Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i Homes & Gardens

I have a feeling that this issue of Homes & Gardens will forever be special to me. It is my first as the editor, therefore the first time I’ve really taken a step back to evaluate the overall magazine and how we can continue to inspire our readers. In the spirit of Christmas, I want to take this opportunity to thank the team – including our talented contributors – by acknowledging the love and hard work that adorn the following pages. It seems like the festive season arrives earlier each year. We began thinking about what would fill our December pages at the end of May, when we conjured up the idea of a decorating feature with three different looks. Fast-forward to early August, myself and the fantastic photoshoot team…

ARTISTIC COLLABORATION Taking inspiration from Devon’s picturesque landscape, Holmes Bespoke and Naturalmat unveil a collection of six tapestries designed to perfectly complement Naturalmat beds and headboards. Crafted by Laylah Holmes of Holmes Bespoke, including the Bellever featured here, these large-scale tapestries serve as standalone statement pieces, enriching the backdrop of a Naturalmat bed or marrying beautifully with a Naturalmat headboard. With prices starting from £1,512, these tapestries are meticulously handmade in India, hand-knotted using sustainably sourced New Zealand wool and hand-spun bamboo silk. STRIKING DESIGN In a unique collaboration, And So To Bed introduces the Boston upholstered bed (shown above left), showcasing Wemyss Fabrics’ bold geometric Artisan Baroque fabric in Straw. This striking addition is perfect for bringing a modern touch to your bedroom, with the bed’s ‘floating’ design adding…

Joy is a US-based interior designer but her work takes her all over the world. Now running her own studio – Joy Moyler Interiors – she has over 25 years of experience and a degree in architecture. She is celebrated for her use of colour and pattern. I start getting excited about the holidays in July. The excitement usually strikes somewhere between my third and 15th summer ice cream. Something about excessive heat makes me think about the holiday season. Cosy thoughts of curling up in front of a fire with a brandy in hand, bathed in twinkling lights clutter my head. My husband and I adore cooking, so we look forward to entertaining. Christmas and New Year menus consist of roasted yams, bourbon-glazed ham, smoky braised brisket, garlicky Brussels…

SHIMMER & SHINE Dress an unused fireplace with an abundance of foliage, mixing greens with sprays of old man’s beard and honesty for extra ‘glow’. Creamware column candlesticks, £60 each (large); Cirrus vases, from £160 each, all Pentreath & Hall. Sunburst mirror circa 1920, £950, Maison Artefact. Sequin fringe; candles, from a selection at Amazon. Urn, stylist’s own COCKTAIL HOUR Have all your drinks nearby with a wheeled trolley that can easily be relocated as required. Brass, bamboo and leather drinks trolley, £2,370, Paolo Moschino. Chalky White cordless lamp with Delphine in Full Gold shade, £125, Rosi de Ruig. Dillie Champagne saucers, £44 for 4; Lena brass Champagne cooler, £79, Rowen & Wren. Swedish amber glass votives, Ref 2 and Ref 3, £6 each, Raj Tent Club. Perigord flutes, £55…

‘Pale Elements Concrete Effect creates a sleek and contemporary look. It evokes a sense of elegance while providing a neutral backdrop for other design elements. Traditionally, it pairs harmoniously with whites, blacks and metallics. We love pairing it with warmer neutrals like beige and taupe, or with muted greens and purples, as well as soft textures in furnishings for an organic aesthetic.’ FLORA HOGG, interior design consultant and colour specialist at Craig & Rose…

DINING ROOM EVOLUTION Some have heralded the end of the dining room as social lives become less formal. Others believe there remains a place for decanting to a room that’s only used for special occasions. In this scenario, think about adding a bar area to the room. There are other options, too. ‘A formal dining room is not needed but having different places around the house and garden where you can dine adds so much to a dinner party,’ says interior designer Octavia Dickinson. ‘Be it moving everything off your hall table and using that for an evening with lots of candles, or a secret part of your garden.’ ROUND OR RECTANGLE When it comes to deciding between a round, rectangle or lozenge-shaped dining table, it’s a question of taste…

INDUSTRIAL ACTION Cooking up a storm calls for powerful extraction, especially if there is significant searing and steaming involved. For this large family home, designer Sarah Eilers was called to specify an industrial-grade extractor capable of handling serious entertaining. All without impeding the sight lines in the open concept space. The striking custom range hood anchors the generous island and is slightly wider and deeper than the hob dimensions to ensure no steam or odours escape around its sides. ‘The vent, complete with dual piping, extracts both grease and carbon monoxide emissions generated by the gas stove, ensuring a clean and safe culinary environment,’ says Sarah. ON THE SURFACE Cooking with the confidence of a professional requires robust materials that you won’t need to give a second thought while whipping…

LA Fantaisie is London and New York-based interior designer Martin Brudnizki’s first foray into the Parisian hotel scene. Renowned for his exuberant work at The Ivy and Annabel’s, the Swede has created similarly joyful interiors in a tranquil spot on Rue Cadet in the heart of the 9th Arrondissement, moments away from the famous Folies Bergère theatre. ‘Every aspect of La Fantaisie’s aesthetic is rooted in the essence of nature: where romanticism meets sophistication and reflects the delightful charm of Faubourg Montmartre,’ says Martin. This ideology is reflected in the playful upholstery and ornate wallpapers, light fittings in the form of foliage, and an inviting colour palette of soft greens, warm yellows and coral. The 63 colourful bedrooms and 10 suites are a delight, with many overlooking the spectacular courtyard…

8. Hendal slipper chair, £5,040 (excl fabric) in Checkers in Green/Pomily, Lorfords Contemporary x Haines 8. Luisa rattan round table, £520, Mrs. Alice…

‘METAL by day and fabric by night’ states the bio on Catherine Hicks’ Instagram page. These materials may seem strikingly incompatible, but for Catherine working with both mediums comes naturally. ‘I love the textures of both metal and fabric and the subtlety of the tones that you can get within each – I love being able to switch between the two contrasting materials,’ she says. Having experimented with making textiles and jewellery since her teens, it was while on maternity leave in 2018 that she made her first mobile, a gift for her son. This quickly became Catherine’s Studio, a business producing exquisite hanging sculptures crafted from copper and brass pieces. Alongside these is a line of contemporary patchwork quilts made using remnant, end-of-roll and repurposed fabrics from markets and…

PERSONAL TOUCH Create sustainable crackers using pretty napkins and oversized ribbons, then personalise with an embossed air-dried decoration for each guest. Joy of Print x Tori Murphy Zig Zag napkins (used as crackers) in Berry, £45 for 2, Tori Murphy. Stripe Linen tablecloth in White/Pink, £295, Summerill & Bishop. Kintaro Cochineal side plate, £65 for 4; cutlery set in Ivory, £95 for 16 pieces, Oka. Rocaille Red dinner plate, £460 for 4; Torsé Murano wine glass in Green, £110; Fern medium tumblers in Rose, £290 for 2, all Bonadea. Red satin ribbon, from a selection at Amazon. Decorations made using air dry clay and an embossing set – both available at Amazon TAKE A SEAT Combine sprigs of greenery with oversized ribbons to make a simple chair decoration. Flores carver…

TRUE BLUE GREEN SCENE RED HOT MELLOW YELLOW PRETTY IN PINK EARTH TONES…

THE most important thing when you’re creating a space where you want to entertain is to design somewhere that has the right atmosphere, where everyone feels comfortable. When we entertain, we both like to make things as informal as possible. When you have people around to your home, it’s about having fun, relaxing, enjoying each other. You don’t want to create an interior that’s stark and stiff and pretentious. ■ One of the first things to consider with the room’s layout is seating. Even if we’re designing a hotel or a restaurant, we like to think about how a big country house drawing room might be laid out. Different types of furniture, from sofas and formal chairs to stools of different heights, help break the space into different zones, and…

This house has been decorated from our hearts,’ says Amanda Back of the Victorian former vicarage that she shares with husband Dan and sons Xavier, 18, and Raffi, 14. ‘We didn’t sit down and create a plan; we only knew that we wanted it to feel warm and comfortable and neither grand nor stuffy.’ It’s a sentiment that plays out beautifully across these schemes, especially at Christmas, when fires burn in the entrance hall and sitting room and surfaces are adorned with foliage foraged from the surrounding west Cornish countryside. Nor is it any surprise that this home is both pattern-laden and deeply rooted in nature’s tones, given Dan’s profession as a garden designer and Amanda’s 35-year career at Designers Guild, where she is currently head of communications. ‘Working with…

Trims and tassels are familiar territory for upholsterer Narissa Musgrave, so when she and husband Tim decided to downsize from their family home, it seemed fitting to give a new decorative lease of life to treasured pieces. In that sense, joining forces with interior designer Laura Stephens – known for her passion for passementerie – was a match made in heaven. ‘As well as being neighbours, I’ve worked with Laura on a number of projects,’ says Narissa. ‘We enjoy her considered use of colour and pattern and so we wanted her to take on the renovation of our new home.’ Their children having flown the nest, Tim and Narissa had looked at properties in Dorset, Sussex and Suffolk, but in the end settled for a smaller Edwardian terrace just a…

1 NATURAL VARIETY ‘Using natural material in the bathroom such as this sumptuous red marble, creates immediate character,’ says Louisa Morgan, creative director, Mandarin Stone. ‘Offering rich burgundy tones, coupled with warm cream and tan veining, Fitz Claret, along with other natural marbles, has inherent variation that man-made alternatives can never truly match.’ Fitz Claret honed marble tiles, from £118.56sq m, Mandarin Stone. 2 ON THE TILES Made from clay with a high iron content, which is responsible for those distinctive earthy red hues, terracotta tiles are strong, durable and naturally bacteria resistant. In this Tuscan villa, the terracotta floor brings warmth to balance out the bathroom’s grand proportions, with a patterned border taking the terracotta in a less rustic direction. Suitable for use with underfloor heating, terracotta…

BEGUILED by ‘the floating city’ since I first moved there from the UK as a child, I’ve been returning time and again over the last 30 years and now have an apartment in a palazzo in Santa Croce. It’s an impractical city but I love it, especially as I’m a romantic at heart. ■ This is a beautiful place to visit in the winter, as it’s less crowded. I love the Castello neighbourhood, where I grew up and where my mother still lives. It’s quiet and residential. The historical ghetto, the city’s Jewish quarter in the Cannaregio district, is also special – the oldest ghetto in the world, it’s a vibrant area. ■ With its many waterways, this car-free city is perfect for walking. The pace of life is slower…

1. Every Wednesday evening in December the Columbia Road Flower Market opens with carols, a brass band, mulled wine and all the shops are open, which is brilliant for Christmas shopping. From the moment I arrive and smell the wine, I relax. 2. I take my children to East End Prints on Brick Lane in east London; they’re allowed to go and buy one picture for their room, and this way they have their own curated art walls. 3. Getting up early and going to the Sunbury Antiques Market, especially in winter, is special because it’s dark when you leave and it feels like an adventure. 4. I grew up in a village called La Drome, two hours south of Léon and in the heart of the countryside. My family…

IN THE ROUND Neptune’s autumn/winter offering focuses on hosting and entertaining. A thoughtful collection that includes pieces inspired by mid-century design, while simultaneously continuing the brand’s traditional aesthetic. One design that has caught our attention is the Stratford 8-seater round dining table, £2,450. Its castellated pedestal base is a design triumph and a real showstopper. Here, the table is paired with Neptune’s new Kenilworth dining chair, £425, an understated design with graceful proportions, available in Neptune’s paint colour options to suit any interior. FINE WINE Embrace this year’s festivities with Oka’s captivating Estella wine cabinet, priced at £2,295. Meticulously handcrafted, its bone front is decorated with hand-carved, black-painted indentations, while the slender tapered legs and matching hammered handles add an elegant touch. Inside, there is a purpose-built wine rack for…

NATURAL APPEAL Oversized wreaths bring instant impact and drama in a scheme. Keep it elegant by using mostly foliage and you can continue to enjoy it as it slowly dries over the festive season. Claudia wavy cake stand, £145, Rebecca Udall. Partridge in a Pear Tree luxury crackers, £36 for 6, Nancy & Betty. Zagora candlesticks, from £45, Raj Tent Club. Table and candles, stylist’s own GOLDEN TOUCH Craft glitter-edged gift tags for your loved ones using textured recycled paper. Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage bowl, from £12, John Lewis & Partners. Dresden gold leaf ornaments, £4.50 for 6; Scribble It Yourself card and envelope set, £8, Scribble & Daub. Green reversible wrapping paper, £7; Moura travertine tray, £125, Layered Lounge. Gingham ribbon, £2.49, Gisela Graham WINDOW WELCOME Switch things around by…

ANTHROPOLOGIE A Great stockings Find out if you’ve been naughty or nice in style this year with a stocking from Anthropologie over your fireplace. Giving designs with a traditional feel a modern-day twist, the collection includes quilted velvet fronts detailed with bright stitching and wavy hems, and fluffy wool designs decorated with jolly scenes of snow, complete with pretty cottages and skiing penguins (above). anthropologie.com ARCHIVIST Letterpress matches Archivist is about bringing joy to the everyday, and its fine, fun, festive matches are created to take pride of place on the mantelpiece. With a huge collection of designs, from retro-esque animals, figures, hot air balloons, boats, landscapes and typography, it takes inspiration from vintage matchboxes and luggage labels, while also creating new designs with contemporary artists to form…

CREATE JOY A dining space should bring joy to any mealtime, believes Kit Kemp, creative director of Firmdale Hotels. ‘In the apartment I designed in a house in Chelsea, the chairs, covered in a mix of ticking stripes by Robert Kime and Penny Morrison, are each distinguished by different coloured handle tops,’ says Kit. Above the table is a Buoy pendant by Akiko Hirai and Claire Norcross and on the wall is a painting by Andrew Johnston. ‘Don’t be too tempted to have every book standing up on a shelf,’ she adds. Horizontal stacks or leaning books diagonally adds more character. ‘For a touch of fun, a plaster lion’s head peeks out from the bookcase.’ SOUND DECISION Something that’s not always considered when planning a dining room within a large…

PEACE OFFERING We love Clearwater Interiors’ AW23 bathroom collection, celebrating crafted tranquillity. Leading the new collection is this Nahla engineered stone freestanding bath, from £2,500, artfully paired with taps from the Ixora range, from £329. Made from solid stainless steel, finished in brushed nickel, the latter steers a return to cooler metals – a welcome break from gold and brass but still maintaining sensory softness. Also worth exploring is the new Rayan built-in shower with icicle and rainfall, and Nixie spinning body jets. Invigorating. NEW NEUTRAL Caesarstone’s latest nature-led worktop, 5212 Taj Royale, comes in response to soaring demand for warm hues in the home. Layering beige, dark brown veining and touches of white, Taj Royale is a durable composite quartz with marble-inspired references. ‘The last few years have seen…

APFEL-KÜCHLE (APPLE FRITTERS) SERVES 4 2 large, firm, tart apples, such as Granny Smith100g plain flour2 medium eggs1 pinch salt100ml whole milkVegetable oil, for fryingCinnamon sugar, for sprinkling ■ Peel and core the apples. Cut the apples into slices perpendicular to the core, so that you get apple rings. If you don’t have an apple corer, cut the slices first and use a sharp round object, like a piping nozzle, to remove the core from each slice. ■ To prepare the batter, put flour, eggs, salt and milk into a bowl and mix to form a thick, smooth batter. ■ Heat some oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, so that the base of the pan is well covered with oil. When hot enough to make pancakes, dip…