Country Homes & Interiors

THERE’S A HUGE LEGACY OF DESIGN TALENT here in the UK – centuries of craft skills, creativity and teaching passed from generation to generation, despite the commercial challenges of retaining traditional and local manufacturing in a global economy. Emerging talent is supported by those who have successfully gone before, which is why for our special The Best of British edition, I wanted to pair stars of the future with well-known names happy to share their experience and expertise. Huge thanks to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) for introducing us to a few of the makers it supports, and to the mentors who shared their time so generously – turn to page 73 to see what happened when they met. Plus, we introduce 12 of our favourite sustainable brands, and Cath…

PHIL BARKER photographed our The Best of British special feature. ‘I’m a believer in passion-driven work. Watching skilled British creatives come together and immediately find connections and spark new ideas and future projects was an honour.’ Share the excitement, from page 73. JO LEEVERS tells the story of a Cotswold farmhouse, from page 48. ‘I love how homeowners draw on the past without being weighed down by it. British design has a history of experimenting and eccentricity.’ KERRYN HARPER-CUSS interviewed the Mentors & Makers for our celebration of homegrown talent. ‘Listening to them gave me faith that the future of British design remains bright,’ she says.…

Good gourds Carved pumpkins are a Halloween staple, but they do have a short lifespan. For an elegant autumnal aesthetic that will stay fresh throughout the season, decorate with pumpkins, squashes and gourds in a variety of sizes and spicy shades, then surround with lanterns for a cosy glow. Ira console table, £895; Ibo stool, £195; Siwan lamp, £225; lanterns, from £45, all Nkuku Make a scene Family-run British pattern house Romo has launched the Ottavia collection. Taking its cue from nature and the Impressionist art movement, expressive designs feature across embroideries, velvets and rich jacquards as well as a supple linen blend. Mural-style wallcoverings are artwork in their own right, featuring beautiful botanicals and scenic skies. Prices for fabrics start from £79m, mural wallcoverings are £197 a roll (68.5cm wide), standard wallcoverings…

Lisa is CEO of Sanderson Design Group, a family of fabric and wallpaper brands including the likes of Morris & Co and Zoffany, as well as the ‘pattern powerhouse’, Sanderson itself. Though it is one of Britain’s longest-standing interiors brands, in line with the spirit of founder Arthur Sanderson its designs are always evolving. The collections draw from a vast archive dating back to the 1860s to create contemporary fabrics and wallpapers that stay true to its heritage. Lisa tells us more. What is it about the brand that sets it apart? Sanderson pushes the boundaries of heritage design. Enduringly beautiful, its iconic florals and illustrative botanicals reflect a femininity with a touch of ‘new-stalgia’ that evokes a calm response to a classical design aesthetic, perfectly updated. What influences the designs? We…

1 Reuse it London-based sisters Olivia and Marnie Walker are the creative duo behind Keep Candles, a sustainable and natural candle range that double as unique homeware products, from egg cups and glasses to bowls and mugs, starting from £16, keepcandles.com 2 Plant it Eco-conscious brand Selfmade hand-pours deliciously scented soy wax into glass jars adorned with seeded labels that can be removed and planted inside afterwards. Notes of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg make Pumpkin Spice a must for this time of year, £25, selfmadecandle.com 3 Refill it Pott candles come in a beautiful, hand-thrown pot, available in a range of colours and sizes. Order a refill of your choice, or sign up to the seasonal subscription service, from £9.50 a month for refills (reusable pot, £17), pottcandles.com…