Frahfw by Primaveradeatres

9000

9001

june 2021

guest editor jonathan adler serves up

happiness through desıgn euphoric interiors PAT T E R N , P L I N T H S & P L AY F U L N E S S A L L ADD PERSONALITY THE STYLE SETTERS K I C K - S TA R T I N G A BRAND-NEW ERA C E L E B R AT E T H E J OY OF ECCENTRICITY

dress your home for the roaring twenties 2.0

june 2021

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN/TRUNK ARCHIVE

18 21 24 28 33 36 38 102

news & shopping EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT Pretty pastel celebration cakes, cool chequerboard patterns and antique hunting on Instagram STYLE SETTERS Influential icons, including Alexander Girard (p17), Elsie de Wolfe (p35), Paul Smith (p93), Tony Duquette (p119), Grace Jones (p130) and Nick Cave (p153) THE EDITED CHOICE Fluid shapes and tactile finishes take these vases to another level NEWS Designer pieces, the latest launches and summer buys that have caught our eye CATWALK LOOK Fashion-led homeware THE EDITED CHOICE Chic drinks cabinets for your at-home cocktail hour DESIGN RADAR Interiors pro Linda Boronkay on the beautiful buys she’s swooning over ECCENTRICITY – AN UNHELPFUL GUIDE How to adopt unconventional decor LIFESTYLE REBOOT Trina Turk on California life and how it influences her work STYLE FILE: HEDONISTIC DECOR Cheery pieces to bring a party vibe to your home

43 44 54 64 72 82

fabulous spaces ROOM OF THE MONTH de Gournay director Hannah Cecil Gurney’s living room is inspired by Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment PALM BEACH PAD Jonathan Adler works his trademark colour, wit and glamour to the max in fashion designer Liz Lange’s poolside retreat SYDNEY HOUSE Contemporary art blends happily with original features and bold design in this harmonious family home MEXICAN VILLA Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard celebrates the country’s vibrant colours and culture in this amazing space SAN FRANCISCO HOME A Beaux-Arts abode has been rejuvenated thanks to Jonathan Adler’s signature tongue-in-cheek chic MADRID APARTMENT Punchy hues, playful touches and a dash of Palm Springs bring a fun, upbeat vibe to this city flat by designer Nuria Alía

livingetc.com

95 96 107 111 113 116 121 122 125 126 129

livingetc.com

design & decorating DETAIL OF THE MONTH Discover Arte’s wallcoverings that depict dreamy painterly scenes PALETTE CLEANSER Let design refresh your mood with schemes built around lively colours, fun shapes and an irreverent sense of fun NOT THAT I BELIEVE IN RULES BUT… Jonathan Adler’s guide to decorating PATTERN BOOK Maximalist wallpapers DESIGN PROFILE Meet three US-based artists shaking up the creative landscape COLOUR INSIGHT Why designer Cristina Celestino uses neutral backdrops in her own home but strong and moody shades at work STYLE COLUMNIST Minnie Kemp on being inspired by a piece of art or design GARDEN INSIGHT Stefano Marinaz’s design for a city garden maximises privacy GARDENING COLUMNIST Poppy Okotcha on what she’s planting out right now and how to get your soil primed for growing CASE STUDY Glamorous materials meet generous proportions in a Parisian bathroom KITCHEN AND BATHROOM NEWS The latest products and designs

133 137 145 147 148 154 158 162

11 90 110

personality dossier NEWS Characterful ideas from the experts LOOKBOOK Charisma-filled spaces for inspo

the lifestyle edit THE ONE THING WE’RE EXCITED FOR THIS MONTH The maximalist interiors of the luxury Mitre hotel on the banks of the Thames IN AND OUT Things to do – at home or outside À LA FRANÇAISE Rebekah Peppler shares her recipes for cooking and eating the French way HOTEL HOT LIST Holidays in three stellar countries, with options for different budgets GLOBETROTTER India Hicks on the Caribbean paradise of Harbour Island SECRET ADDRESS BOOK Jonathan Adler finds a bindery offering desk furnishings beautifully done

and the rest… EDITOR’S LETTER SUBSCRIBE Sign up to never miss an issue MEET THE DECORATORS Book your tickets to our next series of House Tours Open Door and get some top decorating tips from the experts

happiness through desıgn Welcome to Livingetc’s first-ever guest-edited issue, filled with stories and ideas straight from the brilliantly creative mind of Jonathan Adler

Designer, TV presenter and bon viveur, @jonathanadler

what i’m into this month 1

Eau de Nil – it transports me to the lobby of Claridge’s with its eau de Nil china and portrait of Winston Churchill framed with an eau de Nil border.

Curves – ripples are rad. Circles are cool. Squares? Spiritless. But ask me again in six months. I’m very, very fickle.

3 PHOTOGRAPH (PALM TREE) ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

June – Saturday is the best day and June is the Saturday of the summer.

news-stand cover

subscriber cover

One minute you were skipping along, living your best life, and the next minute you were home schooling your kids in trigonometry– and not understanding any of it – while fretting over vulnerable loved ones and dangling by a thread. And that’s if you were one of the lucky people who wasn’t on the front lines. Life became a mad scramble to find ways to survive, both mentally and physically. We binge-watched Call My Agent! and Bake Off. We knitted and nattered and needlepointed. We baked and bought exercise bikes and we scrolled through Instagram for hours with a dead expression on our faces. But we also did something else, something rather momentous and fabulous: we decorated our brains out! Overnight, your home became everything! Whether a garret or a mansion, it made no difference. Never before have so many people suddenly decided that their living room was an abomination and that their throw cushions were a total embarrassment and needed to be incinerated ASAP. And so, whilst stuck in our various abodes, we tweaked, we repainted, we renovated and we re-zhooshed. And guess what? It worked! Our endeavours were mood-enhancers. Combating the mishugas of 2020/21, we found decorating to be a therapeutic strategy. During uncertain times, reworking your decor was one of the few things you could control. You might have been stuck in a bedsit in Slough, but with a lick of turquoise paint and faux bamboo chairs you could feel like you were in Palm Beach. When Livingetc (favourite mag ever) asked me to guest edit, I knew exactly what my message should be. I dedicate this issue to the magical, majestic, multifaceted powers of interior design. My issue is a celebration of the power of pastels, a tribute to tassels, a thank you to the six style setters I’ve dotted through the pages, all of which have influenced me and who I thought you’d want to know more about. In short, a groovy room can turn a grey sky blue. Decor is lemon sorbet for the soul. Needlepoint that!

livingetc.com

FUTURE PLC, 161 MARSH WALL, LONDON E14 9AP. TELEPHONE: 020 3148 7154 EMAIL: livingetc@futurenet.com

editorial

ma nagement

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sarah Spiteri EDITOR Pip McCormac GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emma Williams GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Jennifer Spaeth CONTENT & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Michael Holmes

CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Angie O’ Farrell MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOMES Jason Orme CHIEF AUDIENCE & ECOMMERCE OFFICER Aaron Asadi FINANCE DIRECTOR MAGS & SUBS Dan Jotcham SVP GLOBAL OPERATIONS & MARKETFORCE Adrian Hughes

HOMES CONTENT TEAM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Rhoda Parry HOUSES EDITOR Mary Weaver ASSOCIATE EDITOR Busola Evans INTERIORS EDITOR Emma Thomas NEWS AND FEATURES EDITOR Thea Babington-Stitt NEWS AND SHOPPING EDITORS Rohini Wahi and Jo Bailey SHOPPING EDITOR Holly Phillips GARDENS EDITOR Teresa Conway FOOD DIRECTOR Elisa Roche FOOD EDITOR Samuel Goldsmith BRAND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Laura Crombie VIDEO PRODUCER Matt Gibbs DIGITAL EDITOR IN CHIEF – HOMES AUDIENCE Amy Cutmore DIGITAL EDITOR IN CHIEF – ECOMMERCE Lindsey Davis DIGITAL EDITOR Lotte Brouwer GROUP ART DIRECTOR Alison Walter ART EDITORS Melanie Brown and Paula Jardine SENIOR DESIGNER Hannah Bennewitz HEAD OF SUBS OPERATIONS Maxine Clarke HUB CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Carly Rigley SENIOR SUB-EDITORS Marian McNamara and Karen Wiley HEAD OF ART PRODUCTION Nicola Tillman ART PRODUCTION DESIGNER Chris Saggers MISSED LAST MONTH’S ISSUE? If you require any other issues of Livingetc magazine, these are available for purchase at magazinesdirect.com or by calling 0330 333 1113 (lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm UK time). SUBSCRIPTIONS Online orders www.magazinesdirect.com Livingetc, ISSN 1461-9180, is published 12 times a year by Future Publishing Ltd, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. One-year full subscription rates for 12 issues including postage & packing: UK £60.40; Europe €171.70; USA $196.70; Rest of world £188.80. For subscription enquiries call 0330 333 1113, overseas call: +44 330 333 1113 (lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm UK time) or email help@magazinesdirect.com. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named World Container Inc, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Brooklyn NY 11256. US POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Living Etc, World Container Inc, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at Future Publishing, c/o Air Business Subscriptions, Rockwood House, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH.

adver tisi ng COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Rob Biagioni (rob.biagioni@futurenet.com) BRAND DIRECTOR Kim Milroy (kim.milroy@futurenet.com) INTERNATIONAL AND LUXURY ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Carole Bunce (carole.bunce@futurenet.com) REGIONAL DIGITAL AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alexa Berry (alexa.berry@futurenet.com) INSERT SALES – CANOPY MEDIA Michael Davie (020 7611 1062) ITALIAN OFFICE Studio Villa, Graziamaria Grillo, Ilaria Prato (0039 0231 1662, graziamaria@studiovilla.com) DANISH OFFICE Morten Petersen (0045 2143 7518, mpe@jbmedia.dk) SPANISH OFFICE Maria Maisey (0034 9131 99015, mariamaisey@spectramedia.es) CLASSIFIED SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Charlotte Beckett (charlotte.beckett@futurenet.com) INSERT SALES MANAGER Katherine Brown (07464 544375) HEAD OF MARKETING Sian Cupid (sian.cupid@futurenet.com) DEPUTY HEAD OF MARKETING Laura Timms (laura.timms@futurenet.com) CIRCULATION MANAGER Katie Greenan (katie.greenan@futurenet.com) INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sam Viggers (sam.viggers@futurenet.com) HEAD OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS David Abbott (david.abbott@futurenet.com) SYNDICATION Efi Mandrides (efi.mandrides@futurenet.com) PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Bill Argent (william.argent@futurenet.com) ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Nick Williams (nick.williams@futurenet.com) GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER Clare Scott SENIOR AD PRODUCTION MANAGER Jo Crosby

international licensing Livingetc is available for licensing. To find our more contact us at licensing@ futurenet.com or view our available content at www.futurecontenthub.com HEAD OF PRINT LICENSING Rachel Shaw

PRINTED BY Walstead UK Limited DISTRIBUTED BY Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 3rd ﬂoor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, 0203 787 9001

We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. The manufacturing paper mill and printer hold full FSC and PEFC certification and accreditation.. All contents © 2021 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and/or have the necessary rights/permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future and its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in any/all issues and/or editions of publications, in any format published worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material you submit is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage. We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend, adapt all submissions. 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 (https://www.ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at livingetc@futurenet.com or write to Livingetc, Future PLC, 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.

livingetc.com

Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.com

Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford !ǝǣƺǔ ˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼ ȒǔˡƬƺȸ Rachel Addison Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244

everyone’s talking about... RETRO BAKES The trend for ordering overthe-top cakes to celebrate absolutely anything has emerged as one delightful outcome of lockdown life. We’ve been coveting gloriously frilly retro cakes by independent online bakeries like @aprilsbakerlondon, pictured, and @coven_bakery.

LONDON ’S NEW HOTE L Spring sees the most exciting hotel opening in London since The Ned. Designed by New York ‘starchitects’ Roman and Williams – responsible for Ace Hotel NY and New Orleans – NoMad is a 91-room hotel that draws inspiration from its storied building inside the historic former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in Covent Garden.

T H E WAV Y SHADE

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

This woven and wavy lampshade is a collaboration between the stylish @aconsideredspace and luxury brand Munro and Kerr – and has been an instant sell-out! New seasonal colourways are on pre-order.

CHEQUERED PA S T

The seductive big sister of gingham, the classic chequerboard pattern has been popping up in surprising places, from ceramics to wall treatments. Pictured here is the glamorous Roman pool towel in Paloma Sun & Ecru from Baina.

SOCIAL ANTIQUING Over the last year Instagram has become the go-to for antiquing enthusiasts, with an abundance of cleverly curated accounts emerging that carry an evolving array of vintage objects for sale. Favourites are the pages of @folie_ chambre, pictured, @fourquartershome and @two_poems.

livingetc.com

FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY

THE ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER WHO BROUGHT WARMTH TO THE MODERNIST MOVEMENT

F E L L OW GRAPHIC ST YLE SETTERS MARY QUANT, FASHION DESIGNER She sparked a fashion revolution, with her work liberating young women from the constrictive corsetry of their mothers’ wardrobes. CORITA KENT, ARTIST AND ACTIVIST The former nun confronted issues of poverty, racism and war via her screen prints. CHARLEY HARPER, ILLUSTRATOR, ARTIST AND CONSERVATIONIST Harper’s colourful midcentury serigraphs and silk screen prints changed the way we look at nature.

Described as a ‘healer of souls’ due to the sense of wellbeing his work elicited, Alexander Girard was one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. He worked alongside the greats, such as Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, and his take on pattern and print can still be seen in contemporary pieces by the likes of LRNCE and Sarah Sherman Samuel. Born in 1907 in New York, Girard’s work spanned the interior design of homes, restaurants, offices and aeroplanes, as well as furniture, graphics, typography and textiles. He had a fascination with folk art and gathered one of the world’s most

important collections, subsequently bequeathing it to the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. Girard became director of design for Herman Miller’s textile division. His graphic fabrics reflected his architectural roots, transforming the look of furniture produced by the resident design team. He was co-architect of the Miller House with Saarinen, designing its interior down to the last decorative detail. Known for bringing ‘warmth and humanity’ to the ‘coldness’ of modernism, his joyful designs (now manufactured by Vitra) are still instantly recognisable today.

alexander girard

style setter

Girard’s charming decorative dolls are still in production and available at Heal’s

the edited choice Sphere vase, £45, 101 Copenhagen at &YOU

Chubby vase, £65, Wang & Söderström for Hay Bourrelles 2 vase, £58, Honoré at Smallable

Pastille vase, £22, Cooee Design at Nordic Nest

Nomad vase, £160, Clementina van der Walt for Clementina Ceramics at Hadeda

Purple Curved Neck Bottle 1, £250, Arjan Van Dal at The New Craftsmen

FEATURE JO BAILEY

Medium Paradox vase, £198, Jonathan Adler

sculptural vessels Pleomorph vessel, £150, Abid Javed at A New Tribe

livingetc.com

Blush Aura vase, £71, Schneid Studio at Bombinate

The shape of things to come – fluid designs with an artistic edge

news

T H E P O W E R PAT T E R N

wonder walls Adventure through underwater jungles and abandoned arches with textile designer Josephine Munsey’s wonderfully escapist wallpapers. Drawing from personal sketchbooks and exhibitions, the newly launched collection is rich in fantastical flora and fauna and leaves plenty of scope for daydreaming. Underwater Jungle in Soft Aqua and Coral (left) and Graphite and Jewel, £160 a roll (josephinemunsey.com)

THE CORE PIECE

sof t ser ve Q uite possibly the most inv iting resting plac e we c ould ima g ine – the Gr a nde S of f ic e sofa evokes the plump softness of a cloud. From its sumpt uous shape to its plush upholster y, it represents the pin nacle of E dr a’s investig ations into c omfor t a nd st yle. Pr ic e on request (edr a .c om)

C E L E B R AT I N G CRAFTSMANSHIP FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

THE SEASONAL BUY

juicy fruit Sunshine is here again, which always calls for an injection of colour into our homes. Bring those sunny rays indoors with Dutch brand Anna + Nina’s vibrant new Viva La Vida homeware collection. It allows us to dream of soon-to-come days bursting with ripe produce. The range includes dreamy floral vases, lemonade-yellow carafes and this sweet vintage-inspired, hand-painted set of fruit cups. £42.99 for a set of four (anna-nina.nl)

a liquid asset Reflecting the final stage of a droplet of water when it flattens and hits the ground, this simple but storied bone china pendant is painstakingly crafted. The sculptural shade is slip-cast using a two-part mould so heavy it requires four hands to lift. Turned upside down, the mould is filled to its brim with liquid clay then the excess carefully poured out. Drop Three pendant, £389 (originalbtc.com)

livingetc.com

news GOING GREEN

perfect plains

CRUSHING ON

table light We love a bit of multifunctional design and Contardi’s new Calypso lamp doubles as a place to rest your cocktail. It is the sort of piece that speaks of elegant evenings bathed in a warm glow and is characterised by a smart art deco-inspired shade detailed with elegant black stripes. The stand is lacquered in black with leather details and, curving up, is topped by a marble table. £1,650 (contardi-italia.com)

French fabric house Camengo’s bright and breez y range of plain textiles are just as earth-friendly as they are lovely. The GA I A collection includes 29 delicate block colours composed of rec ycled polyester derived from water bottles and food packaging. This air y curtain features GA I A in Snow, Copper and Blush. £51.50m (camengo.com)

H E R I TA G E REMIX

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

couturier of st yle A masterpiece of modern marquetry and indulging in our love for all things herringbone, this generous table brings smart tailored detailing to dining. Featuring a herringbone wood inlay and a black bevelled edge on the top, the base is an overlapping curve of wood studded with a brass button. Manto table, from £5,850 (gallottiradice.it)

livingetc.com

Marrying playful checked prints and repurposed items like this ex-army surplus rucksack, Duo-Hue is a new collection of digital printed products made with a unique embroidery stitch to create a colour-morphing effect as the product moves. Developed by Amelia Ayerst, who worked closely with James Dyson on the Dyson car before starting her own business, the products range from rucksacks to eye-catching wall hangings. Rucksack, £545 (duohue.com)

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

new stitch

the catwalk look Moss shelf, £132, Busetti Garuti Redaelli for Calligaris Syed tasselled shade, £45, Made

Lug stoneware mug, £38, Hood Ceramics at Selfridges

Brass curve table lamp, £99, Houseof

Zag hooks, £130 set of two, Studio Bling for La Chance

Valentino presented unexpected forms and unconventional finishes at its show

SS21 gave us maximalist shapes and joyous colour at Molly Goddard

Brass Faux Shagreen side tables, £1,357.20 for the pair, Julian Chichester

Bombom sofa, from £2,950 (excluding back cushions), Joana Vasconcelos for Roche Bobois

livingetc.com

FEATURE JO BAILEY PHOTOGRAPH (MOLLY GODDARD) BEN BROOMFIELD

Archer Pardis runner, £6,240, Taher AsadBakhtiari for cc-tapis at Monologue London

quelle surprise Bold shapes and colours in fashion have led to homeware that’ll make you do a double take

news

T H E PA I N T

cool hues Bringing an exquisite depth of colour to walls with earth oxides, GRIS is a progressive mineral alternative to conventional paint. Free of synthetic binders, solvents and acrylics, the GRIS collections consist of the Nordic Series, inspired by Nordic light, the Architectural Series, informed by modernist and brutalist architecture, and the Inky Series, evoking a Japanese mood. From £13.20 for 0.5ltr (grispaints.co.uk)

THE WEEKEND BUY

splash of colour

THE CLASSIC

great cover-ups Lovely layers to soften hard flooring, these cool Williamsburg area rugs from Roger Oates Design are a sure-fire future classic. A contemporary single colour herringbone with a thick woven texture, the rugs are reversible, hand-finished in the brand’s Herefordshire workshop and available in seven modern hues. We like the idea of doubling them up in contrast colours as seen. Williamsburg rug, 140x220cm, £365, (rogeroates.com)

livingetc.com

S M A R T M AT E R I A L

power of three Like joyful jewels for the home, interior designer Natalie Tredgett’s delicate side tables are inspired by the textures found on a cherished 1970s lamp. Made from coloured resin and available in pink, green or gold, these bijou tables can also be used as stools both indoors and out. We want one in every colour. Let The Light In tables, £1,450 each (natalietredgett.com)

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

Bright, painterly and whisk ing their user off to warmer climes, splatter ware has quick ly moved from a trend buy to design-led staple and we can’t get enough of the evolv ing st yles coming our way. New brand Hot Potter y ser ves up a collection of well-priced, hand-splattered ceramics made in Puglia and available in an array of colours that are beg ging to be mi xed and matched. Weight y and dishwasher-proof, they range from £12. 50 - £ 45 – lemon not included (hotpotter y.co.uk)

the edited choice

Feather collection cabinet, £2,198, Anthropologie

Valentina drinks cabinet, £1,899, Heal’s

Misty Venice bar, price on request, Artefatto for Gallotti&Radice

Fluted glass cabinet, £495, Dutchbone at Pure White Lines

Anuel bar, £1,995, Soho Home

Frode cupboard, £1,125, Graham and Green

Ardingly cabinet, from £1,635, Neptune

home bars Raise a toast to the return of the cocktail cabinet – chin-chin!

26 28

livingetc.com

FEATURE JO BAILEY

Palma solid teak cabinet, £1,299, La Redoute

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

news

JUST LAUNCHED

the joy of home Nature’s bounty underpins the latest collection of prints, embroideries, weaves and papers from Jane Churchill. Taking its cue from classic pastoral scenes and the freshness of spring growth, the collection turns to the richness of the natural world for inspiration, with playful, handcrafted elements and small-scale designs complementing an overall feel of vibrant eclecticism. ‘Pretty pastels are gaining prominence,’ says design director Sarah MacGregor, ‘but, as with pattern, these colours are layered with more vibrant shades of ochre, red, dark green and cobalt blue.’ Signature decorative fabrics include densely patterned designs conjuring bold takes on

livingetc.com

the tree of life, combining brights with muted shades. Enriching these hand-blocked fabrics are intricate crewelwork and enticingly irregular geometrics. ‘We’re entering a period of celebrating a more-ismore approach to decorating homes,’ says Sarah. ‘Now more than ever, the home is where we spend most of our time, so the priority is increasingly being placed on how to decorate an interior with pattern and colour that makes us feel truly happy.’ Curtains in Capel in Red, £76m; curtain edging in Emile in Poppy, £61m; sofa in Emile in Taupe, £61m; cushions in (from rear) Emile in Poppy; Emile in Dark Aqua; Emile in Ochre, all £61m, Jane Churchill (colefax.com)

design radar Interior designer Linda Boronkay on the pieces catching her eye this month

1 U NDE R COVE R I can’t live without hats. This elegant bicolour piece is on my wish list for this season. Sand Capelan hat, €400, Eliurpi at Browns London

2 LIGHT UP This ceramic lamp reminds me of summer days with its straw ‘hat’ and bohemian base. Volta lamp, £525, A New Tribe

3 GLASS ART Coffee tables make or break a living room and while I’m usually cautious with glass tops this one is a spectacular design. Puddle table, £1,392, Pandora Taylor

4 B OW L OV E R A recent discovery of mine is a lovely Scandi-inspired brand that sells all things home in an affordable price range. I particularly love its glazed kitchenware. Jules serving bowl, £42, Att Pynta

3 4

5 TA B L E TA L K I’ve got into tableware and linen a lot recently and I adore this Picasso-inspired embroidery detail. Pablo linen dining set, €180 for 4 napkins and 4 place mats, Studio Erhart

6 FLOOR FUN LRNCE offers a range of abstract patterns and prints, ideal to spruce up your front room. The tableware is great, too. Mataha rug, from €1,450, LRNCE

livingetc.com

FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY

AMERICAN INTERIOR DECORATOR, AUTHOR AND ACTRESS

BELOW De Wolfe’s music pavilion, looking out onto the pool

Dubbed ‘America’s first interior decorator’, Elsie de Wolfe transformed what was a little-known, male-dominated profession with her fresh style and flair for French elegance. De Wolfe’s reputation was established with her first commission to decorate The Colony Club, New York’s first members’ club for women, which opened in 1907. Eschewing the dark Victorian style of the time, de Wolfe ushered in pale walls, wicker furniture, trellis and chintz. De Wolfe’s creativity had blossomed after setting up home with Elisabeth Marbury, a literary agent. Restyling their house, she’d cleared the clutter,

De Wolfe pushed the boundaries by mixing traditional and contemporary

MORE M AV E R I C K S DAVID HICKS, INTERIOR DECORATOR AND DESIGNER Hicks revolutionised interiors with bold colours mixed with antiques and abstract art. FRANÇOIS CATROUX, INTERIOR DESIGNER Catroux skilfully combined 1960s modernism with 18th-century neoclassicism. SYRIE MAUGHAM, INTERIOR DECORATOR ‘The first female decorator in England’ caused a sensation with her fresh schemes and dramatic all-white rooms.

elsie de wolfe

style setter creating light, open spaces – attracting acclaim from the couple’s society friends. De Wolfe launched her interior decorating business in 1905. Her eye for European style led to commissions from the Vanderbilts and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, while her book The House in Good Taste (1913) brought her ideas to a wider audience. ‘Elsie de Wolfe took risks and pushed the boundaries of design by mixing traditional and contemporary,’ says designer Kelly Wearstler. ‘The way she played with scale and proportions in interiors was particularly genius and has influenced the way I design.’

eccentricity – an unhelpful guide The creative visionary Simon Doonan on embracing character in your home and how Jonathan Adler showed him why reining it in slightly works best

am an extremist. When it comes to matters of style, nothing is too eccentric or unconventional for my warped sensibility. How did I get like this? My decor journey began in a rooming house in the threadbare 1950s. I was a scabby-kneed urchin with delusions of grandeur, desperate to swap our attic hovel for the ground-floor spread occupied by our flamboyant landlady, Miss Burchett. Her moody lair boasted a massive wooden RAF airplane propeller over the mantelpiece and ochre yellow camel saddles for seating. Adjacent to the propeller was the kitschiest artwork of the post-war era: Tretchikoff’s Chinese Girl. Which leads me to tip number one – eccentric decor will lift you out of the doldrums. #antidepressant. Erelong the Swinging Sixties exploded into Technicolor with the advent of The Beatles, Cardin, Warhol, psychedelia and groovy fashion. Fitting rooms were collaged with communist propaganda or something equally ironic. It was inevitable that we dedicated followers of fashion would divert this kind of unconventional decor into our abodes. Tip two: add eccentricity to your loo walls with a provocative-themed collage or lavish wallpaper. In the early 70s me and Biddie – my cabaret artist room-mate – moved into a two-bedroomed flat in Battersea and set about transforming it into an incoherent, low-budget sideshow. I was a window dresser and Biddie was performing a drag act. As a result, there was no shortage of props laying around. We turned the toilet into a jungle, complete with plastic greenery and snakeskin wallpaper. The bathroom was carpeted with Astroturf and strewn with fake flowers. In our haste to install drapes and swags we delivered the ultimate f-you to decorating convention: simply hot-gluing the fabric directly to our window frames. Tip three: when you are in a decorating frenzy make sure you are well-stocked with glue sticks. In the late 70s I moved to Hollywood. Out of the smog a flock of taboo-busting visionaries arose: Frank Gehry

designed his ‘lifeguard station’ house on Venice Beach; Peter Shire took his playful Memphis aesthetic to delirious heights. Et moi? I made a new friend: acrylic paint. Inspired by London legend Duggie Fields, I spattered my floors in new-wave colours and marbled my walls. When my couch began to look worse for wear, I painted the entire thing with neo-classical swags and columns. Tip four: Who needs an upholsterer when you’ve got a new best friend? In the mid 80s I moved to NYC to work at the Met Costume Institute, during the reign of Diana Vreeland, she of the leopard carpet and blood-red walls. The Met exhibit on this particular year was titled Costumes of Royal India. As a result of my DV experience I went sari crazy. I draped the windows and doorways of my Greenwich Village pad with swags of synthetic sari fabric in lurid colours. Who’s sari now? Tip five: bad puns are better than good puns. Enter husbear. I met Jonathan Adler a quarter of a century ago. He showed me that eccentric decor works best when you self-edit. It’s one thing to go bonkers in a Barneys window – and trust me, I did – it’s another to glue oversized fluorescent plastic smiley faces all over the ceiling of your boudoir. Jonathan showed me that one well-placed smiley face will do nicely, thank you very much. My Jonny taught me that eccentric decor needs finesse and a sense of permanence. Tip six: put down the glue gun. Move away from the glue gun. Final thought: after spending more time at home, staring at the same old walls, you are doubtless feeling that your decor could use a little eccentric kapow. What are you waiting for? Always hankered after a conversation pit or a bedroom emblazoned with 70s supergraphic stripes, an Astroturf bathroom or an optical art floor? Do it now before your teeth end up in a glass next to your bed. Hey Jonny! Do dentures qualify as eccentric decor?

Eccentric

decor needs finesse and a sense of permanence

livingetc.com

Simon Doonan is the author of How to Be Yourself (Phaidon Press) and Keith Haring (Laurence King Publishing).

One well-placed smiley face will do nicely

The Frank Gehrydesigned house in Venice Beach

Chinese Girl by Vladimir Tretchikoff

Simon filled his apartment with plastic palm trees

PHOTOGRAPHS (WALLPAPER) PAUL RAESIDE/ FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (ALL OTHERS) ALAMY

“When it comes to matters of style, nothing is too eccentric or unconventional for my warped sensibility”

Simon Doonan, living life eccentrically

Peter Shire’s Bel Air chair Add lavish wallpaper to your cloakroom

livingetc.com

lifestyle reboot LA-based fashion designer Trina Turk on the challenge of fitting clothes remotely and how the pandemic made her more comfortable being on her own

or the past 25 years, fashion designer Trina Turk has shaped Californian style with her eponymous brand, thanks to her joyous and maximalist approach to colour and pattern. Think bright bold prints that instantly transport you to the beach and evoke carefree glamour. The brand, which Trina found alongside her late husband Jonathan Skow, has attracted a slew of high-profile names, including Taylor Swift and Kate Hudson. Trina lives in Los Feliz, Los Angeles.

What are the biggest changes you have had to make to your business? Unfortunately we had to lay off many employees fairly immediately. We also downscaled the size of our collections and went from 12 boutiques to six. Everyone took a 20% pay cut. A bright note is that we were eventually able to bring the remaining team back to their regular salaries. What inspires your work? California, art and design, travel, nature, vintage textiles and the latest in fabric technology. Have you picked up any new interests as a result of lockdown?

livingetc.com

Trina Turk’s designs are inspired by the fun and the vibrancy of living in California

I started sewing again, which I had not done regularly since I was a design student. What’s the biggest lifestyle change you have made? I’ve lived in Los Angeles since 1985, so it’s been eye-opening to see cool architecture, plants, landscaping and vistas in a new way when on foot. What three stores do you rely on the most? My neighbourhood grocery store Gelson’s; the designer resale website TheRealReal; and Chairish for browsing vintage furniture.

What was the most positive thing to come out of the pandemic for you? After my husband died suddenly in 2018, I travelled a lot as a distraction. But the past year forced me to stop and settle. I have had to spend a lot of time at home and have become more comfortable with being by myself. What is the biggest business lesson you’ve learnt in the past year? You never know what’s coming next. X

trinaturk.com

It’s been eye-opening to see cool architecture, plants, landscaping and vistas in a new way around Los Angeles

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS PHOTOGRAPH DEWEY NICKS/COURTESY OF TRINA TURK

How has your work changed in the last year? It’s been crazy, as it has been for everyone. The decision was made right away to ‘shop our archive’ as a cost-savings measure. Work has been a mix of in-person and remote, with no travel. Design meetings were held over Zoom. That was OK, but at some point you have to touch and feel the fabric! After the initial lockdown, we went back to fittings in person with temperature-taking and masks. It’s nearly impossible to fit garments remotely.

LIVINGETC / PARTNERSHIP

a new way to decorate L I V I N G E T C A N D L I C K H AV E L AU N C H E D A N A M A Z I N G PAI NT PA LE T TE TO MAKE INTRODUCING COLOUR TO YO U R S PAC E S I M P LE

FROM TOP LEFT Blue 10; Blue 09; White 03; Purple 03; Pink 05; Yellow 03; Blue 08 (under stair treads), all Lick x Livingetc

W FROM TOP White 03; Yellow 03; Pink 05, all Lick x Livingetc

elcome to the summer of Neo Deco decor, our 2021 take on the pure drama, energy and optimism of all things art deco. Think rounded and smooth corners, the clean-cut lines, the geometric patterns, the glass, the velvet… but with an edginess that’s here to stay. And it all begins with seven new paint colours we’ve created for Lick. They’re the shades we’re craving most at the moment – hues that exude excitement and joy. Ranging from the uplifting sky tones of Blue 10 and the subtle tint of red within the pastel softness of Pink 05 to the golden warmth of Yellow 03 and the dark richness of Purple 03, they’ll work together perfectly. Our palette box is meant to be played with, safe in the knowledge that whatever combination you choose will bring a burst of sunshine into your space. H ow a b o u t a c o o l w a l l painted in White 03, enlivened with vibrant Blue 08 skirting and a ceiling in the soft eau de nil of Blue 09? Or, as above left, make like one of the candy pink South Beach buildings we’re currently drawn to and go all-out in Pink 05, but bring it up to date by adding a datum line of Yellow 03. Whichever way you spin them, they’ll work harmoniously together – fresh, invigorating and exactly right for now.

The colours in the palette all work together harmoniously. Blue 10, Blue 09 and Purple 03 were used here

We l ove h ow e a s y L i c k m a ke s i t t o d e co r a t e, offering an edited range of paints, wallpapers and blinds with quick delivery of peel-and-stick samples. Your new decor scheme is here. To o r d e r the Livingetc x Lick Palette 01 as a box of peel-and-stick samples, head to lickhome.com/livingetc

livingetc.com

FEATURE MARY WEAVER PHOTOGRAPH DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN, DEGOURNAY.COM

The de Gournay hand-painted Coco Coromandel chinoiserie wallpaper on Edo Burnt Umber painted Xuan paper comes in 915mm-wide panels

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

When it came to de Gournay director Hannah Cecil Gurney’s own living room, the brand’s Coco Coromandel paper was her choice. Inspired by Far Eastern screens in Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, the camellias and birds are hand-painted to imitate the techniques of the Ming dynasty livingetc.com

poolside glamour Fashion designer Liz Lange wanted her Palm Beach house to exude fun and luxury. There was only ever one man for the job – Jonathan Adler X

PHOTOGRAPHY Douglas Friedman/Trunk Archive WORDS Jo Leevers

GARDEN Liz on the avenue of palm trees leading to the front door. ‘Cycling is part of the easy living, slow pace of life here,’ says Liz. ‘For a New Yorker like me, it’s the perfect antidote to city life.’ Townie bike, Electra

houses

DINING ROOM The ceiling is papered to resemble a canopy, combined with paisley walls and a double whammy of tablecloth patterns. Ceiling in Glastonbury Stripe, Cole & Son. Samarkand wallpaper, Peter Dunham Textiles

LIVING ROOM ‘I wanted a sorbet palette: pale lavender, minty green, powder blue and light yellow,’ says Liz. Walls in Daiquiri Ice, Benjamin Moore. Regeant daybeds, Selamat; upholstered in Andy Stripe in Mineral, Schumacher

houses

livingetc.com

B R E A K FA S T N O O K The tropical decor tunes into the indoor-outdoor lifestyle. For a vintage Saarinen Tulip table, try Criterion Auctioneers. Dayna chairs, Ballard Designs. Photograph, Slim Aarons at Jonathan Adler. Le chant de tidore wallpaper, Pierre Frey

houses

B home profile THE OWNERS Liz Lange, fashion designer and entrepreneur, lives here with her husband, a corporate lawyer. Her two college-aged children, Gus and Alice, visit often.

THE PROPERTY An early 1900s Spanish colonial-style house in Palm Beach, Florida. There is an entrance area, living room, family room, dining room, kitchen-diner, including breakfast nook, and cloakroom on the ground floor. Upstairs there are four bedroom suites with a further one in an annexe. The garden has a tented living room, a dining area and a pool.

old, colourful glamour – that’s what I wanted to create here,’ says Liz Lange, fashion designer and entrepreneur. This early-1900s home in Palm Beach, Florida, is where she and her family head for downtime and, more recently, it became a base for lockdown life. Liz bought it in 2019 and had clear ideas about its look from the get-go. ‘I didn’t want one of those all-white beach houses or a “serious” city-style decor,’ she says. Instead, this house would be as fabulously escapist as the best beach resort, a place you’d never want to leave. ‘It needed to be decorated with real glamour and confidence,’ she adds. Which made her old friend Jonathan Adler a natural choice as her collaborator. Liz and Jonathan met at Brown University in the mid-1980s and have been the best of friends ever since. ‘Some college friends you lose touch with, but that wasn’t the case with us. Jonathan and I took almost parallel paths in life, starting our own businesses in the 1990s,’ says Liz. During this time, they met for lunch every day, Monday to Friday, without fail: ‘Unless one of us had a very good reason to miss it,’ she says with mock gravity. After beginning her career at Vogue, Liz has always worked in fashion and design (her first eponymous brand made maternity clothes chic and clients included Cate Blanchett, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet). ‘This means I have my own strong opinions on matters of taste and style, so this house was very much a collaboration,’ she says. Jonathan and Liz’s starting point was a set of stripped out plain white spaces – but they didn’t stay looking like that for long. ‘I wanted lots of colour, prints and patterns, and Jonathan is a master at that,’ says Liz. ‘He wrote the book on colour.’ The dining area close to the entrance of the house is a blast of stripes and paisley prints that lets visitors know they are in for some fun. ‘I think Jonathan and I are of the same opinion that there’s no such thing as colour clashes,’ says Liz. ‘You can treat any colour as a neutral.’ Then there’s the living room with a medley of colours – softest lilac, mint-choc-chip green, nursery yellow and powder blue. But, Liz points out, because these sorbet shades are all in pale tones, they work alongside each other. The floor is a plainer glossy white: ‘We just laid down jute rugs – this is no place for wall-to-wall carpets,’ she says. Throughout the house are dotted the type of witty, cute-clever touches that are associated with JA style: here a woven alligator, there a pineapple sconce. There are vintage cockatoo lamps, side tables in the shape of elephants and frogs and more palm leaves (real and faux) than Kew Gardens could rustle up. ‘Jonathan and I had a lot of fun shopping for this home,’ says Liz. ‘West Palm Beach’s Dixie Highway is still a treasure trove of vintage and antiques shops.’ The result is a joyfully escapist home that suits the Florida setting. ‘With its Mediterranean architecture and the tumbling bougainvillea, Palm Beach has always felt like a fantasy island to me – somewhere far away like Capri, almost too good to be true,’ says Liz. But this escapist haven is also a place where creative ideas can bubble to the surface. ‘This is where I get those “Aha” moments of clarity,’ says Liz. ‘I do my best work here.’ X

Liz Lange consults for myriad brands and is at @lizlangeofficial on Instagram

livingetc.com

MAIN BEDROOM ‘This encapsulates my favourite combinations: blue and white and new and vintage,’ says Liz. Bed, Room & Board; headboard in Paradise, Quadrille. Throw; bedside tables, all Serena & Lily. Love seat, Jonathan Adler

houses

livingetc.com

M A I N B AT H R O O M The mood is fabulous resort spa bathroom, with double basins and luxe Carrara marble walls. Basin, bath and fittings, Waterworks. Ceiling lights and sconces, Jonathan Adler

home truths

the blueprint

FAVO U R I T E C O L O U R C O M B O ? Blue and white. F A M I LY ROOM

W H AT A R E YO U R E A D I N G ? Chanel’s Riviera by Anne de Courcy – it’s full of glamour, glamour, glamour! And it was given to me by Jonathan’s husband, Simon Doonan.

LIVING ROOM

H A L LWAY

DINING ROOM

P O O L S I D E C H AT S W I T H J O N AT H A N A D L E R A N D S I M O N D O O N A N A R E A LWAY S … Repetitive. We spend an insane amount of time together.

FOY E R

KITCHEN

BED ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

I’m kidding – they are always filled with laughs.

FAVO U R I T E D R I N K ?

BED ROOM

Cranberry juice with club soda. I call it a ‘Liz Lange’.

I F YO U CO U LD G O BACK I N TI M E , WH E R E WO U LD YO U G O? I try to never look back. I’m one of those crazy optimistic types

BED ROOM

who think life just keeps getting better. A real Pollyanna. However, I wouldn’t say no to my 25-year-old body!

livingetc.com

FIRST FLOOR

BED ROOM

houses

BEDROOM

DINING AREA ‘We always have dinner under the canopy of the palm trees, lit by lanterns and candles,’ says Liz. Vintage Salterini chairs, Beall & Bell; painted in Dusk Pink, Benjamin Moore. Klismos table, RH by Restoration Hardware. Landscaping, Nievera Williams

Designer Claire Delmar’s mix of the witty and the whimsical in a home that is also considered and functional for family life is a stroke of brilliance PHOTOGRAPHY Anson Smart X

STYLING Claire Delmar

art show WORDS Leanne Amodeo

livingetc.com

houses

LIVING ROOM Furnishings with a sculptural aesthetic, like this single chair, imbue a tone that is both elegant and playful. Drinks cabinet, designed by Claire Delmar and made by Pittwater Joinery. Artwork, Miguel Vallinas. Armchair, Knoll

houses

t could be called a modern dilemma. ‘The owners of this historic house wanted to transform it into a contemporary city home that reflected their passion for art, travel and fashion without diminishing any of its architectural origins,’ says Claire Delmar, creative director of Studio CD, who took on the challenge. Great lengths were taken to honour the bones of the Italianate, Victorian-era mansion in one of Sydney’s inner-city suburbs and retain as many original features as possible. Ornate plasterwork ceiling mouldings, arched doorways and marble fireplaces were all restored, along with the antique parquet flooring in the kitchen-diner/living area. With a beautiful canvas in place, Claire introduced bold contemporary furniture, covered the walls with witty and whimsical art and introduced sumptuous textiles. Her love of mixing materials – brass with marble, velvet with metal, stone with gloss – is evident everywhere. A scattering of joyful touches catch the eye as they pop up unexpectedly in nooks and crannies around the house. It helped that Claire knew the owners from a previous project and, with their tastes established, she was able to go

livingetc.com

bold with this one. ‘They are lively with a strong love for art, fashion, travel and culture and it’s those things that became the driving design concept,’ she says. ‘Each room tells its own story while linking to the next with a sense of journey and playfulness.’ The couple wanted to enjoy an overall sense of calm, while living in a house that was also fun and original. ‘This is why we went for a neutral base,’ says Claire. ‘Then we had free rein with hits of colour and eye-popping art and focal points to shake it up a bit. Ultimately, though, it was about trying to create a family home that was considered and functional, rather than making design decisions based purely around decorating.’ A soft grey was chosen for the walls throughout to unite the rooms – art gallerywhite being considered too clinical even though many of the artworks and objets would look totally at home in a gallery space. The couple already had an affinity with European architecture, which no doubt made them fall for the house initially. ‘They love to entertain and they also love France,’ says Claire. ‘So I sourced a fabulous French mural for the dining room that makes you feel like you’re in a beautiful garden. It creates

impact, while providing the space with a narrative.’ She also used show-stopping wallpapers in the son’s bedroom (cowboys) and in the main bedroom (origami-style fans) that add texture and drama. But it’s the collection of highly desirable artwork peppered around the home that injects the interior with a sense of fun, and a true personality. There is plenty of it – a wall sculpture sits alongside period mouldings, modern masterpieces preside over marble fireplaces, but it’s beautifully curated so everything has its own sense of purpose. The art happily co-exists with a wellthought-out mix of contemporary, bespoke or vintage furniture and lighting, always complementing it, never fighting. ‘When it came to the art, I was inspired by a couple of sentimental pieces given to the owners as wedding gifts,’ says Claire. ‘Art tells the story of the people who live here and I loved the journey we went on together while sourcing the perfect pieces.’ The home she has created is a celebration of family life that cleverly collides with cutting-edge art and design to make a joyful whole. X

studiocddesign.com

LIVING ROOM All of the original period features had to be restored. The newer, more flamboyant touches, including the wallpaper and pendant, highlight them. Mayor sofa, Great Dane. Pendant light, Apparatus. Rug, The Rug Establishment. Houndstooth chair, Macleay on Manning. Ilary coffee table, Poltrona Frau

DINING ROOM Designed to surprise, this space celebrates an unexpected cocktail of art, objets and a standout mural. Le Jardin au Flamant Rose mural, Ananbô. Artwork, Petrina Hicks. Heliodor table, Studio Cavit. Series 430 chairs, Verner Panton for Verpan. Light, Douglas & Bec

houses

home profile THE DESIGNER Claire Delmar, creative director of Australian practice Studio CD, designed this original home for a professional couple with a young son and daughter.

THE PROPERTY A two-storey Italianate house built at the end of the 19th century in Woollahra, an inner-city suburb of Sydney, Australia. On the ground floor is an open-plan kitchen-diner/ living area, plus a more formal living and dining room, as well as a study and playroom. The second floor has the main bedroom suite, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a nursery.

H A L LWAY This acts as a mini gallery of art that Claire has curated with the owners over the past few years. Artwork on wall, Matthew Johnson. Custom-made sideboard by Jonathan West

S T U DY The playroom is next to this room so the owners can be near the children when they are working. Artwork, Stephen Ormandy. Chair, Dedece

livingetc.com

houses

the blueprint LIVING AREA

DINING AREA

KITCHEN

FORMAL DINING ROOM

P L AY ROOM

S T U DY

FORMAL LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

GROUND FLOOR

BEDROOM

DRESSING ROOM

NURSERY

K I T C H E N S E AT I N G A R E A The banquette gives a restaurant feel. Photograph, Corrie Bond. Trapeze 1 and 2 wall lights, Apparatus. Apollo chair, Becker Minty

MAIN BEDROOM

BEDROOM

KITCHE N Brass, leather and velvet stools are a striking contrast to the marble worktop and splashback. Bespoke stools, Jonathan West. Artwork, Heidi Middleton. Bowl, Cristina Celestino

livingetc.com

FIRST FLOOR

LANDING For Claire, part of the fun of working with the owners was getting to choose artwork for their collection – a cluster here makes maximum effect. Wall sculptures, Mike Chavez. Charcoal and paper art, Camie Lyons. Portrait (top), Gary Heery. Bishop stools, India Mahdavi. Wall panelling, Pittwater Joinery

MAIN BEDROOM An original archway frames the entrance and acts as a threshold between the rest of the home and the couple’s private sanctuary, which includes a dressing area (above right). Plissé wallpaper, Wall&decò Chaise and bedside table by Jonathan West. Custom bedhead, Kvadrat Maharam. Ceiling light, Lighting Collective. Wall light, Kelly Wearstler

houses

home truths W H O W O U L D P L AY YO U IN A MOVIE? Not that I tend to agree, but I have always been told Sharon Stone or Cate Blanchett.

TH E F I R S T TH I N G YO U D O E V E R Y D AY ? Remove my eye mask! An attractive picture I know!

W H AT C O U L D YO U N O T LIVE WITHOUT? My Zip tap in the kitchen. I think it has something to do with my impatience.

FAVO U R I T E P E R F U M E ? Le Labo Thé Noir.

G O -T O E V E R Y D AY O U T F I T ? Tailored jacket, casual T-shirt and tailored shorts. My style is very classic with minimal pattern.

I N S TA G R A M A C C O U N T S F O R S T Y L E I N S P I R AT I O N ? I prefer books and galleries – I’m very old school!

W H AT ’ S YO U R C U R R E N T FAVO U R I T E T H I N G , D E S I G N - W I S E ? Mixing timbers and fabrics or metals and fabrics when designing furniture. They contrast with each other yet work so well together.

livingetc.com

tequila sunrise The cocktail of colour and style designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard has created in this

livingetc.com

Mexican villa is pure magic

PHOTOGRAPHY Douglas Friedman WORDS Karine Monié

houses

BAR Inspiration is from all around – walls from the agave plant, tiling from the terracotta earth, art from the bottles on the bar. Bar with glazed brick tiles by Arto and bar stools, MLB Atelier. String pendant light, Paul Marra

T E R R AC E The bright mural on the ceiling was painted by local artist Daniela Medina

livingetc.com

MEDIA ROOM This space is an ode to Frida Kahlo, celebrating her life and the colours that inspired her. Art, Museo Tamayo. Cabinetry, MLB Atelier. Walls in Southfield Green HC-129 by Benjamin Moore. Sofa, Minotti

livingetc.com

houses home prof i le THE INTERIOR DESIGNER Martyn Lawrence Bullard designed the interiors of this property for an entrepreneur-philanthropist and his family.

THE PROPERTY A contemporary house by architect Juan Zapata in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The ground floor has a foyer, a gym, three guest bedroom suites, a laundry and a garage. There is a first floor mezzanine viewing theatre. The second floor has a kitchen/ dining/living room, media room and en suite bedroom. The top floor has the main bedroom suite with outside terraces.

KITCHE N As it sits in an open-plan area, the island was designed to make a statement. It looks like an artwork with its patchwork of marble. Marble island and cabinetry, MLB Atelier. Hanging light, Apparatus. Tap, Dornbracht

livingetc.com

houses

BEDROOM A mirrored wardrobe reflects the ocean views when the curtains are open. Mid-century bed in Oklahoma Cactus by Pierre Frey. Red throw, Rejuvenation. Wardrobe, side table and rug, all MLB Atelier. Lamp, Lawson-Fenning

livingetc.com

houses

He may be a big name in the design world but Brit-born Martyn Lawrence Bullard is as happy creating celebrity homes Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Cher - and high-end hotels - the newly opened Prospect in Hollywood, the iconic Colony Palms in Palm Springs – as he is working on his sister Tina’s 18th-century pub in Chislehurst, Kent (The Imperial Arms). Now LA-based and a celebrity himself thanks to TV shows like Million Dollar Decorators in the US and Hollywood Me (Channel 4) in the UK, his range of styles and eclectic yet sophisticated and inviting interiors are in demand globally. For his latest project, a modernist new build, designed by architect Juan Zapata to capture the sweeping panorama of a hill-top view in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Martyn’s brief was to create a sanctuary for a busy entrepreneurphilanthropist and his family. ‘It was tobe all about vacations and downtime,’ he says. ‘Luxurious but laid-back.’ Inspiration for this exciting project in a place that is dear to Martyn’s heart came from the nature outside. ‘I chose my colour palette from what was in front of my eyes the blue-green hues of the ocean and the sky and the sandy shades and earth tones in the natural rock formations that surround the house,’ he says. ‘Linens and woven cottons are the mainstay of the interiors with pops of unexpected hues from traditional weaves

and embroidered fabrics,’ says Martyn, who used Mexican desert shades like burnt orange, saffron and terracotta. ‘Together with walls painted in vivid blues (echoing the ocean) and greens (reflecting banana plants outside), they create a perfect balance of old meets new, tradition meets modernity and luxury meets comfort,’ he says, which all adds up to the charm and lived-in feel of this fun yet elegant family home. Martyn travelled all over Mexico searching for perfect pieces, from ceramics in Guadalajara to locally made accessories in San Miguel de Allende and rugs crafted in Oaxaca. He sourced mid-century Mexican furniture to reflect the cultural history and crafts of the area and country. Friend and long-term collaborator Katrien Van der Schueren from Voila! Creative Studio was brought in to create many of the custom artworks and sculptures. She also worked on the media room, which was imagined as an ode to Frida Kahlo and features early photography and modern interpretations of pop art inspired by the painter. The house, with its big, pivoting glass doors capturing the views and the light,

and luxurious flooring with marble inlays, has both a grandiose and relaxed vibe. A majestic entrance leads the way to four large floors, all with indoor-outdoor terraces with strategic spots for everything the family could wish for, from a relaxing massage to a round of mini-golf on their own putting green to a sunset margarita at the tequila bar. The heart of the house is on the second floor where a large open-plan kitchendining-living room opens on three sides to terraces and to the undulating pool, which has its own water slide helter-skeltering down from the nearby hillside. The top floor is dedicated to the grown-ups with its main bedroom suite opening on to a meditation and yoga terrace, with breathtaking views down to the ocean, with a further terrace accommodating an outdoor hot tub and bar area with a firepit, designed especially for night-time drinks. It’s a home that has everything the family could dream of and more: casual yet refined, a place to play and relax, with visual surprises at every turn. X

martynlawrencebullard.com

livingetc.com

the blueprint BED ROOM BED ROOM KITCHEN

BED ROOM

LIVING/ DINING ROOM

COV E R E D TE R R ACE COVE R E D TE R R ACE

BED ROOM

FOY E R

COVE R E D TE R R ACE

MAIN BEDROOM

GYM COVE R E D TE R R ACE

GROUND FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

MEDIA ROOM

TEQUILA BAR

M A S SAG E ROOM

TE R R ACE

THIRD FLOOR

M A I N B AT H R O O M The large picture window is designed to encapsulate the industrial-looking underbelly of the pool slide, which looks like a modern artwork. Shower and fittings by Fantini. The bench is vintage Mexican

livingetc.com

houses CHILDREN’S ROOM ‘It has joy and whimsy, elements that as adults we often miss in our own interiors,’ says Martyn. Custom bunk beds with pillows in Aegean Stripe by Carolina Irving, MLB Atelier

home truths T H E C O L O U R T H AT EVOKES SUMMER? All tones of turquoise.

I D E A L H O L I D AY D E S T I N AT I O N ? Italy – from Umbria to Capri, the entire country is a vacation destination that touches and inspires all the senses.

FAVOURITE SUMMER FOOD? Chilled watermelon with sea salt.

ESSENTIAL ITEM IN THE WA R M E R M O N T H S ? Sunscreen. I always love a little tan – that summer glow that makes everything look better – but carefully monitored with a dose of high-factor sunscreen, preferably lightly fragranced with coconut.

S U M M E R AT T H E B E A C H O R I N T H E M O U N TA I N S ? I love the ocean, so always at the beach for me.

livingetc.com

turn up the volume Gerine and Jorge’s Beaux Arts home has been reinvigorated with Jonathan Adler’s tongue-in-cheek chic

PHOTOGRAPHY Jose Manuel Alorda WORDS Amy Moorea Wong

livingetc.com

houses

F OY E R ‘This sets the tone for the house,’ says Gerine. The ostrich feather lamp is all about fun. Cinderella round settee, Bjork Studio. Hollywood Regency ostrich feather lamp, Aynhoe Park Collection. Custom stair runner, Royal American Carpets

LIVING ROOM ‘People go crazy over this space as it’s the first room they see,’ says Gerine. ‘Then they go through the rest of the house!’ Globo cushions; Reform lamp; Trocadero Kidney table; custom Stella rug, all Jonathan Adler. Artwork by John Zinsser

houses

DINING ROOM The original panelling and glass-fronted cabinets are paired with Adler furniture in vibrant tones and sculptural shapes. Custom Maxime chairs in Divina by Kvadrat; Giant Acrylic Hand bowl, all Jonathan Adler. Saarinen table, Knoll

livingetc.com

home profile THE OWNERS Gerine Ongkeko, an arts and education board member, and her husband, corporate lawyer Jorge del Calvo. Their sons Lucas and Andrew and their partners visit frequently.

THE PROPERTY An ornate four-storey Beaux Arts house built in 1915 in San Francisco’s historic Nob Hill. On the ground floor is a front and back entrance, office, wine cellar, laundry and en-suite bedroom. The first floor has a living room, TV room, kitchen, dining room and WC. The second floor holds the main bedroom and en suite, a bedroom, bathroom and den, with a sun room and terrace on the third level.

LANDING The dancing lines of the sofa dare you not to take a seat. Verpan Cloverleaf sofa, Northern Icon. Vintage Atomic chandelier by Robert Haussmann, 1stDibs. Custom Blocks rug; Marcel vase; Hans pedestal table, all Jonathan Adler

KITCHE N There are unexpected hits of pattern, from vivid fabric panelled shutters to a graphic rug and playful accessories. Tulip chair in Tonus by Kvadrat, Hive Modern. Rug, Jonathan Adler. Screw table, Tom Dixon

hile Gerine Ongkeko’s San Francisco home may be dripping in historic decorative plasterwork, corbels and mouldings, what goes on between the walls is a different story. The Jonathan Adler effect is in full force throughout the 106-yearold building, his design studio transforming what once were formal, functional rooms into spaces full of vitality that raise a wry smile. ‘The house is unrecognisable from when we bought it five years ago,’ says Gerine. ‘It was off-white all over: still fabulous but I wanted glam and fun.’ Who else to call but Jonathan Adler? Gerine and Jorge became fans of Jonathan’s irreverent style through visits to his Greenwich Village store in New York. After they bought this house, son Andrew urged Gerine to get in touch. ‘I thought: “he’s not going to want to work with little old me,”’ she says. Au contraire. ‘I met Jonathan at his office a few months after we bought the house – he’d been at the potter’s wheel and so was covered in clay,’ says Gerine. ‘He’s a design savant. He really listened and figured us out and was immersed in the project – plus he’s funny, buzzing with energy’. Initially thinking she’d be guided with a few design concepts, Gerine eventually overhauled the entire house with team Adler. ‘I love colour but I never realised I could be so avant-garde! The team brought out my creative side,’ she says. Transitioning from a sprawling 10,000 square foot traditional family property in Silicon Valley hotspot Atherton, the new house was a chance for something different. ‘As immigrant kids – I’m Filipino and Jorge is from Cuba – we both grew up in very humble surroundings, so it was nice to have some of the accoutrements of achievement in the suburbs,

houses

but our move to San Francisco signalled a new era for us.’ The couple started afresh, with every piece of furniture brought in by the Adler team. ‘When we moved in, we ran around, oohing and aahing like kids in a candy store – it was so much fun and exactly what we wanted,’ says Gerine. With Gerine’s initial vision for a Parisian apartment-style home, Jonathan and the team stepped it up a gear. The building’s architectural features were honoured and given a twist with a mix of Adler pieces and European design icons. A dose of the tongue-in-cheek transforms spaces that could be austere into sights to raise a smile: a greyhound statue once belonging to Jorge’s grandmother guards the grand marble-lined entrance; visitors are greeted by a bodacious ostrich feather lamp in the foyer; a signature Adler giant acrylic hand sits on the dining table; the squiggling lines of Verpan’s Cloverleaf sofa joyfully shimmy along the first-floor landing. In this house, relaxed living reigns. Though some of the pieces – namely the twin white sofas in the living room – look like a red-wine-free zone, they are in fact part of the routine of daily life. ‘I don’t baby any of the furniture or how we live in the house,’ explains Gerine. ‘We lounge on the cloud-like settees all the time chatting, we eat in the ‘formal’ dining room every day – even for pizza and takeout. I don’t want anything to be out of bounds.’ Parties here are giant treasure hunts, with drinks and snacks positioned around the house and guests encouraged to explore every floor and room. ‘Being in the house just makes me feel happy, happy, happy, and I want guests to feel welcome too,’ says Gerine. ‘I look at every colour and every item, and I never get tired of it.’

livingetc.com

MAIN BEDROOM ‘The colour combination of green and ochre was a surprise to me, but now I love it,’ says Gerine. Kensington bed with custom headboard in Création Baumann Velling, Bernhardt. Romano mirror, Bungalow 5. Key Shadow rug, The Rug Company

H A L LWAY

houses

‘The beaded Resist artwork was added to the house as a response to Donald Trump taking power.’ Custom Resist artwork, Jonathan Adler

the blueprint OFFICE BEDROOM

L AU NDRY WINE CELLAR

GROUND FLOOR

KITCHEN

LIVING ROOM

TV ROOM

DINING ROOM

FIRST FLOOR

MAIN BEDROOM

DEN

BEDROOM

DRESSING ROOMS

SECOND FLOOR

home truths FAVO U R I T E T H I N G T O D O I N THE NEIGHBOURHOOD? Walk. It’s beautiful – the parks, the architecture…

G O -TO S C E NT ? Diptyque Rose. I have everything – candles, diffusers, lotion…

YO U R D I N N E R PA R T Y M E N U ? Bouillabaisse and French 75s (a champagne/gin cocktail).

D R E A M A R T WO R K YO U ’ D LI K E ? Anything by Cy Twombly or Lorna Simpson.

W H AT A R E YO U L I S T E N I N G T O ? My son Lucas’ band Dog Trainer on Spotify.

BEST QUOTE?

B AC K H A L L

‘What's going on?’ – Marvin Gaye 1971 and Linda Perry 1992

In the entrance from the garden, the print links the outdoors. Miami wallpaper, Cole & Son. Mirror, The Lacquer Company. Globo console; Futura Bullseye vase; Brutalist brass bowl; Reform Tripod Lantern lamp, all Jonathan Adler

livingetc.com

appy day

LIVING AREA Bold pieces are combined with more pared-back designs so they pop out even more.

Palm Springs goes

Marilyn Monroe photograph by Paul Popper, Anmoder. 1980s tubular chairs by Terje Ekström, Rue Vintage 74. Coffee table, Nuria Alía. Rug by Lorenzo Castillo for The Rug Company

Pop in this playful Madrid apartment by Spanish interior designer Nuria Alía PHOTOGRAPHY Patricia Gallego/Hearst España X

STYLING Beatriz Aparicio WORDS Kara O’Reilly

livingetc.com

DINING AREA Nuria designed the table, shelves and rug. Two oversized mirrors increase the sense of space. 1960s wooden dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen. Vintage glass vases (on table), Murano. Floor lamp, Anmoder. Find a Barcelona daybed by Mies van der Rohe at 1stDibs

livingetc.com

houses

LIVING AREA ‘We aimed for a timeless style, teaming a neutral base with eclectic decorations,’ says Nuria. Coffee table, lacquer and gilt side table and sofa, all Nuria Alía. Vintage Murano glass table lamp and brass wall sculptures, all El Ocho. 1950s floor lamp, L.A. Studio. Gold sculpture (on table), Abraham Benzadón

i home profile THE DESIGNER Spanish interior designer, Nuria Alía, who designed this central Madrid home for two friends and their three young children, aged six, three and one.

THE PROPERTY A lateral apartment with a kitchen-diner, open-plan living/dining area, plus an additional living room that currently doubles up as a playroom. There is also the main en-suite bedroom, plus three further en-suite bedrooms and a cloakroom.

f she needed a slogan to sum up her style, Madrid-based interior designer Nuria Alía could do a lot worse than, ‘Always look on the bright side of life’. For the Monty Python lyric encapsulates the upbeat vibe, colourful palette and all-round happy chic she brings to her designs. The playfulness in Nuria’s work is a distinctive feature of contemporary Spanish design and, as one of its proponents, she’s not afraid to team multiple styles, periods and colours, setting them against a neutral backdrop that makes them pop all the more. This pick ’n’ mix approach serves to create vibrant spaces that are a joy to be in. The apartment that Nuria designed for friends, a couple and their three young children, perfectly expresses her style. While walls are painted grey and floors are either pale oak or white porcelain, it is anything but cold. This is down to Nuria’s skill in introducing pattern and primary hues through accessories and furniture. ‘I like the idea of “dressing spaces”,’ she says. ‘Using bouclé or velvet, adding rugs to warm the floors and drapes at the windows. I usually choose bright fabrics for chairs and cushions to bring liveliness and fun to a home.’ And while her magpie eye wanders far and wide, Nuria has the design discipline to stop it all becoming a hot mess: ‘The key is to find balance.’ Situated in a central Madrid apartment block dating from 1965 and designed by architect Pedro Casariego Hernández-Vaquero, the flat’s appeal was the fact it overlooked the complex’s gardens, with multiple windows offering views of greenery. But it needed a rejig to make it work for the family. Nuria took the opportunity to recalibrate the apartment into public and private zones, and reorientate rooms so that the social spaces all took advantage of those windows. ‘The family like to have friends over, so it was important to separate the more private bedrooms from the open-plan spaces,’ says Nuria. Nuria then set about introducing her signature mix of furnishings into the neutral base. ‘In terms of decoration, eclecticism characterises me,’ she says. ‘I always look for positivity and joy, which is why my predilection is for vibrant colours in all their variants.’ In practice this meant mixing vintage finds with contemporary pieces, as well as incorporating the couple’s paintings and souvenirs : ‘This gives a more personal touch to a home.’ Hearing all this, it’s probably no surprise that she cites the American designers Jonathan Adler and Kelly Wearstler as key influences. Jonathan for, ‘The way he uses bright colours and witty touches’ and Kelly for, ‘The way she mixes furniture from different periods and uses a wealth of textures and materials.’ Luckily, the clients were on board with Nuria’s ideas: ‘The great part of being friends is that they were confident to leave everything in my hands.’ In doing so, the couple have been gifted a versatile home that enhances their lives and that can adapt as their needs change. A positive space where, to paraphrase a lyric by the late, great Prince, ‘they will get their plus signs every day.’ X

nuriaalia.com

livingetc.com

KITCHE N The choice of chairs and rug makes this feel more like a fun living area than a cook space. French 1920s chairs; Berber rug; pineapple vase, all Rue Vintage 74. For units like this, try the Greenwich at Howdens. The Pylon dining table by Diesel Living for Moroso is similar

houses the blueprint

MAIN BEDROOM

LIVING/ DINING ROOM

P L AY ROOM

KITCHEN DINER BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BED ROOM

GROUND FLOOR

home truths S I G N AT U R E L I P S T I C K C O L O U R ? It varies depending on how I feel, but I really like Chanel Rouge Coco in 450 Ina.

H O L I D AY D E S T I N AT I O N O N C E LOCKDOWNS ARE LIFTED? I had to postpone a trip to Japan in March 2020, so I will go there. I want to know its culture and I think it will be a perfect place to be inspired.

TH E I NTE R I O R YO U WI S H YO U HAD DESIGNED? A hotel in any major European city.

SHARE A MADRID ‘ IN SIDE R ’ S TIP ’… I highly recommend getting lost among all the small antiques shops, particularly the Rue Vintage 74 warehouse and the back room of El Ocho – they are my favourites.

YO U R B I G B R E A K? Designing the Vilagallo [Spanish fashion] stores.

FAVO U R I T E C O L O U R ? Pink. When used well, it gives a touch of fun and warmth.

BEDROOM SUITE Nuria says eclecticism is a good way to define her look and it brings interest to every space. Headboard, Nuria Alía. Try West Elm for a lacquered bedside table. Photograph, YellowKorner. Vintage chair by Warren Platner for Knoll. Find a poster like this at Posterlounge. For a similar vanity unit, try Lusso Stone

ubscribe

3 issues for £3 plus free e-book Q

free mindful home e-book when you subscribe Q

save 79% on cover price

exclusive subscriber-only cover each month

worth £9.99 magazinesdirect.com/letcjun21

t wo simple ways to subscribe O N L I N E AT m a g a z i n e s d i r e c t . c o m / l e tc j u n 2 1 BY P H O N E 0 3 3 0 3 3 3 1 1 1 3 Q U OT E C O D E B N 1 3 L i n e s a r e o p e n M o n d ay - Fr i d ay f r o m 9 a m - 5 p m U K t i m e .

* Offer closes 1st June 2020. Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. After your ﬁrst 3 issues, your subscription will continue at £34.99 payable by annual Direct Debit, saving 42% on the cover price. Please provide a valid email address to receive your e-book. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your ﬁrst subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com⁄terms. For enquiries please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm UK Time or e-mail: help@magazinesdirect.com. Calls to 0330 numbers will be charged at no more than a national landline call and may be included in your phone provider’s call bundle.

livingetc.com

style setter

ABOVE Sir Paul Smith’s eponymous Covent Garden store on Floral Street opened in 1979

He’s been described as the Willy Wonka of fashion with a big imagination and an innate sense for what works. Sir Paul Smith is an arbiter of style who changed the face of men’s fashion with his ‘classic with a twist’ brand of British tailoring. A beautiful marriage between conventional menswear and fashionable streetwear, the brand Paul Smith combines quality with quirkiness. He opened his first shop Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme in Nottingham in 1970, followed by his famous eponymous Floral Street store in Covent Garden in 1979. Last year Paul Smith celebrated 50 years in the business, having exported

his version of English eccentricity to the world. He has brought flair to classically yet comfortably cut suits – a colourful button here, a floral print lining there – and made men’s fashion fun and relaxed, while fusing it with finesse. His colourful early collections in Paris had models wearing raspberry pink and Yves Klein blue – a brave move, and one which set him on an international path. Along the way, Paul Smith popularised boxer shorts and made the Filofax a symbol of 80s success. The brand has also expanded successfully into womenswear and interiors with collaborations with The Rug Company and Anglepoise.

TRAILBLAZING TA S T E M A K E R S REI KAWAKUBO, FASHION DESIGNER The Commes des Garçons founder challenged conventional notions of fashion and femininity in the 80s with her aesthetic. VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, FASHION DESIGNER AND ACTIVIST The princess of punk blazed a trail in 70s Britain with her T-shirts exhibiting provocative messages and bondage trousers. OZWALD BOATENG, FASHION DESIGNER AND TAILOR Fusing British tailoring with colour influences from his Ghanaian heritage, he became a Savile Row supremo

Smith’s lack of pretension has kept the brand’s collections witty yet wearable

paul smith

FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPH (SHOP) ALAMY

FASHION DESIGNER AND EMPIRE BUILDER

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

take to the floor T H E A M T I C O F O R M R A N G E O F F E R S T H E U LT I M AT E I N P R AC T I C A L W O O D AN D STON E - LOOK FLOORING – AN D DOESN ’T COM PROMISE ON ST YLE

Tasked with finding new flooring? Gone are the days when opting for a real-wood or stone lookalike was seen as a potential interior design faux pas. There’s no longer any doubt in the matter, especially now we have Amtico’s Form flooring range, which replicates both the look and feel of a variety of wood and stone floor finishes with remarkable likeness. Amtico has brought a designsavvy flooring range to the market that’s packed with practical features and appealing qualities. It’s made choosing that new floor an altogether straightforward process. The Amtico Form range comes in a variety of different wood and stone-look finishes, and it’s been specifically designed to replicate the ‘feel’ of the material too. You can option plank and tile sizes and option laying patterns too. So, in addition to replicating standard wood planks or tiles you can work in two different sizes of Parquet, as well as a Basket Weave laying pattern, Pavestone and Hex. All of which offer the same hard-wearing practicalities and come with a 30-year warranty. What about the install? Amtico’s expert retailers help every step of the way. Plus, the Form range offers low-maintenance and easy-clean appeal plus quiet acoustics – the latter being great news for family homes with a heavy footfall. And if you’re looking for that lovely luxury that is underfloor heating – erm, yes please – then yes, you can have it! The Form range is fully compatible with underfloor heating up to a temperature of 27 degrees. While real wood tends to crack, shrink and suffer with water spillages or underfloor heating, there’s none of that worry with the Form range. You might not have considered a wood or tile-look floor before, but the question now, with such a liveable and stylish range on the market, is why wouldn’t you? Check out the collection at amtico.com/form

livingetc.com

WORDS RORY ROBERTSON

With 36 different designs to choose from and a 30-year guarantee, Amtico’s Form range is a sure-footed choice

Les Mystères de Madagascar 97530 Marrakech panoramic wallcovering (480 x 300cm), £2,450 per panel, Arte (arte-international.com)

design & decorating 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

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

Bringing escapism to interiors, Arte’s maximalist wallcoverings are full of punchy patterns and dreamy scenes. All are hand-painted on surfaces like soft silk and linen effects and this beauty takes us to sun-soaked Madagascar. Could walls feel more transportive? livingetc.com

palette cleanser Design is about to refresh your mood with uplifting colours, fun shapes and an irreverence ready for good times ahead. The joyful Twenties starts right now X

PHOTOGRAPHY Jake Curtis STYLIST Marianne Cotterill

livingetc.com

decorating STELL AR LOOK Float away on a cloud sofa underneath a celestial ceiling and surrounded by dreamy colours and beguiling shapes. Ether cloud settee, £3,950; Pompidou Quatrefoil cushion, £98; Eve candelabra, £398; Ripple Lacquer Cube in Blue £495, all Jonathan Adler. Pacha lounge chair by Pierre Paulin for Gubi, £2,598, Aram. Pukka chair in Yellow, £1,691, Ligne Roset. Smile pouf, £1,180, Porada. Cabana single tassel tieback in Canary, £240, Samuel & Sons. Big Foot, £322.80, Julian Chichester. Concertina rug, £1,380sq m, Deirdre Dyson. Silk floor lamp opal, £399, Heal’s. Corinthian Column print, £400, Partnership Editions. Nova pendants, from £450 each, J Adams & Co

SHAPE SHIFTER A feeling of movement is created here with floor tiles that flow with a wave pattern and accessories in fluid shapes. The curvaceous lines of the rug on the wall make it a sculptural statement in its own right and a piece of art worthy of display. Cubo sideboard, £499, Dwell. Kinisi rug, from £1,359sq m, Pinton. Large Papavera vase in Volcanic White, £250, Oka. Bellhop table lamp in Brick Red, £175, Heal’s. Carved pink vessel, £660, Åben. Acrylic Amoeba sculpture, £295, Jonathan Adler. Soft Amphora 3 sculpture, £1,190, Modern Art Hire. Roma and Roma Beige terrazzo tiles, £168sq m, Otto Tiles & Design

WO R K O F A R T

FINE DINING

A tea towel with a tongue-in-cheek message in a frame can become an artwork good enough to display, alongside ceramics in deliciously fresh ice-cream shades of lemon and vanilla.

Classic black-and-white designs set the scene, with sculptural pieces for a contemporary edge softened by sorbet shades.

Lomviken frame, £8, Ikea. Tea towel, £35, Turnaround Gifts. Cubo sideboard, £499, Dwell. Yellow British tulips, £20 for 20 stems, Smith & Munson. Small Papavera vase in Volcanic White, £95, Oka. Ferm Living Flow Yellow Speckle large serving bowl, £75; jug, £49; mug, £19: jam jar, £19; small plate, £12; medium plate, £19; bowl, £19, all Heal’s

livingetc.com

New Wave table, £7,850, Mint. EVO-C chair by Jasper Morrison for Vitra, £285, Twentytwentyone. Colonna stool by Kartell, £248, Aram. Op Art bar, £4,500, Jonathan Adler. Lomviken frame, £8, Ikea. Printemps brush fringe in Fuchsia (around the frame), £54m, Samuel & Sons. Painted Portrait - Manolete artwork by Michaela Gall, £110, The Shop Floor Project. Bisque Classic radiator in Ombre finish, from £888, Bisque. Silio matt black and opal pendant light, £99 Lights&lamps. Eve Triple Bulb vase (on table), £188, Jonathan Adler. Vincent Darré x Oka Gemini vase, £495, Oka. Most Illustrious Sculpture ceramic totems by Elena Salmistraro, £523 each, Aram. Signature stone-effect check tiles, £70sq m, Amtico

decorating

100

livingetc.com

decorating SWEET DREAMS

S U N N Y DAY S A H E A D

A bed with sumptuous sky-like silk bed linen framed with dramatic twisted posts has an air of fantasy that almost makes it seem ready to take off and glide away.

Here comes the sun. A gloriously happy rainbow artwork sits joyfully alongside a clothes rail with a fun wavy line rail. For clothes, or even for hanging gerbera garlands? Well, why not?!

Bobbin bed, £4,680, Julian Chichester. Piano Light Luxe storage dressing table, £550, Next. Marshall Woburn II Bluetooth speaker in White, £429.99, Marshall. Moroccan aluminium cut-out deer, £40, Raj Tent Club. Lindbyn mirror, £40; Liholen mirror, £12, both Ikea. Teal silk flat sheet, king/superking, £339; duvet cover, king, £486; pillowcases, £93 each, all Gingerlily London. Amoeba Laurels cushion, £98; Amoeba Orb cushion, £118, both Jonathan Adler. Headboard in Lasso, £180m, Pierre Frey. Nuances rug in Rounded Volcano, £2,349, Heal’s. Risbyn shade, £15, Ikea. Cabana single tassel tie-back in Melon, £240, Samuel & Sons. Elinore stool with gold base, £65, Next. Moroccan aluminium cut-out mermaid, £40; Indian water carrier, £165, both Raj Tent Club

Rainbow beaded wall art, £995, Jonathan Adler. Sine hanging system, £650, Åben. Boy shirt, £380, La DoubleJ. Roma and Roma Beige terrazzo tiles, as before. Garlands, made by stylist

st yle f ile: hedonistic decor EXTRAVAGANCE IS KEY TO GETTING THE PARTY STARTED AT HOME

COLOUR-BLOCK CHAISE LONGUES BOLD SILHOUETTES IN STRIKING SHADES

Ariel chaise longue, from £1,330, Sweetpea & Willow

Mad chaise, £5,142, Marcel Wanders for Poliform

Cleopatra chaise longue, from £3,200, Geoffrey D.Harcourt RDI at Artifort

Lorena chaise longue, £2,244, Oficina Inglesa

Roscoe chaise longue, £429, Made

102

livingetc.com

decorating EVERLASTING FLOWERS

SOCIABLE SERVEWARE PRESENT PARTY FOOD BEAUTIFULLY

DRIED ARRANGEMENTS DELIVER THE GLAMOUR

Mama Liked the Roses large dried bouquet with ceramic pot, £85, Your London Florist at Selfridges

Handmade scalloped edge Le Plateau serving dish, £45, Harlie Brown Ceramics at Notonthehighstreet

Oval serving plate in Orange Sun, £110, Lab Design at Artemest A Little Colour big meze plate, €20, Kapka

Meadow at dusk arrangement (without vase), £47, Stems Wilder

Bon Appetit large serving plate in Mint, £65, Vaisselle Ixia Flowers Luxury Whites dried flowers, £69.95, John Lewis & Partners

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

Venezia giant oval platter, £120, Laura Slater at Unique & Unity

Palm tree pasta/ salad bowl, £28, Alice Peto

The Peachtree Picnic bunch (without vase), from £32, The Happy Blossoms

livingetc.com

103

JOYFUL CARAFES HAPPY HOUR LASTS ALL NIGHT WITH TUTTI FRUTTI GLASSWARE

Striped Murano carafe, £295, Campbell-Rey X &You Speckled blown carafe, £240 with tumbler, Petra Palumbo Shadows carafe in Bonsai Green, £130, Klimchi

Hand-blown speckled carafe in Pink, £70, Montes & Clark

A Filo carafe, £280, Yali Glass at Matchesfashion

Grooved carafe in Green, £30, Raj Tent Club

Gabriella Murano carafe in Pale Blue, £89, Rebecca Udall

NEON WALL LIGHTS BRILLIANT ILLUMINATIONS BRING WALLS TO LIFE (From left) Lips acrylic box light, £129, Audenza; Heart in Pink, £59.99, Lights4fun; Enjoy in Bright White, €375, Studio Selab for Seletti at Nedgis; Spiritual hand LED, £728, Diet Prada X Yellowpop

104

livingetc.com

decorating METAL-MIX BAR CHAIRS HIGH SLINKY LEGS TURN YOUR KITCHEN COUNTER INTO A COCKTAIL BAR

Oslo bar stool, £765, Muuto at Viaduct

Artose bar stool, from £905, Christopher Wray

Coco bar chair, €629, OEO Studio at Gubi

Afteroom counter chair Plus, €639.95, Afteroom Studio at Menu Space Lygon bar stool, £2,136, Harris & Harris at Architonic

Maxime counter stool, £1,750, Jonathan Adler

Luxe bar stool, £295, Oliver Bonas

Beetley bar stool, £2,595, Sé

livingetc.com

105

decorating

not that I believe in rules but... J O N AT H A N A D L E R ’ S G U I D E T O A D D I N G D E C O R F L A I R L I K E YO U ’ R E H AV I N G F U N

G O L OW There’s a horrible trend in America to put all furniture on stilts and steroids, but I have always felt that low furniture is chic furniture. My dream room has seat heights and cocktail tables at 14-15”. Soon I’ll be at the age where I can’t lift myself out of a low sofa without a home health aide, but, guess what?, I don’t care. I’d rather moulder away and expire slumped in a deep and low sofa than have to trampoline my way into my armchair.

AS TOLD TO THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS (1) JAKE CURTIS/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (2) PAUL MASSEY/ FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (4) FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

3 Sputnik chandelier, Jonathan Adler

S WAG G E R W I T H A CHANDELIER Chandeliers should be bigger than you think you need and more expensive than you think you can afford. They are your chance to make an impact in a room, so you should make it count. Chandeliers are a real opportunity to show a little bit of swagger – go a little bit twinklier, a little more opulent. If you absolutely cannot wire a chandelier into your ceiling, just get a disco ball.

MIRROR MORE Nike says ‘Just do it’, I say ‘Just mirror it’. Mirrors expand your space. While mirrors themselves are very noticeable, mirrored surfaces disappear. They are the unsung heroes of decorating and they should be used everywhere. Particularly next to a plinth. I love plinths. Fill your home with them – so unnecessary but so fabulous. Especially when reflected by a mirror.

G R O U N D YO U R S C H E M E W I T H B L AC K A N D W H I T E The key ingredient in any colour story has to be white. People think of me as a mad colour enthusiast, but in reality if you look at my work you’ll see that I use white as a backdrop for everything. In addition to white I use lots of black – they truly are the foundation of everything. Black and white are the ultimate supporting actors, enabling the star of colour to shine.

livingetc.com

107

E M B R AC E SURPRISES A dash of flash is de rigueur. I love a rich hippie British country pile as much as the next guy, but for every Daylesford moment you need a Versace one. Think back to what Diana Vreeland famously said in celebration of the vulgarity – ‘A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika’. I think you need that flash of gold, some sparkly glass, a whisper of WAG in a home to spice things up. Something new and provocative can spice things up a bit. After all, you should want people to enter your house and think that they don’t quite know exactly who you are. You’ve got to throw them off and make yourself seem a little more sexier than people think you might be.

decorating

Jok side table, Porada

MINIMALISM IS A BUMMER Minimalism is very safe. Tasteful, but it is not memorable. I think it’s a sign that you are slightly afraid of doing anything wrong and I think that’s a very boring way to live. To me, minimal is miserable and maximalist is merry. People might think that I’m very post-Marie Kondo but I absolutely love her concept that you should only surround yourself with things that spark joy. I just happen to have lots of things that spark happiness within my soul – and encourage you to find joy in, say, a lipstick-pink chair, just because.

7 L O O K AT YO U R L E G S Vary the bases of your furniture and make sure you’re not looking at a sea of legs. You should always be conscious of the juxtaposition of bases, so if your sofa is grounded and low to the ground then your cocktail table should be leggy. Which type of base really depends on the space, it’s about balancing something that’s very heavy and grounded with something that’s light.

PHOTOGRAPHS (5) PAUL RAESIDE/FUTURECONTENTHUB. COM; (6) PAUL MASSEY/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (9) FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Marcel vase, Jonathan Adler

D O N ’ T FO R G E T N E G AT I V E S PAC E

Think of your home as a series of islands with a little moat of clean, blank space around each one. Then decorate the hell out of those islands, be they shelves or plinths – again! I still love plinths – or just corners of the room. Have lots of things that spark joy and conversation and – best of all – intrigue.

ADD SOUL WITH CRAFT My forever muse is our next-door neighbour, Mrs Goldstein, who decoupaged her kitchen with magazine covers. Her home was a mix of iconic design classics and homemade craft that felt chic and soulful. A banker can acquire all the trophies she wants, but for every bit of priceless art, you should have something that you actually poured your heart and soul into. It’s soulfulness you can’t buy… it comes from within.

K N OW W H E N T O S AY G O O D B Y E One of the awful things about decorating your house is that it costs a fortune, which means people are afraid of screwing up and so when they blow the budget on a sofa then hate it, they think they have to live with it. But don’t. Keeping it there means your home becomes a diary of your failures. So, if you can afford it, you should jettison it, take the loss and move on with your life. But learn from it – you should really think long and hard about where you went wrong.

livingetc.com

109

HOUSE TOURS

OPEN

DOOR

meet the decorators B O O K YO U R T I C K E T S N OW F O R N E X T M O N T H ’ S W E B I N A R SE RIES OF HOUSE TOURS OPE N DOOR

KIT KE MP

MOLLY MAHON

Four of our favourite decorating experts – Kit Kemp, Molly Mahon, Eva Sonaike and Joa Studholme – will be joining our editors live to talk you through the decor choices they made in their homes, giving you the chance to pose questions too. Starting on 1 June and then throughout the month, you’ll get to take a virtual tour of their inspirational homes.

E VA SONAIKE

To book, visit livingetcevents.com/ housetours. Tickets cost from £10 and include a three-month digital subscription worth £7.99 and a presentation of the featured home to keep.

JOA STU DHOLME

BOOK ONLINE AT LIVINGETCEVENTS.COM/HOUSETOURS

110

livingetc.com

decorating

pattern book

FEATURE HOLLY PHILLIPS

W RH AA R TE’ SC O H LALPEPCETNAI B N LGE O S ,N OTBHJEE C WTASL A LP NA DP A E R TFI R FA OC NTTS? E DXEH SI B G INTS T H A T EC P UL T EBCETAI C U TFI LFA U ILR OOBNJ EMTI S N IAMTA T LH I SEM I RDC EO FR YE I NA GR , EH E ARL ILT A TG H E -R A G E

FROM TOP LEFT Stylised vessels and subtle pattern overlap to create a feast for the eyes. Still Life in Teal, £67.50 a roll, Villa Nova A colourful tribute to iconic artists. Vence in Multicolore, £128m, Pierre Frey Sixteenth-century Dutch pottery equates to an eloquent look. Delftware, €175 for three 300x52cm rolls, Mind the Gap Classical statues are clad in tumbling vines. Statues in Mustard, £86.30 a roll, Coordonné A poetic gathering of natural history wonders. Le Cabinet de Curiosites in Corail, £149 a roll, Manuel Canovas at Colefax and Fowler

livingetc.com

111

design

design profile: fine artists F R E S H , I N N O VAT I V E A N D P U S H I N G B O U N D A R I E S … M E E T T H E E X C I T I N G U S - B A S E D A R T I S T S S H A K I N G U P T H E C R E AT I V E L A N D S C A P E

CERAMICS

mark gagnon ‘Believe it or not, being an artist was the only thing I ever wanted to do,’ explains Mark Gagnon, an East Coast multidisciplinary artist who works from his studio and shop in Maryland. ‘Once, when I was living and working in Manhattan, I did a painting project that entailed making eight large murals for a midtown club and I delivered them using my bike, riding the huge canvases up the west side of the city one at a time!’ says Mark. ‘Having previously worked with paint and as an illustrator, for the last few years I have been working with paper mache as my medium of choice, using the rib vaulting technique.’ Mark describes his paper mache urns as ‘slightly absurd’ in shape and theme. ‘It’s the flawed-like surfaces of the urns that are so appealing to me. I create the urn and vessel shapes by implementing a circular base, core ‘ribs’, a cardboard stem and a

circular ‘mouth’. The final stage involves applying linework and colour. Coating each urn in thick, rich, often dark, paint tones – I tend to use ceiling paint in my work – I find that the paint marries wonderfully with the naive paper mache surface. The urns are lively and spirited pieces, many of which are full of humour and fun.’ Having recently left Manhattan after 35 years in the city, Mark and his partner Django have relocated to Frederick and opened Big Lush Plants & Flowers, a shop and studio space, with their friend and third partner Anne Warnock. ‘My early collaboration with Emily Thompson, the wildly talented florist, brought a new dimension to the urns,’ explains Mark. ‘I’m keen on artists who blur the lines and catch my eye – like Rebecca Morgan (@ rebeccamorgan10), Raphael Balme (@raphael_balme) and Natasja Sadi (@cakeatelieramsterdam) who runs Cake Atelier Amsterdam. Mark’s work is sold in a handful of stores, such as KRB in New York City, Sud in New Orleans and Tribute Goods in Houston. ‘I’m currently working on a series of Blue Delft, chinoiserieinspired vessels for KRB which have been designed to be hung on wall-supported pedestals. I’m dying to share them,’ he says.

Mark Gagnon’s collection of paper mache work includes vases with snakes and owl and bird urns

It’s the flawed-like surfaces of the urns that are so appealing to me. They are spirited pieces, many of which are full of humour and fun livingetc.com

113

ILLUSTR ATION

amy carrington ‘I strive for fluency of ideas relating to the story and character. I aim to strengthen the narrative for storytelling,’ says Amy Carrington, an American illustrator working in the field of animation for TV, film and games. ‘While I was studying at Ringling College of Art + Design in Florida, I was invited to participate in The Disney Creative Group Workshop. I was given the role of Character Artist. Having grown up being so wowed by Disney, being part of The Disney Creative Group Workshop really was a dream experience.’ says Amy. Discussing her work, Amy explains: ‘I love playing with shape and capturing a higher level of detail – that’s the goal. I share my passion for illustration and art with my family and friends, it’s a key part of what bonds us all together. I’m currently following other artists like Tyler Fogel (@ty_fogel_art), Chloe Lapen (@chloe_Lapen) and Sang Lam (@sanglamart), all of whom inspire me to push boundaries with my own work.’ ‘There are things I want to achieve, and tackling difficult tasks and overcoming them is the fun of getting there and growing as an artist,’ states Amy. ‘My creative process starts with rough sketching and ideation, then I move on to collecting reference, thumb-nailing, value studies and, finally, colour studies. Each part of the process is important. Typically, it takes me roughly two-and-a-half weeks to complete a final piece of work.’ But it’s not all about working independently, as Amy explains: ‘there’s a lot of welcome camaraderie in the industry and I have multiple group chats with friends working in various fields of art, where we help to critique and encourage each other through our creative processes.’ Amy’s work is sold through commercial, contract and private commissions. Looking ahead to the future, Amy says: ‘ I would love to see my work being woven through a number of studios for TV, film or games – where I can see it being used through a team that’s bigger than just myself. Like the majority of the people, the likes of Disney has had a big impact on my imagination since my younger years. I hope one day to give others the same feelings of happiness and excitement with the work that I can produce.’

114

livingetc.com

The illustrations are all about sparking the viewer’s imagination

I would love to see my work being woven through a number of studios for TV, film or games

design

PA I N T I N G

FEATURE RORY ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHS (CHLOE SWOPSHIRE) KYM CHAMBERS

chloe swopshire ‘I first learnt to draw by sketching my favourite cartoon – Courage the Cowardly Dog – in an elementary school drawing class. Using crayons, I then developed a series of sketches while watching the show,’ says fine artist Chloe Swopshire, who has been noted on the 2020 Saatchi Art Rising Stars list. These days Chloe’s work features expressive figures and tonal palettes. ‘I call my painting style ‘dreamy-graffiti surrealism’, which I am still developing. I like to use my senses when I paint.’ ‘But if I had to study one thing, I think it would be dancers,’ she adds. ‘As a painter, there is so much to learn from the human form and movement. I have danced from a young age myself.’ Most recently, Chloe has been working with fluorescents – an effect, she believes, from lockdown. Chloe explains: ‘I have been focusing on painting with bright orange and blue. These colours feel straightforward to work with, as opposed to my series with the riders of The Kentucky Derby, but I think it’s a result of being inside a lot.’ Chloe’s influences come from her childhood in Missouri. ‘I grew up in the suburbs, which had loads of cornfields and dirt roads,’ she recalls. ‘It was beautiful, but my family was the first black family in the neighbourhood and I think as a result of that my work explores my skin colour and the humanisms we attribute to colour.’ Working predominantly from her apartment in New York, Chloe admits: ‘I’ve actually realised how much work I have been doing. My bedroom walls need a repaint as I’ve been tacking canvases and painting directly onto the surfaces.’ However, she is now looking forward to a forthcoming move to Maui. Chloe, whose pieces are sold through the Saatchi Art Platform, says she is ‘excited to get a taste of living on an island’ and explore how it influences her future work.

I call my painting style ‘dreamy-graffiti surrealism’, which I am still developing. I like to use my senses when I paint

The Holy Trinity (above) and Untitled Jam, both by Chloe Swopshire

colour insight A R C H I T E C T A N D D E S I G N E R C R I S T I N A C E L E S T I N O TA L K S U S I N G B O L D S H A D E S AT W O R K A N D N E U T R A L S AT H O M E

At home I prefer not to overuse colour as I need a neutral canvas that allows me to think. Besides, I often play with the positions of furniture, add new pieces and introduce panels of new materials, so I tend to inject colour through rugs, furniture, textiles and accessories and keep the walls and ceilings understated. I’ve used Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon in my entrance hall and landing, and Joa’s White (also Farrow & Ball) in the other rooms. Dead Salmon is a refined colour that echoes some of the tones in my palladiana marble floor and Poliedri Venini chandelier. Joa’s White is a light taupe with a hint of black pigment. It creates the perfect neutral backdrop and lets my original vintage doors stand out. I love the colour combination I used in the Experimental Cocktail Club in Venice – a reddish purple offset by a mustard yellow. Another winning combination is in my office, where the walls and ceiling are white and I’ve used Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow as an accent colour to draw attention to the underside of the architectural arches. India Yellow is a

strong and moody colour that works perfectly with the concrete-green of the resin floor. It also recalls the colour used for the original entrance of the building. I don’t like violet or cold blue. These colours don’t make me feel good, so I don’t wear them, live with them or use them in my work. These kind of colours must be used with great caution and are only suitable for certain destinations or for very specific moods. My top tip for using colour is not to have everything in the same shade. When I receive a colour request from a client (for example, The Pink Closet boutique in Ravello where pink is the predominant colour) I play with the colour, using it in many different shades and materials to avoid a banal, monochromatic interior. Farrow & Ball is my preferred paint brand and I never hesitate to recommend it. The colours are all sophisticated and well adjusted, and it’s hard to go wrong with them, even if you’re a beginner. For walls, while it depends on the project and the material, generally I prefer matt finishes. However, I also find the semi-gloss finish of Sikkens’ Alpha Tacto very interesting – I used it for the bedroom walls in the five-star Palazzo Avino hotel on the Amalfi Coast to great effect. X

cristinacelestino.com

the edit India Yellow estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

116

livingetc.com

Pantile pure matt emulsion, £47 for 2.5ltr, Fenwick & Tilbrook

Valspar High Voltage V700 walls and ceiling paint, £29 for 2.5ltr, B&Q

Tufted Kilim flat matt emulsion, £35 for 2.5ltr, Crown

Chemise absolute matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

Ellie matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5ltr, Graham & Brown

FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS PHOTOGRAPH CHIARA CADEDDU

I love warm and sophisticated tones with strong personalities. Of course, at work, my go-to colours very much depend on the project and the period of the building. However, I have a few favourites: I currently adore terracotta shades as well as India Yellow from Farrow & Ball, and in the past I’ve used a lot of RAL 3012 Beige Red and RGB Coral Red.

decorating

Cristina, founder of Attico Design, has designed the Esotismi wall coverings for Misha, pictured here

FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPH (MAIN IMAGE) ALAMY

AMERICAN DESIGN ICON WHO CHANGED THE SHAPE OF CINEMA

ABOVE A Fromental wallcovering inspired by Tony Duquette’s maximalist approach BELOW Duquette was an early adopter of found objects

A creative force, Tony Duquette is famed for his decadent style, vivid imagination and fantastical take on design. Living by the mantra ‘more is more’, Duquette started his career during Hollywood’s golden age, creating spectacular costumes and film sets. By his eighth decade, he was designing jewellery for Tom Ford at Gucci, with his Beverly Hills home, Dawnridge, serving as the backdrop for the brand’s ad campaigns. After catching the eye of Elsie de Wolfe in 1941, he became her protégé. His lavish interior for Hollywood’s most glamorous nightclub of the times, the Mocambo, came complete with live cockatoos in glass cages. With a

style that makes Marie Antoinette look tame, Duquette was the ultimate maximalist. He not only decorated movie star mansions with chinoiserie, precious stones and gilded lilies, he was an early adopter of found objects and non-traditional textiles, weaving denim, Indian saris, golf balls and even car hub caps into his audacious designs. ‘Duquette’s maximalism and layering of textures, print, pattern and chinoiseries to form ravishing interiors is both harmonious and ingenious,’ says Lizzie Deshayes, co-founder Fromental. ‘We often reference him when creating custom projects.’ Fromental’s Paradiso hand-painted wallcovering is shown left.

Duquette’s opulent aesthetic had its roots in historic Venetian and French styles

F E L L OW E XC E N T R I Q U E S CARY LEIBOWITZ, ARTIST Known as Candy Ass, he turned his neurosis and anxiety into a visual art form. DUGGIE FIELDS, ARTIST The flamboyant painter’s work crosses comic book imagery with iconography. JULIAN SCHNABEL, ARTIST AND FILMMAKER Schnabel uses unconventional materials such as broken plates, tarpaulin and velvet.

tony duquette

style setter

style columnist MINNIE KEMP SETS SAIL ON A VOYAGE OF AESTHETIC DISCOVERY CAUSED BY A SINGLE PHOTO – KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN TO JOIN THE JOURNEY

Do you remember the last time you were really touched by a piece of art or design? I get a dazzling feeling in the pit of my stomach; it’s a bit like vertigo, the sensation of being taken somewhere else that’s beyond your control. Like sitting in a small wooden canoe at the mercy of a very wide, brown, muddy river. Think the Sepik or Heart of Darkness – the beginning of a new journey and my raison d’être. In our overloaded, overstimulated world filled to the brim with content, I don’t know about you but for me, it’s getting harder to feel anything at all. Every now and again I’m back riding the wild torrents; one image will inspire an entire scheme, fabric collection or furniture design. While browsing the Saatchi Gallery Instagram account I came across the Free Soul photo by artist Michael Aboya (below). He’s a self-taught photographer from Accra, Ghana, who followed his passion for photography after his father died of cancer. His work oozes love and life; in his words: ‘I could do a shoot to inspire others; I could create a visual representation of what freedom feels like.’ Inspire he certainly has. I would like to have this photograph set with a floating mount on a black background. The frame would be painted using a combination of Designers Guild’s gloriously sharp chartreuse TG Green No. 99 painted CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Designers Guild’s Chiltern Chalk No. 158 paint; Free Soul by Michael Aboya; James Malone’s Zig Zag fabric in Emerald; David Seyfried’s Wave sofa

on one right angle and cloudy blue on the opposite side – Edward Bulmer’s Vert de Mer. The wall behind would be painted in Designers Guild’s Chiltern Chalk No. 158. It would hang at eye level just above a David Seyfried Wave sofa, covered in James Malone’s Zig Zag fabric, Emerald colourway, and a Samuel & Sons Pale Tundra pipe. You can customise the legs to match the blues in your scheme for a tailored finish. It’s the finer details like this that really bring an entire scheme together and makes a room sing. The sofa side tables are balancing drops of heaven created by Christopher Kurtz. Hand carved from locally sourced wood in the Hudson Valley where he lives, the series was inspired by his treasured time skipping stones on the Hudson River. By applying pigmented oils and milk paint to the wood, he has created a calming palette that will work in any space. Seeing Michael’s photograph with the glassy leaves and rippling beauty sparked my memory of La Casa de Pilatos in Seville, Spain. If you haven’t been, you simply must go. The place will take your breath away. It’s an example of an Italian Renaissance building with Mudéjar art elements. There are about 150 different 1530s azulejo (Spanish glazed tile) designs made by brothers Diego and Juan Pulido –one of the largest collections in the world. I have always wanted to recreate something like this for a kitchen splashback. After much research, I discovered Juan Traverso who is a Spanish ceramicist. He can be found on Instagram @ceramicaruiztriana. When a tile breaks at La Casa de Pilatos he’s the man who fixes and restores them. His designs come in four colourways and two sizes. I would install the smaller tiles as a border above your work surface, while the larger ones above will create calm and scale… heaven. Keep your eyes open, the river of life is ever flowing and you’ll want to be ready for that hairpin bend.

Every now and again one image will inspire an entire scheme, fabric or furniture design livingetc.com

121

garden insight L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T S T E FA N O M A R I N A Z P L A N T S C L E V E R LY T O A D D P R I VAC Y T O A N U R B A N S C H E M E

The serene space we have created to the back of this property in London is a natural extension of the house’s modern, open-plan interior. Usable space is maximised by having planters, pots and furniture on the perimeter, while the centre is used as a children’s play area. Privacy is courtesy of trellis-topped walls, which are greened up by star jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides; Quercus ilex is used on a raised planting bed to provide a further sense of lushness and seclusion to the garden. Overall the design is modern and minimalistic in its use of materials but rich in the planting palette. A profusion of white, blue and purple flowers are used in the scheme and the garden is illuminated at night with spotlights under each tree.

As well as geraniums, the scheme also features Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Centranthus ruber ‘Albus’, Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’, Epimedium ‘Orangekonigin’, Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’, Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’, Helleborus niger and Hydrangea ‘Bobo’. All of these plants are perfect for a dappled shade garden like this one. When it comes to maintenance it couldn’t be easier, with the perennials just needing to be cut back in December-January time, ahead of the emergence of spring bulbs.

122

livingetc.com

Cut Geranium ‘Rozanne’ back after flowering to get a second flush later on

Trachelospermum jasminoides (star jasmine) grows well in containers and has a climbing habit

WORDS STEFANO MARINAZ PHOTOGRAPHS (GARDEN) ALEX JAMES; (PLANTS) GETTY IMAGES

Having a strong ratio of evergreens to deciduous plants was a deliberate way of ensuring there is low-maintenance interest all year round. The dainty purple flowers are Geranium ‘Rozanne’, a popular choice as they are easy to grow and suitable for almost all growing conditions. Simply plant in a container and water when needed. Late summer sees the lacecaps of climbing Hydrangea petiolaris on the trellis, while in autumn the star of the garden is the multi-stemmed Clerodendrum trichotomum, with unusual, heavily scented flowers that are followed by blue-black berries.

design

“Less is more. It is important not to use too many different plants – instead, repeat plants throughout so there is consistency and a sense of calm”

The design is minimalistic in its use of materials, such as zen-like terracotta planters

livingetc.com

123

gardening columnist SUMMER STARTS HERE AND POPPY OKOTCHA IS BREWING A CUP OF TEA GROWN IN HER HERB PATCH WHILE EXPLAINING HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF RIGHT NOW

mint is to steep a few sprigs in a jug of water overnight, then drink with ice, honey and a pinch of salt in the late spring sunshine.

May is the month of fertility, it is the height of spring and the start of summer. The 1st of May marks the Druid festival known as Beltane. It is said the Maiden Goddess blossoms, the Green Man falls in love with her, they make love and the May Queen becomes pregnant. I love tales like this that are used to understand and connect with the natural world. Indeed, all around us the bees are pollinating blossoms that will ripen into fertile fruits.

Many annual plants (those that grow, flower, set seed and die all in one year) started from seed earlier in the year are ready to be planted into the now-warmed soil. I’ve been planting out tomatoes, cucumbers, squashes and courgettes. These are all hungry plants that need plenty of moisture but hate being waterlogged. When I’m growing them in containers I give them well-rotted manure as their growing medium. Test your manure for herbicide contamination before committing your beloved plants to it.

As tradition dictates, I bring in a branch of the delicate white May Tree (Hawthorn) blossom into the home to mark this festival. As a grower, this time of year can feel chaotic but you should let yourself ride the wave. Right now I’m sowing seeds like a mad thing. My plants seem to grow an inch a minute – blink and you’ll miss it.

PHOTOGRAPHS (THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH) GETTY IMAGES

My mints are growing faster than I can harvest. To encourage lots of fresh, bushy growth I gather from them regularly, cutting back about one-third of the size, snipping just above a set of leaves (deeply inhaling that lovely uplifting aroma as I go). Around the house mint has been hung up to dry, thrown into salads and rice dishes. These are the days where I’m never without a cup of fresh mint tea. My favourite use for

“My favourite use for mint is to steep a few sprigs in a jug of water overnight, then drink it with ice, honey and a pinch of salt”

When growing directly in the earth, if the soil is poor the plants will be poor. I’ve learnt from experience that pots do have their perks. In previous years I have grown hungry annuals in containers until I had cultivated a healthy living soil that was friable (the texture of moist chocolate cake crumbs), rich in organic matter and full of worms, and so capable of supporting abundant growth. To get your soil primed for growing, adding a layer of well-rotted manure and growing green manure, like buckwheat, field bean, clover or lupin, all of which will look beautiful while helping you build your soil, is a good starting point.

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN 1 Feed your plants with organic and homemade plant feeds. Especially hungry, fruiting annuals. 2 Plan ahead. Don’t forget to sow hardy winter veg now for harvests later in the year. Try sprouting broccoli, kale and chard. 3 Where you have planted out young seedlings, keep weeding little and often so the weeds don’t get a chance to do what they do best – grow fast and outcompete your seedlings.

INDOORS 1 Grow microgreens on your windowsill. Try amaranth for pink sprouts. 2 Propagate houseplants from cuttings. All you need is a cutting and a glass of water – pop the cutting in and watch roots form. 3 Ensure a strong flower display from potted bulbs next year by cutting dead or dying flowers at the base of the stem. The plant will put energy into its bulb rather than setting seed. Don’t cut back foliage for at least 6 weeks after flowering.

livingetc.com

125

The furniture is lacquered in Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue – a shade that pairs beautifully with Arabescato marble

case study G L A M O R O U S M AT E R I A L S M E E T D R A M AT I C P R O P O R T I O N S I N T H I S E L O Q U E N T PA R I S I A N E N S U I T E – T R È S C H I C

design

To treat a bathroom as purely functional is to miss out on the opportunity to explore noble materials and eloquent furnishings. Definitely not Humbert & Poyet’s style. The Monaco-based architects put every ounce of design know-how into the en suite of this Paris apartment, starting with the exquisite shower. ‘It is the most luxurious we’ve ever designed,’ says Emil Humbert. ‘The black metal framing adds theatre and showcases the antique French black marble interior. This stone is very special, with a jet-black base and crisp white veining. Watermark’s lacquered brass shower fittings look like jewels inside.’

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHS FRANCIS AMIAND

Located in the fashionable Le Marais district, the apartment has an incredible facade but inside no historic details remained. Humbert & Poyet designed their own neoclassical coving and architraves to make the 4m-high ceilings extra impressive. ‘Without them the room could have felt unbalanced, perhaps too tall,’ says Emil. Balance is central to the duo’s work. ‘We love symmetry in all our designs; it lends a sense of calmness and grace. One of the reasons we kept the WC out of this room was to enable perfect symmetry,’ he adds.

Part of a suite, this 4m-high room is entered via an inner foyer containing the WC room and full-height wardrobes

An antique French black marble was sourced to boost the drama inside the shower cabin

Designed to be admired from every angle, the double vanity is also symmetrically formed. While Emil admits painted wood is not a very noble material, the use of fluting and brass trims elevate the vanity into something far more special. ‘We love using fluted surfaces, this is a zig-zag effect rather than curved, which is more modern,’ Emil says. ‘We also brushed out the lacquered paint finish to produce a grain-like texture, which is again more interesting than a flat finish.’ The vanity mirrors are inspired by Art Deco design and include built-in side lights. Although the mirrors are fixed to the wall for safety, they sit at an angle to give the impression they have just been placed there, like a beautiful mirror propped on a mantelpiece. A lacquered finish was chosen to ensure the tap’s brass finish retains its shine. ‘The bottom part of the tap is hammered to add a different texture. A small detail but one that gives great pleasure,’ says Emil.

need to know THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, 16th-century apartment in the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris, France. DESIGNERS Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet, architects and founders of Humbert & Poyet, +377 93 30 22 22, humbertpoyet.com. KEY FEATURES Bespoke vanity unit with Arabescato marble basins and console units in Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball; bespoke brass-framed mirrors; bespoke

sconce wall lights, all custom designed and made by Humbert & Poyet. Henry pressure balance control valve, £804; Henry thermostatic control valve, £1,212; Henry hand-shower on hook, £948; 2 x Henry low profile three-hole basin taps, £1,350, all with brass handles, Waterworks. Lapicida supplies similar Arabescato marble, from £295sq m, and similar black marble with white veins, from £195sq m. Table decor by Kelly Wearstler

livingetc.com

127

design

kitchen and bathroom news B E I N S P I R E D BY O U R E D I T O F T H E L AT E S T L AU N C H E S A N D D E S I G N S

TRUE BLUE Looking for a new neutral to enliven your kitchen? Evoking the freshness of spring, Neptune’s latest shade – Flax Blue – is right on point for this time of year but its easy-tolive-with tone gives it timeless appeal. Mix with light stone or marble for a classic look, add aged brass for a vintage twist, or turn up the temperature with rust or terracotta accessories. Chichester kitchen in Flax Blue, from £8,000 (neptune.com)

Perfect symphony The new Symphony range cooker from Smeg is the dream oven. Not only does it get up to temperature in just six minutes, the Circulaire fan function allows you to cook different food without transferring any flavours. And the best bit? The vapour clean option promises to leave it spotless within 20 minutes. Symphony range cooker, from £1,999 (smeguk.com)

Franke’s touch-free Atlas Neo sensor kitchen tap is perfect for these hygieneaware times. From £540 (franke.co.uk)

FEATURE BUSOLA EVANS

Lines of duty The collective love for the vertical tile shows no sign of waning. Now Domus has joined in the fun with Yubi, a range of mosaics inspired by Japanese minimalism. It comes in six shades and we’re drawn to Charcoal, perfect for highlighting brighter fittings. Yubi Mosaic, £214.80sq m, with Agape Vieques floor-standing basin in White, £3,015 (westonebathrooms.com)

BEACH VIBES If you can’t hit an LA beach this summer, channel those vibes in your bathroom instead. BC Designs’ popular Boat bath has been given an uplifting paint refresh with the new California Collection, created by Kelly Wearstler and Farrow & Ball. Boat bath in Faded Terracotta, from £1,480 (bcdesigns.co.uk)

livingetc.com

129

style setter

grace jones

The statuesque model and singer shot to fame in the early 80s with her bold, androgynous style, dulcet tones and risqué lyrics. Five decades later she remains an icon of contemporary culture. Born in Jamaica, Jones moved to New York with her family in her teens. Her career as a model took off when she was 18, walking for Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo Takada and Azzedine Alaïa, before turning to music. As a recording artist she became a firm fixture on the disco scene with three albums, Portfolio, Fame and Muse, and frequent appearances at legendary nightclub, Studio 54. But it was her eye-catching, gender-bending outfits and fierce individuality that

FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY

THE ICONIC SINGER, SONGWRITER AND MODEL affirmed her style icon status. With disco dead, the creative chameleon worked on a new sound, resulting in two criticallyacclaimed albums, Warm Leatherette and Nightclubbing, coinciding with a dramatic visual makeover. ‘Grace Jones is one of the few living artists who can truly be described as iconic,’ says Bengi Ünsal, head of contemporary music, Southbank Centre. ‘Her complexity as an artist, subverting the norms in music, fashion, art and film, has made her a muse to some of the most exciting artists and designers, from Andy Warhol and Jean-Paul Goude to Annie Lennox and Lady Gaga – her legacy is one of unwavering individuality and self-expression.’

Grace Jones still performs live, often hula-hooping, wearing little but body paint

MORE VISIONARIES KEITH HARING, ARTIST, ACTIVIST AND PHILANTHROPIST Keith’s cartoonish graphics often carried social messages. SYLVESTER, DRAG QUEEN, SINGER AND SONGWRITER This cross-dressing ‘Queen of Disco’ became a pop pioneer with his Hi-NRG anthem You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real). JEAN-PAUL GOUDE, IMAGE MAKER Capturing the spirit of the age, he broke the internet with his image of Kim Kardashian on the cover of Paper magazine.

DESIGN DOSSIER

personality

Ideas to give your space that extra oomph

livingetc.com

131

DESIGN DOSSIER: PERSONALIT Y

news

Buys and tips for joyfully designed homes EXPERT VIEW

Playing with scale

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT

Robert Stilin, designer Scale is everything – it’s critical to a scheme. If you don’t get the scale right the design will look ridiculous. To play with scale you should consider repetition, consistency and balance. You can play with scale in plan, elevation and in situ. You can visualise and tangibly move around materials and objects to create variations. I start by playing in plan and elevation, and then going to the site and sensing it personally with my eye. I rely on visceral feelings so I can create opinions on scale. Lighting is a great way to experiment with scale because it adds drama. It incorporates sculptural elements and can occupy space in interesting ways. It’s important to evaluate how the lighting or a statement piece relates to the room as a whole. With artwork I like to be bold. I think that people tend to be shy about scale and tend to err on making things too small, but go bigger with everything – art, furniture, objects. Small spaces do not mean small objects. Larger objects can make a small space feel bigger. The biggest mistake is that people are conservative and go small. Don’t be afraid to make things bigger and bring them into your space. That said, depending on the conditions and the space, there is certainly a moment where less is more and smaller is better. Or you can create a conversation between a space that features larger-scale items with a space that exhibits some smaller-scale pieces.

SAUCY SIGN Go tongue in cheek with your bedroom decor. This bold neon piece is the perfect addition to a home that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The Real Banana LED neon sign, £219, Yellowpop

More like a work of art than a piece of furniture, this dreamily fluid and handcast table is sure to add a welcome touch of whimsy. The Lagoon table, from £24,570, Korner Interiors at The Invisible Collection livingetc.com

133

DESIGN DOSSIER: PERSONALIT Y

EXPERT VIEW

Sourcing pieces online Athena Calderone, interior designer When looking for pieces online, I dive down the rabbit hole of discovery and scour everywhere – Chairish, 1stDibs, Etsy, eBay and Pamono. The hunt is real, and if you allow yourself to be led it can truly be a fun adventure. Instagram is great for unique pieces, too. I look at who other designer friends, stylists and photographers follow to guide me. I once purchased a massive round Georgian statement piece and cut off the back two-thirds of it to make it into a sideboard. It’s a great example to not be afraid to alter a piece if it has certain characteristics that you love. When buying online, study dimensions and ask for pictures in both natural and artificial lighting. Also, get super specific about the condition so you can decide in advance if you are better off shipping a piece directly to your reupholsterer or refinisher to save you a step.

B A R S TA R Add a touch of luxe to your everyday by upgrading your bar stools. Inspired by art deco design, Sofa. com has launched a sleek new offering that’ll make your breakfast bar feel like the hottest new restaurant in town. Boasting a handy (and, let’s face it, fun) swivel seat, gently curved back and a wooden frame, the Margaux has it all. Margaux bar stool in Bahama cotton matt velvet, £740, Sofa.com

The writing’s on the wall with this expressive wall hook. Inspired by hand gestures, this sculpted piece declares ‘I Love You’ at passers-by. I Love You coat hook, £70, Pols Potten at Selfridges HIDDEN FROM VIEW

PA S T RY C A S E We love a trompe l’oeil – and not just because it’s a fun phrase to drop into convos. Pick up this quirky ceramic to use as a butter dish. Croissant porcelain box, £195, Augarten Wien at The Sette

There’s more than meets the eye with these bookshelves. Open shelving is having a serious moment but there are some things that are better kept tucked away – which is where the built-in cupboard steps in. Everywhere shelving units, from £939, Ligne Roset

livingetc.com

135

DESIGN DOSSIER: PERSONALIT Y

lookbook

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPH MANOLO YLLERA

Character is guaranteed with these exuberant styles

Through lines When filling a room with charisma, it can be tempting to go all-out with your choices, but the key to creating a cool cohesion is to find dialogue between your pieces. This space designed by Kelly Wearstler is more than just the sum of its parts – black lines run throughout the look, from the polkas on the sofa, the legs of the chairs and the grounding marble architrave. Shades of pink and turquoise echo through the space, too, in what Kelly calls, ‘a sophisticated yet playful design story’.

livingetc.com GET THE LOOK For a similar armchair, try the Hesby Club Chair, from £4,400, Kelly Wearstler

137

Cocooned in colour

Pop goes the art

If you’ve fallen for a particular paint pigment, then forget the so-called rules and let your paintbrush run wild. Wrap your room in a bold colour, from the walls, right over the coving and up onto the ceiling. Contrary to popular belief, this will rarely make a room feel smaller, as there’s no contrasting moment where your eye realises that it has reached the top.

Creating colour contrast is a simple but incredibly effective way of achieving a strong look in your home. Sticking to traditional white bases in rooms allows you to play with colour pops – choose extra bright pigments for the peppiest result. ‘I’m a big believer that every home should have a dark space,’ says David Stark, the owner of this space. ‘It makes the bright spaces even brighter and the transitions between them more dramatic.’

GET THE LOOK For similar paint, try Varsity Blues, £63 for 2.5ltr, Benjamin Moore. Vintage Hans J Wegner Papa Bear chair and ottoman, find similar at Pamono

138

livingetc.com

GET THE LOOK Heaven table, from £710, Jean-Marie Massaud for Emu. Wishbone chairs, from £442 each, Carl Hansen & Søn

PHOTOGRAPHS (COCOONED IN COLOUR, POP GOES THE ART) MATTHEW WILLIAMS/ FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (PANEL TALK) JAMES MERRELL/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

DESIGN DOSSIER: PERSONALIT Y

Panel talk Wallpapering doesn’t have to be limited to main walls. Look to oftignored spaces in a room to make an impact with pattern, such as bookshelves, alcoves and wall panels. The key here is to have a strong colour scheme in the room, picking up on the main wall colour within the print of the wallpaper. GET THE LOOK Woodwork in Hague Blue modern eggshell, £73 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Shelving unit lined in Pantigre PCCL665/03 wallpaper in Turquoise, £91 a roll, Christian Lacroix for Designers Guild. Oliver chair, £2,285, The Sofa & Chair Company

On the wall If your walls are crying out for some attention, then consider a mural to add a unique stamp. A hand-painted design is one route, like this classically inspired 18th century-style mural in the home of fashion designer Alice Temperley, which she commissioned from her friend Frederick Wimsett. Alternatively, there are plenty of mural-style wallpapers on the market. If you choose one of these, now is the time to go big – select the largest scale your room can take for ultimate impact. GET THE LOOK Try Cook’s Blue estate emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

PHOTOGRAPHS (ON THE WALL, CHIC ARRANGEMENT) PAUL RAESIDE/ FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM; (SLICE OF LIFE) CHRIS EVERARD/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

DESIGN DOSSIER: PERSONALIT Y

Slice of life

Chic arrangement

Introduce vibrant personality to your home in the most unexpected places for the biggest results. Painting internal doors with bold, bright shades is not only easy and inexpensive to do, but a wonderful way of updating your interiors without committing to a full scheme. Don’t stop at the face of the door, try choosing a contrasting colour for the edges that are hidden when the door is closed. Alternatively, paint the architrave a contrasting colour for an even more dramatic entranceway.

Imbue your space with history by lining the walls with collections from your past and present. Prevent the look from feeling cluttered and overly busy by limiting the number of types of object being displayed and restricting the colour palette to a couple of shades. This space, once the home of Sir Terence Conran and wife Vicki, shows off Vicki’s monochrome collection of ceramics, adding a stylish gallery-like effect to the room. Regularly update and rearrange any displays to keep things dynamic and feeling fresh.

GET THE LOOK For similar paint, try Luscious Lime mixing eggshell, £16.95 for 500ml, Dulux; and Charlotte’s Locks estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

GET THE LOOK The ceramics include work by Nicholas Lees and Magdalene Odundo

livingetc.com

141

Alcove action

Think pink

Think of your home like a gallery and when in doubt add personality with display. Make use of architectural quirks like alcoves to become a grand frame to your collections. Emphasise this space by painting it in a contrasting shade to the wall or highlight any coving to pick out the literal ‘frame’. This home takes things one step further by painting the cabinetry a few shades deeper than the alcove, creating a sense of unity.

Choosing a head-to-toe colour story in any room will act as a dramatic statement, but the result will be even stronger in an unexpected space. In this pink and proud shower room, from Emily Murray of The Pink House, polished plaster was chosen to coat the walls, creating a softer finish than traditional paint.

GET THE LOOK The wall-mounted plates are by John Derian. Beads pendant light, £1,280, Holloways of Ludlow

142

livingetc.com

GET THE LOOK Georgian shower in polished brass, £2,947.20; Aquitaine basin mixer with single lever in polished brass, £612.36; traditional wall-mounted shaving mirror in polished brass, £562.92, all Perrin & Rowe

PHOTOGRAPHS (ALCOVE ACTION) JAMES MERRELL/FUTURECONTENTHUB. COM; (THINK PINK) SUSIE LOWE; (SEEING DOUBLE) ANSON SMART

DESIGN DOSSIER: PERSONALIT Y

Seeing double Deliver instant impact in your space by working with both symmetry and scale. Placing identical pieces of furniture mirroring one another makes a room seem bigger, as the central point becomes a calm focal point, spacing out the larger items. Take things one step further by introducing oversized elements. Scaling up a few considered pieces, such as the coffee table legs, fruit bowl and rug in this scheme by Tamsin Johnson, implies that the room is larger than it is. GET THE LOOK For a similar sofa, try Tilda, £2,998, Love Your Home. For a similar rug, try Barber, from £365, Nordic Knots

One of four Culture Rooms, with Ceraudo wallpaper, chair fabric by Olicana and a Rosi de Ruig lampshade

the lifestyle edit T H E O N E T H I N G W E ’ R E E XC I T E D FO R T H I S M O N T H

FEATURE: ROHINI WAHI

Country house meets Royal Regatta flair at The Mitre, a relaxed and refined riverside hotel sitting pretty opposite Hampton Court Palace. With maximalist interiors designed by Livingetc favourite Nicola Harding, it showcases her mastery of the skilled art of modern eccentricity livingetc.com

145

in and out 3

T H I N G S T O D O A N D S E E – AT H O M E O R O U T S I D E

T H E I N S TA G R A M ACCOUNT

T H E G E TAWAY

Slow retreat

Colour therapy

Feeling cautiously optimistic about travel, we have our sights on Settle, a transportive collection of railway carriages, safari tents and boutique cabins set in serene Norfolk parkland with lake views. Furnished with locally sourced natural soaps, organic textiles and handmade pottery, you can then buy it all in its online shop. settlenorfolk.co.uk; settleshop.co.uk

Michelle Norris, an artist based in Atlanta, Georgia, ﬁlls our Instagram feed with bold print, pattern, interiors and fashion, combining her love for vibrant colours and a goal of spreading positivity and love through creativity. She is the co-owner and curator of the just as energetic feed of creative studio @tropicophoto. @michellenorrisphoto

THE MUST READ

Homespun charm From the kitchen of acclaimed architect John Pawson and his wife Catherine, Home Farm Cooking (£35, Phaidon Press) is an inspiring collection of favourite dishes all fundamental to the couple’s home cooking and entertaining repertoire. The resulting tome speaks beautifully of simple food enjoyed in a pared-back space.

THE GALLERY

FEATURE ROHINI WAHI

Out of this world Curious and wonderfully and totally offbeat, new contemporary London gallery House on Mars is home to a range of avant-garde wearable art, objects and wall pieces. Established by architect, educator and maker Vanja Bazdulj, the gallery is a refreshing showcase for unconventional materials, processes and ideas. houseonmars.net

THE SKILLS CLASS

Best in blooms Most known for her work with fashion houses Christian Dior and Hermès and creating the now iconic floral arch at Windsor Castle for Harry and Meghan’s wedding – get in line for first-class florist Philippa Craddock’s beautifully conceived Floristry Fundamentals course. From £195, philippacraddock.com

livingetc.com

147

à la française C O O K A N D E AT L I K E T H E F R E N C H W I T H T H E S E CONTEMPORARY RECIPES FROM REBEK AH PEPPLER

CHICKEN CONFIT

serves 6 1.8kg skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (6 to 8) 1½ tbsp fine sea salt, plus more as needed 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed 1 lemon, thinly sliced 4 garlic cloves, smashed, plus 2 garlic heads, unpeeled and halved crosswise 4 fresh thyme sprigs 2 bay leaves 2 large leeks, tough outer layer and dark tops removed, halved, cleaned and cut into 2.5 cm pieces 1.2-1.4ltr extra virgin olive oil 240g green olives, such as Picholine or Lucques

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with the salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl with the lemon slices, garlic cloves, thyme and bay leaves. Cover with a lid or an upside-down dinner plate. Refrigerate overnight.

T O M AT O E S W I T H BUT TE R ARMAGNAC

Preheat the oven to 135°C/Gas 1. Place the leeks and garlic head halves in the bottom of a large Dutch oven. Add the chicken, lemon slices and herbs. Pour in the oil (it should cover the chicken completely) and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for 2 hours, then add the olives to the pot and return to the oven for 15 minutes more.

serves 6 3 tbsp Armagnac 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly 1 medium shallot, finely chopped

PHOTOGRAPHS JOANN PAI

Preheat the grill. Set an ovenproof cooling rack on a baking sheet and use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken thighs to the rack. Grill until the chicken skin is crisp and browned, around 5-8 minutes.

Fine sea salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into large pieces 1½ tbsp finely chopped fresh chives

1 2

In a small dish, combine the Armagnac, butter and shallot. Season with fine sea salt and black pepper. Set aside for 10 minutes. Arrange the tomatoes on a large platter, drizzle with the Armagnac-shallot mixture and sprinkle with the chives and flaky salt. Serve immediately.

Flaky sea salt

Transfer the chicken thighs to a serving platter and use the slotted spoon to fish out the leeks, olives, garlic and lemons and scatter them around the chicken. Serve warm.

livingetc.com

149

C H O C O L AT E P U D D I N G , BUT FRENCH

serves 6 -8 600ml whole milk 180ml heavy cream 100g sugar 3 tbsp cornstarch, sifted 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use 1 tsp vanilla extract Heaping ¼ tsp fine sea salt 3 large eggs, at room temperature 100g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped 100g white chocolate, coarsely chopped Lightly whipped cream, for serving Flaky sea salt, for serving

In a medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat, add the milk, cream, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla bean seeds, vanilla extract and fine sea salt and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Let the mixture boil just until it starts to thicken,1-2 minutes, then immediately remove the pan from the heat.

CHAUD COMME

serves 1 30ml blanc vermouth 3 or 4 dashes orange bitters 90ml dry sparkling wine 30ml soda water 1 large slice of orange 3 big green olives

Fill a wineglass with ice, then add the vermouth and bitters. Top with the sparkling wine and soda water. Add the orange wheel and olives directly into the glass and serve.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Whisking constantly, slowly add 120ml of the hot milk mixture to the eggs. Pour it all back into the pan with the remaining milk mixture and cook, whisking constantly over low heat, until the mixture just starts to bubble.

Place the dark chocolate in one mixing bowl and the white chocolate in another. Strain half the milk mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into each bowl. Whisk both until the chocolates are completely melted and the puddings are smooth.

Transfer the dark chocolate pudding to a large serving bowl. Add the white chocolate pudding and gently swirl just to barely combine. Refrigerate until chilled and firm, at least 6 hours, and serve with lightly whipped cream and flaky salt.

150

livingetc.com

Serve in your biggest, chicest bowl with lots of whipped cream, flaky salt and spoons

À Table: Recipes for Cooking and Eating the French Way by Rebekah Peppler (£21.99, Chronicle Books)

style setter

ABOVE Ghosteen is Cave’s 17th album BELOW Cave has also penned screenplays

OTHE R RULE BREAKERS LEIGH BOWERY, PERFORMANCE ARTIST Bowery’s body was his canvas, with out-to-shock disguises that were an imaginative form of self-expression in the 80s. RASHAAD NEWSOME, ARTIST Newsome challenges notions of identity, self, power, discrimination and human agency through his spectacular visual sampling. ANDREW LOGAN, SCULPTURAL ARTIST AND DESIGNER Logan’s colourful body of work spans sparkling costume jewellery to glittering public sculptures.

The Aussie rock god and lead singer of the Bad Seeds has forged a fashion path with his dark, dapper style. His look of tailored suits and slimline shirts, together with his pale skin, raven black hair and ‘Mafia’ rings, has become a sartorial signature – as individual and recognisable as his melancholic music. Emerging in the 80s, with numerous band incarnations and musical influences from punk to blues, Cave’s sound has evolved from angry and angstridden to intensely autobiographical. At times darkly romantic and deeply tragic, his songwriting is a vehicle for his poetic, philosophical and sometimes

spookily prophetic musings, with searing honesty and raw emotion that can be both challenging and comforting. A storyteller with a spiritual bent, he has penned novels, screenplays – even an opera – alongside film scores and compositions for art house cinema. More commercially, his menacing track Red Right Hand was used as the theme song to the BBC’s Peaky Blinders. Ghosteen is his 17th album. ‘Nick is a true polymath – a musician, an artist, poet and aesthete with such innate taste. His work touches the collective soul with its authenticity and spirit,’ says Frieda Gormley, co-founder of House of Hackney.

nick cave

FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY

THE STORY-TELLING SINGER, SONGWRITER, AUTHOR AND COMPOSER

Perched on a cliff, the Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn boasts sea views and fine Californian cuisine

hotel hot list PA S S P O R T S AT T H E R E A D Y : T H R E E S T E L L A R C O U N T R I E S T O H O L I D AY I N , T H R E E S T Y L I S H WAY S T O D O T H E M – D E P E N D I N G O N Y O U R B U D G E T

united states A F O R E S T R E T R E AT, D E S E R T R E S O R T A N D A B E A U T Y

FEATURE PATRICK HAMILTON COURTNEY

ON THE BIG SUR – AMERICA HAS IT ALL

S AV V Y

STRETCH

SPLURGE

Mid-Century Modern A Frame Home on Six Acres Built in 1968, this impressive Hudson Valley hideaway rental is a 20th-century design lover’s dream. Stuffed with art and Danish furniture, it offers an outdoorsy break with added creature comforts. During the summer, explore the hiking trails and forests of this patch of upstate New York and come winter a spot by the fireplace guarantees a romantic evening in. Book it Sleeps six for around £250 a night, airbnb.co.uk

Parker Palm Springs Another property with midcentury leanings, the Parker is your quintessential Palm Springs compound. Think white walls, palm trees, pop art and a perfect pool all set against that unbeatable mountain-meets-blue-sky backdrop. Designed by Jonathan Adler, the hotel is a joyful riot of bold colour and funky furniture that has made it a go-to address for celebs and fashionistas. Book it Rooms from around £250 a night, parkerpalmsprings.com

Post Ranch Inn Considered one of the best hotels in America, Post Ranch Inn is an architectural masterpiece built into the rugged coastline of California’s famed Big Sur. There are infinity pools that look out over the Pacific Ocean, a fine-dining restaurant that appears to hang off the edge of a cliff and bedrooms equipped with woodburning fires and skylights that make the most of the lack of light pollution for a spot of crystal-clear midnight stargazing. All of this doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a splurge that guarantees a truly bucket list experience. Rooms from around £850 a night, postranchinn.com

livingetc.com

155

italy C H I C FA S H I O N , A N C I E N T C U LT U R E , S U N - D R E N C H E D C OA S T A N D C O U N T R Y S I D E – W H AT M O R E C O U L D YO U WA N T F R O M A VAC AT I O N D E S T I N AT I O N ?

S AV V Y

STRETCH

SPLURGE

Chapter Roma A brilliant base from which to explore the Italian capital, Chapter Roma offers its guests a level of scene-stealing style that’s hard to come by for prices like these, in a city like Rome. Bare brick walls and exposed pipes lend an industrial aesthetic, but there’s plenty of luxe vibes courtesy of grand stone floors and a liberal use of velvet. Check out the buzzy, cosmopolitan cocktail bar that turns co-working space during daylight hours. Book it Rooms from around £150 a night, chapter-roma.com

Castello di Ugento You’ll find the Italy of yesteryear in Ugento, a honey-toned castle town on the country’s southernmost coast. At the centre of the settlement is Castello di Ugento, a 17th-century fortress recently rethought as a luxury retreat. The old stone walls make a striking backdrop for the hotel’s collection of contemporary art and design furniture, while balmy courtyard dinners in the walled garden are a treat of authentic Puglian fare. Book it Rooms from around £300 a night, castellodiugento.com

Hotel La Scalinatella There are few places more synonymous with glamorous summer living than the isle of Capri. Exquisite natural beauty, white stucco villas and a harbour of elegant yachts have made this Italian bolthole a favourite with the jet set for generations. Experience the island’s enchantments from La Scalinatella, a private hometurned-hotel that looks out across azure waters from its commanding hilltop position. The property is best known for its impeccable service, so a Bellini by the pool should never be too far away. Book it Rooms from £480 a night, scalinatella.com

156

livingetc.com

united kingdom F R E E D O M T O T R AV E L I S O N T H E H O R I Z O N , S O W H AT ’ S T O K E E P U S H O L I DAY I N G O N H O M E T U R F ? O U R I DY L L I C C O U N T R Y S I D E , H I S T O R Y A N D C O O L C A P I TA L C I T Y

S AV V Y

STRETCH

SPLURGE

Number One Bruton It might be our ‘savvy’ option, but you’re still in for a treat at this jewelbox hotel in bucolic Bruton. Behind its sunflower yellow door is a warren of historic interconnected buildings, all decorated in a fresh but comfortingly traditional style that celebrates local Somerset art, craft and culture. A date with Osip, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, is a must, where head chef Merlin Labron-Johnson’s seasonal cooking recently bagged the dining room its first Michelin star. Book it Rooms from £130 a night, numberonebruton.com

Astley Castle If walls could talk, the stories this house could tell would give even the most sensational of period dramas a run for their money. The site dates back hundreds of years, and in that time it’s played host to nobility, usurper queens and a country house hotel. After being decimated by fire and left in ruins, the castle was rescued when its owners teamed up with English Heritage, The Landmark Trust and architects Witherford Watson Mann for a renovation that injected modern style into what remained of its ancient shell, and it now hosts guests for short holiday stays. Book it Sleeps eight, from £1,215 for four nights, landmarktrust.org.uk

Claridge’s The distinguished choice of royals, presidents and superstars, this art deco icon is peerless in its understated approach to opulence. Sitting on the corner of Mayfair’s Brook Street, it offers easy access to London’s best attractions, though you could scarcely be blamed for staying put within its four walls. The Foyer’s afternoon teas are legendary, and it is home to the Michelin-starred Davies and Brook. Coming soon is a colossal new subterranean mega-basement that will contain a swimming pool, spa, shops, wine cellars, cinemas et al. Book it Rooms from around £570 a night, claridges.co.uk

livingetc.com

157

globetrotter DESIGNER INDIA HICKS ON THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HARBOUR ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS

are all imprinted on her work: lots of white canvas upholstery, boldly coloured peach stripes, rattan and cane furniture.

The Dunmore hotel

A guest house at Hibiscus Hill

First things first, when should we go? Any time but September and October (they’re the rainiest months with a threat of hurricanes). The rest of the year offers pink sands, turquoise waters, turtles and dolphins. Best place to stay? Hibiscus Hill, Harbour Island. There’s a variety of guest homes, from townhouse to beach house, all with their own personality and charm. The homeware shop to head for? The Island Store in Lyford Cay offers traditional Caribbean home goodies, with a huge splash of colour, pattern and panache. Browse batik quilts, pineapple lamps, pottery, linen napkins and candles. Restaurant with the best interior? The Dunmore hotel restaurant is designed by the talented Amanda Lindroth, who understands the history of The Bahamas. The style, the architecture and the climate

158

livingetc.com

Table setting by India

India Hicks

Most interesting gallery? Princess Street Gallery on Harbour Island showcases an extraordinarily collection of tropical art inspired by The Bahamas. Peek at the pink sand, azure sea, sun-washed cottages and at the gentle people that have been luring artists here for more than 100 years. Best beaches for relaxing in the sun? Lighthouse Beach is known for its endless miles of unspoiled soft rose sand and is considered to be one of the most magnificent beaches in The Bahamas. At this hidden gem you can play in two bodies of water almost simultaneously, the Caribbean and the Atlantic. Your favourite spot for a cocktail? Sweet Spot Cafe on Harbour Island, run by two beautiful Bahamian sisters who offer exotic cocktails, such as their Coral Heat, a heady mix of vodka, grapefruit juice, black pepper and lime sugar. It’s actually a juice bar with healthy smoothies, organic snacks and vegan desserts, which makes the cocktails even more thrilling! Don’t leave without visiting? Kamalame Cay family-run resort for a very private escape. It’s found on the edge of the Andros Great Barrier Reef: a pretty breathtaking adventure. An Entertaining Story by India Hicks (£37.50, Rizzoli) is out now.

FEATURE JACKY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS (HIBISCUS HILL, LIGHTHOUSE BEACH) ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (PORTRAIT) BRITTAN GOETZ

enowned for her irreverent take on style and design, India Hicks has quietly built a lifestyle brand from her home on Harbour Island in The Bahamas. As daughter of legendary designer David Hicks, the former Ralph Lauren model combines English eccentricity with laid-back Caribbean culture. Her latest book An Entertaining Story is a delve into her imaginative spin on entertaining, offering clever improvisations and fun ideas for table settings, with a sprinkling of recipes and family tales. We caught up with India on the highlights of Harbour Island.

Lighthouse Beach

secret address book Jonathan Adler flicks through his Rolodex to find the kaleidoscopic bindery you need to know PA RV U M O P U S Whoever said bookish was boring hasn’t paid a trip to Parvum Opus. The Michigan-based craft firm’s name means ‘diminutive artistic forms’ in Latin, and its book bindings, notebooks, stationery and desk accessories are a whirl of office-based fun. Its jewel-toned marble designs, created by founder Erika Stefanutti, breathe new life into your working arrangements, a dazzle of imaginative colour that make jotting down notes a joy. Folios from $20, parvumopus.com

162

livingetc.com