Suffolk Mag December 2011

7/28/2019 Suffolk Mag December 2011

1/12

UFFOLK

EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES

AFEASTOF

FESTIVE

GOODIES

FORYOU

Foodfashionhomesgifts

Celebrating

in the county

S

3.

25

suffolk.greatbritishlife.co.uk

Issue 139 December 2011

Exploring Long Melford Beccles Stratford St Mary

Tuddenhamsstar chef

Pantos backin Bury

and Ipswich(Oh yes it is!)

A festive

walk aroundTrimley

Decking the hallin Bildeston12 turkey-bustingseasonal strolls

Christmas


2/12

Suffolk December 2011 67

HOMES & GARDENS

Christmas Hall

CHRISTMAS

at the Hall

Our team went out to

the gorgeous and aptly-named Christmas Hall

at Bildeston to give you

ideas and inspirations for

creating a winter

wonderland in

your own home

this festive

season

Christmas trees from a range priced

from 9.25 (2-3ft) 21.50 (6-7ft)

Gold glitter star tree topper 10.80

White clip-on birds 3.60

Red/green Faberge eggs 3.40Red peacock 4.80

Colourful little metal parcels 2.90

Mini nutcrackers 4.80

Cream stockings 11.99

Wrapping paper from 2.25

Ribbons from 1.20

240 LED lights 33.99

All from Blackthorpe Barns

Velvet throw on chair, 75

Scotty dog cushions by Jan

Constantine, 55 each from

Pippa Rolls Ltd

Red telephone, 50, from

House & Garden, Snape Maltings

Stylist: Pippa Rolls

Tree dresser:Ady White

Assistant stylist:

Shekha Vyas

Photographer:

Clifford Hicks


3/12

68 Suffolk December 2011

At Rougham Estate Christmas trees, quality isparamount. Estate owner George Agnew andhis team of tree managers carefully nurture each

one throughout the growing season. Having won

the British Christmas Tree Grower of the Year

award and been asked to supply 10 Downing Street

on numerous occasions, the estates trees have

developed a great reputation.

ROUGHAM ESTATES TOP TIPS ON

CHOOSING THE PERFECT TREE

Buy your tree directly from a producer with a

reputation for fresh trees. Dont forget to measure

your ceiling height before you leave home. When

buying the tree, take your tape measure with you to

ensure the tree will fit.

Never buy your tree too early, as it will start drying

out and shedding its needles around your house.

Always buy an unwrapped tree so you can see

exactly what you are getting.

Always buy a locally grown tree as it should be

much fresher than an imported one.

The needles should look shiny, green, and fresh,

not dry or brown. The heavier a tree feels when

you lift it, the more water it still has in it, indicating

that it has not dried out. This is the tree to choose

even if it is heavier to carry.

Store the tree outside in the cool until you need it.

Once inside, do not stand it near a heat source.

If you have bought a cut tree, ensure that you

have a tree stand that will take a reservoir of water.

Cut a thin slice off the base of the tree when you

get it home. Set it in the stand and fill up with

water. Check the water level every day. You will be

surprised how much water the tree will take up.

Some trees retain needles better than others.

Firs like Nordman and Fraser hold on to their

needles best but they take longer to grow than

Norway Spruce and tend to cost more to

buy. A properly treated fresh Norway Spruce

will perform perfectly well and has a lovely

Christmassy fragrance

Choose colours that suit

the room. The black marble

fireplace at Christmas Hall provided

us with the perfect backdrop to

show off the bright jewel colours.

Rooms that fill with natural daylight

can be decorated using paler

colours without getting lost.

Snapping crackers are part of

Christmas but for some, wearing

a hat throughout lunch can

be a little tedious. Try piling

crackers on the table and

pulling them when you enjoy pre-

lunch drinks and nibbles.

Randomly drape strings of

lights across shelves and add lots

of candles down the centre of a

table and across a mantelpiece

twinkling light is as important as a

flaming pudding at Christmas!

Bring in greenery and foliagefrom outside holly and ivy are firm

favourites at this time of year and

you can often find something in your

own back garden.

Instead of tinsel, try wide ribbons

on the tree instead. I recommend

semi-transparent organza ribbon.

Tie up four or five long lengths in

a bow just below the angel or star

at the top and then let them drop

down the tree.

Each year I buy a special bauble

for each of my children not only

does the tree look pretty but as the

years go by and the eldest is about

to turn 18, our tree is getting quite

full and tells a story unique to us.

Our stylist Pippa Rolls offers her top 5 decorating tips


4/12


LIVING ROOM

Mini-multicoloured bell wreaths 4.80;

bell balls 5.40; purple/pink baubles

2.40; pillar candles from 1.25


Fink silver candlestick and candle

120; Scapa Champagne bowl 132;

William Yeoward mini Strada globe

130; Scapa fur throw 776

All from Brightwell Interiors

10 brandied traditional fruit cake

with marzipan and fondant icing. 40,

to order. Other sizes and finishes

available on request.

Coloured almond macarons with

flavoured fillings. 15 per dozen,minimum order 24. Colours and

flavours on request, or see website for

details. Display cone to order.

All from Susis Kitchen

Melton, Woodbridge

Arctic dessert plate 4.25; Pip

medallion crockery from 7.95 for a

mug; Pip khaki tray cloth khaki, 9.50;

velvet cushion floral purple ribbon,

18.95; red floral velvet cushion,

17.50; pink and turquoise cushions,11.95

All from House & Garden, Snape

Maltings


5/12

70 Suffolk December 2011

Dressing the table for Christmas day is one of the most lovely

chores. Whether you are planning to have your festive meal at

lunch or in the evening you will want it to look very special and

create an effect that is full of warmth.

All too often people have beautiful china and glassware that

is crammed into cupboards and never shown the light of day.

This is the time to enjoy it! So dont be shy, bring out the china,

crystal, silver and candles.

Use table runners to define each place setting. Place two wine

glasses one each for red and white a water glass, water jugs,

wine bottles/decanters in the space in between.

A feast for the eyesHolly Nicholls of Brightwell Interiors

offers advice on creating the

perfect place setting

DINING ROOMGold mini-crackers 4.25; bird cage tealight holder 7.70;

star burst decorations 1.35; taper candles from 0.85;

cone balls 3.99; robins 1.55; twinkle lights 17.99


Pip dining crockery from 4.25 for a dessert plate

Piano wine glass; 5.50; piano water glass, 5.50; piano

champagne flute, 5.50

Candelabras 95 each

All from House & Garden, Snape Maltings

KITCHEN

Frozen party snacks and capaes from 2.25 per box

Taste the Difference sausage and bacon rolls x10, 3;

parsnips 500g, 1; ready prepared carrot batons 400g, 1;

Brussels sprouts 500g, 1.30

Oven to tableware: red and white xmas divided dish, 10;

ceramic bowl, 6; red art deco charger plate, 3; Tu glitter

reindeer, 4.66. Tu 3 star red candle, 4.66; Tu large red

metallic pillar, 2.49

Tu small gold pillar, 1.16

All from J Sainsbury

Chapter 9 English Whisky 39.99

Boxed and available at supermarkets or online direct from

the distillery shop www.englishwhisky.co.uk

For a touch of festive colour, twist a piece of wide ribbon around

each napkin in your chosen colour theme traditional red andgreen, cool blues and silver or more glamorous gold. Instead of

crackers, give guests a beautifully-wrapped small present.

Crystal is a glorious medium for enhancing the sparkle of

candlelight. It also picks up surrounding colours in a subtle way.

Crystal candelabras and glasses, together with an oversized

silver candelabra and smaller silverware, will give your table a

contemporary edge and yet retain that classic elegant style.

The table wouldnt be complete without flowers. Try putting

several small vases along the length of the table filled with

clusters of flowers in the palette you have chosen, or use two

large, lavish and sophisticated flower arrangements in crystal

vases to tower over your guests. Sprigs of holly and ivy always

look just right against a crisp white table cloth.

The ideal number of guests at the table is eight to 10. Try, if you

can, to keep everyone at one table theres nothing worse than

being on the boring table and having to listen to the roar of

laughter coming from the best table.

Have a happy Christmas feast!

At Christmas,

dont be shy.Bring out the

china, crystal,silver and

candles


6/12



7/12

72 SuffolkDecember2011

BEDROOM

Felt white reindeer stockings 20.40; patchwork

stockings 21.50; paper chain 3.60; white doves

4.20; white/red gingham bird 3.65; pixies range

from 10.15; cuddly reindeer 21.60; red berries tree

27.95


Scapa Butlers table 452 from Brightwell Interiors

Wool and felt cushion on chair Je taime by Jan

Constantine 65 from Pippa Rolls Ltd

Orleans red bedspread, 115; Biggie Best large red

cushion cover, 15; small rectangular cushions com-

plete 13.95; linen red stripe cushion; 16.95.

Colonial cream tray, 30; bee carafe 39.95; red Quad

alarm clock, 27.50

All from House & Garden at Snape Maltings

KITCHEN

Wreath 20.45; hessian sack 6.60; wrapping paper

from 2.25; snow 4.80 per bag; doormats 16.80


Fink large storm lantern 79.95 (also available in

medium and small) from Brightwell Interiors


8/12


Take

centrestage

Put yourself firmly in

the seasonal spotlight

in dressing up clothes

with a distinctly theatrical

flavour. All available fromthe countys leading

fashion retailers

Photography: Clifford HicksFashion direction: Shekha Vyas

Model: Jessica Tracey

@ Sandra ReynoldsHair: Michelle Kurtis

@ BohemiaMake-up: Magda Porter

Vintage dress, 40, from Vintage

Angels, Hall Farm, Aldeburgh.

Tel: 07879 630461

Ring, 9.50, from Handbags &

Gladrags, 67b St Johns Street,

Bury St Edmunds

Tel: 01284 765030

1950s gold tone and mother of pearl

bracelet, 14; vintage 1950s cloak clip

worn in hair, 14 and vintage Adderley

teacup as part of set, 15. All from

Woodbridge Antiques Centre,

7 Quay Street, Woodbridge.

Tel: 01394 387210


9/12


Metal heart necklace, 24,

bracelet, 16, and chunky

chain, 14, all from Cake &

Catwalk, Boutique, Jerwood

Dance House,

The Waterfront, Ipswich

Tel: 01473 235573

Vintage feather bolero, 80,

and sequin trousers, 40. Both

from Vintage Angels, details as

before.

Silk bow tie shirt, 139, from

Fanny & Frank, 6-8 Market

Hill, Woodbridge. Tel: 01394

384723

Vintage 1950s hand mirror with

floral decoration, 10, from

Woodbridge Antiques Centre.

Contact details as before


10/12


Day Birger & Mikkelsen gold

dress, 359, from Fanny &

Frank. Contact details as before.

Shoes, 48; turquoise beaded

necklace, 14.50; green neck-

lace worn as bracelet; green

semi-precious ring, 19.50. all

from Handbags & Gladrags,

contact details as before.

Silver crystal beaded bracelet,

16, and Martine Wester gold

clasp beaded bracelet, 22 .

Both from Cake & Catwalk.

Contact details as before.


11/12

106 SuffolkDecember2011

Left; vintage cut glass

Champagne bowls, 14;

vintage diamante ear clips,

6; necklace, 22; bracelet,

18 and brooch, 12. All from

Woodbridge Antiques Centre.

Contact details as before.

Konplott cafe bracelet, 48,

from Cake & Catwalk. Contact

details as before.

Zeleb black gown, 595,

from Solita, Shop 1, Modus

Developments, Duke Street,

Ipswich.

Below; stag ring, hat and rifle,

stylists own.

Vintage 1920s opera necklace,

35 and triple strand choker,

314. Both from Woodbridge

Antiques Centre.

Nancy Mac silk wrap dress,

169 from Bird of Framlingham.

Contact details as before


12/12


Lace dress, 79, from Bird, 4b

Market Hill, Framlingham. Tel:

01728 727481

Vintage Chanel belt worn

as necklace, 235 and Doc

Martins, 48, both from

Handbags & Gladrags. Contactdetails as before.

Danone gold spade studs, 25,

from Cake & Catwalk, contact

details as before

Documents

Suffolk Mag December 2011