ENGLISH

The

HOME Celebrating the essence of English style

December 2019 | Issue 178 | £4.50 | UK Edition

FESTIVE WELCOME
Beautiful homes dressed with seasonal sparkle

EMBRACING
EVERY MOMENT
Inspiring ways to create
memorable celebrations

CHRISTMAS
AT HIGHCLERE
Preparations at the
real Downton Abbey

ATTENTION
TO DETAILS
Thoughtful presents
Twinkling table settings

Delicious recipes and ways to make guests feel at home

 CONTENTS
DECEMBER 2019

64
44 Beautiful Buys
14 FESTIVE COMFORTS Beautiful seasonal buys.

20 BEST OF BRITISH Stylish gifts, made in Britain.

22 PERSONAL TOUCH Lovingly hand-crafted presents.

24 ROYAL APPROVAL Goodies by Royal Warrant holders.

English Homes
34 WINTER WONDERLAND A Sussex family home
at its magical best in the festive season.
44 CRAFTING MEMORIES Textile designer Molly
Mahon’s colourful and creative East Sussex home.
54 JOYFUL OCCASION A 1920s mock-Tudor home
in Surrey is the perfect setting for entertaining.
64 COUNTRY CHRISTMAS A Grade II listed home in
Rutland sets the scene for an elegant Christmas.

34
THE ENGLISH HOME 5
 Style inspiration
77 WELCOMING PARTY Create a festive entrance.

78 PERFECTLY IMPERFECT Put aside impeccable ideals

and create a relaxed family Christmas to cherish.
86 A FEAST FOR THE EYES Festive table-setting ideas.

92 ARTISTIC FLAIR The story of lighting and furniture

company Cox London.
94 THE CONVIVIAL KITCHEN Create a kitchen layout
that works harmoniously for both hosts and guests.
102 HEART OF THE HOME The latest range cookers.

Quintessentially

86
109 CHRISTMAS SPICE Making mulled wine.

110 CHRISTMAS IN THE MOMENT Preparing for guests, a

classic trifle recipe and illuminations at Kew Gardens.
118 HIGHCLERE CASTLE AT CHRISTMAS The Countess of
Carnarvon reveals her seasonal secrets.

109 130 THE FINAL WORD ON... CHRISTMAS A chic take on

gift wrapping echoes colours of the season.

Regulars
8 A LETTER FROM HOME A welcome from our
Editor-in-Chief.
27 NOTEBOOK A festive digest of notable people and
pursuits, plus important dates for the diary.
32 THE LONDON EDIT Interiors news from the capital.

74 SUBSCRIBE Treat yourself or a loved one to

a subscription to The English Home.
124 COMING NEXT MONTH Useful resources and
an insight into the delights to come in our

78 January edition.

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 A letter from home
For ways of making
new memories and
creating a ‘perfectly
imperfect’ Christmas,
turn to page 78
OUR TEAM CHRISTMAS RITUALS...
Samantha, Executive Editor: “I love rediscovering our
favourite baubles each year and decorating two trees with
my young daughter – one with her handmade decorations,
the other with our heirloom treasures. We enjoy making
home-made place settings for the table, and gifts, such as
preserves known as ‘Sam’s Jams’ by friends and family.”
Katy, Decorating Editor: “I’m looking forward to the
excitement and anticipation with my three-year-old
daughter on Christmas Eve as she carefully leaves out
a carrot for the reindeer and a mince pie for Father
Christmas and waking up early to see if ‘he’s been’.”
Lea, Sub Editor: ”My favourite Christmas tradition is
our children coming into our room to open their stockings
whilst we drink a cup of tea. And Christmas wouldn’t be
Christmas without a flaming pudding.”
Clair, Homes Editor: “This year I’m looking forward to
distributing our home-made apple chutney to all our
family and friends, made using our bumper crop of
apples from our ancient apple tree in the garden.”
8 THE ENGLISH HOME
R
elishing the reassuring nature of festive
rituals and indulging in a little nostalgia is a
significant part of Christmas for many of us.
There is great comfort in tradition and in the
gathering of family and friends. I find myself particularly
wistful at this time of year, recalling Christmases past.
Decking our home with foliage and decorations conjures
so many happy memories of childhood, and of family who
are here now only in spirit but are brought to mind in the
twinkling lights on the tree.
It is important, of course, to keep making memories for
each new generation, so whilst I love to honour the rituals
of my parents and grandparents, I try also to continue to
create new ones that are particular to my own immediate
family, inspired or suggested by my daughter so that her
character and interests are incorporated and handed on.
I am a firm believer, too, that there is no need to
succumb to a pressure for everything to be ‘just so’.
It is usually the small, silly, joyful accidents that people
remember, not whether the napkins were perfectly folded
or if the dinner was served at midday ‘on the dot’.
However you celebrate and whoever you share your
festivities with, I hope they will be full of comfort and joy.
With warm regards,
Kerryn Harper-Cuss, Editor-in-Chief
PORTRAIT RACHAEL SMITH
Follow us on Twitter @englishhometeam
Pinterest at pinterest.com/theenglishhome
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Chappana Wallpaper. Roman Shades in Chappana. Darien Chairs in Grassmarket Check.

Colony Collection: Wallpaper, Print and Woven Fabrics

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 ENGLISH
The

HOME Celebrating the e ence of Engli h t le

December 2019 | Issue 178 | £4.50 | UK Edition

FESTIVE WELCOME
Beautiful homes dressed with seasonal sparkle

EMBRACING
EVERY MOMENT
Inspiring ways to create
memorable celebrations

CONTACT US CHRISTMAS
AT HIGHCLERE

Editorial 0333 014 3215

Preparations at the
real Downton Abbey

ATTENTION

The English Home, Cumberland House, TO DETAILS

Thoughtful gifts
Twinkling table settings

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Website theenglishhome.co.uk Delicious recipes and ways to make guests feel at home

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Art Editor Claire Hicks
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 FESTIV
Set the mood for a relaxe
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at home with our select

14 THE ENGLISH HOME

OPPOSITE PAGE
Setting the scene
Add to a traditional tableau with
rustic rattan and candle-lit lanterns.
Farringdon Star (small), Steel, £18;
Miners Lantern (large), Charcoal,
£15; round bud vase, Blue Glass,
£8; Wells Windlight, Recycled
Glass, £35; Christmas tree skirt
(large), Rattan, £45; Open Weave
Basket (small), Rattan, £50, all
Garden Trading
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT
Awaiting Father Christmas
Soft velvet in elegant hues and
a pared-back design make these
stockings a stylish offering.
Isla velvet stockings, £30 each;
Heddon candlestick (small), £37,
all Neptune
Wooden wonder
Made from salvaged wood that has
undergone ‘petrification’ – a type
of fossilisation that takes place
underground where the wood is
starved of oxygen – this beautiful
bowl is a natural delight.
Petrified wood bowl,
£90, Indigenous
Cake classic
Nothing says Christmas like a slice
of fruit cake, enjoyed with marzipan
and icing for the ultimate treat.
Soft Iced Star Christmas Cake,
£30, Bettys 
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
The advent of organisation
Proving that advent calendars
aren’t just for little ones, this
thoughtfully considered offering
has everything needed to plan
the run-up to Christmas.
24 Days of Stationery advent
calendar, £89, Martha Brook
London Stationery
All wrapped up
Take the time to enjoy gift
wrapping ahead of the big day,
mixing and matching patterns
and adornments for a joyful
look with maximum impact.
Bauble, Traditions luxury
baubles, Red, £50 (for a box of
26); Traditions bauble cluster,
Red, £1.50; gift wrap, from £4,
all John Lewis & Partners
Light the way
Combine traditions of old with
the technology of today with
clip-on electric candle lights.
Warm White LED Christmas Tree
Candle Lights, £19.99 for 10,
lights4fun.co.uk
Seasonal servings
Made from enamelled cast iron,
this casserole has been given a
seasonal twist.
French Oven Snowflake Cocotte
in Cherry, £229, Staub
 Perfectly Imperfect Interior Design

INFO@ANAENGELHORN.COM . ANAENGELHORN.COM . INSTAGRAM @ANAENGELHORN

 FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPHS P15 (INDIGENOUS) © CHRIS TERRY; P16 (STAUB) © OLIVER BRACHAT; (LIGHTS4FUN) © OLIVER PERROT

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE

Raise a glass
A festive cocktail will taste all the
better when sipped from these
fine-rimmed glasses.
Clara flared glasses, £32 for
a set of two, Rowen & Wren
The gift of scent
Carefully curated in accordance
with both eco-friendly and style
credentials in mind and tested by
the in-house team, only all-natural
candles from UK-based artisan
makers go into this gift
subscription service.
Scented candle gifting
subscription, from £38.85 for
three months, Iggy Box
Original detail
Inspired by the architectural
mouldings of neoclassical
architect Robert Adam, these
potato-print effect homewares
bring together homespun charm
and original style.
Vine Ochre tray (medium), £22.50;
Dentil Grey placemats (set of 4),
£30; Dentil Grey coasters (set of
4), £14; Vine fine bone china plate,
£16, all from the Dentil collection
at The Humble Cut

18 THE ENGLISH HOME

 100% Bespoke kitchen & household furniture,
sympathetically designed to work with your home’s
architecture and handmade to last a lifetime.

24A West Street, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 7DU

Tel: 01364 653613 www.barnesofashburton.co.uk
 All children’s toys
by Dragons of
Walton Street

Hand-painted
Molly Longlegs
tea caddy
lamp base,
£906, Besselink
& Jones

The Tragedy of Lord George

eau de parfum for men, 75ml,
£188, Penhaligon’s

BEST OF BRITISH
Emma Louise Liberty fabric silk There are many British pastimes that can be elevated with
eye mask, £48, Coco & Wolf a thoughtful Christmas gift, and our round-up of ideas are
all – fittingly – made in Britain. From traditional children’s
toys to beautifully scented candles, treat loved ones to items
that help them rediscover a pleasure for their day-to-day
activities. Family and friends will appreciate presents that
celebrate or enrich their favourite interests.

Botanical alphabet limited-edition

prints, personalised messages can
be added, £30 each,
Nicola Watters

Pomegranate candle,
£24, Plum & Ashby

FEATURE SUZANNA LE GROVE PHOTOGRAPH (DAYLESFORD) © NEIL WATSON STUDIO

Bee Happy Gift Box, £40,
Daylesford Organic

The Christmas Silver

Sixpence 2019, £30,
The Royal Mint
Polyanthus cosmetic case,
£15, Emily Burningham

British racing car

wooden toy, £34, , , o
Hop & Peck Pure Bathroom
Alpaca & wool bed Collection
throw,
£139, Ally-Bee
20 THE ENGLISH HOME
HAND BLOWN GLASS | MADE IN THE UK
WWW.CURIOUSA.CO.UK
 Fern & Urn handmade table mats,
£56 for a set of four, Club Matters

Helen Round
Christmas Collection
hand-printed linen
napkins, £27.75 for two,
Made By Hand Online.com
Ink linen hand-painted tablecloth
in light green with gold drips,
£625, Summerill & Bishop

PERSONAL TOUCH
Show those nearest and dearest how much they mean with lovingly
Dorset milking stool, £269 including hand-crafted products. Every time the recipient uses the item, its
up to 10 hand-carved letters, characteristics will be a reminder of the care taken to select such an
(additional letters £10 a letter),
Sitting Spiritually individual piece. Practical items will be beautifully functional and
charming to use, and even small tokens, such as personalised chocolates,
can be utterly spoiling. There is little to compare with the delight of
seeing handmade commissions opened on Christmas morning.
Mr & Mrs pinch pot,
from £7 each, Sue Pryke

Classic vintage novels and new notebooks

rebound by hand in vintage fabrics, A6
Tim Plunkett ash bowl, £440, designs £8.50, A5 designs £14.50, Forget Me
Maud & Mabel Not Originals, From Britain with Love.com

Ceramic leaf-print
soap dish, hand-carved
and shaped, £26, Aerende

Bee handmade
beaded coasters,
£16.50 for a set of
four, Oliver Bonas

Alphabet chocolate bars,

personalised with letters
or words, £5.20 a letter,
bar as seen with one
letter £5.20,
Melt London
FEATURE SUZANNA LE GROVE

22 THE ENGLISH HOME

 Gold Columbia Fine
Bone China Collection,
from £100 for a 20cm
plate, Wedgwood Clyde Fedora in
Aubergine, £475,
Lock & Co

Briarwood & Gold Plate Gordon Castle Antler Trellis

shaving brush, £185, Floris Trinket Tray in Ivory, £195,
Halcyon Days

Crystal Vita Tall

Rose cocktail
coupe, £180,
William Yeoward

ROYAL APPROVAL
This Christmas, why not treat family and friends – and even
oneself – to glorious gifts from brands given the Royal seal of
approval. Her Majesty The Queen and Their Royal Highnesses
The Prince Of Wales and The Duke of Edinburgh bestow their
Royal Warrants on specialist companies which supply Royal
households with goods and services. All of the brands on this
page proudly hold at least one Royal Warrant. Revival iStream3 digital
radio in Dusky Pink,
£199.99, Roberts

Women’s Norris Field Gloss

wellington boots in Dulse,
£100, Hunter 2020 Kings Diary in
Navy, £199, Smythson

FEATURE SARAH FEELEY PHOTOGRAPH (FLORIS) © MARTIN EIDEMAK

The Sleighbourne Acorn curtain pole

Hamper, £500, finials in polished brass,
Fortnum & Mason from £296 each,
Robert Kime

24 THE ENGLISH HOME

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

For a free copy of our brochure please call 01473 826934

or visit www.jim-lawrence.co.uk Orla Glass Pendant £176
 Apollo bath in burnished bronze - 2 sizes manufactured

What’s unique about an Albion Bath?

We first began making fine free-standing baths over 20
years ago using our own special material: Iso-Enamel,
keeping your bath hotter for longer, and at only a third
of the weight of cast iron.

Request our 276 page brochure for our range of 50

beautiful traditional bath tubs.
ALBION
01255 831605 | albionbathco.com BATH COMPA N Y

HAND MADE IN ENGLAND


NOTEBOOK
Managing Editor Sarah Feeley highlights dazzling details for the festive season
Crowning Glory: Choosing a Christmas Tree
Venturing out on a crisp December day to
pick out the best Christmas tree is a much-
anticipated family tradition, and children
love to have the final say on the magnificent
specimen to be taken home.
A gentle steer towards certain varieties
can result in less work to keep the tree
looking handsome throughout the festive
period. Louise Golden, senior plant buyer
from Dobbies Garden Centres, advises:
“There are two excellent options of trees
with needle-holding qualities: the
Nordmann Fir, which has glossy foliage and
is soft to the touch, and the Fraser Fir, with
THE ENGLISH HOME
Handmade with love
It truly is the thought that counts,
especially at Christmas, so handmade
gifts and decorations are even more
precious for the time, effort and love
poured into them.
Now is the perfect time to enjoy some
fun being creative – regardless of one’s
own perceived levels of skill and artistry.
National Trust locations up and down
the country will host Christmas craft
workshops, from wreath-making at
places such as Ightham Mote in Kent,
Hidcote in Gloucestershire and Nostell
Priory in Yorkshire, to making willow
angels in Surrey with weaver Judith
Needham. nationaltrust.org.uk
Learn the art of modern calligraphy
and – after practising alphabets and
feeling brave – personalise baubles,
cards, gift bags and tags to take home
at Swallows & Artisans in the Lake
District. swallowsandartisans.co.uk
Make a festive fairy to adorn the
Christmas tree or give as a gift (see
below) at The Malthouse Collective in
Stroud, Gloucestershire on Saturday
7 December using vintage lace and
jewellery. All materials will be provided,
with refreshments and a light lunch. This
venue will host a range of workshops in
November and December, making gifts
and decorations plus floral arranging.
themalthousecollective.co.uk 
more of a slender growth habit and a
refreshing citrus scent.”
She also has sage advice for those seeking
a Christmas tree requiring minimum care.
“Container-grown trees are a superb
solution for those who want a low-
maintenance Christmas tree, as its root
systems will do all the work for you.”
For a finishing touch, add a ‘skirt’, such
as this Garden Trading rattan one (above)
to conceal the base of the tree and its stand
(essential for keeping the tree standing
straight), and as a backdrop for presents.
Visit rhs.org.uk for more expert wisdom.
THE ENGLISH HOME 27
 PEOPLE
Tom Martin
Bauble master
When he was a 16-year-old schoolboy in
010, Tom Martin started his own business,
producing 100 hand-painted baubles.
Today, his business, Tom Martin London,
makes and exports thousands of baubles
annually all over the world – each
painstakingly hand-painted on the inside
using a fine, hooked brush inserted through
a hole in the top. Tom has also forged a
partnership with The Snowman to make
baubles depicting characters from the
much-loved children’s story, and works
with corporate clients on commissions.
‘Inside painting’ is an ancient Chinese
raft. Legend has it that 200 years ago a
businessman travelled to Beijing and became
addicted to snuff. His business failed and,
destitute, he took refuge in a temple, where,
unable to afford more snuff, he scratched
every last bit from his snuff bottle, leaving
etchings inside the glass. A monk came
across the bottle and, seeing beauty, decided
to paint the etchings from the inside.
“An heirloom doesn’t have to be valuable
to be special to a family,” says Tom. “I’ve
always thought a bauble is integral to the
decoration process on any special occasion.
The decorations we produce are all
handmade so they’re wonderful, special
keepsake items.” tommartinlondon.com

Tanya & Philip Taylor

Founders of Harrow & Green
Having renovated their London home,
Tanya and Phil Taylor tried to source
somewhere that would print their address
on a vintage tinder sack in which to store logs for their new fireplace.
Unable to do so, they ordered a sack online and printed it themselves.
Family and friends loved it, and requested their own.
This sparked an idea to make personalised sacks for presents, Phil
having received Christmas gifts in a pillowcase as a child. The couple
made a few and demand soon spread. Setting up a website in 2011,
they successfully pitched to Notonthehighstreet.com and their firm
flourished. Stockists now include Harrods and Selfridges – where two
personalised sacks are said to have been bought by the Duchess of
Cambridge for Prince George and Princess Charlotte in 2016.
Phil, whose background is in IT, and Tanya, who worked at a
translation company, have since expanded their range to include
personalised stockings, mini sacks, handkerchiefs and more, everything
designed and printed in-house. “We both have a passion for design and
typography and have always wanted to work together,” they say. “Our
Christmas sacks add a little magic to Christmas morning. It’s such a
simple idea but it brings so much joy.” harrowandgreen.com 

28 THE ENGLISH HOME

Chimneypieces | Lighting | Furniture
020 7730 2122 | jamb.co.uk
 Festive events & days out
Bath Christmas Market
28 November to 15 December, Bath
Tantalising aromas of mulled wine and
roasting chestnuts will greet market visitors,
with 150 twinkling chalets to explore.
bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
Beverley Festival of Christmas
8 December, East Yorkshire
The man in red himself – plus reindeer –
will parade through this historic market
town, where visitors can peruse three
Victorian street markets and over 120 stalls.
visithullandeastyorkshire.com
Burghley Christmas Fair
28 November to 1 December, Lincolnshire
One of England’s greatest Elizabethan
estates will host its biggest ever Christmas
fair, run in association with the charity
fundraising Angel Fair, with over 100
exhibitors selling luxury gifts and fine food.
burghley.co.uk
Carols at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
2–11 December, Oxfordshire
Enjoy a champagne reception at this
idyllic country house hotel before going
on a torchlit stroll to nearby St Mary’s
Church for an evening of choral
performances by candlelight, then return
to the hotel for a celebratory dinner at
chef patron Raymond Blanc’s fabulous
Michelin-starred restaurant.
belmond.com
30 THE ENGLISH HOME
Christmas at Charles Dickens Museum
Dates in November & December, London
The former home of Charles Dickens,
where he wrote The Pickwick Papers, Oliver
Twist, and Nicholas Nickleby, will play host
to special readings, performances and festive
delights in its historic interiors.
dickensmuseum.com
Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre
23–24 November, Ludlow, Shropshire
Ludlow Castle will provide the historic
backdrop for medieval jesters, live music,
carol singers, a pantomime, over 100 stalls
and the chance to try archery, sword-
fighting, juggling and circus skills.
ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk
Malton Christmas Market
7–8 December, Malton, Yorkshire
Yorkshire’s official food capital will host a
festive version of its popular monthly food
market with non-food gifts as well, plus
street food, live music and entertainment. Natural History Museum Ice Rink
visitmalton.com Until 12 January, London
Frost-covered trees festooned with fairy
Mousehole Harbour Lights lights add a touch of magic to this seasonal
14 December to 4 January, Cornwall family treat, with the promise of mulled
The charming fishing village of Mousehole wine as a warming reward.
in Cornwall will be illuminated by nhm.ac.uk
thousands of lights in a colourful festive
display started in 1963 by local artist Joan Nottingham Winter Wonderland
Gillchrest. Open-air carols sung by local 15 November to 31 December
choirs will accompany the ‘switch-on’. Staged in the Old Market Square in the city
mouseholelights.org.uk centre with an ice rink, a Christmas market,

roving entertainers, live music, food galore
and an Ice Bar complete with ice sculptures
and drinks served in ice glasses.
nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk
Nutcracker, English National Ballet
27–30 November, Liverpool;
11 December to 5 January, London
Over 100 dancers and musicians will bring
this classic tale to life with exquisite dancing,
enchanting sets and Tchaikovsky’s
spellbinding score played live. ballet.org.uk
Padstow Christmas Festival
5–8 December, Padstow, Cornwall
For celebrity chefs, culinary delights and
festive fun, head to Padstow Christmas
Festival, featuring cookery demonstrations,
chef Q&As, fine local produce and artisan
skills, live music, a market and fireworks.
padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk
Royal Opera House Carols Singalong
15 December, London
Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House will be
filled with festive song led by members of
the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme,
with mulled wine and mince pies to follow.
roh.org.uk
Royal Pavilion Ice Rink
From 2 November to 19 January, Brighton
Marvel at the exotic architecture of King
George IV’s Royal Pavilion as you glide by
on an atmospheric rink, with ice powered
entirely by wind and solar energy.
royalpavilionicerink.co.uk
Rye Christmas Festival
7 December, East Sussex
Pantomine, storytelling, fairground rides,
street performers, a procession, creative
FAR LEFT The Natural History museum’s iconic
Waterhouse building makes a wonderful
backdrop for its outdoor ice rink.
LEFT Nutcracker by the English National
Ballet is a festive tradition enjoyed by all ages.
BELOW FAR LEFT Hunt for treasures at The
Country Brocante Winter Fair in West Sussex.
BELOW LEFT Enjoy a festive weekend
including carols by candlelight at Le Manoir
aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire.
workshops and even an elf training academy
are among this event’s many attractions.
christmasinrye.co.uk
Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Festival
6–8 December, Warwickshire
This Victorian Christmas event with a
Dickensian theme will feature traditional
gift and craft markets, food stalls, vintage
funfair rides and live entertainment.
stratford-tc.gov.uk
Strawberry Hill Christmas Festival
PHOTOGRAPHS P27 (MAIN) GARDEN TRADING NORDIC CHRISTMAS TREE. P30 (ICE RINK) © BIKEWORLD TRAVEL/SHUTTERSTOCK. P31 (ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET) © JASON BELL.
17 November, Twickenham, London
Carefully curated festive shopping,
Christmas home-styling demonstrations,
food tastings and a hog roast will be staged
at Strawberry Hill House, a beautiful
example of Gothic Revival architecture.
strawberryhillhouse.org.uk
The Country Brocante Winter Fair
22 & 23 November, West Sussex
Lovers of simple English country style and
pretty French interiors will flock to this
delightful event at Parham House &
Gardens for decorative homewares,
antiques, artisan giftware and accessories.
thecountrybrocante.co.uk
Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival
23–24 November, Cumbria
Step back in time to the Dickensian era in
this historic market town, with free festive
entertainment, music and dancing,
Christmas market stalls with gifts, seasonal
food and a grand costume parade.
dickensianfestival.co.uk
Viennese Christmas by Candlelight
29 November to 29 December, UK-wide
Revel in seasonal classical music by Brahms,
Tchaikovsky, Strauss and Schubert,
performed by the UK chamber orchestra
London Concertante in locations such
as London, Liverpool, Derby, Coventry,
Manchester and Newcastle.
londonconcertante.com
THE ENGLISH HOME 31
 THE ENGLISH HOME

THE LONDON EDIT

Festive inspiration from Editor-at-Large Kate Freud, from wreath-making
and bespoke hampers to felt Christmas decorations and afternoon tea

PETERSHAM NURSERIES FORTNUM & MASON COX & COX

E ver since William Fortnum

and Hugh Mason opened
the Piccadilly grocery store
Fortnum & Mason in
1707, it has become a
British institution and
destination for luxury gifts,
hampers and one of the
best afternoon teas in
London. The store never
looks more splendid
than at Christmas
when, bedecked with
Christmas trees and
sparkly lights, it bustles with

I t is hard to think of a more

beautiful setting in which to
get into the Christmas spirit than
Petersham Nurseries, whether at
the original in Richmond or
at its newer outpost nestled
in the heart of Covent
Garden. The latter has all
the charm of the flagship
restaurant and nurseries,
and despite its convenient
central London location
proves to be a haven of peace
from the bustling streets outside.
This Christmas, Petersham
Nurseries is offering a series of festive
workshops at both sites from
6 November until 21 December, with
prices from £40. Events include
Christmas wine tastings, bulb-planting for
the festive season, and making a wreath,
centrepiece or hand-tied bouquet using
wild flowers, foraged foliage, berries and
woodland materials.
Alternatively, join one of the candlelit
tourists and British traditionalists looking
for that perfect ‘little something’.
In store and online there is plenty
to delight the gourmet shopper with an
enticing collection of exotic teas, wines,
chocolates, biscuits, fresh food and even
the opportunity to create a bespoke
hamper. Visitors can also buy a bit
of the quintessentially English pomp
and ceremony to take home, such as
Fortnum & Mason tea sets, cake stands,
fine bone china teapots and tea towels.
This year, those seeking something truly
extravagant can purchase Fortnum
& Mason’s Midas Touch Christmas
crackers. The six gold-wrapped crackers
cost £5,000 and each contains a gold
envelope with tickets for a gift and an
experience, including fine china, delectable
hampers, champagne afternoon teas and
dinner at Fortnum’s restaurant at The
Royal Exchange. fortnumandmason.com
W hilst interiors brand
Cox & Cox is a
year-round favourite for
homewares and gifts, it
is also carving itself quite
a niche for Christmas
decorations, offering an
extensive range, whatever
style is sought.
There is plenty on offer for purists, with
traditional tree decorations, such as tree
trains, golden hanging bells, wooden toys
and baubles in classic red, silver and white.
Meanwhile, those who want to make a
style statement can harness the joy with the
Festive Fiesta range, a colourful Peruvian-
inspired collection featuring rainbow-hued
baubles and felt alpacas. And its carol-
singing felt reindeer and mice promise
to become firm family favourites.
PHOTOGRAPHS (OWL & CRACKERS) © CHLOE HARDWICK

Christmas carol and shopping evenings Table decorations and crackers can be
6pm–9pm on 4 December in Richmond found here, too, as well as chich wrapping
and 5 & 12 December in Covent Garden, paper, including leopard print and golden
to enjoy mince pies, deco designs, and ribbon inscribed with
mulled wine and ‘You are very hard to buy for…’,
a chance to buy a sentiment we all know too well.
everything from Exterior decorations have been thought
Christmas crackers of too, with Cox & Cox’s neon-style polar
to stylish decorations bears, light-up faux rattan reindeer and
for the tree. a pre-lit indoor/outdoor Christmas tree.
petershamnurseries.com coxandcox.co.uk

32 THE ENGLISH HOME

LA CENERENTOLA A MIDSUMMER
NIGHT’S DREAM
RO S S I N I BRITTEN

M A N O N L E S CAU T DA N C E @T H E G R A N G E

PUCCINI

M Y FA I R L A DY THE MONSTER IN
THE MAZE
LERNER & LOEWE D OV E

‘the star of the Summer’s country house offerings’

Music OMH

5 J U N E - 1 9 J U LY 2 0 2 0
+44 (0) 1962 791020
www.thegrangefestival.co.uk
 i
WONDERLAND
An ei G e in Sussex
s kd season
URE
PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD GADSBY
The kitchen and dining room have
been knocked together and
bespoke dresser-style cupboards
fitted. A pair of steel pendant
lights, one of which hangs above
the kitchen island (see overleaf),
were custom-made a few years
ago to add a contemporary touch.
The painting is Wild Flowers I by
Clive Fredriksson.

THE ENGLISH HOME 35

 C
ABOVE The walls are ome Christmas time, Amanda and Simon
painted in Matchstick Rooney’s Sussex home is like something
and the units are straight out of the pages of a children’s
painted in Stony
Ground, both Farrow
storybook. Roaring log fires, a beautifully
& Ball. “When I asked decorated Christmas tree in the hall with its sweet-
in the shop about the smelling branches reaching up the stairwell, and
kitchen colours, the candles and baubles at every turn. Meanwhile, outside
assistant told me it resembles an advent calendar with its symmetrical
they wouldn’t usually
put those two
windows and holly trees flanking the front door.
together because In 1993, the couple were living in Bristol with their
one is more green young children Matthew, Charlotte and Serena – all
and the other has now grown up – when surgeon Simon got a job on
blue undertones, the south coast. The family moved into rented
but it works because
it’s north-facing,”
accommodation in a village a short drive away and
says Amanda. then, in 1994, heard about a house nearby that was
LEFT Amanda with about to come on the market.
black labrador Otter. “We were the first people through the door,” says
The initials above the Amanda. “The moment I walked into the hall, I could
front door relate to
just imagine a Christmas tree at the bottom of the
the property’s
original name and the stairs. I got into the car and said to Simon, ‘I’ve just
numbers to the date got to have that house’.” Undeterred by the Grade II*
it was built. listing, the couple put in an offer and, by September
1994, the house was theirs. “The original part of the
house was built in the 1600s and then, in 1702, it 
 The antique dining table in the
entrance hall is perfect for festive
gatherings. The wooden lamp on
the console table is from
Duck & Dog in Cranbrook and
the large oil canvas to the
right is by the couple’s elder
daughter, Charlotte.

THE ENGLISH HOME 37

The wallpaper is vintage
Cole & Son and was in situ
when the couple bought the
house. The blue and white
lamp on the bureau is by
Oka. For a similar fire
surround, try the Bolection
fireplace in Black Marble
from Jamb.
 ‘This is a particularly festive house. It is the
time of year when it really comes alive’
was extended,” says Amanda. “The house was ABOVE LEFT The
painstakingly restored in the 1970s by the previous sofa in the cosy
owners, who have become good friends.” sitting room is
covered in a
When they first moved in, the couple resolved to live Manuel Canovas
with the layout and decor for a couple of years, after fabric. The two small
which they decided to knock through from the kitchen oil paintings are by
into the dining room to make a large kitchen/diner. Amanda’s aunt
“We also put down the wooden floor because, when Virginia Ridley.
ABOVE RIGHT The
the rooms were separate, one side was concrete with
dolls’ house is a
vinyl over the top, and the levels were different,” replica of the house
explains Amanda. and made by Anglia
The rest of the house – sitting room, five bedrooms, Dolls Houses. The oil
family bathroom and two en-suite bathrooms – has all painting of the house
is by Virginia Ridley.
been updated over the years, save for the drawing room
LEFT The Christmas
walls which are still covered in a vintage blue-and-beige
tree looks perfect at
Cole & Son wallpaper put up by the former owners. the bottom of the
Amanda has decorated with aplomb and the interior stairs in the entrance
now features a mix of taupe shades, wallpapers in bold hall. For a similar
hues and a selection of wonderful antiques. There is staircase, try
Stuart Interiors.
also a delightful dolls’ house in the hall. “I’ve always
had a thing about them,” she says. “When I was little,
a friend of my mother gave me her childhood dolls’ 

THE ENGLISH HOME 39

ABOVE The matching house from the 1930s. Then, when I was too old to
wallpaper and play with dolls’ houses, my mother kindly gave it to
curtains in the guest
the church raffle. Suddenly, as an adult, I decided
bedroom are in
Vauxhall Gardens by I wanted another one, so had one commissioned to
Lewis & Wood. look like the house.” Amanda only likes to furnish
RIGHT In the serene the dolls’ house with copies of her life-size furniture.
master en-suite “Everything is available out there, or you can have
bathroom, the bath is it made,” she says.
Toulouse by Victoria
+ Albert at CP Hart.
The couple usually host a big dinner party in the
The cupboard is from run-up to Christmas, decorating outside as well as
India Jane. inside, adding fairy lights to the holly bushes and
lining the path to the front door with lanterns. Guests
then sit at the large dining table in the hall. “I just love
the hall and the original quarry tiled floor. I like to
imagine all the people who have passed through
over the years,” says Amanda.
Upstairs, on the first floor, the master bedroom
boasts an en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe,
but an elegant George III four-poster bed with a
silk canopy is the real highlight. “I had always loved
the idea of having an antique four-poster bed and a
friend of ours, Bargain Hunt’s James Braxton, saw
one when he was visiting an auction house in
Billingshurst. So I bid for it over the phone.

40 THE ENGLISH HOME

My heart was pounding but no one was bidding After lunch on Christmas Day, the family opens the ABOVE The antique
against me and I won,” says Amanda. “It cost as much presents from under the tree. On Boxing Day they all four-poster bed in
again to have it restored.” Also on this floor are the go for a long walk, then the children make their return the master bedroom
is dressed in
pink-toile guest bedroom, two further bedrooms and a journeys – Matthew now lives in Singapore, Charlotte Fairmont Silk and the
separate bathroom. The fifth bedroom with its own en in New York and Serena in London. wallpaper is Ashby
suite is reached via a back staircase. After all the excitement of Christmas, Amanda and Stripe, both Colefax
Christmas and New Year is a magical time for Simon prepare for their annual New Year’s Eve party. and Fowler. The
the family. The children return home and throw “We invite old friends to stay, arriving in time for tea, bedspread is from
Cologne & Cotton
themselves headlong into proceedings, with Otter followed by a black-tie dinner and silly games. Last and the bedside
the black labrador also being involved. “On Christmas year we had a rib of venison with a bottle or two of lamps are from Oka.
Eve, we still put out the mince pie and port for Father very special red wine,” says Amanda. “This is a
Christmas and the children lay out the stockings, particularly festive house. It is the time of year when
including the dog’s,” Amanda says. it really comes alive.” 

THE ENGLISH HOME 41

 AMANDA & SIMON’S
CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATIONS
Mulled wine, plenty of foliage and berries,
and shopping at Liberty in London make
Christmas special for this couple
How do you celebrate Christmas?
We like to kick off the celebrations
with the magical Midnight Mass on
Christmas Eve at Mayfield Convent.
What is your favourite festive ritual?
Mulled wine after Midnight Mass. We
all pile back to the house and Simon and
I stay up preparing the stockings whilst
drinking a glass or two.
What are you looking forward to
this Christmas?
Having the children home. I miss them
desperately and adore having them back
in the house.
Where do you like to shop
for presents?
Liberty in London. Simon and I both go
there individually to buy for each other
and it has become a bit of a tradition.
The shop has a wonderful feel to it and
I love the fact that it sells unusual things.
I also like The Pantiles in Tunbridge
Wells. It’s a pedestrian street that is
beautifully decorated at Christmas
and has some lovely boutiques.
42 THE ENGLISH HOME
How do you decorate your home?
With lots of foliage and berries foraged from
the garden. We have plenty of shrubs and
trees, and there are also holly trees flanking
the front door.
How do you lay the table at Christmas?
I like to change it up every year, but I stick to
certain colour combinations. This year it will
be a white tablecloth and lots of candles
and tea lights.
What is your favourite festive recipe?
An old family Christmas pudding recipe.
The only one I have found that comes close
to it is Mary Berry’s version. It is delicious.
What should no Christmas be without?
Turkey! It is the only time in the year that we
have it. What’s more, I have found a fabulous
recipe that doesn’t involve getting up too
early in the morning.
TOP RIGHT Amanda in the inviting dining area
of the kitchen. Candles and soft lighting add to
the enveloping atmosphere.
RIGHT he handsome fir reath is offset
beautifull b the hite front door and the
green and red of the t o holl bushes
C i g
M S
esi
Mol Eas x
fair
colourful twists on tradition and an
abundance of homemade treasures

FEATURE ARABELLA MEZGER STYLING CLAIR WAYMAN

PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
Parsonage Pink by Papers and
Paints provides a pretty foil for
colourful artwork. The sofa is
covered in Molly’s Luna fabric in
Blue/Turmeric whilst a cosy tub
chair has been upholstered in
Molly’s Leaf fabric in Moss Green.
The painting above the fireplace
was inherited whilst the ones
either side of it are by Emma
Black, a friend of Molly’s.

THE ENGLISH HOME 45

T
rundling back home through the woods on
a frosty winter’s morning, bearing armloads
of greenery, holly and berries to adorn the
house, is a sure sign for Molly and Rollo
Mahon that Christmas has arrived. “I think this
cottage lends itself to Christmas” reflects Molly. “We
love bringing nature in.” The tree, which the children
have decorated, twinkles with baubles alongside a
nativity scene of felted animals made over the years.
Tucked away down a bumpy forest track is the
cottage where the magic of Molly’s eponymous
homewares label began five years ago – a label that
is celebrated for its striking, bold patterns and joyful
colours. She creates, she says, “to make people smile”.
The couple left London in 2010 “looking for our
own little space,” and a few years later, happened upon
this seventeeth-century stone cottage in East Sussex.
“No way am I buying this house,” thought Molly. “It
was really dark, the rooms were all falling down, Rollo
couldn’t stand up because the ceilings were so low. It
just wasn’t what I had in mind when I dreamt about
living in a pretty, rural cottage.”
The setting, on the edge of the Ashdown Forest,
surrounded by peace and quiet, won them over. The
Mahons and their three children – Lani, 12, Algernon,

TOP LEFT Above the sofa hang paintings by James Astor

and Molly and Rollo’s son Algernon.
LEFT Molly, Rollo and the family’s parson terrier, Bramble,
take a moment’s pause in front of the woodshed.
ABOVE Books about Peggy Angus, one of Molly’s heroines,
sit beneath enticingly wrapped presents on the ottoman.
 Rollo made the kitchen units
using reclaimed scaffolding
planks. An alcove above the
Aga is lined with plywood
tiles made by Molly. The
pink rug is a vintage find.

THE ENGLISH HOME 47

 ABOVE Molly’s Red 10 and Orlando, 6, lived there for a short time “to get The kitchen, which was originally two small rooms
Pattee Stripe design a feel for it” and then quickly moved out to allow works and a glasshouse, was knocked through, and French
is used for the to begin. “It was that classic scenario: we were so naive windows were put in to allow easy access to the garden.
lampshade and
tablecloth, creating a
that we didn’t realise the work would take a lot longer The space is now flooded with light and has been
festive canvas for the than the builders promised us.” In fact, the family were transformed into somewhere Molly loves to sit during
Christmas celebration. to find themselves living in a tent for eight months any rare downtime. Floors were lowered to give more
The brass candle- during the renovations and whilst Orlando was just ceiling height. “We’ve opened up the space and created
sticks are from a few months old. “Life was so crazy, we had to live a lovely family home. We managed to do a lot on a
Nkuku and the
inherited Ercol chairs
very simply,” remembers Molly. “We all slept in one relatively small budget, and it all now works really well.
have been covered in tent and found ourselves living in a way which was We have no reason to move,” she says.
Molly’s Yellow Dot actually quite tribal.” “On Christmas Eve, we go to our local farm and
design. Molly made During this time, the builders completely sing carols to the animals,” explains Molly. “The cows
the crackers herself. reconfigured the space in the cottage. “Nothing look out at us whilst we sip warm apple juice, eat
The flowers were
supplied by Aesme
flowed, and the only way to make sense of it was mince pies and the farmer tells the nativity story.”
and the mince pies to build a house that suited us as a family,” Molly On Christmas morning, Molly will come downstairs
came from Bettys. recalls. They moved the staircase, which originally to light the fire, put the fairy lights on and make a big
sat behind a huge oak door, and changed the layout pot of tea. “It’s magical, because our daily life can
upstairs to create four spacious bedrooms and a often be quite rushed. This way we open our stockings
gorgeous family bathroom where Molly enjoys together: it’s heaven. It’s what life’s supposed to be
reading to the children whilst they are having a bath. about – slow and warm.”

48 THE ENGLISH HOME

Molly professes to being quite traditional when it ABOVE LEFT A
comes to Christmas, and the decorations throughout simple blue and
the house exude her signature vibrancy. “I will put yellow blind
hand-printed by
one of our own-design tablecloths on the table and Molly hangs above
we’ll have napkins and crackers that I’ve made,” she the Belfast sink.
says. “Then I’ll fill the table with candles, mince pies, Pretty block-printed
pomegranates, satsumas and walnuts. It has a lovely curtains cover stacks
festive, rustic feel.” Molly’s creativity runs throughout of crockery below
the worktops.
everything that the family does; the children print ABOVE RIGHT
the paper for the paper chains and Molly makes all Bramble takes a nap
her own wrapping paper. beneath a bench
The Mahons have a symbiotic relationship between layered with brightly
work and home. “What I love about my work is that coloured cushions.
RIGHT A painted
Rollo is involved and I can do it with the children
dresser is laden with
around,” Molly enthuses. Family-produced art and a cheerful selection
design can be spied throughout the house. of plates and mugs
Inspired by what she describes as the Bloomsbury printed with some
group’s “domestic creativity”, Molly is not afraid to of Molly’s designs.
paint on her kitchen cupboards or even her fireplace
– in fact she is often commissioned by people to 
 The decorations throughout the house
exude Molly’s signature vibrancy
ABOVE Molly paint their cupboards. “It’s the idea that every home
designed the should reflect its inhabitants,” she explains. “Your
headboard fabric home is your home even if you’re only in it for a
specifically for the
master bedroom.
very short time. My mother was horrified,” she laughs,
ABOVE RIGHT The referring to the fireplace in their sitting room which
walls of the bathroom she and the children painted, inspired by those at
are papered with nearby Charleston farmhouse, “but I love it. It looks
Molly’s Coral print. gorgeous in the evening light.”
RIGHT The The surrounding countryside leaves its impression
seventeenth-century
on Molly and Rollo daily. So much so, that they were
stone cottage looks
out over the garden even married under an oak tree, and, at every turn,
towards the studio. the house references the nearby woodland, the
Over Christmas and simplicity of its shapes and its ever-changing palette.
New Year Molly is “I love the way that nature is constantly changing,”
running workshops at
Molly says. “It’s the same with block printing: every
Daylesford, clothing
and homeware time you lift the block you get a slightly different
company Toast, print. The patterns are simple, they make sense
and Charleston. and are timeless.”
In an age of perfectionism, when nothing is allowed
to be out of step, it is refreshing to witness Molly’s love

50 THE ENGLISH HOME

of imperfection. “Our house is perfectly imperfect and
we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Molly’s studio sits at the bottom of her garden and
is a riot of colour and pattern. Christmas wrapping
paper is strung from pegs across the length of the
room and inspiration lies in every corner. Though
comparatively small, there are several different areas
within the studio: one for moodboarding, another for
designing and drawing, another for printing. She
confesses to being an inveterate collector of books,
and her studio is piled high with them.
Recalling her first trip to India with delight, Molly ABOVE The canopy
says, “I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. This in daughter Lani’s
was where I wanted to be. I felt so alive and excited.” bedroom is Indigo
Blue Stars by Molly
She appears to have pocketed a little bit of Jaipur’s Mahon. A hand-
vitality and brought it back with her. printed stocking
The children often spend time with her in the studio. hangs at the foot
“I think it’s so good for children to be busy with their of the bed. The
hands,” she adds. “I love it when we’re in the studio fairy lights are by
Lights4Fun.
together. We might put some tunes on and everyone is
immersed in this creative zone. It’s what I did with my
parents and now the children are doing it with me.” 
THE ENGLISH HOME 51
 MOLLY MAHON’S
FESTIVE
TRADITIONS
Charades, a roaring log fire and a warm rum cocktail are
what make Christmas special for this textile designer
How do you celebrate Christmas?
We like to wake up at home on Christmas
Day, and either have family coming to us
or we go to my parents’ house, which is
an hour away. Champagne and smoked
salmon on bread are served by the
children, and the presents get ripped open
in a frenzy. Then we settle in for a long
lunch knowing that we don’t have to go
anywhere other than back to the sitting
room to play charades. We love to watch
The Queen’s Speech if we haven’t been
distracted by bad cracker jokes or copious
amounts of Stilton.
What is your favourite festive ritual?
Coming downstairs early to get the log fire
roaring before the children emerge to see if
Father Christmas has been.
What are you looking forward to
this Christmas?
Christmas as it always is. Life doesn’t get
52 THE ENGLISH HOME
more traditional than at Christmas and
I love the comfort of this familiar ritual.
Where do you like to shop for presents?
Lewes is my favourite and most local town. It
has a lot of independent shops, so you know
you can find something original there.
I love shopping at Wickle in Lewes – you
can get everything there from my favourite
brand of jeans to beautiful children’s toys,
plus they make really good coffee.
Then I love Closet & Botts (also in
Lewes), where I might find something for
my sisters. The owner has a great eye for
vintage as well as new, so you can get
everything from beeswax candles to
marbled enamelware there.
Last stop is the Charleston Farmhouse
Christmas Fair, where I will be selling my
wares, too. There are so many great artists
and makers in this part of Sussex and
Charleston curates a wonderful selection
in its own shop and for the fair.
How do you decorate your home?
I love to decorate with holly, freshly cut from
outside our back door and draped all over
our artwork around the house.
What is your favourite festive
cocktail recipe?
A long time ago, before we had children, we
went for cocktails in a smart London bar, and
my husband enjoyed his so much that he
remakes it every year to the following recipe.
Use the best rum possible, a lime peel, a
cinnamon stick and a big, juicy blackcurrant.
Rinse out a glass or jug with very hot water so
it is warm, then pour in the rum. Add the
lime, cinnamon and blackcurrant, swill it
around so it warms up and then sieve into
another warmed glass, and drink. It’s so
warming and delicious.
What should no Christmas be without?
Christmas stockings. They are still my
absolute highlight. Sadly, Father Christmas
doesn’t bring me one any more, but I still
get that excited feeling when my children
open theirs.
ABOVE LEFT Molly surrounded by her
trademark vibrant colours.
ABOVE RIGHT The dining table set in the
pink, red and yellow hues Molly loves.
Upholstered chairs from Oka are
a comfortable yet stylish option
for everyday family meals in the
dining area of the kitchen. The
wall light is by Porta Romana.

54 THE ENGLISH HOME

 A spacious and inviting mock-Tudor
home in Surrey creates the perfect
setting for entertaining at Christmas

FEATURE & STYLING SARA BIRD

PHOTOGRAPHY DAN DUCHARS

The sophisticated drawing

room features carefully
restored wooden panelling.
Candles are gathered on a
tray on the table to add
ambience of an evening. The
grand mantelpiece is decked
in fresh foliage and baubles
with a wreath hung above.

TOP The walls in the
entrance hall were
hand-painted by mural
specialist James Gemmill
and are teamed with
flooring by Martin Moore
Stone. The festively dressed
console table from Oka
56 THE ENGLISH HOME
W
hilst always an exceptional property,
Claire and Rob Merriman’s house in
Surrey was a rather worn and gloomy
sight when they first came to view it.
However, it has since had its spirit reignited by the
great care and attention to detail they have taken in
bringing it back to its former glory.
The handsome mock-Tudor property, built in 1927,
now radiates warmth all year round and is particularly
alluring at Christmas time. “I love this time of year
when the house is bathed in the warm glow of
Christmas lights,” says Claire. “It makes it really
inviting for family and friends. This was important
to us when we started to look for our dream home.”
The couple spent many a weekend poring over
maps and walking the local footpaths to try and find
a hidden gem. “When we arrived here, on entering,
we could see the view through the open back door.
We didn’t even look at the rest of the house, as we
just knew,” Claire explains. “We feel very lucky to live
here and share this special place with all the wildlife.”
Claire could see the building had plenty of
potential, with its exposed beams, bags of character
and good proportions. She was particularly taken,
too, with the kitchen and its impressive vaulted
ceiling. However, the space didn’t flow very well
provides guests with for a growing family – the couple have three young
a warm welcome.
children – and the decor was in need of attention.
ABOVE Using pine cones
and ivy gathered from “The interior needed updating and, as a large old
the garden, together house, it was draughty and costly to run,” says
with baubles, Claire Claire. “Luckily we found an architectural practice,
creates decorative nests Back to Front, who understood how we wanted to
to place votives in.
shape and style the house.” 
LEFT The main side of this and
Christmas tree is in occasional chairs
the drawing room and a console table
where the family on the other side.
gathers to open Claire has chosen
presents. This tree a mixture of seating
features more of the styles and sizes,
children’s decorations including sofas from
as well as several The Sofa Company,
presents beneath. which are upholstered
ABOVE The large in tonal fabrics to
drawing room is all sit together
divided into three comfortably. The faux
zones with seating book door to the left
around the fireplace, of the fireplace leads
a grand piano to one to the study.

THE ENGLISH HOME 57

 ‘I purposely designed the house to not feel too formal,
using warm, relaxing hues so people feel comfortable’
ABOVE Lighting Claire and Rob decided to live in the property
plays a big part in for a year or so before having any work done to
Claire’s decorating gain an insight into what they needed to change
scheme with
pendant, task and
in order for it to work as home for them and their
atmospheric styles family. Amongst the conclusions the couple came
sourced from to were incorporating a dining area at one end of
Porta Romana. the kitchen and extending the snug leading off
ABOVE RIGHT In the this so they could fit an extra bedroom above this.
cosy seating area at
“We had to knock down part of an exterior wall to
one end of the
kitchen, cream achieve this,” Claire explains. “There was a single-
upholstery from storey roof above the then television room and the
Eicholtz is teamed roofline cut into the porch, making it a really
with curtains in fabric awkward entrance.” This simple redesign gave the
by Sheila Coombes.
couple a chance to add poise and presence to the
house’s facade and do its setting justice.
An additional folly-like extension in the form of a
tower was added, which now accommodates a study
on the ground floor and a master en-suite bathroom
above. Each room has been beautifully designed and
features many one-off pieces of furniture.
The build and interior decorating took two years
to complete. “We had long delays, but it was a
relief really because it gave us time to decide what
sort of style we wanted,” Claire explains. “It also
enabled us to do a lot of design research, meet
suppliers and see the work they’d done. Thanks
to this, we have some bespoke items and character
details and it was nice not to be rushed when making
decisions about these.”
Claire has kept the interior decor very peaceful
and calm, with pale honey-coloured shades
throughout. “I purposely designed the house to
not feel too formal, using warm, relaxing hues so
people feel comfortable,” she says. “We’ve also got 

58 THE ENGLISH HOME

LEFT The simply set table sets a cocooning
mood with its rustic tablemats, linen napkins
and plain tableware. The accents of red and
green in the decorations add a dash of colour.
ABOVE By choosing a circular design table
from Appel + Hardwick Interiors in Surrey,
Claire has created a sociable setting where
guests can converse easily with each other.
The pendant light sourced from Villa Verde
is dressed with foliage, creating a focal point
above the table. The walls are covered in
Paint & Paper Library’s Stone IV paint.
THE ENGLISH HOME 59
 ABOVE A log several keepsakes from our travels, little reminders of
wallpaper panel where we’ve been, and the pale hues are the perfect
by Andrew Martin
backdrop to these too.”
provides a textural
detail in the entrance Significant care and attention were taken to
hall. The large clock address the internal woodwork details. When the
is from Hampton family first moved in, Claire was keen to update the
Court Interiors. dark and gloomy wood panelling in the main drawing
LEFT The house sits room, added to which all the windows, doors and
on top of a hill and
enjoys fantastic views
skirtings needed replacing. “We worked with some
of the Surrey Hills wonderful carpenters. They renovated and recoloured
and South Downs. the panels, beams and casements and we sourced
During the house some amazing bespoke windows and doors,” Claire
renovations Claire explains. “It has given the house a polished finish as
and Rob decided to
add a turret as their
everything flows and feels authentic. Nothing was too
legacy to the building. much trouble for them. They even helped me create
BOTTOM LEFT some custom cabinetry I sketched, including the faux
A handsome wreath book door in the drawing room and the master
decorates the bathroom basin console.”
impressive front door Now the house has been completed, there are
of Claire’s home.
only a few minor decorating tweaks for Claire to
keep on top of, so the extensive grounds are now
her main focus. “Gardening is my big passion and
as I’m a landscape designer, it’s my career, too. As
a family we spend so much time outside all year

60 THE ENGLISH HOME


TOP A bed from The Four Poster Bed
Company is topped with linens and
accessories from Oka. Claire chose Paint
& Paper Library’s Stone III for the walls.
The armchair is in linen upholstery from
Hampton Court Interiors. The tray-top
table is from Shimu.
ABOVE The double-basin vanity unit
in the master en-suite bathroom, was
designed by Claire. The bathroom is
at the top of the turret extension and
includes a freestanding bath from
Fired Earth and a rustic stool from
Designers Guild.
‘I love to bring natural touches
indoors and having all this on
my doorstep is such a treat’
round, be it in the garden or beyond,” says Claire.
Much of the festive foliage adorning the house is
foraged from the garden and surrounding grounds.
“I love to bring natural touches indoors and having
all this on my doorstep is such a treat,” she continues.
“This style of dressing the house appeals to my
gardener’s nature, but it does take quite a while to
collect and do. Fortunately, we have a lot of material
in the hedgerows to hand when we need some.”
Claire’s approach to Christmas styling sits very
well with the overall look of the house. Making a
timeless and effortless-looking addition to the
elegant rooms and furnishings, it is the perfect
layer to her home at this time of year. “We enjoy
opening the door and sharing our home with
others, so it can get quite busy,” says Claire.
“When our family and friends are around and
the fire is lit, it is a lovely place to be, especially
at this time of year.” 
THE ENGLISH HOME 61
 CLAIRE & ROB’S
CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATIONS
Long walks, putting up the decorations and playing board
games are what make the festive season special for this couple
How do you celebrate Christmas?
On Christmas Eve we walk the mile across
the fields to the village church for the carol
service and walk home with headtorches
and a mince pie to keep us going.
On Christmas morning the animals
(chickens, deer, guinea pigs, rabbits, pigs,
mice and horses) will all get some extra
food and carrots. The children will
normally be up at six o’clock in the
morning and in each other’s rooms
opening their stocking presents.
At one o’clock we have a family meal at
home – traditional roast chicken – and the
children and my husband have to wash up
and tidy everything away before we sit
around the fire and open the presents.
Afterwards we normally have a big board
game of Risk or Mine a Million which can
get very competitive, especially between my
husband and my dad.
Boxing Day is usually a nice long
walk, taking in a nice country pub.
62 THE ENGLISH HOME
The William IV in Albury is the perfect
Boxing Day pub.
What is your favourite festive ritual?
Putting up the decorations. Since having
the children, we have been putting them
up in the last week in November! I always
let the children do the tree, although I have
to confess that I do some minor ‘adjusting’
when they’ve gone to bed. Trying to make
sure Father Christmas doesn’t wake the
children up is another annual bit of fun
and games. A couple of years ago, my eldest
daughter tied a string to her big toe and
attached that to her stocking so that when
Father Christmas picked it up, it would tug
her foot and wake her up.
What are you looking forward to
this Christmas?
Relaxing and having my mum helping out
with the cooking. Everything tastes better
when she’s cooking with me.
Where do you like to shop for presents?
The cobbled high street in Guildford has
a very Christmassy atmosphere in
December. The Packhouse near Farnham
is a treasure trove of ideas, and I love the
Loseley House Christmas Fair at Loseley
Park near Guildford.
How do you decorate your home?
With ivy and holly – it looks lovely around
old beams. Although the children have
more blingy ideas and would love to put
up lots of tinsel!
How do you lay the table at Christmas?
Lots of candles and lanterns – you can’t
beat the atmosphere candlelight creates
– and foliage, fruits and nuts.
What is your favourite festive recipe?
My mum’s Christmas pudding. She has
adapted her recipes over many years, and
she has a well-thumbed copy of Delia
Smith on her shelf. I do enjoy a lot of the
food from Marks & Spencer – particularly
their canapes.
What should no Christmas be without?
Playing a family game and having a gin
and bitter lemon – it’s the only time of
year I drink it. Also, getting out the
nutcracker for walnuts and hazelnuts.
ABOVE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
Claire dresses the dining table with foliage,
fruits and nuts; Claire beside the handsome
wreath on the front door; A stylish bench from
Oka in the entrance hall.
The table and chairs were bought
in France as was the light fitting;
for a similar look, try the six-light
Wheat chandelier by Besselink &
Jones. The large ship’s mirror,
purple velvet chair and all
cushions are from Catesbys.
 ry
CHRISTMAS
Enchanting decorations and locally gathered
greenery create a welcoming atmosphere in this
Grade II listed home in Rutland at Christmas
FEATURE AMANDER MEADE PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
STYLING MARCIA MORGAN

THE ENGLISH HOME 65

 S
ABOVE LEFT To tanding proudly at the end of a winding,
welcome guests for a tree-lined driveway, is a house that immediately
festive feast, the
transports the imagination back to the
couple use plenty of
silver and glassware eighteenth century. Resembling a parsonage
on the dining table to from a Jane Austen novel, the three-storey Grade II
reflect the warmth of listed stone building dates from 1788 and did indeed
the candlelight. originally house the local rector.
ABOVE RIGHT An Surrounded by rolling parkland on the edge of a
antique dresser
charming village in Rutland, the property is positioned
purchased at auction
has been decorated directly opposite the parish church. The setting is
with seasonal idyllic all year round, but owners Neil Honor and
accessories, a floral Jonathon Pegg say that it never looks better, or feels
arrangement and fruit. cosier, than during the festive season.
LEFT Adding a twist In 2016, Neil and Jonathon were living in
to the country-house
look are pieces from
Cambridge and running their homewares business,
the couple’s collection Catesbys, from a shop in the historic city centre. They
of contemporary art. discovered Rutland by chance during a weekend away
The lithograph above and fell in love with it. “At that time, we were working
the console table is very long hours and had had enough of traditional
Grand Helice Rouge
by Sonia Delaunay.
retailing. We were ready for a change,” says Neil.
Browsing online, Jonathon came across the house,
which is part of the Exton Park Estate – home to the
Earls of Gainsborough for almost 400 years. Upon
viewing it, the couple were instantly smitten and made 

66 THE ENGLISH HOME

The front door is dressed with
a magnificent natural wreath.
The warm welcome continues
within, with candlelight and
plenty of fresh foliage. The
Venetian mirror was sourced in
France and the bench was made
to order by Peter Flavell at
Flavell Trading.

THE ENGLISH HOME 67

 ABOVE A pair of the decision to take their lives in a different direction. insist they will not become slaves to a period home.
shelving units house “Before we moved here, a friend gave us some excellent “Our style takes its cues from the house itself,” says
kitchenware and advice,” recalls Jonathon. “He said ‘start with how Neil. “We had all the rooms painted before moving
Jonathon’s collection
of cookery books.
you want to live and let everything else follow’. Those in, but soon realised we had taken things a little too
“Open shelving words have stood us in good stead, as not only did neutral, so we have since repainted several rooms to
allows me to keep the house present the opportunity for a wonderful introduce more colour. Whilst experimenting and
the things I use most rural lifestyle, but it also gave us the impetus to trying to find just the right shades, we tried lots of
frequently easily to move our business online. We use our home to different Georgian yellows, but they just don’t seem
hand,” he says.
hold regular events as a way of keeping in touch to work with the light in this house.”
RIGHT The
workbench was made with our customers.” The uplifting blue colour used in the sitting room
to order by Flavell The festive season begins for the couple in January was inspired by the colour of a Cire Trudon candle
Trading. “We needed each year, when they scour European trade fairs to box, adapted slightly to suit the room and then mixed
a worksurface for source for their carefully curated Christmas range. to order locally. “It was crucial to us that the wall
food preparation and
“The Europeans still have the skills to craft beautiful, colours were just right as they serve as a backdrop for
a table for casual
dining when it’s just authentic Christmas decorations in hand-painted, our collection of modern and contemporary art. It was
the two of us,” says mouth-blown glass with the quirky yet traditional worth the extra effort as all our pieces definitely sing
Jonathan. The look we adore,” says Jonathon. “We describe the out far better against bolder hues.”
Clockhouse stools decorations we love and use in our home as the The couple have strong attachments to only a few of
and Petit Paris
heirlooms we wish we had inherited, full of nostalgic their furnishings and are generally happy to let items
pendant lamps are by
Garden Trading. charm and special enough to be handed down flow in and out of the house, acquiring and selling
through the family.” pieces fairly regularly, which means their decor changes
The couple admit the house has helped them to frequently. “We would never part with some of our key
adopt a more relaxed outlook on life. However, they pieces like the rug in the sitting room, but the nature 

68 THE ENGLISH HOME

 Clare Mosley
handmade in england

English crystal lamp base with Eglomise decoration.

WWW.CLAREMOSLEY.COM

Order your free fabric samples at Beautiful.

thefootstoolworkshop.co.uk Practical.
01443 831 981 Customisable.
 ‘All our pieces definitely sing out
far better against bolder hues’
of the business means there are accessories coming ABOVE The
and going all the time which keeps things fresh.” hospitable sitting
room is the couple’s
The kitchen, with its lack of fitted cabinetry,
favourite spot for
presented a challenge. By chance, the removal men entertaining over the
had placed a pair of bookshelves in the kitchen and festive season. The
because they fitted the dimensions exactly, the couple European Silver Fir
decided to keep them there, creating open shelving for Christmas tree is by
Balsam Hill.
cookware and recipe books. Jonathon is a talented
LEFT Bertie, a
cook and says he loves the feel of a traditional working rescued French
kitchen. “In keeping with the house’s Georgian origins, bulldog, relaxes
the kitchen feels practical and functional, yet at the on a rug the couple
same time, warm and welcoming. We commissioned designed themselves
a freestanding work bench to our own design which and had made by
Berber weavers in
doubles up as a food-preparation space and a dining the Atlas Mountains.
area. It’s a brilliant practical solution.”
The sitting room is another favourite spot, with its
views on both sides of the church and countryside
beyond. “We entertain a lot at this time of year and
this room is so comfortable and festive with our
Christmas tree, roaring fire and lots of cosy throws
and cushions. We dress the house from top to bottom
using plenty of foliage gathered locally on dog walks
and really throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the
season,” says Neil. 

THE ENGLISH HOME 71

 ABOVE The clean, For Jonathon, Christmas Eve is the most magical day
simple lines of the of the year and the culmination of a very busy working
four-poster bed time for the pair. “Each year we try to spread some
provide the focus in
the guest bedroom,
cheer by hosting Christmas lunch at the beginning of
whilst brightly December for our close friends and a drinks party for
patterned cushions neighbours in the week before the big day,” he says.
add a dash of colour “Then, by Christmas Eve we’re ready to relax with
to the otherwise homemade sausage rolls and a glass of wine in front
neutral scheme. The
bed is by Coach
of the television.”
House, and the large On Christmas Day itself, Neil and Jonathon
mirror, Les Ottomans alternate between hosting a celebration at home
cushions and lamps and dining out with friends, often delaying opening
are from Catesbys. presents until Boxing Day to prolong the excitement.
The bedside tables
are by Biggie Best.
The days that follow are filled with walks, films by the
RIGHT The Grade II fireside and grazing on leftovers until New Year which
listed house was is celebrated in style with champagne and smoked
originally a rectory. salmon. “We cherish those special days between
Christmas and New Year. They’re a welcome pause in
the festive frenzy, before – soon enough – it all begins
again for next year,” says Jonathon. 

72 THE ENGLISH HOME


NEIL & JONATHON’S
FESTIVE
TRADITIONS
Homemade mincemeat, carol singing and ghost stories are
what make Christmas special for these brocante hosts
How do you celebrate Christmas?
Living less than 50 yards from our village
church, we never miss our local carol
service. It’s a traditional affair, but the
best bit is the homemade mulled wine
and mince pies at the end of the service,
guaranteed to send everyone on their way
with a warm glow.
A few days before Christmas itself, we
love to gather friends and neighbours
together for a village drinks party. We
make sure there’s plenty of fizz, and we
bake a huge ham, accompanied by gratin
dauphinois and red cabbage, followed by
an equally enormous tiramisu and cheese
board for those who can face it.
What is your favourite festive ritual?
Wherever we find ourselves on Christmas
Eve, we always ensure we’re home in time
for homemade sausage rolls and Ghost
Stories for Christmas (usually to be found
on BBC4), with only the log fire and
tree lights for illumination. A classic MR
James spine-chiller is the perfect antidote
to an excess of festive schmaltz.
What are you looking forward to
this Christmas?
Going to Vienna for the traditional
Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas market.
We choose a different European
destination each year, and find it’s a great
way to top up our Christmas cheer when
it begins to flag a bit in November. The
food stalls offer delicious festive grazing
opportunities and there are often great
decorating ideas to try back home.
Where do you like to shop for presents?
Fortnum & Mason – it might be a bit of
a cliché, and you do have to time your
visit to avoid the crowds at Christmas –
we’ve found Sunday mornings to be
best – but we love browsing the food
halls for treats. When it all gets too much,
the men’s department is quieter and
far more civilised.
How do you decorate your home?
We always dress our fireplaces with
garlands threaded with tiny white lights,
and our tree is living proof that more is
most definitely more at this time of year.
Our advice is to imagine the number of
decorations you think you need, then
double it.
How do you lay the table at Christmas?
Astier de Villatte serving dishes and
platters, and a few of our bronze partridges
along the centre of the table, nestling
amongst foliage foraged from the garden,
interspersed with mercury glass votives.
What is your favourite festive recipe?
We make our own mincemeat using
apples from the Bramley tree in our
garden, basing it on Delia Smith’s classic
recipe. Friends can never believe how
different it is to shop-bought, and even
those who claim not to like mince pies
come back for seconds.
What should no Christmas be without?
A real fire, Champagne truffles,
homemade sausage rolls and Christmas
films – our favourites are The Family Stone,
Elf and The Santa Clause.
TOP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT he roaring log fire
sets the scene for a cosy Christmas in the sitting
room; Neil, Jonathon and Bertie, their French
bulldog; the couple’s homemade mince pies.
THE ENGLISH HOME 73
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THE ENGLISH HOME 75

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 STYLE INSPIRATION
Our special section dedicated to design and decorating inspiration begins here

WELCOMING PARTY
Ensure a festive welcome and the
promise of a fulsome celebration
as soon as guests walk up the
garden path and across the
threshold. Bare branches look
magical adorned with baubles
and a dusting of snow. And what
could be more welcoming than
a pair of bronze hounds dressed
with fetching ribbons and foliage?
Dog statues, £480 each; Wide Red
& White Piping Stripe Ribbon (on
dog, right) £2.50 a metre; hanging
decorations from £4.50; Mother
& Father Christmas sack, £48,
all Susie Watson Designs
PHOTOGRAPH © ADAM CARTER

THE ENGLISH HOME 77

Perfectly
IMPERFECT
Put aside impeccable ideals and
gather nearest and dearest to
create a heart-warming Christmas,
with one and all partaking in joyful
customs and sharing in the
unfolding merriment

A simple, handmade wreath with dried

seed heads can look resplendent. Use
an oversized floristry wreath for impact
(try the large Benni Wreath Ring from
Notonthehighstreet.com).
Woodwork, Amsterdam, £19.95
for 1l Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan
 Take a mome
to appreciate t
dressed in i
Christmas
Mother & Fa
(right), available
Robin & Rosehip
£

T
he most enchanting Christmas experiences CLOCKWISE FROM
come from celebrations filled with personal TOP LEFT
resonance. This meaningful warmth is Children will be
excited to help with
encapsulated in sentimental memories, such the Christmas baking
as watching the childrens’ eyes light up as they listen to by making classic
stories of Father Christmas’ journey around the world, delicacies such
or everyone chuckling as grandpa tries to mime Chitty as mince pies
Chitty Bang Bang during a game of charades. Each one and gingerbread.
Brompton cutters,
of these endearing moments become poignant stories £11.20; Brompton
of the most magical Christmas times, shared with cook book holder,
friends and family. £25; Brompton
Over the coming pages, we suggest ways to host cake rack, £15,
festivities that focus less on pristine organisation all Garden Trading
and more on encouraging family and guests to Make the process of
wrapping presents
participate and rejoice in a relaxed and convivial more efficient with
gathering. So, soften your desire to be the ‘host personalised printed
with the most’ and learn the joy of embracing the gift tags.
imperfectly perfect instead. Merry Christmas
custom-foiled gift

Participating in
tags, from £50 for
a pack of 25,

preparations Fraser & Parsley

After taking little
ones for a walk,
Great pleasure can be derived from decorating for embrace the mood
with decorations
Christmas, but sometimes this can be compromised
created from
in a quest for perfection. Children love to be involved woodland characters.
in dressing a tree, setting out the nativity scene or Mrs Squirrel wood
decking a table top, so if the main tree has to be decoration, £2.99,
beautifully colour themed and decked, do consider Gisela Graham at The
Contemporary Home
letting the children decorate a second tree of their
Children will delight
own, with homemade decorations, tinsel and allowing
in making paper
them to make it as haphazard and gaudy as thrills their chains in these
eyes. For older children and adults, making homemade charming designs.
paper chains is easy to master and offers a quick way Christmas Snowman
to decorate bare walls, shelves and beams that feels so & Santa paper chain
decorations, £6.49,
personal. Sitting down to create them together can
Ginger Ray
reap enormous rewards in memorable conversations Keep personalised
and quiet time together. baubles in a special
When planning how to bring family and guests box to discover year
together on Christmas Day, it is a lovely idea to buy one after year.
small gift for each person (which can handily double as Personalised baubles
from £20, Peggy
a place setting). Seek out a simple activity for everyone & Kate at
to do together. For example, wrap up jigsaw pieces for Notonthehighstreet.
a family game (see extra large puzzles from com
jigsawpuzzlesdirect.co.uk) or form a melodious orchestra
at the Christmas table with crackers containing whistles
(find musical symphony crackers at lakeland.co.uk). 

THE ENGLISH HOME 79

Christmas Eve
Set the tone for a sociable yet mellow Christmas Eve
with an informal meal. Preparing a hearty-but-simple
pie or favourite winter stew will easily feed a large
gathering. If guests ask to help, encourage them to
create a new cocktail to elevate the evening with an
indulgent tipple. Festive cocktail ideas can be found at
jamieoliver.com – we particularly like the sound of the
Winter Sidecar and Christmas Alexander.
What could be nicer than sharing preparations for
the following day and the Christmas feast? With carols
on the radio and mince pies to hand, helpers will be in
a celebratory mood – singing and peeling vegetables
around the kitchen table. Others might be thrilled
to be asked to create a simple tablescape; casually
arranging the table with foliage has an unassuming
and elegant charm. Willow Crossley, florist and stylist,
suggests using foraged treasures “scattered down the
table as a natural table runner”. This style of display
can be created with readily found evergreen foliage,
variegated ivy and moss. Crossley suggests partnering
the greenery with seed heads, such as dried cow parsley
and any leftover garden hydrangeas, along with acorns,
cones and nuts – all sprayed in gold (find an array of
coloured spray paint at floristry-supplies.co.uk).
If seeking a smarter mood, Willow says, “I love a red
tablescape filled with pomegranates (both cut in half
and whole), red and gold pepperberries, red candles
and berried eucalyptus.” 

TOP RIGHT Father Christmas may have an eye on nostalgic

charm for children’s stockings this year, perhaps including
sugar mice, wooden toys and skipping ropes. Along with
these simple delights, there may be promises of enjoyable
family days out together.
Traditions Ribbed Velvet Christmas stocking, £20,
and all other items, John Lewis and Partners
RIGHT If guests are feeling creative, they may wish to
concoct a cocktail using Christmassy ingredients such
as pomegranate, star anise and citrus fruits.

80 THE ENGLISH HOME

LEFT Guests may relish the opportunity
to get in the festive mood by helping
to set the table for a celebratory
Christmas Eve supper.
Automatic Wine Opener, £45, Cuisinart
ABOVE Heighten the atmospheric mood
with a cluster of candles on the table.
Luna brass candle centrepiece, £38,
Rowen & Wren
BELOW Botanic-themed tableware
harmonises with natural Christmas
decorations, and can be used
throughout the year.
Portmeirion Botanic Garden tableware,
from £9 for a side plate; Portmeirion
Botanic Garden crystal wine glasses,
£22 for four, all Spode
BELOW LEFT Once children are in bed,
plan a restful evening for the adults, with
candles burning and favourite drinks to
make the most of the Christmas mood
before the morning.
Bluebell two-and-a-half-seat sofa in
Squirrel pure cotton matt velvet,
£1,940, Sofa.com
(NB: Never leave lit candles unattended.)
Christmas morning
To enable a relaxed morning, reconsider the timing
of Christmas lunch. Some families eat during late
afternoon or evening, which allows the cook to sit
down with family and friends and linger over
breakfast and enjoy a gentle start to the day. Eggs
Benedict or scrambled eggs with slivers of smoked
salmon are ideal choices. Alternatively, if young
children are part of the group, a pause in the morning
proceedings might be necessary to go for a walk whilst
food is roasting in the oven. Some may like to
disappear to ‘dress’ for a late festive dinner.
It is worth seeking recipe short-cuts recommended
by well-known cooks. For the ultimate trimmings, see
Nigella’s perfect roast potatoes (nigella.com), Delia
Smith’s all-in-one baked vegetables (deliaonline.com) and
James Martin’s easy bread sauce (bbc.co.uk/food). Make
the main event special effortlessly by using Jamie
Oliver’s recipe for Christmas butter for turkey (prepare
the night before and cover the turkey in the morning,
see jamieoliver.com). For last-minute saviours, use Oliver’s
fruit-and-nut cake topping to ensure the
Christmas cake is not left
bare, and look to Smith’s
Cheats Christmas
Pudding and Fastest
Mince Pies Ever to
whip up traditional
desserts in no time.
LEFT Always have boxes of chocolates dotted around the house,
downstairs and in guest bedrooms.
English Afternoon Tea truffles, £15, Charbonnel et Walker
82 THE ENGLISH HOME
Christmas afternoon
After dinner, as everyone begins to peel away from the
table, guests may wish to assist with the clearing away
(as an alternative to helping set the table earlier on).
Encourage a jolly team of helpers and make hand-
washing the best tableware feel out of the ordinary
with the addition of special Christmas tea towels.
Once the tidying is completed and everyone is
settled, create a sense of atmosphere with realistic-
looking LED candles so there are no safety concerns
about supervising candles in multiple rooms. Throwing
a few pine cones on the fire will instantly permeate the
air with a Christmassy scent.
As the afternoon or evening progresses, considerately
ask if guests would like to teach everyone their favourite
party games. Or take inspiration for parlour games
from Christmases past. The National Trust highlights a
favourite Victorian game known as ‘Pass The Slipper’
in which one person stands in the middle of a circle of
guests with their eyes closed and counts to 30 whilst a
small item is passed behind the backs of the assembled
circle. The person in the middle of the circle must then
guess who holds the item. Classic Georgian Christmas
activities included performing a snippet from a
pantomime or creating a puppet theatre. Include
less-mobile family members in the entertainment with
other simple past traditions, such as storytelling –
perhaps ask guests to discuss their favourite Christmas
memories – and singing Christmas carols. 
TOP FAR LEFT Embrace the
communal Christmas spirit
with a warming glass of
mulled wine after a hearty
morning walk. Try John
Lewis and Partners for
mulled wine glasses.
LEFT A simple jug of flowers
and a red, white and green
theme lifts this dining scene
into a Christmassy mood.
Merry Christmas jug, £75;
Christmas silk-flower stems,
£48, all other accessories,
Susie Watson Designs
ABOVE Have baskets ready
to make it easier to clear the
post-present opening
muddle of paper, etc.
(If wrapping paper can be
scrunched up, it is usually
recyclable, but check with
local regulations).
Open-weave basket, from
£50 for a small basket,
Garden Trading
BELOW Set up a buffet-style
nibbles area, so everyone
can help themselves.
Dean’s Shortbread
Assortment, £9.99; Mince
Pies, £3.49; Tracklements
Fresh Chilli Jam, £3.79, and
all other food, Dobbies
Boxing Day & beyond
Set the pace for a leisurely Boxing Day with a late-
morning cooked breakfast. It allows time for everyone
to enjoy a slow rise from bed. As this is a traditional
day for a festive walk, guests may relish the opportunity
of planning an enjoyable trail and exploring new areas.
Prepare a light meal with cold meats and cheese,
adding a selection of scrumptious accompaniments.
Pickles, dressings and fresh salad and fruit will turn
festive leftovers into delicious platefuls anew in no time.
FEATURE SUZANNA LE GROVE PHOTOGRAPHS P88 (COCKTAILS) © MIZINA/ISTOCK; P90 (MULLED WINE) © SVETIKD/ISTOCK; (SUSIE WATSON) © ADAM CARTER

When guests are staying for a day or so after Boxing

Day, it is worth booking a table at a local hotel, pub or
restaurant to provide a welcome break from cooking
and a wonderful post-Christmas treat.
If a second stream of guests is due to arrive, a
pantomime (see bigpantoguide.co.uk to find smaller
productions, alongside well-known theatres) or
ballet outing will help maintain the Christmas mood.
James Forbat, first soloist at the English National Ballet,
sums up the lasting pleasure of taking loved ones to see
a festive performance: “We hope that families and
children are going to take away this magical experience
that will remind them of Christmas and everything
that’s special.”

ABOVE This special chutney are the perfect excuse to

brings Christmas flavours to
any dish. Christmas Apricot,
Cranberry & Port Chutney,
£4.95, Fortnum & Mason
TOP RIGHT Treat friends
and family to a special
festive afternoon tea at
a lovely hotel during the
Christmas period. Contact
calcot.co for details.
RIGHT After a crisp Boxing
Day walk, cashmere socks
encourage a cosy afternoon
with loved ones.
Cashmere socks, mink and
grey, £42, Rowen & Wren
FAR RIGHT Add festive
accessories to add to the
cosy, inviting mood.
Christmas Knitted
Statement Cushion,
£48, Sophie Allport

84 THE ENGLISH HOME

 www.theheadboardworkshop.co.uk
or call us on 01291 628216

Headboards & Beds | Ottomans | Stools & Chairs

HURLINGHAM
The Bath Company

www.hurlinghambaths.co.uk T: 01400 263310 E: sales@hurlinghambaths.co.uk

 feast for
THE EYES
Creating a beautiful environment in which to make
memories is surprisingly simple with these three ideas
for achieving an elegant table setting this Christmas
A sound starting point for a statement-led
table setting is the existing colour palette
of a room. Here the giant baubles add a
sparkling texture and contrast to the matt
grey walls. Wind simple green foliage down
the centre of the table to add a natural
contrast in tone.
Giant Tiko baubles (far left and near left),
from £18.95 (15cm); Giant Antique-Gold
baubles (centre), from £18.95 (15cm); Bequai
Display Pyramid candlestick, from £14.95;
Mbata Brass candlestick, from £19.95;
Abeeko glassware, from £34.95 for a set of
four wine glasses; Abeto Washed Grey table
linen, from £16.95 for a napkin, all Nkuku

T
here is much expected of the dining table
at Christmas. It is the perfect canvas to be
creative, so take pleasure in the preparations
in anticipation of family and friends
arriving. Dress it with magical elements and ensure
there is ample tableware and comfortable seating so
guests will want to linger. Here, we share advice on
pulling together a scheme that feels inviting,
luxurious and polished.

STATEMENT PIECE
A deceptively simple way to create a setting with impact
is to focus a scheme around a single, dramatic
statement piece hung above the table. A giant kissing
bough created from mistletoe or a series of twinkling
festive decorations added to a low-hung chandelier
immediately create a talking point. Be sure to have
wire, velvet ribbons and either a baton to fix the
display to the ceiling or an existing fixture that is
suitable to hang pieces from.
Just as impactful might be a giant wreath or star
hung on a wall or a collection of decorative plates
or silver trays. A sideboard or drinks trolley could be
adorned with a tower of candied fruit or a lavish floral
display. Everything else can be kept beautifully simple. 

ABOVE Hang a bough or wreath above the dining table,

perhaps with LED lights and baubles attached.
Arundel dining table in Darkened Oak, £1,695; Arundel
bench in Darkened Oak, £455; Amelia armchair in Isla
Swallow, £735; Camilla scatter cushions, from £63 each,
all Neptune

THE ENGLISH HOME 87


Velvet seating is both inviting and informal
when a two-seater upright settee is paired
with linen-covered dining chairs. This is a
simple device to break formality, especially
when paired with simple table linen.
Still White tablecloth in 100 per cent
pure linen, £85, Chalk Pink Linen Co
KEEP IT COSY
Set the mood by creating a warm, calm atmosphere
that will feel relaxing and special in equal measure.
An inviting dining room could take inspiration from
winter’s starry skies or the crisp frosts outside.
Lighting is key: leave central ceiling lights off and
instead layer wall lights or sconces with candles and
votives on the table. Thread twinkling fairy lights
amongst them for added atmosphere.
Soft, sumptuous textures are key to adding winter
luxury. Velvet cushions or sheepskins on seats and a
sprinkling of metallics will all feel decadent. To retain
elegance, contrast these with more rustic materials
such as stiff cotton, rattan and natural foliage. 
ABOVE LEFT The warm tones of terracotta work
beautifully with gold metallics and woodland-themed
decorations which appeal to all ages.
The Arts Champagne Saucers, Purple/Gold, £35 (set
of two); Skultuna Nattlight candlestick (large), £130;
Stag with glittered antlers, £30; Campfire Orange
Berry Wood standing tree, £25, all John Lewis
ABOVE This opulent table setting is consistent in its
jewel-toned colour palette, set off against the drama
of a dark brown table. The abundance of natural
foliage is the perfect foil and hurricane lamps provide
height to the scheme.
Charlotte extending dining table, French Walnut, £1,895;
Stafford Velvet Alchemilla dining chair, £325, Oka
Fairy lights woven around the Christmas
tree and a pre-lit star add to the soft glow
produced by candlelight. Using dark-
coloured candlesticks ensures they stand out
against a tonally consistent scheme of soft
greys and deep greens. Placecards ensure
everyone can seat themselves easily.
Captured Wire tealight holder, £12; Pinecone
placecard holders, set of six, £25; Ultimate
Green & Berry garland, £75; Pre-lit hanging
star £25; Black dinner candlesticks, from £20,
all The White Company

THE ENGLISH HOME 89

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 FOCUS ON THE DETAILS
Thoughtful, personalised touches make a
guest feel truly welcome at the festive table.
Ensure that both wine and water glasses are
provided and an extra little gift, such as a
bauble or game, can be discovered.
To create a contemporary setting where each
course is catered for, layer china identically for
each place setting on top of freshly laundered
and ironed table linen. Decorating each
setting with a sprig of holly, bauble or place
card holder can help pull together the chosen
colour palette for the scheme and create a
personalised feel.
Finally, add glasses, candles, crackers and
decorations. For an extra-special touch, attach
a small festive posy, bells or a stocking
complete with a small gift inside to the backs
of the chairs as a fitting final flourish for the
most memorable meal of the year.

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH P99 (SARAH K) © MATILDA DELVES

The table setting here is given more prominence

against a richly contrasting tablecloth.
Broste Copenhagen Gold cutlery, £175
Attaching something special to the back of a
chair will delight children and grown ups alike.
Green Velvet Christmas Stocking, £39.95,
Nordic House
A successful table setting can start with one key
piece, as shown here with the tablecloth.
Berry tablecloth, from £65; red linen napkins,
£38 for a set of four, both Sarah K

THE ENGLISH HOME 91

CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP LEFT
Nicola and Chris Cox
in their studio in
North London.
Bronze Fragment
Coffee Table,
£31,200; Thibier
Lounge Chair in Gilt
Iron, £7,080; Cut Star
Mirror, £9,360
Voyager’s Chair,
£33,600
Polypore Light,
£108,000; Grove
Table, forged-iron
base and Kashmir
White Stone
top, £21,600
OPPOSITE, LEFT
TO RIGHT
The construction
of a Ferro Vitro
Chandelier. The glass
is hand-blown into
the iron structure.
Pouring molten
bronze into a ceramic
shell mould.
Nicola and Chris in
their foundry.
 THE STORY OF COX LONDON
ARTISTIC FLAIR
Cox London, the luxury lighting and furniture company run
by creative husband-and-wife team Nicola and Chris Cox, is
highly respected by interior designers and private collectors
W
hen Nicola and Chris Cox met whilst studying
sculpture at Wimbledon School of Art in 1993,
little did they know their shared passion would
lead them to the success their lighting and
furniture business, Cox London, enjoys today.
After the pair graduated in 1997, they practised their trade,
working everywhere from bronze foundries to art studios, with
metalwork restorers and even in a chandelier-making studio,
before the seeds of their business were planted when they bought
FEATURE KATE FREUD PHOTOGRAPH P100 (TOP LEFT) © ALUN CALLENDER
their first home in 2000. “When we viewed the property, we
realised it had a double garage and jumped at the chance to get
our hands on it,” Chris explains. “That really was the beginning
of our first proper foundry and workshop. We took it from there,
then formalised Cox London in 2005, the year we were married.”
Today, Nicola and Chris employ 37 people and divide their
time between the showroom in Pimlico and the workshop and
studio in North London. “When we started the company, we
said ‘yes’ to every challenge that was thrown our way,” says
Chris. “We restored metalwork, lighting and furniture,
cast artists’ work for them in bronze, jesmonite and other
materials, made our own artworks, lighting and furniture,
and dealt in antiques too. It was a case of keeping all those
balls in the air, seven days a week for a few years, which was
really hard. So to have this great team in place now has made
the world of difference.”
Despite the business having grown, all Cox London’s lighting,
furniture and artworks are still crafted using traditional techniques
to forge iron, cast bronze, solder, weld and fabricate, as well as
for gilding, lacquering and adding patina. “There are so many
different elements to the business now,” Chris explains, “but
we are never happier than when we are in our overalls using our
creative hands. I also enjoy drawing commissions for our makers
to work from and love seeing these pieces come to life.”
Meeting interior designers and clients to discuss projects is also
something the pair thoroughly enjoy. “There are often subtleties in
a clients’ needs that don’t translate until you sit down and talk to
them or visit their space,” says Chris.
Looking ahead to 2020, Cox London is set to launch a
partnership with the Crafts Council. Nicola and Chris are
‘education champions’ so will be helping to promote the
importance of craft-based subjects in schools and workplaces.
“We believe that making something by hand is a basic human urge
that can result in a happier, more productive society,” Chris says.
With their infectious enthusiasm and passion for what they do
so clearly demonstrated in every piece they produce, there is no
doubt that the next generation will be inspired too.
THE ENGLISH HOME 93
The convivial
KITCHEN
Ensure cooking and
entertaining flow smoothly
with a kitchen layout that
works harmoniously for
both hosts and guests
W
hen December arrives, so, too, the
season of entertaining begins.
Whether drinks at the weekend,
midweek suppers with friends, family
meals with loved ones or a party with dearest friends,
there is a constant demand on the kitchen.
For most of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home,
and this is never more true than during the festive
season in this most hard-working of rooms. With this
in mind, it is crucial to think about how to create a
seamless flow to make preparing, cooking and serving
meals – in addition to socialising with family and
friends – run as smoothly as possible.
ISLAND LIFE
A well-planned kitchen layout will ensure that
preparing for celebrations can be as much of a joy
as hosting them. This can easily be achieved by
introducing key elements to the room and organising
them in such a way as to enable easy access and swift
movement from one zone to the next. “Intelligent use
of space is key,” says Debbie Harradence, lead designer
at Barnes of Ashburton. “The ideal layout, especially
during the festive season, will ensure there is enough
space on a day-to-day basis, but with the option of OPPOSITE Give the
creating extra room when required.” kitchen some festive
Freestanding island units, worktables and moveable finishing touches
during the Christmas
butcher’s blocks and trolleys make wonderful areas season. A mantel for
for food preparation, serving and storage. “Moveable instance, can be used
kitchen islands make for a fun way to add versatility to display pine cones,
to an open-plan kitchen,” says Jamie Blake, creative candles and foliage.
director at Blakes London. “We recently designed an Linear kitchen,
from £20,000,
island on wheels for a client who loves to entertain. Harvey Jones
In the morning it is used as a breakfast counter, during ABOVE
the day it becomes a food prep space and when guests A combination of
are expected, it is pushed up against a wall to become open and closed
a buffet table, allowing the kitchen to open up into the storage allows for
quick and easy
perfect drinks mingling area.”
access to all the
If large enough, a fixed island can be used to house kitchen essentials.
an oven and hob with a downdraft extractor to remove Bespoke kitchen,
cooking odours and steam, a second sink for washing from £35,000,
salad and vegetables and a boiling water tap for hot McCarron & Co
drinks. There could also be room for guests to sit on
bar stools and chat whilst the cooking is taking place.
Another advantage of having an island is that it can
be used to divide the room into zones by separating
the cooking area from the seating or relaxing spaces,
for example. Charlie Kingham, managing director of 
THE ENGLISH HOME 95
Charlie Kingham Cabinetmakers, confirms their
appeal. “Islands, peninsulas, pastry benches and
butcher’s blocks are all great elements for controlling
the all-important flow of a kitchen, yet still serve a
clear purpose as preparation stations,” he explains.
“Two islands can be a good idea if you have the
space, but you have to be careful to get the flow just
right, as they really should have their own identity and
purpose. Ideally, one might be for social gathering and
the other a workhorse-and-prep area supporting the
main cook zone.”

SITTING COMFORTABLY
During larger social gatherings, it is perfectly
acceptable to expect guests to stand in the kitchen and
mingle, but when it comes to smaller events such as
family meals, casual suppers or dinner parties, it is
important to ensure there is plenty of seating for all.
“When hosting a dinner party in an open-plan
kitchen, guests will want to interact with the host
whilst they prepare the food,” says Tom Howley,
design director at Tom Howley Kitchens. “One layout
solution would be to ensure the seating area around
the island counter does not interfere with access to
the stove top, fridge or drinks cabinet. There should
be no seating close to this area. That way, cooking

ABOVE RIGHT Keep

essential ingredients
at hand in one place.
Pantry larder, from
£4,000; Shaker
kitchen, from
£20,000, both
Harvey Jones
RIGHT A large island
can be used for both
preparing and
serving food.
Classic English
kitchen, from
£25,000, deVOL
FAR RIGHT The island
in this kitchen design
separates the
cooking and
dining areas.
The kitchen shown
is priced £12,945,
British Standard

96 THE ENGLISH HOME

 Drawer and cupboard
space on the less
busy side of an island
makes tableware
easily accessible for
those wishing to help.
Langton kitchen, from
£18,000, Burbidge

and fetching more drinks can be done without

tripping over guests’ feet.”
Along with bar stools tucked neatly beneath an
island or peninsula overhang, additional seating could
be in the form of banquettes at the end of an island or
added to one side of it, window seats – ideally with
storage inside for extra cushions – or around a dining
table. “The positioning of seating is very important
and should be a main consideration when designing
the layout,” says Kingham. “It needs to be thought
out to suit lifestyle needs, but still not interfere with
the cooking area – it is imperative that the latter is
treated with due respect. There is a fine line between
a kitchen where all who occupy the space are happy
and one that creates stress.”

LIGHTING ZONE
Another way to help create different areas within the
kitchen, especially when it is open-plan, is to plan the
lighting carefully. This allows for all the various tasks
to take place safely as well as adding ambience and
mood after dark. “Task lighting is a must in the
kitchen,” explains Chris Jordan, managing director at
lighting specialist Christopher Wray, “particularly 

THE ENGLISH HOME 97

 o n reen s anc en ores s va e s o w owers
ru e c s an mar me a r s an s ca e ome

Find us in Libert Harrods and Fortnum & Mason

nobleisle com
above the worktops, the sink area and the cooker,
providing the right amount of illumination for
preparing food and cleaning up. These tend to
be ceiling downlights and under-unit lights.”
“Accent lighting,” Jordan continues, “which
highlights specific areas, should be used above an
island or dining table for maximum effect, providing
soft but effective light for eating or even working.
Pendants or a chandelier work best here, as they are
not only functional but they can also be used to create
a focal point.” He also suggests installing LED strips
under a breakfast bar, an island or within wall units
to add visual impact and atmosphere.

HELPING HANDS
If space allows, having duplicate elements or multi-
functional appliances is another way to ease the
workload during festive season. Consider range
cookers with ovens for simmering, warming and 

ABOVE An island allows guests to chat to the host

whilst food and drinks are being served.
Bespoke, hand-painted Studio CK kitchen, £21,000,
Charlie Kingham
RIGHT Creating different zones with lighting to suit
is crucial in a busy kitchen.
Kitchen from £35,000, Martin Moore

THE ENGLISH HOME 99

 conventional cooking, a second sink on an island for food
preparation or in the utility room, and even two dishwashers or a
double-drawer dishwasher design to cope with additional demand.
FEATURE HAILEY GILBERT PHOTOGRAPHS P105 (BRITISH STANDARD) © ALEXIS HAMILTON; P108 (DAVONPORT) © DARREN CHUNG

Ancillary spaces such as sculleries or prep kitchens are perfect

for hiding unsightly washing-up and enable the main kitchen to
be used for guests whilst any ‘behind the scenes’ action takes
place out of sight. “A separate scullery is becoming more and
more popular,” says Peter Humphrey, design director and
founder of Humphrey Munson, “but for those without a second
room to utilise in this way, consider where plates will be stacked
after dinner and whether they can be tucked around a corner out
of sight from the dining area. It will feel altogether less crowded
and cluttered. Another great solution is a second dishwasher –
if you like to cook and use lots of pots and pans, a second
dishwasher can be designated for more heavy-duty cleaning,
whilst tableware and glassware can be washed quickly and
on a less aggressive setting.”
Whether hosting a few or many this coming festive season,
a smooth-running kitchen will enable both guests and cooks
to relax and enjoy every moment.

ABOVE A kitchen made for entertaining, this scheme by

Guild Anderson features two large islands to keep food
preparation and serving separate.
Guild Anderson kitchens start at £35,000 with this design
costing around £70,000
RIGHT Banquettes are useful for informal dining in an open-plan
kitchen with circular tables and curved seating making it easier
for guests to interact.
Bespoke Tillingham kitchen design, from £45,000, Davonport

100 THE ENGLISH HOME

 e r f
THE HOME
is ie a r coo ing the festive feast b
i o th es ge coo ers, hich also offer
a variet of innovative ne features and functions
R
ange cookers have long been a
quintessential component of the English
home – and though classics for a reason,
their 21st-century incarnations offer a
variety of options. Where fuel choice was once the
key factor in choosing a range cooker to suit the home,
today’s choices offer myriad opportunities to best suit
the needs of any one home. Here, we take a look at
the different aspects to take into account when
selecting the best design.

AVID COOKS
For novice chefs and keen cooks alike, there is
now a new generation of what could be called
hybrid cookers – designs that combine the standard
multi-function oven with elements such as an
induction hob, simmering plate or steam cavity
for flexible culinary flair.
Rangemaster has recently introduced a range
cooker that incorporates a dedicated steam cavity.
“Range cookers offer a variety of options to suit
every style of home cook and offer more space for
those looking to entertain, whether it is whipping
up dinner for unexpected guests or cooking for the
whole family at Christmas,” says David Reynolds,
technical director of Rangemaster. “The flexibility
of a steam function makes preparing a Sunday roast
or Christmas dinner even simpler, as it allows for
steaming vegetables and puddings, whilst also
roasting meat and potatoes in the oven and
warming gravy or sauce on the hob.”
Aga has also invested heavily in innovative new
product design to ensure there is an Aga cooker for
every cook and every kitchen. This has led to the
launch of four new Aga 3 Series designs in a variety
of sizes with useful new additions such as a
combination of cast-iron ovens for roasting, baking
or simmering, hotplates and induction hob with
bridging feature for use with a griddle or fish kettle.
This allows for a cooker for all seasons and with
simple to manage energy usage. 

LEFT verhot manufactures its energ -efficient range coo ers

at its carbon-negative factory. Powered by a small, steady
o of electricit , the coo ers run off a standard amp
plug or rene able energ Everhot 110, Aubergine, £9,040

THE ENGLISH HOME 103

Extraordinary
kitchens

Whether its traditional or classic, fitted or freestanding, our kitchens are refreshingly different
with a unique range of painted, timber, distressed, vintage and industrial finishes.
If you’re looking for a truely bespoke kitchen to reflect your individual style, visit our showroom High Street
at Moreton in Marsh in the heart of the Cotswolds or register online for a brochure. Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0LH
Comprehensive design service and home consultations arranged countrywide. Commissions www.unfitted.co.uk
fulfilled throughout UK, Europe and worldwide. 01608 650065
 BELOW This dual-fuel design boasts two ovens – one
fan, one multi-function – and a five-burner gas hob that
includes one powerful 5kW burner and a wok cradle.
Deluxe 1092 cooker, from £4,139, Falcon

TOP The 990 ELX LARGE KITCHENS CLASSIC DESIGNS

from Esse features When space allows, it is preferable to choose as large
double the hob space a range cooker as possible in order to have flexibility
of its standard cooker
and, as it is electric,
when it comes to cooking. Companies such as La
can be installed Cornue and Lacanche, for example, offer widths of
almost anywhere. 180cm and 220cm, with everything from vaulted
990 ELX, £7,950, Esse ovens to customised cooktops which in addition to
ABOVE Measuring gas burners include options such as a simmering plate,
220cm wide, this
chargrill, plancha, multi-cooker with steamer, bain-
range cooker can be
specified as gas, dual marie, teppanyaki, induction module and lava-rock
fuel or all-electric. grill to complete the culinary experience.
Classic Vezelay, from Also ideal for a large or open-plan kitchen are
£13,820, Lacanche cookers that radiate warmth. Rayburn ranges, which
are manufactured by Aga, not only come in cooker-
only models, but can also be used to heat the home’s
hot water and central heating system.
In order to create an enduring look in the kitchen,
many stalwarts of the range-cooker market are
introducing new colourways to their collections.
The cast-iron Rayburn is one such brand, having
announced the addition of a host of new colours
such as Blush, a soft pink with cream and yellow
undertones that works well with other neutrals;
Dove, a pale grey with a hint of blue that complements
natural wood or painted cabinetry; and Aubergine,
a rich, statement shade.
There are also new developments in terms of
technology. Stoves now offers the Richmond Deluxe
with a cavity splitter that turns this three-oven cooker
into a four-oven model in an instant, and Bluetooth
connectivity that allows the user to control and adjust 

THE ENGLISH HOME 105

 cooking times from anywhere in the home using
an app on a smartphone or tablet. There is even a
function that stores cooking times for favourite dishes.

LATEST INNOVATIONS
There are plenty of other innovations from
manufacturers such as Esse and Everhot.
Everhot’s heat-storage cookers really come into
their own during the festive season, with six sizes to
choose from and no need for a flue or complicated
installation – simply plug in using a standard 13amp
plug. “Everhot cookers have complete temperature
control and some of the largest ovens in a heat-storage
cooker, easily accommodating a 32lb turkey,” says
Guy Goring, owner and director of Everhot. “The
radiant heat means that the turkey can be slow roasted
overnight, and also means waking up to a warm
kitchen on Christmas Day.” Founded in 1979, the
company is celebrating 40 years of making energy-
efficient range cookers, its designs being compatible
with renewable energy, too.
Esse, meanwhile, offers a new electric cooker that
can be installed almost anywhere and comes with a
versatile induction hob, three ovens and a full-width
integrated grill. The heat-conserving hotplate has
recessed hinges to maximise usable hob space, whilst
the top and bottom ovens feature a patented ‘surround
heat’ system that wraps around each oven to deliver
the same radiant heat as its wood-burning models.

FEATURE HAYLEY GILBERT PHOTOGRAPHS P113 (ESSE) © LUKE CANNON. P114 (SMEG) © NICHOLAS YARSLEY
ABOVE LEFT The
range of Aga 3 Series
cookers offers a mix
of ovens, hotplates
and induction hobs
in a choice of sizes.
3 Series eR3 170 in
Linen, £14,765, Aga
FAR LEFT Smeg’s
SYD4110 Symphony
range cooker has two
ovens, each with
seven functions,
including one that
allows the cavities to
be wiped clean.
SYD4110 Symphony,
£2,199, Smeg
LEFT Boasting two
vaulted ovens, the
also allows for a
customised cooktop.
Prices from £28,279,
La Cornue

106 THE ENGLISH HOME

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THE ENGLISH HOME 107

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 QUINTESSENTIALLY
Inspiration for seasonal pastimes and making the most of life at home starts here

CHRISTMAS SPICE
Few things are as evocative of the
festive season as the heady aroma
of mulled wine, or even spiced gin,
drifting through the home. If time
is of the essence, a kit allows for a
carefully pre-selected balance of
flavours – try grating in a touch
of nutmeg for added depth.
Green Cuisine Nutmeg & Mini Grater,
£2.99; Garden Shed Gin, £39.99;
Gin Spice Kit, £2.99, all Dobbies
FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON

THE ENGLISH HOME 109


TOP Add thoughtful touches such as
hot-water bottles to guest bedrooms.
Sheepskin hot-water bottles, £40 each,
The White Company
MIDDLE Ensure comfort with the
provision of cosy woollen blankets.
Throws, £60 each, The British
Blanket Company
ABOVE Mix colours, shapes and sizes for
maximum impact when laying the table.
Red Calico breakfast saucer, £12; Black
Regal Peacock plate, from £14; Red
Christmas plate, from £13, all Burleigh
110 THE ENGLISH HOME
…in the moment
Be our guest
O
ne of the simplest yet most
rewarding pleasures of the
festive period is welcoming
guests into the home.
Preparing for the arrival of loved ones
and anticipating their needs not only serves
to make their stay more comfortable, but
also adds a delicious sense of anticipation
of creating special memories together.
Crossing the threshold
Any journey undertaken at one of the
busiest times of year is doubtless ended
with a sense of relief, particularly when
greeted by a welcoming entrance hall.
Creating ample space for hanging hats,
coats and shoes will create a sense of ease
and comfort as soon as visitors cross the
threshold. If necessary, consider investing
in storage solutions such as smart wicker
baskets or rattan chests for footwear and
smaller items like gloves. Neptune and
Oka are good resources. It might be
sensible, too, to have spare hats and
wellington boots on standby.
Sitting comfortably
Once guests’ coats have been hung up and
their luggage set down, ensuring they have
somewhere comfortable to sit and enjoy a
reviving cup of tea or perhaps something
stronger is of the utmost importance.
A sofa or armchair filled with plump
cushions and a table nearby on which to
set a drink are a good starting point.
Enhance the enveloping mood with
additional decorative touches such as soft
candlelight – which at this time of year is
s
equally effective day or night and can be
easily and safely achieved with minimal
fuss thanks to the use of pillar LED
candles. Meanwhile, having ready-laid-out
refreshments from which new arrivals can
help themselves at their leisure creates a
lovely laidback feel for both guest and host.
Decor, too, need not be overlooked.
Adding a personal accent, such as bringing
in foliage foraged from the garden to
thread along the mantelpiece or place in
vases, can create a delightful connection
with the outdoors.
The festive feast
Such is the attention on food at Christmas
that, often, the practicalities of the actual
table itself are easily overlooked in favour
of the lavish, home-cooked repast it bears.
For instance, not all tables are wide enough
to accommodate serving dishes as well as
decorations. “Making sure the table is big
enough for the number of diners is really
important,” counsels Jemma Baskeyfield,
company historian at Burleigh. “Lay all
serving bowls and dishes out beforehand
to ensure everything will work, and that
people have room to eat in comfort.”
Though practical considerations such as
ensuring additional seating and allowing
for sufficient space for food, guests and
tableware are of key importance, so too are
aesthetics of the way the table is laid out.
“Ensure that you use bowls and serving
dishes in various colours, shapes and sizes,”
Baskeyfield says. “Creating a super, eclectic
mix draws everyone in and creates a layered
landscape across your festively laden table.”
Light the candles, put out the finest
glassware and plump the cushions to
create a warm welcome.
Eva large sofa in Hugo Pale Oat, £2,920;
Caspar armchair in Harris Tweed Marmalade,
£1,805; Keswick coffee table, £480; Fleming
round mirror in Gold, £125; Isla velvet
stockings, £30 each, all Neptune
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© National Trust 2019. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images

A Christmas present that will last forever. Hand painted and crafted
in Devon, these delightful wooden side-tables are fun pieces of
furniture to rest your drinks etc on. Standing 38’’ high, their sturdy
trays are 25’’ above ground, an ideal height to place your favourite
tipple when resting on your sofa after a hard day eventing.
Perfect for that birthday, wedding, anniversary or retirement
present. Jockeys can be painted in your own silks and soldiers
in your regiments.
Festive memories
made at Lyme
Visit Lyme to discover the stories and memories of
Christmas past. Enjoy a cosy drink amid seasonal
decorations or a bracing walk across ancient moorland,
and create some new Christmas traditions of your own.

To see over 50 models and to order, visit our website below.

These are the places that make us.
Order early for Christmas.
Kentchurch Butlers nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme

07774 959561
www.kentchurchbutlers.co.uk

112 THE ENGLISH HOME

Sleeping soundly
Guest bedrooms are more
than simply a place to rest;
they can also offer calm and respite amidst
the excitement of Christmas. “Rooms don’t
have to be perfect to be beautiful. It’s all about
those thoughtful and personal touches that make them
special,” says Sophie Conran, designer and founder of the
eponymous homewares shop, who cites items such as boxes
of tissues for consideration. Similarly, a cosy hot-water bottle
or woollen blanket work wonders for comfort.
Southwold table lamp, £175; Mixed Cable Burlington blanket,
£130; Markham and Kingston bed linen, from
£10 for a classic pillow case, all The White Company 

THE ENGLISH HOME 113

In an English kitchen A trifle delicious
The English trifle has perennial appeal,

C
ooking in preparation for Christmas undeniably forms ensuring its rightful place as a family
the focus of activity in the kitchen come December. At the favourite on the festive dessert table
beginning of the month, baking begins in earnest, filling the of homes across the land
home with nostalgic scents of gentle spices, including cloves,
Arguably the most indulgent of puddings
cinnamon and nutmeg, used in cakes and sweet treats.
– where else would both custard and cream
The colder temperatures and shorter days, meanwhile, lend themselves
mingle happily alongside alcohol-soaked
to warming soups and stews that are as comforting to prepare as they are
cake and fruit? – the trifle has long been a
to be enjoyed amongst friends and family – served with rough-hewn
quintessentially English Christmas staple.
chunks of freshly baked bread.
In her book, The History of Christmas Food
Though, for many, the traditional choice for Christmas Day may well
and Feasts, food historian Claire Hopley points
be turkey, there is also much opportunity to be explored with alternatives
to the sixteenth-century as the time when trifle
such as goose, beef wellington or even a three- or five-bird roast, as a
began life “as a dish of cream often combined
centrepiece for the festive feast.
with egg-whites and wine”. Various additional
elements have been added over the years, until
the dish eventually took its now-recognisable
Seasonal ingredients form in the 1800s.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES For the uninitiated, a trifle – broadly
speaking – starts with a layer of alcohol-soaked
Beetroot
cake or sponge biscuits. This is then topped
Bramley apple
with fruit, jelly (anathema to some, ambrosial
Cauliflower
nectar to others), custard and cream, before a
Celery
topping of flaked almonds or angelica – or, for
Grapefruit
the young or young-at-heart, hundreds and
Horseradish
thousands – is sprinkled on as a final flourish.
Pomegranate
Whilst some might argue that the rules of
Tangerines
trifle construction are strict – in deference to
Swede
tradition – others suggest that experimentation
White cabbage
often heralds rewards. Whichever of these
options is plumped for, a glass bowl – cut-
FROM LAND & SEA
crystal or plain – is essential – not only to
Coley
display the layers and whet the appetite,
Hare
but also to add a further note of drama and
Partridge
theatricality to the festive spread. Recipes
Turkey
abound from those passed down from
generation to generation, through to failsafe
directives from stalwart named chefs.
• Delia Smith’s traditional trifle recipe
suggests frozen English raspberries over
fresh imported varieties for greater depth
of flavour, and happily advocates the use of
shop-bought trifle sponges over homemade
cakes for optimum alcohol absorption
(deliaonline.com).
• Mary Berry’s classic old-fashioned trifle,
meanwhile, combines biscuits and sponges
sandwiched with strawberry jam as the base
layer (maryberry.co.uk).
• Nigella Lawson’s chocolate cherry trifle
(nigella.com) is “like Black Forest gateau
in a glass” says our source.
• Nigel Slater’s mincemeat trifle combines a
festive-flavoured almond sponge with lemon
curd, custard and cream (nigelslater.com). 
Creating a delicious trifle in
a cut-glass bowl allows the
layers of the classic English
trifle to shine through.
Strawberries & Cream small
trifle bowl, £100; Trifle, Pears
& Peaches medium trifle bowl,
£150, both Emma Bridgewater

THE ENGLISH HOME 115

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In an English garden
Clare Foggett, Editor of our sister magazine
The English Garden, on how to maximise
enjoyment of the garden this month

D
ecember’s evergreens are synonymous with Christmas, with holly
and ivy, in particular, offering beautifully glossy foliage to use for
festive decorations. Topiary also looks especially good in winter,
adding structure to the garden. For inspiration, Levens Hall in
Cumbria is a classic destination, whilst Great Fosters, a hotel in Egham,
Surrey has super examples, as do Felley Priory in Nottinghamshire and
Packwood House in Warwickshire.

In bloom
Many of December’s flowers have a heavenly scent to attract winter’s scarce
pollinators. The deciduous viburnum shrub bears clusters of small fragrant
flowers, usually in pale pink, whilst Clematis cirrhosa cultivars have small,
nodding cream-coloured bells, often speckled on the inside with maroon.
Sarcococca is also an incredible winter shrub, with dark glossy green leaves;
in December, its tiny, tufty white flowers appear and whilst they are barely
Christmas at Kew

noticeable, their powerful spicy-sweet fragrance definitely is.
FEATURE EVE MIDDLETON PHOTOGRAPHS P118 (BURLEIGH) © RACHAEL SMITH. P122 (TANGERINES) © NITR/SHUTTERSTOCK; (POMEGRANATES) © WEBWAFFE/SHUTTERSTOCK. P126 © EDEN BREITZ/ALAMY.
Make the most of dark afternoons and evenings
in December by visiting one of the increasing
number of gardens that illuminate their outdoor
displays and glasshouses for the festive season.
The Royal Horticultural Society flagship garden
at Wisley in Surrey lights up in December, as does
Dunham Massey in Cheshire, but possibly the
biggest display is at Kew Gardens in London.
This year, Christmas at Kew promises more
magical twinkling lights than ever, including
a new trail that takes in the recently restored
Temperate House, where its 15,000 panes of glass
will glitter in the light, as well as the traditional
finale at the Palm House, where a light show

P127 (KEW GARDENS) © GEFF EDEN; (CLEMATIS) © KOLLAWAT SOMSRI/SHUTTERSTOCK; (HOLLY) © HURST PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
will play across the lake and the glasshouse.
20 November 2019 to 5 January 2020; kew.org

Time to plant
IN THE GREENHOUSE
Bring forced hyacinths out of the dark, cool
conditions they have been growing in and
into the house to flower. They will do best
in a cool, bright room rather than one that
is too hot from central heating or a fire.
OUTDOORS/IN THE BORDER
Continue to plant bare-root hedging, trees
or roses whilst available, or try hellebores,
those beautiful late winter or early spring-
time flowerers. As long as the ground is not
frozen, they can be planted in borders or
containers for a treat during winter’s
longest days.
FRUIT & VEGETABLES
Bare-root fruit trees and bushes, too, can
be planted now, as can cane fruit such as
raspberries and loganberries.
Protect any winter brassicas – kale,
Brussels sprouts, Savoy cabbages – with taut
netting as vegetables can soon be reduced
to leafless stalks by wildlife in winter.
It is also time to winter-prune apple and
pear trees. Aim to create a wine-glass shape
on freestanding trees, removing any
damaged, dead or dying wood first, then
take out weak or badly placed branches
and cut back side shoots on the remaining
main branches.

TOP RIGHT Young and old alike will enjoy Christmas at Kew.
ABOVE Clematis cirrhosa bears small cream-coloured bells.
LEFT Red holly berries bring a welcome flash of colour come December.

THE ENGLISH HOME 117

 ig cler stle
AT CHRISTMAS
The Countess of Carnarvon shares her secrets of celebrating the
festive season in her spectacular home – the real-life Downton Abbey
 The Countess of
Carnarvon is very
hands-on when
decorating the Castle
for Christmas.
“H
ighclere Castle enjoys global
recognition today through its alter
ego, Downton Abbey. It is above
all a Victorian home, the period
in which the Christmas we know and love today was
developed, largely through the influence of Queen
Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. Christmas at
Highclere combines ancient rituals bearing witness
to centuries of traditions with more modern customs
culled from my own family. Combined with the beauty
of the land surrounding us, it provides a heritage that
makes Christmas here uniquely special.
MAGNIFICENT BEJEWELLED CENTREPIECE
Abbie, who is a new member of staff, reports that the
proposed Castle Saloon tree should measure 24 feet,
and whilst I remain silent contemplating that figure,
I can hear John Gundill, our Castle Manager, stride
into her office, saying, with a degree of controlled
panic and urgency, that this was definitely too big.
In the following three-way conversation, he calls down
the phone to me, ‘Lady Carnarvon, can you remember
what happened last time – it was so wide because of its
height that we could not get it through the doors!’
I ask Abbie whether we might not need to find a tree
closer to 18 feet. At 24 feet, the tree would effectively
be a man’s height taller. Just imagine a whole John on
top of the Christmas tree – it would be far too much
– and I think Sally from the gift shop would prefer the
fairy or angel option…
The first day of December is when we all leap into
action. Standing in front of the Castle, outside the
familiarly heavy, ingrained doors, the nose of the
tractor emerges into view down the drive.
The tree in the trailer is a Norway spruce, still furled
up in its netting. This is the traditional tree chosen by
Prince Albert for Queen Victoria, and the type given
each year to Trafalgar Square by the people of Norway
as a mark of friendship and a thank you for Britain’s
help in World War Two. As a child, I was taken to 
THE ENGLISH HOME 119
 ABOVE LEFT The London to see that tree being set up; the ceremony,
Countess enlists help band and choir was a heartwarming start to Christmas.
from workers across Highclere’s grand tree for the Saloon comes from a
the Estate to heave
local supplier and is cut down two days earlier, then
the giant Christmas
tree off the tractor left on the trailer in one of our barns to dry off.
trailer and carry it Mindful of Diana, our head housekeeper, who looks
carefully into the after everything inside the Castle so carefully and
Castle, trying not to who will be at the sharp end – both literally and
lose too many
metaphorically – of this enormous tree, we try to
needles on the way.
ABOVE RIGHT Her
keep the trail of needles and detritus to a minimum.
grace is seen here Getting an extremely heavy tree into such a fragile
helping to position and important building is a challenge in itself. Great
the fairy at just the care has to be taken that none of the stonework is
right angle so it faces damaged, let alone the leather wall hangings and
forwards once the
tree is hauled upright
branched candelabra lamps. The only way to do this
by ropes. is with an enormous amount of manpower…
OPPOSITE The
decorated Christmas CHRISTMAS FAIRIES WORK THEIR MAGIC
tree stands The gardeners arrive to help, alongside Simon, Tom
majestically in the and Terry from the farm. John comes down from the
Castle Saloon, and
perfectly straight
office and lines up with David Hilton, our joiner, who
thanks to robust has made the remarkable work of art that is the tree
clamps inside the stand, which holds it steady and secure. Luis appears
ornate tree stand. with his team from banqueting. Amidst much banter
and laughter, with the men lining up on either side of
the trailer, the tree is lifted off, carried into the Saloon
and laid down on sheets to protect the carpet.
The ropes are readied and, as the branches are
loosened out, the Christmas fairies – both in the
human form of Sally and the decorative tree version
– make their appearance. Sally and the gift-shop girls
whirl around the tree, attaching decorations to the
120 THE ENGLISH HOME
topmost part whilst it is easily accessible. My husband
waits on the gallery landing above with Simon, our
farm manager, ready to haul on the ropes to pull the
tree upright. I am, naturally, to be found hauling on a
rope against my husband to stop the tree crashing into
the leather wall hangings. With much debate and loud
instruction, the tree is slowly winched into position
and starts to settle. As the branches unfurl and the
tree warms in the heat of the house, releasing that
unmistakeable green fragrance, we declare a well-
earned break and stop for soup and sausage rolls.
Within a short time, Luis and Matthew have
brought out ladders with mats on which to stand
them, and Sally and her gift-shop elves become the
lead organisers. Each year more decorations are
sourced, bought or made, and boxes of those stored
from previous years are carefully refined. The different
colours and types are laid out on trestle tables and the
plan begins to take shape.
Sally tends to stand towards the back of the Saloon,
directing operations in a commanding voice. Luis,
Matthew and myself are sent up the ladders with
long sticks with hooks on to enable us to reach the
branches, whilst the gift shop ladies wait below to
hand out the decorations. First, two sets of white lights
are draped around the tree before the decorations –
from baubles to little figures – are hung in place.
After about two hours the tree is beginning to take
shape. Just as everyone’s energy is starting to wane, my
husband reappears to pass judgement and have a cup
of tea. With further scrutiny and adjustments, we
declare the job well done and toast with mulled wine.” 
 Serving the Christmas Pudding
“The serving of the pudding is a high point of
Christmas celebrations – a moment of drama that
everyone remembers year after year from their earliest
childhood. Traditionally a sprig of holly decorates
the top as a reminder of the Crown of Thorns.
At Highclere, Paul pours over some warmed
brandy and sets it alight as he rounds the corner
from the servery, bearing it into the Dining Room
to general applause. The flames seem to take us back
into the realms of folklore with the added fun and
superstition of seeking treasure and seeing who
will find the lucky coin.”

METHOD
• Remove the pudding from the pantry where you
have stored it. Make a pleated foil handle for the
bowl so that you can remove it easily from the
steamer. Cook it in the steamer for 1½ hours
to warm it through properly.
• When ready to serve, carefully turn the bowl
upside down onto a plate and slide off the basin.
• If you didn’t do so when making the pudding,
push a few foil-wrapped coins well into the base
of the pudding.
• If you want to set the pudding alight, warm a
tablespoon of brandy over a gas cooker flame, or a
candle on the Christmas table. At the last moment,
tip the spoon towards the flame so that the fumes
catch light, and quickly pour the flames over the
pudding. Serve with large dollops of brandy butter.

122 THE ENGLISH HOME

Highclere Christmas Cocktail
“This pretty, light drink is enervating and full of
Christmas colour. It is a great favourite whenever
we entertain during festivities at the Castle.”
INGREDIENTS FOR THE COCKTAIL
FOR THE SPICED SYRUP 50ml (2fl oz) spiced syrup
250ml (9fl oz) cold water 35ml (1fl oz) cranberry
120g (4oz) sugar juice
3 cinnamon sticks Red sugar (see tip)
4 whole cloves Highclere Champagne
Peel of ¼ orange (or any good champagne)

METHOD
• First make the syrup. Put the cold water, sugar,
cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peel into a
saucepan, then bring to a boil over a low heat,
stirring gently.
• Let the mixture reduce until you achieve a
syrupy texture (about 5 minutes once boiled).
• Remove the cinnamon, cloves and orange peel
and leave to cool.
• To make the cocktail, dip the rim of a
Champagne flute into cranberry juice and
then into the red sugar.
• Put the syrup and the rest of the cranberry juice
into the glass and top up with Champagne.
• Chef’s tip: Coloured sugar is readily available to
buy, or you can make it yourself by simply mixing
food colouring and sugar.

This extract is from the

new book Christmas At
Highclere: Recipes And
Traditions From The Real
Downton Abbey by The
Countess of Carnarvon,
£30, published by
Penguin Random House.
COMING NEXT MONTH

JANUARY EDITION
New Year Honours List Special
PLUS...
● Four elegant homes in their festive finery
● Inspiring ideas for entertaining & celebrating
● Dreaming & room scheming for the year ahead
● 1920s decorating inspiration for 2020

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 To advertise call +44 (0) 207 349 3700 SHUTTERS
or email: info@chelseamagazines.com
AMERICAN Tel: 02392 597967

e tory
www.americanshutters.co.uk

SHUTTERS LTD
Renowned for bespoke, top quality products, service and attention to detail

PETS
Delivering a BARKA PARKA to good dogs since 1979

Solid Tulipwood shutters painted any colour free of charge / any shape /
Solid Shaker, Edwardian / Georgian / Louvered / Waterproof shutters /
hardwood venetians / blackout blinds / Free site survey / in-house
re a t B ritain carpenters. 25 years experience.
G
- m ade in
b e d s h a n d
t a n d Style Call or email us today with your dimensions for an estimate:
Dog o r
b il it y, Comf
Dur a
r War ranty Tel: 02392 597967
3 Yea Email: sales@americanshutters.co.uk
WWW.BARKAPARKA.COM
FURNISHINGS

SA ARKAND DESIGN
HARDWARE AND IRONMONGERY

BAS E D I N T H E B E AU TI FU L S HR O PS HI R E
H I LL S I N TH E TOW N O F CH U RC H S TR E TTON
W E A R E A P E R I O D H A RDWA R E AND
T R A D I T I O N A L IRO N MO N GERY C O M PA NY
SUP PLY I N G T H E PUB L I C AND TR AD E .

WE COV ER A L L T Y P ES OF B L ACKSM I T HI N G , S TAI N E D

G LA S S A N D WO O DWO R K K EE P I N G T H E O L D T RA D I T IO N S
SAMARKAND DESIGN sources vintage textiles from around
the world to create beautiful and distinctive home accessories. A L I V E , A L O N G WI T H O U R OW N U N IQU E D ES IG N S .

Unique lampshades crafted from exquisite vintage silk sarees,

hand block-printed voiles and shibori dyed silk.
Call 07973 922943 or visit
www.samarkanddesign.com to see full range

To advertise in the English Home please call

+44 (0) 20 7349 3700 or T HE D OOR KN OCK E R COMPANY
email: info@chelseamagazines.com H IGH S TREE T, C HU RC H STR ETTON , SHROPSHIRE
W W W.T HE DOORK NOC K ERC OMPANY . CO,UK

For more information visit us at www.theenglishhome.co.uk When calling the UK from North America,
dial the country code ‘011 44’ and drop the first ‘0’ in the UK phone number
 CLOTHING FURNISHINGS

Fine Tapestries, Cushions & Home Accessories

Our 100% Yak jumpers are eco-friendly, undyed, +44 (0)1865 741144
hypoallergenic and just as soft as cashmere!
Tel: 01273 401827 www.hinesofoxford.com
www.mistycashmere.co.uk Browse online • Phone for a Catalogue • Visit our Showrooms

CERAMICS FURNISHINGS

Est 2003

Curtains, blinds, eiderdowns, bedspreads, cushions,

lighting, accessories & upholstery

www.sugarandspicefurnishings.co.uk
Tel: 023 92431072 / 07818 566215

For more information visit us at www.theenglishhome.co.uk When calling the UK from North America,
dial the country code ‘011 44’ and drop the first ‘0’ in the UK phone number
 ANTIQUES IRONMONGER

Beautiful Doors & Windows!

Period and Contemporary styles
Call us
01630 64 77 48
w: the periodironmonger.co.uk

BEDS
The First Carbon Neutral Iron Bed Maker

Wrought Iron and

Brass Bed Co.
Hand made in Norfolk. Guaranteed to last a lifetime.

A family company.
Where all our beds are lovingly hand
crafed, in our workshop on the
Sandringham Estate and guaranteed to last
a lifetime.

01485 542516
view our full range at

www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk

For more information visit us at www.theenglishhome.co.uk When calling the UK from North America,
dial the country code ‘011 44’ and drop the first ‘0’ in the UK phone number
 FURNISHINGS GIFTS

The

FLYING
FOX
LIFE – STYLE – LIVING
Timeless Style that will last for generations

GIFTS

Gorgeous gifts to give or receive

Beautifully made jewellery books that hold

earrings, necklaces or rings.

Designed to sit elegantly on top of a dressing table

or easily pop into a suitcase for travelling.

To see our full range, large palette of colours

Visit our Showroom at the
National Trust Claydon House,
The Courtyard, Claydon Estate,
Buckinghamshire, MK18 2EY or visit
www.theflyingfox.co.uk Tel: 01296 738429
available and for details of where to buy
visit
www.littleshopof.co.uk/currentstockists
Call 02033 711522
or search Little Book of Earrings
Avoid inferior copies. Always insist
on the original.
Accessories shown are not included

For more information visit us at www.theenglishhome.co.uk When calling the UK from North America,
dial the country code ‘011 44’ and drop the first ‘0’ in the UK phone number
 FURNISHINGS ANTIQUES

The
01453 731305
Hingstons Of Wilton
English Panelling Purveyors of Antiques and decorative items (est.1976)
Company

Quality MDF panelling to suit all tastes! T: 01722 742263 E: nick@hingstons-antiques.co.uk

www.englishpanelling.com The Old Bell House, 2 Shaftesbury Road, Wilton, Salisbury, SP20DR
www.hingstons-antiques.co.uk
COOKERS

orn an e oo ers
Oil, Gas, Wood pellet, log wood, logwood/electric, 3 & 5 Oven high efficiency iron range cookers.

Running cost from Just £ 100 to £300 per annum, (oil, gas, pellet) see web site for details.

www.thornhillrangecookers.co.uk - Tel. 01227 780830, Thornhill Range Cookers, Canterbury, CT1 3RA
Efficient Range Cookers that don’t cost the

For more information visit us at www.theenglishhome.co.uk When calling the UK from North America,
dial the country code ‘011 44’ and drop the first ‘0’ in the UK phone number
 THE FINAL WORD ON... CHRISTMAS
There is something rather English and incredibly chic about using
a classic and understated palette for wrapping Christmas presents to
place under the tree. A red as bold as Father Christmas’s coat and a
green as rich as holly create impact against an abundance of white as
frosty as freshly fallen snow. Use generous lengths of ribbons on neatly
wrapped presents and white-painted hampers to create smart parcels
that heighten the anticpation of Christmas morning.
Visit daylesford.com

130 THE ENGLISH HOME

 Certified Organic Bedding

At Sleep Organic we create original designs to warm the heart and soothe
the soul. We exclusively use finest quality organic and Fairtrade certified
cotton in our bed linen, while our pillows and duvets are hand-made using
select British organic wool.

Organic
Certified by Soil
Association Certification
www.sleeporganic.co.uk Made in the UK
DK26565