Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAURA NOLAN HORGAN has over 50,000 followers on Instagram between her own account and that of her brand LNH Edit – a source of beautiful homewares, table linens and clothing. Laura lives in Monkstown with her husband, three children and her dog Marley.
What does home mean to you and your family?
Honestly, I just count my lucky stars every day. Our home is warm, cosy, noisy and busy but so full of love. There is nothing I love more than us all sharing stories around the dinner table at the end of the day – these years are fast and precious. Our little dog Marley springs to mind when I think of home. She is at the heart of it – there for the kids at the end of a bad day and for me at the end of a long day. My husband Ronan wasn’t too keen on the idea of her at the beginning, but three years on, they are best pals.
Is the sense of home even more important at this time of year?
Absolutely! I adore the build up to Christmas at home. Everything becomes a tradition – the decorating of the tree and house, the making of our Christmas Bark (a delicious chocolate treat) that we wrap up and gift to people, the family movie nights, the Late Late Toy Show and the hosting of family and friends. The house comes to life and sparkles at Christmas. I love this time of year.
Your mother Fran Nolan is one of the co-founders of fashion boutique Fran & Jane. Did growing up with such a stylish mother influence your own approach to style at home?
My Mum no matter the day, weather or occasion is always glam and her home is as stylish as she is. She always tells me that taste isn’t something you can teach – you either have it or you don’t. I like to think that I inherited my taste from her and it’s something I am grateful for. That said, I’m not sure my levels are quite up to hers – she is exquisite and her attention to detail is second to none. She is probably the only person I would trust fully with an interior or styling opinion.
Are there any specific Christmas traditions that you’ve inherited from your mum?
There was always a theme for the Christmas table; this was set early so the flowers and centrepiece would be ordered in advance, the crackers would always match and the silverware was always cleaned (my job). The table was set a few days before Christmas to free up time to focus on the food. In my house we don’t have the luxury of a separate dining room but I usually set the table on Christmas Eve morning before we head out for the day.
Growing up our home was like the Home Alone house – Mum went all out. The staircase was always a favourite, there was a minimum of three trees and all of the fireplaces were filled with greenery and candles. I try my best to do something similar but our house doesn’t really lend itself to this level of drama and I need to be careful that I don’t overdo it so that we can’t move!
When it comes to making your house a home at Christmas what is your starting point?
I can’t start anything without clearing the decks and cleaning the space around me. With three kids, the clutter can build really easily so I’ve already been doing a massive clear-out in preparation for Christmas.
I usually start with my main tree. The kids help with it and then the novelty wears off pretty quickly! I love the kids helping, but I’m a bit of a control freak, so I really just want to be left to it. I’m changing the tree in the kitchen this year and covering it in ribbons and silver strands so I’m very excited about that. I love collecting decorations when we go on holiday – it’s a nice way of holding onto the memories and sharing the stories each time they come out.
Do you go with trends when it comes to your tree?
One is super traditional – full of reds, greens, golds and all of the little heirloom ornaments we’ve collected through the years. It’s jam packed and over the top and I love it. The second tree is usually more sophisticated and glamorous but this year I’m filling it with ribbons, bows and tinsel. It’ll be on-trend and a bit ‘Pinterest-worthy’ and I’m totally here for it!
Aside from having everything super-stylish, is it important for you to create a fun and cosy atmosphere for your kids?
I think stylish, fun and cosy can all go hand-in-hand. Christmas is about family – the decorations just make the atmosphere that little bit more exciting and festive. Lighting plays a huge role too – there is something magical about lights on a tree or candles on a mantle – all these little touches are what create atmosphere and set the scene.
What are your non-negotiables when it comes to decorating for Christmas?
I love a wreath on the door – Wreaths by Elle is my go-to for this. I adore crafting and baking with my kids – this will be my first year with the Thermomix so I’m so excited to give that whirl. My Dad’s family business was Nolan’s Smoked Salmon and even though it’s not in our family anymore it wouldn’t be Christmas without some Nolan’s smoked salmon and some brown bread.
I love having some fresh poinsettias around the house from our local florist and I make my own advent calendars for the kids – filling them with little treats rather than junk that gets binned. I also like to fill timeless crackers – this year we have collaborated with Timeless Celebrations Ireland to design two sets of stunning gift boxes as part of LNH Edit – these are heirlooms that can be handed down for generations to come.
Any tips when it comes to having guests stay over?
Fluffy towels, fresh sheets from Amurelle, a beautiful tissue box by the bed and some fresh flowers in a bud vase.
When it comes to tablescaping you’re definitely the expert so give us all your styling advice.
At LNH Edit we have named the collection after Christmas flowers this year so we have a stunning blue and white collection called ‘Thistle’ – a nod to Chinoiserie which looks stunning mixed with red tones. We have ‘Mistletoe’ – a beautiful green star print which is soft and calming – I will probably use this on my own table this year paired with white and gold accessories. Bows are everywhere again this Christmas and we’re on-trend with our red bows, bold stripes and frill details.
When it comes to setting the table, I advise people to pick a print, match your flowers and candles to the theme and to try not to introduce more than three colours. Build on texture and layering with placemats and crackers, and use decorations from the tree and around the house as the centrepieces to avoid waste and create extra drama.
Address Book:
Discover the full LNH Edit range at lnhedit.com or follow the brand’s latest happenings at @lnh_edit on Instagram.
Fran & Jane: franandjane.com
Amurelle: amurelle.com
Wreaths by Elle: wreathsbyelle.com
Christmas campaign shot by Sarah Carton Photography at Airfield Estate.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say