Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes
Take a closer look at Home Beautiful magazine this month as we share wonderful design and decorating ideas to shop, style, create and cook to make your house a home.
Our December issue has a bounty of decorating stories and ideas for you to sink your teeth into. Here’s a sneak peek.
From the editor
In the December issue we visit 10 beautiful Australian homes to see how they’ve been decorated for Christmas, including one belonging to former Home Beautiful editor-in-chief Wendy Moore! There’s also a cheat sheet to making Christmas wreaths and festive recipes such as White Chocolate Christmas Pavlova and Gingerbread Biscuits With Whipped Burnt Toffee Icing.
“Coastal, country, contemporary and classic – there’s inspiration for all decorating looks.”
Elle Lovelock, editor-in-chief, Home Beautiful
Home Beautiful’s 2023 Christmas gift guide
‘Tis the season for giving, and luckily our Home Beautiful Christmas gift guide is here just in time to inspire your festive shopping. You’ll love our edit of fabulous gifts to buy for everyone on your list from bakers, coffee makers and book curators. It’s time to deck the halls and spread some holiday cheer!
A modern country home in Byron Bay celebrates Christmas alfresco style
After falling in love with the Byron Bay hinterland, one couple found a country home to reimagine with their combined talents. Interior designer Ali and her builder partner Michael completed a renovation that celebrates the home’s original features and enlarges its footprint by extending the verandah.
A renovated Gold Coast home’s magical handmade Christmas
Entertaining is at the heart of this Gold Coast abode, filled with enveloping colour and lovely layers. Coupled with an inspired mix of print and pattern, the effect is an entirely different look and feel, which is ever-evolving. “Using colour on the walls is my favourite way to completely change a space and I find painting relaxing, it’s my happy place,” says homeowner Hayley.
A Hamptons style Christmas on the Mornington Peninsula
The vision of big verandahs, window seats and rolling pastures was enough to convince Samantha and her husband David to buy the block and start building their family home for their three sons, Jared, Aaron and James. After 15 years in the home, this will be far from the family’s first Christmas as hosts but the holiday is still as special as ever. “I love it,” says Samantha. “It’s about us coming together, having my boys there, celebrating the day.”
How Melanie Parker makes her home merry for Christmas
Traditional red and green is guaranteed to bring joy at Christmas, so we had to ask one of our experts to style them in a way that’s elegant and beautiful. Ivy & Piper interior designer Melanie Parker is just the person to pull off this merry combination. We spoke to Melanie about how she decorates the Christmas tree, her gift wrapping style and advice for a stress-free Christmas day.
Inside the festive home of interiors expert Wendy Moore
Considered, clever and warm, like its owner, the home of Selling Houses Australia host Wendy Moore is truly special. It’s not just about how it looks – sophisticated yet relaxed with a subtle Art Deco nod – it’s about a feeling. Home Beautiful was invited along to a simple yet elegant Christmas lunch at Wendy’s home.
How to have a very Hamptons-style Christmas with Melinda Hartwright
The queen of Hamptons style has to be interior designer Melinda Hartwright. We chat to the mum-of-three and founder of Melinda Hartwright Interiors about her Christmas traditions, decorating must-haves and her festive menu while taking a tour of her elegantly decorated home.
How Darren Palmer decorates his Jervis Bay pad for Christmas
The Block judge has put a coastal twist on festive at his Hyams Beach hideaway. With such a busy schedule, he’s counting down the days to celebrating with his loved ones over Christmas and is going all out to make his place feel festive. We chat to Darren about how he likes to celebrate, his festive table decor and how to create a show-stopping Christmas tree at his Hyams Beach coastal cabin.
Stylist Alexandra Brownlow’s playful take on Christmas decorating
Stylist Alexandra Brownlow from Brownlow Interior Design is known for her unique approach to design and decorating, mixing elements from a variety of periods and styles in a way that’s effortless. Her own vibrant home is no exception, and this relaxed approach extends to Christmas decorating. We spoke to Alexandra about her decorating philosophy, signature gift-wrapping style and go-to Secret Santa gift.
How to achieve the laid-back luxury look like Tara Dennis this Christmas
Interiors expert Tara Dennis is known for adding a glowing warmth when decorating, and never more so than at Christmas. Her homewares store Pepperwhites by Tara Dennis is a dream place to shop for Christmas decorations, so we can all recreate the twinkle that Tara Dennis created for her shoot with Home Beautiful. We chat to Tara about her traditions, Christmas decorating ideas and how she brings this luxurious festive look to life at her river house.
Create a warm welcome with these handmade Christmas wreaths
A beautiful wreath on your front door is a wonderful way to greet your guests over the holidays. Choose from simple and stylish foliage to a whimsy of dried or fresh flowers to signal the festivities have begun and set the tone for your Christmas decorating. Here, six florists share their inspiring takes and twists on the traditional door wreath.
6 essentials for stocking your bar cart
There is nothing more stylish and sophisticated than a fully-stocked bar cart. Get the low-down on everything you’ll need here.
For more great ideas to relax with, pick up the December issue of Home Beautiful magazine, on sale now. Or subscribe here and never miss an issue.
