Desig House: The December Issue

Our December issue is out, let our editor Hatta Byng talk you through the highlights...

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Christmas decorating requires gusto and enthusiasm and should not be done by halves. Growing up, for me, it was always about raiding the garden for greenery and berries. One of the loveliest wedding presents we were given was a collection of tree decorations, which, at home in London, we add to each year. Thankfully, my husband takes Christmas decorating as seriously as I do - perhaps more so. This year, we'll be going to his parents' house in Yorkshire for Christmas, just in time to erect a huge tree in the hall and bedeck the staircase with flashing neon lights. While I could do without the latter - and I have been known to thread some greenery in between to soften the effect - I am fully behind this enthusiasm. Just as I am behind that of Tim Gosling, Virginia White, Suzanne Sharp and Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, who have all opened their doors to provide imaginative inspiration for decking your dining table (between pages 77 and 85).

This issue is packed with ideas and sage advice to enhance the fun - and reduce the slight trepidation - associated with this time of year. Our food editor, Blanche Vaughan, persuaded chef Skye Gyngell to devise some wonderfully celebratory, but not too tricky recipes (from page 155) and has provided her own ideas for Christmas cooking and presents (pages 161-162). Our columnist Rita Konig takes on the role of Tastemaker this month (page 184), discussing her dos and don'ts of Christ- mas. They include her assertion that white dinner candles are a no go - I sped off immediately to the Charles Farris candle factory in my parents' Wiltshire village to stock up on coloured candles. I rather like the idea of aubergine ones with ivy and white narcissi. In fact, no Christmas table is complete without candles, and from page 13, Ruth Sleightholme has gathered some stylish candleholders. Meanwhile our arts editor Emily Tobin has divulged what she might like for Christmas - choosing paintings, prints and ceramics that would all make covetable and thoughtful presents (page 54).

Between pages 138 and 143, Christmas is celebrated in miniature in designer Philippa Devas's exquisite eighteenth-century doll's house. Beautifully restored and imaginatively furnished, it is decorated for Christmas with teeny-tiny cards and crackers, as well as a laden tree, presents, garlands and even a turkey. This is taking Christmas decorating to levels even I have never dreamt of. Come January 6, the minuscule decorations will be packed away, but it is rather magical for it.

Happy decorating and have a wonderful Christmas.

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