It really couldn’t be a better Christmas present with which to end the blog year! British heritage and humour are back on the ‘old school’ timetable. And this year, there is even more to enjoy, thanks to some brilliant home-grown talent and a host of exciting new ‘col-abs’. From Scottish baronial style to the influence of old school tailoring, the blog discovers there are some crackers that aren’t just for Christmas.
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As you arrive at the 600-year-old estate in Kent, herds of meandering deer create a majestic overture for visitors to Knole. Cleverly theatrical in its presentation, Knole offers not only the history of its unique sofa design but also sumptuous ‘showrooms’ of Jacobean interiors. Originally a Bishop’s palace and then a popular hunting ground for King Henry VIII, this Dutch gabled country house has been owned for the past 400 years by the influential Sackville-West family.
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There’s still just about enough time left to decorate before Christmas! From wallpapering or at least using some leftover pieces for wrapping presents to selecting a piece of gorgeous interiors fabric for a tablecloth. To inspire you, here are some vintage Christmas decorating ideas from Christmas present, but also a few favourites from this blog’s Christmas past.
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The Modern Makers Collective couldn’t have chosen a more seasonally appropriate venue to exhibit their annual winter market of British arts and crafts. The picture-perfect West Berkshire village of Yattendon – where forest green estate cottage doors serve as a colourful reminder to the acres of Christmas tree farming that lie on its doorstep – is the scene setter for this year’s winter market (19 and 20 November 2022, Village Hall, Yattendon, Berkshire, RG18 0UE, 10 to 4 pm). Yattendon village hall sits amongst centuries of architectural heritage that ooze period drama. Perhaps the only missing ingredient is a film crew from the new Shinfield Film Studios in Reading to cue… snow…
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What style Christmas wreath will you be choosing for your front door this year? With so many to choose from, it can be a little daunting but I find myself with the foragers on this one …
Homemade gifts are like homemade food for me. There is nothing like them for the quality, authenticity, care and thought that has gone in to making them. Please don’t get me wrong, all presents are gratefully received! But there is a greater emotional transaction around the giving and receiving of something handmade. If you aren’t a maker yourself but wish to give a handmade gift this Christmas, then you might just want to put Jelly on your shopping list!
Charis White Interiors 