A matter of tradition

 A matter of tradition
PHOTO: A matter of tradition

Christmas is not Christmas at interior designer Nikki Hunt's (right) home until the same old, familiar ornaments are put up.

Mrs Hunt, a British-born Singapore permanent resident, decorates her Garlick Avenue bungalow with the same Christmas trimmings (main picture) each year. All are drawn from a collection, kept in 10 boxes in her storeroom, that she has amassed over the years.

Mrs Hunt, 46, who has two children aged 15 and 17, says: "I believe in creating memories for my children, so Christmases are always traditional. We use the same decorations each year to give the kids established memories."

The founder and principal interior designer of Design Intervention is married to the owner of a finance business, also 46. She does not have a favourite ornament, although she loves having the rose-motif decorations and silk roses all over the house.

Every inch of her home is covered in traditional Christmas decorations. The railings of the stairs are clad in red cloth, and ribbons and wreaths hang from walls and light fixtures.

This year, Mrs Hunt bought a 3.4m-tall live Christmas tree, which she will start decorating this weekend. Decorating the tree is a family affair, which is spread over a few days.

She declares that Christmas is her favourite day. "When it comes to Christmas, I think there is no such thing as 'over the top'. In fact, the bigger, the better.

"It's about building tradition for the children," she adds. "There's a comfort that is borne from familiarity.

"No matter how difficult the year has been, Christmas at home will be full of love and fun - and excess." Natasha Ann Zachariah


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