Coats of the Season
When investing in a winter coat, these timeless styles will keep you warm and stylish for years.
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Sport – lapsedSport – naisedSport – mehedSport – lapsedThe magic of Christmas
There’s no such thing as OTT at Christmas. Indulge in sparkle, natural elements, and lots of cosiness. Here’s how to get your house ready for the festive season.
For a welcoming look, let nature be your starting point when it comes to decorating your home. Whether foraged from the forests, hedgerows, or simply the garden, greenery displayed in pots and vases will root any space to the landscape, while fallen branches and even crunchy brown leaves can create great contrasts of texture. A garland of trailing ivy peppered with pinecones makes a simple table centrepiece that instantly evokes the woodland. Gently luxurious flourishes will elevate homespun displays, and lanterns, complete with candlelight flickering within or a generous handwoven throw ready to be draped over the shoulders will lend warmth and comfort to festive gatherings.
There’s no denying it’s the time of year when you want to add festive glitter to everything, from the tree, around the house, and even outside. Christmas lights not only add a whimsical touch that makes everyone feel nostalgic but when it's cold and dark outside it makes it feel more magical as we go into the festive season. Warming up your bedroom with LED fairy lights displaying on open shelving, around windows and door frames, and even strung up on the wall above your bed will warmth to the room. Give foliage extra sparkle, hallways, mantelpieces, and stairways with dainty fairy lights. Tealights and candles are great around the house too especially when arranged on tabletops. Incorporating lights into your Christmas hallway with ceramic houses will look warm and inviting and will instantly create that festive atmosphere.
On the dining table, take nature as your inspiration too. Instead of a floral centrepiece opt for branches and display them artfully in individual pots and bud vases. Opt for charming glassware and handcrafted dishes. To soften the look, introduce further layers of texture. Pieces made from grainy wood will balance stoneware, while beautiful linen tablecloths are an investment that you will use all winter long. Add a pretty touch to the place settings with individual favours, then add napkins, cutlery, and a seasonal bloom tied together with simple twine. Casual tabletops tend to feel more inviting so keep the look relaxed.
Winter foliage is a bounty for festive decoration. Wreaths are a must and look even better when handmade and cinnamon sticks and dried-out orange slices make excellent decorations. Tone down the twee factor by arranging them artfully in rustic dishes. On the tree, berry sprigs and pinecones can be hung on twine as makeshift baubles. Add a festive touch with modern Christmas ornaments around the home.
Simple trees are always easier to decorate but start from the top down and get someone to help you feed the lights back and forth around the tree. Wind them between each layer and don’t be shy about adding a second length. Tuck the trailing wire behind the tree and ideally inside the tree skirt.
Avoid buying your tree too early as it won’t last. The second week of December is usually a great time and give it a good soak in a bucket outside before bringing it in. There’s an old wives tale about adding sugar to the water, but it’s probably more important to keep the water fresh and topped up – any pine needles that fall in can decay and taint it.
