The

Celebrating the essence of English style

April 2011 | Issue 75 | 3.70

LIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

from tranquil cottage to Edwardian retreat

The allure of natural wood floors Space-enhancing conservatories Checks & stripes
Updating classics to elegant effect

The joys of Spring

Afternoon tea, garden pursuits, keeping chickens

VINTAGE TEXTILES | NOSTALGIC KITCHENS | FABRIC WALLS

AUSTRALIA $8.95 NZ $12.80

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CONTENTS
April 2011
BEAUTIFUL BUYS
10 HOME COMFORTS Let in the light this Easter with the seasons fresh and gentle colours and subtle, natural prints. 17 LITTLE LUXURIES Make spring cleaning an enjoyable breeze with this selection of pretty and practical accessories. 109 NOSTALGIC ESSENTIALS Add old-world charm with retro-style kitchen details.

ENGLISH HOMES
18 VISION OF SERENITY How a Victorian cottage became a haven of peace and period style after an extensive renovation. 26 HISTORICAL ROMANCE The Georgian home of French textiles expert Elizabeth Baer is a study in pretty pinks and pattern. 36 SECRETS LIE WITHIN The owners of a handsome Edwardian property soon found there was more to it than at first met the eye. 46 DREAMING IN COLOUR Neutral walls beautifully offset a bold palette including pea green and fuchsia in this West London home. 54 AT HOME WITH RUTHIE HENSHALL The award-winning theatre stars home is a girls-only zone with a suitably feminine interior to match.

ABOVE Layers of colour, pattern and texture give a nostalgic feel, on page 46. LEFT There is a touch of French chic in this pale and delicately faded decor, page 18. BELOW Bring out the bunting and add some traditional, seaside charm to your kitchen, on page 109. RIGHT Refresh your interiors with notes of green and teal, and charming, ethereal prints, on page 10.

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STYLE INSPIRATION
57 LET THERE BE LIGHT Use shimmering textures to enhance a pale scheme. 58 DECORATOR OF THE MOMENT The designs of William Morris were the most popular of his time, yet still have relevance in todays interiors. 65 UPDATED CLASSICS: CHECKS AND STRIPES Once a humble covering for expensive silks, stripes and checks have become a desirable fabric choice. 74 TRAVELLERS TALES Classic and quirky designs with travel references strike the right note of charm and sophistication. 78 ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS We celebrate some of the most exciting, up and coming talent in English textile design. 82 WALL TO WALL OPULENCE Experts reveal how fabric walls are a luxurious yet achievable choice for a bedroom or drawing room.

FORM & FUNCTION

85 FROM LITTLE SEEDS GROW The greenhouse is full of busy preparation come spring. 86 A NATURAL PERSPECTIVE Enjoy the pleasure of wooden flooring with the help of this informative and practical buyers guide. 93 LIVING IN GLASS HOUSES Invest wisely in a conservatory or orangery to extend your living space with a functional, light-filled room. 104 A FAMILY AFFAIR The kitchen island was the starting point for turning this room into a practical but homely space. 110 UNWIND UNDER A DREAMY DELUGE A well chosen, sumptuous shower can make as beautiful and dramatic a centrepiece as any bath.

QUINTESSENTIALLY
115 SWEET HOMEMADE CHARM Lovingly made puddings make the perfect meal finale. 116 DRESSING THE TABLE FOR ENGLISH TEA Create a beautifully laid table with vintage china. 118 DELECTABLE EDIBLES Fortnum & Mason reveal sweet and savoury recipes for a delicious and traditional afternoon tea. 122 INTO THE GARDEN As we bid farewell to winter, the blossoming garden re-emerges as a place to embrace simple pleasures. 126 FEATHERED FRIENDS Discover the joys of back garden chicken keeping. 131 THE ART OF PLEASURABLE SHOPPING Shopping is never a chore for Mrs Minerva, who reveals the secrets to making smart purchases. 146 AUTHENTICALLY ENGLISH Commemorate the Royal Wedding with fine bone china.

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TOP Create a relaxing retreat in an orangery or conservatory and nurture your soul and the plants, on page 93. ABOVE LEFT Rediscover the delights of hosting a refined English tea in the afternoon, on page 118. ABOVE RIGHT Freestanding, soft coloured units create a charming country kitchen, on page 104.

REGULARS
135 TRAVEL OFFER Special reader offers for The Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows. 137 ADDRESS BOOK Essential contacts for where to buy everything featured.
ON THE COVER

6 THE ENGLISH HOME

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WRITE TO US AT
The English Home, Archant House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1BB. Tel 01242 211080. Fax 01242 211081. englishhome@[Link] englishhome@[Link]

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EDITORIAL
Editor Kerryn Harper-Cuss Dep puty y Edit tor r Samantha Scott-Jeffries Features/Commissioning Editor Vivienne Hambly Art Editor Ruth Sargison Design Cont ributor Charlotte Kidner Sub Editor/Wr it er Sarah Kent Act ing Sub Editor Rachel Crow Co ontributin ng Sub Edit tors Laurence McJannet, Lucy Carr Staff Writer Katy Green Ed dit tor ria al Assistant Suzanna Ball
PHOTOGRAPH DAVID GILES

A LETTER FROM HOME

Should a home make you gasp or should it make you smile? For me it has to be the latter. Whilst I can appreciate show-stopping, high-octane glamour or super-sleek minimalism, it is the soft, enveloping atmosphere of a calm and warmly personal home that wins hands down every time. I strongly believe that the more our working world buzzes and bleeps with technology, the more powerful the urge grows to keep it simple and create a tranquil sanctuary at home. Don't misunderstand me, I love beautifully designed labour-saving devices and happily embrace technology that genuinely improves life, but I want it contained firmly as the working cogs, not the visual stimuli within my own home. We didn't consciously aim to echo such a sentiment in this issue, and yet I can see it runs subliminally throughout the magazine. Liz Morris confesses a desire to surround herself with natural materials, and our buyers guide to wooden flooring echoes that same popular desire. Our piece on decor inspired by global travel, highlights the value of the pre-loved and the quirkily new in creating an expressively personal home, whilst our profiles of small-scale textile designers tap into a growing desire to decorate with at least a few pieces skilfully shaped by human hands. In a world of mass production, the allure of natural materials, our admiration of craftsmanship and the appeal of niche products have never been greater. Ironically, it is the technology of the internet that has made it easier than ever to seek out such pieces. So whether you track down artisans and specialists, or swap and sell pre-loved pieces online or by word of mouth, the hunt for items to create an individual home has never been more engaging. With warmest regards

ADVERTISING
Group Sales Manager Jamie Bolton Dis splay y Account t Ma anag ger Sharon Blick Group Promotions Manager Chris Hands Classied Sales Executive Philip Murray Group Production Manager Susan Bozzard Advertisement Production Vicky Bayliss, Rachel Higgins

CIRCULATION
Hea ad of f Direct t C ust t om mer Mark keti ing g Fiona Penton-Voak Circulat ion Manager Richard Kirby

ARCHANT SPECIALIST
Managing Director Archant Specialist Miller Hogg [Link]@[Link] PA to Miller Hogg Jacqueline Lynch Group Communications Manager Lucy Warren-Meeks

NEXT ISSUE ON SALE 6 APRIL 2011

THE ENGLISH HOME (UK EDITION) ISSN no 1468-0238. REPROGRAPHICS MANAGER Neil Puttnam. PRINTING Williams Gibbons Ltd. ADVERTISING OFFICES The English Home, Archant House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1BB. Tel 01242 265890. Fax 01242 211081. [Link]@[Link], [Link]@[Link] or [Link]@[Link] SUBS SCRIP PTION N OFF FICE ES UK: The English Home, Unit 1, Tower House, Lathkill Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9EF. Tel 01858 438840. Fax 01858 434958. USA: The English Home, PO Box 433068, Palm Coast, FL 32143. Tel 1-800-998-0807. theenglishhome@[Link] Canada: The English Home, 1415 Janette Avenue, Windsor, ON N8X 1Z1, Canada. Tel 1-800-998-0807. Europe and rest of the world as for UK. Subscription Rates UK from 24.40 (11 issues) Europe 39.99 (11 issues) ROW 41.99 (11 issues) USA $32.75 (6 issues) Canada $37.75 (6 issues) NEWS DIS STRIBU UTION UK and rest of world Seymour, 86 Newman Street, London W1T 3EX. Tel 020 7429 3667. USA and Canada CMG. LLC/155 Village Blvd, 3rd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. Rest of world as for UK. BACK ISSUE ES Available in the UK for 4.40. Europe and Eire for 5.40. Rest of the World 6.40 from CDS Global Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9EF. Tel 01858 438840. Fax 01858 434958.
COVER IMAGE DAVID GILES EDITORS PHOTO OGRAPH RACHEL SMITH

The allure of natural, handcrafted products has never been greater

Kerryn Harper-Cuss, Editor

8 THE ENGLISH HOME

Archant Specialist 2011

Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations

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M AT T R E S S E S
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Winged whispers Dabble in springs subtle and muted palette and bring a flutter of the English meadows into your home by introducing tailor-made fabric accessories in the current ethereal prints. The sharp lines of this modern chair are softened by a hand printed fabric in a dove grey wash, with delicately detailed panels. Anchor the assorted print by covering larger sofas in matching fabric to the side panels. Chair in Butterfly Dance, pigeon/teal, and Simple Ticking Ground, pigeon; cushion in Simple Ticking, teal, all 43 a metre, Vanessa Arbuthnott

H O M E Comforts
Invite the light into your home this Easter, reawakening rooms with a fresh palette and natural prints that will herald the sunshine long after the daffodils have faded

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Beautiful Buys

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Simply dotty Make your table a convivial spot for informal family gatherings with the help of this cheery tableware, which will encourage laughter to bubble to the surface. Pop tableware in Aegean blue, designed by ceramist Guy White, from 16.50 for a serving bowl, Jamie at Home Poached to perfection These adorable aluminium poachers solve the age-old dilemma of achieving the perfect poached egg with the minimum of fuss for an easy but impressive eggs Benedict brunch. Individual egg poacher, 6.00, RE Natures tones Kitchens are focusing on a range of leaf green shades for 2011, explains Naomi Dean, Harvey Jones furniture and showroom designer. To lift crisp greens she advises incorporating soft lilacs, mushrooms and periwinkle blues along with violet and yellow. Bespoke kitchens start from 17,000, Harvey Jones

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Beautiful Buys

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Fly the flags Bunting generates an air of fun; whether adorning a childs den or completing the sense of occasion for an extra special celebration. Vintage cream spot bunting, 24.99, Pins and Ribbons Pretty ensemble This engaging blue bird jug brings the joys of spring to forgotten corner shelves. Crafted using hand drawn transfers, every piece is a unique design. Complete your treasured set with teapot and mugs. Blue bird milk jug, 18, Julia Davey Ceramics, Lasso the Moon Flight of fancy Invest in a bed that will outlive childish whims and come to suit a more sophisticated, grown-up interior. The beautiful butterflies on this double piped Harlequin fabric also come in blue or stone. Butterfly candy upholstered bed, 1,046, Sweetpea & Willow Delicate shades A rarely embraced yet stylish option, kitchen curtains are a clever way to introduce a feminine print to the room. Couple with roller blinds for privacy and protection from the suns glare. Our only caveat: check your sink worktop has an adequate draining system to avoid damp fabric. Curtains lined in old blue, 276; roller blind lined in oatmeal, 167, The Natural Curtain Company

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Beautiful Buys

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Still in the breeze The leaf motif is present in many current wallpaper collections and transcends trends with its classic symmetry and timeless, natural colours. Burnham olive fabric has a spritely, uplifting impact, ideal to bring a sense of fresh, outdoor rejuvenation. Hang in transitional spaces such as hallways, kitchens, conservatories and garden rooms. Burnham olive jacquard fabric, width 142cm, 42, Laura Ashley Ornate dreams Harlequin has used six of its bestselling fabric designs in the launch collection of its luxury bedlinen range, created in collaboration with bedlinen specialist Bedeck. This damask provides an exquisite focal point. Venezia bedlinen, pillowcases from 20, Harlequin Summer suppers Spring is the busiest period for ordering summerhouses, in time for the warmer months. Comfortably fitting eight diners, this imposing octagonal model has soft halogen downlights to help create an atmospheric evening. Stow Summerhouse, prices from 11,590, HSP Garden Buildings

14 THE ENGLISH HOME

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CHIC MATCH Hand painted to suit your colour scheme, this jolly kitchen brush would look especially lovely hung in a rustic, country-style utility room. Hand Painted Brushes, 10, The Painted Broom Company at Not on the High [Link]

Spring Cleaning

GREEN FINGERED This sweet little kit houses a mini cultivator, trowel and potting scoop, making it extremely handy to tackle this years vegetable plot. Plants to sow in April include lettuces, spring onions, marrows and late summer cauliflowers. Canvas spotty mini tool bag, 12.49, The Chelsea Gardener

SERENE SCENT Bring a light, clean feel to your home with a gorgeous scented diffuser. White Currant includes notes of lily, tuberose and grape and the aroma lasts for around 10 weeks. All scent diffuser fragrances, 19, Lily & Lime

Little Luxuries
With a few practical and pretty accessories you can make light work of the spring cleaning
HERBAL HEAVEN Add to the charm of a simple row of fragrant herbs by re-potting in classic and alluring ornamental flower pots. Ying planter, 26, OKA SPECIAL DELIVERY Add effortless style to your washing line with a quirky peg bag. Silk screen printed, this 100 per cent cotton bag comes complete with a wooden hanger. Available in six colourways and two designs. Peg Bag, 15, Lucie Pritchard at Not on the High [Link]

POLISH WITH PANACHE These elegantly packaged, natural cleaning products are solvent free, formulated from coconut oil and scented with rosemary. Daylesford cleaning range, from 2.95, available from John Lewis BANISH THE DIRT Just a moments carelessness and all manner of garden muck will come traipsing through the house leaving ghastly footprints behind. Save frantically reminding the worst culprits with this jovial, yet imperative, request. Muddy boots doormat , 18, Laura Ashley

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BUNDLES OF BLOOMS Monday may no longer be wash day, but this oldfashioned wicker basket is charming and heartening enough to make laundry a little bit less of a chore. Provence rose laundry basket, 30, Cath Kidston

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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SERENITY
Liz and Jeremy Morris sought tranquillity in the Warwickshire countryside and have filled their Victorian cottage with a soft, period charm
estled in a small village in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, is a pretty cottage that has been lavished with love and care. Built in 1859 from old red brick with clay roof tiles, it is the image of quintessential English charm, complete with roses framing the front door. Three elderly but enthusiastic dogs race to welcome you into the kitchen where Lucky the cat is curled up by the Aga. It is eminently inviting, but for Liz and Jeremy Morris, this idyllic scene is the culmination of four years of hard work. The couple previously lived in a beautiful period house in the next village, but it was on a rather noisy road; so, when their grown-up children, Ross and Lucy, flew the nest they decided to look for somewhere quieter, explains Liz. I used to drive past this cottage when I walked the dogs and saw the For Sale sign. When they came to view the house, Liz and Jeremy were immediately won over. It was a rambling property and the garden was wild and overgrown, with masses of birdlife. It needed updating but it was peaceful with gorgeous views. I loved it even then, says Liz, before adding The property is called

Vision of

AT HOME
Liz Morris sells French painted furniture and soft furnishings from her home near Stratford-uponAvon, and has an outlet at the Barn Antiques Centre in Long Marston. She lives with her husband Jeremy, a prison officer, in a Victorian cottage along with their dogs Lily, Flynn and Fleur, and cats Lucky and Kitty.

18 THE ENGLISH HOME

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The old kitchen was replaced by these classic, shaker-style units. The beech worktop is oiled regularly to keep it pristine. The wall units and tongue and groove panelling are painted in Shaded White by Farrow & Ball, whilst the walls are painted in Soft Feather from the Homebase Sanctuary range.

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE The reconditioned Aga warms the kitchen. An old French hanging rack holds a display of pretty gravy jugs. In the cosy snug, Liz replaced the floor tiles with warmer French oak floorboards. The sofa to the right is upholstered in Austen plain linen from Laura Ashley. The panelling is painted in Opulence Pale Cashmere from the B&Q 1829 range, and the walls are in Dulux Egyptian Cotton. French monogrammed linen napkins and vintage glasses create a stylish table setting.

The Forge and we found a lot of horseshoes in the garden, so we feel it is a lucky house. Moving in the spring of 2007, they immediately submitted a planning application for a substantial extension. On the site of the old garage, they decided to house a larger kitchen, together with a utility room and cloakroom on the ground floor, plus another double bedroom and en suite upstairs, to add to the existing two bedrooms. By Christmas their chosen builder, who had worked his magic on their two previous homes, was ready to start. Whilst the couple have nothing but praise for the workmen, they found living on a building site as the work progressed a testing time. New central heating, plumbing and wiring had to be installed, but a particularly difficult point for Liz came when, the old kitchen was sealed off from the new extension by a big, blue plastic sheet. It was winter time and the

sheet flapped around in the wind so the house was freezing. We virtually lived in one room and had to sleep on a mattress on the floor while our bedroom was being decorated. But weve been through renovations with our other homes and Ive learned to bear with it. I knew how beautiful the result would be, she adds with a smile. The new extension blends seamlessly with the original house, thanks to the careful selection of bricks from the era. Lizs vision for her new home was less a radical makeover, more a gentle nudge back in time to a period before the discovery of synthetic fabrics, unnatural work surfaces and laminated boards. I wanted it to retain the feeling of a Victorian cottage without the discomfort, she says. The only internal wall to come down was upstairs, where a former dressing room was knocked through to allow light to flood into the master bedroom from both ends.

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English Country

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English Country

The interior is now breathtaking. Calm and soothing, the colours are a subtle mix of off-whites and greys. I wanted the rooms to look beautifully pale and faded, but rustic as well, Liz explains. I suppose it is a French look and very decorative. I love soft greys, creams and stone colours, sometimes with a hint of pink or blue in the fabrics. Luckily, Jeremy is happy to go along with his wifes tastes. Jeremy seems to like it and trust my instincts, she confirms. The couple panelled many of the walls. Rustic tongue and groove boards act as a kitchen splashback and also work well at the back door, where the dogs can happily shake themselves with impunity. A more sophisticated square panelling covers the lower walls in the snug where it helps create an intimate atmosphere, more like a study, Liz opines. Lizs love of interior design, plus an endless capacity for taking pains to achieve her desired look, has been fostered over many years. Im passionate about houses, she admits, and this is the third place weve renovated in a major way. Her work is also her hobby. I look for furniture that has potential for

LEFT The mirror above the fireplace in the sitting room was once dark brown. I found it in a Gloucestershire antiques shop and painted it cream. The armoire is the ideal place to store linens; for similar try Sweetpea and Willow. ABOVE Leading into the conservatory, the sitting room is decorated in the delicate Peacock Tree wallpaper from Colefax and Fowlers Pavilion Tree collection. The sofa by the fireplace is from Laura Ashley. RIGHT Gracefully grouped on the mantlepiece are some of Lizs decorative pieces including a framed childhood photo. The chandeliers were from Barn Antiques Centre.

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English Country

Lizs vision for her home was less a radical makeover, more a gentle nudge back in time to a period before synthetic fabrics
ABOVE The sofa in the conservatory was an eBay purchase. It came from a manor house and was intended for a wedding shop but was too big to fit through the door, says Liz. The painted bureau came from The Spring Grand Sale at Sudeley Castle, and the table is from Barn Antiques. The panelling is painted in Farrow & Balls Stony Ground

change. When I find the right piece, I like to put my mark on it, perhaps by adding mouldings and new handles, giving it a new paint finish or maybe distressing it, Liz adds. Wielding her sandpaper and paintbrush from her little workshop in the garden, Liz has created for her home an enviable collection of gracious armoires and chests of drawers, stone-based lamps with romantic linen shades, embroidered cushion covers and sparkling chandeliers. If the weather is too cold, she sometimes sneaks her pieces into the elegant conservatory attached to the house and works there

instead carefully covering up her own upholstery with dust sheets to protect it. Some of her favourite pieces, however, remain largely untouched by the decorators hand. Her heavy kitchen table, for instance, is made from thick, Russian oak. Full of cracks and with a spectacular graining, it is a work of art in its own right. I saw it on a dealers van and knew that it would be perfect for the kitchen. I love it because it is so solid and naturally faded, she explains. Despite the mess and discomfort that they had to endure during the renovations, Liz has no regrets about moving to this lovely pocket of tranquillity. Ill never forget the first morning I was here, she explains, smiling. It was May and I woke up at 5am, when it was already light. I wandered around the garden with the dogs. All the roses were coming into flower and the only sound was that of the birds morning chorus. Thats when I knew we had made the right decision to come here.

24 THE ENGLISH HOME

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FEATURE PAT GARRATT PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES

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ABOVE The master bedroom is full of gentle colour and texture, inspired by the pink toile pattern on the old French chair by the window. The wallpaper is by Zoffany and the rosy Durham quilt was an eBay purchase. FAR LEFT The family bathroom is both elegant and practical. The roll top bath is from Fired Earth. An old wash tub dolly has been imaginatively employed as a toilet roll holder. LEFT This guest bedroom in the new extension has the same period-feel of the original rooms. A seagrass rug partcovers the wooden flooring and the curtains and cushions are in Ralph Laurens Wainscot Floral fabric.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Elizabeth painted the walls of the drawing room in an old rose hue that she mixed herself. The room is dotted with an assortment of late nineteenth- century French easy chairs, all re-covered in period French curtain fabric. The Biedermeier sofa was a chance buy in a stripped down state, which her upholsterer dressed using two different pairs of curtains. The curtains are antique faded French chintz from 1910.

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ROMANCE
The Georgian home of vintage textiles dealer Elizabeth Baer is the perfect place in which to display her collection of French fabrics

Historical

T
AT HOME
Elizabeth and Derek Baer live in an early Georgian house, built in 1731, in a small Wiltshire market town. The architecture of the property, with its magnificent Palladian faade and pillared hall, is believed to have been designed or inspired by the Bath architect John Wood.

he owner of this rather grand early Georgian house is Elizabeth Baer, the undisputed grande dame of antique French textiles. One of the first to embrace rustic French fabrics some 30 years ago, her collections have been used for properties ranging from Shakespeares birthplace to Trump Towers in New York. The house first came to her attention whilst sitting in a local hairdressers, from which she could see the entrance and faade, raised high above street level. For many years she and her husband Derek had lived nearby in the Wiltshire countryside, but she immediately thought it would be her perfect town house and, as fate would have it, a year or so later Elizabeth noticed the house advertised in Country Life magazine. We went to see it, put in an offer the very next day and landed it! she recalls enthusiastically. When it came to decorating the property, she was influenced largely by its classical architecture and sought to emphasise the symmetry of the main rooms. When we moved here, I was able to furnish the whole house with things from my previous Georgian house so I did not need to buy anything new, she
THE ENGLISH HOME 27

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The impressive hallway acts as a reminder of the propertys original use as a bank, with pillars and steps hewn from Bath stone. The walnut chest is from Elizabeths childhood home. Elizabeths French linen and textiles are arranged in showrooms around her home. The French dining table is dressed with a red and white damask table cloth, popular in Normandy in the early 1900s. The pair of French faux marbletopped sideboard cabinets were bought at a fair in France. The Tree of Life curtains are by Braqueni. An old pine buffet serves as a worktop in the kitchen where enamel lampshades and blue painted detail add a cheerful air.

remembers. However, she did treat herself to two wonderful seventeenth-century Italian cabinets painted in pink faux marble, which now hold her spare linen in the ante-room of their bathroom. The cabinets were rare and very expensive, but Elizabeth has never regretted their purchase. I see them every day and their beauty gives me pleasure every time I pass them, she declares with pride. Elizabeth is particularly partial to tones of pink and red, as is evidenced in the rose hues of her drawing room and also her bedroom, decorated with delicate red and white Toile de Jouy wallpaper and bed hangings. Colour is very important to me and I know from experience that it has a great effect on peoples moods, she explains. A great lover of decorative items, her home is filled with collections of china, needlework and shell-work as well as pictures known as ladies amusements, depicting feathers, pin prick work or silk-on-silk embroideries. Elizabeth describes her own interior style as typical English country house, and aims for an easy, informal atmosphere, where everyone feels welcome. Important ingredients to this she believes include comfortable beds and chairs, plenty of good brown furniture, warm colours, faded carpets, family

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English Classic

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English Classic

treasures, good lighting, and space for family activities. Throughout her life, Elizabeth has been greatly influenced by the romantic and colourful buildings and interiors designed and built by her uncle, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis; as a girl she preferred his slightly extravagant and exotic furnishings to the Victorian interiors of her own home. Whilst Derek is happy to leave the interior design up to her, the garden design is his territory. Derek is the planner and designer and I am the housemaid, who does the maintenance and tidies, she confides. We have always bought and lived in houses too big for our means and taken a long time to restore and complete their furnishing, but working on half a shoestring has been much more interesting and challenging than spending large sums on decorators and expensive materials. I am very keen on recycling, mostly because I hate waste and am very economical in habits, but also because I think that the makers of fine furniture, decorations and textiles made them with great industry and skill, to last and give pleasure. Elizabeth keeps a store of all

LEFT In the study, the curtains in the Victorian Hollyhocks pattern by Warners have moved with Elizabeth to three of her homes. The desk chair has a seat woven in the last horsehair factory at nearby Castle Cary. The painted chest dates from 1803 and complements the French settee covered in a Colefax and Fowler cotton fabric. ABOVE The twentieth century French doublecaned twin beds are dressed with crisp white linens and chintz bedspreads to match the curtains. RIGHT Elizabeth loves painted Regency chairs and has them in all the bedrooms. Here one is coupled with a simple painted Regency desk.

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ABOVE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Elizabeths love of pink is apparent in the bathroom, which she gave a complete makeover, adding a pink and grey granite counter. The modern toile curtains are from her daughters former fabric company Baer & Ingram. Cream- and lustre-ware ornaments in the master bedroom complement the French armchair, covered with an 1880s floral curtain. RIGHT The Irish Chippendale bed is dressed with a valance and hangings in red toile mounted on white pique, lined in red and white check Toile de Vichy, with a canopy in French Tambour lace.

the surplus house fittings such as doorknobs, tie-backs and towel rails so rarely has to go shopping, and when she makes cushions for herself or for sale she can find all the oddments and trimmings she needs in her work-room cupboards. Running her business from home, Elizabeth works alone, although Derek accompanies her on her visits to France where she does all of her buying. Impressively, she washes and irons all the textiles herself. The advantage to having showrooms at home, she explains, is that you meet people who share your own interests, so it is a pleasure to be able to show them your own ideas on decoration; another is that you always want the house to look its best. Elizabeth fits in appointments between family and other social events. Helping people to find what they like and want is very satisfying. I get genuine pleasure when, for instance, a film costume designer discovers the very Victorian bonnet or parasol she was desperate to find by a certain shoot date and she dashes away with a big smile on her face.

Elizabeth discovered the immense richness of French textiles when buying French folk art for the Crane Kalman Gallery near Londons Sloane Street. She saw them piled up, unloved and unwanted in the brocante sheds in rural France, ripped out of the nearby chateaux and large bourgeois houses that were in the process of being modernised. Initially, she used them for her own house near Bath and then found other people wanted them too, and so the business was born. I believe I was the first person to use hand-woven sheets for curtains and furnishings and when I discovered there was a huge demand I stocked up with more than 800 sheets in the early 1980s, Elizabeth recalls. She currently has one client looking for a backing for some valuable early crewel work, another wanting hemp cloth to camouflage an old sofa, and a further on the hunt for curtains for an early Tudor house. Elizabeth is happiest when she is busy and making interesting new contacts, particularly when they share her love of fine French fabrics.

32 THE ENGLISH HOME

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English Classic

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Personal Insights

advanced level. They are skilful at producing linen from the finest see-through variety called batiste, to the coarsest weight which you can use as rugs on the bedroom floor. What do you search for? I look for large sets of matching sheets that have all come from one household. They would have been bought for one persons dowry in large quantities a long time ago, and are usually kept together. This is what I usually sell to decorators or to private people who are clever at making do. Can vintage linen, therefore, be an economical solution? Its a frightfully good way of making do for those who are clever with a sewing machine and a needle and thread. Large pieces can be used for covering bigger items of furniture, like sofas, or for long sets of curtains. Leftover bits can be used for cushions, aprons and so on; its very economical.

How do you wash and refresh vintage linen? The French often sell the linen dans son jus in its own stew. This means you buy it pretty much as it was when taken out of the attics or sheds of an old farm. You soak it in cold water with no chemicals for one or two days, then wash it in boiling hot water, lay it out on the grass in the sunshine, if possible, and you will find when it is dry the marks mostly will have gone. How can you use pieces that do still have flaws? Lots of sheets do have flaws and thats what you could use on dining chairs, stools, and short curtains for cottages. Can you recommend any fairs to buy vintage linen in England? I never go to English fairs but there are some such as Ardingly, Newark and Kempton Park. There are quite a few French dealers who bring French textiles over here, but English linen dealers are almost non-existent. Is there a fail-safe hunting tip? You need to have a book containing samples, swatches and measurements if you are searching to furnish a room. Do you have a favourite linen pattern or era? I like large, definite patterns. The best of French patterns were printed by the French house Braqueni, which designed for two centuries or more in large-scale Eastern designs and Indiennes based on Indian fabrics, amongst others. The company was bought about 50 years ago by Pierre Frey. It is very expensive but you wont find that quality in other makes.
FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137
FEATURE AND STYLING GABI TUBBS PHOTOGRAPHS JODY STEWART Q&A INTERVIEW SAMANTHA SCOTT-JEFFRIES

The joy of vintage

Elizabeth Baer shares her expertise on hunting for beautiful French linens and offers guidance on how best to use them for home furnishing
Why do you recommend French linen for interiors? First of all it is available in many shades and weights so you can find exactly the sort of linen that you need for any decorating job, whether its for lampshades, loose covers or bed ends. Its beauty is also its quality. It is the national
34 THE ENGLISH HOME

FRENCH LINEN

textile product of France: they have always made linen and used it, just as in England cotton is something we have done traditionally very well. It has an expensive, attractive look because it is a quality fabric, which is mostly hand spun and woven; the French do this to a very high and

Is it suited to furnishing any particular period of property? The fabric has been used since Roman and Greek times, so if you are decorating an historic house it is correct for every period from the earliest time to the most contemporary. My sheets have been used in Trump Towers in New York and also in Shakespeares birthplace in Stratford-UponAvon, so its suitable for both situations. My linen is also used a great deal for sets or costumes for films, ballet, opera and theatre. As it is spun in the same way as much earlier fabrics, it is correct for the particular look and texture of any early era that they are looking for. It falls in beautiful folds, is classic, plain and has enormous appeal, also to men.

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Secrets lie

WITHIN

This handsome Edwardian home yielded hidden treasures to the van Petegem family, for whom its renovation became a journey of discovery

M
AT HOME
Helen and Guy van Petegem and their three children, Lily, nine, and seven-yearold twins Erin and Tilda, moved to the Kent countryside in 2008. A property developer, Helen has retained the period features of the house, which is available to hire as a location for photographic shoots through Light Locations.

oving to the country was the realisation of a long-held dream for Helen and Guy van Petegem. Having moved house four times in London within the space of four years, they felt they had outgrown the city and its attractions and sought the charms of a rural upbringing for their young family. Guy grew up in London and had always wanted to live in the country, explains Helen. For me, the country holds happy childhood memories of holidays with my Aunt Molly and Uncle Andy, who ran Rushwood Hall, a rambling Victorian Estate near Ripon in Yorkshire. My brother and I would play in the attic bedrooms and run wild in the grounds. In search of their perfect family home, Guy spent months looking at online property sites. The couple centred their search around Kent, as they had good friends in the area, but they also wanted to be within commuting distance of London. Guy spotted the rather grand four-bedroom Edwardian house in a village near Canterbury and, on closer inspection, he loved it. Helen, however, admits to taking a little more convincing. It is a handsome house, standing in five acres of garden. The village and school are

36 THE ENGLISH HOME

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CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN The wooden beam above the wood-burning stove in the kitchen was from a salvage yard in Herne Bay Pier, which Helen had sandblasted. The blue cobb light is from The French House and Helen customised the glass pendants from Geoffrey Harris. Scaffold boards from Helens builder make robust surfaces in the utility room, and she finally found a resting place for the Belfast sink she bought ten years ago. My dad was a butcher and gave us his first butchers block. We design every kitchen around it, says Helen.

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English Charm

Looking around the house its easy to spot Helens flair for re-inventing decorative items

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within walking distance, theres a wood nearby and also numerous beaches within twenty minutes by car, she explains, yet she remained uncertain. Although structurally sound with beautiful high ceilings and original period details, much of the dcor hadnt been updated in 30 years and the house was looking tired. The kitchen and bathroom were in dire need of a revamp. Upstairs the rooms hadnt been used in years. There was a swirly black and mustard carpet and 1930s-style flock wallpaper peeling off the walls, Helen adds. The turning point for her, however, was when during the viewing they discovered a secret top floor. The agent billed it as a four-bedroom house with attic space. We found a staircase on the first floor that led to a large landing with Victorian fitted cupboards and three big unfurnished rooms. It was like stepping back in time into Miss Havishams home in Charles Dickens Great Expectations, exclaims Helen. In its heyday, this might have

LEFT Helen and Guy were not fond of the Romanesque columns, swags and bow design on the mantles central panel, so covered them up. The result is simple yet elegant. ABOVE The refreshing palette emphasises the feel of light and space in the sitting room. Helen used Dulux Chalky Downs 6 and Potters Clay 4 on the walls. The blue chest was from a junk shop in Peckham and the cow hide rug is from Ikea. RIGHT A heathery pink accent colour in soft furnishings contrasts against the neutral background. The cushion covers were from fabric remnants.

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English Charm

ABOVE The Chesterfield sofa in the main bedroom is one of Helens favourite pieces. I bought it from a junk shop in Deptford. Originally it was very shabby orange leatherette. I had it resprung and reupholstered in a linen/wool fabric by Angel Upholstery. RIGHT The Swallows wallpaper is a commemorative print from the Vintage Collection by Sanderson. A fan of chintz, Helen bought the 1950s quilt on the sofa from a market fair while on a family holiday in Devon. LEFT Helen bought this drop leaf table from Lots Road Auctions in Chelsea many years ago. I love to buy from auctions; you can find the most gorgeous things.

been the servants quarters. I immediately could see the space transformed into the girls zone with bedrooms and ample space to play and grow. The attic had a very Victorian feel to it, which I love, and from that moment on I was sold on the house. Within a month of selling up in London, the family had moved into their new home. They spent a year living in the house with the dcor to get a feel for the space and light before launching into any decorating. It was quite a refreshing change for me, says Helen. As a property developer, I have to turn projects around quickly, so this was really relaxing by comparison. During this time, Guy also came across a false wall at the back of one of the Victorian cupboards on the landing. Guy crawled through a narrow hole and ended up in a secret attic room at the front of the house! says Helen. Now the space is Lilys secret playroom. Some months later, work began in earnest on the house. The attic was their first priority. We ripped out the rotten carpets and, after some re-plastering, we fixed tongue and groove panelling to the walls, sound-proofed and re-carpeted, says Helen. We blocked up the opening on the landing and put a door in a stud wall in Lilys bedroom, for easier access.

40 THE ENGLISH HOME

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Helen and Guy ripped out the leaky shower cubicle and carpet from the en suite and sanded and stained the floorboards. The Victorian bath, which Helen repainted pastel blue, and nickel taps were all from eBay. She bought the large free-standing mirror from Tomlinsons in East Dulwich.

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English Charm

I could see the attic transformed into the girls zone, with ample space to play and grow

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FEATURE VIKKI ELIAS PHOTOGRAPHS CLAIRE RICHARDSON

ABOVE LEFT Erin helps her mum to get afternoon tea ready. The vintage tea set in the background is from Lots Road Auctions. ABOVE RIGHT The twins attic bedroom is furnished in a simple, country style. Rather than being fussy, florals when set against a clean, white background look fresh and soft. The rose duvet covers and blankets are from Cath Kidston, and the striped rug and wallhung reading lamps are from Ikea.

Much of the work entailed redecorating, although the couple also did have the house rewired and a new, more efficient central heating system installed. Helen and Guy took their time bringing the property back to life, introducing elements that enhanced the sense of light and space. Dcor-wise, they unified the variety of styles by choosing a natural paint palette. I cant do colour on walls, admits Helen. I always choose neutrals and then accessorise with a splash of one pretty colour. They were keen to restore many original features in the house. The sunlight had turned the original oak parquet floor on the ground floor an orange colour, remembers Helen. I bleached it using wood lye and applied a greyish liquid wax, which complements our neutral feel and is more forgiving to muddy foot prints. We also customised the original mantle in the lounge by boxing in the bow and relief scroll pattern with hardboard. It looks less fussy now, which is much more to our taste, she continues.

Looking around the house its easy to spot Helens flair for re-inventing decorative and household items. A love of the old and unloved, the faded and worn, fuels her regular visits to salvage yards, markets, junk shops and fairs. I see pieces of wood in a skip or an antique chair at a market and cant resist them, she admits. You can find some gorgeous things and dont have to pay the earth. I have a sink graveyard in the garden shed; well, you can never have too many sinks and I often need them for refitting bathrooms. Two years after moving in, the house has exceeded the couples great expectations. There is still plenty to do, according to Helen, but the house possesses enormous charm, as well as being relaxed and very homely. Weve settled into country life and love having friends and family to stay, concludes Helen. We go to the beach and set up camps in the garden. Theres space to home my vintage caravan and we keep chickens. It really is the country life that we always wanted.

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In the kitchen the walls are painted Salisbury Stones 03 by Dulux, which Sarah claims provides a soft white with great coverage. The table and chandelier are from a French brocante flea market the couple visited on holiday.

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COLOUR
Sarah Coates gave her home a fresh, uplifting atmosphere with judicious use of bold accessories and patterns against neutral walls.

Dreaming in

F
AT HOME
Sarah Coates lives in a classic Edwardian terrace in West London with her husband Peter, a financial journalist, their six year old daughter Stella, and Border Terrier Dizzy. A textile designer, Sarah works from her garden studio and makes handfinished childrens clothes from recycled wool for her company Smith & Coates.

ew of us are brave enough to furnish our homes with shocking pink, pea green and a patchwork of pattern, yet we often admire interiors where a burst of colour sings out from a soothing palette to uplift the spirits, and where a practical scheme meets decorative whimsy. Sarah Coates home is a case in point and has a seemingly effortless allure. However, as with many beautiful homes, Sarah and her husband Peter had expended considerable energy to mould it into its current and harmonious incarnation. The couples journey began when they returned from New York, where they had lived for four years, to a flat in Notting Hill. At the time Sarah was seven months pregnant with Stella. Although their apartment was spacious, it was on the third floor, with no direct access to outside space, she recalls. The couple knew of others who had traded similar properties for whole houses with gardens on moving further into West London and they decided to follow suit. As the market was still buoyant in the area, however, the details of the houses didnt even get printed. We had to pursue the estate agents, Sarah remembers. By fluke we were the first
THE ENGLISH HOME 47

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ABOVE Sarah painted the sitting room in Stone White by Farrow & Ball. The coffee table is a Chinese opium bed that Sarah bought whilst living in China. TOP RIGHT Sarahs beloved Osborne & Little sofa has been upholstered in corduroy by Denholme fabrics in Bradford. BELOW RIGHT Beside the fireplace are embroidered Chinese silk robe cuffs from Peters grandmother.

people to look around this house. Feeling the pressure of a fast moving market, Sarah immediately put in an offer. I panicked completely afterwards though, she reveals. Although the house met the couples criteria, the people they were buying it from had two little girls, so it was full of toys and looked tiny. We had no floor plan, no measurements because no details had been printed, and I thought wed made a big mistake, Sarah admits. Luckily, the vendors were most accommodating and were happy for Sarah to return equipped with a tape measure and her mother, the voice of reason. Without the pressure of

knowing the house could be snapped up, she could look past the clutter, the late 1980s dcor, and the riot of stuff, she laughs, and her mind was put at rest. After moving in, the couple didnt start work on the house for a few months because I think its good to live in a space first, work out what you need and whats best for you, Sarah says wisely. It seems that this period of contemplation has paid off. Their main priority was to build in storage and shelving, mostly for books. To create the required space their team of builders, Better Construction, removed the chimney breasts from the kitchen and the guest bedroom, and also moved several doors in

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English Eclectic

the house, including the one in Stellas room so that a run of wardrobes could be installed along the length of one wall. These were constructed by carpenter Marc Salamon of London Garden Studios who also built in masses of bookshelves, says Sarah, even in the loft and the guest bedroom. For the sitting room, Sarah had an old magazine advertisement in mind, which featured a sofa in Coco Chanels apartment, surrounded by bookshelves. She reinterpreted the idea and had shelving built around the beloved fuchsia corduroy sofa she had acquired while working at Osborne & Little after completing her degree in textile design.

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Our home is all about colour and texture. I like things not to match. I like it to look organic, layered and lived in

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English Eclectic

In the kitchen she also needed bespoke shelving for her collection of cooking books. This room underwent its biggest transformation, however, when French doors replaced the window at one end, allowing light to flood into what is now a much used family room that enjoys direct access to the garden. The couple also maximised their living space by turning the airing cupboard next to the bathroom into an adjoining shower room, and by converting the loft into a family snug. The snug is where all of the technology is now located, serving as both an office space and television room, so that the sitting room can be reserved for family time, whether this is to play, read or play the piano. When it came to decorating her home, Sarah often built up the scheme for each room around key pieces that she had collected over the years including flea market finds from Paris, an antique collection compiled over years of rummaging and treasured gifts,

The pretty quilt on the master bed was from a French flea market. Sarah covered the headboard in a fabric by Brunswick.

LEFT The guest bedroom is home to an Edwardian butterfly collectors chest, given to her by her stepfather Willy. Sarah hand painted the framed butterfly. ABOVE LEFT Sarah bought the antique French embroidered sofa from Tetworth.

including textiles. She admits to not having reupholstered any of her furniture and chose the orange silk curtains in the master bedroom as the starting point for its decoration. She was given the fabric for the curtains by her oldest friend and fellow textile designer Richard Smith, who had remnants left over from a decorating commission. From these Sarah decided upon the Farrow & Ball paint colour for the walls. The result, describes Sarah, is a room that feels restorative.
THE ENGLISH HOME 51

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English Eclectic

The colours on the walls in the house are very calm and tonal, ensuring it flows

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F EATURE SAMANTHA SCOTT-JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHS BEN ANDERS STYLING KARINA GARRICK

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Stella reads in a chair in her bedroom covered in Ian Mankin ticking fabric. In the bathroom Sarah used floor tiles on the walls from The Tile Shop as she liked their large scale. She painted the floorboards herself, marking out the pattern with Stella. The antique nursing chair was a generous gift from a friends mother. Sarah sourced the fabric for the curtains on eBay. The front door is painted in glossy Red Stallion 01 by Dulux. A collection of Stellas wellingtons are lined up in front of Sarahs apothecary chest.

Its calm and spacious, so very occasionally Ill sneak off and read a book on the bed, she smiles. Her strongest influence, however, is undoubtedly her work as a textile designer, which is all about colour and texture. Sarah likes things not to match. I like it to look organic, layered and lived in. These layers that create the effortless, relaxed look are, in fact, cleverly constructed. The colours on the walls in the house are very tonal; they unify, ensure it flows and are very calm, she explains. They are also a foil to the pops of colour. Working daily with tempting textiles, colour and new finds inevitably means that the interior will keep evolving. In fact Sarah already has plans for the next project. Well I would like to reorganise the kitchen for more work space, she confesses, and Im currently limbering up to wallpaper the spare room in Cole & Sons Hummingbird wallpaper, she laughs. No doubt the results will blend in seamlessly, yet also contain an element of the unexpected, including the bold but effective use of colour.

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AT HOME WITH

Ruthie Henshall
The award-winning actress, singer and dancer Ruthie Henshall is a well known star of the West End and Broadway, but little is known about her home life. Here she reveals her penchant for the feminine interior touch

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My English Home

uthie Henshall made her West End debut in Cats in the late eighties and has rarely been absent from the West End or Broadway stages since, gaining an Olivier Award and a string of further nominations in the process. Recently, she has also appeared on our television screens.

come from my mother who is rather particular when it comes to tidiness in her own home. Have you inherited anything from your parents interior taste? I should hope not! A lot of my childhood was in the seventiesat one point my mother persuaded my father to paint the walls brown and the skirting boards a kind of mushy green. There were lots and lots of swirly colours everywhere. I think the seventies was a bad era for taste, or a lack of it. Do you hold on to things from the past? Im a very good chucker. Once things are used and done, thats it to the charity shop or in the bin. With my wardrobe, I have a clean out at least once a year. I dont like to hoard: I like a very simple place. I dont want shelves full of things as that would drive me nuts. What about the childrens toys? What I do, without telling my girls, is I get a box and put loads of their things in it that I dont think theyve been using and then I put it in the attic. Every six months or so I tell them that they can go up into the attic and swap their things and its amazing what theyve forgotten about. They rediscover toys. Where is your favourite place in your home? My bedroom; its my sanctuary. The wallpaper has got birds, butterflies and flowers all over it whilst my bed is so comfortable, like a fairy bed. After Ive put the girls to bed, Ill often go and do things like read emails in my bedroom as opposed to downstairs. Since being a single mother and not having a partner, my bedroom seems that much more important than my front room, which seems a little redundant to me. At night, without a doubt, Im in my bedroom. It is decorated with white sheets and white pillows with a very old paisley eiderdown on top. Ive also got a couple of British flag pillows (but not in the traditional colours) that pick out the colours of the wallpaper. Since Ive been divorced, everything has got very girly. So Ive got hummingbird fairy lights and

clip-on butterflies on the lampshades. There is absolutely no trace of a man. I like coming home and finding that everything is just how I left it. It actually feels like a little bit of a luxury. Would we know you were in the entertainment business if we came to your home? I find it very difficult to have pictures of myself up around the house. If I want to have memories, Ill open up an album. I dont really need to stare at pictures of myself in shows Ive done. It would seem a little too self-absorbed. Maybe one day, when Ive got a bigger house, perhaps I could have a small room for that purpose, but right now I prefer pictures of family and friends. What about your numerous awards? One of my awards is on a window sill. It is clear glass so you cant see it unless you really look. My Olivier is used as a book end. I would find it very difficult to simply display it. What is your idea of a perfect weekend? It would start on a Friday night with movie night, which the girls and I do every week. On Saturday we would have lunch at the local restaurant, an Italian, which does pizzas to die for. Wed walk it all off with a stroll in the woods and then, in the evening, Id have friends round for dinner. Thats my perfect day. A Sunday would also involve Sunday lunch somewhere; the less I can cook, the better! Apart from your own house, where do you most feel at home? New York. I know the city like the back of my hand and it really is my second home. In the last 12 years Ive lived there three times and I go back there a lot. I have so many friends there and I feel so embraced that it really is a home to me. What should no English home be without? A kitchen table. For friends and family, the kitchen is the hub of any house. Ruthie can be seen in Blithe Spirit, at the London Apollo, from 2 March 2011. Visit [Link] for more details.
THE ENGLISH HOME 55

Can you describe your childhood home? When I was growing up we were quite lucky. We had a house in Bromley, Kent, which is where I was born and brought up, but we also had a country cottage in Suffolk, where we spent weekends and holidays. We had the best of both worlds. My parents now live in the Suffolk house, which was originally bought for 1,600. I cant believe I was alive when you could buy a house for that price, thats not enough for a deposit for a beach hut these days. Where do you live today? We are at the top of Essex, on the Suffolk border. Ive lived in my house for about six years. It was a new build by a restoration company; the area was originally an old maltings, which they built a few houses around. In the past, Id always thought that I would never buy a new build, but the houses are very old-fashioned and the finish is very good. We bought it off-plan so we told the developers exactly what we wanted, from the light fittings to the kitchen to the colour on the walls. Moving in with a baby and a toddler and not having a thing to do was marvellous. Have you made any changes since you moved in to your house? I had it redecorated recently and had wallpaper put up. I made a feature wall in each of the rooms with fairly vibrant wallpaper. Im such a Laura Ashley girl, which is where the paper came from. I would do my whole house in Laura Ashley, or Pottery Barn, if I could. Can we expect your house to be tidy? Very much so, although I dont worry if it gets messy for a while. Ive got two young children [aged 6 and 8], so how can I not? But I notice that I love it very clean. It makes me feel tidy, which might be the same for everyone. Messy house, messy mind its a little bit like that. It might

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F EATURE NIKI BROWES PHOTOGRAPH ANDREW CROWLEY, CAMERA PRESS LONDON

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STYLE INSPIRATION
Simple checks & stripes | Globetrotting style | Luxurious fabric walls
LET THERE BE LIGHT
It is a commonly held belief that pale colour schemes offer the golden route to making any room feel larger and lighter. Whilst this is partially true, the effects only work successfully in a room that already enjoys a reasonable measure of natural light. When used in rooms without a sunny aspect, plain white and ivory painted walls can feel remarkably sterile. This airily elegant scheme demonstrates how delicate pattern and subtle texture can add some warmth. The pearlescent effect on the wallpaper when teamed with the mirror maximises the light-enhancing qualities. Covering the mirror frame in a textured, tonal fabric is a sophisticated finishing touch. Marlowe Floral wallpaper in Mother of Pearl (LWP60740W), 140 a 10m roll; Ellington silver lock box, 1,150; Bedford silver hurricane lamp, 150; mirror covered in Lansing in White (LFY20647F), 148 a metre. All available at Ralph Lauren Home.

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21 pages of design and decorating advice

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The Acanthus tapestry on the Chesterfield is an evolution of one of Morris most iconic wallpaper patterns first registered in 1875. The contemporary styled Branch cut velvet used for the chair upholstery was taken from the 1871 Morris & Co. block print wallpaper and the Bluebell printed curtain fabric was inspired by Morris 1876 block printed cotton.

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OF THE MOMENT
William Morris (1834-1896) was a writer, poet, translator, publisher, fervent socialist, environmentalist and protector of ancient buildings as well as the most successful textile and wallpaper designer of his day. As these contemporary evolutions of his work demonstrate, however, the designs, inspired by nature and craftsmanship, remain relevant, beautiful and versatile and are being rediscovered by many today

illiam Morris was three years old when Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837. At that time, upper-middle class domestic interiors were dominated by the French Rococo style. These cluttered Victorian interiors persisted throughout the century with swathes of velvet, innumerable pieces of furniture and collections of photographs and souvenirs littering every available surface. Vast fortunes were being made in commerce and banking; the nouveaux riche spending huge sums making their homes opulent and pseudo-French whilst the upper classes remained true to their silk brocades and hand block printed wallpapers. The Industrial Revolution and the steam-powered mass production it spawned changed everything. Hand block printed wallpapers were challenged by new surface roller printed wallpapers from machines first patented in 1839 and by the late 1800s these mass produced papers had become more dominant. William Morris career as a designer emerged in 1861, triggered by two key events decorating the Oxford Union in 1857 and building Red House in Bexleyheath with the architect Philip Webb. Morris and Webb became friends in 1856 when both were working for the Gothic revival architect, George Edmund Street. On his marriage to Jane Burden in 1859, Morris built his first home, Red House, designed by Webb. Appalled by the over-elaborate products and furnishings available at the time, Morris and his friends decorated Red House in the medieval style, creating furnishings, embroideries, stained-glass

windows, ceiling and mural decorations, tapestries and textiles. On completion of the interior in 1861 the comrades decided to turn their domestic hobby into a commercial enterprise by creating medievalinspired handcrafted items for the home. The venture would ultimately lead Morris to revolutionise public attitudes towards decorative arts and interior decoration in particular. He pursued the age-old craft of block-printing wallpapers and fabrics, set up his own tapestry-weaving and hand-knotted carpet workshops and with his partners dominated stainedglass manufacture in Britain in the second half of the nineteenth century. Morris philosophy was that good quality furnishings should be available to all and not just the wealthy. Regrettably, his aims were at odds with each other, as handcrafted goods were far more expensive than machine-made alternatives. Nonetheless, his mission was to emphasise the Luxury of Taste rather than the Luxury of Costliness. Today, the insatiable demand for undiscovered Morris & Co. patterns has paved the way for the design team to create inspirational adaptations of original Morris & Co. imagery be it stained glass, tapestries or documents contained within the Morris & Co. Archive. The underlying strength of these vintage patterns is not only their timelessness but also their ability to evolve. This features shows just a small selection of Archive collection 2011 created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. The designs build on an international appeal whether decorating Victorian cottages or New York apartments.

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Morris & Co. issued more than 100 block printed wallpaper patterns, of which William Morris designed over half. This output was considered to be relatively insignificant compared to rival businesses, yet these wallpapers still influence interior decoration throughout the world.

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Ornamental pattern work, to be raised above the contempt of reasonable men, must possess three qualities: beauty, imagination and order William Morris

First registered in 1876, the original design for Pimpernel wallpaper was created by William Morris and decorated the dining room walls of his London home, Kelmscott House. The wallpaper shown is from The Archive Collections of 2011, a chic and accessible reinterpretation.

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If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of Art and the thing most to be longed for, I should answer a beautiful house
William Morris

READER OFFER
Readers of The English Home can enjoy a 20 per cent discount on A Revolution in Decoration by Michael Parry (normally 9.99 incl P&P) from which this feature is adapted. To order a copy call 0844 543 9500.

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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PHOTOGRAPHS ALL CHRIS EVERARD EXCEPT P.62, WALLPAPER MATCH PIECE, LIAM JONES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Janes Daisy shown on the bedspread was previously known as Sunflower. It is an early embroidery design by William Morris, circa 1860, possibly for Red House yet looks completely contemporary in this charming country setting. Bluebell is on the chaise longue with a Mary Isobel cushion. The curtains are in Kennet.

This Acanthus wallpaper match piece is the original trial sample that William Morris would have handled and approved prior to its production in 1875. William Morris four poster bed curtains at Kelmscott House were embroidered by May Morris in 1891 and provided the inspiration for this resplendent Kelmscott Tree design from the Archive Collections of 2011.

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UPDATED CLASSICS: PART III

CHECKS & STRIPES

This month, interior designer Jenny Blanc demonstrates how the simplicity of checks and stripes combined with the subtlety of colour can be used in a fresh new way to breathe life and sophistication into a country kitchen

aving covered quite elaborate design styles in the first two parts of this new series, I thought it an opportune point to consider a more informal theme. What better style to explore than the timeless simplicity of checks and stripes. My French connections have given me a long-standing passion for simple checks, a look synonymous with French cafs and Provenal rusticity. I'd advise you look to Romo, Pierre Frey and Baker Lifestyle if you wish to achieve such a quintessential French style within your interiors. Checks and stripes traditionally tend to be woven in cotton to produce a practical fabric with simple charm, although I also love to use small checks in silk to add detail to a scheme. In my own home, I have used checked silk to line an intricate embroidered fabric, thereby adding a chic finish to my dining room curtains. The adaptability of checks is endless. A soft checked throw casually draped over the arm of a chair brings country charm to a room. Checks mix so well with Toile de Jouy or printed florals on linen. You can have fun using the scale of the design to add impact and an element of surprise. For childrens rooms, there is nothing more

charming than checks; their timeless quality straddles the early years with ease. Stripes are more complex to use as their linear effect requires careful handling and they can be too much of a good thing. I find them particularly useful for furniture. A beautiful striped silk brocade or velvet and silk stripe can turn an ordinary set of classic dining chairs into something very special, whilst a chic striped cotton looks classically elegant on a chaise longue or for loose cushions on a bench seat. Vertical

A subtle mix of checks and stripes adds life and depth to your scheme
stripes are the preferred choice for most people, although I love the look of horizontal stripes; they work particularly well in a modern setting. Considering the associations we have with checks and French cafs, it seemed appropriate to create a scheme for a kitchen. I've chosen a new fabric collection by Jane Churchill, which I think exemplifies a sophisticated look. It includes many variations on the stripe and check theme

offering great versatility. I also like the way that the stripes are created using a mixture of fibres to give satin smooth stripes next to tactile linen ones. Included in the collection is a simple cotton check, which Jane Churchill has always done so well. This one has been given a fresh twist with a splash of pretty flower embroidery. By using a variety of stripes and checks within the one room, there is always something of interest to catch the eye. I have used two striped fabrics to add variation to the scheme and to avoid excessive use of one version. Multi-tonal versions are more interesting and less kitchen-like than basic stripes. It is this subtle mixing which adds life and depth and a more eclectic mix to your scheme. Finally, depending on the size of your kitchen and the ventilation, you may want to consider humidity level and its affect on fabrics. Outdoor fabrics work well if you need to be aware of this, as they just need wiping down rather than regular washing. And its not just canvas thats on offer many of the newest outdoor fabrics now look and feel as good as indoor fabric ranges. For inspiration look to Osborne & Little, Casamance, Lelievre, Kravet, Robert Allen and Pierre Frey.

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MOODBOARD DETAILS
Successful room schemes demand careful layering of textures, patterns and finishes in coordinated hues. The fabric, paint and furniture swatches photographed are featured in the illustration. ILLUSTRATED DETAILS Paint Ceiling: Estate Emulsion in Pointing, 52.50 for five litres. Walls: Modern Emulsion in Shaded White, 57 for five litres. Kitchen units: Estate eggshell in Hardwick White, 73.50 for five litres. All Farrow & Ball. Curtains Bayliss stripe J622F-04 Yellow/Grey, 39 a metre, Jane Churchill. Dresser Louisiane dresser in beech and maple with grey paint finish 2009 Patine WG, height 220cm, length 180cm, width 56cm, 2,960 (price to be reviewed in March), Grange. Renovated armchair upholstered in Lingo 1-2857-140, 83.20 a metre, Jab. Scatter cushion on armchair in Angelica J575F-02 Yellow/Green, 64 a metre, Jane Churchill. Kitchen table Primitive table in medium oak with distressed effect, from 2,200, Fauld. Kitchen chairs Lincoln ladderback tall side chair in medium oak, 495 each, Fauld. Squab seat cushions on kitchen chairs in Angelica J575F-02 Yellow /Green, 64 a metre, Jane Churchill. Window seat cushions in MA M201/06 Retro Moonshine, 70.50 a metre, Mark Alexander at Romo. Kitchen worktops in granite, 600 a linear metre, Gerald Culliford.

UNDERSTANDING THE SCHEME Employ the right finishes in the correct proportions for a successful result
COLOUR IN THE KITCHEN In my scheme I have used a paint colour palette which quietly complements the kitchen and the soft furnishings. Different tones are used for the walls and the main kitchen units, and these also contrast with the dresser but in a very subtle way. I like to use a classic warm white for ceilings as a contrast to the walls and in this scheme the beams look particularly good set against an off-white hue. FREE-STANDING FURNITURE If you are about to plan a new kitchen, and have the space required, a free-standing piece of furniture adds charm and a strong focal point. I've chosen a French style dresser as I find this item of furniture practical and attractive, with display shelves at the top and very useful storage beneath. It is worth investing in a piece such as this, as it can add style to the simplest of kitchens and will prove to be a timeless buy that can move with you from home to home. VERSATILE SEATING This kitchen is designed to provide a series of living options, from casual entertaining to everyday kitchen living so versatile seating is very important. The traditional country style table and chairs that I have selected are very practical, and the warmth of the wood contrasts well with the freshness of the striped and checked fabrics. A renovated armchair provides a place to stop and sit whilst enjoying the warmth of the kitchen, and a window seat provides yet more casual seating. This combination I believe fulfils all of the key requirements of a room that so many long for as the social hub of the home. The squab seat cushions on the dining chairs mean diners can sit comfortably for longer gatherings. SIMPLE CURTAIN TREATMENTS There is no need to overdo curtain treatments for kitchen-cum-living areas, although I would always line and interline curtains so that the kitchen is beautifully warm in the evenings. Here, I have included a custom-made lathe to be fitted in front of the curtain heading. Covered in plain linen, it is a more discreet version of a pelmet and neatly hides the curtain heading tape. ACCESSORISING Decorative details need not be impractical. In fact, careful placement of accessories is the essential difference between a kitchen that is purely a work space and a room that feels relaxing to be in. Pretty china on display, a few scatter cushions and some wall-hung prints are a good place to start.
THE ENGLISH HOME 67

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* ALL RETAIL PRICES STATED ARE CORRECT PRICES AT DATE OF PUBLICATION.

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Primitive table in medium oak (see previous page) Louisiane dresser in beech and maple with grey paint finish (see previous page) Selection of Fleur de Chine china, from 25 a plate, Gien Lemon wood cutting board with oxidized bronze and gold plate decoration, 65, Jenny Blanc Interiors Lincoln ladderback tall side chair (see previous page) Paper towel holder in stainless steel with oxidized bronze and gold plate olive branch and pomegranate decoration, 79.50, Jenny Blanc Interiors

FOR MORE INSPIRATION

Jenny runs a successful interior design business which has received four accolades from the International Property Awards including 'Best International Interior Design'. Her lifestyle showroom displays an array of beautiful ideas and accessories sourced from the best British and international brands. Jenny Blanc Interiors, 59 High Street, Teddington, West London TW11 8HA. Tel 020 8943 4440. [Link]

68 THE ENGLISH HOME

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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ROOM ILLUSTRATION WENDY UREN FABRIC SWATCH PHOTOGRAPH MARK PULLON

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Stripes mix happily together when they share a palette. All cushions from a selection at Jane Churchill, from 39 per metre. Wallpaper, Celia Stripe, 38 per roll, Jane Churchill.

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STRIPES AND CHECKS

ORIGINS & EVOLUTIONS

From humble beginnings protecting expensive silk or damask, striped and checked fabrics have since acquired a sought-after aesthetic all of their own

tripes and checks weave their way through the history of interiors from the grandest drawing rooms to the lowliest kitchens. The first stripes and checks to make a serious impression arrived in England from India in the 17th century. They were known as ginghams and the earliest were striped; checks and plaids came later. Ginghams were simple cloths introduced into fine rooms in great houses as case or loose covers for furniture. State rooms were lavishly furnished en suite with the same silk or damask at windows, over walls and on upholstery. After such an eye-watering outlay, these furnishings were expected to last for a generation, preferably more, and it was imperative to protect the fabric so that no one element wore out before the rest. Sometimes case covers for chairs were colour-matched to the furnishings but more often, particularly in the 18th century, they were made up in linen checks or stripes, as seen in numerous paintings. Case covers were taken off only for the most important visitors. In 1745, the diarist Mrs Delany, surprised by an announcement that Lord

and Lady Chesterfield were coming for breakfast, wrote: To work went all my maids, stripping covers off the chairs... Not everyone was so fussy. In the greatest houses in the land, case covers were so much a part of the furnishings as to be almost invisible. In Zoffanys portrait of the two young sons of King George III, the red checked case cover tied round the leg of their chair is clearly visible. Perhaps no-one had even noticed it. When the prohibition on importing cotton into Britain was lifted in 1774, there was a surge in the production of cotton checks, stripes and plaids from the Manchester mills. Horace Walpole fitted red gingham case covers on mahogany sofas in the great parlour of his little Gothic castle, Strawberry Hill, in Middlesex in the 1770s, and in 1786, Chippendale sent case covers in Manchester stripe to Lord Walsingham at Merton Hall in Norfolk. Cotton checks and stripes were equally popular as furniture covers in gentry houses. They are seen in many of the watercolours painted by Mary Ellen Best in the 1830s, recording rooms in the houses of well-to-do family and

friends. Gradually the name gingham came to be reserved for the balanced check, woven in two colours with equal width stripes in warp and weft giving a third colour in the overlap. Red and blue were always the most popular colours. The French were the first to make stripes and checks fashionable, inspired by clothing in exquisite fabrics worn by the King of Siams ambassadors on their visits to King Louis XIVs court in the 1680s. These were imitated in furnishing checks known as siamoises woven with a cotton weft on a silk warp. In England, similar cloth was woven in wool and the French name was also applied to less expensive checks and stripes woven in linen, and linen and cotton, in the 18th century. Multi-coloured stripes including designs composed of leaves and chevrons were popular in neo-classical interiors and by the end of the 18th century the French were hanging striped silks in formal rooms, a fashion said to have originated in the striped bunting hung on buildings to celebrate Napoleons various victories. The Regency period is often associated with striped upholstery but its iconic
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A subtle double pinstripe works easily with a coordinating stripe. Chair, Hemsby Check, old blue; cushion, Burnham Stripe, old blue; stool, Blakeney Check, natural. All Colefax and Fowler.

Ian Mankin offers a wonderfully broad collection of cotton stripes, checks, ginghams and tickings in 100 per cent natural fibres and with over 90 per cent of the collection woven at their own Lancashire cotton mill. Prices from 14.50 to 39.50.

daybeds and Grecian couches were more often covered in plain silks or weaves figured with laurel wreaths or other Classical motifs. When Classicism was revived at the end of the 19th century, stripes were revisited on upholstery and the Regency stripes we know are likely to date from that period. A practical stripe much used on dining chairs by Sheraton and Chippendale was woven from horsehair on a cotton warp. The other check that came into focus as a result of Queen Victorias enthusiam was tartan. This wool check, woven in twill thread in a specific sequence of colours for Scottish clans, received wide publicity when, in 1855, Queen Victoria had the entire drawing room at Balmoral Castle decorated in Royal Stewart tartan. Clan tartans and plaid derivatives have continued in and out of fashion in furnishings ever since. Almost unseen in pictorial records are the simplest checks, the mattress tickings and tablecloth checks that were hidden
72 THE ENGLISH HOME

beneath bedlinen and below stairs. The unassuming quality of these textiles only came of age in the 1980s when their status was re-assessed and their worth recognised. Stripes and checks as design essentials have lost their old hierarchy. Simple or sumptuous, we embrace them as a class act. FIND THE PERFECT PATTERN
IAN MANKIN: Tel 020 7722 0997, [Link]. Tickings, stripes and checks in linen and cotton. JANE CHURCHILL: Tel 020 8877 6400, [Link]. Wide variety of checks and stripes in clear fresh colours. ROMO: Tel 01623 750005, [Link]. Collections of checks and stripes including heavy textured qualities. MARVIC TEXTILES: Tel 020 7352 3119, [Link]. Splendid Regency stripes for traditional upholstery. THE ISLE MILL: Tel 01738 609090, [Link]. All the clan tartans, plaids and small checks in wool. JOHN BOYD TEXTILES: Tel 01963 350451, [Link]. Woven striped horsehair cloth.

Broad stripes with a textured, watercolour quality give a contemporary update to a vintage-style print. Peinture, viscose/linen/polyester in Raspberry, Aqua, Marine, Spice, 60 per metre, Roger Oates.

Yellow and grey hues are a popular new direction from many fabric houses. This Wexford upholstery weight weave is a sophisticated version. Wexford F6167-02, 72 per metre, Osborne & Little.

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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FEATURE CELIA RUFEY

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A FAMIL Four invitin Y CHRISTM AS g homes dressed

December/J anuary 2011 |

Celebrating

the essence of English style Issue 72 | 3.7

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Travellers

TALES

As a seafaring nation, the British enjoy a proclivity to travel and often echo this in their decor. Coastal flavours are a common theme, but increasingly maps, globes and other voyage references are being used to charming effect

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Design Directions

LEFT Adventure stories Love-worn maps can make an engaging alternative to works of art. Whilst framed varieties look neat they have a certain detached quality and suit more classical settings. Hanging an unfurled map with little ceremony has a more tactile, informal appeal and is guaranteed to inspire conversations of memorable travel experiences and dreams of adventures still to come. For original vintage school maps try Harvey Brown, prices from 350. Alternatively try [Link] or the Old Map & Clock Company, which offers delightful aged-effect reproductions.

ABOVE Around the world Whilst a solitary globe adds an intellectual note, a grouping creates a more playful display. Vintage or faux vintage globes bring a rich warmth to decor, especially when displayed against natural wood. Try Mappamundi, Pedlars, The Old Cinema or After Noah. RIGHT Quirky delight Jennifer Collier creates charming fashion-inspired paper art from origami shoes, to folded faux dresses. Framed or simply displayed, these witty accessories raise a smile of delight in every visitor. Shoes from a selection, from 45 (or 85 in a white box frame).

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LEFT Nostalgia trip Retro luggage labels were the inspiration for this travelthemed wallpaper. It would make a whimsical choice for a hallway, a downstairs loo or even a boys bedroom and could be complemented with a pile of old fashioned suitcases artfully arranged. Wallpaper: James 774-53, 50 a roll, the Charles collection, Sandberg BELOW LEFT Capital focus This beautiful and newly released red chalk-effect wallpaper takes a map of London and the Thames and uses it to great effect in repeat, each map intersection marked by a coat of arms. The scale and soft colouration make this a versatile option for all four walls and sets a softly classical mood. London (310078) map wallpaper, 48 a roll, Intaglio collection, Zoffany BELOW Celestial vision Armillary spheres owe their design to the Egyptian astronomer and geographer Ptolemy and make a striking focal point on a garden plinth. The cost of a personalised armillary sphere including engraving, delivery and installation is 3,792, from David Harber

76 THE ENGLISH HOME

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PHOTOGRAPH P.75 RED COVER/KARYN MILLET

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An advertisement feature by Thomas Sanderson

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or a truly stunning alternative to traditional blinds and curtains for your window coverings, bespoke interior shutters will add a touch of style and sophistication to any room in your home. Crafted by Thomas Sandersons joinery experts in their UK and Valencia workshops, shutters provide a stunning yet practical alternative to more traditional choice of window coverings and offer all the benefits such as control of light, shade, heat and privacy as well as the ability to reduce external noise. All Thomas Sanderson shutters are individually designed, measured, handcrafted and installed by experts. Available in a wide range of colours and styles, shutters can make an attractive interior furnishing that will suit both modern and traditional homes effortlessly. And if youve got a large or unusual window dont worry, Thomas Sanderson has a solution

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eve celebrated the rise of Kate Forman and Vanessa Arbuthnotts fabrics, witnessed the boom of Cath Kidstons iconic designs and championed the great English fabric houses such as Sanderson and Mulberry, whose collections feel fresh each season yet retain a classic edge. So who are the next wave of names to note in English textile design? We reveal the talent taking inspiration from our landscape and prolonging our heritage of manufacturing. EMILY BOND George the dachshund must be a very special dog. So many people admired him whenever Bond took him for a walk that she launched her fabric company in 2007 with a dachshund repeat pattern. To date its my most popular design from the whole collection, she laughs. In what some might see as a bold move for a fledgling designer, Bond has subsequently stuck to producing figurative animal prints, including Saddleback pigs and jumping horses, cleverly creating a signature style of beautifully clean designs. They are very simple and naive but at the same time very ordered, she says, and delivered in a deliberately limited palette. It is colour that is often the starting point for Bonds designs. I do a lot of antique and textile hunting; I hunt for ideas and colours and tend to be inspired by the colours before anything else, she reveals.

ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS
Forever enthralled by witnessing new designers flourish, we share our thoughts on some of the most exciting names in textile design to watch, with their designs to revitalise interiors this spring
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Talent Spotlight

Inspiration may come from something kitsch and vintage or from a rummage through archive house The Design Library, which stocks old documents as a resource for designers. However, it is Bonds very English childhood that remains her greatest inspiration. It all stems from my childhood. I grew up in an old farmhouse with an Aga surrounded by dogs. The production of Bonds fabrics is also as British as can be. She buys her linen in Scotland, where it is woven in the old fashioned way, as it has been done for years, in a Victorian weaving mill. The linen is then flatbed printed with her designs in England. There is room for error all of the time, she says, but thats the charm of it. At present working on a new design for Highgrove, Bond is passionate about retaining a personal service as the company expands. Customers talk to me on the phone for ages about their dogs, and thats lovely.

LOUISE BODY Having become known for her delicately illustrated wallpaper designs graced with birds, flora and fauna, Louise Body launched her first fabric collection just six months ago. It was both a natural progression and a fresh departure into a new medium, and is one that has allowed Body to play with the scale of her popular wallpaper motifs when translating the designs for textiles. With her designs very painterly appeal, it is no surprise to learn that Body trained as a painter and fine artist. After graduating from university, she screen printed her first wallpaper for a small exhibition in a Brighton gallery. Even before the current wallpaper revival, the paper received such an enthusiastic response that she knew she should be doing it. Body was awarded a grant from

the Princes Trust, which enabled her to buy her own screens and by the time she launched her company in 2003 and exhibited at 100% Design in London, wallpaper had started to enjoy a timely resurgence in popularity. It is apparent Body is not one to follow trends. In terms of design I look a lot to nature and to nostalgia, she explains. I look at very old interiors magazines from the 1950s and how they drew their room sets; the colours were bright but muted right down to give an antique feel. Her fabric collections have the same appeal, which is enhanced by the production process. Because all of my work started as screen prints I try to replicate that look, Body explains. Once she has hand drawn a design, she then scans the image to produce a digital file.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT Emily Bonds signature-style Dairy Cow fabric and Long Dog fabric are 100 per cent linen, both 42 a metre. Bolts of Louise Bodys fabric collections in situ at her design studio. Bodys Garden Birds print in Blue is 100 per cent linen, 65 a metre. A co-ordinating wallpaper is also available to purchase.

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Talent Spotlight

Innovation is as vital to the continuance of English craftsmanship as the preservation of past skills
Kerryn Harper-Cuss

ABOVE LEFT Louise Bodys Foxglove fabric is suitable for soft furnishings and upholstery, 65 a metre. RIGHT A preview of Sam Pickards Chrysanths pattern in its final design and colourway stages, which will form part of her September 2011 collection. Her designs are all printed on linen and cost 75 a metre. .

Then I do a lot of work on the composition and colours, layering drawings with photographs in photoshop. The completed designs are digitally printed in England. Screen printing set up costs were too expensive to launch two collections a year, Body explains, but the quality of a digital print is now so high that, coupled with her design process, it is impossible to tell the difference. For Body it is important to manufacture in England. Its a dying industry that used to be strong in this country. With numerous outlets stocking her wallpapers including Liberty, which also sells her fabrics, Bodys textiles seem set to prove just as popular, and we eagerly await her new geometric-inspired designs.

SAM PICKARD Because everything I do starts with drawing, I often come home with armfuls of blossom, roses or leaves Ive gathered from the woodland and sit down and draw, says Sam Pickard. Like Bond and Body, she then scans her drawings in to the computer in her studio in North Devon. I might scan fifty drawings of roses, so theres a lot. Then I think how I might be using them. At that point, I form the design on the computer and piece it together from the original idea I had that helps me to develop it. When thinking of the structure of the design Im thinking about the repeats [of the pattern], how it will look hanging, how much space I want between the form Its an exciting stage working out the repeat structures, its quite challenging, Pickard reveals. It is the exceptionally large repeat structures of Pickards patterns that make her work feel so fresh. Already incredibly proficient in screen printing, print and dye techniques, having completed a BA in Printed Textile Design, it was when Pickard studied for an

MA in Textile Design in 2005 that she designed her first fabric that pushed the boundaries of repeat structures. I became excited with what was happening with digital printing. She was then shortlisted for the British Design Awards and launched her first collection at 100% Design in 2007. Today, her fabrics are printed digitally to provide a bespoke service, print to order and to the exact drop required. Liberty stock several of her designs, whilst customers and interior designers also order direct. Pickard is also developing a new geometric collection based on detailed research of the English seasons.

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LEFT Sam Pickards Rosetta Glory fabric reminds her of roses on summer days. It is priced at 75 a metre, or available to order to customers requirements. RIGHT, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Murray upholstered these Architema dining chairs in leather, which she hand carved in her Bloom design for a private client. Prices for a similar finish start at 2,000 a chair. This winged Victorian armchair was covered in nubuck, and then hand screen printed and hand carved in a Damask design by Murray. A similar chair would cost in the region of 5,500. Detail of Murrays hand carved Bloom design in leather with wadding.

HELEN AMY MURRAY It was the intricate carvings in marble and wood that Murray saw whilst travelling in India in 2001 that first inspired her unique work in fabric. I wanted to create that aesthetic in softer textiles, she explains, and her resulting sculptural work is both detailed and luxurious. The techniques and attention to detail that Murray has since developed spurred The English Home to present her with an award for Best in British Craftsmanship at Decorex, 2010. Murray works in leather, suede, silk and reflective fabrics and enjoys the juxtaposition of these precious textiles with the foam and wadding that are often dyed to match or contrast with the material we use on top before it is exposed, despite not being precious at all. Such seamless effects, Murray maintains, can only be achieved by hand. I started with a domestic Bernina sewing machine, she recalls, and surgical scalpels.
FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

Graduating from a textile design course in 2003, Murray won two design awards which gave her the know-how to write a business plan and fund the set up of the company. Today, she and her small team still use scalpels, an industrial Bernina and the services of two carefully chosen upholsterers in the UK. Everything is crafted by hand and each piece is unique. Even if it is the same pattern, how it is embroidered and cut will always be different to the previous time, so they are all one-off pieces. Murray is also passionate about, putting more time into something thats beautiful and can last a lifetime, depending on how its used, or is passed down through generations. Success has come through bespoke commissions for private clients and designers, wallpanelling for Dior stores in New York and Hong Kong, and a chain of international jewellers. Murray also recently collaborated with Savoir Beds providing textiles for headboards currently on sale in their Harrods concession.

FEATURE SAMANTHA SCOTT-JEFFRIES PHOTOGRAPHS P.78 PORTRAIT, ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL; LIFESTYLE, JAKE EASTHAM; P.81 MARCOS BEVILACQUA

OTHER NAMES TO NOTE

Our round up for those craving the intimate appeal of buying fabrics from small companies and designers
EMILY BURNINGHAM Passionate about supporting UK manufacture, Burninghams influences are, nonetheless, global. Having travelled extensively as a child with parents who collected antiques, she cites Japanese culture and history, English and French textiles from the 1920s and 30s, as well as flowers from the traditional English garden amongst the influences for her utterly charming prints. Find her work at Liberty of London. [Link] ST JUDES FABRICS Collaborating with an array of eclectic artists, St Judes screenprints short runs of their fabric designs in Britain, which it sells from the workshop in North Norfolk. Our perennial favourites include Angie Lewins work inspired by the Scottish Highlands and the Norfolk Coast, along with the quirkier Curiosity Shop design by Emily Sutton, inspired by childhood curios and the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh. [Link] BETTY BOYNS Sailing boats, kitchenalia and tea time are amongst the quirky fifties-inspired themes that pervade Paula Nicholls retro designs. Fabric and oil cloths, table linen and kitchen aprons are amongst the offerings from her shop in St Ives, Cornwall. [Link] BROCANTE FABRICS As an unassuming authority on both antique and contemporary textiles, Celia Rufey has taken her knowledge of antique French and English fabrics to design a range based on original documents. All are printed on 100 per cent natural tumbled linen and have true vintage appeal. [Link]

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Upholstered walls create a cosy, intimate ambience that is perfect for a sumptuous bedroom. Lilies, magnolia and chrysanthemums,100 per cent linen, 299 a metre, Chelsea Textiles.

WALL TO WALL
Fabric walls can add a wonderful textural dimension to a room and offer a decorating style that is unexpectedly practical and guaranteed to elicit many admiring glances

opulence

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Specialist Subject

nce a staple of the stately homes of England and still a popular choice in France, fabric walling can help to create a sumptuous bedroom or drawing room. Upholstered walls are also becoming rather in vogue with interior designers seeking to add warmth and texture to walls, whilst giving clients the sophisticated finish that they desire. Fabrics can be used on walls when backed onto paper and hung like wallpaper, such as those available from James Hare and de Gournay. However, with traditional wall upholstery the fabric is stretched across the walls and fixed to battens.

PROFESSIONAL CHOICE Although hanging fabric walls is not a process that is easy to master oneself, it is important to have a grasp of the work involved when commissioning a professional, as well as what to expect from the finished result. The main technique of fabric walling is to attach small battens of wood around the edge of the walls, as well as around electrical fittings, doors, windows and heating appliances. Consider beforehand where pictures are to be hung as a horizontal batten will need to be placed at this point on the wall for affixing picture hooks through the fabric. Once the battens are in place, a cotton domette inter-liner is stretched across and secured with staples. This layer provides insulation and sound proofing and, depending on thickness, can also give a cushioned look, if desired. Flame retardant sheeting is advisable before the final fabric layer is applied. The decorative top layer is seamed together and then stretched over the frame and fixed using staples or tacks. The edges can be either hidden by braiding or piping, or concealed by back tacking. Designer Katharine Pooley recommends using wide-width fabrics. These are not only more cost effective, but also mean that fewer seams will be visible, she explains. Another option, favoured by Stephen Ryan, also a designer, is railroading, whereby he runs doublewidth fabrics horizontally around the room to give a perfect and seamless finish. This technique could be
FOR DESIGNER CONTACTS SEE PAGE 137

particularly effective with a dado rail to disguise the seam completely. Whichever option you choose, however, all designers strongly advise the use of an expert installer. Fabric walling is only worth doing if you use very good installers, as the trick is to have well tensioned sewn joints and for the fabric to be evenly stretched, stresses interior designer Brian Lawrence. If using the same fabric on walls and window treatments, Nicholas Springman, Director of Interior Decoration Courses at Inchbald School of Design, recommends using the services of the same specialist. Although this may prove more expensive, Springman believes the end result will prove much better as the aim would be to get the repeat to match. Normally you show a full pattern repeat at the top of a wall where it can be seen unencumbered by furniture, whereas curtains need the repeat at the bottom where it can be seen and fully appreciated. Nina Campbell also advises that small rooms need to be quite strictly coordinated when it comes to fabric wall coverings. Or they will look even smaller than they actually are. A SOUND START Wall upholstery should never be considered a device to disguise badly conditioned walls. Interior designer April Russell and her specialist in fabric walling, Pierre Vuillemenot, warn that poor walls will give you a poor job. Walls should be sound, strong and well built. This is not only for aesthetic reasons, but to ensure your walling lasts for as long as possible. Fabric walling can stay clean for 15 years or more, providing the walls are sound and airtight. As soon as there is a crack or hole, each time the main door in the room is opened and closed air will be forced or sucked through the hole. Day after day, particles of dust will be stopped by the fabric, which will act as a filter. Eventually, those particles create a black stain on the fabric, Russell cautions. SUITABLE FABRIC When choosing the fabric and pattern, whilst silk is both beautiful and decadent it is also the trickiest to work with. Springman also adds that silk is light susceptible, so it might not be the most

sensible material to use in sunny rooms. Decorator Stuart Lewis, a specialist in hanging such wall coverings, counsels, youll get the best result with a fabric with a strong weave that wont pull out of shape when stretched. For those on a tight budget, he recommends felt as an affordable but very effective choice. Available in an enormous array of colours and in much wider widths, it still gives a wonderful, rich, luxurious look. April Russell also advocates plain fabrics if you want to be cost effective as stripes, checks and pattern are the most difficult to hang. A plain fabric, however, is likely to show up marks, so a patterned option may be best for longevity. Lewis believes most patterns are possible to use but the end result is dependant upon the seamstress responsible for joining up the repeat. Be sure to ask the specialist installer how to clean your fabrics. Some may need special on-site cleaning by an experienced upholstery cleaner, whereas others may take gentle cleaning using a clean brush, or vacuuming on low suction. The cost of the fabric will dictate the overall price; however, such is the opulence of upholstered walls that a lavish finish can be achieved rather affordably. We recently did a master bedroom with velvet costing only 17 a metre, explains Russell, but you would easily believe the room cost thousands.

FINDING A SPECIALIST
Always enlist the talents of a skilled craftsman for a perfect result
Although labour costs will depend upon the complexity of the room, with alcoves, tricky corners and sloping ceilings pushing the price up, walling specialist Stuart Lewis recommends a basic figure of 60 per metre for installation of fabric walls by a skilled decorator. If you have instructed an interior designer they may well have an expert they call upon, but if sourcing a specialist yourself, a good upholsterer should be your first contact. Try the trade section on the website of the British Institute of Interior Designers (BIID) or contact the Worshipful Company of Upholders who will be able to direct you to a recommended specialist. The Guild of Master Craftsmen also have a find a craftsman tool on their website. Search for upholsterers or soft furnishing specialists in your area. [Link]; [Link]; [Link]

F EATURE KATY GREEN

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FORM & FUNCTION

Beautiful wooden flooring | Light-filled conservatories | Sumptuous showers

WORDS VIVIENNE HAMBLY PHOTOGRAPH CLIVE NICHOLLS, THE WALLED GARDEN AT COWDRAY, WEST SUSSEX GARDEN DESIGNER JAN HOWARD

FROM LITTLE SEEDS GROW

As winter eases into spring, thoughts turn to the garden, where the greenhouse is often the site of intense activity. At their most basic, greenhouses comprise a simple lean-to, available from Harrod Horticultural from 200. Glass and aluminium are the materials of choice for the styles beloved of the Victorians, and for architecturally sympathetic designs consult specialist suppliers such as Alitex, which offers a bespoke service as well as a range designed for the National Trust. In all greenhouses, a regular temperature and generous ventilation are critical for raising tender plants as well as seedlings that will be planted out in the months ahead.

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21 pages of advice upon considered purchases

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A NATURAL PERSPECTIVE
Rich in colour, warm in texture and long lasting, a beautiful wooden floor is the ideal investment to enhance your home

Special finishes and laying patterns can give flooring a distinctive look. Engineered boards can be sanded and refinished between two and five times, depending on the thickness of the top layer. Elegance Tapis Blanc is patterned oak engineered with a brushed finish and white stained nature oil pre-finish, from 93 a square metre, the Supreme Elegance collection, Khrs.

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ood is a beautiful addition to any room and a popular choice for flooring thanks to its wonderful array of colours, tactile nature and durability. Whether used to enhance a period property or to add character to a contemporary abode, wooden flooring is both a stalwart for halls and heavy traffic areas, and an elegant option when used along with softening rugs in living, dining and even bedrooms.

visible hardwood is only used for the top layer, not the structure of the floor, says Peter Keane, managing director of The Natural Wood Floor Company. Beneath the top layer lies a central core of plywood or softwood, and a wood ply forms the base. This makes it more stable than a solid wood floor, and hence more suitable for the moist conditions of a bathroom. Look for a top layer of 4mm on a 14mm thick board, or a 6mm layer on a 20mm board.

SOLID OR VENEER?
The main decision when selecting wooden flooring is between solid wood or engineered boards. Durable solid wood boards can be sanded and resealed as required. This flooring can be used in a kitchen, although it is susceptible to water damage and is affected by changes in temperature and humidity. Engineered wood flooring is made up of a cross hatch of layers that are glued together, the grain running in both directions to minimise expansion and contraction. Engineered wood is a good eco option as the

INSTALLATION
Following delivery, wood needs to acclimatise to the moisture levels in the house; this could take as little as three days for engineered boards or as long as one to two weeks for solid wood. Solid wood boards, if thick enough (18mm plus), can be used structurally to replace existing floorboards. Otherwise, the condition of the sub-floor is critical to the success of the new flooring. Existing floorboards need to be dry and level, and check for woodworm in boards and joists. It is advisable

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT Factoryapplied varnish is hard wearing and protects against spills and scratches. Solid Oak Harmony flooring finished in UltraMatt lacquer, a durable seal emulating an oiled finish, 102 a square metre, Junckers. Elegant small knots add to the charm of this Noble Walnut Satin engineered wood, finished in a satin varnish, 78.99 a square metre, the Castello Range, Quick Step. Nature Classic Oak flooring is available in solid or engineered boards, from 109.96 a square metre, finished in Brazil Brown coloured oil, both Fired Earth. Extra-long boards look striking in open-plan spaces. These Douglas fir solid wood planks are eight metres long, but available up to 15 metres in length, and have been treated with lye and white soap to give them a pale finish. From 103.20 a square metre, Dinesen.

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Combining two woods for added interest, this Walnut & Cherry Versailles solid wood flooring is made up of Black American walnut staves and blocks of cherry from the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, all finished in tung oil. Supplied loose or as pre-made panels it costs from 326 a square metre, Ebony & Co.

Sustainability should play a part in your choice of timber. Ask whether your flooring is from well-managed forests

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Buyers Guide

to lay 6mm plywood or a foam underlay over uneven boards. A concrete subfloor must be dry, level and, if at ground floor, must have a damp-proof membrane. New concrete must dry out before wood flooring is laid, which must be measured by a specialist meter. A solid wood floor usually has tongue and groove planks, which are glued or nailed down, though click-products are also available for easy fitting. Engineered wood boards usually click together forming a floating floor that often sits over a soundproofing underlay.

BARE FOOT LUXURY

For luxurious warmth underfoot, consider underfloor heating, but do check the suitability of your flooring. Its a widely held myth that only engineered boards can be used. Many solid wood boards are suitable for use over underfloor heating and quite a lot of engineered boards are not, says Vanessa Garrett of Broadleaf. Rustic or oily timbers are less suitable as they can move in heat.

and very wide types. Try Element 7 for engineered boards up to 34cm wide and 5 metres long, or for extra-long boards, try Dinesen. Knots and variations in grain and colour affect the look of the flooring and consequently its price. Expect to pay more for premium grades that have a more consistent look, although boards with a rustic character can be just as durable and offer an authentic finish.

CHOOSING A GRAIN
Hardwoods, usually from slower growing deciduous trees, are denser than the softwoods from evergreen trees. Softwoods are not as hard wearing underfoot as the hardwoods. They indent more with heel marks, which can break

SIZES AND GRADES

Trends in board width encompass both slim versions of 5-8cm, now in demand from interior designers,

the seal so that they become dirty, says Steve Maltby, general manager at Junckers. Well-matched to English architectural and interior style, oak is a favoured hardwood and was a primary building material for many centuries. Oak also offers a great deal of variety, according to Steve Maltby. Oak has enough variance in the subspecies of the wood to show individuality. It is also very easy to obtain in quantity, so is cost-effective, he explains. Woods from further afield, such as maple or Jarrah, have distinctive grain patterns and colours. Sustainability should play a part in your choice of timber. Ask whether your flooring is sourced from well-managed forests,

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT With an eye to sustainability, these Eastern White Pine solid boards are sourced from mature trees in North Eastern America, shown here in Dakota Brown stain, from 123 a square metre, Ebony & Co. Walnut has a dark, rich look suited to period homes. These lacquered Black American Walnut engineered boards come in various lengths, 75 a square metre, Kersaint Cobb. This engineered Cottage Oak Matt wood, finished with a matt varnish has a deceptively rusticeffect, 70.99 a square metre, the Palazzo range, Quick Step.

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Buyers Guide

90 THE ENGLISH HOME

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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F EATURE CAROLINE RODRIGUES

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT Parquet flooring, made up of small blocks laid in patterns, will add a luxurious touch. Expect to pay around double the cost of fitting standard boards. This parquet is made up from reclaimed antique French oak floorboards turned into Versailles panels, from 357 a panel, Drummonds. Solid wood with a natural oil content, such as this Merbau, is suitable for use in bathrooms. A waxed or oiled finish is forgiving if scratched and can be spot-repaired, 52.80 a square metre, Broadleaf. Carbon brushed oak flooring has a natural look that is enhanced by a matt lacquer finish, from 56 a square metre, Tuscan Flooring. Baking adds an intense chocolatey hue to this engineered oak, 72 a square metre, The Natural Wood Floor Co.

which are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Exotic woods from tropical regions are fine as long as the manufacturer can show that they purchase it via a chain of custody, Steve Maltby adds.

gives an almost oiled natural look, while maintaining the hardness, says managing director Chris Elliott.

RECLAIMED STYLE
Reclaimed wood flooring offers an ideal green solution. Choose a reputable supplier and ask about the provenance of the flooring. Try Victorian Woodworks or Lassco. The age of your home will have a bearing on the replacement boards you choose. In Medieval times, oak and elm were used and up until the 1600s boards were irregular and could be as wide as 45cm, while afterwards 30cm boards were popular. Softwoods from Scandinavia were introduced from the 1700s. In Georgian and Victorian times, oak was still the favoured material for expensive houses, though most others had to make to do with cheaper deal pine from the Baltics or later from North America. It was only after

the 1830s that mechanical saws produced uniform boards. Reclaimed strip flooring from gyms or ballrooms comes in woods from cherry to walnut. Whatever your choice, check for insect damage, rot or warping and buy more than you need as replacements can be hard to find.

BAMBOO
Distinctive good looks coupled with eco-friendly credentials make bamboo an excellent choice. This fast-growing grass can be harvested in just five years. Once glued and machined into planks, it is very strong and the boards are less susceptible to changes in humidity than wood, making it a good choice for kitchens or bathrooms. Bamboo usually has a lacquered finish and a version from The Bamboo Flooring Company offers a new effect. The new antislip, anti-scratch lacquered finish

SPECIAL FINISHES
A host of special finishes can bring a distinctive look to flooring. Firing, fuming and baking all add character and a darker colour to the wood by slowly cooking it in a kiln. Techniques such as handscraping provide a more individual effect than machine scraping, while brushing removes the softer grain, leaving a textured surface. Flooring can be supplied presealed or treated in situ, but buying unfinished boards allows you to stain them to the exact colour you want for your scheme.

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Learn more about our Hardwood Garden Rooms or request a brochure by phoning +44 (0)1904 690401 or visiting [Link]

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LIVING IN GLASS HOUSES

Adding a sunny conservatory or orangery can prove the ideal way to extend your home, creating a functional and light-filled room to enjoy throughout the year

Conservatories became highly fashionable in the Victorian era, in part fuelled by the desire to nurture exotic plants and fruit, but also inspired by the debut of the sensational iron and glass Crystal Palace, built to house the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. Refinements in materials led to glass structures that require less heating and, as such, their role has evolved into highly adaptable, delightful extensions to ones living space.

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A WELCOME ADDITION

odays conservatory or orangery is often seen as a permanent extension to ones home, offering invaluable space, as well as a charming, sun-filled environment to be enjoyed year-round. However, if you truly wish to reap the rewards of this glazed addition to your living space, both in terms of value and lifestyle, it pays to invest in a wellplanned and executed structure that will stand the test of time.

DESIGN VERSATILITY
Many conservatory styles are rooted in the past and perhaps the most instantly recognisable is the versatile Victorian-style. Bay-fronted designs, high-gabled roofs, elaborate finials, decorative cresting and ridges feature in abundance, along with stained glass and gothic motifs. It is this wealth of design, along with diversity in shape and dimension, which makes all-glazed Victorianstyle structures so adaptable. If this all sounds a little too ornate, you may prefer the more pared down, but equally flexible, Edwardianstyle glasshouse. Any property, whatever its scale or style, can benefit from the simple lean-to with its flexible roof pitch and practical rectangular or square footprint. The Georgian orangery, on the other hand, tends to work well on larger homes. Featuring substantial brick, stone or wood piers and a lantern roof, its classical character suits properties where balance,
94 THE ENGLISH HOME

symmetry and scale are evident. Thanks to a combination of solid and glazed walls, the orangery is often seen as a more versatile alternative to an all-glass extension, as it provides the best of both worlds in terms of internal flexibility and light sources. Never feel, however, that you must rigidly stick to a specific era; rather, use the architecture of your home as a guide. Even conservation officers may consider contemporary designs on period properties, preferring a clear definition between old and new.

SYMPATHETIC STYLE
The key to any successful structure is whether it complements your home inside and out. Any extension should look authentic, not stuck on, explains Ian Harvey, chief surveyor at Malbrook. Externally it must echo the proportion of your home in order to enhance the original building, whilst continuity can be created by matching building materials, windows, doors and roof lines. In terms of listed buildings, Giles Henman, conservatory director at The English Glasshouse advises that timber is the preferred in many cases the only material appropriate, although in certain specific circumstances historic building officers may consider steel or aluminium. A personal touch is to use reclaimed items or materials indicative of your area and home, whilst opting for heritage paint

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CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN The simple format of the lean-to makes it a versatile option, and can help transform wasted space along the side of a property. Custom made conservatory, from 25,000, Alitex. Echo the proportions and materials of your home for a structure that sits perfectly within its landscape. Belton Conservatory, from 25,000, National Trust Conservatories. A double-height glass extension helps to link disjointed areas of a property. Bespoke conservatory, from 40,000, Bartholomew. Finished in a soft heritage hue, this Victorian-inspired conservatory sits well in its surroundings, from 30,000, Town & Country Conservatories. A brick built orangery can offer flexible living space. Orangeries from 30,000, Glass Houses by Jeremy Uglow.

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE An oak framed addition has a soft and natural appearance that blends easily with rural landscapes. Prices for a frame kit from 12,000, Oakmasters. Look to finer details such as window shape and glazing bars when echoing architectural features of the property. Conservatories from 30,000, Vale Garden Houses. The addition of double-height extensions can help to create an unparallelled sense of space. Here one provides a sympathetic addition to a rural barn conversion. Bespoke conservatories, from 25,000, David Salisbury. A timber orangery offers impressive internal space, but do ensure that it is thoughtfully scaled to the property. Orangeries from 40,000, Westbury Conservatories. A well-designed glass link can connect a main house with previously separated outbuildings. Conservatories from 12,000, Apropos.

ranges will ensure your structure sits well within its landscape. Internally, remember to consider finer details such as window catches and door handles, and follow through from existing rooms in your home in terms of decor and architectural detailing. You should look to use your conservatory or orangery as a way to enhance existing layouts, for example by connecting disjointed areas of your home, or adding a double-height extension to bring light and space to a cramped layout.

extensions are subject to Building Regulations, which means complying with current regulations covering energy efficiency, drainage, ventilation, heating and electrical installations.

BESPOKE BUILD
When it comes to installing your new glass extension a bespoke company will ensure the result is a quality build that adds value your home. Seeing the project through from initial design consultation to completion, not only will they advise on planning, building and design issues, but they can also liaise with conservation officers, if required. Build times are dependent on the complexity and size of your chosen structure. Those that are separated from the house by a door should not only prove less disruptive, but also quicker as there are often no major structural alterations required. A more open, integrated addition will, however, often require the removal of external supporting walls, thus extending the time and complexity of the build. Owners of listed buildings should also expect a longer schedule as progress will be dependent on continuous approval of materials and construction.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

A conservatory or orangery is often considered permitted development as long as it adheres to certain requirements covering depth (no more than three or four metres, depending on property type) and height (it cannot exceed four metres). Also, it must not cover more than half your land. However, as this is only a basic guideline, do check with your local planning office and visit [Link] for more information. If you live in a conservation area or listed building you will automatically require planning permission and must consult a conservation officer and gain listed building consent. All

96 THE ENGLISH HOME

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MAGNIFICENT

ARCHITECTURE
IN GLASS
With over 70 years of precision engineering heritage, Apropos takes care of every detail from design and planning to manufacturing and installation. Apropos architecture in glass fully explores new technology to create structures of breathtaking beauty.

ORANGERIES / CONSERVATORIES / ATRIUMS / POOL HOUSES / EXTENSIONS / SUMMER HOUSES

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FIT FOR PURPOSE

A conservatory or orangery can fulfil many functions. Any successful room will be determined by its size, design and materials used. As well as the traditional garden room, a conservatory can provide extra living space, a dining area, office, playroom or kitchen, and each will have very particular requirements. Any new space will need to work effectively with the existing internal layout, so do consider its relationship with adjoining rooms and address any access issues. Whilst a traditional conservatory separated from the house by a door may prove invaluable, especially for those looking for a quiet work or hobby space, structures remaining open to the rest of the property are becoming increasingly popular. In terms of actual positioning it is not a given that you must look to the garden. Many are looking to utilise wasted space down the side of a house, and it is here that a lantern roof often comes into its own. In urban areas, where exterior space may be limited, consider extending upwards with a first-floor sun room. underestimate the internal space required for a fully functioning room. For example, Westbury suggests that a small dining or entertaining room should have a minimum area of 5.5 x 2.5 metres. All-glazed structures are often ideal for living room furniture or a dining suite, but if you intend to house storage items or hang kitchen units then you may find the brick orangery, with some solid walls, a more practical option. Finally, dont forget to incorporate into your proposed layout any structural supports that may be needed in order to comply with Building Regulations, especially if removing load-bearing walls.

PRACTICAL MATTERS
Heating, lighting and power need to be planned during the initial design stage, so that wiring or pipework can be relayed under floors or within the framework. A kitchen requires a permanent extraction system fitted, and access to exterior doors and adjacent rooms should also be carefully considered. The simplest heating solution is to extend your existing system, but underfloor heating enables you to free up valuable wall space. If you do have an exterior wall then adding a fire or stove can help create ambience in social areas. Any conservatory flooring needs to be practical and stone, tiles or certain woods perform well under changing temperatures and are all compatible with underfloor heating.

DESIGNS ON SPACE
As a general rule, the more complex your conservatory shape the less flexible it will be in terms of usable space: a basic rectangle provides maximum interior space, but an octagonal will offer little usable wall area. Higher roof pitches will also help create a light and airy feel, as will the choice of more simplistic shapes. It is easy to
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CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN A brick built orangery can often offer more flexible wall space for kitchen units. Bespoke orangeries from 50,000, The English Glasshouse. Opting for a higher pitched roof will increase a light and airy feel. Bespoke conservatories, POA, Marston and Langinger. Providing the best of both worlds, an orangery can become a year-round living area. From 30,000 Vale Garden Houses. As a gradual transition from the house to the garden, conservatories can impart the sense of dining al fresco. Garden rooms from 45,000, Westbury Conservatories. Add inviting furniture to the traditional plant room and create a relaxing retreat. Babington chair, 582; two-seater sofa, 944; footstool, 345, all Lloyd Loom of Spalding.

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Conservatory Focus

A capacious floor area and high roof will help air to circulate freely, as will the addition of a generous number of opening windows. Conservatories from 20,000, Frost. BELOW As well as their aesthetic appeal, blinds minimise the suns glare and provide an element of privacy. Blinds in a selection of fabrics and styles, Glass Houses by Jeremy Uglow.

RELAXING IN COMFORT
For year-round comfort, adequate ventilation and shade are a must. There is no reason why modern conservatories or orangeries need be the extremely warm or frigid environments they once were. airflow, explains Nelly Hall, the marketing manager for Alitex Conservatories. Traditional roof vents further aid circulation and can be operated manually, using a hook and pole, or electronically in the form of a switch or remote control. Alternatively, consider automated systems that can be programmed to open and close vents in order to maintain a pre-determined temperature yet close should it rain. Whilst ceiling fans provide a cooling downdraught and draw air up to open vents, adding permanent extractor fans allows you to change frequently the air within the room. It is not, however, always about keeping cool. You may also want to consider air conditioning units, which not only
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CLIMATIC CONTROLS
When it comes to ventilation, it is not only the mechanics but also the structure of your room that can affect temperature. Tall structures with lantern or gabled roofs tend to remain cooler due to added air circulation. In design terms, large entrances complete with French, sliding or folding doors, along with side-opening windows, will ensure continuous airflow. Most bespoke companies will advise on the best combination to create optimum

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Conservatory Focus

SETTLE IN THE SHADE

Glazed roofs lose sixteen times more heat than standard roofs, so for winter warmth consider a garden room with a solid roof and glazed walls. These traditionally feature a lead or tiled roof and not only improve thermal efficiency

102 THE ENGLISH HOME

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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FEATURE PAULA WOODS PHOTOGRAPHS P.93, CHRISTOPHER DRAKE/RED COVER

CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN Control temperature and the suns glare with a combination of side and roof blinds. Solar R heat reflective blinds, from 115 a sq metre, Appeal. Most bespoke companies offer a variety of glazing solutions for glare and heat management. Conservatories, POA, Marston and Langinger. Traditional ceiling fans offer a colonial-style cooling solution. Conservatories from 25,000, Alitex. Open up to the fresh air with the latest folding or sliding door systems. Conservatories from 25,000, David Salisbury. Mumbai woodweave blinds complement a simple room decor, from 28.80, Web-blinds.

pump in cool air during the summer but, when reversed, provide warm air for comfort in winter.

GLASS ACT
Glass has a major part to play in temperature control and doubleglazing made from toughened or safety glass must now be fitted as standard to ensure conservatories meet energy efficiency guidelines. Efficiency is measured in u-values, and the lower the number, the higher the insulation. Look for low-emissivity glass that provides 30 per cent more insulation than standard units. Rawden Rogerson, managing director of Bartholomew Conservatories adds, look to units where the thermal efficiency has been further enhanced by using argon gas within the double-glazed units, or by triple-glazing.

For convenience you may wish to consider self-cleaning glass that uses daylight and rainwater to help break down and wash away dirt. Privacy can be improved by installing opaque, semi-opaque and decorative glass, or even electronically switch-able glazing that uses low voltage electricity to render the glass clear; when the current is switched off, the glass turns opaque, adds Rawden. Noise-reducing and fire-protection glass are also available.

in winter, but can also eliminate overheating and glare in summer. For most of us, however, blinds will be a must. They are a multifunctional necessity, serving an obvious aesthetic purpose but also working to render the conservatory thermally efficient and, critically, eliminate glare on sunny days, says Paul McCullagh, product manager at Appeal. Look out for heat reflective blinds that reflect up to 85 per cent of the suns rays in summer, but also retain much needed heat in winter. In terms of furnishings, blinds are essential around computers and televisions. Jonathan Hey, managing director of Westbury, also points out, be wary of what furniture is placed into a room as, with the maximum light exposure, anything will be susceptible to fading.

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Angies longedfor island unit provides an attractive and functional focal point without dominating the space. The Aga is nearly 70 years old and has been lovingly re-enamelled. Even the weighing scales and Roberts radio add complementary splashes of colour.

The familys King Charles Spaniel, Stanley Bear, feels at home perched upon an armchair upholstered in faux patchwork. Bunting and chinaware reflect the gentle blues and reds of their surroundings. Work surfaces in maple and Caesarstone offer a robust but subtle finish.

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Case Study

A FAMILY AFFAIR
An outmoded farmhouse kitchen is greatly improved to accommodate a modern family by using freestanding furniture and vintage accessories in a gentle palette

he Simmonds family Angie, her husband Christopher and children Olivia, 10, and Sam, 7 live just outside Sevenoaks in a rambling old farmhouse dating back to 1872. With enchanting rural views of the Weald of Kent, this warm country home is at the centre of the Simmonds life and there is little that they love more than to be together in it. The kitchen, of course, is integral to this and when it came to updating their home recently, Angie knew that the new kitchen they installed would have to accommodate the knocks and bumps of daily life, in addition to being pleasing to the eye. Living in such an old building, we felt that anything we had in the kitchen needed to be in keeping with the rest of the house, and we definitely wanted a freestanding kitchen, Angie explains. She called upon freestanding specialists De Vol

to help her arrive at a suitable design. The kitchen island was the starting point. We desperately wanted one and it evolved from there, she says. The Simmonds found the existing kitchen too long and narrow, so they converted the room into a living space and utility area by pushing out an original wall to create additional space. At the same time they added a garden room extension, linked to the kitchen with a stable door. The kitchen itself is adjacent to a laundry room and a boot room. Yet even with the extensions they didnt have enough room for the kitchen Angie had envisaged. I had wanted a huge freestanding larder cupboard but in the end we didnt have a wall big enough for it, despite it being a very large room. Using their architects plans as a guide, the Simmonds then worked closely with DeVol designer Robin McLellan to
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Case Study

arrive at the furniture they would need. These included a sink cabinet, pot cupboards, a dresser with plate rack as well as a mix of wood and Caesarstone work surfaces, the Caesarstone being reserved for high-use preparation areas. Angie has quite a quirky style, Robin says. She had a list of pieces that she really loved, and finding a way to incorporate them was the driving force behind the design. The wood and pale coloured Caesarstone we used gives a softer look and reflects some of the light coming in through the windows. The whole thing went swimmingly, Angie adds. All we had were the architects plans to begin with, [so] we plotted the whole kitchen out in the garden using ropes and tent pegs. Along with determining where the fridge and new electric range cooker would be placed, there was also the 1943 Aga to consider. I found it on Ebay and bought it for 420, Angie says. I felt the house needed an Aga and its absolutely lovely. It has a very comforting heat. With the full length of the kitchen now 6.5m and the garden room 6m x 7m, the large larder cupboard Angie had dreamt of needed to be scaled down but there was sufficient space to include the longedfor island unit, into which the dishwasher is integrated. Angie also wanted a
106 THE ENGLISH HOME

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Although freestanding, DeVols bespoke units blend seemlessly with the rest of the kitchen. Creams, pale wood and even paler blues recreate the relaxed feel of a traditional farmhouse kitchen. The double Belfast sink has pride of place beneath the main window, one of Angies particular requirements. Perrin and Rowes vintagestyle mixer tap adds to the classic feel.

symmetrical cooking area so the cooker would become a focal point, Robert explains, adding that having the sink beneath a window was another criterion. Next came the colour scheme, on which Angie reverted to her favourite shade of pale blue, off-set with cream and enlivened with touches of cherry red. To this was added a selection of vintage-style accessories from Cath Kidston, Emma Bridgewater and Susie Watson, along with an armchair, again bought on Ebay, for which a friend made a loose cover from a favoured Vanessa Arbuthnott fabric. Theres not much gadgetry in the kitchen. Were very basic, Angie says. What she has, however, is a kitchen that is loved and used by her family. My husband bought me one of those Kitchenaid mixers last Christmas and its been a big hit with the family. Olivia is always baking. I love baking, too, even though I dont have sweet tooth!

SHOPPING DETAILS
Draw on the vintage charm of freestanding units to inspire your own family kitchen
UNITS: 1760mm sink cabinet including sink and two pull-out bins with maple hardwood worktops with integral drainer grooves; 1200mm closed larder with drawers with maple hardwood worktops; 1400mm double-sided island including two drawers incorporating integrated dishwasher, with maple hardwood worktops and slats; two 875mm pot cupboards with two drawers and doors; 900mm pot cupboard, with maple hardwood worktop; 900mm dresser with overhead plate rack and maple hardwood worktop; bespoke sized pantry doors with cutouts, colours Chalk 1 or Iris Blue, all DeVol. WORKTOPS: Maple and Misty Carrera by Ceasarstone, DeVol. SINKS AND TAPS: Nickel ionian mixer tap, Perrin and Rowe; two basket strainers, Shaws Original collection; double Belfast sink in star white ceramic, Villeroy & Boch. APPLIANCES: Classic dual fuel 1000mm-wide twin oven, Britannia; 600mm-wide freestanding larder fridge (KES4270), Liebherr.

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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FEATURE VIVIENNE HAMBLY PHOTOGRAPHS DARREN CHUNG

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Design Details

NOSTALGIC ESSENTIALS
Bring some unexpected coastal cheer to your kitchen with a considered selection of traditional, breezy pieces in gentle colours
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Select quality kitchen pieces to last a lifetime. Kitchen stalwarts Le Creuset have expanded their range to include stoneware in a variety of gorgeous colours, including almond, cassis and granite. Teapot, in Coastal Blue, 26, exclusive to John Lewis. Take your time enjoying those first cups of morning coffee. This cafetire cosy in vintage linen with a bunting motif will keep the brew warm. Bunting cafetire cosy, 49.50, Angel. Make light work of the round of toast and invest in this homely, retro-style toaster. Red, four-slice NewGen toaster, 178.73, Dualit. Adding a free-standing dresser to your kitchen will help to give the room an informal, personal feel, whilst coloured pieces bring a fresh point of interest. Housekeepers Dresser with sliding doors, in Chartwell Green, from 2,230, The Kitchen Dresser Company. Vintage-inspired kitchens are often able to carry nostalgic, decorative items without looking twee. With its traditional, seaside charm, bunting is an ideal candidate and its current popular
FEATURE VIVIENNE HAMBLY

revival means there are many styles from which to choose. Union Jack bunting, 11.25 for 4.5m, The Cotton Bunting Company. A generously proportioned cooker will facilitate large gatherings with family and friends. Three-oven Citeaux range cooker in Delft Blue, from 7,410, LaCanche. Emma Bridgewaters bold designs are just the ticket for a touch of nostalgia. Choose from polka dots, floral motifs and sponge prints, as well as quirky inscriptions. Black Toast coffee pot, 59.95, Emma Bridgewater. Even well-designed kitchens can have cupboards that are out of reach, but a folding step chair will ensure essential items remain accessible to all. Wooden step chair, 70, John Lewis. Evoke the olden days of gathering around the wireless with Roberts radios modelled on versions from the fifties. Roberts Revival radio in Candy Flowers, 200, Cath Kidston. Soft furnishings covered with a smattering of naive, country prints will add the finishing touch. Cockerel & Spot, in Sky Blue/Denim/Raspberry, and Feather & Egg in Raspberry, both 41 a metre, Vanessa Arbuthnott.

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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The freestanding Spittal all-in-one shower and enclosure takes its inspiration from a classic design of the 1920s and is re-engineered for todays bathrooms. Water sprays out from four rainbars hidden in the frame and from the overhead rose. The shower needs a maximum pressure of three bars to operate effectively, so a pump will probably be required. Priced 16,410, available from Drummonds.

UNWIND UNDER A DREAMY DELUGE

There is nothing more rejuvenating than a languid soak under a sumptuous shower and, carefully chosen, a shower can become as dramatic a centrepiece as any bath

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howers have been a part of British life since the first domestic bathrooms were installed in Victorian times. Charles Dickens insisted that his lavish bathroom in Tavistock Square should be equipped with a cold shower, the strength of which was such that it was known in the family as the demon. Today, we prefer the comfort of a thermostatic shower that will deliver water at a steady and reliable temperature. There is an excellent choice available for use either over the bath or in a separate shower enclosure, including many designs to suit period homes. It is always wise to consult your plumber before committing to any purchase, though. Seek their advice on whether your water system and available space will allow you to realise your plans.

AWASH WITH CHOICE

When choosing a shower, thermostatic control is a must. The thermostat inside the shower valve keeps the temperature at a chosen

level and prevents a change of water temperature if a tap is turned on elsewhere in the house. A manual mixer does not have thermostatic control. A shower fitted with a temperature limiter, usually set between 38-43C, stops the user selecting dangerously hot water, particularly useful for those with young families. An exposed shower is where the valve is set on the surface of the wall with either a riser pipe or a hose to the shower head, which can be fixed or hand-held by unhooking it from the wall. Some showers have a combination of a fixed head and a hand shower. With a concealed shower, by contrast, the working part of the valve and the pipe that connects it to the shower head are concealed within the wall; all that can be seen is the control. The shower head is fixed and can sometimes be angled. This type of shower valve is more expensive to fit than an exposed shower and may involve re-tiling. The latest concealed showers feature a large spray plate recessed into the ceiling.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT This canopy bath with overhead and side showers would have been the pride and joy of a wealthy Victorian family. Made in cast iron, it has been restored to full working order by Chadder & Co. Price on application. The Futori thermostatic shower combines a classic drencher head with a contemporary wet stick hand shower. The drencher head swivels through 180 degrees. Futori, 625.69, Aqualisa. Designed to reflect the glories of the Belle Epoque, the Montreux collection includes this elegant shower pipe combining a fixed overhead shower with a circular head and a versatile hand shower. From 1,596, Axor. Circular or oval hoop shower rails for use over freestanding baths are available from Victoria Plumbing. Winchester bath with chrome feet, 2,124, C.P. Hart.

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Buyers Guide

ABOVE LEFT As the name suggests, a ceiling-mounted drencher head bathes you in a deluge of water. This shower, from the Fairfield thermostatic collection, has separate flow and temperature controls. Priced 1,543.24 for the combination shown, Samuel Heath ABOVE CENTRE Inspired by a nineteenth century French original, La Cage is made entirely from brass pipe work. Standing at over eight feet in height, it completely envelopes the user in a cage of perforated piping that allows water to hit the body from all sides. From 7,200 in chrome, Catchpole & Rye ABOVE RIGHT A walkin shower offers both style and practicality. Avebury exposed thermostatic shower valve and shower rose, 1,225; shown here in the Eden enclosure, made to order, prices available on request, both Fired Earth.

An alternative or addition to the wall-mounted shower is the bath shower mixer, a bath tap with a hand shower attached by a hose. Shower heads come in a variety of designs. A drencher, or deluge head, is a large watering can-style fitting available in a wide range of sizes, and with either a square or traditional round head. Daisy wheel heads have spokes pierced with holes. Most hand showers offer several different spray patterns including massage, needle spray, rain spray and a soft mist usually achieved by rotating the head. A wet stick hand shower looks rather like a microphone and will only deliver one type of spray. Rainbars are long tubes pierced with spray holes and can be used alone or in conjunction with an overhead shower. Body jets are small wall-mounted adjustable jets that can be directed towards different parts of the body.

indicate the pressure needed for efficient performance, measured in bars. If you choose a shower that needs more than 1.5 bar pressure to operate you may need a pump and additional stored water to supply the shower head. If you have a combination boiler, be sure to buy shower controls recommended for use with one, as it is illegal to pump a combi boiler water system. For advice contact the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering; the website [Link] is an ideal place to locate a reputable local plumber.

WATER COURSE
Unless you seek the wet room experience, where the whole bathroom is tiled and water from the shower simply slips away down a floor drain, you will need a curtain, bath screen or enclosure to contain the water. For a shower over a freestanding bath, a curtain suspended from a circular ceiling rail is the only option. Choose a heavyweight, mould-resistant curtain with a weighted hem, although be prepared for some water to escape. A simple plain glass bath

screen can be used with just about any built-in bath, however, and a screen that folds back against the wall makes access easy. Shower enclosures come in all shapes and sizes and most are sold complete with a tray, which can be either a few centimetres deep or flush with the floor (called level access). The choice in style depends on the space you have available. A corner or pentangle model is a good option for a small bathroom as the doors slide on rollers so do not need floor space to open. If space permits, section off part of the bathroom to build a walk-in shower room, which can be finished in natural stone, ceramic tiles or mosaic and fitted with a glass shower door to contain water.

ANTIQUE ABLUTIONS
Wealthy Victorians and Edwardians loved canopy shower baths. One end of the bath had a canopy pierced with tiny holes or fitted with perforated pipes and water flow to the canopy shower system was controlled by a complex array of valves and diverters. Restored canopy baths are available from specialists such as Chadder & Co and The Water Monopoly.
FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

APPLYING THE PRESSURE

Any shower can only work as well as the available water pressure allows, so check that the shower you are buying is compatible with your plumbing and heating system. Most showers on the market

112 THE ENGLISH HOME

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F EATURE JAN ORCHARD

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SHOWROOMS Station Road, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 5XN Tel: 01608 641858 14 Hill Avenue, Amersham on the Hill, Buckinghamshire HP6 5BW Tel: 01494 434200

FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE AND PRICES PLEASE PHONE 01608 644620

Visit our website at [Link]

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THE WROUGHT IRON & BRASS BED CO.

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QUINTESSENTIALLY
The perfect English tea | Enjoying a spring garden | Keeping chickens

SWEET HOMEMADE CHARM

It is so easy to make do with a shop bought pudding for the humble Sunday roast, but let Mother's Day and Easter spur you into rediscovering the satisfaction of home baking. Serve the family a heart-warming finale and if your meringue peaks flop or cake centre sinks, not to worry; it simply demonstrates that it has been homemade with love. For some mouthwatering pudding recipes try Lottes Country Kitchen, 20, (Absolute Press), or Gregg's Favourite Puddings, from Gregg Wallace of Masterchef, 17.99, (Hamlyn). All bakeware: Jamie Oliver collection

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16 pages of home life & tradition

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DRESSING THE TABLE for English tea

Revive the custom of tea in the afternoon and host an elegant gathering, serving guests fine brews and sumptuous treats at a beautifully laid table

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A LAVISH SPREAD
Few things could be more quintessentially English than the concept of tea in the afternoon, yet the occasion has been largely relegated to 'tourist' rituals in London hotels, or a scone and a cup of tea at the local village fte. Hosting such a gathering takes far less effort than a full dinner party and can be every bit as elegant. It works for a get-together with just a few girlfriends or a larger charitable event. Bring out the best linens, dress the table with vintage china the charm is in the mismatched designs and if you haven't time for endless baking, cheat a little by complementing homemade cakes with delicious mail order options from Bettys by Post or Meg Rivers Cakes. Alternatively, for a larger scale event, call in specialists such as The Utterly Sexy Caf who created this beautiful setting, complete with vintage china on loan and made to order cakes (including wedding cakes). To assemble your own collection of vintage china, try one of the collectables websites such as Freddie Freckle, The Oxford Tea Party and Vintage Home.

PHOTOGRAPH PAUL VIANT STYLING THE UTTERLY SEXY CAF

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hink of a quintessential English tea and it is likely that the image which springs to mind is in the style of the time-honoured tradition at Fortnum & Mason. Served in style in St Jamess restaurant, this wonderful afternoon ritual starts with a savoury edible. These delicious recipes are just a few examples for you to recreate at home.

SMOKED SALMON AND HERB CRME FRACHE SANDWICHES A light dressing of crme frache, soft herbs and mustard adds an elegant twist to these delicious sandwiches.
Makes four rounds of sandwiches A little salted butter, softened 8 slices brown bread 125g thinly sliced smoked salmon 2 tbsp crme frache 12 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp each fresh basil and parsley, finely chopped A small wedge of lemon

Butter the bread then lay the smoked salmon over half the slices. In a small bowl, mix together the crme frache, mustard and herbs, then spread over the remaining slices of buttered bread. Squeeze a little lemon over the smoked salmon. Top with the other slices of bread and trim the crusts. Cut each round into three fingers or four triangles.

Delectable

EDIBLES

Spoil your guests with only the very best homemade morsels, for a lavishly elegant tea. Both the sweet and savoury delights shown here are recipes exclusively extracted from the beautiful book Tea at Fortnum & Mason
118 THE ENGLISH HOME

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Tea Time Recipes

STILTON AND FIG TART WITH WALNUT DRESSING These elegant tarts are a light but tasty alternative to sandwiches and would work well alongside a pot of Fortnums Afternoon Blend Tea. Serve just warm or cold and dress with sprigs of watercress and a punchy dressing peppered with toasted walnuts.
275g all-butter shortcrust pastry A little plain flour for dusting 25g salted butter 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 sprig of fresh thyme, plus extra to garnish 2 medium eggs 75ml double cream Freshly grated nutmeg 2 fresh figs, each sliced into nine wedges 50g Cropwell Bishop Stilton cheese, crumbled Salt and freshly ground black pepper For the dressing: 2 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp walnut oil 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 25g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped A bunch of watercress

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured board and use to line six 10cm round, loose-bottomed tart tins. Prick each base all over and chill for 15 minutes. Melt the butter in a pan. Cook the onion with the thyme sprig over a low heat for 1520 minutes. Cover the pastry in each tin with greaseproof paper and baking beans and bake for 1015 minutes. Remove the beans and paper and continue to cook for 5 minutes until the base feels dry to the touch. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Discard the thyme sprig and spread the onion over the base of the tart. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and cream and season well with salt, black pepper and nutmeg. Pour over the tarts. Top each tart with three slices of fig and scatter over the Stilton. Bake for 2025 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cool for at least 10 minutes. Whisk together the oils, vinegar and walnuts and season. Put a tart on each plate, drizzle with the dressing and garnish with watercress and a few thyme sprigs.

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Tea Time Recipes

COFFEE AND WALNUT CAKE This light sponge is laced with coffee and chopped walnuts and decorated with a sumptuous buttercream and a sprinkling of nuts. Serve with a full-bodied tea such as Fortnums Assam Superb Tea; its smooth malty flavour is a perfect match for this rich cake. Store in an airtight container for up to three days in a cool place.
Serves 12 225g softened unsalted butter, plus extra to grease 225g golden caster sugar 4 large eggs 225g self-raising flour, sifted 1 tsp baking powder 50g walnuts, finely chopped 1 tbsp coffee essence To decorate: 100g softened unsalted butter 300g golden icing sugar, sifted 23 tsp coffee essence 2 tbsp milk 40g walnuts, chopped

FOR FURTHER READING...

Tea at Fortnum & Mason offers recipes as well as the history of tea and guidance as to which brew best accompanies each recipe. Published by Ebury at 10, from [Link] or [Link]. Copyright Fortnum & Mason, 2010

120 THE ENGLISH HOME

FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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PHOTOGRAPHS EMMA LEE RECIPE COMPILATION & FOOD STYLING EMMA MARSDEN

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5. Grease and base-line two 20cm cake tins with greaseproof paper. Beat together the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, adding a spoonful of flour if the mixture looks as if it is about to curdle. Fold in the remaining flour, the baking powder, walnuts and coffee essence, using a large metal spoon. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared cake tins and bake for about 20 minutes until well risen, golden and just firm to the touch. Remove from the tins and cool on a wire rack. Whisk together the butter and half the icing sugar in a bowl until creamy. Add the remaining icing sugar, coffee essence and milk and continue to whisk until light and fluffy. Remove the greaseproof paper from the cakes and put one half on a plate and spread over about half of the coffee buttercream. Put the other cake half on top and spread the remaining buttercream evenly over it. Sprinkle the nuts around the edge, then slice and serve.

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HONEY, SULTANA AND PECAN TEA BREAD This is a moist and crumbly tea bread enriched with honey, mixed spice and the aromatic flavours of Earl Grey, one of Fortnums finest teas. This cake will become firmer with time and stores well for up to five days in an airtight container.
Serves 10 200g sultanas 200ml freshly brewed Fortnum & Mason Earl Grey Classic Tea 75g softened butter, plus extra to grease 125g light brown soft sugar 2 tbsp set honey 2 medium eggs 200g self-raising flour, sifted 1 level tsp mixed spice 75g pecans, chopped

Put the sultanas in a bowl with the tea and leave to soak overnight. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Whisk together the butter, sugar and honey. Gradually add the

eggs, then fold in the flour, mixed spice, pecans and soaked sultanas with any extra tea. Bake in the oven for 1 hour until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tin, then slice and serve.

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Into the

GARDEN
122 THE ENGLISH HOME

As winter gives way to spring and the days become warmer and longer, head out to the garden once more to sample the seasons unparalleled delights

n the garden, winters long, dark days are necessary for rest and recovery and many plants fail to thrive without the benefit of a snap of icy weather. It is also true that winter is not without its own discreet charms, but natures reawakening in spring is magic to behold. With leaves unfurling at the first touches of sunlight, the air sweet with blossom and filled with the sound of birds valiantly defending their territories, there is nothing quite so joyous as this seasons triumph over the cold. Spring is the time to rediscover the pleasures of the garden, breathe in lungfuls of fresh air and exult at the seasons warmth. Make time, too, to prepare your garden for summers onslaught: attend to flower beds, tidy garden sheds and find ways to bring the garden indoors.

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Garden Pleasures

A GOOD EGG
It is a truth universally acknowledged that when there is an Easter-egg hunt in the garden, a family pet will sniff out the most prized item of confectionary, intended for the most pugnacious child, and eat it. It may be better, therefore, to adopt the European tradition of the Easter tree, in which an array of brightly decorated hollow eggs and chocolates is hung from an arrangement of slim whips of flowering quince or pussy willow, or a tree in the garden. If you have a clutch of restless young souls to entertain during the Easter holidays, you could do worse than set them all to work on gathering stems for this very purpose, finding an appropriate tree or decorating the eggs themselves.

BREATH OF FRESH AIR

The practice of giving all of ones belongings a good airing in the first warm spell of the year is probably as old as time. Historians have linked it to the removal of leavened bread from the home before the Jewish Passover and, later in history, buildings in which open flames were used against the cold and dark were scrubbed and aired mercilessly as soon as the weather improved. Such exertions may seem unnecessary in modern buildings lit by electricity and heated centrally, but the pleasures of conducting a thorough spring clean should not be underestimated. Our heating methods may be cleaner, but todays homes are still sealed against the cold during winter and it is worth throwing open windows and doors to let in fresh air. At last we can hang our washing outside on the line, too; there is no better way to dry linen and clothes than with the help of sunlight and a stiff breeze. Use botanicals such as lavender, rose-scented geranium or cedar blocks to perfume linen cupboards and keep moths at bay. You can also make your own scented linen spray simply by adding a few drops of lavender oil to a bottle of water with a spray nozzle attached, or buy one ready made; The Linen Works has a good selection, in addition to beautiful bedclothes.
THE ENGLISH HOME 123

BORDER PATROL
The new growth that comes with the season means that even owners of the more naturalistic gardens are kept on their toes. With this in mind, it is a good idea to remove the dead heads of the first bulbs such as daffodils and tulips, but leave the plants in situ until the foliage has died back so that the bulbs can replenish themselves. Look ahead to the glorious days of summer and plant out seedlings you may have purchased from your local nursery. There is a singular pleasure in raising seedlings yourself but it is often much simpler to allow a qualified person to do it for you. Do, however, make sure tender young plants receive sufficient water as the weather warms up if they dry out the investment may come to nothing. This is also the month in which to pay attention to the lawn. Grass will need mowing with a blade set at a medium height. In areas where it is especially matted, it may be worth employing a metal-tined rake to scarify the ground. Doing so should help oxygenate nearby soil; at the very least it will firm the upper arms.

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Garden Pleasures

BRIGHT BULB MOMENT

Certain plants epitomise a season and, as the year turns, rise to greet us like old acquaintances. Peonies and roses mark the decadent height of summer; crocosmia and Japanese anemones hint at autumns gilded arrival; whilst winter snowdrops and hellebores indicate that spring cannot be far away. Spring must surely be heralded by the first bulbs daffodils, ranunculus, tulips and, most delicate of them all, fritillaries. Van Gogh made famous the domestic variety, Fritillaria imperialis, in his painting Imperial Fritillaries in a Copper Vase, which is in the collection of the Muse DOrsay, Paris. If you prefer to see native English bulbs like snakes head fritillaries (Fritillaria meleagris) in their natural setting, keep your eyes open as you wander through your nearest meadow, for they will be in full force towards the end of April. Failing that, pay a visit to Magdalen Meadow at Magdalen College, Oxford, where they are reputed to have thrived since 1875. The pleasure of bulbs is that they need not be planted in the garden, for they will do equally well in decorative pots grown indoors. Both garden centres and interiors specialists will carry appropriate containers; try Cox and Cox for dainty glass hyacinth bulb vases. Look ahead, too, and consider planting summer bulbs now the International Bulb Centre offers good inspiration.
124 THE ENGLISH HOME

THE GREAT ESCAPE

There is a widely held perception that garden sheds are the domain of the gentleman of the house, offering escape from the demands of domestic life, or being a repository for ancient relics of bachelorhood. In truth, one of the most ardent exponents of the garden shed was Virginia Woolf, whose shed at Monks House, East Sussex, is now under the care of the National Trust. Should your fingers be greener and your aspirations less literary, spring offers the opportunity to conduct a thorough clear-out. Remove lingering pathogens from dirty pots by giving them a good scrub. On rainy days, organise plant labels and throw out old seed Burgon and Ball carries a selection of traditional copper labels, whilst Somerset-based Pennard Plants will deliver heirloom vegetable seeds and tubers. If your shed still contains bottled poisons, investigate organic alternatives. It may also be time to consider a new shed, in which case consult The Posh Shed Company and Scotts of Thrapston. Meanwhile, draw inspiration from the garden shed of another great writer, Roald Dahl, whose former garden at Gipsy House near Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, is open to the public on 27 April under the National Gardens Scheme. Consult the NGS directory, The Yellow Book, or visit [Link] for details
FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

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F EATURE VIVIENNE HAMBLY PHOTOGRAPHS P.122 MMGI/MARIANNE MAJERUS; P.123 [Link]; GETTY IMAGES/JOHNER; P.124 INTERNATIONAL FLOWER BULB CENTRE; GAP PHOTOS/RICHARD BLOOM

YOUR INDISPENSABLE GUIDE TO SUCCESS WITH FRUIT & VEG

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Keeping Chickens

Feathered

FRIENDS
eeping chickens in the back garden was a common occurrence during the Second World War, when it was estimated that 25 per cent of the countrys eggs were produced by domestic hens. Although hen keeping declined in the decades following the war, as it was no longer deemed such a necessity, the practice has re-emerged in the last ten years. At present more than half a million people in the UK recognise both the pleasure of having a few hens clucking around the garden, and the benefit of a regular supply of fresh eggs. Chickens can be kept in even a small garden, and in urban areas too. The first step is to check with the local authority that there are no restrictions on keeping poultry in your area. It is advisable to also inform neighbours before embarking on a henkeeping adventure to prevent later disputes. It is not necessary to keep a cockerel, but even so, chickens can still disrupt neighbours through noise and smell,

Discover the joys of keeping chickens as rewarding family pets and enjoy their rich bounty of fresh eggs, in both town and country gardens

and it is wise to secure fences to foil the odd escapee. Chickens can fly a little, so experts also advise to clip the feathers of one wing to keep them grounded. For those living in an urban area a cockerel is a definite no-no, and even in the countryside one should consider whether they really want such a reliable alarm clock at the break of dawn. They do not affect egg production and are only really necessary for owners who intend to hatch chicks in the future. However, cockerels do need a home and are handsome additions to the garden; they make a magnificent sight strutting around with their harem of happy hens. COUNT YOUR CHICKENS The main reason for keeping chickens, for many, is the supply of delicious eggs. Production always tails off, or even ceases, during the colder, darker months as hens need daylight to lay; however, 250-300 eggs a

126 THE ENGLISH HOME

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CHOOSING BREEDS
Finding the right bird, and courses on chicken keeping
Although some hens are incredibly attractive, with amazing plumage, bear in mind that they often dont lay well. Of the pure breeds the most popular and best laying include Rhode Island Reds and Light Sussex (pictured above). Both are capable of laying up to 260 eggs per year. The more common hybrid hens (pictured below) are ever more reliable, laying in the region of 300 eggs a year, so guaranteeing a more continuous supply. The website of Your Chickens magazine features a directory of chicken breeders to help you find a local breeder, [Link], whilst The Poultry Club of Great Britain has information on all breeds, on basic care, housing, common ailments to look out for and advice on how the law stands when it comes to crowing cockerels. [Link] If you want to learn more or try your hand at chicken keeping before you commit, many breeders and suppliers of chicken houses run courses. Daylesford Organic have a day course at their farm, which covers all the basics for 30. The Omlet website (makers of the Eglu) has details of local hen keepers who run courses in their own back garden; prices vary, as one might expect.

year is an average yield, depending on the breed. Although profit may not be the priority, the economics of keeping chickens (excluding the outlay for the hen house) are rather good. The average weekly cost to keep six hens, each producing up to six eggs a week, is around 2 compared to around 1.55 for half a dozen free-range eggs at the supermarket. Plus, surplus eggs can be sold to neighbours and friends who are sure to appreciate a local bounty. WHAT A COOP Although keeping chickens is relatively inexpensive, the chicken house requires an initial investment. This can range from a rather modest offering of around 200, to an indulgent garden feature, such as the gypsy caravans from Flyte so Fancy, which cost from 2,750. Simon McEwan, editor of Your Chickens magazine, recommends spending around 350 for a good quality small house and many urban chicken owners advocate the modern Eglu from Omlet, which is perfect for a couple of hens and is easy to move and clean out. A chickens accommodation needs are fairly simple, however: so long as their hen house is secure. They need a perch to roost on and a nesting box in which to lay. Look for designs that allow for easy cleaning and easy access to the eggs. Always get a hen house appropriate to the number of chickens; giving them too much space can have negative implications as hens need to be able to cluster in winter to keep warm. An average density would be about seven birds per square metre. The often key decision is whether to have a large, static run, more like a pen, or a smaller run that can be moved around the garden. A run offers good security when you

CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN The Gypsy Daydream from Flyte So Fancy, is a romantic and unusual chicken home. Holding up to 15 birds, the Daydream is bespoke and can be painted in any colour or motif the customer chooses, for 3,900. Plain wooden or twotone options are also available, from 2,750. Breakfast will be that much more delicious with eggs fresh from the flock each morning. They are also a good incentive to friends and family if the brood needs hensitting while you are away. Allowing hens free range of the garden makes for a pleasant sight, weed-free lawns and very happy chickens.

THE ENGLISH HOME 127

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All ages can benefit from keeping chickens. Boughton 902A Poultry Ark, (houses four to five hens) 343, Forsham Cottage Arks

suppliers. Chickens also love greens and scraps, including leftover cooked pasta and rice, but avoid any sugary, fatty or salty foods, citrus fruits and meat. PECKING ORDER When relocating to a new home the hens will need to establish a pecking order, no matter if they are just a pair or a dozen. Naturally a cockerel will take the lead if present, but if not the chickens will squabble amongst themselves to work out their own order. It can be quite vicious, but do not interfere unless one is being very badly picked on. This process may be triggered off again if new hens are introduced to an established flock. It is also necessary to build up trust with the birds and get them tame as quickly as possible. Talk to them and entice them with treats such as raisins and sweetcorn scattered on the ground. They may eventually feel happy enough to eat out of your hand. Once chickens become tame they are often rather sociable, happy to follow their owners around and even jump up into their lap. Chickens make lovely pets and will get along with other animals, providing one is sensible, particularly regarding the behaviour of domestic animals such as cats and dogs, including neighbourhood pets that may roam into the garden. Be aware too of the dangers of wild animals such as foxes. HAPPY HENS Providing they are well looked after, and avoid the interest of Mr Fox, hens have an average life expectancy of around 7-10 years. This is quite a commitment and egg production becomes less frequent after two or three years many hens are sold off at this age, or are considered ready for the table. If this isnt a preferred option, be prepared to accommodate a growing flock in order to maintain a healthy supply of eggs. Observing a chickens behaviour every day will help an owner understand if it is ill or in discomfort. The main problems to be aware of are red mites, which live in the crevices in wooden houses and feed on the chickens blood at night. Similarly, lice live on the chickens and in the floor of the house so cleaning out once a week is very important. Scaly leg mites can cause lameness; check the birds legs regularly, they should be smooth and clean, and if the scales are lifting off they will need treating by dipping in surgical spirit twice a week. Taking good care of the birds will ensure healthy, happy hens and a more bountiful supply of eggs, so all the effort will be rewarded. Your Chickens is a new monthly publication for back garden chicken keepers. The English Home has free sample copies to send to the first 25 readers who email a request to [Link]@[Link]
FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

FREE RANGING For many, one of the key aims of keeping chickens is to allow the hens free range of the garden. It is the best scenario for both owner and hens, as it not only gives them freedom and varied stimulation, but they will eat up pests such as slugs and snails, as well as weeds. Hens do need access to loose earth to have dust baths (which keep them clean) and they will scratch and peck, so it pays not to be overly precious about your borders. An area of around 50 square metres for two birds provides ample space, so it is possible to keep hens in town gardens too. In addition to garden fare, hens need access to fresh water, a compound feed containing all the required nutrients for a balanced diet, plus some grains, which should be scattered around the garden to encourage free ranging. They also need grit to digest the grains, as well as calcium, which aids egg shell production. Calcium is normally taken in the form of ground oyster shell, which is available from chicken feed
128 THE ENGLISH HOME

CHICK OR CHICKEN
Although chicks are endearingly cute, for beginners it is advisable to buy a bird that is between 16-21 weeks old. It will be advertised as being at point of lay (POL), so it will be ready to start laying. At this age the hen is young enough to be tamed still but old enough for there to be no doubt about the sex, so you wont end up with an unexpected cockerel.

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F EATURE KATY GREEN PHOTOGRAPHS P.126 & 127 DREAMSTIME, YOUR CHICKENS MAGAZINE; P.128 DAYLESFORD ORGANIC

are not there and also until they have laid after their morning feed if hens are left to free range, the eggs will need hunting out. Each hen needs a minimum of one square metre of outside space, and a smaller run should be moved regularly to allow the birds a supply of fresh green grass.

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Mrs Minerva Writes

The art of

PLEASURABLE SHOPPING
Passionate about quintessential English customs, our incognito columnist reminds us how to do the best things in life in the most elegant fashion, always with a twinkle in her eye

RIGHT The art of shopping also includes the art of keeping shopping bags out of sight of ones husband. Fortnum and Masons jute Bag for Life, 4.95

hopping is a rather odd activity. It used to be something one did out of necessity and as an occasional treat and then it became a national obsession. It got to the stage where it was almost a sport and one kept expecting competitive shopping to crop up at the Olympics. One of the sad effects of the consumer society is that any real pleasure in shopping has been eroded. Mr M has a very old-fashioned and rather lovely attitude to the whole thing. He shops only when forced to, under great duress. However, once the shopping is completed he falls touchingly in love with his new acquisition; whether it be a walking cane, a new hat or a bed for the dog, he spends hours extolling its virtues. I think perhaps we could all learn a lot from him, although I have to say he can be a little tedious when he regards every shopping bag I bring through the front door in the way the army regards an unexploded bomb. His philosophy is not to give house room to anything that does not significantly enhance his life. I, on the other hand whilst by no means extravagant want life to offer some material pleasures. Too often shopping can become a frustration, which is why I always employ a strategy to ensure I make no costly mistakes. When shopping for the home, I like to take my time and make considered purchases, but its not just the big things that count. Small details can make all the difference. Scented candles, for example, can change both your mood and that of a room. Amongst my personal favourites are those from

Diptyque, who also do some rather wonderful room sprays. They can be found at [Link], at their shops in London and good department stores around the country. Green & Spring ([Link]) also do a wonderfully revitalising candle containing peppermint, rosemary and fennel; just the thing if one is feeling a little sleepy and needs to be on top of ones game. This particular candle is excellent at ridding a room of the smell of wet dog. I am a great fan of blankets and throws. In a chilly country house it pays to be as well stocked as possible in this department. Quality, though, always outranks quantity and I do think it best to invest in something that should last for years. Brora is a very good bet for heirloom cashmere, the kind that, moths allowing, can be passed down for generations, getting softer and lovelier as the years go by. It can be difficult to visit one of their shops without leaving with an armful of shopping bags, so, if you have your own Mr M at home, be careful smuggling them through the front door. Whilst personal shoppers abound in fashion retailing, it is harder to find one on the home front;
THE ENGLISH HOME 131

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Mrs Minerva Writes

Part of the joy of mail order shopping is in having the postman deliver a steady stream of tantalisingly wrapped parcels to the door.

132 THE ENGLISH HOME

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PHOTOGRAPHS DREAMSTIME; LIBERTY, LONDON

Selfridges, though, can help. The team based at their London store are brilliant. Appointments are free and can be made seven days a week, with a late night on Thursdays. Michelle or Juliet from Pink Green take the service one step further and will visit ones home and offer advice on all aspects of shopping for interiors. Furthermore, if ones personal style is in need of an update they can help there too. For details, visit the website at [Link] Small pleasures are such an important part of life and when one has been married as long as Mr M and I, it is often necessary to escape one another for an hour or two. I adore retreating to my bathroom for a long soak with a good book. I think ritual is rather important too, so always scent my bath with Bath Salts for Inner Peace by ila. The entire product range, which includes candles and CDs, can be found online at [Link] Whilst it would be so sad if we did all our shopping online (after all, the art of small talk would surely die if we were not to interact with real people in shops) I do think the internet has given us the opportunity to research thoroughly important purchases, whilst also being able to read reviews of larger items and the service offered by various companies. Mail order is rather nice, too. Theres something decidedly old fashioned about being able to flick through a lovely brochure, fill in a coupon or ring a number and have something lovely delivered by the postman. Amongst my favourite mail order resources are those from Toast, The White Company and Boden. Shopping is an art and can be a great pleasure. Like many of the best things in life it is best done in moderation and with thought. I rather like to browse in the morning, then take myself off for a lovely lunch whilst mulling over the items I have seen. I often find that something I thought was rather wonderful loses all of its appeal after a glass of wine and a well-chosen salad.

Londons Liberty department store is a wonderful place to shop for something a little different.

A FEW OF MY FAVOURITES
For gifts, homeware and practical essentials consider these online and retail outlets favoured by Mr and Mrs M
FOR PRACTICAL NECESSITIES
Labour and Wait have a wonderful store selling utility items in a nostalgic vein from enamelware to French non-drip candles. They offer a selection online for mail order, too. (Apparently the Singapore store is a huge success showing a passion for English paraphernalia in the most surprising places). Lakeland Ltd and Divertimenti are wonders for kitchen essentials for the keen cook and one can get lost browsing in store or online. Period Features is another charming resource for hardware and home sundries from finger plates to escutcheons and even old fashioned laundry-ware including dolly pegs. I have never visited the store in the town of Leek on the edge of the Peak District but the online website makes the range available to all.

SHOPPING IN LONDON
Burlington Arcade, situated close to Piccadilly Circus, was Britains very first shopping arcade, opened in 1819. I think it is still a little bit special. Not only can you enjoy perusing luxury accessories at Pickett, Bill Amberg and Globe-Trotter, you can indulge in edible treats at Ladure and buy gloriously original scent at Penhaligons. All the stores pride themselves on impeccable service. Elsewhere dont forget Rigby & Peller for undergarments, Daunts Books and The Button Queen for the most incredible collection of buttons to revive or customise clothing.

FOR LOVELY GIFTS

Shopping for something a little out of the ordinary? I avoid the huge department stores completely (apart from Liberty and Fortnum and Mason of course) and head to slightly lesser known resources. The Victoria & Albert Museum shop and website is a happy hunting ground for culturally inspired fashion, homeware and wonderful books. Not On The High Street, which started as a website and now offers a mini catalogue, represents small businesses and craftsmen giving us all access to beautiful, often personalised and not widely available homewares, clothing, jewellery and gifts. If it is home accessories that you seek, the shops by interior designers Jenny Blanc, in Richmond, and Joanna Wood, at Pimlico Road (both London) stock lovely ranges from the luxury to the well-priced. I also adore the gorgeous Miv Watts Design showroom in North Norfolk, which offers a gloriously eclectic and bohemian range of furniture.

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Huge range of quality leadwork all made in England For a brochure call or click - 02392 870000 quote Eh04 online brochure [Link]

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The Royal Wedding

PRINCE WILLIAM & KATE MIDDLETON
Celebrate the biggest event of 2011 with this special commemorative guide to Prince William and Kate Middletons wedding, taking place on 29 April at Westminster Abbey. This beautiful 100page guide will take you on a journey back through the royal couples childhood, romance and engagement, through to their plans for the wedding and what the future holds for them as the King and Queen of the United Kingdom. Whether you plan to cheer the royal couple on along the streets of London or watch events unfold from the comfort of your own home, The Royal Wedding: Prince William & Kate Middleton is the perfect souvenir guide to this historic occasion.

Follow the story of William and Kates blossoming romance, from St Andrews University to Clarence House Includes details of royal weddings through the decades, the making of the Windsor royal dynasty, the history of Westminster Abbey and the greatest royal romances of all time Who and what you can expect to see on the day, from the wedding dress, reception and guest list, to the photographer, rings and honeymoon

The lavish (and not so lavish) gifts that have been given to former royal couples and what Kate and William can expect to receive Make the most of the big day with our special wedding planner, including details of the processional route, the celebrations taking place across the country, details of how to plan the perfect street party and where to follow the wedding on television, radio and online

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fter Noah Tel 020 7359 4281 [Link] Aga Tel 0845 712 5207 [Link] Alitex Tel 01730 826900 [Link] Angel Tel 01347 822044 [Link] Angel Upholstery Tel 020 8693 4869 [Link] Antique Maps Online Tel 01548 830872 [Link] Appeal Blinds Tel 0800 975 5757 [Link] April Russell Tel 020 3055 0090 [Link] Apropos Tel 0845 434 8901 [Link] Aqata Tel 01455 896500 [Link] Aqualisa Tel 01959 560010 [Link] Axor Tel 01372 472001 [Link] aker Lifestyle Tel 01202 266700 [Link] Barn Antiques Centre Tel 01789 721399 [Link] Bartholomew Tel 01428 742800 [Link] The Bamboo Flooring Company Tel 0845 009 2222 [Link] .com Beacon Hill Tel 01494 474741 [Link] Better Construction Tel 0773 817 9361 [Link] Bettys Tel 01423 814008 [Link] Bluedog & Sought Tel 01993 810011 [Link] Brian Lawrence Tel 01732 741308 [Link] Broadleaf Tel 01269 851910 [Link] Burgon and Ball Tel 01142 338262 [Link] Burlington Stone Tel 01229 889661 [Link] aesarstone [Link] Caroline Zoob Tel 01782 826052 [Link] Catchpole & Rye Tel 01233 840840 [Link] Cath Kidston Tel 0845 026 2440 [Link] Chadder & Co Tel 01342 823243 [Link] The Chelsea Gardener Tel 020 7352 5656 [Link] Chelsea Textiles Tel 020 7584 0111 [Link] Cole and Son Tel 020 7376 4628 [Link] Colefax and Fowler Tel 020 7244 7427 [Link] Cotton Bunting Company Tel 01245 363310 [Link] Cox and Cox Tel 0844 858 0734 [Link] Coxs Architectural Salvage Tel 01608 652505 [Link] CP Hart Tel 0845 600 1950 [Link] [Link] The French House Tel 020 7831 1111 [Link] Frost Tel 01767 640808 [Link]

eoffrey Harris Tel 0808 149 4190 [Link] Gerald Cullif ford Tel 020 8390 4656 [Link] Gien [Link] Grange Tel 0870 755 6486 [Link]

hrs Tel 023 9245 3045 [Link] Kaldewei Tel 0800 840 9770 [Link] Katharine Pooley Tel 020 7584 3223 [Link] Ken Biggs Tel 01761 470743 [Link] Kersaint Cobb Tel 01675 430430 [Link] The Kitchen Dresser Company Tel 01782 575565 [Link] aCanche Tel 01202 733011 [Link] Lassco Tel 020 7394 2100 [Link] Lasso the Moon Tel 01730 892632 [Link] Laura Ashley Tel 0871 983 5999 [Link] Liebherr Tel 01767 602100 [Link] Light Locations Tel 01380 860589 [Link] Lily and Lime Tel 0844 800 8867 [Link] The Linen Works Tel 020 7819 7620 [Link] Liz Morris Tel 01789 722456 Lloyd Loom of Spalding [Link] London Garden Studios Tel 0795 851 1195 [Link] .[Link] Lots Road Auctions [Link] Louise Body Tel 0773 490 7357 [Link] albrook Conservatories Tel 020 8780 5522 [Link] Mandarin Stone Tel 01600 715444 [Link] Mappamundi Tel 01173 706239 [Link] Marston & Langing ger Tel 020 7881 5700 [Link] Marvic Textiles Tel 020 7352 3119 [Link] Meg Rivers Cakes Tel 01608 682858 [Link] Mira Tel 0844 571 0005 [Link] Morris & Co Tel 0844 543 9500 [Link] ational Trust Conservatory Collection n, The Tel 0845 410 3030 [Link] [Link] The Natural Curtain Company Tel 0845 500 0400 [Link] .[Link]

The Natural Wood Floor r Company Tel 020 8871 9771 [Link] Newark Antiq q ues Fair Tel 01636 702326 [Link] Nina Camp pbell Tel 020 7225 1011 [Link] Nobilis [Link] Not on the High [Link] Tel 0845 259 1359 [Link]

avid Harber Tel 01235 859300 [Link] David Salisbury Tel 0844 800 8808 [Link] Daylesford Organics Tel 01608 731700 [Link] de Gournay Tel 020 7352 9988 [Link] DeVol Kitchens Tel 01509 261000 [Link] Denholme Velvets Tel 01274 832185 [Link] Deva Tel 0800 195 1602 [Link] Dinesen Tel 0457 455 2140 [Link] Drummonds Tel 020 7376 4499 [Link] Dualit Tel 01293 652500 [Link] Dulux Tel 0844 481 7817 [Link]

alcyon Days Tel 01604 637596 [Link] Hansgrohe Tel 01372 465655 [Link] Harlequin Tel 0845 123 6815 [Link] Harrod Horticultural Tel 0845 402 5300 [Link] Hartley Botanic Tel 0800 783 8083 [Link] Harvey Bro own Tel 01621 860772 [Link] Harvey Jones Tel 0800 389 6938 [Link] Helen Amy Murray Tel 0796 803 4637 [Link] Hillarys Tel 0800 916 6516 [Link] HSP Garden Buildings Tel 01638 583814 [Link]

akmas sters Tel 01444 455455 [Link] OKA Tel 0844 815 7380 [Link] The Old Cinema Tel 020 8995 4166 [Link] The Old Map & Clock Company Tel 0870 901 1610 [Link] Omlet Tel 0845 450 2056 [Link] Opus Tel 01494 450045 [Link] Osborne and Little Tel 020 7352 1456 [Link] The Oxford Tea Party Tel 01865 874428 [Link] aul Her rring Tel 0794 439 5374 Paul Leeson Tel 0777 995 9199 Pedlars Tel 01330 850400 [Link] Pennard Plants Tel 01749 860039 [Link] Perrin and Rowe Tel 0845 313 5000 [Link] Pierre Frey [Link] Pins and Ribb b ons Tel 01642 786777 [Link] The Posh She ed Company Tel 01568 702050 [Link] .[Link] Prime Oak Tel 01384 296611 [Link]

[Link] Samuel Heath Tel 01217 722303 [Link] Sandberg at Little Greene Tel 0845 880 5855 [Link] Sanderson Tel 0844 543 9555 [Link] Sco otts of Thrapston n Tel 01832 732366 [Link] Smith & Coa ates Tel 0796 879 7927 [Link] Sottini Tel 01482 449513 [Link] Spittal Tel 01592 757474 [Link] The Spring Grand Sale Tel 01634 226203 [Link] Stephen Rya an Tel 020 7243 0864 [Link] Stuart Lewis Tel 0773 041 0019 Sudeley Castle Tel 01242 602308 [Link] Susie Wat tson Designs Tel 020 7228 0787 [Link] Sweetpea and Will low Tel 0845 257 2627 [Link]

bony & Co Tel 020 7734 0734 [Link] Element 7 Tel 020 7736 2366 [Link] Elizabeth Baer [Link] Emily Bond England Tel 01173 763067 [Link] Emma Bridgewater Tel 0844 243 9266 [Link] The English Glasshouse Tel 0845 652 7364 [Link] .[Link]

an Mankin Tel 020 7722 0997 [Link] Inchbald Tel 020 7730 5508 [Link] The Isle Mill Tel 01738 609090 [Link] ab Tel 020 7348 6620 [Link]/en James Brindley y Tel 01423 880400 [Link] James Hare Sil lks Tel 01132 431204 [Link] Jamie Oliver Collection [Link] Jane Churchill Tel 020 8877 6400 [Link] Jennifer Collier Tel 0781 146 0494 [Link] Jenny Blan nc Interiors Tel 020 8943 4440 [Link] Jeremy Uglow Tel 01420 520009 [Link] John Boyd Textiles Tel 01963 350451 [Link] John Lewis Tel 0845 604 9049 [Link] Junckers Tel 01376 534700 [Link]

omlinsons Tel 01937 583515 [Link] Town and Country Tel 020 7091 0621 [Link] Tromb Tel 020 7684 1065 [Link] Tus scan Flooring Tel 0845 729 8298 [Link]

U V

tterly Sexy Caf, The Tel 01747 870812 [Link] ale Garden Houses Tel 01476 564433 [Link] Vanessa Arbuthnott Tel 01285 831437 [Link] .[Link] Victorian Woodworks Tel 020 8534 1000 [Link] Villeroy & Boch Tel 020 8871 4028 [Link] Vintage Home Tel 01432 830236 [Link]

Q R

uick-Step Tel 01376 534700 [Link]

arrow & Ball Tel 01202 876141 [Link] Fauld [Link] Fired Earth Tel 0845 336 0400 [Link] Flyte So Fancy Tel 01300 345229 [Link] Forsham Cottage Arks Tel 0800 163 797 [Link] Freddie Freckle Tel 01483 506586

alph Lauren Home Tel 020 7535 4600 [Link] RE Tel 01434 634567 [Link] Richmond Oak Tel 020 3239 3393 [Link] Roger Oates Tel 01531 632718 [Link] Roman Tel 0845 050 4032 [Link] Romo Tel 01623 750005 [Link] am Pickard Tel 01769 574550

arner Fabric Tel 01617 189209 [Link] .com The Water Monopoly Tel 020 7624 2636 [Link] Web-Blinds Tel 0845 604 9611 [Link] Westbury Conservatories Tel 01371 876776 [Link] .com

offany Tel 0844 543 4748 [Link]

THE ENGLISH HOME 137

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BROCHURE DIRECTORY
To receive a brochure this month from any of the listed companies please complete and return the coupon to the stated address with your requests.

1. BROMLEIGHS Bromleighs offer an extensive range of lighting, sockets and switches, and architectural hardware for period homes. Our products can be found in various heritage renovations as well as prestigious new period feature establishments. Our commitment to manufacturing and supplying the very best continues across our collections. Bromleighs 01208 79490 [Link] info@[Link]

2. MONTPELLIER MARBLE The Giovanna fireplace featured here in Bianco Persiano pure marble is part of Montpelliers awardwinning collection of fireplaces. For details of your nearest stockist or a copy of Montpelliers latest brochure please log onto: [Link] or ring (01452) 714 800

3. ARTISAN POSTBOXES & SIGNS Beautiful handmade postboxes and signs in lasting cast aluminium. All can be fully personalised. Lots of styles and designs available including freestanding, built-in and wall-mounted postboxes. Contact 01327 351561 or [Link] for a brochure and design ideas.

4. MINIATURE PORTRAITS A beautiful watercolour miniature portrait from a favourite photo, handpainted on ivorine and set in a delicate frame - a lovely personal gift! Sizes approximately 3 or 4 oval from 125 for one face. Brochure available, or phone for information. Janet McLaughlin Tel: 07752831734 email: jandvmclaughlin@[Link]

5. BESPOKE COUNTRY Vintage-style gifts and homewares, Tilda fabric from Norway, beach hut accessories and a feast of goodies for all you country girls at heart! Phone or email for a mail order brochure or visit us online (we happily ship overseas). [Link] info@[Link] 01723 378728

6. BLUE & WHITE CHINA A fine meat platter dating from 1815 in Spode's Caramanian series depicting Antique Fragments at Limisso, from our large and ever changing stock of antique china. Or choose from our vast range of 20th Century collectable china. And brand new china by Spode, Burleigh and Portmeirion available from stock for immediate dispatch. We ship safely and quickly worldwide. Lovers of Blue & White +44 (0) 1763 853800 [Link] china@[Link]

To order up to four of the featured brochures, please indicate the panel numbers in the boxes below. Send coupon to: Philip Murray, The English Home Magazine, Archant House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1BB

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms...................Forename..................................................................................................................................
7. BETH RUSSELL NEEDLEPOINT Needlepoint is a most therapeutic and relaxing pastime; there is no better way to soothe away the day's problems. Beth Russell, famous for her interpretations of William Morris designs, has created a wonderful range of easy-to-stitch kits featuring insects from her rose garden. Butterfly and Rose is printed on 12 gauge canvas,11" sq, available with indigo or grey background. +44 (0) 20 7798 8151 [Link] info@[Link]

Surname................................................................................................................................................................................. Address.................................................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................Postcode........................................................................................................... Date of Birth..................................................Tel.................................................................................................................... Email......................................................................................................................................................................................

Terms and Conditions Your contact details will be collated and passed through to the relevant companies only. Your information will be forwarded once received, please allow delivery time of your brochure from each company. All product sales thereafter will be dealt with directly through each company and not via The English Home Magazine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US AT [Link]

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DIRECTORY
TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]
ARCHITECTS ARTS AND CRAFTS

BEDROOMS

Bespoke Bed Linens

Tel:

0845 226 7388 local call rate [Link]

Part of Yorkshiremillshops

BEDROOMS

THE CHILDRENS BED COMPANY

New Showroom open:
TuesdayFriday 10-4pm and Saturday 10-3pm

WALLPAPER: BROADWICK ST GARDEN BY THE LITTLE GREEN

2 Ravens Yard Nethergate Street Harpley Norfolk PE31 6TN

01485 542800
Handmade in Norfolk
[Link]

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]

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For more information visit us at [Link] When calling the UK from North America, , dial the country code 011 44 and drop the first 0 in the UK phone number

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BEDROOMS CHINA & GLASS

Celebrate the Royal Wedding

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]

Hand crafted in England by Burleigh in the soft blue of Asiatic Pheasants, tasteful and lasting reminders of the happiest of Royal occasions - the wedding of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton on 29th April 2011.
The complete Burleigh collection shipped worldwide Tel +44 (0)1763 853 800 [Link] china@[Link]

Lovers of Blue & White

Steeple Morden, Royston, SG8 0RN, England

CARE SERVICES

GARDENING

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]

PONDS
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT A SMALL BOAT FOR YOUR LAKE, POND OR MOAT ?

PUBLISHERS

Boats for work, play and fun! [Link]

Tel 01628 528830

For more information visit us at [Link] When calling the UK from North WorldMags America,, dial the country code 011 44 and drop the first 0 in the UK phone number

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FURNITURE AND JOINERY DAYS OUT

Chesapeake Mill
F U R N I T U R E H OM E AC C E S S OR I E S G I F T S

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]

Visit our shops or browse online for the widest range of French home accessories in the UK

[Link]
Lichfield 01543 481414 Leamington Spa 01926 330386

Come and find treasures for your home in the old water mill in the heart of Wickham
Bridge street, Wickham PO17 5JH Tel: 01329 834078 [Link] [Link]

Sugar & Spice

FURNISHINGS FABRICS GIFTS

FURNITURE AND JOINERY

Greg Wright
HANDMADE FURNITURE Experienced Reproduction, Modern & Ecclesiastical Furniture Maker. I offer a complete bespoke Service to your own designs: Cabinets, chairs, tables, beds etc. All pieces are hand made. I can also carve and do Marquetry Inlay to a high standard.

Telephone: 07984 492837 or 07960 198894 [Link]

SOFT FURNISHINGS

TOP DESIGNER Fabrics & Wallpaper

Fabrics and furnishings from Kate Forman, Cabbages & Roses, Ian Mankin, Susie Watson and many, many more
Tel: 023 92431072 [Link]
Simply the best service and prices

01852 500378
Instant quotes & secure online ordering

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098

[Link]

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KITCHEN AND BATHROOM

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]

INTERIOR DESIGN

TILING

Interior Decoration & Creative Design Courses

French Painted furniture Lampshades Corsage Making Couture on a Shoestring Curtain Making &More...... All courses include a sit down lunch with wine Sociable & Educational! [Link] Tel: 01306 888028

MARLBOROUGH
MAKERS OF FINE ENGLISH TILES

WALL & FLOOR TILES

FREE 100 page brochure

01672 515287
[Link]

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LIGHTING INTERIORS

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]

Handcrafted home furnishings

Lighting

Curtain Poles

Furniture

Soft Furnishings

Ironwork

0844 414 1652 [Link]

TILING

TILING

For more information visit us at [Link] When calling the UK from North America, , dial the country code 011 44 and drop the first 0 in the UK phone number WorldMags

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WEB SERVICES

Chesapeake Mill
Come and find treasures for your home in the old water mill in the heart of Wickham
Bridge street, Wickham PO17 5JH Tel: 01329 834078 [Link] [Link]

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098 [Link]@[Link]

The Home of classic Country Vintage Style

Over 2500 Antique Fireplaces

[Link]

Tel: 01329 835 255

0161 477 7706 [Link]

Absolutely No Reproductions

The Square, Wickham, Hampshire PO17 5JT, UK - England & Wales

Sugar & Spice

FURNISHINGS FABRICS GIFTS

Tel: 023 92431072

[Link]

Inspectors Choice Hotel

Park Road, Grange over Sands, LA11 7HQ Tel: +44 (0) 15395 33026 [Link]

CLARE HOUSE

We offer rest & relaxation, delightful meals, a garden to sit in, a promenade to saunter along and wonderful bay views from our family run hotel March 28th - April 29th, Early Season Special Offer Any four nights from 292.00 pp D, B&B. EXTRA 5% OFF bookings of 3-days or longer, between March 28th and April 15th.

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT PHILIP MURRAY ON 01242 216098

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ADVERTORIAL

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ENGLISH PROVENANCE
We English mix items from around the globe but we know how vital it is to cherish homegrown talent too.
PERIOD FEATURES
Specialising in authentically styled hardware, Period Features pride themselves on helping provide key fixtures and fittings for period homes. Our toilet roll holders, for example, are made only from high quality materials and we guarantee that they are some of the best toilet roll holders you will find anywhere. This rustic Spend a penny design is hand made in Devon in waxed pine, complete with an old penny recessed into the wood. The backplate measures 20cm long by 15cm high, at the widest point. It protudes 14cm from the wall. PRICE: 27.00

Celebrating
CAZZIE CUSHIONS

Cazzie Cushions make beautiful and affordable cushions. At Cazzie we are passionate about British textiles and would love to see manufacturing return to Britain. Cazzie only use fabric that has been woven in Great Britain and all cushions are machine washable so no trips to the dry cleaners. With Cazzie being based in Nottinghamshire we get our inspiration from the surrounding countryside and way of life in Britain. The Sewing Room Cushion is priced at 30.00 Please visit our website [Link]

Period Features Ltd 17 Broad Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5NR 01538 372202 www [Link]

THE HANDMADE SOFA COMPANY

All of our furniture is hand built to order in the UK using the finest quality fabrics and leathers. Choose from an extensive range of standard contemporary and traditional models, including different Chesterfield styles and chaise longues. All models can be made-to-measure to suit individual requirements using one of the UKs widest choice of leather and fabric. We also offer a Design your own sofa service. All standard furniture is normally delivered to UK mainland within 4-6 weeks from order time. The Handmade Sofa Company, Unit 4, Manor Farm Business Centre, Gussage St Michael, Wimborne, Dorse et, BH21 5HT. Tel 01258 841414

BROMLEIGHS
Bromleighs are a leading supplier and manufacturer of high quality period feature sockets and switches - all hand finished in our workshop in Cornwall. To complement the collection, we offer a comprehensive range of quality lighting, architectural hardware and accessories for both contemporary and period homes. Bromleighs products can be found in listed properties, historical and heritage renovations, as well as many prestigious new period feature developments. Our commitment to manufacturing and supplying the very best continues across all our collections. Our bespoke, design and build service, provides clients with the opportunity to combine modern appliances with period sockets and switches transforming that design challenge into a working and aesthetically pleasing solution. Bromleighs provide quality, British made, hand-finished products - Anything less is a compromise Bromleighs Ltd [Link] Tel: 01208 79490

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Commemorate the Royal Wedding with a special edition bone china collection and enamels that hark back to the eighteenth century

AUTHENTICALLY ENGLISH
ABOVE LEFT The Royal Wedding Bone China collection has been decorated with hand finished platinum and over 30 per cent best burnished gold. Prices from 25. ABOVE RIGHT To produce the enamels basic shapes are made from pressed sheets of copper and washed in special solutions. Enamel is then applied in layers and the piece is fired in a kiln several times to bind and fuse the enamel to its base and produce a clean, glossy, flawless finish. Each piece is then hand painted by artists and calligraphers using enamel paints.

aturally we shall be celebrating the Royal Wedding at The English Home this April, and as fans of all things decorative, we have been fascinated to see the commemorative collections being produced to mark the occasion. One range to have caught our attention, not least because it is English in every conceivable way, is produced by Halcyon Days. The company was founded by Mrs Benjamin, an antiques expert who gave the name to her London antiques shop in the 1950s. She dealt in antique English enamel which dates back to the 1700s, explains Janice Proctor, the current managing director. Enamelling in the UK hadnt

happened for 200 years or so, and she decided she would investigate whether it could still be done in the traditional way. There were two areas in the country that had traditionally been synonymous with enamelling, and she found a company in the Midlands who could manufacture her designs. Mrs Benjamins shop continues to be the companys flagship store with its design studios above, whilst the Georgian craft of enamelling on copper is still very much alive in the new factory in the Midlands. Here, traditional craftsmanship is combined with state-of-the-art technology to ensure that the process is authentic, meticulously detailed and environmentally sound.

The now 60-strong company is passionate about preserving the passing down of techniques, and mentors new artists. Producing exquisite little boxes amongst other collectable items, there are some 500 pieces in the current collection, all handmade. Some take inspiration from antique pieces, others stem from licensed agreements, such as Beatrix Potter, to produce keepsakes of the future. Bespoke commissions are also popular and the most prestigious private commissions have been for the Royal Family. Proud holders of the royal warrant for more than 20 years, who is better placed to produce luxurious mementos for this very royal occasion?
FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE PAGE 137

146 THE ENGLISH HOME

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F EATURE SAMANTHA SCOTT-JEFFRIES

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