Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i Country Homes & Interiors

THIS YEAR I’M HAVING A CHRISTMAS PARTY. Well, a drop-in affair for friends, neighbours, our kids (ages 20 and 16) and the mates they bring over. It’s not been an easy 12 months for many people, and I’m super aware that time passes quickly (did I say my kids are aged 20 and 16!), so I’m craving the warmth and conviviality of shared stories and laughter, seeing young people I knew as toddlers towering over their parents, and getting to know the folks on our street a bit better. However you spend this time of year, I hope you’re able to relax and take a break with loved ones. I’m sure you need it! If you need a little festive inspiration, just look through these pages. From beautifully dressed-up houses…

SEASONAL SCENTS Fragrance is just as important as décor when it comes to creating a festive atmosphere in our homes. New this year, St Eval’s Winter’s Eve candle collection comprises three seasonal scents – spicy Inspiritus, zesty Orange & Cinnamon, and fresh Winter Thyme, each encased in a reusable jewel-toned pot. They’re perfect for gifting, too; £14.50 each, st-eval.com BUDDING PASSION Looking to grow a business? Pick up expert tips from esteemed florist Philippa Craddock, in her new podcast, Passion to Profit. In weekly episodes, she shares relatable entrepreneurial advice, as well as practical steps on how to achieve your creative goals, whatever they may be. Available via Spotify and Apple Podcasts; plus, sign up on her website to receive show overviews, philippacraddock.com NEW TRADITIONS Rowen & Wren’s bauble offerings…

Growing up on the family farm in the Kent countryside and visiting her old home with her husband and children, was always seen as a privilege by sculptor Tish Potter. Living mostly in London, but with her sister based near her parents, there was a draw to be among them. ‘My parents’ home is special, but it was a lot to expect of them if we descended on them all the time,’ says Tish. ‘A property on their land was the best option. I’d always eyed up one of their barns and could see it was a property in the making.’ The barn was part of Tish’s parents’ farm, which they’d owned since 1980. ‘Most farms have outhouses full of equipment and this was one of those,’ explains Tish. ‘I’d…

For me, Christmas is mostly about love and beauty at home. We welcome people into our space, to share our table, food and conversation. That is the simplicity of it. The complex part arrives when we layer on the need for our homes to be ‘perfect’. Last Christmas we had just moved into our new home. Although there’s a beautiful house hiding under its current decorative state, then it was only ‘just’ liveable. Moving our lives from one city to another the week before Christmas was quite foolish, but that was our window. So we were packing boxes while watching other people prepare for festivities. We managed to tear up the carpets moments before the delivery van arrived. ‘That enormous cupboard needs to go against that wall,’ we said. It…

Red cabbage with cranberries SERVES 8 There are many variations on the red cabbage and fruit theme, but I like the tartness that cranberries bring. This reheats really well, too. 30g butter1 medium red onion, finely sliced1 medium red cabbage1 tart eating apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped3tbsp balsamic vinegar, or to taste2tbsp brown soft sugar, or to taste1tsp mixed spice30g dried cranberries75g fresh cranberriesSea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper 1 Melt the butter in a heavy-based casserole and sauté the onion until soft but not coloured. 2 Quarter the cabbage, remove the hard central core and discard, then slice the rest finely. Put it in the pot with the onion and all the remaining ingredients, seasoning well. 3 Stir, cover and cook over a low heat for…

MAKE A PLAN ‘A business plan will give you a strong basis to start from. Set goals, but keep them realistic. Also look for ways to maintain your financial stability while you’re starting out, focusing on sustainable growth.’ KEEP THE FOCUS FIRMLY ON YOUR IDEA ‘Never lose focus on what your business is for, prioritise simplicity and avoid distractions. Build up your first customers and focus on making your first profits.’ GET HELP AND SUPPORT ON EVERYTHING ELSE ‘Set up systems that work for you, and get help from places such as the FSB (fsb.org.uk) so you can streamline your admin. This will also help as insurance for things such as HMRC investigations or legal challenges, which could knock you off course.’ CREATE A STRONG BRAND ‘It doesn’t take huge…

Any plant that braves winter is prized by gardeners, but for sheer flower power and beauty, hellebores take first place. These elegant perennials bloom for months on end, from the depths of winter into the first warming rays of spring. Most hellebore species are native to Europe, with two species – Helleborus foetidus and H. viridis – growing wild in the UK. They typically emerge on the edge of woodland in dappled shade, thriving in rich, moist soil that’s well drained, so in a garden they’re suited to a position under deciduous trees and shrubs. Hellebores hybridise easily, which has resulted in a huge array of plants with different flower forms, colours and patterns. There are single flowers with open centres, semi-doubles with a ring of small petals in the…

There’s no better time of year to fully appreciate your home than Christmas. Over the festive period, your home is the stage for parties, feasts, and countless precious family memories. As such, we want our houses to feel warm and welcoming, with those personal touches and festive traditions that truly make a house a home. This special edition – curated from the archives of Country Homes & Interiors – is packed full of Christmas and New Year inspiration to help you celebrate in style. From decorations, colour schemes and festive interior trends, to craft projects, party hosting advice and delicious seasonal recipes, you’ll find plenty of ways to make it a Christmas to remember.…

Effortlessly beautiful, this pared-back story takes a sensory stroll through rustic textures, natural materials and peaceful neutrals. LOVE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY… • Cox & Cox for the Scandi Lakehouse edit of hand-blown baubles, imprinted ceramics and eternity flora. • Rowen & Wren for striking, frozen-in-time glass decorations with crafted appeal. • Nordic House for handcrafted, nature-inspired details.…

If it’s an exotic dose of warmth, character and energy your festive nest nook craves, then this is the way to go. Style an eclectic carnival of emerald greens, peacock blues and peppery pinks and reds in modern, traditional and vintage designs for a display that bursts with sophisticated vibrancy. Top tip: these jewel-like designs pair perfectly with lengths of luxurious velvet ribbon. LOVE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY… • Fox Flowers for exquisite faux and dried flowers and arrangements in various berry-beautiful shades. • Nkuku for stunning antique, ribbed designs in a range of divine colourways. • Habitat for items with bright pattern punches.…

GIFTS OF GOLD Mix and match dinnerware to add polish to plain pieces and contemporary flair to traditional lines. With rich colours like these, you can afford to keep the setting simple. MIDWINTER MOMENT An archive-inspired wallpaper coloured in cinnamon shades becomes a glamorous backdrop to serve spiced teas and toddies. Bright dried flowers and foliage add festive flair. A WARM WELCOME Dress a front door with fragrant herbs, pretty baubles and decorative dried flowers. ALL A-GLOW Jewel and spice tones glow deeply, bringing a rich yet cosy look to the living room. BEAUTY BRIGHT For a bed fit for a king, upholster a curvaceous headboard and layer silky velvets, fine linens and fashionable tassled cushions for a cultured country look.…

POMEGRANATE AND BLACKCHERRY JELLIES Think old-fashioned bonbons with a delicious hint of wobble, rather than dessert-style jellies. MAKES ABOUT 60 CUBES, DEPENDING ON SIZE 14 sheets of leaf gelatine320ml | 10.8 floz fresh pomegranate juice, such as Pom340g | 12oz caster sugar, plus 75g | 2.6oz extra to coat560g | 19.8oz black cherry jam 1 Line a 20x20cm | 8x8” tin with cling film. It should reach at least 3cm | 1” up the sides as well as across the base. Put the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water, one by one, and leave to soften for 5-10min. 2 In a pan, mix the pomegranate juice with the sugar. Bring to the boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the jam to the pan and stir through.…

BUTTON-UP CUSHION YOU WILL NEED Scissors Patterned jumper Chalk Ruler Pins Matching sewing thread and needle Cushion pad Four buttons 1 Cut through the side seams of the jumper and cut off the sleeves. Cut the shoulder seams to separate the front and back. 2 Use chalk and a ruler to draw horizontal and vertical lines to create two rectangular pieces. The width will be from the smallest part (at the armholes) to the cuffed hem. Cut neatly along these lines. 3 With right sides facing up, lay the two rectangles on the floor with the cuffed hems overlapping. Pin them together. 4 Fold the two short edges to the centre to create a square. Pin, then stitch together, leaving a 2.5cm…

SELINA LAKE styled our beautiful Mulled Wine Moments decorating story (page 88). ‘This year I’m celebrating the first Christmas with my daughter, Felicity. I’m going to make her a gingham ruffle-top stocking like the one in the feature, with her name embroidered on it.’ DAVID GILES photographed the house on page 58. ‘I’m not a fan of the build-up to Christmas but I love it when it arrives. In the time before New Year, we’ll walk across the fields with friends for dinner.’ ALISON DAVIDSON wrote Vintage Decoration (page 58). ‘Both my girls will be home, one back from Australia, so it means we will all be together after a couple of years apart for a family Christmas.’…

It’s an interesting stage in life when the children have not only grown up but also have their own lives to lead, friends to meet and adventures to be had. Having children who are betwixt the two stages – no longer children but definitely only just dipping their toes into proper adulthood – presents certain challenges during the festive season. They may no longer be waiting in bursting anticipation to see whether the glass of sherry, mince pie and carrot have been enjoyed by Santa, and as a parent, I do miss the wonderment of joyful faces finding magic in everything they see. However, as with all things during the festive season, if we are able to add a bit of proverbial fairy dust and sparkle to the situation, then…

Festive gifts when you subscribe WORTH £49.50 • Free cookbook and Sophie Allport bundle • Enjoy 12 months of Country Homes & Interiors, each issue filled with beautiful home inspiration • Delivered straight to your door - never miss an issue Visit www.magazinesdirect.com/chxmas23 or call 0330 333 1113 and quote XD92 Offer closes 31 January 2024. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Pay only £38.99 every 12 months, saving 40% on the cover price. We will notify you in advance of any price changes. All gift subscriptions will start with the first available issue on-sale after December 2023. If you would like your gift subscription to start with an earlier issue, you can choose an earlier issue when ordering or you can contact customer services. Orders purchased for yourself…

In winter it can feel as if it never really gets light at all. This is where the humble light bulb comes into its own. With the right design and layout, even the greyest of days can become the backdrop for a cosy interior, says lighting expert, Sheena Lawrence. THINK ABOUT LAYERING Layering your lighting is essential for adding depth and modifying the energy around you. Centrally placed ceiling or pendant lights will throw their light all round a room equally so are better for general tasking purposes, whereas a wall or ceiling-mounted spotlight can be angled towards you to give bright, focused light where needed, or away from you onto a wall or ceiling to add to the general ambience of the room. For wall lights, choose between uplighters…

For beautifully curated, everyday luxury for your home, take a look at the range from Layered Lounge. The Christmas collection enhances old traditions with a modern twist, helping you create a warm, inviting space at this special time of year. There are white Scandi-inspired ceramics and tabletop décor. Extra-large paper baubles in new warm colours create a dramatic display, while gorgeous tree decorations provide a sense of nostalgia. Look for cute candle tree lights and glass baubles in warm gold and rich burgundy tones. READER OFFER Layered Lounge is giving Country Homes & Interiors readers 25% off purchases, including homeware and the Christmas collection. Visit layeredlounge.com and enter the code CH25 at checkout. Terms and conditions Code does not apply to items already discounted or to furniture and cannot be…

Describe your typical Christmas. At home with family. We have roast goose now–we had it for the first time two years ago and my two sons (18 and 25 years) loved it, so now it is the tradition. I like that about Christmas: the continuity. I tend not to do anything exotic and embrace the tradition. There are no pomegranate seeds in our Brussels sprouts! Do you cook in advance and pop things in the freezer? I am not a freezer person at all; it’s just full of chicken stock. I make some things, such as gravadlax, every year. You can make it three or four days in advance. Any favourite dishes? My Christmas pudding. I put grated apple and mashed banana in it which makes it really moist. I…

Our first Christmas at Greenfields was a party for 20 hosted in the most accommodating room in the house, which would later become the living room. Two tables were placed end to end and draped in simple white tablecloths. I added a touch of greenery with some fresh eucalyptus woven along the centre, in among a mismatched collection of antique brass candle sticks, including my favourite trumpet-shaped pair. A Christmas tree adorned in lights, laden with baubles made at school, ribbons and years-old ornaments in the shape of skates, sledges, presents and angels sat iridescent in one corner of the room. Side note: aren’t cluster tree lights genius? Anyway, a raucous afternoon and evening ensued, noisy in the best way. The playlist I’d spent a few hours making came into…

BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET More than 160 chalets, featuring artisan gifts and gourmet food, fill the streets and squares. The centrepoint is a magnificent Christmas tree that stands in front of the beautifully illuminated Bath Abbey. From 23 November to 10 December; bathchristmasmarket.co.uk STOURHEAD The prestigious Palladian house and gardens outside Bath presents a stunning Christmas light trail through its beautiful landscape. You can also book tickets for festive creative activities for children, followed by storytime with Father Christmas. From 1-31 December; nationaltrust.org.uk BATH ON ICE In front of Royal Crescent, Royal Victoria Park becomes a winter wonderland, with a skating rink and Alpine bar. There’s also Glow Golf, with the adventure golf course dressed up in festive finery and glow-in-the-dark balls for the festive season. From 17 November to 3…

PLUS OFFERS ON BINDERS, GUIDES & SPECIALS See the entire range online at MAGAZINESDIRECT.COM/WINTER23 or phone 0330 333 1113 Outside of the UK? See our international offers online Offer closes 31st December 2023. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. We will notify you in advance of any price changes. All gift subscriptions will start with the first available issue on-sale after December 2023. If you would like your gift subscription to start with an earlier issue, you can choose an earlier issue when ordering or you can contact customer services. Orders purchased for yourself will start with the next available issue - please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery (up to 8 weeks outside of the UK). Payment is non-refundable…

This elegant Dorset dwelling wasn’t always the epitome of country sophistication that it is today. Originally built as a coach house in the 1850s, the property was later converted into flats during the Seventies and hadn’t been updated since. ‘I was trawling a property website one day when I spotted this unique building,’ says Laura Butler-Madden. ‘It was rather in need of love, but we decided to take a look.’ She and her husband Patrick were living in London at the time but that wasn’t a barrier – Laura grew up in Dorset and Patrick went to school there, so the couple had often talked about moving back there one day. Plus, if first impressions were true, they knew the building had lots of potential. ‘We were both inspired by…

Sparkle and shine! Turn your festive home into a sophisticated starry night, with decadent midnight hues, twinkling details and celestial motifs. This trend delivers contemporary elegance, playing out a contrast of light and dark, day and night. Offset rich navy tones with glistening silvers, pearlescent finishes and warm, flickering candlelight to rocket your space into the style stratosphere. LOVE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY… • The White Company for sparkling decorations and accessories. • M&S for a tonal selection of decorations in frosted blues. • Oliver Bonas for charming celestial designs with a fresh-thinking twist.…

PLAN AHEAD Decide what drinks to serve well in advance to avoid running dry; assume guests will have two drinks during the first hour of the party, and one drink every hour after that. For a buffet, plan eight savoury and two to three sweet canapés per head. Enlist help to take platters of food out – children love to feel involved, so this is a great task for them! PARTY PICKS… TABLE TALK Thoughtful additions make all the difference, whether a personalised place setting or a gift for each guest. Keep conversation flowing with trivia games and layer plates to leave space free on the table for decorations – fresh greenery, cinnamon sticks and pine cones look and smell lovely. SET THE MOOD Create an atmospheric evening centrepiece by…

QUAIL EGGS WITH FLAVOURED SALT Upgrade sea salt with herbs and spices to create a crunchy dip for delicate quail eggs. SERVES 6 1tsp caraway seeds1tbsp fresh thyme leaves30g | 1oz Maldon sea salt18 quail eggsSumac, to serveCaper berries, to serve (optional) 1 Toast the caraway seeds in a frying pan over a low heat for 1 min or so. Remove from the heat and once cooled, tip into a grinder or small bowl of a food processor. Add the thyme and salt, and pulse until combined and roughly ground. 2 Lower the eggs into a pan of gently simmering water and cook for 2 mins. Cool in cold running water to stop them overcooking. 3 Serve the eggs with bowls of flavoured salt, sumac and caper berries, if using,…

How to MAKE THEM YOURSELF HAND-STITCHED PARCELS Begin by wrapping your gift in bubble wrap or tissue paper to prevent sharp edges tearing the wrapping paper. Place your wrapping paper face down and put the gift on top. Draw the desired shape around, allowing extra space to fit around the gift and for the stitches. Cut out and use as a template to cut another shape to match. Using a bodkin, thread with string or twine and begin to stitch the shapes together, around 2cm | ¾” in from the edge, leaving a long thread end at the start. When halfway around, insert the gift then continue to stitch. When complete, tie off the ends in a knot or bow and add a hand-stamped label. For extra detail, insert a layer…

MAKE AN ENTRANCE For a stately look, symmetry is key as demonstrated by these faux box ball trees. For a festive edge, underplant them with real ivy and dress with frosted pinecone baubles and cheery wired ribbons. Their rounded shape is echoed by the wreaths, made by wiring pieces of fir around tapestry frames, with snowberries tied in as a final flourish. WINTER BERRY WREATH Wreaths don’t have to be perfectly symmetrical. Play around with different-shaped bases, or create unusual, asymmetrical designs by arranging foliage, berries and flowers over just two-thirds of a circular base. When mixing dried flowers into your wreath displays, choose varieties that have good architectural form, such as cardoons and globe thistle for eight weeks before bringing them out. A LA CARTE Have your secateurs at…

Forty years ago, German-born Gisela began making wooden Christmas decorations at her kitchen table. Her unique style charmed customers from the beginning, and she’s been the leading lady of Christmas ever since. As well as creating her own collections, Gisela supplies UK and European department and high-street stores with everything you could possibly need to create a magical festive feel in your home, from baubles and fairy lights to snow globes and wreaths. What inspires you? Inspiration is one of those things that can strike you at any moment, so I try not to force it. In my experience, the best thing you can do is just keep your mind receptive. Almost every day something catches my eye, from a picture in a museum to a reflection in puddles in…

Renowned for its blue and white tableware, Burleigh has joined forces with British wallpaper designers Barneby Gates (above) to launch a new wallpaper collection. Two designs from the pottery brand’s archives – Calico and Asiatic Pheasant – have been reimagined in pretty colourways, printed in England using traditional techniques. ‘Burleigh’s iconic designs have graced homes for over 170 years and this collaboration is bringing a new life to the brand,’ says managing director Jim Norman; £135 per roll, barnebygates.com ONE FOR THE DIARY… 11 NOVEMBER–2 JANUARY This year’s theme at Yorkshire’s Castle Howard is Christmas in Neverland; see the house and gardens transformed with magical installations, soundscapes and floristry. Tickets from £19, castlehoward.co.uk 17-19 NOVEMBER Buy unique gifts from over 100 designer-makers at Craft Festival, taking place in the splendid…

Nestled in a valley hidden from the road and surrounded by the fields and trees of the Surrey countryside, Claire and Jamie McFadyen’s Victorian house is a special place to spend Christmas. ‘We had no intention of moving house, having just finished a renovation project,’ explains Claire. ‘However, my parents were thinking of moving and were on various estate agent’s lists. When my father was sent the details of this house, he showed it me, and said “this looks like a belter!” so we went to see it – and fell in love with it.’ Claire and Jamie put in an offer, but to be able to afford it, they would have to sell their newly finished house in nearby Wallington and a rental property they owned, quickly. Luckily they…

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY Bring a rich festive feel to your dining table with a cosy colour palette of moss and smoky greens, terracotta, plaster pink and deep reds. Use foliage cuttings and dried hydrangea flowers from the garden to make a country-style garland to adorn a mantelpiece or shelf, alongside a lit and decorated Christmas tree to set the festive scene. For a beautifully styled Christmas table, pair vintage wooden chairs painted in bronze-red with plates in greens and terracotta. Scatter walnuts and satsumas across the surface to complete the natural décor. ADD A PRETTY TRIM TO YOUR NAPKINS Give plain linen or cotton napkins an attractive festive embellishment by sewing giant ric-rac trim around the edge to make a contrasting border. We love this combination of plaster…

THINKING BIG Cooking is at the heart of every kitchen, so it makes sense to site your oven in pole position. Whether you choose a sleek built-in model or a substantial range cooker, it needs to be in easy reach, with a work surface close by so there’s somewhere to rest hot dishes fresh from the oven. Don’t be afraid to make the cooker the focal point of your design, even in a small kitchen, says Matthew Bates, founder of Blake & Bull. ‘Going bold with size and colour can be an effective way of transforming a kitchen into a fun and vibrant space beyond just a functional room,’ he explains. In his own kitchen, he chose a restored Aga range in a richly coloured Terracotta to contrast with blue…

DINNER PARTY FAVOURS Pop chocolates into fabric bags. Tack a ribbon to each one, number labels 1-24, then tie these to the bags. Attach the gift bags to a piece of string and create a weekly Advent calendar with seven at a time. Using Command strips, stick two pinecones to the wall and wind the end of each ribbon around them to hang your bags. AFFIRMATIONS DECK Envelopes filled with daily affirmations will spread positivity in the lead up to Christmas. Decorate mini envelopes and add numbers to the fronts. Print or write out your positive messages and acts of kindness prompts onto small cards to go inside each envelope. Present in a rustic box or basket. MEMO COUNTDOWN Fill 24 bags with treats. Fold over the tops, secure with…

YOU WILL NEED Pre-washed fabric to avoid shrinkage later. A sewing machine or needle and coordinating thread for some therapeutic hand sewing. SIZE GUIDE Cocktail 12-22cm square Lunch 35-40cm square Dinner 45-55cm square 1 Choose your napkin size. Measure and cut out the squares of fabric adding an additional 2cm to each side for the hems. Tip a set square, quilting ruler or 90-degree table corner will help keep your square a square. 2 Place the fabric right side down and fold in one side by 2cm; either finger press or iron to form a crease. Unfold and fold in the same side again up to the crease line, then fold over again to create a double 1cm hem. Repeat these steps on all four sides. Sew around all four…

The garden is transformed in wintertime, when frost will snag hold of decorative ironwork and flower buds, or create a glistening outline of branches and leaves. The effect is all-too transient, frost crystals melting as the winter sun steals up into the sky. That is why so many photographers love to be out early, capturing plants and the landscape in silvery raiment. Like all artists, professional photographers see the world in sharper focus, and will translate a frosty seedhead or a lawn into a magical, unexpected image. They will often choose scenes that are backlit, shooting into the sunlight against standard practice, or will give more emphasis to an icy detail by deliberately blurring the background and by playing with the depth of field. To find out how to create…

I live on the wild west coast of Scotland on the beautiful Isle of Mull, with my cheesemaker husband Ro, an Irish wolfhound called Grampa, two Kunekune pigs, and a waddle of runner ducks and silky bantams. At Christmas, we gather in The Glass Barn, a vine-covered barn at Isle of Mull Cheese. The days are short and the air is crisp – even inside – so we huddle around the fire. The barn was built on the River Clyde in the early 1900s and was once the Isle of Mull town hall. A perfect day is a quiet morning with the menagerie before a motley crew of family, friends and farmworkers join us. Ro was a pastry chef and Christmas Day is the one day a year he bakes…

RICH PICKINGS Use seasonal fruit to dress corners and vistas. Hurricanes and vases piled high with pomegranates are an easy decor detail – Minimal effort for maximalist style. SIMPLY CHRISTMAS Bring a modern country feel to a living room with sumptuous signature seating, elegant homeware and lush foliage. Neatly turned legs, narrow lines and accent angles all sharpen the look for a smart finish. HEAVENLY STAIRWAYS Ribbons, flowers and foliage add a country touch to staircases and fill the room with scent. Choose large headed blooms for a colourful statement. PARTY FAVOUR Handmade place settings make guests feel extra welcome. Place a treat inside a cardboard roll, wrap crepe paper around, then tie the ends with ribbon.…

Rock, paper, scissors! Go for a fabulously fun riot of honeycomb balls, playful pinwheels, paper chain garlands and snowflake fans to deliver maximalist magic with a planet-friendly conscience. Reusable, design-led paper decs are super lightweight and easy to assemble. Cluster them en masse in impact areas, such as hallways and entertaining spaces, to create a floating cloud installation. Or, use small assortments as space-fillers, scattered around the Christmas tree. LOVE THIS LOOK? THEN TRY… • RE-Found for a party of paper designs – the more the merrier, we say! • Paper Dreams for mindful and stylish picks that inspire and delight. • The Shop Floor Project for gorgeous make-your-own paper chain garland kits and pop-out table crowns.…

HALLWAY HAVEN Style up a simple space to welcome guests. A cane chair makes the perfect spot for shrugging off your outdoor clothes and appreciating the comforts of home. COME TOGETHER Pull up a chair – or a stool or bench – and gather friends around the table. Impromptu dinners feel special when the table is dressed with cut glass, candlelight and a scatter of ornate baubles. CREATIVE MOMENT Make your own mini bunting by using a template and cutting out triangles from wallpaper or fabric remnants. Thread through cotton or twine, then hang. RELAXING SOAK Treat guests to spa-style toiletries and linen wash cloths when they’re staying over. Arrange in baskets or wooden vessels to continue the natural theme. NATURALLY NOCTURNAL Add comforting layers to a bedroom with wicker…

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. 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. 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! ITALIAN INFUSION Crafted from Italian bergamot, Italicus is a replica of a recipe from the 1800s and fuses citrus and floral flavours. Great served 50/50 with prosecco over ice and, according to its blenders, garnished…

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 decorating scheme. PERFECT FINISH Spray paint a polystyrene wreath blank in brown…

HEAVENLY SCENTED Pretty little pots of bulbs wrapped in decorated paper and tied with twine are a great gift idea. Try Narcissus papyraceus ‘Ziva’ from crocus.co.uk, and plant bulbs close together in pots filled with bulb fibre. Make sure the growing tips are protruding just above the top of the compost. Then put them in a cool, dark place for eight weeks before bringing them out. BIG & BOLD The beautiful showy blooms of hippeastrum (also known as amaryllis) look wonderfully festive in a simple, modern arrangement. Their rich colours and structured look make a strong statement for the Christmas table. Alternatively, mix some branches of silver birch or pussy willow in among the flower stems for a more relaxed feel. Put in an early order from the florist if…

DID YOU KNOW? Hardwearing bulbs are needed for outdoor use. LEDs are energy-efficient, long-lasting and don’t contain mercury, making them a fantastic choice for both inside and out…

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