‘I met the King when he was the Prince of Wales and was graciously given a tour’
A kaleidoscope of jewel-bright butterflies and busy bees flutters and buzzes among the camellias and peonies in the idyllic flowerbeds – inspired by the King’s magnificent gardens at Highgrove – of interior designer Katharine Pooley’s elegant country home.
And as she invites HELLO! into her 18thcentury-style residence in Oxfordshire for our exclusive photoshoot, it becomes clear that this breathtaking floral scene is mirrored on the inside, too.
Exquisitely hand-painted and embroidered on silk, her latest wallcovering collection, An English Butterfly Garden, showcased in her ornate dining room and tranquil master bedroom, brings to life the natural beauty of the countryside while supporting a cause close to her heart: Butterfly Conservation. The King is a staunch supporter and naturalist Sir David Attenborough is president of the charity.
“To enable these beautiful insects to thrive, they both advocate No Mow May,” says Katharine of conservation charity Plantlife’s annual incentive to encourage people to allow grass to grow, as it provides a haven for pollinators.
“It was critical for me to do something good for the planet, too, so while
