SPRING
has finally arrived, after a grim and grey winter that, to me, seemed to last an eternity. With the coming of warmer weather and longer, lighter days, one of the things that really thrills me about the shift in seasons is the colour green… Suddenly it’s everywhere. From the sprouting grass on lawns to the new leaves on trees, at this time of year the shade crowds into our subconscious in all its verdant, vibrant glory, packed with positivity and the promise of things to come.
As our thoughts turn to growth and renewal, so too we shift our attention away from the interiors we inhabit, looking beyond our own four walls to focus on the world outside. The blurring of these two environments and how we transition between them has always fascinated me. After all, there’s no better way to freshen up a room than with plants, while outdoor spaces can often benefit from elements usually found inside the home.
For this reason, our latest issue celebrates this sense of seasonal flux, with our first-ever special section dedicated to indoor/outdoor living. It encompasses everything from the perfect houseplants and which rooms to use them in to a raft of inspirational ideas that will give your outdoor spaces real style and character – including the best new fabrics designed to be used outside.
The beautiful properties that we’ve chosen to showcase this month follow a similar theme, with their owners showing an aptitude for breaking down the barriers between indoors and out, bringing in light and embracing fabulous foliage. We also reveal our edit of the world’s best outdoor furniture – now is the time to invest in pieces that will last you through summer and beyond.
Even if, like me, your gardening skills leave a little to be desired, hopefully this month we can inspire you to throw open your windows, let some air and light in, and get into green. It’ll do you and your home the world of good.