Country Homes & Interiors

mood of the moment: craving happy colour!

Pinging awake to spring sunshine at the weekends can result in all kinds of spontaneous schemes, from stomps through the bluebell woods nearby (something designer Sophie Allport loves, too – see her favourite view on page 158) to tackling those satisfying spring-cleaning jobs wearing a pinny like a Fifties housewife (if you’re interested in making your own, natural, cleaning products, see page 123), or simply scooping up armfuls of £1-a-bunch daffs at the supermarket to fill every nook and cranny of the house with gorgeous colour and scent. Last time I was gripped by spring fever, I painted my kitchen-diner window recesses yellow – just a little pop of colour against the white walls that gives me joy every day. You’ll find lots of ways to use paint to…

things we can’t live without april

1 Making people happy via good old-fashioned snail mail. Big Ears greetings card, 17.5x12.5cm, £2.75, Sam Wilson. 2 Dainty hand-thrown porcelain for morning wake-up rituals. Espresso cup and saucer, col Turquoise, H8xDia12cm, £20 each, Gemma Wightman Ceramics. 3 Hanging the washing out to dry with a spring breeze wafting... Peony peg bag, 30x30cm, £11, Sophie Allport. 4 Hand-woven storage made from abaca. Abiola basket, H35xW60xDia60cm, £200, Lene Bjerre at Sweetpea & Willow. Free-range roaming in a statement skirt featuring a cheerful, novelty design. Hen party cotton sateen midi skirt, £50, Cath Kidston. All other clothing, stylist’s own. Refreshing the sitting room scheme with a palette of modern neutrals and gentle pastels. Otto two-seat sofa in pure Belgian linen, col Canvas, £2,190; viscose linen scatter cushions, from…

the hambledon

Colourful cushions, pretty glassware and blue-and-white china are artfully arranged on simple shelving. With its large windows and stripped floorboards, the first floor is a bright, elegant setting for clothing and jewellery. (FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY) The Hambledon is a Winchester institution, known for its covetable selection of homeware, fashion and beauty products. We caught five minutes with owner Victoria Suffield to find out more… WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN THE HAMBLEDON? I was almost literally born into retail. My mum had a shop and took me to work in a basket when I was six weeks old! So I suppose inspiration came in part from my brilliant mum. I had a mail-order business in the early days of online shopping and we had a concentration…

make a house a home dress the door with a curtain

Curtain, made in Otter Biscuit, £22m; cushion, made in Perth Biscuit, £29m; cushion, made in Morgan Wheat, £31m; cushion, made in Morgan Fog, £31m, all Ashley Wilde. (FEATURE TARA KING) When choosing a patterned fabric, make sure it looks just as good when the curtain is pulled back. As pretty as it is practical, a door curtain can do more than block out draughts. It’s an ideal option for homes where the front door opens into the living space, allowing you to conceal the entrance for a cosy feel. With so many fabrics and styles to choose from, a door curtain is also a quick way to introduce character and can be updated with the seasons. WHAT’S THE STORY? Our ancestors hung up animal…

the homecoming

Living room Cat uses artwork as the basis of her decorating schemes. Painting, Sue Preston. Sofas, Loaf. Cushions, Oka. Coffee table, Richard Harvey. It was a case of back to their roots when Cat and going Sim Preston bought a beautiful converted mill in the Cotswolds. Originally from Wiltshire, the couple lived in London and then overseas in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Chicago and Hong Kong, as they brought up their three children, Jake, Josh and Hana. But when Jake was about to start his GCSEs, he decided he wanted to go to school in the UK. ‘It gave us the impetus finally to move back home to England,’ says Cat.She began looking for properties online and soon spotted an idyllic converted grain mill. ‘This house jumped out at…

on our doorstep

Visit… ‘Kiftsgate Court Gardens (01386 438777, kiftsgate.co.uk ) near Chipping Campden, is a family-run garden famed for its roses, and Hidcote Manor Garden (01386 438333 nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote ) is one of the best known Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain.’ Shop at… ‘Sam Wilson (01386 841116, samwilsonstudio.com ) in Chipping Campden is brilliant for vintage furniture and accessories, and don’t miss Toke’s Food and Drink (01386 849345, tokesfoodanddrink.co.uk ) and Maylam’s Delicatessen (01386 840903), both in Chipping Campden, and David Moore butcher (438288, davidmoorefamilybutcher. com ) in Mickelton.’ Go for a meal at… ‘Family-run Michael’s Mediterranean ( michaelsmediterranean.co.uk ) serves fantastic, Cypriot-inspired food on Chipping…