Period Living

New year is a time to reflect on the year that was, and make plans for the year to come. Every January I make a long list of resolutions for transforming my home, health and happiness, but I rarely manage more than one or two. However, in 2019 I did

Are you playing host this New Year’s Eve? Create a welcoming atmosphere with flaming colours and flickering candlelight. Transform dining room walls with a cocooning shade such as Neptune’s Chestnut, from £38 for 2.5ltrs of matt emulsion, or add its

I thoroughly enjoyed the December issue, it was fabulously festive - just what I needed to get me into the Christmas spirit. I particularly loved the 1920s photographs. It took me back to sitting with my mother, looking through her photo albums as sh

You don’t need flamboyant pattern and colour to turn heads in a dining room. Instead channel the Danish concept of hygge and create a mood of cosiness and wellness using neutral pieces and plenty of candlelight. Set the tone for a laid-back gathering

Elegant, comfortable and full of light, Olga and Oleg’s London home took some finding. The couple rented an apartment initially, thinking they would soon find a property to buy, but it was only after viewing nearly 200 homes that they discovered the

After living in the city for a few years, Jessica was ready for a change from fast-paced urban life and wanted to escape to a rural village – she just had to find the right home to convince her husband to take the leap. The couple’s first house was a

Dave and Tokes rented their home for two years before they bought the property from their landlord. ‘We started the renovation process while we were still renting,’ Tokes explains. The flat had been used as student accommodation for many years and wa

Looking for a home that would give them some space and open views away from the bustle of city living, Susan and Jeremy were longing to find somewhere in Ireland. ‘We were both born and educated in Ireland and met as students at Trinity College in Du

People often get confused about the terminology used to describe various decorative and craft-related techniques – marquetry is one of them. Rather like the difference between cloisonné and champlevé –the particularly oriental process of enamelling m

At the Plowden & Smith workshop in south London, Oliver White is among the team of specialist restorers and conservators who breathe new life into damaged antique pieces. Among the recent marquetry projects was the restoration of a fire-damaged 17th-

Why should I shop at auction? The best thing about auctions is the huge variety of objects that can be found. No matter what your interest, whether it is a niche collecting area, high-end art or period furnishings, you can have great fun searching f

IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE to pick out the most stunning treasures cared for by the National Trust. Perhaps you might go for the Edwardian perfection of Polesden Lacey in Surrey, with Persian carpets and palazzo gold-carved panelling – so peaceful that

‘I started here two years ago, as a work placement to support my horticulture studies at Plumpton College. You need a good knowledge of what you’re doing because visitors want to know all sorts. The kitchen garden is very organic and “no-dig”, meanin

British bath maker BC Designs has gone back to its classic roots with the launch of its Tin Boat bateau tub. Made using time-honoured techniques from the 18th century, the bath has curving ends to support your head and shoulders, and is available in

More than just the heart of the home, the kitchen is the engine room, and if it feels tired and functions poorly, it can have a big impact on day-to-day life. However, when it comes to budgeting for a new kitchen, there can be a great disparity betwe

With limited daylight and cold weather this is not the most practical season to take on large projects. However, you must keep on top of little maintenance jobs and take the time to fix any niggles inside and outside the home. Look out for issues tha

Used to consolidate and protect surfaces, plaster also provides a decorative finish. Until the use of modern gypsum and cementitious plasters became popular after World War II, plaster was generally a mixture of lime and sand, although clay plasters,

Q A section of lime plaster has fallen off the wall and the area around it sounds hollow when tapped. Should all of the plaster be stripped off, or can it be repaired instead? Often lime can sound hollow but a well-haired lime plaster can be very st

Although Arts and Crafts is one of the most influential design movements in history, some critics would say that it is not really a style – more a design ethos. For many people, however, it is certainly an ethos to aspire to, and one that is very clo

With the stresses of the daily commute and the constant buzzing of phones, not to mention the seemingly never-ending sea of responsibilities that rest upon our shoulders, we all need a quiet place to escape to at the end of a busy day. Your bedroom i

Now is the time to start making plans for the year ahead – see our yearly garden planner on page 141. Deciding on the rotation of veg crops will be top of the list, so buy seeds in readiness for when the last frosts have passed. Add some of the organ

Creating the garden of your dreams takes a good deal of planning and organisation, but gardening is also a therapeutic activity for both body and soul, and rewards greatly from the effort put in. Start the new gardening year prepared. Ensure you have

All aboard for a driving day with a difference – at the helm of a beautifully restored tram around Beamish open-air museum’s track, passing the 1900s town. The nostalgic experience includes tuition, safety checks, driving at least two trams, and a de

January’s seasonal ingredient is chosen by Ivan Tisdall-Downes, head chef at Native, London Bridge After Christmas we use the fragrant pine tree needles. With its herbaceous undertones, pine makes a great syrup - a non-alcoholic alternative to a G&T.

• 29ml Portobello Road London gin• 29ml lemon juice• 29ml Lillet Rosé wine• 29ml Pink grapefruit liqueur• 15ml sugar syrup Add the cocktail ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a