The Christmas House

I couldn't wait to get my hands on the December issue of Country Living magazine, as I knew that Liv's Christmas House was going to be featured.

 

This is the Christmas House I mentioned in my post on Monday, and we are lucky enough to live a five minute drive away!  During the year Liv has a market stall in Newton Abbot on Wednesdays and Saturdays, where she sells beautiful things all year round, but in the run up to Christmas she opens her house to all things festive.  The house is located in a little village called Ogwell, and every year Liv gives up her beautiful cottage on Sunday's and Monday's and stocks it full to the gunnells with Christmas decorations and gifts.

 
The lead up to Christmas would not be the same without several visits to the cottage to stock up on beautiful decorations and gifts (which mainly end up in my stocking as I cannot bear to part with them!).

Typically, (as I did the same at the Vintage and Homemade Fair) I forgot my camera when I made a sneaky visit on my own on Monday, without any friends or children with me, just to wander round and soak it all in. The fire was roaring as you go through the door, and you are greeted with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, along with a beautiful basket (although not quite a big enough basket) to put your purchases in whilst you wander round.  I never know where to put my eyes first, on the decorations or the cottage itself.  The mince pies are warming in the aga as you warm yourself by the fire looking at the beautiful jewellery laid out as you go in.

and yes, that beautiful dog was sat in his basket by the fire!  Oh its too much for a girl, really.   So I might have bought a few little trinkets on my first visit, but I assure you ladies, I was only warming up.  I am due several visits back with friends and with children to experience the magic, and on one of those occasions I hope to remember my camera for some more pics.  Even the drive to the cottage is gorgeous, down country lanes and past heart achingly beautiful thatched cottages.  I have been looking forward to it for weeks, the magic of Christmas is in that house!

Prepare yourselves, there will be more .....

Comments

[kirsty]

oh nicky, you're sooo lucky to be so close! I loke to make my own mince pies and i do have the fire and the dog so maybe im halfway there! I cant actually find my squirrelled away decs and trinkets, they much be in one of the cupboards in the loft eves but im yet to figure out which one xxxx

[http://heidi-talesofsnowdropcottage.blogspot.com/]

Nicky that looks ilke heaven!!
Please take your camera next time!!
I will try & get country living on my joyful tesco run today!
What treasures did you buy?
Have you popped by my blog to see my post about the fair? xx

[sheila c. titcombe]

Am off to buy my issue of Country Living Nicky .... cried when I saw the dog as I had to have my little one put to sleep on Monday. I am heartbroken.
It was lovely to meet you at the Fair on Saturday and put a face to a name .... you are one clever cookie.

[Rachel]

Oh Nicky you lucky thing to have the place so close!What an amazing lady,she works so hard and her home is gorgeous!Just thinking, you could do a similar thing in your little studio!
Can't wait to see what treasures you've bought!
Have a lovely day!
Rachel x

[Jennifer]

Oh, it looks beautiful. This issue will be the first of my subscription ( I am wondering how long it will take to get here to the states), I can't wait. Really looking forward to seeing more treasures.

[jenny b harris]

Wow! That sounds like Heaven. And now I'm off to the bookstore to see if they have the Christmas issue of UK Country Living in yet!

[louise]

What time does she open on Sundays as i have heard about her wonderful christmas house for many years but never quite got enough information please if you get a moment pop into First Steps and see me.
Did lolli tell you about our new family member Rufus?

[Clare Powell]

Ooh lucky you living so near! Eleanor says 'hi' to Lauren!

[Vickislittleworld.blogspot.com]

You lucky lady. I really loved that article in CL and wished I could visit.

Would love to see some photos if you get the chance :)

[Guenievre]

Bonjour !
I bought "Country Living" yesterday at my French newsagent, I was impatient because I saw it In English blogs ...
I'm going to read it this afternoon but I leafed through (is it a regular verb ?..)last evening and saw these article and photos. You leave not far from this house, lucky you are ! It seems to be so warm with beautiful things.
J'aimerais beaucoup la visiter, un jour, peut-être ...
Bonne journée.

[Funkymonkey]

I read this article in my copy of CL and thought how wonderful it all looked. You are lucky living near enough to visit.

Tracey

[helen]

Very Very Jealous....

[Nell Ward]

oohh! The absolute epitomy of a cold Christmas. We are sweltering in a heat wave here so a Christmas like that seems difficult to imagine.

[viagra online]

If they're ever in Lincoln ma Also the Decorvada Musuem and sculpture park is right down the road and place to stop by. Along with Brayer's house down the lane. You can't go inside his but you can walk around the neighborhood. So his neighbors weren't all that upset since it was his friends.

[Helen]

I don't suppose you know whether Liv is opening her house up this year do you - I missed it last year. Cheers.