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PERIODLIVING BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING PERIOD HOMES MAGAZINE

HOMES

AUGUST 2018

l DECORATING l GARDENS l ANTIQUES & VINTAGE l RENOVATION

Home for summer

54

pages of enchanting period homes and gardens that celebrate the sunshine

Garden

UPDATES Beautiful investment buys, from gazebos to accessories

ADD AN OAK FRAME EXTENSION OR GARDEN ROOM

PLUS...

SHOPPING TRENDS ELECTRICS WATER FEATURES BBQ RECIPES

Colours OF THE SEA

Decorate with rich blues and rustic textures for a coastal look

RECREATE GEORGIAN STYLE WITH ANTIQUES

Illustration Sarah Overs Photograph David Lloyd

Editor’s Letter

othing makes me happier at this time of year than relaxing in the garden, enjoying lunch alfresco, drinking in the summer warmth and scents, and admiring the rich profusion of flowers in our borders. There are a few of gaps to fill, and for the biggest I have set my sights on David Austin’s Emily Brontë rose, which was introduced at the Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year to mark 200 years since the novelist’s birth. I am always eyeing something for the garden, whether a plant, a pot or a new piece of furniture – as the seasons change, so too do my ideas. This month, we pick out the most stylish updates to transform your own outdoor space, from landscaping to accessories (page 121), and take an in-depth look at how to add a water feature to your garden (page 127). Not only an attractive focal point, a fountain can introduce an extra layer of sound and movement, while a still pond creates a sense of calm and tranquillity, is a draw for wildlife and can host stunning plants, such as water lilies.

The dream for many people – myself included – is to blur the boundaries between house and garden, so that when the sun is shining you can still feel connected to nature even when inside, enjoying the view through patio doors, or perhaps from a sheltered outside area. One of the best ways to achieve this kind of space for a period home is to extend – and what better, more natural material to do it with than oak? From page 103, we reveal how to create a charming oak frame addition for a period property. You can’t beat the soft honeyed tones of exposed beams in an orangery, or an impressive vaulted ceiling in an open, light-filled kitchen-diner. If you’re not convinced extending is the right option for your house, but still crave more space, we also explore how adding an oak frame garden building is an increasingly popular alternative. From summerhouses and outdoor kitchens to home offices and workshops, the options for their use are limited only by your imagination.

Elsewhere in this issue, we celebrate British design – both current and from the past. First, we visit the studio of wallpaper and fabric producer Rapture & Wright (page 28). Opting for more unique prints can elevate a home from the ordinary to the extraordinary, and we follow the fascinating process of how the team creates and hand prints each design. Meanwhile, Marc Allum looks back at the 18th century and reveals how the events of the time shaped interior styles, and looks at the key antiques in which to invest (page 92).

Finally, last month’s fantastic subscription offer to receive a set of two beautiful Emma Bridgewater mugs, worth £39.95, has been so popular that we’ve decided to extend it for one more month. Turn to page 90 for details, and don’t miss out. Enjoy!

Melanie Griffiths Editor, Period Living Period Living 3

PERIODLIVING

Future PLC, Units 1 & 2, Sugarbrook Court, Aston Road, Bromsgrove B60 3EX EDITORIAL Editor Melanie Griffiths Content Editor Rachel Crow Homes Content Editor Karen Darlow Style Editor Pippa Blenkinsop Email periodliving@futurenet.com ART Head of Art Billy Peel Senior Art Editor Emily Smith Art Editor Karen Lawson ADVERTISING Media packs are available on request Print & Digital Sales Director Jackie Sanders 01527 834426 jackie.sanders@futurenet.com Print & Digital Sales Manager Rebecca Vincze 01527 834415 rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com Classified Sales Manager Emma Farrington 01527 834445 emma.farrington@futurenet.com INTERNATIONAL Period Living is available for licensing. Contact the International department to discuss partnership opportunities International Licensing Director Matt Ellis matt.ellis@futurenet.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Email enquiries contact@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Orderline and enquiries +44 (0)344 848 2852 Online orders and enquiries www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Head of Subscriptions Sharon Todd CIRCULATION Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers PRODUCTION Head of Production Mark Constance Production Manager Frances Twentyman Advertising Production Manager Jo Crosby Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson Digital Production Executive Nicholas Robertson DIGITAL Digital Manager Tom Burbridge Senior Web Editor Lindsey Davis Video Producer Matt Gibbs Email Delivery Manager Alison Nash Web Operations Manager Laura Sturgess MANAGEMENT Chief Operations Officer Aaron Asadi Commercial & Events Director Nick Noble Director of Content & Product Development Michael Holmes Editorial Director Jason Orme Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham

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127 46

CONTENTS Cover

19

Decorating & shopping

9 17 19 20 22 55 78 6 Period Living

Photograph Solesbury & Worthy

77

August journal We round up the latest interiors offerings, news and exhibitions

Modern vintage Mix retro floral prints and bright colours for a chintz revival

Features Viva la fiesta Throw a summer party Mexican style, with cactus motifs and colourful party pieces ON THE COVER

Woven wonders Embrace wicker and rattan for a rustic yet contemporary look

28 92

Summer loving Refresh your garden room with these pretty vintage-style buys

ON THE COVER

The 18th-century interior Antiques Roadshow expert Marc Allum describes the defining features of the period

Earn your stripes Give your home a new direction with the latest striped homeware ON THE COVER Ocean blues From serene to striking, use the myriad blues of the ocean to inspire a beautiful watery scheme

Made in Britain We visit the Rapture and Wright team at their Cotswold studio to see handprinted fabrics and wallpapers come to life

141 162

ON THE COVER Recipes Use your grill to rustle up dishes fit for an alfresco feast

British piers An iconic feature of many a seaside town, the British pier has an intriguing history...

119

Homes

34 46 56 67 78

ON THE COVER Inspired decision The Preston-Hunts gave their former vicarage a new lease of life with glamorous interiors

Gardens Escape to the country A Victorian cottage in Dorset makes the perfect holiday home for the Booth family Broad horizons In pursuit of a slow pace of life, Helle and Neville Kilkenny updated a 1940s cottage in the East Lothian countryside

115 119 121

Bright and beautiful Ben and Mark Hamilton Anderson filled their Dorchester cottage with colour and vintage pieces

127

A change of pace Derelict for 50 years, this French home has been lovingly restored and boasts classic, calm interiors

132

Advice & inspiration

99 103 111

The reclaimer Paul Johnson from Ribble Reclamation gives tips on buying salvaged cobbled paving

House journal New products and expert advice for updating a period property

90

Heart of oak Add space and value with an oak frame extension or garden room Home health check Property expert Roger Hunt advises on electrical systems

Garden shopping Spruce up your potting shed this summer with these garden buys

119

ON THE COVER 12 of the best garden updates From fire bowls to fountains, we round up the latest ideas ON THE COVER Garden advice Gardens expert Leigh Clapp advises on what a water feature can bring to an outdoor space ON THE COVER A romantic vision The 18th-century gardens at Houghton Lodge make a beautiful setting for a Grade II*-listed house

17

Regulars

ON THE COVER

ON THE COVER

Garden journal A round-up of the latest products for your garden

149

Subscribe Get six issues for just ÂŁ20 plus a free Emma Bridgewater two-mug set worth ÂŁ39.95 Stockists Where to find all the suppliers featured in this issue

77 55

28

132

Period Living 7

journal AUGUST

G

The latest interiors offerings for a period home, from vibrant summer prints and new homeware designs, to collectable antiques

den party r a

Celebrate all your hard work in the garden with an alfresco dinner party. Susie Watson Designs’ new-season collection has everything you need to create a magical setting, from traditional furniture to table linens and accessories covered in pretty country prints.

COLLECTABLE COLOURS Fans of the iconic Calico design from British pottery Burleigh, will be excited to learn that it will be available in four new colourways across its range of Osborne mugs this summer.

Launching to mark 50 years of the design, the new hues, (from left) Burgess Blue, Burnt Orange, Moss Green and Teal, take inspiration from pop art palettes of the 1960s.

The mugs cost £18 each.

Feature Pippa Blenkinsop

IN BLOOM Handmade wrought-iron garden bench, £650, and chair, £325; teak-top table, £1,250; Cambridge Stripe table cloth in Summer Green, from £42; handmade cushions, from £35; Shetland wool throws, from £86; handpainted pottery, from £18.50

Bring summer cheer to the morning 'to do' list with a beautiful floral notebook.

Covered in hand-picked old fabrics from the likes of Sanderson, these designs from Phillips & Cheers make great gifts for vintage lovers.

Priced from £17.50.

Period Living 9

ANTIQUE OF THE MONTH In her collectibles column, antiques expert Judith Miller charts the evolution of the pocket watch

During the 19th century the two main types of escapement were the cylinder and the lever. Toward the end of the century, however, a variety of special features were added to more standard watches, including repeating mechanisms that sounded the hours, quarter hours, and sometimes also the minutes, calendar work, chronograph (stopwatch) mechanisms, and moonphases. Such watches typify the high-quality Swiss work of the 19th century and are highly collectable.

SUMMER PRINTS Bring the outside in with these bright and blousy Miriam accessories from The Highgrove Shop. Using the blooming borders of the Highgrove gardens for inspiration, former Liberty print designer Sally Kelly has created a vibrant painterly print available across everything from lavender bags, £8.95, to tote wash bags, £24.95.

10 Period Living

From top: A Gold repoussé pair cased repeating verge pocket watch, signed John Ellicott, London, circa 1750; a French gold and enamel open-face pocket watch, by Le Roy, Paris, with verge fusee movement, circa 1790, £2,500– 3,000; an 18 carat pocket

watch by Swiss watchmaker Breguet, circa 1790. It features a self-winding à toc quarter repeating lever watch with sectoral equation of time, day and calendar month.

Sold in 2016

by Christie's for £3,245,000 Swiss Francs.

Reader offer PL readers can purchase Judith Miller’s Antiques Encyclopedia (£45, Mitchell Beazley) for the special price of £30, plus free UK P&P. To order your copy, please call 01903 828503 quoting Encyclopedia MB688.*

Images (Christopher Gould and Le Roy watches) courtesy of Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide 2018-2019, Lawrences of Crewekerne and Dreweatts & Bloomsbury. (Daniel Quare) courtesy of Tennants (Breguet) courtesy of Christie's Auction House.

From top: A late 17th-century gold cased pocket watch,

by Christopher Gould, the movement signed ‘Chr. Gould, London’, glass missing, £2,000–2,500; a rare gold repeating verge pocket watch, signed Daniel Quare, London, circa 1710.

Fine examples of craftsmanship and engineering, pocket watches were as much symbols of taste and wealth as portable timepieces, and were passed down through families. The first pocket watches, made during the second half of the 16th century, were powered by a three-wheel train, a fusee, and a verge escapement. By the beginning of the 1600s, the familiar four-wheel train was introduced. Watches of this early date have only one hand – this was typical until the late 17th century. British mid-17thcentury watches are usually either plain or decorated with simple engraving, while Continental watches often had beautifully painted enamel cases.

By the late 17th century, Britain was producing the finest and most innovative watches. A feature before c.1720 is the champlevé dial, made of metal inlaid with black wax; later, enamelled dials became popular. In this era, watches were the preserve of the wealthy, but during the second half of the 18th century they became more accessible.

The general construction of the watch did not change until the start of the 19th century, when makers in Europe began to produce slimmer designs. Decorative, enamelled cases are often a feature of watches of c.1800; some had novelty cases in the shape of violins, beetles, pistols, and snuff-boxes.

During the mid-19th century the keyless pocket watch with winding as an inbuilt mechanism was introduced, and by the 1870s most were keyless.

Watches became slimmer and different types were introduced, the most common being open-faced, half-hunting-cased, and hunting-cased.

News PLAY WITH PATTERN The long summer days are the perfect opportunity for a spot of upcycling. Why not breathe new life into an outdoor dining space by stencilling the top of a tired table?

This trick-of-the-eye tile design was created using Annie Sloan’s new Tallulah stencil, £4.45, and Chalk paint, from £5.95 for 120ml.

B

beaut y oho

Introducing the Elisir collection from Galerie Wallcoverings, which takes inspiration from the iconic boho style and creative confidence of the 1970s. A combination of illustrative florals and chic geometric designs, the eclectic collection is designed to bring a touch of nostalgia to interiors. PL loves this Giardino mural, which fuses on-trend moody botanicals with retro whimsy for a fresh take on vintage style, £299.95 per H212x W300cm panel.

GLASS ACT Celebrating the iconic work of French glassmaker René Lalique, the British Museum has unveiled a new collection of Lalique crystal at its Grenville room shop. Famed for his elegant natureinspired figurines, vases, perfume bottles and car mascots, and noted as a key influence on the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, Lalique was also dubbed ‘the Rodin of transparencies’, so the collection is aptly timed to coincide with the Rodin and the art of ancient Greece exhibition.

Left to right: Covered in water nymphs with an Art Nouveau silhouette, this Naiades Vase is £3,500; a fine example of Lalique’s skill for capturing movement, this majestic Kazak Horse is £375; originally created in 1931, this design of the Chrysis, symbolic of legendary beauty in Greek mythology, is a Lalique classic, £599 Period Living 11

News

M i

t en m

entury m c o d- Is modern

vintage your thing? Then you’ll love Loaf’s new Spindle bed. With sinuous curves and tapered legs, the silhouette exudes simple, enduring appeal and is reminiscent of Scandinavian designs from the 1950s.

Made from solid oak, the natural wood finish of the Spindle, from £945 for a double, looks great teamed with Loaf’s new striking Kingfisher bedlinen. For more inspiration on decorating with blue, turn to page 22.

THROW SOME LIGHT Make a delicate design statement over a kitchen island with Devol’s beautiful new porcelain pendant lamps. From plain to pleated, the shades are all hand thrown by resident ceramicist Kat at the company’s Cotes Mill studio, with some given a chattering effect to create a subtle textured finish. Available in 14 styles, from £80.

WOVEN WONDERS Who says rugs need to be on the floor? Hand-knotted in wool, these new designs from Graham & Green make cosy additions to hard floors, but with such striking, colourful patterns they would equally make stunning textural pieces of wall art. From £350.

Period Living 13

FUN OF THE FAIR

From her home studio overlooking the stunning North Cornwall coast, you’ll find hand weaver Teresa Dunne busy creating colourful lambswool cloths on her vintage floor loom.

A loom with a view, the traditional device can produce up to two metres of cloth per day, which Teresa then makes into beautiful scarves and cushion covers. Having worked in textiles for many years, it was only recently, during a degree in Textile Practices at Plymouth College of Art, that Teresa discovered her love for hand weaving. ‘I was instantly hooked,’ she says. ‘So I purchased a pre-loved, four-shaft floor loom, collected together wool, tools and books, and began to teach myself using online tutorials. Gradually I gained confidence; it was so wonderful to create cloth from raw materials.’ She begins by selecting a palette of coloured yarns. ‘I’m inspired by everything; from the wild flowers of the Cornish cliffs and the sea with its ever-changing blues, to old books and paintings.’ Then comes the lengthy process of dressing the loom, which can take up to a day. The following day Teresa begins weaving, using the foot treadles to lift certain warping threads, passing the shuttle holding the weft thread between them and beating down with the reed. (teresadunnewoventextiles.com) Woven blanket scarves, from £85-£150 and cushions, £75.

MUST-SEE EXHIBITION To mark the centenary of the People’s Representation Act, which gave some women the right to vote, the National Trust has partnered with the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) for a touring exhibition. Opening at its second destination, Killerton in Devon, this August, Faces of Change: Votes for Women brings together paintings, drawings and photographs of key figures in the suffrage campaign from the NPG, alongside items from the house’s collections. 4 August-31 October.

Adults £11.60, children £5.80; free to National Trust pass holders.

14 Period Living

Image (bottom right) Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor, John Singer Sargent, 1923 © National Portrait Gallery, London

TALENT SPOT

This August bank holiday, don’t miss Chatsworth Country Fair.

Set in the grounds of one of Britain’s finest treasure houses, the programme is packed with family-friendly events. See Mary Berry cook up a storm in the Cookery Theatre; head to the country crafts tent to sample Windsor chair making, drystone walling and beekeeping; or look up to see flypasts and balloon launches. Enjoy some animal magic in the Grand Ring with horse and dog shows; visit the Fine Food Village, plus much more. 31 August– 2 September, Adults £25, children under 14 go free.

Shopping Boho mixed pom-pom garland, £10, Talking Tables OMM Ingela P Arrhenius Frida and Salvador egg cups, £16.95 for set of two, Cult Furniture

Kinship handpainted vase, £30, Oliver Bonas

Tropical Havana Mexico print, £16.99, Homesense

Alfalfa Cactus, from £49, Ian Snow

Reggie green and yellow grid stoneware platter, £35, Habitat

Summer bright melamine tray, £12.50, Marks & Spencer

VIVA LA FIESTA Channel Frida Kahlo’s style this summer with Mexican-inspired motifs, vibrant pops of colour and tactile textures Gan Goyescas rug in yellow, from £1,180, Woven

Colourful pajaki chandelier, £275, Raj Tent Club

Feature Sophie Warren-Smith and Emily Hawkes

Clase Azul Reposado tequila, from £45, Harvey Nichols

Lina Mexicana print armchair, £495, Graham & Green

Christian Lacroix Papier Mexico A5 notebook, £19, Liberty London

Tropical Frida cushion in cream, £145, Jan Constantine

Period Living 17

Shopping Next Month Braided straw cushion cover, £17.99, H&M

Kway rattan dog bed, from £200, Kalinko

Oval rattan shade, £175, Abode Living

Poolside cane weave candle holder, Natural, £40, John Lewis

House Doctor Chakra trays, set of two, £60, Amara Anushka jute rug, Natural, £210, Out There Interiors

Malibu rattan hanging chair, £299, Maze Living

WOVEN WONDERS Go au naturel with these on-trend artisan textures, from handmade wicker and rattan pieces to simple straw accessories

Tarifa rattan chair, £175, Nisi Living

Seagrass floor cushions, from £85, Ross & Brown

Feature Sophie Warren-Smith and Emily Hawkes

Rattan and wood screen, £150, Cox & Cox Padma sconce, £641, Arteriors

Nadia natural handwoven rattan double bed frame, £550, Habitat

Storie rattan stool with hidden storage, £45, Olli Ella

Mia cross body straw bag, £25, Accessorize Period Living 19

EARN YOUR STRIPES

Choose the lines of best fit for your style and space with our pick of the latest striped designs, from banded beauties to colourful twists on the classic

20 Period Living

Feature Sophie Warren-Smith and Emily Hawkes

Sophie Robinson Stripe Dazzling Blue bedlinen, from £14 for a pillowcase, Secret Linen Store

Louis XVI Bergère chair, £1,272 plus fabric, Oficina Inglesa

Ellen DeGeneres by Royal Doulton Joy mug in blue stripe, £12, Amara

Coral stripe 2-person hamper, £45, M&S

Gisela Graham blue stripe jug, £24.99, Not Run of the Mill

Flatweave floor cushion in Kyoto blossom, £130, Roger Oates Galley Grade stripe melamine plates, £34.95 for a set of four, Joules Lined notebook in mint stripe, £12.99, Papier

Trimaran pouffe in tangerine/ white, £285, Nisi Living

Multicoloured ceramic cupboard knob, £6.95, Pushka Home

Percy loveseat in Tamasyn Gambell textured stripe in Guava, £890, Sofa.com

Jura table lamp, £167, Där Lighting

Herringbone stripe pink throw, £32, Oliver Bonas

Fabric bread basket, £3.99, H&M

Copenhagen wool rug in Multi, from £250, John Lewis

OCEAN BLUES

The sight of the sea is always an anticipated source of excitement.

Whether it’s approaching the British coast for an old-fashioned seaside break, or as you fly to a far-off destination, there’s nothing quite like catching that first glimpse of vast blue waters stretching out to the horizon, and the crashing waves, to get you in the holiday mood. From the alluring aquamarine hues of sandy Caribbean shores and the glistening teal tones of pebbled Mediterranean beaches, to the inky blues and midnight notes of deep Atlantic waters, the colours of the ocean are as serene as they are striking and offer a versatile spectrum for decorating a period home. Choose a cool, delicate blue in a bedroom for guaranteed relaxation or, in a more occasional space, such as the dining room, try a dramatic tone for a look to turn heads.

To add depth to a watery scheme, take inspiration from ripples and reflections and layer up different textures, including glass, and fabrics with marbled effects and lustrous sheens.

Mind the Gap Indigo Marvel wallpaper, £150 per roll, Rose & Grey

22 Period Living

Decorating

Be inspired by a palette of azure ocean hues to create a striking dining room scheme. Set the tone with walls in Farrow & Ball’s rich Stiffkey Blue and team with the warm honeyed tones of Kalinko’s Asho rattan pendant lamp and vintage cane chairs, for a captivating contrast. To finish, use different materials to add layers of texture; try cushions in ethnic turquoise weaves and blue glass tumblers – used either as glasses or vases to display soaring delphiniums – for a watery touch.

Mekong cushion cover, £60 each; Zomi tumblers, £38 for a set of four, and table linen, from £24 for cotton napkins, all Kalinko.

Period Living 23

For a playful way to anchor a marine-inspired scheme, try colour blocking a wall half way in a punchy turquoise hue, such as Old School Blue from Little Greene, £43.50 per 2.5ltrs of Absolute matt emulsion. A contemporary take on a seascape, the effect is the perfect backdrop for Vanessa Arbuthnott’s folksy By the Sea linen in Teal/Charcoal, £52 per m. Based on a drawing by her husband Nick, inspired by holiday memories, the charming print captures a slower pace of life, featuring sailing boats and coastal dog walkers. Try covering chairs and cushions or use it to make curtains and blinds, finishing with pops of saffron to lift the scheme.

24 Period Living

Decorating Calming and serene, soft, watery hues are a natural choice for a bedroom backdrop.

Shaping one of its key trends for this season, Marks & Spencer has the perfect pieces for finishing a soothing sanctuary, from its Hastings dark grey double bedstead, £349, and bedside chest, £129, to its beautiful Watercolour Striped bedding set, £49.50 for a double. Finish with a Coastal Walk scented candle, £6, to really set the seaside mood.

Period Living 25

From the cyan shades of the shoreline to the inky depths of the ocean, immerse yourself in the alluring tones of the Mediterranean coast with an ombré feature wall. Using Annie Sloan’s Wall Paint, create the effect by first applying Provence at the base. Next, create a mid shade by adding Aubusson Blue, and apply this above the first. While still wet, use a clean brush to blend the colours together, creating a gradual fade. Repeat steps two and three until the darkest blue is applied at the top of the wall. To finish, why not jazz up your bath tub, too? Simply apply Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint directly onto the exterior – whether cast iron, porcelain or fibreglass – followed by a layer of her Clear Chalk Paint Wax, £4.95 per 120ml. Wall Paint, from £4.45 per 100ml; Chalk Paint, £5.95 per 120ml.

26 Period Living

Decorating

Clockwise from top left: Hand Printed Stripe linen in Powder Blue/Clay, £52 per m, Vanessa Arbuthnott. Ceramic peanut bowl, £16.50, Ibbi. Handmade ceramic dish, £16 for two, GlazeyCat ceramics by Cat Meaney. Ceramic coral ornament in Teal, £21.10, Chive. Brera Lino linens in Turquoise, Ocean and Celadon, £62 per m, Designers Guild. For similar vintage book try Oxfam. Glass tumbler, £10, Ibbi. Molten fabric in Peacock, £72 per m, and Basanite velvet in Peacock, £66 per m, both Clarke & Clarke. Libbi enamel plate, £16, Rowen & Wren. Turquoise glazed plate, £18, GlazeyCat ceramics. Paint (on lids): Cadmium, £35 per 2.5ltrs of 1829 Chalky emulsion, Craig & Rose; Trasimeno Blue, £44 per 2.5ltrs of Perfect matt emulsion, Designers Guild.

Landscape fabric in Petrol, £72 per m, Clarke & Clarke. Coral ornament in Light Blue, £14.75, Chive. Paint: Button Tin, £40 per 2.5ltrs of Claypaint, Earthborn; Trasimeno Blue, as before. For vintage Observer books try Oxfam. Savoie linen in Cobalt, £195 per m, Designers Guild. Libbi enamel tray, £22, Rowen & Wren. Tavira plate, £8, M&S. Coral ornament in Mum Orange, £16.80, Chive. Paint (on lid and in pots): Delft Tile, £44 per 2.5ltrs of Perfect matt emulsion, Designers Guild; Button Tin, as before; The Lido, £40 for 2.5ltrs of Claypaint, Earthborn. For similar vintage cards try Etsy.

Period Living 27

SS

creen tars

The husband and wife team behind Rapture & Wright produce handprinted fabrics and wallpapers

from their Gloucestershire barn, channelling inspirations from Japanese block prints to

Arts and Crafts patterns into their beautiful designs Photographs Jeremy Phillips

28 Period Living

Words AndrĂŠa Childs

Made in Britain

Period Living 29

C

onfectionery packaging, engine oil and beasties are not the usual impetus for a business built on handprinted fabrics and wallpapers. But Peter Thwaites and Rebecca Aird like to do things differently. The husband and wife team behind Rapture & Wright have a self-proclaimed mission to ‘save the dwindling British textile industry’. Based in a barn in Gloucestershire, these award-winning craftspeople are certainly doing their bit, one screen print at a time.

Peter studied illustration at Newcastle University, then rented a studio in Glasgow in the same building as wallpaper brand Timorous Beasties. ‘I was working on handpainted wallpapers and they kindly let me borrow some of their equipment. It’s how I got started,’ explains Peter, who for 15 years was commissioned by interior designers to create murals and wall finishes for clients around the world.

Rebecca, who studied graphic design at Nottingham University, began her working life creating packaging designs – including sweet wrappers and oil logos – for global brands, but then joined Peter to produce bespoke wallpapers for designers. ‘It was a peripatetic existence at first and we realised that if we wanted to have a family, we needed to do something different,’ Peter explains. ‘Together, we had portfolios brimming with patterns we had produced, which we dreamed of turning into a collection of fabrics and wallpapers for our own business, rather than someone else’s.

But it wasn’t as simple as giving up the day job.’

Rapture & Wright officially launched in 2004, but there was a four-year transition period as the couple, who were based in London at the time, worked for clients during the day and produced their own designs in their free time. ‘We hired screen-printing tables at Clerkenwell Art College in the evenings and at weekends, when they weren’t being used by students,’ Peter says. ‘It wasn’t sustainable long term, so we found a rickety barn in Gloucestershire that we could rent cheaply. We’d work in London from Monday to Thursday, pack the children into the car (by then they had Amity, now 16, and Elsa, 13) and print our own pieces Friday to Sunday.’

In 2007 they decided to devote themselves full time to the business, starting with a move away from the capital to a new home on the same farm as their workshop. From the start, they were determined to print their designs by hand. ‘We’re not Luddites; we’re not producing this way because we hate technology or we’re slaves to tradition,’ Peter laughs. ‘We make our work by hand, in small runs, because it gives us flexibility to create beautiful, unique designs that can be adapted to our customers’ tastes and requirements.’

Peter tends to draw most of the designs, finding inspiration in anything from Japanese woodblocks and kimono prints to Arts and Crafts titans such as Charles Voysey. ‘A current design was sparked by an article I read on Italian tin-glazed pottery,’ he says. In November, he’ll start collating the sketches he’s made throughout the year and begin drawing them onto tracing paper, at first in black, ➤

Previous page, l-r: Rebecca, assistant Gemma and Peter pictured inside the barn workshop on a Gloucestershire farm Clockwise from above: inspiration for designs come from many sources; the Maroc pattern; ink is applied to the edge of the screen, then pushed across it, forcing it through onto the fabric beneath; the mood board wall – Peter sketches ideas all year but only a handful make it to full designs; he traces a design onto lino then carefully cuts it out with a scalpel, ready to be test printed; the lampshades are a new product for Rapture & Wright 30 Period Living

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white and grey, then adding washes of watercolour or gouache to see how colours might work in the design. ‘By April, 20 or so ideas will have made it out of my sketchbook and only four or five of those will become concrete patterns,’ he explains. At this point, Rebecca and the couple’s assistant, Gemma Brown, will refine the designs on computer. These are then tested on half-metre pieces of fabric and paper until the final combination of pattern and colour is decided. The pattern can then go into production, printed onto fabric specially woven for Rapture & Wright in Scotland.

‘Screen-printing is meticulous and physically demanding; you need to be incredibly disciplined and you can’t just stop in the middle of the process. It means our day tends to be very structured,’ Peter says. At the start of the week, Rebecca will write a list of all the work that needs to be completed.

Each day begins at 8am, when Peter or Rebecca will prepare the workshop for printing to begin an hour later. Gemma is in charge of mixing and testing the inks, comparing them against a master file of colours to ensure the tone is exactly right. ‘We’ve printed the wrong colour before, which is costly, but when mistakes happen, you develop processes so you don’t repeat them,’ Peter says. Printing itself is a two-person job, as the ink is pushed across the large screen and back again. Customers can opt for Rapture & Wright’s standard palette or provide a swatch for a bespoke colour.

‘It can take a day to print just 30 metres of fabric, depending

on the complexity of the design. We’re currently building a bigger showroom so we can give an insight into how the designs are made; people aren’t really aware of all the work that goes into it,’ Peter admits.

While most of their clients are interior designers or private customers looking to add something special and different to their décor, Rapture & Wright have had some impressive commissions in historic settings. Last year, they were asked to create a collection of modern handprinted fabrics and wallpapers for the National Trust’s Arts and Crafts house Standen, in West Sussex. Two years ago at Compton Verney, the stately home in Warwickshire, they were involved in an exhibition which presented contemporary makers working in ways inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.

‘Collaborating on projects is something we’d like to do more; working alongside experts in a related field to create something new,’ Peter says. They’ve already begun – the couple have just launched a lighting collection that pairs lampshades in Rapture & Wright patterns with handblown lights and bases made by British craftspeople. ‘We want to prove that handprinting and handmaking has just as much place in the 21st century as it did in the 18th,’ says Peter.

‘Its simplicity is what makes it so modern.’

To see more of Peter and Rebecca’s work, go to raptureandwright.co.uk

Above: Screen-printing is a meticulous, two-person process, and physically demanding. Rebecca and Gemma push the ink across the etched screen, transferring the design onto the fabric or wallpaper. The repeat distance is set on the print table in advance, marking where the screens should be placed each time. When the fabric or wallpaper is dry, it is cut and rolled ready for delivery. Peter takes a screen from the ever-expanding collection, ready for the next printing project.

32 Period Living

Jo and Philip’s handsome Victorian home was once the village vicarage. Built in 1853, and featuring classic gothic detailing, the property has been updated throughout

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INSPIRED DECISION When Jo Preston-Hunt had a change of heart and decided to take her Victorian home off the market, she teamed up with her daughter to update and give it an elegant new look Words Janet Mcmeekin | Photographs David Parmiter Period Living 35

J ON THE WEB For more period homes, visit realhomes.com/ period-living

36 Period Living

o Preston-Hunt still finds it hard to believe that she almost let the opportunity of living in a historic Victorian vicarage slip through her fingers. ‘Although it’s a handsome house in a beautiful setting, when I first set foot inside I found it dark and unappealing,’ she says.

Back in 2007, long before Philip met Jo, he was thrilled when this delightful home, set in nearly two acres of land, came on the market. ‘I’d always admired this house,’ he says, ‘and when the owners told me they were moving, I realised it was a golden opportunity.’ Philip loved the location and the architecture, and the fact that the former vicarage was steeped in history.

‘Rumour has it that Henry VIII, who used to hunt deer in the nearby forest, proposed to Jane Seymour under an ancient yew tree, a stone’s throw from our garden. And the Seymour family seat, Wolf Hall, is just a few miles away,’ says Philip.

He bought the vicarage in November 2007. ‘It was only when I moved in and looked more closely at what needed to be done that I realised it was a much bigger project than first anticipated,’ he says.

Keen to bring it into the 21st century, Philip forged ahead. ‘At the time, a good description of the house would have been “jaded elegance”,’ he says. It hadn’t been touched for years and so many things needed updating that he decided the best plan was to hire a team of builders and modernise the whole place in one go.

Although Philip wanted to make the house fit for purpose, he was extremely mindful of retaining the period features, such as the cornicing, fireplaces and stunning mullion windows. ‘I actually got hold of the original plans from the diocese and decided to rejig the downstairs layout so the kitchen was moved back to where it once would have been,’ he explains. ‘One of the first major jobs was installing steel rods to stabilise one of the bedroom walls since it had started bowing.’ The house was rewired, replumbed, replastered and a new heating system installed. Three new bathrooms, a cloakroom and a new kitchen were all fitted.

When Philip met wife-to-be Jo in 2013, the couple had to make a big decision about where they were going to live. ‘At that stage, I found Philip’s home oppressive and actually quite depressing,’ admits Jo, an experienced interior designer. ‘The

dark, gothic feel went completely against my design ethos and, from the word go, I was adamant that I didn’t want to move into the vicarage. I was living in a beautiful home nearby and we both decided that the best plan was to sell Philip’s house.’

Things took a dramatic twist, however, when Jo began injecting her individual style of Frenchinspired sophistication into the dated living room in a bid to make the vicarage more appealing for potential buyers. As the room started taking shape with refurbished flooring, an eye-catching chandelier, new pieces of furniture, soft furnishings and accessories, Jo had a complete change of heart.

‘As I worked on the property I realised that this could, indeed, become a very beautiful and happy home, and I started to question whether the decision to sell might have been a bit hasty.’

After talking it through and with input from Jo’s daughter Jess, who runs Jess Weeks Interiors, Philip and Jo made a radical U-turn. ‘We agreed to update every room with a view to taking the property off the market and living there ourselves,’ says Jo. After devising a ‘master’ moodboard, with a muted palette, and rich accent colours of greys, blues and purples, plus fabrics from Jess’s striking collection, Jo and Jess set about creating a much more welcoming, bright and stylish home.

‘I thoroughly enjoyed working with my mother to turn the house into something rather magical,’ says Jess. ‘Mum used to be an antiques dealer so we’ve mixed traditional and contemporary pieces throughout. With careful choices, we’ve injected a much more homely feel into every room.’

‘It was incredible,’ says Philip. ‘Jo and Jess were very organised and, over an eight-month period, new bathrooms were fitted, carpets ripped up, tiles and switches replaced, the kitchen units painted, and the dark and dated fittings swapped.’

The decision to stay may have been unexpected but Jo and Philip haven’t looked back. What was a dying house has been sympathetically brought back to life. It’s now an enchanting home that’s so warm and inviting. ‘It’s everything that we could have ever wished for,’ says Jo.

THE STORY Owners Jo Preston-Hunt, a former antiques dealer and interior designer, and husband Philip, an entrepreneur, live here with their Staffordshire blue bull terriers, Diesel and Abbey Property A Victorian former vicarage in Wiltshire, with nine bedrooms, built in 1853 What they did The couple had the house rewired, replumbed and replastered, and had a new heating system installed. They also fitted a new kitchen, three bathrooms and a downstairs cloakroom

Renovated Vicarage

Above and left: ‘The windows with their original wooden shutters have to be one of my favourite features in our Victorian home,’ says Jo, pictured with daughter Jess, who runs Jess Weeks Interiors and helped Jo to update the vicarage’s style. ‘We started here in the living room, and once we’d ripped up the old tiles, laid oak flooring and redecorated, Jess and I could see just how the rest of the property could look.’ For similar console tables, sofas and glass cabinet, try Oka. The chandelier was sourced at an antiques shop; G & P Cohn sell similar. For similar armchairs, try La Residence Interiors, for similar flooring, try The Solid Wood Flooring Company, and for a similar rug, try the Victoriana Dove Grey Traditional cotton design from Laura Ashley

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Above: An ornate antique mirror and some French-style furniture create a welcoming entrance hall where the original features are allowed to shine Below: The existing kitchen units were updated with Pavilion Gray and Lamp Room Gray by Farrow & Ball to match the antique dresser. The lampshades are from Bay Design and the mugs are from Bombay Duck

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Right: Bright artwork and an oversized clock accentuate the height of the ceilings in this welcoming kitchen. Jo reupholstered the antique dining chairs and Chesterfield in glamorous Ashton velvet from Wemyss. The stag cushion is from Graduate Collection.

For a similar antiqued white skeleton wall clock, try Farthing

Renovated Vicarage

Period Living 39

The dining room, with its original fireplace, comes into its own when the couple are entertaining. For a similar chandelier and wall lights, try G & P Cohn. The antique Chesterfield has been upholstered in Kariba II in Azure

by Today Interiors, with Papaver Cobalt cushions from Designers Guild. The china is from Griffin. For similar chairs, try the Cavendish from La Residence Interiors

40 Period Living

Renovated Vicarage

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In the main bedroom, a French-style bed is topped with Marianne Viola cushions from Designers Guild and a bedspread from Luella Linen.

For a similar bed, try The French Bedroom Company. The walls are painted in Calluna by Farrow & Ball

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Renovated Vicarage

Above: A cosy bedroom sitting area, with a Roxburgh rug from Designers Guild and cushions from Susie Watson. For similar chairs, try La Residence Interiors; for similar curtain fabric, try Cabbages & Roses. The artwork is by Josh Sim, Mowzer Gallery

Below: With a suite from Imperial bathrooms, Derwent wallpaper from Osborne & Little, and floor tiles from Boniti, the bathroom makes the most of views out over the garden – Jo repositioned the bath specially. The panelling is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Dove Tale

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Above: The curtains, made up in a fabric called The Fleur, designed by Jess, set the tone in this enchanting bedroom. For similar mirrors, try Oka, and for similar table lamps, try India Jane. Bedspread by Luella Linen Left: The guest room is blessed with another original fireplace. For similar velvet armchairs and distressed chest of drawers, try Maisons du Monde. The floral vase on the fireplace is from Oka, the stag cushions from Graduate Collection, and mirror and wall lights are antiques shop finds. Continuing the calming blue, grey and purple colour scheme, walls are painted in Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball

44 Period Living

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY To take breaks from the bustle of city life, William and Felicity Booth bought this Victorian home in rural Dorset, where they can enjoy long walks with family and friends Words Hannah Newton Photographs Solesbury & Worthy

The focal point of the living room is the simple original fireplace with wood-burner and handmade timber mantel.

Most of the furniture was bought at local auctions, but the green sofa was inherited from Felicity’s granny, with cushions made from Liberty fabrics. The small metal coffee table is from Hay. Treasures, antique jugs, well-thumbed books and artworks, painted

by William or bought from local artists, fill the shelves 46 Period Living

Victorian Rural Retreat

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Left: Felicity’s beach hut-inspired summerhouse, complete with pretty vintage daybed, is the perfect place for relaxing, reading or sewing. Old School Blue by Little Greene is a similar paint shade to that used for the exterior Above, from left: A mid-century-style table in the summerhouse creates a workspace with a dreamy view; the conservatory, added during the 1980s, has also been painted light blue – for similar, try St Giles Blue by Farrow & Ball; William with granddaughters Flo and Olive in the conservatory; filled with auction finds, including the table, chairs and stool, the conservatory is a good place to sit and admire the well-stocked garden

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Victorian cottage

THE STORY Owners Author William Booth and his wife Felicity share their weekend country retreat with family and friends Property A Victorian cottage in Dorset with a terraced and walled yard, outhouse, summerhouse and meadow, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty What they did The couple rewired the house, replaced the bathroom, opened up the loft, added a new stairwell and conservatory, and purchased the adjacent meadow

B ON THE WEB For more garden room inspiration, visit realhomes.com/ period-living

ack in 1972, when T. Rex and Donny Osmond were riding high in the charts, William and Felicity Booth decided that a weekend house away from the chaos of city living – their family home is in Fulham, west London – would provide their young family with a sense of solace, tranquility and the air of calm they so enjoyed when they went on holiday to Dorset and Wiltshire.

Borrowing a friend’s car, the couple discovered a row of pretty, red-brick houses in a Dorset hamlet, peppered with a handful of cottages, farm buildings and a simple church, all set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nestled at the end of the Blackmore Vale. The native chalk ridges of Dorset were within walking distance and the Jurassic coastline less than an hour’s drive away.

Later that same year, the couple bought one of the red-brick buildings – the end one in a row of three Victorian estate cottages. They started by rewiring the house then slowly transformed it into a country retreat where they could escape for weekends and spend the long summer holidays.

Old maps of the area show that there were originally some buildings on the site, but the cottages appeared in 1900, probably built by estate labour. Each has a classic Victorian porch inlaid with the initials MSW, standing for Montague Scott Williams, the family who owned the nearby manor house and estate buildings.

During the first 10 years, William and Felicity spent many weekends scouring the local area for

treasures to furnish their cottage with: sideboards, armchairs, tables, kitchen utensils, garden tools and vintage glass bottles were unearthed at the back of secondhand furniture shops in Blandford and Sturminster Newton, or at the myriad auction houses that flourished at the time.

With no views at the side of the house, a glass conservatory was added to make the most of the garden and the light. Two elegant stained glass doors, bought at auction in Bournemouth, were used to pair the new room with the older house, while quarry tile flooring seamlessly connects the two together. Felicity filled the sunny room with more auction finds, wicker chairs, heavy rugs for chillier evenings and a round table and dining chairs. Pots of bright geraniums flourish in here.

During the summer holidays Felicity and the children would head to the coast for picnics. She always dreamt of owning a beach hut, so as a substitute William bought her a summerhouse and set it among the wildflowers and grasses in the meadow. ‘We even had a cassette tape that provided the sound of waves crashing!’ adds William. They bought the wildflower meadow from their farmer neighbour in the 1980s for their pony Mickey. Today, they rent out the field to friends for their pet sheep.

The family collections have grown over the years, with pottery pieces made by their son and rag rugs that Felicity made from charity shop t-shirts.

William is a keen sewer and made cushion covers and quilts for the children’s beds. He also crafted the plate rack in the kitchen and painted some of the watercolours on display around the house.

The large garden has a host of ancient fruit trees, laden with produce in the autumn, lavender and trailing honeysuckle adorned with bees and butterflies, while a hammock strung between tree trunks adds to the sense of restful peace.

It’s not all about slowing things down, though, as William explains: ‘Our granddaughters Olive and Flo enjoy racing round the garden and it’s a great place to gather.’ So the house continues in its role as a sanctuary for their now adult children and two young granddaughters, who, just as their mother, aunt and uncle did, revel in climbing the trees, picking plums and flowers, and playing hide-and-seek in the gardens and meadow in this well-loved family oasis.

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Victorian Rural Retreat This image: Simplicity is key in this country kitchen, with vintage wooden kitchen chairs and a table found at auction. Above the wooden mantel, made

by William, are two stuffed birds, found in a junk shop. For a similar pendant light, try Ikea Opposite: This glass-fronted cabinet was bought from an auction house in Salisbury

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Victorian Rural Retreat

Above: The master bedroom is furnished in a classic English country style, with Liberty fabric cushion covers and a vintage eiderdown; for similar, try Toast. For a similar dressing table, try Style Our Home Above left: With its tongue-and-groove, white-painted panelling, small blue tiles and simple wooden mirror, this bathroom has a fresh coastal style. For a similar mirror, try Atkin & Thyme Left: Colourful appliquĂŠ cushions, handmade by their aunt, ensure Olive and Flo always feel perfectly at home in their holiday bedroom

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Shopping

Blue Whitstable reversible floral/check seat pad, £19.95, Joules

Zacharie coat rack and shelf, £82, Sweetpea & Willow

William Kilburn enamel mug, £9.95, Annabel James

Wooden croquet set, £35, Marks & Spencer

Bohemian Wanderer melamine dinner plate, £3.50, Sainsbury’s Home

Summer loving Whether relaxing inside or having fun in the garden, create a summerhouse vibe with colourful vintage-inspired pieces and stylish outdoor accessories

Rocking deck chair in green stripe, £75, Idyll Home

Enamel stove kettle in Dorset Blue, £36, Garden Trading

Rowenna Mason Clifton throw, £275, Made+Good

Perky formica and plywood table in yellow, £325, Winter’s Moon

Green pressed glass, £44 for a set of four, A New Tribe

Feature Sophie Warren-Smith

Bloomingville pink ceramic lantern, £73, Beaumonde

Petite Bolga basket, £20, Olli Ella Harlequin’s Caldesia fabric in Indigo/Pebble, £49 per m, Style Library

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BROAD HORIZONS The painstaking renovation of a tumbledown cottage in the depths of the East Lothian countryside has brought joyous rewards for Helle and Neville Kilkenny Words Alison Gibb | Photographs Douglas Gibb

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Extended 1940s Cottage

Shepherd’s Cottage was built in the 1940s and had just two bedrooms when Helle and Neville moved in.

They fell in love with the rural location and stunning views, and realised they could make some changes, including converting the loft, to provide the space they needed

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K FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @period_living for more vintage inspiration and style ideas

58 Period Living

THE STORY Owners Helle and Neville Kilkenny live here with their daughter Isla, 13, and son Rohan, nine. Helle owns a Scandinavian homeware store, Beech & Birch, in the local village, Gifford. Neville is a set designer and construction manager for events Property Shepherd’s Cottage was built in the 1940s by a Dutchman. It has three bedrooms and three acres of land, including barns and outbuildings What they did Helle and Neville added a kitchendiner on one side, and the porch and utility room to the front. They also converted the loft, adding dormer windows, to create the master bedroom suite

een to leave behind the city and enjoy more space, Helle and Neville were excited to see an advertisement for Shepherd’s Cottage while they were away on holiday. ‘We were living in a little flat in Edinburgh at the time, and made an appointment to view it as soon as we got back,’ Helle recalls. The cottage was habitable but rundown and dated, and every wall was covered in woodchip. There were just two bedrooms, a living room and a bathroom. The kitchen was in what is now the hallway, with a staircase up to the master bedroom. But none of that put them off. ‘We walked in, saw the view and were smitten,’ says Helle.

The couple were delighted to realise, soon after they moved in, that they could buy a couple of fields in which to keep sheep and have since bought a large adjacent barn, which Neville has turned into his workshop. ‘We came out here seeking more space and we have definitely got that,’ adds Helle.

‘Finding time to enjoy it is the challenge, especially as we both work, but the more we can do locally, the more we can enjoy this gorgeous location.’

Neville is certainly doing his bit to preserve their surroundings – as the project manager of the local community woodland, his role is to help maintain beauty spots in the area. In his spare time he’s a mycologist – a mushroom expert – and the nearby woodlands provide a fertile hunting ground. When not out foraging, Neville works as a set designer and has worked for theatres and events all over the world, including the Edinburgh Festival, for which he is the construction manager. As you’d expect, with a CV like that he has great practical skills and did a lot of the work on the house. ‘He made and fitted the kitchen himself,’ says Helle.

‘We like to do things slowly and prefer a spare aesthetic, and although we love great design, we do not have extravagant tastes and only change or renew things when completely necessary,’ Helle adds, who attributes her design aesthetic to her Danish upbringing. ‘In Denmark people are more aware of their homes and interiors. They spend more on furniture and choose pieces that are made to last. A lot of our things are inherited from my

grandparents. There is no wallpaper and little pattern in the cottage. ‘I prefer things to be plain and simple,’ she explains.

‘I have become very conscious of environmental issues, and my shop is stocked with eco-friendly products, such as the sheepskins that are dotted around our home, which are completely organic.

Normal sheepskins are highly toxic because of the way they are tanned and cured, but not many people realise this and, worryingly, they are often used for babies. I really enjoy talking to customers about the importance of eco-friendly biodegradable materials and fair trade.’

Helle and Neville choose ceramics that have been handmade, either locally or in Helle’s native Scandinavia. ‘We would rather keep old things that are maybe not in the latest style, than replace with something new. I guess that makes our home a bit dated in some details,’ she says, ‘but we honestly prefer it that way.’

The improvements and extensions that they have added to the house look as if they have always been there. ‘We felt we had a choice of either extending the house in a way that was in keeping with the original style, or doing something radical like adding a glass box. We decided on the former because we feel that the setting is the main attraction of the house, and we did not want to detract attention from that,’ explains Helle. ‘A contrasting, contemporary architectural addition would just compete with it.’

There is a sharp contrast, however, between the kitchen, with its dramatic vaulted ceiling, and the more cottagey proportions of the other rooms. ‘You could put in a mezzanine,’ says Helle, ‘but we just wanted to enjoy the lofty feeling of space. It is well insulated and, thanks to the Aga, never seems cold.’

Upstairs, Neville and Helle converted the loft to create a master bedroom, adding dormer windows to increase the sense of space, but ensuring the house retains its original character.

The results are rustic, but soothing and calming.

From the outside, thanks largely to the timber-clad porch, the house looks like a traditional Scottish croft. Step inside, though, and the pale wood and pared-back furnishings create the illusion of a Danish weekend home by a lake.

Above: Double doors from the dining space lead to this outside deck Left: Helle, Isla and Rohan on the steps up to the timber-clad porch Below: A series of raised beds in the back garden help to protect Helle and Neville’s plants in this beautiful yet exposed setting

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Extended 1940s Cottage

Above: An Aga was a must-have when the couple were planning the new kitchen. This reconditioned model in Wedgwood Blue is from Cheshire Stoves and Cookers. On the wall above it are some little cupboards that Helle bought at auction. She puts them to good use for decoration and storage Left: Neville designed and built the kitchen cabinets and worktops, which sit around a Belfast sink – Franke offers a similar design. The floor is natural slate – for similar, try Topps Tiles’ Sheera slate – and the walls are painted in James White

by Farrow & Ball. Lakeland Paints’ Cricket is a similar shade to the one Neville used for the base units Opposite: The airy dining space, where a pair of iconic PH Lights, designed by Danish architect Poul Henningsen and available from Louis Poulsen, accentuate the beauty of the vaulted ceiling. Helle bought the table secondhand, and found the chairs at auction. The sheepskin is from Beech & Birch

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Extended 1940s Cottage

Above: Helle and Neville chose the largest corner sofa they could find at Ikea. On the Lassen coffee table, with a painted tray from John Lewis, are some vases, a candleholder and tableware, all available at Beech & Birch. The wool rug is by Danish company Hay. The magazine holder and sheepskins, by The Organic Sheep, are also from Beech & Birch

Left: Helle and Neville added the French doors in the living room and chose astragal double glazing to complement the cottage style of their home. Isla perches in a hanging chair from Danish company Broste Copenhagen and the rocking sheep is another Danish design classic, a gift from Helle’s parents to the two children

Top left: The Stanley wood-burning stove (just seen) was installed by previous owners, and is essential in Scottish winters. Hanging from another of Helle’s cupboards is a wooden monkey, designed by Kay Bojesen, a Danish silversmith who became world-famous for his quirky toys. The beam was added to support the loft conversion

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Above: In the master bedroom, the stunning rug, blanket and cushions are by a company called Weaver Green, who make all their products from recycled plastic bottles. The resulting texture is as soft as wool and Helle stocks them in her shop, along with the made-to-measure shelf, handmade by Neville from solid beech with leather straps.

The window seat has been covered in a Vanessa Arbuthnott fabric, the wall lights are from John Lewis and the bed is from Ikea Left: Furnished with practical dualpurpose furniture from Aspace to maximise floorspace, Isla’s room is in the original part of the cottage.

Lakeland Paints’ Simplicity is a similarly vibrant shade of blue

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Colourful Vintage Home

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL Ben and Mark Hamilton Anderson breathed new life into their pretty listed brick and flint cottage, making maximum use of the available space Words Debbie Jeffery | Photographs Stuart Cox

Mark and Ben painted the chairs in vibrant colours to contrast with the restored original flagstone floor in the dining area. A mint green pine pew from Toad Hall Country Vintage offers additional seating, and the couple’s china and glassware are displayed on pine dressers Period Living 67

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68 Period Living

ven before setting foot inside, Mark and Ben Hamilton Anderson knew they would buy Dynamite Cottage. Standing in half an acre of overgrown gardens, the listed building was in a poor state of repair but offered exactly the kind of country lifestyle the couple hoped for.

‘We had been living in an apartment in Southampton with no garden,’ explains Mark.

‘A village home with a large garden where we could keep chickens was our dream, even though moving to Dorset meant finding new jobs and a complete lifestyle change. It was all a bit of a whirlwind.’

Dynamite Cottage is in one of Dorset’s most attractive villages, featured heavily in Thomas Hardy’s novels. The house was given its unusual name some years before when a child discovered a stick labelled TNT in one of the outbuildings.

Nearby homes were evacuated and the police were sent in, only to discover that the ‘dynamite’ was in fact a theatre prop left behind by previous owners who were into amateur dramatics. Originally built as a laundry cottage it was one of 12 similar properties, four of which were demolished around 15 years ago after they fell into complete disrepair.

Ben and Mark were determined to bring their brick and flint cottage and garden back to life with some quirky personal touches. ‘We moved in during November 2014 and immediately began drying out the damp, cold rooms,’ Ben recalls. ‘With a tight budget we knew that we’d need to do everything ourselves, and had a few mishaps along the way, such as screwing into a water pipe in the wall one Sunday when replacing a skirting board.’

The semi-detached cottage had previously been used as a holiday let and has three bedrooms, with a bathroom and living/dining room on the ground floor and a tiny kitchen area under the stairs.

‘Extending or changing the layout wasn’t really an option, so we needed to make the most of the space that was already here – although the interiors are far from minimal,’ says Ben of the couple’s various collections. ‘One solution was to spill out into the garden buildings, storing fridges and freezers in the outhouse and turning the summerhouse into a home office.’

Access was also an issue, as the 110-metre-long front garden leads down to the river, which is crossed by a footbridge. As this is the only way to reach the cottage, it meant that furniture and materials needed to be carried across the bridge by hand. ‘The first thing we did was to restore the overgrown path,’ says Mark. ‘The tight staircase inside the cottage also created problems getting larger items upstairs, so we had to shop carefully.’

After months of running dehumidifiers, the cottage finally dried out. ‘The walls are two-foot thick and were built using lime mortar, so living so close to the water meant that they had soaked up a lot of moisture while the place was empty and unheated,’ Ben explains. ‘Luckily, we inherited a wood-burning stove and, as I’m a gardener, we always have a ready supply of timber to burn.’

Keen to preserve the cottage’s existing features, Ben and Mark set about repairing and painting windows. They carefully stripped and sealed the impressive original flagstone floor downstairs and painted the bedroom floorboards black for dramatic impact. ‘The flagstones are porous so we read up on the best way to preserve them, and it’s such a practical and beautiful floor,’ Ben explains.

Walls were painted cream and white to create a blank canvas for the couple’s colourful furniture, some of which came with the cottage; other bits salvaged from skips, or found in charity shops. They then sanded them down and painted them in bright colours, inspired by cosy, whimsical cottages and farmhouses in such films as Matilda, Babe, and The Holiday. Everything from the staircase to the kitchen has been given a new look using paint.

‘Mark has a great eye for styling rooms and we both love kitsch and colourful vintage pieces,’ says Ben. ‘The trade-off is that whenever Mark buys something new for the house I tend to treat myself to another plant for the garden, so we’re constantly adding to our collections.’

‘Moving to a country cottage and embracing the lifestyle has been fantastic, and we have wonderful neighbours and enjoy living in a friendly village,’ says Mark. ‘After years of hard work the renovation is now more or less complete, although we’re always finding more jobs to do. Our philosophy is that if you see something you love then buy it, as you will always find somewhere for it to go!’

THE STORY Owners Ben and Mark Hamilton Anderson live here with labradoodle Ethel and a menagerie of chickens, geese and ducks. Ben is a landscape gardener with his own company (wisterialandscapes.uk.com) and Mark is a nursery manager and stylist Property A three-bedroom, semi-detached Grade II-listed brick and flint cottage in a Dorchester village, built in the 1860s What they did The couple restored the cottage on a DIY basis using upcycled finds, and landscaped the garden

Colourful Vintage Home

Left and below: Ethel the labradoodle is ready to welcome visitors to Dynamite Cottage. The exterior of the brick and flint Grade II-listed cottage has been preserved, and the timber windows were restored and painted.

Ben redesigned the large cottage garden, adding more than 160 varieties of roses and a number of seating areas so the cottage and its garden can be admired from every angle Bottom: Ben (left) and Mark

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Colourful Vintage Home

Above left: Every corner of the small kitchen-diner is put to good use. ‘We have a fridge and washing machine tucked under the stairs and use an ex-army trunk to store things like baking trays,’ says Mark Above: Colourful vintage kitchenware and old books all find a place in Dynamite Cottage Left: Homemade sponge cake and vintage china on standby for afternoon tea Opposite: Summer in the garden, where purple and white alliums rise above classic cottage garden favourites – peonies, roses and aquilegia.

For a similar garden bench, try One Garden

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Colourful Vintage Home

Left: Ethel makes herself at home in the living room, which adjoins the dining area Below: Pots of herbs and Russian dolls add extra vibrancy to the open-plan space Opposite: An existing fireplace and a multi-fuel burner have been retained in the living room, with gas central heating installed throughout the cottage. Fallow deer antlers above the fireplace add to the country cottage style.

At almost £2,500, the vintage armchair was the couple’s most expensive antiques shop purchase. The Iranian rug is from the Dorchester Curiosity Centre, and the footstool and standard lamp are from Country Attic at Robin’s Nest Emporium

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Above left and right: The single guest bedroom with its sloping ceiling is nicknamed ‘the cowboy room’. Storage trunks at the end of the bed contain Ben’s collection of hundreds of Christmas baubles. The blue 1950s kitchen dresser came from a house clearance, and the green Victorian bedstead was discovered in one of the sheds when the couple moved into Dynamite Cottage Above right: The hand-woven silk rug in the master bedroom was an online find. ‘The bedside cabinet belonged to my mum and dad – I painted it yellow,’ says Ben. ‘Colour brings so much life and joy into a home and we have paint pots in every shade, mainly inexpensive brands such as Valspar’ Opposite: One of the few new items of furniture Ben and Mark own is the white Ikea bedstead in this guest room. The bedlinen is from Cath Kidston. The couple sanded and painted the original floorboards

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Colourful Vintage Home

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Shopping Katie Alice Blooming Fancy Stripe ceramic side plate, £9, Creative Tops

Scribble square flower enamel teapot in rose, £60, Orla Kiely Wooden woodland Russian nesting dolls, £19.95, Little Baby Company

Cath Kidston Rose Sprig Blue vinyl floor tile, £44.80 per m2, Harvey Maria

Summer Bright cereal bowls (set of 4), £15, Marks & Spencer Marianne linen fabric in Fuchsia, £84 per m, Designers Guild

Retro ceramic bell lamp, Carnation, £145, Eclect Design

Klevering 70s glass vase in blue, £25, Printer & Tailor

Vintage serving tray, £15, H is for Home

MODERN VINTAGE Embrace bold colours and floral prints, and source unique fleamarket finds for an eclectic, retro look with more than a hint of chintz

Agen red chair, £35, Ikea

Pink Whitstable floral painted mug, £9.95, Joules Decadent Decs Garden pastel pom pom flowers (set of 3), £14, Talking Tables

Feature Sophie Warren-Smith

Rectangular cushion in vintage Jonelle, £44, Winter’s Moon

Mandarin orange crochet cotton rug, £95, Bobby Rabbit

Park Wildlife tumblers (set of 4), £30, Cath Kidston Iittala Kastehelmi cake stand, £49, Cloudberry Living

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The low-set house has panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.

Owners Julia and Simon restored the building, which had been empty for 50 years, and landscaped the grounds

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Medieval French House

A CHANGE OF PACE Seeking a more relaxed way of life, Julia and Simon Waters found a property in rural France and set about its restoration, which in itself proved to be a lesson in taking things slowly Words AndrĂŠa Childs | Photographs Alistair Nicholls

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W

hen we first saw this house it was a complete ruin, but we were captivated by its position with 360-degree views over the rolling hills of Gers, known as “the Tuscany of France”. We can see across to the Pyrenees and the towns of Lectoure and Terraube,’ says Julia Waters. ‘Closer to home, the property has an ancient park with a row of old cedars and a wildflower meadow. I can sit out here and see deer and wild boar in the grounds.’

Julia and Simon were living on the Isle of Wight when they came across the property in 2002. ‘We’d been planning a move to France for the slower pace of life and had spent a couple of years visiting and driving through various regions to find the ideal spot,’ Julia explains. ‘Fortunately, the buying process was straightforward; we were just careful to ensure we had planning permission to make the necessary changes to the house and outbuildings.’

The house, made from golden limestone, had been empty for 50 years and had fallen into disrepair. Even the parts still standing needed extensive renovation to bring this faded beauty back to life. ‘The ancient flagstones and wooden floors were lifted so we could lay underfloor heating, new wiring and plumbing,’says Julia.

Originally, the low stone house would have been relatively dark inside, with the thick walls and few windows keeping out the heat of the sun in summer and providing protection in the winter.

‘Modern insulation means we don’t need to worry about that, so Simon used his skills as a designer to draw up plans for the house, including additional windows and doors onto the garden and terraces,’ says Julia. ‘It means light floods in and every room feels connected to the outdoors.’

The couple managed the project from their Isle of Wight home, Skyping the builders for updates and poring over pictures of progress sent via email.

‘We also have an architect friend living nearby, so he was able to pop in if there was anything we were unsure about, but everything went remarkably smoothly,’ says Julia.

What they weren’t expecting was the length of time the work would take, as the original features were painstakingly restored, or replacements crafted by hand using traditional techniques. ‘The

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initial work took three years, as the huge oak ceiling beams were individually removed, cleaned, then replaced. We also sourced limestone from the local quarry, but what we hadn’t realised was how long it would take to arrive; not only is there a waiting list, but each block is cut by hand,’ Julia says.

‘Simon designed a limestone fireplace, which took a year to arrive and then another year to install. We now plan any project months in advance, so we can pre-order materials.’

The couple recently completed the restoration of the pigeonnier, a stunning two-storey square tower in the garden. Once a home to pigeons, it now houses a fifth bedroom on the first floor, accessed via a cast-iron spiral staircase shipped from the UK. In fact, much of the décor for the main house was bought in Britain. ‘We’re rather in the middle of nowhere here in France, which is wonderful but not great for shopping,’ says Julia. The oak floors are from Dinesen and the paint is from Farrow & Ball. ‘I’ve used similar colours before but they look even better here as the light is incredible,’ she adds. The effect is classic English style with a Gallic twist – claw-foot baths and French wicker beds; a Louis XV-look chair next to a cast-iron stove; chintz sofas and a Brigitte Bardot-lookalike portrait above the mantelpiece.

Both Julia and Simon are keen gardeners, so landscaping the grounds was a priority. ‘We designed the garden in typical French style, with sun-loving lavender and box. It suits the climate but is easy to maintain. There’s also an organic vegetable garden and an orchard,’ says Julia. The grounds weren’t immune to big building projects, either. The stunning courtyard garden has been built from bricks salvaged from a demolished outhouse, and the couple also installed a chemicalfree, eco-friendly swimming pool.

‘The house has been a big commitment – it only became liveable in 2008,’ says Julia. ‘But learning patience with the build process has actually helped us achieve what we set out to by moving to Gers.

Life doesn’t hurry here, which gives us time to enjoy the beauty around us.’

THE STORY Owners Julia Waters and her husband Simon, who both previously worked in the film industry. Julia was an art department coordinator and Simon was a designer Property A single-storey stone house, parts of which date back to medieval times, situated in Gers, south-west France. The main house has four bedrooms, with a further bedroom in the converted pigeonnier in the garden. There are landscaped grounds with a courtyard garden and swimming pool, plus an ancient park adjoining the property What they did Restored and modernised the entire house, which had been derelict for 50 years, installing new plumbing, wiring, windows, floors, roof and windows

Medieval French House

Above: The chemical-free swimming pool uses a cleaning system developed by NASA. ‘Apparently, the water is so pure, you could drink it!’ says Julia. Behind it is the old pigeonnier, recently converted to provide a fifth bedroom Left: Julia, Simon, and miniature long-haired dachshund Gambas enjoy life alfresco on one of the covered terraces. The couple cook in their outdoor kitchen and eat outside whenever they can. The table and chairs are from Harrods, the glasses and jug were from an antiques market, and the placemats are from John Lewis

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Medieval French House

Above: ‘I chose a hand-built wooden kitchen with solid oak doors and polished limestone surfaces. It’s warm and traditional, but has hi-tech Gaggenau appliances,’ says Julia, who loves to cook and bakes her own bread most days. The aged limestone floor tiles are from the local quarry Left: The house is situated in Gers’ ‘Golden Triangle’ and the stunning views from the second terrace extend as far as the Pyrenees on a clear day

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Medieval French House

‘We wanted the décor to look simple and not overdone,’ says Julia about her elegant fusion of French and English furnishings. The sofas are from George Smith and the curtains are made from Osborne & Little silk. Walls are painted in Old White by Farrow & Ball. The coffee table and side table were found in France, while the picture above the fireplace was painted by a friend

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Above: The bed in the master bedroom is from Harrison Beds, with linen from The White Company.

The bedside cabinets and chests of drawers are from Willis & Gambier, and the blanket box and lamps were sourced in France Below: An elegant clawfoot bath is the focal point in the couple’s en suite.

For a similar design, try The Albion Bath Company, and for a similar shower, try the Apollo curved frameless walk-in enclosure from Victorian Plumbing. The couple chose pale limestone wall and floor tiles from the local quarry to reflect the external walls of the property

Above: Much of the furniture for the house was brought over from the UK, mixed in with a few French-style pieces. In this guest room, the bed and stool are from Willis & Gambier. For a similar throw, try The British Blanket Company Right: Beds from Vispring bring a sense of luxury to the twin-bedded guest room.

French doors make the most of the garden views

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Medieval French House

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Period Living 89

18

YOUR ANTIQUE HOME

The TH CENTURY

O

ften I cite the 18th century as my favourite period in history. To start with, I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of a dandy, and the 18th century lends itself perfectly to the romantic notion that it was all about swanning around in flamboyant and elaborately embroidered silk coats, big wigs and oversized diamond rings, and indulging in social debauchery and sexual excess – with all the pitfalls of the period that accompanied such pursuits. Of course, there is plenty of truth in this; many of these ideas are reinforced in the contemporary accounts, writings and art of the

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period. The fanciful idea of the idle aristocrat who lives in a grand country house, travels around Europe on the Grand Tour and engages in the odd duel, is one that seems appealing to some of us slightly eccentric history addicts. As a result, it has also been heavily loaded in our overly nostalgic, modern interpretation of how people actually lived in the 18th century. We tend to focus our interest on the upper echelons of society, yet it is the tragically poor social underbelly that brings the stark differences of 18th-century society into focus.

AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT The century was the Age of Enlightenment. Also called the Age of Reason, it is a period in ➤

Photographs (This page) © National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert; (Opposite, top) © The National Trust for Scotland; (bottom right) © Dumfries House; (bottom left) © Getty Images

The Age of Enlightenment was rich with interiors inspiration. Antiques Roadshow expert Marc Allum advises on some of the elements to recreate the look

Antiques

Clockwise from opposite: This English long settee, similar to pieces made by Thomas Chippendale for Windsor Castle, is in the Green Drawing Room at Basildon Park, Berkshire (nationaltrust.org.uk); the parlour of the Georgian House in Edinburgh, recreated to present an interior typical of an 18th-century townhouse; the bedroom of the 18th-century Dumfries House, near the East Ayrshire town of Cumnock, features the largest known collection of early work by Chippendale, including the bed and rococo overmantel (dumfries-house.org.uk); William Hogarth’s Tavern Scene engraving from The Rake’s Progress, first published in 1735, satirises the debauchery and excesses of Georgian society

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EMULATE AND REPLICATE In a way, it’s a century that is easy to imitate.

Inspiration is all around us with no shortage of good 18th-century interiors to draw upon – either stately or more lowly. The prodigious output of material that still survives is – quite frankly – amazing, and if you fancy the idea of emulating or replicating the

94 Period Living

interiors and styles of the period there is absolutely no shortage of both contemporary architecture in which you can build your own ‘liveable’ versions of the epoch, or the furniture and accessories to do so.

It’s also an era that was later revered and revived by the Edwardians, which provides a secondary swathe of good quality items that reproduce the styles of the Georgian period, particularly furniture.

This vast choice allows you to mimic the ‘Georgian way’, albeit with a modern slant, by choosing all manner of items from a living historical catalogue that represents all sections of 18th-century society.

Of course, there are those designers and interior decorators whose wealthy patrons symbolise the highest levels of privilege in 18th-century society and Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779), George Hepplewhite (1727-1786) and Thomas Sheraton (1751-1806) are the names that immediately come to mind. Their work still permeates our definitions of what encapsulates style in the Georgian period, and their effect on all aspects of subsequent design and fashion cannot be underestimated.

Clockwise from top left: The sumptuous drawing room at Dumfries, with its 18th-century festoon curtains complementing Chippendale’s sinuously carved elbow chairs; an 18th-century Cumberland dining table and Chippendale chairs in the dining room at Croft Castle, Herefordshire (nationaltrust. org.uk); one-off rosewood bookcase by Chippendale, at Dumfries; in this corner of the Saloon at Saltram, Devon, five gilded Chippendale chairs line the wall around the 1770 Adam carpet woven by Thomas Whitty, who made the first Axminster carpets in 1755 (nationaltrust. org.uk)

Photographs (top right) © National Trust Images/Nadia Mackenzie; (top left, bottom right) © Dumfries House (bottom left) © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

European history in which the boundaries of politics, philosophy, science, education and art were examined on all levels by a movement that sought to expand all known horizons, challenging the authority and doctrine of the Church, the political establishment and the autocratic power of our monarchies.

The ‘long century’, as it is often known, has its roots in the late-17th century, with eminent philosophers such as John Locke, whose enlightened thinking coincided with the demise of the Stuart monarchs and the death of Queen Anne in 1714, while ushering in the House of Hanover with a long succession of monarchs named George! It is a tumultuous century characterised by constant war and expansion of the Empire, the loss of our greatest colony – America – the Industrial Revolution, steam, the horrors of the slave trade, and George III, one of our longest reigning monarchs. If it were possible to symbolise the most visually tangible aspects of the century in a single medium, it would most likely be through the work of the great satirists such as William Hogarth (1697-1764), Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) and James Gillray (1756-1815).

Antiques HOW TO GET THE LOOK Buying at auction is a great platform for sourcing furniture and it’s an environment where you will undoubtedly encounter numerous copies of famous craftspeople’s work. My local salerooms are always good hunting grounds and in any given week it’s likely that I might buy a lovely 18thcentury chair for under £100 or a substantial mule chest for £200.

Yet, for me, the essence of the period is not so much the high-brow work of eminent cabinetmakers but the work of the less well-known provincial makers; pieces you are more likely to come across at auction or in antique shops. The range can be quite astounding. I’m not advocating that you switch to candlelight and sprinkle sawdust on the scullery floor, but from the vernacular to the more refined it’s possible to buy items at very reasonable prices. Tripod side tables, bureaus, bureau bookcases, lowboys, single chairs, chests of drawers, wallmounted corner cabinets, dressers and coffers can be obtained for remarkably small sums of money. These items put ‘getting the Georgian look’ within easy financial reach.

It’s a look that also begs for period accessories and a liberal smattering of Clockwise from top: c.1760 Chippendalestyle desk chair, Decorator Source; small Louis XV writing table, Lorfords;

George II wingback chair, 1stDibs; 18thcentury astragal glazed corner cupboard from Decorator Source;

contemporary engravings, fire irons, Newhall-type tea bowls, brassware and pewter can be easily sourced, too.

However, the idiosyncrasies of the market make many items valuable for reasons that might not be instantly apparent to the average person. This comes with experience, but as a rule it usually revolves around aspects of regional craftsmanship, detail and historical context. Some dealers may be asking much higher prices for items that look similar to others in your local auction, but the devil is in the detail!

My advice: get a feel for what your local salerooms and dealers are selling, and make sure that you inspect the items well before buying. Age often brings related problems such as poor repairs and woodworm. So, if, like me, you relish the idea of creating Hogarthian interiors, steer clear of Gin Lane (one of his famous prints) and visit your local saleroom.

WHERE TO BUY Keep an eye out and research upcoming local auctions. Also search online at: l sellingantiques.co.uk l decorativecollective.com l holtantiquefurniture.com l loveantiques.com

Georgian-style reproduction yew bureau bookcase, Titchmarsh & Goodwin; 18th-century sofa, 1stDibs;

1700s-style bow fronted cupboard, Titchmarsh & Goodwin; find 18th-century oak bureaus at auction

Period Living 95

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TAKE CENTRE STAGE Beautifully combining form and function with sumptuous styling, the new Bow freestanding bath from Frontline Bathrooms is twin-skinned and double-ended with a traditional bateau shape. Available in classic white or dark graphite, complete its opulent feel with an optional plinth in black, white or brass to ensure the bath is the focal point of your bathroom. Bow freestanding bath in graphite with brass plinth, £1,690; white, £1,295; graphite, £1,495.

Feature Karen Bray

Shi p-

e lightin p a g sh With roots dating

HOUSE journal

back to the shipyards of 19th-century London, Davey Lighting combines industrial design, traditional craftsmanship and fine raw materials to create its authentic range of lighting, such as this Shipyard pendant in copper and frosted glass, £545. IP44-rated, and crafted in house at its factory in Birmingham, the industrial style pendant would create a strong focal point above a kitchen island.

Discover the latest products to improve your period home and pick up top tips from industry experts

Seaside shades

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Inspired by the beautiful Devon coast, Aga has added Salcombe Blue to its colour range. It joins Dartmouth Blue to form a new mini collection of soft, coastal shades, its namesake an idyllic harbour town that’s regularly listed among Britain’s favourite holiday destinations. Shown here on the three-oven Total Control, which costs £12,060, the colour is also available on the Dual Control compact Aga 60 models.

Period Living 99

ASK THE EXPERT Douglas Kent, technical and research director at the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, answers your renovation queries

to a tiled splashback, AluSplash is a versatile choice if you’re looking for an affordable yet durable splashback for your kitchen.

Delivering a high-gloss look and feel, the aluminium-based panels are easy to install and maintain, as well as being fire, steam and water-resistant. Offering a longlasting finish, the panels are grout free, non-porous and made from non-toxic lead-free paint. Prices start from £109 for a H90xW60cm or H90xW80cm panel at Wickes and Benchmarx stores.

DON’T MISS… The Old House Show, a new event organised by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and sponsored by Period Living. Running 7-8 September at the Old Naval College in Greenwich, there will be exclusive perks for PL readers. Full preview next month.

Space-saving statement

PAINT PARTNERS Inspired by Scandinavian exterior paints designed to withstand Arctic conditions, new Norfolk-based company Fenwick & Tilbrook offers internal and external paints made to order. Rich in pigment, which gives them an extraordinary depth of colour, the paints are water-based with a low VOC content, and are super durable. There are 120 colours in the range, with prices starting from £25 per litre in Pure Matt finish.

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Small yet perfectly formed, the new Harwood cloakroom basin from Thomas Crapper would make a classic centrepiece for the smallest room in the house. Made in Britain to the highest standards using hard-wearing fireclay, the basin features a deceptively generous bowl depth and a raised cartouche that proudly bears the Thomas Crapper name – a symbol of the style and quality expected from this trusted brand. Priced £399, the basin can be mounted on the wall as an extra space-saving measure.

Q

Could you advise on whether it’s appropriate to strip old doors?

This recent practice is generally inappropriate historically and can cause harm. Most old doors comprise softwood that was originally painted. An exception is pre-18th-century oak doors that, where not limewashed, could be left unpainted.

Additionally, sandblasting may spoil the surface of timber. Dipping in ‘acid baths’ can raise the grain and, by softening the glue, weaken joints.

Q

Patches of soft red brickwork on our Norfolk cottage are eroded where the last owner neglected an overflowing gutter. How should I replace them?

Only cut out and replace severely damaged bricks. Exact replication is tricky but there are several good suppliers who produce new handmade bricks at reasonable prices.

These should match the existing bricks as closely as possible in size, colour, texture and durability. They should also be laid using the same bond. It’s better to leave them to blend in naturally over time than attempt to tone them down. Be wary about using secondhand bricks from other buildings.

Salvaged bricks may be under-fired and unsuitable for external work, or are sometimes damaged, stained or painted.

Q

The building surveyor who recently advised us on the purchase of our 17th-century cottage has recommended we use limewash to redecorate our internal walls. We want to do the right thing but are concerned that limewash may be too powdery for a 21st-century family home.

What’s your opinion?

Good quality limewash applied properly to a suitable background, such as lime plaster or existing limewash, should not rub off readily onto clothes. It may adhere poorly in certain circumstances, however: if it is prepared with ordinary bagged lime rather than lime putty; coats are applied excessively thickly; there is inadequate dampening down before limewashing; or drying out is too rapid.

These problems should not arise where a suitable contractor is employed or, if you are decorating your house yourself, you follow the advice in the various leaflets available from reputable heritage organisations.

Feature Karen Bray * If you have a renovation question for Douglas Kent, email it to periodliving@futurenet.com. We do our best to answer all queries, but cannot guarantee a response

A

sp l

f colour o h as A sleek alternative

Oak Frame

HEART

OAK of

A beautiful, versatile material that exudes character, oak frame is ideally suited to extending a period home – or creating a garden building in its grounds

O

ak framing is a robust, characterful form of building that has its roots firmly planted in history. Thanks to the material’s inherent longevity, there are many quintessential black and white timbered properties still standing from the 16th and 17th centuries, when the material was at its peak in Britain. Many of the traditional carpentry techniques used on these buildings, such as mortise and tenon joints secured

with seasoned oak pegs, were developed thousands of years ago. Today, oak-frame companies combine these time-honoured practices with sophisticated architectural design software and modern building elements, such as insulation and double glazing, for a home that is warm, attractive and energy efficient.

In addition to its heritage appeal, the attraction of an oak frame extension or garden building is that the wood will naturally weather and soften over time, resulting in a sympathetic addition to ➤

Above: This oak garden room extension by Julius Bahn incorporates a sheltered outdoor sitting area to make the most of warm weather.

Prices on application

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Top: The garden room extension to this cottage has a mansard roof. Prices start from £35,000 at David Salisbury Top right: Bi-fold doors, a glass roof and glazed gable maximise natural light in this extended kitchen. From £80,000 at Prime Oak Above: This 16th-century cottage has a double-height extension by Living Oak. Prices on application Above right: A three-bay barnstyle extension has created a kitchen/dining/ living space for this listed home.

From around £60,000 for a complete build at Border Oak

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an older property. Many people would even argue that oak only gets more attractive with age, as the fresh wood dries out, or ‘seasons’, mellowing in colour, and developing characterful surface shakes.

The oak will continue to dry, shrink and crack over the years, and this offers structural benefits as the frame tightens and hardens.

Oak has impressive green credentials, too, as the material is renewable, carbon neutral and sustainable – look for FSC or PEFC certification.

As the components can be manufactured off site, delivered ready to assemble, build times can also be faster than when working with brick or stone.

The majority of oak-frame building companies use European or English oak. Though more characterful, seasoned oak is very difficult to cut, so the wood used is mostly ‘green’, which means it has recently been felled and retains moisture, making it easier to work with. It requires no chemical treatments or preservatives.

weatherboarding, render or brick. Meanwhile, oak elements, such as window and door frames, and posts supporting an overhanging roof, are often incorporated to show what lies beneath.

In order to be sympathetic to the original house and gain planning approval, it’s important that the extension is designed to be in proportion with the existing property and, from a planning perspective, be subservient to the original.

Inside, the space can fully exploit the beauty of the oak, with exposed timbers, impressive vaulted ceilings and galleries incorporating lots of glazing.

If you like the idea of open-plan rooms, then oak frame is ideal as it requires minimal internal structural support to create large spans. Any new space must work effectively with the existing layout, in terms of access, flow and light levels in the rooms beyond. Consult with an experienced architect or designer to get the best result.

Will I need planning permission?

What are the options for extending?

Extensions can range from single-storey designs – often in the form of orangeries and garden rooms – to substantial double-height additions.

Due to modern building regulations, it is difficult to have the frame fully visible inside and out, so externally the structure may be clad in any material (planning permitting), including oak

Regardless of construction type, all extensions are governed by planning rules. If your home is listed, you will need listed building consent to carry out any alterations, while properties in designated areas, such as Conservation Areas and National Parks, or in Sites of Special Scientific Interest, are subject to tighter controls than ‘undesignated’ homes. Consult your local planning department ➤

Top: Carpenter Oak created the extension, complete with glazed gable, to this thatched cottage. Prices on application Left: This cosy cottage was transformed with an oak garden room by English Heritage

Buildings. Prices on application Above: This oak garden room included a large glass gable end and Velux roof windows to bring in much needed light Prices range from ÂŁ40,000 to ÂŁ90,000 at Richmond Oak Period Living 105

Above: This bespoke Party Barn was designed and manufactured

by Oakwrights in Herefordshire and shipped to a client in the Netherlands; the substantial addition cost about £70,000

before embarking on a project to find out what will be acceptable. Otherwise, it is possible that your extension may fall within permitted development, meaning as long as you stick to certain rules on size, scale and location, you won’t require planning permission for single-storey additions extending out up to 6m if an attached house, and 8m if a detached house. See planningportal.co.uk for the rules and, if in doubt, contact your local authority.

Is oak expensive?

Extending in oak will cost more than a standard extension - expect to pay from around £1,500– £2,000 per m2, as opposed to the typical £1,000– £1,200 per m2. Some companies sell kits, which can reduce costs, but most offer a completely bespoke service, with packages ranging from supply right through to a comprehensive service covering design, planning, groundworks, build and finish. However, oak frame is enduringly popular with buyers, so when done well will add more value than a typical extension.

Should I add a garden building instead?

Increasingly, homeowners are investing in garden buildings as a way to increase living space. Unlike extending, a separate structure causes minimal disruption while being built, and reduces the design impact on the house itself. Choose from an annexe, summerhouse, shepherd’s hut, home office, studio or workshop, garage, posh shed or gazebo – there are options to suit all uses, sizes and budgets. These 106 Period Living

permanent garden structures are hugely desirable and valuable, and work particularly well for rural homes with large gardens. As with an extension, their appeal lies in the rustic, natural charm of the materials used, and the knowledge that they are built using traditional methods, in styles that have little changed over the centuries.

It is possible to order an oak frame kit from an online retailer, choosing from a collection of standard designs – some of which are customisable – then construct the building yourself or hire a local tradesman to do it for you. If, however, you want a building that is more individual to you and your home, then use the services of a ‘design to completion’ company, who will design the building to your needs and preferences, and in such a way that complements your house and garden. Meet with at least a couple of suppliers to compare the services on offer, and check their previous work.

Many smaller garden buildings will fall within permitted development rights, but for a larger design you will need to apply for planning permission. A reputable full-service company will handle this on your behalf, and liaise with the local planning department.

Depending on how you wish to use the building, you may require electrics, plumbing, insulation and double-glazing. These are important to factor in if you want to use the new room as living or work space, rather than just a garden retreat or shed.

In addition, you will need to consider groundworks and remedial landscaping and gardening jobs.

Top: Traditional oak frame garden room, based on Radnor Oak’s Byton Low Ridge design.

The room forms part of a multiuse L-shaped complex.

Summerhouses are priced from £6,500 Above: This oak outdoor kitchen costs £4,338 for the frame, weatherboard, stones and bricks from Oak Designs.

The joinery, roofing, delivery, assembly and groundworks are dependent on the project

The Reclaimer

Cobbled charm Paul Johnson of Ribble Reclamation explains the benefits of using reclaimed cobbles and what to look for when sourcing authentic paving for your home Sett and match…

Cobbles, or to give them their correct name, granite and stone setts, were originally used to provide tough, hard-wearing surfaces for roads and paving at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, up until the 1930s. They were split from large pieces of granite and stone and were all made by hand. One of the main attractions of using reclaimed setts for an outdoor space is the authentic look they can add to a property and the story of the life that they had before.

the railway arches in Deansgate, Manchester; tonnes of stone cobbles from a paper mill in Blackburn; a large quantity of 4”x 4” grey setts from Liverpool Docks, and some big pink and grey setts that are perfect for edging. If we get an unusual batch we like to look into the history and try to find out which quarry they would have originally been made in.

Reclaimed setts are a finite product and are getting harder and harder to find. They are usually found under tarmacked roads and in large, old industrial yards.

Unique sources…

We are always on the hunt for good batches of setts and buy them from all over the UK. The biggest batch we have ever bought was 3,500 tonnes reclaimed from Liverpool Docks. We usually buy in large batches, from 20 tonnes upwards. Our inventory changes weekly. At the moment we have a beautiful batch of pink setts from a school in Bradford; multicoloured random-sized granite setts from underneath

What to look for…

The most important rule when investing in reclaimed setts is that you buy them from a reputable dealer who has sorted and hand picked them to make sure they all have a good face. If you are looking to buy a large quantity of setts, make sure they have all come from the same source and that you buy enough to finish the project.

Above, from left: Randomsized multicoloured granite setts reclaimed from Deansgate in Manchester, from £170 per tonne (3.5m2), Ribble Reclamation; completed project featuring reclaimed setts laid in a pattern; reclaimed setts are the perfect complement to a traditional garden Below, from top: Antique reclaimed ‘Napoleon’ large-format cobbles, W25xL25cm, from ¤85 per m2, BCA Matériaux Anciens; reclaimed random granite setts, various sizes, from £175 per tonne, Cawarden; reclaimed ‘Peaky Blinders’ multicoloured granite cobbles/setts, various sizes, from £190 per tonne, Warwick Reclamation

What to avoid…

Feature Karen Bray

What to pay…

It depends on how good they are, where they are from and the rarity.

Our current stock ranges from £37 to £70 per m2 (exluding VAT). You may only get offered some types or colours of cobbles once in a lifetime, whereas others are more readily available.

Setts are actually cheaper now than when they were first produced. A lot of setts and cobbles are offered for sale by the tonne, so always look at the coverage per bag and consider the price per m2. You also have to factor in the delivery cost. The cost to deliver a tonne bag varies from £20 to £60, depending on postcode.

Don’t buy stone cobbles that are covered in concrete or granite setts with bitumen on the face. A trace of bitumen around the edges is fine, as the setts are usually laid into the ground.

Laying issues…

If you have no experience of laying setts then employ a professional. There is a lot of skill required to lay a good driveway or patio. Many landscapers and builders are qualified to do the job and will often be happy to show you photographs of past jobs or provide customer testimonials. Once you have chosen the materials and found somebody to lay the cobbles, you will need to decide what grout to use. As an alternative to the traditional sand and cement, we have seen resin-based mortars gain popularity over the last few years.

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Maintenance

HOME HEALTH CHECK:

Electrics Nothing presents more potential for disaster in a period house than faulty electrical systems, so ensure yours are checked, updated and safe Words Roger Hunt

O Illustration Sarah Overs

ld or damaged wiring, poorly installed sockets, trailing cables and overloaded circuits may, at best, result in a home being plunged into darkness; at worst they can threaten the homeowners with electric shocks or cause a catastrophic fire.

The majority of old buildings had no electricity when they were built and, even when a supply was installed, the number of fittings and power sockets was limited compared with the needs of today. Consequently, electrical installations have frequently been added to or altered over time, so it’s often difficult to evaluate their overall condition. It’s recommended that electrics should be professionally inspected every 10 years, but never leave them to chance; where there is any doubt as to the safety of a system, or if work is needed, always consult a registered electrician, preferably one with experience of old buildings.

Warning signs Judging the overall condition of an electrical system is often difficult as much of it is hidden away in walls, ceilings and floors. It’s also easy to be deceived by modern fittings connected to old

wiring. As a result it is all the more important to investigate thoroughly if there is any indication of a problem with the system.

What to look for: l l l l l l l

Outdated sockets, switches and fuse boards Lead, fabric or rubber sheathed cables Flickering lights Intermittent power supply Fuses that blow regularly Rubbery or burning smells Frayed or damaged cables and flexes

Fuse board Old installations use fuses to protect circuits but modern boards, known as consumer units, contain residual circuit breakers (RCDs), which allow individual circuits to be isolated and should automatically ‘trip’ if there is a problem.

ACTION: l Replace the unit if it has old-style wire fuses or cast-iron switches. l Rewire the entire house if the cables that it feeds are old. l Even if comparatively new, the unit should be tested by a registered electrician to ensure it provides the necessary protection.

Rewiring Where an electrical system is outdated, rewiring makes sense. It pays to work in close collaboration with the electrician to ensure that lights and power outlets are installed in the right places and where you need them, and that cables are routed to minimise their physical and aesthetic impact.

ACTION: l Draw a plan of the house, including the furniture layout, and mark the position of lights and power outlets on it. ➤ Period Living 111

Discuss ways of minimising damage to the fabric of the building when rewiring. l Always install more sockets than you need. l Consider a separate circuit for table lamps so they can be turned off from a single wall switch. l Remember boilers and fixed appliances. l Think about cabling for security systems, TVs, routers and computers – remember that Wi-Fi doesn’t always work in old houses with thick walls. l Try to co-ordinate rewiring with any plumbing work to minimise damage to the building. l Make repairs to the fabric of the building using appropriate materials, for example lime plaster. l On completion, ensure the electrician tests the system and provides all relevant certification to meet current building regulations. l Keep all documentation, including certificates. l Make plans showing cable routes, outlets and switches for future reference. l

ceilings are low or where downlighters are inappropriate for other reasons.

Smoke alarms All homes should have smoke and heat alarms and, where fuel-burning appliances, such as boilers, heaters or fireplaces are used, carbon monoxide alarms in the relevant rooms.

ACTION: l Install appropriate alarms throughout the property. l Consider wireless linked alarms where wiring would be disruptive. l Test and maintain alarms regularly, and as recommended by the manufacturer. l Temporarily cover alarms when creating dust during building work, but always uncover them immediately afterwards.

Energy efficiency Cable runs Cables are unsightly, but in old buildings it might be necessary to run them neatly on the surface rather than damage the building’s original fabric.

ACTION: l Think carefully about cable routes to minimise their impact. l Try not to run cables in the roof space, especially in thatched properties. l Lay cables on top of insulation materials rather than underneath, to avoid overheating. l When installing cables, employ a carpenter to take up and replace floorboards, using screws if they may have to be lifted again. l If feasible, create hatches to make future access to the cabling easier. l Apply fixings into mortar joints, not the face of brick or stone, as mortar can be repaired in the future. l Consider using wireless devices, for example heating thermostats, to minimise cable runs. l Use wireless remote-control light switches to save ‘chasing’ walls. l Regularly check cables for signs of rodent damage, which may result in fire.

Downlights Installing downlights in period properties can be damaging if holes have to be cut in historic lath and plaster ceilings. There is also the potential for the opening to allow draughts and the spread of fire, so where possible consider alternatives.

ACTION: l Check the condition of the ceiling before cutting holes for the lighting. l Always use appropriate fire-rated downlights. l Clear debris and dust from around the site of the light fitting. l Avoid placing insulation close to or over where you are positioning the lights. l Consider using table lamps or uplighters where 112 Period Living

Energy efficient LED lamps are rapidly replacing other forms of lighting and there are now many lamps and fittings that replicate period styles.

When choosing lamps, think about the colour temperature – a 2700K rating gives a warm light while 6000K lamps are closer to daylight. Smart technology systems that allow the home to be monitored and operated remotely help reduce energy use by ensuring lighting and heating are used only when required.

Useful contacts Bromleighs – switches, lights and accessories.

Tel: 01208 79490; bromleighs.com Electrical Safety First – help and advice. electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk English Lamp Company – reproduction lighting.

Tel: 01603 460581; englishlampcompany.com Fritz Fryer – lighting specialist. Tel: 01989 567416; fritzfryer.co.uk Jim Lawrence – light fittings. Tel: 01473 826685; jim-lawrence.co.uk NICEIC – database of registered contractors.

Tel: 0333 202 5721; niceic.com Saren Engineering – traditional buckle cable clips.

Tel: 07860 455169; saren.co.uk The Vintage Light Bulb Company – lamps, cables and fittings. Tel: 01337 858126; thevintagelightbulbcompany.com Urban Cottage Industries – lighting and components. Tel: 020 7193 2119; urbancottageindustries.com

Gardens

ELEGANT SETTING Set the tone for sophisticated and relaxed dinners alfresco with this Mayfair garden set. Constructed from durable, weather-resistant rattan and powder-coated aluminium, it only requires an occasional clean to keep it in tip-top condition.

Dining table with six armchairs, £1,469 from Bridgman.

Fire starter Continue to enjoy summer evenings long after the sun has set, warmed by the heat from a fire pit. The glow from flickering flames will bring to life the woodland scene on this rustic design, £155 from Prezzybox.

NATURE VS NURTURE The Calathea (above) and Fittonia (below) are the latest additions to the Pikaplant Jars range – living houseplants that you never need to water. Sealed airtight, the moisture is recycled inside the Mason jar’s ecosphere; a practical and self-sustaining choice for those absent-minded houseplant owners. £59 from Pad Lifestyle.

GARDEN journal

Down tools this month as you relax in the garden or indulge in some traditional outdoor games

SHADY SPOT Update a tired old greenhouse with this decorative Flutterby window film.

While you don’t want to impede the sun’s rays from casting their growth-giving light on tender plants altogether, a little strategically placed shade could prove invaluable in the hotter months. Seen here in blue, priced £11.50 for a H50xW25cm panel at Purlfrost.

STEP TO IT Easy to slip on and off, these pretty and practical Julie Dodsworth orangery clogs are ideal for when you need to pop outside to do a spot of last-minute pruning. £14.99 from Waitrose Garden.

Serve up snacks for your summer BBQs on this handpainted radish glass platter, £28, Club Matters.

of it ot ro

Feature Rachel Crow

e

T h

Period Living 115

EXPERT TIPS… DROUGHT-PROOFING YOUR LAWN

Singing out These twin metal plant pots, featuring a beautiful vintage bluebird print design, will add a French country style to your garden. £12, Dibor.

Mick Lavelle, gardening expert and senior lecturer in horticulture at Writtle University College, offers seasonal advice

ON THE BENCH

August can be a tough month for lawns.

Hot days and often lower rainfall can result in the grass becoming stressed and it may stop growing altogether.

Don’t despair, as there is a surprisingly easy fix you can apply to help keep your lawns in tip-top condition throughout the summer. This involves nothing more complicated than raising the cutting height of your mower.

Take a moment’s rest from garden games on this outdoor oak bench. Handmade by artisan craftspeople from responsibly sourced, semi-seasoned oak, it is available in two sizes, priced from £539, at Indigo Furniture.

ON THE BOOKSHELF From tiny medieval plots to Victorian glasshouses full of exotic plants, The Story of the English Garden by Ambra Edwards charts the relationship between the English and their gardens over 500 years. It celebrates the beauty, and occasional quirky additions, of some of the most influential gardens. £25, National Trust Books.

SPIKY SUBJECT Have a little fun in your outdoor table styling with the Tall Mojito tin cactus candle, £5 from Sainsbury’s Home.

ai Sn l tra il Prevent your newspapers or tablecloth from flying away when a soft breeze blows with these whimsical snail solid brass paperweights, from £9.95 at Nkuku.

116 Period Living

MOVING UP A NOTCH Contrary to popular belief, cutting the grass very short actually stimulates its rate of growth. This in itself puts a real strain on each of the individual grass plants, as they need to take up extra water and nutrients to enable this to occur. In addition, a reduction in the height of the top-growth restricts the amount of root. Essentially, grass that is kept constantly short cannot root deeply to access water, making the lawn prone not only to drought – as the roots are restricted to the uppermost (driest) soil layer – but also to heat stress. Even if you water a very short lawn, it may still turn yellow, as the elevated soil temperature frequently causes grass plants to turn dormant.

The situation can be made worse when a lawn is cut infrequently, but still mowed hard. Lawns subjected to such treatment almost invariably turn yellow and often only recommence growth once autumn is well underway.

BLADE RUNNER The trick is to mow your lawn lightly but frequently. Longer grass grows more slowly, has deeper roots, and provides welcome shade at the soil layer. If you stick to this regime in the hotter months, your lawn will stay greener for longer, without the need to water it. Remember, though, that even well-kept lawns tend to go brown in hot summers. If this does occur, fear not; your lawn is just resting and will ‘green up’ once autumn rains arrive.

Shopping Garden bunting in gold, £15, Ragged Rose Blue and white stripe deck chair, £40, Wyevale Garden Centres

Rectangular concrete plant shelf units, £199 for set of two, Out & Out Original

Big Steve bulkhead light in polished brass, IP64 rated, £119.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

Illustrated gardening journal, £14, Wrendale Designs

Large garden scissors in leather pouch, £14.95, Highgrove Shop

POTTERING ABOUT A potting shed can be so much more than a place for tending to your plants and seedlings year round – it also offers a peaceful retreat away from the hubbub of the home, a spot to kick off your wellies, take a seat, and unwind with a radio, book or the sounds of garden wildlife outside as your only companions. Add a few of these items to your wishlist to create a welcoming and comfortable horticultural hideaway Jack indoor/outdoor rug, from £76 for W61xL91cm, Dash & Albert Osti Jarej Nada bronze trowel, £31.50, The Wonderful Garden Company

Feature Rachel Crow

Rustic metal garden mirror with four planters, £47.95, Melody Maison

Liberty Flowers Roberts revival radio in Theodora, £250, Liberty London

Chicken print linen and leather gardening gauntlets, £27.95, Annabel James

Polymnia mobile planter rack, £225, Out There Interiors

Ferm Living Bau 2ltr powder-coated watering can in Dusty Pink, £49, Cloudberry Living

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Gardens

12 of the best

garden updates Be inspired by our pick of features and elements to give your outdoor space a stylish update – from planters and lighting to dining accessories

Feature Andréa Childs

1

This graceful wirework gazebo from Garden Requisites is a delicate-looking alternative to wooden structures.

Made to order in the company’s Bath workshop, it is constructed from solid steel with a corrosion-resistant coating, and can come with different arch shapes or full trellis sides. Plant with rambling roses and decorate with fairy lights to create a magical focal point. Prices start at £4,795. ➤ Period Living 121

2

This vintage Indian castiron fire bowl, £135 from Ibbi, would traditionally have been used for cooking at festivals in India. Now it can be used to bring warmth to your garden once the sun sets.

3

Cast welcoming light around a door or into a rear garden with wall-mounted lanterns. Davey Lighting’s Portico design from Original BTC, is handmade in brass with an antique finish and glass panelling. Available in two sizes, the lights cost from £679.

4

Championed by celebrity chef James Martin, Chesneys’ Heat 500 is a dualfunction barbecue and garden heater.

With its grilling, baking, roasting, smoking and wok modes, plus variable temperature and digital thermometer, it’s definitely the choice for keen cooks. £2,802.

122 Period Living

Gardens

5

This foldable Rive Droite bistro set, made from weatherproof powdercoated steel, is ideal for a compact space and adds a touch of soft colour to your plot. £120 from Garden Trading. ➤

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6

Stake lights are ideal for garden parties; use them to line a path or illuminate a temporary feature, such as a bar or barbecue. This pretty, rustic shepherd’s crook and candle lantern from Modern Country Style Interiors, is made from aged metal, priced £35.

8

Turn a terrace into an outdoor room. Dash & Albert rugs have the look and feel of natural fibres, but the recycled polypropylene weave is UV resistant, weatherproof and can be washed with a hose, making it perfect for outdoor living. This Otis rug comes in six sizes and costs from £48.

7

A raised planter adds height to a patio planting scheme – and makes deadheading a doddle. This zinc effect planter, £72 from Audenza, would work equally well in a conservatory or garden room.

124 Period Living

Next Month

9

A well-placed planter can add a sense of structure to the garden, drawing the eye or defining an area, such as a path or terrace. These designs from Arthur Jack & Co are made from heavy gauge galvanised steel, decorated with a Tudor rose, and given an aged patina that helps them ‘settle’ into your outdoor space. From £255.

10

This shallow Sentry shed with log storage is ideal when space is at a premium. Made from treated wood, it has four shelves and a cubby hole for garden tools, plus a covered area for logs. It costs £229.99 from charity store Sue Ryder, where 100 per cent of profits help fund hospice and neurological care.

11

Making the effort to dress your table and create a comfortable place to sit will turn an alfresco meal into a real treat. Keep a basket of linen ready to be taken outside when the weather permits – this Birdspotting tablecloth from Pignut is available in both cotton and wipe-clean oilcloth for extra practicality, from £35; napkins, £5 for two; cushion, £15.

12

Add sound and sparkle to your garden with a water feature. A selfcirculating model won’t need plumbing in, although it will require an electrical connection.

This Athenian wall fountain is made from cast stone and comes in five natural colours, priced £495 at Haddonstone.

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Gardens

GO WITH THE FLOW Water can change the mood of your garden, bring focus to an area, block out background noise or be a draw for wildlife. We suggest some of the ways to introduce this reflective and tranquil element Words and photographs Leigh Clapp

Period Living 127

S

ummer is an ideal time to add a water feature to your garden. It can bring life and movement to even the smallest space – used for dramatic effect or to create a contemplative, calming atmosphere.

With water comes the opportunity to introduce an interesting array of aquatic and marginal plants, too, and increase the biodiversity on offer for visiting wildlife. The options are varied – from a simple shallow dish or birdbath, through rills and fountains, to a naturalistic wildlife pond.

START SIMPLE Birds love to perch on the rim of a dish, dipping their beaks in the water or plunging in for a splash.

Birdbaths and saucer pools are the simplest way to introduce water to the garden; any shallow container will suffice, but choose ones that can be cleaned easily as they can become green with algae.

For a low-maintenance water feature try a rock bowl. Perfect on a paved courtyard or patio, simply fill an attractive glazed pot or saucer with rocks or pebbles, or use a collection of low bowls or shallow dishes for more impact, and for a pretty touch float flowers on the surface.

Many decorative containers, such as troughs, urns, wooden barrels or recycled metal buckets, can be turned into mini ponds suitable for aquatic plants. Select those that are in sympathy with the style of your house and garden. Where possible, when topping up small containers try to use collected rainwater, or tap water that has stood in a watering can for a few days to allow some of the chemicals to evaporate.

When adding a ready-made birdbath to your garden, the RSPB recommends that it should have very shallow sloping sides, a maximum depth of about 10cm, and be as wide as possible, ideally 30cm across. Position it where birds will have a good view all around but can dart into the cover of shrubs or trees when needed. If the surface inside the birdbath is too smooth add in some crocks or pebbles to give them a good grip. Keep the water topped up, change it regularly and remember to clean the birdbath at least twice a year.

FORMAL PONDS In general, formal features look best positioned near the house, on paved areas or in a part of the garden that has a clean, geometric layout. Consider the views from the house or other areas of the garden, and place a pond where it is easy to maintain, ideally in an open space away from trees.

The design of a pond will be dictated by the style of the garden. In a formal garden, regular, geometric shapes work best as the lines will echo the rest of the garden as well as the architecture of the house. Keep the surrounding paving and edging materials simple: stone, gravel or low buxus hedges work well. For a more natural look, edge curved ponds with pebbles or irregular paving. Circular ➤ 128 Period Living

Previous page: Simple stone paving perfectly complements this pond and does not draw attention away from the gentle and soothing fountain water.

Aquatic plants placed at the corners of the pond and carefully positioned pots can help to soften the lines

PLANT PALETTE Top row, left to right: NYMPHAEA or water lilies have many varieties, some of which are hardy, including large and dwarf forms. They grow from tubers planted in pots below the water and flower from spring to summer.

CANDELABRA PRIMULAS are lovely fringing a pond or stream and they flower from May to June. They are long-lived and hardy choices. Plant in drifts with ferns and hostas.

IRIS species and cultivars make up a large family, and include many that grow in shallow water and pond margins, such as the blue and yellow flags and Japanese cultivars.

Second row, left to right: HOUTTUYNIA CORDATA will freely spread in wet mud and will also help keep the water algae free.

The strongest colouration is in sun and the white flowers appear June to August.

GUNNERA is a large architectural plant for moist, boggy soil. Protect them from wind and allow them plenty of space. Cut them back in autumn and divide in early spring.

HOSTAS are herbaceous plants, totally tolerant of shade, primarily grown for their wide range of leaves. Spires of flowers appear in summer. Planting by a pond that has frogs will keep down the snails.

Third row, left to right: ZANTEDESCHIA AETHIOPICA, or arum-lily, is a tuberous perennial that makes a striking edge-ofpond plant with its large white flowers that appear from spring through summer, and glossy leaves.

TYPHA, or bulrushes, are found in the wild growing beside lakes and ponds. Plant in an aquatic basket to keep it well behaved, or set in mud by a large pond and cull annually.

RODGERSIA, with their frothy spires of blooms, are lovely as marginal or bog plants. They prefer part sun and will die back in winter but then renew themselves in time for spring.

Fourth row, left to right: LYTHRUM SALICARIA purple loosestrife’s longflowering blooms attract bees and butterflies. The plant can be submerged in the margins of a pond, or looks atmospheric in a sunny border with grasses.

HEMEROCALLIS, or daylilies, are ideal for bog gardens and flower from June to September, with each bloom lasting a single day. There are thousands of cultivars to choose from.

MATTEUCCIA STRUTHIOPTERIS, or ostrich ferns, grow in shady, damp areas. They spread slowly by rhizomes and make an attractive fringe for water features or ponds.

Gardens

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Above: There are many containers that can be used to create water features. This wide and shallow circular dish is softened by surrounding frothy planting, including irises and astrantia Below left: With any moving water features, pumps will recycle the water, reducing any waste Below right: A wooden barrel, reimagined as a water feature, reflects light in a green corner

or semicircular ponds have a less rigid feel and they function well in both formal and informal designs.

A pond can become the central feature of a garden’s design or be incorporated into an entertaining area. Raised, wide edges can double as seating, while underwater or surface lighting will add a magical touch in the evening. Consider, too, if you would like the water’s surface to be as still as a dark mirror, carry ripples from fish gliding under water plants, or be enlivened by spurting water.

If your aim is to retain a feeling of tranquillity, a trickle of water may enhance the atmosphere while a flamboyant cascade or fountain is best kept for a dramatic water feature. Don’t overdo the addition of floating plants, such as water lilies, or you’ll lose the reflective qualities of the water.

Pond installation is probably best left to a skilled professional, although there are websites offering step-by-steps. A pond can be raised or sunken and built with a variety of materials including brick, stone, cement or railway sleepers. Costs can vary greatly depending on the size and materials.

FOUNTAINS Appealing, dynamic features that bring both sound and the visual impact of moving water to a garden, fountains come in a wide range of possibilities.

Wall fountains are perfect for courtyards or to bring shady corners to life. Traditional designs include cherubs, lions, gods and goddesses, dolphins and shells, and they look more effective when surrounded by an arch, alcove or trimmed climbers.

A row of outlets flowing into a long stone trough is particularly charming, or consider unusual and recycled materials to create distinctive sculptural creations. Fountains that have a number of different levels, or where water travels from one container to another, such as old vintage watering cans, will bring a touch of fun to the garden.

Fountains work well in ponds where there is a reasonable surface for both the play of water and the plants beyond, as water plants don’t respond well to being splashed. Consider the height and spread of any fountain spray to avoid water waste or leaving surfaces wet. As a general guide the pond should be at least twice as wide as the height of the water jet. Turn off and drain small fountains and wall cisterns in winter as the trickle can freeze and damage the fittings.

WILDLIFE PONDS Including a source of water in the garden as a haven for wildlife is the greatest way of attracting a huge array of creatures, from insects and birds to amphibians and mammals. A wildlife pond is a more informal, organic shape and generally positioned further down the garden, in a quiet spot.

With nearly 70 per cent of ponds disappearing from our countryside, the importance of these in private gardens has increased.

Although appearing to be natural, an informal pond takes careful thought in its design and placement. Make it as large as possible as then it will look more convincing. A tip to make a small pond appear larger is to blur its edges through the use 130 Period Living

Gardens

of overhanging plants. In terms of the position, if a wildlife pond is located too near to trees, they can throw much of it into shade, the dead leaves will need clearing, and rotting leaves give off gasses that are harmful to fish. Some trees that have a natural affinity with water, though, are small weeping willows and Japanese maples. The ideal location for a wildlife pond is in part sun, part light shade. Mark out the intended shape using string or a garden hose and then review this against the landscape of your garden to ensure it suits the whole design. Dig a hole to give different water depths to attract a variety of wildlife, including at least one long, shallow slope for easy access. Remove any sharp rocks and line the hole with puddled clay or a good quality butyl liner. Allow an extra 20cm of liner to overlap the edges, which can be hidden with gravel or stones. Finally add water, aquatic plants and fish.

Plants are the most natural adornments for an informal water garden. Include oxygenators, floating aquatic plants in aerated baskets, and boggy marginal options to soften the edges. Use the same criteria as in the rest of the garden by selecting ones that suit your climatic and soil conditions.

After creating your wildlife haven be patient and wait for the visitors, keeping an eye on maintenance to get the balance between pristine and overgrown.

STYLISH EXTRAS More stylised or dramatic water features include simulated creeks or cascades crossed with bridges, as well as rills – formal channels that often lead the eye to a focal point or view. In Islamic and Mogul gardens rills were central features running along the main axis of the garden and culminating in a fountain or raised platform. Today they are used as dynamic features that may travel between

a fountain and a pond and give a strong sense of perspective to the landscape. They can be constructed of steel, stone, tiles or even toughened glass, and are best installed by specialists, as they need to be perfectly engineered.

GARDENS TO VISIT LONGSTOCK PARK WATER GARDENS, Longstock, Stockbridge, Hants SO20 6EH. Famous seven-acre water gardens. Admission adult £6, child £2.

Tel: 01264 810904; leckfordestate.co.uk SHUTE HOUSE, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9DG. World-renowned rill designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe. Tel: 01935 814389 BENNETTS WATER GARDEN, Weymouth DT3 4AF. Outstanding displays of water lilies. Open until 28 September. Admission adult £9.75, child £4.50.

Tel: 01305 785150; bennettswatergardens.com BUSCOT PARK AND GARDENS, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 8BU. One of England’s finest water gardens designed by Harold Peto. Admission (grounds only) adult £7, child £3.50. Tel: 01367 240932; buscot-park.com

Above: With its sloping sides, wildlife can easily access this natural pond, which is almost hidden by its profuse marginal and aquatic planting Below: Ideally, position a pond in part sun, part light shade and edge with mixed aquatic plants, such as hostas, bulrushes, candelabra primulas and lythrum. Edit the plants and clear any weeds in autumn

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The listed gardens at Houghton Lodge in Hampshire look both to the past and the future, having been in the same family for generations

A ROMANTIC Words and photographs Leigh Clapp

Spires of delphiniums and phlox in the classic floral colour combination of blue and white, surround a statue of Mercury in the area of garden named in honour of this Roman god 132 Period Living

Gardens

VISION

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KEY FACTS Character of garden 18th-century informal garden designed in a natural style, with water meadows, one-acre walled garden with edibles, a tunnel of roses and wildflowers, and a 300ft-long herbaceous border, with some formal elements from parterres and topiary Size Five acres of gardens Aspect The gardens wrap around the house, with most facing south to south-east Soil Loam over chalk Owners Daniel and Sophie Busk, since 2015 Period of house An 18th-century Grade II*-listed ‘Cottage Orné’, a rare example of a style of architecture that evolved when the fashion was turning from classical to romantic architecture Open Houghton Lodge Gardens, Houghton, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6LQ. Open daily until 30 September. Admission £6.50, children £3, under 3s free (houghtonlodge.co.uk)

H

ome to generations of the Busk family for more than 100 years, the pictureperfect Houghton Lodge near Stockbridge, in Hampshire, is a rare example of an 18th-century ‘Cottage Orné’ - a romantic and picturesque vision of the perfect rural retreat, where gentle folk could retire to the delights of rustic country simplicity.

Built in 1793, it was probably intended as a fishing lodge, and the gardens and grounds complete the idyllic scene, blending into the pastoral landscape beyond of a valley now classified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area.

Daniel and Sophie Busk, along with their three children, are the latest members of the family to live at the property. ‘It wasn’t unfamiliar to us, as we had built a house on the estate, Eveley Farm, and spent a lot of time with Daniel’s parents at Houghton Lodge – it has always been a private home, with the gardens open to the public and the house by appointment,’ explains Sophie. ‘The gardens and grounds are an extension of the house and vice versa, an organic fusion of the man-made and natural world.’

A keen gardener, Sophie was a competent pair of hands to inherit the established gardens of Houghton Lodge, and the mix of cultivated gardens and mown paths through water meadows, makes for an enchanting exploration. Highlights include the colourful walled garden with ancient ➤

134 Period Living

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Clockwise from top: Lush lawns sweep down from the pretty house; Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ tumbles over the gravel path and frames the view to the gate and the wild meadows beyond; frothy perennials, including penstemons and Alchemilla mollis, soften the front terrace

Period Living 135

espaliered pear trees, an orchid house, peony walk, a billowing flowery mead and productive beds of vegetables and herbs. Extending over an acre, the walled garden is surrounded by one of the few remaining complete chalk cob walls, which were once a feature of this area of Hampshire. ‘Built very high and roofed with loose tiles to put off intruders, it greatly assists the early ripening of fan-trained fruit trees. The base of flint acts as a damp course and the walls, made from a mixture of chalk and straw ‘puddled’ by oxen or horses, were built up in layers as each dried out,’ Sophie explains.

A comprehensive selection of vegetables and fruit continues the tradition of supplying the household with food, with crops that include courgettes, beetroots, artichokes, an array of herbs and a heritage collection of apples and pears, such as an espaliered pear ‘Uvedale’s St. Germain’ with a span of over 50 feet. Raised beds of produce are mixed with companion plants of marigolds, scabious and lupins, and punctuated decoratively with topiary bay trees. Beside the row of pergola arches adorned with the prolific crimson Rosa ‘American Pillar’, an annual wildflower mix called ‘Passion’ creates wafting poppies, Ammi majus and Centaurea cyanus, which are alive with bees and butterflies. These are set against blocks of achillea, while bamboo obelisks of sweet peas also reach their peak of bloom through the heat of summer.

Within the walled garden an area by an old well is also resplendent with billowing borders edged in Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’, spreading out over gravel paths that lead to an arched gate beyond which can be glimpsed vistas of wilder areas. Purple reigns here, with combinations of Allium ‘Purple Sensation’, campanula and spires of Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, lightened with combinations of white, from voluptuous Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ and stately Lupinus ‘Noble Maiden’.

Outside the walled garden, there is also a magnificent 300-foot herbaceous border, which peaks slightly earlier, with a wide palette that includes irises, geraniums, peonies, scabious, Epilobium angustifolium var. album and Crambe cordifolia. ‘Our aim is to carefully photograph the shrubs and flowers through each season, and sensitively restructure to prolong the flowering season. In 2015 we introduced 70 beautiful dahlias in orange, purple and red to boost the stunning autumn colour,’ Sophie explains.

By the house there are further soft plantings of herbaceous perennials and roses entwining the veranda, before expansive swathes of carefully contoured verdant lawns sweep down to the River Test. With curvaceous shapes echoed both inside and out, there is a sense of blurring boundaries between house and grounds, with views out of the French windows to the garden.

Touches of formality are tucked away to discover, too. Surrounding a statue of Mercury within ➤ 136 Period Living

Gardens Left: The formal box parterre is punctuated with a peacock statue and surrounded by yew hedging Right: Rosa ‘American Pillar’ scrambles vigorously over the timber pergola tunnel that runs between the productive beds and colourful meadow plants

Left: Wafts of centranthus appear to sprout out of the rustic old well, which has been reimagined as an interesting garden feature

Period Living 137

topiary hedging is a recently planted blue and white delphinium border, a classic colour combination that is accompanied by white phlox and mauve Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’. Also providing neatly clipped structure is the Peacock Garden, a confection of yew hedging and topiary peacocks accompanied by one made from scrap metal, which was inspired by an illustration in W. Robinson’s English Flower Garden of 1883.

Sophie is aided by an enthusiastic gardening team and a wonderful group of volunteers. Keeping the sense of tradition, while still moving forward with the garden, she is imbuing its extensive planting palette with her love of colour, texture and scent. ‘Daniel loves perfectly formed annual flower displays,’ she says, ‘but I prefer a more informal planting with blousy, beautiful perennials, which come and go through the seasons.’

SOPHIE’S GARDENING TIPS From top: Teepees of sweet peas emerge out of the sea of textural achillea and ‘Passion’ mix meadow annuals; forcing jars are dotted among the crop of rhubarb; paths dissect the growing beds and lead to the meadow of poppies, cornflowers and achillea

l Rather like living in a house and seeing how the light falls in each room before you grab a paintbrush and redecorate, live in a garden before making any changes. See how the garden looks in the different seasons, what the varieties are, where they are planted, and then slowly make your changes. l For less work, replace annual bedding displays with perennial borders. l I love colour and particularly autumn colours so I am always looking at varieties that will be fabulous at that time of the year. l A tip I learnt from garden designer Nicholas Tripp is to replace old borders or beds with a lowmaintenance annual wildflower mix - no weeding is required and it keeps the bed looking beautiful and colourful from July to October.

IN THE AREA Exbury Gardens, Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 1AZ. 200 acres of garden include the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, rare trees and shrubs, with a magical autumnal show of colour. Open daily.

Admission (gardens only), adult £10.35, children £4. Tel: 023 8089 1203; exbury.co.uk Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants Nursery, Freefolk, Whitchurch RG28 7FA. One of the UK’s leading plantsmen’s nurseries, specialising in herbaceous perennials. Tel: 01256 896533; hardysplants.co.uk Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ampfield, Romsey SO51 0QA. 72 hectares with over 42,000 trees, shrubs and landscaped gardens. Open all year. Admission, adults £10.90, children £2.60. hants.gov.uk/ thingstodo/hilliergardens Hinton Ampner House, Hinton Ampner, Alresford SO24 0LA. Stately home with formal gardens and woodland owned by the National Trust. Open all year, adults £10, children £5. Tel: 01962 771305; nationaltrust/org.uk/hinton-ampner

138 Period Living

Recipes

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Be inspired to bring out the fire pit and entertain outdoors, with these relaxed, delicious dishes fresh from the summer grill, by Valerie Aikman Smith

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Period Living 141

Prosciutto and fig grilled flatbreads Piri Piri Cornish game hens with citrus-honey dipping sauce If you can’t find Cornish game hens, you can use poussin and if you are not sure about butterflying the birds, ask your butcher to do it for you. Serve these hot off the grill with a cooling citrus-honey sauce and a large crispy green salad.

SERVES 4 ●

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2 Cornish game hens or poussins 6 hot red chillies, roughly chopped 2 tsps of smoked paprika 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped Zest and freshly squeezed juice of one lemon ½ cup/125ml of olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Oil, for brushing the grate

FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE: ● Zest and freshly squeezed juice of two tangerines ● 2 tbsps of cider vinegar ● 2 tbsps of toasted sesame oil ● 2 tbsps of honey ● 1 tsp of mirin ● 1 tsp of fish sauce ● ½ Serrano chilli, thinly sliced

1 To butterfly the hens, lay them breast-side down on a worktop and using sharp scissors, cut down each side of the backbone. Discard the backbone.

Open the hens up like a book and lay skin-side up in a ceramic dish.

2 Place the chillies, paprika, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil in a blender. Process until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the hens and place in the fridge uncovered for 6–24 hours (leaving them uncovered gives a crispier chicken skin).

3 To make the citrus-honey dipping sauce, whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

4 Heat the grill/barbecue to medium–high. Brush the grate with oil. Remove the hens from the fridge and bring to room temperature.

5 Place the hens skin-side down on the grill and cook for about 8–10 minutes until golden brown.

Turn the hens over and turn down the heat or move to a cooler part of the grill. Continue to cook for another 20 minutes. Check they are done by inserting a knife to see that the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear.

6 Remove the cooked hens from the grill to a chopping block, tent with foil, and rest for five minutes. To serve, cut the hens up and serve with the chilled citrus-honey dipping sauce.

142 Period Living

Flatbreads are such a fun way to start a party. They are quick to cook on the grill and guests can nibble on them while the rest of the meal comes together.

One of my favourite combinations is figs and prosciutto, as I love the sweet and salty flavours together. Pick up some flatbreads from your local store if you want to reduce the prep time.

Recipes MAKES 6 SMALL FLATBREADS ● ●

● ● ●

220g of plain flour 1½ tsps of rapid-rise (instant) yeast 1 tsp of sea salt 160ml of warm water 2 balls of burrata cheese, torn into small pieces

● ● ●

● ●

12 slices of prosciutto 6 figs, quartered 4 red Serrano chillies, thinly sliced Truffle honey, for drizzling Oil, for brushing the barbecue grate

1 Oil a large bowl and set aside. Place the flour, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a food processor.

With the motor running, add the warm water to the flour mixture in a steady stream until all the liquid is incorporated and the dough forms a ball – this will take about three minutes.

2 Place the dough on a floured worktop and knead to form a ball. Place in the oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Set aside in a warm place for about three hours to proof and double in size.

3 Heat the grill/barbecue to a medium–high.

Brush the grate with oil. Remove the dough from the bowl and cut into six pieces. Roll each piece out into a circle.

4 Place the dough on the hot grill and cook for about 3–5 minutes until golden and charred. Using a pair of tongs, turn the flatbreads over. Top each crust with some burrata, two slices of prosciutto, and four pieces of fig. Sprinkle the flatbreads with the Serrano chillies.

5 Close the lid and cook for another five minutes, until the cheese has melted, the prosciutto is crispy, and the flatbreads are charred and crusty.

6 To serve, remove from the grill to a wooden board and drizzle with a little truffle honey.

Heirloom tomato and black garlic galette In August, when the farmers’ market is at its best, you will see stands decked with bejewelled tomatoes of every type and size. From big fat rosy red tomatoes to dark purple and brightly green striped ones, they all make a huge statement.

Have fun with this galette and mix and match tomato colours and varieties.

SERVES 6-8 10 mixed heirloom tomatoes ● 10 heirloom cherry tomatoes ● 450g of ready-made puff pastry ● A few sprigs of thyme ●

3 tbsps of chopped black garlic ● 1 egg, beaten ● Coarse sea salt ● Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling ●

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) Gas 7.

1 Line a baking sheet with baking parchment.

Cut the tomatoes into thick slices and the cherry

tomatoes in half (or leave these whole if you wish).

2 Fold out the pastry on the prepared baking sheet.

Using a knife, score a ¼ inch border on each side of the pastry (but take care not to cut all the way through the pastry).

3 Top the pastry with the tomatoes, leaving the border clear. Sprinkle the garlic over the tomatoes and top with the thyme sprigs.

4 Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg, then bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until brown and crusty.

5 Remove from the oven, sprinkle with salt, and drizzle with olive oil. ➤ Period Living 143

Lamb smash burgers Smash burgers are – as the name implies – smashed burgers! The key to success is to cook them in a searing hot cast-iron pan and press the meat down into a flat patty, cooking until they have a crisp crust, then flip them over.

SERVES 4 680g of minced lamb 1 tbsp of dried mint ● 1 tbsp of dried oregano ● 1 tsp of pressed garlic ● Sea salt and cracked black pepper ● 4 brioche burger buns or bread of your choice ● 4 thick tomato slices ● Crumbled feta cheese, to serve ● Oil, for brushing the grate ● ●

FOR THE AÏOLI: ● 2 egg yolks ● 1 garlic clove ● ½ tsp of Dijon mustard ● 2 tbsps of freshly squeezed lemon juice ● 240ml of extra virgin olive oil ● 225g of Kalamata olives, pitted/stoned and finely chopped

1 Place the lamb, mint, oregano, and garlic in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine. Divide the mixture into four and form

144 Period Living

into loose balls. Don’t squeeze too hard as you want the mixture to be loose to easily smash down during cooking. Cover and set aside.

2 To make the aïoli, combine the egg yolks, garlic, mustard, and lemon juice in a food processor and process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add in the olive oil a few drops at a time.

As the mixture thickens, continue to add the oil in a slow, steady stream until it is all combined. Pour into a bowl and stir in the chopped Kalamata olives.

3 Heat the grill/barbecue to medium–high. Brush the grate with oil. Place a cast-iron pan or flat-top griddle on top and heat until smoking. Place the burgers in the hot pan and firmly smash down with a flat spatula until they are ½ inch/1 cm thick. Cook for about two minutes until a crisp crust forms. Flip them over and continue to cook for another minute for medium-rare, or longer for well done.

4 Slice and toast the buns on the grill, then spread the top and bottom with a thick layer of aioli. Place a burger on the bun base, then top with tomato slices and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Recipes

Vin Santo grilled peaches Peach season never lasts long enough for me as I adore plump, ripe, sweet, juicy peaches. I cut them up and toss them into salads, make ice cream and tarts with them, and eat them just as they are with good cheese. Here, the peaches are soaked in Vin Santo, then grilled over mesquite (wood) embers until charred and caramelised. Enjoy them with a small glass of Vin Santo.

SERVES 4 4 medium ripe, firm peaches ● 8 tbsps of honey or honeycomb ● 1 tbsp of finely chopped fresh sage ●

1 bottle of Vin Santo Crème fraîche or sour cream, to serve ● Oil, for brushing the grill/barbecue grate ● ●

Heat the grill/barbecue to medium–high. Brush the grate with oil.

1 Cut the peaches in half and remove the stones.

Lay the peaches cutside down on the grill and cook for 3–4 minutes, then turn them over using a pair of tongs.

2 Place a tablespoon of honey or honeycomb in the centre of each peach half, then fill with Vin Santo.

Sprinkle the peach halves with the chopped sage.

Cook for another five minutes until caramelised and slightly charred.

3 Serve with crème fraîche or sour cream and a small glass of Vin Santo. ➤

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SERVES 8-10 ● ● ●

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260g of plain flour 1 tbsp of baking powder 150g of unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing 200g of caster sugar 3 medium eggs, at room temperature 225g whole milk Greek yoghurt 1oz of salted pistachios,

●

finely ground 100g of blackberries, roughly chopped

FOR THE SYRUP: ● 300g of white granulated sugar ● Zest of 4 limes ● 250ml of freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4 large limes)

Preheat the oven to 175 °C (350°F) Gas 4.

Blackberry and pistachio cake with lime syrup You can dress this cake up by piling lots of fresh berries on top with a few blackberry leaves and a dusting of icing sugar, or simply leave as is. I either serve it warm with homemade vanilla ice cream, or make it a day ahead, drizzle with zesty lime syrup, and let sit overnight for the flavours to meld, then serve with a large dollop of crème fraîche.

146 Period Living

Reader offer This is an edited extract from Feast from the Fire by Valerie Aikman Smith (£16.99, Ryland Peters and Small). PL readers can buy it for the special price of £11.99 including UK P&P. To order, call Macmillan Direct on 01256 302699 and quote reference PQ6.

Photography Erin Kunkel /Ryland Peters & Small

1 Line the base of a 25cm cake tin with a removable base with baking parchment. Grease the base and sides with butter and set aside.

2 Sift the flour and baking powder together into a bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, cream the butter and sugar for about five minutes until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until smooth. Then add the yoghurt and continue to beat.

3 Reduce the speed and slowly add the flour mixture, beating until well combined. Add the pistachios and stir to completely mix.

4 Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and stir in the blackberries with one or two turns of the spoon until just mixed – you don’t want the batter to turn pink.

5 Pour into the prepared cake tin and bake in the preheated oven for one hour until golden brown and a thin skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

6 Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack. Pierce the top all over with a skewer and cool for 20 minutes. Keep the cake in the tin.

7 To make the syrup, place the sugar, zest, and lime juice in a small pan. Bring to the boil over a medium–high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Cook for about five minutes until it becomes a light syrup.

8 Drizzle the lime syrup over the cooled cake, then loosely cover and leave overnight.

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K Kalinko kalinko.com La Residence Interiors L 01403 752245 laresidenceinteriors.co.uk Lakeland Paints 01524 852371 lakelandpaints.co.uk Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 lauraashley.com Liberty 020 7734 1234 libertylondon.com Little Baby Company littlebabycompany.com Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com Living Oak 01932 590111 livingoak.co.uk Loaf 0845 468 0697 loaf.com Lorfords 01666 505111 lorfordsantiques.com Louis Poulsen 020 8397 4400 louispoulsen.com Luella Linen 07830 237345 luellalinen.com Made+Good madeandgood.com M Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 maisonsdumonde.com Marblemosaics 01273 891144 marble-mosaics.com Marks & Spencer 0333 014 8555 marksandspencer.com Maze Living 0844 846 0240 mazeliving.co.uk Melody Maison 01302 741000 melodymaison.co.uk Modern Country Style Interiors 0333 880 2458 moderncountrystyleinteriors.com Molly’s Den 01962 868245 mollys-den.co.uk Mowzer Gallery 01736 731748 themowzergallery.co.uk National Trust Shop N shop.nationaltrust.org.uk NICEIC 0333 202 5720 niceic.com Nisi Living 01275 390521 nisiliving.co.uk Nkuku 0333 240 0155 nkuku.com Not Run of the Mill 01884 855419 notrunofthemill.com Oak Designs 01273 400411 O oak-designs.co.uk Oakwrights 01432 353353 oakwrights.co.uk Oficina Inglesa 020 72264 569 oficinainglesa.com Oka 0844 815 7380 okadirect.com Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 oliverbonas.com Olli Ella 020 7713 8668 olliella.com One Garden 0333 121 1011 onegarden.co.uk Original BTC 020 7351 2130 uk.orginalbtc.com Orla Kiely orlakiely.com Osborne & Little 020 8812 3123 osborneandlittle.com Out and Out Originals outandout.com Out There Interiors 020 8099 7443 outthereinteriors.com Pad Lifestyle 0131 225 9012 P padlifestyle.com Papier 020 7770 6477 papier.com Phillips & Cheers phillipsandcheers.com Pignut 0330 053 8552 pignut.co.uk Prezzy Box 01827 839041 prezzybox.com Prime Oak 01384 296611 primeoak.co.uk Printer + Tailor 01432 265094 printerandtailor.com Purlfrost 020 8992 4024 purlfrost.com Pushka Home 020 056 7556 pushkahome.com

Radnor Oak 01544 260727 R radnoroak.co.uk Ragged Rose 01622 812897 raggedrose.com Raj Tent Club 020 7820 0010 rajtentclub.com/shop Ribble Reclamation 01772 794534 ribble-reclamation.co.uk Richard Atkins atkins-architecture.co.uk Richmond Oak 08456 442257 richmondoak.co.uk Robin’s Nest Emporium robinsnestemporium.co.uk Roger Oates 020 7351 2288 rogeroates.com Rose & Grey roseandgrey.co.uk Ross & Brown 020 8770 0411 rossandbrownhome.co.uk Rowen & Wren 01276 451077 rowenandwren.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home 0800 636 262 S sainsburyshome.co.uk Saren Engineering 07860 455169 saren.co.uk Secret Linen Store 01243 822599 secretlinenstore.com Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 The Solid Wood Flooring Company 01666 504015 thesolidwoodflooringcompany.com Stanley 0845 805 7761 waterfordstanley.com Stone Store UK 01244 678536 stonestoreuk.com Style Our Home 0333 257 4160 styleourhome.com Sue Ryder 0800 917 8123 shop.sueryder.org Susie Watson Designs 0344 980 8185 susiewatsondesigns.co.uk Sweetpea & Willow 0345 257 2627 sweetpeaandwillow.com Talking Tables talkingtables.co.uk T Thomas Crapper 01789 450522 thomas-crapper.com Titchmarsh & Goodwin 01473 252158 titchmarsh-goodwin.co.uk Toad Hall Country Vintage 01202 880487 Toast 0333 400 5200 toa.st/uk Today Interiors 01476 574401 today-interiors.co.uk Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 toppstiles.co.uk Urban Cottage Industries U 020 7193 2119 urbancottageindustries.com Valspar valsparpaint.com V Vanessa Arbuthnott 01285 831437 vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk Velux 01592 778225 velux.co.uk Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 victorianplumbing.co.uk The Vintage Light Bulb Company 01337 858126 thevintagelightbulbcompany.com Vispring 01752 366311 vispring.com Waitrose Garden 01344 578811 W waitrosegarden.com Walls and Floors 01536 314730 wallsandfloors.co.uk Warwick Reclamation 01926 881539 warwickreclamation.co.uk Weaver Green 0844 414 2155 weavergreen.com Wemyss 01382 908300 wemyssfabrics.com The White Company 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com Wickes 0330 123 4123 wickes.co.uk Willis & Gambier 01733 318400 willisgambier.co.uk Winter’s Moon wintersmoon.co.uk The Wonderful Garden Company 01963476011 thewonderfulgardencompany.co.uk Woven 020 3176 8993 woven.co.uk Wrendale Designs 01652 680253 wrendaledesigns.co.uk Wyevale Garden Centres 0344 272 3000 wyevalegardencentres.co.uk Period Living 161

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NOVEMBER 2017 realhomes.co.uk

Walking on WATER Seaside piers are an essential part of a British holiday by the sea, so we’ve been taking a closer look at these fine, yet endangered, Victorian structures

162 Period Living

Clockwise from top: Dawn breaks over the pier and beach huts at Southwold, Suffolk; the helter skelter on the pier at Clacton, Essex; the pier at Llandudno, North Wales; Swanage in the Dorset mist; opened in 1869, Clevedon pier in the Bristol Channel, north Somerset, is the only Grade I-listed pier left intact in the UK; the ornate bandstand at Brighton, East Sussex

Words Karen Darlow Photographs © Getty

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easide, sunny day and a stroll along the prom: you can’t beat it, unless it’s strolling on the pier, that is. Walking on water – or several metres above it – gives a sense of space, freedom and infinite horizons, only matched by setting sail and leaving the land behind you. And should the sea breezes become too vigorous, cover is usually available in a quaint, roofed shelter, with weathered slatted benches.

Originally built to allow upper-class travellers to disembark from ships and reach land without getting their feet or the hems of their dresses wet, in their Victorian heyday there were as many as 100 piers built around Britain’s coastline, from Dunoon down to Brighton.

The early 19th-century’s expanding railway network improved access to the main coastal towns and, before long, seaside piers became the place to be seen, regardless of how you travelled there. They were used as a convenient and beautiful place to take the air, not to mention as glamorous locations for dancing and amusements.

Rising up out of the waves on their spindly legs, these mainly wood and cast-iron constructions, often with elaborate glasshouses, ballrooms or winter gardens at their furthest point, had a fragility about them from the outset.

Many of them faced the harshest buffeting from waves and winds coming in from the North Sea; others, including the much-lamented West Pier in Brighton, which burned down in 2003, have disappeared from our shores for ever.

Sadly, only just over half of our original Victorian piers now survive, and the future for some of those looks uncertain. But these unique structures lend their practical and very British charm to our seaside towns. After all, without the shelter and entertainment that they offer, how would we cope with the inclement UK seaside weather?

For more information, see piers.org.uk

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