Many conversations about art seem to get tangled up with talk of ‘provenance�, ‘collections� and ‘curation�. To me, it’s much simpler. Art is whatever you want it to be. Whatever you look at and think is beautiful, arresting, intriguing or even just pretty.

Some of the things I consider as art in my own home include piles of pebbles from various beaches, a pair of Japanese matchboxes set within a deep box frame, and a tiny watercolour of a rainbow that my son did when he was about six years old. There are more conventional pieces too: a limited-edition print; a black and white etching of a seagull from a student show; and my prized possession, a laser-cut plywood relief of a portion of herringbone floor.

They’re all very different, but because I absolutely adore each one, they ‘work� together. I consider them the punctuation points of my taste. The visual pause points and full stops around my home that tell you something of my story. They’re memories in three dimensions that allow glimpses into corners of my personality.

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I think the walls in our homes are our biggest canvases on which to express ourselves. We can divide them with panelling, add depth with texture, adorn with colour, and play with pattern to create engaging planes on which to gaze. But adding art � whether pictures, prints or paintings, or curiosity shelves within an alcove to accommodate tchotchkes and sculpture � is the ultimate finishing touch. It should always be the final layer of your decorative journey; the emotional embroidery, if you will, on the characterful tapestry that is your home.

As such, let’s underline that, however you define it, art is essential. It’s a pivotal part of the interior design toolbox, as important as furniture, colour, or plants. Capable of elevating any space, whether rented or owned, from mundane to marvellous. Art is the fast-track to magical mood making � to surround yourself with the richness of creativity is to wrap yourself in wellbeing. In conclusion, I don’t have rules per se as to how and where to display what and why, only five suggestions that always work well for me.

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O N E

Hang by eye � where does a picture feel best in terms of height or relation to other things in the room? If doing a collage of pictures though, it works best to keep the gaps between each piece roughly the same.

T W O

Put art in unexpected places, like at the bottom of the stairs (or the top), in the loo, and opposite your shower. These are places to take a moment and be surprised.

T H R E E

Frames are as important as the pictures themselves. Mounts too. Take your time choosing both.

F O U R

Don’t be afraid to switch paintings around: it can give a room a whole new feel.

F I V E

Always choose with your heart. It doesn’t matter who a piece is by, or where it’s from, as long as you want to keep looking at it.

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King among kitchen tables is the Arundel refectory table. Solidly unfussy, its pure and simple lines combine form and function to create a timeless piece that can be passed down from generation to generation. With solid A-frame legs, visible dowel lock joins, optional extending leaves, the deep and chunky (45mm) tabletop, and a textured finish in solid oak, it fits seamlessly into both contemporary and traditional kitchens.

When it came to designing the Arundel, oak was always going to be the first choice of material. Our timber comes principally from the Appalachian Mountains, where trees are planted at a faster rate than they’re felled (currently at a replacement rate of 2.5 times) and the oak is prized for its durability, tactility and beauty. Oak also has a long history in British furniture making. And, the Arundel’s Natural Oak finish, which is wire-brushed to highlight the grain, adds a mellow warmth to the kitchen space.

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On a practical level, the design team were aware that kitchen tables see a lot of action and need protecting to prolong their lifetimes, but they were also keen not to lose the raw quality of the oak. Luckily, our ±õ²õ´Ç³Ò³Ü²¹°ù»å® sealant protects timber without detracting from its natural beauty. Unlike a traditional varnish or veneer, which leaves a layer sitting on top of the wood, ±õ²õ´Ç³Ò³Ü²¹°ù»å® works on a penetrative level, soaking into the wood andÌýbinding to the raw cellulose that it finds, coating it in a fine protective film, so leaving the wood surface looking and feeling naturally beautiful.Ìý

Historically, the un-hierarchical nature of the refectory table meant it was used in the dining halls of medieval monasteries where it fostered a mood of togetherness and belonging amongst the monks and their guests. And that sense of conviviality is continued today, where the informality of the tables suits busy family life and fits well into large or extended kitchens or acts as the central point in a kitchen layout where an island might otherwise sit.

Bench seating is the classic choice for a refectory table, and the Arundel solid oak bench is available as a two-, three- or four-seater, with the option of a comfy, non-slip cushion for those who prefer a softer touch. Equally, kitchen chairs work well with the Arundel, and you could consider the Wardley dining chair as a complementary piece or try combining the best of both worlds with benches running the length of the table and Wardley carver chairs at either end.

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Whatever iteration your kitchen table takes, it’s ultimately the spot where family life plays out, guests are hosted, and memories made. The table is a special piece of furniture that earns its place in our homes and hearts.

Shop Arundel Collection.

Real or life-like

The thing is, you probably already have a pretty firm opinion about this. Much like Marmite, there’s generally a clear divide between those who go for faux and those who would never be without real.

The greatest advantage of life-like trees is that they are, of course, less messy. With no dropping needles and no need to water, this is a good option if ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð not inclined to sweep up and top up every day or if you have crawling little ones to worry about. Life-like trees should be viewed as an investment though. A good one (and it is well worth getting a good one) will set you back more than a real tree, but you should have it for many, many more years. Our collection, named Whitmoor, takes after the Grandis fir, a classic full-bodied evergreen that's native to Western parts of North America and Canada. Traditional in style, each of the three available sizes have realistically textured branches and a not completely perfect shape that evokes the beauty of nature.

Those who sit in the real tree camp will tell you a large part of the appeal is the scent. There’s nothing like the fragrance of the tree � especially when you come downstairs in the morning � to remind you of childhood Christmases. Real trees also have a great deal of character, each an individual personality. And then there’s the thrill of the hunt, which can become a yearly family tradition.

Spruce, fir or pine

So you’ve decided to get a real tree. The next question is what type. In the UK, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô most often find Norway spruces and Nordmann firs.

The Norway spruce was the Victorian tree of choice, is especially aromatic and has upward-pointing branches. It’s also the tree that stands in Trafalgar Square each year. However, it drops its needles easily and dislikes the warm, so either buy it late or stand it outside.

The Nordmann fir is increasingly the most popular because it keeps it needles much better. Nordmann firs are fairly symmetrical, well-scented, bushy and have pleasingly plump bottoms. They also have softer needles than Norway spruces, so are more child friendly.

There are, of course, many more varieties of Christmas trees than this if you can find them. The blue spruce is beloved in Germany and has, as you’d expect, a lovely silvery blue tinge to it. The Serbian spruce often has cones hanging from its branches and, being tall and slim, is a good choice for townhouse apartments. While the Scots pine is our only native ‘Christmas� tree and has bright green needles that, even when dry, will stay on the branches.

Big or small

Before you choose a tree, have a clear picture of where you want to put it. That way, you can measure the space in advance (height and width) to make sure it’ll look right and won’t be too bulky in the room. Ideally, the top of your tree should be at least six inches below the ceiling.

But bigger isn’t always better � in a small or narrow room, a huge tree can look out of proportion, even if the ceiling is high. And don’t forget that the taller the tree, the wider it’ll be too, especially if you opt for the bottom-heavy Nordmann fir. A small tree that you then sit on top of a table might be a better choice � and, indeed, is a good option if you have a dog who’s eager to sniff out the foodie presents under its branches.

Lastly, remember to take into account the height created by the tree stand and the tree topper. There’s nothing so sad as a star on top of the tree that’s bent over by the ceiling.

Find our Whitmoor Christmas trees, lights and skirts online here.

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And if you're shopping in stores, ²â´Ç³Ü’l±ô be sure to find one of our resident floral experts on hand to help guide you through the process. Find your local store here.Ìý

Choose a theme

An understanding of the space in which your arrangement will live and the existing colour palette in play is essential. The right combination has the potential to amplify your chosen aesthetic.Ìý

Consider vases, pots & jugs

Begin by choosing your vessel, considering scale, style and the final silhouette of your display.ÌýBudÌývasesÌýwork particularly well along the center of a tablescape, while larger wide-neckedÌývasesÌýare best suited to a console table or kitchen island for example.Ìý

‘What’s really lovelyâ€� says Poppy, ‘is to think outside of the normâ€�. Whether it'sÌýjugs,ÌýbowlsÌýand ramekins from your kitchen or largeÌýgarden pots, ‘all sorts of things can be used as vessels to create interesting arrangementsâ€�.Ìý

Selecting your flowers & foliage

Once youÌýhave decided on a vessel to house your arrangement, you canÌýturn to selecting your stems.ÌýOur collection is abundantÌýand includesÌýeverything fromÌýstatement stemsÌýtoÌýtwigs and greenery.Ìý

Filler foliage

StartÌýby selecting yourÌýfoliage,Ìýthis will help toÌýdetermineÌýthe shape of your arrangement, adding naturalistic depth and texture.ÌýWhile Poppy tends not to follow traditional number rules, she suggestsÌýâ€�working in odd numbers can helpâ€�Ìýwhen selecting twigs or greenery.

Note -ÌýtheÌýgreeneryÌýyou selectÌýis an investment, one that canÌýbe reused across your displays and throughout your homeÌýtime and time again.Ìý

Hero flowers

Now you can select your all-important hero stems. Again, you may find it easiest to work in odd numbers. The key here is to be open-minded, follow what ²â´Ç³Ü’r±ð naturally drawn to. ‘Just try to limit yourself to three flower speciesâ€� Poppy says, suggesting ‘stems such as roses, dahlias and peonies.â€�Ìý

For those who wish to take their flower arranging skills one step further, Poppy recommends an additional three stages. Firstly, adding ‘layering flowersâ€�, these are smaller flowers like ranunculi than can be placed in front of your hero stems. Secondly, ‘frothy flowersâ€�, such as gypsophila branches to add a sprinkling of light colour and lift the arrangement. And finally, two or three ‘dancing flowersâ€�, these can be any stems which add height and will ‘float around the top of the arrangement, such as arrowgrassâ€� says Poppy.Ìý

Form your arrangement

To form your arrangement Poppy recommends deciding on your shape and then layering outwards. ‘Arrange things in groups� she says, ‘mirroring how they would grow in your garden or in the wild�. This will help to make your arrangement feel as natural as possible. ‘You want it to look like it grew within your chosen vessel� Poppy explains.

To keep your stems in place, tie them together with string, or as Poppy has done here, discreetly scrunch up chicken wire, layering it in the base of your vessel. This is particularly helpful when using lower pots where you have less support.ÌýÌý

Finally, adjust each individual stem for a more lifelike display. All of our stems contain a cleverly concealed metal wire to allow for gentle shaping. Should you need to cut any of your stems to size, we recommend using wire cutters.Ìý

Seasonal updates

We recommend rotating your bouquet with the season to refresh its look and feel. Beginning with your base, select several new stems, faux or fresh, each season to reflect ·É³ó²¹³Ù’s naturally in bloom. ‘In spring you can add blossom, in summer roses, in autumn focus on foliage and in winter the addition of branches is perfect for something more structuralâ€� says Poppy.Ìý

Caring for your flowers

The wonder of our life-like florals and foliage is that they promise to keep your home in bloom through the year, every year. To keep your arrangement looking its very best, we recommend keeping it away from direct sunlight and moisture and regularly dusting it with a feather duster.Ìý

For more inspiration, watch Poppy's tutorials on (the Japanese art of flower arranging), and i. Ìý

Explore our collection of stems, twigs and greenery online hereÌýor in yourÌýnearest store.

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