Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2023 i Country Homes & Interiors

HAPPY and organised were my watchwords when planning this issue. While I’m not averse to a bit of clutter (there are books and favourite objects all around my home), there comes a tipping point when I feel I can’t breathe for too much stuff. Fortunately, a sweep of surfaces and a trip to the recycling centre is usually all it takes to regain a sense of order. It seems I’m not alone. I loved reading columnist Paula Sutton on achieving the fine balance between cosy clutter and out-and-out chaos in her home; see page 19. We’ve also looked at the art of installing stylish bookshelves (page 82) and the kits that are great to have in a basket in a kitchen cupboard or the utility room (page 96), ready whenever…

Having just completed the whirlwind renovation of a handsome Cotswold cottage, Amelia Harvey was intrigued when the adjoining property went on to the market. ‘I was literally moving in, but I couldn’t resist finding out more,’ she recalls. ‘A friend had come to help me unpack and, as we peeped over the wall at the next door cottage, buying it felt like a golden opportunity.’ It was back in March 2020, when lockdown struck, that the London-based entrepreneur began yearning for a Cotswolds bolthole. Just three months later, Amelia bought her first cottage in the pretty village of Shiptonunder-Wychwood, and had transformed it by August. ‘Despite the challenging times, I really enjoyed breathing new life, colour and joy into my cottage,’ she says. The renovation, completed with the help of…

KIT 1: FLOWER ARRANGING Scissors Pruning knife/floral knife Gardeners’ gloves Vase and bottle brushes Twine, raffia and string Waxed waterproof tissue paper Planter Pots Nailbrush Plant carrier Mesh basket Wooden trivet Chamois leather Furnish your inner florist with the tools to turn flowers into art. Sharp scissors or a pruning knife are essential for cutting stems – snip them on an angle so the stem doesn’t get squashed, giving it a larger surface area to take up water. A bottle brush is another essential; it will get your vases really clean, especially if they have narrow necks, and ensure they are mould free. Keep twine or raffia to tie bouquets. Or use it to hang flowers to dry: hang them upside down in a cool, dry place for a couple…

There’s a special kind of allure to a listed building. Rare and unique properties of historical or architectural importance, they have been placed on a national register with strict rules in place designed to protect and maintain their fabric for future generations. There are three categories of listing. Grade II means the property is of special interest. Grade II* means it is considered important and of more than special interest. And Grade I means the property is of ‘exceptional interest’. ‘Listed buildings offer something different to homebuyers. Not only are they a piece of history, they are often unique in terms of design and build,’ explains Marc von Grundherr, managing director of Benham & Reeves estate agency. ‘This, coupled with the fact that stock levels are limited, makes them incredibly…

‘DURING the COVID-19 pandemic I felt frustrated by its limitations,’ says florist Anna Potter. ‘How could I create now that I was no longer able to select flowers from a fully stocked market? And yet, looking around me, I saw so much beauty and wealth that, before now, I had simply overlooked. So, I began finding novel materials to work with on quiet spring walks, and this has since become a ritual for me. I seek out new materials purely for colour, texture and movement, and not because I’ve seen them somewhere on Instagram or they are the latest fashionable bloom. ‘And, so, to the stems for my wreath. Cherry (or Portuguese) laurel is often relegated to car parks and neglected areas of our gardens. Left without vigorous pruning, it…

Originally from the south coast of Devon, Lauren worked at several leading interior design studios before starting her own in the pretty little village of Elkstone near Cheltenham, nine years ago. Developing a homeware store in line with her signature ‘Cotswold chic’ aesthetic has always been a goal. Her range of furniture, homeware and lighting – many crafted locally – features colourful textiles, earthy textures and natural elements, as well as unique vintage pieces, to complement her laid-back style. What inspired you to set up shop? The design studio has slowly grown over the years – we now have a team of 10 and there’s a wonderful synergy across the studio that I’m so grateful for. Developing a homeware store in line with our brand aesthetic felt like a natural…

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All of the homes featured in my books – my new title, The Art of Living with White, and my first book, For the Love of White – have a wonderful harmony. Each one illustrates beautifully the many ways in which to work with white, all of them special and unique. When it comes to creating our own homes, though, not all the interior styles we like will work seamlessly together. So when there are so many choices, how do we navigate our own personal way of using white?’ START BY FINE-TUNING YOUR STYLE ‘It is important to work out what you need from each space, and to identify what design styles you love or are less keen on. For me, all great home design projects have a strong ‘core…

There’s nothing worse than having the exterior of your windows cleaned, and realising there are smudges on the inside of the panes that are still clouding your view. Here’s how to clean the glass and buff it to a smear-free finish every time. MAKE YOUR OWN WINDOW CLEANER You don’t need a shop-bought glass cleaner to get a sparkling finish – the ingredients you need for an effective window wipedown can be found in your kitchen. All the formulations below are effective, so experiment with the one you feel works the best for you and your home. Vinegar and water Add three tablespoons of white vinegar to a bucket of warm water and stir, then dip a cloth into the solution and wipe your windows clean. Vinegar will give off…

Sheds are the perfect no-nonsense storage solution for garden tools, DIY essentials and seasonal garden items. Sounds straightforward, but if you don’t want it to become a leaning, leaking pile of timber, then our expert guide will talk you through the essentials of putting it in place. MATERIAL MATTERS Plastic, metal and wood are the most common materials used for shed construction. Wood is the traditional choice and will provide the most aesthetically pleasing option. It can be painted to help it blend into your garden and can be repainted to maintain its appearance. Plastic is an affordable option that’s easy to install and low maintenance. ‘Where possible, choose a steel-reinforced plastic shed for added durability,’ advises Samuel Marlow from Garden Buildings Direct. If your shed is going to be…

Sally Francis spent her childhood free-range, stomping about salt marshes and water meadows, playing in chalk streams, and running footloose on her parents’ smallholding in Norfolk. ‘We grew up with chickens and geese, eating fruit and vegetables from the kitchen garden. The owners of the surrounding fields and wetlands were family members, and never minded my sister and I straying onto their land. We stumbled across all sorts, including flowers, such as sea lavender and marsh orchids, which captivated me.’ Sally went on to study botany at Oxford, followed by a DPhil in plant pathology, conducting research into how to grow healthy crops with no artificial sprays. She enjoyed the ‘dreaming spires’. ‘It was such a nurturing environment for learning; so many wonderful libraries.’ After her studies, she worked as…

Forming the garden’s lowermost storey, ground-cover plants could easily be overlooked. They are the backing singers to the leggy showgirls and beefy heroes in your borders, but they have a key role to play in helping you to design an outdoor space that’s both beautiful to behold and appealingly low maintenance. ‘Ground-cover plants are vital for creating the primary layer of foliage in a planting scheme,’ says plantswoman Sarah Raven, ‘giving a well-established look and filling any gaps at the front of a border, as well as those tricky spots at the bases of larger statement plants.’ They also work well on slopes, which can be difficult to access and replant regularly. What’s more, they’re an attractive way to suppress weeds. A thick carpet of ground-cover plants can prevent sunlight…

In bloom STAR MAGNOLIA With flowers bursting open like fireworks in March and April, the star magnolia is a garden showstopper. It likes a sheltered spot, in sun or partial shade. CAMELLIAS Glossy evergreen leaves form a backdrop to white or red flowers. The plant comes in single or double varieties and grows well in containers with ericaceous compost. WATERLILY TULIPS Unlike the usual cup-shaped blooms, the flowers of the Kaufmanniana tulip open wide, like a waterlily. They’re a pretty alternative to leggy botanical tulips and the shorter garden variety. 3 OF THE BEST FLOWERS TO SOW March is a busy month for getting ahead with sowing seeds, ready for blooming borders and arrangements of glorious flowers later when summer comes, says Kevin Martin, head gardener and in-house flower arranger at…

I live in a secluded valley near Bath with my husband, Huw, and our dog, Wren. Our perfect day would be at home, with some gardening companions for me, harvesting and cooking companions for Huw, and a canine friend for Wren. Weather permitting, every day starts with a cup of tea taken into the garden. Here, we gently wake up and share observations about the weather, how the light is falling and the changes in the planting and the surrounding landscape. We will also start to shape our plans for the day. After breakfast of homemade yogurt, granola and homegrown fruit, we go for an hour-long walk around the valley with Wren. On our way we might see our neighbour, Hannah Gardner (@astrantiarose), a gardener and writer. Or we will chat…

How does the saying go, a tidy house is a tidy mind? Well, even amateur psychologists might deduce from my home that my mind isn’t tidy at all! However, one person’s trash is another one’s treasure – and the good news is that ‘tidy’ doesn’t necessarily mean minimalist or bare. A beautifully styled shelf is a joy to behold, whether it’s hidden away in the utility room or it’s on display as a colour-coordinated bookshelf. My definition of being organised means having a place for everything and for everything to have its place – even if that ‘place’ lies atop a pile of several other items, or is weighted down by paraphernalia which may appear essential only to myself. In truth, organisation doesn’t necessarily mean decluttering (although it is true…

The not-quite-stripe is having a moment. Fuzzy lines and leafy garland motifs steer you away from a straight-and-narrow look and bring a softness to room schemes Despite their boldness, stripes work well as a secondary pattern in a room, bringing a smart formality that contrasts beautifully with rambling florals A curved headboard or scallop-edged shower curtain add unexpected whimsy to straight-as-a-die fine stripes. It’s time to play with the rules……

PLATE RACKS ‘A plate rack is a stylish and practical way of storing plates and adding another layer of detail to a kitchen design,’ says Richard Mason, furniture designer and owner of The Secret Drawer. An integrated rack can be used to add interest to a run of cabinetry or, as in this kitchen, can be hung as a separate piece to create symmetry between windows. ‘Although a plate rack looks very pretty, it also saves time and hassle,’ Richard says. Positioned close to the dishwasher and sink, and near to where food is prepared, the rack is easily reached. ‘An advantage of storing the plates individually is that it leads to less clutter in cupboards and fewer breakages,’ he adds. GLAZED CUPBOARDS A contemporary update of a traditional china…

Cute as a cupcake, with its colourwashed Georgian frontages all greens and pinks and baby blues, Alresford in Hampshire – pronounced ‘Allsford’ – is not short on charms. Originally divided into new and old Alresford in the medieval era, when a weir and large fishpond were created from the River Alre between the two locations, the newer town grew prosperous and claimed the name. The high street is broad and straight (a touch strait-laced even – when a barber’s shop put up a sign without permission, other shopkeepers were ‘up in arms’, a resident recalls). On the doorstep is a wonder of the world: chalk streams. These cold, crystal-clear and mineral-rich reedy creeks, fed by chalk aquifers, are a rarity worldwide. Alresford has four, which have been managed for centuries…

We spend most of our lives inside, so the air quality in our homes really matters. Indoor air pollution impacts our health, triggering headaches, asthma and increased risk of stroke. Thankfully, there’s a lot we can do to improve it. ‘Indoors or out, the key to breathing clean air is not to make it dirty in the first place,’ says science writer Chris Woodford, who explains that improving air quality at home is ‘about reducing chemicals, having good ventilation, and using air cleaning/purifying, if you really must, in that order.’ STOP SPRAYING Air fresheners, plug-ins and deodorisers designed to overpower odours are a source of indoor air contaminants. Synthetic fragrances can include hundreds of chemical ingredients, some of which can trigger respiratory conditions or disrupt hormone function. To neutralise odours,…

Kale and sprout spanakopita SERVES 6-8 This classic Greek dish gets a seasonal twist, with kale and sprouts swapped in for the usual spinach. 500g Brussels sprouts, peeled and trimmed180g kale200g block of feta, patted dry and crumbled3tbsp toasted pine nuts1 leek, finely sliced 30g parsley, finely chopped 1tbsp chopped dill Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon 250g pack filo pastry 75ml olive oil 1 Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the sprouts. After 5 minutes add the kale and cook for 3 minutes more. Pour into a colander and shake off as much water as possible. Return to the empty pan and warm to dry. 2 Put the feta, pine nuts, leek, chopped herbs, and lemon zest in a large bowl with ½tsp salt. 3…

There are many wonderful reasons to plant a hedge,’ says Fiona Gordon, projects manager at Herefordshire-based Hedge Nursery. ‘Natural beauty, the fact that they’re environmentally friendly, and that they can eliminate noise and air pollution as well as encourage birdlife.’ There’s also a hedge for every style of home. Evergreen for a year-round barrier; autumn colour; or flowers and berries in the summer. What plants should I choose for my hedge? ‘The answer is a matter of both personal taste and the growing environment (soil, climate, etc) in your garden,’ says Morris Hankinson, founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries in Kent. ‘It can be helpful to look around to see the hedges that do well in nearby gardens with similar conditions to your own.’ One of the most…