The English Home November/December 2021 - US Edition

ENGLISH HOME The

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Celebrating the essence of English style

A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Set the scene for a season to remember

PERFECTLY PREPARED Create comfort & joy in every room

SIMPLY ELEGANT ENTERTAINING Sparkling ideas with minimum effort PERSONAL TOUCH Handmade presents & homemade decorations

Festive spirit

Five beautiful homes sumptuously decorated December 2021

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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2021

54

18 Beautiful Buys

Quintessentially

8

81 MERRY & BRIGHT Delicious festive baking.

homeware to delight and entertain.

PHOTOGRAPHS (ABOVE LEFT) © CLAIRE WORTHY; (ABOVE RIGHT) © THE CONTENTED NEST / GAP INTERIORS

14 FESTIVE CHEER Dress the kitchen and dining table.

82 FROM PATCH TO PLATE: MATTHEW FORT Our food

columnist on Christmas indulgences.

16 TREASURE TROVE Beautiful baubles for the tree.

84 FESTIVE INTERVAL Effortless, elegant entertaining

English Homes

90 HOUSES WITH CHARACTER Cosy holiday rentals.

18 ATTENTION TO DETAIL A seventeenth-century

Cumbrian farmhouse dressed for the festivities.

ideas for the days between Christmas and New Year.

95 THE ART OF BEING TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS Mrs M

on how to navigate the social waters of the season.

98 ONE FINAL THING Much-loved traditions for the

night before Christmas.

28 MERRY & BRIGHT Colour and pattern sing out

in a restored Victorian country home.

38 NATURALLY INDIVIDUAL Relaxed, multi-layered

Regulars

46 FORAGING FOR THE FESTIVITIES Sustainable

4

A LETTER FROM HOME A warm welcome from

54 CHRISTMAS PAST A Tudor hall house is an

6

BRITAIN CALENDAR Enjoy the delights of

style in a Grade II listed Sussex property.

decorations are key in this Suffolk country cottage.

atmospheric setting to celebrate the season.

our Editor.

Great Britain year-round.

97 ADDRESS BOOK Useful contact details.

Style Inspiration

ENGLISH HOME The

anticipated for ultimate enjoyment of the festivities.

74 HANDMADE WITH LOVE Add meaning to festivities

rist

mas spec

ia

Celebrating the essence of English style

A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Set the scene for a season to remember PERFECTLY PREPARED Create comfort & joy in every room

SIMPLY ELEGANT ENTERTAINING Sparkling ideas with minimum effort PERSONAL TOUCH Handmade presents & homemade decorations

63 SEASON’S GREETINGS Welcoming hallway decor.

64 PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS Ensure every need is

Ch

l

DESIGN DISCOVERIES Set the scene with seasonal

Festive spirit

Five beautiful homes sumptuously decorated December 2021

COVER IMAGE: ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

TEH US DEC 21 Cover finals.indd 1

27/08/2021 17:08

with thoughtfully handcrafted touches.

THE ENGLISH HOME 3

WRITE TO US AT

The English Home, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ, UK Tel +44 (0)333 014 3215 Email: theenglishhome@chelseamagazines.com

www.theenglishhome.co.uk EDITORIAL

A letter from home

T

here is a hubub of excitement as The English Home team prepares for Christmas and we all look forward to gathering at home with our loved ones, making merry and enjoying the festivities to the full. It feels important to create a Christmas that feels special at the end of another challenging year for many. We also believe that preparing for Christmas should be an enjoyable part of the festivities. I always look forward to wrapping gifts, making gingerbread with my daughter and coming up with different ways to decorate the house and the festive table.

New ideas are always a welcome addition to favourite decorations and family traditions, so we’ve dedicated this issue to bringing you an abundance of inspiration for creating a magical but relatively fussfree Christmas. We hope you’ll find Preparing for Christmas (p64) a useful guide to adding festive touches to each room of the home, Festive Interval (p84) a welcome resource when planning for relaxed gatherings, and Handmade Christmas (p74) inspiring for those days set aside for creating homemade decorations and presents.

We are also grateful to the homeowners who welcome us into their homes to share how they decorate at this special time of year.

Owned by creatives whose passion and vision inevitably fills their living spaces, these interiors are brimming with festive touches to emulate and advice to savour (from p18).

We hope this issue puts you a festive mood and your Christmas is full of comfort and joy.

Samantha Scott-Jeffries, Editor Follow us on Twitter @englishhometeam Pinterest at pinterest.com/theenglishhome Facebook at facebook.com@theenglishhome Instagram at instagram.com@englishhomemag The

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PORTRAIT GRANT SCOTT

This year I’ll be adorning our festive table with an abundance of fresh foliage having read Festive Interval page 84.

Editor Samantha Scott-Jeffries Managing Editor Sarah Feeley Art Editors Claire Hicks, Rebecca Stead Contributing Designer Mark Bradley Sub Editor Lea Tacey Decorating Editor Katy Mclean Features Editor Eve Middleton Homes & Lifestyle Editor Clair Wayman Editor-at-Large Kate Freud Editorial Assistant Nell Whitaker

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DESIGN DISCOVERIES

Set the scene for the festivies with our pick of home buys to delight and entertain

MURANO GLASSWARE These delicate glasses handmade in Murano, Italy, marry playful colour with graceful form, made all the more delightful when offset by playful decorations for adding character to festive celebrations.

Murano glassware, from £400 for a set of six; baubles, from £27.50 for a set of two, all Petersham Nurseries

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Inspired by the elegant shapes of London’s classic Georgian architecture and lit up from within by warm white LEDs, this clever advent calendar houses secret compartments to hide goodies in, alongside two number tag hooks to count down the days to Christmas.

Townhouse wooden advent calendar, £39.99, lights4fun

FESTIVE ANTICIPATION Preparing for the arrival of Father Christmas is an important part of proceedings ahead of the big day – create a sense of ritual and be sure all needs are catered for with Emma Bridgewater’s charming Christmas designs.

Christmas collection (including present sack) from £14.95 for a small mug, all Emma Bridgewater 8 THE ENGLISH HOME

SHOPPING

FESTIVE DRAMA Perfect for the winter months, the deep burnt hue of Annie Sloan’s much-loved shade of Primer Red is now available as a wall paint – combine with cohesive tones to create an inviting feel for Christmas and beyond.

Wall Paint in Primer Red,  £49.95 for 2.5l, Annie Sloan

THE ENGLISH HOME 9

DISTINCTLY BRITISH

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SHOPPING

SEASONAL SPREAD Nothing says festive feast like laying out an elegant spread – savour the event in all senses of the word by opting for refined forms to make food and wine deliciously appealing.

Red wine glasses, £65 for a set of four; bowl from Serve Arch Trio Bowl Set & Oak Base (not shown), £65; Serve Arch Dome & Oak Base, £65; red wine goblet, £80 for a set of four; wine carafe, £38, all LSA International

ARTISANAL IDEAS Drawing inspiration from folk history through to Arts and Crafts, the aptly named Wanderings collection from Birdie Fortescue lends a handmade touch to the home – we love these delicate bauble designs and sage green and rich red hues.

Suzani throw, from £700; Catifea pleated velvet cushion, £55; block-printed Bel cushion, £65; hand-painted Papier-Mâché Christmas baubles, from £40 for a set of six, all Birdie Fortescue

CREATIVE CERAMICS Created in collaboration with British fine bone china specialist Xavier China, The Kelling Collection from interior designer Emma Deterding’s homeware brand is finished with a hand-painted, rolled edge to seal in each of the six hues within the range.

Dinner plate in Teal, £40; soup bowl in Teal, £36, all KDLoves x Xavier China THE ENGLISH HOME 11

SHOPPING VINTAGE CHARM Created from this year’s new Brocante collection fabrics inspired by the treasure troves of France’s flea markets, these made-to-order stockings from textile artist Sarah Hardaker lend a vintage feel to the night before Christmas.

Stockings in Arlette Faded Red and Camille Red & Olive, £40 each, Sarah Hardaker

Bring the look of the outdoors in and add a delicate touch to festive interiors with a stylish combination of faux spruce, leaves and deep purple berries, all offset by a gentle dusting of fake snow on a real twig base.

Large Nordic Wreath, £70, Nordic House

CHRISTMAS HEIRLOOM Designed to be loved and used for many a Christmas to come, the offerings from Edinburgh-based family outfit The Tartan Blanket Company are made from sustainable wool to traditional Scottish patterns, and crafted in partnership with socially responsible mills in India and Inner Mongolia.

Lambswool blanket in Olive Heritage Check, £125, The Tartan Blanket Company

A GIFT FOR FIDO Specialist dog bed company Charley Chau is so dedicated to the needs of (wo)man’s best friend that all six sides of this Cosmo fabriccovered design are filled with humanely sourced duck feather – fully removable and machine-washable, they make for a dream present that is both stylish and practical.

Ducky donut dog bed, China Gray, £195; Faux Fur blanket, Polar Bear, £75, both Charley Chau ■ 12 THE ENGLISH HOME

FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPH P8 (PETERSHAM NURSERIES) © ANDREW MONTGOMERY; (LIGHTS4FUN) © OLIVER PERROTT; P11 (XAVIER CHINA) © JON AARON GREEN

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TEL: +44 (0) 207 739 8094 e-mail: westland@westlandlondon.com

SHOPPING Toy’s Delight cake stand, £139, Villeroy & Boch

Gold Osby Stars, from £13.99, Lights4fun

Christmas Pudding tea towel, £12, Fortnum & Mason xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx

FESTIVE CHEER

Christmas cookie cutter set, £10, Quince & Cook

Add seasonal flavour to the kitchen and dining table with textiles and serveware embellished with Christmas motifs. Whilst it might seem frivolous to have tableware and linen that is used solely in December, they are sure to raise a smile when brought out to use each year. An apron or oven gloves with a suitably festive design ensures the cook feels in full Christmas spirit, as do decorative touches around the kitchen such as fairy lights and sprigs of foliage. Berry-red cookware heightens the sense of warmth and cosiness, whilst glints of gold on china and cutlery lend a table setting a sense of decadence and luxury. Finally present the Christmas cake on a charming stand, to bring cheer until the very last slice.

The Nutcracker Collection Christmas cake stand, £19.99, Kitchen Craft Christmas Pudding apron, £24.95, Annabel James

Holly and Berry Home for Christmas mug, £12.50, Sophie Allport Geese teaspoons with porcelain handles embellished with 22-carat gold, £22 for four, Sara Miller 14 THE ENGLISH HOME

Le Creuset Signature cast-iron round 20cm casserole in Cerise, £200, John Lewis

FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPH LIGHTS4FUN © OLIVER PERROTT

12 Days of Christmas plate and bowl, from £7.99, Lakeland

A dining table that seats up to 12 and A dining table that seats up to 12 and A game dining table table that seats up to 12 and a to entertain blending a game table to entertain blending a game table to entertain blending into the aesthetic of your space. into the aesthetic of your space. into the aesthetic of your space.

The The Fusion Fusion Table Table The Fusion Sleek European design,Table an integrated

Sleek European design, an integrated Sleek European design,the an integrated lift that easily converts solid slate lift that easily converts the solid slate lift that easily converts the to solid slate table from dining height billiard table from dining height to billiard table from dining height to billiard height in seconds. height in seconds. height in seconds.

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Gold Star tree topper, £4.99; Collection of Yuletide Wonder baubles, all Dobbies

SHOPPING

Green Christmas bauble With Crane Print, £10, Rockett St George

Matte Gold Christmas Wreath Bauble, £16, Ella James

Red 12 Days of Christmas bauble, £4.99, Gisela Graham London

Adding to a lovingly curated collection of baubles enriches the history and traditions of each passing Christmas. A meaningful tree is one with many stories hung on its branches – a decoration given by a loved one, a slightly wonky handmade offering from a child, vintage finds from a second-hand shop and those bought to mark an occasion or discovered on a special holiday. Some are simply bought for their exquisite beauty and the temptation to add yet another bauble to the heavily-laden tree.

Here are a few of our favourites to add to the treasure chest of decorations.

Selection of Festive Field baubles: Brown Owl, Red Painted Tree, Street Lamp, Felt Deer and Clear Glitter Berry, from £6, all John Lewis

Set of three Guards in a Matchbox, £16.75, Yoyo & Flo

16 THE ENGLISH HOME

Oli Owl decoration, £6.95, Graham and Green

Set of three Vintage Style baubles – Gold Mix, £12.50, Cox & Cox

Regal Peacock Kiln decoration, Burgundy, £15, Burleigh Pottery

Christmas Pudding bauble embroidery kit, £10, Paraffle Embroidery

Pheasant hanging decorations, £3.95 each, Annabel James

Buckingham Palace Velvet Christmas Tree decoration, £25, Royal Collection Trust

FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPH (BURLEIGH) © THE IMAGE FACTORY; (YOYO & FLO) © MAILEG APS;

TREASURE TROVE

The hall, at the centre of the house, is the perfect room for entertaining. The pink-andgold sofa, pink chair and blue footstool are all covered in fabric designed for Annabel by Marina Mill in Kent. “I am obsessed with deep button furniture,” says Annabel.

18 THE ENGLISH HOME

Attention TO DETAIL Annabel Lewis, owner of specialist haberdasher V V Rouleaux, has dressed her seventeenth-century Cumbrian farmhouse for a festive celebration FEATURE HANNAH NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHY CLAIRE WORTHY

ABOVE Annabel has several beautiful antique design documents, each containining collections of ribbons and fabrics from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and she often uses them as reference points for new designs and colourways.

ABOVE LEFT & RIGHT A large Stilton cheese from Cropwell Bishop Creamery takes centre stage on the pine table in the kitchen. The Windsor chairs were inherited and the baskets hanging from the ceiling are from her father’s former mill. The paintings above the door and to the right are by Annabel’s cousin Michael Green, who is based in Yorkshire.

B

orn and raised in the fertile heartlands of Cumbria, and a countrywoman through and through, Annabel Lewis is in her element in the kitchen of her farmhouse, apron on, BBC Radio 4 playing, carefully preparing locally caught lobsters for supper.

Annabel’s attention to detail and sense of creativity are what keep her specialist trimmings company V V Rouleaux at the heart of London’s fashion and design scene. Designers, stylists, costumiers and artists have flocked to her Marylebone Lane shop for inspiration and influence since she first opened it 30 years ago. This same attention to detail can be seen in the the lavish festive decor of her house.

Outside, vast wicker baskets bursting with evergreen branches and dense green foliage create a welcoming sight for guests, whilst inside, mantelpieces, mirrors, banisters and walls are adorned with a rich array of

20 THE ENGLISH HOME

festive garlands, wreaths and pine cones. Flickering candlelight bathes piles of baubles and reams of ribbons in a soft golden glow.

An abundance of colour, braids, silks and tassels can be seen throughout Annabel’s home, with furnishings embellished with eye-catching, decorative details. The dining table is dressed in readiness for festivities with wide velvet ribbons in soft pinks and greens, and large velvet ivy leaves trimmed in gold sequins decorate each place setting. Such careful consideration is placed on the styling, that to dine here is to feel cherished. “Dining should be glamorous for the festive season,” she says, “with the best china, crisp white napkins and tablecloth, and there must be huge amounts of fresh foliage.”

Annabel’s creative aptitude for reinventing and adapting is fundamental to her business and came to the fore when she spotted the seventeenth-century 

LEFT The central section of the Grade II listed farmhouse is Georgian and its symmetry is enhanced with grand displays of foliage either side of the steps up to the front door. As a former florist Annabel can quickly and simply create sensational arrangements, including these huge displays. Pine cones and garlands along the stair rails and a wreath on the door add warmth to this ancient and much-loved home.

ABOVE Hand-crafted in India to Annabel’s exacting specifications, this beautiful wooden console table displays a treasured collection of Victorian glassware.

Bowls piled high with satsumas, baubles and brass flowers and stems of striking red amaryllis demanding attention create a cheery scene.

An arresting bespoke English berry wreath

by V V Rouleaux is on display above.

THE ENGLISH HOME 21

ABOVE The doubleheight kitchen is a wonderful mix of exposed brick walls and dark painted cladding and cabinetry. Cooking centres around an Everhot range and the stone sink is one of Elle’s favourite salvage buys.

Reclaimed iroko work surfaces bring warmth to the space.

22 THE ENGLISH HOME

The mantelpiece in the snug has been decorated with V V Rouleaux garlands, ribbons and hand-painted baubles to create a sumptuous affair. Ribbons are also used to hang baubles at the window. Fly-fishing flies have been used to decorate a lampshade, typical of Annabel’s tendency to embellish.

‘I enjoy reinventing old-fashioned chairs, using millinery velvet or woven ribbon fabric’ farmhouse over 10 years ago, when she was fly fishing with her husband and business partner, Richard. The couple spent the next three years negotiating to rent it from the National Trust, to whom the farmhouse had been gifted by a Reverend Harrison in 1947, and it finally became their home in 2010.

“We were fishing and noticed it because there was a huge tree with a bicycle in the top of it,” Annabel says.

“The place was a wreck. There was a water wheel, a threshing barn, there were fabrics on all the walls. It was a major fire hazard and virtually derelict. The cobbles were covered in earth. The whole place needed love, attention and someone to look after it, and luckily we were chosen as the custodians.”

This is typical of Annabel’s intrepid approach to everything – creating beauty from chaos. As a natural artist, she is always looking to recreate and make. Her creative energy and positive outlook is infectious, and this has naturally infused the way she styles her own home. Her instinctive, bold use of colour is evident throughout, especially in the drawing room and snug.

Beautifully upholstered pieces sit alongside hand-tied ribbon lampshades, and all lend themselves perfectly to the elegant Palladian symmetry of these rooms. 

ABOVE The parrots from V V Rouleaux bring a dash of joy and brightness to the winter months. The antique chair in the foreground has been reupholstered with purple millinery velvet and a glamorous beaded fringe for a theatrical touch. A horse sculpture, bought at auction, sits on top of an antique wooden bread dough bin, inherited from a great aunt.

THE ENGLISH HOME 23

The painting above the fireplace in the dining room was a gift from Richard to Annabel and depicts Bellagio in Italy, one of their favourite places to source trimmings. On the mantelpiece a V V Rouleaux pine cone garland is threaded around golden crowns and candles. Velvet ribbons decorate the New Year table, with wire-edged bows adorning the chairs.

24 THE ENGLISH HOME

ABOVE Annabel’s Grade II listed farmhouse stands in verdant nature. The original seventeenth-century Georgian building can be seen in the middle, flanked by later additions to the left and the right.

As with many old country properties, the house is a mishmash of history. The original central structure was built in 1670 and subsequent centuries saw extensions added either side, as well as a smoke house, and the aforementioned threshing barn and water wheel constructed in the grounds.

The kitchen at the heart of the original building remains true to its Georgian roots, with large flagstone flooring, white-painted exposed-brick walls and wooden beams. An Aga adds to the warmth and provides the feel of a working farmhouse. Annabel’s father was a Yorkshire mill owner and before his mill closed down last century, she managed to retrieve the original wool baskets that were used to store yarns and has hung them from the ceiling in the kitchen.

The house sits nestled in a nature-lovers’ haven, surrounded on all sides by fields, forests, grazing cattle and flocks of sheep. The River Derwent flows peacefully nearby, and all is flawlessly framed by the rolling hills of the Lake District.

Annabel grew up on a farm on the other side of the hill, where her brother still lives today. She left the area in her teens, relocating to West London and setting up her first flower shop at the tender age of 21. Success followed, and Annabel soon had a client list that included the 2nd Earl of Snowdon and Princess Diana who was, she says, “obsessed with sweetpeas”. By the age of 25, not only had she opened a second flower shop, but had two children, and was expecting twins.

ABOVE LEFT In the dining room, a mirror from Anna French hangs above a wooden console table which was bought in Mumbai and painted by Kim Sisson, who also painted the trompe l’oeil panels on the walls.

ABOVE RIGHT Stripped back to reveal the original stone underneath, the stairs allow the Venetian windows to take centre stage.

Antique suitcases, bought in a junk shop in London in 1979, are topped with a braided tassel.

Candlelit golden crowns light the way to bed.

THE ENGLISH HOME 25

‘I learnt how to mix colours when I worked in Covent Garden. I absolutely loved the flowers and displays, but we were selling so many ribbons!’

ABOVE An antique fauteuil armchair, reupholstered by Annabel, sits beside an antique chest of drawers in the master bedroom.

ABOVE RIGHT A trompe l’oeil mantelpiece painted

by Kim Sisson surrounds the fireplace in the master bedroom.

RIGHT A serene bathroom with stripped floorboards, is decorated with a Victorian child’s chair, and pieces of chandelier glass, threaded and hanging from the window to filter the sunlight and create beautiful reflections across the room.

For Annabel, after the twins were born, the three o’clock in the morning starts required of a florist became rather more challenging. So, after noticing her customers’ keen interest in ribbons and trimmings, she decided to open V V Rouleaux in 1990. “I learnt how to mix colours when I worked in Covent Garden, and although I absolutely loved the flowers and displays, we were selling so many ribbons!” she exclaims.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, and Annabel and Richard, who now have two grandchildren, have created a calmer environment on this floor.

The master bedroom, which looks across the fields and down to the River Derwent, features a number of antique chairs collected by Annabel. “I love oldfashioned chairs and enjoy reinventing them, changing the fabrics, using millinery velvet or woven ribbon fabric, often from Whitchurch Silk Mill.”

Further clever additions have been made to the house in the form of the painting techniques employed by friend and trompe l’oeil artist Kim Sisson, whose impeccable work is barely noticed unless you look very carefully at the panelling in the dining room, or the fireplace in the master bedroom.

Annabel, who celebrates the Cumbrian tradition of inviting guests in on New Year’s Eve with a tot of whisky to celebrate and a piece of coal for the fire, says, “There is simply nothing better than coming home.”

26 THE ENGLISH HOME

What are some of your favourite ways to decorate at Christmas?

“Festooning ribbons along staircases is always fun. And I like to mix our gorgeous shiny brass flowers with natural mini fir cones and add our pretty glass bugs and bees to mantelpiece displays. I often use huge fir cones to add drama to a room and I position stunning mock birds on windowsills. My favourites are the large parrots, which resemble real ones. They perch perfectly on bookcases and always make our guests look twice! I often position a wreath above a fireplace or take down paintings to make room for a wreath on the wall. I also drape mirrors with garlands and position candles up the stairs, lighting the way to bed.”

FEATURE HANNAH NEWTON PHOTOGRAPH CLAIRE WORTHY

What colours and textures do you like to use when decorating for the festive season?

“My favourite colours to decorate with are warm golds, silvers, greens, rich reds and burgundy. I love to embellish the house at Christmas with a myriad of tactile decorations, including oversized wreaths with red berries and garlands made of gold leaves to add drama. This year I’ve hung shimmering, brightly coloured glass baubles at the windows, which catch the light beautifully.”

How do you decorate for Christmas using foliage and natural elements?

“I think it’s really important to decorate all year round with foliage. If you have nothing, even an apple branch with lichen works. As a former florist, flowers and foliage are key when I decorate for the festive season. I collect great stems of conifers, sweeping branches of ivy, rosemary, rhododendron and bay, which I use to fill wicker baskets outside the front door to create impact. I bring the outside in with moss, fir cones, and branches covered in lichen to add lots of texture and interest. I also like to mix branches of artificial berries with fresh, evergreen foliage. I’m lucky to have a garden, but if you don’t, try to get rhododendron leaves from a florist, keep changing the water, and they will last for weeks, well after New Year.”

How have you made your festive dining table feel layered and luxurious this year?

“I adore simple tricks such as displaying a pretty tassel on a napkin or adding bows to the backs of chairs. This year I’ve created

ALL THE TRIMMINGS

Annabel Lewis relishes dressing her home for the festive season, adorning it with ribbons, trims, tassels, foliage and more to create a joyful feast for the eyes

a festive centrepiece using a selection of our metal flower decorations with candles nestled within. I’ve placed velvet ribbons across the dining table, decorated each napkin with V V Rouleaux velvet leaves and brought out my favourite chinaware inherited from Great Aunty Margey. I’ve also twisted green, wire-edged ribbon into bows, which I’ve added to the back of each antique chair.”

What are the most unusual ways you use your trims and ribbons at home?

“I like to use ribbon around large mirrors to soften a straight frame, or an oversized beaded trim around the bottom of a little armchair to add a theatrical touch. Plain sofas can be transformed with a beautiful striped ribbon on the back. I like to cover old lampshades and wrap them in reams of silk ribbons, or hang rows of iridescent chandelier glass from a window, as an

alternative to a blind. I adore silk ribbon embroidery and I’m passionate about colour, texture and finding trims that people wouldn’t normally use – for example, military braids to line a wall or a pom-pom trim on a lampshade.

“My personal passion is to find a skilled craftsman, such as an upholsterer to collaborate with, and design or work with a completely unique material, like millinery velvet or uncut ribbon fabric to create something unusual.”

Would you agree with the saying, more is more?

“Absolutely, I’m a maximalist and love a bit of everything, but not plain greige.

I love colour, colour, and more colour, as well as mixing textures together and finding the unusual.” ■ vvrouleaux.com THE ENGLISH HOME 27

Vanessa gleaned inspiration for the striking pale blue and off-white scheme from an article in a magazine about a rambling French farmhouse. The staircase is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Powder Blue.

28 THE ENGLISH HOME

Merry & BRIGHT

Textile designer Vanessa Arbuthnott’s love of colour and pattern sings out from every corner of her beautifully restored Victorian home FEATURE & STYLING JANET MCMEEKIN PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

ABOVE “The floorboards came from a reclamation yard and are surprisingly practical and easy to maintain, even with our whippet, Dottie, running around,” says Vanessa. “I’ve painted them with my own mix of paint and when they need a little attention, I just rub in a little Osmo oil.”

W

hen Vanessa Arbuthnott glances around at family and friends, gathered in her vibrant, much-loved home to celebrate during the festive period, she can hardly believe that it was once a desolate and draughty cow byre, strewn with hay bales and roofed with rusty corrugated iron.

“I have to confess, that when I first viewed the ramshackle byre and Dutch barn, I struggled to see the bigger picture,” Vanessa says. “However, my husband, Nicholas – who is an architect and was craving a creative project – instantly recognised the potential of these farm buildings, which were built in 1890. I did find the prospect of tackling such a major conversion rather daunting at the time though, particularly as we had four children under the age of six.” Despite these initial reservations,

30 THE ENGLISH HOME

Vanessa took a leap of faith and decided to share her husband’s vision and enthusiasm.

After completing the purchase in September 1993, the Arbuthnotts and their children lived in a rented Arts and Crafts house for eight months whilst the first phase of work was carried out. Since they were on an extremely tight budget, Vanessa and Nicholas decided to start by converting just one section of the u-shaped cow byre to create a kitchen and a spacious hall with an eye-catching twin staircase that leads up to six bedrooms and a bathroom. “When we first moved in, there were no internal doors, skirting boards or carpets, and the children had to sleep on mattresses,” Vanessa, a former nurse, explains. “It was all pretty basic and very much a case of make do and mend.

At one point we ran out of money and had to stop building completely.” 

ABOVE The spacious sitting room, converted from an old studio, is a cosy space for guests to gather.

Opposite walls in Little Greene’s Dark Lead and floorboards from The Solid Oak Flooring Company help create a cosseting feel.

RIGHT “The hallway has had a number of reincarnations since moving here, and I believe this is the fifth pair of curtains that have been made for the French windows,” says Vanessa. A Dutch marquetry cabinet, inherited from Vanessa’s family, is the ideal place to display old and new treasures.

FAR RIGHT There are always plenty of seasonal treats laid out for guests.

THE ENGLISH HOME 31

‘Every year, we each read out a poem at the table – either one we’ve written ourselves or a favourite penned by someone else’ Initially, the walls and and beams were all painted white, creating a blank canvas for the family to add to.

“The children were allowed to choose the colour for their own bedroom walls, but from a carefully prechosen palette,” recalls Vanessa, with a smile.

Whilst bringing up her young family, Vanessa took a part-time course in surface printing, learning skills that would prove invaluable, both for decorating her home and for her future career as a textile designer.

“The course introduced me to a glorious world of colour and pattern that ignited my passion for textile printing,” she says. Vanessa was soon creating beautiful fabric designs in muted colours, inspired by her love of nature and countryside living, that were made into curtains and blinds as the house renovation project began to take shape. “After seeing my handprinted fabrics in our home, several friends

32 THE ENGLISH HOME

commissioned more designs, which, in turn, kickstarted my whole business,” says Vanessa, who now has a showroom in Cirencester offering fabric, wallpaper, furniture and more. “It was a hectic time.

I remember cutting out fabric on a table-tennis table whilst George, Rose, Flora and Ned played on the floor below – mostly happily! There was certainly never a dull moment.”

Being on a shoestring budget made Vanessa incredibly thrifty and resourceful. Combing through second-hand and junk shops, she would often discover interesting pieces of furniture and give them a new lease of life by having them covered with her latest designs by a trusted upholsterer. “When it came to the interior, I didn’t have any kind of masterplan,” she says. “Our home has simply evolved through the decades and been gradually filled with treasures we

ABOVE The sofas in the seating area of the kitchen have been upholstered with Origami in Tangerine and Sweet Pea, and Velvet in Lake, both Vanessa Arbuthnott. The large dresser was an auction purchase.

RIGHT “The kitchen is a real mishmash, but we love it,” says Vanessa. Seasonal treats, including mince pies from Bettys, await guests.

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The dressing table, mirror and stool in the master bedroom were given to Vanessa by her mother. Above the dressing table are several of the family’s framed drawings. The armchair is covered in Paisley Ground in Limestone and Raspberry by Vanessa Arbuthnott.

love, including lots of artwork – from family portraits to landscapes – that each hold particularly poignant memories for us. The children were always keen for me to display their paintings, so I hung them up in the kitchen; a tradition that I’ve continued since the arrival of our grandchildren.”

Bargain-buy finds have been joined by cherished pieces inherited from both sides of the family, as well as some new ‘surprise’ furniture. “Our home lends itself incredibly well to photoshoots for our catalogue.

However, this often means that, once I’ve seen our furniture in situ here, it’s very hard to part with,” Vanessa laughs.

During 2016, the Arbuthnotts decided to rejig several rooms on the ground floor. “By that stage, we’d been living in our house for nearly 25 years,” Vanessa explains. “The other side of the building had been converted into bedrooms and, as the children began leaving home, we decided to rethink the layout.” After careful consideration, they converted a studio at the back of the house into a large, airy sitting room, installing a woodburner and glazed doors leading to the garden.

At the front of the house, a handy boot room was created and an existing cloakroom was fitted with a 

ABOVE “I’m a keen gardener and love the way our garden holds its form during the winter months,” says Vanessa. “It was inspired by a garden in Cumbria with box hedges.” The windows are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue.

THE ENGLISH HOME 35

‘Our home has simply evolved through the decades and been gradually filled with treasures we love’ ABOVE LEFT “Painting the beams white was essential in the bedrooms to give them a much brighter and fresher feel,” says Vanessa.

ABOVE RIGHT “I love the shape of this antique French bed, which is an unusual width,” says Vanessa. The bed is upholstered in Botanical Trellis from her Earth collection.

RIGHT Up The Garden Path wallpaper in Teal and a pretty skirt in Simple Ticking, both from Vanessa Arbuthnott, add a characterful touch in the new downstairs shower room.

new shower and then redecorated. “I’ve also finally got the ‘dream’ laundry room that I’ve hankered after for many years,” Vanessa adds.

The new-look home is an uplifting kaleidoscope of colour and testament to Vanessa’s talent for creating designs for fabric and wallpaper in complementary colours that work equally well in both traditional and contemporary spaces. “I love my Botanical collection,” she says. “It is quintessentially English, featuring classical floral designs in soft pinks and greens, all inspired by our own garden.”

Having completed the conversion, Vanessa feels her and Nicholas’s home is ideal for large gatherings of family and friends, particularly at New Year – one of her favourite times. When guests arrive, they are greeted with drinks and canapes in the new sitting room before everyone sits down for a companionable supper in the kitchen. “Every year we each read out a poem at the table – either one we’ve written ourselves or a favourite penned by someone else,” Vanessa says.

After a hearty meal, everyone makes their way through to the hall for fun, party games. “We’ve enjoyed many hilarious New Year gatherings here,” she says. “Creating our home has been quite a journey, but one that continues to bring us happiness, wonderful opportunities and special memories to treasure.”

36 THE ENGLISH HOME

VANESSA ARBUTHNOTT

COLOUR THEORY

FEATURE CLAIR WAYMAN PORTRAIT © MARK SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHS © RACHAEL SMITH

Known for her vibrant fabric prints, Vanessa Arbuthnott loves to decorate her home at Christmas in her signature relaxed style How do you incorporate colour into your home at Christmas?

“We bring in warm reds with felt tree decorations, including hearts, birds, animals and stars, which we buy or make.

We then add lots of beautiful greens by collecting fresh foliage from the garden and hedgerows. We drape the greenery around paintings, mantelpieces, anywhere really. It has to be real and it has to be fresh. I love holly, berries, ivy and old man’s beard.

We’ve been inspired by the children’s book The Paper Dolls by the amazing Julia Donaldson and made paper chains of people, colouring each person differently.”

What sort of look do you aim to create?

“I’m inspired by Scandinavian style. I was bewitched by a winter visit to Stockholm a few years ago, when we visited the Skansen Open Air Folk Museum. The Swedish are so stylish and minimal, but with maximum effect. They place small fir trees outside each shop, lit with real candles, and not a bauble or piece of tinsel in sight.”

How would you describe your style of decorating for Christmas?

“Really natural and simple – no plastic, no glitter or tinsel. I also avoid new wrapping paper and wrap presents in offcuts of fabric which the receiver can

keep and use for sewing projects. There is no careful curation of these pieces of fabric, I just try to think what the person receiving the present would like. I also use offcuts of my wallpapers, rather than throwing scraps away. I do love warm fairy lights around fireplaces and on the tree.

The tree must be real and alive. We buy potted trees and plant them in the garden after Christmas for the next year.

How do you make your Christmas as sustainable as possible?

“I think all my decorating and Christmas ideas are about sustainability – reusing last year’s decorations, buying as little as possible and making as much as possible.

We even use newspaper to wrap larger presents and tie red ribbon around them to brighten them up.”

How do you create an inviting feel?

“It just happens organically with a chaotic lifestyle and busy family. I’m not overly concerned with everything being matchymatchy. There are layers of history around too – I can’t bear to throw away sculptures, art or fabrics that have been given to me, so they are all incorporated.”

How do you layer pattern and colour?

“I think successfully decorated rooms take

ages to evolve. It is so hard to visualise the entire metamorphosis all in one go. The fabric choices come first, in my view, then paint colour and finally the upholstery.”

How do you combine patterns to sit together cohesively?

“I do this by adhering to a palette of colour, with a maximum of three colours, and then combining a mixture of patterns with plains. It probably can look a bit busy, but I prefer that to a minimal, stark and highly orchestrated feel.”

What decorating rules do you adhere to?

“I like to take one colour from an adjacent room through into the next, so there is some visual continuity and a colour flow throughout the house. I feel that the vista into the next room, through an open door, is as important as the room itself. I pick up on a colour and position a chair or painting, so it can be glimpsed from afar” What are your favourite paint colours?

“I love French Grey, Scree and Hollyhock from Little Greene. They are all colours you want to be enveloped by and are wonderful when paired with my Saffron yellow and Damson pink fabrics.” n vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk THE ENGLISH HOME 37

38 THE ENGLISH HOME

Naturally INDIVIDUAL Moving to Sussex has been completely in tune with interior designer Aline Mackenzie-Reid’s relaxed, multi-layered style FEATURE & STYLING SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS

PREVIOUS PAGE The huge kitchen is a sociable space with a mix of seating including an antique bench piled with cushions and Eames DSW chairs by Vitra.

Aline has given the inglenook depth and greater impact by painting the interior of it grey.

ABOVE The old hallway is small and windowless so Aline has cleverly hung a collection of small antique mirrors to brighten it up. The walls are painted in Trilby Claypaint

by Earthborn.

T

here is nowhere interior designer Aline Mackenzie-Reid would rather be to enjoy the festive season than at home. Aline, her husband Duncan, who is a reputation management consultant, and their 10-year-old son Milo, like to play host to family and friends with mid-afternoon walks on the South Downs, and fun evenings round the large kitchen table, with a little dancing later.

Home for the family is in a pretty Sussex village at the foot of the South Downs, and they moved here from London in 2014 when Duncan took up a new job in Brighton. “Our property search at the time focused mostly on Victorian houses as I like big rooms and really did not want a cottage or beams,” explains Aline, who is originally from Paris. So, this four-bedroom, Grade II listed seventeenth-century house with Victorian changes and an extension was something of a surprise. “It is part of a manor house – the part that would have housed the kitchen and servants’ quarters,” adds Aline. “I was really not expecting to get high ceilings in a house of this age and it has so

40 THE ENGLISH HOME

many beautiful original features – the kitchen floors, leaded windows and amazing fireplaces – we knew we could do something really lovely here.”

It was a quick sale and, whilst the house seemed in good condition on first viewing, it did need rewiring, replumbing and replastering. It was poorly-insulated too and Aline thinks the services might not have been updated since the 1950s.

The family had been renting during their search and continued to do so for a further six months whilst structural work was completed on their new home.

This included reconfiguring storage space on the ground floor to create a study, a utility room and a small boot room. They insulated the loft and beneath most of the floorboards on the ground floor, and replastered throughout using an eco-solution of cork coated with traditional lime plaster. “It is a good finish for listed buildings as it insulates well but is still very breathable,” explains Aline.

‘Natural’ is important to Aline and is at the heart of her design philosophy. “I like really simple interiors that reflect the simplicity of country life,” she says.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Candlelight is an important part of the festive celebrations in this house. The striking candlesticks came from Barbed Limited in Barnes, London.

The old laboratory table makes a wonderful console, and the seventeenthcentury German portraits bring a sense of grandeur to the dining area.

The white dresser in the kitchen came from an antiques shop in Petworth and the pendant lights are from Hector Finch.

One of a pair of nineteenth-century chairs in Abbot & Boyd fabric in front of the wood-burning stove that keeps the spacious kitchen toasty all through winter.

THE ENGLISH HOME 41

The tiles in the old entrance hall are original and run through to the kitchen. Aline bought the French nineteenth-century chair at an antiques fair and the cushion is by Linen Tales and came from an independent shop in Lewes. “I shop locally,” she says, “You can find lovely things in the independents in Lewes.”

‘I choose decorative antiques and beautifully weathered pieces for their texture’ “We have such busy lives, it’s important to remind ourselves of the beauty of nature on a daily basis.

Bringing nature indoors is an easy way to feel good about your home,” she says, pointing to the growing trend for biophillia.

Aline’s decorating schemes include plenty of vintage pieces and antiques, and she buys for home and her online shop, The Textured Room, which is part of her business. “I choose decorative antiques and beautifully weathered pieces for their texture; they are so much more interesting than the brand new pieces that everyone has, all bought from the same shop,” she adds. “I use them to create individuality and personality, and I love how these imperfect pieces eventually find their perfect place in our homes.”

Aline works with texture in the way other decorators might use colour. “Yes, it is a toned-down approach,”

ABOVE The sitting room walls are painted in Tom’s Bakery Claypaint

by Earthborn and the armchair, bought at auction in Lewes, covered in wool from Isle Mill. The rug is from Jacaranda.

LEFT Aline found this white cabinet at a local antiques fair and uses it to display treasures she comes across, some of which she sells online via thetexturedroom. co.uk

THE ENGLISH HOME 43

ABOVE The chest of drawers is a vintage buy and the Linora curtain fabric is from Sahco. “I like to keep curtains light to let light flood in as much as possible,” says Aline.

ABOVE Aline bought an antique Italian bed for the master bedroom. The walls are painted in Cat’s Cradle by Earthborn and the lampshade was bought from a local shop called From Victoria.

RIGHT The couple updated the bathroom with Retro Metro Green Park tiles, a Battersea basin and Avebury taps, all from Fired Earth.

she says, “but it can still be very dynamic. I like to bring together materials such as wood, metal or brick, with the softness of fabrics like linen, wool and velvet – they are all very natural, but a long way from the homogeneous beige schemes of the 2000s,” she adds.

“These materials have a depth to them and you can use them to add pops of interest.”

A favourite room is the kitchen-diner, which Aline describes as the “physical and spiritual heart of this home. The ground-floor rooms radiate from this room and it is such a big, sociable space,” she says. The kitchen cabinetry and range cooker came with the house and the couple decided to keep both, although Aline admits it took a while to get used to cooking on the Stanley range cooker. “We battled with it for the first few weeks but we have learned to love its quirks.

It’s actually very nice to cook with,” she says.

One of the best buys in the kitchen-diner is the large laboratory table used as console table, above which Aline has hung antique portraits that bring some splendour to the dining area. She has quite a collection of portraits and picks them up at antiques

44 THE ENGLISH HOME

fairs and vintage shops whenever she spots them.

“I bought this set of early eighteenth-century German portraits specifically for this space,” she says. “It is a fierce-looking mother and her two interesting-looking daughters. They are peculiar and quirky and are always a talking point.”

Throughout the Christmas holidays, Aline likes to fill the house with lit candles and natural foliage.

“I usually forage in the week or two beforehand to give myself plenty of time to decorate,” she says.

“And we have two trees – one in the kitchen and one in the sitting room.” The family tends to spend the week between Christmas and New Year with friends and family, doing a lot of cooking, playing family games and enjoying long walks.

Future plans for the house include tanking the cellar to create a games room and gym, but Aline is happy to enjoy the house just the way it is for now. “The key to a cosy home is staying true to what works for you and not getting caught up in trends,” she says. “We love this house. After a long walk or a hard day’s work, coming home is the best part.” n

In the spare bedroom, the black iron bedstead came from Feather & Black. The chimney of the inglenook fireplace comes up through this bedroom.

The walls and panelling are painted Gregory’s Den by Earthborn.

‘When I’m out walking, I often see things together which trigger an idea for a scheme’ RIGHT The house is part of an old manor and sits at the end of a quiet lane, close to the foot of the South Downs.

“It was originally a seventeenth-century timber-framed manor house, to which the Georgians added a brick facade. Then the Victorians added bay windows and a side extension,” explains Aline.

THE ENGLISH HOME 45

Foraging for THE FESTIVITIES Trevor Pickett shows that Christmas can be both decorative and sustainable in his much-loved eighteenth-century Suffolk cottage FEATURE AMANDA HARLING PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

A palette of blue-grey, chocolate brown and rich ultramarine paired with subtle textures and patterns creates a cosily sophisticated version of the country look. The focal point is a simple yet elegant fire surround made to Trevor’s own design and painted white.

THE ENGLISH HOME 47

‘Once I’m on the road, I breathe a huge sigh of relief. There’s nowhere I’d rather be at Christmas than in Suffolk’ TOP LEFT The pretty eighteenth-century red-brick cottage is typical of East Anglia.

ABOVE LEFT Trevor is always on the lookout for foraged finds to decorate the cottage at Christmas.

ABOVE RIGHT Pheasant feathers in russet and chestnut tones add a rustic flourish to the wreath.

T

revor Pickett, the eminence grise behind Pickett – one of London’s tiniest and most stylish accessory brands – fully deserves a relaxing Christmas break. “Both our shops stay open until the afternoon on Christmas Eve, when we’re usually busy until closing time with those lovely customers who leave things to the last minute or realise they’ve forgotten to find a gift for their Christmas hostess,” he says.

As soon as the ‘Closed’ sign is on the door, however, Trevor makes tracks for his weekend country cottage in Suffolk. “Once I’m on the road, I breathe a huge sigh of relief. There’s nowhere I’d rather be at Christmas

48 THE ENGLISH HOME

than in Suffolk.” He has known the area since he was a boy. “My parents had a place in Sizewell, where we’d spend weekends and school holidays. Left to ourselves, my sister and I would be on our bikes all day, roaming far and wide. There are few corners of Suffolk that I haven’t explored – it’s a beautiful county. The people, the architecture, the light, the food, the antique shops... It’s a unique and lovely part of England.”

Trevor bought the cottage three years ago, having sold his previous weekend home sometime before.

“I wanted a smaller house and garden that would require less upkeep,” he explains. “I love seeing my friends, but the days of inviting 12 people over

Glazed double doors lead to the conservatory, now a useful daytime sitting area overlooking the garden. The marble-topped 1960s side table is one of a pair bought from Bottega in Taporley, Cheshire, whilst the floral rug was a find in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul.

THE ENGLISH HOME 49

Trevor loves incorporating oranges into the decorations. ‘The scent is fabulous, and after New Year, I make masses of delicious marmalade’ ABOVE Trevor enjoys cooking for guests and everything is near at hand in the compact kitchen. The copper saucepans are from the historic E Dehillerin cookware shop in Paris.

for Sunday lunch are over for me; six people around the table are quite enough – I can hear what everyone is saying.”

Trevor’s talent for design and decoration extends in many directions. He designs much of the beautifully made Pickett merchandise himself, and wherever possible he buys British. “The quality is second to none,” he explains. The homes he creates are as stylish and individual as his shops, and the same can be said for his Christmas decorative schemes, which he starts planning during autumn.

“For a number of years, I’ve tried to use natural materials wherever possible to minimise the ecological cost,” he says. There is nothing minimal about the decorative effect, however – everything is gorgeously over the top. He recounts how during his long country walks, he is always on the lookout for pine cones and pheasant feathers, which he stores in the garden shed until a week or two before Christmas. “The garden is still in the early stages, so instead of ordering a Christmas tree this year, I bought half a dozen birch

50 THE ENGLISH HOME

saplings and grouped them in a corner of the sitting room. Festooned with lights and hung with traditional ornaments made from offcuts of wood, they look suitably festive but won’t end up as woodchip mulch, like most Christmas trees come January.”

Another tradition Trevor loves is incorporating oranges into the decorations. “The scent is fabulous, and after New Year, I make masses of delicious marmalade.” The crackers are recyclable, too, being made of plain brown paper – there isn’t a speck of glitter to be seen. There is no shortage of sparkle, however; crystal decanters, pewter candlesticks and coloured glasses all gleam in the firelight.

When Trevor was sent details of the cottage he now calls home, it was not love at first sight. Nevertheless, he asked his trusted friend and builder, Russell, to give it the once over: “Russell had a good look around and, having clambered up on the roof, he told me that I’d regret it if I didn’t buy it. He was absolutely right – every time I walk through the front door, I know I did the right thing.” The cottage is situated in a hamlet

about a five minute drive from the nearest town and came with a good-sized, secluded garden, shielded from the houses on either side by trees. “The original building dates from around 1750, but had been extended over the years,” he adds.

With Russell’s help, Trevor drew up plans for the alterations he wanted to make. The sitting room is now unrecognisable; what were four poky rooms, is now a well-proportioned space for fireside reading, relaxing and entertaining. An integral garage was reconfigured to become the third bedroom and, with careful planning, space was found for the allimportant utility room and downstairs cloakroom.

The conservatory had been built by former owners, but by enclosing two of the three sides, Trevor has made it usable throughout the year. “It now warms up quickly and I have coffee in there whilst reading the Sunday papers and mulling over what needs doing in the garden.”

Trevor has long been a collector: “I have a craving for buying antiques,” he confesses. “It began when I was 12 – it was a silver-plated, fluted sugar bowl that caught my eye. I go through phases – basketry, candlesticks, carved wooden objects, paintings, china, painted furniture, pewter, glass… I can’t possibly keep it all, so as soon as I’m over that particular period or

ABOVE A collection of rustic ceramic hens and decorative nineteenth-century china is displayed in the niche to the side of the kitchen fireplace. A set of handsome Hepplewhite-style dining chairs with serpentine top rails and broad pierced splayed backs surround the circular table.

RIGHT Candles massed on the early nineteenth-century dining table that is adjacent to the door to the kitchen provide a glittering festive display.

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ABOVE The guest bedroom in the newer part of the cottage, is painted in a soothing shade entitled In the Shadows by Valspar.

Vintage floral Laura Ashley curtains bought on a weekend visit to Cirencester in 2000 add pattern and colour, as does the traditional eiderdown and gingham bedlinen.

RIGHT The main bedroom and bathroom (opposite page) in the oldest part of the house are accessed by a staircase rising from the kitchen. The walls – painted in Sea Dog

by Valspar – make a striking contrast against the white paintwork of the beams and ceiling.

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‘I have a craving for buying antiques. It began when I was 12, with a silver-plated, fluted sugar bowl that caught my eye’ genre, I sell everything at Marlesford Mill, an antiques centre near Woodbridge, where I have a stand.” Some things are keepers, of course. The buyer of his previous house bought most of the contents lock, stock and barrel, but he kept a few favourite pieces, such as the circular dining table in the sitting room. Quite a few things have been acquired on his extensive travels over the years: the armchairs on either side of the fireplace

came from Green Square in Copenhagen, whilst the floral rug was a find from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

“Fortunately, two of my favourite shops, Dix-Sept Antiques and Goodbrey’s, are in nearby Framlingham, so to indulge my craving, that’s where I often head to on Saturday mornings. My own shops apart, they are the best places to find presents for friends and family – and myself too,” adds Trevor with a laugh. n

ABOVE Paintings

by Australian artist David Bromley hang behind the handsome roll-top bath.

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The building is Grade II* listed with the star awarded to the Bressumer beam – the main load-bearing beam that crosses the living room in front of the fireplace. The inglenook fireplace is a cosy focal point, flanked by an Eames Lounge Chair.

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Christmas PAST

A mix of antiques, brocante and contemporary classics makes this Tudor hall house a wonderfully atmospheric home to celebrate the festive season FEATURE & STYLING SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS / GAP INTERIORS

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The house dates back to the fifteenth century and would have originally been single storey with a thatched roof. The upper floor would have been added in the 1600s.

RIGHT The front door is not original but it is certainly a few hundred years old.

LEFT Roberta by the warm wooden panelling in the dining room.

OPPOSITE TOP LEFT The couple inherited the kitchen with its terracotta tiled floor, butler’s sink, bread oven and bright red Aga. “I found it quite a challenging room at first,” explains Roberta, “but we decided to embrace the farmhouse style and go with it.”

OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT The dresser was an online auction purchase, spotted

by Roberta’s mother – the original treasure hunter.

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O

ld buildings have such an appealing solidity, that sense that they have always been there and always will be. Such a timeless quality can be a real blessing over the festive period, as well as when two contrasting decorating styles come together in one home, which is certainly the case with Roberta Ashley and Zefa Mongan. Brocante lover and owner of online vintage treasure trove Hunt The Pearl, Roberta likes nothing more than scouring antiques fairs for the whimsical, historical and kitsch. Interior architect Zefa, meanwhile, favours mid-century furniture and a more pared-back approach. This combination really comes together at Christmas, as natural elements are added and quirky decor sits alongside decorations.

Starting a family made Roberta and Zefa consider where they lived and how. “We were working and living in London but knew we wanted to raise our child in the fresh air and the countryside,” says Roberta. “We started our search in Kent as it’s a  straightforward commute and is where my family live.”

The couple loved the existing Fired Earth tiles and repainted the cabinetry in a rich dark shade mixed to match at the local decorator’s centre.

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The dining area has an eclectic mix of furniture. The table came from a big antiques warehouse just outside Hastings and Roberta has mixed old school chairs with modern designs from Vitra and Conran. The couple fitted simple globe wall lights all over the house having seen them work well with panelling at a hotel in Shoreditch.

58 THE ENGLISH HOME



‘We had looked at a few houses from the Tudor era. This house grabbed us because the openness works well for modern life’ It was minimalist Zefa who found this Wealden hall house in a pretty Kent village, close to the church and pub and overlooking the green. “We were after something unusual and inspiring, and had looked at quite a few houses from the Tudor era, but most were dark with lots of small rooms,” says Roberta. “What’s different about a Wealden hall house is that these buildings consist of an open, spacious hall with two rooms to the side. The design is specific to the Weald – the area that runs between the South and North Downs, though Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire – and this house grabbed us straight away because that openness works so well for modern life.”

Dating from around 1475 and Grade II* listed, the house was generally sound thanks to careful repair and restoration during the 1950s and ’60s. The owners at that time had bought the hall as two cottages and converted them back into a single dwelling. “We really are reaping the benefits of their work. They installed all the beautiful wood panelling, salvaged from a pub, laid the flooring and restored all the oak windows,” says Roberta. “It was all done to a such a high standard that it still looks great today, nearly 60 years on.”

Roberta and Zefa moved in at the end of 2017, just weeks before their son Rudi was born. They quickly set

to work updating key areas and addressing the lack of heating. “When we first had Rudi, I practically lived in the kitchen, by the heat of the Aga, as I just couldn’t manage a new baby and stoking fires in the three stoves,” explains Roberta.

Parts of the existing decor influenced the couple’s design decisions. They painted the cabinets in the kitchen a darker shade to match the fabulous Fired Earth tiles that were already there. Elsewhere, the dated mint green bathroom has been repainted in dark rich shades, the existing bath re-enameled. “The house has dictated a lot of the colour choices,” explains Roberta. “I see people renovating Victorian or Edwardian properties on Instagram and they really are blank canvases – you can paint them any colour you want. But you can’t do that with this house. Not many colours work in between beams, and things tend to be white or fairly light because the house is dark. You can embrace the darkness to a point but you do need to see where you’re going,” she adds. “The wood panelling is a limitation and joy in itself.”

One space that really comes into its own is the generous open-plan sitting and dining room. Roberta and Zefa have arranged it with the sofa nestled around  the inglenook fireplace and the dining area at the

ABOVE LEFT Special occasions such as Christmas give Roberta free reign with her vintage chinaware collection, which gets an extra layer of greenery, candles and fairy lights to add twinkle.

ABOVE The oak windows were all restored by previous owners in the 1960s and Roberta and Zefa have added thermal roller blinds to cut heat loss in winter.

A generous armoire provides storage in the dining area and was a great find at Three Angels in Hove.

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The tongue-andgroove in the bathroom is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black. A rug from John Lewis completes the bohemian look.

Come Christmas, Roberta likes to use natural materials such as spruce boughs and pine cones, along with traditional decorations TOP LEFT A guest bedroom was a walk-through between master bedroom and bathroom so the couple changed it into a dressing room.

The walls are painted Tanner’s Brown by Farrow & Ball.

ABOVE LEFT The dressing room has a dark boudoir feel but painting the floorboards white introduces some welcome light.

opposite end. “We love that you can sit on the sofa and look through the garden room out onto the garden – that view was so important to us,” says Roberta. “And we have the French windows too.

I don’t understand living spaces where you can’t just walk out into the garden. In summer, they are open all the time.”

The sitting room is a wonderful mix of the duo’s personalities. Designer furniture from Zefa’s collection punctuates the space whilst layers of detail and from Roberta’s stash highlight the nooks and crannies. In one corner, cupboard-like doors reveal a winding staircase up to the first floor and the couple’s bedroom which extends right up into the eaves. What was an awkward adjoining bedroom is now a dressing room, leading to the bathroom, and there is great play here with the light and dark, with a white floor holding the

60 THE ENGLISH HOME

bold contrasts together. There is also a shower on the upper level, along with Rudi’s bedroom.

Come Christmas, Roberta likes to use natural materials such as spruce boughs and pine cones, along with traditional decorations and the twinkle of lights in and amongst her year-round displays. “We don’t go over the top – we’re quite understated really,” she says.

Many of their perennial decorative pieces – the religious icons, plentiful plants and coloured glassware – are an easy fit at this time of year so the house never looks bare come January.

“When we started our house search, Zefa said the only thing he didn’t want was a house full of dark beams and low ceilings and that’s exactly what we’ve got,” laughs Roberta. Their home has turned out to be an amazing backdrop for the things they both love, and every bit the inspiring home they hoped for. n

The previous owners used this room as a second living room but it makes a striking master bedroom.

The upper parts of the bedroom wall are original wattle and daub which are protected. They can be limewashed but not painted. Plants play an important role throughout the house. “I love big houseplants and we have plenty of space for that,” Roberta says.

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STYLE INSPIRATION Our special section dedicated to interior design and decorating begins here

SEASON’S GREETINGS

PHOTOGRAPH © ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

What could be more inviting for guests arriving to celebrate Christmas than a charming festive scene? A real Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights and decorations in classic red, gold and green is a joy to behold upon crossing the threshold and when passing from room to room. The scent of pine fills the home with natural fragrance and a garland of fresh foliage extends the festive feel as guests retire to their rooms upstairs.

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Preparing

FOR CHRISTMAS Anticipate everything needed to make Christmas the perfect occasion, with thoughtful additions to create lasting comfort and joy for each room



Add sparkle to a rustic setting with mercury tealight holders, polished glassware and silver beaded place mats.

Mercury small ribbed tealight holder, £6; Moreton glassware, from £26 for four tumblers, and all other items, The White Company

64 THE ENGLISH HOME

T

he festive season is a time when we can take great pleasure in enjoying our homes to the full, so this is the ideal moment to consider larger purchases that will not only make Christmas extra special, but also be life enhancing for the year ahead. Wellconsidered smaller touches can be just as valuable to refresh interiors and, along with traditional and new festive flourishes, they can enhance the customs of the season and everyday moments. Within each room, we consider the essential elements that will work wonders to help make this Christmas one that best celebrates the delights of home.

ABOVE Ensure drinks and nibbles are served in stylish glassware for a sense of luxurious aplomb.

Theatre champagne saucers, £80 for two; Theatre champagne flutes, £80 for two, and all other items, LSA International LEFT Enliven a dining room scheme with chairs in sumptuous, colourful velvets.

Hampton low back

armchair, £645 plus fabric and studding; Hampton low back chair, £525 plus fabric and studding; Brittany dining table, from £2,995, all I & JL Brown BELOW Match stylish Christmas crackers with eye-catching tonal place settings.

Christian Tortu Riviera glossy gold leaf plate, £28 Rockett St George

Dining Room

The dining room has a big part to play in the Christmas festivities and comfort is key. Comfortable dining chairs are essential – consider fabric-covered chairs or armchair-style designs or, to improve the comfort of wooden chairs, add sheepskin rugs for a contemporary look as well as softness.

To set a warm, inviting atmosphere, well-chosen lighting will have a desirable effect. The dining room is the perfect backdrop to evoke a sense of excitement with use of a showstopping lighting centrepiece such as an ornate chandelier, striking central pendant or simply plenty of candles dotted around.

To enhance the celebrations further, a fully stocked home bar heightens the party mood. Consider different options to create a suitable drinks storage and display area.

A cabinet has a classic mood, whereas a drinks trolley or cocktail bar imparts a more contemporary aesthetic. It is also worth considering extras accessories, such as cocktail shakers and serving dishes for nibbles, to complete a stylish evening.

From aperitifs to after-dinner drinks, make sure there are suitable glasses for all types of tipples so the toasts keep flowing.

Gather details to beautifully offset each special repast, including: • A floral arrangement. Create a sublime, long-lasting table centrepiece for Christmas lunches and dinners, adding candles in varying tones to ring the changes for table settings at different times of day.

• Foliage, fairy lights and tea lights, to dress the length of the table. Little gifts or Christmas confectionery provide a little extra magic hidden amongst the display.

• Fully dressed place settings with details such as place cards, placemats in festive colours and co-ordinating linen and tableware.

• Crackers. A traditional essential, these look particularly fetching when matched to the colours of the table decor.

• Garlands and hanging decorations. To decorate the rest of the dining room, arrange garlands on a mantelpiece or sideboard and hang ribbons and miniature decorations from chandeliers and pendant lights.

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Sitting Room

It is in the sitting room that we truly embrace the relaxation of Christmas time, gathering together to revel in the comfort of our warm and cosy retreat. Investing in a new sofa or armchair can transform this restful haven for the holidays and far beyond. It is also timely to consider if extra occasional seating and side tables are needed, and, as furniture is often moved around to accommodate the tree, it is worth taking time to experiment with arrangements. The process of reorganising furniture will also make it clear where extra lighting may be required.

Little can compare to a roaring fire on a frosty night, to draw everyone closer together and create welcoming scene. As a fireplace or wood-burning stove are likely to be used throughout winter and into spring, it may just the moment to replace a chimneypiece or fire grate, or install an efficient woodburner to keep the home fires burning. Remember, too, to have the chimney swept.

Whilst considering larger changes, a coat of paint can make the room feel completely different – whether simply refreshing the current colour or changing the mood completely with a striking new shade.

Small changes such as adding layers in luxuriously tactile textures to seating in the form of cushions and throws are a quick and easy way to enhance a sitting room.

Simple decorative embellishments on soft furnishings can also enrich the overall scheme. Seek out patterned trims that can be easily added to curtains and cushions for a more tailored look and smart attention to detail.

RIGHT, ABOVE Occasional chairs can be fitted into little-used spaces and made comfortable with the addition of a side table for setting down a drink.

Spencer Wing Chair, £4,140 plus 8m of fabric, Beaumont & Fletcher

RIGHT Ensure lighting is perfect for a cosy spot by the fire, with a floor or table lamp, adding some atmospheric twinkle in the form of candlelight.

Drax Desk Lamp, £137; Percy Pendant, £153, both Pooky

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The main room for all the essential Christmas decor, a checklist includes: • The Christmas tree and all its trimmings, which is the focal point of the room. It is lovely to buy a special new ornament together as a family to create new memories, alongside unwrapping decorations that evoke the nostalgia of Christmases past.

• Mantelpiece garlands.

These can be refreshed with the addition of feathers, ribbons, twinkling miniature ornaments, cinnamon sticks, clove-studded oranges and dried apple slices.

• An indoor wreath hung above a fireplace, perhaps pre-lit for added ambience, or used as a centrepiece on a coffee or dining table, with candles placed in the middle.

• Stockings to hang from the mantelpiece. These may be cherished old favourites, a new family set or ones made on a special weekend set aside before Christmas.

• Ornaments and candles grouped together on tables and sideboards to bring the Christmas spirit to all areas of the room. Odd numbers and varying heights and widths of candles always look pleasing to the eye.  LEFT When moving furniture around to accommodate the tree, consider how to ensure each person can see everyone else and enjoy the festive scene.

Accessories and interior design Katharine Pooley

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Bedroom

Christmas is the time of year to recuperate, so there is no better moment to consider if beds and mattresses need replacing. The gift of a good night’s sleep would certainly be welcome at Christmas to start the year refreshed. Remember, too, to test the comfort of guest beds.

Sumptuous bedding also helps ensure a peaceful night’s slumber, along with ensuring that the bed is a cosy place to spend a relaxed Christmas morning opening presents together or retreat to at the end of a day of indulging in delicious food and party games. Consider a few choice additions in premium natural textures to create an enticing bedscape.

Lazy weekends are a time to linger a while longer in bed, and little luxuries remind us to make time to for ourselves throughout the year. A cosy hot-water bottle, items for breakfast in bed and an elegant dressing table area are inspiring prompts to unwind more often.

In children’s bedrooms, making a little effort goes a long way towards creating a mesmerising Christmas build up and memories for years to come. Temporary wall or window stickers are an easy way to add festive cheer to their rooms without going to too much trouble. To really keep the magic going beyond Christmas, make a fairytale hideaway with a bed canopy or indoor wigwam. Set the mood by reading magical Christmas bedtime stories with them in their special den.

ABOVE LEFT It is a timely month to buy a new bed ready for a restful Christmas break and improved sleep all year long.

Bonaparte deepbuttoned bed in Claret Red, £6,897 for king size, And So To Bed LEFT Heighten the nostalgic excitement of Christmas with bedding and a stocking that match.

Bedding set, from £45 (single); decorative cushion, £30; stocking, £15.50, all Home For Christmas collection, Sophie Allport

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OPPOSITE PAGE TOP LEFT Natural textures of cashmere and cotton create a blissful bed to climb into on chilly nights.

Cashmere blanket, £415; Cashmere double duvet, £395; wool-filled pillows, from £75, all Ava Innes OPPOSITE PAGE TOP RIGHT Whatever the weather, make it a white Christmas that little ones will remember.

Large Snowflakes window and/or wall stickers, £18 for a set of five, Nutmeg Studio

Add a few key elements to the bedroom to start Christmas Day the right way, including: • Christmas bedding, which might seem frivolous, but – much like the joy of revisiting sentimental tree decorations – it will become a joyful sign of the festive period beginning for many years to come.

• Personalised stockings for children will make waking up on Christmas morning extra special and might just provide others with an extra 40 winks.

• Christmas-scented candles or diffusers are a low-key way to imbue bedrooms with a festive mood.

• A mini tree or a simple branch with a few choice decorations hung on them, to instantly add a cheery atmosphere to bedside tables or bare corners.

• Foliage with miniature fairy lights threaded through. For a decadent Christmas mood, hang on bedframes or drape along the top of a wardrobe or chest of drawers.

ABOVE Breakfast in bed need not be kept just to Christmas time and this amusing tray with bespoke lettering will hopefully encourage better room service on weekends.

Breakfast in bed tray, from £435, The Oak & Rope Company ABOVE RIGHT Reach the perfect temperature to easily fall into a deep slumber the night before Christmas.

Cashmere hot water bottle cover, £135, Brora RIGHT A dressing table in a quiet corner with everything necessary close to hand at the beginning or end of the day is invaluable.

Lantau Faux Shagreen and Gold dressing table, in Taupe, £1,850; Trois mirror, £450; Rander ceramic stool, £175; Grisewood lamp and shade, £195, all Oka

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Lift the mood with festive touches to make one and all smile, including: • Seasonally themed oven gloves, aprons and tea towels, to make food preparation a cheery affair.

• Foraging for ivy, sprigs of holly, pine cones and nuts to dress beams, sideboards and oven mantels.

• A cake stand piled high with mince pies or a glorious Christmas cake.

• Special cups and saucers to make tea time feel extra special.

• A ribbon in a rich hue or rustic string garland adorned with miniature decorations.

LEFT When planning a new kitchen, it is worth considering if the design allows family and friends to congregate, whether for a lazy Sunday lunch or Christmas Eve cocktails.

Somerton Kitchen in Baltic Green, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers by Burbidge; Henry pendant in Glass, from £70, Pooky

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BELOW LEFT Enliven the kitchen with colourful textiles.

Christmas Robin double oven gloves, £21.95, Cherith Harrison BELOW Combining hand-poured wax with technology, these LED candles mimic the look of a real flickering flame.

TruGlow candles, from £21.99 for four, Lights4Fun

Kitchen

A room at the heart of all the feasting preparations, the kitchen is never more industrious than at Christmastime. From children baking spiced gingerbread houses to multiple side dishes being created for the main event, everything needs to function beautifully, so this is an ideal time to consider how a dream kitchen design would work for all requirements.

Over the festive period, when the kitchen is at its busiest, everything is needed to hand, and suitable workspace and organisation is vital for preparing a large variety of meals with minimum fuss. As an alternative to redesigning the kitchen, invest in freestanding larders with clever multipurpose storage and islands on wheels which can provide an extra preparation surface or be moved out of the way if necessary.

In terms of presenting food at the table, decorative serveware that can be taken from oven to table will reduce the need to decant food into serving dishes and, therefore, the amount of clearing up to do.

Aside from preparations for main meals, it is worth considering the aspects that elevate seasonal pleasures, such as indulgent Christmas breakfasts and gathering the family together for mulled wine and carols on Christmas Eve. Little touches, including a themed tablecloth and special glasses to toast the occasion, will enrich each family tradition.

ABOVE LEFT A punch bowl of mulled wine sets a generous mood and fills the kitchen with a delicious aroma.

Rum punch bowl and six glasses set, £150, LSA International, Amara FAR LEFT Paramount at Christmas are fully functioning and smart cooking appliances.

Victoria Cream built-in pyrolytic oven

from £879; hob from £349; chimney hood, £729, all Smeg LEFT A designated pantry area is not just helpful for food preparation but also for carrying out essential tasks and keeping main kitchen surfaces and functional areas clear.

Old Rectory cabinet pantry kitchen, from £35,000, Guild Anderson

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Hallway

The warmth of Christmas can instantly be felt in a cosy hallway. It sets anticipation alight for the rest of the house and evokes a familiar comfort. An inviting and relaxed mood begins with considering how to partner functionality with welcoming touches.

To prepare a hallway for the hustle and bustle of Christmas, new flooring makes a dramatic difference. If selecting stone or wood, the colour of the material can help ensure the room does not feel cold – opt for lighter wood tones or mottled stone to invest the room with a brighter surface underfoot. Layer with a large hard-wearing rug or juxtapose with a patterned wallpaper to add panache. Alternatively, a patterned carpet can be the ideal foil for walls in a dark or neutral hue.

Hallway storage comes into its own during winter, with heavy boots and wellies regularly being pulled on and off for long walks and foraging adventures. To save on space, practical bench storage can be used to house footwear, as well as providing a welcome seat and a place for other essentials, such as extra layers and warm blankets.

Smaller changes also help make the hallway ready for Christmas. Replacing worn-out doormats, reviving a tired-looking door with a fresh coat of paint or replacing a light fitting will give it a new lease of life.

Make the most of a console table in the run-up to Christmas with a welcoming festive display.

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• Hanging wreaths indoors as well as out, to brighten hallway walls and to enjoy throughout the festive period.

• A vessel filled with fresh or dried flowers. If dried, spray with metallic paint to create a more glamorous scene.

TOP LEFT Add softness underfoot and to acoustics for a warm welcome.

Tabasco striped carpet, £36.99 a square metre, Carpetright TOP RIGHT Decorative candles and lights amplify a hallway mirror.

TruGlow LED candles, from £7.99, Lights4Fun

ABOVE Frame the doorway into Christmas.

Symons pre-lit garland, £95; glass hurricane jar, £85, The White Company BELOW Create an uplifting hallway scene.

Pepperberry gift wrap, from £5; seasonal faux foliage, from £12, and all other items, Neptune

• To really amplify the festive spirit, a small – or even full-size – tree dressed tree adorned with twinkling lights cannot fail to imbue the Christmas mood.

Add a few beautifully wrapped presents underneath for added anticipation.

• A garland threaded up the stairs brings classic charm.

Adorn with small decorations or Christmas cards for added interest and character.

• A display of foraged branches from the garden or treasured ornaments in front of a window is a lovely way to project the Christmas mood outside.

LED candles or lights in contemporary Christmas shapes are ideal to add a soft glow into the evening. n

FEATURE SUZANNA LE GROVE PHOTOGRAPHS P65 (I & JL BROWN) SIMON BEVAN; P67 (KATHARINE POOLEY) © NICO WILLS; P69 (AVA INNES) © JOHN PAUL PHOTOGRAPHY; P70 (KITCHEN MAKERS) © JON DAY PHOTOGRAPHY; P70 & 72 (LIGHTS4FUN) © OLIVER PERROTT

Create a seasonal welcome with a few well-chosen details, such as:

KENTCHURCH BUTLERS White Porcelain

Made in England

An ideal present that will last forever. Hand painted and crafted in Devon, these delightful wooden side-tables are fun pieces of furniture to rest your drinks etc on. Standing 38’’ high, their sturdy trays are 25’’ above ground, an ideal height to place your favourite tipple when resting on your sofa after a hard day eventing.

Perfect for that birthday, wedding, anniversary or retirement present. Jockeys can be painted in your own silks and soldiers in your regiments.

USA customers should allow 10 days for delivery.

To see over 50 models and to order, visit our website below.

Kentchurch Butlers +44 (0)7774 959561

www.kentchurchbutlers.co.uk

t: +44 (0)1538 371471

e: home@scabetti.uk.com www.scabetti.uk.com

Image courtesy of client: Shoal286 recessed into ceiling above kitchen worksuface.

CLASSIC AND ELEGANT BRITISH CUTLERY from Glazebrook & Co - designed for modern living

This delightful range is Old English mirror finish stainless steel with Dishwasher Safe Cream Handle Knives.

Set for six people at £380.00 (GBP) including delivery to US, this includes six 7 piece place settings (as shown) & 2 Table Spoons

For further information: visit www.glazebrook.com or call +44 (0)20 7731 7135

Handmade

WITH LOVE Add meaningful touches and start new traditions this Christmas with lovingly crafted decorations and presents

BELOW Take time to set the scene with handmade baubles, foraged pinecones and scented candles.

Try a calendar candle for added charm to count down to the big day.

Scented Christmas Calendar Candle, Red Brown, £19; Hand-painted Glass Ornaments (two seen in bowl), £19 for a set of four, all Ferm Living

T

he festive season is the ideal opportunity to show our nearest and dearest how much they truly mean to us. There is, of course, immense pleasure to be had in spoiling loved ones with generous shop-bought gifts, but taking the time, thought and care to make them gladdens the heart and lifts the spirits of both the giver and the receiver.

Creative foundations

The draw and appeal of creating thoughtful elements to incorporate into the festive season is a strong one, and whilst creativity, enthusiasm and time can range from limited to abundant, taking a measured approach will ensure that the process and its pleasures are seamlessly incorporated into celebrations.

“Start with areas that would naturally prompt creative ideas in the run-up to Christmas, such as advent calendars. Rather than purchasing a new one every year, try making your own advent calendar bunting using pockets of fabric,” says paint and colour expert Annie Sloan, suggesting thoughtful gifts from independent stores and homemade treats as suitable fillings. “Getting the advent calendar out of the loft and hanging it up every year will become a wonderful new family tradition that you can be proud of,” she adds.

Extending artistic endeavours to other areas of Christmas preparations will fire up the creative process, not to mention add a further dimension and fun element to tasks such as preparing presents, writing cards or adding embellishments.

Customising paper, tags and other details allows for playfulness and experimentation. Gift wrap naturally falls under the spotlight as the primary area of focus.

“Home-made gift wrap is so much more special than shop-bought, and immediately lets your recipient know that the gift inside has been chosen with love,” says Sloan, who adds that going back to basics is a great way to get started. “Try making your own by using Chalk Paint and potato prints.

You can print whole rolls at speed, and young hands love to help – it’s a great seasonal activity to keep them busy.” Consider, too, a return to plain brown paper, or even monochrome newsprint, both of which keep environmental impact low and are easy to recycle. 

How to make a ribbon-covered bauble You will need: A polystyrene ball 2 types of ribbon Scissors Glue Crochet flower • Cut the ribbons into strips of equal length (each long enough to cover half the circumference of the polystyrene ball).

• Fix the ribbon strips alternately with glue until the whole ball is covered.

• Next cut a length of ribbon for hanging the bauble.

• Fix the ends of the ribbon to the top of the bauble and glue a small crochet flower on top.

• Allow to dry completely.

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Adding personalised touches brings further charm – ribbon, twine or coloured string can be used to wrap packages, whilst gift tags can be created from old maps or tickets saved as reminders from times spent together, or adorned with small bells or tree decorations with the recipient’s name for use in future Christmases.

Handwritten calligraphy-style notes on gift tags or place cards show care a nd consideration, too. Visit Bath-based Meticulous Ink’s website meticulousink.com for illuminating insights into the process.

Bespoke stamps from specialist sources such as The English Stamp Company (englishstamp.com) also provide a thoughtful touch and make guests feel special.

Simple style

Getting creative need not mean complex schemes and grand plans – often, keeping things simple is best for making maximum impact, especially when it comes to elements such as festive favours. Creating mementoes for guests adds a further layer of thought to festive proceedings, with rich rewards for all concerned.

TOP Home-made decorations add characterful charm.

Origami Star Garland Kit, £13.96, Cambridge Imprint RIGHT Daylesford’s Ginger Millionaire Slice makes a delicious gift. (See p78 for a link to the recipe) FAR RIGHT Rustic touches in simple colourways perfectly offset any giftwrapping scheme.

Nordic Wrapping String, from £5, Nordic House

OPPOSITE PAGE With Christmas and the festive period proving a time for feasting, foodie gifts tailored to the recipient can bring new and unexpected sources of joy.

Recipes for preserves such as apple jelly can easily be found online (try bbc.co.uk/ food) and are a delicious addition to the table. Experiment with flavours such as star anise or cinnamon to add a twist to an old favourite.

76 THE ENGLISH HOME

Crackers provide a perfect opportunity for customisation, be it in the outward appearance, the contents, or both. Online tutorials are readily available for those wishing to take a hands-on approach and craft their own using coloured card, paper and ribbons. Our tip, from experience, is to make sure each end of the cracker snaps is secured with sticky tape to ensure the pulling goes with a bang. There are kits available from a number of retailers such as Graham & Green and Not On The High Street.com. Home-made crackers also offer the opportunity to add contents that will

excite and bring joy. Choosing small toys, edible gifts or small bottles of scent is all part of the fun, as is writing jokes, guess who-type games, or even poignant or funny memories. These will also help to break the ice; incorporating playfulness to proceedings not only chimes with the childlike joy of the season, but also brings levity and fun to festivities.

Irreverent games that require little or no equipment and can be enjoyed by the whole family are a good way to pace the rhythm of the day, and lend themselves to tailoring to guest participants. Try, for

Thoughtful touches Simple suggestions for added meaning and seasonal flair Create festive favours as keepsakes for guests In addition to making crackers (see page 116), adding decorative accents to suit all generations is a lovely way to add a personal touch to proceedings. An example might be attaching a personalised item to each napkin at the table – anything from mini felt decorations for children to vintage brooches for elegant style mavens – or printing childhood photographs as place cards.

Tap into nostalgia Accessing memories and reminiscing together requires no planning and is a great way to reflect positively on what has been a difficult year for many.

Each in turn sharing their highlight of the year will ensure plenty of conversation and jollity ensues.

example, the meowing game, where one person meows the opening bars to a song of their choosing for others to guess. The person who answers correctly then takes on the meowing role. Great fun and even more so when trying to draw out not-socool mainstream musical appreciation tastes to bond family and friends.

Of course, the festive season would not be complete without a sugar boost in the form of home-made Christmas biscuits, whether as decorations for the Christmas tree or as delicous gifts for family and friends. Providing a fun outlet for creativity

in both young and old, these can be simple shapes iced with festive designs, or an opportunity to unleash one’s inner artist.

The Great British Bake Off 2018 finalist Kim-Joy, known for her playful and artistic creations, suggests using 15-second royal icing for biscuits, so-named because of the time for it to take on a smooth state when decorating. Her recipe sees 40g of egg white for 225g of icing sugar, beaten with an electric stand or handheld whisk to create a smooth consistency.

When it comes to designs, Kim-Joy notes: “Once the icing is completely set

Play a game As well as the meowing game (see left), try other pursuits that require no equipment to bring all ages together. Try Two Truths and a Lie, where one person in turn gives three statements about themselves and the others must say which they think is which and why, with the person then revealing all at the end. Another favourite is 20 Questions, where one person in turn thinks of a persona (it can be anything as abstract as Mickey Mouse through to real people such as The Queen) and the others have to put a maximum of 20 questions to them, which are answerable only by yes or no, in order to deduce the correct answer.  THE ENGLISH HOME 77

(leave it overnight to be sure) you can actually just write on top using an edibleink pen – you can write names and your own messages just like you would on paper.” Her recipe for Robin Cookies in her book Christmas With Kim-Joy are a particularly easy-to-create delight, having basic icing detailing and a smaller inner circle stamped out and replaced with a red sugar centre before baking to create the bird’s red breast.

Food for thought

Whether a small intimate affair or a lavish occasion, Christmas is undeniably intertwined with the notion of delicious food and drink.

“Home-made edible gifts are a lovely way to give something very personal, and of offering something that’s going to be enjoyed and has a low environmental footprint,” says Carole Bamford, founder of Daylesford Organic. She points to “a home-made chutney or hedgerow jelly” with ingredients such as crab apples, blackberries or rose hips to partner one of her favourite things to give. “I love gifting cheese,” she explains. “Not many people know that cheeses can be seasonal, but artisan cheeses do have their seasons, depending on what the cows, sheep or goats are eating throughout the year.

Mont d’Or is a particularly special experience at this time of year. When it’s perfectly ripe, it can just be spooned out of its container, but it can also be baked until it is golden and bubbling.”

With the festive season being a time for indulgence, consider creating food items that allow for leisurely, less time-pressured consumption. Gifts that can be enjoyed piecemeal, such as fruit-infused liqueurs, bring extended pleasure throughout the 78 THE ENGLISH HOME

quieter, less hectic weeks of the year that follow the Christmas celebrations.

“We make big batches of our own sloe gin and damson vodka at home, foraging for the sloes in the hedgerows around the farm and picking the damsons from the orchard,” explains Bamford. “They’re perfect gifts and they’re simple to make.

Choose elegant glass bottles that can be reused, and create handmade labels with the recipient’s name and the date.”

As well as preserves and liqueurs, look to sweet treats such as fudge, fruit-and-nutstudded chocolate drops, rich, indulgent florentine biscuits or similar creations

which can be kept refrigerated to offer a delicious treat over the festive period and beyond. Such morsels make particularly lovely gifts when presented prettily packaged in a box or brown paper bag tied artfully with string.

For inspiration try browsing the websites of Mary Berry (maryberry.co.uk) or Nigella Lawson (nigella.com) amongst others.

Alternatively, consider, as a starting point, Daylesford’s Ginger Millionaire Slice with its textured nutty base topped with thick, lightly salted, date caramel and dark chocolate. Find the recipe at daylesford.com/ recipes/ginger-millionaire-slice n

FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPHS P74 © FLORA PRESS/EWA; P77 ( MAIN) © FLORA PRESS/EWA

ABOVE Adding characterful details at the breakfast table is a wonderful way to start the festivities on Christmas Day. Holiday Pancake Pan, £39.63, Nordic Ware (available from amazon.co.uk) LEFT Have a drink and a sweet treat at hand to make it time spent preparing for the main event more enjoyable.

Selection of food and drink, all Marks & Spencer

CJ_BritMag_Half_PgAd_3.9.21.qxp_Layout 1 3/9/21 6:12 PM Page 1

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QUINTESSENTIALLY

Inspiration for seasonal pastimes and making the most of life at home starts here

MERRY & BRIGHT

FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPH © BRUNA BRANCO/UNSPLASH

A decadent, home-made Christmas cake, rich with brandy-soaked dried fruit, treacle, brown sugar and spices and lovingly fed a bit of brandy each week, deserves to be beautifully decorated. Why not combine two festive traditions with iced gingerbread to create a snowy town scene. The use of ginger and other spices at Christmas has been embraced since the Middle Ages, with the Germans creating the famed lebkuchenhaus,in the early 1800s, a custom that has been readily adopted by other countries (including England) to create a tempting winter centrepiece, combining spiced biscuits, icing and sweets.

Try the National Trust’s gingerbread recipe with clementine and ginger icing for added zing. nationaltrust.org.uk/recipes/gingerbread

THE ENGLISH HOME 81

MY ENGLISH HOME

Matthew Fort FROM PATCH TO PLATE

R

obert May published The Accomplisht Cook, one of our earliest cookery books, in 1665. His suggested menu for Christmas Day starts with ‘1. A collar of brawn’, before moving on to ‘2. Stewed Broth of Mutton marrow bones; 3. A grand Sallet; 4. A pottage of caponets; 5. A breast of veal in stoffado’ and so on and so on for twenty dishes. Twenty dishes! I kid you not.

May finishes with ‘20. A Custard’. They were true trenchermen and women back then. May’s menu makes our Christmas indulgences look like a Weight Watchers mid-week fast.

What about the range of meats, too? May lists brawn, mutton, marrow bones, veal, beef, partridge, venison, swan, goose, sweetbreads and even turkey, that would have arrived relatively recently, like so many good things, from the Americas.

Our turkey originally hailed from Mexico and, whilst we know it arrived in Britain before1541, because that’s when it gets its first mention, it really only became fashionable at Christmas in Victorian times. Now we may deride it, dismiss

it, be tempted by exotic novelties, but when push comes to shove or fork comes to mouth at Christmas, only turkey carries the warmth of family, hearth and home, in spite of the best efforts of food writers down the ages to persuade us otherwise. To be fair, given decent provenance and kindly cooking, turkey can be quite as good as most chickens.

It wasn’t always so. Before turkey, goose was more usual, and before goose, wild boar. For the better-off families, naturally.

Wild boar aren’t that easy to get hold of these days, although they’re a pest in various parts of the country such as the Forest of Dean. The problem with goose is that ratio of goose to the number of people you can feed off one bird is alarmingly small. I reckon six people at most to one decent-sized (4.5 kg) goose. But you do get all that divine fat in which to roast potatoes.

Given the fact that for most families the Christmas Day menu is governed by hallowed tradition, there is little room for the self-expression of the cook. That’s why I prefer Boxing Day on the whole. On Boxing Day,

like many others, I tend to be in repentant mode, a consequence of the overindulgence of the day before. On Boxing Day I want lightness of touch, freshness of flavour, and restoration of the spirit. Plus, as a cook, I don’t want too much trouble.

Using up the leftovers from the day before cuts down on the workload. Cold turkey is best devilled as my mother used to do it.

Cold goose also comes in very handy for this. Cold roast beef is also a Boxing Day treasure as far as I’m concerned. But the real secret to Boxing Day are salads. Perhaps not Robert May’s ‘grand Sallet’ that contained cold roast capon, neats (deer) tongues, minced tarragon, minced onions, minced lettuce, olives, samphire, broom buds, pickled mushrooms, pickled oysters, lemon, orange, raisins, almonds, blue figs, Virginia potato, chaperons, and crucifix peas (whatever they may be). It sounds like the kind of assembly you might make when cleaning out the fridge.

Here’s a more Boxing Day-friendly salad.

About Matthew Best known as a judge on BBC2’s Great British Menu, Matthew is an award-winning food writer and critic.

He was the Food & Drink Editor of The Guardian for 15 years and is the author of four books.

BEETROOT AND HORSERADISH SALAD An alternative to the fennel and orange salad (opposite), as this splendid winter dish may be a little too characterful for some. Make it a few days ahead and keep it in a jar in the fridge, where its flavours will develop to beautiful effect.

For 4 people

82 THE ENGLISH HOME

INGREDIENTS 4 medium fresh beetroots Juice of 1 orange A splash of red wine 1 dsp of freshly grated horseradish (or 2-3 dsp horseradish relish) 1 dsp caraway seeds

METHOD • Preheat the oven to 200˚C/400˚F/gas mark 6.

• Put the beetroots, unpeeled, into the oven and cook until soft (around 45 minutes to an hour).

• Remove from the oven and leave to cool, then peel and slice as thinly as possible (on a mandolin, if you have one).

• Pour the orange juice and wine over the beetroot slices, add the horseradish and stir and sprinkle with caraway.

• Chill.

PORTRAIT GRANT SCOTT ILLUSTRATION MICROONE / SHUTTERSTOCK FOXYS GRAPHIC / SHUTTERSTOCK. PHOTOGRAPH LAURA NEGRATO / SHUTTERSTOCK

The food writer and critic opts for tangy, zesty salads to restore the spirit after Christmas overindulgence

FOOD

FENNEL, ORANGE AND OLIVE SALAD Something of a Sicilian classic, but its crunchy sharpness cuts across the opulence of the goose.

For 6 people

INGREDIENTS 3 fennel bulbs 3 oranges Extra-virgin olive oil 125g black olives

METHOD • Slice the fennel as finely as you can.

I do this on a mandolin – not one of those expensive professional ones, but a simple blade on a sturdy, plastic frame that my mother bought me. It does the job very well. Put the slices into a bowl.

• Peel the oranges right down to the flesh, then cut out the segments from the surrounding membranes by cutting in

from the outside towards the centre (it’s easier than it sounds, so do give it a go).

• Add the orange segments to the fennel slices, then stir in as much olive oil as you like. The orange will provide the acid element in the dressing, in place of vinegar.

• Decorate with the olives. If you have kept any of the feathery fennel fronds, chop them up and sprinkle them over the top, too. ■

THE ENGLISH HOME 83

Festive

INTERVAL Enjoy relaxed gatherings with minimum effort in the lull between Christmas and New Year

T

he days between Christmas and New Year afford a welcome breathing space after the hectic run-up to the main event and can be a time to invite friends and family for a low-key gathering. With the house already dressed and looking its festive best, the fridge filled with tasty morsels and a seasonal supply of drinks at hand, this can be a relaxed affair for all concerned. Keep the joy and laughter flowing with a few stylish decorative additions, effortless delicious meals, colourful cocktails and a handful of games.

 84 THE ENGLISH HOME

DECORATING FOR ATMOSPHERE

OPPOSITE PAGE Wall, Napoleonic Blue, £41.95 for 2.5l Wall Paint, Annie Sloan ABOVE LEFT Alban garland, £36; Eucalyptus Wreath Mini, £78; Kennington Hurricane vase, £25, all Neptune ABOVE RIGHT Neve tealight holders in Amber, Clear, Forest and Grey, £42 for three; Rosedale Etched tealight holder, £17; Kimmeridge Mercurised Gold tealight holder, £20; Paxton tealight holder, from £26, all Neptune BELOW Inspiritus gold-dipped multi-wick candle, £35, St. Eval; Christmas Layered, £350, Jo Loves

Soft Gold Eucalyptus Leaf wreath, £14.50, Cox & Cox

Whatever the occasion, creating the right mood is of utmost importance explains Chrissie Rucker, owner and founder of The White Company. “I love to make the entrance extra special and welcoming,” she says. “I light the fire in the hallway, and I like to switch up the scent. Lighting a few scented candles makes a home feel instantly welcoming and special. My favourite has to be our special ‘Winter’ candle – you just can’t beat cinnamon, clove and orange at this time of year.”

Faux and real decorations can be combined for atmosphere, too. “I love to mix real and faux when it comes to decorating the house for Christmas,” says Rucker. “You can find some amazing faux finishes for trees, wreaths and garlands now, and if you mix these up with great fairy lights and lots of candles, it looks beautiful. The trick to keeping the displays looking fresh and vibrant over the festive season is to add in real flowers and greenery – it’s quick to do and helps make them truly eye-catching. A mantelpiece is a great focal point of the room to make extra special. I love to dress ours with greenery from the garden mixed in with a faux garland and fairy lights (battery-operated are a great option here), a few pine cones, and layer in some storm lanterns with candles, which add theatre.”

Designer Sophie Conran also believes in the magic of the mantelpiece. “I do like to go all out with my festive decor – trailing garlands up bannisters, over mantelpieces and along tables,” she says. “To make a really impressive and seasonal display, start by collecting holly branches, magnolia leaves, ivy tendrils, fir and anything else from the garden or countryside that takes your fancy – rosemary works well and gives off a lovely smell – to make a base and use florist wire to tie it all together. Then add masses of fairy lights first and follow with decorations – apples and tangerines look lovely and are the perfect colour and shape (you can spray them with a little metallic paint if you wish), then tie in big ribbon bows to finish.” THE ENGLISH HOME 85

“Make a dried garland or wreath for Christmas, then add in some springlike colours in the lazy days between Christmas and New Year,” suggests Amy Fielding, creative director of JamJar Flowers and JamJar Edit.

“It’s also the time to add something light and pretty to our homes. As we move from the decadent excesses of Christmas into the New Year, spring bulbs in ceramic pots are beautiful. I use beautiful pale yellow and white narcissi, white hyacinths and amaryllis bulbs, and grow them hydroponically so you can see the roots and shoots, then dot these around amongst the Christmas greenery. Choose bulbs in white and yellow, so when they start to flower everything will work together in harmony.”

TRANSFORMING THE TABLE Whether serving a kitchen supper for the family or hosting a small gathering of friends, spending a moment or two on the table display pays off, and creates the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the evening.

“Start by creating a central focus and run several holders of simple flowers and candles down the middle of the table – always low so they are easy to talk over,” suggests Rucker. “I keep the flowers really simple and often mix in herbs, such as rosemary or mint, or use greenery like eucalyptus. Sometimes I use just greenery and sometimes I mix in one white stem, such as a peony, ranunculus or white rose. I don’t like flowers to look arranged. I love them to feel loose and natural. It’s simple but looks great. I often use different heights of candle (a combination of scented and unscented), and add in plenty of tealight candles in glass holders, which make it feel relaxed and magical.

Each place setting will have cutlery and glasses for every course and a good-looking white napkin. For a special occasion, I’ll add in a sprig of rosemary and a tied-on place card. Beaded place mats look fantastic and add a magical glow, as do mirrored scapers [chargers], which reflect the layers of candles. Don’t forget to shine your glassware, as this really bounces the light around the room.”

Fielding suggests a simple styling approach after the festive period. “It’s nice to completely change the feel by adding a fresh, light-coloured tablecloth with something like our beautiful Rose Globe (right) with a fresh rose magnificently magnified in water, or a botanical paperweight,” she says. “For minimal fuss and maximum impact add one or two stems of greenery or hellebores from the garden for a beautifully clean, crisp New Year look.”

86 THE ENGLISH HOME

TOP Lulworth china, from £5 for a dipping bowl; Greenwich red wine glasses, £49 for a set of six; Heddon candlestick, £50; Pembrey eight-seater table, £1,825 all Neptune ABOVE Rose Globe, £150, JamJar Edit LEFT Christian Tortu Riviera Glossy Gold Leaf plate, £28; Roda Mustard Stoneware plates, from £9, all Rockett St George

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The period between Christmas and New Year can often be all about last-minute spontaneous gettogethers and using what you have in the larder. To marry ease and flavour, chef and food writer Claire Thomson suggests, “A spread of good dips – beetroot, hummus, or white bean and rosemary – with roasted bread (olive oil and rosemary), anchovies, raw vegetables and good pickles, olives too. Think colour and texture, and nothing that will wilt or lose its lustre – opt for robust flavours and good ingredients.”

Being prepared is a good motto for this time of year, as requests for light lunches and simple suppers can be the order of the day. When it comes to cupboard ingredients, Thomson points to having key items at hand, such as “good-quality tinned tomatoes – the best your budget can buy, as they will make a difference.

Also, lentils – these take less time to cook than other pulses, and they’re so versatile and good for you.

I especially like the little French green and Italian speckled varieties for salads and braises, and all the many Indian lentils for soups, dhals and curries.”

Should there be unexpected guests, Thomson suggests the following for a perfect, fail-safe, last-minute supper: “Good bread, toasted and rubbed with garlic and olive oil, then loaded with any number of toppings, such as braised spinach, kale, mushrooms or lentils – all a favourite – then topped with ricotta, parmesan, chilli flakes and more olive oil. I’ve also got a super-quick pudding in my book Home Cookery Year which includes sliced, ripe pear, tahini, honey and walnuts, served with a spoonful of Greek yoghurt – very, very quick, and so delicious.”

ENTERTAINING TOUCHES

ABOVE The Gin Game, £19.95, Talking Tables at Annabel James BELOW Manopoulos Inlaid Walnut Burl backgammon set, £145, Farrar & Tanner

When it comes to keeping everyone entertained, Lady Carnarvon, chatelaine of Highclere Castle – the setting for Downton Abbey – favours much-loved family traditions. “One of the most enjoyable ways to entertain friends or my family is with a quiz,” she says. “I wrote a fun quiz for my book, Christmas at Highclere, with lots of different sections so that everyone has a chance of getting involved. Of course, you can always create your own about your family or the current year or general knowledge,” she says.

“My most favourite way of keeping the troops busy, whatever the number, is to get everyone outdoors,” she continues. “After all the food and Christmas celebrations, going for a walk, strolling on the beach or playing in the garden is so important – it nourishes the mind as well as the body. I used to have great fun with my sisters, organising treasure hunts in the woods.

This is something that can easily be created with family and friends. Depending on the age range, you can simply see how many types of leaves you can find or gather items to bring back inside and put on a nature table. This period, between Christmas and the New Year, really doesn’t have to be about buying things and eating feasts. It’s a time to stop and reflect on the past year and the year we have before us. It’s about taking a moment to enjoy the very simplest things, like nature and family and friends.”

Tahini with pear, walnuts, honey & Greek yogurt from Home Cookery Year by Claire Thomson, published

by Quadrille, £20

THE ENGLISH HOME 87

For an alternative, ethearel look, place gypsum with sprigs of rosemary and lavender in delicate bud vases.

Simply delicious Clodagh McKenna shares her recipe for the ultimate easy-to-make comfort food BAKED EGGS WITH HAM, CREAM, NUTMEG & THYME (SERVES 2) “I love baked eggs for supper or brunch at this time of the year. They are one of my go-to dinner recipes when I’m bit pooped after a long day as they are fast and easy to prepare – the perfect choice for postChristmas meals.

“There are so many variations but my favourite is this one, with rich Gouda cheese gently spiced with nutmeg and flavoured with earthy thyme, and small bites of ham. I serve it with warmed crusty bread to scoop into the creamy baked eggs.

You can also use pancetta instead of ham, but fry it beforehand. Another variation is a tomato-based harissa-spiced sauce with a crumble of feta and some chopped olives.

Smoked salmon with spinach, cream and a sprinkle of lemon zest is also delicious.”

88 THE ENGLISH HOME

INGREDIENTS 15g (½oz) salted butter 4 medium free-range eggs 75g (2¾oz) cooked ham, shredded 50g (1¾oz) Gouda cheese, grated 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to garnish 2 tablespoons single or double cream

METHOD • Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ gas mark 4. Grease two small ovenproof dishes with the butter and crack two eggs into each one.

• Divide the shredded ham between the two dishes.

• Place the cheese in a bowl and whisk together with the mustard, nutmeg, thyme and cream. Season with salt and

pepper. Scoop the cheese mixture on top of the eggs.

• Place the dishes on a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes.

• Garnish with a few thyme leaves and a twist of black pepper and serve with toasted bread cut into thin slices to dip into the eggs.

Clodagh’s Weeknight Kitchen by Clodagh McKenna, published

by Kyle Books, £20

FEATURE CINEAD MCTERNAN PHOTOGRAPHS P86 (JAMJAR EDIT) PHOTOGRAPHY: EMMA GUSCOTT, STYLING:FLORENCE ROLFE; P87 (HOME COOKERY YEAR) SAM FOLAN

DRINK AND BE MERRY At this time of year, there is an abundance of spices, seasonal fruits, berries and herbs which can be used to add zing to the drinks cabinet. “We love to use ingredients like juniper, chestnut, rosehip and sloe berries to make a syrup that will transform your favourite spirit,” explains Catherine Batley, brand manager of Cocktail Porter. “Simply add a handful of whichever you’ve picked into a pan with water and a teaspoon or two of honey. Bring to the boil, and then turn down the heat and leave it to simmer until the mixture has reduced by over half. Allow to cool then it will be ready to use in spirits or cocktails of your choice. We also have a clever trick for those leftover bottles of red wine – just decant the bottle into a jug and add any spices you have to hand, plus a little sugar and a few seasonal fruits or berries. Plums, dates and clementines work perfectly – leave overnight to infuse the flavours and you have winter sangria.”

For a non-alcoholic option that is both refreshing and delicious, soft drink specialist Firefly’s senior brand manager Carly Pacheco recommends going herbal when it comes to creating delicious tipples.

“Combinations like pomegranate and elderflower work so well together,” she says. “Our recipe is infused with thyme, kola nut and rosemary – one of nature’s antioxidants. When serving a longer drink, especially if it’s poured over ice, a highball glass is the best option. Decorate with delicate frosted cranberries, made by dipping fresh cranberries in egg whites and rolling in caster sugar. Don’t forget a sprig of rosemary and a sugar-coated rim for that final festive touch.” n

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Metallic Forest Star gin glasses, £10, John Lewis Espresso Martini petite kit, £38, Cocktail Porter Tortoiseshell Glass cocktail set, £125, Oka Barwell Cut Crystal, Rocks glass, £152 for four, Soho Home Stag Head drinks cooler, £299.95; Stag Head ice/ nibbles bowl, £79.95, both Annabel James

THE ENGLISH HOME 89

PROPERTIES FOR RENT

FESTIVE ESCAPES

Cosy up for the ultimate English Christmas in a wonderful holiday escape

1

CHRISTMAS IN THE COTSWOLDS Gulliver’s Hall, Bisley, Gloucestershire Gather friends and family for a Christmas celebration in a large country house located in the Cotswolds. Set across acres of Gloucestershire farmland, Gulliver’s Hall blends history with the latest home comforts, from the stained-glass windows bearing the owner’s family crest and carved four-poster bed in the main bedroom, to the cinema room and outdoor hot tub. The main house sleeps 15, with a further three bedrooms in the pool house to accommodate any overflow of guests. On Christmas Day, sing carols around the grand piano, deck the dining table (once a colossal oak on the property) and open presents by a roaring fire in the boldly decorated drawing room. For those needing to blow away the cobwebs, the bucolic grounds lend themselves to winter afternoon walks.

Sleeps 21. A week, from £7,550; short break, from £5,995. uniquehomestays.com 90 THE ENGLISH HOME

2

CAPITAL SPLENDOUR Marylebone House, London Step back in time at Marylebone House, a beautifully restored Regency townhouse in the heart of London. Once owned by Jane Austen’s brother, Henry, the property has reimagined the Georgian way of life with 21st-century sophistication. Each of the seven en-suite bedrooms is inspired by an Austen family member, with sumptuous four-poster beds, antiques and discreetly placed mod-cons such as coffee machines and flatscreen televisions. A candlelit dinner in Monsieur Halavant’s Pantry – named after Henry Austen’s French chef – makes for a wonderfully atmospheric festive celebration, whilst the carriage-style snug is the perfect setting for a cosy cocktail. The many attractions that transform London at this time of year are conveniently nearby, from the glittering lights of Oxford Street to ice skating in Hyde Park.

Sleeps 14. Short breaks from £9,900. thewowhousecompany.com

THE ENGLISH HOME 91

3

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COASTAL GETAWAY Carthew Barn, Wadebridge, Cornwall With its charming villages, coastal paths and beautiful bays, North Cornwall makes the perfect escape for a festive break.

Situated on the Camel Estuary, Carthew Barn is a stylish stone hideaway with a woodburner in the main living area. Wrap up warm for a bracing Christmas Day walk on the Camel Trail to Padstow, stroll around the harbour town famous for its seafood dining, before heading back to the property to the relax by the fire. Surrounded by private woodland and overlooking the river, the stay has no shortage of dreamy wintry vistas – whether from one of the luxurious bedrooms, a window seat in the sitting room, or the dining table whilst enjoying a celebratory meal.

Sleeps six. A seven-night Christmas break from 23–30 December is £2,983. classic.co.uk n

92 THE ENGLISH HOME

FEATURE JANINE JORGENSEN PHOTOGRAPHS GULLIVER’S HALL © UNIQUE HOMESTAYS; MARYLEBONE HOUSE © RAY MAIN; BIRD HOW © NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES / CHRIS LACEY

RURAL RETREAT Bird How, Holmrook, Cumbria Nestled on a fellside off a beaten farm track in the Lake District, it would be hard to find a more remote retreat to get away from any festive frenzy than Bird How. The stone cottage is in splendid isolation, with no phone or television signal, only the distraction of the occasional visiting sheep and views of the Eskdale Valley. Walk off any hearty Christmas fare by exploring the many hiking routes from the doorstep, including the steepest road in England, Hardknott Pass, which has a Roman fort near the top. After a day’s excursion into the countryside, snuggle up by the open fire with a board game or book for an evening’s entertainment. The cottage has two bedrooms, a dining/living room and a simple kitchen.

Sleeps four. From £214 per night for a minimum two-night stay in December. nationaltrust.org.uk

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The art of

Mrs Minerva writes...

BEING TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS Passionate about quintessential English customs, our incognito columnist reminds us to do the best things in life in the most elegant fashion, always with a twinkle in her eye

H

aving inherited all the Christmas

A new home presents a chance for indulging in new Christmas decorations, but the dilemma is what to choose from the huge variety on offer.

decorations and most of the traditions from Mr M’s mother when I moved into Minerva Towers, I have, in turn, passed both on to my own daughter-in-law, and must now start afresh in our new home. Being able to choose everything from scratch feels liberating, but I am also rather overwhelmed by the sheer array of choice.

Should I go for a theme based on colour? Should I buy new? Or scour the antiques websites looking for charming vintage versions?

I adore this special time of the year. Mr M less so.

By this, I mean he does not like Christmas, not that I prefer Christmas to him. Although, now I come to think of it…. I love seeing the tree go up in the village and getting together with everyone as the lights go on. I even like the sludgy drink Tom at the pub passes off as mulled wine. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

For my entire married life, the run-up to the big day has been a little exhausting and, as my daughter-in-law is in charge of Christmas at Minerva Towers this year, I feel somewhat at a loose end. All the angst and energy I spend at this time of year is bubbling up inside me with nowhere to go. There are no spare beds to make up, no menus to prepare, no cooking to plan. All I have to do is turn up on Christmas Eve and be waited on until we leave after Boxing Day breakfast. It is quite the oddest feeling.

I have decided, therefore, to direct my efforts into the village carol concert and buying splendid presents for everyone – and talking Mr M out of booking a New Year cruise. After 18 months of lockdown, he is rather desperate for a holiday, and some rather ghastly-looking leaflets advertising cruises for ‘seniors’ have begun dropping through the letter box. I find the idea of being confined to a ship for

several days at a time appalling – and usually it would not be Mr M’s idea of a good time either. He has said in the past that “being trapped on a boat on the high seas with social climbers and bad drunks” would be enough to make him “jump overboard”. It seems, however, that he has decided to be more sporty come the start of the new year and thinks a cruise would be a good way to jump-start his quest for fitness and lose a number of inches off his growing girth. I have decided, instead, to buy him a membership to our local racquets club, along with a couple of personal training lessons with a rather stern-looking Russian man named Konstantin. It was possible to sign up for all of 2022, but Mr M has announced ambitious fitness regimes before, and I fear that by March he will be back on the claret and doorstep cheese-and-pickle sandwiches.

Whilst I am happy to shape Mr M’s life (indeed I see it as a responsibility to both the family and society more widely), it is trickier when it comes to the children. I am so often poised on the precipitous ledge between helping and interfering. Do I, for example, explain to my daughter-in-law that the goose cooks best in the Aga if one starts and finishes it in the roasting oven, but then allows it to spend most of its time in the simmering oven? Do I tell her the potatoes are at their most crispy and delicious when cooked in the fat of the goose? Mr M is in no doubt that I should. This is partly down to his fear that we are “just one nutroast away” from being forced into adopting a purely plant-based diet. It is not something he knows much about, but he knows enough to work out that much beer is not vegan.

I have promised Mr M that if Christmas lunch this year differs in any way from what he is used to, I will do it all again when we are back in our own home on Boxing Day. This seems to have calmed him a little, but he did walk away muttering something about “packing some ham sandwiches just in case the worst  THE ENGLISH HOME 95

Mrs Minerva writes...

LEFT Few things gladden the heart as much as the whole family, young and old, gathering around the piano in the drawing room at Minerva Towers to sing carols at Christmas.

ALL WRAPPED UP Mrs M shares her ideas for perfect Christmas presents – both for giving and receiving PYJAMA PARTY

PHOTOGRAPHS P95 (BAUBLES) SARA66 / SHUTTERSTOCK; P96 (SHEET MUSIC) © OSABEE / SHUTTERSTOCK; (BOOKS) © TRACEY WHITEFOOT / ALAMY

happens” and “cancel culture extends to one of life’s great pleasures”.

Christmas is mainly about being together and bickering with those closest to us, and I can guarantee this will happen, particularly as Mr M and I are perfectly able to disagree about anything and everything. He tried to help with the organising of the festive concert but objected to the introduction of a couple of more contemporary carols. I also decided to invite some guest speakers to recite poetry. Predictably, Mr M failed to see why it was necessary, but with a couple of rather well-known new residents in the village, I think it will be something of a draw, and sure to raise much-needed funds for the church roof.

One of the recent incomers won a television talent contest, is frightfully glamorous and is something of a star on TikTok. Mr M was completely against the idea until he saw a picture of the young man’s girlfriend in a copy of Hello left in the pub. His objections have been somewhat less vehement since then and – as long as he never finds out it was I who left the magazine on his favourite seat – I think that has put an end to the matter.

Next year I might try to reinstate the village panto, which was put on hold during the pandemic. It was such fun and there was always healthy competition to play the dame, which made the audition process fiercely tribal and rather exciting. We have not seen that level of drama here since the post office was threatened with closure and Mrs Peters handcuffed herself to the railings outside.

Whatever shape our Christmas takes, I shall be thrilled simply because we will all be back together again. Last year we were only half a family as some of the children got locked down in London at the last minute. So, even if we have to eat nut roast, and vegetables Mr M cannot identify, it will still be the most marvellous time of the year. n

One Christmas tradition I have always upheld is new pyjamas Christmas Eve. This works for children and adults alike and I make sure everyone has a parcel containing bedwear and something thrilling to read. This year the pyjamas will be from Piglet in Bed. Not only are they utterly gorgeous to look at, but they are made from linen so will be cosy in the winter and cooler in the summer. The company makes ranges for children, men and women, so there really is something for everyone and there is nothing I love more than a one-stop-shop. pigletinbed.com

ANTIQUARIAN CHILDREN’S BOOKS

I wanted to make the Christmas Eve books gifts really special this year so, rather than going for the latest blockbusters, I have decided to source very special books for everyone. For the children I will be choosing books I adored as a child, ensuring they are the same edition so I will get a lovely rush of nostalgia when I see the cover. For the adults I will try to find either antiquarian or lesser-known volumes I think they will love. My go-to place for rare books is Sotheran’s. They are enormously helpful in advising on titles, and both the shop and the website are excellent. For vintage, out-of-print children’s paperbacks I love AbeBooks. sotherans.co.uk; abebooks.co.uk

PENELOPE CHILVERS RIDING BOOTS

Each Christmas Mr M asks me what I would like and I scrabble around for ideas. With more time this year, I have made a list of things I would truly love. In top place are riding boots from Penelope Chilvers. Made from vegetable-dyed Spanish leather, they are hugely practical, stylish and made to last. Perfect with jeans and skirts long or short, I have wanted them for ever. They cost £475 but I am worth it. penelopechilvers.com

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Abbott & Boyd Tel 020 3096 9772 abbottandboyd.co.uk Abe Books abebooks.co.uk Aga Tel 0115 946 6138 agaliving.com Amara Tel 01376 333557 amara.com And So To Bed Tel 0808 144 4343 andsotobed.co.uk Anna French Tel 020 7737 6555 thibautdesign.com/AF/ Annabel James Tel 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan Tel 01865 770061 anniesloan.com Ardingly Antiques Fair Tel 01636 702326 iacf.co.uk/ardingly Artisan Homeware Tel 07747 628609 artisanhomeware.co.uk Barbed Limited Tel 020 8878 1994 barbed.co.uk Beaumonde beaumonde.co.uk Beaumont & Fletcher Tel 020 7352 5594 beaumontandfletcher.com Bettys Tel 01423 814008 bettys.co.uk Birdie Fortescue Tel 01328 851651 birdiefortescue.co.uk Bottega Tel 01829 733355 bottega.co.uk Burleigh Tel 01773 740740 burleigh.co.uk Butler’s Emporium butlers-emporium.square. site Cambridge Imprint Tel 07732 131135 cambridgeimprint.co.uk Carpetright Tel 0330 314 8377 carpetright.co.uk Charley Chau Tel 0161 848 8702 charleychau.com Cocktail Porter cocktailporter.co.uk Cox & Cox Tel 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk David Austin Roses Tel 0800 111 4699 davidaustinroses.co.uk Daylesford Tel 01608 731670 daylesford.com Dee Hardwicke Tel 07791 109008 deehardwicke.co.uk Dix-Sept Antiques Tel 01728 621505 instagram.com/ dixseptantiques

Dobbies Tel 0131 561 6406 dobbies.com Earthborn Tel 01928 734171 earthbornpaints.co.uk Ella James Tel 01572 759190 ellajames.co.uk Emma Bridgewater Tel 01782 210565 emmabridgewater.co.uk Farrar & Tanner Tel 0344 567 8365 farrar-tanner.co.uk Farrow & Ball Tel 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com Feather & Black Tel 01243 380600 featherandblack.com Ferm Living Tel +45 (0)7722 929543 fermliving.com Fired Earth Tel 01295 812088 firedearth.com Firefly Tel 0121 505 7585 fireflydrinks.com Fortnum & Mason Tel 020 7734 8040 fortnumandmason.com Fritz Fryer Tel 01989 567416 fritzfryer.co.uk Garden Trading Tel 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk Gisela Graham Tel 020 7708 6396 giselagraham.co.uk Goodbrey’s Tel 01728 621191 Graham & Green Tel 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk Guild Anderson Tel 01747 820449 guildandersonfurniture.co.uk Habitat Tel 0345 640 2020 habitat.co.uk Hector Finch Tel 020 7731 8886 hectorfinch.com Hunt The Pearl Tel 07760 661035 huntthepearl.com I &JL Brown Tel 020 7736 4141 ijlbrown.com Jacaranda Tel 020 7351 6496 jacarandacarpets.com JamJar Flowers Tel 020 7358 5414 jamjarflowers.co.uk John Lewis & Partners Tel 0345 610 0359 johnlewis.com Katharine Pooley Tel 020 7584 3223 katharinepooley.com KD Loves Tel 01328 830449 kdloves.com Kitchen Craft Tel 0121 785 4149 kitchencraft.co.uk

Laura Ashley Tel 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk/laura-ashley Le Creuset Tel 0800 373792 lecreuset.co.uk Lewis & Wood Tel 01453 878517 lewisandwood.co.uk Lights4fun Tel 01423 816040 lights4fun.co.uk Linen Tales linentales.com Little Greene Tel 0161 2300 880 littlegreene.com LSA International Tel 01932 789721 lsa-international.com Marks & Spencer Tel 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com Marlesford Mill Tel 01728 748076 marlesfordmill.co.uk Meticulous Ink Tel 01225 333004 meticulousink.com Mylands Tel 020 8670 9161 mylands.com Nancy & Betty Tel 01227 506512 nancyandbetty.com Neptune Tel 01793 934011 neptune.com Nordic House Tel 01872 223220 nordichouse.co.uk Nordic Ware nordicware.com Not On The High Street.com notonthehighstreet.com Nutmeg Studio Tel 01908 915705 nutmegwallartstickers.co.uk Oka Tel 01235 433930 oka.com Paraffle paraffle-embroidery.com Party Pieces Tel 01635 201844 partypieces.co.uk Penelope Chilvers Tel 020 7491 9777 penelopechilvers.com Petersham Nurseries Tel 020 8940 5230 petershamnurseries.com Piglet pigletinbed.com Pooky Tel 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Poppy Treffry Tel 01736 795494 poppytreffry.co.uk Quince & Cook Tel 01738 231600 quinceandcook.co.uk Rockett St George Tel 01444 253391 rockettstgeorge.co.uk Rowen & Wren Tel 01276 451077 rowenandwren.co.uk Sara Miller saramiller.london

Sarah Hardaker Tel 07975 982885 sarahhardaker.co.uk Smeg Tel 0344 557 9907 smeg.com Sophie Allport Tel 01778 560256 sophieallport.com Sophie Conran Tel 03332 401228 sophieconran.com Sunbury Antiques Fair Tel 01932 230946 sunburyantiques.com/ kempton Susie Watson Designs Tel 01672 514542 susiewatsondesigns.co.uk The Conran Shop conranshop.co.uk The English Stamp Co Tel 01929 439117 englishstamp.com The Oak & Rope Company Tel 01227 469413 theoakandropcompany.co.uk The Shop Floor Project Tel 01229 584537 theshopfloorproject.com The Solid Oak Flooring Co Tel 01666 504015 thesolidwoodflooring company.com The Tartan Blanket Company Tel 0131 516 9229 tartanblanketco.com The Textured Room Tel 01273 478864 thetexturedroom.co.uk The White Company Tel 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com Three Angels Tel 01273 958975 threeangelsbrighton.com V V Rouleaux Tel 020 7224 5179 vvrouleaux.com V&A Tel 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk/shop Valspar Tel 0344 736 9174 valsparpaint.co.uk Vanessa Arbuthnott Tel 01285 831437 vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk Victoria Eggs Tel 020 8013 3284 victoriaeggs.com Villeroy Boch Tel 00800 6864 8110 villeroy-boch.co.uk Vitra vitra.com Walton & Co Tel 01423 326332 waltonshop.co.uk Weaver Green Tel 01548 431902 weavergreen.com Whitchurch Silk Mill Tel 01256 892065 whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk Yoyo & Flo Tel 0333 050 4084 yoyoandflo.com

THE ENGLISH HOME 97

ONE FINAL THING…

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring...

S

FEATURE SARAH FEELEY, KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPH © STOCKFOOD / CLIVE STREETER

avouring rituals and traditions unlocks the magic of Christmas. When Father Christmas slides down the chimney and into our homes on Christmas Eve, the treats that greet him vary considerably from country to country.

Milk and cookies are traditional in America, whereas elsewhere in the world tangerines, nuts, fruit cake and even rice pudding are left out for him.

In England, the tradition is to leave Father Christmas something a little stronger to keep him warm on that cold December night – a glass of sherry or port, with a plate of mince pies, plus carrots for the reindeer. When English children awake on Christmas morning filled with anticipation, spotting his now-empty glass, and only crumbs and a few carrot tops left on the plate, is the thrilling proof that ‘he’ – Mr Claus himself – has visited their home.

98 THE ENGLISH HOME

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