At home with Vanessa at Christmas
Fires burning, carols playing in the background, lights twinkling on the tree and plates full of mince pies… as we start getting our homes ready for Christmas, Vanessa Arbuthnott shares her top tips on how to create a warm, inviting atmosphere to share with your loved ones, and that capture the magic of this time of year.
1. Old and traditional is best
I hang all my Christmas cards on washing lines made from invisible thread, all along the painted beam in my hall and kitchen. I try to have a living Christmas tree in a pot and aim to spend as little as possible on new decorations, preferring to re-use old baubles and ornaments made by my children and grandchildren. Old decorations are constant reminders of our friends and family – which no shop-bought decoration can match.
2. Bring the outdoors in
Forgo the tinsels and plastic garlands… this is the time of year to celebrate our beautiful evergreen trees and plants: holly, ivy, mistletoe. a couple of days before Christmas, as a family we head down the lane to gather holly to hang over paintings, mirrors and along mantelpieces. Mistletoe is more difficult to gather as it grows on the higher branches of trees suchs as Lime, Poplar, and Hawthorn, so you will need a ladder! I always hang a small branch in my porch to welcome guests with!
3. Keep the lighting low
Lighting is crucial to create that cosy ambience. We celebrate the darker days and evenings using low lighting such as lamps, candles, and keep the logs stacked by the wood burner to keep the fire burning. Nothing feels cosier than sharing meals by candlelight and reading books by the fire.
4. Share a blanket
I add a quilt to all the beds in the house in the winter to keep everyone warm, and make sure that there are throws and rugs a plenty on my armchairs and sofas, to make them as inviting as possible. Adding one of our beautifully hand-made quilts to your beds and sofas joyfully warms up a space, and (from first-hand experience!) are perfect for keeping your toes warm!
We wish you all a very happy holiday this year.
Founder and owner of Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics. Vanessa creates content around fabric types, blind styles and curtain designs to best suit the needs of Vanessa Arbuthnott customers.
