Period CHARM
Homes & Antiques|June 2022
Rebecca and Michael Newman wanted a modern townhouse, but fell in love with this rose-covered, 16th-century historic cottage in a Sussex village. They then filled the interiors with family heirlooms, classic finds and contemporary artworks
PENNY BOTTING
Period CHARM

The one thing Rebecca Newman knew she didn't want when she and her husband, Michael, decided to leave London, was to live in an old house. People say there's nothing quite like a period property; that it has a charm you simply can't recreate,' says Rebecca. It wasn't that I didn't believe them exactly, but top of my list of priorities was a house that needed little maintenance, on the outskirts of a large town.'

It's safe to say that a nearly 500-year-old Tudor hall house, tucked away in a small Sussex village, was the polar opposite of almost everything Rebecca had envisaged. At the time there wasn't much on the market, so we actually went to view the property pretty much just to rule it out,' she recalls. But as soon as we knocked on the four-inch-thick solid oak door, and walked over the ancient threshold, we knew it was the one for us - there was something about the atmosphere that completely drew us in.'

This story is from the June 2022 edition of Homes & Antiques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2022 edition of Homes & Antiques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HOMES & ANTIQUESView All
Six of the best HISTORIC SHOPS
Homes & Antiques

Six of the best HISTORIC SHOPS

Whether you're looking for jewellery, sweet treats or a classic novel, make gift-shopping an event this Mother’ Day with a visit to these historical establishments, says Rhiannon Batten

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
48 hours in MAASTRICHT
Homes & Antiques

48 hours in MAASTRICHT

‘A walled city on a beautiful river, with cobbled streets, stylish boutiques, grand squares and one of the world’s top antiques fairs, Maastricht in the Netherlands is steeped in history and charm, discovers Caroline Wheater

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2024
Pride of place SUNDERLAND LUSTRE
Homes & Antiques

Pride of place SUNDERLAND LUSTRE

Admired for its pearly-pink glaze and often beguiling inscriptions, Sunderland lustre is a collector’s dream, says Janet Gleeson in her first column on regional antiques

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
STAR SALES
Homes & Antiques

STAR SALES

For this months selection, Caroline Wheater focuses on furniture that has recently been offered in Fine sales at some of the UKs best auction houses

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
Antique Rugs
Homes & Antiques

Antique Rugs

Sue and Nick Shrimpton and their daughter Min sell antique rugs through their business, Yarn, after years of collecting for their homes. Sue tells us more...

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Collecting JOHN OGILBY'S MAPS
Homes & Antiques

Collecting JOHN OGILBY'S MAPS

A typical 17th-century county map finely detailed towns, villages and rivers, yet it was Ogilby who made roads the focus

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
HEART OF OAK
Homes & Antiques

HEART OF OAK

From tables to coffers, beautifully handcarved pieces of early oak furniture are as useful today as they were over 400 years ago, and work surprisingly well in modern interiors

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
UK FAIRS SPECIAL 2024
Homes & Antiques

UK FAIRS SPECIAL 2024

Whether youre searching for a key piece to complete your collection, or hoping to find interiors inspiration and afew decorative items to update your home, a fair is the place to start, says Charlotte Packer

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024
Spitalfields Silk
Homes & Antiques

Spitalfields Silk

During the 18th century, thousands of skilled Huguenot silk weavers settled in east London’s Spitalfields, kickstarting the golden age of English silk design and production, says Celia Rufey

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
A lesson IN STYLE
Homes & Antiques

A lesson IN STYLE

Nestled in one of the Cotswolds' most notable villages, this unique historic property has seen numerous changes over the years, but is now a welcoming home, thanks to its industrious owners

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024