THE COUNTRY FILES

Richard Smith’s top spots on the East Sussex coast

RICHARD Smith has painted and designed wallpapers and fabrics for the all-time greats –

Nina Campbell, Colefax and Fowler, Sanderson,

Jim Thompson – as well as his own brand Madeaux. Known for his relaxed English elegance, Richard starts many of his designs as watercolours on his sketchpad. From whimsical florals and classical stripes to bold geometrics, each has a sense of playfulness and understated chic. He lives in

East Sussex, high on a bluff overlooking ancient woodland and the English Channel beyond with his husband Andrew Blackman.

We first came to East Sussex 20 years ago. Andrew and I walked and explored the area and fell in love with the Old Town of Hastings with its fisherman’s huts. It was just beginning to be discovered then; early settlers from London were starting to see that the period properties were ripe for being sympathetically restored. Just above the town, we fell in love with a derelict 17th-century farmhouse, which we’ve renovated from the chimney pots down.

Our ongoing project and passion has been the garden. In the picking garden right now are tripods of tumbling sweet peas and my favourite cutting rose, Rosa Moody Blue – a delightful mauve – that pairs beautifully with Rosa x odorata ‘Mutabilis’. Spring Garden, from my latest collection, was inspired by a bouquet of tulips, anemones, ferns and rhododendrons gathered from my garden during the first lockdown.

Great Dixter in Northiam is my go-to garden for inspiration – it is so rich and full and the Peacock Garden appeals to my topiary obsession. We are lucky enough to have James Horner, the first Christopher Lloyd scholar, guide us in our own garden design with his incredible knowledge of structure, texture and colour. Earlier this year, we planted over 100 trees – elm, yew and black poplar.

For a lunch date, we like the organic vineyard at Tillingham – you drive down an unassuming little lane to discover a renovated farmstead and incredible views over the Tillingham Valley to the Rye Citadel. The plates are authentic, local and seasonal. Woodfired pizza in the Dutch barn is a summer must.

On the way into my studio at the Rye Creative Centre, I often pop into Knoops for a small 72%. It’s a chocolate house owned by German-born Jens Knoop. The expertly crafted hot chocolate is just what you need to start the day.

You’ll find Madeaux wallpaper and fabrics at Olga Polizzi’s newly opened hotel, The Star, in the charming village of Alfriston. Olga was a dream to work with – giving interior designer Diana Kelly free rein to create beautiful rooms using my designs.

A short drive from there is the opera house and garden of Glyndebourne. We enjoyed Káťa Kabanová and Mahler there in June. We always take a picnic – roasted fennel with a dressing, hot buttered new potatoes and maybe sausages. To drink? A glass of sparkling Mountfield Classic Cuvée.

The last thing I bought for my studio is a 1970s round polished stainless-steel centre table from Sideshow Interiors on Grand Parade in St Leonards – I just love everything from the 60s and 70s.

After a browse, I head to Goat Ledge on the beachfront for a fish bap – when the sun shines you could be in the Med… or Nantucket.

madeaux.com

“I GO UP TO LONDON TO PAINT WITH MAGGI HAMBLING EVERY WEEK, BUT ALWAYS LOVE RETURNING HOME TO SUSSEX”