CHRISTMAS AT HOME
The run-up to Christmas is the busiest period of the year for Jane Rockett, co-founder of Rockett St George, but she always finds time to cast a gorgeous spell on her own home, a former pub in East Sussex that dates from the 16th century, adding her trademark eclectic touches and seasonal sparkle
HOME PROFILE
WHO LIVES HERE
Jane Rockett, co-founder of Rockett St George (rockettstgeorge.co.uk), her husband Toby, a chef, Jane’s children Lola and Wren and Lola’s boyfriend Kelby, plus their dogs Bella, Maggie, Angel and Willow
THE PROPERTY
A four-bedroom former pub in East Sussex, with a one-bedroom annexe, with parts that date back to the 16th century
This page A smart monochrome palette has been used to decorate the tree. Jane has used wallpaper to wrap the presents. Tree, decorations, Margot In Manhattan wallpaper, £125/roll, ribbon, all Rockett St George
DINING AREA
DINING AREA
for Jane Rockett, gearing up for the festive season is a reminder of her wider approach to decorating. ‘It’s a time when we’re conscious of the past, but also feel free to experiment and add our own twist on tradition,’ she says. In her inimitable style – she is the co-founder of unique furniture and homeware brand Rockett St George, after all – Jane has blended the history of her home with her own magical mix of modern shapes, adding plenty of gleam, glamour and wit along the way.
The former pub was originally a watering hole for workers in the nearby shipbuilding yards and had already been converted by the previous owners. ‘They are a couple who run a nearby antiques shop and have immaculate taste,’ adds Jane. This meant the ‘heavy lifting’ had been done before Jane and her family moved in, with the once-dark and foreboding beams stripped-back and the walls lime-plastered. The house was ready for a new chapter. ‘I’d love to travel back in time to it in its heyday and see all the people who milled around in these rooms,’ says Jane with a smile. ‘A neighbour recently told me that the rafters and beams are made from timber culled from old ships and, if that’s true, it adds even more allure to the property’s back story.’
But despite its pub-era past, the living room has a surprisingly contemporary feel, thanks to its newly lightened palette and pared-back textures. ‘When we moved in, t
