HB_s21

WHAT WE’VE WALLS
LEARNED
‘Plan your Exposed brick gives
an industrial feel that
lighting early in works well with the
a refurbishment
subtle shade of
so your the units
electrician can
ACCESSORIES
wire in the
fittings to line up A collection of metal
trays from Turkey
over a dining creates a cohesive
table or island theme
unit if required’
PLANT LIFE
WHAT WE SPENT
Greenery adds
UNITS £10,500 character and
WORKTOPS £2,600
vibrancy
TAPS £260 
LIGHTING £740 ZONING
TILES £2,600
TOTAL £16,700 A colourful rug delineates
a separate area in the
STORAGE open-plan space 

Crockery is stored House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 101
in the drawers of a
cleverly angled island

mAamkaeozvienrgs ‘A bold colour scheme
transformed our bathroom’

Turning two rooms into one created more space

WORDS JESSICA CONTOMICHALOS | PHOTOGRAPHY ISABELLA SWANN

HARDWARE BASIN

Simple chrome A floating washbasin frees up floor space,
accessories leaving room for a stool so Eva can reach

complement the the basin when she’s older
monochromatic

decor

Bella and Darren Swann What was your old bathroom like?  colours, and settled on Studio Green. The wall
live in a 1930s house There were some ‘interesting’ tiles are Metro Sage from Tile Giant, and the floor
in Surrey. Bella is colour choices! And it had been tiles are Palau Grafito from Target Tiles.
a photographer and designed for an elderly person,
Darren is a bathroom complete with a swing seat to lower them into the What were your priorities? 
fitter. They have an bath. The basin was below the window, meaning I wanted to create a family bathroom that would
we couldn’t have a mirror, and the wall dividing it grow with Eva. A towel rail close to the bath was
11-month-old daughter, from the loo took up space that we were able to also essential, and the tiles behind the toilet and
Eva, and a cockapoo use more efficiently by knocking through. basin are a nice feature. 

called Bear Why did you start with the bathroom?  How long did it take? 
With our young daughter, Eva, it was important Just over a couple of weeks. We bought the
‘Like many 1930s to have a clean, functioning bathroom as soon whole suite as ex-display, and my husband’s
homes, the house had as possible. However, we had to be careful not company, Swann Bathrooms, carried out the
a small bathroom and to spend too much money on it because we plan work. The bath was longer than average, so
separate loo. It made to do more renovations further down the line, Darren had to chase the wall out to make it fit.
sense to knock through including creating a large extension, at which
point the bathroom will need to be removed. And what was your best decision? 
and turn two poky Using a dramatic paint colour – it adds character
rooms into one larger Tell us about the decor  and interest without costing a fortune. Plus the
Because I knew the bathroom was temporary, the paint we chose is an easy-to-clean formula, so
family bathroom.’ decision-making was quick and easy. I chose the any condensation on the walls can be wiped
paint colour first. I have a passion for Farrow & Ball away without leaving marks. HB

OUR SOURCEBOOK Studio Green modern emulsion, £53/2.5L, Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com

Metro tiles, £25/sq m, Tile Giant tilegiant.co.uk Palau Grafito floor tiles, £25.50/sq m, Target Tiles
targettiles.co.uk Ideal Standard bath, £283; shower screen, £155; Vitra basin, £50; Aqualisa shower, £779;

mirror, £82; all City Plumbing cityplumbing.co.uk Fitting Swann Bathrooms 0773 425 3195

102 housebeautiful.com/uk

TILES

Extending the tiles
beyond the bathtub creates
a seamless flow that brings
the whole scheme together

FLOORING WHAT WE’VE
LEARNED
Statement floor tiles add
decorative design underfoot ‘Try and be patient
when undertaking
work in your own
home alongside your

day job. Also,
it’s important to stop
mould building up,
so it’s worth investing

in a good fan’

WHAT WE SPENT

PAINT £73
TILES £452
BASIN £50
SHOWER £779
SHOWER SCREEN £155
BATH £283
WC £168
ACCESSORIES £122
TOTAL £2,082

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 103

mAamkaeozvienrgs

‘A spare bedroom is now
my dream home office’

Combining colour and pattern gave this workspace the wow factor

WORDS SEAN O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING VERONICA RODRIGUEZ

MONOCHROME What did you want to achieve?
SCHEME I was keen to create a dedicated
workspace that was separate from
Dark walls provide a dramatic the rest of the house – somewhere
I could close the door on at the end of the day so
backdrop for striking artwork work wouldn’t encroach on home life. This room
would have made an ideal third bedroom, but as
there are just two of us, it was logical to transform
it into a dedicated office space.

Veronica Rodriguez, an Did you need to change much?
interiors photographer, Everything! Walls, floor coverings, window... and
lives in an Edwardian there was a cupboard housing the hot water tank
where the bookcase is now. The whole house
terraced house in needed refurbishment when we bought it. Slowly,
Wimbledon with her we updated it all, and this was the last room to do.
husband Darren Jones,
a forensic photographer CHILL-OUT Priorities and must-haves?
CORNER There were two things I considered essential:
‘The pink-papered built-in storage and a ceiling-height cork board.
walls of this room at A retro armchair Every home office needs them! The bookcase and
the rear of the house shelves offer a lot more storage than freestanding
needed re-plastering, is perfect for options, and if you design them according to your
and the red carpet needs, it’s quite a simple job for a joiner to make
also had to go. It was taking screen them. Having a cork board all the way up to the
the ideal space for the ceiling makes the room feel taller and frames the
home office I’d always breaks in style working area beautifully. And it’s a practical place
wanted as it’s quiet, a to pin all your bits and pieces.
good size and filled
What inspired the decor?
with light.’ As an interiors photographer I get to see and
photograph incredible homes and work with
talented interior designers, so I’m never short
of ideas. The room is a tale of two halves – the
desk side has a pale, fairly neutral feel that’s easy
on the eye and creates an air of calm. Turn around
and you’re met with a dark, dramatic wall painted
in Farrow & Ball’s Railings, a bluey-black that is
softer than you’d imagine. The contrast between
the light and dark is really effective.

How well does it work as an office?
This is my dream space. All my work equipment
is in one place, and having a comfortable armchair
in there is an incentive to take short breaks and
clear my head – and even close my eyes for a few
minutes every now and then! HB

OUR SOURCEBOOK Walls in Strong White and Railings emulsion, Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Cork

tiles £22/1.98m, corkstore24.co.uk Custom-built cupboard, £600. Lisabo desk, £129, Ikea ikea.com Wish chair,
£149, Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com Lounge chair, £350, Do South do-south.com Rug, £130, Maisons du Monde
maisonsdumonde.com Sisal flooring, £49.99/sq m, Carpetright carpetright.co.uk Blinds, £36, Blinds Direct blindsdirect.co.uk

104 housebeautiful.com/uk

GREENERY CORK PINBOARD

Tall plants add Style meets function:
warmth, homeliness a tactile way to display
and a touch of drama anything from postcards

to work documents

WHAT WE’VE WORK
LEARNED AREA
‘A good
workspace A slim desk looks
improves neat and modern,
productivity, making the most

and it’s worth of the room
having shelves available
and cupboards
custom-made House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 105
to meet your

needs’

WHAT WE SPENT

PAINT £166
FURNITURE £1,342

FLOORING £730
ACCESSORIES £305

TOTAL £2,543

.com/uk

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106 housebeautiful.com/uk

KITCHEN &
BATHROOM NEWS

The latest trends and shopping to make
life easier and more beautiful

PHOTOGRAPHY JAKE SEAL STYLING JENNIFER HASLAM PRODUCTION SARAH KEADY CLEAN LINES

Handleless kitchens offer a sleek, streamlined look,
and the fresh tones of this Ice Blue Islington design
from the House Beautiful Collection at Homebase
perfectly complement its minimalistic design.

Navy bowl, £80; Stelton tea jug, £68; coffee jug, £43; all Amara.
Plant pot, £4, Dobbies. Ceramic cups, £22, Artists & Objects. Duck
egg vase, £60, Mud Australia. Mint tile, £1.87, Mandarin Stone

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 107

LET’S TESSELLATE

Fancy something a bit different?
Then embrace the angular beauty of
triangular tiles. Claybrook’s Bermuda
tiles, £84.24/sq m, come in every colour

from smart navy to blush pink, so
why not combine shades, like the

Mustard and Tan here, for the
coolest kitchen walls…

GO FOR GOLD

This Champagne splashback from the House Beautiful Collection
at Splashback makes a perfect quick kitchen update. The Peel,
Stick and Seal process makes installation easy, and its striking

metallic finish will shine in any kitchen. From £150

TRIED & TESTED INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION
TOASTERS
For a stylish nod to the
BEST FOR VALUE industrial trend, choose
Impressive for toasting even
frozen or thick slices. Digital from Blanco’s eight
display has useful countdown concrete-effect Silgranit
timer and warming rack is handy
if you want to warm a croissant. sinks, including the
AEG AT7800-U two-slice Vintera XL 9, pictured,
approx £1,017. As with real
toaster, £55, ao.com polished concrete, the colour
gradients differ, so each
BEST ALL-ROUNDER
Rather than a typical four-slot, this sink is unique.

has two longer slots to fit more CHEERFUL
awkward slices. It also has ‘a little COLOUR

longer’ setting, giving toast extra Don’t be afraid to
time if it’s not quite done when it go bold on the walls
of your kitchen! This
rises. 5KMT5115 four-slice
toaster, £149, KitchenAid statement shade,
Little Greene’s Giallo
BEST INVESTMENT
Super quick to toast – just over absolute matt
a minute. Overall performance: emulsion, £48.50/2.5L,
excellent. The finish and manual
controls bring classic appeal. will bring a burst of
Dualit four-slot Vario Toaster sunshine to any room,
4035, £173.63, Amazon UK and looks especially

108 housebeautiful.com/uk striking as a bright
backdrop for jet-black

accessories.

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

TREND ALERT

MIXED MATERIALS

Combining finishes and colours in
the kitchen adds visual interest as well

as helping to create different zones.
Best of all, it can save you money. For

instance, incorporating a wooden
chopping board into the worktop on
a kitchen island could mean spending
less on a pricy material such as marble.
The Relaxed kitchen, from £25,000, Life

D E S I G N D E T A I L S Experiment with different textures and materials for a layered look

24
1

Warm wood

The natural grain of acacia
adds character

3

56

1 Hatton wooden bar stool, £99, Cult Furniture 2 Prima by Formica White Bardiglio laminate worktop, from £86,
Solid Surface Kitchens 3 Cast-iron casserole, £139, Procook 4 Skogsta chopping board, £13, Ikea 5 Medium

rattan basket, £20, Rebecca Udall 6 Furniture knob with plate in brass, £73, Buster & Punch

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 109

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS THE LIGHT
FANTASTIC
BATHROOM TREND
David Hunt ’s bathroom collection
IN FULL includes stylish wall lights and
COLOUR pendants with approved IP44
ratings. We especially love the
The tonal trend is here to stay, swan-necked Avon wall lights,
and a dose of colour throughout which are available in Antique
Brass (pictured), Butter Brass
the bathroom can be a real and Polished Chrome finishes,
mood-booster. Paintbox Canary at £165 each. One either side
of a mirror would look stunning.
Gloss ceramic tiles, £36/sq m;
Terrazzo Nouveau Graphite
matt porcelain tiles, £57.60/sq
m; both Mandarin Stone. Find

a similar bath at The Cast
Iron Bath Company.

LUXE FINISH

Mermaid Panels has expanded its Elite
range of shower panelling. A great

alternative to tiles, the 28 new seamless,
waterproof designs can be fixed

securely to existing surfaces to help
you achieve the polished look of your
dreams. For a smart marble effect, try

the Marmo Migiore style, £351.86
for the 2400 x 1200 size

ALFRESCO SHOWERS COMPILED BY CAROLYN BAILEY, DAISY BENDALL AND ALICIA FORD

Love the idea of an outdoor shower? They’re surprisingly inexpensive.
‘The key thing is to ask your plumber for advice about your hot water
supply,’ says stylist Lee Jackson. Merano thermostatic mixer shower,
£149.97; Architeckt Jupiter black robe hook, £12.49; both Plumbworld

FOR STORE DETAILS SEE WHERE TO BUY PAGE

110 housebeautiful.com/uk

ON SALE
NOW!

A curated selection of Country Living
features with a seaside flavour, plus coastal

recipes and the best of British shoreline
places to visit

Order a copy at hearstmagazines.co.uk/cl-coastal
or purchase in selected retailers

ISLAND LIFE
Whether you want storage, counter space or extra
seating, here are eight ways to plan a kitchen island

These hardworking features perform
endless roles, encompassing
everything from food prep and
cooking space, to coffee bar,
storage saviour and room divider. When
planning yours, give careful thought to
your particular needs to make sure it’s as
efficient as possible – as well as being an
eyecatching centrepiece.

1MIX AND MATCH
A kitchen island doesn’t have
to match the rest of your
cabinetry – different colours
and materials add interest and
demarcate separate purposes.
Different-sized drawers offer
versatile storage. Keep often-used
items such as cutlery within easy
reach and ideally not in drawers
beneath cooking areas. Try Kitchen
Makers for built-in storage ideas.

WORDS DAISY BENDALL

112 housebeautiful.com/uk

INSPIRING SPACES

2SPLIT LEVEL 3MAKE A DISPLAY
Perching atop a bar stool isn’t the only option Open shelving can act as a showcase for
for eating at an island. Dropping a countertop treasured possessions or a place to keep
can give you the best of both worlds, providing a cookbooks close at hand, while closed cabinetry
comfortable dining area without compromising on offers the benefit of concealing clutter. Having trouble
floor space. Harvey Jones Kitchens offers similar deciding? This design features both. Tom Howley
multi-level islands. offers similar kitchen-island storage solutions.

4SMOOTH
FINISH
The wraparound

surface of a waterfall
island provides a
seamless, sculptural
look that’s well suited to
contemporary kitchens.
Luxury materials such
as marble and quartz
are often used, but more
affordable options such
as stainless steel or
wood can also look
stunning. Caesarstone
offers a wide range of
quartz worktops, or try
Franke for durable
stainless steel.

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 113

5COLOUR SPLASH 6MAKE LIGHT WORK PHOTOGRAPHS ELIZABETH ARHUS/KIRA BRANDT/NICOLINE OLSEN/HOUSE OF PICTURES; ANOUK DE KLEERMAEKER/TAVERNE AGENCY;
Want to inject personality into a minimalist While your island should be well lit for cooking LIVING4MEDIA/GREAT STOCK!; LIVING4MEDIA/BAUER SYNDICATION; LIVING4MEDIA/TANYA ZOUEV; LIVING4MEDIA/VIEW PICTURES
kitchen? Go bright. This island is the and food prep, a softer glow might be more
undeniable focal point of this room, adding a appealing for cosy suppers. Opt for dimmable lighting
joyful dash of colour to an otherwise pared-back and all bases are covered. Pendants always look
scheme of white walls and navy-blue cabinetry. smart – especially grouped in odd numbers. Find
Magnet offers similar handleless kitchen designs. similar copper designs at Pooky.

114 housebeautiful.com/uk 7PRACTICAL
AND
PERFECT

The kitchen island we
all dream of is one that
performs efficiently
and looks good. This
one ticks all the boxes,
with two sinks and
plenty of worksurface
to streamline cooking
prep, while tableware is
stored in the cupboards
on the opposite side,
making it easily
accessible for dining.
For a similar modern
design, try Rational
Kitchens.

8BREAKFAST INSPIRING SPACES
BAR
Even a relatively The kitchen island we all
DREAM OF is one that
small kitchen can house performs EFFICIENTLY
an island. In an open-plan
space, go for a slimline and LOOKS good
breakfast bar that breaks
up the room and creates
different zones, including an
area for socialising. If you’re
tight on space, ensure you
incorporate enough depth
to tuck bar stools neatly
away. Renters can achieve
a similar effect with a
freestanding breakfast
bar, available from John
Lewis & Partners and Ikea.

FOR STORE DETAILS SEE
WHERE TO BUY PAGE

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 115

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Make the most of the season, indoors and out

PHOTOGRAPH LIVING4MEDIA/CHARLOTTE MURPHY SHARE WITH FRIENDS

While the days are still warm, savour every
opportunity to dine alfresco and set up
a colourful and inviting table

118 125 130 136

A FRESH TIME TO THE SECRET STARS OF
APPROACH FEAST GARDEN THE SHOW

Easy recipes for fragrant Giovanna Ryan’s delicious A courtyard space vibrant with Asters are perfect for

feelgood food ways with wild mushrooms colour and lush with greenery cheering up autumn borders

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 117

A fresh
APPROACH

Vibrant, colourful and fuss free, Ed Smith’s light
and fragrant recipes look uplifting and taste delicious

118 housebeautiful.com/uk

FOOD INSPIRATION

resh and fragrant means salads
full of herbs with crisp lettuce
leaves cupping and clinging to
droplets of perky dressings,’
says Ed Smith, food writer and
author of the cookbook Crave. ‘It means
crunchy raw vegetables, the lactic tang
of cheeses like feta, ricotta and burrata,
plus ingredients that pop when chewed,
drawing an involuntary smile – peas,
sweetcorn, radishes. Fresh and fragrant
feels good.’ Savour the balmy days of late
summer with these low-effort recipes
redolent of holidays and happiness.

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 119

Cook’s note
If you can’t find or
don’t fancy hot-smoked

trout, try smoked
mackerel, or grilled fresh

mackerel or trout.

Chopped kale, dill and chickpea salad with smoked trout

The herbs, cucumber and yogurt in this salad are a cooling combination that’s
a particularly good foil for hot-smoked river trout.

SERVES 4 » 4 fillets hot-smoked trout mix them together and fluff with a fork.
» Flaky sea salt; ground black pepper 4 Put the cucumber crescents into a
» 2 x 400g tins chickpeas, drained separate bowl, add a pinch of salt and stir.
» 1tbsp olive oil 1 Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 5 Add the chopped herbs and the yogurt
» 250g kale, leaves shredded (stems mark 7. Spread half the chickpeas over to the cucumber before transferring two
discarded) a baking sheet. Add the oil, roll the thirds of the mixture from the bowl to the
» 1 lemon, zest finely grated and the chickpeas in it until glossy, and roast for kale. Mix again with a fork, then add most
juice of ½ 30min until golden. Season with lots of of the remaining dill fronds (saving a few
» 1½ large cucumbers, peeled, halved flaky salt then set to one side. for the garnish) along with lots of black
lengthways, seeds scooped out and 2 Transfer the kale leaves to a mixing bowl, pepper, and mix again.
discarded, flesh cut into 1cm crescents add ½tsp flaky sea salt, then use one hand 6 Decant onto a large platter or individual
» 10 dill sprigs, ½ fronds finely to squeeze or ‘massage’ the kale for a plates. Top with the remaining cucumber
chopped and ½ left whole minute or so, until reduced in volume. and yogurt, the crisp chickpeas, then the
» Leaves picked from 10 sprigs mint, 3 Add the lemon zest and lemon juice smoked fish in large flakes, and finish with
finely chopped along with the non-roasted chickpeas, the final dill fronds.
» 100g Greek yogurt

FOOD INSPIRATION

Chilled cucumber and melon soup

The chopped salad beautifully balances the salty fried coppa.

SERVES 4 » 1tbsp neutral cooking oil cucumber into 1-2cm pieces. Combine in
» 50g sliced coppa (see cook’s note) a bowl, adding the radishes, mint, a good
» 1 cantaloupe melon, quartered, seeds » Flaky sea salt pinch of salt and the remaining lemon juice.
scooped out and skin cut away » Crusty bread, to serve 3 When ready to eat, warm the oil in a frying
» 3 large cucumbers, peeled pan over a medium heat. Fry the ham until
» 1 small garlic clove 1 Very roughly chop half the melon and two crisp, flipping just once.
» 12 yellow cherry tomatoes of the cucumbers and transfer to a blender 4 Meanwhile, give the chilled soup a good
» 100g ice jug. Add the garlic, tomatoes, ice, half the stir (it may have separated a little) and
» 1 small banana shallot shallot, the olive oil, 1tsp salt and half the divide among four bowls.
» 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra lemon juice, then pulse and blitz for 2min, 5 Pile the chopped salad in the middle of
for drizzling or until completely smooth. Refrigerate each bowl, add the crisp ham, and season
» Juice of 1 lemon until you’ve finished the next stage. the soups with a few flakes of salt, a decent
» 8-10 small radishes, quartered 2 Chop the remaining shallot as finely as glug of extra virgin olive oil, and additional
» Leaves picked from 2-3 sprigs of you can and dice the leftover melon and lemon juice if you think it needs it.
mint, finely chopped

Cook’s note

Coppa is a traditional Italian
ham made from pork neck
fillet, dry cured in a gentle mix
of herbs and spices, then
air-dried for three months.

Prosciutto would make
a good alternative.

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 121

Bún cha Burrata with burnt
peaches and basil
There are quite a few elements here but it’s very easy to put together.
The fruit and herbs relax effortlessly
SERVES 4 » 2tbsp crisp fried shallots or onions into cold, creamy fresh cheese.
» 1 lime, zested and quartered
FOR THE PORK PATTIES (included above) SERVES 2
» 500g pork mince
» 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 Combine all the ingredients for the patties » 2 flat peaches or 1 large white
» 1 small banana shallot, very finely in a bowl (except the oil, which is used for peach, pitted and quartered
chopped frying), mix well, then use wet hands to » 4-5tbsp extra virgin olive oil
» 1 stick lemongrass, very finely shape into eight balls, approximately 80g » 6-8 basil leaves, largest leaves
chopped each. Set on a plate, lightly press into patty roughly torn
» 3tsp golden caster sugar shapes and refrigerate until required. » 20g shelled pistachios, roughly
» 3tbsp fish sauce 2 Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl. chopped
» 2tbsp cold water 3 Cut the carrots into thin matchstick-like » Juice ¼ lemon
» 1 lime, zest finely grated, remainder strips. Cut away the thickest stems from the » 125g burrata (a creamy Italian cheese)
quartered herbs but otherwise leave as intact sprigs. » Flaky sea salt and ground
» 1tbsp neutral cooking oil, for frying 4 Cook the noodles following the packet black pepper
FOR THE SAUCE instructions, drain and cool under a running
» 3tbsp fish sauce tap, then drain again, shuffling them with 1 Place a griddle pan or frying pan over
» 3tbsp rice vinegar clean fingers so they don’t clump together. a high heat and allow it to warm for 3-4min.
» 1tbsp golden caster sugar 5 Place a large frying pan over a medium 2 Brush the peach flesh with a little oil, then
» 1 clove garlic, minced heat. Add 1tbsp cooking oil and, once hot, place on the pan and leave to colour for
» 1 red bird’s eye chilli, finely chopped add the patties. Fry for 90secs before 2-3min. Use tongs to turn the peach
» 150ml water flipping and cooking for the same amount segments and char any other cut surfaces,
FOR THE NOODLE SALAD of time, then repeat on both sides. Sear then transfer them to a chopping board.
» 2 large carrots, peeled the edges too, then remove from the heat. Chop into 1-2cm dice.
» 25g mint 6 While the pork patties are cooking, 3 Put the diced peach into a mixing bowl.
» 25g coriander assemble four separate bowls of noodles, Sprinkle the basil leaves over the peach,
» 25g Thai holy basil (or Italian basil if adding the carrots, lettuce and fresh herbs. then add 3tbsp olive oil along with the
you can't find the Thai variety) Add the patties, a sprinkling of peanuts, pistachios, lemon juice, a pinch of sea
» 400g dried rice vermicelli noodles shallots or onions, and a lime quarter to salt and a couple of grinds of black pepper,
» 1 butterhead lettuce, torn each bowl, before pouring the sauce over. and mix well.
» 2-3tbsp salted peanuts, crushed 4 Place the burrata in the centre of a plate,
using a sharp knife or scissors to open it
up, then spread it out a little so that the
middle oozes out.
5 Spoon the peach mixture over the top
and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.

122 housebeautiful.com/uk

Papaya, lychee and FOOD INSPIRATION
Thai basil fruit salad
Crave:
This combination will Recipes
reinvigorate your palate. Arranged by
Flavour, to Suit
SERVES 4 Your Mood and
» ½ large papaya, peeled, seeds Appetite by
scooped out Ed Smith (£25,
» 12 fresh lychees, peeled Quadrille
» About 15 leaves Thai holy basil Books).
» Thick-set coconut yogurt, to serve Photography by
FOR THE SYRUP Sam A Harris
» 2 sticks lemongrass, chopped
» 50g fresh ginger, thinly sliced (skin on)
» 1 star anise
» 120g caster sugar
» 120ml water

1 Combine the syrup ingredients in a pan.
Bring to the boil and simmer for around
8min, so the liquid is glossy and fragrant.
2 Remove from the heat and leave to cool
for an hour. Strain through a sieve into a
bowl, discard the aromatics and chill the
syrup until required.
3 Cutting across the width of the papaya,
slice it into 2cm crescents. Arrange them
on a platter and scatter the lychees into the
gaps, then spoon the syrup over the top.
4 Drag the basil leaves through any
residual syrup, add as a garnish, and
serve with a generous dollop or two
of coconut yogurt. HB



TIME TO FEAST

Seasonal ideas from our food writer Giovanna Ryan

THIS MONTH, I’M LOVING…

WILD MUSHROOMS

THREE WAYS TO USE UP September may well then gently wipe them with a damp cloth.
be my favourite food The only exception is morels, which
Pine nuts month. Late-summer harbour grit and need to be rinsed.
produce is still
These little kernels have a sweet, going strong, our orchards and hedgerows As a general rule, mushrooms need to be
buttery taste that can be enhanced by are heaving with fruit, and there’s still blasted with heat in a generous amount of
gently toasting. Use them to add flavour the possibility of a balmy Indian summer. fat to brown them, due to their high water
and texture to a whole host of dishes. Also joining the party is delicious content. Pan-frying is my preferred cooking
Add to salads Toast them in a dry frying autumnal produce – including, most method, and should include plenty of butter
pan, then sprinkle over tomatoes or add to excitingly, wild mushrooms. and a generous sprinkling of salt to help
a herby grain salad for texture and flavour.   The UK is home to more than 15,000 extract the water. Once you’ve got the fat
Make a crust for meat or fish Blitz up varieties of wild mushroom, only some of really hot, add the mushrooms (making sure
a tablespoon or two of pine nuts with them edible, and there is some significant not to crowd them) and cook, undisturbed,
some breadcrumbs and herbs to make a risk in foraging for them yourself. If until one side is nicely browned, then turn
delicious crust for salmon, chicken or lamb. you’re incredibly careful, you can save and repeat on the other side. Resist the
Bake into a tart Torta della nonna is a cash by scouring local woodlands for ceps, urge to stir them and you’ll achieve
classic Italian dessert involving custard and, chanterelles, girolles and other autumnal perfect caramelisation.
often, lemon. It’s finished with a handful of treasures, but I personally don’t trust
pine nuts before baking. my mushroom knowledge. A reputable Once they’re cooked, in my opinion
commercial foraging company will do it it’s best to let wild mushrooms speak for
for you (see Shop Small, Buy Well, below), themselves. My favourite way to enjoy
or you can buy trays of them in many them is on toast with butter, crispy sage and
grocers and farmers’ markets. possibly a fried or poached egg. Anything
Wherever you get them from, wild pasta-, polenta- or risotto-related works
mushrooms often come coated in earth incredibly well too. If you’re looking for
or other woodland debris, and it can be something a bit lighter, pan-fried girolles
tempting to give them a good wash but, or chanterelles work wonderfully with peas
like little sponges, they soak up liquid, and onions braised in a little chicken stock,
which dilutes their flavour. Better to and wild mushrooms make an excellent
brush off any dirt with a pastry brush, addition to broths of most kinds.

For Giovanna’s supper clubs and butchery

company, see cookandfeast.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHS ALICE BOAGEY; STOCKFOOD/NEWS LIFE MEDIA ILLUSTRATION ALEESHA NANDHRA SHOP SMALL

BUY WELL

Totally Wild UK sells
sustainably foraged herbs,
mushrooms, edible flowers
and other exciting wild goods.
Aiming to delight people with
nature’s amazing flavours, it
sends out recipe ideas and
cooking instructions with
every order. You can also
book a foraging course in
one of many UK locations.

totallywilduk.co.uk

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 125

HOW WE LIVE NOW

‘My new home gave me
a whole new (crafty!) life’

Like many of us, Anna-Lisa De’Ath yearned for a complete change of lifestyle,

then a dream property in the West Country led to a creative, happy fresh start

WORDS KERRY FOWLER | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHEL WARNE

Sometimes the stars align – even if not quite how you’d happy chance of their meeting led to their search for a home that
planned. For years, Anna-Lisa De’Ath daydreamed about would match their joint 12-point tick list. Then, after a couple of
leaving behind the daily slog of work and commuting, to years, serendipity played its part again.
run craft workshops from a little place in the country.
A few animals and a vegetable plot were part of the ‘A house came up that Tim had known and loved since being a
picture and her plan was a solo venture: a brave new life. child. He used to call it the ‘Pointy Palace’ because of its little turrets,
‘Throughout my career I always had it in the back of my mind that one and when we went to see it I burst into tears because I had such an
day I would have a smallholding in the West Country,’ says Anna-Lisa, emotional pull to it,’ says Anna-Lisa. ‘With stunning views over the
an editor and consultant. ‘My parents had an allotment, so I was into Blackdown Hills, it had been built by its owner in 1937, and they
growing my own fruit and veg from an early age. were the only family to have lived there. As well as the pointy turrets,
I’d go foraging with my dad for chestnuts and
berries, and dream of having chickens and goats it had a greenhouse, an old orchard, a redundant
– out of the question at my parents’ council kitchen garden and, crucially, outbuildings for
house in the suburbs of London!’ Tim’s carpentry, and an old studio, very down
at heel, where I could run craft courses.’
About four years ago, Anna-Lisa was returning
from a work trip to Devon and decided to stop Anna-Lisa’s enthusiasm for crafts began as
over at a friend’s house on the Somerset border: early as her passion for growing, and she is never
‘We went to a pub and I got chatting to a local without a project: ‘I went to art school and have
chap called Tim, who, I found out, is an amazing always loved making,’ she says. ‘A few years
cabinetmaker. There was an instant spark ago I went to an arts-and-crafts workshop in
between us and, to cut a long story short, over Whitstable in Kent and was invited back to teach.
time we became an item – albeit with Tim I loved the energy: people coming together, new
in Somerset and me still in London. As luck friendships being made as they learnt new skills,
would have it, he shared my dream of having a everyone helping each other.’
smallholding and running arts-and-crafts courses.
So we set out to make that our reality!’ The As soon as she had the keys to their new
house in her hand, the hard graft began – with
the exterior taking priority: getting the derelict
studio into shape (even the concrete floor had

126 housebeautiful.com/uk

Anna-Lisa fell in love with her
‘pointy’ house and swapped the

rat race for a life in the country

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 127

HOW WE LIVE NOW

Clockwise from completely degraded), setting up a rainbow veg
top left The studio patch and working on the outbuildings. The old
has a shabby-chic kitchen, complete with Aga, was the warm hub
charm; a retro of the home, the faded-glam pink bathroom
letterboard is essential for cleaning up at the end of the day.
a fun form of And all the while Anna-Lisa was planning the
self-expression; array of craft courses she would run.
even balls of wool
go on display; By the beginning of 2020 all was moving apace.
Anna-Lisa leads Having left London for good and set up home in
a twig-weaving her new property, she had resigned from her job,
workshop ready to go freelance. Then Covid hit, putting paid
to her crafty aspirations. It was hugely disappointing

but, as it turned out, the lull gave Anna-Lisa
valuable time to research further, grow more
and put her plans together for the following year.

‘I did a trial run with friends and got their
feedback on what they’d be interested in,’ she
says. ‘My crafty Instagram connections also
helped me get a feel for what’s current. I began
to realise I wanted the workshops to be in tune
with the seasons and rely on natural materials
– people have become much more connected
with nature through lockdown, and also want
to try their hand at making and creating.

‘My workshops now include beginners’ lino
printing inspired by the nature in our four acres;
visible and creative mending – a great way to
extend the life of your clothes; twig weaving,
where you use twigs to create a loom and
weave with recycled wool or scraps of fabric
(very tactile and mindful because it’s a slow
process); and making Christmas decorations
from foraged natural materials. And that’s just to mention a few!’
Her studio has been transformed into a welcoming, creative
environment; her vegetable patch is growing apace; and she keeps
chickens, as well as geese that she raised from goslings. Two baby
goats are arriving soon, and she’s also fostering a couple of alpacas.
‘The past few years have brought such huge change,’ Anna-Lisa
says. ‘Selling the place I lived in for 20 years, getting engaged to the
man of my dreams, buying our home and setting up my workshops.
What I did before seems very distant now. I can’t believe I spent
so many years working ridiculous hours and facing the commute
every day. I always had a dream at the back of my mind but I’m not
sure I ever thought this would really be my life. I am amazed!’ HB

128 housebeautiful.com/uk

THINKING OF
RUNNING A CRAFT

COURSE?
Anna-Lisa’s insights:
» Research what courses
are already available
locally, and make sure you
offer something unique.
» Your space should be as
inspiring and appealing as
possible, so people feel
instantly creative. We’ve
filled the studio with finds
I’ve squirrelled away for
years, including an antique
daybed I bought 20 years
ago, and vintage suitcases.
» You have to love what
you do. I’m never going to
make pots of money but I
do have a lovely quality of
life. I step out of my back
door into this amazing
landscape, am greeted by
animals that are pleased
to see me, and eat food
I’ve grown myself. It’s
the best of all worlds!’

Anna-Lisa enjoys a cup of
tea in her beautiful Somerset
garden: ‘I always had a dream
in the back of my mind but I’m

not sure I ever thought this
would really be my life’

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 129

The
SECRET
GARDEN

This enclosed courtyard garden is
a triumph of vibrant colour, lush
planting and abundant greenery
– and not a blade of grass in sight

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY NICOLA STOCKEN

130 housebeautiful.com/uk

GARDEN INSPIRATION

INVITING
SPACES

The paving and decking in
the courtyard line up with
the cottage rather than the
summerhouse behind it,
creating a quirky off-centre
pattern that adds to the
charm of this compact space
Opposite A wooden door is
open to reveal an enticing
view into the walled garden

W hen the gate swings open into Nic Howard’s DESIGNING
courtyard garden, there’s a heightened sense A COURTYARD
of anticipation as a delightful living space is
revealed, alive with beautiful plants and original ONCE NIC HAD BUILT AN ADDITIONAL STRETCH OF curving
furnishings. ‘If you have a small garden, you wall to enclose the courtyard, the floor area was like an irregular
have to make every centimetre count. And triangle, measuring 11m x 6m on the longest sides. He then
I really love that challenge,’ says Nic. replaced the crazy paving with limestone slabs and decking,
squared to the cottage. ‘It’s good to set off a design from the
It was in 2011 that Nic first saw Little Orchards, the Edwardian most dominant feature. Here, it’s the cottage,’ he explains. As
cottage in Outwood, Surrey, that’s now his home. He was attracted a result, the decking runs parallel to the cottage wall, meeting
by the long boundary brick wall and potential to create a fully the garden room at an angle. ‘But this looks fine, whereas
enclosed courtyard by building a new stretch of curving wall creating an angle with the building wouldn’t,’ he adds.
connecting to the cottage and driveway. ‘That’s what sold me
the house – I’d always longed for a walled garden,’ he recalls. Both decking and paving run diagonally to the long boundary
wall. ‘When you look from the garden room into the furthest
But despite being a garden designer who’s undertaken many rounded corner, you have a long sight line that gives an
demanding projects over the years, he found his own garden to impression of greater length, making the courtyard feel larger,’
be the most difficult. ‘It’s because I like so many different styles says Nic. A mirror has cleverly
and plants, so I had to identify my natural, inherent approach been placed on the wall, adding
and stay true to that,’ he explains. to an illusion of space.

Though Nic loves modern design, with its clean lines and With the hard landscaping in
minimalist approach, he decided not to opt for it in his garden. ‘I’d place, Nic disguised the garden’s
have eventually become bored with it,’ he says. Instead, he went for irregular shape by planting deep
a more timeless look, melding contemporary styling with elements of borders adjacent to the long wall
shabby chic, such as a weathered dining table and assorted chairs. and curving section, training the
climbing rose ‘Blush Noisette’ to
A PASSION FOR PLANTS grow up it. At the furthest corner,
where the walls don’t meet at
The garden unfolds as a series of linked, eyecatching spaces that a right angle, he has trained
create lovely views when framed by the kitchen or sitting room evergreen climbing plants. Finally,
windows. ‘I look out on the courtyard, so it’s important to have black-painted walls have the effect
something worth looking at all year round,’ explains Nic. Lawn is of making the boundary disappear
banished in favour of Kota Blue limestone, leaving more room for and are a lovely foil to the planting.
abundant, textural planting, with a subtle colour palette of greens
and whites in the shadier areas and pops of colour in sunny spots. House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 131

There’s no doubting Nic’s passion for plants. ‘A perfect garden
appears effortless, but it’s no lucky accident – you have to attend to

GARDEN INSPIRATION

the smallest of details, and above all cherish the plants,’ he believes.
‘And in such a limited space, every one has to earn its keep.’

Among his many prized specimens are a fiendishly spiny, red-
berried, broad-leaved cockspur thorn and a winter-flowering cherry
‘Autumnalis Rosea’. ‘It starts blossoming in November and looks
gorgeous all winter long.’ At the base of its trunk are ‘Garnet’
penstemons, a dwarf purple verbena ‘Lollipop’, and a blue haze
of lesser calamint ‘Blue Cloud’, a magnet for bees.

Adding autumnal tints, there’s a red-leaved Japanese acer and an
American redbud ‘Forest Pansy’, with its glossy heart-shaped, purple
leaves. Hydrangeas certainly work hard here – both ‘Annabelle’, with
its huge greenish white flowerheads, and ‘Limelight’, which fades to
white and pink with age. At their feet are shade-loving white Japanese
anemones, offset against foliage of varying green hues and textures
– honey spurge, rodgersia, hosta and box. Softening the paving are
white woolly lamb’s ears leaves and waves of golden Japanese forest
grass. ‘I love its fountain effect along the edges,’ says Nic.

CREATING ATMOSPHERE

Extending into half of a double garage attached to the east-facing
wall enabled Nic to create a 2.5m x 6m summerhouse. ‘It’s added
another dimension, and it’s lovely at night to look across the
courtyard and see another room lit up.’

Outdoor illumination is a vital element, and Nic finds that stringing
up LED garden festoon bulbs is both wonderfully effective and
inexpensive. ‘The problem with installing ambient lighting is that it
wouldn’t light the table so atmospherically,’ he explains. The lighting
is plugged into a waterproof outdoor socket and placed on an
automatic timer. ‘I don’t have blinds or curtains, so night lighting

COUNTRY MIX COURTYARD CHIC

Top left The pink door on Nic’s Above Terracotta pots planted
Edwardian cottage is typical of with sempervivum succulents
the way in which he combines Opposite A weathered table
the traditional and the modern and chairs are surrounded by
Left A raised metal firepit has mixed borders of hydrangeas,
been planted up with lavender perennials and grasses

132 housebeautiful.com/uk

‘Keep features, materials and
planting simple. In a small
space, a few larger-format
items look better than lots
of small fiddly pieces’

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 133

GARDEN INSPIRATION

LUSH CORNER

A retro wirework chair is
placed in front of a raised
bed planted with anemone,
ornamental grasses, ferns
and Cercis canadensis

ON THE RIGHT PATH extends the view from indoors into the garden.’ Over the years,
he’s added furnishings, such as the Adirondack-style loungers and
Garden paths link, lead and lure, not only serving a practical a retro open-wirework chair, unearthing many characterful items
purpose, but also offering great scope for imaginative designs and from reclamation yards and antiques and collectors fairs.
planting. Carefully thought-out paths strike a balance between
necessity, style, and blending into the setting. In a formal layout, ‘Keep features, materials and planting simple – in a small space,
paths tend to be straight, well-directed and potentially dull, but a few larger-format items look better than lots of small fiddly pieces,’
this is avoidable by either zig-zagging the route, or by including Nic advises. Most recently, he bought a steel, log-burning chimenea
inspired planting along the way. Linear thoroughfares benefit from Aldi. ‘I originally had a low bowl-shaped firepit, but it became a
from the definition of an edging, whereas informal, winding trip hazard.’ However, the chimenea is unobtrusive, and having the
paths naturally peter out into planting. fire halfway up means it can warm up anyone sitting at the table.

The choice of surface for a path has considerable impact CHILDHOOD LOVE
visually because it can imply either movement or a static feel. For
example, a long, straight path can be broken up with brick pavers Nic’s grandmother was a keen gardener who lost no time in involving
to maintain a sense of movement, until reaching a place to pause, her twin grandsons. ‘We were barely four years old, and she would
such as a bench. ‘You can use hard landscaping to give a visual cue ask us to hoe between her lines of bedding plants – a patriotic blend
on the ground as to a change of use,’ says Nic. of red geraniums, white alyssum and blue lobelia,’ he recalls. As
Nic grew up, so did his love of gardening, leading to a degree in
When it came to a single step between the garden room deck landscape and garden design at Writtle University College in Essex.
and main courtyard, Nic changed the material from one to the Since establishing his own design studio, he hasn’t looked back.
other. ‘Had I used the same material, the step would not have
stood out so clearly,’ he explains. His own garden never stands still, largely because he regularly
introduces new elements. ‘When your plot’s tiny, you want to keep
TO CREATE A FUNCTIONAL , BEAUTIFUL re-inventing the space,’ Nic points out. ‘But it’s always manageable,
PATH, FOLLOW NIC’S TIPS… and there’s something so comforting about a walled garden.’ HB
Little Orchards is due to open in aid of the National Garden
» Check whether your seen in books or magazines Scheme (ngs.org.uk) on 12 September 2021 (11am-5pm).
existing path follows the » Collect samples of hard For more on Nic’s garden design, visit we-love-plants.co.uk
most convenient route landscaping materials,
» Analyse the areas, features checking wet and dry, in
and doorways that need linking sun or shade, to ensure they
» Remember, paths don’t match existing materials
necessarily need to be » Work to a width of at least
straight, and can curve 80cm to take a wheelbarrow,
around trees or borders and provide easy access to
» Take photos from every compost heap, dustbin,
angle – things can often be shed and washing lines
seen more clearly this way » Mark out a new path
» Make a moodboard of with bamboo canes to
ideas from other gardens ensure it works practically

134 housebeautiful.com/uk



Jewel-toned asters are
the perfect foil for silvery
autumn grasses

136 housebeautiful.com/uk

GARDEN INSPIRATION

STARS
of the
SHOW

With their joyful abundance of daisy-like flowers
in every colour from purest white to vibrant purple,
asters are perfect for cheering up our autumn borders.
It’s no wonder we’re falling back in love with them

WORDS STEPHANIE DONALDSON | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD BLOOM

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 137

The violet clusters of V ibrant, pretty and easy to
Aster novae-angliae grow, asters – also known
‘Barr’s Blue’ appear as Michaelmas daisies
from early September – are emerging from their
role as supporting players
138 housebeautiful.com/uk in the herbaceous border
to share star billing with
other late-summer perennials. And with
such a wide variety to choose from, there’s
one for every garden and position.

Low-growing varieties, including ‘Small-
Ness’ and ‘Lady in Blue’, are ideal at the
front of the border or even in pots.
Meanwhile, the billowing mounds of 
A amellus and A x frikartii look wonderful
weaving among other perennials, and the
tall, back-of-the-border varieties, including
‘Barr’s Pink’ and ‘Andenken an Alma
Pötschke’, have real visual impact.

Though asters are long-lived, they do
need regular division to flower well, and old
clumps can also be badly weakened by
mildew. So, if you have any sad and sparse
examples languishing in your beds, dig
them up and move on to something more
exciting. Nurseries have noticed the
renewed interest in asters and are raising

Add OOMPH
to a border
with these
ABUNDANT
flowerheads

an ever-expanding range of varieties. When
planted among grasses and other late
performers – such as rudbeckia, persicaria,
actaea, perovskia, salvia and gaura – the
abundant flowerheads of asters will add
oomph to your borders and attract a host
of beneficial insects, especially bees.

Although they have multiple names, it’s
probably easiest to stick to thinking of them
all as asters or Michaelmas daisies. The
species and garden cultivars that originate in
North America have previously been known
as New England Asters (A novae-angliae)
and New York Asters (A novi-belgii), but their
botanical name is now Symphyotrichum,
and they’re increasingly labelled as such.
This is useful to know when looking through
catalogues, visiting nurseries or buying
online but, let’s face it, ‘aster’ or ‘Michaelmas
daisy’ is a lot easier to say, and everyone will
know what you mean. Luckily, the European
and Asian varieties, including A x frikartii
and A amellus, remain as asters.

GARDEN INSPIR ATION

PICK OF 1 6
THE BUNCH 2 7
3 8
1  ASTER AMELLUS 4
‘SONORA’ 5 9
Large vibrant violet-blue
daisies. Likes full sun or partial 10
shade. Height: 50cm. 

2  SYMPHYOTRICHUM
LATERIFLORUM
‘PRINCE’
Masses of tiny pinky-white flowers
with pink centres on a mound of
purple-black leaves. Likes full sun
or part shade. Height: 60cm.

3   ASTER X FRIKARTII
‘MÖNCH’
Large bright lavender-blue
daisies; slightly lax habit. Likes full
sun. Height: 90cm.

4   SYMPHYOTRICHUM
NOVAE-ANGLIAE
‘HELEN PICTON’
Lots of large, dark purple flowers.
Likes full sun. Height: 100cm.

5   SYMPHYOTRICHUM
NOVI-BELGII
‘WHITE LADIES’
Clusters of white flowers. Likes full
sun or partial shade. Height: 90cm.

6 SYMPHYOTRICHUM
NOVAE-ANGLIAE
‘ANDENKEN AN ALMA
PÖTSCHKE’
Vivid cerise flowers, upright,
self-supporting plant. Likes full sun
or partial shade. Height: 90cm.

7   ASTER AMELLUS
‘VEILCHENKÖNIGIN’
Rose-violet dome of flowers.
Likes full sun. Height: 50cm.

8  SYMPHYOTRICHUM
LAEVE ‘GLOW IN
THE DARK’
Luminous lilac-pink daisies
contrasting with black stems and
dark foliage. Likes sun or partial
shade. Height: 100cm.

9  ASTER PYRENAEUS
‘LUTETIA’
Loose mound smothered
with pale lilac-blue flowers. Likes
full sun. Height: 50cm.

1  0 SYMPHYOTRICHUM
‘LITTLE CARLOW’
AGM
Mass of mid-blue flowers. Likes full
sun or partial shade. Height: 60cm.

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 139

GARDEN INSPIRATION WHERE TO
SEE ASTERS
140 housebeautiful.com/uk
Visit the fabulous aster
collections in these
gardens and get some
inspiration for your own

WATERPERRY
GARDENS
Near Wheatley,
Oxfordshire
waterperrygardens.co.uk 

OLD COURT
NURSERIES
& THE PICTON GARDEN
Malvern
autumnasters.co.uk

UPTON HOUSE
GARDEN
Near Banbury,
Warwickshire
nationaltrust.org.uk

THE BRESSINGHAM
GARDENS
Bressingham, Norfolk 
thebressingham
gardens.com

WHERE TO BUY

OLD COURT
NURSERIES
01684 540416;
autumnasters.co.uk 

WATERPERRY
GARDENS
01844 339254;
waterperrygardens.co.uk

CLAIRE AUSTIN
01686 670342;
claireaustin-hardy
plants.co.uk

MACPLANTS
01875 341179;
macplants.co.uk

SMALL-SPACE GARDENING

Bring your containers to life with seasonal ideas from
our columnist Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener

CROP OF THE MONTH

Potatoes

SOLANUM TUBEROSUM
‘MARIS PEER’

CHRISTMAS CROP HARVEST

M  aris Peer potatoes grow
well in pots in autumn. This
all-round salad-type variety
has a firm creamy yellow
flesh and superb flavour and is good
for boiling, roasting and mashing. Plant
up to early September for a crop in late
October, or leave them in the pot if you
want to enjoy them at Christmas. For
best results, plant in full sun.

SECRETS OF SUCCESS
» Use a pot at least 40cm deep and
wide, with drainage holes in the base.
» Add a layer of potting compost or
a garden soil/compost mix. A layer
10cm thick is enough for 40cm pots.
» Plant one to three tubers per pot,
each with about 10cm of space.
» As the foliage develops, add further
compost or soil until the container is
full to within 5cm of the top.
» Keep well watered and feed with
a general-purpose liquid fertiliser.
» Bring them indoors on cold nights
and return outdoors during the day.

You might think towel tubes cut into »
small sections make
SUSTA I NA BLEa small container It couldn’t be easier to
garden wouldn’t CONTAINER agood alternative grow your own crop with
offer many to plastic seed trays. this potato pot from Elho,
13.99, bakker.com. Plant it
opportunities to If you’re going to up and when your harvest
use pots, opt for is ready, lift out the inner
GARDENINGbe environmentally
friendly, but think biodegradable and pot to access the
potatoes.
again! With a few minor concessions, compostable ones. And there’s no need to

they can be a really sustainable option. buy new: choose recycled objects such as

» Choose drought-tolerant plants dolly tubs or vintage garden containers

Conserving water in the garden is a from reclamation yards or car boot sales.

challenge, especially in summer, but you » Plant a mini forest Create a forest in

can significantly reduce water consumption your pots or window boxes to release oxygen

by going for drought-tolerant plants. and offset carbon dioxide. Miniature

» Reuse or recycle your old plant pots versions of Douglas fir, spruce, true fir,

Once you’ve finished with them, donate beech and maple release the most oxygen.

them to local nurseries or allotments, or give Turn the page for Isabelle’s pick

to someone you know who grows from seed. of drought-tolerant and mini forest

» Use ecofriendly options If you usually plants. Follow her on Instagram

start your garden plants from seed, kitchen @thebalconygardener

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 141

S M A L L- S PA C E G A R D E N I N G

How can I conserve
water when using

containers?

Water in the evening rather than the hottest part of the day, as less
water is lost to evaporation when the temperature drops. Add moisture-
retaining crystals to larger pots, and use ‘grey water’ such as bathwater.

ISABELLE’S MAKE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS SHUTTERSTOCK; LIVING4MEDIA/CHRISTOPH THEURER; STOCKFOOD;
PLANT LIST LOUPE; GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO; GAP PHOTOS/FRIEDRICH STRAUSS
OWN COMPOST
MINI FOREST PLANTS
& FERTILISER
Acer Palmatum ‘Dissectum’
Corylus avellana contorta Even if you only have a balcony, it’s
‘Red Majestic’ still possible to produce your own
Fagus Sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’ compost. You’ll just need a container
Ginkgo biloba for transforming your kitchen waste
Juniperus chinensis ‘Stricta’ – or other organic waste such as cut plants
Picea glauca ‘Conica’ – into a rich peat or liquid for your plants.
Pinus mugo ‘Mops’
Sciadopitys verticillata Why is it such a good thing to do? Well,
not only are you recycling waste, but you’re
D R O U G H T-TO L E R A N T also giving back to your plants with a natural
PLANTS fertiliser that will help them grow and
prevent pests. It’s win-win!
Achillea millefolium ‘Rose
Madder’ or ‘Sally’ » You can make your own compost
Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ containers. See online for videos. (Also,
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ see rhs.org.uk for an introduction to
Ceanothus (below) compost making.)
Cistus creticus » To save time and get the most efficient
Eryngium variifolium results, there are two great products that
Euphorbia characias are space-saving and visually appealing
Festuca glauca (see both below): the Urbalive composter,
Lantana camara in which live worms will break down your
Lavandula stoechas waste; and the Organko 2 Bokashi compost
Osteospermum ‘Serenity Dark bin, which uses micro-organisms. They
Purple’ have good ventilation and all the different
Pentas lanceolata layers you need to ensure everything rots
Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ down effectively.
Salvia namaensis » Homemade liquid fertiliser can easily be
Sedums added to plants along with compost matter.
Sempervivum calcareum
Verbena rigida ISABELLE’S ECO PRODUCTS

From left Urbalive worm composter, £159, Wiggly Wigglers. Organko 2 Bokashi compost
bin, £69.98, Original Organics. Paros self-watering trough planter, £34.99, Gardenesque.

Elho Raindrop water butt, £299, Crocus FOR STORE DETAILS SEE WHERE TO BUY PAGE

142 housebeautiful.com/uk

MODERN LIVING

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOFAS STATEMENT FURNITURE
AT DFS AT HOMEBASE

LUXURIOUS BED FRAMES PLUSH CARPETS
AT DREAMS AT CARPETRIGHT

MUST-HAVE PIECES FOR CONTEMPORARY LIVING

There’s so much to shout about this September when it comes to affordable ways to revamp your
home. Firstly, our range with Homebase has grown even bigger, with eyecatching furniture, home
accessories and even wall art being added to the collection. We’re also showcasing all four fabulous

bed frames we’ve created with Dreams, so whether you’re after a touch of Hollywood glam or
something more streamlined, you won’t be disappointed. And finally we’re taking a good look at the
indulgent Long Beach chaise sofa at DFS, along with two sumptuous carpets that will look fabulous

in any room, courtesy of Carpetright. So many good things all in one place. Happy styling!

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 143

LAIDBACK
LUXURY

With its generous proportions and enviable chaise, House Beautiful
Long Beach, exclusively at DFS, seats everyone in spacious style

144 housebeautiful.com/uk

LONG BE ACH AT DFS

MORE TO LOVE
FROM LONG
BEACH

Room to grow Compact comfort

Long Beach offers extra The two-seater sofa is
‘no-arm’ units that can be the ideal solution
for smaller spaces.
slotted in to tailor your
sofa to your space Long Beach small
sofa, £1,270

In a spin

Swivel around in the
tub-style chair – perfect
for relaxing with a cuppa.

Long Beach swivel
accent chair, £699

C hannelling the relaxed vibe of shape when you stand up and needing only a Super store
its Californian namesake, this weekly plump to keep them looking their best.
large sofa makes a super-stylish Hide away throws,
centrepiece for a contemporary House Beautiful Long Beach comes cushions, toys or magazines
home. Thanks to its versatile modular with six free cushions (three scatter and
design, Long Beach can be crafted to fit three bolster, not all shown) so even if you inside this nifty footstool.
any space, making it the perfect seating don’t manage to bagsy the chaise, you’ll Long Beach large storage
solution for any size of family. still be sitting pretty!
Left-hand facing large chaise sofa, £2,299 footstool, £369
The deep, foam-filled seat and back
cushions, upholstered in family-friendly, House Beautiful Long Beach comes in six FIND MORE BEAUTIFUL
hardwearing fabric, offer enhanced colours and a variety of styles. Check out the DESIGN IDEAS
comfort and support, bouncing back to full range at dfs.co.uk/long-beach
AND INSPIRATION AT 
DFS.CO.UK

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 145

MATCH MADE
IN HEAVEN

Introducing the new coordinated collection
of homewares from House Beautiful at Homebase

Pile them high

Update your sofa in a flash
with a selection of vibrant
House Beautiful cushions

in a variety of colours
and patterns

146 housebeautiful.com/uk

Line textured ceramic vase in HOME WARES AT HOMEBASE
Blossom (on shelf), £14; wire
‘hello’ sign, £10; framed print Mateo large two-drawer desk,
(55 x 77cm), £45; Halo black £200; Bobby plant task lamp,
ash side table, £55; Diamond £25; Milly dining chair, £175/
ceramic vase in Ochre, £16; two; Velvet panel cushion, £20;
cushions, from £18; wool waffle
throw (150 x 183cm), £50; Halo wire magazine rack, £15
black ash coffee table, £79

2 1 Geo throw (150 x 183cm),
1 £29 2 Velvet quilted cushion
(50 x 50cm), £22 3 Framed print
(40 x 50cm), £45/two 4 Squares
tufted cushion (45 x 45cm), £20

3

Certain things are just meant to go together – gin and tonic, 4
fish and chips… and House Beautiful and Homebase! The
results of this perfect partnership can be seen in this fabulous
collection of coordinated, contemporary homewares,
designed to add instant va-va-voom to any home. The stylish House
Beautiful capsule collection includes cleverly crafted statement
pieces, such as the striking green Mateo desk (above), that work
wonderfully as individual pops of colour or can be mixed and
matched with softer, more neutral-toned elements for a very modern
makeover. Complete the look with on-trend side tables, stylish chairs,
bright ceramic vases, eyecatching wall art and a wide selection of
cushions and throws in a wealth of colours, patterns and textures.

SEE THE FULL COLLECTION OF HOMEWARES
AT HOMEBASE.CO.UK/HOUSE-BEAUTIFUL

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 147

SLUMBER IN STYLE

With not one but four fabulous bed frames to choose from, you’re guaranteed
a great night’s sleep with the House Beautiful Collection at Dreams

FLORENCE

With its dark-wood frame and sleek,
sophisticated lines, House Beautiful
Florence will complement any style of
bedroom. The padded, squared-off
headboard, in fashionable velvet-feel
grey fabric, offers supreme support
when you’re sitting up in bed, while
sprung slats flex with the mattress to
provide a restful night’s sleep.

The ingenious shadow storage
compartment that’s revealed when
you lift the end-opening ottoman means
that spare bedding and other items can
be cleverly hidden away without the
need to sacrifice either style or space.
Florence upholstered ottoman
bed frame, from £599

Plug and play GROVE

Grove bedside table has an integrated USB charging The opulent House
port, £199. Also available: Grove bench, £229, and Beautiful Grove makes a
Grove blanket box, £249 (not shown)
style statement in any
148 housebeautiful.com/uk bedroom. Sumptuously
upholstered in rich, quilted,
velvet-finish fabric, Grove
features an impressive
curved headboard and
sprung wooden slats for

guaranteed comfort.
Hidden beneath the frame

is a large end-opening
ottoman offering lots of
dust-free space to store
spare bedding, cushions,
throws and more. Grove is
offered in two stunning
colours – rich royal blue
(shown) and on-trend grey
and comes as a double,
king or super-king. There’s
also a smart Sleepmotion
bed frame (not compatible
with the ottoman option)

with remote-control
power-adjust.

Grove velvet-finish
upholstered ottoman
bed frame, from £799

BED FR AMES AT DRE AMS

NEVA

Luxe living comes as
standard with the

sophisticated House
Beautiful Neva. The gently

winged headboard is
upholstered in plush
faux-velvet fabric with
distinctive geometric styling,
and the plush base sports
sprung-wooden slats that

flex to provide an
unparalleled night’s sleep.
The end-opening ottoman
provides plenty of storage
space to keep the bedroom
clutter free. Like Grove, Neva
is offered in two stunning

colours – elegant grey
(shown) and rich royal blue
– and is also available as a

smart Sleepmotion bed
frame (not compatible with

the ottoman option) with
remote control that allows

you to adjust the bed to
your individual needs.

Neva velvet-finish
upholstered ottoman
bed frame, from £799

MAISY

Gorgeously upholstered in plush pink
fabric with a tactile, velvet-like finish, House
Beautiful Maisy brings a touch of Hollywood
glamour to the bedroom, thanks to its
statement fluted headboard, which is deeply
padded for maximum comfort and support.

The base sports sprung slats that flex with
the movement of the mattress to provide a
superbly comfortable night’s sleep, and the
elegantly angled, light-wood-effect legs lift
the bed from the floor, making any room
appear more spacious. As with sister bed
Florence, Maisy’s end-opening shadow
ottoman is the ideal place to keep bulky
duvets, pillows, throws and bedlinens.
Maisy upholstered ottoman
bed frame, from £599

FOR MORE BEDROOM
INSPIRATION, VISIT US ONLINE

AT DREAMS.CO.UK

House Beautiful SEPTEMBER 2021 149

OPULENCE
UNDERFOOT

Treat yourself – and your home – to a plush
Saxony carpet from the incredible

House Beautiful Collection at Carpetright

Set the tone

Soft Melody features a ‘heathered’

finish, with complementary coloured

yarns woven together to create

a wonderful flecked effect

SOFT MELODY
IN SANDCASTLE

150 housebeautiful.com/uk