Welcome family and friends to a home filled with scented foliage, warming colours and enchanting decorations for a sparkling touch of festive magic

Picture one: making an entrance
Planters, H74 x W60 x D60 cm, Oxford Planters. Painted in Smooth White, Hammerite at ICI Paints. Bay trees, Evergreen Exterior Services. Wired ribbon, Something Special 01737 845119. Wall lanterns, H50 x W24·5 x D20·5 cm, Charles Edwards. Painted in Pointing, exterior eggshell, Farrow & Ball. Lantern on gate, Atelier. Ribbon, V V Rouleaux.

Picture two: deck the hall
A sumptuous garland studded with glitter-dusted roses and bejewelled birds transforms the staircase, while co-ordinating baubles hung at different heights add extra sparkle.

FABRICS Tablecloth in American Resist Celadon on Oyster, linen mix, 142·5 cm wide, Bennison Fabrics. Cushion in Bellagion ZCCU01001, polyester mix, 140 cm wide, Zoffany. Edged in Ravenna 7215/28 in Stone, cotton, 140 cm wide, Romo.
FURNITURE Chair, H85 x W36 x D34 cm, Albany House Antiques 01507 524824.
ACCESSORIES Garland, Jamie Aston Flowers. Kiwi and clear baubles, Selfridges. Clear snowflake baubles; pearlescent baubles; all Gisela Graham. Snowflakes; cream baubles; green glitter baubles; all Harrod's. Ribbon, V V Rouleaux. Big Ears lamp and shade, H80 x W56 x D34 cm, Casper Slieker.
PAINT On walls, Sage Green, matt emulsion, The Little Greene Paint Company.
FLOORING Sudbury Moss runner, wool flatweave, 70 cm wide, Roger Oates Design.

Picture three: all dressed up
For an elegant yet understated tree, choose a simple colour scheme with striking red ribbons tied to branches strung with glittering silver and pearlescent baubles.

FURNITURE Montmartre mirror-topped table, H75 x diameter 79 cm, Vaughan. Jules sofa, H76 x W198 x D111·76 cm, George Smith.
FABRICS Sofa in Amazonas NCF3740/06, viscose mix, 140 cm wide, Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little. Curtains in Genet NNICGRA09, linen mix, 137 cm wide, Nicole Fabre.
Pelmet in Allepey Driftwood, silk, 137 cm wide, Robert Allen.
ACCESSORIES French wall light, Christopher Jones Antiques. Vintage mercury glass baubles, Guinevere Antiques. Pearlescent baubles, Gisela Graham. Snowflakes; silver Finale baubles; both Harrod's.
PAINT On walls, Fawn, interior paint, Marston & Langinger.
FLOORING Alhambra R54A, Wool Classics 0207 349 0090.

Picture four: fireside glow
Tactile cushions and warm throws combined with ruby-red decorations create a glamorous yet cosy setting for family and friends to gather.

FURNITURE Markham armchair, left, W81 x D91 x H109 cm, Peter Dudgeon. Howard chair, right, W88 x D82 x H107 cm, Beaumont & Fletcher. Antique table, Louise Bradley. Mirrored tables, large, H62 x W50 x D35 cm; small, H57 x W42 x D31 cm; both Vaughan.
FABRICS Markham armchair in Ravenna Elderberry 7215/37, cotton, 140 cm wide, Romo. Pink cushion in Amsterdam Fraise Thistle, silk, 138 cm wide, The Silk Gallery. Edged in Single Beaded Braid Aubergine JM31E/07, Jane Churchill at Colefax and Fowler. Howard chair in Bantry in Dark Honey, linen, 140 cm wide, Beaumont & Fletcher. Pale cushion in Varese F1190/26, cotton, 140 cm wide, Designers Guild. Piped in Bellagion ZCCU01001, polyester mix, 140 cm wide, Zoffany.
ACCESSORIES Alyssa lamp and shade, W15 x H79 x 30·5 cm, Christopher Wray. Mercurised glass candlesticks, Atelier. Silvered candlestick, Cox & Cox. Silvered ridged candlestick, large; small; Ampersand candles; all Marston & Langinger. Cream candles, C Best 0207 720 2306. Palermo mirror, H138 x W108 cm, Louise Bradley.

STYLING ANNABEL SMITH
PHOTOGRAPHS TOM LEIGHTON
DECEMBER 2006