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THE PARLOUR ESSAYS
The Parlour Essays are observational pieces on colour, interiors and their place in history and society. They examine the choices of material, function, or ornament that shaped domestic life.
The focus is on the ordinary as much as the grand, on details that reveal larger patterns. Read together, they offer a view of design as part of society.
For shorter, sharper dispatches on old-house interiors, please see The Parlour Postcards. Bite-sized observations on everyday decisions that can alter a house for better or worse.
FEATURED ESSAYS
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 1
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 1 - THE BIG THINGS. This essay concerns the big items of thinking for older houses, what to consider and what to investigate.
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 2
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 2 - THE CREATIVE THINGS. This essay concerns the creative and very enjoyable aspects of older houses, such as colour, pattern and textures.
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 3
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 3 - THE TACTILE THINGS. This essay concerns the tacticle and touchable aspects of older houses, such as handles, switches and fabrics.
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 4
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 4 - THE MODERN THINGS. This essay concerns the modern necessary aspects of older houses, such as televisions, security systems and the dreaded cables.
2026 TRENDS THAT WORK FOR OLD HOUSES
2026 Trends that work in old houses. Trends come and go but in 2026 the trend-gods smile on period properties. Pattern, colour and natural materials take centre stage.
TIMELESS INTERIORS
What does timelessness truly mean? Is it a colour, a style or is it coherence and flow? This essay explores the contradictions between what we might think it means, and what it might actually mean.
THE COLOURED COMPASS
A Guide to Colour for All Aspects
COLOUR FOR A NORTH-FACING ROOM
The Colour Compass: Part I.
Lean into the light. North-facing rooms require careful handling, very different from other aspects. The light is cool and even, and the colours need to carry warmth without any help.
COLOUR FOR AN EAST-FACING ROOM
The Colour Compass: Part II.
East greets the sunrise. With brightness in the morning and softness in the afternoon, east-facing rooms can handle vibrancy and cheerfulness.
COLOUR FOR A SOUTH-FACING ROOM
The Colour Compass: Part III. The light in south-facing rooms is the best gift a house can get. They are the super models of light. But with strong light, comes great responsibility.
COLOUR FOR A WEST-FACING ROOM
The Colour Compass: Part IV.
Dinner by the fire. Mercurial and changeable, the light in west-facing rooms needs warmth in the mornings and radiance in the evenings.
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INTERIORS AND SOCIAL STRUCTURES
Humans crave order and structure. The signalling of these social constructs were very visible during Victorian times, and show themselves clearly in interiors.
DUAL PERSONALITIES
Victorians between materialism and romanticism. The co-existence of progress and sentiment in Victorian times. Industry versus poetry, nature versus machines.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
The Victorians' love for deception in interiors. The Victorians loved to fake it. Marble, lacquer, expensive woods, trompe-lœil; they used great skill to pretend they could have it all without the price tag.
THE GREEN DEATH
Demise by beauty. Arsenic is know for being a deadly poison, but it was once used for wallpapers, paint, clothing, toys and even sweets. The colour green was in vogue but being fashionable could kill you.
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 1
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 1 - THE BIG THINGS. This essay concerns the big items of thinking for older houses, what to consider and what to investigate.
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 2
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 2 - THE CREATIVE THINGS. This essay concerns the creative and very enjoyable aspects of older houses, such as colour, pattern and textures.
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 3
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 3 - THE TACTILE THINGS. This essay concerns the tacticle and touchable aspects of older houses, such as handles, switches and fabrics.
DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERIOD HOMES PART 4
A short code of conduct for old houses. PART 4 - THE MODERN THINGS. This essay concerns the modern necessary aspects of older houses, such as televisions, security systems and the dreaded cables.
TIMELESS INTERIORS
What does timelessness truly mean? Is it a colour, a style or is it coherence and flow? This essay explores the contradictions between what we might think it means, and what it might actually mean.
THE THINGS THAT ONLY MATTER BECAUSE WE CLAP
PARLOUR POSTCARD 009
There are things in the world that matter because they are made of sturdy, tangible matter or by simply having consequence: oak, stone, wool, lime, glass, brass, paper, labour, time.
A DAMP WALL DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR MOODBOARD
PARLOUR POSTCARD 008
A damp wall has no interest in atmosphere. It is unmoved by a beautiful scheme, a tasteful paint name, a well-cut curtain, or a client-approved moodboard.
A BRASS KNOB DOES NOT HERITAGE MAKE
PARLOUR POSTCARD 007
There is a particular modern ritual in which a room is stripped of nearly everything that gave it character, then offered a small brass object as compensation.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT HOME?
Home Truths: Personality, Light and a Plan. A trinity that will serve you well when making your home a great place to live. This is an extended version of a feature published in the 2026 April edition of Round & About magazine.
YOUR PINTEREST BOARD HAS BEEN OVERRULED
PARLOUR POSTCARD 006
Your board has taste. You have taste. Your house has jurisdiction. Pinterest is excellent at collecting appetite. Click, click, I like this, I like that.
THE SMALL VIOLENCE OF A SKIRTING BOARD
PARLOUR POSTCARD 005
A skirting board is rarely treated as a dramatic object. When did you notice it last?
It is removed, replaced, boxed around, slimmed down, simplified, bought in haste, painted white and expected to just hide the join between floor and wall.
THE TROUBLE WITH LOOKING UPDATED
PARLOUR POSTCARD 004
‘Updated' carries the brisk cleanliness of progress and modernisation, as though the building has simply been brought into step with the present day. No harm done.
2026 TRENDS THAT WORK FOR OLD HOUSES
2026 Trends that work in old houses. Trends come and go but in 2026 the trend-gods smile on period properties. Pattern, colour and natural materials take centre stage.
STEP AWAY FROM THE DOWNLIGHTS
Parlour Postcard 003
A ceiling with one pendant had a thought. Is this all there is to life? One lonely pendant? Don’t rub the genie lamp too hard: careful what you wish for.
THE PROPORTIONS ARE TAKING LEGAL ADVICE
PARLOUR POSTCARD 002
Scale is paramount and proportion is the benevolent dictator of a room.
CLOTH WITH CONSEQUENCE
PARLOUR POSTCARD 001
Somewhere along the way, curtains became a little apologetic. Barely there, flimsy and made out of polyester and visible bands. A vertical stripe beside the window.
HOW TO DECORATE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
January. A stark month. A time to reflect and assess, and make deliberate decisions. In the cold light of day, after the sparkle of Christmas, your house will look different.
THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE
The House during Christmas will reveal what works, and what does not. Nothing tells us more than a full house, bustling with life and strife. It helps us realise whether our homes function well or could do with some help.
DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS
The Annual Christmas Panic.
Sometimes less is more. The panic before Christmas rarely rewards as greatly as it promises, and smaller gestures can make for greater joy.
THE VICTORIAN PARLOUR AT CHRISTMAS
Light, ivy, and a little theatricality: striving for the perfect Christmas. The same now as it was then. Happy Christmas to one and all.
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