Professional tips & stylingbeautifulideas FLOURISHESFESTIVE 2022December JOYFUL HOMES Five houses full of comfort & charm TRADITIONS&PURSUITS ·Making ·Activities·Timelessmemoriestreatstosavour A TASTE CHRISTMASOF Set the scene for entertainingelegant TIME TO CELEBRATE A complete guide to making the most of the season The ENGLISHHOME ChristmasSpecial Celebrating the essence of English style
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Quintessentially
76 SET THE SCENE FOR: CHRISTMAS FEASTS Create a special table full of charm and sophistication
83 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS Deck the halls with poinsettias. 84 MY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS Memories, traditions and insights from experts in lifestyle, interiors and entertaining.
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35 SUBSCRIBE Treat a loved one or yourself to a subscription to The English Home
12 HOLLY & IVY Deck the halls with an array of seasonal foliage-themed designs.
CONTENTS
65 CLASSIC CHARM Rustic red and green adornments.
66 CHRISTMAS: EXPERTLY DONE A host of designers, florists and interiors experts offer their favourite tips and tricks to decorate the home for Christmas.
54
COVER IMAGE: ROBERT SANDERSON ILLUSTRATION: IMR / SHUTTERSTOCKPHOTOGRAPHS INTERIORSGAP©EINSIEDEL;VONANDREAS©DUCHARS;DAN©LEFT)FROM(CLOCKWISE 16 44
26 HIDDEN GEM This enchanting abode delights guests with a wealth of period features and history.
44 CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS With scenic country views, this 19th-century home is a magical setting in winter.
54 RECLAIMING THE PAST A new-build’s classic design achieves a grand backdrop for yuletide celebrations.
THE ENGLISH HOME 3 DECEMBER 2022
4 A LETTER FROM HOME A warm welcome from our Editor.
English Homes
Style Inspiration
14 ELEVATING THE FESTIVITIES Personalised details and luxurious touches make celebrations feel extra special.
16 FESTIVE WELCOME Comfort and style combine to create a relaxed and inviting Wiltshire home.
95 THE ART OF FESTIVE PLANNING Mrs M’s ideas for enjoying restorative activities and creative pursuits between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.
36 COMFORT & JOY A quaint thatched cottage offers a warm embrace for the festivities and beyond.
97 ADDRESS BOOK Useful contact details.
98 ONE FINAL THING Make time for an intimate supper with nearest and dearest during the busy festive period.
Beautiful Buys
90 HOTELS WITH CHARACTER London’s historic hotels reveal the spectacular decorations and magical festive treats awaiting guests staying over the Christmas break.
6 DESIGN DISCOVERIES Create a cosy Christmas mood.
Senior Sales Executive Laurna Barry 020 7349 3712; laurna.barry@chelseamagazines.com
Business Operations Manager Sarah Porter
EDITORIAL
NEXT ISSUE ON SALE 20 DECEMBER 2022
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We have consulted leading names in interior design, floristry and bakery for their professional advice, personal tips and sparkling ideas for setting the scene (p66). There are suggestions for creating a charming festive table to enjoy the best meal of the year with friends and family (p76), while Mrs M offers her sage advice on the importance of planning (p95). Yet, in true English fashion, while we adore preparing to host our nearest and dearest, it’s the traditions and familiar rituals of Christmas that we really cherish – the personal touches we create together which remind us of Christmases past or form the basis of our memories. For that reason, we asked leading experts to share the details of some of their favourite festive memories, seasonal pursuits and traditions (p84).
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t’s time to deck the halls and prepare to make merry. Christmas is coming! In anticipation of the festive season this year, we have created a special December edition to be your companion as you prepare for celebrations at home.
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For me, the preparations are about getting the whole family involved in creating the backdrop for the big day and enjoying the process of ‘making’ Christmas together. From decorating the tree and table to handmaking presents, wrapping, cooking and baking, it’s the fun to be had in our annual rituals, rather than the desire for everything to appear ‘perfect’ that’s important. The slightly wonky gingerbread house or the first bauble my daughter made in prime position on the tree may offer imperfect results to outsiders, but make a perfectly imperfect Christmas for us. We hope yours is a season of wonder and full of festivities to remember.
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Be inspired by our ideas for festive tables, such as this on page 66.
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Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co.Handmade in Norfolk, England | Guaranteed to last a lifetime BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN BED MANUFACTURERS WROUGHT IRON AND BRASS BED COMPANY LIMITED NORFOLK A family company flying the flag for British handmade metal beds and exceptionally exquisite craftsmanship. www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk
Sweet Organic Christmas pudding, £25; Organic brandy butter, £4.99; Organic Christmas cake, £25, all Daylesford
DISCOVERIESDESIGN
AN INVITING SPREAD
TEH UK DEC 22 Design discoveries v3.indd 6 30/08/2022 14:33
What can be more cosy than fireside drinks? Make the most of the run-up to Christmas with an afternoon treat. Add lanterns on the hearth and bring out festive tableware to give coffee and mince pies a celebratory twist.
Unexpected guests can often drop in at this time of year. A generous selection of classic festive cakes can be valuable to have on standby (and are sure to be enjoyed if leftover after the main event).
INDULGENT AFTERNOONS
Natural woodland cushion, £19.99; tableware from £8.99 for a Robin mug, all Dobbies
6 THE ENGLISH HOME
Smart details and thoughtful ideas enrich the run-up to Christmas with warm-hearted elegance
An exquisitely wrapped gift imparts a joyous sense of care to the recipient. This Napalese Lokta wrapping paper is handmade by artisans using the bark of rare mulberry bushes. Tie with velvet ribbon for an indulgent final flourish. Nepalese Lokta wrapping paper, three sheets for £9; velvet ribbon, £9 (2.2cm x 500cm), all Rowen & Wren
SHOPPING
SEASONAL TABLESCAPE
CHARMINGLY PRESENTED
Blending rustic and polished textures such as brass accessories with table linen in natural tones results in a cosy yet elegant wintertime colour scheme. Green and brown foliage adds an enchanting finishing touch. Mbata brass candelabra, £50; Jahi brass candlestick, from £25; Sanee table linen, from £20 for a set of two napkins; Ela tableware, Sage Green, from £18, all Nkuku
BRITISH LEATHER WWW.ETTINGER.CO.UKGOODS
Decorating a guest or main bedroom for Christmas need not be an overblown affair. A warm rug underfoot and a bed dressed in inviting layers create a blissfully welcoming scene. Incorporate a subtle festive feel with candles, stockings and a faux garland, all placed in eye-catching positions.
For those less confident in creating original designs, heavy cast aluminium bakeware helps cakes cook evenly without sticking to the sides of the mould.
Savoy bed linen, from £28; Super-soft faux-fur throw, from £170; Vintage Etienne bedspread, from £120; Flokati rug, £495; Ultimate garland, £135, all The White Company
THE ENGLISH HOME 9 SHOPPING
WAITING IN THE WINGS
From whipping up treats for a party to making afternoon tea for friends and family, festive-shaped bakes are a fun way to encourage the Christmas spirit.
CHRISTMAS RETREAT
A sideboard can be instrumental for efficiently hosting family feasts. This design has three cupboards to store tableware and glassware, alongside decorative pieces for the table in a dining room. The drawers are ideal for special napkins and table mats that are kept separately from everyday sets.
Nordic Ware Frosty Flakes Pan, £58, Divertimenti
Camille sideboard, Black, £1,495, Cox & Cox
SUMPTUOUS SNOWFLAKES
Even the most impressive wreath can look unsightly if it is awkwardly fixed to the front door. This brass hanger keeps wreaths neatly in place and at the right height. As here, the characterful hare design is particularly fetching on a cottage door. Hare Christmas wreath hanger, brass, £19.99, Ivyline
Christmas plates, from £4; Fairy/Nutcracker tumbler, £4; Dinosaur mug, £4; Santa extra-wide wrapping paper, £5.50; Felt Dinosaur tree decoration, £6, all John Lewis & Partners
Bring the magic of Christmas Eve to life with a special plate to present Father Christmas with his favourite nibbles – and Rudolf’s, of course. After all their hard work, an accompanying glass of milk or something stronger will no doubt be appreciated too.
BEAUTIFULLY RECOVERED
FEATURE GROVELESUZANNA PHOTOGRAPH FRANCES)(SOPHIAP10RACHAELSMITHPHOTOGRAPHY SHOPPING
Chair in Aubrey Olive Green linen, £130 a metre; Frilly cushion in Aubrey Blue, £115, Sophia Frances Studio n
Refresh well-worn furniture and furnishings before guests arrive for the festive season by reupholstering them with smart new fabric. This armchair and cushion are in a fresh green and crisp blue cushion fabric design by Sophia Francis, a British textile studio producing timeless styles. Every pattern is created by Sophia in watercolour and ink and developed through various reproduction techniques before being digitally printed on linen.
SMARTLY DISPLAYED
’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE…
10 THE ENGLISH HOME
JENNES S CORT EZ
Studio & Gallery •
•
• Commissions Accepted • JennessCortez.com
Elements of my painting include work by Gilbert Stuart (1755 -1828): George Washington 1796 -1803, Clark Art Institute; John Faed (Scottish, 1819–1902): Portrait of George Washington Taking the Salute at Trenton, Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art; John Trumbull (1756-1843): George Washington, 1790 (also known as Washington and the Departure of the British Garrison from New York City), New York City Hall; 1976 Miniature Copper Bicentennial Liberty Bell replica; Washington’s sideboard for the “New Room” at Mount Vernon, by John Aitken, Philadelphia, 1797. JENNESS CORTEZ
Homage to the Creative Spirit
“Commander in Chief” © by Jenness Cortez, acrylic on mahogany panel 30” by 24” Averill Park, NY Tel. (518) 674-8711
Holly & £18,ChristmasBerrystocking,SophieAllport
Green Holly crackers, £36 for six, and napkins, placemats and coasters, all Nancy & Betty Studio
Leaves with Gold Glitter left fabric decoration above both Gisela Graham London
Mini Christmas stocking decorations £33 for a set of three, Felt So Good Christmas Pudding tea towel, Annabel£11.95,James
THE HOLLY & THE IVY
(
Gold SusiedinnerChristmasfabricHollyplate,£35,WatsonDesigns
Festive Forest Green Christmas oven glove, £3.99, Homescapes Online
Christmas Robins & Holly apron, £33, Chez Beccy
), £8.99,
Wheelbarrow & Holly bauble, £10, Sass & Belle
Porcelain Christmas candle holder, £42, Made By Hand Online
Winter Fayre Gold garland,Leaf£40,JohnLewis&Partners
PHOTOGRAPHYHYLTONCO)&(WALTONALMOND;KATIEONLINE)HANDBY(MADE SHOPPING
Enhance the impact of decking the halls in winter greenery with charming and jolly holly and ivy motifs on decorations and tableware
), £2.49; Toadstool Fairy
(
Border (above & below): Holly beaded runner, £116, MacKenzie-Childs Farmhouse at Amara
Embroidered Holly Berry runner, £21, Walton & Co
THEELEVATINGFESTIVITIES
16-piece
Personalised table bows, £130 for a set of four, Hand & Lock + Fiona Leahy Spode Christmas Tree goblets, £39.95 for a set of four, Fortnum & GoldMasonToast & Marmalade medium oval platter, £95, Emma Bridgewater Tableware and products all from The White Company Pinecone garland, £15; baubles, from £6; Boucle throw, £40, all John Lewis & Partners Gold mistletoemetalbunch,£42,Cox&Cox Cuckooland£309, Halcyoncandle,OrangeCinnamonPartyNutcrackerScene&lidded£120,Days Pursuits Piccadilly canvas tote, Ettinger£405, Robins bedding set super king, £90, Sophie Allport Bespoke family bauble, £95,Winterhartfrom Sir/Madam Rialto coupe glass in dark red, £82 for a set of two, Amara
Heighten the anticipation of Christmas time with personalised touches and luxurious details to make the celebrations feel extra special
FEATURE GROVELESUZANNA BACKGROUND SHUTTERSTOCK/HYDEJESSICA PHOTOGRAPHS BREMNERANGUSELGIN)OF(JOHNSTONSLORASO;PAOLODAYS)(HALCYON
Decadent metal trolley, £309, SHOPPING 12 Days of Christmas Tana Lawn Cotton pyjama set, £225, Liberty Hand-quilted velvet throw, £250, Toast
set of cutlery in brass, £75, Garden Trading
View By Appointment, Contact: www.kenbolanstudio.comkenneth@kenbolanstudio.com07802670442 A unique Italian bronze sculpture titled ‘Grande Cavallo’ Signed and dated 1966 Follow Me Luigi BrogginiHeight:(1908-1983)2.44mLength:2.7m
16 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
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.
FEATURE CLAIR WAYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS STYLING SARA BIRD, ANNA JONES, FREYA WASTIE AND NATALIE MAWSON
Limestone flooring from Artisans of Devizes runs through the hall and into the kitchen while a durable Bubble Weave stair runner with Smoke trim from Alternative Flooring flows up to the first floor. Lights4fun faux Spring Eucalyptus garlands, embellished with fresh foliage, adorn the banister. The simple Shaker-style panelling and the Jack hall table are by The English Joinery Company.
On Boxing Day, the couple open the house up to local friends as well as family. “We do a bit of clay
‘I like to go out on long walks with the dogs and forage for ivy, yew and berries’
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.
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.
H
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.”
THE ENGLISH HOME 19
LEFT Stephanie and Jerry, a Parson Russell Terrier, stand outside the fromfauxhangPlacecoachAdoorVictorian-stylebespokefrontandsurround.pairofBlenheimlampsfromAintheGardeneitherside.TheberrywreathisBalsamHill.
The English Joinery Company kitchen is a simple, practical design with a 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 Rockport pendant lights are by Pooky.
‘Top of our wish list was a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and seating area. We’re all big cooks and like to chat while we’re cooking’
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.
THE ENGLISH HOME 21
ABOVE The Original BTC Diner pendant, festooned in foliage, creates an eyecatching focal point above the table. The chairs have HooliereupholsteredbeenbyUpholstery in San Giacomo from Zak + Fox. The tablecloth is from Volga andtheBeige,DuluxwithbypaintedfrontRIGHTLinen.ThesturdydoorhasbeeninOff-BlackFarrow&Ball,asoftneutral,Burmesehighlightingdoorsurroundwindows.
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.”
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
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.
22 THE ENGLISH HOME
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. The pre-lit Christmas tree is from Balsam Hill.
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
London. Also, the house is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and just a 20-minute bike ride to the centre of Salisbury.”
LEFT French windows open out from the kitchen onto a paved patio area.
‘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’
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
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 while we’re cooking. It makes it so much easier when everything is in the one space.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
ABOVE A arethroughoutarrangementscushions.withd’HélènefabricTitleycushionofCoxlampsBlueprincipalluxuriousfabric,inDunningheadboardtallby&Everard,aMarkAlexanderbringsafeeltothebedroom.MaroqtablefromCox&siteithersidethebedwhileamadefrom&MarrPaisleyfromTissuscontrastsredvelvetFloralthehousebyPalomaLily.
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
THE ENGLISH HOME 23
on the walls, along with lamps and artwork. I have a passion for Paint & Paper Library’s Slate I to V.”
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. n
ABOVE Drapes in Stroheim Biron Strie Check fabric from Turnell & Gigon have given the IronistheRIGHTJaneThethroughoutpaperPigeon.inThethenewfour-posterantiquebedaleaseoflifeinguestbedroom.wallsarepaintedFarrow&Ball’sWrappingandribbonisfromDanesandMeans.ThebathinprincipalensuitefromTheCastBathCo.
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.”
‘Interest is created with the detailing on the walls, along with lamps and artwork’
24 THE ENGLISH HOME
FEATURE CLAIR WAYMAN PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS STYLING CLAIR WAYMAN & SARA BIRD STYLING ASSISTANCE CHAMIL LIYANAARACHCHI
Hidden gem
After taking a chance and moving to Gloucestershire, Georgie Pearman discovered an enchanting country house with a wealth of period features and an intriguing history
A faux Eucalyptus garland from Neptune, enhanced with foliage by The Curator London in Stroud, and an Arlberg Fir faux Christmas tree from Lights4Fun are a welcoming sight in the atmospheric entrance hall. Baubles from John Lewis and wrapping paper from Neptune and The Danes complete the festive scene.
THE ENGLISH HOME 27
ABOVE characterfulThe antique chest of drawers in the drawing room is from Original House. Candles, candlesticks and brass trays from The Danes add a festive feel.
LEFT Two large Victorian wings flank the pubsSamonmoreof17th-centuryoriginalsectionthehouse.ForinformationGeorgieandPearman’sandinns,visit countrycreatures.com
The softly lit entrance hall, with its 1920s chequerboard tiled floor and rich, moss green walls, is in the original 17th-century part of the house, at the core of the property. Providing a focal point here is an Arts and Crafts carved stone fire surround bearing the inscription ‘East, West, Home Is Best’ – a poignant
ompletely hidden from view by tall trees, with an unassuming entrance, Georgie and Sam Pearman’s country house near Stroud in Gloucestershire is easy to miss. Once through the front door, however, it feels like stepping straight into an enchanting children’s fairy tale.
This central part of the house is flanked by impressive Victorian additions encompassing two large reception rooms. Upon entering the drawing room, the eye is drawn up to the decorative ceiling with its flamboyant mouldings and rosettes, a trademark of the local Victorian architect who worked on the property. Huge stone mullion windows look out over a tranquil vista of sweeping lawns.
C
‘I was charmed by its wealth of period features, the ornate fireplaces, decorative stained glass and stunning views’
ABOVE The drawing room, with its ornate ceiling, is in one of the Victorian parts of the house. Cushions from Oka fill the sofas and a John Lewis faux red berry thefreshembellishedgarlandwithfoliageadornsmantelpiece.
Georgie first came across the rambling Cotswold stone property when visiting friends and was instantly
THE ENGLISH HOME 29
reminder that wherever we travel in the world, there is no place like home.
Georgie has created an inviting feel in the kitchen with lots of greenery and an eclectic mix of paintings picked up from antique shops. The print of a warrior was from an exhibiton at the Tate Modern. The Shaker-style kitchen is painted in Pigeon by Farrow & Ball.
A comfortable mix of new and antique furniture, art and vintage textiles sit together happily. This natural, unpretentious feel seems ideal for a country house that Georgie describes as a “classic Cotswold Hotchpotch, made up of various periods and styles.” Georgie’s love of atmospheric greens and blues is evident throughout
ABOVE The dining room is another 1850s addition and was built for entertaining on a grand scale. Georgie hosts a big Christmas lunch for all the family every year and decorates the table with branches of fresh FarrowinTheberrieseucalyptus,cedar,hollyandcyclamen.wallsarepaintedStiffkeyBlueby&Ball.
Over the years, the couple have gradually introduced their relaxed, bohemian style to the house’s interiors, but Georgie admits that decorating their own home is a far cry from designing interiors for the hospitality industry. “Creating a family home isn’t like designing hotels or restaurants, where you start from scratch, create mood boards, have a budget and time frame. Here, the interiors have evolved organically over time. We’ve incorporated family heirlooms and pieces collected over the last 20 years from London and our travels to India, Asia and Africa.”
2017 the couple founded Country Creatures, a collection of three beautifully designed pubs and inns in The Cotswolds. They are also directors of Cubitt House, a group of iconic pubs and rooms in London.
THE ENGLISH HOME 31
‘We’ve incorporated family heirlooms and pieces collected over the last 20 years from London and our travels to India, Asia and Africa’
spellbound by its beauty. “The house was owned by friends of ours, and our children went to school together,” Georgie says. “Our daughters used to meet for play dates at the house, and every time we visited, I was charmed by its wealth of period features, ornate fireplaces, decorative stained glass and stunning views.”
Having both lived in London for 20 years, Georgie and Sam were drawn to Gloucestershire when they were asked to redesign and run what was then the Bibury Court Hotel. The timing was perfect: Georgie was ready to leave her job as a busy lawyer, and Sam, a former professional rugby player, was moving into the world of hospitality, fulfilling his dream of owning a restaurant. “The opportunity came up and we just took the risk,” says Georgie. “We hadn’t planned to move to the country, but when we were offered Bibury Court, we thought it would be a fun experience, and it proved to be the start of our career as hoteliers.” In
In an interesting twist of fate, in 2012, the couple’s friends moved to America and Georgie and Sam found themselves renting, then buying the country house.
32 THE ENGLISH HOME
LEFT Ron, the family’s spaniel, sits under a pretty wreath made by The Curator London in Stroud.
the house. The dining room is painted in an enveloping indigo blue that sets off the warm glow of candles, whilst the drawing room is a subtle sage green that allows its period features to sing. “We wanted to enhance the wonderful mouldings, so we chose Pigeon, a muted hue from Farrow & Ball,” saysHavingGeorgie.always lived in draughty old houses with creaky floorboards, Georgie was unfazed when moving here. “The beauty of old houses is that they have such a rich sense of history and bear clues of different families that lived there in the past,” she says. Georgie has discovered that the house once belonged to Henry Wyatt, who was involved in successfully campaigning for the abolition of slavery in 1833 and went on to build an arch just below the house to celebrate this achievement. Then in the late 19th century it was home to MP and industrialist George Holloway, after which it became a boarding school. Some bedroom doors still feature dormitory nameplates.
ABOVE chequerboardThe tiles and staircase were added to 17th-centurythe hall in the magazinecopiesFramed1920s.vintageofFrench
On winter evenings, the house really comes into its own – perched high on a hill, with large storm lanterns flickering with candlelight, it looks and feels as it might have done in centuries gone by. During the festive season, every mantelpiece is covered with
Lyon hang above the chunky slate and wood table from Original House. The saffron Bayswater vase is from Neptune. Mince pies are from Bettys.
ABOVE In this attic bedroom, shades of warm yellow and green create a cosy feel. The hand-stitched vintage kantha bedcover was picked up on Georgie’s travels in India. The pair of lampshades are from Pooky and the Marcine cushion on the armchair is from Oka.
LEFT Georgie has created a fresh palette of turquoise, white and pink in the master bedroom with a pair of chests painted in Blue Verditer by Little Greene tying in with Mindoro cushions from Oka. The bed is from The Big Bed Company with a isgoldTheonThefabriccoveredheadboardinastripedfromIanMankin.floralmetalwreaththechestisfromDanesandthetrayonthebedfromJohnLewis.
ABOVE Curtains in French Toile Berry Red by Cabbages & Roses bring warmth and charm to the guest bathroom. A handy side table provides somewhere to set a drink and a candle or two. The Heddon candlesticks are from Neptune.
34 THE ENGLISH HOME
Moving to the Stroud valleys has definitely been a life-affirming decision for the Pearmans. “There’s a great community spirit here, with lots of independent shops and the famous farmers’ market,” Georgie says. The area is full of artists, writers, film-makers, actors and musicians, all doing interesting things. We feel perfectly at home here now and are so glad we took the leap of faith.” n
garlands, and Christmas trees sparkle with red and gold decorations. Working in the hospitality trade means it is rare for Georgie and Sam to take time off: “Christmas is lovely because for one day we are at home with the children and the extended family, doing absolutely nothing, except cooking for about 20 people!” laughs Georgie. Having happy memories of her own childhood Christmases, Georgie carries on some much-loved traditions. “We always have Swiss fondue on Christmas Eve when everyone arrives, which is something my parents used to do because it’s an easy way to feed a lot of people,” says Georgie. “Then, on Christmas Day, everyone congregates in the formal dining room for a delicious lunch of turkey, Christmas pudding and copious amounts of wine.”
RIGHT In bedroom,thisan Indian kantha throw from Georgie’s travels has been teamed with a John Lewis Rye Knit throw and Pattani Eclipse cushions from Oka.
THE CHRISTMASPERFECTGIFT Filled with dreamy images of beautiful houses, every issue includes useful advice for creating classic, elegant interiors in the quintessentially English style. 1 year (6 issues) for just $24.95* (usually $47.94) – that’s a saving of more than $3.83* per issue SAVE OVER 48% TO SUBSCRIBE Complete and return the adjacent form to The English Home, PO Box 37517, Boone, IA www.chelseamagazines.com/X261N150037-25171-866-926-0260quotingX261N1 Delivered every other month, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! *Offers displayed are in US$ and valid in the USA only. Canada rates: 1 year (6 issues) for $34.95 (usually $49.75) Give a gift subscription to The English Garden this Christmas and treat a friend to beautiful gardens and valuable planting advice throughout the year. 1 year (6 issues) for just $24.95 1-800-998-0807www.chelseamagazines.com/X256N1quotingX256N1 ANOTHER GREAT GIFT CHRISTMASIDEA...GIFT classic, the quintessentially English style. www.chelseamagazines.com/X261N137517,1-866-926-0260quotingX261N1 MAY 1002022PAGES OF GLORIOUS BRITISH GARDENS & PLANTING IDEAS GARDEN THEenglish For everyone who loves beautiful gardens Stylish alliumsfor spring andsummerSpring’s brightestbulbs put on a show Time for TULIPS Creative ways to Wiltshireyourpreserveflowersgarden SAVE OVER 48% ILLUSTRATION MEDVEDEVA/SHUTTERSTOCKELENA
FEATURE & STYLING NAOMI JONES PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT SANDERSON
A quirky, timber-framed, 17th-century thatched cottage offers a warm embrace to all who cross its threshold during the festivities and beyond
36 THE ENGLISH HOME Comfort & JOY
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.
“Our house is especially cosy in winter,” Rebecca continues, “and during the festive season, it’s lovely to gather with family and friends around the Aga in the kitchen or the inglenook fireplace in the sitting room.
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.
“Stepping
ABOVE The atmosphericcottage400-year-oldcharmingthatchedshroudedinmist.
We 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. For very special gatherings, my catering friend Lucy Hoyle will whip up some delicious party nibbles for us to enjoy with plenty of fizz.”
TOP RIGHT Rebecca shares her inspiring ideas on her website cottage.co.ukmyenglishcountry
ABOVE LEFT A Flowers and Lifestyle by Margot wreath adorns the front door.
THE ENGLISH HOME 39
‘We love hosting a Christmas carols party every year, with loads of candles, mulled wine and good food’
“The thatched roof is a haven for insects, 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.”
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.
When the couple became parents, Rebecca gave up acting to focus on the children and her other passion,
40 THE ENGLISH HOME
ABOVE The sitting room is the perfect place for GrahamvelvetKatecushionfabricTheold,thenotontobookshelvesRIGHTHarrisoncushionsElginMelfordStudioTheantiquegatherings.festiveTherugisfromRug&CarpetinLongandtheRedSkyecheckedarebyCropper.Thearebuiltafalsewallsoastointerferewithintegrityofthelistedbuilding.RosesblindandOctaviaarebothbyForman.Thepouffeisfrom&Green.
The antique cabinet is an inherited piece. The antique child’s naïve chair is from Original Rebecca’sblanketandHomewaresthecheckisfromSusieWatsonDesigns.friendLucyHoylehaspreparedsomedeliciouscanapesforguests.
“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,” Rebecca 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
This true understanding of her environment and the way light moves in and around her seventeenth-century thatched cottage throughout the day, in every season, came in very handy when Rebecca was planning how to redecorate this rural idyll.
RIGHT This corner of the principal bedroom epitomises all the English isproppedTheandfurniture,beams,loves:elementscountryRebeccaexposedshabbychicfloralartbeautifultextiles.floralpaintingonthefloorbyEmmaPerring.
42 THE ENGLISH HOME
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.”
ABOVE The principal bedroom floor is so old and uneven the Montgomery Rattan bed from The French Bedroom Company has to be propped up bedsidewithbooks.Thecabinets are painted in Château Grey chalk paint by Annie Sloan. The curtains are in Paris Rose Blue by Cabbages & Roses.
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 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
THE ENGLISH HOME 43
thatched roof, I had to decorate it very carefully and add colour in other ways.”
‘I do love rich, cosy interiors but I need natural light. Living in a dark cottage, I had to add colour in other ways’
ABOVE lookbaublesandfilledHomewarescabinetjewelleryantiqueABOVECotswoldchestCompanyisTheFairiesChurchill’sdecoratedbedroomisDaughterLEFTVerity’swithJaneFlowerwallpaper.four-posterbedfromTheWhiteandtheisfromTheCompany.RIGHTAnAspreyshopfromOriginalhasbeenwithfairylightstreasuredforamagicalinthebathroom
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 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, 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 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.” n
CHRISTMAS
The meticulous restoration of a 19th-century country house has given Victoria Edwards the perfect backdrop for Christmas, surrounded by family and friends
44 THE ENGLISH HOME Candlelit
FEATURE AMANDA HARLING PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL
A candelabra from One World sits amid the winter foliage and candles by floral designer Dora Kovacs.
Ceiling lanterns from Eichholtz provide elegant lighting in the beamed entrance hall, which now forms an atmospheric backdrop for festive entertaining.
along with my great uncle. With ages ranging from four to 94, it’s guaranteed fun, games and laughter,” Victoria explains. “My great uncle is a pianist, so the celebrations start with a glass or two of champagne and everyone singing Christmas carols around the piano in the drawing room. That’s followed by a cold seafood supper, a tradition started by my grandfather.
here can be few houses in South East England that have a view to match the one Victoria Edwards wakes up to every morning. “On fine, clear days, I can see for miles, but on wintery mornings when the snow is falling, the effect is magical – I feel as if I’m in the clouds,” she says, putting the finishing touch to the dining table laid ready for the Christmas Eve family party.
46 THE ENGLISH HOME
“On Christmas morning, I’m up early to pop the turkey in the oven and then once everyone is up, we tuck into a brunch of Buck’s Fizz, croissants and sausage rolls before the excitement of stockings and the children’s present-opening. Then it’s time for some fresh air and a brisk country walk with the dogs to work up an appetite for our candlelit Christmas
“We spend Christmas at home every year with the entire family and usually a few friends too. My parents live in the separate wing next door, so they go home to bed, but my brother, his wife, and their children will be staying; my husband’s parents will also be here,
RIGHT The kitchen is in the newly built extension. Painted in Little Greene’s Mortar, the bespoke cabinetry was made by Forest Designs. Candles, ornamental reindeer thesplashbackmercuryroomoppositefull-sizefestivecontributeChristmasandtreestothelookwithatreeattheendofthereflectedinthemirroredbehindLacanchecooker.
T
ABOVE inringsantiquepresent,astostemwareThewelcomingaddDanishlanternsfloor-standingSizeablefromtheCollectiontotheaglow.crystalBaccaratwasgivenVictoria’sparentsaweddingwhilethesilvernapkinwereboughtBruges.
‘The combination of amazing views, the baronial proportions and the style of the building made it irresistible’
LEFT Benefitting from an enviable location
THE ENGLISH HOME 47
localandwasfromView,counties,acrosspanoramicwithviewsthesouthernManorwhichdatesthelate1800sbuiltinanArtsCraftsstyleusingstone.
RIGHT Lit roof-lightsbyand a trio of ceiling lanterns from Jim Lawrence, the island unit with a work surface of Himalayan white granite from Vitruvius Ltd occupies the central section of the kitchen. A mirrored drinks cabinet can be screened from view by telescopic doors. At the far end of the room is the family sitting area, where L-shaped modular seating by Made.com faces a log burner set within an After The Antique fire surround.
ABOVE With French windows opening onto the terrace, the informal dining area in the
festiveaddWildashcosyfrompaperviews.oftakeskitchenspaciousextensionfulladvantagethesensationalDecorativesnowflakesTheDanesandsheepskinsfromLondontothecosymood.
On the ground floor, the decision to reinstate the original layout of the beamed entrance hall made a dramatic difference. “Previous owners had built a wall across the room, which ruined the proportions, but now it’s been opened up, it’s a perfect party space,” Victoria explains. “A section of panelling had to be
dinner with all the traditional trimmings such as the chestnut stuffing for the turkey. A choice of puddings including trifle and chocolate mousse made to my great-grandmother’s delicious recipes follow.”
it would be worth the effort. His major concern was that its size wouldn’t feel welcoming, so when it came to the overall look, I was mindful of creating a warm, cosyWithambience.”herprofessional background, Victoria was able to plan every aspect of the project herself. “I know every inch of the house, having done detailed drawings for all the trades,” she says. “With a property of this age and size, inevitably, there were unforeseen problems, such as finding a series of forgotten underground rooms and a passage leading to a long-since demolished ballroom. We turned that into a very useful wine cellar.”
48 THE ENGLISH HOME
Victoria and her husband David bought the house seven years ago but spent two years renovating the it. “I’m a chartered surveyor and when a friend who was looking to move to the area asked me to advise her, I stumbled upon details of this house,” Victoria explains. “It was in a terrible state, having been neglected for decades, but I fell in love with it on sight. Built in an Arts and Crafts style during the 1880s, and later extended in various directions, I could see it required a complete overhaul. However, the combination of amazing views over Kent and Sussex, the baronial proportions and style of the building made it irresistible as far as I was concerned. David wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, knowing what an upheaval it would be, but he recognised that ultimately
THE ENGLISH HOME 49
“The hall is painted in a mix of Little Greene’s Limestone and Mortar. I had around 40 tester pots and would spend hours mixing them to get the correct shade for each room.”
LEFT To live in a house with such a stunning outlook was an locationisBaxter.TibetanawhoprospectirresistibleforVictoria,ispreparedforbracingwalkwithterrierThehouseavailableforshootsat manor-viewco.uk/locations/locationcreation.
As soon as work was underway, Victoria began sourcing furniture and accessories: “I was fortunate in that there were two vintage specialist dealers nearby – Judie Sheriff of Meldon House & Home and The Vintage Home Company in Westerham. The Oka outlet store is also close by, so I would drive over every week to see what was available. Some pieces, such as
made to match the original, but now it’s painted, you can’t tell the difference.” Choosing the paint colours for the house required a long process of trial and error.
‘With ages ranging from four to 94, it’s guaranteed fun, games and laughter’
TEH US DEC 22 HOUSE Embury v2 lights not on.indd 50 26/08/2022 17:21
ABOVE decisionVictoria’stoleave the windows free of curtains gives the drawing room a light, contemporary touch.
50 THE ENGLISH HOME
The spacious kitchen, dining and living area, incorporating a large marble-topped island unit, was designed down to the last detail by Victoria. “That whole area is newly built, and whilst the kitchen layout is based on my obsession with symmetry, windows along the two exterior walls maximise the view and the sense of light,” she says. “A friend suggested that the house and pool area would make a great location for film and photography shoots, so it’s now earning its keep. I’m told that it’s the light, spacious aspect of
The grand piano left in the house by the former owners comes into its own on Christmas morning.
RIGHT Framed by a Christmas garland of yew and pine cones, Molly, the thewelcomesGoldendoodle,family’sguestsatfrontdoor.
‘The celebrations start with everyone singing Christmas carols around the piano’
the mirror and the mercury glass candlesticks above the drawing room fireplace, were given to us by David’s mother, who used to have an antique shop in Dorking. The grand piano was here in the house when we bought it, along with the large mirror in our bedroom – they’re a link with the past, as are the tub chairs in the drawing room that belonged to my grandparents, now reupholstered in ivory linen.”
During the festivities the focal point of the drawing room is undoubtedly the Christmas tree. Taking precedence during the rest of the year is the fireplace sourced from After The Antique. The walls are in Limestone mixed with Mortar, both Little Greene.
RIGHT A classic combination of marble and mirror establishes a 1930s look for the double aspect bathroom
ABOVE Christmas gifts await guests in this attic bedroom. The stool and bedside cabinets are from Oka. The buttoned headboard and plenty of cushions on the Sealy ottoman bed add to the sense of homely comfort.
52 THE ENGLISH HOME
where twin Charterhouse basins by Lefroy Brooks with an Aurelius bath from C P Hart continue the theme.
BELOW An Edwardian overmantel mirror painted to match the walls hangs above daughter Isabella’s dressing table where ornamental reindeer are joined by paper trees and snowflakes, all by The Danes.
Victoria ensures the festive spirit permeates every corner of her own house with Christmas trees and decorations adding sparkle upstairs and downstairs.
the rooms and the understated colour scheme that makes it appealing. It’s gratifying to know that all my hard work has been appreciated.”
ABOVE & RIGHT
Explaining how her passion for Christmas comes from her mother, who often lends a hand ‘decking the halls’, Victoria says: “When we were children, there was a Christmas tree in every room and one year, we had one that touched the ceiling, which I thought was absolutely amazing!”
‘I like to get all the Christmas decorating done by 1 December. It’s a magical time and I want to make the most of it!’
“It takes about three weeks to get the whole house prepared; to date, I have around 40 boxes of Christmas decorations, and when I get them all out of the store room, it looks as though we are about to move house. I like to get all the Christmas decorating done by 1 December so the house looks festive for the whole month leading up to Christmas and New Year. It’s a magical time, and I want to make the most of it.” n
The master bedroom suite incorporates a dressing area and adjacent bathroom. Victoria reconfigured the bedroom layout to make space for a dressing table and a double row of built-in mirrored wardrobes made by Forest Design. A television with a lift mechanism is neatly concealed in the chest at the foot of the bed.
54 THE ENGLISH HOME
FEATURE & STYLING SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS
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
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 while the wall lights are from Oka.
56 THE ENGLISH HOME
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,”
C
ABOVE A mirror from Graham & Green reflects daylight into the dining room and enhances the flickering candlelight in the thePookyLampshadesevenings.bycompletescene.
‘Having family and friends around to enjoy the place we have lovingly put together is the real meaning of Christmas for me’
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.”
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.
So many sitting rooms are reserved for best, but this one is next to the kitchen and in constant use. The fireplace is from Norfolk Reclamation, the large sofa is from George Smith and the rug is from Oka.
ABOVE The Frenchstyle mantel in the kitchen is made of wood, skimmed with plaster AnniedistressedandusingSloanwax. The pendant lights and wall lights are from Dowsing & Reynolds, and the bar stools are from lampsSalvage.ThepillarreclaimedauctionfrominRIGHTthetheborrowedLasscoroundNeptune.Thewindowfrombringslightfrombootroomintokitchen.Thefireplacethediningareaisanonlinesiteandthecast-ironisfromEnglishtablearebyPooky.
“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.”
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, charming as her characterful home is, it is not period at all. It is a cleverly designed new build that looks every bit as though it has evolved over time yet was built in 2014.
THE ENGLISH HOME 59
‘The round window in the kitchen makes me happy every time I look through to the boot room and the garden beyond’
flooringpracticalTrading,lightSanderson,theTheABOVEandinheritedwithandnearincludinggardendecorationstoJosephineLEFTlikesbuyChristmasatcentres,Nicholsons,Bicester,mixesthemtreasuredpiecesvintagefinds.RIGHTwallpaperinbootroomisbythewallisfromGardenandthevinylisbyAmtico.
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 while they demolished the old house and built the new one. 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 they did not want, they sold online, creating very little waste.
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 moved from North Yorkshire in 2009 to be closer to family so our girls and their cousins could grow up together,” Josephine 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.”
ABOVE
The colourful runner from Roger Oates adds a jolly note to the hall. Light floods in through the Sandersongreendressedwindow,half-landingwhichisinacrispandwhitefabric.
60 THE ENGLISH HOME
The rope handrail is from Stair Ropes UK and the Suppleareconsolewrought-ironandlampsfromCharlotteInteriors.
THE ENGLISH HOME 61
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 InteriorandinwhilefromhandytheopensLEFTJosephine’sofmother.Thefrontdoordirectlyontodiningroom.ThetraytableisPerch&Parrow,thecurtainsareAda&InalinenweremadebyFashion.
“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, 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.”
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.
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.
‘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’
BELOW The garden landscaping is an ongoing project as itused to be farmland. Josephine called on The Land Gardeners to help with the bare bones of the garden, and a vegetable plot is soon to be dug. Eco features include ground-source heating with pipes running through the front field and solar panels.
ABOVE The principal bedroom is light and airy with white-painted floorboards and walls. Thestriking seaweed printsand pretty bedspread are all from Oka. LEFT The boot room is often used as the main entrance so always gets dressed for Christmas. The trees are from Nicholsons Nurseries in Bicester.
62 THE ENGLISH HOME
RIGHT Josephine did not want to buy a brand new bath and taps for this bathroom, so sourced them from an online auction site. The bath mat and basket are both from So Souk.
PHOTOGRAPHY INTERIORSGAP/DUCHARSDAN
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.” n
ABOVE RIGHT In this guest bedroom, a pretty quilt from So Souk has been teamed withcurtains in a
ABOVE The bath in the principal bedroom is from Northwich Reclaim, painted with Annie Sloan paint. The Perrin & Rowe taps were found on an online auction site, and the curtains are in a Clarke & Clarke fabric.
Colefax and Fowler fabric and lampshades from Pooky. For similar bedside tables, try The French Bedroom Company.
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 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.
Our special section dedicated to interior design and decorating begins here
A traditional palette for festive decor, red and green can be used in many guises – from shiny and sparkly to natural and rustic. Here a charmingly rustic take is given a softly contemporary feel with the addition of honeycomb balls and trees interwoven in a relaxed, abundant garland of natural foliage. Two wreaths complete the classic Christmas scene. Hoxton Dome floor lamp in Antique Bronze, £130; Rattan door wreaths, from £30, all Garden Trading
CLASSIC CHARM
THE ENGLISH HOME 65 FEATURE MCLEANKATY
STYLE INSPIRATION
66 THE ENGLISH HOME
THE ENGLISH HOME 67
At our home in Oxfordshire (opposite, top left), there is no such thing in my mind as too much foliage at Christmas;
Spreading the Christmas vibe into multiple rooms is a wonderful way to make the festive season feel extra special. The boys’ bunk room at Weatherstone has a grotto effect created with foliage and the miniature tree on the windowsill decorated with tiny glass baubles and surrounded by presents. Toy soldiers, paper stars and hand-knitted stockings add to the fun.
We asked interior designers, florists, bakers and homeware stylists for the personal ideas, professional tips and family rituals that make their Christmas perfect
Nothing beats the classic colour accent choice of dark red; add it with silk velvet ribbon, pomegranates scattered on tables and berries mixed into foliage. The scent of pine at Christmas is wonderfully evocative, and all the greenery will add to the classic Christmas tree arrangement to create a really ‘wow’ final effect.
POOLEYKATHARINE
CHRISTMAS:
When we spend Christmas at Weatherstone House (opposite far left, left and above) in Devon, I like to create a comforting Christmas interior that reflects a simpler time – candles, natural garlands of ivy, pine and festive greenery, along with stones and shells from the surrounding beaches, inspire a relaxing informal tone. From the mantelpiece festooned with candles to the roaring fire and twinkling lights, there is a timeless festive feel. Early Paper White daffodils, with their fresh white blooms, add a
My top tip is to festoon chandeliers, mantelpieces and doorways with foliage. It creates a magical effect and is more impactful than a simple
solitary tree – the more greenery, the better.
DESIGNER INSIGHTS
holly, pine and ivy all work beautifully well and have a classically elegant English feel.
delicate scent and lightness to the room. The tree has old and new decorations with presents wrapped in marbled paper and tied with velvet ribbon to create a whimsical touch.
Interior designer
Expertly Done
STYLING A GARLAND
bottom of the stairs. You don’t want cables snaking around the hallway. When attaching a garland to the stair, a swag will offer clear points to secure the garland, which works on the mantelpiece too.
Place your garland on the floor beneath your banister before you begin to see if you need more than one; if you need one and a half, double up in the centre. We always fix the ends (top and bottom of the stair) first, then meet in the middle. To secure the garland, use cable ties (remember to trim them and resist the temptation to over-tighten – it makes them hard to snip away when you want to take it down) and Command hooks for the mantelpiece.
‘When decorating generally, we vary the materials we use because it gives off a sense of grandeur, but for high-traffic areas, like stairs, opt for resin decorations, bows and nonbreakable baubles’
Product and creative director, Cox & Cox
DANI TAYLOR
68 THE ENGLISH HOME
Pre-lit garlands are the best investment for the festive decorator because they’re battery-powered, and sockets can be a real challenge when trying to meet the top or
Homeware designer and founder, Birdie Fortescue
A tablecloth will always elevate a dining table. I have balanced a rich, floral tablecloth with muted red
Spend time zhuzhing your garland before you begin because it makes all the difference to the final look. This will allow you to go to town without being precious and to put your stamp on it.
When choosing a Christmas table colour palette, red and green are the much-loved favourite combination. However, try layering different shades and tones such as sage greens with soft corals and accents of teal for a modern twist on this classic pairing.
I used a garland of eucalyptus interspersed with berries as the bluish-green of the leaf
Make an impact easily with space fillers like bows and flowers; these are not fragile and can be tied securely above a mantel or on a stair with a wire attachment or, for additional security, garden wire. If the bow itself is also wired, it can be styled beautifully to fill gaps in the length of the garland to achieve a more opulent look.
Once you have your main accessory, use it to decorate your tree and indoor wreath and better communicate that personal style in your festive
BIRDIE FORTESCUE
TREE
I double up our lights to enjoy two looks from our tree. Team tree lights with an additional layer of lit decoration – either in the form of a battery-powered lit bauble or, new to the collection this year, a few remote-controlled candle lights. They don’t require additional wires, so they’re an easy way to get more from your tree. You can turn the brighter lights off for a rich atmosphere in the evening and top up the layer of low lights with a lit tree topper.
LIGHTINGhome.A
worked perfectly with the tablecloth. As the table is fairly narrow, this arrangement works so much better than squeezing in large vases. I love using groups of candlesticks and arranging asymmetricallythemdown a table in tonal colours and varying heights. It gives an interesting, quirky look and brings a table to life.
The lights need to run around the front and back of the tree and have to be well-spaced before you begin the fun part of decorating. There’s no easy shortcut – unless you go for a pre-lit tree. Pre-lit varieties avoid the scrabble to untangle wires as excited little decorators wait, and offer you the perfect finish because the spacing of lights per branch is just right.
embroidered linen placemats and napkins for contrast and impact. The colours are echoed in the handpainted dinnerware and candlesticks for a layered and sumptuous effect.
THE ENGLISH HOME 69 DESIGNER INSIGHTS
I like to bring the winter inside with masses of holly and yew, as much green as possible, and I like to keep that organic feel in the garland, so it’s not too pristine, keeping it asymmetrical and a bit mad. It really sets the stage and smells wonderful. I accent it with ribbon, fruit, or berries – whatever is in season.
I like to fill the house with candles – pillars in every silver dish or salver I can lay my hands on and votives in cut glass tumblers on every surface. It gives such a lovely atmosphere on the cold dark days and calls everyone in.
JUSTIN VAN BREDA Interior designer
On the table, I generally will have a cloth from one of my new fabrics and masses of ribbon. Then it is laid out
with my monogrammed mirror chargers and loads of candles. I like to have different sorts of candles – long dinner tapers, small votives flickering in coloured glass, church candles standing squat in silver bowls. Sometimes we will hang
Macarons are great for Christmas and New Year as they can be served in so many settings, perhaps on beautiful antique trays or macaron towers at parties. They are the perfect treat as they are bite-size and can be easily had while holding a drink! Alternatively, they are frequently used for place settings in our boxes with bows to Macaronsmatch.are also great at times of celebration because they are the most perfect accompaniment to a glass of champagne. On Christmas Eve, our family and friends all get together and share some festive fizz with a couple of plates stacked with macarons decorated with hand-painted fir, holly and berries finished with a light touch of gold leaf.
When baking during the festive season, I think it’s always important to use flavours that remind people of Christmas and bring back childhood memories. I always like to include a lot of chocolate. Some of our favourite flavours for Christmas are chocolate orange, chocolate cherry and chocolate hazelnut. This year I’m going to introduce warming cinnamon and decadent eggnog, too.
EMMA DODI Emma Dodi Cakes
I usually pick the misshapen ugly tree that no one wants –I give her a name every year – and I fill the gaps with gold-sprayed holly and hydrangea to make her look fabulous. I always have a tree in a corner, so it doesn’t matter if there is an ugly side. And I hate the idea of an ugly tree going to waste having been cut down. Putting her in front of the mirror is a great trick as it means that you get double impact, giving depth to the room.
a mobile – some sort of branch perhaps – over the table with glass globes with candles suspended from a fishing line like they’re floating in the air. I like the table to be the focal point. It’s all about entertaining and bringing everyone together, welcoming everyone to sit down, share a meal and celebrate.
‘Fill the house with delicious scent with huge baskets, bowls or wooden crates of ‘Ziva’ paperwhites and forced hyacinth bulbs. Add twigs or branches to support them and bring a little height and drama to the party’
WILLOW CROSSLEY Florist and author
DESIGNER INSIGHTS THE ENGLISH HOME 71
I love using huge, dried allium heads as Christmas baubles. Save them when
they go over in the garden and dry them out by storing them somewhere dry and warm. Dot them all over the Christmas tree as you would a bauble – you want at least 10 for Christmasimpact.isn’t Christmas without some sort of garland on the mantelpiece. I make my base up with box, yew, spruce and eucalyptus and then fill it in with dried whole limes, feather birds, dried peppercorns, wispy dried grasses, dried alliums and huge velvet bows.
I love to forage for decorations – gather greenery and fir cones from the garden, park or forest – and display them with carefully placed candles. You would be amazed how much holly you can find, and it’s very easy to refresh.
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JOANNA WOOD Interior designer
‘One of the most effective things I ever did was spray some ivy leaves gold. Chop the head off a plant, and you’ve got a miniature Christmas tree’
I often trim the branches on my Christmas tree and use some as a table garland; it makes a great base for styling. I wind ivy or holly up the stairs too. It’s such a great sight when you walk in the door.
DESIGNER INSIGHTS
Opt for a contrasting texture or place thin ribbons on top of thicker ones for a layered look. A slightly opaque ribbon as a base always looks beautiful. Toppers are a lovely addition to any gift, or use small Christmas decorations to embellish packages and add a festive flourish.
the best combination of which gift wrap with which ribbon and which topper. I always feel a ribbon and a topper really make every gift feel more special. Once wrapped, tie presents with a complementary ribbon in a similar shade.
CHRISSIE RUCKER Founder, The White Company
THE ENGLISH HOME 73
It’s become a bit of an annual competition between my girls and me to see who can create
CRADDOCKPHILIPPA
Florist, founder and creative Philippadirector,Craddock
Beyond decorating your Christmas tree and creating a wreath add simple branches of greenery to your mantelpiece and also place them in long troughs down your kitchen and/or dining table.
FEATURE MCLEANKATY PHOTOGRAPHS SMITHRACHAEL©BREDA)VANJUSTIN(ALLP70WILLS.NICO©(LIFESTYLE)67&P66 DESIGNER INSIGHTS
74 THE ENGLISH HOME
branches are particularly beautiful and hardy.
‘Create an oversized foliage-dense wreath and place it on your front door at the start of the season to welcome guests’
Focus on a combination of delicate greens, earthy pinks and deep aubergine tones this season, with hellebores, skimmia, nigella seed pods and limonium for elegant, seasonal designs with depth and beautiful texture. n
Keep your Christmas tree effortlessly elegant with a mass of reusable small, warm-glow lights. These will highlight the rich green of the tree’s branches and create a beautiful backdrop to your festivities.
Use fresh, seasonal ingredients – foraged greenery and hardy winter blooms will last and last at this time of year, even within the warmth of indoors. Buxus and Nordman fir
Now offering faux wood beams in custom sizes, colors and textures! www.decorativeceilingtiles.net | 866.297.0380 2036 NW 55th Ave., Margate, FL 33063 TEXTURESOFSAMPLESFREEFINISHES&
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
Christmas feasts
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.
THE ENGLISH HOME 77
C
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.
SET SCENETHEFOR:
‘Tis the season to be jolly, so embrace festive colours and patterns to create a Christmas table full of charm and sophistication
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.
ENTERTAINING
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.
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.
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.
RIGHT Clear and amber glass baubles, £4 each, Rowen and Wren
ABOVE Red pillar candles, from £4.50; Nordic Touch plates, from £7.50, all Nordic House
MAGICAL GLOW
78 THE ENGLISH HOME
CHRISTMAS CHEER
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
GLORIOUS GARLANDS
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.
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.
LEFT Yalin hand-blown-glass candlestick, £56 for a set of two, Sophie Conran
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
All that glitters
Tablecloth and seat covers, Ticking in Graphite, £34.95 a metre, Annie Sloan
GoldSummerill£13.50,&Bishopbeaded placemats,
PERFECTLY PLACED
WELL COVERED
SummerillnapkinstraightMarmaladeGoldCompanyToast&mediumjug,£49.99,EmmaBridgewaterHand-stampedFallingFlowersinGold£30,&Bishop FEATURE EMSLIESARA PHOTOGRAPHS PUSNOVAITEGITA(BURLEIGH)P81
Add glimmer and sparkle with accents of gold
Gold Wreath name place card holder, £5.99 for a pack of four, Ginger Ray
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.
BELOW RIGHT Red hemstitch linen tablecloth, from £150, Volga Linen
Silenus Champagne cutlery, £295 for a 24-piece set, Oka
RIGHT Montecarlo white cotton sateen napkin, £6, The Fine Cotton Company
Partridge in a Pear Tree large oval platter, £150, Emma Bridgewater
Gold-rimmed wine glass, £38 for a set of two, White
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.
The
CENTRE STAGE
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.
Coquille dinner plates, £215 for a set of four, Oka
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
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. n
FROSTED FINISH
Tessa Silver Grey Holly tablecloth,Berry£35,RaggedRose
House Doctor rustic cake stand, £55.50, Coffee & Cloth
Fable Forest crackers £36 for a box of six, Nancy & Betty
ENTERTAINING THE ENGLISH HOME 81
Pink Asiatic Pheasants medium tankard jug, £37,
Blenheim
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Inspiration for seasonal pastimes and making the most of life at home starts here
QUINTESSENTIALLY
To ensure long-lasting poinsettias, water them sparingly, allowing the compost to almost dry out between waterings, feed them monthly with a standard indoor plant feed, and keep them away from draughts.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Poinsettias are as synonymous with Christmas as holly in England and many parts of the world. Often seen in their traditional red, they also come in pink, yellow, cream, white, variegated and marbled varieties, so can be chosen to harmonise with any decorative scheme. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias were cultivated by the Aztecs for medicinal purposes. During the 17th century, priests in Mexico began using them in Nativity processions due to their colour and the timing of their flowering.
A Cook’s Book by Nigel Slater will be published March 2023 ($45, Ten Speed Press); nigelslater.com
Oysters, on ice, with nothing more than a very brief squeeze of lemon. Like champagne, they turn any moment into a celebration.
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.
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.
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is…
RIGHT A handsome leather shopping bag, made to order from Charlie Borrow is top of Slater’s wish ABOVElist.A gift to last a lifetime, a Rimowa suitcase is a wise investment.
Can you share a special Christmas memory from childhood?
84 THE ENGLISH HOME
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
English CHRISTMASMY
Nigel Slater, author and food writer
The festive season is a time for merriment and wonder – we hear some of the cherished memories, traditions and insights from experts in lifestyle, interiors and entertaining
ABOVE Champagne is served while the tree is decorated at Nigel Slater’s home. Champagne glasses, from Garden Trading.
What is the best gift you have ever received?
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion of the season?
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.
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.
What is your favourite food at Christmas time?
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.
Never leave lit candles unattended
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’ve bought from all over the world 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 paper 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 one, and still does, and all sorts of mixed things. Some happened year in, year out, and some were different. All parcels had to be squishy and crinkly, hence the tissue paper!
THE ENGLISH HOME 85
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.
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. The Christmas tree was then lit with real candles, and my father stood beside it with a bucket of water and a wet sponge 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.
Nina Campbell, interior designer
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
Can you share a special Christmas memory from childhood?
shop.ninacampbell.com
.) ENTERTAINING
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
LEFT The scene is set for Christmas dinner with tableware from Nina
(oftreerealBELOWcarolafterminceRIGHTCarolatfouABOVECampbell.Well-behavedr-leggedgueststheDogsTrustConcert.Awarmingpieisatreataneveningofsinging.TheflickerofcandlesontheisafondmemoryCampbell’s.
Finding and putting up the Christmas tree must be one of my most cherished childhood memories. I still fondly remember 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 that 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.
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?
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
Carlos Garcia, interior designer
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 RIGHTlist.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.
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
86 THE ENGLISH HOME
Although Christmas is the time of the year when 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 need to feel settled, Christmas needs to feel rooted. Red and gold do this for me, so I always use them as a colour scheme for my decorations.
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 on one of 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…
THE ENGLISH HOME 87
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.
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
What is your favourite food or drink at Christmas time?
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.
Sophie Conran, designer
My favourite tradition is opening stockings in bed with my kids and the dog – we all get in bed together!
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. ChristmasABOVE by the fireside. RIGHT & FAR RIGHT stockings in bed is Conran’s favourite tradition. Blankets from The Fine Cotton Co and stocking from Rebecca Udell.
loveBELOWaplum tree for her orchard this year.
sophieconran.com
ENTERTAINING
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
Alastair Hendy, owner, AG Hendy & Co
My son George was born on Christmas Eve and nothing will ever come close to that. It was the best Christmas stocking.
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
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.
What is your favourite tradition in your household?
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 favourite food at Christmas?
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is…
What is the best gift you have ever received or given?
Lady Bamford, founder of Daylesford Organic
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion of the season?
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.
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
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.
Christmas isn’t Christmas if I don’t attend a carol service.
ABOVE A Hartley Botanic greenhouse is high on Hendy’s wish list.
ENTERTAINING
ABOVE Chocolate, nut and fig slice is a nostalgic treat for Alastair Hendy.
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.
Top of my Christmas wish list this year is…
RIGHT Inside Hendy’s Tudor house in Hastings, open to visitors for the festive season as the Christmas House.
FEATURE MIDDLETONEVE&MCLEANKATY PHOTOGRAPHS PIES)(MINCEBYE;JASON©(DOGS)P85NATT;ALEX©(BAG)SHUTTERSTOCK;/VALKOVVALENTIN(SUITCASE)P84 SHUTTERSTOCK;/ALEXMASTER(FIRE)P87SHUTTERSTOCK;/STUDIOAFRICASKATES)(ICEP86SHUTTERSTOCK;/JDEWIES(CANDLE)SHUTTERSTOCK;/MAGDANATKA OKSANA_GIN)(SLOESHUTTERSTOCK;/WORDS1000(CHOIR)WATSON;NEIL(HAMPER)P88SHUTTERSTOCK;/VOLKOVVALENTYN(PLUMS)TEMPLIER;ASTRID©(PRESENTS) SHUTTERSTOCK/FAJERSLAWOMIRPUDDING)(CHRISTMASSHUTTERSTOCK;/DIVIZIACLAUDIO(BAUBLE)P89SHUTTERSTOCK./SCHMIDT
THE ENGLISH HOME 89
What is your ‘must-attend’ event or occasion?
Okay, this is a biggie, born from my lockdown gardening mania: a greenhouse by Hartley Botanic please, which supplies 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 £50,000. Thank you. n
LEFT specialyearsaccumulatedDecorationsovermakeforatree.
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.
My must-attend event is one I literally must 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 while 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.
BELOW Hendy will indulge in a spot of pudding, and trifle, after the lendBavarianhaveChristmasDecorationsOPPOSITEChristmasmainfeast.PAGEintheHouseanAustro-slantthatafairytaleair.
aghendy.com
90 THE ENGLISH HOME
In the lead up to Christmas, London’s historic hotels reveal their spectacular Christmas trees and enchanting festive treats to delight guests enjoying a luxurious Christmas stay
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HOTELS WITH CHARACTER
MAGICAL DETAILS
FESTIVE SPECIAL
Spoiling guests with an array of Christmas activities, The Ritz London’s festive offerings begin with the hotel’s winter wonderland decor, which includes a 25-foot Christmas tree grown especially for the hotel in the Scottish Highlands. The tree is decorated in traditional red and gold by luxury florist Paul Thomas Flowers. Guests staying in the hotel’s suites will also be able to enjoy their own beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Famous for afternoon teas, The Ritz London’s seasonal tea menu includes festive pastries and a Ritz teddy bear for each child to take home. On Christmas Day, Father Christmas himself will make an appearance at afternoon tea and give out gifts. For a more grown-up affair, there is a festive four-course menu in the Michelin-starred restaurant, with a live band and a dance performance to add to the celebratory atmosphere. theritzlondon.com
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3 SPECIAL UNVEILING
This Christmas, The Dorchester’s festive decor (below) is being showcased amongst its beautifully renovated interiors, with rooms and suites currently being redesigned in an elegant colour palette inspired by English artists over the course of history. Guests will be welcomed to the hotel by a Christmas tree decorated by The Dorchester’s in-house designer florist, Philip Hammond. The flurry of Christmas indulgences available to guests include festive afternoon tea in The Promenade, with pastries created by award-winning executive pastry chef Michael Kwan, and wintery themed cocktails served in the newly refurbished glamorous 1930s-style bar. The festive season will be in full swing at the hotel’s main restaurant, The Grill, with seasonal menus and musical performances enlivening dining. dorchestercollection.com
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FINE PERFORMANCES
A sense of community is at the heart of Christmas at The Connaught (above and above right). Celebrations begin at the annual switching on of Christmas lights when the hotel’s Mayfair neighbours join guests outside for mulled wine as the Christmas tree is illuminated with a renowned artist’s design. Inside the hotel, suites are adorned with Christmas trees and festive decorations to create a special welcome for family and friends celebrating together. On Christmas Eve, Father Christmas will visit those staying at The Connaught – children will wake up on Christmas Day to stockings full of toys, and adults to a slightly more grown-up stocking filled with delicious food and drink. To enhance the joyful mood, guests will be serenaded by carol singers throughout Christmas lunch. In addition to offering horse-drawn carriage rides on Christmas Day, The Connaught is also known for revealing festive surprises to charm its guests. One year, residents watched in awe as, suddenly, a fleet of ballerinas in full tutus pirouetted down the staircase to the sound of The Nutcracker the-connaught.co.uk
MEMORABLE RITUALS
92 THE ENGLISH HOME FEATURE GROVELESUZANNA PHOTOGRAPH ROYAL(CLARIDGE’SP92 JAMESDOMINIC©LANESBOROUGH)(THEMAIN;RAY©SUITE)
Across the festive period, The Goring hotel (above right) invites guests to enjoy celebrations including champagne afternoon teas and festive meals with all the trimmings. The highlight of this year’s celebrations has Royal approval. Proud to be the only hotel to have been granted a Royal Warrant for hospitality services, presented by Her Majesty The Queen, The Goring hotel is partnering with luxury jeweller and fellow Royal Warrant holder Garrard to create two very special Christmas trees featuring tiara-themed decor, inspired by Garrard’s historic tiaras worn by The Queen. The branches will be adorned with four kinds of sparkling tiaras to replicate legendary royal occasions throughout Her Majesty’s reign, creating a sparkling festive scene for guests to enjoy throughout Christmas. thegoring.com n
FESTIVE MASTERCLASSES
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STATELY SPECTACLE
Each year at Claridge’s (top left and right), the Christmas tree is decorated by a famous designer whose identity is a closely guarded secret until the unveiling ceremony at the start of the festive season. For children staying at the hotel, Christmas Eve anticipation is captured as they gather and put out food for Father Christmas’s reindeers and listen to the enchanting The Night Before Christmas story. On Christmas Day, they can partake in a crafts session while parents enjoy a festive tipple. There is also the opportunity to ride in one of Claridge’s horse-drawn carriages on a magical tour around Mayfair’s quiet historic streets wrapped up in soft blankets. For guests and non-residents alike, Claridge’s seasonal fare, made in the hotel’s kitchens, can be bought from the hotel or online. claridges.co.uk
The Lanesborough hotel (above left) will be dressed in its sparkling Christmas finery for the grand unveiling in November. Following this customary tradition, guests are treated to a host of bespoke experiences to capture the seasonal spirit. For guests, whether staying or simply dining at the hotel, Christmas-themed afternoon tea with flavours of the season and festive menus for glamorous dining at The Lanesborough Grill are designed to create a magical Christmas mood and help celebrations feel extra special. For those seeking a memorable experience, a selection of special masterclasses includes a wreathmaking workshop conducted by the hotel’s in-house florist. Afterwards, a festive cocktail in The Library Bar will add to the merriment. oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough/
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HANDMADE IN ENGLAND, CHERISHED IN AMERICA The only aluminium Glasshouses and Greenhouses endorsed by the RHS ® The Royal Horticultural Society. The Royal Horticultural Society, and its logo, are trade marks of The Royal Horticultural Society (Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262) and used under licence from RHS Enterprises Limited. Discover the secret of Hartley Botanic by calling 781 933 1993 or visit www.hartley-botanic.com THE HARTLEY COLLECTION Victorian Classic, Cheshire, UK
Photo by JanepermissionkindofChurchillInteriors
94 THE ENGLISH HOME boutique-retreats.co.uk +44 (0)1872 553 491 enquirie s@ boutique-retreats.co.uk From raising the flag on your own private island to watching the stars over the sea from your hot tub, Boutique Retreats specialise in unique, stylish properties that celebrate their surroundings whilst embracing luxurious living. We know how good getaways should be. STYLISH RETREATS IN THE UK’S HOTTEST LOCATIONS Combination of scroll & cylindrical Shoals in a private residence. Photo by Yves Garneau. White Porcelain Made in England t: +44 (0)1538 371471 e: home@scabetti.uk.com www.scabetti.uk.com
Passionate about quintessential English customs, our incognito columnist reminds us to do the best things in life in the most elegant fashion, always with a twinkle in her eye
I digress, but I will tell you that Mr M had the good grace to look a little sheepish as he changed the subject to the nice bottle of port he had held back for us to enjoy afterRatherdinner.like planning a journey, then, one must think carefully of the days between Christmas and New Year. If not, they will be spent doing nothing but eating cheese and drinking far too much wine. Regular readers will know how
THE ENGLISH HOME 95
I usually plan a spa day. It is remarkable how quiet even the best establishments can be at this time of year. I suppose it is because most people feel a duty to be at home with the family. Piffle and nonsense! Ever since the children were tiny, I have taken a day out to do lovely things for myself.
MRS MINERVA WRITES...
Last Christmas then, during a conversation about car ownership in cities, Mr M announced to friends – with some smugness – that he had never taken an Uber. I almost choked on my champagne.
The art of FESTIVE PLANNING
In fairness, Mr M has never grumbled, but I would often come home to find the children either covered in mud or watching something hugely unsuitable on the television. The youngest has never quite recovered from watching a film I believe was called Snakes on a Plane, but at least he can now, many years later, board a flight without checking every overhead locker.
uring this year’s long hot summer, it was almost impossible to imagine the crisp, cold days between Christmas and New Year. But, as I am fond of telling Mr M, one must plan if one is to have a nice time, and so it was that I forced myself to make arrangements.
Beaches are the perfect place to blow away the sleepiness of the Christmas holidays. We wrap up
much I love the festive season. The decorating, planning, present buying, and cooking are among my favourite things to do. So, it stands to reason that once the last plate is dried and the silver has been put away until the next celebration, I can find myself feeling a little lacklustre. It is why I feel it is important to spend the days before New Year in a manner that lifts one’s spirits.
BELOW The perfect Christmas lunch does not oblivious,significantemergemiraculouslybutneedsthoughtandplanning,ItellMrMwho,whilewouldbehorrifiedtoreceiveonewithoutallthetrimmings.
I get my hair highlighted, a manicure and pedicure and a deliciously relaxing massage. After all, it is I who has done most of the work to make Christmas a delight for everyone and it is Mr M who has done most of the eating. With this in mind, I think I deserve a little time to myself.
“Why…” and I admit my voice did take on something of a squeak as I said this, “did you imagine I told you being nice to the driver was important for our rating?” (I was not going to allow him to do anything to dent my five stars.)
Walking, too, is an important part of the in-between days. Each year I try to find somewhere new to take the dogs. I see it as part of their Christmas treat, along with roast goose and lots of yummy potatoes. Mr M sees allowing them on the sofa as one of his festive traditions, something we will clearly always disagree on.
Mr M is one of those men who believe in spontaneity. The more sensible among us realised quite young that just as the Tooth Fairy and Father Christmas are the products of organised parents, so spontaneity is the product of an organised wife.
D
“Where,” I asked him incredulously, “do you think those cars miraculously appear from when we have been in Paris or Amsterdam? Did you think it was some friendly local who happened to be passing?”
I think a lot about how these days are a great preparation for the year ahead. Next year I shall commit to journaling each day and also keeping the clutter down. I also plan to exercise at least three days a week. Mr M says he will be committing to cutting out sherry. (I am sure I do not need to point out that sherry is his least favourite tipple. It reminds me of the year he gave up cabbage for Lent.)
I have been researching books that might help me kick-start my creative projects and have found one that has left me rather excited. The Nature of Creativity: A Mindful Approach to Making Art and Craft, by renowned textile artist and embroiderer Jane E Hall. As we become increasingly aware of the power of nature to lift our spirits, so, too, are we becoming more conscious of the role mindfulness can play in sparking our creativity. So says the author, who brings these ideas together in this gorgeous book by explaining how spending time in nature helps us to engage the senses and rediscover the playfulness of childhood, before presenting 10 creative ideas inspired by nature. This charming collection of art- and craft-based ideas and projects is just the thing for those at any stage of a creative journey. Published by Merrell, the book costs £25.
If ever there is a time to buy oneself a present, one that enables organisation and sparks creativity should be a guilt-free purchase
A diary is such an important thing to own. A proper paper diary in which to jot down one’s thoughts and feelings alongside reminders to de-flea the cat is a real joy. I adore Smythson notebooks and stationery, so have asked Mr M if he might buy me the wonderful Soho Diary for Christmas. It is the perfect size as it will happily fit into one’s bag, but also large enough to write long lists or even one’s most interesting thoughts. Made from Smythson’s signature Panama leather, it has a handy pocket and is available in a host of colours. My favourite is this Nile Blue. It costs £180. smythson.com
Planning trips is such a wonderful use of time during the quiet days between Christmas and New Year. Whether it is things to do during this period or making plans for visits and trips later in the year, it is marvellous to know that there will be something to look forward to. Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey is filmed (see above), is one place I have always longed to visit. Do take a look at the website as it has information on upcoming events, as well as a marvellous blog, a hugely popular podcast, recipes and an online shop. So, even if you have to wait a while before you can actually get there, you can experience much of life there virtually. highclerecastle.co.uk
Historic houses with gorgeous parks and woodland are another favourite walking choice. One can imagine going back in time and living in one of these extraordinary homes at their height. Mr M generally spoils it all by trying to tot up the heating bill and wondering how much a new roof would cost. Since moving out of the big house, he has been a little smug about quite how much more frugal we are being.
PLOTTING DATES
ABOVE I am determined to try my hand at pottery in 2023, and look forward to presenting the results to Mr M.
96 THE ENGLISH HOME PHOTOGRAPH NIKITA/SHUTTERSTOCKSTARODUBTSEV(POTTERY)P112USTIUGOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK;DARIA(DINNER)PANDA/SHUTTERSTOCK;LE©(GARLAND)P111
MRS MINERVA WRITES...
I have always wanted to take up pottery, so that is top of my list of things to try, along with watercolour painting and upholstery. Mr M says he feels tired just thinking about it and would like to take up power napping. His success in this area is assured. n
warm and take flasks of hot soup and freshly baked bread wrapped in a tea towel to keep it warm. There is something about the elemental nature of the waves lapping against the shore that puts life into perspective. It feels like a good time to re-evaluate things and set goals for the coming year.
STATELY EXCURSIONS
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
DELIGHT IN THE DETAILS
I am also going to make sure I express my artistic side. I shall begin a new project in the run-up to New Year’s Eve and am determined to create some beautiful pieces for the spots in the house that are currently looking a little empty.
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Original Homewares Tel 01223 624929 originalhomewares.com Original House Tel 07909 581441 original-house.co.uk Osborne & Little osborneandlittle.com
Garden Trading gardentrading.co.uk
Danes, The Tel 01342 477670 thedanes.co.uk Daylesford Organic Tel 01608 731 670 daylesford.com Designers Guild Tel 020 7893 7400 designersguild.com Divertimenti Tel 020 7581 8065 divertimenti.co.uk
Cast Iron Bed Company, The Tel 01723 585896 castironbath.co.uk
Paloma Lily Tel 01722 744750 palomalily.com Park End Reclaim Tel 01869 819819 parkend-reclaim.co.uk
Sophia Frances Studio sophiafrances.com
EDITORIAL LISTING
FOR READERS IN THE USA AND CANADA
Amara amara.com Amtico Tel 01217 450800 amtico.com
After the Antique Tel 01366 327210 aftertheantique.com
Velvet Linen velvetlinen.co.uk
Make time to enjoy a quiet, intimate supper with loved ones over the busy festive period
98 THE ENGLISH HOME FEATURE MCLEANKATY
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 the gentle twinkle of fairy lights. Dress the table with a beautiful tablecloth, such as this elegantly seasonal mistletoe design, and festive decorations to create a magical scene. Serve 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
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ONE THINGFINAL …
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