Period Living

Living in a new house for a period of time before starting on any renovations, or even as much as picking up a paint brush, is the advice of many of the homeowners that we feature in the magazine every month. It is only after you have experienced a property through the year that you can start to see what, if any, changes you might need to make – from updating colour schemes after observing how natural light works in rooms over the seasons, to knocking down walls to create open-plan spaces that suit family life. Sara and Dom Allom waited 10 years before extending their small Victorian cottage (page 60), but their patience paid off and they have expertly blended old and new to create a home that works…

BOTANICAL BEAUTY Inspired by the archive collections of the RHS Lindley Library, one of the world’s finest assemblage’s of botanical drawings and paintings, Sofas & Stuff has captured some of the trailing patterns in a range of six new designs. Printed on neutral-toned fabrics, including 100 per cent linen, a cotton/linen blend and a more affordable cotton/polyester mix, all of the designs can be used across any of Sofas & Stuff’s range of British-made bespoke sofas, chairs, footstools and beds, or you can buy off the roll to use on other soft furnishings. A celebration of British gardens and hedgerows, the prints will add natural beauty to any room. Pictured, Kentwell three-seater sofa in Lydia Penrose design, £4,147. HISTORY IN DESIGN Wallpaper brand 1848 Wallcoverings delved into the Victoria &…

Imagining Tracey Mannell’s home without its shimmering colours and bold patterns would be like watching Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat on a black and white television. Tracey lives and breathes rainbow shades and floral prints, and when the late-Victorian house came up for sale she relished the chance to refresh its dated and neutral décor with a joyful mix of stripes, geometrics and chintz. ‘I knew instantly what I would do with it,’ says interior designer Tracey, thinking back to the first viewing with her husband, Richard. ‘I’d fill it with loads of colour and pattern, and mix antiques with newer pieces for a more contemporary look.’ Tracey had just sold a cottage nearby and was looking for a more spacious period property that would still feel homely and…

For those with a passion for pattern, decorating with small prints is a wonderful way to bring colour and interest into the home in a way that will remain timeless and elegant. There is a dazzling array available, and whether introduced through wallpaper, curtains, upholstery or accessories, such as cushions, dainty designs add depth to interiors without dominating. Key to the popularity of small prints is their versatility; they can be used in isolation, or mixed and matched with other patterns depending on the look you wish to achieve. Used wall-to-wall, they are an effective tool for creating a cosy feel, and also work well as a base for an eclectic, layered scheme. For a gentler look, use them over soft furnishings to bring subtle depth and interest to pared…

Having lived in the area for over forty years, Tim Bailey knew there was only one village to which he would consider moving. ‘This village is a great place. It is multi-cultural, multi-generational, and there are a lot of good people around,’ he affirms. One such person is Tim’s current neighbour. Knowing that Tim was looking to downsize from Draycott Manor, it was his neighbour who put in the call to say that the house was about to go on the market. There was much to love about the building – it had great charm - but it needed a lot of work and, being Grade II-listed, there was the possibility of planning issues. Fortunately, Tim could see past these potential pitfalls and had the vision to see how he…

With our homes working harder than ever to serve all sorts of functions, and clutter-free, open-plan living becoming increasingly popular, having practical spaces to carry out household chores and hide away things we don’t want to see in the main living spaces, is becoming a priority. Engine rooms of the home, utilities are traditionally used for laundry and storing household essentials. ‘Ideally, in a modern utility room, you want to have a separate washer and dryer, if possible; a tall cupboard with an internal divide for the ironing board to stop it falling over each time you open the door; and shelves for cleaning products. A sink is handy for soaking and hand washing,’ says Richard Moore design director at Martin Moore. The utility room has, however, evolved into a…