Christmas at Harewood House always feels enchanting, but this year has been truly extraordinary. I had the joy of helping the brilliant Siobhan Murphy for four days bring her bold, colourful vision to life, transforming the historic house into a celebration of creativity, imagination, and festive magic.
Siobhan Murphy is a designer known for her joyful maximalist style—vibrant colours, bold patterns, and an unapologetically playful aesthetic. Many first discovered her on BBC’s Interior Design Masters, but she has since built an unmistakable creative identity that inspires thousands.
Beyond her distinctive look, Siobhan is remarkable for her generosity of spirit. She thrives on collaboration, welcomes ideas, and gives other creatives the space to shine. It’s this quality that made the experience at Harewood House so special. And she said herself that Harwood house gave her the freedom to be her own creative self without having to tone it down.
This festive transformation was not a quick project. Siobhan spent over a year collecting, crafting, sourcing, and dreaming, weaving together treasures from vintage shops, antique fairs, charity shops, and car-boot finds. Each piece was chosen with purpose, ready to be reimagined into something wondrous.
Among the standout features is the perfume bottle Christmas tree—a sparkling, sculptural display created entirely from reclaimed bottles. It perfectly represents Siobhan’s talent for turning overlooked objects into moments of magic. The tutu tree in the main entrance and the rotating pink ballet shoe trees where also created with more than 600 "used tutus" and shoes donated by the Royal ballet.
She also incorporated work by a wide range of designers and makers, and even borrowed charming miniatures from the Ilkley Toy Museum and loads of miniature artists too, adding layers of storytelling and nostalgic delight throughout the rooms.
It was incredibly meaningful to contribute some of my own creations to the installation.
In both the Grand Gallery and the Boudoir, you’ll find jewellery pieces I designed especially for the displays and some vintage pieces too, inspired by the opulence and maximalist spirit of the scheme.
I also have several of my silk cushions and antique ribbons featured throughout the rooms—textural details that bring softness, movement, and rich colour to the overall look. Seeing my work integrated into such a joyful and imaginative setting is something that gives me joy.
A highlight of the entire process was witnessing the enthusiasm of the Harewood volunteers. Their pride in the displays was unmistakable—whether they were creating paper chains, assembling mantelpiece decorations, or adding those small but essential finishing touches.
Their joy and dedication added a special warmth to the experience. It felt like everyone involved was contributing to a shared creative celebration.
Siobhan’s greatest strength may well be her ability to bring people together. She doesn’t simply direct a project—she nurtures it alongside others. She invites, encourages, and celebrates each creative voice involved.
For me, being part of the styling felt like stepping into a collaborative playground. There was trust, energy, and a wonderful sense of freedom. It reminded me why I love what I do—and how creativity expands when shared.
A Christmas to Remember at Harewood House
This year’s Christmas at Harewood House is more than a festive installation—it’s a living, breathing celebration of imagination, craft, and community. Siobhan Murphy has created a joyful experience that honours the history of the house while infusing it with colour, personality, and heart. You see Harewood heritage in a completely different light. I loved seeing how some of the portraiture seem to admire the new installations.
If you visit, I hope you feel the same sense of wonder, pride, and delight that we felt while bringing these magical displays to life.
A glittering Invitation Harwood House- till 4th January 2026
check out the feature in the Yorkshire Post-