Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Homes & Gardens

Every summer, for as long as I can remember, my family and I would make our pilgrimage to Cornwall in search of warm pasties, fresh sea air and salty hair. As we travelled down – our tent, wetsuits and buckets and spades in tow – the common gorse that lined the roadside, with its vibrant yellow flowers, was our cue that we were nearly by the sea. This nostalgia for the seaside – or being near open water – inspired our July issue. The hardy coastal garden we visit in Sussex (Beside the Seaside, page 120) features beautiful swathes of pink flowers, much like the endless buds of the aforementioned common gorse. And we speak to garden designers about the need for robust planting that can cope with sandy soil…

WHEN Christa Botha and Carla Erasmus met at a party in 2014, they quickly discovered they had much in common; both had studied fine art, ran small creative businesses on the side, had a passion for interiors and were seeking a new venture. It didn’t take long before they founded Bofred, a furniture and lighting studio that blurs the boundary between art and design. By 2015, their fledgling practice was selected for South Africa’s Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives programme, a platform that nurtures the country’s new talent. ‘It gave us the confidence to keep working and developing our brand and designs,’ says Carla. The pair describe the Bofred aesthetic as ‘sculptural, feminine and timeless, with a bit of a brutalist twist’. This certainly rings true for the most recent collection,…

AG HENDY & C O AHead to Hastings to experience this mini mecca of practical housekeeping buys and traditional seafood fare. This is possible because alongside a selection of new and vintage homeware, there’s also a little restaurant at the back of this quaint shop that serves up fresh fish from the local beach. If that’s not enough to draw you in, you can also take part in a series of cookery, writing and food photography courses. It really is a one-stop shop for all things tasteful. aghendy.com A NEW TRIBE Founded in 2016 by Ella Jones, A New Tribe offers a truly original selection of homeware sourced from independent designers and artisans around the world. A hot spot for east Londoners looking to kit out their urban home, the…

BEAUTIFUL FINISH Clay plasters have been used in the building of homes for thousands of years but today they are seeing something of a resurgence in popularity. The reason is twofold. Aside from their characterful finish, clay plasters, which are made from unfired clays and sands, are a more sustainable alternative to gypsum plaster and paint, allowing buildings to breathe and absorb indoor humidity. Also, left exposed and unpainted they lend an on-trend muted, cloudy aesthetic. Interior designer Janey Butler used a product from Clayworks for the walls of this sitting room in a 16th-century Cotswolds barn which she worked on together with Llama Architects. At the centre is a reclaimed French limestone fireplace. OLD WORLD CHARM Stripping back layers to reveal the construction of any historic property will bring…

The trees are the most magical thing about the house,’ says architect Stan Dixon, referring to the centuries-old live oak trees that dominate the grounds of this period-style home near the beach on Sea Island, Georgia. The trees guided the house build. ‘They’re incredibly lyrical and elegant in the way that they grow,’ says Stan. ‘We really had to dance among them to build this house. Although it’s only a few years old, it has an instant sense of scale – it looks like the trees grew around the house but it’s quite the opposite.’ When the clients, who had owned a previous home on the plot, decided to move there full time and replace the house with a larger one, they reached out to Stan, whose signature designs are…

1 NATURAL WONDER The work of film-maker and designer Derek Jarman, this iconic garden in Dungeness, peppered with vibrant, against-the-odds planting, persists decades after its 1980s invention. Discover more in Gilbert McCarragher’s new book, Prospect Cottage: Derek Jarman’s House (£25, Thames & Hudson). ‘Derek’s garden grew from the planting of a single dogwood against a piece of driftwood he staked beside it’ to shelter it from exposure to sun-scorching and relentless salt-laden winds. Native and Mediterranean drought-tolerant planting – sea kale, foxgloves, poppies, valerian, santolina, lavender and sea holly – drifts through compost-topped shingle. ‘While the garden has evolved since Derek’s death, its theatre and high-camp remain true to form, all looked after by gardener Jonny Bruce.’ 2 HAPPY HAVEN Garden designer Jo Thompson created this ‘serene haven in an…

INDIVIDUAL APPROACH Rachel Chudley likes to mix colour and texture with functionality to create a personality-filled space ‘While practicality in the kitchen is most important, the space can be just as individual, interesting and nuanced as any other room in the house,’ says interior designer Rachel Chudley. She favours a lived-in feel, teaming a comfortable sofa (‘the kind that a dog can lie on’) and a vintage wooden table with a sophisticated and lively mix of surfaces, textured fabrics and robust appliances. ‘Don’t feel that you have to use the same worktop material and joinery finish throughout,’ she advises. ‘Different styles to denote different areas will prevent the room from looking too packaged – and add warmth.’…

HOSTA FLOWER & MELON PUNCH MAKES 2 LITRES 2 cantaloupe melons250ml vodka, plus 100ml to make melon bitters1 dash of melon rind bitters1 cup of hosta flowers, plus extra to serve25g granulated sugarHandful of mint, plus extra to serve1 bottle of dry white wine1ltr soda water or sparkling water, to top upHoney, to serve (optional) ■ To make the melon rind bitters, wash and chop the rind of ¼ melon and place in a blender with 100ml vodka. Puree until smooth, then strain through a fine sieve into a bottle. ■ A few hours before you serve the drink, scoop out large balls of flesh from the first melon. If you don’t have a melon baller, cube the melon into ice-cube sizes. Place on a freezer-proof tray and freeze. At…

1. The Tate St Ives is one of the most iconic gallery locations. Overlooking the ocean and featuring some of the most interesting and unique collections of contemporary art, it is always a joy to visit. 2. I have some classic Busby & Fox pieces in my wardrobe that never go out of style. I have my eye on a leopard-print dress – it would make a great addition to the capsule wardrobe I’ve steadily been building. 3. One of my favourite walks is from Daymer Bay around Brae Hill, then on to Rock where you can catch the passenger ferry over to Padstow for fish and chips before mustering the courage to walk back again. 4. The Seahorse restaurant in Dartmouth is one of my favourite places to eat.…

REVIVING ELEGANCE Introducing The Purnon Papers, five patterns uncovered at Château de Purnon in the Loire Valley and brought to life by Farrow & Ball. The designs pay homage to the vibrant history and splendour of those who once revelled at the château. Among the designs, Adelaïde, available for £150 a 10m roll, stands out. It is a smaller-scale pattern originating from the dressing room of Adelaïde, the daughter of the family who built the château, and is crafted with the utmost care using traditional techniques, the finest papers and Farrow & Ball paint. BRIGHT SIDE Kit Kemp and Annie Selke have partnered once more, this time on the New Forest collection, a range of gorgeous rugs and cushions, from £110, inspired by the historic lore and landscapes of the…

‘Aquamarine Deep is a classic blend of blue-green using umber to create a subtlety. It’s a versatile shade perfect for creating calm in busy rooms or adding tranquillity to quiet spaces. The shade is transformational when used outside, too. Evocative of warmer climates, it will create a beautiful backdrop to greenery and terracotta pots, or will look bright and contemporary alongside pops of yellow and turquoise.’ RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, creative director, Little Greene…

FROM the majestic verdure tapestries of grand European palaces and the fine silk embroideries of China and Japan to the skilled weavers of North Africa and the modern marvels of 20th-century artisans such as Anni Albers, textiles encompass some of the most beautiful and culturally treasured works that hang in our museums, galleries and homes. As with many other art forms considered part of craft, there has been a considerable increase in interest of fibre art within the contemporary art world. Fine art courses are now filled with students opting to work with soft materials and galleries are taking note of the shift. Prestigious exhibitions and awards, such as Collect and the Loewe Craft Prize, feature textile artists prominently in their displays and shortlists, and few contemporary art collections are…

CLOSE your eyes. Can you taste the salty mist? Feel the dewy texture of your skin? See children catching fireflies in jars and loving the sweet burnt-sugar of toasted marshmallows… These are the things I imagine when designing for coastal areas. Total and utter relaxation. Lazy days of messy linen sheets; long hours filled with playful banter in the sun. Generally, when the call or email arrives asking me to work on a project, I am in my office. When the brief is for a seaside location, my first inclination is to open my Calm app to listen to seagulls cooing and waves hitting the shore. Coastal projects are all about feeling, so this is where it starts for me. It’s all about getting in the mood. Prize fighters, Olympic…

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Manifesting blue skies all summer, ABI Interiors is bringing its best-selling (in Australia) Sola outdoor shower set to the UK. Perfect for the poolside, patio or hot tub, its generous shower head will cool you down in seconds. Made from high-quality 316 grade stainless steel, its rust-resistant structure is reassuringly weatherproof. Available in brushed brass, brushed copper, brushed gunmetal and stainless steel. Sola outdoor shower set, £1,749.99, ABI Interiors. TALENT POOL Studio Indigo can do no wrong, as this latest partnership proves. Inspired by the serene rock pools of Italy, the studio’s Tiro Collection of hardware is exquisitely crafted by Joseph Giles. Formed from solid brass or bronze in 10 distinctive finishes as well as multiple shapes and sizes, the Tiro Collection won’t fail to bring a…

1 FULL EMBRACE Looking to embrace blue in a big way? Colour-drenching is the trending paint technique on everyone’s lips. Carried up the walls, across woodwork and onto the ceiling, this full-on approach is high impact and utterly breathtaking. ‘To create subtle definition, try contrasting paint finishes in the same shade, for example high gloss with flat matt,’ advises Ruth Mottershead, creative director, Little Greene. Walls in Etruria intelligent matt emulsion, £64 for 2.5ltr; splashback in Etruria intelligent gloss, £38 for 1ltr; vanity unit in Etruria intelligent eggshell, £80 for 2.5ltr; floor in Bronze Red intelligent floor paint, £41.50 for 2.5ltr, all Little Greene. 2 SURFACE LAYER ‘Blues have a happy habit of melting into each other,’ says interior designer Nicola Harding. ‘You can’t really have clashing blues and so…

WHILE many people dream of owning a large country home, running such a property efficiently, and in a way that is aligned to circular values, all while preserving its heritage, can be an insurmountable feat. The sheer size of the building and the substantial grounds can make it difficult to find solutions that allow these estates to become more self-sufficient, relying less on external resources. James Allison, the owner and managing director of Middleton Lodge Estate in North Yorkshire, says that his deep interest and passion for preserving the environment are the motivation for the extensive research he’s carried out while embarking on its 20-year restoration. James, who had the privilege of growing up within the 200-acre Georgian estate, has transformed it into one of the region’s most renowned destinations.…

BLUR THE BOUNDARIES Featuring a painterly ombré design evocative of sea views set on lightweight linen voile, this Haze fabric from Casamance makes for heavenly drapes in a relaxing living room or bedroom. As well as captivating Indigo, the fabric is available in six additional intense yet earthy colourways, perfect for bringing organic softness to interiors. Curtains in Haze linen in Indigo, £141.90m (double width), Casamance SOFT TOUCH Manuel Canovas’ new soft Voltaire chenille is a practical choice for upholstery. Paired with a multi-tone trim it makes real statement on this custom Kingcome sofa. The fabric has the wonderful softness of velvet yet with enhanced durability. Sofa in Voltaire fabric in Outremer, £120m; trim in Lisette in Ciel/Mer, £42m, both Manuel Canovas TAKING SHAPE With its subtle geometric trellis design,…

ARCHITECTURAL detail in a house is often overlooked, but it’s so important. It’s the base of the canvas that adds a certain kind of atmosphere that makes a space feel beautiful and considered. It’s a layer of detail that changes a space from ordinary to elevated. ■ When we start a project, architectural detailing is one of the first things we consider. It includes everything from the skirting, architraves, ceilings and ceiling junctions, cornicing, wall panelling, doors and partitions. These elements may seem unimportant, but you instantly notice if you don’t have them – or they feel wrong. They are an essential backdrop to the final scene. ■ We love to play with panelling and boarding because, depending on the type used, they create an atmosphere. It works in so…

The Hamptons is renowned for its exclusive properties so it takes something special to stand out, but this lovely shingle beach house certainly does just that. The property was a collaboration between architect Thomas A. Kligerman of Kligerman Architecture & Design and interior designer Charlie Ferrer of interior design studio Ferrer. ‘There had been a house there already, dating from around the 1950s, but the clients needed something bigger,’ explains Tom. ‘They came to us partly because we’re known for our shingle style and we decided to start over. Their brief was for something that was at once modern and also traditional, not too fancy and comfortable – a family beach house.’ Because the house is in a flood zone and had to be built to withstand hurricanes, it stands…

MODERN HISTORY Freestanding furniture captures the original essence of utilitarian style, as established by the historical ‘downstairs kitchen’. Collinson’s Broad freestanding kitchen is a modern translation. ‘In order to achieve that purist utilitarian look, we remove anything that doesn’t have an essential function within the design. Then we add elegance to what remains. The way a line terminates or how one plane transitions to another should never be abrupt. It is modernism with round overs,’ explains founder, Edward Collinson. ‘Modern kitchens can feel sterile and even hostile. Natural wood and stone bring texture, warmth and life without compromising the formal qualities of utilitarian design.’ ON THE MOVE For an authentic, humble cooking space that focuses on flexibility and sustainability, put unfitted kitchens on your radar. Portable, unfitted pieces are easier…

Known for his ability to combine luxurious glamour with timeless charm, Martin Brudnizki says, ‘A bathroom needs to have all the elements that make it work for you personally.’ His dream space includes a large shower and bath, a double washstand with mirror, good lighting, robe hooks and storage. Colours, soft fabrics and vintage elements add warmth and contrast with the hard edges of traditional sanitaryware. ‘A pink tub, yellow marble walls, a frothy blind and chair in flowery chintz make it feel like a relaxing retreat – and a feast for the eye,’ he says. VISUAL FEAST Martin Brudnizki, founder of MBDS and And Objects, celebrates maximalism in bathroom design…

I’VE been visiting this island for years - for work, holidays with the family and to spend time with friends. We’ve seen it in full summer swing as well as during the shuttered winter months. By far the best time to go is early spring or late summer for a final autumnal swim and to catch the last rays of sunshine. ■ The island means many things to different people, but it’s not only about clubbing (though there’s lots of that if you are so inclined). We have young children, so for us, holidaying here involves finding a great restaurant on a beach that has wonderful food and service, but is also relaxed enough to not worry about wearing shoes and for our children to be able to play nearby…