Cambridge Edition September 2019

INTER IORS

MIX AND MATCH

INTERIOR DESIGNER JOANNA WOOD ON HOW TO ACHIEVE ENGLISH COUNTRY STYLE

Use a mixture of floral fabrics, botanical prints and embroidered textiles.

Opt for a patterned wallpaper inspired by the English countryside, such as woodland scenes or wildflowers.

Mix up furniture. A Chesterfield sofa next to a wingback armchair in a different fabric gives an eclectic feel.

smoky aroma, crackling sound and warm light,โ€ says Jon Butterworth, sales director at Arada Stoves. Bringing a hint of decadence, the final big trend is inspired by a refined glamourous look โ€“ think pewter, marble and velvet blended with Art Deco lines, fringing and iridescent finishing. Farrow & Ballโ€™s metallic wallpapers, which include sumptuous damasks, geometrics and delicate florals, are perfect to achieve the look, as are Sofa.comโ€™s deep velvet armchairs and sofas. Offering an edited range of opulent furniture, as well as an interior design advice service, Juliette Thomas, the director and founder of Juliettes Interiors, suggests pairing โ€œluxurious seating, upholstered in exquisite fabrics, such as velvet and nubuck, with contrasting console tables made in the finest materials for a rich finish.โ€ Soft carpet underfoot adds to the plush aesthetic. Elements Londonโ€™s collection of premium carpet designs form the ideal base for the glam trend. โ€œThe beauty of a neutral carpet is that it allows you to be as creative as you like with your furniture. Our TekSilk composition also feels super soft underfoot,โ€ says Gregory Powley-Lynch, operations director at Elements London. Add in statement lighting, like that at Pooky, a bold piece of art and a curvy sofa, like those at The Sofa and Chair Company, to pull the decadent look together. Nicola Bissoli, head of interior design at The

Adam Black, co-founder of Button & Sprung, also advises how to create a minimalist look that adheres to an eastern philosophy. โ€œA zen bedroom will make use of natural daylight and colours will include light, bright tones with soft neutral walls, and upholstery in natural hues.โ€ Perfect for a cosier feel, the classic English country house has long been a source of inspiration for designers. Roaring fires, thick rugs and well-crafted furniture are homely and welcoming. Modern schemes are combining these with silver stag head motifs, quirky botanical prints and sage green and mulberry colourways. Tasha Green, director of Weaver Green, which creates handwoven rugs and textiles made from recycled plastic bottles, says: โ€œCountry-house style represents an ease of living in classically inspired interiors. Itโ€™s about beautiful things being used in a relaxed way. It is not about the latest fashions, but instead there is a focus on well-crafted furniture, lovely textiles and stand-out lighting that will last the test of time.โ€ Giving a practical โ€“ and attractive โ€“ focal point is a wood-burning stove, a nod to the imposing fireplaces of old. For a contemporary look, opt for a brightly painted finish, like those available at Arada Stoves. โ€œFires have been used in the English country home for as long as people have been living in buildings. Itโ€™s not just the warmth of a stove that makes an indoor fireplace so appealing โ€“ itโ€™s also the

โ€œBeautiful things being used in a relaxed wayโ€

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