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table Skorpio Keramik chairs Wanda lamps Apollo

The Place we Live

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may 2020

smart

clever ideas and inspiring insights DESIGN PREVIEW: THE BIGGEST EMERGING TRENDS H O W T O C R E AT E A S T Y L I S H F A M I LY S P A C E S U N , S A N D, S E C R E C Y : H I D D E N B EACH E S TO VISIT NOW

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F O R A B R O C H U R E A N D N E A R E S T B AT H R O O M S P E C I A L I S T C A L L 01 4 5 4 3 2 8 811 | W W W. M AT K I . C O. U K | M AT K I P L C , B R I S TO L B S 3 7 5 P L

may 2020

13 15 16 COVER PHOTOGRAPHY MATTHEW WILLIAMS

19 21 26 28 31 33

news & shopping EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT Nordic interiors, Mediterranean cuisine, eco packaging and California poolside motifs NEWS Wake up your walls with Fromental’s wow papers, discover Elvis & Kresse’s knack of cool recycling, then chill with Poliform’s new ottoman THE EDITED CHOICE Drinks pitchers in standout shapes – pour magnifique! MAGNIFICENT MILAN A sneak peek at some of the launches happening at the design event THE CATWALK LOOK Who needs vitamin C when orange is the colour du jour? THE EDITED CHOICE If these chic timber beds elicit envy, it’s only natural COLLECT 2020 Four favourites among the exquisite craftsmanship at this year’s Collect show INCLUSIVITYETC See how online business Aerende is helping people facing social challenges LIFE.STYLE.ETC Chef Zoe Adjonyoh on how she took African cuisine to another level

43 44 58 68 78 86 96

fabulous spaces ROOM OF THE MONTH Cool colours, iconic items, views to lie for – this bedroom covers all bases BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE In interior designer Athena Calderone’s gorgeous home form and scale are all PARIS ABODE Owners Marc Étienne and Rémy Coussèdière have created their own take on Parisian chic in this modern city home FR E NCH APARTM E NT Combining Cali cool with 18th-century sensibilities, the home of designer Ashley Maddox is a lesson in elegance CONNECTICUT RETREAT Designers Sheena Murphy and Tor Sauder followed the owners’ brief to create a home that honours its history VICTORIAN TERRACE When designer Mark Lewis expanded his interior, he sacrificed a few rooms but gained a home full of space and light LONDON PAD Interior designer Hazel Collins used colour and texture to introduce more than a hint of personality to her client’s apartment

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Book your tickets for House Tours with Livingetc – back and bigger than ever – on page 37

105 106 115 122 126 130 131 132 134 139 141 142 143 144 151 153 6

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design & decorating DETAIL OF THE MONTH Weave a striking retro fabric into your decor WILD THINGS An abundance of bountiful blooms is the ultimate in carefree opulent style STYLE FILE High-spec storage –from sleek shelves to cool canisters and all things in between PAINTBOX Grown-up pink CURTAIN CALL Dapper drape ideas for summer PATTERN BOOK Wallpapers in jazzy geometrics WHAT’S HOT The latest kitchen and bathroom launches, from cool pendants to red-hot taps KITCHEN TREND Keeping tech clean out of sight DESIGN PROFILE Man of wood Sebastian Cox

family dossier NEWS New products to keep the brood happy SHOPPING Extendable tables for a crowd INNOVATION Tech for an easy home life SHOPPING Media units for everyone’s gear LOOKBOOK Style inspo for family homes INTERVIEW Robert and Cortney Novogratz spill the secrets of achieving a chic family abode PLANNING The perfect communal living area

155 157 158 159 160 168 174

37 103

the lifestyle edit PLACE OF THE MONTH Cafe, bar, restaurant lounge and cinema – Cultureplex is a rare mash-up GOING OUT OUT Diaries to hand – our pick of the places to eat, shop and discover this month COOK A seafood pasta guaranteed to make waves DOWNTIME Essential sights, sounds and reads for the ultimate you-time SECRET BEACHES Get off the radar and on to the lounger with our pick of coastal hideaways GLOBETROTTER L’Objet founder Elad Yifrach uncovers the hidden delights of Tel Aviv MY HAPPY PLACE Our news and features editor Thea Babington-Stitt goes native in County Down

and the rest… READER EVENT Your chance to step inside incredible homes with the Livingetc House Tours READER OFFER Get 15% off at Heal’s

Panthella Portable Design by Verner Panton

Design to Shape Light louispoulsen.com

smart A trip on the Eurostar earlier this year for Paris Déco Off, the annual fabric and wallpaper show, reminded me how much I love the French capital. Paris does for my spirits what I think good design ought to always do – lift them, fill them with optimism and an appreciation for the world around us. There is a smartness to the city that makes it feel like anything is possible, where ornate architecture, cobbled streets and glamour all come together in one perfect package. I feel lighter in Paris, like I could fall in love before lunchtime. Or at least find a very good croque monsieur. It’s for that reason that two of the homes in our portfolio sit in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower – whereas we normally try and find places from different locations. I was overcome with the elegance of both when shown them by houses editor Mar y Weaver, and we couldn’t possibly choose between them. Milan has almost the same effect on me – it’s less romantic somehow but the annual trip the interiors industry makes for Salone del Mobile renews my sense of wonder at what design can make possible. Shown in palazzos and galleries, in warehouses and

hangars, against a backdrop of wisteria draped beguilingly across piazzas – it’s here the new trends emerge, that innovations in technology and use of material get displayed for the first time. The fair has been pushed back to June due to the health warnings from the Italian government, but it is no less influential. We’ve had a sneak peek at some of the big launches and preview on page 19 those that will help form the conversation and aesthetic of the coming year. Not in a Europea n metropolis but just as inspiring is interior designer Athena Calderone’s Brooklyn townhouse, on our cover and on page 44. Regular readers might remember that we featured her beach house in April 2013, and New York apartment in March 2014, and the careful c u r at ion i n her ow n s pac e s e em s not ju s t considered but smart, in both senses of the word – ut terly chic a nd clever, too. It ’s her a r tf ul placement, her mix of styles and finishes and her array of heights that is so difficult to pull off, but so brilliant when got right. Her pairing of Venetian plaster finishes with Farrow & Ball’s Wevet feels like a masterclass in choosing just the right tone.

Pip McCormac Acting Editorial Director

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This issue of Livingetc is published on 2 April 2020 by TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP and distributed by MarketForce (UK) Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU (020 3787 9101). The contents of the magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted without permission. All prices are approximate © TI Media Limited, 2020. Printed and bound by Walstead Bicester. Repro by Rhapsody Media, 109-123 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4LD. Cover printed by Walstead Peterborough. Livingetc is sold subject to these conditions: that it shall not, without the written consent of the publishers first given, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended selling price on the cover, and that it shall not be lent, re-sold, hired out or disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or annexed to or as part of any publication or advertising literary of pictorial matter whatsoever. Send subscription orders and correspondence to: TI Media Limited, Oakfield House, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH. Publisher’s subscription rates for 12 issues (prices include postage): UK £60.40; Europe €171.70; USA $196.70; and rest of world £188.80. All subscription enquiries and orders: phone 0330 333 1113 or email help@magazinesdirect.com. Credit card hotline: 0330 333 1113. Send orders and correspondence to: TI Media Limited, PO Box 272, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3FS. Cheques payable to: TI Media Limited. All prices correct at time of going to press. Paint matching: printing processes may change colour reproduction, so it is advisable to use tester pots first. Building quotes: while we try to cost building work, prices vary widely. Never rely on one quote. EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at complaints@ti-media.com or write to Complaints Manager, TI Media Limited Legal Department, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.

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JULIAN CHICHESTER

JULIANCHICHESTER.COM LONDON

| NEW YORK | ATLANTA

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everyone’s talking about... P L AY F U L SCANDI

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON PHOTOGRAPHS (BUNKING UP) ADRIAN GAUT; (PLAYFUL SCANDI) BILLY BOLTON

The new school of Nordic decorator is proving that Scandi interiors aren’t all whitewashed walls and pale woods. All hail Pernille Lind, the brains behind Couverture & The Garbstore’s tile-tastic shop (pictured), a n d , of co urse , B eata Heuman’s gorgeously eclectic shoppa.beataheuman.com.

BUNKING UP ‘Friendcations’ are on the rise as we crave quality time with geographically scattered mates. And how better to catch up than by sleeping en masse? Stacked arrangements at New York’s Sister City hotel (pictured), Italian alpine resort Albergo Miramonti and The Siren Hotel in Detroit are both pretty and practical.

TA S T E S G O DA R K

Make a beeline for Mediterranean grocer Belazu this month and add its all-new black tahini to your basket without passing go. Extra dark and made with black sesame seeds for double the drama, it’s the left-field condiment getting the foodie crowd going.

REFILL LUXE

The sustainable packaging movement ramps up a gear as US initiative Loop launches in the UK. It delivers goods from brands like Häagen-Dazs, REN Clean Skincare and Pantene, all in fully reusable containers, collecting them when you’re done. Waste-free and easy.

POOLSIDE STYLE Call it the David Hockney effect (catch his work at the National Portrait Gallery until 28 June), but Californiafeel poolside motifs are going mainstream. Behold Zinc Textile’s outdoor Splash fabric – with its dappled water print – and slip into Manolo Blahnik’s striped Hosli slingbacks (pictured) come sundown.

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ligne-roset.com

Ploum Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Made in France

news I N T E R N AT I O N A L D E S I G N

doing it all I nt eg r ate d l i v i ng i s t he MO at It a l i a n f i r m S c a v ol i n i, w ho s e ne w Ever yd a y L iv i ng c ol le c t ion r eje c t s t he f r a g mente d home i n f a v ou r of one t h at’s s e a m le s s , s o c i a ble a nd h a s cho o s e - howy ou - u s e cu stom i s ation . Ta k e it s F lu id a w a l l s y stem – a pie c e t h at c a n st a r t i n y ou r k it chen , ex t end i nt o t he l i v i ng r o om a nd i nc or p or ate a p op -up of f ic e. It wor k s w it h S c a v ol i n i’s D eL i ne a k it chen a nd i s de sig ne d b y Vue s s e.

T R E AT YO U R S E L F

collector’s item Brought to us from Strawberry Hills in New South Wales, Australia, Dinosaur Designs is an insider’s favourite for handcrafted tabletop treasures and jewellery, and its aptly named Joie De Vivre collection combines marbled resin and sculptural silhouettes to must-have, cult-following effect. From £78 for a Rock large marbled-resin cup (matchesfashion.com)

Fluida wall system, from £5,000 (scavolini.com)

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

THE INVESTMENT PIECE

and rela x Upholstered in a gorgeous olive-tone leather, Poliform’s Gentleman Relax ottoman by Marcel Wanders is the type of piece that just adds co ol , grown - up (a n d timeless) style to a room. £1,741.32 (poliform.it)

T H E B I G B I R T H D AY

old and new Design house Darkroom knows that a milestone birthday deserves colourful celebrations. And so, for its tenth year, the company has launched a series of punchy wood prints each stamped with symbols inspired by the ancient pagan Runic alphabet. Note, too, how the hand-stained bevelled frames are colour-matched for a seamless effect. Runes print, from £200 (darkroomlondon.com)

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the edited choice Caipirinha glass jug in Blue, £82, A New Tribe

Ludlow Green jug, £35, Daylesford

Tequila Sunrise jug, £79, Mist-o for Ichendorf Milano at The Conran Shop

Bloom glass pitcher, £15, Bitossi Home at Amara

Small Nougat jug, £85, Shakspeare Glass

Cybele water jug, £47, Nude Glass jug, £39, Jochen Holz for Hay at Amara

glass pitchers Pour your tipple of choice from one of these clear favourites – cheers!

livingetc.com

FEATURE JO BAILEY AND MAUDIE MANTON

Go.To Periwinkle water pitcher, £160, Roberto Beltrami at Artemest

A Filo large carafe, £280, Yali Glass at Matches Fashion

BOTANY THE NEW WALLPAPER COLLECTION - AVAILABLE NOW Featuring Colours From The New Paint Collection - MONOCHROME WALLPAPER SAMPLES | FREE COLOUR CARDS | PAINT TO ORDER

Nationwide Stockists | paintandpaperlibrary.com | +44 (0) 161 230 0882 | info@paintandpaperlibrary.com

magnificent milan The Salone del Mobile in Milan may have been postponed until June, but we have still managed to get a preview of some of the biggest launches

DEDON

hang tough Dedon’s new collection includes Kida, a classic hanging chair reimagined by innovative New York designer Stephen Burks. German manufacturer Dedon is known worldwide for its strong design credentials, creating products used by the finest hotels and private homes. Kida’s fibre-wrapped aluminium frame is available in three colourways. (dedon.de)

TOM DIXON

FEATURE KATE BURNETT

in his element Element a r y is the theme for Tom Di xon’s 2020 launches, ref le cting his back-to -ba sics ex per iment a l approach to desig n. Tom c a n’t resist tr y ing out multiple per mut ations, t a k ing ba sic units a nd layer ing them into pie c es that a re sculpt ur a l a s well a s f unctiona l. A go od ex a mple is the new Melt cha ndelier show n here. (tomdi xon.net)

MAHARAM

check mates American textiles company Maharam has new products with long-time collaborator Paul Smith, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary this year. A modern take on plaid, upholstery fabric Wool Check is also available as a throw. (maharam.com)

BOFFI

chop ’n’ change This year Piero Lissoni, one of the greats among contemporary Italian designers, will be developing his Combine concept for kitchen manufacturer Boffi. Using individually designed ‘monobloc’ pieces that connect to create modular schemes, the innovative finishes were created with specialists such as Salvatori for stone and De Castelli for metal. (boffi.com)

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Metropolitan Collection 4043 / Primordia

Effortless luxury for modern living Caesarstone surfaces are a beautiful combination of form and function, matching high strength, stain resistant engineered quartz with the refined shades and subtle details of natural stone or hand cast concrete. Designed and manufactured by the original quartz brand applying 30 years of expertise.

www.caesarstone.co.uk 0800 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 158 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8088 info@caesarstone.co.uk

the catwalk look

Nina buttoned 3-seater sofa in Orange Alba, £1,800, Habitat

Unfold pendant light in Orange, £159, Muuto at Nest

Retro webbing cabinet in Orange, £1,495, HK Living at Folk Interiors

Tie-dye denim oozes 1970s cool at Alberta Ferretti Aalto stool 60 Publics in Orange, £314, Artek at Finnish Design Shop

Nehera nails slouchy summer dressing in sunset tones

Koom vase in Orange, £99, Poterie des Guimards at Aram Store

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

orange delight Clements table lamp, with 40cm shade in Orange Shibori, £246, Pooky Reversivel armchair in Orange, £2,490, Tacchini at Monologue

Get your daily dose of vitamin C with this sunny hue – its red undertones are sure to turn up the heat

livingetc.com

news Odino Ovale mirror, from £2,900, Porada at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour (porada.it)

JUST LAUNCHED

light touch One look at the W203 Ilumina table lamp – hot off the press from the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair – and you’ll notice you can’t see the light source; such is the wizardry of Swedish brand Wästberg, which has teamed up with designer Ilse Crawford on this innovative piece. The state-of-the-art dimmable COB LED light is tucked up inside the stem, bouncing the light down on the surrounding surface. From £505, Ilse Crawford for Wästberg (wastberg.com)

THE FUTURE CLASSIC

in the frame ‘G o big or go home’ seems to be the think ing from Molteni & Baron, the design team behind the justunder-t wo -metres-high Odino O vale mirror from Porada. Yet it’s not all about size; just look at the way the oval mirror seems to hover in the rectang ular frame. We’d expect nothing less from Porada.

THE POWER COUPLE

soho nice Take Soho Home’s classic furniture and textile shapes, cover them in jacquards from Pierre Frey’s Le Manach line, and you get a collection stamped with the best of both brands. The launch marks the Soho House Group’s 25th year – let’s hope all its birthdays look this good. Boma cushion (background); Congo cushion, £145 each (sohohome.com)

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good intentions If you’re in need of an excuse for another trip to Anthropologie, we’ve got one: new pieces by sustainable homeware brand Hadeda are fresh in, each sourced from local artisans and co-ops in Africa. The cane coffee tables and chaise longues are good, the abstractprint tableware’s even better. Rwandan plate large, £70 (anthropologie.com)

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

THE WEEKEND BUY

est. 1990

news

THE QUICK CLICK

foreign exchange TH E CORE PIECE

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON PHOTOGRAPHS (PIPE DREAM) CHARLOTTE BLAND

glass act ‘Tidy home, happy family’, so our new saying goes, and Italian f irm Novamobili k nows how to approach the mundane matter of storage with panache. Fitted as a recessed wardrobe or set against a wall, its Perr y system features hinged and handleless doors in toughened glass, inner glass shelves and the option to include LED lighting – handy for planning your outf it without even getting out of bed. From £1, 320 for a t wo -door wardrobe (gomodern.co.uk)

GOING GREEN

pipe dream Brands are getting increasingly creative in their eco efforts. Take British Standard, which is partnering with upcycling duo Elvis & Kresse. This husband and wife team has been rescuing fire hoses from landfill since 2005, and now uses them to create door handles and drawer pulls. Loop handle, from £37 (british standardcupboards.co.uk)

We’ve come to rely on online emporium Design Vintage to ship the newest and nicest goods from Scandi brands, including Bloomingville, House Doctor and Tine K Home, over to our shores, and this light from Madam Stoltz has ‘simple spring update’ written all over it. The much-loved store has just opened its biggest permanent space to date in Guildford. Bamboo ceiling lamp, £120 (designvintage.co.uk)

THE BOLD TOUCH

wow walls A wallcovering is definitely much more than just a wallcovering at Fromental. Its recent Rockface Lumiere collection has been created by skilfully layering torn pieces of cartonnage paper to make collages – each referencing the rugged mountainscapes of California – before being hand-finished with sleek metallic lines. Rockface R 0 3 3 H / P, £ 5 9 2 s q m (fromental.co.uk)

livingetc.com

the edited choice Rattan double bed in Black, £599, John Lewis & Partners

Walnut spindle king-size bed, £2,069, Ethnicraft at Adventures in Furniture

Liana ash and rattan double bed, £749, Sebastian Cox x Made

Christo king-size bed in European oak and white oil finish, from £6,850, Pinch

Juno king-size bed, £1,050, Perch & Parrow Dawn bed 1 in walnut, from £4,260, Space Copenhagen for Stellar Works at Do Shop

Ziggy super king-size fourposter bed, from £5,610, Carlo Ballabio for Porada

wooden beds Pared-back (read chic) timber designs are the way to go for bedrooms to rest easy in

livingetc.com

FEATURE JESSE HARRIS

Mid-century double bed in Pebble, from £799, West Elm

A different perspective Some furniture is made for the here and now. Some is built to stand the test of time. At Neptune, we believe it can do both â&#x20AC;&#x201C; look good, and wear well. Because good design never gets old.

collect 2020 The very best of craft takes centre stage at the Crafts Council’s annual Collect event. We share four key pieces set to shape home trends in the future MINT

rock on

hot seat A multitalented medley of makers from north of the border were showcased by Craft Scotland. We love Angus Ross’ sculptural wood furniture, which is sawn, c ar ve d , steame d and polished in his Perthshire workshops. The aptly named Resilience bench in Scottish oak and ash is destined for a lifetime of lovely lounging. £6,600 (angusross.co.uk; craftscotland.org)

VEZZINI & CHEN

f lower power Vezzini & Chen’s ethereal Lotus lights are an otherworldly fusion of translucent hand-carved porcelain and free-blown engraved glass. Designed for either wall or table, each piece comes in two sizes (39cm or 30cm wide) and is made in London by the Italian-Taiwanese duo Cristina Vezzini and Stan Chen, who showed in the Ting-Ying gallery space. From £4,200 (vezziniandchen.com; ting-ying.com)

livingetc.com

INTOART

art for all Pe ck ha m’s c o ol credentia ls have made it a L ondon hotspot, pa r tly tha n k s to creative, communit y-ba sed initiatives such a s Intoa r t, wh ich Li v i n ge tc feat ured la st issue a nd wh ich work s exclusively w ith pe ople w ith lea r ning dif f iculties. T his scre en-pr inted linen fabr ic is pa r t of the Eye Eye c olle ction, a unique c ollab or ation b et we en v isua l a r tist Maw uena K att a h a nd tex tile desig ner L aur a Slater. Eye, 150 x l28 0 cm, £1,0 0 0 (intoa r t.org.uk)

FEATURE KATE BURNETT PHOTOGRAPHS (VEZZINI & CHEN) RUTH WARD; (CRAFT SCOTLAND) JAMES MILLAR; (INTOART) JOSEF KONCZAK

CRAFT SCOTLAND

London’s Mint gallery exhibited the Source Collection of limitededition pieces by US-based designers A Space. Each piece is carved from a single stone of red or black volcanic tuff and is inspired by ancient Armenian churches and architecture found in Yerevan, dating back to 782BC. Side table no.4, £9,000 (mintshop.co.uk)

Scene Wallcoverings villanova.co.uk

inclusivityetc

craft with a positive impact

FEATURE KATE BURNETT PHOTOGRAPHS (PORTRAIT AND TEXTILES) ANNA BATCHELOR; (WOOD AND POTTERY PRODUCTS) KRISTIN PERERS; (PARKWOOD CENTRE) EMMA COLLINS STYLING (PORTRAIT AND TEXTILES) TAMINEH DHONDY

Aerende’s curated range of beautiful products brings together the work of small social enterprises in the UK, thanks to Emily Mathieson’s dedication and vision What is Aerende? Aerende is an online business that sells products made by groups of people facing social challenges from around the UK – makers who struggle to access or maintain conventional employment. I run it from my home in Hertfordshire. As well as finding the makers, I guide and coordinate their work and make sure everyone is fairly rewarded thanks to the not-for-profit structure. How did it start? While working as a journalist, I dreamed of opening an interiors shop, but there had to be a reason for it. I wanted it to be sustainable, but that wasn’t enough. My light-bulb moment came at a craft fair in my local park where I spotted some beautifully made baskets on a stall run by a social enterprise. I bought two – the only ones they’d sold all day – and realised that with my skills and contacts I could make a big difference to marginalised makers. So I came up with a model for socially valuable shopping that doesn’t compromise on quality or style. That was in 2016; by 2018, I was able to give it most of my attention, helped by crowdfunding, which allowed us to grow. What does Aerende sell? Among our many products are candles from makers in Powys, and pottery from groups in Gloucestershire, Studio 306 in north London and Derbyshire. Our growing range of textile products includes some from a prison in Surrey. Wood and paper items are sourced from groups in Scotland, Yorkshire, Devon and Somerset, and soaps are made in the Lake District and Hertfordshire. How does it work? The word ‘aerende’ means care in old English, and care for the wider community is the thread that weaves through the business. I focus on offering a good mix of products, carefully selecting the makers and ensuring their talents are maximised, and I also work as a co-designer. Everything is exclusive to us. It is vital that everyone is paid, whether financially or through other benefits. How does it affect the makers’ lives? It has a huge impact. For example, one of our makers was housebound and lacked confidence, but after six months he’s perfected his technique and is full of excitement for the future. He’s talking about leaving the house and doing a video for us on how he feels about making for Aerende. I want the customer to feel all that, too – the love and care that goes into every product. What’s next? I want to extend the impact of what Aerende can achieve. I’m also interested in ‘social prescribing’ – harnessing the healing power of craft. I’ve been thinking about how we might develop that longer term, once we have our own premises, through therapists, workshop leaders – recognising that for some people, you can prescribe something social that is also effective alongside medication.

FROM TOP Aerende’s range of handcrafted products includes wood, pottery, soap and textiles; a selection of pottery is made by adults with learning disabilities at Parkwood Centre in Derbyshire

For more information, visit aerende.co.uk

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Design that lasts a lifetime

life.style.etc Chef and author Zoe Adjonyoh on the trials of being a trailblazer, how she couldn’t part with her Thermomix and taking African cuisine to the next level

FEATURE RACHEL LEEDHAM PHOTOGRAPH ZOE’S GHANA KITCHEN LTD

oe Adjonyoh’s culinary journey began when she decided to sell peanut butter stew out of her home at the Hackney Wicked Arts Festival in 2010. Spurred on by positive feedback, Zoe, of dual Ghanaian and Irish heritage, went on to launch sell-out supper clubs, a catering business, a long-term pop-up restaurant and her debut cookbook, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen. Her latest project, Sankofa, is a new supper club and private dining concept that continues her exploration of African gastronomy. She lives in Hackney with her wife Sara. Sum up your business in five words… Pioneering new African cuisine – sorry, I know that’s only four! What was your light-bulb moment? It was probably when Time Out ran a piece on my Ghana Kitchen supper club. It made me seriously consider this as a business. What got you into cooking? I think it was about finding my identity. My mother is Irish and my father is Ghanaian and while I spent a lot of time in Ireland, Ghana felt more removed. Cooking the food was a way to form a connection with my African heritage. W h a t i s yo u r s i g n a t u r e d i s h? Groundnut stew – the dish that launched my business. It’s full of nostalgia, the sort of heart-warming food that cuddles you. What is your biggest extravagance? I’m not an extravagant person, but I’d say that recently taking three months off to be with my wife, Sara, in New York for a creative clearing of my mind was a true luxury. What’s been your pinch-me moment so far? In 2017, I was invited to cook at the Culinary Institute of America in California by Anne McBride. I was surrounded by top chefs from around the world and I met

Kwame Onwuachi, Shola Olunloyo and Selassie Atadika, the first people cooking West African food in a way that inspired me. What is your biggest challenge as a chef of West African cuisine? Not hav i ng a nyone to bench ma rk myself against. Being a gay woman of colour with no culinary training is both a blessing – as I’m the first of my kind – and a curse, as there was no business model I could use as a template. What ’s your favourite piece of kitchen equipment? My Thermomix. It’s one tool that can do so many different things – a kitchen assistant without the costs.

Recommend one cookbook Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry. The first chef I’d seen relate music to a cookbook – a big influence on me. What’s your favourite restaurant and why? Usually the last place I had a good meal! I love Bottega Caruso in Margate for its authentic Italian food and family vibe. Share your best business tip… Find a mentor if you can! But if you don’t, find someone whose work you admire, map out their career and model it for yourself, applying your own personality and persona. X

zoesghanakitchen.co.uk

My signature dish is groundnut stew – the dish that launched my business. It’s the sort of heart-warming food that cuddles you livingetc.com

EVENTS

house tours is back

PHOTOGRAPH PAUL MASSEY

This June we are in Primrose Hill & Belsize Park and, for the first time, Brighton & Hove

I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H

EVENTS

your chance to step inside six beautiful homes H O U S E T O U R S I S H I T T I N G P R I M R O S E H I L L & B E L S I Z E PA R K O N 4 A N D 5 J U N E – B O O K YO U R T I C K E T S N OW

e a re delig hted to bring you the eighth yea r of L iv i nget c House Tours – the exclusive event that offers our readers the opportunity to step into the pages of Livingetc and experience some of the homes featured in the magazine for yourself. Our selection of six specially chosen homes features a variety of modern styles, and you’ll be free to wander around and admire them in all their individual glory, while also meeting the inspiring design talent behind their interiors. Due to demand for tickets, this year’s House Tours event will be taking place on two days – Thursday 4 and Friday 5 June 2020. A ticket on either day will grant you exclusive access to six stunning homes located in the stylish Primrose Hill & Belsize Park area of north London. Once inside the homes, you’ll be able to explore them at your leisure, picking up plenty of design inspiration. Livingetc House Tours is tailored specifically to keep travel between the properties as simple as possible, and most of the houses are within easy walking distance of each other. Prior to the event, you’ll receive information on transport to and from the area and an overview of the day’s tours. On arrival, you’ll be given details of each property as well as tips to help you recreate their more notable features in your own home. Tickets for Livingetc House Tours are strictly limited and in high demand, so book your place now for an inspiring and fascinating day in Primrose Hill & Belsize Park. A unique take on retro chic ) < ' 0 9 7 - : ) ' % 6 4 ) 8 7 % 2 ( 6 9 + 7

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*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. TICKETS ARE LIMITED AND NON-REFUNDABLE. APOLOGIES, BUT THERE IS NO WHEELCHAIR ACCESS. TRANSPORT WILL NOT BE PROVIDED. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE 18 OR OVER. NO CHILDREN OR PETS ALLOWED

Decorating with calming tones

PHOTOGRAPHS (PINK ROOM) DARREN CHUNG; (DINING AREA AND BEDROOM) PAUL MASSEY

Striking ways with open plan

ESSENTIAL INFO Livingetc House Tours Primrose Hill & Belsize Park take place on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 June 2020, from 10am–4pm.

now. Standard tickets cost £50.* This includes access to six homes and the House Tours hub, where you’ll meet the Livingetc team.

TICKETS

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE £45.40

Early bird tickets cost £39 each and are available for a limited time only, so book

Subscription tickets cost £65 and include a 12-month Livingetc subscription for only £15 (usual price, £60.40).

BOOK AT LIVINGETC.COM/PRIMROSEHILL

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EVENTS

come along to house tours in Brighton & Hove D O N ’ T M I S S YO U R C H A N C E T O S T E P I N S I D E S I X S P E C TAC U L A R LIVINGETC HOMES ON 25 OR 26 J UNE

or the first time, by popular demand, L iv i ngetc Hou se Tou r s is h it t i ng Brighton & Hove. To celebrate the eighth year of this special event, we’re delighted to be heading to this stylish seaside setting, where you will have the exclusive opportunity to step inside the pages of Livingetc and experience some of the homes featured in the magazine for yourself. Our selection of specially chosen homes features a variety of modern styles, and you’ll be free to admire them in all their individual glory, while also meeting the inspiring design talent behind their interiors. Due to demand for tickets, this Livingetc House Tours event will be taking place on two days – Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June 2020. A ticket on either day will grant you exclusive access to six beautiful homes located in the Brighton & Hove area. Once inside the homes, you’ll be able to explore them at your leisure, picking up plenty of inspiration and design and decorating tips while you wander from room to room. Livingetc House Tours is tailored specifically to keep travel between the properties as simple as possible, and most of the houses on this tour are within easy walking distance of each other. Prior to the event, you’ll receive information including a transport guide to and from the area and an overview of the day’s tours. On arrival, you’ll be given details of each property as well as tips to help you recreate their more notable features in your own home. Tickets for Livingetc House Tours are strictly limited and in high demand, so book your place now for an inspiring and fascinating day in Brighton & Hove. Vintage items in an updated mews

livingetc.com

Ideas for cool mid-century style

PHOTOGRAPHS (BEDROOM) RACHEL WHITING; (DARK SITTING ROOM) OLIVER HEATH; (KITCHEN) DEVOL

Combining colour and texture

ESSENTIAL INFO Livingetc House Tours Brighton & Hove take place on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June 2020, from 10am–4pm.

now. Standard tickets cost £50.* This includes access to six homes and the House Tours hub, where you’ll meet the Livingetc team.

TICKETS

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE £45.40

Early bird tickets cost £39 each and are available for a limited time only, so book

Subscription tickets cost £65 and include a 12-month Livingetc subscription for only £15 (usual price, £60.40).

BOOK AT LIVINGETC.COM/BRIGHTON

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SOFAS . BEDS . CHAIRS www.love-your-home.co.uk

loveyourhomeuk

FEATURE MARY WEAVER PHOTOGRAPH DIDIER DELMAS

Groundpiece bed, Feel Good ottoman and Fly side tables (either side of bed), all Antonio Citterio for Flexform. Jiff side table (far right), Flexform. Laguna lamp (on Jiff side table), Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez for Artemide

fabulous spaces E AC H M O N T H W E C H O O S E O N E R O O M TO G E T YO U I N T H E H O U S E S M O O D

This beautiful bedroom, designed around iconic pieces by Flexform, ticks all the boxes for luxe lounging. With its period fireplace, garden view and soothing pastel shades, it oozes elegance. And that bed is definitely one to dive into. A space, in fact, that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no real reason to leave... livingetc.com

ENTRANCE An original arched doorway is outlined in crisp black for extra definition, with the vintage wooden furniture adding warmth. Artwork by Sam Messenger. Flooring, reSAWN Timber Co

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the attraction of opposites Interior designer Athena Calderoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brooklyn home is a triumph of cool contrasts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a place where curves meet sharp angles, dark balances light and solidity finds its sense of flow PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Williams X

STYLING Colin Samuel King/Edge Reps WORDS Jo Leevers

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LIVING ROOM The bulbous sofa is contrasted with an angular coffee table; the floridity of an antique mirror with the simplicity of a contemporary chandelier. Vintage armchairs, Theo Ruth. Portal coffee table, Apparatus. Flora Ottilia chandelier by Atelier DĂŠmiurge. Rug, Soufiane Zarib. Sofa, vintage Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Stools, vintage Charlotte Perriand at Dobrinka Salzman Gallery

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houses

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KITCHE N Athena decided against a pendant over the island. Instead, she fills a vintage vase with seasonal branches to create a focal point. Steel-framed doors open onto the terrace. Kitchen, bespoke by Hetman; painted in Railings by Farrow & Ball. Taps, Waterworks. Range cooker, Fisher & Paykel. Rolled seat stools, Thomas Hayes Studio

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houses

(Wevet by Farrow & Ball). But for Dotted throughout Athena Athena, such architectural features Calderone’s Brooklyn townhouse are are less a centrepiece and more a a myriad of sculptural shapes, from sta r ting point for her ow n classical busts and organic carvings arrangements. ‘When I think about to pieces of furniture that radiate a composition, I always try to break similar sense of balance. But for symmetry,’ she says. Yes, seating is Athena, the interplay of forms is more drawn together loosely around the than ornamental. It ref lects her TH E OWN E RS fireplace, but the more powerful approach to designing her family Interior designer and writer Athena dynamic comes from the way in which home. ‘Form and scale are everything Calderone, her husband Victor Calderone, furniture shapes interact – the curves – I am always thinking about how a music producer and DJ, their son Jivan, of t he B el l i n i s of a s et a ga i n s t items play against each other and 17, and rescue puppy Tuco. the sharp angles of the Apparatus create a kind of magic,’ she says. coffee table, for example. ‘When you Athena relishes a challenge: she THE PROPERTY juxtapose something feminine, soft is the woman behind the lifestyle site A 1900s brownstone in Cobble Hill, and curvaceous against something eye-swoon.com, a stylist, a cook and Brooklyn. The upper ground floor has an more masculine, hard-lined and bold, a w riter ( her latest book is Live open-plan living room with dining area, you create a certain voltage. Put Beautiful) and the opportunity to push the kitchen and a work nook, plus a WC. together, the opposition ends in herself as an interior designer came The first floor has the master suite and harmony,’ she says. in the shape of this brow nstone Victor’s recording studio. The top floor has Jivan’s bedroom and bathroom, At hena’s nea r-monoch rome townhouse. ‘I was itching to work on a family room, Athena’s office, a palette also helps bring out the quiet a home that scared me a bit, where I guest bedroom and a laundry. drama of her interiors. ‘The contrast of had the scope to juxtapose traditional whites and creams against harsher a r c h i t e c t u r e w i t h m y k i n d of blacks always engages the eye,’ she says. ‘If there’s too much modernity,’ she explains. colour or pattern, your eye doesn’t know where to land.’ She moved here from a contemporary condo in New York When Athena and Victor left their previous home, they sold (Livingetc visited in March 2014) with her husband Victor all their furniture: ‘Yes, everything – I wanted to start afresh,’ Calderone, a music producer and DJ, and their son Jivan, 17. she laughs. But her version of starting anew involved the best of Athena was drawn to the house’s combination of ‘grandeur vintage and antique furniture. ‘I was like an animal on the hunt and grit’ and she couldn’t wait to meld together her favourite for the right pieces – voracious, calculating and precise,’ she jokes. architectural influences – plus a good dose of Brooklyn attitude. This is a serene, balanced home, but the ultimate test of how But first, to manage the architectural side of the house’s practical it is recently arrived in the shape of Tuco the rescue renovation, Athena called upon Elizabeth Roberts Architects puppy. So far, he has a healthy respect for his surroundings. – dubbed ‘the townhouse queen’ by New Yorkers in the know. ‘Much as I love him, if Tuco started gnawing on the Adnet Athena wanted to open up the entire upper ground floor, also sideboard, it would not be OK,’ Athena says with a smile. removing the wall between the staircase and the living room. Now, the house’s architectural elements – fireplaces, the X staircase, window frames and an arched doorway – stand out Athena is the creator of lifestyle site eye-swoon.com. Her in crisp, uncompromising black against walls in palest grey latest book, Live Beautiful (Abrams), is out now

home profile

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WO R K N O O K A built-in soapstone desk sits neatly in one corner of the kitchen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and has a classic Brooklyn view to boot. Chair, vintage Jean ProuvĂŠ. Upholstered stool, Green River Project LLC

S TA I R C A S E The hallway wall was removed to maximise the feeling of space. A bonus is that it makes a feature of the original staircase. The chair and table are vintage finds.

OFFICE Athena is drawn to furniture forms that feel rooted and sturdy. ‘I look at how something connects to the floor and how chunkier pieces can ground a grouping,’ she says. Table, vintage Angelo Mangiarotti. Chair, Perspective Studio

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MASTER BEDROOM Markets and auctions were Athenaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first port of call to find pieces that struck a chord. She loves the voltage thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s created when you juxtapose curves with hard lines. Chandelier, vintage Angelo Lelli. Bed and curtains, all Restoration Hardware. Wrought-iron bench, vintage 1950s French. Artwork by Struan Teague

houses MASTER EN SUITE Sculptural outlines are set against hand-finished Venetian plaster walls. Walls, Kamp Studios. Similar bath, York at Victoria + Albert

PLANS

home truths DESIGN OBJECT ON YO U R W I S H L I S T ?

G O -T O S U P P E R AT T H E E N D O F A B U S Y D AY ?

KITCHEN

A Rogan Gregory light sculpture.

MASTER SUITE

I will always make a whole roasted chicken with a ton of veggies.

L I P S T I C K YO U S W E A R B Y ? Dragon Girl by NARS.

LIVING/ DINING ROOM

O U T F I T F O R WA L K I N G THE DOG?

DRESSING ROOM

B AT H R O O M

Jeans and a tee.

AND FOR A NIGHT OUT ? A silky slip dress.

W H AT ’ S O N YO U R P L AY L I S T AT H O M E ? Cigarettes After Sex’s Radio on Spotify.

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UPPER GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

0333 011 3333

S T Y L E TA K E AWAY S

Heartley chair, £299, Urban Outfitters

Jesmonite trinket dish, £95, Malgorzata Bany at The New Craftsmen

Agrippina bust statue, £59, Olive & Sage

Kremer wall lamp, £195, Soho Home

Gleaming Primrose mirror, £348, Anthropologie

Terrakotta table lamp, £85, Bloomingville at Royal Design

Rustic antique miniature elm stool, £38, Home Barn

Linen-backed houndstooth cushion, £68, Once Milano at Matchesfashion

Saparella settee, £3,175, Ligne Roset

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FEATURE MARINA COMBAL

Athena’s brownstone revels in the drama of contrasts

Handmade , especially for you

YOU R SHA PE | YOU R SIZE | YOU R ST Y L E

Marc and RĂŠmy have taken Parisian chic to another level in their stunning apartment

PHOTOGRAPHY Frenchie Cristogatin

STYLING Christine Hebras

WORDS Susan Springate

LIVING AREA Modern art and statement design (look at that wallpaper in the hall, left) create a standout look throughout the apartment.

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Utrecht armchairs, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Cassina. Parquet flooring, Oscar Ono

home profile THE OWNERS Designer Marc Étienne, founder of design and communications agency Nude, and his partner, Rémy Coussèdière, who works for Air France.

THE PROPERTY The second-floor apartment is comprised of a fairly open-plan entrance hall/dining area, library, living space and kitchen, all leading into one another. There is a utility room behind the kitchen and a door in the dining area leads to the couple’s bedroom and bathroom.

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LIVING AREA Clever design is found everywhere. It was Marc’s idea to put up a partition in here to create space for a library behind it. Lowland sofa, Patricia Urquiola at Moroso. The Knoll Saarinen side table is available at Heal’s. Packard Motors photograph (on main wall) by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre, Polka Galerie

‘The first thing we did was demolish everything,’ says Marc. ‘We removed partition walls to create one main living area while still respecting the integrity of the Haussmannera property, which is so typical of Parisian architecture. There are no proper walls, just a few cleverly designed partitions and pieces of furniture dividing different spaces.’ The main ‘rooms’ – the living area, dining space, library and kitchen – lead f luidly on from one another and a row of floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the living space floods the property with light and overlooks a leafy boulevard. A former dental surgery, the apartment was in poor condition when the couple first saw it. ‘All the mouldings and fireplaces had been removed,’ says Marc. ‘We knew we’d have to start from scratch. Even the floors were on different levels. But that was what we liked about it. We relished the challenge.’ A year later, the chic and airy interior is testament to Marc and Rémy’s exquisite taste. ‘We wanted a warm, welcoming home, where we could display our contemporary photographs without it feeling like an art gallery,’ says Marc. ‘A place where we could gather together friends and family.’ While the photography is primarily black and white and the walls white, grey and brown, the couple have introduced flashes of colour in their choice of soft furnishings, rugs and art – as well as a peacock-blue wall in the dining space and curtains of a similar hue in the bedroom. ‘The vibrancy of the blue brings a unity to the whole apartment,’ says Marc. Dotted around the flat are statement pieces, including a replica bust of Michelangelo’s David, which Marc found in an artist’s studio 15 years ago. He has customised it with an Yves Klein-inspired blue cross, ‘for a contemporary look,’ he says. Key to the apartment is the kitchen. ‘I love cooking and entertaining,’ says Marc. ‘We needed a large room that was functional, but I didn’t want it necessarily to look like a kitchen – but like a room in its own right, where we could also display our art.’ The utility room next door houses their appliances and crockery. ‘I have everything on hand but out of view so it doesn’t make the kitchen cluttered and ugly,’ says Marc. While Marc was the project manager of the renovation, he stresses that the decor has been a joint effort. ‘I may have taken the lead in planning the layout, but Rémy has a gift for colour,’ Marc points out. ‘We are both passionate about interior design and have very similar tastes. It’s been that way since we met nearly 30 years ago.’ X

Find out about Marc’s design and communications agency at nude.eu

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KITCHE N Marc made the chandelier himself from gathered plastic objects. The central island base is made from Corian and is structured like a piece of origami. It has a Carrara marble top. Lem bar stools, Shin & Tomoko Azumi at Lapalma. Textile sculpture (at window), AngĂŠlique Lacaille at Galerie MĂŠlanie Rio Fluency

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‘The photograph in the library is one of our favourites – you can lose yourself in it’ X

LIB R ARY

‘We asked artist Daniel Arsham to make a one-off piece for this space and he created this Pixel Cloud sculpture,’ says Marc. ‘It’s always a talking point.’

‘I designed the wall unit and it was custom-made by a carpenter,’ says Marc. ‘We wanted to showcase our books and objets.’

Concorde table, Emmanuel Gallina at Poliform. Mid-century sideboard, Alf Aarseth. Humanity Man and Humanity Woman framed photographs, Lucie & Simon at Baudoin Lebon gallery

Photograph, Gérard Traquandi at Galerie Laurent Godin. Find the LC7 chair by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand for Cassina at The Conran Shop

PLAN BEDROOM KITCHEN ENTRANCE/ DINING S PAC E

D I N I N G S PAC E

LIVING AREA/ LIBR ARY

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home truths W H AT ’ S T H E B E S T T H I N G ABOUT SUMMER COMING? The days are longer.

W H AT D O YO U L I K E T O D O O N A S U M M E R ’ S D AY ? Have a picnic in a garden and eat an ice cream.

S H O P YO U R E C O M M E N D I N PA R I S ? Deyrolle – it’s a taxidermy shop.

W H AT A R E YO U M O S T WORRIE D ABOUT IN LIFE ? That I don’t have time to do everything!

M O S T U N D E R VA L U E D H U M A N C H A R AC T E R I S TI C ? Kindness.

M O S T FA S C I N AT I N G P E R S O N YO U H AV E N E V E R M E T ? Louis XIV.

B AT H R O O M ‘We personally chose the slabs of Carrara marble so that they would have the right grain and texture,’ says Marc. Corian bath, Cascade HiTech. For marble-effect surfaces go to Caesarstone

BEDROOM ‘When the curtains are closed, it creates a theatrical yet intimate atmosphere,’ says Marc. ‘We also like how the large photograph serves as a headboard.’ Abnormal Growth of Gluttony photograph, Rune Guneriussen at Galerie Mélanie Rio Fluency. Pendant light, Tom Dixon at Silvera

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S T Y L E TA K E AWAY S

Night Owl table lamp, £143, Nicholai Wiig Hansen for Fritz Hansen at Nest

Globe pendant chandelier in brass and smoked glass, £179, Made

Classic rug in Antique Blue, from £34.95, Benuta

Pjatteryd artwork, £30 for a set of two different images, Ikea

Bell coffee table, from £1,902, ClassiCon at Einrichten Design

Hygeia set of two bookends, £120, Sophia

Tress velvet chair in Azure Blue, £375, Oliver Bonas

Iringa handwoven basket, £50, Oggetto

Ceramic pill stool in Blue Bronze Gradient, £139, Pols Potten at Amara

livingetc.com

FEATURE MARINA COMBAL

Marc and Rémy’s abode is all about making a statement

ENTRANCE A striking mural sets the scene for the impressive interior to come, while the joineryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compartments allow for ample storage space. Jungle-inspired Udaipur mural by Ananbo

WINTER GARDEN This nook (above right) creates a green space in the urban heart of a bustling city. Brass side table, Lawson-Fenning. Zigzag floor tiles, Les Ateliers Zelij

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nouveau chic Colourful Californian style meets 18th-century heritage in designer Ashley Maddox’s beautifully curated Paris apartment PHOTOGRAPHY Birgitta Wolfgang Bjørnvad/The Sisters Agency X

STYLING Julia Mincarelli/The Sisters Agency WORDS Leanne Amodeo

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‘I admire India Mahdavi for how she plays with colour’ X

BEDROOM LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN/ D I N I N G S PAC E

PLAN BEDROOM

BEDROOM

livingetc.com

DINING AREA Circular designs, like the table here, echo the curved detailing of the apartmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restored period features. The table is by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto at Furniture-love.com. The chairs are by Marcel Breuer

LIVING ROOM Ashleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fresh blue, green and pink palette was inspired by an abstract Joan Mitchell oil painting. Toro sofa, chair and ottoman by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena. Green India Mahdavi rug is for Cogolin

KITCHE N Streamlined units enhance the sense of space in the narrow room. The blue joinery, designed by Ashley, was inspired by the store counters of Parisian candlemaker Cire Trudon. Moroccan Baguette tiles, Popham Design

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hen Ashley Maddox moved from the US to Paris in 2010 with her t wo young children, Eloise and Daphne, it was only for six months. ‘I kept on meaning to move back to California, but 10 years on we’re still here,’ says the property developer and interior designer. ‘I simply fell in love with the city’s bustling mode de vie. During that time, the Los Angeles native had a third child, Hugo, and more recently became the proud owner of an apartment in the oh-so chic neighbourhood of Saint Germain. ‘I went to see it and made an offer that very afternoon,’ Ashley says. ‘It’s rare for apartments of this quality in such a sought-after location to come onto the market.’ By all accounts the étage noble (first floor) abode was quite the find, positioned as it is in a 1740 building surrounded by the fabric houses and boutique galleries of Rue Jacob, with some of the original architraves and oak parquetry flooring still intact. Having previously restored a number of apartments in Paris, Ashley relished the opportunity to renovate her own, collaborating with GCG Architectes to complete the task. Designing the new interior, she envisioned a three-bedroom family home that ’s f un and contemporary yet retains as many period features as possible. ‘A lot of people today are renovating their homes in incredibly modern ways and that may make sense for a penthouse in Miami, but the whole point of Paris is that it’s Paris,’ notes Ashley. So she removed the dropped ceiling, which was installed during a 1960s refurbishment, to reveal gloriously generous volumes almost four metres high and ripped out the linoleum that had replaced a third of the parquetry. While the original ‘wedding cake’ architraves were relocated to the hallway, any missing or damaged plasterwork was meticulously restored in order to retain the home’s character. Like most historic residences though, the apartment suffered from a dark core and letting in

to the kitchen and dining area,

more natural light was a priority. ‘I’m from a sunny place,’ Ashley says. ‘And I like warm colours and bright light because they make an interior feel comfortable.’ The ultimate nod to relaxation was the introduction of a delightful small jardin d’hiver (winter garden), where the kitchen once was. It not only lets in plenty of sunlight, but also provides family members with a cosy retreat. A nd in positioning the new kitchen adjacent to the salon/ living room and in turn removing a wall, these central areas are now also flooded with light. Ashley may have extended a light touch in terms of structural changes, due in no small part to the apartment’s good bones and perfectly conceived dimensions, but she didn’t hold back with the furnishings. Rich colour, handcrafted detailing and strong graphics prevail; a powerfully sophisticated mix of French savoir faire and breezy Californian cha rm. A nd nowhere do they ma ke a more compelling statement than in the living room. Luigi Caccia Dominioni’s Toro sofa and ottoman instantly appeal for their full curves and lush blue and pink velvet upholstery, complementing the green India Mahdavi rug. This arrangement sets the pace for the overall scheme and also champions Ashley’s carefully considered green, blue and pink colour palette. ‘I’m always happy to be much more experimental with colour because I feel like it lends an interior personality,’ reflects Ashley. ‘And so many things can be accomplished by using bold colour.’ Ashley masterfully mixes old and new and her respectful design is simply an extension of her passion for renovating. ‘I realised through trial and error how much fun it can be, how great it is to work with a team of architects, contractors and artisans, and what a joy it is to be able to do it all in Paris,’ she says. ‘It was an honour to work on this apartment because it is so old and in a very special location.’

on the other. Three bedrooms

home profile TH E OWN E R Ashley Maddox, a property developer and interior designer. She has three children, Eloise, 11, Daphne, 10, and Hugo, six.

THE PROPERTY A renovated 160sq m étage noble (first floor) apartment in a 1740 building on the Left Bank of Paris. There is a long hall that spans the length of the home, with a small, cosy winter garden on one side and a generously sized salon/ living room, which is adjacent

each have their own en suite.

See Ashley’s work at studio-maddox.com

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home truths THE ONE PL ACE E V E RYO N E S H O U LD VI S IT W H E N I N PA R I S ? The Jardin du Luxembourg.

W H AT S O N G C O U L D BE THE SOUNDTR ACK TO YO U R LI F E ? Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake.

FAVO U R I T E A R T I S T ? Richard Diebenkorn because of his use of colour, light and form, which celebrates California in such a compelling way.

MOST INSPIRING I N S TA G R A M A C C O U N T S ? @sophiepinet, @jjmartinmilan, @badassboz

BEST PL ACE TO SPE ND S U M M E R H O L I D AY S ? Floating anywhere on the Mediterranean Sea.

W H AT A R E YO U C U R R E N T LY S A V I N G F O R ? A house with a garden, not too far from the beach.

MASTER BEDROOM An almost secret sliding door next to the bed leads to the master en suite. Yellow bedcover, Caravane; layered with a hand-dyed linen textile from Burkina Faso for Amatuli in South Africa. Yunnan wallpaper, Pierre Frey

EN SUITE Green is used boldly throughout the apartment, from the living room’s rug and winter garden’s walls to this bathroom, which makes for a sophisticated retreat. Artichoke tiles (in shower recess), Popham Design

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Kaleidoscope | Apex KAL07

At Karndean we see ﬂooring differently… We travel the world, from the ancient forests of Europe to the remote Australian outback and beyond, to create simply beautiful ﬂoors you’ll love for a lifetime.

To ﬁnd inspiration for your interiors visit karndean.com

S T Y L E TA K E AWAY S

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

Elegant details set the chic tone in Ashley’s city pad

Circa Lagoon tile, £125sq m, London Encaustic x Anna Hayman Designs

Set of two framed palm tree prints, £79, Graham and Green

Ilam ceiling light, £175, Caravane

Consuela outdoor metal planter console, £350, La Redoute

Tinkisso contemporary kitchen tap, £99.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

Indigo mudcloth cushion, £48, Yonder Living

Art Deco IP44 wall lamp, £128, Globen Lighting at Nordic Nest

Trees One wallpaper fresco, £85sq m, Angel & Boho

Knot chair, £400, Tatsuo Kuroda for Normann Copenhagen at Skandium

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american beauty Designers Sheena Murphy and Tor Sauder have created a country retreat in Connecticut that celebrates an eclectic look thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monochrome yet multifaceted

PHOTOGRAPHY Nicole Franzen X

STYLING nune WORDS Rachel Ward

ENTRANCE The white walls showcase the modern and antique pieces here and in the den beyond. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The den is probably the most modernly furnished space,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Sheena.

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Vintage pedestal table, Laserow Antiques. Nido chair, Estudio Persona. Lamp, Nicholas Newcomb

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home profile THE DESIGNERS Sheena Murphy and Tor Sauder of design studio nune. They created this home for Lindsey Branca and her husband Mike Grosshandler. They are the owners of residential development firm Branca & Co and have a young son.

THE PROPERTY A country retreat in Connecticut. On the ground floor there is a living room, den, a dining room with a seating area, the kitchen-diner and a shower room. The first floor has the master bedroom with adjoining study, a guest bedroom, two single bedrooms and a bathroom.

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LIVING ROOM ‘This is the formal sitting area, so we’ve used more luxe materials, such as velvet, suede and brass,’ says Sheena. ‘These create a contrast with the primitive wood and rough cotton textiles.’ Velvet sofa, Jayson Home. Cushions, Küdd Krig. Vintage coffee table, Morentz. Armchair, Espasso. Brass side table, Anna Karlin. Vintage wooden bench, Andrianna Shamaris. Photograph, Anne Menke at Clic gallery. Rug, Studio Four NYC

Lindsey and Mike wanted us to create an interior that honoured the history and architecture of the property, and something that really suited their lifestyle,’ says Sheena Murphy, who co-runs New York-London studio nune with fellow interior designer Tor Sauder. The project she’s referring to is Bruey Cottage, the couple’s country retreat in Norfolk, a small town in Connecticut, about a three-hour drive from their city pad in Brooklyn – which nune also designed. ‘They bought the cottage in 2017 and we got started right away,’ says Sheena. ‘We’d previously worked with the couple on their own properties and ones that make up their residential development firm, Branca & Co, so our relationship was well established.’ A whitewashed, wooden A-frame house set within seven acres, it was built in 1790 by Captain John Bradley, an American Revolutionary War veteran. Despite numerous cosmetic updates over the centuries, the cottage has retained many of its original features, including exposed structural beams. It looked to be in good condition – until exterior work revealed serious structural issues. ‘We had to wait almost a year while this was rectified,’ says Sheena. ‘It was unfortunate, but it did prompt the clients to reassess what they were doing with the kitchen.’ The couple hadn’t initially intended to renovate this space – it was to be part of a future extension – but they now had time to address it. They called in New York-based architectural firm Frances Mildred, who created a custom design that pairs whitepainted wooden cabinets with a marble work surface. ‘The kitchen now feels aesthetically at one with the rest of the house – that was a nice silver lining,’ says Sheena. As for the rest of the interior, that now features a mix of old and new pieces, niche and more established brands, all expertly selected by nune to elevate the cottage’s white walls and dark floorboards. ‘We almost always work with a

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heavily layered and neutral scheme, but this project was a departure for us,’ says Sheena. ‘The age and character of the house demanded an eclecticism that others we’ve worked on haven’t. You have more freedom to mix what you want, as long as you unify things with a consistent tone and palette.’ Looking to play with materials, shapes and genres, all within a soothing colour scheme, the designers left no stone unturned in their search for different pieces, scouring flea markets and designer-makers, both nationally and worldwide. ‘Some things were already on our radar, but vintage is an ever-moving target – you never really know what’s out there,’ says Sheena. It’s also a part of the job that isn’t without hazards: ‘We’d go to markets and sometimes end up taking far more stuff home for ourselves – it can be hard to part with some finds!’ An example of Sheena and Tor’s meticulous furniture mix is showcased in the living room. A welcoming space full of amped-up textures,it features a luxe, contemporary velvet sofa from Chicago’s Jayson Home with cushions from Californian brand Küdd Krig. These mingle with a tiled coffee table from Dutch vintage gallery Morentz, while chance finds include a brass fireguard from Etsy. Similarly unique arrangements are found in every room. Unified through the designers’ use of neutrals, each space adds to an overall look that feels casual and collected. ‘Nothing is too precious or new,’ says Sheena, who is looking forward to seeing how the house evolves over time – especially with the arrival of the couple’s son. ‘When clients move in, things get tweaked – that’s when it really starts to feel like a home.’ X

See more of nune’s design work at nunenune.com and find out more about Branca & Co at brancaand.co. View Frances Mildred’s architectural work at francesmildred.com

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KITCHEN - DINER

MASTER BEDROOM

(Far left) ‘This is the newest part of the house,’ says Sheena. ‘The white-on-white scheme ensures it maintains a strong visual connection to the rest of the property.’

(Below left) There is an original working fireplace and also views out to the garden in this space. The brickwork was painted black to continue the monochrome look.

Bespoke cabinetry, designed with Frances Mildred. Vintage chairs, Amsterdam Modern. Wall light, Schoolhouse

Mirror, Vonnegut Kraft. Stool, Laserow Antiques.

BEDROOM

The simple white tablecloth and vintage chairs manage to be chic while fitting in with the cottage’s period features.

Two single rooms with sloping ceilings sit opposite one another at the top of the staircase and are almost mirror images of each other. The reddish tones of the wide floorboards stand out here and elsewhere in the house.

Volga Linen sells a tablecloth like this one. For similar vintage chairs, try Etsy

Vintage bed, Chairish. Vintage side table and light, both 1stdibs. Vintage rug, HomeStories

DINING ROOM

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LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM

PLANS

KITCHEN DINER

DEN

W H AT C O L O U R I S YO U R A U R A ?

GROUND FLOOR

I’ve never had it read but my husband always tells me it’s purple, says Sheena.

MASTER BEDROOM

S T U DY

BEDROOM

home truths

FAV O U R I T E A L F R E S C O DINING SPOT ? Rochelle Canteen in Hackney. The food

BEDROOM

and the vibe are right up my alley. BEDROOM

FIRST FLOOR

ANY SUPERSTITIONS? I always travel with a photo of my husband and I from when we were dating.

FAV O U R I T E SPRINGTIM E FLOWE R? I love the fragility of ranunculus petals.

E A R LY R I S E R O R N I G H T OW L? Early riser. I love mornings for eggs and (what feels like) fresh air.

FAV O U R I T E W H I T E PA I N T ? Ammonite by Farrow & Ball. It lends softness to a space and is a pretty perfect balance of warm and cool.

MASTER BEDROOM The pared-back style is enticingly relaxed, yet sophisticated. A small study with built-in closets adjoins the room.

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Bed, Earl. Vintage bedside table, Laserow Antiques. Light, Circa Lighting. Rug, Territory Design

S T Y L E TA K E AWAY S

Sheena and Tor know just how to do cool monochrome

Woman throw, £165, One Nine Eight Five at Heal’s

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

Faux eucalyptus spray, £10, Sweetpea & Willow

Kibo wooden bench, £330, Also Home at Dyvels

Herstal lamp base, £98; Oliver lampshade, from £17, both Neptune

Wire Frame Slipper chair in Platinum, £299, West Elm at John Lewis & Partners

Vigan sculpture, £19.50, Abigail Ahern

Bobbin double four-poster bed, £2,495, Soho Home

Abandon Ship art print, from £50, National Maritime Museum at Surface View

Lenni flatweave wool rug, £200, Habitat

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With clever use of space and light, interior designer Mark Lewis has grown his home to become a bigger and better version of itself PHOTOGRAPHY Paul Raeside X

STYLING Mary Weaver WORDS Jenny Tucker

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LIVING AREA Removing a ceiling allowed for the creation of a mezzanine level that fills the space with light. The cobalt blue of the armchair and footstool adds a grounding touch to the lofty, airy room. Similar armchair, Healâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Bespoke upholstered footstool, available from Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home store at marklewisinteriordesign.com. Faded vintage Kirman rug, for similar try The Rug Company

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KITCHEN Mark doesn’t like things to look ‘brand spanking new’ so he limewashed the walls. The units were waxed for an aged effect. Bespoke cabinetry; George handles and utensil rack in cast bronze, all marklewisinterior design.com. Aston Lantern pendants, Fritz Fryer. Pink vases, The Conran Shop

home prof i le THE OWNERS Mark Lewis, founder of Mark Lewis Interior Design, his partner, Abi Leland, a music supervisor, and their two children, James, 10, and Olive, five.

THE PROPERTY Two floors of a Victorian house in north London, plus a basement area for utilities. On the ground floor is the main living/dining/ kitchen area and a pantry, plus the master bedroom and en suite and a WC. On the first floor, there is James’ bedroom, Olive’s bedroom, a bathroom and a mezzanine landing area.

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ll good things come to those who wait. And for this family, who moved into their groundfloor flat nearly 10 years ago, the evolution of their ultimate home had just started. ‘Originally, we’d planned to take on an element of renovation,’ says owner Mark Lewis. ‘We turned a bathroom into a bedroom and later added a small extension to the side yard. But then, after we’d been here five years, the upstairs flat came on the market. We’ve always felt happy in this area and the idea of more space was appealing, so it seemed logical to buy it. The intention was to knock the two properties into one – but that didn’t happen immediately. We had to wait until we had enough cash behind us.’ So in 2018, the family moved out of the property for eight months while the builders moved in. ‘It’s a disruptive process,’ admits Mark. ‘And, at times, hideous, but you have to go through it to get what you want. It really does help being an interior designer as I’ve got the experience of my day job and I’m fortunate enough to have access to a wide range of inside info. Plus I was able to project-manage the whole thing, which kept the cost down on our very tight budget. I feel we just about ended up with what we wanted.’ But, like most renovations, an element of compromise comes into the equation. ‘My partner Abi has always been keen on loft living and this is a Victorian building with boxy rooms. We decided to give the house the same sort of open feel with high ceilings and lots of light. So we knocked upwards and sideways, taking out some of the ceilings and walls of our original flat to create the double-height kitchen and the big living space. Unfortunately, that meant we lost a guest bedroom and bathroom, but the dramatic finished result made it worth it.’ Mark’s design style means he veers towards a subtle approach, preferring not to end up with something that looks ‘brand spanking new’. In this house, there is a blend of vintage furnishings and

gentle hues that create a calming feel. The use of beautifully graphic wallpaper in the bedrooms, delicate greens (Mark often mixes his own colours) and natural flooring add to this easy mix of modern and Victorian. ‘Someone said to me that our daughter Olive’s bedroom looks like a World War II refugee’s bedroom. I took it as a compliment.’ To get the effects he wants, time and effort go into the process. In the kitchen, the cabinetry was specially built to fit the space, then hand-painted and waxed for an aged look. The walls were stripped back to the original bricks and finished in a lime plaster, which had to be applied in endless coats and hand-sponged. ‘It was a long process and a bit of a headache but we got there in the end,’ he says. Another factor Mark feels strongly about is upcycling. As he says: ‘Establishing a home takes years and years, so if you reuse the materials that have already been part of the house, then you are giving it a kick-start.’ Examples of his creativity are everywhere: the downstairs loo which benefits from ‘another life’ trimmings, the brickwork in the dining area, which was once the old garden wall, and the distinctive pieces of handed-down furniture that have all been reupholstered or repainted. Mark emphasises the need for his home to be a haven, a secure place for the family to appreciate as they grow older. ‘I moved from pillar to post as a child,’ he says, ‘so I want this house to be an anchor for us. We’re here for the long term.’ Although he is still smarting somewhat from the renovation, there is a glimmer in Mark’s eye when the topic of ‘what’s next?’ comes up. ‘I am hankering after adding an underground yoga studio to the garden. Ridiculous, I know! But if we get planning, it could happen. And there is another flat on the top floor of this building so if that comes up for sale, we might grow even further…’ X

See Mark’s work at marklewisinteriordesign.com

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PA N T R Y Mark carved out a nook to create a hard-working storage area. It keeps the open-plan kitchen calm and clutter-free. For similar storage jars and bowls, try Habitat

PLANS BEDROOM LIVING AREA/ KITCHEN DINER

MASTER BEDROOM MEZZANINE

GROUND FLOOR

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FIRST FLOOR

BEDROOM

DINING AREA Rustic flooring and raw brickwork complement the vintage-style furnishings. The emphasis here is on an overall lived-in look. Table and stool, both sourced from Kempton Market. Lady P chair, Origlia. Radiator, Salvage Doctor. Upton ribbed glass pendant, Fritz Fryer

home truths W H AT D O YO U F E E L PA S S I O N AT E A B O U T ? Greggs’ vegan sausage rolls.

INSIDER TIP TO INTERIORS SUCCESS? Page one, line one – invest in doors and floors for a home with soul.

B E S T H O L I D AY ? Always Cornwall.

YO U R MANTR A? Don’t feel the pain, call a pro.

W H AT ’ S YO U R C A K E OF CHOICE? Any from Crumbs & Doilies .

H OW D O YO U SPEND A TYPICAL S AT U R D AY N I G H T ? Sleeping.

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MASTER BEDROOM A retro feel has been evoked with the soft hues, graphic wallpaper and pared-back accessories. Bed, Soho Home. Karabak Sand wallpaper, Robert Kime. Bedside shelf, from the shop at marklewisinteriordesign.com. Chest of drawers (below), sourced from Kempton Market

EN SUITE Mark’s favourite room: ‘A huge bath and a working fireplace… it couldn’t be more calming.’ Bath, basin and taps, all Aston Matthews. Bespoke basin unit with Carrara marble surface, Mark Lewis Interior Design. Fireplace, sourced from Retrouvius. Portrait photo by Retts Wood. Wall lights, Urban Cottage Industries

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Rustic Collection

prestigious.co.uk

S T Y L E TA K E AWAY S

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

Mark is a master at marrying modern and vintage style

Hooked Prismatic Bell wall light, £145, Old School Electric at Holloways of Ludlow

Ecliptic metal table,£350, French Connection

Breakfast stool, £225, Loaf

Square Revistero storage basket, £69, The Conran Shop

Smithfield armchair in Ink Blue velvet, £1,200, Habitat

Traditions FHBO Rustic Oak flooring in Natural, £67.99sq m, Kersaint Cobb

Havana China Blue Oatmeal linen fabric, £197.40m, Walter G at The Fabric Collective

The Sebastian Cox sideboard with hand-aged copper top, from £3,100, deVOL

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Personality was in short supply in this pied-Ã -terre until interior designer Hazel Collins introduced art, texture and colour PHOTOGRAPHY BEN SAGE X

STYLING VICTORIA HERBERT WORDS SERENA FOKSCHANER

LIVING ROOM Part of Hazel’s design brief was to avoid bold hues, so she decided on a palette of ‘off colours’ – nearly blacks, mineral greys, browns and tomato. It’s the shapely furnishings that add glam. Coffee table, Nic Parnell. Small gold Dante drink table, Julian Chichester. Lamp, Ecart Paris at Gotham

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home profile THE DESIGNER Hazel Collins, who runs an interior design practice in London that specialises in high-end residential and commercial projects.

THE PROPERTY Set in a 1960s block in central London, the two-bedroom space has an open-plan kitchen and living room, a terrace and two bathrooms.

H A L LWAY The avant-garde feel of the bespoke console table is echoed in the contemporary art. Painting by Liza Giles

LIVING ROOM To house the TV and create a focal point, Hazel and her team designed this shelving, featuring movable slabs of marble.

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Marble, Cipollino Apuano at The Invisible Collection

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nterior designers can find inspiration in the most unlikely objects and places. It might be a swoop of paintbox-bright metro tiles framing the arch of an underground station. Or the shadows of elaborate metalwork thrown, like darkened lace, across a pavement on a late summer afternoon. But nothing is guaranteed to fire a designer’s imagination more than the sight of a featureless interior devoid of personality and detail. Or, in other words, the proverbial blank canvas. It’s a description that fits interior designer Hazel Collins’ first sighting of this two-bedroom apartment. Set on the first floor of an undistinguished 1960s block, it is one of those secret addresses: a peaceful cobbled mews tucked into London’s teeming West End. The previous owner, a developer, had refurbished the flat with an eye for space: ‘They’d rejigged the layout in a sensible way, opening up the kitchen and adding a glass wall to screen the guest bedroom. This made it feel light and added to the flow,’ says Hazel, whose London practice specialises in high-end residential and commercial interiors in the UK and abroad. Character, however, was in short supply. ‘The only embellishments were a touch of coving and some black track lighting. The finishes were all very hard and “developer white”.’ For most of us amateurs, layers of colour, print and pattern might be the default solution. But the owners, who live in New York part of the time, had other ideas for their London bolthole. ‘They wanted somewhere elegant for entertaining, but also calming after coming off the red-eye,’ says Hazel, who met them in New York when they visited one of her recent projects. Colour, however, was off the clients’ list. ‘So we used off colours: nearly-blacks, mineral greys, browns,’ says

Hazel, who is swift to credit her ‘amazing, collaborative’ team of four with the scheme. Look more closely and you’ll detect dashes of brighter hues – turquoise, teal and tomato, stealthily woven into textured finishes. ‘They add a subtle crescendo to each room,’ says Hazel. No structural changes were made to the 112 square metres, where the large living space leads to a bright terrace. Instead, it’s the textures – velvets, bouclés and linens – combined with unusual art and antiques that have reinvigorated the space. ‘As a decorator, you’re exposed to so many things – in painting, textiles, architecture, furniture – every project is a chance to draw on those influences,’ says Hazel, who used to run a successful wedding list company before setting up her practice in 2006. ‘I’ve always enjoyed curating people’s homes, finding unusual things to match their taste,’ she says. In the kitchen, it is the pair of mid-century teal pendants that divert your attention from the glossy white joinery installed by the last owner. ‘I’d almost given up looking but there they were, waiting for me at a north London dealer.’ In the master bedroom, the striking, bespoke bedside table is a mix of dark, honeyed oak with a marble top and replete with charger. And so, finally, to every designer’s conundrum. What to do with the TV? For inspiration, Hazel turned to the great 20th-century French designer Charlotte Perriand to design the dark oak shelving in the living room. Bright with pottery, mid-century glassware, sculpture (and an almost undetectable TV) the asymmetrical shelving, punctured by slabs of colourful marble, has transformed a featureless wall into a vignette of design. The antithesis, in short, of bland. X

See more of Hazel’s work at hazelcollins.com

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KITCHE N A mix of vintage and new furnishings, including the mid-century pendant, were introduced to zhush the units put in by the developer. Chairs, Jasper Morrison. Facile bench, Mattiazzi at Twentytwentyone. Vintage pendant, Bentply. Similar kitchen, Obumex

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houses home truths W H AT ’ S YO U R FAV O U R I T E C O C K TA I L B A R ? The Fumoir bar at Claridge’s is an old-time favourite.

S P I N CL A S S O R H OT YO GA? Neither. I live right by Hampstead Heath so it’s a brisk walk and I love soaking in the view from Parliament Hill.

WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YO U ’ V E B E E N G IV E N ? Relax, things will fall into place. I’m a doer and a great believer that one makes their own luck.

WHO HAS INSPIRED YO U TH E M OS T ? My great friend and mentor Sean Berg has educated me continually along the way.

W H AT ’ S O N YO U R B E D S I D E TA B L E ? An eye mask and my iPhone.

FIRST PIECE OF F U R N IT U R E YO U B O U G HT ? It was an Eileen Gray floor light – I still have it and love it.

PLAN

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM The colour-block throw and black-framed doorway have a Mondrian look. Throw, Rose Uniacke. Headboard in Chelsea Charcoal, Kirkby Design. Flowerpot lamp by Verner Panton at Twentytwentyone

MASTER BEDROOM Silk, leather and velvet surfaces bring the requisite luxury. Nuvol 2 wall light, Contain. Headboard in leather at Dani

S T Y L E TA K E AWAY S

Velvet soft long cushion, £32, Cozy Living at Royal Design

Vienna industrial pendant light in Sage Green, £132, Mullan at Dusk Lights

Écume stool, enamel paint, from £350, Ferréol Babin

Kisel Vit art print, from £15, Alexander Adiels at I am Fy

Balance low wall unit, £449, Content by Terence Conran at Lagoon

Marmo calacatta oro polished porcelain tiles, £44.28sq m, StoneSuperstore

Bonnet table lamp in Gold, £67, Present Time at Smallable

Söderhamn corner sofa, £965, Ikea

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FEATURE MARINA COMBAL

Hazel used texture and touches of colour to lift neutral schemes

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF

OPEN TO THE TRADE AND PUBLIC SINCE 1904

Over 170 stores nationwide °ĆŎĆŕ ÝŊëŵëŊŎ˕ßī˕ŝĖ ŕī ƛ Ģä ŻīŝŊ ĘīßÄĘ ŎŕīŊë

Sofa in Marla in Blue, £59m, Jane Churchill at Colefax and Fowler

design & decorating FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

A CO O L D E TA I L S E T S T H E TO N E FO R O U R P R OJ E C T S S E C T I O N

The modern decorative movement – the one that’s seen designs once deemed trad (think chintz and 1970s geometrics) reclaimed by today’s tastemakers – is still going strong. Jane Churchill’s graphic and gorgeous Marla fabric ensures this sofa has star quality livingetc.com

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More is definitely more, so layer up bountiful blooms from floor to ceiling for a dramatic and vibrant style thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich in floral opulence X

STYLING Marianne Cotterill PHOTOGRAPHY Simon Bevan

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D O U B L E TA K E If you’re planning to go full-on floral, take a feature, such as this electric-green skirting, and use it to pause the pattern. Without it, you risk visual overload. Be bold and your scheme will look stronger. Rendezvous Tokyo Blue wallcovering, £135m; Rendezvous Tokyo Blue broadloom carpet, from £99m, both Moooi x Arte. Skirting in Florence chalk paint, £21.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan. String Pocket metal shelving, £150, String Furniture. Hattermorn pendant, £116, Pooky. Luna side tables, £199 for two, Dwell. Cappellini chair in Delft Velvet Noir, £2,284, Designers Guild. (On shelving) Hibiscus tankard jug, £60, Burleigh. (On tables) Blue Figures sculpture, £1,500, Madeline Hall at Mint. Poppyfield tall bottle vase, £90, Poole Pottery

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SINGLE MINDED Got a flowery favourite? Let it take the chair and dominate the discussion. Upholstery is a smart way to make a statement and the rest of the room will follow. Wall in Vardo estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Seletti Roses armchair, £995, Latzio.com. Ekenaset armchair, £179, Ikea; covered in Barcelona in Multi, £169m, GP&J Baker. Jelly side table, £1,048, Porada. Bloom bowl vase, £375, The Conran Shop. For a similar painting, try eBay

COLOU R CODE If pattern on pattern is your thing, then it’s good to introduce objects with block colours into the mix to anchor the look. The green pendant and yellow chairs bring these competing patterns into line, picking up on the leafy shades in the repeat on the walls and the golden hue of the carpet. Geranium 117/11032 wallpaper, £190 a roll, Cole & Son. Ennéa dining table, £3,395, Ligne Roset at Heal’s. A.I. chair, £173, Kartell. Gubi 1F HiRek Shell chairs, £276 each, The Conran Shop. Otton 3 Tier Easyfit shade, £120, Habitat. Bespoke tie-backs, price on request, Samuel & Sons. Black jug, £12.99, H&M Home. Skirting in Vardo estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Golden Effie carpet, £89.99sq m, Timorous Beasties at Brintons. For a similar vintage vase and painting, try eBay

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Block-colour accessories ground the pattern on pattern look

Moody blooms are more popular than ever â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and dark backgrounds will ensure the most subtle florals sing

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S T Y L E M AT T E R S Excess is guaranteed to exceed expectations. Here, three floral motifs work as they all have an appealing exotic edge. Chrysanthemums wallpaper, £175 a roll, Mind The Gap. Hepworth sofa, £2,508, Love Your Home x Livingetc Collection; covered in Hartfield, £135m, Osborne & Little. Zanotta Graphium coffee table, £2,856, Silvera. Luna side table (just seen), as before. Faux flowers, from £6 a stem, Oka. Bespoke tie-backs, price on request, Samuel & Sons. Roattino floor lamp, £1,307, Eileen Gray at Aram. Bloom vase in Orange, £375; Giverny vase in Pink, £285, both The Conran Shop. Rose & Peony rug, from £469, Sanderson at Style Library

F L OW E R P OW E R Hard surfaces are converting to florals, too. Strong ceramics, like this retro poppy-peppered repeat, bring a new dimension to bathrooms and give the smallest of spaces a distinctive character. Summer Poppies ceramic tile mural, from £720, Surface View. Antoniolupi Opale Cristalmood wash basin, £2,516; Fukasawa freestanding mixer tap, £1,651, both West One Bathrooms. Giano console, £4,178, Flexform. Thirlmere hand towel, £12, Designers Guild. Floor in Dutch Orange modern eggshell, £71 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. For similar orange wall tiles, try Reflections, £29.99sq m, CTD

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AT T E N T I O N SEEKER Soft petals tumble across the wall, creating a beautiful backdrop for bold upholstery. Choose fabrics that will complement your furniture. The striking hues of this punchy patchwork work well with the chair’s simple structure. Mille Fleurs panoramic wallpaper, £1,092 for a 300x280cm panel, Pierre Frey. Dorothy chair, £846, Julian Chichester; covered in Barcelona in Multi, £169m, GP&J Baker

R E A DY TO F LY Pick an eye-catching pattern for a bed that is all set for adventure. These statement colours on a white background create an uplifting effect. Drifting petals make a dreamy backdrop, while the modern rug provides a change of pace with its large-scale design. Mille Fleurs panoramic wallpaper, as before. Tomrefjord bed, £479, Ikea; covered in Hawaï in Multico, £89.50m, Jean-Paul Gaultier at Lelièvre. Merge stack table, £5,950, Ok Kim at Mint. Harbour large table lamp, £420, Julian Chichester. Red Heritage floral quilted eiderdown, £625, Preen By Thornton Bregazzi. Silk standard pillowcases, £92 each; silk king flat sheet, £340, all Gingerlily. Poppies rug, from £469, Sanderson at Style Library

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Green A collection of authentic National Trust colours including original shades from the homes of Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw and Beatrix Potter. Available now. littlegreene.com 0161 230 0880

Order your free colourcard, or find your nearest stockist at littlegreene.com

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style file: high-spec storage wall systems Solve the stylish shelving puzzle with creative combinations that can be tailored for any space

Randomito shelving in white lacquered wood, £699, Neuland Industrie Design for MDF Italia at Aram Store

Navigli shelving, £2,170, Gallotti&Radice at Chaplins

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Peg-It-All 3D pegboard with pegs and shelves, £227, Kreis Design at The Gifted Few

Mini stacked shelving in Oak/Light Grey, £837, MUUTO at Finnish Design Shop

Como wall system, £1,589, BoConcept

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double-dut y footstools Generous proportions mea n you ca n rela x com fortably a nd stash loads i nside

Pumpkin ottoman in Dove Grey, £289.99, My Furniture

Colombo footstool in Alba Orange, £195, Habitat

Rupert footstool in Rose Quartz house weave, £400, Arlo & Jacob

Pot Pie footstool in Pollen Clever deep velvet, £675, Loaf

Marseille leather footstool in Tan, £549, Dwell

cool canisters

Asare bench in Marine Green velvet and brass, £199, Made

Aurora footstool in Oxford Blue, £410, Pome! by Ceraudo

Sonoran ottoman in Snow basketweave linen, £3,388, Arteriors

Put a lid on it! Let gorgeously tactile ceramics become treasure troves for your tiniest trin kets Storage jar, £30, Oggetto. Ceramic ginger jar, £89, Ella James. Palet storage jar in Blue, £47, Holmegaard at Skandium. Hand-painted ceramic box, £85, SkandiHus at A New Tribe. Buckle jar, £20, Ferm Living at An Artful Life

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shelf ladders Versatile leaning pieces that won’t take up too much precious footage

Libri shelf in White, £824, Swedese at Nest

Cove console storage ladder with mirror, £235, Vênoor

Jessie bookcase with storage in Walnut, £195, Habitat

Industrial-style ladder shelf unit with drawers, £390, Rockett St George

Valet shelves and magazine rack, from £1,272, David Rockwell for Stellar Works

beautiful baskets Keep your home free of excess clutter with these artisanal designs

Rattan belly basket, £125, Design Vintage

Pineapple baskets, from £60 each, WA Green

Round basket in Natural, €53, Tine K Home

Short gourd basket, £365, As’Art at SCP

Tote bag in Wicker/Pink, €220, Casa Lopez

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nested tables Functional pieces with space-saving savvy and standout style

Galets tables, £1,175, Matière Grise at Made in Design

Artisan side tables, £360, Lombok

Shagreen and antiqued brass tables, £3,900, Simon Orrell

Paani oak tables, £290, Tikamoon

Carmen tables in Gray wash, £2,202, Arteriors

Rogers tables in Canaletta walnut, £1,150, Porada at Go Modern

Iso tables, £335 each, Petite Friture at Twentytwentyone

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neutral pink THERE’S NOTHING SUGARY SWEET ABOUT THIS SUBTLE Y E T S O P H I S T I C AT E D H U E – H E R E ’ S H O W T O W O R K I T

This versatile pink adds crispness and modernity to whites and creates a soothing backdrop for natural tones, particularly olive greens and earthy browns. Screen in Marble Arch, Grouse and White Hart; table in The Boltons, all marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, all Greys & Neutrals collection, Mylands

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‘For a contemporary twist, team neutral pink with earthy terracotta and shades of clay for an on-trend tonal look,’ says Paula Taylor, colour and trends specialist, Graham & Brown. ‘Another great pairing is with emerald green. It’s wonderfully decadent and complements the current Bauhaus revival.’ ‘The best colours to combine with a neutral pink are deep browns,’ says Joa Studholme, colour curator, Farrow & Ball. ‘A neutral pink on the walls and ceiling with a stronger tone on the joinery creates a understated space in which to rest and regenerate.’ ‘Using colours from the same spectrum in different intensities gives texture, depth and a sense of lavishness to a space,’ says Annie Sloan, founder, Annie Sloan. ‘Try deep burnt red to create a sophisticated tonal palette with a lot of warmth.’ ‘To introduce a splash of colour while maintaining a pared-back look, try touches of green in pale or mid tones,’ says Helen Shaw, UK director, Benjamin Moore. ‘These shades feel restorative and breathe a sense of life into a cool room.’ ‘To make neutral pink look edgy, try adding touches of black or charcoal in fine outlines on the wall, woodwork or in furniture,’ says Judy Smith, colour consultant, Crown. ‘Black brings this soft tone into focus and makes it look fresh and modern.’ In keeping with the Scandi trend, neutral pink pairs beautifully with natural wood,’ says Sue Kim, senior colour designer, Valspar. ‘The rich tones of natural wood help to warm up cooler shades of powdery pinks.’ ‘This pink can work beautifully in north- or south-facing rooms,’ says Clare Tilbrook, co-founder, Fenwick & Tilbrook. ‘A peachier neutral pink will add warmth to a north-facing room, but is still soft enough to work in the warmer light of a south-facing room.’

FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS

‘In a south-facing room use neutral pink with other neutrals; taupes, greys and layered whites. Too much light can overwhelm neutral colours if you team with statement shades,’ says Annie Sloan. ‘In a north-facing room, do the opposite. Juxtapose neutral pink with brights to stop it becoming too grey and faded.’

Neutral pink with brown creates a restful space. In north-facing rooms, juxtapose with bright shades

the edit BEST FOR creating a restful bedroom with its cool, soothing undertone. Crème de la Rose matt emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltr, Crown

BEST FOR pairing with contemporary or vintage florals in the bedroom. Rose Mallow matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Fired Earth

BEST FOR brightening spaces that have little natural light. Posie matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Graham & Brown

BEST FOR north-facing rooms as it has a soft warm undertone. Gypsum pure matt, from £47 for 2.5ltr, Fenwick & Tilbrook

BEST FOR hanging pictures on, however they are framed. Lilac Pink emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Edward Bulmer

BEST FOR an east-facing room as it will enhance the pink, warm tone. First Light 2102-70 Aura eggshell, £29 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore

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CALL 0800 587 6480 OR VISIT HILLARYS.CO.UK

decorating

curtain call From floaty drapes to a material that purifies the air – yes,

PHOTOGRAPHS (SHEER VIEW WINDOW; STAY ON TRACK) JAKE CURTIS/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

really – here’s how to style your windows for summer

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IN THE PINK

S TAY O N T R AC K

With double-height windows it’s all too easy to fall back on some go-to whitewashed shutters, but take the opportunity to add drama to your space. Go heavy on the drape factor by choosing an extra-long length to create a luscious piling at the base.

Crittall doors are the latest alternative to bi-folds, but they can be difficult to dress. Keep things fresh by using a white recessed ceiling track, to keep the eye on the Crittall prize, and have it shaped to bend around the corner. Material-wise, stay with industrial style with something like a grey linen.

Walls in Natura Flat Pink Damask OC-72; window frame in Natura Semi Gloss Chantilly Lace OC-65, both from £23 for 0.94L, Benjamin Moore. For similar curtain fabric, try Prism Plains in Parity 440159, £29m, Harlequin at Style Library

SHEER VIEW W I N D OW Look to delicate sheers to provide privacy while ﬁltering harsh sunlight. Quite a few sheers now come in double widths of 300m for the wall of glass often found in new extensions. Link to the outdoors with tones of green along with natural materials. Curtain in Monza in Aqua, polyester, £51m, Designers Guild. Belladonna sofa, around £2,375, Sika-Design. Basket table, £323, Alain Gilles at Vincent Sheppard

Curtain in Sackville, linen, £89m, GP&J Baker. Recessed curtain track 6243, from £50, Silent Gliss. For similar Crittall-style windows, try D&R Design

PURE AND SIMPLE Make your curtains work harder by choosing a fabric that actually puriﬁes your air. This innovative mineralbased treatment works to break down common air pollutants, like chemicals from cleaning and pet odours. It is activated by outdoor and indoor light, meaning you’ll be breathing cleaner air all year round. Set up in a bedroom to help ensure a good night’s sleep. Gunrid air purifying curtain, £25 pair, Ikea

PICTURE PERFECT When working with a large picture window (left), consider using the extra wall space above as an excuse to install full-length curtains with an eye-pleasing gap above and below the window. Using something like this design, inspired by Japanese artist Katsutoshi Yuasa’s artwork suggesting tree branches and sky, nicely echoes the view outside. Curtains in Katsura in Peacock 9066/02, £103m; cushions in (from left) Mitoku in Avocet, £119m; Aiko in Peacock, £115m; Otaru in Ink, £145m, all Black Edition

MORE IS MORE Look towards ceiling-mounted tracks (bottom left) for a simple look that doesn’t detract from your windows or views. Sheers are a wonderful choice when it comes to dimming summer sun and by generously layering on the fabric, you’ll create enough fullness to add a satisfying pleat when pulled back. Curtains in Breeze Collection in Sepia, Warwick

TWIN SET Give a bay window (below) a makeover by taking the classic pair of curtains and maxing it up. By creating four individual drapes, you get ultimate impact for minimum effort. Plain fabrics work best as they keep the focus on shape. Add extra panache with some luxe tie-backs. Sofa and curtains by Concept Bespoke Interiors. For similar curtain fabric, try Salon Silk in F5980-02, £54m, Osborne & Little. Arctic Pear chandelier, Ochre. George Spencer has similar tiebacks

SUNNY SIDE UP Even if the Great British weather doesn’t live up to our daydreams, going for a sunshine-bright curtain (opposite) will keep spirits high. When choosing a made-to-measure curtain like this one, you’ll have a number of choices for shaping, but a contemporary wave header keeps things effortlessly ﬂowing. Impala Citrine curtain, from £263 for H137xW127cm, including measuring and ﬁtting, Hillarys x Livingetc

PHOTOGRAPHS (MORE IS MORE) BRENT DARBY; (DOUBLE UP) PAUL MASSEY/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

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pattern book

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Elegant interlocking diamonds sing like divas in this glam design. Mia in Poudre, £156 a roll, Pierre Frey

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The ancient Japanese pattern represents waves of good luck. Lucky O’s in Birch & Gold, £149 lin m, Moooi at Arte

Alternating shapes in matt and metallic link in harmonious hues. Circles in Vert de Gris, £98.10 a roll, Casamance

Great Gatsby inspirations schmooze and entertain in one glimmering paper. Beau in Dazzle, £40 a roll, Graham & Brown

This smart composition hits the perfect note. Tangier in Salmon, £155 a roll, Ottoline at The Fabric Collective

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

UPTEMPO GEOMETRICS GET ART DECO JAZZY O N WA L L PA P E R S T H AT T U R N U P T H E V O L U M E

design

what ’s hot: kitchens and bathrooms I N S P I R E D N E W P R O D U C T S A N D D E S I G N S T O K N OW

RED ALERT Those clever clogs at deVOL are at it again. Now the brand has unveiled two new shades, Bakehouse Green and Refectory Red, which you can order for all its pieces, including the Potager cupboard, with its hand-painted backboard inspired by French ornamental kitchen gardens. Hand-painted Potager cupboard, from £2,800 (devolkitchens.co.uk)

Candy crush Bring some East Coast style to your kitchen or bathroom with the limited edition Miami Colour Pop collection from Dowsing & Reynolds. It features striking taps in pastel pink, soft white and neo mint, which have a matt finish and work with a variety of surfaces. Tinkisso mixer tap, £99.99 (dowsingandreynolds.com)

Abigail Ahern has hooked up with Herringbone Kitchens for a new, affordable range. Prices from £5,000 (herringbonekitchens.com)

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

Eco love Just landed at West One Bathrooms is the Lambeth pendant that not only boasts a cool design but has top-notch eco credentials. It’s a collaboration between Mullan Lighting and Elvis & Kresse, the ethical luxury pioneers who manufacture leather goods from rescued fire hoses and leather offcuts from high-end brands like Burberry. Featuring a distinctive cone shade suspended from a strap made from reused rubber, it comes in a number of finishes. Lambeth pendant light, IP65 rating, £411.84 (westonebathrooms.com)

MINI MARVE L Struggling to make a design statement in your shoebox of a bathroom? Enter the new Elm Mini made by Kast Concrete Basins. With a distinctive pinstripe pattern and integrated splashback, it comes in a staggering 28 colours – from the palest white to a punchy orange. Elm Mini concrete basin in Ember, H45xW45xD32cm, from £2,160 (alternativebathrooms.com)

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kitchen trend: the concealed space K E E P I N G CO O K I N G G E A R I N T H E B AC KG R O U N D O B S C U R E S T H E F U N C T I O N A L R O L E O F T H I S K ITC H E N - D I N E R , P U T TI N G T H E FO C U S S Q UA R E LY O N FO R M

Tall cabinetry subtly hides most of the appliances

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design need to know

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPH ALEXANDER JAMES

THE PROPERTY A one-bedroom apartment in a Regency terraced townhouse in Little Venice, London. DESIGNER Alessia Mosci, director, MWAI. KEY FEATURES Bespoke kitchen in Caleidolegno timber veneer and Valspar Vintage Frame painted finishes, by Lanserring,

from £65,000. Worktop and integral sink in Deep Sable solid surface, £450sq m, Corian. Peltrox patinated stainless steel splashback, £450sq m, Lanserring. Combination microwave, £1,749; oven, £1,699; induction hob with integrated extractor, £3,299, all Miele. Pro 3 Fusion tap, £1,300, Quooker. Bespoke pendant light by Lightworks. Bocci 28.7 Cluster

The owners can eat and entertain in the kitchen without any of the visual clutter

pendant light, from £2,940, Future Light Design. Gubi Beetle dining chairs, £951 each, Chaplins. De La Espada Together table by Ilse Crawford, £3,967, The Conran Shop. Walls in Cornforth White estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Prime Oak plank flooring in Canvas N.1 finish, £132sq m, Trunk

Rising in tandem with the trend for open-plan living, the hidden kitchen is a particularly clever concept when cooking, dining and eating occurs in one room. For the owners of this London flat, concealment was the solution to their request for a single, flexible space that could be used for a variety of activities, cooking being just one of them. ‘When it comes to design, you can choose what elements to emphasise or conceal,’ says Alessia Mosci of MWAI. ‘Here, the owners wanted the space to feel more like a living/dining room.’ The process began with the removal of many walls. ‘The small kitchen felt detached from the rest of the flat, navigated by a narrow corridor attached to a compact lobby,’ recalls Alessia. ‘Moving the bathroom into the generous bedroom freed up extra living space, leaving a final footprint of 5x7m.’ The creation of a compact entrance lobby within the room was particularly savvy. Wrapped in pale oak veneer, the modular unit contains cloakroom and laundry facilities. Seamlessly integrated tall cabinets on the outside discreetly take care of cooking and cooling appliances plus food storage. ‘This left us with one main unit for the sink and hob, which we wanted to feel like a separate piece of furniture,’ explains Alessia. With its covered sink, flush-fit hob and handleless box-framed fronts, the unit is more akin to a sideboard. ‘It allows the owners to eat and entertain in the kitchen without any of the visual clutter associated with one,’ she adds. A striking palette of materials dials up the impact. Designed to form a high shelf for vases, art and plants, the patinated steel splashback is especially effective. ‘It responds to light, natural or artificial, and changes depending on the time of day. It ensures the kitchen has character and plays an important role in the space,’ concludes Alessia.

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DESIGN PROFILE

sebastian cox X

FEATURE Fiona McCarthy

Recently, a customer, now in her 60s, asked us to make a table from an old tree she remembers climbing as a young girl 134

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hen it comes to making a big noise about the beauty of British timber, Sebastian Cox is a man on a mission. The furniture maker and designer is one of the design world’s youngest but most powerful advocates for the use of local wood. After a sell-out show at Tent London in 2010, while he was still at Lincoln University finishing his MA in Design and Sustainability, he set up on his own in 2011 with the aim to create pieces which marry traditional craftsmanship with locally grown wood and the clean, sleek lines of contemporary living. Many of his pieces are made with woods such as ash, hazel and hornbeam from his family’s five-acre woodland in Kent; others used have been sourced via timber specialists in the UK and even local tree surgeons. ‘We work with around 12 to 15 different species of wood,’ explains Sebastian, walking around his large workshop in north Greenwich with Willow, his snow-white Parson Russell Terrier, trotting at his heels. He points to some grey-toned timber – ‘once a pear tree at a primary school in Hackney’ – and some richly hued planks of cedar – ‘from a tree planted by Capability Brown in Kew Gardens,’ he adds. All richly textured and interestingly grained, ‘one of my aims is to change people’s value of British wood,’ Sebastian says. ‘The wood doesn’t need to be perfect – so what if it’s not entirely straight or if there’s a bit of a knot in the middle?’ As he talks, Sebastian’s 12- strong team are milling, sawing and dovetailing chairs, cabinets, benches and desks. One team member works on a Hewn stool, its top made from English ash, its legs fashioned from hand-coppiced Kentish hazel tapered with an axe to reveal the bright white beneath the bark. His apprentice Indira meanwhile puts finishing touches to a bespoke table, fashioned from two gorgeous knotty, gnarled slices of elm, destined for a bay window in a Scottish castle. ‘We’re not design divas with a prescribed aesthetic. Our primary objective is to use British wood, so if

someone comes to us with a nice design, and as long as it doesn’t require a lot of veneering, MDF and harmful ingredients, we’ll make it,’ he enthuses. Especially if it stops an old tree ending up as woodchip. ‘Recently a customer, now in her 60s, asked us to make a table from the wood of an old tree she remembers climbing as a girl. It’s a really meaningful and lovely part of what we do.’ Sebastian’s big break came in 2013 when Heal’s commissioned a collection for its Discovers programme for emerging designers, which included pieces like a desk, coffee table and sideboard made from English oak and hazel. Since then, he has also worked with The New Craftsmen, The Glenlivet, Crabtree & Evelyn, Seedlip, art gallerists Hauser & Wirth and deVOL. His use of woven wood – inspired by 15th-century coppiced crafts where smaller branches were cut and split to make baskets and trugs – plays an integral role in his customisable Bayleaf collection, used for an armoire’s woven door panels, a sideboard’s sliding screens and shelving underneath a daybed. For Burberry, the technique was used to create woven screens and shelving for stores in Dubai and San Francisco. It lends a delicate transparency to his designs – ‘it creates an idea of the piece being lightweight as well as having a light footprint on the earth.’ Now his collections include pieces ranging from £25 up to £25,000, from a limited edition darkly scorched pedestal table to a handsome English settle which also acts as storage for hats, scarves and shoes. The Barker collection of ash tables and cabinets, created with his wife and business partner Brogan, is washed with rich, deep jewelled hues of cobalt, marigold, red and emerald. A series of thatched bread baskets, designed in collaboration with gallerist Sarah Myerscough, reflect Sebastian’s hope to encourage greater dialogue about how we can better harmonise the way we live for a more sustainable future. Ultimately, longevity in both function and form is at the heart of every piece he designs and makes. ‘We want customers to feel relaxed with our pieces,’ he says. ‘We send an aftercare note which says please don’t be too precious with it, live with it, understand that patina is important but if you really need it, we’ll come and sand the table top and re-oil it so it looks as great as the day it came out of the workshop,’ he says. ‘We’re trying to sell people furniture they’ll want to pass on to their kids.’

ABOVE Innovative design using mycelium and wood to ‘grow’ light shades THIS PICTURE Bayleaf armoire and sideboard

OPPOSITE FROM TOP Sebastian Cox; Pendean collection in English ash with understated chamfer details THIS PICTURE Pedestal table made from a single piece of London plane on an ash base

sebastiancox.co.uk, @sebastiancoxltd

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Put yourself on the perfect pedestal. Spend & Save. Up to 25% off. Minimum spend applies. Ends 13th April at 10am.

Penfold footstool from £199

Any questions? Call us on 020 3319 6332 or order at swooneditions.com Offer ends 13th April at 10am. Cannot be used with any other offer. Save 10% off £300, 20% off £500 and 25% off £1,000.

DESIGN DOSSIER

Create chic spaces that will satisfy the whole brood

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D E S I G N D O S S I E R : FA M I LY

news

New launches made with family bliss in mind

Soft edges

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

Even children deserve a sprinkling of chic French style, and so Maison Sarah Lavoine has partnered with Bonton to launch kids’ accessories with its trademark stripes and tricolore palette. Rug in Blue, £85; baskets in Pink, from £35 each, all Bonton x Maison Sarah Lavoine (en.smallable.com)

Completely frameless, Loaf ’s Layabout Squidger seating has been designed to cater to off-duty teenagers whose lazy mornings are spent near-horizontal with the Xbox. Think of Loaf ’s armchairs as elevated beanbags, devoid of sharp corners, for the ultimate comfortable family movie night. Layabout chair Squidger, £795; Layabout footstool Squidger, £275 (loaf.com)

Want to create the ultimate kids’ playroom but loathe the discarded toys they contain? The Art of Ping Pong offers tables that can be folded up and hung as works of art on the wall when not in use. MiniArt ping pong table, H140cm, £800 (selfridges.com) livingetc.com

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Whatever your look, whatever your style, with VictoriaPlum.com Design and Installation, we’ll do all the hard work for you

“Excellent” 5/5 stars on Trustpilot

Claudia’s Bespoke Bathroom

Visit us online at VictoriaPlum.com

Call us 0344 804 48 48

D E S I G N D O S S I E R : FA M I LY

FEATURE JESSE HARRIS

shopping

Invest in a piece that always has room for one more

FROM TOP Augusta extendable dining table with light marble ceramic top, £4,519, BoConcept. Feast extendable dining table, £845, Loaf. Nova extending dining table, from £2,599, Heal’s. Premier Crystalart extendable dining table, from €4,226, Andrea Lucatello for Cattelan Italia. Nordviken extendable dining table, £299, Ikea. Berlin extendable dining table with glass top, £2,069, Calligaris. Carter extendable dining table, £2,090, Neptune. Kaishu extendable dining table, £3,250, Oka

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SWITCH ON T O S AV I N G S

KEEP THE KIDS SAFE ONLINE

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

It pays to think smart when it comes to heating your home. By connecting your heating system to an app, you can switch it on as you leave work and so avoid warming an empty home (and paying f or it). Yo u ca n ta ilo r the t e c h t o s u i t yo u r f a m i ly ’s movements, too. Smart thermostats such as tado° use geofencing (technology that creates virtual ‘fences’ that interact with GPS) to switch off the heating when the last person leaves in the morning, only switching it on again when it detects someone has ret u r n e d t o t h e h o u s e . I t can also recognise drops in t e m p e r a t u re o r h u m i d i t y, turning off the heating temporarily when a window is opened. ‘It is possible to save up to 31% on heating bills using tado°,’ explains Paul Hughes, head of PR and communications. ‘An average user saves between 19 and 25% on their heating bill, but this figure really depends on your habits and how you use your heating system.’

It’s almost impossible to keep up with the pace of change on the internet. Fortunately, you don’t need to be digitally savvy to help your children stay safe online. The Avast Family S p a c e a p p a l l ow s yo u t o set filters that protect your children from harmful online content. It has other handy features, too. ‘Through the app you can also add safe locations such as home, school or clubs,’ e x p l a i n s Pe t e r Tu r n e r, s e n i o r v i c e p re s i d e n t o f consumer security at Avast. ‘ When a child arrives at a safe location, the app will notify the parents to give them peace of mind. Many devices, internet services and apps available today now have built-in filtering o p t i o n s. C y b e r s e c u r i t y products increasingly offer a selection of parental control settings, including internet usage limits, location tracking, managing screen time and filtering out unwanted content.’

When Amazon’s Alexa made her UK debut in 2016, it was d i f f i c u l t t o i m a g i n e s h e ’d become one of the family. But fast forward less than five years and families are bonding with her over the traditionally low-tech activity of playing board games. ‘Not only do we want instant a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n , we now want Alexa to be part of whatever it is we’re doing,’ says Theunis Scheepers, UK g e n e r a l m a n a g e r o f A l ex a Everywhere. This is where voice-assisted board games such as Ticket to Ride and When in Rome come in. You need physical copies of the games, while Alexa acts as games master, teaching the rules and keeping score. ‘The added element of voice turns playing board games into a more interactive experience for the whole family,’ says Theunis. ‘It’s brought to life even more by Alexa-enabled devices with screens, such as E c h o S h ow 8 o r Fi r e T V Stick. These add fun visuals to go along with the game.’

energy

cyber

voice assist

FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS

innovation

Easy tech changes to help make home life run smoothly

D E S I G N D O S S I E R : FA M I LY

FEATURE MAUDIE MANTON

shopping

Modern media units to fill you with cupboard love

FROM TOP Vogue media furniture 136L, £448, Decotique at Royal Design. Remi large AV unit in walnut and black marble, £3,199, Heal’s. Hifive media unit, £990, Rudi O Wulff for Northern at Nest. TV sound unit SI15 in Mushroom lacquered MDF, from £1,782, Montana at Aram Store. Bayus TV unit, £3,318, Porada at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. Loreto TV unit, £648.50, Maisons du Monde. Harvard TV stand, £650, John Lewis & Partners. Grooves TV cupboard, £1,999, Ethnicraft at Adventures In Furniture

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FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS PHOTOGRAPH JAMES MERRELL/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

lookbook

Fun, functional and fabulous design ideas fit for families

Divide and conquer Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels separate this family kitchen and living room, a masterclass in broken-plan design. It’s a practical set-up too: the layout retains the flow of natural light without losing the visual connection between the two spaces – essential when you’re keeping an eye on the little ones while cooking.

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GET THE LOOK Find a sliding glass partition like this, from £1,200sq m, iQ Glass. The cabinetry and dining table were designed by Ofist. Wishbone chairs, from £376 each, Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn at Nest. Non Random pendant lights, £613 each, Bertjan Pot for Moooi at Made in Design

D E S I G N D O S S I E R : FA M I LY

On the side

PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS SNOOK

In this extension, Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors used a glass wall to welcome in as much light as possible, and pitched the glass roof to gain maximum height. Built-in benches with leather seats and storage underneath are a practical solution and eliminate the need for more chairs. GET THE LOOK Reclaimed wooden dining table, Imperfect Interiors. Find vintage Ercol dining chairs at Vinterior. For a similar pendant light, try the Dexter in Ash Black, £111, Pooky. Astro Pienza wall lights, around £89 each, Ocean Lighting. The floor tiles are from Domus’ Industrial collection. Source reclaimed London stock bricks like these ones from London Reclaimed Brick Merchants

Game plan Blessed with soaring ceilings? Exploit the height of your room with a mezzanine games area – a great way to add space for family fun without increasing the footprint of your home. Here, a glass balustrade strengthens the connection with the kitchen below. Proportions are important: make sure your mezzanine doesn’t cover more than 50 per cent of the ground floor.

PHOTOGRAPH SIMON UPTON

GET THE LOOK Design by Rebekah Caudwell. Nuvole al Tramonto wallpaper, £395 a roll, Cole & Son at Wallpaperdirect. The You & Me ping-pong table, £2,850, The Conran Shop, is a good match

D E S I G N D O S S I E R : FA M I LY

PHOTOGRAPH MATTHEW WILLIAMS/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

Out of sight Reveal or conceal? That’s the question when incorporating a TV into your space. These homeowners have chosen the latter option, secreting their screen behind a sliding bookcase. If a bespoke approach isn’t for you, aim to divert attention from the TV when it’s not in use. Blend it into the background by setting it against a dark wall or surrounding it with pictures to make it part of a gallery display. GET THE LOOK Media unit, Made. 19th-century stool, Galerie Half; in fabric by Antoinette Poisson. Plant pot by Paula Greif. For similar 3D geometric tiles try Cube from Nick Firth Tiles, £35sq m

PHOTOGRAPH ANDREW CAMMARANO

Colour pop Family dining in the hands of interior designer Jessica Helgerson means a neutral backdrop punctuated by cheerful tones – a brilliant idea if you want to dabble without overdoing it. For the floor-to-ceiling storage, Jessica has harnessed four shades of red that complement but also contrast. GET THE LOOK Shelving in Raspberry Truffle, Million Dollar Red, Vermillion and Arroyo Red, all Benjamin Moore. Vintage Paul McCobb chairs; painted in Aruba Blue, Benjamin Moore. Chandelier, David Weeks Studio. The table was custom-made using bookmatched walnut slabs

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Corner sofas have come back round into style, the perfect fix for family life. It brings everyone together for movie night, then allows parents to stretch out once the kids have gone to bed. Slot it into a corner to maximise space, or position it in the middle of a room to zone an open-plan area. This sofa has removable covers that can be cleaned. GET THE LOOK Adda corner sofa, from £6,543; Giano coffee table, from £2,634.50; Bangkok ottoman, from £2,339.12; Magi bench, from £4,420; Oliver side table, from £873.56, all Flexform

PHOTOGRAPH DIDIER DELMAS

Right angle

There’s often a triangular-shaped space under the stairs begging to be put to good use. Architect De Rosee Sa has done just that, squeezing in recessed shelves, a cupboard and a utility room. Stack your laundry appliances if you’re stuck for space under the stairs. Put the drier on top: it’s lighter than the washing machine, so easier to lift. Douglas fir flooring runs throughout and a panelled wall visually separates this area from the rest of the room. GET THE LOOK Douglas fir flooring with a soap white finish, Dinesen. Panelling painted in Dulux Trade’s Chiltern White

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PHOTOGRAPH ALEX JAMES

Step up

Indoor graffiti Chalkboard paint is not a new idea for encouraging creativity, but using it to cover retractable cupboard doors is an inspired solution for hiding practical areas in a personality-filled way. Stylist Siouxsie Dickens has concealed a small utility room, creating a perfect spot for kids to clean up after arts and crafts. Don’t worry if black isn’t your thing: chalkboard paint comes in a range of colours.

PHOTOGRAPH JAMES MERRELL/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

GET THE LOOK Try Rust-Oleum’s black matt chalkboard paint, £13 for 750ml, B&Q. The carpet is by Carpetright

The best seat in the house. Shotgun. Spend & Save. Up to 25% off. Minimum spend applies. Ends 13th April at 10am.

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D E S I G N D O S S I E R : FA M I LY

We’re big believers in rooms that bring families together but that also let individuals have their own space. We have seven children, so an open-plan area means that we can spend quality time with them while also monitoring screen time or helping with their homework. Don’t just design for your children. Create a space for the whole family – and that includes you! For a sense of balance, offset each ‘kid thing’ with something fabulous, like an ornate mirror or a high-end piece of art.

FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS PHOTOGRAPH COSTAS PICADAS

We don’t recommend that you buy children’s furniture. It’s a waste of money because children grow so quickly. Invest in longevity with adult furniture – just be mindful what you choose. For instance, look out for sofas with washable slip covers or curtains in a durable fabric. Years ago, we created a trunk for CB2, which is part of Crate & Barrel. Multifunctional pieces like this are great for hiding away ugly plastic toys, and can just as easily double up as end tables when you’re entertaining. If you have open shelving, use inexpensive baskets as catch-all spaces for paraphernalia. Position them on lower shelves so your children learn where their toys belong – and perhaps even start tidying up after themselves! We recommend an upholstered ottoman as a coffee table instead of something hard and boxy. We have five boys and they like to wrestle. The soft edges of an ottoman make it less likely that someone will get hurt if they take a tumble.

Keep your floor clear by choosing floating shelves or a bookcase with legs. Plus, the more floor you have showing, the bigger your room will feel. It’s also easier to run the vacuum around. Young children will subject your flooring to plenty of spills, so carpet isn’t the best solution. It’s more practical to go for easy-to-clean wooden floors, which we love to soften with big rugs. The TV doesn’t have to dominate a family space. We advise clients not to buy the biggest screen, but something that’s less obtrusive and easier to work into their scheme. Divert attention away from your TV by placing an expensive p i e c e of a r t n e x t t o i t or s u r rou nd i ng it w it h colour-coordinated books. You could spend a fortune hiding your TV, but we think honesty is the best policy.

interview

Designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz on spaces for all

People often think you can’t use white paint when you have a family, but that’s not true. We’ve found a low-gloss paint is ideal as it wipes down easily. Our boys skateboard through the house and bang against the walls, so we’re careful where we hang wallpaper. The ceiling is often the perfect place. It looks fantastic and we don’t have to keep replacing it because it’s been ripped. When considering your lighting, invest in dimmers. That way, once the children are in bed, you can turn down the lights for a more adult atmosphere. X

thenovogratz.com

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An open-plan kitchen, living and dining area is great for a family. There’s room for kids to run around and you can keep an eye on them as you cook, but make the space work hard by zoning it. ‘Partitions, curtains and sliding or folding doors give flexibility, allowing for intimate spaces that can be opened up when you want to spend time as a family,’ says Charles Bettes, managing director of gpad London. ‘And backless shelving can be used to create a partition, but still allows light to pass through,’ advises Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf. If you have small children, consider screwing down the shelves to prevent any accidents.

2 FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS PHOTOGRAPH COSTAS PICADAS

If your budget allows, use fitted storage to maximise space. ‘This could be through built-in shelving or a bench with storage below,’ says Lucy St George, co-founder of Rockett St George. Freestanding storage units or decorative boxes are an affordable option and can work just as well. Plan for reachable storage so that children learn to put things away. ‘It’s even better if these spaces are clearly marked, so children know where their things belong,’ says Lucinda Croft, creative director of Dragons of Walton Street.

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Next, focus on the perfect family dining table. ‘I’d avoid a glass one as it’s painful to maintain,’ says Irene Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co. A good compromise is a wood top finished in a natural oil. ‘It’s easy to clean and can be oiled again to bring it back to life,’ says Alex Michaelis, co-founder of Michaelis Boyd. You will also need a great sofa, so buy something that your family can grow into. ‘Go modular with a sofa that you can add a chaise or extra end to,’ advises Lou Graham, co-founder of Graham & Green. ‘Try to find one with a fixed back or seat. The fewer cushions to fluff, the less work for you,’ says Irene Gunter. ‘Or go for a foam-filled cushion with a feather wrap – only occasional plumping required!’

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Choose sofas and chairs with removable covers or stain-guarding upholstery for easy care. ‘We love using indoor/outdoor fabrics in high-traffic areas,’ says Anna Beeber, partner at Champalimaud Design. These fabrics tend to be stain resistant and wick spills.

planning

Expert tips for nailing communal living with the kids

Go for f looring w ith longev it y a nd durability; engineered wood ticks both those boxes. ‘It’s easy to maintain and comes in different finishes and colours,’ says Lindsey Rendall, co-founder of Rendall & Wright. If possible, use the same flooring throughout to make the space feel larger. ‘Zones can then be defined using rugs,’ suggests Lucy St George. ‘As clients are moving towards more eco-conscious products, natural paints are becoming increasingly popular,’ says Sophie Coller, managing director of Kitesgrove. ‘A natural emulsion on walls of a family living space is not only wipeable and toxin free, but also creates a luxurious, chalky matt finish.’

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

fabulous floors M E E T T H E D E S I G N - L E D A M T I C O S I G N AT U R E C O L L E C T I O N – I T W I L L B R I N G B E A U T Y A N D P E R S O N A L I T Y T O YO U R H O M E

orget everything you thought you knew about vinyl f looring because Amtico is changing the game with its luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). These UK-designed and manufactured tiles will allow you to transform your home with the utmost ease and with the Signature collection you’ll have more choice than ever before. Including 217 products, 20 innovative patterns and more than 100 Designers’ Choice styles, the range will help you create a chic look. THE NEW VINYL Luxury vinyl tiles are worlds away from the retro versions that were ubiquitous in the 1980s and they offer so many benefits. Made from layers of quality materials (think vinyl, resin and PVC) and compressed under hig h pressure, the tiles are ha rd-wea ring, which is why they make the ideal f loor surface. Being both stain- and water-resistant, along with difficult to scuff but easy to clean, luxury vinyl tiles are the ideal addition to any busy home. Plus, they’re naturally warm so no more chilly barefoot mornings.

View Amtico’s full range of products and find your nearest retailer at amtico.com

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ABOVE Rotterdam Oak in Halcyon Pleat (DC423) THIS PICTURE Verbier Oak in French Weave (DC322)

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT

S T Y L E A N D S U B S TA N C E Another huge plus of luxury vinyl tiles is the fact that you can create practically anything you can imagine. Within each of Amtico’s design types – wood, stone and abstract – there are numerous grains, stains and shades on offer, and patterns that you can mix and match to create something unique. If you’re overwhelmed with the options, A mtico’s Designers’ Choice range is here to help as the experts have compiled a beautiful pre-designed collection of floors to choose from.

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPH FELIX MOONEERAM

Cultureplex is Manchester’s latest cultural hub, offering a vast space to work, lounge and dine

the lifestyle edit T H E O N E T H I N G W E ’ R E L U S T I N G OV E R T H I S M O N T H

Grab coffee, dinner and drinks or watch a film at Manchester’s new social space, Cultureplex. This cafe, bar, lounge, restaurant and cinema mash-up is housed in a 19th-century red-brick warehouse on Ducie Street and created by the brains behind London’s cult favourite, Bistrotheque livingetc.com

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going out out PL ACES TO GO, THINGS TO SE E . . .

eat

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS (ARTWORK) KEHINDE WILEY

WHAT... Everything from poké bowls to gelato. WHERE... Mercato Metropolitano Mayfair on North Audley Street. WHY... Following the success of its first UK venture in Elephant & Castle, Mercato has finally thrown open the doors to its second project, and it’s really something quite special. The new food hall calls a spectacular converted church in Mayfair home, and brings the same blend of lively food and drinks traders to this remarkable new dining space.

shop discover WHAT... Artist Kehinde Wiley’s exhibition The Yellow Room. WHERE... The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. WHY... He shot to global fame after painting Barack Obama’s presidential portrait, with a signature style that places figures in front of colourful, often botanical backdrops. In a real coup for the gallery, the NigerianAmerican artist’s latest show sees paintings of women from Dalston against backgrounds inspired by the luscious prints of William Morris.

WHAT... An armchair or two at Arlo & Jacob. WHERE... The new Islington Square development in Angel. WHY... Super stylish and thankfully affordable furniture store Arlo & Jacob is opening a fabulous new flagship at the buzzy Islington Square development. There will be sofas, chairs, a playhouse to dump the kids and even an on-site cafe. While you’re there, check out the rest of the development for stores such as House of Harth, Earl of East and Conservatory Archives.

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cook T W I S T U P PA S TA N I G H T W I T H T H I S M O R E I S H M A FA L D I N E A N D C L A M S

serves 4 400g fresh baby artichokes Juice of 1 lemon, plus the squeezed halves 1kg fresh clams, scrubbed clean 350g dried mafaldine pasta Extra virgin olive oil, to taste 4 large garlic cloves, sliced or chopped 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, stalks chopped, leaves chopped A small glass dry white wine 150g peas, fresh or defrosted from frozen Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Peel the artichokes to their hearts, then slice off the tops, leaving only the tender parts. Pop each artichoke into a bowl of cold water for a few minutes along with the lemon juice and the squeezed-out lemon halves. Drain and drop the artichokes into a pan of boiling water. Simmer for 4-6 minutes until tender, then drain well.

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Sort through the cleaned clams and give a sharp tap to any that aren’t tightly closed. If they don’t close, throw them away. Add the pasta to a pan of boiling water with a pinch of salt and cook according to the packet instructions, until al dente.

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Put a deep frying pan with a lid on a high heat. Add 3 generous pours of olive oil, the artichokes, garlic, parsley stalks and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir constantly and as the garlic starts to colour a tiny bit, tip in the clams and white wine. Give the pan a shake, add the peas and put on the lid. After 3-4 minutes, the clams will start to open. Keep shaking the pan until all have opened. Take the pan off the heat, discarding any unopened clams.

Drain the cooked pasta and add to the pan of clams along with the chopped parsley leaves, seasoning to taste, and a drizzle of olive oil. Stir for a further minute before serving.

RECIPE ALICE HART PHOTOGRAPH JAN BALDWIN/TI-MEDIACONTENT.COM

If you don’t have any mafaldine, pappardelle or fettuccine pasta will work just as well

downtime 3

S ITE S , SO U N DS A N D R E A DS FO R M O R E I N S P I R I N G YO U -TI M E

SMALL SCREEN

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS (SMALL SCREEN) AMANDA MATLOVICH/NETFLIX

Octavia Spencer fronts Netflix’s new series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker, a four-part biopic on the story of America’s first female self-made millionaire. Walker overcame many struggles to launch a successful haircare company, all while fighting for social change. The series is based on the book On Her Own Ground by Walker’s great-great granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles, and will star Blair Underwood, Tiffany Haddish and Carmen Ejogo.

ON THE GR AM

BOOK CLUB

Ever wondered how napkins, mattresses and keys came to be? Amy Azzarito’s The Elements of a Home tells the fascinating stories of household objects, tracing them back to their origins. She consulted hundreds of books and libraries to uncover the truth behind the tools of our daily lives (£14.99, Chronicle Books).

Plant maniac Hilton Carter’s Instagram (@hiltoncarter) is a riot of greenery and flowers from prickly cacti to pretty rose petals. And check out his new book Wild at Home for more horticultural inspiration.

APP ALERT

Bored on your daily commute? Waiting for an appointment? Train delayed? It’s time to puzzle. Forget the primary clashing colours of yesterday’s candy conundrums and consider the Kami 2 app. This addictive game, available on the Apple iOS, has more than 100 beautifully designed, handcrafted puzzles ready to tease your brain without offending your eyes. We’re big fans.

P O D C A S T WAT C H

Remember Anna Delvey? Or should we say Anna Sorokin, the Russian-born con artist who tricked banks, hotels and New York’s high society into funding her lavish life. We’ve been hearing whispers about a TV show , but until then, head to BBC Sounds for Fake Heiress, a podcast by Chloe Moss and Vicky Baker that explores this fascinating scandal.

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If you are up for a bit of a hike, Lantic Bay will reward you with a stunning day out, perhaps with dinner in Fowey (below) to finish off

secret beaches O U R P I C K O F E U R O P E ’ S U N D E R -T H E - R A D A R C O A S TA L H I D E AWAY S

Nowhere in Cornwall is really a secret any more, so for peace and quiet you have to put sheer rock between you and the throbbing summer crowds. Lantic Bay is one of the prettiest, most hidden beaches, surrounded by grass-covered sloping cliffs and grazing meadows. There’s a bit of a climb down, but you’ll be rewarded with gentle paddling, rock pools and a picture-perfect picnic spot.

IN THE KNOW Where to stay? Check into nearby Talland Bay Hotel, a classically designed sanctuary with gorgeous ocean views. Where to eat? Travel to the cute harbour town of Fowey and visit Fitzroy, a fine dining spot from the people behind London’s Westerns Laundry and Jolene restaurants. How to get there? There’s a car park at the cliffs above the bay, from which you’ll have to scamper down to the beach. The area is also fantastic for walkers, who may prefer to navigate the coastal path rather than tackle the 20-minute hike down. Insider’s tip? The keen angler in your life will love the many rocky perches, perfect from which to fish for bass and mackerel.

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FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS (LANTIC BAY) IAN WOOLCOCK, (FOWEY) KEVIN SCHAFER, (CALANQUES) JANOS GASPAR/ALL ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Lantic Bay, Cornwall

Discover beautiful bays beneath limestone cliffs while basing yourself at the recently refurbished art deco Hôtel Les Roches Blanches (below)

Calanques, Provence, France If you thought the south of France was all Louis Vuitton and 12-euro Diet Cokes, then try heading south-east of Marseille to the Massif des Calanques. This rugged stretch of cliff-edge terrain sweeps across 19km of coastline finishing near the charming town of Cassis. The area is defined by sandy bays flanked by soaring sea cliffs – terrain that is hard to reach but well worth the exertion.

IN THE KNOW Where to stay? Head to Cassis, a pretty fishing port once favoured by the Bloomsbury set. The top choice is Hôtel Les Roches Blanches, named after the limestone rocks on which it sits. Where to eat? Book a table at Le Château in Calanque de Sormiou, set right on the water’s edge – its views are unparalleled. How to get there? A train from London to Cassis, with a couple of changes, takes around seven hours. Otherwise it’s a flight to Marseille and then onwards by car. Insider’s tip? The Calanques closes to the public at times throughout the year due to fire risk on the dry cliffs. Check online with the Marseille tourism board for more details.

Experience the most spectacular nature, including the natural wonder that is the colliding of two seas, alongside endless white-sand beaches and the area’s characteristic yellow houses

PHOTOGRAPHS (SKAGEN BEACH) MAURITIUS IMAGES GMBH, (SKAGEN LANDSCAPE) HEMIS

Skagen, Denmark No secret among Scandinavians, but blissfully off-the-beaten track for most Brits, Skagen is Denmark’s northern most town. Best known for its cool, crisp light and a coastline of dramatic, white-sand beaches, it is where the Kattegat and Skagerrak seas meet. Summer months boast long daylight hours and sunshine, while winter offers a revitalising experience straight from the reel of a film noir.

IN THE KNOW Where to stay? Luxury design hotels have yet to find their way to Skagen. The nicest spot in town is Brøndums Hotel, though make sure to ask for a room with en-suite facilities. Where to eat? For special dinners that celebrate the best of Danish cuisine, head to Pakhuset or Ruths Gourmet for Scandi fine dining. Fish stalls along the seafront serve fish and chips. How to get there? The quickest route is flying to Aalborg from London and continuing on to Skagen by train. Insider’s tip? Pick up some handmade Danish tableware at Skagen Potteri, or head to the Skagens Museum to view impressive work by local artists.

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The one-stop edit of the best modern style inspiration and design ideas

The terraces of this small, sheltered shingle beach are popular with artists, who arrive with their easels for a day of painting. Belmond La Residencia (below) offers a very relaxed hideaway in the nearby village of Deià

PHOTOGRAPHS (CALA DEIA) FLORIAN SCHUTZ/ALL ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Cala Deià, Mallorca, Spain A tiny bay in the northwest of Mallorca, Cala Deià lies among the coastal cliffs of the Tramuntana mountain region just outside the village of Deià. Though nowhere near as famous as the island’s main beaches, Cala Deià is bustling and full of buzzy seaside energy thanks to those in the know. Come here to lounge on rocks like a sun-seeking cat and admire the crystal clear turquoise waters.

IN THE KNOW Where to stay? It’s got to be the luxurious Belmond La Residencia. Backed by towering green mountains, the handsome hotel was created by the merging of two 16th-century villas and a mix-and-match of later architectural additions. Where to eat? There are two restaurants – one on the beach, the other in the cliffs – both serving Mediterranean classics. How to get there? Arrive in style on a boat if you can – Cala Deià is a perfect spot to drop anchor for the day. Otherwise, it’s a 3km walk down from Deià. Insider’s tip? This is a beach to see and be seen at, popular with visiting celebrities and cool vacationers.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

nature’s bounty L E AV E L I F E ’ S S T R E S S E S B E H I N D A N D E N J OY T I M E F O R YO U B Y V I S I T I N G T H E N O R T H YO R K M O O R S N AT I O N A L PA R K , A P L AC E W I T H A S L OW E R PAC E T H AT P R O M I S E S C A L M , C R E AT I V I T Y A N D A S P R I N K L I N G O F M AG I C

The seaside village of Staithes is full of traditional charm

Enjoy wandering the cobbled streets of Robin Hood’s Bay

Discover coastal walks and hidden bays along the heritage coastline

scaping it all need not be a tiring mission of taxis, airport queues and exceeded baggage allowance. Keep things simple with a staycation in the UK instead, and head to a place where artisanship, legacy and adventure mingle against a backdrop of majestic natural beauty.

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS (SUTTON BANK) PAUL D HUNTER; (RED TEA CUP, FORTUNE’S KIPPERS) CERI OAKES; (ROBIN HOOD’S BAY AND RAVENSCAR) TONY BARTHOLOMEW/TURNSTONE MEDIA; (STAITHES) EBOR IMAGES; (CAPTAIN COOK’S MONUMENT) MIKE NICHOLAS; (CINNAMON TWIST SOURDOUGH) POLLY A BALDWIN

L E G E N DA RY L A N D S C A P E The sheer vastness of the North York Moors encompasses varying worlds, from the luscious green of densely wooded forests to dramatic cliffs along its coastline. Experiencing it all can go a lot further than a simple hike or ramble. Take woodland mindfulness classes at High Dalby House, go whale watching with Yorkshire Coast Nature or discover a ghost or two at Robin Hood’s Bay with Whitby Storyteller.

The sweeping moorland landscape is wonderful in every season

T H E PA S T I N T H E P R E S E N T The region is steeped in a rich cultural and local heritage. You’ll find enchanting secret gardens, imposing castles, and of course the heather moorland that shapes so much of the area’s identity. Feel spirited away to a botanical dreamland at Helmsley Walled Gardens or admire the charming Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens. Wander the magnificent halls of Castle Howard or take a step back in time and uncover the impressive ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. FO O D I E FA N TA S T I C Rich agriculture and bountiful seas make this part of the world an area of outstanding eating, guaranteed to tantalise the taste buds of the most discerning of foodies. Brush up on your culinary skills at Arches Cookery School, tour the fruit orchards at Ampleforth Abbey and experience a little of the golden age of steam travel with a delicious meal in an iconic Pullman dining carriage. I N T H E K N OW Visit the woodland playgrounds and tree collections at Yorkshire Arboretum’s 120 acres of manicured parkland. Try your hand – or should we say foot – at a spot of Nordic Walking with Coast & Moors, a guaranteed full body workout. Discover the joy of painting on a residential weekend course at the beautifully located Staithes Art School.

For more information on planning a trip, visit northyorkmoors.org.uk/timeforyou; @northyorkmoors

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globetrotter E L A D Y I F R AC H S P I L L S H I S T E L AV I V S E C R E T S

First things first – where should we stay? White Villa is my new favourite urban hotel in the heart of Tel Aviv (whitevillahotel. com). It’s in a Bauhaus building with warm modern interiors – I love the mix of these two design languages. The table to book in advance? Santa Katarina, behind the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv (+972 58 782 0292, Har Sinai Street 2). It serves creative Mediterranean cuisine that is simple but full of flavour. Worth the effort to secure a reservation. Where to go for Tel Aviv’s best shakshuka? Dr. Shakshuka in Old Jaffa is t he be st a nd a s aut hent ic a s ca n be (doctorshakshuka.co.il). It’s all cooked in cast iron skillets – simple and delicious. Sip a cocktail or two at? My favourite ba r is at the Montef iore Hotel (hotelmontefiore.co.il). The chic interiors, beautiful barmen and cool, creative Tel Aviv crowd are always there. Where to pick up a vintage treasure? The old flea market in Jaffa is the best spot.

Ruins in Caesarea

Over the years it has changed from a Middle Eastern antique market to a more global and European vintage market, mixed with Middle Eastern antique finds. The food in the market is great for a lunch break, too. Recommend an independent boutique? Sharon Brunsher boutique on Ami’ad Street 13 (brunsher.com) – a fashion and lifestyle brand with a pure but warm aesthetic. Try The Box (theboxfurniture. co.il) for cool, contemporary furniture from international brands.

Jaffa flea market

The district to get lost in? Neve Tzedek is the oldest neighbourhood in Tel Aviv; it is made up of small streets with beautiful old Ottoman houses that live in harmony next to modern architecture. There are some great coffee shops and restaurants and it’s also very close to the beach, so you can end the day by enjoying the sunset with a glass of wine.

Dr. Shakshuka

The best gallery in town? Head to the Rosenfeld Gallery – one of the best venues for modern art in the city (rg.co.il).

Elad Yifrach White Villa hotel

Best trip out of town? I love escaping for a day to the ancient port city of Caesarea. With beautiful archaeological Roman ruins and an amphitheatre, it’s where I used to go for concerts as a child and still do today. The beach is untouched and meets the ruins. Don’t leave without visiting? Carmel market is the best place in the heart of the city for all the smells and flavours that Israel has to offer, in one little outdoor market. The street food is a must.

For more travel ideas and hotel inspiration, visit thecaribou.com 168

livingetc.com

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY PHOTOGRAPHS (CESAREA AND JAFFA FLEA MARKET) ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

orn and raised in Israel, Elad Yifrach first made a name for himself as an interior designer in Beverly Hills. Today he is creative director and founder of L’Objet, the glamorous homeware brand best known for its beautifully crafted tableware and decorative accessories. We caught five with Elad to talk all things Tel Aviv, the city he lives and works in.

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An iconic design, sturdy, practical, beautifully smooth and tactile, our Lutyens Hardwood Bench will enhance any garden. The bench is stained, oiled and gently rubbed down by hand to match our furniture range. Made from Hardwood Acacia from sustainable sources. Reduced from £279.99 to £149.99. There is a matching Coffee Table, which is reduced from £119.99 to £74.99. Cushions for the bench and to turn the coffee table into a footstool are also available to buy. To order please visit www.plant-theatre.co.uk. The bench arrives flat-packed and part-assembled. Includes free UK mainland delivery.

BESPOKE BLINDS FOR STYLISH LIVING Control the temperature and ambience of your home with these stunning bespoke blinds. Provide valuable shade and insulation, and help reduce glare to create a relaxing environment. Perfect for conservatories, orangeries, gables, roof lanterns and bi-folding doors, with remote control options and smart device integration. Contact Conservatory Blinds Limited for your free brochure or quotation, and save up to 25% off the most popular blinds in the Spring Sale. Call 0800 071 8888 or visit www.conservatoryblinds.co.uk/offers

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See all our listings at about-the-house.co.uk. To advertise please contact Michael on 020 7843 6958 or email michaelguest@about-the-house.co.uk About the House and the companies shown in this advertisement feature are wholly independent of Living Etc Magazine. Care has been taken to establish that the advertisers are legitimate. It is recommended that you carry out your own checks before making a purchase. When making a purchase we recommend payment by credit card.

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CULTR A , COUNT Y DOWN On a warm(ish) spring evening, there are few places Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather go than down to the beach at Cultra, just outside Holywood, Northern Ireland. Walk along the bays littered with mussel shells, tentatively dip a toe in the (freezing) Belfast Lough or pop into the Yacht Club for a sundowner. Catch a glimpse of the Harland & Wolff cranes, Samson and Goliath, which dominate the skyline and, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lucky, witness a burst of sunshine over the still waters. X

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PHOTOGRAPH DAVID NIXON/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

News and features editor Thea Babington-Stitt on the coastal spot she runs to when needing an escape