CHRISTMAS CHEER

Lynda Myles-Till looked to New England style to inspire the transformation of her 1970s bungalow – and now it’s a stylish backdrop for her festive celebrations

- MAGGIE COLVIN

Kitchen

The kitchen units, with their pared-back simple style, were generously oversized to create impact. Kitchen units, Griggs & Mackay. Metal pendant lights, Life at Nettlebed. Battery lights, Lights4Fun

AT HOME WITH

Owners Lynda Myles-Till, an interior designer and fundraiser for Action for Children and her partner James Fox.

House A 1973 extended and transformed dormer bungalow.

Drawing room

A painting by Jacqueline Williams and 18th-century sconces stand out here. Rug, Farnham Antique Carpets. Lamp, William Yeoward

Lynda Myles-Till freely admits Christmas is her favourite time of year. ‘If I could, I’d start decorating in August, but my family might have me committed,’ she laughs.

As an interior designer, her Christmas countdown is meticulously planned – she has even built a garden shed just to store her decorations, packed neatly in marked boxes. ‘I take exactly seven days to decorate the house and each day is dedicated to a different task.’ One of the best times in that week is shared with a friend she met at antenatal classes years ago. ‘We have been wrapping presents together ever since. Far from being a chore, we spur each other on. It has become part of our festive ritual. Another day is dedicated to arranging natural foliage, which involves a trip to Covent Garden and cutting branches from hedgerows.’