Christmas decorations and gilding the Goose by Tim Gosling.
11th November 2022
I simply adore Christmas, the glitter, the glitz, the baubles and the tinsel. It’s the perfect excuse to ‘gild the lily’. Every year, residents in my London neighbourhood enjoy the 30,000 lights I hang around Sycamore House. It’s a huge installation job, a cherry picker helps me reach the roof and fortunately my partner, Steve is nimble and daring and will balance precariously on one leg to get the lights in just the right place. Neighbours love and appreciate the festive impact of the lights and the two enormous polar bears standing on the portico. Of course, I also deck the halls of the chateau in Normandy, so its double the effort but worth every minute.
Wreaths
A Christmas front door feels naked without a wreath. It’s fun to create your own or order from so many wonderful florists, like Rob Van Helden Floral Design. I designed a wreath for Charity a few years ago. What fun… yes you guessed it. I could not resist injecting a little humour. I always wrap the wreath in warm white lights to make my guests feel extra welcome. My issue is knowing when to stop! Can you over decorate at Christmas?
Christmas Trees
A Christmas tree is the part of Christmas I love the most. The Chateau has a magical entrance hall providing the perfect framework for a 18 foot tree. The sweep of the staircase as it wraps around a tree decked in white lights which reflect the colours of hundreds of baubles is truly spectacular. Never known for understatement during the festive season I love to add my miniature train track around the base of the tree. OK, it’s out there now…. I am a train nerd! Hachi the hound is not a fan, but luckily, she’s not managed to catch the train yet. Fun Fact…. I have been known to decorate the tree in one of my many festive costumes….
Fireplaces
Fireplaces are perfect for Christmas decorations. I love to add height, sparkle and a sense of fun you’d not dream of doing any other time of the year. I love Poinsettias, they stay fresh for such a long time, add so much vibrant colour and are a seasonal must for the Gosling household.
Christmas Table
Dining out with creative friends is fabulous, last year we were treated to tree shaped napkins. Reminiscent of arriving in a hotel room to find a Elephant sculpted out of bath towels. It’s all in the folding and I’m now quite good at it, definitely my Christmas party trick .
Some years I keep the pallet for the dining table very soft using white roses and very tall Price’s candles. Price’s are the only retailer I know who still makes candles this length. The sensual final touch has to be scented candles. I love Jo Loves and Diptyque’s Tuberose is difficult to beat.
In 2015 Tim shared his love of seasonal decorating with The Financial Times.
www.ft.com
