The Country Life Top 100 Britain is blessed with some of the world’s greatest architects, interior designers, garden designers and specialist craftspeople. For the fourth year running, Country Life selects those with a demonstrable track record in creating the perfect country home

an architectural and masterplanning practice Craig Hamilton Architects Architects and, with Bridie , the cornucopia of decor- A clear focus on Classical architecture has ADAM Architecture ative delights that is the Pentreath & Hall earned this Radnorshire-based practice Highly respected experts in traditional archi- shop. Recent projects include the interior plenty of plaudits. The company special- tecture and renowned for significant new restoration of the early-18th-century Chettle ises in the design of new country houses, country houses, refurbishments and con- House in Dorset and the interior design including one for The Prince of in sidered alterations to listed properties, this of the former Hardy Amies townhouse on Carmarthenshire, as well as sacred and practice is working on the extension of a listed Savile Row, W1, as a flagship store for the monumental architecture. house on a country estate in Berkshire and tailoring services of Hackett. 01982 553312; a new country villa in Hampshire. 020–7430 2424; www.benpentreath.com www.craighamiltonarchitects.com 01962 843843; www.adamarchitecture.com Benjamin Tindall Architects Associates With more than 40 years’ experience, Ben- This leading architectural practice, now 62 ANTA Architecture jamin Tindall continues to run his Edinburgh years old with eight UK offices, specialises Conservation architect Lachlan Stewart practice today. Renowned for repairs and in the care, repair and adaptation of his- leads a practice known for both new houses alterations to historic buildings, the firm offers toric buildings and the design of new ones, designed in the Scottish vernacular and for a full range of services, from landscaping including private houses, on sensitive sites. the historic restoration and repair of listed to the design of light fittings, and Recent projects include the restoration buildings, which include the renovation ironmongery. Notable projects include the of an Elizabethan house in Wiltshire, con- of the Rodel House on the Isle of Harris. restoration of a significant Arts-and-Crafts servation at one of the grandest Georgian 01862 850100; www.anta.co.uk house in the Channel Islands and ongoing country houses in Britain, Wentworth Wood- work to Bonnington House at the Jupiter house, South Yorkshire, and a new entrance Ben Pentreath Artland sculpture park, Edinburgh. pavilion at , Gwynedd. The talented Mr Pentreath runs a small, 0131–220 3366; 020–7245 9888; but perfectly formed interior-design studio, www.benjamintindallarchitects.co.uk www.donaldinsallassociates.co.uk

78 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk Francis Johnson and Partners Castle, , which they are converting of a Grade I-listed house in This Yorkshire practice works across the into a creative workspace and cafe. Richmond-upon-Thames and UK, specialising in substantial country 01728 688747; www.hrma.co.uk new country residences in Hamp- houses in the Classical tradition and the shire and Berkshire. conservation of historic buildings, includ- Ian Adam-Smith Architects 01865 865165; johnstoncave.com ing a new house on a country estate in North English country-house specialist Ian Adam- Yorkshire and the renovation of a late-17th- Smith says he likes to create ‘houses that Julian Bicknell & Associates century house in Suffolk. Established in look as if they have evolved and are suitable Julian Bicknell’s forte is traditional archi- 1937 by the late, great architect Francis for the way we like to live now’. As an example, tecture, including grand country houses Johnson, the practice is today run by he cites a listed Georgian house in Hampshire, in the Classical style. He has recently com- Malcolm Stather and Digby Harris. where he is linking it to adjoining outbuild- pleted the design of some 50 traditional 01262 674043; ings and adding a contemporary kitchen English houses, varied in style, www.francisjohnson-architects.co.uk pavilion. He has clients across West Sussex, that make up the new Magna Carta Park Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and . at Runnymede, Berkshire. Francis Terry and Associates 01428 644644; www.ianadam-smith.co.uk 020–8891 1001; Francis Terry is admired for his ability John Simpson Architects www.julianbicknell.co.uk to design and restore country houses with A leading proponent of New Classicism, a deep understanding of the beauty and the eminent John Simpson is known for Lindsay Buchan Architects balanced proportions of Classical archi- both residential and institutional designs, Country Life photographed the Arts-and- tecture. He founded his own close-knit particularly educational buildings at Eton Crafts house Muirfield Gate, East Lothian, practice four years ago, after working for his College and and univer- previously known as The Pleasance, in eminent architect father for sities. He is also deeply involved in ‘creating 1907, then again when it was reconstructed 20 years. He is the current chair of the beautiful places where people would enjoy by Lindsay Buchan a century later. Now, Mr Traditional Architecture Group, a talented living’, which currently include a village Buchan is at work on further buildings on artist and author of an inspiring monthly blog. on the outskirts of Gloucester. the Pleasance estate, overlooking the Firth 01206 580528; www.ftanda.co.uk 020–7405 1285; of Forth, as part of his focus on the consid- www.johnsimpsonarchitects.com ered refurbishment, extension and con- Giles Quarme Architects struction of houses throughout . Passionate about the preservation of his- Johnston Cave Associates 0131–554 9008; toric buildings—and chair of the Ancient This practice first came to wide attention www.lindsaybuchan.co.uk Monuments Society to boot—Giles Quarme with the design of a flint-clad castle runs a London-based practice known for at Wormsley Park, Buckinghamshire, for Marc Deaves Architect its sensitive renovations and design of new Sir John Paul Getty in 1987. Today, Rory An imaginative country-house expert who buildings within Conservation Areas. Duncan and Chris Lawler run a company handles a small number of projects per Current projects include the restoration known for the sensitive design of substan- year, Marc Deaves is currently at work on of The Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore, tial buildings in established settings and a Wiltshire rectory that dates from the 13th Windsor, and of the Bayswater house where the integration of new designs and modern century, as well as projects in London’s J. M. Barrie wrote Peter Pan. services into old country houses. The firm’s Cadogan and Grosvenor estates. He con- 020–7582 0748; www.quarme.com current projects include the restoration sults on all aspects of historic-building

Groves-Raines Architects Studios Specialists in the conservation and sustain- able re-use of historic buildings in Scotland and for more than 40 years, this Edinburgh-based practice is now run by son of the founders Gunnar Groves-Raines and is developing a reputation for progressive new-builds. Recent projects include the restoration of properties on the magnificent Wildland estates in the Scottish Highlands. 0131–467 7777; www.grovesraines.com

Hoare, Ridge & Morris Mark Hoare and Ted Ridge run the creative practice they founded with Charles Morris, designing alterations and additions to country houses, as well as new buildings with tradi- tional character and high energy performance. The pair’s understanding of the relationship between house and garden and the flow of rooms means that their work typically extends to detailed interior and landscape design. They recently purchased an old club Preceding page: Stockton Manor in Wiltshire, restored by R. Moulding & Co. Above: in a Georgian townhouse near Framlingham The refurbishment of an 18th-century Cotswold by Simon Morray-Jones

80 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk Home Counties and South of , the recently completed Wolverton Folly, Worcestershire, for Nicholas Coleridge, and Classical galleries for St Ebbe’s Church in Oxford. 01206 323186; www.qftarchitects.com

Russell Taylor Architects A well-regarded Georgian and Regency expert, Russell Taylor has a deep under- standing of the Classical language of archi- tecture. From offices in London and Cornwall, the practice undertakes new-build, extension and alteration projects across the South of England, including London townhouses, country houses and estate buildings. 020–7261 1984; www.rtarchitects.co.uk

Simon Morray-Jones This imposing new-build house in Norfolk was designed by Thomas Croft Architects Particularly well known for his passion- ate conservation of historic properties in restoration and consents, frequently advis- clients. Recent projects include breathing Bath, where he is based, Simon Morray- ing clients pre-purchase on the material new life into St Giles House, Dorset, owned Jones has almost 40 years of experience condition of a historic house and its poten- by the Earl of Shaftesbury, and the award- of restoration, conservation and new-builds. tial to become a warm and comfortable winning transformation of the Grade I-listed Recent projects include The Newt hotel and home suitable for modern life. He is also Shire Hall in the same county from council spa in Somerset, the restoration of a coun- try estate in Leicestershire and the refur- strong on the use of tried and tested offices to Historic Courthouse Museum. bishment of the listed townhouse museum alternative-energy technologies. 01963 824240; at No 1, Royal Crescent in Bath. 07970 458025; www.marcdeaves.com www.pha-building-conservation.co.uk 01225 787900; www.sm-j.com Nick Cox Architects Ptolemy Dean Architects Simpson & Brown Architects This Oxfordshire-based, mid-sized prac- Historic-building conservationist, author This leading Edinburgh-based practice tice, run by Nick Cox, is known for the and TV presenter Ptolemy Dean is the 19th works across the country, specialising in repair and conservation of important his- Surveyor of the Fabric of Westminster scholarly conservation work, the creative toric buildings, including Woburn Abbey, Abbey, a post once held by Sir Christopher adaptation of existing buildings and the Bedfordshire, and the Blenheim Estates. Wren. His current projects include the design of new buildings, also including It also undertakes the design of private reinstatement of ’s archaeological contracts via its Addyman houses and is currently working on some long-destroyed Great Sacristy, following its Archaeology arm. The company recently substantial country homes in the Cotswolds, 13th-century footprint, and the remaking worked on Barnbougle Castle on the shores with a focus on sustainability. of lost rooms, burnt out in a fire in the 1940s, of the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh, on 01869 238092; at , North Yorkshire. the new Torabhaig whisky distillery on the www.nickcoxarchitects.co.uk 020–7378 7714; ptolemydean.co.uk Isle of Skye and a new visitor centre at St Albans Cathedral, Hertfordshire. Peregrine Bryant Architects Purcell 0131–555 4678; Renowned for scholarly restorations of his- This internationally renowned architectural www.simpsonandbrown.co.uk toric buildings, Peregrine Bryant’s practice and heritage-consultancy practice has 12 recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. studios across the UK, plus others in Hong Smallwood Architects Winner of the Georgian Group 2019 Best Kong, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart. Its A strong player in the world of country New Work in the Classical Tradition award forte is bringing contemporary design houses, this practice is known for the for work on a Grade II*-listed house in solutions to historic environments, such remodelling of historic houses and the Chelsea in London, the practice is also as Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, building of new ones, with a good under- known for restorations at Crichel House once Hong Kong’s Central Police Station standing of what it is that makes for in Dorset and for its decade-long, phased compound, as well as the restoration of the successful 21st-century country living. The refurbishment of the Long Wards, origin- Victorian Town Hall and the firm also works on medium to large town- ally designed by Sir , at the repair and restoration of the 18th-century houses, across the UK and Ireland. Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW1. , Buckinghamshire. 020–7376 5744; 020–7384 2111; 020–7397 7171; www.purcelluk.com www.smallwoodarchitects.co.uk www.peregrine-bryant.co.uk Quinlan Terry Architects Stuart Martin Architects Philip Hughes Associates An expert in designing new Classical buildings Based in Dorset, this practice specialises Established in 1982 by chartered building that fit so comfortably in their surround- in one-off houses and conservation work surveyor Philip Hughes, the practice offers ings that they look as if they have always across southern England, including London. both surveying and architectural services, been there, Quinlan Terry heads a practice Recent projects comprise the careful restor- counting the and the known for private and public work. Current ation of a medieval hall house in Surrey, Churches Conservation Trust among its projects include country residences in the combined with sensitive extensions, and

82 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk a large private residence in New York, which is being com- pletely rebuilt. 020–7351 5501; [email protected]

Edward Bulmer As an interior designer, architectural his- torian and advocate of natural paints— with his own eco-friendly range—Edward Bulmer describes his approach as one that ‘embodies enquiry, practicality, scholar- ship, aesthetics, sustainability and some fun’. No wonder he is in demand for major projects, which currently include Arundel Castle, Glynde Place and Goodwood in Sussex. 01544 388535; www.edwardbulmerinteriordesign.co.uk

Edward Hurst Designer Pippa Paton combines period restoration with contemporary comfort Perhaps best known for his work on the highly influential interiors at St Giles House a remote 16th-century house in Somerset, Birdie Fortescue in Dorset, antique dealer and interior including the reinstatement of farm buildings Designer and antique dealer Birdie Fortes- designer Edward Hurst can be relied upon found on an old map, and the incorporation cue has a natural ability to combine the old to do the right thing to protect the integrity of green technologies to allow the house to and the new, creating elegant inte-riors that of a period house. be run as close to an off-grid state as possible. balance gentle hues with her flair for sourc- 01258 446477; www.edwardhurst.com 01935 83543; ing unusual antiques and contemporary art. www.stuartmartinarchitects.com Her Norfolk shop holds a treasure trove of Guy Goodfellow block-printed fabrics, cushions, lamps and Guy Goodfellow cut his teeth at Sibyl Thomas Croft Architects lampshades, alongside antique finds. Colefax & John Fowler, before setting up his Strong on contemporary interventions 01328 851651; www.birdiefortescue.co.uk own successful interior and architectural- in historic buildings and the design of new design company specialising in traditional, buildings in traditional settings, Tom Croft Colin Orchard & Company elegant country-house style. His shop in heads a practice currently working on the After training under Colefax and Fowler’s Chelsea offers an in-house-designed selec- remodelling of two sets in Albany, Piccadilly, grande dame Imogen Taylor, Colin Orchard tion of weaves, prints and wallpapers, W1, and the reimagining of ’s has developed an outstanding reputation based on historic textiles reinterpreted in most important remaining townhouse for combining traditional country-house imaginative colours. in London, dating from 1790. He counts style with a restrained sense of grandeur. 020–7349 0728; Paul McCartney and various other A-list Mr Orchard’s current projects include www.guygoodfellow.com musicians among his residential clients. 020-8962 0066; www.thomascroft.com

Yiangou This Cotswold-based practice works almost exclusively on private residential projects, particularly on new-build country houses, as well as pool houses and leisure buildings, such as Avalon at Broughton Hall in York- shire. Unusually, it has expertise in designing contemporary and traditional houses and an award-winning reputation for both. 01285 888150; www.yiangou.com Decorators Alidad International interior designer Alidad (known only by his first name professionally) is an expert in elaborate and grand country- house style. For a taste of his talent, he offers occasional ‘At Home with Alidad’ interior-design days at his own apartment. He is currently working on private residen- tial projects in Croatia, Paris and London. 020–7384 0121; www.alidad.com Somerset stone specialist Artorius Faber offers top-quality interior flagstone flooring

84 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk Henrietta Spencer-Churchill An international lecturer and the author of 11 books, Lady Henrietta specialises in grand English country-house style and runs her interior-design company, Woodstock Designs, close to her ancestral home at , Oxfordshire. At present, she is working on projects such as a villa on the coast of Croatia and the renovation of several Georgian properties in the UK. 01993 811887; www.spencerchurchilldesigns.com

Jane Churchill Interiors A well-known name since setting up her company in 1975, Jane Churchill is admired for her deep understanding of the classic decorating tradition and her spirited approach to personal and quintessentially English style. She is also the founder of Jane Churchill fabrics, which is now owned by the Colefax Group. Current projects include a townhouse in Eaton Square, SW1, and a family home in Norway. 020–7730 8564; www.janechurchillinteriors.co.uk

Janine Stone & Co Over the past 20 years, this company has built up a reputation for luxurious interiors with a classic, contemporary feel. It has Interior designer Penny Morrison will inject colour and character into any setting an unusually wide-ranging service, covering both renovations and complete new-build on ‘modern-deco’ and luxury British design a Hampshire vicarage and a London town- projects, using its in-house architectural, is evident in recent projects, which include house with an interior in the manner of Sir construction and interior-design services the refurbishment of suites at Claridge’s, W1. John Soane. Enjoy his joyous use of colour to deliver an immaculately polished result. 020–7730 7300; www.davidlinley.com and see his bespoke-furniture collection 020–7349 8888; www.janinestone.com alongside antiques at the showroom in Louise Jones a converted barn near Winchester, Hampshire. Joanna Wood A polished approach to classic interior 01962 791124; www.maxrollitt.com Joanna Wood’s designs are smart and design with every modern comfort has luxurious, with an emphasis on comfort earned Louise Jones her stripes. Current McWhirter Morris and colour. Recent projects include the US projects include individually designed Antique dealer James McWhirter and former Ambassador’s London residence, Winfield guest suites at a luxury hotel on the island Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler designer Sarah House, W1, a cottage in the Cotswolds and of Jura, a 17th-century house in Oxfordshire Morris draw on their extensive experience a house in Florida, US. Other enterprises and a family home in Georgia, US. to create classic interiors with a subtle include her eponymous home-accessories 020–7351 6858; sophistication. Resolutely ‘anti-fashion’, the shop in Pimlico, SW1, Lawson Wood bespoke www.louisejonesinteriors.com interior-decorating studio operates from upholstery, Phillips & Wood lighting and the Chelsea-based McWhirter shop, which Lewis & Wood fabrics and wallpapers. Lucy Elworthy offers three floors of Continental and Eng- 020–7730 0693; www.joannawood.com Bringing a light decorative touch to country lish antique furniture and works of art. houses, Lucy Elworthy combines her 020–7349 2575; John Evans Interior Architecture experience as a former decoration editor www.mcwhirtermorris.com + Design of House & Garden with an imaginative A master of adding a luxurious touch to eye for colour and texture. She is a dab Melissa Wyndham country homes, John Evans has nearly 40 hand at creating welcoming interiors with Vanessa Macdonald continues to work years’ experience of creating modern-classic a natural sense of character. in the spirit of the late, legendary interior designs with an individual—and sometimes 07957 693246; www.lucyelworthy.co.uk designer Melissa Wyndham, with whom she quirky—feel. The firm has offices in Birm- collaborated. Expect sophisticated and ingham and London. Max Rollitt elegant classic style with a modern twist, 0121–233 9041; www.johnevansdesign.com Max Rollitt wears three hats—he is an inte- evident in country and city interiors. rior designer, antique dealer and furniture- 020–7352 2874; Linley maker, who likes to incorporate a sen- www.melissawyndham.com The interior-design studio is run by Graham sitivity towards materials and Classical Green and Michael Keech, who sold their design into what he describes as ‘a refined Nina Campbell architectural-interiors company Keech Green yet informal style of decoration’. Current Doyenne of interior design Nina Campbell to Linley about two years ago. Their focus work includes a large house in Boston, US, has an international reputation for classic

86 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk English decoration, something she has from traditional to cutting edge, from the Thorp skilfully evolved over the years to a simpler, refurbishment of a classic motor yacht and Smart, classic style is the forte more pared-back style—a journey that can a Modernist ski lodge in Whistler, Canada, of this well-established firm, be enjoyed in Nina Campbell Interior to an estate in Oxfordshire, a museum which is headed by its founder Decoration by Country Life’s Giles Kime. building in the Netherlands and the Chelsea Philippa Thorp. Geared towards an inter- She has two London shops and constantly Arts Club, London SW6. national clientele, the firm offers full developing collections of fabric, wallpaper 020–7493 2231; www.sibylcolefax.com architecture, interior-design, art-curation and furniture. and landscaping services. 020–7225 1011; Sims Hilditch 020–7235 7808; www.thorp.co.uk www.shop.ninacampbell.com Pitch-perfect at calm, classic-contemporary English country style, Emma Sims-Hilditch Todhunter Earle Interiors Penny Morrison specialises in creating quietly elegant and Expert at balancing the demands of con- Known for injecting colour and character comfortable designs, never forgetting the temporary living with the challenges pre- to any interior, Penny Morrison specialises practicalities required to make an inviting, sented by historic houses, Emily Todhunter in inviting and comfortable English style. family-focused home. Current projects and Kate Earle are highly regarded for She is currently busy on projects in the UK include a 15th-century house on a country their ever-fresh approach and imaginative and Caribbean, continues to develop her estate and a beach house in Jersey. designs. They work with some of Britain’s gloriously patterned fabric and wallpaper 01249 783087; www.simshilditch.com leading architects on country houses, as collection and offers a selection of lamps well as properties in London and New York. and accessories, available online and from Susan Deliss 020–7349 9999; www.todhunterearle.com her Chelsea shop. What Susan Deliss doesn’t know about 020–7384 2975; ikats, silk embroideries, velvets and linens, Veere Grenney Associates www.pennymorrison.com probably isn’t worth knowing. She sells A master of beauty and harmony, Veere antique and vintage textiles, designs her Grenney creates interiors with a discreetly Pippa Paton own range of fabric and offers a collection luxurious look. His designs are rooted in Strong on using texture and subtle hues to of lampshades, one-off furniture pieces the Classical tradition, given life by the create contemporary comfort in the country, and decorative objects, and uses her appre- combination of contemporary, historic and Pippa Paton is particularly known for her ciation of colour, pattern and antiques to sometimes charmingly modest. His fabric work on barn conversions and traditional create individual and bespoke interiors. and wallpaper collection is admired for its stone buildings in the Cotswolds, which 07768 805850; www.susandeliss.com elegant pattern and subtle colour palette. she has transformed into homes well suited 020–7351 7170; www.veeregrenney.com to 21st-century living. Mrs Paton has Susie Atkinson Design an innate understanding of how effective Specialising in private houses and boutique VSP Interiors spatial planning can maximise the full hotels, Susie Atkinson creates contem- Known for designing large country proper- potential of a property, however historic. porary interiors that radiate a sense of ties—from a large family house to a his- 01865 595470; personal character and understated luxury. toric castle in the Scottish Highlands— www.pippapatondesign.co.uk Her recent projects include a 1930s motor Dorset-based Henriette Von Stockhausen yacht, a lateral apartment in Soho, London has a classic, colourfully eclectic style that Rita Konig W1, and the five-start Lime Wood Hotel in successfully combines antiques and fine art Rita Konig has earned many plaudits for the New Forest, Hampshire. with a sense of comfort and personality. work that is distinctly her own, creating 020–7384 0700; www.susieatkinson.com 01305 265892; www.vspinteriors.com relaxed and joyously comfortable interiors for transatlantic clients in both residential and commercial settings. She has recently launched her online interior-design course Create Academy (www.createacademy.com). 020–3735 7280; www.ritakonig.com

Robert Kime Distinguished antique dealer and interior decorator Robert Kime, whose clients include The , creates traditional— but not stuffy—interiors, full of judiciously chosen antiques and colourful textiles. His Pimlico shop is a paradise of discovery, including antiques and his own collection of fabrics, wallpaper, lamps and furniture. 020–7831 6066; www.robertkime.com

Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler This long-established interior-decorating firm, founded in the 1930s, has always been known for quintessentially English style. Today, its eight principal designers under- take a diverse range of projects worldwide, Somerset-based creative firm Artichoke is an expert in fine architectural joinery

88 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk Garden designers and works across London, in the Home Counties and along Acres Wild the South Coast. Specialising in the design of larger country 023–8178 2660; gardens across south-east England and www.elks-smith.co.uk the Channel Islands, Sussex-based Debbie Roberts and Ian Smith are three-times George Carter Garden Design winners of the Society of Garden Designers George Carter is a respected garden his- Large Residential Garden Award. They are torian and author who specialises in formal known for well-structured designs softened gardens. He creates theatrical settings for with a lightness of touch and full, natural- major colleges and elegant buildings, inspired istic planting. by the simple geometry of 17th-century 01403 891084; www.acreswild.co.uk gardens, using traditional hedging, topiary, stone obelisks and statues. Andy Sturgeon Design 01362 668130; Winner of numerous RHS Chelsea Flower www.georgecartergardens.co.uk Show Best in Show and Gold medals, including both in 2019, landscape and Harris Bugg Studio garden designer Andy Sturgeon favours Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg run an bold contemporary design, natural materials award-winning practice known for imagin- and innovative planting. The practice works ative transformations of gardens at country across the UK and internationally. Landscape designer Dan Pearson is estates, often in areas requiring careful 01273 672575; www.andysturgeon.com known for his use of naturalistic planting conservation considerations. Current pro- jects include the revitalisation of Clumber Angela Collins Garden Design works, creating completely new estates that Park pleasure grounds in Nottinghamshire Designer of classic gardens with full, incorporate wildflower meadows, lakes and for the National Trust, the historic walled romantic planting, Angela Collins works walkways, as well as woodlands and copses. kitchen garden at RHS Bridgewater in on large country-garden projects across 01380 848181; www.balstonagius.co.uk Greater Manchester, and the design of the Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. She is M&G Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea. admired for creating gardens that are sen- Christopher Bradley-Hole 01392 927172; www.harrisbugg.com sitive to their historic settings and for her Influential designer Christopher Bradley- deep horticultural knowledge. Hole describes his approach as ‘contemporary, I & J Bannerman 07876 592440; www.angelacollins.co.uk with roots in strong classic principles’. Landscape of Dreams is an apt title for His current projects include large country Isabel and Julian Bannerman’s book, given Arabella Lennox-Boyd gardens on estates in Oxfordshire, Suffolk their specialisation in imaginative, magical Well known for creating magical spaces and Surrey, and phase two of the gardens gardens with abundant herbaceous planting with a calm feel, innate understanding at RHS Wisley, Surrey, involving the new among dreamy re-created follies and gate- of proportion and a strong sense of place, landscape in front of the Arts-and-Crafts ways. They have designed gardens for The distinguished designer Arabella Lennox- laboratory. Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Land- Prince of Wales at Highgrove, Gloucester- Boyd has 50 years of experience and says scape is the firm responsible for the shire, and the Castle of Mey, . she still enjoys ‘finding something new execution of his designs. www.bannermandesign.com in every project’. 020–8939 1749; www.bhsla.co.uk 020–7931 9995; James Alexander-Sinclair www.arabellalennoxboyd.com Dan Pearson Studio Well-known RHS judge and council member Known for his naturalistic planting using James Alexander-Sinclair is also a garden Arne Maynard Garden Design perennial plants and grasses and incorpor- writer, TV presenter and popular lecturer. Designer Tricia Guild recently described ating native trees, Dan Pearson is a leading Based in Oxfordshire, he runs a small, Arne Maynard as ‘one of the finest garden landscape designer, horticulturalist, writer, personal, garden-design practice, working designers working today’. His romantic gardener and advocate of respect for the across the UK and abroad, tackling master gardens nestle around historic houses, environment. He is garden adviser to the planning from vegetable gardens and creating a timeless feel with structural National Trust at Sissinghurst Castle, orchards to woodlands and spinneys. designs, pleached trees and strong-shaped Kent, and his book on his designs for the 07515 336356; topiary mixed with soft planting of lavender 600-acre Tokachi Millennium Forest in www.jamesalexandersinclair.com and roses. Mr Maynard is also an author, Japan will be published this year. lecturer and expert plantsman. 020–7928 3800; Jinny Blom 020–7689 8100; www.danpearsonstudio.com Accomplished plantswoman Jinny Blom www.arnemaynard.com is known for her highly creative and artistic Elks-Smith Landscape approach to garden design, in styles that Balston Agius & Garden Design can be formal or informal, but always Wiltshire-based landscape architect Balston Helen Elks-Smith is known for her under- appropriate to their site. A favourite designer Agius is run by experienced designers standing of the way gardens make us feel of The Prince of Wales, she is a repeat Michael Balston and Marie-Louise Agius, and ability to translate her sensitivity into Chelsea medallist and focuses on gardens who work both nationally and internation- timeless designs that relate well to their for private residences across the UK, as well ally, offering a broad range of services and settings. She is the recipient of several as Europe and America. expertise. Their practice specialises in land awards for her residential garden designs 020–3950 2899; www.jinnyblom.com

90 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk Jo Thompson Landscape planting. Full borders close to the house the bicentenary of Florence & Garden Design gradually give way to flower meadows Nightingale’s birth. Expert plantswoman Jo Thompson runs as the garden softly merges into the coun- 01885 227377; www. a leading architectural-garden design tryside beyond. Many of his projects include robertmyers-associates.co.uk studio, known for creating private and swimming pools and greenhouses, created public gardens that are sensitive to their complete with places to sit and enjoy the Rosebank Landscaping location and history, as well as intelligently tranquil surroundings. Award-winning garden designer Matt planted. She will return to the Chelsea 020–7222 2777; www.lloydbrunt.com Keightley runs an end-to-end design and Flower Show again this year with the RHS build studio, tackling private and commer- Garden for Friendship, which will be cre- Marcus Barnett Studio cial gardens. He is known for restrained ated in collaboration with keen gardener The creative use of a restrained palette and designs with carefully calculated struc- and radio presenter Zoe Ball. of elements drawn from local materials tures and charming planting, with projects 020–7127 8438; and plants gives this studio a distinctive that currently include a luxury resort in the www.jothompson-garden-design.co.uk edge. Garden designs are often deceptively Philippines, a country estate in Berkshire simple, yet rich in their sense of place— and extensive land-scaping at an Art Deco Kim Wilkie something that is earning the award- apartment block in north London. He will Landscape architect Kim Wilkie is admired winning studio, headed by principal Marcus return to RHS Chelsea this year with his for sculpting the land, creating calm, green Barnett, a growing client base both across fifth show garden, this one for the Royal geometric patterns on a large scale, often the UK and internationally. Army Medical Corps Charity. in historic settings. More recently, he has 020–7736 9761; 020–8255 0132; also focused his work into considering www.marcusbarnett.com www.rosebanklandscaping.co.uk how we live with the land, advising on the development of farming and new cities. Pip Morrison Landscape Designs Sarah Eberle Landscape Design 01489 891691; www.kimwilkie.com Admired for his sensitive, thoughtful Hampshire-based landscape architect and approach to design and expertise in historic garden designer Sarah Eberle is probably Landform Consultants development of old gardens, Pip Morrison RHS Chelsea’s most decorated designer, This full-service company offers garden is currently working on the master plan- with some 17 Gold medals under her belt. design, construction, planting and main- ning of the gardens at Auckland Castle in This year, she will return with the Psalm tenance, covering both private and public Co Durham, including the 18th-century 23 Garden, which promises more of the projects, such as the first public park in formal pleasure grounds. He is also design- thought-provoking design for which she Gibraltar. The firm has won multiple ing a tranquil wild garden for the Maggie’s is so well known. RHS medals for its design and construction Centre in Oxford and a variety of both con- 01256 895754; www.saraheberle.com work, describing its speciality as achieving temporary and historic private gardens. ‘beautifully balanced gardens with a deli- 07817 736360; [email protected] Sarah Price Landscapes cate combination of strong architectural Currently at work on a woodland garden features and soft, naturalistic planting’. Robert Myers Associates for the Maggie’s Centre in Southampton 01276 856145; Specialising in contemporary gardens in and, together with Nigel Dunnett, a rooftop www.landformconsultants.co.uk historic landscapes, this practice under- garden for the critical care centre at King’s takes both public and private projects, College Hospital, SE5, Sarah Price’s life- Lloyd Brunt Outdoor Design which currently includes listed Youngsbury long love of wild environments is evident Specialising in family gardens in the Home House in Hertfordshire, which is set in in her immersive, plant-driven designs. Counties and occasionally in London, a landscape. Robert Myers Based in Abergavenny, she is in demand Graham Lloyd-Brunt is known for designs will also return to RHS Chelsea for the first for private and public gardens across the that successfully combine simple, classic time in seven years with a show garden country, thanks to her artistic approach lines with bold, abundant and seasonal celebrating modern-day nursing, to mark and playful use of materials. 020–7703 3973; www.sarahpricelandscapes.com

Tania Compton Writer and designer Lady Tania Compton is known for her flair in creating flower- filled meadows and abundantly exuberant gardens. A former garden editor of House & Garden magazine, Lady Tania has a strong eye for the beauty of Nature, as shown by the garden at her Wiltshire home, Spilsbury Farm. www.taniacompton.co.uk

Todd Longstaffe-Gowan Known for long-term landscapes for private and public projects at home and abroad, Todd Longstaffe-Gowan is garden adviser to Historic Royal Palaces, lecturer and Graham Lloyd-Brunt favours simple, classic lines with abundant seasonal planting author. His practice is now re-casting the

92 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk gardens around the Orangery at Kensington Oakwrights Palace, W1, and is equally at home turning This award-winning company its hand to contemporary gardens, such designs and builds bespoke as the rooftop garden complete with ponds -framed homes and exten- and boulders at the RIBA award-winning sions, as well as new garden buildings and 4, Pancras Square, London N1. garages. The company uses renewable 020–7253 2100; green oak and can also advise on energy www.tlg-landscape.co.uk efficiency. In 2018, Oakwrights completed the first oak-framed Passivhaus in the UK, Tom Stuart-Smith using its own encapsulation panels. Planting schemes inspired by natural 01432 353353; www.oakwrights.co.uk and semi-natural landscapes, combining modern design with prairie-style plants and Prime Oak grasses, have earnt Tom Stuart-Smith This company is the market leader in the an international following. He is a multiple manufacture and construction of oak-frame medal winner at RHS Chelsea and the garden rooms and orangeries in the UK co-master planner for the RHS Garden and also produces timber-frame garages, Bridgewater. His portfolio also includes annexes and stables, using sustainable oak The Hepworth Wakefield Garden, West air-dried in its own yards. Yorkshire, an extensive garden at Chats- Romantic planting designed by I & J 01384 296611; www.primeoak.co.uk worth, Derbyshire, and another for a castle Bannerman at a garden in Wiltshire on Loch Ness in Scotland. R. Moulding & Co 020–7253 2100; Carpenter Oak Two of the current directors of this family- www.tomstuartsmith.co.uk This specialist company has been design- owned building company, Bill and Tim ing and making timber-frame buildings Moulding, are part of the original family Xa Tollemache since 1987, with a portfolio that spans who started the business more than 200 With traditional gardens for large country commercial and public projects, such as years ago. The firm continues to specialise estates her speciality, Lady Tollemache an oak pergola, larch trellising and 22 oak in construction, restoration, maintenance is an expert at transforming neglected land- benches for the British Normandy Mem- and landscaping, operating within a 50-mile scapes. Meandering paths through clumps orial, to residential oak-frame new-builds, radius of its home in Salisbury, Wiltshire. of lavender and roses, formal features such cabins and extensions. 01722 742228; www.rmoulding.co.uk as obelisks and statues and dreamy ponds 01803 732900; www.carpenteroak.com surrounded by lush planting are the hall- R. W. Armstrong marks of her style, redolent of the garden Distinctive Country Furniture This Hampshire-based family-owned resi- she designed at her ancestral home, Owner Brian Purnell has more than 35 dential building company was founded Helmingham Hall, in Suffolk. years of experience in crafting handmade in 1957 and covers London and the south 01473 890799; period-style furniture and architectural of England, specialising in top-quality www.xa-tollemache.co.uk joinery, with particular expertise in 16th-, new-build homes and the refurbishment 17th- and 18th-century interiors. His firm can of period and listed properties. It also offers turn its hand to bespoke oak panelling, stair- an in-house bespoke-joinery service. Builders and specialist cases and fire surrounds all the way through 01256 850177; services to complete libraries and wine rooms. www.rwarmstrong.co.uk 01935 825800; Artichoke www.distinctivecountryfurniture.co.uk Stevensons of Norwich Somerset-based expert designer and maker From a bespoke decorative plaster ceiling of kitchens and joinery-led interiors, this Hare & Humphreys for a ballroom to handmade cornices and highly creative firm is sensitive to the A Royal Warrant holder and a leading ceiling roses, Stevensons of Norwich integrity and requirements of listed and specialist decorator, known for the conser- is considered an expert in creating, traditional country houses, and is capable vation of historic buildings, this company installing and restoring all kinds of of updating them for modern family life. has recently completed Gallery 32 at the plasterwork. The firm is currently restoring 01934 745270; www.artichoke-ltd.com National Gallery, London WC2, which has the original Georgian and neo-Classical been restored to its original Victorian poly- architectural features of the Theatre Royal Artorius Faber chromatic colour scheme with extensive Drury Lane, London W1. This well-established British natural-stone gilding and stencilling. 01603 400824; specialist is based in Yeovil, Somerset, 020–7833 8806; www.stevensons-of-norwich.co.uk producing interior flagstone flooring, www.hare-humphreys.co.uk external paving and architectural detailing. Stuart Interiors Recent projects include bespoke stone for Locker & Riley Established more than 40 years ago, the Weston Tower at Westminster Abbey A plasterwork specialist, covering design, this family-run bespoke joinery firm in London, the terrace at House production and installation, this family can produces traditional timber panelling, in Buckinghamshire and Purbeck stone firm has recently restored the lime plaster ceilings, doors, staircases and furniture. flooring for the refurbishment of private at the Grade I-listed Buxton Crescent The company also offers historic research member’s club Annabel’s, London W1. thermal spa, Derbyshire, built by the 5th and consultancy services, as well as expert 01935 847333; Duke of Devonshire in the 1780s. advice on period details.

www.artoriusfaber.com 01245 322022; www.lockerandriley.com 01935 826659; www.stuartinteriors.com Jake Eastham; Paul Craig; Mike Garlick Photography; Corbett/Country Val Life Picture Library; Marianne Majerus

94 Country Life, March 4, 2020 www.countrylife.co.uk