A LETTER FROM HOME A warm welcome from our Editor.

Be inspired by our ideas for festive tables, such as this on page 66. Tablecloth and seat covers, Ticking in Graphite, £34.95 a metre, Annie Sloan

English Country decorating often draws upon its surroundings. This wallpaper by Flora Roberts at Hamilton Weston is an example of bringing ‘the outside in’. Discover more on page 64.

A letter from home

It’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. 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).

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.

Samantha Scott-Jeffries, Editor

The ENGLISH HOME PODCAST Follow us on Twitter @englishhometeam Pinterest at pinterest.com/theenglishhome Facebook at facebook.com@theenglishhome Instagram at instagram.com@englishhomemag WRITE TO US AT The English Home, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ, UK Tel + 44 (0)20 7349 3700 Email: theenglishhome@chelseamagazines.com

www.theenglishhome.co.uk

EDITORIAL Editor Samantha Scott-Jeffries Managing Editor Sarah Feeley Art Editors Claire Hicks, Rebecca Stead Sub Editor Lea Tacey Decorating Editor Katy Mclean Features Editor Suzanna Le Grove Homes & Lifestyle Editor Clair Wayman Editor-at-Large Kate Freud

UK ADVERTISING CONTACTS Group Sales Director Catherine Chapman 020 7349 3709; catherine.chapman@chelseamagazines.com Head of Sales Operations Jodie Green Advertisement Manager William Bernard 020 7349 3749; william.bernard@chelseamagazines.com Senior Sales Executive Laurna Barry 020 7349 3712; laurna.barry@chelseamagazines.com Advertising Production 01202 472781; allpointsmedia.co.uk

NORTH AMERICAN ADVERTISING CONTACTS Michel Manzo mmanzo@manzomediagroup.com Office – 610-527-7047; Cell – 215-470-7075 Kim Richards krichards@manzomediagroup.com Office – 610-527-7047; Cell – 610-812-8251

PUBLISHING Chairman Paul Dobson Managing Director James Dobson Chief Financial Officer Vicki Gavin Publisher Caroline Scott Business Operations Manager Sarah Porter EA to Chairman Sophie Easton

ONLINE Group Digital Manager Ben Iskander Email & Digital Creative Manager Jenny Choo

PRODUCTION Reprographics Manager Neil Puttnam Printing William Gibbons Ltd Publishing Office The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd Tel +44 (0)20 7349 3700 Email info@chelseamagazines.com

NEXT ISSUE ON SALE 20 DECEMBER 2022

THE ENGLISH HOME (INTERNATIONAL EDITION) ISSN 1468-0238 (PRINT) THE ENGLISH HOME (INTERNATIONAL EDITION) ISSN 2397-7086 (ONLINE)

Did you know you can manage your subscription online? Oversee your print and digital subscriptions online today simply by signing up at www.subscription.co.uk/ chelsea/Solo/. Stay up to date with the latest issues, update your personal details, and even renew your subscription with just the click of a button.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFICES USA

The English Home, PO Box 37518, Boone, IA 50037-0518, USA Tel 1-866-926-0260 ehmcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com

CANADA

The English Home, 1415 Janette Avenue, Windsor, ON N8X 1Z1, Canada Tel 1-866-926-0260 Canadian GST number: 87211 8922 RT0001 ehmcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com

UK

The English Home, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9EF, UK Tel +44 (0)1858-438854 theenglishhome@subscription. co.uk

EUROPE & ROW

As above for the UK

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

USA US$39.75 (6 issues). Canada C$49.75 (6 issues). Includes GST/postage surcharge.

ADVERTISING OFFICES

The English Home, The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ, UK Tel +44 (0)20-7349-3700 william.bernard@chelsea magazines.com

NEWS DISTRIBUTION USA & CANADA

CMG, LLC/155 Village Blvd, 3rd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA

UK & ROW

Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT, UK Tel +44 (0)20-7429-3667

BACK ISSUES

UK £4.99; Rest of World £6.25 Contact: The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ, UK. Tel +44 (0)20-7349-3700 chelseamagazines.com/shop

USA PUBLICATION DETAILS

THE ENGLISH HOME (ISSN 1468-0238) (USPS 018-446) is published bi-monthly by The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ, UK Distributed in the US by: NPS Media Group, 2 Enterprise Drive, Suite 420, Shelton, CT 06484, USA Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, CT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE ENGLISH HOME, PO Box 37518, Boone, IA 50037-0518, USA

© The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2022. All rights reserved. Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. The information in The English Home has been published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. However, where appropriate, you are advised to check prices, opening times and dates, etc, before making final arrangements. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information within this publication is hereby excluded. The opinions expressed by the contributors of The English Home are not necessarily those of the publisher. www.chelseamagazines.com: Publisher of Artists & Illustrators, Baby, BRITAIN, Classic Boat, Cruise International, Discover Britain, The English Garden, Independent School Parent and associated Guides, Little London, Popshot, Racecar Engineering, Sailing Today, Scotland Magazine, Yachts & Yachting and Wedding Ideas. PORTRAIT GRANT SCOTT