{"id":337432,"date":"2025-12-27T01:24:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T01:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/337432\/"},"modified":"2025-12-27T01:24:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T01:24:31","slug":"step-inside-interior-designer-briony-aces-home-at-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/337432\/","title":{"rendered":"Step inside interior designer Briony Ace’s home at Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fans of BBC One\u2019s Interior Design Masters will recognise Briony Ace from the most recent series, where she made it to the quarter finals with her love of neutrals and vintage finds. This Christmas, we were lucky enough to look around the interior designer’s home, all dressed up for the festive season and discover the inspiration behind her Christmas decorating ideas<\/a> and a few styling tips along the way.<\/p>\n

The interior designer lives in the three-bedroom semi-detached barn conversion on the Kent\/Surrey border with her partner Joe Chandler and their sons. Briony is not only an interior designer (@brionyaceinteriors<\/a>), but she also designs and imports homeware, working alongside Joe. So her home is a treasure trove of vintage and new finds.<\/p>\n

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\"Briony\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

Below, Briony reveals how she transformed her stunning home for Christmas, from her hack for creating oversized bows to adding bountiful greenery in every room.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

‘Rich red reinvents my colour palette’<\/p>\n

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\"Christmas\n<\/p>\n

BUY THE KEY PIECES Alberta Pine pre-lit tree, 7ft, \u00a3295; Moss satin bows, \u00a318.50 for 12; Cream supersized bows, \u00a322 for four, all Cox & Cox<\/a>. Baubles, from a selection at Cox & Cox and Nkuku<\/a><\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018For my tree, which stands in our open-plan living-dining space, I\u2019ve layered up my go-to neutrals of green, nude and cream, nestling in some beautiful claret red glass baubles to echo the fabric bows I\u2019ve used everywhere! Oversized cream satin bows provide more glam,’ says Briony.<\/p>\n

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Style tip: Supersize your tree with large bows and baubles. Hang all over, rather than just on the lower branches, to make the most of the impact their larger size provides.<\/p>\n

‘My Christmas table is always really special’<\/p>\n

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\"Dining\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018When it comes to Christmas, I\u2019m all about the layering, especially for my dining table. To me, Christmas is about the gathering of friends and family \u2013 the chaos, the mess, and the joy. Our table came from an antiques fair,’ she adds.<\/p>\n

‘I think everything looks better when it\u2019s lived a little, and this table felt like it had a wealth of history about it. Not wanting to cover up that beautiful wood, I use a gathered linen tablecloth as a runner.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\u2018When I spotted six green vintage bowls at a charity shop, I knew they would be the \u201cjumping off point\u201d (as I call it) for my Christmas table. Paired with off-white plates, textured mats and vintage cutlery, they are simply gorgeous,’ she adds.<\/p>\n

‘I can definitely get on board with bows’<\/p>\n

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\"Bedroom\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

‘While I\u2019m not one to follow a home decor trend<\/a>, the beauty of a bow at Christmas<\/a> is something I love. This year, I found old shirts and bed sheets in the same rich red as my baubles and napkins in my local charity shop, which I cut into bow-ready strips. I\u2019ve popped these everywhere \u2013 from my vintage wall lights to a wooden board on my coffee table (made from an old pallet).\u2019<\/p>\n

Style tip: Bows can be added all around your Christmas home for instant impact, but take extra care when tying them around candles \u2013 you\u2019ll need to make sure the candles don\u2019t burn too low<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

‘I collect vintage all year round’<\/p>\n

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\"Dining\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018I have a cabinet of \u201cvintage wonder\u201d, which sits next to the dining table, where I stash pieces I\u2019ve collected \u2013 either to add to a project I\u2019m working on or to save for the right moment at home,’ she explains. ‘Inside, you will find an insane amount of brass candlesticks, in addition to the ones on show. They are a great way of adding height and warmth to any corner of your home. Candlelight is a must for me at Christmastime.\u2019<\/p>\n

‘I love to prep the kitchen’<\/p>\n

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\"White\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018The kitchen is the hub of Christmas \u2013 and it doesn\u2019t escape without its own decorations, with bows added to vintage chopping boards,’ Briony adds.<\/p>\n

‘I use an old chest as my workstation \u2013 it holds all of my most needed items. The beautiful captain\u2019s chair is where friends or family can sit and chat while the prep work happens.\u2019<\/p>\n

‘Our hallway gets a warm welcome’<\/p>\n

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\"White\n<\/p>\n

BUY THE KEY PIECES Lerwick carpet in Black\/Cream stripe, \u00a327.99sq m, Tapi.<\/a> For a similar garland, try Gisela Graham<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018We added panelling to our hallway, which makes the space feel more inviting. We also replaced door handles and hinges with black ones \u2013 small touches that matter to me. The striped stair carpet looks super smart, with the pre-lit garland dressed with more red \u201cbed-sheet bows\u201d and vintage brass bells,’ she explains.<\/p>\n

Style tip: Follow Briony\u2019s lead and use plenty of greenery \u2013 from fresh pine to faux garlands and foliage. Try a few oversized stems of fake eucalyptus, which can be bent to shape, in rustic vases.<\/p>\n

‘Kids\u2019 bedrooms are where you can definitely have festive fun’<\/p>\n

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\"Netural\n<\/p>\n

BUY THE KEY PIECES Natural Gracie duvet covers, \u00a3135 for a single, Secret Linen Store<\/a>. HoHoHo cushions, \u00a335 each, Cox & Cox<\/a><\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

‘My boys\u2019 bedroom is like a wonderland,’ says Briony.<\/p>\n

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\"White\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

‘Chace and Colby\u2019s desk area becomes a little grotto with garlands, candy canes and stockings. I drew the house directly on the wall with charcoal \u2013 and, of course, we ate more popcorn than made the actual garland.\u2019<\/p>\n

‘Add warmth with bold pops of colour’<\/p>\n

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\"Mirror\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018Framing a mirror with a few garlands makes an easy and beautiful addition to our bedroom at this time of year. The green of the pine foliage picks up on our olive-green bed and ottoman.\u2019<\/p>\n

Style tip: Even a small piece of vintage artwork gets its own bow for Christmas, with a flouncy length of cream linen ribbon tied in to a casual bow and stuck to the top of the frame<\/p>\n

‘I love having a tree in our bedroom’<\/p>\n

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\"Christmas\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018Our converted barn bedrooms have incredibly high ceilings, so can easily take an 8ft tree, bedecked in warm lights. I dress it simply with an oversized bow made from a length of remnant fabric,’ says Briony.<\/p>\n

Style tip: Make a tree bow from a long length of fabric, like Briony has, nestling it in among the tree\u2019s branches to hold it in shape. Use fabric in a contrasting texture as a tree skirt.<\/p>\n

‘Styling up the spare bedroom for guests is a must for me’<\/p>\n

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\"Bedside\n<\/p>\n

BUY THE KEY PIECES Moussine wallpaper in Charcoal, \u00a3120 a roll, The Pure Edit. Twill cotton linen curtains in Off-white, from \u00a3229 a pair, Secret Linen Store<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future PLC \/ Mark Scott)<\/p>\n

\u2018Aside from layering the bed with throws and cushions, I also like to layer up the side table and vintage washstand in our spare room with mini clay trees, foliage, vintage frames and \u2013 of course \u2013 table lamps. Another one of my favourite things to collect!\u2019<\/p>\n

Which is your favourite room?<\/p>\n