The English Home December 2023 - Sample Issue

The

ENGLISH HOME

Christmas Special

Celebrating the essence of English style December 2023 | Issue 226 | £7.99 | UK Edition

MERRY & BRIGHT Set the scene for a season to remember

Everything they wish for

EXPERT GUIDES

• Christmas crafts • Festive style • Guest bedrooms

MAGICAL HOMES

From a medieval hall to a quintessential Cotswold cottage

Naturally FESTIVE

A hint of the country weaves its way into the Christmas decor of Emma and John Sims-Hilditch’s London townhouse FEATURE SUZANNE IMRE PHOTOGRAPHY ASTRID TEMPLIER STYLIST GILL NICHOLAS

ABOVE Emma has combined sleek details with a cosy, country aesthetic to create a welcoming home fit for city living. RIGHT Crittall doors from Fabco Sanctuary separate the sitting room and library area, hinting at the original layout of this two-up, two-down townhouse. The Balmoral table by Neptune extends to seat six and the dining chairs are a mix of Flamant’s Medy chairs and Neptune’s Mowbray chairs.

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WILD & WHIMSICAL An elegant mix of foraged flowers and nostalgic decorations create an enchanting Christmas setting at this characterful cottage in Oxfordshire FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES MCDONALD

ABOVE James (left) and Arthur (right) at the entrance to their 17th-century stone cottage.

LEFT The book room is decorated with dried foliage, woven around the built-in bookcases and arranged in Arthur’s collection of Art Deco bud vases on the antique Moorish table. The yellow shades on the wall lights are from Rosi de Ruig.

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Medieval

TREASURE The owners of this Wealden hall house in Sussex have restored its historical integrity, exposing original structures and making it a welcoming, vibrant home for Christmas FEATURE SERENA FOKSCHANER PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

ABOVE The medieval hall house, with its distinctive lime-rendered facade, is set within a garden that has been re-established with newly planted orchards and herbaceous beds.

RIGHT Aglow with lights and swathes of dried flowers, the sitting room is the epitome of a cosy setting for hosting Christmas. The coffee table is from Spencer Swaffer in Lewes, while the mantelpiece is filled with ceramic pieces including Staffordshire figures and mochaware.

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The Editor’s chair from David Seyfreid, scalloped Roman blind, and upholstered bench in the light and airy kitchen are made using Blithfield’s Pomeroy in Spring/Oyster.

RICH LEGACY

Finding a charming 18th-century Grade II listed former merchant’s house close to where he grew up in West Sussex was worth the wait for Simon Laver, his wife Caroline and their three young daughters FEATURE KATE FREUD PHOTOGRAPHY ASTRID TEMPLIER STYLING MARISA DALY

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Marina felt that the muted tones of Neptune’s Honed Slate would be the perfect backdrop for the period features, paintings and antiques in the drawing room. The cushions on the right-hand sofa are from Oka and Susie Watson Designs.

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PAST & PRESENT Marina and Jeremy Dew can now celebrate the festive season in style at their elegant, beautifully restored 18th-century home FEATURE JANET MCMEEKIN PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH STYLING JANET MCMEEKIN AND SMOKE & MIRRORS HOUSE STYLING

STYLE INSPIRATION Elevate Christmas decorating with magical details, set the scene for guests with inviting bedrooms, and discover expert advice for using shades of red in interiors

RUBY RICHES

FEATURE KATY MCLEAN

The classic colours of Christmas are often the ones we turn to time and time again for imbuing festive cheer.

For some, it is the glistening of gold, for others the natural allure of green, but jolly ruby red has to be the most captivating and resonant colour of the season. Try using purely rich red designs for wrapping papers for a wonderfully merry look beneath the tree. Designs that are not particularly seasonal become festive with the addition of a silk or velvet ribbon.

Bungalow handmade papers, Madi Ruby, £4.50 a sheet, available at Curated Living.

For ideas for using red in interiors all year round, turn to page 100.

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