Innholdsfortegnelse for Dec-2018 i Ideal Home

It feels like I start thinking about Christmas as soon as the littlest Richmonds go back to school at the end of summer. But then the next thing I know, it’s suddenly November and I haven’t bought a single gift or even written a single ‘to do/buy’ list! Getting the basics done is an organisational feat, given everything else that’s going on – carol concerts, work parties and catching up with friends – so adding magical touches that make Christmas special can be a stretch for a tired mum, auntie or gran. That’s where this issue comes in! From personalised tins of Quality Street and Christmas Eve boxes, to Advent calendars for the dog, vegan cheeseboards and spangly stockings, there’s something to surprise and delight everyone you love……

COLOUR PALETTE 1 Pinecone wreath, £20, Debenhams 2 Wooden carnival star, £17, Cox & Cox 3 Hessian-style tree decorations, £9.99 for 6, Very 4 Large decorative wooden sledge, £45, Marquis & Dawe 5 Berry centrepiece, £22, Sainsbury’s Home 6 Noel glass bauble, £2.50, Morrisons 7 Snowy cashmere artificial tree, from £79, Dobbies 8 Pinecone luxury crackers, £35 for six, Nancy & Betty 9 Stag stocking, £6, Wilko 10 Whistler forest bottle fairy lights, £14.99, Lights4Fun. Buy now with Ownable…

COLOUR PALETTE 1 Peacock feather wreath, £12.99, HomeSense 2 Peacock feather bauble, £3.50; Purple onion decoration, £4, both Waitrose & Partners 3 Gold star lights, £6, Dobbies 4 Hammered copper cocktail shaker, £15, Marks & Spencer 5 Ruby stripe finial bauble, £8, John Lewis & Partners 6 Luxury crackers, £20 for six, Sara Miller 7 Albert 6ft Christmas tree, £195, Neptune 8 Turquoise velvet poinsettia pick, £3.60, Gisela Graham 9 Glass bead jewel bauble, £14.95, Liberty London 10 Magenta trim bejewelled stocking, £25, Amara. Buy now with Ownable…

Designed to frame a view and let in lots more light, picture windows have large fixed panes with low-profile frames for an unobstructed vista. As they don’t open, it’s common to add smaller, opening windows to one or both sides. Q How can small windows be replaced with bigger ones? First the brickwork above the lintel will be propped up to the width of the new opening. The smaller window and its lintel will be taken out and the hole made bigger by knocking bricks out one by one. Next, a new lintel and ledge will be installed – there are different ledge requirements, depending whether you have solid walls or cavity. Once the cement has set, the wall will be bricked back up above the lintel, and the new…

WHERE TO BUY 1. BUNTING Gold glitter star bunting, £6.99, Ginger Ray 2. WREATH Gold glittered oak leaf wreath, £45, Gisela Graham 3. CUSHION Geo cut velvet cushion, £40, John Lewis 4. VASE Gold glass vase, £39, Hurn & Hurn 5. TREE ORNAMENT Gold tree with wooden base, £19.99, Dobbies 6. HANGING STARS Two antiqued soft gold and cream stars, £10.50, Cox & Cox 7. STORAGE BASKET Handwoven sequin basket, £19.99, Oxfam 8. BAR CART Gilt mirrored bar cart, £325, Audenza Buy now with Ownable…

1 FORMAL LIVING ROOM HOW TO… create a grown-up space for entertaining that’s elegant and modern, but comfortable too. Versatile key pieces give you great bones for all kinds of colour schemes. 2 MODERN DINING ROOM HOW TO… design a dining space that works anywhere, from period rooms to new-builds and modern extensions, adding character to a kitchen-diner without looking fussy. 3 COSY FAMILY SNUG HOW TO… put together a space that feels as good as it looks, with a mood that’s warm, cocooning and easygoing, so you start to chill out the moment you step into the room. FORMAL LIVING ROOM Avoid slouchy shapes and go for a simple sofa that’s modern, but not so contemporary that it limits your look. A black coffee table instantly makes a space…

Whether your house looks festive long before December arrives or you’re still adding the final flourishes on Christmas Eve, decorating your home is one of the many joys of the festive season. This year, Hobbycraft invites you to make your Christmas extra special by filling your house with handmade decorations. DECK THE HALLS You don’t have to be a crafting expert to make your own beautiful bespoke home decor. At Hobbycraft, there are hundreds of easy ideas to try, along with enough great-value supplies to deck the halls high and low! Fillable baubles are ready for you to personalise with festive treats and trinkets, or try creating a Christmas scene in your own snow globe, complete with fake snow. Ceramic, papier mâché and wooden blanks in seasonal shapes are perfect…

1 Dress up the front door Extend the seasonal spirit to the outside of your home too, by dressing the front door, steps or porch with a fresh decorative wreath, trees and even a few baubles or lanterns, to give guests a festive welcome when they come to visit. 2 MAKE CLASSIC PAPER CHAINS Let little ones help make paper-chain swags to decorate the house. Use Christmas giftwrap cut into strips. 3 SERVE UP SNACKS IN STYLE Whether serving canapés, desserts or after-dinner cheeses, guests will love this Christmas tree-shaped platter, perfect for the middle of the dinner table. 4 Give the spare room special touches Don’t stop with the festive touches once you get to the spare room – indulge guests with a couple of scented candles beside their…

“Planning so much storage was essential. Plus, we gave the kitchen a period feel to match the rest of the house, so we’ll love it for years ” Claire Foley lives here with her husband, Peter, and their children, twins Anna and Lois, eight, and Rory, six. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Victorian detached house in Bexley, Kent. WHAT IT COST Units..................£20,000 Worktops.............£4,500 Appliances..........£3,800 Sink and Tap.........£1,400 Flooring...................£994 TOTAL...............£30,694…

HALF AND HALF Individually controlled temperature zones sit side by side, perfect for reds and whites. Under counter dual zone wine cabinet, H88xW59.5xD57.3cm, £1,217, Caple Buy now with Ownable TOP UP Sit this compact, 12-bottle wine cooler on your worktop if space is tight. Russell Hobbs drinks cooler, H51xW43xD47cm, £119, Robert Dyas Buy now with Ownable SLIM FIT Make use of a small gap at the end of a run of units with this extra-slim design. Seven-bottle wine cooler, H87xW14.8xD52.6cm, £409, AEG Buy now with Ownable IDEAL ALL-ROUNDER A mid-height design with dual temperature storage and plenty of shelves. Freestanding wine cabinet, H127xW60xD64cm, £1,399, Fisher & Paykel Buy now with Ownable “Multiple temperature zones and an electronic control are handy if you want to store both reds and whites ”…

While it may seem like everyone you have ever met is coming round for Christmas lunch, there is always someone a little too far away to join you. Why not send some joy through that special person’s letterbox with Bloom & Wild flowers? As the UK’s top-rated flower-delivery company, Bloom & Wild works with the nation’s best florists to design on-trend bouquets. With new launches weekly, there’s always plenty to discover, including their clever letterbox designs, which mean there’s no need to check if the recipient will be home, so your gift can remain a surprise. Whether you choose a luxury bouquet or a mini Christmas tree, your gift will be hand-packed and sent with care, ensuring it’s beautiful upon arrival and for days to come.…

“I love the bubble glass mosaics behind the bath. They were expensive, but make such a difference!” Dina Abbott lives here with her husband Martin, and their sons Ben, 13, and Finley, 10. THE PROPERTY A four-bed detached Sixties house in Ashtead, Surrey. WHAT IT COST Sanitaryware...£4,484.61 Shower............£2,067.50 Tiles..................£1,957.30 Mirrors...................£1,340 Radiator....................£972 Shelf...........................£110 TOTAL............£10,931.41…

“The room has hints of mid-century, with Moroccan pattern and splashes of colour. It’s quite an eclectic mix!” Bryony Redgrave lives here with her husband Max and their children, Jasper and Robin. THE PROPERTY A four-bed Thirties house in Kings Heath, Birmingham, purchased in September 2017. WHAT IT COST Tiles........................£1,078 Sanitaryware.....£679.95 Brassware................£210 Shower panel..........£290 Heating.....................£150 Furniture...................£132 Paint...........................£54 TOTAL............£2,593.95…

Lucy Miller and husband Kevin Adams live here with their two teenagers. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom farm cottage with major extension in East Lothian. THE VALUE The extended property and farmland are now worth around £450,000. WHAT IT COST Building work including materials..................£110,101 Roof, timber and cladding...........£77,646 Glazing...................£20,228 Kitchen.....................£6,000 Bathroom.................£11,000 Fittings....................£13,025 Landscaping............£2,000 TOTAL..............£240,000 “We wanted the farm to allow the next generation to live, work and invest in its future ”…

When it comes to making a place feel like home, expressing your personality with a display of artworks is the perfect finishing touch. That’s why we’ve linked up with an exciting new online gallery that sells beautiful pieces created by XIII Untitled, an art movement inspired by fashion. Founded by artist SYRETT, Runway Gallery features 14 internationally celebrated artists, including Louise Dear, Dara Vandoor, Astrid Vos and Bruce Atherton. The gallery will sell a mixture of prints from £200 and original, signed artworks for up to £20,000. SYRETT has also launched a monthly Soho Salon Supper Club in London to bring artists and enthusiasts together. Each event celebrates new artworks from XIII Untitled, with an artist’s talk, the opportunity to try a short, guided life-drawing session, plus a three-course supper…

Figgy pudding  Takes 5hr 30min, plus soaking Serves 6 INGREDIENTS • 250g sultanas • 250g dried figs, chopped • 250g dried apricots, chopped • Zest and juice of 1 lemon • Zest and juice of 1 orange • 100ml amaretto • 3 eggs • 75g light muscovado sugar • 75g softened butter, plus extra to grease • 75g flaked almonds, toasted • 50g self-raising flour • 75g fresh white breadcrumbs • 1tsp ground cinnamon • 1tsp ground coriander • 1tsp ground ginger • Brandy butter, to serve 1 In a large container, mix the dried fruit, citrus zest and juices and amaretto. Leave to soak overnight or up to 2 days. 2Whisk together the eggs, muscovado sugar and butter, then stir in the soaked fruit, almonds, flour, breadcrumbs and spices. Spoon into a greased 2-pint basin. Cover with a sheet of pleated baking paper, then a…

THE STICKY TOFFEE MOUSSE While everyone’s a fan of sticky toffee pudding, it’s never been the most elegant of desserts – until now. This beautifully crafted torte from Tesco features toffee sponge layers of maple mousse and rich caramel, finished with a delicate chocolate wreath and a lustre-covered chocolate pine cone. Finest Sticky toffee wreath torte, £10, Tesco Buy now with Ownable THE ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS PUD Bored of Christmas pud but love the tradition of it? Packed with candied apple and cinnamon, this twist on the classic could be just what you’re looking for. Heston Golden Delicious pudding, £14, Waitrose Buy now with Ownable THE BIG REVEAL DESSERT As we saw on Bake Off, melting chocolate dome desserts aren’t easy to make! But don’t worry, Sainsbury’s have you covered. Taste…

A  Abbott Plumbing and Heating Services 07788 971339 Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com Abode Living 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk AEG 0344 561 1611 aeg.co.uk Aga 0800 111 6477 agaliving.com Aldi 0800 042 0800 aldi.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com And So To Bed 0808 144 4343 andsotobed.co.uk Anthology 020 3457 5862 stylelibrary.com/anthology Appliance World 01793 618656 appliance-world.co.uk Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Asda 0800 952 0101 asda.com Ashley Wilde 01707 635201 ashleywildegroup.co.uk Att Pynta attpynta.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com B  B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Balsam Hill 01234 227155 balsamhill.co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200 bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Bathstore 0800 023 2323 bathstore.com Bell’s of Suffolk 01986 894456 bellsofsuffolk.com Berisfords Ribbons 01260 274011 berisfords-design.co.uk Bettys 0800 456 1919 bettys.co.uk Blendworth 023 9259 4911 blendworth.co.uk Bloom 0844 482 2332 bloom.uk.com Bohemia 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk Bosch 0344 892 8979 bosch-home.co.uk Brintons 0800 505055 brintons.co.uk Bronte by Moon brontebymoon.co.uk Burlanes Interiors 01732 605001 burlanes.com Burleigh 01773 740740 burleigh.co.uk Burlington Bathrooms 0845…

WE KEEP SEEING... GIFTABLE BAUBLES Move over, chocolate Santa! These tree treats are for grown-ups FESTIVE TIPPLE London Dry Gin, £25 for six, Sipsmith range, Debenhams DECKED IN FRAGRANCE Winter hanging votive, £12, The White Company MINI MUG Gold Alphabet mug decoration, £16.95, Emma Bridgewater PAMPER TRINKET Pink Rocker gift set, £15, Crabtree & Evelyn IT’S A THING! Christmas Eve boxes They’re everywhere this year – another thing to add to the list or a new tradition? We think it’s a fun way to package up those night-before-Christmas rituals. Fill with Santa’s mince pies, games for the little ones, and some merry PJs. Head to Poundland for a box, Marks & Spencer for a pre-filled one, £15, or Notonthehighstreet.com for a North Pole personalised box (above), £42.50. Pick ’n’ mix…

COLOUR PALETTE 1 Amber glitter floral bauble, £5, John Lewis 2 Velvet reindeer, £23 for two, QVCUK 3 Gold glittered rosehip wreath, £33, Amara 4 Hanging swan decoration, £4, Sainsbury’s Home 5 Opaque pink and gold bauble, £4.50, The Contemporary Home 6 Copper cracker, £10 for six, Debenhams 7 Christmas bell twinkle lights, £1, Poundland 8 Artificial 7ft white regal tree, £79.99, Very 9 Natural and copper hide stocking, £40, Amara 10 Blush glass Dominia tree decoration, £7, Laura Ashley. Buy now with Ownable…

FOR THE GIN CONNOISSEURS 25 speciality flavours, just add tonic! Drinks By The Dram gin advent calendar, £124.95, Laithwaite’s WIne Buy now with Ownable FOR THE CRAFTERS Add to a needlepoint project every day. Rico craft kit advent calendar, £33.50, John Lewis Buy now with Ownable FOR THE HOMEBODIES Show off fancy footwear. 12 Days of Socks advent calendar, £18, Marks & Spencer Buy now with Ownable FOR MUSIC LOVERS For festive tunes, scan for the Spotify playlist. Personalised playlist advent calendar, £18, Notonthehighstreet.com Buy now with Ownable FOR THE TEA DRINKERS Sample a unique seasonal blend each day. House of Newby advent calendar, £55, Newby Buy now with Ownable FOR THE CHOCOHOLICS Just pop a door every day, and two baby truffles await! Advent For Two, £74, Hotel Chocolat…

“You’ll never regret buying a clean-lined grey sofa like this – the colour and style can sit in any room scheme ” VANESSA RICHMOND, EDITOR WHERE TO BUY Camden three-seater sofa, £649; Zinc accent armchair, £349; round coffee table, £79; folding side table, £39; Betsy folding tray table, £29; Monty oak retro large sideboard, £149; jute weave rug, from £99.99; Ashley floor lamp, £99.99, all Ideal Home range, Very. ON SOFA Knitted cable cushion, £14.99; Mull cushion, £14.99; Henley soft check throw, £19.99, all Ideal Home range, Very. ON SIDEBOARD Country storage cubes, £24.99 for two; ombre glaze ceramic table lamp, £39.99, both Ideal Home range, Very. ON WALL Metallic Meadow on wood wall art, £54.99, Graham & Brown at Very. ON SIDEBOARD Spring Blossom framed wall art, £99.99,…

IDEAL A REAL SHOWSTOPPER Surrey six-light chandelier, £1,050, Houseology Buy now with Ownable DECORATIVE DETAIL Classical white overmantle mirror, £305, Sweetpea & Willow Buy now with Ownable LUXE TEXTURE Mongolian sheepskin cushion, £40, Next Home Buy now with Ownable NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS Amish tin star, £50, Lime Lace Buy now with Ownable CROWN PRINCE Glittered bird, £9, Selfridges Buy now with Ownable ADD A LITTLE POLISH Round metallic tray, £49.99, Zara Home Buy now with Ownable BASED ON A CLASSIC Patrick three-seater sofa in Miller Armadillo, £1,390, Sofa.com Buy now with Ownable GREAT DEAL SIMPLE STYLE Overmantle mirror, £194.99, Wayfair Buy now with Ownable FABULOUS FOCAL POINT Sorrento six-light chandelier in nickel, £175, Laura Ashley Buy now with Ownable RUSTIC CHARM Coastal hanging star, £6.99, The Range Buy now…

FORMAL LIVING ROOM Walls painted in Green Smoke estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Tolsey rug in Gull Grey, £410; Aldwych coffee table in Warm Black, £420; Arundel console, £695; Flemming mirror, £190, Neptune. Snowdrop armchair in Pewter Pure Belgian linen, £890, Sofa.com. Gunmetal nest of tables (one shown), £185, French Connection Home. Snooze 2.5-seater sofa in charcoal, £2,195, Graham and Green. ON SOFA Cushions from left: Glorious Velvet in Deep Terracotta, £32, Rockett St George; Mohair, £49.95, Bronte by Moon; Design Project No.157 in burgundy, £50; teal, £50, both John Lewis; Glorious Velvet, as before. ON COFFEE TABLE Lantern, £20, Debenhams. Black Regal Peacock cake stand, £43; teapot, £69; teacups, £17 each; saucers, £9 each, all Burleigh. Oak tray, £25; copper burnished votives, £18 for three; Partridge…

CLOCK ON Iron outline skeleton clock, £90, The Farthing Buy now with Ownable STAR LINE-UP Chana mango wood star garland, £22.95, Sue Parkinson Buy now with Ownable NATURAL GLOW Complements pillar wood hurricane, £35.99, Wayfair Buy now with Ownable RED REINDEER Snowflake cushion, £12, Matalan Buy now with Ownable FACTORY LIGHTS Linton pendant, £79.99, Dowsing & Reynolds Buy now with Ownable TARTAN UP Check blanket, £20, M&Co Buy now with Ownable HOMES HUB Scandi tea light houses, £50 for three, Cox & Cox Buy now with Ownable SNOWDRIFT SOFA Ektorp three-seater sofa in Blekinge White, £300, Ikea Buy now with Ownable MY GO-TO STORES… • ETSY Great for reclaimed wood furniture • THE WHITE COMPANY Well-priced, plain white china in a range of designs • COX & COX For faux…

Stay on top of your shopping this year and have a stylish Christmas with Matalan’s fabulous collection of gifts, decorations, Christmas cards and gift wrap. You’ll find everything you need to create a calm and joyful celebration. FESTIVE TRADITIONS Nothing says ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’ better than a row of Christmas stockings hung by the fire. Matalan’s cute knitted stockings tick all the traditional festive boxes, plus they’re initialled so everyone will know which one is theirs. There’s also a selection of luxe gift sacks for larger presents – we love the sparkly design with pom-pom ties to deter prying eyes. GIVE GIFTS A LUXE LOOK When it comes to affordable gifts Matalan has something to suit everyone – from room diffusers, fleece throws and foodie gift sets,…

WHERE TO BUY 1. SHELF Ekby Valter/Ekby Laiva shelf, £5.90, Ikea 2. PAINT Dix Blue modern emulsion, £45 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball 3. CLOCK The Spy copper wall clock, £70, Newgate 4. CHAIR Tolix style metal side chair in yellow, £59, Cult Furniture 5. JUG Edo jug, £28, Oliver Bonas 6. TABLE Trestle teak dining table, £999, Tikamoon 7. STORAGE CHESTS Metal trunks in light blue, £68.99 for two, Maisons du Monde 8. TILES Deep Metro tiles in white, £25sq m, Tile Giant Buy now with Ownable…

OPEN STORY With a concealed drawer to keep clutter tidied, plus an open cubby to display best bits Mode Tate anthracite and oak one-drawer vanity unit with basin, £359, Victoria Plum Buy now with Ownable GO WITH THE FLOW With two drawers and storage cubbies, this unit curves at one end to maximise space Amelie high gloss white curved left-hand vanity unit and basin, £599.99, Soak Buy now with Ownable SPACE SAVER Make clever use of space in a tight spot Curved corner vanity unit in dark olive with Minerva Carrara worktop and integrated basin, £1,688, Burlington Bathrooms Buy now with Ownable TRAD DESIGN Classic tongue-and-groove panelling, soft-close deep drawer and a neat size Chatsworth grey one-drawer vanity unit with basin, £219.95, Victorian Plumbing Buy now with Ownable “Consider the…

WHERE TO BUY 1. SHOWER Tre Mercati Victoria thermostatic shower in Antique Gold, £699.95, Victorian Plumbing 2. WALL TILES Syren peacock green tiles, £80.91sq m, Topps Tiles 3. MIRROR Alana copper mirror, £199, Made.com 4. VANITY UNIT Trocadero mango wood vanity unit, £719, Maisons du Monde 5. PLANT Faux bamboo, £26, The Contemporary Home 6. TOWELS Matthew Williamson aqua towels, from £16, Debenhams 7. FLOOR TILES Scintilla tiles, £29.95sq m, Walls and Floors 8. STOOL Bekvam stool, £13, Ikea 9. TOWEL HEATER Terma towel radiator, £400, B&Q Buy now with Ownable…

1 IT RETAINS HEAT CLT is a lightweight construction material that provides a breathable and natural superstructure but crucially, unlike most lightweight frames, has a good inherent thermal mass. This means that it’ll retain heat for a longer period of time. 2 IT MINIMISES ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION The superstructure’s lightness means that most of it can be manufactured offsite, thereby minimising on-site construction. 3 IT'S QUICK TO INSTALL The superstructure can be installed within a week and is ready to receive finishes. 4 IT REDUCES CARBON EMISSIONS The timber used is from a sustainable source with 100% carbon storage. During construction, CLT produces up to 40% less carbon emissions. 5 IT'S EASY TO MAINTAIN The exposed internal finish is beautiful, modern and low maintenance. PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID BARBOUR…

Louise began her career as a sculptor before moving on to painting and now works on aluminium panels. Her pieces are filled with vibrant blooms, beautiful women and Swarovski crystals, and exude a sensual eroticism that’s both provocative and demure. We asked Louise about painting, inspiration, and her latest projects. Q How do you create a painting? I sand the aluminium, sprinkle it with water and throw paint at it in vibrant, clashing colours, adding metallic paint, glitter and sequins. I love how the materials evolve on their own. Once it’s dry, the next stage is much more ordered. Measuring, ruling and masking the panels, I rub in oil pigments and gilt creams, creating stripes to order and define the chaos. I overlay with fine lines of 24-carat gold leaf,…

1 BEST RANGE COOKER Aga’s latest all-electric cooker features four cavities – one for roasting, one for simmering, one for warming and a storage area for pans. On top there’s a triple-element hotplate that can be set to boil, simmer or defrost and a two-zone induction hob. 3 Series range (H91.3xW96.4xD63.7cm), £7,865, Aga Buy now with Ownable 2 BEST BUDGET COOKER Exceptional value for an all-in-one AA-rated electric oven and grill with gas hob. The top cavity can be used as a conventional oven and full-width grill, while the main 39L fan oven takes care of the bulk of the cooking, as well as defrost and dough-proving functions for added flexibility. SDF60DO cooker, £499, Stoves Buy now with Ownable 3 BEST BUILT-IN Samsung's latest A+ design is brilliantly practical. It…

THE COLOUR- AND FLAVOUR-PACKED DISH A feast for your eyes as well as your stomach, this vibrant pilaf is full of fragrant Middle Eastern spices. Available through the Christmas Food to Order service (not in-store). Taste the Difference Festive jewelled squash & pistachio pilaf, £7 for 750g, Sainsbury’s Buy now with Ownable THE SWEET TREAT Want a dessert that’s decadent and dairy-free? Look no further. Smooth choc ganache is topped with caramel and finished with gold glitter for a festive flourish that’s FAB-U-LOUS. Chocolate caramel pots, £3 for two 85g pots, Asda Buy now with Ownable THE DAIRY-FREE CHEESEBOARD Because it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a cheeseboard, Asda has brought out this festive selection of three tasty, dairy-free flavours. Vegan cheeseboard, £5 for three pieces, Asda Buy now with…

HAPPY HOLIDAYS HIGH TEA Yuletide cake stand, £25, Debenhams Buy now with Ownable IN SEASON Christmas Holly & Berry napkins, £15 for four, Sophie Allport Buy now with Ownable NAME CHECK Botanical Holly bauble placecard holder, £11 for six, Talking Tables Buy now with Ownable WRITE ON Slogan side plates, £19.50 for four, Marks & Spencer Buy now with Ownable FESTIVE FOLIAGE Berry centrepiece, £22, Sainsbury’s Home Buy now with Ownable STAR APPEAL Star Baker Christmas Joy dish, £59.95, Emma Bridgewater Buy now with Ownable WHITE OUT Bistro cutlery, £15 for 16-piece set, John Lewis Buy now with Ownable RUSTIC CHARM OH CHRISTMAS TREE! Fir Tree side plate, £5; cereal bowl, £5; mug £5, Marks & Spencer Buy now with Ownable DRESS THE TABLE Eucalyptus garland, £21.99, Lights4fun Buy now…

Festive foliage… Upgrade white tags with a few evergreen leaves from the garden, Christmas tree cuttings or even faux foliage. Simply attach a small leaf or section of the foliage to the tag and use Christmas washi tape to secure it. The tags will pair perfectly with simple brown paper wrapping, or tie with ribbon to a napkin to create a place setting. BUY THE KEY PIECES Gift tags, 49p each; foliage and Christmas tree, from a selection, all Dobbies. Christmas washi tape, £1 for three rolls, Hobbycraft, is similar…

PLUCKY PLUMES Feather wreath in Cream/Brown, £65, A by Amara at Amara Buy now with Ownable STAR BUY Lit rustic star wreath, £25, Marks & Spencer Buy now with Ownable GOLDEN GLAMOUR St Ives sparkle wreath, £45, The White Company Buy now with Ownable HALF FULL Willow and berry wreath, £31, QVC UK Buy now with Ownable PRECIOUS KEEPSAKE Winter hedgerow copper and brass wreath, £245, The Shop Floor Project Buy now with Ownable HAVE A BALL Bauble wreath, £5, Poundland Buy now with Ownable ROUGH LUXE Faux antler wreath, £35, Cox & Cox Buy now with Ownable FOREST FRESH Emerald pine cone wreath, £30, John Lewis Buy now with Ownable…

COLOUR PALETTE 1 Copper stars glass bauble, £4, Marks & Spencer 2 Black star tea light holder, £20, Debenhams 3 Aged zinc star wreath, £24.50, Petersham Nurseries 4 Faux eucalyptus arrangement, £16, Sainsbury’s Home 5 Wooden tree decoration, £2, B&Q 6 Luxury monochrome crackers, £40 for 6, Katie Leamon at White Black Grey 7 Letter board, £25, Cox & Cox 8 7ft lit frosted noble spruce tree, £170, Marks & Spencer 9 Fastnet stripe stocking, £49.50, Tori Murphy 10 Wooden tree-shape lights, £5, George Home. Buy now with Ownable…

When Sylvia and Aldwin first viewed the property back in 2013 the interior felt dark and uninspiring, but it was big, had a quirky charm and, crucially, was in a beautiful location. ‘We’d been living in a new-build in town, which was great,’ says Sylvia, ‘but it didn’t have the character or rural location we wanted.’ ‘When we saw this old place, right next to a forest and near my parents’ home, we jumped at the opportunity. We were so lucky to get it.’ The property consists of two buildings – one an old brick-built house dating back to the early 1900s and the other an exact duplicate of it that was added in 2000 by the previous owners. A modern glass hallway connects the two. While the exterior is…

Gisela is the businesswoman behind the decorations you find in department stores and independent boutiques. Originally from Bremen, Germany, she started her company in 1983 as a stay-at-home mum. Her two sons are now grown up and she lives in Fulham, London with her husband Richard and cats, Sissi and Ludwig. By the time Christmas comes around, I just want to relax! October to December is my busiest time, because we plan, design and create our decoration ranges for the following Christmas. People often ask me how much I’m still involved. The answer is: a lot! I look after the Christmas and Easter ranges every year, but have learned to delegate and I have wonderfully talented teams to look after other areas of the business now. I couldn’t imagine not…

Stylist’s note “If your room is neutral, a gold-finish lamp or metal-frame side table will add polish without introducing a colour contrast ” SOPHIE MARTELL, ACTING DECORATING EDITOR Hotel chic It doesn’t take much to make a difference – gold handles and legs on furniture, a touch of gold on a lamp… little details take a neutral room from grey to glam Golden walls Look for flat-finish woven papers or designs with a slight sheen, to keep the look subtle. Team large areas of gold with black details for a power-glam edge Stylist’s note “For a sophisticated dining space at Christmas, stick to all-gold decorations in mixed tones, teamed with rustic evergreens ” SOPHIE MARTELL , ACTING DECORATING EDITOR…

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS *Valid only on 21, 22 and 23 November 2018. Book before midnight on Thursday, 22 November 2018. 2-for-1 tickets offer applies to the adult on-the-door price only (£19). Calls cost 7p a minute plus your company’s access charge. £1.70 transaction fee applies. Children aged 15 and under go FREE when accompanied by an adult (maximum two children). Tickets include free entry to Eat & Drink Festival Christmas.…

“I used an icing piping bag to grout the tiles. It was unorthodox, but it made light work of a messy job!” Leigh Miller lives here with her dog, Rufus. THE PROPERTY A two-bed terraced house in southeast London, converted in the Nineties. WHAT IT COST Paints and primers...............£150.97 Worktops and edging.....................£287 Handles.....................£36 Tiles.....................£149.28 Grout and adhesive..............£101.52 MDF and shelving...............£62.88 TOTAL................£787.65…

1 STEAM POWERED TECH Steam has revolutionised the way many of us cook, but LG has discovered it's also terrific at removing baked-on stains without the need to rinse first. This three-drawer, super-efficient A+++ design also boasts a whisper-quiet 38dB operation, so it’s ideal for open-plan kitchens. LG D1484WF (H59.8xW57xD85cm), £600, lg.com Buy now with Ownable 2 COMPACT BUT POWERFUL Instead of compromising on features for a slimmer model, Neff has crammed all you need into this slimline integrated model – 10-place settings, A++ energy and 9.5L water consumption, plus three height-adjustable baskets. To top it all, the time remaining on a cycle is projected clearly onto the kitchen floor in front. N70 (H85xW45xD60cm), £808, Neff Buy now with Ownable 3 SEAMLESS DESIGN Designed for a handleless…