Table of contents for Christmas 2021 in Country Style

I always get a bit carried away at Christmas time. I over-cater, I over-invite (our little house is usually crammed with friends and family and dogs in the lead-up to Christmas Day) and I over-gift. I love giving people things I know they want but wouldn’t buy for themselves or surprises I know they’ll love. I realised I’d overdone it last year when my daughters asked, fatigued by unwrapping, “There’s more, Mum?” So this year I’m going to do things differently. I am going to make presents for some of my nearest and dearest. I may not be up to the complexity of wreath-making (see page 92 for Sharon van der Kruik’s step-by-step instructions), given my natural-born inability to arrange a simple bunch of flowers, but I can bake. No…

to Leanne Atkins, who has won a KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor, valued at $499. Featuring an in-bowl storage caddy, adjustable slicing thickness, dough blade, dicing kit and multipurpose blade to chop, mix and puree, it offers convenience and value. For more, visit kitchenaid.com.au Share your thoughts and experiences with us by writing to Country Style, PO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW, 2001, or emailing austcountrystyle@aremedia.com.au. Please include your address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.…

NOT EVERY MOTHER AND DAUGHTER could say they make the perfect team. But Debra Jordan and Brooke Smith can. “We really complement each other,” says Debra, 65, a retired nurse, who launched the paper florist business Paper To You with Brooke in 2013. “Brooke can fold literally thousands of petals and glue them and make these incredible flowers. She makes it look easy – and I can tell you, I’ve tried to do it and it is not easy. So I do the construction, wiring the petals into wreaths and making wedding flowers.” It all started when Brooke, 40, did a paper-folding course at a paper shop in Mornington, Victoria, near where she lives in Carrum Downs, and immediately fell in love with the intricate process. “We’ve both always been…

WHEN SHARON AND ROB van der Kruik went hunting for their first home in 1987, they had one thing they wouldn’t compromise on – the size of the block. “We knew that we wanted children and we wanted the home to have a big backyard – a place where our children could run and play, have pets and swings, and somewhere I could have a garden,” says Sharon, 56. “We’re not big on presents anymore, but we love to make things for each other.” Looking in Geelong, where they’d both grown up, they came across a two-bedroom Californian bungalow which ticked that box, but it also needed work. “It was a little yellow and brown two-bedroom weatherboard that needed a lot of love,” says Sharon. But, with a multitude of…

“Folklore offers real sanctuary with its pine needle notes from the woods. It has oils that are gentle and grounding.” NOTHING SMELLS LIKE Christmas more than the earthy, woody fragrance of pine trees. Aromatherapist Christiana Jackson grew up not far from a pine plantation in the tiny town of Halls Gap, in the heart of the Victorian Grampians region. She has always loved nature and the Australian bush – and she put pine at the centre of her newest essential oil blend, Folklore. Working on bottling the nostalgic, joyful smell of Christmas trees for her business, Mimosa Botanicals, in Castlemaine, Victoria, kept Christiana busy during several COVID-19 lockdowns. For her, the scent represents hope. “Folklore offers real sanctuary with its pine needle notes from the woods,” she explains. “It has…

PEAR & BLUE CHEESE SAVOURY GALETTES Serves 8 Prep + cook time 45 minutes 60g butter 2 tablespoons honey ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 2 teaspoons ground coriander ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper 2 large beurre bosc pears (660g), cut into thick wedges 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, just thawed ⅓ cup (95g) caramelised onion relish 1 egg, beaten lightly 100g blue cheese, crumbled, plus extra to serve 6 sprigs lemon thyme, plus extra to serve ¼ cup (35g) skinless roasted hazelnuts, chopped coarsely 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Preheat oven to 200°C. Place two lightly oiled oven trays in the oven to preheat. Heat butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat until just melted. Transfer to a medium heatproof bowl; stir in nutmeg, coriander and…

FIVE ACRES PHILLIP ISLAND, VIC When it comes to lockdown projects, Rom and Katie Lamaro are over-achievers. During regional Victoria’s lockdown this year, they conjured up three retreats out of a once-bare paddock on their Phillip Island farm. They built the luxury cabins, fitted them out, crafted much of their furniture and created beautiful landscaping for them to sit in. The wooden cabins are perfectly rustic on the outside, as befits the farm location and ocean views, but perfectly luxe inside, thanks to interior design by Belle Bright. “It was important to try to mirror the tones found in nature to give a sense of calm,” says Katie, so the cabins are decked in muted, earthy shades, with wood-burning fireplaces, pristine timberwork and top-quality finishes. For more, go to fiveacres.com.au…

BERNHARD SCHMITZ Country Style’s new art director left the snow of Austria for the sunshine of Australia 17 years ago, and is a passionate outback traveller. Welcome to the team! Painter, photographer and designer Bernhard, 53, lives in Sydney, but dreams of escaping with his wife, Sabine, to the NSW South Coast or Far North Queensland. “We love the wildness of this country,” he says. “We love travelling in our beloved LandCruiser that’s taken us as far as the tip of Cape York Peninsula.” Wintry Christmases in Vienna focused on Christmas Eve celebrations: “It was an indoor affair, gathered around the tree with plenty of family.” This year, Bernhard and Sabine are off to Warrumbungle National Park for Christmas: “I can’t wait to camp under the stars again!” DEREK SWALWELL…

IT’S POURING HERE IN TASSIE. We have an easterly system sitting over the top of us. It’s the one weather system where we are guaranteed good rain. It’s cold, too, so I trek down to Will’s Flat with rugs and a warm feed for my two elderly, retired horses. They sing out at the sight of me and come squelching through the wet to plunge their velvety noses into the buckets. It’s bleak and almost impossible to imagine that Christmas is just around the corner. Last year, we had the smallest Christmas we’ve ever had. It was just The Farmer and me and the two youngest kids. To make it a little less strange, we broke with tradition and went up to the shack. The kids went ahead of us…

IF HISTORY REPEATS, it could be another white Christmas at Hayley Priest’s striking black barn-style house in the NSW Southern Highlands. On Christmas Day last year, mist blanketed the property. “It was absolutely amazing,” Hayley says. “At the first little hint of cold, it mists up here. It got so cold, we had to light the fire. It was magical.” Hayley, 39, a homewares store owner and creative freelancer, and her partner, a baker, chose a two-hectare property at Fitzroy Falls, surrounded by pine trees, on which to build her dream home, which she named The Highlands Black Barn. “It was always going to be black,” she says, with a laugh. “Everyone who knows me knew that. I’ve always loved the statement that black makes. I still wear far too…

“Panforte is a specialty of Siena, Italy, that dates back to the 13th century,” says Sharon. “It is a traditionally chewy Italian dessert containing fruit and nuts. Usually, a small wedge is served with coffee or a dessert wine after a meal. Our family adore it as an after-meal treat and the combination of lightly toasted nuts, dried fruits and chewy chocolate makes it so delicious. It also makes a lovely Christmas gift.” butter, for greasing 1 cup almonds 1 cup hazelnuts 1 cup pecans ¾ cup (110g) plain flour 3 tablespoons cocoa 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots 1 cup dried cranberries 150g dark chocolate ⅓ cup honey ⅓ cup caster sugar ⅓ cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 tablespoons water icing sugar Preheat oven…

The GARDENER GREEN THUMBS WILL APPRECIATE DECORATIVE INSECTS AND EYE-CATCHING ORNAMENTS TO ADD TO THEIR GARDENS, PLUS NIFTY TOOLS AND SEEDS TO GROW. The PARTY HOST THE ENTERTAINERS ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST WILL ADORE THESE BEAUTIFUL BOWLS, VINTAGE CUTLERY SETS AND STYLISH DINING ACCESSORIES. The PAMPERER GIVE THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS CHRISTMAS, WITH LUXURIOUS PRODUCTS GUARANTEED TO PAMPER AND INDULGE › DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE YOURSELF. After a challenging year, we all deserve a little ‘me time’ this festive season. Create an enchanting scene for any child with cuddly toys, cosy bedding and a touch of whimsy. The LITTLE ONES PREPARE FOR SQUEALS OF DELIGHT FROM THE CHILDREN AS THEY UNWRAP CUTE TOY BOXES, SOFT BEDTIME BUDDIES AND SWEET BEDROOM FURNISHINGS. The INTREPID TRAVELLER GOT A LOVED ONE WHO’S…

PANETTONE Serves 4 50g butter, plus a little extra for the tin 300ml milk, plus 1 tablespoon milk for brushing 3 cups (450g) plain (all-purpose) flour 80g white sugar 1 pinch salt 20g fresh yeast 1 orange 100g (3½ oz) white chocolate ⅓ cup (50g) candied orange peel ⅓ cup (50g) candied lemon peel ¼ cup (30g) unsalted pistachios 1 egg yolk icing (confectioners’) sugar, for dusting Heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan to melt the butter. Leave to cool. Sift the flour into a bowl. Add the sugar and salt and combine thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Crumble the yeast into the well and add 3 tablespoons of the milk mixture. Cover and set aside for…

HAYLEY PRIEST CREATIVE FREELANCER AND DESIGNER, 39 Hayley lives in an off-grid, black barn-style house in Fitzroy Falls, NSW, with her partner and their many pets. What do you love about living in the country? The connection to land and season: riding my horses to the backdrop of paddocks full of curious cows; hunting for mushrooms in winter; the spoils of our vegie garden in spring. I lived in Hong Kong when I was younger, but have always craved the open space and calmness of the country. How would you describe your style? Black, with a hint of equestrian. I love marrying timeless pieces with everyday items. Things look best when they have miles on them. Boots need scuffs; they need to tell a story of how you live. Bags…

STAYING POWER With its geometric legs paired with a rustic timber tabletop, this Charlotte five-piece dining setting is modern and built to last. harveynorman.com.au SPRING INTO CHRISTMAS Beautiful Millefiore Murano glass pendants, including chain, can be sent express post to your door in Australia for Christmas. ritzyrocks.com LET THERE BE LIGHT Ember & Willow’s Advent Candle adds a seasonal ambience to any room as you celebrate the countdown to Christmas. frenchwillow.com.au EASY READING Goodbye faded plastic gauges. Crystal Rain Gauge is made of toughened glass and steel with easy-to-read calibrations. crystalraingauge.com.au CLASSIC TEAK The Lutyens bench by Cotswold Teak is a beautiful classic, crafted in solid teak with a finely sanded finish. cotswoldfurniture.com.au LUXURIOUS MERINO Love Merino craft garments from the finest Merino wool, with every fibre originating from the…

WRITTEN TREASURES Maggie MacKellar’s article on letter writing in the October issue so resonated with me. My partner and I were living in remote North Queensland when my beautiful mother passed away. She and Pa were married almost 60 years, and my father and I missed her terribly. Being a long distance from each other, I bought a writing set for Pa and encouraged him to write to me. I will never forget how delighted I felt when I unlocked my postbox to find one of his little blue envelopes! Rushing home, I would make myself a cup of tea, plonk myself in my comfy chair and eagerly savour his words. Written with clarity and humour, my father wrote about his days, often mentioning the flowers blooming in my mother’s…

FOR EMMA MILLS, the sea is always inspiring. Having spent her youth on the Mornington Peninsula, she returned there from Melbourne when she had her first child, Billy, now 19. “I can’t help that stream of coastal vibe that goes through my work,” she says. “Growing up near the water, that theme just naturally occurs. We’re always going to the beach and collecting things – l love making things out of little pieces that will return to the earth.” The spectacular pendant lights Emma, 43, creates are indeed reminiscent of the sea, made as they are from natural materials that hint at craypots and fishing nets. Interestingly, this wasn’t Emma’s path originally: “I have a fashion background. I designed everything from millinery and bridal to childrenswear.” But when the fast…

• For the barn’s exterior Hayley chose a Colorbond Standing Seam metal roof in Night Sky, and Dulux Blackwood Bay paint. • The solar panels on the roof were installed by Living Power Renewable Energy Specialists, 1300 443 431. • The Cheminées Philippe fireplace is from the AGA Shop in Sydney, the exclusive NSW distributor for Cheminées Philippe. • Hayley sourced the raw brass tapware from Consolidated Brass Tapware in South Australia, cbideal.com.au • The steel fabrication was by Southern X Fabrications in Wilton, NSW. Email adam@southernxfabrications.com; follow @southernxfabrications on Instagram. • The wreaths and floral arrangements are by florist Porter & Hudson in Picton, NSW, porterandhudson.com; follow @porter_hudson on Instagram.…

NOT FAR FROM THE CENTRE of Finland’s oldest city, Turku, Hanna and Timo Nipala and their four children are looking forward to Christmas. Frost covers the ground in the beautiful gardens of their 1940s home, located in a peaceful area of old detached houses. “We’re completely infatuated with our house,” says Hanna, 38, a business manager. “Back in 2011, we searched for a row house [terrace] apartment for two adults and one school-aged child – and we ended up here.” Since then, the couple has had three more children, and the house, complete with sauna, has been extended into the basement and attic. “Renovated with love, this house seems to stretch itself into our needs – even though there are six of us now,” Hanna says, laughing. When the Nipalas…

WREATH BASE • 1 x metal wreath ring, 30cm in size if available • 1 x reel of green florist’s wire • 1 x bag of moss (available from florists) • string of desired length, for hanging FLORAL MATERIAL • 2 x medium branches of spruce or pine • 4 x bunches of various foliage that looks ‘Christmassy’, plus a few dried twigs • I like to have one bunch that has a small berry, such as hypericum berry MAKING YOUR WREATH 1 Attach wire to wreath ring. Don’t cut the wire – leave it attached as you will use it as you decorate the ring with the foliage. 2 Attach a piece of string to the ring – ensure it’s strong enough to hang your wreath. 3 Form a…

WINE FOR WOMBATS If you live on 33 hectares in the Yarra Valley, Vic, you get used to wildlife popping round every now and then. But when Matthew Davis and Brad Atkins (both left), of Steels Gate Wines, kept seeing a wombat in the daytime, they knew something was wrong – wombats are usually nocturnal. They soon realised the marsupial, which their son, Sebastian (above), named Ewok, had mange – a potentially fatal skin disease. So they contacted volunteer group Mange Management, who sent them a treatment kit. Ewok is now, thankfully, on the mend. “Helping Ewok brought us closer as a family,” says Brad. “But we wouldn’t have been able to treat his condition if it wasn’t for Mange Management. We need to do everything we can to protect…

NEW SOUTH WALES Merchant Campbell Regular readers of Country Style will know Merchant Campbell is our mecca for all things fabulous for the home. Owner Margot Shannon is renowned for her ability to source unique pieces from all over the world and style them through the lens of her Australian country life. Furniture, quilts, jewellery, linen, ceramics and more are ethically bought from trusted friends and makers in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Morocco and Vietnam, as well as from regional New South Wales. At the time of press, three containers full of handmade timber and rattan furniture, marble, soft furnishings, garden pieces and pottery, are wending their way to her Yass emporium for the festive season. “Christmas is huge in our shop,” says Margot. “We love to celebrate with the store…

QUITE RECENTLY, I’VE BEGUN to wonder if my disappointing marks in history class all those years ago were the result of confusion about time and place. I guess I just found it more entertaining to reflect not so much on what history had been, but what history could have been. Was it Brutus who spoke on the steps of the Roman Forum at Caesar’s funeral… or John Kerr? Who inspired the Long March… Chairman Mao or Martin Luther King Jr? And so we come to Christmas – that special time when television channels screen The Greatest Story Ever Told starring Charlton Heston, and believers everywhere mark the occasion by going to the shopping mall of their choice. So, what might The Greatest Story Ever Told have been like if time…