ENGLISH HOME
• Big ideas for small rooms • Exploring verdant rural Kent • Early spring in the garden
DESIGN DISCOVERIES
Elevate the everyday by sourcing beautifully crafted pieces made to enrich interiors with their versatile features and easy timeless style
FEATURE SUZANNA LE GROVE
FRUITFULLY DRAWN
Combining a heritage pomegranate pattern with a versatile design, this linen fabric (curtain, left) can be used for upholstery and drapery. The dainty motif is hand-drawn and inspired by a 17th-century woodcut, modernised using three decades of printmaking skills. Curtain, Pomegranate Marsala/Oyster linen, £160 a metre; Anniversary red cushion, £175, Volga Linen
SEASONAL DESIGN
Integrating one or two accessories with a subtle spring theme gives an instant new-season refresh to interiors. This Parrot Tulip cushion features freehand embroidery and hand-cut velvet and linen tulip petals, with colourful tassels adding to the uplifting mood. Parrot Tulips rustic linen cushion with tassels, £125, Susie Watson Designs
UNIQUE CHEST
Honey-coloured Mappa Burr veneer wraps around this chest of drawers, its organic swirls creating an individual piece, finished with a sealant to help protect against long-term wear and tear. A new addition to Trove’s Holden range, it is handmade to order and could be used in a bedroom, hallway or sitting room. The three tiers of drawers provide ample storage, while the brass handles and bracket feet add distinctive finishing touch to the look.
Holden chest, £8,500, Trove
TAILORED SEATS
Seamlessly match dining chairs to any scheme with a tailored design. This new Darcey chair is one of two new launches from specialist The Dining Chair Company, and it can be customised in size, wood stain, fabric, details and finish. Handmade in the UK, the Darcey’s silhouette has the hallmarks of vintage styles while its upholstery prioritises modern comfort.
Darcey dining chair, from £761, The Dining Chair Company
GOOD CATCH
Far from its once-neglected state, this Grade II listed cottage with a rich history has been transformed into characterful coastal retreat
FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY WILL SLATER
LEFT An armchair covered with Schumacher’s Francestown Coverlet fabric in Crimson provides a cosy seat beside the roaring fire in the sitting room. ‘Tom and I spent hours trying to make a sliding picture rail which hides the TV above the fireplace. There aren’t many you can buy off the shelf, and the ones we did find were incredibly expensive, so we ended up making it ourselves,’ says Ash.
NATURE In tune with
Embrace seasonal living and enjoy the harvests and sights of March
NATURAL SPECTACLE
Bulbs planted in autumn come to life now and deliver vibrant bursts of colour – a joy to see after the dark winter months. Daffodils (more on those overleaf) and tulips are enduring symbols of spring and all it promises. Whether brightening a back garden or lining the beautifully planted borders of public parks and gardens, tulips create a dazzling display with their cheerful, cup-shaped flowers. With countless varieties available, they lend themselves to a creating a harmonious palette drawn from a single colour family, such as deep pinks and velvety purples, or a fiery combination of reds and oranges. Alternatively, a mixed bed celebrates the full spectrum, from soft whites and creams to buttery yellows, warm apricots and the deepest indigos, almost black. Petals may be multi-toned, frilled or richly double, and as the flowers stretch towards the sunlight, their elegant stems and gently bobbing heads create a captivating springtime spectacle.
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
Magnificent Norman fortress and former royal palace Leeds Castle sits resplendent in its picturesque setting on two islands in a lake.
Kentish DELIGHT
Explore the tranquil county of Kent with our insider guide to its charming villages, historic attractions and beautiful gardens
FEATURE ANNABELLE THORPE AND SARAH FEELEY
My English Home
Claire
German, CEO of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour reveals how her work inspires her own interiors
Where do you live and who do you live with? And what do you enjoy most about living there?
I live in London with my husband, Johnny, and our son, Guy, in south-west London, between the commons.
What I enjoy most about my part of London is the balance it offers — the energy and cultural richness of the city, combined with a real sense of home and familiarity. London is endlessly inspiring, yet my home is a calm, grounding counterpoint to a very busy working life.
What type of home do you have and how long have you lived there?
It’s a traditional Victorian terraced house with good bones and character. We have been there for over 20 years, so it has seen so many chapters, from moving in as newlyweds to watching Guy grow up. The house has really evolved with us over time.
How have you made it your own?
A couple of years ago, we renovated the entire property, so it was the perfect opportunity to reflect how we live today, from how we entertain to how we relax together at the end of the day. I worked with the lovely Eadie & Crole on the interiors. They have created a calm setting where the trims, fabrics, artwork and objets bring the colour and the personality.
How much are you influenced by what you see at work?
I’m constantly inspired by what I see at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour — it’s impossible not to be. That said, inspiration doesn’t always translate directly into my own home. I admire beautiful design every day, but I’m selective about what truly resonates on a personal level.
I have used a lot of Porta Romana and Vaughan pieces in my home, in addition to Hector Finch. When it comes to soft furnishings, I have two David Seyfried Editor’s Chairs in our drawing room, upholstered in fabric by Anna Spiro. We also have a wonderfully comfortable sofa, covered in a gorgeous Pierre Frey fabric.
Is work a constant temptation to keep refreshing your interior?
With London Design Week 2026 (9–13 March) around the corner, we are currently surrounded by the joyful SS26 collections from our showrooms, which are always uplifting amid winter! A particular trend that’s caught my eye celebrates quirkier, colourful collections – very much design with a wink. Being surrounded by such creativity is hugely inspiring, but it can also make you pause before making decisions. There’s always something new to discover, so I’ve learnt the value of trusting my instincts and living with choices rather than constantly updating.
How would you define your personal interiors style?
Layered, considered and characterful. I like spaces to feel warm, lived-in and personal, rather than overly polished. Mixing old and new, combining textures and allowing pieces with meaning to sit alongside contemporary design is key for me.
What is your favourite room in the house and why?
My favourite room in the house is the drawing room (above right). It’s where life really happens — a space that effortlessly balances elegance with ease. At the end of the day, you’ll often find me perched on the club fender, cocktail in hand, catching up with family, or welcoming friends for a lively conversation before we sit down to dinner. It’s a room designed for connection, comfort, and conviviality, which, to me, is the essence of a well-lived home.
Do you have a treasured possession?
One deeply treasured piece is my eiderdown, covered in a Veere Grenney fabric. It brings a wonderfully traditional, cocooning feel to the bedroom — a space that is very much my sanctuary and, quite honestly, a little slice of heaven.
Finally, what should no English home be without?
Character. An English home should feel layered, personal and reflective of the people who live there. Comfort, warmth and a sense of individuality are far more important than perfection – there must be that typically English eccentric twist! n