Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i HomeStyle

Welcome to our glittering Christmas issue, filled with this year's most gorgeous festive looks, expert decorating tips, fantastic seasonal crafts and not one but three delicious Christmas menus sure to please the crowds, whether you go traditional, Italian or Mexican this year! Discover key festive trends on page 18, from this year's nostalgic take on red and green to dramatic monochrome, classical gold and Seventies disco, you're sure to find a look to suit your interior style. This month, our stunning real homes are also dressed for the season and filled with ideas to inspire your festive styling, as well as your next reno. Turn to page 27 to see this month's four spectacular home tours, including our cover star Laura's luxe for less makeover (p28), Helen's dream Victorian villa…

Teal blue Freshen up a classic combo by combining red with teal this year, instead of green. This cool but cosy tone still contrasts beautifully with shades of crimson, while creating an elegant but modern spin on a traditional look HOMESTYLE LOVES!…

‘This glamorous theme is a winning combo of sophistication and kitsch. I'm so excited to use it in my home this year!' Hannah Tribe, Style editor Give in to glam with this unashamedly regal theme. Gold is your hero colour for this trend: it instantly creates a sense of opulence but don't feel you have to stick to just one type of metallic. Mix and match golden hues with copper, silver and platinum tones for a layered scheme. Then add a little black and white for extra depth and sophistication. Use golden leaves to evoke the laurel wreaths that were given to Roman tournament winners. You can find them as garlands and as details on glittering baubles. Add an extra touch of good taste to your look with tempting, shimmering…

‘Now that my kids are a bit older I'm ready for a serene, grown up look… but I'll be keeping the stain-remover nearby for peace of mind!' Kirstie Duhig, HomeStyle editor Turn down the volume reconnect with your loved ones in a calm and comfortable space this Christmas. A combination of warm, neutral colours and cosy textures will set everyone at ease. Stock up on decorations in snowy hues. The key to preventing pale pieces from looking plain is to pick styles that include delicate detailing. Look for embossed porcelain, rustic papier mâché and stoneware with reactive glazes. Give your scheme structure with black accents. You could make a big style statement with a black tree, so that your pearly baubles stand out from the shadows. If that's too dramatic…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Laura MacLean, 34, an English teacher. I live here with my husband, Steve, 34, a railway access planner, our daughter Rosie, who is three, and our tabby cat Oscar. You can see more of my home on Instagram @thebeigebabe. WHERE I LIVE A three-bedroom Edwardian semi near Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex. We moved here in January 2019. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Luckily, the previous owners had done a lot to the house, so we only had cosmetic changes to make to it although we do plan to renovate the bathroom in future. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We added character with period details, such as panelling, and painted every room in a palette of warm white and cosy neutrals. MY FAVOURITE PART I love…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Helen Sellwood, 39, a freelance retail buyer, and I live here with my husband Dave, 35, and our sons Harry, eight, and Austin, three, plus Bella, our Boston terrier. You can follow my renovation journey on Instagram @baliol.house. WHERE I LIVE My home is a four-bed Victorian, stone-built semi, in Barnard Castle, County Durham. We moved here in 2014. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE When we moved in, we decorated throughout using relatively neutral shades, but we soon realised we wanted to add a lot more colour and individuality. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We put in a new kitchen five years ago and recently had the cupboards wrapped in pale pink vinyl. I've added colour everywhere, and we've completely renovated the back garden.…

TOP TIP If you have a digital cutting machine, such as a Cricut, you can use this to cut out the letters from a variety of materials such as card, paper, balsa wood or felt. YOU WILL NEED • laptop or phone and printer • coloured card stock • 6B pencil • HB pencil • sharp craft knife • cutting mat • hole punch • large-eyed yarn needle • 5mm-wide colourful ribbon INSTRUCTIONS 1 Use a laptop or phone to print out the letters for ‘MERRY EVERYTHING' (or your preferred festive phrase) using an Arial Black font at 500-point size, along with a similar sized five-pointed star shape. 2 To transfer the lettering onto colourful card stock, use a 6B pencil to draw along the outline of the letters on…

Style idea Cover up tired flooring with a rug and go as large as you can! SCALLOP DETAILING…

Whether you're entertaining and want to impress your guests before they even step foot into your home, or just enjoy getting creative for maximum kerb appeal, these styling ideas will help you design a wow-factor welcome inside and out. From seasonal outdoor lighting to illuminate your pathway and porch to coordinating wreaths and garlands for the ultimate doorscape, we've gathered our favourite ways to dial up the sparkle and set the festive mood. And, once indoors, our gorgeous styling ideas for your hallway and staircase are sure to elevate your entranceway from everyday to festive fabulous! Set the scene Nothing is more inviting than a home that truly embraces Christmas, and dressing the outside of your house is an instant way to evoke the excitement of the season. Whether you…

Style advice As much as it's the most wonderful time of the year, let's face it: the Christmas period can become a little stressful, especially if you have overnight guests. Getting ready for the arrival of friends and family – on top of all the usual festive prep – can seem like a lot of extra work, not to mention looking after them once they arrive! We've gathered together some of our favourite ideas, from practical problem-solvers to considered hotel-inspired touches, to make guests feel at home, which should all help take some of the pressure off – leaving you with more time to enjoy the festivities too. Ensure sweet dreams Make sure guests have a good night's sleep by leaving extra pillows and blankets in their room. If you…

Festive makes Lavender, peppermint and rosemary soap bar MAKES 12 bars YOU WILL NEED • 1 kg (2lb 4oz) bar melt-and-pour soap* • knife • large heavy-based saucepan • spoon • 20 drops lavender essential oil • 20 drops peppermint essential oil • 20 drops rosemary essential oil • pinch of finely chopped dried lavender flowers, peppermint, rosemary leaves and poppy seeds (optional) • soap mould (see tip) *We recommend using a base that's vegan, non-GMO and free from palm oil and synthetic surfactants INSTRUCTIONS 1 Cut the melt-and-pour soap into chunks and add to the saucepan. Gently heat the saucepan and start to melt the soap. Once the soap has fully melted you need to work quickly and add the essential oils and the botanical elements. 2 Add the…

Traditional menu VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE Starters Parsnip and vanilla soup PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 40 minutes SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tbsp olive oil or water • 4 banana shallots, finely chopped • 1 garlic clove • sea salt • 8 parsnips, peeled and chopped into 2cm (¾in) pieces • 2 sprigs thyme • 440ml (15½fl oz) vegetable stock • 440ml (15½fl oz) almond milk • 1 vanilla pod • 3 tbsp lemon juice To serve • 60g (1/2 cup) hazelnuts • 50g (½ cup) dried cranberries • a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary • olive oil METHOD 1 Heat the oil or water in a saucepan over a medium heat, then sweat the shallots and garlic until translucent. Season and add the parsnips and thyme. 2 Turn…

Interview For many, the countdown to Christmas doesn't officially begin until the first Christmas song is played on the radio, drinks party invites are shared round, and the festive films start appearing on telly. However, Christmas lasts all-year round for Gisela Graham. Her business is renowned for its stylish decorations, which are sold online and in indie homeware shops across the UK and overseas. Since starting her company from her dining table, it's grown internationally and Gisela has celebrated many milestones along the way – including a visit from pop icon Cher, who stopped by the Gisela Graham London showroom to stock up on Halloween and Christmas decs! So, we were very excited to grab some time with her… How did your business come about? It all started with decorations…

DUNELM Festive folk Make it a cosy country cottage-style Christmas GET THE LOOK Mix ceramic finishes with wooden decorations for a tactile, Scandi-influenced scheme that serves maximum wholesomeness. This look lends itself easily to the kitchen or kitchen-diner where natural finishes abound. Look for wicker baskets and platters, and stoneware vases and crockery. Put your own foliage display together with sprigs of eucalyptus, pittosporum and sarcococca – faux options for all of these plants are available to make an arrangement that lasts beyond the twelve days of Christmas. Hang lightweight baubles and decorations from the branches for the full effect. Bring all the comfort of the season with soft seating at the dining table as well as the living room. Guests will appreciate the extra attention to detail and linger…

‘I love a cocktail party and as I'll be hosting friends this is the perfect scheme to take our celebrations right through to the new year' Sophile Ellis, Production editor Let loose with clashing colours, glitter on everything and an oversized sense of fun. This energetic look is chaos in a good way. It perfectly reflects the imperfect nature of most people's Christmases – particularly those with kids! – where everything can feel a little wild, but so jolly. Think pink as your key colour for this scheme. Blush tones add a sense of playfulness, which is given a dramatic edge when paired with bold sweeps of festive red. Get your dancing shoes on and accessorise with mirror balls. This year you can get practically anything adorned with one of…

Have a peaceful festive period with a pared-back scheme that's rich in natural beauty Style idea Make your own bead garland with our tutorial on page 105…

Style idea Add interest to a neutral scheme with a variety of textures such as boucle, knits and faux fur…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Sarah Lomas, 39, a greetings card designer at vintagebysarahh.etsy.com. I live with my husband, Mark, 42, a plasterer, and our two children Noah, nine, and Eve, six. I share my home on Instagram @living_at_no_8. WHERE I LIVE A four-bedroom, semi-detached Victorian cottage in a village near Bishop Auckland in County Durham. We've lived here since February 2022. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The walls had mist coats of white paint, but the rooms needed some warmer neutrals and panelling to add character. I also wanted to make the kitchen feel less long and narrow. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We updated this house on a budget with secondhand pieces and furniture we made ourselves, like our rustic dining table and wardrobes. MY FAVOURITE PART…

TOP TIP Be careful to follow the manufacturer's instructions when connecting the live (brown), neutral (blue) and earth (yellow and green) wires. If at all in doubt, ask a qualified electrician to check the wiring before plugging in your lamp. YOU WILL NEED • drill with various drill bits • 30cm (H) glass cloche bell jar with wooden base • brass hex nut, hex nipple and washers • White three-core cable with in-line switch and plug, 2.5m, £6.29, lampspares.co.uk • screwdriver • ES E27 Edison screw brass threaded lamp holder with ½in base fixing, £7.19, lampspares.co.uk • wire strippers • thick self-adhesive felt pads • Edison-style 60w bulb INSTRUCTIONS 1 Drill a hole in the centre of the wood base of the cloche - the hole needs to be large…

SHOP THE LOOK HOMESTYLE LOVES! Style idea Don't be afraid to choose a colourful sofa, as it can make a dramatic impact EDITOR'S CHOICE…

Paper dreamscape The trend for paper honeycomb decorations is as big as ever this year, and that goes for the size of your decorations too. From spheres to snowflakes, fans and more, these eco-friendly adornments come in a huge variety of sizes and colours so you can choose the perfect set to complement your festive scheme. They look particularly effective when grouped together to make one bold statement – and running up the staircase is the perfect place. Team oversized snowflake designs Hampton 2 seater sofa in Slate Grey classic plush fabric, from £699.99, Furniture And Choice. For similar paper decorations, visit Ginger Ray, prices start at £8.99 Starry night Star motifs are a brilliant way to link your decor from room to room, making it easy to create a…

Festive makes Fir trees & pine cones Make a set of these fir trees and pine cones in different colours and sizes to create a rustic display for your mantelpiece, a window sill or console table YOU WILL NEED • polystyrene (or cardboard) cones • acrylic paint • paintbrush • coloured felt • scissors • hot glue gun • polystyrene ball • corrugated cardboard • pencil • two pence coin (as a template) • hanging pin • velvet ribbon INSTRUCTIONS To make the fir trees 1 Paint the cone the same colour as the felt you intend to use for your tree. Leave to dry. 2 Meanwhile, take your felt and cut out 28 rectangles, each measuring 3x4cm. Using sharp scissors, cut an even fringe along the long edge of…

Italian festive menu Starters • Italian charcuterie board • Hot prosciutto parcels stuffed with goat's cheese and fresh basil gf Mains & sides • Rolled porchetta with pistachios, fennel and lemon • Potato gateau • Stuffed courgettes Desserts • Panettone v • Dried fruit and nut panforte v Traditional festive menu Starters • Cavolo nero, cranberry and prawn cocktail • Parsnip and vanilla soup vg gf Mains & sides • Dad's Excell-ent turkey gf • Black garlic roast potatoes vg • Sautéed Brussels sprouts and kale Desserts • Sticky toffee Christmas bundt pudding v • Easy Christmas cherry trifle Mexican festive menu Starters • Pork tamales Mains & sides • Mexican turkey gf • Beetroot salad v • Mexican red rice Desserts • Mexican flan v • Churros with chilli-chocolate…

Mexican menu Starters Celebration pork tamales PREPARATION TIME 1 hour COOKING TIME 2 hours MAKES 8-10 INGREDIENTS For the basic tamal dough • 150g (5½OZ) duck fat • 1 tbsp salt • 500g (1 lb 2oz) corn dough (to make, mix 500g masa harina Mexican com flour with 600ml warm water to form a dough) • 15-18 dry corn husks, soaked in warm water for 1 hour (includes extras for securing the tamales) For the pork filling • 1 kg (2¼lb) pork shoulder, cut into 5cm (2in) cubes • 1 onion • 1 garlic bulb • 1 tbsp sea salt • 500ml (17½fl oz) Mexican green sauce/ tomatillo salsa (available from supermarkets) METHOD 1 To make the basic tamal dough, mix the duck fat and salt in a food processor…

Winter wonderland The latest Christmas drop from Anthropologie is filled with beautifully crafted items to add a unique flourish to your festive decorating scheme, and we're here for it. From colourful felted tree decs to standout tree toppers, we're asking Santa for one of each! We particularly love the monogram wonderland scenes - whether you spell out a festive word, as shown here, or choose the family's initials. The letters cast a gorgeous warm white glow behind the woodland scene to really make them pop. They're an investment at £56 each, but the timeless style means you'll cherish them for years to come. anthropologie.com Terrific tablescaping These brightly-coloured reusable crackers are guaranteed to add dopamine decor vibes to your Christmas spread. Made from cotton fabric, they're an eco-friendly alternative to…

How to get the look Give hand-me-down decorations a new lease of life this year and celebrate the unique combination you and your family have collected. Add to your stash with ornaments with artisan and handmade details. Think felted, embroidered and stitched pieces – and buy Fair Trade whenever you can. Begin new traditions by picking up kits to help you DIY new decorations. Build up your confidence with simple makes and get inspo from our fabulous tutorials from page 99, too. Bring eclectic styles together by picking out one or two common colours and adding plain decorations in these tones. Use these to fill the gaps in between the baubles you want to show off, for a balanced effect. ‘I love the thrill of rediscovering all my old decorations…

Style idea Create clusters of baubles so that they pack a bigger punch…

TOP TIP Use these instructions to make a stocking in any fabric you like: felt and wool-blend fabrics work well as they are sturdy so hold their shape and tend not to fray. YOU WILL NEED • old newspaper • pencil • tape measure • scissors • dressmaker's scissors • boucle fabric (see instructions for details) • sewing machine • pins • thread • needle • satin ribbon INSTRUCTIONS 1 Make a stocking template using a piece of old newspaper. Draw a stocking shape which measures 46cm from top to heel, 22cm across the leg, 34cm from toe to heel and 17cm across the foot. Then make a cuff template which measures 44x13cm (WxH). Both these template measurements include a 1cm seam allowance. Cut out both templates using a pair…

Style idea Use pale and mid-pink tones as your neutrals for this look…

A BIT ABOUT ME I'm Jade Laws, 38, an education team leader at Newcastle University. I live with my husband, Rob, 39, a sheet metal worker who makes and sells furniture (@h_hbespoke_designs), and our children Hayden, nine, and Harris, five. WHERE I LIVE A four-bed Edwardian terraced house in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, which we bought in June 2018. See more of my home on Instagram @the_lawsy_house. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The white walls and grey carpets were bland and boring, so I wanted to add colour, as well as change the front door. It'll take a while to save up for the kitchen and bathroom but, in the meantime, I've given the kitchen a mini makeover. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN My style is colourful and fun, with…

TOP TIP This is a great project for using up scraps of leftover yarn. Go for a rainbow effect like Jade or choose three or four shades to tie in with your scheme. An ombre yarn will create a chic, coordinated effect. YOU WILL NEED • tin can • cardboard • pencil • scissors • balls of yarn in various colours • 30cm (D) wire wreath frame INSTRUCTIONS 1 Begin by cutting out a pair of pom pom-making discs. To do this, place a tin can on top of a piece of cardboard and draw around it to create a circle. Repeat to create a second circle. Use scissors to cut out the two cardboard discs. 2 Next, draw a smaller circle in the centre of each cardboard disc. The…

Style edit GET THE LOOK… Start building this scheme by shopping in your own cupboards. Pull out any old tablecloths, napkins and table runners – they don't even need to be Christmassy! If you can't find anything you like, hunt down preloved pieces in charity shops. Repair any damage with coordinating patches and add a little extra flair by looking up how to do sashiko – a Japanese form of mending using decorative stitches that are designed to be visible. Look out for tableware in rich textures. Using embossed and debossed designs will add a rustic element to your tablescape. To ensure the effect feels modern, add in ribbed styles too. Mirror the textured tableware with quilted placemats or runners for a sophisticated, layered scheme. Embrace the heirloom – and…

GET THE LOOK… Stick to a combination of frosty winter tones for a dreamy effect. Think delicate grey, forest green and snow white. Touches of black and deep brown add structure, so use them sparingly for the greatest impact. Opt for matt finishes on your darker colours and go glossy for paler tones – this will enhance the contrast between these shades to give you a sophisticated look. Conjure up a Scandinavian woodland with playful pine tree motifs. Look out for simplified, graphic styles for that classic Scandi look. Team them with more naturalistic designs and, for a cohesive finish, keep these to a single colour. Take the theme even further with wooden elements, like serving boards, and use a frosted foliage garland as your centrepiece. Reuse pieces that you…

Festive makes Woven wreath YOU WILL NEED • 45cm metal ring • 10cm metal ring • 250g Anchor Crafty yarn in Natural • scissors • selection of cream and colourful yarn, including 100g contrasting yarn • 100g Stylecraft Craft Cotton in Ecru • notebook or tile sample INSTRUCTIONS 1 Start by wrapping both metal hoops with the chunky Anchor Crafty yarn. Tie the end to the hoop and wrap the yarn around the hoop continuously, making sure it's tight. Tie off once you've wrapped the whole hoop. Repeat for the smaller hoop. 2 To help with warping the looms (as shown in photo 3), it's easier to secure the middle hoop beforehand. To do so, using a contrasting thread colour, tie the hoop in the middle to the outer hoop…

Italian menu GLUTEN-FREE Starters Hot prosciutto parcels stuffed with goat's cheese and fresh basil PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes COOKING TIME 5 minutes MAKES 12 (serve in groups of 3 for a starter) INGREDIENTS • 12 slices prosciutto • 125g (4½oz) soft goat's cheese • 24 fresh basil leaves • salad leaves, to serve METHOD 1 For each parcel, lay a slice of prosciutto flat and put a heaped tsp of goat's cheese at one end. Place 2 basil leaves on top and season with ground black pepper. Fold the prosciutto over so that the goat's cheese is wrapped tightly inside. Repeat to make 12 prosciutto parcels in total. 2 Heat a large dry frying pan (there's no need for oil if it's non-stick) over a medium heat until hot. Add…

Helpful hints 3 WAYS TO REMOVE red wine stains from fabric The tannins in grape skins can quickly bind to fabric fibres, especially cotton or wool, if spilled. Here are three ways to tackle red wine stains before they take hold! 1 Treat tablecloth spills with salt to absorb as much wine as possible, before spraying the fabric with Asevi stain remover. Rub the fabric together a little, then pop into the washing machine to remove the stain completely. 2 This high-performance spray is great for sofa spills. Using no bleach or harsh chemicals, it's gentle on fabric fibres but tough on stains. Simply blot the stain, spray the area, leave for five minutes, blot again and rinse. 3 For carpet stains, we recommend this specialist formula with its integrated…