Home and Garden Review: British Elegance and Charm

Steph Virgo's house is getting dressed early for Christmas and even from the outside, bathed in winter sunshine rather than snow, it looks appropriately festive. The handsome 18th century lodge house with its stucco walls rather resembles a giant Christmas cake covered with snowy royal icing and is embellished with a holly wreath studded with scarlet berries on the door.

Stepping into the hallway, the scent of pine cones and woodsmoke greet the visitor and the light from so many candles forms a soft and welcoming glow. The table is set for a pre-Christmas supper and Steph is tidying up her kitchen as her friends help with the seasonal preparations."

"Some of my friends describe this as a bit of a mad house - don't you?" laughs Steph, with a teasing look directed at her friend Nicky. "There's always something going on here, because we're a big family and we love to entertain. And this house just seems made for lots of people and good times.

"My husband Jon and I have five children between us because we have joined together two families. Jon's late wife was my good friend, and it was terrible when she got ill, but gradually we have all got through it and now Jon and I also have a little 18 month old girl together. "

We moved to Langton Green from Sevenoaks because we wanted to be closer to the schools in Tunbridge Wells, and since arriving we have found such wonderful friends and neighbours. We have a fantastic social network and besides all the restaurants and cafes like Juliet's in Tunbridge"

"Wells, we can also make use of the lovely pubs like the George & Dragon and The Hare on the Green near here that we can walk to and from across the fields so there's no need for a taxi. This house is very special to us because Jon and I got married here in the garden under the rose pergola and even signed the register in the drawing room. It is a happy place and now every 22 December we have a big Christmas party and this old house really rocks!"

"The house was built in the 1800s, as the lodge for the great hall nearby, but we did need to make some alterations in order to make it into a proper family home."