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THE ENGLISH HOME 67There is something deeply comforting about foragingaround in cupboards for decorations as earlyDecember arrives and Christmas is only weeks away.Treasured pieces collected over the years remind ushow reassuring traditions can be, and are all part of whatmakes Christmas so special. The secret, when decorating, is toconcentrate on key areas with bold statements and flourishes.``````Celebrating the seasonGreenery from the garden arranged casually in naive vesselsgives a flourish of freshness to any room. Here (opposite), anantique cattle feeding pail and a simply painted wooden milkpot, picked up at antique fairs, fit the bill perfectly. Using alength of beautiful fabric, create a Christmas cloth to make anysurface look special for this year and for many more to come.Tablecloth in Great Ming in Forest, £295 a metre, Brunschwig &``````Fils; trimming in hand-woven silk, gold, £27 a metre, James Hare;artificial horse chestnuts, pack of four, £9.99, The Chelsea Gardener;red pine-cone decoration, £14.90, India Jane; antique offertory plate,candleholder and red glass votive, all Topsham Quay Antiques Centre``````Deck the hallsThe hallway offers the chance to create a tableau of prettyaccessories. Plan ahead by ordering a sophisticated flowerarrangement a few weeks in advance. The investment shouldlast through to New Year celebrations. Above, JayneCopperwaite Flower Designs cleverly combines succulents,nigella pods and eucalyptus foliage. Avalanche roses and poppyseed heads are dusted with gold spray to luxurious effect.Inca small square plates, £8.90 each; floral baubles silver/copper/gold, £12.90, all India Jane; candle votives, £1.10 each,Lavenders of London TEH UK DEC15 Design Directions.indd 67 23/10/2015 11:30