Christmas harmony

Luke and Ben Gibbons have used neutral colours and natural textures to enhance the innate character of their 16th-century farmhouse, which is the perfect setting for festive celebrations

- NAOMI JONES

When you delight in planning how to decorate your home to welcome loved ones for dinner or drinks, there's no time more magical than Christmas, believes event producer and interior designer Ben Gibbons. He and his fiancé Luke have beautifully festooned Christmas trees in the sitting room and kitchen, draped foliage elegantly around the staircase, across mantels, and along headboards and tables, and they always make sure to light candles in abundance to bring extra festive sparkle to their 16thcentury timber-framed farmhouse in the Cambridgeshire countryside. 'We've always loved Christmas,' says Ben, but this house has so much character it makes it incredibly special. Plus we now have twin baby boys, so the holidays are going to be even more memorable.'

Thankfully, this house has more than enough room to cope with the growing demands of family life, now and in the future: it has four bedrooms and four reception rooms that can all double up as home offices or playrooms, as well as entertaining spaces when required. This was the first house that Luke and I both completely agreed on,' says Ben, 'as it had it all: original features, plenty of space, and peace and quiet while still providing an easy commute to London. We knew it would need a fair bit of work, but we could see past the navy-blue decor.