The 'Still Nook'

Reviving the 17th-Century Still Room

I keep two chairs at my Still Table. One for me, and one for you. One for those who have taught and guided, and one for friends beside, and for those who will come after. We are all made in the image of a Living God—spirit and bone, created and creator, here and only passing through. We are nothing without kindreds along the way.

Flanking me are the glass panes of windows, marked with one too many tiny fingerprint smudges, now illuminated in the autumn evening sun. The setting sun and the light it gives have never been my favorite—too harsh, too eager to leave too early.

Still, my gaze flies up and out to the wonders aplenty just outside, and then back down to the books, candles, crafts, and herbs on this old, worn table, which I’ve named the Still Table—nuanced and aged like the past, whose inspiration I draw from, and hope you will too. Together, let’s build a Still Room, table, or nook—whatever feels right in your home and space.

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The Still Room

My heart and mind were enamored when I first read about a still room—a space where people communed, carried knowledge and tradition, and created and crafted.

The name "still room" comes from the use of a small still, a device used for distilling waters, tinctures, and essential oils from herbs, flowers, and fruits. The Still Room traditionally was a multifunctional space—part apothecary, pantry, and domestic science lab—usually overseen by the lady of the house.

These rooms were a staple in 16th-century households through to the early 19th century in England and spread across Europe as a feature in the homes of the gentry and aristocracy. The concept and practices of a “still room” existed in a rudimentary form much earlier and were often tied to religious orders and monastic traditions. While the fully equipped household still rooms as we know them flourished later in history, the roots of this practice can be traced back centuries to medieval monasteries and even earlier Celtic and Druidic traditions.

Popular in England and all the way to the American Colonies, the still room was at the heart of the home—serving as a space for science, hobbies, and practical needs. The Early to late 1600s saw the Golden Age of the Still Room. The use of still rooms continued to thrive through the 18th century and into the early Victorian period. However, by the mid-19th century, the role of the still room began to decline as societal and technological changes reshaped domestic life

From “The 17th Century Still Room.” 1935 —

“The good house-wife of the 17th century was expected to be very wise in the preparation and use of the herbs she grew; in large country houses a room was set apart for the lady of the manor to carry on these house-wifely arts: this room was called the still-room, and its story is almost hidden in the closely-woven warp of the domestic life of the period. To the 20th century such a room is a sort of mystery, as it has no counterpart in our life; the still-room was a sort of composite, partly a laboratory, a medicine closet, and somewhat a storeroom and pantry.” ¹

What did a Still Room look like?

Excerpts from “Still Rooms and Still Room Books”, 1949:

“In William Lawson's New House and Garden, 1638, a diagram of a house and grounds shows a river flowing in front of the house. At either side is an entrance to the garden with a still house at each entrance. These were the places where the stills were located for distilling the various liquids.

To the still room, the farm hands brought the harvest of herbs at various seasons of the year. Some herbs, such as Coltsfoot, were harvested in spring, others, like Basil, in midsummer. As many as possible of the herbs were dried on racks out of doors during the day but brought into the house at night to avoid the ill effects of the dew. Several projects would be afoot in the still room. The housewife supervised them all in the role of surgeon, doctor, chef, beauty expert and druggist and she taught her daughters and maids to assist her.” ²

The Still Room - Ham House, Surrey - Credit: John Hackston Ham House, a 17th-century English estate, boasts one of the best-preserved historical still rooms in the UK.

“There was space to prepare these and many other products in the still room. Individual wood fires were placed at intervals about the room with holes in the roof directly over them through which the smoke could go, but rarely did. So even the task of steeping many herbs separately must have been a slow process. Shelves were put up on which to lay the herbs as occasion called, cupboards to store products and leafy stalks hung from racks and rafters. These were the furnishings of the still rooms.” ³

A notable fact I’ve taken away—and one I’d like to remember—is that Still Rooms didn’t always have to be confined to a single place. They could move with the seasons, adapting to weather and activities. In that regard, the Still Room embodies the spirit of living in harmony with the seasons, preserving knowledge, and connecting with one another for the good of the home and community.

A stillroom in a household manual of 1742, with hanging herbs, mortars and pestles, alembics, sealed jars, many drawers, a small library, a stove near the door, and a row of bee skeps outside. Source: Wikipedia

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Let's Make a ‘Still Nook’ Together

Resources for a Home Still Nook (and ideas if you don’t want to do all that a 17th-century lady had to!

“But in whatever place we find it {the Still Room}, it was here that the lady of the manor directed her maids in the composition of the laborious recipes by which she produced the domestic remedies for her household, and the poor in her parish; here she dried the herbs for the flavors for the kitchen, and distilled the sweet waters, scents and toiletteries in which she delighted..”⁴

I’m assuming most of us don’t have live-in maids as part of our households, but we do have each other (albeit not for the same purposes). I hope this season leaves you inspired to create a nook all your own, for the good of those you love. The nook in my home merges herbalism, creativity, my love for interiors, crafting, and my never-ending stacks of books to be read. The line from the quote just above, “In which she delighted,” is the most important, for delight—and maybe a little practicality—will be at the forefront of the Still Nook we’re after.

Creating your own cozy "Still Room Nook" can be as simple or elaborate as you like. The key is to balance functionality, comfort, charm, delight and, most importantly, something that feels like you..

Practical Ideas:

Tip and tricks to recreate a still room-inspired space:

1. Choose the Right Location:

• Find a small corner, spare table, or a designated shelf in your kitchen, office, or garden room. Ideally, the space should get good natural light, with enough room for jars, books, and a few key tools.

2. Essential Elements for Your Still Room Nook:

• A Crafting Table or Desk: A small wooden table, vintage or rustic, that holds your essentials.

• Books & Resources: Fill a small shelf with herbal guides, vintage books, fiction and nonfiction that inspire, recipe journals, and botanical prints. Look for texts on herbalism, fermentation, or even historical still room guides for inspiration.

  • HERBAL ACADEMY has great education resources to learn anything from fermenting, wild crafting, foraging and herbal art.

  • WILD GRACE APOTHECARY for all your botanical skincare. My friend Katie is a talented and kind herbalist and makes AMAZING and proven herbal skincare. AND you get 20% off with code taylorparra.

  • THE LOCAL WILD ELECTUARIES of course you will need to drink tea, and why not medicinal honey tea?! Use code substack10 for 10% off just special for substack readers!

• Glass Jars, Apothecary Bottles and small drawers: These are perfect for storing dried herbs, tinctures, teas, and crafting materials. Label them with handwritten tags for a traditional touch.

  • Go thrifting, search on Facebook marketplace to fill your table with pre-loved goods

• Herbs, Flowers & Ingredients: Create a mini indoor garden with potted herbs like rosemary, lavender, mint, and thyme, or hang bunches of dried herbs for easy access.

  • I like Geraniums to adorn my Still Nook.

• Crafting, Distilling & or Point of Interest: A small copper alembic still (if you’re serious about distilling), a mortar and pestle, craft supplies

  • I don’t distill but I do sometimes crush tea mixes in a mortar and pestle. Remember: you can’t do everything, so I find it useful to narrow down what I’d like to use this space for. For me it’s photography, tea drinking, writing and reading.

  • Anavarin Craft Book Nooks: I completed my Renaissance Library book nook and it’s the perfect addition for a little wonder in a Still Nook!

• Creative Supplies: Keep beeswax, essential oils, twine, and muslin cloth on hand for making salves, herbal sachets, or simple tinctures. 10% off with Taylor10

3. Style with History in Mind:

• Add period-appropriate decor, like an antique oil lamp, a woven basket for gathering herbs, or ceramic bowls. Vintage-style scales, old-fashioned wooden spoons, and metal measuring cups can make it feel truly authentic.

4. Incorporate Modern Crafting:

• Besides herbalism, use the space for creative projects like candle-making, crafting herbal tea blends, or even journaling. Keep a stack of stationery or a sketchbook for capturing recipes and ideas.

5. Make it Cozy and Inviting:

• Add a comfortable chair with a throw blanket, a basket of knitting or sewing materials, or a small teapot for brewing your favorite herbal blends. String fairy lights or a small oil diffuser, or beeswax to make it feel peaceful and personal.

  • I love Mythologie Candles — small batch, hand poured in the USA - use the link and I get a bit out of it at no extra cost to you!

Activity Ideas for Your Still Room Nook:

• Blend Your Own Teas: Create seasonal tea blends, experimenting with flavors like chamomile, hibiscus, or lemon balm.

• Planning and Home Admin: There’s a lot to keep track of. Wouldn’t it be nicer to do it in your own little space?

• Make Herbal Sachets: Craft fragrant sachets for closets or drawers using dried herbs and flowers.

• Journaling & Sketching: Record your favorite recipes or sketch botanical illustrations.

• Enjoy a cup of Electuary Tea: May I suggest Calm and Secure or Elderberry Chai

• DIY Salves & Balms: Try simple recipes for lip balms or healing salves using beeswax, calendula, and lavender oil.

• Candle-Making: Infuse candles with herbs and natural oils to enhance the cozy ambiance of your space.

• Reading or Writing: Your place to read those wild little stories (or write them!)

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I have two chairs in my little Still Room Nook. Maybe you can too. A nod that we are all here, together — in person or spirit. I would absolutely love to hear additional ideas and how your Still Room nook is coming along!

My little Still Nook

1. Cole, Adeline P. “The 17-th Century Still Room.” The New England Unit The Herb Society of America from The Herbarist, 1935, http://www.neuhsa.org/StillRoom.html.

2. Clarkson, Rosetta E. “Still Room and Still Room Books.” The Herb Grower Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 6, September, 1949, http://www.neuhsa.org/StillRoom.html.

3. Clarkson, Rosetta E. “Still Room and Still Room Books.” The Herb Grower Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 6, September, 1949, http://www.neuhsa.org/StillRoom.html.

4. Cole, Adeline P. “The 17-th Century Still Room.” The New England Unit The Herb Society of America from The Herbarist, 1935, http://www.neuhsa.org/StillRoom.html.