WHERE THE EYE WANDERS

December 2025

I write on the winter solstice—a turning point and a time of reflection, when the light has dimmed outside and we bring it into our homes instead.

The joy of crisp mornings, moss and pulling together an advent wreath to welcome.

December often connects us deeply to our homes and the meanings they hold. For me, it is a time to feel my late mother and grandmother’s presence in the decorations they cherished and passed down to me, together with the feeling of home that they were so artful in creating.

Decorations are so often vessels for memory and tradition. The glass ornaments on our tree and small shapes and figurines dressed in cloves came from the Dolomites – they are now almost half a century old and are among my most treasured belongings.

Our Adventstrauß & Christmas in Oxford, now 12 years our home.

Another beloved tradition is the Adventstrauß, which usually goes up before our tree and is decorated with tiny wooden figurines from my mother’s childhood. I hang them from stems of pussy willow or sometimes hazel branches that I paint gold. It gives me great delight that my teenage daughters have already become expert at balancing their weight and beauty on the branches.

A friend’s fabulous star painted ceiling &  little white star-shaped Paperwhite Narcissus

As we remember all that has come to pass this year, I want to thank all our wonderful clients, collaborators, and dear friends for your support and encouragement. It has been a year of art, meaningful connections and bold ambitions.

I can’t wait to share new beginnings and more adventures with you in 2026. In the meantime, I wish you deep rest, much joy and a light-filled holiday season.

“P.S. Father Christmas was in a great hurry – told me to put in one of his magic wishing crackers. As you pull, wish, and see if it doesn’t come true.”

Letters from Father Christmas, J.R.R. Tolkein”