• Archive for June, 2010

    Country bedlinen

    by  • June 30, 2010 • Living • 3 Comments

    I am loving the oh-so-summery colour combinations of pink and turquoise in the new Gant Home Country collection. ‘This season’s collection focuses on down-to-earth patterns, checks and stripes in classic Gant style,’ says Annette Lundh, designer for Gant Home. Crisp, checks, stripes – all lovely for a country bedroom… or garden hammock if you are feeling indulgent!

    Gant Madras bedlinen

    Madras Check single Duvet, £79.95; Madras Check Pillow Case, £25.95; Heavy Linen Throw, £139.00; Heavy Linen Cushion, £59.95. Stockists: 0845 111 1010

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    Stitch a homemade envelope cushion

    by  • June 30, 2010 • Crafting • 6 Comments

    A little sneak preview of our August issue (on sale  8 July): I loved this buttoned cushion shown in the centre of the picture. It’s a quick and easy make that just involves hemming and folding a rectangle of fabric. You don’t even need to stitch buttonholes – the cushion cover is made with an envelope fold so you just open it to insert a cushion pad. The fabulous fabric is Taplow Indigo, ref ED75010, from GP & J Baker. Click here for instructions.

    Our envelope cushion (centre) is an easy 30-minute make

     

    Fold over hemmed fabric, stitch seams and turn through...

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    Heady Summer days

    by  • June 28, 2010 • Living • 4 Comments

    After this weekend, I think we can truly say Heady Summer Days are well and truly here. So in celebration of the sun, the heat and the absolute necessity for a cool and shady spot in the garden, I am posting this picture from July’s issue of Country Homes & Interiors. Stylist Carole Wortley-Bishop, who created this look, says, ‘Be bold with colour, pattern and scale this summer; mixing vibrant stripes and florals together.’

    Who could resist…

    Heady summer days

    For details see our July issue...

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    Gustavian style

    by  • June 26, 2010 • Living • 6 Comments

    When I started working on Homes magazines about 10 years ago, Gustavian style was all the rage. The Swedish take on French classical style was a regular look in the pages of Country Homes & Interiors and its sister title Homes & Gardens. Now we are seeing a fresh interpretation on this look from Zoffany’s new wallpaper collection, Gustavus. It combines the elegant formality with an unassuming simplicity. This is my favourite from the collection…

    Zoffany's Sophia wallpaper

    Zoffany's Sophia wallpaper

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    Country Traditionals

    by  • June 25, 2010 • Living • 8 Comments

    This lovely on-line shop, Twice, sells all things country and traditional. The founder, Caroline, started making hot water bottle covers from vintage blankets for her children and the mail-order company grew from there. She now works closely with craftspeople and local manufacturers to source and develop her range which includes homewares, accessories and clothing and also vintage one-offs. Here is little selection below. I love the vintage kitchenalia, hand-thrown pottery and pretty lampshade covers. Happy shopping!

    Kitchenalia, from £12.50 for a stoneware bowl.

    Kitchenalia, from £12.50 for a stoneware bowl.

     

    Gathered lampshade covers, from £14.50.

    Gathered lampshade covers, from £14.50.

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    Wimbledon strawberries

    by  • June 23, 2010 • Eating, Out and About • 2 Comments

    If you are heading off to Wimbledon to see the tennis this week, why not take these delicious strawberry pots with you in your cool bag. Our Deputy Editor Sara Bird says, ‘Simply chop up fresh strawberries, place in a clear plastic cup and fill with jelly, then put in the fridge to set. Make the covers by cutting circles of cellophane, using a saucer as a template. Place on top of set jelly pot, put a doily on top and press down to shape and fit then tie in place with pretty ribbon. Try Waitrose for cups and doilies and Hobbycraft for similar ribbon and cellophane.

    Wimbledon strawberry pots

     

      

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    Garden ideas

    by  • June 22, 2010 • Gardening • 6 Comments

    Ever on the look out for new ideas for the garden, I love these new Pebble Cubes from The Balcony Gardener. Reminiscent of ‘gabions’ which are often seen in landscaping, they are essentially wire mesh containers filled with stones or Welsh slate. Just pop in a flower pot for a pretty display.

    Pebble cube, from £25

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