Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i 25 Beautiful Homes

If you’re looking for ideas on how to dress your Christmas tree this December, then look no further as there’s plenty of inspiration in this month’s issue. From full-sized conifers to artificial firs and bunches of twigs adorned with decorations, you should be able to find something that catches your eye. I’m always tempted to thin out branches from a conifer to create a layered effect (see page 120) because it allows you to really see the decorations, but I’ve never tried it because I’m slightly apprehensive of cutting too much away. I know that the upside-down option is designed to show off your favourite baubles, but I can’t quite get my head around it, so this year, I might buy a small tree on which I can experiment. Usually,…

BLACK WINDSOR CHAIRS While browsing through a Swedish interiors magazine, I spotted some simple stick back chairs in black, which would be perfect for our new dining room scheme. Can I find a design like this that’s available in the UK? JESSIE BROOM, WARWICKSHIRE Black brings a crisp, modern edge to the classic Windsor chair. I & JL Brown (020 7736 4141, ijlbrown.com) sells a black Windsor stick back side chair with a plain leg, H98 x W46 x D45cm, £355 (pictured). Ercol (01844 271800, ercol.com) also has a simple 1877 Windsor dining chair that comes in eight finishes, including black, H89 x W49 x D53cm, £360. CHILDREN’S ART DISPLAY Can you tell me where Michelle Clinton found the wire lines used to hang her children’s artwork ( p32 ,…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Farmhouse, built in mid-1700s LOCATION Nottinghamshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen-diner, TV room, study, utility , five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms, plus a converted two-bedroom barn PURCHASED 1988 and 1997 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving to this house, we renovated a Georgian townhouse in Newark,’ says Karen. Unusually, Karen and Peter Moore bought the same house twice, firstly to renovate, and a decade later, as their family home. The couple had an eye and the energy for restoration projects, moving from job to job before deciding to settle down in 1997, with the impending birth of their son, Charlie. ‘We’d just restored a small townhouse and needed something spacious, and pushchair friendly,’ says Karen. Coincidentally, the couple’s former farmhouse was back on…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A 17th-century former sheep barn LOCATION Hampshire ROOMS Hall, sitting/dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, family/TV room, mezzanine study, cloakroom, showroom, five bedrooms (three en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2003 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in a tiny thatched cottage before moving here,’ says Gina. Gina Fresle’s stunning Hampshire barn conversion is the perfect spot for enjoying Christmas festivities with teenage daughter Mollie, and extended family. The ceilings are high enough to cope with the tallest tree, and the dining area can accommodate guests galore. ‘I normally have 10 to 12 people for Christmas lunch, so Christmas Eve is spent wrapping presents and madly preparing veg,’ says Gina. ‘We always have a traditional turkey, plus a goose or beef. Afterwards we play games such as charades.’ Gina admits that…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Mid-terrace, built in 1900 LOCATION Haywards Heath ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen, dining room, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a two-bedroom flat in Brighton,’ says Jessica. When Jessica Bradford and her husband James bought this Victorian terrace three years ago, it proved the perfect backdrop to test out their craft and decorating skills. ‘We had been living in a two-bed flat, but we were keen to move to somewhere bigger as we had so many ideas of what we wanted to do,’ says Jessica. ‘We loved the unconventional layout of this house and wanted to emphasise its character,’ says Jessica. ‘But the upstairs had been painted pink, purple and orange, with a bold graffiti mural…

Exposed hardwood is a beautiful, versatile and durable flooring option. While Christina chose a natural finish, varnishes, stains, waxes, oils and paints can create a range of looks to match the style of any home and will protect the floor from damage. A perfect finish Reviving wood floors and ensuring they stay looking good involves restoration, treatment and maintenance. Floorboards require a different approach to parquet. Boards are tougher and will need to be sanded using the correct equipment, which can be hired, though a professional can undertake repairs and replacements. For parquet, it’s crucial to enlist professionals to restore the flooring because of the intricate detail and fitting of the panels. A suitable treatment will protect the wood and reduce staining and moisture penetration. Oil, wax and varnish all…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian maisonette LOCATION East London ROOMS Sitting/dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom, roof terrace PURCHASED2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We were renting a ground-floor garden flat in south London before we moved here,’ says Lisa. For Lisa Comfort, the festive season really begins when she and her fiancé Matt Blake invite friends over for mulled wine and mince pies the last Sunday before Christmas. ‘The decorations are up by then,’ she says, ‘so the flat looks really cosy and inviting.’ In keeping with the vibrant furnishings and accessories that define the couple’s maisonette apartment in east London, many of the decorations are brightly coloured, from a cheery string of fairy lights in the kitchen to turquoise baubles on the tree. ‘I add something every…

THE TOPPS TILES ROOM VISUALISER Topps Tiles’ brilliant new Room Visualiser tool takes all the guesswork out of imagining how your room will look with your new tiles laid. Simply select a blank room to decorate and then have fun experimenting with the multitude of top-quality, great-value tiles on offer. You can even rotate the tiles and choose different grout colours, too. With designs ranging from traditional and classic to contemporary and cutting edge, you’re sure to find something that suits your style and budget. And once you’ve settled on the perfect look, there’s the option to save, print, share and shop. So launch the Visualiser at toppstiles.co.uk/style-and-inspiration/, and start bringing your dream scheme to life. YOU CAN VIEW THE ENTIRE TILE COLLECTION AND FIND YOUR NEAREST STORE AT…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached house built in the 1970s LOCATION Sheffield ROOMS Sitting/dining room, kitchen/breakfast/utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘The last home we owned was a four-bedroom house, built in the 1980s,’ says Deborah. Like a present wrapped in brown paper ready for the perfect ribbon, a card open for just the right words, or a bare Christmas tree anticipating the pretty decorations, a simply decorated house is just a blank canvas waiting for someone with a little imagination and creativity to turn it into something special, thinks author and interior designer Deborah Fielding. ‘Having all white walls allows you to play around with your style,’ she says. ‘It’s very easy to alter the look with the seasons, or as…

Few of us have expert knowledge when it comes to selecting new windows, which can make the whole process seem overly daunting. Fortunately, there are plenty of informative organisations, such as the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), that can help by offering impartial advice. Do the ground-work It’s important to consider what type of window will best suit your home. If your new-build has been created in a traditional style, or you are replacing windows in a period home, then consider more classic options. These include sash windows and casement windows, which are all regaining popularity, thanks to modern updates such as double and thermal glazing. Frameless or picture windows, where the emphasis is on having an uninterrupted view, make a great feature in contemporary properties. Recent advances in glass…

1 ALL AGLOW Steeple, £22, Roman at Home 2 LEADING LIGHTS Linea white house LEDs, £25, House of Fraser 3 DASHING DEER Reggie the reindeer tree decoration, £4, Paperchase 4 NATURE STUDY Heritage pine cone glass bauble, £1, Poundland 5 FOREST GLADE Green cone wreath with stag, £20, Dobbies 6 FROSTY FESTOON White berry garland, £34, The Contemporary Home 7 LET IT SNOW Flocked 6ft pre-lit downswept pine Christmas tree, £179, Very 8 CRACKLE AND POP Luxury Silver crackers, £19.50 for six, Marks & Spencer 9 WOODLAND CHARM Mini potted English trees, £20 for a set of three, The White Company 1 0 JUMP FOR JOY Gift sack, £8.99, The Oak Room…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Georgian townhouse LOCATION Sussex ROOMS Hall, sitting room, drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, study, utility room, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before we moved into this place, we lived in a manor house near the Sussex Downs,’ explains Riv. Rumour has it that Riv Ahearne has finally lost her itchy feet, because after four house moves in seven years, she has finally found her dream home. ‘I’m not quite sure if my friends believe that though,’ she smiles. ‘I’ve moved so many times that I probably have a fickle reputation. But this period townhouse in Sussex stole my heart. It would be impossible to imagine falling out of love with it or finding anything better.’ Judging by…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Single-storey villa LOCATION Värmland, Sweden ROOMS Sitting room/diningroom/kitchen-diner, utility room, four bedrooms, two bathrooms BUILT 2011 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a large townhouse nearby prior to this,’ says Pernilla. When Pernilla Porten and her husband Johan wanted to find their dream home, they knew exactly what to do – construct it themselves. ‘We’ve always talked about building our own house,’ says Pernilla, ‘but it’s a big step from talking about it to actually doing it.’ Using Johan’s parents’ land in Värmland, Sweden, the couple set about creating a traditional Scandinavian villa. The finished product is an elegant whitewashed single-storey property that provides a functional family home for their three children, William, 12, Eddie, 9, and Annie, 5. Inside, the interior is just as stylish,…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached brick house built in 1970 LOCATION Sundsvall, Sweden ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, six bedrooms, two bathrooms, sauna, conservatory PURCHASED 2001 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a large modern apartment, close to the city,’ says Hanna. To ensure their home feels cosy in the winter months, Hanna and Robert Hjort add a combination of warming textiles and natural furs. ‘I love to make it really snug,’ says Hanna. ‘I add extra sheepskins, cushions, throws and soft fabrics, and we light our woodburning stoves.’ At Christmas, Hanna injects each room with a festive look, which is inspired by her garden and the surrounding countryside. ‘I use a green-and-white scheme and lots of fauna from the outdoors, such as pine cones and small spruce…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached 1930s house LOCATION Bennekom, Netherlands ROOMS Hall, sitting room, drawing room, kitchen-diner, utility room, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in a flat over our shop nearby,’ says Wulf. There’s not a glittery bauble or string of tinsel in sight, but Wulf van de Pol’s home feels surprisingly festive, thanks to his talent for combining natural textures. A silver-frosted air of nostalgia envelops this Dutch village hideaway in a style that harks back to the property’s 1930s roots – yet the house still has a contemporary feel. ‘Mixing traditional surfaces is a big part of my look,’ explains Wulf, an interior designer. ‘So I have set lustrous and velvet fabrics beside rough, natural linen and a sleek bench…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Red-brick terrace, built in 1820 LOCATION Wiltshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, study, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 1997 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before living here, my home was a rented house in a nearby village,’ says Andrew. Andrew Halsey’s idea of a homely house is one that looks its best at Christmas, and he believes he has discovered the perfect place. When Andrew felt the time had come to move out of a rental and into his own property, he realised he couldn’t afford to buy in the Wiltshire village he had grown to love, and widened his search to a town a few miles away. ‘I found a Grade II listed terrace that had everything I was looking for,’ says Andrew. ‘It was…

Treat yourself to a luxurious electric blanket, which heats up quickly, keeping you warm on cold winter nights. They feature three heat settings, a heat-level indicator and removable power cords for washing by hand. Available in either soft polyester or a cosy fleece lining. They come in three sizes: single, heated by a 50w element with a detachable controller; double and king sizes, with two 50w elements and two controllers, so you can always keep your side of the bed at the perfect temperature. Wonderfully comfortable, our ladies’ sheepskin-lined mules feature a sheepskin collar, with genuine suede uppers and a lightweight EVA sole. Mule design is easy to slip on. Upper: suede. Lining: sheepskin. Sole: man-made. HOW TO ORDER Visit clifford-james.co.uk/  55004 or call 0871 911 7011* quoting…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached farmhouse LOCATION East Lothian ROOMS Sitting room, drawing room, kitchen-diner, study, snug, utility room, cloakroom, five bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms PURCHASED 2004 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a smaller house in a nearby hamlet before moving here,’ says Louise. Louise Fraser and her husband Scott moved to the East Lothian countryside before their daughter, Scarlett, now 15, was born. Louise has always enjoyed horse riding wanted her daughter to experience a rural lifestyle, too. And at this time of year, the space and location become even more important. ‘At Christmas, this is a home that comes into its own,’ says Louise of her Georgian farmhouse. ‘We have family nearby so we share the entertaining. This year, we’ll be at my brother’s on…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian cottage LOCATION Peeblesshire, Scotland ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, study, utility room, three bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a Victorian flat in Edinburgh, which we also refurbished,’ says Kerry. Having completely renovated their previous property in Edinburgh, Kerry and James Cowan were no strangers to the demands of a project when they viewed their current house in Peeblesshire three years ago. But this place presented them with a much bigger challenge. ‘It needed a lot of work as there was no central heating and very basic wiring from the 1960s, and it had woodworm, plus dry and wet rot,’ says Kerry. ‘The roof needed work and the windows all had to be replaced, but…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Semi-detached 1930s cottage LOCATION Hampshire ROOMS Sitting room/ dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We had sold our last home and were renting a house in the same area,’ explains Di. Di and Rod Figg live in a delightfully bijou cottage, where space is a valued commodity and tidiness reigns supreme. But at Christmas, minimalism flies out the window. Fresh ivy, garlands and frosted pine cones cover every surface, a ceiling-high tree stands by the decorated dining table, and white cyclamen, mercury glass candleholders and twinkling fairy lights add a Nordic touch. Green, silver and white are the perfect Christmas colours for this small property, which Di and Rod bought seven years ago. Chance played a large part in its purchase.…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian semi-detached house LOCATION Derbyshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen-diner, three bedrooms (one used as a study), bathroom PURCHASED 1984 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived and studied in York and Sheffield before moving back here,’ says Alice. Good things come in small packages, and this is especially true of Alice Middleton’s Victorian home, a perfectly formed semi-detached cottage a stone’s throw from the beautiful Peak District National Park. ‘I grew up here and have many fond memories of family Christmases over the years,’ she explains. ‘The house was the centre of so many good times and was always full of love. When my health took a downturn a few years ago, and I had to give up work and dreams of doing a PhD, I was lucky…

REPLANNED HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY 1850s milking barn, converted in 2008 LOCATION Nottinghamshire ROOMS Hall, sitting/music room, kitchen-diner, TV room, five bedrooms (three en suite) two bathrooms PURCHASED 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we lived in a four bedroom, new-build nearby,’ says Margarita. When you live in a small village, where neighbours are friendly and hospitable, it’s natural for a community to get together at Christmas. For Margarita and David Knibbs, holding an open house over the festive period provides the perfect chance to say ‘thank you’ to all the locals who helped them settle so quickly into village life. This will be their second Christmas in their spectacular barn conversion, and they already acknowledge that it is likely to become their ‘forever home’. ‘We had been eyeballing the barn for…

1 TOUCH OF LUXURY Limited edition Christmas wreath, £95 with the purchase of another product, Jo Malone 2 SEASONAL SHIMMER Gold star decoration, £2, George Home 3 A WINTER’S TALE Vinter 2015 unscented block candle, £4 for four, Ikea 4 BRIGHT BOUGHS Pre-lit 6ft tree, £35, Tesco Direct 5 FESTIVE FLOURISH Cone and berry garland, £30, Wyevale Garden Centres 6 CORGI-APPROVED Tree decoration, £10, Highgrove 7 YULETIDE CHARM Father Christmas metal tree decoration, £6.95, Red Lilly 8 OLD MEETS NEW Lit cardholder tree, £12, Next 9 HOMESPUN STYLE Fairisle crackers, £25 for six, House of Fraser 1 0 MERRY AND BRIGHT Present sack, £32, At Home with Ashley Thomas at Debenhams…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached house built in 1985 LOCATION Picton, Ontario ROOMS Hall, sitting room, snug/kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en suite), basement granny flat PURCHASED 2009 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to have a 110-year-old farmhouse in this town,’ says Lori. A few weeks into November, a subtle but magical change comes over the home of Lori Vidito. Sprigs of greenery clamber along the mantelpiece and up the banisters, while pinecones cluster on surfaces, and an eclectic collection of snowflakes tumble from ceilings and adorn the snow-frosted Christmas tree. ‘I decorate more for winter than for Christmas,’ says Lori, a hairstylist who shares her three-bedroom house with husband Mike and son Mitchell, 12. ‘I begin in November and it takes a couple of weeks from start…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A terraced Victorian villa LOCATION West London ROOMS Sitting room, family room, kitchen-diner, study, cloakroom, garden room, five bedrooms, two bathrooms PURCHASED 1992 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a Georgian workman’s cottage nearby,’ says Butter. American-born Butter Wakefield has lived in London for over 25 years, where she has raised her four children: Zoe, Jack, Eliza and Kit. In stark contrast, she grew up on a small farm in Maryland. ‘I come from a long line of very good gardeners,’ explains Butter. ‘So I suppose gardening is in my blood.’ Butter spent some years working as a design assistant at Colefax and Fowler, where she learnt about design, pattern, colour, texture and scale, all lessons that she has successfully brought to life in her vibrant…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian Grade II-listed, end-of-terrace LOCATION Central London ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, study, library, utility room, cloakroom, playroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms, dressing room, studio PURCHASED 1999 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘I lived in a flat in north London before Andrew and I got married and moved here,’ says Sophie. Despite living in the heart of London, Sophie Cameron, her husband Andrew and children Louis, 15, Alfie, 13, Magnus, 11, and Rose, 9, celebrate Christmas in a village-like atmosphere. ‘We walk to our local church on Christmas Day because the children’s school is connected to it,’ says Sophie, ‘then we usually have our close family around for lunch.’ With up to 16 to cater for, Sophie hires an extra-large table and it’s…

NEW-BUILD HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Victorian terraced house with a modern double-height glass extension LOCATION South London ROOMS Sitting room, family room/kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, bathroom PURCHASED 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this place, we lived together in a flat,’ says Hannah. We’re going all-out on Christmas this year,’ says Hannah Jefferson. ‘And we’ve got some really amazing decorations,’ chips in her partner Richard Joseph. The couple’s excitement about the festive season is partly down to it being their first in their new home, which they spent a year designing and building, but also due to having a place to celebrate in at all. This time last year, Richard could only ask, ‘Where has our house gone?’. The answer was ‘in several skips’ – all that…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Detached villa, built in 1907 LOCATION Near Copenhagen ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, snug, library, utility room, cloakroom, eight bedrooms, two bathrooms, basement guest suite PURCHASED 1998 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We used to live in an apartment nearby,’ says Christina. Step inside Christina Thorbøll and Niels-Henrik Hansen’s home, nestled in a snowy forest outside Copenhagen, and you’re met by the sound of a crackling open fire. Garlands of fairy lights are suspended around door frames, candles twinkle and glitter-sprinkled fir cones are clustered on tabletops. ‘Our Christmas is very traditional,’ says Christina. ‘We’ll light the fire, burn tealights and decorate the tree with things the children have made at school – it never looks too curated or coordinated.’ When Niels-Henrik first moved into the…

INSPIRING HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY 19th-century terraced cottage LOCATION Yorkshire ROOMS Sitting room, kitchen, one bedroom, bathroom PURCHASED 2007 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘This is our holiday cottage. We live in an 18th-century farmhouse in Durham,’ says Helen. December is always hectic for artist and designer Helen Charlton. First of all, there’s a packed schedule of festive craft workshops, such as garland and wreath making, at her farmhouse home; and this is followed by lots of entertaining. ‘We have a houseful at Christmas, and it’s lovely. Then we pack up, get in the car and head here to our cottage on the North York Moors. It’s just the two of us, we walk on the beach and that’s when the wind-down from the festive season really happens – it’s the best part.’…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY A 16th-century farm cottage LOCATION Surrey ROOMS Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, snug, utility room, cloakroom, conservatory, six bedrooms, three bathrooms PURCHASED 2008 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before buying this place, we lived in a 1930s house, which was also in Surrey, ’ says Mia. ‘My husband David and I have always wanted to live in a period cottage surrounded by woods and meadows,’ says Mia Walker, who fell in love with this Surrey home, complete with cobblestone façade, lattice windows and oak beams. ‘We both love inglenooks, too, so we knew this would be the ideal home, especially at Christmas.’ However, the existing floral wallpaper, coupled with the beams and patterned carpets made the rooms feel a little dark and dated. On top of that,…

Design ideas WALL-HUNG BASKETS In Lisa Comfort’s kitchen, vibrant baskets have been hung on the wall for storage. A great way of keeping household essentials close at hand, the baskets provide handy cubby holes for items such as tea cosies and linens. Imaginative and well thought out, this vertical storage solution is both stylish and functional. The colours of the baskets chime perfectly with the hand-painted china, canisters and lampshade. This inexpensive idea would work equally well for storing toys in a child’s bedroom. In this case the baskets have been attached to the wall with metal hooks. Another idea would be to attach them to a rail with zip-ties. Cube-shaped rattan or wire baskets can also look good when hung in a kitchen or bathroom. QUIRKY CHAIR BACKS When…

As Christmas approaches, you don’t want your kitchen or bathroom letting the side down when family and friends come to visit. Beautiful floor and wall tiles have an amazing ability to elevate a room in an instant, while also offering a practical surface for your home. And at Topps Tiles you’ll find an impressive selection of great-quality tiles and all the design inspiration you’ll need to transform your space. The kitchen is the busiest area in the house, which along with the bathroom gets even busier during the festive celebrations. So investing in good-quality, durable tiles is essential for long-lasting appeal. But choosing them is a big decision that can often be daunting as there are so many things to consider – from material, colour and pattern to size, shape…

DISTINCTIVE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Semi-detached house, built around 1976 LOCATION Berkshire ROOMS Sitting room/kitchen-diner, two bedrooms, bathroom PURCHASED 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘This is the very first home we’ve owned together as a couple,’ explains Georgina. With their wedding plans underway, Georgina and William Monelle were keen to find their first home to share as newlyweds. As their family and friends live in Berkshire, a two bedroom semi on the county’s outskirts proved to be in the ideal location for the couple. When Georgina and William bought the house, it wasn’t quite right, but they could see it had potential. ‘It had two small downstairs rooms, but we wanted an open-plan living space,’ says Georgina. So, they knocked a wall down to create one large area. ‘It wasn’t easy, and…

NEW-BUILD HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY Red-brick and timber cottage LOCATION Shropshire ROOMS Hall, sitting room, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom BUILT IN 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘This is our first home together. Before this, we were both living nearby with our parents,’ says Hannah. As newlyweds Hannah and Theo Hodnett clink champagne glasses this Christmas morning in their cosy cottage, they’ll have even more reason than usual to celebrate. ‘Having tied the knot during the summer, Theo and I are excited as this will be our first Christmas as husband and wife in our home,’ explains Hannah. ‘We’re looking forward to starting the day in style with a little glass of bubbly.’ When the pair, who met eight years ago, began searching for a house, trying to find somewhere…

UNIQUE HOME TRUTHS THE PROPERTY 16th-century townhouse LOCATION Suffolk ROOMS Hall, sitting area, dining area, kitchen, four bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom PURCHASED 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘My last home was a medieval house in Suffolk,’ says Juliet. Twenty years of running her own art gallery has given Juliet Bowmaker a good eye for displaying paintings to their best advantage, and although she no longer runs the gallery, she is still passionate about beautiful art and artefacts. ‘I am a self-confessed art addict,’ she smiles. Over the years Juliet has amassed a collection of paintings and textiles that sit happily with antique furniture she has inherited from her family. Juliet’s style seamlessly blends an eclectic mix of pieces from many different cultures and periods. At Christmas the rooms glow with firelight…

A Abode Interiors Ludlow 01584 318014 Abode Living 01273 621116, abodeliving.co.uk Achica achica.com Acuity Arts 07538 089747, acuityarts.co.uk ADE Architecture 020 7993 8542, ade-architecture.co.uk Alexander & Pearl 020 8508 0411, alexanderandpearl.co.uk Alfies Antique Market 020 7723 6066, alfiesantiques.com Alistair Mackintosh 0121 784 6800, alistairmackintosh.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645, amara.com Amode 020 3397 7323, amode.co.uk Anderson Bradshaw 01420 562645, andersonbradshaw.co.uk Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100, andrewmartin.co.uk And So To Bed 0808 144 4343, andsotobed.co.uk Aniworld 020 8659 9654, aniworld.com Annie Sloan 01865 713089, anniesloan.com Anthropologie 08000 026 8476, anthropologie.com Aram 020 7557 7557, aram.co.uk Argos 0345 640 3030, argos.co.uk Artisans of Devizes 01380 720007, artisansofdevizes.com Asda asda.com Atlantic Shopping 0121 230 1644, atlanticshopping.co.uk B B&B Italia 00 39 031 795 213 , bebitalia.com/en/ B&Q 0333 014 3098, diy.com Baileys…

At Christmas time, there’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa next to a roaring fire in a cosy living room that’s brimming with decorations. Which is exactly what we can imagine doing here. The room’s mismatched fabrics and furnishings are what makes it so appealing. Inviting armchairs with plump cushions and soft throws provide the perfect place to relax, while a rustic coffee table offers ample space to scatter festive treats and mulled drinks for any visitors that may drop by. But what gives it a real seasonal feel is the use of fairy lights, which haven’t just been hung on the tree. By adding them to the garland above the mantelpiece and wrapping them round the wood in the log basket, there’s a subtle glow that lifts…