Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Homes & Gardens

While working on this year’s Christmas decorating shoot (page 58) – all about capturing that magical holiday glow – I had a serious case of déjà vu. As the team hoisted an enormous Christmas tree into the living room set, I couldn’t help but think back to my decorating adventures last year. I’d (foolishly) delegated tree duty to my husband, who seemed to have adopted “go big or go home” as his festive mantra. The result? An almost 12-foot spruce wedged into our average London terrace. The stand – designed for a more sensible tree – couldn’t hold it upright and the moment we cut the string, branches exploded outwards, wider than the bay window. Once I’d finished gasping, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much. We (well, mostly…

‘MY GRANDAD was a sushi chef and my mum is a florist and pressed flower artist, so I’ve always been surrounded by nature. Working with organic forms comes easily to me,’ says Tokyo-born silversmith Shinta Nakajima, whose ethereal vessels and sculptural pieces, inspired by flowers, foliage, fruits and seeds, are a reflection of this early connection to the natural world. Using traditional Japanese hammering and chasing techniques, Shinta’s process involves rhythmic, repetitive strikes – up to three per second, or around 15,000 an hour – which create a gently undulating, textural surface. Taking cues from symbolic flowers such as the acanthus and white rose, the pieces can take over 100 hours to complete. ‘Hammering is meditative,’ he says. ‘I love that moment of facing the material and creating a dialogue.’…

’Twas the night before Christmas… …when all through the house… …not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by the chimney with care… …in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there…

LIFE moves incredibly quickly so it’s really lovely at this time of year to come together and celebrate with family and friends – to take a pause, cook wonderful food and have people around to your home. ■ When you’re entertaining, a fun feature is a home bar. It can be built in – so many houses have strange nooks that just need a few shallow shelves and a marble worktop. If you lack the space, a trolley or a large tray with drinks, nice glasses, sliced lemons and an ice box does just as well. It allows guests to help themselves. ■ It’s important to have enough places for everyone to sit. The average home might have a sofa and a pair of armchairs, perhaps an occasional table, but…

Christmas feels quite magical here,’ says interior designer Sophie Garland of the beguiling Grade II-listed, 17th-century thatched cottage in the North Wessex Downs that she and her husband Freddie, founder of Freddie’s Flowers, and children Jesse, six and Sadie, two, head to for the holidays. ‘We’re both big on Christmas and Freddie loves decorating for it. The cottage is so cosy with the fires burning and we put fairy lights all around the trees outside.’ The couple bought the house, which was originally two cottages, three years ago as a bolthole from London- Sophie grew up in Wiltshire and has family in the area and both she and Freddie went to school nearby. Panoramic views of the Alton Barnes White Horse and Salisbury Plain, along with the cottage’s inherent charm,…

There have been some memorable Christmas parties in the Chelsea home of Blake and Chad Pike. ‘I go to the flower market and buy miles of garlands and mistletoe and then we have a steel brass band and a drinks party for all our friends,’ says Blake with a breeziness that belies the scale of the operation. ‘It’s become something of a tradition – a highlight of the festive season.’ That the house so readily lends itself to a crowd is no happy accident. In 2013, the couple – Chad is founder of Eleven Experience, a luxury adventure travel company with lodges in far-flung corners of the globe, while Blake oversees its interiors arm, Twelve Interiors – gave the 1920s home they share with their four children a top-to-toe rethink.…

I FIRST visited Dublin more than 35 years ago and fell in love with its dynamic spirit. More recently, a good friend of mine moved there from New Zealand, which has given me an excellent excuse to reconnect with the place. I love it for its pubs, history, shopping, nearby coastal escapes and the friendliness of its people. ■ The National Museum of Ireland has an astonishing collection of gold jewellery and Irish art dating back to the Iron Age. Viewing 3,000-year-old Viking-influenced gold artefacts as brilliant as the day they were made gives one a sense of how ancient these lands are. ■ In Temple Bar, an area famous for its nightlife, Vintage Cocktail Club is a cool speakeasy that’s very chic inside, with lots of red velvet and…

A CURATION OF THE BEST DESIGN AND HOME IDEAS Winter gatherings Petersham Nurseries in Richmond ushers in the festive season with a programme of workshops and celebrations. Christmas Calligraphy with resident calligrapher Kate Ridyard takes place on 19 November, £70, followed by Festive Tablescaping later in the month and Festive Flower Arranging in December. For green-fingered enthusiasts, Wreath Making Workshops run throughout November and December. On 3 December, the much-loved shopping and carols evening returns, with beautiful foraged displays, handmade gifts, mulled wine and mince pies beneath a magical canopy of fairy lights. SOFT SPOT Interior designer Sophie Rowell, the creative force behind Côte de Folk, introduces Chubby – a new collection of upholstered furniture defined by generously padded, rounded silhouettes. The range embodies Sophie’s flair for mixing comfort with…

Character piece Studio Atkinson has welcomed the Fyning group to its small but superb collection of lighting. Echoing the shape of an antique pendant lamp found by interior designer and founder Susie Atkinson at an antiques market, the Fyning lamp boasts a distinct wavy form with a wide conical shade and scallop-hemmed base, lined with brass for a warm glow. Available both as a table and ceiling pendant light, the latter coming in two sizes with a smart brass ceiling rose and chain included, the new styles come in festive and nostalgia-inspired colours, with a choice of red, ivory or green. Prices start at £2,400. & MINI TREND Perforated lampshades coastal tales Family-owned lighting company Collier Webb presents the Seven Sisters Collection, a series of handcrafted ceiling lighting that takes…

A ASHBURTON CRAFTMONGERS 4 East Street, Ashburton Deeply rooted in its creative community and bucolic surroundings, Dartmoor’s Ashburton Craftmongers (right) is where artisanal skill and a love of the natural world intertwine. Inside you’ll find the work of over 60 local makers and artists, which spans pottery, prints, paintings, candles, jewellery, hand-carved utensils and brushes, books, botanical skincare and more. craftmongers.com B BARD 1 Customs Wharf, Leith A boutique and gallery dedicated to Scottish design, Edinburgh’s Bard brings together the work of 70 makers from across the country. Browse merino wool scarves by Drove Weavers from the Scottish Borders, ceramic candlesticks by Perthshire’s Cara Guthrie, hand-raised silver bowls by Blairgowrie’s Sarah Cave, wild clay tea sets by Glasgow’s Ingot Objects and cashmere selvedge cushions by Edinburgh artist Louise Bennetts. bard-scotland.com…

IN THE GREEN Damask wallpaper shimmering in candlelight, a large oil painting and a stone fireplace heavily garlanded with greenery sum up a traditional country-house scene at Christmas. This scheme was designed by Henriette von Stockhausen, creative director of VSP Interiors, for a Regency house in the West Country. Her Dorset-based team has an extensive book of artisans, including a stonemason who specialises in antique fireplace restoration. Deep-green velvet chairs with generous bullion fringes are symmetrically placed to frame this feature as well as offering a comfortable place by the fire to sit down with a drink or a book, says Henriette. RICH TAPESTRY It was in the late 19th century that chimneypieces made not from white marble but from a single, richly coloured stone began to appear – and…

Working to a tight budget doesn’t mean having to scrimp on style or quality. ‘I relish the challenge of being inventive and creative within fiscal boundaries, making sure each space feels deeply personal,’ enthuses London-based interior designer Orla Read. It’s certainly the approach she took when rescuing this maisonette from crumbling ruin. First working out the spatial planning and functionality, Orla then layered colour and texture into multipurpose spaces to really suit how the family, a couple with two children, like to live. While imbued with brilliant proportions and high ceilings (even on the lower ground floor), the actual footprint across the two storeys of this west London garden square apartment wasn’t large. ‘When it was bought, it was a total shambles,’ says Orla of peeling wallpaper, bathroom hardware falling…

ALL IN ORDER If you’d like to upgrade your log storage for the months ahead, take a look at the fabulous offerings from Black Country Metalworks. Based in the rolling hills of Shropshire, the company has been run by the same family for three generations. Its Tower steel log and kindling store, £335, has a neat house-like silhouette and four sections so firewood can be stowed in size order. Mood lighting Hibernation is tempting at this time of year, but bracing yourself against the elements and spending time in the garden can feel invigorating, with the crisp air and twinkling night sky. A string of lights is essential for creating a cosy atmosphere on your terrace, and Rosewood festoon lights, £79, Neptune, are a smart choice, with 5m warm white,…

“Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill covers over a hundred acres of Cambridgeshire countryside and has its origins in the Middle Ages. The gardens as they are today were designed with impressive displays by Lord Fairhaven, who bought it in the early 20th century. He would only visit the gardens at their best; the herbaceous border was planted for the summer horse racing at Newmarket, after which he’d go away on his yacht, returning for dahlia season in autumn. I joined the team here just over five years ago. It’s my first National Trust job. I used to work in the British Army as a helicopter technician! After leaving, I took a horticultural apprenticeship, and through working as a gardener for the Fairhaven family, I met a former head gardener…

HEART & SOUL Known for restful, luxurious spaces with a sense of soul, interior designer Martin Hulbert says his dream kitchen would be centred around a large antique oak table, designed for casual entertaining. ‘There would be double glass doors and windows looking out to the garden, with warm white simple linen floor-length curtains,’ he says. An antique dresser would be used to display his collection of slipware plates, while other vintage elements – such as reclaimed butcher’s splashback tiles – would offset minimalist contemporary cabinetry in warm white matt lacquer and a stainless-steel range cooker. ‘I would also have a large walk-in pantry and what I call a “dirty” kitchen for clearing up, with a sink, two dishwashers and a practical island,’ Martin adds. And to complete the room?…

GNOCCHI AND PUMPKIN GRATIN SERVES 6 80g panettone (you can use leftover panettone or buy a miniature one, or substitute with toasted brioche or even regular breadcrumbs)2 tbsp olive oil1 red onion, thinly sliced350g chopped pumpkin or squashSmall bunch of sage10g salted butter500g gnocchi100ml single cream200g mild Cheddar, grated40g Parmesan, finely grated ■ Heat the oven to 160˚C fan/gas 4. Tear the panettone into small pieces, spread out on a roasting dish, then toast in the hot oven for 6-8 minutes until it is lightly golden. Set aside. ■ Heat the oil in a large, ovenproof pan. Add the onion and fry gently for 3-5 minutes, until translucent and soft. Next add the pumpkin or squash, sage and butter, frying gently over a medium heat for 5-10 minutes until it…

COLOUR OF THE MONTH IVORY WHITE COMFORT ZONE ‘This bedroom has walls lined in Romo’s Linara Antique White linen. In summer, it feels cool and fresh, while in winter, it brings a sense of comfort. The texture breaks up the space, creating a cocooning effect. We’ve layered the soft backdrop with accents of azure blue and gold.’ Philippa Thorp, founder, Thorp MATERIAL GAINS ‘We wanted to keep the bones of this space pared back, allowing for artwork, ceramics and tableware to be a focal point. The white metro tiles from Bert & May have a utilitarian feel, which balances the bold marble, simple cabinetry and the decorative pieces on show.’ Angelica Squire, co-founder, Studio Squire LIGHT THE WAY ‘We used Farrow & Ball’s School House White, paired with timber cladding…

Commune Design makes decor look easy. The LA-based studio is, in fact, a master of the modern American aesthetic, artfully spearheading a hugely influential blend of mid-century furniture with folk art, taking cues from both the ruggedness of the Wild West and the understated luxe vibe that characterises the West Coast. But because all of its projects, from the Ace Hotels in places like Palm Springs and Kyoto to private homes across the USA, all just look so comfortable, it’s easy to miss the skill and attention to detail that goes into each space. ‘People do feel that our interiors are very comfy,’ says Roman Alonso, Commune’s founder and principal designer. ‘But that’s because we always design them for the person who lives there – or who will visit if…

BUDDING GROWERS Encourage novices with practical tools and nature-inspired presents URBAN BOTANIST Treats, tools and contemporary designs to elevate compact spaces COUNTRYSIDE CULTIVATOR Perfect presents, from seeds to supports, for those with rural plots…

TAKE THE HANDLE While many modern kitchens have gone handleless, Arclinea’s new Proxima design by Antonio Citterio makes the handle the star. Oversized and striking in both horizontal and vertical versions, they lend a sculptural element while offering the tactile satisfaction of decent grip – a welcome return in kitchen design. Featuring Noir Saint Laurent marble worktops, black PVD stainless steel doors and warm fossil oak interiors, this collection has a strong architectural presence with cleverly hidden storage. Anchored by a large island, Proxima marries professional-grade performance with an inviting sense of home. Proxima kitchen, price on request, Arclinea COFFEE BREAK Cold brew is the caffeine hit everyone is talking about and Smeg has made it (almost) instant. Traditionally, cold brew takes 12-24 hours of steeping, but Smeg’s new ECF03…

DYNAMIC APPROACH ‘A kitchen should feel soulful and expressive,’ says Alicia Meireles. ‘It is the heart of the home, a place where people naturally gather, so it should carry energy and warmth in its design.’ For this reason, Alicia likes to feature soft furnishings, such as a built-in banquette for everyday dining. ‘It not only maximises space and comfort, but also becomes a canvas for introducing colour, pattern and texture,’ she says. ‘I love using rich, woven fabrics or bold prints to bring a dynamic, layered feel to the room.’ Glossy enamelled lava stone worktops are another favourite, thanks to their jewel-like lustre and durability, and she also incorporates personal touches. ‘In my own kitchen, I draw reference from my Portuguese heritage using hand-painted tiles as a statement splashback,’ she…

1. I love slipping into Bar Italia in Soho first thing in the morning, before the city really stirs. It’s my quiet ritual before meetings, a moment of calm before London fully wakes. It’s my little pocket of peace. 2. The brand Dôen has whimsical, feminine, beautifully made dresses that always create a stress-free outfit. I love their timelessness. They work for all the seasons, but they’re particularly great at this time of year when you can layer them up with a jumper. 3. Ducksoup is my all-time favourite restaurant in London. It has an ever-changing seasonal food and wine list and music on a record player – I love sipping their sherbets at the Soho bar counter. 4. Stationery really helps me to feel organised. I have ADHD and…