Lxtending a period home can be a divisive issue. Many people believe older properties must be adapted to make them work for 21st-century living, but some would argue that they are architectural relics and, as such, should be preserved intact for the

Victorian semis and terraces make up a large proportion of the UK’s housing stock, and though blessed with character are often cursed with cramped galley kitchens at the rear. A desirable solution is to extend to create a family-friendly kitchen-dine

Hannah Lloyd explains how she and husband Dan transformed their uninhabitable shell into the perfect home for their family, in just six months Tell us about the history of your home? Built in 1826, Bryncoch had only been home to four families before

While the notion of fireplaces started as a necessity for survival, they have evolved to become a major feature within a home, often epitomising the period in which it was built, or showing the change in fashions. There is a relaxing ambiance to a ro

If your kitchen is a light, bright space, why not dare to be different by opting for cabinetry in deep navy-laced charcoal? Stylish and sophisticated, this Haddon cabinetry in Charcoal, from £15,000 by Burbidge & Son’s Kitchen Makers, would perfectly

Plumbing problems in older properties can range from water damage caused by leaks, to substandard water quality due to the corrosion of pipework or the use of dangerous materials, such as lead. Older systems are also likely to be water and energy ine

In the stillness of a chill winter’s morning, Jason Mosseri is wandering through woodland near to where he lives in Lewes, Sussex, in search of the perfect, freshly felled wood. In particular, he is looking for ash trees; the straighter the better, f

Strolling down the leafy suburban street, you would not think you were in the middle of a busy London borough. It was this peaceful charm, an echo of her childhood in the New Forest, that led Aoife Kenny to this idyllic corner of Brixton. ‘The first

Fragrance is a very personal and subtle tool that can bring another dimension to the garden. Each of us has a unique sense of smell, and scent can make the most beautiful bloom even more enticing. We are often aware of an aroma before coming upon a p

Great reasons to subscribe You’ll never miss an issue Only £2.08 an issue – brilliant value! Every issue is delivered in an eco-friendly paper wrap SUBSCRIBE NOW Go to www.magazinesdirect.com/plfeb21 or call 0330 333 1113 and quote 82AT * Terms & con

Little by little, Christopher and Lillie Edgar have been working their way further south. It was the magical setting and the open views that first drew the couple to their beautiful country home. Their house, not far from Hastings and the south coast

A motif of love as old as time, the sweet-smelling rose cannot fail to delight. Sissinghurst’s roses are internationally renowned, and immortalise the unconventional marriage of writer Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, who, in designing the ca

Delighted to finally get onto the property ladder, Ciara and Harvey Appelbe were prepared to overlook the many problems and numerous tasks that faced them when they bought an old school building from a painter who had converted it into a home and stu

The new English Berry 58 Gin, £34, from the London-based artisan spirits distillery, has been created using foraged sloe berries plucked from Kent bushes, with any botanical surplus gifted to the distillery’s local church garden. Free from any artifi

There is no shortage of historical interest in this pretty Swedish cottage. Built in the 1860s on a private estate 40 minutes’ drive from Stockholm, it was once home to servants working at a nearby manor house. Now its current owners, Sofia Ekeroth d

There is nothing more satisfying than a big bowl of pasta; it tends to be a go-to in many households, when something easy and effortless is required. And effortless is the key word in this recipe, as all the ingredients go into one pot and cook in 15

What do you love about Period Living? What type of homes do you want more of? Is there a topic you’d love to see included in a future issue? Our reader survey takes no more than a few minutes to complete and will help shape the magazine in future – i

• Beautiful homes and gardens • Spring decorating inspiration • Kitchen design ideas • Antique teapots • Wall panelling • Grow your own in small spaces Images Joyce Vloet/Cocofeatures; Jody Stewart; Julia Currie; Leigh Clapp; Brent Darby; Philip Laut

Are you in the market for antiques? Don’t miss the auctions held by Bentley’s Fine Art Auctioneers on the first Saturday of every month. Featuring around 800-1,000 lots, each sale offers an eclectic mix of antiques, fine art, collectibles, 20th-centu

The bed; a rectangle of refuge; a place of rest; a scene where life begins and ends; a statement of power, wealth and style but also a setting of simplicity, understatement and, sometimes, sadness. The bed is truly a microcosm of the human condition

The epitaph on John Keats’ gravestone reads: ‘Here lies one whose name was writ in water’, words chosen by the poet as he lay dying of consumption in Rome, aged just 25. Slammed by the critics, he believed his poetry wouldn’t live on after his death

Feature Pippa Blenkinsop Winter is the time for snuggling up, so why not treat yourself to some luxurious bedding to create that special sanctuary? Brilliantly timed, Morris & Co has added two designs to its bedlinen collection. Inspired by the embro

The bath is the focal point of your bathroom, so let it take centre stage. Create an elevated platform to draw the eye, giving it a glamorous touch with a marble-effect surface, such as Topps Tiles’ Serac honed tiles, £49.93 per m2. Then pick a bath

How did the Greencombe collection come about? There are certain things in life that give us that magical feeling: getting married; taking a walk in nature; and another one for me is block printing. It’s an addiction! This collection sums up everythin