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Merry Christmas

Also this month

camp – not that it’s ever my intention to be this bumper festive issue since the summer (which is how it is in the

LET’S GET CREATIVE

Hosting a party at some point? If so, we’ve got a treat for you (and your guests) – MasterChef

Giovanna Ryan has created some for us – we’ve tasted them and can

Editor-in-chief

ON THE COVER CELEBRATE IN STYLE: AN A-Z GUIDE It’s party time! Here’s how to throw a brilliant bash…

ON THE COVER PARTY FOOD Enjoy fuss-free entertaining with Giovanna Ryan’s tasty recipes for canapés and drinks

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A SOOTHING SANCTUARY Your stress-free survival guide to the season

ON THE COVER THE SUSTAINABLE WAY TO DO CHRISTMAS 10 simple tweaks for more ecofriendly choices this year

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SCANDI-STYLE DECORATIONS Get crafty with these super-stylish projects

FESTIVE FOLIAGE Try your hand at creating your own real door wreath plus some naturally pretty table decorations

THE LIST

THE STYLE

THE COVER HAVE YOURSELF A VERY GLAMOROUS CHRISTMAS This year’s big decorating trend is all about full-on elegance

THE COVER FESTIVE LOOKS TO SUIT YOUR STYLE From pastels to jewel tones – there’s something for everyone

THE COVER THE PEOPLE WHO CREATE CHRISTMAS Meet the experts who make the magic happen

WAYS TO LIGHT UP OUTDOORS Bright ideas to add festive sparkle to gardens, paths and windows

THE HOMES

THE COVER SCANDI MAGIC Rustic touches set the tone at Christmas in this villa on the Danish coast

If your festive plans will be all about the entertaining, the news is good: our House Beautiful style experts have hand-picked the very best in barware essentials (including gorgeous drinks trolleys such as our best seller, above), making it easy for you to be the ‘host with the most’ for another year. With

like this as well as decor, gifts and even the Christmas tree itself, the House Beautiful Marketplace ensures that creating your own winter wonderland has never been easier. You’ll get free delivery on all

MODERN LIVING

Join the world of House Beautiful and transform your home with our stylish updates

LOOKING FOR SOME INTERIORS INSPIRATION?

Then we’ve got plenty of ideas for you. We’ve partnered with some of the best-loved brands on the British high street – DFS, Carpetright, Dreams, Homebase and others – to produce fantastic ranges of sofas, rugs, beds, tiles and more. Go to page 169 and see how we’ve created whole-room looks for you featuring these amazing products, all of which will help you to be your own interior designer and create your dream home.

SOFAS

OUR GENEROUSLY SIZED LONG BEACH SOFA WITH DFS CAN BE ARRANGED TO FIT

RUGS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LOUISE PEARCE

Executive Editor Terry Barbrook

HOMES & FEATURES

Associate Editor Helen Bonthrone

Style & Interiors Director Sarah Keady Homes & Gardens Director Carolyn Bailey

Style & Interiors Editors James Cunningham, Jessica Taverner

Senior Writer Vikki Elias Acting Senior Homes & Style Assistant Becca Cullum-Green Homes & Style Assistant Cara Laskaris Homes Intern Holly Ransome

Executive Digital Editor Olivia Heath

Content Editor (Licensing) Rachel Edwards Digital Writer Lisa Joyner

GROUP EDITORIAL PRODUCTION

Group Managing Editor Ingrid Eames

Group Chief Sub-Editor Michele Jameson

Deputy Chief Sub-Editor Julie Pannell-Rae Sub-Editor Fiona Surfleet

ART & PICTURES

Creative Director Barbora Hajek Acting Creative Director Dina Koulla

Group Art Editor Roger Browning Art Editor Louisa Edge

Designer Laura Sheppard Junior Designer Leo Terry

Picture Director Patricia Taylor Picture Researcher Charlie Hedges

GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR GABY HUDDART

CHIEF BRAND OFFICER, LIFESTYLE, HOMES & WEEKLIES

SHARON DOUGLAS

PA to Chief Brand Officer, Group Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief Leah Tait

Head of Licensing, Lifestyle Lou McArthur

Licensing Partnership Managers, Lifestyle Alexandra Bovey, Elspeth Monro-Smith

CLIENT DIVISION

Chief Luxury Officer Jacqueline Euwe Head of Accreditation Laura Cohen

Director of Travel Denise Degroot

Head of Clients Ollie Lloyd Head of Homes Joanne O’Hara

Head of Ents & Tech Kelly Warnell Head of Food & Drink Tim Rosenberg

Head of Fashion, Beauty & Luxury Sarah Tsirkas

ADVERTISING DIVISION

Chief Commercial Officer Jane Wolfson

Executive Assistant Tanya Stewart tanya.stewart@hearst.co.uk

Head of Agency Sales Ben Chesters Lifestyle Group Regional Director Lisa Bhatti

Acting Head of Media Planning Wendy Meekings wendy.meekings@hearst.co.uk

Client Director Homes & Lifestyle Natasha Bailey

Senior Media Planning Manager Kelly Abbot kelly.abbot@hearst.co.uk

Senior Client Executive Keaton Baynes keaton.baynes@hearst.co.uk

Head of Client Direct & Independents Lee Rimmer lee.rimmer@hearst.co.uk

Head of Partnerships Mark McCafferty mark.mccafferty@hearst.co.uk

Head of Digital Ryan Buckley ryan.buckley@hearst.co.uk

SHOWS & EVENTS

Shows Director Lauren Hubbard lauren.hubbard@hearst.co.uk Sales Manager Louise Duckett 07435 751517

CONSUMER SALES & MARKETING

Chief Consumer Revenue Officer Reid Holland

Circulation and Subscriptions Director James Hill

Head of Subscriptions, Marketing & Circulation Justine Boucher

Digital Marketing & CRM Director Seema Kumari

COMMUNICATIONS

Head of PR & Communications Ben Bolton Director of PR & Communications Alison Forth

Journalist enquiries pressenquiries@hearst.co.uk

PRODUCTION

Production Manager Greta Croaker

HEARST UK AND HEARST EUROPE

INTERIM CEO, HEARST UK/PRESIDENT, HEARST EUROPE SIMON HORNE

Chief People Officer, Hearst Europe Surinder Simmons Digital Development Director, Hearst Europe Matt Hill Director of Operations, Hearst UK Sophie Wilkinson Finance Director, Hearst UK Julien Litzelmann Business Strategy Director, Hearst UK Romain Metras

HEARST MAGAZINES INTERNATIONAL

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WRIGHT

Senior Vice President/Global Editorial & Brand Director Kim St Clair Bodden Global Editorial & Brand Director, Young Women’s Group, Wellness Group, Enthusiast Group, Lifestyle Group Chloe O’Brien

Published by Hearst Magazines UK, a trading name of The National Magazine Company Limited (Registered in England number 112955) whose registered offices are at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4AJ

SUBSCRIPTIONS

ISSN no. 0955-3533 is published monthly (11 times a year except January) by Hearst Magazines UK c/o USA/CAN Media Corp at 123A Distribution Way, Building H-1, Suite 104, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Periodicals postage paid at Plattsburgh, NY. POSTMASTER: Send North American address changes to House Beautiful, c/o Express Mag, PO Box 2769, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-0239.

If

not already part of

family, there’s never been a better time to subscribe. See page 178 for our special offer, visit hearstmagazines.co.uk/ hb-magazine or call 01858 438440 and quote 1HB12239. You can also order the latest issue from magsdirect.co.uk/ housebeautiful for free next-day delivery.

PHOTOGRAPHS CAROLYN BARBER; LIVING4MEDIA/MAGDALENA BJÖRNSDOTTER; MARK SC OTT

A MODERN TAKE ON STAINED GLASS

Update overlooked windows in time for Christmas with an easy-to-apply decorative film. Once your made-to-measure cover-up arrives, spray the window and design with water and apply, making sure to smooth out any air bubbles. The latest collection from Purlfrost features a series of William Morris’s best-known patterns including Strawberry Thief (above and right). Pick out the berry tones from this iconic design to decorate the rest of your scheme, including your Christmas tree and make your home the merriest on the street.

SOME FESTIVE CHEER

’Tis the season for celebrations, so go one step further and impress your friends with a tempting tipple (or two), whether they be ready-made or involve some bartender basics. These boozy bottles have been designed by The Savoy’s former senior bartender and expertly capture its bar-quality magic for you to enjoy at home. The Christmas Collection offers four very merry cocktails and conveniently arrives through the letterbox. From £9 for a single set to £29 for a 500ml bottle. Find out more at kocktail.co.uk.

Ring the changes with a decorative window , £12.50 for 50 x 25cm, Purlfrost

A hand-crafted drinks package, £29 from Kocktail, makes a perfect gift

THE ART OF MARBLING

ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS

TREES

Fir trees may be the traditional choice, but have you considered branching out to other options?

Are you ready to marble?

To get you started on your journey, a new book by Zeena Shah teaches you the basic techniques to try out on paper before transferring these mesmerising patterns onto pretty much any household item – from pillows and plates to candlesticks. Once you’ve mastered this art, try your hand at the seasonal projects – baubles, wrapping paper and place settings – to get your home party-ready or to spoil friends and family.

Marbling by Zeena Shah with photography by Kristin Perers (£15, Quadrille).

HOT ON THE HIGH STREET

From top: Wooden Scandi tree Christmas tree (H162cm), £187,

A GARLAND WORKSHOP

Deck the halls or create a showy table centrepiece with a handmade garland. Held in its London Exmouth Market shop, Plant Designs will run a handful of workshops each week in the lead-up to Christmas where you will be expertly guided through making a seasonal swag using fresh foliage. It costs £85 per person including materials and refreshments as well as 10% off any plant purchases on the day. Find out more at shop.plantdesigns.co.uk/ information/workshops.

7 TABLE TRENDS

Creating a bespoke Christmassy tablescape is easywiththehelpofakit.The contents of Bloom & Wild’s themed box, £38, can be added to your existing tableware to elevate the look. It includes six dinner candles, a pair of candle holders and four posy vases. Plus, four hanging paper stars with gold string and ribbon make it feel extra special. All you need to do is add fresh flowers.

LOVINGLY MADE GIFTS

Not only is embarking on handmade crafts a heartfelt way to gift your loved ones this Christmas, it’ll also help you get into the spirit of the season. Makebox & Co offers a range of hands-on craft kits for you to get your

Whether you want to learn the basics of festive embroidery or create your own clay tree decorations, each kit comes with an easy-to-follow guide and contains all the materials you need to complete a masterpiece.

Mr Sugar Mouse craft kit, £20.99; festive house clay decorations, £24.99/seven; all makebox.co

Learn the art of garland making courtesy of Plant Designs

A HELPING HAND

INDEPENDENT MARKETS

Kick-start those festive feels and tick off your gift shopping at your local makers’ Christmas market. Take a wander around artisan stalls to discover tasty treats, quirky decorations and unique products

1 RICH MIX

DIY market at Rich Mix Arts Centre, east London (£1 entry, 11am-6pm, Saturday 10 December), diyartmarket.com.

2 CURATED MAKERS

There are pop-ups around the

3 SOUTH LONDON MAKERS MARKET

Find it at Upper Norwood Library Hub, London. 11am-4pm, Sunday 4 December. Download your free ticket at asouthlondonmakersmarket.co.uk.

While the thought of leisurely wrapping presents John Lewis & Partners offers an instore gift-wrapping

Beautifully wrapped presents courtesy of John Lewis & Partners. Prices from £3

Christmas

Baubles, tree toppers, wreaths, candles, crackers and giftwrap – we’ve searched high and low for the best you can lay your hands on this year. Turn the page and consider this your essential shopping list…

Winter Fables postbox decoration, £3, Wilko

Joanna Buchanan sparkle reindeer tree, £40, Amara

LOVES

Disco ball, £2.75, Tesco

Cobalt Blue bell, £10.50, Rose & Grey

Christmas beach hut bauble, £14, Ella James

Felt bicycle delivery mouse, £12, Dobbies

Tree bauble, £9, Modern Living at House Beautiful Marketplace

Chequered baubles, £55/six, Rose & Grey

Green Christmas bauble with crane print, £10, Rockett St George

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

Baubles

£9, Layered Lounge

Disco giraffe embellished decoration, £7.50, Oliver Bonas

Cow Parsley bauble, £35, Cox & Cox

Dachshund with crown bauble, £7.95, Annabel James

Pomegranate bauble, £33/two, Petersham Nurseries Shop

Handblown glass green bauble, £18, KD Loves

Beehive bauble, £6, Next

Rattan star, £14.50, Cox & Cox

Wool mouse, £20.99, Gisela Graham

LOVES

Broste Copenhagen FSC paper star, £17, Smallable

Red beaded tree cone, £18, Dunelm

Angel topper, £12, Homebase

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

Felt dove tree topper, £7, National Trust Shop

Tree toppers

Metallic, colourful, tactile or sparkly – make it the star of the show

Distant December star, £65, Cody Foster & Co at Amara

Star word, £30, The Letter Loft at Not on the High Street

Broste Copenhagen Christmas star, £29.49, Trouva

Light-up crown, £24.99, Lights4fun

Frost star topper, £2, Wilko

Anna + Nina songbird, £20, Selfridges

Invest in this bling-tastic star for a real talking point

Tree-print wrapping paper, £5/3m roll, Selfridges

Festive houses, £6/three, Wilko

Star-print gift tags, £5.40 each, Molly Mahon

Patterned paper, £2.50/sheet, Cambridge Imprint

XL red foil bow, £5.29, The Range

Zig-zag pink giftbox, £25, Molly Mahon

L-R: Christmas Grosgain

£2.50/2m, Hobbycraft.

Narrow Dash ribbon, £1/1m, RE. Stars cotton ribbon, £2.95, Liberty.

Studio Carta metallic ribbon, £15/10m, Selfridges

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

Gold metallic ribbon, £15.50/15m, Cox & Cox

Box of Kraft paper gift bows, £12/55, Paperchase

Winter Fayre Gold Holly wrapping paper, £5.50/10m roll, John Lewis & Partners

LOVES

Custom gift tag, £3, Livinry at Etsy £2/two, Ikea

COMPILED BY JESSICA TAVERNER RIBBON SET PHOTOGRAPH

LUCKY IF SHARP

Eucalyptus and gold laurel wreath, £25, Dunelm

Pampas half wreath, £26, Next

Designed by Amara bristle and foliage wreath in Snowy White, £45, Amara

Wreath with gold baubles, £24.99, Dobbies

Peacock feather wreath, £49.99, Gisela Graham

LOVES

The Christmas DIY wreath, £45, Bloom & Wild

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

Wreaths

Creating a warm welcome has never been easier

Silver leaf wreath, £20, Matalan

Winter wreath, £5, B&M

Mistletoe wreath, £39.50, Oliver Bonas

Faux eucalyptus wreath, £25, M&S

Remote-control clip-on candles, £40/10, Cox & Cox

Ferm Living scented Advent candle, £19, Nordic Nest

Gold Christmas tree candle, from £10, Rockett St George

Skandinavisk Skog scented candle, £19, Next

Anna + Nina Midnight Sky 3D candles, £28/two, Selfridges

Boho pillar holder, £15, Dunelm

Personalised Advent candle set, £39, Not on the High Street

LOVES

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

Candles

The best candles and holders to spark up that festive feeling

Advent calendar candle, £14.99, Kindred Fires at Not on the High Street

Large glass bauble candle, £6, Habitat

Winter candle, £95, The White Company

Silver LED pillar candles, £12/ three, Homebase

Winter Wellbeing Wonders candle trio, £45, Neom

Wise Men pillar advent candle, £12, Alison Gardiner

COMPILED BY JESSICA TAVERNER

Striped cracker, £45/six, The Little Green Cracker Co at Not on the High Street

Nutcracker

Ecofriendly mistletoe cracker, £12.99/six, Party Pieces

Monochrome

Handmade paper cracker, £42/six, Toast

Nathalie Lete cracker, £7.99/three, Dobbies

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

Leopard-print reusable cracker, £62/six, Kaneo

Stationery

Nightlife

COMPILED BY HOLLY RANSOME

cracker, £12/six, Paperchase

cracker, £45/six, Rockett St George

cracker, £25/six, John Lewis & Partners Gingham cracker, £75/six, Nancy & Betty

Lovers cracker, £15.95 each, Martha Brook

LOVES

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

Stockings

COMPILED BY HOLLY RANSOME

Forest stocking, £19.50, Sophie Allport

Father Christmas stocking, £4, B&M

Gingham stocking, £39, Winter’s Moon

Vegan wool knitted stocking, £30, Not on the High Street Sequin stocking, £8, Wilko

Starry stocking, £22, Cox & Cox

Velvet stocking, £12, Homebase

Embroidered stocking, £22.50, Oliver Bonas

The Seasonal Aisle stocking, £24.99, Wayfair

Repton Chevron stocking, £48, Tori Murphy

DECK THE HALLS (A LOT)

It sets the tone for the rest of the house, so give your hallway the

Wall in BB.39 matt emulsion, £35/2.5L, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase. Kendall bench seat, £239, Dunelm. Velvet cushion cover, £60; Nesbitt patterned throw, £195; both Oka. Herringbone throw, £95.99, The British Blanket Co. Kelly wellies, £54.95, Joules. Etched Mercury bauble, £55, The White Company. Nari giant bauble in Antique Green, £29.50, Heavenly Homes & Gardens. Olive Green paper trees, £10/two, Next. Green paper trees, £6 each, George Home. Eichholtz Harrington lantern, £280, Sweetpea & Willow. Ibstone cabinet, £1,799, Ercol. Fromme vase, from £64, Soho Home. Faux eucalyptus wreath in Burgundy, £250; large faux Peony, Casa Blanca Lily, Ivy & Cosmos garland (on banister), £395; both Oka. Glass bauble gold garland, £48/two, Cox & Cox. White/kraft card star, £11.50; kraft paper , £2.95; both ReFound. Gold/white foil paper fans, £12/six, Rockett St George. Paper star, £21.50, Toast. Large Golden Narnia origami , £55, Curious Egg. For similar , see Walls & Floors

COSY UP FOR CHRISTMAS

The tree is the star of the show in this sophisticated and inviting room, where blush pink walls team with rich blue furnishings and soft metallic highlights. Layering up textures of tactile velvets, fringed throws, tufted rugs and tasselled cushions ramps up the comfort factor.

Norway Spruce 8ft tree, £78, Real Christmas Trees. 1200 Warm LED micro cluster lights, £89.99, Lights4fun. Cluster tree lights, £95, The White Company. Wicker star tree topper, £10; Montserrat Leaf ceiling light, £525; both John Lewis & Partners. Baubles on tree, from a selection at Cox & Cox, Gisela Graham, Heavenly Homes & Gardens, John Lewis & Partners and Oka. Walls in Setting Plaster estate emulsion, £54.50/2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Curtain in Zircon Sapphire, £68.40/m, Prestigious Textiles. Swoon Rene sofa, £949, DFS. Cushions from left: Foxglove velvet, £69, Antipodream. Siobhan Murphy Sunrise, £9; Studio G Naples, £18; both Freemans. Herringbone throw, from £95.99, The British Blanket Co. Robyn stars (on wall), from £12 each, House Beautiful Marketplace. Sundance coffee table, £650; Senneh Li rug, £269; both Andrew Martin. Gold bristle tree, £7.99; navy throw, £18.99; both Gisela Graham. Giant Amber and Blue Bouka baubles, £18.95 each, Heavenly Homes & Gardens. Ikat pouffe, £150, Matthew Williamson at John Lewis & Partners. Mid-century side table, £65, Habitat. Small Brika lamp, £115; with Midnight Velvet shade, £92; both Graham & Green

BRING ON THE BLING

Dust off your favourite glassware, lanterns and decorations – this is no time to hold back. Think scalloped edges, sculptural shapes, gold trims and cut glass, and highlight it all with lots of twinkle from fairy lights.

Right: Addison Ross scallop tray in Racing Green, £230; hand-blown glass bauble in Marmalade, £20; both KD Loves. Terracotta Pink stripe bowl, £42, Harlie Brown. Glass spoon, £11.25, Broste Copenhagen. Nightlife blue coupes, £20/two, John Lewis & Partners. Rialto coupes in Light Red, £85/two, Fy!. Gold hammered cocktail shaker, £15, Dunelm. Berlin ice bucket, £375; 1948 canapé plate, £120/four; both Jonathan Adler. Scalloped napkin, £24, Rebecca Udall. Rim Rose tinted martini glass, £70/four, Rockett St George

Below: Antique brass star lantern £42.99; brass indoor glass lantern, £34.99; both Lights4fun. Patsy pink glass hurricane lamp, £50, Sweetpea & Willow. Kollam Ruby leaves , £4.50/roll, Curated Living. Oak leaves & acorns wrapping paper,

Below right: Matthew Williamson Nightlife pink parrot bauble, £12; Nightlife Tapestry owls tree decorations, from £4; all John Lewis & Partners. Peacock bauble, £3.49, Gisela Graham

EMBRACE THE LIGHT

Take your home from day to night with lighting – from extra fairy lights on the tree to the glow of pillar candles on the mantelpiece. will add to the ambience as dusk descends…

Left: Eddie armchair in Jade velvet, from £590, Sofa.com. Vapor Lines cushion, £125, Jonathan Adler. Extra-large wicker tree skirt, £80, The White Company. All other products, as before Below and below left: Eddie armchair in Jade velvet, from £590, Sofa.com. Furn cushion, £16; Joe Brown Swirl candles (in candelabra), £12/four; all Freemans. Martini Gold side table, £45; gold candle holders, £25 each; all Habitat. Forrestine medium hurricane lantern, £40; Eichholtz Harrington large lantern, £280; both Sweetpea & Willow. Antique brass mirror, £275, Cox & Cox. Gold Leaf wreath, £49, Curated Living. Black Doughnut vase (used as candlestick), £10, George at Asda. Black spiral candle (in vase), candelabra, £28, ReFound. Acorn garland, £19.99, Lights4fun. Antique brass mistletoe garland, £17; giant baubles, from a selection, from £18.95 each; all Heavenly Homes & Gardens. Child Studio Anni rug, from £2,950, Floor Story

CREATE A DISPLAY

Put presents in pretty wrapping on show. Use personalised baubles and tree decorations instead of gift tags, which can be kept and used to decorate the tree next year.

Walls in MH.21 matt emulsion, £35/2.5L, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase. Gold eucalyptus wreath, £29.99, Gisela Graham. Nyla drinks trolley, £370, House Beautiful Marketplace. Antique brass bauble, £10; Copper Leaf glass bauble, £5; Blush glass bauble, £7, Giant Indy green bauble, £14; all Heavenly Homes & Gardens. Dip-dyed paper rosette garland, £18.50, Toast. Burnt Orange bird decoration, £10, Rockett St George. Honeycomb bauble, £45/six, Oka. Wrapping papers: Seashell; Pine Cones, both from Foliage; Zig Zag; all £4.50/roll, Curated Living. Gold Star, £14.50/roll, Cox & Cox. Teal Geo print, £4/roll, Next. Gold, £8/roll, John Lewis & Partners. Handmade Folk in Marbled Gold, £3/sheet, Rowen & Wren. Handcrafted blue gift tag, £4/six, Curated Living. Ribbons from a selection at Hobbycraft

GO FOR TRADITION WITH A

TWIST

A deep, cocooning shade on the walls creates a cosy feel and allows jewel shades and glimmering surfaces to really pop. A hanging centrepiece will ramp up the drama and means you can keep the table clear of large displays – easier for guests to converse and (just as importantly) ensures there’s plenty of space for a fabulous spread.

Walls in MH.21 matt emulsion, £35/2.5L, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase. Wall panels in Marqueterie Optique Rubis wallpaper, £173/m, Arte. Astor dining table, from £1,300, Sofa.com. Dresso dining chair, £249/two, DFS. For similar green velvet chairs, try Habitat. Gracie tablecloth in Aubergine, £119, Broste Copenhagen. Gold bristle trees, £7.99 each, Gisela Graham. Oval hanging candle holder, £25; vintage metal trees from £23; all Heavenly Homes & Gardens. Black lacquered swirl candles, £39/six, Rachel Udall

MIX IT UP WITH STYLE

You don’t need to match crockery, candlesticks and decorations. In fact, it’s more interesting and impactful when you don’t. Combine colours, textures and patterns – anything goes. And add a vibrant shade when you want to draw the eye to a certain area.

Left: Liya single beaded placemat, £7, Dunelm. Crackle-glaze dinner plates in Primavera Green, £33 each, Curated Living. Terracotta Pink stripe bowls, £42 each, Harlie Brown. Margaux Burgundy napkins, £74/four, Maison Margaux. Egyptian glass candlestick, £20/two, Raj Tent Club. Elisa brass candlestick, £50/two, Coggles. Black lacquered swirl candles, £39/six, Rachel Udall. Wind & Fire vase, £135, SCP. Antique brass mistletoe garland, £17, Heavenly Homes & Gardens

Below left: Antique brass bauble, £8, Heavenly Homes & Gardens. Pressed angel, £7.50; bird, £4.50; both ReFound. Deco glass tears, £6.25 each, Broste Copenhagen

Below: Nightlife runner, £20, John Lewis & Partners. Jose the Tortoise gold dish, £16.95, Graham & Green. LSA International Amber tealight holder, £28, Freemans. Feather ball baubles, £35/six, Oka. Purple Swirl bauble, £5; glitter hanging star, £13; both Heavenly Homes & Gardens. Vintage-style gold drops, £14.40/two, Cox & Cox. Wire leaf garland, £14.50, ReFound

STYLING ASSISTANTS IMOGEN MOORE AND SUSANA FERNANDES NEVER LEAVE A LIT CANDLE UNATTENDED

GET THE RIGHT BALANCE

It doesn’t get more Christmassy than gold and burgundy. And thanks to the richness of this combo, decorations don’t need to be over the top – foliage or branches foraged from the garden, simply decorated with baubles hung from ribbon, bring a lovely festive feel.

Bullion sideboard, £1,150, Graham & Green. Canvas covered in Parquet Metallico vinyl wallpaper, £102/roll, Osborne & Little. Eichholtz Marquis vase, £140, Sweetpea & Willow. Clustered leaf paper garland, £18.50, Toast. Robyn star in Antique Gold, £12, House Beautiful Marketplace. Zagora star candlestick, £55, Raj Tent Club. Black swirl candle, £39/six, Rachel Udall

FESTIVE LOOKS

TO SUIT YOUR STYLE

The party season is no time to hold back. Whatever your decorating preference, from elegant Nordic cool to a full-on colour extravaganza, get the look sorted with our brilliant seasonal buys

BAUHAUS BRIGHTS

For a look that will turn heads, go big and bold with colourful clashes and playful pattern – you can go all-out with this one! Allison tree, £190; decorations, from £17; Missoni Home Miss chairs, £1,186 each; Lisa Corti Nizam Stripes napkins, £41/two; tablecloth, £171; Oyoy Toppu striped trays, £48 each; Bougeoir candle holder, £162/two; Raawii Strom bowls, from £74 each; Bitossi Calice black/white vase, £759; other tableware, from a selection; all Amara

COMPILED BY JESSICA TAVERNER

1 Kruger velvet cushion, £125, Emma J Shipley 2 Felt Bright Christmas lights gift trim, £5/2m, Paperchase 3 Joy bauble, £15, Rose & Grey 4 Scallop pendant light, £390, David Hunt Lighting

5 Do It Yourself recyclable cracker kit, £22.50/six, Type & Story 6 Kirby bentwood dining chair, £140/two, Habitat 7 Oita glass mugs, £19.50/two, Oliver Bonas 8 Wooden candle holders in Brick, £20; and Derby Blue, £27; both National Trust Shop 9 Smiles and Stripes knitted stocking, from £30, Not on the High Street 10 Warm coloured spiral candles, £20/four, Talking Tables

11 Tree ornament in Dusty Pink, £11, House Beautiful Marketplace

12 Honeycomb paper tree, £29.99, Sophie Allport 13 Chevy napkin, £30/two, Tori Murphy

Paper chains, £12.50/48; crackers, £28/six; honeycomb paper trees, £23/10; plates, £8.25/eight; napkins, £6.75/16; striped Surprise balls, £23/six; crowns, £15/eight; all Meri Meri

LOVES

MODERN SCANDI

1 Light-up ceramic Christmas trees, £19.99/three, Lakeland 2 White paper star, £10.50, Rose & Grey

3 Festive foliage chandelier, £40, Meri Meri 4 Eucalyptus cork placemats, £6/two, Country Living Collection at Homebase 5 Handmade porcelain oak leaf decoration, £10, Not on the High Street 6 Christmas tree, £395, Cox & Cox 7 Snow Season Christmas stocking, £19.50, Sophie Allport 8 Black metal medium lantern, £20, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase 9 Woven willow trunk, £60, John Lewis & Partners 10 Gisela Graham acorn tree decorations, £21/six, Amara 11 White ceramic speckled bowl, £8, George Home 12 Two-tone eucalyptus wreath, £32.99, Gisela Graham 13 Gold ribbons, £12/pack of ten, Paperchase 14 Wooden bead star decoration, £3.50, Dunelm

FROSTY PASTELS

This twinkling scheme of icy blues and blush pinks with a sprinkling of silver has all the magic of a winter wonderland

Enchanted sofa in Blush Velvet, £799, DFS. Narita cushion in Monsoon, £113.50; Marmori cushion in Teal, £116.50; both Black Edition. Diamond Stripe rug in Blush, made to order, Knots Rugs. For a similar coffee table, try M&S. For similar wall paint, try the Boutique Blues range, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase

1 House napkin, £5.75/16, Meri Meri 2 Swan feather decoration, £3.50, B&M

Hay cake stand, £89, Nordic Nest 4 Rainbow hummingbird decorations, £4.49 each, Gisela Graham 5 Twinkling star garland, £11, House Beautiful Marketplace 6 Candy Cane crackers, £36/six, Nancy & Betty 7 Foliage and baubles wreath, £25, Habitat 8 Beaded cushion cover, £25, Amara

9 GH100 Motion cuddler in Blush Velvet, £1,199, Good Housekeeping Collection at DFS 10 Gold glitter star place card, £3.99/six, Ginger Ray

11 ‘Let’s Eat’ & ‘Let’s Drink’ sculpted candles, £30/pair, Not on the High Street 12 Vintage-style pink glass dinner plate, £19, Rockett St George 13 Paper tree, £16.50, Oliver Bonas

14 Flute glasses, £29.99/two, Lakeland 15 Shatterproof candy cane, £15.50/12, Cox & Cox

SARAH KEADY

JEWEL TONES

Richly saturated colours of ruby red, citrine yellow and sapphire blue paired with a metallic shimmer create decadent style

Hallie Amber dining chairs, £129 each; recycled ribbed red runner, £7.50; tableware, from £2 for nibble bowl; Stars Gold white wine glasses, £15/four; table favours, £6/six; gold-effect cutlery, £20/16-piece set; all Dunelm

1 Arabella tableware, £50/12-piece set, House Beautiful Collection at Homebase 2 Wrapped thread bauble, £5.50, Oliver Bonas 3 Eco glitter stars garland, £23, Meri Meri 4 Standing peacock ornament, £44.99, Gisela Graham 5 Footed star plate, £35, Cox & Cox 6 Electroplated champagne saucers, £19.95 each, Not on the High Street 7 wreath, £40, Next 8 Martini table, £45, Habitat 9 Megan Agate napkin rings, £33/four, House Beautiful Marketplace 10 Velvet stocking, £15, Dibor 11 Matthew Williamson cushion, £50, John Lewis & Partners 12 TruGlow LED taper candles, £29.99/four, Lights4fun 13 Brass candle holder, £36, Rebecca Udall 14 Peacock glitter apple and pear decorations, £2.99 each, Gisela Graham 15 Forest pre-lit 6ft tree, £130, Next 16 Glitter fern sprays, £25/four, Amara

The people who create

THE COLOUR CONSULTANT

SOPHIE ROBINSON, renowned queen of colour

Stylist, podcaster, television presenter and House Beautiful colour expert Sophie Robinson has made it her mission to guide us towards the bright and beautiful. ‘It’s proven that colour is a mood booster, and bringing it into your home at Christmas is a great way to lift the spirits,’ she says. ‘I love ruby red, emerald green and citrine yellow, as well as cobalt blue and fuchsia pink, because they remind me of life’s little luxuries. I use them in my decor more generally too, so they sit comfortably with my wall shades and furnishings.’ When it comes to her tree, Sophie is not just about the fairy lights and baubles: ‘I put oversized paper balls around the bottom and huge floristry bows all over to add punch. Sometimes it’s worth putting all your effort into one huge visual display rather than lots of smaller ones.’ Nostalgia is also

important to her. ‘I get great pleasure from unwrapping the same pieces every year, from my son’s hand-painted clay tree decorations to my grandmother’s antique glass baubles,’ she says.

And she is keen to make planet-friendly choices. ‘I buy sustainable decorations, try to avoid single-use plastics, and use lots of fresh foliage and flowers.’ Needless to say, she goes all-out on the dining table, hanging colourful paper decorations down the length of it. ‘It becomes a real visual feast,’ she says. Table settings feature some of her favourite brands, including Molly Mahon for block-printed linens, Balu London for patterned placemats and Graham & Green for colourful glassware. ‘Christmas is the perfect time for people like me,’ concludes Sophie. ‘When it’s grey outside, you can make your home an explosion of colour and glittering decoration.’

Meet the experts whose work shapes our celebrations

FEATURE JAMES CUNNINGHAM

DANI TAYLOR, creative director at Cox & Cox

From the pretty Blush Romance trend (inspired, in part, by hit TV series Bridgerton and featuring ornate floral decorations, pearl-trimmed ribbon and hints of gold) to the classic Candy Cane range (think snow-dusted Christmas trees, felt mice decorations and red-and-white striped bows), Cox & Cox has something for everyone this year, with six festive looks overseen by creative director Dani Taylor. ‘The Snowy Scandi range, in particular, is our core aesthetic – lots of grey, pale oak and birch – but with playful additions such as giant snowball baubles,’ she explains. ‘The process for setting the trends is really organic – I take inspiration from all around me, whether it’s magazines, websites, shops or trade shows.’ But, while the first instincts may be spontaneous, there is a science behind each trend. ‘We think about every part of the home and put together each look like a recipe, with one main tree, an alternative tree, decorations, accessories, lighting, wrap, ribbon and hero furniture pieces,’ she says.

The wider Cox & Cox team get involved in the process too: ‘We always work with our stylists and photographers. The results are far better if we collaborate from the start.’ At Christmas, Dani lets her imagination run free: ‘It’s an occasion for colour, sparkle and whimsy, and what I love about Cox & Cox is that nothing is off the table!’ For those who stick to the same look year after year, Dani imparts some festive wisdom. ‘Don’t be afraid of drifting away from a preconceived idea of what Christmas should look like,’ she says. ‘Why not have a second tree and go a bit wild?’

Decorations, from £14.50/12; Candy Stripe bow, £14.50; all Cox & Cox

MARK WINSTANLEY, creative director of The White Company

Grand spruce (left), £425; (below), £495; tree skirts, from £50; all The White Company

‘For me, selecting and then dressing a tree signals the excitement of what’s to come,’ says Mark Winstanley, the creative lead at much-loved British brand The White Company. ‘If a faux tree is looked after carefully, it will last many years – and it’s one less thing to think about when Christmas comes around.’ Going faux also means you avoid dropped needles and wilting branches. This year, The White Company has an offering of 10 trees, from a one-and-a-half-foot miniature style to the nine-foot grand spruce. ‘My favourite has to be our Symons tree, inspired by a Nordmann fir,’ says Mark. ‘It has densely covered branches and a really bushy appearance, which makes it the closest you can get to the real thing.’

But how do you choose? Mark suggests three main considerations: ‘Size is the first – not only when thinking of the room it’s going into, but also how practical it will be to store after the festive period.’ Secondly, you need to decide whether or not to go for a pre-lit style. ‘Personally, I like the ritual of hanging a string of lights around my tree,’ he says, adding that, perhaps unsurprisingly, he prefers warm-toned white lights to colourful ones. His final consideration is its fullness. A bushy style will give a very different effect to a lighter, more open design, for example.

‘It’s a case of deciding what will work best in your space.’

When his tree is decorated, Mark adds an insider’s flourish. ‘I spritz it with The White Company’s Fir Tree room spray, which I use throughout the season,’ he says. ‘It’s the perfect finishing touch.’

THE TREE WHISPERER

TRICIA

GUILD OBE, founder of Designers Guild

As the creative director of Designers Guild, Tricia Guild is renowned for her love of pattern. ‘It offers the perfect way to add personality to a space, and plays such an important role, whether throughout the whole house or just in a small part of it,’ she says. ‘It evokes a feeling and an atmosphere.’

The brand’s autumn/winter collection – ‘an update on tradition’, as Tricia puts it – takes inspiration from the Camden Town Group of Post-Impressionist artists. It includes vibrant tartans, bold florals and dramatic damasks.

As with every project she takes on, Tricia sees Christmas as an opportunity to create decorative schemes featuring an array of vibrant motifs. ‘As much as I love the purity of plain colour, I like to layer it with pattern, which I couldn’t live without,’ she says. ‘I do try to stick to a palette or a theme; otherwise everything might look a bit “thrown-together”

and, while there’s nothing at all wrong with maximalism, I prefer a sleeker look that still involves plenty of pattern and colour.’

The dining table provides a canvas for festive experimentation. ‘I use a cloth, runners and placemats, which might seem over the top but it’s practical too – if there are any spillages between courses, you can whip something away and the look of the table changes,’ she explains.

This year, Tricia will be using the Cobalt colourway of her Odisha fabric, a flamboyant design inspired by Florentine marbling. ‘It’s not particularly new but I love it, and it feels different each time I use it,’ she says. ‘As a finishing touch, I love to cut thin strips of silk taffeta and fray the edges for a modern take on rustic ribbons.’ Also on Tricia’s radar is gingham: ‘I’m looking forward to seeing it in a less traditional palette, such as shocking pink, for napkins or runners. Black edging will make it feel festive and so of the moment.’

Tricia chooses a colour palette, then lets her imagination run wild

‘I like a sleek look, but one involving pattern and colour’

THE RETAIL SPECIALIST

DEBRA BEECH, seasonal buyer at Freemans

‘W

e call Christmas our “golden quarter,”’ says Debra Beech, who is responsible for all things festive at online retailer Freemans. ‘I don’t really stop, and every December I’m already planning for the next one!’ she laughs. Debra works across the business with in-house creative and merchandising teams as well as digital designers and directly with warehouses.

‘From product concept to arrival in our customers’ homes, so many people are involved,’ she explains. ‘We start by creating storyboards using seasonal colour references.’ The collection is then split into distinct trends; there are five this year: ‘Our traditional look uses lots of fir green and festive red, with tartan ribbon and Nutcracker decorations.’ Other themes include A Festive Forest, which features an upside-down tree. ‘For inspiration, we work with trend forecasters, but I also visit lots of trade shows and fairs, and get ideas from how other countries celebrate Christmas,’ explains Debra.

Freemans also works with established designers on a series of collaborations. ‘Star by Julien Macdonald is a showstopping range, while Abigail Ahern’s collection is more relaxed. We’re so excited to be launching new festive products with them both this year,’ enthuses Debra. Most important of all, however, are the customers: ‘We always learn from what they liked last year, and also look at what was less popular, which is just as important when planning the next year.

‘We encourage reviews on our website, and regularly check them. Social media is also invaluable when it comes to learning about people’s habits – we spotted a huge increase in personalisation last year, so have extended our range of personalised gifts this year.’

Not every decision is so obvious, though. ‘When I presented our amazing mannequin-style tree to the Freemans directors, they were a little uncertain at first,’ says Debra. ‘We decided to be bold and brave, though, and thankfully it was incredibly successful – phew!’

Wooden stars, £99/three; paper decorations, £15/four; Konstmide LED village, £65; swan trinket dish, £30; reindeer, £22/two; all Freemans

‘Inspiration comes from our customers as well as trend forecasters’

LUCY ST GEORGE, co-founder of Rockett St George

‘Christmas baubles are all about the sparkle, and I’m a big believer in decorating with as much glitz and glamour as possible,’ says Lucy St George, the maximalist who makes up one half of Rockett St George. ‘I subscribe to Iris Apfel’s “more is more, less is bore” mindset at all times of the year, but at Christmas in particular. Baubles are a big part of that.’

Each year, Lucy and co-founder Jane Rockett introduce more unique decorations to their offering. ‘We always expand our selection of famous faces, and this year it’s all about Elton!’ says Lucy, referencing the range of baubles that also includes icons such as Madonna and David Bowie. ‘From the tinted shades to the feather collar, he is simply fabulous, and will definitely be on my tree!’ Other favourites include the Flying Pig decoration. ‘Christmas is about having fun and that is the perfect example,’ she says.

While Lucy is all about eclecticism, she has honed her decorating technique over the years. ‘I’ve learned that the secret for baubles, as with all decoration, is to focus on building up layers,’ she explains. ‘Sticking with a theme is a great way to prevent style clashes but if you have lots of different decorations, I’d suggest grouping them into mini collections and starting by adding the core ones – those in colours that tonally match your theme. You can mix up sizes and textures, but stick to the colour palette and try to distribute them evenly around the tree. Once these are in place, it’s time to have fun with the showstoppers.’

The tree isn’t the only place for baubles, of course: ‘I display them on houseplants, in vases and even from lights,’ says Lucy. ‘Perfect for extra festive flair!’

Decorations, from £18 each, Rockett St George

THE SCENE-SETTER

SARAH BOLTON, creative director of The Christmas Decorators

Just over 20 years ago, Sarah and Nick Bolton created such a lavish festive display at their Colorado home, it launched their careers as in-demand seasonal decorators. Now based in Liverpool, the couple have since worked on projects for luxury hotels, smart restaurants and the homes of international superstars, including Mariah Carey, Steven Spielberg and Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne. ‘Just the word “Christmas” brings such joy to so many,’ says Sarah.

With 50 outposts across the UK, The Christmas Decorators employs a number of local teams to help clients: ‘We aim to perform festive miracles for our clients, creating a proposal to bring the magic of the season into their property. It’s then delivered by one of our teams.’ A client

‘We perform festive miracles for our clients’

once requested a winter wonderland in their garden, complete with live penguins and reindeer, recalls Sarah: ‘We didn’t manage to get the penguins but we did achieve a visit from Santa with reindeer for the children – it was amazing.’

Sarah’s principles for making a house sparkle are the same regardless of the scale of the space. ‘Lights are key, so make sure you have plenty of them. We squint our eyes to see if we have even coverage; if there are any sparse patches, you need to add some more!’ she says. ‘And we always create a focal point in each room.’

After working on Christmas for 364 days of the year, Sarah and Nick could be forgiven for leaving their own decorations in the loft, but the couple go all-out every year. ‘I enjoy decorating our home as much as those of our clients,’ says Sarah. ‘I’m lucky enough to be able to pick from hundreds of our own decorations, but I do also occasionally treat myself to a few special ones from Harrods or Liberty.’

Sarah and her teams bring the wow factor to UK households

PAULA SUTTON, the brains behind Hill House Vintage

Stepping away from a successful career in the fashion industry, writer and stylist Paula Sutton moved to the countryside, and her house in Norfolk is an enchanting backdrop for the photographs that have won her hundreds of thousands of fans across social media.

‘My style is comfortable, colourful and nostalgic,’ says Paula. ‘I treasure the romantic elements of the past, and love an eclectic mix.’

A knowledgeable collector of vintage homeware, Paula scours markets, independent shops and websites for the pieces that fill her home, as well as decorations for the festive season. ‘The more over-the-top, the better!’ she says. Part of her skill is the way she blends old and new. ‘On the Christmas table, I pair traditional Burleigh and Spode china with new Bordallo Pinheiro cabbageware,’ she explains.

Paula cherishes her collection of decorations. ‘Some evoke feelings of years gone by or people who have been special to me,’ she says. Cut-glass droplets made from old chandeliers are particular favourites: ‘I change the ribbons on them each year. That’s the beauty of vintage – items can be repurposed and reused. Chipped, faded or battered – it’s all good!’ Her creative approach to layering pieces comes into its own at this time of year. ‘I always wax lyrical about the magic of using treasured pieces that have been collected over the years, and this is especially true during the festive season, when you want to be surrounded by things that spark warm, cosy feelings. It’s like a comfort blanket,’ she says.

Floral Street

Paula’s followers adore her romantic Christmas styling and eclectic combinations

‘Scent is the strongest trigger for memories, and creating a new one is a beautiful way to enhance and remember special moments,’ says Michelle Feeney, the entrepreneur behind independent fragrance brand Floral Street. ‘The festive season is particularly joyful fragrance-wise, as things become less floral and more about bringing ferns or gourds in from your garden to stimulate your senses,’ she continues. ‘Woody, spicy scents and warmer tones come to the fore.’

Michelle’s particular favourites at this time of year include her brand’s smoky Fireplace and crisp White Rose candles. ‘I love to burn them together, and I might also light a Midnight Tulip candle or pop one of the scented reeds into a favourite vessel to create a warm, spicy mood. I’ve also been known to tuck a diffuser in a vase of unscented foliage to add a further subtle aroma,’ she says. It’s this ‘scent-scaping’ concept that makes Floral Street unique. Each fragrance is created from a visual moodboard that Michelle presents to master perfumer Jérôme Epinette in New York. The pair then develop the scents in a process that usually takes about 18 months. Each of the products, from diffusers and scented reeds to candles, room sprays and perfumes, is environmentally friendly. ‘It was really important to me that my brand is clean and conscious from its inception,’ explains Michelle. ‘We want to guide consumers to make ethical choices that bring beautiful and sustainable fragrance into their lives.’ The brand is accredited by PETA and The Vegan Society for being cruelty free. Tempted to buy a product but not sure where to start? ‘Our Discovery Sets of mini perfumes and candles give customers the freedom to experiment with scents before spending on full-size products,’ says Michelle. ‘They make great stocking fillers.’

Midnight Tulip candle and Santal diffuser, £11 each, Floral Street

MICHELLE FEENEY, founder of

‘A

t Christmas, we treat everything as a gift,’ says Jeane Chung, who has run the south-east London-based Alkemi Store since 2017. Specialising in ‘beautiful objects for everyday life’, her much-loved shop stocks an array of lifestyle and interior products as well as a curation of fashion, beauty and children’s pieces.

‘The festive season is a great opportunity for a company like ours,’ says Jeane. ‘It accounts for a fifth of our revenue for the whole year.’ The main action begins in mid-November. ‘That’s when we put our decorations up. We work with local florists to create garlands and trees for the shop, and our decorations aren’t just the usual sparkle and shine.’

This rings true in the products she has handpicked for the shop too – as well as featuring work by local artists and artisans, the collections come from brands and independent makers from across the globe. Highlights include chic cushions from the Netherlands, colourful tableware from Belgium and beautifully packaged incense from Korea. ‘This Christmas, though, I’m predicting our herbariums will be the bestseller,’ says Jeane. ‘We got such great feedback when we launched them last year.’ These eye-catching pieces are designed by Style Jieum, a Korean studio, and feature flowers and plants suspended in a glass dome. ‘We also work with a Japanese artisan named Futagami, who produces beautiful brass products.’

The key to the company’s success is the uniqueness of its offering, with interesting presents and new discoveries around every corner. ‘We try hard to bring our customers never-before-seen items,’ explains Jeane. Visitors to the shop or website – including those who have left it late to buy their gifts – can expect a friendly, personal service. ‘We’re open on Christmas Eve, so people can rely on us up until the very last minute.’ HB

‘We try hard to offer customers unique items. One example is our herbariums’

WORDS JAMES CUNNINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHS VICKI COUCHMAN.COM; LAURA EDWARDS; DANIEL LYNCH; GLEN MINIKIN/DMG MEDIA; ALUN CALLENDER; JEANE CHUNG

JEANE CHUNG, the founder of Alkemi Store

Sourced from around the world, Alkemi Store’s homeware makes special Christmas gifts

TO LIGHT UP OUTDOORS

MAKE AN ENTRANCE

Battery-powered fairy lights add seasonal sparkle to potted trees or hanging wreaths in a sheltered doorway. Styles with a timer function switch on automatically as the evening draws in.

Outdoor LED star lights, small £34.99; medium, £94.99; large, £129.99; star garden stake lights star silhouettes, pillar candles window lights wreath garland, £49.99;

FRAME THE SCENE FROM WITHIN

To bring some magic to the front of your house, set up glowing displays on indoor sills and frames. A combination of plug-in and battery-operated lights can be layered with cascading curtain lights, a traditional candle bridge and mini-LED decorations.

Wire star, £12.99; copper wire twine with fabric leaves string, £5.99; green tree ornament, £3.99; brown light-up star, £29.99/two; Araucaria in sack, £29.99; all Dobbies

PERK UP YOUR PATHWAY

Make the most of what you already have when thinking about decorative ways to illuminate walkways – shrubs and trees, for example, look lovely loosely draped with a sprinkling of fairy alternative ways to add impact, although not all

Indoor-outdoor

, small, £125; large, £175; both Cox & Cox

CHOOSE COMBINATION

LIGHTING

Set the scene for a memorable mealtime by layering different types of soft, low lighting. Begin by adding interest overhead – draped fairy lights, hanging with foliage – to create a cosy ambience. Create a visual path down the centre of the table with a pre-lit garland or a scattering of tealights. If you prefer not to use real candles, there are plenty of long-lasting LED options that provide a similar glow.

Main image, above: Festoon hanging lights, £69.99/20; ribbed tealight holders, £3.99 each; Vigaro candle holders, from £7.99 each; beaded pasta bowls and dinner plates, £11.99 each; Ravenhead Gemstone wine glasses, £4.49 each; all Dobbies lnset: votive, £15; Serax antique pot, £8; both John Lewis & Partners

RHS GARDENS

ADD SPARKLE WITH STRINGS

Icicles, laid-back festoons and twinkling stars on strings look stunning, whether you’re creating a full-on festive extravaganza or just looking to add a little sparkle to your exterior. Lightweight and easy to hang, they’re ideal for door frames, windows, trees or even to glam up guttering. For large areas, consider connectable lights that share one power source. You can simply add on a new length to the end of the previous one to achieve the required stretch. Solar-operated options that charge during the day help keep costs down.

North Star LED set of four string lights, £49, Homebase

CREATE COSY CABIN VIBES

Hosting friends and family is even more fun when you transform your space into a winter wonderland. A greenhouse, conservatory or any room with a garden view has the potential to become a magical setting. Drape swags of fairy lights overhead, then add candles in all shapes and sizes, plus lanterns dotted around to cast a glow as evening falls.

Solar wire lights lantern, £40; magical outdoor hanging vine lights, £50; Loft extendable dining table, £950; Sumptuous sheepskin single rug, £95; oversized pine wreath, £195; indoor-outdoor , £150; Antique Gold textured metal stars, from £18.50 to £42 each; all Cox & Cox

PORCH-SCAPING: IT’S THE NEW BIG THING

Our round-up of the best lighting to brighten up any entranceway Studley Doe rattan light-up reindeer, £109.99, Lights4fun. Battery-operated star curtain lights, £16/eight, Wilko. wreath, £113.99, Wayfair. Solar Star Burst stake light, £9.95, Homebase

WORDS MILENA LINDHARDT OTTO | STYLING RIKKE GRAFF JUEL | PHOTOGRAPHY ANITTA BEHRENDT/LIVING INSIDE

HOME PROFILE

WHO LIVES HERE

Pernille Arlien-Søborg, an interior designer and owner of Co.Designstudio, her husband Christian and their teenage children

Ulrika and William

THE PROPERTY

A villa dating from 1895 in Charlottenlund, a town by the Danish coast just north of Copenhagen

DINING ROOM

An imposing Christopher Wool word painting catches the eye, while ceiling lights from Flos overhang Pernille’s Oliver Gustav dining table and Hans Wegner Y chairs

SITTING ROOM

Above The house’s high-ceilinged rooms allow for a lofty tree. Pernille (above right) decorates it with baubles from Arket and Beau Marché, as well as cherished decorations made by her daughter

s soon as the mistletoe goes up, Christmas has arrived,’ says Pernille Arlien-Søborg, an interior designer and owner of Co.Designstudio in Copenhagen. ‘I buy a giant ball of it, and also love choosing a selection of fresh seasonal flowers.’ These natural touches are a key part of setting the festive tone, as are the family’s trusty decorations, brought down from the attic in the last week of November. ‘I rely on them to instantly create a beautiful Christmassy mood at home,’ she says.

December may be a hectic month for Pernille – ‘Many of my plans tend to go out the window due to work’ – but the most important part of the season is time spent with loved ones, and she’s happiest when her home is full of friends and family. ‘Cooking with my brother is one of my favourite things to do at this time of year,’ she says. ‘We listen to music while we cook; often it’s old songs by Charles Aznavour. Other traditions include my father singing a Swedish Christmas song by the tree, and an annual trip to the ice rink in nearby Frederiksberg with my husband and children. There’s such a heartwarming atmosphere – it’s full of happy people of all ages.’

Another of the family’s cherished December rituals is watching an old steam train pass by at the weekend. ‘It has adorable old carriages, and smoke coming out of the chimneys,’ explains Pernille. ‘When the whistle sounds from our nearest station, the whole family runs out into the conservatory, from where we get a good view of it.’

The original period features and majestic high-ceilinged rooms were a big draw for Pernille and her husband when they first viewed the house. ‘We decided to preserve the rooms as they were, making only minor changes on the ground floor, where we opened up the kitchen, dining room, sitting room and o ce,’ she says. ‘This means that,

DINING ROOM

Rustic decorative touches foraged from nature decorate elegant Royal Copenhagen tableware and napkins from Broste Copenhagen. Glassware is by German brand Spiegelau

DINING ROOM

A sleek sideboard from Hay provides clean-lined storage. Works by Wilhelm Freddie and Per Neble are among the art on display above. The distinctive

although each space has a different function and feels a bit individual, the family can be close to each other, even when we’re all doing different things. As an interior designer, it’s important for me to have a strong sense of purpose for the place I’m working on, to achieve a coherent result. I always have a master plan to start off with, so I know the direction in which a project should be going.’

Pernille uses the same method when decorating her home for Christmas. First, she chooses a theme – this year she’s going for a pared-back rustic look using earthy tones, spruce branches and seasonal winter fruits. ‘I love incorporating things from the garden, linking the cosy indoors with the nature that surrounds us,’ she says. ‘I pick branches to make wreaths, and apples from our tree to place in bowls. Lemons from our conservatory are dried in the oven and sprayed with glitter. The warm yellow, vibrant green spruce and smooth white porcelain look so beautiful together on the Christmas table. For me, the table setting is key – it seems to make the food taste even better, and is an important part of the magical atmosphere in the house that helps to create a warm welcome for friends and family.’

SITTING ROOM

Above right Soft shades and textures evoke calm. A friend gifted the sofa and the armchair is from Menu. The CTM coffee table is by Ray and Charles Eames for Vitra

TABLE TOP

Right

Manz bowl with fruit, pine sprigs and a candle to create a simple festive centrepiece. Alongside are an antique jug and a Tine K Home vase

‘I love incorporating things from the garden, linking indoors with the surrounding nature’

KITCHEN

Left and above left Cool grey units were built to order, with knobs from Beslag Online. The marble worktop is from Marmorgården and the Mantis wall lamp from Schottlander

BEDROOM

Above Warm neutral tones and natural textures make for a peaceful retreat. A wall-mounted lamp frees up space for accessories on the bedside table HB

‘The magical atmosphere in the house creates a warm welcome for friends and family’

HOME PROFILE

WHO LIVES HERE

Louise Roe, a journalist, broadcaster and the founder of interiors brand Sharland England, her husband director, and their two young

THE PROPERTY semi-detached townhouse in west London

LIVING ROOM

A brightly lit tree, lots of festive atmosphere in this cosy space. The mid-century glass grapes on the coffee table are Los Angeles

Christmas at home for one young family is a glamorous yet relaxed combination of festive rituals, family history and chic, modern touches

WORDS AND PRODUCTION CAROLYN BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

LIVING ROOM

hristmas is a time to be cosy, surrounded by our family and friends,’ smiles Louise Roe. ‘The anticipation is the best part. It’s such a lovely day, especially when it goes dark, and having children has made it even more magical.’

Louise and her family lived in the US for a decade and during that time Thanksgiving, which falls at the end of November, became important to them. ‘We still celebrate it now we’re back in the UK,’ says Louise. ‘It’s such a special time, so it’s not until after Thanksgiving and my birthday, which is at the beginning of December, that we get into Christmas gear.

‘We don’t really have a set routine as we have lived in so many different places – overseas, in town and in the country – and it’s fun to reinvent it each year.’ Louise has an organised approach: ‘I gather together festive screengrabs, pages from magazines and Pinterest images throughout the year for inspiration. A few new decorations always get added in and, while I embrace fresh ideas, I don’t follow trends. The look I like to go for is traditional, glamorous but not too sparkly.’

The first thing Louise does is to introduce seasonal scent to her home with candles and cinnamon sticks. ‘I get the children involved, too. We stuff oranges with cloves then use them to fill an antique Chinoiserie bowl. It

Louise has combined

DRESSER

An antique Welsh dresser is the perfect place to display Louise’s colourful china. She added the hooks to hang the mugs and jugs

KITCHEN & LIVING ROOM

This page and opposite The view of the sitting room is cosy and festive while in the kitchen, bowls of fruit

seasonal decoration

all looks and smells amazing,’ she explains. ‘I love having a real tree covered with twinkling lights, and natural decorations are top of our list so I bring berries, ivy and holly in from the garden to fill vases and drape around pictures all over the house. I also fill bowls with bonbons and amaretti and keep them refreshed all month.’ Another tradition is having a log fire. ‘It’s an absolute must for us,’ says Louise. ‘I like to have lights on the trees in the garden too but, most important of all, I have Michael Bublé Christmas songs on repeat throughout the month of December!’

Louise loves to make her gifts look pretty. She wraps them in brown paper, printed designs or wallpaper and ties them up with ribbon. Sustainability is important to her, so she reuses giftwrap, tissue paper and the decorations. ‘Even brown kraft paper works well when you add string or ribbon,’ she explains. ‘I generally stick to just two or three colours and keep the patterns simple, so the presents look lovely when they’re piled up together.’

The celebrations start with a carol service on Christmas Eve and Louise makes mulled wine and mince pies for friends, family and neighbours. Then Christmas Day gets off to a prompt start. ‘With young children we’re always up very early – we pop our festive music on, then open our stockings together. We have breakfast in our pyjamas and then dress up later, usually in velvet.’ Louise and her family take turns to host the big day. When

KITCHEN

it’s Louise’s turn, her husband Mackenzie cooks while she concentrates on creating a gorgeous table and making cocktails. ‘I lay the table with pomegranates, berries and plums, and I cut up lengths of velvet ribbon to tie round the napkins,’ she says. ‘My mum makes the Christmas pudding; she hides coins in it and lights it with brandy. I enjoy eating Christmas cake, especially the marzipan. After lunch we play games, snooze and watch films, then once the children have gone to bed we have drinks with family and friends.’

Boxing Day is also a great time for a celebration. ‘We’ve always had huge family gatherings – sometimes there can be as many as 50 of us,’ says Louise. They often visit her parents who live in the Surrey countryside. Once there, they like to go on a favourite walk and, thanks to her parents who babysit, are able go out on a date night at a local pub.

This time of year is Louise’s chance to switch off. She sees it as an opportunity to look back, reflect and read traditional stories. ‘To me,’ she says, ‘Christmas is about comfort and slowing down. I love to watch Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple on television if there’s time. It’s all about believing in the magic.’

‘Natural decorations are top of our list and I love having a real tree covered with twinkling lights’

Louise has created a country-style kitchen in her urban home. The pretty lampshades are from Alice Palmer & Co

LOUISE’S INGREDIENTS FOR A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

For me, children make the festive season feel special, so spend as much time as you can with them to really enjoy the build-up to the big day.

Fill the house with seasonal aromas, from scented candles, fresh foliage and cinnamon. Have a fully stocked cocktail bar! I like to make negronis and Prosecco cocktails.

DINING AREA

‘We eat Christmas lunch around 2pm,’ says Louise, ‘so as the light fades the room becomes magical’ Opposite A mix of old and new tableware, including a Lisa Corti tablecloth and vintage Italian candlesticks, plus colourful decorations, bring a celebratory feel. The reusable crackers are from Forever Crackers

BEDROOM

The dark wood headboard and side table create a classic yet cosy look. Louise uses candles throughout the house to add fragrance and atmosphere at this time of year

DRESSING ROOM

Top Louise sits on a vintage stool as she gets ready for festive partying

BATHROOM

Above Muted green walls (Ball Green by Farrow & Ball) and a rolltop bath continue the traditional English style HB

‘A few new decorations always get added in. The look I like to go for is traditional, glamorous but not too sparkly’

CARA LASKARIS

DINING ROOM

Walls in Sweet Pink by Dulux create a soft backdrop, while the table is set for Christmas with dramatic candelabras and vintage glassware for a sense of occasion

HOME PROFILE

WHO LIVES HERE

Kim Scillitoe, who runs interiors shop Curated Living (curatedliving.co.uk), and her husband Gavin, who runs a printing business. Their daughters Issey and Poppy are at university but come home for Christmas

THE PROPERTY house in Surrey, built in 1911, with a kitchen extension added in the 1980s

WORDS JO LEEVERS

PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES BALSTON

DINING ROOM

A table-top tree contrasts strikingly with the room’s pink walls. Along with the ribbon-tied gifts below, it adds festive colour to this corner. A nearby chair and the gilt garland on it are prized vintage buys

SNUG AND LIVING ROOM

Opposite Many of Kim’s paint choices throughout the house were inspired by original tile friezes above the natural foliage is woven

raditions are an important part of Christmas for Kim Scillitoe. One in particular is the annual trip with her husband Gavin and their daughters to pick out a tree. ‘We’ve been going to the same garden centre since the girls were little,’ she explains. ‘They’ve since left home for university but we still all love doing this together – and inevitably end up bringing home the tallest tree there.’

Not that it’s a problem in this house, with its high ceilings and generous proportions. But while Kim loves decorating their home at this time of year, she initially got to know the property’s character by doing almost the opposite: stripping away everything superfluous to reveal the bare bones of its architecture. One priority when the family moved in was taking down a set of heavy red curtains that hung at the living room window. ‘They were thick with dust, and their dark folds, plus the pelmet, completely obscured the shape of the window and its delicate leading,’ remembers Kim. ‘As soon as they were gone, it felt brighter and the beauty of the room was revealed.’

As this window isn’t overlooked, Kim and Gavin were happy to leave it uncurtained. ‘Its decorative design speaks for itself,’ adds Kim. Below it, a window seat is decked out with comfy cushions, while decorative touches include lanterns and a vintage carved wooden house from Italy, illuminated with fairy lights.

Still more original features were revealed in the course of the renovation, providing Kim with all the decorative inspiration she needed. Having worked in interior design before opening her own shop, Curated Living, Kim was particularly keen to discover more about their home’s past. A key find came when the couple installed a new woodburning stove in the living room. This entailed removing some modern tiles that had been set around the fireplace.

‘I was curious to see what we might find underneath, so I asked the decorator to chip away very carefully,’ she says. As he did so, a frieze of original tiles was revealed, depicting Persian figures and glazed

in beautiful blues and greens. ‘Their iridescent colours have inspired some of the fabrics and paints I used throughout the house,’ says Kim. The green brick tiles below this frieze are a more familiar Edwardian style, and Kim sourced a matching reclaimed set for the house’s second fireplace in a ground-floor snug. Kim and Gavin wanted to keep the original panelling that runs through several key spaces, but painted over the dark wood for a lighter, brighter feel. These paler shades shine out against walls painted in soft pinks, deep blues and a neutral grey, all chosen to reflect the heritage of the house.

‘Colour is so important to us – it can really enhance a room’s character,’ says Kim. ‘We have tried to pick shades that complement our varied collections.’ The top ledges of the panelling act as useful shelves for art and ornaments, as do window sills and mantelpieces. ‘This house is made for decorative touches,’ says Kim, a long-time collector of quirky, vintage and handmade objects. She loves seeking out unusual and original pieces, and is a regular at vintage events such as Newark Antiques Fair, where she adds to her own collections and buys stock for her shop. ‘We take a van, stay over the night before and get there early to spot the interesting furniture, lighting and mirrors,’ she says. ‘We always come home with a full van.’

At Christmas, vintage treasures are displayed alongside armfuls of evergreen foliage laid over mantelpieces and used as place settings. Handmade tree baubles and decorations evoke a host of special family memories: ‘Some belonged to my grandma, so they’re more than 100 years old, and others were hand-embroidered by my mum. I particularly treasure these because she is no longer with us.’

Walls in Sweet Pink by Dulux serve as a warm backdrop in the dining room, which will come into its own for the family’s festive dinner, when the table is laid with vintage glassware and candelabras. ‘Gavin cooks a lovely meal on Christmas Eve, then, on Christmas morning, we all help prepare the food, in between opening our stockings,’ explains Kim. ‘As dusk falls, we light as many candles as possible and sit down together to eat. It really is a beautiful atmosphere.’

The original dark wood panelling running through several key spaces was painted over for a lighter, brighter feel

LIVING ROOM

Opposite top Foliage and garlands draped above a French armoire are a gentle seasonal touch This page An impressive tree is festooned with vintage baubles, some of them family heirlooms. The original panelling, painted in Wood Ash by Little Greene, provides a neat display shelf for art

KITCHEN

Kim repainted the kitchen units in Deep Space Blue by Little Greene to blend in with the blue Aga. For similar decoupage letters, try Etsy

‘This house is made for decorative touches, which I seek out at vintage events’

KITCHEN

This page and opposite The wall cabinet, designed by Kim, is in Cupboard Green, the walls are in Canton and the island units are in Deep Space Blue, all Little Greene. A pendant from Graham & Green hangs over the table. Stairs lead up to the

ISSEY’S ROOM

A simple awning made from a Moroccan blanket, coupled with walls in Little Greene’s Canton, makes this a fairytale space

GUEST ROOM

Below Set into the eaves, this pretty bedroom features Firework Flowers wallpaper by Neisha Crosland; it’s now discontinued but Tumbleweed is a good alternative. The ceramics and cushions are from Curated Living

MAIN

BEDROOM

Top Rajapur wallpaper by Cole & Son is an eye-catching backdrop to an ornate bed from Harrods and cushions from Curated Living. Find similarly offbeat table lamps at Rockett St George

BATHROOM

Right Kim and Gavin designed the vanity unit for this tranquil space. It was made by a local cabinetmaker and painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hardwick White. The sconce is a French antique bought at auction HB

With its minimalist decor and roaring Danish countryside plays host to a festive gathering of the generations

LIVING ROOM

WORDS AND STYLING LENE OSTENFELDT PHOTOGRAPHY ANDERS SCHØNNEMANN/LIVING INSIDE

HOME PROFILE

WHO LIVES HERE

Malene Smidt Hertz, owner of wine business Rundt om Vin (rundtomvin.dk), her husband and two daughters

THE PROPERTY

An architect-designed two-storey cottage in North Zealand, Denmark, built in 1913 and refurbished and extended in 2009

LIVING ROOM

This page and opposite A wooden sideboard, a family heirloom, sits between the two living areas within this bright and airy open-plan space. On top sit a row of little elves that have become part of the family’s Christmas traditions. A simple Ikea sofa and a coffee table made from a pallet from the French railways add an unfussy, laid-back feel

alene Smidt Hertz and her family had no plans to move from their home near Copenhagen. But on a sunny day one September, on a car trip to picturesque North Zealand, they drove the wrong way and, stumbling across a beautiful countryside of forests and lakes, were immediately smitten. As fate would have it, they happened upon a house for sale and contacted the estate agent. ‘Even as I walked up the garden path, I knew I wanted to live here,’ says Malene. ‘The tranquillity and feeling of being close to nature sparked something in me. It just felt right.’

In fact, being close to nature and part of the changing seasons is essential for Malene. ‘My work [as a wine buyer] involves the development of flavour, and it’s important for me to take inspiration from my surroundings,’ she explains. ‘One part of my business, Malenes Gløgg, is associated with Christmas – it’s all about the feeling and tradition of the season and being together.

‘November and December are really busy in the wine industry, but once all the hard work has been done, I like to light the candles, set a beautiful table and pour some mulled wine. There’s something wonderful about blending the traditions of my and my husband’s families – and now we have our own children, the customs have

continued.’ One such custom involves Malene’s father-in-law, who is a jeweller. Every Christmas, he places a small ball decoration on the tree. Inside, he puts a gift he has made and, during the festive meal, everyone must guess what it is, whether animal, plant or mineral. Whoever guesses correctly gets the gift.

Originally designed in 1913 by architect Frederik Wagner, the house is on two levels. In the late 1950s and again in the late 1960s, it was rebuilt, and an extension was added by another architect, Ole Hagen, who lived in the house at the time, in collaboration with his friend and fellow architect Børge Mogensen. Decades later, in 2009, the house underwent further renovations. The result is its current form.

The ground floor is divided into an entrance hall and large, open family space, which includes the living room, dining room and kitchen. On the first floor are the bedrooms, television room and bathroom. The theme is Nordic minimalism, with pale walls, simple furniture and furnishings, and unusual lighting.

Throws and rugs add subtle colour, and houseplants feature throughout. Christmas decor is kept unfussy, with small family favourites and red amaryllis teamed with pine cones from the forest. The built-in stove and fireplace date back to when the house was built, adding a feeling of history and warmth to the airy, modern interior of this cosy home. This mix of old and new creates the perfect setting for a family that happily blends the traditions of the past while creating new ones of their own in this magical home – a serendipitous find on a family trip one autumn day.

DINING AREA

Left The family can enjoy beautiful views of the garden from the dining table, which, like the chairs, is by architect Poul Kjærholm. Wide

run throughout the entire living space. The sculpture on the wall is by Curtis Jeré and the wall lamp is Gubi Above On chilly winter evenings, the traditional stove is lit

There’s something wonderful about blending the traditions of my and my husband’s families’

DRESSER

Striking artwork by Jette Segnitz was a gift from friends and sits happily alongside a glass-fronted dresser containing traditional serveware. A rustic olive wreath adds a seasonal touch

KITCHEN

In this compact space, black lacquered cabinets contrast with white walls and worktops designed by the founder of Danish kitchen company Køkkensnedkeren

HALLWAY

A distinctive curved staircase connects the downstairs living space to the bedrooms and bathroom above

Throws and rugs add subtle colour; Christmas decor is kept unfussy

CORRIDOR

Cupboards designed by architect Børge Mogensen

BEDROOM

Above left contrast with the simplest of white lacquered cabinets in this tranquil room

BATHROOM

Above Bright, sleek and modern, the refurbished

keeping with the rest of the house

EXTERIOR

Above left Wine is served by candlelight on the terrace in this atmospheric winter scene. A soft textured blanket will provide warmth for those sitting outdoors Above Malene delights in forest walks near her home HB

‘Once all the Christmas prep is done, I like to light candles, set a beautiful table and pour some mulled wine’

Nestled between the mountains of Snowdonia and the

WORDS AND PRODUCTION SIAN WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

HOME PROFILE

WHO LIVES HERE

Julie Falkingham, a stylist and ceramicist, and her husband Miles, an architect THE PROPERTY Originally an 18th-century two-bedroom farm worker’s cottage with a converted barn and dairy, used as holiday lets

DOOR

Opposite Guests are greeted by an aged bauble door wreath by Nkuku dressed with spruce, while a dried hydrangea hangs from the knocker

EXTERIOR

Below The glow of candle welcoming after a bracing coastal winter walk

n a chilly December day in North Wales, Ty Coch is a beacon of Christmas cheer, its windows aglow with candlelight and a curl of smoke rising from the chimney and lacing the cold winter air. The farm cottage is located along a remote track, and beyond, the rugged mountains of Snowdonia seem to stretch almost to the sea. ‘It was this dramatic landscape that really sold it to us,’ says Julie Falkingham, who bought the smallholding with her husband Miles 15 years ago. ‘It’s a wilderness teeming with wildlife and looks beautiful even in the depths of midwinter.’

Christmas is always a special time for the Falkinghams as they put aside their busy city lives in Liverpool and head to their Welsh retreat. Traditionally, there’s a short stop-off at Fron Goch Garden Centre in Caernarfon for trees – one for the cottage and another for their holiday guests in the converted outbuildings. Once they reach Ty Coch, they will stand the trees in the stream to keep them fresh overnight. Then, before the light fades, they’ll walk along the shore with their Bedlington/whippet cross, McGregor, collecting foliage they’ll use to decorate the house the following day.

Later that evening, Julie’s children Louis and Lily will arrive and the family will gather around the fire bowl outside, warming themselves with hot toddies before retreating to another roaring fire inside. ‘The cottage really comes into its own at this time of the year,’ says Julie. ‘Most of the walls are dark, which gives it an intimate, cosy feel. A fire is lit every evening and candles are always set on the deep windowsills. Together, they create a lovely warm glow.’

Before buying the house in 2007, the Falkinghams had been living on a smallholding in Cheshire, with a flock of Soay sheep and a dozen rare-breed hens. They’d been looking for a property to renovate, to use as a family bolthole and holiday let. Julie is an

SITTING ROOM

The

interiors stylist and ceramicist and Miles is an architect and design consultant. Neither had intended to take on such a large project. ‘There was a daunting amount of work to be done but we both loved it so much, we bought it anyway!’ explains Julie.

Ty Coch had originally been a campsite. Passers-by still regale Julie and Miles with stories of camping here as children, with their families or the Scouts. ‘It also has a strong connection to the old pilgrim routes along the coast,’ adds Julie. ‘That made us feel even more compelled to create a place for travellers to stay, carrying on the legacy.’

The property – a typical Welsh rubble-stone cottage on a smallholding – had previously been a holiday home owned by a local couple. When Julie and Miles bought it, it needed a lot of restoration and the outbuildings were almost derelict. ‘Our first job was to sort out the water system,’ says Miles. Drinking water came from a well in the garden, which could be unreliable, especially in summer. ‘We consulted a specialist who told us that the mains water comes straight from Snowdonia, and we couldn’t get any better. So we switched straightaway and had a new hot water and heating system installed, which is zero carbon with a ground-source heat pump.’

A biodiversity specialist advised the couple on rewilding the 10 acres of grazed land. ‘We’ve counted up to 80 species of native wildflowers this year, planted more than 1,000 trees and created three wildlife ponds,’ says Julie. ‘The wildlife is returning gradually year by year – an otter has even been spotted here recently.’

Once planning permission finally came through for the cottage (Ty Coch is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Julie and Miles made some significant changes. One of the three bedrooms was turned into a family bathroom and the tiny kitchen was enlarged. All the uPVC windows were replaced with timber and metal frames, with the glazing kept as large as possible throughout to make the most of the views.

When it came to decor, the couple were keen to stay true to the original character of the cottage. ‘It’s naturally quite a dark space, so we embraced that and went for darker colours, adding built-in seating

sea urchin wallpaper, designed by Miles, adds drama to the room Above right A box of mini baubles from Paperchase is displayed on a vintage metal platter with spruce sprigs and clementines

SITTING ROOM

The cut spruce tree is decorated with jolly red and orange folding paper baubles from Talking Tables, while the coffee table is dotted with rustic ceramics and candles from The Danes

‘It’s naturally quite a dark space, so we embraced that in our colour choices’

KITCHEN

This page Modern units are teamed with retro furniture pieces, including an Ercol table bought on Ebay and chairs sprayed black to tiles. The ceiling has been opened up into the roof space, which gives the room an airy feel Opposite Distinctive place settings feature sprigs of spruce tied to Welsh love spoons

and a log burner for the bitterly cold Welsh winters,’ says Julie. There’s a strong focus on Welsh design and folklore throughout the cottage and outbuildings. Layers of Welsh blankets and cushions dress beds and sofas, and a collection of vintage love spoons hangs on the wall in one of the bathrooms. All of this sits alongside modern Scandi-style furniture – such as the sofas in the living room – and simple lighting. Miles designed the sea urchin wallpaper in the living room, which features illustrations by artist and naturalist Ernst Haeckel.

Over the festive season, Julie makes use of the resources to hand for her decorative themes. The wooden love spoons, for example, are strung from the tree or tied with colourful ribbons to mark table settings. Paper honeycomb decorations in varying sizes and colours are draped on and around the tree, while candles and sprigs of aromatic spruce and fir are scattered along the tables in the dining and living rooms, interspersed with homemade edible treats.

Visitors will often bring their own decorations. ‘We always have guests at Christmas,’ says Julie. ‘I love the fact that we’re carrying on the tradition of the farm as a resting place for travellers.’ But in the future, Ty Coch will be extending its welcome still further, as Julie and Miles intend to move here permanently, leaving behind their hectic city lives and embracing their lovely Welsh home and the splendid isolation of its stunning location. For more information on Ty Coch, visit red-welly.com

ENTRANCE

Above right A welcoming window seat is painted in Cabbage White by Farrow & Ball. Its rustic cushion was made from an old grain sack bought by Julie many years ago

Welsh design is a focus throughout the house

HALLWAY

Right Honeycomb decs hung from a Baileys Home peg rail are a nod to the festive season, as are smartly wrapped gifts. The church pew was bought in an antiques shop in Pwllheli

BATHROOM

Rustic accessories add warmth to an otherwise sleek Scandinavian theme. A large window makes the most of the scenic views

BEDROOM

An exposed wall and the homespun charm of Welsh tapestry blankets contrast with bold yellow lamps from Habitat on contemporary bedside tables

EXTERIOR

With a breathtaking mountain backdrop and bulbs from Festoon Light strung above the garden table, outdoor dining takes from Firepits UK brings HB

DREAMING OF A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS

Add

Joyful interiors that are filled with character and colour have been a standout trend in 2022 as we look to stamp our personalities on our decor. And this festive season, that theme is set to continue – with baubles on.

For hosts who want to sprinkle a little extra magic across their homes this winter, the new Festive Folk collection at Habitat is packed with cheerful motifs and patterns inspired by traditional Nordic folk design. You’ll find soft furnishings, chic tableware and statement bedding – all in a vibrant colour palette.

Here’s how to create living spaces guaranteed to make your guests smile this Christmas.

COLOUR THERAPY

NATURE AS NURTURE

If you’re welcoming family and friends over the festive period and want to make some affordable upgrades to your entertaining ambiance, add Nordic-inspired natural finishes. Light oak dining chairs with rattan detail and colourful cushions create relaxed seating, while touches of greenery, festive table linen and twinkling lights help to soften this pared-back look and create a warm, inviting space.

MINI MOMENTS

For little guests, Habitat’s children’s ranges have everything you need to ignite imaginations and make their stay memorable. There are paper shades in fun prints, leaf-shaped rugs and rainbow-bright bedding for the tiny dreamers. Or you can pick up duvet sets illustrated with maps, wildlife and oceans, atlas wall art and woven tiger storage baskets for budding adventurers. These pieces are guaranteed to spark joy.

Party season is o cially back. But after a year or two of raising a glass virtually with your nearest and dearest, it’s now time to do it in person. Lost as to where to start?

Interior designer Anouska Tamony of Anouska Tamony Designs says: ‘For an intimate, grown-up gathering at home, nothing helps set the scene better than soft, moody lighting. Turn the dimmer switches low and up the ambient lighting for an instantly glamorous glow. Think elegant table lamps, decorative wall sconces and a few carefully placed candles for a beautifully layered effect.’

Another party rule to live by this season? ‘Only invite people who will get along with each other,’ says Anouska. ‘And aside from that, dress up, keep glasses topped up and have fun.’ From the ambience and aroma to the types of cocktails that are worth serving, it’s actually a cinch to host with style. Here’s how to create a welcoming space and really get the party started…

FEATURE REBECCA SHEPHERD

ILLUSTRATIONS ELEANOR TOMLINSON PHOTOGRAPH DAVID LOFTUS STYLING LIZ COCOZZA DIRECTION SARAH KEADY

A IS FOR AROMA

C IS FOR COCKTAILS

Talking of drinks, what are the cocktails to be sipping this season? You can’t go wrong with a champagne spritz, a mulled wine or a fancy gin and tonic. Just don’t forget to add a non-alcoholic option. Our top pick? The plant-based spirit from Pentire that’s somewhere between a non-alcoholic gin and vodka. Alistair Frost, the brand’s founder, says: ‘The Pentire Adrift served with apple cider

B IS FOR BARWARE

Whether you’re making non-alcoholic spritzes or champagne cocktails, why not set up a drinks station complete with glassware, mixers and tipples? If you really want to take your mixologist skills to the next level, create a designated space and make a home for a bar cart – you could even lay out everything guests will need to make their drink of choice themselves. Find a good selection at Next. Just add some glassware like these coupes from Anthropologie, £14 each, a cocktail shaker and a shot measurer.

The Pentire Adrift

offering a welcomed health kick during a season that’s packed with stuff that’s not actually great for you.’ Try the recipe below. You could also pick up a copy of Andy Clarke’s Home Bar cocktail recipe book (£12.99, OH Editions), for even more inspo. 50ml Pentire Adrift

unpasteurised cider vinegar

honey

soda or tonic water

Slice of fresh turmeric and fresh fennel leaves, to garnish

F IS FOR FIRE

With the temperature dropping, light a fire to keep you and your guests warm and cosy. No fireplace? You could always use your TV to recreate the look and sound of a crackling open fire by loading up a re-creation of this on YouTube.

D IS FOR DECORATIONS

Decorate your home with a theme. One stylish idea is having a go-for-gold soirée. Load up on party pieces that are full of shimmer and shine with a classy-looking metallic hue. Use paper fans and lanterns in differing shades of the same colour to create an interesting backdrop.

E IS FOR EASY PREP

more smoothly than making is done before your guests

vegetables, setting the table and putting drinks in the fridge. That mingling and less time fussing.

G IS FOR GAMES

There’s nothing like a bit of organised fun to keep and guests getting to know each other. The Hygge Game: Cozy Conversation in Pleasant Company is a great game. Or get your cards out and see who has the best poker face.

H IS FOR HANDHELD BITES

Have trays of canapés ready so guests can help themselves. It doesn’t have to canapés are those that take just minutes to make and can be devoured in one mouthful. Watercress and beet rolls sound good? Or how about cocktail sausages tossed in honey and sesame seeds? Pick up Milli Taylor’s Party-Perfect Bites and to get your creative culinary juices expert Giovanna Ryan’s exclusive canapé recipes…

I IS FOR IMPROVE

J IS FOR JUG

Don’t leave guests feeling thirsty. Have some water jugs dotted around to keep everyone hydrated once will keep your H2O cool.

L IS FOR LIGHTING

Here’s a bright idea: ‘When you’re entertaining in the home, you want to create a cosy setting and a warm ambience with your lighting to help your guests relax and put them at ease,’ says Paula Boston from Festive Lights. ‘If this is more of a low-key event such as a family get-together, LED candles are great for adding subtle atmospheric lighting and are perfect for use around children and pets.’ We’ve got our eyes set on these LED candles from Festive Lights, £5.99/three.

K IS FOR KIDS

Little ones on the guest list? Set up a small and cosy games area to keep them entertained. Make it magical with fairy lights and festive wall art – these pics are from Desenio.

M IS FOR MENU

Design an easy-to-cook menu, print it out and place it on the table so guests will know what’s coming, even if it is a buffet. Feast your eyes on cookbooks from the likes of Yotam Ottolenghi, Mary Berry, Sophie Gordon and Asma Khan for some creative ideas.

N IS FOR NAME PLACES

If you’re hosting a sit-down dinner, make sure everyone has a place with their own name card. But instead of buying ready-made, be the host/hostess with the most/mostest and grab some unused Christmas tags, a gold pen and practise your very best calligraphy. (Don’t worry about perfection – the more ‘rustic’ the better.)

O IS FOR OUTSIDE SPACE

Got an outdoor area? Provide another place for guests to mingle and turn your garden into a modern winter wonderland with fairy lights, a chiminea, cushions and blankets. This lighting is from Lights4Fun. Find plenty of other ideas for lighting up your space on p59.

Q IS FOR QUICK CLEAN

Before you start adding party decorations, give the most used places – such as loos and bathrooms – a once-over. After you’ve given them a quick clean, grab a small basket and add some items such as perfume, chewing gum, a comb and tissues.

R IS FOR RSVP

Make sure you know how many guests to expect so you can budget for the right amount of people. When you do send out your invites, be sure to ask guests for their food preferences and if they have any allergies. Find party invites at Papier.

Prepare a list of Prepare a list of party bangers. party

Anouska says: Anouska says: ‘Embrace the senses the senses of your guests with of your guests with a thoughtful playlist a playlist humming in the in the background to to create a party vibe.’ create a party vibe.’

S IS FOR SPRUCING UP

Clear away clutter, dust surfaces and store any unsightly bits out of sight so there’s more space for guests to relax and have fun. Philipp Nagel, director at Neatsmith, has a handy storage solution: ‘Bespoke designs, unlike freestanding furniture, enable you to make the most of every bit of space in your home – be that simply working around awkward architectural features such as alcoves.’

V IS FOR VIDEOS

Look back on the past 12 months in style by creating a short and snappy video capturing the good times of everyone throughout the year. Bonus points if you’ve got a projector and a white sheet hung up so everyone can see.

T IS FOR TABLESCAPE

Now it’s time to take things up a notch. Create a tablescape to be proud of with candles placed in candelabras, pretty plates and cutlery that looks almost too good to use alongside matching wine and water glasses. Add some seasonal foliage such as ivy running down the centre of the table. Scatter pine cones around either in their natural state or spray-painted to bring some gold to the table.

U IS FOR UNWINDING

Make sure you save some time – and somewhere – to unwind during this frantic season. To do so, create a zone where you (and your guests) can grab

spot or a cosy corner that’s dressed with blankets and a seat you can sink into. Light a candle or two to keep the mood festive and soothing.

W IS FOR WATER

X IS FOR THE X FACTOR

No, not that X Factor

Y IS FOR YUM

Z IS FOR ZZZs…

When the party’s over, make sure anyone left has a place to lay their head. Got a spare room you could turn into a guest room? Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown, says: ‘Pastels are cheerful, so are perfect for creating a playful guest bedroom

to make your gathering go with a bang!

Hosting New Year’s Eve (or any at-home celebration)?

Read on for quick, simple and delicious recipes for canapés, nibbles and drinks for effortless (almost) entertaining, created for us by MasterChef House Beautiful food expert Giovanna Ryan

PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA EDWARDS | FOOD STYLING JOSS HERD PROP STYLING TABITHA HAWKINS | DIRECTION SARAH KEADY

Devilled quail’s eggs

Devilled eggs may be retro but that doesn’t mean they’re not delicious. These tiny versions make super-cute canapés. Quail’s eggs are easier to for regular eggs if you don’t have the patience. Leave the eggs on their sides their use-by date are the easiest to peel.

Makes 48 half eggs

24 quail’s eggs

6 hen’s eggs

4tbsp mayonnaise

1tsp Dijon mustard

½tsp hot smoked paprika, plus extra to serve (optional)

Tabasco

A pinch of salt

1 Boil the quail’s eggs for 4 minutes. Drain and place in a bowl of cold water. Boil the hen’s eggs for 11 minutes, drain and place in another bowl of cold water.

2 Peel all the eggs, halve, and gently scoop out the yolks into a bowl. Keep the

whites of the quail’s eggs on a plate.

3 Add the mayonnaise, mustard and paprika to the yolks and mash with a fork. Add a few shakes of Tabasco then blitz with a stick blender. If the mixture is too thick to pipe, add a tiny amount of just-boiled water. Taste and add salt or more Tabasco if needed.

4 Transfer the yolk mixture to a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe small amounts into the hollowed-out quail’s egg whites. Dust with paprika just before serving.

GOOD TO KNOW The whites of the hen’s eggs make a quick and tasty sandwich filling – chop and mix with a little mayonnaise and curry powder.

Beef tartare crostini

Crisp sourdough slices are topped with raw beef* spiked with capers and Dijon mustard in this take on a classic beef dish. The toasts can be made in advance as they are dried out to keep them crisp. Store in an airtight container.

Serves 10

½ brown sourdough loaf 200g good quality beef fillet 2tbsp capers, finely chopped 6-8 cornichons, finely chopped

A small handful of tarragon or parsley, finely chopped 1tbsp Dijon mustard

1 egg yolk Olive oil, to serve

1 Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/ gas mark 3. Slice the sourdough as thinly as possible then cut each slice into quarters. Place on a baking tray (you may need two to fit them on) and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, turning halfway, until crisp all the way through. Leave to cool.

2 Cut the beef fillet into tiny, diced pieces. Mix well with the remaining ingredients and heap on top of the crostini. Drizzle with a little good quality olive oil before serving.

Crab croustades

This is the ultimate impressive-but-unbelievably-simple canapé recipe. Crab is so delicious, I’ve let it mostly speak for itself in this. Shop-bought croustades – delicate little crisp pastry cups – are an absolute godsend for canapé recipes and they are the perfect bite size.

Makes 24 croustades

150g brown crab meat

100g mayonnaise

1tbsp mild curry powder

Juice of 1 lemon

200g white crab meat

1tbsp very finely chopped chives or dill, or both, plus extra to garnish

Very finely chopped red chilli (optional)

Large pinch of salt

24 ready-made croustades

1 Mix together the brown crab, mayonnaise, curry powder and half the lemon juice. Set aside until ready to serve.

2 Stir together the white crab, herbs, chilli (if using) and the remaining lemon juice. Season with salt, taste and add more if needed. Set aside until ready to serve.

3 To assemble, place a large teaspoon of the brown crab mix at the bottom of the croustade then top with a teaspoon of the white crab. Garnish with extra chopped herbs.

Pineapple and lime soda

Make jugs of this for anyone not drinking alcohol. Serve in glasses rimmed with chilli salt for an extra kick. If you want it less spicy, use just one chilli.

Serves 8

6 limes, cut into quarters, plus extra quarters to serve 400g tin pineapple chunks or slices in juice

2 large, long red chillies, sliced 400ml pineapple juice

Soda water to top up Chilli flakes, salt and lime slices, to serve

1 Squeeze the lime quarters and add the juice plus the extra quarters to a large jug along with the tinned pineapple (including juice), chillies and pineapple juice. Add ice and top up with soda water.

2 To serve, mix the chilli flakes and salt together on a plate. Squeeze a slice of lime around the rim of a tumbler then press the rim into the salt and chilli mix. Pour the pineapple soda into the tumbler and repeat with the other glasses.

Lemon bomboloni

while you shape the remaining dough.

Makes 30 small bomboloni

600g strong white bread flour

40g caster sugar, plus extra for coating

1tsp salt

Bomboloni are Italian doughnuts and bear a very close resemblance to the milk and the eggs, then mix slowly until the dough starts to come together. Mix on a medium speed until the mixture comes away from the sides of the bowl. You will probably have to stop and scrape down the sides every so often.

20g dried yeast

290ml lukewarm whole milk

3 eggs, lightly beaten

60g butter, softened Vegetable or sunflower oil, for frying

Around 200g lemon curd (optional)

1 Place the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment and mix well. Add the

2 Add the softened butter and mix again at medium high speed until you have a smooth and shiny dough.

3 Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover and leave to rise at room temperature until doubled in size.

4 Take 30g pieces (around the size of a golf ball) of dough and roll into tight balls. Place on a piece of oiled baking paper

5 If you have a deep fat fryer, heat the oil to 170°C, otherwise heat the oil in a deep, heavy-based pan. It needs to be deep enough that the bomboloni won’t touch the bottom when frying. The oil is hot enough when a cube of bread dropped into it turns golden brown.

6 Fry the bomboloni in small batches until golden brown. You’ll have to flip them over halfway through and they do have a tendency to flip themselves back, but you can just hold them down with a spoon if this happens. Take the cooked bomboloni out with a slotted spoon and place on a tray lined with kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining dough.

7 If eating within the next few hours, toss the fried bomboloni in a bowl of caster sugar to coat and pipe in lemon curd, if using. The bomboloni will keep, uncoated and unfilled for 24 hours.

Spiced cherry spritz

This deep-coloured cherry cocktail has the Italian liqueur Amaro at its heart. Amaro is a slightly bitter herbal liqueur that is usually enjoyed as a cherry cola works well in this recipe.

Serves 1 50ml Amaro 100ml prosecco or other sparkling wine Cherry soda Fresh or maraschino cherry, to garnish (optional)

1 Pour the Amaro and prosecco into

2 Top up with cherry soda and garnish with a whole cherry, if using.

All I want for Christmas is A SOOTHING SANCTUARY

How do you keep your cool at home over the party season when all those guests descend? Katie Mulloy unwraps her survival guide for creating your own festive refuge

In my tiny, deluded mind, come festive season my home becomes a drastically less impressive, definitely less early-1990s-American version of the McCallister mansion – the inarguable star (move over, Macaulay) of the now-iconic Christmas film Home Alone.

I’ll assume for all our sakes that you’ve at some point seen the movie so you’ll know I’m referencing – in the opening scenes at least – a big, beautiful, roaring home packed to its perfect brim with Christmas adornment and every seniority of family member with all the warmth, welcome chaos, simmering tensions and hilarity that brings. (We’ll park the child neglect and burglary issues for now.)

In this delusion, I am the frolicsome host sipping on mulled wine and serving up a cinnamon-scented embrace to all. In reality, I’ll probably be like that bit 10 minutes into the film when Macaulay Culkin gets really hacked off with the rest of his family and hopes aloud he never has to see any of them again. Though rather than being marched under protest to the loft, as he is, I’d skip there willingly, desperate for a quiet, cosseting space away from the inane quarrelling and just-detectable passive aggression of extended and not-so extended family.

For it’s during the holidays, after we have shopped, prepped and partied ourselves to burnout before throwing open our doors and filling our homes with loved ones (along with the ones we’ve avoided for the past 12 months) that we need to find sanctuary in the very place that’s descended into eggnog-fuelled pandemonium.

So, as we stare down the barrel of this upcoming season, let’s collectively commit to carving out a little corner of peace and goodwill in our homes. And in doing so, let me gift to you a Christmas List of guidelines to help you create your very own festive refuge.

Now, sanctuary is not an objective concept. What soothes, relaxes or uplifts me won’t necessarily do the same for you. And so I turn to science (for we always follow ‘The Science’),

listing only those things that have been proven to enhance our mental wellbeing. Let’s start with the space itself and the fact it needs to feel, well, spacious. The keyword here is ‘feel’ because the physical size of your home doesn’t matter – indeed small spaces can feel comforting. Rather it’s clutter that kills the sensation of spaciousness and, according to research by the University of California, can spike our levels of the stress hormone cortisol. So, while the rest of your house can descend into bedlam, commit to going full ‘Marie Kondo’ on your own slice of sanctuary.

Next, you need to soften it up. Cashmere throws, sherpa-lined blankets, faux-fur cushions – however you want to do it, incorporate soothing, tactile features. According to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research, when we’re feeling slightly frazzled we innately want to reach for soft or pleasant textures.

At the risk of straying into cliché, it appears that science backs our addiction to a scented candle. In fact, aroma can play a huge part in how we feel. Jasmine, lavender and pine are your proven go-tos for relaxing fragrance. As well as something pleasing to smell, give yourself something nice to look at. Staring at houseplants for as little as three minutes has been proven to reduce stress levels, while looking at visual art has repeatedly been shown to do the same, even having the power to reduce blood pressure. I guess the epitome of festive relaxation – the roaring, open fire – is not only warm but the ultimate art-in-motion.

My favourite piece of science I stumbled over was conducted by the Happiness Research Institute, which found that the happiness you derive from your home has nothing to do with its size or worth but how much pride you take in it – pride being based on the time and effort you’ve invested in it.

So, that’s o cial. Loving your home is good for your mental health. All you need to live out your full festive host-with-the-most fantasy is a decluttered, soft-textured, beautifully scented, nice-stuff-to-look-at-filled sanctuary, no matter how many people have popped round. Feel free to write your Christmas List accordingly.

HOME COMFORTS

SOFT & COSY

If the budget doesn’t stretch to a throw then stunningly super-soft socks will do the job. Cashmere bed socks, £36, thewhitecompany.com

SANCTUARY SCENT

Do a spot of at-home forest bathing with a wintry woodland scent. Woods candle, £60, byredo.com

TACTILE TEXTURE

Snuggle down under faux fur in a comforting warm hue. Burnt Amber throw, £85, grahamandgreen.co.uk

SOUL SOOTHING

As house plants go, a kentia palm is good for the blood pressure and, apparently, hard to kill. Big Ken plant, from £52, patchplants.com

‘While your house descends into bedlam, commit to going full “Marie Kondo” on your own slice of sanctuary’

The sustainable way TO DO CHRISTMAS

at cards certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – and avoid choosing designs with glitter on them. Recycle or compost your cards in January or turn them into decorations for next year.

4 BUY A LOCAL TREE

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association estimates that we buy 7 million trees each year in the UK. Make yours an ecofriendly one by ensuring it’s been grown as locally as possible: you can go to bctga.co.uk or growninbritain.org to find growers in your area. Also look out for the ‘Grown in Britain’ label or the FSC’s ‘seal of approval’, both of which guarantee your tree has been grown to set environmental standards.

GOOD TO KNOW After Christmas, go

1 DECORATE WITHOUT WASTE

The best Christmas decorations are family heirlooms that emerge every holiday season, making them instantly sustainable. However, if you’d like to add to your collection, look to companies such as Nkuku for designs made from brass, glass and wood. Or why not make your own using paper and twine? Biscuits threaded on ribbon are another option, as are foraged red berries, holly and mistletoe. If you want candles, choose ecofriendly ones that are made from soy or beeswax. Or you could hand-pour beeswax candles into old pots and infuse them with essential oils such as cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh and orange.

2 COUNT DOWN TO THE BIG DAY

Invest in a reusable Advent calendar and fill it with cute gifts or handmade treats. There are plenty of gorgeous ones to choose from, but Ella James’s wooden village scene is really magical and can be used year after year.

3 SEND CARDS THAT WILL COMPOST

Around 1.5 billion Christmas cards are binned in the UK each year, but eco-makers such as Hannah Marchant offer compostable alternatives with seeds sprinkled within the biodegradable paper, to be planted after the festive season. Otherwise, take a look

5 DITCH THE PLASTIC

If you’re struggling to decide on stocking fillers this year, why not make your theme ‘plastic-free’? From essential oils and fragrance to beer and gingerbread baking kits, there are plenty of nifty options. Have a look at Wild Sage & Co, The Ethical Superstore or Wearth London for inspiration. Books are also a good idea when sourced from independent bookshops.

6 CHOOSE CLOTHING WITH CARE

Resist the temptation to splash out on sequins (they’re made from PVC and there are no biodegradable substitutes) and opt for sustainable materials instead. For statement, ecofriendly designs, try Reformation, Thought or Mayamiko; or opt for pre-loved designs rather than buying new.

7 USE ECOFRIENDLY WRAPPING PAPER

We throw away a whopping 108 million rolls of wrapping paper each year but some simple switches can help to reduce this. Avoid paper with metallic or glittery designs, as these are often unrecyclable. You can also apply the ‘scrunch test’ if unsure: scrunch the paper into a ball and if it unfurls, then it’s not

... ECO FESTIVITIES

recyclable. Using recycled and recyclable brown paper (available from WHSmith) can make a stylish alternative, particularly when stamped, then tied with fabric ribbon or colourful wool or twine. Several companies make recycled or recyclable paper: we love Re-wrapped (above right) and Happywrap. And don’t forget to switch plastic tape for biodegradable, which you’ll find at Peace With The Wild.

GOOD TO KNOW Another wrapping option is knot wraps. These colourful fabric squares can be reused again and again. Visit countryliving.com/uk/knot-wraps for ideas on how to use them.

8 PULL REUSABLE CRACKERS

Replace single-use crackers with Kate Sproston’s reusable ones. Made from natural linen, and featuring satin embroidered reindeers, fir trees and holly, they’ll make brilliant place holders. While they don’t contain a snap, you can tailor each one with your own personalised gifts.

9 EAT ETHICALLY PRODUCED FOOD

Just imagine

Use the annual gastronomic extravaganza as an opportunity to support ethical and local small-scale producers. Turkey and any other cuts of meat you plan to serve are a good place to start: you’ll use fewer food miles, less packaging and you can feel confident that you haven’t supported any intensive farming practices. Swillington Organic Farm, Coombe Farm Organic, Cross Lanes Organic Farm, The Ethical Butcher and Springfield Poultry are all good options. Abel & Cole and Riverford are great places to source other festive ingredients. Both companies have a handy online tool that provides recipe suggestions for using up leftovers.

GOOD TO KNOW Eat the food in your freezer in the run-up to the main event, leaving plenty of room for leftovers. Surplus

cooked meat can be sliced, then wrapped in parchment and frozen. You can even freeze leftover cheese and save it to use in a warming winter soup in January.

10 ENJOY

Your eco-conscience shouldn’t get in the way of a good festive tipple – thankfully, there are plenty of organic wines to choose from. We like Forty Hall Vineyard in London (above) and Davenport Vineyards in Kent and Sussex. If you’re after something a little stronger, try Dà Mhìle’s organic whisky, brandy and gin made at the UK’s first organic distillery in south-west Wales. They also make great gifts. Visit vintageroots.co.uk for hundreds of organic options.

GOOD TO KNOW Not enough party glasses? Don’t buy plastic ones: if you can’t borrow, rent some for free from Waitrose or Majestic. Visit your local store for details.

Set the scene for the festivities with fresh greenery and simple homemade decorations

Hang fabric star bunting that can be used year after year

This paper from Re-wrapped is made from recycled materials Above Forty Hall

How to make your own SCANDI STYLE DECORATIONS

Add some hygge to your home this Christmas with these easy-to-make, Nordic-inspired crafts and decorations

STYLING BEN KENDRICK PHOTOGRAPHS

NASSIMA ROTHACKER, MARK SCOTT, NATO WELTON AND RACHEL WHITING

Minerva Crafts has a range of acrylic felt fabric, from £16.99/roll

Stylish scenes

This pretty mantelpiece or table display is simplicity itself. All you need are a cake stand, a candle and some winter wonderland-inspired decorations – try mini trees and a decorative cloche, as here, or maybe add a snow globe and some silver baubles. Whatever you choose,

Miniature glass bell jar, £22/four, Weddingstar. For a wide selection of cake stands, try John Lewis & Partners

Lovely labels and giftwrap

Who needs shop-bought gift tags when it’s so easy to make your own? Just grab some thick kraft card, string, a hole punch and some ring reinforcers. Give tags and wrapping paper a personal touch by using

Mini stamp kits, £12 each, The English Stamp Company

Delightful doily lights

These simple tealight holders make wonderful table decorations. Just wrap a doily around a clear glass jar, tie with a festive ribbon and drop in a candle.

Assorted size doilies, £1.50 for 20, Wilko

Christmas countdown

The beauty of a homemade Advent calendar is that you get to choose which treats to pop into each day, for a truly bespoke experience. As here, make some colourful cones from patterned card, number them from 1 to 24 and add a ribbon to the top so they can easily be hung from hooks or on a board. A scrunch of tissue paper hides the goodies inside from prying eyes. Card packs and ribbon, from a selection, Create & Craft

Fab fairy lights

For an easy way to decorate a mirror or shelf, cut out some leaf shapes from paper or thin card and string together with a length of twine. Weave some battery-powered LED fairy lights through for added sparkle.

LED micro battery fairy lights, £2.99 for 20, Lights4Fun

Chair charms

Elevate your seating from functional furniture to festive feature with a delightful display. Decorate some twigs from your garden with baubles and toys hanging from colourful ribbons. Find a selection of ribbons in the haberdashery departments of John Lewis & Partners and Dunelm

Cute calendar

For a quick Advent calendar with a twist, number a collection of mini buckets or glass jars from 1 to 24 and arrange in a vintage bird cage or wire basket, or on a pretty platter or tray. Decorate with festive ribbons or intertwine with fairy lights for a magical touch.

Metal buckets, 7.5cm, £1 each, Hobbycraft

NESTING SEASON

uring these shorter days and chillier evenings, there really is no place like home. Yes, hibernation and hygge season is truly upon us –from hunkering down after work to lounging on lazy weekend mornings, we’re all probably spending more time indoors.

And after all those hours staring at our four walls, many of us may well be itching for an update, whether it’s a few choice accessories or a total furniture refresh. Luckily, it doesn’t require trawling the high street or the internet, because there’s only one destination you need to know about for your next interiors fix: Westfield.

While they may have already established themselves as fashion meccas, Westfield London Shepherd’s Bush and Westfield Stratford City also have an incredible range of homeware brands, perfect for whether you’re looking to brighten up your bedroom or cosy up a living space.

THE BEDROOM

Giving your sleep sanctuary a makeover doesn’t necessarily mean investing in a new bed (though, if you’re so inclined, Westfield London Shepherd’s Bush has you covered with great brands such as Tempur, Raft and Natuzzi Italia). Something as simple as new bed linen can really transform a room – Next has a great budget-friendly selection in everything from florals to bold designs or, for a touch of luxury, turn to The White Company for a set in Egyptian cotton.

THE LIVING ROOM

If your sofa has seen better days, then nowhere has more choice than specialists DFS – our current favourite is the three-seater Libby, in a range of neutral shades perfect to build your own colour scheme around. If you fancy pushing the boat out on your new centrepiece, Bo-Concept has everything from chic two-seaters to modular sofas. Not ready for a big investment? Some brightly coloured cushions can revive an old couch – we love the mid-century-inspired Modern Grid design from West Elm. Or try Flying Tiger at Westfield Stratford City for pocket-friendly updates including rainbow-hued candles and on-trend bouquets of dried flowers.

THE KITCHEN

Chipped or cracked crockery? Now could be the time to replace it – and nowhere, in our opinion, does on-budget dinner sets quite like Zara Home at Westfield London Shepherd’s Bush. From minimalist, Scandi styles to floral designs, there’s something for every aesthetic. And never underestimate the transformative power of new cookware. ProCook UK has a great selection, ranging from cast-iron casserole dishes to chef-worthy granite. We’re sold!

From big-ticket items to light-touch accessory updates, Westfield is the place to head for cosy winter upgrades

We love all-out glamour at Christmas, but natural decorations have a real charm too – and it’s so satisfying to make them yourself

WORDS VIKKI ELIAS | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD BLOOM

WHY YOU SHOULD CREATE YOUR OWN

here’s something so Christmassy about dressing your home with gorgeous winter displays sourced from nature. And handmade wreaths and table decorations couldn’t be easier – all you need is a bit of know-how. You can look in your own garden, visit a local market or go foraging* for winter berries, holly and ivy. And there are no set rules – what you use is up to you, depending on what you have to hand. Christmas tree cut-offs, eucalyptus branches and dried fruits can all be used and will fill your home with fabulous fragrance. (If you have young children or pets, make sure you don’t include anything poisonous, such as yew and some varieties of berries.)

Florist Gabi Reed, from Gabriel’s Garden, is an expert at creating seasonal displays, and overleaf she shows us how to put together some seriously festive arrangements.

Good to know

Keep your door wreath looking fresh by placing it on your lawn overnight to soak up the dew or re-hydrate it in a tray of shallow water

Red berries and pine cones are combined with variegated holly and evergreen foliage for a traditional look

There’s something special about a fresh door wreath at Christmas. Enjoy making your own by taking advantage of our special kit offer over the page

CHRISTMAS DOOR WREATH

The base is made using moss, which retains moisture and will help to keep your wreath looking fresher for longer.

YOU WILL NEED

Reel wire

Flat wire wreath frame

Secateurs

String or twine

Sphagnum moss

Common box

Variegated holly

Variegated euonymous Green pittosporum

Yew

Rosehip sprigs

Crab apple twigs

Wellingtonia cones (fir or larch are ideal too)

1 To make the moss base, unravel a bit of the reel wire and attach it with a twist to the wreath frame. Take a large handful of moss, place it on top of the wreath ring and mould into a sausage shape. Tie into place by winding the reel wire over the moss. Pulling tightly at each turn, continue winding the wire round the moss at regular intervals. Place more moss on the frame and continue working in a clockwise direction until the frame is completely covered. The moss ring should feel rounded and solid. Leave the wire attached ready to wire in the foliage.

2 Cut all the green foliage, holly berries, rosehips and crab apple twigs to similar lengths and group into fan-like clusters with three pieces in each one.

Place the first cluster of greenery and berries on top of the moss ring near the attached wire, wind the wire over the foliage and tie into place. Continue to place the clusters on the wreath, overlapping each over the previous one – work in a clockwise direction until the wreath is completely covered. Cut the reel wire and secure by weaving the end around the edge of the wreath, pull tight and push the sharp end into the moss to secure.

3 To finish, tie a piece of wire around the base of each cone, place each one into the foliage and use the end of the wire to push into the moss. Carefully thread a piece of twine or string through the foliage, around the wreath and tie a knot. Use the end to tie onto a door knocker or a wreath hanger.

All in the details

HANGING CROWN OF FLOWERS

The method is similar to making a door wreath but on a larger scale (see step-by-step instructions on the previous page). However, this arrangement is made without using moss so should be made as close to Christmas Day as possible to ensure it stays looking its best.

YOU WILL NEED

Large metal or woven willow wreath ring, up to 61cm Reel wire

Strong rope to fix ring to ceiling hook

Crab apple sprigs Rosehip sprigs Greenery of your choice

1 Cut all berries and foliage and place the ends in water for at least six hours. It’s best to do this in the morning and then make up the arrangement in the afternoon.

2 Attach the reel wire with a twist to the edge of the frame and place the first of the foliage and berries onto the ring, then use the same method as for making the door wreath. You’ll need to fix a ceiling hook and use strong rope to hang your flower crown to ensure it is completely secure.

TABLE CENTREPIECE

Vibrantly coloured flowers mixed with some greenery will add a focal point to your table. To make this foam-free arrangement, scrunch a piece of chicken wire into a loose ball and place into a vase or container and fill with water. Cut stems of ivy flowers, foliage and variegated ivy trails, then push the stems into the wire. Fill in with your chosen flowers and berries – here we’ve used orange ranunculus and rosehips.

POSY PLACE SETTINGS

A single flower stem tied with seasonal foliage and placed in a small glass makes a simple yet effective table decoration.

Keep to the same colour scheme for sophisticated style

Florist Gabi Reed is offering House Beautiful readers her Christmas wreath kit for the special price of £24.75 including postage to UK mainland addresses.

The kit contains a 25.5cm wreath ring, a bag of sphagnum moss, reel wire, decorations and ribbon, plus instructions for making a traditional moss base. Visit gabrielsgarden.co.uk and use HB12 at the checkout to claim the discount.

Opening a book and being transported to a different world is a bit of magic we never grow out of. And that’s what photographer Andrew Montgomery brings us in Winter Gardens, his personal exploration of these silvery slumbering worlds. Packed with dreamy pictures, it’s the perfect Christmas gift for someone special (or a well-deserved treat for yourself)…

SILHOUETTE & STRUCTURE &

Opposite Surrounded by a hedge made of blocks of yew, border of Oxfordshire and more human,’ says designer Jinny Blom

s a photographer, you are attuned to things that other people might overlook. For most, a garden’s first highlight of the year is the fresh colour and vibrancy of spring. This is followed by the blowsiness and intensity of summer – and then autumn, which provides a second opportunity to dazzle, in the softening light of cooler, shortening days. These seasonal moments are wonderful, of course, but for me the real highlight is the first frost of winter – that moment of walking into a garden in which the seed heads and crumbling foliage are encrusted with white. Flowers not yet faded are frozen, and the camera and tripod numb the fingers. The light is cold blue but is slowly being pierced by the first warm rays of the sun.

The time to capture the scene is limited, and I know I have minutes rather than hours. The true essence and thrill of photography is captured within these precious moments. From this point, the visual journey into winter begins. Silhouette and structure become the dominant forces now that the billowing softness and colour of the

PAULINE MCBRIDE

‘The colours of the garden start to fade and, like an old sepia photograph, the edges become less distinct’

PARED BACK PRAIRIE

light around the pond at Paul and Pauline McBride’s Sussex Prairie Garden. Designed as a series of interlocking arc-shaped beds, it depends entirely on plants for its impact, with large groups of grasses and perennials arranged in a

previous seasons have disappeared. In Britain, winter can last five months, from November through to the following March.

Over the years, my local allotment has become a winter muse. Being just ten minutes away from my home, it provided a convenient place to shoot when conditions and schedule allowed. Spending time there, I began to develop the idea of capturing winter’s dramatic effect on a garden. I realised that different weather conditions increased the drama: frost and snow accentuating the line and form of topiary and trees; mist and fog creating skeletal ghosts punctured by the charcoal black of foreground structure. This stripped-back effect, with a virtually monochromatic palette, gave me the opportunity to shoot in black and white – a medium not normally

used in garden photography. It offered a beautiful way to emphasise the graphic lines and forms in front of my camera. Colour became pared back, providing instead a background tone to the gardens, from the pale warmth of late autumn and the cool blue hues of January to the warmer tones and initial shoots of green in late winter.

The gardens in these photographs provide a perspective that is not often seen. Without the distraction of the previous seasons’ colours, there is an opportunity to show the skill of the designer’s hand that is usually hidden and the care that gardeners take in tending their work through those often-bleak months that results in a plot’s summer splendour. For me, giving a photographic insight into these dormant worlds is what this gallery of images is about.

CURVE APPEAL

An elegant wrought-iron moon gate from the 1930s welcomes wanderers into a walled garden in Sussex designed by Arne Maynard, where apple trees line the central path. ‘It felt like the sort of old-fashioned garden that I loved as a child and I connected with it immediately,’ Arne says

BEAUTY IN DECAY

Eryngium eburneum stands tall in Dan Pearson’s garden in Hillside, Somerset. The plot seems almost to have emerged from the meadows and pastures

it is unclear where the

READER OFFER

This is an edited extract from Winter Gardens by Andrew Montgomery & Clare Foster (£70, Clearview). It is available from 5 December 2022. HB readers can get a 20 per cent discount and free P&P within the UK by calling 01256 302692 and quoting UK5. Offer closes 30 June 2023. HB

MODERN LIVING

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

There’s no getting away from the fact that it’s beginning to look an awful lot like Christmas. And if family and friends are coming to stay, that means getting your house visitor-ready from top to bottom. Well, we’re here to help with some fabulous style updates – sumptuous sofas from DFS; cosy rugs for toasty toes from Carpetright; boutique-chic bed frames from Dreams and sleek new bathroom units and eye-catching tiles from Homebase. Here’s to the most wonderful time of the year…

Rich pickings

With Christmas just around the corner, you may be thinking about spending time with your nearest and dearest. If you’re looking for a sofa that works for all occasions, from cosy nights in with the family to parties with friends, then check out the opulent House Beautiful Long Beach.

This delightfully laidback, oversized sofa, shown here in glamorous blue velvet, is modular in design so, with the addition of extra ‘no-arm’

cushions deliver looks with no compromise on comfort, and the expansive chaise end is the ultimate chill zone, ideal for stretching out on. The matching footstool not only looks fabulous, it’s mega-practical too, giving you somewhere to perch, set up a game, place a tray or just put your feet up and relax.

And of course, as with every sofa in the exclusive House Beautiful Collection at DFS, Long Beach comes with an impressive – and free – 15-year frame and frame springs guarantee for peace of mind for many Christmases to come.

It might be a cold winter wonderland outdoors, but step into Christmas with a new rug and it will be happy holidays all round! As well as instantly updating any room, rugs up the comfort

also help to keep rooms extra warm, adding another layer of insulation

For the best choice of rugs for this festive season and beyond, With so many colours, patterns and styles to choose from – pared-back neutrals, graphic geometrics, magical metallics and more – you’re

Many of the rugs are made from polypropylene or polyester, so are water- and stain-resistant with superb colour fastness, making them crafted from recycled plastic bottles for the ultimate in sustainable

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE

Sleep in luxurious style this festive season with the impressive Grove bed frame from the House Beautiful Collection at Dreams

Christmas can be a hectic time, with all the planning, shopping and entertaining that has to be done, but knowing you have somewhere sumptuous to slumber after a hard day makes it all a little bit easier.

And slumber doesn’t come more sumptuous than with the Grove, from the exclusive House Beautiful Collection at Dreams. gently winged headboard designed to hold and support you when sitting up, it also has a comfortable base with sprung wooden slats

bringing a touch of glamour to any bedroom.

But that’s not all, because hidden beneath all that beauty is a brilliant space-saving, end-opening ottoman, giving you oodles of dust-free, easily accessible storage for spare duvets, pillows, throws and, who knows, maybe even the odd Christmas present or two!

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL GROVE VELVET-FINISH UPHOLSTERED OTTOMAN BED FRAME, FROM £899

All in the details

Comfort & style

Shining example

One of the lovely things about Christmas is having visits is that we sometimes need to get our houses in order, literally. And that includes the bathroom – for one of the most-used rooms in the home, it’s often shown the But thanks to the fabulous House Beautiful Ele-ment(s) range and units comes in a choice of on-trend Gloss Grey (shown) or bathroom, there’s also a fabulous range of House Beautiful wall including Aurelia, shown here in dramatically dark Liquorice. such as herringbone and chevron as well as straight, for a

Stylish inspiration for modern living

STYLISH LIVING

For you and your home

DESIGN YOUR PERFECT HOME

Walking a careful line between tradition and modernity this collection touches upon heritage references, modern living and our sentiments that make our houses our homes. There are 20 incredible colours to choose from: whether it’s the cool green Limestone, the deep blue Bloomsbury or the inviting grey Heirloom, there’s a perfect colour for everyone! If you love the sound of Perfect Home then head over to the Kingsmead website to learn more about this exciting new range and order your free samples today. www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

MAKING A HOUSE A HOME

Introducing Perfect Home: Kingsmead Carpets stunning new wool carpet where traditional meets modern for a cosy and luxurious interior. Made with an exclusive 100% British yarn – Wool Britannia® this carpet is truly perfect for your home!

Learn more about Wool Britannia® – www.woolcarpet.co.uk

LIFE DESIGN

We’re not knocking Social, but finding your true design style is the key to creating a brilliant and captivating space that people want to spend time in. At Life Design we don’t like hearing “can’t” and love to challenge traditional “just because” rules in the interiors world. We want your project to be one of a kind, perfect for you.

We are dogged about spatial design and flow. A truly great design utilises every corner, every piece of furniture is well used, everything has meaning and purpose. We bring our knowledge and experience gained from each project into every new project and are constantly learning, evolving and adapting to our changing world. Let us create an interior that you truly connect with. http://www.lifedesign.london - 07966 542784

THE ART OF CLEANING

Quality, performance, and reliability are all wrapped up in this beautiful SEBO Felix Peony. Its patented swivel neck and low profile cleaning head allow it to move around and under furniture with ease. Variable suction, S-Class filtration and powerful performance mean it’s the perfect match for any home. Furthermore, SEBO will donate 25% of sale profits to The Pink Ribbon Foundation. T: 01494 465533

W: www.sebo.co.uk Instagram: @sebo_uk

WILLOW & HALL

Christmas delivery still available on selected designs and save up to 20% in the autumn sale. Willow & Hall design and sell quality upholstered living and bedroom furniture, handmade in Britain, using the finest materials. Designs are available in over 150 fabrics and with a choice of seat fillings. Sofa beds come with three luxury mattress options, and with a depth of 14cm, they’re perfect for occasional or everyday use. As part of Willow & Hall’s exceptional level of customer service, they offer nationwide delivery on all made-to-order furniture from 4 weeks or within 2 weeks if you order from their fast delivery range. They also offer a 14-day free returns policy, whatever your personalisation. Visit willowandhall.co.uk or call 020 8939 3800 for more information or to order free samples.

LUXURY HOME & GARDEN FURNITURE

Warming up for Winter or Hotting things up ready for enjoying the garden in Spring & Summer, then www.PadioLiving.com has a great range of luxury Home & Garden furniture for you, and we Specialise in Fireplaces and Fire pits. Get that perfect finish to your special living space and create envy amongst your friends and family, check out www.PadioLiving.com and our House Beautiful readers can take advantage of 10% Off using code HOUSE10 at the checkout. Valid until 28th February. Don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team to help you get the right product for your needs.

RENEWVATE

We are the most reliable, trustworthy and efficient project management and construction contractor in the area. We are the proud winners of Houzz Best of Service and Best of Houzz awards for 2022. From your general renovations to full extensions, we have got you covered. We actively work with our clients to create bespoke designs, complete projects and find solutions that are designed to suit your needs. We, at Renewvate believe in and focus heavily on customer service, going the extra mile and accommodating all the needs of our clients. www.renewvate.co.uk enquire.renewvate@gmail.com 07574313100

Save 25% on festive blooms

Christmas is the time of year for giving and our new collection of beautiful blooms are sure to brighten up their home and fill it with festive joy and colours of the season.

We’ve been in the business of delivering happiness for over 30 years, sending beautiful bouquets, long-lasting house plants and gift hampers all over the UK.

We are committed to making a difference to the world we live in, as well as the people in it.

Our commitment to becoming a plastic-free, more sustainable business makes us the perfect choice for sending gorgeous gifts to celebrate any occasion.

Send your love and save 25% with code HBXS22

Find the perfect gift for your loved one online at bunches.co.uk

Code expires Wednesday 4th January 2023 and cannot be used on Subscription Gifts or Flowers for a Year.

Bouquet featured Christmas Elegance priced £42.

Order by Tuesday 20th December for Christmas delivery.

Learn the secrets of the ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN with SARAH RAVEN

MEET YOUR SPECIAL GUEST

For two decades, since the publication of her first book, The Cutting Garden, Sarah has led the way in introducing a new kind of productive gardening. She’s a teacher, broadcaster, and host of gardening podcast Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange, and also runs sarahraven.com.

Few things in life can compare to the joy of strolling through an English country garden at the height of summer, when roses, lavender, hydrangeas and sunflowers are all spectacularly on show.

This exclusive four-day trip has been repeated due to popular demand and features private visits to world-class gardens in Kent and Sussex, plus a special event hosted by the inspirational Sarah Raven.

Reasons to book

EXCLUSIVE EVENT WITH SARAH

At Perch Hill, you’ll have lunch using fresh produce from the plot, Sarah will give a talk about the quarter of a century spent turning Perch Hill from a former dairy farm into today’s bountiful grounds and you’ll join the gardeners on a tour.

VISIT SISSINGHURST

You’ll enjoy an early visit to Sissinghurst Castle to explore the garden, created by writers Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in the 1930s, before it opens to the public.

GLORIOUS GARDENS

Every summer, the gardens of Sussex and Kent attract visitors from around the world. From the beautiful seven-acre Great Comp Garden and the historic manor house and garden at Lullingstone Castle, which dates back to the time of the Domesday Book, to garden writer Christopher Lloyd’s garden at Great Dixter and the magical Aspen poplars at Pashley Manor, each day will bring glorious grounds for you to explore.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER Brightwater Holidays is an award-winning travel operator specialising in garden and specialist-interest escorted tours worldwide.

YOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1 Great Comp and Lullingstone Castle; arrive in Royal Tunbridge Wells

DAY 2 Pashley Manor and Scotney Castle

DAY 3 Great Dixter and Sissinghurst DAY 4 Sarah’s garden at Perch Hill and depart

YOU WILL GET THE CHANCE TO…

Stay at The Spa Hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells for three nights bed and breakfast accommodation

Enjoy three dinners at the hotel

Take part in a talk and events with Sarah Raven at her Perch Hill garden, including a two-course lunch and tour of the gardens

Enjoy an early-bird visit to Sissinghurst

Visit the gardens of Scotney Castle, Lullingstone Castle, Great Comp, Pashley Manor and Great Dixter

ALSO INCLUDED

Coach travel and the services of a Brightwater Holidays tour manager

HOW TO BOOK

*From price is per person, based on two people sharing a double room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £195. Deposit required. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted and any expert-led events may be subject to change.

Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Brightwater Holidays (ATOL 4498).

Enjoy a talk from the garden designer, broadcaster and writer, as well as a private tour of Perch Hill

Explore Sissinghurst Castle Garden before the crowds arrive

Meet Sarah Raven at Perch Hill

Visit The Pantiles during your stay in beautiful Royal Tunbridge Wells

TV presenter Angellica Bell on festive tabletops and partying with Rylan

roof, open beams and skylights. The black cabinets give it an industrial feel.

My Zoom backdrop is… A blue room painted in Little Greene’s Basalt, with a piano and lots of quirky antiques. It feels like a private members club.

My favourite homeware store is… John Lewis. The other day I wanted to make a Black Forest gateau trifle, and ran there to pick up a glass trifle bowl. It looked amazing – and the gateau wasn’t bad either!

My walls are… Full of pictures of friends, family, memories, good times and achievements.

Palace tablet pot that I usually put vitamins in when we go on holiday.

My favourite housewarming gift was… A Jeroboam of Champagne that’s still on the mantelpiece, 10 years after we moved in. I have no idea if it’s still drinkable.

The home I’d like to nose around is… I’m a massive fan of property shows, so I’d love to join someone’s renovation journey, seeing them transform a wreck into an amazing home.

Home is… A Victorian house [with husband Michael Underwood – a teacher and fellow presenter – and their two children], although we’re moving to another property that’s dated 1852.

I like historic buildings and antiques. We have a church pew in our porch and a 1960s Bodet clock on the kitchen wall, from a Paris train station.

My childhood home was… My gran’s house in Ealing, west London, where I lived after my parents split up when I was about three. She taught me to cook, and appearing on Celebrity MasterChef rekindled memories of spending time with her.

My festive dinner-party aesthetic is… Nothing fancy, but it’s cool: a cute tealight candelabra centrepiece I bought at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, placed on top of our beautiful dark wooden table from Holloways of Ludlow. There’s just something about exposed wood. I do use placemats to protect it, though.

My favourite room in the house is… The kitchen. After an extension it’s now perfect for entertaining and has a pitched

The biggest extravagance in my home is… A Sub Zero & Wolf industrial range cooker – an investment after winning Celebrity MasterChef. When we move, the cooker’s staying. I’m upset to leave it but I know our buyers are excited to use it!

The biggest bargain in my home is… An old London Underground sign I found at the tip; it’s now on my kitchen wall. We also picked up a pair of side tables, which we upcycled using Annie Sloan chalk paint, then sold. I love to collect… Miniature items, like a little glass fish from Topsham Quay Antiques in Devon, or a thimble from a She eld antiques shop. I was told an amazing story about it that may or may not be true.

Inside my bathroom cabinet you’ll Things for any eventuality, like plasters, Savlon, Dettol, tissues, medicines and vitamins. There’s also a Buckingham

me… On the dance floor. My social media went mad recently after Rylan Clark posted on his Instagram that I’d been to his house with Alan Carr and (actor) David Ames for a karaoke party. I’ve always loved dancing and having a good time. Friendship and nights out should be memorable.

Right now, outside my window… I can see the River Exe, because I’m on holiday by the sea in Devon, staying in a shepherd’s hut. I love this part of the world for the outdoors, the people and the food. Devon is my second home.

My favourite design object from my travels is… A print of Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper from a trip to Italy earlier this year. It was so exhilarating to visit Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, which houses the original mural.

Every Sunday I’ll be… Running or cycling around Richmond Park, baking or doing something with the family.

Angellica hosts Weekend Brunch on Scala Radio every Saturday and Sunday, 10am-1pm

THIS OR THAT?

Eat to live or live to eat? A bit of both. I’m healthy but indulgence is part of life. Quick shower or relaxing bath? Usually a shower, but a bath when I have time. Before bed: box set or book? Book.

I’m reading The Land of Roar Jenny McLachlan. I like to read what my children read.

Scented candles or diffusers? Candles. I’ve just bought Diptyque Roses.

Entertain or be entertained? Entertain. At my house you’re treated like royalty!

TV in the kitchen: yes or no? No, because the kitchen is all about conversation, learning and expression. Killer of plants or lover of all living things? I used to kill all plants but since I’ve been part of the BBC’s Chelsea Flower Show [presenting] team, they’re thriving!

‘At parties, you will always find me dancing’

This year’s Cox & Cox Christmas collection has all you need to turn your home everything in the range from the tree itself to the gorgeous decorations to adorn it, as well as chic giftwrap, pretty lights and beautiful homeware that’ll take your guests’ breath away. Enjoy our exclusive 25 per cent discount and bring some festive sparkle into every space of your home, inside and out – however early you decide to decorate. Find out more by visiting coxandcox.co.uk, or take a look at @coxandcox on Instagram

Dusky Pine pre-lit 6ft Christmas tree, £250; Elegant Light Up tree topper, £12.50; Light Up baubles, £60/12; Snowberry & Eucalyptus garland, £25; Slim Glass bauble box in Winter White, £35/26; Alpine wrapping paper, £14.50/10m; Tea Light houses, £75/three; Mini Carnival stars, £15.50/three

Ever wanted to give the perfect Christmas present? Say, maybe a stylish gift that’ll take pride of place in a loved one’s home or a thoughtful, homemade treat they’ll know was

Well, that’s where we come in – for this month, we are bringing you 64 pages of inspiration. This year, we’ve split our gift guide

lovers, with something for everyone on your list, from gadget fans and cocktail connoisseurs to

pets. We’ve also got budget buys – ideal for Secret Santas or just if you’re watching what you spend this year. (We know you love a bargain, so take a peek at our exclusive 25%

Then the second half of this guide is devoted to delicious foodie gifts to bake and share. We’ve got some gorgeous snow-white treats and all things sugar and spice, plus our food expert MasterChef has created some Italian-inspired recipes just

We’re sure there’s plenty here that’ll bring joy to all your recipients (and maybe a little something for you to self-gift, too). Enjoy!

0955-3533

TERRY BARBROOK EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Tel: 01733 555161.

IMPORTANT While we make every effort to quote correct prices, it’s possible that prices may have changed since we went to press. While we do our best to ensure firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, the Editor can give no guarantee that they will fulfil obligations in all circumstances. Readers must therefore deal with them at their own risk. House Beautiful ISSN no.

s published 11 times a year by Hearst Magazines UK.

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL SOPHIA EXCLUSIVELY AT DFS

A sleek, stylish sofa designed with comfort in mind, available in a choice of eight on-trend colour combinations

The House Beautiful Collection at DFS is an exclusive range of contemporary sofas, chairs and accessories, created to bring a touch of style and glamour to any home.

A new sofa is a big investment, so you want to be certain you’re making the right choice. It needs to be hard-wearing. Discover more from the House Beautiful Collection at dfs.co.uk/house-beautiful

SOPHIA SOFA

glass bar cart by John Lewis + Swoon, £229; Nightlife Pink Trees giftwrap, £4.50/3m; Nightlife Merry Christmas giftwrap, £4.50/3m; Nightlife Starburst giftwrap, £12/two rolls; Nightlife , £15; Nightlife , £15; all John Lewis & Partners

Wooden Advent calendar with LEDs, £49.99, Lights4Fun

These SOOTHING treats and beautiful buys are IDEAL for loved ones who like to LINGER in the tub

TEA

STAR

GO

TIED

ELEGANT

COMPILED BY HOLLY RANSOME

TOP CHOCS

Charbonnel et Walker , £16, Liberty

STAY IN TOUCH

Thistles & writing set, £8.95 for 10 sheets and envelopes, Cherith Harrison

COVER UP

Rustic Larch apron, £18, Walton & Co

THINK PINK Belmot plant pot, £12.50, Oliver Bonas

STRIKE IT

Flamboyant matches, £7.50, Raj Tent Club

ON THE LEVEL GBBO Showstopper measuring spoons, £20, Cath Kidston

POT OF GOLD Iggy planter, £19.50, Oliver Bonas

Small

enough to fit in a handbag

A TOUCH OF GLAM

Taper candle holder, £20, Next

SOFT TOUCH Winter Berries hand cream, £8, Fat Face

BOWLED OVER San Raphael Wild Flower bowl, £17, Arket

PUT PEN TO PAPER

Opium Blush notebooks, £15/three, The Curious Department

PARTY PIECE Gold tone cocktail shaker, £11, Habitat

ON THE SIDE

Cheese accompaniments set, £12, National Trust Shop

Napkins in Ticking fabric in Graphite, £34.95/m; accessories painted in chalk paints, from a selection; wall painted in Terre Verte, £55.95/2.5L; cabinets painted in Knightsbridge Green, £24.95/750ml; all Annie Sloan

Dillie champagne saucers, £44/four; Lena brass coasters, £36/four; all Rowen & Wren

SKETCHING

SUBLIME SCENT

LOOKING

COMPILED BY HOLLY RANSOME

THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION AT HOMEBASE

Cutting-edge kitchen designs to transform the heart of your home

Make a style statement with a contemporary kitchen from the stunning House Beautiful range, available at Homebase.

Choose from the sleek design of the Islington, the clean and contemporary feel of the Camberwell or the simplicity of the Bermondsey. Westbourne, with its classic Shaker lines, is also available. Cabinets are supplied preassembled for ease of installation and come with an impressive 20-year guarantee. All House Beautiful kitchens are designed and handmade in the materials. See the full range in store and online, and create a space that’s practical and beautiful – and unique to you.

ISLINGTON in Midnight & Industrial

CAMBERWELL

BERMONDSEY in Ash

MAKE IT PERSONAL

A little thought and effort goes a long way, which is why giving homemade presents to friends and family is such a lovely gesture at Christmas. We think the best gifts to give are the ones you can eat or drink, so we’ve put together a selection of fantastic recipes that even the fussiest of recipients

Dreaming of a white Christmas

Surprise friends and family this year with these gorgeous snow-like homemade sweet treats

RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING ALISON WALKER PHOTOGRAPHS TARA FISHER STYLING CAROLINE REEVES

White chocolate and raspberry truffles

Preparation: 40 minutes, plus cooling Cooking: 5 minutes Makes about 25 300g white chocolate 25g butter

180ml double cream

1tbsp raspberry liqueur*

Icing sugar, desiccated coconut and white sugar balls, for decorating

1 Break up the chocolate and place in a bowl with the butter. Bring the cream to the boil in a small pan and pour over the chocolate and butter. Leave to melt, then stir until smooth and allow to cool.

2 Using an electric whisk, mix until fluffy and slightly lighter in colour. Whisk in the raspberry liqueur. Chill until firm.

3 Take a teaspoon of the mixture and form into a ball. Roll in the icing sugar, desiccated coconut or sugar balls and place in a paper case. Repeat with the remaining mixture. The truffles should be kept in a fridge and eaten within 3 days.

Vanilla marshmallows

Preparation: 25 minutes, plus setting Cooking: 10 minutes Makes about 25

3tbsp cornflour

3tbsp icing sugar

500g white granulated sugar

1tbsp liquid glucose

22g leaf gelatine

2 large egg whites

1tsp vanilla extract

1 Fill the sink or a large bowl with cold water. Lightly oil a 33cm x 23cm tin that is at least 3cm deep. Sieve the cornflour and icing sugar together into a bowl and use 2tbsp to dust the tin.

2 Put the granulated sugar, liquid glucose and 200ml water in a pan over a low heat and melt until completely dissolved.

3 Put the gelatine sheets in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes until softened.

4 Bring the syrup to the boil – do not stir – until it reaches 127°C (to test, drop a teaspoon of syrup into a bowl of cold water, bring together with your fingers

and it should form a hard ball). When it reaches the correct temperature, dip the base of the pan into the sink or large bowl of cold water to stop it cooking.

5 Squeeze out the excess water from the gelatine and stir into the sugar syrup.

6 Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then beat in the vanilla extract briefly. With the whisk still running, slowly trickle in the sugar syrup. This is easier with a free-standing mixer, or mix with a hand-held whisk while someone else pours in the syrup. Keep on whisking for about 10 minutes until the mixture holds its shape – it will be a thick, white mass. Pour into the tin, smooth out and leave to set for several hours.

7 Loosen the marshmallow at the edges with a flat-bladed knife. Liberally dust a large sheet of baking parchment with half the remaining cornflour and icing sugar. Turn the marshmallow out onto it. Dust the top again with the remaining cornflour and icing sugar and leave for 1 hour to form a crust. Cut into 25 pieces.

Good to know

Don’t use too much orange blossom water – it has a delicate give the meringues a perfumed taste

Meringue kisses

Preparation: 35 minutes

Cooking: About 1 hour

Makes about 25

4 medium egg whites

225g white caster sugar

2tsp orange blossom water

150ml double cream

1tbsp icing sugar, sifted, plus extra for dusting

1 Heat the oven to 110°C/90°C fan/ gas mark ¼. Line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment.

2 Whisk the egg whites until stiff. Beat

in half the caster sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until thick and glossy. Whisk in the orange blossom water. Fold in the remaining caster sugar.

3 Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large fluted nozzle. Holding the bag vertically, pipe a walnut-sized blob onto the baking sheet, pipe a smaller blob on top followed by another slightly smaller one. Lift away the nozzle sharply. Repeat, spacing the meringues well apart, until the mixture is used up.

4 Bake for about an hour until a meringue peels away easily from the

parchment. If you like a chewy meringue, remove from the oven at once; if you prefer them drier, turn off the oven with the meringues inside and leave the oven door open slightly.

5 To serve, whisk the cream with the icing sugar until it just holds its shape. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle and pipe a little cream onto the flat side of a meringue. Stick together with another meringue and place on a serving dish or in a gift box. Continue with the rest of the meringues. Dust all over with icing sugar.

Mini Christmas cakes

Preparation: 1 hour 40 minutes, plus marinating Cooking: 1-1½ hours

Makes 16

110g each of raisins, sultanas and currants

25g prunes, finely diced 75ml sloe gin

Zest and juice of ½ lemon and ½ orange

110g very soft unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

110g dark muscovado sugar

2 large eggs, beaten 1tbsp black treacle

140g plain flour

Large pinch salt

½tsp mixed spice

50g candied peel

Brandy, for ‘feeding’ the cake ¼ jar apricot jam

About 800g golden marzipan 750g-1kg white ready-to-roll icing

1 Put the dried fruit in a large bowl with the gin and citrus zests and juices. Cover and leave to marinate for 3 days.

2 Heat the oven to 140°C/120°C fan/ gas mark 1. Grease a 16-hole cake tin and line with baking parchment.

3 Beat the butter and sugar together until soft, fluffy and lighter in colour. Gradually add the eggs, whisking well between each addition, then beat in the treacle. If the mixture curdles, mix in 1tbsp flour.

4 Fold in the flour, salt and mixed spice, then fold in the marinated fruit and peel. Spoon the mixture into the tin and bake for 1-1½ hours until a skewer inserted into the cakes comes out clean. Cool, remove the cakes from the tin and, when at room temperature, wrap in baking parchment and clingfilm. Store in an airtight container for a month and feed once a week with brandy.

5 When ready to decorate, put the jam in a pan with a splash of water and heat gently until melted. Push through a sieve to remove the bits and leave to cool.

6 Trim the cakes to 3cm high so they have flat tops and bottoms. Roll out a portion of marzipan to a 4mm thickness. Cut a 3cm-wide strip, brush it with

apricot glaze and wrap around the side of the cake, joining the seams so that they butt against each other. Repeat for the rest of the cakes.

7 Take a 20g piece of marzipan and roll into a ball. Flatten and, using your fingers, ease out into a slightly domed disc the same diameter as the cake. Brush the top of a cake with the apricot glaze, then fix the disc on top, sealing it with the marzipan at the edges. Repeat for the remaining cakes and leave to dry for 2 days in a cool place.

8 Divide the icing into 16 pieces (about 45-50g each). Keeping the rest of the icing covered while you work, roll out a piece of icing into a circle about 4mm thick.

9 Dust your hands with icing sugar. Brush a marzipanned cake with water. Put the circle of icing on top of the cake and, using your hands, ease the icing down the sides. Trim the excess and rub your hands over the icing until smooth.

10 Using festive cutters, gently imprint a pattern into the top of the icing. Finish by fixing a piece of ribbon around the base with double-sided tape.

Dip half the mints into melted chocolate for extra indulgence

Peppermint creams

Preparation: 30 minutes, plus drying Makes about 50

2 medium egg whites

450g icing sugar, sifted, plus extra for dusting

A few drops of peppermint essence

1 Beat the egg whites with a fork until frothy. Put the icing sugar in a bowl and gradually add the egg white until it forms a stiff dough. Work in a few drops of peppermint essence to taste.

2 Turn out onto a worktop dusted with icing sugar and knead until smooth. Roll out to a thickness of 5mm. With a 3-4cm cutter, stamp out circles and leave to dry for 24 hours on baking parchment dusted with icing sugar. The peppermint creams will keep for up to a month in an airtight container.

Homemade presents always satisfy and none more so than these delicious Italian-inspired treats from MasterChef food expert Giovanna Ryan – in fact, they’re so delightful, you may be reluctant to give them away

RECIPES GIOVANNA RYAN | PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA EDWARDS

PROP STYLING TABITHA HAWKINS | FOOD STYLING JOSS HERD | DIRECTION SARAH KEADY

‘This spice mix makes a lovely gift, especially with some good olive oil’

Good to know

Panforte will keep for a month, wrapped tightly in baking paper, and is best eaten at least a week after baking

‘Negronis are having a moment and make an excellent gift, as they contain only alcohol so keep well in bottles’

Pear mostarda

‘Mostarda is an unusual preserve from Lombardy,’ says Giovanna. ‘Fruits are candied in sugar and stored in a wine and mustard mixture. My parents have a huge pear tree in their garden, so I made this last year to help with the glut.’

Makes 1 large jar

Around 1kg pears

Caster sugar

100ml white wine

4tbsp mustard powder

1tbsp black mustard seeds

Juice of 1 lemon

1 Peel the pears and cut into quarters. If very large, cut into eighths. Weigh the fruit without the peel and place in a large bowl. Add half the weight of the pears in caster sugar and mix to coat the pears in the sugar. Place in the fridge, stirring every few hours until the sugar has mostly dissolved. This takes a while, depending on the moisture in

2 Remove the pears from the bowl and place in a large, sterilised jar. Pour the remaining syrup into a saucepan, along with the white wine, mustard powder, mustard seeds and lemon juice. Bring to the boil, then pour into the jar over the pears. Seal and keep in the fridge for at least a week before serving.

Giardiniera pickles

‘I have such strong memories of these Italian garden pickles being a staple

vegetable garden and she pickled any surplus in big Kilner jars. Use whatever vegetables you have if they can be eaten raw. You can tailor the pickling liquid to anyone’s taste – to make it sweeter or to include

Makes enough for a 1-litre Kilner jar

500g vegetables (a mixture of carrots, cucumbers, fennel, onions, cauliflower, chillies and anything else you like)

3 bay leaves

A handful of fennel or dill fronds

500ml white wine vinegar

4tbsp caster sugar

1tbsp salt

1tbsp mixed peppercorns, or any other peppercorns you have 1tsp mustard seeds

1 Sterilise a 1-litre jar, including its lid

a hot wash. Leave it to dry and cool upside down on a clean tea towel.

2 Slice the carrots and cucumbers

into thick rounds. Ideally, use small pickling cucumbers, or halve a large cucumber lengthwise before slicing. Thinly slice the fennel and onions, cut the cauliflower into small florets and slice the chillies into thick rounds. Test the heat of the chillies before adding to the mixture, otherwise you’re in danger of making an inedible hot pickle!

3 Put the vegetables, bay leaves and fennel or dill fronds inside the sterilised jar. I think mixing them up rather than layering them is best, as you’ll have

4 Heat the remaining ingredients in a saucepan until just boiling and all the sugar has dissolved. Pour the liquid over the vegetables and seal the jar. If the liquid doesn’t quite cover them, top

up with water and give the jar a gentle

5 The pickles will keep for 3 months or more unopened if you have adequately sterilised the jar. They’re great served as part of an antipasti, with cheese, charcuterie or in salads.

‘Tell your recipient that mostarda’s hot and sweet flavour makes it perfect with cheese and roast ham’

Taralli

‘These Puglian snacks are addictive,’ says Giovanna.

with fennel seeds but you could

another batch for yourself and serve them with party drinks?’

Makes around 50

350g plain flour

1½tsp fine salt

50ml olive oil

130ml white wine

2tsp fennel seeds, dried rosemary or chilli flakes

Flaked sea salt, for sprinkling

1 Mix the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. In a jug, mix the olive oil and white wine together. Slowly pour the oil and wine mixture into the flour, stirring to combine as you go. Add the fennel seeds, dried rosemary or chilli flakes, mix well and bring together into a dough. Knead for around 10 minutes until you have a pliable dough that springs back when poked. You could also do this in

2 Leave the dough to rest for around 30

3 To shape, take a cherry-sized piece of dough and roll out into a sausage shape around 10cm long. Do this on a clean, dry surface – don’t be tempted to add any flour as the olive oil in the dough will stop it from sticking. Take

the ends of the sausage and bring together to form a loop, with the ends overlapping slightly. Lightly pinch the top to seal and place on baking paper

4 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas mark 4 and line a baking sheet with baking paper.

5 Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add 10-15 taralli to the water at a time and boil for 2-3 minutes until they rise to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining taralli.

6 Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown. The taralli will be a little soft on the inside but will harden as they cool.

Italian spice mix

‘I make an Italian fried chicken with this seasoning,’ says Giovanna. ‘It’s so versatile – play around with different herbs and spices to make it unique.’

Makes 1 small jar

2tbsp mixed peppercorns

2tbsp fennel seeds

2tbsp dried rosemary

2tbsp dried parsley

1tsp chilli flakes

1tbsp flaked salt

Blitz the peppercorns and fennel seeds in a spice grinder or pound with a pestle and mortar until roughly ground. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake in a jar to combine.

‘This seasoning is great served with bread, and olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping’

‘Whether you gift them or make them for yourself, a word of warning: these savoury snacks are seriously moreish’

Makes 1 cake (15cm)

260g mixed nuts (I use almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts – more almonds than the others is best)

75g dried figs

120g candied peel

120g plain flour

1tbsp cocoa powder

120g sugar

120g honey

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas mark 4. Place the nuts on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes until

Panforte

‘This is a traditional Tuscan “sort-of-cake”,’ explains Giovanna. ‘It is a dense (hence the “forte” in panforte) round of dried fruit and nuts held together with a honey and sugar concoction. Use the best fruit and nuts you can

the recipe scales up very easily.’

lightly toasted. Turn the oven down to 160°C/140°C fan/gas mark 3.

2 Meanwhile, roughly chop the figs

3 Grease and line a 15cm round cake tin with baking paper.

4 Blitz half of the nuts in a food processor until finely chopped but not powdered.

5 Mix the flour and cocoa powder in a large bowl. Add the chopped peel

6 In a heavy-based saucepan, heat the sugar and honey together over

Chocolate and hazelnut spread

intense

Makes

1 If the hazelnuts aren’t roasted, preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark

4, spread the nuts out on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes. They don’t need to be very browned, it’s just to

2 Place the hazelnuts and icing sugar in a food processor or blender and

blend until you have a thick paste. This can take a while and you might need to scrape down the sides to incorporate everything. It should have the consistency of thick nut butter. Leave in the blender.

3 Place the chopped chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Heat the cream with the cocoa powder, vanilla and salt in a saucepan until just about to boil, then pour over the chocolate. Whisk to combine. If the mixture looks like it’s starting to split, don’t worry, just stop

4 Pour the chocolate mixture into the blender with the nut butter and blend briefly, just for as long as it takes to

a medium heat until boiling. Continue to boil until the sugar reaches ‘soft ball’ stage – when a small amount dropped into cold water can be squished into a soft ball. This is a temperature of

7 Carefully add the hot sugar and honey

8 While still warm, press the mixture into the lined tin and, using wet hands,

9 Bake for 35-40 minutes. The edges should be firm, but the centre should

5 Pour the mixture into sterilised jars (see pickles recipe on p56 for sterilising instructions), seal and leave to cool completely. Because it contains cream, it needs to be stored in the fridge, but remove to soften slightly before using. Use within two weeks.

‘Panforte makes a wonderful gift, as it keeps so well and won’t fall apart when travelling’

‘Negroni’s bright ruby colour makes it a beautiful addition to a gift box of Italian goodies’

Chocolate-dipped candied peel

‘Homemade candied peel, with its thick, jewel-like translucent strips of orange, yellow and sometimes green, makes a sensational gift, either half-dipped in chocolate or left naked,’ explains Giovanna. ‘Buy thick-peeled Italian citrus fruit, such as oranges and lemons. Grapefruit and bergamot also work well.’

Makes approximately 40 pieces 4 citrus fruits (a mixture of lemons, oranges and grapefruit)

1 litre water

700g caster sugar

Granulated sugar, for coating (optional)

200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped, for dipping (optional) 1

Premixed negroni

This bitter Italian aperitif is best served on the rocks, with a twist of orange peel.

Makes 4 100ml gin

100ml red vermouth

100ml Campari

2 strips of orange peel

1 Sterilise a small bottle, including 2

are easy to make and guaranteed to please

Dark chocolate mendiants

Preparation: 25 minutes, plus chilling

Cooking: About 10 minutes

Makes about 50 450g dark chocolate (60%), finely chopped 140g mix dried fruit, candied fruit and nuts, for decorating

1 Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes. Place next to the hob.

2 Melt 300g of the chocolate in a slightly smaller heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir with

a wooden spoon until smooth and the temperature of the chocolate reaches 55°C with a jam thermometer.

3 Remove from the heat and add the rest of the chocolate. Put the bowl into the larger bowl filled with the cold water and ice cubes. Stir until the temperature of the chocolate drops to 27°C.

4 Put the chocolate bowl back onto the pan of simmering water. Stir and watch the temperature. Once the chocolate reaches 30-33°C, remove it from the

heat. This process should keep the chocolate looking glossy.

5 Chop the fruit and nuts into small pieces. Line 2 trays with baking parchment and pour teaspoons of chocolate onto the paper so it spreads into even discs. Sprinkle each with fruit and nuts and put in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. The mendiants will keep for up to a week in an airtight container, with a sheet of waxed paper between each layer.

RECIPES PIERRE HERMÉ PHOTOGRAPHS

DANIELLE WOOD

STYLING MARIE NICHOLS FOOD STYLING ANNIE RIGG

Orange gingerbread squares

Preparation: 25 minutes, plus chilling Cooking: 10 minutes

Makes 12 squares

190g orange marmalade

190g honey 60g golden syrup

25g brown sugar

75g unsalted butter

2 medium eggs 35g plain flour 25g cornflour

125g rye flour

10g bicarbonate of soda

1tsp each ground ginger and mixed spice

For the icing

150g dark chocolate

1tbsp sunflower oil

300g orange marmalade

1 Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas mark 4. Grease and line a 30cm x 40cm baking tray with raised edges. Put the marmalade, honey, syrup, brown sugar, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor and mix on full speed for 5 minutes. Add the eggs and mix for another 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Sieve in the flours, bicarbonate of soda and spices, then fold in.

2 Pour the mixture into the tray and level with the back of a spoon. Bake in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes. Leave to cool in tray.

3 Make the icing by melting the chocolate and oil together in a small pan. Spread the marmalade on top of the cake, then pour over the chocolate. Leave to set in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight.

4 Cut into bite-sized squares and put in gift boxes or an airtight container. Keep in the fridge if you’re giving the squares as a gift.

Spiced plum and fig jam

Preparation: 20 minutes, plus standing

Cooking: About 50 minutes

Makes about 1.8kg 8 large fresh figs (about 350g), trimmed and chopped 1kg plums, halved, destoned and chopped

Finely grated zest and juice of 1 orange

1tsp each ground cloves and cinnamon 1.2kg caster sugar

1 Put the figs, plums, orange zest and juice into a large preserving pan with 50ml water. Cover and cook gently for 20 minutes until soft, squashing the fruit with a wooden spoon.

2 Uncover, stir in the cloves, cinnamon and sugar, then heat, stirring gently, until the sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Bubble for 25-30 minutes until the setting point is reached or a jam thermometer registers 105°C. To test, drop 1tsp jam onto a chilled saucer and leave to cool slightly.

Touch it with a finger and if the surface wrinkles, it is ready. If not, return to the heat and bubble until ready.

3 Take the preserving pan off the heat and leave to stand for 15 minutes. Using a spoon, remove any surface scum from the jam.

4 Transfer the cooled jam into sterilised jars, cover with wax discs and pretty fabric, tie with ribbon and label. The jam can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months; then in the fridge once opened.

to know

You’ll need a jam thermometer to get this just right

Good

PHOTOGRAPHS

PETER CASSIDY (JAM); CATHERINE GRATWICKE (BISCUITS)

STYLING LAURA VINE (BISCUITS)

Christmas biscuits

Preparation: 20 minutes, plus chilling and cooling

Cooking: About 15 minutes Makes about 22 75g butter, softened 100g caster sugar

1 medium egg ½tsp vanilla extract

250g plain flour, sieved, plus extra for dusting

½tsp baking powder

Icing sugar, for dusting

1 Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas mark 4.

2 Using a wooden spoon, cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour and baking powder to make a soft dough (you might need to use your hands). Shape into a disc and wrap in clingfilm. Chill for 1 hour or until firm.

3 Remove from the fridge and roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until 5mm thick. Stamp out shapes using Christmas cutters, rerolling trimmings if necessary. If the biscuits are to be hung as decorations, use a skewer to make a 5mm hole in each one. Arrange on 2 non-stick baking trays. Bake for 10-15 minutes until a pale golden colour. Allow to cool for 3 minutes on the trays, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

4 Dust the cooled biscuits with icing sugar and put in gift boxes.