20%

A love letter OFF

to your home ONE.
WORLD
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
OREAL HOUSE STORIES:
‘IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT’
ONEW ROMANTIC GARDENS
OHOW TO MANIFEST
YOUR DREAM HOME

PLUS
CHILDREN’S
PEOPLE & BEDROOMS
PASSIONS Looks that DRAMATIC
‘We share our will grow BLUE PAINT
life, home and
a business’ with them PALETTE

B E AU T I F U L
B AT H R O O M S
Tiles that ?‚£Ä«ċŽ˜ÄæǑ 10 trends
transform makeovers you’ll love
 FEBRUARY 2025

IN THIS
MONTH’S
ISSUE...
36
Design & decorate
80 The doll’s house Create stylised,
detailed interiors inspired by the
charm of homes in miniature
86 Bright young things Give children
an inspiring space to rest, play and grow
92 Landscape painting Look to nature
for an inspirational colour palette
94 ‘I manifested my dream home’
YËÖ¨«˜ǑTˍ«ÄÞËÄǑËÄǑċĔ«Ä£ǑÿËëÙǑ
ideal home through visualisation
99 The art of tiling Make an impact in
your bathroom with beautiful tiles
104 Dive in! Hot trends and inspirational
ideas to transform your bathroom
108 Cocooning warmth A compact
en suite becomes a haven for relaxation
112 In the frame Update windows to
«ÃÖÙËö˜Ǒ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄŽÿǑ‚Ä”Ǒ‚˜Þ樘櫎ÞǑª

News & stories

11 Sealed with a kiss... Our pick of the latest interiors buys,
108
slow-living ideas, sustainable products and more
12 Brand of the month Rohan Blacker, founder of Pooky,
on what makes the brand stand out from the crowd
19 Frill seekers ÍقŽ˜ǑÙëĊ˜ÞǑ¢ËÙǑ樘ǑŽËæ患˜ŽË٘Ǒ½Ë˺Ǒ
114 One.World Y‚ö˜ǑŰŮǷǑ÷«æ¨ǑËëÙǑ٘‚”˜ÙǑËĈ˜Ù

Dream homes
22 Levelling up From the smallest, ugliest house on the
street to a family home with a warming décor scheme
34 High stakes Classic furniture designs combine with
modern prints for a welcoming look
36 Warmth & simplicity Reclaimed materials give this
Yorkshire cottage a relaxed, nostalgic aesthetic
49 On the tiles T‚÷ǑċÄ«Þ¨˜ÞƝǑĂæëق½ǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ¨˜ÙËǑ櫽˜ÞǑ
ÖÙËö«”˜Ǒ‚ǑŽ¨‚Ù‚Žæ˜Ù¢ë½ǑċÄ«Þ¨
50 Paradise found Mellow yellow and warm neutrals bring
out this home and farmstead hotel’s sunny disposition
62 Farmstead style Traditional ticking stripes and sunny
hues enhance a neutral backdrop
63 Artful blend This Kent cottage’s rich colour palette was
inspired by the lush nature that surrounds it
74 Cocooning colour Vibrant hues and pattern bring
energising warmth with a cosy touch

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 3

FEBRUARY 2025

148
Garden & grow
145 Small wonders Bring colour and
fragrance to the early part of the
season with dwarf bulbs
148 New romantics Garden designer Jo
Thompson shares her tips on creating
dreamy gardens to fall in love with
154 Tools for the job Prep tools for the

124
season by giving them some TLC

Subscriptions
76 Subscribe to your favourite magazine
for only £16.50 every six months

COVER PHOTOGRAPH

120
JULIA CURRIE

Country Homes & Interiors 0951-3019 is published monthly

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We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from

Country lifestyle
responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture.
The paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable
managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic

116 Career shiftǑ
Ǒ”‚ÿǑ«ÄǑ樘Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄǑ«ÄÞ֫٘”Ǒ”Ù«˜”ǑČË÷˜ÙǑ

standards. All contents © 2025 Future Publishing Limited or published
under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used,
embroiderer, Olga Prinku, to create a brand new craft stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written
permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company
120 ‘Our work is all about love’ A deep respect for people number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office:
Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained
and sustainability underpins life and business for Geetie in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware,
correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any
Singh-Watson and her husband Guy responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are

124 Just the two of us Indulge in a special meal for two with
advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to
the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and
these recipes that are perfectly designed for sharing websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We
are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates
130 An ode to the potting shed Our columnist Diana Yates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way
with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to us, you
ċĔÞǑ¨˜Ùޘ½¢ǑÖËææ˜Ù«Ä£Ǒ‚ÙËëĔǑ¨˜ÙǑÞ¨˜”ƝǑÞæ‚Ùæ«Ä£ǑËĈǑޘ˜”Þ warrant that you own the material and/or have the necessary rights/

134 Love is in the (fresh) air Three women share their

permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future
and its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part
experiences of rural dating, divorce and settling down in any/all issues and/or editions of publications, in any format published
worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and
associated products. Any material you submit is sent at your own risk
«ÄǑ樘ǑŽËëÄæÙÿǑ‚Ä”Ǒ÷¨ÿǑ½Ëö˜ǑŽ‚ÄǑċĔǑ‚Ǒ÷‚ÿ and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees,
138 A stay at The Tawny
Ǒ½ëþëÙÿǑÙ˜‚ºǑ«ÄǑYæ‚ĈËٔި«Ù˜ agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage.
We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise
140 Vintage map roses Retrace your relationship’s journey stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend and adapt all submissions.

162 Tales from the country Finding love in the country has
its challenges, according to our columnist Tessa Clayton

4 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 IF WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE, OUR HOMES ARE
FULL OF LOVE. There’s the doorstep we crossed as
a newlywed, the kitchen table we’ve shared meals
around, the bedrooms we’ve tucked up our children
in, the sofa that’s seen movie nights with friends, even
the dog beds and cat baskets our pets have slept in.
Of course we love our homes, but it’s the emotions
and memories they hold, and the lives they enable us
to live, that make them truly special. And it’s this we
celebrate in these pages, from Sophie Robinson’s
guide to visualising your dream home (page 94) to
discovering romance deep in the country (page 134).
We also interview an incredible couple united by
a passion for each other, their businesses and their
values (page 120). We’ve added date night recipes
(page 124) and romantic gardens (page 148), too.
If your idea of romance is bubbles and a soak in

JOIN ME! the tub, we’ve got that covered with our bathroom
section (from page 99). From exciting looks in tiles
AT AN EXCLUSIVE æËǑ樘Ǒ½‚æ˜ÞæǑæ٘ĔÞƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ«”˜‚ÞǑÞ룣˜Þ昔ǑÿǑċææ«Ä£Ǒ‚Ǒ
READER EVENT new bathroom in a 16th-century house, there’s lots
BOOK TICKETS NOW
AND GET THE SPECIAL to inspire your next project, or a quick change like a
EARLY BIRD PRICE new tap or showerhead. Much love from me.
SEE PAGE 18 FOR
DETAILS

Contributors LOUISE O’BRYAN wrote the

Artful Blend house story. ‘I’m an
earthy tones kind of girl and the
chocolate brown snug in this home
is to die for! I’m constantly inspired
by homeowners’ design journeys.’

SIOBHAN DORAN
took the photos for the
Artful Blend house (page
63). ‘I love capturing
images that show the
owners’ taste but also
the atmosphere of their
home,’ she says. ‘In my RUTH CORBETT interviewed
own home, I adore how design star Sophie Robinson (page
the light transforms the 94). ‘I’ve just completed a refurb
space throughout the of my home and filled a long hallway
day. Our dog Charlie with a “plate-scape”. It’s a lovely
has a similar effect!’ alternative to pictures,’ she says.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 7





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EMAIL countryhomes@futurenet.com

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 Sealed
with a kiss...
If you’ve ever read through old love letters, you’ll know
how much a handwritten message can mean. This
FEATURE TARA KING

handmade card from independent brand, Berylune,

could reignite that passion. The mini envelopes are
crafted from the pages of Jane Austen books. Blank
notecards and sweet heart-shaped stickers are supplied
so you can add your own love notes, £5.95, berylune.co.uk

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 11

 BRAND OF
THE MONTH
Rohan Blacker is
proud of the craft
skills in Pooky’s
lamps, including
the Zoltan and
Shelby (below)

Uzbekistan, to the extraordinary

block prints of Rajasthan and the
breathtaking dupion silks of ancient
China. We seek out skilled ceramicists,
glass blowers, wood carvers and
casters of brass – wonderful crafts
and skills, all eclectic and diverse.
Ultimately, we are driven by what
we feel is beautiful and stylish.

What is it about the Pooky brand

that sets it apart?
Honesty, integrity, trustworthiness
and a healthy dollop of humour
and irreverence – plus a proper
splash of colour.

Design hero? The great originators

of the fabric designs of the Far East.
Without them, William Morris (also

Pooky
a hero) could never have created his
prints and patterns.

Favourite piece? I’m obsessed with

our range of rechargeable wall lights.
A playful twist on traditional – and a serious For example, the Insignia wall light
needs no wiring and can be installed
splash of colour – is what sets this lighting in minutes – game-changing and
beautiful at the same time.
brand apart, says founder Rohan Blacker

I
What’s your best piece of advice
n search of a new creative challenge, sofa.com for lighting the home? Don’t skimp,
PHOTOGRAPHS MAXWELL ATTENBOROUGH, POOKY

founder Rohan Blacker decided to swap settees be brave, think zones and layers, get
for chandeliers and, in 2014, Pooky was born. Over the right bulbs and have dimmers
the past decade, the brand’s passion for bold colour everywhere! Have rechargeable,
and playful pattern has placed it at the forefront of the portable lights for those parts that
lighting industry, demonstrated by a series of successful ordinary lights can’t reach.
collaborations with the likes of Matthew Wiliamson,
GP&J Baker and Morris & Co. Ever innovative, the brand What can we expect in 2025? We
has recently launched a rechargeables collection, set to have some real crackers on the way.
revolutionise the way we light our homes. We’re thrilled to be hooking up with
Matthew Williamson for another
What inspires Pooky’s aesthetic? We draw on multifarious dose of his colour, quirk and style.
styles and cultures: from the polychrome ikats of pooky.com

12 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 NEWS & STORIES

History in
the making Based in the foothills of the
Scottish Highlands, pattern
designer Caroline Inchyra has
been producing exquisite archive-
inspired designs since 2012, and
her new Somborne collection is
the perfect complement. Drawing
inspiration from an 18th-century
French block print and an antique
woven fabric, the papers and linens
¢˜‚æë٘Ǒæق«½«Ä£Ǒ½˜‚ö˜ÞƝǑČËق½ǑÃËæ«¢ÞǑ
and decorative stripes in three
subtle colourways: Merlot, Teal
and Vintage Blue. Linens cost from
£178m; wallpaper is £198 a roll,
inchyra.com

RUSH HOUR
Bedfordshire-based Felicity
Irons, founder of Rush Matters, is
committed to keeping the ancient
skill of rush weaving alive. Over
summer, she harvests freshwater
bulrushes from local riverbanks, just
as it was done in Anglo-Saxon times,
then spends the rest of the year
hand-weaving, plaiting and coiling
them into all-natural mats, baskets,
cushions and more. She also holds
courses and workshops throughout
the year, find out more at
rushmatters.co.uk ª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 13

NEWS & STORIES

NATURAL NEUTRAL
Eco-friendly paint company Earthborn has unveiled its colour
of the year as Crocky Road – a warm beige with subtle, heritage-
inspired green and yellow undertones. A true Victorian colour,
it not only enhances features typical of period properties, but
protects them, too – the brand’s ultra-matt clay recipe champions
highly breathable paint in the home. Cathryn Sanders, head of
creative at Earthborn, says: ‘Warm and versatile with an earthy
feel, Crocky Road helps bring us closer to nature while allowing
your walls to breathe once more.’ Prices start from £57.50 for

TAILOR-MADE
2.5ltr, earthbornpaints.co.uk

TIMBER
Create engineered
÷Ë˔˜ÄǑČËËÙÞǑ
exactly to your
liking with Knot
& Grain’s newly
launched online
ČËËÙ«Ä£Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄǑ
service. Select from
a range of plank
styles, then choose
a wood grade, plank
thickness, colour,
æ˜þæë٘Ǒ‚Ä”ǑċÄ«Þ¨Ǒ
to suit your scheme.
Rest assured, all
wood is sustainably
sourced and hand-
crafted in the UK.
Prices start
from £60sq m,
DATING PHILOSOPHY
In Stoic in Love (£8.99, Murdoch Books), Annie knotandgrain.com ª
Lawson applies ancient wisdom to our modern
love lives. Turning to the Stoics for advice,
Annie lays out over 40 tongue-in-cheek rules
in a bid to make relationships and breakups
‘a bit less terrible’. ‘Embracing the Stoic virtues
of courage, patience, temperance and justice is
a good start,’ she opines. ‘Unfortunately, dating
apps do not make a feature of these virtues.’

14 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 BOOK A STAY AT…
ALLER DORSET
Stylish couples will appreciate a rural
staycation in one of these chic shepherd huts,
located in beautiful countryside and run by
design-savvy couple, Ant and Cat Earp. Striking
the perfect balance between characterful
and comfortable, the inspirational interiors
Þ¨Ë÷Ž‚Þ˜ǑË½”ǑŽË½ËëÙǑގ¨˜Ã˜ÞƝǑČËق½Ǒ¢‚Ù«ŽÞǑ
and on-trend trims, and covetable homeware,
created in collaboration with various makers
(a small edit of which can be bought online).

Snowdrop
3 OF THE BEST… þæقǑ½ëþëÙ«˜ÞǑ«ÄŽ½ë”˜ǑÙ˜Č˜þ˽ˣÿǑޘÞÞ«ËÄÞƝǑ
which are provided in the comfort of each hut,
yoga classes at the site’s lake and pre-prepared

spots
ċ٘ƳÖ«æǑÞëÖ֘ÙǑ‚Ä”ǑÙ˜‚º¢‚ÞæǑ¨‚Ã֘ÙÞƜǑ
Shepherd’s huts from £185 a night,
allerdorset.com

HEVER CASTLE, KENT CAMBO GARDENS, FIFE SHAFTESBURY, DORSET

Explore the gardens at Anne Boleyn’s Marvel at more than 200 varieties that As a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s
childhood home where some 150,000 carpet the woodland to the sea. There’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Shaftesbury
snowdrops have been planted, including a host of family-friendly activities to residents planned a series of snowdrop
more unusual varieties such as ‘Wendy’s take part in, too. Open daily, until walks around the town. Since then, over
Gold’, ‘Green Brush’ and super-tall 12 March, for the Scottish Snowdrop 200,000 bulbs have been planted. The
‘Colossus’. Open daily from 12 February Festival (there’s also a virtual tour annual snowdrop festival runs from 9-23
to 2 March, hevercastle.co.uk available), cambogardens.org.uk February, shaftesburysnowdrops.org

16 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 NEWS & STORIES

TIME WELL
SPENT…
SIGN UP little ones
to Arcana’s ‘Curiosity
Club’; a letter-box-sized
subscription pack of
beautifully illustrated,
screen-free activities
designed to spark and
foster a love of nature.
From £20.50 a month,
arcanaliving.com
BUY eco bedding
from Snuggledown.
The Ultimate Retreat
collection features
duvets and pillows all
made in Britain with
high cotton thread
counts and hand-

Dressed for
ċÄ«Þ¨˜”Ǒ”˜æ‚«½«Ä£ƝǑ

romance
snuggledown.co.uk
LISTEN Sustainable(ish)
When Sarah Sleightholm and podcast takes the
Beth Chilton met, they bonded over a
shared love of art, interiors and travel.
Ö٘ÞÞë٘ǑËĈǑ˜«Ä£Ǒ
Their fashion brand Hope & Ivy is the ‘perfectly green’,
result. Epitomised by beautiful
embroidery and hand-drawn prints, sharing simple ways
their dresses (including bridal and
maternity) exude femininity with a æËǑº˜Ǒ‚Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄŽ˜ƝǑ
bohemian edge. The Edith (left, £95) in
Ž¨«ĈËÄǑ÷Ëö˜ÄǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ£Ë½”Ǒ9ë٘þǑ¢˜‚樘ÙÞƝǑ from community
features blouson sleeves and a velvet-
tie belt. The Honey (above, £130) is a
fundraising to tent-
Ȃææ˜Ù«Ä£ǑÂþ«Ƴ½˜Ä£æ¨Ǒ÷قÖǑ”Ù˜ÞÞǑ sharing schemes,
detailed with sequin and bead
embellishments. hopeandivy.co.uk asustainablelife.co.uk

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 17

EXCLUSIVE EVENT

National Trust house

& garden tour, plus lunch
Join us on Monday 12 May at this intimate event
exclusively for Country Homes & Interiors readers at
Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Surrey
EARLY
BIRD
TICKETS
£75pp*

Tickets include…
OWelcome drinks with
Country Homes & Interiors editor,
Andréa Childs
OGarden tour with Polesden Lacey’s
head gardener, Natan Cointet
ODelicious light lunch in a private
room in the mansion
OBehind-the-scenes tour of the
house with curator Alice Strickland,
with exclusive insight into the
Dress to Impress exhibition
OFFER. FULL TICKET PRICE, £85 PER PERSON

OTales from the design

*BOOK BY 5 MARCH 2025 FOR EARLY BIRD

archives presentation with

Sanderson archive and design
manager, Caitlin Stracey
O"Ë˔«˜Ǒ‚£Ǒċ½½˜”Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒæ٘‚æÞǑ
to take home, and free time to view
the house and gardens

BOOK NOW https://www.futureevents.uk/CHI

18 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS
 NEWS & STORIES

Tiffany ruffle lamp

shade, from £395,
Beauvamp Studio

Bluebell cushion, Marissa

from £160, bowls,
Ellen Merchant set of six,
£85, Oka

Stoneware ruffle
candle holder, £18,
Spicer & Wood

Daisy wall
light, £495,
Heathfield
& Co

Frill
EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT…

seekers
Stripe ruffle
frame, £36,
Bertola
Home Studio

Cold winter days mean we’re

relying on interiors to bring the
feel-good vibes, and what better
樂ÄǑ¢Ù«½½ÞǑ‚Ä”ǑÙëĊ˜ÞǑËÄǑŽëÞ¨«ËÄÞƝǑ
bedding, table linens and lights
to do just that? Team with ditsy
ČËق½ÞǑ‚Ä”ǑŽëæ˜Ǒ£«Ä£¨‚ÃÞǑ¢ËÙǑ
‚ǑŽËæ患˜ƳŽË٘Ǒ½Ë˺ƝǑËÙǑւ«ÙǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ
Ö½‚«ÄÞǑ¢ËÙǑ‚ǑÞëæ½˜Ǒ¨«ÄæǑË¢Ǒ÷¨«ÃÞÿƜǑ
Skirted Seven chair,
Frill bows
from £2,500, Trove
tablecloth, £125,
by Studio Duggan
Molly Mahon

Frill bedspread,
£165, Oliver Bonas
FEATURE TARA KING

Anita Plum ruffled

cushion cover, £147,
Cathy Nordström

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 19

 Cabin
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS PHOTOGRAPH BETH DAVIS

vibes
This is the way to warm up a bathroom – clad it with
wood! In our Warmth & Simplicity house (page 36),
the bedroom suite has been given a cosy feel with walls
covered in reclaimed whitewashed timber. It’s a great
way to work with a sloping ceiling, too – celebrating the
architecture and bringing a cabin-like feel that turns
this simple bath into a standout feature of the room.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 21

 LEVELLING UP
There was magic at play when Chess Johnson conjured up her
elegant family home from a tiny bungalow, decorating it with
warm colours and a relaxed mix of vintage and newer finds

22 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 SURREY HOUSE

EXTERIOR From a one-bed

bungalow to a four-bedroom
family home, the transformation
is dramatic. Shiplap cladding the
new upper storey of the house
gives the property a fresh
New England farmhouse look

SNUG Chequerboard marble

flooring and panelling adds
character and texture, something
that Chess says is often forgotten
in new builds. Tumbled marble floor
tiles, Mandarin Stone. French-
style armchair, Feather & Black
 the garden,’ she says. ‘The arched
opening has really turned it into a
wow moment.’
There are many more such
moments dotted about this homely
and elegant space. Just inside the
front door, and part of the original
bungalow footprint, is a cosy snug
with a log burner. The colourful
½«ö«Ä£ǑÙËËÃƫº«æŽ¨˜ÄƳ”«Ä˜ÙǑËĈ˜ÙÞǑ‚Ǒ
his was the ugliest, smallest house on one of our warm welcome for dinner guests who
favourite roads in the village,’ says Chess Johnson. tend to congregate at the kitchen
But just look at it now! From a forlorn one-bedroom island. ‘I usually prefer to keep living
bungalow, empty for two years, she and husband rooms and kitchens separate,’ says
Ross have created their dream home. They extended Chess. ‘But on such a narrow plot we
æËǑ樘ǑÞ«”˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ٘‚ÙƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒق«Þ˜”Ǒ樘ǑÙËËȫĘǑæËǑ‚””Ǒ had to compromise, and it works to
a second storey. Although it’s a narrow plot at just have them together to make the most
8m wide, their ingenious design made way for three of the garden and country views.
additional bedrooms, a utility room, two bathrooms, When I’m sitting on the sofa, I don’t
‚ÄǑËĉŽ˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ‚ǑÞÄë£ƜǑ`¨˜ǑÞˎ«‚½˜Ǒº«æŽ¨˜ÄƳ”«Ä˜ÙƫǑ think about the kitchen behind me.
living room is the showstopper with its panoramic It’s such a relaxing space.’
views across farmland beyond the back garden. The new rooms upstairs are
‘It was that outlook that sold the property to us,’ says Chess. ‘We knew designed with relaxation in mind,
the view was there even though when with the main bedroom
÷˜ǑċÙÞæǑ½Ë˺˜”ǑÙËëĔƝǑ樘Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄǑ÷‚ÞǑ and guest room both
hidden under weeds and you couldn’t having French windows
see past the overgrown hedge.’ and Juliet balconies
While waiting for planning Ëö˜Ù½Ë˺«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒċ˜½”ÞƜǑ
permission, they cleared the garden Vaulted ceilings give
and dug out the hedge to reveal the an airy feel that allowed
vistas. ‘We also used the time to hone Chess to make strong
our ideas for the transformation, so design choices with her
when the permissions came through signature mix of vintage,
we were ready to go,’ says Chess. high street and upmarket
Running their own interior design furnishings, and palette of
and build business, the pair weren’t warm shades. ‘Every room
fazed by embarking on a three-way has at least one antique or
extension. This build, however, was vintage piece of furniture,’
personal. Did that change their she says. ‘It’s a good way
approach? ‘Whatever property we’re to add character to a new
working on, we design the layout for build and give a more
ourselves,’ says Chess. ‘We think layered look. I do the same
about how a family with children and AT HOME WITH with paint, and I’m passionate about
dogs would use the house and we try OWNER Chess and Ross colour. It can be polarising but it is
to create cosy, liveable spaces that are Johnson run an interior just paint. I always advise people to be
practical and beautiful, too.’ design and build business decisive. I don’t think anyone regrets
Digging down an extra 1.2m at (darbyholmes.co.uk). They choosing a colour they like, but they
the back of the house gave extra bought the one-bedroom often regret bland, neutral choices.’
headroom for a more spacious and bungalow in 2021. They have There are no regrets about the
grand feel. ‘The change in levels a two-year-old son, Huish. magical transformation of the
gives us a division between the neglected bungalow. ‘We love living
kitchen-family room and the rest HOUSE 1920s detached here. It’s cosy and colourful,’ says
of the house,’ adds Chess. One of the bungalow extended to create Chess. ‘It’s given us everything we
design details she is most proud of is a four-bed family home. wished for in a family home.’
the new archway between the front
of the house and the kitchen at the
back. ‘Framed by the part-glazed
doors, you can see right through the
¨ËëޘǑæËǑ樘Ǒċ˜½”ÞǑ‚æǑ樘ǑËææËÃǑË¢Ǒ

24 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 SURREY HOUSE

SNUG In the original part of the UTILITY Working cocker LANDING Hide bench,
home, a seating space with log Mumford waits by the door, where Homes Direct 365. Tapestry wall
burner keeps the room cosy. wellies and dog leads are always hanging by Anne Roland Aknin.
Striped linen sofa, Sofas & Stuff. at the ready. Fairford Shaker Ikat cushion, Oka. Door and
Buttoned ottoman, Etsy. Roman cabinets in Pebble; solid oak skirting painted in Lamp Room
blind made in Nomad Salsa worktops, both Howdens. Kitchen Gray, Farrow & Ball. Sisal carpet,
fabric, Blinds Direct maid clothes airer, Cast in Style Crucial Trading

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 25

 KITCHEN Arranged around
a sizeable island, the open-plan
space is perfect for hosting and
relaxing together as a family.
Unlacquered brass mixer tap,
Perrin & Rowe. Beehive-wired
black lampshades, Industville

26 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SURREY HOUSE
 HALL Half-panelled walls HALL A curated blend of
and a rug running the length of furniture and accessories
the space lead the eye towards creates a lasting first impression.
the arched door and garden Chinese-style onyx lacquered
views beyond. A faux timber sideboard, furnish.co.uk. Urn
beam conceals a structural steel. lamps, Cox & Cox. Brass round
Wall lights, similar style at M&S mirror, Melody Maison

28 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

SURREY HOUSE
‘Every room has at least one piece of antique or

vintage furniture. It’s a good way to add character

to a new build and give a more layered look’

GUEST ROOM Pinky taupe walls

lend warmth, while a second-hand
sleigh bed has been given a custom
finish in Farrow & Ball’s Railings.
Winchcombe bed, The Cotswold
Company, is similar. Walls in
Dead Salmon, Farrow & Ball
 SURREY HOUSE

MAIN BEDROOM The vaulted DRESSING ROOM Expertly EN SUITE The decor
ceiling allows for plenty of shoehorned between the bedroom intensifies the warm accent
all-important storage, accessed and bathroom, a vintage desk has colours used in the adjacent
by a library-style ladder on been repurposed as a dressing bedroom. Marble-topped vanity
a rail. Bed, Feather & Black. table. For a similar desk, try washbasin, Chatsworth at
Velvet bedspread, Cox & Cox. Vintage Boathouse. Leather- Victorian Plumbing. Wall in
Terracotta kilim cushion, M&S topped stool, Where Saints Go Ashes of Roses, Little Greene

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 31

 CHESS AND ROSS’S COUNTRY LIFE
SIMPLE PLEASURES ‘We love seeing the ever-changing weather coming
in over the hills and farmers’ fields, whether that’s glowing, warm red
sunrises, or stormy-moody evening clouds.’
FAVOURITE VIEW ‘One of our favourite walks takes us around the
National Trust’s Polesden Lacey estate (nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/
polesden-lacey), with our toddler and two dogs in tow. There are so many
gorgeous vistas to enjoy, especially when it’s a sunny, frosty day.’
SHOP AT ‘Bookham has so many great independent, family-run stores.
For delicious barista coffee, light lunches and sweet treats, we love going
to Carolina’s (@carolinasbookham). And Pip & Gray (pipandgray.com)
is a great little boutique store, ideal for gifts and cards.’

PHOTOGRAPHS JULIA CURRIE

FEATURE KAREN DARLOW

32 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 SURREY HOUSE

SECOND GUEST ROOM GARDEN The landscaped garden

Chess opted for grey walls in optimises the views of farmland
this north-facing room, adding beyond. The garden room, used
warmth with ochre accents. Iron as a gym and garden store, was
bedstead, Facebook Marketplace; designed and built by Chess
Carie, The Original Bed Co, is and Ross in Douglas fir timber.
similar. Bedspread, Zara Home Garden furniture, Primrose
STYLE STORY

H I G H S T A K E S
Chess has chosen a cohesive colour palette to showcase her unique finds

10

8 7
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS

1 RICH PIGMENT Venetian Red chalky emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Pink, £195, Loaf 7 DEEP-BUTTONED TOP Amelia small footstool,
Craig and Rose 2 WEATHERED OAK FINISH Ferguson farmhouse £629, Cotswold Company 8 DURABLE CONSTRUCTION
bar stool in Natural, £280, Sweetpea and Willow 3 EARTHY TONES Kayrak Anthracite slate effect matt porcelain wall and floor tile,
Nomad Patara runner rug, £240, Weaver Green 4 TEXTURAL £17.99sq m, Tile Mountain 9 RUFFLED EDGE Beca large pendant
BASE Black and concrete table lamp, £175, Cox & Cox 5 NATURAL in White ceramic with antique brass, £69, Laura Ashley at Där Lighting
STONE TILES Lyon Di Scacchi tumbled limestone, £66sq m, 10 CLASSIC SHAPE Ava medium sofa in Pencil sustainable stripe,
Mandarin Stone 6 RELAXED LINEN Lazy quilt throw in Pottery from £3,245, Arlo and Jacob

34 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 WARMTH &
SIMPLICITY

KITCHEN A mid-century vibe

injects warmth into the large
open-plan kitchen space.
Haberdasher’s centre island;
Heirloom Gaselier light over
island, both deVol. Raw thick
Bejmat floor tiles, Bert & May

36 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 YORKSHIRE COTTAGE

Using the sort of reclaimed materials that inspired his

thriving tile business, Lee Thornley has created a thoughtful
family home with easy living at its core
 9˜˜Ǒ٘«ÄÞæ‚昔ǑËÙ«£«Ä‚½Ǒ¢˜‚æë٘ÞǑæËǑ
revive the property’s character. ‘All
the charm had been concealed; in the
Þ«ææ«Ä£ǑÙËËÃǑ¢‚½Þ˜ǑŽ˜«½«Ä£ÞǑŽËö˜Ù˜”Ǒ
樘ǑËÙ«£«Ä‚½Ǒ˜‚ÃÞƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒċֽ٘‚Ž˜ÞǑ
‚Ä”ǑÞ悫ʔƳ£½‚ÞÞǑ÷«Ä”Ë÷ÞǑ¨‚”Ǒ˜˜ÄǑ
boxed in,’ he says. ‘We poured a lot
Ë¢Ǒæ«Ã˜Ǒ«ÄæËǑ˜þÖËÞ«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ˜‚ëæ«¢ë½Ǒ
ËĘÞƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ٘Þ֘Žæ«Ä£Ǒ樘ǑËÙ«£«Ä‚½Ǒ
ŽÙ‚¢æÞ֘ËÖ½˜Ǒ樂æǑë«½æǑ«æƜǁ
`¨˜Ǒւ«ÙǑËÖ昔Ǒ¢ËÙǑ‚ǑĂæëق½Ǒւ½˜ææ˜Ǒ
Ë¢ǑŽË½ËëÙÞǑ‚Ä”ǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞǑæËǑØ٣˜Ǒ樘Ǒ
«Äæ˜Ù«ËÙǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘Ǒ˜þæ˜Ù«ËÙǑޘææ«Ä£ƜǑ
ǀ`¨˜Ǒ˜‚Ùæ¨ÿǑæËĘÞǑ‚£‚«ÄÞæǑæ˜ÙقŽËææ‚ƝǑ
e chose reclaimed wherever we could,’ explains Lee Thornley, lime wash and wood create a
the creative and business brain behind artisan tile company Bert ”«‚½Ë£ë˜Ǒ˜æ÷˜˜ÄǑ樘Ǒ«ÄÞ«”˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ
& May, about the details he incorporated into the North Yorkshire outside. The bedroom has been clad
home he shares with partner Phil Brocklebank and their children, in reclaimed whitewashed timber,
9ÿ½‚Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ*Ù«ÞƜǑǀ`¨˜Ù˜ǁÞǑ‚½ÞËǑ¨‚Ĕ”˜Ǒæ˜ÙقŽËææ‚ǑËÄǑ樘ǑČËËÙǑ«ÄǑ樘Ǒ ‚Ä”Ǒ¢˜˜½ÞǑŽ‚«ÄƳ½«º˜Ǒ‚Ä”ǑŽËÞÿƜǑ*æǁÞǑ
kitchen, reclaimed elm boards elsewhere downstairs and a reclaimed such a sanctuary now, and there’s
˂ºǑČËËÙǑëÖÞ悫ÙÞƜǑ`¨˜Ǒ”«Ä«Ä£Ǒ悍½˜Ǒ«ÞǑ”˜Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑ‚ÄŽ«˜ÄæǑYւīިǑ a lovely panoramic view’ says Lee.
Þ¨ëææ˜ÙÞƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ樘ǑÞÄë£ƝǑ÷¨˜Ù˜Ǒ÷˜ǑÞÄ룣½˜ǑëÖǑ¢ËÙǑÃËö«˜ǑÄ«£¨æÞƝǑ«ÞǑŽ½‚”Ǒ '˜ǑċÙýÿǑ˜½«˜ö˜ÞǑ樂æǑØ낽«æÿǑ
«ÄǑނ½ö‚£˜”Ǒæ«Ã˜ÙƜǑö˜ÄǑ樘Ǒ‚æ¨Ǒ«ÞǑ‚Ǒ٘ÞæË٘”Ǒ‚Äæ«Øë˜ơǁ ½«£¨æǑċææ«Ä£ÞǑ˜Ä¨‚ÄŽ˜Ǒ‚Ǒގ¨˜Ã˜ƜǑǀ ëæǑ
ëæǑ樘Ǒւ«ÙǑ”«”Ǒ”«Þ‚£Ù˜˜ǑËö˜ÙǑ樘Ǒ *Ǒ”ËÄǁæǑ£ËǑ¢ËÙǑ«£ǑŽ˜Äæق½Ǒ
櫽˜ÞǑ¢ËÙǑ樘Ǒº«æŽ¨˜ÄǑÞÖ½‚Þ¨‚ŽºƜǑǀQ¨«½Ǒ showstoppers,’ he explains.
÷‚Ä昔Ǒ‚Ǒ£Ù‚Ö¨«ŽǑÞæÿ½˜ǑŽ‚½½˜”ǑT«ËƝǑëæǑ ǀ*ǑÖ٘¢˜ÙǑ樫ģÞǑ樂æǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ
I reasoned that a sandy-coloured Þ«ÃÖ½˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ”˜Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑ
~˜½½«£˜Ǒ÷Ë뽔Ǒ˜Ǒæ«Ã˜½˜ÞÞƜǑ*Ǒ÷ËÄǑ樂æǑ £Ë˔ǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞƜǑ*ÄÞ昂”ǑË¢Ǒ
ËĘƝǑëæǑ樘ǑT«ËǑ櫽˜ÞǑ¨‚ö˜Ǒ˜Ä”˜”ǑëÖǑ Ž¨ËËÞ«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑÞ«Ä£½˜Ǒ½«£¨æ«Ä£Ǒ
‚ÙËëĔǑ樘Ǒº«æŽ¨˜ÄǑċֽ٘‚Ž˜ƝǑ÷¨«Ž¨Ǒ Þæÿ½˜ƝǑ*ǑÖ٘¢˜ÙǑæËǑëþǑ樫ģÞǑ
ÄË÷Ǒ½Ë˺ÞǑ½«º˜Ǒ‚ǑÖ«˜Ž˜ǑË¢Ǒ‚ÙæƜǁ ëÖǑÿǑëÿ«Ä£Ǒ¢ÙËÃǑËĘǑËÙǑ
Y«Ã«½‚Ù½ÿƝǑ樘ǑŽËëÖ½˜ǑËÖ昔Ǒ¢ËÙǑ æ÷ËǑÖ½‚Ž˜ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒº«Ä£Ǒ
º«æŽ¨˜ÄǑ¢ëÙÄ«æë٘Ǒ樂æǑ¨‚ÞǑ‚ǑÄËÞ悽£«ŽǑ Þë٘Ǒ樘ÿǑ÷ËÙºǑæË£˜æ¨˜ÙƜǁ
‚˜Þ樘櫎ƝǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ÷‚ÙÃǑ÷Ë˔ƝǑ£˜Ä潘Ǒ
ǑŽË½½˜Žæ«ËÄǑË¢Ǒ‚Äæ«Øë˜ÞǑ
ŽëÙö˜ÞǑ‚Ä”ǑÞ½«ÃƝǑ£½‚Ą˜”ǑÞæËق£˜ƜǑ ‚””ÞǑ‚Ǒ÷˜½ŽËØǑ½‚ÿ˜ÙǑË¢Ǒ
Unpainted oak cupboards have been æ«Ã˜÷ËÙÄǑ˜½˜£‚ÄŽ˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ
ċÄ«Þ¨˜”Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚ǑŽË‚æǑË¢ǑË«½ƝǑ÷¨«Ž¨Ǒ «Ä”«ö«”낽«æÿƜǑǀ
Äæ«Øë˜ÞǑ
means Lee and Phil can easily repair Ù«Ä£Ǒ֘ÙÞËĂ½«æÿƝǁǑނÿÞǑ
any scrapes and scratches. ‘The island 9˜˜ƜǑǀ`¨˜ǑÞ«ææ«Ä£ǑÙËËÃƝǑ¢ËÙǑ
÷˜ÄæǑæ¨ÙË루ǑގË٘ÞǑË¢Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑ ˜þ‚ÃÖ½˜ƝǑ«ÞǑ‚ǑŽËâËÙ悍½˜ƝǑ
”˜Þ«£ÄǑÖËÞÞ««½«æ«˜ÞƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ樘ÄǑ÷˜Ǒ ¢‚ë½ÿǑÞւŽ˜ƝǑ÷¨˜Ù˜Ǒ÷˜ǁö˜Ǒ
”˜Ž«”˜”ǑæËǑŽëÞæËëޘǑ«æǑ˜ö˜ÄǑ¢ëÙ樘ÙǑ ëޘ”Ǒ‚Äæ«Øë˜Ǒ¢ëÙÄ«Þ¨«Ä£ÞǑ
ÿǑ˜þæ˜Ä”«Ä£Ǒ«æǑæËǑůŮǑ¢˜˜æƝǑÞËǑ«æǑ÷Ë뽔Ǒ AT HOME WITH to add warmth and character.
look at home in the open plan space.’ OWNER Lee Thornley ‘To avoid a “vanilla” look, where
`¨˜Ǒ¨ËëޘǑ÷‚ÞǑËϘǑ‚Ǒւ«ÙǑË¢Ǒ lives here with his partner ˜ö˜Ùÿ樫ģǑ«ÞǑޫ뽂ÙǑ«ÄǑ½Ë˺ǑËÙǑ‚£˜ƝǑ
p«ŽæËÙ«‚ÄǑ÷ËÙº˜ÙÞǁǑŽËæ患˜ÞƝǑëæǑ Phil Brocklebank and their ÷˜ǁö˜ǑŽËÄæقÞ昔Ǒ‚ÄǑ‚Äæ«Øë˜ǑË˺Ž‚Þ˜Ǒ
had been remodelled into one. ‘The children, Lyla and Iris. and console tables with a modern
ŽËæ患˜ÞǑ¨‚”Ǒ‚½Ù˜‚”ÿǑ˜˜ÄǑ·Ë«Ä˜”Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ ÞË¢‚Ǒ‚Ä”ǑËëæÞ«Ą˜Ǒ½˜‚樘ÙǑŽËĈ˜˜Ǒ悍½˜ƝǑ
˜þæ˜Ä”˜”ƝǑëæǑ«æǑ÷‚ÞǑÞ櫽½Ǒ‚Ǒ¨ËëޘǑË¢Ǒ HOUSE Two early 19th which creates a more eclectic,
two halves, with two staircases, two century cottages, now one ނæ«Þ¢ÿ«Ä£ǑÞւŽ˜ǑæËǑ٘½‚þǑ«ÄƜǁǑ
º«æŽ¨˜ÄÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ‚ǑÃ디½˜ǑË¢ǑÞ½½Ǒ home comprising a kitchen- *æǑ÷ËÙºÞǑ‚Ǒæ٘‚æƝǑ‚””«Ä£ǑæËǑ樘ǑÙëÞ櫎Ǒ
ÙËËÃÞƝǁǑނÿÞǑ9˜˜ƜǑǀ˜ÞÖ«æ˜Ǒ˜«Ä£ǑËö˜ÙǑ dining room, living room and ö«˜Ǒ‚Ä”ǑޘÄޘǑË¢Ǒ٘ÖëÙÖËÞ«Ä£Ǒ«æ˜ÃÞǑ
űƝŮŮŮǑÞØë‚Ù˜Ǒ¢˜˜æƝǑ«æǑ¢˜½æǑÖ˺ÿƜǑ*æǑ snug, formal living room and ¢ÙËÃǑ樘ǑւÞæǑæËǑ٘Ƴ˜Ä˜Ù£«Þ˜Ǒ‚Ǒ¨ËØǑ
needed to be remodelled to create four bedrooms (all en suite). ¢ËÙǑÃ˔˜ÙÄǑ½«ö«Ä£ƜǑ
ÞǑ9˜˜ǑÖË«ÄæÞǑËëæƝǑ
ÃË٘ǑË֘ÄƝǑ¢‚ë½ÿƳËÙ«˜Äæ‚昔ǑÞւŽ˜ÞƝǑ ˽”˜ÙǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞǑ‚Ù˜ǑË¢æ˜ÄǑ¢‚ÙǑ˜ææ˜ÙǑ
so we removed internal walls and Ø낽«æÿǑ樂ÄǑĘ÷ƝǑ‚Ä”ǑÃË٘Ǒ‚ææقŽæ«ö˜Ǒ
٘·«££˜”Ǒ樘ǑëÖÞ悫ÙÞǑ«ÄæËǑ¢ËëÙǑ æËËƜǑǀ*¢Ǒ÷˜ǑŽ‚ÄǑ٘ëޘǑ‚Ä”Ǒ٘ŽÿŽ½˜ƝǑ÷˜Ǒ
˜ÄƳÞë«æ˜Ǒ˜”ÙËËÃÞƝǑ£Ë«Ä£Ǒ«ÄæËǑ樘Ǒ absolutely should. It’s too important
eaves to create more space.’ not to.’ Wise words indeed.

38 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 YORKSHIRE COTTAGE

DINING AREA Decorative tiles KITCHEN Lee opted for an DINING AREA A small oil
make a focal point of the chimney organic-feeling sandy-coloured painting, a large pot plant and
breast. A knocked-through, Zellige tile for the kitchen sink a shelf with ornate brackets
timber-clad snug is open-plan to splashback as he felt it would be create an interesting vignette in
the main kitchen/dining space, timeless. Hessian Bejmat this corner. Try Graham & Green
promoting a sense of flow. Zellige tiles on splashback, for a similar stool and Patch
Rio tiles on fireplace, Bert & May Bert & May. Sink, deVol Plants for a pot plant like this

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 39

YORKSHIRE COTTAGE

HALLWAY Reclaimed elm

boards add rustic charm and
period character and beautifully
complement the exposed
brick. From here you can move
straight into the well-lit,
welcoming kitchen

40 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

‘Fireplaces and stained glass windows
HALLWAY An antique pedestal
table and armchair upholstered
in luxurious peacock-blue velvet
provide a sense of elegance, while
had been boxed in. We spent a lot of time a generous vase of foliage brings
freshness and life to the hallway.
Similar table, Vinterior

exposing the beautiful bones and respecting

the craftspeople that had built the house’

SITTING ROOM A stripped-
back armchair, its structure
exposed, is a striking addition to
the sitting room, and beautifully
fits into Lee and Phil’s ‘reuse,
recycle and reclaim’ mantra.
Similar armchair, Vinterior
 YORKSHIRE COTTAGE

SITTING ROOM In a small

room larger pieces, such as the
outsize leather footstool, add to
the sense of cosiness. The stained
glass window was previously
boxed in. The Carnegie footstool
from Lee Longlands is similar

SITTING ROOM Exposed

beams that had once been
covered up add further to the
rustic charm of this house and
are complemented by the walls’
raw plaster finish.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 43

YORKSHIRE COTTAGE

BATHROOM Covered in tiles, a

simple concrete bench has been
fitted with rustic shelves and
topped with basins and mirrors.
Reclaimed stone basins, Bert &
May. Fine Edge mirrors, Heal’s.
Flume wall light, J Adams & Co

44 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

BEDROOM A simple woven
light shade in Iris’s room in the
eaves on the upper floor delivers
a twinkly ambience at night.
Woven seagrass shade, B&Q.
Similar cushion, Nomad Tassel
cushion cover, Sass & Belle
LEE’S COUNTRY LIFE BEDROOM A freestanding tub
SIMPLE PLEASURES ‘Living in the country offers a special kind of peace. in the main bedroom suite is a
Being surrounded by nature or the warmth of log-burning fires creates wonderfully luxurious touch.
Reclaimed bath in Rolling Fog,
a sense of comfort far from the rush of everyday life.’ Little Greene. Tiles on chimney
PLACE TO EAT ‘I recommend eating at Skosh (skoshyork.co.uk) in the breast, Deia, Bert & May
Micklegate area of York. It has incredible contemporary British food,
not your average fare, and a great atmosphere.’
PLACE TO SHOP ‘The French House (thefrenchhouse.co.uk), a York-
based retailer of French antiques. I love this place, it’s a sophisticated
jungle of antiques and weird and wonderful homewares.’
PLACE TO VISIT ‘I always tell friends and family to visit Castle Howard
(castlehoward.co.uk); it has incredible gardens and a fantastic farm shop.’
 YORKSHIRE COTTAGE
FEATURE RUTH CORBETT PHOTOGRAPHS BETH DAVIS

BEDROOM An earthy palette BEDROOM A balcony with a

merges inside and out. Lee and view, accessed by glazed sliding
Phil turned what was the sitting doors, allows the bedroom to be
room into the main suite and flooded with daylight. A textured
clad it in reclaimed whitewashed rug beneath the bed demarcates
timber. Coco bed, Loaf. Curlew the space in a large bedroom.
1P44 wall light, Pooky Wood and rattan bench, Zara

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 47

 STYLE STORY

O N T H E T I L E S
Lee has created a calming scheme using organic materials and raw finishes

1
2
3

10

8 7
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS

1 TRIPLE FAN TECHNOLOGY Opera 90cm dual fuel range deconstructed armchair, £875, Graham and Green 7 ANTIQUE
cooker, from £2,939, Smeg 2 A WARMING GLOW Noko rattan TERRACOTTA LOOK Oliva Marron Metro terracotta tile,
conical pendant in Natural, £175, Nkuku 3 PRETTY PINK £73sq m, Quorn Stone 8 ABSTRACT PRINTED MOTIF
PATTERN Pink Deia tiles, £228.48sq m, Bert & May Nubra Denim printed cotton cushion, from £35, The Pure Edit
4 BRUSHED TEXTURE Cambridge Smoked Oak vinyl flooring, 9 GLOSSY GLAZED SHADE Mini creamware wall light, £240,
£35.99sq m, Parador 5 THROWN BY HAND Leach pottery DeVol 10 HANDMADE TO ORDER Large Birce sideboard with
mug in Nuka White, £35, Toast 6 MIXED MATERIALS Stanley reeded glass, £1,399, Pilgrim

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 49

 UTILITY/ENTRANCE AREA
Apple green offers a contrast to
the yellow and terracotta tones
and zones the boot and coat area
close to the entrance. Baskets
provide storage for the family’s
boots. Similar baskets, Neptune

50 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 SUFFOLK BARN

PARADISE
FOUND
A cider barn has been transformed into a
home and farmstead hotel with a soothing
palette of mellow yellows and warm neutrals

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 51

LIVING AREA The sofas are
given a dash of uniform
smartness with a striking stripe
fabric made from recycled water
bottles. Bespoke sofa, Stringer
Brothers; covered in Skinny
Stripe fabric, Colours Of Arley
 SUFFOLK BARN

EXTERIOR The converted LIVING AREA A collection LIVING AREA The living
cider barn’s exterior has been of handmade pottery jugs and room is an inviting, open-plan
maintained, with traditional curios adds to the rustic vibe. space with a log burner and
wooden cladding hinting at the Ceramics, Rialto, Freya Bramble comfortable sofas. Tactile woven
natural materials and organic Carter. Painting (above console coir rugs add warmth on top of
shades Gem used to furnish behind sofa, opposite page), the natural terracotta tiled floor.
and decorate the interior Lee Johnson Studio Terracotta floor tiles, Ca’Pietra

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 53

 repurposed into the perfect base for
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٘æ٘‚æÞǑæËǑëٍ‚ÄǑÞËë½ÞǑ÷¨ËǑŽÙ‚ö˜Ǒ‚ǑÞ½«Ž˜ǑË¢ǑŽËëÄæÙÿǑ½«¢˜ƜǑ Ž‚Ä”½˜ÞƜǑ*¢Ǒ*Ǒ˜ö˜ÙǑ£˜æǑ樘ǑŽ¨‚ÄŽ˜Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ
ǀ`¨˜ǑċÙÞæǑւÙæǑË¢Ǒ樫ÞǑÖÙË·˜ŽæǑæË˺ǑÞ«þǑÃËÄæ¨ÞǑƵǑ÷˜Ǒ æ÷ËǑº«”ÞƝǑ*ǁ½½Ǒ˜Ǒ«ÄǑ樘٘Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚Ǒ£½‚ÞÞǑ
ÞæÙ«Ö֘”Ǒ樘Ǒ÷¨Ë½˜Ǒ‚ÙÄǑæËǑ«æÞǑ‚Ù˜ǑËĘÞƝǑºÄˎº˜”Ǒ‚½½Ǒ樘Ǒ Ë¢Ǒ÷«Ä˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ‚ǑË˺ơǁǑ
÷‚½½ÞǑ”Ë÷ÄǑ‚Ä”ǑÞæ‚Ù昔Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚ǑŽ½˜‚ÄǑÞ½‚æ˜ƜǑ`¨«ÞǑ÷‚ÞǑØë«æ˜Ǒ To stay at the farm, see restaries.com
”‚ëÄæ«Ä£ǑëæǑ樘ǑŽËÄċ£ëقæ«ËÄǑ·ëÞæǑ
÷Ë뽔ÄǁæǑ¨‚ö˜Ǒ÷ËÙº˜”ƝǁǑ˜þÖ½‚«ÄÞǑ"˜ÃǑ
Ë¢Ǒ樘ǑÞæëÄÄ«Ä£ǑÞւŽ˜Ǒ樂æǑ樘Ǒւ«ÙǑ
¨‚ö˜Ǒ‚ÖÖÙËÖÙ«‚昽ÿǑĂؔǑ`¨˜Ǒ «”˜ÙǑ
YæË٘ƜǑǀq˜Ǒ¨‚ö˜Ǒ”«ÞŽËö˜Ù˜”ǑÂÄÿǑ AT HOME WITH
ÞæËÙ«˜ÞǑ‚ËëæǑ樘ǑÖÙË֘ÙæÿǁÞǑւÞæǑ‚Ä”Ǒ OWNERS Gem Boner, founder of
ËĘǑ”‚ÿǑ÷˜Ǒ¢ËëĔǑ‚Ǒ˜‚ëæ«¢ë½ǑÖ¨ËæËǑ«ÄǑ Restaries.com, and her partner, fashion
ËëÙǑ½˜ææ˜ÙËþƜǑ`¨˜Ù˜Ǒ÷‚ÞǑÄËǑÄËæ˜ƝǑÞËǑæËǑ consultant Thom Scherdel, live here
樫ÞǑ”‚ÿǑ÷˜Ǒ”ËÄǁæǑºÄË÷Ǒ÷¨ËǑÖËÞ昔Ǒ«æƝǑ with their children Aries and Deia.
ëæǑ«æǑ÷‚ÞǑ‚ǑÖ«Žæë٘ǑË¢Ǒ‚Ǒ¨ËÙޘǑÖë½½«Ä£Ǒ
HOUSE A Grade II listed former farm
‚ǑŽ«”˜ÙǑÖ٘ÞÞǑ÷¨˜˜½Ǒ‚ÙËëĔǑ«ÄǑ樘Ǒ
building dating back to the 16th century
¢ÙËÄæǑ£‚Ù”˜ÄƜǑq˜Ǒ‚Þº˜”Ǒ‚ÙËëĔǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
and comprising an open-plan kitchen
”«ÞŽËö˜Ù˜”ǑËëÙǑ¨ËØǑ¨‚”ǑËϘǑ˜˜ÄǑ‚Ǒ
and living space and three bedrooms,
Ž«”˜ÙǑ¢‚ŽæËÙÿƜǁǑ`ËǑ樘ǑŽËëÖ½˜ǁÞǑ”˜½«£¨æƝǑ
all with en-suite bathrooms.
樘ǑËÙ«£«Ä‚½Ǒ¨ËÙޘƳ”Ù‚÷ÄǑÞæËĘǑŽ«”˜ÙǑ
÷¨˜˜½Ǒ÷‚ÞǑ‚½ÞËǑëʂÙ樘”ƜǑǀ*æǑ÷‚ÞǑ
ëÙ«˜”Ǒ«ÄǑ樘Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄǑ‚Ä”Ǒ¨‚ÞǑ˜˜ÄǑ

54 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 SUFFOLK BARN

KITCHEN AREA A galley-style

kitchen allows for maximum
cupboard room and appliances in
limited space. Walls in Farrow’s
Cream, Farrow & Ball. Kitchen
designed by Apron; painted in
Cane by Farrow & Ball

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 55

 KITCHEN AREA A palette
of warm creams and yellows is
the perfect complement to the
natural wood accessories, dining
table and chairs. Dining table,
Vinterior. Chairs, Deorling
Antiques. Lights, Neptune

56 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 SUFFOLK BARN

‘We stripped the barn to its bare bones, knocked

all the walls down and started with a clean slate.

*æǑ÷‚ÞǑ”‚ëÄæ«Ä£ǑëæǑ樘Ǒ˽”ǑŽËÄċ£ëقæ«ËÄǑ÷Ë뽔Äǁæ

¨‚ö˜Ǒ÷ËÙº˜”ƜǑ@Ë÷Ǒ樘Ǒº«æŽ¨˜ÄǑ«ÞǑ樘ǑŽ˜Äæق½Ǒ¨ëǁ

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 57

SUFFOLK BARN

BEDROOM Layers of EN SUITE Dark brown tiles add EN SUITE A chequerboard tile BEDROOM Gem has chosen
coordinating colours add depth an element of rich sophistication. pattern, echoed in the towel, fabrics for the whole house
and warmth to the bedroom, Gem used terracotta tiles for the adds charm to this bathroom. with a similar design and colour
while fabrics with varying floors throughout the house. A roll top bath provides a aesthetic to create a sense of
textures and more open Sanitary ware, fixtures and luxurious touch. Bath tub, cohesion. Bespoke headboard,
weaves maintain the rustic feel. fittings, all BC Designs. Shower sanitary ware and all bathroom Stringer Brothers; covered in
Wall-mounted task lights, Pooky tiles, Khaki Maroc, Ca’Pietra fixtures and fittings, BC Designs striped fabric, A Rum Fellow

58 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

BEDROOM Twin beds are
dressed identically, creating
a smart feel. Welsh tapestry
blankets add a layer of warmth
and a dash of pattern. Beds,
Floks. Bedding, Cultiver. Similar
blankets, Melin Tregwynt
BEDROOM The colours of the
chequerboard fabric used for
this headboard echo the striped
fabric on the living room sofas.
Bespoke headboard, Stringer
Brothers; covered in A Rum
Fellow fabric. Bedding, Cultiver
 SUFFOLK BARN

GEM AND THOM’S COUNTRY LIFE EXTERIORS Gem and Thom

have introduced animals such
SIMPLE PLEASURES ‘The fresh country air, the amazing sunsets as pygmy goats, Burford Brown
and the starlit skies. I’d never really seen stars until I moved here.’ chickens, Valais Blacknose sheep
and Kune kune pigs to the farm.
LOVE TO EAT AT ‘We love the food scene here – you’ll often find us Paradise Farm is set in a lovely
walking along Aldeburgh beach heading to The Suffolk Restaurant for corner of the Suffolk countryside
their amazing seafood (the-suffolk.co.uk) or on a Sunday heading to
The Greyhound in Pettistree (greyhoundpettistree.co.uk).’
LOVE TO SHOP AT ‘I love the antiques markets here. There are also two
beautiful French antiques stores – The Boule-in, in Bildeston (boule-in.
co.uk) and The Old Store in Bungay (instagram/theoldstorecollective).’
LOVE TO VISIT ‘We spend a lot of time on the beaches, Southwold,
Covehithe and Walberswick; we even went swimming on Boxing Day.’
PHOTOGRAPHS ADAM CARTER
FEATURE SARA EMSLIE

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 61

STYLE STORY

F A R M S T E A D S T Y L E
Gem and Thom have created a calming retreat using warming neutrals

10
4

9 8
6

7
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS

1 CLASSIC TICKING STRIPE Organic cotton ticking stripe Oxford YELLOW SHADE Hay estate emulsion, £57.50 for 2.5ltr,
pillowcase in Ecru/Straw, £23, Toast 2 MINIMALIST DESIGN Orta Farrow & Ball 7 EARTHY TEXTURE Tetbury Terracotta
aged brass and bronze wall light, £139, Lights and Lamps 3 ZELLIGE- brick tile, £78sq m, Artisan of Devizes 8 HANDMADE
STYLE EFFECT Tan-Tan Husk tiles, £72sq m, Claybrook 4 LINEN FROM HOGLA FIBRES Herbie large basket, £60, Claire
AND RECYCLED COTTON MIX Linen-blend cushion cover, Garner Interiors 9 DESIGN CLASSIC Anglepoise x National
£9.99, H&M Home 5 CLASSIC CURVED DESIGN Bliss medium Trust 1227 desk lamp in Sage Green, £175, John Lewis
sofa in Jovita Charcoal, from £2,535, The Pure Edit 6 A SUBTLE 10 HARD-WEARING FINISH Knotty jute rug, £245, Loaf

62 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 KENT COTTAGE

ARTFUL
BLEND
A rich mix of bold colour, unique finds and
abstract art converge in the weatherboard
coastal cottage of artist Caroline Yates

SNUG The cosy layers and

cocooning colours of the snug
invite its occupants to unwind,
disconnect and enjoy the garden
views. Walls, Salon Drab, Farrow
& Ball. Pendant, Tom Dixon.
Cushions, Will & Yates

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 63

 landscape, including the cheerful
yellow porch mirroring the seaside
sunshine, and the olive-green kitchen
Ž‚«Ä˜æÙÿǑ˜Ž¨Ë«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ÷«½”ČË÷˜ÙǑ
planting at the rear. However, one of
Caroline’s biggest inspirations is the
stunning copper beech tree in the
front garden that prompted her to
gentle rhythmic thump and thwack colour-drench the snug in a deep
from the adjacent tennis club brings chocolate brown and set the perfect
a surprising sense of calm to this foil for the vibrant sofa and her
seaside home in Kent, where abstract ever-changing abstract oil paintings.
artist Caroline Yates and her ‘The Normann Copenhagen sofa in
osteopath husband, Graham, live and shades of red and burnt orange
work. It was this idyllic location on a “pops” against the brown walls. I have
Victorian square, a stone’s throw from moved one piece of the sofa into the
Deal’s pebble beach, that prompted sitting room to add a connecting
the couple to make the move from thread of colour that links the rooms.
East Dulwich 16 years ago with their *Ǒ½«º˜ǑÞւŽ˜ÞǑæËǑČË÷ƝǑق樘ÙǑ樂ÄǑ¢˜˜½Ǒ
twin sons, Milo and Lucian, who were two at the time. ‘We’d visited like separate entities,’ she says.
Whitstable just up the coast and loved it, but this area was more our Caroline owns an eclectic art and
budget. So, when this unprepossessing house with a pebble dash homeware store, so it’s unsurprising
front came on the market, we jumped at the chance. It had huge 樂æǑÂÄÿǑċĔÞǑ÷˜‚ö˜Ǒ樘«ÙǑ÷‚ÿǑ«ÄæËǑ
potential for creating studio spaces the corners of her own
for us to work from,’ says Caroline. home. Recent additions
Within a year of moving in, the include the hessian
home’s layout had been thoughtfully cushions in the snug and
reimagined to work for the family. the woven baskets in the
The dividing wall between the sitting room, resulting in
kitchen and dining room was a mix of vintage layers
removed to create a more practical and modernist furniture.
family space, and an attached garage ‘We specialise in
and outbuilding was converted into a decorative pieces that
therapy room for Graham and an art catch our eye, and I have a
studio for Caroline. ‘I have a lovely similar philosophy for my
view of the garden from my studio home. I like the pairing of
and can watch the trees and plants cold chrome and warm
change colour through the seasons,’ wood, such as our Italian
she says. The front of the house also dining table with birch
received a sympathetic upgrade, with chairs, while I also ensure
weatherboard cladding added for there’s plenty of antique
extra insulation and to mask the upholstered pieces for
intact, but rather ugly, pebble dash. AT HOME WITH comfort,’ says Caroline.
‘We painted the cladding in a deep OWNER Artist and store Just as the house has evolved, so too
green to complement the many trees owner Caroline Yates and has the garden. Over lockdown,
around us. Cladding the back of the her husband, Graham, an Graham replanted the lawn with
house is next, not only to make the osteopath, live here with ÷«½”½«¢˜Ƴ¢Ù«˜Ä”½ÿǑČË÷˜ÙÞƝǑ悽½Ǒ£Ù‚ÞޘÞƝǑ
¨ËëޘǑÃË٘Ǒ˜Ä˜Ù£ÿǑ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄæƝǑëæǑ‚½ÞËǑ their 18-year-old twins, Milo and olive and fruit trees, and now the
to help the modern extension, added and Lucian, and dog Molly. picture window in the snug has
in 2022, feel more in keeping with become a constantly changing
the building. It replaced a timber HOUSE A detached display. Their Romanian street dog,
conservatory we’d bought second property, built in 1969 and Molly, was also a lockdown addition,
hand from a 17th-century house in updated with weatherboard and she has brought much joy to the
Norfolk. We had to get the original cladding for a country barn family, encouraging them to enjoy
designers to come down and rebuild feel, plus a converted garage blustery beach walks together along
it. It lasted about 12 years, but always and outbuilding. Deal’s promenade. ‘We love living
leaked. We wouldn’t do that again.’ here,’ says Caroline. ‘It’s a real family
The home’s rich colour palette home and the perfect workspace.’
takes cues from the surrounding caroline-yates.co.uk

64 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 KENT COTTAGE

‘I love sitting in the snug and listening

SNUG Casual picture ledges
make it easy for Caroline to
change the art she has on display
when she feels like a new look.
Picture ledges, Ikea. Modular
sofa, Normann Copenhagen.
æËǑ樘ǑÃëĊ˜”Ǒق«Ä¢‚½½ǑËÄǑ樘ǑØ悽
Art, Caroline Yates

ÙËË¢Ǒ÷¨«½˜Ǒ÷‚推«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒގ˜Ä˜Ǒæ¨ÙË루

樘ǑÖ«Žæë٘Ǒ÷«Ä”Ë÷ǁ
KITCHEN Shaker cabinetry has
been given a modern twist with a
rich green, while floorboards and
wooden worktops are country
kitchen staples. Units, York
Kitchens. Cabinetry, Hornblende,
Paint & Paper Library
 KENT COTTAGE

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 67

 SNUG The warm tone of the
plywood-covered wall helps
to differentiate between the
laid-back snug and adjoining
dining area. A modern column
radiator offers an eye-catching
contrast against the raw surface

68 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 KENT COTTAGE

EXTERIOR Wooden cladding

was added for insulation and
painted in a durable barn paint,
while the windows feature a lead
scalloped detail, common to
Kent. Cladding, Green RAL
code 007, Bedec Barn Paint
SITTING ROOM Removable
linen covers on the sitting room
furniture add a relaxed feel and
are practical with children and
dogs. Walls, Slate IV, Paint &
Paper Library. For a similar linen
armchair, try Rowen & Wren
 KENT COTTAGE

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 71

KENT COTTAGE

WORDS AND STYLING LOUISE O’BRYAN

PHOTOGRAPHS SIOBHAN DORAN

BEDROOM Classic country BATHROOM Vintage touches STAIRS Caroline painted the
checks, dainty vintage-style add interest to the bathroom; the wooden treads in a monochrome
florals and pretty paisleys tongue and groove in olive green scheme so they could be easily
combine for a charming and ties in with the kitchen scheme wiped clean. Black woodwork,
restful scheme, while white- for a cohesive flow. Panelling, Railings, Farrow & Ball. White
painted floorboards feel both Olive, Dulux. Walls, Slate IV, woodwork and walls, Slate IV,
natural and fresh. Cabinet, Oka Paint & Paper Library Paint & Paper Library

72 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

GARDEN The couple plan to CAROLINE’S COUNTRY LIFE
clad the back of the house to
match the front and ensure the FAVOURITE VIEW ‘Our favourite view is from the front of the house
modern extension, added to across to the neatly trimmed hedges of the pretty lawn tennis club and
replace a leaky conservatory, the white Victorian villas on the other side of the historic square.’
creates less of a contrast with
the rest of the cottage PLACE TO VISIT ‘From the seafront promenade of Deal to the beautiful
chalk stacks of Botany Bay, walking the dog along Kent’s fascinating
coastline is always life-affirming, while the cultural delights of the area,
such as the Turner Contemporary at Margate, are a constant inspiration.’
PLACE TO SHOP ‘Deal High Street is packed with independent lifestyle
and fashion boutiques, like Mileage Vintage (mileagevintage.co.uk) and
Barkened (barkened.com) and many art galleries. And, of course, my
homeware and art store, Will & Yates (willandyates.com).’
STYLE STORY

C O C O O N I N G C O L O U R
Vibrant colour and pattern bring energetic warmth to Caroline’s home
2

1 3

10

6
FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS

1 WOVEN FROM SILK Tora stripe cushion cover in Red Madder, 6 SOFT GREEN Moss pure matt, £56 for 2.5ltr, Fenwick and Tilbrook
£95, Oka 2 DOUBLE-WALLED SHADE Void LED copper pendant, 7 RUSTIC FINISH Massimo acacia wood two-drawer coffee table,
£465, Tom Dixon at Heals 3 NATURAL FIBRE Langham jute rug, £500, Ruma 8 COMES IN THREE SIZES Cardinal utility basket,
£295, Sophie Allport 4 SOLID ELM WOOD Landrake curved back £25, The Braided Rug Company 9 STRETCH OUT Slim Jim corner
dining chair in Natural, £350 for two, Garden Trading 5 GEOMETRIC sofa in Bobbing Buoy clever velvet, £3,335, Loaf 10 HAND BLOCK
MIX Zinc Textiles Szafran cushion in Mineral, £180, Sweetpea & Willow PRINT Floral reversible king-size quilt, £135, Rosie Dalia

74 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

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COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 77

 Interiorsin
miniature
Doll’s houses are having a moment – and it’s a delight.
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS

Cath Kidston presented a mini version of the new home

range in a bespoke doll’s house. Designer Lucy Clayton
has decorated her own with Ben Pentreath wallpaper.
And Vinterior created and auctioned a mid-century
modern doll’s house to support Museum of the Home.
Woodland Wonder wallpaper, £109 a roll, Fable & Flair

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 79

 THE DOLL’S
HOUSE
Take inspiration from the perfection
of a home in miniature to create stylised,
detailed interiors with a touch of
storybook magic made real

80 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 DECORATING

Add charm and whimsy to your rooms

with fairy-tale touches. Sleeping Beauty

nooks and Goldilocks bobbin armchairs

imbue the ordinary with a touch of fantasy

HIDEY-HOLE
Flora Fantasia wallpaper in
Ecru, from £140 a roll; Flora
Fantasia fabric in Ecru, £120m;
wall in Astrantia emulsion, £59
for 2.5ltr; Floris lamp base,
£395; lamp shade, from a
selection, all House of Hackney
READING CORNER
Bobbin armchair in ash and
Natural linen, £595; wall
light, from a selection, both
Graham and Green ª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 81

DECORATING

Think about the scale of patterns to

create an intimate feel, picking all-over

designs that will envelop a room and

make even practical spaces feel playful

TRAILING VINES
Ulla wallpaper in Garden Green,
£102.60 a roll, Sandberg
Wallpaper. Cobb rise and
fall pendant light, £339,
Original BTC, has this look
MUTED SHADES
Segolene wallpaper, £262m;
cushions in (from left)
French Damask in Aubergine
and Chester in Fig; seat cushion
in Junction Stripe in Zinc,
all made to order, Thorp of
London at Pierre Frey ª

82 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 DECORATING

*æǁÞǑ樘Ǒ”˜æ‚«½ÞǑ樂æǑº˜Ǒ樘Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄŽ˜Ǒ÷«æ¨

this enchanting look. Think skirted chair

covers, scallop-edged rugs and curvaceous

shapes for furniture pieces and accessories

COCOONING SPACE
Bathroom designed by
Carlos Sanchez-Garcia.
St Abbs wallpaper, £225
for a 10m roll, Robert Kime.
Woodwork in Jonquil
water-based eggshell,
£90 for 2.5ltr, Edward
Bulmer Natural Paint
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS

BEDTIME TALES
Normandy king-size bed, £1,595;
Normandy two-drawer side table,
£345; Le Bilboquet table lamp
with linen shade, £85; Sundar
scallop jute rug, £140; White jute
rug, £120; cushions, from £35
each, all French Bedroom

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 85

 FIVE
FOUNDATIONS
OF

BRIGHT
YOUNG
THINGS
Create an inspiring space for children
to rest, play and grow with these
decorative and practical additions

SWEET DREAMS
Blackout blinds are a must for a child’s bedroom
– blocking out the sunlight helps to stimulate the
sleep hormone melatonin. ‘Blackout blinds help
maintain a consistent bedtime routine, even
during spring and summer. Add a thermal lining
to help keep the room warm and toasty,’ says
Yvonne Keal, senior product manager specialist
at Hillarys. Safety is also key when it comes to
blinds. ‘Our Roman blinds feature a regulated
safety device, ensuring no loose cords or chains.
Consider options which can be controlled via
remote, app or voice command. These can
˜ǑޘæǑæËǑË֘ÄǑËÙǑŽ½ËޘǑ‚æǑÞ֘Ž«ċŽǑæ«Ã˜ÞƝǑ«”˜‚½Ǒ
for ensuring little ones don’t wake at dawn.’ ª

86 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

CHILDREN’S ROOMS

Gingham Rouge
Roman blinds,
from £155,
Parisian Edit
collection, Hillarys
Ceiling in Blazer
and Wevet; walls in
Wevet and Lulworth
Blue, £57.50 for
2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

FUN OF THE FAIR

Transform a boring bedroom into another with a calming shade on the walls. ‘Clean, bright
world with a painted ceiling. Here, a simple blues make a great choice for children’s rooms
technique brings the magic of the circus to life. and will respond beautifully in those with east
Create triangle shapes with masking tape, then or south-facing windows. Lulworth Blue brings
paint alternate segments in a colour or white shades of the sea, making it a perfect choice
emulsion, to make a big top design. While the for bedrooms by the coast,’ explains Patrick
Ž˜«½«Ä£Ǒċ½½ÞǑ樘ǑÙËËÃǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ¢ëÄƝǑ樫ÞǑ«ÞǑ‚½‚ÄŽ˜”Ǒ O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball.

88 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 CHILDREN’S ROOMS

ENCHANTED WOOD
As well as providing a restful space, a child’s director, Little Greene. ‘Our Potter’s Woodland
bedroom should capture the imagination. wallpaper depicts a huge variety of charming
q‚½½ǑÃëق½ÞǑËĈ˜ÙǑ‚ǑÞ«ÃÖ½˜Ǒÿ˜æǑ˜Ĉ˜Žæ«ö˜Ǒ÷‚ÿǑ drawings and paintings from Beatrix Potter’s
æËǑ‚Ž¨«˜ö˜Ǒ樫ÞƜǑǀ*ǁÃǑ‚ǑċÙÃǑ˜½«˜ö˜ÙǑ«ÄǑŽÙ˜‚æ«Ä£Ǒ unpublished sketchbooks and sets them in a
spaces that inspire children to play, experiment wonderful scene. The large-scale pattern repeats
with storytelling, and create magical characters create space for designs that transport little
of their own,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative ËĘÞǑæËǑ‚ÄǑ«Ã‚£«Ä‚æ«ö˜ƝǑÞæËÙÿƳċ½½˜”ǑÞւŽ˜ƜǁǑǑª

Potter’s Woodland
mural wallpaper
£262 per panel
(3.25 x 3.12m),
Little Greene
Prints from the World
of Peter Rabbit™
collection start at
£10.95 for 21x30cm,
Poster Store

TOP OF THE HOPS

"‚½½˜ÙÿǑ÷‚½½ÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ‚ÄǑ˜ĈËÙ潘ÞÞǑ÷‚ÿǑæËǑ‚””Ǒ tricky and it is costly and time-consuming to
FEATURE HOLLY REANEY

personality to any room. Prints – like those from replace. Instead, artwork can be swapped
storybooks and illustrations – are the perfect æËǑÙ˜Č˜ŽæǑÿËëÙǑŽ¨«½”ǁÞǑ£ÙË÷«Ä£Ǒ«Äæ˜Ù˜ÞæÞǑ«ÄǑ·ëÞæǑ
choice for a nursery or toddler’s room – the a few minutes – they can even choose their own
colours are soothing and the designs timeless. favourites. You could even create a gallery
Wallpaper can bring similar character, but wall incorporating shadow boxes of memories,
ċĔ«Ä£Ǒ‚Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄǑ樂æǑ÷«½½Ǒ£ÙË÷Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘ǑŽ¨«½”Ǒ«ÞǑ 樘«ÙǑċÙÞæǑި˘ÞƝǑËÙǑÖ½ëÞ¨Ǒ‚ī½Ǒ¨˜‚”ÞƜǑ

90 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 CHILDREN’S ROOMS

NEAT AND TIDY

Ample storage is essential in achieving a tidy bed was an opportunity to be imaginative with
bedroom. It needs to be easy to access and not storage while also serving as a focal point.’ The
ŽËÃÖÙËëޘǑö‚½ë‚½˜ǑČËËÙǑÞւŽ˜ƜǑ`¨«ÞǑŽ½˜ö˜ÙǑ space beneath the steps creates an accessible
cabin bed is designed by Turner Pocock. ‘We bookshelf while the recess above the bed is useful
were determined to create as much storage as for items you don’t want little ones to get their
possible while maintaining a sense of fun,’ says hands on. ‘One of the drawers reveals a pull-out
founder and designer Emma Pocock. ‘The cabin trundle bed, perfect for sleepovers,’ adds Emma.

Cabin bed designed

by Turner Pocock.
Farrow & Ball’s
Selvedge is a similar,
laid-back blue
 LANDSCAPE
PAINTING
Look to nature to provide seasonal colour palette
inspiration. This month, we love saltwater seascapes

ynamic and dramatic, calm waiting and entrance space and fabrics, where glacial greens

D the wintry sea, skies and

escarpments along our
shorelines provide a
or a striking reception.
These commanding colours need
to be artfully balanced in suitable
suggest ripples and ice crystals.
In this mysterious palette, a slightly
pearlescent or metallic element will
LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY

captivating palette to explore for tones and pigments to make a friendly bring texture and a luxurious edge
our homes. Oceanic sprays meld with rather than frosty feel. Here, the hero – perhaps in trimmings or gleaming
the coastal terrain to inspire décor, shade is a deep marine blue, used to hardware. Choose chalky tones to
either as evocative tonal layers or as warm up the scheme, such as the crag
FEATURE SARA BIRD

”˜ċĘǑ‚ÙŽ¨«æ˜Žæëق½Ǒ”˜æ‚«½ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
¨‚Ä”ÞËØǑ¨«£¨½«£¨æÞƜǑT˜Č˜Žæ«ö˜ǑËÙǑ woodwork. The shadowy shade ebbs greys featured here in the dappled
rousing, the soulful aquatic shades away from the eyeline, making the rug. Suiting a room with either an east
are suited to rooms designed to host space seem larger. It is complemented or west orientation, the shades can
guests, whether that’s to create a by fragmented aquas on wallpapers look magical at sunrise and sunset.

92 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Wall in Sarita Wallcovering COUNTRY DECORATOR
in Dragonfly, £132.50 a roll;
bench seat in Ezri in Danube,
£147m; cushions covered in
(from left) Forenza in Sea
Holly, £83.50m, Ezri in Danube,
£147m, Dune in Amazonite,
£45m, all Romo

THE PAINT PALETTE

Evoke the power and
presence of wintry coastal
colours in a decorative Marshwood Green pure matt, Gull’s Wing No.31 matt Croft matt emulsion,
scheme by matching icy £28 for 1ltr, Fenwick emulsion, £59 for 2.5ltr, from £74 for 2.5ltr,
& Tilbrook Designers Guild Francesca’s Paints
oceanic greens and rock-
grain greys with molten
metallic highlights.

Reseda pure flat emulsion, Aged Bronze matt emulsion, Three Farm Green absolute matt
£60 for 2.5ltr, from £20.75 for 0.94ltr, emulsion, £57.50 for 2.5ltr,
Paint & Paper Library Benjamin Moore Little Greene

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 93

 ‘I manifested
my dream home’
A thoughtfully curated riot of colour infuses Sophie Robinson’s Sussex
cottage, its maximalist style matching her spirited personality. Here,
Þ¨˜ǑÞ¨‚Ù˜ÞǑ¨˜ÙǑö«Þ낽«Þ‚æ«ËÄǑæÙ«ŽºǑæËǑċĔ«Ä£ǑÿËëÙǑË÷ÄǑ”Ù˜‚ÃǑ¨ËØ

ophie Robinson, by her own admission, is bonkers

S for colour. The designer has been eating, sleeping

and breathing all things ‘home’ for 25 years,
creating thousands of rooms, presenting TV shows
and collaborating with popular interiors brands, to bring
her own, colour-to-the-max style to everything she touches.
In 2015, having been a long-time city dweller, Sophie
yearned to give her young son Arthur the sort of idyllic,
countryside upbringing she had experienced. ‘I longed for
him to have the privilege of living with nature and lots of
space, so the search was on for a house; one that wasn’t listed,
so we could do our own thing.’
House searches usually start with maps and estate agents’
÷˜Þ«æ˜ÞƝǑëæǑYËÖ¨«˜Ǒ¨‚ÞǑ‚Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑ‚ÖÖÙ˂Ž¨ǑæËǑċĔ«Ä£Ǒ
a dream home – one that begins in the heart and mind.
Visualising how a property looks and feels, the essential
qualities, however idiosyncratic, that make it your ideal, will
guide you on a journey to a place that will make you happy,
‚Ä”Ǒ«Ä¢ËÙÃǑ樘Ǒ”˜ŽËقæ«Ä£Ǒ”˜Ž«Þ«ËÄÞǑ樂æǑċ½½Ǒ«æǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ·ËÿƜǑ
*æǑæË˺ǑYËÖ¨«˜Ǒ‚Ǒÿ˜‚ÙǑæËǑċĔǑ¨˜ÙǑ”Ù˜‚ÃǑ¨ËØƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ«æǑ
”˜ċī昽ÿǑ÷‚ÞÄǁæǑ½Ëö˜Ǒ‚æǑċÙÞæǑÞ«£¨æƜǑǀ*æǑ¨‚”Ǒ룽ÿǑůŷŶŮÞǑ
˜þæ˜ÄÞ«ËÄÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ‚ǑŽ‚ٍëĎ½˜ǑË¢Ǒ‚Ǒ£‚Ù‚£˜Ǒ÷‚ÞǑ樘ǑċÙÞæǑ樫ģǑ
you saw coming up the drive,’ she says. But despite its
imperfections, the house’s setting was everything. Nestled
among sweeping lawns, a weeping willow and pond,
Sophie had the vision to turn the place into one they could
grow to love. ‘We bought with my mum,’ she explains, ‘and
the fact that there was an outbuilding we could convert into
a home for her clinched the deal.’
Rather than replacing the house’s tatty conservatory with
the big kitchen extension they’d initially intended, a less
expensive upgrade option was completed just last year.
‘The existing kitchen was tiny, dark and cramped, facing
north and overlooking the driveway,’ she says. ‘I got quite
down about it. We should have been enjoying beautiful
views at the other side of the house, but didn’t have the ª

FOLLOW YOUR DREAM nature, with capacity to add a

Moving to the country, Sophie living space for her mum. This
visualised a house surrounded by house ticked all the boxes

94 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

DREAM HOME
 ċĂϘÞǑæËǑŽ‚ÙÙÿǑËëæǑ樘ǑÖ½‚ÄƜǁǑ
Ǒ÷˜½ŽËØǑÙ‚«Ä÷‚ö˜Ǒ
changed everything. Realising they didn’t actually need
more space, Sophie moved the kitchen into the barely used
living room, on the house’s sunny, south side. ‘It was a
resounding success, cost a fraction of the extension price
‚Ä”Ǒ÷˜ǑÄË÷Ǒ¨‚ö˜Ǒ‚Ǒ½«£¨æƳċ½½˜”Ǒº«æŽ¨˜ÄƳ”«Ä˜ÙƝǑ‚ÞǑ÷˜½½Ǒ‚ÞǑ
a made-over conservatory for the adjacent sitting room.
As homemakers, we have developed an extend-obsessed
mentality, but that’s not always the right path.’
Sophie’s vision for the interior decoration of her home
÷‚ÞǑ‚ǑŽËͫĂæ«ËÄǑË¢Ǒæ÷ËǑ«ÄČë˜ÄŽ˜ÞǑƵǑ樘ǑċÙÞæǑ˜«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ
ČËقǑ‚Ä”Ǒ¢‚ëĂǑËëæÞ«”˜Ǒ¨˜ÙǑ÷«Ä”Ë÷ƜǑǀ`¨˜Ǒ¨ËëޘǑ÷‚ÞǑË루æǑ
¢ËÙǑ«æÞǑޘææ«Ä£ƝǑ樘ǑËَ¨‚Ù”ƝǑ樘Ǒ÷«½”ČË÷˜ÙÞǑ«ÄǑ樘Ǒċ˜½”ƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
we wanted to create harmony with that.’ Her personal style
and love of colour was the other main driver. ‘Country style
«ÞǑË¢æ˜ÄǑƾÞ더똔ǑŽËëÄæÙÿƿƝǑëæǑ*Ǒ”ËÄǁæǑċĔǑÃë昔ǑÞ¨‚”˜ÞǑ
uplifting or energising. I like joyful, vibrant schemes, so
my focus was to work within the parameters of the country-
house aesthetic, channeled through art, clothes and even my
nail polish shade. I know which colours resonate with me
and those I’ll enjoy living with.’
Asked how she might describe her home if it was listed
PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY

on a dating app, Sophie divulges: ‘Adventurous spirit,

FEATURE RUTH CORBETT

ޘÄޘǑË¢Ǒ¨ëÃËëÙƝǑÞˎ«‚½˜ƝǑ¢ëÄƳ½Ëö«Ä£Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ”˜ċī昽ÿǑËëæǑ
of the ordinary!’ In other words, her perfect match.

ENERGISED SPACE Think Sophie, who has decorated

about the colours you love and the interiors in her signature
will enjoy living with, advises uplifting and colourful style

96 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 DREAM HOME

How to visualise
your dream home
Designers are continually walking
through spaces in their heads, imagining
how a project might evolve. Here,
Sophie takes us though her guided
visualisation technique, to help shake
off our interior design insecurities and
develop our own creative mindset.
OFind a quiet space, close your eyes and
allow your mind to drift to a beautiful
woodland clearing. Imagine the colours,
the scents and sounds, the grass under
your feet, the sun on your face.
OMentally walk around in this space,
noticing things you love as you take
the journey towards the home your
heart desires. Don’t allow restrictions
of location, budget or partner’s ideas
to knock you off course. This is a
sky’s-the-limit fantasy where whatever
you want to come home to is possible.
Think about what your dream
O

neighbourhood looks like. Is it urban, on

the coast, or deep in the countryside?
Drift around this area in your head,
filling it with your ideal characteristics.
As you approach the front door of
O

your dream home, visualise its colour

and what the porch is like. Are there
flowers around it, or is there a stone
pathway leading up to it?
OEnter the hallway, imagining the
textures you’d like to see, the colours,
the tiles on the floor. Walk up the stairs
to the bedroom. Open your wardrobe
and feel the clothing hanging inside.
Envisage where the shoes are stowed,
what scents are on the dressing table.
Continue this imaginary walkthrough
into the other rooms.
OAllow yourself to realise that once you
know what you desire, you can move
forward with confidence and clarity,
taking cues from this meditation to use
in real life. The visualisation will help you
manifest that. You’ll recognise that your
home can be the foundation of a life of
creativity, happiness, inspiration and
joy. But you have to see it before you
can make it happen.
Sophie Robinson’s new Masterclass:
How to Create A Maximalist Interior,
can be found at sophierobinson.co.uk

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 97

Barnfield Sand tiles, BATHROOM TILES
£65.28sq m;
Spitalfields basin,
£395; Bournbrook

THE ART
mono basin mixer
with cross heads,
£475, all Claybrook

OF TILING
`٘‚æǑ樘Ǒ÷‚½½ÞǑ‚Ä”ǑČËËÙǑË¢ǑÿËëÙǑ‚æ¨ÙËËÃǑ
‚ÞǑ‚Ǒ½‚ĺǑŽ‚Äö‚ÞƝǑ٘‚”ÿǑæËǑ˜ǑæقÄÞ¢ËÙؔǑ
÷«æ¨Ǒ樘ǑÞ«ÃÖ½˜Ǒ‚””«æ«ËÄǑË¢Ǒ˜‚ëæ«¢ë½Ǒ櫽˜Þ

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
Tiles with a handmade look have artisanal beauty, adding brick-shaped or square tile can be used alone in a simple
personality to a bathroom design. Rob Whitaker, creative pattern to create a classic look, Rob suggests combining
director of Claybrook, recommends selecting such tiles in two formats to accentuate their handmade aesthetic and
biscuit-toned, clay or pale plaster hues to accentuate their ֘٢˜Žæ½ÿǑ«Ã֘٢˜ŽæǑÞæÿ½˜ƜǑ`¨«ÞǑŽ‚ÄǑ˜Ǒ˜Þ֘Ž«‚½½ÿǑ˜Ĉ˜Žæ«ö˜Ǒ
warmth. ‘Taupes and earthy beiges feel more cocooning if the surface and edges of the tiles are slightly undulating
for spaces like bath and shower rooms,’ he says. While a and if their colours vary, as here. ª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 99

Zen marble grand
basket weave
mosaic, £304.42sq
m, Ca’Pietra.
Bathroom design by
Simply Bathrooms
(Surrey) Ltd

MARVELLOUS MOSAIC
Cloakrooms are often compact spaces, so why not have and walls – the space is timeless and elegant but with
ÞËØǑ¢ëÄǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘«ÙǑ”˜Þ«£ÄƣǑǀ
ǑÃËނ«ŽǑČËËÙǑւææ˜ÙÄǑ‚””ÞǑ enough personality to make plenty of impact.’ Mosaics
visual texture, and here it has been laid with a brick border are more costly per square metre than ‘standard’ tiles, due
that almost makes the mosaic feel like a rug,’ says Grazzie to the intricacy of their manufacture, so it may mean they
Wilson, head of creative at Ca’Pietra. ‘The umber red wall are best used in a smaller area. They are typically supplied
ւĘ½½«Ä£ǑÙ˜‚ºÞǑëÖǑ樘ǑŽËÄæقÞæ«Ä£Ǒւææ˜ÙÄÞǑË¢Ǒ樘ǑČËËÙǑ on mesh sheets, making installation easier and quicker.

100 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 BATHROOM TILES

Nebula Green
glazed basalt tiles,
£165.83sq m; Fired
Earth Aegean pink
marble herringbone
mosaic, £159.28sq
m, all Hyperion Tiles

INTO THE MIX

‘Take contrast and balance into account when mixing tiles,’ soft pink.’ The colour wheel is a simple tool that can help:
advises Richard Skeoch, director of Hyperion Tiles. ‘Pick colours that sit opposite on the wheel provide contrast,
one dominant colour for larger spaces, such as the walls, while those that sit next to each other create harmony. A
then another colour – in this case, green – for contrast,’ he Þ«ÃÖ½˜Ǒ÷¨«æ˜ǑŽËëÄæ˜ÙæËÖǑ‚Ä”ǑÞ¨˜½¢Ǒ¢Ù‚ØǑ‚Ä”Ǒ”˜ċĘǑ樘Ǒ櫽˜Ǒ
continues. ‘A splashback in the non-dominant colourway areas for a polished result. ‘Add more depth to your design
will add interest and complement the main shade; here, the ÷«æ¨Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑ櫽˜ÞǑÞ«Ą˜ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒւææ˜ÙÄÞƝǁǑÞ룣˜ÞæÞǑT«Ž¨‚Ù”ƜǑª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 101

Brixton Mint gloss
porcelain tiles,
£48sq m; Clay Ivory
matt porcelain
floor tiles, from
£53.60sq m, both
Mandarin Stone

PHOTOGRAPHER OLI DOUGLAS

COLOUR BLOCK BOOST

An injection of colour can lift a bathroom design, adding creating an unusual pattern to suit your space and
warmth and interest to a room that sometimes tends accentuate its individuality, while gradations of colour
towards the clinical. ‘This staggered herringbone tile Ž‚ÄǑ˜Ǒëޘ”ǑæËǑŽÙ˜‚æ˜Ǒ‚ǑޘÄޘǑË¢Ǒ”˜Öæ¨ƜǑö˜ÄǑ樘ǑċÄ«Þ¨ǑŽ‚ÄǑ
layout in a soft green shade, full of character, acts as a be chosen according to the desired impact: here, the gloss
feature wall,’ explains Louisa Morgan, marketing director ÞëÙ¢‚Ž˜ǑË¢Ǒ樘Ǒ櫽˜ÞǑ¨˜½ÖÞǑæËǑÙ˜Č˜ŽæǑ½«£¨æǑ‚ÙËëĔǑ樘ǑÙËËÃǑ
of Mandarin Stone. Brick-shaped tiles are ideal for and enhance the sense of space.

102 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 BATHROOM TILES

`«½˜Ǒæ«ÖÞ
Check suitability before
purchase to ensure that the
tiles can be used in wet areas,
as materials vary in their
porosity. Some tiles may
require sealing, some tiles
are suitable for use on walls
only. Look out for anti-slip
tiles for bathroom floors.
Stones, such as marble,
have a natural beauty and
uniqueness that’s hard to
beat, but their porosity
means sealing and ongoing
maintenance is likely to
be required to keep them
looking their best. Porcelain
tiles have become the
stand-out option for
bathrooms, since they are
virtually non-porous,
scratch- and stain-resistant,
and available in a variety of
designs, including stone
effects and artisanal looks.
Tile suppliers typically
suggest ordering a minimum
of 10% extra to allow for
cutting, breakages and
possible future repairs, and
15% extra for intricate
patterns and layouts.
Grout, sealants, adhesives
and trim need to be factored
into the budget.
Marrakesh Bejmat
handmade tiles in
Pure White and
Indigo, £149sq m,
Bert & May

MAKING AN IMPACT
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE

Experimenting with geometric pattern can add a dynamic in a diagonal formation,’ he explains. ‘Alternatively,
and playful touch to a bathroom design, especially if used by placing the tiles in a zigzag pattern with the ends cut
ËÄǑ樘ǑČËËÙǑ‚Ä”Ǒ樘ÄǑÙëÄÄ«Ä£ǑËÄǑëÖǑ樘Ǒ÷‚½½ÞƜǑǀ*æǑŽ‚ÄǑŽÙ˜‚æ˜Ǒ at a 45-degree angle, an inverted “V” shape forms, creating
a sense of movement and direction, making the space feel ‚ǑŽ½‚ÞÞ«ŽǑŽ¨˜öÙËÄǑւææ˜ÙÄƜǁǑ`ÙÿǑëÞ«Ä£ǑŽËÄæقÞæ«Ä£ǑŽË½ËëÙÞǒƵǑ
much larger than it is,’ says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert ¨˜Ù˜ƝǑ樘ÿǑ‚ŽŽ˜Äæë‚æ˜Ǒ樘ǑË½”Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄǑË¢Ǒ樘ǑČËËÙƝǑ÷«æ¨ǑËĘǑ
& May. ‘The easiest option is to simply lay rectangular tiles colour picked out for the half-height tiled walls.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 103

 DIVE IN!
Discover hot trends and inspirational ideas to transform your
bathroom, from brassware to basins and everything in between

TOUCH OF LUXE
More choice in compact freestanding baths allows for that
all-important statement feature in any bathroom, whatever
its size. The Slipp bath, L1590mm, £2,086, BC Designs

104 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 BATHROOM TRENDS

BRASSWARE THAT ELEVATES

Copper, soft gold and brass finishes for taps,
showers and fixtures add warmth and jewel-like
detailing to bathroom design.

Rainshower SmartActive
130 Cube hand shower with
three sprays in Brushed Warm
Sunset, £188, Grohe

Origin
floor-mounted
bath mixer in
Soft Copper,
£1,480, Vitra

TEXTURE
Touch is an important sense often
overlooked in bathroom design. But
ÄËǑÃË٘ǑƵǑ½Ë˺ǑËëæǑ¢ËÙǑČë昔ǑċÄ«Þ¨˜ÞǑËÄ
furniture, plus rugs and tactile tiles.
Hoxton two-hole
Stratto vanity unit in Dusky Blue with wall-mounted basin
mixer in Brushed

washbasin, 600mm, £1,219, Tissino

Brass, £209, Britton

COLOURFUL
VANITIES
Joyful colour has been
embraced as an upbeat
interiors trend – and
now va-va-voom vanities
in various shades bring
the look to bathrooms.
From soft pinks to
punchy orange, single-
colour schemes to bold
mixes, this is a great way
to boost the impact of
your bathing space.
Bespoke vanity by Studio
HÁM, painted in Benjamin
Moore Orange Blossom, in
a design by K&H Design ª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 105

 DEEP & DARK
Moody hues align with the trend for indulgent, spa-like bathrooms with
an inviting, cocooning feel. Left: Grosvenor freestanding bath-shower mixer
in Chrome, £1,040, JTP. Right: White Tulip bath, £7,139; Wave freestanding
bath-shower mixer in Polished Gold, £1,866, both Duravit

SHAPELY BASINS
Make an eye-catching feature of the humble
washbasin with an interesting design.

Nib glazed
steel basin in
Matt Black,
£856, Alape

Ilbagnoalessi Oval
ceramic basin in Matt
FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM/BRENT DARBY
FEATURE AMELIA THORPE PHOTOGRAPH

Coffee, £1,156, Laufen

Elle & James

NATURAL TRANQUILLIT Y Ferla concrete
basin in Blush
Organic materials accentuate the role of the Pink, from
bathroom as a calm place to rejuvenate and £828, Ripples
restore. Silver Travertine Limestone shelf,
from £480sq m, Cullifords

106 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 BATHROOM TRENDS

CLEVER STORAGE
Make use of every millimetre with a cunning
shower solution for shampoo and soap.
Square shower niche in Brushed Brass, from
£160, Crosswater

STATEMENT RADIATORS
The latest metal finishes are now available on towel
warmers for an eye-catching look to co-ordinate
with taps, showerheads and robe hooks. Vibe towel
radiator in Brushed Bronze, from £450, Scudo

TIMELESS WITH A TWIST

A modern take on a classic design,
such as a traditional marble
washstand, can add character to any
bathroom. The Charleston washstand,
£9,900, Catchpole & Rye

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 107

 COCOONING
WARMTH
This compact en-suite bathroom
has been turned into a haven
of relaxation with a characterful
design by the experts at
West One Bathrooms

108 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 BATHROOM INSPIRATION

THE START
No stranger to a
design challenge,
Louise Ashdown,
showroom manager
and head of design at
West One Bathrooms,
found herself faced
with an unusual project.
‘The house dates back
to the 16th century and
it is an absolutely idyllic
setting in the Ashdown
Forest in East Sussex,’
she says. ‘The owners
wanted a total rethink
of their en suite, which
was in a particularly
tricky long and narrow
space. And the style
needed to be in keeping
with the character and
age of their home.’

THE BRIEF BATH AND VANIT Y DECISIONS

The existing en-suite bathroom included a Louise realised there could be a luxe alternative Opposite Angled
small built-in bath, WC and pedestal basin. to the existing bath. By selecting a compact into the dormer
‘The owners wanted a luxurious and cocooning freestanding bath – a contemporary take on window, the
retreat; somewhere to unwind after work,’ a traditional copper tub – and positioning it an 1,350mm-long
tub fits beautifully
recalls Louise. ‘They particularly wanted to angle, she was able to make it into a indulgent into the space
include a shower in the new design, but they had focal point on entering the room. ‘The design This page A round
been unable to work out where it might go, has lots of impact and its angle brings it more mirror storage
thanks to the awkward shape of the room, the into the centre of the space,’ she says. The bath cabinet offsets
large chimney breast that juts into the space and also partially conceals the WC, which is tucked the linear design
of the vanity
the sloping ceilings.’ They contacted Louise away behind it. Opposite, a streamlined vanity and complements
and decided to invest money in a design that delivers contemporary elegance without the shape of the
made the very best use of the existing space. obstructing the walkway through the room. ª chimney breast

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 109

 SHOWER SOLUTION COLOUR PALETTE
This page A bespoke ‘They had toyed with the idea of widening the The owners decided to invest money in
shower door opens central dormer window to create a larger area ˜‚ëæ«¢ë½Ǒċææ«Ä£ÞǑ¢ËÙǑ樘«ÙǑÞւŽ˜ƜǑ ÙËÄĄ˜Ǒæ‚ÖÞǑ
to a carefully tanked with good head height for a shower,’ explains add to the moody feel, echoed in the choice
wet room floor. Louise. ‘But planning restrictions meant that of dark olive painted walls and ceiling. To
Opposite, top The
painted cupboard it would have been very expensive.’ Her solution complete the design, decorative waterproof
doors are thought to was to use an alcove beyond the chimney breast, wallpaper introduces a quirky touch, complete
date back almost a previously the site of the WC, for the shower. ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚ǑČ‚Ã«Ä£ËǑÖ½‚ÿ¢ë½½ÿǑÖËÖÖ«Ä£ǑëÖǑ‚Ëö˜Ǒ樘Ǒ
century Bottom left Although the space is only 850mm wide at the bath. ‘It’s tempting to think that lots of white will
A chic antique table lowest level, it reaches a comfortable 1,400mm make a room feel larger, but sometimes it just
draws the eye
Bottom right The at the top, thanks to the angle of the chimney creates a bland or sterile feel,’ says Louise, ‘Here,
towel warmer was breast. ‘This means there is plenty of room to the rich colour echoes the forest setting of the
custom finished move your arms to wash your hair,’ says Louise. house and adds depth and cocooning warmth.’

SOURCEBOOK
OMastello bath with
Liquid Copper exterior
finish, £13,077
OLandmark Industrial

floor-mounted
bath-shower mixer in
City Bronze, £9,048
OStyle Moderne City

Bronze three-hole basin

mixers, £2,280 per set,
and thermostatic valves,
overhead deluge shower
head and handset, £5,880
OBespoke shower door

and panel, £4,092

OSimilar bespoke vanity,

from £7,000
OBento Starck Box WC,

£1,089
OI Catini Round Box mirror

cabinet in Bronze, £2,325

OTowel warmer in bespoke

finish, £2,895
ODelta pendant lights,

£195 each
OSang Réal Ibis bespoke

wet system wallpaper,

from £250m
OPetrology 10 porcelain

floor and wall tiles,

PHOTOGRAPHS PAUL CRAIG

£157sq m; all above items,

FEATURE AMELIA THORPE

West One Bathrooms

OAntique table with

marble top, client’s own

OOlive Stone emulsion

in Messel, £83 for

2.5ltr, Mylands

110 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

BATHROOM INSPIRATION
 In the frame
*Ď٘‚Þ˜Ǒ樘Ǒ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄŽÿǑ‚Ä”Ǒ«ÄÞ뽂æ«ËÄǑË¢ǑÿËëÙǑ¨ËØƝǑ‚ÞǑ÷˜½½Ǒ
‚ÞǑ«æÞǑ‚˜Þ樘櫎Ǒ‚Ö֘‚½ƝǑ÷«æ¨ǑĘ÷Ǒ÷«Ä”Ë÷Þ

he right windows can transform your Dollar, managing director at The Sash Window

T home’s appearance, elevating its look

both inside and out. But upgrading to
ÃË٘Ǒ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄæǑ”˜Þ«£ÄÞǑ‚½ÞËǑŽÙ˜‚æ˜ÞǑ‚Ǒ
warmer home and helps cut energy bills.
Above left
Workshop. ‘Depending on the type of timber
you choose, the warranty will often be longer
than plastic windows – for example, an Accoya
window will come with a 50-year anti-rot
guarantee, but it should give a service life of
MATERIAL MATTERS Georgian-style, at least 60 years with sensible maintenance.’
With a warm aesthetic, timber is the ideal choice double-glazed, OMetal windows – typically aluminium or steel
Accoya sash
FEATURE HOLLY REANEY

for the majority of country homes. ‘Timber windows by The – are the other big contender. Aluminium is a
windows add value to an older property, Sash Window great choice for large windows or glazed walls,
maintaining or improving the character, and, Workshop especially those on extensions, but needs to be
as timber is a naturally insulating material, they Above right Bay resprayed or powder-coated to stay looking its
also provide excellent thermal performance, windows, Westbury best. Modern steel is a low-maintenance and
saving money on heating bills,’ says Richard Windows and Joinery highly durable choice. If galvanised and

112 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 RENOVATE OUTSIDE

PLANNING PERMISSION
ǀ ‚ޘØÄæǑ÷«Ä”Ë÷ÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ樘Ǒæق”«æ«ËĂ½Ǒ If you plan to replace inauthentic windows or
ċæǑ½«º˜Ƴ¢ËÙƳ½«º˜Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄÞƝǑ«ÄǑÃËÞæǑŽ‚Þ˜ÞƝǑÖ½‚ÄÄ«Ä£Ǒ
permission is not necessary. The exceptions
Ž¨Ë«Ž˜Ǒ¢ËÙǑÙëق½ǑÖÙË֘Ù櫘ÞƝǑ÷«æ¨Ǒނި˜ÞǑ are for conservation areas and for listed homes,
which need additional consents. All new
windows must comply with building
ÖËÖ뽂ÙǑ«ÄǑ£Ù‚Ä”˜ÙǑ¨ËØÞƜǑ9Ë˺Ǒ‚æǑÿËëÙǑ regulations, and the installer must be registered
÷«æ¨Ǒ!@Y
ƜǑFϘǑ樘Ǒ÷ËÙºǑ«ÞǑŽËÃÖ½˜æ˜ƝǑ樘Ǒ
Ę«£¨ËëÙǁÞǑ¨ËëޘǑæËǑޘ˜Ǒ«¢ǑÿËëÙÞǑÂ推ǁǑ «ÄÞ悽½˜ÙǑÞ¨Ë뽔ǑޘĔǑÿËëǑ‚Ǒ!@Y
ǑŽ˜Ùæ«ċŽ‚æ˜ƝǑ
which you will need if you sell the property.

TRICKLE VENTS
polyester-powder coated, steel windows will This depends on whether your existing windows
often outlast the building into which they are already have trickle vents – a small opening
«ÄÞ悽½˜”ƝǑº«Ä£Ǒ樘ÃǑö˜ÙÿǑŽËÞæƳ˜Ĉ˜Žæ«ö˜ƜǑ at the top that provides natural ventilation. If
OUPVCǑÖÙËö«”˜ÞǑ‚ǑÃË٘Ǒ‚ĈËٔ‚½˜Ǒ‚½æ˜ÙĂæ«ö˜Ǒ they do, the replacements must also have them,
although it is better suited to more contemporary but if not, then the replacement windows do
homes – look for quality timber-alternative not necessarily have to have them either. It is
designs such as those from Residence Collection possible to include them discreetly in window
or Sash Window UK’s Rose Collection, which ”˜Þ«£ÄÞƟǑ¢ËÙǑ˜þ‚ÃÖ½˜ƝǑÿǑċææ«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒö˜ÄæÞǑ«ÄæËǑ
have a high-end wood-look. the head of a sash window box.

GLAZED WONDER COSTING UP

In order to comply with building regulations, Many factors play into the budgeting of new
ÃËÞæǑĘ÷Ǒ÷«Ä”Ë÷ÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒċæ昔Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ”Ë덽˜Ǒ windows, including size, design, glazing,
£½‚Ą«Ä£Ǒ¢ËÙǑ«ÄŽÙ˜‚Þ˜”Ǒ˜Ä˜Ù£ÿǑ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄŽÿƜǑ ¨˜ŽºǑ materials and complexity of installation. When
樂æǑÿËëÙǑ«ÄÞ悽½˜ÙǑ«ÞǑċææ«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ˜ÞæǑËÖæ«ËÄƜǑǀ`¨˜Ǒ costing a project always get several quotes, with
ÃËÞæǑ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄæǑ£½‚ÞÞǑ«ÞǑ9Ë÷ǑǑÞË¢æŽË‚æƝǑÞ뎨Ǒ‚ÞǑ ‚ǑÙ˜‚º”Ë÷ÄǑË¢Ǒ÷¨‚æǁÞǑ«ÄŽ½ë”˜”ƝǑ¢ÙËÃǑ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑ
Planitherm or Pilkington S1. When made into companies – ideally involving an in-person
”Ë덽˜Ǒ£½‚Ą«Ä£ǑëÄ«æÞƝǑ‚½ËÄ£Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ
Ù£ËÄǑ£‚ÞǑċ½½ƝǑ assessment. ‘As a very rough guide, you would
this will provide the best possible insulation, be looking at a starting price of about £2,900 for
preventing heat loss while maintaining clarity,’ the manufacture and installation of a completely
explains Nigel Hockin, founder at GBS Joinery. new (including frame) Accoya sash window,
OSingle-glazed windows are common in ëæǑ樫ÞǑ÷Ë뽔Ǒ”˜Ö˜Ä”ǑËÄǑ˜þ‚ŽæǑÞ֘Ž«ċŽ‚æ«ËÄƝǁǑ
period properties with original windows. Single explains Richard. ‘If you just replaced the
£½‚Ą«Ä£Ǒ”˘ÞǑÄËæǑËĈ˜ÙǑւÙ櫎뽂ٽÿǑ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄæǑ sashes this would be considerably cheaper.’
insulation but it is sometimes a requisite for For comparison, the price for Clement
replacing windows in listed buildings or those q«Ä”Ë÷ÞǁǑ ŰŮǑÞ昘½ǑŽ‚ޘØÄæǑ÷«Ä”Ë÷ÞǑ«ÞǑ
in conservation areas. Secondary glazing – such approximately £2,000sq m (including
as that from Storm Bespoke Secondary Glazing installation) but there are lots of variables at
– can improve insulation in these cases. play including the number of windows, shape
OTriple glazing is heralded as the ultimate ‚Ä”Ǒ½ËŽ‚æ«ËÄƜǑ
½ëëīëÃǑ«ÞǑ‚ǑÃË٘Ǒ‚ĈËٔ‚½˜Ǒ
«ÄǑ˜Ä˜Ù£ÿǑ˜ĉŽ«˜ÄŽÿƝǑ÷«æ¨Ǒæ¨Ù˜˜Ǒ½‚ÿ˜ÙÞǑË¢Ǒ£½‚ÞÞǑ option; for example, the starting price for
ËĈ˜Ù«Ä£Ǒ«ÃÖÙËö˜”Ǒ«ÄÞ뽂æ«ËÄǑ‚Ä”ǑޘŽëÙ«æÿƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ Kloeber’s Kustom Window is £540, with
reduced condensation. ‘But right now, the cost installation fees on top of
of triple glazing outweighs the performance this. UPVC windows start
improvement,’ says Rob Owens, founder of SOURCEBOOK at around £200 each for
Westbury Windows and Joinery. ‘Until triple SASH WINDOW WORKSHOP 樘ǑŽ¨˜‚Ö˜ÞæǑËĈƳ樘ƳÞ¨˜½¢Ǒ
glazing is being manufactured in more glass sashwindow.com models, while Residence
factories and becomes more competitive in STORM BESPOKE SECONDARY Collection’s timber-look
cost, it is not a viable option for most GLAZING stormwindows.co.uk windows are supplied and
homeowners.’ The rewards from triple glazing CLEMENT WINDOWS installed at approximately
also depend on where you live – the milder the clementwindows.co.uk £1,400 for double glazing
Ž½«Ã‚æ˜ƝǑ樘Ǒ½˜ÞÞǑ˜Ä˜ċŽ«‚½Ǒ樘ÿǑ‚Ù˜Ɯ GBS JOINERY gbsjoinery.co.uk or £1,600 for triple glazing.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 113

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˜Ä¨‚ÄŽ«Ä£ǑÿËëÙǑ¨ËØƝǑÿËëǁ٘Ǒº«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑŽËÄގ«ËëÞǑŽ¨Ë«Ž˜Ǒ
¢ËÙǑ樘ǑÖ½‚ĘæƜǑËÄǁæǑëÞÞǑËëæǑËÄǑ樘ޘǑ˜þŽ½ëÞ«ö˜Ǒނö«Ä£ÞǑ
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114 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 Note
worthy
A ‘commonplace book’ was used throughout Roman,
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS

medieval and Renaissance times as a place to record

PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY

notes, ideas and quotations. Now it’s seeing a surge in

ÖËÖ뽂٫æÿǑ‚ÞǑ÷˜Ǒޘ˜ºǑ‚ÄǑËĈƳގ٘˜ÄǑ÷‚ÿǑæËǑŽË½½˜ŽæǑËëÙǑ
thoughts. Leave a page for contents at the front and
another for an index at the back, then simply jot down
inspirational or memorable ideas in themed sections.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 115

 Olga working on Connections,
a triptych created for Collect
Open in 2023, made using silver
birch twigs and riceflower

‘I’m reconstructing the

designs of nature
in my embroidery’
Ù«˜”ǑČË÷˜ÙǑ˜ÃÙË«”˜Ù˜ÙƝǑF½£‚ǑQ٫ĺë

116 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 CAREER SHIFT

lga Prinku has always been inquisitive. And one can take up to six weeks to complete. ‘I’m essentially

O it’s this curiosity, teamed with an eye for detail

and a deep appreciation for nature, that set
¨˜ÙǑËÄǑ樘Ǒւæ¨ǑË¢Ǒ”Ù«˜”ǑČË÷˜ÙǑ˜ÃÙË«”˜ÙÿƜǑ
One spring day she had been pottering in her garden in
North Yorkshire when the green shoots of an idea started
deconstructing the designs of nature, and reconstructing
them in new ways,’ says Olga. ‘Being a completely new
craft, there was so much scope to explore and learn.’
After posting her creations on Instagram, Olga soon
gained a large following and began selling small pieces
to emerge. ‘I picked up a garden sieve and experimented and DIY embroidery kits from her website. Her exquisite
with using it as a frame for a wreath, tucking in the stems creations also caught the eye of a publisher and her book
of foliage through the mesh. It crossed my mind that I Dried Flower Embroidery: An Introduction to the Art of Flowers
could do the same thing with tulle fabric stretched across on Tulle (£15, Quadrille) was published in 2021, featuring
an embroidery hoop,’ she explains. ‚Ǒޘ½˜Žæ«ËÄǑË¢ǑÞæ˜ÖƳÿƳÞæ˜ÖǑÖÙË·˜ŽæÞƜǑ"ق”낽½ÿƝǑ÷¨‚æǑ
F½£‚Ǒ˜£‚ÄǑ˜þ֘٫ØÄæ«Ä£Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ¢Ù˜Þ¨ǑČË÷˜ÙÞƝǑëæǑÞËËÄǑ started as a hobby blossomed into a career. Today Olga is a
ÄË櫎˜”Ǒ¨Ë÷Ǒ樘Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄǑŽ¨‚Ä£˜”Ǒ‚ÞǑ樘ǑČË÷˜ÙÞǑ‚£˜”ƝǑÞËǑ full-time artist and has built an impressive portfolio. In
Þ¨˜ǑÞ÷«æŽ¨˜”ǑæËǑëÞ«Ä£Ǒ”Ù«˜”ǑČË÷˜ÙÞǑ¢ËÙǑ¨˜ÙǑÖÙË·˜ŽæÞƜǑǀ*Ǒ ŰŮŰŲƝǑÞ¨˜Ǒ¨‚”Ǒ¨˜ÙǑċÙÞæǑËö˜Ùޘ‚ÞǑ˜þ¨««æǑ‚æǑ樘ǑÖ٘Þæ«£«ËëÞǑ
Ù‚ÄŽ¨˜”Ǒ«ÄæËǑ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑĂæëق½ǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞƝǑÞ뎨Ǒ‚ÞǑ£Ù‚ÞޘÞƝǑ 'ËÃËǑ!‚˜ÙǑ«ÄǑp˜Ä«Ž˜ƝǑ‚ÞǑ÷˜½½Ǒ‚ÞǑ¨˜ÙǑċÙÞæǑÞ˽ËǑ˜þ¨««æ«ËÄǑª
seedheads, berries and leaves. I experimented with
”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑ÷‚ÿÞǑË¢Ǒ‚æ悎¨«Ä£Ǒ樘ޘǑËÄæËǑæë½½˜Ǒ¢‚Ù«ŽƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
Middle Olga working on Autumn Above Olga created Whispers
÷«æ¨Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑ”˜Þ«£ÄÞƝǁǑÞ¨˜ǑނÿÞƜǑeÞ«Ä£ǑĂæë٘Ǒ‚ÞǑ¨˜ÙǑ Roses, created for the Making for the ‘Love’ room in the
thread, and a huge amount of concentration, she now Paradise exhibition at the Aga Homo Faber Journey of Life
creates intricate tapestries from her home studio. Each Khan Centre Gallery, London exhibition 2024 in Venice

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 117

 ‚æǑ'«”ŽËæ˜Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄǑ«ÄǑ"½Ë뎘Þæ˜ÙÞ¨«Ù˜ƜǑ*ÄǑFŽæˍ˜ÙǑ樘ǑނØǑ attention to what grows where and how plants change
ÿ˜‚ÙƝǑÞ¨˜Ǒ÷‚ÞǑ‚ÄÄËëϘ”Ǒ‚ÞǑ‚ǑċĂ½«ÞæǑË¢Ǒ樘ǑSY`ǑƭS똘ÄǑ over the seasons, and I now notice the artistic potential
½«Ą‚˜æ¨ǑYŽ¨Ë½‚ÙÞ¨«ÖǑ`ÙëÞæƮǑY‚Ä”˜ÙÞËÄǑT«Þ«Ä£ǑYæ‚ÙǑ of plants that I once overlooked,’ she says. While nature
Craft Awards, which recognises emerging craft talent. «ÞǑ¨˜ÙǑ£Ù˜‚æ˜ÞæǑ«ÄÞ֫قæ«ËÄƝǑF½£‚ǁÞǑ¨˜Ù«æ‚£˜Ǒ«ÞǑ‚½ÞËǑ‚Ǒ·ËÙǑ
‘Working in graphic design gave me a helpful grounding «ÄČë˜ÄŽ˜ǑËÄǑ¨˜ÙǑ‚Ùæ÷ËÙºƜǑǀ*Ǒ£Ù˜÷ǑëÖǑ«ÄǑ樘ǑT˜Ö덽«ŽǑË¢Ǒ
«ÄǑŽËÃÖËÞ«æ«ËÄǑ‚Ä”ǑŽË½ËëÙƜǑ`¨˜Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄŽ˜Ǒ«ÞǑ樂æǑ˜¢Ë٘Ǒ Moldova, which has some distinctive folklore patterns
I was always working to a client’s brief, whereas now I can *ǑċĔǑ«ÄÞÖ«Ù«Ä£ƝǁǑÞ¨˜ǑނÿÞƜǑ
÷ËÙºǑËÄǑ‚ǑÖ«˜Ž˜ǑëÄ櫽Ǒ«æǑċæÞǑÃÿǑö«Þ«ËÄƜǁ @Ë÷ǑF½£‚Ǒ«ÞǑº«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑĂØǑ‚ÞǑ‚ÄǑ‚Ùæ«ÞæƝǑÞ¨˜ǁÞǑ˜Ä·Ëÿ«Ä£Ǒ
When creating a piece, Olga likes to let her work evolve embracing new opportunities. ‘I’ve been approached by
organically, losing herself in the process. ‘It’s a meditative galleries keen for me to push the boundaries of this art
˜þ֘٫˜ÄŽ˜ǑƵǑ*Ǒ˜Äæ˜ÙǑ‚ǑÞæ‚æ˜ǑË¢ǑČË÷ƝǁǑÞ¨˜Ǒ˜þÖ½‚«ÄÞƜǑǀ*æǑ¢˜˜½ÞǑ form, working with new materials and on larger scales,’
½«º˜Ǒ樘ǑČË÷˜ÙÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ£ë«”«Ä£ǑÃÿǑċÄ£˜ÙÞǑæËǑ÷¨˜Ù˜Ǒ樘ÿǑ÷‚ÄæǑ she says. ‘I started working freehand on embroidery hoops
to be placed.’ When it comes to materials, she buys some a few inches in diameter; now I’m often working on pieces
ready dried, while others she forages on walks or grows that are a metre across with a concept or story behind them,
in her garden. ‘I try not to deadhead anything because which involves a lot more planning.’
I’ve come to appreciate the beauty in seedheads. As a While her work suspends nature in the moment, Olga
graphic designer, all I needed was a Mac computer; now «ÞǑ½Ë˺«Ä£Ǒ¢ËÙǑ÷‚ÿÞǑæËǑ£ÙË÷Ǒ¨˜ÙǑŽÙ‚¢æǑ¢ËÙǑ¢ëæë٘ǑÖÙË·˜ŽæÞƜǑ
we have dandelions drying in the bathroom!’ ‘I like to bring something new to every piece, whether
Indeed, honing her craft has kindled an even deeper «ÄǑæ˜ÙÃÞǑË¢Ǒގ‚½˜ƝǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞƝǑւææ˜ÙÄƝǑËÙǑ«”˜‚ÞƜǁǑY¨˜Ǒ¨‚ÞǑ
love for nature and the outdoors. ‘I’ve started paying more ˜˜ÄǑ÷ËÙº«Ä£ǑËÄǑ‚Ǒǀ"ق¢æǁǑޘ٫˜ÞǑ”˜ǑëÞ«Ä£Ǒæ÷«£ÞƝǑ

118 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 CAREER SHIFT

ǀ*æǑ¢˜˜½ÞǑ½«º˜Ǒ樘ǑČË÷˜ÙÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ£ë«”«Ä£ǑÃÿ Reconnect with

nature with these
ċÄ£˜ÙÞǑæËǑ÷¨˜Ù˜Ǒ樘ÿǑ÷‚ÄæǑæËǑ˜ǑÖ½‚Ž˜”ǁ creative courses
TULLE EMBROIDERY WITH
NATURAL FLOWERS AND
PLANTS, OLGA PRINKU
Slow down and discover the mindful art
of dried flower embroidery from the
comfort of your own home with this
online tutorial by Olga Prinku herself.
This step-by-step downloadable course
is divided into 16 lessons in which Olga
guides you through the techniques and
process of weaving dried flowers onto
tulle. You’ll also learn how to dry the
flowers, prepare the hoop, and be
taught the methods for attaching them.
domestika.org
TALKS AND WORKSHOPS
WITH ARTIST ALICE FOX
Artist Alice Fox works with natural
fibres and gathered materials along
with techniques of natural dying, stitch,
weaving and soft basketry. Alice holds
online workshops and talks on creating
art with natural materials in which
she shares her personal approach
and techniques. Workshops include
‘Place Making’ – a series in which you
discover the natural beauty and artistic
potential in your local environment.
alicefox.co.uk
THREE-DAY EVERLASTING
inspired by branches, as well as experimenting with FLOWERS COURSE,
metal leaf backgrounds in her artwork. TALLULAH ROSE FLOWER
Like many artists, translating curiosity and creativity SCHOOL, KENDAL
into a sustainable business can be challenging. ‘It hasn’t If you’re a budding florist looking to
˜˜ÄǑ˜‚ÞÿǑæËǑ£ÙË÷Ǒ樘ǑëޫĘÞÞƜǑ`¨˜Ù˜Ǒ‚Ù˜Ǒ½ËæÞǑË¢Ǒ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜ÄæǑ extend the flower season or simply
strands and skills to learn,’ says Olga. ‘It takes a great deal have a crafty itch to scratch, why not
Ë¢Ǒæ«Ã˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ˜ĈËÙæǑæËǑŽÙ˜‚æ˜Ǒ樘ޘǑ‚Ùæ÷ËÙºÞƝǑÞËǑ*Ǒ¨‚ö˜ǑæËǑÖÙ«Ž˜Ǒ try the three-day Everlasting Flowers
them accordingly.’ Fortunately, her pieces have started to course at the Tallulah Rose Flower
ċĔǑ‚ǑÂٺ˜æǑ‚Ä”ǑÞ¨˜ǁÞǑËÖæ«Ã«Þ櫎Ǒ‚ÞǑÞ¨˜Ǒ½Ë˺ÞǑ‚¨˜‚”ƜǑǀ*Ǒ÷‚ÄæǑ School in Kendal? As well as learning
PHOTOGRAPHS INDIA HOBSON, OLGA PRINKU

to create works that inspire and bring positivity. I’m never how to source, care and condition
short of ideas so I’m hoping for continued opportunities dried flowers you’ll also make an array
to develop them and to see where they take me.’ of dried flower creations, from a
To see more of Olga’s work, buy a Flower on Tulle DIY hand-tied bouquet and table
FEATURE PIPPA BLENKINSOP

Embroidery kit, or book one of Olga’s workshops, visit centrepiece to a flower dome display.
prinku.com. Instagram @olgaprinku tallulahroseflowers.com

Above left Olga’s Arising Above Olga in her home studio

embroidery is part of her ‘Graft’ where she turns dried flowers and
series and was shown at her foliage into her distinctive and
exhibition at Hidcote garden intricately designed artwork

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 119

 ‘Our work is
all about love’
A deep respect for people and the planet, as well as each other,
underpins life and business for ethical entrepreneur
Geetie Singh-Watson and her husband, Guy, founder of Riverford

120 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 PASSION & PRINCIPLES

here is no doubt that passion drives Geetie Singh-

T
˜öËÄƜǑǀ*Ǒނ÷Ǒ¨«ÃǑ˜Äæ«Ù˜½ÿǑ”«Ĉ˜Ù˜Äæ½ÿƝǁǑÞ¨˜Ǒ٘Ž‚½½ÞƜǑǀ'˜Ù˜Ǒ÷‚ÞǑ
Watson. It shines through everything, from the way a gentle, passionate man whose ethics, particularly around
she approaches business with foundations built on ëޫĘÞÞƝǑëÙÙË٘”ǑÃÿǑË÷ÄƜǑ'˜Ǒ÷‚ÞǑƵǑ‚Ä”Ǒ«ÞǑƵǑ·ëÞæǑ‚Ǒ½Ëö˜½ÿǑ
unwavering principles, to her respect for the rural human being. By the end of that day, I was totally besotted.’
landscape and the way it should be managed. Not least, it’s The feeling was entirely mutual, and within four months,
there in the life she shares with her husband of 11 years, Guy Geetie and her young daughter Mabel had moved lock, stock
Singh-Watson. ‘Well, ours is a real love story,’ she laughs, ‘but and barrel to the West Country. ‘It wasn’t as huge a move as
½«º˜ǑÂÄÿǑË¢Ǒ樘Ǒ˜ÞæƝǑ«æǑ”«”ÄǁæǑ£˜æǑËĈǑæËǑ‚Ǒ£Ù˜‚æǑÞæ‚ÙæơǁǑ ֘ËÖ½˜Ǒ樫ĺƝǁǑÞ¨˜ǑÙ˜Č˜ŽæÞƜǑǀ*ǁ”Ǒ£ÙË÷ÄǑëÖǑËÄǑ‚Ǒޘ½¢ƳÞëĉŽ«˜ÄæǑ
"˜˜æ«˜Ǒ٘Ž‚½½ÞǑ¨Ë÷ǑÞ¨˜ǑċÙÞæǑØæǑ"ëÿǑƵǑ樘ǑÖ«ËĘ˜Ù«Ä£Ǒ¢‚ÙØÙǑ ŽËÃÃëĘǑ«ÄǑ'˜Ù˜¢Ëٔި«Ù˜Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑÃÿǑÃË樘ÙƝǑÞËǑ*ǁö˜Ǒ‚½÷‚ÿÞǑ
behind Riverford and its organic vegetable box delivery felt at ease in the countryside.’ In any case, the couple initially
ގ¨˜Ã˜ǑƵǑ«ÄǑŰŮŮųƝǑ÷¨˜ÄǑ¨˜ǑŽ‚ØǑæËǑ¨˜ÙǑ‚÷‚Ù”Ƴ÷«ÄÄ«Ä£Ǒ kept a foot in both urban and rural camps as The Duke of
London pub, The Duke of Cambridge, with an interest in Cambridge became part of the Riverford family for a few
ëÿ«Ä£Ǒ«æƜǑY¨˜Ǒ¨‚”Ǒ¢ËëĔ˜”Ǒ樫ÞƝǑ樘Ǒ÷ËÙ½”ǁÞǑċÙÞæǑËÙ£‚Ä«ŽǑÖëƝǑ years, and Geetie forged roots in the Devon community.
in 1998, and in the years that followed, her venture had not `¨˜ÄƝǑ«ÄǑŰŮůŶƝǑ”قÂ櫎ǑŽ¨‚Ä£˜ÞǑˎŽëÙ٘”ƜǑ"ëÿǑ”˜Ǒ
only been recognised with numerous accolades, she had also headlines by radically selling 74% of Riverford to its
received an MBE for services to the pub trade. Not employees for a quarter of the market value, then
surprisingly, she was protective of her enterprise. This page and the couple bought the farm next to it (‘Guy always
‘I was very unsure about this man who turned up in opposite Geetie thought Baddaford was the most beautiful farm ,
my manor,’ she admits. ‘I thought he was cold and left London life and so when it came up for sale, it felt like serendipity’).
distant, while he says I was defensive…’ her award-winning At the same time, a business opportunity arose
pubs to begin a
Y뎨ǑÃëæ낽ǑŽ‚ëæ«ËÄǑ÷‚ÞǑæËǑČ«ÖǑ”قÂ櫎‚½½ÿǑ new personal and in the shape of a rundown pub for sale in the
«ÄǑŰŮůůǑ÷¨˜ÄǑ"˜˜æ«˜ǑƵǑ‚ÞǑ`ÙëÞ昘ǑË¢Ǒ樘ǑYË«½Ǒ business adventure Fairtrade market town of Totnes.

ÞÞˎ«‚æ«ËÄǑƵǑö«Þ«æ˜”Ǒ"ëÿǑËÄǑ¨«ÞǑÙëق½Ǒւ推Ǒ«ÄǑ in Devon with Guy Despite initial reservations, Geetie couldn’t ª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 121

PASSION & PRINCIPLES

resist. ‘The Bull is a landmark here,’ she says. ‘I wanted to 樘ǑŽËëÖ½˜Ǒ¨‚”ǑÄËæǑ«Ä«æ«‚½½ÿǑ˜Äö«Þ‚£˜”ƜǑǀq¨˜ÄǑ÷˜ǑċÙÞæǑÃËö˜”Ǒ

٘ގë˜Ǒ«æƜǁǑ'˜ÙǑÖ½‚ÄǑ÷‚ÞǑæËǑ˜Þ悍½«Þ¨Ǒ‚ÄǑËÙ£‚Ä«ŽƝǑ˜æ¨«Ž‚½ǑÖëǑ to Baddaford, our intention was to combine rewilding and
with rooms that championed local producers, suppliers and organic farming,’ Geetie explains. ‘The farm now specialises
artisans, while crucially retaining the character of a local inn. in growing perennial fruit and veg which supplies Riverford
‘The Bull is part of the town’s fabric and community; I had no and The Bull. But then we were approached by a local grower
intention of losing that connection,’ she says. who wanted to use a little of our land, and before long, other
Geetie collaborated closely with architect Jackie Gillespie small independent businesses had requested the same.’
(gyarchitects.co.uk), to renovate the Grade ll-listed building. And so Baddaford Farm Collective was born. There are
‘The aim was to retain as much of the pub’s original fabric now six land-based, ethical enterprises established here.
and features as possible,’ she explains. This respect for the ‘There is a strong sense of community and practical support
authentic extends to the decor, furnishings and tableware between all of us, with resources such as farm equipment
used throughout the pub, with many pieces picked up shared equally,’ says Geetie. ‘In many ways, these are the
second-hand, or chosen because of their provenance. ‘The principles I learned growing up on the commune, all of
idea of going to a wholesaler and buying everything in one which go hand in hand with Guy’s deep knowledge of
fell swoop is anathema to me,’ says Geetie. ‘I believe in letting farming and the land. There is real synergy.
a style evolve; it’s how we approach our home, too.’ ‘Our aim is to prove that small-scale ethical
PHOTOGRAPHS EMMA STONER
FEATURE SHARON PARSONS

Their 18th-century farmhouse is decorated with This page and ¢‚ÙëģǑŽ‚ÄǑ˜ǑÞ뎎˜ÞÞ¢ë½Ǒ‚Ä”ǑÖÙËċ悍½˜ǑƵǑ«æǁÞǑ

a combination of vintage furnishings, eclectic opposite The couple a way of working, trading and living that we
artwork and handmade pieces. The result is a co-own and share wholeheartedly believe in,’ she states. ‘As our
ŽËâËÙ悍½˜ƝǑ٘½‚þ˜”Ǒ¨ËØǑ˜Ä·Ëÿ˜”ǑÿǑ‚½½Ǒ樘Ǒ the running of their mission statement says: we want to make this
businesses, but
family. ‘Mabel is here with us, while Guy’s four Geetie takes care of small part of the world more like the world we
grown-up children regularly visit,’ says Geetie. hospitality while Guy want to live in. Baddaford is the love story that
`¨˜ǑůųŮƳ‚ŽÙ˜Ǒ¢‚ÙÃǑ¨‚ÞǑ‚½ÞËǑ˜ö˽ö˜”Ǒ«ÄǑ‚Ǒ÷‚ÿǑ樂æǑ manages the farm Guy and I share together now.’

122 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

Building a life
and business
together
Any couple that combines
work and home life needs to
tread a line to retain a sense
of balance, but it can be done,
says Geetie Singh-Watson.
SET BOUNDARIES
‘We agreed we’d never talk
business when we’re in bed
or in the bath! It’s not always
easy because we’re passionate
about what we do, but aiming
for a balance is so important.
Having said that, knowing
that when you get home after
a bad day, there’s someone to
talk things through with, who
will be supportive as well as
objective, is wonderful.’
COMBINE STRENGTHS
‘We co-own our businesses,
but I look after the hospitality
arm, while Guy takes care
of the Baddaford Farm
Collective. There’s a clear
demarcation which is helpful,
as it gives each other space.
It’s important to recognise
and pull on each other’s
skill sets. Guy, for instance,
helps me with spreadsheets
and some of the business
nitty-gritty, while I’m able
to support him with clear
management thinking and
good recruitment. Sharing
the load, even in small ways,
takes the pressure off.’
STAY FOCUSSED
‘Guy and I are relentless
pioneers and fire each other
up with the ideas we each
have bubbling away all the
time. We have so many
opportunities, but choosing
to do the right things, and
do them well, is always the
challenge. It’s also important
to focus, so you can keep the
drive, but avoid burnout.
Finding an equilibrium is key.’
 Just the two of us
Rustle up this special meal for a date night at home – dippy,
drizzled, oozy and boozy dishes create a feast that’s
perfectly designed for sharing

BAKED CAMEMBERT
WITH HOT HONEY

124 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 GOOD FOOD

HERBY CHICKEN KYIVS

GOOD FOOD

Herby chicken kyivs

SERVES 2

q˜ǁö˜Ǒ‚””˜”Ǒæ‚Ùق£ËÄǑ‚Ä”ǑQ˜ÙÄ˔Ǒ¢ËÙǑ‚Ǒæ÷«ÞæǑËÄǑ樫ÞǑŽ½‚ÞÞ«ŽǑ
樂æǑËËĄ˜ÞǑÞËÖ¨«Þ櫎‚æ«ËÄƜǑ

2 chicken supremes (breast 50g Parmesan cheese,

with wing bone attached), finely grated
Baked camembert skin removed
1tbsp Pernod (optional)
with hot honey 50g unsalted butter,
softened
4-5tbsp plain flour,
seasoned, for dusting
SERVES 2
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 medium egg, beaten
FëÙǑ¨ËæǑ¨ËĘÿǑ«ÞǑ«Ä¢ëޘ”Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑŽ¨«½½«Ǒ
3tbsp parsley, finely chopped
and garlic to give a savoury edge to 50g dried breadcrumbs (we
the cheesy fondue. 2tbsp tarragon, chopped used Japanese panko)
Zest 1 lemon Sunflower oil for frying
1 whole Camembert cheese
(about 200g), top scored in a
1 Use a small, sharp knife to make a small incision in the
criss-cross pattern
side of each breast, at the thickest part. Wiggle the knife to
Toasted sourdough, pickles, crudité create a larger pocket through the middle of the breast,
veggies (chicory, etc), charcuterie, ˜«Ä£ǑŽ‚Ù˜¢ë½ǑÄËæǑæËǑ£ËǑ‚½½Ǒ樘Ǒ÷‚ÿǑæ¨ÙË루ƜǑY˜‚ÞËÄǑ÷˜½½Ǒ
to serve ÷«æ¨Ǒނ½æǑ‚Ä”Ǒ֘Ö֘ÙƜ
For the hot honey: 2 *ÄǑ‚ǑÞ½½ǑË÷½ƝǑ˜‚æǑæË£˜æ¨˜ÙǑ樘Ǒëææ˜ÙƝǑ£‚Ù½«ŽƝǑ¨˜ÙÞƝǑ
½˜ÃËÄǑĄ˜ÞæǑ‚Ä”Ǒ¨‚½¢Ǒ樘ǑQ‚ÙØނÄǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘ǑQ˜ÙÄ˔Ǒ«¢ǑëÞ«Ä£ƜǑ
100g good quality runny honey
Y˜‚ÞËÄǑ÷˜½½Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒނ½æǑ‚Ä”Ǒ֘Ö֘ÙƝǑ樘ÄǑ”«ö«”˜Ǒ˜æ÷˜˜ÄǑ樘Ǒ
1 small garlic clove, crushed Ž¨«Žº˜ÄǑÙ˜‚ÞæÞƝǑÞæëĉÄ£Ǒ«ÄæËǑ樘ǑÖˎº˜æǑÿËëǑŽÙ˜‚昔ǑƭëޘǑ
a piping bag if you have one).
1tbsp chilli flakes
3 ëÞæǑ樘ǑŽ¨«Žº˜ÄǑ÷«æ¨ǑČËëÙƝǑ樘ÄǑŽË‚æǑ«ÄǑ樘Ǒ˜‚æ˜ÄǑ˜££ƜǑ
1tbsp white wine vinegar
Mix the breadcrumbs and remaining Parmesan on a plate
1 thyme sprig, plus extra to serve and coat the chicken breasts, pressing to ensure they are
fully covered, and paying attention to the opening.
1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Put all Y˜Žë٘Ǒ樘Ǒ¨Ë½˜Ǒ«ÄǑ˜‚Ž¨Ǒºÿ«öǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚ǑæËËæ¨Ö«ŽºǑƭæËǑÖ٘ö˜ÄæǑ
the honey ingredients in a small the butter leaking out), put on a tray and chill until ready
saucepan and gently simmer for 2-3 æËǑŽË˺ǑƭëÖǑæËǑůǑ”‚ÿǑ‚¨˜‚”ƮƜ
minutes until fragrant.
4 Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Heat about 2cm of oil in a
2 Put the cheese in a small, snug- large frying pan until it shimmers. Fry the kyivs on both
ċææ«Ä£Ǒ”«Þ¨ƜǑ*¢Ǒ«æǑŽËØÞǑ«ÄǑ‚Ǒ÷Ë˔˜ÄǑ sides until golden, then put on a baking tray and bake for
box you can bake it directly in that, 15 minutes until cooked through.
removing any packaging or labels
5 T˜ÞæǑ樘Ǒºÿ«öÞǑ¢ËÙǑųǑëÄëæ˜ÞƝǑ樘ÄǑޘÙö˜Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘ǑÖËÃØǑ
ċÙÞæƜǑÙ«ĄĄ½˜ǑËö˜ÙǑŰæÞÖǑË¢Ǒ樘Ǒ¨ËĘÿǑ
Öëٙ˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ÷‚ÙÃǑ˜‚ÄǑނ½‚”ǑËÄǑ樘ǑÞ«”˜ƜǑª
mixture and bake on a tray for 25-30
minutes until golden and bubbling.
3 Ù«ĄĄ½˜Ǒ樘ǑŽ¨˜˜Þ˜Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚ÄË樘ÙǑ
ůæÞÖǑ¨ËĘÿǑ‚Ä”ǑޘÙö˜Ǒ÷¨«½˜ǑÞ櫽½Ǒ¨ËæƝǑ
÷«æ¨Ǒæ˂Þ昔ǑÞËëٔË루ƝǑÖ½˜ÄæÿǑË¢Ǒ
colourful crudités, pickles and
charcuterie.

126 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

TRUFFLED
POMME PURÉE

GREEN BEANS WITH

ALMONDS AND
MUSTARD

TIP Assemble the kyivs to the end of step 3 up to

one day ahead. Cover and chill until ready to cook.

Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.

GOOD FOOD

Truffled pomme purée

SERVES 2

`ÙëĊ˜ǑË«½Ǒ‚””ÞǑ‚ǑæË뎨ǑË¢Ǒ½ëþëÙÿǑæËǑ樫ÞǑÂި˜”ǑÖËæ‚æËƝǑ
ëæǑ«æǁÞǑÞ櫽½Ǒ£Ë˔Ǒ÷«æ¨ËëæǑ«æǑ«¢ǑÿËëǁ٘ǑÄËæǑ‚Ǒ¢‚ÄƜ

550g floury potatoes, 30g salted butter

peeled, cut into large
2 garlic cloves, bashed
even chunks
2 thyme sprigs
100ml single cream
1-2tsp truffle oil (optional)
100ml whole milk

1 QëæǑ樘ǑÖËæ‚æ˘ÞǑ«ÄǑ‚Ǒ½‚Ù£˜ǑÖËæǑ‚Ä”Ǒ·ëÞæǑŽËö˜ÙǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ÷‚æ˜ÙƜǑ
Y˜‚ÞËÄǑ÷˜½½Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒނ½æǑ‚Ä”ǑÙ«Ä£ǑæËǑ樘ǑË«½ƜǑ Ë˺Ǒ¢ËÙǑůųǑ
Rhubarb and gin
ëÄëæ˜ÞǑËÙǑëÄ櫽Ǒö˜ÙÿǑæ˜Ä”˜ÙƜǑق«ÄǑ‚Ä”ǑޘæǑ‚Þ«”˜Ǒ«ÄǑ‚Ǒ crêpes suzette
colander to steam dry for 5 minutes.
SERVES 2
2 While the potatoes cook, put the cream, milk, butter,
FëÙǑæ÷«ÞæǑËÄǑ‚Ǒ٘æÙËǑŽ½‚ÞÞ«ŽǑëޘÞǑ
garlic and thyme in a small saucepan and bring to a
ޘ‚ÞËĂ½Ǒ¢Ùë«æǑ¢ËÙǑ‚ǑÖ٘ææÿǑ½ëÞ¨ǑċÄ«Þ¨ƜǑ
simmer, then set aside to infuse for 10 minutes.
3 q¨«½˜Ǒ樘ǑÖËæ‚æ˘ÞǑ‚Ù˜ǑÞ櫽½Ǒ¨ËæƝǑÂިǑëÄ櫽ǑÞÃËËæ¨Ǒƭ÷˜Ǒ 3 large oranges, zest of 1, juice of 3 (we
used a potato ricer), then return to the saucepan. Gently used blood oranges)
÷‚ÙÃǑ樘ǑŽÙ˜‚ÃǑëþæë٘Ǒ‚£‚«ÄƝǑ”«ÞŽ‚Ù”«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ£‚Ù½«ŽǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
80g caster sugar
æ¨ÿØƝǑ樘ÄǑëþǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘ǑÖËæ‚æËǑæËǑº˜Ǒ‚ǑÞË¢æǑ‚Ä”ǑÞ«½ºÿǑÂިƜǑ
Y˜‚ÞËÄǑ÷˜½½Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒނ½æǑ‚Ä”ǑÞæ«ÙǑ«ÄǑ‚Ǒ”Ù«ĄĄ½˜ǑË¢ǑæÙëĊ˜ǑË«½ƝǑ«¢ǑëÞ«Ä£Ɯ 1tsp vanilla bean paste
120ml rhubarb gin (or use regular gin)
Green beans with almonds 2-3 stalks rhubarb, trimmed, sliced into
and mustard 3cm lengths
SERVES 2 30g unsalted butter
!٘ިǑ‚Ä”ǑĄ«Ä£ÿƝǑ樫ÞǑØ뫎ºǑ˜‚ÄǑ”«Þ¨Ǒ‚””ÞǑ‚Ǒ÷˜½ŽËØǑ 4 store-bought crêpes (or homemade)
burst of colour to the dining table.
Whipped cream or ice cream, to serve
200g fine green beans, 1 shallot, finely sliced
1 *ÄǑ‚Ǒ½‚Ù£˜Ǒ¢Ùÿ«Ä£ǑւÄƝǑŽËͫĘǑ樘Ǒ
trimmed
1 garlic clove, crushed Ëقģ˜Ǒ·ë«Ž˜Ǒ‚Ä”ǑĄ˜ÞæƝǑÞ룂ÙƝǑö‚Ä«½½‚Ǒ
Knob unsalted butter ‚Ä”Ǒ£«ÄƜǑYæ«ÙǑËö˜ÙǑؔ«ëÃǑ¨˜‚æǑëÄ櫽Ǒ樘Ǒ
1tsp Dijon mustard
sugar dissolves, then add the rhubarb.
30g flaked almonds
Zest and juice ½ lemon Ëö˜ÙǑ‚Ä”ǑŽË˺ǑËö˜ÙǑ½Ë÷Ǒ¨˜‚æǑ¢ËÙǑ
5 minutes until the rhubarb is tender
1 Ë˺Ǒ樘Ǒ˜‚ÄÞǑ«ÄǑ‚ǑÖËæǑË¢Ǒނ½æ˜”ǑË«½«Ä£Ǒ÷‚æ˜ÙǑ¢ËÙǑŰƳűǑ but holding its shape.
ëÄëæ˜ÞǑëÄ櫽Ǒ·ëÞæǑæ˜Ä”˜ÙƜǑق«ÄǑ‚Ä”Ǒ٘¢Ù˜Þ¨ǑëĔ˜ÙǑŽË½”Ǒ
2 T˜ÃËö˜Ǒ樘Ǒ٨덂ٍǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚ǑÞ½Ëæ昔Ǒ
÷‚æ˜ÙǑæËǑº˜˜ÖǑ樘ǑŽË½ËëÙƜǑ
ÞÖËËÄƝǑ½˜‚ö«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ½«Ø뫔Ǒ˜¨«Ä”ƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
2 ?˜‚Ä÷¨«½˜ƝǑؽæǑ樘Ǒëææ˜ÙǑ«ÄǑ‚Ǒ½‚Ù£˜Ǒ¢Ùÿ«Ä£ǑւÄǑ‚Ä”Ǒ‚””Ǒ ޘæǑ‚Þ«”˜ƜǑ*Ď٘‚Þ˜Ǒ樘Ǒ¨˜‚æǑæËǑ¨«£¨Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ
the almonds. Cook, stirring for 5-6 minutes until golden Þ«ÃØÙǑ樘Ǒ½«Ø뫔ǑëÄ櫽Ǒ٘”뎘”ǑæËǑ‚Ǒ
and toasted. Add the shallot and cook for 2 minutes until ÞÿÙëÖÿǑŽËÄÞ«Þæ˜ÄŽÿǑƭ‚ËëæǑųǑëÄëæ˜ÞƮƜǑ
ÞË¢æ˜Ä˜”ƝǑ樘ÄǑ‚””Ǒ樘Ǒ£‚Ù½«ŽǑ‚Ä”ǑŽË˺Ǒ¢ËÙǑůǑëÄëæ˜ƜǑYæ«ÙǑ«ÄǑ Add the butter, stirring until it melts.
RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING JESS MEYER

the beans, mustard and lemon juice. `‚Þæ˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ‚”·ëÞæǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚Ǒ½«æ潘ǑÃË٘Ǒ

PHOTOGRAPHS HANNAH HUGHES

sugar if needed.
3 `ËÞÞǑËö˜ÙǑ½Ë÷Ǒ¨˜‚æǑëÄ櫽Ǒ樘Ǒ˜‚ÄÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ÷‚ÙؔǑæ¨ÙË루ƝǑ
3 Warm the crêpes according to the
PROPS VICTORIA ELDRIDGE

樘ÄǑޘ‚ÞËÄǑ÷«æ¨Ǒނ½æǑ‚Ä”Ǒ֘Ö֘ÙǑæËǑæ‚Þæ˜ƜǑ`ËÖǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘Ǒ
½˜ÃËÄǑĄ˜ÞæǑæËǑޘÙö˜Ɯ pack instructions, then fold into
æÙ«‚Ä£½˜ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ‚””ǑæËǑ樘ǑւÄƝǑČ«ÖÖ«Ä£Ǒ
æËǑŽË‚æǑ«ÄǑ樘Ǒނ뎘ƜǑq‚ÙÃǑËö˜ÙǑ½Ë÷Ǒ¨˜‚æǑ
¢ËÙǑůƳŰǑëÄëæ˜ÞƝǑ樘ÄǑޘÙö˜Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘Ǒ
Ö˂Ž¨˜”Ǒ٨덂ٍǑ‚Ä”Ǒ½«£¨æ½ÿǑ÷¨«Ö֘”Ǒ
cream or ice cream, if liked.

128 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 RHUBARB AND GIN
CRÊPES SUZETTE

TIPǑ`ËǑČ‚Ã˜™Ǒ樘ǑŽÙœÖ˜ÞƝǑ‚Þޘͽ˜Ǒ«ÄǑ樘ǑւÄǑ‚Ä”Ǒ

ÞÖ٫ĺ½˜Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚Ǒ½«æ潘ǑÞ룂ÙƜǑ
””Ǒ‚ǑÞÖ½‚Þ¨ǑË¢Ǒ£«ÄƝǑ樘ÄǑ

Ž‚Ù˜¢ë½½ÿǑޘæǑ‚½«£¨æƜǑFϘǑëÙÄæǑËëæƝǑޘÙö˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ˜Ä·Ëÿơ
 An ode to
the potting shed
Impatient to start the growing season but with the ground too cold
for planting, Diana Yates happily potters around her shed instead
– revelling in the peace now and promise of garden gifts to come

ebruary is technically the last month ever-spreading clumps of snowdrops. So

F of winter, but in reality, it still feels like

midwinter for us here in Scotland. By
this time of year, I am itching to break
out of hibernation and return to the garden.
Yet, I’m stopped in my tracks by freezing
instead, I tend to make haste to the potting shed,
a halfway point to the outside world. The potting
shed, whether called a she-shed, man’s shed,
wood shed, or even a hut, is by any other name
still a humble single-storey structure made
temperatures and hard ground, making it almost entirely from wood. Some have heating;
”«ĉŽë½æǑæËǑÖ½‚ÄæǑ樘Ǒ‚Ù˜ǑÙËËæǑÞ¨ÙëÞǑ*ǑË루æǑ most don’t. Some may boast a squishy old
on sale, prune my straggly roses or divide armchair, while mine has a trusty tractor-style

130 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 COUNTRY PASSIONS

‘Some potting sheds include racks for storing

dahlias or power tools; others house a kettle

‚Ä”Ǒ÷Ù«æ«Ä£Ǒ”˜ÞºƜǑ'Ë÷˜ö˜ÙǑ樘ÿǑ‚Ù˜ǑËëæċæ昔Ɲ

if you have one, you are fortunate indeed’

seat. Some include racks for storing dahlias or

power tools; others house a well-used kettle
‚Ä”Ǒ÷Ù«æ«Ä£Ǒ”˜ÞºƜǑ'Ë÷˜ö˜ÙǑ樘ÿǁ٘ǑËëæċæ昔ƝǑ
I’ve come to realise that if you have one, you’re
fortunate indeed.
An almost Narnia-like feeling comes over
me each time I open the stable-style door. Inside
waits a world of its own, with unique seasonal
scents, blended with the memory of past
projects and hidden wonders tucked into every
corner of this six-foot by eight-foot space just
behind the garage. With no other markers of the
season, you need only take a peek inside to know
the time of year,whether there are seedlings in
various stages crowding the shelves, crates
piled high with curing harvests, or bundles of
festive wreath-making supplies. The potting
shed has a way of marking time with certainty.
Stepping into this space grounds me in the
present like nothing else.
As I step across the threshold today, I’m
greeted by the remnants of pre-Christmas bulb
displays, a soil-caked auger desperate for a
clean after a tulip planting spree, and sacks of
earthy-smelling potatoes. There are also years
of carefully curated clutter – stacks of spider-
webbed pots, bins of fresh compost and
vermiculite all ready to assist in the growing of
something new. Time starts to slow as I close the
door behind me, the busyness of the day lifting
from my shoulders, as I settle amid the muddle.
My main task for the day is to start sprouting COLD SPELL
ranunculus and anemone corms in trays The potting shed is
of peat-free compost. Pre-sprouting is a a halfway house for
Diana in winter, perfect
space-saving way to start many corms, save
for when it’s too cold to
on compost, and check for viability before garden but there are still
potting them up individually. I typically plenty of jobs to be done
leave them to sprout for 10-14 days before
transferring them to the greenhouse to grow
on. Both anemones and ranunculus are fairly
tolerant of cold and frosty weather, but it is ª
COUNTRY PASSIONS

EARLY STARTS
Spring bulb displays,
trays of seedlings and
chitting potatoes grace
the potting shed shelves

best to wait until the worst winter chills have

passed before planting them out. A piece of
¨ËÙ櫎ë½æëق½ǑȘ˜Ž˜Ǒ«ÞǑ£Ë˔ǑæËǑ¨‚ö˜ǑËÄǑ¨‚Ä”Ǒ
should the weather start to play tricks.
With the ranunculus started, I turn to other
æ‚ÞºÞƜǑ@Ë÷Ǒ«ÞǑ樘Ǒ֘٢˜ŽæǑæ«Ã˜ǑæËǑÞæ‚ÙæǑËĈǑËÄ«ËÄÞǑ
¢ÙËÃǑޘ˜”ÞǑËÙǑޘæÞƝǑ‚Ä”ǑÿËëÙǑċÙÞæǑËÙǑ«Ä”˜˜”Ǒ
Growing potatoes in containers
another sowing of sweet peas, broad beans and Growing in containers is a great space-saver for smaller
peas. It’s also a good time to pre-sprout potatoes, gardens. It’s also useful for areas with a shorter growing
also known as chitting. I nestle mine in eggshell ޘ‚ÞËÄƝǑ‚½½Ë÷«Ä£ǑÿËëǑæËǑÞæ‚ÙæǑËĈǑæ˜Ä”˜ÙǑŽÙËÖÞǑ˜‚Ù½«˜ÙǑ樂ÄǑ
cartons for a few weeks before planting them usual within a greenhouse, polytunnel or cold frame.
out in order for the eyes to push strong shoots,
giving them a head start. YOU WILL NEED with another couple
With the radio playing softly and a steaming of inches of compost
Seed potatoes of your choice:
cup of tea in tow, more for its hand-warming and water them in.
‘Charlotte’ and ‘Rocket’ are
properties than anything else, I wile away the
my favourites of the early 3 Once the foliage has
rest of the afternoon, making early spring bulb
cropping varieties. reached 7.5-12cm
displays. Mixing muscari with miniature narcissi
above the soil, top with
like ‘Tête-à-Tête’ or ‘Snow Baby’, I aim for 30-40ltr containers with
fresh compost to cover
delicate arrangements that bring early touches
PHOTOGRAPHS ZÖE BARRIE COURTESY OF PAVILION

drainage holes
the foliage. Repeat
of spring indoors while winter rages on outside.
Enriched peat-free this process until the
Over the years, the potting shed has become
multi-purpose compost soil reaches the top of
my sanctuary and an invaluable extra room –
the container.
the centre stage for my creative endeavours,
1 !«½½ǑÿËëÙǑŽËÄ悫ĘÙǑ‚Ǒ
a place of hope where young seedlings take 4 Early potatoes are ready
FOR GROWING AT GREENFIELDS

third of the way with the

root, and a space to hide in while I wrote my once the plant has begun
enriched compost.
ċÙÞæǑË˺ƜǑ!ËÙǑ‚ǑÖ½‚Ž˜ǑÞËǑŽËÄÞæÙ«Žæ˜”ǑÿǑÞ«Ą˜Ǒ æËǑČË÷˜ÙƜǑ?‚«ÄŽÙËÖǑ
and clutter, it’s a wonder how unbounded and 2 Place two (maincrop varieties are ready once
freeing it is to the mind. variety) or three (early the foliage has browned.
The Anglo-Saxon word ‘shed’ means division variety) seed potatoes
or separation, and it’s clear why for so many into the soil with the eyes
Ë¢ǑëÞƝǑ‚ǑÞ¨˜”Ǒ÷«½½ǑËĈ˜ÙǑ‚Ǒ÷˜½ŽËØǑ˜ÞŽ‚Ö˜ƜǑ facing upwards. Cover

132 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 LOVE IS
IN THE
(FRESH)
AIR Country life can bring extra
complications to modern romance.
Kitty Corrigan talks to three
women about the reality of rural
dating, divorce and settling down –
‚Ä”Ǒ÷¨ÿǑ½Ëö˜ǑŽ‚ÄǑċĔǑ‚Ǒ÷‚ÿ

oving from London to meet at dinner parties or weddings

M mid-Wales 13 years ago,

I carefully weighed the
pros and cons for work,
access to culture and making friends,
but gave no thought to dating until I
– though funerals are apparently
fruitful, especially for divorcees –
and that dating apps are where it’s at.
With a phone to hand, you can scroll
æ¨ÙË루ǑÖÙËċ½˜ÞǑŰŲƫŵǑëæǑ«Ã‚£«Ä˜Ǒ樘Ǒ
was settled. What opportunities would embarrassment of a disastrous date
there be in a village of 1,500 people with someone you might see in the
for a non-driving woman to meet a farm shop the next day? Travelling
man who shared her interests? The ½ËÄ£Ǒ”«Þæ‚ÄŽ˜ÞǑ¢ËÙǑ‚ǑŽ‚Þ낽ǑŽËĈ˜˜ǑŽ‚ÄǑ
nearest city was 25 miles away, the be expensive, and what if your date
book club were all women, and while drives to meet you at a country pub
I met middle-aged farmers on market but gets lost in the unlit narrow lanes
day, that wasn’t a future I envisaged. without a phone signal? Rural dating
I discovered that few couples today Ž‚ÄǑ˜Ǒ‚ǑÃ디ÿǑëĘċ˜½”ƜƜƜǑ

134 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 RURAL ROMANCE

‘I left the
church on a
tractor in my
wedding dress’
SOPHIE MENJOU,
32, CHARITY WORKER,
AND NICK, 33,
FARMER, HAMPSHIRE
I’ve always been attracted
to the outdoor life – my
previous partner was a
gamekeeper – but it was
hard to meet people where
I was living in Surrey. So I
signed up to dating agency,
muddymatches.co.uk. My
ċÙÞæǑŽ‚½½Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ@«ŽºƝǑůŮǑÿ˜‚ÙÞǑ
‚£ËƝǑ루æǑ¨‚ö˜ǑÖëæǑØǑËĈǑ
for ever. He had his phone
on loudspeaker when I
heard him say, ‘Come on,
girl, get between my legs!’.
Turned out he was with a
ewe about to give birth.
We had conversations
late into the night while he
was lambing, and it was a
while before we went on
ËëÙǑċÙÞæǑ”‚æ˜ƝǑ÷¨«Ž¨Ǒ÷‚ÞǑ‚Ǒ
walk in the woods near his
home in Hampshire. He
lived on the family farm, so
after a few dates, I went to
meet his mother. I must
have passed the test as in
September 2016 I moved
«ÄǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ@«ŽºǑ‚Ä”Ǒ¨«ÞǑÃëÃƝǑ
‚Ä”ǑÞæ‚ÿ˜”Ǒ樘٘Ǒ¢ËÙǑċö˜Ǒ
ÿ˜‚ÙÞƜǑ@«ŽºǑÖÙËÖËޘ”Ǒ«ÄǑ‚Ǒ
shepherd’s hut in Dorset
and we married in April
2019. I drove away from
the church on a tractor
in my wedding dress.
Our son, Frankie, was
born in April 2022 and we
now live on the farm in a
500-year-old, Grade II-
listed house. It has wood-
panelled walls, low beams
‚Ä”Ǒ‚ÄǑ«Ä£½˜ÄË˺Ǒċֽ٘‚Ž˜ƜǑ
I furnished it mainly from
second-hand shops
because living on a farm,
nothing looks new for long.
But this is the life I love. ª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 135

 ‘Get the man
to arrange an
activity for
your date’
FARHANA HUSSAIN,
47, DIVORCE DOULA,
RURAL KENT
As a Muslim woman of
South Asian heritage, it’s
ÄËæǑ˜‚ÞÿǑæËǑċĔǑ‚ǑւÙæĘÙǑ
of the same race and faith
in the countryside, as there
is a smaller pool of people.
Add to that, being the mum
of three teenagers means
a lot of organising even
to get out of the house!
I broke a family taboo by
marrying a white Christian
man, from Devon, so when
we divorced, I didn’t get
a lot of support from my
parents. It was traumatic,
until I found a spiritual
healer and I started to feel
life was worth living again.
*ÄǑ@Ëö˜Ã˜ÙǑŰŮŰŰƝǑ
I switched from being a
primary school teacher to
starting my own business
as a divorce doula
(mydivorcedoula.org.uk),
ËĈ˜Ù«Ä£Ǒ˜ÃËæ«ËĂ½Ǒ
support and practical
advice to others going
through a break-up. Like
most people, I use dating
apps, and I want my boys
to know that it’s healthy to
date again after divorce.
If I lived in a city I’d be
dating more, but it’s costly
to travel by train to meet
people. There are speed-
dating events, but even
they are a distance away.
I meet interesting people
through my business, and
I put my energy into being
open and friendly. My tip is
to ask the man to arrange
an activity – it could be an
art exhibition or crazy golf.
That tests his imagination
and organising ability.

136 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 RURAL ROMANCE

ǀ*ÄǑÞËØǑÞ½½ǑŽËÃÃëī櫘ÞǑ«æǁÞǑ¨‚Ù”ǑæËǑċæǑ«Äǁ
FLICK GILL, 43, AND HELEN FOWLE, 56, OPTOMETRISTS,
HAY-ON-WYE, WELSH BORDERS
Helen and I met in the optometry ‚Ǒ‚ÿǑëæǑ‚æǑŲűǑ樘ǑŽ¨‚ÄŽ˜ÞǑË¢Ǒ¨˜ÙǑ
”˜Ö‚ÙæØÄæǑ‚æǑ ‚Ù”«ĈǑeÄ«ö˜ÙÞ«æÿƜǑ becoming pregnant were slim; at 30,
She was a mature student changing I was more likely to be successful. We
career and I was completing my PhD, used an anonymous donor through
which included teaching. In one of ‚Ǒ‚Ä«Þ¨ǑŽËÃւÄÿǑ‚Ä”Ǒ«æǑ÷ËÙº˜”ǑċÙÞæǑ
ËëÙǑċÙÞæǑæëæËÙ«‚½ÞƝǑ*Ǒæ‚루æǑ¨˜ÙǑ‚ËëæǑ time! We were overjoyed with our
contact lenses. I could say we looked baby and were lucky enough to
into each other’s eyes and fell in love! obtain another donation from the
We had known each other for two same man. Again, I conceived, so
years when we decided to move to the now we have two boys, aged 11 and
PHOTOGRAPHS TASH & WILL PHOTOGRAPHY,

countryside. It was a big change but I eight, who are brothers. The school
SASKIA ALBERS, PORTRAY YOUR STORY

was keen to run my own business and has been brilliant. One little girl
had spotted an optician’s for sale in asked our older son, ‘Do you have
Hay-on-Wye. It was a leap in the dark a dad?’. When he said no, he had
FEATURE KITTY CORRIGAN

– all I knew about this beautiful town two mums, the next question was,
was that it is famous for its bookshops ‘Do you have roller skates?’
and festival. But it also had a liberal Helen and I now work together as
reputation and that was important. In optometrists, and after renting for
some small communities, it’s harder years, we have bought our own house.
æËǑċæǑ«ÄƜǑ
ÞǑ¢ËÙǑ¨‚ö«Ä£ǑŽ¨«½”Ù˜ÄƜƜƜǑ It’s a home for our family in a place
Helen was keen for us to have we love and that has welcomed us.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 137

 A stay at The Tawny
The independence of a private holiday rental home with the services of
‚Ǒ½ëþëÙÿǑ¨Ë昽ǑƵǑ«æǁÞǑ樘Ǒ˜ÞæǑË¢ǑËæ¨Ǒ÷ËÙ½”ÞǑ«ÄǑ樫ÞǑYæ‚ĈËٔި«Ù˜Ǒ˜ÞŽ‚Ö˜

pread throughout the grounds of the outbuilding with a bar/kitchen, dining and

S
TAWN APART
ëŽË½«ŽǑ ËÄނ½½ǑÞæ‚æ˜Ǒ«ÄǑYæ‚ĈËٔި«Ù˜ƝǑ An innovative seating areas, and the best home cinema we’ve
`¨˜Ǒ`‚÷ÄÿǑ¨‚ÞǑ‚½Ù˜‚”ÿǑ‚æ悫ʔǑ‚ǑċĘǑ ‘deconstructed’ ever seen. All this is wrapped around a large
hotel, The Tawny’s
reputation as a destination hotel where accommodation is patio with a warm pool, with views over a valley.
a collection of treehouses, boathouses, huts and spread across the This stands alone as a wonderful independent
more gather round a singular aim – to enjoy the grounds of an idyllic Ù˜‚ºǑëæǑ`¨˜Ǒ`‚÷ÄÿǑËĈ˜ÙÞǑ‚Ǒقģ˜ǑË¢Ǒ
ċĘÞæǑ¢Ë˔Ǒ«ÄǑ‚ÄǑ˜Äö«ÙËÄØÄæǑ÷«æ¨ǑĂæë٘Ǒ‚æǑ«æÞǑ country estate experiences to cement the relationship between
heart. Now this ‘deconstructed’ hotel has spread hotel and house. We tried a few, including
beyond the immediate grounds; its owners have dinner in the Plumicorn, a dramatic central
converted some glorious barns, or Fledglings, space. It was remarkable – some of the best food
into houses to rent. You get all the independence we’ve had – and included a childrens’ menu for
of taking a luxury cottage in the country, with our early teenage children . Next morning we
the service of one of the UK’s best hotels. had a bike ride around the grounds, followed by
The Fledglings help to solve one of the oldest a lazy afternoon around our pool. And then the
problems with hotels – that they struggle to highlight – a BBQ experience in which the head
accommodate grown-up or expanded families. chef, Andrew Watts, came to Falcon Farmhouse
Our family of four tried the brand-new Falcon and presented us with a gorgeous dinner
Farmhouse for a couple of days. What we found cooked on the Big Green Egg barbecue.
was a wonderful surprise – a well-designed This is way beyond a hotel stay. It is a window
barn conversion with four bedrooms, a large into the most magical lifestyle, a blend of
kitchen and dining space, and a couple of cool luxury, nature and peace. The only problem,
½«ö«Ä£ǑÞւŽ˜ÞƜǑ'Ë÷˜ö˜ÙƝǑ÷¨‚æǑº˜ÞǑ!‚½ŽËÄǑČÿǑ«ÞǑ of course, is in the leaving.
a remarkable outdoor space – a barn-style From £240, B&B. To book, visit thetawny.co.uk

W H I L E Y O U ’ R E T H E R E . . .

THE ROACHES EMMA BRIDGEWATER TRENTHAM GARDENS

One of the best things about The Tawny is FACTORY TOUR Capability Brown-designed Italianate gardens
its location at the foot of the Peak District. Emma Bridgewater is an English institution, and provide a stunning backdrop to a pleasant few
There’s no shortage of amazing walks, but the it is well worth spending an afternoon visiting the hours at the Trentham Estate in nearby
Staffordshire Peak (often overlooked in favour home of this renowned brand in Stoke-on-Trent. Stoke-on-Trent. There are lots of potential
of the Derbyshire Peak) is within touching The factory offers tours, interactive making activities on offer, from a lake cruise to woodland
distance. Try The Roaches – a dramatic hilltop experiences, a charming cafe and a chance to pick walks – not to mention a large garden centre and
walk near Leek, staffs-wildlife.org.uk up a bargain in the shop, emmabridgewater.co.uk shopping village, trentham.co.uk

138 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 FEATURE JASON ORME PHOTOGRAPHS (FALCON FARMHOUSE) JAKE EASTHAM,
ALAMY/RICHARD HOLMES, NORTHSCAPE

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

TRAVEL

139
 Vintage map roses
Retrace your relationship’s journey by using old maps of
your favourite romantic locations to create everlasting
blooms that will make a unique gift for a loved one

Vintage
map roses
Create a single rose or a
bouquet to give to a loved
one on Valentine’s Day
YOU WILL NEED

Pencil
Stiff card for templates
Scissors or craft knife
Selection of vintage maps
(or find free printable maps
online to download)
Crimson acrylic paint
Small flat artist’s paintbrush
Florist’s 8in stub wire
Green floristry tape
Dark green crêpe paper,
100x50cm, £1, Hobbycraft
Glue gun and glue sticks

140 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 CRAFT

1 Begin by making three petal-

Þ¨‚Ö˜”Ǒæ˜ÃÖ½‚æ˜ÞǑ¢ÙËÃǑÞæ«ĈǑŽ‚Ù”ƝǑ
ëÞ«Ä£ǑÞ½«£¨æ½ÿǑ”«Ĉ˜Ù«Ä£ǑÞ¨‚Ö˜ÞƜǑ
?‚º˜ǑËĘǑÞ½½Ǒƭ'ŴŽÃƮƝǑËĘǑؔ«ëÃǑ
ƭ'ŶŽÃƮǑ‚Ä”ǑËĘǑ½‚Ù£˜Ǒƭ'ůَÃƮƜǑ ëæǑ
樘ޘǑËëæǑëÞ«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑÞ¨‚ÙÖǑŽÙ‚¢æǑºÄ«¢˜Ɯ
Q½‚Ž˜Ǒ樘Ǒ֘悽Ǒæ˜ÃÖ½‚æ˜ÞǑËÄǑæËÖǑË¢Ǒ
the map and draw around them with
‚Ǒ֘Ď«½ƝǑ樘ÄǑŽëæǑËëæǑ樘Ǒ֘悽ǑÞ¨‚Ö˜ÞǑ 1 2
ëÞ«Ä£Ǒގ«ÞÞËÙÞǑËÙǑ‚ǑŽÙ‚¢æǑºÄ«¢˜ƜǑ!ËÙǑ
˜‚Ž¨ǑÙËޘǑÿËëǑ÷«½½Ǒʘ”ǑæËǑŽëæǑÞ«þǑ
Þ½½Ǒ֘悽ÞƝǑÞ«þǑؔ«ëÃǑ֘悽ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
Þ«þǑ½‚Ù£˜Ǒ֘悽ÞǑ«ÄǑæË悽Ɯ

2 eÞ«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑÞ½½ƝǑȂæǑ‚Ùæ«ÞæǁÞǑ
paintbrush and some diluted
ŽÙ«ÃÞËÄǑ‚ŽÙÿ½«ŽǑւ«ÄæƝǑŽ‚Ù˜¢ë½½ÿǑæ«ÄæǑ
樘Ǒ˜”£˜ǑË¢Ǒ˜‚Ž¨Ǒ֘悽ƜǑËǑ樫ÞǑËÄǑËæ¨Ǒ
Þ«”˜ÞǑË¢Ǒ‚½½Ǒ樘Ǒ֘悽ÞƝǑ‚½½Ë÷«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ
paint to dry thoroughly before
÷ËÙº«Ä£ǑËÄǑ樘Ǒ٘ö˜ÙޘƜ

3 `ËǑº˜Ǒ樘ǑÞæ˜ÃǑË¢ǑÿËëÙǑÙËޘƝǑ
悺˜Ǒ‚ǑÖ«˜Ž˜ǑË¢ǑČËÙ«ÞæǁÞǑÞæëǑ÷«Ù˜Ǒ
‚Ä”ǑŽ‚Ù˜¢ë½½ÿǑ÷قÖǑ樘Ǒ˜Äæ«Ù˜Ǒ½˜Ä£æ¨Ǒ
3 4

Ë¢Ǒ樘Ǒ÷«Ù˜Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ£Ù˜˜ÄǑČËÙ«ÞæÙÿǑæ‚Ö˜ƜǑ
`ËǑ˜ÄÞë٘Ǒ樘ǑČËÙ«ÞæÙÿǑæ‚Ö˜ǑÞ櫎ºÞǑ
ޘŽë٘½ÿǑæËǑ«æޘ½¢ƝǑ£˜Äæ½ÿǑÖë½½Ǒ樘Ǒæ‚Ö˜Ǒ
æ‚ëæǑ‚ÞǑÿËëǑ÷ËÙºƝǑ‚ÞǑ樫ÞǑ‚Žæ«ö‚æ˜ÞǑ«æÞǑ
‚”¨˜Þ«ö˜ǑÖÙË֘Ù櫘ÞƜ

4 Now you need to start building up

樘Ǒ֘悽ÞǑË¢Ǒ樘ǑÙËޘƜǑYæ‚ÙæǑÿǑ
Ù˽½«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑÞ½½Ǒ֘悽ǑëÖǑæ«£¨æ½ÿƜǑ
æ悎¨Ǒ
it to the end of your rose stem using a
£½ë˜Ǒ£ëÄƜǑ`‚º˜Ǒ‚ǑޘŽËĔǑÞ½½Ǒ֘悽Ǒ
‚Ä”ǑŽ‚Ù˜¢ë½½ÿǑÙ˽½Ǒ«æǑ«ÄǑÿËëÙǑ¨‚Ä”ǑæËǑ
º˜Ǒ«æǑÞ½«£¨æ½ÿǑŽëÙö˜”ƜǑ
””Ǒ‚ǑÞ½½Ǒ 5 6
amount of hot glue to the base of the
֘悽Ǒ‚Ä”ǑÞ櫎ºǑ樫ÞǑæËǑÿËëÙǑÞæ˜ÃƜǑ
Continue with the remaining four
Þ½½Ǒ֘悽ÞƝǑËö˜Ù½‚ÖÖ«Ä£Ǒ樘ÃǑ
Þ½«£¨æ½ÿǑ‚ÞǑÿËëǑ÷ËÙºǑ‚ÙËëĔǑ樘ǑÞæ˜ÃƜǑ
@˜þæƝǑÞ櫎ºǑÿËëÙǑؔ«ëÃƳÞ«Ą˜”Ǒ 5 eޘǑ‚Ǒւ«ÙǑË¢Ǒގ«ÞÞËÙÞǑæËǑŽëæǑ½˜‚¢Ǒ
Þ¨‚Ö˜ÞǑ¢ÙËÃǑŽÙœÖ˜Ǒւ֘ÙƝǑº«Ä£Ǒ
FEATURE AND STYLING ANNA-LISA DE’ATH

֘悽ÞƝǑËĘǑÿǑËĘƝǑæËǑ樘ǑËëæÞ«”˜ǑË¢Ǒ Þë٘ǑÿËëǑ½˜‚ö˜Ǒ‚ǑێÃǑÞæ˜ÃǑ‚æǑËĘǑ˜Ä”Ǒ
樘ǑÞ½½Ǒ֘悽ÞƝǑŽËÄæ«Äë«Ä£ǑæËǑËö˜Ù½‚ÖǑ Ë¢Ǒ樘Ǒ½˜‚¢ƜǑ'˽”Ǒ樘ǑÞæ˜ÃǑË¢Ǒ樘Ǒ½˜‚¢Ǒ Anna-Lisa
樘ÃǑ‚ÞǑÿËëǑ÷ËÙºƜǑT˜Ö˜‚æǑ樫ÞǑ against the stem of the rose and bind De’Ath creates
PHOTOGRAPHS PHILIP BARKER

overlapping method with the «æǑ«ÄæËǑÖ½‚Ž˜ǑëÞ«Ä£ǑČËÙ«ÞæǁÞǑæ‚Ö˜Ɯ unique pieces

٘«īģǑÞ«þǑ½‚Ù£˜Ǒ֘悽ÞƜǑ and runs
FϘǑ‚½½Ǒ樘Ǒ֘悽ÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ£½ë˜”ǑċÙýÿǑ
«ÄǑÖ½‚Ž˜ƝǑö˜ÙÿǑ£˜Äæ½ÿǑ昂ޘǑ樘ÃǑË֘ÄǑ
÷«æ¨ǑÿËëÙǑċÄ£˜ÙÞǑ‚Ä”ǑŽ‚Ù˜¢ë½½ÿǑ˜Ä”Ǒ
6 !«Ä‚½½ÿƝǑ«Ä”Ǒ‚Ǒ½˜Ä£æ¨ǑË¢ǑČËÙ«ÞæǁÞǑ
tape around the base of the paper
petals and down onto the top of the
workshops
from her studio;
Instagram
the edges of the petals outwards to Þæ˜ÃǑæËǑŽÙ˜‚æ˜Ǒ‚Ǒǀ¨«ÖǁǑ¢ËÙǑ˜‚Ž¨ǑÙËޘƜ @mycrafty
ŽÙ˜‚æ˜Ǒ‚ǑÃË٘Ǒ٘‚½«Þ櫎ƝǑ½Ë÷ÞÿǑ½Ë˺Ɯ T˜Ö˜‚æǑæËǑº˜Ǒ‚ǑËëØë˜æǑ«¢Ǒ”˜Þ«Ù˜”Ɯ countrylife

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 141

 Growth
spurts
If you’ve ever wondered what the layers of a ‘bulb
FEATURE ANDRÉA CHILDS

lasagne’ look like, here’s the answer. It’s our favourite

PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY

technique for a long-lasting display of spring blooms.

Q½‚ÄæǑëÖǑÿËëÙǑÖËæǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘Ǒ½‚æ˜ÞæƳČË÷˜Ù«Ä£Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ½‚Ù£˜ÞæǑ
bulbs at the bottom, add potting compost, then layer in
more bulbs, spacing them 2cm apart. Try hyacinth at
the base, crocus in the middle and narcissus at the top.

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 143

 PLANT PORTRAIT

SMALL
WONDERS
Dwarf bulbs may lack stature but they have
great presence, projecting subtle colour,
fragrance and sensuality in the garden

CHIONODOXA FORBESII
‘PINK GIANT’ Known as Glory
of the Snow as it flowers early,
poking up through the snow ª

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 145

 s spring stirs and much of the garden

A still lies dormant and dull, it is the

baby bulbs that take centre stage,
injecting splashes of jewel-like
colour into beds or borders, containers and
lawns. ‘On their own, they may be rather small
‚Ä”Ǒ«ÄÞ«£Ä«ċŽ‚ÄæƝǑëæǑÖ½‚Ä昔Ǒ«ÄǑË½”Ǒ£ÙËëÖÞƝǑ
they make an impact far exceeding their
individual size,’ notes Christine Skelmersdale
VMH, author of A Gardener’s Guide to Bulbs.

ÃËÄ£Ǒ樘«ÙǑÄë͘ÙǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ”÷‚Ù¢Ǒ”‚Ĉ˔«½ÞƝǑ
cyclamen, silvered crocuses, species tulips,
ÖëÙÖ½˜Ǒ÷«Ä”ČË÷˜ÙÞƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ½ë˜ƳČË÷˜Ù˜”Ǒ˜‚ë櫘ÞǑ
including reticulata irises, grape hyacinths and
scilla – ranging in colour from cobalt and
sapphire hues through to ice or midnight blue.
Many are available now from garden centres,
sprouting and ready to slot into containers. For
the greatest impact, plant a single variety per
container. Make sure they have drainage holes
1 and are covered by a 2cm layer of gravel
to prevent waterlogging. Ideally, position the
pots in a sunny spot sheltered from frost, close
to the house where it is not only a little warmer
2
but the display can be seen from indoors.
Some bulbs naturalise well in short grass,
bringing vibrant colour and increasing in
number year-on-year. Among the earliest are
golden winter aconites, snowdrops, pink or
white Cyclamen coum and silvery lilac Crocus
tommasinianusƜǑq«Ä”ČË÷˜ÙÞƝǑ¨ËËÖƳ֘æ櫎˂æǑ
”‚Ĉ˔«½ÞǑËÙǑÞ֘Ž«˜ÞǑæ뽫ÖÞǑ¢Ë½½Ë÷Ǒ½‚æ˜ÙƜǑ
YÖÙ«Ä£ƳČË÷˜Ù«Ä£Ǒë½ÞǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ˜ÞæǑÖ½‚Ä昔Ǒ«ÄǑ
September, while the soil is still warm, although
later is better for tulips. Plant bulbs at a depth
around three times the bulb’s height — in
containers, pack them closely together for
greater impact. Flowering reduces in
ÞëÞ˜Øë˜ÄæǑÿ˜‚ÙÞƝǑÞËǑ樘ÿǑ˜Ä˜ċæǑ¢ÙËÃǑ‚Ǒ
permanent position in open ground. Removing
Þ֘ÄæǑČË÷˜ÙÞǑÖ٘ö˜ÄæÞǑ樘ǑÖ½‚ÄæǑ÷‚Þæ«Ä£Ǒ˜Ä˜Ù£ÿǑ
on producing seeds.

SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS
BLOMS BULBS has a range of spring-
flowering bulbs, blomsbulbs.com
AVON BULBS offers a wide variety
of spectacular flowering bulbs,
avonbulbs.co.uk
1 SCILLA SIBERICA The 2 PUSCHKINIA SCILLOIDES
Siberian Squill produces VAR. LIBANOTICA produces JACQUES AMAND INTERNATIONAL
nodding, bowl-shaped bright spikes of pale blue, star-shaped stocks firm favourites alongside rare and
blue flowers on purplish stems flowers with darker stripes unusual bulbs, jacquesamandintl.com

146 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 PLANT PORTRAIT

3 4

5 6
FEATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHS NICOLA STOCKEN

3 ANEMONE BLANDA The 4 IRIS RETICULATA 5 TULIPA HAGERI ‘LITTLE 6 MUSCARI ARMENIACUM
daisy-like flowers open wide and ‘KATHARINE HODGKIN’ BEAUTY’ A fragrant, vivid pink ‘EARLY GIANT’ The grape
shimmer in sunlight, but close A distinctive hybrid, with yellow species tulip that thrives in pots hyacinth naturalises well in grass
to looming skies and heavy rain splashes and blue/sea-green veins or naturalises in short grass or woodland. Readily spreads

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 147

 NEW
ROMANTICS
Garden designer Jo Thompson has made her name creating
charming, dreamy gardens to fall in love with. She shares
her recipe for planting romance with us

148 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 GARDEN DESIGN

This Jo Thompson design brings

the romance of a country cottage
garden, filled with soft pastel
roses, to a plot in West London

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 149

 ¨ë£˜Ǒقģ˜ǑË¢ǑČË÷˜Ù«Ä£ǑÖ½‚ÄæÞǑËÄǑ¨˜ÙǑ÷«Þ¨Ǒ½«ÞæǑ
ƵǑ·ëÞæǑ”ËÄǁæǑ½Ë˺Ǒ¢ËÙǑÞÖ«ºÿǑ‚ÙŽ¨«æ˜Žæëق½ǑÞ֘Ž«Ã˜ÄÞƜǑ
ǀ*Ǒ”ËÄǁæǑ樫ĺǑ*ǁö˜Ǒ˜ö˜ÙǑÖ½‚Ä昔Ǒ‚Ǒ‚ÍËËǑ«ÄǑÃÿǑ
½«¢˜ơǁǑÞ¨˜Ǒ˜þŽ½‚«ÃÞƜǑǀTËޘÞǑ‚Ä”ǑŽ½˜Ã‚æ«ÞǑŽ‚ÄǑ£ÙË÷Ǒ
æËǑ«½½Ë÷ƝǑ¢‚½½ǑËÙǑæëͽ˜ǑƵǑÄË樫ģǑæËËǑÂīŽë٘”ƜǑ
*Ǒ½«º˜ǑæËǑ½˜æǑ«æǑ‚½½Ǒ¨‚Ä£ǑËëæǑ‚Ǒ«æƜǑ
ĔǑ*Ǒ÷‚ÞǑö˜ÙÿǑ
˜þŽ«æ˜”ǑæËǑ٘‚”Ǒ樂æǑp«æ‚ǑY‚Žºö«½½˜Ǒq˜ÞæǑ½Ë˺˜”Ǒ
‚¢æ˜ÙǑ¨˜ÙǑÙËޘÞǑ樘ǑނØǑ÷‚ÿǑ‚æǑY«ÞÞ«Ä£¨ëÙÞæƜǁ
*ÄǑ樘ǑË˺ǑÞ¨˜Ǒ÷Ù«æ˜ÞǑÖ˘櫎‚½½ÿƝǑǀ`¨˜ǑĂØÞǑ
Ë¢ǑÙËޘÞǑŽËÄ·ë٘ǑëÖǑÙËÂÄ櫎Ǒ¨«ÞæËÙ«˜ÞƟǑ*ǑÖق«Þ˜Ǒ
them for their beauty and commend them
for their bravery when they throw out bonus
½ËËÃÞǑ«ÄǑFŽæˍ˜ÙƜǑ*ǑŽËÄÞ˽˜Ǒ樘ÃǑ‚Ä”Ǒ٘ëĔǑ
them of their resilience when summer rain ruins
hen we think about quintessentially English gardens, it’s 樘Ǒë”ÞǑ樘ÿǁö˜ǑÞ֘ÄæǑÞËǑ½ËÄ£Ǒº«Ä£Ɯǁ
often the romance of secret hideaways, tumbling roses and ëæǑ÷¨«½˜ǑÞ¨˜Ǒ‚”Ë٘ÞǑ樘Ǒ«Ä¢ËÙ½«æÿǑË¢ǑÙËޘÞǑ
‚ÄǑ‚ëĔ‚ÄŽ˜ǑË¢ǑČË÷˜ÙÞǑ樂æǑŽ‚Öæë٘ÞǑËëÙǑ«Ã‚£«Ä‚æ«ËÄƜǑ Þ뎨Ǒ‚ÞǑ樘Ǒǀ9‚ÙºǑ
ގ˜Ä”«Ä£ǁǑ樂æǑÞ¨˜ǑŽ‚ÄǑޘ˜Ǒ
In her latest book, The New Romantic Garden (£40, Rizzoli), from her kitchen sink, or the richness of a classic
5ËǑ`¨ËÃÖÞËÄǑ˜þÖ½Ë٘ÞǑ¨Ë÷ǑÞ¨˜Ǒæ‚ÖÞǑ«ÄæËǑ樫ÞǑւÙ櫎뽂ÙǑ ǀ?ëÄÞ昂”ǑqË˔ǁƝǑ«æǁÞǑÃ뎨ǑÃË٘Ǒ樂ÄǑ‚Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄƳ
ö«Þ«ËÄǑæËǑŽÙ˜‚æ˜ǑŽËÄæ˜ÃÖËقÙÿǑÞւŽ˜ÞƜ ½˜”Ǒ£˜Þæë٘Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ‚ǑÄ˔ǑæËǑ樘Ǒ ½ËËÃލëÙÿǑޘæƜǑ`¨˜Ǒ
The title may be an ironic nod to the 1980s, but Jo’s style thinking behind using roses is that they are a
¨‚ÞǑ‚½÷‚ÿÞǑÞæË˔Ǒ‚Ö‚ÙæǑ¢ÙËÃǑ樘Ǒ¨«£¨Ƴ˜Ä”Ǒº˜Ëö˜ÙǑŽë½æë٘Ǒ ˜‚ëæ«¢ë½Ǒ÷‚ÿǑË¢ǑÙ«Ä£«Ä£Ǒ«ÄǑë”Ƴ¨˜«£¨æǑ½‚ÿ˜ÙÞǑ
樂æǑ”ËëĂ昔Ǒ樘ǑæëÙÄƳË¢Ƴ樘ƳŽ˜ÄæëÙÿǑ£‚Ù”˜Ä«Ä£Ǒގ˜Ä˜ƜǑ ‚Ä”ǑÃËö˜Ã˜ÄæƜǑ9‚ÿ˜Ù«Ä£Ǒ«ÞǑ‚ÄǑ˜ÞޘÄ櫂½Ǒ¢˜‚æë٘Ǒ
'˜ÙǑ‚ÖÖÙ˂Ž¨ǑæËǑ£‚Ù”˜ÄÞǑ«ÞǑ¨˜‚öÿǑËÄǑÖ½‚Äæ«Ä£Ǒق樘ÙǑ樂ÄǑ æËǑ‚Ž¨«˜ö˜Ǒ樘ǑÞË¢æƝǑÙËÂÄ櫎ǑČË÷Ǒ樂æǑ5ËǑ«Ä¢ëޘÞǑ
¨‚Ù”Ǒ½‚Ĕގ‚Ö«Ä£ƜǑq¨˜ÄǑÞ¨˜ǑޘæǑ‚ËëæǑŽëقæ«Ä£Ǒ樘ǑË˺ƝǑ «ÄǑ¨˜ÙǑ£‚Ù”˜ÄÞƜǑ*æǁÞǑ‚ËëæǑ‚½‚ÄŽ«Ä£ǑÞæÙëŽæëق½Ǒ
the gardens led the way and she’s chosen 30 of her designs, ¢ËÙÃÞǑ÷«æ¨ǑÞË¢æ˜ÙƝǑÃË٘Ǒ”«‚Ö¨‚ÄËëÞǑæ˜þæë٘ÞƜ
«ÄŽ½ë”«Ä£Ǒ¨˜ÙǑË÷ÄǑŽËæ患˜ƳÞ«Ą˜”Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄƜǑ`¨˜Ǒö‚Ù«˜”ǑÞւŽ˜ÞǑ F樘ÙǑČË÷˜Ù«Ä£ǑÞ¨ÙëÞǑÞ뎨Ǒ‚ÞǑ÷˜«£˜½‚ÞƝǑ
Þ¨Ë÷Ǒ¨Ë÷ǑæËǑ‚Ž¨«˜ö˜Ǒ‚ǑÙËÂÄ櫎Ǒ½Ë˺Ǒ÷¨˜Ù˜ö˜ÙǑÿËëǑ½«ö˜ƜǑ ”˜ëæĄ«‚ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ¨ÿ”Ù‚Ä£˜‚ÞǑÖ½‚ÿǑ‚ÄǑ˜ÞޘÄ櫂½ǑւÙæƜǑ
For Jo, the aim is to weave magic and fun into her gardens, ǀ*æǁÞǑ˜‚ÞÿǑæËǑ£˜æǑޘ”뎘”ǑÿǑ˜‚ëæ«¢ë½Ǒ֘٘ÄÄ«‚½ÞǑ
÷¨«½˜Ǒ悫½ËÙ«Ä£Ǒ樘ÃǑæËǑ¨˜ÙǑŽ½«˜ÄæÞǁǑʘ”ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ֘ÙÞËĂ½Ǒ ‚Ä”Ǒæ٘˜ÞƝǑëæǑ÷˜ǑŽ‚ÄǑ¢ËÙ£˜æǑ‚ËëæǑ樘Ǒë”Ƴ½‚ÿ˜ÙƜǑ
Þæÿ½˜ƜǑY¨˜Ǒ”˘ÞÄǁæǑ˜½«˜ö˜Ǒ«ÄǑ¨˜‚öÿǑ«Äæ˜Ùö˜Äæ«ËÄƝǑËÙǑ‚Ǒޘ٫ËëÞǑ If you can walk through and around layers, it adds
Þæ‚ÃÖǑË¢Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄƜǑ`¨˜Ǒ5ËǑ`¨ËÃÖÞËÄǑØæ¨Ë”˽ˣÿǑ«ÞǑÃË٘Ǒ ‚ǑޘÄޘǑË¢ǑÃÿÞæ˜ÙÿƟǑ‚Ä”Ǒ樂æǑë”Ƴ½‚ÿ˜ÙǑ«ÞǑ˜ÞæǑ
‚ËëæǑ£˜Ä潘ǑŽË‚þ«Ä£ƝǑ÷ËÙº«Ä£Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘Ǒ½‚Ĕގ‚Ö˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ樘Ǒ ÖÙËö«”˜”ǑÿǑÞ¨ÙëÞƜǑ`¨˜ÿǑ÷˜Ù˜ǑËëæǑË¢Ǒ¢‚Þ¨«ËÄǑ
Ž½«˜ÄæÞƝǑæ¨ÙË루Ǒ‚Ǒޘ٫˜ÞǑË¢Ǒ֘ÙÞËĂ½ǑŽ¨‚æÞǑ‚Ä”ǑÂÄÿǑŽëÖÞǑ for a while – 15 years ago, nobody wanted
Ë¢Ǒ昂ƝǑæËǑċĔǑ樘ǑÙ«£¨æǑÞ˽ëæ«ËÄƜǑ ¨ÿ”Ù‚Ä£˜‚ÞǑƵǑëæǑ樘ÿǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ«ÄŽÙ˜”«½ÿǑ«ÃÖËÙæ‚ÄæƜǁ
'˜ÙǑŽ¨Ë«Ž˜ǑË¢ǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞǑ«ÞǑ‚½÷‚ÿÞǑ‚ǑÙ˜Č˜Žæ«ËÄǑË¢Ǒ樘ǑÞæÿ½˜Ǒ YËǑ¢‚ÙƝǑÞËǑÙËÂÄ櫎ƝǑëæǑ¨Ë÷Ǒ”ËǑŽËϘÙÄÞǑ¢ËÙǑ
Ë¢Ǒ樘Ǒ¨ËëޘǑ‚Ä”Ǒ樘Ǒæ‚Þæ˜ǑË¢Ǒ樘Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄǁÞǑË÷ĘÙÞƜǑǀ*æǁÞǑ·ëÞæǑ 樘Ǒ˜Äö«ÙËÄØÄæǑċæǑ«ÄƣǑǀö˜ÄǑ˜¢Ë٘Ǒ樘Ǒ
‚ÞǑ«ÃÖËÙæ‚ÄæǑæËǑëĔ˜ÙÞæ‚Ä”Ǒ¨Ë÷ǑŽ½«˜ÄæÞǑ½«ö˜Ǒ«Ä”ËËÙÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ buzzwords of sustainability and biodiversity,
÷¨‚æǑ”˜Þ«£ÄǑ”˜æ‚«½ÞǑÞ«æǑ«ÄÞ«”˜Ǒ樘Ǒ¨ËëޘƝǁǑ5ËǑ˜þÖ½‚«ÄÞƜǑYËƝǑ I’ve worked in tune with the land, taken care of
ŽËÄæ˜ÃÖËقÙÿǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞǑëޘ”Ǒ«ÄǑ樘Ǒ«Äæ˜Ù«ËÙǑË¢Ǒ樘Ǒ¨ËëޘǑ ÷«½”½«¢˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ£‚Ù”˜Ä˜”Ǒ«ÄǑ‚ǑÄËÄƳ÷‚Þ昢ë½Ǒ÷‚ÿƜǑ
루æǑ˜Ǒ˜Ž¨Ë˜”Ǒ«ÄǑ樘Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄƜǑ q˜ǁö˜ǑŽËØǑ‚Ǒ½ËÄ£Ǒ÷‚ÿǑ«ÄǑËëÙǑëĔ˜ÙÞæ‚Ä”«Ä£Ǒ
ǀQ‚ÙæǑË¢Ǒ樘ǑÙËÂϘǑ«ÞǑ÷¨˜ÄǑ樘٘Ǒ‚Ù˜ÄǁæǑæËËǑÂÄÿǑ ‚Ä”Ǒ樘٘ǁÞǑÃË٘Ǒ‚÷‚٘ĘÞÞǑæ˔‚ÿƜǑ`¨«ÙæÿǑÿ˜‚ÙÞǑ
·‚ÙÙ«Ä£Ǒ˜½˜Ã˜ÄæÞƜǑ
ÞǑ÷˜½½Ǒ‚ÞǑëÞ«Ä£Ǒ½ËŽ‚½ǑÂæ˜Ù«‚½ÞƝǑ*ǁÃǑ‚½ÞËǑ ‚£ËƝǑ*Ǒ٘Ø͘ÙǑؘæ«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑÖËæ˜Ä櫂½ǑŽ½«˜ÄæǑ÷¨ËǑ
thinking about how those elements will sit comfortably ”«”ÄǁæǑ÷‚ÄæǑ‚ÄÿǑÞÖ«”˜ÙÞǑËÙǑ˜˜ÞǑ«ÄǑ¨˜ÙǑ£‚Ù”˜ÄƝǑ
«ÄǑ樘Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄƜǑ*æǑ”˘ÞÄǁæǑʘ”ǑæËǑ½Ë˺Ǒ‚ÞǑ«¢Ǒ«æǁÞǑ˜˜ÄǑ樘٘Ǒ ‚Ä”Ǒ樂æǑ«ÞǑö˜ÙÿǑق٘ǑæËǑŽËØǑ‚ŽÙËÞÞǑÄË÷Ɯǁ
¢Ë٘ö˜ÙƝǑëæǑ«æǑ”˘ÞǑʘ”ǑæËǑ¢˜˜½Ǒ‚ÞǑ«¢Ǒ«æǑÞ¨Ë뽔Ǒ˜Ǒ樘٘ƜǁǑ ‚ÄǑ÷«½”˜ÙĘÞÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ٘÷«½”«Ä£ǑċæǑ÷«æ¨ǑÙËÂÄ櫎Ǒ
It’s a careful balance – overuse of traditional materials ”˜Þ«£ÄƣǑ5ËǑ˜ÃÙ‚Ž˜ÞǑ樫ÞǑ‚ÞǑ‚ÄǑËÖÖËÙæëÄ«æÿǑ¢ËÙǑ
Ž‚ÄǑ˜Ǒ·ëÞæǑæËËǑæ÷˜˜ƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ5ËǑ¢˜˜½ÞǑÞæÙËÄ£½ÿǑ樂æǑÙËÂÄ櫎Ǒ ”«ÞŽëÞÞ«ËÄƜǑǀ*æǑ”˘ÞÄǁæǑ؂ÄǑ·ëÞæǑÞ¨ëææ«Ä£Ǒ樘Ǒ
Þæÿ½˜Ǒ«ÞǑ”«Þæ«ÄŽæǑ¢ÙËÃǑ‚Ǒö«Ä患˜ǑËÙǑŽ¨ËŽË½‚æ˜ƳËþǑæËĘƜ ‚ŽºǑ£‚æ˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ½˜‚ö«Ä£Ǒ«æǑ‚½½ǑæËǑĂæë٘ƝǁǑÞ¨˜ǑނÿÞƜǑ

ÞǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚½½Ǒ£Ë˔Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄƝǑ樘ǑÞւŽ˜Ǒʘ”ÞǑæËǑ¢ëĎæ«ËÄǑËÄǑ ǀ
ĔǑ«æǑ”˘ÞÄǁæǑ÷ËÙºǑ«ÄǑ‚ǑÞ½½˜ÙǑ£‚Ù”˜ÄƟǑÿËëǑ
‚ǑÖقŽæ«Ž‚½Ǒ½˜ö˜½ƜǑ ëæǑ£˜ËØæÙ«ŽǑ ʘ”Ǒ‚ŽÙ˜ÞǑæËǑ˜ö˜ÄǑ樫ĺǑ‚ËëæǑ«æƜǁ
½«Ä˜ÞǑ«ÄǑ樘ǑÖ½‚ÄÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒ樘ǑÃË٘Ǒ Y¨˜Ǒ«ÞǑŽëÙ٘Äæ½ÿǑ÷ËÙº«Ä£Ǒ÷«æ¨Ǒ‚Ǒ
¢ËÙ½Ǒ¢˜‚æë٘ÞƝǑÞ뎨Ǒ‚ÞǑւæ¨ÞƝǑ Opposite top Nestled in the Ž½«˜ÄæǑæËǑǀ٘ƳĂæë٘ǁǑ樘«ÙǑ£‚Ù”˜ÄƝǑ
crook of two hedges which lead
֘٣˽‚ÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒޘ‚æ«Ä£Ǒ‚Ù˜‚ÞƝǑ‚Ù˜Ǒ the eye, a multi-stemmed tree ޘ˜«Ä£Ǒ樫ÞǑ‚ÞǑÃË٘Ǒ‚Ž¨«˜ö‚½˜ƜǑ
ޘŽËĔ‚ÙÿǑæËǑ樘ǑÖ½‚ÄæÞƜǑ*¢Ǒ5ËǑ emerges from a tangle of flowers ǀq˜Ǒ‚Ù˜ǑŽëÞæ˔«‚ÄÞƝǑ‚Ä”Ǒ£‚Ù”˜Ä«Ä£Ǒ
has a signature, it’s always in the means that you are entrusted with
Opposite below This BBC
Ö½‚Äæ«Ä£ǑƵǑŽ¨‚ÙëģƝǑ”Ù˜‚ÃÿǑ‚Ä”Ǒ Springwatch garden was designed ‚ǑÖ«˜Ž˜ǑË¢Ǒ½‚Ä”ǑæËǑ½Ë˺Ǒ‚¢æ˜ÙƜǑYËǑ
”˜Ž«”˜”½ÿǑÙËÂÄ櫎ƜǑq¨«½˜ǑÙËޘÞǑ by Jo Thompson for RHS ÷˜ǁ٘Ǒ悺«Ä£Ǒ‚ǑÖقŽæ«Ž‚½Ǒ‚ÖÖÙ˂Ž¨ƜǑ
¢˜‚æë٘ǑÖÙËëĘÄæ½ÿƝǑ樘٘ǁÞǑ‚Ǒ Hampton Court Flower Show There needs to be a lawn for the ª

150 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

 GARDEN DESIGN

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS 151

GARDEN DESIGN

Ž¨«½”Ù˜ÄǑ‚Ä”Ǒ樘Ǒ”Ë£ÞǑæËǑÖ½‚ÿǑËÄƝǑëæǑÞ¨ËÙæƳ
˜‚º˜”Ǒ«Ù”ÞǑ½«º˜Ǒ½‚Žº«Ù”ÞǑÖ٘¢˜ÙǑ‚Ǒ½‚÷ÄƝǑæËËƜǑ
ǀ
ÞǑ÷˜Ǒæقö˜½Ǒ樘Ǒ£‚Ù”˜ÄǁÞǑ½˜Ä£æ¨ƝǑ÷˜ǁ٘Ǒ‚½ÞËǑ
looking at where humans don’t need to go and
樂æǑÞւŽ˜ǑŽ‚ÄǑ˜Ǒ£«ö˜ÄǑËö˜ÙǑæËǑĂæë٘ƜǑ`¨˜Ù˜Ǒ‚Ù˜Ǒ
some areas where there will be a bit of scrub, but
樘٘Ǒ÷«½½Ǒ˜Ǒæ٘˜ÞǑ‚ÙËëĔǑ«æƜǁ
5ËǑ«ÞǑ˜þ¨««æ«Ä£Ǒ‚æǑ樘ǑT'YǑ ¨˜½Þ˜‚Ǒ!½Ë÷˜ÙǑ
Y¨Ë÷Ǒ樫ÞǑÞëÃØÙǑ÷«æ¨Ǒ樘Ǒ"½‚ÞÞ¨ËëޘǑ"‚Ù”˜ÄƝǑ
«ÄÞ֫٘”ǑÿǑ‚ǑÞˎ«‚½Ǒ˜Äæ˜ÙÖ٫ޘǑ樂æǑËĈ˜ÙÞǑޘŽËĔǑ
chances through horticultural training to women
«ÄǑe7ǑÖÙ«ÞËÄÞƜǑ`¨˜Ǒ”˜Þ«£ÄǑŽ˜½˜Ù‚æ˜ÞǑÞæ٘ģæ¨Ǒ
‚Ä”Ǒ˜‚ëæÿƝǑ÷«æ¨ǑÖ½˜ÄæÿǑË¢ǑÙËޘÞǑëæǑ‚½ÞËǑĘ÷Ǒ
ŽË½ËëÙǑŽËͫĂæ«ËÄÞƜǑǀ*æǁÞǑ‚Ǒ٘æ٘‚æǑëæǑ‚½ÞËǑ‚ÄǑ
«ÄÞ֫قæ«ËĂ½ǑÖ½‚Ž˜Ǒ÷¨˜Ù˜Ǒ樘Ǒ÷ËØÄǑŽ‚ÄǑ£ËǑÿǑ
樘Ãޘ½ö˜ÞǑËÙǑ÷«æ¨ǑË樘ÙÞƝǁǑނÿÞǑ5ËƜǑǀQÙ«ö‚ŽÿǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
Þ«½˜ÄŽ˜Ǒ‚Ù˜Ǒ樫ģÞǑÿËëǑ”ËÄǁæǑ£˜æǑ«ÄǑÖÙ«ÞËÄǑ‚Ä”Ǒ
PHOTOGRAPHS RACHEL WARNE, ALAMY

樘٘ǁÞǑÄËǑ‚ŽŽ˜ÞÞǑæËǑĂæë٘ƜǁǑq«½½Ǒ«æǑ˜Ǒ‚ǑĘ÷Ǒ
ÙËÂÄ櫎Ǒ5ËǑ`¨ËÃÖÞËÄǑ£‚Ù”˜ÄƣǑ
Þ˽ë昽ÿƜ
FEATURE CAMILLA PHELPS

Top Jo’s The Retreat garden Above The romantic style The New
for RHS Chelsea Flower show includes delightful moments that Romantic Garden
combines romantic planting with invite pause and appreciation, by Jo Thompson
sinuous hard landscaping like this pitcher of wild flowers (£40, Rizzoli)

152 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

‘A new romantic garden doesn’t need to

look as if it’s been there forever, but it

does need to feel as if it should be there.

The planting is dreamy and charming’

This design illustrates how

a garden building can settle
organically into the space when
surrounded by romantic planting
GARDEN LIFE

TOOLS FOR
THE JOB
New or old, tools that are treated with a little TLC will make
life in the garden easier and more productive. Now’s the
time to give them the consideration they deserve

ools have a sacred space in the for example, longer-handled tools are useful

T gardening world. Perhaps you have

a favourite pair of secateurs (although
never get too attached as the garden
has a habit of swallowing them up)? Maybe
you inherited your dad’s spade, or you have
«¢ǑÿËëǑċĔǑ˜Ä”«Ä£Ǒ«ÞǑ‚ǑŽ¨‚½½˜Ä£˜ƜǑ
Looked-after tools mature nicely and you
can pick up great second-hand pieces from car
boot sales, auction sites, vintage stores, garden
shows and events. The weight, ageing and patina
a collection of tools hung with ornamental of a vintage tool is comforting to hold as you
precision on the wall of your shed? contemplate the histories of past gardens and
With more idle time, these winter months are gardeners it belonged to.
great for sorting through your kit. Check the Once you start delving into the world of
blades and handles and work out what you need antique gardening kit, you uncover an array
to repair or replace. I still get childishly excited of fascinating implements, from apple pickers,
by a new piece of kit – there’s a lot of charm in a grape protectors and potato planters to
ċĘǑ½‚”˜Ǒ‚Ä”Ǒ‚Ǒ˜‚ë櫢뽽ÿǑŽÙ‚¢æ˜”Ǒ¨‚Ä”½˜ƜǑ ëæǑ strawberry trowels, double-headed mattocks
the choice can sometimes seem overwhelming and turf irons. You won’t ‘need’ most of these,
– is there really a tool for every job? And are but aside from embracing the spirit of recycling
those new, improved shape-shifting items, that and repairing, the quality of traditionally
claim to do more than one thing, really worth it? forged tools makes them a good bet for lasting
My essentials include a pair of quality bypass another generation. There’s incredible skill
secateurs, a trowel, fork, hoe and leaf rake. A involved in their making and a simple beauty
spade is useful, but if you ‘no-dig’, you don’t that makes them wonderfully collectible.
need one as often these days. I am, however, Whatever the state of your shed, a tool review
a recent convert to Niwaki’s compact golden is a good way to stay connected to your garden
spade – the pointed blade is so useful for on a winter afternoon. The slow process of
moving plants in heavy clay soil. Loppers or a cleaning, sharpening and oiling is the ideal
PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY/MARINA TROSHENKOVA

good pruning saw make lighter work if you’re mindful seasonal task and all that pre-spring
tackling any shrub or tree branch thicker than attention will make your tools satisfyingly
ÿËëÙǑċÄ£˜ÙƜǑ
ĔǑ*Ǒ¨‚ö˜ǑÞ뎎ë͘”ǑæËǑ樘Ǒæ٘ĔǑ ready for action as the days draw out.
for hori horis – a lethal-looking but incredibly
handy Japanese blade that I would now not be
FEATURE CAMILLA PHELPS

without; it really does lend itself to many and

varied tasks, from planting bulbs to weeding
between paving cracks. GARDEN KIT BAG
Define your ideal ‘tool inventory’,
Anything with a blade – secateurs, snips and then search out well-made
saws – is worth investing in, rather than opting implements, new or old, that feel
for a cheap version. And consider ergonomics; good in the hand and work well

154 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

HOW TO CARE
FOR TOOLS
Always clean tools after
O

you’ve used them, to remove

any sap or soil.
OLook for cleaning kits that
include sharpening stones
and specialist oils for getting
your blades in order.
ONiwaki and Felco offer a
sharpening service for many
of their branded tools – book
in early as you are looking at
a few weeks before they are
returned to you in tip-top
working order.
Many older tools were made
O

of hand-forged steel with ash

or hickory handles. Classic
British brands to look for are
Brades, Gilpin and Elwell.
Lightly sand off any rust
O

and treat with Danish oil for

metal and Briwax polish for
wood, suggests Kevin Garside
of vintagegardentool.com
 TESSA
CLAYTON

Tales from
Sex in the City and not Coitus in the Country. Sex and the City
is couples in rooftop bars, legs entwined under the table as
they feed each other oysters and champagne. Coitus in the

the country
CountryǑ«ÞǑ‚Ǒ디½˜Ƴ‚£˜”ǑŽËëÖ½˜ǑÖëĉÄ£Ǒ‚½ËÄ£Ǒ‚Ǒ«º˜Ǒæق«½ƝǑ
ËĘǑŽ¨‚Ù£«Ä£ǑÞ«£Ä«ċŽ‚Äæ½ÿǑ‚¨˜‚”Ǒƭǀ ËØǑF@ƝǑ?‚Ù£˜ÙÿơǁƮǑ
while the other shoots daggers at their back.
If you’re a rural singleton looking for love, you’ll have
to spread your net wide. One local thirtysomething told me
Did her love life take a dive when that she had set her location preferences on dating apps to
100km to avoid matching with any of her exes, her friends’
she moved to the Peaks? Ask the exes, or mates of her dad. Eligible bachelors aren’t so much
snapped up as commandeered. Remember how the Bennet
man in matching wellies, Tessa says sisters lost their collective minds in Pride and Prejudice
÷¨˜ÄǑ?ÙǑ «Ä£½˜ÿǑŽ‚ØǑæËǑ@˜æ¨˜Ùċ˜½”ǑQ‚ÙºƣǑ*æǁÞǑÞ櫽½Ǒ½«º˜Ǒ
WHICH DO YOU FIND MORE ROMANTIC, the city or that, only for Mr Bingley, substitute a 5ft 8in claims
the countryside? The city abounds with places to enjoy adjuster with at least some of his own teeth.
intimate dates – cocktail bars, boutique hotels, theatres I’m not averse to a bit of fantasy, however. Long may
and cinemas; venues where soft lighting can make even the 樘Ǒ'‚½½Ã‚ÙºǑ?Ëö«˜Ǒ ¨‚ÄĘ½ǑŽËÄæ«Äë˜ǑæËǑŽ¨ëÙÄǑËëæǑċ½ÃÞǑ
most potato-faced of us look appealing. Look up ‘things to ‚ËëæǑÙëق½ǑæË÷ÄÞǑ‚Ä”Ǒö«½½‚£˜ÞǑËö˜ÙČË÷«Ä£Ǒ÷«æ¨ǑÙ룣˜”Ǒ
do on Valentine’s Day in the countryside’, on the other handymen/hunky farmers/ripped bookstore owners,
hand, and the suggestions range from camping and wild who are somehow always conveniently single when their
swimming, to cycling and hiking – all activities for which former high-school sweetheart – now a lawyer/architect/
樘Ǒö˜ÙǑǀæËǑ˜”Ù‚££½˜ǁǑ÷‚ÞǑÞ֘Ž«ċŽ‚½½ÿǑ«Äö˜Ä昔ƜǑ ad exec – returns to take over her grandmother’s ailing
I’d argue that being outdoors is not romantic. Or at least B&B/pumpkin farm/bakery. Such is the pull of the
not when you and your other half are dragging a couple of small-town setting, that in a matter of days of reconnecting
reluctant dogs across the moor and with her sexy minimum-wage-earning
the four or so strands of hair you’ve ˜þƝǑ樘Ǒ¨«£¨ƳČÿ«Ä£Ǒ¨˜Ù˫ĘǑ«ÞǑ٘‚”ÿǑ
managed to retain during menopause ‘Sex and the City æËǑ‚‚Ä”ËÄǑ¨˜ÙǑŽ‚Ù˜˜ÙƝǑċގ‚½ǑޘŽëÙ«æÿǑ
are being blown about so viciously and high-maintenance beauty
that your bald patches can be seen ٘£«Ã˜Ǒƭǀ
Ǒ½˜£Ǒ÷‚þƝǑ¨˜Ù˜Ǒ«ÄǑ?‚Ö½˜½˜‚¢Ǒ
from space. Adding to the sexy is champagne and Falls? You ain’t in the big city no
ambience is the fact you’ve said hello ÃË٘ƝǑÿËëÄ£ǑëÞÞÿơǁƮǑæËǑÞ½ëÃǑ«æǑ«ÄǑ
to several groups of walkers before woollens and wellies.
you realise, with horror, that the oysters. Coitus in the The credits conveniently roll
ILUSTRATION LAURIE AVON

two of you have dressed identically before her beau reveals he is into fell
in orange cagoules, stripy tops and running in a big way, and has bought
dark grey wellies, like ageing, CountryǑ«ÞǑÖëĉÄ£Ǒ her waterproof trousers and trail
Mountain Warehouse-sponsored gaiters as a Valentine’s gift, leading
Tweedledum and Tweedledee. to No Sex and the Countryside. Now
In short, there’s a reason they made along a bike trail’ there’s a TV series I can get behind.

162 COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS

9000 9001