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the best-selling modern homes magazine

april 2022

U R B A N H O M E S ■ K I T C H E N R E N O VAT I O N S ■ F R O N T D O O R S L A N D S C A P I N G O V E R H A U L S ■ S AV V Y S H O P P I N G ■ B AT H R O O M S

BRIGHTER LIGHTER FRESHER decorating ideas to make every corner shine “MINIMALISM IS PERFECT F O R F A M I LY L I F E ” J O H N PAW S O N BREAKS THE RULES

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striking paint updates

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T H E F I N I S H E S, T H E C O L O U R S, THE ECO BRANDS TO KNOW

ORDER! ORDER!

D E S I G N YO U R WAY T O F E E L I N G ORGANISED

april 2022

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY POLLY WREFORD

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news & shopping

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EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… Transportive travel-themed wallpaper, stone in fiery red hues, pill-shaped lighting, colourblock rugs and beautiful linear detail cabinets DESIGN RADAR Linda Boronkay’s top pieces NEWS REPORT House of Hackney has launched a new paint range, designed to perfectly match the brand’s signature prints THE CONVERSATION We chat to designer John Pawson about minimalist living NEW SEASON WISE BUYS: THE EDIT Sculptural lights, standout furniture and decorative accessories from just £20

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fabulous spaces

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LONDON TERRACE Materials that will age beautifully over time add rich patina to this home INSIDER GUIDE Top tips to help you choose the right white paint SYDNEY SEMI This architect-designed home is full of innovative and playful ideas

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INSIDER GUIDE Dissecting the different types of marble you can use in your home LONDON VILLA A boutique hotel designed

by Ilse Crawford was the inspiration behind this home’s space-expanding redesign ITALIAN HOUSE A brutalist-style home cleverly designed to sit comfortably in its idyllic vineyard setting CITY HOME Designer Natasha Jones showcases her theory that natural materials and a connection to nature add up to joyful living

decorating

SUNSHINE STATE Indulge in happy tones of yellow for a feel-good vibe HOUSE STYLE Minnie Kemp on simple ways to boost your kerb appeal this spring COLOUR INSIGHT Paint colour ideas for creating eye-catching front doors PATTERN DECODED Rose prints are having a romantic revival

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Head to livingetc.com for daily updates on style, trend news and decor inspiration

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HOW TO… USE PAINT IN A MODERN WAY Experts share fresh ideas and exciting effects to enliven walls THE MANY SHADES OF GREEN PAINT A round-up of eco paint brands with the most beautiful and usable colours

design projects

RENOVATION NEWS The latest launches and expert tips for kitchens, bathrooms and projects THE LOWDOWN ON… a complete kitchen renovation with the essential s for a successful project INSPIRATION GALLERY Latest looks for chic kitchens TREND FOCUS Deputy editor Busola Evans on embracing shapely bathroom designs MATERIAL OF THE MOMENT… brick floors with rustic warmth and character THE HOME FRONT Building work is a while away but our columnist Rebecca Wakefield hasn’t been able to resist the lure of the paintbrush GARDEN INSPIRATION Cool curves help make the most of smaller spaces

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smart home

LIVE BETTER Savvy storage solutions to make you feel more organised LIVE WELL Reap the benefits of houseplants AIR APPARENT A guide to air source heat pumps and if they’re right for your home

the lifestyle edit

THE SCENE Be inspired by Kit Kemp’s whimsical redesign of the Palette cafe at New York’s Bergdorf Goodman store DESIGN HOTELS The best places to stay in Paris for the ultimate getaway COOK A luxurious dish great for entertaining: tea-smoked salmon with a horseradish dressing BETTER-LIVED LIFE Rachel Chudley

and the rest…

EDITOR’S LETTER SUBSCRIBE Receive a free gift when you subscribe

Pip Rich

BRIGHTER LIGHTER FRESHER

Editor @pip.rich

what i’m into this month 1

Thyme’s Bertioli beauty range. It makes my bathroom smell like a lemony meadow.

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Every room the designer Brigette Romanek creates. Airily glamorous.

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YELLOW 03 EMULSION, LIVINGETC X LICK

Celtic & Co’s wool throws. They’re the perfect blend of soft colours and softer textures, ideal for until spring kicks in.

news-stand cover

subscriber cover

I’ve been watching The Gilded Age – billed as the new Downton Abbey – set in fin-de-siècle New York (it’s very good, particularly the costumes). The old money aristocrats are shocked at how Carrie Coon’s new money character is lavishly adding period details to her home at will, clutching their pearls at the vulgarity of her shipping in French antiques just because she can afford to.

Aside from the fact I love how they all take afternoon tea so lavishly, I’ve never been happier to live now and not then. The way I’ve been decorating my own home, adding character and texture where it has been stripped out over the years, could be seen by some as just as inauthentic. We’ve researched the cornicing a house like mine would have had when it was built, but ultimately bought modern replicas through necessity of both budget and time. And unlike those stuffy New Yorkers of the 1880s, I am totally OK with that.

At Livingetc, we pride ourselves in showcasing rooms that feature a mix of styles, eras, shapes, colours – nothing is ever too matched or forced. It’s hard to get this right, but a wonderful reflection of the personality behind each space. This was the thinking behind the dossier of paint and pattern advice that starts on page 118, new ideas to throw caution to the wind and let the colour and texture in.

Elsewhere, I’m taken with our columnist Minnie Kemp’s advice for brilliant front gardens on page 117 and will perhaps never look at yoghurt quite the same again. There’s also a big focus on garden furniture, planting, decking and styling over on Livingetc.com this month, reams more information than we could ever fit into this magazine. Do take a look when you’re online.

For me, this is a perfect time of year to start the project you’ve been thinking about – as the days get longer I feel more motivated to begin afresh. The minimalist John Pawson is my true inspiration (see page 36) and perhaps I’ll take the 30 day home organisation challenge detailed on page 169. Starting, like John, with just a shelf.

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editorial EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Spiteri EDITOR Pip Rich DEPUT Y EDITOR (PRINT) Busola Evans DEPUT Y EDITOR (DIGITAL) Hebe Hatton GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emma Williams GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR/PRODUCTION EDITOR Jennifer Spaeth HOUSES EDITOR Rachel Christie INTERIORS EDITOR Emma Thomas CONTENT EDITOR Rohini Wahi SENIOR EDITOR (DIGITAL) Lotte Brouwer CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Linda Boronkay, Fleur Britten, Minnie Kemp, Fiona McCarthy and Rebecca Wakefield EDITOR IN CHIEF – NEWS Rebecca Knight EDITOR IN CHIEF – AUDIENCE Amy Cutmore EDITOR IN CHIEF – ECOMMERCE Lindsey Davis VIDEO PRODUCER Matt Gibbs GROUP ART DIRECTOR Alison Walter ART EDITOR Meredith Davies SENIOR DESIGNER Chris McPhail GROUP PRODUCTION EDITOR Maxine Clarke HUB CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Carly Rigley SENIOR SUB-EDITORS Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley HEAD OF ART PRODUCTION Nicola Tillman ART PRODUCTION DESIGNER Chris Saggers

Head to livingetc.com for plenty of garden design and landscaping inspiration ■

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Small spaces, courtyards, modern flower beds and advice on how to care for the most beautiful blooms ■

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You’ll also find more dynamic ways to use paint and finishing touches for bigger projects

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everyone’s talking about...

THE NEW MOOD

Wanderlust is still making waves and now it’s all about take-me-there landscapes ROOM WITH A VIEW

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

In a bid to transport us to the prettiest corners of the globe, there’s a wealth of landscapes coming to our homes in the form of wallpaper. This midnight coastal scene by Casamance, with its stylised rushes, alluring waters and jewel-like starry sky, is one world we’d happily get lost in.

Callisto, £419.10 for a 2.1x3m panel, Nuit d’Orient collection, Casamance

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PERSONAL TA B L E T O P S

They keep everything close to hand and can be used for work or play Make no mistake, these designs are not to be confused with a traditional side table set-up.

It’s all about bringing it into, and onto, the seat.

So whether you’re looking for an occasional work spot, or want to keep your G&T to hand while scrolling through Netflix’s top 10, personal (and ergonomic) tabletops are up for the job, slotting snugly next to you. But they weren’t built with just efficiency in mind.

Nope, whether sleek or slightly decorative, our edit also has gorgeous good looks.

S I M P LY ST YLISH

With a minimalist but sturdy metal structure, the Victoria table by Flou has a pleasing oval-shaped top with a lipped edge to stop things sliding off (double win) and can either be supported by two central slimline legs or one offset leg. The latter configuration is designed to bring the table in further for the user and can be used for the sofa or in your sleep space. Is that a green flag for breakfast in bed? Yes, please. £923, Emanuela Garbin for Flou at Aram Store (aram.co.uk)

IT’S A WR AP The Cradle armchair’s character, Arflex says, ‘is based on the structure: a classic triangular construction, which is repeated several times around the model so that you can admire it from each viewpoint’. The ‘cradle’ is this metal structure.

The table, or ‘tray’ as Arflex calls it, is an optional add-on. From £2,425, Neri&Hu for Arflex (arflex.it)

This table has two purposes in life – to look beautiful and to bring your drink closer while sitting on a sofa or chair. Antique brass, blackened iron and white marble all come together for a design that is something we can all agree to toast. Tendril table, £1,023, Celerie Kemble for Arteriors (arteriorshome.com)

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SUPER SLIDER

Versatility is the mark of good design and the Gullwing coffee table has it in spades. Position it sideways next to the sofa or front-facing as a workfriendly surface. Best of all, it comes in a host of colours and finishes, too. £926, Gabriele & Oscar Buratti for Lema (lemamobili.com)

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

A NEW LEAF

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everyone’s talking about...

KAMILAH AHMED

The textile designer on fusing contemporary weaving and traditional skills Kamilah Ahmed’s north London family home was filled with textiles from Bangladesh when she was growing up – namely, saris. It’s having been surrounded by these, along with an extensive collection of Portuguese ceramics from her mother’s side of the family, that Kamilah keenly contributes to her now ‘painterly’ textile work. With her commitment to craft, it’s no surprise that Kamilah was announced as the first recipient of The New Craftsmen Award, a partnership with Cockpit Arts to open up opportunity and build greater diversity in the craft world. We find out more…

On-the-rise designer Kamilah Ahmed

How did you get into textile design?

Originally I was set on becoming a fine artist. However, at Camberwell College of Arts, I swiftly specialised in mixed media stitch. After an MA at the Royal College of Art, I then moved into working mainly in fashion. I worked as an embroidery designer for European clients such as Christian Dior, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana. My work consistently explores the connection between hybridity and heritage, and I think that this is intrinsic to my upbringing in London.

How did you pivot into creating work for interiors?

I have always wanted to push my work into a much larger scale to create pieces that can occupy a space without the restraints of seasonality or trend. Work that cannot only be worn but lived in and around. This is why I am working more and more in interiors.

Intricate needlework is key to the designs

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Kamilah’s work is often inspired by Bengali art

What advice would you give to someone buying textiles for their home?

I would encourage anyone to support craftspeople/businesses that are invested in the preservation of traditional textiles techniques and using natural dyes. I would say choose textiles that will not only look beautiful but that can be passed down through generations.

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@otherhouseembroidery, @thenewcraftsmen; for the next round of applications, from 4 April, entrants can apply via cockpitarts.com

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

What inspires your work?

I take inspiration from landscapes and craft legacies evoked in family photographs, textiles and my illustrations from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

I’m also inspired by the art of Jamdani muslin sari weaving and the revival of this Bengali, Dhakai art. Jamdani combines weaving with hand embroidery simultaneously on the loom. My aim is to share a personal narrative through hybrid aesthetics that juxtapose contemporary techniques with hand-making skills.

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F I E RY STO N E

Pale marble and travertine are beautiful, but it’s time to turn up the heat OPTICAL ILLUSION

Designed by Paolo Grasselli to give a ‘playful perspective’, the Innesti table cleverly makes you think it has two halves. ‘The base is designed to look detached from the upper part,’ says the team at Bonaldo. We love it as it’s entirely suitable for both casual and fine dining and you’ll never have to wash a single tablecloth again thanks to the striking Rosso Carpazi marble top (it would be a sin to cover that veining). Price on request, Paolo Grasselli for Bonaldo (bonaldo.com)

T E A M WO R K

Bringing another red-topped sensation to the offering is Piero Lissoni, whose gorgeous Sumo coffee table comes in a range of finishes, including red Levanto marble (bottom right) and Forest Green marble (top right), as well as white Carrara if you don’t want to go down the fiery route. And you could team a marble design with one topped with wood (top left) or a glossy lacquer (bottom left). From £1,524 excl VAT, Living Divani (livingdivani.it)

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

SIDE HUSTLE

The Plec occasional table

by RS Barcelona (equipped in the terracotta marble guise, of course) has a classical aesthetic that will work in all sorts of settings.

And with its sheet-steel legs folded like a neat and compact accordion, it comes in at a space-saving 37x37cm. We’d be tempted to take two for either end of the sofa, just to create a satisfying symmetry. £670, RS Barcelona (rs-barcelona.com)

ROMAN GOD

Named after the poetry of ancient Greece and Rome, the Epic table by GamFratesi for Gubi is epic by name and epic by nature – a sculptural piece influenced by classical columns.

Made in Italy from red travertine, it wouldn’t look out of place in the Pantheon. Design decorum served! £4,350, GamFratesi for Gubi (gubi.com)

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everyone’s talking about...

SOLID -SHADE RUGS

Floors are ready for a spring refresh and singularity is where it’s at COLOU R B LOCK

Portobello Pink silk border rug, from £2,437 (2.29x1.52m), Farrow & Ball x The Rug Company

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FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

Patterned rugs are always a delight, but so are the new Farrow & Ball x The Rug Company solid-shade designs that celebrate the pure joy of a single swathe of colour. The collection has a variety of shades, such as Keepers Red, Melrose Yellow and Leighton Teal, all of which will contribute to a happy home.

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everyone’s talking about...

L I N E A R D E TA I L CABINETS

Architectural lines take an everyday storage solution to the next level At a certain point in life you begin to experience a desire for that elusive piece of beautiful statement storage. The sleek wooden cabinets that are gracing the interiors market right now take design finesse to a very desirable level. What are they all about?

They are chic-looking pieces that are highly functional, too. The appeal? The linear details appearing on the facades in a regimented fashion speak to our love of a clean aesthetic.

KILLE R COM BO

Everything starts with what Calligaris describes as ‘a minimal lacquered container’, and from that starting point there’s a multitude of ways to specify the Universal sideboard system. It’s in this particular make-up, however, with ‘wave’ worked doors and flush, ultra-thin top, that we think it looks the most stylish. It’s a sleek, modern and highly useful storage unit. From £2,385, Gabriele & Oscar Buratti at Calligaris (calligaris.com)

DESIGN ADDITION

‘Value’ is what Says Who, the Danish design studio behind this new Kendal sideboard, says it wants the piece to bring to its prospective owners. It’s the latest addition to the Kendal furniture range – the wardrobe, dresser and bedside table all have the same linear detail.

Minimalist pieces like this work wonders to freshen up the mood at home. £1,499, Says Who for Heal’s (heals.com)

T I C K S T H E R I G H T B OX E S

The Ridge sideboard is from John Lewis & Partners’ Anyday range, which is all about great design at prices you wouldn’t expect, so this beauty looks good (tick) and is not going to break the bank (double tick). The front ridged detailing is made from sustainable bamboo (triple tick). There’s a version with a luxe-looking blue frame, too, but the grey pictured here is ideal for a minimalist scheme. £279, John Lewis & Partners (johnlewis.com)

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Much like the skyline of the city it’s named after, the Taipei has a wonderfully tall and elegant stance.

Blending classic lines with a contemporary style, the linear design details that adorn the doors give it a sans défaut presence. It gets even better inside, as the back inlay is finished in bronze mirror. Perfect for keeping special pieces, this cabinet will bring sophistication to an alcove, or use it to store dinnerware perhaps. It’s an investment piece but is an heirloom in the making. £10,555, Frato at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour (dcch.co.uk)

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

ASIAN FUSION

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everyone’s talking about...

PILL-SHAPED LIGHTING

These curved little pops of luminance are just what the design doctor ordered

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2 Aptly named the Pill light, this capsule-shaped beauty is made from hand-blown glass with either cast-brass or aluminium finishes. It’s available in a variety of ‘states’ – from single pendant

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and a row of five to a cluster of seven – and colours. All variants deliver a heavy dose of style. Pill light, from £800 (emptystate.com) 3 The go-to brand for lighting that caters to all budgets, lights&lamps has tapped into this look with its gorgeous Imperial collection. There are a few options in the range, but we think this one is the most versatile. The three pods cast diffused light in all directions and the rod is height adjustable. Imperial 3 light brass and opal pendant, £139 (lightsandlamps.com)

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FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON

1 Crafted right here in the UK in a trio of the hottest, of-the-moment materials – alabaster, brass and opal glass – this standout piece takes its design cues from the elegant arches and strong lines of art-deco architecture. The collection includes a wall light and table and floor lamps so you’re spoilt for choice. Vima XL pendant, £7,200 (bertfrank.co.uk)

design radar Linda Boronkay, award-winning interior designer and tastemaker, on the pieces catching her eye this month 1

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1 IN A PINCH

The perfect piece for a spring spread or picnic – occasions that just might be on the horizon soon.

Pinch pot, £26, Olive and Co

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2 CIRCLE LINE

Playing with positive and negative spaces to represent the Braille letter K, this chair has a circular void in the base that is mirrored in the velvety cushion back. Void Yellow chair, €12,750, Azadeh Shladovsky at Les Atelier Courbets

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3 MIX UP

Chunky, mismatched and packed with personality, these earrings

by Timeless Pearly are top of my wish list! Chai earrings, €295, Matchesfashion

4 ON A WHIM

Witty and whimsical, this piece is formed from 3D printed organic composite and then hand finished in plaster. Mushroom wall light, price on request, Porta Romana

5 WA S T E N O T

Garment scraps and offcuts have been reworked to make patchwork pillows and tapestries.

So simple and honest. Patchwork hanging 1, £450, Alessandra Chambers at Partnership Editions

6 A R T AT TAC K

I love the explosive pattern that jumps out from the surface. An everyday object as a stunning piece of art. Untitled 108 plate, €2,000, Ruan Hoffmann at The Spaceless Gallery

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news report

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House of Hackney, loved for its maximalist prints, is moving into paints – brand co-founder Frieda Gormley explains how to use colour now

t was just over a decade ago when creatives Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle founded British pattern brand House of Hackney with the aim to bring colour and texture into homes, designing their own prints after failing to find the contemporary wallpapers and textiles they craved. Their family home in – yes – London’s Hackney opened its doors as the first showroom, bedecked in the evocative palms and exuberant florals that would quickly catapult the fledgling label into every design lover’s little black book.

A celebrated trailblazer in rule-breaking patterns, 360-degree wallpapering and hardcore matchimalism, as House of Hackney becomes a tweenager it’s undergoing one of its biggest transformations to date – the launch of a 39-colour paint range. After years of recommending other brands to customers seeking shades to coordinate with their designs, Frieda and Javvy are spinning their maximalist aesthetic on its axis to include painted walls.

‘Our ambition has always been to infuse homes with colour,’ explains Frieda. ‘While pattern is still our DNA, our paint gives us the freedom to showcase different levels of pattern and creativity.’

Wall and ceiling in Orpiment House of Hackney

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FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

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1. Gamboge 2. Asterao 3. Achilea 4. Alchymist 5. Madder, all from £39, House of Hackney

Wall in Azure; Ananas lamp, both House of Hackney

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Like much of House of Hackney’s handiwork, The Art of Nature paint collection draws its inspiration directly from the bounty of the wild, and for every UK-made, recyclable tin sold the brand will purchase and protect 35 square metres of forest. Available initially in eggshell and emulsion finishes, walls and woodwork are coated in the same matt texture as each other.

With an earthy palette designed to match Frieda and Javvy’s key prints, the collection includes an exploration of greens, inky blues, rusty reds, dusky pinks, fresh yellows and a set of neutrals. ‘The range is an ode to Mother Nature’s ever-changing ways,’ says Frieda, the tones referencing plants (Thistle, Spruce), flowers (Nasturtium, Anemone), stones (Obsidian, Zircon), clouds (Cirrus) and more.

Just as the brand taught us how to wallpaper for a new decorating era in the 2010s by banning feature walls and championing pattern on every surface, this time around it’s re-educating us on what to take brush or roller to. ‘Paint can absolutely be maximalist – we want to inspire people to be inventive and have fun with it,’ Frieda tells us. Out goes the rulebook, again, and in come painted ceiling roses, doorways framed with pigment, contrasting panelling, statement dado rails and vibrant fireplaces.

While exuberance features heavily in the House of Hackney school of painting, pale hues have a home, too. ‘We love a space that feels like it’s encased in colour. It’s so beautiful to drench an entire room in one shade and pick out smaller details such as woodwork in a neutral tone. It’s about balance,’ says Frieda. ‘Colour is what makes us happy,’ she smiles. ‘For us, this is about showcasing colour and inviting people to be playful and brave with it – we’re excited to see the results.’ houseof hackney.com

Wall in Celadon; stairs in Jadeite, both House of Hackney

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1. Celoisa 2. Thistle 3. Cerulean 4. Moonstone 5. Azure, all from £39, House of Hackney

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Walls in Moonstone, House of Hackney

the conversation If you get the right white paint then a minimalistic approach to design is actually perfect for family life, designer John Pawson tells our editor Pip Rich

d

esigner John Pawson is known for his minimalist take on interiors, for architectural projects that are more about their angles and natural light than the things in them. His first cookbook, Home Farm Cooking (Phaidon), written with his wife Catherine, is out now.

PIP RICH: The last time I came to your home, I was delighted to see it lived up to the minimalist ideal – there was literally no clutter anywhere. Where did this love of minimalism come from?

JOHN PAWSON: No idea really! The idea of travelling light has always been a relief. My mum was modest and didn’t like too much stuff, while my dad loved the best of things.

PR: I was going to say that I think of you less as a minimalist, but as – and I’ve made this phrase up – a celebrationist, who doesn’t want no things at all, but really celebrates the very best designs. Perhaps a blend of your parents.

JP: I do believe that you don’t need more than is essential, and that is hard to define. We have a set of silver Georgian three-pronged forks that could be considered more than you actually need, but they’re very wonderful. It depends on how you live – you need a certain amount of things for life to go smoothly, though if you have more than you need it gets in the way. I have a shelf that I’d love to keep empty – in fact, the shelf on the cover of my cookbook – but I wasn’t allowed to get away with that. It’s always a receptacle for keys, dog bone toys... I clear it up once a week.

PR: Has your approach to decor been easy while bringing up a family? Surely the children have naturally come with a lot of ephemera?

JP: I did up the London home in 1997, when the kids were young, and there was no art on the walls, we had stone floors, and they could just skateboard in and out. There were no objects for them to knock over, and if they smudged a wall it was fairly easy to clean – the house was really robust and suited family life well. Of course, the kids had

things – Superman and Spiderman sheets and the like – but the house was the most popular in the neighbourhood for other kids who loved coming over to play.

PR: Despite a general lack of things, there is always a real warmth to the houses you design. How do you achieve this?

JP: Just through the choice of plasters and paint. In the London house, I used enough coats of Quiet White by Papers and Paints to create a really deep white, while in our Oxfordshire home I’ve left the lime plaster unpainted, so it’s a soft, pinky white. It has all the movement of the plasterer’s trowel, which would normally be too decorative for me.

PR: That a plain wall could be too decorative is hilarious!

So how do you pick the pieces that end up in your home?

JP: The only person who deals with furniture is my wife, Catherine. The interesting thing for me is the space around the furniture, the air you can create in gaps.

PR: A lot of your house designs are very architecturally fascinating in their own right, so leaving them spartan feels natural. How would you advise someone to do what you do in a less characterful, more normal space?

JP: White reflects light, so keep as many interior walls white as you can.

By using many shades of white you get a gradation of white, which is always fascinating. I’m interested in art, but if you fill a wall with it then it won’t reflect the light anymore, and your eye stops at the object.

PR: What are you designing next?

JP: Every 10 years I try and design a chair, but how do you do it when Jasper Morrison has already done such a beautiful collection; and when the Wishbone chair is already the perfect example of something both light yet robust? It’s timeless – people look good in it, and if you stick it in an empty room, it changes the space, creating areas around it. However good the architecture, you can make rooms better with adding pieces into it. You just need to be careful not to fill it.

I have a shelf

that I would love to keep empty – but I

wasn’t allowed to get

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PHOTOGRAPHS (BARBICAN) GILBERT MCCARRAGHER

away with that

Quiet White absolute matt emulsion by Papers and Paints

John’s sitting room in his Oxfordshire home

Sterling silver teapot by John Pawson for When Objects Work

John Pawson

“Our house was the most popular for other kids who loved coming over to play”

The shelf which often gets used for keys and became the cover of John’s cookbook (below)

Stoneware bowl designed by John Pawson, When Objects Work

Wishbone chair by Hans J Wegner The living room of an apartment in the Barbican designed by John

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new-season wise buys: the edit W hen it comes to lighting, the spotlight is on sculptural pieces, tactile materials and eye-catching hues Housenka lamp in Red Madder, £295, Oka

Calder semi flush ceiling light, £50, BHS

Medium bubble lamp with Rose Water shade, from £95, Loaf

Larger Rattle table lamp, £122; with 40cm marble paper shade in Tiber, £67, both Pooky

Osaka wooden floor lamp, £399, Heal’s

Yaku hemp wall lamp, £60, La Redoute

Victor terracotta table lamp, £85, Graham and Green

FEATURE AMY MOOREA WONG

Toulon pendant, £85, Garden Trading

Rufus Grand pendant, £80, Laura Ashley

Pill LED floor lamp in brushed brass, £160, Habitat

Luminos table lamp, £79, Dwell

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standout furniture Sof t curves, cool cane, confident colour and detailing… these beauties are made for you to take notice

Frazer walnut table, £400, Habitat

Mandarin bed frame, £1,199, Furniture Village

Timepiece side table, £245, Loaf

Uley bar stool, £250, Garden Trading

Mylo chair in Dazzling Blue velvet, £275, Next Archy large solid pine bookshelf, £875, La Redoute Iris rattan lounge chair, £275, Rockett St George Borgeby coffee table, £70, Ikea

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nature-inspired designs One of the new season’s more considered moods is all about organic textures, beautiful botanicals and an earthy palette

Romney slipper chair in Forest, £695, India Jane

Rattan cane daybed, £995, French Connection

Olina mirror armoire, £995, Oliver Bonas

Ellis bench, £299, Swoon

Artie four drawer chest, £1,199, Heal’s

Rattan wardrobe, £999, John Lewis & Partners

Ladder rack, £49.99, TK Maxx

Seagrass pouffes, £295 for a set of three, Graham and Green

Pelle side table, £129, Dwell

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arresting accessories Meet the small but mighty extras that w ill round off any scheme stylishly Retreat needlepoint cushion, £40, Amara

Black Ball hand carved mirror, £200, John Lewis & Partners

Magic Beans throw by Print Sisters, £199, Heal’s

Djini wool rug, from £225, La Redoute Oval mirror with rattan frame, £285, Graham and Green

Sarah Campbell X Anthropologie platter, £28, Anthropologie

Sherwood dinner plate in Emerald, £95 for a set of four, Oka

Cushion cover, £19.99, H&M Home

Blue vase, £22, Next

Citrine ribbed glass vase, £20, Habitat Storm mug by Nicola Gillis, £35, Toast

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Grey Face hi ball glasses, £23 for a set of four, Rockett St George

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A cool Sydney haven, a stylish London semi, ✱a concrete Italian masterpiece and more

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LIB R ARY

The darkness of this central room was embraced with a blue shade that envelopes the space to strike an atmospheric mood.

Joinery, Nicklin Furniture; painted in Stiffkey Blue, Farrow &36 Ball.livingetc.com Source a similar handwoven rug at RugVista

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passage of time PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Stathaki

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STYLING Finkernagel Ross WORDS Juliet Benning

The modern classic good looks of this Victorian

semi are designed to be desirable now and always livingetc.com

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home profile THE DESIGNERS Husband and wife team Felix and Catherine Finkernagel provided the architecture and interior design respectively. The pair co-founded Finkernagel Ross, a London and Hamburg-based architecture and design firm in 2004.

THE PROPERTY A Victorian semi in Hampstead. On the ground floor is a hallway and a living room leading to a library, kitchen, cloakroom and boot room. On the first floor is the main bedroom and en suite. Two half-landings

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contain a bedroom and study and on the second floor are the three children’s rooms and bathrooms.

At the rear of the garden is a studio with a bathroom.

erfectionism is overrated’ goes the saying and it certainly applies to the approach Catherine and Felix Finkernagel’s clients adopted when specifying the materials for the renovation of their newly acquired Victorian home. Opting for unsealed wood and brass, they were eager that their home tell a story of the vigour of family life as it passed through the years with them. ‘They’re a husband and wife with three children and a dog and have a great eye for design. What was interesting about this project is that while we are often given a brief revolving around practicalities, they were concerned with how a space might feel and the atmosphere it would summon,’ Catherine explains.

Referred to Finkernagel Ross by their new neighbours a few doors down, the couple asked Catherine and Felix to view the house alongside them before making a decision. ‘We immediately reassured them that while the property would need a serious amount of love and attention, it would be worth their while. They were also enticed by the large garden,’ says Catherine.

Inhabited by an elderly couple for over 40 years, the home had been well loved and while it retained many of its features, such

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as cornicing and shutters, they would need restoring. ‘The house had a warm feeling but it wasn’t suitable for a modern family. The rooms were cellular in layout and the only connection to the garden was a pair of doors and one tiny window at the end of the galley kitchen. The middle reception room was dark and the space where the main bedroom is now had been split into two rooms ruining its proportions,’ says Catherine.

As part of its improvements, the kitchen was extended into the garden providing an expansive view through windows that would reach the front rooms. The central space was transformed into a warm, inviting library that can be sealed with glass doors allowing containment while providing a visual connection. From here the kitchen beckons with its inviting fireplace and mellow reclaimed floors. ‘It was important that the materials, such as the wood, leather and marble, feel natural and age over time.

We used a horsehair fabric that has a striking texture to cover some of the cabinets and chose a green shade that would respond to the garden beyond,’ Catherine says.

Upstairs, the two boxy rooms in the largest bedroom were dismantled so that the

former grandeur of the original proportions could reveal itself. Freestanding wardrobes were designed not to detract from the ceiling entablature. ‘The larch wood was left unsealed so that you would start to read the usage of the doors through the gentle markings,’ Catherine says.

Perhaps the most surprising architectural development has been the utilisation of former loft space. ‘With three children on the cusp of adolescence, we had in-depth conversations about what usage they would want from their rooms. We realised that sleeping was only a fraction of it so decided to create mezzanine bed levels in the space of the former loft. This freed up the floor for drum kits and Lego, with each child advising us on their own colour schemes,’ Catherine says.

Entirely configured to their needs, each individual space carries a strong character that will absorb the family’s identity over time.

With materials that become more distinctive as they patina, scratch and mark, the very life of this family will be absorbed into the skin of the home and become a huge contributor to the personality it continues to develop.

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LIVING ROOM

‘The bouclé chair is ridiculously comfortable and can be swivelled to allow for more flexibility,’ says Catherine. Curves contribute to the comfort levels in here, too.

Walls in Skylight, Farrow & Ball.

Art, Formworks Studio. Source a mid-century sofa at 1stDibs.

Brice swivel chair, Eichholtz at Sweetpea & livingetc.com Willow. Travertine39 coffee table, Ferm Living

the blueprint

EXTERIOR

The paler brick denotes the newly extended sections of the house – the kitchen at ground level and the second storey addition of another bedroom.

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

MAIN BEDROOM

Building work, MH Costa Construction

DINING AREA

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide masses of storage and are covered with a beautiful textural fabric.

LIBR ARY BEDROOM

Source vintage cantilevered chairs at 1stDibs. Bespoke cabinets covered in horsehair, source at John Boyd Textiles BEDROOM

HOME OFFICE KITCHEN

SECOND FLOOR

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FIRST FLOOR

DINING ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

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KITCHE N

The warmth and grain of the wood dominate this space and will become more marked and characterful over time.

Bespoke kitchen supplied

by Max Ratjen. Artwork

by Noa Gammelgaard.

Marble, Marble, Granite, livingetc.com Limestone Warehouse

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MAIN EN SUITE

Unsealed brass will develop a beautiful patina. The central fireplace called for the bath to be positioned front and centre.

Bespoke vanity stands made by MH Costa Construction. Mirrors, Heal’s. Wall lights, Astro. Walls in De Nimes, Farrow & Ball.

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by Philippa Anderson

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“The house is full of contradictions between hard and soft shapes, sculptural planes and undulating curves” X

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home truths THE ARCHITECT WHO HAS I N F LU E N CE D YO U TH E M OS T ?

Louis Kahn with his Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.

ARCHITECTURAL PRIORITIES FOR THE DECADE AHEAD? Sustainability in all aspects of design and construction but also wellness.

YO U R S T Y LE I N TH R E E WO R DS ?

Impactful, bold and elegant.

D E S I G N O B J E C T YO U WO U LD LOVE TO OWN? An Isamu Noguchi Akari floor lamp. One day.

ASPECT OF VICTORIAN HOMES T H AT H A S A G E D T H E B E S T ?

The detailing. Done for pragmatic reasons but nonetheless adding beauty, intricacy and scale to almost all Victorian spaces. .

C U R R E N T FAVO U R I T E C O L O U R ?

Masai by Paint & Paper Library is stunning.

DREAM HOME? The Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe as much for the house as for the setting.

G O -TO PA I NT B R A N D? Lime-based paints from Bauwerk Colour, both for their environmental credentials but also because of the depth and variation of colour they give to a room.

MAIN EN SUITE

The clean lines of the shower area allow the beautiful period features to shine.

Taps, Vola. Calacatta Mont Blanc marble, Marble Granite Limestone Warehouse

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H A L LWAY

Reclaimed oak herringbone was laid throughout the ground floor. The bench and pendant light bring a contemporary twist to the restored Victorian detailing.

Flooring, Walking On Wood.

Arnaud bench, Eichholtz.

Pendant light, Flos. Painting

by Josefin Tolstoy

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“A pure white backdrop ensures the artwork is the central focus” X

MAIN BEDROOM

Minimal furnishings give this space a calm, monastic mood.

Walls in Raw White lime paint, Bauwerk Colour. Artwork by Philippa Anderson. Table lamps, 45 Zara Home.livingetc.com For a similar pendant light, try Woodland Inspiration

houses INSIDER GUIDE

know your whites

We never see colour in isolation so when you want to observe variations in the white scale your starting point is the brilliant white of a sheet of printer paper. With so many shades on the market ‘colour paralysis’ is a huge problem, but understanding the make-up of white paint will help you make an informed decision. All whites split into two groups: cool whites –with a blue or grey undertone – and warm whites, which have a yellow or pink undertone. Cool whites evoke a fresh, uplifting, bright and lively feel, while warm whites are more cosy and mellow.

Room direction makes a huge impact on the tone of white I would recommend. North-facing rooms that suffer from a lack of natural light will immediately look dull and lifeless with a grey undertone, so instead it’s best to try and balance this out with a warmer shade.

Rooms with masses of sunlight can take a blue or grey base and this choice will make them feel crisp and breezy.

Of course in the end everything boils down to the homeowner’s individual taste, but in general modern properties (which often have more glazing and, as a result, are brighter) are suited to cool whites – and choosing these will help to strike a clean contemporary note. These tones often group together with a more modern palette featuring greys, taupes and beiges. Period properties commonly have darker interiors and can usually benefit from a bit of warmth and a more subtle approach. While you may want to brighten rooms up, it’s best to choose a colour that will sit softly alongside your other choices. For woodwork in a traditional scheme, I always recommend a warm undertone ‘complementary’ white. Your eye is always drawn to the brightest part of the room so using a brilliant white can mean the look ends up feeling disjointed – a calmer white will ease the transition between rooms.

Finally, if you are feeling a little dubious about the shade you’ve finally settled on, I always advise my clients to ‘hold your nerve’.

Walls will look very different after they are broken up when the artwork, furniture and rugs are added to the room – and if the worst came to the worst, unlike other big investment choices, such as flooring and sofas, you can always change your mind about a paint colour quite easily.

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setting the tone Moving along the scale from warm to cool, these nuanced white shades each strike a unique mood

FE E LING COSY

A cosy, creamy colour that offers great coverage and a gentle pigmentation, this warm-toned white complements the rest of Lick’s Livingetc palette of colours. Easy to apply and requiring few coats, Lick paints are durable and wipeable with no harmful chemicals and eco-friendly ingredients. Livingetc White 03, £38 for 2.5ltr, lick.com

SHADES OF GREY With its slightest hint of grey, this was historically formulated with black pigment gathered from the smoke of burning oil lamps. Sitting well within a minimal scheme, this coolest of the Farrow & Ball whites works well in south-facing spaces with large windows. It’s been used to striking effect in full gloss with stainless steel kitchens. Blackened, £52 for 2.5ltr, farrow-ball.com

IN THE PINK

Enjoying a huge surge in popularity, pinks are no longer the preserve of nurseries. This elegant pinky white from Little Greene’s Stone collection has the merest hint of terracotta and evokes a gentle mood of relaxation.

The intelligent matt emulsion has a 100% acrylic formulation that resists staining and provides exceptional washability. £48.50 for 2.5ltr, littlegreene.com

GREEN SCENE With just a hint of mint to strike a distinctly fresh note, this subtlest of green/white tones from the Paint & Paper Library sits alongside four shade strength variations in its scale and works well with other cool woodwork families like Slate or Salt.

The company is known for paints finely tuned to balance colour, mood and light. £56.50 for 2.5ltr, paintandpaperlibrary.com

FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPH ANNA STATHAKI

I N S P I R E D BY T H E H O U S E C AT H E R I N E A N D F E LIX D E S I G N E D W IT H IT S SWAT H E S O F N E U T R A L S ? LI C K ’ S H E A D CO LO U R S P E C I A LI S T TA S H B R A D L E Y S O R T S T H R O U G H TH E MAN Y O P TIO N S TO FI N D TH E R I G H T W H IT E FO R YO U R H O M E

constant evolution Already renovated three times, this Sydney home is a creative playground for architect Jeremy Bull, partner Tess Glasson and their four young children PHOTOGRAPHY Anson Smart/ X

office portrait by Russell Horton STYLING Claire Delmar WORDS Karine Monié

OFFICE

Here, the family are pictured in Alexander House, which adjoins the couple’s home and is their business HQ and showcase for their work.

Italma Wood Art armchair by Jean Gillon from The Vault Sydney, reupholstered by Demuz Designs

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houses SUNKEN LOUNGE ‘This has a beautiful connection to the garden outside and the idea behind it was that there would be no boundaries between the two,’ says Jeremy.

OS brass side table, Atelier de Troupe at Spence & Lyda.

Joinery, Greg Natale

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hrough its style, layout and evolution, this home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney is the best representation of its inhabitants. Jeremy Bull, principal of Alexander &CO, and Tess Glasson, who helms the studio’s marketing department, immediately saw the potential in this Victorian property for their family, which includes four sons. The couple, who at the time of buying the home a decade ago, had six-month-old twins, lived there for 18 months without changing a thing. This allowed them to think about what they wanted. Over the next seven years, the pair built a loft space, a kitchen extension with a new laundry, a sunken lounge and dining area joinery and an external mezzanine storeroom. ‘Our vision for the space was an unfolding story,’ says Jeremy. ‘Each alteration is representative of each new child and our family’s needs,’ adds Tess.

For Jeremy, designing a home for himself and his loved ones was easier than doing so for a client. ‘The marvellous thing about creating your own house is the fact that it can be a mix of experimentation and ideas,’ he says. ‘The home is on eight different levels, albeit minor in places. They grew from the existing constraints until we grew to love them. Circulation space is minimised and when hallways are required, they play a dual role of also acting as a theatre space. We have placed rooms and usages in every nook; nothing is wasted.’

From the couple’s perspective, two key characteristics define their home: the spatial efficiency and the exploration of ‘the unfinished’. Maximising every square metre, reducing building costs and studying material expressiveness are reflected in the house. Influenced by the work of Alvar Aalto and Louis Kahn, the project refers to a modernist philosophy while giving priority to what is locally available and featuring a Scandinavian-inspired sensibility. Low-cost pine structures and exposed pine ply sheeting make up the majority of internal finishes, while Carrara tiles adorn the bathrooms, kitchen splashbacks and floor surfaces. The sophisticated and muted colour palette helps highlight the furniture and art, including Matriarch by Henrik Godsk (which adds a dose of femininity in a house of five males) in the lounge and In-xcess by Isabelle de Kleine (with its green and soft pink) in the kitchen.

‘It is a house filled with light and life,’ says Tess. ‘Despite having four kids running around, I feel grounded and relaxed here.’ Oscillating between football field and sanctuary – and everything in between – this quirky home is infused with the spirit of its occupants and the vision of the creative mind behind it. ‘Although simple in patina, the house is actually wonderful in its concealed complexities,’ says Jeremy. ‘It’s a constant unfolding of events, opportunities, views and experiences.’

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home profile THE OWNERS Jeremy Bull and Tess Glasson of Alexander &CO live in this Sydney home with their four sons (Jude and Archer, 11, Felix, eight, and Nash, seven) and their dog, a Japanese Spitz named Indy.

THE PROPERTY An extended 1900s semi in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. The house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room, a double living room and an open kitchen-diner with a sunken lounge.

houses KITCHE N

‘We wanted this to be a practical space but also have scale and drama,’ says Jeremy. ‘We discussed having an island but in the end we left the space free and it can have a table in it or be clear and it’s used daily by our boys as a handball court!’

Elliot dining chair, Spence & Lyda. Alpha water pitcher, Lobmeyr at Ondene. Vintage marble bowl, Conley & Co. Poem green glass, Becker Minty

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home truths G O -TO D E S I G N B R A N D? Jeremy: Thonet. The chairs are beautiful and uncomplicated. They are as timeless now as they were when they were first drawn.

DREAM PIECE OF FURNITURE? I love Brazilian modernist pieces. We recently bought for Alexander House (our HQ, next door to our home and a showcase of our work) a vintage Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art easy lounge chair from Vampt Vintage Design, a furniture dealer. It was not in good shape but we had to have it! We worked with a restorer (Demuz Designs) who ensured all the original details were maintained.

B I G G E S T D E S I G N M I S TA K E ?

If we design with our own narrative top of mind, we tend not to solve the client’s problem. Our role is to design to the client’s narrative and yet through our lens.

FAV O U R I T E D E C O R AT I V E M AT E R I A L? The burgundy leather curtains (with a natural hide edge) that we installed in the library of Alexander House, our company HQ.

ESSE NTIAL ACCESSORY I N YO U R H O M E ?

I love fresh flowers and plants. I like the fact they are beautiful in the moment and they don’t last, that the experience is significant and yet also temporary.

WA L L PA P E R O R PA I N T ?

Snowy Mountains by Dulux for an interesting chalky white hue… an edgeless white. It’s like being wrapped in a cotton ball!

the blueprint MAIN BEDROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

FORMAL LIVING ROOM

LOUNGE

KITCHEN DINER SUNKEN LOUNGE

GROUND FLOOR

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houses L I V I N G S PAC E S

Diaphanous curtains define the more grown-up space and the blue Ligne Roset Togo sofa is meant for lounging.

Domino High Capitonne linen sofa, Frigerio at Pure Interiors.

123 Series marble coffee table, Ten10 at Spence & Lyda.

Naturalistic wooden side table, The Vault Sydney. Chair in bouclé fabric, Becker Minty

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houses

KIDS’ BEDROOM

‘The shutters were inspired

by Mexican architect Luis Barragán,’ says Jeremy.

‘They allow privacy and also flexibility in terms of how much light you want in.’

Giraffe, Adrienne & the Misses Bonney.

Kay Bojesen monkeys, Great Dane Furniture.

Caravane linen duvet, Montmarte Store

MAIN BEDROOM

Mirrored wardrobes bring a glamorous feel to this room while also boosting the sense of light and space.

Square table lightweight, Barbera at Catapult Design. Mullit chair, Yonoh Studio for Sancal at Ke-zu

MAIN B AT H R O O M

‘We wanted this to be beautiful and simple,’ says Jeremy. ‘It’s a mix of Carrara marble and penny round tiles that have a playful, textural edge.’

Mette Ditmer Venezia green tray; Linge Particulier waffle bath towel in Moka, both Oliver Thom

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houses MAIN BEDROOM

‘Tess always wanted our bedroom to have the feel of a hotel room,’ says Jeremy. ‘The full drop linen curtains and the darker wall colour make it a little more nocturnal and cosy.’

Modigliani Was Here bed cover, Club des Filles at Kerrie Brown

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houses INSIDER GUIDE

marble matters C . P. H A R T ’ S D I R E C TO R O F D E S I G N , YO U S E F M A N S U R I , TA L K S U S THROUGH THE DIFFERENT T YPES O F T H I S B E AU TI F U L S TO N E

Marble possesses exceptional strength and is heat-, fire- and weather-resistant, while also being relatively easy to cut and shape.

Today, marble is often seen as floor and wall tiles, fireplaces, worktops and decorative items. Its natural properties and unique appearance emote a very graceful and timeless feel. Bianco Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario are the most popular types of marble due to their neutral tones and are complementary to most schemes. However, many customers opt for striking darker varieties, such as Nero Marquina, Pietra Grey and Emparador.

Colourful marbles are also becoming more popular, with varieties such as Verde Guatemala, Blue Palissandro and Rosso Levanto.

These look particularly stunning paired with warm metallic finishes such as gold, brass and bronze.

Invented in Venice during the 15th century, terrazzo is another big trend. Real marble pieces held together with resin or concrete are the most popular, with a huge array of colour combinations available. Perfect for worktops, floor and wall tiles and even decorative products.

Marble in bathrooms has been a popular choice for decades, and although often associated with traditional settings, it’s becoming increasingly popular in modern spaces. As marble is a natural material, it’s porous and must be fully sealed to protect it, otherwise there could be staining, etching or discolouration over time. The sealing process would need to be followed up every couple of years, as well as daily maintenance, to ensure it stays looking its best for as long as possible. Most stains and markings can be pulled out and restored, however this can be a costly exercise if there’s a large surface area. To combat this, porcelain replicas have improved with the ongoing progress in ink-jet technology. The best thing about porcelain replicas is that they don’t need any sealing or maintenance, other than general cleaning.

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picking the right style Ready for the marble look in your home? Here are four gorgeous designs to choose from

PA L E B E AU T Y

Inspired by the classic onyx, a creamy white stone with brown and white banding, the White Lira porcelain marble tile has glossy taupe tones that sing out in its stone-effect surface. The design is elegant and the soft marble-look tiles provide a calm and opulent scene for sophisticated settings, whether that’s traditional or modern. £24sq m, cphart.co.uk

BOLD LINES

Individual veins and fissures are part of the natural appeal of marble, making each tile unique. Variation from tile to tile is to be expected, and the unique characteristics of Georgica Pond marble tiles are enhanced by the polished finish.

The tiles have diamond sawn edges which, combined with the polished sheen, create a contemporary look. £94.22sq m, firedearth.com

P R E T T Y PAT T E R N Terrazzo Nouveau Cobalt porcelain is a dazzling blue tile in an authentic terrazzo style. The cool blue design is flecked with richer shades, which perfectly mimics the marble chippings in a classic terrazzo tile.

With a smooth, matt finish, this tile will add colour and personality to any setting, from bathrooms and kitchens to living areas. £69.60sq m, mandarinstone.com

D R A M AT I C L O O K

Darker and more colourful marble is proving to be a particularly popular trend at the moment. So if you want to make a bold, striking statement in the bathroom, whether on a vanity unit, in the shower enclosure or as an eye-catching splashback, the deep green shade and dark veins of this Emerale marble tile will work beautifully. £82.94sq m, toppstiles.co.uk

FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPH ANSON SMART

Marble is a metamorphic rock which has been physically and chemically transformed over time within the earth, due to intense heat and pressure. There are many different types, in varying colours, tones and vibrancy, with a whole host of unique veins and markings. The most famous varieties come from Italy and Greece, where it’s often the purest in colour, and where marble statues, architecture and products have been produced for centuries.

pleasure prıncıple X

PHOTOGRAPHY Mary Wadsworth WORDS AND STYLING Mary Weaver

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D I N I N G S PAC E

A fireplace is a wonderful luxury in what is the hub of the home.

Walls in Mole’s Breath, Farrow & Ball. Artwork, Christian Choisy.

Pendant lights, Lyngard.

Glass-fronted storage, Cave Interiors and Ottima Joinery

KITCHE N

Wall units were eschewed in favour of a display shelf with constantly changing objects.

Units in white-oiled oak, Jack Trench. Carrara marble surfaces, Stone Age. Bar stools, Ercol

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houses LIVING ROOM

The poulticed egg and dart cornices were painstakingly restored and the sofa was chosen for its lounging potential.

Oscar sofa, Loaf. Rug,The Rug Company. Tripod floor lights, Santa & Cole. Sputnik chandelier, Graham and Green

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home profile TH E OWN E RS Sam Hartung, a doctor, and husband Rob, who works in finance, and their four sons, Luke, 19, Casper, 17, Zachary, 10, and Kit, four.

THE PROPERTY A Nash-built house, circa 1850, in London. There is a kitchen, dining space, snug, utility room, wine store, nanny’s suite and WC in the basement. On the ground floor is a living room with library and music area. The first floor has the main bedroom suite and a nursery.

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Above are three bedrooms and a family bathroom.

city break to Stockholm’s Ett Hem, the boutique hotel designed by Ilse Crawford, became an inspirational turning point for Sam and Rob Hartung, who were halfway through planning a renovation of their north London home. ‘We were at the dreaming and scheming stage but that first-hand experience of Ilse Crawford’s Scandi-modern with vintage and traditional style was a light-bulb moment,’ says Sam. Unusually, Sam, a doctor, and Rob, who works in finance, had been able to rent their beautifully proportioned Victorian villa before purchasing it. ‘Our previous property was tall and narrow and set within an old, established community, where with our growing family (then three boys and two cats) we simply didn’t fit in,’ she says. ‘When a university friend suggested we rent this house – detached, with a calm vibe and a more lateral flow, we leapt at the opportunity.’ Two years later they ‘lobbied her’ to allow them to buy it.

Although it wasn’t in bad shape, through living there Sam evolved a vision for making it serve the family better. Work started in 2014 with the initial focus on storage. ‘It’s hopeless if it’s not practical,’ says Sam. ‘There are seven of us (fourth son Kit was born in 2017) residing here, including our nanny who lives in as Rob travels for work and I do night shifts. It needed to be functional and hard-wearing, yet a pleasure for us all to return to at the end of every day.’

The design of the house is spatially very clever, again thanks to Sam knowing it so well prior to the renovation. Feet and inches have been stolen here and there – smaller hallways to make rooms bigger, the nanny’s en suite carved out of an area behind the pantry and, at the top of the house, three bedrooms and a bathroom created by extending into the eaves and out into the landing. A vault in the basement was reclaimed for storage and a wine cellar and a utility area squeezed in next to the WC. The main space gain was with the lower ground floor’s cantilevered extension onto the outside patio. Without beams, the view from the dining area to the garden is seamless. ‘That took a lot of structural planning as well as a massive steel between ground and basement level holding up the back of the house,’ says Sam. Towards the end of the renovation she called on interior designer Charlotte Griffin to help her realise some ideas. She also worked with her mum, Susanne Blair, who is a garden designer, to reconfigure the outdoor space to accommodate football games and an in-ground trampoline, both disguised with new planting that goes right up to the house. The experience of having studied arts subjects before working first in finance then retraining in medicine is now, she feels, helping to fuel the creative side of her that loves design. Maybe career number three is on the horizon?

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Interior design @charlottegriffinteriors; find the architect at naganjohnson.co.uk

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PA N T R Y

‘This was a must-have for me and I refused to allow the architects to take it out of my wish list,’ says Sam. Glass/metal panelling

by D&R Design

“I wanted everything to feel diverse but also united by the flow of common themes” X

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D I N I N G S PAC E

The glazed extension transitions seamlessly to the outdoors with planting up to the house so you feel you’re eating in the garden.

Table and chairs, Carl Hansen & Søn. Lunar Larch engineered flooring, Element 7

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houses M A I N B AT H R O O M ‘Although the main colour scheme is soft and muted I like the sharp contrast of the black as it gives it an edge’ says Sam.

Basin unit, designed by Charlotte Griffin with joinery

by PW Design & Build. Basins, taps and towel rail, Vola. Ball pendants, Michael Anastassiades.

Vintage stool, Soho Home

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houses

MAIN BEDROOM

A rich neutral was chosen for its calm and luxe qualities.

Walls in Smoked Trout, Farrow & Ball.

Harlosh bedside table; Soren banana fibre light, both Pinch

home truths DESIGN HERO? Ilse Crawford – I would love to meet her.

I F YO U W E R E A S O FA , W H I C H O N E W O U L D YO U B E ?

Russell Pinch has a new corner design that’s on my lust list.

H O W D I D YO U C R E AT E YO U R COLOUR SCHEMES? A lot of thought and a lot of trial and error in the colour sampling phase as I have never used so much colour in a renovation. I tried to ensure that it all flowed seamlessly from one room to the next.

C L A S S I C D E S I G N I T E M YO U C O V E T ?

The Hans J Wegner Valet chair.

It’s super comfortable to sit/lie on.

YO U R Z E N P L A C E ?

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TA K E AWAY S F R O M T H E R E N O VAT I O N ?

So many things – the whole process brought both agony

I find that tremendous and restorative peace

and uplifting joy. But most of all, I found that it paid in

can be found looking at beautiful things

spades to source a limited number of expert suppliers and

– in galleries, nature and at home.

craftsmen and to stick with them.

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nestled among the family vineyards in Franciacorta, Italy, and has a design inspired by its surroundings

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natural beauty

Architect Valentina Moretti’s concrete house is

PHOTOGRAPHY Valentina Sommariva/Living Inside WORDS Rachel Christie

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EXTERIOR

The overhanging roof shelters the porch and is fitted with planters filled with greenery designed to help the building blend into its vineyard setting.

The view from the roof takes in the Franciacorta vineyards, livingetc.com 85 the hills, Lake Iseo and Montisola island

home profile THE OWNERS Valentina Moretti, founder and creative director of More, her partner Francesco Matricardi, managing director at More, and their children, twins Luigi Camillo and Antonio Leone, seven, and Giovanni Battista, three.

THE PROPERTY A 1,000sq m house in Italy, designed and built by Valentina’s company More. It has a cellar, laundry room, studio, a couple of storage rooms, archive, tech room and bathroom in the basement. On the ground floor there is an open-plan kitchen/dining/living space, office, three en-suite bedrooms and a pool.

On the first floor there is and a

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studio and a bathroom. livingetc.com

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L I V I N G S PAC E

Large windows allow nature to envelop the space and the greenery is the perfect foil for the dark feature wall.

Standard sofas, Edra. Coupé floor lamp; Atollo lamp, both Oluce.

Chab coffee tables; Capitonné pouffe (teal), all De Padova. Art (on left), Eugenio Carmi. Vase (on livingetc.com 87 coffee table) by Sara Ricciardi

“I always like to add something that’s a bit peculiar” X

DINING AREA

The giant rug unifies the living and dining spaces and pops of pastels have an uplifting effect.

The light was custom-made.

Sindar-ka rug, Tisca. Dining table, Giuseppe Rivadossi.

Superleggera dining chairs

by Gio Ponti for Cassina. RO 88 livingetc.com lounge armchair by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen

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reenery isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you imagine a brutaliststyle concrete box of a house, but Valentina Moretti’s home is steeped in nature – nestled as it is between wild woods and its landscaped garden. Despite its substantial size and concrete aesthetic, the building blends seamlessly with the surrounding Italian countryside, perfectly integrated with the help of a plant-filled roof and carefully selected planting elsewhere. ‘The idea for ​​the house was born from the desire to put down roots and create a personal space on the hill where my whole family lives,’ says Valentina. ‘I chose a point where as a child I used to play, often building a small house with what I found lying around in the woods.

I also identified the perfect position for my new home by thinking carefully about the best possible integration with the landscape.’

Before this house, Valentina was living in an apartment facing Lake Iseo. ‘It was perfect when we were young, but once I had babies I understood it was time to move into a more comfortable and spacious home, surrounded by green space where the kids could play in nature,’ she adds. Position identified, the house was designed

by Valentina herself and realised by the family company More – an innovative architectural firm that designs and builds custom homes using industrialised building systems and interior design plans.

Together they created a stunning home built in just five months using mainly wood, concrete and steel, pushing the boundaries of design and deftly resolving construction challenges, while remaining in perfect balance with the beautiful setting.

A striking flat roof, supported by exposed concrete walls, juts out over a large porch, which becomes a living and dining area in spring and summer. Inside, the view of nature is enjoyed as the seasons pass and there is a sense of privacy as the rooms are protected by vegetation. ‘Even the plan of the house simulates a wood, where domestic life develops in a fluid way,’ says Valentina. ‘This home is like an evolving organism, flexible in following the needs of its

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inhabitants. The spaces are defined by the light and the high-quality materials used, such the natural porphyry rock and untreated wood panelling. Even the windows are framed in light oak wood.’

Underlying the project is sustainability and responsibility.

‘In this house, we discover the value of architecture, research, technology, respect for the landscape and for the human being,’ says Valentina. ‘As an architecture practice, we have a sense of responsibility that guides every choice we make. We mix the advantages of prefabrication – its speed and its control – with choices that favour authentic, pure, sustainable materials. I chose to use only untreated materials that will undoubtedly undergo changes in their appearance over time.’

The interior design of this very special home is a stylish blend of manufactured furniture alongside custom-designed pieces.

‘The style is eclectic, like my personality,’ says Valentina. ‘Many items have been custom-designed together with the More team, others are objects collected during my life. It is all mixed with outstanding design elements and something that’s interesting and even a bit peculiar. I love to bring into my home a special piece of every interior project that I take care of, as a reminder of the project and that piece of life that I shared with the client.’

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morettimore.it

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KITCHE N

The large steel island topped with marble conveniently conceals most of the appliances.

90 livingetc.com Varenna kitchen, Poliform.

Shadow table, De Padova

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POOL

A work of art, the outdoor pool has been integrated into the structure of the home. An open skylight allows plants to cascade into the space.

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Campo D’Oro table, De Padova

houses home truths W H AT W O U L D YO U D O D I F F E R E N T LY N E X T T I M E ?

I would create a very different home: more inward-looking, no external windows and an internal courtyard.

DESIGN ITEM YO U ’ D LI K E TO OWN ?

I would love a new item by Jaime Hayon. I already own The Lover I, designed by Jaime for Lladrò. His ceramic sculpture is a gift I gave to my husband at the beginning of our relationship. I love this piece of art and design!

D E S I G N I N S P I R AT I O N ?

Mies van der Rohe with his Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Le Corbusier with specifically Villa Savoye, Louis Kahn and his Norman Fisher House, Peter and Alison Smithson and The Economist Buildings and Richard Neutra homes.

FAVO U R I T E R O O M ?

B AT H R O O M

Curves, including the porthole window, delight in here.

Plateau bath; Bell basin; Raso lights, all Ex.t

My favourite spaces are the most intimate ones.

When I am alone, I love to hole up in my bedroom, lie down on my bed under the trees at its four corners.

the blueprint STUDIO

FIRST FLOOR

KITCHEN/ DINING/ LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM MAIN BEDROOM

BED ROOM

OFFICE

S TO R AG E

GROUND FLOOR

L AU NDRY

MAIN BEDROOM A wooden bed frame carved in the shape of trees delivers a whimsical dose of design.

Sculpture bed, Habito Giuseppe 92 livingetc.com Rivadossi.

Bed cover, Lisa Corti

CELLAR

TECH ROOM

STUDIO ARCHIVE

S TO R AG E

BASEMENT

light show In this seriously serene semi, interior designer Natasha Jones showcases her love of luminous interiors that connect to the outdoors X

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PHOTOGRAPHY Anna Stathaki WORDS & STYLING Mary Weaver

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S E AT I N G A R E A

‘When we extended we made room for a living space in the kitchendiner and planned for it to lead out to the garden,’ says Natasha.

Mixed media on canvas art, Natasha Jones. Sofa in black leather, Ikea. Cream bouclé armchairs, Six The Residence

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home profile THE OWNERS Interior designer Natasha Jones, husband Robin, who owns a high-end building and joinery company, and their children, Oscar, six, Rupert, four, and India, one.

THE PROPERTY A Victorian semi-detached house over three floors. On the ground floor is an open-plan hallway leading to the living room, an open-plan kitchen-diner and seating area overlooking the garden, plus a utility room and WC. The first floor has the main bedroom and bathroom, plus a guest room and shower room.

On the second floor are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

S E AT I N G A R E A

The floor-to-ceiling steel doors work hard, maximising the light, adding interest and providing a seamless link to the garden.

Doors, via Bailey & Jones.

Engineered oak flooring, TimberCraft Interiors. Coffee table, Ikea. Rug, West Elm

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hen you have two young children and a new baby and are in the middle of a house renovation, interrupted by Covid, you either sink or swim. Luckily, Natasha Jones is a strong swimmer with her water wings firmly in place. ‘We actually did a big life re-evaluation halfway through our building work and decided to relocate to Somerset, too,’ she says. ‘We have family there and it was always part of our long-term plan but lockdown made us reflect on our whole way of life and we thought “why wait?”. The idea of bringing the children up in the country and living among family became a priority.’

Natasha, who is an interior designer, and her husband Robin, a building company owner, had bought this generous semi-detached Victorian house in southwest London in 2019 with a view to turning it into their dream family home. ‘It made sense to continue the work on the house as a project, thinking it would suit a family similar to ours, looking for something ready to move into,’ she says. Natasha subscribes to the biophilic design approach, which recognises that people feel happier surrounded by natural (and sustainable) materials, and uses neutral colour palettes to enhance the feeling of light and space. ‘I aim to create homes that have a connection to nature, which is why we put in an extra seating area looking out to the garden.’

‘Aesthetics, which give a home character, should also largely come from the materials used, in this instance the timber floor, the marble kitchen and the steel doors,’ she says. ‘These foundations can be built upon with furniture, textiles, fixtures and fittings, then the fun bit – accessories and objects that can be switched around as the house evolves.’ The narrative of a home, Natasha says, is in the layering and the personal items that get added as owners get to know their home.

Although the house was pared right back and a large extension to the side and rear added, plus a loft conversion, the couple took pains to ensure it didn’t end up looking ultra-modern and stripped of character. ‘We bought the house in probate, and it had been untouched for years, so we had no qualms about reconfiguring it,’ says Natasha.

‘We ended up with no original internal walls left in the property, so we had essentially a blank sheet of paper with which to design an ideal layout for a family home,’ she says. Having done nearly five renovation projects together over seven years, the couple are quite gung-ho and not risk averse. ‘We are pretty relaxed when it comes to big projects – it’s what we do for a living after all – so we weren’t phased by this one,’ says Natasha, skimming over the small matter of having to deal with childcare, homeschooling, relocating and lockdown at the same time.

Not surprisingly, she wasn’t able to be on site as much as she would have liked but, as is evident to see, the house has turned out beautifully – and has already been snapped up by some lucky new owners.

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natashajones.co.uk, baileyandjones.co.uk

KITCHE N

Simple cabinetry lets the marble and artisan pieces be the stars.

Units designed by Natasha Jones, spray-painted in Slaked Lime by Little Greene and made by AGA Joinery. Arabescato marble, supplied by MGQ Stone. Lights, Pooky, Big vase, Lemba Pottery

LIVING ROOM

Even though this space is light and airy there is a richness to it courtesy of the textures and standout pieces.

Sofa, eBay; find similar at Love Your Home. Pouffe, Amara. Rug, Zara Home. Similar mid-century armchairs, Pamono. Coffee table, Bailey & Jones. Lamp, Nordic Nest

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LIVING ROOM

The fire is a budget wooden design painted white. A simple slate hearth was fitted to match the other black accents.

Fireplace, Screwfix. Slate hearth, Mander & Germain.

Pendant, Menu at Nordic Nest.

Artwork (on right), Poster Store

the blueprint UTILITY

MAIN BEDROOM

KITCHEN DINER/ S E AT I N G AREA

LIVING ROOM BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

GROUND FLOOR

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LIVING ROOM

The reeded glass and steel window separates this space from the hall and ensures light-filled schemes.

Plinths, Robinson Interiors.

Marble pink pedestal bowl, No.17 House. Antique urn, Home Barn. Vintage wall light, Etsy

home truths DESIGN HERO? Rose Uniacke – the name says it all.

FAVO U R I T E C O L O U R C O M B O ?

My go-to consists of neutral tones, natural materials and textures with crisp white and black accents.

Throw in some warming elements, such as raw brass or muted pink, and you’re done.

D E S I G N CL A S S I C YO U WOULD LOVE TO OWN? Not interiors, but I have a wish list of classic cars.

Currently top is a Porsche 356 in black with a tan leather interior.

S O U R C E O F I N S P I R AT I O N ?

Everything – inspiration is everywhere when you really look for it. Nature, art, fashion, museums, stately homes and hotels to name a few.

LESSONS LEARNT FROM T H I S R E N O VAT I O N ?

As with all building and refurbishment projects, expect the unexpected and be prepared to compromise.

Plus – plan, plan, plan. You will have to make so many decisions that you want to be as prepared as possible.

SECRET OF A HAPPY HOME (IN DESIGN TERMS)?

Really think about who is using the home and what they are doing. Make it pretty, make it yours and make sure it brings you joy to elevate your day.

If you don’t love it, lose it – clutter literally clutters your mind and brings down your energy.

DREAM HOME? A Parisian apartment with high ceilings, ornate mouldings and a balcony overlooking the Seine. Bliss.

FORM OVER FUNCTION OR T H E O T H E R WAY R O U N D ?

It has to be both equally. One would not last in my home without the other.

M A I N B AT H R O O M One door next to the vanity unit leads to the shower and the other to the WC.

Floor tiles, Topps Tiles. Bath and taps, Victorian Plumbing.

Bespoke vanity, via Bailey & Jones. Ceiling and wall lights, Astro Lighting. Curtains, H&M

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“Being around natural materials and textures makes us feel grounded and inherently happy” X

MAIN BEDROOM

‘We made this room as restful as possible to counterbalance our hectic lifestyles,’ says Natasha.

Bed, Ikea. Bed linen and throw, Habitat. Bedside tables, West Elm. Sisal carpet, Kersaint Cobb.

Ceiling pendant, antique via eBay. Rattan chair, Six The Residence

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decorating ✱ The feel-good hue for spring, ways to get fresh

with paint and the rose print renaissance

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sunshine state As spring springs, we

welcome feel-good yellow into our homes. Whether on walls or floors, upholstery or art, there are many ways of indulging in this happy tone X

PHOTOGRAPHY Polly Wreford STYLING Claudia Bryant

M E L L OW Y E L L OW

Create a bright entrance hall with a geometric tiled floor in yellow and white and a chic bench in straw-coloured linen. Offset with brilliant white walls, dreamy artwork and linear black and white pieces for maximum impact.

The Serpentine Line framed painting, £5,000, The Dot Project (info@thedotproject.com). Litho bench

by Guillaume Delvigne; covered in Ankgor Chamois F3521005, £4,327, Pierre Frey. Berry side table with Oyster ceramic top and Gun Metal base, £1,164, Flexform. Semaphore Mayflower porcelain floor tiles, £39sq m, Claybrook. Knot cushion, £103, Design House Stockholm at Amara. Planeta floor lamp, £2,357, Cattelan Italia at Chaplins. Large ribbed glass votive used as planter, £45, Graham and Green

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A DA S H O F SAFFRON

Smart and tailored dark wood furniture is counter-balanced with a vibrant yellow curtain.

A muted block pattern rug and a faceted globe pendant light add further texture.

Manto dining table with top in wood inlay and bevelled edge and curved base with satin brass button, £6,320, Pietro Russo for Gallotti&Radice. Abrey dining chairs in Hemp Boucle with Smoke wood frame, £608.50 each, Calligaris. (In foreground) Bea chair with bronzed metal structure in CAT TDE 833 MAIA, from £1,500, Roberto Lazzeroni for Lema. Curtain in Petropolis in Safran 48082162, £62.30m, Camengo. Similar curtain pole and clips from Caravane. Soren Globe light, £2,145, Pinch.

Abstract Assembly Sculpture Bud, £1,670, Donna Wilson at SCP East. Aurora candle holder, £124; Play & Bundle candle holder, £160, both Ludovica and Roberto Palomba for Zanat at SCP East. True Grace dinner candles, £6 for a pair, John Lewis & Partners. Tall vase in Yellow, £85; Aylal jug, £195; Blocks rug in Ochre, £900, all The Conran Shop

S TAT E M E N T WA L L S

Symmetrical panels in sunshine yellow deliver a bold backdrop in this stylish living space. The room’s grandness is offset by playful colour. A lively monochrome rug adds interest and pattern.

Panels in Babouche estate emulsion, £52 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Crono armchairs with Ash Stained Coffee frames in Elvira 1721 fabric, £5,592 each, Flexform. Marenco two-seater sofa in Cabas col 99, £4,782, Mario Marenco for Arflex at SCP East. Light with a table in Black and Stone Oak, £3,100, Living Divani at Silvera. IO side table in Ochre, £1,140; IO long table in Ash, £2,200, both L.Ercolani.

Gesture rug, £830sq m, The Rug Company. Cushions on sofa from left: Florence cushions in Isla Finch, £56 each, Neptune.

Phlox cushion in col 0433, £125, Kvadrat/Raf Simons at Kvadrat.

Barley Donegal and alpaca wool cushion, £120, Stitch by Stitch. Longpi fruit bowl, £70, Toast. Smoked cork bowl, £42; Amber glass tumbler, £7.95, both Graham and Green. Light decanter with stopper, £57, Ichendorf Milano at SCP. Find a planter and plants at Bloombox Club. For a similar plant stand, try Vinterior

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D E C O R AT I N G

MAKE SOME SHAPES

Feel inspired working in an office space with strong yellow accents in statement furniture and accessories. Have some fun and finish with cool geometric painted shapes on a neutral wall to create your own graphic wall art piece.

Shapes in Chinese Emperor and Kohl, both architect’s matt emulsion, £56.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library.

Alando desk, £176, Ligne Roset Westend. Kalaspel dining chair in Vintage Ochre velvet, £229, Made. Foscarini Buds 2 table lamp, £83, Chaplins. Vintage vase used as plant pot, try Wild at Heart. Find a similar plant at Bloombox Club. Monograph Triangle brass 18cm ruler, £42.99, Trouva. Siesta rug in Burnt Yellow, from £245, Loaf

E VO C AT I V E OCHRE

For pure luxury, go for a low bed in a lustrous yellow velvet layered with an array of textiles.

The Exmouth low platform kingsize bed, £1,650 plus 6.5m fabric; kingsize splendid mattress, from £1,270, both Naturalmat; covered in Bude Ochre velvet Z624/08, £115m, Zinc Textile.

Orbit table in bronzed glass 3051, £2,699, Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform. Macchia vase in Yellow/Pink, £230, Stories of Italy at Amara. Gesso lamp in Matt White, £191, Mad Atelier.

Similar Lazy Linen bed linen, Loaf. Cushions from left: Grace boucle cushion, £102, Neptune.

Reflex cushion in 0449 Yellow Beige, £260, Kvadrat/Raf Simons at Aram Store. Rectangular Block + Stitch cushion, £90; Neutral Grid Kantha throw, £320, both Stitch by Stitch. Svampmal cushion, £3.50, Ikea. Porto Linen throw in Natural, £115, Secret Linen Store. Triangle No.01 unframed print, £69, Hein Studio at The Conran Shop. Similar frame, John Lewis & Partners.

Jarrett rug, £931, Soho Home

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D E C O R AT I N G

D E C O R AT I N G

U N D E R S TAT E D GLAMOUR

Divider in Le Rotin 60514, £235 a roll, Arte. For a similar trim try Clotted Cream polyester grosgrain 38mm ribbon, £3.80m, VV Rouleaux. Sejour lounge chair with armrests in oiled walnut and in Karakorum col 001 Ivory, £2,879, Gubi at Aram Store. Hexagonal lacquer table in Yellow, £1,280, Susie Atkinson.

Ekero mirror with Canaletta walnut frame and Carnic Grey marble base, £2,093, Porada.

Tall Olla vase in Leopardo, £735, Stories of Italy at The Conran Shop. Le Specs Air Heart oversized sunglasses, £60, Liberty. Mohair Natural rug, £990sq m, The Rug Company.

Exclusive Ochre Jaune: Study of Shape and Colour print, £48; frame and rubber band in oak, £79, both The Conran Shop

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ASSISTANTS AREESHA RICHARDS AND ISABELLA CHARLESWORTH

A dividing wall has been papered with a canework design that’s reminiscent of sunny summer days outdoors.

It’s the perfect foil for sleek curvaceous furniture.

COLUMNIST

house style O U R D E S I G N G U R U M I N N I E K E M P TA K E S I T O U T S I D E W I T H S I M P L E U P D AT E S T O B O O S T YO U R H O M E ’ S K E R B A P P E A L have to stop you from getting green fingered. Window boxes come in all shapes and sizes – check out London Planters for bespoke steel designs and inspiration. I really love the French-style wrought-iron window planters that have terracotta pot plants fitted inside as they just look so pretty and are easy to manage. I know it’s prickly, but pyracantha is a perennial plant that is really indestructible and needs very little maintenance – it is perfect if you want a smart box hedge look.

Do you remember that scene in Bambi when the philosophical brown owl explains what it is to be ‘Twitterpated’ from high up in his oak tree? I highly recommend YouTubing the scene. Spring is just around the corner and, in the spirit of fresh woodland walks and sweet skunks called Flower, here are some tips to keep you fresh and frisky throughout this coming season.

Firstly, it all begins with your front door.

Repainting yours is a serious move. Why not go for Farrow & Ball’s Babouche? It’s a bit of a statement with no strings attached. After all, it’s the first and last thing you see as you leave home, but it never bothers you when you’re resting among your decor, so why not have fun with it? Try out a bold paint colour that really makes your heart leap. I also love Invisible Green from Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, combined with Designers Guild’s Tuscan Olive on the exterior window frames. Combining different shades like this creates depth and not only adds kerb appeal but also makes a style statement that starts on the streets. For too long exteriors have been relegated and I’m now saying it should happen no more.

And while city homes are notorious for having limited outdoor space, that doesn’t

French-style wrought-iron window planters that have terracotta pot plants fitted inside are so pretty and easy to manage

And, in the spirit of the dramatic, I absolutely love Gothic-looking stone gargoyles framing an entrance. You can find some very inexpensive pieces online at English Garden Statuary or on a visit to the Lorfords warehouse in Tetbury.

Buy two, to sit either side of a front door, guarding the porch fiercely. They make for a grand entrance and are far less upkeep than a guard dog. A really good insider tip is to make up a live culture mix and paint the statues to encourage lichens to prosper and create that antiqued weathered effect. I’ll never forget my mum sending me and my two sisters out into the garden with yogurt and paint brushes in the spring. Needless to say, half of it went in our mouths and all over our faces and I’m sure a playful Bambi would have approved.

MINNIE’S SHOPPING PICKS OF THE MONTH GET A GRIP Hardware is easily missed as a design feature but honestly makes all the difference. There are some fabulous door knockers out there. I love The Beardmore Collection – this burnished bronze design is the absolute dream.

Ensure there is cohesion between metals – with the door handle, bell and letterbox all being the same thread. beardmore.co.uk

OUT AND ABOUT Vincent Sheppard does great outdoor furniture. Its Monte Carlo dining chair is a beautiful Lloyd Loom design with stylish curves, coming in a variety of bright colours and is seriously comfortable yet lightweight.

Combined with the Avignon side table you could create the perfect spot for tea this spring. vincentsheppard.com

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colour insight: striking front doors A N E Y E - C AT C H I N G E N T R A N C E M A K E S T H E U LT I M AT E F I R S T IMPRESSION – HERE’S HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHADE

Lavender Quartz Weathershield quick dry exterior gloss, £27 for 1ltr, Dulux

D E C O R AT I N G

Painting your front door can be a rewarding one-day project at a reasonable cost – and it will instantly transform the look of your home. Adding a stately shade to a simple, cottage-style door makes it look more sophisticated, while a bright hue gives a formal facade a friendlier and more imaginative feel. Take your cue from our experts and get inspired by our ideas while boosting your kerb appeal.

Informed by architecture ‘In the same way you would pair paint colours alongside fabrics and furnishings, consider the architectural elements of your exterior, too, says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. ‘Do you have red or yellow-tone bricks, limestone or granite walls? What colour are your roof tiles? Build these into your scheme to ensure your paint choices are complementary,’ she advises. ‘Softer colours like Dorchester Pink Mid combine beautifully with white masonry for a delicate finish that incorporates the trend for pastel shades.’

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPHS (SANDTEX) GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO

High traffic gloss ‘We would always recommend painting the front door in either our 10-year exterior gloss or satin finish as both are durable and hard-wearing,’ says Matthew Brown, Sadolin & Sandtex’s technical consultant. ‘If you would like to go for a more subtle and casual look, a pastel shade in satin would work best. However, adding either a dark or bold stately colour in high gloss is not only perfect for high-traffic areas, but it creates a statement,’ he adds. ‘Ideal colours for high gloss are Oxford Blue, Racing Green, Black and Pillar Box Red.’

Cranberry Swirl 10 Year Gloss £25 for 750ml, Sandtex

Door frame detail ‘Choose a favourite colour that will put a smile on your face then team it with a simple neutral shade on the door frame to create a smart contrast, like Chic Shadow, Almond White or Garden Grey,’ advises Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux. ‘All come with the new Weathershield Promise, so you can paint the outside of your home with as much confidence as the inside.’

Jewel tones and landscaping ‘Rich, jewel-toned blues such as Pitch Blue or Drawing Room Blue and dark, smoky greens will act as a great backdrop – especially if you are blessed with a verdant front garden of mature trees and shrubs,’ suggests Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball.

‘These colours will flatter the landscaping enormously, whereas bright yellows will shout a welcoming hello to friends and neighbours.’

Nature’s bounty ‘Consider taking the lead from nature when deciding on the paint colour for your front door,’ advises Helen Shaw, UK director of Benjamin Moore. ‘Shades of green in varying tones, from rich forest greens to fern hues or soft sages, look striking while also feeling at one in a suburban environment.’

Studio Green exterior eggshell, £77 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

lasting good looks T R A N S F O R M YO U R R O O M S W I T H C A P T I VAT I N G C O L O U R S – A N D W I T H A PA I N T T H AT I S T O U G H A N D D U R A B L E

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olour in the home is beautiful and for best results you need a quality paint that lasts. With 49 on-trend shades to choose from in Crown Paints’ easyclean® emulsion range, you can have a paint that not only looks good but is exceptionally tough, too.

Best for easy clean-ups Designed for busy family homes, the easyclean® formulation has been independently tested to be 200 times tougher and more washable than Crown’s standard matt paint, making it the best choice for stain and scrub resistance. What’s more, the range has been tested in family homes and has been awarded a ‘Mumsnet Rated’ badge, with 98% of Mumsnet users recommending it. Not just for walls – the paint can also be used on wood and metal, creating a seamless transition between walls and fixtures. And with a Kitchen range offering enhanced stain resistance for grease removal and a Bathroom range with steam and condensation resistance, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that all rooms are protected.

Curate a cutting-edge space Add a new dimension to a room by painting the ceiling and top of the walls in a shade like Mustard Jar. Or consider adding a protective splashback using easyclean® Kitchen matt emulsion. It will add personality to your home and the staying power means it will look fresh for years to come.

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N E E D TO K N OW Browse the easyclean® range at crownpaints.co.uk.

Ceiling and upper part of walls in Mustard Jar; lower part of walls in Dash of Nutmeg, both easyclean® emulsion, £25 for 2.5ltr, Crown Paints

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Available to buy at Crown Decorating Centres, Homebase and leading independent retailers. @crownpaintsuk

D E C O R AT I N G

pattern decoded THE EVER POPULAR ROSE PRINT GETS MODERN W I T H M I N I M A L F O R M S A N D E L E VAT E D C O L O U R S

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

If there were a hierarchy of flowers, the vibrant and fragrant rose would reign supreme. A floral that has its very own language, the red rose is associated with love and is a perennial favourite in traditional homes and on classic textiles. Of late, however, we are seeing the bloom used in elevated forms – scaling up the print or playing with new colour pairings. Our edit of rose prints – from fabrics, papers and contemporary palettes – will help you to create a new romance in your home.

Bee Bloom wallpaper in Dark Blue, £89 a roll, Hattie Lloyd

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D E C O R AT I N G

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1 Dahling Morris wallpaper in Rose Red Peony Pink and Teal, £40 a roll, Lust Home 2 Jaipur Flower wallpaper in Ruby, £165 a roll, Daydress for Dado 3 Red Blossom stoneware cups and saucers, £124 for set of two; Romantic linen tablecloth in White, £210, all Bernadette at Matchesfashion 4 Delft flower wallpaper in Linen, £83 a roll, Designers Guild 5 Daisy wallpaper in Strawberry Fields, £115 a roll, Archive by Sanderson

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PHOTOGRAPHS (2) JAN BALDWIN; (4) JAMES MERRELL; (5) ANDY GORE

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how to... use paint in a modern way FROM COLOUR DRENCHING TO THE COOL NEW PALETTES – THOSE IN THE KNOW UNVEIL FRESH IDEAS TO UPDATE WALLS

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colour contrast adjoining rooms

When deciding what colours to use in two adjoining rooms, consider the conversation between the spaces. Our eye is drawn to warmer colours, so lead with a pink, coral or terracotta to naturally draw someone in that direction. Then create layers and complexity by making the next room a cooler colour like green, teal or blue.

Natalie Tredgett, founder of Natalie Tredgett Design

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raw beauty You can get the popular plaster look with chalk paint but, as architect Alex Holloway points out, you can retain the natural plaster look without paint. ‘We found a sealer called PROTECTiT 100 that binds the plaster so it doesn’t leave a dusty deposit and means the space captures the raw feeling.’

Alex Holloway, founder of Holloway Li interior architects

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layer whites

I love a gallery approach to designing, using a white space and for objects to be able to stand out without any noise. I therefore naturally turn to whites and especially warmer whites as these give a sense of sunlight flushing in. The kitchen in our Copenhagen apartment features a bright matt white on the walls, a warmer, glossy hue on the beams and for the units, a warm white from Farrow & Ball called Pointing.

Caroline Feiffer, founder of studio Tutti Meme

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desaturate colours

Although highly saturated colours are fashionable in the design world, it’s essential to consider a palette that works in a room year-round; sometimes we find a colour is nearly right but is only perfect once desaturated. We therefore look to subtly lighten paint colours, working with companies like Edward Bulmer Natural Paint to achieve a bleached hue that looks thoroughly modern in period rooms.

Katie Glaister, co-founder of K&H Design

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPHS (RAW BEAUTY) EDMUND DABNEY; (DOOR TRIMS) JAMES MERRELL

The plaster look adds texture and soft, earthy colour to a room

D E C O R AT I N G

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decorate doors

Pick out door frames in contrasting hues to add excitement.

School House White is pared back and timeless on walls but has a subtle sophistication that makes it the perfect foil for stronger hues like the lively Stone Blue, used here on the door frame.

Joa Studholme, colour curator at Farrow & Ball

Painting doors in bold colours will make a feature of them and lift neutral walls

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D E C O R AT I N G

The glossy finish of this rich yellow paint has a reflective quality that brings the space to life

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golden touch

PHOTOGRAPH HELEN CATHCART

The colour palette for Isola restaurant was inspired by grand Sicilian manor houses. We utilised pale yellow polished plaster with a high gloss finish and applied it with a brush to ensure that the strokes create movement and texture. Using high gloss paint finishes helps to bounce light around the room.

Andy Goodwin, founder of Fettle

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colour drenching

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paint the fifth wall

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two-tone walls

For a modern way of using colour, consider ‘colour drenching’; this cohesive approach delivers high impact by painting woodwork, radiators, ceiling and doors the same colour as the walls. The beauty of colour drenching is that it can be applied to a variety of spaces. While you can’t make a small room larger, you can embrace the size of the space to create something that feels really engaging, inviting and contemporary. If painting all elements in one shade feels overwhelming, select a group of tonally co-ordinating colours and utilise across the room. Our Garden and Pea Green shades pair well for a subtle contrast with a colour-drenching effect.

Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene

Don’t overlook the ceiling ,or the fifth wall as it is sometimes called, and opt for colour for maximum impact. Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls can make a large room feel intimate and create a cosy, cocoon-like retreat. Alternatively, in smaller spaces, using a bright fresh shade on the ceiling can inject an airy feel, making the space seem bigger. Add interest by painting the very top of the wall and the ceiling in the same shade, drawing attention to the height of the room and creating a feeling of space.

Victoria Yardley, founder, Victory Colours

For the chic hallways in Soho House Amsterdam, we painted the lower half of the walls a creamy coffee colour and used a light neutral on top then added a smart black dado line and black door frames to create a strong visual connection. Twotone walls can transform a space, bringing depth to a wall. It is also easy to do and a cost effective way of adding character.

Severine Lammoglia, lead designer at Soho House

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colour match

In this room we matched the curtains with the paint colour for an allencompassing feel. Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe looks great in the day but becomes cosy and inviting at night been used on both the walls and woodwork, giving this room a contemporary edge.

Camilla Clarke, creative director at Albion Nord

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PHOTOGRAPH ALBION NORD

when lit with lamps. The colour has

the many shades of green paint T H A N K S T O N E W T E C H N O L O G I E S , E C O - F R I E N D LY P A I N T S A R E B E C O M I N G M O R E P R E VA L E N T – B R U S H U P O N T H E K E Y B R A N D S O N T H E S C E N E . . .

As with all things sustainable, eco-friendly or green, nothing is straightforward. ‘As a rule, eco paint contains sustainable, non-toxic ingredients with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and is manufactured in ways that are kinder to the environment,’ says Phil Robinson, founder of the environmentally friendly painting and decorating company Paint the Town Green.

You will hear VOC being bandied about a lot – it’s probably a term you’re already familiar with when it comes to furniture, specifically the glue used to hold it together. VOCs are organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature. Breathing in VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and can trigger respiratory issues, such as asthma, nausea and a general feeling of lethargy and feeling unwell.

Phil says that when we are choosing eco-friendly paints, we need to look deeper into the brand than just the label. ‘Using a water-based formula is not enough. If you want to go as eco as possible you need to ensure the formula doesn’t contain microplastics, either. Graphenstone is an innovative brand that delivers one of the most ecologically advanced paints, made mostly of lime, which is known to absorb carbon dioxide, therefore purifying the air.

While the journey to perfection is long, the will is there and the industry is heading in the right direction. There needs to be a balance that covers functionality, colour attractiveness and eco credentials.’

The paint industry body the British Coatings Federation (BCF) says this is misleading consumers and contravenes the UK government’s guidance, as there is no such thing as a zero-VOC paint. So, in an effort to avoid any greenwashing, we’ve rounded up some of the brands that we think are doing the best right now, with the most beautiful and usable shades.

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Lovat GrafClean paint on walls and columns, Graphenstone

D E C O R AT I N G

Walls in Pink 05, Yellow 03 and White 03, all Lick x Livingetc

G R APHE NSTONE

Carbon neutral and unique, Graphenstone paints contain Graphene, a highly inert, innocuous natural element. The porous nature of the paints ensures that walls can breathe, and as the paint cures over its lifetime it absorbs 5.5kg of CO2 per 15ltr from the air, which improves air quality, reduces humidity and condensation and deters microrganisms and microbial growth of bacteria and mould.

Packaging is from 100% recycled materials and is fully recyclable.

Masquerade absolute matt emulsion, Little Greene

LICK

This innovative online paint brand offers durable designer paint in a range of pigment-rich shades with matt, eggshell or exterior finishes.

Low VOC, eco-friendly, water-based and wipeable, they are good for you – and the planet. Better still, they offer next-day delivery and peel and stick samples. Their packaging is 100% biodegradable, one of the many reasons we partnered with the brand for our own palette of seven paints, available now.

Skogsbar VAGG, Nordfarg

LITTLE GREENE

Little Greene is a family company that is committed to the socially and environmentally responsible production of high-quality paints and wallpaper. Its products are manufactured in the UK, with minimal impact on the environment.

The paints have a low VOC content, so there is no need to worry about any solvent emissions into the atmosphere or any respiratory issues. Little Greene paints are also virtually odourless.

N O R D FA R G

Nordfarg is the only interior paint in the UK to have been awarded the Seal of Approval by Allergy UK for its VAGG interior wall finish, which has a significantly reduced allergen content. It has also proved its continued commitment to the environment, having been awarded the Nordic Swan for its commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing methods. It has 30 soft neutrals to choose from in three paint finishes, all inspired by Nordic landscapes.

Turquoise emulsion, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

FEATURE ALISON DAVIDSON

E DWA R D B U L M E R N AT U R A L PA I N T

Walls in Garden; door in Scullery, both absolute matt emulsion, Little Greene

Committed eco-campaigner and interior designer Edward Bulmer has been at the forefront of producing plant-based paints that are breathable and have no toxic chemicals or microbeads. He believes that when you choose natural paint, you are choosing to make a difference to the world. The paints come in over 100 colours, have a soft finish and need just two coats. The brand promotes biodiversity, carbon neutrality with honestly declared natural ingredients.

Yellow 03 emulsion, Lick

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D E C O R AT I N G

REAL MILK PA I N T C O

Woodland Jay claypaint, Fenwick & Tilbrook

Walls in Catkin claypaint, Fenwick & Tilbrook

Real Milk Paint Co is based in the US and produces a 100% natural, non-toxic and VOC-free paint. It is made with casein (milk protein) which was used historically and is water based. This powdered-paint system gives an authentic matt finish or an antique look and comes in 56 colours. It is best used on raw, porous surfaces like wood, brick and concrete. It is also biodegradable.

FENWICK & TILBROOK

Skipper claypaint, Earthborn

Fenwick & Tilbrook paints come in beautiful colours and have intense chroma and pigment strength. All of its paint is made to order, reducing waste and avoiding stock sitting on shelves, and all packaging is plastic-free and recyclable, as are its forever-recyclable tins. Its paints are in the minimal VOC category.

Over 70% of the raw material contents in each tin comes from UK sources, reducing carbon footprint.

EARTHBORN

Whortleberry wood paint, Thorndown

Royal Sapphire No 29 matt emulsion, Victory Colours

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Earthborn, a true eco paint brand, has been making environmentally conscious paints for almost 20 years. The paint is safe and easy to use, completely odour-free, contains no harmful toxins, is vegan-friendly and highly breathable. Its interior paints also have the Safety of Toys Standard, so suitable for children’s rooms, toys and furniture, making them perfect for families, pregnant mums, asthma and allergy sufferers.

T H O R N D OW N

Inspired by the countryside and rich heritage that surrounds its West Country factory, Thorndown creates award-winning, technically excellent, eco wood paints. In creating their ecologically advanced paints, husband-and-wife team Ben and Caroline Thornborough have blended their passions for art, design, science and the natural world. The paints are water-based with virtually no VOCs. Its wood paint is available in 70 colours.

VIC TORY COLOU RS

From sourcing the best ingredients to using sustainable packaging and only making paint to order, Victory Colours’ eco-credentials are evident at every stage of production. Its technically advanced formulation means the paint is durable and resistant to stains. There are virtually no VOCs and solvents, it’s easy to apply and dries with little odour.

There are more than 80 colours in the range, with capsule collections launched throughout the year.

Walls in Lily Lily Rose claypaint, Earthborn

Hepworth sofa, from £2,248; Hepworth armchair (right), from £1,193; Howie armchair (left), from £798

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

a beautiful thing

W E ’ V E P U L L E D O U T A L L T H E S T O P S F O R O U R E XC I T I N G N E W C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H L OV E YO U R H O M E – F E A S T YO U R E Y E S O N T H E G O R G E O U S C O L L E C T I O N

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hen it comes to furniture choices, we take the matter very seriously. Well-built pieces, made to stand the test of time and that lead the way with iconic good looks are key factors for us, which is why we didn’t hesitate to launch our own range with luxury furniture maker Love Your Home.

FO C U S O N FA B U LO U S N E S S The collection encapsulates Love Your Home’s impeccable quality and craftsmanship, along with Livingetc’s eye for modern design.

The result? A range of contemporary furniture with classic mid-century influences that you’ll want to show off. Each design combines beauty and comfort. Take the Hepworth pieces, for example – curved lines create cocooning shapes luxurious enough to curl up in for hours. Then there’s the slick Howie armchair with its solid oak frame and 100 per cent natural leather, giving it a streamlined, handcrafted aesthetic. It’s the ideal perfect partner for the Hepworth sofa or to complement treasured items.

CO N S I D E R E D S T Y L E Distinctive, authentic and full of flair, this collection marries strong design credentials with quality materials. The pieces are available in any of Love Your Home’s fabrics, which include

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sumptuous velvets and textured boucle. The frames are made from sustainable European FSC-certified timber. And whether your home is a vast period property bursting with standout features or a more compact bijou apartment, these impactful pieces are designed to sit easily within any space.

Hepworth bed, from £1,526

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See the full collection at love-your-home.co.uk/ livingetc; @loveyourhomeuk

design projects

on kitchens, slick outdoor spaces ✱andSpotlight flooring’s new star material – rustic brick

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projects

R E N O VAT I O N N E W S I N N OVATI V E I D E A S FO R K ITC H E N S , B AT H R O O M S A N D P R OJ E C T S

UP FRONT

Superfront, the Stockholm-based design brand known for pimping up Ikea furniture, is now offering colours from the scientifically based Natural Colour System, used globally by designers and manufacturers, on all its lacquered doors and panels. So how many colours exactly is that? Just the 1,950 shades, obviously. The new hues are available across Ikea’s Bestå, Pax, Metod and Faktum cabinet frames, which means you can create a truly individual kitchen that matches anything from a favourite wall colour to a cherished ceramic piece.

Fronts start at £29 (superfront.com)

Gold standard

Dowsing & Reynolds has given its tap collection a refresh, with new designs for both the kitchen and bathroom. Right on our radar is the Kintampo – the combination of an angled spout and a curved lever makes it an eye-catching focal point in a kitchen and will undoubtedly take the tedium out of the washing up. It’s available in a number of finishes including white and silver, but it’s the gold that gets all the style points here. Gold Kintampo kitchen tap, £159.99 (dowsingandreynolds.com)

Lusso Stone has launched a range of roll-top baths as part of its Deco-inspired collection, from £1,395 (lussostone.com)

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

Diamond cut

Handles or knobs? That is the oft asked question. This knob from Plank Hardware is not making the decision any easier. Its heavyweight form and textured feel give it a sturdy yet soothing hold. Humboldt knurled button knob in antique brass, £9.95, (plank hardware.com)

GO GREEN

With its stunning green marble and timeless design, the Pyrford washstand, a new offering from Catchpole & Rye, oozes elegance.

Made bespoke in Kent workshops, the metal frame options include copper, nickel, brass and chrome.

You can also have a high or low splashback where you can place taps, or have them deck-mounted. Other marble choices include Arabascato, Portoro and natural slate. The Pyrford with shelf in Verde marble with aged brass frame and brass shelf, £6,780 (catchpoleandrye.com)

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EXPERT INSIGHT

glazing essentials

Emma Greene, technical advisor and associate director at IQ Glass, on the considerations for a light-filled space

B L AC K M AG I C

Wall-to-wall black marble creates a simple yet dramatic look in a shower and it’s one made easy thanks to these new tiles from Bert & May. They come in both square and herringbone and the flashes of white veining give the look contrast and depth. Highlight the beauty of the stone with sleek, metallic brassware which adds another layer of luxe. Black veined honed marble, £7.20 per tile; black herringbone honed marble, £2.28 per tile (bertandmay.com)

3 of the best SHELF BRACKETS

This timeless handmade bracket, with its interesting triangular element, is based on an old industrial design and is available in a brass and oxidised brass finish.

Classic shelf bracket, £60 (devolkitchens.co.uk)

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Made of solid brass and constructed from three strong parts, this elegant bracket can hold marble shelves with ease and comes in four different finishes.

Kilburn shelf bracket, from £27.60 (corston.com)

Beautifully decorative, this bracket is the one for a more elevated look. Sold as a pair, it is definitely an investment piece and a standout detail for any shelf.

Shelf bracket, from £645.28 (balineum.co.uk)

Single glazing is made up of a singular pane with no insulation or thermal properties. Double glazed units are engineered with two panes and an argon gas cavity between the panes to create a well-insulated unit.

Triple glazing uses three panes of glass and has an even better thermal performance due to the extra gas cavity and glass pane.

There are many types of glass used for glazing.

Toughened glass is used in all of IQ’s products and systems as standard, producing a more durable solution than standard float glass. Laminated glass can be specified and is used for overhead or roof glazing, holding the glass in place in the event of a breakage.

Low-maintenance glass is great for hard-to-reach areas or coastal projects, where salt deposits in the air can settle on the surface. The low-maintenance glass creates an extremely smooth surface that makes it hard for any dirt to settle on.

Solar control glass is widely used for residential extensions and new build projects with south-facing glazing, or large elevations of glass that could otherwise result in overheated living spaces. It can save on heating and cooling costs, too.

A U value is used to indicate the heat loss through a material or installation. It is measured in W/m2K and when it decreases, less energy is able to travel through the material.

The lower the U value, the better and more efficient the installation is. Although the U value measures the performance of the glass, the Uw value is used to measure the performance of the glazing installation as a whole, which is why some glaziers will only offer the U value. Ask for both.

Acoustic reduction glass can be specified to reduce noise pollution in densely populated areas. The specialist acoustic interlayers will reduce the noise transmission by approximately 10 decibels by capturing the sound and preventing it from travelling past the glazing or inside the home.

The more layers to the glazing, the more expensive it will become – and the same for any technical glass solutions that are specified within the units. Although this can increase the cost of the glazing, it will greatly reduce the cost of heating and cooling the home throughout the years.

Ask to see examples of previous projects to check what you are specifying will result in the look you’re after. A reputable glazing supplier will consider all aspects of the installation, including watertightness and weather resistance rather than just the appearance.

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iqglassuk.com

projects

TH E LOWDOWN ON . . . A COM PLETE K I T C H E N R E N O VAT I O N S I M O N G R A H A M , A R C H IT E C T A N D D I R E C TO R AT YA R D A R C H IT E C T S , S H A R E S H I S K N OW L E D G E O F P L A N N I N G A S U CC E S S F U L R E M O D E L F R O M S TA R T TO F I N I S H

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Consider what sort of style you want to achieve and how the kitchen will fit in with the rest of the house.

A flat panel door in a matt finish without handles can create a contemporary look. Or you might want to make a dramatic statement with a bold colour or have a timeless handmade design with solid Shaker-style doors. It is a good idea to limit the number of different materials in a kitchen and highlight one element, such as a geometric tile on the splashback or a beautiful marble worktop.

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Ask yourself some questions and write down the answers to form the start of a project brief. Why do you want a new kitchen? Is it more storage, having a different view from the sink, incorporating new appliances or more preparation space? Have you always wanted an island unit? Count the number of kitchen units you have at the moment and think about how much you need to store in your kitchen.

Consider what your budget for the work is and keep referring to this initial brief throughout the project.

Look at various layout options and see which works best to fit the brief. Measure out the space where the kitchen will go, including door and window openings and the floor-to-ceiling height, as this may influence how tall the kitchen units can be. There are some general layout approaches: galley kitchens work well in small spaces, whereas an island kitchen – with units along one wall and an island facing the dining space – works well if you have extra width perhaps from a side return extension. Wrapping units around the outside walls is also really efficient and can work well with the dining table in the middle of the room. Measure and draw any furniture on the plan to make sure everything fits comfortably.

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It’s important to think about your experience of being in the space. Consider how, and who, will use the kitchen. Will there be two people using it at the same time? If so, make sure there is enough space between units for you both to work. Is it a sociable place? Do you want to be able to talk to guests while you cook – you might want to have a deeper island unit with seating if so. Where is the washing machine going? If you have an open-plan kitchen-diner it’s best to try and put it in a different room if that is possible.

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You need to ensure it is possible to connect to existing drainage positions, which can sometimes be hard to move. Consider the route for drainage from the sink, dishwasher and washing machine and make sure they are not positioned too far from the soil and vent pipes or external gulley points. Also consider ventilation and how to incorporate a mechanical extract vent, as this will need to go out through an external wall. Usually the cooker hood is used to provide the necessary air extraction for building regulations, but you can also use a high power extract fan similar to those found in a bathroom or more sophisticated Bora extract units which draw the air at floor level.

There are many ways to buy and install a kitchen, the easiest being to use a kitchen supplier who will help with the layout, choice of units and appliances, and manage the installation process for you. You can also use prebuilt kitchen units bought online or go for a cheaper Ikea kitchen and make it bespoke with one of the many companies who supply doors specifically for them.

Lead times for kitchens can be as much as 14 weeks, so plan ahead and leave enough time if you want the installation to happen within a specific timescale. If you are staying in the house during the build, make sure there is a plan for how you are going to manage without a kitchen. And finally, it is important that design decisions are made well in advance of this stage and everything from flooring to light fittings gets chosen and is in stock, to avoid any installation delays.

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Simon Graham is an architect at award-winning creative design practice YARD Architects (yardarchitects.co.uk) in London, which specialising in design-led residential architecture.

FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPH RICHARD CHIVERS

As the heart of any home and where most people congregate for cooking, eating, socialising and homework, our kitchens need to function well while looking beautiful, too. If your kitchen could do with a refurb, think about what you want to achieve from a new space before you dive straight in. Perhaps you want space for a separate larder, utility room or a hidden office area in floor-to-ceiling cupboards? Or maybe it’s specific lighting and socket placement, ample but concealed storage, underfloor heating and thoughtful finishing touches like chopping board storage and a place to display favourite items. All these little things contribute to your perfect kitchen.

“When thinking about wall units, we like to use slimmer 400mm cupboards, so the doors do not open so far into the kitchen”

A strip rooflight positioned above the wall units floods this lower ground floor kitchen in Hackney with light during the day. Bespoke terrazzo surfaces unite the colours of the oak cladding, units and tiled floor

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I N S P I R AT I O N G A L L E R Y. . .

L AT E S T L O O K S F O R K I T C H E N S DIVINE DESIG N IDE AS FOR THE HE ART OF THE HOME

Something old ‘The aim was to create a fun space for a family that would reflect their love of colour,’ says architect Anthi Grapsa, who used reclaimed iroko in this kitchen.

‘The wood was part of bench tops in a school laboratory and came complete with its graffiti. It was sanded slightly to remove the varnish and then resealed, but retains its character.’ Terrazzo tiles form the splashback and floor, while brass handles complete this subtly 1960s look.

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPH TOM FALLON

GET THE LOOK For similar cabinets, try Superfront

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Fifties shades

Smoke and mirrored

Why stick to one colour palette, when the joy of a modular kitchen is being able to mix and match? ‘This kitchen was quite a spontaneous choice,’ says Anna Białobrzewska of Warsaw-based architecture practice Architekci. ‘The clients presented shades that made them feel good and we created a combination of pastel green, blue and pink.’ The units were fronted with veneered panels to channel a 1950s aesthetic, and feature powder-blue fronts with pops of pale pink and a stack of mint-coloured cabinets running from floor to ceiling.

We’ve been drawn to glass fronts for a while – they reflect the light around the space, breaking up what can feel like a blocky wall of cabinets – but designer Irene Gunter has updated the look by using greyer glass. ‘If clients prefer not to have the contents of their cupboards on display, I recommend smoked glass, as shown in this contemporary Chelsea townhouse,’ she says. ‘Keep in mind that whatever is on display will need to look pretty, so be prepared to do some styling when specifying glass-fronted cabinets.’

GET THE LOOK For similar cabinet doors, try Reform

GET THE LOOK Kitchen designed by Gunter & Co

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PHOTOGRAPH (FIFTIES SHADES) HANNA POŁCZYŃSKA/KRONIKI STUDIO

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Pet corner ‘Including space for your pets in the kitchen is so important,’ says George Miller, home designer at Neptune Fulham. ‘Whether it’s a pet bed, a cat flap or a place for your four-legged friends to eat. In this kitchen, we wanted to include a cat flap without impacting the aesthetic of the Crittall windows. We decided to conceal it in the back of a cabinet, and incorporate a pet bed to keep the floor clear.’

GET THE LOOK Chichester cabinets, from £12,000, Neptune

Bold as brass The trend for brass fittings looks to be going nowhere, but tempering its high shine with aged patina and rich colours makes for a softer, more sophisticated approach. This kitchen by Roundhouse, created in collaboration with Pfeiffer Design, features a palette of hand-polished bronze, deepest grey-green and accents of teal.

PHOTOGRAPH MARY WADSWORTH

GET THE LOOK Kitchen designed by Pfeiffer Design, alongside Roundhouse

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Bright nook

Classic charm

An L-shaped kitchen is a popular, easy to design layout and made up of two adjacent cupboard runs that meet up in the corner of a room. It works in rooms of all sizes, from teeny tiny to huge, and helps to create a really functional workflow while also creating a kitchen that feels open and roomy.

‘This delightfully simple kitchen and scullery is a little nostalgic. For any of you who remember deVOL in the early days, this kitchen in Cardiff is much more how our kitchens used to look,’ says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. ‘A little more freestanding, not too much adornment and an enviable restraint when it comes to decorations.

The soft Trinity Blue paint is from our Shaker range; it’s subtle and calming and a little reminiscent of a kitchen from long ago. The island has a bespoke aged copper worktop – you may be able to see a little glimmer from the window reflection. The wall of shelves and brass hanging rails keep the room feeling light and airy.’

GET THE LOOK Bottom cabinets in Powdered Clay; wall in Simply Duck Egg, both easyclean kitchen matt emulsion, from £25 for 2.5ltr, Crown Paints

GET THE LOOK Kitchen units in Trinity Blue, part of The Real Shaker Kitchen, from £12,000, deVOL

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All is calm A seamless interior of pale spruce joinery defines this light-filled kitchen, part of a recent project by Tikari Works.

‘The limited palette of materials minimises visual clutter and creates an atmosphere that’s calm, tactile and comforting,’ says co-founder Nicola Tikari.

Terrazzo tiles line the floor, while a white worktop contributes to the streamlined aesthetic.

PHOTOGRAPH JACK HOBHOUSE

GET THE LOOK Kitchen designed by Tikari Works

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Rough with the smooth

High ideals

Mixing a moment of natural texture into an otherwise sleek, modern space helps to create a small contrast that makes a huge difference. The trick is finding the right metal to pair with stone, and choosing something with more character than stainless steel. ‘The zinc aged splashback is an extremely practical material featuring stunning variations of tones that will evolve over time creating a living finish,’ says Chris Spink, founder of Hush Kitchens, who designed this space. ‘Warmer in colour than stainless steel, it’s non-porous and naturally antibacterial. What’s more, it’s easy to mould into complex shapes like the curved sink corners.’

‘Storage on a worktop allows you to take full advantage of every inch of available space – particularly height wise,’ says Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore. ‘If you have high ceilings, storage can easily be built upwards in the form of purpose built, bespoke cabinetry. Similarly, worktop storage also makes good use of awkward or unusual architectural spaces and can keep essential items and appliances close to the cooking and prepping zones.’

GET THE LOOK This kitchen, designed by Martin Moore, features the brand’s New Classic range of cabinets

GET THE LOOK Kitchen designed by Hush Kitchens

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Not every move requires a brand new kitchen. When sisters and interior designers Sarah and Caroline Stemp of Sascal Studio bought their London flat, they revamped the existing grey-gloss kitchen. ‘We had the cabinets sanded down and painted,’ say the pair, who love pink and green, moving the classic combination on by ensuring both have the same powdery tone.

Bamboo shelves, an antique clock and sisal carpet complete the look, adding a hint of vintage.

GET THE LOOK Cabinets in Mizzle; walls in Calamine, both Farrow & Ball

PHOTOGRAPH ANGUS WILLIAMS

Glow up

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T R E N D F O C U S . . . P L U M P B AT H W A R E D E P U T Y E D ITO R B U S O L A E VA N S O N T H E L AT E S T S T Y L E TA K I N G OV E R K ITC H E N S A N D B AT H R O O M S – W E ’ R E H E R E FO R T H E C U RV E S For the past few years, bathrooms have enjoyed a flirtation with soft curves. Slender ceramics are making way for rounded forms, which are being seen in everything from baths to loos. It’s easy to see why they work. They create an instant softening of the bathroom, which can often feel clinical because of the angular lines. Now this trend has gone a step further and exaggerated tubby designs are taking a celebratory stand.

BC Designs, The Water Monopoly and Waterworks all offer pleasingly plump baths with rotund rims that make you want to dive in. And as someone who hasn’t taken a bath for more than a decade, that is saying a lot. Claw feet are being replaced by chubby bun ones, which not only feel supportive but look classic and elegant.

In Tom Dixon’s recent first-ever bathroom launch for VitrA, the collection is

characterised by chunky shapes and almost cartoon-like forms that felt quite a departure from what I’ve been seeing in recent years. Inspiration was taken from Victorian roll-top baths, which always feel sturdy and long-lasting.

If you are not yet in the market for a new bath, tap into the trend with a voluptuous washbasin.

Claybrook’s Smithfield has a lovely vintage note. If you are going for taps, try a portly one with a satisfying hold, like a rounded pillar tap.

The curved porcelain levers in Waterworks’ Highgate collection elevate an everyday piece.

Plump pieces can transform a bathroom and there are signs this is not a fad but the start of a shift from the skinny look, which has become the norm. Good design, after all, can come in all shapes and sizes.

O N M Y R A DA R THIS MONTH...

SWITCHED ON With its wavy-edged design, this pretty, handmade terracotta pendant will bring in much-needed softness to a kitchen scheme at a price that is equally appealing.

While having a couple delicately dangling over a kitchen island is a no-brainer, it would also shine in a solo spot in a corner banquette seating area. Wavy Edge Terracotta lampshade, £75, strawlondon.co.uk

SURFACE MATTERS Onyx is fast snapping at the heels of marble as the luxury bathroom surface of choice. So get in on the act with Ca’Pietra’s California collection, a range of onyx-effect porcelain tiles that come in large formats and three colourways. Jade is the easy favourite with its intriguing mix of green alongside swirls of gold and pink. It’s suitable for walls and floors so that’s the new shower room sorted.

The California collection, from £52sq m, capietra.com

PHOTOGRAPH (CLAYBROOK) BEN CARPENTER

Smithfield basin

by Claybrook; Senator bath (left) from West One Bathrooms

HOOK UP It’s always worth remembering that beyond the pretty dresses and droolinspiring homeware, Anthropologie does a very fetching line in hardware. Take this chunky brass towel hook — its simple line is elevated by a decorative top that gives it a vintage spin. And just like that, there’s fresh joy to be gained from simply hanging up a towel. Morgan towel hook, £24, anthropologie.com

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M AT E R I A L O F T H E M O M E N T. . .

BRICK FLOORS A R C H IT E C T S A N D D E S I G N E R S A R E B R I N G I N G CO U N T RY C H I C TO U R B A N P R OJ E C T S W IT H R U S TI C FA R M H O U S E - I N S P I R E D F LO O R I N G

1 E ARTHY TONES

Reclaimed terracotta brick flooring has been used in the kitchen, garden and for interior walls. ‘A brick floor is a good example of how contemporary and rustic can work well together,’ says Neil Dusheiko, director at Neil Dusheiko Architects. ‘We used brick pamments inside and out to connect the house and garden. The earthy quality of the clay complements the oak138 wall linings and skylights.’

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GET THE LOOK Project, Neil Dusheiko Architects

projects Cosy brick floors reminiscent of rustic farmhouse kitchens are making a comeback in the most modern of homes. They bring warmth and character to ultra contemporary spaces, they’re timeless and they’re durable, so we can see why they’re the latest project must-have.

‘The benefits of a brick floor are that they are hard-wearing, warm up beautifully over underfloor heating and have a wonderful warmth as a material,’ says John Norman, director at Mustard Architects.

From basket weave to herringbone, indoor brick flooring has been used for centuries, withstanding all sorts of conditions, but it’s only recently come back into fashion. Nowadays, in addition to reclaimed bricks, it’s possible to buy modern engineered bricks and coupled with the use of water-based sealers, water damage is less of a problem.

A brick floor is porous, so if you spill water, it can penetrate and cause damage below, plus stains can appear on untreated brick. A sealant will need to be applied to the bricks every so often to protect against mould and cracking. Even though bricks resist rain vertically, when laid horizontally, moisture can build up and seep beneath the surface.

‘We would suggest avoiding a brick with a very textured surface as it can be difficult to keep clean but there are lots of smooth surface options to choose from and they can often be matched to bricks used externally giving a wonderful inside to outside flow,’ adds John Norman.

FEATURE RACHEL CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPHS (EARTHY TONES) TIM CROCKER AND AGNESE SANVITO (COMPLETE CONTRASTS) DEREK SWALWELL (CLAY STYLE) DAVID BUTLER (BRICK PATTERN) JAMES WHITAKER (TACTILE TEXTURE) JIM STEPHENSON

2 COM PLETE CONTR ASTS

This richly coloured kitchen is the result of a collaboration between Australian brand Laminex and Melbourne-based architecture studio Kennedy Nolan. Contemporary block colours, a sleek kitchen design and modern furniture contrast beautifully with the raw terracotta brick floor, which adds warmth, character and handmade texture.

GET THE LOOK Project, Kennedy Nolan

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4 Brick is great because it’s strong, but it can be a bit uncomfy underfoot so you might want to add a rug. What’s more, brick floors are often not completely level, but this just adds to the rustic charm.

‘Bricks offer a timeless quality unlike smooth polished flooring, which requires work to keep it looking fresh. Bricks on the other hand age and wear and look better for it,’ says Ian Bramwell, director at Mole Architects. ‘The mottled pinks and oranges of bricks add warmth and richness to spaces.’

In terms of cost, brick flooring can be expensive compared to ceramic tiles, but it’s comparable with stone flooring. There are cheaper alternatives that aren’t reclaimed but they won’t be as interesting.

3 C L AY S T Y L E

‘Brick floors have a practicality and calmness that make a home feel relaxed. They can cope with muddy boots or the dog coming in, without the need to quickly follow with a mop,’ says Ian Bramwell, director at Mole Architects. ‘Here, the flooring is actually clay tiles cut in half.’

GET THE LOOK Project, Mole Architects

4 B R I C K PAT T E R N If you love the brick look but prefer a modern feel then laying tiles in a brick format might be your vibe.

‘Each colour comes in 15 subtly different shades, which give a

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mottled texture, similar to the patina on old brickwork,’ says David Eland, director at OEB Architects.

GET THE LOOK Project, OEB Architects. Mews tiles in Soot by Barber & Osgerby for Mutina

5 TAC T I L E TEXTURE

A modern house is complemented with a brick floor from Lubelska, creating a welcoming space. ‘The interior is punctuated with textured materials to ensure it feels connected to the garden that inspired it,’ say Fiona and Kate of McLean Quinlan.

GET THE LOOK Project, McLean Quinlan

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THE HOME FRONT T H E B U I L D I N G W O R K M I G H T N O T H A V E S TA R T E D B U T T H AT D O E S N ’ T M E A N R E B E C C A WA K E F I E L D C A N ’ T G E T T H E PA I N T B R U S H O U T brings back fond memories of make-believe fantasy worlds. I do, however, want to avoid an Alice in Wonderland-style kitschland that has limited compatibility with rest and sleep. It’s a fine balance!

PHOTOGRAPH (REBECCA) HANNAH LOVEMORE

I’ve buckled. The plan for this house is to extend and reconfigure, meaning that any work we do before the construction starts is pretty pointless. But I caved, in the form of Farrow & Ball’s Sudbury Yellow. With minimum effort given to our new home so far, it felt like we were living in someone else’s space and that the old owners might pop back to reclaim their house at any given point.

There was an insipid lilac on the walls in the boys’ room that I needed to obliterate. I spontaneously chose rich, slightly mustard-y Sudbury Yellow, which works beautifully with Little Greene’s off-white Stock paint on the woodwork and ceiling. Yellow is not my colour – I’m historically a neutrals girl, adding colour in the form of furniture, artwork and textiles. I don’t know whether it’s the extensive use of magnolia and brown in the house or the gloomy lockdown life we’ve existed in over the last couple of years that led to this – by my standards – bold decision. I am, it appears, a colour convert.

Children’s bedrooms can be fun but equally perplexing to design – they need to grow with their inhabitants but also leave room for the playful and whimsical. My own lime green, orange and yellow childhood bedroom

I have used The Cloth Shop’s Tivoli Stripe in Bottle to upholster beds and will hang Pooky’s Merlin pendant, with its fun trumpet shape, to add texture. After a major search for a free-standing wardrobe, I settled on a Shaker-style one from The Dormy House, which has child-friendly proportions. They’ll custom paint it for me to match the walls for a full colourblock experience. I have had the inside panels painted in Paint & Paper Library’s striking Very Well Red – a secret moment of colour-clash playfulness .

I’m historically a neutrals girl, but I’ve chosen the bold Sudbury Yellow for the boys’ room – it’s beautiful

One thing I am eager to action in this room and throughout the house is the rehanging of all the doors so that they open against the walls and not into the rooms. It’s widely agreed that historically this was done to ‘preserve the modesty’ of the occupants, but flipping them makes rooms feel larger.

Worth a thought if you have this set-up and aren’t living a prudish Victorian existence – I don’t think you’d be embracing Sudbury Yellow if you were.

R E B E C C A’ S B U Y S O F T H E M O N T H LUCKY STRIPE The Cloth Shop is an excellent, affordable fabric supplier offering a range of versatile linens, cottons and textiles.

I especially love the signature Candy Stripe fabric in Red, as well as the Tivoli Stripe in Bottle, shown here, far right.

You’ll also find Kantha quilts in fun, floral prints.

HANGING COOL I cannot get enough of this beautiful shape. This large Merlin pendant from Pooky totally transforms any space and looks especially majestic over a dining table. The wicker and brass details add a relaxed vibe while the shape is playful yet elegant. Such a steal, too!

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GARDEN I N S P I R AT I O N U S E CO O L C U RV E S TO E N H A N C E YO U R S PAC E I N A WAY T H AT E C H O E S N AT U R E Organic shapes work well in small spaces to create calm, harmony and flow. These fluid lines are found in the natural world and bring organic character characterised by soft curves and undulating lines. ‘Curvilinear form is a more profound way of working with space, and resonates with the way things move and organise in nature,’ says landscape designer Mark Laurence.

There are practical reasons for using curves too, as they can enhance a seating space by cocooning it with a low wall or introduce a whimsical path. ‘When clients ask me to design a garden it’s always tailored to the uniqueness of their space.

It’s not just curves for the sake of it but making them work in a specific context,’ says landscape architect Ian Kitson.

Curvy shapes can make a small urban space look larger too.

‘Curvaceous beds soften boundaries and create an illusion of space,’ says Katrina Kieffer-Wells of Earth Designs. ‘Use them to create layers of interest with grasses and tall flowering plants.’

Curves also bounce the eye across a narrow garden to make the space feel wider. ‘I love curves, especially in small gardens,’ says Catherine Clancy. ‘They give a softer, organic, fluid shape.’

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THIS IMAGE Garden designers are embracing curves big time this year, especially in smaller spaces, where they help create a softer, more organic look LEFT Creating a curved garden with straight boundaries completely disguises the original rectilinear shape, says designer Catherine Clancy

WORDS SARAH WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) RHS/SARAH CUTTLE; (LEFT) CATHERINE CLANCY

Plants with a naturally mounding form, such as Hebe rakaiensis or Hakonechloa macra, or that can be clipped into shape, like Taxus baccata, work well. ‘This can be further balanced by selecting large shrubs and trees with similar forms,’ says garden designer Helen Elks-Smith. ‘Acer campestre has a lovely soft rounded canopy.’ Make sure curves have a reason for being there, and think about how they sit in harmony with your garden’s geometry and the architectural style of your home, and you will have nailed it.

projects “It’s important that things flow.

It’s about fitting form into space in a natural way and the result should always look effortless” MARK LAURENCE

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clever storage, the lowdown on modern ✱heatNailing pumps and reaching new housplant heights

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live better LET GOOD DESIGN PUT AN E N D T O B A D O R G A N I S AT I O N

‘Making a home look pretty is the easy part,’ says Kia Stanford, interior designer and founder of Kia Designs. ‘Keeping it that way isn’t.’ Don’t we know it? Add kids or dogs into the mix and good intentions are often out the window. So how can we design our spaces in a way that encourages organisation? And how can design minimise those mental barriers to being tidy?

‘I love it when clients are honest enough to tell us they’re messy and disorganised,’ says the architect George Bradley of the Londonbased practice Bradley Van Der Straeten. Good planning – where you’ve really considered the specific kind of storage you might need – is key, he says. That Marie Kondo idea of everything having its place can be taken too far, however. ‘There’s a danger of thinking you have to design for everything,’ he adds. ‘But our needs always change, especially with young families.’ The secret, he says, is having flexibility between built-in and freestanding storage. ‘It’s good to allow for random stuff.’ He also warns against floor-to-ceiling glass: ‘You need light, but you also need wall space for storage.’

For most homes, the ‘pain points’, as Kia calls them, are entrances, kitchens and bedrooms. In hallways, Kia creates a ‘landing pad’ with decorative dumping spots for post, keys, bags, etc – for example, a nice tray, a post rack, a console with a shelf. The architect Claire Sa

of the London-based practice De Rosee Sa, whose typical clients are ‘busy, working parents with all the paraphernalia that comes with family life’, says that a tidy entrance is one that anticipates a child’s mindset. ‘Kids won’t bother to open a cupboard or reach for a hanger,’ she says, herself a mother of five. ‘You have to make it easy – if it’s too complicated, laziness takes over.’ Think personalised, heightappropriate pegs and their own basket for their shoes. Or consider a pegboard with named places for scarves, hats and gloves, suggests Kia: ‘With dedicated spaces, things tend to go where they’re supposed to.’

A home’s strongest junk magnet is surely the kitchen – islands in particular, says George. For his own kitchen, he has designed a freestanding ‘junk trough’ – an inbox for homework, letters and ‘stuff’. It’s deep, so things don’t fall out, and its high sides mean you can’t see the contents unless you’re actually looking in – yet it’s not behind a cupboard door where it might be forgotten. Alternatively, equip everyone with a lidded ottoman for storing their own stuff.

Kitchen cupboards are overdue a rethink, adds George – unless required to hold large items, the 60cm depth is a recipe for back-ofthe-cupboard neglect. Instead, consider 30- or 40cm-deep units (he recommends DIY Kitchens’ pre-built ones) – perfect for one row of plates. Even cabinet doors can be made more useful. As well as the space-saving, door-mounted spice rack (check your hinges are strong enough), the insides of cupboard doors could also be used to hold pocket organisers for favourite recipes and receipts, or a chalkboard decal for your shopping list.

3 of the best S H E LV I N G S Y S T E M S JONAXEL SYSTEM, £166, IKEA.COM Arguably Ikea’s most flexible shelving system, this 29-piece mix-andmatch kit, with a clothes rail, mesh and wire baskets and shelving units, works equally well in bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, boot rooms and laundry rooms.

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606 UNIVERSAL SHELVING SYSTEM, £1,910, VITSOE.COM The architect’s choice, these powder-coated steel modular systems can always be added to, with features including hanging rails, bookends, lockable drawers, cabinets and integrated desks.

STRING SYSTEM, £1,274, STRING FURNITURE.COM This iconic Scandinavian system doesn’t actually feature any string, but an ample choice of organisational aids, such as magazine shelves, glass cabinets, filing cabinets, bottle trays and plate racks.

PHOTOGRAPHS (MAIN IMAGE) EMMA LEE/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (VITSOE) OLIVIER HESS PHOTOGRAPHY; (STRING FURNITURE) MARCUS LAWETT

Journalist Fleur Britten looks at some clever design choices that will help you feel more in control over the way you live, from smart extra storage to new habits around the house.

smart home “Storage needs to be easy – if it’s too complicated, laziness takes over”

Having kitchenware

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reach means it won’t get forgotten about

Living areas need to absorb an awful lot of stuff. Claire recommends window seats in children’s play areas with ‘big drawers underneath for toys and teddies’. Equally, these could be freestanding benches with storage, or for more instant access, wicker baskets with which ‘you can literally scoop up the ugly plastic toys,’ says Claire. For perpetually messy play areas, consider shutting it all off behind a double-sided bookcase, where it can remain unseen and unjudged.

To make the most of your wall space, consider going vertical with your storage, says George – ‘as long as you’re happy seeing it on your walls’. Shelving systems, pegboards, pinboards, even open jars or baskets secured to the wall can create more opportunities for organisation. But if you are storing ‘upwards’, heed Claire’s advice: ‘The best storage is storage that’s easily accessible’ – ie, not so high that it’s a nuisance to get things down.

How to rationalise your bedroom storage? If budget allows, architects usually advise going bespoke: ‘The space you’re squeezing a wardrobe into is always completely specific,’ says Claire. It does at least give you the opportunity to make your storage super functional. Ditch those deep shelves where things become messy or forgotten, advises Kia, and instead keep them shallow, or install trays and drawers (including for shoes). Drawers

for cufflinks and jewellery should be no deeper than 8cm, she adds, otherwise you’ll never see what’s at the bottom.

Everyone agrees, however, that too much fitted joinery isn’t ideal (or cheap). ‘It can look a bit over the top,’ says Claire. ‘Consider instead loose pieces to lend more texture to a room – for example, vintage wardrobes, painted to go with your bedroom,’ (she recommends designvintage.co.uk). Hooks on the inside of wardrobe doors are useful for organising jewellery, scarves and other accessories.

Dedicated spaces for boots and coats ensure a tidy, stylish hallway

The interiors trend for ‘support spaces’, as Claire calls them – utility rooms, boot rooms, pantries – has been a welcome arrival for the business of home organisation. ‘It makes the house so practical,’ she says. ‘There is so much household stuff you don’t want to see – bulbs, loo rolls, brooms, picture hooks.

All this can be stored in these secondary spaces.’ If you don’t have the luxury of space, Annabelle recommends creating distinct zones, so that, say, you can do all your laundry in one small area; ditto your pet stuff, your workshop equipment, etc.

There are also plenty of cheap hacks that won’t diminish the beauty of your space.

Kia recommends Muji’s internal drawers for containing kids’ stuff, socks, ties, etc, and decorative magnetic boards from Etsy – where you can stick ‘anything that you need to remind yourself about – bills, school reports, letters – and it still looks lovely if it’s not full.’ Annabelle suggests creating ‘art from your belongings by unifying similar objects – vases, glasses, bottles – thus reducing the need for storage.’

The reality is, notes George, that ‘your storage is never going to be enough – people always fill what they have.’ The solution, says Annabelle, is that ‘not everything needs to be hidden away, otherwise you’d end up with a banal, empty home – you need a combination of display and order.’

“To make the most of your wall space, consider going vertical with your storage – as long as you’re happy seeing it on your walls”

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PHOTOGRAPH EMMA LEE/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Does your kitchen organisation make it easy enough for kids or guests to make their own breakfast? The Cheshire-based architect Annabelle Tugby recommends creating a housekeeper’s cupboard where all breakfast things are kept, so that anyone can help themselves (her bespoke version includes shelving on the door for glasses, cups and other kitchenware, plus a counter for appliances).

You could also convert a regular wardrobe, and ‘reimagine the inside for the use you want to bring to it,’ she says.

smart home Acrylic internal drawers, from £8.95; velour partitions, £10.95, muji.eu

EXPERT INSIGHT

organise your home in 30 days Dilly Carter, professional organiser, author and TV presenter, gives her advice

1

Organising your home is simple, really – it’s just about making sure everything is grouped together and in the right place. First, walk out your house and walk back in with a notebook and pen and try to work out how each room has strayed from the original vision, and what you need to do to return it to that. It’s not until we take a step back that we see what needs to be done. You might want to write a list of 30 areas to tackle, prioritising the area that most affects your life.

Panama leather letter rack in Sandstone, £245, smythson.com

Wooden desk organiser on wheels, £290, Wireworks at heals.com

Magnetic A4 art frame, £22, gltc.co.uk

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If the whole house is cluttered, start with the bedrooms, because sleep is our most important commodity. The questions to ask are: do you love it? Do you need it? Is it purposeful? I recommend doing a daily 15-minute declutter challenge. You’ll end up doing it for longer, but the 15 minutes feels achievable and gives you that initial boost. You have to be in the right mind frame to tackle this. If you are feeling despair, try starting with very small things – for example, the cutlery drawer – to make you feel better.

3

Toys and clothes are the biggest problems in most houses, as we tend to have too much of both. Keep an eye on what your kids are playing with and try to rotate their toys so there’s less stuff in their space. Educate your kids on the value of donating their toys – wouldn’t it be nice to give them away to a family in need or a children’s hospital? Children will give them away if they think it’s going to help another child.

4 Hogla nesting set of baskets, £80, maisonbengal.co.uk

Kitchens are the next big area – everyone over-buys food, especially pasta and snacks. Try to give yourself a one-shelf/one-drawer limit. Things get messy when you’ve got too much. Match your Tupperware lids to the bottoms so it’s neater and you’re not constantly searching for a lid, and stop buying bags for life, water bottles and coffee flasks – that’s often a big problem. Much of keeping clutter at bay is about keeping what you’ve got to a minimum.

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@ declutterdollies

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live well H O R T I C U LT U R A L I S T A D R I A N W O N G O N HARNESSING THE POWER OF PL ANTS

A huge part of creating alignment with the natural world is about bringing plants into indoor spaces. It’s the easiest and most accessible way of doing it. In our ancient past, we were surrounded by lush plants, so our brains give us the feeling of relaxation when we’re in that environment. When we see the colour green, our nervous systems relax.

Introducing houseplants in different sizes and shapes recreates a natural jungle feel. You could put some plants on little stools to create that sense of abundance.

Plants have more of a psychological than a physical effect on us, so the most important thing is having the right plant for the environment, so that it thrives. A home is essentially a warm cave, so tropical plants are better suited to the temperature and lighting inside homes, and they don’t need seasons. It’s not that tropical plants are any more health-giving, but they’re more successful indoors.

FEATURE FLEUR BRITTEN PHOTOGRAPH JAMES MERRELL/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Plants that aren’t thriving have a negative psychological effect, and might make you feel stressed or like you’ve failed.

It’s relaxing to look after something that’s doing well – it’s a confidence-booster to know that the plant is flourishing because of your influence. Aloe veras do very well in bathrooms due to the humidity. Golden pothos do well in darker areas, so they’re great for shelves, and birds of paradise like a lot of direct sunlight so they’re best on windowsills.

Colour adds interest and lightens up a space, but you ideally want to have snippets of different colours – as opposed to a riot – against a backdrop of green, because it’s more soothing.

Calatheas, or praying hands plants, have flashes of purple, which you’ll see at different times of the day.

You’ll want to have plants that suit your space. So a Brutalist building looks good with angular, structural plants that might be perceived as hard or aggressive, for example, cacti and succulents. Voluminous plants with big leaves such as Acacias or elephant’s ears work well in large homes with tall ceilings, while smaller spaces benefit from hanging plants – if you’re limited on how wide you can go, use the vertical space instead.

Plants can go anywhere in your home. I wouldn’t put them too close to where you cook as heat isn’t good for them and you might end up bumping into them. A few people believe that bedside plants can be detrimental to your health because they release carbon dioxide in the evening, but you’d need hundreds to create an issue. It’s a similar story with air-purifying plants – you’d need thousands for it to work.

Plants are a great way of splitting up a space. Go for large structural plants – an established fiddle-leaf fig, with its woody trunk, is reminiscent of trees you’d find outdoors, so it’s a way of bringing the jungle into your home. Or there’s a version of the Swiss cheese plant, the Monstera adansonii, which looks lovely when it flows over a free-standing bookshelf to create a room divide.

For pots, I like to use natural materials like wicker and terracotta. Coir, a waste material of the coconut industry, is also great – when it’s time to repot your plant, you can just put the coir pot straight into a larger pot and the roots grow through.

Consider your plants as living beings, not sculptures – trying to constrain them can be stressful. They are going to grow where they want to grow.

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aterre.co.uk

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air apparent I S A N A I R S O U R C E H E AT P U M P T H E R I G HT CH O I CE FO R YO U R H O M E ?

How do air source heat pumps work? The heat pump sits outside your house and is connected to your existing central heating system, working with radiators in the normal way. You’re simply replacing heat provided by a gas boiler with heat from the pump, removing the carbon emissions associated with fossil fuels. It’s also a way to future-proof your home. ‘Heat pumps are highly efficient and deliver heat more consistently, making your home more comfortable with fewer fluctuations in temperature,’ says Max Halliwell of Mitsubishi Electric. ‘Modern systems can also integrate with smart home devices to be controlled remotely.’ Heat pumps are ideal for new-build, well-insulated homes or older homes that are not on the mains gas network. But if you are replacing a gas or oil boiler with a heat pump, it’s a complex installation and sometimes requires replacing the whole system, so beware, there could be a lot of upheaval. You’ll need an area outside your home where a unit can be fitted to a wall or placed on the ground. It will need plenty of space around it to get a good flow of air. For an air-to-water heat pump, the external unit is connected to an internal unit containing circulation pumps and hot water. As a general rule, air source heat pumps are easier to install than ground source heat pumps, which is an alternative, as they don’t require land to be dug up for installation.

Air-to-water air source heat pumps This is the most common model and works by absorbing heat from the outside air which goes through a compressor and transfers the heat to water. It distributes the heat via your wet central heating system and radiators. Heat pumps work much more efficiently at a lower temperature than a standard gas boiler would, so this makes them suitable for use with underfloor heating systems or larger radiators, which give out heat at lower temperatures over longer periods of time.

Advantages of an air-to-water heat pump It heats your home and hot water, and could lower your fuel bills, cutting your carbon emissions. There is less maintenance, such as boiler servicing and it

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Bosch’s air source heat pump

has better safety as there is no gas involved. It uses electricity, which is sustainable, and offers a constant, stable level of heat.

Disadvantages of an air-to-water heat pump The upfront costs are higher than a gas boiler but comparable with an oil heating system. You’ll need an outside compressor and space to put this.

Planning permission is sometimes required.

Ground source heat pumps These use pipes that are buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground, which is used to heat radiators, underfloor or warm air heating systems and hot water in your home. It circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a pipe, called a ground loop, which is buried in your garden, absorbing heat from the ground. The length of ground loop depends on the size of your home and the amount of heat you need.

Advantages of a ground source heat pump It heats your home and water and could lower fuel bills and carbon emissions, depending on which fuel you are replacing. There is minimal maintenance required and it delivers heat at lower temperatures over much longer periods. The temperature of the ground is fairly fixed so it remains consistently efficient throughout the year.

Disadvantages of a ground source heat pump There is a high up front cost to install them and your garden will need to be suitable for a trench or borehole. In winter, it may need to be on constantly to heat your home efficiently. They are often more difficult to install than air source heat pumps and you may need extra insulation and draught-proofing for it to be effective.

The cost Installing a typical heat pump system costs between £7,000 and £13,000. Potential annual savings in an average-sized detached home could be between £255 and £970.

FEATURE ALISON DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHS (RIGHT) FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

The popularity of air source heat pumps – or ASHPs – is partly due to the rise in new technology, design and installation improvements, but it’s mainly due to the Net Zero emissions targets which need to be achieved by 2050. And, if you’re going to switch, then spring or summer is the perfect time to do so, when you’re less likely to be reliant on heating. But does it make sense for your home?

smart home

“Reduce carbon emissions by swapping a gas boiler for an air source heat pump”

Air source heat pumps work with regular radiators in the normal way

the lifestyle edit

secrets of NYC’s new hot spot, where to ✱stayDecor when in Paris and a salmon dish with a twist

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NEW YORK’S BERGDORF GOODMAN HAS REOPENED THE PALETTE CAFE – ITS DESIGNER KIT KEMP OF FIRMDALE HOTELS SHARES ITS DECOR SECRETS

B E P L AY F U L WITH AN IMMERSIVE MURAL

It is important to bring individuality to a room, and something custom-made will capture the imagination. We decided on our mural Tall Trees that would not only climb the walls but go over the ceiling to meet the coffer that runs down the centre of the space.

This surrounds you and creates an immersive atmosphere. I wanted a feeling of elegance and playfulness – maybe a little intrigue and colour. A mural is wonderful in a hallway as it immediately creates atmosphere. It envelopes you and is rather comforting.

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C U R AT E A G A L L E R Y WA L L – ON A SHELF

The shelves are in a contrasting yellow to stand out and not look like an accident.

I like different shaped picture frames on a long shelf. They can be changed around.

They look neater because they are all on the same level, even if they are different sizes.

It is often difficult to hang pictures, so a long shelf can solve a problem. I find that a design thread of similar articles saying something interesting or seasonal is fun.

FEATURE MEGAN SLACK PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON BROWN

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WA L L PA P E R YO U R C E I L I N G This is a magical space, so the night sky and stars are perfect for the inside of the coffered ceiling. I hung our Rockin’ Robin lights from our collection with Porta Romana. I love a coloured ceiling. If I have the height, I’ll add colour on ceilings going up staircases and sometimes on beautifully figured ceilings and mouldings. Paint is easier to start with to give an all-around shoebox effect. I like taking wallpaper all over the ceiling in upstairs spaces where the walls are lower or angled.

USE QUIRKY D E TA I L S T O ADD EXTRA PERSONALIT Y

On my Handle chairs, I used two Moon fabrics in a wool weave – we cut out a motif of a paint palette on the back of the chairs to echo the name of the restaurant for a fun but sophisticated feel. I used Live it Up, one of my weaves for Christopher Farr, on the banquettes.

It is a stripe that goes with so many colours. It has a high martindale, so it will last and be low maintenance. I only use one large-scale fabric in a room and then add a smaller geometric and fine stripe to go alongside. It is about balance and scale. I like a bold interior, not a frantic one.

Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019; bergdorfgoodman.com

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design hotels FROM LUXURIOUS SUITES TO KITSCH STYLING, W E E X P L O R E F O U R B O U T I Q U E S TAY S I N PA R I S

Cheval Blanc The Louis Vuitton group’s first five-star accommodation in the city and a cornerstone of the conglomerate’s epic 16-year restoration of Paris’ historic La Samaritaine department store complex, this hotel – as you might imagine – is a plush cocoon.

With 72 rooms and suites on 10 floors, almost every one overlooks the Seine. A bastion of quiet and of privacy, it is designed by Peter Marino to be a symphony of beige and white with flashes of gold. The feel is 1930s meets 1970s – cool elegance with a bit of grooviness. The furniture, lighting and decor is a mix from French artists and global creators, and you will find staff wearing gold-buttoned uniforms by Patou and a subterranean spa helmed by Dior. Dining spots in the hotel include Limbar, a ground-floor brasserie with ornate inlaid wood flooring, 1970s-era chandeliers and red leather upholstery, plus Langosteria, a chic Milanese restaurant.

NEED TO KNOW

Rooms from £978, chevalblanc.com

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lifestyle

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI PHOTOGRAPHS (HOTEL LES DEUX GARES) BENOIT LINERO

Hotel Les Deux Gares Nestled between two stations and tucked down a narrow alley in the 10th arrondissement, you’ll find Hotel Les Deux Gares – a railway station hotel once abandoned and forgotten by time.

Luckily, thanks to a little imagination and the vibrant styling and direction of English designer Luke Edward Hall, the new hotel is welcoming guests into its colourful surroundings. Head upstairs to one of the 33 bedrooms where joyful colour combinations bring a contemporary twist to bathrooms and bedrooms with furniture inspired by the neoclassical period. You’ll find mismatched rugs, gilt furniture inspired by French Empire antiques, fringed chairs, sumptuous velvet and bold stripes, along with 1970s-style light fixtures. The hotel’s bathrooms are a fresh take on art deco look and likely to provide the perfect backdrop for the selfie generation. Guests can choose to have breakfast in the hotel or across the street at Café Les Deux Gares.

NEED TO KNOW

Rooms from £222, hoteldeuxgares.com

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lifestyle

Hotel Amour Playing on its reputation as one of the world’s most romantic cities, Paris’ original boutique hotel, Amour is an edgy balance of style and substance. The hotel seduces guests with a love-themed decor and sophisticated bohemian spirit. Set in a former brothel in Pigalle, Amour is one of those low-key hotspots that gets whispered from one style setter to the next, and during fashion weeks you’d be wise to book way in advance.

The trio behind the daring themed hotel is graffiti artist and nightclub baron André Saraiva, hotelier Thierry Costes and restaurateur Emmanuelle Delavenne, whose combined talents contribute to a boutique hotel that is playful, quirky, highly individual and just a little bit risqué. Black corridors lead to 24 retro-styled rooms, each individually arranged with mildly erotic artwork and vintage furnishings picked up in flea markets.

The beautiful glass-topped patio garden with vintage bistro chairs is made for lounging over cocktails on sultry summer nights. The ground floor bistro is a buzzing drinking and dining spot from 8am to 2am.

NEED TO KNOW

Rooms from £153, hotelamourparis.fr/en

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PHOTOGRAPHS (HÔTEL DES GRANDS BOULEVARDS) KAREL BALAS

Hôtel des Grands Boulevards Tucked down an alley in the spirited 2nd arrondissement, Hôtel des Grands Boulevards teams 18th-century Parisian elegance with a touch of avant garde design. Stately Louis XVI furniture nods to the building’s revolution-era roots, including charming canopied beds. The hotel is part of the impeccably stylish but approachable Experimental Group of hotels and the group’s go-to designer Dorothée Meilichzon adds playful touches with her retro aesthetic. The Grand Restaurant is at the heart of the hotel, set in and around the courtyard, and features a menu designed in collaboration with Giovanni Passerini – renowned chef in the new Parisian gastronomic scene – and revisits the great classics of French-Italian cuisine. Communal areas are spacious and relaxed, featuring herringbone parquet flooring, round bistro tables and red banquettes, all bathed in the daylight that floods through the 1930s-style windows.

NEED TO KNOW

Rooms from £200, grandsboulevardshotel.com

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cook

TEA-SMOKED SALMON WITH A HORSERADISH DRESSING

serves 6 3 tbsp sea salt 2 tbsp chopped dill 4 tbsp demerara sugar 6 salmon fillets, about 150g each 6 tbsp uncooked white rice 2 tbsp Earl Grey tea leaves (or the contents of 2 tea bags) Sliced spring onions, to serve FOR THE DRESSING 250ml crème fraîche 2 tbsp chives, finely snipped 2 tbsp horseradish sauce Squeeze of lemon Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. Rinse the salmon in cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper. Combine the sea salt, dill and 2 tbsp of the sugar. Place the salmon fillets on a tray and rub all over with the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Combine all the dressing ingredients.

Line a large roasting tin with foil. Add the rice, remaining sugar and tea leaves and mix well. Set a wire rack inside the tin, over the rice mixture.

Place the salmon fillets, skin-side down, on the rack. Cover the whole tin with foil, sealing all around, except for one corner.

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Put the tin on the hob over a high heat. Once you start to see smoke escaping from the open corner, seal the foil at the corner to trap the smoke.

Keep on the hob for 1 minute, then transfer to the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside for 2 minutes before uncovering.

Check the salmon; it is ready when it flakes easily with a fork. If it needs more cooking, return uncovered to the oven for 2 minutes. Discard the rice mixture. Serve the salmon with a scattering of spring onions and the dressing on the side.

RECIPE MARINA FILIPPELLI STYLING ALI BROWN PHOTOGRAPH HELEN CATHCART

Perfect for entertaining, this simple twist on salmon is delicate yet rich with flavour

lifestyle

better-lived life

D E S I G N E R R A C H E L C H U D L E Y R E V E A L S H E R D AY-T O - D AY L U X U R I E S

Art brings me so much joy, adding layers of narrative and beauty to my home. It’s difficult to pick a favourite piece, but if I had to choose it would be one by my husband’s father, Donald Kaufman. His paintings do something to a space that I can’t quite explain. He’s the world’s leading colourist and we’re so fortunate to be able to work with him to create our bespoke paints.

My grandpa left me his kitchen table and without a doubt it’s my favourite possession. It’s old and wonky with a wooden top that’s warped and scratched but when I sit at it happy memories come flooding back. My grandpa loved shortbread biscuits and would often have a batch baking. I’ll never forget sitting at that table waiting for the shortbread to come out of the oven.

I’m addicted to travelling and I think it’s the best thing for creativity. Sometimes you need to go as far away as you can from your day-to-day to input new visuals into your brain and see how they manifest themselves later in your work. Plus, when you bring home a souvenir you’ll have something that will remind you of the joy you felt when you found it. We’ve got a wooden horse from India and it’s extremely special to me. It’s nothing fancy but you can tell whoever made it poured a lot of love and attention into it.

One of Rachel’s favourite candles is Tabacco Toscano by Santa Maria Novella

Blue room: Rachel works with her father-in-law, colourist Donald Kaufman, to create bespoke colours for her projects

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Most people detest purple but I love it – it makes me happy. The first place my husband and I bought together was an old church flat where we wrapped the hall in a berry shade. And in our last house, the guest bedroom was a fabulous rich purple. This would be overwhelming to wake up to every day, but you can get away with an interesting colour in a room that’s not used daily.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Right now I’m loving my new cushions from Brooklyn-based artist and designer Sean McNanney of Saved NY. They feature illustrations by the super-talented Fee Greening and add a luxurious touch to my new home.

I’m thrilled that Saved NY is now available in the UK. X

rachelchudley.com

FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS PHOTOGRAPH (BLUE ROOM) @LUIS_RIDAO

Saved NY x Fee Greening coral cashmere cushion

Taking a bath is my all-time favourite thing. I like lots of surface space around my bath so that I can light candles — my current favourite is Tabacco Toscano by Santa Maria Novella — and have a hot drink and a little snack. I also like a bath caddy that has a stand to prop up a magazine or book.

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