It’s good to talk
Country Life will host three events as part of an exciting celebration of creativity
Wimborne St Giles St Giles House: a very modern restoration
The 12th Earl of Shaftesbury—and former Manhattan Dj—nicholas Ashley-cooper describes his unconventional journey to restoring St Giles House, the property that his family has called home since the 15th century, in conversation with Country Life Interiors Editor Giles Kime.
Built in 1651, the magnificent Grade Ilisted house near Wimborne was on English Heritage’s Buildings At Risk register, such was its state of disrepair. In 2012, Lord Shaftesbury and his wife, Dinah, moved back into it and embarked on extensive, yet highly sensitive, restoration. Hear him describe the care taken to retain the charm and patina created by past centuries, as they brought the house back to life. When September 18, 3pm–4pm Where TALK Lecture Theatre, Third Floor, South Dome, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 Tickets Readers can book special tickets for £7.50 (usually £10) by telephoning 020–7225 9166, emailing tickets@dcch. co.uk or visiting www.dcch.co.uk and quoting ‘Life’ Book signing Lord Shaftesbury will be signing copies of his book The Rebirth of an English Country House
Barneby Gates A passion for pattern
Meet dynamic duo Vanessa Barneby and Alice Gates, founders of distinctive wallpaper and fabric brand Barneby Gates, in conversation with Giles. Hear about the pair’s passion for pattern and their journey from a start-up in a London basement 10 years ago to life running an increasingly well-regarded and creative design house. When September 18, 11am Where Design Avenue, Ground Floor, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 Tickets Free, no ticket required, seats allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
Creating houses that work
How interior designers can add value in the 21st century Clever planning and use of space can improve the quality of everyday life, as can the thoughtful reconfiguration of rooms. For this event, Country Life has invited guests to reveal the secrets of designing homes to suit modern lifestyles.
Panellists include interior designer Emma Sims-hilditch, famous for creating comfortable and elegant country homes, and Daniel Hopwood, former president of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and judge on the BBC’S The Great Interior Design Challenge. They will be joined by Jonathan Dinnewell of Smallwood Architects, which specialises in the building of new homes and the remodelling of historic ones. When October 8, 3pm Where Seminar Theatre, Ground Floor, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 Tickets Free, no ticket required, seats allocated on a first-come, first-served basis