The Ultimate English Christmas 2020

Christmas

THE ULTIMATE ENGLISH

A special supplement to

Literary Bronze Water Features & Sculptures Awarded 5 Gold Stars at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The Mad Hatter water feature Alice in Wonderland Robert and James, better known as Bob and Jim, have been best of friends for over 30 years. They share a passion for stories, illustration and sculpture, and together they have embarked on many creative adventures.

Robert and James were invited by Penguin books, who own the copyright of these treasured creations, to work directly from the archives held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Just over 10 years ago, Jim attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time. It was an extraordinary day, brimming with colour, inspiration and the surprising realisation that there were no sculptures woven around stories.

The pair use old, hand-made tools and fingerprints to press, move and model the clay into life, capturing the breath of the characters, as if they have momentarily stepped out of the book and into the three-dimensional world.

This was the moment that Alice in Wonderland rose from the page and the idea of a limited-edition run of bronze sculptures based on the classic story was ignited in Jim’s creative and quirky mind. Turning a page in a book to see an illustration that brings the story to life is magical.

Once modelled in clay, the pieces are cast in bronze and the highly collectable sculptures are installed in both homes and gardens, to weave their unique magic.

Robert James were kindly invited to exhibit at the Philly Flower Show back in 2015 celebrating ‘Brilliant - The Best Of British’. Since then they have received commissions from right across all states.

Even in today’s digital world, the page of the book is where it all begins. English classics such as Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland’ illustrated by Sir John Tenniel, Beatrix Potter’s ‘Peter Rabbit’ and Cicely Mary Barker’s ‘The Flower Fairies’ are faithfully modelled from the original illustrations.

“It is our fairy tale come true, our American dream and our vision in full bloom!” says Robert James.

They successfully export their creations across the globe, with full insurance.

To find out more, please phone +44 (0)7515 126119 or visit www.robertjamesworkshop.com

22 18 CONTENTS 6 WELCOMING WREATHS The history of their origins.

8 THE SUPERBLY DRESSED TREE Decorating advice

and new ideas to elevate the festive focal point.

12 BAUBLES Our edit of the best new buys.

14 SEASONAL SCENTS Fragrance to create the

perfect festive mood.

16 A WARM WELCOME Festive lighting inspiration.

18 ALL WRAPPED UP Gift paper, ribbons and more.

22 THE FESTIVE TABLE Style advice for tablescaping.

28 STOCKINGS Our round-up of charming designs.

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Editor Samantha Scott-Jeffries Managing Editor Sarah Feeley Art Editors Claire Hicks & Rebecca Stead Sub Editor Lea Tacey Decorating Editor Katy Mclean Features Editor Eve Middleton Homes & Lifestyle Editor Clair Wayman Contributing Writer Katherine Sorrell

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30 ADDRESS BOOK Reference resources.

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COVER PHOTOGRAPH CHRISTMAS TREE, AMARA LIVING LTD PORTRAIT © GRANT SCOTT PHOTOGRAPH CHRISTMAS TREE, COX & COX

A pre-lit tree will save precious time and energy during the festive season – each light is perfectly spaced for a uniform look, and no more tangled cables.

Blue Mountain Spruce Christmas Tree, Pre-Lit, £375, Cox & Cox

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

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t’s our favourite time of the year at The English Home, one we relish as we start to plan setting a magical scene for Christmas.

As we dust off our boxes filled with our most treasured family decorations, we’ve been considering what new touches we’ll add to surprise and delight those we’re hosting this festive season. This special decorating magazine is designed to inspire you to do the same.

We’ve covered all the essential ingredients – from welcoming wreaths to decorating the tree –and share new inspirational looks as well as tips and practical ideas to make the most of displaying your existing treasures. In addition, there are some insightful reads

on the history of the wreath and the fascinating origins of the bauble.

From decorating the Christmas table to gift wrapping, we hope you’ll find a balance between reusing what you already own and love, to adding some new touches or ideas to make this festive season one to remember.

I hope we inspire the most beautiful Christmas to date. Wishing all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Samantha Scott-Jeffries, Editor THE ENGLISH HOME 5

Welcoming WREATHS The much loved Christmas wreath has a long and fascinating history before it reached its present form

An exuberant wreath created using a medley of seasonal elements creates a festive Christmas welcome.

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THE ORIGINS OF THE CHRISTMAS WREATH

FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN PICTURE) © OCTAGON DEVELOPMENTS

The story of the Christmas wreath dates back to classical times, when wreaths were awarded to athletes, poets and orators as symbols of joy and honour, and hung by lovers on their partner’s door as a sign of their ardour. Worn by both emperors and victorious soldiers, the laurel wreath was a particular status symbol.

Meanwhile, over in Germany and Scandinavia, winter wreaths were hung from the roof or put on a table or altar to give additional power to prayers for the onset of spring. They were woven using evergreens, a symbol of everlasting life, and decorated with candles to represent the light of the sun. The coming of Christianity caused

a reinterpretation of the wreath, however: its circular shape stood for God’s eternity, the immortality of the soul and the everlasting life found in Christ. Evergreens, as before, meant eternal life, and holly leaves represented Jesus’ crown of thorns.

In the sixteenth century, the word wreath (from the Old English “writha”, meaning “that which is wound around”) began to be used to refer specifically to a decorative circle of flowers or leaves. German Lutherans of the time brought out horizontal wreaths at advent, but it took another 300 years or so before the modern advent wreath was invented. In 1839, to help teach the children at his mission school, German theologian

Johann Hinrich Wichern stuck 19 small and four large candles into an old cartwheel, then lit one small candle each weekday and one large candle every Sunday until Christmas arrived.

In England, it was the Victorians who first popularised the use of Christmas wreaths as decoration. As well as reviving the practice of carol singing, inventing the Christmas cracker and importing the idea of decorated pine trees from Prince Albert’s native Germany, they also took the medieval idea of decorating the house with evergreens and, of course, wreaths, made from evergreen foliage, fruit and pine cones. The rest, as they say, is history. n

1 White Berry, Hydrangea & Fir Christmas wreath, £49, Not On The High Street.com 2 Citrus Spice Christmas Wreath, £90, The Real Flower Company 3 Ethically Sourced Peacock-Feather Wreath, from £45, Plucking Fabulous 4 Fir Cone & Berry Wreath, £53.99, Joanna Wood 5 Cone & Star Half Wreath, £15, John Lewis 6 Festive Foliage Wreath, £26.99, Lakeland 7 Merry Berry Wreath, £44, styled with Velvet Winter Rose, £28 for a set of two, and Orchard Velvet Garland, £38, all Sophie Conran 8 Create a home-made wreath using components from Hobbycraft, from £1.75 per element

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THE SPARKLY TREE Small, sparkling wreaths and a host of twinkling lights give this tree simple classic appeal.

Grand Spruce Tree (6ft), £199; Mini Sparkle Wreaths (on tree), £10 each, all The White Company

The superbly DRESSED TREE Christmas is simply not complete without a tree.

Choosing the right one, bringing it home, setting it up and adorning it beautifully can be a magical ritual to mark the start of Christmas 8 THE ENGLISH HOME

DECORATING A TREE Start by winding lights and garlands around the tree, using a stepladder if necessary, and standing back regularly to assess the effect. As a guide, The White Company recommends at least 170 lights per metre of tree – which equates to about 60 lights per foot. Becky Tasker, brand creative at Lights4Fun, advises wrapping the tree with the lights turned on to make it easier to get an even coverage. Sometimes, lights by themselves are enough for a minimal look, alternatively, simple additions could include ribbon bows, pine cones, crackers or tiny LED candles. If using baubles and other decorations, decide on a theme – no more than two or three different colours usually works best – including variations of size and texture for interest.

When hanging ornaments, make sure to place some in the centre of branches as well as at the tips to create a sense of depth. Put larger decorations at the bottom of the tree for balance, placing favourite ones at the forefront, and filling in gaps with smaller ones. The White Company advises buying them in threes, sixes or twelves and adding them in a ‘Z’ shape.

Finish the tree off with an eye-catching topper that complements the overall theme and the proportions of the tree. All that remains to be done is to pile wrapped gifts generously around the base.  THE STARRY TREE (TOP) A frosted tree, strings of tiny lights and some repurposed window stars in various sizes combine to create an unfussy scheme that has both elegance and impact.

Osby Star Window Lights, from £7.99 each, Lights4Fun THE SILVER GLITTER TREE (LEFT) The one-colour theme creates a strong impression, with baubles in a range of shapes and patterns, but focusing on glittery silver plus, of course, an abundance of warm-white lights.

Five-foot Royal Blue Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree, with LED Color+Clear Lights, £459, Balsam Hill THE SIMPLE TREE (BELOW) Tiny lights and an understated white-berry garland and have timeless appeal.

Winter Berry Garland, £7.50, Cox & Cox

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KEEP A CUT CHRISTMAS TREE FRESH Start by choosing a healthy, vibrant tree – a local farm is a good place to start – and ask the seller to make a fresh, straight cut across the bottom of the trunk; this will help it absorb water, just like a cut flower. Once home, pop the tree into its stand, fill the stand with water and cut away any netting as soon as possible.

Careful positioning is important to prevent the tree from drying out. Keep it away from sunny windows, radiators, fires, stoves and draughts. Before decorating, trim away any unnecessary low-down or interior branches. Check the water level every day, and top up as necessary.

THE LAVISHLY TRADITIONAL TREE (RIGHT) Using traditional colours of red, green and gold makes it possible to layer a tree lavishly for ‘more-is-more’ appeal whilst still retaining a co-ordinated feel. Mix textures such as red velvet ribbon with twinkling baubles so that the overall effect is not too shiny or opulent.

All decorations from Amara THE SINGLE-COLOUR TREE (FAR RIGHT) Sticking to strictly just one colour and shape of bauble – without even lights or a topper – is a bold move but, in the right circumstances, this approach definitely has dramatic appeal. Note how the crimson baubles are subtly different in size and texture.

Sideboard painted in Oxford Navy and Old White; baubles in Emperor’s Silk; wrapping paper painted with stripes in Oxford Navy, all £21.95 for 1l, Annie Sloan

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TOP OF THE TREE At the pinnacle of every Christmas tree is an eye-catching tree topper.

There is much scope for improvisation around this very special decorative element, including home-crafted efforts – children’s offerings are, of course, particularly charming – and any number of ready-made examples, both classic and contemporary.

Add tiny LED lights for extra sparkle.

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THE BLUE-AND-GOLD TREE (MIDDLE) An artificial tree in a daring navy provides a superb contrast to the shiny gold, clear and blue baubles with which it is decorated. A strong statement that complements this rich interior.

Midnight Forest Christmas Tree, £250, Cox & Cox THE ORNATE TREE (LEFT) Sometimes more is simply best. For a traditional look, pile on a variety of sumptuous ornaments in rich red and magnificent gold.

Assorted decorations, from £3.99 each, Gisela Graham London

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1 Decorative Peg Tree Angel, from £38, Paper Sam 2 Glitter Crown Tree Topper, £25, Amara 3 Dried Flower Tree Topper, £26, Not On The High Street.com 4 Florentine Gold Star Tree Toppers, £24 each, Curious Egg 5 Gold Renaissance Fairy Topper, £20, John Lewis 6 German Straw Tree Topper, £15, Raj Tent Club 7 Elegant Illuminated Tree Topper, £10.50, Cox & Cox 8 Blue Peacock Tree Topper, £7.99, TK Maxx 9 Gold Leopard Christmas Tree Topper, £25, Rockett St George n

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FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL

THE RED, SILVER AND GOLD TREE (FAR LEFT) Large red crackers punctuate the decorations on this tree, which otherwise comprise beautifully co-ordinated, beribboned baubles and a sprinkling of berries, acorns and bells.

Orchard Christmas tree, styled with decorations and giftwrap available exclusively at Sophie Conran

An array of baubles in a variety of styles but co-ordinating colours all set to hang on the tree.

Selected baubles, from ÂŁ3.99 each, Gisela Graham London 12 THE ENGLISH HOME

Beautiful

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BAUBLES

Bringing the box of tree ornaments down from the attic is always a thrilling moment – as is purchasing that special new bauble to take pride of place amongst old favourites

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FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL

THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS BAUBLE The modern Christmas-tree bauble comes in an almost infinite variety of forms, from the simple glossy sphere to fashionable takes on cultural icons – anything from a miniature famous landmark to a dachshund or a pug.

But where did they first spring from? The answer is Lauscha, a small town in eastern Germany, where a glass-making cottage industry developed in the late 16th century. As markets expanded, the Glashutten (glassmaking huts) became factories and, in 1847, Hans Greiner, a descendant of one of the earliest of Lauscha’s glassmakers, started to create glass ornaments in the shapes of nuts and fruit. They were made in an unusual way – by putting a hot glass tube into a clay mould

and blowing – and had a pretty mirrored coating of lead and tin. By the 1870s Greiner’s ornaments had appeared in Britain, the Victorians having developed a passion for decorated indoor trees, and in 1879 FW Woolworth began to import them into America where they were an overnight success.

By the turn of the century Woolworth’s US stores were selling 200,000 German handblown baubles each year. New shapes and styles appeared, and competition from other nations inevitably followed, but Lauscha is still renowned for its handmade glass baubles, and every year holds a Kugelmarkt, or bauble market, where visitors can buy a host of exquisite, locally made creations. n

1 Art Nouveau Mercurised Chevron-drop Bauble, £8, John Lewis 2 Christmas Teddy-bear Ornament, £89, Steiff 3 Hand-painted Robins with Snowflakes Bone China Bauble, £14.50, Gabriella Shaw Ceramics 4 Afternoon Tea Tray Ornament, £25, Fortnum & Mason 5 Blue Dalmatian Decoration, £16, Raj Tent Club 6 Palace of Westminster Tree Ornament, £9.95, Houses of Parliament Shop 7 Gold-leaf Pineapple, £32 for a set of two, Sophie Conran 8 Prancing Deer Bauble, £10.50, Sara Miller London for Portmeirion

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Seasonal SCENTS

Warm, fruity, woody or spicy, delicious fragrances help create wonderful memories to complement those frosty days and snowy nights. What could be nicer than filling one’s home with the scents of Christmas?

Notes of sweet cinnamon and clove for warmth, plus a dash of fresh orange to rebalance one’s mood, combine to create an inviting aroma. Add bundles of cinnamon sticks and dried oranges for additional scent.

Winter Home Spray, £16; Winter Diffuser, £27; Winter Signature Candle, £20, all The White Company

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Whilst the cosy glow and flickering flames of a candle enhance a home’s atmosphere just as much as its wonderful scent, reed diffusers provide a great alternative and can be left unattended to release their aromas continually, and a spray will introduce an instant dose of additional perfume in any room. Do not forget potpourris, which add scent, decorative colour and texture; scented sachets, which can be popped into cupboards and drawers to greet guests with a subtle bouquet; and melts – scented cubes or bars of wax, sometimes called ‘tarts’ – which do not have a wick but melt safely, releasing their scent when placed in a specially designed warmer.

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MAKE THE MOST OF A SCENTED CANDLE

FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL PHOTOGRAPH DIPTYQUE © PATRICK PARCHET

After lighting a candle, allow it to burn for as long as it takes for the wax to liquify all the way to the edges, otherwise, the candle will ‘tunnel’ as it burns down. Large candles should have more than one wick for this reason. Burning a candle for long periods can cause the wick to move or slant, so extinguish the candle with a snuffer after no more than about four hours. If necessary, centre and straighten the wick. To avoid high flames, smoke or black soot marks on the jar, trim the wick to about 5mm once the wax has set. Always place candles in a well-ventilated room, but avoid draughts and fans, which can cause rapid or uneven burning. n 6

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1 Three festive fragrances – Frosted Cherry & Clove, Roasted Chestnut, and Sweet Almond & Macaroon – each topped with a decorative lid. Decorated Candle Collection, £175, Jo Malone 2 A spritz of room spray instantly lifts a room. Cinnamon & Orange Room Spray, £16, Sophie Allport 3 This hand-poured plant-wax candle has an earthy aroma of fresh figs, grape and vanilla.

Beefayre Wild Fig scented candle, £17.95, Annabel James 4 This Christmassy diffuser has scents of spruce, cedarwood and mulling spice. Nutcracker Reed Diffuser, £20, Wax Lyrical 5 This tiny reed diffuser would make a delightful stocking filler. Earth Secrets Noel Reed Diffuser, £6.50, Ashleigh & Burwood 6 Eucalyptus has unmistakably uplifting minty forest scent. Eucalyptus Garden Reed Diffuser, £11.99, Gisela Graham London 7 Fragrant sachets in Tea Rose and Warm Oudh, £11 each, Vintage & Bespoke 8 This rich berry-fragranced candle is topped with a twinkling carousel. Diptyque Carousel with Baies Candle, £95, Selfridges

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An arrangement of candles, tea lights, lanterns and subtly illuminated decorations adds joyful sparkle to an entrance hall. This pretty selection is from Lights4Fun.

A warm WELCOME

Employing lighting in all its forms – from mellow table lamps to flickering candlelight – creates plenty of festive spirit transforming a wintry home into a gloriously cosy and appealing space

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FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL

DESIGN A FESTIVE LIGHTING SCHEME Lighting is a highly effective means of creating a welcoming Christmas home.

“Start by focusing your efforts on an area that you particularly love or wish to highlight – a hallway side table or sitting room, for example,” advises Becky Tasker, brand creative at Lights4fun. “Create a focal point and dress at three levels: higher, middle and floor. At the higher level – perhaps a beautiful wall mirror – dress the area with foliage or a garland, and entwine tiny, warm-white fairy lights. Scatter candles on surfaces at mid-range, and place lanterns on the floor for a warm glow. Choose favourite baubles to complete your display.”

At Christmas, the fireplace is a natural focal point. Tasker suggests hanging illuminated stars or a faux foliage wreath on the wall above, with small decorations and candles along the mantel itself, in colours and materials that complement the Christmas tree.

There is also plenty of scope for adding interesting lighting to a dining room.

“Garlands look magnificent running along the centre of tables, interspersed with LED candles and tea lights,” Tasker suggests.

“Taper candles look gorgeous, too, when arranged amongst the greenery, and will definitely give a more elegant feel. For a little more magic, add a string of micro fairy lights to create an even glow throughout.

Finally, no Christmas home is complete without a front-door wreath, which can be wrapped in battery-powered micro fairy lights, drawing friends and family inside with the warmest of welcomes.”

One last point: with any naked flame, safety must be paramount. Never leave lit candles unattended, and for extra safety Tasker advises substituting these with realistic LED candles. n

3 Dim the lights, light a fire, and add candles, twinkly string lights, lanterns and illuminated baubles. Even on the chilliest evenings, thoughtful lighting makes a room feel cosy 1 Starburst LED Christmas wreath, £47.95, Annabel James 2 Rhubarb-and-elderflower tapered candles, £3, Sainsbury’s Home 3 Set of Noel candles, £38, L’Atelier Natalia Willmott 4 Indoor/outdoor mercuried festoon lights, £60, Cox & Cox 5 Snowflake glass bauble LED garland, £30, Ella James 6 Set of three silver Pimlico lantern candle holders, £50, John Lewis 7 Candles, tea lights, sprays and more in Winter scent, from £8 for a 15ml bottle of fragrance oil, The White Company 8 Hand-blown hourglass hurricane sleeve, £19.95, Nordic House

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Small sprigs of natural evergreens make a delightful finishing touch to neatly wrapped Christmas gifts.

Red Velvet Ribbon (5m), White Velvet Ribbon (5m), both ÂŁ7.95; Nordic Wrapping Jute String in Red/White (50m) or Natural (pair of 30m), ÂŁ5, all Nordic House

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There is much pleasure to be had in the wrapping of Christmas presents. Take time to choose the perfect paper, a pretty ribbon and a sweet gift tag – the recipient is sure to be doubly delighted with their beautifully presented gift, a very personal example of thoughtfulness and special care

THE ART OF EXPERT GIFT WRAPPING Criss-crossed ribbons make an impeccable finish to a neatly wrapped gift. Add variety by choosing a range of colours, textures and widths, and occasionally layering with a contrast ribbon or perhaps some complementary string or twine. Tie some bows in the centre and others to the side, leaving a few ribbons as plain bands without a bow. For a more understated, natural look, use raffia or jute string.

Finish by adding a gift tag and perhaps a charm, which can be bought ready-made or improvised in the form of a tiny pine cone or cutting of an evergreen from the garden, a small bauble, slice of dried orange, or a home-made iced biscuit.

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1 Six wrapping charms, £10.50, Cox & Cox 2 Folk wrapping paper, £3 per sheet, Rowen & Wren 3 Gold Luxor Wire-Edged Ribbon £4.95 a metre, V V Rouleaux 4 Alpine Trees Ribbon, Sage, £12.50 Cox & Cox 5 Grosgrain Ribbon in Navy Blue, from £5, Nancy & Betty Studio 6 Oak Stand with Green Twine, £20, National Trust Shop 7 Narrow Hessian Red-Stitch Ribbon (3m), £2.50, Gisela Graham London THE ENGLISH HOME 19

WRAPPING FOR THE PLANET It may be hard to think of being ‘green’ at Christmas, but even small steps make a big difference. It is easy to avoid metallic or foil papers, which cannot be recycled; straightforward paper gift wrap (plain or printed) makes an absolutely lovely choice, especially when embellished with ribbons and a pretty label. Consider, too, wrapping in fabric, brown paper or even newsprint as an environmentally friendly alternative. It is also worth giving some thought to replacing conventional sticky tape (which is a single-use plastic) with string, biodegradable paper tape or decorative Japanese washi tape.

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FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL PHOTOGRAPHS P19 (3) © WILL MCALLISTER; P21 (4) © YESHEN VENEMA; (7) © JACK NEVILLE

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1 These gift tags have a simple, hand-stencilled aesthetic, and come in a range of appealing colours. Set of 30 Christmas Gift Tags, £9.50, Cambridge Imprint 2 Choose a co-ordinated colour scheme for gift wrap, and presents will look so much better when stacked together. Handmade Blue and Copper Wrapping Paper, £4.50 a roll, Curated Living 3 Sparkle and Shine Recyclable Wrap Compendium, £5; Recyclable Bows, £1.50; both Dunelm 4 Assorted Wrapping Paper, from £9.95, Nancy & Betty Studio 5 Plain Kraft Paper Wrap (ready for customising), £3.30 per roll, Hobbycraft

GETTING PERSONAL Ready-made gift boxes and bags certainly save time and effort, and come in particularly handy for awkwardly shaped presents and, of course, that Christmas bottle of wine or spirits. For extra-special gifts, it is possible to commission personalisation – letters, names, messages and images – on sacks, boxes, tape, cards, tags and even sheets of wrapping paper. n

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6 Christmas Sack, £6, Willow Hive 7 Mini Murphy Antares Star Small Christmas Santa Sack in Gold on Mushroom, £75, Tori Murphy 8 Hessian Sacks Made in Britain, each is hand-finished with a choice of three metallic colours – gold, silver or copper. Available in various designs, from £18, Catherine Colebrook

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THE FESTIVE TABLE These three style ideas will help create an attractive and welcoming seasonal table setting for a convivial meal with family and friends

Tactile, striped linen makes a welcoming backdrop for the addition of favourite tableware – including a mulled-wine glass or two, ready for a festive tipple.

Black Stripe Linen tablecloth, from £105, napkins, £24 (a pair) and table runner, £30; Woven Seagrass Mulled Wine Glasses, £9.95 each, all Nordic House.

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With delicious smells wafting from the kitchen, anticipation builds for the climax of Christmas Day. Along with putting the turkey in the oven or stirring the gravy, the careful setting and dressing of the dining table is an important part of the preparations. From choosing the right mix of crockery and linens to arranging glassware and tying special decorations to the backs of the chairs, every element will help set the scene and make special memories for all involved.

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ACHIEVING THE LOOK • Layered linens work beautifully for this style. They do not necessarily have to co-ordinate perfectly – employ plain with stripes, stripes with patterns, or patterns with more patterns. Lacy and scalloped edges are pretty, too.

• Alternatively, simply use an attractive, patinated wooden tabletop as the base for decorating with white or patterned crockery and elegant glassware.

• Natural textures are key, whether linens, sisal, timber or cut evergreens. Choose fir, eucalyptus, mistletoe, spruce and ivy, with pine cones and herbs such as rosemary, sage and bay to decorate the table.

• Make the effect more elegant with engraved or ribbed glassware and woven or printed place mats; alternatively, add punched-tin candle holders and wovensisal mats for a look that is a little more rustic and homespun.

• The finished table should seem a little handmade and not too perfect. Think painted ceramics, embroidered linens and hand-died decorations for a lovely, laid-back feel. 

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1 Handmade Agine White Wine Glass in ‘Green Bay’, £9.95, Azalee interiors 2 Christmas Joy Serving Plate, £59.95, Emma Bridgewater 3 Set of Two Pure Linen Christmas Napkins, £24, Helen Round 4 Christmas Bowls, £10.99, Lakeland 5 Berry Napkins in Red, £24 (set of four), Sarah K 6 Woodland Reusable Cracker, £14.95, Not on the High Street.com 7 LSA International Terrace Storm Lanterns, from £23, John Lewis & Partners 8 Green Kelpie Tablecloth, £80; Blue Bumble Napkins, £54 for four; Hand-painted Spanish Green and Blue Pomegranate Side Plates, £35; Hand-painted Spanish Burnt Sienna Dinner Plates, £38.50, all The Mews Fabrics + Furnishings; Green Circus Candlesticks, £16.50, Tooka

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WRAPPING FOR THE PLANET It may be hard to think of being ‘green’ at Christmas, but even small steps make a big difference. It is easy to avoid metallic or foil papers, which cannot be recycled; straightforward paper gift wrap (plain or printed) makes an absolutely lovely choice, especially when embellished with ribbons and a pretty label. Consider, too, wrapping in fabric, brown paper or even newsprint as environmentally friendly alternative. It is also worth giving some thought to replacing conventional sticky tape (which is a single-use plastic) with string, biodegradable paper tape or decorative Japanese washi tape.

1 Spode’s Blue Italian design, dating back to 1816, is a much-loved classic. Styled with sumptuous gold and peacock-blue accessories, it has a luxurious yet contemporary feel. Blue Italian Collection, from £13, Spode 2 Gold Place Mats, £4.99 each; Blue Plates, £10.99; Blue Patterned Side Plates, £6.99; Gold Bowls, £12.99; and Gin Glasses, £19.99, all Lakeland 3 Dark Blue Felicity Collection, from £17, Burleigh

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BLUE & GOLD

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ACHIEVING THE LOOK • Deep and mysterious varieties of blue – from navy and midnight blue to a slightly more greenish teal – combine beautifully with tones of gold, whether highly polished or darker and more brass-like.

Think of the shades in a peacock’s feather for inspiration.

• For the most dramatic effect, choose a dark tablecloth and combine with tableware in varying shades of blue, with gold cutlery and accessories.

• A lighter, more classic style is created by teaming a white tablecloth with blue-andwhite crockery, plus small touches of metallic gold.

• Gold-rimmed plates and glasses fit the bill perfectly, adding a subtle glimmer to the table.

• Find touches of sparkle in the form of gold place mats, runners, crackers, candle holders or napkin rings.

• Complete the look with festive accessories such as a gilded garland, decorative baubles or gold ribbons.

4 Villeroy & Boch MetroChic Gold-Plated Stainless Steel Cutlery Set (24 pieces), £799, Selfridges 5 Set of Four Napkins in Blue, £25, Garden Trading 6 Gold Multi Tea Light Holder, £45, Graham & Green 7 Fill Your Own crackers, £5.99, Oxfam 8 Villeroy & Boch Grand Royal Water Glass in Gold, £55, Amara 9 Brompton Napkin Rings in Antique Brass Finish, £10 (set of four), Garden Trading 10 1948 Canape Plate Set, £98, Jonathan Adler 11 Set of Two Gin Goblets with Gold Handles, £25, John Lewis & Partners

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Add thoughtful finishing touches to a beautifully dressed table in a scheme of pure whites, clear glass and the occasional dash of sparkle.

Seville Tablecloth, from £75; Symons Bone China Collection, from £10; Elegant Dinner Candle Holders, from £25; Glass Pillar Candle Holders, from £20; Mercury Snowflake Tea Lights, from £6; Mercury Ribbed Orb Tea Lights, £10; Symons Cutlery (set of 42), £280; Belgravia Glassware, from £30 (set of four); Glitter Pear, £4, all The White Company.

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NATURALLY ELEGANT 2 1

ACHIEVING THE LOOK

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FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL PHOTOGRAPHS P23 (1) © CHRISTIAN B/YELLOWS; (5) © DOMINIC WALTERS; (6) © KATIE HOWEY; P24 (3) © PAUL KING

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• Keep this look mostly white, with occasional touches of silver, fawn, grey, red or green for pleasing variety.

• Any patterns should be very small and subtle, and on traditional, natural themes.

• A white or natural linen, damask or white-on-white embroidered tablecloth is the perfect backdrop. Add white or fawn place mats and napkins (a lace or ladder-stitch edge detail is lovely).

• Plain white crockery is all that is required, although tableware with interesting edge details and perhaps a tiny pattern will bring subtle interest.

• Simple and minimal glassware, or perhaps cut or engraved crystal, is the ideal addition.

• Add embellishments such as frosted pine cones, mercurised tea light holders, silvery baubles or a garland made from natural evergreens.

• Consider tying pretty decorations, such as mini baubles, a sprig of winter greenery or a white ribbon bow, to the back of each chair. n 1 William Yeoward Crystal Ottoline Footed Centrepiece & Pedestal, £1,275, Amara 2 Pure Morris Collection Strawberry Thief 11-inch Plate, £52 (set of four); Pure Morris Collection Willow Bough Bistro Pasta Bowl, £74 (set of four); Pure Morris Collection Willow Bough Mugs, £31 (set of two), all Spode 3 Frosted Cluster Bauble, £12.95, Azalee Interiors 4 Georgia Scallop Italian Linen Napkin in Taupe, £26, Rebecca Udall 5 Stag Head Serving Spoon, £11, Dibor 6 Adam Lippes Oka Coquille Bowls, Side Plates, Dinner Plates and Crystal Wine Glasses, from £130 for a set of four bowls, Oka 7 Eucalyptus Design Crackers (box of six), £19.99, Gisela Graham London 8 Sophie Conran Mistletoe collection, from £22 for a Creamer, Portmeirion

THE ENGLISH HOME 27

Perfectly co-ordinated: a row of smart stockings is an intrinsic element of this room scheme.

Wall painted in Aubusson, fireplace in Paloma and mirror in Ticking, all ÂŁ21.95 for 1l of Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan

28 THE ENGLISH HOME

Christmas STOCKINGS

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FEATURE KATHERINE SORRELL PHOTOGRAPHS (TORI MURPHY) © JACK NEVILLE; (MOSNEY HILL) © WAYNE MYERS; (NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM) © KATIE HOWEY

Children in particular love to hang a stocking for Santa, but there is no reason why adults should not do so, too – the effect is utterly charming, after all. Just remember to include the traditional orange or clementine in the toe…

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Every home should hang at least one stocking at Christmas. Whether it is a knitted or felt one on the banister, a handmade one with pompoms at the foot of a bed, a faux-fur example suspended from a coat hook, or a row of smartly patterned ones across the mantelpiece – Santa will always know where to find them.

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1 Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas Stocking, £15.50, Sophie Allport 2 Seedling & Bloom Stockings in Black and Rose, £46 each, Tori Murphy 3 Christmas Pudding Stocking, £22, Mosney Mill 4 Handmade Latch-Hook Christmas Stocking, £175, Not on the High Street.com 5 Cream Calico Craft Fabric, £2; Natural Linen Craft Fabric, £2; Embroidery Thread Set, from £9; Wool (for pom-poms), from £2, all Dunelm 6 Wool Felt Stocking, £12.95, Annabel James 7 Grey Hot-Stamp Snowflake Velvet Stocking, £15, John Lewis

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THE ENGLISH HOME 29

Ensure there is plenty of comfortable seating for guests over the festive period.

Missouri 2.5 seater sofa in Darwin Silver, from £1,199, Sofology

ADDRESS BOOK Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com

Garden Trading 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk

Annabel James 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk

Gisela Graham London 020 7708 6396 giselagraham.co.uk

Annie Sloan 01865 770061 anniesloan.com

Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 hobbycraft.co.uk

Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk

Houses of Parliament Shop 020 7219 3890 shop.parliament.uk

Ashleigh & Burwood 01932 267060 ashleigh-burwood.co.uk

Joanna Wood 020 7730 5064 shop.joannawood.com

Balsam Hill 020 3368 6726 balsamhill.co.uk

John Lewis 03456 100 336 johnlewis.com

Cambridge Imprint 07732 131135 cambridgeimprint.co.uk

Jonathan Adler 020 7589 9563 uk.jonathanadler.com

The Contemporary Home 0845 1308 229 tch.net

Kiss-Air Candles 01480 453525 kiss-air.com

Cox & Cox 0330 333 2123 coxandcox.co.uk

Lakeland 01539 488100 lakeland.co.uk

Cuisinart 0370 240 6902 cuisinart.co.uk

L’Atelier Natalia Willmott 07949 240 470 nataliawillmott.co.uk

Curated Living 01428 870050 curatedliving.co.uk

Lights4Fun 01423 816040 lights4fun.co.uk

Curious Egg 01738 621111 curiousegg.com

Lorna Syson 020 8465 9819 lornasyson.co.uk

Dibor 0800 408 0660 dibor.co.uk

The Mews Fabrics & Furnishings 07920 493 082 themewsfurnishings.com

Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com Ella James 01572 759190 ellajames.co.uk Emma Bridgewater 01782 210565 emmabridgewater.co.uk Fortnum & Mason 020 7734 8040 fortnumandmason.com Gabriella Shaw Ceramics 01730 821101 gabriellashawceramics.com

30 THE ENGLISH HOME

Mosney Mill 01772 822525 mosneymill.co.uk Nancy & Betty Studio 01227 506512 nancyandbetty.com National Trust Shop 0300 123 2025 shop.nationaltrust.org.uk Nordic House 01872 223220 nordichouse.co.uk Not on the High Street 020 3318 5115 notonthehighstreet.com

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Oka 03330 042042 oka.com Oxfam 0300 200 1252 oxfam.org.uk/shop

Selfridges selfridges.com Sofology 03444 81 81 81 sofology.co.uk

Paper Sam papersam.co.uk

Sophie Allport 01778 560 256 sophieallport.com

Plucking Fabulous 07562 622186 pluckingfabulous.co.uk

Sophie Conran 03332 401 228 sophieconran.com

Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com

Spode 01782 743427 spode.co.uk

Portmeirion 01782 743427 portmeirion.co.uk

Steiff 020 8466 8444 steiff.com

Raj Tent Club 020 8847 2212 rajtentclub.com/shop/

TK Maxx 01923 473561 tkmaxx.com

The Real Flower Company 01730 818 300 realflowers.co.uk

Tooka 07921409869 tooka.co.uk

Rebecca Udall 01653 229176 rebeccaudall.com

Tori Murphy 01773 711128 torimurphy.com

Rockett St George 01444 253391 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Vintage & Bespoke vintageandbespoke.co.uk

Rowen & Wren 01276 451077 rowenandwren.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home sainsburys.co.uk Sarah K 020 7737 2508 sarahk.co.uk

Wax Lyrical wax-lyrical.com Weaver Green 01548 431 902 weavergreen.com The White Company 020 3758 9222 thewhitecompany.com Willow & Hive willow-hive.co.uk n

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