The English Home October 2021

a letter from home

Autumn is a season of change, not least in the interiors industry as the latest collections are unveiled. It’s a time to explore and discover exciting new designs, which colours, patterns and pieces make our hearts sing and what we’ll use to revive our homes. I’m not sure that a home can (or should ever) be completely finished – it’s an evolving, living realm that changes as the needs and desires of its inhabitants do. Whilst the last 18 months have perhaps not been the roaring ’20s we anticipated when we entered this new decade, it has inevitably seen many of us spend more time than ever making our homes work for our shifting lifestyles. Our feature on page 91 explores examples from leading interior designers who have tackled common design…

notebook

SPOTLIGHT ON… Little Greene x National Trust Little Greene proudly unveils its newest wallpaper collaboration with the National Trust. This eclectic collection is based on original patterns from the Trust’s historic houses, such as Knightshayes Court in Devon which inspired Burges Snail (above, in Juniper, one of seven available colourways). Dating back to 1878, this charming wallpaper adorns one the bathrooms at Knightshayes Court. It was designed by eccentric Gothic Revivalist architect and designer William Burges, who created some of the most original and extravagant Victorian interiors – sometimes whilst dressed in medieval costume. Little Greene’s National Trust Papers II comprises 42 colourways across seven designs, its inspiration spanning 400 years. A contribution from the sale of every roll of wallpaper will be made in support of the National Trust. littlegreene.com Maximalist Maven Iris Apfel’s new…

diary

Find that missing piece to complete a room at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair (28 September to 3 October) in London’s Battersea Park, with more than 150 exhibitors and a wide variety of antiques, art and accessories to peruse at leisure. decorativefair.com Compton Verney art gallery in Warwickshire will host The Cotswold Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association (CADA) Fair from 14–17 October. Some 26 exhibitors will be joined by specialists including BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Lennox Cato. cotswolds-antiques-art.com The British Ceramics Biennial (11 September to 17 October) marks the life, character and creativity ceramics bring to Stoke-on-Trent with hands-on events, exhibitions and new artist commissions. A vibrant celebration of past, present and future. britishceramicsbiennial.com FEATURE SARAH FEELEY PHOTOGRAPHS P21 © LITTLE GREENE. P22 TOP (LEFT) © IMAGE COURTESY OF IRIS APFEL; MIDDLE…

design discoveries

STRIPE DELIGHT Joining Ceraudo’s oversized check and bold polka dot patterned fabrics is the new Sonia Stripe. A 100-percent yarn-dyed Indian cotton, it is available by the metre in Artichoke, Ginger and Citron as well as across all the brand’s existing upholstered furniture, cushions, wallpaper and plaster wall accessories. Sophia armchair in Sonia Stripe artichoke, from £1,250; Sonia Stripe cushions, from £125; Sonia Stripe fabric, from £95 a metre, all Ceraudo HERITAGE SEATING Inspired by the company’s 333 or ‘small chair’ design launched in 1953, Ercol’s new Heritage capsule collection of signature pieces reimagines classic pieces, combining signature spindle backs and splayed legs with airy, organic forms in either a natural or black-painted finish. Heritage collection, from £349 (small seat), Ercol LACQUER FINISH The playful castellations of The Rug Company founder Suzanne Sharp’s designs are amongst the…

roaring success

This month sees The English Home celebrate its 200th issue, which has us in the mood for celebrating. The glamour of the Roaring Twenties seems a fitting way to set the scene for some revelry, and we hope readers are in a celebratory mood too, reuniting with friends and family. Add a touch of luxury with updated takes on 1920s style, with nods to art deco-style motifs, tassels on cushions and lighting, decadent beading and golden finishes. Feathers, fringes and a hint of frivolity mixed with glamour and a classic cocktail all set the perfect party mood. FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPHS (MY FURNITURE) © BART J KLECZEK; (CULT FURNITURE) © GREGORY DAVIES…

tactile touches

We often decorate to please the eye, but textures that delight the sense of touch are essential for creating a comfortable, sensual and interesting scheme. Look for unexpected details and tactile elements in furnishings both hard and soft, particularly in more neutral rooms that demand layers of textures for visual interest too. Heritage fabrics such as boucle with its distinctive bobbled finish are making a comeback and look splendid in classic cream. Traditional buttoning on upholstery is a chic textural finish for a statement piece. For hard objects, seek beaded, bobbly, carved, twisted and etched finishes for textures that beg to be touched.…