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andlotsofredandwhite.Handmade
decorations,quilts,cushions,runners
andwallhangingsfillthehouse.
AsChristmasapproaches,Mandy
canbefoundensconcedinherattic
withhercollectionofhand-painted
glassbaublesanddecorations.
Individuallywrappedandpacked
withcare,thesetreasuresrepresent
fortyyearsofcollectingandcome
tolifeincuratedcollectionsplaced
throughoutthehouse.Thedelicate
baublestakeupresidenceonthe
fireplaceandonanilluminatedbranch
thatframestheentrancehallwayof
herVictorianhouse.It’stheperfect
Christmaswelcomeforvisitors– a
winterbouquet,tealightsnestledin
wineglassesdecoratedwithminiature
redworklampshades,seasonalwall
hangingsoneithersideofa large
mirrorandhand-stitchedChristmas
table toppers on the sideboard.
Winterwonderland
Theentirehouseis transformedinto
a winterwonderlandandthelocal
communitywillevengooutoftheir
waytowalkbythehousesothatthey
cancatcha glimpseofthelightshow- anenormousstandardlampthat
Mandy’s husband has installed at the
frontdoorandthelargebaywindow
ofthesittingroom,filledwith
sparklingstarssuspendedfromthe
ceiling.If notClementC.Moore,then
thissceneis certainlystraightoutof
CharlesDickens’A ChristmasCarol.
Mandy’s two-storey Victorianstudiointhegardenprovidesthe
perfectlocationfora giganticstar
thatsitsontheroof,whichfroma
distancecouldbeHailsham’sveryown
ChristmasStar.Passers-bymightalso
spyMandybalancedprecariouslyon
a ladder or a table top in her kitchen,“...tealightsnestledin wineglassesdecoratedwithminiatureredwork
lampshades... and hand-stitched Christmas table toppers on the sideboard.”