ‘Plain walls are practical, but a pattern, fresco or mural will encourage creativity in any youngster,’ advises Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. ‘I’m a firm believer in creating bedrooms and vibrant spaces for children where they are inspired to play. Let their imaginations run wild with an all-over mural wallpaper.’ For a covering that is relatively simply and quick to update, consider peel-and-stick wallpaper. ‘Our Peel & Stick…

Who do you live with and where? I live in the Cotswolds, in Oxfordshire, with my dog, Molly, a Lhasa Apso. She’s 16-and-a-half and still going strong. I am sure it’s because we tell her she is young and beautiful every day! As my daughter, Freya, travels so much with her work for the Aspinall Foundation and various fashion projects, I almost have an empty nest these days! Another house move may be imminent, but this has been the most unique house I have ever lived in. It’s brilliantly located just one-and-a-half hours from London, and close to all the Cotswolds fun. What kind of English home do you have? I have an unusual home which used to be a tractor showroom before it was reimagined by the brilliant building…