Stocking filled with style

DIY decoration: Those interested in Christmas decorations workshops might like to join one of Judith Blacklock's one-day courses on 11, 14 or 15 December, where wreath, garland and swag making will be demonstrated. The programmes, from 10am to 4.30pm, cost £145 and include materials and lunch.

For more information or to book, contact Judith Blacklock Flower School, 4-5 Kinnerton Place South, SW1 (020 7235 6235; website ).

Go and see

Christmas past: If you prefer Christmas past to present, make time to see the Geffrye Museum's exhibition, 400 Years of Seasonal Traditions in English Homes, on until 5 January. Each period room has been decorated in authentic festive style and a series of workshops has been organised throughout the month, including making Christmas cards and decorations on 9 December (tickets £10). The Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, E2. For information and tickets, call 020 7739 9893.

Christmas shopping events

Lloyd Christie: Conservatory specialists Lloyd Christie has opened an impressive three-storey emporium opposite Alastair Little's restaurant on Lancaster Road, off Ladbroke Grove. Tomorrow, between noon and 8.30pm, Homes & Property readers are invited to tuck into mini mince pies and a glass or two of mulled wine while perusing the goods. The shop will be brimming with accessories for indoors and out, including metal candle trees (from £85), giant candle pots (from £68), wirework obelisks (from £145). Owner Tony Christie will be available for advice on any aspect of the business and Avant Gardener Joan Clifton will be signing copies of her book, Garden Elements. There will be 10 per cent off all purchases, too. Lloyd Christie, 103 Lancaster Road, W11 (020 7243 6466; website ).

Old Chelsea: Graham and Green has recently opened another shop in King's Road. It's filled with interesting and unusual items: one-off designer clothes upstairs and an emporium of trinkets and desirable things downstairs. Tomorrow, between 5pm and 8pm, the shop will be handing out drinks and giving a 10 per cent discount off merchandise. Other shops in the area are also open late. A carol concert on Bluebird's forecourt is planned and there's even going to be a marching piper. Graham and Green, 340 King's Road, SW3 (020 7352 1919).

Books of the week

Christmas books: All branches of Waterstone's will be staying open late tomorrow night, serving wine and mince pies as well as offering a Christmas wrapping service. Check opening/closing times at your local branch as times may vary, but the biggest branch, Piccadilly, will stay open until 11pm. Waterstone's, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7851 2400).

Homes and Gardens Book of Design: Nowadays, books on interiors and gardens, like cookery books, must be filled with spectacular photographs to draw us in and make us salivate. Matthew Line, editor of Homes and Gardens magazine, has certainly come up with the goods here: appealing and inspiring pictures combine with a straightforward yet comprehensive text, resulting in a book that isn't pushing a look so much as a series of good ideas. Homes and Gardens Book of Design, A Complete Resource for Interior Style by Matthew Line (Cassell, £25).

Curtain and Fabric Selector: Here is a good idea if you can't decide on your curtains. A spiral-bound volume with pages split horizontally: the top half a directory of curtain designs and shapes as they fit the window, the lower half a directory of fabric patterns and colours, so you can match and compare shapes, colours and patterns at the same time. The final chapter includes tips on poles, finials, trimmings and tiebacks, and there is a good shopping directory. Curtain and Fabric Selector by Wendy Baker (Collins and Brown, £16.99).

Shop News

Northern Light: A new shop specialising in all things Scandinavian has just opened in Kensington. Authentic and traditional goods and gifts for the living room, bedroom and kitchen are all here. Early 18th century Gustavian furniture, hand-blown Danish glassware and a range of 18th century facsimile Swedish wallpapers printed by fourth-generation wallpaper makers. Pop in between now and Christmas, 11am-6pm Tuesday-Saturday, and taste the shop's Christmas cookies and Gl¿g. Northern Light, 13 Stratford Road, W8 (020 7361 1500).

Walking on chocolate: Bitter chocolate limestone is the latest must-have flooring, according to flooring specialist Steve Charles. Its beautifully rich colour comes from the bituminous residues left in white limestone from underground oil beds. It costs £85 plus VAT a square metre and is only suitable for indoors.