Flights of fancy

Editor's Letter

ILLUSTRATION SARAH OVERS PHOTOGRAPH JON PERKS FOLLOW US

The journal

This July, refresh your home with new colour, celebrate the mood-boosting power of pattern and invest in a few select British-made pieces; buy once, buy well

Beautifully arranged

Enjoy seasonal blooms displayed around the house in the perfect vessel, from handmade or decorated ceramic to coloured glass

DOWN THE LINE

Easy, elegant and enduringly popular, stripes will integrate effortlessly into any scheme, from classic cottage and French country to urban chic

In the zone

Going open-plan is a great way to increase the versatility of your home and, with the right design choices, can work well whatever your needs

OPEN HOUSE

Tanya and James Greenham’s country house had been split in two but their careful restoration turned it into a harmonious single home once again

CAPTURING THE CASTLE

Valentine Sabin and her husband Allan fell in love with a little cottage that has designs on being a castle, and together they restored its unique features and enhanced its hillside setting

TIME AND PLACE

Artist Yvonne Ayoub poured her heart and soul into renovating this London townhouse, and found a unique way to put her personal stamp on its décor

The freestanding bath

A symbol of luxury through the ages, freestanding baths, from royal wooden tubs to self-heating designs, have an enduring appeal and fascinating history

House journal

FEATURE ALICE HUMPHRYS CREATIVE ALLIANCE Interior designer Nina

Timeless elegance

From Shaker-style cabinetry and range cookers to wooden floors and heritage hues, you can’t go wrong with traditional kitchen design – the very reason why it is a classic

Handle with care

Original door and window ironmongery is to be cherished, so preserve and maintain it with care by following this expert advice

Scratch the surface

The historic technique of pargeting adds interest and texture to external wall surfaces and is a craft worth preserving, explains Douglas Kent

Sun worshippers

With a wide array of conservatory, orangery and sunroom designs, discover the best fit for your home and needs

Garden illuminations

Ensure your outdoor space remains welcoming after the sun has set by installing the perfect balance of functional and decorative lighting

PAINTING WITH FLOWERS

Hidden from view in the village of Tarporley in Cheshire, this billowing and colourful country-style garden is the combined vision and creation of Romy and Tom Holmes

Garden journal

Scented glow When the temperature rises and the

Feathered friends

Find out what is involved in raising a happy flock of hens, and look forward to freshly laid eggs straight from your garden

POTTED FANFARE

Summer flowering Oriental and Asiatic lilies can create beautiful container displays with their flamboyant, trumpet-shaped blooms, so enliven a patio or terrace with their presence

Natural selection

Softly flowing, a naturalistic planting style can look wonderful year round and suits many garden designs, so embrace this lighter touch

FROM LITTLE ACORNS

Bringing together a love for nature, antiques and craftsmanship, block-printer Speronella Marsh, founder of Hare’s Tail, creates beautiful linens from her studio in rural Shropshire

Antiques journal

FUN OF THE FAIR From decorative antiques and

Weaving a tale

Alice Roberton charts the rise of Lloyd Loom furniture, from its invention in America to its enduring appeal with the British homemaker

Chiswick House

Created by two Georgian visionaries, this 18th-century Neo-Palladian-style villa is a masterclass in art and architecture and filled with fascinating collections

Bite-sized beauties

Enjoy that most quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea in the sunshine, with this selection of dainty pastries

Stamp duty

Printmaker Molly Mahon shares one of her favourite printing techniques using potato stamps, and shows how it can add pattern to wrapping paper, cards and fabric