Home Help: 2 November

Don’t be snobby about house names and numbers, but they must suit the style of the property, says Hugh St Clair

Picture the scene. You’re off to a wonderful Christmas party, but in the rush you have left the invitation at home. The driver is shouting, his satnav cannot help. You have been here once before and think you can remember the name and number of the house and roughly where it is. How helpful would it be, as you drive around, to have a clear sign on the gatepost or front door.

Many houses in Britain don’t have signs on them because it’s considered déclassé and vulgar. That’s a silly snobbery that should be ignored – with a single caveat: house numbers should be tasteful and in keeping with the property. A Georgian front door does not benefit from a French-blue enamel number, which would look great on the wooden gate of a seaside house. A backlit, stainless-steel number would suit a modern home. Other signs include: traditional brass with concealed screws from The Beardmore Collection – www.beardmore.co.uk – tubular, stainless-steel numbers and letters at Homebits; signs you home help. can design yourself on the BuySigns website; laser-cut styles to fix straight on to bricks at House Numbers.

What I would like in my terraced house is the original stained glass incorporating a number over the front door. Martin Young, a stained-glass artist, cuts out coloured glass at around £200 per sq ft – martinyoungstainedglass.co.uk


Above from left to right:

• Number plaque, from a selection by House Numbers: 01258-452826, www.housenumbers.co.uk
• Stainless-steel house name plaque, from £75, by House Numbers: as before

Main picture above:

• Mackintosh Motif Number Plaque, £75, by House Numbers: as before

Above from left to right:

• Slate sign, around £30, by BuySigns: 0845-200 8411, www.buysigns.co.uk
• Blomus numbers and letters, around £19 each, by Homebits: 01628-551855, www.homebits.co.uk

Email design enquiries to Hugh St Clair at homehelp@lady.co.uk