Meet the makers behind Christmas at Holkham 2024
November 6, 2024 | Christmas | 6 minute read
The decoration of Holkham Hall each Christmas is no quick nor easy feat. It takes the Countess of Leicester and Holkham’s Christmas Connoisseur, Catherine Zoll, months of idea gathering and planning (usually starting in January or February!). They seek out talented makers from across the UK to bring their vision to life, delivering a creative and memorable festive season for you.
In this journal post, and another which will come later this month, we will introduce you to the magnificent makers we are working with on Christmas 2024. And while we won’t reveal what’s in store – you’ll have to book onto one of our Candlelight Tours for that! – there may be hints or clues!
The ‘Pop Art’ room of 2023 was a colourful masterpiece!
Alice King
Having worked for over a decade as a set stylist and prop maker Alice ges the opportunity to creatively reimagine spaces. Whether it be dressing a domestic setting for TV commercials, creating flamboyant backdrops for photoshoots or event dressing a space for people to engage with, she just loves to create immersive environments that transport the viewer.
Making is at the core of what Alice does. Her creativity is fuelled by a deep passion for colour, materials, and ephemera. Alice takes pleasure in working sculpturally, particularly with paper and fabric, but many commissions have allowed her to explore new techniques and experiment with various other mediums. Often Alice is drawn to repurposing and utilising recycled components in her creations.
The room she is working on for Christmas at Holkham this year is a Carnival inspired space, a theme which lends itself to vibrancy and colour. The installation will be adorned with exotic birds and flower motifs to bring the spirit of the Carnival. And the grandeur, grace and history of the room will inspire the centrepiece; a largescale flowing dress made using bright papers, carnival ribbons and fabrics. The skirt of the dress will conceal an intricate and magical vignette, evoking the whimsy of a shadow puppet theatre set. Alice is excited to be working on this project, rich in energy and colour.
Alice has previously worked with Baylis & Harding, Cath Kidston, Charles Tyrwitt, Farrow & Ball, The White Company and 91 Magazine to name just a few.
Instagram: @alice_king_stylist
Alison Lilly – LillyPuds
Alison’s Christmas pudding recipe had been enjoyed for many a year by friends and family so in 2015, she created the LillyPuds brand. To Alison’s delight, her scrumptiously light and fruity Christmas puddings were an immediate success and her foodie dream had been realised.
To symbolise the giving and receiving of gifts at Christmas, LillyPuds have been styled to make ideal gifts too.
Lillypuds will be taking centre stage in the North Dining Room. Amongst a rich, luxurious red setting, a show-stopping Christmas pudding will adorn the dining table.
Lillypuds was winner of a 2* Great Taste Award 2021.
Instagram @lillypudsltd
Emily Garland
Emily Garland is a food artist based in South East England. With over a decade of experience in the world of food art, Emily has become renowned for creating intricately detailed masterpieces out of edible materials. She originally founded a gingerbread company that gained recognition for crafting iconic landmarks entirely out of biscuit, including recreations of the Palace of Versailles, the Waldorf Hilton, and Somerset House. Today, Emily works across all types of food but remains best known for her stunning, architecturally accurate gingerbread creations.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Emily’s gingerbread buildings are instantly recognisable, reflecting her appreciation for the subtleties of architectural design. Whether recreating a stately home or designing a commercial showpiece, she approaches each project with creativity, precision, and a touch of geeky enthusiasm, ensuring every piece is as visually impressive as it is unique.
Clients include: world-famous brands such as Google, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols, Emily’s work has also been featured on platforms including Channel 4, Food Network, and Discovery Channel and she has appeared as a gingerbread judge on the popular TV show Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas. Her food artistry has made an impact at many high-profile events, including the creation of a life-sized gingerbread house for the Ideal Home Show at Christmas.
Georgia Jones – Boomting Bunting
Boomting Bunting creates immersive installations for a wide range of clients for any event. They specialise in creating unique, personalised designs using creative draping, lighting and a variety of other decorative products.
Boomting began as a passion for creativity. Georgia and her mum enjoyed working with textiles and hired out hundreds of metres of their own bunting. They worked incredibly hard to build the Boomting brand and very quickly started working in amazing venues all over the UK and taking on elaborate projects. With the help and support of her family, Georgia now has 10 team members transforming spaces all over the world. Sustainability has always been at the core of what Boomting Bunting do. Georgia always wanted to break the ‘norm’ of décor and single use items in the events industry by creating something that could be installed time and time again with maximum impact. The team takes extra care with all fabric and hire items to ensure they’re perfect for every hire. They are always looking to push the boundaries of event décor and look forward to working with clients who want the WOW.
For Holkham, Georgia and her team will be transforming the Courtyard Café. Originally the powerhouse for Holkham Hall, this vast, lofty building will be transformed into a glittering, magical, cosy space just perfect for enjoying a glass of fizz and a mince pie.
Georgia’s previous clients include: Turkish Airlines, Thorpeness Country Club, Chatham Dockyard, Bruisyard Country Estate and LOVLUX – Weddings Events.
Now we’re into November, work is going on behind the doors of Holkham Hall as the makers and Holkham team bring months worth of plans together. Candlelight Tours begin on 29th November and we’d love to welcome you. Find out more and book here.
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