Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i Period Living

FOLLOW US ON Instagram @period_living Facebook @periodlivingmagazine Pinterest @periodliving A common thread running between the homeowner stories featured in this issue is that they have all moved from city to country – whether to quieter, picturesque market towns or – in the case of one – a remote, rural spot. ‘My friends thought I was mad moving out to the country,’ admits Jo Wood of her off-grid home (page 56), but the self-confessed London girl has embraced her new country life. When a change of career saw Lizzie and James Brittain move from the capital to a Grade II-listed former barn in Somerset (page 32), they didn’t know what to expect, but ‘from the start, we felt like we’d come home,’ says Lizzie. For Louise and Sam Coster, a Norfolk…

As spring turns to summer, it’s time to gather to dine outdoors. Toast’s SS24 tableware, designed to mix and match, can be used inside or out. Crafted in Portugal from raw stoneware clay, its organic-shaped Cove collection of ceramics is speckled grey; the finish is a reactive matte glaze, which creates a unique texture. ‘Our colour palette is inspired by nature,’ says head of house and home, Judith Harris. ‘Earthy tones and natural materials are balanced with abstract decoration in modern forms to give a contemporar y edge.’ Team with rustic linens and woven grass placemats for a textural mix. Cove stoneware dinner plates and bowls, £23 each.…

1. Bembridge foraging basket, £50, A Place For Everything 2. Floral fringed parasol, £125, Cox & Cox 3. Tartan four-piece cutlery set in mixed, £52, Petra Palumbo 4. Orangery melamine picnic dinner plates, £18 for a set of 4, John Lewis & Partners 5. Moroccan Souk yellow wooden tray, £16, Talking Tables  6. Two-tone ikat picnic wine glasses, £15 for a set of 4, Marks & Spencer  7. Three-tier vintage floral tiffin lunch box, £36.99, Pretty Tiffin  8. Striped napkins, £15 each, with bespoke personalised embroidery, £8 extra, Table in the Sun  9. Tuscan villa food cover, £4, B&M  10. Merino wool folded mustard picnic blanket, £140, So Cosy…

THE STORY OWNERS Victoria Summer lives here with her husband, Mark, and their daughter. A former TV producer, Victoria is now a content creator @summerhousestyle PROPERTY A four-bedroom semi-detached house in West London WHAT THEY DID The couple brought together two small, dark rooms and added a side extension to create one spacious kitchen-diner with patio doors and a banquette seating area. Integrated appliances from Fisher & Paykel and brassware from Armac Martin completed the space Considering it had been home to the previous owner for just two weeks shy of a century, Victoria Summer’s new property was definitely showing its age. ‘The house had been well-loved but it hadn’t been updated in decades. It still had an outside toilet, a big hole in the roof, and no central heating,’…

Early plaster ceilings date back to Tudor times when the undersides of floorboards in the upper rooms of the more high-status buildings were concealed, often decoratively with plaster ornamentation or paint, to improve comfort. By the Georgian period, plain plaster ceilings had become more commonplace in most homes. Old plaster ceilings enhance the interiors of houses and early wall paintings occasionally survive on them too, perhaps hidden under layers of later paint. Unfortunately, however, old ceilings with a few cracks or bulges are all too frequently condemned and replaced with modern gypsum products when they could have been repaired easily by someone who has the appropriate skills, and at a lower cost than replacement. Ceiling construction Plain plaster ceilings applied to a flexible backing fixed to structural timbers were used…

Practically unkillable, spider plants are perfect for first-time houseplant owners or those who can’t dedicate hours to complex houseplant care routines. ‘Spider plants have been kept as houseplants for over 200 years, becoming popular due to their low maintenance and adaptability,’ explains Natalie Bourn, shop manager of Between Two Thorns. ‘Scientifically known as Chlorophytum comosum, spider plants are often praised for their air-purifying powers, following NASA’s 1989 Clean Air study. However, this study was conducted in a closed environment, so its findings don’t really apply to our homes.’ Despite not being a replacement for an air purifier, however, they are still a worthwhile addition to any interior. Perfect placement Native to tropical areas of South Africa, spider plants can survive in most spaces, but to truly thrive, they need a…

With a pincushion on top and generous storage beneath, this simple craft project is ideal for keeping all your sewing essentials to hand. Adapt the jar size to accommodate the items you need to store. Not only is this a must-have addition to your sewing box, but it also makes a great gift for the craft enthusiasts in your life. YOU WILL NEED ● A jar with a preserve lid (a flat disc within a metal screw ring) ● Scissors ● Cardboard or felt ● Piece of fabric ● Cotton wool or stuffing ● Hot glue gun 1. Start by unscrewing the lid, separating the flat disc and the screw ring. Place the ring to one side. 2. Cut a circle of cardboard or felt a few millimetres smaller than…

CELEBRATE SUMMER This year marks a momentous milestone in Garden Trading’s history. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, it has launched a specially extended SS24 collection featuring indoor and outdoor furniture ranges, kitchen accessories, plus homeenhancing pieces – all crafted with everyday living in mind. The original, quality designs offer Garden Trading’s hallmark blend of form and function. Welcome brighter days by throwing open your doors to alfresco living with Garden Trading’s variety of outdoor furniture designs, suitable for every season. There is a wealth to choose from, whether you’re looking for comfortable outdoor sofas, stylish bistro furniture, elegant garden mirrors or sturdy garden obelisks. Pictured is the Lynton corner sofa set, £2,800, and Ubley terracotta planter, £160. READER OFFER: Period Living readers can enjoy an exclusive 20 per cent off…

Designer Annika Reed admits she loves ‘playing around with the idea of things being a bit off-kilter,’ and her new collection of wallpapers has a delightfully whimsical edge. The Dancing Queen range comprises six colourful patterns, designed by Annika in her rural studio in Somerset. Each wallpaper in the collection tells its own story, and inspired by hours arranging Tetris puzzle pieces, Tetris Garden (pictured) fuses the iconic Nineties motifs with soothing green tones and floral elements. ‘This new collection encourages you to inject a burst of vivacity into your living space. Picture a traditional stripe putting on its dancing shoes and twirling with unrestrained joy, leaving behind a trail of rhythmic patterns that dance harmoniously across your walls,’ says Annika. Tetris Garden wallpaper in Green, £165 per 10 metre…

GATHER TOGETHER If space allows, a comfortable corner garden sofa will transform an outdoor area into a relaxing ‘garden room’ in which to spend time with friends and family at any time of the day. Featuring an elegant Scandi-inspired silhouette in classic hardwearing rattan with tapered legs, this Cerney design from The Cotswold Company would suit both traditional and contemporar y spaces. ‘Its sleek design is tailored for a sun-drenched garden corner, offering an ideal spot for enjoying breathtaking garden vistas while unwinding with a morning cup of coffee or afternoon glass of Pimm’s,’ says Lisa Coppin, chief creative officer. ‘The light, neutral cushions are showerproof for convenience and add an elegant touch, but we recommend bringing them indoors when they are not in use to keep them looking their…

THE STORY OWNER Jo Wood lives here. Her grown-up children and 10 grandchildren often come to visit. Jo is CEO of her organic fragrance company (jowoodorganics.com) and also recently launched Jojo & Trixie (jojoandtrixie.com), which sells limited edition hand-drawn wallpaper designs printed in the UK PROPERTY An off-grid Grade II-listed farmhouse in Nor thamptonshire, with several outbuildings WHAT SHE DID Jo began renovating the house in October 2019 and one of her first jobs was to replace the broken-down generator. She designed the home’s new kitchen-diner and boudoir-style living room. She also added a natural swimming pond and planted a wildflower meadow How did a self-confessed city lover end up living off-grid, drawing water from a well, and with no neighbours save the occasional sheep? Jo Wood asked herself that…

BEAUTIFULLY BESPOKE Owners of period homes may find it more difficult to purchase an off-the-peg door due to non-standard openings and original glazing – leaving bespoke doors the only viable option. ‘Considerations such as size, colour, glass and ironmongery all influence the price. Individual touches, such as stained glass, will also add a premium to your new door, but it is one of the ways you can create a unique entrance that will boost the kerb appeal of your home,’ explains Charles Fox, sales director at Timber Windows. Prices for its bespoke doors are available on application. Visible to everyone, a front door makes an important first impression, setting expectations for the interior beyond. It also provides a valuable barrier between your home and the outside world. ‘Getting the right…

Square up 1 Colour is a powerful tool in the kitchen, bringing a burst of personality to this occasionally soulless space. Tiles with natural shade variations add a sense of age, character and an artisan look that tends to work better in period homes rather than designs offering a flat expanse of colour. Ca’Pietra’s Pottery tiles in Kale Green cost £84 per square metre. Brass band 2 Beautiful and hygienic, an aged brass splashback will quickly become the star of the space. Loved for its golden tones brought out by the ageing process, brass is also germicidal – killing bacteria on contact – making it ideal for the kitchen. Charlie Kingham bespoke kitchens are priced on application. Mosaic magic 3 While the cost of a mosaic across a whole kitchen…

With their spectacular beauty, handsome foliage, silky petals and gorgeous forms, peonies are the most glamorous of flowers, adding dazzling splashes of colour to perennial borders in late spring and summer. The sheer variety of these exquisite flowers comes from the hundreds of different cultivars bred from the 25 or more species peonies. These encompass single or double blooms, many fragrant, which range in colour from ghostly white, cream and lemon to pale or lipstick pink, apricot and coral, through to scarlet and dark red. Peonies have a long history, stretching back at least 4,000 years to when the wild Chinese peony, Paeonia lactiflora, was cultivated. The name derives from Paian, physician to the Greek gods, and the medicinal properties of peony seeds and roots crop up in countless ancient…

Early every morning, the ceramicist and painter Katherine Cuthbert quietly lets herself out of her London home, walks down the slowly wakening streets, and escapes to a little pocket of natural beauty to start her day. ‘I could not survive without the beautiful parks near me,’ she explains, adding: ‘Nature is an ever-changing joy. There is something about being among the trees, plants and flowers at that peaceful time of day that never fails to inspire me. I often take my sketchbook – it sets me up for working in my studio.’ The green lushness of the city’s parks are a far cry from the South African landscape where Katherine grew up in her early years. ‘I lived with my mother and stepfather in Johannesburg, but when I was about…

Known for discovering rising stars within the interiors world, Heal’s Discovers has operated since 2004. This year, it has chosen to showcase the work of Lucy Silvester, a recent textiles graduate from Edinburgh College of Art. Lucy’s work caught its eye at the New Designers showcase. Her surface designs range from detailed screen-prints to hand-bound cushions. ‘I’ve always enjoyed crafting pieces to be treasured,’ says Lucy. ‘My aim is to encourage people to be more expressive with textiles.’ Pictured are her Mushroom and Lifetime print cushions, £65.…

Gathered Living is a new online homeware store which brings together four like-minded interiors brands to offer inspirational content and a beautifully curated homeware collection. Shop by brand, product or room, with homeware available for every living area. ‘We’re excited to bring together a community of “Gatherers” who are passionate about their homes and interiors. Through our website, we invite visitors to join our “Gathered Community”, where you can receive exclusive event invites, get early access to launches and gain points as you shop,’ explains co-founder Abbi Brown. ‘This is more than just a shopping experience: this is a go-to destination curated by industry tastemakers who offer inspiring content and styling ideas to help bring your interior vision to life.’ Pictured are the rustic reclaimed stool, £120; Burnham bath board,…

Modern fabrics are often enjoyed purely for their surface beauty. They delight with a rainbow of colours, intricate patterns and tactile textures, yet many home decorators give little thought to how they are created. Mechanised production has conditioned us to expect the easy availability of a seemingly infinite variety of weaves and prints; ever-more clever innovations allow the delivery of metre upon metre of perfectly replicated fabric, produced at remarkably high speed. Before the Industrial Revolution, from the latter half of the 18th century, textile production required many hands and hours, and the bespoke results were deeply prized. Ikat – a woven cloth – is an awe-inspiring example of ingenuity and complexity. Handloomed fabric is an ancient global craft, but what is remarkable and mind-boggling about the creation of traditional…

HEART OF STONE For owners of period homes, stone pavers are a popular patio material due to their natural, organic look. ‘Consider selecting stone from local quarries, as there is a historical trend of homes built using materials from the surrounding area,’ says Chris Elliot, London project consultant at Artisans of Devizes. ‘Ensure your pavers have appropriate frost resistance and are sealed with a water-based sealant, which retains the stone’s breathable properties while protecting against staining. Opt for a material with a good slip rating – a PTV rating of at least 36 or an R10 or higher slip rating is ideal.’ Stone pavers with a tumbled finish, such as Artisans of Devizes’ Riviera limestone, which costs £99 per metre squared, offer a softer, more natural and lightly rustic look,…

HEAD GARDENER BLENHEIM PALACE In August 2022, Andy was appointed head gardener at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705. The 90 acres of formal gardens, created over the centuries, reflect a journey through the horticultural styles of the ages. Andy has been carefully researching their history to help formulate plans to transform the gardens and restore myriad features that have been lost over the many decades. blenheimpalace.com Gardeners, hopefully, all want to do their bit for the environment and try to be as sustainable as possible – whether going peat-free, buying locally, not using herbicides or introducing more natural pest control methods. At Blenheim Palace, we have a raft of holistic practices in place, but we’re not alone; lots of people across the country…

How I got into antiques Rob Cain, aka The English Polisher, a second generation French polisher, antiques dealer and specialist on Channel 4’s Antiques Hunters on Tour and Quest’s Salvage Hunters: The Restorers, shares his stor y WHAT ARE YOUR EARLIEST MEMORIES OF BEING AROUND ANTIQUES? My dad, John Cain, is a French polisher, so my formative memories include the smell and sounds of his workshop in Leeds during the 1980s. I recall various characters and jobs coming through the place, and I found it all mesmerising. By the age of 12, I was earning pocket money by helping with deliveries, and by 15, I was stripping furniture and cleaning brass handles as a Saturday job. HOW DID YOU GET INTO FRENCH POLISHING? When I left school at 16, I…

Writers Virginia and Leonard Woolf – both stalwarts of the influential Bloomsbury set – had long adored East Sussex. Their home-from-home, perfect for weekends and holidays, was Asheham House, an elegant, if mysterious, property under the lea of Asheham Down, its tufty lawn and fields sloping to the river Ouse. Virginia – already a published author – felt an affinity with these ancient chalk ridges, replete with the beauty and space she needed for her thoughts to soar; a landscape of solitude and sanctuary. Not only that, but her sister, the artist Vanessa Bell, lived close by at Charleston Farmhouse. Then, in 1919, came unwelcome news: the landlord wanted the property back for his farm-bailiff. The Woolfs would have to start house-hunting. The search began badly: Virginia rashly purchased a…