House Beautiful UK December/January 2019

As I write this letter in the middle of October, Christmas feels a bit like an elephant on the horizon – small and safely distant. But, I know from experience that if I don’t get organised soon, it’ll hurtle towards me, gathering pace, and I’ll suddenly feel overwhelmed by its giant presence! The key to avoiding last-minute panic, as with most things, is preparation. With that in mind, I warmly welcome you to this issue of House Beautiful - packed full of inspirational ways to help you get ahead and fill your home with festive joy. We’ve got an abundance of ideas for you – from gift buying (p64) to decorating looks that will make your home twinkle and your garden magical (p38). For me, the most enjoyable part of Christmas is…

ALL THAT GLITTERS Put on your Christmas music and pour a glass of mulled wine… it’s time to decorate the tree! Here’s our pick of this year’s best baubles FOR STORE DETAILS SEE WHERE TO BUY PAGE…

HOW DID YOUR BACKGROUND INSPIRE YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ART AND DESIGN? I studied fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, and then worked as a fashion editor for a bridal magazine. It was when we moved to the US for my husband’s job that I took up painting as a hobby at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington – and I haven’t stopped painting since! TELL US ABOUT YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY In 2004, we moved to Florence with our three young children, where we lived in a villa with a beautiful tower. At the top of the tower I had a studio, where I taught fellow expats to paint. I was inspired by the exuberance of the colours and landscape of Florence, and the crumbling plaster of the palazzo…

As with many stories, Rowen & Wren’s has humble beginnings. The online shop, which champions simple design and quality craftsmanship, found its feet in 2011, in Lucy and Graeme’s small one-bedroom flat. The couple, who met in a shared university hall of residence in Nottingham, and are partners in life as well as in business, soon found themselves living almost entirely out of their modest bedroom. ‘We kept all of our stock for the store in the living room, which is where we also did all the packing for the orders and photographed our early lookbooks,’ recalls Lucy, who trained as a textile designer. She first learned the interiors ropes at John Lewis, channelling her creativity in the home design studio, and advising buyers on trends and colour palettes. This experience…

PRECIOUS PRESENTS Give your gifts a touch of sparkle by wrapping them in gleaming gold and silver papers. Decorate with leaf motif decorations, fir cones and sprigs of eucalyptus for a naturally gorgeous look COMBINE SOFT CUSHIONS AND TEXTURAL THROWS FOR A COSY SCENE AROUND THE TREE SET THE SCENE A pile of beautifully wrapped presents looks lovely under the tree. Faux furs and velvets keep things cosy and add a touch of winter luxe FOR STYLISH TABLE GIFTS, WRAP PRESENTS IN PRETTY DECORATIVE PAPERS THAT ECHO YOUR DINING SCHEME MAGICAL GATHERING Simple arrangements of asparagus fern and eucalyptus create a naturally beautiful centrepiece on the table. Silver and gold candles add an element of opulence GOLD LEAF A dresser can be turned into a striking focal point by lining the inside with a decorative wallpaper. Sparkling glass and…

Precious presents Giftwrap, £2.75/sheet; gold foil tape, £5; both Paperchase. Gold and silver leaves, £2.50 each, Baileys. Glitter Tyre Track bauble, £9, The Conran Shop. Glitter resin bauble, £20 for six, The White Company. Ribbons from £1.50/m, Liberty London. Postcard, £1, National Portrait Gallery. Sumptuous sheepskin rug, £80, Cox & Cox. 40 Winks sofabed, £1,599, Heal’s Set the scene Walls in All White estate emulsion, £45/2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Blinds made up in Asolo Silver wide-width linen, £92.50/m, Romo. 40 Winks sofabed in Slate Grey, £1,599; Fawn coffee table, £529; Satomi Aqua rug, £529; all Heal’s. Concentric cushion in Slate/Natural linen, £100, Niki Jones. Square cushion made up in Lunama Crystal, £90/m, Christopher Farr Cloth; with Copelia pleated border in Golden, £48/m, Samuel & Sons. Supersoft Silver Rabbit faux fur, £250, Cox &…