Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i Period Living

Christmas comes with its own special traditions for every family. For ours, the collective tree decorating marks the start of the festive period. First, is the journey to the nearby plant nursery to select the perfect seasonal spruce. Much debate will ensue as height, spread, shape and density are all closely examined – this is not a decision to be taken lightly. The lengthy deliberations almost match those when buying a permanent item of furniture; some years have even required the intervention of a trusted independent adjudicator to cast the deciding vote. With the tree finally chosen and positioned in its spot in the house, the fun can commence: Christmas tunes are selected, mulled wine warmed, mince pies handed around, and everyone has their own share of treasured trinkets that…

MIRROR GARLAND Creating a garland around a beautiful antique mirror is simple and yet looks so impressive. As it will be out of water, choosing hardy ingredients is key. Evergreen foliage is a must, and will last well indoors throughout the festive period, plus there are a few seasonal flowers, such as wax flower, that can add delicacy and colour. For the garland pictured above, I used eucalyptus, pine, cineraria, frosted ferns, spruce and delicate branches of skimmia. Small leafed greenery, including buxus, myrtle, and pistachio, are good alternatives. The mechanics behind the design is very low impact and compostable – using garden twine and thicker cord. The cord is cut to the finished length of the garland, forming the backbone of the design, then twine is used to secure…

The warm welcome offered by Trinity House matches that of owners Allie Hillam and Seth Mallock, who together have beautifully merged the history of the building with their own, using materials salvaged by family, inherited treasures and pre-loved finds. With jewel-like colours of emerald and ruby, Gothic windows, doorways and arched panelling, and an enchanting library, the place has an elegance that feels as ecclesiastical as it does scholastic. Rambling yet cosy, inviting and magical, it is the perfect home to enjoy a good old-fashioned family Christmas. Tucked away in the Goulds Ground area of Frome, Somerset – now a Conservation Area – Trinity House served as a school for the children of the community from the early 1880s to the late 1980s. Falling derelict, it became a local dumping…

One of the most passionate and lifeenhancing colours to use in a decorating scheme, red offers a luxurious bank of positive energy. Whether you highlight a design scheme with touches of carefully chosen accessories, or paint walls floor to ceiling in a deep shade of this versatile colour, it can transform interiors and create different moods, from refined to playful, depending on its application. In moderation, primary reds work well in children’s rooms, while more sophisticated, darker reds, such as madder and cochineal, make welcoming backdrops for dining rooms and hallways. Scarlet reds that have a touch of orange in them, such as Farrow & Ball’s Blazer, offer a cosy fireside appeal for living rooms. Historically, red has associations with wealth and status. In the 17th century, flashes of red…

Over the festive period, the fireplace plays a vital role. It is around the warmth of its flames that the family gathers, stockings are emptied, presents opened, and where toasts are raised. While we no longer depend on the fireplace to heat our homes, it still brings an irreplaceable focal point to a scheme, both in terms of aesthetics and architecture. Many homeowners are lucky enough to uncover stunning fireplaces in their restoration projects, while others simply reveal the site of a chimney and are looking for a sensitive addition to restore the heart to their home. ‘Fireplaces come in many forms, ranging from the large inglenooks found in early properties, to the cast-iron, marble and wooden surrounds of the Georgian and Victorian eras,’ explains Roger Hunt, author of Old…

Indoor plants grace our homes throughout the year, but can offer the greatest joy during the winter months as the garden sleeps, feeding our need for the natural beauty of foliage and flowers. However, ‘as the temperature drops, the growth of plants slows down, so you need to adapt how you care for your houseplants in winter to keep them looking lush and green all year round,’ explains Emily Lawlor of Happy Houseplants. Some indoor plants will have an easy time adapting to the colder temperatures, draughts, lower light levels and dry heated air inside our homes in winter. Those native to humid and tropical regions – which make up many of the popular houseplant choices – though, will have the most difficulty adjusting, so make some changes to help…

With the festive season fast approaching, Amy Swann’s home studio is a hive of activity as she keeps up with orders for her intricately handpainted festive tree decorations. Laser-cut wooden silhouettes sit alongside ceramic baubles in a multitude of vintage-inspired bright and beautiful designs. ‘My heirloom decorations are about gathering memories for the tree,’ explains Amy, between brushstrokes. ‘I want to create beautiful pieces that become part of life’s fabric: they are like little windows to a story or a memory.’ She is never lost for inspiration, as strands of magic, memory, folklore and heritage run deep through her life. ‘My childhood was spent in the same ancient Welsh village in Snowdonia where my mother and grandmother had grown up, and we were surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, forests, plants and…

STAR LETTER MEADOW DREAMS After reading the ‘Inspired by Nature’ house story in the September issue, I wanted to share my take on the idea of using the natural world as a source of inspiration. I recently upcycled this Stag Minstrel chest of drawers using Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon, and then used miscellaneous paints for the flowers, finishing with Annie Sloan clear wax. I love wildflowers, but haven’t been able to quite achieve this look in my garden yet, so the chest of drawers will have to suffice for the time being! Sonja Morgan This month’s star letter writer receives this festive kitchen set from Sophie Allport, featuring an apron, double oven glove and teatowel in the new Robin print NEW YEAR, NEW HOME We move into our new home…

Festive feasting with family and friends is a true highlight of the Christmas season, and one that we have all grown to cherish that little bit more in recent years. If you are playing host, now is the time to make your dining space cosy, welcoming and party-ready. Creating a functional and stylish dining room starts with a well-thought-out layout and the perfect furniture. A dining table that fits proportionally within the room and comfortable seating is a must; sitting these on a large rug will help bring warmth, softness and muffle sound, too. If space allows, a sideboard provides a useful area for serving dishes and storage, plus can be styled with table lamps and seasonal touches. To set the mood, plenty of lighting is essential and heavy curtains…

DESIGN ON TAP Giving modern technology a heritage makeover, Quooker and Devol have teamed up to launch two boiling water taps, fit for any period-style kitchen. The Devol design team has put their own classic twist on the taps with an exclusive unlacquered brass finish, which is designed to age beautifully over time. Choose from an instant hot water tap – complete with its own 3-litre boiling water system – that can be installed alongside your existing taps; or you can opt for their Fusion mixer and instant hot tap, which combines the boiling water option with a classic mixer tap – agreat 2-in-1 solution for those that are tight on space or want to keep things simple. Featured above is the Nordic instant hot water tap, priced at £1,250.…

TIME TO GATHER At Christmas, laying the table is surely one of the most important jobs. To master the art of festive tablescaping, start by dressing the table with a linen cloth and runner; prepare your festive china, add texture with placemats, and sparkle with glassware and candle holders. A trailing centrepiece made from foliage, pine cones and berries can be gathered from the hedgerows, and hang decorations from the back of the chairs. Portobello tableware, from £10 for a side plate; jute woven placemat, £16; rustic linen tablecloth, £185; fir tree garland, £135; mini Nordic hearts and stars, £12; ribbed domed glass candle holder with tray, from £18, all The White Company. OLD MEETS NEW Creating traditional wallpaper for modern life, Lucie Annabel is a new wallpaper brand from…

STAR ANISE WREATH YOU WILL NEED: ● Willow ● Star anise ● Ribbon ● Strong craft glue 1. Ready all the craft elements and soak the willow in water for a couple of hours to make it pliable. 2. Work the willow into a circular shape, twisting the branch back on itself to keep it in place. Add more willow until you achieve the desired thickness, twisting the ends in as you go. 3. Glue the star anise separately to the wreath using a strong craft glue. Continue adding and glueing the spices until you are happy with the amount on the wreath. An odd number usually looks more visually appealing than an even one. 4. Use a ribbon twisted around the wreath to add a seasonal shade. Wrap it…

With the arrival of cold and possibly stormy weather, there are various tasks we can do to see that our properties are winter-ready. Whether from cold and snow or heavy rain and strong winds, it is important to protect our houses from damage. This will also help us stay safe and warm, reduce the cost of repairs in the long-term and avoid insurance claims and stress. How are frozen and burst pipes best avoided? A common reason for winter home insurance claims are frozen and burst pipes. Make sure you do not end up without heating by insulating pipes and cold storage tanks, especially outside and in unheated areas. This will also save you money. Consider relocating particularly vulnerable pipework, if possible, or apply electric heating tape. When going away,…

ON THE BOOKSHELF Knowing what to do and when is the key to a happy gardening life. In The Gardener’s Yearbook: A month-bymonth guide to getting the most out of your plot (Mitchell Beazley, £18.99), experienced horticulturalist, Martyn Cox, offers practical tips and advice on the essential tasks that need to be ticked off, from how to get your lawn into shape for summer, to an easy-to-follow crop planner. No matter your level of expertise, this book has something for everyone – to return to, year after year. MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS WREATH Enjoy a crafty day out and come away with a beautiful decoration STOURHEAD, NATIONAL TRUST, WILTSHIRE 26-27 NOV; 6 & 10 DEC Professional florist Sarah Pettigrew will guide your creations using natural foliage. All materials are provided, plus…

MUSHROOM, SPINACH, AND GOAT'S CHEESE WREATH MUSHROOM, SPINACH, AND GOAT'S CHEESE WREATH 1. Clean and thinly slice the mushrooms. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan, add the onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt, and cook over medium heat until softened. Add the mushrooms then cook until golden. 2. Stir in the spinach and cumin seeds, followed by the goat's cheese, lemon zest, pine nuts, and dried cranberries, if using. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and let cool for 15–20 minutes. 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut one puff pastry sheet in half lengthwise. Place the halves side by side on the baking sheet and cover each one with half the mushroom mixture, leaving a 4cm border at each end…