This home celebrates Christmas in decidedly chic French style

One of Virginie’s favourite pieces of furniture is the vintage oak trestle table, which has seen plenty of family meals and celebrations.

Even without the additional shine of Christmas decorations, it is hard to imagine the home of Virginie and Stephane Fontes looking anything other than chic.

Keeping a wreath simple yet rustic with the addition of zinc stars adds plenty of interest.

The high benchtop in the kitchen ensures that any meal preparation paraphernalia can be kept out of sight of guests.

Virginie gravitates towards a French country style with industrial features.

As the couple’s families are back in France, there are some traditions that they are keen to maintain – namely eating foie gras and duck, as well as ‘bûche de Noël’ (Yule log) and delicacies from southwestern France, where they’re from.

The gold cutlery is brought out for special occasions such as Christmas brunch.

Christmas decorations are suspended from the eucalyptus tree and give the table a festive air.

Keep it natural. Opt for bedding and accessories in linen and natural materials in muted colours of browns and creams.

Schleich animals create a novel nativity scene in a stick house given as a gift to Virginie by some of her closest French friends.

For a different look, Virginie decided to turn her canvas frames around. “I love the colour of the canvas and the wood,” she says.

Fairy lights have been draped around a star to give Lucas’ room a Christmas feel.

Animals, sport and cars take centre stage in Lucas’ and Sacha’s bedrooms. Browns and creams continue the French country theme.

The decorations are all in keeping with Virginie’s French country aesthetic – lots of linen and natural materials. It’s about striking a balance between the best of two worlds

Dried flowers look stunning against the stark white of the vase and plates. The colours team perfectly with the muted browns, greys and greens Virginie has on display in the country-style kitchen.