Designer Christmas

It's definitely a case of the more decorations the merrier for the former BBC Changing Rooms guru, especially when it comes to her tree.

"I know there are all sorts of contemporary new decorating looks you can try over this holiday but I am a traditionalist when it comes to my tree. It has to be real, huge and dripping in decorations," she says.

"When my daughter was younger, we'd put everything on the tree, but now we can have a designer tree. My tree will have red balls but everything else will by white and icy.

Other features for Linda's Dulwich home and her tree will be some fake crystal ornamental garlands and some of her favourite puppy baubles.

Having recently launched her mail order Christmas collection, a third of which is Christmas related, with gifts, baubles and trimmings, Linda has plenty to draw inspi-ration from.

"There are some really unique pieces, which are fun and some many people will not have seen before," she enthuses.

Among the decorations are large dried red rose baubles as well as some unusual stocking holders acquired from the United States.

"I haven't seen them here but they are shaped like reindeer or snowmen and you put them on your shelf and hang your stockings from them so you don't have to put a nail in."

The Barker household will even be joining the millions of house owners with a few decorations on the outside of the house, but these will be limited to a string of lights.

Linda says: "We usually have lights outside. We also have long wands for outside lighting which you can place strategically in a terracotta pot on your patio which gives a fantastic effect.

"The season lends itself so much to decorating. You can't make a decorating mistake at this time of the year, it's the time of the year when you can really go over the top and indulge yourself.

But she says it's not just Christmas decorating you should consider. While you're about it, she says why not take the opportunity to give your rooms a fresh look.

"Indulge yourself with faux furs, throws and matching cushions for the living room and bedroom. I have them on my beds now and I always have them on the sofas in winter.

The designer, who once famously swapped houses with fellow designer and Blackheath resident Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen for a Changing Rooms makeover, says: "I change things around quite a lot. Cushions and throws are quite easy to use to make a change.

"I like to have a seasonal look and you can do it inexpensively by changing just the accessories but keeping the basics."

Visit reallylindabarker.co.uk for some ideas and some unusual decorations.

Linda tips colours such as teal blue, black and red to be fashionable this season.

And if you are interested in any more tips from Linda Barker, her new book Wall to Wall about wall treatments has just been released.

"It's about all sorts of treatments from tiling to rubber to timber. It's a coffee table book with a practical side," she says, and if the sales of her three Changing Rooms books are anything to go by, Wall to Wall is sure to be a big hit.

And if you want to know what else Linda is up to this Christmas, it won't surprise you to know the book and the The Really Linda Barker collection are just a few of ventures for the busy designer.

She also has another book deal pending, is involved in several interior design projects and will be working at a house and garden fair in Dubai before Christmas.