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'I am destined to a life surrounded by books with never quite enough shelves': George Saumarez Smith on his design for Country Life’s stand at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower ShowGeorge Saumarez Smith’s design draws on his passions for architecture, drawing, books, and his fiancée Jane Kennerley’s love of plants.
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The Victorian world lost for 140 years, rediscovered and restored in DevonLost until a chance discovery in 2009, the Victorian fernery at Canonteign Falls in Devon has not only been restored, but now houses two National Collections. Charles Quest-Ritson visits; photography by Mark Bolton.
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Pulled by camels, powered by grandfathers and the bane of Peter Capaldi: The curious history of the lawnmowerThe history of the lawnmower is a gloriously British tale of eccentricity, brainwaves and dogged determination. Harry Pearson explains.
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The man who made daffodils the flower of spring in BritainAs the last few daffodils die back across the country, Tiffany Daneff pays tribute to the Reverend George Engleheart, the man who did more to spread the word about these gorgeous flowers than any other gardener in history.
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What is the secret to choosing colours that are sympathetic to the past?Natural-paint manufacturer Edward Bulmer has teamed up with Laura Cavendish, Countess of Burlington, to produce 24 new colours inspired by Chatsworth House.
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Mount Congreve: The exquisite Irish garden on an unimaginable scaleEven superlatives are dwarfed by the scale and quality of the garden of Mount Congreve, in Co Waterford, Ireland. Charles Quest-Ritson traces its story. Photographs by Jonathan Hession.
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Alan Titchmarsh: The thrill of raising a plant from a speck of dust or a green leaf can only be learned first-handTheory and study is grand, says Alan Titchmarsh — but it'll never take the place of learning practical skills at the hands of an expert. A new initiative is about to make doing so much easier.
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How the founders of Weaver Green turned a Victorian cricket pavilion into the perfect off-grid escapeThis restored cricket pavilion is the perfect escape from the demands of busy lives, finds Arabella Youens. Photographs by Simon Brown.
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The Bannerman's Somerset home is the best of both worldsAre chilly drafts and tepid baths a price to be paid for the pleasures of living in an old house? Not at Julian and Isabel Bannerman's toasty Somerset home.
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Giles Kime: What the perplexing language used to describe modern interior design actually meansOur Interiors Editor provides a handy definition for some of the industries most befuddling terms and phrases. Because often 'historic' actually just means 'old'.
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‘I have no concept of anyone who's like me. Now, that's either because I'm such an egomaniac that I am sort of completely self obsessed, or … because I haven’t watched enough films’: Monty Don’s consuming passionsMonty Don swerves questions with the abundant charisma that made him a ‘Gardener’s World’ darling.
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The sound of centuries: Britain's last bellfoundersBehind the deep chime of York’s Great Peter or the heft of London’s Great Paul is John Taylor’s bellfoundry. With pieces from its associated museum going under the hammer, collectors have a chance to bring home a peal of their own, as Ben Lerwill discovers.
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Pretty little things: How the double primrose continues to hold us in its thrallCharles Quest-Ritson looks into the history and the origins of these delightful flowers.
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The revival of interest in folk art is fueling a new fascination with the art of decorating wagonsThree devotees share their enthusiasm with Arabella Youens.
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'It's not nature being a pain; all of the problems we have with pests and diseases are because of us': The trailblazing gardener who's creating a 'food forest' in DevonFormer head gardener Josh Sparkes’s pioneering methods of growing fruit and vegetables at Birch Farm in Devon are achieving excellent results. Kendra Wilson went there to find out more. Photographs by Jason Ingram.
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'People are astounded that such a biodiverse haven exists here': The garden squares that are the hidden lungs of LondonAs spring unlocks the beauty of London’s garden squares, Jack Watkins speaks to the devotees who work to keep those patches alive. Photographs by Richard Cannon.
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'Ugly, pointless and potentially lethal': Why dead hedges are a gardening fad too farCharles Quest-Ritson takes aim at the phenomenon of the 'dead hedge'.
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Celebrating the superwomen who've shaped the world of designLast month, Hector Finch hosted an event at London Design Week that explored the way that women have shaped 21st-century interior design.
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The craft renaissance, with Giles KimeCountry Life's interiors expert Giles Kime joins James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast to talk about the amazing work being done across Britain — and how those who are doing it are recognised in the Country Life Top 100.
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The Country Life Top 100 architects, interior designers, garden designers, landscape designers and country house specialists in BritainIt's nine years since the original Country Life Top 100 was published, but the aim hasn't changed: we name the very best architects, interior designers, craftsmen, builders and garden designers in Britain.
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The garden at Cogshall Grange: 'A modern work of art, combining shapeliness and serenity'Layers of fresh new foliage — lime-green hornbeams underplanted with bronze and copper-leaved perennials — are set off with a brilliant selection of tulips in the garden at Cogshall Grange. Kathryn Bradley-Hole paid a visit; photography by Clive Nichols.
