Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Period Living

Every year there is the same debate in our house of where to place the Christmas tree. The arrival of the seasonal spruce and its careful adornment is – like in many households – the most important symbol of the start of the festive period, and any room feels instantly joyous with the addition of this evocative evergreen conifer. Perhaps this year I’ll take a cue from the enchanting homes featured in this issue and treat our home to more than one, so that multiple spaces can benefit from the visual and aromatic delights they bring. The family tradition of tree decorating is treasured by us all and cherished ornaments are carefully selected. We are all co-curators of the display, so it tends to alter continuously in the run up…

Designer and quilter Kate Owen has a talent for breathing new life into old things. Just as she patiently stitches together treasured fabric remnants, she and her husband, Luke, have lovingly pieced back the history of a Victorian London terrace, creating a cosy home in the city. ‘Bit by bit we transformed it from a white box into a house with colour and character, adding features, such as panelling and plasterwork, and plenty of pattern,’ says Kate. Brimming with nostalgic charm reminiscent of a prairie farmhouse, it’s surprising to learn that the home is within five miles of central London. From the window of the cosy main bedroom with its tongue-and-groove panelling, Morris & Co wallpaper and layers of patchwork quilts, you can see the Shard in the distance. Having…

Tin of treats 1 If gifting sweet treats, add to the pleasure by presenting them in a festive tin. A decorative design, like Gisela Graham’s Nostalgia Santa & Tree tin, £12.99, will not only offer a practical storage solution, but also doubles as Christmas kitchen decor. Whisking it up 2 For a luxury present, Smeg’s hand mixer in Cream, from £149.95, will be a welcome surprise. Taking the elbow work out of whisking, kneading and mixing, this compact design is an elegant, space-saving alternative to a stand mixer, ideal for budding bakers with limited workspace. Bowled over 3 First launched in 1901, Mason Cash’s iconic mixing bowls are loved by bakers around the world (see page 145 for more on the history of these cook’s essentials). Famed for their chipresistant…

COLOURFUL THOUGHTS 1. A classic black stove offers the perfect combination of understated style and low maintenance; however, it’s far from the only available colourway. ‘If you prefer neutral interiors, earthy colours – like beige or terracotta – are a great way to introduce the inside-outside concept to a room. For something striking, blue or red will sing in a monochrome scheme. When choosing the colour of your stove, it is also worth thinking about your fireplace and the surrounding colours and materials – do you want your stove to pop or do you want it to be more of a backdrop?’ asks Jon Butterworth, director at Arada. ‘Colour choice also brings practical considerations – lighter colours will show ash marks more readily than darker colours, so will need cleaning…

Space to entertain Christmas means opening our homes to family and friends, and with that comes the question of where everyone will sit. Transform your living room into a versatile space to gather with considered seating arrangements. A small slipper chair offers a luxurious option without overwhelming the space, while ottomans and versatile stool-style storage pieces are not only practical for hiding away clutter, but also serve as an extra perch or a handy spot to rest a tray of drinks or nibbles. Sue Jones, creative director at Oka, says, ‘My favourite addition to a living room at Christmas has to be a pair of fire fenders. They’re wonderful for keeping little ones safe near the fire, but they also double up as the best perch in the room. Guests…

There was something about the faded grandeur of this Yorkshire stone Victorian house, with ivy growing across its façade and twisting around the decorative pillars on either side of the front door, that immediately captured the imagination of Rebecca Lewis and her husband Ben. ‘I’ve always loved the romance of old houses,’ says Rebecca. ‘I grew up on a Lake District hill farm in a 17th-century home and the pull of timeworn charm has stayed with me since.’ The couple hadn’t seriously been looking to move. However, tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined road, close to family, the house piqued their curiosity and they decided to view it. The moment they stepped inside, they were struck by its scale and weathered elegance. ‘The grand entrance hall, the sweeping staircase, the…

ORDERLY THOUGHTS There is nothing less welcoming than being faced with an obstacle course of coats and shoes as you enter a hallway. If storage is lacking, a shelf with hooks is simple to install and will provide an out-of-the-way space to hang coats, with the shelf creating somewhere for a few extra festive touches – an LED candle and a diffuser will bring a soft golden glow and delightful seasonal fragrance. If you already have built-in seating – or are thinking of adding a freestanding bench – up the cosy by layering with Cox & Cox’s sheepskin rugs, from £85, and cushions, like these Scalloped and Ruffle covers, both in Steel Blue, £30 each. A rattan umbrella basket, £45, and a boot tray for muddy shoes are not to…

The tiny snail endlessly circles a daisy atop a reeded pillbox. A bonneted mouse, whiskers fluttering in the breeze, motors off in a doll’s shoe to deliver her Christmas presents. A dachshund does a perfect yogic ‘down dog’ perched on a vintage Oxo tin as a stock cube-shaped lever is pulled. Welcome to the magical world of automata maker Sophie Nichols, whose workshop is crammed full of such whimsical objects, alongside toadstool decorations made from hand-dyed velvets, pecking birds where the squeeze of a peg pulls up a worm, and flying dragons orbiting antique treen needle cases. Sophie (aka The Curious Maker) studied Theatre Design and Puppetry, but it was a course at West Dean College in West Sussex, bought for her as a birthday present some years later, that…

It’s Lyme, Cheshire, December 24, 1906, and a light snow is dusting the landscape. Gradually, ice flakes begin to blur the distinction between the sophistication of the Italian Garden below the grand mansion and the wild moorland spreading out above. In the wooded hollow beside the mill pond, the herd of deer are a splodge of red, gratefully munching on bundles of hay. Amid the uniform white, a little girl stands out, too: black stockings, button-boots, a homemade coat and skirt, her hat clinging on via elastic tucked under her chin. As eleven-year-old Phyllis Legh climbs the narrow path towards her home – dodging shivering rabbits heading for warm burrows and a cock pheasant making for the cover of woods – she glances at the leaden sky, heart bursting with…

Tell us about your home We live in an old, rambling house tucked away in the Sussex countryside, surrounded by trees and birdsong. The house itself is a little higgledypiggledy, with parts dating back a few hundred years and others added on more recently. What drew me here was the sense of character and place – beams that sag, fireplaces that smell faintly of woodsmoke and windows that frame the beautiful views of Ashdown Forest. It feels like a storybook home, full of warmth and promise. How would you describe your interiors style? Joyful, colourful and welcoming. I like to think it’s a mix of British charm with a dash of Indian craft and pattern. Comfort comes first, but always with layers of print, texture and colour – I want…

Growing up on the family farm in the Kent countryside and being able to visit her old home with her husband and children was always seen as a privilege by sculptor Tish Potter. Living mostly in London, but with her sister based near her parents, there was a draw to be among them. ‘My parents’ home is special, but it was a lot to expect of them if we descended on them all the time,’ says Tish. ‘I had long had my eye on one of their barns and I could see it was a property in the making.’ The barn was part of Tish’s parents’ farm, which they had owned since 1980. ‘Most farms have outhouses full of equipment, and this was one of those,’ explains Tish. ‘I had…

Colour wash BC Design’s baths can now be finished in virtually any shade due to the launch of its new painting service. From bold, dramatic colours to soft pastels, painted baths are quickly becoming a popular feature in contemporary bathrooms, adding personality and transforming the tub into a striking statement piece that ties the whole look of the space together. The new spray-painted finish delivers a flawless, even surface across all its bath designs, now including Cian and Acrymite ranges, creating a clean look and feel. Each bath is painted by hand at BC Design’s Colchester workshop. Painting service, from £754, plus the cost of the bath. WHALE SONG Paying homage to aquatic life, the new Fluke Collection by David Hunt Lighting is inspired by the majestic fluke of the…

In its place 1 A few simple sprigs of fragrant foliage can make all the difference to a festive table setting. Simply gather together some sprigs of fir or rosemary, forage the bushes or hedgerows for plump berries and tie together with a small length of ribbon, then arrange on a plate. Finish with a small bauble or star decoration. Cosy nook 2 Style up a window seat with twinkling lights, cosy throws and textural cushions. Then dress the window ledge with small potted branches from fir trees, or other garden evergreens, lengths of ivy, pine cones and moss to emulate the natural views beyond. Candle service 3 It couldn’t be simpler to create this festive centrepiece. Add colour and texture to a pillar candle with a collar of eucalyptus…

Christmas bows Dorcas Jamieson, founder of Lineage London, shares her expertise on ribbon motifs in antiques, and the particular charm of wall bows at Christmas HISTORY LESSON Bows have long graced fashion and interiors. First appearing in woven ribbon in the medieval period, their flowing form soon became a decorative staple. By the 18th century, ribbon bow patterns featured in Chinoiserie textiles, furniture and art, and adorned Georgian England’s clothing, curtains and interiors. Across Europe, particularly under Louis XV, bows mingled with cornucopias, acanthus leaves, dolphins and swags, becoming central motifs in the elegance and exuberance of Rococo interior design. MATERIAL CHOICE These bows were crafted from brass, plaster, chalkware, gilded wood or metal, with older examples often in decorated wood or toleware. Many now described as ‘wall bows’ were…

COOK’S TIP Instead of pears, you could also use a nice crunchy apple here, such as Braeburn, preparing them the same way GRIDDLED PEARS WITH BURRATA & BLISTERED KALE SERVES 6 Griddling pears like this teases out their natural sweetness, making an ideal foil for the bitter kale, while a ball of silky burrata brings the whole dish together. YOU WILL NEED ● 150ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus a little extra for drizzling and tossing● 2tbsp balsamic vinegar● 6 pears, quartered and cored● 600g kale or cavolo nero, stalks removed and roughly torn● 3 balls of burrata● 2 red chillies, deseeded, finely chopped● Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper 1. To make the dressing, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar with black pepper. Set aside. 2.…