I am writing this having just visited Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden.

I’m a little late to the party with this as the florist, delicatessen and shop opened in July last year and the two restaurants, bar and courtyard followed in April. Featuring lavish floral installations, dramatic lighting and distressed mirrors and statement artwork, the setting is perfection.

Following my visit, as I cast fresh eyes on our December issue’s decorating content, it would be fair to say that much of it chimes with the ‘Petersham look’. Namely, creative ways with foliage, burnished metallics and just the right amount of twinkle. We worked with the best florists to bring you these ideas. Horticulturalist Thomas Broom-hughes, who is actually ex-petersham and now owner of Thomas Bloom, created all the wreaths and garlands for Deck the Halls on page 70, while each of the installations in our Christmas Wreaths story on page 42 was conceived by a leading florist.

Our celebration of this season continues with our gifting pages. I love News & Shopping Editor Laura Vinden’s selection of buys and we asked artist Susannah Garrod to turn her hand at illustrating the pages. I discovered her many years ago at a Jo Malone event and she subsequently did the artwork for my wedding. She has a gorgeous, whimsical touch.

Designer insight is a key part of the Homes & Gardens brand, so we spoke to a sprinkling of our creative friends to find out what makes them tick at this special time. It’s fascinating to discover what Martin Brudnizki, Suzy Hoodless and Philippa Craddock get up to on the big day (Martin loves a smorgasbord). It also just goes to show that the idea of a merry Christmas is different for all of us. We hope you have your perfect one this year. SARAH SPITERI, editorial director