Innehållsförteckning för December 2017 från Homes & Gardens

Here at Homes & Gardens this means that, while our passion for interiors is year-round, we feel an added incentive to help you seek out those products, from unique gifts to elegant decorations, that really finish things off with a flourish. On page 36, be inspired by the makers who craft beautiful designs that bring a special touch, whether through exquisite wreaths or personalised cards. The homes in this issue also offer plenty of ideas for creative touches, including a host of different ways to decorate the tree – I particularly love the pared-back look on page 50. Finally, if you need a spur to get you started on present buying – I know I do – then not only do we have some beautiful items in our news section,…

LIGHT SHADES David Hunt Lighting has announced an exciting collaboration with paint company Marston & Langinger. From shades such as Cotswold Cream and Sage to River Blue and Lead Grey (all shown above), you can now tailor the colour of your lighting to your room scheme. Try the new configuration tool at davidhuntlighting.co.uk to customise designs, such as this Shoreditch Black pendant, H55xDia49cm, £402, by selecting the paint finish to create a unique piece. PAST MASTER For the first time in five years, Harewood House, 0113 218 1000, harewood.org, will open its doors from 24 November to 31 December. You’ll be able to explore state rooms, which will be dressed by set designer Michael Howells, and discover how the Victorians shaped our festive traditions. FIR EVER Caring for a natural…

FOR WORDSMITHS Stationery, storage and stylish tools for readers, writers and creatives FOR KEEN COOKS Appetising accessories and tempting treats that will prove a recipe for success FOR LITTLE ONES Thoughtful and fun gifts to bring instant delight and days of pleasure FOR THE GARDENER Practical, beautiful finds for family and friends of a green-fingered persuasion FOR THE HOME Covetable pieces, large and small, to enhance the best-dressed interiors…

Embellishing a door frame with a simple fir cone and orange bauble garland adds seasonal spirit without detracting from the beautiful architectural details. A striking staircase deserves special treatment. Here, giant pine cones, eye-catching protea and delicate wisps of moss are artfully combined in this statement garland, which is secured with dark coral silk bows. A mix of fabrics, drawn from a single colour palette, adds interest to this cosseting scheme. Likewise, the ornaments in the tree echo the tones of those in the mantelpiece garland for a satisfying sense of cohesion. A generous table centrepiece, festooned with colourful baubles and gold ferns, immediately strikes a celebratory note. Welcome guests with handmade place cards and crackers that co-ordinate with your scheme. Sparkling crystalware arranged on…

After taking on an early-Victorian coach house near Sherborne, Dorset, that had been converted into flats, Laura and Patrick Butler-Madden set about restoring its original proportions. Here, Laura shares how they embraced its singular character yet gave it an aesthetic that is distinctly their own. What attracted you to this property? Patrick went to school in Dorset and I grew up here, so we had always thought about moving to this part of the world. However, finding this place happened in a rather serendipitous fashion. We had been living in London, developing property, but with the change in the tax situation, we decided to refocus on our other careers, Patrick as a photographer and me as a design and lifestyle blogger. I am always scouring property websites and I…

What was the brief for this project? This fifth-floor apartment is in one of the beautiful 1930s mansion blocks opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge, west London. It had lost most of its Art Deco features over the years, so I was asked to restore its heritage, while creating a modern family home designed for longevity. The client’s exact words were, “I do not want to have to do this again before I die.” How did you alter the space? The original kitchen was a long, galley-style room, almost a corridor really but, being on the fifth floor, the light was amazing. We opened up the kitchen to the sitting room to create a much bigger space that now enjoys light from both bay windows at the front of the apartment. When…

Can you describe the project? This bathroom was created in a new three-storey rear extension built by Emerald Bay for a Chelsea-based family. Our aim was to reflect the style of the rest of the Grade II-listed Georgian home, to maintain harmony and continuity between old and new. What was the priority for the design? As this is the main family bathroom, primarily shared by teenage siblings, lots of clever storage was key, but the clients also wanted to keep the overall feel open and spacious. The solution was a generous drawer unit, tucked under a classic vanity stand to create a modern contrast. The bright paint shade was custom-matched to the red in the Hermès fabric used for the blind. How did you approach the décor? I wanted to…

WHO OFFERS THE BEST ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES? We will be away for Christmas but we don’t want to do without a tree. Where can we find a small realistic tree that we can bring out in future years to supplement a real one? AH, Crawley, West Sussex. There are many suppliers of faux trees and, although they lack the romance and scent of real ones, the shapes are perfect and they won’t shed needles. Regarded by many as the frontrunner are the trees by Balsam Hill, 020 3368 6726, balsamhill.co.uk. The company uses its own technology to mould the needles and branches to capture authentic texture; from £169 for a 4ft Nordmann fir. The Albert tree (above) from Neptune, 01793 427427, neptune.com, is based on the Douglas fir – the…

When it comes to festive lighting, my rule of thumb is the smaller the space, the more important it is to get the details right. Starting outside, with a small front garden, I’d opt for outdoor battery lights which can be set on a six-hour timer and choose one element, say a bay tree or shrub, to decorate with twinkling lights. To add another layer or prepare for a party, you could line the path to the front door with lanterns and hang a string of larger festoon bulbs over the porch. For a large garden, the approach should be quite simple: focus on one element and light it well. You probably won’t need an electrician – just a ladder and a bit of effort. Lights these days are often…

1 PULLMAN EDITIONS Designs striking original limited-edition posters that capture the enduring appeal of Art Deco. Their posters feature winter sports, glamorous resorts around the world, and historic automobiles. Over 100 designs available at £395 each. 020 7730 0547 or view and buy online at www.pullmaneditions.com 2 NATIONWIDE CLASSIC VERANDAS, Make the most of your garden this summer with a bespoke Awning from Nationwide. Providing a fresh appearance to your home’s exterior, you can stay protected from the sun at the push of a button, and enjoy a cool and comfortable shady retreat. Nationwide offer a variety of styles and finishes, custom made to suit your property, with full installation service and five year guarantee. Nationwide is currently holding a winter sale, with discounts of up to 25%. For a…

1 Origami Garland of Stars kit , 36 stars, £14.50 , The Shop Floor Project, 01229 584537, theshopfloorproject.com. 2 Mini port glasses , H16xDia5.5cm, £35 set of four , The White Company, 020 3758 9222, thewhitecompany.com. 3 Multicoloured ornaments , £12.75 set of three , Bloomingville, 0045 9626 4645, bloomingville.com. 4 Paper Christmas tree , H65cm, £99.80 , Broste, 0800 028 1403, brostecopenhagen.com. 5 Plywood decorations , £2.50 each , Future & Found, 020 7267 4772, futureandfound.com. 6 Tilted bowl with red interior , H14xDia18cm, £480 , Lara Scobie at Contemporary Applied Arts, 020 7620 0086, caa.org.uk. 7 Rainbow Christmas trees , H10cm, £10.95 set of 12 , The Hambledon, 01962 890055, thehambledon.com. 8 White Christmas scene snow globe , H13xDia11cm, £95 , Wedgwood at Amara, 0800 587 7645, amara.com.…

CROSTINI WITH TWO TOPPINGS Makes around 24 You can buy crostini or make your own – thinly slice a baguette, arrange on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and cook at 180°C, gas mark 4 until crisp. For the pesto 20g walnuts 20g Parmesan, finely grated 100g kale, stalks removed 1 small garlic clove, peeled 100ml olive oil 25ml water 1tbsp lemon juice 1tsp lemon zest Salt and ground black pepper For the fig and black olive tapenade 6 fresh figs 150g black olive tapenade To assemble 150g curd cheese 2 x 150g packs crostini Small handful of micro herbs Put all the pesto ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside. Cut 3 of the figs into thin slices and set aside. Blend the other…

It was love at first sight when we spotted this charming family of nesting bears at The Conran Shop. A delightful reimagining of Russian dolls, they are the perfect decoration or present for the festive season.…

1| For a chic contemporary setting. Monochrome and copper crackers, £44.95 for six, Katie Leamon at Harrods, 0333 300 1000, harrods.com. 2| An extra-special treat filled with fragrant Jo Malone miniatures. Christmas cracker, £34 each, Jo Malone London & Jonathan Saunders, 0800 054 2939, jomalone.co.uk. 3| Pretty paper with a classic look. Luxury Geese Christmas crackers, £35 for six, Nancy & Betty, 01227 714766, nancyandbetty.com.…

Can you tell us a little bit about the history of Tibor? My grandfather, Tibor Reich, started the company in 1946, just after the war. He was a pioneering modernist who wanted to introduce colour, texture and luxury into the drab interiors of that post-war period. Tibor became one of the leading design houses in woven and printed textiles, then, later on, ceramics, rugs and carpets. What has been your involvement with the company? The original factory closed in 1976, but my grandfather left a vast archive of about 30,000 designs when he died in 1996. All of these amazing fabrics were sitting there doing nothing so, although I studied history at university, I decided to relaunch the company when I graduated in 2014. I spent a long time working…

This year’s festive wreaths are showpieces. They are big and bold, colourful and shapely, so much so that we say why stop at the front door? Use them to add a festive touch to every part of your home: hang them above the fireplace or over a mirror, in a window or in multiples up the staircase. Make tiny ones to use as napkin rings or to adorn the backs of chairs and, for the big day itself, go large with a giant wreath chandelier or one for the table below. To inspire you, we invited some of Britain’s leading florists to each design a unique and eye-catching wreath for us. The results are glorious and positively heroic, and we spent a wonderful day showcasing them in the atmospheric surroundings…

“Use the landscaping materials to make a distinctive design that will provide an interesting feature to look at, whatever the season.” What did the garden look like before? When the owner moved here, the garden was a flat, paved car park with large sliding gates on the street side. The view from the kitchen was of parked cars, the street beyond and some tall buildings opposite. The garden lacked any sense of privacy and there were no plants. To say that it was ugly would be an understatement. Can you tell us about the design brief? The owner asked for a design that would screen her house from the street and surrounding properties and provide enough space for a dining table that could seat up to six people. She also…

WHERE CAN I FIND THIS WALLPAPER DESIGN? I set my heart on a wallpaper for my bedroom with a lace pattern in white on off-white but it has been discontinued. Do you know of similar designs? SS, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Boråstapeter, borastapeter.se, at Jane Clayton, 01761 404505, janeclayton.co.uk, has a design called French Lace (below left), with colours 1672 and 1673 both white on off-white, £42 a roll. Yuzen in P628/02 Champagne or P628/01 Oyster, £71 a roll, Designers Guild, 020 7351 5775, designersguild.com, is a tonal ombré behind a distressed lacework overprint. Another comparable pattern is Bruggia BRU301 (below right), a paisley inspired by the lace for which Bruges in Flanders is famous, £96.50 a roll, Brian Yates, 020 7352 0123, brian-yates.co.uk.…

Hidden away in a wild Scottish landscape, Killiehuntly is a haven of rugged natural beauty, luxurious comfort and solitude. Dating back to 1603, the farmhouse and cottages have been restored by Anne Storm Pedersen and her husband, Anders, in a style they’ve termed Scandi-Scot – Danish design mixed with Scottish craftsmanship. There are just four rooms in the farmhouse, all named after trees – Alder, Birch, Elm and Oak – and featuring bespoke beds designed by local carpenters topped with Swedish mattresses, hand-embroidered Lithuanian linen and soft grey tweed throws. Traditional meals, made using wholesome, seasonal ingredients grown on the 4,000 acre farm and from other local producers, are served on two long tables in the farmhouse kitchen, and include a hearty breakfast that’s just the thing before a day…

1 Paulownia Deco tree , H150xW100cm, £89 , Bloomingville, 0045 9626 4645, bloomingville.com. 2 Wyatt porcelain salad bowl with removable leather handles, Dia30cm, £195 , Ralph Lauren Home, 020 3450 7750, ralphlauren.co.uk. 3 Decorative stars , Dia24, 39 and 49cm, £54 set of three , Out There Interiors, 020 8099 7443, outthereinteriors.com. 4 Handmade wooden and felt ball garland , L130cm, £24 , Rastall & Daughters, 01529 400545, rastallanddaughters.com. 5 Metal leaf garland , £42 , Rockett St George, 01444 253391, rockettstgeorge.co.uk. 6 Advent calendar , limited edition of 500, £150 , The White Company, 020 3758 9222, thewhitecompany.com. 7 Veneer wood star , Dia40cm, £22.60 , Broste, 0800 028 1403, brostecopenhagen.com. 8 Paper sequin bauble , £20 set of six , The Conran Shop, 0844 848 4000, conranshop.co.uk. 9…

1| Bring an element of delight to table settings. Folklore 12 Days of Christmas crackers, L29cm, £20 set of 12, John Lewis, 0345 604 9049, johnlewis.com. 2| Enchanting image with decorative appeal. Forest with Blue Birds plate with gold rim, Dia40cm, £315, Graziano Pericoli at Artemest, artemest.com. 3| Large cut-out design for a festive glow. Strala pendant lampshade, Dia90cm, £6.50, Ikea, 020 3645 0015, ikea.com. 4| Exquisite hand-embroidered trim. Palermo in Peacock Green, W9cm, £420m, Namay Samay at Tissus d’Hélène, 020 7352 9977, tissusdhelene.co.uk. 5| Tiles with a sense of faded elegance. Spitalfields Retro Star tiles, 45cm sq, £48sq m, Ca’ Pietra, 01380 735886, capietra.com. 6| Perfect for little extras on Christmas Day. Folk stocking, L21.5cm, £34, Luna & Curious, 020 3222 0034, lunaandcurious.com. 7| Early 19th-century piece with fairytale…

CERAMIC DECORATIONS ALICE WALTON Alice is currently studying for a master’s in ceramics at the Royal College of Art, after graduating from Brighton University. She sells handmade decorations from her online store, as well as taking commissions. I’m inspired by 1940s Christmas decorations. I recently saw a box full of them at Brighton Sunday Market and couldn’t get them out of my head, so I decided to make some pieces that nod to that era. My favourites are the white and gold ones because they work with any interiors scheme. I tend to start by drawing shapes in pencil and ink. I then make a plaster mould and pour in liquid clay. Once the clay has dried, I open the mould to reveal a hollow cast shape, which I fire…

This year, The White Company has made Christmas shopping even easier with carefully curated gifts for everyone on your list. In fact, with everything from spicy seasonal scents to beautiful home accessories, its winter collection ensures every aspect of the festive season is catered for. And, as an early present to H&G readers, The White Company is offering 15 per cent off, plus free delivery*. If you’re entertaining friends and family this Christmas, take advantage of a wealth of ideas for creating a dining table to impress, with scented candles, pretty faux foliage, sparkling glassware and stylish fairy lights. For those having people to stay, pick up some indulgent finishing touches for guest bedrooms and bathrooms, including beautiful bath and body sets – the best-selling skincare range is now available…

THIS MONTH, rich textures and glamorous lighting lend dreamy serenity to a converted coach house (page 78), and the distinctive interior of a 1920s mock-Tudor home (page 88) becomes the perfect setting for the festive season. On an international note, bold black and graphic pattern bring drama to an Oslo apartment (page 98), and practical meets breathtaking in an Australian period property (page 106).…

Ask Catrine Svellingen to explain what drives her design ideas and she will come straight to the point: ‘I love interiors that stop people in their tracks. If you do things with passion and integrity, there are very few rules.’ It is a bold approach that is reflected in Catrine’s apartment in central Oslo, which she shares with her daughter, Andrine, aged 17, and partner Per Ove, a television producer. Set in a handsome 19th-century apartment building, this is a home that delivers glamour and drama in equal measure and where, on an icy December afternoon, flickering firelight, ebony walls and Wagnerian-inspired seascapes exude all the enchantment of a night at the opera. The sculptural, perfectly imperfect Christmas tree, bedecked with Catrine’s hallmark monochromatic ornaments, was chosen to echo the…

Waking up on top of sumptuous furs surrounded by glistening ice is a magical experience. So we’ve teamed up with Nordic travel specialist Discover the World to offer readers an exclusive trip to the famous Icehotel in Swedish Lapland, 200km north of the Arctic Circle. This amazing hotel – the first and largest of its kind – is built from ice and snow, but there’s no need to worry about being cold. For the night that you spend in an Ice Room (upgrades to Art Suites and Deluxe Suites are optional), you will be in a cosy sleeping bag, wearing thermals, a hat and socks, which will keep you toasty and warm. As well as the ice and snow structure, the hotel complex features two main buildings, one of which…

Can you describe the project? This is the top-floor apartment of a neo-Flemish-style townhouse in London. The property had been transformed from eight rather cramped apartments to three spacious ones; this living room is part of a large L-shaped space that also incorporates a kitchen and dining area. Our aim was to give it the style of a loft, furnished with modernist pieces that lend it character and a confident international feel. What was the starting point for the scheme? Rather than a particular piece or feature, it was the symmetry of the space that set off the design process. This part of the room is a near-exact square measuring 7.5 metres on each side, with three large windows along one wall. I wanted to challenge this symmetry with quite…

Can you describe the space? This bedroom is in the loft conversion of a Georgian townhouse in east London. It had been converted about 20 years ago, but it had become dated and drab, with oppressive dark green walls and a heavy-looking wardrobe dividing the space. Although the room is large, at 8x4m, it felt anything but. Our brief was to create a much more inviting, peaceful retreat. How did you begin the project? The first step was to remove the wardrobe and replace it with a Crittall screen, which references the metal-framed windows of the surrounding old warehouse buildings. The glazing allows light to flow through the room, instantly creating a more spacious feel, while also cocooning the sleeping area, something we think is important because a bed in…

GLOW IN THE DARK As winter nights draw in, create a mesmerising effect in the garden with faux arboreal lighting. These magnificent 2.8m-high LED cherry trees are from a range of varieties and sizes to buy or hire from Twilight Trees, twilight-trees.com. SUGAR & SPICE  Conjuring up the charm of a folk tale, this engaging Scandinavian-inspired tableau brings the outdoors in. A sculptural pear tree branch entwined with a string of lights is hung with home-made biscuits and ornaments. Eschewing the traditional reds, silvers and golds in favour of more wintry hues of ginger, rustic grey and snowy white underlines the natural look of the display. CLASSIC ELEGANCE  As the main focal point of the sitting room, the mantel deserves special attention. This arrangement is a mix of traditional and…

A  Abrams & Chronicle, abramsandchronicle.co.uk. Acres Farm, 0118 974 4305, acresfarm.co.uk. Alternative Flooring, 01264 335111, alternativeflooring.com. Anthropologie, 0800 0026 8476, anthropologie.eu. Aram Store, 020 7557 7557, aram.co.uk. Arket, 020 3868 9990, arket.com. Artemest, artemest.com. B  B&O Play, beoplay.com. Balsam Hill, 01234 227155, balsamhill.co.uk. Bamford, 020 7589 8729, bamford.co.uk. Bear & Bear, 020 7193 1491, bearandbear.com. Birdie Fortescue, 01328 738634, birdiefortescue.co.uk. C  Ca’ Pietra, 01380 735886, capietra.com. Caravane, 020 7486 5233, caravane.fr. Carluccio’s, 020 7580 3050, carluccios.com. Colefax and Fowler, 020 7244 7427, colefax.com. The Conran Shop, 0844 848 4000, conranshop.co.uk. D  Dartington Crystal, 01805 626221, dartington.co.uk. David Seyfried, 020 7823 3848, davidseyfried.com. Designers Guild, 020 7351 5775, designersguild.com. Dobbies, dobbies.com. Dulux Trade, duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk. DZD, 020 7388 7488, dzd.co.uk. E  Esme Winter, 07769 704054, esmewinter.co.uk. Etsy, etsy.com. F  Flockhart, 07814 379761,…

Preparing your home for entertaining at Christmas may seem daunting, but it can be a richly rewarding experience if you follow a few key principles – one easy, effective way to bring everything together is to choose a colour theme. With this in mind, we have collaborated with The White Company, which has specialised in white homewares for more than 22 years, to suggest decorating ideas to suit styles from classic to country. The looks we’ve compiled capture the magic of the festive season, with expert advice for those finishing touches that ensure the day is truly special. To make hosting simple, you’ll also find delicious recipes for a variety of occasions. Merry Christmas!…

WELCOME HOME A Pre-lit Beaded Christmas garland, £65, and wreaths, £50 each (left), The White Company, thewhitecompany.com, are a light, modern alternative to a traditional swagged staircase garland and perfectly in keeping with this inviting white and natural-toned scheme. WELL DRESSED Celebrate the beauty of seasonal greenery with simple pine circlets (above) and bring natural accents to an all-white table setting. Finish with handwritten place names displayed in deli-counter price ticket holders (available on eBay) and add a tiny white bauble. STATEMENT PIECE Sometimes a single overscale decoration can make the greatest impact (above right). Here, an extra-large wreath of loosely arranged winter foliage forms a festive focal point, an effect enhanced by its smart contrast with the quiet tones of the room scheme. FLORAL ELEGANCE Create classic winter-white magic…

Berries, spruce and ivy aren’t the only options when it comes to festive arrangements. Create a simple, yet inviting entrance using white hyacinths and narcissi in terracotta pots and clear glass containers to keep the mood relaxed. To finish things off with a welcoming twinkle, add trailing fairy lights. White china on a vintage dresser has timeless appeal and provides a classic backdrop for seasonal adornments, such as a display of figs, glowing tea lights and miniature fir trees. “We live in the countryside and have a big garden, so I will be gathering greenery. I try to give every room a slightly different twist, but the look is always natural.” My Dream Christmas The surrounding countryside informs Mark’s approach to Christmas decorating, which offers a personal…

1 GET THE TABLE RIGHT I like to use a white linen tablecloth, with beaded place mats and mirrored coasters. Lots of candles, plain and scented, are essential and I stick to white flowers and seasonal foliage, such as snowberries and rosemary. For each place setting, I tie a napkin with greenery, a small decoration and a heart gift tag. 2 TAKE SHORTCUTS  If you don’t have time to make everything from scratch, cheat! I always cook the turkey using a Nigella Lawson recipe and turn to Jamie Oliver and Delia Smith for sides, but buy in the pudding, brandy butter, mince pies and cake. Decant anything shop-bought into a lovely serving dish and sprinkle with fresh herbs or icing sugar as appropriate. 3 MAKE AN IMPRESSION I hang a…