Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Homes & Gardens

I cannot be the only one who’s been looking for escapism in the past few weeks. It’s evident in the TV shows I’ve been watching – frothy period dramas and travel shows featuring exotic locations – and in the straw polls I’m conducting: will a summer holiday be possible?; will we enjoy the same glorious spring weather we had last year?; and will we spend Easter with family? Whatever the reality, I’m putting optimism first: escape of some kind is on the horizon, and this issue matches my mood. Our decorating feature, The Great Escape (page 51), kicks off the wishful thinking with a tour of faraway lands through the latest wallpapers, fabrics and furnishings. Dream Big (page 131) takes a new look at glass extensions and conservatory designs –…

RISING TALENT Porada continues to encourage and promote a new generation of designers with its International Design Award. Niccolò Devetag recently won the award with his Pebble sideboard design, which has been introduced to the brand’s existing Twenty collection. Pebble sideboard, price on request, Niccolò Devetag for Porada. OPENING THIS MONTH: ROGER OATES DESIGN This best-loved flooring brand is opening the doors of a new flagship space. Situated on the second floor of an old flour mill in Chelsea Wharf, the studio benefits from lots of natural light to view the brand’s distinctive stair runners and rug designs, as well as its homeware. Unit 31/31a, Chelsea Wharf, 15 Lots Road, London SW10 0Q, rogeroates.com. A CLASSIC FOR TODAY With its traditional turned legs and pleated arm detail, Neptune’s Olivia Empress…

Q Tell us a little about your background. I grew up among the flora of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, where I trained to be a tailor. I packed my bags for London with hopes of discovering different contexts for ‘making’. In London, I signed up to evening classes in ceramics and glass-casting to build my confidence and went on to study BA Contemporary Crafts at Falmouth University, Cornwall. Q Where do you look to for inspiration? There is a concept that architects use called biophilic design that explains how certain materials can be used to give an indirect experience of nature, which can help boost one’s mood and mental health. I’m fascinated by this idea and how I can build the same sort of connection in my…

TEN years ago Frieda Gormley co-founded the luxury interiors and lifestyle brand House of Hackney with her husband Javvy M Royle. They were renovating their Victorian home in east London at the time and wanted to find products in their signature style, but that were manufactured in the UK. The brand has grown to include fabrics, wallpapers and furnishings, with many created working in collaboration with Royal-Warrant-holding craftspeople. A decade on and two children later, the couple have moved to the Castle of Trematon in Saltash, Cornwall. In 2020, they turned their home into a pop-up B&B and this year they have launched their SS21 collection, The Fantastical World of Flora Fantasia, which is inspired by the fairy-tale gardens surrounding the castle. Being in Cornwall, surrounded by nature, has been…

MAKING THE ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY When it comes to design, I’m always challenging myself to see if there is anything I can add to push the ideas a little further and not stop at the obvious. Some people may think that I take it too far, and of course a certain balance must be observed. If every item is extraordinary, it will take away from the elements you’re trying to highlight, and it will all be too much. The apartment featured in this chapter is a modest space on the lower ground floor of a grand block of buildings. We didn’t have a big budget, so we had to think outside the box to make it work. We took an ordinary object, a marble kitchen backsplash, and created a large circular…

There is a zen-like calm that pervades this Victorian townhouse in London’s Holland Park, encouraging shoulders to descend from ears the moment one crosses the threshold. ‘Someone described being in the house as a decluttering of the mind, which I thought was rather apt,’ says interior designer Angus Reid, who has masterminded the transformation of the property. He adds, ‘The idea was to create a haven where the occupants can completely unwind from the hectic pace of life in the city.’ He has achieved just that. Angus’ clients are a young Anglo-Swedish couple who were returning to London after a stint in New York, and this property is, in fact, a rental. ‘The house’s minimalist aesthetic really appealed, as did the good flow between the rooms,’ says Angus. ‘The interiors…

Amanda Cochran shares her style vision and loves BIGGEST INDULGENCE The grey tartan bedhead – and in life, Bollinger, Netflix marathons and lie ins! SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Painting the sitting room ceiling the same green colour as the walls. WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION From everything, but especially nature, people and the past. WHAT YOU’D LOVE TO CREATE NEXT Another Airbnb; and I’m excited to launch an apparel collection next year. FAVOURITE BUILDING It’s fictional, but it’s the house in the film Practical Magic. YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Classic, practical, low-key. OBJECT YOU WILL NEVER PART WITH My grandmother’s dressing table.…

FOR unprecedented access to a group of the most interesting creatives and the chance to learn from the best, take part in our masterclasses, created in partnership with Martin Moore kitchens. This six-part series features florist Simon Lycett, interior designer and architect Guy Goodfellow, garden designer Stephen Woodhams and Michelin-starred chefs Brett Graham and Rafael Cagali. Starting from 18 March, the webinars will take place on Thursdays at 6pm. Filmed in stunning Martin Moore showrooms, these events are the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at the brand’s classic English style with a refined contemporary look. SIMON LYCETT One of Europe's finest florists. Simon Lycett is a passionate and prominent ambassador for British floristry. He has produced magnificent arrangements for some of the UK's most exclusive events and venues,…

DAVID SALISBURY These award-winning orangeries and garden rooms are all made bespoke in the UK. You can even visit the factory in Somerset and see how they manufacture the timber products first hand.davidsalisbury.com WESTBURY GARDEN ROOMS For over 30 years the brand has been offering a complete architecturally-led design service, creating kitchen extensions, conservatories, orangeries and pool houses.westburygardenrooms.com VALE GARDEN HOUSES Based in Lincolnshire, this family-run business continues to honour the distinguished design of orangeries, which date back to the 17th century, and produce timeless constructions that will last for years to come.valegardenhouses.co.uk PRIME OAK Founded in 1999, the brand specialises in the production of oak frame garden rooms and orangeries in the UK, and the team has a wealth of experience working with listed buildings and conservation areas. primeoak.co.uk…

Q Who inspired your love of gardening? My mum was a passionate gardener, though I’ve no idea how she had time for it – she worked as a nurse and brought up six children largely on her own. My first memories are paddling around in the mud outside while she planted bulbs, and my seventh birthday when she gave me a packet of dusty looking seeds and a trowel. Since then I was hooked! Q How has your garden helped over this difficult time? “WHETHER IT’S A TIME OF CELEBRATION OR GRIEF, GARDENING IS ALWAYS A JOYOUS AND LIFE-GIVING EXPERIENCE” My garden my sanctuary. I live on my own and missed seeing my team every day over lockdown, but tending my plants and sitting on the front bench sipping wine…

ORIENTATION The formal gardens face south, but the overall open aspect and size of the estate ensure most spaces enjoy good light. SOIL TYPE Heavy clay, regularly mulched to improve drainage. SPECIAL FEATURES Tulip Festival 1-3 May 2021, informal spring bulb meadow and parkland, Japanese Stroll Garden, Rockery, formal Fountain Garden, walled Kitchen Garden, Mediterranean Garden. GARDEN DESIGN Charles Chesshire (charleschesshire.co.uk, 07967 127877) original framework further developed by owner Anne Olivieri and former head gardener Harry Green…

BRIDGMAN Quality garden furniture that celebrates the best in British manufacturing fits the brief for stylish seating. bridgman.co.uk MUNTONS TRADITIONAL PLANT SUPPORTS A world away from mass-produced, plastic-coated plant supports, these traditional styles are mostly handmade, always in Britain. muntons.net HARDY’S COTTAGE GARDEN PLANTS A staple at RHS Chelsea, where many Gold Medal-winning displays have lit up the floral marquee.A great source for all your plant needs. hardysplants.co.uk BLACKMORE & LANGDON Expert British growers who have exhibited at every Chelsea Show since its inauguration in 1913. Delphiniums are a speciality.blackmore-langdon.com…

BRUSCHETTE WITH MIXED HERITAGE TOMATOES AND BURRATA SERVES 4 AS A STARTER 250g mixed heritage tomatoes 1 small garlic clove, crushed to a paste with a pinch of salt 6 basil leaves, torn 4 tbsp good olive oil 4 large, thick slices of sourdough, toasted 200g burrata Freshly ground black pepper Cut the tomatoes in half across their middles and squeeze them like an orange to remove the seeds. Roughly chop the deseeded tomato halves, then place in a bowl with the seasoned garlic, torn basil and 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Divide the tomato mixture equally between each slice of toasted sourdough, pushing down so the tomato mixture is firmly embedded in the bread and will not fall off. Drain the liquid from the burrata and chop to…

STARTING POINT First, think carefully about how you wish to use the space and also your needs. Today’s kitchens are the core of the house, so we approach the design by thinking of the layout in terms of moments, with places to cook, to eat, to entertain and sometimes a spot to sit and work. But even in a large room, try to keep the prep, cook and wash areas close together for efficiency. APPLIANCE CHOICE While ‘standard’ built-in ovens, fridges and dishwashers are 60cm wide, there are also wider appliances that may need to be factored into the planning, such as 76cm-wide ovens, 90cm-wide American-style fridge freezers (even bigger if you plan to create a cooling wall with side-by-side fridge, freezer and wine cabinet) and range cookers at up…

MIX IT UP Maximise the impact of your kitchen units, as demonstrated in this stunning design by Huntsmore, with exquisite finishing touches. The simple lines of the Shaker-inspired joinery are enhanced here with elegant brass handles that accentuate the tapered-edge door detailing as well as providing tactility. The metallic theme is followed through in the normally unnoticed brackets that support the two eye-level shelves, accentuating the richness of the solid walnut and the daring green of the ceiling colour, courtesy of Little Greene’s Hopper. And tying it all together beautifully is the simply styled but all-important kitchen tap, in a brushed brass that gives it a practical and visual beauty. OFF THE SHELF The plate rack is traditionally viewed as a practical storage solution across much of southern Europe where…

1 ELEGANT UPDATE We refurbished this three-storey townhouse in Belgravia in its entirety. The brief throughout was to create a brighter home with a more sophisticated, contemporary feel. In this master en suite, the goal was to maximise the beautiful natural light and create distinct zones for showering, bathing and washing. 2 NATURAL APPEAL Calacatta Oro marble is a natural and very elegant material. We sourced the marble directly from Italy and hand picked these slabs for their soothing pure-white base brushed by soft-grey veins featuring gold and purple accents. In the shower the marble is full-height, in tribute to the sheer beauty of the slabs. The floor is the same stone but cut into a chevron pattern to match the timber floors elsewhere in the house. 3 BESPOKE TEXTURE…

Tell us about yourself. I’m an interior stylist and creative director of furniture business WoodEdit, based in West Sussex. My husband Paul makes all our pieces in his workshop opposite our house, where we live with our five children. I’m passionate about nature, the sea and living simply, which is reflected in my work. Describe your Instagram account. It’s largely photographs of our home to show how I style and use our furniture. Life is busy with a family of seven, so I like to live quite minimally, but with a cosy feel. I collect branches and use them to bring our brand, and house, alive. It’s all about being real – I use what I see and is in season. What is your account’s USP? The use of nature,…

BOBBIN  The traditional American detail is here to stay SEA LIFE  Making waves – from furniture shapes to decorative patterns ORGANIC MATTER Sculptural forms and natural materials triumph OLD BLUE  This timeless classic sees a resurgence…

Midway through the renovation of this 19th-century farmhouse, architect Bernard De Clerck struck upon exactly the right colour palette for his historic home. The house came with its original shutters and doors, but they had been concealed by almost two centuries’ worth of paint and lacquer. But after plenty of careful scraping, the first layer of paint was revealed. ‘There were all shades of grey, one a bit greener, the other a bit bluer, but all with a beautiful patina,’ he remembers. ‘These colours formed the basis for the house’s palette.’ As a renowned architect, Bernard already had a reverence for the ‘bones’ of this home, a farmhouse and adjoining barn in Lotenhulle, deep in the Belgian countryside. ‘The house dates from 1833, but architecturally it was still rooted in…

We’re lucky to live within a shell’s throw of Margate beach. It has been a lifeline offering sea air to clear the mind. Daily, the beach changes. The Westbrook end, nearest our home, can go from being a narrow slither of sand, to a 10-minute walk to the shore over slippery chalk, depending on how the moon pulls the water, sand and kelp. On an outing with the toddler and the terrier recently, I received a callback from our energy supplier, Ecotricity. In view of the 13.5 square mile Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, with a hooley blowing my little girl to her knees, and the caller’s charming Gloucestershire accent rolling down the phone, it felt like the kind of brand experience 21st-century marketing can only strive for. I like green…

When Sam Easley talks about Sullivan’s Island, his words evoke a timeless enclave of southern charm where neighbours drink cocktails out on their porches and the kids cycle along the roads untroubled by traffic. Sitting at the mouth of the Charleston harbour, the long stretch of land is famous for its beaches, restaurants and lazy summer days. ‘It’s a very welcoming and sweet place to live but we had sold our previous house here three years previously and missed it so much we knew we had to come back,’ says the Nashville-based founder of a music merchandising company. Sam’s partner, Jason Owen, runs a music and film production company and together the pair have three children Leo, five, and twin girls, Lila and Lane, two. They were tipped off about…

Angus Reid shares his style vision and loves PROJECT TRIUMPH I’m a collaborative designer and the clients and I enjoyed the process; we developed a fantastic relationship and had great fun. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT I sourced the wooden trough on the kitchen island for next to nothing from a dealer in Transylvania. Its rustic charm works perfectly against the grey marble. YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Elegant, serene, considered. GO-TO COLOUR You can never go wrong with Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball. A very subtle, calming grey that adds a hint of warmth to any space. SECRET ADDRESS Curios sells chic and unusual antiques. Follow owner Georgie on Instagram@curios.shop for weekly updates – her stock sells fast! OBJECT YOU WILL NEVER PART WITH My 18th-century oak farmhouse table…

GLASS ACT A garden room extension can not only transform how your home looks from the outside, but how it functions internally, too. Whether you have a traditional or modern property – like this contemporary house in north London designed by architects Finkernagel Ross, with a vast multi-level extension geared for entertaining – it’s important to focus on the glazing element of the new design. ‘Homeowners are increasingly looking to add light and space to their homes with contemporary glazing structures,’ says Ryan Schofield, managing director at Thames Valley Window Company. ‘The trend for adding large areas of glass continues with the mix of old and new grabbing the attention.’ SENSITIVE APPROACH Period properties all too often feature small windows, resulting in dark rooms. This project by Prime Oak has…

FASHION A DISPLAY If your best china is too good to eat off, or perhaps you have decorative antique plates hidden away in a cupboard, make a gallery wall display with them. Select a few of varying sizes and patterns and measure up the placement of each piece on the wall before you go in with a hammer and nails, to make sure you get the spacing right. Once you’re happy, attach the plates to hanging wires – you can get ones especially designed for plates that will hold them firmly without damage – and hook onto the walls. LIVING ROOM FRESH COAT Think about a fresh lick of paint, but in small doses. ‘Most of us have an old chest, chair or table that has seen better days,’ says…

Ever since the heady days of tulip mania in 17th-century Holland, the blooms have maintained an uncanny allure. ‘They have not lost their power over people,’ explains Anne Olivieri, whose vibrant and intricate 6,000-strong display draws visitors to the annual Tulip Festival held in the gardens of her Worcestershire home, Morton Hall. Almost 15 years ago, with the help of garden designer Charles Chesshire, Anne began the process of transforming the eight acres of parkland into seven diverse, but connected, seasonal gardens. ‘When my husband René and I viewed the property, in spring 2007, the parkland and meadow were awash with naturalised fritillaria and narcissi,’ says Anne. She introduced snowdrops, scilla and camassias to intensify the display and extend the season. Clouds of Japanese flowering cherries complemented the delicate planting,…

The ‘Cottagecore’ movement embracing the outdoors and slow living is having a big influence on our aesthetic and lifestyle choices. We are yearning for simplicity in a world fraught with complication, so it is no surprise that a traditional approach is now popular for both country and urban gardens. According to garden designer Tracy Foster MSGD, plants in a cottage garden earned their place by being easy to grow, useful, edible or a mix of all three. All qualities high on our agenda in 2021. Tracy also claims that ‘the resulting symphony of shape, texture, colour and scent can bring bucolic charm to any plot, even one in the heart of a city.’ THE RIGHT FLOWERS For a truly authentic cottage look there will be a variety of different shapes…

ANYONE who has stayed at a Pig Hotel knows to expect a special experience. The newest arrival is the Grade II-listed Harlyn Bay House, which dates back to the 15th century. A stone’s throw from the village of Harlyn, it has panoramic sea views with nearby Constantine Bay a real highlight. All rooms have been meticulously designed and brought to life by co-founder of The Pig Hotels, Judy Hutson, whose aim is to create a relaxed home from home that feels opulent but is not overly formal. The Morning Room is the perfect example: cosy furniture but so beautifully executed that you feel spoilt. Each communal area is a new experience that is delightful to the eye, yet also a functional part of the hotel. The Dining Room is reassuringly…

1 . Italian style icon Marella Agnelli (1927-2019) is my design heroine. She worked with the world’s best designers to create the interiors of her houses but clearly had great personal taste. 2 . It’s impossible to choose just one favourite fabric but I do really love Malabar in Blue Brown on Beige by Bennison. 3 . My essential small luxury is a proper espresso coffee machine with foaming milk capabilities. 4 . I enjoy visiting Riccardo Barthel’s warehouse shop in Forte dei Marmi, Italy, where bold settings mix the antiques, new pieces and reclaimed items they sell. 5 . I’ve noted the work of Suleïma Ben Achour and Antoine Lallement, the young French architecture and interior design duo behind Studio Classico. They create interiors both restrained and playful. 6…

1 STATELY UPGRADE Set in private farmland, this Georgian hall is home to influencer Fleur Bell (@fleurdeforce), her husband, Mike, and their young daughter, River. Fleur wanted to replace the modest cabinetry with a grander kitchen that included space for dining. For Mike, an enthusiastic cook, professional-grade appliances were essential. 2 SEPARATE DINING Initially Fleur wanted a dining table attached to the island but it would have made the unit far too long – and created a possible obstruction rather than a feature. Instead, we went for a separate dining table, improving the flow in the room and also allowing the family to dine together in more comfort. 3 PRIME POSITION The large Wolf range cooker needed to be the prime focus, so we created a generous chimney breast-style surround…

1 CREATIVE CHOICE The owners of this Liverpool home had a vision that was based on a ‘modern industrial meets bespoke cabinetry’ vibe. They knocked through walls and added metal-framed doors and brick-slip feature walls to achieve the perfect backdrop for our Butler collection in deep-blue Lithodora. 2 BALANCING SPACE This was definitely a client-led design, in that the owners had a clear concept of the look, but they needed guidance spatially, not least because the kitchen is fairly narrow at just 3.9m wide. I started by helping them prioritise. They wanted a breakfast bar and wine fridge on the island. There was only room for one without compromising the room’s flow and the wine won. Built-in window seats ensure the kitchen is still sociable. 3 AVOIDING CLUTTER Unless you…

ALL THE OPTIONS While every aspect of a kitchen design is important, the choice of worktop material is particularly so, as it has such a visual impact. Consider the characteristics of each material to make the best choice for your lifestyle. THE LOOK There are no longer any rules: go with what connects with you personally – having said that, balance in your design is important. Some of the heavily veined marble-effect materials are awesome, but also strong, so avoid too many competing looks. As an example, if you choose an intense Verde Green granite for the island surface, it may be best to pair it with a more understated material for the other worktops. QUARTZ Also containing pigments and polymers, quartz surfaces are more durable than most natural stone,…

1 . The kitchen makes me feel at home, it’s where I spend most of my time. We inherited the kitchen table and sit around it for eating, homework and drawing, and it’s where I write my books. It’s always covered in pretty little trinkets. 2 . I replaced the old wooden worktop with very veined Arabescato marble a couple of years ago. I love it more than anything, it makes me so happy. It’s very dramatic and punchy, so not everyone’s cup of tea. 3 . We painted our units and the dresser in Farrow & Ball Studio Green. The dark colour is quite impactful and works with the Aga. Our new Taino chairs from Oka are lovely woven things. I’m very drawn to nature. I had the upholstered…

1 CALM SETTING Part of the master suite in a gorgeous Victorian manor house in North Wales, this bathroom is one of nine we helped overhaul. It boasts glorious country views and incredible natural light. The owners’ only request was a tranquil haven; they didn’t dictate a particular style, but we knew a timeless look would suit this special property. 2 GRAND SCALE Our clients had seen Drummonds’ quality in luxury hotels, so it was an easy sell. The polished-nickel finish works beautifully with marble, and the generous scale of the fittings was also beneficial with the high ceilings, which require grand, outsized proportions. The polished exterior of the bath has lovely natural pittings – in a period house anything too pristine and perfect can look incongruous. 3 BALANCING ACT…

THINK FIRST Take a look at your space and consider your wish list. The fittings for a family bathroom are likely to be different to a luxurious en suite; a compact wet room different to a large spa-like bathroom. PLAN AHEAD Plot out the fittings in your space, factoring in the position of windows, doors and sloping ceilings. Decide on your key feature, be it a sculptural freestanding bath, a glamorous vanity unit or a double shower, and try to position it as the focal point, visible from the door. Also consider the position of the WC, as it may need to connect to existing pipework, making it tricky – although not usually impossible – to move. TYPE OF BATH A freestanding bath can look stunning, but it needs space…

HOW TO BEGIN At the very starting point of your project think about the amount and the type of storage you require, so that you can tailor the arrangements to your specific requirements and to the amount of space you have available. GO DISCREET It can make sense to build a stud wall to conceal pipework for the shower and the frame for a wall-hung WC. You can use the same stud wall to build a niche or half-height ledge in the shower area to make a shelf for your bottles of shampoo and conditioner. The size of the niche may be directed by the dimensions of the wall tiles, and depend on the height of your bottles and how much space you have behind the stud wall, but about…

VANITY FAIR When it comes to adding a decorative touch to a bathroom, nothing beats the versatility of tiles, be they for the floors, walls, alcoves or splashbacks. For an understated look, play with the shape of the tile rather than just the pattern. Here, designer Joel Fry of West One Bathrooms chose Ca’Pietra’s Zen marble mosaic, a scallop-shaped design that forms a pretty backdrop for the brushed-brass tap fittings (a finish that is thoughtfully carried through to the traps under the sink). The curvy border of the splashback is echoed in the recessed mirror cabinets, which add an art deco touch to this bathroom. West One Bathrooms start from £15,000. MATCH PERFECT After the fashion for matching wallpaper and fabric went into hibernation post-1980s, it is now back in…

NURTURE SEEDLINGS A modern take on a classic, the new Liba watering can is made from recycled plastic, £75, Ferm Living. KEEP PROTECTED These leather gloves are soft but tough enough to tackle your green space safely, £29, Labour and Wait. GET SOWING Seeds have never looked so good. These packs are the perfect gift for a gardener, £2.99 each, Piccolo at Sous Chef. ESSENTIAL TOOL Made in Japan, this trowel is designed for lighter gardening jobs – perfect for the potting shed. Moko trowel, £59, Niwaki. STORE SAFELY Protect your plants and free up space in the greenhouse with this Foxmore raised cold frame, £140, Garden Trading. POTTING UP This pot is suitable for outdoor use, frost resistant and includes a saucer for drainage. Elizabeth pot and saucer, £17,…

In these unsettled times, embracing colours rooted in nature can be both comforting and grounding. So the unveiling of Little Greene’s new Stone collection, featuring 36 natural colours and continuing its collaboration with the National Trust, could not be more timely. Travertine, with its dune-like hue, is a calming neutral that feels more welcoming than white or grey. Try subtle shade shifts with the Mid and Light tones or contrast it with other colours from the collection, like Nether Red or Baluster, for a more dynamic combination. This gentle colour is like an enveloping hug – very pertinent right now. Upper wall in Travertine Mid 273; lower wall in Travertine Light 272, both intelligent matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr; dado rail in Travertine 319 intelligent eggshell, £68 for 2.5ltr, all…

CARNIVAL IN RIO Feel the heat with a warming palette of earthy red, spicy coral and sandy yellow mixed with a riot of pattern. Curtains in Petale, £78.30m, Casamance; backing in Burano var. Multicolore, £113m, Rubelli; border in Kauai embroidered, £70m, Samuel & Sons; fringe in Ombre, £90m, Christopher Farr Cloth. Banquette bench, £4,800, Howe London; seat and cushions in Live It Up, £270m, Kit Kemp for Christopher Farr Cloth. Cushions in Day, £125m, Makoto Kagoshima x Christopher Farr Cloth; Zinnia, £196m, Clay McLaurin for George Spencer. Palomar Brocade cushion, £510, A Rum Fellow. Waffled linen throw, £160, Oggetto. Mustard metal side table, £115, Graham and Green. Broughton Bobbin chair, £2,160 (excl fabric), Vaughan. Gingham Ruffle cushion, £110, By Alice x In Casa by Pa Boy. Tambour cabinet, £5,998, Knowles…

ADDING CHARACTER WITH ANTIQUES ■ An antique rug is often my starting point for an interior: it might be a client’s existing rug or I might source one and build a scheme around it. Just like a lead fabric, the rug should have at least three colours in the design to draw upon and build upwards. ■ Older furniture pieces are generally incredibly well made with proper materials, such as natural horsehair and quality upholstery, so in the long term they are very good value. But you can pick up a lovely piece for as little as £150. ■ I always try to put something old into a kitchen and bathroom: it helps that not everything is built-in or too ‘matchy matchy’. I might use a dresser or a chest…

Sam Easley shares his style vision and loves MOST SUCCESSFUL PART OF THE PROJECT Our team. Along with Cortney, we had a great contractor and our gardener Mike Kaiser. SECRET ADDRESS R Hughes (r-hughes.com). They do an incredible job of curating for interiors. GO-TO COLOUR Right now, it’s Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams – the perfect blend of a brown shade that blends into a darker colour and stands up well against white. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT The kitchen marble. The large slabs brought everything together and really brightened up the space. WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION Downtown Charleston. I’ve been walking the streets during the pandemic and found an incredible amount of inspiration in the ironwork, the colours and the trees. WORDS TO LIVE BY If you love it, buy…

Georgie Coleridge Cole shares her style vision SECRET ADDRESS Bathroom Discount Centre – they offer amazing value. GREATEST INDULGENCE Either my Samuel & Sons trims or the upholstered walls in the master bedroom. GO-TO COLOUR You can’t beat the Slate series from Paint & Paper Library. SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT The panelling in the hall and drawing room. We used a supplier called Orac Decor who make beading that is flexible and moves with the walls. YOUR STYLE IN THREE WORDS Elegant, calm, warm.…

PLANNING PERMISSION ‘The two main considerations for garden rooms are size and aesthetic, and unless your home is located on “designated land”, such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or has had them removed, permitted development rights provide huge opportunities to personalise your garden room,’ explains James Owen Webster, director at Alexander Owen Architecture. ‘In terms of size, up to 50% of the land surrounding the “original” house can be used up and in terms of materiality the world is your oyster. This enables people to personalise their space and tailor how they want it to work, look and feel and so it’s worth taking the time to really consider the detail of what you want and need from the garden room.’ BUILDING WORKS ‘Most of our garden rooms…

The classic heroes of the season – tulips and narcissi – might be on the top of your list when ordering spring bulbs, but there’s magic to behold in some of the more delicate, miniature marvels. Grape hyacinth(muscari)isbest appreciated up close and personal, where you can admire its highly packed clusters of flowers and fragrance. Dot a few pots of bulbs down the centre of your table for a quick display that will last weeks. Then plant them out in your garden afterwards.…

(Bulb quantity per 1.5x 2.5m rectangle) 15 pink, peony-flowered ‘Amazing Grace’ (height 38cm) 15 multi-headed yellow-maturing-pink ‘Antoinette’ (height 50cm) 15 late double ‘Black Hero’ (height 60cm) 15 single late orange ‘Avignon’ (height 70cm) In a sunny border, create ample space for tulips to flow in-between existing perennials and herbaceous plants. Set out and repeat bulbs in their planting positions, in loosely grouped drifts of 5-6. Intermingle a few bulbs where heights transition, avoid straight lines and isolated groups. Using a trowel, plant 5cm deep, and cover, working from back to front, planting tall to short. Shallow planting eases lifting later. Dust finished planting area with hot chilli powder, 2 tablespoons per m2, an effective squirrel deterrent not harmful to birds. Reapply as necessary, until shoots appear. Mulch with wood bark…

“MATERIALS SHOULD IDEALLY BE LOCALLY SOURCED AND NATURAL. SMALL ORNAMENTAL PIECES MAY BE SALVAGED AND RANDOMLY ARRANGED”Debbie Roberts, Acres Wild IDEAL PLANTING The traditional cottage garden encapsulates a handmade, do-it-yourself style of gardening so when it comes to planting go for a mix of pretty flowers and edible plants – scented, herbal and healing varieties will by definition be beneficial to butterflies and bees. Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Sarah Raven, Jekka’s Herbs and Claire Austin all offer a good selection. FUNCTION AND FORM A cottage-style garden still needs to perform in terms of successful design, so pathways and destinations need to be considered: somewhere to sit in sun or shade, good views to exploit and eyesores to screen, perhaps with a carefully located blossom tree for bees that will also…

CREATE A FLORAL DISPLAY Arrange flowers and foliage – we’ve used narcissi, grasses and ferns – in vases of different shapes and sizes. Position along the length of the table before cutting the stems varying heights to suit each holder. There are no rules, but aim to balance the width and height of the displays – it helps to stand back occasionally to make sure the overall look works. PRETTY PLACE SETTING For an individual place setting idea, decorate an egg. Choose a leaf or flower – this is a parsley leaf – and attach to the egg. Using water-based or acrylic paint, stipple on colour and leave to dry. Simply remove the leaf and you have your design. Attach a simple tag for the name or write straight on…

THE NEW COLOUR: POWDER BLUE Neutral shades are perennially popular, thanks to their timeless, easy-to-live-with tones. But this year, powder blue is reinvigorating the look. Claire Birkbeck, kitchen designer at Neptune, describes the colour as ‘easy to use, creating a restful space that won’t shout for attention – just like a neutral, but also injecting a little more colour and liveliness to your kitchen cabinets’. Chichester kitchen, painted in Flax Blue, from £8,000, Neptune. LET IT GLOW Designed and made in Britain, the Nova pendant is a new take on the classic Art Deco globe light and emits a soft, warm glow. Produced from mouth-blown matt opaline glass, it is finished with a solid machined-brass tapered stem. Nova Globe, H43xDia30cm, £468, is by J. Adams & Co. THE NEW TILE:…

1 LET IN LIGHT Extending the space and bringing more light in has completely changed the feel of this five-bedroom Edwardian property in Barnes belonging to interior designer Lily Paulson-Ellis (lpedesigns.co.uk). Even on a dark, rainy day this L-shaped family hub is bright and light thanks to the contemporary flat glass roof light. 2 MODERN TOUCHES Lily chose Brolly Blue from our own H|M paint palette for the island. It is a lovely navy with plenty of depth. H|M Tailored Grey provides warmth on the perimeter cabinetry. The Marton handles are a bespoke design by Peter Humphrey, made by Joseph Giles, in a finish called ‘mid aged brass waxed’, which gives the classical cabinetry a modern twist. 3 PRACTICAL PANTRY We reconfigured the walls slightly to build the walk-in pantry,…

1 STRIKING STYLE To achieve a ‘furniture’ feel with the look of a living space we mixed a variety of heights, scales and finishes. So the worktops are lower beneath the copper cupboards flanking the sink to provide an extra design difference. We also added our signature ‘Top Hats’ to the tall units – this dark shadowline elongates the cabinetry, making the ceiling appear higher. 2 INFORMAL AIR The owners of this Sussex farmhouse fell for our Metallics collection after spotting it in a magazine. As a result, they came into the studio and declared it was exactly what they had been seeking; something informal and eclectic, relaxed but interesting. One owner works in an auction house, so loves antiques, and they both enjoy entertaining – there’s a 12-seat dining…

PLAN THE LOOK Start by considering the style and feel you want for your kitchen. Think about how it might relate not just to the living and dining areas, especially if it is part of an open-plan space, but how it also fits with your overall plan for the house. Gather images of kitchens that inspire you and start to hone your ideas, thinking about how they might suit your space, the joinery elsewhere in your home and the period of your property. CLASSIC OR CONTEMPORARY A hand-painted kitchen works particularly well for its timeless appeal and because it is so useful to be able to repaint it every now and then to create a different look and feel. I’ve seen 20-year-old classic Shaker kitchens be repainted and look amazing.…

FIRST CONSIDERATIONS While a kitchen floor, with its heavy use, needs to be durable and preferably easy to maintain, it can also be a feature that enhances the style and success of your room. The choice of material depends on your budget and attitude towards character, beauty and practicality. PORCELAIN TILES By far the most popular material for kitchen floors these days, porcelain tiles are robust, non-porous and highly stain and scratch resistant. They work well with underfloor heating, plus they tend to come in a huge variety of designs, colours and formats. STONE-LOOK We are seeing a move towards kitchen floors with a reassuring warmth, and soft, matt limestone-effect porcelain tiles fit the bill well. This finish is also easier to keep clean than polished or very textured tiles.…

THE NEW BATH MATERIAL: COLOURED RESIN Resistant like stone and transparent like glass, Cristalmood is a new coloured resin used here to create the striking Reflex Grand Cru bath, £9,408, from Bathroom Design Studio London. Composed of polyester resin mixed with coloured pigments, the material is poured by hand into moulds to create a smooth, curved shape with a glossy finish. BRIGHT IDEA Fix a Brompton glass shade in Opaline, H.13.5cm, £39, with an IP44-rated Swan Neck wall fitting in Antiqued Brass, £80, and a Stepped Gallery, £10, on both sides of a wall mirror for practical illumination – flattering on the face and an instant touch of vintage charm, from Pooky. THE NEW TILE SHAPE: TRIANGLE Ready to move on from the classic metro? Try these Bermuda Triangle tiles…

1 CLASSIC MIX This is the family bathroom in a prestigious Tunbridge Wells property by famed architect Decimus Burton. The owner is really into art and loves to mix up classic and industrial styles, with a bit of retro pop and vintage thrown in. Each room began with her choosing the art, which then directed the colour palette. 2 ROOM TO MOVE I kept to the original plumbing positions – luckily, the WC is discreetly sited. There has to be a very good reason to move concealed pipework, especially in older homes. The main change, layout-wise, was the shower area, which I made much bigger to achieve a sense of luxury. The Crittall-style frame looks fabulous with fluted glass and far more interesting than a standard screen. 3 VINTAGE TOUCHES…

FIRST CONSIDERATIONS Think about the look you want to achieve and the practicalities involved. Repeated contact with water makes certain materials unsuitable, such as wood flooring, which may warp and stain. PORCELAIN As they are non-porous, won’t stain or scratch, porcelain floor tiles tend to be the simple choice. They work well with underfloor heating and don’t require any special ongoing treatment. Pick a design with slip resistance, especially if you plan to use the tile in the shower area or as a wet room floor. Choose from patterns, stone-effects, wood-effects, plain colours and printed tiles, in formats from 20x20cm up to about 1x1m. Most bathrooms in the UK are quite compact, so do be aware that larger formats may lead to more wastage as they may need to be…

1 . I wanted the bathroom to feel a bit 1930s and not like a bathroom, so I created a dressing room-style vanity unit by topping a buffet from B&T Antiques in Notting Hill with white marble, sinking in a basin and lacquering the sides pink. Then I put lights either side, added the green Italian mirror and covered it in my Chanel products. 2 . I have a quick bath in the morning and luxuriate in the evening with masses of bath salts from Santa Maria Novella. I just lie there and listen to classical music, then get out and wrap myself up in a towel from Porthault with the iconic pink hearts. 3 . The walls are lacquered pink – I had the intense rose colour mixed and…