SUFFOLK

EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES

suffolk.greatbritishlife.co.uk Issue 139 December 2011

Exploring Long Melford Beccles Stratford St Mary

Christmas
in the county

Celebrating

Tuddenhams star chef Pantos back in Bury and Ipswich (Oh yes it is!) A festive walk around Trimley

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turkey-busting seasonal strolls

A FEAST OF FESTIVE GOODIES FOR YOU

Decking the hall in Bildeston

homes n io h s fa d o Fo
3.25

gifts

HOMES & GARDENS Christmas Hall

Our team went out to the gorgeous and aptlynamed Christmas Hall at Bildeston to give you ideas and inspirations for creating a winter wonderland in your own home this festive season

CHRISTMAS at the Hall

Stylist: Pippa Rolls Tree dresser: Ady White Assistant stylist: Shekha Vyas Photographer: Clifford Hicks

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 3.40 Red 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

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t Rougham Estate Christmas trees, quality is paramount. Estate owner George Agnew and his 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

Our stylist Pippa Rolls offers her top 5 decorating tips

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
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pulling them when you enjoy prelunch 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 foliage from 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.
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LIVING ROOM
Mini-multicoloured bell wreaths 4.80; bell balls 5.40; purple/pink baubles 2.40; pillar candles from 1.25 All from Blackthorpe Barns Fink silver candlestick and candle 120; Scapa Champagne bowl 132; William Yeoward mini Strada globe 130; Scapa fur throw 776 All from Brightwell Interiors
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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

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DINING ROOM
Gold 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 All from Blackthorpe Barns 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

A feast for the eyes

Holly Nicholls of Brightwell Interiors offers advice on creating the perfect place setting
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.

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

At Christmas, dont be shy. Bring out the china, crystal, silver and candles

For a touch of festive colour, twist a piece of wide ribbon around each napkin in your chosen colour theme traditional red and green, 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!
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KITCHEN
Wreath 20.45; hessian sack 6.60; wrapping paper from 2.25; snow 4.80 per bag; doormats 16.80 All from Blackthorpe Barns Fink large storm lantern 79.95 (also available in medium and small) from Brightwell Interiors

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 All from Blackthorpe Barns 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 complete 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

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Take centre stage

Put yourself firmly in the seasonal spotlight in dressing up clothes with a distinctly theatrical flavour. All available from the countys leading fashion retailers
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

Photography: Clifford Hicks Fashion direction: Shekha Vyas Model: Jessica Tracey @ Sandra Reynolds Hair: Michelle Kurtis @ Bohemia Make-up: Magda Porter
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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

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Day Birger & Mikkelsen gold dress, 359, from Fanny & Frank. Contact details as before. Shoes, 48; turquoise beaded necklace, 14.50; green necklace 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.

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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

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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. Contact details as before. Danone gold spade studs, 25, from Cake & Catwalk, contact details as before

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