Period Living August 2021

Matching original features and materials with new, authentic-looking designs is a challenge when restoring period properties. While many wonderful British companies produce quality handmade pieces using traditional processes, or even new products with a simulated aged effect, it’s almost impossible to truly recreate the patina of time. That’s why reclamation yards are such invaluable sources of genuine architectural antiques – from bricks and roof tiles to cast-iron fireplaces and baths, as well as a plethora of decorative objects for the home and garden. These items have been salvaged from old buildings, such as houses, schools, churches and factories, that have been demolished or renovated. With a bit of luck, you can track down matching materials for an extension, recreate missing original features, or simply add to the charm of your…

Matching original features and materials with new, authentic-looking designs is a challenge when restoring period properties. While many wonderful British companies produce quality handmade pieces using traditional processes, or even new products with a simulated aged effect, it’s almost impossible to truly recreate the patina of time. That’s why reclamation yards are such invaluable sources of genuine architectural antiques – from bricks and roof tiles to cast-iron fireplaces and baths, as well as a plethora of decorative objects for the home and garden. These items have been salvaged from old buildings, such as houses, schools, churches and factories, that have been demolished or renovated. With a bit of luck, you can track down matching materials for an extension, recreate missing original features, or simply add to the charm of your…

BREAK THE MOULD I was delighted to read the Design Details feature on mouldings in the May issue. When we moved into our Victorian terraced house, the mouldings on the living room ceiling were painted in dragon’s blood red and gold (above). It was a bit shocking at first, but considering the quality of the paint job, we decided to stick with it and decorate around it. Seeing a ceiling with red mouldings in the feature really gladdened my heart! Cheri Kelso DIY FLOOR TRANSFORMATION Thank you so much for your wonderful online feature on how to clean encaustic tiles. I’m making good progress cleaning these up now! @Peakpaws1 on Twitter Visit homesandgardens.com/period-living for more interior inspiration and how-to-guides THE PL TREATMENT We are very fortunate to live in a lovely part of the country…

In bloom Swedish wallpaper brand Borastapeter has taken inspiration from the bucolic scenes of English gardens to create a romantic new collection. Featuring nine designs, Cottage Garden centres around beautiful floral prints, which sit alongside classic checks and soft painterly designs to those featuring simple swaying grasses. Our favourite, Nightingale Garden, is a rich design with an antique feel inspired by jacquard fabrics. Shown in colourway 61, £44.40 per roll at Jane Clayton. A LOVE FOR COLOUR The late interior designer William Yeoward launched his eponymous brand in 1983, which became renowned for its modern British style, quality and craftsmanship. Today, the team continues to live up to this reputation, offering timeless fabrics, wallpapers, furniture, upholstery, lighting and homeware. In homage to the designer’s love of colour, this summer the brand has launched…

Learn how to make enchanting pająki folk decorations in Making Mobiles, by Karolina Merska (£20, Pavilion). Inspired by the folk art of her home country Poland, Karolina offers step-by-step guides for creating these paper chandeliers – perfect for bringing a festival feel and colour to parties and interiors. Interior designer Kit Kemp reveals new ways of looking at interiors and encourages the confidence to be bold in her latest book, Design Secrets (£25, Hardie Grant). Packed full of inspiration, advice, dos and don’ts, and creative projects to add a fresh and exciting feel to your living space, it even has its own colouring-in book to explore new colour ideas. Discover the work and life of one of Britain’s best-known artists in John Hassall: The Life and Art of the Poster King, by…

Launched in 2020 from the seaside town of Folkestone, Sylvia &Margot is the new venture of pattern designer Rebecca Richardson, who creates beautiful fabrics, wallpapers and homeware based on original lino prints inspired by nature. Originally from London, Rebecca loved pattern from an early age and as a child would spend hours drawing William Morris prints, but it was only after leaving her job in graphic design and becoming a mother that she thought about turning her passion for print into a career. Around the same time her father had been researching their family tree, discovering their ancestors, Sylvia and Margaret Richardson, two nature-loving sisters known locally as ‘The Richardson Sisters’; it was their story that inspired Rebecca to pursue her pattern making under the name Sylvia & Margot. The…