Period Living

Homes come in all shapes and sizes, but few are as universally admired as the cottage. Originally humble dwellings intended for poorer members of society, who would use the surrounding garden to grow their own crops and medicinal plants, cottages have today become a rural idyll. Cosy, brimming with character, and possessing a uniquely warm and welcoming atmosphere, their appeal seems to transcend all design boundaries. Happily, the look is more of an ethos than a prescribed style, and can translate to houses of every era – as evidenced in our readers’ homes this month, which span two centuries. Each one celebrates the style in its own way, from our cover star – the quintessentially English chocolate-box cottage of Clare Pearne (page 47) – to Anna and Dirk de Glee’s…

COLOUR CLASH We purchased our Victorian townhouse in East Brighton last year and have since been busy renovating and redecorating it. I subscribed to Period Living at the start of the project and have loved hearing the reassuring tales from other homeowners while also gaining lots of interiors inspiration. I loved the blue and yellow kitchen (April issue) and it made me realise how much I needed some sunny cabinets in my life! Jessica Whatley PERFECTLY PETITE The feature on small kitchens in the May issue conjured up so many images of warmth and comfort. After all, the French word for home is ‘le foyer’, which also means the hearth; home is the place where the fire is and the food is prepared – no matter its size. Sometimes it feels as though…

PLAYFUL PAPERS Inspired by the great outdoors, Joules has teamed up with wallpaper brand Graham & Brown to create a collection of 46 beautifully bold wallpapers and two stunning murals. This new launch is made up of three trends: Contemporary Country, Modern Heritage and Galley – a rustic, coastal look. Capturing the bright colours of nature, you’ll find vibrant, playful styles; fresh, beach-cottage designs with illustrations that will transport you to the British seaside; trailing blooms and eclectic floral patterns inspired by folklore; plus six cheery designs for kids’ bedrooms and playrooms. The entire range is carbon neutral: all of the production is powered by renewable energy and the designs are printed with water-based ink on sustainably sourced paper. From £40 per roll. STAYCATION PERFECTION Cox & Cox’s new outdoor living accessories are…

When Period Living launched its partnership with Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co in 2021, it was a new venture for both brands, who share similar values in prizing British-made, high-quality furniture design. Handcrafting the most beautiful metal beds from its Norfolk workshop, Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co is a leading light in British manufacturing. The family business uses only the finest quality materials and puts sustainability at the heart of everything – it is the first iron bed maker in the UK to be certified as carbon neutral, powering its workshop with 100 per cent renewable energy and sourcing its bed slats from FSC certified companies. The team are true experts and master craftsmen, and make investing in this key piece of furniture the exciting experience it should…

Pristine white-painted brick and pebbledash walls, a New England-style porch, and a garden filled with roses, hydrangeas, and handmade sheds all point to the hard work Chris and Neil have put into making The Warren their home. From knocking through rooms to clocking up hundreds of hours in the garden, no corner has been left untouched. ‘It looked so unloved when we bought it, but we could see it had huge potential,’ says Chris, who has handmade soft furnishings, restored furniture, and completely transformed an outdoor wilderness into an abundant cottage garden. ‘It helps that Neil is very handy,’ she adds. ‘He makes things out of salvaged materials in his workshop, nicknamed the Crooked Shed, which he made using a tin roof from a WWII Anderson shelter.’ Besides making the best…