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ENGLISH HOME
Celebrating the essence of English style December 2021 | Issue 202 | £4.99 | UK Edition
DRESSED FOR CHRISTMAS From period cottages to elegant new homes full of magical touches
THE ART OF GIVING Perfect presents & little luxuries
DECORATIVE FLAIR - Ideas & insights from leading stylists - Festive tablescapes to delight
All the TRIMMINGS
Beautiful baubles, gift wrapping & fini hing t he
SEASON OF WONDER Nigel Slater, Nina Campbell, Sophie Conran & Lady Bamford on the traditions and indulgences that make Christmas special
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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2021
48 Notebook
English homes
Style inspiration
15 NEWS Our monthly digest of notable
38 FESTIVE WELCOME Comfort and style
75 MAKE A SCENE Create a hanging
people, places and products.
22 DESIGN DISCOVERIES Set the scene
combine to create a relaxed and inviting rural Wiltshire home.
with seasonal homeware to delight.
48 RECLAIMING THE PAST A new build in
28 TREASURE TROVE Beautiful baubles.
rural Northamptonshire sees three distinct architectural styles combined.
30 ALL WRAPPED UP Finishing touches. 32 FESTIVE CHEER Joyful kitchen kit. 37 SUBSCRIBE The perfect gift for a
loved one or a treat for yourself – a subscription to The English Home.
6 THE ENGLISH HOME
58 MAGICAL CELEBRATIONS An
enchanting flintstone cottage on the Norfolk coast provides an idyllic retreat. 66 COUNTRY CHRISTMAS A seventeenth-
century thatched cottage offers a warm embrace for the festivities and beyond.
arrangement for a dramatic table. 76 PRESENTS FOR HOME LOVERS Our pick
of thoughtful gifts for loved ones. 85 KITCHENS FOR ENTERTAINING Industry
experts on creating a sociable space. 94 A STYLIST’S CHRISTMAS How creatives
dress their own homes for the season. 104 LET IT GLOW Shine a light on every
corner of the house and create a warm welcome inside and out this Christmas.
66 58
104 Quintessentially
38
111 HANDMADE TOUCH Making paper
decorations for a nostalgic element. 112 FROM PATCH TO PLATE: MATTHEW FORT Our food columnist on delicious
Christmas indulgences. 114 MY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS Memories,
traditions and insights from experts in lifestyle, interiors and entertaining. 120 SET THE SCENE FOR: CHRISTMAS FEASTS Create a special table full of
charm and sophistication. 130 ONE FINAL THING Enjoy a quiet supper
amidst the busy festive period.
85 THE ENGLISH HOME 7
A letter from home
T
here is a hubub of excitement as The English Home team prepares for Christmas this year, and we all look forward to gathering at home with our loved ones to enjoy the festivities to the full. It feels important to create a Christmas that feels special at the end of another challenging year for many, and part of that is embracing traditions. This time of year, perhaps more than any other, is about traditions – whether passed down through the generations or creating one’s own – and making memories for all to cherish. Who better to share their own favourite Christmas traditions, must-attend events, and what’s on their wish lists than a selection of our finest interiors and lifestyle experts including Nina Campbell and Sophie Conran (p114). New ideas are always a welcome addition to favourite decorations and family traditions, and I always relish the opportunity to come up with different ways of decorating the house and festive table. So I’m particularly looking forward to gleaning inspiration from three leading interiors stylists (p94), and trying the ideas we feature for sophisticated and charming Christmas tablescapes (p120). We are also grateful to the homeowners who have welcomed us into their homes to share how they decorate at this magical time of year (p38). From a new build in Northamptonshire to a cosy cottage in Norfolk, all are dressed to impress in their festive finery. Of course, our Christmas special wouldn’t be complete without our gift guide, which this year focuses on indulgent gifts for the home (p76). We hope this issue puts you in a festive mood and your Christmas is full of comfort and joy.
NEWSLETTER
Samantha Scott-Jeffries, Editor Follow us on Twitter @englishhometeam Pinterest at pinterest.com/theenglishhome Facebook at facebook.com@theenglishhome Instagram at instagram.com@englishhomemag
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PORTRAIT GRANT SCOTT
Our feature on page 120 is full of inspiration for creating festive table settings to charm family and friends.
Making sustainable living beautiful
Artisan homeware handcrafted in England. www.tomraffield.com
The
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ENGLISH HOME
Celebrating the essence of English style December 2021 | Issue 202 | £4.99 | UK Edition
DRESSED FOR CHRISTMAS From period cottages to elegant new homes full of magical touches
CONTACT US Editorial 0333 014 3215 The English Home, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Email theenglishhome@chelseamagazines.com Website theenglishhome.co.uk Advertising/Publishing 020 7349 3700 The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd Email info@chelseamagazines.com
THE ART OF GIVING Perfect presents & little luxuries
DECORATIVE FLAIR - Ideas & insights from leading stylists - Festive tablescapes to delight
Nigel Slater, Nina Campbell, Sophie Conran & Lady Bamford on the traditions and indulgences that make Christmas special
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Tom Raffield on the unique furniture and lighting he designs and shapes into organic forms inspired by nature.
Classic French Cuisine: The Roux Way Collection Taught by Michel Roux Jr
Give the gift of knowledge Treat your family, friends and colleagues to the gift of knowledge from the world’s biggest names including top chef Michel Roux Jr. Meet enthusiasts from around the world and try project-based learning, get personalised feedback from the experts, all in our interactive online classroom.
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NOTEBOOK
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Our monthly edit of news, shopping inspiration and inside information
SPOTLIGHT ON…
Poinsettias: Enchanting Emblems Poinsettias are just as synonymous with Christmas as holly. Often seen in their traditional red, these exuberant plants come in a surprising array of colours such as pink, yellow, cream and white, with
variegated and marbled varieties to harmonise with any decorative scheme. Bringing the beauty of nature indoors, poinsettias are the perfect gift when arriving for festive drinks with family and friends. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the Aztecs cultivated them for use in traditional medicine.
To ensure long-lasting poinsettias, keep them wrapped up and protected from the cold on the way home from the shop or garden centre; water sparingly, allowing the compost to almost dry out in between waterings; feed monthly with a standard indoor plant feed, and keep away from draughts. They like a warm, bright room. THE ENGLISH HOME 15
NEWS
Prints Charming
Extending the joy with refillable crackers When baby Theodora destroyed a paper cracker “in about four seconds without recognising the magic of it”, her mother Rebecca Slack decided to make her a cracker using leftover Liberty Print fabric. “I filled it with a little something I knew she’d cherish. She gently opened it with so much excitement,” recalls Rebecca. Sharing a photograph of this handmade cracker on social media prompted many messages asking where people could buy them – sparking a business idea. Made by hand in Yorkshire using Liberty Print fabrics, velvets and linen, Happy Crackers are reusable, ready to be filled with small surprises and designed to be used year after year – and not just for Christmas. “We’re incredibly proud of successfully reducing waste and looking after the planet whilst creating beautiful heirloom products that are also a celebration of Liberty’s prints,” Rebecca says. happycrackers.co.uk
Lighting The Way
Christmas candles with a charity donation Ormonde Jayne founder Linda Pilkington was once asked to create the perfect scented candle for Chanel, and her fragrance house counts Goldie Hawn, Will Smith, Emma Thompson and Bryan Ferry as fans. Her three new Christmas candles – Mystere, Etoile and Nocturne – will fill homes with festive notes such as mandarin, cinnamon, log fires and pine needles. Hand-poured in her London workshop, 10 per cent of their sales goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital. As a teenager entranced by the romance of fragrance, Linda grew flowers and sold them outside her Cheshire home, and learned how to make scented candles from craft kits. Working in the Far East, South America and Africa surrounded by lush flora and heady scents, she researched exotic oils and essences, returning home to make her own fragrance collection. ormondejayne.com
Share Seasonal Indulgence
Emma Dodi’s hand-painted festive macarons With flavours like spiced gingerbread, milk chocolate orange and dark chocolate cherry, festive motifs plus gold leaf and edible glitter options, Emma Dodi’s hand-painted macarons are a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. “When I hand-paint my Christmas macarons,” she says, “I want them to add to that overall wonderful Christmas feeling, be beautiful, taste delicious and be a talking point. When I prepare my flavours, I try to recreate those that remind me of my family Christmases, so when you bite into them you get a little explosion of Christmas just there, just like that.” The former City banker founded Emma Dodi Cakes in 2016, making luxury bespoke cakes and hand-painted macarons. Largely self-taught, she counts stars and brands like de Gournay as clients. emmadodicakes.com 16 THE ENGLISH HOME
NEWS
Making It Meaningful: Personal Festive Touches Thoughtful details that make a gift mean so much more
Plantable Presents Give gifts that grow
Making the invitations for her own wedding inspired graphic designer Rani Deshpande to start her own design business. For one of her first clients, she designed paper flower wedding favours embedded with seeds. When planted, each flower broke down into the soil and the seeds germinated to produce flowering seedlings. This was an instant hit, and soon a Valentine’s Day favour followed. Today Rani’s company, Plant A Bloomer, has a number of plantable, festive-themed treats, such as tree decorations, Christmas cards and letterbox gifts. The paper used is made from recycled junk mail, coloured office paper, boxes and grocery bags shredded and made into a pulp with water. Seeds are then mixed in before the paper is formed on a screen and put through a press to squeeze out excess water. After drying, and a second press, the paper is cut into shapes. plantabloomer.co.uk
Gifts That Keep On Giving
Imaginative wrap to multiply the gesture Wrapping gifts in fabric rather than paper is a centuries-old tradition. Its origins can be traced back to eighth-century Japan, when hot-spring bathers wrapped their belongings in a piece of cloth – or ‘furoshiki’, ‘furo’ meaning ‘bathing’ and ‘shiki’ meaning ‘spread’ – to identify them and keep them safe. This practice spread to merchants and traders protecting their goods, and has evolved into an elegant and lasting alternative to wrapping paper. Folded and secured with a simple knot or bow, with no scissors or sticky tape required, gifts can be wrapped in a pretty piece of fabric or even a silk scarf for maximum luxury. A stylish, thoughtful and eco-friendly gesture, it can also be reused as gift wrap, a scarf, headband or a knotted bag. Companies like Wrapuccino (wrapuccino.com; above) offer a range of fabric wrap designs including Liberty Print, and Bags Of Ethics (bagsofethics.org) collaborated with designers Giles Deacon and Preen on eye-catching reusable drawstring wrapping bags.
18 THE ENGLISH HOME
A Creative Christmas Hand-printed greetings
Hand-printing homemade Christmas cards, wrapping paper and gift tags not only adds an endearing personal touch, it also provides an enjoyable creative project to build anticipation of the festive season. Kits like the one shown from Cambridge Imprint (cambridgeimprint.co.uk) include printing blocks in a range of sizes and designs, and ink pads in different colours, plus blank cards and envelopes. For those who love the look of hand-block-printing, but prefer to leave it to the experts, Cambridge Imprint has many colourful and jovial Christmas cards and wrapping paper options on its website.
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NEWS
Merry Days Out With Friends & Family Get into the Christmas spirit with festive fun
Christmas Markets
Browse festive finds and feast Sip mulled wine and indulge in a mince pie whilst wandering around stalls bedecked with fairylights and laden with crafts and gift ideas as Christmas markets return across the country. More than 400,000 visitors flock annually to Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market (19 November to 22 December; winchestercathedral.org.uk), browsing a broad selection of high-quality goods and fine artisan produce, with street theatre performers to keep everyone entertained. Stall-holders will dress in period costume at Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market (9–12 December; stratford.gov.uk), which, as well as stalls, will include entertainment, street food and a traditional funfair with a carousel. A hearty hog roast will keep shoppers warm at Chester Christmas Market (18 November to 22 December; visitcheshire.com), which will feature 70 traditional wooden chalets outside Chester Hall selling Christmas decorations, homeware, both local and international delicacies and more. Choirs singing carols will serenade visitors to Oxford Christmas Market (9–19 December; oxfordchristmasmarket.co.uk) in historic Broad Street as shoppers peruse treats such as unusual and handmade gifts and colourful decorations. Not only will Canterbury Christmas Market (12 November to 24 December; canterburychristmasmarket.co.uk) boast festive food and drinks, and stalls galore – visitors can even book for their dogs to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.
Festive Days Out FEATURE SARAH FEELEY PHOTOGRAPHS P15 © STARS FOR EUROPE. P16 (BOTTOM LEFT) © STUART CONWAY. P18 (TOP LEFT) © WRAPUCCINO.COM; (TOP RIGHT) © PLANT A BLOOMER; (BELOW RIGHT) © CAMBRIDGE IM-PRINT. P21 (TOP RIGHT) © DAVID JENSEN; (BELOW LEFT) JEFF EDEN © RBG KEW
Set anticipation alight
After Dark
Atmospheric activities Wrap up warm and venture outside after dark for illuminated events to get in the Yuletide spirit. At Wakehurst, Kew’s Sussex garden, Glow Wild will feature new light installations, the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree and a four-course feast (25 November to 2 January; kew.org; above). Carols, storytime with owls, a Santa Train and a spectacular light show await at Longleat in Wiltshire (5 November to 2 January; longleat.co.uk). Illuminated trails will light up all five RHS gardens: Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Harlow Carr in Yorkshire, Hyde Hall in Essex and Bridgewater in Somerset (selected dates from November to January; rhs.org.uk). NB: All listings on this page correct at time of going to press. Please check before travelling.
This winter offers the perfect chance to make up for lost time after so many festive events had to be cancelled last year due to the pandemic. Al fresco ice skating will return to Somerset House in London (somersethouse.org.uk; above) beneath a 40ft Christmas tree, with music and decadent treats by the likes of Hotel Chocolat and sponsors Moët & Chandon, until 16 January. For the final time, after 16 years, an outdoor ice rink will return to the magical twinkling tree-lined setting of London’s Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk) until 16 January. National Trust properties up and down the country will welcome visitors for a range of festive events, from winter fairs, choirs, concerts and creative craft workshops for making wreaths and natural decorations, to lavish light shows and a chance to meet Father Christmas. Marvel at historic stately homes all decked out in their festive finery (nationaltrust.org.uk/christmas).
THE ENGLISH HOME 21
DESIGN DISCOVERIES
Set the scene for the festivies with our pick of home buys to delight and entertain
MURANO GLASSWARE These delicate glasses handmade in Murano, Italy, marry playful colour with graceful form, made all the more delightful when offset by playful decorations for adding character to festive celebrations. Murano glassware, from £400 for a set of six; baubles, from £27.50 for a set of two, all Petersham Nurseries
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Inspired by the elegant shapes of London’s classic Georgian architecture and lit up from within by warm white LEDs, this clever advent calendar houses secret compartments to hide goodies in, alongside two number tag hooks to count down the days to Christmas. Townhouse wooden Advent calendar, £39.99, lights4fun
FESTIVE ANTICIPATION Preparing for the arrival of Father Christmas is an important part of proceedings ahead of the big day – create a sense of ritual and be sure all needs are catered for with Emma Bridgewater’s charming Christmas designs. Christmas collection (including present sack) from £14.95 for a small mug, all Emma Bridgewater 22 THE ENGLISH HOME
SHOPPING
FESTIVE DRAMA Perfect for the winter months, the deep burnt hue of Annie Sloan’s much-loved shade of Primer Red is now available as a wall paint – combine with cohesive tones to create an inviting feel for Christmas and beyond. Wall Paint in Primer Red, £49.95 for 2.5l, Annie Sloan
THE ENGLISH HOME 23
SHOPPING
SEASONAL SPREAD Nothing says festive feast like laying out an elegant spread – savour the event in all senses of the word by opting for refined forms to make food and wine deliciously appealing. Red wine glasses, £65 for a set of four; bowl from Serve Arch Trio Bowl Set & Oak Base (not shown), £65; Serve Arch Dome & Oak Base, £65; red wine goblet, £80 for a set of four; wine carafe, £38, all LSA International
ARTISANAL IDEAS Drawing inspiration from folk history through to Arts and Crafts, the aptly named Wanderings collection from Birdie Fortescue lends a handmade touch to the home – we love these delicate bauble designs and sage green and rich red hues. Suzani throw, from £700; Catifea pleated velvet cushion, £55; block-printed Bel cushion, £65; hand-painted Papier-Mâché Christmas baubles, from £40 for a set of six, all Birdie Fortescue
CREATIVE CERAMICS Created in collaboration with British fine bone china specialist Xavier China, The Kelling Collection from interior designer Emma Deterding’s homeware brand is finished with a hand-painted rolled edge to seal in each of the six hues within the range. Dinner plate in Teal, £40; soup bowl in Teal, £36, all KDLoves x Xavier China 24 THE ENGLISH HOME
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SHOPPING VINTAGE CHARM Created from this year’s new Brocante collection fabrics inspired by the treasure troves of France’s flea markets, these made-to-order stockings from textile artist Sarah Hardaker lend a vintage feel to the night before Christmas. Stockings in Arlette Faded Red and Camille Red & Olive, £40 each, Sarah Hardaker
Bring the look of the outdoors in and add a delicate touch to festive interiors with a stylish combination of faux spruce, leaves and deep purple berries, all offset by a gentle dusting of fake snow on a real twig base. Large Nordic Wreath, £70, Nordic House
CHRISTMAS HEIRLOOM Designed to be loved and used for many a Christmas to come, the offerings from Edinburgh-based family outfit The Tartan Blanket Company are made from sustainable wool to traditional Scottish patterns, and crafted in partnership with socially responsible mills in India and Inner Mongolia. Lambswool blanket in Olive Heritage Check, £125, The Tartan Blanket Company
A GIFT FOR FIDO Specialist dog bed company Charley Chau is so dedicated to the needs of (wo)man’s best friend that all six sides of this Cosmo fabriccovered design are filled with humanely sourced duck feather – fully removable and machine-washable, they make for a dream present that is both stylish and practical. Ducky donut dog bed, China Gray, £195; Faux Fur blanket, Polar Bear, £75, both Charley Chau 26 THE ENGLISH HOME
FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPH P22 (PETERSHAM NURSERIES) © ANDREW MONTGOMERY; (LIGHTS4FUN) © OLIVER PERROTT; P24 (XAVIER CHINA) © JON AARON GREEN
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BRITISH LUXURY LEATHER WWW.ETTINGER.CO.UK
SHOPPING Gold Star tree topper, £4.99; Yuletide Wonder baubles, all Dobbies
Green Crane Print bauble, £10, Rockett St George
Partridge in a Pear Tree decoration, £61, LuxDeco
Gold Christmas Wreath bauble, £16, Ella James
Fabric Folk Kit Anne Bronte Angel, £26, The Shop Floor Project
TREASURE TROVE
Drop Curtain bauble by David Hockney, £39, Glyndebourne Gift Shop
Oli Owl decoration, £6.95, Graham and Green
Festive Field collection baubles: Brown Owl, Red Painted Tree, Felt Deer, Street Lamp, and Clear Glitter Berry, from £6, all John Lewis
Red 12 Days of Christmas bauble, £4.99, Gisela Graham London
Regal Peacock Kiln decoration, Burgundy, £15, Burleigh Pottery
Chicken with Scarf decoration, £12, Daylesford 28 THE ENGLISH HOME
Gold Mix vintagestyle baubles, £12.50 for a set of three, Cox & Cox
Pheasant decorations, £3.95 each, Annabel James
Buckingham Palace velvet Christmas tree decoration, £25, Royal Collection Trust
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
Adding to a lovingly curated collection of baubles enriches the history and traditions of each passing Christmas. A meaningful tree is one with many stories hung on its branches – a decoration given by a loved one, a slightly wonky handmade offering from a child, vintage finds from a second-hand shop and those bought to mark an occasion or discovered on a special holiday. Some are simply bought for their exquisite beauty and the temptation to add yet another bauble to the heavily laden tree. Here are a few of our favourites to add to the treasure chest of decorations.
SHOPPING
Kollam Ruby handmade wrapping paper by Bungalow DK, £4.50 a sheet, Curated Living
Grossgrain ribbon, £5 (5m), Nancy & Betty Studio
Victorian Christmas cards, £6.95 (pack of eight), Westminster Abbey Shop
Clay velvet ribbon, £6 (10m), Hudson Home
ALL WRAPPED UP Eco-friendly, plastic-free, recyclable Victorian luxury Christmas crackers, £36 for six, Nancy & Betty Studio
The little details at Christmas can make everything all the more special. Start the countdown with a charming card advent calendar and by writing cards to loved ones. Wrap a thoughtfully chosen present (see our gift guide on p76 for inspiration) with beautiful handmade paper and finish with velvet ribbons and bows for a luxury look. Give Father Christmas a helping hand with a sack to fill that will delight both young and old. On the big day itself, make sure the Christmas table is set with plenty of enticing crackers to pull.
Eco Christmas card, £3.50 each or £25 for eight, Katie Leamon
Hessian Christmas Santa sack, £7.99, Ginger Ray Velvet Merry Christmas sack, Navy, £15, M&S
Colour-in Christmas wrapping paper, £4.95 for three sheets, Eat Sleep Doodle Red velvet gift bow, £2.50, Paperchase
30 THE ENGLISH HOME
Emerald velvet bow, £8.95, CharlesTed
Advent calendar Christmas tree, £16, Papermash
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
Luxury plastic-free Christmas crackers, £45, Shop Pom Pom
LUX IN TENEBRIS The English House Handmade light fittings
www.theenglishhouse.co.uk Tel: Charles Morris on +44 (0)1502 478493
SHOPPING Toy’s Delight cake stand, £139, Villeroy & Boch
Gold Osby Stars, from £13.99, Lights4fun
Christmas Pudding tea towel, £12, Fortnum & Mason
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Christmas joy apron, £8, Habitat
Geese porcelain-handle teaspoons embellished with 22-carat gold, £22 for four, Sara Miller
FESTIVE CHEER Add seasonal flavour to the kitchen and dining table with textiles and serveware embellished with Christmas motifs. Whilst it might seem frivolous to have tableware and linen that is used solely in December, they are sure to raise a smile when brought out to use each year. An apron or oven gloves with a suitably festive design ensures the cook feels in full Christmas spirit, as do decorative touches around the kitchen such as fairy lights and sprigs of foliage. Berry-red cookware heightens the sense of warmth and cosiness, whilst glints of gold on china and cutlery lend a table setting a sense of decadence and luxury. Finally present the Christmas cake on a charming stand, to bring cheer until the very last slice.
The Nutcracker Collection Christmas cake stand, £19.99, Kitchen Craft
Tree napkin ring, £4.25, Walton Co
Christmas cookie cutter set, £10, Quince & Cook
Holly and Berry Home for Christmas mug, £12.50, Sophie Allport
Le Creuset Signature cast-iron round 20cm casserole in Cerise, £200, John Lewis 32 THE ENGLISH HOME
Gingerbread House bundt pan, £48, Nordic Ware
The Snowman Baking ceramic mixing bowl 3l, £19.99, Lakeland
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPH LIGHTS4FUN © OLIVER PERROTT
Robin Aga pad, £17.95, Cluck Cluck
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NEWS
THE EDIT Timeless kitchens, bespoke sofas, future heirlooms and accessories catch the eye of Editor-at-Large Kate Freud this month SOANE BRITAIN Soane Britain has built its extraordinary reputation not only through designing beautiful fabrics, wallpaper, furniture, upholstery and lighting, but also for the way it proudly champions British crafts and makers. Since 1997, when Lulu Lytle and Christopher Hodsoll founded the company, sustainability has been key to the brand too, creating furniture with the quality and longevity of antiques, to be handed down through the generations. From Soane’s humble beginnings, launching from the basement of Hodsoll’s shop on the Pimlico Road, it now boasts showrooms in London, New York and San Francisco. To this day though, every single piece is made in the UK, using a network of workshops cherry-picked for their use of traditional crafts. The collection has expanded to include Soane’s famous rattan pieces, table settings, storage, mirrors and lighting as well as, new this season, the Karun Thakar linens and the curved Mathilde chair. soane.co.uk
NEPTUNE When John Sims-Hilditch and Giles Redman launched the first store of their lifestyle brand Neptune in 2012, the plan was simple. To make traditionally made, timeless kitchens that were built to last. Fast forward nearly 10 years, and 24 stores later, the brand has captured the public’s imagination in a way the duo did not think possible. Alongside kitchens, pantries, laundries, offices and boot rooms, Neptune now also offers a furniture collection and accessories from placemats to bed linen. It is even possible to arrange a consultation with one of Neptune’s designers to help achieve the brand’s timeless look throughout one’s own home. New this season, look out for the chairs, benches and stools added to the William Morris-inspired Wycombe collection, and Neptune’s new colour of the season, Clove, a rich shade hovering between plum and deep brown. neptune.com 34 THE ENGLISH HOME
beautiful fused glass interior art pieces, handmade at our cornwall studio. visit our galleries in st ives, padstow, fowey, tintagel, launceston and sunningdale
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www.theheadboardworkshop.co.uk or call us on 01291 628216 Headboards & Beds | Ottomans | Stools & Chairs
THE ENGLISH HOME 35
NEWS
MUNRO AND KERR It is hard to imagine how designers come up with ways of making the ordinary extraordinary, but Munro and Kerr has done just that with its lampshades. Beloved by those in the know, the company was founded by Alexandra John in 2017 and creates lampshades made using its range of hand-marbled, printed and textural papers and fabrics, as well as customers’ own material. Munro and Kerr’s collaboration with A Considered Space has resulted in the Wavy lampshade, shown here in woven paper. John’s passion for marbling, patterns and beautiful interiors is clear in the variety of colour and designs on offer. All the lampshades are handmade to order by John herself at the Munro and Kerr studio in London. She also offers a bespoke service, where clients can have lampshades tailored to specific requirements and colours. munroandkerr.co.uk
DUDGEON When Peter Dudgeon launched his eponymous company more than 70 years ago – known in the industry as ‘the insider’s sofamaker’ – it was with an unusual vision in mind. As an RAF fighter pilot during WWII, he wanted to create a business to employ his Polish ground crew (who had safely kept his planes in the air) once the war was over. This resulted in him launching Dudgeon in 1947, initially handmaking sofas and fitted kitchens for the establishment and interior designers, and becoming particularly well known for its bespoke offering. 36 THE ENGLISH HOME
Bespoke sofas are still at the heart of the business. Dudgeon has made chairs, ottomans and sofas for some remarkable clients, including The Dorchester, for whom it created beautiful high-back sofas and matching ottomans. Another client commissioned the Waterfall sofa, which has a gentle curve, deep buttoning and a splendid, pleated pelmet. One of the more extraordinary commissions, however, must be the vast sofa made for a client who loved scatter cushions – the finished design boasted 37 cushions and four bolsters in all their glory. dudgeonsofas.com
There is something joyful about dressing a beautiful table. Founded by lifelong friends June Summerill and Bernadette Bishop in 1994, Summerill & Bishop now has two stores in London – its original store in Holland Park as well as a more recently opened one in Belgravia – and a thriving online presence. Summerill & Bishop sells everything from its signature tablecloths – think rainbows and candy stripes – to delicate hand-blown glass napkin rings in the shape of tropical birds such as pelicans and hummingbirds. There are also everyday items made beautiful, from kitchen utensils and candles to aprons and baskets. The brand has also joined forces with everyone from the chef Skye Gyngell to fashion label Shrimps for its tablecloth lines, which always prove particularly popular. This season, the new collection includes beautifully hand-blown Italian pale green and pink glassware and delightful handwoven trays and napkin rings in the shape of orchids. summerillandbishop.com
PHOTOGRAPH P36 (DUDGEON) © SIMON ARCHER
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38 THE ENGLISH HOME
Festive WELCOME
This relaxed and inviting home set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside has been designed with comfort in mind for all to enjoy FEATURE CLAIR WAYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS STYLING SARA BIRD, ANNA JONES, FREYA WASTIE AND NATALIE MAWSON
An antique Persian rug in jewel colours was the starting point for the scheme in the drawing room, along with a much-loved eighteenthcentury Japanese folding screen from Altfield on the wall. A pair of wall lights from Vaughan flank the Wells Reclamation stone fireplace. The Signature sofas are from George Smith.
Limestone flooring from Artisans of Devizes runs through the hall and into the kitchen whilst a durable Bubble Weave stair runner with Smoke trim, from Alternative Flooring, flows up to the first floor. Lights4fun faux Spring Eucalpytus garlands, embellished with fresh foliage, adorn the bannister. The simple Shaker-style panelling and the Jack hall table are by The English Joinery Company.
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‘I like to go out on long walks with the dogs and forage for ivy, yew and berries’
H
aving seven grown-up children and seven grandchildren between them, interior designer Stephanie Dunning and her husband, Peter Everard, are used to having a full house. Even more so at Christmas, when they can all gather together at the couple’s beautiful home in Wiltshire. Inspired by how her mother used to decorate, Stephanie fills the house with fresh greenery and fragrant candles at Christmas. “I like to go out on long walks with the dogs and forage for ivy, yew and berries. We start to put up decorations in early December, and I try and stop work two days before the big day so I can get ready for the hordes to descend,” Stephanie says. “On Christmas Day morning we all go to the children’s service at nearby Salisbury cathedral. Then we settle down for lunch, followed by games and puzzles in the drawing room.” On Boxing Day, the couple open the house up to local friends as well as family. “We do a bit of clay
ABOVE To create a unified feel in the entrance hall, the walls, panelling and architraves are all painted in Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball. The fairy lights on the mantelpiece are from Lights4fun. LEFT Stephanie and Jerry, a Parson Russell Terrier, stand outside the bespoke Victorian-style front door and surround. A pair of Blenheim coach lamps from A Place in the Garden hang either side. The faux berry wreath is from Balsam Hill.
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The English Joinery Company kitchen is a simple, practical design with striking Arabescato marble work top on the island. The cabinets are painted in Intense Ink by Dulux and the handles are from Chloe Alberry. The wood Rockport pendants are by Pooky.
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‘Top of our wish list was a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and seating area. We’re all big cooks and like to chat whilst we’re cooking’ shooting, play table tennis and pool, drink champagne and tuck into shepherd’s pie,” Stephanie says. “My main aim is for our home to feel relaxed, so guests can really unwind and enjoy themselves.” The spacious six-bedroom property is tucked away within two acres of beautiful Wiltshire countryside. On first impression, it looks like it has been there for generations, but in reality it is a new build, standing on the site of a Victorian house which, sadly, was in too ruinous a state to preserve. The only remaining original part of the previous house is the brick facade. As Stephanie specialises in interior architecture and Peter owns a joinery firm, they were undaunted when they first saw the run-down house and land for sale in 2005. “It had been let for many years and was in a pretty horrific state, but we weren’t worried about that,” Stephanie says. “We can design and build pretty much whatever we want. The location is everything, because you can’t change that once you’ve got it. We love Wiltshire. I grew up in the area, we have lots of friends nearby and it’s not far from
ABOVE The Original BTC Diner pendant, festooned in foliage, creates an eyecatching focal point above the table. The chairs have been reupholstered by Hoolie Upholstery in San Giacomo from Zak + Fox. The tablecloth is from Volga Linen. RIGHT The sturdy front door has been painted in Off-Black by Farrow & Ball, with a soft neutral, Dulux Burmese Beige, highlighting the door surround and windows.
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ABOVE Farrow & Ball’s Inchyra Blue on the snug walls creates a cosy feel. The rich orange sofa covered in Velluto Stretto Saffron, a wipeable velvet from Designers Guild is by Dunning & Everard as is the Downton stool, which is covered in a deep green wool by The Sign at Altfield. A pre-lit Christmas tree from Balsam Hill adds to the cosy scene. LEFT French windows open out from the kitchen onto a paved patio area.
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London. Also, the house is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and just a 20-minute bike ride to the centre of Salisbury.” Having given the property a quick cosmetic makeover, Stephanie and Peter settled in with their children and planned the new build; little did they know that obtaining planning permission would take six years. Upon finally gaining approval in March 2011, they bought a cottage in a nearby village to live in during the two years it took to demolish the old house and build the new one. Strict planning rules meant they had to keep the facade intact and replicate the roof and chimney design. “Everything else was replaced because it was in such a bad state of disrepair,” Stephanie says. The facade’s bricks were cleaned and repointed, and, not wanting to create a pastiche of the former dwelling, the couple used new bricks for the rest of the house. Having built four properties of their own over the years, as well as countless clients’ houses, Stephanie and Peter had a clear vision of what they wanted. “Top of our wish list was a spacious open-plan
‘I like painting panelling, architraves, doors and cornicing in one colour. It gives a nice weight to the room and is a really smart look’ kitchen, dining and seating area,” Stephanie explains. “During the week, when it’s just the two of us, we live in this space. I didn’t want to have a separate dining room because we’re all big cooks and like to chat whilst we’re cooking. It makes it so much easier when everything is in the one space.” Stephanie drew up the floor plans and designed the interior architecture, and Peter organised all the building work. “All the joinery in the house came from Peter’s firm, The English Joinery Company, including the kitchen, the panelling, architraves and doors, which are 50mm thick and close with a good clunk. Good joinery gives a building real gravitas and weight.” The couple installed traditional architectural detailing in keeping with the original Victorian house, but then introduced a mix of furniture styles and artwork for a relaxed feel. The large hall, with its reclaimed fireplace and panelling, is reminiscent of
a country house entrance. “I always try and have a decent-size hall because that makes the rest of your house feel quite substantial,” Stephanie says. “If you have a narrow, small hall, with great big rooms leading off it, the house won’t feel spacious. Having a fireplace in the hall was another big thing for us, especially in winter. When people come for Christmas, we always like to have the fire lit.” With seven grandchildren, practicality was key for the couple. “We chose limestone flooring for the hall and open-plan kitchen-diner so that when the dogs come roaring in and the grandchildren are cycling around on their bikes, it doesn’t show the dirt.” Stephanie has created streamlined spaces with the clever use of colour. “I like painting panelling, architraves, doors and cornicing in one colour because it gives a nice weight to the room and is a really smart look,” she says. “Interest is created with the detailing
ABOVE A tall headboard by Dunning & Everard, in a Mark Alexander fabric, brings a luxurious feel to the master bedroom. Blue Maroq table lamps from Cox & Cox sit either side of the bed whilst a cushion made from Titley & Marr Paisley fabric from Tissus d’Hélène contrasts with red velvet cushions. Floral arrangements throughout the house are by Paloma Lily.
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‘Interest is created with the detailing on the walls, along with lamps and artwork’ ABOVE Drapes in Stroheim Biron Strie Check fabric from Turnell & Gigon have given the antique four-poster bed a new lease of life in the guest bedroom. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon. Wrapping paper and ribbon throughout is from The Danes and Jane Means. RIGHT The bath in the master en suite is from The Cast Iron Bath Co.
on the walls, along with lamps and artwork. I have a passion for Paint & Paper Library’s Slate I to V.” The couple have created a warm, inviting house that perfectly suits their needs, with a simple layout that flows effortlessly from one space to another. The house is a resounding success, and the idyllic location has proved to be a real tonic for nature-loving Stephanie. “We have fantastic wildlife. Swallows live in the barn and wild ducks fly in and live on our pond. We even have a colony of bats in the roof.” Stephanie also proudly explains that they have planted over 60 trees and leave a lot of the land to long grass for insects. “We also have our own bees and fruit trees and grow our own vegetables,” she adds. All this, combined with her generous spirit, means Stephanie will be welcoming a constant stream of visitors to share in the delights of her beloved Wiltshire hideaway.
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LENNOX CATO ANTIQUES & WORKS OF ART Est. 1978
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The dining room is part of the large entrance hall and looks resplendent in all its festive finery, including the faux pre-lit Christmas tree from Hayes Garden World. Outdoor dining chairs from Cane-Line and a dining table from Petersham Nurseries create a relaxed feel. The French limestone fireplace is from Renaissance London whilst the wall lights are from Oka.
Reclaiming THE PAST
A new build in rural Northamptonshire, designed in three distinct architectural styles, successfully achieves the characterful, evolved look its owners sought and is particularly charming at Christmas FEATURE & STYLING SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS / GAP INTERIORS
‘Having family and friends around to enjoy the place we have lovingly put together is the real meaning of Christmas for me’ ABOVE A window mirror from Graham & Green reflects daylight into the dining room and enhances the flickering candlelight in the evenings. Lampshades by Pooky complete the scene.
C
hristmas often comes early for Josephine and Will Maydon, who hire out their home in Northamptonshire as a location for festive photo shoots from September onwards. In the lead up to Christmas Day, Josephine and the couple’s three daughters, Bea, 17, Poppy, 15 and Zara, 14, cannot help but be inspired by the dressed sets they see during this period. “Every year the girls each choose a new ornament for the tree,”
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says Josephine. “They also help me bring in armfuls of foliage from the garden to dress the mantelpieces and stairs. Typically, I don’t like to buy too many new things, as we can gather so much from the garden in terms of living decorations or dig out inherited favourites. The Christmas angel on top of the tree was my great-grandmother’s, and although its head sits precariously on its shoulders and it’s not the prettiest, we love it all the same.”
The sitting room sits next to the kitchen and is designed for comfort, with sofas from Nicky Cornell and George Smith, a rug from Oka and plenty of cushions.
FAR LEFT Josephine relishes Christmas and the chance to decorate the house, which is available for photo shoots and holiday rentals via gonetoashbrook.com LEFT The fivebedroom new build is modelled on a Georgian house with Regency and Victorian extensions. Josephine called on Land Gardeners to design the garden.
ABOVE The Frenchstyle mantel in the kitchen is made of wood, skimmed with plaster and distressed using Annie Sloan wax. The pendant lights and wall lights are from Dowsing & Reynolds, and the bar stools are from Neptune. The round window from Lassco brings borrowed light from the boot room into the kitchen. RIGHT The fireplace in the dining area is from an online auction site and the reclaimed, cast-iron pillar is from English Salvage. The table lamps are by Pooky.
‘The round window in the kitchen makes me happy every time I look through to the boot room and the garden beyond’ Josephine is a magpie collector of vintage and antique pieces and lists her favourite pastime as scouring reclamation yards, so it comes as no surprise to find her living in a Georgian house with Regency and Victorian extensions. Except, gorgeous as her character home is, it is not period at all. Josephine lives in a very cleverly designed new build that looks every bit as though it has evolved over time yet was built in 2014. “We moved from North Yorkshire in 2009 to be closer to family so our girls and their cousins could grow up together,” she explains. “My sister was in nearby Moreton Pinkney and we had always walked around this area, setting off across the fields from her house. There was this beautiful spot, a real hidden gem, next to a small livestock farm and just outside the village. My brother-in-law suggested we post a letter to the owner asking if they would consider selling. We didn’t know that the owner was in a nursing home and, when they decided to sell, they gave us first refusal.”
The house that stood on the site was not quite as romantic as the one here today. Originally a farm worker’s cottage, it had been extended over the generations with a mish mash of extensions, including a rather precarious one on stilts. Most had no foundations and there was little, if any, insulation. “We spent a year living in it, trying to work out what to do,” explains Josephine. “We had always planned to renovate it somehow, but friends pointed out how crazy that was, so eventually we decided to start again.” Work began by knocking down the old shed on the site and building a three-bedroom cottage on the footprint, providing somewhere for the family to live whilst they demolished the old house and built the new. The couple were careful to salvage as much as possible: floorboards were sand-blasted and reused, masonry from the old house was crushed for hardcore for the drive and the bathroom fittings were carefully dismantled and cleaned. Anything not wanted they sold online, so they created very little waste.
ABOVE LEFT Josephine likes to buy Christmas decorations at garden centres including Nicholsons, near Bicester, and mixes them with treasured inherited pieces and vintage finds. ABOVE RIGHT The wallpaper in the boot room is from Sanderson 1860 and the wall light is from Garden Trading, whilst the practical vinyl flooring is by Amtico.
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The colourful runner from Roger Oates adds a jolly note in the hall. Light floods in through the half-landing window, which is dressed in a crisp green and white Sanderson fabric. The rope hand rail is from Stair Ropes UK and the wrought-iron console and lamps are from Charlotte Supple Interiors.
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‘We have lots of impromptu parties. There’s often a ping pong table in the hall for tournaments and that’s always a lot of fun’ With a blank canvas, the couple decided they would like their home to have a classic front with five windows above the front door and two either side. “We didn’t really give much thought to the back,” admits Josephine. “A local architect did some drawings and we booked a two-hour consultation with George Saumarez Smith of Adam Architecture, who specialises in classical architecture, just to make sure we were on the right track. He was very polite,” laughs Josephine. “He gently pushed our piece of paper to one side and drew the most incredible picture in front of us, and that was that. We couldn’t go back.” George’s vision was a house that looked as though it had evolved over time. As well as a Georgian part, there would be a rendered section in Regency style and a Victorian-style brick-work section. He completed elevation drawings, which were well received by the planning office, and the couple took the project from there, using a structural engineer to help realise it.
ABOVE Josephine runs her interior design business from home as well as letting the house as a photo-shoot location and Airbnb. The fire surround in the study is from Park End Reclaim and the portrait is of Josephine’s mother. LEFT The front door opens directly into the dining room. The handy tray table is from Perch & Parrow whilst the curtains are in Ada & Ina linen and were made by Interior Fashion.
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‘It’s the details in a room that make it feel lived in’ Using recycled building materials has helped establish a sense of age – the bricks for the ‘Victorian’ section are all reclaimed Victorian bricks and the roofing is reclaimed too. Josephine has continued that ethos indoors as well. “It’s the details in a room that make it feel lived in,” she explains. “All our internal doors are reclamation. I bought wide Georgian doors for the Georgian part, Regency ones for that bit, and Victorian ones for the brick-built-section. At one point we had 50 to 60 doors, all marked up in the shed, with the builder having to build individual openings to fit.” Cornices, beams, pillars and skirtings also came from salvage. Josephine recalls that sourcing for the house was a full-time job, and she would often be whizzing up and down the country with a trailer on the back, collecting fittings. All the hard work has been well worth the effort and Christmas is the time when Josephine can really enjoy the home she and Will have created. “Moonlit carol singing takes place around the village each year and is a bit of a tradition,” she says. “Everyone hands out mulled wine and it’s a very sociable affair, as is our church visit on Christmas Day itself.” However, it is the post-lunch lull, after a long dog walk, when everyone congregates around the fire in the sitting room that has become a source of newfound meaning and appeal for Josephine: “Having family and friends around to enjoy our home and relax in the place we have lovingly put together is the real meaning of Christmas for me.” ABOVE The master bedroom is light and airy with white-painted floorboards and walls. The striking seaweed prints and pretty bedspread are all from Oka.
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ABOVE In this guest bedroom a pretty quilt from So Souk has been teamed with curtains in a Colefax and Fowler fabric. For similar bedside tables, try The French Bedroom Company. LEFT Josephine did not want to buy a brand new bath and taps, so sourced them from an online auction site. The bath mat and basket are both from So Souk.
and enjoy the finest Italian olive oil all year from your own tree
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Magical CELEBRATIONS An enchanting eighteenth-century flintstone cottage on the Norfolk coast has been transformed into an idyllic retreat, perfect for memorable family gatherings FEATURE & STYLING JANET MCMEEKIN PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
A roaring fire and a lovingly decorated tree add to the welcoming ambience in the sitting room. The pink velvet stocking is from Cox & Cox, whilst the star garland is from Vanil in Woodbridge, Suffolk. The wreath above the Charnwood woodburning stove is from The White Company.
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ABOVE Beautifully wrapped gifts are positioned on a vintage wooden sleigh from Bringing The Outside In in Holkham. The wrapping paper and green velvet ribbons are from Neptune.
ABOVE Amanda commissioned built-in storage and wooden shutters to inject extra character in the sitting room. The pretty floral arrangements are by The Flower Hut in Bury St Edmunds. ABOVE RIGHT Vintage tableware, crystal glasses, velvet ribbons and fresh flowers set the scene for Christmas.
A
djusting the dusky pink velvet ribbon on her freshly made Christmas wreath, Amanda Townsend recalls the day she came across the picturesque brick-andflint cottage that instantly pulled at her heart strings. “That moment will be etched on my memory forever,” she explains. “I was bubbling with anticipation when I arrived for the viewing and, as I walked into the cosy sitting room with its open fireplace, I immediately began visualising where the Christmas tree would go. The cottage has such a cosseting, welcoming feel, I instinctively knew that it was special; a true home-from-home and somewhere to make many joyful family Christmas memories.”
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Amanda and her husband, Taras, live in an Edwardian house in Suffolk. They had never considered buying in North Norfolk when, in 2011, they began searching for a bolthole to spend long weekends and holidays with their four children – Lily, 22, Ruby, 20, Henry, 17, and 13-year-old Beatrice. “France had been our first thought,” Amanda says. “However, when we began looking at the logistics, we realised it made much more sense to stay closer to home.” Whilst exploring the beautiful North Norfolk coastline and surrounding villages, serendipity intervened when Amanda mentioned her plan to a friend she had met for coffee. “By sheer coincidence, a home-finder just happened to be
‘I was bubbling with anticipation when I arrived for the viewing. I instinctively knew that it was special’ sitting within earshot,” Amanda says. “Having overheard snippets of our conversation, he offered to take on the search.” After an in-depth discussion about her ‘wish list’, within weeks, several options materialised. “I love period homes and was very keen to find a property I could put my own stamp on,” says Amanda. “Having looked at the details for this cottage in the lovely village of Docking, even before setting foot inside I had a feeling it could well be the one.”
Amanda’s instincts were right and, as she strolled from room to room, everything fell into place. “Back then, the cottage felt rather oppressive,” she says. “The couple living there had been missionaries and had filled the house with tribal masks and dark furniture.” Despite certain items not being to Amanda’s taste, there were several that she loved, including the cottage’s ‘good bones’ – a myriad of period features such as the gnarled beams and characterful doors, and, of course, an Aga.
ABOVE Audley Tapered ceiling lights from The White Company, tongueand-groove panelling and mismatched chairs add vintage charm. The tree is from Neptune and the stars and zinc pot are from The Interiors Yard.
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Gentle candlelight and a Christmas wreath add to the ambience in the kitchen. The candelabra is a vintage shop find. The walls and shelves are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White.
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BELOW Amanda recently refreshed the kitchen by swapping the wooden worktops for quartz, replacing the handles and painting the cabinets in Railings, a soft black from Farrow & Ball.
RIGHT The cottage looks warm and welcoming at dusk. The window frames are painted in Fenwick & Tilbrook’s Carrstone, created especially for the cottage. The candles are from Lights4Fun.
Originally built as two cottages in the 1700s, the property became a village pub for some years, before it was converted back into residential accommodation. Realising it would require a major renovation to transform the cottage into a light-filled and welcoming family home, Amanda spoke to the estate agent, who came up with the perfect solution. “It transpired that her husband, James, was a builder,” Amanda explains. “Having met him and mentioned my ideas, I could see that he shared my vision and passion for restoring old properties.” With the deal clinched in early 2011, the dated and gloomy cottage then underwent an extensive, yet sensitive, renovation to create the modern country retreat Amanda yearned for. Starting with the exterior, the existing rotten wood cladding was removed and replaced with new white-painted wood cladding, the old gutters and drainpipes were
ABOVE Amanda exchanged for smart zinc ones, and new windows were stands outside her installed throughout. “None of the 14 windows were beloved brick-andfit for purpose, so we found a local craftsman who flint cottage with a made new wooden frames that dramatically enhanced bundle of fragrant the cottage,” says Amanda. Eucalyptus. The cottage is available The first step taken in renewing the interior of the property was to completely gut it. Following this, a new for short-term lets kitchen was fitted. “Re-enamelling the Aga to change it via flintnorfolk.com The front door is from deep burgundy to white, then fitting Shaker-style painted in Norfolk units and open-shelving gave the previously gloomy Flint, a bespoke kitchen a much brighter and more contemporary feel,” blue grey colour created by Fenwick Amanda explains. In addition, two bathrooms were & Tilbrook. installed, new flooring was laid, a wood-burning stove was set within the rustic brick fireplace, and the walls replastered before the whole cottage was painted When the six-month building project was completed, Amanda began sourcing furniture and accessories. “I absolutely adored visiting antique shops
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With candles lit and the heady scent of spruce filling the air, it is a time to relax and savour the spirit of the season ABOVE Amanda has recently updated the hallway with tongue-and-groove panelling. The console, chair, cushion, lamp and mirror are all from Neptune. The garland on the bannister is from The White Company. ABOVE RIGHT The wooden shelf in this bedroom is from Velvet Ribbon and was bought at a vintage fair. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Old White.
to uncover unusual finds,” she says. “Since the cottage is in the countryside but within easy driving distance of the coast, I bought artwork that reflects its ‘best of both worlds’ location.” The Townsend family visit the cottage as regularly as possible and especially love spending Christmas here. “It’s such an intimate home and really lends itself to magical, fun-filled Christmases,” Amanda says. “There’s so much to do in this area. On Christmas Day, after a leisurely breakfast, we normally head out for a long walk to one of the nearby beaches, such as Brancaster, before visiting a wonderful pub for lunch. Afterwards we return to the cottage to play board games and watch our favourite films together.” More recently, Amanda has decided to let the cottage for short-term holiday lets so others can enjoy it, too. Not one to rest on her laurels, Amanda loves adding to and updating the interiors. “I really like to ring the changes and often update the rooms with different paint, new pieces of furniture and accessories,” she says. “Where once the colour
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palette was lighter and more rustic, recently I’ve taken the plunge and chosen darker hues for some areas. I recently refreshed the kitchen by swapping the wooden worktops for quartz, painting the cabinets darker and also replacing the handles.” At Christmas, Amanda goes the extra mile to make sure every room in the cottage is beautifully and thoughtfully decorated. With candles lit, the logs crackling in the wood-burning stove, and the heady scent of spruce filling the air, it is a time for her and the family to relax and savour the spirit of the season. “Christmas is definitely my favourite time of the year,” she says. “During the festive season the cottage has an even more magical feel. It’s the perfect place to hunker down and celebrate being with the people we love most.” RIGHT Having painted the bath in Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink, Amanda decided to introduce pink touches to other rooms in the cottage, including this twin bedroom. The throws, cushions and lamp are all from Neptune. The festive garland is from the White Company.
ABOVE The bed in this serene bedroom is from Feather & Black and has been dressed in fairy lights from Lights4Fun. The dusky pink quilt and matching cushions are from Cox & Cox. RIGHT Amanda painted the Victoria & Albert bath in Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink to add a fun element to the bathroom. A shelf around the wall is the perfect spot to display treasured pieces such as the landscape painting from Vintage Curator Interiors.
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Country CHRISTMAS
A quirky, timber-framed, seventeenth-century thatched cottage offers a warm embrace to all who cross its threshold during the festivities and beyond FEATURE & STYLING NAOMI JONES PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON
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The Woodhouse black and white check cloth from Tori Murphy, layered with red placemats and lots of foliage, strikes the right festive balance. Walls are painted in Clunch by Farrow & Ball. Festive foliage is by Flowers and Lifestyle by Margot. The food is by Lucy Hoyle. The portrait painting is by Muriel Pemberton.
The focal point of the kitchen is the Aga, which came with the house and provides a handy rail to hang Tori Murphy’s Scallop Stripe tea towel and oven gloves. The handmade kitchen units are painted in Old White by Farrow & Ball.
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‘We love hosting a Christmas carols party every year, with loads of candles, mulled wine and good food’
“S
tepping inside an old, thatched cottage is like being enveloped in a wonderful warm embrace,” says former actress, lifestyle writer and stylist Rebecca Lovatt of her Grade II listed home. She shares the three bedroom cottage, which dates back to 1650, with her husband Jamie and their two children, Verity, 10 and Freddie, 12. “Our house is especially cosy in winter, and during the festive season it’s lovely to gather with family and friends round the Aga in the kitchen, or the inglenook fireplace in the sitting room. We especially love hosting
a Christmas carols party every year, with loads of candles, mulled wine and good food. It’s an event we all look forward to – even though the children are initially desperately embarrassed by the grown-ups singing! It’s quite a production putting it all together, though, as I like to decorate a tree for every room and prepare mince pies and other festive treats with the children. My florist friend Karen Attwood will help me adorn every surface with fresh seasonal arrangements, and for very special gatherings, my catering friend Lucy Hoyle will whip up some delicious party nibbles for us to enjoy with plenty of fizz.”
ABOVE LEFT A wreath by Flowers and Lifestyle by Margot adorns the front door. TOP RIGHT Rebecca shares her inspiring ideas on her website myenglishcountry cottage.co.uk ABOVE The charming 400-year-old thatched cottage shrouded in atmospheric mist.
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ABOVE The sitting room is the perfect place for festive gatherings, with a piano waiting to be played. The antique rug is from The Rug & Carpet Studio in Long Melford and the Red Elgin Skye checked cushions are by Harrison Cropper. RIGHT The bookshelves are built onto a false wall so as not to interfere with the integrity of the old, listed building. The Roses blind fabric and Octavia cushion are both by Kate Forman. The velvet pouffe is from Graham & Green.
Even when the family’s guests have said their goodbyes, the Lovatts are never completely free of company. It is difficult to ever be truly alone in an old timber-framed property such as this 400-year-old beauty on the Essex-Suffolk-Cambridgeshire border. Rebecca, Jamie and their children have all had to accept that they share their home with lots of countryside friends. “The thatched roof is a haven for insects and birds, and sometimes mice,” Rebecca says. “With all the gaps in the timbers we end up with a fair few spiders and bone-shaking draughts, but I simply channel my inner Cinderella and sing along with the tweets and squeaks. I wrap up in jumpers and blankets as I try to vanquish the dust and cobwebs that are determined to reappear on the fairy lights and foliage the minute I turn my head. It’s all part of life in the English countryside, especially when you live in a house this old.” For Rebecca, it is certainly the oldest house she’s ever lived in. “I grew up in a Victorian house in Sussex,” she recalls, “but left for university then drama school in London. During my acting career there, I met my husband-to-be at our best friends’ wedding.” When the couple became parents, Rebecca gave up acting to focus on the children and her other passion,
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The antique cabinet is an inherited piece. The antique child’s naïve chair is from Original Homewares and the check blanket is from Susie Watson Designs. Rebecca’s friend Lucy Hoyle has prepared some delicious canapes for guests.
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ABOVE The master bedroom floor is so old and uneven the Montgomery Rattan bed from The French Bedroom Company has to be propped up with books. The bedside cabinets are painted in Château Grey chalk paint by Annie Sloan. The curtains are in Paris Rose Blue by Cabbages & Roses. RIGHT This corner of the master bedroom epitomises all the English country elements Rebecca loves: exposed beams, shabby chic furniture, floral art and beautiful textiles. The floral painting propped on the floor is by Emma Perring.
writing, and they moved to Cheshire. Then, about eight years ago, they headed back down south, wanting to be closer to friends who live in the Cambridgeshire area. “Since relocating, I have been heavily influenced by the seasons and the transitional days,” Rebecca says. “We are lucky enough to be surrounded by fields and farms, so we are in tune with every change, from the crops in the fields to the flowers in the hedgerows, to the position of the sun.” This true understanding of her environment and the way light moves in and around her seventeenthcentury thatched cottage throughout the day, in every season, came in very handy when Rebecca was planning how to redecorate this rural idyll. “When we bought the house, it had been unoccupied for 18 months – of two-legged inhabitants, at least – so we knew it would need a fair amount of tender, loving care,” she explains. “The kitchen consisted of little more than the Aga and a cheap sink unit. There wasn’t a cupboard in sight and every room was painted in beautiful but, unfortunately, dark colours. I do love rich, cosy interiors, but I am a person who needs natural light, and living in a dark cottage with an overhanging thatched roof,
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‘I do love rich, cosy interiors but I need natural light. Living in a dark cottage, I had to add colour in other ways’ I had to decorate it very carefully and add colour in other ways.” So, after a year of living with the inherited decor, Rebecca threw herself into painting the cottage’s interior. She chose a selection of lighter and brighter yet chalky and sympathetic shades from Farrow & Ball to breathe fresh air into the building and add a sense of calm. The paint brand’s Off White, All White, Shaded White, Lime White and Clunch form the backbone of her chosen colour palette. She then added an abundance of fabrics by Kate Forman, Jane Churchill, Cabbage & Roses and Susie Watson Designs, and a few vintage velvets courtesy of Phillips & Cheers. “I love the English country home style with floral curtains, roaring fires, ginger jars, shelves of books and old rugs dotted everywhere,” explains Rebecca, “and I have tried to recreate this in our cottage, but on a less grand scale, with shabby-chic influences and plenty of
rustic materials including scrubbed pine, wicker baskets and painted furniture. Once upon a time, this building was probably home to farmers and their animals, so doing anything too grand and formal would be completely out of character with its history.” “I couldn’t imagine moving back to the city now,” she adds. “I love the fact that I can tell when it’s going to rain as I watch the clouds gathering across the fields, so I have just enough time to run outside to grab my washing off the line. I know when and where to expect the first snowdrop in January, and the climbing roses in June, the blackberries in September, and the berried ivy in December; I find this all very reassuring, feeling part of nature. I absolutely love to reflect that in the way I decorate inside the house so that it mirrors the seasonal beauty of our wonderful surroundings outside, and I can’t wait to welcome friends and family once again so we can make even more special memories together in our magical home.”
ABOVE LEFT Daughter Verity’s bedroom is decorated with Jane Churchill’s Flower Fairies wallpaper. The four-poster bed is from The White Company and the chest is from the Cotswold Company. ABOVE RIGHT An antique Asprey jewellery shop cabinet from Original Homewares has been filled with fairy lights and treasured baubles for a magical look in the bathroom.
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NEW DECORATING GUIDE E
ID 22 GU 20
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INTERIOR DESIGN CREATING THE PERFECT ENGLISH HOME
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85
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STYLE INSPIRATION Our special section dedicated to interior design and decorating begins here
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
MAKE A SCENE Create a professional-looking display for the dining table – or perhaps over a buffet table on Boxing Day – with a hanging arrangement. A handy clamp-on frame provides the structure from which to let creativity run wild. Adorn with winding leaves, twinkling lights and golden beads. Suspend large baubles or pretty honeycomb paper decorations, pom poms, stars and snowflakes for a visual feast for the eyes. Clamp-on table stand, from £55, Rockett St George
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From left: Anozoria paperweight, £35; Lakadema Leopard candle holders, £60 for a pair; Brass Lama offering bowl, £195 for a set of six; Bauble Honeycomb decoration, £45 for a set of six; Cire Trudon Chronicle scented candle, £75 Pulcinella cocktail glass, £90 for a set of four; Dice Box and Six Dice, £35, all Oka
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GIFT GUIDE
Presents for HOME LOVERS This Christmas, indulge loved ones with our guide to this year’s most desirable gifts for home and garden
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Home office 1 Malachite box files, from £26, Pentreath & Hall 2 Mr Butler Grey and Cream 45cm metal wall clock, £125, Newgate 3 Type 75 Paul Smith Edition desk lamp, £249, Anglepoise 4 Geo Vessel, Sea Blue, £30, Of Cabbages and Kings 5 Liberty of London pencil pot, £15, Laura & Co 6 British Teapot correspondence 78 THE ENGLISH HOME
cards, £27, Smythson 7 Calathea Pinstripe plant, from £20; Broadway pot, £24, both Leaf Envy 8 Ammonite Brass Sculpture bookends, £420, Katharine Pooley 9 Leather organiser, Mustard, £40, Katie Leamon 10 Personalised hardback notebook, Powder Blue Magic Bloom, £20, Helen Loveday 11 Carafe with
Tumbler in Alabaster by Michael Ruh, £195, The New Craftsmen 12 Lottie office chair, Teal Velvet and Brass, £179, Cult Furniture 13 Yves desk, Black American Walnut, £3,375, Pinch 14 Kaweco Limited Edition Lavender fountain pen, £24.50, Present & Correct 15 Navy Faux Croc bin, £99, Joanna Wood
GIFT GUIDE
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Dining room 1 Rose Gold finish cutlery £45.85 for a 16-piece set, Cielshop 2 Shweshwe cotton napkins, £30 for a set of six, Craft Editions 3 Fine oil-treated walnut chopping board with truffle cutter and glass bell, £444, Officine Gullo 4 Urban Bar Baron three-piece gold-plated finish cocktail shaker, £115,
Fortnum & Mason 5 Vintage champagne glass with Gold Rim, £15, Rockett St George 6 Scalloped drinks trolley, available in five colourways, £1,898, Vanrenen GW Designs 7 Egyptian hand-blown-glass candlesticks, £20 each, Raj Tent Club 8 Brew Copper Cafetiere, £175, Tom Dixon 9 Eichholtz
Skyline brass-plated candle holder, £365, Sweetpea & Willow 10 Maxime Star coasters, £68 for a set of four, Jonathan Adler 11 Rainbow lacquered ice bucket, £285, Matilda Goad 12 Vera Wang Jardin fine bone china four-piece dinner setting, £110, Wedgwood
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Children’s room 1 Pre-lit Gingerbread House decoration, £125, Ella James 2 Glass Teddy with Red Scarf decoration, £4.50, Gisela Graham London 3 Moon velvet cushion £29, Meri Meri 4 Ceramic Rainbow lamp, £149, Pottery Barn Kids 5 Bloomingville Ianas seagrass rug,
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£93, Sweetpea & Willow 6 Weather Watch, £47.50, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 7 The Carousel of Animals pop-up book, £16.95, Winters Moon 8 Chicken Coop, £19.95, Daisy Tree Baby Boutique 9 Christmas storage basket, £39, Bellybambino 10 Fox pull-along book
cart, £32.50, Great Little Trading Company 11 Eight Dinosaurs shelf set, £53, Bell & Finn 12 Pink Animal Jacquard Merino Blend baby blanket, £119, Johnstons of Elgin 13 Toadstool, £70, Cox & Cox 14 Circus storage basket, £79.95, Shop PomPom
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Bathroom 1 Always in Rose bubble bath by Lollia, £49, Curated Living Limited 2 Woven Throw and Peshtemal Towel in 100 per cent cotton, £12.90 each, 0zer0 3 Honeycomb stainless steel bath soap dispenser £28, Anthropologie 4 Men’s Signature Stripe woven cotton dressing gown, £220, Paul Smith
5 Skin stimulating body brush, £21, Espa 6 Green Marbled Paper tissue box, £40, Trove 7 Scandi cotton bath mat, £25, Sunday Living 8 Yellow woven bamboo laundry basket, large, £49.50, Oliver Bonas 9 Huile de Savon Héliotrope du Pérou, £42, Buly 1803 10 Black Mach 3 Razor and IB2 Best Badger
shaving brush set, £134, Geo F Trumper 11 Hanbury extending wall mirror, from £541.76, Balineum 12 Bergamot, Juniper & Rose Geranium Salt soap, £9.90 each, Dook 13 Dipthyque Best of Baies gift set, £102, John Lewis & Partners 14 Fedra Soapdish, £14, Club Matters
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1 Bee Mindful Seasonal Garden seed collection, £15, Petersham Nurseries 2 Greenhouse hand-painted glass tree decoration, £12, Ella James 3 Aqua Reactive Glaze planter, £9.99, Ivyline 4 Natural Hammock Chair, £149, Beaumonde 5 CJ Wildlife Vierno Diner seed feeder,
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Garden
£10, National Trust Shop 6 Bohemian Floral waterproof scatter cushion, £64, Bridgman 7 Gardeners’ Protective Organic Lotion, £12.95, Highgrove 8 Snail tape measure, £36.95 Sarah Raven 9 Sissinghurst teak bench, £2,350, Garpa 10 Rewild Your Garden book, £15, Winters Moon 11 Your Garden
Butterfly and Bee Hotel, £19.95, Rex London 12 Bees gardening gloves, £20, Sophie Allport 13 Japanese Secateurs Okatsune No.103, £42, Burford Garden Company 14 Rowley Ripple Copper Watering Can, £60, Sir Gordon Bennett Ltd 15 Budding Gardeners Basket, £55, Rory & Ruby
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPHS P78 (8) © NICO WILLS, P79 (2) © YESHEN VENEMA. P81 (6) © SIMON ELDON. P82 (1) © CHLOE HARDWICK. P83 (4) WING CHAN.
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Bedroom 1 Neom Organics London Tranquility Perfect Night’s Sleep reed diffuser, £38, John Lewis & Partners 2 Lulworth mug, Fig, £60 for a set of six, Neptune 3 Henley Heart box in Sycamore, £995, Linley 4 Octavia mirror, Off White/Blue Sea, £1,250, Suzanne Sharp for The Lacquer Company 5 Gilded Ginkgo table lamp, £235, The French Bedroom
Company 6 Swaying Fern Blush blockprint quilt, from £125 for a single, Faro Home 7 Salina two-drawer bedside cabinet, £375, Ercol 8 Floral Indie eye mask, £5, Wallace Cotton 9 Chalk Pink linen duvet cover set, £169, Chalk Pink Linen Company 10 Navy brushed cotton pyjama shirt, £90; navy brushed cotton pyjama trousers (not shown),
£90, Desmond & Dempsey 11 Shepherd of Sweden suede fluffy slider, Camel, £75, The White Company 12 Chestnut Leaf candle wall sconce, £295, The Shop Floor Project 13 Elemental photo frame, Ivory, from £120, Laura Hammett x LuxDeco 14 Tibetan sheepskin bench, £695, The White Company 15 Wood cufflink box, £105, Nina Campbell THE ENGLISH HOME 83
BUYERS DECORATING GUIDE
Kitchens for entertaining The heart of the home comes into its own during the festive season, whether for whipping up sumptuous feasts or hosting impromptu gatherings
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• Using curved edges on your worktops will give your kitchen
SOCIALISING & DRINKS
a softer, more relaxed look that allows guests to comfortably gather around when enjoying drinks. These curved corners are also safer than sharp edges when entertaining families with young children.”
Go with the curve Steve Saunders, technical manager, Burbidge “When it comes to socialising and drinks, now, more than ever, the kitchen has become the hub of the home: • In line with the desire for clutter-free kitchens, pretty and practical glass-fronted cabinetry is growing in popularity. This stylish solution (above left) allows decorative items to be beautifully displayed behind glass, adding a visual and personal touch to a contemporary kitchen. • Consider investing in freestanding kitchen units – these are a versatile and popular storage choice as they are incredibly functional and stylish. They maximise the usability of your space, not only benefiting the overall look but also providing further storage.
SMART BUYS
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Incorporate storage Jenny Thomas, senior designer, Tom Howley “In this scheme (above right) the wine storage is kept under the stairs to make the most of an awkward space. Glass doors mean that the collection can be admired from the rest of the kitchen. To the right, the glass-fronted Sub-Zero wine cooler means chilled wine is easily at hand at parties.” ABOVE LEFT Langton kitchen, from £18,000, Burbidge ABOVE RIGHT Kitchen from £20,000, Tom Howley
1 Pulcinella champagne glasses, White, £90 for a set of four, Oka 2 Aurelia optic glass carafe 1.8l, £48, LSA International 3 Medina nesting trays, £850 for a set of three, The Lacquer Company 4 Milano leather tray, £228, Jonathan Adler 5 Drexel decanters, £587 for a set of two, Arteriors 6 Integrated column wine cabinet 61cm, £8,500, Fisher & Paykel
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Think about finishes Helen Parker, creative director, deVOL “In this kitchen (p85 and below) we included a large island with lots of space for people to gather round but the slender legs keep it feeling ethereal rather than boxy: • Aged copper is a great worktop for a party. You don’t have to be overly careful with spillages as the developing patina is all part of its charm. • Extending your worktop just a little will instantly make your kitchen more sociable. You just need 230mm to create a space for people to pull up a stool and chat away with whoever is in the kitchen. • Keeping pretty glassware in glazed cupboards (below) makes a beautiful and impressive display and can be a cleaner, less dusty option to open shelves.” BELOW & P85 The Sebastian Cox kitchen, from £15,000, deVOL
Create a home bar Ben Burbidge, managing director, Kitchen Makers “Having somewhere for drinks with space for glassware and accessories will create a versatile and visually appealing area of focus, where guests can be served or help themselves: • For those looking to create a restaurant-worthy display, a larder-style cupboard can combine both open and closed storage with shelves, cupboards and drawers. Open storage can beautifully display bottles you favour or have a particularly interesting shape. • Finishing touches can elevate your set up. Consider integrating softer mood lighting with dimmers, which will allow you to control the mood when entertaining. • When it comes to materials, consider how they will age. Wooden surfaces are elegant but require regular maintenance compared to laminate. Marble is beautiful, whilst zinc or copper will weather and change with wear creating a beautiful patina.” ABOVE Somerton kitchen in Baltic Green and Brushed Brass, from £15,000, Kitchen Makers THE ENGLISH HOME 87
PREPARING & COOKING Create integrated solutions
Charlie Smallbone, founder, Ledbury Studio “This kitchen in West Sussex was designed for a professional couple who entertain a lot, one of whom, in particular, likes to cook. A number of elements were incorporated: • The integrated ceiling extractor incorporates functionality with aesthetic. We ran the ducting in a covered beam overhead, leading to the powerful motor outside the house, which keeps it quiet inside the kitchen – essential for entertaining. The sleek design keeps sightlines clear in the open-plan space. • The induction hob is flush to the island worktop – it’s unobtrusive, easy to clean, and the cook can chat to guests whilst still being at the heart of the party. • The worktops are a man-made quartz called Arabesque, from Stone Italiana. It’s a very practical surface that is resistant to heat and scratches, and doesn’t require sealing. The integrated sink is made of the same material, with seamless joins making it completely watertight. • The cutlery and pan storage drawers, conveniently placed below the hob, are made from oak with dovetailed joints, and have walnut-veneered interiors to keep the items inside organised. • The housing for the oven and integrated fridge-freezer was created from solid panels of oak, hand-carved to form the pattern we call Choppy Water and then stained dark in our workshop. They are further embellished with luxurious gold leaf appliqué highlights. To make this a practical piece for a working kitchen, there is a sheen lacquer over the top.” RIGHT Kitchen from £50,000, Ledbury Studio
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1 Soho Home Masen Serving Set, £180, Liberty London 2 Bitra Hook Rail in Antique Brass, £72, Rowen & Wren 3 Oval Cocotte 23cm in White Truffle, , taub 4 verhot i Cooker, from , , verhot 5 Aldsworth Butcher’s Block, £300, Garden Trading 88 THE ENGLISH HOME
BUYERS GUIDE
Plan the practicalities Melissa Klink, creative director, Harvey Jones “This Arbor kitchen blends the simplicity of a timeless Shaker kitchen with touches of intricate details from our Original kitchen range: • A bespoke dresser conveniently placed next to the island makes it easy to grab ingredients without obstructing the cooking area. • The large central island serves as the focal point of the kitchen and is a must-have for kitchens designed with entertaining in mind, as guests can gather around it to enjoy drinks and canapes whilst the hosts add the finishing touches to their meals. • The island has an integrated sink (not shown) which is placed directly opposite the hob, so moving hot pans from the hob to the sink is easy and safe. • One of the most important elements to consider is planning the walkways around a kitchen island. As a rule of thumb, they need to be one metre wide in order to be safe and practical.” ABOVE Arbor kitchen, from £25,000, Harvey Jones
Make details work for the chef
• With this in mind, keeping a hob and sink off the island means you will always have clear space for prep and presentation.
• Open shelving is perfect for serving, as having bowls and glasses Adrian Bergman, design manager, British Standard by Plain English “I think it is safe to say that all parties gravitate towards the kitchen, as it’s where the food and drink is! • Having a centrepoint such as a freestanding table or island is ideal – it allows guests to mingle around a focus point whilst keeping the outer worktops free for prep, and means that festive party food can be transferred to the centre with minimal effort.
on hand is very practical when hosting and guests can always help themselves if needed. • A utensil rail serves a similar purpose, as it means no rummaging in the drawer to find what you need.” TOP & ABOVE Cupboards from £535; average-sized kitchen, around £8,000, British Standard by Plain English THE ENGLISH HOME 89
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BUYERS GUIDE
DINING & RELAXING Zone large spaces Richard Moore, design director, Martin Moore “Open-plan spaces offer the perfect set-up for entertaining, as they offer a variety of dining and relaxing options: • This U-shaped kitchen with a central island at its heart provides a comfortable, informal space for friends and family to gather. The informal seating area is kept to one end, away from the workaday areas of the range cooker and main sink. Designing seating around a curved end allows a more social space with guests facing each rather than sitting in a row. • For more formal occasions, a large dining table has been placed ahead of the dropped-level reception area beyond. This not only zones the space but gives clear a sightline to the terrace and garden. A statement drinks cabinet further helps delineate the space and provides extensive wine and glassware storage. • In the reception area, a low corner sofa is placed centrally in the room to make the most of the beautiful windows and be a quiet place to read a book or view the garden. The muted restful colours have been enhanced with a dramatic pop of colour with the blue sofa.” ABOVE & BELOW Kitchen from £45,000, Martin Moore
Entertain alternative arrangements Alex Main, director, The Main Company “For this project (above) we designed a welcoming, informal open-plan living space with seating options that the whole family could use for socialising, cooking and entertaining guests: • The layout means the seating follows the L-shaped design of the breakfast bar, making it easier to socialise in contrast to having THE ENGLISH HOME 91
BUYERS GUIDE
stools placed in one long line. The design also allows the person cooking to interact with others in the room. • Use of wooden accents such as the dining table and benches helps to retain cohesion with the rest of the space, whilst adding depth and texture to the design.” LEFT & PREVIOUS PAGE Bespoke kitchen, from £25,000, The Main Company
Create a flow to suit Jenny Thomas, senior designer, Tom Howley “This space (right) was envisaged as an open-plan kitchen design with room for dining and relaxation. • A good source of light is essential in an open-plan kitchen, so instead of closing in the space with too many wall units, we created flow with considered seating options to draw the eye along the full breadth of the room. • At one end, window seating has been incorporated to double both as useful storage, and to draw attention to the stunning feature window. Architectural features such as this window can’t be moved or concealed, but instead of seeing it as a challenge, we saw an opportunity to celebrate a unique element and to create something special and exclusive to that property. • The kitchen island features high-backed chairs facing the cooking area, with additional bar stools neatly tucked away for extra seating, whilst the dining table and chairs offer a further solution for more formal occasions.”
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5 Claverton dining chair, Sage, £825, Oka 2 Hinkley bar stool, £944, Arteriors 3 Lugo Dining Armchair, £375, Ercol 4 Budge bench, £455, Loaf 5 Fitzroy chair, from £1,122, Parker Knoll
FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPHS P86 (THE LAQUER COMPANY) © WING CHAN. P87 (KITCHEN MAKERS) © JON DAY. P88 (LEDBURY STUDIO) © THE LITTLE PHOTO COMPANY. P91 & 92 (THE MAIN COMPANY) © CHRIS SNOOK. P92 (LOAF) © BENJAMIN NORTON
RIGHT Kitchen from £20,000, Tom Howley
LW709 'Departure of the Knights' Loom Woven Tapestry 93 x 145 cm £675 125 x 190 cm £930 183 x 277 cm £1,995
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A stylist’s E Christmas
Discover how three leading stylists dress their own homes for the festive season, and their top tips for adding considered and magical details
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veryone has their own style at Christmas, from the purist and traditional to the innovative and daring. Here we explore the homes of three professional stylists to discover how they use their eye for detail and flair for creativity to add those magical and unexpected touches. Their skills allow them to make their own homes a beautiful and personal space, full of individual character. From dressing the tree with cherished baubles to unusual ways to display treasured decorations, to dressing the table romantically and wrapping gifts with aplomb and their own traditions and rituals for bringing in foliage and flowers, we hope they inspire some new ideas to add panache to one’s own distinctive Christmas style.
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DECORATING
Tamsyn Morgans
Stylist, photographer & blogger
I love to create a magical look at Christmas. My ethos for my home is to buy old things with history and patina, and I continue this at Christmas. I have a collection of some 500 vintage baubles, amassed over 15 years. I love the scratches, character and feel of Christmases past they each have. I use these not only on the tree, but all over the house – in bowls, on twigs, tied to napkins and so on. I also reuse anything I already have that might add some sparkle and a magical fairytale feel. And fairy lights…everywhere! I use whatever I can find in my house – little vintage pastry tins make pretty tealight holders on the table; ice skates beneath the tree or by the fireplace; old mirrors add twinkle used as coasters. I bring in twigs and branches from the garden – either to fill an old urn and hang some baubles on – or (as right) to create a ‘tree’ to hang treasured decorations and other pieces I can lay my hands on, such as old brooches and watches, to make a pretty display. I love old books and brighten up a dark corner by creating a tree shape by stacking them up (left). It takes a bit of fiddling to get it right, but then simply add some fairy lights and it’s beautiful. I add fairy lights to everything. Candles are also very important. I dress the table with tealights, lots of flowers and mismatched china and vintage champagne saucers. It’s decadent and magical, but charming and relaxed too. Tamsyn’s lifestyle blog: tamsynmorgans.com THE ENGLISH HOME 95
Paula Sutton
Stylist, blogger and author
My style at Christmas has evolved since leaving London, where it was polished and glossier, to fully embracing rural living and bringing in elements of the countryside. It is more forgiving, nothing is too perfect. I like the organic look and for it to seem like the foliage on the mantelpiece has been there for years, tumbling out of vases – very Miss Havisham does Christmas. I love to upcycle and reuse things. I will always buy crystal droplets from broken chandeliers at junk shops. Simply add a velvet ribbon and it’s a beautiful, sparkly, festive decoration. I’m not very organised so it takes a while for the space beneath the tree to be filled with presents. In the meantime, I fill the space with hampers (which are also great for dressing up an awkward-shaped gift) and large honeycomb balls. This room (right) becomes the hub of the home in December. I want it to be beautiful, but also where we can kick off our shoes and cosy up by the fire. It is where we eat mince pies and cheeses with mulled wine and chat and unwind, so everything is relaxed and welcoming. I love Catesbys for beautiful decorations, and Liberty for a special piece. But I also keep every piece of ribbon I’ve ever been given to tie to the tree, garlands and wreaths. Sliced oranges dried in the oven are a classic addition too. Hill House Living by Paula Sutton is out now, published by Ebury Press, £22 96 THE ENGLISH HOME
DECORATING
DECORATING
Selina Lake Stylist and author
As we have a Victorian house, I like a fairly traditional look at Christmas, but put a modern spin on it. I’m led by nature so use a lot of things from my garden, which is my starting point for colour. I add vintage baubles in greens, pinks, burgundy and gold. My honeycomb decorations are my modern twist and hold memories of buying them in Copenhagen. Christmas should include things with history and meaning.
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN PHOTOGRAPHS TAMSYN MORGANS; (PAULA SUTTON) © SIMON BROWN; SELINA LAKE
I adapt my look each year, using what I already have with a few new additions. One year, I just picked out the green baubles to use with golden highlights. I have all the female members of my family over in November for a wreathmaking workshop in my garden. I like to have lots of textures, from bracken and old man’s beard to evergreen leaves and hydrangeas – which I cut and dry in October in order to capture the colours. I never use sticky tape or festive wrapping paper. I like to use wallpapers or normal gift wrap. Here (far right) I used a botanical design for a dark floral theme, tied with raffia or string and decorated with the same foliage and flowers from my wreath and garland. I use silk ribbon for special presents, or to top my tree. My favourite supplier from Etsy is Cfleursdesign. I make the mantel garland just with foliage, then add flowers last so they are prominent on top. I make sure I drape a few lights across it so it has some twinkle and doesn’t get lost in the evening. Winter Living Style by Selina Lake is out now, published by Ryland Peters & Small, £19.99 98 THE ENGLISH HOME
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THE ENGLISH HOME 99
CALLAGHANS OF SHREWSBURY
THE SHAPE OF IT Visually arresting and wonderfully tactile, sculptures add depth and contrast to interiors
Benson Landes was particularly inspired by the ballet, listening to classical music as he sculpted pieces like Resting Swan, featuring a dancer in repose in all her delicate beauty. 100 THE ENGLISH HOME
PARTNER FEATURE
The Otter in Pursuit, by Richard Smith, defies gravity in its extraordinary pose. Standing at almost 76cm high, it is created in a patina of graduated and dappled brown.
E
ven if art is not your thing, it is hard not to be struck by the beauty of sculpture. In whatever form it may take, whether the subject matter be real or imagined, there is something extraordinary about taking a rough and raw material like bronze and turning it into something beautiful to behold. No one knows this more than Stella Callaghan, who, with her husband Dan, runs the gallery Callaghans of Shrewsbury, nestled in the centre of the beautiful Shropshire market town. Over the 35 years since they launched their gallery, the couple have garnered a reputation worldwide for their extensive knowledge, helping many collectors grow their art collections from scratch. “I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful things every day at work,” says Stella, “and nothing is more visually arresting than bronze sculpture in particular. Sculpture can add such a wonderful element to a home, office or even a garden when pieces are made on a larger scale. In fact, an eyecatching bronze sculpture can change the ambience of a room with its presence and character.” Whether a client’s preference is for sculpted wildlife or the human form, contemporary bronze sculpture plays a significant part at Callaghans of Shrewsbury. As well as its extensive collection of European oils and watercolours – particularly those by Claude Venard, Marcel Dyf, Antoine Bouvard, Bernard Buffet, L S Lowry and other magnificent nineteenth and twentieth-century European artists – Callaghans represents four hugely talented sculptors working across all genres. The first of these is Benson Landes (1927–2013) who, following a career in haute couture, became a full-time sculptor. Particularly inspired by the ballet, he would listen to classical music in his studio whilst sketching and sculpting. It is possible to feel the movement in his depiction of the female form along with the natural flow of the dancer’s clothing. The pieces are quite mesmerising and moving to behold.
Benson Landes has perfectly captured a dancer in her full glory for his piece Pirouette, which stands at 84cm and is packed with movement and grace.
ABOVE Tobias Martin’s love and understanding of the natural world is clear in his dynamic sculpture Jumping Jack, a hare in full flight. Created in a patina of graduated brown, rich orange, whisperings of Alaskan white and green, it is one of an edition of 12 and stands at 56cm. THE ENGLISH HOME 101
PARTNER FEATURE
TOP Siren, standing at 160cm in all its dynamic glory, is one of an edition of nine by Carl Payne in patina graduated stone and brown. ABOVE Inspired by ancient mythology, Carl Payne’s Circe – 195cm in patina graduated stone and green – makes a striking addition to any outdoor space.
In a different vein, Tobias Martin (b.1972) and Richard Smith (b.1955) are both animalier sculptors (whose subject matter can be found in the animal rather than human world), though both favour different techniques and finishes. Martin prefers to use a textured depth of bronze which brilliantly renders the animal’s skin or fur. “You can see how this unique style is enhanced by his abundant admiration of the animal and mammal world, enabling him to perfectly portray the unique characteristic of each species,” Stella explains. For example, his life-size sculpture of Nico the gorilla is breathtaking in its detail. “Though many can capture something of the strength, grace and agility of our fellow creatures, it takes a real artist to convey the sense of inner being that we share with them,” adds Stella. Martin’s work never patronises or sentimentalises, but reveals, with respect and sensitivity, a deep knowledge of, and wonder at, the animal kingdom in all its splendid variety. Conversely, unlike Martin’s textured sculptures, Smith favours the smoothest of finishes by polishing the bronze to perfection. This adds a tactile element to his work, which often features birds, enhancing the coolness of the bronze medium and the subtle curves of the perfectly anatomically correct form. Smith is surrounded by nature at his studio in a gamekeeper’s cottage in the heart of the countryside, so it is no wonder it proves his greatest inspiration. Having painted wildlife for 40 years and been surrounded by game birds, the move to making them in bronze was a natural one, proving the perfect material for the precision of his pieces.
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Staffordshire-based artist Carl Payne (b.1969) adds another diverse element to Callaghans sculptural collection. His focus is on figurative sculpture with a contemporary twist, using striking patinas and polished bronze. Finding inspiration everywhere from ancient mythology to history and music, his work is beautifully executed and packed full of symbolism as he focuses on the sacred feminine form. Payne has also been commissioned to create largescale pieces for public spaces, including a statue of King George V and Queen Mary, commissioned by Cunard for the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, and a life-size sculpture of Olympic ice-skating champions Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, found in their home town of Nottingham. Private commissions include footballers George Best and Bobby Moore. Each sculpture at Callaghans is commissioned directly with the artist, where possible, allowing Stella and Dan to share ideas and support them whilst discussing future projects and pieces. “It is a privilege to work with such talent and inspiration. It adds another element to being an art dealer,” says Stella. “A beautiful sculpture will be an investment for your eyes to feast on for years to come,” explains Dan. “So, whether you are looking to purchase your first work of art or you’re adding to an existing collection, we would always suggest buying the best you can afford. It will be worth it in the long run.” callaghan-finepaintings.com
FEATURE KATE FREUD PHOTOGRAPHS P107 (OTTER & PIROUETTE) © DE JETLEY MARKS
Tobias Martin’s sculpture of Nico the gorilla, has to be seen to comprehend the impressive scale of the piece. Standing at 180cm, it is created from a patina of dappled green, grey, burnt orange and black.
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Let it
GLOW
Shine a light on every corner of the house – inside and out – this Christmas with these seasonally stylish ideas
C
hristmas just would not be the same without the flickering flame of a candle or the twinkle of fairy lights. From lighting the way to the front door on a cold December night to decorating the mantelpiece and setting the table for Christmas Day dining, lighting can be used to great effect to create welcoming warmth and atmosphere at the darkest time of the year. So prepare to add magical sparkle throughout the festive season, both indoors and out.
Symons pre-lit wreath, £145; Grand Spruce pre-lit Christmas tree, from £395 for 7.5ft; Fireplace lanterns, £55 each; Fireside votive candle, £12, and all other items, The White Company
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DECORATING
DECK THE HALLS Faux or real, foliage really comes alive when combined with festive lights. Pre-lit artificial wreaths and garlands are readily available, but try to use fresh branches and stems of all the seasonal favourites to benefit from their natural fragrance – the warmth from candles and even fairy lights will encourage the oils in foliage such as pine, spruce and eucalyptus to fill a room with their seasonal scent. The natural glow of candles will also accentuate the frosted detail in many leaves and berries. For Scandinavian rustic charm, source branches covered in lichen and wrap them with tiny lights and decorate with baubles, as a modern rustic alternative to a traditional tree.
RIGHT The greyishgreen tones in eucalyptus and the white berries of mistletoe will add a delightful frosted feel to mantelpieces and table settings. Add glitter and glass illuminated baubles and candles as the finishing touch. Eucalyptus & White Berry garland, £56.99; Glitter LED baubles (hanging from wreath), £12.99 for three; TruGlow LED pillar candles, from £26.99 for three; Snowy mini Christmas tree, £12.99, all Lights4Fun
ALL THAT GLOWS There is something wonderfully nostalgic about lanterns and the light emitted from the candle inside. Metal lanterns with glass frames are ideal for dotting around the home to evoke a real sense of Christmas past. Large designs can be sourced for placing outside the front door as a welcome to guests. Alternatively, use these indoors to add light and a seasonal decorative touch to any dark areas.
LEFT Lanterns hung from sturdy chains securely positioned at a window and filled with tea lights will add charm to any interior. Hanging brass sky lanterns, from £28, Rowen & Wren FAR LEFT Use modern variations of classic lanterns together with seasonal decorations to add festive style to a hallway or staircase, ensuring of course they are positioned safely at the sides. Brass lanterns, from £50; Black lantern, £60; Antique White paper snowburst, £36; White wooden snowflake decoration £9; Ribbed ceramic tree, £22; Tall, tiered ceramic tree, £38, and all other items, Layered Lounge
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COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS An advent candle is a wonderful way of adding excitement and a festive glow to each December evening until Christmas Day. Alternatively, create a wall feature, hanging small gifts from a beam or branch adorned with twinkling lights or make a country-style advent centrepiece for a dining table with a church candle and a garden pot filled with moss, seasonal plants or foliage. Simply write the date on a slate garden plant marker with chalk, rubbing out and replacing each day, and enjoy dining with candlelight every evening in the lead up to the big day. Replace the candle with a fresh one to add light to the dining table on Christmas Day.
OH CHRISTMAS TREE The Christmas tree is without doubt the star of the festive season, particularly when decorated with lights and baubles. Position in the window and allow it to be admired by everyone, even passers by. Whether the preferred choice is a real spruce or fir, or an artificial alternative, ensuring an even layering of lights within the branches of the tree takes a little skill and forward thinking. Remember to plug in each individual string to check all are in working order before adding to the tree, and have a plentiful supply to hand so there will be lots of sparkle even at the back of the tree and deep into the branches. Most companies recommend 150 mini lights per foot of tree height. For best results work in sections, zigzagging the lights from the bottom up to the top of each section rather than around the tree from top to bottom. That way the connectors will all be at the base of the tree for a neat and tidy end-result and for easy plugging in, too. Remember to hide the wires deep into the foliage, securing them to branches with little lengths of wire if necessary.
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ABOVE For a decorative twist create an advent calendar with small parcels hanging from a branch. Use fairy lights to add a festive halo to the arrangement. Goring bead lights £6; wall painted in Olive paint £42 for 2.5l, all Neptune LEFT As an alternative to classic fairy lights on a tree, source more elaborate designs such as decorative lanterns or tiny festoon lights. Tree: Berry lights, £35; Hailes large baubles in Warm White, £15 for a pack of eight; Curzon star tree topper in Black, £12. Mantelpiece: Orford stocking in Dark Grey, £22; Maddox star garland in Ink, £20; Maddox pom pom garland in Warm White, £14, all Garden Trading
DECORATING
MAGICAL SETTING Setting the table for Christmas Day is a ritual in itself and would not be the same without atmospheric lighting. Avoid using overhead lighting, relying instead on soft candlelight, the twinkle of fairy lights and perhaps the warm glow of a fire for ambient pools of light.
Curzon table candle holder, £28; Natural table runner £32; Black spindle-back chairs, £180; Maddox paper decorations, from £10; Indoor wire lights, £8, all Garden Trading
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DECORATING
FESTIVE FLAIR Decorating the house at Christmas means working with existing furniture, accessories and colour schemes, dressing them accordingly to suit the season. Dress surfaces and areas of the home to set the scene for all sorts of purposes, from a table for serving drinks and canapes to the top of a chest of drawers in a guest bedroom.
ABOVE Create a Narnia-like scene in the garden with an abundance of flickering candles and festoon lights, glinting glass baubles and, of course, plenty of blankets to keep chilly air at bay. Crackle glaze baubles, from £4.50 each (small); Engraved hurricane vase, from £45; Glass candlestick, £39; Hand-painted scented pillar candles, £14 each; Hand-painted dinner candles, from £4.25 each; Shetland wool throws, £94, all Susie Watson Designs
LIGHT THE WAY Create a welcoming entrance for guests or an atmospheric scene in the garden to be enjoyed al fresco with a cup of something warm or to look at from within as darkness descends and all becomes even more magical. LEFT Invest in sturdy outdoor lights that can be used throughout the seasons and will last for years to come. For Christmas hang from forked branches staked into the ground to illuminate a pathway leading to the front door. Dot portable lights £228 each, Ligne Roset
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FEATURE SARA EMSLIE PHOTOGRAPHS P101 (LIGHTS4FUN) © OLIVER PERROTT. P104 ADAMCARTERPHOTO.COM / SUSIE WATSON DESIGNS.
BELOW The light reflective quality of a mirror is invaluable at Christmas so use an existing one as a place to dress with candles, lights and glitter decorations. Large glass candle holder £30; Star fairy lights, £12; Glistening glass Christmas bauble, £8, all The White Company
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QUINTESSENTIALLY
FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPH FLORA PRESS/CHRISTIN PARDUN
Inspiration for seasonal pastimes and making the most of life at home starts here
HANDMADE TOUCH
Simple pleats, coloured card and a neat central needle stitch combine to create these delicate forms to decorate the tree. Starting with one long strip of card (try 30cm by 5cm as starting point) and folding concertina-style along the short edge, bring the opposing ends round and fix these and the centrepoint with a neat stitch, before adding a hanging ribbon. For a similar effect, honeycomb paper decorations lend a charming traditional touch should time be in short supply – try Sarah Raven, Bloomingville, or Broste Copenhagen.
THE ENGLISH HOME 111
MY ENGLISH HOME
Matthew Fort FROM PATCH TO PLATE
R
obert May published The Accomplisht Cook, one of our earliest cookery books, in 1665. His suggested menu for Christmas Day starts with ‘1. A collar of brawn’, before moving on to ‘2. Stewed Broth of Mutton marrow bones; 3. A grand Sallet; 4. A pottage of caponets; 5. A breast of veal in stoffado’ and so on and so on for twenty dishes. Twenty dishes! I kid you not. May finishes with ‘20. A Custard’. They were true trenchermen and women back then. May’s menu makes our Christmas indulgences look like a Weight Watchers mid-week fast. What about the range of meats, too? May lists brawn, mutton, marrow bones, veal, beef, partridge, venison, swan, goose, sweetbreads and even turkey, that would have arrived relatively recently, like so many good things, from the Americas. Our turkey originally hailed from Mexico and, whilst we know it arrived in Britain before1541, because that’s when it gets its first mention, it really only became fashionable at Christmas in Victorian times. Now we may deride it, dismiss
it, be tempted by exotic novelties, but when push comes to shove or fork comes to mouth at Christmas, only turkey carries the warmth of family, hearth and home, in spite of the best efforts of food writers down the ages to persuade us otherwise. To be fair, given decent provenance and kindly cooking, turkey can be quite as good as most chickens. It wasn’t always so. Before turkey, goose was more usual, and before goose, wild boar. For the better-off families, naturally. Wild boar aren’t that easy to get hold of these days, although they’re a pest in various parts of the country such as the Forest of Dean. The problem with goose is that ratio of goose to the number of people you can feed off one bird is alarmingly small. I reckon six people at most to one decent-sized (4.5 kg) goose. But you do get all that divine fat in which to roast potatoes. Given the fact that for most families the Christmas Day menu is governed by hallowed tradition, there is little room for the self-expression of the cook. That’s why I prefer Boxing Day on the whole. On Boxing Day,
like many others, I tend to be in repentant mode, a consequence of the overindulgence of the day before. On Boxing Day I want lightness of touch, freshness of flavour, and restoration of the spirit. Plus, as a cook, I don’t want too much trouble. Using up the leftovers from the day before cuts down on the workload. Cold turkey is best devilled as my mother used to do it. Cold goose also comes in very handy for this. Cold roast beef is also a Boxing Day treasure as far as I’m concerned. But the real secret to Boxing Day are salads. Perhaps not Robert May’s ‘grand Sallet’ that contained cold roast capon, neats (deer) tongues, minced tarragon, minced onions, minced lettuce, olives, samphire, broom buds, pickled mushrooms, pickled oysters, lemon, orange, raisins, almonds, blue figs, Virginia potato, chaperons, and crucifix peas (whatever they may be). It sounds like the kind of assembly you might make when cleaning out the fridge. Here’s a more Boxing Day-friendly salad. About Matthew Best known as a judge on BBC2’s Great British Menu, Matthew is an award-winning food writer and critic. He was the Food & Drink Editor of The Guardian for 15 years and is the author of four books.
BEETROOT AND HORSERADISH SALAD An alternative to the fennel and orange salad (opposite), as this splendid winter dish may be a little too characterful for some. Make it a few days ahead and keep it in a jar in the fridge, where its flavours will develop to beautiful effect. For 4 people
112 THE ENGLISH HOME
INGREDIENTS 4 medium fresh beetroots Juice of 1 orange A splash of red wine 1 dsp of freshly grated horseradish (or 2-3 dsp horseradish relish) 1 dsp caraway seeds
METHOD • Preheat the oven to 200˚C/400˚F/gas mark 6. • Put the beetroots, unpeeled, into the oven and cook until soft (around 45 minutes to an hour). • Remove from the oven and leave to cool, then peel and slice as thinly as possible (on a mandolin, if you have one). • Pour the orange juice and wine over the beetroot slices, add the horseradish and stir and sprinkle with caraway. • Chill.
PORTRAIT GRANT SCOTT ILLUSTRATION MICROONE / SHUTTERSTOCK FOXYS GRAPHIC / SHUTTERSTOCK. PHOTOGRAPH LAURA NEGRATO / SHUTTERSTOCK
The food writer and critic opts for tangy, zesty salads to restore the spirit after Christmas overindulgence
FOOD
FENNEL, ORANGE AND OLIVE SALAD Something of a Sicilian classic, but its crunchy sharpness cuts across the opulence of the goose. For 6 people
INGREDIENTS 3 fennel bulbs 3 oranges Extra-virgin olive oil 125g black olives
METHOD • Slice the fennel as finely as you can. I do this on a mandolin – not one of those expensive professional ones, but a simple blade on a sturdy, plastic frame that my mother bought me. It does the job very well. Put the slices into a bowl. • Peel the oranges right down to the flesh, then cut out the segments from the surrounding membranes by cutting in
from the outside towards the centre (it’s easier than it sounds, so do give it a go). • Add the orange segments to the fennel slices, then stir in as much olive oil as you like. The orange will provide the acid element in the dressing, in place of vinegar. • Decorate with the olives. If you have kept any of the feathery fennel fronds, chop them up and sprinkle them over the top, too.
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English MY
CHRISTMAS The festive season is a time for merriment and wonder – we hear some of the much-cherished memories, traditions and insights from experts in lifestyle, interiors and entertaining
Nigel Slater, author and food writer
Can you share a special Christmas memory from childhood?
When I was eight years old I climbed the ladder to the attic to get the Christmas decorations. When I opened the boxes, the mice had made the skeins of tinsel into glittering nests, and had eaten the chocolate Christmas decorations, leaving all the coloured foil wrappers behind. It was really rather beautiful.
What is your favourite tradition in your household ?
Decorating the tree. It takes an entire day. I start by getting out all the boxes of decorations down from the attic, then opening a bottle of champagne, putting carols on and slowly loading the tree with antique hand-painted glass decorations I have collected from Christmas markets in Vienna, Stockholm, Nuremberg and Cologne.
What is your favourite food at Christmas time?
Oysters. On ice, with nothing more than a very brief squeeze of lemon. Like champagne, they turn any moment into a celebration.
ABOVE Champagne is served whilst the tree is decorated at Nigel Slater’s home. Champagne glasses, from Garden Trading. RIGHT A handsome leather shopping bag, made to order from Charlie Borrow is top of Slater’s wish list. ABOVE A gift to last a lifetime, a Rimowa suitcase is a wise investment.
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion of the season?
An annual day of window shopping. I have a late breakfast in a favourite restaurant then go on a walking tour looking at all the Christmas windows. Bookshops are especially magical at this time of year.
What is the best gift you have ever received? A Rimowa suitcase, given to me by my best friend. It has travelled with me all over the world. Made from aluminium and leather, it is strong, light and beautifully crafted. I expect I shall have it till the day I die.
114 THE ENGLISH HOME
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is… At the top of my Christmas list this year is a handmade leather shopping bag by Charlie Borrow, from his shop in the East End. The bags are made to order. You choose the leather and details – zips, fastenings, straps – yourself, then wait patiently while it is made for you. It will take weeks, but will last a lifetime. A Cook’s Book by Nigel Slater is out now (£30, 4th Estate Publishing)
ENTERTAINING
LEFT The scene is set for Christmas dinner with tableware from Nina Campbell. ABOVE Well-behaved four-legged guests at the Dogs Trust Carol Concert. RIGHT A warming mince pie is a treat after an evening of carol singing. BELOW The flicker of real candles on the tree is a fond memory of Campbell’s. (Never leave lit candles unattended.)
Nina Campbell, interior designer
Can you share a special Christmas memory from childhood?
My first Christmas memory was as a small child, when we used to have real candles on the Christmas tree. It was quite complicated because we would go to church on Christmas Eve and when we got back the drawing room would be plunged into darkness, with the shutters shut, and the Christmas tree was then lit with real candles and my father stood beside it with a bucket of water and a wet sponge that had been strung onto a long walking stick. It was actually quite dangerous, but it was so beautiful. I will never forget opening the door and seeing all these wonderfully wrapped parcels under the tree and the tree lit. I was born quite immediately after the war and Christmas wrapping paper was rather rare, so once everything was unwrapped, the paper was carefully folded and put into a large trunk in the hall. It was then brought out and reused the following year, so there was a big tradition about Christmas and wonderful memories.
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion of the season?
I have to go to a carol service, always, but the must-attend for me is the Dogs Trust Carol
Concert at Chelsea Old Church. The dogs are extraordinary because they seem to know when the vicar comes in that they need to be quiet, but when people clap after the readings, they all start barking and joining in. At the party afterwards you have to be very careful to make sure you have a mince pie meant for humans rather than a dog’s mince pie, but otherwise it is a terrific event.
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
The thing I love about Christmas in my house is the doing of the Christmas tree. I love undoing the boxes and getting out all the special decorations we have bought from all over the world and over the years. The stockings are also a huge thing, even as adults. I always wrapped the children’s stockings in different colour combinations of tissue papers so each would have two colours different to the next. I realised early on that coming home from Midnight Mass, it was too exhausting doing the stockings at two o’clock in the morning, so unless they were pre-prepared it was a nightmare! With the different colours, it was then so easy to fill them. A Terry’s Chocolate Orange went into each of them, and still does, and all sorts of mixed things. Some happened year in, year out, and some different. All parcels had to be squishy and crinkly hence the tissue paper! shop.ninacampbell.com THE ENGLISH HOME 115
Carlos Garcia, interior designer
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
Finding and putting up the Christmas tree must be one of my most cherished childhood memories. I still remember fondly going to the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree and the ensuing rummage in the attic boxes to find and put up the decorations. To this day, it is one of the most exciting traditions at Christmas. Finding the correct Christmas tree is crucial – it can make or break households! Despite the mess (or perhaps because of it – it is part of the fun after all), we always go for a Nordmann fir. The smell in the room instantly brings out the Christmas spirit. Size does matter, and it is crucial the tree is the correct size for the room and feels part of it, not an incongruous add-on that’s difficult to navigate around. Then there is the decoration of the tree. Together with some that hold childhood memories, every year I buy a couple of good quality decorations to add to the tree, which has gradually built into a small collection. Fortnum & Mason is my destination of choice. Although Christmas is the time of the year where abundance is not only suitable but highly encouraged, I tend to favour a traditional and restrained colour palette, and certainly avoid trends. Just as my interiors in general need to feel settled, Christmas needs to feel rooted. Red and gold does this for me, so I always use it as a colour scheme for my decorations. All of the above must be done suitably aided by Bach’s Christmas Oratorio playing in the background, copious amounts of warm mince pies and a glass (or two) of mulled wine, of course.
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion of the season?
Christmas wouldn’t be so without carols. I love music and Christmas is the perfect time to indulge. Whether you are religious or not, there are fabulous richly decorated churches and cathedrals offering carol services, some of them by candlelight. Westminster Cathedral in London and Norwich Cathedral are but a couple of examples. Nothing beats a carol service to put you in the mood for Christmas. This should be followed by some more lighthearted fun. Try skating in one the ice rinks nearby. They may be a little crowded, but are always mood enhancing. The V&A and Somerset House are a couple of examples. If skating is a challenge, try a couple of glasses of mulled wine beforehand. You’ll be unstoppable!
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is…
Top of my list this year is a Sussex Trug from Thomas Smith. Extremely useful for the garden and traditionally made in sweet chestnut and cricket bat willow, it is a true work of craftsmanship and comes in different sizes and shapes. carlosgarciainteriors.com
116 THE ENGLISH HOME
TOP Red and gold is Garcia’s choice for decorating his Nordmann fir tree. ABOVE A Thomas Smith Sussex trug is top of Carlos Garcia’s wish list. RIGHT A glass or two of mulled wine whilst decorating keeps things merry. Rimmed glass mugs by Dibor. BELOW RIGHT Garcia takes time to dress the fireplace with plenty of greenery. BELOW A spot of ice skating is fun in the run up to Christmas.
ENTERTAINING
Sophie Conran, designer Can you share a special Christmas memory from childhood?
I remember a Christmas when I must have been about 10 or 11 – we had the whole family together, the fire was burning and we were eating chocolate coffee beans, which seemed like the most exotic thing we’d ever eaten! My Dad was happily smoking a cigar, the tree was twinkling and Pachelbel’s Christmas Canon was playing. I remember it so clearly as my Granny had given me a small wicker suitcase, and inside, wrapped in layers of tissue paper, was a doll with several hand-knitted and handmade outfits – it was just a moment of pure joy opening it. That Christmas was a moment of real joy, of everyone being together and being happy – what every Christmas should be like.
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
My favourite tradition is opening stockings in bed with my kids and the dog – we all get in bed together!
What is your favourite food or drink at Christmas time?
Every year, I host a party with friends and family which we call the ‘Tree Trimming Party’ – where we dress up in decorative outfits and decorate the tree together. I make a cocktail called the ‘Sophie Sparkle’ and we enjoy it with some homemade cheese sablés – I make mine with a mixture of Gruyère and Parmesan and put little seeds on top. They are so buttery, crumbly and melt in your mouth, and are perfect paired with a cocktail.
TOP Sophie Conran loves to host a festive party. All tableware, Sophie Conran. ABOVE Memories of Christmas by the fireside. RIGHT & FAR RIGHT Opening stockings in bed is Conran’s favourite tradition. Blankets from The Fine Cotton Co and stocking from Rebecca Udell. BELOW Conran would love a plum tree for her orchard this year.
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is…
Well, I’ve just started beekeeping, so it has to be a beekeeping outfit. My existing one is too baggy and the bees keep getting in. I’m also building an orchard, so I would love a fruit tree, plums seem to grow extremely well here. sophieconran.com THE ENGLISH HOME 117
Lady Bamford, founder of
Daylesford Organic
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Lady Bamford recommends the Daylesford cocktail party hamper. Sloe gin is a rewarding tipple after making the Christmas pudding. A carol service is a must during advent.
Stir-up Sunday is an important tradition. I try to get as much of the family together so that we can each take a turn at stirring our Christmas pudding and making a wish. Then we’ll crack open a bottle of our homemade sloe gin, steeped since the previous year. That’s the moment I feel like Christmas has really begun and it always feels special.
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion of the season?
Christmas isn’t Christmas if I don’t attend a carol service.
What is the best gift you have ever received or given? My son George was born on Christmas Eve and nothing will ever come close to that. It was the best Christmas stocking.
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is…
The cocktail party hamper from Daylesford. It’s a set of six pre-made cocktails that are ready to pour. I particularly love the espresso martini and the yuzu margarita, but they will all be perfect for easy entertaining over the festive period. daylesford.com
Alastair Hendy, owner, AG Hendy & Co What is your favourite tradition in your household?
Decorating the tree. A family tree with family decorations accumulated over the years – ’60s tear-drop baubles and ’70s clear glass balls, silvery glass trumpets, two silk-covered ponies, glass icicles and saved gift tags, and a little dwarf with a pipe, all made the merrier with threadbare tinsel. Not forgetting Blue Peter-style gilded walnuts and straw snowflakes, and, of course, various cone-shaped paper fairies all a little worse for wear, but the more lovely for it. And the brown-card bauble boxes, all stuck with old Sellotape, their divisions stuffed with ancient faded tissue, holding treasures unearthed by ritual every year. My childhood. A record of the years, of fashion and change. A history of love and happiness on a tree.
What is your favourite food at Christmas?
Christmas screams tradition for me, and this it has to be: The Turkey, The Roast Potatoes, The Trimmings, The Gravy, and – if I can manage it – The Pud. I want the traditional works. I go for making a trifle, as it’s soaked in Christmas spirit and is the
ENTERTAINING
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN & EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPHS P18 (SUITCASE) VALENTIN VALKOV / SHUTTERSTOCK; (BAG) © ALEX NATT; P19 (DOGS) © JASON BYE; (MINCE PIES) MAGDANATKA / SHUTTERSTOCK; (CANDLE) JDEWIES / SHUTTERSTOCK; P20 (ICE SKATES) AFRICA STUDIO / SHUTTERSTOCK; P21 (FIRE) ALEXMASTER / SHUTTERSTOCK; (PRESENTS) © ASTRID TEMPLIER; (PLUMS) VALENTYN VOLKOV / SHUTTERSTOCK; P22 (HAMPER) NEIL WATSON; (CHOIR) 1000 WORDS / SHUTTERSTOCK; (SLOE GIN) OKSANA_ SCHMIDT / SHUTTERSTOCK; (BAUBLE) CLAUDIO DIVIZIA / SHUTTERSTOCK; (CHRISTMAS PUDDING) SLAWOMIR FAJER / SHUTTERSTOCK
ABOVE A Hartley Botanic greenhouse is high on Hendy’s wish list. LEFT Decorations accumulated over years make for a special tree. ABOVE Chocolate, nut and fig slice is a nostalgic treat for Alastair Hendy. RIGHT Inside Hendy’s Tudor house in Hastings, open to visitors for the festive season as the Christmas House. BELOW Hendy will indulge in a spot of pudding, and trifle, after the main Christmas feast. OPPOSITE PAGE Decorations in the Christmas House have an AustroBavarian slant that lend a fairytale air.
antidote to too much of the big bird. Sure, I’ll have the pud on top, if it’s on offer – shop bought or not. Then there are all the leftover cuts that do fantastic things on Boxing Day and beyond. Leftovers are mighty fine things and go well beyond the potential turkey-lurking sandwich, and that’s when I get world-ingredient creative, ring the changes and use everything up. We may get a little fancy come the evening, with home-cured salmon, smoked eel and a glass of champagne. And a fish pie of smoked haddock slathered in parsley sauce could be on the cards.
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion?
My must-attend event is one I literally have to attend, as I am running the show. It’s the opening up of my Tudor house in Hastings as the Christmas House, to visitors, who come for a sprinkling of December festive magic. I love it too, as it’s bit like being Santa to adults in a highly tasteful grotto. It all stems from my childhood Christmases, which were of the traditional Alpine variety, had whilst living in Germany, my father being in the forces. Christmas had an Austro-Bavarian slant, with lebkuchen and chocolate treats; gingerbread hearts hung on doors; spruce garlanding the streets; and serious icicles clinging to snow-clad Alpine chalet eaves. A proper postcard Christmas – yet with a sprinkling of the Brothers Grimm.
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is…
Okay, this is a biggie, born from my lockdown gardening mania: a greenhouse by Hartley Botanic please, who supply handmade glass houses, tailor-made to your own brief, endorsed by the RHS. It can’t be wrapped, I know. Maybe landscape it with a mature Christmas tree, then it is at least “under the tree”. You’ll need a spare 50k. Thank you. aghendy.com
THE ENGLISH HOME 119
120 THE ENGLISH HOME
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ENTERTAINING
SET THE SCENE FOR:
Christmas feasts ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so embrace festive colours and patterns to create a Christmas table full of charm and sophistication
C
hristmas is a time for everyone to get together and enjoy a celebration full of traditional fayre. Which usually means extended tables, extra chairs and a pre-Christmas Day ritual of stocking up on additional tableware, table linen and glasses to ensure there is enough to go round. Seasonal colours usually dictate the style of a table setting, with white often winning over brighter shades as a failsafe option. This year, adopt a festive take on classic folk style with rustic textures and seasonal fruits, berries and branches for decoration. Create a feast for the eyes by combining hints of colour with natural decorations in a confident yet pared-back, relaxed and inviting style. Be bold with festive red or green on plates, napkins or candles and take the colour tones to their extremes by including splashes of bright pink and orange or vibrant emeralds. Add pretty patterns, motifs and textural contrasts to bring the look together. For a more formal setting, add drama with a restrained monochromatic colour palette, relying on classic black and white or a seasonal update of forest green with silvery off-white to reflect the tonal variations of winter foliage. Team graphic patterns and heritage designs with white china and statement accessories to serve up a gentle nod on tradition.
LEFT Beaded dining set items in green and grey, from £9.99; Ravenhead gemstone wine, hi-ball and mixer glasses in smoke, £3.99 each; Green stoneware jug, £24.99, plus all other accessories including Christmas tree, Dobbies
FOR WHERE TO BUY SEE ADDRESS BOOK
THE ENGLISH HOME 121
GLORIOUS GARLANDS Adding branches of pine, spruce and berries above a table is a wonderful way of lending a festive forest canopy-feel to the table. Large branches can be suspended from beams or rafters using lengths of strong twine. Alternatively, lighter branches of holly and ivy can be intertwined and looped across a room or hung from an existing chandelier. Decorate with twinkly lights, glass baubles and metallic decorations that will catch the light from candles on the table below. Another option is to wrap herbs, eucalyptus and seasonal berries around a wire hoop to create a ceiling wreath; decorate with anything from delicate white feathers to cinnamon sticks and pine cones. RIGHT Clear and amber glass baubles, £4 each, Rowen and Wren
CHRISTMAS CHEER
MAGICAL GLOW In the midst of winter, when the nights draw in, there is nothing nicer than dining in candlelight, and a Christmas gathering is made even more special when accompanied by the soft light from a flickering flame. Formal dining calls for candelabras paired with classic tapered candles in hues that co-ordinate with table linen. Alternatively, opt for delicate designs in glass for a simple but luxurious feel. Relaxed dining allows for pillar candles, shorter in size and less obtrusive on the table, to be displayed in groups or dotted down the table. Place on mirrored or metal dishes to enhance the candle’s light-reflective qualities, or on cake stands, surrounded with Christmas berries, flowers and spices for fragrance and colour. ABOVE Red pillar candles, from £4.50; Nordic Touch plates, from £7.50, all Nordic House LEFT Yalin hand-blown-glass candlestick, £56 for a set of two, Sophie Conran
122 THE ENGLISH HOME
Christmas is always a great excuse to replenish any depleted collections of glassware. From a welcoming tray of champagne cocktails to wine and water at the table, Christmas would not be the same without an extensive offering of drinks and a plentiful supply of glasses in all shapes and sizes to serve them. Antique, etched glassware and cut-glass styles add sophistication to the festive table. For a relaxed look source tumblers edged with red, gold or silver, or simple, elegant, ribbed glassware.
Milford glasses, from £26 for a set of four; Scatter stars £15 for a set of 20; Mirrored glass charger, £25, all The White Company
ENTERTAINING
FESTIVE FEAST Tableware collections that include different plate and bowl sizes allow for a natural layering of shapes and sizes on the Christmas table, adding height and interest to each individual place setting, and suggesting a feast full of several courses. White is a classic, and whilst fine bone china and porcelain are ideal for more formal occasions, white earthenware with a little decorative detail brings an element of homespun charm, ideal for a relaxed family gathering. Decorate with seasonal fruits, foliage, festive motifs and natural textures for a lovely country style. Croxton tableware, from £54 for a set of six bowls; Elden Snowflake napkins, £70 for a set of six; Stuart cutlery, £340 for 36-piece set, all Neptune
THE ENGLISH HOME 123
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ENTERTAINING
All that glitters
Add glimmer and sparkle with accents of gold
Gold Wreath name place card holder, £5.99 for a pack of four, Ginger Ray
Silenus Champagne cutlery, £295 for a 24-piece set, Oka
WELL COVERED For formal elegance in a period setting, and as an alternative to classic plain white linen, opt for patterns in monochromatic colourways of black, white and grey. Bold designs that depict seasonal flowers or foliage, such as hellebores, mistletoe, holly or ivy, work well. Alternatively, make a dramatic statement with polka dots or striped fabrics to create bespoke tablecloths, napkins and even matching seat cushions. This will add sophistication to a small table for intimate dining, or lend a sense of occasion to an extra table used for serving drinks, mince pies and cake.
Gold-rimmed wine glass, £13.50, Summerill & Bishop
Tablecloth and seat covers, Ticking in Graphite, £34.95 a metre, Annie Sloan
Hand-stamped Falling Flowers napkin in Gold £30, Summerill & Bishop
Gold Toast & Marmalade medium straight jug, £49.99, Emma Bridgewater
Gold beaded placemats, £38 for a set of two, The White Company
Partridge in a Pear Tree large oval platter, £150, Emma Bridgewater
PERFECTLY PLACED Christmas allows for plenty of creativity when it comes to place settings. For an informal gathering, attach a bauble or sprig of fragrant rosemary or thyme to each napkin. If using personalised place settings, be inventive and use a silver or gold pen to write each name on a bay leaf, or on a name card in a festively decorative holder.
RIGHT Montecarlo white cotton sateen napkin, £6, The Fine Cotton Company BELOW RIGHT Red hemstitch linen tablecloth, from £150, Volga Linen
THE ENGLISH HOME 125
ENTERTAINING
FROSTED FINISH Be inspired by wintery landscapes with ceramic pieces whose glazes resemble the texture and colour of freshly fallen snow, frosty branches and icy water. From jugs and bowls to cake plates and platters, serveware in off-white, pale blue or soft grey glazes are ideal for adding a hint of nature’s seasonal colour palette. Perfect for serving brandy butter, Christmas pudding or cake, or even an iced gingerbread sponge dessert. Footed dishes can also be used as a table centrepiece holding pillar candles surrounded with frosted pinecones and silvery foliage. House Doctor rustic cake stand, £55.50, Coffee & Cloth
CENTRE STAGE Large tables can accommodate a stunning centrepiece showcasing beautiful flowers and foliage arranged to pick up on colours used in linens, china and candles. A florist’s oasis is an invaluable material for transforming any container into a vessel for cut stems, just remember to keep it low so it does not dominate. Add seasonal interest and texture with frosted green and silvery foliage, such as eucalyptus, lichencovered branches, woodland twigs, pine cones and even herbs.
Pink Asiatic Pheasants medium tankard jug, £37, Burleigh
xxxx Fable Forest crackers £36 for a box of six, Nancy & Betty
126 THE ENGLISH HOME
Coquille dinner plates, £215 for a set of four, Oka
Tessa Silver Grey Holly Berry tablecloth, £35, Ragged Rose
FEATURE SARA EMSLIE PHOTOGRAPHS P126 (BURLEIGH) GITA PUSNOVAITE
TOP Nordic Hat Box arrangement containing Snow Ballet, Cream Piaget and Earl Grey roses, twisted willow, pine cones and anemones, dried flowers, berries, and succulents, £95, The Real Flower Company
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ONE FINAL THING…
Make time to enjoy a quiet, intimate supper with loved ones over the busy festive period
T
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
he many gatherings, reunions and parties at this time of year can make the diary rather busy. When time allows, set aside an evening to enjoy a quieter night in with immediate family or cherished friends for an intimate supper and quality time together. Set the scene with a crackling fire, the soft glow of candles and gentle twinkle of fairy lights. Add festive decorations to the table or a beautiful tablecloth, such as this elegantly seasonal mistletoe design, to create a magical scene. Serve up some deliciously indulgent food and let the wine and laughter flow on a cold winter’s night. Luxury Christmas Tablecloth, Mistletoe White, from £59.99, Celina Digby
130 THE ENGLISH HOME
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