18 Century Christmas
18 Century Norfolk home decorated for Christmas
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North Norfolk is dotted with idyllic farms and ancient villages, the�houses built mainly of red brick and local flint. Birdie Fortescue who�trained with Percy Bass and Sybil Colefax & John Fowler interiors moved�to the area with her husband and 2 children after deciding that their�18C holiday home would be the ideal place to live full-time and begin a�new business venture in nearby Burnham Market close to the home village�of the great naval hero Lord Nelson. In the summer of 2014 Birdie opened�her own shop where she sells carefully chosen antiques alongside all�manner of covetable contemporary products for the home from baskets and�linens to fabrics and ceramics. Adjacent across the courtyard is The�Kitchen, Birdie's newest venture bringing top notch coffee and modern�food to an ever expanding group of customers. Neighbours at Anmer Hall,�the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid a weekend visit but we are not�privy to Kate's shopping list that day! At home for Christmas Birdie�decorates her house in a sophisticated but low key style where the�antique oval dining table takes centre stage in the large open-plan�living space between the sitting room and kitchen. The house features�art work by a number of East Anglian painters reflecting local scenes�such as crab fishing and the famous flat landscapes and big skies of�Norfolk.
It is a warm and cosy country house with old fashioned (but efficient)�bathrooms, plump curtains, soft country colours and deep seated sofas�and chairs, the rooms scented by log fires and candles. Most of the�Christmas decorations now conveniently come from the shop, things Birdie�chooses for herself like the Dutch-made waxed pine cones. Extended�family dine on filet of beef on Christmas Eve and a traditional turkey�lunch on Christmas Day with long walks along the beaches at Holkham and�Wells in between. With the frantic run-up to Christmas in the shop and�The Kitchen Birdie and her family can finally relax over the festive�period and enjoy their own beautiful house and tree.
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