During the festive season, The Grove golf and spa hotel in Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire, becomes a Christmas hideaway for London city dwellers escaping the hectic crowds of Oxford Street. This year, The Grove has taken inspiration for its exquisite Christmas decorations from the rich, jewel colours of Russia.
I visited The Grove for an exclusive press preview of its beautifully-designed Christmas tree and festive floral arrangements by McQueens Florists.
On arrival, we were shown into the drawing room, where they had created a sneak peak a winter wonderland. Glass Babushka dolls of various sizes stood between drape after drape of billowing red organza and a Christmas tree made up of minature plants in dark gold pots was stunning and inventive.
The main Christmas tree was laden with gold presents, toy soldiers, deep red baubles and embellished ornaments that are reminiscent of Moscow’s unique palatial turrets.
We then sat down for a quick afternoon tea, consisting of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of scrumptious tarts, cake slices, macaroons and brownies.
After a quick bite, we walked through the grounds to The Glasshouse to start the McQueens festive floristry workshop.
Founded by Kally Ellis in 1991, McQueens started out with a small shop in Shoreditch florist has grown into one of London’s hottest florists with a flagship store in Clerkenwell and successful flower school, with students going on to work in floristry all over the world.
McQueens have provided floral sculptures for a number of A-list clients and events including the Vanity Fair party at the Cannes and Tribeca Film Festivals, the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in LA, Fashion Week shows and high-profile weddings.
I’ve always wondered, when passing their store on Old Street, whether there is a connection with the designer Alexander McQueen, as even their logos are similar.
Kally revealed that she originally bought the business from Lee’s aunt and that they worked closely with him before his untimely death, creating elaborate arrangements for his shows and events.
Course Director of McQueens Flower School, Luis Da Silva, presented our masterclass and demonstrated how to create a number of Russian Christmas looks.
Firstly, he showed us how to make a hand bouquet of twenty red Gran Prix roses with red berries and foliage. Ripping off the excess leaves and thorns with gusto and trimming off the stalk ends, Luis made gathering the bouquet look easy and effortless.
As the following howls and ‘eeeks’ testified, it’s not as easy as it looks. Roses have thorns; and it’s not the giant spiky ones that you had to look out for, but the sinister little buds that made it hard to grip the rose and skim down the stem decisively.
But, it did get easier after a few tries, with excellent tuition, and the end results were spectacular, thanks to Luis swiftly straightening out all of our mistakes.
We were also lucky enough to be shown how to make some stylish but simple Christmas arrangements. For a contemporary, impressive floral sculpture, buy around twenty mini fish bowls, fill with a small amount of water, add the head of a rose and arrange them diagonally in a large cylindrical vase.
Another great idea was to fill another large cylindrical vase with festive foliage such as acorns, dried orange slices, red moss and dried red chillies. These arrangements are particularly popular in chic London hotels, who order hundreds over Christmas, although ever discreet Luis wouldn’t spill about his top clients.
The McQueens flower masterclass was a sociable, creative way to spend an afternoon and I learned some invaluable tips on where to buy floristry accessories and tools and how to prolong the life of flowers.
On 26-27 November and 3-4 December, The Grove will be holding two exciting masterclasses on how to create the perfect Christmas look in your home.
Experts from McQueens will demonstrate how to make the most stylish festive floral arrangements, while renowned chef patissier, Channel 4’s ‘Cake Boy’ Eric Lanlard will share insider tips on seasonal cake decorating and how to make the most indulgent Christmas cake.
If you’re not already familiar with Eric from his ‘Glamour Puds’ TV show, you may remember his baking emporium in Battersea, Cake Boy, featured on Mary Queen of Shops, where Mary took the intolerable Angela to learn about running a proper, commercially successful bakery.
The Grove is also very child-friendly and you can leave the little darlings to make their own Christmas gifts at the OFSTED inspected kids club, Anouska’s.
The Perfect Christmas at The Grove starts from £285 per person* and includes:
– One night’s accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in a West Wing Superior Room, based on two sharing.
– A masterclass with McQueens Florists on flower arranging.
– A masterclass with Eric Lanlard on cake decorating.
Prices for single occupancy start from £410 per person.
Places on the masterclass that are not filled by residents of The Grove will be available to non-resident guests priced at £85 per person per workshop. To book a place and for more information, visit www.thegrove.co.uk
* Chérie City was a guest at The Grove.