The
ENGLISH HOME
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Celebrating the essence of English style December 2026 | Issue 264 | £5.99 | UK Edition
CELEBRATE TOGETHER Set the scene to welcome friends and family
DESIGNERS AT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS MERRY MAKING
GIVE
Tempting recipes for indulgent dinners
generously THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FOR LOVED ONES
FESTIVE IDEAS
• Inspiring homes • Simple crafts • Luxury retreats
THE MAGIC TOUCH Decorative details to create the perfect day
A festively bedecked tree and Freddie’s elegant floral display across the mantel fill the sitting room with cheer. The bespoke sofas are covered in Fermoie (left) and Romo fabrics, while the hand-woven Soumak hemp rug is from Rose Uniacke. The artworks by Bernard Cathelin sing against walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Pink Ground.
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Winter WARMER A Victorian townhouse in west London artfully reimagined into a vibrant family home suited to both everyday living and entertaining FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY ASTRID TEMPLIER
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Calm and candlelight
Interior designer Diana Blanchard and her husband, Ivor Twydell, share the pleasures of festive entertaining in their beautiful Georgian home near Hay-on-Wye, where a warm, sensory atmosphere sets the scene for Christmas gatherings FEATURE KERRYN HARPER-CUSS PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY
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THIS PAGE In the highceilinged drawing room, a grand Christmas tree stands resplendent beside the mantelpiece, which is dressed with a garland of hops interspersed with dried autumnal flowers. OPPOSITE Diana enhances the nostalgia and romance of Christmas by keeping the lighting soft and low, even in this passage to the library.
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Christmas in COLOUR Rich in vibrant hues, pattern and texture, this Georgian former vicarage in Devon comes to life during the festive season
FEATURE CHARLOTTE DUNFORD PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
LEFT Paper chains from The Shop Floor Project and homemade stars decorate the sitting room. The eclectic mix of art includes a painting by Olive (left) and a piece by her relative, Joan Evans (right),
along with a vintage painting, sourced from Selency, above the fireplace. A large Etsy rug helps to anchor the seating area. ABOVE The couple’s housekeeper, Liz Lee, crafted this pretty wreath.
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ʼTis the
SEASON Delight in all the joys of the festive season, from natural wonders to warming home comforts FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
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SEASONAL LIVING
LOOK FOR DEER While children might spend Christmas Eve gazing at the skies for a glimpse of Father Christmas’s flying reindeer, December offers a rather more realistic opportunity to see these magnificent animals closer to home. Roe, fallow and red deer can often be spotted gathering in large groups to prepare for the challenges of winter. As food becomes scarcer, deer form tighter herds, with different species sometimes gathering to graze on winter crops and along woodland edges. Dawn and dusk can offer the best opportunities for sightings, as deer are most comfortable foraging in the low light. If you do spot a herd, keep a respectful distance and use binoculars rather than approaching. It is also best to leave dogs at home, as startling deer can force them to flee and expend precious energy reserves during the challenging winter months.
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