WELCOME
However much I enjoy the excitement of my busy life there are always those moments when I crave calm.
My train journey to and from work can provide that on a good day, but it is my home, and in particular the garden, where I truly find peace. I spent a few hours at the weekend pruning and deadheading and it was just what I needed to clear my mind. Yet, as the days grow colder, the garden isn’t quite as reliable an option and I look to the quiet corners of our home for the same e≠ect. I’m not one for busy patterns and colours, so the schemes our decorating team have designed around the idea of The Tranquil Home (page 85) have struck a chord with me. They demonstrate how choosing wallpapers and fabrics with striking motifs, from floral to geometric, but in a subtle palette, can hit just the right note between restful and interesting. My focus on my home’s interior doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on the garden, however. In autumn, I love its sense of tranquillity, especially as the leaves change. Our guide to ornamental trees (page 145) will help you to plan a beautiful space that o≠ers sanctuary and quiet contemplation all year round.