6 • Homes & Gardens


Te great indoors W


e all know that spending time in the countryside makes us feel good.


According to a study published in Nature Scientific Reports, people who had at least 120 minutes in nature per week were approximately 20% more likely to feel high overall satisfaction with their lives compared with those who spent no time outside. From plant-life to earthen colour


palettes, here are five ways to bring the countryside into your home.


A PENCHANT FOR PLANTS Plants are, of course, the most obvious way to bring the outdoors in. Fed by Instagram’s greenery-inspired interior designs, plant-based podcasts, and online plant subscription services, our passion for houseplants is booming. They can reduce toxins from the air and help to ease both physiological and psychological stress. Opt for ferns like the asparagus or Boston fern, found growing wild in the British countryside. They’re easy to look aſter, look lovely and will thrive indoors. Introduce plant prints to your furnishings like the Kyoto Blossom Zen Sage Fringed Lampshade; it’s subtle pattern will


add a dash of wilderness to your home. divinesavages.com


FANTASTIC FLORALS Introducing floral motifs to your design aesthetic is a great way to add character and vibrancy to your home, while welcoming the outside in. There are plenty of edgier florals out there — the inlaid Mahal Mirror from Iris Furniture features a subtle flower trim; an excellent addition to any mantelpiece. irisfurnishing.com


WILD FOR WOOD Solid woods add warmth and texture to your home, with their varying grains and imperfections complementing other natural materials. Opt for reclaimed pieces if you’re embracing a more sustainable lifestyle. Daals’ Maru Round Side Table features the curved edges you’d find in British woodland. daals.co.uk


THE NATURAL LOOK Some of this year’s biggest colour palette trends can be found in the natural world. Incorporating shades of brown, beige and copper can have a soothing effect. Daniela Venturini, art director and trend forecaster at


Countryside Living - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 7 August 2024


Discover how to bring the British countryside into your home using the power of interior design. Words: Charlotte Wigram-Evans


COX & COX


WAYFAIR


Wayfair Europe, agrees: “The quickest and easiest way to make your space a serene sanctuary is by incorporating earthy tones ... These tones emit a grounding tranquillity, making you feel centred.” Wayfair’s Delphine Side Table imitates the uneven textures you’d find in nature. wayfair.co.uk


DIVINE SAVAGES


GO GREEN Balance shades of stone and earthy browns with a green colour palette.


Accent walls are making a comeback, and painting one wall in a soſt sage green will not only ensure it takes on nature’s hues, but will brighten up your space — light is key when comes to giving your home a countryside feel. Green furnishings add a woodland effect but think about textures too: boucle and wool mimic the texture of moss and grass. Try the khaki Sara Rug from Cox & Cox for a forest floor feel. coxandcox.co.uk


ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Green Acre Salads’ British snack cucumbers Moreish, delicious and grown using traditional techniques


Tony and Gianni Montalbano are continuing their family tradition of growing salads for the UK. Where they have differed from other growers is their focus on growing snack cucumbers. “Our father was growing traditional cucumbers, but with the market moving on and new modern facilities being built, I decided to commit to a niche product — snack cucumbers,” Tony says. “I’m really keen to see this product succeed as I firmly believe that healthy snacks are beneficial.” The trend for eating salad products as snacks is more advanced in some other markets, with vending machines for the likes of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers a regular sight in the Netherlands. Ultimately, Tony and Gianni are


dedicated to offering an alternative to imported produce and believe that what they grow at their facility in Essex is preferable. “It’s a shame that when we look at the product that’s coming from Europe we oſten feel that it doesn’t have the same level of freshness as we see in our product,” says Tony. The brothers are keen to


develop their offering and have ideas of how to further add to their


TONY AND GIANNI MONTALBANO


product quality. Having to manage tough conditions over the last few years has been challenging, but hasn’t knocked their desire and passion for growing to the best of their ability and offering a great product that’s grown in the UK to the UK market.


For further information Visit: greenacresalads.com


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