Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i The English Home

It’s the anticipation of Christmas, the run-up to the big day, and the preparations for festivities that so many of us enjoy in our English homes. It’s stir-up Sunday, decorating the tree with our loved ones, choosing just the right presents and wrapping them exquisitely that many of us delight in at this special time of year. The Christmases I remember most fondly are the ones where everyone got involved. Our foraged wreath might not have been quite be what a florist would create and a slightly wonky gingerbread house is always inevitable, but there’s much more festive spirit in allowing everyone to create their own little piece of Christmas magic, rather than feel a pressure to make everything perfect. Our December edition this year, is therefore designed to take…

BOLD DESIGN Kerry Jackson, the brains behind the homeware brand MM Linen, has never been afraid to use colour and print, as seen in her latest bedding collection, Tui Blossom. Combining flora and fauna against a restful backdrop of soothing blues and lilac, it is a surefire way to make an impact. Also new is the bold Flowerbed range, inspired by pressed flowers and printed on 220 thread count cotton sateen for an indulgent touch. What better way to add autumn hues to the home? mmlinen.com PRINT PERFECTION When Debby Tenquist started Botanica Trading in 2014, it was not only with the design of beautiful textiles in mind but also a commitment to sustainable design. From the stunning ikat stripes to the tribal and zig-zag collections and the botanically inspired…

GILDED GLAMOUR If hanging indoor wreaths in a central position above the fireplace, these metallic designs are sure to make a showstopping display. For a country Christmas scheme, position vases of foraged foliage and dried flowers sprayed in gold paint on the mantelpiece below the wreath. Alternatively, for a more contemporary look or a smart townhouse, use three different sizes – or several different styles – of wreath positioned diagonally across the wall. For full impact, hang this spray of gold mistletoe and pearl berries on a nearby light fitting. Golden wreaths and decorations all from Curated Living…

GATHER… festive foliage Branches of pine, yew, ivy and even eucalyptus and olive are ideal for decorating the house at Christmas. As well as using them to adorn mantelpieces and staircases, why not suspend them from the ceiling above a dining table to create a dash of modern rustic festive drama? Circular arrangements work particularly well, and branches of foliage can easily be attached to a wire or willow wreath using florist’s wire and hung from a wooden beam or ceiling joist. Add rich colours, dark neutrals and opulent metallics, with plenty of rustic textures and candlelight, to create a magical, convivial setting. EAT… Christmas pudding There are few things more flavoursome than a fabulously fruity Christmas pudding. Plump raisins, sultanas, citrus peel and plenty of spice all combine to…

Colour Addict Classic Taste Luxe Lover Pattern Seeker Natural Soul Little Ones…

KATHARINE POOLEY Interior designer At our home in Oxfordshire (opposite, top left), there is no such thing in my mind as too much foliage at Christmas; holly, pine and ivy all work beautifully well and have a classically elegant English feel. Nothing beats the classic colour accent choice of dark red; add it with silk velvet ribbon, pomegranates scattered on tables and berries mixed into foliage. The scent of pine at Christmas is wonderfully evocative, and all the greenery will add to the classic Christmas tree arrangement to create a really ‘wow’ final effect. My top tip is to festoon chandeliers, mantelpieces and doorways with foliage. It creates a magical effect and is more impactful than a simple solitary tree – the more greenery, the better. When we spend Christmas…

Vincent van Gogh once said “art is but imitation of nature”, and this is certainly the case in the works of the British wildlife artist Ben Waddams, whose pieces are so meticulously detailed, they have an almost photographic character. Achieving this level of detail does not come without a great deal of time and effort, and when he paints, Waddams has a strict process to ensure each painting is of the best quality he can produce, not just in artistic form but in the habitat and environment of each subject he paints. The great passion he has for his chosen subject is clear to see. “I feel I have to know my subject intimately,” he explains. “I try my very best to study the species in the wild. I research…

Original decorative features such as ornate cornicing, mantelpieces and panelling can provide a beautiful frame or structure for creating a Christmas display. If, however, these are lacking in a period home, use antique frames to create a detailed surround for a festive vignette. A wreath works well in such a setting, suspended by a luxurious wide silk ribbon. Add some contemporary flair with lights – these various sizes of twinkling stars can be hung or propped against the wall for added sparkle and magic. Osby Star lights, from £13.99; Pre-lit Eucalyptus, Pine & Gold Berry Christmas Wreath, £64.99, both Lights4Fun…

AN INVITING SPREAD Unexpected guests can often drop in at this time of year. A generous selection of classic festive cakes can be valuable to have on standby (and are sure to be enjoyed if leftover after the main event). Sweet Organic Christmas pudding, £25; Organic brandy butter, £4.99; Organic Christmas cake, £25, all Daylesford INDULGENT AFTERNOONS What can be more cosy than fireside drinks? Make the most of the run-up to Christmas with an afternoon treat. Add lanterns on the hearth and bring out festive tableware to give coffee and mince pies a celebratory twist. Natural woodland cushion, £19.99; tableware from £8.99 for a Robin mug, all Dobbies SEASONAL TABLESCAPE Blending rustic and polished textures such as brass accessories with table linen in natural tones results in a cosy…

Many wish lists for idyllic Christmas settings would include a sweeping staircase to garland, a convivial kitchen, wood fires, a huge table to seat all the family for a lively festive meal and a location that could only get more magical if it snowed. With Georgian proportions and elegantly informal interiors, Bracon Hall certainly lives up to that dream. Home to Humphrey and Charlotte Berney, their daughters Ottilie, six, and Cecilia, four, and two family dogs, the property sits within its own 400-acre-estate. Open skies above flat Norfolk countryside mean that as darkness falls, there is no light pollution to compete with the twinkle of fairy lights twined around the stone portico. Inside, the house retains a sense of grandeur but – like the lovely family that lives in it…

BUYER’S GUIDE A Christmas tree will more often than not form the centrepiece of a scheme during the festive season and may even set the decorative tone for the rest of the home. Choosing the perfect tree can therefore be a quandary. Should it be real or faux? Large or small? Bought or rented? Here experts share their advice on combining practicality with decorative appeal. The real deal At this time of year, there is no shortage of freshly cut Christmas trees, and paying attention to a tree’s ethical and sustainable production is key to a successful purchase. The first step is to ensure that a tree’s growing journey is traceable from start to finish. Sourcing locally ensures a low carbon footprint because trees will be home-grown rather than imported.…

SWEET TREATS Baking festive delights is something the whole family can enjoy. From stirring the Christmas cake mix to decorating biscuits to hang on the tree or give as gifts, children love to be involved in making sweet treats. For Christmas Eve, create a little gift set with a cookie cutter, tubes of icing, sprinkles, and that must-have of the season, a net of gold coins as a reward for completing their tasks. Some of the finished biscuits could be left for Father Christmas, along with a crunchy carrot for Rudolph of course! Community Garden Robins crackers, £15 for 12; Robin decal tumbler, £5; Stoneware Reactive Glaze dinner plate, £9.50, all John Lewis & Partners…