So often the image of Christmas at home looks back to the past; a garlanded Victorian fireplace, or a cosy country cottage with frosted windows, so it made a change last year to shoot a more modern home, with different influences and traditions. The house in question, built in the 70s on the edge of an East Sussex village, belongs to Thorsten van Elten and his partner Karl. It’s a well laid out classic flat-roof bungalow with timber ceilings, a sunken seating area, quarry tile floors, and white painted brick and blockwork walls. In contrast to the predominantly plain palette is a joyful Corbusian dividing wall with sliding doors between the kitchen and living room in bold primary colours. Amongst the 20th century furniture, and profusion of houseplants, Christmas emerges subtly, without overwhelming. Many of the decorations are traditional Erzgebirge carved wooden toys from the east of Germany, and you can find them for sale at Thorsten’s own online shop.
