As you must know by now, we like nothing better than a good story. This AW19 season we are turning to our very own Lucy's childhood library for home style inspiration and specifically Lucy (henceforth the Other Lucy) Boston's House at Green Knowe books.
Lucy Boston's books, set in the fictional Green Knowe, are based on her childhood home, The Manor at Hemingford Grey. Built in 1130, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in the country with much of the original building still intact. During the early 18th century, the manor was home to the "Beautiful Miss Gunnings", sisters Maria and Elizabeth Gunnings, who had a reputation of being among the most beautiful women in Europe. The Boston family have occupied Hemingford Grey since 1939. The house, on the banks of the River Ouse, is surrounded by acres of gardens with herbaceous borders, topiary chess pieces in black and white painted squares and all sorts of hidden corners and secret paths.
'The clock went tick-tock, and in the stillness he heard little bare feet running across the floor, then laughter and whispering, and a sound like the pages of a big book being turned over.' L.M Boston
Tolly, a child of seven, has been summoned from Burma to live with his great-grandmother, Mrs Oldknow at Green Knowe. He arrives in mid Winter, having travelled through a rain soaked England. Boston imagines a place which is inhabited by the friendly ghosts of former inhabitants. Other spirits include the children's dog, Orlando, a demonic tree-spirit, Green Noah and a statue of St Christopher.
This is Autumn set in an ancient, faded English manor house. We are all about candlelight, garden foraged greenery, white plaster walls and rough wood floors. Imagine a jewel colour palette and natural materials. We are laying a traditional tea tray for story time by the fire: luxe velvet cushions in rich tones with a rough braided rug; simple cotton table linen with a basic enamel teapot and gold detailed crockery; decorative glassware and a charming brass candelabra. It is a very particular English mix of shabby heirlooms and utility basics, mixing pattern and plain, high and low.
