Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2026 i Country Homes & Interiors

WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT OUR HOME BEING OUR SANCTUARY. It’s the safe space where we can shut out the world – or invite it in on our own terms. It’s where we curl up to sleep, cook our favourite foods, gather with our loved ones, and find solace when times are tough. But our homes can do more than offer a concept of comfort; when we craft them with thought and care, they can actually enhance our wellbeing in very real, tangible ways. That’s the idea we took into this month’s issue. It includes features on how to ‘hush’ a home to create a visually calm atmosphere (page 100), and then to carve out a space where you can rest and re-energise (see Finding Balance, page 110). We’ve also asked…

Combining a love for country life and crafting with clay, Hayley Binnell’s colourful ceramics celebrate the beauty of nature’s simple pleasures. Her love for ceramics started at a young age. After a career as a footwear designer, she’s rekindled her love for the craft and now creates beautiful pieces for home and hosting. What appeals to you about working with clay? I remember always having a strong draw to clay, this amazing lump of mud that I could make into anything I wanted. When I returned to pottery after many years, I knew instantly that this was what I wanted to do. It allows me to become immersed in the process, creating pieces that bring joy to others. Where do you work? In my studio on the top floor of our…

Should you dive into the depths with a dark room scheme, or dip your toe into rich-toned waters? The answer might rely on when you use the space, in inky night or morning light… Take your palette from dark at the base to light at the top to make a room appear taller. Or drench every surface to create your own version of a Dutch still life Use pattern to create movement in matt, dark schemes. And don’t forget the power of lighting to brighten the atmosphere – it will add highlights and shadow for depth Bedrooms also benefit from warm wine shades. It’s not just paint that brings the depth – rich wood tones, vintage rugs and upholstery infuse a cosy feel…

SNUGGLE-UP SITTING ROOM Paula Sutton Interiors stylist and novelist ‘My home, Hill House in Norfolk, is a typically square-set, symmetrical Georgian property built in 1882, and the sitting room at the front has the perfect view over the lawn to watch the seasons change,’ says Paula Sutton. Known for her love of retro fashion and classic interiors, Paula has filled it with a mix of vintage, antique and new pieces. ‘I love being surrounded by interesting items that look beautiful and tell a story,’ she says. ‘I’m drawn to rooms that feel timeless, so it’s not set in one period but draws on themes in keeping with English country-house style.’ The walls are painted in a chalky grey, which means all the pattern and colour comes from the furniture and…

Cutting flowers from our summer garden, or collecting greenery in the winter months, can help connect us to the seasons and the world beyond our doors. The ephemeral beauty of fresh blooms and boughs is part of what makes them so special; it’s because they capture a moment in time that we appreciate them so much. But it does mean their benefits are fleeting. Indoor plants, which can sit on shelves and sills year round, offer us something different – not just life and freshness when the garden looks bare, but a host of health benefits, too. It was in the 1980s that scientists at NASA first revealed that plants act as natural air purifiers, able to absorb the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from many home products, including furniture,…

Fabric storage pots Use these pretty pots to store anything from craft materials to beauty products and toiletries YOU WILL NEED Scrap paperPencilScissors0.5m plain fabric – we used Linen fabric in Cream,£40.52m, Iliv0.5m patterned fabric – we used a combination of Hedgerow fabric in Pistachio, £31.19m; Pasture fabric in Jade £72.88m; Wild Grasses fabric in Citrus, £29.23m and Wild Grasses fabric in Jade, £29.23m, all IlivSewing machine and threadTape measureDressmaker’s scissorsPinsIron 1 To begin, make a paper template for your storage pot, which will consist of two pieces: a circle (the base) and a rectangle (the sides). To do this, draw a circle to your desired size onto a piece of scrap paper. Draw a second circle around the outside of the first, 2cm wider in diameter to accommodate a…

DIANA YATES has been sharing episodes from her life in the Scottish Borders with us for two years now – initially, from a house aptly named Greenfields, and now, from her new cottage home. We’re looking forward to following along on this new chapter with her. It starts on page 130. MICHELLE HALFORD, an interiors stylist and designer, is the author of The Quiet Home. On page 100, she shares the secrets of ‘house hushing’, or how to create a calm atmosphere for living. DIANA BLANCHARD is an interior designer who believes in ‘life-enhancing design’. On page 110, she shows how to carve out wellbeing spaces at home, from her book Sanctuary by Design.…

Set back from a tree-lined road behind wrought-iron gates lies the striking red-brick Edwardian villa of Sam Gee and her partner, Edel. ‘The stunning facade and huge bay windows had me at first glance,’ says Sam, who moved here in 2012. ‘It felt incredibly grand, but when we stepped inside, it was homely too, with beautiful proportions and a fireplace in most rooms.’ The house, built in 1902, was in good condition. Most of the renovation had been completed 10 years before, so there was no major structural work to be done – but the interiors felt too neutral for Sam’s taste. ‘It wasn’t a blank canvas, but it wasn’t very “us” either. The layout worked beautifully, and the kitchen and bathroom were in great condition, which was really appealing.…

As winter holds sway, the fields and their inhabitants brace against the icy blasts. Like pom-poms across the snowy pastures, sheep huddle together in their wool coats. These hardy creatures and their creamy fleeces inspire a pale palette as they blend into the backdrop of worn and windswept wilds. Despite the cold outlook, this spectrum of shades is surprisingly warm and comforting, thanks to a good dose of fawns and taupe, as found in the colours of wind-whipped grasses and nibbled bracken. Even the cool skies have a greyed edge, making the scheme feel fully habitable. Be inspired by the look and feel of the textural surfaces and invite them into your home as dense weaves, luxurious woollens and sumptuous velvets and suedes. A casually cast faux fur feels generous…

When cultivating a nurturing sanctuary at home, you might want to create a dedicated, private place for personal wellbeing. For some, this might be a peaceful space for reading and journaling, relaxing while listening to music or simply taking a nap. For others, it could be a haven for rebalancing through reflection, meditation or yoga. The first step is to truly understand the value of such a space. The second is giving oneself permission to create it! Our lives can be so busy that we don’t keep in mind the substantial benefits of a place purposed for contemplation, rest and recharge. In an ideal world, one would be able to allocate an entire room for tranquil activities but, for many, it will mean designating a corner or nook from an…

People often call it “the champagne of dairy”,’ says Sam Murphy, describing the effervescent drinking yoghurt that forms the basis of her East Sussex-based company, Ki Kefir. The world of fermented dairy wasn’t one that Yorkshire-born Sam ever imagined herself in, especially not when, at age 19, she moved to the bright lights of the capital to pursue a career in the performing arts. ‘Back then, health wasn’t on the radar at all – everything was driven by how I looked and getting jobs in dance. I was so young and went on so many stupid crash diets. I looked amazing, but I deprived my body. Then my periods stopped. The doctors offered me medicine to fix it – and it was a real turning point, I just thought, “That’s…

A world-class spa and a golf resort recently crowned Europe’s best, all at the heart of a beautiful rolling country estate – it sums up Carden Park in Cheshire, but barely begins to describe the experience of staying there. As weekend retreats go – a chance for a family getaway, or to meet up with friends – it offers something very rare in the UK in terms of scale, outstanding guest care and top-of-the-range facilities. We stayed overnight in spring, just as the natural delights of the Cheshire countryside came to life. It made for an added serenity to our experience, the highlight of which was the spa – one of our party claimed their treatment was the best they’d ever had. Spa weekends, of course, are ten-a-penny, but Carden…

FREE! WORTH £6.99 Have you been tempted to up sticks and start a new life in the country? Whether you’re already enjoying all the benefits of rural living, or you’re seeking motivation for what could be your next big move, this free digital magazine is full of inspiration for you. Meet the people who threw caution to the wind and chased their countryside dreams – from woodland cabins and remote cottages to mountainside boltholes and bucolic barns, take a tour of spectacular retreats and find out what it is about the slower pace of life that works for these homeowners. HOW TO CLAIM Scan the QR code below to download your free copy of Rural Retreats. Offer available 2 January to 4 February 2026. CHECK OUT MORE AMAZING BOOKAZINES AT…

TILE STYLE If it’s striking tiles you’re after, look no further than the new small-batch collection from Ca’ Pietra, created in collaboration with pattern-loving powerhouse Divine Savages. It includes 12 ceramic tiles featuring lively, nature-inspired motifs translated from archive prints, The Brambles and Lovebirds, handmade to order in Wiltshire. Lovebirds, £25 a tile, capietra.com Freestyle cook Neptune has introduced a new kitchen collection, its first in over a decade. Borough is unique in that it is freestanding; from cooking island to sink cabinet, pan drawers to pantry, each multipurpose piece is designed to sit independently or together, offering a more versatile approach to kitchen design. In terms of style, think mid-century Scandi with distinctive British flair – tapered legs, graceful curves and a muted grain finish, with the brand’s hallmark…

This pretty fisherman’s cottage in South Devon had been the childhood home of Tom O’Shea, so when his parents decided to move, it was a simple decision to buy it as a holiday home to keep in the family. But although it had been much loved, they didn’t want the property to remain in the past. Instead, this was an opportunity to bring the old terrace back to life with a completely new look and feel. To help, Tom called on interior designer Melissa Hutley at Hutley & Humm, who had worked on his London home, for help with the transformation. ‘It’s in an incredible location, looking out across the sea,’ Melissa says. ‘We find clients are braver and more open to exploring ideas when it’s not their primary home,…

HEADS UP ‘We love designing a gantry because it brings feature, function and beauty to a kitchen,’ says Ben Hawkswell, senior designer at Roundhouse. ‘It defines the space while keeping it open, offering clever storage and display for everyday pieces.’ Ben recommends materials such as brass or powder-coated steel to add design flexibility, texture and warmth, and integrated lighting to create atmosphere. Consider ceiling height and sightlines, so the gantry can sit above the island without blocking views or natural light. ‘I take my cue from the furniture below, keeping the gantry aligned with or just inside the island’s footprint,’ adds Ben. Ensure fixing points will bear the considerable weight. STORE AND ORDER ‘A beautifully organised pantry with neatly arranged rows of jars, tins, canisters and packets can create visual…

Have you ever wondered why some homes radiate calm and tranquillity, appearing to whisper rather than shout? The answer lies in the concept of the quiet home, which extends beyond aesthetics to encompass a deeper understanding of the elements that shape interior spaces and the profound impact they have on our physical and emotional wellbeing. In an era when life is fast-paced and driven by technology, our homes offer a welcome respite from overstimulation and the bustling outside world. Yet, as life gets busier, our homes often suffer too, with growing visual noise in the form of clutter, general excess and myriad distractions. This accumulation often happens gradually: one day a room that once felt calm begins to feel stifling, its surfaces crowded, its corners filled with objects that serve…

During our ninth year of marriage, we embarked on the biggest challenge our relationship had faced to date – dance lessons. I remember Andrew gifting me a book on ballroom dancing, along with a surprise eight-week course to follow. By the end, we would be proficient in a trio of styles: the waltz, the boogie and the foxtrot. Or so we hoped. Many bruised toes later and after countless rounds of bickering over whose fault it was that we’d messed up the first eight counts again, we ended with a passable grade and a set of moves we would proudly (and somewhat dangerously) roll out on any dance floor for the next 12 years. We were in our eighth year living in Johannesburg, South Africa, when our 10th wedding anniversary…

Baked shallots with Brie toasts SERVES 4 Simple comforts at their finest. Delicious served with a crunchy chicory salad or a big bowl of hearty soup. 400g shallots, topped, tailed and peeled but left whole4 bay leaves1tsp black peppercorns1tsp sea salt1tsp sugar30g butter30g olive oil1tbsp white wine vinegar4 slices of sourdough bread2 garlic cloves, thinly slicedThyme, marjoram or sage leaves (dried will also work if fresh is not available), plus extra to serve180g Brie, slicedGrated Parmesan, to finishSea salt and black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 210C/Gas 6.5. Put the shallots into a lidded saucepan that fits them all snugly. Cover with water, then add the bay leaves, peppercorns, salt and sugar. Cover, place over a medium-low heat and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, or until…

SUMMER BULBS TO PLANT NOW ‘The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer’VITA SACKVILLE-WEST…

Don’t underestimate the power of a seed. At this time of year, seeds sown in autumn are either already breaking through the surface of the soil with new shoots – cue broad beans, garlic and onions that are tough enough to withstand any cold snaps before spring arrives – or still lying dormant, enjoying the chill. This is called stratification and many flowering perennials, including echinacea, lupins, penstemon and aquilegia, need a period of cold outdoors to break down the seed casing and germinate successfully when temperatures warm up. Some gardeners don’t start sowing until March or April, when annual seeds are impatient to get on with growing quickly in the warming soil. But for those of you itching to start sooner, now’s the time to clear your windowsills and…