Editor’s Letter

R ight now,

I’m sitting in my makeshift home office with the doors wide open to the garden, basking in the warmth of yet another record-breaking heatwave. Yet by the time you are holding this issue in your hands, I know that summer will be almost over and thoughts will begin to turn to crisp autumn days and cosy nights by the fire. Faced with so much uncertainty this year, many of us have taken comfort in life’s simplest pleasures, whether that’s connecting with nature in the garden, baking a cake in the kitchen, or curling up on the sofa with a favourite book. I truly believe that it’s the quality of these small, everyday moments that have the biggest impact on our happiness and well-being, rather than the temporary gratification offered by grand, exciting experiences. Of course, the centre of these activities is almost always the home, so why not invest in making it the ideal environment for your leisure time? This issue has everything you need to create a calming, cocooning haven that will perfectly transition between seasons. In Home Comforts decorating, Style Editor Pippa Blenkinsop shares advice for making your interior as cosy and inviting as possible using the latest paints, fabrics, wallpapers and furnishings (page 26). We’ve also rounded up the most stylish stoves to provide that all-important focal point and keep your living space as warm as toast (page 93). If you’re more excited by the possibilities in the garden, then discover the best plants for adding autumn colour and interest (page 116). Finally, this month, I’m pleased to launch the new PL Loves scheme. We want to highlight products that deserve to be recognised for their great design, from those made in Britain to sustainable buys, and pieces that embody authentic period style. Look out for the logos throughout the magazine, and use them to help you make more informed decisions when choosing items for your home. I hope you enjoy the issue.