< Previousfinishings20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESChristmas brings with it a transformation to the homestead, with decorationsfestooned about the place, furniture pushed aside to make room for the tree, andfestive ornaments rescued from the attic to assume their usual December positions. While there are traditions to uphold this time of year, the stock Yuletide favourites run the risk of going stale when used year after year. So why not make a change this year and energise your festive displays and decorations.1) Melody Maison’s wooden Christmas hanging side is perfect for spreading some festivecheer, decorated with gold stars for that extra special sparkle. 2) At Home in the Country deliver this delightful kitsch owl serving platter that’s great forserving cheese, bread or mine pies. It’s made from sustainable mango wood and antiquatedpolished metal. 3) Nobunto deliver simple seasonal elegance with this charming little candle that surelywouldn’t look out of place anywhere in the house. 4) Part of Pignut’s Christmas Collection, these quaint decorations are the ideal way to dressthe home in a festive fashion for a traditional Christmas. 5) Display alone or pair together with a sibling to create amagical Christmas scene. In a muted champagne gold with asparkling glitter finish, these reindeer from Brissi are adorableadditions to your display. 6) Perfect as a tree topper or a stand-alone ornament in itsown right, this charming copper star from einrichten-designboasts simple festive elegance. 7) Wax Design offer an alternative to the typical Christmas treewith this effect in bleached wood that would make a startlingdeparture from tradition. 8) Capture some Nordic charm with Interflora’s delightful andrustic Christmas wreath, loaded with lots of festive bits andpieces. See how many you can spot. 9) Candles never fail to evoke Christmas with the warmth ofthe flickering wicks and their orange glow, and this gorgeouschoice from design3000 is quite simple a must have. HHH1HHH2HHH3Festive20-21_Layout 1 15/11/2017 11:50 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21HOMES© Shutterstock / kostastudioHHH7HHH4HHH5HHH6HHH8HHH920-21_Layout 1 15/11/2017 11:50 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE and comes out in her work. Though her images are attuned to thenatural world and its myriad wanders,she pulls also from surrealism and thefantastical kaleidoscopic realm of ourminds. There’s a darkness too, hidden inamongst her images, alluding to theconflicting nature of the human soul.There is no light without dark tocontrast it; no hope without despair todefine it. And so it is with Sarah’soeuvre. These landscapes feature idyllicenvironments awash with symbols ofpositivity and freedom, charming in theirnature. In contrast are the often moodycolour palettes, the chilly purples andgreys, and the gothic images – anethereal moon, a murder of crows.Another of her inspiration is the vividfilms of Tim Burton, both those he’sdirected and others he’s been involvedin, evocative in their illustrative style.Like most children, Sarah wasfascinated by drawing, painting and theinner need to express herself. Perhaps inlieu of an adult vocabulary, with wordsstill newfound and confusing, childrenfind an outlet in coloured pencils andpaint. Where Sarah differs from the norm,though, is when she presented a sketchto her father that faithfully and fullyrecreated a pram in three dimensions.Amazingly, she was just three years old. This moment calcified her ambitionsand set in stone her desire to express andexplore herself through art. Even now sheis rarely found without a paint brush inhand or somewhere in her orbit. Based near Stroud, on the edge of theCotswolds, Sarah is steeped in thesublime natural beauty of the surroundingflora, fauna and wildlife. She feels a deepspiritual connection to the landscape,tradition and folklore, all of which isprocessed through her acute imaginationThe debate whether creativity is innate or manifest in experience, is onewhich draws lines in the sand between artists and scholars. The work ofSarah Ewing is one such example. Sarah’s early affinity and aptitude withart suggests ability beyond her years, some great perception connectingher to something greater that exists outside herself. FantasticallandscapesThe mystical landscapes of The NightmareBefore Christmashave a fairy-tale qualityand create an intricate depth. Depth is a key identifier of Sarah’swork, a crucial element that allows theviewer to feel as if they could escape theeveryday and step through into thisfantasy world she’s created. To createeach piece, she uses a mixed-mediatechnique which enables her to add thisotherworldly appeal, vibrant and inviting. This is something that acclaimed progrockers Big Big Train took notice of. Since2015, Sarah has worked with the UK rockoutfit to create artwork for their EP andalbum releases, many of which have beenup for awards. Her work has alsoappeared on ITV and Channel 4, as wellas getting featured in a number ofnewspapers and magazines. She’s alsofrequently exhibited in galleriesthroughout the UK, including Lincoln’sown Little Red Gallery. 22-23_Layout 1 15/11/2017 11:48 Page 1THE LITTLE REDGALLERYLove art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat.The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas.8 Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AE01522 5891348 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DPart@thelittleredgallery.co.ukwww.thelittleredgallery.co.ukLINCOLNSHIRETODAY23To see more ofSarah’s work, visitwww.sarahlouiseewing.comsarahewingartist22-23_Layout 1 15/11/2017 11:48 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSSitting on a country road overlookingopen countryside in three directions, MillCottage is a peaceful haven concealeddown a private driveway. As such thehustle and bustle of the world melt awayas we enter the stunning garden,designed and packed with interestingfeatures, unusual plants and well placedseating areas, all offering year roundinterest. Indeed, at the time of our visit, there iscolour and scents from every corner. Jo Rouston is no stranger to gardening- or hard work. In fact, she has carvedquite a reputation as a garden designerand landscaper over the past 12 yearsand is quite happy rolling up her sleevesto get the job done the way she wants it. Evidence of this can be seen around herown garden as she points to variousfeatures that she’s undertaken herself,including some rather large York stonesthat even I’d struggle to lift – but Jo takesit all in her stride saying: “Well I’m prettyparticular how I want things so it’s ofteneasier to do it myself and call in someoneto help me if there’s a stone that’sparticularly heavy.” Opposite, we notice a living sofa madealmost entirely from clipped Buxus, with aNestled in a quietvillage on the outskirtsof South Willingham,this month we visit theRouston’s garden,which is truly in a classof its own.A garden forall seasonsA garden forall seasons24-27_Layout 1 15/11/2017 12:28 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25GARDENS‘plinth’ built in for the seat. “My prideand joy,” says Jo, “it took some time toform but we got there in the end and Iwas pleasantly surprised how comfortableit is.” The garden is of course, divided intodefined spaces, or rooms, each carefullycrafted to make sure that with eachglance, a new plant or feature revealsitself to you. “The garden changes throughout theyear, so each time one plant finishesflowering, hopefully another takes itsplace.” There’s even a summer house semi-hidden amongst the borders. Donated byJo’s father it is now fully insulated andlined, so the couple can cosy up on anight-time, or an afternoon, with a bottleof wine, rather than sitting indoorslooking out. Leading off from this is apebble mosaic path to the ‘engine shed’where Jo holds regular garden parties;complete with fine china and best linen.Indeed, this spectacular garden is acredit to Jo’s creative nature. The York stone path takes the visitordown to the bottom and, as stone gives26 ÁSome great topiary byJo RoustonThe summer house neatlyintegrated into the overalldesign24-27_Layout 1 15/11/2017 12:28 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSway to gravel and subsequently lawn underfoot, thisall adds to the tactile feel. Although not a large garden, the interest thateach ‘room’ provokes is astounding. As we reachthe southernmost area of the garden it then opensup to the countryside beyond, making it feel muchlarger than it actually is.Bringing distant landscapes into the garden is atechnique that has been used by some of the greatgarden designers over the years and Jo has donethis with aplomb – adding to the overall feel of thegarden and making it feel, to me at least, part ofthe overall design.Of course, the planting plays a great part in theoverall spectacle of this garden with many differentshrubs, creative topiary, and background plantingprotecting more tender plants from the prevailingwinds. Adding further interest to the borders are itemssuch as: mill wheels, urns, even the log store hasThe living sofaThere’s plenty of places tosit and take in the beautyGently undulating bordersadd interest24-27_Layout 1 15/11/2017 12:29 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27GARDENSbeen given a floral twist. But one of my favouriteshas to be the tree seat at the southernmost tip of thegarden. This seat sits around a cherry tree andwoven metal with a turf top, makes a feature thatreally is something else. It helps draw the gaze to theview beyond too. This garden really is a testimony to Jo’s skills as agardener, and the ideas I take away from MillCottage will, no doubt, manifest themselves in myown garden in the very near future. Like the viewsthrough the Wisteria and the gently undulatingborders, the clever interplay of hard and softlandscaping and the kaleidoscope of colour, isstunning. I’m not quite sure I’m up to creating aliving sofa though, as I seem to struggle with clippedspheres. A garden, is unquestionably a thing of beauty andis something that every owner should enjoy. ClearlyMill Cottage in South Willingham has all that andmore. Tree seat made from wovenmetal with a turf topBackground plantingprotects the garden andadds to the privacy24-27_Layout 1 15/11/2017 12:29 Page 428 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYt this time of year garden maintenance isprobably low down on the priority list, butmaybe your New Year’s resolution is to have amore wildlife friendly garden. If that is thecase then you can start now. Also if you want to get yourkids outside over the festive period, or havegrandchildren visiting and want to provide them withsomething to do, then wildlife friendly projects is an idealway. Birds need feeding in winter, especially if it is particularlycold and the ground is frozen. While you can buy birdfeeders, you could try making your own variations. Forexample, you can use a plastic bottle and sticks. To makethe perches, use a drawing pin to punch 2 holes oppositeeach other near the bottom of the bottle and cut smallholes with scissors. Insert a stick so that it passes throughone hole, through the bottle, and out the other side.Repeat this to make the other perch just above the first.Now you need to make the feeding holes. Use a drawingpin and scissors to make a small hole about 4cm aboveeach perch (about 7 mm wide). Keep in mind that theseeds will just fall out if the holes are too big. To makethe hanger, poke a hole in one side of the bottle neckand then the other and thread string through the holesin the bottle neck and tie them together at the ends. Youthen remove the cap from the bottle and fill the feederwith sunflower seeds or mixed seeds. Screw the cap backon and hang the feeder from a tree branch or hookoutside. Make sure it is well out of the reach of cats. Hedgehogs are in need of our help. As they like to hideMaking your garden wildlifefriendly is a great way to get thewhole family outside thisChristmas as Ed Fullers fromFullers Forestry andLandscaping explains. © Shutterstock / remzikWelcomingwildlifeA28-29_Layout 1 15/11/2017 11:54 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29in leaf litter, why not get the kids to collect up all theleaves in the garden and create a pile so that hedgehogscan hibernate. While they usually start to hibernate inNovember it is still worth creating somewhere now for theodd straggler. You can also put a few logs nearby as thesewill encourage invertebrates such as slugs and beetleswhich hedgehogs like to eat. Another project is a Wildlife Wall. This will benefit insectssuch as ladybirds and ground beetles as they love to live incracks and crevices. You need to find a quiet corner ofyour garden and make an initial layer using bricks andtiles, but leave plenty of gaps. Next place planks orplywood on top and then add another layer of brick andtop off with roof tiles. You can then cut bamboo canes toshort lengths and pack them into any gaps to make homesfor solitary bees. If you read my editorial in November youwill have cut back your bamboo and saved the canes forthis project! Corrugated cardboard rolled up tightly andpacked into gaps make perfect homes for ladybirds. Moss,straw and twigs can be used to fill any other gaps. Once your wall is built then you should leave it alone. Themore established it is the better it will be for wildlife.Occasionally you may need to top up the lighter materialssuch as straw as birds may remove it. You can also get thekids to check on it periodically to see what mini beasts ithas attracted.I hope you have fun helping wildlife in your garden, andeveryone at Fullers would like to wish you all a HappyChristmas and Prosperous New Year. Specialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comAround thegarden•Keep checking that your greenhouse heaters are working and your winter protection structures are still securely in place. You can place cloches over tender plants to give them extra protection from frost•Make sure your pond does not freeze•Prune apple and pear trees•Your leeks, parsnips, winter cabbages and sprouts should be ready for harvesting. However make sure they are stored away from mice •You can work off Christmas excesses by digging over bare areas of ground•You may need to do one last collection of autumn leaves •Keep your paths clean and remove moss and lichen•Treat timber sheds and fences with preservatives•Wrap insulation around garden taps•Prune tall bush roses, ornamental vines, deciduous hedges, trees and shrubs.© Shutterstock / Denise Allison Coyle28-29_Layout 1 15/11/2017 11:55 Page 2Next >