Editor’s Letter
Autumn will soon be upon us, and though I intend to make the most of these late summer days, I do relish the changing of the seasons. I can’t wait to take a walk in the country, when the leaves are turning red and gold; to get the blankets out of storage and light the stove for the first time in months, so I can curl up on the sofa with a good book. This issue offers plenty of inspiration for turning your home into a cosy sanctuary in preparation for colder days ahead. In particular we look at some of the best heating options for a period home, including a guide to buying a new stove (page 107), and how the latest regulations might affect you. The right stove not only makes a welcoming focal point to a room, but is a highly efficient way to keep warm, so it’s definitely worth considering an upgrade.
After spending so much time outdoors in summer, I can turn into a homebody in autumn, rediscovering hobbies such as baking and crafting. I call on techniques that have been passed down through the generations, and that brings all sorts of nostalgic feelings to the surface – about what home means to me, and memories of being with my family. It makes me crave the old and the familiar, so this month I really enjoyed our History Repeating decorating feature (page 22), which celebrates heritage-inspired wallpapers that will help you to reflect back, from faithfully reproduced archive prints to fresh takes on original designs that are perfect for period homes. Elsewhere this issue, we look at how to extend garden interest into autumn and winter with evergreens (page 133). These versatile plants form an essential backdrop to flowers in spring and summer, but in the colder months they truly come into their own, giving life and structure to a scheme that would otherwise be bare and bleak. Explore the potential of foliage beyond the many shades of green, from warm reds and golds to cool greys and silvers, or even variegated leaves, to make a beautiful feature.
Finally, if you want to keep the memory of summer going through the coming seasons, then subscribe to Period Living this month to receive a free English Country Garden mug from Sophie Allport, worth
£12.50 (page 50). I do hope you enjoy the issue.