Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i Country Homes & Interiors

The trip to Fortnum & Mason, the Sunday afternoon foliage-forage, the Christmas Eve carol service… As sure as eggs is eggs, we will do these things because that’s just what a Richmond Christmas looks like. I already know that I’ll still be wrapping gifts at 1am on Christmas Day, the amontillado will be open by 11am and I’ll forget the stuffing again. There’s comfort in the predictability, especially if it’s been a turbulent year. The unexpected can add a sprinkling of magic over the Big Day, though – my family’s had a marriage proposal and a birth in recent years! However yours plays out, I hope it will be calm and content. Enjoy this issue – it’s guaranteed to get you in the festive mood… P.S. Don’t forget to buy…

Kate’s style tip... CREATE A TRANSITIONAL ROOM WITH CLASSIC PIECES AND A BOLD PALETTE THAT LOOKS VIBRANT WITHOUT BEING TOO CHILDISH CH&I loves... STARRY-SKY GIFTWRAP…

Visit… ‘Winkworth Arboretum (nationaltrust.org.uk/ winkwortharboretum). We like to take Molly as we explore the landscape and be inspired by the vibrant colours of the beautiful planting all year round.’ Shop at… ‘We go to Manns of Cranleigh (mannsofcranleigh.co.uk) for our paint and carpet supplies – the staff have a wealth of knowledge and are so helpful. Also, One 40 (oneforty.co.uk) in Cranleigh for gorgeous homeware, faux flowers and stylish fashion finds.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Richard Onslow (therichardonslow. co.uk) in Cranleigh for delicious bacon butties and breakfast tea after a Sunday morning dog walk.’…

What’s so special about a fire at this time of year? ‘We love the flickering glow and warmth of an open fire.’ What do antique fireplaces add to a room? ‘Character and a reminder of our rich history, which is often lacking in a modern house like ours.’ What should you look for in a fireplace? ‘If you live in a period property, find an antique fireplace to match the date of your house. Edwardian ones designed for bedrooms are great for small rooms. Overscaled ones create grandeur.’ Top tip? ‘If you don’t have a fireplace, building a dummy chimney breast is easier than ever, using bio ethanol burners that can be hidden in a traditional fire basket and do not require a flue.’…

Gabrella’s style tip... COMBINE A CLASSIC FEATURE WALL AND HERO FURNITURE WITH SUBTLE CONTEMPORARY ACCENTS CH&I loves... TOILE WALLS…

IT TAKES ORGANISATION , knowledge and confidence to host a successful workshop – as well as creative flair. ‘People come for so many reasons,’ points out Sarah Wiliamson-Jones, owner of Pod & Pip, ‘whether it’s to try something new with friends, have a bit of “me” time, or actively learn a skill for a specific occasion. As the host, it means you need to be prepared to meet all these requirements.’ Here, she reveals the secrets to a successful workshop. MANAGE YOUR STOCK Having reliable suppliers is, of course, essential, but it can take time to get an accurate measure of what will be needed. ‘Some workshops provide materials to an exact degree, right down to the amount of ribbon each person can use on their wreath,’ says Sarah, ‘but…

Meet design experts, including the Country Homes & Interiors team, and learn the secret of magical Christmas style at the Country Homes & Interiors Christmas Show. A VERY CONRAN CHRISTMAS Award-winning designer Sophie Conran talks about growing up in the Conran family and how she prepares for guests at Christmas. 11am, Thursday 21 November THE MAKING OF MELSETTER BY MORRIS & CO Discover how the work of William Morris’s youngest daughter, a previously unsung hero of the Arts & Crafts movement, inspired the new collection from Morris & Co. 11am, Friday 22 November EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WOODBURNERS From fitting and fuel to how to style them in your home, Cedric Wells of Charnwood Stoves has the answers. 2.30pm, Friday 22 November BEHIND THE SCENES AT STONOR HOUSE…

POWERFUL PATTERNS In an open-plan layout, graphic tiles help define even the smallest cooking area. ‘This kitchen is very small, but the colourful tiling makes it feel much more expansive,’ says US interior designer Leanne Ford. ‘Mixing modern with vintage helps create a look that has no time or place, and which will feel fresh for years to come.’ Rather than colour-matching the island to the tiles, Leanne went for green. ‘It plays off the blue of the tiles, but is more relaxed than precise co-ordination.’ LILAC TIME Large spaces can be difficult to conquer colour-wise. Too much can overload the senses; too little may prove bland. Try using an arresting shade on cabinets or a focal-point island, then linking in similar, softer tones throughout the rest of the space.…

■ FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH LIGHTING TYPES. Background or general lighting is the main light source. Task lighting is directional and used for reading, working or cooking. Accent lighting adds visual interest and highlights. ■ CONSIDER YOUR DAILY ACTIVITIES Your requirements may include task lighting, so ensure there are sockets for lamps near sofas, focused light on tables and good lighting for getting dressed in bedrooms and bathrooms. ■ READ UP ON THE LATEST LIGHTING TECH LEDS and halogen have taken the place of traditional tungsten bulbs. Domestic lighting comes under the term ‘warm white’, but this term can encompass anything from warm orange tones to cool blues (2,300k – 3,700k). Choose a consistent light temperature of around 2,700k for a coherent lighting scheme. ■VINTAGE FITTINGS ARE POPULAR IN COUNTRY HOMES…

1 L-SHAPED BREAKFAST BAR While it’s popular to line up stools in a single row on the front of an island, Joanna’s corner overhang is actually more sociable as guests can all make eye-contact with each other while perched on the stools. Go for a decent overhang, at least 30cm if possible, to ensure knees don’t clash with the island unit. Choose stools that slide neatly underneath the bench. 2 TALL SPLASHBACK While Joanna loves the character of the original Cotswold stone in her kitchen, she wasn’t sure how hygienic it would prove around the prep area. Choosing a higher-than-standard 60cm tall splashback along the full length of the wall, and wrapping it inside the windowsill, too, resulted in a smooth surface that blends into the overall look of the…

BUY GIFTS WISELY Choose a few gifts that will be loved rather lots of little ones, and wrap in recycled paper and saved ribbons. Or consider gifting experiences instead. BE CHOOSY WITH YOUR TREE Real trees are the more eco-friendly choice as long as they bear the FSC certification logo. Why not take it one step further and buy a potted tree with roots that you can plant and then use again next year? PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID FOOD WASTE Did you know that over four million Christmas dinners are thrown away every year? Not a fan of sprouts? Consider leaving them at the supermarket.…

Things we can’t live without...“SHARING THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR WITH LOVED ONES NEAR AND FAR ”…

Visit… ‘There is always so much going on at Hereford Cathedral (herefordcathedral.org). We are also surrounded by lots of little market towns, including Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye and Hay-on-Wye – all great for mooching around for antiques.’ Shop at… ‘The Tupsley Butchers (tupsleybutchers.co.uk) is very popular. For interiors, I like Printer + Tailor (printerandtailor.com). Its colourful, mid-century style is great for gifts.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Greenman (thegreenman.co) in Fownhope is a village pub with a great reputation. Its menu is based around locally-sourced, seasonal produce.’…

Taking in the tongue-and-groove panelling laden with Christmas decorations, the solid limestone flooring beneath the festively dressed dining table, and, in each of the two living rooms, exposed brickwork festooned with wintry foliage, this Surrey home could be mistaken for a beautifully restored farmhouse. Add an oak porch wrapped in lights and a pink front door adorned with a wreath, and the bucolic scene is complete. Yet this house has a secret – it was not built in the 18th or even the 19th century, but in the 1950s. ‘Our first house as newlyweds was an older worker’s cottage nearby,’ say Sally Hurman, who bought this property with her husband, Gav, 13 years ago. ‘We loved our home, but, with the arrival of our three boys, we needed more space.…

Tracy’s style tip... ARRANGE COMFY FURNITURE IN VIBRANT CONTRAST COLOURS TO BRING COMFORT AND JOY TO FAMILY LIVING AREAS CH&I loves... JEWEL BAUBLES…

Visit… ‘Hinton Ampner (nationaltrust.org.uk/ hintonampner) near Alresford. It’s a gem of a National Trust property where we love to walk, the children can run wild and we share family picnics with friends.’ Shop at… ‘Long Barn (longbarn.co.uk), Alresford – you will always find uniquely stylish home accessories.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Shoe (theshoeexton.co.uk), Exton, our local pub where we often go as a family to feast on a delicious Sunday roast in front of a roaring log fire.’…

How did you design it? ‘We’d seen the company Apropos in several magazines and liked their modern industrial style – they use coated metal instead of wood. Their designer came up with suggestions to achieve the look we wanted.’ What does the room bring to the cottage? ‘It has achieved everything we wanted – with its floor-to-ceiling doors it steps straight into the garden, bringing the outside in and adding a lot more light into the kitchen area.’ What do you use it for? ‘It’s a great place for entertaining. At Christmas after dinner we move to the garden room with the woodburner lit, Christmas tree twinkling and relax.’…

Taking part in an informal wreath-making afternoon at her daughter’s school five years ago was the catalyst that set Sarah Williamson-Jones on the path to an entirely new career. ‘I’d had a country childhood in the Cotswolds and always loved everything botanical – I even took a biology degree specialising in crop and soil science – but I ended up working for many years as a market researcher and customer analyst for a telecommunications company,’ Sarah explains. ‘I enjoyed it, but was at the point when I wanted to do something for myself, even though I wasn’t quite sure what.’ That creative afternoon session proved a eureka moment. ‘I absolutely loved it,’ Sarah recalls. ‘It was so satisfying to create something lovely from flowers and foliage. I just wanted to…

21-24 NOVEMBER, 10AM-4PM We’re thrilled to be returning to Stonor Park for Country Homes & Interiors Christmas. Now in its fourth successful year, it’s an unmissable festive fair featuring our favourite boutique and artisan brands. BLITZ YOUR GIFT LIST With more than 100 stands to browse, you’ll be able to get all of your Christmas shopping done in one go! There’s something for everyone – gifts and accessories, fashion and beauty, home decor, artisan food and drink. When you need a break, just head to our country food hall for lunch. VISIT STONOR HOUSE Combine your shopping with a wander around one of England’s oldest manors. COME AND MEET US! We’ll be at the Country Homes & Interiors stand, where you can experience our stylish roomset – with thanks to…

HOME LOVERS Special treasures to feather their nest 1 Jot down wild ideas. Notebook in Charleston Stripe, £12.95, Cambridge Imprint 2 Decorative strokes. Mandeville vase, £40, Hunter & Co 3 An alternative to a festive jumper. Cushion cover, £49, West Elm 4 A print for a lonely wall. Countryside Dog print, £45 framed, Lucky Lobster Art 5 Inspired by the texture of bark. Chalkney Stripe tea cosy, £25, Laura Fletcher Textiles 6 Hand-thrown pieces – yes, please! Candleholders, £28 each, Pottery West at Toast 7 Share the scent of Christmas. Botanical candles, from £15 for 12 tea lights, The White Company 8 Awake the senses with an enveloping fragrance. Diffuser, £68, Jo Malone 9 Handcrafted with love. Bolga storage basket, £45, Lola & Mawu 10 Perfect for nap time! Raspberry…

I have always loved Christmas, but I realise for some people it can be a lonely time. It was late in 2016 that my good friend Hayley Ash and I were chatting about how much we enjoy the festive period, with family, good food and presents all round. Then the sad thought struck that even among our community in Shipston-on-Stour, Stratford-on-Avon, some people are isolated at Christmas. That’s when we came up with the idea of throwing a festive lunch at our local Townsend Hall, open to anyone in need of company and good cheer. When I told my boss about the project, he asked how much we needed to get the idea off the ground. I said £500, and he replied: “Let’s call it £1,000.” That’s typical of the…

■ BUILT-IN OR FREESTANDING Functionality remains the same, whether the machine is integrated or not, but expect to pay more for a built-in design (it’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t be able to take it with you if you move house). ■ AUTO DOSING Many of the top brands have introduced this convenient extra to their latest ranges, which means you don’t need to add detergent to every wash. It makes a smart model even more practical, as you can easily programme it remotely via your smartphone and it pretty much takes care of everything automatically. ■ WI-FI CONNECTIVITY The addition of smart functionality not only lets you start a cycle remotely, but allows you to programme the machine to run at night when everyone’s asleep, plus it…

CABINETRY Shaker cabinetry in RAL 7047 (main units) and RAL 5004 (island and larder unit), £12,000, The Shaker Kitchen Company. SURFACES Shaker Classic Quartz composite stone worktops and splashbacks, £4,118, The Shaker Kitchen Company. White Oak parquet engineered flooring, £175sq m, Charrington Floors and Interiors. Walls in White matt emulsion, £19 for 10L, Valspar. APPLIANCES T29TA79N0 90cm gas hob, £1,149; B57CR22N0B slide and hide ovens, £1,049 each; S513M60X1G dishwasher, £658, all Neff. RBF3 built under freezer, £322.29; WI6141 undercounter wine cooler, £689; RIL1795 Integrated in column larder fridge, £649, Caple. SINKS & TAPS Zero 1.5 bowl undermount sink, £434.99, Caple. BauEdge single-lever sink mixer tap, £125.52, Grohe. ACCESSORIES Mullan industrial factory pendants, £133 each, Made to Last, are a similar style. Weathered oak counter stools, £190 each, Cox & Cox.…

BERRY NICE Bring a touch of class to your fireplace with this subtle stocking dotted with cute little holly sprigs and finished with a pinstripe collar and pom-pom berries. £15, Sophie Allport FAUX FEEL Give Santa something to talk about with this luxury design. Made from super-soft faux fur, it’s sure to become a treasured keepsake. Also available in Snowy White, £45, Cox & Cox YES DEER Crafted from 100 per cent organic cotton and available in four muted shades, this adorable Scandistyle deer will win the hearts of young and old alike. £25, Bobby Rabbit…

GARDEN TOURS Learn from the experts on one of The Newt’s garden tours, departing each morning from the farmyard at 10.30am. You’ll get to taste, pick and smell the different produce on offer, too. CARO SOMERSET Head to Bruton High Street to browse a host of independent boutiques, cafés and lifestyle stores. Our favourite? Caro Somerset for its curated selection of beauty products and homeware. HAUSER & WIRTH The countryside outpost of this famed international contemporary art gallery, headed by Ursula Hauser and Iwan and Manuela Wirth. Head over for free exhibitions by some of the world’s leading artists.…

Sue Dray is one of a number of talented artists featured in Runway Gallery, an online showcase of contemporary art. Sitting backstage at London Fashion Week, she captures the beauty, attitude and fast-paced nature of the catwalk in her illustrative style. I started my portfolio at just five years old. My first illustration was of a group of girls getting onto a school bus. They all had a handbag, jewellery, beautiful clothes… the detail was amazing. Even though I paint quickly, I love detail. I recently went to see the Bayeux Tapestry and I couldn’t draw my eyes away, and I’ve been back to the Dior exhibition at the V&A Museum about five times, too! I love the intricate beauty in Frida Kahlo’s work and David Hockney is my…

IN THE PINK Devon-born Salcombe Gin has introduced Rosé Sainte Marie, a Mediterranean-inspired pink gin. Dry and delicate, the juniper is mixed with 12 botanicals, from rose petals to pink peppercorns. £40 for 70cl, Salcombe Gin SPARKLING REMEDY With a mix of over 300 herbs and botanicals, Floreat is a crisp, low-alcohol English sparkling wine. Its notes of gooseberry, melon and floral blossom are best enjoyed chilled and on its own. £26 for 75cl, Floreat FESTIVE FLAVOUR Yuletide Gin includes notes of juniper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mince pies, chestnuts and even tree needles – it’s basically Christmas in a bottle, plus edible gold flakes, too! £34.95 for 50cl, That Boutique-y Gin Company ITALIAN INFUSION Crafted from Italian bergamot, Italicus is a replica of a recipe from the 1800s and fuses citrus…

A  ADMORE DESIGN ardmore-design.com AECORN APERITIFS aecornaperitifs.com AKOJO MARKET akojomarket.com ALSO HOME 01483 608611 alsohome.com AMARA 0800 587 7645 amara.com AMAZON amazon.co.uk ANDREW MARTIN 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk ANNIE SLOAN 01865 803168 anniesloan.com ANOTHER STUDIO another-studio.com AO.COM 0344 324 9222 ARIAT ariat.com ARMSTRONG KEYWORTH 020 7937 8173 armstrongkeyworth.co.uk ASPACE 0800 021 9015 aspace.co.uk ATLAS FLOWERS 0845 519 5633 atlasflowers.co.uk B  BAILEYS 01989 561931 baileyshome.com BAKER ROSS 0844 576 8922 bakerross.co.uk BENSONS FOR BEDS 0330 124 1100 bensonsforbeds.co.uk BETTYS 0800 456 1919 bettys.co.uk BLOOM & WILD 020 7352 9499 bloomandwild.com BOBBY RABBIT 01143 217000 bobbyrabbit.co.uk BODEN 0330 333 0000 boden.co.uk BOOKISHLY bookishly.co.uk BRITISH STANDARD 020 7870 7688 british standardcupboards.co.uk BROSTE COPENHAGEN brostecopenhagen.com BUNGALOW bungalow.dk BY CECIL bycecil.com C  CAMBRIDGE IMPRINT 07732 131135 cambridgeimprint.co.uk CAMPERDOWN LANE 01432 379409 camperdownlane.com CAPLE 01179…

The new way to wrap As much a gift as the present itself, this cloth is a sustainable (and lovely) approach to gift-wrapping. Based on Japanese furoshiki cloths, the reusable fabric comes in four distinctive, artist-created designs. Once unwrapped, it’s the gift that keeps on giving – use as a lightweight throw, bag or tablecloth. The Cloth, £10, The Organic Company at Chalk & Moss. FRESH GREENS ON THE SCENE Graham & Brown and Dulux are both forecasting green as 2020’s go-to shade. Graham & Brown unveiled its Adeline paint, a rich, bottle green that partners perfectly with its archival-style Bloomsbury Neo Mint wallpaper. While Dulux’s new shade, Tranquil Dawn (right), is inspired by the morning sky. Tranquil Dawn ‘Colour of The Year 2020’ matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5L, Dulux.…

Where did you source the materials? ‘We found items both online and at salvage yards. You have to be a bit canny – an old cast iron bath may look great, but if it has to be re-enamelled, it might not be the bargain it seems.’ Did you reuse anything from the site? ‘We repurposed some doors, and where we needed more, had them made to match. The Aga was reconditioned and re-enamelled.’ Are there any things to consider when using reclaimed pieces? ‘Don’t go mad on different periods and cram them all in – the different styles would jar together.’…

Lucy’s style tip... TO MAKE GUESTS FEEL EXTRA SPECIAL, DECORATE CHAIRS BY TYING A SINGLE BAUBLE AND FOLIAGE SPRIG WITH A PRETTY RIBBON OR RUSTIC TWINE CH&I loves... CLAY SHADES OF PAINT…

Visit… ‘Stonor (stonor.com), near Henley-on-Thames, a beautiful country house that’s lovely when it’s decorated for Christmas. It also hosts the Country Homes & Interiors Christmas show (ichfevents.co.uk/ countryhomeschristmas), which is a great place to buy unique gifts.’ Shop at…‘Home Barn (homebarnshop.co.uk) near Marlow, for vintage, reclaimed and locally crafted home furnishings.’ Go for a meal at… ‘The Bottle & Glass Inn (bottleandglassinn.com) at Binfield Heath, which has a great seasonal menu. The Crooked Billet (thecrookedbillet.co.uk) at Stoke Row offers modern and classic British cuisine using local produce.’…

Visit… ‘Mottisfont (nationaltrust.org.uk). I especially like this historic house and gardens in the summer when the rose garden is at its best.’ Shop at…‘Roxtons (roxtons.co.uk) in Stockbridge. I make a beeline for this fabulous clothes and lifestyle store – there’s always something different to see.’ Go for a meal at…. ‘The Beckford Arms (beckfordarms.com ) in Tisbury. This lovely pub is my “go-to treat place”. It has a seasonal menu and a lovely cosy atmosphere.’…

OLD FOLDING MAPS Antique maps and illustrations JEWELLERY BY SHIRLEY Handmade gemstone jewellery KITTED IN CASHMERE Finest cashmere and wool knits DIMPLED HEART DESIGNS Ceramics handmade in Scotland MISTY CASHMERE Soft, colourful knits KUSHBOO SOAPS Handcrafted bath products TUTTI DECOR Gorgeously glam homeware BOUND EARTH Japanese-inspired plant displays WILLOW & FINN Hand-poured soy candles ALICE ACREMAN SILKS Luxury fashion and homeware TORIL DESIGN Personalised gifts and keepsakes RUBY RED Award-winning organic skincare NUTMEG AND SAGE New country-inspired homeware MR HOBBS GIN Fruity gins made in Henley NEVE’S BEES Natural beeswax beauty buys SWOLE PANDA Smart and colourful designer socks THE ARTY CRAFTY PLACE Handcrafted printing blocks KIKI & BOW Gifts and home accessories MILLY MAUNDER DESIGNS Contemporary, unique jewellery IMOGEN MAN Prints and pet portraits THE BLUE BEER COMPANY Organic…

What’s your background in design? After graduating from The Royal College of Art, I worked in Milan designing prints for clients including DKNY, Fendi and Christian Dior. It was here I experienced the factory floor for the first time, and developed a sound understanding of textile production. How did your business come about? My passion for honest textile manufacturing inspired me to set up on my own. Through perseverance, I found British weavers, finishers and machinists willing to support me. We launched a capsule collection of throws and cushions in June 2012 and took our first order from a store on London’s New King’s Road. Eight years later, we have a small factory in Nottingham, our product range has grown and we sell worldwide. What does a typical day look…

HELLO, HALLWAY First impressions count, so prepare a relaxing space guests will notice. Clear your hall of clutter and decorate with lanterns, fairy lights and candles. When it comes to wreaths and garlands, use fragrant natural greenery. Store extra scarves, hats and gloves, and even spare wellies in a basket or hall tidy, so everyone can get kitted out for a wintry walk. CENTRE STAGE Choose the festive focus of your living room – the tree, fireplace or dining table, for example – then plan around it. Encourage easy conversation by arranging seating into a sociable circle and leave out plenty of throws and blankets for friends and family to snuggle up under. OUR EXPERT SAYS…“TIE BUNDLES OF CINNAMON STICKS AND POP THEM IN A BOWL WITH PINE CONES AND…

WARM WELCOME From sparkly fairy lights to softly-lit stars, you can never have too much twinkle at Christmas. Recreate the beauty of flickering candlelight without the risk of leaving flames unattended by choosing these battery operated alternatives. ‘These realistic designs have been crafted from real wax for an authentic finish and can be set to come on at the same time every day – a lovely welcome home on a cold night’, says Jo Naughton of Lights4Fun. Choose from red and bronze or ivory and grey for year-round displays. PLAY WITH SCALE OUR EXPERT SAYS…“IF YOU BUY LIGHT FITTINGS OFF-THE-SHELF, HIRE A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN TO ENSURE A SAFE INSTALLATION”TARA KING, CONTENT STYLE EDITOR Grouping pendants of different sizes or shapes gives a sculptural aesthetic, and varying heights and distances makes…

Creating a new kitchen in a room without gas, water or drainage was never going to be easy, but when Joanna Campbell-Meiklejohn moved into this converted former schoolhouse with her family in January 2017, she realised it was what she had to do. ‘I saw the potential of the living room – with its soaring ceilings and beautiful sandy Cotswold stone walls – to become an amazing and sociable kitchen-diner,’ she says. Joanna embraced the challenge, even adding a rear extension to make room for a downstairs bedroom, boot room and cloakroom in the process. ‘The hardest part was digging up the old floor, a lovely rustic oak, to bring in the new services,’ she says. ‘We tried to retain it but unfortunately the wood was stuck down fast to…

WHAT TO PICK, SEE & DO Pick… mistletoe, to hang above a door. Dip the cut ends in melted wax to keep it looking fresh for longer. Explore… Kew Gardens after dark with its festive illuminations, interactive displays and Victorian fairground, 20 November to 5 January, from £18 (kew.org). Learn…how to give gifts an extra-special touch on a half-day ‘creative wrapping’ course in rural Sussex, 7 December, £65 including materials and refreshments (curioushouse.net). Enjoy… a spin on the Eden Project’s glittering ice rink, 12 October until 23 February, from £6 (edenproject.com). LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOWÉ Celebrating 30 years at the forefront of the slow-fashion movement, Cornish brand Celtic & Co is a marker of timeless (and winter-cosy) style. Reversible merino double zip parka, £1,150, Celtic & Co Keep…

My husband’s family has lived at Stonor Park for more than 850 years. I remember my first Christmas there so well. Every room was festooned with the most beautiful foliage, from garlands and wreaths to stunning mantel and table displays – all foraged from the gardens. Like generations before her, my mother-in-law, Lady Camoys, had done this for her family every year, and I was struck by how beautiful it looked. I’m passionate about recreating that sense of wonderment each year so our visitors get to experience it, too. In spring, my gardener, Catherine Stanger, and I will sit down with our florist and talk through ideas for the coming Christmas season. We change theme every year, so it’s always a different experience. This year is ‘Christmas by Candlelight’. Foraging…

It’s easy to feel distanced from nature during the winter months, as we huddle inside to avoid the cold. But there are plenty of ways to bring the outside in during the festive season. Take a basket with you on a winter walk and gather pine cones, berries and sprigs of seasonal foliage. Try drying slices of lemon and orange to combine with other fragrant elements such as cinnamon sticks to create simple decorations with a country feel. Upcycle beads, ribbons and offcuts of crochet to make beautiful handmade garlands, or rediscover the childhood joy of potato printing to produce bespoke giftwrap. There are plenty of ideas for bringing the beauty and bounty of nature into your Christmas scheme. 1 CANDLE BOWL Half fill a footed glass bowl with water…

Extra festive touch If you’re going to be spending a lot of time basting the turkey and prepping canapés this Christmas, then you’ll want to make sure your kitchen is as seasonally appropriate as the food you’re serving. Luckily, Thornback & Peel has released a pretty, Mrs Beeton-inspired, festive print across its range of kitchen textiles. Featuring Christmas puds topped with sweet sprigs of holly, it’s available on oven gloves, aprons, napkins and tea towels – perfect if you love a co-ordinated theme. Christmas Pudding tea towel, £12, Thornback & Peel A BIT CRACKERS There isn’t a better time of year for novelty food than 25 December, and Waitrose & Partners hasn’t let us down. The tongue-in-cheek Pork and Pancetta Christmas Cracker, £6.99, makes for a fun centrepiece and is…

LIMONCELLO AND PROSECCO JELLY Delicious as an elegant appetiser or dessert. SERVES 6 7 leaves of gelatine 8tbsp limoncello 1½tbsp caster sugar 500ml Prosecco Edible gold glitter 1 Put the gelatine in a bowl of cold water for 5min or until soft. Squeeze the leaves and discard the water. 2 Put the limoncello into a bowl that fits snugly over a pan of boiling water. Add the gelatine and sugar, and heat gently until dissolved. Remove from the heat, cool slightly, then add the Prosecco. Pour into a jug. 3 Pour the mixture into four serving glasses, filling them almost to the top. Refrigerate until set. Dust with the gold glitter to serve. LOBSTER AND RUBY GRAPEFRUIT SALAD The perfect tasty but delicate starter before a hearty main. SERVES 6…

From the fourth and fifth floors of The Royal Opera House you can see Covent Garden and St Paul’s Church. It’s a beautiful view, but the main reason I love seeing it is because of my maternal grandmother, who was a ballet dancer herself in London in the Fifties – she had lessons with Stanislas Idzikowski, who now has a plaque in that church. I was with the Birmingham Royal Ballet when I was first approached to join The Royal Ballet company in London. After meeting the director, I tried to find somewhere quiet where I could call my family in Australia and let them know that I’d been offered the job. I ended up sitting in St Paul’s Church, so it’s quite a significant place for me. My grandmother…