Innehållsförteckning för May 2016 från Homes & Gardens

IT’S NO SECRET THAT WE have a passion for pattern here at Homes & Gardens, so this month we’ve decided to celebrate our enthusiasm by dedicating the best part of the issue to pattern in all its guises on accessories, fabrics and wallpapers of every description. Our Playing with Pattern feature (page 140) demonstrates the impact of mixing motifs on walls, floors and furnishings, whether they’re drawn from a single colour palette for a harmonious effect or chosen for their contrast and used to make a bold statement. Looking at this issue’s houses, you’ll see plenty of inventive ways with pattern, which is used to enhance everything from bedheads to seating. For an object lesson in how it can work to spectacular effect, we especially like the Swedish house (page…

Tea is undergoing a renaissance in a variety of guises. Jo Malone London, jomalone.co.uk, has just launched the Rare Teas collection ( 1 ), six fragrances that include tea infusions. Each is blended with ingredients chosen to accentuate its nuances, such as the Oolong, which is paired with cocoa and tonka bean. Elsewhere, St Albans teahouse Kanuka Tea, kanukatea.com, is creating delicious, original tea caddies ( 2 ), with varieties such as Brazilian Mate Focus. For an indulgent treat, head to the London Edition hotel, editionhotels.com/ London, where you can enjoy five tea and food pairings, £35 per person, by Rare Tea Co founder Henrietta Lovell and Phil Carmichael, executive chef at Berners Tavern. Lastly, for the ultimate G&T, try Camden Town-made Malawian black tea- and bergamot-infused Half Hitch gin (…

Enjoy a trip on 8 July, from £129 per person. Held against the backdrop of one of the great Royal Palaces, the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show is packed with inspiration. PRICE INCLUDES Return travel, hotel with breakfast, afternoon admission to the show, a visit to Windsor and the services of a tour manager. To book, call 0330 160 7923 quoting HGA or visit newmarket.travel/HGA Offer operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V781, a company wholly independent of Homes & Gardens, published by Time Inc (UK) Ltd. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply.…

British creativity is at an all-time high and the winners of this year’s awards reflect the depth of talent in this country. In 2016, we celebrate both those in the early stages of their careers and more established names who have won in the past, such as Lee Broom and Barber and Osgerby. The power of British design overseas is also recognised, with an award for UK Trade and Investment, who, through its commission of the British Pavilion at the Milan World Expo, has raised the UK’s design profile even further. Overleaf, we reveal all the winners. KITCHEN DESIGNER SEBASTIAN COX AND THE DEVOL DESIGN TEAM Designer-maker Sebastian Cox is devoted to using British wood and passionate about sustainable design. The judges looked in particular at his kitchen range made…

THIS MONTH, a Seventies bungalow in rural Sussex has been imaginatively reworked (page 70), while LA is the setting for a wonderfully vibrant home filled with a very personal collection of colourful objets (page 80). In London, an Edwardian townhouse proves the adage “good things come to those who wait” (page 89) and an exquisitely decorated Swedish home is as unique as it is beautiful (page 98). There are also verdant gardens in town (page 106) and country (page 114).…

“In the back of our minds was a huge project to remove walls between the dining room, sitting room and kitchen.” As far as Sally Alexander is concerned, the phrase “Good things come to those who wait” describes her home precisely. “We saved for seven years because we wanted enough money to refurbish it properly,” she says of the Edwardian house in south-west London that she shares with her husband, Darrell, and their sons, Sam, 12, and Ollie, nine. MUSICAL MATTERS The story behind the transformation began on a chilly January day in 2008 when Sally, a cellist, and Darrell, a violinist-turned-film and TV composer agent, first saw the five-bedroom house. “It had stood empty for two years so it was colder inside than out, and the rooms looked very…

Designers seldom sustain long-term relationships with their creations but when they do, the results can be spectacular and the experience rewarding for all involved. At Pine End in rural Hertfordshire, owners Stephen and Hazel Beynon have worked with designer Julie Wise for a decade, to create an elegant, organic and, in places, somewhat wild garden, which continues to evolve year by year. When Stephen, Hazel and their children moved into the mid-Victorian house in 2006, very little of the surrounding three acres was cultivated. “There was a small lawn behind the house but the rest was a mass of brambles and sycamores,” recalls Stephen. Landscaper Daniel Sage introduced the couple to Julie, who immediately saw the garden’s potential. The initial brief was straightforward: “A place for the children to play,…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SPACE? This was the fifth bedroom of what is now a four-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Kensington, west London. The owners happily sacrificed a guest room to create this 2.7x3.3m space, which is part of an interlinked bedroom, dressing room and bathroom suite. WHAT WAS THE OWNERS’ BRIEF? The overall decorative style of the house could be described as classic contemporary, a hybrid of the property’s architecture and the owners’ modern tastes. They are a busy, professional couple with three young children, so my brief went beyond pure design to the practicalities of a low-maintenance home. The two main requirements were a freestanding bath as a focal point and a spacious shower area. HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE DESIGN? The bedroom’s blue colour scheme led the…

Mixing a variety of patterns in similar hues gives a quick and easy seasonal update. Peggy armchair in Dusty Rose, cotton matt velvet, H73xW68xD78cm, £560, sofa.com. Doveflight cushion cover in Silver/Grey (on chair), £38, Mark Hearld at St Jude’s. Bench pad and blinds in Brinley in Anthracite 7722/01, cotton, 150cm wide, £49.50m, Romo. Stripe on blinds in Hacienda 1, polyester mix, 148cm wide, £29.50m, Blendworth. (On bench, from left) Ezra cushion, £45, Habitat. Jungle Leaf cushion in Dusky Pink, £70, Holly’s House. Cotton cushion cover in Coral, £3.99, H&M. Axel cushion, £30, Habitat. Linea Swirl cushion, £30, House of Fraser. Heavenly Honeycomb cushion cover in Grey, £34, Northlight Homestore. Dawson cushion, £30, Habitat. Miller floor lamp, H130cm, £230; coffee table, H45xdiam40cm, £298; glass, £6.50; all Holly’s House. Monochrome Spring rug,…

• Flowers are an integral part of interior decoration and have been for centuries. Floral textiles can furnish every room, as curtains, upholstery and wall coverings. They have a softening effect and also bring the garden indoors. • Classic floral designs often have a symmetry that is particularly pleasing to the eye and a fine proportion that complements the arrangement of furniture in both traditional and contemporary schemes. • The historical designs that tend to work best in modern interiors are those that have a lot of space between the motifs, giving an illusion of depth. • A new direction in florals lies in inspiration from the east, with motifs from Russian printed fabrics, Tibet and Japan, and strong colours from Africa. When adding new designs to our collection, we…

“These five weeks have expanded my interior design horizons and given me the desire and inspiration to learn more.” CELINE DRUILHE, LONDON “Join us for five weeks in our international online classroom, and share your design inspiration, projects and problems with me and your fellow students. “Bring your latest decorating project to the course – I’ll bring mine too – and work through it as we learn about the design process, finding your style, colours, fabrics and window treatments, and sourcing lighting and accessories. While there’s something new in the classroom every weekday, you can do the work entirely when it suits you. “And if you feel uncertain about your online skills, please don’t worry. Jump in, and I’ll help – technical support is a feature of the course” Morwenna…

Adding a water feature is a wonderful means of bringing an extra dimension to the garden, providing a focal point and lending a sense of peace and tranquillity. The planting in and around it is as vital to the overall effect as the water itself. Think of weeping willows bending down to the glassy surface, or spires of Taxodium distichum (swamp cypress) soaring above it. Lakes and large ponds look exotic when framed by the giant rhubarb-like leaves of Gunnera manicata and elephant ear-shaped foliage of Ligularia dentata, while oxygenators, such as Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort), will help to keep the water clear. Deep-water Nymphaea (water lilies) take time to establish, while the free-floating, heart-shaped foliage of Hydocharis morsusranae (frogbit) will provide surface cover relatively quickly. For colour, Caltha palustris (marsh…

LIVING LEGACY GARDEN Last year’s 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was marked at Chelsea by Wilson McWilliam’s Living Legacy Garden (above), which is being installed at Wellington College in Berkshire. Designers Andrew Wilson and Gavin McWilliam have extended their show garden, which was sponsored by Darwin Property Investment Management, and included a more sustainable planting scheme. It will be used for educational purposes, presentations and school entertaining. HOPE ON THE HORIZON GARDEN Matt Keightley’s 2014 garden for Help for Heroes (main picture) was inspired by his brother Michael’s experiences in Afghanistan, and Matt’s wish to create a practical space for recovering service personnel. The garden is now in situ at the charity’s Chavasse VC House (inset) in Essex. ROYAL BANK OF CANADA WATER GARDEN All of the Royal…

In the decade or so since I began to focus on vegetarian food and recipes, the culinary climate has indisputably changed for the better. Rather than being relegated to the sidelines, vegetarian cookery is now, quite rightly, celebrated for its diversity and the myriad benefits it bestows, be they in terms of health, cost or the environment. In short, vegetarian eating, whether part time or full time, has thundered into the mainstream. The trick to staying inspired is to concentrate on big flavours and bold textures – the rest will follow naturally. I hope this selection of recipes from my latest book will inspire you to embrace vegetarian cookery at least some of the time. HORTA ON TOAST WITH CHILLI JAM Serves 4 Horta is a Greek catch-all term for…

Pattern is a great way to introduce character to a room. It can be used to define a space and change the tone of different areas. For example, you might want a bolder pattern on upholstery in a formal living area with a contrast pattern used in an adjacent snug. The key is to start with a fabric that has a striking pattern featuring more than three colours. From that fabric, choose the colours to be used in the scheme, then select a combination of designs in that palette, perhaps a stripe, a geometric, a floral and a textural option such as a coarse linen or herringbone. Interest is created through scale and texture. If the dominant fabric has a large motif, you could try mixing it with a small-scale…

Sometimes clients are hesitant about colour, believing that it will either make too much of a statement or date too quickly. I couldn’t disagree more. One single block of a bold colour can be the making of a scheme; it’s a great way to lift a room design. Try using a splash of strong colour against a neutral backdrop, or a combination of colours of the same range, such as blue walls with fabrics in various shades of blue. These hues will look stunning together and add depth and layers of interest to a scheme, perhaps with an emerald green accent thrown in for good measure. When selecting your colours, my best advice would be to look around you. If you live in a city, stronger hues, such as reds,…

From decorating a summer lunch table to dressing a sofa, this unique event will offer a wealth of brilliant ideas for both interior design projects and entertaining. After coffee or tea on arrival, you will learn more about the story behind OKA from Sue Jones (right) who, with Annabel Astor and Lucinda Waterhouse, founded the company almost 20 years ago. As well as discussing her own design philosophy, Sue will be decorating a table for a summer lunch and later Cara Gillford, one of OKA’s talented interior design consultants, will create two stunning arrangements using blooms from OKA’s hugely popular range of faux flowers. After lunch, the secrets of dressing the perfect sofa will be revealed and you will have the opportunity to talk to the OKA team about its…

With spring in full bloom, we want our interiors to echo nature in all its glory. These vivid florals playfully reflect the joy of the season. Curtains in Broderique 3599/03, linen, 137cm wide, £100m, Jim Thompson Fabrics at Fox Linton. French grosgrain piping in Coral 977/44969, cotton mix, 5mm wide, £15m; French grosgrain ribbon in Coral 977/44930, cotton mix, 1.5cm wide, £7m; both Samuel & Sons. Chair cover in Lady Kristina in Parasol, linen, 140cm wide, £85m, Liberty. WHERE TO BUY, PAGE 192…

When Assemble, a co-operative of 17 young people in London, won the Turner Prize late last year, there was universal surprise, because Assemble are architects not artists. Their winning work, a collection of handmade artefacts for the home (above), was a part of a social enterprise, an ongoing community-based project, called Granby Four Streets, for revitalising four derelict streets in Liverpool. Designs for furniture, fabrics, lightshades and even a fire surround were developed in collaboration with residents, and produced in a workshop on site by local makers. The collection was displayed in the Tramway gallery, tramway.org, in Glasgow, and now goods are in production and on sale in unlimited quantities on the open market. This means that, for the first time ever, everyone can own a little bit of Turner-prize…

1| BUDDING GARDENERS Encouraging younger people to take an interest in the garden is this selection of essential tools by Gardman, specially designed for smaller hands. A bijou version of the company’s Moulton Mill range, they can be purchased individually or as a complete set. From £2.99 for a hand tool. Visit gardman.com. 2| BEST FOOT FORWARD Who says that gardening footwear can’t be pretty? These special edition Le Chameau and Kew Gardens rubber boots are lined with fabrics printed with drawings of Rhamnus frangula and Malva rotundifolia by 19th-century engraver Francois Plée. Prices from £75. Visit lechameau.com. 3| SEAT OF FLOWER It is nice if outdoor soft furnishings reflect their surroundings so these cushions, from £65, by Botanical Cushions are perfect. Featuring a wide range of flora, they are…

BUNNY TURNER & EMMA POCOCK turnerpocock.co.uk . CARNIVAL fabric, Christopher Farr Cloth, christopherfarrcloth.com . Ever since we laid eyes on this design (right) six years ago, we have been obsessed by it, so much so that we actually put a temporary ban on using it, although it always creeps back into our room schemes. It’s a fantastic starting point for designing because it’s simultaneously smart and casual, modern and traditional. We both have it in our homes. PALM JUNGLE wallpaper, Cole & Son, cole-and-son.com/en . We love this powerful design (below) and have used it very effectively in all sorts of spaces, from intimate attic rooms and small cloakrooms to entire…

After 25 years of living in a period home, journalist Amanda Harling and interior designer Michael Daly decided to buy a Seventies bungalow on the fringes of the Ashdown Forest in Sussex as a renovation project. Three-and-a-half years later they moved in. Amanda recalls how the project took shape. What prompted you to move after so long? Our 19th-century coach house was quiet and secluded, but I hankered after more space and a view. The bungalow was being marketed by our local estate agent and, peering at the details through the window, I could see that it might just have a view, so we went to see it the very next day. Describe your first impressions. The view was sublime, but the bungalow required major updating and remodelling. The principal…

The spirit of the past is sensitively preserved in Anneli Tjärnberg’s 18th-century home on the island of Lidingö, near Stockholm. Flashes of the handsome property’s Gustavian heritage shine amid the sophistication of its pared-back interior, while bursts of bold pattern add playful notes to the predominantly tranquil scheme. “It was a big responsibility, buying such an old place,” says Anneli, who shares her home with husband, Johan, and their children, Ludwig and Julia. So Anneli called upon the services of interior designer Birgitta Örne to achieve the nuanced family home we see today. “Birgitta encouraged me to be more daring, and helped me breathe new life into the old house without stripping away its history,” explains Anneli. MODERN LIFE MEETS PERIOD CHARM The Tjärnbergs were charmed by the property’s panoramic…

“We always look for great design that’s well made, something in which you can really see the value of the product, with a bit of a Heal’s twist,” says furniture and product manager Kirsty Whyte, explaining the influence of the store’s father of design, Ambrose Heal, and Heal’s 200-plus years in retail. “We are increasingly looking to our heritage and particularly the tenure of Ambrose Heal to define what the company means today.” It was Ambrose Heal, says Whyte, who formulated the idea of making shopping an experience, employing the 101 Dalmatians writer Dodie Smith as a toy buyer and sales staff who understood modern furniture. He pioneered the introduction of contemporary design to the UK, with his own Arts and Crafts pieces and later by importing Bauhaus furniture and…

CHOSEN BY MELISSA MUSLIN, HEAL’S LIGHTING BUYER VERTIGO LAMP, Constance Guisset for Petite Friture, from £695. “This pendant lamp is ethereal and graceful, and has quickly become a favourite among interior decorators, designers and customers alike. It makes an ideal finishing touch for a living space, completing a bedroom scheme or perfectly balancing a set dining table,” Melissa says. BRUNEL COLLECTION, Rob Scarlett for Heal’s, from £95. Designed for Heal’s, this collection has been steadily expanding since its launch in 2014. “Its pared-back aesthetic, with tubular black metal legs and solid oak, offers an elegant profile, and its simple form and materials keep the design timeless. It will be in our collection for many years,” says Pia Benham of Heal’s. STIPO COLLECTION, Sarah Kay and Chris Eckersley…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROJECT? This sitting room, which has been knocked through to the dining room beyond to create a double-aspect space, is typical of a Victorian London townhouse. It is quite narrow, and the existing pewter fireplace was enormous, giving the impression of a low ceiling and making the room appear dark. The clients were happy to start afresh, although they were keen to keep their gold curtains. WAS THERE A STARTING POINT FOR THE SCHEME? The owners had seen a project of mine featuring an antiqued mirrored wall, which they loved, as it gives the illusion of doubling the size of the space while increasing the available light. They were also keen to have a strong sense of symmetry, so we decided to arrange a pair of…

“I’m delighted that this garden has been relocated to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight by the charity Greenfingers.” DISCOVER WHAT HAPPENS TO RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW GARDENS ON PAGE 192 WHAT WAS THE SPONSOR’S BRIEF FOR THIS SHOW GARDEN? This design was for the Royal Bank of Canada’s Blue Water Project, which supports freshwater conservation initiatives worldwide, including the management of rivers that are under threat from urban development and neglect. My brief was to create a rain garden to promote the project and to show how we can manage the capture, preservation and use of water in our own gardens. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR DESIGN SOLUTION? The look of my garden, with its fluid paths, gravel beds, ornament and furniture, was based on…

From decorating a summer lunch table to dressing a sofa, this unique event will offer a wealth of brilliant ideas for both interior design projects and entertaining. After coffee or tea on arrival, you will learn more about the story behind Oka from Sue Jones (right) who, with Annabel Astor and Lucinda Waterhouse, founded the company almost 20 years ago. As well as discussing her own design philosophy, Sue will be decorating a table for a summer lunch and later Cara Gillford, one of Oka’s talented interior design consultants, will create two stunning arrangements using blooms from Oka’s hugely popular range of faux flowers. After lunch, the secrets of dressing the perfect sofa will be revealed and you will have the opportunity to talk to the Oka team about its…

1| A shade above. Jumanah Indigo shade, available in nine sizes, from £70, Voyage Maison, 0141 641 1700, voyagemaison.co.uk. 2| Watery hues. Monet 30162-002, cotton mix, 130cm wide, £193m,Rubelli, 020 7349 1590, rubelli.com. 3| Going Dutch. Pomander Delft rug, available in three sizes, from £995 for 160x260cm, Designers Guild, 020 7351 5775, designersguild.com. 4| Blue notes. Rose wallpaper WV9ROS in Cobalt, £88 a roll,Neisha Crosland at Turnell & Gigon, 020 7259 7280, turnellandgigon.com.…

SOFAS 1| Nautilus love seat, H156xW131xD85cm, £2,195, Indian Ocean. 2| Traveller three-seater sofa, H85xW216xD110cm, £2,260, Stephen Burks at Roche Bobois. 3| Garden Easy three-seater sofa, H60xW239xD86cm, £3,010, Röshults at Chaplins. 4| Love seat, H96xW142xD135cm, from £3,150, Hive by Ego Paris at Leisure Plan. 5| Hampstead sofa, H88xW135xD86cm, £1,084, Bridgman. 6| Village sofa with Ivory seat pad, H71xW188xD81cm, £1,820, Ethimo at Houseology. 7| Porto rocking bench, H96xW116xD98cm, £450, Cox & Cox. DINING TABLES 1| Arden, H75xW240xD100cm, £1,800 including two benches and two stools, Graham and Green. 2| Wharf, H73.5xW160xD81cm, £699 including two benches, John Lewis. 3| Grillage, H73xW70xD70cm, £368, François Azambourg at Ligne Roset. 4| Conisbrough in Grey, H75xW260xD100cm, £2,175, Oka. 5| Chelsea reclaimed teak, H80xW230xD90cm, £2,000, The Chelsea Gardener. 6| Whirl, H73.5xdiam150cm, £3,594, Gloster. 7| Core, H74xW210xD100cm, £2,190, Cane-Line at…

PERENNIAL COLLECTION Buy 6 of any variety for £5.99 Buy 72 perennials worth £71.88 for only £19.99, saving £51.89 Fill your flower beds and borders with this beautiful collection of herbaceous perennials, which will bloom year after year. Many can be cut and used for flower arrangements and all are supplied as plug plants, growing up to 2m in height. HOW TO ORDER BY POST Complete the coupon below ONLINE Visit www.thompson-morgan.com/XHG501 BY PHONE 0844 573 1686 quoting XHG501 Offer available to readers on the UK mainland only. All orders will be acknowledged by letter or email. Offer subject to availability. Your contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan, a company wholly independent of Homes & Gardens published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. Homes & Gardens will collect…

HOW DID THE IDEA FOR THE GARDEN COME ABOUT? “Both my 2012 and 2015 Chelsea designs had a real purpose and were relocated after the show, so I wanted to do another garden that would have long-term benefits for a specific community. This year, Morgan Stanley asked me to design a roof garden for Great Ormond Street Hospital and we decided to kill two birds with one stone and make it work as a Chelsea show garden as well.” TELL US ABOUT YOUR DESIGN. “The hospital site is squeezed between towering buildings and is two storeys above ground so, while it will be a roof garden, it is a very shady site. Fortunately, as the garden is intended as a place of peace and quiet, a cool, calm, green, leafy…

A Abakhan, 01745 562133, abakhan.co.uk. Alternative Flooring, 01264 335111, alternativeflooring.com. Amara, 0800 587 7645, amara.com. Amtico, 0121 745 0800, amtico.com. Andrew Martin, 020 7225 5100, andrewmartin.co.uk. Another Country, 020 7486 3251, anothercountry.com. Arnott & Mason, 07983 132531, arnottandmason.london. Art.co.uk, 020 8435 6556, art.co.uk. B Barlow Tyrie, 01376 557600, teak.com. Bert & May, 020 3744 0776, bertandmay.com. Bert Frank, 020 8737 0512, bertfrank.co.uk. Bhs, 0344 411 6000, bhs.co.uk. Black Edition, 01623 750005, romoblack.com. Blendworth, 023 9259 4911, blendworth.co.uk. Bohemia, 0131 555 2485, bohemiadesign.co.uk. Bridgman, 020 8804 7474, bridgman.co.uk. C Camengo, 0844 369 0104, camengo.fr. Caravane, 020 7486 5233, caravane.fr. Casamance, 0844 369 0104, casamance.com. C Best, 020 7720 2306, cbest.co.uk. Ceramica Blue, 020 7727 0288, ceramicablue.co.uk. Chapel Street London, 020 8576 6644, chapelstreetlondon.com. Chaplins, 020 8421 1779, chaplins.co.uk. The Chelsea Gardener,…

Compared with the challenges of designing a multifunctional space such as a kitchen, there is something almost luxurious about planning a room devoted just to relaxing and entertaining. Stylistically, there is also much more choice, with a vast range of furniture, lighting and accessories offering greater creative freedom. That’s why we have joined forces with OKA, one of the UK’s most inspirational interiors brands, to bring you this complete guide to the breadth of styles currently available, as well as news and advice. We hope it provides plenty of ideas for all your projects, big or small.…

Lighting creates mood and atmosphere, and it needs to be versatile, so that it works on a dull day just as well as it does for an evening party. If you have a large living room with three or more lighting circuits, it’s worth considering a control system, such as those by Lutron, Crestron or Rako, to avoid the need for a big bank of dimmer switches. Ambient or good general lighting is usually provided by table lamps, so make sure you have sufficient power points, including some in the floor if the room is large. A floor lamp, ideally with an articulated head that can be angled to direct light, is useful for reading. Chandeliers and pendants are popular for dramatic effect, but they don’t need to be in…

COPPER & SILK 11/12 Sapcote Trading Estate, 374 High Road, London NW10 2DH, 020 8459 8772, copperandsilk. com . By appointment. Once a trade-only supplier, this luxury lighting and lampshade manufacturer is now open to all. Create your own shade, which will be handmade in the workshop, or choose from Ptolemy Mann’s vibrant collection of ikat designs. HECTOR FINCH 90 Wandsworth Bridge Road, London SW6 2TF, 020 7731 8886, hectorfinch.com . This huge emporium houses an exclusive collection of chandeliers, lamps, globe pendants, lanterns, wall lights and picture lights, as well as a selection from other suppliers. The workshop can adapt fittings and restore and rewire old lights. HOLLOWAYS OF LUDLOW 115 & 121 Shepherd’s Bush Road, London W6 7LP, 020 7602…

FOR DETAILS OF OUR 15% DISCOUNT, SEE PAGE 19…

CHRISTOPHER FARR 6 Burnsall Street, London SW3 3ST, 020 7349 0888, christopherfarr.com . Christopher Farr’s collection of handmade contemporary rugs, flatweaves and carpets includes his own sought-after designs, alongside those by artists and designers such as Louise Bourgeois, Gary Hume, Ptolemy Mann and Kate Blee. His fabrics, comprising more than 45 prints and weaves, are also on show. LARUSI Unit 14, The Dove Centre, 109 Bartholomew Road, London NW5 2BJ, 020 7428 0256, larusi.com . By appointment. Souad Larusi’s treasure trove of antique and bespoke Berber rugs is an interior designers’ favourite. Head here for vintage Beni Ouarain rugs, as well as made-to-order runners, rugs and kilims, sourced in Morocco, Turkey and Iran. You will also find Larusi’s own collection of beautiful pre-washed linen…

1|Perfect for displaying spring blooms. Milos vase in Yellow, H25.5xdiam10.5cm, £26, Anthropologie, 020 7870 4821, anthropologie.com. 2| An eye-catching choice for a floor or wall. Hex Target tiles in Yolk and Milk, 23x20cm, £150sq m, Popham Design at Ann Sacks, 020 3055 0802, annsacks.com. 3|Original screen print by a British artist. Yellow Stem, 81x71cm, £402, Emma Lawrenson at Trowbridge, 020 7371 8733, trowbridgegallery.com. 4|Uplifting option for cushions on a plain sofa. Camber in Saffron, linen mix, 140cm wide, £70m, Lindsay Alker, lindsayalker.com. 5|A distinctive duo that will light up any room. Yellow Ikat silk shade, diam45cm, £185; Glass lampbase, H50xdiam26cm, £115; both Molly Mahon, 01342 825700, mollymahon.com. 6|Classic seating updated with a tribal feel. Chair, H77xW60xD62cm, £750 plus 3.5m of fabric; covered in Akuna in Smoke, linen, 130cm wide, £94m;…

The Art of Making Gardens, Luciano Giubbilei, £45, Merrell. The designer describes his approach with reference to his work at Great Dixter, his Best in Show garden at RHS Chelsea 2014, and the roles of water, colour, texture and craftsmanship. The Making of Place, John Dixon Hunt, £25, Reaktion Books. A tour of gardens around the world, revealing ways in which they reflect or reinvent society and express characteristics about global cultures throughout history. My Tiny Garden, Lucy Anna Scott, £14.99, Pavilion. This is a small-space must have. Tales of rooftop oases and thriving living walls will inspire you to create your own mini meadow or blooming balcony. 365 Nature, Anna Carlile, £25, Hardie Grant. Reminding us of the calming, restorative effects of time spent at a slower pace in…

1| Chevron 3D in Blush/Pink, cement, 20cm sq, £185sq m, Lindsey Lang. 2| Black and White Star, concrete, 20cm sq, £6.80 each, Rockett St George. 3| Archivo Crochet, ceramic, 12.5cm sq, £95.36sq m, Topps Tiles. 4| Atlas in Pine Flower Paprika, terracotta, 17cm sq, £24.95 each, Neisha Crosland at Fired Earth. 5| Mod Terrazzo Black Decor, porcelain, 29.8cm sq, £75sq m, Mandarin Stone. 6| Epoque in Dark Grey and White on Grey, ceramic, 30cm sq, £87.56sq m, Odyssey at Original Style 7| Louvre in White, ceramic, 10cm sq, £260sq m, Heliot & Co. . 8| Triangle Arlequin, cement, 20cm sq, €121sq m, Emery & Cie. 9| Tratti in (from top) Croix; Mix Scuro; Tiers; Epi; Aqua; all porcelain, 10cm sq, £146.80sq m, Domus. 10| Volcano Daroca, cement, 20cm sq, £190sq…

STAY I was born in Mexico City, 170 miles to the south, and spent many glorious weekends here as a child and I often return. I like the ambience of L’Ôtel, l-otelgroup.com, from £192 a night, an intimate boutique hotel with four sumptuous suites – it feels like staying at someone’s house. Matilda, hotelmatilda.com, from £170 a night, has a contemporary vibe enhanced by a collection of modern art. My personal choice is a private villa such as Casa Heyne, which can be rented through Premier San Miguel, premiersanmiguel.com. This authentic experience reminds me of my childhood in Mexico. EAT This is a proper foodie town and as Mexican food is what I grew up on, I can’t get enough of it. I love Donnie Masterton’s cooking at The Restaurant,…

Upholstering a sofa in a lively combination of plain and patterned fabric creates instant character. Pair with walls in clashing hues and finish with a riot of colourful cushions. PAINT Walls in (from left) Grecian Spa 2, matt emulsion; Mexican Mosaic 4, matt emulsion; both £24.49 for 2.5 litres, Mixlab Dulux at Homebase. 01RR 16/397 (pink), matt emulsion, £24.49 for 2.5 litres, Dulux Trade. FURNITURE Brompton Tuxedo arm sofa, H82.5xW198x D89cm, £6,138, George Smith. Rattan stool in Red H45cm, £65, Sophie Conran. Edwin Round Square side table, H50xdiam45cm, £275, Graham and Green. FABRICS Sofa sides and seat cushions in Texas in Cardinal, cotton mix, 136cm wide, £82m; sofa base in Barjac in Fuchsia, linen/cotton mix, 140cm wide, £69m; both Manuel Canovas at Colefax and Fowler. Large cushions (at back) in…

Deciding how to make best use of an irregularly shaped garden can be baffling, so spare a thought for Julia Moross. Her London garden is shaped like a lute, with a 65-foot-long corridor leading from the house, bound on either side by walls and tapering to a pinch-point before opening out to a circular space. For a long while, this path was uninviting, and the scuffed lawn at the end held no allure. The practicalities of 20 years of bringing up a family, with bikes, football pitches and trampolines all leaving their marks on the outdoor space, meant that until a year ago, Julia and her husband, Philip, had a garden that they could only describe as “boring”. “We wanted to use it, but didn’t know what to do with…

1810 In the same year that Jane Austen wrote Sense and Sensibility and King George III was declared insane, John Harris Heal first opened Heal’s doors at 33 Rathbone Place, London, specialising in feather-filled mattresses. This was the beginning of the end for straw beds. 1833 After the death of John Harris Heal, his widow, Fanny, renamed the company Heal & Son and moved it to the current site at 196 Tottenham Court Road. She and son John expanded the business and set up a bedding factory behind the store, which customers could visit to see their mattress being made. 1837 Heal’s was one of the first companies to advertise on the book sleeves of serialised novels such as Charles Dickens’ Bleak House. These lavish, illustrated notices featured imported Parisian…

“Character comes from a few careful details, such as the feet on the plinths.” CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROPERTY? It is an end-of-terrace Victorian house in west London. However, with only three bedrooms, it was becoming too small for my clients, a couple with a young family. So they decided to dig down to create a new basement level with a bedroom and bathroom, utility room and generous kitchen-dining room. HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT? The architect’s plans had been drawn up and planning permission granted, but the building work hadn’t started. I was recommended to the clients, so they got in touch and asked me to visit them on site. It is a great help to be involved in a project from the beginning, because it…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROJECT? The property is a handsome late 19th-century house in Cambridgeshire, which features an Edwardian conservatory that the owners use for informal entertaining. The glazing is contemporary, but was designed to replicate the original architecture at the other end of the room. This is a large space that incorporates seating and desk areas as well as the dining area, so we laid limestone flooring with a border to give it a spatial structure and unite the three zones. WHAT INFORMED THE COLOUR PALETTE? As a wonderful contrast to the rest of the house, which features moody schemes, we wanted this space to feel really fresh. We had a bright striped fabric custom-woven in a palette that pulls together the colours of the garden and used it…

DINERS’ CLUB Fitting banquette seating in a corner of the kitchen is an efficient use of space. In this nook, floral backrests looped over hooks on the panelling are smart and striking, while the fabric pattern is echoed in the subtler flower design on the wallpaper above for a cohesive look. BRANCHING OUT The romantic idea of bringing the garden indoors is well executed here by oversized, non-repeating designs that create an informal, fanciful air. This wall treatment works particularly well in an entrance hall or a corridor, bringing character and beauty to a transitional space. GROUND COVER Graphic daisy motif floor tiles soften the look of this all-white kitchen. Their elegant cream, rose and apple green tones are picked up in a trio of centrally hung pendants and deftly…

• I use a wide range of floral fabrics and wallpapers in interiors, from traditional chintz to large-scale designs in fresh colours for a more contemporary look. Some of the best classic floral fabrics have clever colours hidden in the designs – this could be a plain brown or a perfect mustard yellow, for example – and these are ideal for a loose cover on a side chair or a lampshade. In fact, the older florals often reveal the most original colour combinations. • Layering two or three different florals can create a surprisingly calm look, particularly in a bedroom scheme. This is because the patterns tend to recede visually, giving a more relaxed ambience. • Although there are no hard rules for combining florals, it’s important to establish a…

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A LATEX MATTRESS? We’re buying a new bed and would like unbiased information on latex mattresses, which some family members prefer. CO, Belfast. The quality of latex that its advocates appreciate most is its resilience. It moulds quickly to the body and recovers its shape instantly, unlike memory foam. Latex comes in natural (rubber-tree sap) and synthetic forms and most latex mattresses contain a blend of both, as natural latex can tear. Talalay is a production method that makes the foam more breathable, but this also means it is more expensive than a fixed-mould latex, also known as a Dunlop process. You can choose mattresses made entirely from latex, or with a layer of the material over springs or other foam – try Vogue Beds,…

Until recently, the life of a design show garden was short but very sweet. The event is the thing, after all. As long as the plants are in peak condition, the water crystal clear and the paths pristine on the day, few of us give much thought to what happens to the gardens once the show is over. Increasingly, however, the cost of producing these visual feasts is weighed not only in terms of pounds and pence, but in the cost to our planet. The Royal Horticultural Society now actively encourages all designers to consider giving their exhibits an afterlife and while it is not a criterion for entry to the charity’s shows, nor is it likely to improve a designer’s medal chances, the point has been taken seriously by…

The idea of gardens as places of refuge and inspiration is ancient, so it is appropriate that many of the show gardens or plants are being relocated to hospitals, hospices and places of retreat. Among the 2016 crop set for such destinations is herb expert Jekka McVicar’s first-ever show garden, A Modern Apothecary, which will go to the home of its sponsor, St John’s Hospice in St John’s Wood, London. The water feature in Stephen Welch and Alison Doxey’s The Garden Bed is destined for Stephen’s designer garden at Les Bourgs Hospice, with other elements distributed to various British hospices, while Jo Thompson’s Chelsea Barracks Garden for Qatari Diar (above right) will be the centrepiece of the new Royal British Legion Village for injured, wounded and sick veterans in Aylesford,…

1 LICHEN GARDEN ANTIQUES For antique garden ornaments like this gorgeous pair of lead greyhounds visit Lichen Garden Antiques. Amongst their stock of beautiful antiques Lichen has garden urns, statuary, gates and decorative ornaments, as well as supplying prestigious reclaimed York and limestone flooring for landscaping projects. www.lichengardenantiques.com  01608 678890. 2 F&P FURNITURE specialise in high quality British-made sofas, armchairs and footstools. With the freedom to tailor exactly to your requirements, and over 5000 fabrics to choose from every item is unique to you. To view the full range of furniture, upholstery, curtain and soft furnishing services, visit www.fabricsandpapers.com or make an appointment at the F&P Interiors Showroom. 01273 495500. 3 PULLMAN EDITIONS designs striking original limited-edition posters that capture the enduring appeal of Art Deco. Their newly-commissioned posters feature…

Flooring sets the scene, so it is a very important starting point for a living room design. Usually, I begin by thinking about the hall floor; it often works well to make the living room floor a variation of that. For instance, if I’ve used straight wooden boards along the length of the hall, I might use parquet in the same tone and finish in the living room. We have seen a resurgence of interest in wood flooring, so there are now all kinds of parquet styles, extra-wide boards and different finishes available. I might use an interesting herringbone parquet pattern and run a plain border around the sides, which can add subtle character to a room. A tactile rug on top of a wood floor adds a layer of…

1| ROOM WITH A VIEW A large window requires careful treatment so that the outlook isn’t obscured by heavy drapes. Try a light curtain fabric with a dash of lively colour, such as this ombré design, which can be drawn to one side. For a similar look, try Tempera in Merlot, 138cm wide, viscose mix, £78m, Boeme Design, 01483 217716, boeme.co.uk. 2| SUBTLE LUXURY These patterned silk Roman blinds offer a sophisticated look, an effect enhanced by sumptuous curtains that pool on the floor. Together, they complement this Oriental-inspired room scheme, with the soft cream of the curtains offsetting the drama of the black lacquer furniture. 3| TRIM LOOK Give a plain linen blind a smart finish with a border chosen to echo a colour in the room scheme. Available…

WHAT WAS THE STARTING POINT FOR THE DESIGN? The yellow wall colour was chosen for its capacity to really lift and transform a room. It sets the tone for the whole scheme and provides a fantastic backdrop for the collection of prints, books, china and objets. HOW DID YOU MAKE THE ELEMENTS OF THE SCHEME WORK TOGETHER? The yellow of the walls is anchored by the muted tones of the rug and balanced by paler pieces, such as the bookshelves, fireplace and sofas. Not only do they punctuate the yellow, but they also offer a backdrop for further splashes of colour. WHAT COMPLETES THE ROOM? Mismatched side tables break up the symmetry of the room. Velvet cushions and a pair of footstools add further colour interest and an eclectic collection…

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CARAVANE 38/40 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 8UD, 020 7486 5233, caravane.fr/en. Like its sister stores in Paris, this home interiors boutique offers a stylish selection of furniture, lighting and home accessories, including patterned cushions, iron candle holders, vases and throws, sourced from all over the world. CHARLENE MULLEN 7 Calvert Avenue, London E2 7JP, 020 7739 6987, charlenemullen.com . Part studio, part store, this is the place to see the designer’s striking collection of embroidered throws, cushions, fabrics, lampshades, rugs, ceramics and stationery, which often have a quirky humorous touch. HOLLY’S HOUSE 283 New King’s Road, London SW6 4RD, 020 7736 2222, hollys-house.com . A hand-picked selection of accessories, designer furniture and vintage one-offs makes for an off-the-beaten-track feel at this store, despite…