Louisa Preskett Mobbs: A Considered Christmas
Louisa Preskett Mobbs is the co-founder and brand director of luxury tablescaping and homewares brand Maison Margaux, and co-founder of global events agency, Polar Black. Her world is one of gentle details and warm gatherings, shaped by family traditions on both sides of the Atlantic. Christmas, for her, is less about perfection and more about creating slow, sensual spaces that feel loved and lived in. What follows is Louisa’s own reflection on the places and rituals that make the season feel complete.
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by Maya Boyd
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux: Siena Swirl tablecloth, embroidered ruby napkins and placemats.
Christmas moves between London and the States. My mother is from Virginia and our family have a farm close to the North Carolina border. It is three hundred acres of organic and unspoilt countryside along the Banister River with tall pines, a freshwater pond and abundant wildlife. Twenty years ago, my parents built a large log cabin deep in the woods. Over time we added smaller cabins nearby so we and our extended family can all gather for Christmas.
When we spend Christmas in America, we try to fly first to Boston and spend a few days in Nantucket. We grew up going there every summer. My family had a house in Cliff and the island holds precious memories for us. In winter it may be quieter yet Christmas brings it to life. With fewer people on the island there is a lovely sense of calm. We wander along Main Street during the Christmas Stroll, visit the Festival of Trees at the Whaling Museum, take long walks along deserted beaches and sit by roaring fires with good food.
From Boston we drive down to Virginia and make our way to the farm. Our family is large and stretches across third and fourth cousins. My great grandparents owned the land and were part of a very tight local community.
On the twenty third of December, we host a cocktail party at the cabin. The weather can be anything. We have had snow and rain and sometimes it has been warm enough for T shirts. We serve southern food, mostly recipes from my grandmother’s cookbook, Virginia Hospitality. An old copy lives in the cabin with pages sticky from generations of cooks. We make devilled eggs, pickled okra, mini cornbread muffins with pimento cheese and cranberry relish. For cocktails we use a beautiful art deco punch bowl with a ladle and tiny glass teacups. We fill it with sweet tea bourbon punch or hot Old Fashioneds. On Christmas Day, of every age tumble into the main living room to open gifts. Uncle Henry arrives to cook brunch with pancakes, sausage and bacon. We sit down to a turkey feast at around three thirty then head out for a long family walk. And for the brave there is a very quick swim in the pond.
Christmas in London feels different but I love being at home. There is no place quite like London at this time of year. The city glows with lights, markets and music. We live on a quiet and pretty square in West London where every house hangs wreaths on the door and sets trees in the windows. We invite my sister, her children, my parents and other family for Christmas Day. Everyone is welcome. The more the merrier.
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux: hand painted lampshades for cosy corners.
London makes shopping easy. I love browsing Liberty and Harvey Nichols. They are large but somehow feel warm and cosy with beautiful edits of thoughtful and stylish pieces. Westbourne Grove hosts a festive evening where each store opens its doors for mince pies and champagne. I love every shop.We have a family ritual of visiting Yattendon Christmas Tree Farm in Berkshire to choose our tree. We buy one for the main living room and the children choose another for the dining area. They tend to pick the slightly higgledy-piggledy tree they worry no one else will choose. We take our two dogs and end the trip with a cosy pub lunch nearby.
Rituals are a big part of our Christmas. We also make a family trip to The Bull in Charlbury in the Cotswolds for carols. They put on a barbecue and little activities for children. We stay with friends and visit Daylesford for treats. If time allows, my husband Jeremy and I escape for grown-up Christmas cocktails at the Roof Gardens or Estelle Manor, and we always have a family lunch at 5 Hertford Street. On Christmas Eve we open the doors to our home after the children’s service at our local St Peters Church. Neighbours, friends and family old and new come in for mince pies, champagne and cocktails.
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux: embroidered Sapphire placemats, embroidered cloths from the Suzani collection.
I love dressing up in London as Christmas approaches. I sometimes hire dresses from HURR at Selfridges but on Christmas Eve I try to buy something special. I look for sustainable pieces – a beautiful long evening dress from Stella McCartney or Loewe with sparkly flats.
Hosting comes very naturally to me. December days are slow and gentle. Long walks, an open door and people drifting in and out. The fire is always lit and the table always set. In Virginia, our table is eclectic with my great grandmother’s silver, antiques from Toots Creek Antiques, pinecones, local greenery and Maison Margaux linens that we refresh each year. My London Christmas table mixes Maison Margaux pieces with finds collected over the years from Portobello Market and antique shops in London or Paris. I prefer not to be too matchy. I love a table that tells a story and brings back memories as we unpack decorations. The children write place cards for Christmas Day. I want the table to feel warm and welcoming rather than formal.
Laying a table is something I genuinely love. There is a quiet pleasure in shaping a space that others can step into and enjoy. I always begin by building the layers, and for me that starts with the linen. It anchors everything and sets the mood long before anything else is added. Once the foundation is in place, I think about the season. In winter I’m drawn to bright colours and often use fruit or citrus down the centre of the table, leaning into depth and warmth, adding more texture so the whole table feels inviting. When it comes to each place setting, I keep things simple and follow the rule of three. A placemat or charger plate then a dining plate then a starter plate, stacked neatly so the table looks ready the moment guests arrive.
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux
Hand painted lampshades for cosy corners.
As you prepare your festive season rituals, explore Aníma’s curated Festive Gift Edit.
by Maya Boyd
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux: Siena Swirl tablecloth, embroidered ruby napkins and placemats.
Christmas moves between London and the States. My mother is from Virginia and our family have a farm close to the North Carolina border. It is three hundred acres of organic and unspoilt countryside along the Banister River with tall pines, a freshwater pond and abundant wildlife. Twenty years ago, my parents built a large log cabin deep in the woods. Over time we added smaller cabins nearby so we and our extended family can all gather for Christmas.
When we spend Christmas in America, we try to fly first to Boston and spend a few days in Nantucket. We grew up going there every summer. My family had a house in Cliff and the island holds precious memories for us. In winter it may be quieter yet Christmas brings it to life. With fewer people on the island there is a lovely sense of calm. We wander along Main Street during the Christmas Stroll, visit the Festival of Trees at the Whaling Museum, take long walks along deserted beaches and sit by roaring fires with good food.
From Boston we drive down to Virginia and make our way to the farm. Our family is large and stretches across third and fourth cousins. My great grandparents owned the land and were part of a very tight local community.
On the twenty third of December, we host a cocktail party at the cabin. The weather can be anything. We have had snow and rain and sometimes it has been warm enough for T shirts. We serve southern food, mostly recipes from my grandmother’s cookbook, Virginia Hospitality. An old copy lives in the cabin with pages sticky from generations of cooks. We make devilled eggs, pickled okra, mini cornbread muffins with pimento cheese and cranberry relish. For cocktails we use a beautiful art deco punch bowl with a ladle and tiny glass teacups. We fill it with sweet tea bourbon punch or hot Old Fashioneds. On Christmas Day, of every age tumble into the main living room to open gifts. Uncle Henry arrives to cook brunch with pancakes, sausage and bacon. We sit down to a turkey feast at around three thirty then head out for a long family walk. And for the brave there is a very quick swim in the pond.
Christmas in London feels different but I love being at home. There is no place quite like London at this time of year. The city glows with lights, markets and music. We live on a quiet and pretty square in West London where every house hangs wreaths on the door and sets trees in the windows. We invite my sister, her children, my parents and other family for Christmas Day. Everyone is welcome. The more the merrier.
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux: hand painted lampshades for cosy corners.
London makes shopping easy. I love browsing Liberty and Harvey Nichols. They are large but somehow feel warm and cosy with beautiful edits of thoughtful and stylish pieces. Westbourne Grove hosts a festive evening where each store opens its doors for mince pies and champagne. I love every shop.We have a family ritual of visiting Yattendon Christmas Tree Farm in Berkshire to choose our tree. We buy one for the main living room and the children choose another for the dining area. They tend to pick the slightly higgledy-piggledy tree they worry no one else will choose. We take our two dogs and end the trip with a cosy pub lunch nearby.
Rituals are a big part of our Christmas. We also make a family trip to The Bull in Charlbury in the Cotswolds for carols. They put on a barbecue and little activities for children. We stay with friends and visit Daylesford for treats. If time allows, my husband Jeremy and I escape for grown-up Christmas cocktails at the Roof Gardens or Estelle Manor, and we always have a family lunch at 5 Hertford Street. On Christmas Eve we open the doors to our home after the children’s service at our local St Peters Church. Neighbours, friends and family old and new come in for mince pies, champagne and cocktails.
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux: embroidered Sapphire placemats, embroidered cloths from the Suzani collection.
I love dressing up in London as Christmas approaches. I sometimes hire dresses from HURR at Selfridges but on Christmas Eve I try to buy something special. I look for sustainable pieces – a beautiful long evening dress from Stella McCartney or Loewe with sparkly flats.
Hosting comes very naturally to me. December days are slow and gentle. Long walks, an open door and people drifting in and out. The fire is always lit and the table always set. In Virginia, our table is eclectic with my great grandmother’s silver, antiques from Toots Creek Antiques, pinecones, local greenery and Maison Margaux linens that we refresh each year. My London Christmas table mixes Maison Margaux pieces with finds collected over the years from Portobello Market and antique shops in London or Paris. I prefer not to be too matchy. I love a table that tells a story and brings back memories as we unpack decorations. The children write place cards for Christmas Day. I want the table to feel warm and welcoming rather than formal.
Laying a table is something I genuinely love. There is a quiet pleasure in shaping a space that others can step into and enjoy. I always begin by building the layers, and for me that starts with the linen. It anchors everything and sets the mood long before anything else is added. Once the foundation is in place, I think about the season. In winter I’m drawn to bright colours and often use fruit or citrus down the centre of the table, leaning into depth and warmth, adding more texture so the whole table feels inviting. When it comes to each place setting, I keep things simple and follow the rule of three. A placemat or charger plate then a dining plate then a starter plate, stacked neatly so the table looks ready the moment guests arrive.
Louisa’s Festive Edit from Maison Margaux
Hand painted lampshades for cosy corners.
As you prepare your festive season rituals, explore Aníma’s curated Festive Gift Edit.
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