Period Living February 2022

Happy homes are those that make us feel nurtured and relaxed. Whether through decorating with an uplifting colour palette; using soft textures to create a cosy environment; or surrounding ourselves with beautiful pieces that make our hearts sing, these considered design choices have a positive effect on well-being and create a sense of truly being ‘home’. What’s so special about period properties is that they come ready-imbued with character and history, making them feel warm and lived in. So when investing in new designs, rather than going against the grain, use your instincts to make thoughtful choices that will enhance that feeling and add to your home’s story. Instead of buying all the latest trend-led designs, a harmonious mix of old and new will complement the house beautifully – celebrating…

DIY INSPIRATION I just wanted to say how impressed I was with Imogen and Tom Stead’s renovation project, in the November issue. I was especially taken with their work on the front façade (above and below) – it was a gift to both the neighbours and the local environment. Nona Ridley RENOVATION STORY After reading about Imogen and Tom’s home (left), we wanted to share the story of our own renovation. In 2017, following a family bereavement, we were able to purchase a Grade II*-listed cottage (right and below). Dating back to 1650, it had been empty for over two years and was an ex-housing association property. As a result, it needed a lot of TLC to restore its original beauty. We reconfigured the upstairs floorplan, replaced the kitchen, painted over purple walls,…

Feature Pippa Blenkinsop Make it yours Annie Sloan has collaborated with the Royal Horticultural Society to launch a range of botanical-inspired decoupage papers. A popular craft in the Victorian era, decoupage traditionally involves decorating objects and furniture with paper cut-outs, before sealing the design with as many as 40 layers of varnish. However, Annie’s new papers are ready to be cut out, arranged and stuck down with just two coats of special adhesive, making it easy to create your own personalised designs for walls and furniture. This RHS Songbird design costs £11.95, and the adhesive is £8.95. LIGHT & SHADE Lighting designer Pooky has collaborated with heritage British brand Liberty to launch a stunning new collection of lampshades. Delving into the legendary Liberty print archive, 10 classic designs were chosen and reinterpreted in fresh…

From dramatic oversized blooms to delicate handpainted garden flowers, dark floral prints are guaranteed to bring romance and glamour to your interior. If you dare to be different, papering wall-to-wall in botanical designs will create instant period drama, which is a brilliant look for occasional and entertaining spaces where you can afford to be more experimental. To soften the look, pair papers with painted panelling and window treatments in plain fabrics. For restful spaces like bedrooms and for schemes that are a little easier to live with, consider introducing dark floral fabrics through upholstery, curtains and blinds. Alternatively, for a quick and easy way to channel the trend, try adding in accessories such as lampshades and cushions. When decorating with floral prints in dark colours, it’s important to consider the scale of…

Were it possible to have built her home from recycled materials and interesting finds, Maude Smith would have done so in a heartbeat. Instead she settled for decorating and furnishing the Victorian townhouse in Stockwell – which she shares with two others – with treasured finds, handmade soft furnishings and painted pre-loved furniture, which has not only saved them a small fortune, but also created a unique place to call home. Few houses have kitchen units with doors made from corks and seashells, brightly coloured handpainted tiles covering the bathroom walls and the owner’s own-design wallpaper on the hall, stairs and landing. Yet Maude’s imaginative home is a homage to all things handmade and creative – a full-scale version of the wonderful handcrafted products that she sells through her online store,…