Leave the greenery to the tree this year: every other decorative touch, be it on mantles, bannisters or doorways, should be translucent, glittery and sparkling.

The house was sheathed in wood clapboard, although there were bands of cut shingles providing a decorative touch.

The lavishly planted gardens and decorative touches such as lanterns and ornamental tiling raise it well above your average holiday home.

Its decorative touches include columns in antis and a wood cornice.

Throughout most of the 19th century, architectural terracotta had been confined to decorative touches like windowsills and lintels.