Innehållsförteckning för April 2024 från Period Living

FOLLOW US ON Instagram @period_living X (Twitter) @PeriodLivingMag Facebook @periodlivingmagazine Pinterest @periodliving Moving house often means much more to the owners than extra living space or a desirable location. For many, a new home represents a fresh start and a better way of life; it can sometimes be the realisation of a lifelong dream or the culmination of a long and patient search. Finding a place where we truly feel at home, that offers a better balance between personal and work lives, and where we can welcome friends and family can have a transformative effect on our day-today happiness. This is a common thread running through the real home stories in this issue – from Laura Padovani’s move to the country after she’d dreamed of it for 24 years, ‘the…

THE STORY OWNER Laura Padovani, who works for a bank in London, lives here with her cockapoo Charlie (pictured overleaf) and cavalier King Charles spaniel, Poppy PROPERTY A three-bedroom, semi-detached cottage, near Tonbridge, Kent. Originally part of a farm, the front part of the unlisted house was built in the 1800s, with a barn (now the kitchen) added to the rear in around 1890 WHAT SHE DID Laura had a new boiler installed and replaced damaged floors. The house was rewired and the bathroom and downstairs cloakroom upgraded. Laura also recently added an orangery extension Having lived her whole life in cities, it turns out that Laura Padovani is a country girl at heart. ‘Since I first moved to the UK 24 years ago, I have dreamed of living in…

Far more than just a finishing touch, window treatments play an essential role in setting the atmosphere for a room. Curtains are undeniably beautiful but do not suit every space. Blinds and shutters, on the other hand, are much more versatile. Blinds create a soft aesthetic – similar to curtains – but provide greater control of light levels and privacy and don’t cover the area below the window, making space for radiators or furniture. Shutters give you the same control over privacy and light but also offer elevated insulation. ‘They reduce heat loss by up to 36 per cent on doubleglazed windows and 64 per cent on single-glazed ones* – ideal if you live in a draughty period home,’ says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys. When looking for…

1 2 Compact beauty 1 If space is limited, consider an inset sink. ‘A drop-in design results in a more seamless look and means you don’t have to sacrifice worktop space for the sink edges,’ says Alex Main, director at The Main Company. Create a feature with a bronze or gold inset sink, and pair with a tap and hardware in the same finish. The Main Company kitchens start from £25,000. Historic charm 2 Already having stood the test of time, a reclaimed sink offers exemplary durability and brings rustic charm. When buying a reclaimed sink, seek a reputable supplier and check that the overflow and waste are in good condition. Take the country look further by opting for traditional bib taps rather than a modern mixer design. Hush Kitchens…

BULB BONANZA  Late April into May sees gardens carpeted with tulips in a kaleidoscope of colours and myriad shapes and sizes. Planted en masse they are a sight to behold. At the Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival, 15 April to 6 May, marvel at the stunning, artistic displays of more than 100,000 bulbs, including rare and historic varieties (hrp.org.uk); while at Pashley Manor Gardens in East Sussex, wander the colour-themed garden ‘rooms’ during its annual tulip showcase, 22 April to 6 May (pashleymanorgardens.com). There are many more gardens all over the country that celebrate this seasonal blooming highlight, where you can enjoy the crescendo of jewel tones and find inspiration for your own planting plans.…

Boasting an array of gloriously vibrant colours auriculas burst onto the scene in spring, winning admirers with their elegance and charm. Their appeal comes from the jewel-like luminosity of every flower and the variety of patterns, petal edgings and markings, which are most appreciated at close range. The Latin name, Primula auricula, derives from primus, meaning first – because it flowers early – and auricula loosely translates as ‘small ear’, giving rise to the common name ‘bear’s ear’, which refers to the cupped shape of the leaves. Popularised in the 17th century when some striped double varieties fetched £20 per plant – a fortune for that time – by the Victorian era devoted collectors showcased their most captivating cultivars in dedicated Auricula Theatres. These ornate shelving units were often decorated…

The arrival of blossom is one of the many highlights of spring, so celebrate the fleeting blooms with a beautiful wreath. Sarah Crosier, florist and owner of Seapoppy Flowers, talks us through the steps. YOU WILL NEED ● Several lengths of willow ● Secateurs ● Bag of sphagnum moss ● Reel of florist’s wire ● Greenery – pine sprigs or bundles of long grass both work well ● Sprigs of apple blossom 1. Create a willow hoop using the willow cuttings. It is easier to manipulate the willow if it is moist, so submerge it first in water if it is too dry. Curve the willow into a circular shape and weave the ends through the loop. Add more willow around the circle to strengthen it, using secateurs to cut…

LASTING STEPS Interior designer Laura Stephens and Rug Studio, Bombay Sprout, have joined forces to create a bespoke collection of handwoven jute rugs that celebrates colour and pattern with playful, decorative borders. Within the capsule collection are five statement designs in three sizes crafted by artisans in Northern India, with each recyclable and biodegradable rug taking up to 12 weeks to produce. The core principle of this collection is the combination of beauty and practicality. ‘As our houses are full of friends and family, nothing can be too precious. Our aspiration with this collection was to ensure that our rugs were beautiful, practical, and durable,’ says Laura. LIGHT THE WAY From Laura Ashley’s SS24 lighting collection, the Harrington wall light in black, £79, is a contemporary take on a classic,…

THE STORY OWNERS Libs Lewis, antiques dealer and founder of Domestic Science home stores (domesticsciencehome.co.uk) lives here with her husband David Nicholls, their son Alfie, 17, and family dogs Bear and Bunty PROPERTY A detached, five-bedroom home in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. It is a former bakery, built in 1901 with later additions WHAT THEY DID Converted about a decade before Libs and David purchased it in 2002, the house lacked character and warmth. Now fitted with salvaged kitchen and bathroom fittings plus vintage and antique treasures, it is a welcoming and cosy family home Determined to find the perfect home with just the right amount of space and potential for improvements, Libs Lewis viewed over 40 properties. That might sound daunting to many, but Libs found it rewarding as, finally, her…

Few, if any, textiles can rival chintz for the revelations it throws upon the tapestry of global trade, cultural intersection and international competition in technical skill. The story of chintz is one of artistry and innovation, colonialism and craft, indigenous knowledge and industrialised production. It is also the story of the power of design – which not only captivates worldwide admiration but also has the power to ignite rivalries for commercial dominance. Indigenous skill Today, the term chintz is synonymous with the beautiful floral fabrics that are core to the traditional English country house style. Yet it is, in fact, a derivation from the Hindi ‘Chint’ or ‘Chitta’ – which translates as spotted, speckled, variegated or sprayed, and relates to the process more than the motif – and this reveals…

Windows play a defining role in a home’s curb appeal, and the chosen design can make or break the aesthetics of a house exterior. Deciding between repair or replacement of windows, to selecting the materials, style and colour of new can often seem daunting. Experts share their advice to help guide you in your decisions. Repair or replace? Before you consider replacing old windows, establish whether you can repair the existing ones. Not only is this much more affordable than buying new, but you will be surprised as what improvements and repairs can be achieved through a sensitive restoration. ‘Draught proofing or installing new double-glazed sashes into the existing window frames can keep your home warmer while being cheaper than a complete replacement,’ explains Richard Dollar, managing director at The…

Until around the 1930s, walls and ceilings in most homes were plastered using traditional lime or lime and earth-based plasters. Unlike modern cementitious or gypsum plasters, these allow walls and ceilings to breathe and flex and are often mixed with animal hair or hay to reduce shrinkage and offer strength. Historically, this plaster was applied in one to three coats. Any repairs to these surfaces should therefore be carried out using a compatible mix. Plastering is specialist work: limes are alkaline and caustic and are potentially harmful to eyes, skin and lungs, so wear safety glasses and gloves and, if mixing powdered products, work in well-ventilated areas and wear a good quality respirator mask. How to repair Before starting any plasterwork, proper investigation is essential so that the extent of…

Bobbin furniture has its roots in 18th-century America, later finding its way to England and France. It stands as a testament to the evolution of design and craftsmanship, initially emerging from the inventive repurposing of leftover pieces in craftsmen’s workshops. The bobbin motif was deemed folk design or peasant furniture in its early days. However, what began as humble origins evolved into a symbol of skilled artistry and meticulous attention to detail. In its nascent stage, bobbin furniture was crafted with softer, less expensive woods, such as pine, gradually transitioning to more widely used oak and, in some instances, rosewood. The technique of turning, employed by skilled craftsmen to create turned spindles, played a pivotal role in shaping wood into delicate, cylindrical forms resembling bobbins or spools used for thread…

WISTERIA HYSTERIA Celebrating the beauty of wisteria and covered with its long, trailing blooms, the Seraphina wallpaper from Colefax & Fowler oozes timeless elegance. Reminiscent of stylised florals found on Japanese screens, it is guaranteed to bring romance to a dining room and would work particularly well in rooms with high ceilings where it has space to shine. The dreamy wallpaper print is available in five delicate, aged colourways, including Old Blue (pictured), priced £88 per roll. The design is also available across a range of fabrics. A HAPPY PLACE Increasingly, homeowners are getting bolder with kitchen design, embracing colour and pattern to bring ‘dopamine décor’ to these functional spaces. A hero print in the Harlequin x Sophie Robinson collection, the Woodland Floral paper features beautiful illustrations of flowers found…

THE STORY OWNERS Lawyers Brigit and Jon Havard, live here with their children Meg, 15, and Tom, 13 PROPERTY A four-storey house on the Heaver Estate in south London, with six bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property was built around the turn of the 20th century WHAT THEY DID Interior designer Beth Dadswell (imperfectinteriors.co.uk) helped the couple transform their home. The house was rewired and replumbed; the kitchen was updated; the basement was panelled and a new en suite was fitted in one of the guest bedrooms. Period features were restored before the house was redecorated throughout Brought up in a thatched cottage in Oxfordshire, Brigit Havard has been passionate about antiques for as long as she can remember. ‘I guess I am a little old-fashioned and I have always…

Colour story Working with Coat Paints, Lincolnshire-based homeware and lifestyle brand Sophie Allport has expanded its range to include its first capsule paint collection. Each of the 12 shades, named after a local location, can be found in Sophie’s nature-inspired watercolour designs. Choose from four neutrals, four delicate shades and four statement colours. ‘As with our designs, we wanted to produce a paint collection that would draw on the natural beauty of the great outdoors and help to bring the outside in,’ says Sophie. Pictured in Uppingham Grey, the solvent-free, water-based paint is priced at £57 for 2.5ltrs matt emulsion; £36.50 for 1ltr eggshell emulsion. BOLD AS BRASS Known for its handmade kitchens, Devol has launched its debut bathroom collection with two new tap designs. Working with British bathroom brand,…

Dampness is the biggest enemy of buildings in the UK’s climate, and one of the most effective ways to combat this is to ensure that you have and maintain an efficient rainwater disposal system. Although the Romans appreciated the need for good rainwater management, the first recorded use of downpipes was not until the Norman period on the Tower of London. The Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in the 16th century saw recycled lead used for rainwater fittings on country houses and other high-status buildings. Cast iron was popular for rainwater gutters and downpipes in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, while during the 19th century, plastic and aluminium alternatives became available. The need for guttering Severe, ongoing wetting can lead internally to damp patches and green mould on…

Who needs artificial air fresheners when you could have a delightfully fragrant houseplant filling the air with its delicious perfume? Madagascar jasmine brings all this and more, from its tactile, waxy leaves, to its dainty white blooms, which are a popular addition to bridal bouquets. Despite its name, Madagascar jasmine is not a ‘true’ jasmine and is instead part of the Apocynaceae family, which also includes periwinkles and oleander. ‘Madagascar jasmines are among the most fragrant of all flowers and will fill your home with a beautiful, natural aroma,’ says Emily Lawlor, owner of Happy Houseplants. ‘It’s a gorgeous plant that is an excellent eco-friendly alternative to scented candles.’ Perfect placement Madagascar jasmine, Stephanotis floribunda, also known as bridal wreath, is, unsurprisingly, native to Madagascar. In the UK this evergreen…