september 2021
the smartest new tech to make your life easier world-class houses PROJECTS IN LONDON, PA R I S , N E W YO R K , AUSTRALIA , ALL BRIMMING W I T H S AV V Y I D E A S
bold decorating directions P OW E R F U L PA LE T TE S T H AT W O R K W I T H G R E E N T H E U LT I M AT E R O U N D - U P O F AW 2 1 WA L L PA P E R S DESIGNE RS ON HOW TO E N H A N C E YO U R S PAC E WITH PA I NT
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TH E B E ST DE SIG N TO BUY RIG HT NOW
september 2021
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news & shopping EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT Pigmented concrete, the concept of shoppable hotels and rugs with completely new perspectives DESIGN RADAR Interiors pro Linda Boronkay on the beautiful buys she’s got her eye on NEWS We’re swooning over graceful arched lighting, dreaming of summer lounging on sleek outdoor sofas, plus we wish a happy birthday to iconic fabric and wallpaper brand Sanderson CATWALK LOOK English eccentricity THE EDITED CHOICE Chic dressing tables STYLE AWARDS 2021 The very best of contemporary design chosen by our panel NEWS REPORT The rise of shared living spaces HOW TO… DECORATE WITH WHITE Ten expert tips on working with this neutral shade LIFESTYLE REBOOT Floral artist Emily Baylis on achieving a work-life balance THE INNOVATION LIST Cool but clever buys for the hi-tech home
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fabulous spaces ROOM OF THE MONTH A blushing terracotta pink wall frames the view into a modern rustic kitchen scheme NEW YORK TOWNHOUSE Designer Noa Santos took two years to transform this trad home into a rather radical sculptural space AUSTRALIAN ABODE Traditional heritage and bold contemporary ideas are imaginatively combined in this home by Decus Interiors PARIS PAD A confident use of colour and ethereal touches come together in this unique living space by Le Berre Vevaud LONDON FLAT Omar Bhatti has given a tired space in the capital’s jewellery district a glittering new look MAYFAIR APARTMENT Marie Soloman took the art deco identity of this building and reinterpreted it in a very contemporary way
Head to livingetc.com for daily updates on style, trend news and decor inspiration
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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHAN JULLIARD
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design & decorating DETAIL OF THE MONTH Our Studio Livingetc design service has created an elegant and effortlessly cool living room GREEN HOUSE The colour of the moment takes centre stage in these beautiful schemes PATTERN BOOK: NEW-SEASON WALLPAPER EDIT Wake up walls with our pick of punchy prints and patterns COLOUR INSIGHT Robert Stilin on experimenting with playful neutral tones STYLE COLUMNIST Minnie Kemp compiles a wish list of treats for a grown-up Halloween GARDEN INSIGHT Existing planting was the jumping off point for a brand new design GARDENING COLUMNIST Poppy Okotcha on the rhythm of give and take in the garden KITCHEN AND BATHROOM NEWS New products and launches
paint updates dossier NEWS Fab products and ideas from the experts LOOKBOOK New ways to play with paint
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INTERVIEW Top tips from Tash Bradley, head colour specialist at Lick
the lifestyle edit THE ONE THING WE’RE EXCITED FOR THIS MONTH Mexican restaurant El Pastor is bringing a fiesta spirit to London’s West End IN AND OUT Things to do – at home or outside SUNNY DAYS Summer flavours from chef Shahar Tamir of the Sabina Clubhouse in Ibiza HOTEL HOT LIST Two gorgeous Mediterranean holidays to put on your list GLOBETROTTER David Rockwell on the delights of downtown Los Angeles SECRET ADDRESS BOOK Our go-to design place for contemporary and dynamic pieces
and the rest… EDITOR’S LETTER BERT & MAY X LIVINGETC Our first tile collection revealed! JOIN US AT HOUSE TOURS Book tickets to our event in London’s Primrose Hill SUBSCRIBE Sign up to never miss an issue livingetc.com
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edit Pip McCormac Editor @pipmccormac
what i’m into this month 1
The new tile collection we’ve designed for Bert & May, top right and on page 46. Chalky, Mediterranean-inspired beauty.
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The way the Portcullis marble emulsion by Mylands catches the light now it’s on my dining room walls, almost seeming to glow.
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House Tours Live returning! Your final chance to buy tickets is on page 52.
news-stand cover
subscriber cover
I took a welcome break from my house renovation to help judge the first Livingetc Style Awards recently. Sat in a room with two of our columnists, Linda Boronkay and Minnie Kemp, along with the fashion guru Lucinda Chambers, it was fascinating to hear their thoughts on what constituted style today. Style, we decided, comes from the ease in which a piece can be used to bring life to a room, a smile to anyone who views or uses it, and the way a design can get better with time. Casting our eyes over hundreds of products, we whittled it down to just over 50 that we think are the best buys you could make today – see the edit on page 29. They vary massively, covering everything from a cushion to a whole kitchen, but they’re connected by the way they all brought delight to our panel, and I think they will bring joy to you, too. Less delightful – I’ve left the noisy stage of my refurb and entered the really noisy stage. It’s the untold story at Livingetc that for every beautiful project you see – and the houses in this issue, from page 70, are particularly wonderful – there are seemingly hundreds of tradespeople, countless bangs and drilling sounds and even more piles of rubble involved. People keep telling me the end result will be worth it, and I am sure they’re right, but for now I’m poring over designer Noa Santos’ renovation in New York on page 70 and dreaming of a quieter future. Not that I mean to sound negative – if you’re embarking on a project of your own, it’s enriching to witness the moments of progress that break through the clouds of brick dust. The arrival of my new Pendle kitchen sink from Shaws of Darwen felt like a glimpse into another world, where the kitchen is finished and I can spend my evenings relaxing rather than choosing which light switches to go for (brushed brass from Wandsworth Electrical, since you ask). And the paint going on makes all the difference, which is why we’ve asked our favourite experts for their latest ideas on how best to use it, starting on page 137. There’s a general move to pairing pigments that I find really rich and interesting, a sure-fire way to winning style.
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everyone’s talking about... P L AY F U L CONCR ETE Winner of the acclaimed ‘Don’t Move Improve’ 2021 Awards, The House Recast – a transformation of a north London townhouse by Studio Ben Allen – uses pigmented concrete in delightful ways. The floors, counters, benches and more are all cast in blue, green and rust-red hues. studiobenallen.com
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S H O P PA B L E HOTE L S The design showroom of the future, the shoppable hotel feels like a trick hospitality has been missing for some time. Oakley Court in Berkshire, renovated over lockdown by tastemaker and retailer Alex Eagle, sports interiors that are quietly available to purchase during your stay, including a range of glassware, fabrics and linens, as well as artwork and vintage furniture. A weekend away has never felt more like a shopping spree. oakleycourt.co.uk
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPHS (PLAYFUL CONCRETE) FRENCH + TYE
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M AT C H I N G TAB LE WAR E TO CUISINE There’s an extra layer of umami when serveware mirrors the cuisine of a restaurant. Dive in Margate is a seafood taco shack on the seafront that serves up its delicacies on locally-made ceramics that mimic crustacean shells. divemargate.com
ALONE TIME
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The world has sped up, our days have quickly been filled and prioritising alone time is front of mind. Products like Toast’s soft cloth pencil rolls, crafted with hemp and organic cotton to accommodate tools, pencils and found objects, are a gentle reminder to focus on ourselves. Ticking Stripe pencil roll, £25. toa.st
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SURREAL RUGS Rugs have become the portal to fantasy worlds, given the sense that by treading on one might present an opportunity to be transported away. Evoking the impenetrable canopy of a tropical rainforest, Jan Kath’s Jungle collection mimics views looking up from the ground at the lush greenery. Magic View II by Jan Kath, £15,653. gharalondon.com
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design radar Our columnist Linda Boronkay on the pieces catching her eye this month
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1 BY T H E S E A
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These tiles are full of personality. The patterns are almost childlike in their naivety and you can’t help but fall in love with them. Blue tiles, £10 each, Maude Made
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2 P L AT E U P Did you know that in symbology fungi represent good fortune? This plate is so charming with its hand-painted finish. Mushrooms, €210 for a set of six, The Platera
3 G L A Z E D OV E R The blue tableware trend continues and while I’m not a big follower of such movements I’m still enjoying a reactive glaze in a lovely deep blue hue. Deep stoneware plate, £9.99, H&M Home
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4 TA B L E TA L K This table is naturally dyed with beetroot juice, how lovely is that? It also comes in natural and ebonised oak. Beetroot pedestal table, £550, Galvin Brothers
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5 GOOD LOOKS Give me a faux bamboo anything and I’ll be happy. The featured piece here is finished with hand-silvered plate, creating lovely foxing to the mirror. Bamboo mirror, £1,236, Robin Myerscough Studio
6 ON FORM
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This has a beautiful Japanese influence and rawness. Yama 6 sculpture by Noe Kuremoto, £816, Select-Works
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news THE POWER PAT T E R N
retro to go An elegant take on 70s maximalism, Graham & Brown’s spectacular Tramonto wallpaper is a unique geometric print with a large repeating pattern of interlinking circles. Its richly hued wood-look background will add depth and dimension to any space. Tramonto Amber wallpaper, £65 a roll (grahambrown.com)
THE CORE PIECE
change of gear Injecting interiors with a portable layer of bold architectural appeal, the brutalist-inspired Gear side table by Kristian Sofus Hansen and Tommy Hyldahl feels like just the kind of statement piece to shake things up. Cast in a lightweight fiber concrete it’s impressive but not impractical, balancing a hefty circular table top and fluted legs with a poetic hand-painted textural finish. Gear side table, £320, Norr11 (boundconcept.com)
THE FINISHING TOUCH
nature underfoot T he l at e st r ug f r om A R u m Fel low i s i n spi r e d b y t he Jap a ne s e wor d ‘K omor ebi’, w h ich de s c r ib e s t he b e aut y of s c att er e d s u n l ig ht sh i n i ng th r oug h tr e e s. Av a i l able i n f i ve c olour w a y s , the h a nd woven r ug h a s a n i ntr ic at e a nd g r aph ic de sig n th at c apt ur e s the e s s enc e of n at ur e a nd a m a g ic a l m oment i n a for e st . K om or ebi wo ol r ug i n For e st , f r om £1, 62 0 for 16 0 x 2 3 0 cm (a r um fel low.c om)
CRUSHING ON
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI
wf h wonders Combining practicality with our penchant for scalloped details, Objects is a collection of pastel desk accessories from Katie Leamon and handmade from concrete. Items include shallow dishes, perfect for paper clips and erasers, narrow pots for pens and pencils, and wider pots, ideal for plants. Work never looked this good. From £24 (katieleamon.com)
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news
THE TREND
botanical business We can’t imagine anything more sublime than exquisitely designed Italian office furniture elevated with a touch of Tropicalia. The Livre Swivel from Gallotti&Radice is an exceedingly comfortable chair designed by Federica Biasi. Equipped with a steel core covered in black stained ash wood, this version is enveloped in Eden Green 001, a vibrant weave. We love the 360° swivel movement with return. Livre Swivel in Eden Green 001, from £3,408 (gallottiradice.it)
I N T E R N AT I O N A L D E S I G N
glorious arc B ot h d r a m atic a nd d i s c r e et , C i r cle f r om B ont empi i s a c ol le c t ion of g r a v it y- def y i ng l a mps w her e d y n a m ic met a l a r che s a r e melde d ont o a c onc r et e b a l l c r e at i ng a de sig n t h at emb o d ie s t he pr a c t ic a l it y of a f lo or l a mp a nd t he e s s enc e of a s c u lpt u r e. T he a r ch i s f i n i she d i n d a r k br a s s a nd t he c onc r et e b a l l c a n b e s ele c t e d i n t h r e e c olou r s – W h it e, C oncr ete or A nth r acite. Ci rcle, f r om € 1, 24 4 (b ontempi.it)
THE INDULGENCE
Resembling a trio of otherworldly floating islands, Cicladi is a set of low tables with alabaster tops and metal bases. The tables are made using Tuscan alabaster from the Volterra area. The material’s storied past dates back in parts to Florentine artisans who used it to create precious decorative objects. It was forgotten completely in the Middle Ages then rediscovered by artists during the Renaissance. The striking tables are also available in Black, Malachite Green, Amber, Pompei Red and Lapis Lazuli Blue. Cicladi coffee tables, price on request (edra.com/it)
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THE WEEKEND BUY
lights our f ire Eschewing minimalism for wonderfully decorative Arts and Crafts-inspired homeware, growing design label Polkra amazes us with everything it produces. The brand’s candle collaboration with artist Katie Scott is a collection of five scents featuring botanical drawings, each with a surreal twist. Long after the wax meets the bottom of its wick, these candle pots make fabulous vessels for show or storage. £49 each or £225 for a set of 5 (polkra.com)
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI
power of three
the catwalk look Mirabilia Sunlight place mat, £115 for set of 6, Polkra x Anna Glover at Polkra
Bon Bon coupe glass, £298, Helle Mardahl at Matchesfashion
Les Champignons dinner plate, £1,104 for set of 6, The Invisible Collection
Le Cirque linen tablecloth in Blue, £275, Summerill & Bishop Rhea Kalo Green & Pink Stripe vase, from £66, The Sette
Simone Rocha’s AW21 catwalk went big on sugar-pink tulle and 3D patterned roses
Alberta Ferretti’s models rocked a modern mad-hatter look
wonderland Let The Light In table, £1,750, Natalie Tredgett
Braided oval wall mirror, £48, &Klevering at Selfridges
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Manon wallpaper, £62sq m, Made of Matter Daisy dessert fork, £11 for 2, W.A. Green
English eccentricity and romance found their way from the runway to fantastical pieces for the home
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI
Blue and white mug, £50, Henry Holland Studio
news JUST L AUNCHED
organic illumination A gently dramatic fusion between a pendant and a chandelier, the new Pebble light from Original BTC is created using 48 bone china ‘pebbles’. Each pebble form is 3D resin printed then used to make casting moulds, into which liquid clay is poured. Once set, the moulds are split and the forms are removed, dried then polished to remove imperfections. Each pebble is secured to a ‘stem’ on the central frame of the pendant. The stems are of varying lengths in order to create a layered shape. Work of art. £1,499 (originalbtc.com)
THE OUTDOOR PICK
home for the holidays Not f ly ing off any where? Liv ing Divani’s new K asbah outdoor sofa will transport you to warmer climes. Crafted from solid Burmese teak and with eye- catching blue upholster y that shouts sunny sk ies, it’s U V- and water-repellant. It’s also modular so you can reconf ig ure it in many different ways. Price on request (livingdivani.it)
GOING GREEN
comfort zone Soft and welcoming in a richly-hued bouclé fabric, the new take on the Quadrotta chair by Calligaris is simply divine. Take it from us, the cushioned seat makes it feel like you are sitting on a cloud and the backrest hugs you. And the artisanal details of the back create a ‘structural randomness’ that makes it pleasant to the touch. The perfect choice for when you know you will be dining late into the evening. Price on request (calligaris.com)
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fabulous f ibre For those who have ever felt the guilt of discarding plastic plant pots, Foli8 is the first UK houseplant company to sell plants directly in 100% natural, compostable coir pots in a bid to help reduce waste. Still selling the popular fiddle leafs and succulents we have all come to know and love, we think its earthy coconut fibre pots look just as good left bare as they would potted. Plants, from £17 (foli8.co.uk)
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI
THE REMIX
the edited choice
Selene dressing table, price on request, Pietro Russo for Gallotti&Radice
Afrodite writing desk, price on request, Carlo Ballabio for Porada Domina dressing table, £499, Dwell
Salina dressing table, £725, Ercol at Heal’s
Silvy’s dressing table, £1,842, Julian Chichester
FEATURE JO BAILEY
Vanity dressing table, £2,617.64, Solido Studio for Bontempi Casa
Ankhara dressing table, £349, Made Senzo dressing table, £399, Swoon
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dressing tables Lookin’ pretty vanities to make your getting ready routine gorgeous
news THE BIG B I R T H D AY
print icon
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI
Marking its 160-year anniversary, British wallpaper and fabric brand Sanderson has launched the ‘One Sixty’ collection – a celebration of its iconic florals and countrysideinspired motifs. Archive designs, such as the Grandiflora featuring magnificent magnolias, have been reimagined with a bold palette. We love the dynamic synergy between sportsman Maro Itoje and the blooms, proving the prints are just as relevant today as they were in 1860. Grandiflora in Emerald, £69m (sandersondesign.group)
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FEATURE CLAUDIA BAILLIE
Selecting from hundreds of entries, our panel of expert judges has chosen the very best of contemporary design – it’s your complete guide to what to buy right now livingetc.com
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what style means today Great design can make people happy, and over the past year creating a space that enhances and nurtures our physical and mental wellbeing has been more important than ever. From the colour of our walls to the sofa we sit on and the mug that holds our morning coffee, we’ve truly appreciated that the products we choose can have a huge effect on the way we feel. This was the thinking behind the first-ever annual Livingetc Style Awards, a way of highlighting the pieces and products that exude style, all filled with the potential to make your home a more wonderful place to live. With entries ranging from big statement items of furniture and tabletop accessories to brand-new launches and enduring classics, the edit you see here showcases the very best. Faced with so much to choose from, our judges have elected to award some extra prizes to Design Icons – those products that aren’t new but which still feel fresh and exciting – and Wise Buys, for pieces that are more affordable but no less magical. Proof that style comes in many shapes and sizes.
meet the judges
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L I N DA B O R O N K AY
L U C I N DA CHAMBERS
MINNIE KEMP
SAR AH SPITERI
PIP M c C O R M AC
INTERIOR DESIGNER AND LIVINGETC COLUMNIST
STYLIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF COLLAGERIE
INTERIOR DESIGNER AND LIVINGETC COLUMNIST
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR OF LIVINGETC
EDITOR OF LIVINGETC
livingetc.com
furniture 1 DINING THE RED TABLE BY DE ROSEE SA ARCHITECTS
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The struggle to find a large, extendable dining table in a finish other than wood led the De Rosee Sa studio to design this statement piece. ‘This table is amazing and really different,’ says Lucinda Chambers. ‘I love the high shine and it would be such a talking point in a room.’ From £9,020
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5 OCCASIONAL FURNITURE TRIBECA TABLES BY LEE BROOM
Launched in spring 2021, this sculptural series of black silk marble and travertine side and coffee tables is part of the new Penthouse Collection by British designer Lee Broom. ‘The blend of materials seen here is very sophisticated,’ says Linda Boronkay. £7,900
2 S T O R AG E MODULOR BY RIMADESIO
Custom-made units mean the versatile Modulor storage system can be adapted to suit any space, while the sleek wall panelling system integrates seamlessly into the room. ‘This is the ultimate investment; the quality and finish are immaculate,’ says Sarah Spiteri. Price on request
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6 OCCASIONAL FURNITURE – DESIG N ICON EKERO SIDE TABLE BY PORADA
Designed in 2020, the judging panel felt this side table deserved Design Icon status for becoming an instant enduring classic. ‘I have a feeling these pieces will never age – they just seem so timeless,’ says Pip McCormac. £1,464
3 S E AT I N G PACIFIC CHAIR BY PATRICIA URQUIOLA FOR MOROSO
The rounded, oversized shapes of this cocooning chair by Patricia Urquiola are enhanced by the use of ultra-soft upholstery including bouclé, plush wool or luxurious velvet. ‘This piece has elegant proportions and would make a great accent chair,’ says Sarah Spiteri. Around £1,900
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4 S E AT I N G – WISE BUY HOLI SOFA BY CARAVANE
Available in 60 colours, there is a true versatility to the Holi sofa. Its washed-linen fabric feels casual and comfortable – it
is an ideal family piece. ‘It’s smart enough to work in a chic drawing room, but friendly enough to have the whole household pile onto it,’ says Pip McCormac. Around £2,750
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7 BED HENRIETTA WINGED HEADBOARD UPHOLSTERED BED BY LOVE YOUR HOME
This striking bed features an elegant winged headboard and is available in 100 different colours and fabrics with alternative leg options. ‘It’s an affordable design that you could make your own with custom fabrics, and the tapered legs are very smart,’ says Minnie Kemp. From £1,289
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accessories 1 SOFT FURNISHING COLLEC TION
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Portuguese mill to create this elegant bedding. ‘This feels like great quality,’ says Lucinda Chambers. ‘And it looks as though it will get better with every wash.’ From £25
CAPSULE COLLECTION BY CHRISTOPHER FARR CLOTH
This curated selection of cushions and throws allows customers to combine the colours and patterns of the Christopher Farr collection with confidence. ‘These are fresh, graphic and versatile designs,’ says Linda Boronkay. Cushions £176.50 each
5 RUG
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LEXINGTON BY ROGER OATES DESIGN
Textural bands and a single, slimline pinstripe through this 100% wool tufted rug create a contemporary take on the iconic Roger Oates Stripe. ‘I love how the bands are so subtle,’ says Minnie Kemp. ‘The blue with the red is a beautiful combination.’ From £895
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2 TA B L E WA R E COLLEC TION UBUNTU TABLEWARE BY LISA TODD DESIGNS
Having researched the history of Zulu beadwork, Lisa collaborated with a team of beaders and wire workers in South Africa who translated her designs into tableware. ‘This range is joyous,’ says Linda Boronkay. ‘I love the way she applied her original inspiration so well.’ From £45
3 TA B L E WA R E COLLEC TION – DESIG N ICON
6 RUG – WISE BUY GRACE RUG BY DUNELM
Featuring an on-trend scalloped border, the Grace rug by high-street hero Dunelm is handcrafted by skilled artisans in India using hardwearing, textural jute. ‘The blue stripe is really smart, lifting this playful and fun design,’ says Pip McCormac. From £129
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OLIO COLLECTION BY BARBER OSGERBY FOR ROYAL DOULTON
British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have worked with Royal Doulton to update their Olio collection, first launched in 2015, in a new celadon blue. ‘The organic shapes are modern but not cold,’ says Pip McCormac. From £15
7 D E C O R AT I V E AC C E S S O R Y CABALLO CUSHION BY WICKLEWOOD
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4 BEDDING LINEN BY BEDFOLK
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Nick and Jo James, Bedfolk sources the finest materials and partners with a family-run,
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Designed by Wicklewood founder Caroline Downing Nadel, this cushion has been inspired by Guatemalan textiles from the 1930s archive of Lilly de Jongh Osborne – Caroline’s great-grandmother. ‘There’s beautiful detail in this jacquard design,’ says Sarah Spiteri. ‘It is sophisticated but could work equally well in a child’s room.’ £185
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home fragrance 1 AT H O M E S PA P R O D U C T
2 SCENTED CANDLE
RIKRAK GARDENIA SANDALWOOD BY KIT KEMP
SACRE BY OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY 1803
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This fresh and invigorating cleansing wash features purifying burdock root and restorative lemon balm, as well as orange flower, green leaves and bergamot zest. ‘The scent is so uplifting – and it lingers for ages,’ says Pip McCormac. £22
Formulated exclusively with plant-based ingredients, this all-natural wax candle combines rice, soy and copra in an elegant marble vessel. ‘This would make an amazing gift,’ says Sarah Spiteri. ‘The cloche elevates the candle into something amazing.’ £138
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home tech 1 HOME TECH
2 HOME TECH – DESIG N ICON
FITNESS MIRROR BY VAHA
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Loaded with more than 200 different workouts for every exercise preference, this streams a hologram into your home, acting as a virtual personal trainer. ‘We don’t often see a piece of tech that raises the bar to this extent. A great piece of kit,’ says Sarah Spiteri. From £68 a month
PURIFIER HOT+COOL FORMALDEHYDE BY DYSON
Despite being a new product, the judges felt this deserved Design Icon status as it’s a modern riff on the classic Dyson fan. ‘Sadly, formaldehyde is in so much of what we’ve traditionally decorated with and this is an elegant solution,’ says Pip McCormac. £599.99
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bathrooms 1 S H OW E R HENRY BY WATERWORKS
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The goose-necked shower has a whiff of Victorian industrial bathhouse style, but still feels up to date. ‘This is a sensational shape,’ says Sarah Spiteri. ‘It’s a piece that will define the whole look of your bathroom.’ £895
3 B AT H WHITEWATER BY SUSIE ATKINSON FOR DRUMMONDS
2 TILES CARNIVAL BY OTTO TILES & DESIGN
These sustainably produced encaustic tiles were designed by founder Damla Turgut using a palette inspired by a trip to
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Tulum. ‘I love these colours and you could be really imaginative about where you use them,’ says Minnie Kemp. £180sq m
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With contoured sides and a gently raised edge, this is the perfect comfort/style combination. ‘Reinterpreting this classic shape feels friendly and familiar, while the height is super luxe,’ says Pip McCormac. From £3,792
decorating 1 PA I N T C O L O U R OLIVE BY NEPTUNE
unique velvet matt finish. ‘This is a great way to get a heritage look at an affordable price,’ says Sarah Spiteri. £41 for 2.5ltr
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A soothing shade with a yellow undertone, this has a heritage feel that suits both contemporary and traditional interiors. ‘What I love about it is that it’s a shade I would wear,’ says Lucinda Chambers. £54 for 2.5ltr
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6 FA B R I C BENGALE BY MANUEL CANOVAS FOR COLEFAX AND FOWLER
Showing a scene in the time of the Raj, this features elephants, tigers and ostriches against a backdrop of palaces and jungles. ‘The design seems like it’s telling a story,’ says Pip McCormac. Bengale in Paprika, £89m
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SETTING PLASTER BY FARROW & BALL
This shade was named after the pinkish walls in newly plastered houses. ‘I never wanted to decorate with pink until I saw how grown-up this was, ’says Pip McCormac. £49.50 for 2.5ltr
7 P L A I N FA B R I C COLLEC TION GAIA BY CAMENGO
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3 PA I N T COLLEC TION
Made predominantly of recycled water bottles and food packaging, this fabric has top eco credentials. ‘The hues make me think of summer days,’ says Pip McCormac. £51.50m
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TRUE MATT BY ZOFFANY
Available in 156 shades, this water-based emulsion has an ultra-matt finish. ‘The combination of a wipeable but matt finish and a sophisticated palette make this a special collection,’ says Lucinda Chambers. ‘Tigers Eye is a favourite.’ £52 for 2.5ltr
8 TRIMMING MENAGERIE BY SAMUEL & SONS
Featuring a leopard pattern embroidered with wool and lustrous yarns, this trim is a fresh take on animal print. ‘These are chic but fun,’ says Minnie Kemp. ‘If you had plain linen curtains you could add this to make them sexy.’ £64m
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4 NEUTRAL PA I N T COLLEC TION STONE BY LITTLE GREENE
Formulated with the National Trust, the 36 colours take their inspiration from the natural world. ‘They feel like a breath of fresh air, having an instantly calming effect on me,’ says Pip McCormac. £48.50 for 2.5ltr
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5 PA I N T COLLEC TION – WISE BUY HERITAGE BY DULUX
This curated collection contains 112 colours with a
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EDO SPRINGS BY STUDIO BY FROMENTAL
Madame Chrysanthème is one of nine wallcoverings from Studio by Fromental, a new collection by the brand designed to bring hand-painted papers into everyday homes. ‘This is a great way to introduce luxurious papers into your home,’ says Minnie Kemp. £535 a panel.
lighting 1 LIGHTING I N N OVAT I O N EASY PEASY BY LODES
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5 TA B L E L I G H T – WISE BUY
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Created by Italian designer Luca Nichetto, these portable and rechargeable table lamps, encourage playful interaction between people and their living spaces. ‘These lamps are almost like jewellery,’ says Sarah Spiteri. ‘The fact that they are portable makes them super-useful, too.’ £284 each
WOBSTER BY POOKY
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This curvy wooden lamp has a glossy orange lacquer finish and an olive green braided three core flex, ensuring it makes a statement in any room. ‘The base is so tactile and fun and the colours are so energising,’ says Pip McCormac. From £117
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2 CEILING LIGHT
RIDOTTI BY LIGHTS & LAMPS
BATEMAN CHANDELIER BY MARGIT WITTIG
This adaptable lamp combines aged brass legs, a champagne plated glass globe and a natural raffia shade that gently diffuses the light. ‘This is an affordable piece with loads of character,’ says Lucinda Chambers. ‘It’s a quirky mix of materials and you could use it anywhere.’ £139
Originally conceived for an exhibition showcasing fine art, interiors and vintage fashion, this takes inspiration from the colours of a collage by artist Barbara Campbell Thomas. ‘This is so original,’ says Minnie Kemp. ‘I love the use of painted resin.’ Price on request
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3 CEILING LIGHT – DESIG N ICON
Taking its design cues from the work of French designer Jean Royère, this is finished in hand applied Faux Red Gesso. ‘This a spectacular and cheerful design and you can really have fun with the shades, too,’ says Minnie Kemp. Price on request.
ANDERS LIGHT BY PINCH
One of PINCH’s most recognised pieces, this much-admired light is reminiscent of a couture dress. ‘This light is just beautiful,’ says Lucinda Chambers. ‘It is a true design icon.’ £2,985
MEDUSA BY JULIAN CHICHESTER
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8 WA L L L I G H T – DESIG N ICON
4 TA B L E L I G H T
TYPE 80 BY ANGLEPOISE
FLO BY SAMUEL WILKINSON FOR THE CONRAN SHOP
Anglepoise originally released the Type 80 collection, designed by Sir Kenneth Grange, in September 2019, combining high style with ease of installation. ‘Anglepoise brings together form and function so well,’ says Lucinda Chambers. ‘This is such a chic lamp that’s beautifully made. You’d never be bored of it.’ £174
A Conran Shop exclusive, this innovative lamp by British designer Samuel Wilkinson is handcrafted in the Czech Republic using specialist glass-blowing methods. ‘The smoked glass and colour of this lamp make it just so smart,’ says Lucinda Chambers. £375
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kitchen design 1 BESPOKE KITCHE N
4 SINK
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TUSCAN FARMHOUSE CARRARA MARBLE SINK BY DEVOL
EGGERSMANN DESIGN
This bespoke kitchen includes a monolithic island unit that is encased in book-matched Coffee Brown marble and cupboard doors clad in Maro Ebony composite formed from sustainably grown timber. ‘I like the statement that the island unit makes,’ says Sarah Spiteri. ‘It’s confident, grown-up and stylish.’ From £80,000
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Made to order at a quarry in Carrara in Italy, each sink is machined from a single block of either Carrara or Arabescato Corchia marble, then handfinished for a delightfully tactile honed surface. ‘With its smooth colours and gentle textures, this sink is heaven,’ says Pip McCormac. ‘Just dreamy. It’s a real investment for life.’ From £2,470
2 PA N T R Y 5 APPLIANCE
LOTTE LARDER CABINET BY COX & COX
Handcrafted in Europe from solid pine treated with a relaxed washed-paint finish, this traditional-style, free-standing cabinet has antiqued pull metal knobs, five adjustable shelves and additional storage on the inside of each door. ‘This piece is a great addition to any kitchen and would be easy to use and adapt,’ says Minnie Kemp. £2,125
INSTAVIEW DOOR-IN-DOOR FRIDGE FREEZER BY LG
This sleek appliance has a patented InstaView panel that illuminates when knocked on twice, as well as Door-in-Door technology, both of which reduce the need to open the door so keeps food fresh for longer. ‘This addresses problems I didn’t know I had,’ says Pip McCormac. ‘It really pushes the boundaries of kitchen tech.’ £1,779
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3 TA P ARMSTRONG BY PERRIN & ROWE
6 APPLIANCE – DESIG N ICON
Inspired by brothers Joseph and George Armstrong who built more than 800 locomotives at the Stafford Road Works near the Perrin & Rowe foundry in Wolverhampton, the Armstrong range features hand-cast bodies and stamped handles. ‘Contemporary yet classic, it’s rare to see an alluring shape that still feels fresh,’ says Pip McCormac. £400
DISHDRAWER™ DISHWASHER BY FISHER & PAYKEL
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Having entered the marketplace over 20 years ago to global acclaim, the DishDrawer™ dishwasher minimises bending and is a world-first in terms of design and configuration. ‘When this was launched it was such a step forward and now this latest version has been updated in a brilliant modern finish,’ says Sarah Spiteri. From £799
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outdoor 1 FURNITURE COLLEC TION LATTE CHAIR AND CANTEEN TABLE BY VERY GOOD & PROPER
The first outdoor furniture collection from this British brand includes the Latte chair and new version of the classic Canteen table, both made using a sustainable biocomposite. ‘This collection is so chic,’ says Lucinda Chambers. From £245
3 S U R FAC E S
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OUTDOOR COLLECTION BY CAESARSTONE
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This inaugural collection of durable outdoor quartz surfaces has been designed specifically by Caesarstone for use in alfresco cooking and dining areas. ‘There’s a true smartness to the finish of this range and it’s so durable,’ says Pip McCormac. From £600sq m
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4 TA B L E
2 S T O R AG E
LINEAR TABLE BY JENNIFER NEWMAN
FREE-STANDING SHELF BY STRING
This reworked version of the iconic String shelving system is manufactured using durable, galvanised metal designed for all-weather outdoor use. ‘It caters perfectly to the urban gardener who has just discovered growing,’ says Pip McCormac. From £346
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design for kids 1 AC C E S S O R Y KIDS’ BEDDING BY THE TARTAN BLANKET CO
Made from the highest quality lambswool, this blanket is temperature regulating, breathable, hypoallergenic and the perfect size for a cot or pram. ‘A good quality baby blanket is an ideal gift and this one I’d happily have myself as it’s so soft and pretty,’ says Pip McCormac. £42
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MOSES BASKET BY DOCKATOT
ELEPHANT BOOKSHELF BY THE WHITE COMPANY
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Company’s most enduring characters, Kimbo the elephant. ‘This is a fun and practical piece for a child’s room and rattan is very of the moment,’ says Linda Boronkay. £245
3 BED
2 S T O R AG E This white-washed rattan bookshelf is designed in-house and features one of The White
Linear is constructed from extruded aluminium tubes, which are hand-welded and powder-coated to form a watertight structure that can be left outside all year round. ‘It’s refreshing to see stylish outdoor furniture in a bright colour,’ says Minnie Kemp. £1,650
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The DockATot Moses basket has a coconut coir mattress selected for its breathable, moisture-resistant properties and is available in a variety of timeless designs in collaboration with Morris & Co. ‘I enjoy seeing vintage patterns in children’s collections, so we loved this collaboration,’ says Sarah Spiteri. £450
names to know 1 CANDLES DIAPHANE CANDLE CO
T H E J U D G E S A L S O N O M I N AT E D T H E S E N E WC O M E R S A S O N E S T O WAT C H
Founder Anca Petrescu creates these sculptural seven-wick Tree of Light candles using high-quality poured beeswax that can be scented with organic essential oils.
7 FURNITURE OTZI LONDON
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2 WO O DWO R K
Having served an apprenticeship with Bill Amberg, leather designer Otis Ingrams launched OTZI London in 2013. He uses British materials to create his pieces.
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GRAIN & KNOT
Founder Sophie Sellu’s love of nature and purpose inspires her to craft tactile, functional wooden objects, all made from reclaimed, storm-fallen or sustainably sourced timber.
8 A R T WO R K
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JO WATERHOUSE
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3 CERAMICS OPENSHAW
Inspired by archaeological ephemera, Jonathan Openshaw uses ceramics to celebrate the way in which craft can encompass different meanings, forms and functions.
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PALEFIRE
4 SUSTAINAB ILIT Y
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CHARLOTTE KIDGER
Charlotte Kidger is an experimental maker who turns industrial and valueless waste materials into sculptural and functional objects.
Palefire creates playful lighting that pushes boundaries. Pieces are inspired by historical design including art nouveau, abstract expressionism and mid-century Murano glassmaking.
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HADEDA
5 T H R OW S
Hadeda has a collection of unique home and lifestyle pieces sourced from talented artisans and co-ops from around the globe. Founded by Kate Kindersley, the company favours craft and design over mass production.
DUSEN DUSEN
6 TA B L E WA R E
Drawing heavily on her surroundings and British folk traditions, Jo Waterhouse is an illustrator and textile designer, whose characterful illustrations are made using techniques including printmaking, block-printing and hand collage.
9 LIGHTING 6
Designer Ellen Van Dusen launched womenswear line Dusen Dusen in 2010 before expanding into home goods in 2015. Pieces are inspired by the brain’s reaction to colour, movement and contrast.
traditional techniques with modern design to create soulful, stylish, handcrafted pieces.
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11 CANDLESTICKS
THE COLOMBIA COLLECTIVE
RUBY KEAN
Collaborating and designing directly with artisan entrepreneurs, The Colombia Collective brings together
Ruby Kean is a New York-based British artist and interior designer. Her work is colourful, bold and completely individual.
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news report A rich era of inner-city life beckons with new residential spaces and avant-garde apartments dedicated to championing the utopian benefits of shared living
FROM TOP Ikea Urban Living – renders of living and communal spaces at The Urban Living Project from Space10 and EFFEKT Nieuw Bergen – renders of plans for Nieuw Bergen by MVRDV and SDK Vastgoed for the redevelopment of the inner city area in Eindhoven, which is set to become high-quality and sustainable residences for the city’s inhabitants Van B Munich – Van B Apartments by UNStudio with shared outdoor spaces and panoramic views of Munich
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“The stronger the sense of community there is, the stronger the feeling of safety and security”
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPHS (IKEA URBAN LIVING) SPACE10; (NIEUW BERGEN) WAX; (VAN B MUNICH) BAUWERK/BLOOMIMAGES
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n Europe the concept of co-housing first surfaced in Denmark in the 1970s under the Sættedammen initiative, which consisted of 35 families living in private homes while sharing communal spaces for socialising and activities such as dining, housekeeping, group gatherings, festivities and other events. Neighbourhood-bound, the past year has convinced many of us of the benefits of participating in community living. The Urban Living Project from Ikea’s research lab Space10 and architecture studio EFFEKT is a vision for subscription-based housing that brings together people of different generations and encourages them to share facilities. ‘The village is designed to give access to shared facilities and services that keep you close to the things you need,’ says Guillaume Charny-Brunet, strategy director at Space10. ‘This includes spaces for communal dinners, shared daycare, urban gardening, fitness, groceries and shared transportation.’ The Van B apartment building in Munich, deemed a prototype for modern city dwelling, contains 142 apartments with shared communal spaces and is designed to be reconfigurable with ‘plug-in’ furniture units that function as space partitions. The building comprises of shared roof terraces, communal kitchen lounges and entertaining spaces reinforcing the idea of inclusive and community living that is intrinsic to the design. ‘Architecture can create frameworks that enable people to meet,’ says Ben van Berkel, principal architect at UNStudio. ‘Where neighbourhood communities can be shaped and where spontaneous encounters can occur.’ Similarly, Nieuw Bergen in Eindhoven is a progressive residential development with sloping 45-degree roofs creating a varied, jagged profile of solar panels, collective gardens, greenhouses and multiple window openings, maximising natural light and creating an optimum, holistic platform for shared living. ‘Happiness does not come from owning the biggest house on the street,’ says Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Denmark. ‘But rather from knowing we are part of something bigger.’ It may be that your next move or design project isn’t to find seclusion, but to bring you into the fold. ‘ The stronger the sense of community, the stronger the feeling of safety and security, while friendships formed increase individual and community happiness.’
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Bert & May x Livingetc WE’RE THRILLED TO LAUNCH OUR FIRST TILE COLLECTION WITH B E R T & M AY – A S E T O F A R C H I T E C T U R A L LY - I N S P I R E D D E S I G N S
The Cap tiles come together to form circles, while the Column tiles meet the Arch tiles below, £210sq m
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(MAIN PHOTO) RUG, KNOTS RUGS; JUG AND PLINTH, @MODERN_ART_HIRE; SHOWER, CATCHPOLE & RYE. (PHOTO RIGHT TOP) SCULPTURE AND PLINTH, @MODERN_ART_HIRE (PHOTO RIGHT BOTTOM) TABLE, EDWARD COLLINSON; URN, @MODERN_ART_HIRE; CHAIR, OKA
or months we’ve been collaborating with Bert & May to create the Arch Collection of encaustic tiles and we couldn’t be more pleased with the finished result. Showcasing striking graphic patterns in clean architectural lines and soft, richly pigmented colours, it’s our modern take on a Mediterranean holiday vibe that can now last all year back home. We t h i n k t h ey ’ r e t r u l y ve r s a t i l e . The way you can join the Cap tiles to make circles or rows of semi circles, or just place one individually at random like a little setting sun, means you can achieve a unique aesthetic – the Column tiles can become a datum line or vertical stripes at will. Use them in kitchens or bathrooms, as hallway floors or even below the dado rail in a living room. There is a chalkiness to the tiles that creates an earthy appearance wherever they are. Their blend of natural pigments, cement, sand and marble is mixed to produce a fine, loose powder, which means the tiles have a ‘perfectly imperfect’ finish, softening the edges of your home.
Artfully placed Column tiles end in Arch tiles at the top, £8.40 each
Three designs – the Arch, the Column and the Cap form a perfect pattern, £8.40 each
T h e m u t e d p a l e t t e only adds to how easy they are to decorate with. Tans, terracottas and burnt orange tones are warm and dusky, while greyed whites and forest greens evoke summers on the terrace. They have a timelessness to them that only gets better with age and we can’t wait to see what you do with them.
SEE THE ENTIRE BERT & MAY X LIVINGETC COLLECTION AT BERTANDMAY.COM
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how to... decorate with white Cool, calm and clean it may be but characterful and cosy too? Top designers tell how to make this neutral anything but stark
Cornicing and walls in Clean White pure flat emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, paintandpaperlibrary.com
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pole position
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base tones
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depth of character
First assess which way the room faces. In the UK, northern light is least affected by seasonal changes for example, whereas a room facing west will get a warmer, mellower afternoon light. Then determine what time of day the room will be most inhabited and whether you want something cooler or warmer in tone. Harriet Anstruther, founder, Harriet Anstruther Studio
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a fabulous foundation What you don’t want is for the abundance of white to look stark, flat or minimal. It needs to have soul and tell a story. Clean White from Paint & Paper Library is a favourite when I’m looking for a pure white for ceilings or woodwork that can be combined with other colours – and can work across all tones. Clare Gaskin, founder, Clare Gaskin Interiors
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Consider the purpose of the space – rooms that are centred around focus and concentration, such as offices or kitchens, are better suited to cooler tones of white, creating a bright atmosphere. Meanwhile, rooms designed for relaxation, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, are better suited to a warm white with a yellow or pink base. Kelly Wearstler, founder, Kelly Wearstler
The most important element when decorating with white is creating depth through a collection of textures. Plaster, white linen, white painted brick or floorboards will create contrast. All white interiors with a selection of wood furniture pieces really anchor a space. I have painted many rooms and floors white, and the trick is to embrace the wear and tear, once the fresh coat of paint wears in a little. That’s when it gets good. Lyndsay Caleo Karol, creative director, The Brooklyn Home Company
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whiter shade of pale
FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS (5) RENEE KEMPS
There are countless shades of white so it’s important to sample before you decide on the shade for you. I’d steer clear of a standard decorator’s white, which can look stark and temporary. For modern spaces, introduce a variety of tones, mixing woods and metals and a mixture of shapes to prevent things feeling flat. Sheena Murphy, founder, Nune
Sheena says white can actually be soft, inviting and cocooning – if you get the shade right
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Southbank Place by Qatari Diar, designed by Elicyon
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different finishes
It’s worth using a clay or lime paint, such as Bauwerk for a little extra texture and to prevent the room from looking clinical. Old White by Farrow & Ball is a warm shade that works well in north-facing rooms. Also choose varying shades of soft white for the skirting boards, walls and ceiling. Tiffany Duggan, founder, Studio Duggan
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look to nature
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a glowing choice
We use earthy, muted tones to create calm and soft spaces, then add a coloured trim for a touch of playfulness. For more warmth, we’d recommend a natural material such as sisal, which works well in both contemporary and classic homes. Camilla Clarke, creative director, Albion Nord
mix with colour White is known for being reflective of its surroundings, so check samples in situ before making a decision on materials and placement, so you can test the way the sun falls. Taupe, camel or soft grey colourings work particularly well with white. Colours such as burnt orange and terracotta also suit a white scheme. Charu Gandhi, founder and director, Elicyon
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light and shade
If it’s a high traffic area, first decipher if white will be practical. There are solutions, such as furniture with machine-washable covers and applying intelligent emulsions to the walls, which all help to mitigate potential mess. Introduce mirrors and brassy accents to reflect more light. Rose Murray, director, These White Walls
PHOTOGRAPH PATRICK WILLIAMSON
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When choosing lighting for a bright white space, accent lighting is essential. From table lamps next to the sofa, to floor lamps in the corner, introducing pools of light helps create a gorgeous warm glow. Lucy St George, co-founder, Rockett St George
HOUSE TOURS LIVE
join us at
house tours in september
LIVINGETC IS HEADING TO LONDON ’ S PRIMROSE HILL , OPE NING
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e’re getting so excited by the return of House Tours, our brilliant live event series, and it’s almost here. This September, we’re throwing open the doors of six inspiring and beautiful homes from the magazine, bringing our pages to life. You’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the design, to see how colours look in the true light of day, meet our editors and take notes on ideas to try yourself. And this time we’re heading to London’s Primrose Hill, once home to the cream of British rock and roll and now full of incredibly beautiful interiors. All six properties are in walking distance, giving you the chance to view them
at your leisure. You’ll be outside for much of the day, and we’ve taken extra precautions to ensure the event will be Covid secure, socially distanced and safe. Come and meet the Livingetc team, have a snoop through houses you’ve read about and leave with a whole host of decor suggestions to put into practice at home. We know you love House Tours as much as we do and are so excited to welcome it back. See you in there! Tickets are strictly limited – and selling out fast – so book now to ensure you don’t miss out.
ESSENTIAL INFO Livingetc House Tours Primrose Hill takes place on 9 and 10 September, 10am to 4pm. Each ticket costs £50, including access to six homes and the House Tours hub, where you can refuel and meet the editorial team. We’re delighted to be partnering up with Sanderson and Yves Delorme to bring you this event.
BOOK ONLINE AT LIVINGETCEVENTS.COM/HOUSETOURS
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PHOTOGRAPHS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) VIGO JANSONS; PAUL MASSEY; LIGHTTRAPPER PHOTOGRAPHY; ANDREW BEASLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
S I X I N C R E D I B L E H O M E S F O R YO U TA K E D E S I G N I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M
Take a tour of six fantastic homes in Primrose Hill, getting to see their beautiful decor in real life
lifestyle reboot Floral designer Emily Baylis on her love for dried botanicals, developing a work-life balance and her plan for an Italian retreat
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Emily Baylis, founder of June in March
fter years of working in the restaurant industry in places like Bali and Hong Kong, Emily Baylis moved to London four years ago and launched June in March, a luxury floral design company. It was sparked by her desire to help restaurants and hotel owners lower their spend on displays and provide a sustainable alternative to artificial flowers. Emily has since created installations from dried and preserved flowers for luxury brands like Sézane, House of Holland and Veuve Clicquot, and is the face behind the very Instagrammable creations for every Big Mamma restaurant in Europe, most famously London’s Circolo Popolare. She lives in Notting Hill with her six-year-old daughter Romane.
FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS PHOTOGRAPH PERRY GRAHAM
How has work and life changed in the last year? It has reminded me how important it is to look after one another, taught me patience and how valuable the luxury of travelling is.
relationships with your suppliers, never undervalue the people working with you and get used to waking up early!
the idea of finding an old farmhouse in Italy and transforming it into a lifestyle retreat where we hold flower workshops.
What are the biggest changes you have had to make to your business? We developed the preserved florals side of the business. It’s always something we did, but we took the time to grow it. And having the speciality of working with preserved flowers over lockdown seemed to be a strength for the business.
What inspires your work? Shapes, textures and colours in any way. My work is driven by a passion for the botanical world, the respect of nature and its wild abundance.
Which florists do you admire? Studio Mary Lennox in Berlin for her sophisticated touch and Azuma Makoto for his creativity.
What have been the positives that have come out of the past year? I refocused on my personal life. Don’t get me wrong, I cannot wait to travel again but I am working on a more balanced life.
Any new interests as a result of lockdown? I’ve combined my love for flowers and hospitality by developing
If someone was starting a similar business to yours now, what would be your advice? Build great
What has been your biggest work highlight so far? A lifelong dream come true was the work I did with Opéra Garnier.
What is the biggest business lesson you’ve learnt in the past year? To trust in myself and my creativity even when I feel that being an entrepreneur is the hardest thing I’ve done. And to look after the people helping you with your business. X
juneinmarch.com
My work is driven by a passion for the botanical world and a respect of nature livingetc.com
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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
the beauty of Bespoke G O D OW N T H E C U S T O M D E S I G N R O U T E A N D YO U C A N C R E AT E A S PAC E T H AT M E E T S A L L YO U R N E E D S – S A M S U N G ’ S N E W B E S P O K E R A N G E I S H E R E T O H E L P Home is a place that defines our personalities, a true expression of our day-to-day lives. We furnish our homes with pieces that fulfil both the practical and decorative; designs that are useful but that also enhance the look we want to achieve. Design choices that incorporate bespoke elements allow us to tweak and adjust to suit our requirements. The joy of bespoke is in the considered creation of pieces that suit our lives and our homes better. Take the kitchen for example – for most it’s the heart of the home, where the family gathers. From the choosing of a specific material to use as the worktop to colour-matching the perfect hue of your cabinets,the growing number of bespoke options
Samsung’s Bespoke Range is all about adapting its modular Refrigerators so they fit beautifully with your needs and your home’s decor
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available for a kitchen makes that particular room – and your home – all the more personal. Now this ability to create a space that is right for you carries over to the tech world. Samsung has just launched the Bespoke Range – Refrigerators that feature both interchangeable fascias and a variety of stylish colourways, allowing you to choose the combination that blends seamlessly into your space. As well as the obvious deep satisfaction in having a hand in creating something unique for your home, the practical benefits of going bespoke can’t be underestimated. Custom-made storage utilises every inch of space, while a modular refrigerator can be created by you in a myriad of configurations, becoming an ideal
tech solution that suits your family’s requirements and the look of your home perfectly. And in a world where we all have a responsibility to reduce our consumption, the longevity that bespoke designs bring is pretty much a no-brainer. Samsung is addressing consumers’ needs for more stylish designs, adapting its products accordingly to be more sympathetic to the homeowner’s existing decor. Turn the page to see a range of innovative ideas, including the new Samsung Bespoke Refrigerators, which are overhauling the way we think about functionality and kitchen decor. They fit perfectly into the way we want to live now and help you to future-proof your home exactly the way you want it.
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the
innovation list The latest cutting-edge ideas designed to make your home work smarter for you
HOT STUFF Available in 11 textures, Livingstone radiant panels are made using reconstituted marble powder – a waste product of the marble cutting industry – which is formed and bound together using eco-friendly binding agents. Each panel is handcrafted and available with a choice of hidden valves, which maintains the decorative aesthetic. Livingstone radiator, from £1,123 (theradiatorcentre.com)
I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H
BIG SCREEN At the push of a button a panel opens in the floor and a column of machined aluminium rises over two metres before unfolding to reveal a 165in MicroLED TV screen. Arguably the most spectacular TV ever made, the M1 is available in four finishes – titanium, silver, gold and black – and features a state-ofthe-art sound system, but before you put a deposit down, be warned, it requires professional installation, preferably as part of a renovation project, and weighs a floorboard-defying 1,350kg. M1 4K, £290,000 (cseed.tv)
MADE TO MEASURE A stylish bowl – choose from a range of subtle colours and wood veneer – with a hugely practical secret; it has a built in weigh scale and small LCD display that makes it easy to measure out your pet’s food. The stainless-steel bowl is removable and dishwasher safe, and there’s also a partner app that helps you keep track of your pet’s feeding routines and calorie intake. Petkit Smart Bowl, £40 (petkit.com)
Old phone, new tricks Galaxy upcycling is a brilliant initiative from Samsung that repurposes your old smartphone
FEATURE CHRIS HASLAM
into a variety of smart home devices, such as baby monitors, security cameras and motion detectors. By using the SmartThings app, your old smartphone can be adapted to recognise a baby crying or dogs barking, for instance, sending your new phone alerts just like a smart home security system, and even turn on lights automatically when the old phone senses darkness in a room. (samsung.com)
W I N T E R WA R M E R Proof that patio heaters can add more than just warmth to your garden scheme, the Dome is an enormous 3,250W infrared lamp and dimmable light that looks great even when switched off and comes with remote control. Made in Belgium from stainless steel and aluminium, it can be left outside all year round. Standard options include Black and White, but RAL colour matching is also available. Heatsail Dome freestanding electric patio heater floor lamp in Black, £3,495 (cuckooland.com)
CHARGE UP This 10W solar panel easily hangs in a window offering eco-friendly battery top-ups for gadgets. It has a 3,400 mAh battery pack, so you can leave it to soak up the sun during the day and then charge your phone at night. Grouphug window solar charger, $149 (around £105) (grouphugtech.com)
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DESIGNER INSIGHT
tech talk James Melia, founder and creative director of Blond, chats to us about 3D printing and the future of product design How has the design of consumer technology changed in recent years? Platforms like Pinterest and Instagram have led to people being more design-savvy, and over the past six years we have seen increasing demand for eco-conscious products. Sustainability has been a focus for designers, and we’ve always offered our clients sustainably conscious options, but these approaches always carry more weight when it’s the consumer calling for them. Technology can’t just function brilliantly any more can it? Absolutely not. Technology needs to be sustainable, attractive, accommodating of an existing ecosystem and fit with one’s surroundings. There’s a desire for more personalised or customisable technology, which is the result of many years of owning the same products as other people. What role does 3D printing have for you and what benefits does it offer design? When I was at university in the noughties, 3D printers were available but massive and expensive, but today, as I talk to you, there is a 3D printer running in the background – printing the third iteration of a reusable coffee cup we are designing. 3D printing has immense benefits during the early stages, particularly when reviewing changes on a micro-scale. How soon before 3D printing becomes a viable option for manufacturing? As the technology continues to be developed and manufacturing companies invest in larger equipment, it will become more cost-effective. Based on the development rate in the past decade, we probably have another 10 years until 3D printing becomes a competitive alternative for mass-produced products. Find more information at blond.cc
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AU D I O B O O K Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Emerge speaker, created in collaboration with Benjamin Hubert from Layer, sits comfortably on a shelf alongside books – it’s no coincidence it looks like a propped-up hardback – while also filling your home with the finest audio. Inside, there’s a 4in driver, 1.45in mid-range driver and 0.6in, all of which can be controlled using Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Google Assistant voice control. Choose from gold tone or black anthracite finishes. Bang & Olufsen Beosound Emerge, from £539 (bang-olufsen.com)
MIST OPPORTUNIT Y If you or one of your family struggles with health problems in a dry environment, this stylish humidifier could help. At 32cm tall, this almost silent (34dB max) humidifier spreads 250ml of mist per hour through an area of up to 30m2. The 2.5ltr water tank is easy to remove and refill. Choose black or white with wooden feet and a neat leather tag. Duux Tag, £99.99 (duux.co.uk)
Wonder wall The construction industry creates 100 million tonnes of waste each year, but thankfully Kenoteq has developed a way to turn this waste back into building bricks. Invented by Gabriela Medero, the K-Briq creates less than a tenth of the carbon emissions of a standard brick, but has double the insulation properties of cement and uses 90% construction waste. K-Briq, price on request (kenoteq.com)
JUST ADD SPEAKERS The compact EVO 75 (H8.9xW35x D31cm) is the perfect compromise for those who demand the best sound quality from their hi-fi, but don’t want their home cluttered up with big ugly boxes. Add speakers and your digital music can be controlled through the 6.8in LED screen, the StreamMagic app or virtually any streaming service. To help blend into your interior it comes with a choice of walnut veneer or Richlite (made from recycled paper) textured side panels. Cambridge Audio EVO 75, £1,799 (cambridgeaudio.com)
KITCHE N AIDE Cooksy is a smart camera with a built-in thermal imaging sensor that can act as your own sous chef. Once mounted on the cooker hood and connected to the app, you can see the precise temperature of the pans you’re using and if heat is distributed evenly. You can also follow step-by-step recipes via the app and you can even record your own recipes making it easy to replicate a successful dish each time. Cooksy, from around £275 (kickstarter.com)
MODULAR COOLING It’s never been easier to make appliances work for you, thanks to Samsung’s Bespoke Refrigerator collection. Mix and match your configuration, creating a multifunctional wall of cooling made up from one-door or two-door fridges and freezers. Plus you can choose from 14 coloured door fronts in seven finishes, from bright pastels to sophisticated monochrome. Samsung Bespoke Refrigerators, from £799.99 to £1,349.99; Individual panels, from £39.99 to £149.99 (samsung.com)
S TA N D TA L L In the design of this Sage Sit-Stand desk for Benchmark, David Rockwell took inspiration from the classic draftsman’s desk, albeit with a hi-tech mechanism that can adjust the height to suit your proportions and comfort. It’s available with a solid sycamore top and grey stained ash base, oak top with oak base or rich walnut top with walnut base and you can also install a wool-covered divider. Sage Sit-Stand desk, £4,505 (benchmarkfurniture.com)
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CLEVER C OV E R I N G S Hardwearing, breathable, easy to clean and available in a host of bold Bauhaus-inspired shades, this high performance polyurethane fabric from Japan is suitable for all manner of applications including indoor and outdoor seating. Thanks to the woven prismatic appearance of the fabric, it looks infinitely more interesting than a basic flat vinyl covering. Spectra, price on request (ultrafabricsinc.com)
SMOOTHIE DOES IT T O TA L LY S U C K S Designed to work seamlessly with Siemens induction hobs (available in 80cm and 90cm), this extractor fan features a single piece of glass that raises 250mm from inside the worktop to provide concentrated (501 m3/h max) grease and odour removal. What’s more, it has a built-in LED light that can be colour-matched to your kitchen, it is Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatible for voice control, and being Wi-Fi enabled it will talk to a compatible hob to automatically provide the best level of extraction. Siemens iQ700 GlassdraftAir, from £2,349 (siemens-home.bsh-group.com)
Engineered by Colin Sapire, the man who invented the NutriBullet, the Beast B10 Health is a powerful blender that will pulverise fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts in the blink of an eye thanks to the 1000W motor spinning at 18,000rpm. Aside from the aesthetic appeal, the container has been designed to increase internal turbulence to get your smoothie smoother in seconds. Beast B10 Health, $155 (around £110) (thebeast.com)
S L AT S B E T T E R Wall cladding not only creates a striking visual effect, but it can also be used to absorb sound from the neighbours, or soften echoes in open-plan spaces. SlatWall panels are made using FSC oak battens mounted on MDF board with either a black or grey recycled plastic felt cover. 1.44m2 SlatWall Acoustic Natural Oak, £129 (naturewall.co.uk)
C O M PAC T COM P OSTE R The FoodCycler from Sage reduces the scraps in your bin by 80 per cent by transforming them into tiny EcoChips in as little as four hours. The 2ltr system pulverises, dehydrates, aerates and then sterilises food waste leaving a compact, odourless, almost soil-like, organic material that can easily be disposed of. FoodCycler, £399 (sageappliances.com/uk)
EXTRA S PA R K L E The classic Quooker Fusion tap – you know, the one that dispenses 100°C instant boiling water and looks like it belongs in a brilliant future-modernist home – has been updated to be able to pour fizzy water now, too. Its gas canister can create around 60 litres of bubbles, cutting down immensely on the amount of single use plastic bottles you need if, at the end of the day, you like nothing more than a spritzer. Classic Fusion Square tap with CUBE, £2,500 (quooker.co.uk)
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CON FE RE NCE L E AG U E Remote working has advantages, but dialling into meetings remains often glitching and unproductive. Meeting Owl aims to make video conferencing more efficient thanks to its 360° speaker and 720p HD camera. Position it in the middle of a table – it can hear voices up to 3.6m away – and it will track and focus on whoever is speaking, even if they get up and move, or are dialling in from the other side of the world. Meeting Owl, £799 (owllabs.com)
LIGHTS AND MUSIC The Zuma Lumisonic is a high-quality streaming 75W speaker and flush-fitting smart LED light (555 lumen at 3,000K, 574 lumen at 5,000K) in one easy to install unit. Clutter-busting, stylish and packed with features, the speaker lights connect to your Wi-Fi and can be controlled via smartphone or Alexa, and as the audio is projected down from the ceiling the whole room is bathed in sound. In our demo, we saw how both lights and music can combine to offer a spa-style bathroom, invigorating gym sessions or a great cinema experience. Zuma Lumisonic, £375 (zuma.ai)
3 OF THE BEST
indoor gardens
1 Stylish sowing
Supplied with everything you need to get growing – apart from seeds – this minimalist hydroponic system, in green, grey or white, doesn’t need soil. Instead you plant a seed in the supplied growing medium, add plant feed, fill the water reservoir, plug it in and let nature do the rest. Perfect for home-grown chillies and basil. Botanium, €64 (around £55) (botanium.se)
2 Vertical growing
B R E AT H E E A S Y Given that most air purifiers cost at least £150, we applaud Ikea for making one available for a fraction of the cost. The 31x45cm fabric-covered unit, which can be used with the floor stand or mounted on the wall vertically or horizontally, removes 99.5% of airborne particles such as dust and pollen down to PM2.5 (particle size 2.5μm) in a space up to 8-10m2. Three speeds (Maximum Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) 1 20 m3/h) and a 25dB sleep mode mean it can work hard for you while also blending into the background, and replaceable filters cost from just £5. Förnuftig air purifier, £50 (ikea.com)
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Click & Grow makes a range of self-watering planting systems, but here it has combined three nine-plant units with a Scandi-style wood and metal shelving unit. Each planter uses pre-seeded soil plugs (there are 50 to choose from) and, when combined with the built-in lights, they provide the ideal conditions for growth. The Smart Garden 27, €599.95 (around £515) (clickandgrow.com)
3 App controlled
Available in three sizes for one person, two or a larger family, this stackable soil-free system with built-in grow light is app-controlled. Self-sufficient for up to two weeks so you need no skill to enjoy a continuous crop, it will automatically adjust the amount of water, energy and nutrients used. Verdeat, from £213.62 (verdeat.com)
N AT U R A L LIGHT Nanoleaf’s clip-together LED light panels make it quick and easy to add decorative lighting to any space, and now the brand has added something extra to its offering. With the new Elements collection, the company has introduced a wood grain veneer to the panels to give the system a more natural, organic feel when switched off, but still offer the chance to create a 16 million colour bespoke lighting scheme on a budget. Nanoleaf Elements light panels seven-piece starter kit, £249 (nanoleaf.me)
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
new level of cool I N N OVAT I O N M E E T S S T Y L E W I T H S A M S U N G ’ S F I R S T- E V E R M O D U L A R A N D C U S T O M I S A B L E B E S P O K E R E F R I G E R AT I O N R A N G E . D E S I G N E D F O R YO U , B Y YO U
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There’s a new innovation in home technology and, thanks to Samsung Bespoke, the configuration of your Refrigerator is up to you, while white goods need no longer be white. Yes, fridges and freezers are coming to the fore, and you can now design one to mirror your individual style. Shape shifters The flexible Samsung Bespoke Refrigeration Range comes in three modular options: a One Door Fridge or a One Door Freezer and a Classic Fridge Freezer in two sizes. The range is so adaptable that you can even convert your One Door Freezer into a One Door Fridge if you need more space to store fresh produce. As for configuration, you might start with a One Door Fridge and then add a One Door Freezer at a later date. The models simply connect. Right- or left-handed? With special hinges you can pick the best arrangement for your family. Endless opportunities The customisation doesn’t stop there. All of the designs in the Samsung Bespoke Refrigeration Range have interchangeable door panels that let you design your look. With a palette of 14 colours in three finishes – Cotta Metal, Satin Glass and Glam Glass – you can now match your Classic Fridge Freezer, Fridge and Freezer to your decor. Designed to be free-standing or set into a recess with cabinetry fitted around them, they offer the ultimate in home personalisation. Go large Being able to design the configuration to suit your family isn’t the only convenience of the Samsung Bespoke Refrigeration Range. Samsung’s SpaceMax™ Technology creates extra internal capacity without increasing the external dimensions – making it easier to fit everything in. This is a range that truly understands the needs of modern life.
With Samsung Bespoke you can design both the look and the configuration of your Fridge Freezer combination
Find out more at samsung.com/uk/refrigerators/bespoke
To shop the Samsung Bespoke Refrigeration Range, open the Pinterest app, tap the camera icon and point your phone at this pin code.
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FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPH THE PICKLESON PAINT CO
Hallway upper wall in Casa Blanco chalky matt, £49 for 2.5ltr; hallway lower wall and door frame in Sexy Marsala eggshell, £53 for 2.5ltr; kitchen wall in Drunk Tahini chalky matt, £49 for 2.5ltr, all The Pickleson Paint Co
fabulous spaces E AC H M O N T H W E C H O O S E O N E R O O M TO G E T YO U I N T H E H O U S E S M O O D
Country and contemporary unite in this boundary-breaking room. A blushing terracotta pink, inspired by trips to Sicily, frames the kitchen, balanced by warm neutral walls. A concrete worktop and modern brass hardware bring the look back from the brink of feeling too rustic livingetc.com
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planet organic Designer Noa Santos turned a trad townhouse on its head with a radical revamp that focused on the sculptural, the textural and the natural X
PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING NAINOA WORDS Kara O’Reilly
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LIVING ROOM Noa calls this the great room. ‘It was designed to be just that – great. We wanted the space to feel important but not intimidating, hence the addition of soft curves.’ Walls and floors were taken down to create the double-height proportions. Yumi sofa, Philippe Hurel. Pendant light, custom-made; try Lighting Styles for similar. Rug, Patterson Flynn Martin
LIVING ROOM Made from plaster and stone and finished in limewash, the staircase is showstopping. Walls in limewash by JH Wall Paints; try Bauwerk Colour for similar. Bench and side table, custom-made. Ochre chairs, Kelly Wearstler
home profile THE DESIGNER Noa Santos, founder and owner of New York-based studio NAINOA, who designed this house for James and Leona Leong, who work in international business, and their two children
THE PROPERTY A four-storey West Village townhouse with five bedrooms. The ground floor was designed for private family time and includes a media room and office. The first floor was designed as a series of entertainment spaces and includes the kitchen and living room. The second floor has the family’s bedroom suites, while the third floor has the guest bedroom suites.
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When NYC-based designer Noa Santos started out in the business, his mission was to make interior design accessible to all. His start-up, Homepolish, linked young designers with young clientele on a ‘no project is too small’ basis and, in the process, garnered myriad column inches, accolades and a huge Insta following. But then, as has been the way with many start-ups, it sadly folded when Noa was unable to secure funding to keep the business afloat. After retreating and recalibrating, Noa is back and this time his business, NAINOA, is a very different proposition. It’s a high-end boutique operation that needs to be selective about the projects it takes on, as these days Noa wants to give every design his unfocused attention, rather than juggling a million balls. One such project is this much re-posted redesign for out-of-towners James and Leona Leong, who bought the West Village property as their New York base. Noa took two years to transform the trad townhouse into this rather radical sculptural space. But when you hear his professional roots lie in an architectural degree at Stanford, you get how he not only feels brave enough, but also has the wherewithal to know how to turn a space on its head. The result is a striking yet cocooning environment that’s all about texture – whether that’s the marble-clad main bathroom or the bouclé-covered sofa in the living room. Everything in this house is about the quality of the finish: from the custom-mixed wall paints and bespoke kitchen cabinetry to the scene-stealing statement lighting. The result is the ultimate in luxe lounging – a home where the family can kick back and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. It fits the brief Noa was given: ‘They asked for a contemporary home that felt sophisticated but warm,’ he explains. ‘They wanted a space that was sculptural and artful but still felt like a place to relax.’
Noa first met the couple at a dinner party, but was appointed to the project when they reached out after seeing his work on Instagram. The initial challenges of tackling the layout turned out to be a pleasant revelation. ‘Townhouses can feel segmented and choppy, but once we opened a few walls and ceilings, the spaces flowed beautifully together,’ says Noa. ‘We were surprised by how naturally the home opened up.’ This ‘opening up’ is seen at its best in the double-height living room, which Noa dubs ‘the great room’. It’s the Leongs favourite space in the house and it’s not hard to see why. With its sweeping sculptural staircase, curvaceous feature fireplace and soft stone palette, it’s not a surprise that influences behind it range from Gio Ponti to Gaudí: ‘There’s an Italian quality to the space, I think, due in part to the use of plaster and stone,’ explains Noa. ‘We wanted the soft curves to be reminiscent of an undulating landscape – almost Gaudí in nature.’ Noa believes this solution came from the clients’ desire to have something that felt simultaneously New York and European in nature. Noa feels the completed house very much reflects the Leongs, thanks to the USP of his business NAINOA, which lies in the fact that it doesn’t so much have a signature look, as a signature approach to design: ‘We don’t want our work to fit neatly in a box, rather we draw from myriad sources – eras, geographies, cultures – to create unique spaces that we hope are almost like fingerprints for our clients,’ he says. ‘Unique to them and timeless.’ That’s the kind of philosophy we can definitely get on board with. X
nainoa.com; @noasantos
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KITCHE N ‘We wanted the kitchen to feel sculptural and stately enough to be a space for entertaining but laid out so as to enjoy the street view while cooking,’ says Noa. Marble worktops, splashback and island, all New York Stone; try Cullifords for similar. White oak kitchen cabinetry and pendant, custom-made. Bar stools, Simon James for Resident
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MAIN BEDROOM ‘We work very hard to make our spaces feel integrated,’ explains Noa. ‘The result is rolling over in bed and finding the socket exactly where it should be.’ Headboard and bed base, both custom-made in Schumacher fabric. Cirkus chandelier by AGO
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‘We like a project with constraints as it allows us to craft clever solutions’ X
home truths A HOME ISN ’T COMPLETE WITHOUT A …
N A M E YO U R FAV O U R I T E ITEM OF DESIGN…
…Lighting plan. Lighting is everything.
Hästens Down Boots. Why it took me 33 years to buy pillows for my feet is beyond me.
W H AT I S YO U R C U R R E N T FAV O U R I T E B I T O F T E C H ?
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The Samsung Frame TV. If I have to put one
T H E B O X S E T YO U R E WAT C H ?
somewhere, I want it to disappear.
Harry Potter. Hate to admit but it’s true.
S H A R E YO U R G ROOM ING RITUAL …
N A M E C H E C K A D O N ’ T- M I S S S P O T I N N YC …
There’s not enough room on this page.
Cote. It’s a Korean barbecue in Flatiron.
M A I N B AT H R O O M ‘Stone is the star of the show here,’ says Noa of the marbleclad wash space. ‘The other details are meant as a refined backdrop.’ Marble cladding, New York Stone; try Cullifords for similar. Taps, Waterworks. Toiletries, Meraki
barefoot luxury Relaxed and elegant at the same time, this Aussie beachside home is a place where you can sit back and enjoy the good life X
PHOTOGRAPHY Anson Smart WORDS Karine Monié
LIVING ROOM Two glazed walls bring the lush outdoors inside. Extrasoft sofa, Living Divani at Space Furniture. Silk rug, Robyn Cosgrove. Serge Mouille Applique 2 wall light, Cult Design
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POOL CABANA The decor took its cue from the organic nature of the home’s green surroundings. Parwalla (2008) artwork by Elizabeth Nyumi. Custom seat, Decus Interiors; covered in Chevron, Missoni Home at Spence & Lyda. Bandy side table, Jardan
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S
et among lush and mature gardens of indigenous flora, this three-storey house located on a picturesque stretch of the Australian coast with far-reaching vistas of coastal pines and the ocean beyond had already maximised the breathtaking panoramas. Even with its exceptional landscape, however, the potential for the interiors is what immediately convinced Alexandra Donohoe Church, founder of Sydney-based studio Decus Interiors, to deliver this atypical beachside home for a couple with five children. ‘Part of the attraction of this project was that it offered a variety of design detailing to get our teeth into,’ says Alexandra. ‘It had a bit of everything, in that the heritage part of the house required a more traditional approach, while the new extension [designed by Tim Wright Architect] necessitated a more contemporary feel.’ As a starting point, the young Australian family shared with Decus Interiors four images to illustrate the kind of aesthetic that appealed to them. From there, the design team had carte blanche. ‘The clients were open to having something of their individual personalities considered in the house, so the rooms are all quite different, each reflecting the identity of their primary user,’ says
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Alexandra. A variety of looks were created through colours, textures and materials without losing cohesion. ‘In the areas to be primarily used by children (like their bedrooms, bathrooms and playroom), we erred toward energetic and optimistic palettes, with clean and unfussy detailing and robust materials,’ says Alexandra. ‘We treated the main suite as a parents’ retreat, with a muted and sophisticated palette and luxe fabrics and finishes.’ The detailing of the existing heritage house was a constant source of inspiration and a reference point. For instance, in the main bedroom, adorned with cornices, plasterwork and panelling, the designers raised the skirting height in order to echo the timber skirting board height in the main study. ‘It was intentional to select darker, more dramatic and moody base tones for the living spaces,’ Alexandra adds. Both in bronze, the range hood in the kitchen and the stairwell handrail – winding its way through the heart of the house – bring a lot of character to these areas. Present in every room, the impressive collection of Australian art also enriches the design narrative, while the layout and flow had to combine both family living and entertaining for the adults. ‘Our work seeks
to constantly balance the exquisite and provocative, whimsical and classic, austere and colourful,’ explains Alexandra. Outside, the new pool cabana – that supplements the large family’s space for play – swimming pool, terrace and wraparound veranda are an invitation to further enjoy a quintessential lifestyle by the ocean. ‘We subtly took cues from the organic nature of the surroundings and integrated the idea of barefoot luxury throughout the home,’ the interior architect says. The visual language of polarity – characterised by a mix between old and new, young spirit and adult needs, grand proportions and warm atmosphere, a sophisticated and laid-back vibe – ensures elements of surprise, discovery and nuance in every corner, while avoiding any sense of cliché. ‘We did not want the house to feel too typically coastal: it was purposeful that the home stands apart from the region’s often ostentatious personality,’ says Alexandra. ‘This is a house with something for everyone. There are bold tones, soft lines, pops of candy greens and blues, with delicate pinks; we got to play dress-up with lots of different dressing-up boxes!’ X
decus.com.au
houses home profile THE DESIGNER Based in Sydney, Australia, Alexandra Donohoe Church, who is the founder and managing director of Decus Interiors, transformed this beachside home for a young family of seven.
THE PROPERTY The first floor of the house comprises five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a playroom, study and terrace. On the ground floor, there is a main bedroom, en suite and dressing room, main study, dining room, kitchen with large scullery, living room, two cloakrooms and an outdoor terrace. The detached pool cabana has a living room, cloakroom and kitchen.
KITCHE N ‘I love this room for its rich and moody tones, the detailing and the materials,’ says Alexandra. Joinery, custom design by Decus Interiors. Pepper stools; Moon pendants, both Holly Hunt. Oak Argento flooring, Tongue n Groove
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M A I N S T U DY ‘We worked with the bones of the original house by integrating warm, rich and inviting colours here,’ says Alexandra. Curtains, Simple Studio. Ian modular sofa, Christophe Delcourt at Ondene
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T E R R AC E Sleek cook space, chill-out zone – this alfresco area has it all. Sabi sofa; Kaba chairs; Sciara coffee table; Samo rug, all Paola Lenti at Dedece
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MAIN EN SUITE Clever mirrors were made to sit in front of the windows.
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Bianco Carrara vanity unit and hardware, CDK Stone. Mirrors, custom design by Decus Interiors. Amboise wall lights, Jonathan Browning at Milgate
MAIN BEDROOM Lighting was incorporated into the headboard. Headboard, Decus Interiors. Bedlinen and blankets, Society Limonta at Ondene. NuSilk Opulence carpet, Sylka Carpets & Rugs at Whitecliffe Imports
houses home truths PERFECT EVENING: TV OR BOOK? Reading a design book.
COFFE E OR TE A? Coffee.
ABSTR ACT OR F I G U R AT I V E A R T ? Abstract, as I’m intrigued by colour, shape, and texture.
IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL , WHERE WOULD YOU GO? The late 1960s/early 1970s – for the music, revolution and social change.
TH E CE LE B R IT Y H O M E YO U WOULD LIKE TO DESIGN… Jay Z.
DAU G H T E R ’ S BEDROOM ‘I created a whimsical space in which to dream,’ says Alexandra.
URBAN PENTHOUSE OR COUNTRY HOUSE? Countryside house surrounded by nature.
Bahamas wallpaper, Bien Fait. Clementine table, Jardan
This was designed to be both playful and sophisticated.
the blueprint
Fizi wall lights, Articolo. Vanity in Norwegian Rose marble, CDK Stone. Glass mosaic ‘Opus’ Romano wall tiles, Bisanna Tiles
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN DINING ROOM
MAIN S T U DY
DRESSING ROOM
KIDS’ BATH ROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
GROUND FLOOR
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BED ROOM BEDROOM
S T U DY
TE R R ACE
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P L AY ROOM BEDROOM
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colour revolution Unexpected touches of beautiful hues deliver a dreamy quality to this Parisian abode X
PHOTOGRAPHY Stephan Julliard WORDS AND STYLING Ian Phillips
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LIVING AREA A rectangle of minty green, which deliberately isn’t aligned with the wall panelling, is a striking design statement. Pacha lounge chairs, Pierre Paulin for Gubi. Argan rug; Alma coffee table, Le Berre Vevaud. Tre Pezzi armchair, Franco Albini
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t home profile THE INTERIOR DESIGNERS The Paris-based duo Raphaël Le Berre and Thomas Vevaud first met as students at the Ecole Camondo in the mid-1990s. Since setting up their practice, Le Berre Vevaud, in 2008, they have largely specialised in residential projects in the French capital. They also recently launched their debut furniture range, available via The Invisible Collection.
THE PROPERTY Located in a Haussmannian building close to Paris’ Parc Monceau, this four-bedroom apartment was already being renovated by a developer when its owners, a couple with two children, called upon Le Berre Vevaud to decorate it. A few tweaks were made to its layout, which now consists of a hall, a dining and living space, a kitchen, a pantry, four bedrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, four en-suite bathrooms and a cloakroom.
he owners of this apartment, Mathieu and Claire, never imagined living in such a strikingly dramatic space. Located in Paris’s 17th arrondissement, their home is at the heart of a development of three newly renovated 19th-century buildings. They discovered their interior designers, Thomas Vevaud and Raphaël Le Berre, through the show apartment the pair had decorated. It was certainly not bland (it incorporated both a Lindsey Adelman chandelier and a sculptural stainless-steel Ron Arad chair), but it remained more low-key with a neutral palette. ‘In a show apartment, you have to have a taste that is accessible for everyone,’ says Le Berre. Mathieu and Claire thought they would be getting something similar. The designers, however, had other ideas. ‘They said to us, “our goal is to shock you, so we know how far we can push things”,’ says Mathieu. ‘They proposed things we would never have thought of .’ Their complementarity is one of the keys to Le Berre Vevaud’s success. Raphaël has a more free-spirited approach, while Thomas brings great precision and rigour. The result is a style characterised by sharp architectural lines, counterbalanced by unexpected touches and the more curvaceous forms of their furniture designs. The designers cite among their inspirations the Bauhaus, film and advertising posters and Italian sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s. Most of the existing architectural details were kept intact. ‘When you have a Haussmannian apartment like this one, you don’t spoil it,’ says Vevaud. They simply reduced the size of the entry hall to create space for a guest bedroom and removed several partitions to make a large living room. They also moved the kitchen into an adjacent space at the front of the property. ‘Our clients really wanted something very convivial,’ says Vevaud. ‘Having the island in the kitchen visible through the door is like an invitation to have a drink. It allows them to entertain in a more informal fashion.’ For the duo, each space should have its own distinct personality. ‘It’s like in a play or a film,’ says Vevaud. ‘There should be different acts.’ It is with a daring use of bright hues that they really managed to shake things up. In the hall and living room, they applied large rectangles of colour to the walls, which are deliberately not aligned with the wall panelling. Not to be outdone, much of the furniture is enriched with a certain boldness. One of Le Berre Vevaud’s favourite items is the Cloud Softlight pendant from Molo above the dining table. ‘It’s at once voluminous and very light and delicate,’ says Vevaud. And even though the resulting decor is not at all what Mathieu and Claire had in mind, they now would not have it any other way. ‘Thomas and Raphaël challenge their clients, but in a really mindful fashion,’ says Mathieu. ‘They listen, but when they’re sure something will be beautiful, they know how to push for it. At the beginning, it unsettled me a little, but as things progressed, I really took to it. In the end, it was me who encouraged them to go even further.’ X
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houses DINING AREA The ethereal light fixture is the stuff dreams are made of. Custom table; banquette; rug, all by Le Berre Vevaud. Cloud Softlight pendant, Molo. Vintage chairs, Pierre Staudenmeyer and Julio Villani
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KITCHE N ‘We used luxury materials just like we would in a living space,’ says Raphaël and Thomas. Wall mural, Solène Eloy at L’Atelier du Mur. Tractor stools, BassamFellows. Art, Didier Lafleur. Plein Soleil light, Gilles & Boissier for Pouenat. Tableware, Compagnie Française de l’Orient et de la Chine
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home truths … with Raphaël Le Berre and Thomas Vevaud
O B J E C T YO U ’ D LI K E T O H AV E C R E AT E D ? The Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia. We love its form, its lightness and its grace.
W H AT W I L L W E N E V E R FIND IN A LE BERRE V E VAU D I N T E R I O R ? A monastic, minimalistic, pared-down atmosphere where there’s no life or soul.
YO U R M OS T R E CE NT DESIGN FIND? The work of the ceramicist Agnès Debizet.
W H AT D O YO U CO LLEC T ? Ceramics of all kinds… from the post-war work of Roger Capron and Robert Picault to contemporary artisans like Julien Michaud.
A DESIGN ADDRESS I N PA R I S ? Galerie Triode in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
FAV O U R I T E G E TAWAY ? The south of Corsica. The maquis, majestic cliffs and sea are a source of inspiration.
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HALL Eye-catching rectangles in blue ensure that visitors are greeted with a touch of theatricality. Turf photo by Hannah Whitaker. Entrelacs chair, Agnès Debizet. Brushed stained spruce screen; Belize console, Le Berre Vevaud
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MAIN BEDROOM The curved forms counterbalance the more linear architecture. Custom bed; Peonia chair; Assouan rug; Lou bench, Le Berre Vevaud. Ocelle round artwork, Vincent Beaurin. Untitled (Mars Yard) photo, Marina Gadonneix
KITCHEN
BED ROOM
BED ROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
LIVING/ DINING ROOM
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diamond in the rough In London’s jewellery quarter, a tired flat has been turned into a little gem courtesy of interior designer Omar Bhatti PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Stathaki X
STYLING Mary Weaver WORDS Emma J Page
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LIVING ROOM Herringbone flooring, fluted oak and an art wall – which also includes a TV – add depth. Iggy sofa, Sofa.com. Chair, H&M Home. Footstool, Loaf. Media unit designed by Space Shack and made by Origins Design
ENTRANCE HALL An upholstered in-built bench creates a natural pause point. Cabinetry designed by Space Shack and made by John Lewis of Hungerford
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DINING AREA ‘The panda was an impulse buy,’ says Chris, ‘but we like the playful element it brings to the space.’ Bridge table, Case at Heal’s. New Baron chairs, Calligaris. Concrete side table, Decorum
home prof i le THE DESIGNER Space Shack’s Omar Bhatti revamped this space for couple Chris and James, who work in property and law respectively.
THE PROPERTY A 51sq m top-floor apartment in a post-war building in central London. It has an entrance hall, living room, kitchen/dining area, bedroom and bathroom.
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‘It strikes the right balance between being a dynamic space and a rejuvenating bolthole,’ says Omar. Just as cut and brilliance are behind any good diamond’s bedazzle, so the appeal of this diminutive apartment lies in its behind-the-scenes precision detailing. Located in the heart of Hatton Garden, known for its clutch of diamond dealers, the fourth-floor space was once the studio of a gem specialist. But there was little precious about it when owners Chris Marks and James Brennan stumbled upon it back in 2016. The compact one-bed had no decorative features, a dated kitchen and an awkward layout. Hankering after an interior that reflected its cosmopolitan setting, the couple hired Space Shack’s Omar Bhatti to inject it with his own brand of contemporary cool. ‘Chris and James wanted to create a space that could work just as well for suppers with friends as it could for unwinding at the end of a long day,’ says Omar. ‘There was little scope to alter the layout, but there were so many clever refinements that would make all the difference.’ When it came to the brief, the couple had only two, slightly left-field, stipulations – no velvet and no swathes of mirroring. ‘Before getting to the decorative details though, we had to get the bones right,’ says Omar, who initially trained in architecture before setting up his design practice. He sketched out multi-level storage to break up the long entrance hall, chased endless exposed pipework into the walls and removed a bulky door between the hall and living room. Blue became an anchoring colour, featured in the kitchen cabinetry, repeated in a generous corner sofa and echoed in the sky-blue tones of the hallway storage. Having grown up in London, Omar brings a cosmopolitan edge to his interiors, which have a naturally
‘warm urban’ appeal. He takes his cue from the boundarypushing yet functional design of the city’s upcoming hotels and restaurants, the playful schemes of designer Kelly Wearstler and a sense that the diversity of the outside world should be reflected within. ‘City apartments don’t often have gardens so the key is to be imaginative and find different ways of celebrating the natural world,’ he says. ‘London is such a touch point for me. I relate to the word ‘urban’ and I’m always thinking about how city interiors can be both dynamic and re-energising.’ Here, that’s reflected in the addition of textured woods, standout artwork and tactile accessories. A media unit fronted in laser-cut fluted oak conceals storage in the living room, its lines repeated in a vertical wall panel in the hallway. In the bedroom, a lattice-cut wooden wall panel takes the place of a traditional headboard. ‘For me these textural layers are a way of bringing the outside in,’ he says. The couple’s artwork, comprising a selection of portraits, prints and maps, has been enlivened with the addition of a bold modern abstract that Omar sourced from Degree Art, which champions the work of art students and graduates. ‘The media wall needed some oomph and as soon as I saw that piece, I knew it would add the right vibe to the space.’ After four years of putting up with a functional but bland space, Chris and James wholly approve of Omar’s efforts. ‘They joked that the new space is going to make them up their entertaining game,’ says Omar. This central London home is certainly ready to shine bright once again. X
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home truths L A S T T H I N G YO U B O U G H T ? Omar: I just got the keys to my new east London apartment. Super-exciting, but even more appealing is the prospect of getting started on the renovation works. Watch this space…
IN ANOTHER LIFE YO U ’ D B E … …a more experienced version of myself.
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? Childhood photos – they remind me of how far I’ve come, how much I’ve accomplished and how grateful I am for my upbringing.
FAV O U R I T E A U T U M N R I T U A L ? Keeping warm and cosy on the sofa, watching a TV series whilst sipping Earl Grey tea – simple!
O N YO U R C O F F E E TA B L E ? Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style.
I N T E R I O R S T R E N D T H AT YO U A R E L O V I N G ? Tone-on-tone colour schemes. This can really bring some drama into a room if you choose deep hues.
the blueprint DINING AREA
KITCHE N
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
The pull-bar handles mimic the sleek lines found elsewhere, such as in the hallway panel. Kitchen made by John Lewis of Hungerford and painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue. Skyscraper handles, Dowsing & Reynolds
LIVING ROOM ENTRANCE HALL
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BEDROOM
B AT H R O O M
A laser-cut wall panel makes a striking alternative to a traditional headboard.
Chris and James replaced a tired bath with a generous showering space clad in marble-effect tiles. A black-framed shower screen lends a graphic edge.
Wall panelling designed by Space Shack and painted in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke. Verne bedside table, Swoon
Oikos Gold tiles, Tiles & Baths Direct
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golden era When Marie Soliman redesigned this Mayfair apartment, she dipped into its glamorous past but then brought those art deco references right up to date with contemporary twists
PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Stathaki X
STYLING Mary Weaver WORDS Jo Leevers
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LIVING ROOM Marble is a design thread that runs throughout this home but it’s used on streamlined pieces that are thoroughly modern. Chandelier, Liang & Eimil. Rug, Laylah Holmes. Seating and ‘Panda’ marble coffee table, Black Berg Collection for Bergman Interiors
W home profile THE DESIGNER Marie Soliman, designer and co-founder of Bergman Interiors, redesigned this apartment for Waleed AlMarzooq, founder of Premier Estates Investments.
THE PROPERTY A fourth-floor apartment in a 1929 building in Mayfair, central London. There is an open-plan living room with kitchen-diner, two bedrooms (both en suite) and a WC.
e took the art deco identity of this building and reinterpreted it in a contemporary way,’ says Marie Soliman of this apartment home that’s all about luxury and longevity. It’s on the fourth floor of a handsome building dating from 1929 and while it had retained plenty of period flourishes, it was hampered by a dated and impractical layout. ‘There was a very skinny kitchen near the front door, separate living and dining rooms at the other end of the apartment and, bizarrely, the only bathroom led off the dining room,’ remembers Marie. Her solution was to remove a dividing wall to create an open-plan living space, where tall windows look down on the Mayfair setting, and carve out en suites for the two bedrooms, plus a chic WC. While a more practical layout was the starting point for her redesign, it’s the way that textures and colours are layered, then subtly repeated, that makes this home feel truly cohesive. ‘The layout change was dramatic, but then I began thinking about textures and materials,’ explains Marie, who created this interior for Waleed AlMarzooq. Taking inspiration from the building’s deco roots, marble features prominently, from the slabs made into bespoke basins to a kitchen island in Dedalus marble with, as Marie puts it, ‘natural striations that look like a work of art’. Softer textures have been added to that glossy base layer in the form of woven wallcoverings, velvet, burr wood and brass. ‘Waleed is well versed in luxury property and loves the gleaming metallics, which were very much part of art deco design, but we decided to keep the effect subtle,’ Marie explains. So in the bathroom, taps and handles are in an antiqued bronze with a dulled finish that exudes gleam rather than glare. ‘The craftsmanship is still there, but these elements work in balance with the rest of the room,’ she adds. Similarly, in the main en suite and the kitchen, marble is broken up with fluted sections that conjure up the era that gave us iconic hotel lobbies and ocean liner design. ‘The colour is reminiscent of the shades of pearl and ivory favoured during that time,’ says Marie. The 1930s was also the golden era of lighting and wall lights, sconces and pendants riff on designs pioneered by Lalique, Petitot and Sabino. The centrepiece in the main bedroom is a modern version of an ice glass chandelier that also references high-glam Kalmar designs of the 1960s. Marie was also keen to include work by up-and-coming contemporary artists and ceramicists. A painting by Cece Philips hangs in the main bedroom and Ula Saniawa’s sculptural light, formed from handmade ceramic discs, hangs over the kitchen island. Marie is co-founder of Bergman Interiors, but also designed the furniture for this home as a new range, Black Berg Collection, so they fit the spaces perfectly and their curves and colours suit the updated deco theme. ‘There’s often an assumption that luxurious spaces have to err towards white, but I wanted to explore the power of rich, nuanced colours,’ she says. Marie has drawn on the building’s past, but redesigned the spaces with a contemporary eye. ‘Now this home is ready for a new era of glamour,’ she smiles. X
To see more of Marie’s interiors, visit bergmaninteriors.com
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DINING AREA A row of five lights is a simple way to make a decor statement. The brass on the chairs reflects the apartment’s art deco heritage. Dining table and chairs, bespoke by Black Berg Collection for Bergman Interiors. Bizzo ceiling lights, Belid at Royal Design
KITCHE N ‘The fluting is reminiscent of hotel design from the 20s and 30s,’ says Marie. White goods are concealed behind bespoke cabinetry. Kitchen and stools, Bergman Interiors. Island in Dedalus marble, Kreoo Marble Design. Painting, Marie Soliman
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“When colour is used as subtle, desaturated shades, it feels very restful and very luxurious – I love exploring the power of rich, nuanced shades. It’s exciting”
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home truths IF WE COULD TRANSPORT YO U B A C K T O T H E 1 9 2 0 S , W H AT WO U LD YO U B E WE A R I N G ? A dress in emerald green silk, subtly embellished with citrine diamonds.
CO LO U R O R TO N E S YO U ’ R E L O V I N G AT T H E M O M E N T ? Perylene green and burnt sienna.
E A S Y WAY S T O A D D G L A M O U R TO A SCHEME? Fit wall panels in tinted or eglomise mirror glass – it always looks awesome. Cashmere also instantly says luxury.
DREAM PROJECT? The carriages of a Belmond train. They exemplify the golden age of travel.
B E S T M O V I E T O R E WAT C H ? The Untouchables – it’s such a classic.
F A V O U R I T E F A M I LY W E E K E N D ? Long walks from Soho Farmhouse, then their signature Picante de la Casa cocktails.
MOTTO FOR LIFE? A winner is a dreamer who never gave up.
POWE R SHOWE R OR SOAK I N T H E B AT H ? A long soak in the tub, every time.
the blueprint KITCHEN
DINING AREA
MAIN BEDROOM
BEDROOM LIVING AREA
ENTRANCE HALL
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GUEST BEDROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
The dressing table top is in burr, typical of deco style but with a softer sheen for modern tastes.
A TV rises out of the bespoke unit at the end of the bed.
Table, Black Berg Collection for Bergman Interiors
MAIN EN SUITE The honey coloured veining of the marble gleams. Calacatta Borghini marble, Kreoo Marble Design. Tap, Gessi
Pendant, Andrew Martin. Unit, Black Berg Collection for Bergman Interiors. Artwork, Cece Philips
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FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPH MARY WADSWORTH
Walls in Pearl Colour Dark 169 absolute matt emulsion, Little Greene. Lamp, Holloways of Ludlow. Sofa, Love Your Home. Chair, Julian Chichester
design & decorating A CO O L L AU N C H S E T S T H E TO N E FO R O U R P R OJ E C T S S E C T I O N
Take inspo from this living room we created for developers FABRICA under our Studio Livingetc design service. Swathed in Little Greene’s Pearl Colour Dark 169 and with crafted pieces from Holloways of Ludlow and Julian Chichester, it does artisan, elegance and effortlessly cool all in one go livingetc.com
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green house As a backdrop, the soothing quality of green is hard to beat. But pairing it with just the right colours enlivens the shade for the new season X
PHOTOGRAPHY Simon Bevan STYLIST Jennifer Haslam
decorating
I N T O T H E DA R K Dark blue and red blend well with a deep forest green. Add flashes of white like little beacons to energise a scheme. Taru daybed, £3,207, Ligne Roset. Marble coffee table, £919, Aria. Bibendum chair by Eileen Gray, £3,233, Aram. Rug, £1,829; Vitra vase, £269; One Nine Eight Five cushion (right), £75, all Heal’s. Side table, £495; blue bowl, £85; cushion (left), £85; cushion (centre), £75, all The Conran Shop. Footed bowl, £225, Jonathan Adler. Artwork, £375, Formworks. Wall in Duck Green, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
N AT U R E ' S WAY Rich wood tones are pleasant here, evoking biophilic design. Note table, £8,500, Edward Collinson. Sibast No.8 chair, £986, Aram. Muuto Visu chairs, £269 each, Nest. Bon Ton N2 pendant light, £429; napkin, £12.50, both The Conran shop. Ardingly cabinet, £1,815, Neptune. Vintage bottles, from £59, Designers Guild. Glass, £12, Anthropologie. Reactive Glaze plates, £30 for 16-piece set, George Home. Sake bottle, £41; espresso cup, £17, both Mud Australia. Textured wall in Grasshopper, £30 a ltr, Bauwerk. Wall in Duck Green, as above
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LEMON FRESH Inspired by the colours of a Mediterranean citrus grove, this scheme includes a sunshine yellow that sits perfectly with a green that echoes the hues of leaves on a lemon tree. Wall tiles, £34.20sq m, Topps tiles. Terrazzo tiled worktop, £45.60 sq m, Mandarin Stone. Wooden cake stand, €75, Caravane. Yellow bowl, £12, Anthropologie. Jug, £110, Silvia K. Yellow vase, £60, Mud Australia. Utensils, £12.50-£15, Daylesford. Yellow-handled cups, £26 each; green-handled cup, £34, all Brutes Ceramics at Artists and Objects. Walnut chopping board, £140, Edward Collinson. Green glasses, £32 for 4, Rowen & Wren. Small plate, £26; large plate, £32, both Wait and See Ceramics. Textured wall in Grasshopper, £30 a ltr, Bauwerk
decorating PLUM ROLE The addition of burgundy brings out a different side to the green. The depth of the lampshade enhances the richness of the wall, and both are made to feel more luxe by the gleaming flash of the gold stand. Konig sideboard, £5,600, Galvin Brothers. Artwork, £270, Formworks. Milton desk lamp, £125, Heal’s, Green leggy curved candle holder, £68, Hood Ceramics at Artists and Objects. Vase, £290, Maud and Mabel. Avocado plant and pot, £30, House of Plants London. Bottle carafe, £112, Mud Australia. Book Cover artwork, £300, Lauri Hopkins. Abstract Jute rug, £595, The Conran Shop. Coat stand, £1,872, Porada at Heal’s
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M I X A N D M AT C H The ideal green palette veers towards blues and browns, too. (From top, L-R) Coarse Terrazzo tile, £24, Bert & May. Triadic in Emerald, £79m, Harlequin. Surf F7534 05, £49m; Kanoko grasscloth W7559-01, £195 a roll, both Osborne & Little. Bowl, £32, Wait and See Ceramics. Linara in Malachite, £40m, Romo. Melton in Cobalt, £85m, Designers Guild. Escalas Lagoon tile, £1.66, Fired Earth. Marble tile, £1.80, Bert & May. Chequer in Mint, £130m, Jessica Osborne. Bowl, £27, Mud Australia. Edgeworth in Spencer Racing Green, £42m, Clarke & Clarke. Linara in Verdigris, £40m, Romo. Atmosphere in Jade, £139m, Larsen. Cloud in Evergreen, £141m, Kirkby Design. Nelson, £136m, Casamance
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decorating MIDNIG HT TONES Being restful, green is a colour perfectly suited to the bedroom. Add hints of blues that are the colour of the night sky to make a space that feels curated as well as serene. Torrington double bed, £2,140; mattress, £985, both Naturalmat. Sage bed linen, from £261, Piglet in Bed. Dark green pillowcases, £28 each, Heal’s. Cushion, £85; blue vase (on shelf), £200, both The Conran Shop. Quilt, £450, House of Quinn. Rug, £1,115, Aria. Imperfect stool, £265, Galvin Brothers. Curtain in Patchwork Haze, £31.50m, Villa Nova. Plant pot, £8, Dobbies. Carafe, £112; small vase, £60; medium vase, £104, all Mud Australia
pattern book: new-season wallpaper edit THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL – FROM TROPICAL MOTIFS TO PUNCHY PAT T E R N S A N D H O T H U E S – W I L L B E L I G H T I N G U P O U R WA L L S
L O C AT I O N , L O C AT I O N Mural-like papers featuring faraway places are a trend. Paraiba panoramic wall panel in Gris Et Pastel, £1,125.10, Casamance
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BLOCK OUT Try graphic geometric shapes in tonal shades. (from top left) Woods Panoramique Cubes in Marron, £187.95 a roll, Casadeco; Achara wall panel in Azure, £195, Designers Guild; Reclaim in Gulf, price on request, Kirkby Design; Patio in Roussillon, £178m, Pierre Frey; Luzon, £138m, Zimmer + Rohde
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EARTHY TONES Ornamental patterns in rich hues are big news. (from top right) Indian Stripe in Snug Red, £93 a roll, Barneby Gates; Infinity, from €106.80sq m, WallPepper; Tassi in Red/ Aqua, £58 a roll, Jane Churchill at Colefax and Fowler; Les Indiennes in Blue, £85 a roll, Nina Campbell; Samarkand in Jewel Tones, £272 a roll, Madeaux
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FA N TA S T I C A L BIRDS Beautiful species in sensational settings. (from top left) Caicos in Lagoon, £140 a roll, Prestigious Textiles; Dance of Adornment in Wilderness/ Nectar/Pomegranate, £89 a roll, Harlequin at Sanderson Design Group; Rain Forest in Amethyst/Bronze, £210 a roll, Osborne & Little; The Garden of Immortality in Mustard Yellow, £175 a roll, Mind The Gap; Exotic Bamboo in Burnt Sienna, £85 a roll, Eleanor Bowmer
colour insight D E S I G N E R R O B E R T S T I L I N C A L L S O N PA L E H U E S T O FA S H I O N T H E I D E A L B AC K D R O P F O R H I S DY N A M I C S C H E M E S
A mostly white room can benefit from a dark anchor wall. I love to do this in a bedroom – painting the wall with the bed a dark shade, such as a deep blue-grey, while the rest of the walls are crisp white. The contrast between light and dark delivers a spark of freshness, creating a feel that is both energising – from the bright white – and cocooning, from the richer contrast. Some situations call for painting the mouldings and ceiling. If you want to make a big statement and envelop the room like a cocoon, paint the walls, ceiling and mouldings the same shade. You could also try diluting the wall colour a touch before applying it to the ceiling. This slight tonal differentiation will draw one’s eye upward and add dimension to a space. Experiment with playful neutrals. One of my favourite colours is lavender, and I’m using
it a lot at the moment. Farrow & Ball’s Calluna is a light grey-lavender that’s cosy and a bit moody – wonderful for a bedroom. The brand also makes Green Ground, a mood-lifting pale green that adds a layer of interest to a room, as well as Middleton Pink, a cheery shade that is easy to live with as it’s so soft and lovely. A house should have colour repetition and tonal transitions. For example, even if you are painting a room white, consider the other spaces in the house and select a white with a matching undertone. It’s nice to have one dark room – whether it be a library, powder room or guest bedroom – that is set off from the rest of the house, and then a white with a touch of that same colour in the next room. This through line helps a home to feel curated. I often gravitate to navy, brown and dark grey, or subtle jewel tones like burnt orange and deep purple. Don’t overthink your colour selection. After all, it’s easy to repaint if you don’t like it. I also don’t think you can make a wrong choice when it comes to colour – every shade has its advantages and my tried and true theory will hopefully give you the confidence to experiment. Just be sure not to judge a colour before the room is furnished because it will look different layered with art and furnishings. And there’s no need to match a wall shade to your decor items –simply pick a colour that feels good to you. Light tones are easier to work with, but stronger shades dissipate once they’re on the wall. Plus, a deep shade can help build charm, cosiness and depth.
the edit Swiss Coffee OC-45 matte, from £29 for .94ltr, Benjamin Moore
Super White OC-152 matte, from £29 for .94ltr, Benjamin Moore
Decorator’s White OC-149 matte, from £29 for .94ltr, Benjamin Moore
Green Ground No. 206 estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
Middleton Pink No. 245 estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
Calluna No. 270 estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
FEATURE ALYSSA BIRD PHOTOGRAPH STEPHEN KENT JOHNSON
The saying ‘When in doubt, paint it white’ holds true. You almost can’t make a mistake – but keep in mind that most whites tend to yellow over time. I personally like crisp, bright whites such as Benjamin Moore’s Super White and Decorator’s White, which allow furnishings and objects to look more pronounced. Even a shade of white that has a blue or lavender hue is nice. And anything that skews toward bisque (try Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin) would work in a traditional setting, but not in a contemporary home. Another off-white I enjoy is Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, which has a slight green undertone.
decorating
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style columnist WITH AUTUMN APPROACHING, MINNIE KEMP PONDERS WHERE SHE’D CALL IN FOR DECOR TREATS IF SHE COULD TRICK HALLOWEEN INTO SUITING HER NEEDS
Wouldn’t it be great if trick or treating for adults was a thing? Instead of our little cherubs/ghoulies plodding about the streets, wielding woollen appliqué pumpkin bags, filled with sweets, it could be grown men in black vinyl pants pulling a furniture dolly. I can see myself dressed in a vampy Marge Simpson outfit, the top of my blue hairpiece peeping out the roof of the van I have hired for the night. Oh, Halloween is good but it could be better. A flash of blue, a streak of yellow, I raise my painted arm to the doorbell, ring ring, ring ring. The Collier Webb showroom on Pimlico Road, filled to the brim with treats! The kids enjoy fudge but alabaster is more my thing. ‘Hello, yes, I’ll take three wall-mounted shot lights No. 1, in an antique bronze finish and, while you’re at it, a large alabaster Cep table light to complete the look.’ Danielle Collier, dressed in a double-breasted suit, made up in Dashing Tweeds’ new merino wool fabric, Verdant,
gazes at me, through a hairy werewolf mask. ‘Just a minute, Miss Kemp, I’ll grab them from the back.’ ‘I go by the name of Marge, actually…’ My response is lost in the wind; all I can see is her false hairy tail swooshing round the corner, the regimental striped trousers – stunning greens, blues and dashing gold highlights. Dressed in that fabric, she should have been a mermaid, I thought. Next stop, the Dulwich Picture Gallery and step on it. Breathing life into the intimate space, artist Helen Frankenthaler’s Woodcuts adorn the walls making up the exhibition rightly named Radical Beauty. These are phenomenal works that have never before been seen in the UK. It’s spellbinding how open to experimentation Frankenthaler was; I had no idea she was such a trailblazer in printmaking having only seen her soak-stain abstract oil paintings. Good job we hired the van – these works are big. Madame Butterfly is the masterpiece I’m after. A large piece measuring over two metres long, made up from 102 colours and 46 woodblocks (perfect, hung just above my new sculptural Borghese sofa designed by the hunky Noé Duchaufour Lawrance – sourced through The Invisible Collection website).
Clockwise from top: Helen Frankenthaler’s Madam Butterfly; Fango table lamp by Kinkatou Studio London; Borghese sofa by Noé Duchaufour Lawrance; Verdant by Dashing Tweeds
Oh there is nothing quite like the chug chug of an engine laden with goods and judging by the moon (come on, it’s Halloween) time is running out. When the clock strikes, this old Marge must pop Bart and Lisa* to bed… Last stop: Kinkatou Studio London; hand-thrown ceramic lighting and wall art. I love the Razzle Dazzle table lamp collection (of course) relief cut-out shaped graphic designs with silk laminated shades – the perfect combination of fun and chic – just like us, darling . (*Bart and Lisa – aka Frieda and Diego, my long-haired dachshunds – essential protection during trick or treat heists.)
The work of Helen Frankenthaler has never been in the UK before livingetc.com
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design
garden insight D E S I G N E R C H A R L O T T E R OW E S H A R E S H OW E X I S T I N G P L A N T I N G P R OV I D E D T H E J U M P I N G O F F P O I N T F O R A N E W L O O K I N T H I S E A S T L O N D O N G R E E N S PAC E
The existing space in this east London garden was already in a good condition, but although well planted, it did not provide the usable entertaining areas that our client wanted.
The garden gradually steps up from lower seating areas to a dining area at the end
Some elements needed overhauling in order to achieve the correct mood. In particular, the raised area at the end was fake grass. Our client wanted discrete living zones – so we designed two seating areas, one by the house and one surrounded by planting in the middle of the garden, and a dining area at the end.
FEATURE TERESA CONWAY PHOTOGRAPHS (PERSICARIA) JOHN RICHMOND/ ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, (SEDUM) JACKY PARKER/GETTY IMAGES
No lawn was required so although the garden is mainly paved with some gravel areas, we decided to create a journey through it using a series of large planted areas. The combination of limestone paving, gravel and wide island planting beds makes the garden feel larger than its actual size of 100 square metres.
“In town gardens, don’t use too many materials or colours”
The planting combines structural plants, including shrubs such as Sarcococca confusa and Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’, and low Taxus hedging sprinkled with perennials, grasses and climbers, including Rosa ‘Souvenir du Docteur Jamain’, Astrantia ‘Moulin Rouge’, Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Taurus’ and Sedum ‘Matrona’. We made use of the existing structural planting, which included a Robinia tree and the Acer palmatum. For spring interest there’s Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ and the black foliage is the Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’, which brings drama to a compact space. For the planting colour palette, we took as our starting point the multi-stemmed Acer palmatum with deep burgundy leaves and an established tree peony with a burgundy red flower and chose plants to complement. We even carried this through to the choice of furniture and pots.
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Taurus’ is easy to propagate
Sedum ‘Matrona’ will flower into autumn if planted in full sun
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gardening columnist AS SUMMER GRADUALLY GIVES WAY TO AUTUMN, POPPY OKOTCHA SITS BACK AND REVELS IN ALL THE GIFTS OF HER GARDEN THIS MONTH
where I’ll be planting bare-root trees and shrubs as windbreaks this winter to remedy that. I know the garden’s hum of flying things, the blackbird who sings in the holly tree, the chirp of the grasshoppers in the uncut grass and the tickle of the garden’s ants, spiders or beetles tiptoeing up my leg as I write.
Elderberries and blackberries are in season. Bursting with vitamin C and antioxidants, they are a welcome food with autumn around the corner. Make sure to leave plenty for the birds! I stew blackberries and elderberries, strain the liquid and let it cool, then mix in lots of local, raw, happy bee honey, while imagining that the bees who made the honey may have pollinated the blackberry and elder flowers in spring. This sauce is heavenly mixed into dressings for homegrown salads. I’m thinking a lot about the feeling of belonging to a land at the moment. I’ve watched and worked with the garden for a whole year now (I arrived here last summer). I’ve seen it as a naked skeleton in the dead of winter and now I see it fat and plump, heavily shrouded in fruit, foliage and flowers, supporting more life than I think I will ever know.
PHOTOGRAPHS (SEED HEADS) GETTY IMAGES; (RAINBOW CHARD) GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
The space is beginning to feel like a familiar friend. I know its foibles and quirky charm, the things it’s good at (growing apples) and what I’d rather it wasn’t so good at (harbouring an eternal army of snails). I know where to have my breakfast in the morning to catch the first rays of sun and which bits stay cloaked in frost pretty much all winter. I know how the wind rattles down the length of the garden and I’ve figured out
The garden and I have found a steady rhythm of give and take together; I’ve nurtured the space and now I share its bounty. It gives me food, herbs, flowers and joy and I act as its assistant – helping, supporting and tending as it grows. More and more, I’m feeling I know this garden and its occupants and as this feeling grows I begin to feel I belong to this garden, that I’m one of its occupants too.
“The garden and I have found a steady rhythm of give and take; I’ve nurtured the space and now I share its bounty”
The garden is a place where I meet and mingle with the wild and unlearn a sense of not belonging, of being an outsider looking in on nature. The garden and I are both growing and I’m constantly learning from it. I think when we know a place and cultivate a reciprocal dynamic, we begin to belong to a place... when we feel a place is our home, we nurture and care for it and all the others who call it home, without a second thought. I’ve decided I’m going to sleep out here under the stars before the end of summer, a night with all the other occupants.
THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN 1 Towards the middle and end of the month I’ll be sowing hardy annuals to overwinter somewhere sheltered and give flowers early next summer, including love-in-a-mist, borage and calendula. 2 Save seed! Just pick a couple of seed heads from any plants that caught your eye to share and propagate. 3 Sow hardy greens to take you through autumn and winter – try claytonia, mibuna, mustard, mizuna and rocket.
INDOORS 1 There’s so much to harvest, it’s a fun time to experiment with preserving. Dry, pickle, ferment, syrup and jam to make it last longer. I love recipes using local ingredients, like raspberries fermented in a raw, local, happy-bee honey – it’s a sweet fizzy jam with all the gut-healthy perks of fermentation. 2 Sow leafy cool-weather veg (like rainbow chard, left, or ‘Osaka Purple’ mustard), which look beautiful in containers or window boxes and are handy located near the kitchen for easy picking.
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kitchen and bathroom news B E I N S P I R E D BY O U R E D I T O F T H E L AT E S T L AU N C H E S A N D D E S I G N S
PERFECT M AT C H Already a hit for its retro feel and deliciously rounded edges, Claybrook’s Smithfield basin now comes paired with a leggy industrial-style washstand. Not to be outshone, the popular basin can also be in a matt black to match the stand, which has a handy towel rack and rail. An elegant addition to any bathroom. 60cm Smithfield basin in matt black, £700; Smithfield metal stand, £1,375 (claybrookstudio.co.uk)
On the radar Lam Lighting is an exciting new ceramic lighting brand born out of the pandemic with a focus on craftsmanship, sustainability and being British made. Founded by designer David Lam and his ceramicist wife Julie, Lam Lighting’s pieces are all handmade and are being snapped up for design schemes by leading kitchen brands including Davonport. We are sold on the pretty Millais pendant, made from porcelain and glass. Millais pendant, £134 (lam-lighting.co.uk)
Caple’s new Oaten kitchen comes in six on-trend shades and at an affordable price – from £6,500
FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS
Great outdoors This summer’s biggest kitchen must-have? An outdoor one, of course. Thankfully Brookmans by Smallbone has done the hard work for us with its Alfresco kitchen. Designed with flexibility in mind, it comes in modules in various sizes to build a bespoke configuration that can accommodate a sink, cooking area, prep space and refrigeration. You can throw in a sleek six-burner barbecue too. The Alfresco kitchen, from £25,000 (brookmans.co.uk)
HI-TECH HOOD Cooking has got easier thanks to new Wi-Fi-connected extractors by Elica. Controlled via a smartphone or using Alexa and Google Home, you can set the extraction speeds and lighting functions from your sofa. The Super Plat is an ultra slim wall-mounted cooker hood. Super Plat, £840 (elica.com)
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DESIGN DOSSIER
paint updates
Fab colours and finishes to give you wonder walls
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EXPERT VIEW
make a statement with matt paint Peter Gomez, head of design for the Zoffany studio Renowned for its beautiful chalky finish and timeless aesthetic, matt paint diffuses light, and because of this, any imperfections appear less noticeable (within reason!). Colour consistency is enhanced as light sources tend to have a minimal effect on walls painted in matt paint. The great thing about matt paint is that it can be used in any style of interior, from period properties to modern homes. It’s elegant, refined and fantastic for retaining rich colours and with its tactile matt finish, offers a cocooning effect. It’s probably best to avoid using matt paint outside as external and masonry paints have special finishes. Some internal spaces need to be well ventilated as matt paint and condensation aren’t a good match, so check the packaging before use. As with any paint, preparation is key. For a flawless finish, carefully smooth and clean walls, filling and sanding as required. The good news is that one coat of Zoffany True Matt is often all that’s needed, plus our paints are water soluble too, so both the painting and cleaning processes are quick and easy. Rinse brushes and rollers in water and you’re all done! True Matt doesn’t scuff (in technical terms it has excellent scrub resistance and resistance to marring for its sheen level), so it’s perfect for high-traffic areas such as hallways. (zoffany.sandersondesigngroup.com)
WA L L TO WA L L Renowned for her chalk paint for furniture, Annie Sloan has now turned her attention to a dedicated wall paint collection of 32 colours, including 16 existing chalk paint favourites, plus 16 new shades. While Annie’s furniture chalk paint can be used on walls with a coat of wax or lacquer to protect it in high-traffic areas, her new water-based matt emulsion wall paint range needs no such protection from everyday spills and marks. New colours include Carnaby Yellow, £46.95 for 2.5ltr (anniesloan.com)
Craig & Rose artisan paints have landed at Rockett St George. The line-up is made of artisan chalk – perfect for marble-effect walls (available in Flax Yellow, Pink Clay, Blue Ochre and Terre Vert) – and three metal-effect paints (Bronze Gold, Rose Gold and Antique Gold, pictured here). £21 for 750ml (rockettstgeorge.co.uk)
FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS
news
The newest products and innovations in the world of paint
D E S I G N D O S S I E R : PA I N T U P DAT E S
3 OF THE BEST
Primers
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Benjamin Moore Stix primer is suitable for everything from ceramic tiles, PVC, vinyl and plastic to glass, glossy paint and galvanised metal. Prices start at £26.50 for 0.9ltr (benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk) Graham & Brown primer and undercoat can be used on wood, plastic and even some metals. It costs £24 for 1ltr (grahambrown.com) Little Greene intelligent all surface primer prepares surfaces for the application of matt, eggshell and gloss finishes. It’s priced £42 for 2.5ltr (littlegreene.com)
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GO GLOSS Flex your green credentials with Edward Bulmer’s new water-based woodwork and metal paint. Available in a gloss or satin finish, the solvent-free, quick-drying formula contains plant oils, minerals and natural pigments bound with Decovery, a semi-natural binder. Prices start at £41 for 1ltr (edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk)
BREATH OF FRESH AIR An adult tree can absorb 10kg of C02 a year – the same amount that three 15ltr pots of Graphenstone paint can absorb, which means better air quality. Shown here is GrafClean matt interior colour in Olive, £74.84 for 4ltr (graphenstone.co.uk)
B O OS T YO U R KERB APPEAL Give your front door, garden furniture and even your shed a much-needed facelift with Graham & Brown’s debut range of exterior paint. As with its interior paint collections, the exterior eggshell range is water-based, low odour and low VOC – which means fewer fumes and a more environmentally friendly product. The range is offered in more than 360 colourways; shown here is Vivo exterior eggshell, £34 for 1ltr (grahambrown.com)
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RING IN THE CHANGES Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select exterior range is formulated using a synthetic resin, which provides superior adhesion even on chalky surfaces. It’s also resistant to fading, cracking, peeling and mildew. Shown is Normandy Regal Select exterior, from £25.50 for 0.94ltr (benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk)
FRONT OF HOUSE Little Greene’s new intelligent masonry paints offer enhanced water resistance and adhesive properties. Suitable for use on brickwork, new render, cement blockwork and existing exterior finishes, the paint comes in almost all Little Greene colours. Shown is Ashes of Roses 6 in limewash, £55 for 5ltr (littlegreene.com)
EXPERT VIEW
how to make a grand entrance David Harris, design director, Andrew Martin Your hallway should give guests an insight into who you are. Choose colours that show off your favourite art, textiles or photographs. Choose a finish that’s tough, and easy to wipe clean and touch up. Hallways are busy thoroughfares, so need to be practical.
DURABLE DESIGN Crown’s Easyclean range has been formulated to ensure colours pop after being wiped. It also includes Greaseguard+ and Mouldguard+ technologies for added resilience. Shown is Emerald Vision, £25 for 2.5ltr (crownpaints.co.uk) ONE- HIT WONDER The Simply Refresh range from Dulux promises to give walls a new lease of life in a single coat. There’s plenty of choice, too: Simply Refresh comprises 112 colours divided into two colour collections: One Coat (30 modern classics and neutrals, £39.18 for 2.5ltr) and Feature Wall (15 trend-led shades, £25.36 for 1.25ltr) (dulux.co.uk)
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Colour blocking is a good way to add colour to a hall. For example, use a different colour above and below dado and picture rails and cornicing, or add blocks of colour to the underside of stairs. Dark colours under the dado rail combined with fresh white woodwork and light colours above work well to hide any scuffs and marks. This effect also adds lots of light to what can be a narrow space. In a small hallway, paint the ceiling the same colour as the walls. This draws the eye upwards and creates a feeling of space. Make a feature of the ceiling by keeping original features – or adding them if you don’t have them. (andrewmartin.co.uk)
D E S I G N D O S S I E R : PA I N T U P DAT E S
FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS
lookbook
Colour your home happy with these creative ideas
Raise the roof ‘Using complementary tones within the same colour group creates an incredibly stylish and relaxing space, especially when using green or blue,’ says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball. ‘In this instance, the darker shade has been used on the lower walls, the lighter on the ceiling and slightly onto the upper walls, which has opened up the ceiling view. If you need to create the impression of a lower ceiling, try this in reverse and use the darker shade on the ceiling and the lighter shade on the walls.’ GET THE LOOK Walls in Mere Green; ceiling in Arsenic; doors in Copenhagen Roof, all Farrow & Ball
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Draw the line
Colour confidence
The rule of thirds works perfectly in this hallway by interior designer Fiona Duke, who’s created a two-tone wall with a dividing line that picks up the border on the floor. ‘Incorporating doors into the paint line helps to draw attention away from them and create the illusion that the wall continues,’ says Fiona. Painting the lower wall in a dark colour is practical in a hallway; Fiona used a paint known for its scuff and stain resistance.
‘Most often people are tentative with colour. However, with this client, no colour was too bright and no pattern too outrageous,’ says Australian interior designer Simone Haag. These wallmounted shelves, with custom artwork by Sarah Shinners, are a case in point. With lilac, yellow and teal at play, white walls provide a calming base. ‘Choose a pattern you love – and don’t be shy about using bold hues to make a statement,’ says Simone.
GET THE LOOK Walls in Apollo Blue Scuff-X and Super White, both Benjamin Moore
GET THE LOOK Fanny shelf, Trit House; painted in Lilac Mood, Naturalist, Made Up and Black Ace, all British Paints
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PHOTOGRAPHS (DRAW THE LINE) ANNA STATHAKI; (COLOUR CONFIDENCE) DYLAN JAMES
D E S I G N D O S S I E R : PA I N T U P DAT E S
Natural beauty ‘Shades of pink and green appear together throughout nature,’ says Fired Earth’s creative director Colin RobyWelford, ‘and this particular combination has a natural, restful feel that works beautifully.’ Here, a subtle third colour has been introduced on the skirting board, acting as a harmonising element between the soft pink and olive green tones. All three shades have a reddish undertone that ensures a sense of balance throughout the scheme. GET THE LOOK Walls in Orchard Pink and Wild Olive; skirting board in Verd-Antique, all Fired Earth
Shades of green There’s some new thinking around combining different shades of the same colour in one space. ‘Using the darker shade on woodwork is a great way to introduce stronger colour without it being too scary or overwhelming,’ says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands. This highlights the detail of a space, enhancing its character, and is ideal for a period property. ‘It is a technique that inverts the more traditional method of stronger walls and lighter woodwork, but the great thing about paint is that there are no rules, so you can have lots of fun making the space right for you.’ GET THE LOOK Woodwork in Artillery Ground; walls in Chester Square, both Mylands
D E S I G N D O S S I E R : PA I N T U P DAT E S
PHOTOGRAPH (WORK WITH WHITE) MARIELL LINDHASEN
Work with white Kitchens can be busy, so introduce a sense of calm with white paint. The white you choose will be dictated by the aspect of the room — cool whites are recommended for sunny south-facing rooms while warm whites are often chosen for darker, north-facing rooms. The easiest way to check whether a shade is warm or cool is to identify its undertone (often in the product description). Here, the yellow undertones of the pink units prompted Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan to choose a warm white on the walls for a unified scheme. GET THE LOOK Interior design by Studio Duggan. Cabinets in Jonquil, Edward Bulmer
Mix finishes Make a small hallway feel bigger by using one colour on both walls and woodwork (less contrast makes you less aware of the size of the space). Add a dash of drama by mixing and matching paint finishes suggests Will Thompson, Valspar’s head of marketing. ‘Pair glossy highlights and interior trimmings with flat matt walls for maximum impact. The velvety finish of matt surfaces works beautifully on deeper shades, giving contrast to the paler, shiny tones, which can help to achieve a professional, flawless look.’ GET THE LOOK Walls and woodwork in Breathe Deeply V700 premium blend walls & ceilings, Valspar
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Make a splash
Terrific texture
Use an oil-based, waterproof paint for a bathroom splashback and make sure the surface is prepped well. Why not follow in Tiffany Duggan’s footsteps and select a gloss for the ceiling? ‘It bounces light around the room and creates a sky-like feel,’ she says. Tiffany painted the skirting board the same colour as the walls to make sure the ceiling is the star of the show and to create a clear distinction with the rough-plastered matt walls.
The chalky, nuanced texture of limewash lends walls a soft look that improves with age. Made using all natural materials, limewash improves air quality by taking carbon dioxide from the air, resulting in a healthier sleeping environment. ‘Limewash works on most walls, especially natural surfaces such as brick, stone, lime plaster and render,’ says Bronwyn Riedel, co-founder of Bauwerk Colour. Pro tip: remember that when applying limewash, thin is best. Spread it as far as it will naturally go.
GET THE LOOK Interior design, Studio Duggan. Walls in Tanner’s Brown, Farrow & Ball; ceiling in Sitwell Red, Konig Colours
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GET THE LOOK Walls in Nullarbor lime paint, Bauwerk Colour
PHOTOGRAPHS (MAKE A SPLASH) ALEX JAMES; (IN THE FRAME) FRENCH + TYE
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In the frame Arched windows painted a vivid shade of yellow are the talking point of this children’s bedroom by architecture practice Office S&M. ‘We often use warm colours in window frames and openings to reflect a softer light into spaces and to act as an antidote to London’s grey skies,’ says co-founder Catrina Stewart. ‘These yellow window reveals allow us to choreograph the way the light enters and is reflected in the space, creating different light conditions that change throughout the day and seasons.’ To help the windows sing, Office S&M painted the walls a subtle shade of pink with undertones of grey that prevent the pink from being too sugary. GET THE LOOK Walls in Calamine, Farrow & Ball; windows in Yellow RAL 1021
D E S I G N D O S S I E R : PA I N T U P DAT E S
An easy way to create a colour scheme is to use the 60-30-10 rule. Your dominant colour should take up 60% of the space: picture it on the walls and large pieces of furniture such as the sofa. The secondary colour takes up 30% of the space: use it for medium-sized objects such as rugs. Finally, the accent colour is 10% of the space. Use it for accessories such as vases or trinket trays.
with a combination of dark and light tones within the same colour: the brilliant thing about the 60-30-10 rule is that it will always create a great result.
Make sure that your dominant colour is featured through the largest pieces of furniture within your room as this will tie the space together. Your secondary and accent colours will then elevate the main shade.
The key to choosing contrasting colours is to make sure they have the same undertone so the combination doesn’t feel overwhelming. For example, if you’ve got a grey with a green undertone, that green undertone will pair beautifully with a white with a green undertone.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tones within your three colours. Let’s say you’ve opted for a pink on your walls and you’re planning to tie it in with the sofa cushions. The walls and the cushions don’t have to be the same shade of pink. Play White 03; Purple 03; Yellow 03; Pink 05, all Livingetc x Lick Palette 01
Use a colour wheel as a simple way to choose colours. If you want to create a harmonious scheme, look for colours that sit next to each other (think blue, blue-green and green, for example). Or, to add drama, choose contrasting colours that sit opposite each other on the wheel, such as pink and green.
If you’re not confident choosing contrasting colours, try our Palette 01: Neo Deco collection, which we created in collaboration with Livingetc. All the colours are contrasting, but because they’re all soft, pastel shades with lots of white in them, they all work together in whatever combination you choose to use them. You can use the 60-30-10 rule for neutrals, too. In fact, it’s a great way to prevent neutral spaces looking flat. For example, I worked with a client who only loves white. We used an off-white on the walls, a different white on the ceiling and another white on the skirting. This made the room feel very designed. For a nature-inspired scheme, look at shades of blue. They’re soothing and calming and can create a feeling of escapism – you’ll feel as though you’re on holiday! The Lick Livingetc palette has been our most popular blue. All three shades – Blue 08, 09 and 10 – work together and provide a gorgeous monochrome statement. X
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FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS
interview
Tash Bradley, head colour specialist at Lick, spills her secrets
If tequila isn’t your thing, the dessert menu boasts sweet glazed fresh corn cake with roasted corn ice cream, tacoselpastor.co.uk
the lifestyle edit T H E O N E T H I N G W E ’ R E E XC I T E D FO R T H I S M O N T H
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI
Sealing the deal on the growing appreciation of fine Mexican cuisine, El Pastor taqueria takes over the site of Soho brasserie Hix, bringing tacos, mezcal and a fiesta spirit to London’s West End. The evocative textured terracotta walls sing of the faded grandeur of late 19th-century Mexico livingetc.com
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in and out 3
T H I N G S T O D O A N D E N J OY – AT H O M E O R O U T S I D E
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T H E I N S TA ACCOUNT
THE GALLERY
Design destination
South African architectural practice Counterspace, under the direction of Sumayya Vally, were tasked with this year’s design of the 20th Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens. Inspired by the places of worship, restaurants, markets and meeting places that are vital to inner-city London, the resulting Pavilion is a space that splices elements from architectures which vary in scales of intimacy, creating a new place for gathering where the forms meet. The Serpentine Pavilion will stay on display until 17 October. serpentinegalleries.org
Wild card
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As a new wave of creators shine a light on Mexico’s heritage, architect and designer Daniel Valero’s collaborations with Mexican artisans caught our eye over at @mestizmx. Experimenting with pottery in ultramarine hues, light pink chairs woven from palms and colour-blocked wool rugs, his playful pieces form a connection to the regions in which they originated. We love the energy @mestizmx brings to our feeds.
THE MUST READ
A glorious unearthing of untapped design references, Woman Made features over 200 female designers from more than 50 countries. It shines a light on the compelling contribution they have made to the field, while illuminating a history in which many have been professionally overlooked. Woman Made: Great Women Designers by Jane Hall is out on 2 September. (£39.95, Phaidon)
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Icons of home THE SKILL CLASS
Clay club The Stay Home Clay Club by trendy London Fields workshop Kana London, known for its rustic, handshaped ceramics, now offers a series of covetable clay kits available to buy online. Boxes priced from £35 contain blocks of 3kg of clay and eight tools to shape and carve it with. The kits are accompanied by a series of online masterclasses that’ll teach you to transform the clay into bowls, vases and more. There’s also an upgraded kit that comes with a bottle of natural wine or a London-made candle to set the mood. kanalondon.com
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THE GENERAL STORE
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With a firmly cemented place in retail as the pioneers of bringing utilitarian homeware into the mainstream, Labour and Wait has opened its second UK store in Marylebone. Located on Dorset Street, the new store features much-loved classics, including enamelware, food storage and stovetop kettles. labourandwait.co.uk
FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPHS (THE GALLERY) IWAN BAAN; (THE INSTA ACCOUNT) VANESSA VALERO
Feminine touch
sunny days S E R V E U P B E AU T I F U L S U M M E R F L AVO U R S W I T H T H E S E R E C I P E S F R O M C H E F S H A H A R TA M I R O F T H E S A B I N A C L U B H O U S E I N I B I Z A
C A U L I F L O W E R TA B U L E
serves 4 1 cauliflower Half bunch mint Half bunch coriander Half bunch parsley 2 tomatoes, chopped
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Using the large holes on a cheese grater, grate the cauliflower into a large mixing bowl. Chop all the herbs as finely as possible and add to the cauliflower with the chopped tomatoes and onion. Mix well.
1 red onion, chopped Juice from 1 lemon 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Cumin Salt 75g Greek yogurt
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Season the cauliflower mix with lemon juice, olive oil, cumin and salt to taste. Place the yogurt in the centre of a plate and gently pour the cauliflower mix on top. You could also add a sprinkle of za’atar, sliced cauliflower, herb leaves, pomegranate seeds, crushed hazelnuts and pink grapefruit segments.
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This Asian-inspired dish is quick and easy – perfect for a relaxed summer lunch
BANGKOK RUMP STEAK
serves 1 160g rump steak Canola oil FOR THE DRESSING 50g good soy sauce 50g rice vinegar 20g sriracha 10g chopped ginger 10g chopped garlic 5g chopped red chilli FOR THE SALAD 2 sliced French radishes 4 branches of mint 4 branches of coriander 4 branches of parsley 1 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp sugar
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For the dressing: mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and store at room temp until ready to serve. For the salad: mix all ingredients together and set aside. Heat a heavy pan on high heat. Drizzle canola oil in the pan and sear the steak until medium rare. Set aside to rest.
Drizzle the sauce on the bottom of a serving plate. Slice the steak and put on top of the sauce. Serve with the salad on top of the steak.
Y E L L O W TA I L A G U E C H I L E
serves 2 200g fresh yellowtail fillet 4 baby cucumbers 4 baby radishes 1 tbsp chopped ginger 3 branches of thyme, leaves
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Slice the yellow tail loin into thin slices. Thinly slice the cucumbers and radishes and place them in a mixing bowl with the fish, chopped ginger and thyme leaves. Store in the fridge.
picked FOR THE DRESSING Half bunch mint Half bunch coriander 2 spring onion stems Juice from 2 limes 3 jalapeño peppers 40ml pineapple juice 60ml mineral water Salt
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To make the dressing, place all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blitz until smooth. Pour through a sieve into a bowl and leave to chill in the fridge. When ready to serve, pour the dressing over the other ingredients, mix well and divide between two plates. For a more substantial lunch, you could serve with quinoa or rice.
Rapeseed oil
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SMOKED AUBERGINE WITH TA H I N I A N D G O J I B E R R I E S
serves 1 1 large aubergine 40g tahini Juice from 1 lemon 35g mineral water Salt 30g goji berries 30g blanched almond, chopped Baharat Olive oil
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Grill the aubergine under a very hot grill, turning occasionally, until soft. Once it is cool enough to handle, peel the aubergine and set aside. In a small mixing bowl, mix the tahini with the lemon juice and water and mix until creamy; add salt. Chop the goji berries and mix with the chopped almonds.
Place the grilled and peeled aubergine in the middle of serving plate. Sprinkle with baharat and drizzle with olive oil. Pour the tahini on top and cover with goji berries and chopped almonds.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE SABINA CLUBHOUSE
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hotel hot list T W O T R I E D - A N D -T E S T E D FAVO U R I T E S W E C A N ’ T WA I T T O G E T B AC K T O
The iconic Le Sirenuse on the Amalfi Coast is a storied classic that sits on many a travel bucket list. Opened in 1951 by the Sersale family, it remains under their careful stewardship and has become synonymous with the finest of Italian living. Guests come to laze the day away on the idyllic pool terrace, sip lemony cocktails in front of the azure Med and enjoy dinner in the absurdly romantic La Sponda restaurant. There are complimentary wine and olive oil tastings, garden tours, guided hikes and fitness classes, while guests lucky enough to be staying three nights in a suite are gifted an excursion on the family’s vintage Riva. In the boutique, keep your eyes peeled for collaborations with Luke Edward Hall and Allegra Hicks.
IN THE KNOW Treat yourself to a very special souvenir at nearby Feludei, Positano’s best stocked jewellery store. Explore Plan a day trip, if you can tear yourself away, to easily reachable Capri or, for the history buffs among you, Pompeii. Book it Double rooms from around £500 a night, sirenuse.it
FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS (ATZARO) ANA LUI
Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy
Atzaro, Ibiza The jewel in Ibiza’s agricultural tourism crown, the Atzaro hotel belongs to a wider family which spreads across the island. You have its beautiful beach club,Atzaro Chiringuito, its fairy-lit farm-to-table restaurant Aubergine, and back at base , you have the estate’s 13 hectares of fragrant orange groves and vegetable gardens, which the hotel is nestled within. The property is a byword for casual, barefoot luxury and offers guests whitewashed walls, blooming jasmine and bougainvillea and eclectic Balearic style (with several peaceful pools from which you can take your pick). Not far from the spiritual hub of Ibiza’s northern tip, Atzaro has its own magic, scented by oils made from homegrown plants and liqueur from the estate’s own juicy fruit.
IN THE KNOW Eat at Atzaro’s fabulous sister restaurants, the serene and bountiful Aubergine and the waterside Atzaro Beach. Visit the Museu d’Art Contemporani in Ibiza’s old town. It carries an impressive collection for such a small island. Book it Double rooms from around £280 per night, atzaro.com
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globetrotter A R C H I T E C T A N D D E S I G N E R DAV I D R O C K W E L L G I V E S U S A SPIN AROUND DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
f FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS (DAVID ROCKWELL) ANDREW BOYLE; (UNION STATION,WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL AND OLVERA STREET) ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
ounder and president of architecture and design firm, Rockwell Group, David Rockwell spent his formative years in Guadalajara, Mexico. His eye for the colour and spectacle of Mexico and his passion for theatre can be seen in his projects, most notably the New York Edition hotel, W Hotels and Nobu restaurants and hotels across the globe. Earlier this year, David designed the set for the Oscars ceremony, transforming Los Angeles’ historic Union Station into an indoor-outdoor supper club for the nominees and their guests. His fourth book, Drama, has just been published by Phaidon. We nabbed a chat with David on the delights of downtown LA. First things first, where should we stay? The NoMad Hotel in the historic Giannini Place building. It has a great rooftop pool with views of the city.
Olvera Street, Downtown LA
The gallery to head for? I always discover something thought-provoking at Materials & Applications, which has several exhibition spaces across the city. Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall David Rockwell
Best spot for a cocktail? Dan Sung Sa – a North Korean dive bar – for a beer and skewers of grilled meats before heading over to Chapman Plaza for some nightlife. Local label to know? Poketo, founded by a husband and wife team in 2003, offers a collection of design-conscious goods online, as well as in two locations in the city.
Tiles by Heath Ceramics
Best cultural hotspot? While researching Union Station in preparation for the design of the Academy Awards ceremony this year, I fell in love with Olvera Street. It’s the oldest part of downtown Los Angeles, where Mexican families settled in 1781. Today, the 44-acre El Pueblo historic park is a colourful Mexican marketplace lined with street vendors, restaurants and gift shops. Your favourite architectural gem? Los Angeles architecture wouldn’t be what it is without Frank Gehry. I’m awestruck by his Walt Disney Concert Hall. Its curves make it look like it’s always in motion.
Restaurant with the best interior? Redbird, located inside the former rectory of a cathedral, with seating designed and fabricated in the Arts District. I love the drama and discovery of the space – and they make delicious pasta and fresh seafood.
Los Angeles’ beautiful art deco Union Station
Your perfect day trip? The Gamble House in Pasadena is the ultimate American Craftsman home, built in 1908-9 by architectural firm Greene and Greene. It’s now open for public tours. You can see a strong influence of Japanese design blending seamlessly with the casual, indoor-outdoor living that is so appropriate to the California climate. What to bring home? Books from Hennessey + Ingalls, the wonderful art and architecture bookstore and dinnerware or home accessories from Heath Ceramics. Their ceramic tiles have been made by hand since 1959 in their Northern California studio.
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secret address book The Livingetc team flicked through its Rolodex to find the design emporium you need to know D E S I G N & T H AT The first time Livingetc walked through the doors of Design & That, a boutique in London’s Shoreditch, was the first time we’d ever seen Bauwerk paint in all its textured glory. The little store, the first UK supplier of the Aussie paint brand, was swathed in a complex and compelling grey limewash – the ideal backdrop to the covetable pieces within. Now online only, Design & That has gone on to be the first port of call for all manner of clever, contemporary and dynamic design. Artfully curated by Emma Shone-Sanders, it’s here you’re guaranteed to find a piece or four for a life that is beautifully lived. Co Chair lounge chair in dark stained oak/city velvet, £819.95, designandthat.com
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