Whether searching for a new decoration to add to the Christmas collection this year or seeking something a little different for a New Year’s party centrepiece, these glass baubles bring a mood of promise with graceful snowdrop flowers set inside.
Snowdrop glass baubles, set of four, £29.95, Sarah Raven
Add to the build up on New Year’s Eve with special tableware. These elegant glasses have a classic design to match with different types of serving sets for occasions throughout the year.
St Tropez champagne glasses, set of four, £49, ProCook
Bejewelled with red berries, these fairy lights could be used for all kinds of festive displays. Battery operated, the lights can be arranged along the Christmas table, wound with a natural garland down the banister, used in rooms lacking a tree or draped on high shelves in children’s bedrooms for a festive illumination.
Red Berry Christmas lights, £34.95, Sparkle Lighting
Create an atmospheric mood with winter decorations and celebratory serveware to move seamlessly from Christmas to New Year and January’s first crisp days
Keep festive feasts and New Year’s Day lunches effortless with an extendable kitchen table that will easily seat extra guests. Select chairs with low, raked backs and soft seat cushions to make sure one and all are comfortable for post-meal games played at the table.
Jigsaw kitchen table, £1,395; Drummer kitchen chairs, £460 a pair; Soft Scoop seat cushions, available in 12 colourways, £49 each; Bobble rug from, £245, all Loaf
For the Guest family, Christmas is a time to come together and deck the halls in this enchanting English setting filled with history
FEATURE AND STYLING COSMO BROCKWAY PHOTOGRAPHY ASTRID TEMPLIER
ABOVE The original entrance facade of Ashby Manor House with its mullioned windows and handsome gables.
RIGHT The Lutyens Hall, the heart of the historic family home, is seen here decorated for Christmas. A pair of Rose Uniacke sofas covered in Roma linen and topped with Fermoie cushions mingle with George Smith armchairs.
In the sitting room, the red velvet wingback armchair from Changing Lives in Clevedon proved to be the ideal ‘Santa’s chair’ when Helen created a grotto a few years ago for local children. The classic chesterfieldstyle leather sofa from John Lewis has been teamed with Stonewashed Linen cushions in dusty rose and a Plain Velvet burnt orange cushion from Oka. Presents have been wrapped in paper from The Danes.
A once unloved manor house in Somerset left sitting empty for years has been coaxed back to life with vision and a sympathetic approach
FEATURE CLAIR WAYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH STYLING CHAMIL LIYANAARACHCHI AND CLAIR WAYMAN
In a season of indulgence and excess, find ways to be sustainable, thoughtful and restrained without losing any of the enchantment
Though we love to embrace the opulence, glamour and sparkle of the festive period, there is a way to reduce some unnecessary excess and waste, of being kind to the planet, and to the pocket, without losing the beauty and wonder of Christmas. Some might already embrace using natural materials to deck the halls, eschewing glitter and sequins in
favour of foliage and paper decorations. Others might just be looking for a small way to ‘do their bit’ – using recyclable paper to wrap presents or investing in pieces that can be used year after year rather than disposed of once the season is over. Here we curate some inspiring ways to be more considerate at Christmas, perhaps with less sparkle, but still full of magic.
A simple yet effective display of abundant foliage sets a wonderful festive note.
Wall in Pompadour; door in Pointe Silk, both £24.95 for 750ml Satin Paint, Annie Sloan
OPPOSITE TOP Paper decorations can make qute the impact especially in large sizes.
Paper decorations, from £10, all Layered Lounge OPPOSITE BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT
Personalised velvet crackers can be used h r d ll d with a lovely treat.
Personalised House Name Velvet Christmas crackers, from £14.50 each, Sunday’s Daughter Use stamps to in a variety of inks create bespoke wrapping paper.
Starry printing blocks, £40, Cambridge Imprint
Elevate humble brown paper with a pretty ribbon and sprigs of gr r d flow rs Floral arrangment by Phillipa Craddock
Dress the table to impress even the most discerning of Christmas guests with some smart festive touches and seasonal styling
