Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2015 i Homes & Gardens

AUTUMN IS UPON US and, at this time of year, we at H&G delight in our annual Fabric Awards. Although we can’t reveal the results just yet, the judging day was as exciting and challenging as ever; the panel and I hotly debated more than 600 entries, with discussion about inventive designs, original colour combinations and intriguing construction, and there were several passionate exchanges as we made those final decisions. If you’re keen to take a look at the winners and runners up in the Homes & Gardens Fabric Awards 2015, visit hglivingbeautifully.com on 18 September. This year, we’ve introduced the One to Watch category, which celebrates newcomers to the fabric and wallpaper industry, and many of those in the running for the award will be exhibiting at…

SHINING EXAMPLE With its gold-dipped finish, the Naturofantastic porcelain cluster light, H150xdiam40cm £2,430, from Lladró, 0800 015 2413, lladro.com, will add a subtle hint of glamour to any room. If you are looking to design the perfect table, Little Snug, littlesnug.com, has a simple tool that allows you to choose the top, edge and leg style, bespoke size and Farrow & Ball colour. It’s then made in England and delivered in two weeks. ROSY GLOW House of Rym pairs Swedish designers with traditional weavers in Tunisia, resulting in beautiful pieces, such as this Honeycomb cotton jacquard throw in Rose Pink, 200x100cm, £58.95. Its eye-catching design makes it ideal for a bed or sofa . Available from Decorator’s Notebook, 0845 174 1747, decoratorsnotebook.co.uk. MEMPHIS BELLE Never out of style, the post-modern…

How did you become a shop owner? I originally set up Mink Interiors as an interior design and styling business in 2007. Meanwhile, I also co-launched the international resource Design Lovers Blog, designloversblog.com, and wrote about interiors for The Wall Street Journal Europe, which meant I was seeing some amazing products. Then, at this year’s Maison & Objet show in Paris, I had a light-bulb moment and thought, “Why not bring together an edit of some of my favourite brands and designers?” I briefly considered selling online only, but I think it’s important to be able to walk into a physical shop where you can see and touch the products and chat to the owner. I also wanted to bring something a bit different to Tunbridge Wells. Can you describe…

NATURAL SELECTION Look out for a flurry of botanical prints at this year’s show. We love this whimsical Capucin velvet (left) by Misia at Casamance, 0844 369 0104, casamance.com, and the superb Secret Garden Collection, Liberty Art Fabrics at Liberty, 020 7734 1234, liberty.co.uk. SIMPLE ELEGANCE Acclaimed designer Justin Van Breda is returning to Decorex for the 12th year with a new fabric and furniture range, The Mineral Collection, featuring a mix of brushed brass and bronze with natural timbers. The Thomas side table (right), Scarlett console and Rose coffee table, particularly caught our eye. JVB will also have a second stand to showcase his new made-to-order vanity units. Contact 020 7349 7089, j-v-b.com . BEST OF BRITISH Following its resounding success in 2014, the Future Heritage exhibition…

LARGE-SCALE FLORALS This popular motif takes on a softer feel this time round, with more muted, moody hues. BOHEMIAN Inspired by relaxed folk style with a hint of opulence, this look draws on a rustic palette of berry reds, indigo and scrubbed linen neutrals. Pretty prints, stripes and faded weaves in cotton, wool and velvet lend themselves to a layered look. KIMONO Tones of water green, bronze and pink on linen and silk balance natural motifs with ordered patterning. ROCKS & MINERALS The crystalline surfaces of quartz, polished agate and malachite have made a big impression this season. MUTED METALLICS Matt finishes now replace lustrous shine, with sultry tones from deep bronze through to aged brass and antiqued gold. Verdigris greens and darkest blues complement these rich surface textures and…

A location manager on the hunt for an example of the quintessential Gothic Revival house would look no further once they had seen Tim and Naomi Coyle’s west London home. Featuring quatrefoils, tracery, even turrets, it ticks all the boxes, yet everything is not what it seems. Although the former vicarage dates back to the 19th century, the house was, says Naomi, “bereft of character” when she and her husband bought it 16 years ago. Since then, an ambitious phased refurbishment project has transformed the property. Lost period details have been recreated and the once-dark interiors now bask in new-found light and colour so that, as Naomi puts it, “it’s become a handsome house”. As the couple’s four children have grown older, the house has evolved, too. The most recent…

Although the word “clunch” might not be familiar, you sense it does not mean rich and fertile. Belinda Wilkinson first heard it used by her builders to describe the soil of her new garden, which had not only been churned up by the previous owners’ horses, but also by 18 months of building work on its derelict 17th-century farmhouse. Yet Belinda could see past the flinty, chalky debris and knew that the densely wooded South Downs that form the backdrop to her garden would be its starting point. Once Belinda, her husband, David, and young sons, George and Joshua, moved into the farmhouse in 2005 – taking on two abandoned cottages, a 16th-century threshing barn and a cart barn in the process – she began designing the area around the…

We have teamed up with My Design School at KLC to create an exciting online gardening course that offers a new, effortless way to learn, enabling you to gain design inspiration at times to suit you. Engaging, immersive and highly enjoyable, our course tutor and special guest experts will guide you through your garden project, while a welcoming online community allows you to share ideas with fellow course students. Successful Gardens 2 November – 4 December 2015 Successful Gardens, taught by RHS Chelsea Flower Show medallist Matthew Childs, gives students the skills to transform an outside space. The course explores the use of plants, colour and texture, while also advising on garden accessories to help ensure a cohesive result. Course costs £299 when you book using code HG0915, saving £100*…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROJECT? When our clients bought this 19th-century property on the outskirts of a Cotswold town in north Oxfordshire, it was a run-down, single-storey cattle shed. It is also Grade II listed, so planning permission was needed in order to convert it into a three-bedroom home. We decided to keep the layout to one level to celebrate the ceiling height, and this guest bedroom is at the rear of the house, with views overlooking the garden. As the building is listed, it was imperative to work with the existing structure, retaining many of the original features, such as the stonework and exposed timber beams. In keeping with the rustic feel, reclaimed wooden floorboards were installed to create the sense that they had always been there. WHAT INSPIRED…

1| Best in show. Palais Silk rosette in Jardin 04, diam57mm, £49, Samuel & Sons, 020 7351 5153, samuelandsons.com. 2| Pin ups. Cobalt Blue nail; Copper & Green nail, both diam11mm, £11.50 for 500; Daisy Low Dome nail, diam13mm, £7 for 500; Bronze Pyramid nail, diam19mm, £32.95 for 250; all Peter Cook International, 0113 235 1111, petercookint.com. 3| Tuft love. 3/4 button tufts in Russet and Citrus, W30mm, £7 each, Zoffany, 0844 543 4600, zoffany.com. 4| Bold as brass. Braided Anvil Brass Tin nail, 38x14mm, £5.90 for five, Heico Direct, 01268 745421, heico-direct.co.uk.…

Aiveen Daly, 020 8962 0044, aiveendaly.com. And So To Bed, 0808 144 4343, andsotobed.co.uk. Beaudesert, 0845 838 8720, beaudesert.co.uk. Ben Whistler, 020 8576 6600, benwhistler.com. Button & Sprung, 03333 201801, buttonandsprung.com. Delcor, 0191 237 1303, delcor.co.uk. The Dining Chair Company, 020 7259 0422, diningchair.co.uk. The Dormy House, 01264 365808, thedormyhouse.com. George Smith, 020 7384 1004, georgesmith.co.uk. John Boyd Textiles, 01963 350451, johnboydtextiles.co.uk. The Odd Chair Company, 020 7352 4700, theoddchaircompany.com. Peter Guild, 0115 972 9863, peterguild.co.uk. Savoir Beds, 020 7493 4444, savoirbeds.co.uk. The Sofa & Chair Company, 020 8752 8935, thesofaandchair.co.uk. Wesley Barrell, 020 7629 2019, wesley-barrell.co.uk.…

ALTERNATIVE FLOORING  alternativeflooring.com. Style, authenticity, originality and innovation are just a few of the factors that have ensured multi-award-winning Alternative Flooring is a CoolBrand, an accolade bestowed by a panel of experts and the general public. The company’s design-led mix of modern and classic carpet, rugs and runners embraces natural texture, bold pattern and vibrant colour. For creatives, there is the “Make Me a Rug” online service, while for eco-lovers, there are gorgeous natural-fibre carpets in sisal, seagrass, coir and jute, not forgetting the beautiful Barefoot – a deep-pile, undyed wool carpet, which is hand-woven on traditional looms. For those at home with pattern, Quirky B wall-to-wall broadloom carpet features collaborations with British designers Ashley Hicks, Margo Selby and now Ben Pentreath. These patterned wools have craft heritage, too, being…

A child’s room can be the trickiest to master, but choose the right elements and you will ensure its longevity and timeless appeal. As it’s the one place where your child can truly unwind, you need to be sure the scheme reflects their style, with colour, pattern, texture and lighting adding interest and warmth. If making design decisions seems rather daunting, you’ll be glad to discover Houseology.com and its charming new children’s collection. From smart bedlinen to fun nursery furniture and designer accessories, the carefully curated selection of stylish products is offered alongside expert advice and inspirational ideas from the Houseology.com team of professional interior designers. Featuring classic Scandinavian pieces, pretty palettes and luxurious materials, the collection, which launches this month, shows that decorating children’s rooms doesn’t mean you have…

Ornament, from the largest pieces of sculpture to the smallest of decorative objects, has always been important, as essential in the garden as it is in the house,” says George Carter, who, in between writing and building gardens for other people, has spent the past 25 years making a landmark contemporary formal garden at his home, Silverstone Farm in Norfolk. As George writes in his new book, Garden Magic: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary, (£25, Double-Barrelled Books),“When I bought the house, I thought it was a good opportunity to try to re-invent the traditional formal garden, incorporating modern elements such as electric light and a wider plant palette.” He has not stopped there, however, and instead of filling the space with ready-made sculptures, fountains and seating, as so many 17th- and…

AAlhambra, 01733 371727, swaffer.co.uk. Alternative Flooring, 01264 335111, alternativeflooring.com. Altfield, 020 7351 5893, altfield.com. Alton-Brooke, 020 7376 7008, alton-brooke.co.uk. Amy Somerville, 020 7586 2211, amysomerville.com. Andrew Martin, 020 7225 5100, andrewmartin.co.uk. Ann Sacks, 020 3055 0802, annsacks.com. Another Country, 020 7486 3251, anothercountry.com. Armani Casa, 020 7079 1930, armanicasa.com. Atkin and Thyme, 0844 409 9834, atkinandthyme.co.uk. BBalineum, 020 7431 9364, balineum.co.uk. Best & Lloyd, 020 7610 9191, bestandlloyd.co.uk. Brian Yates, 020 7352 0123, brian-yates.co.uk. Brintons, 0800 505055, brintons.co.uk. Button & Sprung, 0333 320 1801, buttonandsprung.com. CCasadeco, 0844 369 0102, casadeco.fr. Casamance, 0844 369 0104, casamance.com. Chaplins, 020 8421 1779, chaplins.co.uk. Christopher Farr Cloth, 020 7349 0888, christopherfarrcloth.com. Clarke & Clarke, 01706 242010, clarke-clarke.com. The Cloth Shop, 020 8968 6001, theclothshop.net. Cole & Son, 020 7376 4628, cole-and-son.com. Colefax and Fowler,…

This issue we’re celebrating the capital’s creativity, as the London Design Festival returns from 19-27 September. Now in its 13th year, the event is an unmissable extravaganza of exhibitions, installations and talks across the city (read our guide on page 47). Also championing new talent is Sofa.com’s Design Lab, which has collaborated with Dutch artist Mariska Meijers on this eye-catching Electric Ikat fabric that can be used to upholster any of the company’s range.…

1 | THE GARDENS OF ARNE MAYNARD, Arne Maynard, £45, Merrell. Celebrated garden designer and RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist Arne Maynard has chosen 12 projects to tell the story of his work. Details of his design methods and plant selections, as well as atmospheric photography by his partner William Collinson, show how Arne creates the harmonious, soulful gardens he is known for. Illustrated features on kitchen gardens, growing roses and planting borders complete the text. 2 | THE THRIFTY FORAGER, Alys Fowler, £16.99, Kyle Books. In The Thrifty Forager, Alys Fowler is your enthusiastic field guide to becoming a 21st-century hunter-gatherer. Where some see weeds, Alys sees supper, and soon, so will you, whether you live in the country or the city. You will learn what to pick…

Homes & Gardens’ design correspondent celebrates creativity in the North of England and discovers what’s in-store for visitors to the Northern Design Festival this year For five days in October, the Northern Design Festival will take over Newcastle’s Assembly House (below), a large and imposing Grade-II listed building in the city centre that has been vacant for years, but is currently under restoration. Its beautiful but dilapidated 18th-century interiors will be filled with furniture, lighting, textiles and ceramics, along with fashion and graphics, mainly by designers from the North. The organiser is Design Event, design-event.co.uk, which celebrates its tenth birthday this year and supports designers in the North of England, providing professional advice and networking opportunities. Director Karen Nairstone, who won our 2015 Backer of British Design Award earlier this…

Marrying artisan skills with a thoroughly modern aesthetic, Naomi Paul produces crocheted lighting that is defined by its simplicity and functionality. After studying constructed textile design, she set up her studio in 2012, when she was named Homes & Gardens Young Designer of the Year. Her distinctive pieces have caught the eye of many high-profile clients, including Firmdale Hotels, Benjamin West and The Conran Shop. Tell us a little about your background. I grew up in Sussex. When I was very young my parents bought a smallholding and various outbuildings were rented to independent businesses, from ceramics dealers to carpenters and ice-cream vans. So I spent much of my childhood outdoors, tinkering with wood offcuts and found objects. How did you become interested in constructed textiles? While studying…

What influenced your latest designs? The Ben Pentreath for Alternative Flooring collection was inspired by the stone floors and marble patterns of 18th-century architect Batty Langley, re-worked as wool carpet in three vividly coloured patterns: Lattice, Tetra and Cube. What style of interior would they suit? There is a hint of smartness about the carpets, but I hope they are relaxed enough to feel at home in a range of interiors. The darker, richer colours would look beautiful in a library, while the lighter and fresher tones, in soft greys, are perfect for a bedroom or a country drawing room. How and where are the carpets produced? Alternative Flooring believes that creating carpet is a craft. These designs are woven on Axminster looms in Salisbury in Wiltshire, where carpet-making is…

SWOT UP ON THE LATEST TRENDS AT DESIGNJUNCTION Returning to LDF with a bang is Designjunction in two new venues on Southampton Row. ` At The College, former home of Central Saint Martins, Wrong for Hay, Fritz Hansen, Tiipoi (whose cushion and rug are shown here), Herman Miller and Benjamin Hubert join a line-up of 180 established and cutting-edge brands. Across the road at Victoria House, browse upwards of 50 pop-up shops from the likes of Design Museum Shop, Richard Brendon and Skultuna. Eyewear specialists Banton Frameworks will be personalising spectacles, while British leather company Holdall & Co is offering free monogramming. Don’t miss Nest.co.uk’s Design Clinic collaboration with interior designers 2 Lovely Gays. WHEN 24-27 September; tickets from £10 in advance. WHERE The College, 12/42 Southampton Row, WC1B 4AP;…

Nuts have been gathered from the wild since prehistoric times, as the sweet kernel at the centre of the hard covering has been a source of protein for man and beast through the ages. In fact, until the First World War it was traditional to go nutting on Holy Cross Day (14 September), with some schools closing to allow children to gather the bounty. Hazel trees (Corylus avellana) are woven into British history and folklore, being one of the first species to recolonise the country after the last ice age. Hazelnuts, also known as cobnuts, were cultivated by the Romans, while the Celts associated them with fire and fertility. We also have the Romans to thank for the delicious Spanish or sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), which they planted across Europe…

Hanna and Martin Czaja refer to their current lifestyle as a form of communal living. If, however, that description fills your mind with images of homespun jumpers and shared cabbage patches, think again. Far from being rustic, the Czaja homestead is a swan-white stuccoed 19th-century castle, which they co-own with five like-minded friends. Located at the end of a gravelled drive that winds through landscaped gardens complete with a lake, the couple’s spacious, light-suffused apartment is on the ground floor of the castle, while the rest of the building has been converted into four individual homes. There are also communal areas, including a gallery, an orangery and a library, as well as five smaller apartments for holiday lets. STARTING FROM SCRATCH A 40-minute drive east of Berlin, the Schloss Lanke…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SPACE? This 1970s home in Glasgow was bought for its potential rather than its decor, which was firmly stuck in the decade during which the property was built. The kitchen was particularly old fashioned, with dark brown tongue-and-groove panelling right up to the ceiling and yellow laminate cupboards. When I met the owners, a full-scale rear extension was already underway, which had doubled the size of the kitchen and opened it up to the garden via large bifold doors. A two-way fireplace divided the kitchen-dining and living areas, while the basement was expanded to create a cinema and games room below. WHAT WAS THE DESIGN BRIEF? The owners are a young couple with small children, so easy maintenance, efficiency and a modern look were high priorities.…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SPACE? This guest ensuite is on the third floor of a terraced town house in Old Westminster, which was built on the site of a property that had been bombed during World War II. The architecture is a very convincing Georgian pastiche but, unlike most of its neighbours, the house is only 70-odd years old and therefore is not listed. This meant that we could strip out the entire interior and, in this room, we were able to install skylights, which vastly increased the natural light. WHAT WAS THE DESIGN BRIEF? The owners spend a lot of time overseas, but friends and family are always welcome to stay when visiting the capital. With this in mind, they put considerable thought into how this room could enhance…

RAINBOW BRIGHT This 19th-century ebonised chair has been revitalised using a modern multicoloured fabric with piping in the same material, but cut on the cross to add interest. A cushion with a stripe in a complementary hue echoes the chair fabric, while an upholstered screen with tie detailing makes a decorative backdrop. CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC The clean lines and neat shape of this sofa are perfectly enhanced by a soft blue fabric with white piping, while a more traditional buttoned footstool in a warmer hue offers a pleasing stylistic contrast. Lowry sofa, from £2,650; Reynolds footstool, from £850; both I&JL Brown, 020 7736 4141, brownantiques.com. IN THE PIPE LINE The design features of this navy chair are picked out in white to striking effect. The piping emphasises the elegant shape of…

• In a bedroom, adding colour is nice but sometimes painting can be a little aggressive. Consider upholstering wardrobe doors instead, as the look is more gentle, tactile and luxurious than flat, hard, painted walls or wooden or white furniture that shouts “I’m a wardrobe!” Thick padding on a wardrobe creates quite a traditional feel, while thinner produces a more clean-lined contemporary look, an effect that can be enhanced with nails. Using upholstery will also offer acoustic insulation, helping to make a room more peaceful, too. • Upholstery lends a sumptuous feel, which is perfect for making a bedroom more comfortable. Try upholstering headboards in the same fabric as the wardrobe, as well as a footstool or cabinet at the end of the bed, which can also be useful for…

Designers Guild is delighted to offer Homes & Gardens readers an exclusive 15 per cent discount on all its home accessories bought in one of its stores or online. If you’re looking to refresh your home for the change of season, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in the form of luxurious blankets, throws and quilts, exquisite cushions, both patterned and plain, and a range of painterly rugs from the new Caprifoglio collection Autumn 2015. Also on offer are elegant bedlinen, beautifully soft towels and robes, table linen in bright, uplifting colours and a collection of heavenly room fragrances. For stylish buys this autumn, make Designers Guild your one-stop shop. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT Enter code DGHOME when you buy online* or present this page at the King’s Road or…

A split complementary scheme, chosen from adjacent points on the colour wheel, offers a vibrant look, with the deep turquoise tone of the wall making a striking backdrop for a cast of mid-century style furnishings and accessories in appealing shades of coral, red, olive and yellow. Complementary hues of vibrant red and cool duck egg prove a surprisingly fresh mix against which geometric pattern in crisp monochrome lends a modern edge. The look is softened by the curves of the dining table and chairs. Using variations of one colour is a sophisticated approach. In this bedroom, violets, from lilac pink to deep aubergine, have masculine and feminine appeal with a bold panel at the head of the bed like a swathe of night sky.…

WHERE CAN I FIND WALLPAPER WITH A SMALL-SCALE MOTIF? I’ve been searching for wallpaper with a small single-colour geometric design. Where should I be looking? ED, Carlisle. American designers are a step ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to small-scale geometric patterns for wallpaper, which tends to come in shorter lengths than in the UK. There are a number of US collections at Tissus d’Hélène, 020 7352 9977, tissusdhelene.co.uk, such as China Seas, which has several small single-colour prints with a graphic theme; try Maze, £180 a roll, and Edo II, £154 a roll. Another company worth considering is Thibaut, 020 7737 6555, thibautdesign.com; particularly suitable are Petite Diamond, £46 a roll, and Maya, £66 a roll. Also worth a look are Greek Key, £110.20 a…

1 LICHEN GARDEN ANTIQUES For decorative garden ornaments, benches, statuary, troughs and urns visit Lichen Garden Antiques. Lichen also supplies the best quality reclaimed York and limestone flooring. www.lichengardenantiques.com 01242 609551. 2 THE TRADITIONAL SHUTTER COMPANY TTSC is a manufacturing company specialising in the production, distribution and installations of high quality hand crafted traditional and modern design shutters. We pride ourselves with offering our customers exceptional products delivered to perfection, exclusively available at 0208 677 2933 www.thetraditionalshuttercompany.co.uk 3 INTERIO Interio is an exceptional source of the finest furniture and furnishings from around the world. They offer an exclusive array of furniture, lighting, mirrors and accessories to bring a sophisticated and refined approach to design for the residential and hospitality markets. Contemporary or traditional – but always with style and elegance.…

1|Inspired by Argentina’s salt flats. Salta cushion, 45cm sq, £145, Mind The Cork, 07549 667001, mindthecork.co.uk. 2| Stackable seating in a vibrant shade. Stanley stool in Green, H44xdiam34cm, £109, Wrong for Hay at Nest, 0114 243 3000, nest.co.uk . 3| Simple and to the point for tables with style. Cork placemat with White Triangles, diam40cm, £11, Bloomingville at Amara, 0800 587 7645, amara.com. 4|Cork offcuts reborn as a desk tidy. Pomme paperweight in Dark, H11xdiam13cm, £28.31, Lars Beller Fjetland at Hem, 0800 048 8423, hem.com . 5| Elegant contours in a choice of colours. Picia pendant lights in Clear and Orchid Purple, H16xdiam16cm, £109.25 each, Enrico Zanolla at Clippings, 020 7060 7422, clippings.com. 6|Organic appeal with designer credentials. Sinnerlig tabletop, H6xW150xD75cm, £85; Sinnerlig trestle…

We talk to the founder, designer and wood finisher at Feist Forest, a new Devon-based company specialising in simple, beautiful work tables, handmade in sustainable British ash. What’s your background? I studied product and furniture design at De Montfort University in Leicester and have been lucky to work in many creative fields, from publishing and product design to illustration. I’ve also travelled as much as possible and lived overseas to gain a better understanding of the world. Why is sustainability important to you? While travelling, I saw the beauty of our planet and some of the trouble it’s in. I also met people who are trying to change that and my small contribution is to create products that will last. Tell us about your designs. Our timber merchant, Sutton Timber,…

One of the most cost-effective and creative ways to transform your home is with the use of colour. It can change the mood of a room instantly but, with so many different combinations to choose from, a little know-how really helps. During our one-day course, which is suitable for beginners, expert tutors will show you how to develop your interior design skills through a series of lectures and workshops on the clever use of colour, pattern and texture. It offers an enjoyable way to discover the professionals’ secrets behind beautiful-looking schemes. WHEN 9 October 2015. WHERE KLC School of Design, 503 Design Centre East, Chelsea Harbour, London SW10 0XF. HOW MUCH Tickets cost £130 and include lunch, refreshments and a moodboard to take home. HOW TO BOOK To reserve your…

THIS MONTH, admire the Gothic style of a former Victorian vicarage (page 94) and the fairytale setting of an apartment in a German castle (page 105). An Egyptian theme runs through an elegant London terrace (page 115), while a New York brownstone has been given a striking architectural twist (page 133) with a wall of glass. Our South Downs garden (page 123) comes into its own in autumn, with the colours of swaying grasses and rustling foliage all amplified by a tranquil, reflective pool.…

“I do miss Cairo,” muses interior and product designer Heddy Taymour. Sitting in her light-filled dining room in west London, beneath an artwork depicting an ancient Egyptian feast that is still celebrated in the country today, Heddy’s affection for her homeland is as unmistakable as it is captivating. References to Egypt abound in a pleasing mix of traditional and contemporary forms: the porch light, for example, is encased in a laser-cut shade depicting Tahrir Square, a key location in the 2011 revolution, while in the sitting room the mighty River Nile glistens in the treasured oil painting by Mahmoud Said that hangs above the fireplace. “I love being surrounded by reminders of Egypt,” says Heddy. Nevertheless, she has also embraced London – where she lives with her husband, Elwy, and…

“East Harlem has seen massive change since we moved here seven years ago,” says designer Cristina Azario. In 2008, this now “fascinating, diverse and vibrant area” was a part of New York that, in estate agents’ parlance, would be called “up-and-coming”. It was the diametric opposite of the prosperous Upper East Side neighbourhood where Cristina and her husband Joshua Abram, an entrepreneur, and their two children, Max and Harry (then aged 11 and nine), were living. Cristina and Joshua were looking for a project, however, and part of East Harlem’s appeal was its relaxed building regulations. “This bit of the city is not zoned so we were able to play with the property in a way we wouldn’t have been able to anywhere else,” says Cristina. This meant that the…

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SPACE? This is the sitting room of Hibiscus Hill, my home on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. When we bought the house, we inherited pristine white floor tiles and kidney-shaped sofas covered in peach satin; it was very Palm Beach-esque, and we wanted more of a colonial, plantation style. We replaced the tiles with unusually long fir floorboards with a dark stained finish. Over the years, traffic from family, friends and dogs has given them a warmer, lighter look. We kept the shutters, as we like the atmosphere they give; the light in the tropics is very intense, so you have to be able to control it. WHAT INFORMED YOUR COLOUR PALETTE? Because the island is an explosion of colour, we wanted a quieter palette indoors;…

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PROPERTY AND THE BRIEF? This is the garden of a newly built house in a suburb of Poznan, west-central Poland; it belongs to a young couple and is the first garden they have owned. They asked for an easy-care design that would complement the clean lines of the building. They also wanted somewhere in which to entertain and relax, and to be able to enjoy the views from their sitting room. WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DESIGN? When I first visited the garden, it was a building site; the only things growing were a few Betula pendula (silver birch), which the builders had preserved. Mature trees are a great asset to any garden; I was keen to include them and to reference their light bark, as…

• Good-quality upholstered furniture can make a style statement simply through its careful craftsmanship. Beautifully made, comfortable pieces that are well designed, with the right proportions will be notable for their elegance and presence. • Look for designs with a hardwood frame, because they will last and make a good base for the upholstery. The frame should be glued, screwed and dowelled for strength, and the base sprung to the front with coiled springs for the highest levels of quality and comfort. • Choose the cushion filling according to your personal preference. Standard European duck feather allows the cushion to hold its shape quite well, but not as well as a foam core wrapped in feather, which creates a firmer cushion that will look neater and require less puffing up…

• When it comes to choosing suitable fabric for upholstery, think about how the piece of furniture will be used. For frequent use, a practical, hard-wearing fabric is important. Fabric durability is measured by a Martindale (rub) test: any fabric that achieves a Martindale test result of at least 20,000 is suitable for general domestic upholstery. Fabric companies usually display the Martindale results in pattern books, on sample swatches and on websites. Some fabrics are available with a stain-repellent or Teflon finish that protects the surface of the material from small spills. • Eye-catching, contemporary patterns and luxurious textural qualities are great for creating statement upholstery. Look out for bold designs, such as abstract florals or striking geometrics in vibrant yet sophisticated colours. It’s important to consider the size and…

As an entirely natural fibre, wool is invitingly soft to the touch, offering warmth and comfort that’s hard to beat. Its beauty, durability and tactile luxury have been appreciated for centuries: our historic homes with their attractive woven rugs bear tribute to wool’s longevity. Wool also has an affinity for dye, absorbing colour and locking it deep within its fibres. It is this asset matched by its natural soft lustre that gives wool products a unique and highly appealing finish and one that synthetic fibres cannot replicate. From silky smooth fabrics to textural weaves, wool can be used for enticingly comfortable upholstery and bedding, for luxurious curtains, and for carpets and rugs that offer an unbeatable strength and softness underfoot. SUPREMELY SUSTAINABLE Sheep live a free-range life in our countryside…

PENDANTS £6,995, Philip Gorrivan at Best & Lloyd £449, Davey Lighting. FLOOR LAMPS TABLE LAMPS Graham and Green. WALL LIGHTS…

The House Clinic service is free to all Homes & Gardens subscribers. There is a £12 fee per query for non-subscribers, who must send their query and payment by post. EMAIL Subscribers, send your query, subscriber number and address to hgcontactus@timeinc.com. POST Send your query, subscriber number or payment and a sae to Homes & Gardens, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. Make cheques/postal orders payable to Time Inc (UK). We are unable to answer more than one question per reader each month. Celia Rufey can also help you create an individual design for any room in your home, with ideas for colours, fabrics, paint, wallcoverings and flooring. For full details, visit housetohome.co.uk/  decorationservice.…

There is no vegetable more evocative of autumn than the pumpkin, yet its versatility is often overlooked. These recipes show you can enjoy it in many tasty dishes, rather than just baked in an American-style pie. The sweet flesh of winter squash is the perfect foil for punchy Asian ingredients, as in a wonderfully smooth soup brightened by lemongrass, ginger and chilli, or paired with lamb and sesame in a simple baked one-pot meal. It also makes a surprisingly good match for fresh rainbow trout in the form of a sweet-and-sour salsa, adds depth to classic ricotta gnocchi or provides an excellent and delicious vessel for a bubbling fondue. When it comes to sweet dishes featuring squash, my instinct is to make a rustic and heavily spiced cake, but the…