Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Homes & Antiques

One thing my nearest and dearest all know about me is that I'm a planner. Nothing brings me more joy than a well-stocked to-do list, plus a Plan A, B and C for any eventuality. Excitingly for me, no time of year enables this personality quirk more abundantly than Christmas. This year we've done the work for you and, with the big day still over a month away, this issue comes prepared to inspire - offering a little calming control amongst the chaos. From page 15, we've scoured shops for the first festive homewares, shortlisted the most stylish wrapping papers and discovered some of the best dealers for vintage Christmas decs, so all you have to do is choose your favourite. Personally, I'm leaning towards the jewel tones and playful…

IN THE LIMELIGHT When the Royal Academy's 108th Summer Exhibition opened in May 1876, visitors were treated to 1,533 works by 880 artists. There were pictures by Charles Landseer and Frederic Leighton, James Tissot and George Frederic Watts, and, in the grand space of Gallery III, painting number 349, An Audience at Agrippa's, by 40-year-old Lawrence Alma-Tadema. The thrilling evocation of Ancient Rome depicted Emperor Augustus's son-in-law and right-hand man, Agrippa, being petitioned by subjects from all over the Empire. Viewers were captivated by Alma-Tadema's technical brushwork, conjuring up people, architecture and objects as if they were real. The painting ended up in the collection of the Walker whisky family (who later gifted it to the Dick Institute) but not before the industrialist Sir William Armstrong expressed his admiration. Could…

1 General Store No2 As well as a fabulous range of kitchenalia, lighting and artworks, Vivien Brown gathers together a collection of festive pieces for her online store. The mid-century glass decorations, some of which are neatly arranged in vintage boxes, currently include pretty bells, balls, pine cones, a clown, a peacock and little Santas. There are also boxes of old Woolworths ornaments in their original packaging. The selection is bijou, so you'll have to be quick! @generalstoreno.2; generalstoreno2.co.uk 2 HoHoHo Santa Shop Based in Leicester, this Etsy shop sells a broad and beautiful collection of Ukrainian ornaments. Current stock comprises cotton circus characters, baubles shaped as forest huts and concave teardrops, all from the 1960s, plus pretty foiled ornaments, and a fabulous feast of mid-century glass hares. The accompanying…

An arrangement of curly willow sticks, conifer cuttings and berry-laden branches has been adorned with vintage baubles Create a display on a garden table. An old metal tub or bucket planted with hellebores and cyclamen is a great start…

When Kari Young is preparing her Victorian home in Bath for Christmas, she is often stopped in her tracks by the sight of the tree in her drawing room. 'The view from our hallway, with the ornate spindles of the staircase, restored cornicing, and double doors, is magical at this time of year, and epitomises Christmas in our home,' she says. In the late 1800s, a landowner bought a plot on the outskirts of Bath with spectacular views towards Solsbury Hill. He built two houses here for his daughters. When Kari and her husband, Jeff, viewed one of these historic Bath stone properties in 2008, the estate agent explained that it had once been an old people's home, before being converted into a B&B. 'Despite its jumble of rooms, various…

THE ANTIQUE Candelabra Christmas and New Year is a time of good cheer, when plans for drinks parties, delicious dinners and late lunches come to fruition. Set the scene by laying a table dressed with crisp linen, polished glasses and silver cutlery, lit by candelabra. In the 18th century, these multi-armed candlesticks (referred to as candelabrum in the singular), created ambience in a grand dining room. They also conferred status to the household and many beautiful examples were made, with the number of arms ranging from two to nine, and often in pairs or quartets. Craftsmen decorated the hollow silver by chasing a design into the surface, or by using the repoussé technique to create a raised pattern from beneath. Early candelabra can be very valuable today - in 2013,…

Luck of the Irish Embrace understated luxury with Tori Murphy's new Irish linen fabric. Inspired by a childhood spent in rural Ireland, this characterful weave offers a relaxed, rustic look that will make your house feel like a home. Pictured in Sage, starting prices from £90 per metre or £210 for made-to-measure. torimurphy.com TIED WITH CHEER If today's trends are anything to go by, there's nothing that can't be made more chic with a flamboyant bow. Add a statement beauty to your front door or Christmas tree for a festive flourish. £85. theprimitivehome.co.uk Silent night by candlelight Illuminate the countdown to Christmas with St Eval's luxe new Advent calendar, £44. With 24 scented tealights and gold lustre tealight holder, it's sure to spark joy. st-eval.com Frill factor Add a touch…

ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE STYLE Milo & Katy Campbell Traditions, secrets and unwritten rules are promised in English Country House Style, the latest book by At Home in the Cotswolds authors Milo & Katy Campbell. Brimming with inspiring photos by acclaimed photographer Mark Nicholson, this instant coffee-table classic is full of British charm. The homes are stylish yet sumptuously lived-in, the stories full of history and humour, and the dogs - of which there are many - are arguably the stars of the show. Having identified certain motifs unique to English country houses, the book explores this iconic aesthetic one room at a time. Start at the entrance hall and make your way through the boot room, detour at the downstairs loo, and clamber up to the four-poster bed, with many…

HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE Among the accolades picked up by artist Nicholas Lees over his 32-year career in ceramics is an impressive list of museums that have acquired his work. From Chichester and Chippenham, to the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge and York Art Gallery, to leading ceramics museums in Germany and Italy and as far afield as Auckland, New Zealand, Nicholas's work can be found in public collections around the world. But it wasn't until his solo show at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery in November last year, which showcased some of his new work, that the hoped for knock on the door came from the Victoria & Albert Museum. 'The V&A is the big one for a UK ceramics artist,' Nicholas says. 'So that was kind of a lifetime goal…

The smell of fir and freshly baked cookies fills the air, the fire in the woodburner crackles and small candles flicker. The home of Julia von Hülsen, in northern Germany, is a place that stimulates the senses, radiates warmth and, more unusually, takes guests on a nostalgic journey to 18th-century Sweden. The picture-perfect house is a former stable in the grounds of a country villa, nestled between lakes and forests in the hilly landscape of Holstein Switzerland (so called because the area resembles rural Switzerland). Julia's great-grandfather bought the villa in 1918 and, during the post-war period, converted the stable for habitation. The estate was passed down through the generations and, after Julia was born, her grandparents lived here. The extended family would join them for family celebrations and holidays.…

Velvet tells a story as complex and captivating as its plush surface. The genesis of this covetable weave danced from Egypt, around 2000BC, to China, via Baghdad along the way. Small quantities of silk velvet came to Europe before the 12th century, and in significant quantities during the 13th century. This coincided with a time when Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire brought stability through Central Asia, allowing these textiles to travel down the Silk Road to Europe. The city of Lucca was one of the first to produce silk velvet in Italy, after weavers from Palermo arrived there once the French invasion of Sicily in 1266 had displaced Islamic rule. But it was Venice, and Genoa in particular whose ports gave access to markets to the East and across Europe -…

Buyer's Guide The opening sequence of the much-loved television series Downton Abbey features a ringing servants' bell. ‘At the peak of the programme's popularity, we were selling lots of servants' bells, and entire bell boards, especially to customers in the USA,' recalls Paul Nash, director of architectural salvage company Architectural Decor. ‘To retrofit an entire working set of bells would be a monster of a job. You'd have to install metal cable, or electric wire, under the floors and hidden behind the plaster. So nowadays mostly they're used decoratively - they give instant English country-house style.' Marilyn Palmer, co-author of Technology in the Country House, explains that we don't have a definitive date for the first ever set of servants' bells. ‘The earliest sprung-bell system that I have been able…

1. Fairground prize Estimate £4,000-£6,000 Sold £19,200 As a youngster, Ross Hutchinson was fascinated by the art and culture of fairgrounds, saying: ‘First to strike me were the signs with their swirling fonts and gaudy colours. Then I began to see the quality of the 19th-century carvings made by skilled men working in the tradition of ships' figureheads, tobacco-shop figures and church decoration.' That heady mix of make believe and history inspired Ross's 40-year pursuit of fairground antiques, taking him to France, Germany and America to form a unique collection. This rare cache went up for sale at Bonhams in both live and online sales, and the 286 lots comprised rare carousel animals (a polar bear, a zebra and a pig, for example), entrance figures, carousel pilasters, and signs and…

Travel London's Covent Garden throbs with more than 40 million visitors a year. They come for the worldclass theatres, and the upmarket shops and cafes that now fill the atmospheric old market buildings. Exuberant street entertainers – unicyclists, escapologists, stilt-walkers and opera singers – will treat you to a free performance. From daybreak until long after dusk, it's a busy, buzzing space. Close your eyes, and you could be standing among the hawkers, ballad-singers and bawds that thronged the piazza in centuries past. Inspired by his travels in Italy, in 1631 the 4th Earl of Bedford commissioned England's most famous architect, Inigo Jones, to design a new piazza on land outside the city walls, formally a convent garden. Built in open countryside, it became London's first large square, its elegant…

Check ahead Please contact event organisers to check for postponements & last-minute cancellations FAIRS AROUND THE UK Northern Ireland 28th Ormeau Road Antique, Art, Vintage, Retro & Collectables Fair, Cooke Church, 216 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2FY. waringfield.com North & Scotland 1st Antiques, Vintage & Collectables Fair, Clarke Foley Centre, Cunliffe Road, llkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9DZ. 07973 563992 3rd Antiques and Home Show, Lincolnshire Showground, nr Lincoln, LN2 2NA. 01298 27493; asfairs.com; @asfairs 8th Glasgow Antique, Vintage & Collectors Fair, Bellahouston Leisure Centre, 31 Bellahouston Drive, Glasgow, G52 1HH. glasgowantiquefair.com 29th Vintage Flea Market, EXO Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, nr Lincoln, LN2 2NA. asfairs.com; @asfairs 30th Nov-lst The Great Wetherby Racecourse Antiques and Collectors Fair, Wetherby Racecourse, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 5EJ. jaguarfairs.com Central 29th Nov-1st Classic Antique Fair, Hall…

Fête de Noël If there is one antiquing event that is sure to deliver on Christmas spirit, this is it. The popular Fête de Noël at The Boule-ln, Suffolk, from 30th November to 8th December, will immerse you in French festivities with stock from Provence. Step through the gates for a magically curated decorative fair that combines thoughtfully sourced pieces to bestow at Christmas, as well as original pieces to decorate the home and garden. Expect the wonder of an original 50-figure 19th-century Provençal crèche (Nativity scene), the fun of a 1970s-style Alpine sports bar, plus a series of curated rooms dressed for Christmas, from a pantry to a boudoir. A garden cafe offers a traditional French-style bistro with fresh patisseries. Booking is advised. 30th Nov-8th Dec Fête de Noël,…

THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME What first sparked your interest in antiques? My late mum was a big fan of antiques – everything from furniture to china and jewellery. She used to regularly visit antiques fairs near where we lived in South Yorkshire. From about the age of 10 I started to go with her. I loved browsing and really admired the craftsmanship of antiques compared to modern equivalents. I loved antique dolls and desperately wanted a collection. I was finally given one for my 12th birthday, which I still have today. My interest then moved into antique jewellery and then furniture, when I purchased my first flat in London. At The Cotswold Company we often look at antique pieces for inspiration and will closely examine design details, construction and…

This Month Festive wreath making is, these days, a Christmas activity as prolific as popping the windows of an Advent calendar or brewing a batch of mulled wine, and home-crafted wreaths now grace thousands of front doors every December. While it's perfectly possible to make a wreath independently, the greatest fun is arguably in the camaraderie of joining an in-person workshop - an option that means you'll also benefit from expert advice as you craft. For a class that includes the added joy of collecting your own wreath ingredients, you can't beat a workshop that encompasses a foraging element. At beautiful Guardswell Farm in Perthshire, the Wild Winter Wreaths and Foraging Walk on 7th December (£95) offers the chance to gather additional foliage before putting together your wreath to a…

WISHLIST Wrap Stars Up the excitement factor and parcel up your presents to perfection with one or more of these beauties For a glorious sight under the tree, choose a medley of papers (leftover wallpaper adds extra luxe) to adorn your presents, but stick to a colour scheme for a cohesive and sophisticated look……

Hellenistic REVIVAL Is The British Museum their favourite haunt and do they daydream of sojourns to Athens? For the ultimate classical-themed treasures, they're all here… Marvellously MORRIS Craftsmanship meets the natural world in the Arts & Crafts aesthetic. Indulge their love of both with these timeless treats Razzle DAZZLE The key to winning the hearts of those always quoting Fitzgerald? Gold, velvet and the sharpest of lines Mid-century MAGIC Playful, bright and optimistic: the retro-lover in your life will adore these Fabulous Fifties finds Disco DREAMING The 1970s are experiencing a moment - but, for some, the appeal never dimmed. Fuel the passion with these gems Timeless TOYS Gifts for little ones that their parents will love too? We've got you covered with these nostalgic goodies…

When Christmas is over, Bettina Færgeman delicately packs her collection of hand-blown vintage baubles away. While doing this, she does something rather unusual: she begins planning what Christmas will look like next year. ‘I love Christmas. It's the ultimate holiday,' she says. 'Every year I go all out on a new theme - Christmas here never looks the same as the year before.' Her collection of decorations fills 10 boxes, so she doesn't often need to buy new pieces. But says that, when she does, they're always special: fine vintage finds or treasures handmade by artisans. This year, she has gone for a 'Candy Christmas' theme, choosing pastel decorations inspired by a new David Hockney artwork in the dining room. Bettina and her partner, Jakob Færgeman, bought the first-floor apartment…

More than just a fictional bear, Paddington has been described as a British icon. Tens of millions of author Michael Bond's books have been sold worldwide and, since the publication of the first Paddington story in 1958, the marmalade-loving bear from Darkest Peru has appeared in numerous TV shows, films and commercials. But it's the most recent film franchise that has transformed Paddington into a global mega star. The November release of Paddington in Peru struck H&A as the perfect opportunity to explore the world of Paddington… SOFT TOYS Kathy Taylor, valuer at the specialist collectables auctioneer Vectis, explains the burgeoning market for cuddly Paddington Bears “I've been valuing toys and collectables since 1999 and, during that time, there have been so many different fluctuations and trends in the teddy bear…

Imagine you're a well-to-do homeowner three centuries ago. You long for a silver candelabra to bring elegance to your dinner table and impress your guests, but you don't want to break the bank. Old Sheffield Plate is the answer. Invented in the 1740s, using a fusion of layered copper and silver, OSP - as it's often termed - cost far less than solid silver and brought aspirational households a dash of aristocratic grandeur at a fraction of the cost. It allowed the wealthy order large items, such as urns and wine coolers, to affordably match the other silver on their table, and spawned a lucrative new industry for enterprising craftsmen. The revolutionary development of this material is said to have happened by accident. For centuries, craftsmen had practised the art…

Cragside The idea of cutting and decorating festive fir trees first emerged in Britain in the 1840s, when Queen Victoria embraced Albert's Germanic tradition. Some Victorian estate owners had other ideas, though, planting dedicated conifer gardens, or pineta, to show off the prized species being brought back from afar. Many of those specimens are now reaching their peaks, including the soaring Scots pines, Douglas firs and sequoias in the pinetum at Cragside, in Northumberland. Now a National Trust property, this staggeringly swanky house and garden was built for inventor and armaments magnate William Armstrong in the late 1800s. nationaltrust.org.uk Bedgebury The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh may have established the International Conifer Conservation Programme, but it's Bedgebury National Pinetum, in Kent, that lays claim to being the world's largest pinetum, with…