Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Style At Home

For me, Christmas never loses its sparkle. Even though we start planning the December issue in the summer months (I’ve lost count of how many baubles I’ve looked at), when Christmas does eventually come around, it still feels special and full of magic. We’ve packed the pages with ideas and inspiration to help make yours extra special this year too, from the best baubles and bargains on the high street (p8), this year’s latest looks (p50) and gifts for all the family (p75), plus there are lots of crafts and easy makes dotted throughout the magazine. But it’s our real homes that I love, seeing how everything comes together and with the rooms full of festive colour and glitz. Enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas. Style at Home’s PET OF…

I’d always admired this Victorian crescent in Harrogate town centre,’ says Helen. ‘So I was gutted when a townhouse came up for sale here and was quickly snapped up by someone else because we hadn’t yet sold our property. Our previous home – a converted barn eight miles outside of Harrogate – was quite isolated and not on a bus route. As the children got older I was spending too much time driving them around, whereas if we lived in town they could walk to school and be more independent, so we decided to move. After selling our barn, the stars aligned and a house on the other side of the crescent came on the market. I quickly arranged a viewing prior to the open day as the location was…

1 ADD SPARKLE WITH BAUBLES A garland of greenery makes a super-easy way of decorating a staircase. Simply wind it around the handrail and use florist’s wire to secure if needed. Glitz it up by adding colourful baubles and berries to match your festive colour theme. Go for shatterproof baubles (for safety) and arrange in clusters, either wiring them into foliage or hanging them from ribbon. 2 DECK WITH PAPER SNOWFLAKES Cut costs by making your own snowflake decorations, cut from plain white paper – this is an easy idea that children can help with too. Make stars in assorted sizes (enough to decorate the entire staircase) and tie them on using lengths of ribbon or string. Add a splash of colour to your display with trailing greenery and a…

Enjoy the festive countdown with an advent ladder decked with hand-tied gifts. A lovely display that will fill an area of empty wall – use an old wooden ladder plus a selection of mini gift boxes and simply tie them on using coloured ribbon.…

1 Make a calendar Swap wasteful packaging for this sustainable, easy-to-make Advent calendar that can be re-used year after year. Made using scraps of fabric, offcuts of paper and old cardboard, the small pockets and parcels are perfect for notes, small gifts or even treasure hunt clues (for gifts that won’t fit in the calendar). Use pinking shears to cut paper into different-sized rectangles, which can be folded in half and glued to make pockets. Then cut out fabric squares and wrap with twine to make tiny pouches. Number each piece and hang from a length of dowel using twine and mini wooden pegs. 2 PAINT YOUR OWN DECORATIONS Use leftover tester pots to make hand-painted baubles. Buy packs of blank shapes (try ceramic hanging discs, £2 for six, The Works)…

We fell in love with all the period features when we bought this house in 2022,’ says Francesca. ‘It’s late Victorian and there are unique fireplaces in almost every room, along with beautiful period stained glass windows. It also made my dream of owning a house covered in wisteria come true, as the whole façade is covered in winding foliage – and Mike loved that it had a ready-made wine cellar! The previous owner had really looked after the house and installed period, cast-iron radiators and restored the original floorboards – but despite this, the decor wasn’t to our taste and we set about putting our stamp on the place. Colour choice In the dining room, the colour of the walls was a bold tomato red which made it feel…

CHRISTMAS CARD DISPLAY Create a rustic display for your Christmas cards. Use a sturdy branch, decorated with offcuts of fir, plus a few sprigs of eucalyptus and winter berries, secured using florists’ wire. Finish by attaching a length of cord or ribbon to hang it up.…

If you’re hosting family and friends this holiday season and want your dining table to look extra special, then a hanging centrepiece is the way to go. It’s easy to put together with a few key basics, and you can keep things simple with just natural greenery and twinkling lights or go for extra colour and decoration by adding bright baubles, ribbons and trims. And it’s not just for Christmas – you can also keep a hanging centrepiece to bring out for other family celebrations, whether birthdays, Easter or Halloween festivities – just switch the decorations around to suit the occasion. Emily Kelsey, PR executive at Lights4fun, shares how to create one. 1 GATHER SUPPLIES Start with a sturdy branch to create a framework for your centrepiece arrangement. Try a…

BROWN SUGAR-SPICED RUM HAM SERVES 8 TAKES 2 HR 30 MINS, PLUS COOLING 2-2.5kg boneless unsmoked gammon joint, tied * 1ltr medium-dry cider * 2 bay leaves, plus extra to decorate * 2 sticks celery * 1 onion, cut into quarters and skin left on * Clementines, halved, to decorate * FOR THE GLAZE * 150g dark brown sugar * 150ml dark rum * 100ml honey or maple syrup * 1tsp ground ginger or cinnamon * 1 pinch chilli flakes (optional) 1 Soak the ham in water overnight, if required. The next day, drain the water and put the ham in a saucepan large enough to hold it comfortably. Pour over the cider and add water to just cover. Add the bay leaves, celery and onion. Bring to a gentle…

FESTIVE TABLEWARE ’Tis the season to be jolly… and this festive tableware from Matalan is certainly that! Decked with cheery slogans and fun motifs in candy-inspired colours, the plates. mugs and bowls are guaranteed to brighten up your festive mealtimes.…

1 FESTOON WITH GREENERY Try a rustic, country-style decoration and swag your fireplace with a garland of greenery. Use fresh foliage or faux, draped loosely along the mantelpiece for an informal look. Add extra berry picks and pine cones plus sprigs of eucalyptus or fir here and there to give your garland a fuller look. Green garland, from £15; berry picks, from £3 each, all Hobbycraft 2 ILLUMINATE WITH CANDLES Create a sophisticated scene by decorating the mantel with a row of colourful candles set in vintage-style brass candleholders. Arrange them in among a garland of leafy greenery, positioning them at different heights to add sparkle at varying levels – use a mantel mirror as a backdrop to boost the flickering glow of candlelight. Jahi brass candlesticks, £25 each, Nkuku…

SPLURGE Blow the budget with these top picks ‘CREATE A NATURAL SCHEME WITH BLONDE WOODS AND NATURAL MATERIALS, ACCENTUATING IT WITH ANTHRACITE ACCENTS’ STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys…

While Francesca’s dining room is full of festive sparkle right now, the lighting scheme has been thoughtfully considered so that the room will look fabulous at any time of year. While we tend to think about lighting as the finishing touch to a room, it’s important to think about how you’re going to light the room from the start. Set the ambience Good dining room lighting is about more than just a pendant lamp hanging above the dining table. A well-planned scheme should include ambient, task and accent lighting for the best results. Ambient lighting is the foundation of a lighting scheme and can be created using a combination of overhead lighting, wall lights and floor lamps. Make a statement A standout light above the dining table is a must-have,…

Lack of kitchen space is frustrating at any time of year, but as the holiday season draws near and there are extra supplies and essentials to find a spot for, stretching kitchen space further can be a challenge. Even the simplest of family celebrations will mean more festive food and drink crammed into cupboards, but with larger gatherings and extended time at home between Christmas and New Year it can be a push finding somewhere for extra tableware, glasses and other essentials. Crowded cupboards and cluttered worktops will be a hindrance when you’re busy with prep and cooking, so get your kitchen organised ahead of time, going through cupboards, taking stock of what you have and getting rid of out-of-date ingredients and items you no longer need that could be…

RIBBONED PACKETS YOU WILL NEED * Kraft paper * Doublesided tape * Sticky tape * Ribbon * Hole punch 1 MEASURE UP Cut a piece of kraft paper big enough to loosely wrap your gift with a small overlap. Place the paper wrong side up on a flat surface, and overlap the two side edges, securing with some double-sided tape. 2 FOLD TO FIT Next, fold up the bottom edge by 5cm, then open out again. Fold each of the bottom corners up to the fold line (creating a 45 degree edge) and then fold the bottom edge over and stick in place with tape. 3 TRIM WITH RIBBON Pop in your gift, fold down the open edge by 5cm and punch two holes with a hole punch. Thread through narrow ribbon…

B&M SUGAR RUSH Shine bright with pearlescent pinks and frosty finishes Tesco TRADITIONAL OPULENCE Stick with a classic look, but with an indulgent twist Matalan NORDIC LODGE Style a Scandi scene with tactile materials and a neutral palette Dobbies FESTIVE CHEER Cram in the colour with vibrant brights and neon lights…

1 DECORATE SHELVES Give a dresser or display cabinet a makeover in time for the holiday season. Arrange jolly crockery and serveware and stack festive tins and seasonal items to create a colourful display, positioning everything in a practical layout so you can grab essentials when you need them. Add bunting or cheery fabric trimming for extra colour. Olney kitchen dresser, £349, Dunelm. 2 ARRANGE FESTIVE FOLIAGE Brighten up a worktop with an arrangement of foliage displayed in a vase or pitcher. Pop in a few twiggy branches or offcuts of fir, teamed with stems of pussy willow, winter berries and eucalyptus to add fragrance. Finish off with a few rustic pine cones and paper decorations hung from the branches. Textured cream vase, £70; paper baubles, £24 for three, Layered…

Hang shimmering foliage above Make the dining table the star of the show with an eye-catching display of foliage above the table. Use a wooden branch suspended from wire and weave with faux leaves for a theatrical effect. Give it a twist.. Go for a frosty, winter wonderland vibe by spraying leaves with fake snow. Make table favours Add a personal touch to place settings with treats that guests can take home afterwards. Put mini shortbread biscuits in small cellophane bags and tie with ribbon that matches your colour theme. Pop one on each plate with a hand-tied napkin. Give it a twist… Treat adults to homemade chocolate truffles flavoured with liqueur. Create a terrarium centrepiece Go green with your festive scheme and set up a mini glass terrarium filled…

Home comforts Foodie treats Gardening gifts Kids’ picks Little luxuries…

Create a restful feel Whether your guest room is in use year round or just on occasion, start by giving it a thorough clean and tidy-up. Spare bedrooms can often become a bit of a dumping ground, so ensure things like clothes airers and ironing boards aren’t left out, any out-of-season clothes or bedding is put away and surfaces are clutter-free. A tidy room will feel much more restful to sleep in. Pull out a bed Being the smallest bedroom in the house, or having to do double duty as a home office or hobby room, shouldn’t stop a guest room from being a well-functioning and comfortable space. Rather than a full-size bed, consider a pull-out option that gives guests a place to sleep when needed but serves as comfy…

The Christmas countdown can be a super-busy time with festivities to prepare for, presents to buy and the house to organise – there’s a lot to think about and it can leave you feeling frazzled. Creating a ‘to-do’ calendar and organising tasks you need to do week by week can help lighten the load and give a sense of satisfaction as you tick each job off the list, whether cleaning the oven, planning the seating plan or sprucing up the furniture. And while decorating the tree is one of the more enjoyable tasks to tackle, there’s definitely an art to getting it right, so check out our expert tips that will ensure your tree is dressed to perfection. Make space for guests If you’ve got extra guests to make space…

Scandi-style branch trees are a great option if you don’t have the extra floor space for a traditional Christmas tree, as they can hang neatly on a wall. Easy to make using foraged branches from outdoors, decorate with simple paper snowflakes, sparkly baubles or alternatively wrap fairy lights around the branches and add string to peg up and display favourite Christmas cards. YOU WILL NEED * A selection of branches around 1.5–3.5cm in diameter * Ball of cotton string * Scissors * Handsaw or electric mitre * saw * Tape measure * Ruler * Pencil * Sandpaper * Stiff brush 1 CUT BRANCHES Using a handsaw or an electric mitre saw, cut nine branches to the following lengths: 75cm, 65cm, 55cm, 45cm, 35cm, 25cm, 15cm, 10cm and 5cm. We used…

BEST OVERALL MIELE COMPLETE C3 CAT & DOG CORDLESS NoCAPACITY 4.4ltrWEIGHT 3.4kgPRICE £389 Among the many vacuums we’ve tested, this is the most reliable if pet hair is your biggest concern. The turbo brush floor head is equipped to get rid of the excess from moulting dogs and cats, and there’s also a regular carpet floor head and another for hard floors. Importantly for dealing with pet hair, the power with this vacuum is consistent, and the hose is extra long so you can cover an entire floor without having to find another plug socket. REASON TO BUY Excellent all-rounder that works on carpets, rugs and hard floors REASON TO AVOID It has to be plugged in and is a little tricky on stairs BEST FOR CARPETS VAX ONEPWR BLADE…