CHRISTMAS WITH TRICIA GUILD

Internationally renowned for her use of colour, pattern and texture, Tricia launched her first fabric collection in the early Seventies – and her signature lifestyle brand, Designers Guild, has been setting the pace ever since.

In 2008, she was awarded the OBE for services to interior design. Tricia always layers up her Christmas table and follows the mantra ‘less is more’ when it comes to gift wrapping.

Find out more about Tricia Guild.

How do you make Christmas Day special?

I like to set the scene for when family and friends arrive, whether that’s placing those finishing touches in the guest bedroom or setting the table with beautiful linen, crockery, flowers and glassware. It’s the finer details that make the day memorable.

Tell us how you decorate.

I love to mix different looks, so I’ll pair vintage- style decorations with hanging foliage and gorgeous floral garlands with fabric offcuts – think masterful, brooding florals in rich, resonant shades with complex geometrics.

I like to create little still lifes around the house: I’ll hang delicate baubles and beautiful pieces of fabric from a large elegant branch, which is perfect for hallways, where perhaps space is limited. I also place a tree on the balcony outside – that’s a long-standing tradition.

Does your palette change annually?

It does change slightly, but I always use beautiful textures and bursts of brilliant tonal colour. This year’s palette will be a gorgeous mix of lush greens and happy blues, punctuated with neutrals and masses of white.

Your most treasured Christmas decoration is...

Hand-made treasures by my granddaughter Lola, from when she was little.

What will your table look like?

I prefer to have a very layered, contemporary look. I use our pure linen Lario place mats and napkins, and a table runner in complementing colours, accessorised with unique decorations and exquisite crackers from our store.

There will, of course, be a plethora of pretty flowers, arranged eclectically in various vases, and I get creative with my place settings, making them by hand. Tell us more about the flowers. I prefer single stems of seasonal flowers and foliage over large bouquets. They look beautiful and last much longer.

What’s on the menu?

We serve crab cakes, Parmesan biscuits, Italian involtini, that sort of thing. Everything is presented simply but beautifully on serving platters.

Fail-safe presents for home lovers?

I like to give cushions, textured throws or pure linen bedlinen – people always need those things and I love finding the right shade or pattern for each person.

Any inventive ideas for wrapping?

Less is more. This year, I’ll use jewel-hued tissue paper, matched with tonal twine and vintage ribbons.

Designersguild.com

Find more Christmas decorating ideas.