Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i Period Living

January is the month for taking stock, reflecting and planning. Capitalise on the burst of motivation that the New Year brings to dispense and de-clutter, and make a start on home improvements. Sometimes the scale of work involved in decorating or renovating can act as a deterrent, but there are many ways to give tired or neglected spaces in your home a refresh and makeover with quick and easy weekend projects – turn to page 108 for inspiration on simple updates that involve minimal time and expense. If some of your rooms lack character, you can also add instant period charm by reinstating or installing decorative plasterwork – Holly Reaney has compiled an expert guide to explain how (page 114). As any owner of a period home will agree, the…

MATERIAL MATTERS Wool isn’t always the first fabric we consider when it comes to upholstery and curtains, but it’s a great choice which brings a host of benefits. Boasting beautiful softness and wonderful durability, wool is also eco-friendly, biodegradable, naturally hypoallergenic and inherently stain-and fire-resistant, so it requires no chemical treatment. Woven from 100 per cent British wool, Linwood’s Romney wool makes a brilliant choice for sustainable decorating, offering a minimal carbon footprint, plus, with 23 beautiful shades, there’s a fabric to match any scheme. Romney sheep are renowned for their soft, strong fleeces, which are used to make premium products guaranteed to stand the test of time. ‘Because Romney wool takes dye so beautifully, the collection includes a rich palette, from soft neutrals to warm, spice-toned shades. Deeper tones…

Tucked away in a warren of Victorian terraces in Bristol, a rosy-pink front door with a simple wreath hints at the feminine, festive welcome within. Step inside and Jade Oliver has created an interior that blends prettiness, faded glamour, nods to the East and twinkling touches of gold. ‘I love a home that feels soft, warm and inviting,’ says Jade. ‘It should be beautiful, but never too precious to be lived in.’ The house, which she shares with her husband Gary and their two young children, Jesse and Lola Rose, was far from perfect when they found it. ‘Despite most of the original features being removed, I totally fell in love with the high ceilings and bay windows and knew I wanted to return it to its former glory,’ Jade…

Lois Cox loves the run up to Christmas as much as the actual day itself, dressing up the pretty East Sussex cottage she shares with husband Robert and daughters Dulcie, Coco and Beau with a cornucopia of treasured objects, old and new. ‘Our Christmas decorations have been collected over the years, but I particularly love the glass baubles I bought for the tree which came from Susie Watson Designs,’ Lois explains. She likes to have a couple of trees, which are supported in vintage wooden champagne crates that were picked up from an antiques market. She is a familiar face at nearby Ardingly Antiques Fair and vintage shops all over Sussex, where she hunts out items, from china serving tureens to pretty lanterns, to display around the house. It could…

A SENSE OF HISTORY Options for furniture are limited in a dining room. Of course, the table and chairs take centre stage, but auxiliary pieces, such as the sideboard or buffet, can meet practical needs while also bringing in character. Investing in a single stand-out piece will make the space sing. Here, an antique chest has been re-purposed as a drinks station, dressed with candles and festive ornaments. Look for pieces with interesting silhouettes and details that draw the eye. If you plan to use it as a serving station, also check that the surface is level. ‘You don’t need to have a big budget to find a beautiful antique piece,’ says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove Interior Design. ‘There are some great finds at flea markets and…

Reinstating a fireplace or installing a woodburning stove in a previously blocked-up fireplace is the perfect way to create a welcoming focal point in a room. Providing the flue is in good order, this can be a relatively simple, although often very messy, DIY job. Even so, it does require care, planning and an understanding of the building’s structure. Indications that a fireplace was once present include a chimney breast projecting into the room, a grille at the base of the wall which was installed to provide ventilation to the redundant chimney, signs on the floor indicating an old hearth and patched plasterwork where the opening was closed up. Making a start Before doing anything, it is important to understand the size of the fireplace opening, the type of chimney,…

NO-SEW HERBAL SLEEP SACHET MAKES 4 PILLOWS Lavender and camomile are two of my favourite plants to grow in the garden. They are beautiful and highly productive, provide vital nectar for pollinating insects, and have a wonderful aroma. Both lavender and camomile can be harvested and dried, then used as a remedy to reduce stress and prevent sleeplessness. Towards the end of the growing season, I like to pick the flower buds and use them to make these herbal sleep sachets. I’ve used some leftover linen fabric for this crafting project, but you can use any natural fabric you have to hand. If you don’t grow either plant in the garden, you can find dried organic lavender and camomile buds in health-food stores or online. To use, simply place one…

Tell us about your home We live in a brick-and-flint cottage in South Oxfordshire, which was built in the early 20th century. One of the things we love about our home is its location; we can’t see another property from our house, and we’re surrounded by fields and woodland – it’s an idyllic place to call home. One of the main draws to South Oxfordshire is family; my wife Marina’s family are from here and her sisters and our nieces and nephews still live nearby, so that was definitely a key influence in choosing this part of the world. What inspired the design of this room? This is my office and it’s filled with all my favourite things. Some of the items are things that I’ve collected from overseas, others…

Relaxing retreat See through the winter season and transform your bedroom into more than just a place of rest – make it a sanctuary from the chilly outdoors. Laura Ashley’s AW25 bedding collection has been designed with cosy living and layered textures in mind. ‘The smaller details will make all the difference,’ says Helen Ashmore, head of design. ‘Keep a soft throw folded at the foot of the bed for easy comfort on colder nights, place a plush rug by the bedside to make every step warmer, and add scented candles to complete the inviting atmosphere.’ Choose breathable cotton bedlinen in neutral, timeless prints, and bring in pops of colour with sumptuous cushions and decorative throws. Layering is key. Sweet Alyssum bedding set in Sage, from £45; Bronwen throw in…

Enjoy classic homes and timeless style in every issue Reasons to subscribe ● Digital access to 94+ issues when you subscribe to print** ● Six Period Living monthly print issues delivered to your door for only £19.46 ● Brilliant value – save on the cover price* SUBSCRIBE NOW! PRINT + DIGITAL ACCESS: £19.46 EVERY 6 MONTHS DIGITAL ONLY ACCESS: £15.56 EVERY 6 MONTHS PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS** HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Go to magazinesdirect.com/PEL/DL89C or scan the QR code below TERMS AND CONDITIONS Offer closes 1 January 2026. Price is guaranteed for the first six months. Please allow up to six weeks for the delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). The subscription rate includes postage and packaging. *Savings are based on the cover price. Payment is non-refundable after…

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, modernisation was in vogue. This trend saw hundreds of period properties stripped of their original features and filled with insensitive, and now very dated, decor. Like so many prospective homeowners, this was the scene that greeted Sharon and Jim Hornsby when they stepped inside their 1920s lodge home. ‘Everything was very 1980s. We knew from the start that it was going to be a huge project,’ says Sharon. ‘But, it was the location that really sold it to us; it’s on a private lane, and surrounded by countryside. Everything else we could fix.’ And they did. Two extensions doubled the house’s footprint, with the previous kitchen – at the front of the house – being carved up to create a pantry, utility…

Artistic inspiration The Bloomsbury Collection from Marlborough Tiles is a new range of hand-crafted wall tiles inspired by the creative world of the early 20th-century Bloomsbury Group. Available in 13 shades, each tile is finished with a delicate crackle glaze, in either square or brick format, with complementary trims to match. The palette draws from the group’s artistic use of colour at the Charleston Farmhouse in East Sussex. From £1.46 per tile. BACK TO NATURE The popular wool twist pile carpet, Natural Berber Twist, by Cormar Carpets has been relaunched in five new nature-inspired flecked shades: Parchment, Limewood, Macaroon, Medlar and Troutbeck. Originally launched in 2009 and crafted from a robust blend of 80 per cent pure new wool with nylon and Tuftbond, the carpet is comfortable underfoot and hard-wearing,…

SPLASHING OUT A painted kitchen splashback offers a time-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional tiled designs, and will instantly revive your room scheme. Use a wipe-clean paint finish to help make it easy to remove evidence of any stains. ‘For a subtle statement, as well as a durable finish, apply the gloss version of your chosen shade to create a durable splashback, then use the matt version for the remainder of the room,’ advises Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. ‘Alternatively, go for a bold contrasting colour in a satinwood finish across a large area to create a wipeable, hard-wearing protection against food splashes, that also adds another dimension to the space.’ Define the splashback area first with masking tape; this will give you a feel for the size…

The ceiling angels of Westminster Hall have seen more than most. Watching over the seat of parliamentary power for more than six centuries, the 26 winged, wood-carved figures have looked down on everything from the trial of Guy Fawkes and the impeachment of Charles I to the lying-in-state of Winston Churchill and, more recently, Queen Elizabeth II. They are long-term observers of history, passive, but permanent, their hair tousled and their oaken mouths curved into beatific half-smiles. A penny for their current thoughts. Their vantage point – 40ft up among the trusses of the hall’s hammerbeam roof – means that only a select number of people have ever admired them up close. Woodcarver William Barsley is one of the few. In 2018, he was part of a small team of…

Harriett Grist, founder of Chickpea, is a textile designer and maker with a passion for craftsmanship and handmade knitted homewares. Inspired by everyday objects, geometric stationery, her love of bold stripes and the vibrant colours and textures of the natural world, her cosy knitted creations include hot water bottle covers, cushions, and scarves. Growing up with a dressmaker mother, Harriett learned to sew at primary school and went on to study textile design at Bath Spa University, developing a special interest in knitted textiles. Chickpea grew naturally from this foundation, beginning in her parents’ garden studio near Winchester. Seven years later, she now works from a purpose-built studio at her own home in North Hampshire, where she designs and crafts her distinctive, colourful pieces made predominantly from merino wool. ‘Merino…

Set and match 1 Matching the finish across all hardware establishes a sense of cohesion throughout the kitchen. ‘When every detail – from handles and hinges to taps, lighting and even appliance accents – shares the same tone, it gives the space a unified quality,’ says Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel. Featured are its Greenwich cup handles in burnished brass, £19.18 each. Bottoms up 2 Channel the elegant design of a luxury cocktail bar and make a feature of your favourite glassware with a wall-mounted glass rack, like this from Cox & Cox, £75. Position above the worktop for a convenient spot for pouring a glass of wine or mixing up your favourite tipple. Plugged in 3 Trade blocky plastic sockets and switches for metallic designs for…

Visible to all, the front door plays a huge role in the first impression of your home. Aesthetically, it must complement the style of the property, elevating its appearance. Practically, it needs to withstand daily use, while also offering insulation and security. Original beauty If you are lucky enough to have an original door, prioritise preservation. A skilled carpenter will, in many cases, be able to address most issues, including sticking, warping and rot. Issues with draughts can also be rectified by rehanging or using draught strips. For more involved restoration, firms such as The Grand Victorian Door Company will strip old paint, repair, paint, refit and draught-proof. Prices start at £6,000. Materials Wood is the most authentic choice, but not all timber is equal. ‘Traditional hardwoods, like oak, are…

Whether it’s classic cornicing or an ornate ceiling rose, plasterwork instantly evokes a sense of heritage. Original examples should be cherished, but if they are non-existent, installing replicas is an easy and affordable home renovation project. From the past For original pieces, always consult an expert rather than attempt DIY repairs. ‘A professional will be able to assess existing plasterwork, will know the right materials and tools for the job and be able to carry out restoration and repairs without damaging the original fabric. This is especially important if your home is listed,’ says Kris Charij, project director at ACT Developments. ‘Experts can match missing mouldings using fragments or photos, so new sections blend seamlessly with the old.’ Cover-up job Where mouldings are not original, some restoration – such as…

We are looking for characterful, beautiful period homes, both large and small, to feature in Period Living magazine – from townhouses to country cottages; conversions to sweet terraces. If you are passionate about your home, have completed a renovation or interior decoration project and want to share the results with other readers of the magazine, we’d love to see it. Please email photographs and brief details about what work you have done to your home to periodliving@futurenet.com Would you like to see your property featured in the pages of Period Living magazine?…

ROGER FRY: THE ARTIST Charleston presents a landmark exhibition celebrating Roger Fry, a pivotal figure in 20th-century British art. Best known as a curator and critic, Fry described himself as ‘an artist first’. This is the first major UK exhibition in over 25 years to focus exclusively on his paintings, revealing the vibrant portraits, landscapes and interiors that capture his friendships, travels and creative vision. Featuring never-before-seen works alongside national treasures, it explores his formalist philosophy and his role at the heart of the Bloomsbury Group. This exhibition repositions Fry as not just a champion of modernism, but a defining artistic voice. The exhibition runs until 15 March 2026. charleston.org.uk Where to shop We point you in the direction of three reputable places to browse for vintage and antique pieces…

APPLE AND BANANA BREAKFAST MUFFINS WITH TOASTED HAZELNUT CRUMBLE MAKES 12 MUFFINS These muffins are soft and light thanks to the combination of oil and Greek yogurt. The overripe bananas are a great addition, too, because they have lots of moisture and bags of flavour. Adapt these with any fruit that’s in season and add whatever nuts you like. The light sprinkle of hazelnut crumble gives a little added crunch for texture. They’re quick and easy to put together, and having them warm from the oven, torn from their paper cases, is a treat. YOU WILL NEED ● 200g plain flour● 1tsp baking powder● 1tsp bicarbonate of soda● 55g rolled oats● 170g light brown soft sugar● 1 medium egg● 2tsp vanilla extract● 300g Greek yogurt, plus extra to serve● 55ml…